#the cool rain is a nice break from the heat but not for spending the night out

[doctors-journal]

3 June

The detective had a visitor this afternoon.

I was going to go up to my room, but the detective protested, “If you would be so good as to remain, Doctor, to hear our client’s plea for yourself so that you may come to your own opinion on the matter.”

His visitor burst into laughter. “Are you really a doctor?”

He was a young man, early thirties, a recently healed sprain to his left ankle and several smaller, superficial injuries to his arms, and evidence of prolonged exposure, but in overall good health.

But I answered, “Yes.”

“Afghanistan or Iraq?” he asked with a mischievous smile, but if there was a joke, I didn’t get it.

“Neither. I work in Syria.”

“Of course, of course, there’s always something, isn’t there, Sherlock?” He stepped forward to shake my hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m his dear Boswell, or at least I was—I see he’s found another. I don’t suppose you keep a blog?”

“No.”

“Well, at least between the two of us we’d make a satisfactory Watson. How are you getting along? Has he popped the question yet?”

“No, I’m just here while I get everything in order to go back. You’re exes?”

“We briefly shared a flat,” the detective said with a dismissive wave.

“He tried to make me his Watson, more like. We had a fun romp or two, but it wasn’t anything serious. And I’m a reporter; I didn’t have time to run around solving mysteries.”

The detective interrupted, “Are you here on some matter of business, or shall I see you to the door?”

“Oh, alright, alright, no need to get your hat in a twist. I ran into a little mystery while I’ve been on the London beat, and it made me think of you.”

“Do go on.” The detective motioned for the reporter to take a seat, and I sat back down on the couch.

“So, I was interviewing for an article—I can’t say anything about it until it comes out—but one of my sources has run into some trouble that I thought might be right up your alley. He’s a funny old man who collects statues, mostly just trinkets, but apparently, someone thought they were worth enough to break in and shatter one of his busts.”

“Not Napoleon?” the detective asked.

“No, but I thought that would catch your interest. The police, of course, don’t have any leads and are pretty indifferent to the whole thing if the old coot’s to be believed, but I thought you might be able to shine a light in the darkness or whatever it is you do. What do you say, Sherlock?”

“It certainly presents some features of interest—Doctor?”

I was surprised to find all eyes on me. “I don’t see what the fuss is. It’s just a statue, isn’t it?”

“That is precisely the question, Doctor! Why would someone go through the trouble of breaking into a man’s flat to shatter a plaster bust?” To the reporter, he said, “I am much obliged to you for bringing this matter to my attention.”

“All I ask in return is first rights to the story.”

The detective gave a dismissive wave, but I thought there might have been some humour in his tone, “I claim no credit. My name need figure in no newspaper. The work itself, the pleasure of finding a field for my peculiar powers, is my highest reward.”

The reporter excused himself with a laugh to return to his work.

“And we have our own work to attend to,” the detective declared when the reporter had gone.

The detective disappeared into his room and, a moment later, brought out a large box, which he set on the coffee table. He sat back down in front of it and opened it, and it unfolded into three tiers of shelves crammed with more gels and powders than I could count. I hardly knew what any of it was, but he clearly knew what he was doing.

I guessed that he was going to start powdering his face, but instead, he began with a wad of clay that he moulded around his nose and eyes. Then, I think, he layered on some powder with a big brush. There were also several smaller brushes involved, half a dozen more powders and fluids, and at one point a pencil or two that he used to draw lines onto his face that somehow disappeared into natural folds in his skin. Lastly, there was a thinning wig and scruffy beard.

When the remarkable transformation was complete, he looked like he had aged twenty-some years in as many minutes, his cheeks filled so that he looked well-nourished, healthy despite some rosacea. However, beyond that, he looked like he was truly an entirely different man with a particularly prominent, bulbous nose and a perpetually surprised air that must have come from something the detective did to his eyes.

He grinned at me and held his mouth open to fit in a pair of dentures with crooked, yellowed teeth. Then he returned the box to his room and he was gone for just a moment before he came limping out, dressed in several threadbare layers. He could have been any homeless man on the streets of London, and I doubt I would have recognized him at all if I hadn’t seen the transformation myself—and even then, it was hard to see the detective beneath all the makeup.

He took a hobbling bow.

I had to ask, “What’s the plan?”

“A conjurer gets no credit when he has explained his trick,” the detective said, but I saw a rare smile beneath his fake whiskers. “I have my methods. Don’t wait up, Doctor.”

And with that he was gone.

He’s still out now. It’s gotten late—the sun has set and a steady rain taps against the window. I just hope he knows what he’s doing. It would be easy to suffer from hypothermia on the streets tonight.

[manias-wordcount]

Hey!!! I was wondering if we could get some howl pendragon fluff? Maybe reader and howl showing a more parental side towards Markl? I will always live for a family dynamic haha!

Three's Company (Howl Jenkins Pendragon x Reader)

𝗔/𝗡: 𝗶 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶 𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗳𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 "𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗳𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗼𝗱" 𝘀𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗺 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀!! 𝗶 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 (𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗟𝗢𝗟)

𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚? ⇒ 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩

𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙧?

𝙗𝙪𝙮 𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙚?

Howl likes it dim and stormy and cool. Markl likes it bright and sunny and hot. So you comprise and suggest that the picnic takes place on a day with just enough cold and a nice, cooling breeze to help beat the summer’s heat. 

  As always, your boys agree.

  Of course, there are some grumbles and some sly words here and there, trying to convince you to change your mind. As you’re leaning over Calcifer, trying to pan-fry some of the meat for the sandwiches, Markl pulls a chair up beside you under the guise of wanting to help. Of course, he can’t do without a sample of your cooking. And he can’t do without whispering in your ear that he thinks Howl could use some more sun. Naturally, you sent Markl always with a playful roll of your eyes as you told him to fetch a basket from the closet. 

  As he scampers away, Howl takes no time sliding up to you and wrapping his arms around your torso as he leans into you. He tries oh-so-very hard to be sly as he presses small kisses to below your ear, and reminisces about the times the two of you would spend napping in the sunroom as the castle travels across miles and miles of grass fields being doused in heavy rain. He tries even harder to entice you with a plan that involved moved the castle to somewhere with least a light rain storm and hosting the picnic indoors as you watch a storm roll by.

  You just tutted and sent him to help Markl find the picnic basket instead. 

  With that, it doesn’t take you too long to finish up. Especially since Calcifer is starting to like the idea of getting a couple of lazy hours to himself once the three of you go on your outing. As you make the sandwiches and package up the little side dishes that Howl made earlier, you hear the two of them bickering with each other. Although Howl seems to be holding his own against the young boy, it still has you hiding your giggles as struggling to pack away the plates and utensils as you hear Howl argue about how nobody ever wants to do anything outside with him in the rain. 

  To his credit, he’s right. But you can worry about that later.

  Because soon enough, you’re done with preparing the food, and you’re calling for your boys to come back. Markl comes sprinting back with the basket in hand, hoping to get you first as a last-minute resort to get you to tell Calcifer that the castle should be moved someplace “just a little sunnier! Please, please, pleaseee!” Howl comes in not too long afterward, but it’s just enough time to see you patting a pouting Markl’s head as the last of the sandwiches a couple of pieces of fruit fitted into the picnic basket. 

  For a moment Howl looks hopeful. As if he has a chance to get you to change your mind and break their tie in his favor. But at the sight of you passing the picnic basket into his hands as you reach for a light shawl to cover your exposed arms, that look of hope becomes quickly dashed.

  But then you turn to your boys. They’re nice and cleaned up in clothes you know they can afford to get grass stains on. The look on their faces are just a little sour, but Howl is still cradling the picnic basket very, very carefully and Markl is doing his best to hold onto the picnic blanket he found, along with the couple of bottles of juice he has tucked under his arm. You give them a warm look and you smile nice and big and bright.

  “Well?” You tilt your head to the side, a teasing lilt to your voice as your eyes jump back and forth between their gazes. “Any more objections? Or shall we enjoy the day?”

  At that, both boys' cheeks start to redden. Markl looks away quickly, his pout growing ever so slightly more, but he finally relents and says he guesses he doesn’t mind if there are some clouds in the sky- so long as it’s not cool to play in the river, of course. On the other hand, the ever-so-collected Howl looks a bit embarrassed now that you’re joking about the two of them and their little tantrums. But he owns the blush adorning his face by meeting your eyes and offering out a hand. 

  “Thank you, my starlight,” He tells you, his sincere and gentle voice filling the room. It’s so honest and so earnest that you’re taken for a surprise just a teensy bit, before reaching out and placing your hand in his- an even bigger smile now spreading across your lips. “For planning this. For all that you do.”

  “Yeah, thanks a bunch!” Markl is quick to follow behind Howl with his own expressions of gratitude. Although he can’t take your hand and help you down the stairs like Howl is (despite you telling Howl that he really doesn’t need to be doing this when you’re not even carrying anything), Markl offers up a look of excitement and appreciation so sweet and so pure, you completely forgot about how sneaky and sly he was trying to be earlier. Well, almost forgot. You’ll have to get on Calcifer for teaching Markl about all that later… “The food looks really good, so thanks for that too!”

  With that, the three of you head to the door and step out of the castle. Calcifer calls a promise over Howl’s shoulder that he’ll look after the place, while you have to step further into the field of grass and flowers the castle is in to tell Markl to be careful as he runs off. But then you hear his laughter- the carefree laughter of a child. Of the boy you consider to be your son. And you let out a laugh too. It’s a tiny one. But it’s light, and it’s carefree. And it’s quickly joined in by Howl as he leads you to where Markl chose a spot to set up the picnic blanket. 

  The day is spent laughing. How many seconds? How many minutes? How many hours? You aren’t sure. But the day is spent without pouts on faces and complaints about the weathering being too much of this or too much of that. The day is spent telling stories and sharing jokes. It’s spent watching Howl point at different plants and quizzing Makl about what he knows. It’s spent with your point at your favorite clouds and your boy's guesses at the shapes that you do or don’t see. It’s spent with each other.

  And that’s all that matters, truly

    Though at some point, when you’re cuddled up to Howl, you whisper to him. It’s after all the food is gone. After Markl had kicked off his shoes and waded into the stream to look for nice rocks and tiny little fishies swimming along. It was after the two of them had agreed that today was the perfect day to waste with each other in complete and utter happiness. But it’s only after that- only after your bellies, and nice and full, and the cool breeze is starting to make you a bit too sleepy to do anything but curl right next to Howl and hold him that you whisper to him. Whisper how you promise you’ll do something with him outside the next time it rains.

  He thinks for a moment, letting the wind pass you both by as a slow-moving cloud moves out of the way to spread its sunrays across your skin. He thinks, and he thinks, and he thinks. And just when you think that you’ve stumped him or he must not have heard you, he opens his mouth once more.

  “I’d like to go dancing one day.” He says finally. His voice is quiet, but it feels so warm and so sweet and so safe that you swear that alone could lull you to sleep. “I’d like to go dancing with you one day in the rain.”

  You smile at him for the umpteenth time that day. You look him in the eyes, and you smile at him, and only for him, and only because of him.

  “Okay,” You promise him, the words barely passing through your lips like the wisp of a pretty breeze, hoping to take your voice far and wide. “I’d like that.”

  And your Howl…your wonderful, beautiful, glorious Howl? He smiles back at you. Gently. Sweetly. Looking forever more and more like the very person you fell in love with so, so long ago as his hair sways slowly and his bright blue eyes bore into yours. Telling you how much he loves you. Cares for you. Adores you. All with his gaze. All while your eyes? Well…

  “Thank you, my starlight.”

  Would it be so surprising if you said they were doing the same?

[da-birb-writes-sometimes]

HI HI DOVE!!!! :D you were so thorough with the rules of your event (I NEVER THOUGHT TO ASK PEOPLE FOR BACKUPS HELP?????????)

but ofc ofc you can probably guess who i was going to ask for LMAO but i promise my backups will NOT BE FOR AZUL PROMISE!!!!

i was immediately intrigued by the prompt "By the babbling brook" so i would like to request azul and that!! maybe friends to lovers vibes because im a suck for that??? AS FOR BACKUPS HMMM

"Caught in the rain" WITH VIL WOULD BE SO CUTE :((( I CAN IMAGINE HIM BEING CONCERNED FOR HIS APPEARANCE??? even though his makeup is probably waterproof LMAO

"Stargazing" with trey sniffle cough cough.,.,.,. it would be so soothing AND ACTUALLY I DONT REQUEST TREY CONTENT LIKE EVER EVEN THOUGH HES MY BESTIE?!?!?!?

so yea atcually i think ALL of these are cute so i dont even really have backups LMAO JUST WRITE WHICHEVER ONE STRIKES YOU!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH OF HOSTING TIHS DOVE IM GOING TO BE SCREAING IN YOUR REBLOGS WHENEVER YOU POST WHWAHAWHAWHWAH <3333

By the Babbling Brook; Azul Ashengrotto

Content; Gender-neutral reader, friends-to-lovers, a smidgen of hurt/comfort

Word Count; 700+

AN: Auburn, why did you give me so many good ideas /hj. But I hope you enjoy your Azul. Everyone coming for the Fish Mafia content (3 more are lined up). As a reminder, do not put my work — or others for that matter — into AI as it steals. Link to Masterlist

You sat on a large boulder sitting in the middle of a shallow brook, dipping your legs in as an attempt to try and escape the heat of the day. Even from under the shade of the willow tree from above, the heat and humidity was still oppressive. And the chirping of cicadas only underscored the fact. And sitting on the boulder just a few centimetres away was Azul, pant legs rolled up to his knees and his legs in the water as well, trying to cool off as well.

The two of you had arranged a day to hang out, since the Coral Sea isn’t really the most hospitable place for anyone without fins or gills. So Azul had agreed to set aside some time in his schedule so that he could spend some time with you, and this time there was no Grim or nosey Leech twins to interrupt you. But why, why did today have to be so insufferably hot.

“Why couldn’t we go someplace cooler,” he groaned, pushing his hair out of his face. “Somewhere with… air conditioning?” At least the water was cold, which helped break the heat a little bit. Plus the shade from the willow tree kept the harshness of the midday sun at bay.

You flicked some water at him, and chortled at the dirty look he gave you. “Just wanted to check this out, see where it led,” you say in a chipper tone. You slipped down the boulder a bit, getting further into the water. The brook was shallow, only reaching about mid-calf.

Your hand brushed against Azul’s and he could have sworn it felt like an electric shock rather than a soft caress. “It led to a tree and some rocks,” he sighed.

You hummed, splashing a bit in the water as the stark coldness of the brook was finally breaking the sticky heat. “Well I think it led to an opportunity.”

“For what?” He didn’t really want to say it, but today, other than the Sevens forsaken heat, was nice. The two of you had just walked together, and had some nice conversations that melted into each other seamlessly.

A mischievous smile spread across your face and you splashed Azul in the face. “For that,” you laugh.

Azul spat out water, and the faintest bit of ink, blue flushing his cheeks. But his brief flash of anger mixed with embarrassment of being bested faded just as quickly as it had arisen. You looked so happy, sitting in the brook with the swaying branches of willows behind you. And Azul felt a lump form in his throat. They look… ethereal.

You noticed him staring and waved a hand in front of his face. “Helloooo,” you called, “ear- erm, Twisted Wonderland to Azul? You good?”

“YES,” he sputtered, getting up from the boulder and trying to get back to the banks of the brook. “I am perfectly fine, Prefect!” But the slight crack in his voice betrayed him. He was very much not okay, no. Why did he feel like there were butterflies in his stomach? Why did he feel weird around you? Why do you make me feel like this? Like a fish out of water?

You got up and followed him, a few paces behind. “I can tell when you’re lying, you know? Come on Azul, be honest with me. We’re friends after all.”

We’re friends after all. That line, why did it hurt so much? “I’m not lying,” he could feel you behind him, but he dared not to look back.

“Now you’re just lying to yourself,” you huff. “Come on, Azul, just say it.”

“Say what?!” He turned around and looked at you. The dappled light, and glittering water behind you only made the lump in his throat grow even more. “That I love you-” He snapped his mouth shut and held his breath.

That I love you. That’s what the feeling was. Love.

Your eyes widened, and you opened and closed your mouth, trying to decide what to say. “Well,” you say softly, “I love you too, Azul. I have for a while now.”

And who would have guessed that seeing where the brook led would lead to this. Two friends confessing that there was indeed something more between them.

[romanestuffsposts]

It’s getting really hot where I live 😭 I would love if stucky took care of their baby after she gets really over heated💕

Hi there love! 💜

Well where I leave it’s raining so we both have totally opposite experience in the day 😂

Be careful with the sun ❤️

I hope you like how i turned it,

Enjoy <3

****

Warnings : Over heated little reader, comfort,

Pairings : Daddies!Stucky ; Daddy!Bucky x Papa!Steve x Little!Reader

Summary : ⤴️⤴️

****

What a perfect day, it's cool when the sun show up in the early morning and illuminated the day. You were home all day because it's sunday so you really had the chance to enjoy the good weather.

You were up early today because of the sun and wanted to go outside when your eyes catch the sunny sky. Your Daddies wanted to feed you before you go spend all your energy outside. They wanted to be prepared for the long day.

After breakfast, they looked around the kitchen to make sure there was enough water for the whole day, they knew you'll be thirsty thorough the day. They also got out all the sun creams they found in the bathroom and towels. They helped you changing your clothes into a swimsuit and all of you went straight outside in the garden.

For some minutes, you were running around in the garden, you jumped above toys and things who were in the grass. But you quickly got tired and went back to your Daddies who were laying on a towel.

When you were back on your feet, your Papa played with you, throwing you in the aire and chasing you around the garden. Laughters were heard through all the day, bringing joy in the little family.

But now your Daddies find you more calm than they thought you would've be. Yes, you played a lot and spend all your energy outside but usually you still have energy in your tiny body, you always succeed by finding some.

"Do you want to play again, sweetie ?" Your Papa asks, stroking the back of your head. You nod your head and stand up, your Daddy winces quietly when he sees all the strengh you had to put on your body to stand up, it's not normal.

Your Papa noticed too and instead of running after you, he runs toward you. He lifts you in his arms "what's wrong, sweetheart ?" he asks. Your head falls on his shoulder "m' hot, Papa" you say closing your eyes.

Steve looks up at Bucky with worried eyes as Bucky stands up, he quickly walks toward the both of you "did she wore a cap during the day ?" Bucky asks as he reaches you. "No she didn't, you were there Bucky, how did you wanted to miss it" he says rolling his eyes.

Bucky checks your forehead and he frowns "baby, you're really hot up there" He points. Steve snaps his attention to you and checks by himself your forehead.

He curses under his breath when he feels how hot your head is "Buck, take her while I grab our things" he says, handing you to your Daddy. When you switch arms, you immediately wrap yourself around your Daddy and rest your head on his shoulder, just like you had done with your Papa

It feels so nice when your Daddy steps into the fresh house. The weather is much more better inside than outside, your Daddies made sure that the house were fresh enough for you to not get sick.

"let's get you better" Your Daddy says kissing your forehead. He walks upstairs and sits you down on the toilet "i'll help you to shower, it'll be a little cold but it'll help you get better." he squeezes your hands before going in the shower.

By the time your Papa is back and is undressing you. He brought you a glass of cold water and you slowly drink it while they prepare you. Once you're ready for a shower, your Daddy lifts you up and put you in the shower "don't forget that it'll be a little colder than usual. I'll go step by step and if you want me to stop and take a break, you tell me, okay ?" he asks looking into your eyes.

You nod "Oki Daddy" You slowly say making him smile. He starts the water and wait until it reaches the right temperature. He starts by soaking your feet, his eyes switching from where he puts the water on you and your face "you okay ?" he asks and you nod

He rises the water along your legs in small jerks to be sure it's not too much in one go. It feels good the cold water running down your body, you were hot because of your day and because it simply was a hot day so even if you don't like cold shower, today you almost like it.

But you still feel your skin burning on some parts of your body "Daddy, it burn" you point out, whincing a little bit. Bucky looks at Steve really quickly and with one look, they know what the other think

Your Papa lefts the bathroom to go grab a soothing cream in case it's sunburns "it's ok, beautiful. Papa went to grab what you need" Your Daddy reassures you just before your Papa is back with everything you need in his hands.

Your Daddy finishes washing your hair and body before helping you going out of the shower. Of course when you step out you're really cold and it's not a surprise. But you're a lucky one, you see your Papa making his way toward you with a long towel in his hands. He's quick to wrap it around your soaking body and to dry you.

When he feels your forehead, it's not that hot anymore but it's still not good enough in his liking "okay, princess. What would you think if we go downstairs and spend the evening in front of a movie you picked ?" Your eyes light up and you nod making them chuckle "alright but I just want one thing from you" your Papa adds grabbing your attention, he lifts you up and rests you on the counter beside the sink

"I want you to have a cold towel against your forehead until the towel isn't that cold anymore. Are you okay with that ?" he asks and once again, you nod. He smiles down at you and grabs the soothing cream you need.

He gently applies the cream where he sees some sunburns on your body. The fresh thing feels good on the burning area and you sigh in contentement.

Once he's done, he kisses the tip of your nose and helps you getting in your pyjama. Your Daddies know that it'll be too hot under your cover tonight but they also know that you won't sleep without your cover so they chose a pyjama were you'll feel good in.

Your Daddy picks you up once you're ready to go downstairs and walks in the living room. He rests you on his laps while your Papa went to grab a towel in the kitchen. Your Daddy starts stroking your hair while you play with his vibranium fingers "cool, aren't they ?" he asks with a grin but you shake your head smiling

He chuckles "are you sure ?" he teases and starts to wiggles his fingers in your belly and side making you giggle and laugh. You squirm on his laps and tries to push his hand away "what ?" he laughs "are you gonna admit that my arm is the coolest ?" he asks turning a finger in your belly button while his other fingers still tickle your belly.

You nod your head "ye-heheh-s" you say between giggles but that doesn't stop your Daddy. He keeps tickling you until another voice is heard from behind you "She told you what you wanted to hear. Stop torturing her" Your Papa playfully rolls his eyes as he walks to the couch.

He puts a cold towel against your forehead and gently kisses your nose "what do you want to watch, beautiful ?" your Daddy asks as he strokes your belly to throw away the ticklish sensation

[chevvy-yates]

WIP WEDNESDAY WHENEVER

Ayoo I know I have been tagged in the past but I don'#'t remember who it was so I just make a new one.

Trying to keep it short.

I am currently spending my lil freetime and energy on doing charts for @gloryride pride runner suits and Oscar opening the whole thing with the Rainbow theme already is so cute <3

also have a look at these two:

Vijay too cute, and Ryder my spolied child always sneaking back saying "take pics of me! See I smile just for u" makes every shitty day better imediately.

and some writing I did recently and find turned out nicely (all Ryder):

“Sometimes I just imagine how it must be to flow weightless, like a satellite, in the black sky, and I daydream about things way beyond this atmosphere — That’s why I want to fly to the moon someday.” — Ryder talking to Thyjs about space/moon topics

“Physicality – The human body likes that. It’s just that simple. See, the repetitive ‘thud, thud, thud’ of technoise is similar to what our heart does: it beats. And each beat is sending positive energy that reverberates both physically and mentally through the mind and soul, leaving no space for doubts, stress or other headaches. The simplicity of technoise simplifies your thinking. Its characteristic repetitiveness helps you transcend the banality of life, and resonates with the idea of persistence that more often than not sparks motivation in me. It gets my inner gears working.” — Ryder on why he likes Technoise

Cooling raindrops are dashing softly onto his heated face and he feels unusual relaxation wallowing into him. He sensed the smell of petrichor already the last time he'd been up for some fresh air some hours earlier. The scent heralded thick in the air. Rain for him wasn’t just water pattering down from the sky. For him it’s one of the rare things that are able to make him feel sedated, and to dwell in a kind of nostalgia with the world around him suddenly feeling smaller. The harder it rains the better, but feeling these current soothing droplets feeding his burned body was just as good. So he just chooses to sit and welcomes each drop his body is able to collect like a potted plant that had been forgotten to water for a longer while. It makes him release the tension in his muscles from the hard dance workout underground. The feel of each drop on his skin is amazing. No one else can feel for him. Only he can let it in. And no one else can say the words on his lips. “Some feel the rain, and others just get wet.” — Ryder out in the rain taking a break from raving

tagging:

@gloryride, @breezypunk, @astarionhistears, @elvenbeard, @dreamskug, @aggravateddurian, @rosapexa, @wanderingaldecaldo, @shivsghost, @wraithsoutlaws and everyone who has to show something new! As always; no pressure <3

[galadae]

clouded thoughts and sunlight (rewrite)

rating: M pairing: calantha lenn/hien rijin words: 1.8k summary: calantha wakes to find she must deal with responsibilies and her feelings. notes: this is a rewrite! it occurs after blame the rain. it was one of the first things I ever wrote for them and I liked the concept but wanted to add more context. ao3 link

Calantha floats in the hazy gap between dreams and waking. The mattress is warm, and the air of the room cool on her face–a perfect contrast that makes her reluctant to leave the heavy coziness of the comforter. She stretches a foot out from beneath it. No need to open her eyes just yet. It's not as if she has an urgent reason to rise.

Birdsong and voices drift through the window, breaking her bubble of calm. Voices? What time is it? She moves her arm up and brushes against something warm. Solid. Another person. Alarm jolts through her mind as her eyes fly open. She blinks in the sunlight.

Oh. 

This is not her room. Her brow furrows in a brief second of panicked confusion until a flood of images from the night before brings her back to reality. The fervent kisses, scattered clothes and heated passions had ended in a sleep so deep, for a moment she'd forgotten where she was.

She turns her head to see Hien still asleep. He rests on his back, face tilted away from her. Light streams through the window lattice onto the mattress around them, shedding bright patterns on his face. A small snore drifts from his open mouth. His hair is spread across the pillow in black ribbons. Calantha finds herself smiling as she watches. It would be easy to curl up in the blankets once more, holding him close until he wakes—

Shit. The negotiations. The thought sends a fresh wave of panic through her. She groans. What possessed her to spend the night here, of all places, when she had to be ready for anything in the morning? She buries her face in her hands for a moment, and pushes the comforter back. Time to be up. There’s no telling what the day will hold. She sits up and stops. He wouldn't want to be late either. 

"Hien," she whispers. She touches his shoulder. He stirs with a deep breath and mumbles something she can't make out. 

"Hey." She shakes him. "Wake up." 

His brow furrows and he sighs, but his eyes stay shut.

"Hien." She grasps both his shoulders, leaning closer to his ear. His eyelids flicker open. Seeing her face so close, he blinks in surprise before offering her a confused smile. “Calantha?" 

"We need to get ready,” she says, pulling back. She holds the comforter against her chest, partly from the chill in the room, partly from the hint of self consciousness creeping through her. Not that he didn't see everything last night. 

He sits up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. His eyes scan the room, as if he too has to remember where he is. “Indeed,” he says after a moment, noting the light from the windows. He yawns and shakes his head. “Thank you for waking me. I trust you slept well?”

The blanket lies bunched at his waist, leaving his chest bare. His hair falls in a tangled mess around his shoulders. He grins up at her.  

Calantha can't keep herself from staring. If they had the time, she'd bury herself in the blankets and pull him down with her. Perhaps he’d like a repeat of last night—

Her cheeks grow warm at thought. She rises and turns away. Best not to think about whether he’s watching her. No use getting distracted now. 

"I slept well enough," she says. She busies herself with picking her clothes from the mess around the futon. In truth it had been many months since she'd slept so soundly. Her heart all but melts remembering how they'd held  each other as she drifted off. It was nice to have someone to sleep next to again. She pushes the thought away. Best not to dwell on it. That was last night, and now it was time to leave. I was simply tired enough to sleep through the night, she thinks. That's all.  

She pulls on her underwear and grabs her shirt. It's dry, with a web of creases from sitting damp on the floor all night. She shakes it out. It makes no difference. Calantha sighs. Nothing to be done about it. Perhaps she can quickly change once she returns to her quarters. 

The pile of scattered clothes hides her trousers, somewhere. She lifts loose belts, chords and sashes, even the edge of the comforter, with no luck. She groans. Gods only know where they ended up.

She drops the blanket in frustration. 

Hien looks on, amused. "Are you searching for something?" 

"My trousers," Calantha says, giving him a pointed look. "As I recall, you were the last to touch them. Any idea where they’d be?"

"Ah," he says. He throws back the blankets. "I shall help you look."

He begins pulling on his own clothes. Calantha pushes past him to search against the wall. Part of her wishes she hadn’t woken him so he didn't have to see her disheveled and rushing to prepare. She runs a hand through her hair. I need to leave. 

"Ha!" he exclaims. She turns to see him holding the dark fabric and leather she'd been looking for.

"Thank you," she says, not meeting his eyes. She shakes them out. They're just as wrinkled as her shirt. 

"Are you hungry?" Hien asks. "We could eat together. We have a little time before we concern ourselves with our journey in earnest.” He fastens the tie on his own trousers. "Better to face the day with food in our stomachs." The yellow fabric of his dogi lies in a pile at his feet. He picks it up.

Calantha shakes her head. "Hien...I'm sure Alisae is wondering where I am." She glances down at her rumpled shirt. "And I don't know how I'm going to explain myself if anyone sees me. For discretion, I could leave by another door, or a window—" 

Hien laughs. "Don't worry. Everyone knows we had an important meeting we both rose early for." He grins as he steps towards her, the dogi draped over one arm. 

She looks down at him, trousers clutched awkwardly in her hand. "Some meeting it was,” she says. A smile tickles the corners of her mouth. “Both of us alone in your quarters, and somehow we lost all our clothes..."

He chuckles. "Don't tell them that little detail." He takes her other hand. The sunlight from the window illuminates specks of amber, brown and green in his eyes. His gaze softens as it meets hers, his smile warmer than the sun on his face. He presses her fingers to his lips. So much for not getting distracted, she thinks.

She cups his cheek. Overcome with an unexpected happiness, Calantha leans down to kiss him. He smiles, his breath soft on her lips. She folds her arms around his neck and he returns the kiss, gentle and slow. He lets the dogi drop from his arm to the floor and slides his hands around her waist, thumbing the hem of her shirt. She wants nothing more than to melt into him again. Last night was only a sweet distraction, a short escape, but maybe—maybe it could be more. If they both wanted. It seems like he certainly does. She hums and leans against him. Perhaps they could remain like this, a little longer. Just half a bell...

"Won't you stay, just to break your fast?" he asks, with a kiss to her cheek. 

She laughs. "I'll admit, it sounds tempting." 

"How can I convince you?" 

"I'll have to think on it," she says. She rests her cheek on his forehead as she lets her gaze wander around the room, considering what to ask of him. Surely it wouldn't hurt for her to stay, just for a moment. He leans against her, the sturdy warmth of his body a comfort from the morning chill.

And it's one comfort she should not allow herself, now. What are you doing? The thought springs into her mind, the cold logic she pushed away last night returned in full force. You have too many counting on you. Too much to bear at this moment. How will you stop this from ending the same as the last? With him bleeding out in front of you? 

Her smile fades. She doesn't know the answer. 

"Well? What is your answer?" He gives her a playful kiss on the chin. 

She shuts her eyes.

"No. I can't." Calantha pulls away. Feelings are a complication I don’t need right now.

He steps back. "I see." Disappointment clouds his face.

She stares at him, filled with guilt. She can't decide if she should try to explain herself, or pull him close again, or leave. She drops her gaze to the patterned wood of the floor.

"Perhaps last night was too much, then?" His voice is light, cutting through the sudden awkward pause. “You will not offend me to admit it.” He gives her a brief smile as he waits for her to speak.

Last night was lovely. I want to do it again— She shakes her head. “No, I just—that's not—"  Words catch in her throat. She reaches for his hand. She can sense his apprehension as she speaks. "I'm sorry, Hien. I'm not ready for this."

He pauses, studying her face for a long moment. His expression softens again, and he looks down at their hands clasped together. He squeezes hers. "For what?" he says, letting go.

She stares at him, not sure what to say. 

Hien reaches up to brush a strand of hair behind her ear. "There need not be more between us than we made of it last night, Calantha." He gives her a wry smile. "I expect no promises. You have your duties, and I mine. If you need a little solace in between, I won't refuse you.” He bends to pick his clothes from the floor. "Besides, you are right. This is not the time."

She watches him, deflated. Maybe he isn't in love with me. The thought perplexes her. It's her turn to study him. Had she really been so wrong? Why else would he have asked her to stay? 

Hien stops at the puzzled look on her face. He puts a hand on her arm. "Are you all right?" His face is full of genuine concern. 

Her heart aches at the softness in his eyes. Calantha stares at his hand. You said you weren't ready. Why are you disappointed when he doesn't want what you thought? 

"Yes. I should go." She ducks her head and busies herself finding the rest of her things. 

"If you're to leave," he says with a chuckle, "I believe you should put on your trousers." 

Calantha knows it's an attempt to lighten the moment, but she's no longer in the mood for jokes. She sighs. "Of course. We wouldn't want a scandal, after all." 

[c-rose2081]

Of Sirens Deep — [Chapter 2]

—

—

The afternoon sun was blazing hot.

Aunt Frenrise and I sat in the front row of many wooden seats, the congregation facing to the East. We were surrounded by other members of Macatanian society, as well as the families of naval officers accompanying their varying ranks. There was no person in attendance who wasn’t sweating. Gem and silk draped women had their fans and parasols, while men kept cool under the shade of their hats. Atop the Eastern wall, practically silhouetted in the afternoon, a line of navalman blocked the view of the trade harbor with their uniform clad bodies.

Cousin Elias stood front and center, his normally scraggly appearance now combed and well tended. He even had his long pale hair done nicely, knotted into a small ponytail and tied with a silken ribbon. Despite looking his rank for once, I fought back a snort at the cocky, prideful expression which rested on his face. He hadn’t changed at all, military be damned.

Elias, unlike any other new recruit, was skipping over the basic Naval training to become a commanding Officer. With Papa’s rank on Macatania alongside Aunt Frenrise’s economic influence, Elias was much better suited to simply looking good in the uniform, rather than being of any use. Thankfully, Macatania hadn’t seen battle in years, merely defending against the occasional pirate. Hopefully it stayed that way.

Catalina, Elias’s fiancé, was easy to spot directly to his right. Her corngold hair was tucked into a swan feathered hat, while a maid held a parasol to protect her from the heat. She was dabbing meekly at her eyes, occasionally sending lovesick gazes towards her husband-to-be. Focusing on my fan rather than the ceremony, I listened with closed eyes as Macatania’s Naval Commander began to speak.

“Do you, Elias Marcus Pennrose, promise in any and all circumstances to defend, protect and honor the Isle of Macatania? To give whatever is necessary, be it your own life, to serve our homeland?”

“Yes, sir.”

I turned as Aunt Frenrise made a strangled noise beside me, tears pouring down her face as she struggled not to ruin her handkerchief. Despite the dramatic display, one which caused more than a few curious glances, I continued to fan myself with one hand and scratched mindlessly at my arm using the other. On my back, Amaris’s sunbam oil had dried up, leaving the rash to fester. It was no help that the heat today was terribly dry.

The East Harbor was practically a stone fortress on the steepest cliff Macatania had to offer. The structure blocked any pleasant sea breeze which could bring relief, while natural foliage had been removed in favor of tall, defendable walls. I fanned a bit faster, praying the ceremony would be over soon.

“…then I honor you with this saber, Officer Elias Pennrose of Macatania. May it serve you well.”

I glanced up as Elias accepted a silver sword with a golden tassel on the end. Aunt Frenrise was the first to stand, clapping in vigor for her only son. The crowd followed suit, breaking the ceremonial atmosphere into something more casual. With the noise as a cue, I slapped my fan shut and stood as well, pausing when Aunt Frenrise caught my skirt with her fingers.

“Aria? Where are you going?”

“I just need some air.” I replied. “I’ll only be a moment.”

My aunt frowned, her eyes looking this way and that. But she eventually relented and I excused myself politely from the crowd. No doubt this ceremony would be a chance for high society to mingle with each other. Something I wanted to avoid, if possible. Papa may have been a Lord in Macatania, but he was never stuffy or elegant. He didn’t find spending time with high society interesting or worth his time, either.

The man wore buckles and bracelets better than Aunt Frenrise ever did. I could still smell his big leather coat after it rained and feel the scarf he used to cover his hair. Papa always jingled with beads and metal adornments, causing a ruckus wherever he went. There were many instances he would return home smeared in oil from the docks, or soaking wet from falling into the harbor. He never cared about all the fancy stuff which came with lordship. He’d been a sailor, a good one at that, and I wished nothing more than to sink into one of his salty hugs and disappear.

Wandering to the edge of the East Wall, I found myself away from the party, hidden in a small piece of shade. From this position I had a perfect view of the harbor from an old canon station, the gun either removed or fallen into the sea years ago. I was able to relish in the ocean breeze while observing the cresting whitewater swathing around the rocks below. The fall was long and treacherous—it was hard to imagine pirates once having scaled it in attempts to pillage this quarter of the island. So distracted by the view, I jumped as someone cleared their throat behind me.

“Apologies, Lady Pennrose. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Officer Ambrose.” I sighed, placing a hand on my chest to slow my heart. “I didn’t hear you coming.”

Officer Ambrose was at least five years my senior, straight and tall like any Naval Officer should be. I suppose there was a handsomeness to him, but his face was still childlike somehow, soft and unscarred by any hardship. His brown eyes were dull, while his smile was much too white. Seeing as Macatania’s Navy had very little to do besides arresting smugglers and blasting cannonballs into the ocean for no reason, it didn’t surprise me that he was always so well dressed.

“Hm. It’s dazzling, isn’t it?” He mused, taking a few steps to meet me by the wall and looking out over the harbor. “My father brought me here when I was just a boy.”

“Oh?” I removed my fan again, using it to gently air out my face which was still warm from the afternoon.

“Yes. He stood me up on this wall and said ‘Son, the sea is a cruel mistress meant to be conquered by man. One day, you’ll be the one to conquer it.’ His words struck me—it has been my dream to become a navy officer ever since.”

I hid my cringe at the word ‘conquered’ and ‘mistress’ in the same sentence. Like Aunt Frenrise, Officer Nathan Ambrose was a traditional man of society. He had expectations of a wife, expectations I knew would make me miserable. And though some girls like Catalina swooned for a man who could care for them, I was not in the majority, despite Aunt Frenrise’s wishes of me.

“How fascinating.” I said blandly, staring out at the waves to avoid meeting Ambrose’s keen gaze again. “It’s an awfully big ocean. I’m sure there is a world of things yet to be discovered. Perhaps there’s something out there man is not meant to see.”

“Doubtful. We are the most powerful force in the world. There is little we cannot claim. Though, I’ve learned that I have a duty to Macatania as much as I do the sea. Don’t you agree, Aria?”

“I suppose,” I frowned, fluttering my fan a bit faster. Being on a first name basis made me nervous—and not in a good way. “Papa always said to follow your own compass. It’s hard to do that when I’ve never even left the island.”

“My condolences about your Father.” Ambrose tilted his head, folding his arms behind his back. “Lord Pennrose was a good man.”

“Thank you.”

“Have you given any thought to your future?” He wondered aloud then, shooting me a curious glance over his shoulder. I shrugged in return, itching my arm only to wince faintly at its burn.

“It’s been brought up. Though I haven’t made any decisions.”

“And….Lady Frenrise has informed you that I’ll be making an offer soon?”

“Yes.”

“This is all a bit formal,” Ambrose complained, shuffling on his boots as he reached up to remove his hat. This revealed a head of brunette hair, shimmering with sweat from being in the sun all afternoon. “Your Aunt will be in charge of the dowry, as is traditional. But to you I offer my unending loyalty. I would take care of you, Aria. Without a father in your life, you need a man’s protection. Someone to keep you safe. I can offer that, if you’d do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

I blinked and stopped fanning as Ambrose knelt on one knee and removed a ring box from his uniform pocket. Inside was nestled a ring of the deepest red sapphire, set on a brassy band. Suddenly my Aunt’s insistence that I speak with Ambrose made a suspicious amount of sense.

“Oh Ambrose….”

Not sure what to say or do next, I rose to stand only to gasp as pain exploded behind my eyes. So focused on Ambrose’s sudden proposal, I didn’t hear the noise which had been tugging at the back of my mind. Now, it was like a thousand different voices all singing a different song. The roar was so great that my knees collapsed as my fan was whisked over the wall, vanishing from sight.

“Aria? Aria what’s wrong?” I felt two firm arms grasp my shoulders as I placed my hands over my ears, clenching my jaw hard. Boxed in by my arms, I finally noticed the red rash which had blossomed up the inside of my wrist—the same I had been picking at all afternoon. The same as on my back. Was it spreading?

“Sir!” Another guard called someplace behind me. “We have movement in the water!”

I cracked an eye open just as Ambrose left me, his figure leaning over the wall.

“Don’t just stare, you idiot.” He snarled. “Shoot it!”

There was a scramble and a few gunshots, but my brain was too fuzzy to make much sense of it. Then, as quickly as the noise began, it stopped. The dull roar was replaced with a calm, lilting sort of melody. I couldn’t help my sigh of relief, shakily removing my hands from my ears.

‘Aria.’

The new female voice was distant and faint, echoing as though in a deep cave. I felt blind as I stood, turning to the horizon where the ocean waited. ‘We finally found you.’ She whispered tenderly, ‘Come to us. Come.’

I stepped nearer the edge, only faintly aware of the guards huddled in the nearby tower, staring down into the water.

‘Aria. Come to the sea. Come with us. Jump. Jump, child.’

I placed a shoe on the lowest part of the canon settlement, leaning dangerously over the side. Down below, it almost looked like someone was laid out across the rocks. I almost couldn’t see them; the skin was murky and camouflaged with the shore. But something long and transparent made the water bubble in a strange way near the edge of the bank, it’s trunk faintly glistening like sea glass.

‘Jump! Jump, Aria!’

“Aria, don’t!”

I was only falling for a second before a strong hand grabbed the hem of my bodice. I was thrown back to the ground, away from the wall as the voice faded. This left behind a horrible pulsing sensation, keeping time with my heart as I struggled to find a breath.

“Aria, darling?” I could recognize Aunt Frenrise at once, her hands coming to rest on my cheeks. “What happened?”

“Siren song.” Ambrose sounded out of breath, growling through his teeth. “I want that monster dead! Don’t let it escape….”

The man vanished as I struggled to peel my eyes open, my Aunt’s hands gently running down my face.

“You’re alright Aria,” she whispered, running a hand through my hair. “Ambrose will kill the creature that did this to you. Rest now, we’ll get you home where it’s safe.”

— — —

The sunset didn’t bring any relief from the heat.

My room was muggy from the blistering day, so much so that Amaris had to toss the window and balcony doors open to try and catch a breeze. I laid on top of my covers, staring at the ceiling and counting cracks in the plaster. Oceans & Islands sat beside me on the bedside table, open to the page I left it on this morning.

“Just hold still, milady. This may burn a touch.”

The rash had spread during the day. Where I thought it was only on my back and wrist, patches of searing red skin had cropped up across my whole body. No place was untouched, as the condition now trailed down my neck, ribs, arms, legs and even between my fingers and toes. My cheeks had gone rosy with small blisters, while the skin around my ears had gone dry. Amaris was doing what she could with the sunbam oil, but even that didn’t seem to help. I couldn’t stop myself from twitching away as she gently applied the balm, clenching my teeth hard. “I’m sorry.”

“This is torture, Amaris.”

“It spread much faster than I thought it would.”

“Do you know what it is?” I wondered honestly, exhaling a long, tired breath as Amaris took a break.

“No, milady. Some kind of illness, I suppose. I’m sure you’ll be fine again in a few days.”

I frowned, glancing at my maid and friend of almost seventeen years. She had been my caregiver ever since I was born, helping both Papa and Aunt Frenrise raise me. I knew her almost as well as I knew myself. And currently, Amaris was avoiding eye contact, focusing on applying sunbam oil to whatever she could find. She was lying to me.

“Do you know much about sirens?” I asked her finally, returning my focus to the ceiling. “I don’t…what happened today. I don’t understand.”

“I only know what I’ve heard in stories, milady. And what Lady Frenrise told me of this afternoon, of course.”

“What have you heard?”

“You know the tales as well as I. Sirens are creatures of the deep sea that lure sailors to their deaths with beautiful music.”

“That’s it?”

“As far as I know. Though, I suppose there’s not much reason a siren song couldn’t affect a female keen to sail.” Amaris lifted her brows knowingly. “Your Aunt is a terrible gossip, you know. Now hold still, please.”

Amaris was lying again, I could see it in how she focused her attention on her work and tried to deflect the conversation. But, not having the energy to badger her, I instead removed fathers pendant from my nightdress and flipped it between my fingers, watching the blue glass flicker in evening candlelight.

“I wonder if Papa ever encountered a siren.”

“The sea is a dark and mysterious place,” Amaris sighed. “I’m sure there are plenty of things Lord Pennrose saw that no one else would believe.”

“Maybe. I can’t help but think there were things he never told me.” I was saddened by that thought, tucking the amulet back where it belonged as Amaris draped a cool washcloth over my forehead.

“Don’t somber yourself, milady. Your Pa loved you very much. He would’ve come back to you if nature hadn’t intervened.”

“Ambrose said the sea is meant to be conquered by man. Do you suppose that’s true?”

“They can certainly try, but the sea is known as a cruel mistress for a reason.” Amaris’s dark eyes crinkled with humor. “She’s not a fan of men dirtying her waters. Your father knew that—he didn’t ever try to wrangle the sea.”

I couldn’t help but smile, accepting the answer with a small head tilt. Unfortunately, the quiet didn’t last long as a noise caused both of us to startle. I didn’t recognize it at first, mistaking such a rumble for thunder. Sitting up curiously, I couldn’t see much out the open balcony window.

“Was that thunder?”

“I don’t know, milady.” Amaris admitted, rising to her feet and going to the balcony. She was only there for a second before her arms rapidly slammed the doors shut, locking them in haste.

“Amaris?”

“We have to go.” She said breathlessly, moving to the open window and shutting it as well. “Get up, child. Quickly.”

“What’s going on?”

“Pirates.”

“Pirates?” I blinked owlishly, furrowing my brows as my friend practically ran around the room, looking for something though I had no idea what. “But Macatania is a fortress. No pirates are foolish enough to plunder here.”

“This is different,” Amaris gasped, turning to me again. “Get up, tie your hair back. We don’t have much time.”

“But why are we leaving?” I wondered, being sure to grab Oceans & Islands from the bedside table. “The Navy will handle it.”

“Aria listen to me,” Amaris took my shoulders, holding them tight as she gave me a small shake. “Since the beginning of time, wherever there are sirens, there are pirates that follow. Not scraggly, unorganized pirates looking for quick loot, but massive armadas with the power to destroy everything in their path. It’s not safe here.”

“But Aunt Frenrise….”

“She knows what to do; she’ll be fine. Aria, please. You must trust me.”

Staring into Amaris’s eyes—someone who had only ever cared for me—I nodded as she cradled my cheek. “Good girl. Now get your coat on.”

Swallowing thickly and my previous pain forgotten, I quickly shrugged into my leather coat and kicked on a pair of boots which sat near the door. I made sure to put Oceans & Islands in the deepest pocket, as to not lose it. Amaris was better prepared, a satchel of packed clothing shoved into my arms. I stared at it for a moment, gaping as the woman opened a trap door leading straight down.

“Did…did you expect something like this to happen?” I wondered, passing the satchel back to her as she began to descend a ladder.

��I don’t have time to explain now, Aria….”

BANG!

The walls rattled as something slammed into the downstairs doors.

BANG! BANG!

“Someone’s trying to break in.”

“Then we needn’t waste any more time.”

“But my aunt….”

“Already gone by now,” Amaris gasped, extending her hand. “Come on.”

Frowning, I followed my friend down into the darkness, closing the door behind me just as the sound of splintering wood and footsteps reached my ears. I couldn’t necessarily see where we were going, but Amaris did, keeping a tight grip on my hand as we weaved through a tunnel. She didn’t say a word, not even as we reached a door at the end and were spat out into the alley not far from the house. “Not a word.” She hissed in my ear. “Stay close, don’t slow down and don’t stop for anything. Ok?”

“O-ok.”

Amaris tugged my arm, beginning a run through Macatania’s streets. The air was filled with screaming and cannon fire—the same sound I’d heard earlier. Fires caused low clouds to glow orange and red, while an ashy haze descended the further we got from home. I wanted to ask where the military was, but kept my jaw shut. A few times, Amaris forcefully pulled me to one side as dark silhouettes ran by us, only their wild dark hair and gleaming swords visible in pale firelight.

To say I was afraid was an understatement. Papa told me stories about his encounters with Pirates—their ruthlessness and wolfish nature. If what Amaris said was true, these pirates were especially dangerous. But why and for what , I didn’t quite understand. Could the presence of one siren really bring hellfire down on an entire island? What could siren’s offer to pirates anyway?

Shaking out of my thoughts as we ducked and weaved in and out of dark alleyways and under eaves, my chest felt like it would explode from exertion by the time we reached a grassy knoll overlooking the southeast part of the island. Though not as steep and treacherous as the eastern part, the ocean swelled dangerously at the bottom. I hadn’t thought about how to escape when we lived on an island.

“Why didn’t we go to the harbor?” I gasped as Amaris looked out to the horizon. The moon was fully obscured by ash-haze now, while much of Macatania was ablaze. “What are we doing?”

“Do you still trust me?” She asked, passing the satchel back into my arms. I hesitantly nodded, only to squeak as something loud cracked through the air. Amaris shrieked in pain, grasping at her arm as I took a wide step back. Undefined figures were running up the hill towards us, their outlines illuminated by the blazing buildings and smoky sky. One of them had a pistol aimed right at us.

I didn’t have time to think before I felt a firm hand on my back. With a single hard shove I was suddenly falling. The wind whipped past my hair as I stared up at the cliff, Amaris’s dark shadow looking down. She had pushed me over the edge, only to vanish as hands grabbed her from behind.

“Amaris!”

The name was stolen from my throat as my back hit the cold water. Salt flooded my lungs, the satchel still slung across my chest weighing me down as I sank. Each wave pulled my body further out to sea as I clawed wildly with my hands, unable to tell which way was up or down. With each second, the orange glow of the sky faded further and further away.

Then, it all stopped.

I heard my father’s voice in my mind. ‘If you ever find yourself drowning, stop fighting. You’re more likely to survive by letting the ocean take you, rather than trying to control it.’

So I stopped. I stopped fighting, thrashing and clawing. Instead, I let the waves surge and pull as they pleased, rocking my body as it continued to sink. It was peaceful, away from the fear and confusion. Opening my lips, a column of bubbles ascended towards the distant surface. The last of my precious air. I didn’t know why Amaris had pushed me over the edge of a cliff, nor why she asked me to trust her. But there was one thing I was certain of.

I was probably going to die here.

—

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Thank you for all those who read the first chapter :) I’ll be sure to link these together at some point when Tumblr doesn’t be stupid about links in posts. Until then, cheers 🏴‍☠️🧜🏽‍♀️

If you want to be tagged whenever a new chapter drops let me know! :3

[wakeup-awg]

Meet me in the pouring rain | July 15th

[Sophie | Alex]

It had been hot as hell the last couple of days and when the AC in the house broke and staying in their van with three kids wasn't an option, Alex's parents had been nice enough to agree to take the kids for a few days until the AC would be fixed or at least the weather was gonna cool down a bit. Alex was spending most of the time barely dressed now, with really just his swimming trunks on and trying to spend loads of time in the pool or the basement where it was a few degrees colder than in the rest of the house. It was the weekend, so nobody was gonna come to check the AC until Monday and Alex was tossing and turning all night in an attempt to sleep while he felt like his body was burning hot. He wasn't sure how Sophie did it, or whether she was actually in bed sleeping because with how hot it was, there was no way he was actually gonna agree on cuddles.

When the heat wave hit it was roasting hot but they had had AC until they didn’t. Now it wasn’t like she hadn’t been without air before in the UK it wasn’t as common and really they had it because she paid extra for it when she had moved into apartments or lofts. So when the AC broke and it wasn’t helped by the few fans and mini ACs she had found to plug in his parents were gracious enough to take the kids because she couldn’t have them getting sick. Most of the night she slept directly in front of her little mini AC that was really just a fan that used water to help cool them down but it definitely didn’t cool down a room or anything. Finally as some point she slipped off the bed, she had taken to walking around in a bralette and tiny underwear to keep as cool as possible before going downstairs and without thinking turned on Taylor swifts newest re released album and started to sing and dance along not realizing the music was incredibly loud and blasting Taylor swift now through the house.

Alex groaned. He had been dozing on and off between feeling way too hot and the little sleep didn't help his general mood, it being so hot left him uncomfortable and a little grumpy. When he stirred now, he heard music blasting and frowned, rolling over to find the bed empty and deciding to try and get more sleep. Except now he couldn't because whatever break up song from Speak Now TV was blasting /loudly/ through the house. "God damn it," he muttered as he peeled himself out of bed and padded downstairs to find the source of the music. "The hell is going on here?" Alex had to almost yell over the music when he found Sophie dancing to the music.

At this point she needed distraction from the heat after she set up a fan and turned on the music. Of course she had been listening to the album since it’s release on repeat as if it was her life happening right in front of her. So she sang along to Haunted her voice loud with the music “he will try to take to take away my pain and he just might make me smile but the whole time I’m wishing he was you instead. Ohhh I’m holding my breath won’t see you again something keeps me holding onto nothing. Come come don’t leave me like this I thought I had you figured out…” her voice following the music and her body dancing around the kitchen r even though it was hot and dancing into the living room. “COME ON COME DONT LEAVE ME LIKE THIS I THOUGHT I HAD YOU FIGURED OUT CANT GO BACK IM HAUNTED” you would think she wasn’t happily engaged with the way she sang. Spinning around she brushed her face out of her face as the next song stopped. “Distracting myself from the heat” before starting to sing Timeless her song from the vault without thinking much.

He watched her with a frown on his face and folded his arms in front of his chest. "By dancing?" he asked, fully confused as she broke right out into the next song and he shook his head. "Are you trying to tell me anything?" he questioned. Of course he knew singing along to songs didn't necessarily mean you felt exactly that same way as said in the song, but he was sleep deprived, hot and grumpy and that clearly didn't help.

She knew Alex was grumpy, he always naturally warm as it was and add in the extra heat was making him miserable but she tried not to let that sway her to end up arguing with him. "I mean dancing is a distraction might not cool me down but still it distracts me." Plus Taylor Swift. A laugh left her lips, shaking her head, "Are you being paranoid now?" as she swayed her hips as Last Kiss came on and she sang along dancing to the slow beat. "I never thought we'd have a last kiss, never imagined we'd end like this....you name forever the name on my lips." Her hips swaying and dancing around the living room eye closed.

He let out a grunt when she questioned whether he was paranoid now. "No, but apparently we're in two very different stages of this relationship," he grumbled, unfolding his arms and reaching up to ruffle his hand through his hair. "You're gonna have to turn this down, people are trying to sleep here," he huffed, pointing to the speakers, not like she could see anyway because she was swaying with her eyes closed.

A laugh left her lips when he said they were in two very different stages in their relationship. They weren't, "I can't help that Taylor Swift has amazing songs." Of course he might be sensitive if he knew anything about who her songs were about and that Last Kiss was about Joe Jonas, but it had nothing to do with that. She just was a Taylor Swift fan, and he knew that. Moving towards him finally she took his arms. "Dance with me?" she asked, knowing he was grumpy but she didn't care really.

"Yeah, very depressing ones too. Would be better if there were any where she's happily engaged," he muttered as Sophie came towards him and took his arms. "You realize our AC broke, right? It's way too fucking hot to be dancing," he argued, but his tired body gave in too her demand all too easily and let her pull him along to sway together.

"They're super good songs, and like it's not like album you just released didn't have depressing songs." she pointed out. "Alexa play Enchanted by Taylor swift." she said as he grumbled about it being too hot. Placing his hands on her almost bare hips, "You're grumpy." she murmured pulling him into her body, her arms wrapping around him. "It was enchanting to meet you." she whispered against his ear. Singing along to the song as they danced in the dim living light.

"I'm not singing them at the top of my lungs in the middle of the night though," he murmured as she started a different song and pulled him in more, his hands easily resting against her hips like it was just where they were meant to be and he let out a soft sigh when he felt her body rest against his and her arms wrap around him. "I'm not," he argued even though he knew she was right, he was grumpy.. And very tired.

"It's not like you haven't before." she teased, or maybe more just verses but still, wasn't the point. "You are, very grumpy." she said as the song changed. "What would you do, if I went to touch you now, what would do..." before humming along a bit. "Cause I can see you waiting down the hall from me and I can see you up against the wall with me." she husked, into his ear, this one of Taylor’s songs playing to her advantage.

"It's because it's way too fucking hot," he almost whined. "Monday can't come soon enough so someone's gonna fix this temperature. You know it'd be so much easier if one of us had the knowledge to fix the AC," he kept on grumbling, but truth was she was easily starting to distract him now, from the heat and from the tiredness. "Too bad we're not actually pressed up against a wall," he mumbled with a soft sigh.

"It is hot but you have to distract yourself instead of just focusing on the heat." she said knowing that it was hard she was warm too. "Well unfortunately we don't have that knowledge, and we could have gone to a hotel, we have the staff for the animals." she pointed out. "I mean... we could be pressed up against the wall." she husked as she swayed her hips to the beat of the song.

"But I like it here," he grumbled with a sigh. He loved being on the road and being up on stage and with the boys, but he actually did enjoy being home on the farm in between, including taking care of their animals and not just let someone else do that for them.  His fingers gripped into her hips slightly at her words. "And yet you keep making me dance with you," he said, like it was simply her doing and he wasn't genuinely swaying with her.

"I know you do but if you're going to be absolutely miserable  then I can go stay in a hotel by myself because I'm not going to end up arguing with you." Her voice was soft, she wasn't arguing, she was just stating she wasn't going to let them get to that point where they were nitpicking over silly things, like her singing to music. "Well when have you ever been one to be afraid to take charge." she husked, "And I can see you up against the wall with me." she purred an almost throaty noise to it.

"Why would I want you in a hotel by yourself?" Alex questioned like it was a very far fetched idea. "We're not arguing, it's just way too warm," he sighed and really, the way they were swaying now was probably the closest they had been since the AC broke. He could feel the warmth of her skin under the palms of his hands and he was sure his own skin was radiating heat at this point, but he didn't pull away from her. A frustrated groan left his lips at her reply and he sighed, his hands shifting now to slide around her waist to the small of her back and pull her in a little bit. He kept swaying with her, but slowly made their way across the room, more towards a wall so that he could trap her between that and him moments later.

"I don't think you do but if you're going to be miserable and end up with us arguing it's not worth it babe, the heat is not worth our sanity." she murmured as much as she loved their home. They hadn't really touched much since the AC had broken, which probably added to the grumpiness since they were a very intimate couple, not even just sex but being close, touchy, everything like that. He swayed with her but at some point he had her back pressed against the wall and she let out a slow, drawn out, breathy moan.

"The heat is definitely melting away our sanity," he grunted slightly. But he really wasn't going to actually argue with her. They swayed together until they weren't because he had her pressed against the wall and he sucked in a breath at the moan she let out. His hands slid up her sides and to her arms until he found her hands and laced their fingers together, lifting their arms up above their heads and pressing them against the wall. He had her trapped between the cool wall and him now and leaned in to capture her lips in a long overdue, deep kiss.

"It is and it's not worth it, if we're going to end up biting each other's heads off." Which was true. Though they seemed to be a bit more distracted at the moment. Feeling his fingers trace down her arms before sliding them up against the wall and over her head, pinning them there, her body all too willing to allow him to do it. His lips met hers, warm and heavy in a deep kiss that was needed between the pair.

He couldn't exactly be bothered to reply any more to that, now that he had her pinned against the wall, his mind could really only focus on that. He still felt hot, but there was a difference to it now that he felt her warm skin against his and he wondered briefly if laying closely together would've made falling asleep easier after all. The kiss was rather slow, but heavy and deep and it felt like they just needed that. Alex smiled into their kiss as his body pressed a little more into her, the little bit of clothing they had opted to to help deal with the heat really not much fabric between them.

Their minds were obviously now distracted by the kiss they were sharing. Her skin was warm, actually it felt hot, between the cold wall and his warm body but she didn't care now that the fact that his hands were on her body again. Their mouths moved slow with each other, that kind of kiss where you could tell it was just needing to taste each other on their lips. His body pressed into hers, feeling his bare skin press against her bare belly, only her bra and skimpy underwear keeping her barely covered. Really luckily no one else was in the house.

After a long moment of just kiss, Alex let go of one of her hands to drop his hand to her neck, feeling the warm skin against his hand. He let his teeth grace over her lips before breaking the kiss and tugging on her lower lip a little bit, a smile spread on his lips as he kept their faces so close together. The music was still playing and it caused Alex to chuckle softly. "Didn't think this album would be one anyone could ever consider having sex to," he murmured before sliding his hand to the back of her neck and be able to pull her in a little to resume their kiss again. It wasn't like they were having sex right now, but it was surely on his mind.

Her hand fell gently as he released one of them to cup her neck. He tugged at her lip eliciting a low growl from her throat. When he said he didn’t think this was an album anyone could have sex to  she laughed, “oh I beg to differ you could definitely have sex to some of these songs. Anger sex, sad sex, passionate sex, just depends on the song.” She murmured her free hand tracing down his abdomen and against the line of his boxer briefs. “First time for everything don’t you think?” Grinning as they were very obviously illuding to sex as she heard the soft rolling rumble of thunder in the distance.

Their kiss was shorter this time, broken to talk before their lips pressed together again. "Well this would fall into neither of those categories," he murmured against her lips. "It'd rather be 'too hot to sleep' sex," he chuckled softly before kissing her again. A soft groan left his lips as he felt her hand sliding down his bare skin and to the hem of his boxer briefs. "I mean I can't be bothered to change the music now," he said with a smirk, "so we can just test it out now." He chuckled softly into their kiss.

"Mmm I don't know angry sex, grumpy sex, it's pretty close." she pointed out giggling softly as his mouth met hers in a heated kiss for a moment. Hearing his groan, her fingers continuing to trace against the line of his boxer brief, fingers dipping in ever so slightly but never moving past the waistband as it travelled against his hot skin. "I enjoy testing out theories."

He let out a fake, snorted laugh. "I don't know what you're talking about, who's grumpy?" Her fingers moved teasingly against his skin, dipping into the waistband of the little clothing he was wearing and it easily urged him to let go of her other hand too so he could bring his hands to her sides, sliding up the skin until he found the hem of her bra. He didn't really tease like Sophie did, even though her skin was so warm, he started to take the bra off, because it was clearly in his way right now.

“My handsome, sexy, fiancée is grumpy.” She said without hesitation a grin playing on her skin. Her fingers continued to tease at his skin wanting to just keep him fully distracted by her. If he was distracted with her it’d be less about the actual heat and the heat between them. His hands moved to release her bra and she allowed him to pull it free of her and toss it away from them leaving her bare breasts for his viewing as she finally dipped her hand further into his boxer briefs and wrapped her hand around him starting to gently stroke him.

He scrunched up his nose at that, but he couldn't really argue with her, not when he knew she was kind of right about the grumpy part, and he'd rather listen to the handsome, sexy part anyway. They hands were on each others body and for that moment, Alex didn't really care about the heat. The warmth of their skin was radiating from them for sure, but that just gave more reason to get rid of the little clothes they were wearing, right? He took off the bra she was wearing to toss it aside and his eyes momentarily wandered down, lingered on her breasts and causing him to grin slightly before he glanced at her lips and then her eyes again and leaned in to kiss her. He moaned against her lips as her fingers wrapped around his length and started to stroke him. His hands found her breasts, cupping them and fondling as he parted his lips to dip his tongue against hers, deepening their kiss a little more.

Once her bra was removed she let him linger his eyes on her, her hand moving slow against his length to stroke him hard. It was something she figured wouldn’t be bad to start slow to build him where she knew he’d be so wanton for her. His hands grasped her breasts and she moaned into his mouth when he kissed her again, hands playing at her breasts as she started stroking him faster and harder in her hand.

There was just something about them together that left Alex's body naturally react to Sophie and he knew she was aware of the effect she had on him. Her hand felt so good around him and his length easily hardened at her touch so eventually he broke the kiss to rest his forehead against hers. "Fuck, baby," he breathed out, one hand sliding up to her cheek and letting his thumb brush over her jawline, then up a little to brush her lower lip. "Why do we even bother to have clothes on when it's so hot?" he muttered, hips moving into her touch slightly. Despite the heat, he just wanted her close now and knew they'd find a way to cool down later. Dropping his hand to her neck, he pulled her in a little more again, dipping his head down to bury against the other side of her neck where his hand wasn't resting and peppered a few kisses against her skin.

Sophie would never tire of the way Alex’s body reacted to her. That he still was so aroused by her even on the day that was hot and made you feel grumpy but could then get caught up in each other. “I mean we could instill no clothes until the air is fixed but are you going to be able to keep your hands off of me or will you constantly end up on me.” Not that she’d have complaints. His mouth peppered her warm almost damp skin with kisses and she mewled happily. “Fuck me.” She whined not wanting sweet moments between them in the hot sticky mess they were in.

Of course her answer put pictures and ideas in his head and he couldn't help but grin and let out a soft laugh. "I can never keep my hands off of you," he murmured before dropping his head to pepper kisses against her skin. He shifted when she whined, almost rolling his hips into her touch before letting his hands fall down to find her underwear and her hand had to pull from around his length so he could take the last bit of clothing off of her. His own boxer briefs were on the floor a moment later and Alex caught Sophie pressed against the wall again. "You're so fucking hot," he cursed out and it was both the warmth of her skin pressed against his and the way he was so incredibly attracted to her. He used one of his hands to  reach for her leg and lift it up so she was standing on one leg but held up against the wall as he adjusted himself so he could slide his length into her.

“I know so what would me walking around naked accomplish other then you possibly bending over something suddenly in need to fuck me.” She grinned,  “Which hot, very hot.” She commented but didn’t divulged further. It didn’t take long before he rid himself and her of the last bits of their clothing, his hand yanking her leg up, her body pressing into the wall to steady herself as he sunk his cock fully into her and she cried out in obvious pleasure her head falling back with a thud against the wall. “Oh god fuck yes.”

"I could be bending you over something or pressing you against a wall, you know.. like this?" He said with a smirk at the way he was holding her against the wall. Their clothes were out of the way easily and Alex didn't really feel like wasting time before he was finally buried inside of her, so he picked her leg up to give himself more room to be able to slide into her. He took a moment to enjoy this connection as Sophie tipped her head back and he groaned softly at the sound of her head falling back against the wall. His movements started slow, his hand holding her leg up still until he guided it to wrap around his waist as best as she could.

“Mmm I’m not sure if we’re making arguments for or against no clothes anymore.” Her voice rasped obviously thick with arousal now that they were so close to each other in that way they obviously needed to forget about the heat. He connected with her sliding fully in till he filled her tight walls completely and she grasped her nails into his shoulders, her head pressing back against the wall. He shifted her leg up higher till it hooked his waist changing the angle of him inside of her and she dug her nails in harder as a slur of curse words fell from her lips.

He could feel her nails digging into his skin and he was sure she was going to leave some kind of mark against his shoulders, not that he really minded. His head tipped forward against, nuzzling in her neck to place nibbling kisses against the damp skin, tasting the saltiness of it. Alex made sure to take a moment to adjust, to the angle, to the way they were pressed together, before he started to pick up the pace of his thrusts and then let his hands start to caress and roam, the hand on her leg sliding up her thigh to her bump while the other caressed at her side and then around to her breast.

The way Alex touched her was something that always drove her crazy. He knew just what to do to drive her mind to insane places in the best ways possible. The ways his hand explored her body, grasping at her bottom and then cupping her breast. Her hips pushing forward to meet his with each time his hand brushed over her nipple hardening the bud and making their hips crash together when he buried himself deep inside of her with each faster thrust.

Alex loved the way Sophie's body reacted to him and when his hand found her breast and he brushed over the nipple, he could feel it hardening and causing him to groan softly. Her hips moved so easily with his and he settled for a quick pace of thrusting his hips. "Fuck," he cursed under his breath before nibbling on Sophie's skin again, trailing kisses to just below her ear and then back to settle on a spot where he suckled a little more, playfully biting against the skin and very aware he was likely to be leaving a mark.

The sound of him groaning, or really any noise that he made when being intimate in some way, she loved hearing. The more vocal he was the better in her eyes and it drove her all that more crazy. He nibbled behind her ear before feeling him stating to suckle and bite a bit lower and harder and she gasped. “Yes!” The feeling so enticing as She thrust her hips forward pinning hard to his. “Don’t stop, don’t stop.” Her more natural instincts taking over rather then the rational ones of him leaving a very visible mark. “Don’t stop Al. Oh god harder.” She wasn’t really sure if she was talking about his thrusts or his mouth.

They weren't constantly marking each other but sometimes Alex enjoyed to leave a mark on her to make sure everyone was aware she was off limits to anyone but him. Not that there was anyone around here who needed to know, but he did enjoy seeing what mark he left every now and again. When Sophie encouraged him to go harder, he opted to bite down a little harder, but not enough to actually hurt her before licking his tongue soothingly over the spot. The way Sophie's hips were thrusting into him more and more, it was easy to bury himself deep inside of her even though his own thrusts came faster now and harder.

She knew what marking represented, at least for Alex. It was a back off, Sophie was his, and only his. Not that he ever acted like he owned her but that feel of like him marking her made her his was erotic from time to time. The bite came harder and she cried out her hand sliding down between them to stroke at her clit as her lavished her skin her hips bucking, her wetness seeping against his cock and her thighs. “Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck.” Her breathing was getting heavier, her hip movements sloppier and it was obvious she was close to her orgasm.

With how pressed together they were to keep Sophie up against the wall, Alex felt her hand sliding between them and he groaned softly, knowing she was going to get so close so soon. "Baby," he breathed out, finally pulling his head back from her neck and briefly glancing at the darkening spot. "I want to feel you around me, I want to feel you come undone. You feel so fucking good," he muttered out, his hand squeezing at her skin a little more before he shifted his hands to her thighs and fully picking her up now.

His hands gripped her and lifted her causing her to bump back into the wall and him to thrust harder into her for a second and she let her head fall back. His words echoed in her mind him wanting to feel her, to feel her come undone around him. It didn’t take much with the way he moved now pinning her to the wall to finally let her now wet hand fall back grasping the wall as she cried out loudly her legs shaking around his body as she felt her walls wrap around him tightly like a vice as she hit her release.

It didn't take much more thrusting once he had hoisted her up against the wall with her legs around his waist until he felt them shaking and her walls tighten around his cock, causing him to moan loudly. "Of fuck, shit.. Soph," he cursed out, thrusting his hips through her orgasm, though slowing a bit to focus on filling her up deeply. "I'm so close, baby.. yes, shit.." His own body was trembling a little as he got closer and closer to his own release.

Her head was fallen back on the wall her breathing heavy as she felt her body twitch and spasm from her release. Everything felt like it was on fire from how warm it was but it still made her crave it. Hearing his voice she gasped her nails digging into his skin a little more. “I wanna feel you.” She breathed. “I wanna feel you come inside of me.” She panted.

Where their skin had been damp before from the heat, it was now definitely coated in sweat. But that didn't bother either of them as they pressed and shifted together. His pace was slower now, but he still buried himself deep inside of her with each thrusts until he couldn't hold back anymore and he cursed out as he reached his own high, pausing briefly as he poured into her, before moving his hips again slowly to ease them both through the feeling. "Fuck... that was so hot," he muttered before bringing his face to hers and nudging her nose with his gently.

Their bodies were definitely damp with sweat, feeling it trickle down her back and between her breasts from the heat. When his hips rutted and then pinned inside of her she felt the spill of his release into her mixing with her own arousal and she whined out. His hips eventually moving gently almost tenderly because they were easing them through the feeling still. “So fucking hot.” She breathed. “See told you there was good distractions.”

He rested his forehead against hers and laughed softly. "I'm still too damn hot," he murmured, but a smile played on his lips now. He took a few moments to just stand with her, before he let out a breath and started to shift a little bit. "Mmh, hold onto me," he murmured as he pulled her off the wall, his arms wrapping around her to support her as he started to walk slowly, very evidently feeling her still snuck around his length as he tried to get them over to the couch so he could sit down with her in his lap.

“Yeah but this is worth being hot for.” She said her breath raspy and panting. Her arms came up and wrapped around him holding onto him before he started to walk away still inside of her causing her to giggle slightly at the feeling. Once they were to the couch she was now straddled his waist. “Mmm we should relax and try and lay as still as possible with the heat. A storm is coming.” Hearing the rumbling, “maybe that’ll make things less hot.”

They had to shift a little to settle on the couch and Alex sucked in a breath at the feeling. "I tried laying as still as possible earlier and I still couldn't sleep, or be comfortable," he said with a shrug. The music had subsided by now so the rumbling could very evidently be heard and Alex nodded. "Let's hope for the best," he murmured, his hands moving to rub along her legs. "The music's off now... does that still count as we had sex to Taylor Swift songs?" he asked with a smirk, "Or would we have to turn it back on and.. keep moving?"

"I know the heat is pretty bad so I am glad at the very least that the babies are at your parents." Without a doubt they would have been cranky and potentially gotten sick with this heat not something she wanted to see happen. His hands massaged her legs and she groaned softly at the feeling. "We definitely had sex to Taylor Swift." she grinned, "I mean we could turn it back on and keep moving but that is going to make us more sweaty." The sheen on her skin showing just how sweaty they already were.

He laughed softly as she grinned at him and he leaned forward a bit to steal a kiss from her lips. "I mean, we're already sweaty, so what's the harm right?" he said with a smirk and brought his hand up to brush a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "We're so gonna need a shower anyway, what difference would a little more moving gonna do?" he asked and licked his lips a little bit.

"We are already sweaty though you know we could go take a dip in the pool." she pointed out, even if it was rumbling a little it would cool them off. "A very cold shower." she chuckled watching him lick his lips. "Alexa play Taylor Swift." she said grinning before leaning in cupping in neck and kissing him.

"We should've just spent more time in the pool the last couple days," he murmured, but was soon distracted once again by the way Sophie looked at him and then leaned in to kiss him. He smirked slightly at the way she leaned in like that and a soft hum left his lips as his hand that had just tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear now moved more to the back of her head to tangle in her hair and then dropped down her back.

"We should have definitely and we are going to have to the next couple days. Skinny dipping in the pool sounds fun doesn't it?" she said grinning plus it'd be relaxing and it's not like anyone was around to see them. His hand cupped and tangled in her hair before dropping down her back. "Mmm." she hummed against his lips. "Do you want me to move my hips or would that be too much." she breathed against his lips not wanting to do anything if he was too sensitive or anything.

"We can't go in the pool if there's actually a storm coming," he murmured, "not when it's too dangerous." He wasn't going to want to risk their lives.. though skinny dipping sounded very appealing. He was caught up in their kiss for a moment and then smiled against her lips at her question. "I think you should move," he murmured before kissing her again deeply, his hand on her thigh squeezing into her skin lightly.

“We’ll maybe it won’t actually storm and then we can.” She pointed out or it’d be a quick storm and then just rain and being in the pool with rain could be relaxing. Or even laying on the lounge chairs in the rain not wearing anything with cold water splashing on them would be something. When he hummed against her lips she nodded taking his squeezing of her thigh as a sign and started rocking her hips in smooth steady motions back and forth against him as her hands travelled his body.

He wasn't opposed to that idea, though apparently they had to just wait out the actual weather to see what it was gonna be like. Sophie nodded, and he moaned softly as she started rocking her hips so smoothly. Not super fast, but also not painfully slow either and he happily closed his eyes to enjoy the feeling a little more. "Mmh, feels so good, baby."

"Yeah?" she licked her lips when he said it felt so good. "Tell me if it gets to be too much." she murmured not wanting him to be too comfortable. She knew it was warm and they had already had an intense moment but being intimate and just playing around by moving her hips was okay. At least until he didn't want her to keep going so she rolled her hips with ease back and forth as her hands took in his body.

He loved the feeling of her hands roaming his body, her fingertips dancing against his skin and that alone caused him to moan softly. Sophie was rolling her hips and he tipped his head back against the back of the couch, nodding slightly. "It's not gonna be too much," he murmured, his hands moving to her hips and caressing her skin lightly.

Her fingers dragged across his hot damp skin, tracing every inch her fingers could reach. Just like he could appreciate her body, she could do the same thing with his. His hands continued to caress her as she moved her hips a little more with him snug inside of her tilting her body back a bit so it was strictly their hips pushing against each other and he could see her naked body easily on top of him.

Alex loved how far from boring their sex life was even though they knew exactly the kind of positions the other liked and how to drive them crazy. Moments like this were some of his favourites, not because the angle in which he was buried inside of her was particularly tight or it was easy to go harder and faster, but because he could actually see Sophie moving, take her body while she arched it to roll her hips into his. "Oh yes," he murmured out, letting his eyes wander over her every part he could see. Eventually, he let his hands slide to the small of her back, then up along her spine, sitting up a little straighter and leaning forward, closer to her in the process. With his arms wrapped around her and his hand finding and gripping the back of her neck, he pulled her in the rest of the way so he could meet her lips in a kiss.

Alex was the only one she felt this comfortable with. To see her fully and not worry about a single thing. He looked at her like she was the single greatest thing in the universe to him and it could still bring her skin to goosebumps even after years. So she let him scan his eyes over her body, leaned back as her hips pressed down into his grinding shortly and then rolling again before he was sitting up and pressing back into her. The grip at her neck made her moan before her mouth was covered by his in a heated kiss her fingers coming up to grasp into the back of his hair.

Their upper bodies pressed together again, despite the heat and how obviously sweaty they already were, but Alex didn't want any more space between them right now. He had a firm grip on the back of her neck and groaned into their kiss when her fingers started to grasp the back of his hair. It was getting longer again, it was messy and damp, but Sophie didn't seem to care and he just loved the way her fingers felt tangling in the strands.

She could feel the damp strands in her fingers but she didn’t care. The mix of how hot it was and the sweat they were causing because they couldn’t keep their hands off each other was hot. She tugged at his hair that was getting quite long pulling his mouth away from hers, tilting his head back before she slammed him back into the couch and covering his mouth with hers in a heavier kiss.

Alex let out an unhappy grunt when she pulled him back from their kiss but a moment later that turned into more of a gasp as she pushed him back hard to fall back against the couch. "Oh," he breathed out before her lips were on his again and this kiss was heavier, harder, hungrier than before. His hands raked over her back, pressing her into him a little more and for the moment he was more caught up in the kiss than about what their hips were doing, moving or not because her lips had a way of making his head spin and leaving him breathless.

Typically Sophie wasn’t the more aggressive in sex, she tended to always let Alex take a more dominate side to things but it didn’t mean she didn’t have her moments where she’d sometimes flip the script. The kiss was heavy, hard, her tongue tangling with his before she broke away sometime later leaving them both gasping for breath. She continued to rock her hips her mouth trailing down to his neck before she pressed him back against the couch and lifted herself and pressed down hard against his length.

When their kiss eventually broke, Alex was breathing heavily, gasping for air but all too happy experiencing this side of Sophie. It just had a ring of her oozing confidence to it that he absolutely loved to see. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back a bit, enjoying the feeling of her mouth on his skin before she pressed him back a little more and started to bounce on his length, causing him to let out a moan and his hands reaching out to grip her thighs as if he needed something to hold onto and obviously he wanted his hands on Sophie.

The sound of his breathless pants, the way his hands were grasping at her body as she started to bounce against his length with ease given she was already incredibly wet from their earlier mix of the two of them together. Her hand tugged his hair back again even though he was flat against the back of the couch and bit into his shoulder as she pushed her hips hard into his. “Fuck.” The word came out sloppy when her mouth released from his shoulder the sound of saliva slurping against her lips as she positioned herself to really ride him now.

He was breathing heavily, letting her tug his head back as her teeth nibbled on his skin as if seeking out a spot. A low growl left Alex's lips when she bit at his shoulder and his hands squeezed hard into her legs. "Oh fuck, baby.." he let out as she shifted a little on top of him. "Yes.. oh god," he moaned, mildly aware that she would love him being vocal but also her actions just causing him to want get this out. "Shit, Soph…"

His hands gripped onto her legs as if he was holding on for dear life but she kind of loved it. The way he had to hold onto her and touch her. She knew he was being more vocal to encourage her and that she loved to hear him so she moved her hips with ease gliding up and down his shaft quick and hard as soft breathy whimpers started to fall from her parted lips.

With still being stimulated from their previous activity against the wall and the way Sophie was just now moving on top of him, Alex soon felt that wonderfully tingling feeling inside him bubbling up and causing him to let out another almost breathy groan. "Oh fuck, baby I'm so fucking close," he breathed out, licking his lips and sucking the lower one in briefly to bite on it. "So good," he repeated.

She knew it wouldn’t take much once she was really moving against him to get him close from their previous activity moments ago but didn’t mean she wasn’t going to put her all into pleasuring him. Her hips continued moving her own legs shaking so that he could probably feel them shaking around him as she tried to get them close together to find their release at the same time. It took another minute before she was nodding and whimpering her stomach tightening in obvious tension waiting for her release to match his

She was moving so expertly on him like she just knew how to move to get them both closer to that much wanted release. Alex opened his eyes again to see Sophie, nodding and whimpering and he nodded too, their eyes locking in a silent conversation to find that release together. He could feel his own muscles trembling slightly while Sophie shook against him and he finally let go of her legs to wrap his arms around her and pull her in, releasing deep inside of her while he felt like the mix of fluids would've easily pushed him out of her if they weren't in the position they were currently in. "Fucking hell," he muttered under her breath before reaching up to cup Sophie's cheek and pull her in for a kiss.

She could feel her release, her legs shaking and then they both reached their last release together him filling her as her walls wrapped tighter around her, her hips pinning down into his because the feeling was so intense her body was slightly spasming against him as she felt overly full at the moment. “Oh fuck. Oh fuck.” She panted coming down as he pulled her down for a kiss and her lips melted against his before pulling back. “Can’t breathe that was so..  wow.” Her body going limp against him.

Alex was panting hard, even though he was sitting down this felt more like work out with a very, very happy outcome. Their kiss wasn't long, but they both needed to breathe and he let out a laugh as he tipped his head back against the back of the couch. "Wow describes it pretty well," he murmured, his arms loosening around her a bit before he shifted, slightly not to be moving too much but so that he could move to the side enough to lay down against the couch with Sophie fully resting on top of him and against his chest.

“Mmm I think wow is a light statement you feel amazing.” She murmured her body still limp against him. He shifted and she whined a tiny bit feeling super sensitive as he positioned them to lay down. “We’re covered in sweat and once we move it’s going to be a mess.” She murmured tucking into his chest his heart beat fast that she could hear

"So double wow?" he questioned, a soft chuckle leaving his lips. "I don't know what you just did though, how'd you move like that?" he asked, a small grin curling onto his lips before he started to shift them so they could lay down against the couch. "Yeah I don't think I can move any time soon," he groaned softly. It was incredibly warm in the house, or in the room in general but the light sweat that covered them helped cool them down a little bit and honestly Alex rather wanted to just take a moment to lay with her before even thinking about moving.

“Double wow Yeah.” She laughed softly against him. “Mm guess I had a sudden spur of creativity with my moves for once.” She teased as they laid there happy that the light sweat and the fans at least gave a little cooling in the hot house. “You know this couch pulls out into a bed and we always end up laying like this.” She laughed. “Next time I ride you on the couch we’re opening it first.” She teased her breath raspy as she closed her eyes to steady her breathing.

"Oh there clearly wasn't a good time to pull the couch out," he pointed out with a smirk. "Not really sure we could've handled the task with me inside of you. And I kinda enjoyed that more than pulling the couch out." Alex shifted his head a little so he could look at her and a smile formed on his lips as he reached up to brush some of her sweaty hair from her face. They lay like that for a while until Alex felt like his skin was burning again and he groaned softly. "How's a cold shower sound to you?" he asked.

“Okay maybe you inside of me would have made it harder but like more room.” She pointed out before giggling softly knowing they hadn’t really been in the mood to stop or anything and if he had pulled out chances were they wouldn’t have had a second round. “Like it’s really far away.” She laughed. “Feel like we need a cold bath or something and then sleep in that.” She teased.

"We're not gonna sleep in the tub," he murmured. "That's just gonna get really uncomfortable and then tomorrow I'm gonna be hot and have backpain." He let his hand brush up and down over her back slightly and eventually, when he felt like he had regulated his breathing, he let out a soft sight. "Babe.. I love laying like this but I'm getting really, uncomfortably hot.."

“It’d be so much cooler then.” She chuckled softly. After a little bit she could feel their skin sticking together and she knew he’d be so warm. “Okay just roll me over first before you pull out or we’re gonna make a mess all over. Can you grab a towel quick when you get up.” She murmured softly since she really didn’t want to make a mess all over the couch.

He laughed softly when she asked him to roll over first, but part of his brain that didn't feel like it was melting away knew she had a point. He shifted, rolling them over before he pushed himself up and their skin made a funny noise when he pulled it off of the others. "I'll be right back," he murmured, getting off the couch and he was off to the downstairs bathroom, since it was just a shorter way, to grab a towel that he returned with. They ended up taking a relatively long cold shower before finally deciding to give sleep another try. "Just be warned, you are not getting cuddles," Alex warned as he put a pair of boxer briefs on and then climbed into their bed.

After she cleaned herself up enough to actually stand they had a long very cold shower that was much needed. By the time she got out leaving her hair damp down her back to keep her cooler longer she headed out to the bed and crawled onto the satin sheets that were there to keep things cooler. “Don’t worry I’m not asking for any cuddles and I’m also not putting clothes on so deal with it.” She said climbing into the bed and curling herself up to try and enjoy being as cool as possible in front of the little mini portable water ac that actually at this moment felt pretty good.

He turned and lifted his head a little to look at her, brow arched as she very nakedly climbed into bed. "You say that like I'd actually have a problem with having you naked in my bed," he said with a smirk. Maybe it was the cold shower, or maybe it was just exhaustion, but after leaning over to give Sophie a quick kiss, Alex relatively quickly dozed off and actually slept for a couple hours. When he woke, the first thing he could hear was heavy rain tapping on the windows before realizing that sound just made the urge to go pee even worse. So he crawled out of bed and disappeared in the bathroom. He felt less tired, less grumpy and generally more rested than before and since it was well into the morning at this point, he was just gonna stay up and get some coffee. He cracked a few windows open to be able to let the cooler air in before he padded downstairs and start some coffee. While he was waiting, he looked outside and something about the downpour caused him to get an idea and a grin formed on his lips. He ventured off to found one of the portable speakers he often took on tour with him and set it up out on the porch. The dogs seemed happy to venture out and lay out on the porch where they were secure from the rain but enjoying the slightly cooler air and Alex took a brief moment to pet them before headed inside again and towards the stairs. "BABE! COME DOWNSTAIRS," he called up, not even sure whether she was awake or not. He didn't wait for her to come though, just headed in the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee and take a large sip of it, then hurried outside to set his phone up with the speaker and find the song that had planted this idea in his mind.

“Oh your bed huh?” She commented chuckling as she made herself as comfortable as possible on the bed. It didn’t take long for them to doze off at all, they were asleep and between the fans and little mini ac it managed to help them sleep for a few hours. The bed moved when Alex got up but she just shifted more onto her belly and rested against the cool satin letting her body drift back off. She could hear the sound of the rain beating down on the windows and she hoped it would drop the temperature a little bit to be comfortable. When Alex yelled up for her she jumped slightly sitting up and running a hand over her face. “What?” She called back but no answer so she grabbed one of Alex’s basic white tee shirts that barely covered anything more than the top of her bottom and headed downstairs to look for him. She could see the dogs weren’t there so she was worried that the dogs had gotten out or something happened so she hurried to the door and pushed it open. Not really caring she basically had next to nothing on as she stepped out into the porch. “What happened?”

Thankfully, their property was spacious and there wasn't really any way for anyone who wasn't trespassing (and that would be a whole different problem) to see them. So Alex didn't bother to put on any more clothes than the underwear he had worn to bed and he was pleasantly surprised Sophie actually wore a short when she came hurrying outside. He had just found the song and was grinning at her as the first verse of Taylor Swift's Sparks Fly was playing on the speaker. He cranked the volume up a little more and then started backing towards the steps that led off the porch, walking down them backwards and into the downpour of rain. By the time the chorus started he was already drenched from the rain, but he held his hands out for Sophie and started to sing along. "Drop everything now, meet me in the pouring rain..."

She knew no one was going to see her unless their help showed up early that day which with the rain she highly doubted it and people probably didn’t know they were back home in Baltimore which meant no attempted at trespassing. So when she came outside and saw that he had things set up and the music playing a grin tugged to her lips and a laugh followed shortly after. “What is this?” She asked before he was leading them off the porch the rain pelting down on them and in no time his white shirt on her was now see through and pretty much pointless as it looked like she was wearing nothing. So when he started to sing along she moved into him and “kiss me on the sidewalk, take away the pain.” Singing along with him as she half bounced in the rain now to the song.

He didn't bother to answer her question, because he was sure she'd figure out what he was doing moments later. The white shirt she was wearing, he was assuming was his, was drenched in seconds and she really wasn't wearing anything underneath, but he couldn't care less in that moment. He laughed as she reached him, her body moving into his as she sang along and he took her hand to twirl her before pulling her back in, not really dancing but more bouncing around to the song. By the second time the chorus played, Alex reached up to cup her face and pull her in to actually kiss her this time, grinning against her lips because he knew he had said kissing in the rain just wasn't for him - but he continued to learn all the sides of him that Sophie brought out.

She was glad that it was one of those days where it was just them because typically Alex would have been more freaked out about her outfit choices but instead he was doing something he knew she would love. Even if it wasn’t necessarily his favorite thing or something he explored because of her she appreciated it. He twirled her out in the rain and she came back into him giggling and obviously just happy as can be to be dancing and singing in the rain before he pulled her in at the exact timing of the music and kissed her, her arms threading around his neck as the water came pouring down onto them.

He hadn't once reconsidered this once the idea popped into his head, but the look on Sophie's face now as he twirled her in the rain was making everything so worth it. He just wanted her happy, and it was never just grand gestures with her to get that. It was the simple things, like dancing in the pouring rain right now and he laughed against her lips once he had pulled her in for a kiss and felt her arms wrapping around his neck. His fingers slid into her wet strands of hair slightly and he deepened the kiss before slowly pulling away and dropping his hands from her head to wrap his arms around her. He slid them down under her bottom, just below the hem of the shirt that was clinging to skin right now and he picked her up like that, lifting her up so she was half against him, her head  easily towering over him and he twirled them in the rain, laughing and giggling and really just having a good time.

It was one of the sweetest moments, after being miserable from the heat to intense sex shared between them now he was dancing with her in the pouring rain to Taylor Swift. It really was the small things like this that made her love Alex as much as she did, the small things that could just make her smile. He kissed her hard and the rain poured down on them and she felt like they were the only two people in the whole world at that moment. When he lifted her she kept her arms around him as she was now up over him and he twirled her around with him her hair spraying out causing her to laughing and squeal and she understood why she continually fell in love again and again with Alex for moments where they were like this.

He head to tip his head back to look up at her now, but even when the rain was pouring on his face that way, he still couldn't get enough of looking at Sophie  and seeing the pure joy on her face, in her laugh. He chimed in on the laughter as he let her slide down in his arms until her feat hit the floor again, his arms bunching up the shirt on her back and leaving her exposed before he let go enough to fix the fabric over her bottom again, shaking his head a little bit. "There's barely any point in even wearing this shirt," he teased.

He slowly let her down the shirt bunching up leaving her bare from the waist down outside before he fixed it. “I mean I didn’t know you were gonna take me out into the pouring rain.” She laughed looking down to see it was completely translucent and see through. “It is kind of pointless and it’s heavy with all the water in it.” Before she reached down and pulled off the very heavy water logged shirt and tossed it on the grass. “Now I’m naked outside.” She grinned.

Alex let out a soft groan when Sophie pulled off the shirt without even hesitating and once the fabric was off, he pulled her in against him and wrapped his arms low around her. "I don't like you running around naked outside," he reminded her, but he wasn't doing anything to make her go put something on this second. He was aware that not a lot of people would even be out in this weather, let alone anyone near them anyway.

His arms wrapped low around her pulling her in, she was sure to cover her bottom while his body covered her front. “It’s our backyard babe no one is going to see me.” She said giggling. “I think we’ll survive this once with me naked outside. Plus how am I going to sunbathe naked outside when the weather is nice? This is the first summer I’m not pregnant with a bump in the summer I want to enjoy it.” She murmured “relax okay? The rain feels soooooo nice”.

"How about you sunbathe not naked?" he questioned, holding her to him but kind of more relaxed than he'd usually be, maybe because of what he got to do with her earlier, or because of the rain he was sure would be keeping any and all people away. "You can just wear one of your tiny bikinis to sunbathe in?" he suggested since he knew he wasn't going to ever be able to stop her from wearing those anyway.

"Why can't I sunbathe naked I won't get any tan lines that way. No one is going to see me." she rolled her eyes at the man. "I mean those are already tiny and you say they cover nothing so what's the difference?" she hummed. "Come on lets grab the lounge mattresses and lay in the rain together.

"There's not even any sun right now," he said and grinned slightly. He turned his head to look over where they where and other than people, who weren't even there, nobody was able to see them. "Alright, alright," he chuckled softly and slowly let go of her so she could lead the way.

"No not right now but there will be sun other days." she pointed out. Taking his hand she got him to spin her around as they walked even being naked, which wasn't something she'd normally feel so comfortable doing. Though she did feel really good today. Grabbing the weather proof cushions she dragged them out onto the grass and flopped onto one while Alex pulled the other one next to her. "Mmm you know laying in the rain, it feels nice." she murmured.

Alex let her lead the way and he even lifted his arm so she could spin when she started to. He helped set up the cushions before flopping down on one and turning his head to look at Sophie. "Yeah I don't know if I'm a fan," he admitted with a soft chuckle, but he didn't get up and sprinted to get out of the rain, he rather decided to be doing this with Sophie.

They got everything set up and she had the rain hitting down and on them as she turned into her side to face him. "It's relaxing the rain dropping down onto you, plus it feels so nice and cool right now with the rain and everything." she murmured, the rain wasn't pouring as hard, but it was still definitely raining as she closed her eyes. "But if you want to go lay on the lounge and just ogle me from there." she teased.

He shifted and turned more onto his side towards her. "Ogle you from over there? Now that sounds a little creepy," he murmured before rolling all the way over to lay in his stomach. He folded his arms to make a pillow for his head before resting down a little more

"Are you saying you've never ogled me before?" she raised a brow now looking at him. When he turned over onto his stomach and rested his head so that it was covered a little bit. "Babe if you don't want to lay here you can go lay on the lounge on the patio with the dogs, I don't mind."

A grin spread on his lips. "Not while you were laying naked in the rain," he said truthfully, because that was a first. But clearly he had looked at her and watched her before. "Are you sending me off?" he asked, lifting his head a little and chuckling softly before shaking his head. "I'm okay right here," he murmured and lifted his head back down on his arms.

"Maybe not in the rain but you can't act like you haven't ogled me ever. Let alone while I'm naked." Because he had definitely checked her out naked before. "I'm not sending you off." she laughed softly, "You just don't seem very relaxed now, or at least not as relaxed as I am laying here." she said rolling over onto her back which left her completely exposed, her eyes closed and sighing happily at how cool her body now felt.

"You can't even blame me for that," he said with a grin and chuckled softly. He shrugged his shoulders at her comment. "That's because you're laying out here naked and I can't just cover you up from everyone but me," he murmured, though he was more calm about it then he would have been in the past. He shifted a little to get more comfortable. "Should've just laid down in the hammocks," he murmured.

"I don't blame you at all, but just saying that you have definitely ogled me and if it's creepy now it was creepy then babe." she pointed out chuckling softly. "There's no need to cover me up because no one is going to see anything." she murmured. "Okay would you feel better if we went and laid together in the hammocks?"

Alex scrunched up his nose a little but then shrugged and laughed a little. He lifted his head again to look at her, considering her suggestion momentarily before he nodded. "Actually yes, but that depends.. are we gonna share a hammock or do you rather want to leave in one by yourself?" he questioned, before pushing himself up and shaking his head in an attempt to get some of the water out of his hair.

"We can share the hammock together if you are okay with that." she murmured, "And with the trees it won't come down as hard on us so it'll keep us nice and cool, we can relax, and you can stop worrying someone is going to see my naked even though they still could have seen me the shirt didn't cover anything if that was the case." she pointed out.

Alex started to push himself up to get off the cushion and then walked over to stand by Sophie's side, holding his hands out so he could pull her up and back onto her feet. "I don't really believe anyone's as crazy as we are to be out in this rain," he chuckled softly. "But I'd appreciate hiding away a bit," he murmured and leaned in once she was standing in front of him to capture her lips in a soft kiss. He took her hand after that to lead her to where the hammocks were set up and he easily got into one to lay comfortably before tugging Sophie in so she'd lay with him.

Reaching up she took his hands and was pulled up to her feet. She could compromise and make it so that they were more comfortable for him. "I don't think anyone will be out in the rain either but I also think we have a lot of property like dozens upon dozens of acres that no one is going to see us." she said again. Her lips pressed softly against his as they moved towards the hammocks and crawled into with him and laid her naked body into his mostly naked body, their wet skin sliding against each other until she settled with her one leg over him. "There, the trees stop some of the rain but we still get some to keep us nice and cool." since they didn't need to rush for anything.

He was glad she easily agreed to move to the hammock and he smiled softly as they started to climb in together and settled so her body rested against his, mostly skin on skin contact with her leg draped over him and he hummed softly as his arm wrapped around her, his other hand resting against her knee. "Can't tell me this isn't more comfortable," he said with a soft chuckle, pressing a kiss to the top of her head and then closing his eyes.

They laid against each other and she sighed happily into his arms. “I don’t know it was pretty relaxing out there too so I would say both are comfortable and enjoyable. You just didn’t like me being so naked and exposed.” She said with a shrug as she snuggled up and tucked her head into his chest.

"I do like you being naked," he said, his hand sliding up from her knee over her leg and up over her bum and up her back, before trailing all the way back down again. "Just want to have that view all to myself," he murmured. He liked the way she was snuggled into him, he could feel her breath on his skin, sure she could hear and feel his heart beating.

"I know you do, and you do have that view all to yourself. No kids, no friends around, no people, so the view is strictly yours. Now you just get to enjoy it outside and inside for today." she murmured softly. "The rain feels so good doesn't it though so nice and cooling."

"I wouldn't be happy laying here if we had friends around," he admitted. He kept moving his hand, caressing up and down and also mindlessly taking in her skin. "I'm feeling more of you and less of the rain," he chuckled softly.

"I know you wouldn't be but I wouldn't have gotten all naked if friends were around babe." she pointed out because Sophie didn't exactly want people seeing her naked if it could be prevented. "Well I can move a little bit if you want to feel more of the rain."

"The white shirt really wasn't hiding much of you though," he grinned softly. "Was that my shirt? If it's gonna be stained from the grass now I'm totally blaming you," he teased. When she suggested moving, he shook his head. "No, no. I'm good."

"Well had people been over I would have put on more than a white shirt babe, I knew we were alone." she chuckled shaking her head. "It was your shirt and I promise that it will come clean and if it doesn't I'll buy you a new one even if you have other white shirts." she giggled as he said he was good. "Mmm thought so."

"I have other shirts but apparently I have to share them with you so if this one's ruined, a new one would probably be a good idea," he chuckled softly. They lay together for a little bit longer but a distant rumbling of thunder and far away view of lightning caused Alex to start to shift. "I think this may be our sign to get back inside.. "

"Oh so I'm ruining all your shirts is that what I'm doing?" she asked teasing him as she shook her head. Laying there with the raining water was so peaceful and then there was rolling thunder and she sighed. "How about can we go lay on the cushions under the porch? I'll put on a nightgown and we can still at least get the cool breeze but safe from the lightening."

"No, you're just stealing all my shirts is what I'm saying," he said with a smirk, but he really didn't mind at all, not with most of his shirts at least. He shifted so they would start to get up and shrugged his shoulders. "I guess we can do that, yeah. No fun going back inside where it's way too hot is it? We should grab food though, I'm starving."

“I am not stealing all your shirts.” She said rolling her eyes. “Gonna steal your favorites if you’re not careful.” Grinning up at Alex. “No I mean I’m hoping with the windows and door open that it’ll cool the house down but we can lay the cushions out, grab some food, grab some towels and just relax, still feel the nice cold breeze and not feel all hot.”

They climbed out of the hammock and while Sophie was going on about how they should spend this very welcome break from the heat, he almost tackled her by wrapping his arms around her and then pulling her into him. "Yeah, we can do that. As long as there's food, I'm in," he grinned, pressing a kiss to her temple and then starting to walk them back to the porch where the dogs were now perking up, apparently neither of them had wanted to be in the rain.

His arms wrapped around her and she almost slipped when he tackled her. A laugh left her lips as his arms now firmly around her. "Are you still trying to cover me up?" she teased. "We can definitely have food, there's a bunch of fruits and deli meats and cheeses, we can make like a charcuterie board for out here." she offered. Glancing back at the three dogs she smiled, "I love our little crazy brood." she chuckled. "Alright I'll go get a night gown if you go start grabbing the food."

"No," he laughed. "Just trying to get you back inside and shelter you from the storm." Once back on the porch, Alex greeted the dogs and scratched Peyton behind his ears. "You love the pack too, don't you old man?" he cooed and then smiled as he briefly petted the other two too before heading inside. "Don't forget to bring towels!" Alex called after Sophie as he wandered into the kitchen to start setting something to eat up for them.

“Oh keeping me safe from the storm huh?” She grinned because it was true probably at least he would always try. “He’s such a good big brother.” She murmured before heading upstairs. She dried herself off and pulled on a very thin nightgown and then grabbed extra towels and two extra sheets. Making her way back downstairs she found him. “Okay I’m gonna also grab an iPad we can set up a movie and just relax together.” A smile on her lips that showed how happy she was.

Alex knew they were lucky to have all these animals who got along so well, including this funny little pack of dogs that were so different and yet such good friends. "He is, and they're just always keeping him up and moving." He passed them and headed for the kitchen, starting to get the food ready until Sophie returned to join him. He turned his head, taking her in and matching the smile on her face. "As long as you pick a movie you're not gonna be mad if I fall asleep during," he teased with a soft chuckle and after a quick "catch" he threw a grape at her, grinning cheekily as he picked another one up to pop into his mouth this time.

"Well it's good that they are, after Baz..." she trailed off, knowing he could have been a lot more sad if it was only him but her dogs kept him busy even though she missed Willa's little buddy. "Oh are you going to fall asleep again, after you just slept a few hours." she teased because honestly falling asleep to the rain like that sounded wonderful. When he threw the grape she tried to catch it in her mouth but missed but thankfully her hands managed to catch it and popped it into her mouth. "Mmm so good." she nodded before settling things out on their large overhang porch in the back. She got the dry cushions and wiped down the little bit of rain that splashed onto them and set them up before heading in and grabbing some of the couch pillows and setting that up as well so they had essentially a large cushion bed and set up the around the edge and a sheet over the cushions and then a sheet at the bottom if they wanted to cover themselves up if they got a little cold before grabbing a table and setting up the iPad and hooking it to the bluetooth radio Alex had outside. "Alright look at this a little outside watching the rain date night." as the thunder rumbled.

"Yeah," Alex said softly and nodded. He could barely grasp that the little dog had been gone for almost a year now, and maybe just maybe he felt like while there was no way any dog could ever replace him, he'd love to have another little puppy around, one Willa would end up loving just as much as she had loved Baz. Sophie got busy setting up a comfortable spot for them and when Alex carried out a tray with all kinds of foods they could munch on, he had to agree this looked much like a date night they just whipped up. "Looks pretty comfortable to me," he agreed with a smile.

His voice was soft and she gave a sad smile. “I miss him too you know. I know Willa does too.” Sometimes she could hear he call for Baz randomly which was so sad but she didn’t dare bring up the topic of puppies. She never wanted him to think she wanted to replace the Baz. “It does I have the cushions extra thick to keep us comfy, and then towels around the outside if the breeze pushes any rain towards us. Then I have a sheet down on the cushion and another sheet if we get a little chilly and our theatre.” She gestured grinning. “Pretty great date night spur of the moment.” Which was true. “Now how about either some wine or mixed drinks to add in?”

"I know. I really miss him." He didn't really say it like that often but it was true, he missed the little pup he'd had for so many years. Alex grinned slightly and then let out a soft laugh. "Except it's nowhere near night.. Or barely even noon," he said with a smirk but then nodded. "It's what, Sunday though right? We can do what we want on Sundays. Including having some whine for our date set up," he told her. "Red wine?" he asked before he was off to find one that would go well with the food.

“I don’t want you to think he could ever be replaced but do you ever think about getting puppies? I mean Willa misses him and you always said you wanted Noah to grow up with a puppy.” She meant it more for a someday she didn’t mean today or this month even. “So we’ll have a long date day into night.” She said since it was true. “Red wine sounds perfect. Grab the bottle.” She called after him when he went to retrieve one.

"I have," he said without really thinking much or hesitating. "But I don't think I'm ready to actually look for one yet. We've got so many animals around here, I still have another tour coming up," he said. Alex wasn't gone long to get the wine and two glasses and he filled the but before settling down. "C'mere," Alex murmured with a smile.

"True a puppy or two on tour with three kids might be a lot." she said, "Unless you aren't planning for us to go with you." They hadn't discussed the second leg of the tour. "We don't have to rush but someday it might be nice, for the kids, for you." she said giving a small smile. Moving towards Alex she smiled, "I think this turned out to be pretty great, hot sex, date night in the rain, now laying watching the storm. You're a romantic more than you think baby."

"Of course I want you to come. If you're not busy with a project yourself, I always want you and the kids in the road with me," Alex said, like he had never even considered anything else. Sometimes he thought  things would be different if they didn't have the kids but then he also felt like he could never tire of having Sophie around, so maybe it wouldn't be so different except maybe she was gonna do more projects for herself. He shook his head and chuckled softly. "You set this up not me," he reminded her as they settled down comfortably.

She sometimes wondered if they hadn't had kids if he would want her on the road as much as he said he did but she didn't bring that up. it'd probably start problems for something that wasn't even possible, they had three kids. "I don't think I have any projects unless I have promotion which right now I think the show will go forward since that's part of the British acting union but no projects in the US with the actors guild strike." she said with a shrug. She didn't mind. They were standing up for the right things. "I set this part up, but it was a mixed effort all day."

"Then yeah, I was hoping you'd be coming with me," he said with a smile. "The van for us is being all set up too so we should be good to travel with three kids and the dogs," he told her. Settling down together it really wasn't long until their dogs came closer to see if they could get some food or at least a comfortable spot to lay down in. "Alright, so nothing right now and then maybe some things coming up in the near future," he said with a nod. "Do you wish you were doing more?" he then asked softly.

[ageue]

Udaipur. 🪷

Believe it or not but our next bus trip made up for our first bus. We were sitting in luxury seating with AC, the bus made a stop past a toilet AND it arrived on time. Unbelievable!

Udaipur is absolutely stunning and it felt like an Indian Bali (the perfect place to relax). We checked into our accommodation and spent the afternoon wandering the beautiful little streets which cars cannot access as the roads are too narrow. We stumbled across a Tailor - his name is Prateek and he happened to make a suit for Jay last time he was in India. I couldn’t believe he still remembered Jay and before long, I was conned into getting a suit made for myself in a forest green linen. There are some days that I love ‘India time’ and other days I don’t, but today was one of those days and we spent a while perusing the store, sharing memories of our trip and enjoying cups of masala chai. We managed to find some western food in Udaipur just across the road from the suit shop - Mavi. It became our regular for breakfast (I can’t tell you how much I’ve been craving fresh fruit and cereal). On top of that, they even made coffee…and it was actually good! It’s a sister and brother that own the cafe with a beautiful little puppy called Peanut. He loved to lie underneath our table on the cool tiles while we were having breakfast.

We spent the next couple days wandering the streets of Udaipur and visited the city palace as well as a hike up to one of the temples. There are some beautiful views of the lake and it was so nice to be out of the heat for a little bit (32 is very different to 39). Other than that, we would spend our mornings reading and drawing which was so lovely. We found this absolutely incredible restaurant called the Lake Shore (which we couldn’t help but continue to order the same every day) - chicken Biryani, garlic naan, paneer tikka and Bindi Masala (okra). It was peaceful here - a very different feel to the rest of India.

On our last day, we got caught in a thunderstorm. We were so tired and had taken a break at a local restaurant for a cup of tea before the rain seriously hit hard. The restaurant kitchen had flooded by the time we decided it would be best to make a run for it back to the hostel. We were soaked to the core and just before hitting our hostel, the water was covering the entire road around 30cm deep. We took refuge in a little barber shop on the side and managed to hail down a Tuk-Tuk but we made it back safely!

We visited this little cafe on our last night before catching a sleeper train. This was our favourite masala tea in the whole of India (so so good). The train left at 10:30pm and got into Agra around the same time the next day. I absolutely loved it. We were in class 3A which meant that there were 3 beds (bunks) on either side of a cabin (600 rupees each - around $12). We were both on the top bed opposite each other. It was certainly a bit awkward having to sleep next to your stuff but I was asleep by midnight and slept all the way through until 9:30am the next day (way better than being on a plane in my opinion).

[carlplsrailme]

𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐛 | 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐥 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬

summary: as Carl and Ron battle out over Y/n's attention, she realizes she felt something never before for one of them

carl grimes x fem!reader

cw: jealousy, petty boys, breaking into readers home, fluff & smut, fingering, pussy eating, breast play, virginity loss, nice dom!carl, pet names (baby, doll), a bit of dacryphilia, sex (no condom).

word count: 2k

request (1) : ahhh i absolutely LOVE your work ohmygod😭 could you maybe write a oneshot where the reader is a newcomer in alexandria and catches carl’s eye but ron also develops a crush on them and the boys kinda just battle for the reader’s attention 😩 and my boy carl wins obviously 💪with maybe some smut too

request (2) : hey i was wondering if you could write something like carl fingering the reader but it’s not enough and she wants more but carl doesn’t wanna hurt her because he’s really big so she tells him ‘please i promise it won’t hurt i can take it’ and he ends up giving in but when she’s whining and tearing up he mocks her for it then just goes harder saying ‘is this what you wanted’ with a lot of degrading and some praise at the end? sorry if it’s too much :)

you suck the inside of your cheek as you started to be dragged by Ron, sticky summer heat on your open legs as he takes you to his table to eat lunch...tho you would much rather stick by yourself, the urge to please these new folks consumed you -you were their guest, after all.

so you bit your tongue and wore a smile, slightly widening your eyes when his voice raises in excitement as he is in deep with a story you know nothing about, mimicking his features as you're too caught up in your thoughts to know whats actually happening

you're new to Alexandria, wandering out by yourself when Carl found you -the knife in your hand was about to be in his throat when you first spotted him, hiding behind boxes as his eyes landed on yours, in shock you froze how did he see you? but Carl was a lot more observant than you thought 

which leads to now, where he uses his observant skills for pure evil

"Hey," he says casually, strolling over as you almost immediately catch how Ron's face drops 

"Hey" you say, quickly smiling at him as Rons bitterly states"Hi"

"So, Y/n, we still on for today?" Fuck. why did he have to mention we have plans today?

"Oh..uh, yeah" you answer, eyes slowly shifting to the side to see a very displeased Ron

"Cool. see you then" he smiled proudly, looking at Ron for what you can only assume to be for a reaction -which he totally gave him- and walked away

"What's happening today?" He asked, trying to sound relaxed but irritation lacing each word

"Oh, it's just...um, me and carl are just gonna hang out" you quickly mumble, messing with your food as the atmosphere became even more uncomfortable

"Oh that sucks, I was hoping to spend the day with you" he leaves open-ended, half expecting and half hoping for you to move your plans with Carl and replace it with his

"maybe tomorrow" you puckered your lips before standing up with a smeared plate in hand, mumbling how you'll see him later as you sped walked away from that table

"why do you love pissing him off?" you questioned as you stepped over fallen tree branches and pointy twigs, Carl's hand gently strolling you away to a place you know nothing about

"I don't" he said almost planned, thank goodness you couldn't see the smirk on his face, you were about to answer right back but the halt of his footsteps caught up to you

"Ta-da!" he announces proudly, spinning to you with a nervous smile, hoping you'd like the creation he built just for you two

your eyes laned on a fallen trunk that was wiped clean from any soggy rain and unexpecting plants, you felt your lips tug into a smile as you notice an open locker tucked full of comics and forgotten sodas piled up on the blanket laid out for comfort

"wow...Carl, you made this?" You say in half disbelief, why would he make this...for you?

"yeah, for us- I mean anyone but like...yeah" he stumbles on his words as he dips his head down, hoping you wouldn't catch the blush on his cheeks for admitting that yes, this was made special for the both of you

"t-the sodas are warm, sorry, but um- the comics are there if you wanna read them...I didn't know what you'd like so sorry if they're boring-" he got cut off by your hand hitting his hat up from behind, blinding him for a couple of seconds as his shoulders tensed from the sudden attack, you laugh and mumble "you're such a dork" and take a seat at the fallen tree, grabbing one of the sodas and cracking it open as Carl quickly sits next to you, whispering "'m not" while he grabs a comic

that night you laid in your bed with a smile stuck on your lips, hanging out with Carl made it seem like the world didn't go to shit. he made you so unbelievably happy and you just couldn't help but prayed he felt the same. but there was any other feeling deep in you that you couldn't quite read, you weren't sure how you felt, all you knew is that you wanted to stay with Carl and stay reading comics and drinking warm sodas together

"no, because...what the fuck" 

the boys look at you, irritation leaving their eyes and their features becoming fearful as they see your presence

you heard a struggle break out from downstairs, you raced down -knife in hand- to see Carl and Ron fighting with some burning eggs on the stove

and now they are sitting in front of you, messing with their fingertips with their heads low, you're sitting in front of them with crossed arms and a scowl on your face

"so, what the fuck happened"

"Carl was acting weird so I followed him, he came in through your front door and-" "BULLSHIT!" Carl shouted, turning to him with pure confusion and rage hyping up his veins

"Let him finish" you announce, exhausted from being abruptly woken up at 6 am

though, you weren't so tired that you missed how Ron smirked at what he thought was you defending him. you only stopped Carl because you wanted to hear this dumbass story he is making up.

"Well, Uhm, He went into your house and then started making you breakfast, I startled him and he freaked out, I was confused why he was sneaking around but then it hit me that he wasn't supposed to be there, so I started fighting him," He said in an innocent tone, bringing his low head up to meet your sharp eyes which he'd assume would soften from his story

you zoned out halfway through, locking eyes with a clock that screamed 8 in the fucking morning.

"Can I say my part now? you know, the truth?" Carl asked, slightly laughing at this bullshit 

"no"

"what?" Carl asked quickly, the hope that he had for you that you'd know him well enough to where he wouldn't do something like this started to slip

"no. but I'll tell mine" you uncrossed your legs as you wore a smile, explaining to the boys that a painting in your room fell off the wall at 6 am, and how you couldn't seem to fall back asleep -especially at a time like that

so when you heard a shout from outside, roughly 7:30, you went to check it out, seeing from your window Carl chasing after Ron as he sneaks into your house, you ran to grab a knife and to sprit downstairs but when you heard Carl defending you and Ron just talking shit about how he's gonna get with you, you decided to listen in, then sprint downstairs with a knife tight in your grip.

Carl wore a smile with slightly pink cheeks as he watched you kick Ron out, calling him a jackass and a lot more vulgar things he'd honestly expect from you when you're pissed off

and when he was gone you sat back down with him, your sour features turning sweet when you saw him

"So, why'd you follow him?" you asked, half joking half curious, as you both break into laughter

"You see a guy walking into a girl's house with his toes, you follow him. simple as that."

.

well, it wasn't as simple as that. as it's 11 pm at your window is being abused by pebbles. you helped the one-eyed boy in as he sat across from you on your bed

"Sorry If I woke you-" "you didn't."

"Uhm so about earlier..." he looked away with blush stuck on his cheeks, stuttering to speak as he takes a deep breath to control himself

"s-so, I have a crush on you- I think- no, I know" 

your eyes widen at the confession, feeling your heart skip and your lips twitch into a smile

"Uhm, it's ok if you don't feel the same- it's just it's been eating me up, so it's uh, sorr-" you cut him off with your lips smashing into his, kissing him deeply as you confess your shared feelings to him

he giggles like a little boy as he laid you down on the bed, hands finding your waist as your lips never separated, he added his tongue which made you moan on accident, his tongue lapped on yours as it twisted and twirled in your mouth, he grabbed your hands and trapped them above your head as you felt this hard jab in your thigh

"s-shit I'm sorry" he confesses, you're confused for a moment before looking down to see his hard-on, you smile and kiss him again, "It's okay" you mumbled on his lips as your hand carried down to his pants, rubbing his dick slowly as he moaned to you

"Carl, c-can we?" you asked, hinting at the word as embarrassment showers over you

"y-yes, if you are ok with it," he said like you didn't just ask, his shaky fingertips unbutton your shorts, pulling them down to see your pretty little clothed cunt, he groaned at the sight, placing his thumb right at the hood of your clit applying more pressure as you squirmed and whined

you hurried to remove your shirt and bra, being left in your panties as he was left in his boxers, he move down to be face to face with the outlined portion of your cunt, kissing and sucking at your thighs before pulling your panties down, a string of wetness connected to the material as you look away in embarrassment and he simply chuckles 

"aw, don't look away baby" he coos, you look down to see him between your thighs, flashing you a pure smile before dipping down to your drooling pussy, licking a sharp line up your slit and watching as you moaned out his name

he went back in, basically making out with your pussy as he moves up to your clit, pressing his tongue on your clit as he applies more pressure, you squirm in his hold as he ruthlessly and repeatedly flicks his tongue against your clit

he reached a hand up to mess with your breasts, squeezing enough to make you moan but never too hard as he rolled his thumb over your nipple and rolled his tongue over your clit

"f-fuck Carl, p-please don't stop!"

with his other hand, he enters your hole with one finger, slowly as you scream his name

he kissed your clit as he moved up to watch your tight little hole struggle to fit one of his fingers

"mm, baby, how are we gonna do this?" he asked, slightly laughing as your hole clenched and unclenched around him. if just his finger getting sucked in deeper was too much, what was his cock gonna do to you?

"w-we can! It'll work, m'promise" you say dizzy headed his finger stretches you out

"It's gonna hurt baby, and that's the last thing I wanna do"

he entered another finger in, you how were screaming as you never felt like this before, Carl chuckled as he saw your eyes glimmer and flash with tears brimming in pleasure

he watched mockingly as he made a V with his fingers, loving the way your little hole tried to close in on em

"I don't know if it'll fit baby, you're tight as ever"

"please! I promise it won't hurt! I-I can take it!" you beg, his fingers are new and amazing but it just isn't enough

he curled his fingers up, and you cried out his name, cum flashing down his fingers as you assume that's his answer

"P-Please just fuck me!" but he didn't respond, no, instead he removes his fingers and rubs them all over your pussy folds, you wore a confused but curious face as Carl looked back up to you,

"what? there's no way it's gonna fit without some sorta lube. " he watched as you smile at him, excited as he moves his boxers down and suddenly you're fearful as ever

he moves his cum soaked fingers over his cock as he jerks it to harden it up even more -like the poor boy wasn't throbbing before-

he moved his tip to your entrance, looking back up to you as he grabbed one of your hands and reassured you if it hurts he'll stop, you nodded and he moved in

you suddenly let out a yelp as his cock moved in, burning and pulling of your walls being stretched was almost unbearable, but you knew that with the pain there will be pleasure

"I- Is the h-head in now?" you whined, he stumbled a confused glance as he confessed that not even the tip was in and you realized you never felt more embarrassed in your life

"don't worry baby It'll be in soon," he said while laughing, you cross your arms and looked away with a pout on your lips too cute not to kiss off, after kisses and complements he was back to the task at hand

your teeth sunk deeper into your lip as you licked the blood that seeped out, fuck, it hurt. it felt like everything was on fire but with Carl in your ear, mumbling "it's okay" and "aww, you're doing so good" it was enough for you to quite literally bite your tongue until it was fully in

Carl was a dream with letting you adjust, he wasn't impatient or pushy, letting you take your time until you were ready.

but when gave him the okay...that Carl was gone.

his cock was relentless, jamming in and out of your tight hole as you whine and pleaded for him to slow down -but deep down you didn't want him to, and he knew it with the way your pussy tightened around him-

his hand landed on your lower abdomen and felt where in dick landed, mumbling "fuck, I'm so deep baby, you feel that?"

"C-Carl please, I-" 

"'I-' what? isn't this what you wanted baby? what happened to "P-Please just fuck me"?" he mocked, you never felt more embarrassed in your life, and it didn't help that the way he mocked you was so fucking hot

he rammed his cock deeper, tip hitting your cervix repeatedly as his grith made you dizzy

"fuck, doesn't it feel good baby? enough whining can get you what you want, huh?" but you couldn't respond, how could you? with your pupils spinning and his hard cock mercilessly forced into your needy pussy

"answer me, doll" 

"y-yes! it please it feels so good!"

his balls smacked against your ass as he continued on at an unruly pace, you fall into a trance of knowing nothing except him and his cock, pretty veins being shown as he removes himself to just the tip and rammed it back into the warm home of your cunt

"do you think Ron's this good, baby?"

"n-no!" he somehow made himself deeper as he asked you again, you moaned louder, "N-NO!" as he kissed you, "that's what I thought"

"C-Carl, I think 'm gonna c-cum" you whispered on his lips, he kissed you once more as he confessed that he was close as well. you moaned as he sped up once more, placing his thumb on your clit as he rubbed the red swollen bud as he taunted you 

"cum baby, wanna see your cream dripping down my cock" his deep voice hissed, he threw his head back as his throat bobbed, brown baby hairs had sweat dripping off them as they stuck onto his face for dear life

"f-fuck! I'm cumming!" you moaned as you came down his cock, he groaned as he held your hand harder and shot his cum deep into your pussy.

he placed himself lovingly on top of you as he kissed your abused lips, he moved your connected hands on your chest as he whispered,

"you did so good baby"

you could only nod as you were completely fucked out, he chucked and kissed you again as he got up to get a warm washcloth

he cleaned you up and cuddled with you, your face digging into his shoulder as he rubbed your back, "I love you" he mumbled, he was nervous but knew that this is how he felt, but he couldn't feel any happier when you whispered back,

"I love you too"

an: ahhh hi guys! thank you so much for 90 followers! sorry this took so long hehe!! I decided to mix 2 request so I hope you guys don't mind! I really liked this one actually, thank you guys so much for reading & sending stuff in!! lysm, mwah <3

[noforkingclue]

Small idea that can do in multiple different directions depending on where you want to go with this. Reader is friends with Peter and Mary, she ends up becoming a spiderman (I know it's not a species.) She has a crush on Doc ock and it never bothered her because she was a normal human. But now she has to help Peter fight which means spending more and more time around Doc ock. Eventually Peter and Mary start noticing you're getting more depressed and almost reluctant to help him.

Ok, I couldn't help but start writing this as soon as you sent in the ask! My love for Doc Ock (and the original three Spiderman films) has been renewed so please send in more requests!

Title: Taking a Break

Marvel tag list: @geocookie21, @greeneyedblondie44, @purebloodwitch

Everything tag list: @greenrevolutionary, @imjustassaneasyou

At first it was something you could easily manage. Just a small, normal crush that you could brush away and pretend never existed. Oh if only your life was ever that simple. You should’ve known that hanging around with Peter would lead to an adventurous life but you didn’t expect it taking this turn.

If you were being completely honest, you weren’t entirely sure how you managed to get the same powers as Peter. All you remembered was a sharp pain on your shoulder, Peter crying out your name and you falling unconscious. When you regained consciousness you saw Peter’s worried face hovering above yours and him stuttering out how sorry he was for getting your dragged into this mess.

And part of you did resent him a small bit. You didn’t want these powers, to have the Daily Bugle smearing you at every good deed the two of you tried to do and to constantly have to protect your identity. But then there were moments that made you reconsider your views on your powers. When you were able to web-sling high above the city and enjoy the peace, even for a moment. Or when you heard the public cheer you and Peter on after a particularly difficult battle. Knowing that you had the support of at least some of the public made everything worthwhile.

Well, almost everything. Your new found status as a hero and ally to Spiderman had launched you straight into the view of all his enemies but there was one you always seemed to fight alone. Doc Ock. If there was anyone you’d want to fight least it was him. You’d rather go one on one with the Green Goblin than him.

Alright, so maybe your past feelings hadn’t entirely disappeared and maybe the more time you spent fighting him the… closer the two of you had become. The original harsh words you used to throw to each other had long since disappeared and had turned into something akin to flirting. Well, if you counted throwing large pieces of the city at you as flirting then definitely!

The more time you spent fighting him the more you didn’t want to. You knew that deep down (very deep down) Doc Ock wasn’t a bad man. Peter would be horrified if he knew and to be honest, you half expected that he already did. The concerned looks he gave you after each battle with him. Peter telling you to take nights off and leave the fighting up to him. At times you were so tired that you agreed and let Peter take over for a couple of days. Even MJ was beginning to notice your exhaustion and depression, constantly distracting you and talking about random things. It was nice to have some time off and forget about things for a while, even if it was just for a short time.

However, all good things must come to an end which was how you ended up in your current predicament. It was pouring with rain and you were pinned against a brick wall high up about New York City. You tried to glare from behind your mask but you knew that it had no effect on the man in front of you. You struggled against the metal tentacles but all that did was to cause them to press harsher against you. You gasped for air as Doc Ock smirked and then from behind your mask you locked eyes with him.

And everything stood still.

It was as though the traffic below the two of you had disappeared. The only sound was the constant fall of the rain as it soaked through your costume and into your skin. You knew that it was going to be a pain to peel off later but right now that shouldn’t have been your main concern. What your mind should’ve been focused on was the strange look that Doc Ock was giving you. It was as though he had just realised the position you were in. He took a step towards you, his metal arms still keeping you in place, as his hands rested against your shoulders.

Even through the icy rain you could feel his body heat as he pressed against you. His hands moved slowly around your neck and you swallowed thickly in fear. Doc Ock smirked at your reaction and he leant in and whispered,

“I’m not going to kill you just yet.”

You shuddered as his hot breath ghosted through your costume. As he pulled back his fingers grazed along the seam of your mask and you jumped in panic. He couldn’t unmask you, you wouldn’t allow your secret identity and just clicked his tongue in disappointment.

“If I wanted to find out who you are,” he said, “I’d want it to be a challenge. You unfortunately didn’t put up much of a fight tonight.”

Instead he slowly peeled your mask until it was just under your nose. You gasped in the cool air as he traced his thumb along your lips. His gaze dropped to your lips as he pressed the pad of his thumb against them.

“Things had been so boring without you around,” he said as he leant closer, “Don’t be away for so long next time.”

Before you had time to react he leant down and pressed a bruising kiss against your lips. You stiffened as he pushed you harshly against the brick wall. He smirked as he playfully nipped at your lips and you gasped in shock. As quickly as it had happened he broke the kiss leaving you slightly disappointed. You blinked behind your mask, you shouldn’t be disappointed that the man who tried to kill you and your friends had stopped kissing you.

“Next time,” said the Doctor as the metal tentacles released you, “Be around. You’ll find that I’ll be a lot less gentle if I have to come and find you myself.”

As he disappeared into the night you slumped against the wall and slid onto the floor. Having him coming to find you certainly was a tempting offer. Maybe you’ll have to take a break more often.

[latimeria-fell-from-heaven]

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧

𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: diluc, kaeya, albedo, zhongli, xiao, childe, scaramouche, dainsleif and tohma

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: the summer rain is sudden, warm, but welcomed. and you can't help but lean against his shoulder and listen to the rain.

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠(𝐬): cursing

𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫: gender neutral

𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠: beneath the rain ー nom

it's raining where i live and i like rain so :D

Summer rain is unexpected but warm and welcomedー it's like a short reprieve from the sweltering summer days, with the transparent droplets cooling down to Earth, even if just for a short while.

You thought that it was a nice occurrence really, a nice break from the sweltering heat, a nice excuse to not go out and socialize with others, to stay in your pajamas all day without being called a lazy bumーyou heard these kinds of things a lot, so it was nice to kick back and wrap yourself up in your blankets.

So you'd be as lazy as possible.

Yesーprobably even more.

The sound of rain hitting earth was pretty.

You wanted to sleep some more.

If someone called you lazy, that was their problem, not yours.

ー 𝐃𝐈𝐋𝐔𝐂

Okay, normally he's the absolute worst the cuddle with in the middle of summer, but the rain has made the house 10x colder, and you need warmth dammit. So you just hug him close and refuse to let go. Unless it's for bathroom breaks.

He's so easy to rile up for someone who has a good poker face. Your constant nuzzlings against him have his face going redder than his hair. He gets used to it after some time, but you can still see the tips of his ears getting red. How cute, you often think.

Diluc will let you rest your head on his lap as he will scan through any documents he will need to read. You either reading a book you stole from his study, or you fell asleep and it is now on your faceーthere is no in-between. You're pretty sure Diluc saw you like that and chuckledーwhat a nice sound.

Diluc's hawkーbless her soulーhas started getting used to you. This means you can brush your fingers through her pretty feathers and she won't bite you this time. She'll often watch the rain with you, the only sounds being the rain and her occasional soft shriek.

He'll occasionally make his delicious ribs, and while you're not supposed to feed his hawk the food, she's giving you that look. You only give her tiny pieces, all while cooing about how grumpy and mean Lulu is, while said man is giving you a look too.

If you need to go fetch something while the rain is pouring away, Diluc will accompany you, and while he insists that he doesn't need an umbrella, you sure as hell ain't letting him get a damn cold on your watch. So he has no choice but to share the umbrella with you.

You spend the rainy afternoons in your sleepwear all day, not caring to change into regular clothes and often lazing around. Sometimesー yes, sometimes, Diluc would join you, tired from the piles of papers that needed to be looked over. But this time, you welcomed his warmth, and eagerly hugged him close, not wanting to let goーyou wanted to be selfish just this once.

ー 𝐊𝐀𝐄𝐘𝐀

Dear God, he has become your worst enemy whenever it rains. Since the rain has cooled down the once humid and hot summer air, it turns Kaeya into your worst fear. He knows exactly what he's doing and will put his cold-ass hands on the back of your neck.

The only good thing he does with his cryo vision is actually for entertainment purposes, just for the two of you. He freezes several raindrops in the air before they plummet down and shatter into several glimmering pieces. It's much prettier than it soundsーKaeya has a way of making it a beautiful spectacle.

He doesn't mind sharing an umbrella with youーin fact, he enjoys being so close to you. He'll hold the umbrella, but in exchange, you have to hug his arm. It's only fair, right sweetheart? He has such a shit-eating smile spread on his lips, but what the hell. You don't mind hugging him close either.

You'll sit out on the porch with an umbrella over you, as you watch the rain pour down. You watch as the crystalflies, once lazily flying aboutーnow flee from the onslaught of rain. You watch as they fly higher and higherーuntil they disappeared in a burst of crystalline dust. Kaeya will occasionally join you and spectate with you.

Kaeya will absentmindedly play with your hair, a rather monotonous expression upon his features, as he soothingly rubs your scalp back and forthーit's enough to make you drowsy. All the while he just gazes at you, a gentle smile having found itself on his lips while you struggle to stay awake.

You take frequent naps whenever it rains; the rain probably unlocks your lazinessーhaha. So you'll more often than not rest your weary head on Kaeya's shoulder while you snooze away. Sometimes you're so drowsy that you end falling into his lap, which he plans to tease you about when you're fully awake. But for now, he'll admire your cute sleeping face.

Kaeya taught you how to play some board games that he's familiar with, and now whenever it rains, you pull out the boards and get to work. He's kicked your ass far more than you'd like to admit, but the games keep your brain from turning to mush.

ー 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐄𝐃𝐎

Since he's Klee's unofficial babysitter, she'll drag the two of you outside to play in the puddles and splash around in them. She's eager to see the world drenched in rain, so you and Albedo follow her around so she won't get over-enthusiastic and get herself lost.

When Klee gets tuckered out from her excess playing in the rain, you and Albedo take a walk in the rain, enjoying the clouded scenery and each other's presence as well. He'll occasionally seek out the roots of Boom Blossoms since the soil makes it perfect to collect them. You help him carry them back so he doesn't have to walk back and forth.

Since Albedo can't walk to his lab in such poor conditions, especially if it's thundering outside, he'll have to make do with what he has at home. It's honestly like a cozy little world that no one can touch. You get to play the role of a lab assistant for a little bit.

You love to play with Albedo's hairーit's just so fluffy and soft, how can you resist such fluffiness? Albedo doesn't really mind, letting out occasional hums as your nails gentle scrape across his scalp. you'll even put it up in a messy bun for him. That way his hair won't get in his eyes while he's doing anything.

Klee loves doing arts and crafts with the two of you, and Albedo usually comes up with something from his alchemy studies that will produce something safe enough for Klee to try out for herself. The two of you supervise, just in case something could potentially happen.

Albedo will sketch the hydrangeas that tremble with each drop of dew that falls upon themーhow pretty, you'd often think. You'll sit next to him while he sketches anything that catches his eye. The half-eaten lunch that Klee left on the table again, the transparent vials held upon his shelvesーeven you, while you gaze absentmindedly out the window.

You've taken naps with Klee before, the two of you curled up next to each other, lazing the day away. Albedo will walk in on the rather sweet and cute sight, and he'll watch silently, before pulling the blanket up further and wishing you a good sleep before heading off to finish up his sketches and alchemy.

ー 𝐙𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐈

Zhongli makes all sorts of warm teas for youーyou'll take anything he makes, since it always comes out so delectable. It warms up your body from the cold air that the summer rain brings, and it puts you in a better mood. It's so cozy and nice.

You told him to read any Liyue book of his choice while you rest on his lap, and he agrees with a chuckle. His deep voice, combined with the sound of rain? Oh yeah, you think that you're in heaven now. He'll stroke your hair while reading away, his voice becoming a baritone lullaby for you.

Zhongli likes to take you out for walks in Liyueーwhether it is the harbor or out in the wilderness of his nation. He makes sure that you won't catch a cold afterward, however. You favor visiting the ancient ruins from ancient civilizations long since forgotten to time. It feels nostalgic, but at the same time just calming to be there.

Every once in a while, when the thunder crashes violently about in the sky, Zhongli will prepare his Bamboo Shoot Soup, made just for you. You're about to cry, because he's so sweet, and it tastes so good?? Who the hell let him be such good husband material?

You both have poem-writing mini-contests, no matter how bad or good you are, Zhongli loves them. He wants to know what kinds of thoughts flow through that mind of yours, and how you would write it out on paper. No matter how embarrassed you are, he'll give out good pointers and writing tips.

Zhongli won't mind if you just want to be lazy the whole day, and he'll smile and chuckle when he sees your blanket-wrapped form waddling towards him, and he'll let you rest upon his lap while he reads over a new contract.

When the rain begins to slow, Zhongli will invite you to come and pick some Violetgrass alongside in. Well, you could use some more to try and make that Black-Back Perch Stew that Xiangling had recommended a few days ago, so you agree. You hold his hand the entire time, as he doesn't want to lose your foot holding on to the slippery rocks that adorn Liyue.

ー 𝐗𝐈𝐀𝐎

You asked Xiao to supervise you while you dance in the rain. Yes, you spoke correctlyーyou dance in the rain. Xiao scoffs and calls it another strange human activity, but he still does watch over you while you skip about in the rain, not caring if you look strange.

Most of the time, he's out patrolling Liyue, even in the rain, which makes you concerned, since he could get sick. He has to remind you that no, he doesn't get sick ' like you mortals' as he puts it. But you tell him that he's welcome to stop by your house during the rain whenever he wants. He almost scoffs but instead lets out a gruff, but quiet ' thank you.'

You've made Xiao Almond Tofu on many occasions, and even making some for yourself. It's become comfort food, as well as a rainy day dessert. You're not too confident in how you always make it, but Xiao calls your insecurity confusing, going quiet for a few beats, before telling you that the tofu tasted good today.

Xiao never understands your tendencies to wrap yourself up in thick blankets and laze around all day. You're too busy being lazy to care about his judgemental stare, or emerging from a pleasant nap whilst stretching and yawning. Sleep is the best form of self-care after all.

You sometimes like to walk around outside and crouch down in front of plants drizzled with raindrops, and you'll even spot some cute frogs and snails hiding amongst them. Xiao stumbled into you like this and stood over you, to which you looked back up at him and only gave a carefree smile in response.

When he's not out on his usual patrols, Xiao will accompany you when you go out to buy a couple of novels that were needed. He stays silent for the entirety of it, but he's the one who actually holds the umbrella and holds your now purchased books before you can even protest.

Half of the time you just walk around your house wearing nothing but an oversized shirt and undergarments. You're too damn lazy to change into anything else, and your mind is half asleep a nice majority of the time. So Xiao is going to have to get used to the sight of your nice ass legs, whether he wants to or not.

ー 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐄

You find yourself more often than not nuzzled into his chestーany noises you make are muffled out by his toned chest. He's surprisingly good hug material, and you need your damn naps so you just use him as a rainy day pillow. A nice and muscular pillow.

Childe more often than not trains in the rain, to which you think that he must have a damn death wish or something, but what the hell, let him have his fun. He knows damn well that when he comes back inside, you're practically drooling because of the water making his shirt stick to his chest and abs.

You really remind him of Teucer, jumping around and splashing in the puddles outside when you think no one is looking. You like to flick the outside plants, effectively making the raindrops drip down onto the damp earth. It's pretty satisfying to doーjust as simple as that.

Childe likes to occasionally cook steaming meals once it starts raining, and won't let you in the kitchen to aid him. He just kicks you right back out with a cheery smile and a closing of the door. Well in his defense, the food comes out rather tasty, and it always warms you up.

If you have to do your commissions out in the summer rain, just know that Childe can and will join you. He will gladly think of the downpouring rain as an extra challenge for practicing his fighting skills and honing them even more.

When he's not out trying to train his ass off, he's trying to playfight with youーyes he tries to playfight with you. If he's not trying to lock you in a losing position, then he's chasing you around the house like a crazed man, complete with a happy grin while he hones in on you.

When it rains, you either make it a lazy day or head over into the city to complete some errands. Childe will happily hold the umbrella and you close to him. All while you're busy picking out some desserts to try out. He has a shit-eating grin the entire time as if to say ' yeah, this my partner, look at me be such a good boyfriend. ' He's puffing out his chest whenever some elderly people gossip about what a lovely couple you are.

ー 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐔𝐂𝐇𝐄

He's staring you down whenever you decide to be extra lazy and calls you a lazy-ass, to which you just stare at him and just flip over and sleep more. He either gives you the shock of your life or he ends up cuddling close to you later on.

The two of you open up the sliding doors and just sit there, admiring how the plants jostle as the raindrops fall down on them. He makes fun of you at first, but he eventually joins you and the two of you talk about whatever comes to mind, whether it be him raging about how Childe called him a midget yet again, or anything else.

The sakura trees are especially pretty during the rain, so you drag Scara there to just admire the view. He's practically hissing at you for dragging his ass all the way for some damn tree, but you've learned to drown out his angry voice from time to time.

You have definitely picked up his nasty habit of watching people slip in the rain and laughing at their misery. Yes, Scara will literally drag you out to do this when he's not being a bitch in the Fatui. You definitely cackle at them alongside him, and now you're learning from him. He's rubbing off on you.

Did you think chucking a pillow at his face was a good idea at the time? Yes, yes you did. Are you probably going to die by his hand because he's chasing you down like a maniac while you're screeching? Yeah, definitely.

He's surprisingly sweet when you have to head out somewhere, holding the umbrella for the two of you while you walk outside. He makes it seem like it's an absolute waste of his time, but you know that deep down he does care enough to make sure that you don't get struck by lightning.

The one time you wanted to try out some Inazuman games, he taught you all alright, but he turns it into a damn competition and the two of you are throwing insults like it's a food fight. If it weren't for the fact that you like this damn midget so much, you'd have probably strangled him from the shit-eating smirk he has while beating you at everything.

ー 𝐃𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐋𝐄𝐈𝐅

He looks so funny when you're building a pillow and blanket fort because he just looks so serious, and then he's just surrounded by fluff?? Yeah, you're gonna smother that handsome eyepatch man with affection and not let go.

You love to use him as a heater and pillow whenever it rains, because he's nice and warm, and his chest is a nice pillow. You get an excuse to coddle him while it rains, and he honestly doesn't mindーeven enjoys it since he gets to be close to you.

You once brought in a cute green frog from the rain, and he had to spend a good minute just wondering how in the hell you managed to catch a frog. He spent even more of a good chunk of time just trying to convince you to put it back, but you wouldn't stop calling it ' our son. '

He taught you how to make bookmarks with pressed flowers, and he's actually pretty good at it. He makes really pretty ones, and you're internally dying because he's so fucking cute and talented. He can't look this attractive while gluing the flowers togetherーit's illegal to be this cute.

You like to bake cute cakes because you need your daily dose of sugar, and if it's something Dainsleif is familiar with, he'll help you by passing along the ingredients and stirring them for you. But he sometimes likes to watch youーhe thinks you look adorable, your concentrated face is cute to him.

He always holds the umbrellaーno exceptions. It's mostly because he towers over you and he's whipped for you. You hold his hand because it's really warm, and handholding is embarrassing for you. He always holds whatever you buy as well, and will not budge. You can't even physically pry it away from him because he's so damn strong, and he has the will of steel.

You hung up the glass wind chime you had bought for him, and like to listen to the sound of the soft music it produces in the rain-soaked winds. Dainsleif will occasionally join you and rub soothing circles on your head, to which you gladly accept. You wonder if he'll hear the sound of that windchime later on and think of you.

ー 𝐓𝐎𝐇𝐌𝐀

You threatened to throw mud at him jokingly, but whenever it's just the two of you, it's a full-blown war zone. You have to make sure that you're not wearing anything nice because Tohma will ruin it within the next 45 seconds.

Tohma can and will carry you over his shoulder just to trap you against the bed and refuse to move. Unless it's for the bathroom and food, then no. He requires attention and affection and you're gonna give it to him. You considered kicking him in the crotch because he's so damn heavy.

He's your personal heater, so when the summer rain makes you feel extra lazy, you're the one who's trapping him and refusing to let go. When you're not smothering him in bed, you're hanging onto him like a koala and absorbing his heat. His vision becomes your savior in the cold summer rain.

Despite his goofy attitude, he insists that you read at least one book whenever it rains. You're pretty sure he does it on purpose and planned ahead because he pats his lap a little too eagerly and looks a little too giddy.

Tohma is incredibly giddy when you ask him to accompany you on a rainy nature walk. He'll hold the umbrella, and he also insists on holding your hand the whole time. He looks like his usual goofy self, but internally? Oh yeah, you've killed him. The mantra that's going through his mind is They're holding my hand! They're holding my hand!

He offers to clean your ears, lap pillow, and all! You'd never tell it to his face because his ego would just get bigger, but he's actually pretty good at it. You'll end up falling asleep because of how soothing it is. Unbeknownst to you, Tohma's a blushing wreck, because ear cleaning is something that you only do with loved ones, and that includes lovers.

You had baked him cookies just one time, and now he's like an eager puppy, constantly prodding at you and giving you eager eyes whenever you enter the kitchen. You had just been experimenting with baking, so you suppose this could count as a success. Hell, you could add a tail to him just from how eager he looks.

[extasiswings]

Buddie- I'm a sucker for kissing in the rain! But 3 and 29 are good too. Love your fics!

I was going somewhere with this...and then I was going somewhere totally different...and anyway I’m not really sure what this is, but it’s Something. 

It rains the day of Maddie and Chim’s wedding. Their meticulously planned, beautiful, outdoor wedding. But if the happy couple is thrown at all by the abrupt change in their plans, Eddie certainly can’t tell.

Halfway through the reception though, he definitely needs a break from the noise and the very full room, and so he leaves Christopher under Karen’s watchful eye and goes wandering. He winds up by the door that opens out to the garden—where the ceremony was originally supposed to be—and spends several long moments watching the rain fall, the noise of the reception still echoing down the hall, but dulled, distant. The main sound is the rain against the roof.

That’s where Buck finds him—because of course Buck finds him, he wouldn’t have expected anything less—leaning against the door frame and looking out, lost in thought.

“Hey,” Buck greets, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Want some company?”

The thing is, anyone else, Eddie would say no. But somewhere along the line, Buck became the exception. Buck isn’t just anyone, he’s...Buck. Eddie wants him everywhere, in every part of his life. And that’s part of the problem, isn’t it? Eddie doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do with that, whether to thread his fingers through Buck’s and kiss him senseless or whether pushing for more would break them.

So he bites back the urge, the same way he’s been doing for over a year, and just says—

“Sure.”

—and goes back to watching the rain.

“It was a nice ceremony,” he adds after a minute. “They seem like they’re going to be really happy—not that that’s a surprise, they already were, but—” He shrugs and trails off, but he can feel Buck’s eyes on him, watching carefully.

“You know, I don’t think you’ve ever told me about yours,” Buck says, and Eddie glances over in surprise.

“My wedding?”  He shakes his head. “You don’t want to hear about my wedding.”

“Sure I do—come on.”

And because Eddie can’t seem to deny Buck anything lately, he wets his lips and casts his mind back.

“It was hot,” he admits. “Middle of summer and the a/c was broken in the church at that which didn’t help. I spent the whole time feeling like I might pass out, but I’m not entirely sure whether that was because of the heat or the fact that I was...terrified.”

There’s a rose bush directly in his line of sight and his eyes track the path of the droplets that collect and drip from the edge of one crimson petal.

“Shannon barely made it down the aisle at all—she was having these bouts of really awful morning sickness at the time, I felt so bad—but she did, and it was all very...traditional after that? With the mass and the vows and the blessings and all that.”

“Doesn’t really sound like you,” Buck says quietly.

Eddie lets out a slow breath and catches his lower lip between his teeth.

“It wasn’t,” he admits. “Wasn’t either of us really, but we thought it was what we were supposed to do, so it’s what we did.”

“Do you think—” Buck starts, only to cut himself off. Eddie glances over, raising an eyebrow.

“Do I think I’ll ever get married again?” He guesses, and Buck nods. Eddie could almost laugh because once again the answer is no, but. Because he can’t picture himself spending the rest of his life with anyone but Buck. Can’t imagine wanting to make vows or put on a ring for anyone else. And he knows how ridiculous it is to feel like that about someone he isn’t even dating, but—it is what it is.

“I don’t know,” he says finally. “Maybe. With the right person.”  His lips curve faintly, as he adds— “I wouldn’t mind getting the chance to have a first dance. Missed that one the first time around. Actually, come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever danced at a wedding. At least not with anyone I actually wanted to dance with.”

Buck is quiet for a moment, then starts taking off his jacket. Eddie blinks.

“What are you doing?”

Buck drapes the suit jacket across the windowsill and reaches for the door handle.

“Come on.”

“It’s raining,” Eddie points out, and Buck smiles.

“So? It’s water—you afraid of getting a little wet?” He teases. And then he slips out into the garden, leaving Eddie behind. Eddie watches from a distance as the raindrops darken Buck’s crisp, navy shirt, and ultimately shucks his own jacket and follows.

It’s nice—the air is cool and fresh, a nice change from the stuffiness of the reception hall, and it smells of wet earth and growing things.

“You know, Maddie and Chim were supposed to have their first dance out here,” Buck says casually. Maybe too casually, because there’s an edge to his voice like he’s forcing it a bit.

“Yeah?” Eddie asks.

“Yeah.” As he watches, Buck swallows hard, and a bead of water streams down his neck before vanishing into his collar.

Eddie’s struck with the urge to trace the same path with his tongue. And he’s distracted enough, that he almost misses it when Buck says—

“You should dance with me.”

Eddie’s gaze snaps up.

“Here?”

Buck shrugs and holds out his hand and for the first time, Eddie catches the nervousness that flickers across his face. It does something to him—seeing that. It turns the key in a door he’s tried to keep firmly shut, releasing a swirl of want and love and desperate hope to bubble up in his chest.

Eddie licks his lips and tastes the rain.

“Why?” He asks, even as he takes Buck’s hand and steps in close.

“You said you’ve never danced at a wedding,” Buck replies.

“Buck.”

Their eyes meet and hold. Water drops down the back of Eddie’s neck and it’s clarifying. The world around them is still and silent but for the patter of rain, but Eddie isn’t afraid of the silence.

It feels like possibility.

“And I didn’t want you to dance with anyone else,” Buck adds. “Just me.”

Eddie’s heart skips. “Just you, huh?”

Buck’s eyes drop down to Eddie’s lips in a way that can’t be mistaken, and Eddie curls the fingers of his free hand around Buck’s damp tie and tugs him in to kiss him.

They get thoroughly soaked.

[kookicat]

The Macaron Job 

I'm a damned idiot, Eliot thinks and scowls at the sheeting rain outside the kitchen window. It's a horrible damp day, the sort that turns his hair into a curly mess that defies even the hottest flat iron, and he's making macarons. They're never going to dry, he thinks and pokes the closest one with a clean fingertip, scowl deepening as the mix sticks to his skin. 

It wasn't like there were a million other, more rainy day compatible things he could have made. Like brown butter and oatmeal cookies. Or madeleines. Or lemon and poppy seed muffins, with a lemon glaze, sweet and sharp. Or an apple pie, rich and golden and spiked with cinnamon. Or even sugar cookies. 

But Parker had asked for French macarons, and he's never been able to say no to the women, especially when Sophie gets in on the act. So he's stuck in the kitchen, babysitting a sheet pan of macarons that are stubbornly refusing to form any sort of skin. They're never going to work, he thinks and sighs, pulling out the ingredients to make a batch of sugar cookies, just in case, letting his hands fall into the familiar actions while his mind wanders, pondering what else he wants to add to his newly established kitchen garden. 

It's another part of himself that he's reclaimed, once he'd committed to the team, and it had taken him a while to get comfortable with his hands in the dirt again, but damn, it was nice to replace the old blood on his hands with warm, fragrant soil, capable of giving life rather than taking it. Parker had caught on first, bugging him with questions about what the plants did until he got his first harvest of peas and squash and carrots and tomatoes, turning them into something they could eat, remembering exactly how at peace he'd felt, sitting down at the table to eat a meal he'd produced in more ways than one. 

He glances at the tray of macarons again, feeling irritation niggle at him when they still aren't set. The sugar cookie dough forms a neat ball under his hands and he shapes it into a log, wrapping it in plastic and slipping it in the fridge to chill, trying to ignore the urge to glare at the macarons. Like that'll make them set faster, he thinks and has to laugh at himself, just a little. Truth be told, there's not many other places he'd rather be on a rainy day than his kitchen, even if he is stuck with the least rainy day friendly bake ever. 

Quiet footsteps head towards the kitchen and he keeps his back to the door, deliberately, ignoring the prickle between his shoulders that he still can't quite shake. He trusts them with his life and his soul and his sanity, but bone deep instincts aren't so easy to turn off. "They're not done yet," he says when the steps transfer from wood to the tile floor in the kitchen, knowing as good as he was, he wouldn't have heard her if she didn't want him to, because the woman was like a damn cat, all liquid grace and soft steps. 

"They didn't take this long last time," she complains, boosting herself onto the counter and reaching around him to steal a crumb of sugar cookie dough from the big copper mixing bowl. 

Eliot tucks a curly strand of hair behind his ear and glances at the window, where the rain has become even worse, pouring down in a way that makes him wonder idly if they need to start building an arc. Hardison would hate that, he thinks, all those animals to manage and manages not to grin too widely. "Last time it wasn't pouring with rain," he says, and lifts an eyebrow at her when she frowns. 

She sneaks another scrap of cookie dough, chewing thoughtfully. "That makes a difference?" 

"Sure." He crosses his arms, resisting the urge to poke the damned macarons again, and leans back against the cabinet. "It's baking, Parker. Everything makes a difference." There's a thread of wry, amused annoyance in his voice. Sometimes the strict measurements, the recipes that have to be followed to the letter, the exacting nature of baking are exactly what he needs, letting him lose himself in the details, pushing back the memories for just a little while longer. It's almost like meditation, steps he knows like the notes of an old, familiar song. And sometimes, he wants the opposite, wants to grab ingredients by instinct to create something entirely new, something fresh and exciting and his in a way that baking never quite captures. 

"How do you know when they're ready?" she leans over, bumping shoulders with him, close enough that her hair brushes his cheek, nibbling on the last scrap of dough. 

"You're going to get a stomach ache," he mutters absently, tapping the closest macaron round with his pointer finger. "They're ready for baking when they don't stick to your fingers." 

It doesn't, to his surprise, and he lifts the tray, sliding it into the pre-heated oven. There's dark chocolate ganache chilling in the fridge and he pulls the bowl out, setting it on the counter to warm, pretending not to see Parker steal a spoonful as he turns away to stack the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. He turns back and has to smother a grin, because she has chocolate on her cheek and an overly innocent expression on her face. 

"Is that nice?" he asks, biting the inside of his lip to keep a straight face. 

She blinks at him, idly swinging her legs, taking care not to thump her boots into the cupboard door. "I don't know what you mean!" she says and he laughs, tossing a dish towel at her. 

"You have ganache on your face," he says and she swipes it away. 

The timer beeps and he silences it, turning the sheet pan around in the oven so everything bakes evenly. He grabs a piping bag and gives the ganache a stir, handing the spoon to Parker while he fills the bag. The kitchen smells safe, like good vanilla and sugar and chocolate and combined with the pouring rain it's making him feel relaxed, tranquil, almost sleepy in a way that's rare for him. He leans against the counter again, letting the comfortable silence stretch its legs, half an eye on the window, watching the water run down the glass. 

"You could have said no, you know," Parker says suddenly, softly and he grunts as he ponders his answer. 

"I know," he starts, and shrugs. "I didn't want to say no." 

"Oh," she says, frowning like she's missed something and normally, he wouldn't have the words to explain it to her, but it's different somehow, in the warm kitchen and he shifts his weight a little, glancing at the timer before he starts talking. 

"I wanted to," he shrugs, "For a long time, all I did was destroy stuff. People, mostly." The words sting more than he expects coming out and he pauses, clearing his throat, taking the time to figure out what he wants to say next. "I was finding my way back from that when we did that first job, but I still had a ways to go. Creating rather than destroying helps." The words are sticking in his brain and he scratches his jaw, meeting her eyes, seeing understanding there, feeling the echo of another conversation like this. "You never expect me to give more than I can." He lifts a hand, gestures vaguely at the kitchen. "This, I can give. So, yes, I could have said no, but I didn't want to." The corner of his mouth quirks up in a wry smile. "Even if you did ask for macarons on the worst possible day to make them." 

"You like them too," she protests, knowing that she's not the only one in the room with a sweet tooth. Eliot just hides his better, but she's never seen him turn down a donut yet. 

"I do," he agrees easily and shoves his hair back again. The humidity means it wants to fall in his face and his last two hair ties had mysteriously vanished. I'd order more, if I didn't think a quick sweep of the brew pub would turn up a dozen, he thinks. With three of them using them, the damn things seem to grow legs. 

"Here," Parker says and offers him a hair tie. 

He takes it, pretty sure it had started out life as one of his to begin with and puts his hair up, washing his hands just as the timer starts to beep. He turns off the tap and dries his hands as Parker silences the alarm, grabbing a dry dish towel before he pulls the sheet pan out of the oven. 

They're not his best batch ever - some are more oval than round, and he's enough of a perfectionist to find that annoying, but they smell great and he sets the sheet pan down on the cooling rack. 

"How soon can we eat them?" Parker asks and he swats her hand away as she reaches for one. 

"They're hot," he says absently, before he remembers that he's talking to Parker and she seems to spend a quarter of her life in places where anyone else would find the heat unbearable. "Let them cool, or they'll break when you move them," he adds. "It shouldn't take long." 

The kitchen is cool and he knows from experience that the macarons will be cold enough to handle pretty quickly. He just needs to distract Parker until that point. 

"There's sugar cookie dough in the fridge. We can shape those while these cool," he suggests and she brightens. 

"Can we make dinosaurs?" she asks, seeming to bounce on the spot without actually moving. 

"No," he says, because sugar cookies should be round and he's pretty sure the dinosaur cutters found a new home, far away from his kitchen. 

She frowns. "Animals then." 

He pulls the dough out of the fridge and sets it next to the ganache while he preps another sheet pan. "No," he says, because he's fairly sure the animal cutters went to live on the same farm as the dinosaurs. "Rounds are fine."

"You're no fun," she grumps and frowns at him, seeing the quirk in his lip that means he's secretly amused and not buying her act at all. 

"I made you two types of cookie," he protests, and reaches into the cupboard on the wall, pulling out a new blend of sprinkles. They're less lurid than her usual pick, but they're also dyed with natural extracts and not chemicals he can't pronounce and so he figures it's a decent trade off. 

"Ooh, sprinkles!" Parker says, grinning at him. "Sprinkles are fun." 

He cuts the log of cookie dough into neat, even slices and arranges them on the tray, reaching over to turn the oven up, wondering what to defrost for dinner. It's just him and Parker, for a change, because Nate and Sophie have a table booked at a fancy new restaurant and Hardison is at some game thing with his friends. Eliot doesn't rate the new restaurant - the menu is overly complicated, and he knows enough about Hardison's game nights to know he'll come home stuffed with enough cheap pizza, orange soda and gummy frogs to fuel a small army for a week. Parker would be quite happy with a bowl of whatever luridly coloured cereal she'd latched onto for the week, but Eliot is craving something rich and warming and comforting, because the weather shows no sign of improving. There's a ragu sauce in the freezer and he pulls it out, setting it aside to defrost, knowing there's fresh pasta in the fridge and homemade dinner rolls in the bread bin. 

Parker is rifling in the drawer next to her knees and pulls out a star shaped cutter. "Stars?" she says and waves it at him. 

"Fine," he says, and rolls his eyes. "Make half of them stars." 

She hops down and crosses to the sink to wash her hands, humming happily as she desecrates half of his perfectly round cookies. He sighs and presses the scraps together, wrapping them in plastic and dumping them in the fridge for later. The cookies will be a little tough, but that's nothing a glass of milk can't solve. 

The oven beeps to let him know it's reached temp, and he slides the cookie pan in, checking the macarons and finding them nicely cool. "You wanna fill these?" he asks as he gathers the stuff he needs for a simple glaze for the sugar cookies. "Just don't eat all of them," he warns as she takes the piping bag from his hands. 

It's the sort of kitchen task she's good at, hands that can crack a safe in seconds graceful as she works the piping bag. Piping makes his hands and wrists ache - he's broken too much stuff for there not to be consequences- so he's glad she took to it so readily. 

They work in comfortable silence as he sets the ragu sauce in a pan over a low flame to defrost and adds pasta to a second pan- fettuccine, not the one of the random bags of shaped pasta that keep appearing in his kitchen. He'd opened the cupboard and found pasta pandas a few weeks ago and wondered seriously if he'd taken one too many blows to the skull before Hardison claimed them. 

The glaze for the cookies comes together easily under his hands and he pours it into another piping bag to keep it from setting while they wait for the cookies to bake. There's lemon juice in it, to offset the sweetness of the cookies and for some reason, the combination reminds him of the team, all distinctive parts that come together to be better than they ever could be alone. 

He has nothing else to do for the moment and so turns to watch Parker as she finishes off the last few macarons, piping a neat dot of ganache on one before adding a second on top. There's a new smear of chocolate over her top lip and he reckons more than one has made its way into her stomach. 

There's an odd macaron left and she offers it to him. "They're really good," she says, around the bite in her mouth. "Is there a secret ingredient? What is it?" 

Love, he thinks and takes the macaron, knowing he's smiling again. "Now that would be telling," he says instead. 

[tedturneriscrazy]

Here's Eclipse Lake, an episode that has been highly anticipated! Will it top Knock, Knock, Knockin' On Hooty's Door?

I'll skip the pretense: No. It won't.

You'll see under the cut.

Hmm, that list of ingredients for the Grimwalker...I'll let other people theorize about this (like @sepublic ), but it sure looks like a thing

Guess the mysterious green goo won't cut it, huh?

Belos face reveal already?! Huh, didn't expect it so soon.

Oh, no, he's hot! (And I'm mad about it)

Still an ass, though

Now we know why Hunter was wearing a different outfit (because people fixated on that for some reason)

Amity with the clipboard gives me strong Dipper vibes

GHOST! My beloved!

I need a moment because CAT!

(Also, someone pointed out earlier that Ghost was based on Dana's cat, and that's super obvious in hindsight)

Raine?! Oh, wait, you mean rain. Sigh.

Eda gets training tips from DBZ confirmed

(Also Amity's face when reacting to Eda's explanation is priceless)

Oh God Eda's a weeb I need another moment

Damn, Amity just straight up calling Eda old

Oh, loopy Luz

(The abomination holding the tissue box is adorable for many reasons)

Yeah, don't want Luz to eat the McGuffin

I have several questions about those Tamagotchis that I'll refrain from listing here

Amity your Odalia is showing

Girlfriend counter: 1

(Yes I am introducing a counting gag, deal with it)

Was wondering if they were ever gonna reference the dissection incident. We've come a long way, baby!

Oh, so that's what everyone was looking at

Luz honey your enthusiasm is admirable but no

Luz burrito is quite cute, though

Girlfriend counter: 2

(Damn, still wild to think that that's the case)

Just occurred to me that "Boots" is probably shortened from "Bossyboots" from earlier

Guess the Luz hiss compilation needs to be updated again

Those tunnels ain't the only thing around here that's unstable, amirite?

Oops, guess Kiki was justified, after all

Maybe don't talk so loudly about your plans, dude

That is her son, get it right!

Serves you right for having that stupid strand of hair sticking out like that

Is this just the episode where everyone dunks on White Boy? Because I can totally get behind that.

Already mentioned this, but I am loving the parallels between Katara and Amity with that bottle of abomination goo. Insert obligatory "Two Nickels" meme here about Mae Whitman.

We really are just dunking on the white boy and I am living for it

Hooty had to get it from somewhere, I suppose

Nothing says mother-son bonding like shooting things at each other (see also: Separate Tides)

I'm sure the magic bouncing off the veins won't come into play later at all

Oh well, at least the echolocation looked cool

At this point Amity would kill Hunter for a Klondike bar

Wait why does Hooty need a chair

Willow with the galaxy brain ideas

"A bad but sad boy" Luz is a genius at succinctly summing people up

Kikimora continues to be unhinged. Ironically she's not wrong about Hunter.

Motherfucker stop acting like you know what that says

(Also, projecting much?)

Girlfriend counter: 3

Friendly reminder that Hunter is still an antagonist

Uh oh

UH OH

I know someone mentioned Willow having the brain cell, but honestly it seemed like Luz had it this whole time. And that's not good.

WHY IS FOOL'S BLOOD EVEN A THING

Aaaaand cue the getting screwed over

Further reminder that he's still an antagonist (Apparently there's a vocal segment who's Really Mad at him that seem to forget this fact)

You unhand Ghost right now!! And Amity too, I guess.

(I kid, she's literally my second favorite character)

For what she did to Raine it warms my heart to know Kiki has had zero peace of mind

Wait, the Abomatons are Transformers?! Okay, that's kind of awesome, actually. Alador might be a shit dad but he is a brilliant inventor.

Chucking kids off cliffs is a surpisingly common pastime in the Boiling Isles

Owlbert no!

Eda did spend literal decades fighting the Owl Beast within, so I guess she can't be blamed for not thinking to talk to it

Also hurry up guys I'm very concerned about Owlbert

Fuck yeah Harpy Milf!

Yay Ghost returns!

She's glad they're okay (I didn't need to take this, I just thought it was cute. Also this is surprisingly high quality considering I just took a photo of my TV screen)

Oh, so they do have video games in the Demon Realm. That or Luz introduced them.

Trailer shot!

Oh dear, we about to have a fight over the key

Wow, being so high ranking under Belos is really bad for mental health

Jesus Christ Belos what have you been putting in this poor kid's head?

Leave it to King to give radical recontextualizations

Amity, I'm glad you remembered/realized this about Luz, please don't let the sad white boy play you like that again

Also, I appreciate the gesture you're making, and it's a wonderful summary of your character development, but goddamnit he's gonna go for that key because he's STILL AN ANTAGONIST

"Being nice usually works for Luz!" A) Not always, and B) Amity I love you but Luz you are not. A valiant attempt nonetheless.

Ooh, cool fight scene!

Always lovely to see such superb animation

I was privately griping about not seeing Amity use magic for so long, and now I am fed

Don't think I didn't hear the glass breaking

Appreciate your ass from a hole in the ground, Golden Boy!

(jk I don't actually feel that strongly about him still. That kind of threat still isn't cool, though)

Oh so that's why it's the Common Mold!

It's kinda cute, actually. Or maybe it's just because it's Luz.

TIL Hooty is heat resistant

Apparently Owl Beast just wanted a snack

Girlfriend counter: 4

Also love how calling Amity her awesome girlfriend is literally the first thing Luz says to her upon returning.

Yesssss return the hug! You deserve it!

(I know there are higher quality versions of this screenshot, I just didn't feel like looking around)

King demands huggies, too! (And gets 'em)

Reminder that Amity is smart as hell. I knew that glass breaking indicated something!

So once again I've been had. I let the fandom trick me into thinking this episode would be way more intense. Guess that one screenshot was from the next episode.

Overall this was...fine. Some nice Lumity moments, Harpy Eda strutting her stuff, that gorgeously animated fight sequence; those were all lovely.

I do wish Willow and Gus had a bit more to do. And I'm still rather unenthusiastic about Hunter, to be honest. I've seen his type several times before, and the path they have for him is rather obvious. I may never share the fandom's love for him, and I guess I'll have to deal with that.

Anybody who says this was better than KKKOHD is a damn fool.

Mid season finale next week! I think Yesterday's Lie will finally bring the pain!

[storiesofsvu]

Spring Showers

*notmy images*

Casey Novak x Alexandra Cabot Warnings: language, briefest mentions of smut Square 1 of storiesofsvuoneyearbingo . Prompt “caught in the rain”

Alex was used to spending her spring break and summers out in the Hampton’s, where the air wasn’t so clogged with buildings and stifling with heat, the breeze off the ocean keeping things at a pleasurable temperature. And on the days it wasn’t, a quick walk through the waves would have you cooled down faster than you could imagine. As she moved through life, those vacations became less and less, because the law never sleeps, it doesn’t matter what time of year it was. While she’d hoped to be able to spend what was normally the warmth of spring break out near the ocean with her girlfriend, Casey had simply mentioned that was the finals for the department’s softball team.

Which is why as the June sun beat down through the city of New York, Alex was doing her best not to burn her exposed legs on the heat from the bleachers. She was thankful for the chilled thermos of rose wine Casey had snuck her, and the companionship of Captain Cragen, even if they were technically cheering for opposite teams. Not that Alex had any idea how baseball worked, she just enjoyed watching Casey crack hits further out into the field than anyone else could, particularly enjoying the way the muscles in her back rippled. The same muscles that Casey could easily use to pin the blonde down in a more private environment.

She exchanged pleasantries and small conversation with Don, laughing over stories, the two of them both happy to not be battling over legalities in the moment. Alex fumbled over a reply as Casey shot her a wink on her way in from a home run and she felt her cheeks flush at the small chuckle from Cragen.

It was no surprise that with Casey’s help the team of lawyers was easily able to beat the detectives. While some of the crowd dissipated, most members of the team were sticking around, a small bbq area was next to the diamond, there was more than enough food and drinks to go around.

“Nice job sweetheart.” Alex greeted Casey with a grin and a soft kiss.

“Thanks baby.” The redhead grinned back, kissing her cheek again, she looped her arm around Alex’s waist and led her over to the socializing area. Cold beers were passed around to beat the uncharacteristic spring heat, and although it wasn’t Alex’s first choice, she accepted one anyway.

They grabbed a seat on one of the picnic tables, Casey, somewhat tired from the game half nuzzled into the blonde’s side, she laid a soft kiss on her hair that Casey hummed at before taking another sip of beer. Her hand came to lay on Alex’s thigh, her fingers tracing patterns against her bare skin, enjoying the sight of Alex’s legs in shorts, it wasn’t an often sight and it was more than pleasant.

The two of them spend a couple of hours socializing, splitting a couple more beers and a burger. Casey caught Alex giggling and cocked a brow at her, Alex playfully rolled her eyes, thumb reaching up to swipe a smear of ketchup from the corner of her mouth. Casey’s eyes gleamed, her lips curling into a smirk at the way Alex sucked the digit into her mouth to lick the sauce off.

“Oh don’t start that now.” The blonde warned and Casey chuckled, ducking to kiss her cheek.

“Don’t worry, I can wait til we get home.” She murmured, “question is can you?” Alex scoffed, smacking at Casey’s arm as the redhead laughed heartily.

After about another hour the wind started to pick up, there were definitely some greying clouds moving in slowly, making everyone start to say their rounds. The two said their goodbyes, Casey tossing her bag over her shoulder as she linked her hand into Alex’s to make their way back to the street.

The two didn’t live that far from the park, an easy enough walk, especially on a lazy Saturday afternoon. Casey nuzzled into Alex’s side briefly while they waited for a light to change, a small discussion of dinner on the mind. Casey knew her girlfriend wasn’t about to cook for her, she normally did that for the two of them, but the game and afternoon in the sun had wiped her out. They were debating between Thai and Mexican, halfway across the street when Alex felt the first drop, a quiet yelp escaping her lips as she jumped away from Casey to the shelter of an awning. The redhead laughed,

“Oh come on! It’s barely spitting.” She teased, “it’s only a couple blocks back home.”

“Or we could just stop and have dinner at one of the restaurants, wait it out?”

“Al, I’m sweaty and gross, I don’t wanna go somewhere even remotely fancy without a shower and clean clothes. C’mon.” She extended out her free hand, “don’t make me tease you about not wanting to get your hair wet.”

Alex huffed out in defiance, but took her hand anyways, as Casey had mentioned, it was barely raining. Naturally, their luck only lasted about half a block before the skies opened up, a literal downpour drenching the Manhattan streets. Alex shrieked loudly, trying to shelter herself ducking under Casey, pulling a laugh from the redhead.

“Come on!” She laughed, tugging Alex’s hand into a run, battling against the rain as the ducked around the few other unfortunate people who’d gotten caught on the streets.

“Case! Slow down!” Alex half laughed, nearly slipping her way through a puddle.

“I thought you didn’t want to get wet!” She teased back.

“It’s a little late for that!” Alex nearly panted, “you’re lucky I’m not in heels!”

“Al, if you’d even tried to wear heels to the game I would’ve disowned you.”

They slowed to a quick speed walk half jog, ducking under an awing here for there for Alex to continue small complaints while she caught her breath. Once their apartment building was in sight, Casey tugged at the blonde’s arm, urging her to power through, racing through the droplets, slipping to a halt in front of the door.

“Certainly not hot anymore.” Alex muttered, shivering as Casey pushed their apartment door open.

“Oh you’ll be fine princess.” Casey turned back, wrapping Alex in her arms, pressing a soft kiss to her lips, “but…you are pretty wet..” her lips hit Alex’s jaw gently, “think I should get you out of those clothes right away.” Alex sighed at the warmth of her mouth trailing down the side of her chilled neck, “I can warm you up, what’d’ya say?” She nipped every so lightly before pulling back to see Alex’s face.

“I think after that, you owe me Novak.”

“Oh I’ll make it up to you, you know I will.”

Casey nipped at her bottom lip, shooting the blonde a wink as she gave her ass a swift spank, nudging her in the direction of the bedroom. As it turned out, the exhaustion from the afternoon was vanished after a spurt of cool rain, reawakening everyone’s senses. And Casey was more than ready to show Alex just how thankful she was to come out and support her today, even if it wasn’t what she wanted to be doing at all.

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