#the approaching ruin is eternal

[lorephobic]

this is the funniest thing that sits and rots in my drafts because its been four months atp and i still have not thought of a single headcanon for these two

[rottenlittlefink]

If anyone is worried about not being able to manifest with anxiety/ocd: I manifested more money and weed within a week with subs + robotic affirming. It being the holiday season wouldn’t have made a difference since the ppl I got them from wouldn’t have done so for me because one is stingy and the other is only an acquaintance/coworker

[whorelaud]

OFF LIMITS – rafe cameron ¡ (03)

social media & irl AU !

pairing brother's best friend!rafe cameron x brat!reader summary you slide into a random boy's dms on instagram, anything but expecting him to end up being your brother's best friend, let alone the person you'll be spending your summer vacation with. while resisting Rafe and his lingering gazes was an option, you found yourself in the constant loop of crossing the line; said line being your brother. ch content sexual jokes, rafe being a sweetheart( & an idiot) !

NAVIGATION. series masterlist | 02 ¡ 03 ¡ 04

The past week was beyond perfect, you knew something bad was occuring, whether you liked it or not. Unlike what you had in mind, the trip was fun, with you and Sarah attached at the hip, doing everything you missed out on for the past two years.

You partied a decent amount, had a lot of dates and dinners, with Rafe and Ryan third wheeling, of course. And that's besides the beach errands you ran at least twice a day. However, that all came crashing down when you got your period, falling into a state of apathy the moment you discovered you were on it. 

It was bearable at first, you still hung out with the rest, sunbathing while they surfed, sat to the side when they cooked, but your cramps had other plans, ruining your day when you no longer could tolerate the pain, leading to no good. You locked yourself in your room, isolating yourself from everyone else, immediately brushing off their attempts to allure you out.

It was that bad, even Sarah chose to keep her distance, giving you space, fully aware of your mood swings when it came to dealing with your period cramps. The blonde did everything in her power to keep you comfortable, only reaching out to you when it was necessary, and to that, you were grateful, because Ryan on the other hand, was behaving like a total bitch. 

And well, Rafe was sweet. He was clueless, yet, he knew you were feeling under the weather, offering to take over your tasks when Rysn forced you to do chores. You had to keep reminiscing over the fact that this was a mere joke, and that he’s off limits, hence he’s your brother’s best friend. 

But how could you? Rafe was an angel, everything you looked for in a guy, and while it’s only been a bit over a week since you’ve met him, the subtle gazes you exchanged did nothing but create a giddy mess out of you. 

You forced yourself out of bed, body drenched with sweat due to the thick hoodie hugging your figure. You approached the bathroom, with the intent of freshening up, eternally grateful it was connected to your room. 

With a groan, you reached for the wood cabinets, unlatching them with a swift movement. You reached for the container of spare pads you had brought, heart sinking to your stomach when nothing came within your reach, indicating you were out. That only added to your pent up frustration, letting out a cry as you tossed the box in the trash. 

Those were supposed to last you a week, yet, here you were, out on the second day of your period. Usually, your cycle wasn’t on the heavy side, that it completely went past your mind to bring more, just in case it was one of those days. 

Your parents were nowhere in sight when you called out for them, implying that they weren’t home. You had no choice but to reach out to Ryan, contemplating whether it was a good idea with how whiny he was, a good chance he’ll probably refuse.

Therefore, it was no surprise when you knocked and called out his name, receiving no response in return. You rolled your eyes, erupting through the door, instantly regretting the gesture as you came to a halt, spotting none other than Rafe on Ryan’s bed, with your brother nowhere in sight. 

Rafe was accompanied with his phone, laying flat on his chest, his bare back glowing under the sunlight peeking through the window blinds. You grew flustered to the sight, forcing your eyes away from the latter when he perked up, conscious of your presence mere inches away.

A low hum bubbled out of Rafe’s throat, stretching his arms over his head as he tossed his phone to the side, now facing in your direction. He flashed you a tight-lipped smile, seeking his shirt with his gaze, not wanting to put you in an awkward situation with the state he was in. 

Right, he was shirtless, it was rude of you to come in without knocking, especially now, as your gaze burned holes through his skin, too hazed to pull your eyes away from his broad torso. How could you, when his chest was out on display, the view inviting, so there, it left you no choice but to stare?

“Sorry,” you muttered through a breath, clenching the hem of your hoodie in between your fingers. “I didn’t know you’d be in here, I thought Ryan was ignorin’ me.” 

“It’s okay,” Rafe reassured, throwing his shirt over his head. “Ryan’s not here, he’s been gone since this morning.” 

“Right,” you nodded, his absence skipping over your head. “I’ll leave you to it, then.”

“Do you need anything?” Rafe interrupted your plan of exiting, causing your hand to halt around the doorknob. 

“It’s nothing,” you brushed off his concerns with a polite smile, “Jus’ wanted to grab a few things, since the fridge is empty.” 

“Okay,” Rafe shot back, springing out of his seat. “Let’s go.” 

“Wait, what?” Your eyes slightly widened, taken aback by his suggestion. 

“Do you not want to go?” He playfully poked back, strolling past you, your eyes following his figure, landing where he stood against the railing. “I’ll take you.” 

“You don’t have to!” You instantly refused, hands waving in front of your chest. “I’ll just wait until he’s back, it’s no big deal–”

“Don’t be stubborn,” Rafe chimed back, his footsteps echoing through your ears, observing as he walked down the stairs. He looked over his shoulder, merely to glimpse in your direction. “I’ll wait for you downstairs, come down when you’re ready.” 

Rafe left you no choice but to do as he said, throwing on a decent outfit before heading downstaits, and making your way outside. The latter already had the engine started, his door slightly open, with the hum of the radio playing in the background. He perked up when you approached the car, tossing his phone in the cup holder. Rafe watched as you got in, quickly clicking your seatbelt on, so you don’t delay your leave any longer. 

The drive to the grocery store stretched with comfortable silence, atmosphere heavy with tension you both chose not to address, letting it seep through the whole ride. You let out a sigh of relief you didn’t know you were holding, exiting the car as soon as Rafe was parked. 

Rafe followed in your steps, attempting to catch up with you through the somewhat cramped space. It was a good grocery run, quick yet filled with chaos, as Rafe stacked the cart with unnecessary things that you knew would go unnoticed, only getting acknowledged once they’re past the due date. 

Despite your desperate need for pads; the whole purpose of this errand, your embarrassment took over everytime you circled around the aisle, eyeing it while you tried to come up with a good excuse for you to grab them, feighing the boy’s presence, who was growing suspicious because of how anxious you were. 

Rafe could only handle so much, halting when you hit your third round in the ‘hygiene care aisle’, the gesture earning a puzzled expression out of you. You turned in the boy’s direction, breath knocking out of your chest when you caught him observing the various type of pads displayed on the shelves.

“Which one do you want?” He questioned, hand landing on a random brand, one you’ve never heard of before. “This one?” ‘

He knew. The realization made your cheeks flush with heat, feeling it crawl past your neck, and settle across your face, your bewildered expression failing to hide your embarrassment. Usually, you were very vocal about your needs, you don’t get why it was hard to voice out what you wanted, especially in Rafe’s presence. 

Whether it’s you being nervous, or embarrassed, either way frustrated you, making you even more confused than you already were. 

“What?” You choked out, tensning from where you stood. 

“Do you not use that one?” He questioned, eyebrows furrowing with confusion. He clicked his teeth, observing each one, until he pointed at another brand. “How about this one? I heard it’s a good brand.”

“You heard?” You repeated, your voice filled with disbelief. “I– listen, Rafe, I don’t need them, let’s jus’ leave.” 

“Who are you fooling here?” He scoffed, slightly teasing with his tone. “You clearly need them, this is the third time we’ve come through this section, it can’t be for no reason.”

You hated that he was right, his statement making you even more flustered, creating a mess out of you in front of him. You cleared your throat, striving to come up with an excuse that will get you out of this situation, merely to result with nothing in return. 

“It’s not for me,” shit, “Sarah said she needed pads, it’s not something I could bring up, since you insisted on tagging along.”

“Mhm,” Rafe hummed, a knowing smile tugging at his lips, not convinced by your explanation. “Now tell me, which one do you use?” 

“I’m serious!” You exclaimed, abashed by his teasing. 

“Sorry, I mean, which one does Sarah use?” He corrected, chest swelling with pride with his words were getting to you, affecting you whole as you stumbled to mutter a coherent sentence out. “Now hurry, we don’t have all day.” 

“Oh, shush.” You rolled your eyes, suppressing the smile forming on your lips. “Don’t rush me.”

You paused for a second, snorting when you noticed him reaching for his phone, for the mere purpose of searching the brand he has in hand, his curiosity getting the best of him. You snatched it from his hold, placing it back on the shelf, the action earning a puzzled look out of the boy. 

“What was that for?” He started, voice so soft, that you almost felt guilty for interfering. 

“It’s not a good brand,” you reasoned, reaching for the one you always used. “This one is, though.” 

“Yeah?” Rafe questioned, his lips smudging with a cocky grin. “Does Sarah use it?” 

“She does,” you choked out, tossing the box of pads in the cart, completely avoiding Rafe’s gaze. “Let’s leave before it gets dark outside.” 

Rafe made sure to grab a few more boxes from the brand you had chosen, throwing them in the cart along with the other stuff you brought. You both stood in line, having gotten everything you wanted, merely needing to check out, and then you’d be ready to go.

There wasn’t plenty of people in front of you, relieved once you eventually reached your turn. Rafe was kind enough to do all the heavy work, handing the stuff for the cashier to check them out, insisting you let him do it when you offered a helping hand. 

The lady assisting you grinned, catching sight of all the chocolate bars and essentials displayed in front of her, mind travelling elsewhere at the sight of you two. Rafe stood next to you once he was done, flashing the lady a polite smile, one she swiftly returned. 

“You’re quite the gentleman, aren’t you?” She started, her voice earning your attention, as well as Rafe’s, whose knuckles hovered over yours, the fraction sending shivers down your spine. “Taking care of your girlfriend while she’s ill; not a lot of men do that.”

Her words made you stop in your tracks, the assumptions causing your eyes to widen with shock. Your lips parted to speak, striving to correct the lady, action falling short when Rafe beat you to it, the words he mumbled next causing your breath to hitch. 

“Aren’t I the sweetest?” He cooed, slinging his arm around your shoulder, then applying enough pressure to bring you close to his chest, now fully tangled in his hold. “Isn’t that right, girlfriend?” 

“What the hell are you doing?” You whispered through gritted teeth, just loud enough for Rafe to hear you. 

He cocked his head to the side, flashing you a look that almost melted you in the spot, his attempt to get you to go along with the bit totally working, even if it was a low blow. You stiffened under his touch, turning back to the lady, who was admiring you two with so much endearment, you felt guilty confronting her about the situation. 

This is not something your brother’s best friend should do; pretend you’re his girlfriend out in public, well aware Ryan would be against it. Hell, if Ryan was there, Rafe would be knocked out on the floor, as you were painfully aware of how protective your brother truly was, especially when it came to his friends. 

You’ve had a few of his friends hit on you, and that, it didn’t end quite well, with him cutting them off the moment they crossed the line. You didn’t want that to happen with Rafe, knowing how much Ryan cherished their friendship. Therefore, you didn’t wanna come in between them, ruin the last ounce of hope Ryan was holding onto, even if your emotions got in the way. 

The sensation of Rafe’s arm sliding down your waist pulled you out of your head, tensing under the boy when his hand landed just above your hip, his breath fanning over the sliver of skin around your neck not being of much help. And when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, it did, with the latter leaning forward, and placing a chaste peck to your temple. 

His lips burned against your flesh, skin hot on yours, that the moment he withdrew from the touch, you felt the world stop around you, mind too hazy to comprehend the gesture. You stole a glance over your shoulder, instantly fixing your gaze back on the lady when you caught him already staring at you, not failing to hide the smug smile spread across his face. 

A sigh of relief escaped your throat when Rafe reached for his wallet, the action creating somewhat of a distance between you two, one you desperately seeked. He handed the lady his card, humming to himself as he punched in his code number, clicking his teeth when it went through, verifying he was done. 

“Have a great day.” The lady mumbled, handing Rafe the receipt, with the boy contently accepting it. 

“You too,” He forced a smile across his face, pausing before he continued his sentence. “She’s actually my sister, by the way.” 

The lady was taken aback by his response, pausing in her spot. She watched Rafe strolling away, turning back to you, as you were just as shocked as she was, frozen where you stood. 

“Let’s go, girlfriend.” He tugs your wrist, instantly interwhing your fingers with his. 

The walk to the car was silence, the warmness of Rafe’s hand radiating heat through your flesh, the sensation accompanying your head, along with what just happened, the situation shocking you to your core. You felt guilty for the butterflies seeping through your stomach, aware that Rafe was messing around, and that this was nothing you should contemplate about, as he was nothing more than your brother’s best friend. 

Rafe let go of your hand, walking around the car, and opening the trunk to throw the stuff inside. He handled them with ease, putting the cart back in the parking area, making sure to be quick with his action. By the time he was back, you were already inside the car, holding back until he took your side to speak. 

“What the fuck was that?” You muttered, watching as Rafe started the car, attention fixing on the rearview mirror while he drove out of the parking lot, the hand stretching out to the passenger seat doing things to you. 

“What?” He chuckled, manspreading as he adjusted himself into a more comfortable position. 

“First, you pretend I’m your girlfriend,” you frowned, a look of disbelief displayed on your face. “Then you proceed to tell her I’m your sister?!”

“C’mon,” he stifled out a laugh, grinning from ear to ear. “You have to admit, it was funny.” 

“It wasn’t!” You snorted, rolling your eyes as you relaxed back in your seat, focusing your attention on the road.

“It replaced the frown on your face,” he reasoned, “You can’t tell me it didn’t work.” 

That was alone to have you melting, shutting you up right in the spot. The next few minutes filled with silence, background music echoing through your ears as you leaned your head against the window, enjoying the ride back with the dim darkness seeping through. 

And you were so close to falling asleep, your plan going interrupted when Rafe approached the Airnbnb, parking the car in the drive through once you were there. You sat up, an exhausted sigh bubbling out of your throat as you stretched your arms over your head. 

Rafe grabbed the bags from the trunk, catching up with you once he retrieved everything. You swiftly unlocked the door for him, the gesture earning a grateful smile out of the boy. 

“Did you have fun, girlfriend?” Rafe teased, head turning in your direction. 

“Oh my god, shut up!” Your pupils dilated with disbelief, taken aback by his question. “Can you not? What if someone hears you?” 

“Hear what?” 

A familiar voice erupted through your ears, causing you to freeze in your spot. You leisurely turned in the noise’s direction, immediately catching sight of Ryan, who was seated around the table, with food splattered in front of him. 

Your throat instantly ran dry, caught off guard by your brother’s presence, mere inches away from where you stood. Your gaze shifted to Rafe as he came in view, walking past you to approach Ryan. 

He put the bags on the counter, dabbing Ryan up before he made himself comfortable next to the latter. Ryan whined with complaints, grumbling when Rafe stole a fry from his plate, protesting to the latter eating his food. 

“Guess what,” Rafe muffled, swallowing down the food in his mouth. He pointed in your direction, Ryan’s gaze following his finger, until it landed on you. “I took my girlfriend grocery shopping.” 

Ryan almost choked on the food he stuffed in his mouth, swiftly turning his head in Rafe’s direction, nearly breaking his neck with the gesture. His eyebrows furrowed with annoyance, growing irritated by the smug expression spread across his best friend’s face. 

As for you, you were just as shocked as Ryan was, not expecting Rafe to mention the situation so casually, not in front of Ryan, that’s for sure. 

“What the fuck did you just say?” Ryan barely managed to speak. 

“What?” Rafe tilted his head to the side, gaze shifting back to you. “She’s my girl.” 

“Fuck off, Rafe.” Ryan defensively shot back, “Are you fucking messing with me?” 

“He is,” you beat Rafe to responding, afraid something might break out if the latter continued teasing your brother any further. “The lady assumed he was my boyfriend, and he will not shut up about it.” 

That earns a giggle out of Rafe, far too amused to acknowledge the fuming boy from beside him, slightly less mad at the explanation you offered him.

They spent the next few minutes bickering, with you technically third wheeling on the side. Rolling your eyes, you took your leave, making sure to grab the bag of pads before you strolled up the stairs, with the intentions of approaching Sarah’s room. 

Fortunately, her door was slightly ajjared, the sight of Sarah sprawled across the bed filling the majority of your view. You knocked on the door, peaking your head through to earn the girl’s attention, successfully doing so as she glanced over, gasping when she spotted you. 

“Bug!” She chimed, her excitement a silent invitation for you to enter. 

“Hi,” you flashed  her a smile, instantly embracing the girl in a hug once she was within your reach. “I missed you.” 

“Me too,” she muttered, face nuzzled in the crook of your neck. “Where were you?! ‘Haven’t seen you all day.”

“I went grocery shopping with Rafe.” You casually responded, your answer earning a scuff out of Sarah. 

“I knew it!” She pulled back, rolling her eyes with a hint of annoyance. “Is that why you both randomly disappeared?” 

“I guess,” you pursed your lips into a thin line, suppressing the smile forming on your lips. “It was an emergency, he insisted on taking me, though I was planning on going with Ryan.” 

Sarah nodded with understandment, eyes trailing to the bag in your hand, instantly catching on to what you meant. 

“I did lie, though.” You confessed, nose scrunching with shame. 

“About what?” Sarah chuckled, perking with interest. 

“I said they were for you,” your eyes forced shut, “I’m sorry, okay? He put me in the spot, that was the only thing I could come up with!” 

“No, that’s–” Sarah’s sentence was interrupted by the burst of giggles erupting out of her throat, unable to contain her laughter for any longer. “That’s totally valid.”

“Why are you laughing, then?!” You chimed in on her laughter, lightly slapping her shoulder. 

“I’m telling you Bug,” Sarah started, suppressing her chuckles. “He’s not buying that.” 

“You’re making it worse!” You groaned into your hands, falling back on her bed, now faced with the ceiling. “I can’t even face him, you should see the stunt he pulled on me in the store.” 

“Oh, that doesn’t sound good…” she trailed off, waiting for you to continue. 

“Well, we were checking out, then this cashier said he was a gentleman, blah blah blah, she assumed I was his girlfriend, and he sort of went along with it?” You explained, face flushing with heat as you reminisced back on the memory, recalling the feeling of his lips brushing over your temple. “He was acting like an idiot, going all ‘aren’t I the sweetest, girlfriend?’ The lady totally believed it! And guess what, Sarah?!”

“What?!” Sarah almost gasped, curiosity getting the best of her. 

“He fucking kissed me!”

At that, an audible gasp escaped Sarah’s throat, shock displaying across her face as her hand came up to cover her parted mouth. 

“No fucking way!” She whisper-yelled, repeatedly slapping your arm with excitement. “Was it on like– you know–”

“No!” You clarified, growing flustered due to her assumption. “He kissed my temple, barely even a kiss, but it still happened.”

“You know, I was so invested, I forgot he was my brother.” Sarah mumbled, her statement easing the awkward tension seeping through. “That’s crazy– I mean, not to be weird or anything, but Rafe’s never this touchy with anyone, he sucks at showing affection, especially in public.” 

“Don’t say that,” you started, feeling your pulse quicken over her words. “I’m barely holding back as is.” 

“Shut up!” Sarah scoffed, “But I’m serious, I’ve received a lot of complaints from his past girlfriends about that, I’m surprised he’d pull something like this, with you, of all people.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be against this?!” You rolled your eyes, covering how flustered you were with fake annoyance. “Why are you encouraging it?”

“I mean, it’s not like I can stop you two from liking each other,” she cocked her head to the side, voice tinted with hope. “Besides, I’ll be happy with any decision that you make, as long as you don’t get hurt, of course!” 

“Sarah,” your lips formed into a pout, not expecting her supportive words, though they drove you over the edge, with the forming crush sparkling through your heart. “Stop, why are you so sweet?” 

“Oh, come on, I've always been sweet to you.” She cooed, cupping your face with her hands. “Now stop acting sappy, and go freshen up so we can watch a movie.” 

“Fine!” You mumbled, chuckling when Sarah pecked your forehead, the sensation like feathers on your skin. “That tickles!” 

“It’s a goodbye’s kiss!” She exclaimed, joining in on your giggles. “I know you’ll take long to shower.”

“I’ll be fast.” You replied, getting up from Sarah’s bed, the gesture earning groans of protest from the girl. 

You barely managed to escape Sarah’s grip, walking back to your room. A hint of confusion washed over your voice, noticing the way your door cracked half way through, when you could’ve sworn you shut it before you left. 

The frown on your face was instantly replaced with a smile as you caught sight of the snacks spread across your bed, along with a heating pad on the side, the familiar chocolate bars unveiling the identity of the person who sprawled these out for you. 

Your eyebrows curled at the sight of the cyan pink sticky note just above the heating pad, growing intrigued as you reached out to grab it, the smile on your face spreading into a foolish grin once you read what was written on it. 

I know it’s not much, but I hope you feel better, girlfriend ;) - r

Your heart skipped a beat at the note, feeling heat crawl past your neck, until it settled on your face. It wouldn't hurt to thank him for this, right? It’s not like you were making a move on him, your action a mere return for his act of kindness, nothing more. 

So you did, slightly hesitating as you exited your room, with the purpose of searching for Rafe. You followed the distant voice echoing through your ears, the sound growing louder the closer you approached the narrowed hallway. 

He must’ve been downstairs, along with Ryan, in the same position you left them in, probably still arguing over something absurd. The thought brought a smile to your lips, instantly fading once their words filled the echo of your ears. While you didn't mean to eavesdrop, you were somewhat glad that you did, Rafe’s next statement making your heart sink to your stomach, panic settling through your chest. 

“–Not! Relax Ryan,” Rafe argued, his voice slightly muffled. “I’m not gonna date your sister.” 

Oh. 

Oh.

“Don’t fuck with me, Rafe.” Ryan shot back, pent up frustration visible through his tone. “I told you already, my sister is off limits, don’t make me do something I’ll regret.” 

Rafe nodded, face twisting into something serious, replacing the teasing grin he had on his face. 

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he replied, “She’s like Sarah to me, and you know that.” 

Humilation couldn’t describe how you felt in the moment, his statement like a punch to your stomach. A wave of emotions rushed through your insides, ones you couldn’t even concentrate into words. 

That should’ve been expected, however, it hurt hearing it out loud, from Rafe of all people. 

a/n hi!! i hope you enjoyed it heheeh i promise i have soething planned out theyre not going too fast

TAGLIST @greyswaren @slut-4-gojo @depthsofdespairr @littlelamy @lilithblackkk @cnnamongrl @mattyskies @percysley @jaklvbub @inlovewithdob @ilovefiction4lmen @theeternaloptimistt @maybejj @icaqttt @idgasb @purplerose291 @shincidios @laniirackssss @malibuhearts @adulterated-cocaine @bugg06 @murdockcastleslut @drwstarkeys @pretymads @klmaaaoooo @wearemadeofstardust0 @urbrunettebombshell @stylestarkey @riverxsq @louxmcl @totalswag @cl4uus @simpforboys @tearsfromasliverwolf-blog @bilssturns @fandomhopped @strsdoulikedem @congratsloserr @dr3wstarkey @xoxo-ada @stvrligghtt @rafeswhoooreee @kythefangirl25 @chaneydoll @blushmimi @akobx @empath-bunny @flirtism @stopnala @rafecameronswifeyy

[adragonprinceswhore]

Romancer

Aemond Targaryen x Wife

Summary: During King Aegon II tumultuous coronation, Aemond’s wife becomes the first casualty of the Targaryen civil war. The young prince’s grief drives him to Flea Bottom, where he meets a mysterious Qartheen necromancer, who promises to bring his love back. But as with any sorcery, there is a price to pay; with each of Aemond’s touches, she slowly rots away.

Warnings: 18+, she/her pronouns, death, violence, sorcery, necromancy, angst, longing, smut

A/N: Happy Halloween! 🖤

Word count: 4200

‘Twas but a fleeting instance. 

A dragon, the Red Queen, and her traitorous rider burst through the floors of King Aegon II’s coronation. 

Chaos followed. Shrill voices begging for mercy, children weeping, sobbed ramblings closer to nonsense than prayers.  

Prince Aemond, whose seeing eye had been fixed on his wife before the tumultuous entrance of Rhaenys Targaryen, steps to the side to protect his sister from Meleys’ wrath. 

When their cowardice wins, and the dragon and her rider leaves, his seeing eye falls back to where he had last seen his beloved. 

Only now, he cannot find her. 

As members of the King’s guard swarm around the royal family to protect them, a futile gesture far overdue, Aemond pushes between them to rush down the steps of the elevated platform made for the Targaryens to bask in the admiring gazes of their people. 

She couldn't have left, she was here just moments ago. 

His eye is frantic as it searches the soot-covered ruins around him. His silvery hair whips to the side as he desperately jerks his head from one side to another. Then, he catches sight of her hair. 

She lies on the ground, pushed down by large stones crushing her body. 

Aemond hauls them off with a strength bestowed upon him by his despair. A sob leaves his throat as he pulls her into his arms, gently stroking her hair, burying his face there and inhaling the dust decorating it. 

He holds her until the heat of her body leaves her. Until she’s cold as ice in his grip. Stiff and strange. 

Only once does he glance down at her, and to his horror, she’s changed. It’s not her anymore. 

The soft cheeks he used to trace his fingers down are now hollow. Her skin is discoloured, and her eyes lifeless. Almost white, like the soul has left them and in its wake, a mist settles over the grave that once was a loving gaze. 

Prince Aemond sits like that, with her lifeless, rigid body in his arms, for too long. 

He cannot tell how many hours have passed, but he knows that he has lost a day when the sun appears, and disappears. It feels like an eternity trapped in the blink of an eye. 

No one dares approach him. They know that the fiery prince will show no mercy to whoever chooses to disturb his mourning. 

So he’s left alone in his devastation, until he cannot bear it any longer. 

His fingers are blue from the cold air enveloping him in an embrace so chilling, it rattles his bones. 

His love has also turned impossibly cold in his hold. Colder than the freezing, blue burn of a dragon’s flame. 

When he can no longer withstand the chill, he finally stands. His legs almost give in and every inch of his body hurts. Still, he persists, never letting his love fall to the ground as he keeps a secure hold around her. 

She is heavier than anything he’s ever carried before. He knows her, and this is not her. How many times had he not lifted her onto their bed? Pulled her in his lap? This sack of flesh weighs far more than she ever did, and yet he cannot let go. So he persits, and carries her to their chambers, sacrificing his own aching limbs in the process. 

When he thinks he might pass out from the effort, he reaches their marital bed, and lays her on top of it. 

Tenderly, he places her arms on her stomach, brushes her hair from her face, and closes her eyes. 

She’s merely sleeping, nothing more. Nothing permanent, nothing everlasting. 

Soon, she’ll open her eyes, look up at him, and give him a smile that melts his heart. Until then, he carefully places a quilt over her, and lies down next to her to find sleep, as husband and wife, just like so many nights before. 

He finds slumber next to her, if only for a few hours. By the hour of the wolf, he’s once again awake, laying on his back, staring at the intricate carvings in the wooden canopy above him. In a moment of weakness, he reaches for her hand to hold, but when his touch is met by freezing cold fingers, he winches and quickly lets go, instead placing his hand on her stomach, covered by the quilt he’d placed over her. 

His mind is too restless to let him find slumber. One hundred ideas, possible scenarios, flash in his mind. Thoughts of how to fix this; how to undo this, won’t let him rest. 

The Seven say that death is final, but is that truly the case? Surely, in Old Valyria, where dragons roamed free and the practitioners of the dark arts ruled, warlocks would not be content with leaving death to the Gods? 

Another day passes by as Aemond is deeply submerged in his own contemplation. 

This cannot be the end of her; of their life together. His dear wife. His one true ally. The sweet mother of their future heirs. She is not gone. She cannot be.

By next daybreak, an idea from his latent mind floats into his consciousness, and causes the troubled prince to finally see clearly. 

Necromancy. The art of bringing back the dead. 

Fuelled by the fire of determination set ablaze within his chest, Aemond reluctantly leaves his lover's side, throws on a cloak, and orders a member of the King’s Guard to guard the door to his chambers with his life. 

Before he leaves, Aemond throws one last glance at his wife’s lifeless form, and kneels by their bed, pressing a chaste kiss against her cheek. ‘Tis cold and stiff, as he should have expected. Still, his heart breaks when his lips are not met by the warmth he so wishes would still flow within her.

“I will bring you a cure”, he promises next to her ear, and ventures out into the dark, bustling streets of King’s Landing.

Flea Bottom is as he remembers. 

Filthy and depraved. 

The mere smell of the streets corrodes the insides of his nostrils, air so thick with stench from pigsties and tanneries the prince buries his nose inside his hood and breathes through his mouth. 

Around each corner of the dilapidated buildings lurks another distraction; whores beckoning him into their lairs, conmen trying to trick him into buying false treasures. 

‘Tis not a place for the educated. Nor is it for the devoted. Flea Bottom is reserved for the lowest of men; the ones who revel in debauchery and make a living of their falsehood. 

With the help of a few silver stags, Aemond manages to navigate the dirt-filled cobblestones of King’s Landing’s foulest corner. By the hour of the eel, he’s directed towards a short, stocky man with small eyes obscured by thick, bushy eyebrows. 

At last, he has found what he’s looking for;

A foreign man familiar with the dark arts.

He smiles when the prince tells him of the task, cold yet amused, resembling a serpent, 

“There is always a price to pay, my prince. What are you willing to sacrifice?”

“Anything”

“What if the sacrifice is your own selfishness?”

Aemond does not need convincing. He has already made up his mind. Without her, warm and comforting and breathing in his arms, he is willing to offer the sorcerer anything. The strange man inspects him with beady eyes that shine in the fire dancing against the stoney walls,

“10 gold dragons. And I will restore your lady once more”

In the shadows of the night, Prince Aemond brings the warlock into his chambers. 

The mysterious man does not ask for much in order to perform his sorcery.

He orders a servant to bring him boiling water, sage, dirt from the courtyard, and a small vessel. 

The staff of the Red Keep work quickly, and when he has all he requires, he pulls out a short, thin dagger from the inside of his pocket, and hands it to his prince, 

“A drop of your blood, your grace”

Aemond complies, and slashes the tip of his ring finger with the small blade. The warlock catches his blood with the vessel and proceeds to the bed, cutting the skin of the prince’s wife as well, mixing her blood with his. He adds the soil of their land, smoke of burnt sage, and water to his concoction before working his fingers into her mouth to force it open, and pours the brew down her throat. 

Nothing happens. 

Quietly, he leaves her bed to wash his hands in the basin by the hearth. He does not seem displeased by the fact that his magic did not work, or frightened by the dragon prince observing him closely. 

Aemond inhales, ready to have the deceitful bastard executed, flames of anger dancing within his blood from the humiliating disappointment of trusting a common conman. 

But just as he’s about to unleash his fury, he hears it. 

A sigh, quiet as a whisper in the room, yet loud as thunder in the young prince’s ears, floats from their bed to where he stands. He whips his head so quickly to the side his neck hurts, and hurriedly walks towards where she lies, still with her eyes closed and in the same position he had left her in. 

He carefully brings his hand out, shaking like the leaves of a tree caught in a storm. His eyes cannot see her clearly, unshed tears becoming a veil of relief over his eye. His hand gently grabs hers, and despite her still cold skin, he feels it, the drum of her heart, dancing in her chest and sending waves of thuds through her body. He leans in closer, wanting to whisper a greeting against her soft skin, yet is disturbed by the presence behind him he had nearly forgotten,

“We have not yet discussed the price, your grace”

Aemond leans back and turns to face the sorcerer. He wears the same wicked smirk as before, as if the prince’s despair amuses him. 

Disgusting creature.

“You have your gold. You are dismissed”

“Oh, but that is not the price the Gods wish to see, my prince”, he says with a sickly sweet gleefulness that chills Aemond’s bones,

“Witchcraft angers the Gods. It mocks them. I told you your selfishness will be the price you pay, and They have agreed”

“What do you speak of? Spit it out”

His smirk widens, “Release her hand”

Aemond gently lets go of her, and watches as a bruise blossoms forth from underneath the delicate skin of her wrist. 

“With each touch, she moves closer to the Stranger once more. You may have her by your side, but you cannot indulge in her” 

Frozen in place, the prince does not answer. What will become of his life if he is not allowed to touch his beloved? Being beside her, yet so far away. 

The man forces Aemond out of his thoughts,

“Will you settle for that, my prince? Being tempted by her every day, until you draw your last breath?” 

“If that is the price the Gods wish to be paid” 

“Hm. And you are content with a life without heirs? Without a bedmate? Or will you look for that elsewhere? Have another bed your wife, claim the offspring as your own?” 

The question turns Aemond’s stomach. 

“Watch your tongue, warlock. Or I will take it” 

His icy voice does nothing but amuse the man further, whose lips draw even taunter as he feigns regret with a courteous nod,

“Forgive me, your grace. I did not mean offence. Surely, you must have considered all implications carefully to reach this conclusion”

In truth, he had not. But the thought of another touching what belongs to him, his most dear possession, is so repulsive to Aemond he swallows the bile pushing up his throat. 

No one else may ever touch her. 

By next morning light, she awakens.

Still in a delirious state, she asks her husband to come closer and embrace her, frightened by the visions she had seen in her resting state. 

The contentment Prince Aemond feels from once again speaking to her; seeing her draw breath, seeing colour reappear on her cheeks, is dulled the separation between them, and the realisation that this is how they will remain from now onwards. 

He tells her of it all; Rhaenys bursting through the boards, the necromancer and the price he paid to bring her back. 

A tear falls from her lashes when he tells her that they may never touch again, for she will once more decay if they do. 

With a forceful swallow, she pushes down her own sadness and nods, grateful that he loves her too much to live without her. 

And so, their new normality begins. 

They enjoy the same things they did before; taking their meals together, reading together, speaking of their duties together. 

He had told court that her life was saved thanks to a skilled maester visiting from Oldtown, aware of the dangers enlisting a man of the dark arts carries.  

Should the truth about her resurrection come to light, she might be sanctioned not only by the court, but by the Citadel as well, and thus forced back into the arms of the stranger. 

In their endurance, their days grow tense, each moment tainted by the unspoken heartbreak of separation. 

The most prominent change to their lives together is the longing squeezing the prince’s heart. 

Never before has he ached so much for something as he does for her touch. 

The pain inside his heart doubles when he catches her eyes observing him from across the table whenever they sit together. 

She looks so devastated by their separation, so overcome with yearning. 

He knows the feeling, ‘tis the same sorrow that reflects in his heart. And yet, there is nothing they can do. 

Aemond would rather spend an eternity with her, and never once more feel the warmth of her fingers on his flesh, than to watch her get pulled away by the stranger yet again. 

So he endures. 

An unforgiving storm whips the Red Keep with vexed, rainy lashes when he returns from Storm’s End. 

He is drenched, dripping from head to toe. His face looks haunted; as if he has met the eye of death himself. 

She sits by the hearth, embroidering a small, green dragon onto one of his tunics. Her needle clumsily pierces the tip of her finger as she sees her husband’s distressed state, 

“What is the matter, my love?” 

“Lucerys, he-, he’s dead” 

Aemond shakes from the cold of the rain soaking his clothes. With shaky fingers he peels off his leathers, until he is only in his underclothes, standing right before her by the fire to seek some warmth, 

“I did not mean to-, Vhagar-, she-”

The explanations die on his tongue. 

She meets his gaze, bewildered and pitiful, and nods in silent understanding, unsure of how to comfort him. Aemond sinks down to his knees, feeling the heat of the fire lick against his cold skin. ‘Tis little comfort; his bones still feel freezing. As does his heart, when he looks at her. So close, yet never close enough. 

Torture, that is what it is. A cruel jest from the Gods. 

“How can I ease your distress, my love?”, she asks, and he nearly whimpers at her sweet concern. If he cannot confess his suffering to her, then who? 

“I fear I am a selfish man, after all”, he says defeatedly, 

“Even now I miss you, when you sit before me. I crave your touch - to feel you near. To be inside you. I am not whole unless I am with you - part of you, my love”

The smile on her face is filled with sorrow, piteous eyes glimmering against the warm glow of the hearth. She shuffles in her seat, pulls her hand out, and opens it in an inviting gesture, 

“I can spare a few years in my elderly days if I may feel your touch for one more night, my love”

And who is he to deny his love? 

To dismiss her sweet pleas? 

He would never deny her anything. 

He moves forward, crawling towards where she sits like the depraved hound he is. When he reaches her, he pulls the skirts of her small clothes up to reveal the soft meat of her things, and lays his head there, only for a moment. 

A sigh escapes him, so content to feel her softness against his cheek once more. ‘Tis like finding salvation after a life in sin; an otherworldly experience. 

He nuzzles into her skin, and she brings one hand to the side of his face, gently tracing his cheekbone and threading the silk of his hair between her fingers. After a moment of still devotion, he pushes the fabric further up to kiss her cunny, the only drink his parched lips crave. 

A startled gasp echoes above him, and the hand she carefully stroked his hair with turns into a painful grip. He adores the sting against his scalp. Hurriedly, he steals a peak from her, wasting no time to finally feel whole again. 

Kissing his way up her panting body, he finally tastes the reward he had coveted so. Her lips are even sweeter than he remembered them; soft, warm and most comforting. 

He stands and pulls her up to do the same, leading her to their bed with quick, long strides. He removes her small clothes as if he despises them, tearing the fabric and grunting at the layers separating him from the light of his life. When she is finally bare before him, he strips himself and joins her on their bed, finding his home between her thighs. She is so slick he slides in as if he were the missing piece of her incomplete body, and they both cry out at the all-consuming bliss of finally being together, being one, once more. 

His arms snake underneath her back, pulling her so close to him each inch of her skin touches his. Their lips stay locked together, moans and pleasurable sighs bouncing between their mouths. 

He cannot tell if the wetness on her cheek is proof of her own relief, or his. 

Nevertheless, he kisses it away, closes his eyes, and disappears into the bliss of having her again. 

They stay intertwined through the night, and by first light, Aemond reluctantly lets go of his love. 

The light that illuminates their chambers is scarce in the early hours of the morning, yet he can see the discolouration travelling up the limbs of his wife; painting her legs and arms in odd, painful colours. 

Their indulgence had cost her greatly. 

Regret stabs his heart; potent and aching. 

What have I done? 

‘Tis as if the small dagger the warlock carried were lodged inside his chest, reminding him of the devious man he had become. 

A kinslayer. 

His bloodthirsty quest for selfish pursuits; justice, comfort, love, is naught but foolishness. 

And now those around him pay the price. 

Aemond makes sure to keep distance from her, and he suffers immensely from it. 

On the night he came back from Storm’s End, he had found peaceful slumber in the arms of his beloved. Each night since, he is tormented by nightmares; visions of his worst fears playing in his mind. 

Cold skin, blood, bruises.

He fears Rhaenyra’s wrath. The retribution he will have to atone for Lucerys’ life. 

Will he be the one to pay it this time? 

Or will the burden of his crimes once more fall on the shoulders of his loved ones? 

Aemond does not need to wait long for retaliation.  

Rhaenyra’s revenge go by the names of Blood and Cheese, a ratcatcher and a disgraced butcher. The pair snook into the chambers of his young nephew, heir to the Iron Throne Jaehaerys, and slew the boy in front of Aemond’s sweet sister, Helaena. 

His hands are no longer merely tainted by the crimson of Lucerys’ blood. His pursuit for vengeance cost him the life of his nephew, and his sister, so lost in grief she can no longer leave her chambers. He only visits her once, horrified by the ghost of a person the queen has become. 

‘Tis my fault.

And it echoes in the prince’s mind anywhere he goes. 

When he trains with Ser Criston. When he flies on Vhagar. When he breaks his fast with his wife.

‘Tis my fault. 

When his mother can’t meet his eye. When his brother sinks deeper into his cups. When his grandfather no longer confides in him.

‘Tis my fault. 

The only light remaining is his dear lady wife. 

She still regards him with love. 

Her eyes still sparkle as he enters their chambers after a long day. Her mouth still forms a smile whenever he greets her.

“Her sweetness is wicked”, Prince Aemond thinks, “So inviting, beckoning me in, yet I must remain at a distance”

They still sleep next to one another, separated by an arm’s length. A small distance that feels infinite as he longingly steals glances of her sleeping form. 

A siren calling to him, taunting him with her soft, warm flesh. 

He knows that a night with her in his arms would ease his distress; allow him to find slumber and wake up as a better man. 

I would be a better man, for her. 

And that is the last thing he thinks before he shuffles closer, gently pulls her into his arms, and buries his nose in her hair. 

If he were a better man, he would have stopped after one night. But by now, Aemond knows that he is not. 

He is a self-serving, weak craven. 

The first night of having her in his arms while she slept did not soothe the longing aching in his chest as he thought it would. It doubled it. And by next nightfall, he waited for her to drift to sleep before greedily pulling her into his arms once more. 

He sees the toll his nightly indulgence has on her body rapidly. The bruises that had decorated her limbs grow darker, like those of an apple decaying. They now travel from her hands and feet, up her arms and legs, and bloom out over her stomach, chest, and neck. 

Aemond finds himself looking at her less and less. 

‘Tis my fault. 

“Mayhaps we need to seek out the sorcerer again for council?”, she questions one day as she carefully observes the bruises colouring her body. She presses on one and winces, lips pulled down into a displeased frown. 

She is withering. Rotting away. 

“I will”, Aemond says, and the lie is so bitter on his tongue, he wonders if his foul ways have caused poison to grow from within him. 

He had stolen Lucerys’ life above Storm’s End. A quick affair, an instance that he regretted as soon as he saw Vhagar’s jaw close around the small dragon. He did not mean to do it; to take his life. He only meant to seek justice for his eye; for the pain his nephew had caused him. For disfiguring him. 

‘Tis what he has become known for; kinslaying. The merciless murder of the young boy who wronged him. If the court only knew of how vile he truly is.

With each night that passes, he steals another flicker of the flame keeping the light of his life alive. He sees her grow paler, the bruises now covering nearly every inch of her being, slowly working their way towards her heart, drumming weaker and weaker in her chest. 

And yet, he cannot stop. He needs solace; the only good thing in his life. Holding her near, feeling the heat of her melt the icy bolts of remorse and guilt shooting within him. 

Tonight, he knows it is their last time. She can hardly open her eyes anymore. Her lips are purple, skin a sick melody of various shades, and her heart beats slowly, as if it is fighting with each thud. 

Just like the nights before, he lies down next to her, pulls her into his arms, inhales her scent, and closes his eyes. 

“This time, she perishes by my hand”, he thinks, “She gave me everything, and yet I took more”

But what is love, if not to take? 

Take and take and take, until there is nothing left. 

No one savours love. 

No one would ever feel satisfied with only a taste. 

It is meant to be devoured. And that’s what Prince Aemond tells himself, as his love finally draws her last breath in his arms. 

“Forgive me”, his whisper begs, 

“I have devoured you. I have let my selfishness slaughter you. Now I await my own demise, one that will come to me soon”

His fingers gently dance over her cheek, 

“I welcome it. I welcome a chance to meet you once more”

He holds her closer, feeling the warmth of her body leave for the second time in their lives,

“Until then, sleep well, my love, and I will return to you soon”

A/N; I hope you enjoyed this little Halloween fic of mine! I tried to go with a bit more classic, haunting and tragic theme, and it was so fun to write.

If you enjoyed this, please check out my fic Colour My Mind, Bring Me Back. It has very similar vibes and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Kisses!

[voxslays]

MON CHÉRI

Alastor x Overlord Wife!Reader (from this request) In which, reader is bored at an overlord meeting and decides to tease her husband instead of paying attention.

Overlord meetings—a large meeting usually organized by Carmine (and sometimes Zestial) that brought the overlords of pride together to discuss their souls and the exterminations. And man did you hate them. Being overlords, both you and your husband Alastor had to attend the mandatory meetings yearly, so naturally when you discovered that there was another one taking place today, you couldn’t help but mentally groan.

Alastor, ever the dutiful husband, had informed you of the upcoming Overlord meeting earlier that morning. He had mentioned it with a hint of sarcastic sigh underneath his eternal smile, knowing full well how much you despised those gatherings. He seemed almost happy about your suffering.

“These meetings are the same every year.” You groan, putting your face in the palm of your hands. “Can’t we just miss one?” Alastor chuckles softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he wraps a clawed hand around your waist, pulling you close. “I’m afraid not, dearest. Besides, it’s not all terrible, my dear.” You roll your eyes and let out a small ‘hmph.’ as you cross your arms angrily. How were they not that bad? They were usually three to four hours of listening to Carmilla rant about how many souls you all collectively owned and the dangers of the exterminations. Things you already knew!

And all Alastor would do was sit there and watch you suffer…but not this time. You were already plotting your revenge as you put on your finest accessories and sunday best. If he was going to force you to sit through the horribly boring meeting—then you might as well force him to sit through your relentless teasing, right?

Alastor leans against the doorframe, arms crossed and amused smirk playing on his lips as he fixes his black bowtie. "Planning on outshining everyone at the meeting, are we, my doe?" You smirk. “I guess you could say that.” You say in a sing-songy tone. Alastor chuckles, his gaze never leaving yours as he straightens his tie and approaches you. He reaches out and gently turns your chin towards him, before offering his arm. "Shall we get going, my dear?" You gently wrap your arm around his, pushing your hair behind your ear. “We shall.”

And thats how you got here, sitting in your chair at the meeting, bored to death. You’re not the only one either. The Vees are all on their phones, Rosie is eating a meat sandwich with meat that looks suspiciously like a human hand, and Zestial is simply staring into space—Yet, Carmilla keeps going. Your husband has his usual smile stuck to his face—with a hint of a snide smirk, one that almost reminds you of the grinch. A devilish smirk that only made you want to enact your schemes sooner. You wanted to ruin him.

You slowly place your hand on an unsuspecting Alastor’s thigh, lightly rubbing it. Alastor keeps his eyes on Carmilla, but you can feel him lean into your touch slightly, as his eyes gently flicker to yours for what seems like less than a second. You can feel how the overlord tries to keep his composure, but his leg muscles tense under your touch. A slight smirk plays at his lips as he leans forward slightly to continue listening to Carmilla's monotone voice.

You slowly drag your hands further up his thigh, closer to his clothed cock. Alastor visibly tenses this time, his breaths becoming more and more shallow—and almost desperate? Alastor throat quietly, maintaining his usual smiling demeanor as his hands grip the armrests of the crimson office chair tighter. "Darling…" The radio demon whispers, his voice carrying a warning undertone. "We're…" He swallows hard. "In a meeting." His voice comes out raspier than intended under all the radio-static as he smacks your hand away.

You roll your eyes softly, continuing to watch Carmilla as your hands continue their upwards assault, finally arriving at his clothed erection. You gently rub as the demon next to you grips his cane in one hand, and the arm rest in another—his grasp is so tight his knuckles turn white. Alastor's face flushes a light shade of red, his breathing becoming more and more ragged with each passing second. He bites his lip hard to stifle a grunt—his eyes flickering to you with a mix of desire and a clear 'stop this' message. "Fuck.."

A bead of sweat slowly trickles down from his forehead, as Carmilla stops her speech about the souls you and the others may lose during the next extermination, and turns to Alastor, a small scowl on her face. “Is something wrong, Alastor?” She asks in a low tone, her voice just as raspy as usual. Alastor quickly composes himself, his face returning to its usual calm smiling expression as he meets Carmilla's gaze. "Nothing at all, Carmilla. Just a slight…discomfort." He says, his voice strained as he tries to hide the effect your subtle touches have on him.

Carmilla gives a small hum of acknowledgement in response. “Are you sure you’re fine, darling?” You ask, feigning a sweet tone of sympathy. Being the doting wife you are, how could to bare to see your darling husband suffer in the silence of a meeting? If only they knew. Alastor nods curtly, his eyes darting back to Carmine for a split second before he turns his attention back to you.

"I'm fine, ma chérie. Truly." He says, his voice a little sharper than intended as he tries to maintain his composure. “All right then.” You say, as sweet as pie but mentally smirking. Carmilla looks between you two, her gaze lingering on Alastor for a moment before she nods and continues speaking about the plans for the upcoming year. "As I was saying, we expect a significant increase in soul activity during the new year, so we'll need to adjust our patrols accordingly…” Carmilla drifts off.

For the remainder of the meeting, you tease Alastor with your fingers. At one point, you even give him a handjob. The demon had to put his hand over his mouth to silence his grunts of pleasure. But finally, after three and a half hours of a nonstop lecture from Carmilla, you were free to leave. The other overlords started filing out of the room—the Vees practically running—and you followed, your husband close behind.

Once outside, Alastor practically drags you to the nearest empty room—using his shadows to fight against your resistance—closing the door behind you. He spins you around to face the wall, his hands gripping your hips tightly as he presses his clothed erection against your core. "That was very naughty, darling. Teasing me under the table?." The overlord lets out a small chuckle, his wide smile never leaving his face. “I don’t know what you mean.” You feign innocence.

“Dressed like this?” Alastor gently rips your shirt off your body. "Liar." He hisses, his fingers digging into your hips possessively. He can still feel the phantom sensation of your fingers under the table, slowly driving him mad during Carmilla's lecture. "You think you can get away with torturing me like that, my precious doe?" You let out a small gasp. “Alastor-”

"Answer the question." He growls through his smile, his breath hot against your neck as he leans against your back, caging you in with his arms. "Was it on purpose?” The red demons eyes glare into yours, as the surrounding radio static grows louder. “Your outfit, the subtle leg movements, the tiny touches on my thigh under the table?" Your breathing grows shallow in anticipation. “Yes.” You breathe out. His breath catches in his throat at your admission, the red-hot need in his eyes growing more intense. "And why, may I ask, would you do something so…" His voice drops to a husky whisper. "So…" He grinds his hips against yours. "…provocative?"

“I don’t know.” You gasp. A deep chuckle escapes Alastor's lips, tinged with both amusement and arousal. "You don't know?" He whispers, his lips brushing against your ear. "Or perhaps you simply enjoy the thrill of teasing your husband?" You tense up, mentally deciding staying silent was the best course of action as you let out a small wanton moan. Alastor’s large gloved hands slowly slide up your sides, his touch gentle yet firm. “I will make sure you get back your teasing tenfold, dearest.” He mockingly coos, as he nips at your neck. “Hold on tight, ma chérie d'amour.” You were in for a long night—that’s for sure.

[suuuupernovaaa]

In Secret ft. Benjicot Blackwood

You’ve been meeting Benjicot in secret for some time now, and he’s done hiding.

Tags: Benjicot & Bracken!Reader, no use of y/n, mature 18+

Roughly a 30 minute walk from Stone Henge, your ancestral home, was a rock formation in the woods. Possibly a long forgotten home or shed of some sort, it had long turned to ruins out here in the wilds of the riverlands. Weeds and wildflowers sprung through the cracks in the crumbling structure, pulling it back into nature slowly but surely over time.

It was here that you’d been meeting Benjicot Blackwood in secret for nearly three years now.

This was the place where you’d first met, shared your first kiss, and dreamed of a future together that was not possible with the feud between your great houses.

The Blackwoods of Raventree hall despised your Bracken bloodline, and it was a sentiment your family returned. If anyone found out that your Saturday walks were to meet the enemy, you’d never be allowed outside your fortress walls again.

The day was hot and you shed your outer dress, holding it in your arms and donning only your inner clothes as you walked. The sun crept across the skies, and only the shade of the forest kept you from truly suffering in the heat.

Benji was already at your ruins when you arrived, seated on the ground and leaning back onto his elbow, picking wildflowers and discarding them into the grass. He glanced up as he heard your approach, and his solemn expression melted into a smile.

He stood up, eyeing you from head to toe with that ever-growing grin on his face. It took all your self control to not sprint the last two paces between you.

The days between your meetings felt like their own individual eternities. You lived for these moments, these few hours on Saturday in the ruins with Ben.

He wrapped you in his arms when you reached him, and spun you in a circle. You laughed and he held him tightly once he sat you down, two feet firmly on the ground.

“So eager for me that you’ve undressed already, have you?” he teased, peppering kisses all over your reddened face.

“It is quite hot, Benjicot,” you replied tersely, and he laughed.

“Sure, sure.” He pulled you flush to him, and began slowly inching your under clothes up, up, until you were bare from the waist down, his hands digging into the flesh of your backside, and kissed you firmly on the mouth.

As they always did, your lips parted for him, giving him eager entrance, and you sighed when his tongue met yours.

He pulled you up by the shelf of your behind, and you wrapped your legs around his waist as he backed up, sitting on the edge of the stone ruins.

You could feel his hard length beneath you, and you moaned as his mouth left yours and trailed hot kisses down your neck.

“Are you wet for me already?” he whispered into the skin of your neck, and you could only nod in response.

He bent forward, holding you tightly as he laid you on the ground, now kneeling between your open legs.

“I think of your cunt constantly,” he breathed, his lips trailing down your chest. “How wet you are for me, and how you moan my name. Gods, it’s all I think of.”

He took one of your nipples into his mouth, suckling firmly, and your back arched off the itching grass as you gasped. Only seconds later, his hand found your dripping center, and he pressed circles into your clit with his thumb while two fingers pressed inside of you.

“Oh, Ben,” you moaned, your head falling to the side as you met his fingers, thrust for thrust.

He let go of one nipple with a pop, and before moving to the other whispered, “How fast shall you come for me today, my little love?”

You could not answered as he continued rubbing your clit and petting your inner walls. You were coming apart before him so quickly, but you could not feel embarrassed.

You reached down and as quick as you could, untied his pants and released his throbbing cock. He hissed when you wrapped your hand around it and started pumping, eager for him to join you in pleasure.

“Gods, yes, that’s so good,” he hissed, and brought his mouth to yours again in a sloppy, desperate kiss.

It was not long at all before you were tumbling over the edge together, and you screamed his name as you did.

He collapsed on top of you after, his head on your chest, and you breathed rapidly together for a while.

This was everything you lived for. Being here with Benji, bringing each other pleasure or just talking, it didn’t matter. It was all you wanted.

After a while, he propped himself up on his elbow and smiled down at you with such joy and intensity that it made you blush.

“You must marry me, my lady,” he said, and your smile faded.

“Don’t tease me, Benjicot. You know we would never be permitted to wed.”

“And if we married in secret, forced their hands, would you leave your family and join mine?”

You furrowed your brow and reached up to cup his cheek.

Abandon your family? Your parents, siblings, all those you’d known and loved your whole life? They’d never speak to you again if you married a Blackwood - especially the Blackwood heir.

Could you be enemy to your family the rest of your life?

Your eyes met Benjicot’s again as he stared down at you with the wildness and intensity he was known for.

The alternative was each of you marrying another. Maybe never meeting in secret again as life’s burdens made it impossible. You took a moment to sit in that reality and imagine what was worse: losing Ben, or making an enemy of your family?

“I would marry you, Benjicot Blackwood, if you are being serious,” you replied.

His answering smile was enough to tell you, this was the right decision.

“Meet me here tonight, when the moon is high. Bring only what you can carry. You’ll be my lady-wife when we are finished, and we’ll never be parted again.”

[seongwars]

𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 | 𝐭𝐰𝐨

Pairing: Viscount!Choi San x Countess!Reader AU: non-idol | regency Rating: T/NC-17 Summary: After falling prey to one of Choi San’s cruel games, you vowed yourself to a life of eternal spinsterhood. But when a fire leaves the Choi estate in ruins, the very man you swore you would never forgive re-enters your life. Word Count: 6.2K Warnings: one swear word, minor violence, use of firearms, inaccurate depictions of the era (sorry history buffs 😭)

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a/n: happy new year everyone! 2024 was certainly a tough year for a lot of us but i'm manifesting brighter days for us in the new year!

The late summer air felt stifling to San as the Choi family’s carriage approached the Kang estate. Even with the screens lowered, the faint breeze that slipped through offered little relief from the oppressive heat. He focused on the rhythmic clatter of the wheels, trying to drown out the whirlwind of emotions brewing inside him.

The fire that had left the Choi estate partially burned had started in the kitchen, but its cause remained a mystery. It had spread swiftly, destroying much of the west wing before the servants managed to bring it under control. Though the main manor was spared total ruin, the damage was extensive. Repairs would take months, leaving the family no choice but to seek refuge with anyone willing to take them in.

His parents sat across from him, speaking in hushed tones but he wasn’t listening. He had heard this conversation often enough in the past weeks to know where it would lead.

“Would this not be the perfect opportunity to get close to Y/N?” Viscountess Choi remarked, her voice deceptively light.

San felt a knot tighten in his stomach, realizing where this conversation was headed. The subtle shift in his mother’s demeanor, the way her lips curled into a knowing smile, made it clear that she had plans for him—plans that involved you. 

“Do you not find it inappropriate, mother, to discuss alliances when our home was nearly reduced to ash?” he replied, his voice laced with a bitterness he couldn’t entirely suppress. 

Viscountess Choi’s smile didn’t waver. “Precisely why this is the perfect time,” she replied smoothly, her words tinged with a maddening confidence. 

“The Kangs have graciously opened their home to us. It would be unwise not to show our gratitude.”

Gratitude. That’s what she was calling it now. San clenched his jaw, his gaze returning to the passing scenery outside the carriage window. He knew better than to argue when his mother’s mind was already made up. But the idea of using his family’s misfortune as a stepping stone for her ambitions made his stomach churn.

There had been something between you once, though calling it close now felt like a cruel twist of fate. San had always been someone who commanded attention, whether he sought it or not. His charm, once something he wielded effortlessly in your presence, was now a weapon that had turned against him. 

He had spent countless nights over the years replaying that moment in the garden, as if by thinking about it enough, he could somehow undo it. But no matter how many times he revisited it, the outcome was the same. You had trusted him, opened yourself to him in a way no one else had, and he had destroyed it all in a single reckless moment.

No matter how many letters he wrote, how many conversations he rehearsed in his mind, it was as though he had been erased from your world. And perhaps, in a way, he had.

Whenever you were near, it felt as though the air itself had grown colder. You would sweep past him at gatherings, head held high, never sparing him a second glance. You spoke to everyone but him, and when your gaze brushed over him, it was like staring through empty space.

He had done this to himself. He had betrayed your trust in the most humiliating, selfish way possible. And your brother made sure to remind him of that. Yeosang had come storming into the club the very next evening after the ball. 

San could still recall the moment vividly, every detail seared into his memory. 

“Where the fuck is he!?”

San only had a moment before Yeosang came bearing down on him, his fist connecting with his jaw. The impact was staggering, sending him reeling backward into a table, knocking over bottles and glasses in a chaotic crash.

“Of all the people in this world, you made a wager on my sister?”

San’s eyes darted between Yeosang and the crowd, his shock turning to regret as he slowly began to comprehend the magnitude of his actions.

“I never meant to hurt her.”

The regret in his expression was immediate, but it did nothing to quell the fire in Yeosang’s eyes. He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper that was somehow more terrifying than his entrance.

“Did you think you could just make a fool out of her and walk away unscathed? That you could treat her like some plaything, and there wouldn’t be consequences?”

San swallowed hard, the reality of his actions finally crashing down on him. He had played the game too far, crossed a line he could never uncross. 

“I’m sorry,” he managed, his voice barely audible, the words tasting hollow and useless even as he spoke them.

“Sorry?” Yeosang repeated, his voice dripping with disdain.

“Do you really think a simple apology can undo the damage you’ve caused to her reputation?”

Yeosang leaned in, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper that was heard by everyone in the stunned crowd.

“Let me remind you of something,” he continued, his tone darkening with every syllable.

“Contrary to what the rest of your bastards think, my sister is not some wallflower you can toy with and discard. If I’d let her have her way, she’d have set the hounds on you and hunted you through the woods herself.”

Yeosang’s gaze remained fixed on San, his eyes blazing with an intensity that brooked no argument. 

“You’re lucky,” he hissed, “lucky that I’m the one standing here tonight and not her. Because if she were here, you’d be running for your life right now, and there wouldn’t be a soul in this room who could save you.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving San alone in the center of the room, the eyes of everyone upon him, the full weight of his actions bearing down on him like an unforgiving storm.

He had turned something precious, a genuine connection, into a game, a fleeting moment of amusement at the behest of his peers. And in doing so, had ruined any chance of earning your trust or your friendship, perhaps even more.

The Kang estate came into view, an impressive silhouette against the sky, and the knots in San’s stomach tightened. He wasn’t sure if it was the looming confrontation with your family or just the fact that you were inside, somewhere, plotting against him. 

As the carriage approached the gates, a commotion reached their ears. San squinted, his brows furrowing. The sound of your voice carried through the air, clear and indignant. 

San blinked. The footman hadn’t even opened the carriage door yet, but the clamor outside piqued his curiosity. He stepped out on his own, descending the steps cautiously as he tried to make sense of the chaos erupting from the grounds.

“Kang Y/N, stop this nonsense!”

The sharp voice rang out, unmistakably that of Lady Kang, her tone tinged with exasperation and disbelief. 

“You are not becoming a nun just because the Choi family is staying with us!”

San’s lips parted, but before he could question what was happening, a blur of movement caught his eye. Down the main path leading to the estate, he saw you, clutching a little sack in one hand and lifting your skirts with the other as you darted away. You whipped around, casting a glance over your shoulder as your mother pursued you, flanked by two bewildered servants.

“You’re asking me to endure the unspeakable horror of living under the same roof as Choi San!”

San felt his breath catch in his throat. Of all the ways to be greeted, this was not one he had anticipated. For a moment, all he could do was watch the spectacle unfold, half wondering if he should intervene or simply retreat back into the carriage and pretend he hadn’t witnessed any of this. 

But then your eyes snapped to him, and his breath hitched. You froze mid-step, staring at him as though his mere presence had upended all your carefully laid escape plans. Your hair was slightly mussed, your face flushed, and despite your obvious distress, there was a defiance burning within your eyes. 

You had changed. The sharp wit he remembered was still there, but the woman standing before him now was entirely different, a force to be reckoned with. In that moment, everything about you seemed to shine brighter, commanding his attention in a way that left him breathless. 

Was it too late? Or was there, against all odds, still a chance? Perhaps this would be the fateful encounter where you’d be reunited after four long years, and begin to rebuild the connection he’d so carelessly destroyed. Or–

“You!” you sputtered, your cheeks burning with equal parts humiliation and indignation. 

And just like that, his hopes were shattered. 

San straightened instinctively, his heart lurching as he grasped the carriage door for support as he blinked at you, confusion plain on his face. 

“Me?” he asked, pointing to himself as if there were any chance you were yelling at someone else.

“Mr. Choi!” Lady Kang’s voice rang out, skirts swishing with enough force to send a servant scuttling out of her path. 

“Mr. Choi, stop her!”

San blinked again, his gaze darting between you and your mother. Stop her? He glanced at the sack clutched tightly in your hands, then at the determined set of your jaw, and then back to your mother, who seemed moments away from fainting.

Your movements were sudden and sharp as you darted past the gates and onto the estate’s main road. San’s eyes widened, and without thinking, he took a hesitant step forward.

“M-Ms. Kang! Wait!” he called out, his voice rising in pitch as he tried, and failed, to process what was happening. 

You didn’t slow down. If anything, his call only seemed to spur you on, your legs pumping faster as your mother shouted from behind him.

“Is something the matter with Y/N?” Viscount Choi asked, poking his head out the carriage door. 

San turned halfway, floundering for words. “Uh, well–”

Lady Kang was practically in hysterics, still clutching at the folds of her skirts as she tried to regain her composure. She spun on her heel, a forced smile plastered on her face as she approached San's parents, who were now fully out of the carriage and observing the unfolding chaos with mild amusement.

"Viscount and Viscountess Choi," your mother greeted, her voice an octave higher than usual. 

She spread her arms as if trying to shield them from the scene of servants half-collapsed in exhaustion, Joe bent over with his hands on his knees, and you, a fast-disappearing figure on the horizon. 

“Is it always this lively here?” the viscount asked with a hearty chuckle. His footmen were unloading the trunks, seemingly unbothered by the commotion.

Lady Kang’s smile twitched dangerously, but she nodded in agreement, her fingers twisting anxiously in her skirts. 

“Oh, yes. Quite lively! It’s never dull here at our humble estate.”

“I can see that,” San’s mother remarked, her tone bordering on bemused as she exchanged a glance with her husband.

“It seems your daughter is rather…spirited this morning.”

“She’s just getting some fresh air! It’s been a long week preparing for your arrival, after all! Come, allow me to show you to your quarters. There’s plenty of room here for everyone!”

San barely registered their exchanges, his mind still reeling from the scene that had just unfolded. Your departure struck him as a sharp reminder of the pain he caused you years ago. Four years had passed since he had recklessly used you in a wager, and yet, here you were, fleeing from him and the mess he created.

He knew he had no right to feel this way, no right to want to make things right when he’d been the one to destroy everything between you. But the thought of you with your unrestrained fury made his chest ache in a way he couldn’t ignore.

This was supposed to be an opportunity for his family, a chance to rebuild after the fire that had brought them to the Kang estate. But for San, it already felt like a return to the very thing he’d been trying to escape—his own mistakes. 

⊹

The dining room was suffocating. Servants moved about, arranging dishes with care, the clink of silverware and the soft murmur of polite conversation filling the space. The voices of your mother, the Viscountess, and Yunho wove around you, their cheerful tones grating on your nerves. 

After Jason and your mother dragged you back to the manor, you’d barely had time to shake off the humiliation of your failed escape attempt. The skirt of your dress was dusty, littered with debris from the tree you had climbed, and your hair was a windswept disaster, complete with leaves that clung stubbornly despite your frantic attempts to smooth them away. Every inch of you felt like a spectacle, and you trudged up the steps, wishing the earth would swallow you whole before anyone, particularly him could catch sight of your current state.

Not that it mattered. The more displeasing you were to Choi San, the better. He was an intruder in your life, a thorn in your side, and you were determined to make him regret every second he spent on your family’s estate. 

That’s it! All you had to do was make yourself so insufferable that San would want to leave of his own accord. As you plotted against him, you mindlessly rounded the corner near the drawing room, only to find yourself face-to-face with none other than the man himself.

San stopped in his tracks. His dark eyes roamed over your disheveled state, taking in every humiliating detail. Yet his expression was uncharacteristically soft and curious, and the subtle rise of his brow suggested he wanted to say something, yet he remained silent, as if he, too, was caught off guard by the moment. 

Your face warmed under his attention and you stiffened, determined not to look flustered even as his gaze lingered. This was already humiliating enough without him turning it into an opportunity to tease you further. 

With your head held high, you brushed past him, ignoring the dust on your dress and the leaves tangled in your hair. His gaze followed you as if he couldn’t quite believe you were real, like he had been waiting years just to see you again and wasn’t sure if this moment was a dream.  

San sat across from you at dinner, his shoulders rigid, his hand hovering with uncertainty over his glass as if caught between drinking and fidgeting. You refused to look at him directly, though occasionally, you felt his gaze land on you. Each time it happened, your grip on the knife tightened, and you deliberately lifted it just enough to send a message.

His gaze flickered away immediately, his ears turning an alarming shade of red.

Beside you, Yeosang sat in silence, his brow furrowed as he cast you a sidelong glance. He had clearly noticed your little game and seemed torn between amusement and disapproval. Thankfully, he said nothing, though his lips twitched once or twice as if he was holding back a laugh.

“Before I forget,” Yunho announced suddenly, breaking through the polite murmur of conversation, “I’ll be hosting a hunt at my family’s estate in a few weeks.”

“Oh, how splendid!” your mother exclaimed, her voice overly bright.

“Y/N, you’ll attend, of course.”

Your knife paused mid-air, hovering over the roast pheasant on your plate. You shot your mother a pointed look, the corner of your mouth twitching in irritation. 

Your mother had always adored Yunho, he was your brother’s best friend, after all. Perhaps it was due to his boundless energy and unfaltering cheer, that mamas within the ton fawned over him more than their daughters did. 

“Worry not, Your Grace,” you replied, tone dripping with exaggerated sweetness. “I’ll try not to embarrass you.”

“And you, Mr. Choi? Will you be joining us? Or is hunting not your kind of sport?”

San stiffened slightly, his posture straightening as he met Yunho’s gaze. His jaw tensed, and for a heartbeat, he didn’t answer, his fingers tightening around the stem of his wine glass. 

“I wouldn’t miss it,” San replied coolly, though the slight grit in his tone betrayed his irritation.

The viscountess chimed in with a lighthearted comment about the joys of hunting, but the tension between Yunho and San was palpable. You could feel it radiating across the table, an unspoken battle of wills that neither man seemed willing to concede.

Men, you scoffed, picking up your glass. Whatever ridiculous posturing or rivalry Yunho and San were engaged in, didn’t concern you. 

While your mother would likely fret over your attire and the chance to parade you before eligible bachelors, you had far more practical matters to attend to. Your hounds, loyal and eager, needed to be checked over, their training refreshed. You’d also have to inspect your firearms, ensuring they were polished and in proper working order.

If you were to endure the company of San and the Viscount for the hunt, you might as well have a little fun at their expense. Men were often so boastful about their skill with firearms, yet so easily unnerved when confronted with a woman who wielded them with confidence.

“If you’ll excuse me, I have rifles that need polishing and hounds that need training,” you announced, setting down your silverware. The murmurs of conversation around the dinner table faltered as heads turned your way, but you ignored the curious glances. 

“Viscount, if you are so much as interested, you are more than welcome to glance over my late father’s collection. It’s quite impressive, even if I say so myself.”

The Viscount’s eyes lit up, a gleeful grin spreading across his face. "I remember the first time I saw it," he said, gesturing animatedly with his hands. 

"I assumed he’d stolen half the royal armory! I’ve been wanting to get my hands on one of his French imports for years!"

"Father did have a fondness for Le Page pistols,” you added in an attempt to prolong the conversation just enough to needle your mother. But before the Viscount could say more, your mother cleared her throat delicately, her eyes narrowing in that way she always did when she sensed you veering off the path of propriety. 

“Y/N, it is hardly appropriate to abandon dinner so abruptly,” she chided softly, her tone laced with forced politeness.

You leaned back in your chair with an innocent smile, meeting her gaze with just enough defiance to make your intentions clear. 

“Apologies, mother, but preparations for the hunt cannot wait. Besides,” you added with a touch of nonchalance, “Norman hasn’t been let out of the kennels all day.”

“Norman?” she repeated, her voice rising slightly, her composure beginning to slip. Her expression shifted from mild disapproval to thinly veiled horror, and you had to suppress a laugh.

“You cannot possibly mean to bring that dog into the house!”

“He’s my best companion and hunter. Loyal, well behaved, and far less troublesome.” You let the words linger, then turned your eyes deliberately toward San, your glare sharp as you emphasized the last word.

San’s posture stiffened, the pointedness of your words cutting through any pretense of oblivion. He dropped his gaze to his wine glass, swirling the liquid as though it might offer an escape from your scrutiny. Beside him, Viscount Choi let out a nervous chuckle, his jovial demeanor faltering as he glanced between you, San, and your mother. 

“Ah, yes, a good hunting dog is worth its weight in gold,” he offered, attempting to steer the conversation into safer territory. “Your father was always fond of terriers.”

Your mother’s sharp intake of breath signaled her growing exasperation, but you ignored it, standing gracefully and excusing yourself with a polite nod. It wasn’t just about the dog, of course. 

Bringing Norman inside was your way of asserting a small act of rebellion, a reminder that you weren’t some pawn in your mother’s endless games of social maneuvering. Let her fume. 

You were your father’s child, and you’d honor his memory in your own way, even if it meant bringing your rowdy wire fox terrier to disrupt the order of the manor. 

San prided himself on many things: his charm and his uncanny ability to talk his way out of, or into, anything he pleased. Navigation, however, was not one of them. 

It was meant to be a simple task: find his father, Yeosang, and Yunho to discuss hunting plans over a game of billiards. Yet here he was, standing in an unfamiliar garden, surrounded by an expanse of hedges and flowerbeds that seemed to mock him with every meticulously arranged bloom.

He sighed, placing his hands on his hips, and turned in a slow circle, trying to piece together how he’d managed to stray so far. 

"This way?" he muttered under his breath, taking a tentative step toward a stone path before freezing. "No, absolutely not. I recognize that planter, I definitely passed it at least twice now."

San exhaled sharply, brushing a hand through his hair. The maze of hedges had successfully bested him, and he was now grappling with the humiliation of calling for help or wandering aimlessly until staff stumbled upon him.

Just as he was weighing the cost of his pride, a sharp bark rang out across the garden. He froze, his body going rigid.

Norman. 

The terrier with boundless energy and an uncanny knack for finding mischief. He was just one of the dozens of hunting dogs your family kept for the sport, but he was unquestionably your favorite. While he wasn’t the fastest or the strongest, he was clever, spirited, and utterly devoted to you. 

He rounded the hedge like a bullet, a streak of white and brown hurling straight toward San. His pulse quickened, and his mind raced. Had you trained the dog to attack him? He wouldn’t blame you if you did. He took an instinctive step back, hands darting to his side as if to ward off an incoming assault.

You crouched low by the hedges, furrowing your brow as you watched the scene unfold. Surely, the feisty terrier would bark San off the estate and send him running.

But no.

Norman skidded to a halt in front of him, tail wagging furiously and eyes alight with mischief. The dog let out an eager yip, crouching down with his front paws stretched forward in a playful bow.

You groaned inwardly as San’s lips curved into a soft smile, and he knelt to ruffle the dog’s fur. 

“You must be Norman,” he murmured, his tone warm and easy.

Norman, utterly delighted, barked again and darted in circles around him, pausing only to nudge San’s hand with his nose when the petting stopped.

“Traitor,” you muttered under your breath, sinking deeper behind the hedges. With a resigned sigh, you stood and dusted off your dress, forcing yourself to sound as casual as possible.

“Norman!” You called out, as if you hadn’t just been crouched behind the bushes plotting San’s demise. 

Norman, ever the opportunist, interpreted your call as the start of a game of chase. His ears perked, and with an enthusiastic bark, he darted out of your line of sight, his legs carrying him toward the fountain at full speed.

“Wait, no, no, no—Norman!” you shrieked, launching into a sprint after him. Your voice only spurred him on, his wagging tail disappearing behind a hedge before you caught sight of him again.

The terrier took a running leap and soared into the fountain, splashing around in its shallow pool. You stood frozen for a moment, watching the dog paddle gleefully in the water.

“Oh, fuck me,” you grumbled, running a hand down your face as Norman paused mid-paddle to taunt you. He splashed again, as if daring you to join him.

With a resigned huff, you approached the fountain, crouching slightly as you leaned over the edge. Carefully, you extended an arm toward the mischievous terrier.

“Kang Norman, come here,” you gritted.

Norman responded with a bark, kicking his little legs to paddle just beyond your reach. You let out a frustrated sigh, adjusting your position as you gathered the skirt of your dress to kneel against the stone ledge. The water brushed against your fingertips as you leaned in farther, your balance growing increasingly precarious.

“Y/N!”

Startled, you turned to face San, wide-eyed, just as your foot slipped on the damp stone edge. He lunged forward, his hand gripping your arm in an attempt to steady you, but your momentum carried you forward.

His grip faltered, and you slipped from his grasp, tumbling into the cold water with a loud, humiliating splash. As you began to fall, he leaped into the fountain after you, arms outstretched in a desperate attempt to catch you before you were fully submerged. Water sloshed over the edges as you flailed for a moment, finally sitting up in the fountain, thoroughly drenched and utterly defeated.

To add insult to injury, Norman waded over to you, barking cheerfully and wagging his soaked tail as though congratulating you for finally joining him.

“Are you alright?” San’s voice was breathless with concern as he knelt in the water, his arms still loosely around you from his attempt to break your fall. 

You blinked up at him, stunned. His shirt clung to him, dripping from his hasty attempt to save you. For a heartbeat, you forgot about your own disheveled state, captivated by how breathtakingly handsome he looked just then—his guard down, his focus entirely on you.

How dare he look at you like that? Like you mattered. Like he hadn’t shattered you and left you to piece yourself back together alone.

Then it hit you. You were in his arms.

With a startled flail, you shoved at his chest, splashing water everywhere as you squirmed to get free. 

“What are you doing?” you demanded sharply. 

“You fell headfirst into the fountain!” San replied, his words spilling out too quickly, flustered and breathless. His brow furrowed, cheeks flushed. 

“I noticed!” you snapped, scrambling to stand upright. 

“I thought you might have hurt yourself.”

The audacity! Did he think he could fool you again? That a moment of concern could undo everything? You knew better. You knew this was the same man who had used you to repair his broken ego, the same man who had tossed you aside the moment you weren’t convenient for him anymore.

But there was a softness to him that made your resolve waver. It was maddening how in this moment, he left you momentarily spellbound despite every fault you’d sworn to hold against him.

“I’m fine,” you huffed, turning away with as much dignity as you could muster in your sodden state. 

San cleared his throat, shifting awkwardly as he looked around, clearly unsure of what to do with himself now that he was standing knee-deep in the fountain with you. There was a beat of silence between you as you sat there, dripping wet and too close for comfort. You moved away slightly, crossing your arms against the water seeping into your clothes. 

“I should return to the manor,” you said, clearing your throat in an attempt to sound composed, though the reality was anything but. 

You scooped Norman into your arms, the terrier dripping and delightfully oblivious to the chaos he had caused. His tail wagged enthusiastically, sending water droplets flying in every direction.

“Before a scandal breaks,” you added.

“R-Right,” San stammered, nodding quickly. 

Water dripped from the hem of your soaked clothes, forming a trail on the garden path, and your sodden shoes let out a loud, humiliating squeak with every step you took. 

“My lady!” Anna’s voice rose in a shriek, her hands flying to her mouth. She hurried forward, her eyes darting between your drenched form and the steadily growing puddle beneath your feet.

“Oh, heavens!” she gasped, wringing her hands. “What happened? 

Several maids rushed forward, their concerned murmurs filling the air as they scrambled to retrieve towels.

“Someone fetch a blanket!”

“Quickly before she catches a cold!”

“This,” you replied flatly, hoisting Norman slightly higher in your arms. The fox terrier, blissfully unaware of the commotion he had caused, panted happily with his tongue lolling to the side.  

The flurry of activity came to an abrupt halt as San stepped through the doorway behind you, his boots squelching comically against the floor. His shirt clung to him, outlining his chest in a way that wasn’t exactly helping his drenched appearance. 

The maids froze, their arms full of towels, as they stared wide eyed and speechless.

The scene was entirely innocent—at least, it should have been. Yet, in that moment, with the dripping mess and the lingering tension, it felt anything but. Anna’s breath hitched audibly, and she glanced between you and San, her lips parting as if to speak but unable to form the words. 

“He was only assisting in catching Norman. That’s all.” 

You cleared your throat, breaking the awkward stillness. The others quickly snapped out of their daze, resuming their efforts to gather towels and muttering apologies as they darted around you.

San’s head shot up, his eyes widening in disbelief. Did you just…defend him? His heart raced but you remained cool and detached as you avoided his gaze. Not that it mattered.

That night, San tossed and turned in bed, unable to shake the day’s events. From the way you fled the estate that morning to your fiery encounter in the fountain, the encounters replayed on an endless loop in his mind.

In your anger, you looked…beautiful. More than beautiful. He groaned, dragging a pillow over his face, as if smothering himself could calm the relentless pounding of his heart. A soft, incredulous laugh escaped him, tinged with disbelief. 

“Idiot,” he muttered, staring up at the ceiling. “She hates you.”

Still, his lips curled into a wide, giddy smile as he rolled onto his side, clutching the pillow beneath him. You’d been near him, spoken to him, glared at him, shoved him, and somehow, that was enough to make him feel like the luckiest man alive.

⊹

The Jeong Estate was as magnificent as ever, its manicured lawns rolling in lush waves of green, punctuated by bursts of color from sprawling gardens that seemed to stretch endlessly around the grounds. But today, the beauty was secondary; your focus laid elsewhere as you prepared yourself for the day’s hunt.

You cocked the shotgun with a sharp, mechanical click, testing its weight. You turned, holding the weapon at the ready as your eyes landed squarely on San. For a moment, the world seemed to still. San’s eyes locked on to yours and his mouth went suddenly dry. His eyes flicked nervously between the barrel and your face, unsure whether to laugh it off or raise his hands in surrender, unsure if even the slightest movement would prompt you to pull the trigger.

“Y/N, put that thing down!” your mother chided, her voice pitched high with mortification. She skittered into view, her skirts swishing as she cast a tight, strained smile toward a group of ladies passing by. 

You lowered the shotgun a fraction, the barrel dipping just enough to avoid sending San into cardiac arrest. Still, your gaze remained fixed on him, your narrowed eyes making it clear he wasn’t off the hook yet. With a huff, you turned on your heel, striding toward the stables, the shotgun still in hand. Your boots crunched against the gravel, each step a sharp punctuation to your frustration.

"Pointing a gun at other guests is highly inappropriate, Ms. Kang.”

You turned to see Yunho striding toward you, his eyes sparkling with amusement, as if he had just caught you in the middle of some mischief he couldn’t wait to comment on.

"He’s lucky I didn’t pull the trigger.”

Yunho’s brow quirked and his grin widened. “You’ve certainly mastered the art of making a memorable impression within the ton. Though I have to wonder, were you aiming for him or his pride?”

You shot him a sideways glance, feigning exasperation. Yunho had always been this way—playful, quick-witted, and never one to miss an opportunity to tease you. Yet he was observant, capable of reading between the lines. It was part of the reason you found yourself oddly comfortable around him.

“I’m expediting his departure from the estate,” you replied dryly.

Yunho laughed, a rich and infectious sound that drew the attention of a few nearby guests. 

"Don’t you think you might be pushing him a little too hard? Poor Mr. Choi looked like he was about to faint."

You scoffed, though your lips twitched in a small smile, betraying the hint of amusement in your eyes. 

"He’s not that delicate, and you know it."

San stood a few paces away, watching the casual banter between you and Yunho, his jaw tightening involuntarily. He told himself it shouldn’t matter. Yunho was a close friend of your brother, someone you’d grown up with. Of course, you’d be close. It was all perfectly innocent. Rational, even but still—why did it bother him so much?

"I don’t blame her for fancying him," Wooyoung interrupted with a dreamy sigh. San shot him a pointed glance, his irritation clear, but Wooyoung just grinned, completely unapologetic.

“What? If I were her, I’d rather be a Duchess.” 

It’s not like that between them, San told himself firmly, trying to quell the unease rising in his gut. He wasn’t one to let Wooyoung’s jabs get to him, but somehow, this one lingered, leaving him uneasy and more unsettled than he cared to admit.

As you approached the stable yard, the familiar hum of the estate, murmurs, laughter, the soft clink of silver, faded into the distance. You were greeted by Darcy’s familiar silhouette, his ears flicking forward in recognition, as you reached out to scratch the spot just behind his ear. The stallion leaned into your touch, his head bowing in a gesture that felt almost like a hug. 

You slipped him a treat, his muzzle brushed your palm with a gentleness that made you smile.

“…A right mess that fire was, but he did what he was paid for.”

You froze in place. Your heart skipped a beat, as the clop of heavy boots and a murmur of voices approached. You edged closer to the shadows of the stable wall, ducking into Darcy’s stable, but before you could catch a breath, a soft snort sounded right by your ear, followed by a damp, insistent nudge against your shoulder. 

You tried to brush his nose away with a quick wave, but the horse was undeterred. His large, expressive eyes blinked innocently down at you as he pushed his head into your space once more, this time almost knocking you off balance.

“Thought it’d be small,” one of the voices continued, closer now, “but didn’t expect half the place to blow up like that!”

“Keep it down, would ya? You want the whole bloody place to hear?” a second voice said. 

They were talking about the fire. At the Choi’s estate. The stablehands didn’t sound remorseful, only wary, as though they knew they tread dangerous waters. 

“Aye, well,” the first man muttered, his voice lowering, “it’s not like he had much choice, did he? Poor sod got backed into a corner. When they’re waving that kind of coin, who’s gonna say no?”

A chill crawled up your spine. Paid for? The fire wasn’t an accident. Someone had set it deliberately—and whoever they were, they’d been bought off.

“Still,” the second voice added nervously, “don’t know if I’d call it clean work. You reckon they’ll figure it out?”

“No one’s gonna find out. Just keep your mouth shut, and it’ll be fine. Heard there’s another job coming for the Parks.”

You froze, your breath catching in your throat. Another job. The Parks.

You stayed perfectly still as the voices faded, their owners disappearing around the corner. Once you were sure they were out of sight, you exhaled shakily, leaning against the stable wall for support. Your mind raced, trying to process what you had just overheard.

Paid off. Deliberate. Not clean work. The pieces clicked together, forming a picture more sinister than you’d imagine. The fire at the Choi estate hadn’t been an unfortunate accident—it had been orchestrated.

But why?

Whoever had set it in motion wasn’t some petty criminal. This was calculated, ruthless. This was someone willing to destroy lives to achieve their goals. And if the Chois had been a target, then the Parks were next.

A sick feeling churned in your stomach. What guarantee was there that your family’s home wouldn’t follow? What guarantee was there that anyone in the ton was safe?

The idea was unthinkable, but so was everything you’d just overheard. If there was even the slightest chance that your family could be in danger, you couldn’t let it go unanswered.

One | Three

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[redvexillum]

A/N: OKAY. No shit, Kit. You didnt think people actually believed you that I suck on airport doorknobs! Also, THE ALCOHOL SHOULD'VE KILLED ALL THE GERMS. AIN'T THAT HOW IT WORKS??? I AM NOT WRITING ANGSTMAS. IT'S JUST smoll sad. Besides, here's peak SMUTmas. I shut off my brain for this one. So, please enjoy.

SUMMARY: You, a human, were taken to the depths of Hell, where you met Lucifer and Alastor, believing you were finally someone worth cherishing. However, behind the scenes, you were nothing more than a bargaining chip in their deal.

TAGS/WARNINGS: f!reader, two in one hole, double penetration, dub con, oral sex, cunnilingus, fingering, multiple orgasm, just ...gratuitous smut.

The name haunted you, a cruel brand seared into your identity: Discount Dolly. 

It wasn’t just a nickname. No, it was a condemnation, a relentless reminder of how little the world thought you were worth. Cheap. Useless. A placeholder where someone better should have been. No matter how fiercely you tried to scrub it away, the words clung to your soul, seeping into the deepest parts of you like ink spilled on fragile parchment. It screamed of your worthlessness, a truth you had accepted as fact. 

Until the night everything changed. 

One moment, you were nobody—a shadow among shadows. The next, you were swept into the depths of Hell itself. The underworld, where souls writhe in torment for eternity, welcomed you not as a sinner, but as an anomaly. A living, breathing human. You. The first of your kind to ever set foot in this forsaken realm. 

And for the first time, you were seen. 

Here, in a place where the damned screamed into the void, you were valued.

It began when you met Him. Lucifer, the King of Hell, with his all-consuming presence. And his right hand, Alastor, the Radio Demon, who carried with him the dissonant hum of static and a predatory grin that seemed to promise ruin and delight in equal measure. Their attention had unravelled the tightly wound threads of your miserable existence, stitching together something raw, electric, alive. 

For the first time in your life, you were…cherished.

The air was heavy with the intoxicating aroma of berries and lavender, steam curling lazily around the ornate bathroom. You sat naked on the cool lip of a porcelain bathtub, vulnerable and exposed, yet strangely safe. Alastor’s voice, rich and smooth, hummed an old, haunting tune that tickled the edges of your memory, its age betraying a time long before you were born. 

He approached with a basin of warm, fragrant water, the golden light of the room catching the glint in his sharp eyes. As he tilted the basin, water cascaded over you in a soothing wave, drenching your skin in its warmth. His movements were unhurried, reverent even, as if the act of bathing you was a sacred ritual. 

“You seem… content, Alastor,” you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly would shatter the fragile intimacy of the moment. 

His ever-present grin curved slightly, softer somehow, though no less unsettling. “Oh, my sweet little lamb,” he cooed, his tone dripping with honeyed malice, “content doesn’t begin to cover it. The King and I… well, we’ve struck quite a fortuitous deal.” 

His words hung in the air, weighted with hidden meaning. As he dipped a sudsy sponge into the basin, you shivered—not from the coolness of the room, but from the heat of his gaze. Slowly, he pressed the sponge to your shoulder, massaging it in firm, deliberate circles before gliding it downward. The moment his hand replaced the sponge, cupping your breast, you gasped, a sharp intake of breath that seemed to echo against the tiles. 

“Ah, Alastor…” The sound of his name slipping from your lips was involuntary, raw with need. 

His grin widened, dark amusement gleaming in his eyes. “Last night wasn’t enough to satisfy you, was it?” he teased, his voice low, conspiratorial. The memory of Lucifer and Alastor both taking you, driving you to the brink of madness with their relentless pleasure, sent a fresh wave of heat coursing through you. 

Alastor’s clawed fingers trailed downward, the razor-sharp tips leaving a tingling path across your stomach. When he reached the apex of your thighs, his touch turned featherlight, a maddening tease that left you trembling. His finger pressed against your sensitive nub, eliciting a sharp, involuntary jolt that sent sparks of pleasure shooting through your veins. 

“Such a good little lamb,” he murmured, his voice thick with a dark, possessive affection. Slowly, he circled your clit, drawing whimpers from your lips with every deliberate stroke. “We wouldn’t be here without you, my dear. Your sacrifice… your submission… has secured everything.” 

You trembled, caught in the delicate balance between pleasure and fear, each sensation sharpening the other until it left you raw and exposed. The room still echoed with your whimpers, your body aching for the release Alastor had so cruelly denied. Your stomach clenched, both from the remnants of your peak and the gnawing unease creeping into your chest. 

His lips brushed against your temple, a ghost of a kiss, as his claw moved with agonizing precision. “Will you continue to be good for me?” he asked softly, his breath warm against your skin, his tone laced with dangerous promise. 

The whispers had reached even your ears—of another demon, a rival whose acquisition of long-coveted territory had sent shockwaves through Hell’s twisted hierarchy. This demon had claimed lands that Lucifer and Alastor had schemed to possess for decades. A delicate matter, Alastor had reassured you with his gentle tone, brushing off your questions with a cryptic smile. He had promised it would be a pleasant deal but withheld the details, leaving you stranded in your own spiralling thoughts. 

Now, he busied himself preparing you for this enigmatic meeting, his presence a blend of mockery and tenderness that left your pulse erratic. When his touch left your trembling core just shy of satisfaction, a frustrated whine escaped your lips before you could stop it. 

“Patience, my pet,” Alastor murmured with a low chuckle, his voice a dark caress. “You’ll have plenty of this later tonight.” 

Your brows knit in frustration, but before you could protest, he returned to the task at hand, meticulously washing away the last traces of soap from your skin. His hands, deliberate, and his grin, sharp like a wolf savouring its meal. 

Once you were cleaned, he dressed you in a gown that flowed like air itself—soft, ethereal white fabric that clung delicately to your curves. Gold bangles adorned your wrists and ankles, their faint clinking a soft melody with every movement. The sound sent shivers through you, a subtle reminder of captivity masquerading as elegance. The thought of manacles flickered briefly in your mind before you forced it away, banishing the notion with a shaky exhalation. 

When you stepped into the bedchamber, everything shifted. The atmosphere was oppressive, the air heavy and cloying as if it sought to press you into submission. Your breath caught in your throat, and an instinctive panic gripped you, screaming at you to turn and flee. Every nerve in your body urged you to run, yet your legs refused to obey. 

The weight of the room vanished instantly as two firm hands landed on your shoulders. You glanced up, finding Alastor’s piercing ruby eyes watching you, his red-tinted monocle gleaming in the dim light. His tufted ears flopped slightly as he tilted his head, the gesture deceptively soft against the sharpness of his questioning gaze. 

“Steady now,” his voice purred, a mix of reassurance and command that sent heat rolling down your spine. 

Drawing in a shaky breath, you forced yourself to focus, your chest rising and falling in a deliberate rhythm. You turned your attention to the others in the room: Lucifer, ever poised, stood at the head of the gathering, flanked by two figures who exuded power and danger in equal measure. 

One was a tall, lanky figure with a flat-screen television for a head. His sleek, tailored blue suit mirrored Lucifer’s taste for refinement. The other was a stark contrast—a broad, thickly built man with a rough goatee and messy brown hair, dressed in what looked like a plain white robe. The TV-headed man’s grin stretched across the glowing screen, an unsettlingly wide display of jagged white lines. 

“Vox,” he introduced himself with a flourish, his deep voice smooth yet charged with static. He inclined his head toward you, the screen flashing briefly as if mimicking a wink. “At your service, my sweet little angel.” 

“H-hello,” you stammered, the word barely audible as you instinctively stepped back—only to collide with Alastor’s firm chest. His claws once again pressed gently into your shoulders, a silent warning that escape was not an option. 

Your gaze flicked nervously to the larger man, the one with the wild brown hair. As he rose with a groan, his sheer size became apparent. He was the tallest in the room, his presence commanding without even trying. His red eyes locked onto yours with an intensity that made your skin prickle. 

“Name’s Adam,” he said, his voice rough and unpolished, a sharp contrast to the others. His lips curled into a cocky grin as he leaned slightly forward. “So… ya ready to fuck?” 

The audacity of his words hit you like a bolt, stealing the air from your lungs. Heat flared across your cheeks, and you opened your mouth to respond, but no sound came out. The weight of their stares bore down on you, and your heart hammered against your ribs like a drumbeat of impending chaos. 

Behind you, Alastor chuckled darkly, his fingers tightening on your shoulders as if to anchor you in place. “Oh, my dear,” he drawled, his voice dripping with amusement, “the night has only just begun.” 

“W-what?” The word caught in your throat, your voice cracking under the weight of confusion and dread. Your head whipped between Lucifer and Alastor, desperately searching for answers. Alastor’s grin remained fixed, unshaken, his eyes gleaming with unsettling amusement. Lucifer, however, bit his lip, guilt painted across his face like a poorly concealed secret. 

“Oh, no way,” Vox erupted, his laughter loud and cutting through the tension like a blade. “You didn’t tell her?” 

The sound coiled in your stomach, a physical sensation that twisted tighter and tighter. Your gaze snapped back to Lucifer, your eyes pleading for clarity, for reassurance—anything that could make this moment feel less suffocating. 

Lucifer finally cleared his throat, stepping forward as if to shield you from the weight of what was to come. His fingers slid into yours, his touch warm but hesitant, like a fragile thread trying to tether you to him. “Dear,” he began softly, his voice faltering. “I… I know we should’ve asked you first, but…” He hesitated, the words caught somewhere between his guilt and his desperation. “Y-you could say no, if you would like.” 

“I—” you started, but the words faltered as your thoughts tumbled over themselves in a chaotic spiral. “I don’t… I don’t even know what you’re asking me.” 

“Basically, sugartits,” Adam cut in, his voice a crude interruption, “we all made a deal that involves us all fuckin’ ya, so quit stalling and strip already!” 

He wasted no time, peeling off his clothes without shame. Each article of clothing fell carelessly to the floor, the sound of fabric hitting tile stark against the room’s suffocating silence. Vox rolled his eyes at Adam’s antics but said nothing, his static-filled screen flashing with flickers of amusement. 

You froze, your mind reeling, until Alastor leaned in close. His breath, warm and steady, brushed against your ear, sending shivers down your spine. His voice, edged with static, pierced through the fog clouding your thoughts. 

“My sweet little lamb,” he crooned, his tone a blend of saccharine and menace, “you want to be useful, don’t you?” 

The words hit like a hammer, and your body stiffened instinctively. 

“You said it yourself,” Alastor continued, his grin audible even if you couldn’t see it. “You’d do anything to stay by our side. Isn’t that right?” 

Your breath hitched, your fingers trembling as they curled into the fabric of your dress. He wasn’t wrong. 

You wanted to be useful. 

The memories rose unbidden, like phantoms clawing their way to the surface. Flashes of darkness, of loneliness, of shouts and screams, glass shattering around you. The echoes of your past clawed at your resolve, threatening to drag you back to a time when you were nothing, no one. 

Suddenly, Lucifer’s hands cupped your face, pulling you from the spiral. His thumbs caressed your cheeks with a gentleness that felt out of place in the suffocating room. His ruby red eyes searched yours, filled with something warm, something real. “Hey,” he murmured, his voice soothing like a balm over your frayed nerves. “It’s going to be okay.” 

But it wouldn’t. 

You didn’t want them to leave you. 

You couldn’t go back to that hollow, miserable existence. 

You couldn’t be her again. Discount Dolly. The forgotten girl. The one the world discarded. 

“I want to do this,” you whispered, the words trembling on your lips. They didn’t feel like they belonged to you, alien in their desperation. “Please… let me do this.” 

A smile spread across your face, a brittle, fractured thing that felt like a mockery of joy. Your hands loosened their grip on your dress, trembling as they fell to your sides. You wanted to be useful. You wanted to be cherished. You wanted—needed—to be loved. 

If you gave them this, if you offered all that you were, then maybe you’d finally matter. 

You’d finally be enough. 

And they’d let you stay by their side, wouldn’t they? 

The room crackled with tension, thick and suffocating, as Lucifer’s voice trembled through the air. “A-are you sure?” he asked, his usual composure faltering as his brows knit together in uncertainty. His eyes, normally sharp with dominance, softened with a flicker of doubt that only you could evoke. 

“Oh, my king,” Alastor interjected, his tone laced with playful derision, though his eyes burned with something far darker. “Don’t tell me you’re getting cold feet now.” His voice, smooth as velvet, curled around you as his fingers grazed your skin, unclasping the golden buckles that held your gown together. One by one, the delicate restraints fell away, the fabric pooling to the floor like liquid moonlight, leaving you utterly bare under the weight of their gazes. 

The air turned icy, a sharp contrast to the heat flooding your cheeks. Every nerve in your body felt exposed, raw, as four pairs of hungry eyes devoured the sight of you. Adam groaned, his voice a guttural growl that sent a shiver coursing down your spine. “Fuck, she smells good,” he rasped, his desire painfully evident as his length continued to grow, already throbbing with need. 

Alastor chuckled, the sound a mix of dark amusement and unrestrained lust. “Oh, you’ve no idea,” he murmured, his voice dropping an octave. “Her taste is absolutely… divine.” His hand found the curve of your lower back, a gentle yet insistent pressure as he guided you toward the massive, intricately carved bed—a bed you knew all too well, its every inch steeped in memories of sinful indulgence with Lucifer and Alastor. 

Your legs moved like they weren’t your own, your body pliant under Alastor’s control. You leaned into him, your back pressing against his firm chest, the scent of him intoxicating. His erection stirred against you, the hard line of it unmistakable even through his trousers, a silent promise of what was to come. 

“Relax, my dear,” Alastor purred into your ear, his lips brushing the sensitive shell of it. Slowly, deliberately, he spread your thighs apart, exposing your most vulnerable self to their ravenous gazes. The cool air kissed your heated skin, and your breath hitched as his fingers slid between your folds, spreading you open with a precision that left no room for modesty. 

“Do you need aid, my little lamb?” His voice was soft, teasing, but the sharp edge of his grin pressed against your shoulder betrayed his true intent. “After all,” he whispered, his fingers parting you further, “your cunt is so delightfully tight, a tad small for our… stature.” 

A tremor coursed through you at his words, and your eyes darted to Adam’s cock, the sheer girth of it already stretching the bounds of your imagination. Panic and desire warred within you, leaving you trembling. The memory of their size, the fullness, the ache—they had ruined you for anyone else, and you knew it. Still, you nodded, your submission a silent plea. 

Lucifer wasted no time, summoning a small, ornate blue box that shimmered with an unearthly glow. Vox, stripping out of his suit with deliberate slowness, raised a brow. “What’s that?” His voice was deep, almost sardonic, but curiosity danced in his glowing cyan eyes. His dark, navy-toned skin gleamed under the light, the bioluminescent gill-like patterns tracing his torso mesmerizing.

Lucifer cleared his throat, his usual confidence faltering under your gaze. “This,” he said, lifting a tiny blue marble from the box, “will help her… handle us. It also ensures our… session is prolonged.” His voice wavered, uncharacteristically hesitant, and he avoided your eyes until he crawled onto the bed, holding the marble to your lips. 

“Sweetheart, you don’t have to—” His words faltered, guilt clouding his eyes, but you silenced him with a soft, deliberate kiss to his fingers. Opening your mouth, you took the marble, its sweetness blooming on your tongue. The taste was like honey and something indescribable, intoxicating and otherworldly. 

As his fingers lingered, you suckled on them, your eyes never leaving his. Lucifer’s breath hitched, and the tension in his shoulders melted away as his arousal became impossible to hide, straining against the fabric of his pants. 

Then, with a sharp snap of Alastor’s fingers, the room shifted. Clothes disappeared instantly, leaving nothing but bare skin and raw desire. 

“Really, Alastor?” Vox growled, glaring at him. “I was setting the mood.” 

Lucifer shot Alastor a heated glare as Alastor awkwardly shielded the throbbing erection with the hand not currently holding your mouth open. 

“I decided we might as well get on with it,” Alastor shrugged nonchalantly, his grin never faltering. “I have a date with my sweet little lamb tonight,” he murmured, nuzzling your cheek against his, his breath hot against your skin. “We were supposed to indulge in all the delightful pastries of Cannibal Town…” His voice was low, a hint of something darker woven through the words. 

A collective groan of disgust rippled from the surrounding men. 

For a brief, fleeting moment, you almost forgot the situation at hand, the heat building between your legs almost too much to bear. But then the aphrodisiac coursed through you, the effects slamming into your body with brutal force. Your heart began to race, thundering in your chest. Your cunt clenched painfully, the wetness pooling between your legs, a desperate need to be touched. The heat radiating from your skin made it feel like you were on fire, your nipples hardened, the sensation so sharp it made you whimper. And your clit—aching, throbbing—demanded attention, as if every nerve in your body was screaming for release. 

“Now, who wants to clean her up?” Alastor’s voice was sultry, dark, as he slowly brought his hands down to spread your pussy open, exposing your weeping hole to the men. 

A soft moan slipped past your lips, your body shivering with pleasure as you felt every tiny movement down there, every touch, even just the air brushing against your sensitive skin. 

“Oh, me, me, me!” Adam’s voice was eager, thick with desire. He lumbered toward you, kneeling between your legs. His lips latched onto your clit, and your head immediately fell back onto Alastor’s shoulder, your body trembling as the intense pleasure hit you like a tidal wave. 

“That’s it, little lamb,” Alastor whispered against your ear, his hands kneading your breasts with expert care, the same way he had done earlier—firm, insistent, and intoxicating. 

You felt a sob rise in your throat, the pressure building deep inside of you, as Adam’s tongue worked magic on your folds. The sound of his desperate licks and slurps filled your ears, your body alive with sensation. All you could focus on was the way Alastor teased your nipples, rolling them between his fingers, and how Adam’s tongue flicked over your sensitive clit, each flick sending jolts of pleasure straight to your core. 

With a loud, sharp gasp, your hips jerked forward, the first wave of orgasm crashing through you. The intensity of it left you breathless, but Alastor’s rough pinch of your nipples only heightened it, sending you spiralling further into a dizzying, intoxicating bliss. 

“Oh, fuck,” Vox groaned from nearby, his grip tightening on his own cock, pumping it quickly, the sounds of his hand meeting his balls adding a raw edge to the air. 

“Damn, fuck, that’s delicious,” Adam murmured, his voice thick with need, his lips and chin glistening with your arousal. 

You felt Alastor shift, his cock pressing against your dripping cunt. He teased you for a moment, the tip of his head rubbing against your folds before, with one swift motion, he plunged into you completely, filling you with a delicious, intense stretch. 

“Ah!” you cried out, the sensation of him filling you making your entire body tremble, the sound of his soft grunts against your ear adding to the heat. 

“Hey, no fair,” Vox snapped, his teeth gritted, eyes flashing with jealousy. “I said I get to fuck her pussy first.” 

Alastor sighed, lazy and unconcerned, his movements steady as he pumped his cock in and out of you. Your lips parted in a breathless moan, the sounds spilling from you heavy, languid, and full of desire. “And you can, old pal,” he chuckled darkly, his voice dripping with mockery. “In fact, I’m giving you the chance for your pathetic cock to touch mine,” he added with a wicked smile, his words laced with venom. 

Vox stuttered, his words barely coherent as he asked, “Wh-what, like, we can fuck her pussy together?” 

Alastor responded with nothing more than a small hum, his gaze focused on you as he continued to fuck you in a rhythm that left you dizzy with pleasure. 

“Then dibs on her mouth!” Adam declared eagerly, his hands roughly gripping your hair, tugging it so sharply that you could feel strands of it rip from your scalp. The sting of pain only sent another wave of pleasure crashing through you, intensifying the sensations flooding your body. You parted your lips willingly, feeling the sheer thickness of him stretch your mouth open, your lips pulling taut. The sensation was almost unbearable, your throat tight with the need to gag. But you didn’t pull away. Instead, you opened wider, the salty taste of him flooding your senses as he began to thrust, his cock sliding in and out of your mouth with brutal force. Your throat constricted, and your body shuddered with each harsh thrust. Saliva dripped down your chin in thick strings as he pounded your mouth, your moans now mingling with gags, the sound almost primal in the raw, carnal intensity of it all. 

“Oh, fuck, yeah, babe, I like a sloppy bitch,” Adam groaned, his voice low and dark with lust as his hips thrust into you, the rhythm slow and purposeful, each movement pushing you closer to the edge of insanity. His cock was buried deep inside you, sending waves of heated pleasure that made you moan, unable to hold back your reactions. 

Your breath hitched, and your eyes fluttered open when you felt another touch, one that was hot and needy, brushing near your core, the same spot where Alastor was relentlessly pounding into you. The sensation was electric, sending shocks of pleasure radiating throughout your body, leaving you breathless. 

You were impossibly wet, slickness coating your thighs and dripping down Alastor’s cock, the bed beneath you damp with the mess of your arousal. The heat between your legs was unbearable, the desire to be filled, stretched, and owned overwhelming. 

A sob tore from your throat when Vox’s cock finally slid inside you, stretching you wider than you thought possible. It was slow at first, agonizingly slow, as he filled you, the feeling of him invading your body bringing both pain and pleasure. 

“Oh, fuck, fuck, so fucking tight,” Vox groaned, his voice rough, his hands gripping your hips tightly, as he began to thrust deeper, pushing into you with slow, deliberate force. “Oh, fuck, you’re so fucking hard, Alastor,” he huffed, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he shoved in deeper, widening you, forcing your body to accept him. It felt like you were being torn open, stretched beyond your limits, but it felt so fucking good that you couldn’t help but moan in need. 

Your scream of pleasure was muffled by Adam’s thick cock in your mouth, his thrusts becoming faster, more insistent, as you felt yourself completely consumed by the overwhelming sensations. The stretch was too much, yet you needed more, so much more. The aphrodisiac that buzzed through your veins made you insatiable, your mind spinning with the desire for them, for all of them, to take you, claim you completely. 

“Come on, Lucifer,” Adam huffed, his pace increasing as his cock slid in and out of your mouth, filling you in every way. “What are you standing around for with your cock in your hand?” 

As Alastor and Vox fucked you in a chaotic rhythm, each thrust from one of them keeping you on the edge, you felt the bed dip beside you. Your wrist was gently lifted, guided to Lucifer’s thick cock, which was already hard, his body trembling with barely contained need. Instinctively, your fingers curled around him, the warmth of his skin against your palm sending a shock of heat straight to your core. Lucifer began to move, his hips rocking slowly, pushing himself into your hand, sighing deeply as he groaned, “God, you feel so good, so fucking good.” 

The room was alive with noise—the wet sounds of bodies colliding, the slap of skin against skin, the desperate gasps, groans, and moans that filled the surrounding air. The scent of sweat and sex was thick, wrapping around you like a haze, your mind swimming with pleasure, making everything else fade away until there was only the overwhelming sensation of their bodies, their heat, their need. 

At that moment, you realized what you were feeling. You loved it, loved how your body was nothing but a vessel for their pleasure. The way they used you, made you feel, made you forget about everything else in the world—it was addictive. You didn’t have to think, didn’t have to feel anything but the pleasure that they gave you. The sound of their voices, their grunts, their moans as they came undone in you was all that mattered. 

Your back arched as Alastor and Vox picked up the pace, their thrusts harder, faster, their hands gripping you, making sure you felt every inch of them. The moment Alastor moaned, his body tense and vibrating with release, you felt his hot seed spill inside you, and that was all it took. Orgasm ripped through you, your body shaking, your muscles tightening as waves of bliss cascaded over you, leaving you trembling and gasping for air. 

Vox quickly withdrew, straining, his cock still twitching in the aftershocks of his near-orgasm. His hand gripped the base of his cock tightly, trying to hold back, his body trembling with frustration. 

Alastor, still panting, let out a short, mocking laugh. “Too bad you couldn’t finish, old pal.” 

“You bastard,” Vox gritted through clenched teeth, his tip turning dark blue from the pressure he’d applied, his voice rough with both frustration and desire. “You did that on purpose.” 

The world felt distant, lost in a haze of pleasure as Adam finally withdrew, both of you breathing heavily, caught in the aftermath of the intense rhythm. Your jaw ached, but the sensation only heightened the desire swirling within you. Your eyes fluttered open, hazy and unfocused, lips parting in a soft gasp as you leaned in closer, a desperate yearning pulling you toward him. You craved the feel of him, the warmth of his body, and you moved instinctively, trying to pull his cock back into your mouth. 

“Woah, woah, slow down, babe,” Adam’s voice was low and teasing, but there was a breathless edge to it, a raw need that matched the pulse of your own desire. “I don’t want to finish just yet.” 

You shuddered, the heat inside you building as you felt your own arousal mixed with Alastor’s seed, dripping out of you, and you moaned softly at the sensation. Your body throbbed with longing, aching for more, the intensity almost unbearable. You couldn’t understand why everyone had stopped, even Lucifer, who had been gently rocking into your hand, now still, his cock pressing against your skin differently, a soft tension that only added to the weight of your need. 

You felt Vox shift beneath you, his frustration like an unspoken force in the air, but your mind couldn’t focus on anything but the unbearable heat spreading through your core. You were on fire, every inch of your skin sensitive, your body aching for release, craving any touch that could soothe the deep ache inside you. 

“We should hurry,” Lucifer’s voice broke through the fog of lust, soft yet full of concern, a tenderness that soothed the frantic pace of your heart. “My sweetie is hurting.” His hand, cool and gentle, cupped your cheek, and you leaned into the touch, your breath hitching. His skin felt like silk against yours, a cool balm to the feverish heat radiating from your body. The contrast of his touch was electrifying, and you nuzzled into it, feeling the sensation wrap around your soul. 

Your limbs trembled, not just from the pleasure, but from the weight of your emotions. A soft giggle slipped from your lips, light and unrestrained, the pleasure bubbling over inside you. But then you were moved, your body gently placed onto Vox’s lap, his cock nudging at your entrance, the pressure soft but insistent. Another tip pressed against your tight asshole, and the sensation stole your breath away—so full, so tantalizing, the dual sensations making you shiver with anticipation. 

In front of you, Lucifer and Alastor stood, their cocks hard and waiting, the sight of them almost too much to bear. Alastor’s cock hardened further under your gaze, his eyes dark with unspoken promise, while Lucifer’s was fully erect, the heat of his body pulling you in like a magnet. The air between you crackled with tension, desire thick in the atmosphere. You were caught between them, a willing participant in the dance of pleasure that only grew more intense with each passing second. 

Your hands reached for them, trembling slightly as you cupped their cocks, the heat of them igniting something deep within you. The moment your fingers touched them, Vox and Adam entered you—one in your pussy, the other in your ass—the sensation was overwhelming. You moaned softly, feeling the stretch, the fullness, and your body responded to their every movement, each thrust filling you in ways you could never quite explain. 

Lucifer’s cock slid into your mouth, and you moaned against him, the taste of him, warm and salty, spreading through you like fire. The heat was intoxicating, the way he filled you, the way his presence consumed you entirely. Your breasts swayed with the motion of your body, each movement making you feel more alive, more connected to the sensations flooding through you. Your hand slid down to stroke Alastor’s cock, working him slowly at first, feeling the smoothness of his skin beneath your touch. You gasped softly before leaning in to take him into your mouth, lips tight around him, swirling your tongue around the head as your hand continued to stroke Lucifer’s length. 

Every part of your body felt alive with pleasure. You felt weightless, as if the sensation had lifted you from the earth. Your head tipped back, releasing their cocks for a moment to enjoy the pleasant thrusts from Adam and Vox.

Alastor and Lucifer were in their own world now, their eyes closed, lost in the shared pleasure, their chests slick with sweat as they moved together, brushing their cocks against each other in front of you. The sight of them, so in tune with each other, made your heart race, your body craving more, needing more. 

And then, as if to push you to the edge, Adam slammed his hips into your ass, stretching you further, his cock pressing deeper, filling you in ways you hadn’t imagined. The pressure was intense, but the feeling of Vox’s cock inside you at the same time made you cry out, the sensation of being so full, so completely overwhelmed, bringing you to the brink of madness. You gripped Vox’s shoulder tightly, the sensation of his skin beneath your hands grounding you as their pace quickened, building faster, harder. 

Every thrust, every movement, every touch sent waves of pleasure through you, your body responding with cries of ecstasy, your mind reeling. The heat was consuming, the tightness of your body, the overwhelming feeling of being filled, it was too much, and yet it was everything. 

“Fuck yeah,” Adam groaned, his voice thick with pleasure as he thrust deeper, his hips slapping against your soft, trembling ass. A sharp sting followed as his hand came down, smacking your round, fat cheeks with force, making you gasp. The sudden shock of sensation sent a ripple of heat through your body, your moan escaping in a long, breathless sigh. Your tongue lolled out, and your eyes fluttered shut as your body shivered in response to the intensity of it all. Vox’s cock continued to stretch you, filling you completely with every deep thrust, the raw power of him pressing against your cervix, filling you in ways that made your entire body hum with need. 

Your voice climbed with every thrust, growing louder, more desperate. Your hands gripped Alastor and Lucifer’s cocks, your fingers trembling as you traced the length of them, tasting their salty essence as your tongue flicked over the heads. The taste of them was intoxicating, pushing you further into the haze of pleasure. You could feel the hot, pulsing urgency of their arousal as you worshipped them, your tongue sweeping across their sensitive tips, drawing groans of satisfaction from both of them. 

Without warning, Adam and Vox thrust into you at the same time, their cock filling you from both ends. The pressure was overwhelming as they both hit your sweet spots simultaneously, one in your ass and the other in your cunt. Your breath caught in your throat, and with a scream of pure ecstasy, you felt your pussy spasm, squirting a flood of liquid over Vox’s cock, making a mess of the moment. Vox’s deep, guttural groan sent waves of heat through your core, and he repeated his words, “Yeah, babydoll, feels good, ugh,” as he continued to fuck your messy, spent pussy with relentless force. 

Alastor’s grip tightened on his cock as he started to pump faster, his movements quicker, more desperate. He summoned a shadow tendril, and it wrapped around Lucifer’s cock, pumping up and down in perfect synchronization with Alastor’s own pace. The sight of their bodies moving in unison, the raw power of them working together, drove you wild. Your eyes locked onto the red, angry tip of Alastor’s cock, disappearing into his fist before reappearing with each stroke. 

Your body swayed with the relentless rhythm of Adam and Vox, their thrusts growing faster, harder, until you felt your mind cloud with pleasure. Your entire body trembled as you neared the edge, your eyes widening when the first hot splash of cum hit you. It filled both of your holes, making you gasp for breath, the warmth spreading inside of you, threatening to overflow. You couldn’t hold back anymore, and once more, you spilled out, liquid dripping from your spent pussy in a shameful flood. 

Lucifer’s low moan filled the room just after, and you felt the heat of his release as strings of white-hot cum splashed across Alastor’s arm and stomach. Alastor’s cock pulsed, and he aimed it at your face, marking you with his spend in a claim so deep, it sent a shiver down your spine. 

For a moment, time seemed to slow. All the men moaned in unison, their pleasure thick in the air, the room heavy with the intoxicating scent of sex and satisfaction. They basked in the afterglow, but for you, it wasn’t enough. Your body burned with unfulfilled need, the ache deep inside you begging for more. A small, desperate whimper escaped your lips, the sound of it soft but undeniable. 

“Fuck, I think she wants more,” Vox smirked, his eyes glinting with mischievous amusement as his claws inched toward your nipple. But before he could reach it, a shadow tendril shot out, wrapping around his wrist, halting him mid-motion. 

“One orgasm. That was the deal,” Alastor said, his voice dark with authority, though there was something dangerous and possessive lurking beneath the words. More shadow tendrils materialized, lifting your body away from Adam and Vox, taking you away from the heat of them and placing you firmly in Lucifer’s lap. 

“What are you—hey!” Lucifer protested, startled, but his voice faltered as Alastor’s shadow tendrils placed you delicately on his lap, your body exposed and vulnerable, ready for whatever twisted pleasure Alastor would decide next. 

"Do tend to my sweet little lamb, won’t you?" Alastor batted his eyes with mock sweetness. "I need to escort these two gentlemen out and finalize the deal." His voice was light, as if he didn’t see the weight of the moment, the gravity of what was unfolding. 

Your mind was hazy, spinning in a whirl of pleasure and heat, your body thrumming with a mix of want and emptiness. Your breath came in frantic pants, each exhale a reminder of the desperate need clawing at you. Your cunt tingled, aching for something to fill the void, to make you feel something, anything, beyond the overwhelming emptiness that gnawed at you. 

Your fingers, trembling and needy, moved down your body, dancing across your clit, seeking relief. Your hips began to gyrate in sync with your touch, slick with both the demon’s release and your own desperate arousal. The feeling was maddening, a desperate plea for something that could never truly be given. 

"Oh, sweetie," Lucifer’s voice was soft, almost kind, but it only deepened the aching wound inside you. "Let me tend to you." His fingers slid into you, two of them, pushing and curling with a precision that made your body scream, both from pleasure and the hollow ache that would never be filled. You keened, your moans torn from your throat as you began to ride his fingers, your hands gripping the sheets for some anchor in this storm of sensations. 

"L-Luci," tears pricked at your eyes, the pleasure too much, yet never enough. Your voice trembled, broken, as you whispered, "I-I was useful, right, L-Luci?" The words slipped from your mouth, your laugh hitching painfully between moans. The question wasn’t about him, not really—it was about you, about how much you were worth in a world where nothing ever seemed to matter. 

Lucifer’s gaze was unreadable, his lips a thin line as he watched you, the quiet storm of emotions brewing in your eyes. He didn’t answer immediately. He just kept pushing, his fingers deep inside, his touch igniting every nerve in your body, but it was empty. It was nothing more than a shadow of the emptiness that gnawed at your core. 

“I’m now…I’m now…” Your lips twisted into a grin, but it was hollow, twisted, a fragile thing held together by desperation. Tears streamed down your cheeks, mingling with the sweat on your skin. These weren’t happy tears, though. They couldn’t be. How could they be, when the only thing that felt good was the lie? "I’m now…worth something m-more?" 

Lucifer’s breath caught, his eyes flicking shut for a moment. He bit his lower lip, as if caught between wanting to say something and not knowing how. His fingers, slick with your arousal, swirled around your burning, sensitive clit, his touch purposeful, but it was nothing more than an echo of what you truly craved. Your body trembled, taut with the rising tide of another orgasm, but it didn’t matter. Not really. 

“You are priceless, my sweet doll,” Lucifer murmured softly, his voice an attempt at comfort. He gathered you into his arms, pressing you to his chest, his lips brushing against your tear-streaked cheek. But all you could hear was the word “doll,” ringing in your ears, an echo of everything you were—broken, empty, worthless. 

Doll. 

Doll. 

Doll. 

You were a doll. A hollow thing, a toy to be played with and discarded. A discount doll, discarded in a shop where no one came to look, a price so low that nobody even bothered to pick you up. The thought curled inside you like a poison, twisting everything you once were into something so small, so insignificant. 

You turned your head, your eyes wide with a broken, pleading innocence, and looked up at Lucifer. "Am I worth purchasing?" The question slipped out of you, the words barely a whisper as the muscles in your body tightened with the rising orgasm that was coming, but it was a hollow wave. It was empty. Your walls fluttered, but it felt like nothing—a void that only your despair could fill. 

You laughed. But it was fractured, cruel. Tears mingled with the laughter as you clung to Lucifer, feeling his warmth, his body, but it couldn’t erase the cold that had taken root inside you. 

No matter. 

No matter. 

No matter. 

It didn’t matter what price tag you were. It didn’t matter what anyone thought. In the end, you were still a doll. 

Unless, of course, Lucifer and Alastor still wanted to play with you. Then, maybe, just maybe, you weren’t entirely worthless. 

Not yet. 

Not until they, too, eventually grew bored of you like everyone else. 

Please follow #DRP Smutmas 2024 to get all the latest updates of our stories!

Wanna hang out with me? Come talk to me at Voxtek Server!

[mercurianchild]

🦇spooky season astro observations part 2🦇

🕸️Mars in the 8th house signals a strong connection to the occult, death, and transformation. People with Mars in the 8th may have an intense drive to uncover hidden truths, and they may be drawn to witchcraft or other forms of shadow work. Their energy can be magnetically dark, with a fearless approach to taboo topics.

🕸️Moon in the 6th house deals with health and routines, and the Moon here can bring a strong connection to emotional healing through ritual. Individuals with this placement may be drawn to herbalism, crystal healing, or other forms of spiritual wellness. Their intuition is heightened when caring for others.

🕸️Scorpio inner planets placements is the ultimate placement for those drawn to the darker, transformative side of life. Sun in Scorpio individuals are often fascinated by death, magic, and the unseen world. They thrive on digging deep into life’s mysteries and may have a natural gift for divination or witchcraft.

🕸️With Capricorn Venus love feels like a haunting echo from the past, bound by ancient karma. You’re drawn to the eerie beauty of time-worn places, old cemeteries, or crumbling ruins. Relationships may feel fated, almost as if you’ve been tied to your lover through lifetimes of karmic debt. There’s a cold, gothic romance in your heart, where love and death are intertwined.

🕸️ Saturn in Aquarius can be a sign of the occult scientist—someone who wants to apply a structured, rational approach to magical or esoteric studies. These individuals might be drawn to astrology, tarot, or numerology, using logic and systems to uncover deeper truths about the universe.

🕸️With Pluto Square Ascendant you radiate a dark, haunting energy that others find unsettling. There’s an aura of death and rebirth around you, as if you’re always walking with ghosts. People sense something powerful and dangerous lurking beneath the surface. It’s as though you’ve been touched by the underworld, and those around you feel compelled—yet afraid—to dive into your depths.

🕸️Neptune sextile Pluto aspect pulls you into the depths of the collective unconscious, where the boundaries between life and death dissolve. Neptune’s ethereal influence combines with Pluto’s underworldly energy, making you a natural channel for spirits or ancestral energies. The occult comes to you not as a study, but as a calling from the depths of the unknown. Here, magic isn’t a practice—it’s a descent into a labyrinth of shadows, where the answers you seek may come from voices long forgotten.

🕸️Moon sextile Pluto is a restless spirit, constantly seeking the unknown. Strange dreams haunt your sleep, filled with symbols and omens. There’s a wildness to your emotional world—Uranus shakes things loose, making room for paranormal experiences and unpredictable psychic flashes. It’s as if your soul is tuned to the frequency of the strange and the uncanny, always ready to hear the whispers from beyond.

🕸️With Venus trine Neptune love becomes a ghostly whisper, something otherworldly and untouchable. Venus trine Neptune connects you to love that feels eternal, as if your heart beats in tune with the spirits of long-lost lovers. You might fall in love with the idea of someone rather than their flesh and blood, forever chasing shadows in the mist. There is beauty here, but it’s veiled, as if you’re dancing with phantoms in a moonlit graveyard.

🕸️ Lilith in the 4th house brings forth ancestral shadows and hidden traumas, making you deeply aware of family secrets and the haunting legacy of those who came before. There’s a sense that your roots are tangled in dark magic, and the walls of your home may hold the spirits of your lineage, forever seeking to communicate their untold stories.

🕸️ With Lilith in the 7th house, relationships become a cauldron of dark magic and transformative energy. Here, individuals may attract partners who challenge them to confront their shadow selves, revealing deep truths and hidden desires. This dynamic often feels like a mystical dance between power and vulnerability.

That’s it for part two. Take what resonates and leave the rest.

Much love🥀 -mercurianchild

[darkst4lker]

a bed full of snakes is a warfield. // harry potter.

slytherin!harry potter x slytherin!reader

plot: ever since your first year, when you and harry entered slytherin, you've been rivals. always wanting to be better than the other, always fighting, always teasing each other. the problem is that you're so alike, you can't stand each other. until one night harry wakes up from a nightmare, and you help him calm down.

tw: rivals to lovers, mentions of violence, trauma, a nose bleed, sixth year, half-blood prince events, harry is the same harry as always just maybe a little more arrogant bc y'know, he spent five years in slytherin. fluff, angst, nightmares. low caps on purpose. draco and harry get along here.

notes: english is not my first language, but i hope you enjoy anyways. sorry if there's any mistakes.

horace slughorn lessons weren't an easy ride for someone who doesn't know potions. luckily for you, you were one of his most talented students like you were once for professor snape before he started teaching defense against dark arts.

in fact, you were so good at potions that you couldn't possibly believe how on earth harry james potter could be standing in this class and being the best one at it when a year ago he was a failure at this subject.

there was a part of you that was livid by the fact that he was succeeding at the only field you always surpassed him, because you and harry had a tendency of making a nasty competition out of the rest of subjects. but, there was another side of you that was about to explode out of excitement.

you sure loved a good competition, and harry provided that for you and you for him every single time since the two of you entered slytherin five years ago.

it became sort of a symbiotic relationship because he stimulated your arrogance and thirst for success like no other person in your life, it was a hunger you both carried driven purely by the need of being better than the other.

yet, the problem between you and harry was probably the fact that apart from being in an eternal competition, you two fought like if you were at war. draco malfoy, a friend of both of you, hated to be in the same room as the two of you at the same time and so did harry's bestest friends: ron and hermione. you and harry knew how to be awfully insufferable.

well, at least that's what everyone thought until that day.

it was a quite beautiful and warm day outside. the sky was clear as you were leaving slughorn class after being surpassed (again) by harry. at this point it was getting tiring to always lose to him but not even harry could ruin that day for you.

as you walked out of the classroom friendly grabbing pansy's arm, you saw him: his green eyes always standing out, his messy uniform and the way his skin appeared so soft to the touch. you dismissed the thought quickly as harry's look went to yours, and a cocky smile appeared in his lips as he approached you and pansy.

“guess you'll need to settle for the second place.” harry said, obviously teasing you. hermione and ron came chasing after him making obvious that he went out of his way to mess with you.

an annoyed sigh left your lips, it was almost funny to see how harry ego became bigger after every class because it meant that you would surely enjoy much more the moment you finally archived to bring it down.

as you looked at him, his eyes made you shiver a little. the bastard was pretty as a sin, and charming as a snake, but he always forgot that you also knew how to behave like a snake too, and finally your mouth opened to answer him.

“can't live without me, can you?” you answered, an arrogant smile placing itself on your lips. “just wait until i figure out how you managed to cheat in slughorn classes, and i will become his favorite like i was with professor snape.” you added, firing back at him with a determined expression.

“oh, please (y/n). the only reason you were snape's favorite is because he literally hates me unprovoked.” harry joked and you got instantly irritated. “and don't pretend you aren't obsessed with me either.” he said, obviously teasing you.

you looked at pansy, who seemed a little desperate to flee from your encounter and you released her arm letting her go silently. then your eyes went right back at harry.

“for merlin sake, potter.” you said, rolling your eyes at him. “you scared her.”

“no, you scared her.” harry answered, crossing his arms. “you're the one who gets all worked up when i tell you the truth.”

“what on earth are you talking about, potter? you were shit at potions all these five years until months ago, don't get arrogant on me.” you mimicked his actions, crossing your arms too as the words left your mouth.

“yeah sur-...” harry was obviously about to fight you back, until hermione voice interrupted him, making you both remember that you weren't alone.

ron stood back from the encounter clearly tired of your rivalry, and hermione by the other hand seemed in a hurry.

“harry, please we need to go or we're going to be late for herbology.” she said, annoyed. “by the way, hi (y/n).”

“hi granger.” your voice came out friendly. “please hold your dog leash tighter the next time.” you added, a mocking tone on your words as you looked at harry.

you and harry's friends weren't exactly «besties» but you did not hate each other at all. not after what you did for harry in third year.

you had proved that you cared for harry deep inside when a dementor made him fall of his broom breaking it in the process and you stayed by his side for hours before he woke up and even bought him chocolate frogs. hermione and ron didn't understood why you asked them to not tell harry, but they did what you requested out of respect and you disappeared before harry opened his eyes.

and that was your little secret, one you intended to keep forever.

how could you not? knowing that would only make him more arrogant that he already is. also, is not like you did that because you liked him anyways, right?

i mean, he's insufferable, but you didn't wanted him to die by any means. it scared the shit out of you even thinking about the possibility.

in fact, it frightened you so much that you were fighting for him to be safe even now, but he doesn't need to know yet. no one had to know.

except for, of course, dumbledore.

“if im a dog then what are you? a kitten?” harry answered clearly irritated and hermione pulled him by the ear to get him off your neck and dragged him the other way, leaving you with an heated answer stuck in your tongue.

but even if harry's words had made you furious, they also had a clearly effect on you.

“bye, (l/n)” ron said as he followed them, clearly enjoying not being the one scolded by hermione for once. his words brought you to reality again.

as harry left unwillingly with hermione and ron, you stood there for a second. the corridor was almost empty, and you heart was beating subtly faster than always.

was this something normal? when did you started to feel like this?

you didn't knew at all, sometimes it was like you felt this since first year without noticing. yet, this emotion you didn't wanted to acknowledge was really starting disturb your peace.

it seemed harry potter always managed to ruin your day.

hours later, you found yourself laying on your bed. the green sheets embraced your body comfortably, trying to induce you into dreams, but it was impossible.

you were wide awake in the pale moonlight crossing the water covering the windows of the slytherin girls dorm in the dungeons. a sigh left your lips, as you rolled in bed trying to find the exact position to finally catch sleep but instead you heard the door of the boys dorm opening and closing. then steps and a calm sob.

this was not the first time you heard this in your time on hogwarts and you knew what was it, but all these years you were too coward to go out and do something about it.

it was harry, and you knew that he had one of his horrid nightmares.

you decided this was the last night you wouldn't go out and help him, because even if he was annoying, irritating and a bastard, your rivalry had its limits.

as you stood up in your black pajamas, your heartbeat got faster. what were you going to say to him?

for once, a part of you decided it didn't matter.

so when you opened the door, you saw him sitting im one of the sofas of the common room, crying quietly, his face slightly red and with a nose bleed that was getting worse and worse, staining his neck and his pajamas.

you almost ran to his side, casting a quick accio charm with your wand to get an elegant green hanky with your silvery initials embroidered in one of the corners. a gift from draco that you haven't got to use until that night.

harry looked at you almost in shock as you sat on the sofa with him, but he stayed silent, sobbing without making almost any sound. he seemed surprised to see you there but he seemed to calm down a little when you grabbed his face sweetly and used your hanky to carefully try to clean the blood from his face, holding it to his nose.

your fingers got stained with his blood, but you didn't seemed to care.

“hold it in place” you almost whispered, talking to him like he was a crying child.

he subtly nodded, tears still coming out from his eyes.

your fingers approached his cheeks, wiping his tears away even if they would keep coming out. then, while seeing his face, you remembered the photo of james potter in his seeker uniform on the quidditch shelf on one of the hallways in hogwarts. yet, when you eyes met his, another iconic photo came to your mind.

the portrait of lily evans in slughorn's shelf. her loving eyes were the same ones her son had inherited, the constant vestiges of her life were alive in harry and spoke through him like an ocean of sweetness.

you didn't knew why you paid so much attention to harry's parents photos, but something had drawn your curiosity and through the years it became more and more real what everyone thought:

“you really look exactly like your father.” your voice came out, still in a whisper while grabbing his cheeks. “except for your eyes.”

you didn't added what everyone said next, because harry knew it all too well.

he leant against your hands, accepting your touch and a sad smile came out his lips, genuinely moved by your words. words that even if he had heard them a thousand times before, for some reason, he never expected to hear them from you.

and that made his heart skip a beat.

“thank you.” harry managed to say. your soul felt almost wounded at the sadness in his voice, the voice of a dying man, a dying boy, that once had survived death but it kept chasing him over and over again.

and while you fought him on daylight, now you wanted to protect him under the watery moonlight coming from the windows.

“don't mention it.” you answered. your hands didn't moved from his face, now caressing it tenderly.

“please don't tell-...” he was going to say, but you interrupted him.

“i won't tell anyone, you don't have to worry.” you said as you got closer to him. “i never did.”

of course you wouldn't tell a soul. as much as you loved your slytherin mates, you knew that a bed full of snakes is a warfield, and being a lot of them the sons and daughters of death eaters they were surely going to eat harry up with rumours and mean insults.

and, every other time you had heard him come out of his room at night, you always kept it private because being a snake meant surviving at any cost, even if that meant feasting on your own kin to keep yourself alive. slytherin was about enduring, about succeeding.

and those were qualities that helped harry in the many times he had to face tom riddle, slytherin made him understand the dark lord much better but the cost was the constant fear of becoming him, of not being capable of surviving, of transforming into an omen.

“it was one of your nightmares?” he nodded after you muttered the question, taking one of your hands to hold one of his.

“it was about the night my parents died.” harry confessed. the tears had stopped for a moment, but a couple of them left his green eyes. “snape taught me occlumency to keep voldemort out of my head, but i keep having nightmares.” he explained, his voice too calm for someone that cried a lot just minutes before.

you looked at him, his burden becoming extremely palpable to you. the curse of being an unwilling child forced to fight a war that he didn't started, and that he didn't wanted.

you didn't thought much about what you were doing when you took off his glasses, put them on the small table beside the sofa and pulled him into a tight hug, one of your hands in his back, the other on his nape, caressing him.

harry cried on your shoulder, and you tried your best to make him feel held.

“it's okay, let it all out.” soft words left your lips, reassure him. “im here”

he hugged you back, almost desperately. like if he hadn't been comforted in a long time.

“im here, harry i will help you. you're not alone” you said and you instantly regretted it, knowing your words probably blew up your intent of not revealing the secret you've been keeping from him.

as you both broke the hug, harry spoke.

“help me?” he asked, clearly in disbelief. “why would you ever help me?” he asked you, a smile escaping his lips through the tears as if you just told him a joke.

you sighed. it was time to reveal your secret.

“because even if i love to fight with you, i don't want to see you die.” you confessed, you words in a seriousness harry had never heard on you.

he went silent for a moment, suspecting you had something say.

and it was true, because when the year started you parents began to pressure you to become a death eater. a destiny you would quickly share with draco in no less than a couple months.

but you knew way better than that, and in fear of having to do something awful or worse (having to hurt harry) you ran to dumbledore and explained him everything.

albus received your confession with open arms and offered you a way to help harry: joining the order of the phoenix and act as a double spy under the tutoring of severus snape who also acted as a double spy.

you were forbidden of sharing most of that information with absolutely anyone, but here you were, about to confess in front of one of the people you hated the most.

or maybe you loved the most.

because who would put their lives on a stake for a person in who they don't believe? for someone you don't love?

the most beautiful sacrifices are made out of love, out of adoration.

and maybe and just maybe, you loved harry potter.

the realization came to you suddenly, as he waited for an explanation while looking at you.

yet, a realization came to him too.

“(y/n), what did you do?” harry asked, his eyes widening for a moment. “what did you do?” his voice was soft, yet desperate.

“there's a lot of things im willing to do for you.” you admitted, trying to dismiss his question one last time.

“for salazar, please tell me what did you do.” he pleaded, scared that you could be in danger.

something cracked on your insides because facing his desperation, how could you deny him all your secrets?

“i've joined the order.” your answer struck him like a punch straight on the face. “my parents want me to become a death eater, so i spoke to dumbledore. i'll be a double spy.”

harry face went from having a sad expression to a surprised one.

“but how? why?” he desperately grabbed your hands, you thought his eyes had a hint of fear in them but you dismissed it. “you can't just do that for me, you're sacrificing your life if voldemort finds out.”

“i'm doing it happily, harry.”

“but why?!” harry exclaimed, then he remembered that everyone were sleeping and closed his eyes in frustration. “we were fighting this morning, tell me why would you do this?”

“you don't understand.” you said as his hands grabbed yours tightly.

“you can't say that after saying all of this to me, (y/n).” he answered, obviously getting annoyed. “i don't want you to do this.”

“i think i love you harry.” you admitted, looking at him in the eyes. “i did it because i love you, i was just too stubborn to admit that to myself. i sat by your side in third year when you passed out and fell off your broom because i love you. i bought you chocolate frogs that time because i love you, i beated the shit out of crabbe in fourth year because i love you and he said some blood purist shit about you.” you confessed, looking at him, your voice getting weaker with every word said. harry smiled at the last sentence, now understanding why you did that to crabbe in fourth year. he had thought all this time that it had been just a discussion between both of you that escalated. harry remembered your wounded knuckles, and something inside him trembled. “all i ever did was because i love you, even when i fight you.” you finished, your eyes about to tear up a little.

the realization was too hard for you to handle, knowing he probably didn't liked you back.

you both were tearing up, his nose bleed had stopped long ago yet some stains of blood were in his clothes and in your fingers.

your hanky rested on the sofa, your eyes were on his like it was the first sip of water you got on a whole lifetime.

“remember that time in fourth year i approached you with ron, and i stayed silent for like a whole minute im front of you and then fleed?” harry asked, smiling sweetly towards you. you nodded in response, clearly remembering the awkward encounter. “i wanted to invite you to the yule ball, but i got scared.” he confessed. “and then you ended up going with draco so i started picking on you the whole event because i was jealous.”

a laugh escaped your lips as he spoke, you could have never imagined his intentions and now here he was, erasing your fear of harry not loving you back.

“i think i love you too.” he continued. “this is weird tho, i never thought we would be speaking of this”

“yeah, you're right.” you answered, taking your hand out of his to give him a friendly punch on the arm. “how i will get used to be all sweet with you when we're always insulting each other?”

“we'll get there someday.” harry said, chuckling.

a brief silence came between you both as your eyes explored each other's faces, and in a moment he just stopped thinking and made a move.

harry grabbed your cheeks and pulled you to steal a kiss from you, it was sweet yet you felt his subtly swollen face because of the tears, a little taste of blood because of the rest he had on his lips, your own tears finally running free. both of you weren't exactly experienced on kissing, but you managed to keep it loving.

it was the kind of kiss you never thought you and harry would give each other. the intoxicating embrace of a hidden love that somehow managed to survive all these years to finally bloom.

a kiss soaked in a infinite mantra of sacrifice, of purity, of unconditional love. the kind of love you're willing to die for.

yet, the kiss was brief and tender. when you both broke it, your cheeks were subtly pink and his were too.

“this is a good start.” you whispered close to his face, finally accepting the feelings inside your heart.

“yes, it is.” he smiled at you, and then it seemed like an idea crossed his mind.

there was a brief moment of silence before he spoke again.

“if you're going to be a double spy, you'll need to be trained.” harry said. “i can help you practice. it frightens me to think of you dying.”

his offer made you giggle, and you nodded.

“okay.” you answered. “i can help you with potions in return.”

“i mean, i've been managing as you already know, but i don't understand a single thing of what im doing so i could really use your help.” harry confessed, smiling. “you see, i found this book on my first class, it has notes to get every potion right.” he added. “and a spell i desperately want you to learn if you're really going to risk your life like that.”

you leant against his shoulder intertwining your hands.

“im up for it, what's the spell called?” you answered as he leant his head against yours.

harry didn't answered right away, he struggled in his insides to share the information, but now he felt safe with you.

you both didn't had a clue of what was going to happen or if you were going to be together right away. harry needed time, you needed time and all these confessions after years of fighting non stop were confusing the hell out of you. yet, a war was coming and you were going to play a dangerous part on it.

and knowing that you had already made your big move on the board to help keep him safe while putting you at risk, harry realized you really could use knowing his secret.

« a secret for a secret » he thought, thinking on your confession.

when he finally answered, his voice sounded serious but the intention of helping you was there.

his words were dripping honey, the kind of honey someone has inside when they want you to be safe. when they love you so much, they are willing to die thousands of times for you too.

“sectumsempra.”

I HOPED YOU ENJOYED IT!! im a sucker for slytherin!harry so im planning writing more things of him in the future!! ♡

[vanteguccir]

── ୨୧ !　𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞 𝗡𝗢𝗪

　　　　　　　　　𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒐 x reader

SUMMARY: Where it's Y/N's wedding day, but Matt isn't the groom. During the ceremony, an act of impulse on the boy's part changes the fate of everything.

WARNING: Slightly angst, but with a happy ending!

REQUESTED?: Yes, by anon.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: That is my work, I DON'T authorize any plagiarism, copy, or "inspiration"! | English isn't my first language, so I'm sorry if there's any grammar error.

　　　༻✦༺ 　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

The cool orange color of the corner lamp lightly illuminated the walls of Matt's room, painting the room with a serene aura. He was still in his bed, mentally preparing himself to get up and start the day slowly, his thoughts still hazy from sleep, a low voice reminding him of the tasks he had to do - writing the script for the next video, answering emails, and posting his collaboration with Prada.

For a moment, he allowed himself to bask in the feeling of tranquility, but that peace was abruptly interrupted when the sound of his bedroom door slamming open echoed through the walls.

Matt turned abruptly to the source of the sound, frowning and opening his mouth to curse whoever had barged into his room so suddenly, but the words caught in his throat when he saw Nick standing there, his eyes wide and his hand holding an envelope tightly.

"Nick, what the fuck?" Matt's voice sounded hoarse and rough from lack of use as his eyes traveled from Nick's face to the envelope and back again.

"Matt... It's from Y/N." Nick muttered apprehensively.

The boy sat down abruptly on the mattress when he heard his ex name, watching Nick slowly approaching and leaving the envelope on the crumpled comforter that covered the younger boy's legs.

"I don't know what it's about, I just found it on the floor in front of the front door."

Matt took the paper delicately, a feeling of apprehension growing in his chest as he recognized Y/N's elegant handwriting on the sender, his own name, and his brother's in the recipient field. His mind wondered why she had sent that, who even sends letters through mail in 2024?

With shaking hands, he tore open the envelope and removed the paper inside, barely noticing Nick's silent exit. His heart sank when he noticed that it wasn't just any paper. It was an invitation... a wedding invitation.

The words printed in embossed letters and in gold color on high quality paper, announcing the day she would become the wife of her current boyfriend, or rather, fiancé.

An overwhelming mix of emotions hit him head-on. Matt gasped, holding the invitation as if it were a precious artifact, but also a knife that pierced his heart. He could feel the bitter taste of regret filling his mouth as his memories with Y/N ​​flooded his mind.

He found himself transported back to the happy days when they were together, each moment shining in vivid colors before his eyes. The shared laughter, the hugs on cold or hot nights, the whispered promises of eternal love... Everything seemed so close, and yet so far away.

Tears threatened to flood his eyes as he struggled to process the magnitude of the situation. He bitterly regretted letting Y/N go, letting his insecurities and fears ruin what they shared. He knew he had no one else to blame but himself for his own loneliness.

A violent internal struggle unfolded within the boy. A part of him wanted to throw the invitation through the window, refuse to witness the ceremony that would tear him up even more inside. But another part, a stubborn and masochistic part, insisted on attending, as if seeing Y/N unite with another man was the punishment he deserved for his failures.

Matt clutched the invitation tightly in his hand, lightly crumpling the expensive paper, feeling fragile and broken. Every beat of his heart echoed with the weight of a decision he didn't know if he was capable of making. He felt the weight of loss pressing down on his shoulders, the pain of a wound that never seemed to heal.

Silent tears streamed down his cheeks as he fought his emotions in turmoil. He loved Y/N more than anything in this world, and even though he had already lost her the day he saw her walk through his bedroom door for the last time, he still held on to the narrow thread of hope he had in him, but now he was in danger of losing her forever, and it tormented him to the core of his soul.

With an anguished sigh, Matt finally let out a choked sob, pressing his hand against his mouth to muffle the ugly sounds, quickly glancing at the door left ajar by Nick. The last thing he wanted was to worry his brothers.

He knew he had no choice but to face the painful reality that Y/N would move on without him. He wished, with all his being, that things could have been different, that he could go back in time and right the wrongs he had made.

But now, all he could do was accept the invitation he held in his trembling hand and prepare to witness the love of his life being given to someone else.

　　　　　༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

Matt took a deep breath as he, along with his brothers, entered the imposing church where Y/N's wedding was about to take place. The decor details seemed to jump out, a lush fusion of fresh flowers - Y/N's favorite - and delicate fabrics, creating a fairytale atmosphere, exactly as he and Y/N had fantasized about for so many nights.

The rows of chairs were lined up precisely, each adorned with a floral arrangement. Matt watched the carefully planned details, feeling a pang in his heart.

As he rotated his gaze around the space, his eyes met Y/N's parents accompanied by her fiancé, who was already looking back at the triplets. Matt's eyes widened slightly when he noticed the man open a gentle smile towards him, a strange feeling of resignation and envy flooding him almost automatically.

Victor, who he saw so much of only through Y/N's social media, was tall, with slightly curly brown hair that shone in the light, and vibrant blue eyes that seemed to reflect genuine joy. Matt couldn't help but notice how he perfectly fit the stereotype of the type of man Y/N always seemed to prefer - an observation that left a sour taste in his mouth.

The boy wondered if Y/N really had a specific type or if it was just a coincidence that he and her fiancé shared similar characteristics.

He forced himself to look away, his mind a mess of conflicting emotions and his heart screaming that he should just turn around and go back home. With a resigned sigh, Matt followed his brothers as they found their assigned seats.

　　　　　༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

Matt's heart was in turmoil as he anxiously awaited the long-awaited moment of the bride's entrance. His eyes darted nervously around the church, his breath caught in his throat as he tried to control the flood of thoughts that threatened to consume him.

And then, as if time had slowed down, soft music filled the air, announcing Y/N's arrival. His breath seemed to catch as he saw her appear in the aisle, a glimpse of ethereal beauty in her stunning wedding dress. His heart was filled with a mix of joy and pain when he saw her so perfect.

Matt thought he would only see her in a wedding dress on their own wedding day.

Tears threatened to blur his vision as he fought to hold them back. He wanted to scream from the rooftops and release all his pent-up anger, but his words were lost in the void of his silent anguish.

"Matt, are you okay?" Chris asked beside him in an almost muted whisper, only receiving a short nod in return.

As she approached the altar, Matt felt his leg begin to bounce involuntarily in a mixture of anxiety and hesitation. Every step she took seemed to sound like an echo in his own broken heart, a constant reminder of what could have been but would never be.

He had to do something.

When Y/N finally reached the foot of the altar, Matt clenched his right hand into a fist tightly, his teeth biting his thumbnail in a desperate attempt to contain whatever was wanting to come out. He watched with a lump in his throat as she and Victor turned face-to-face, everything sounding muffled against his ears.

He had to.

Every word spoken was like a knife in his heart. He wondered if Y/N could feel the intensity of his emotions, if she could see the love and sadness mixed in his eyes as her own eyes circled the room momentarily, carrying a mix of nervousness and anxiety.

Silence hung in the church, heavy and dense, as the priest finished his solemn last words.

"If anyone has anything to say against this union, speak now or forever remain silent." Finally came the phrase so feared and long awaited.

The priest's voice echoed through the sacred space, resounding off the walls as the guests held their breath. Matt felt his heart hammer in his chest, almost hearing it in his ears, a tumultuous mix of fear and determination swirling in his mind.

He needed to.

And then, before he could think twice, before he could stop the urge that welled up inside him, Matt stood up. His body acted on instinct, his chair scraping with a harsh sound against the floor at the abrupt movement of his body.

The loud sound cut through the silence like a knife, causing the guests to turn to his figure in shock, eyes wide in horror. The priest raised his eyebrows in surprise, his words frozen on his lips as he watched the scene unfold before his eyes.

Victor, Y/N's fiancé, looked at Matt with flaming hatred in his eyes, a completely different expression than the one he displayed moments before the ceremony. He knew who Matt was, and he knew Matt would mean trouble for him.

But Matt ignored all of this. At that moment, all that mattered was Y/N. His blue eyes brimming with fear and love looked intensely into Y/N's shocked ones, who seemed frozen in place.

"I-I..." Y/N began, clearing her throat and turning to face the sea of ​​guests. "I need a moment."

And then, without waiting for a response or further intervention, Y/N got down from the altar and turned around, starting to run towards the back of the church. Her footsteps echoed in the silence with the click of her high heels against the floor, each beat of her heart matching the frantic pace of her run.

"Matt!" Nick called through gritted teeth, quickly glancing at the people around him as he raised his right hand, holding Matt's wrist tightly. "Sit down, now."

Matt barely had time to process what was happening before his instincts took over again, pulling his wrist from Nick's grip quickly. He ignored the confused murmurs of the guests accompanying him as he ran after Y/N.

He had to reach her, had to find a way to explain himself, to convince her to listen. He couldn't let her go without a fight, not after everything he had risked.

Matt's feet pounded the church floor as he ran, his heart beating wildly in his chest. He barely noticed Victor's screams echoing behind him, barely noticed the dirty looks that glared at his back as he chased the only love he'd ever had. All that mattered was reaching Y/N, holding her hand, and never letting it go again.

Matt pushed open the back doors of the church hard, his mind spinning in a whirlwind as he prepared to face whatever was on the other side.

He was expecting the worst - a furious face, eyes full of rage, cutting words thrown his way. But what he found was the complete opposite of that.

Y/N's figure was there, just a few feet away. She held her heels in one of her hands, her veil was lying on the floor next to her bare feet, and her beautiful dress was rumpled, but there was a huge smile on her face, and her eyes showed an intense relief.

Matt frowned in confusion, his own mind in turmoil as he tried to process what was happening. The boy expected her to confront him, to blame him for interrupting her perfect day, for destroying her dreams. But not that.

Before he could do anything, Y/N dropped her heels onto the delicate veil before running towards him, her steps quick and purposeful. She stopped before Matt, her eyes shining with an intensity that left him speechless.

Without hesitation, the girl raised her hands towards his face, cupping his red, hot cheeks, her fingers touching his skin with a tenderness that made him shiver. And then, so suddenly, she pulled him towards her, her lips meeting his in a deep, desperate kiss.

Matt felt the world disappear around him as he gave himself over to the gesture, all his questions slipping from his mind, his hands finding their place around Y/N's waist almost automatically, as if it was marked into his soul.

He could feel the warmth of her body against his, the soft touch of her lips against his own, and Matt had never, until that moment, truly understood how much he missed that.

Matt's lips gently parted from Y/N's seconds later, his eyes remained fixed on her face, as if trying to decipher a complex riddle. He felt the euphoria of the moment still pulsing through his veins, but a sense of confusion was still mixed with the intensity of it all.

"I... I don't understand." The boy murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he struggled to find the right words to express the whirlwind of thoughts that assaulted him.

Y/N shook her head, a soft smile still playing on his lips. She pulled away slightly, maintaining eye contact with Matt.

"I know this is all very confusing." She began, her voice soft and comforting. "But I'm so happy, Matt. So happy and relieved that you're here."

Matt's confusion deepened even further as he took in her words. He couldn't understand how she could be so serene and happy after everything that happened and what he did with her special date.

The boy felt a weight on his shoulders and an immense desire to look behind his shoulders towards the door, feeling as if someone would open it at any moment and expose them to the public.

"When I sent the invitation." Y/N continued. "I felt scared. Scared that you wouldn't show up, that you would choose not to be here. But deep down, I knew you would come. I knew you wouldn't let me down."

Her words hit the brunette like a wave of comforting heat. He watched her intensely, his racing heart overflowing with love as goosebumps ran through his whole body.

"Don't get me wrong, Victor is an amazing guy, but... Matt, he's not you. He never was. No one will ever be you." She unbuttoned her lace sleeves before rolling them up, ripping off the flower that was attached to the fake belt at her waist and throwing it over her heels.

She really was something.

"Y/N-"

"Run away with me?

Y/N's suggestion left Matt speechless. His body remained static as his eyes stared at her, his orbs filled with shock and disbelief. He never imagined that she could suggest something so radical.

"Matt, please, we have to go. Run away with me."

A smirk slowly grew onto Matt's face before he took her right hand in his, pulling her close tightly and picking her up in one quick movement, his right arm supporting her back and his hand gripping her waist tightly, while his left arm held her legs beneath her knees, pressing her against his body.

A squeal escaped Y/N's throat, who wrapped her arms around his neck and placed her hands on the back of his head tightly, hiding her face in the crook of his shoulder, a loud laughter passing through her lips.

"You're unbelievable, pretty girl... Come on, let's go."

So glad you were around when they said: Speak Now.

taglist:

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(If you want to be added to the taglist, go to this post)

[w2soneshots]

could you write about being at school with harry as your mate/ friend thta you fancy? need something get me tgrough this shithole of a school🙏

Highschool sweethearts -W2S

words: 0.7k+

warnings: light angst, pining, making out.

summary: you and Harry both fell for each other, though nether of you wanted to admit it. One night, at a party on the beach, things change.

notes: I’ve never done a young Harry fic but I had so much fun writing this! Hope you’re okay lovely, you’ve got this!!🤗💞🌟

I watched as Harry walked towards me, a cheesy grin plastered on his face. "Hey, y/n?!" I tilted my head to the side. "Yeah?" I wondered what he wanted, I'd been avoiding him recently since I caught feelings and don't want to ruin our friendship.

"You going to the party tonight, at the beach?" He asked, leaning against the locker next to mine. "Uh- I dunno..." "oh come on! It'll be fun... please?" He stared at me, awaiting an answer. I thought for a second before nodding. "Okay, okay, I'll go." He swiftly pushed himself off of the locker. "Yes! Great! see you later."

My mind was whirling as I got ready, all of the possible outcomes of tonight running through my head. It's currently summer in Guernsey so it's pretty warm outside, though it'll get cooler once it gets dark, so I grabbed a jacket before I left.

As I walked to the beach I tried to calm myself down. I wasn't sure why I was getting so worked up over the boy I've been friends with since primary school but it was definitely becoming a problem. I couldn't be near him without going bright red if his arm grazed mine or he smiled at me. It was extremely annoying.

When I got there I spotted my friends. I walked over to them and sat down on one of the beach towels laid out. One of my friends nudged my arm. "Guess who's coming over?" She whispered into my ear with a teasing tone. I sighed. "For fuck sake... Harry," I muttered to myself.

"Hey! You made it." Harry plonked himself next to me, with a cheerful smile. "Mhm," I replied, dryly. "You okay?" He asked, brows furrowed. "Yes, I'm fine." I smiled, trying to reassure him. He didn't look convinced but thankfully he dropped it.

As it started to become dark some of the boys set up a fire that we all sat around. Harry left me alone after our previous encounter but I caught him staring multiple times. Some of my friends were now extremely drunk, I had decided at the start of the night that I wasn't going to drink and it seemed like Harry had done the same.

As it approached two in the morning people began heading home. I was dreading the dark walk back to my house. "y/n?" I heard my name so I turned. It was Harry once again. When he had my full attention he continued, "did you want me to give you a ride home?"

I thought for a moment. "Uh- yes please," I put on a smile. He smiled back, though his was genuine. "Come on then, let's go." He turned and we walked side by side to his car. I got into the passenger seat, buckled myself in and then he turned the engine on.

The drive was silent, the only noise being the wind coming in through the open window. I sighed softly, leaning my head against the side of the car and wrapping my jumper around myself. "You alright?" He asked. "Mhm, just tired."

When he pulled up in front of my house I turned to him. "What's going on with you?" He asked abruptly. I was slightly taken aback. "Uhm... what do you mean?" "You know what I mean. You've been avoiding me. Did I do something wrong?" He seemed to be annoyed.

I sighed, realising I was going to have to stop putting off telling him the reason. "Okay, okay," I took a deep breath, "I- I think I... fancy you Harry." I said quietly, not looking into his eyes. "You- wait, you fancy me?" An embarrassed grumble left my mouth as I leaned forward to put my head in my hands.

The car was completely silent for a good fifteen seconds, though it felt like an eternity. "This is so stupid." I swiftly looked over at him. "What?" "You fancy me, I fancy you and nether of us told the other." He explained. Surprise covered my face. "You fancy me?" "Of course I do you donut." He laughed slightly.

I smiled back before leaning towards him, our faces only centimetres apart. He leaned forward, closing the gap between our lips.

When I eventually pulled away I opened my eyes to see him chasing my lips. "I've got to go, I'll see you at school?" His face softened. "Yeah,  yeah, okay bye." I kissed him one last time before getting out. He waved, waiting until I got into my house safe then drove home with a bright and content smile on his face.

[grandline-fics]

HEYYYYYY

I really love your writing so much and I am glad the requests are open

Can I request a fem reader and law in which both of them has a crush on each other but no one will admit it ?

Until they get into and argument and law gets so mad and confesses??

Angst angst angst to fluff pls

And thanks for all ur work!!

DESCRIPTION: mutual pining but fear of admitting your feelings leads to an angry confession

WARNINGS: angst to fluff

CHARACTERS: Law

WORDS: 1,563

A/N: Thank you for this request! I hope I brought enough angst and fluff for you. I struggled a bit with getting the scenario in my head to properly work so hopefully you like it!

*REQUESTS ARE OPEN*

MASTERLIST

-------

“I am your Captain, this isn’t up for debate!” Law snapped, glaring at you from across the room, the harshness in his tone making all of the others in the crew freeze in their preparations for approaching the surface. It was almost as if the slightest movement would bring their Captain’s fury onto them. You bristled from his words, returning the glare in full force. Why was he being so difficult about this? All you wanted was to get off the Polar Tang and stretch your legs, feel the sun on your face again for the first time in what felt like an eternity. But no, once again you happened to be one of the few chosen to stay behind. “Well maybe it should be!” You shot back.

It was meant to be a random draw so things were kept fair but it seemed you always ended up being left behind. The last time you’d managed to be on the surface was far too brief for your liking, a quick restock trip with no time to enjoy relaxing with your other crew-mates. Those left behind on the Polar Tang had set chores and tasks to see to while also being vigilant of any trouble approaching the ship while it was under water and keeping an eye on the island for any signal the Law and the others needed help. You were tired. “There’s plenty still staying behind here, they won’t miss me!” 

“The choices were made. You’re staying on the ship.” Law repeated far too evenly and you couldn’t help but flinch at the note of finality, if you pushed anymore he really would get angry. You clenched your jaw and threw him one last furious look in the hopes to hide how hurt you were before turning on your heel and storming out of the room. With every furious step you took, you berated yourself. Why were you putting up with this? Why were you backing down? Well because it seemed like you were a glutton fro punishment. You had feelings for your Captain and you’d rather stay on the crew and under the water than risk him throwing you off the crew entirely. You just wished you knew what you’d done to make him regard you so lowly.

When the slamming of a door echoed back into the control room, Law sighed and left in the opposite direction to finish gathering his things for when they reached the surface. It wasn’t until you were both gone that the rest of the crew let out shaky breaths. This wasn’t the first time this argument had risen between the two of you but this time the atmosphere was definitely worse. 

Law couldn’t help but hate how he spoke to you and the look on your face made him feel so much worse but this was something he had to do. He wouldn’t admit out loud that he was having feelings for you but he did. He knew he did. That was why he refused to risk your safety, not after the last time he let you join him on a new island. You two had been exploring old ruins and he had indulged in the moment with you, smiling slightly and even giving the odd flirty, witty comment back at you. Then because of his incompetence, his lack of usually sharp observation he hadn’t noticed the floor crumble until it was almost too late. The image of your startled expression and body falling towards the spikes underneath the ground still flashed in his mind uncomfortably. If it hadn’t been for his ability you would have been gone forever. It was selfish, he knew it was but he had to keep you safe.     

Later that night when he and the others returned, you tried to hide how hearing them laugh and talk about all they had seen filled you with bitter jealousy. You knew you couldn’t handle sitting through the rest of the night hearing their stories that they’d share with the others left behind this time who were eager to know what they missed. Quickly you welcomed Law and the others back on board and excused yourself, ready to just stay in your room until morning. As you were about to leave you were stopped by Law taking your arm. You roughly pulled out of his grip and kept walking. He was the last person you wanted to look at and you hated how much you wanted to continue feeling his hand on you, in spite of all he’d done.

For the next few expeditions to new islands you stopped putting your name forward, knowing there was no point in getting your hopes up briefly just to be crushed again and again. Instead you just got a head start on the tasks that would need doing. However one day you froze when no one put their name forward. “None of you are going?” Law repeated, looking around the room. He was going to kill them. It was a rule that no one could leave unaccompanied, after some past incidents that included him. 

“I didn’t sleep well.”

“I think I my allergies are acting up.”

“I went last time.”

“I think I caught Penguin’s allergies.”

The excuses floated around the room pathetically and Law ground his teeth together. Slowly he looked to see you standing against the doorway, staring him down with arms folded. You weren’t going to ask. If he was so desperate to go on land he had to be the one to speak. Swallowing then lump in his throat, Law forced the repeated image of you almost dying out of his head and let out a low sigh. “Go and get ready.”

Finally on land you let in a long breath of relief and couldn’t help the broad grin stretching across your face while the wind lightly fell across your skin. It felt like part of a weight had been lifted off of you. Some weight still sat squarely on your shoulders and you cast a glance in the direction of its cause only to frown when your Captain quickly looked away from you. Sighing you rolled your eyes and walked across the beach, heading for the trees. Unknown to you Law was fighting his own guilt. Getting to see you smile, really smile for the first time in ages had thrown him. He’d missed seeing that part of you. Quickly he was able to fall into step beside you, staying close in case of any danger but still he kept out of encroaching in your personal space. You were pissed at him and he deserved it. 

“So let me guess, another five minutes and you’ll come up with an excuse to go back?” You asked dryly. Now that you were both out of earshot from the others it felt like now was as good a time as any to air out what his issue was with you. “Can’t have me disgracing the name of the Heart Pirates by being seen on land.”

“When have you ever disgraced the crew?” Law asked, stopping in his tracks in the middle of the rainforest terrain.

“I don’t know, you tell me. I’ve been pretty much demoted to the ship’s maid with no explanation other than ‘Captain’s orders, stay on the ship.’ I just want to know what I did.”

“Nothing. You’re-”

“If you say I’m overreacting or reading too much into things Trafalgar Law I will punch you.” You growled angrily, jabbing a finger into his chest. “I am not stupid. I know you’ve been manipulating the draws to make it that I stay on the ship and you owe me an explanation!”

“Because I care about you!” Law snapped finally his hands gripping your shoulders tightly, forcing you to look at him. “I was barely able to protect you last time. I couldn’t risk it happening again or worse, not being able to prevent something worse from happening. I’d never forgive myself.” You stared up at the man with wide eyes, your lips opened lightly as you tried to register the declaration. You were also slightly confused about what he had meant about ‘last time’ but when you searched your memories you remembered it. The ruins and him saving you from being skewered from a pit full of spikes. 

“We’re pirates, Law.” You told him when you finally found your voice. “I had a bounty and a wanted poster long before I joined your crew. I know the risks that this lifestyle brings and that includes the possibility of getting hurt. But you’ve hurt me a lot this last while, even if you thought it was protecting me.” 

“I know and I’m sorry.” He muttered, watching your hands lift to settle over his that still gripped your shoulders. “I swear I didn’t intend for you to think I thought you were weak, I-”

“I know, you care about me.” You smiled warmly. “I care about you too, why do you think I put up with that nonsense for so long? But you have to make it up to me.”

“Yeah? How do I do that?”

“For starters you can kiss me.” You smirked watching Law freeze in surprise. Taking advantage of his momentary state you secured your grip on his wrists and pulled him forward. “It’s not up for debate, Captain.” 

[dragon-kazansky]

The song in our hearts

Lestat De Lioncourt x Female Reader

A musician with a heart that sings and an admirer who wishes to see his songbird thrive. Two beings in different worlds get caught up in each other when someone threatens to steal his songbird's spotlight. Loving Lestat isn't simple, and your life will never be the same again. What is eternity without chaos?

{Masterlist}

{Previous Chapter} - {Next Chapter}

Chapter Five - Dark truths

You didn't sleep at all that night. You didn't leave the house all day either. You didn't even answer the door when Amelie and Jack came over to see how you were.

They knew Noah was missing. They didn't know he was dead.

When Friday came around and no one had seen you, Jack came to the house again. He pleaded with you to come and tell him what had happened. He asked where Noah was, but you didn't answer him. You didn't come out at all.

That night the show went on without you.

Lestat had been sitting in his box waiting for you to come on, but when the piano never got wheeled onto the stage, he knew he had messed up. Revealing to you what he was like that had not been what he wanted. He should have been more careful, but Noah was angering him. That meaningless man ruined your performance.

Lestat couldn't take it any more. With Noah gone you would be able to shine. Lestat would have done things differently. You were different.

The vampire didn't stick around to watch the end of the show. Your usual slot came and went and he knew you weren't going to perform tonight.

He went to your home.

I'm outside, Chéri.

Nothing.

Please let me in.

Lestat knew you were inside and he longed to see you. He wanted to hear your voice and see your face. He wanted to reach out and hold you to him. He wanted to explain things properly.

You refused to come outside.

His voice was in your head and it was pricing you crazy. How can his voice be in your head like that? Was he really a monster or were you too freaked out and messed up to comprehend anything?

You were afraid.

I know you can hear me. You have no reason to fear me. Harming you is the last thing I could ever want.

You don't believe him. He knows it too.

Lestat looks up at your window with longing. He yearns for you. He needs you. He wants you.

Please. 

The door opens. Lestat finds himself looking at you. You're a disheveled mess and he can see the fear in your eyes. He doesn't move.

“I am sorry you found out the way you did.”

“What do you mean…?” You ask cautiously.

“Me being a vampire.”

You shake your head quickly. “Vampires aren't real.”

“Oh, but we are.” He smiles at you.

You stare at him in disbelief. Was this man crazy? Oh no… you had been to his house! The house of a crazy person!

Lestat can hear your internal struggle and shakes his head. He steps a little closer. “Listen, Chéri, I am real. I am here. I want you.”

“Why? Why me?” You want to hide back inside your house, but you also want answers.

“You are… everything.”

You don't know what he means by that. Nothing is making sense to you. You can't help feeling like he's dangerous.

“I am dangerous.”

“Stop doing that! Stop… reading my mind!”

Lestat chuckles softly. “From the moment I first heard you play I knew I had to have you. You, Chéri, are everything and more. Talent like yours is hard to find in this world. It also helps you're the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes upon… Well, second to myself.” He winks at you.

He's trying to calm you down. You can tell he's telling the truth. Though you're not sure how much you can trust him.

“Do you not want a taste? To walk alongside the unknown?” He is feeding into your curiosity, luring you in. 

You squeeze your eyes shut and shake your head. “How do I know you won't just kill me like you did to Noah?”

“That useless man had it coming. He was abusing your talents with his awful voice. He wanted to use you for his own gain in the hope of using your popularity at the theater to get famous. Well, anyone who truly approaches music would know he had no talent whatsoever.” Lestat scoffs.

“He really is dead…?”

“Oui.”

You let out a shaky breath. “Oh God. Oh God! What do I tell Jack?” You pull at your hair.

“Tell him nothing,” Lestat says, coming a little closer to your door. “Noah has left the country as far as anyone is concerned. He had no relatives here, no actual influence on anyone. He's gone. Let me help you soar.”

You look into his eyes. He's looking at you tenderly. You want to believe he's being genuine, but is he?

“I wrote you a song…” Is what you say.

Lestat stares at you in mild confusion and surprise. “You wrote me a song?”

“I did… I was inspired after my visit to your home… and I couldn't shake you from my head.”

He grins. “Is that so?”

You nod. “You… You're like a headache I can't shift. Even when I put you out of my mind, you return later. Your name is always on the end of my tongue. I look for you every Friday night in your box. I sit at my piano and I hope with all my might that my music is enough for you. Why do I care so much about what you think?”

Lestat smiles. “Perhaps because you know I appreciate your art.”

You look at him in wonder. “Is that the case? Or are you just saying that to make me trust you?”

He sighs. “You're making this very difficult.”

“You killed Noah!” You say a little too loudly.

Lestat covers your mouth with his hand. You groan and bite his fingers. He removes his hand and grins. “If you're into biting, I can help.”

You worry if you roll your eyes too hard they'll fall out the sockets. “I need time…”

Lestat lifts his chin up a little bit. “Very well. Time.” He steps away from your door. “But please don't take too long.” He walks away.

Once he's out of sight you close your door and lean against it.

The next Friday you return to the theater and try to ignore the stares from other performers. However, Amelie and Jack could not be ignored. You would have to face them, which was why you had come up with a story. A lie. Lying to the two people who looked after you all these years felt so wrong, but telling the truth would be worse.

They cornered you in your dressing room. Jack had a whole speech for you, telling you he was so worried and he didn't know if he needed ro contact a doctor for you. You let him speak before deciding to tell them the story you had come up with.

“Noah is gone. He left. We had a huge fight and it got out of control.”

“Did he hurt you?” Amelie asks, coming to sit beside you.

“No. Not physically anyway. Just my pride,” you assure her. There was some truth to that at least.

“Why didn't you say anything?” Jack asks, looking at you like a wounded puppy.

“It was my mess. I didn't want everyone to get involved. Noah was using me for his own advantage and I had had enough. I play solo, Jack. No more duets.” You look at him firmly.

“Understood.”

“I was so worried about you! You wouldn't even answer the door…” Amelie looks at you sadly.

“I'm sorry… I just had a lot to deal with.” You give her a hug.

Jack sighs and looks at you fondly. “I should have been more firm with him. Your sponsor hasn't made a donation since…”

“No. I suppose he hasn't. Is my slot still open?” You ask.

“Of course it is!” He assures you.

You smile. “Then I'll be back to playing for you. Tonight too soon?”

“Not at all.”

With all that out of the way the two leave you alone to get ready. You sigh deeply and prepare to face the music once more.

Lestat didn't appear in his box that night. Nor the Friday after, or the one after that. In fact, for the next 2 months he did not appear inside the theater. He did, however, send donations to Jack. He stopped sending gifts to your dressing room too.

Still, you couldn't shake him from your brain.

As you went into month 3 without seeing him or hearing from him, you had begun to miss him. If Lestat had wanted to harm you, surely he would have done so by now. He has plenty of chances to.

You decided to write him a small letter. You had it delivered to his house, not feeling brave enough to go there yourself.

You had chosen to forgive him.

Come to the theater Friday night. Your box is waiting for you.

It was all you could think to do to get him to return to you. As you stood off to the side of the stage waiting for your turn, you felt terribly nervous. You almost felt like you were struggling to breathe. You had sent Amelie out to check the boxes. She seemed to be taking her time.

You had moments to go before it was your turn. Amelie appeared beside you. “What took you so long?”

“Mr De Lioncourt invited me to talk to him. He asked me to give you this.” She holds up the rose. You stare at it, mesmerized by the deep red color of its petals. You take it from her gently.

“This is for me?”

She nods. “He told me he was happy you had asked him to come back. Did you two fight too?”

“Sort of…” You reply softly, still looking at the rose.

“Well, he's glad to hear you perform again.”

“Good. Tonight is going to be special.”

Amelie wasn't sure why it would be special, but she was just happy to see you back where you belong.

Your name is called. You take a deep breath and walk out onto the stage, rose in hand. You lift your head up, but ignore the audience. Your eyes drift up to his box. Lestat is sitting there, smiling at you.

You're wearing the necklace he gave you months ago. You're clutching the rose in your hand. You're looking at him.

Lestat knows you've forgiven him.

You take a seat at your piano and place the rose down where normally the music sheets would go, but you don't need them. You're only going to play one song tonight.

His song.

You begin. Lestat's ears are blessed with a melody new to him. An arrangement he has never heard before. He doesn't need to read your mind to know this is the song you wrote for him.

He's completely enamored with you.

There's a depth to your song. Without words he can understand what you're trying to say. He knows why you wrote this piece.

You felt something that night.

Perhaps the same thing he felt for you.

He wouldn't deny it.

The music ends too soon for his liking. He watches you with keen eyes as you take a bow and exit the stage. He didn't want your music to end. Lestat rose from his seat and left the box. He had to see you.

Jack wanted to question why you only played one song, but you didn't give him time to even get the question out. You went to your dressing room and waited.

The door opened moments later. You stood from your dressing table and watched Lestat approach you. He closed the door behind him, keeping out the outside world.

“That song…” He started. “Was it for me?”

“Yes. Did you like it?”

Lestat smiled as he slowly closed the distance between you both. You felt like your breathing was too loud, that he could probably hear your heart beating too.

I can.

“How do you do that?”

“Do what?” He asks, grinning.

“Get in my head.”

He chuckles. “It's one of the many things I can show you.” He holds out his hand to you. It's an invitation into his life. An invitation into the night.

You take his hand.

Lestat smiles and pulls you in close. “do you trust me?”

“We'll see.”

For now, that's enough for him.

@awanderingghost @theprettiesthead @cosmixstar @theblueslytherin @katherine2098 @sawendel @floofdeloop @sitkafay @bigbaddie45 @bluscryn

@secretisme4

[teeramoonlover]

Slytherin Boys - When things couldn’t work out for them

Mattheo Riddle • Theodore Nott • Lorenzo Berkshire • Draco Malfoy • Blaise Zabini

Warning: Angst, Grammatical error

Mattheo Riddle

Fake Relationship Too Late to Save

You remember the first time you met him in the library as he approached your table, asking if you could help him with his studying. Without you realize, the conversation between you and him bloom to something more. Stolen glances across the halls, hanging out at the Astronomy Tower for him to have smoke while you just need a company. He then brings you to Hogsmeade, sort of a date as he jokingly said, until the moment he kiss you under the first fall of snow. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

"And it feel like the start of the movie I've seen before."

You never feel happier. He was your first kiss, first boyfriend. First in everything you couldn't imagine you'd get yourself into. Your friend told you his bad news, but he was sweet to you. You believed him. You told him one night on his crumpling bedsheets, with no clothes. Deep inside, he has goodness in him, it just no one bother to notice. That was the moment you see the glimpse of his true feelings to you, in his eyes like you were the stars to his dark universe.

That was until you heard his friend remind him about the bet. A bet for him to take your virginity. Galleons could be heard exchange among them but you couldn't see the reluctant look of his face. You were gone the moment it happen, without a glance back.

That was a month ago. After you overheard their conversation, you don’t want to ruin the moment. So, you play along with his game, crushing you trust pieces by pieces.

You could feel how slowly he's opening up to you, but your mind couldn't help to remind this was all a façade. His genuine laugh which was meant for you to see but thought it never felt the same. Passion kiss that he can't live without but feels empty for you. The way he hold you like he is worried you might slip away, slowly feel suffocating for you to handle. It was too much for you when he was over the moon.

When he starts to promise he will be with you for an eternity, you know you have to end it. Because you don’t want to give him hope as you slowly, dying out of love.

"But, it's not real, and you don't exist."

Theodore Nott

Secret Relationship Gone Wrong

Funny, isn't it? To think that one day he will be holding hands with you in the hallway, letting everyone know that you were together with him. His watercolour eyes were always dead once ablaze when his lips touched yours behind closed doors. His hands roamed, holding you in bed, gazing at you like you were his lifeline after he made sure his room was locked. His smile was bright under the sun, head on your lap near the Black Lake far away from pry eyes. Late night walks, spending time stargazing, sneaking out like thieves without getting caught by prefects and friends.

"I want a witness, he's staying guarded

He wants the blinds drawn, I just want him."

But as soon Hogwarts comes to life, no greetings nor eye contact as you and him cross the halls. His eyes never held warm, as if you were a stranger in the presence of his friend. Let random girls touch, flirting with him since he doesn't do relationships, as people claim. His lips stretched with a mockery smile as his friends belittled you in the worst possible way. You could only cry under the moonlight when he broke his promises, one at a time.

"Does he know it's killing me?

He'll never show me off."

Rumours spread that he's seeing someone. His friends claim they are dating. Your eyes meet with his hand intertwined with hers in the hallways. Realization hit you that a muggle like you shouldn't be dreaming of being with a pureblood boy like him. As you walk further from them, your head turned towards him as if you feel someone's eyes on you. Surprisingly, your eyes accidentally met his. His eyes sparkled as he saw you but slowly morphed into something you had never seen before. "What's wrong, Theo? You look like you've seen a ghost." The girl in green robes asked him worriedly.

"And I know that I should walk away this time"

Because the last time he saw was your resign smile as if that was her final goodbye for him.

After all, he will never show you off to the world you were his, as he wasn't yours to begin with.

Lorenzo Berkshire

Friends to Lovers to Stranger

You and Lorenzo were inseparable since you were both kids. Of course, little you will be having a silly crush on him as you grow older.

"I had a friend that turned to a lover."

You both surprisingly confess your love towards each other at the same time. It was like you and him were meant to be. After all, you know every little detail about him, so does he.

But maybe that too was the reason the relationship wouldn't last. Because you know him too much. Or you never know him at all.

"I'm stuck here wondering, wondering what I did wrong

You’re the one that I want."

Seeing him with someone else beside you pains you to no end. When he asks you for a breakup, you feel like the world is about to end. For him, he moved on from you too quickly as twisted as it sounds. He told you he finally found someone that understood him.

Then, what am I to you after all these years?

The last straw was he picked her over you, over and over again. Even if she was at fault, there would be a reason for you to blame, even though it wasn't. The last thing you remembered was that you had the biggest fight you ever had with him. His sentence will engrave in your mind.

"You know, I shouldn't have met you. I shouldn't even confess to you. You're just too obsessed with what I'm doing in my life, which is not any of your concern anymore. That's why I end it. Because you're being too much."

"I wonder if you, you still remember

The time when you told me no matter what happens we’d still have each other

But that was a lie."

After the war, you lived in a rural place. A place that you both once dreamed of when you were kids. A small hut that can see the sight of a pond, sparkling from sunrise till sunset.

You stop caring for him, even if it hurts to do so. You don't want to bother him with your presence. You don't want to show you care. Because it was too much for him. You can't seem to grasp the idea of being a stranger the next time you saw him.

So, you do what's best for you. You keep all his photos, gifts, even a stupid doddle, and sweet words he once told you in a box. You dig and cover the box full of memories deep in the Earth's soil, making it like a small mini graveyard for your fleeting memories of him. Astoria came to your doorstep. Her eyes held doubt, worried about you.

"Are you sure about this?"

You slowly sit on one of the chairs outside, picturing the scene one last time. You turn to look at Astoria, holding a smile that never reaches your eyes.

"It's for the best. You're a bright witch. I know you can do it."

Astoria took her time, before lifting her wand towards your head.

"Obliviate."

Draco Malfoy

This Relationship was Bound to End Anyway

"Care to explain why I heard about the arranged marriage of you with Astoria Greengrass?" Your bloodshot eyes meet with his cold silver ones. You could remember those pairs were always warm every time he laid his eyes on you.

Those were the memories you cherished dearly as the days went by. How you first found him in the Hospital Wing when you were both in third years because he's being a bloody idiot to challenged a hippogriff. Madam Pomfrey assured him it was just a scratch and not making a big deal out of it, while little you slowly approached him to tell him it would be just fine. You even put the soothing balm on his injured arm to emphasize your words.

You were shocked when he approached you, asking to be his partner for the Yule Ball. Of course you say yes. After all, you always attract the broken souls. That was until he kiss you under the mistletoe at the Astronomy Tower, and confess you to be his.

After troubles upon troubles he's done, you never left his side. You loved him deeply, so does he. Promises upon promises he made for you but the one you believe the most were both of you will be forever. Until the moment his father was caught and sent to Azkaban because he's working associated with the Dark Lord.

"Darling, nobody say that it will last forever."

You can feel his sudden shift. How he become distant from you. How he become so quiet and prefer live among shadows, even you can't bring out the joy in him. You know he was a Death Eaters. But you still stay. During the war, you plead to him for the last time, but he was the boy who had no choice.

So he left you, among the shambles. So does your breaking heart.

You thought when the war is over, he will come back to you. Oh how wrong you were.

"Just like that? No explanation, nothing to tell me at all? If you don’t love me anymore, at least spare me your goodbyes."

After you broke things off with him, next week you had receive his wedding card. Him and now Astoria Malfoy.

Six years later, rumors told that he had a son but unfortunately for the wife, she passed away. It's been a long time since you never spoke to him. Until that night.

He still miss you. He couldn't move on from you. He wants to fulfill the promise they both made since fifteen.

"Hope you know, I wished you all the love you're looking for"

Today he's wearing his best suit to look presentable to you, waiting for you walking down the aisle, towards the altar. You look beautiful in your overflow wedding dress. For the first time, he saw you the happiest. They exchange the vows. For you now, to take Fred Weasley as your husband and him to declare the world that you are his.

After all, you were always attract the broken souls as if you were the angel that guide their lost to the light. Draco Malfoy was once your lost souls. It's time for Fred to feel the same, as he deserve after the loss of his twin.

"Two burning hearts are dared to break,

Remember, nobody said that it would last forever."

Blaise Zabini

Can't Live Without Dead Lover

It was just a marriage, bound without love.

You know what you get yourself into, but you can't help but fall deep into him.

He was a kind gentleman but never was with you. His words were never gentle nor did a single kindness wherever he spoke to you. He will always remind you who you are to him. He never once laid a hand on you. His touch was always cold, but you embrace his flaw. Even if it will kill you in the end.

"In the end, you’ll leave me like all those men walking out from my mother's life."

He should have uttered those words carefully. He couldn't help but say them so you could feel the pain like he had right now.

However, slowly and surely, there's a saying that men love too late. But you still wait for him. You understood the unfairness that was given to him.

He never felt grateful. You, as his wife never sway from his immature tantrums and stupid shenanigans. He felt like you deserve someone better. So, he made the best out of this marriage. He wants a family. He wants to be a better man for you.

Every time he was done working at the Ministry, to him, coming home was bliss. Because you will be there to embrace him with a warm, undying love that he never felt before, even from his own mother.

"It was heaven a moment ago

I had it almost, we had it almost."

But it seems like the universe was mocking him. The previous words with blunt venom towards his beloved wife slowly set them like a prayer to become true. A wish of your existence permanently erased from his life.

Your last moment with him was when he brought you to the theatre. As a gift for their anniversary. It was like his past coming back to him, eating him alive. It happened too fast. The unforgivable spell was meant for him, but you won't let that happen. You love him too much. So, you hug him for one final time and take the hit.

The only thing he could remember was him crying, hugging your body close to him, felt your last, final breath. Your body lay in the coffin as he kissed your forehead with your cold hand in his. Your tombstone held your name as a reminder of your absence in his manor.

"I can't seem to let myself leave you,

But I can't breathe anymore

I can't seem to not need to need you,

And I can't breathe anymore."

Every year he will visit you with your favorite bouquets of flowers. He knew you despise loneliness, especially in the dark. So, he will make sure to spend as much time with you, telling you about his journey. As if you were there for him.

In his dream, in his heart. Always.

[newobsessionweekly]

A night to remember

Part 2 of Secret signals

Main masterlist | The Rookie masterlist

Tim Bradford x fem!reader Fandom: The rookie

Summary: Your date with Tim took an unexpected turn before confessing your feelings. And you wouldn't change a thing.

Fluff | A bit of angst

A/N: Oh, how much I enjoy writing teasing and bantering fluff. If you enjoyed the first part of Secret signals, I think you'll like this one just as much. Also, I wanted to let you know it's the last chance to leave any requests. Starting maybe next week I'll have to focus on studying for med school cuz I have the admission exam in July. Thank you for all your support and requests so far! I really appreciate every single one of you! Lots of love, bubs and take care! ❤️

Warnings: description of panick attack, not proofread yet Requested: yes Words: 4.7k GIF not mine, credits to the owner!

Lucy's eyes widened in surprise, a smile spreading across her face. "Tim Bradford, going on a date... I never thought I'd see the day," she teased, nudging him playfully.

Tim rolled his eyes, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," he grumbled, his embarrassment evident.

But Lucy's grin only widened as she leaned in closer, her curiosity getting the better of her. "So, where are you taking her? Any special plans?"

Tim hesitated, his mind racing as he considered his options. "I haven't really had a chance to think about it yet because someone doesn't keep their mouth shut for a second!" he bursted, his brow furrowing in thought. "But I want it to be special."

Lucy's eyes sparkled with excitement as she leaned in closer, eager to offer her input. "Well, if you're looking for somewhere nice, you can't go wrong with 71Above," she suggested, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "It's got amazing views of the city, and the food is top-notch. Trust me, Y/N will love it."

Tim's car was parked outside your place at 9 pm sharp. You weren't ready on time, but Tim knew that. Yet, he still was there as promised, hands sweating and trembling as he moved them frantically from the steering wheel to his lap and back on the steering wheel, a milion times. He was acting silly, like a high schooler on the first date with his crush. But he couldn't help it, you weren't just a crush, you were his best friend. His rock that kept him from drifting apart so many times. And the only person he actually enjoyed.

As he glanced at his phone, he saw the time ticking away. He couldn't help but worry that listening to Angela and Lucy's advice and taking you on a date might ruin the friendship you both cherished. But at the same time, he couldn't shake the feeling that it was worth the risk.

A million thoughts race through his mind, each one more nerve-wracking than the last. What if this date ruins everything between you? What if he says or does something to make things awkward between you? What if he messes up the one chance he has to tell you how he truly feels?

With a heavy sigh, Tim pulls out his phone and sends a quick text to Lucy. "If it goes wrong, you'll beg for Tim Tests." he types out, pressing send before he can second-guess himself. Lucy pressed Tim into this after all. Without her nosy personality, Tim wouldn't have acted impulsively and arranged a date for you.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, you emerge from your apartment, a radiant smile gracing your lips as you approach Tim's car. You're momentarily struck by how effortlessly handsome he looks. Dressed in a casual yet sophisticated attire, Tim exudes a rugged charm that never fails to captivate you.

His breath catches in his throat at the sight of you, his heart skipping a beat as he takes in your beauty.

"Hey," you greet him, your voice soft and warm as you slide into the passenger seat beside him. "Sorry I'm late."

As Tim's eyes land on you, he can't help but feel a rush of awe. You look incredible, and he can't tear his gaze away. Your smile lights up your face, making his heart skip a beat and your eyes sparkle with warmth, drawing him in like a magnet.

Tim shakes his head, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips as he meets your gaze. "No need to apologize," he says, his voice surprisingly steady despite the turmoil raging inside him. "You look amazing."

A blush spreads across your cheeks at his compliment, your heart fluttering at the sincerity in his eyes. "Thanks, Tim," you reply, your voice barely more than a whisper as you fumble for words. "You're acting strange.

"No, I'm not."

Tim started the engine and pulled away from the curb, and you couldn't help but steal glances at him when he wasn't looking. There was something about the way he held himself, a quiet confidence that you found strangely alluring.

As the two of you drove through the streets of LA, the sound of the radio filling the silence between you, you found yourself lost in thought. You couldn't deny the flutter of butterflies in your stomach, the nervous anticipation of what the night might hold.

When Tim glanced over at you with a soft smile playing on his lips, you couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for the man sitting beside you.

"You know, Tim, Lucy seems pretty cool," you remarked, glancing over at him. "She's got this energy about her, like she's ready to take on the world."

Tim raised an eyebrow, a skeptical expression crossing his features. "Cool? More like a walking disaster waiting to happen and constantly sticking her nose where it doesn't belong." he retorted, his tone tinged with amusement.

You laughed, shaking your head at his blunt assessment. "Come on, Tim, give her a chance. She's just trying to find her footing," you insisted, nudging him gently.

Tim let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair. "I'm all for giving her a chance, but she's got a long way to go before she's ready for the streets," he argued, his tone firm.

You arched an eyebrow, a playful smirk dancing on your lips. "Well, lucky for her, she's got the best training officer in the department to show her the ropes," you teased, earning a chuckle from Tim.

"Yeah, lucky her," he muttered, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. But despite his grumbling, you could see a flicker of pride in his eyes at the mention of his role as Lucy's training officer.

As the familiar streets of LA passed by, you couldn't help but notice that Tim wasn't taking the usual route to your favorite bar. Your brow furrowed in confusion as you glanced out the window, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar surroundings.

"Uh, Tim? Are we going a different way tonight?" you asked, your voice laced with curiosity.

Tim shot you a sidelong glance, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Maybe I've got a surprise up my sleeve," he replied cryptically, a smirk playing on his lips.

Your curiosity piqued, you leaned forward in your seat, trying to catch a glimpse of your surroundings. "A surprise, huh? Well, color me intrigued," you teased, a smile tugging at the corners of your lips.

Tim chuckled softly, the sound warm and inviting. "You'll just have to wait and see," he said, his tone playful as he focused on the road ahead.

Finally, Tim pulled the car to a stop in front of a sleek, modern building that towered above the surrounding skyline. The sign above the entrance read "71Above" in bold letters, and you couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

"Tim, is this...?" you began, trailing off as you turned to look at him, your eyes wide with disbelief.

He flashed you a grin, a hint of nervousness flickering in his eyes. "Surprise," he said simply, his voice soft yet filled with meaning.

Your heart skipped a beat as you realized what Tim had done. He'd gone out of his way to take you to one of the most upscale restaurants in the city, a place you'd only ever dreamed of visiting.

As you stepped out of the car and followed Tim, a wave of excitement washed over you, your eyes sparkling with wonder. "Tim, I can't believe you brought us here!" you exclaimed, practically bouncing on your toes as you took in the elegant surroundings.

Tim glanced at you, a hint of surprise flickering across his features before a warm smile spread across his face. "Well, I'm glad you like it," he said, his voice tinged with satisfaction.

You nodded eagerly, unable to contain your enthusiasm as you rambled on about everything you'd heard about the place. "I've been wanting to come here for months! I've heard they have the most amazing views of the city from up there, and the food is supposed to be out of this world," you gushed, your words tumbling out in a rush.

Tim chuckled softly, a fondness shining in his eyes as he watched you talk. "Let's check it out, then."

As Tim led you towards the entrance, you couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement building within you. The restaurant was located on the upper floors of a towering skyscraper, its sleek glass exterior reflecting the glittering lights of the city below.

The elevator ride to the top floor was swift but exhilarating, each passing floor heightening your anticipation. When the doors opened, you were greeted by breathtaking panoramic views of the city spread out before you, the glittering lights of Los Angeles stretching as far as the eye could see.

As you followed Tim to your table by the window, you couldn't tear your gaze away from the mesmerizing sight. The city seemed to come alive beneath you, a vibrant tapestry of colors and lights that danced in the night. It was a moment of pure enchantment, and you felt a surge of excitement coursing through you as you settled in to enjoy the evening ahead.

Tim couldn't help but smile as he watched the excitement dance in your eyes, a warmth blooming in his chest at the sight of your joy. Your enthusiasm was infectious, and he found himself caught up in the moment, marveling at the beauty of the city alongside you.

"Pretty amazing, huh?" he remarked, as he followed your gaze out the window.

You turned to him with a grin, nodding enthusiastically. "It's incredible!"

As the night progressed, you and Tim found yourselves immersed in the magic of the evening. The ambience of the restaurant, the delicious food, and the lively atmosphere created the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable night.

You couldn't remember the last time you laughed that much, the sound of your laughter mingling with Tim's in a symphony of joy and happiness. Each moment spent together felt like a precious gift, a fleeting glimpse into the depths of your friendship and the possibility of something more.

Tim's infectious laughter echoed through the restaurant, his eyes sparkling with mirth as he regaled you with stories from his time on the force. His smile was like a beacon of light in the darkness, drawing you in and filling you with warmth.

You couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over you. In that moment, surrounded by good food and even better company, you felt truly alive.

But amidst the laughter and the lighthearted conversation, there was something else simmering beneath the surface, something unspoken and electric. It was a tension that crackled in the air between you, a silent acknowledgment of the growing attraction that pulsed beneath the surface of your friendship.

Yet, despite the palpable chemistry between you, Tim was content to simply bask in the warmth of your presence, to lose himself in the moment and forget about the weight of his own feelings.

And as the night wore on, you found yourself falling more and more in love with him, with every smile, every laugh, every stolen glance. It was a feeling that consumed you, filling you with a sense of euphoria that you never wanted to end.

The restaurant gradually emptied, leaving only a handful of lingering patrons scattered throughout the dimly lit dining room. Tim and you found yourselves among the last remaining guests, reluctant to let go of the magic of the evening.

With a satisfied sigh, Tim leaned back in his chair, his eyes sparkling with contentment as he glanced around the nearly deserted restaurant. "I can't remember the last time I had such a great night," he admitted, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

You nodded in agreement, a warm feeling spreading through you at the thought of the wonderful evening you'd shared together. "Me neither," you replied, your voice soft with emotion. "It's been amazing. I can't remember the last time you laughed that much!"

As the last of the patrons trickled out of the restaurant, Tim turned to you with a mischievous glint in his eye. "So, what do you say we keep the party going somewhere else?" he suggested, his voice filled with excitement.

You raised an eyebrow in surprise, intrigued by his suggestion. "Oh? And where did you have in mind?" you asked, a playful smile tugging at your lips.

Tim shrugged nonchalantly, a smirk playing on his lips. "I don't know, maybe we could head to a bar for a nightcap or something," he suggested, his eyes twinkling.

The idea sounded perfect to you, and you couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at the thought of spending more time with Tim. "I'm in," you declared, a grin spreading across your face.

As you and Tim stepped into the elevator, ready to continue your evening adventure, the doors slid shut with a soft whoosh, enclosing you in the small, dimly lit space.

The elevator hummed to life, beginning its descent down to the ground floor.

But just a few floors down, the elevator jerked to a sudden halt, the lights flickering ominously before plunging you both into darkness. A chill ran down your spine as you felt the floor beneath you come to a stop, the suddenness of the situation leaving you feeling disoriented and scared.

"Tim," you whispered, your voice barely audible above the hum of the elevator. "What's happening?"

Tim's expression mirrored your own concern as he reached out to steady you, his touch warm and reassuring against your skin. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice tight with apprehension. "But it looks like we're stuck."

Panic began to rise within you as you realized the gravity of the situation. Trapped in a malfunctioning elevator with no way out, your heart raced in your chest as fear gripped you tight.

Instinctively, you sought refuge in Tim's arms, seeking comfort and safety in his familiar embrace. For a moment, you felt a sense of calm wash over you as his strong arms wrapped around you, providing a brief respite from the chaos of the situation.

But as reality sank in, you knew that you couldn't stay there forever. With a reluctant sigh, you pulled away from Tim, the weight of the situation pressing down on you once more.

"We need to figure a way to get out of here," you said, your voice determined despite the fear gnawing at your insides.

With a heavy sigh, Tim reached for the emergency call button, pressing it in hopes of summoning help. But as the seconds ticked by with no response, the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on both of you.

"We need to wait for help."

As the minutes dragged on, your panic intensified, threatening to consume you whole. The confined space of the elevator felt like a suffocating prison, each passing second amplifying your fear of being trapped so far above the ground.

Your breaths came in short, ragged gasps as your heart hammered against your chest, the darkness pressing in on you from all sides. "We're going to die in here, Tim," you choked out, your voice trembling with fear.

Tim's heart clenched at the desperation in your voice, his instincts kicking into overdrive as he moved to your side, wrapping you in his arms once more. "Hey, look at me," he urged, his voice firm yet gentle as he tilted your chin up to meet his gaze.

"We're not going to die, I promise," he said, his words laced with a quiet confidence that helped to anchor you in the storm of your panic. "Just focus on breathing with me."

His steady voice was a lifeline in the darkness, guiding you back from the brink of despair as he led you through a series of slow, deep breaths.

But the panic was relentless, its grip tightening around your chest with each passing second. Your breath came in short, ragged gasps as your mind raced with worst-case scenarios, each one more terrifying than the last.

Tim's voice was a distant echo, his words barely registering as you struggled to regain control of your racing thoughts. But he refused to give up, his touch a steady anchor as he guided you through the storm of fear.

"Listen to my voice, focus on my words," he urged, his tone firm but gentle. "You're safe with me, Y/N. I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."

Tim's voice softened, his fingers gently brushing the stray strands of hair away from your face as he continued to soothe your frayed nerves. "You're doing great, Y/N. Just breathe with me, okay? In... and out."

His calming presence enveloped you like a warm embrace, his words a balm to your frazzled mind. With each inhale, you felt a sliver of tension melt away, replaced by a newfound sense of tranquility.

But even as Tim worked to calm your panic, his own worry lingered just beneath the surface. He couldn't shake the nagging fear that he wouldn't be able to keep you safe, that somehow he would fail you in your moment of need.

Yet he pushed those doubts aside, focusing all his energy on being there for you, reassuring you with every word and gesture. In that moment, nothing else mattered but your well-being, your safety.

As the minutes stretched into what felt like an eternity, the sound of your breathing gradually slowed, your panicked gasps giving way to steady, even breaths. And with each passing moment, the darkness seemed a little less suffocating, a little less daunting.

As Tim continued to hold you close, his arms a steady anchor in the darkness of the elevator, he shifted the conversation to lighter topics, hoping to distract you from the looming sense of fear.

"Remember that time we tried to build a treehouse in your backyard?" he asked, a nostalgic twinkle in his eyes.

You responded faintly, the memory flooding back vividly. "How could I forget? We ended up with a pile of sticks and a broken arm."

He grinned, shaking his head. "Yeah, and your mom nearly had a heart attack when she saw us dangling from that rope ladder."

"I still can't believe we thought we could build a treehouse with just a hammer and some nails," you admitted.

"Well, we were what, eight years old? Seemed like a good idea at the time," Tim reasoned, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"True," you agreed with a chuckle. "But I think we learned our lesson after that."

"Definitely," Tim nodded, a reminiscent smile playing on his lips. "Although, knowing us, we probably found some other scheme to get into trouble with."

"Oh, no doubt about it," you agreed, sharing a knowing look.

As the tension in the elevator began to ease, Tim shifted the conversation to another memory from your past, a smile playing on his lips as he recalled a particularly memorable event.

"Remember when we went to homecoming together?" Tim chuckled, his eyes glinting mischievously.

You cringed at the memory, feeling a blush creeping up your cheeks. "Oh, please, don't bring that up," you pleaded, shaking your head in embarrassment.

Tim grinned, clearly enjoying your discomfort. "Why not? It was hilarious!"

"Yeah, for you maybe," you muttered, crossing your arms defensively.

Tim's grin softened into a warm smile as he reached out to gently touch your arm. "Hey, you looked amazing that night," he reassured you, his voice sincere.

You couldn't help but roll your eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corners of your lips. "Yeah, right. I was a total mess."

Tim shook his head, his expression earnest. "No way. You were the most beautiful girl there, hands down."

As the memories of homecoming faded, replaced by more somber recollections, you found yourself opening up to Tim about a time that had left you feeling scared and vulnerable.

You took a deep breath, steeling yourself before continuing. "When you were back in Iraq, I was so scared, Tim. Every time I got a call from you, it felt like my heart was in my throat. And then those calls started getting shorter and more distant, and I didn't know what was happening. I didn't know if you were okay, if you were coming back..."

Your voice trailed off, the memories still vivid in your mind despite the passing years. Tim reached out, gently squeezing your hand in silent support as you struggled to find the words to convey the depth of your fear and uncertainty during that time.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice heavy with regret. "I didn't mean to worry you like that."

You shook your head, a small smile playing on your lips despite the lingering sadness. "It's okay. You were doing your job, and I knew that. But it was hard not knowing if you were safe, if you were coming back."

Tim's gaze softened, his hand finding yours as he met your eyes with a mixture of gratitude and affection. "I'm here now," he said softly. "And I'm not going anywhere."

He paused, weighting his words,"I... I think I have feelings for you from back then," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "And the most tragic part about this is that I don’t think I can stop, even if I wanted to."

His admission hung heavy in the air between you, the weight of his words sinking in as you struggled to process the magnitude of what he was saying.

"Tim..." you breathed, your own emotions swirling as you searched for the right thing to say."I mean, I've thought about it too," you admitted, a hint of vulnerability creeping into your tone. "But I never thought you felt the same way."

A flicker of surprise crossed Tim's face, quickly replaced by a hopeful glimmer in his eyes. "You did?" he asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.

You nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of your lips. "Yeah, I did. And I guess... I guess I've been hoping you'd say something like this for a while now."

Tim's smile widened, a sense of relief washing over him as he leaned in closer, his forehead resting against yours.

"Well, I'm saying it now," he murmured, his breath warm against your skin. "And I meant every word of it."

Tim's touch was gentle yet electrifying, sending shivers down your spine as his fingers traced delicate patterns along your jawline. You found yourself leaning into his touch, craving the warmth and comfort he offered in that moment of uncertainty.

His hand moved to cup your cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against your skin as he gazed into your eyes with a mixture of tenderness and longing. In that moment, it felt like the world had faded away.

With a soft sigh, you closed the distance between you, your lips meeting his in a tender kiss that spoke volumes of unspoken emotion. It was a moment of surrender, of letting go of all inhibitions and fears, and allowing yourself to be consumed by the warmth of Tim's embrace.

As your lips moved together in perfect harmony, the world outside ceased to exist, replaced by the rhythmic beat of your hearts and the gentle whisper of your breath mingling in the air. It was a kiss that spoke of years of unspoken longing, of whispered confessions and silent promises, sealing a bond that had been years in the making.

The elevator finally jolted back to life, breaking the moment, but the warmth of Tim's embrace and the taste of his lips lingered on.

As the elevator doors slid open with a soft ding, you and Tim stepped out into the lobby, still caught in the afterglow of your kiss. With a playful smirk, Tim nudged you gently as you made your way back to his car.

"Well, that was unexpected," he teased, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

You couldn't help but roll your eyes, swatting his arm lightly in retaliation. "You're one to talk. Who knew getting stuck in an elevator could be so... romantic?"

Tim chuckled, the sound warm and comforting as he unlocked the car doors. "I guess stranger things have happened," he remarked, a hint of mischief in his tone.

As you settled into the car, the tension of the past few hours melting away, you found yourself laughing as you recounted the events of the evening. From the unexpected elevator malfunction to the heart-stopping kiss that followed, it had certainly been a night to remember.

"So, remind me never to take the elevator with you again," you joked, earning a mock offended gasp from Tim.

"Hey, I'll have you know I'm a great elevator companion," he retorted, a playful glint in his eye. "Just ask anyone who's ever been stuck with me."

You laughed, shaking your head in mock disbelief. "I'll take your word for it," you replied, a smile playing on your lips as you leaned back in your seat.

As Tim started the car and pulled out of the parking lot, the warmth of his presence beside you filled you with a sense of contentment you hadn't felt in a long time. It was moments like these, filled with laughter and lighthearted banter, that made you grateful for the bond you shared with him.

"So, about what you said in the elevator," you began, breaking the comfortable silence as Tim navigated through the streets.

Tim glanced over at you, a playful glint in his eyes. "Yeah, about that. I hope I didn't scare you off."

You chuckled, shaking your head. "Not a chance. If anything, it's nice to know I'm not the only one feeling a little... sentimental."

He grinned, his gaze returning to the road ahead. "Sentimental, huh? Is that what we're calling it now?"

You shrugged, a playful smirk tugging at your lips. "Hey, I'm just trying to keep it classy."

Tim chuckled, his fingers tapping against the steering wheel. "Well, in that case, I guess I should apologize for any lack of classiness on my part."

You laughed, reaching over to gently nudge his arm. "No apologies necessary. Besides, I think we both know we're not exactly the poster children for romance."

Tim smirked, shooting you a sidelong glance. "Speak for yourself. I've been known to be quite the charmer when I want to be."

You rolled your eyes, unable to suppress a grin. "Oh, please. The only charm you have is the one you use to get out of speeding tickets."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Touché."

"You know," he continued, his voice soft, "despite all the craziness of tonight, I wouldn't change a thing."

You smiled, squeezing his hand lightly. "Me neither. Even getting stuck in that elevator couldn't ruin the night."

Tim chuckled, his thumb tracing circles on the back of your hand. "Yeah, well, I guess it's just one more adventure to add to the list."

You nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude for the shared experiences that had brought you to this moment. "I wouldn't want to go on these adventures with anyone else," you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper.

Tim's grip on your hand tightened slightly, his gaze softening as he looked at you. "I feel the same way," he confessed, his words carrying a weight of sincerity that took your breath away.

In that moment, the world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of you and the quiet hum of the car as it cruised through the night. And as you leaned in closer, the distance between you disappearing with each passing second, you knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, you were ready to face them together, hand in hand.