#the facial journey XD

[heymeowmao]

永夜星河 | Love Game in Eastern Fantasy E15 ° "Actually, I've liked you for a long time."

[amynchan]

I officially have a favorite example to use when I tell students they have to explain the connection between cause and effect. XD

"I kicked a ball and broke my wrist."

There's definitely an explanation for this thing that actually happened to me, but without it, I'm treated to the most hilarious confused faces, and it just makes my day. X'D

[kaleldobrev]

Old Man

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Fem!Reader Summary: Dean never had a problem with the age gap between you two; not until now any way Word Count: 3.4k Warnings: Age Gap, Cursing (13x), Sexual Innuendos, Dean talking bad about himself, Frat guys giving Y/N the disrespect she doesn’t deserve Authors Note: Me and Jensen have a 17-year age gap – what’s your age gap? | This came out A LOT longer than I expected | I don’t know how to write frat guys xD | If you liked this, don’t forget to like & reblog. I really appreciate it! Feedback is always welcome ♡

You and Dean pulled up in front of a gas station; needing to stop for gas and maybe a few snacks before the two of you continued your almost four-hour long journey back to the Bunker. You and Dean had just spent the weekend in Lawrence, due to the very rare occurrence that there were no cases. You had told Dean that even though you’d been living at the Bunker with him and Sam for the past couple of years, you had never once been to Lawrence even though you could have easily made a day trip out of it. With that being said, Dean was more than happy to take you and show you around, reminiscing about some of the things that he remembered doing all those years ago back when he was four; back before everything. But that’s not all the trip was, you had done some other things too; like visiting the Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum – which was considered to be one of the best museums in the entire state of Kansas, along with Grinter Farms – who prided themselves on their sunflower photo-ops. You enjoyed both places immensely, and were happy that Dean did too, even if he wasn’t initially keen on going to either place at first.

“I’m gonna grab us some snacks while you do the pump.” You said, grabbing your wallet from the glove compartment. Once you closed it and before you exited the car, you looked over at Dean, who was currently giving you the most serious look on his face. “What?”

“You already know what I’m going to say Sweetheart.” His tone sounding just as serious as his facial expression had looked. 

“Pie.” You said in unison.

“Cherry or apple?” You asked, the two of you getting out of the car at the same time.

“Like you have to ask.” Dean stated, opening up the fuel cap.

“Just making sure Dean. I mean, I don’t want to come out with apple when you really wanted cherry.” Your comment earned a slight chuckle from him.

“I’ll be getting some cherry pie later, don’t you worry.” He winked.

“I don’t think that applies to me anymore.” You smirked.

“We can always pretend.” He started fueling Baby just then. 

“Now that’s a roleplay idea I can get behind.” You winked at him before making your way into the store.

As soon as you walked into the store to grab some snacks for the two of you – one of which needed to be pie; a car pulled up the next pump over with a group of about four men who all appeared to be from the University of Kansas solely based on their Jayhawks apparel. “I don’t know dude. I’m pretty sure that chick was into me.” One of the men said, causing the one that he was talking to, to roll his eyes.

“No dude. She was into me. She was giving me the old fuck me eyes. Did you not see that? Or were you too busy looking at her ass?” He laughed. It was the other guy’s turn to roll his eyes.

“Can you blame me? You could bounce a quarter off that thing.” The young man replied.

“Hell yeah you could!” The other one agreed, giving each other a high five. 

There was a part of Dean that found their conversation funny because he had remembered when he was like that; but it hadn’t been for some time. Yes, there were times when he was still like that, but it was solely reserved for one woman: and that woman was you.

“Check out that piece of ass in the store there.” Another one of the men who hadn’t talked before was talking now. His comment caused Dean to turn in their direction and then back into the store. There was no other person that they could be talking about but you, as you were the only person in there besides the clerk behind the counter; and Dean was pretty sure they weren’t talking about the balding clerk.

“Bet she’s a good fuck.” One of the men said. Oh you have no idea. Dean thought to himself. 

“I’ll bet you thirty bucks that I can convince her to have sex with me.” The first guy said, the one that had noticed you in the first place.

“Dude, there’s no fucking way she’d have sex with you.” The next guy said. “Look at her! She’s way out of your league. Plus, even if you could pull her, where are the two of you gonna do it uh? The dirty gas station bathroom?” 

“Sure why not? I bet she wouldn’t mind it at all.” He winked. His comment caused Dean to chuckle a little to himself, knowing how wrong that guy was. You and Dean have had sex in a variety of different places, but never a gas station bathroom. “Dean, as much as I love you, I’m not fucking in a gas station bathroom. That’s honestly my only limitation.” You once told him. “So, Waffle House bathroom is okay then?” He joked back, causing you to give him a playful smack on the arm from his remark. 

“Dude, she’s not gonna give you the time of day. She needs a real man. And that ain’t you.” The man started walking around to the other side of the pump and started making his way toward the store. You ain’t a real man dude. Dean thought to himself. None of them were what he would call a man, only boys pretending to be.

“Watch and learn boys!” The guy said using his most charismatic voice. Dean wasn’t worried at all; he knew that you would never give the guy the time of day. You two had been together for the last couple of years, and the group of quote on quote men weren’t remotely your type in the slightest. Dean had seen pictures of your previous exes or have worked cases with them before. All your previous exes besides about one were all hunters; not varsity jock looking guys, and that’s what those guys were.

“Hey kid, I wouldn’t if I were you.” Dean finally chimed in. At first, he wasn’t even going to say anything. He had almost wanted to see the boy come back out the store with the look of utter embarrassment on his face when you had rejected him; which he knew was going to happen. But the jealous side of him won in that moment. He knew that you were more than capable of handling yourself – you were one of the best hunters he’d ever seen or worked with. He’d seen you get hit on plenty of times either when you two went to the bar together or while working a case; but those men never seemed like threats to him. But this time, this time felt different for him.

“I’m sorry?” The guy questioned.

“I said, I wouldn’t if I were you.” Dean said, his voice a bit more stern than usual.

“What’s it to you?” The guy asked, giving a slight snort.

“She’s going to reject you buddy. Trust me.” Dean finished filling the car up and put the pump back in its place. “Just trying to save you the embarrassment in front of your buddies here.”

“Oh yeah? Why do you say that?” The guy turned to look at you. You were currently standing at the counter laughing, probably at something the clerk had just said with two apple pie containers in your hands. Although Dean couldn’t hear your laugh, the sound of it echoed in his brain. God, he loved the sound of your laugh.

“That piece of ass” Dean began to say, hating using the words that they had used to describe you, “is my girlfriend.” Dean smirked. He had hoped that his usual tactic would work like it had done in the past. In the past, whenever Dean was with a woman; regardless if she was his girlfriend or not, the minute he said the word girlfriend to another guy that was hitting on his girlfriend, date, etc. the guy would usually back off, not wanting to get into any trouble. But his usual tactic didn’t work, it had simply just made the guy laugh.

“Your girlfriend?” The man laughed again. “Yeah, okay Old Man.” 

“Old, Old Man?” Dean was caught off guard. No one had ever really called him an old man before; the only one who ever did it was Claire, but she was the exception, because she was basically family to him.

“Yeah. What are you? Like 50?” The guy behind him chimed in.

Dean turned around. “50? You think I’m 50? I’m 42 dude.” Yet more laughter from the men.

“Close enough.” The man that was close to the store said. At that moment Dean had saw you wave goodbye to the clerk and started to head out toward the door. The man looked at you, and then eyed his buddies, making his way toward Dean. “Listen, tell her that if she wants someone that can keep it up without the use of meds and doesn’t go to bed before 6, to give me a call.” The guy said, giving Dean’s shoulder a slight pat before going into the car with his other three buddies.

Dean started to take out his gun just as the guy in the driver’s seat started the engine. Before he could fully take out his gun you were standing next to him, two boxes of pie in your hands and a slight look of worry on your face. “Can I shoot them?” He asked you. 

“Not in public.” You responded, handing him one of the boxes. “What did they say to you?” You were curious, and you had every right to be. Even though you were accustomed to Dean pulling out his gun, you were confused as to why he had wanted to pull it out in that moment, especially since you were pretty sure that the men in the car weren’t any kind of monsters.

“Nothing.” Dean was quick to respond, but his response sounded angry, almost hurt.

“It didn’t look like nothing. Especially since you asked if you could shoot them.” Dean handed you back the box of pie that you had just given him, causing you to give him an even more worried look.

“Can we just leave?” His voice was panicked now, maybe with a small hint of embarrassment.

“Yeah.” Was all you said as the two of you got into Baby.

There was a strong silence between the two of you, and it wasn’t the comfortable kind like you were used to. That was one of the things that you had loved most about Dean; that you and him didn’t constantly need to fill the silence with talking. It was something that you enjoyed because your past boyfriends always needed to have some kind of conversation going because they hated the silence. “Y/N, can I ask you something?”

“Always.” You turned your attention to Dean.

“Am I…Am I old?” He asked. His eyes flicked in your direction and then back onto the road.

“Old?” You asked, not sure if you had heard him right. Him asking if he was old was something that had caught you off guard.

“Yeah. Am I old?” He repeated again.

“Did those guys back there say you were old Dean?” This conversation topic was something that Dean would have never brought up, not unless someone had specifically said something to him. The last time he had this conversation with you was because Claire had jokingly called him an Old Man.

“You didn’t answer the question.” Dean stated. You were positive that’s what it was.

“No. You’re not old Dean. I don’t even know why you would think that.” You knew why he would think that; you were pretty sure that the men back at the gas station had said something to him about it. But you didn’t know why they would have said something to him.

“Those guys back at the gas station called me…Old Man.” His voice sounded slightly defeated, like he was embarrassed even though he had no reason to be. “I caught those assholes looking at you, making comments.” He turned to face you for a slight moment before looking back at the road, his knuckles started to turn white as his grip tightened on the steering wheel. “They were trying to make a bet about who would be able to pick you up. When I confronted them about it, telling them that you were my girlfriend, that’s when they laughed and called me an old man.”

“Dean –” You began to say, but he cut you off before you could finish.

“Sweetheart, I know you could have handled that yourself. You have a black belt in three different martial arts and you don’t take any kind of shit from anyone. Hell, a part of me had wanted to see you embarrass the guy because I know for a fact that he isn’t your type but…he was your age.” He was your age. 

“Well, you’re not old. It’s not like you’re 90 Dean. You’re 42. That’s still young.” You stated, putting your hand on his thigh, a small gesture that you knew he loved. You had hoped that your comment would make him feel slightly better.

“I’m not young Sweetheart, you are. I got like 15 years on you.” His response made your face drop.

“That’s never been a problem for you before. I mean, it’s not like I’m 17 Dean, I’m three years shy of 30.” When you first met Dean, it was roughly five years ago when you were 22 and he was 37. Initially when you had first met him, you had figured that the two of you would be nothing more than just friends due to the semi-massive age difference that there was between the two of you, despite the fact that you did find him attractive. For the first couple of years that you knew him, you didn’t try to pursue anything; and neither did he, although the two of you had similar feelings. Dean had figured that you wouldn’t want to be with someone his age, and you thought that he didn’t want to be with someone your age. It wasn’t until Cas said something and both of you almost dying on a hunt that caused you two to realize that maybe you should give it a shot – and you’ve been together ever since.

“Exactly. You’re three years shy of 30. I’m far, far past that. You know what I was doing at 30? Trying to stop the Apocalypse. When I was 30, you were still in high school. You weren’t even on my radar back then.” 

“Would have been pretty good jailbait though.” You joked.

“Not funny.” He responded.

“I’m not laughing.” You said back.

“Can I ask you another question?” His knuckles were still white against the steering wheel. 

“Of course.” What else could you possibly say?

“Why me? Why out of all the guys you could possibly be with, that are your own age, that you actively choose to be with me? I mean, I know I drink too much, I have way, way too many screws loose, I’ve been to Hell, Purgatory, been possessed more times than I can count, I have major trust issues, PTSD.” He looked over at you again. “The list goes on and on. I’m all kinds of fucked up Sweetheart.” Your heart sank at Dean’s comments. You hated more than anything when he talked bad about himself, because there was no reason for him to do that. 

“Pull over.” Was all you said.

Dean looked at you with a confused expression. “What?”

“Did I stutter? I said pull over.” Your voice was stern now, but it made Dean pull over on the side of the road.

“Dean, the fact that you even have to ask me why I’m with you shows me that you don’t actually realize or understand the reasons why I love you. You’re right, I could be with someone my own age. But you know what? I don’t want to. I’ve dated people my age, and they honestly suck. Hunters or not, men my age or even a year or two older have no fucking clue what they want in life. The only thing they’re positive about is wanting to fuck anything that has a pulse and gaslight women.” You let out a frustrated sigh. “My parents used to tell me, ‘not all men,’ and I knew that. You may have a slight case of alcoholism –”

“A slight case?” Dean interrupted, raising an eyebrow. He thought you saying that he only had a slight case of alcoholism was a tad too generous.

You pointed a finger at him. “Don’t interrupt me.” Dean put up his hands in defeat. “As I was saying. You may have a slight case of alcoholism, are insanely prone to nightmares, get angry more often than you probably should, enjoy murder every now and then, have been to Hell and Purgatory and back, but wanna know something? I’ll take all of that, gladly! Because you are honestly the best man I could ever ask for. Yes, you have some flaws, but who doesn’t? I mean look at me for example.” You went into your jacket and pulled out your hunting knife. “I’m someone who brings a hunting knife wherever they go like it’s a security blanket. No normal person does that Dean.”

“As you should. You need to be prepared at a moments notice.” He agreed.

“Exactly! No sane person would agree with me.” You said, putting back your hunting knife.

“Y/N, are you saying that part of the reason you’re with me is because I’m not sane?” He raised an eyebrow. He’s been called crazy or insane more times than he could count, so this wasn’t particularly newsworthy for him.

“I was thinking more…cautious.” You shrugged. “I mean…No, cautious isn’t the right word. You are cautious but…” You were really trying to come up with the right word to tell Dean, and you could feel it on the tip of your tongue. “What I’m trying to say is, any other guy would be freaked the fuck out if they saw me walking around with a hunting knife in my jacket. You? You couldn’t give two fucks. And you wanna know something else? I’ve worked with a lot of hunters over the years before I met up with you and Sam, who just looked at me and laughed because of my age, thinking that I don’t know the difference between rock salt and holy water.” You took one of his hands in yours intertwining your fingers. “You, not including Sam of course, accepted me as someone that actually knows a thing or two about hunting despite my age. You treated me like your equal. Hunter or not.”

You treated me like your equal. Your words rang in Dean’s mind. “Of course I treat you like my equal Sweetheart. What man wouldn’t? ‘Sides those other hunters and the Jayhawks spirit squad back there.” He chuckled, and you let out a small laugh too.

“Exactly. You’re a feminist icon.” You smiled.

“A feminist icon uh? Who knew?” Dean finally smiled.

“In all seriousness, I could give a rat’s ass about your age. You treat me right and my parents love you. What else could I possibly ask for?” You gave his hand a slight squeeze as you shot him another smile, but a softer one this time.

“Still amazed that your parents love me.” He said, starting to lean in closer to you.

“You treat their daughter right. That’s all they care about.” You confessed. When you had first told your parents about Dean, one of the first things they asked is if he was treating you right, they never asked about his age. And when they had met him, they still never commented on that fact, even when he wasn’t in the room.

He caressed your face. “I really am lucky to have you.” He smiled and leaned in fully to kiss you. “I love you so much.”

You smiled. “I love you more.”

He let out a slight chuckle. “Show off.”

“Always.” You responded, leaning in to kiss him again.

[anyarose011]

Agape

Pairing: Lucius x Reader

Summary: After the Roman Empire had fallen, birthing the Republic, you and Lucius had finally found a moment to breathe in each other's presence. Over a few years' journey of healing, you find that is both exhausting, yet all the more fulfilling at the same time.

Part 2 of 2 (Masterlist)

Warning(s): Past SA, Depictions of Grief, Violence, Angst, Miscommunication, Historical Inaccuracies [I tried my best to make it kind of accurate], Nudity (sexual and non-sexual), Mutual Masturbation, Oral Sex (f receiving), P in V Sex

Paul Mescal's facial hair in All of Us Strangers, if you can hear us, please save us. Nobody ask me how I went from "’Oh, I’m just gonna write some scenes about healing from trauma, and the rest is smut! Easy!" to then making it just a little longer than the first part. I'm a yapper, but holy shit XD. Anyway, this is just shameless pRopAgAnDa at what I personally view a husband to act like (even in modern times). So, without further ado, thousands of words of hurt/comfort and smut.

Word Count: 16.4k

You were a lucky child. When you were twelve and your friend was married off to a man who was forty-two, you asked your father when you would be married.

He tucked you in that night, saying that he wasn’t certain, and that you had nothing to fear; for he wouldn’t promise you to a man who was in a war the same year you were born. He would have to know him personally as well, saying.

“It’s easier to like a man than have to plan his assassination if he dared lay a hand on you.”

You like to think he would have approved of Lucius; he was the once heir to the Roman Empire.

You don’t think he would have approved of your…informal marriage.

“A year.” Lucius stated as the two of you sat together in one of the piazzas. “As long as we are not separated from each other for more than three days, Rome will view us as married if we live in the same household for a year.”

You hummed. “And why should we care what Rome views?”

“Men won’t stop their advances on you if they saw you as my sister.” he explained. “Even as a wife, that doesn’t stir them.”

“It’s a very Christian belief of you to have.”

“But it makes them think thoroughly on if they want to risk tainting you.” Lucius finally looked at you. “Knowing that I would break every finger they touched you with.”

Even with his proclamation, you merely shrugged. “Being the emperor’s favorite whore, I doubt they would care.”

He sighed. “Do you want to know what my mother wrote? Her final words that will forever be with me because they are in ink? ‘Take her as your wife.’”

It had only been one day since Lucilla’s death, since Rome had become a Republic, and no one knew exactly what to do.

Yet…even at the mention of her presence, you felt tears spring to your eyes.

How you hated crying; and crying and crying.

“It is wise.” You finally settled on. “The people here too must see me as a traitor.”

“You would be dead if they did.”

“It’s still early.” You smiled sadly. “I desired to be free of the emperors, but all they must have saw was lust for power.”

Lucius sighed. “If it is a concern, then I believe it is best to leave Rome.”

Suddenly, you were no longer afraid for your life. You scowled. “Leave the city you risked your life to liberate?”

“It is not just my own life I need to think of now, is it?”

“Then think of mine.” you began. “I don’t wish to leave. Where would we even go? I know nothing outside of Rome.”

This would have been solved if you somehow still had the house you grew up in. The moment Geta claimed you, it was gone. Even with the fall of the Empire, and the birth of the Republic, you could not take it back.

Among many other things, you could not take it back.

“We’ll live just outside the walls.” Lucius suggested. “A farm perhaps a few miles from here-.”

“-A farm?” You questioned. “You know how to farm? Because I sure don’t.”

“I’ve lived longer on a farm than I have in a palace.”

It shouldn’t have surprised you, but it did. You also weren’t in the position to bargain. Even though it wasn’t going to be what most would deem an ‘official’ marriage, he still owned you. That was how it always was, whether living outside of the Roman walls or not. Still, you had to try.

“I will learn as much as I need to,” You shook your head. “but I will find a job in the city. You cannot believe I will be shut out-.”

“-Do you want to share a room, or would you like your own?”

You furrowed your brow. “What?”

Lucius restated. “We don’t have any money to buy a farm, so I’ll build us one. Do you want your own room?”

You had only known him for a grand total of a day and a half (if you were to add up all the previous times you had spoken to him before Macrinus’ death), so needless to say, his offer shocked you; more so, it impressed you.

“Isn’t it odd for a man and wife to not share a bed?” You asked.

“So, you want to share a room?”

“No.” was your immediate response. “I just…”

Am not used to compromising with men without them threatening my life.

“Won’t it cost money to build a house?” You asked instead. “None the less, more for another room?”

“I only want you to be happy, if we’re to be married.”

There you were, asking every question and not being satisfied with his answers, yet he was remaining patient.

“Thank you.” You bowed your head in thanks for just a second before questioning. “I am still allowed to have a job in the city? It will help with the cost, of course.”

 “Where exactly do you intend to work?”

He said your name; not ‘Julia’, the name you had whispered to him in his cell. Lucius was the only one who had said it to you, for you did not even tell Lucilla or Marcus. It still felt strange hearing it on your lips, nonetheless, his.

Still, shaking your discomfort away, you hummed humorlessly. “I know two women who run their own businesses; hairdressing and tailoring. I’m better at hair than clothes, but not so much. And you?”

He sighed. “I’ll see if there’s any other farmers needing a hand.”

“You’re going to work for a farmer to build a farm?”

“It sounded more bizarre in your head than when you said it aloud, did it not?”

That was the first thing you found out about Lucius after all the bloodshed and heartbreak of the last week:

He spoke with such a straight tone, you did not know he was joking until he would smile just a hint; you couldn’t really call it a true smile.

You managed to grin. “I suppose it makes sense. You should find one that will let us sleep there.”

And he did. A farm just a few miles outside of Rome took both you and Lucius in. It was substantial, housing five chickens, two cows, three pigs, four horses, and seven human children. Albeit the children helped with the chores, but the eldest was only ten and could not manage any of the heavy lifting whatsoever, which was where Lucius came in.

From sun up to sun down, he’d work on the farm. The farmers, Atticus and Diana, let you sleep in the barn of all places. The hayloft was nice for the both of you; enough space to spread out but not be right next to each other. There was also somewhat of a wall between the two of you, giving the illusion of separate rooms.

It was certainly an adjustment for you; had been sleeping on the softest of beds for months, but even so, you just missed the bed from your old house.

Lucius fell asleep the second he laid on the hay.

Dreams and nightmares were always a peculiar thing. Some days, you would dream of your mother and father, some days, they would be of Lucilla and Marcus.

You had nightmares of what befell you before coming to the farm; Macrinus and his manipulation, Caracalla’s temper, Geta…

Yet, the worst that would happen would be you waking up more tired than the night prior. You knew Lucius was having nightmares too, but every time you approached him, he would lie and say he was fine, or simply not want to speak of it.

You stopped asking.

For the first few days on the farm, you were put to work by watching over the younger children when their mother was busy. Somehow, it was the older ones you didn’t mind, it was the youngest baby who was a handful.

It’s morbid to say, but you always wondered how any of them survived infancy.

Luckily, you managed to get back to Rome after perhaps a week of being stranded on the farm. It was almost an hour walk, and you had gotten up even before Lucius had, but it was worth it.

It wasn’t that you felt dead as you were on the farm per say, but walking through the streets brought a certain kind of life back into your steps.

You spent a good portion of the day trying to find the hairdressers you talk to Lucius about. Just as you were about to give up and try again tomorrow, something caught your ear.

Hebrew.

You turned over your shoulder and saw a man speaking in Latin to another man and a pregnant woman. The father had spoken in broken Latin before turning to his wife, speaking quickly in Hebrew as if to ask her what to say.

One of the men began to yell, and you rushed over, speaking to the patriarch of the family.

“What’s going on?” You asked quickly.

His eyes grew as if you were the first person in Rome to understand him (you probably were). “I paid for a bag of peaches fairly; two bronze, yet they’re saying it wasn’t enough.”

You turned to the men behind you. “He says he gave you two bronze for the peaches.”

“It was three.” The Roman man gritted his teeth.

Tilting your head, you tried. “Show me your stand so we may see.”

It was perhaps stupid of you to challenge him; yet, he controlled his tempter and led you to his fruit stand. The sign by the peaches indeed said ‘2’, but there was also a good amount of peaches blocking the bottom half of the sign.

When you moved a few, it read ‘3’.

You smiled, looking at the man who spoke Hebrew. “It is three, but it’s not your fault this brute didn’t notice either.”

He nodded, returning your grin before handing the men another copper. With an few mumbled exchanges, the man and his wife were on their way.

“You have Judeans in your family?” The man crudely asked.

Still, you decided to reciprocate his crassness with kindness. “I actually speak five languages.”

He rose his brows. “Is that a fact?”

“Yes, yes it is.”

He hummed, holding his hand out. “Isidorus.”

“Julia.” Was your immediate response as he took your hand and kissed your knuckles. It wasn’t even your own choice to say that name; it was what you lived by. Retracting your hand, you shake your head and said your own name. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean-.”

“-All of Rome knows who you are.” He interrupted. “Do not be afraid of your own people. Most of them were there simply a week ago when you tried to slay Macrinus but was there to comfort lady Lucilla in her final moments.”

You only nodded, not wanting to be praised. “I thank you for your kindness.”

“With certain.” He nodded. “You are with child; only a monster would harm a woman carrying.”

The events of the past weeks had made you forgotten about the false babe. Luckily, the fear upon your face could be used to your advantage.

“Are you not well?” Isidorus questioned.

You dropped your gaze, stammering your tone. “The…I lost the child.”

He looked down as well. “Oh…I’m so sorry.”

“No,” you shook your head. “it’s…it feels odd. His father was terrible but…”

“Why are you perusing Rome unchaperoned?” He changed the subject.

 “My betrothed is being put to work,” you immediately answered. “and I am scouring the streets to find my own.”

“What has your luck been?”

“Nothing.”

Isidorus hummed. “I could change that.”

Even at the thought of what he was alluding to, you smiled. “Good sir, I am not in the position to sell my body-.”

“-None of that.” he waved his hand. “My brother works down at the entrance of the city gates. They’re always in need of translators.”

You nodded, considering. “When may I meet with him?”

“Tomorrow?” He asked. “Midday at the gates with many people watching so you do not feel threatened?”

The two of you laughed, and you agreed. “I shall be there. Thank you.”

“Anything to help a woman of the people.”

You walked all the way back to the farm with a skip in your step. Even at dinner, you were more talkative with the rest of the family. Lucius certainly took notice as the two of you were settling down for the night.

“You seemed better today.” He complimented, laying onto his bed of hay.

“So, I’ve been absolutely horrible the rest?” You teased, peeking around the wall of the hayloft.

 “No, just what I think you were like before everything; more yourself.” He explained. “Did the hairdressers go well?”

Leaning against the wall, you crossed your arms. “I’m actually working as a translator down by the city entrance.”

He gave you a look. “How’d this come about?”

“Well,” you began. “I overheard two men arguing, one was speaking Hebrew, and I asked him what was wrong. There was a misunderstanding over peaches of all things, I helped them talk it out, and it was solved with no bloodshed. The vendor said his brother works at the gates and is always in need of translators and offered to meet with him tomorrow. It will be midday and so many people around; do not worry.”

Lucius nodded. “I’ll accompany you.”

“Did you not hear what I just said? I shall be fine.”

“I have no doubt you would.” You knew that was a lie. “One of the scythes broke today, I’ll need to buy another one in the city.”

You didn’t know if that was a lie or not, but it wouldn’t surprise you if Lucius would sneak out in the night and break equipment simply to go with you.

Sighing, you went behind the wall to your side of the hayloft. “Fine.”

To no one but Lucius’ surprise, Isidorus had not lied about his brother, nor the job offer. Of course, the brother had been off put at a woman being the translator (because everyone knows that they are the lesser sex). Still, after some convincing (you talked to a Greek family, a man from Anatolia, and two brothers from Persia), he said you could be put to work.

Lucius stood there the whole hour you had proved yourself.

“You couldn’t have gotten the scythe while I worked?” You questioned him while walking home.

He kept his gaze on the road before him, carrying the farm equipment. “It was engaging to watch.”

You hummed. “I could see how engaged you were while you stood like this.” You crossed your arms and scowled.

“I did not look like that.” He scoffed.

“You did so!” You refuted, lowering your voice. “My name is Lucius Verus Aurelius, the Last Gladiator, son of Lucilla and Maximus, grandson of Marcus Aurelius.”

He looked down, mouth upturning a little. “I do not sound like that.”

“Is that a smile?!” you gasped. “Gods above, I never thought you could unless you were attempting humor!

“Away with you, woman.”

You only laughed as the sun was starting to set.

There was something called a “Fullmoon” period in a marriage. Most now would say it’s “Honeymoon”, but the period in time where a man and woman were in a complete state of euphoria together was called “Fullmoon” because it only lasted for a month.

You and Lucius (even with your strange circumstance) were not immune to this.

A month later, when you had fully settled into a mundane life of working in different areas for hours upon hours, the only times you saw Lucius was when you ate dinner with the farmer’s family, and before going to bed.

It didn’t’ effect you that much for the first three months, as you both were still on good terms and were fine simply cohabitating without affection. This marriage was purely for protection and to honor Lucilla’s wishes.

Then…Lucius came to you one day, saying that together, you both had enough money to build a farm. He already had a patch of land picked out from the help of the famer who employed him. It was five miles away from the farm you stayed at. Five miles more of a journey to the city.

You would move in once the walls were built, which he said would only take a week or two.

It was too fast for you.

Still, you had to go along with it, because you were to be his wife; nothing more. Even so, nothing out of the ordinary besides your hidden, simmering annoyance happened between you two.

The first day construction was to be done was when light was shed upon it.

“Lucius!” You called his name as you approached him and a few other men hauling the wood and stone that would be used. It was mid-twilight when you ran to them.

He furrowed his brow, walking towards you. “Aren’t you meant to be in the city?”

Grinning from ear to ear, you shook your head. “I asked for the day off because of the house. He said I-.”

“-You need to go back and tell him you’ll work.”

Your smile fell from his usual, monotone demeanor. “He doesn’t expect me to come in today-.”

“-Then he’ll be happy to see you.”

“May I just talk for a moment?!” You yelled.

His said nothing.

Sighing, you began. “I will be useful in any capacity. If you need me to help dig for water, measure supports, lift anything-.”

“-Your shoulder cannot carry-.”

You retorted. “-It might be the shoulder you shot, but it’s the shoulder I have to live with, and I will tell you if something is too heavy to carry.”

It hadn’t been the first time you brought up your shoulder after Rome was free. Yet, in the past, it was always out of good fun; something to say to him when you didn’t want to carry as little as an egg from the chicken coop. You told the children the story too why you had to set one of them down after carrying her for so long.

You expected them to cower away from Lucius when he returned for supper, but instead, they all tackled him to the ground to defend your honor.

They didn’t hurt him of course, and you laughed until you couldn’t breathe.

Yet, at that moment, you said it with nothing but disdain; and he heard it in every word. You thought it would have been enough to guilt him into letting you help, you made sure of it.

Lucius titled his head back toward the main road. “Go on, now. The sun will be up soon, it’ll be better to walk without daylight beating down on you.”

The audacity he had. Usually, on the times you’d have disagreements of sorts, you’d try to leave with dignity; perhaps a word of sarcasm or two.

No, you simply turned on your heel and marched away in a huff.

You were harsher that day when translating, and you were still angry by the time the day ended. You ate dinner outside by yourself (until three of the seven children came outside to eat with you), and did not utter a ‘goodnight’ to Lucius before laying down to sleep.

Neither of you spoke to the other for days after that.

It was one morning, not even when the sun was out, as you tried to tiptoe around him, did he ask from his makeshift bed.

“Do you remember where the house is?”

You nearly fell off the ledge of the hayloft. “What is wrong with you?!”

“Do you remember?”

“Yes!” you whispered, afraid to wake the whole farm. “Why?”

“We made the water pump, and the walls and floors are finished. We’ll be able to sleep there now.”

“I don’t see the appeal in sleeping in a house with no roof.”

“I’ll put half of it on today. Tell your foreman too that you won’t be able to work for the next week.”

You furrowed your brow. “Why?”

“I’m teaching you how to tend to a farm.” He wrapped his blankets tighter around him and turned his back to you.

And you continued on your way; making the long trek to the city, which would only be longer when you moved to the house.

When your work was over, you walked and walked. You took a short break at the farmer’s house, making your final goodbyes to the children, and gathering what little belongings you owned.

As you tried to leave, Diana stopped you. She was leading one of the horses, a berber, behind her.

“Take her,” she handed you the reins. “you shouldn’t have to walk so far.”

You shook your head. “I simply cannot-.”

“-I insist.” She smiled. “She’s yours now. Think of it as payment for helping me with the little beasts that are my children.”

Smiling politely, it soon faded. She took notice. “What is it?”

“…I’ve only ever ridden once, and I was a child.”

She sighed yet was still kind. “Come on, my husband’s horse is at your farm. I’ll ride back with him.”

Despite your inexperience, it was actually nice riding a horse. It was perhaps the closest you could ever come to flying in your lifetime; maybe that’s why you enjoyed it. As you were nearing your soon-to-be home, you saw a familiar silhouette along with some others.

Atop the house, against the setting sun, you watched as Lucius continued to add tiles to the unfinished roof. His shirt was off, and even with night beginning to set in with the cold air, he was still breaking a sweat from the rigorous work. You would be a liar if you say that you didn’t catch yourself staring, and it was Diana who had to take the reins.

“What a fine home!” She broke you out of your trance, and when Lucius looked in your direction, you snapped your gaze away.

Lucius nodded. “All that needs to be done is the roof.” He jumped onto the ground just as you were sliding off the horse. He gave you his hand as you were, and you took it.

“Thank you.”

Atticus and the other workers went to a lone tree where their horses were tied. Atticus then approached both you and Lucius.

“Well,” he smiled. “it was lovely hosting the both of you. Please come back as often as you can; I’m sure the children will miss you.”

You all exchanged your final goodbyes, and it when everyone rode off away from you, did you realize something. This was the first time in a while you were alone with Lucius that wasn’t when going to sleep or waking up.

“Do you have a name for the horse?” Lucius asked.

Turning over your shoulder, you led the steed to the tree, petting her as you began to tie her up. “Not at the moment. She’s yours too, do you have any?”

“You’ll be with her more; you should name her.”

Humming you looked at him when you finished securing the horse. “You asked them to give her to me, didn’t you?”

He shrugged. “They asked how they could repay you for taking care of their children, I mentioned how it would be a longer journey to the city once we moved here. That’s all I did.”

…He was better at asking for forgiveness than for permission; that was another thing you learned about him. Still, you nodded your appreciation, inspecting the area around you. It was quite beautiful even with its plainness. The fields stretched on for miles, and there were no tall buildings to cover the night sky. Even the unfinished house brought a sense of happiness to you.

Something that was, at least partially, your own.

“Where will the barn and chicken coop go?” You questioned.

A hint of a smile played on his mouth, but in Lucius fashion, did his best to hide it. “You were complaining about not having a roof, and now you wonder about things for the animals?”

“Perhaps I’m more interested in farming that you are.”

“I’ll teach you.” he led you into the house. “Come on.”

 The front living space was large, and in the corner of it had an oven, so that was where the kitchen would be. Lucius showed you the two rooms as well; each having a single pillow and a blanket.

“We’ll begin planting tomorrow.” he announced. “I don’t think I’ll have to wake you up.”

“You won’t.” You nodded. “Goodnight, Lucius.”

“Goodnight.” He said your name.

You didn’t think you’d ever get over the sound of your own name from his lips.

You named the horse after your mother. Well…not the exact same name, but a similar one. It was quite a scene too when confessing to Lucius you could exactly remember how to ride a horse by yourself.

He didn’t laugh at you, that was what greatly surprised you. He spent an hour teaching you, and you were able to ride her on your own.

Farming was more difficult than you thought it would be, but not so horrible either. Yes, where Lucius was patient with you for the first few days, he made a few snide comments as time passed. Nothing outright mean, but still enough to get under your skin.

Still, you managed to pick it up within the few weeks after that.

He had even let you help him finish the roof of the house; something you didn’t expect him to do. After living in the house for a month, both of you managed to buy actual beds for your rooms, among other luxuries like a few tables and chairs for the main living area, and utensils both for cooking and for eating.

The bathroom was completely bare. Having spent all the money on everything else, it would take time for the both of you to buy a bathtub. Bathing wasn’t a problem back on Atticus and Diana’s farm, but now being away from them, you would be forced to rely on the public baths in the city…

Even with some bathhouses having baths only for women, that did not stop men from forcing their way into them.

You didn’t mind being dirty for weeks on end.

The two of you fell into another pattern of life; you going into the city and spending hours translating foreign dialogue, and Lucius working on the farm for most days, sometimes accompanying you.

There was…something else strange as well.

It was always a coin toss on what weeks Lucius would speak to you or not.

Yes, he was always a man of few words, but this was different. There were some days when you asked him about his day, he would tell you what boring tasks he did. Than, on others, it was just one word: “Good.”

Never “Bad”, never “Just okay”; only “Good”. Even when you knew it wasn’t, that’s all he would say.

And you could endure it.

It had already been a little over half a year since the two of you started living together. In the eyes of Rome (as mere Plebians), you would be married once a year passed.

This was perhaps the best marriage you could as for as a Roman woman. Still…every day that Lucius would not speak to you only brought more dread upon your shoulders.

When he stopped even looking at you, that was when you went to Diana one day.

“It’s so lovely to see you.” She smiled, setting down two cups of wine and sitting. “It’s felt like ages!”

With her youngest baby on your lap, you chuckled, taking a sip of your drink. “You honestly didn’t need to get the wine out.”

“Nonsense!” She waved her hand. “It’s a celebration just to be in your presence. I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you as well.”

“How’s the farm? Lucius?”

“Well,” you took another sip, setting your cup down. “the farm has been alright. I know at least how to properly water crops and know when they’re ready to harvest or not. I help Lucius sometimes, but…he likes things his own way. He was a farmer too, I understand.”

She hummed. “And as a betrothed? I hope having your own home would help; to me, you two treated each other more like acquaintances than anything else.”

All you could do was avoid eye contact and bounce the giggling baby on your knee.

“Ah.” She sighed. “So not much has changed?”

“We both talk more than we had at your far, but somehow, less at the same time.” You explained.

Diana reached over and held your hand, asking softly. “When was the last time you were intimate?”

As if she were a man, you tore your hand from hers. “What?”

“I do not wish anything to be forced upon you,” she stated first. “especially with what has happened to you. But…it is still important, especially to your future marriage.”

“We…we haven’t done anything in…months.” You were not going to tell her you hadn’t even seen him naked. You were not going to tell her you hadn’t done you “duty” as a woman.

She nodded. “There must be something plaguing his mind terribly.”

“I know that!” You cried. “He just won’t tell me.”

“Men do not like talking,” Diana sighed. “I have been married to Atticus for fifteen years, and even after ten children, there are parts of his past I still do not know of. What Lucius frets over is important though. You must dig your heels into the ground and let him know you are not doing anything until he tells you what he has issue with.”

The baby on your lap cooed as you held her, reaching for parts of your clothing. Diana took her from you once the baby started fussing, and you offered her a grateful smile.

“I’ll try my best with him.”

She squeezed your shoulder. “He will come to his senses. If not, then he truly hit his head too hard in the Colosseum.”

Except, you couldn’t confront him when you got home. Even though the sun was only beginning to set, when you arrived, the house was silent. You peeked into his bedroom and saw that he was already fast asleep.

With a sigh, you finished your nightly activities, and when the sun went down, you were in your own bed.

The nightmare was unlike any you had before.

Hands from all around you reached out to you. Some grabbed clumps of your hair, stuck their fingers into your mouth, caressed the most intimate parts of your body, or even tear your skin off.

You blinked and then you were in the palace, surrounded by cloaked figures. Someone forced you onto your back, and you looked up and saw Geta, raising a knife high above his head before diving it into your stomach. He carved it out before digging his hands into the opening he made and pulled out your womb.

After sitting up in bed, you had thought you awoken. When you opened your bedroom door, you were welcomed to a field of reeds, seeing nothing for miles. All but a silhouette in the distance. You could not make out it to be a man or a woman; all you knew was that you needed to run to them.

Yet, even as you dashed through the fields, calling out a name you do not even remember, your feet sank into the ground with each step.

The earth swallowed you whole before you could even reach them.

You didn’t awake with a scream; you didn’t even awake with a cry. You did awake in a sweat. Sitting up, you slowly pulled the blanket away from your body. Your stomach was unwounded, and nothing had happened.

Without knowing why, you rose from your bed and slipped on your sandals. Not even putting on a robe, you walked out of the house into the cold, night air. Numbly, you treaded through the tall grass away from the house and stopped.

The stars above you watched as you fell to your knees, and the past finally had the last laugh.

You wept for your mother (whose touch you never felt).

You wept for your father (who you had to take care of the same way he took care of you).

You wept for Marcus (the first man outside of your father to ever see you as a person).

You wept for Lucilla (the woman who saved you in more ways than one).

You wept for the innocence you lost to the twin emperors (and how you mercilessly killed them).

You wept and wept, until you felt bile claw its way up your throat and out of your mouth.

The tears did not stop even after you were finished.

Two hands grabbed your shoulders from behind, and you tried to tear yourself away with a sharp cry. You were turned around, and even though your tears blinded you, you could see that it was Lucius.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, his eyes grown.

You couldn’t speak clearly, only shaking your head and saying ‘No’ over and over. Lucius led you to the water pump and sat you down by it. Cranking the handle until the water flowed freely, he cupped his hand to catch some of it before gently washing your face.

The cool water grounded you, and your sobs began to slow. Once you were only left with shallow breathing and a stuffed nose, Lucius finally sat beside you.

“What happened?” He asked again, although, returning to his normal, straight-toned self.

“Bad dream.” Was all you said.

He said nothing at first. Then, looking down at the grass beneath him, he said. “Would talking about it help you?”

It was meant to be a helpful question, but it only angered you. “You ask that now? After I run out into the night screaming?”

Lucius squinted his eyes. “Why does that bother you?”

“I know you have nightmares too.” You scoffed. “I have asked you dozens of times if you wish to talk to me about them, and you have always said no. You’ve never once asked me about mine, so how dare you expect me to tell you about it now when you cannot even share yours with me!”

“That’s not fair.” He shook his head.

You stood up, walking back to the house. “You’re right, it isn’t fair.”

He jumped to his feet. “You can’t walk away without telling me why this is troubling you.”

“You first.”

“What?”

You turned to face him. “We are to be married in less than a year, at least ‘In the eyes of Rome’ as you say, yet you do not even look at me anymore!”

His shoulders fell, and he shook his head. “I am looking at you-.”

“-I ask you how you are these days, and you lie to me every time.” You interrupted. “The few instances you allow me to work beside you, you criticize every little thing I do. I understand that I am the farthest thing you wanted for as a wife-.”

 It was that word that struck a chord. Despite saying it every so often those past few months…it was only then it occurred to you that where Lucius was your first husband…you were not his first wife.

He tore his gaze away from yours, as if he knew you had figured it out. You sighed. “Gods above…I’m sorry for what has happened to her, and I will never know the loss of a love like that…but I cannot be viewed as her replacement-.”

“-Who told you that you were?” He sharpened his tone.

You swallowed, knowing that this would all end in tears no matter what you said. “You do not tell me anything. I will never ask you to care for me the way you cared for her, but she is gone-.”

“-I couldn’t do anything after she died but weep and watch her body float into the ocean.” He hissed. “I vowed to kill the man that slaughtered her, and I didn’t. It had been perhaps just a month since her death, did I promise myself to another woman. I have dishonored her memory three times.”

“I do not know how long you need me to apologize for something I could not control, but I will if that means you will stop hating me.”

“I don’t hate you.”

“You hate that I will be your wife!” Your voice was growing hoarse. “I don’t understand it at all. I will be whatever it is you wish me to be in few months’ time, because you will own me. Even if you wish me to be dead, it shall be done because what I want will not matter-.”

“-Must you make everything about yourself?!” He finally yelled. “Would it soothe you if I said I despised every part of you? That if Jupiter himself came down and offered me my old life in exchange for you, I would give you up to him?! Would it give you any peace of mind if I told you I would have rather died in the arena than live a thousand years with you?”

You had expected him to at least pause after he made his confession. To at least have the courage to look you in the eye and watch as the words sunk into your being. Yet, as soon as he finished, he stomped back to the house; and you were alone outside again.

The tears upon your face glimmered from the light in the sky above you, for all you could do was stare at the little farmhouse Lucius had built for you.

How strange that something you once saw as a sign of devotion, was now revealed to be one of complicity.

He had admitted his disdain for your future marriage. You knew that it would be loveless (you would never escape that), but you wished at least for respect. Seeing as how you were not even going to have that, you dragged your feet over to the tree where your horse was tied up.  Mounting her with nothing but the clothes on your back, you raced down the pathway.

For the first day, you had stayed at Diana and Atticus’ farm. You said nothing about Lucius, and tried to spend the most time with the children to avoid any questions.

On the second day, you finally went back to the city. Even though the man in charge of you yelled louder than Lucius had at you, it did not phase you. You merely nodded and returned to work. With what money they paid you for the day, you spent it on a room at the safest inn you could find. You had another nightmare that night. Not as horrible as the one two days prior, but awful enough for you to lay awake until the sun rose.

The third day seemed to be ordinary, until you finished your job, and you were promenading along the market. As you eyed the fruit at Isidorus’ stand, a man came to stand beside you.

“Good sir,” you heard Lucius’ voice. “do you have a wife?”

Isidorus nodded. “I do.”

“What from your stand would you give her if she was angry at you?”

He eyed you before smiling at Lucius. “My ears to listen.”

You turned, promptly walking away. Of course, Lucius followed.

“I didn’t know you confided into strangers about our qualms.”

“He’s not a stranger.” you kept trying to lose him. “And gifts will not suffice for an apology this time.”

He got in front of you, uttering your name. You stopped, sighing. “What else have you come to say to me?”

“That I am a fool.”

Although you weren’t necessarily expecting him to admit it, you only nodded. “You very much are.”

He began. “For my entire life, I was not allowed to be entirely truthful with others. Whether it was how I felt in the moment, or even my own name. I’m not used to the freedom of being candid with one another. And I have been mistreating you; I have provided a home, but I haven’t provided your wellbeing. Ari-.” Lucius paused, breathing through his nose. “Arishat and I lived on a farm, that was all I knew while being a husband. I will love her until the end of my days, but that does not give me the right to neglect you. I will…I will try with all my being to share my thoughts with you.”

You stared at him, feeling as if you would blink, and you would awaken from another dream. Yet once you did and saw that he was still in front of you, you said.

“I didn’t mean to insult your memory of her.”

He shook his head. “I believe she would hit me if she were here and saw how I treated you.”

“Thank you.” You nodded. “Truly, for everything. I…it’s not only you, I don’t know if I will ever feel like myself after…everything.”

Lucius already knew. Still, looking around himself, he then said. “Where is your horse?”

“The inn I’ve been staying at has a stable. You walked the whole way here?”

“It’s what I deserved.”

“You smell horrible.” You mustered a shy grin.

He mirrored you, looking away. “I have for a while.”

“I do as well. I was…I was going to brave the baths; would you like to join me?”

Your offer took him by surprise. Usually, a question like that would be an invitation to more salacious activities to take place. Still, what took him aback more was how you were initially so afraid of the public baths, yet there you were.

“I shall.” He agreed.

Thus, the two of you walked beside one another. There were many baths in Rome, yet it would be challenging to find one that had a separate bath for women and one for men. By the time you reached the third bathhouse, you sighed.

“This will do.”

Lucius shook his head. “I’ll ask the workers at this one if they know-.”

“-No.” You stopped him. “It’s fine. I wish to speak more with you.”

He was still hesitant, but gave in. The two of you entered and drifted off to the separate changing rooms. It was strange that the bathhouse had rooms for the different sex to disrobe, but not baths itself.

After locking your clothes away, you ventured out into the main pool. You were welcomed to an array of naked bodies. You weren’t entirely innocent of course, even before everything. You were never to see any of these people again; it was Lucius you would live with.

Quickly, you disappeared half of your body under the surface of the water and clung to the wall of the large bath. Other people around you laughed and socialized, only putting you more in the eyes of men who only came to the baths for one thing.

Yet, before you could take a moment to worry, your eyes fell to Lucius who entered. You soon averted them and felt the water shift beside you as he entered. You turned to look at him, leveling yourself with the side of the pool, essentially shoulder to shoulder with him. The hear radiating off of his body onto yours reminded you too much of that night months ago; the one where you whispered your name into his ear.

“What were you like as a boy?” You questioned in an attempt to hide how flustered you were.

He hummed. “Why do you ask?”

“If you wish to be more honest with me, than I think it should be best to stary with something minor.”

“I understand. I was spoiled growing up in the palace. Still, I wished nothing more than for adventure. All my life, the mere thought of war and battles were taught as a way to bring glory to the empire; pride for one’s family. I had gotten my foolish wish when Maximus died, and my mother sent me away from Rome.” He paused momentarily, before continuing. “I ran all across the land until I was thirteen, where I finally settled in Numidia. I had changed my named too many times to count and settled upon Hanno.”

Your attention did not waver for a moment. When he was finished you asked. “How old were you when you left?”

“Eight…” There was a sad silence between the two of you. A silence held in almost reverence for all the troubles he had been through. “What about you?”

Even with your uneasiness to answer your starkly different childhood, you did so; also have been promising to be honest with him. You spoke of your father, your past friends, the house you grew up in. He never once looked upon you with envy or hatred.

“Your father sounded like a good man.” He said.

“He was.” You nodded, feeling a weight settle in your chest. "I think he would have liked you.”

“I can only hope.”

The conversation halted after that, unknown if you should wait for him to ask a question, or for you to ask another. Both of your eyes drifted around the bath house as people filtered in and out. When your gaze fell back onto Lucius’ you watched his eyes flicker to something behind you. Before you could utter a word, he placed his hand upon your bare back, bringing his lips to the space between your ear and your jaw.

It all happened so fast you had no time to react, and your body shivered upon the feel of him being so close to you.

“There’s a man eyeing you from behind.” He whispered into your skin. “Don’t look at him, just keep looking at me. I’m sorry.”

You pulled away slightly, doing as he told. He traced circles on your back with his thumb, staring intently at you. Even as you shrunk under his eyes, they did not frighten you.

Deciding to play along, you trailed your hand up his bare arm until resting on his shoulder. You felt his skin erupt into goosebumps and he took a sharp intake of breath.

“Okay?” You asked.

He nodded. “Yes, it’s just…it’s been a while.”

Anyone with any sense knew that meant more than one thing. It had been a while since he felt anyone’s touch; nonetheless, a naked woman’s.

From behind him, you saw a small group of girls all looking at you. They all looked a little younger than you, and acted like so, giggling loudly and talking without a care in the world. It was only then that you noticed they were looking at Lucius.

“Is there someone eyeing me now?” He attempted to tease you when he noticed your gaze.

You nodded, no hint of humor behind your voice. “A good few of them.”

“Is that so?”

You removed your hand. “I wouldn’t mind, you know.”

“Wouldn’t mind what?” He pinched his eyebrows together.

“…Getting your release from a woman that isn’t me.” You were puzzled by his seeming ignorance. “You’re a man, I understand-.”

He said your name with somewhat of gasp. You didn’t listen one bit.

“No, I mean it. I will not be more selfish than I already have been, expecting you to remain celibate because I don’t think I will-.”

Lucius said your name again and you stopped. Even when you did, he said it a third time as if to know he had your attention. He continued to run his fingers up and down your back.

“I will not dishonor you-.”

“-I have been dishonored several times before, it does not matter-.”

“-Listen to me.” He said softly yet firmly. “Even if I desired someone carnally, it is not selfish of you to want my loyalty. I’m not a boy who wishes to bed anything that breathes. I don’t think I can do so with someone I do not have any deep feelings for. You are my wife, and I will not treat you less.”

He didn’t call you his ‘betrothed’. As if, the moment you accepted his apology, you were already his other half. To hear him speak with so much certainty after neither of you knowing what any day would bring…it brought an astonishing comfort you never knew you needed.

“Thank you.” You felt like your heart could beat again.

“You don’t-.”

“-No but I do. I don’t…I don’t think I could give you anything of myself if you wanted it. It’s still…I remember a lot of what Geta did to me, and I forgot it at the same time. It doesn’t happen a lot in my nightmares, but it still does. That one night you found me he…he cut out my womb and held it in his hands. I thought I woke up, but I didn’t, and I think I was in Elysian Fields, but I only saw a shadow. I don’t know what any of that means.”

Lucius let you finish all of the anxiety you had thrown onto him. Still, releasing a shallow breath, he said.

“You die in most of my dreams.” He clarified. “The bad ones, I mean. A lot of people do, but you’ve been in them the most. There are times I see both you and Arishat, or my mother, or all three of you and…those are the worst. The night I found you outside, I couldn’t…I had a horrible dream that I couldn’t even see your face, but I knew it was you when I found you hanging in the Colosseum.”

If the both of you weren’t naked and, in the bathhouse, you would have embraced him. Yet, with the most understanding look in your eyes, you brought your hand to the base of his neck, his loose curls between your fingers. You swore you felt him relax into your touch for just a moment.

“I’ve known everyone to have their own beliefs of dreams.” You whispered. “They’re meant to predict the future, they reflect the past, they are punishments, they are blessings, and they mean nothing. I wonder if it’s possible they are all of them.”

He nodded. “I don’t know what I believe in anymore.”

“I do.” Lucius unknowingly leaned into you just ever so slightly. You grinned from ear to ear, pulling your hand away from him. “I believe you need to cut your hair.”

He chortled. “I’m not spending anything on cutting it. It’s fine.”

“I’ll cut it then.”

“I would rather be stabbed.”

“Oh, quit being dramatic.” you playfully swatted him. “There’s a reason I would’ve been a better hairdresser than tailor.”

The two of you teased one another for a minute longer after that. Than, even though the conversation died, it was not in vain. There was a quiet gentleness and protectiveness as you both shared a short distance between each other while bathing. Lucius kept his eye on you more than you did him, knowing that it was always possible a man could try to take advantage of you.

When all was said and done, you got your horse from the stable at the inn, and the two of you rode back to the farm with a newfound understanding of each other.

More than a year and a half have passed since the fall of the Roman Empire and its subsequent birth of the Republic. Your strange marriage with Lucius grew into a friendship of respect and understanding. You both talked more than you had when you were first betrothed, even if your busy schedules remained the same.

The farm had improved after its first harvest, even raising enough money to build a chicken coop and house a few chickens. The house itself was more furnished, and the two of you managed to purchase a bathtub, no longer needing to use the public ones in the city.

Both of you had changed as well. Even with what minimal farm work you did, it built both your strength and stamina. Lucius had begun to grow out his facial hair; not much for it to be an actual beard, but more so just under his nose. You’d joke about it looking like a caterpillar, to which he would lightly shove you away.

After the intimate discussion the two of you shared, it was only then you both realized you still didn’t know much about each other. Most importantly, the little things that made each of you a person.

So, you’d take time to get to know one another.

You were helping Lucius pull weeds around the crops when you found out he had ripped a monkey’s throat out with his teeth during his very first gladiator fight.

You were reading a collection of poetry one night when Lucius told you that you mouth the words of whatever you’re reading if you find it most interesting.

During supper one night, Lucius ate the entirety of the plate only to then eat whatever else you hadn’t. That was when your theory was proven right; he does forget to eat sometimes.

Both of you had tried to keep the housework to an equal amount; if he cooked one night, you’d clean the kitchen and vice versa. Yet, some remained stagnant; you always cut his hair, yet he always changed the horses’ shoes.

Cutting his hair was perhaps your favorite way to speak with him.

“Remember to clean your sandals before coming in next time.” He reminded you as he sat on a tree trunk outside. “You tracked in mud.”

Standing behind him while trimming small hairs, you shook your head. “My apologies, master of the house; it was downpouring and I was freezing.”

“Serves you right, I’d say.”

You placed the tip of the shears against his neck. “What else do you have to say?”

He snickered. “That you’re an astonishing woman who I am blessed to have.”

“Wrong answer, all lies.” You pretended to stab him, only to bring the shears back to his hair.

“I’m not lying!” Lucius laughed.

You only gave him a ‘tsk’ before continuing. “Are you sleeping any better?”

He said nothing at first. Your eyes drifted down to his hands and saw him pull on his tunic; another telltale sign of his nervousness.

“I keep seeing my mother’s face.” He admitted. “Only her face, nothing else.”

“It was the third night last night, right?”

“Yes.”

You sighed. “Would you want to hear a dream I had a few days ago to make you feel better?”

“Better because it was happy, or because you think I’ll feel happy I wasn’t you?”

“The latter.”

“Tell me.”

You turned his head to the side gently, continuing your work. “I stood in front of the entire senate of Rome, and they were all laughing at me. I don’t even know what I said, they only laughed and laughed.”

“Is that not what happened to you in the waking day?”

“No, they listened…I think.” You shook our head. “It more so angers me that, in the waking life, I presented logic to them, and they still chose Macrinus who showed nothing of the sort.”

“Some men like to speak of only desiring logic yet run away with their emotions once it is presented.” Lucius stated. “What had you told them?”

“That all of Rome would continue to riot if they killed Lucilla.” You said grimly. “I still don’t understand; they had their proof of the rage Rome’s children could feel when their general was killed, the only reason the city did not fall was because Macrinus was slain. I’m done.”

You set your shears down and Lucius stood, shaking the fallen hair off his clothes. He turned to you.

“If it matters at all, I think the only reason this house hasn’t fallen is because of you.”

Grinning from ear to ear, you shoved him playfully. “Away with you, you’re just as much of the reason as I am.”

“I do all that I can.”

There were moments like this where you would not speak of childhood memories or events of your day. These moments were reserved for the days where it felt like time slowed down just to give you two the grace to speak about them in more detail.

With only a single candle between the two of you one quiet night, you told him how you have to walk a different path in the city sometimes simply to avoid brothels; hating the sounds you would hear from inside, the stench of cheap perfume and sweating bodies burning your nose, the men who would brag to their friends about the women they had.

At breakfast one day, before the sun had even rose, Lucius told you about a time when he was ten, still on the run. He had gone into a man’s house with the promise of food, only to then be hit the head with something so heavy, he was knocked out. He had awoken in a dark room, but managed to find a curtained window, and escaped. He never knew what would have happened to him if he had woken up just a minute later.

There was tenderness you shared with him that you had never shared with anyone in your life.You sht

That was only more apparent on one fateful day.

The first bad omen for the day that morning was when you had run out of sugar for breakfast that morning. The second was when your horse was extra stubborn as you rode her into the city; it was so out of the ordinary, you wondered if you did something to make her hate you.

Still, everything was fine once you went to work. At least it was for the first half of the day.

There were aggressive people from across the land coming into the city you certainly had to deal with, but the worst was when a man twice your size bluffed you with a slap. Even so, the other men you worked with had yelled and sent her away.

That day though…there was a woman with a look in her eyes.

You thought you had seen pure rage when you had been with Geta. Yet, that day was a lesson to you; wrath had many faces.

She mumbled in Greek, but you did not know what she said at first. Then, she attempted to speak Latin. You politely told her you could speak Greek, and so with exhaustion, she told you that she was going to visit her mother.

When asked for her mother’s name, she didn’t say it. After asking again, she became enraged, yelling at you that she should just be able to be let in. When you resisted, she grabbed your bad arm, yanking it to pull you closer to her.

The pain shot through your shoulder like a bolt of lightning, and you cried out. She tugged on your hair as the men beside you tried to pry her away from you. Luckily, she didn’t manage to yank any of it out once the men forced her away from you. Tears fell freely over your face as you cradled yourself, unable to stop the sobs from leaving your lips.

They let you leave early yet paid you as if you were there the whole day.

The ride back to the farm wasn’t any better, but at least your steed took notice of your heartache and was more merciful to you. When you made it home, you slowed her down when you saw Lucius limping towards the house.

You both stopped where you were, staring at one another as if you weren’t supposed to be seeing the other.

“Why are you back so early?” He asked first.

“Why are you dragging your foot?” You asked second.

Lucius took a deep breath, and you saw tears in his eyes. “I fell.”

The only time you had seen him cry was when burying Lucilla; it wouldn’t be from simply falling. You slowly pulled yourself off your horse but did so quick enough before he could rush to help you. You wished nothing more than to pull him into the warmth of the house, to sit him down and tend to his wound to distract you from your own.

Yet, the moment you took his hand, he began to weep.

“Oh Lucius.” You whispered, bringing your hand up to cradle his face. He wrapped both of his arms around you, bringing you onto the ground with him. You yelped a little when he squeezed your bad shoulder too tight, and he pulled away.

“What happened?” He asked.

You shook your head. “You need-.”

“-What happened?!”

Knowing he wouldn’t stop asking, you told him. “Someone at the gate attacked me. Pulled on my bad arm, my hair…it wasn’t as bad as you’d think-.”

“-Where is he?” He lowered his tone and his demeanor.

Your jaw dropped into a surprised huff. “She is long gone by now, and even if she wasn’t then as my husband, you should stay with me instead of wandering the streets of Rome hoping to find someone to be your anger’s victim!”

Though he still wore that rage upon his face, it soon fell once he saw your own tears fall from your eyes like dewdrops on flowers. Lucius laid himself flat on the dirt, and you sat above him.

“I have been married to you longer than I had been to Arishat.” He confessed. “I knew her for longer, but-but not as deeply; no, I-I knew her more than…I don’t…It’s been long since her death, yet there are moments I think of her, and I cannot stop crying.”

You never knew this was in his heart. You knew to never speak of Arishat, only listen whenever he would bring her up (even so, it was once in a blue moon).

“I’m sorry.” He sniffled, trying to pull himself together. “I know she is gone, and I shouldn’t be-.”

“-You shouldn’t what?” You interrupted. “Remember her? You think I wish for you to forget the woman you so loved?”

He shook his head. “No, but it’s selfish of me to-.”

You were the one to make him lose his words this time. With both hesitation certainty, you placed his head into your lap. It was too late for you to stop once you did, and you felt your own body tense. Then, upon taking a look at his body battered from rigorous work, and another at his face, which relaxed with his eyes fully shut, you ran your fingers through his hair.

“Lucius,” you sighed. “never will I think you are a horrible man for mourning her. You missing her shows just how much you adored her, and how she was a treasure to you. In another life, above all, I wish I could have met her. You are not in the wrong for wanting to see her again. I know you do not love me-.”

“-I do love you.” He opened his eyes upon saying it.

Your heart felt as if it was going to beat itself out of your chest and run away when he said those four words. To preserve your sanity, you took it a different way and smiled sadly.

“Not in the way you loved her.” You said softly. “But what else more can I ask for in a husband than one who treats me with a gentleness I did not know was possible? One who has been there to protect me even before we were married?”

Lucius took a deep breath, rubbing his face to clear away his tears. “You’re too good to me.”

“Gods above,” you groaned tiredly. “we can go back and forth on who deserves each other. Let us just go back into the house, have supper, and sleep.”

“I would like that.” He hissed as he went to stand.

Helping him, once he was on his best foot, you said. “You never told me what you did to your leg.”

He looked behind him at the field. “There was a snake and a rock.”

You gave him a look. “And what happened with them?”

“I don’t wish to speak of it.” He said grimly.

In any other instance, you would have laughed. Yet, as his eyes were still heavy from crying, you just nodded. The both of you helped each other into the house, and you sat him down on one of the several cushions in the living area.

“Your arm,” he asked. “how bad is it?”

You shook your head. “Just really sore. I think she might have left a nasty bruise or two somewhere, but I won’t know yet.”

“Put one of the cloths in the pot with water and put it over the fire.” He told. “Take it out after a few minutes, let it rest for another, then put it on your shoulder. It should help.”

“Thank you.” You stood, doing so, saying. “I swore we had bandages somewhere. I’ll make something for you to drink too; I bought some herbs just last week.”

He nodded, not taking his eyes off of you as you worked. If it were any other man, you would have felt unsafe; yet, it was only Lucius.

Little by little that night, both of you helped heal one another.

Half a year passed since that night, and you and Lucius had only grown closer. Perhaps as close as you could be with a man who was not your husband by choice.

Not much on the farm had changed; you two were living comfortably, and happily, almost making all the turmoil from the first year worth it. The both of you decided to make more visits to Atticus and Diana’s home, realizing just how much you both missed having someone to talk to outside of each other; but that did not mean you had to keep things hidden of course.

If anything, you shared everything with each other.

So much so, that when Lucius asked you why you held onto him longer when he embraced you on your birthday, you told him the truth.

“I don’t want every time we touch to be when it is in turmoil.” You explained, growing meeker. “And I…I’ve missed the feeling of it when it has not been forced upon me.”

Lucius stared at you with a look you had never seen from him. He had been gentle with you many a times, but they way his eyes fell into yours…

He took a step closer to you, and when you showed no sign of discomfort, he took your face into his hands. Your eyes shut at the feeling of him, and he pressed his head against yours. Never in your life had someone’s breath upon your skin feel so immaculate.

From there on out, it always seemed like you had to have a hand on each other one way or another.

It started with holding hands whenever walking through the city together. He used to ‘lead’ you through the crowds in the past, but more so with a hand hovering over your back. No, him holding your hand meant he would have to go where you would go if anything were to happen.

Alongside this, he’d reach over and hold it at Atticus and Diana’s house; whether it was during dinner, or simply just talking. The eldest child had said what the rest of the household had been thinking.

“They’re finally acting like they’re married!”

Because even when there were no other eyes besides yours, he would still hold your hand. You wonder if it ever became a way for Lucius to ground himself; because it certainly did for you.

You hugged him more often as well. Those used to be for ‘substantial’ occasions; those being celebrations or heartbreaks. Now, they were incorporated into greetings and goodbyes. Of course, it only took a few weeks before they were than made into simple desires.

He would be cooking dinner, and you would come beside him to embrace him. You would be gathering eggs from the chickens, and he would wait for you to set the basket down before tossing his arms around you.

At night, it was normal for you both to trade spots as one of you would read a story, and the other would have their head in the other’s lap.

This happened on so many occasions, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise for what Lucius proposed next, but it did.

“If you don’t favor the question I’m about to ask you, then you are allowed to never speak to me again.” He said, his feet hanging off the arm of the lecti couch you both bought that year.

“Well,” you scoffed, sitting on the end of it. “I will have to speak to you again because we live together.”

“Would you want to sleep in my room tonight?” Never in your life had you thought that would have been his question. When you didn’t speak right away, he backtracked. “I don’t expect you to. I understand if-.”

“-The nights are growing colder.” You stated, no visible uneasiness. “I’ve noticed it, and I don’t think any number of blankets could warm me.”

He swallowed thickly, and this was perhaps one of the first times you’d ever seen him like this. “Yes…it’s cold.”

You nodded, and another beat of silence fell between you two. Standing up, you tugged at the seams of your dress. “I-I’ll go change.”

“Yes,” he sat up. “I shall as well.”

Disappearing into your room, you tossed your day clothes off then slipped on a nightdress. After pacing around the floor for a few moments, you gathered the courage to go out into the hall and knock on Lucius’ door.

It was opened as if he was standing right behind it.

He wore just a plain, tattered tunic, and said nothing; yet, you caught his eyes run down you before immediately bringing them back to your face. You were not even in his room yet, and already your body grew warmer.

“May I come in?” You asked.

“Yes, of course.” He stepped aside and you entered.

Somehow, you were no longer man and wife; you were two people who had just discovered a strange, yet burning, feeling that you both held for one another. A feeling that you were both afraid to say aloud…because then it would be real.

The only light in his room was from the moon just peeking through the curtain of his one window. Looking around, you saw that it was still just the bare minimum; a bed, a small table beside it with a lamp, and a dresser. The only others things of note were his sword leaning against the wall, and just a few dirty clothes on the floor.

“I-I tried to clean before you came.” He mentioned.

“Is the rest under the bed?” You asked.

He chuckled. “Yes.”

Before you could change your mind, you pulled the covers off one side of the bed and slid under them. Glancing behind at Lucius, you saw him wear a look where you knew he wanted to say something.

“What is it?” You asked.

“That’s usually the side I sleep on but-.”

You rolled over to the other side. “Are you content now?”

He wheezed, moving to his designated side, slipping under the covers. “Very.”

“Good.” You smiled up at him.

His own mouth lowered as you could see him thinking. He then said. “I don’t expect us to do anything.”

You watched as his eyes dropped from you, as if it was too invasive just to merely look. Thinking from only your heart, you scooted closer, resting your hand on his arm. You ran your fingers up and down his muscles, but then guided his arm to wrap around your waist.

“Okay?”

He hummed, pulling you just a little closer. “Yes.”

“And we’ll just lay together?” You whispered. “Nothing else?”

“Nothing else.”

And that’s what you did. The compete truth was that you would caress him only to remind yourself that it was Lucius and not Geta. His arms, his back, his face…he was nothing like him.

After a few more nights, you told him that as you both lay awake, unable to sleep. He had pulled you on top of him that night, saying that you could see his face better in the moonlight. You only giggled, hiding your face in his chest; even that was too much for you.

It was easier to tell each other things in the darkness. You always knew that, but with being in the same bed (you had not gone back to your room for a week), the words flowed out of both your mouths.

“After my father died,” you said one night as you laid on your side facing him. “I would stroke my own hair or even my arms and pretend they were someone else’s. Even when I was with Geta.”

Lucius stared at you, then immediately began to caress your cheek. You shut your eyes, sighing at the feeling.

“I never thought I’d be able to sleep next to another woman again.” He whispered.

“And now?” You looked into his eyes.

He stopped his movements, but did not remove his hand. You watched every part of him. How his chest heaved shallowly, his arms tensing ever so slightly, but his eyes…gods his eyes. They were heavy as they looked at you; a look that made your heart flutter and not shutter.

Swallowing your fear, you sat up and inched closer to him. Your face hovered above his, and your breath heated his skin. His hand continued to trace shapes about your cheek, and shutting your eyes, you placed your lips upon his.

It was the gentlest kiss you ever shared with a man.

You had pulled away, dreading to see how he felt. When your eyes befell his gentle smile, and his other hand came up to cup your face, you kissed him again.

And again, and again, and again.

You climbed upon his lap without pulling your lips away from him, wrapping your arms around his neck. He sat up, his own arm encircling your waist and drawing you impossibly closer.

Lucius parted from you, and as you whined at the loss of his lips, they soon settled upon your cheek, and then your jaw, and then your chin. Your heavy pants turned to soft grunts as he kissed down your neck, his mustache scratching your skin in just the right way.

Your hands settled into his hair the lower he traveled, moving your night gown off your shoulder to kiss your collarbone. You felt yourself becoming intoxicated from him, and only then noticed you had been for a while.

Oh, how you wished you could bottle up his laugh, his strength, his stubbornness, and get drunk every night. His kisses only added fuel to the fire that was your desire for him.

He sunk his teeth into your skin, and your body, once enflamed, ran cold.

“No!” You tore yourself from his lap, nearly falling off the bed.

Lucius said your name, leaning forward on instinct but soon stopped once he saw you crawl away. “I’m sorry.”

You opened your mouth, but nothing came out. All you knew was that you needed to go, so you did. Cradling yourself in your arms, you got up from his bed, rushing out of his room and into yours.

You half expected him to knock on the door, then, when you wouldn’t answer, him yell and curse you before breaking it down. Yet nothing of the sort happened. You heard his own door open, and you saw his shadow on the other side, but he did not touch your door. He left after a moment of waiting.

When his own door shut, did you finally cry.

You told yourself that night, you would wake up far earlier than Lucius would so you simply wouldn’t have to see him.

When you awoke, you did the exact opposite. You laid in your bed, trying to return to sleep, only to be forced to lie in the dark. The sun rose into your room, and you heard Lucius’ door open. Still, you did not get up.

It was quite comedic, actually. With your door still shut, he knew you were still home. How he tried his best to keep quiet for you, yet his footsteps had always been heavy, the front door had always creaked, and you could always hear him cursing under his breath every time.

When you knew he had left the house, that was when you stood from your bed, slipping on your sandals. You didn’t bother changing out of your nightdress, leaving your room, and then the house.

Lucius was amongst the chickens when he saw you. He didn’t bother hiding the surprise upon his face at the sight of you. You walked to him until there was little space between you.

“Last night-.”

You took his hand from his side, placing it upon your face. He rubbed your cheek with his thumb as if it was natural. Kissing the palm of his hand, you trailed it down to your clothed breast. He breathed your name with hesitance, but you shushed him. You held his hand there, not taking your eyes off him.

“I will show you, one day.” You told him. “I will show you the mark Geta had made. The one where I myself can scarcely see it, yet I know that it haunts me. But now…” You brought your other hand up to his face, tracing your thumb over his lip. “I just want you to understand.”

He kissed the pad of your thumb, nodding. You embraced him, and he held you with both gentleness and ferocity. The rest of the day carried on as normal, yet you aided him with the chores on the farm.

You went to bed with him that night, but it was the first time he did not entrap you in his arms. You knew he was still afraid of hurting you, but you would be a liar if you said you weren’t thankful for the space.

Still, he would feel your touch every day; whether it was something as small as brushing his hand, or as substantial as kissing his cheek.

As the both of you lay awake one night, you played with the sleeve of his tunic.

“Could I lie on top of you?” You asked.

Lucius looked over at you, nodding. “You never need to ask.”

“I want to.” You climbed on top of him, straddling his lap. “I never want to force you to do anything.”

His eyes fell to your hips before returning them to your face. “I’ll tell you if I wish to not do something. I hope you know you can as well.”

“I do. Would you like to touch me?”

“Where do you want me to touch you?”

You moved his hands to your hips, which he held firmly, yet not enough to hurt you. You leaned down so your lips touched his.

“No teeth.” You said.

“No teeth.” He repeated.

Lucius sighed into your mouth as you kissed. Despite how you were on top of him, the kiss was sweet, shy even. When you pulled away, you trailed your lips from his cheek to his ear.

“Do you dream about me?” You rasped.

He said nothing, and you continued to kiss every part of his face besides his lips.

“It’s okay.” You kissed his Adam’s Apple. “I want you too.”

“Yes.” His breath hitched.

“What was I doing in your favorite one?” You kissed his pulse point.

“You,” he breathed sharply through his nose. “you’re touching yourself.”

“Would that please you?” You sat up in somewhat surprise, resting your hands on his chest. “To watch me do so?”

He shook his head. “I want to do what pleases you.”

It felt foreign to hear someone say they want you to feel good. Instead of cowering from it, you faced it head on. You kneeled for a moment, hiking your gown up to your hips before sitting back on your ankles,  exposing yourself to him. Lucius’ jaw clenched at the sight of your naked center, and he drew his hands away from your hips, falling them into fists upon the mattress.

“I wish to watch you as you watch me.”

Without looking away from you, he drew his hand down to his cock, pulling it out from under his tunic. Your eyes grew just a hint. There was no doubt upon him being more well-endowed than others, but it was still different from how you imagined.

Shutting your eyes, you trailed your fingers over your cunt, your thumb playing with your clit. The sounds of Lucius’ smothered grunts, and the skin of his cock on his fingers only added to your pleasure. Digging deeper and moving faster, you felt a coil within your stomach tighten when you opened your eyes and saw as Lucius’ gaze bore into yours.

Light moans escaped your lips as your hips moved with a mind of their own, watching the man beneath you take pleasure from his own hand. It was him chanting your name like a prayer that sent you over the edge. With your eyes shut, the coil within you snapped, and pleasure filled your veins.

Not long after, you felt a warmth coat your nightdress. Opening your eyes, you looked down and saw the white-hot residue of Lucius’ release. Your gaze drew to his cock, still clutched in his hand, yet red with droplets of white running over his knuckles.

You don’t know what possessed you to, but you lowered your mouth down to clean him with your tongue.

“Gods be good!” He huffed, laughing your name.

“What?” You wiped your mouth.

 “You’re going to be the death of me.”

Grinning like the devil, you slid off the bed, walking towards the door. “I hope it’s a pleasant one then.”

He sat up. “Where are you going?”

“To change. You dirtied me as well.” You teased.

“Take one of my tunics from the dresser.”

It almost made you laugh that he didn’t want you to leave for even a second. You opened the top drawer, grabbing the longest tunic you could find before facing him. “Close your eyes.”

He laid on his side, putting a pillow over his head. Many would find it strange how the both of you would see the most intimate parts of yourself while doing one of the most intimate acts together, yet you didn’t want him to see you naked.

But Lucius never thought of it as strange. He knew what you had been through, and never once judged you.

When you were clothed, you slid into bed, wrapping your arms around his body and pressing a quick kiss to the back of his neck.

“You’re a good man, Lucius Verus Aurelius.” You whispered. “I will tell you that until the day you die, or when you finally believe me.”

He squeezed your hand, relaxing into your touch. You never slept so peacefully until that night.

You always had to see him whenever he would touch you so intimately. There would be nights where there was only a single candle in the room as he trailed his hand up your thigh whilst you sat on his lap.

His fingers were too much for you at first, but he never ridiculed you. When you whimpered at the feeling, he retracted them, kissing your eyes. You asked him again to try, and he whispered praises into your hair as the pain from a dry spell soon turned into pleasure.

It was usually at night did these moments of exploration occurred. In the day, the most you would ever do was kiss. That is, until the first time you cut his hair since the discovery of feelings.

“I don’t want to get hair on your floor.” Lucius said as he sat on the floor, leaning his back against the foot of your bed. It was hotter than sin that day. He wore nothing but a loincloth, but that barely did anything to help him from the heat. You wore essentially a thin shift that would usually be under your dress; yet again, because of the heat, that was all you wore.

You sat on the bed, legs draped over his shoulders as you cut his hair. “It’s your floor too. You built the house.”

“You know what I mean.”

“I haven’t slept here for a while now. Besides, I will clean up.”

“I had no idea you favored doing domestic work now.” He turned and pressed a kiss to your knee.

You slapped the back of his head. “Don’t move! I’ll give you a bald spot if you do so again.”

“Yes, my mistress of the house.” He joked.

“You’re horrible.”

“You just told me I was a good man not so long ago.”

“And I can just as easily revoke that title.”

He stayed silent the rest of the time, but not from any underlining anger. Simply from his at ease posture, you knew he was smiling.

He smiled more those days.

When you were finished, you tossed your scissors aside, but Lucius’ hands settled upon your thighs, not allowing you to get up. You scoffed.

“What is it?”

He turned to face you, kneeling up to meet you. “I wish to try something, but only if you wish it as well.”

You rose your brow, but smiled, kissing his nose. “It will be difficult if I do not know what it is.”

Without drawing his eyes away from yours, he slid his hands up your thighs, bringing the bottom of your shift with it. It seemed normal at first, but once he lowered his mouth, your chest tightened.

“What are you doing?” You asked.

“I want to kiss you there.” His breath caressed your cunt and you mewled at the feeling. “I think you’ll enjoy it, but we don’t have to.”

Your heart changed from beating in fear, to then in anticipation. You loved how he kissed your lips, and every inch of your skin that was not covered, what would it feel like to have his lips there?

Kissing the top of his head, you laid on your elbows, nodding.

“Let me hear you say it.” He nosed the inside of your thigh.

“Yes.” You sighed. “Please.”

He lowered his mouth back down, pressing the lightest of kissed onto your center. You groaned through shut lips, only for them to part open as the hairs of his mustache tickled you whilst he began to lap at your wetness.

Tossing your head back, you sat up, running your hands through his hair, unconsciously rolling your hips to meet his mouth. His groan reverberated through your body, only adding to the pleasure you were feeling.

“Lucius, Lucius,” you babbled his name until it didn’t sound like a word.

His nose bumped against your aching clit the same time his tongue penetrated your cunt. You yelped as that familiar, tightening feeling swept over you. His half-lidded eyes would stare up at you every once in a while, as he would continue to drink from you as if he had been stranded in the desert. Just as you were on the brink of release, you drew him away from you.

“What-what is it?” He huffed. “What’s wrong?”

You shook your head, pressing your lips to his before scooting further up the bed. With one last breath, you pulled your shift over your head, revealing your bare body to him. His gaze ran over your figure unashamedly.

“Come here.” You beckoned.

He crawled onto the bed and over your body, yet still looked at your face. You took his hand and laid it over your breast. His body ran cold at what was on the side of it. A bite mark.

“He branded me all those years ago.” You confessed. “And it has not left since.”

Geta…

You ran your hand up his chest. “I love you, and I trust you with every part of my body. I need you to know that.”

“I love you.” He echoed, pressing the tenderest of kisses to the mark and you gasped lightly. “I have for so long now; I…I need you.”

“Then have me.”

He sat back on his knees, unwrapping his loin cloth and tossing it to the floor. Precum leaked from his sweltering cock as it stood upright like a pillar. You crawled over, kissing every inch of his face and climbing into his lap. He drew his arms around your waist, his finger tracing circles into the small of your back.

“I don’t know how long I will last.” He puffed heavily. “It’s been so long.”

“I just want you inside of me.” You kissed his jaw, taking his cock into your hand and sinking down onto it. It had been a while for you too, and while you were soaked, it was not enough to completely subside the tightness. “Just…wait.”

“I could die happy if all you wanted was for me to remain still as you’re above me.” He said into your ear.

You wrapped your arms around his shoulders, sinking your nails into his skin because that was the only way to remind you that he was still there. The further you sunk down on him, the easier and more pleasureful you felt.

“I’m going to move now.” You said into his shoulder, and you did.

Slowly, at first you relished in the quiet slapping of skin and the breath moans leaving both you and Lucius’ lips. He trailed a syrupy line of kisses down your throat until he bowed his head to place them upon your chest.

“Your name,” Lucius said into your skin. “tell me your name.”

You gave him a look as you rolled your hips into his, yet sighed your name.

“Again.” He breathed, latching his lips around the tip of your breast.

You did.

“Again.” He kissed the hollow of your throat.

You leaned into his touch, saying your name a third time.

He repeated your given name, than following it with ‘Aurelias’. Your movements stilled, yet he did not care.

“You are the most cunning woman I have met, and you are my wife.” He stated, never looking away from you. Tears sprang to your eyes when you saw the same for him, and you gave him a messy kiss before resuming faster this time.

After months of being called a name that did not belong to you, especially whenever in the bedroom, Lucius was doing everything to remind you that you were yourself again as you felt pleasure.

It felt as if, after two years, ‘Julia’ was finally gone.

You chanted his name as if it was your favorite prayer, burying your hands in his hair and kissing his lips.

“Lucius, Lucius, Lucius…”

Because, just like you, how long had it been since his true name was uttered whilst in the throes of pleasure?

He moaned into your mouth, holding onto you tighter. You squealed when he rose up onto his knees, latching your legs around his waist and only crying out sharply when your throbbing clit ran across his pubic hair.

“Come on, come on,” he urged into your ear. “I know you can give it to me.”

“Lu-Lu-!” You moaned, running your nails over the thick field of muscles that was his back.

He said your name over and over again, until it was one word that was the end of you.

“Please.”

You came with your vision blinded from the state of euphoria you had reached. Lucius still held you above him even as his legs began to quake, bouncing you on his cock. You felt as though you were suspended in air when his groans stammered, and you felt strings of his cum paint the walls of your cunt.

Slowly, he lowered the two of you onto the mattress, laying you on your back like you were the most precious treasure in the world. You kept your legs around his waist, breathing with him with your chests glued together from your sweat.

“Lucius-.” You began, trying to shift under him.

“-Just,” he grunted. “just another moment. Please.”

How could you deny him? Every kiss he gave was loving as he laid upon you. His cock had grown soft, and even you were aware that you could’ve fallen asleep if you weren’t careful.

When he pulled away from you, you let out an involuntary whine.

“I thought you wanted me to get off you?” He kissed your stomach when he stood up.

You shoved him playfully. “Just clean me up and come back.”

“So controlling.”

Still, he did what you asked, bringing a soaked washcloth from the bathroom and cleaning you. You groaned out of both the cold water hitting your hot skin, and the heat from the air itself.

“We should’ve waited until night.” You whined.

“Why?”

“I’m suffocating from the air outside!”

Lucius hummed, tossing the washcloth aside and looming over you. “Then that forces us to wear nothing today, so that we might cool down.”

You nodded. “Perhaps you aren’t as feeble minded as I thought.”

He settled behind you, tossing an arm over your waist and pulling your back to his chest. Even though his cock pressed against you, the two of you were completely exhausted from the heat of the day’s work, and the heat of what took place only moments before.

The only sound was that of the cicadas singing in the summertime. Sometimes, a breeze or two of wind would bounce the curtain off the window, but for the most part, just the even breathing you shared with Lucius was all you could hear.

Lucius’ mustache rubbed your skin when he placed a kiss to your neck. “What’s going on inside of your mind right now?”

You grinned. “A proper wife would say that I was thinking of you.”

“But that’s not what it is.”

“It’s something that has nothing to do with anything of note.”

He squeezed you. “Spit it out, woman.”

Sighing, you felt a sense of dread in your heart; both for your thoughts, and also how your husband would react. So, you tried your best to explain it.

“Do you even wonder how you will be remembered?” You began. “Spoken from mouths? Written in books? Painted on walls? They’ll remember Lucius, the Lost Son, the Last Gladiator…What will they remember of me, if anything? Rome’s Cleopatra? Her Delight? A whore to the twin emperors? I like to fantasize that they will name me the first woman who sat upon the emperor’s throne, even if it was as the last of its consul. Yet, even if they name me…I will be Julia. The name of a slave, the name I only accepted when he would press me into the bed so roughly. I only survived because I would need to tell myself that he was doing all of it to Julia, not to me.”

It felt quieter in that room, even though the sounds outside did not cease. Lucius gently turned your body towards him, and he stroked your face with the back of his hand.

“You’re crying,” he uttered your name, frowning.

You wiped your eyes, wanting to hide from him. Yet, he did not allow it, pulling your hands away from you and wrapping them around his shoulders.

“Would you wish I remain silent, or share with you what is in my head?” He asked.

“Talk to me.” You answered.

“I never cared of what history would see of me.” He stated. “Even as a boy. I know that we are different in most aspects of life, but I believe it serves no one to wonder away how we will be viewed long after we are dead. I do not care if or what a stranger thinks of me in a lifetime later. I care how Atticus and Diana see me. I care what their children think. Above all, I care of what you see me to be.”

You pressed your head against his. “You’re pigheaded and quite foolish sometimes.”

“And it matters you say that.” He pulled you closer. “Because that is what you will tell others when I pass on.”

“You know I don’t think that is all you are.” You remined him.

“I do.” He nodded. “I will know you for your wit, and your protective nature, and your kindness.”

“I never truly thought of myself as kind.” You gave a pained smile.

“That is how I see you.” He kissed your brow. “And what I will say with my last dying breath.”

You wondered how such a man as himself could exist at the same time you did. A man who hated you prior to everything yet laid with you in bed. A man who treated you with a tenderness you never thought possible.

A man who could be the last person on earth with you, and you would only feel at peace.

You did not need to say anything to him. Simply by the innocent smile that spread across your lips, did he know. You fell into the most comfortable of silences together as you laid naked in the summer heat.

The both of you were lost to time as we all shall be one day.

Perhaps you lived on that farm for the rest of your days, or perhaps you moved to a different land.

Perhaps you had ten children, perhaps you had only one, or perhaps you had none and were content with each other’s company.

Perhaps you died before him, perhaps he died before you, or perhaps you both passed onto the Elysian fields together.

All that truly matters, at the end of all things, is the life the two of you led together, and what you and loved ones remembered the most of it.

[garnet-xx-rose]

I totally get people’s uncomfortableness with Ramin hc the Phantom as autistic while seemingly being neurotypical (Or at least from what we know, that’s his personal journey if anything’s changed). I can empathize with the frustration of hc these villainous characters as neurodivergent.

I will say though, his portrayal as Erik has consistently stuck with me. His hands, his facial expressions, the way he moves and reacts to overstimulating situations. Like he is me. I too make puppy dog eyes and stim with my fingers. I too want to upstage everyone at an event and also not speak to anyone. I too am a sexy person of color with an angelic voice. I too want to make Christine Daaé my wife.

We see each other XD

I might be in the unpopular group of enjoying neurodivergent coded/canon anti-heroes and villains (Entrapta, Erik, Spinel). For me I don’t see their actions as tied to their “neurodivergence” but rather understandable retaliation against the way they’ve been marginalized. Like, I don’t know, I love the fantasy/fiction of neurodivergent people causing chaos for the people and system that’s thrown them away. How are we surprised that those who’ve been dehumanized don’t see value in the lives of others. Like why should they be the bigger person?

[quitealotofsodapop]

Liang and Smokey were rivals to lovers.

Smokey was going to his favorite moody cliff to brood dramatically only to find that there was someone already there. They fight about it, and Smokey totally isn't impressed by how strong and handsome skilled this new guy is. He manages to chase the stranger off, but it keeps happening. The rest of the monkeys just kinda watch their soap opera happen.

It continues this way until the Rampage through Heaven where Liang gets super angry at Smokey for doing something that puts the entire troop in danger because of his own issues and ends up leaving before sh*t goes sideways. Smokey definitely doesn't regret their final argument as he's imprisoned under the mountain for 500 years.

They don't meet again til the Journey, right after poor Fruit Baby died and Smokey is all kinds of torn up inside. They of course have another argument, with Liang throwing all of Smokey's flaws and mistakes in his face and it escalates to physical violence. They're tearing up the countryside, terrifying the local deities. And then...

Smokey: IF YOU HATE ME SO MUCH, THEN WHY ARE YOU EVEN HERE??!!

Liang: I DON'T HATE YOU!

*both pause, equally taken aback*

Liang, quietly: ...I don't hate you. I never hated you. It would've been so much easier if I did.....

*Smokey comes closer and puts a hand on Liang's face, gently wiping away a tear*

Smokey: I don't hate you either.

AND THEN THEY KISS!

They're so edgy and emo and I love it. 🖤

Heeheehee. The problem with two tsundere's falling in love. XD

Liang (Reborn's LEM) has been "an annoying shadow" to Smokey (Reborn SWK) his entire life it seems.

As cubs on Flower Fruit Mountain? Liang was there as a fellow outcast who combed through the future king's fur. The fellow monkey dubbing him "Smokey" after mistaking his facial marking for volcanic soot.

As a student under Subodhi? Smokey swore he'd see a fellow monkey demon watching him curiously as he tended to the monastery's garden.

When the newly dubbed Sun Wukong returned to the island and found it ravaged by the Demon of Havoc? The infuriating snow macaque was at the King's side to help save his people.

When the Brotherhood of Sages formed? The Great Sage Informing Wind was crowned alongside the Great Sage Equalling Heaven. Many dinner fights were had. Brother Lion joked that their arguements were more entertaining than any opera he'd seen.

When a certain Havoc rocked Heaven and put a target on Flower Fruit Mountain? The Macaque had grabbed the King by the shoulders and shouted at him, teeth bared. A nasty physical fight ensued, one that got so bad that the Stalwarts had to step in and separate the two. The smaller monkey shrieking that they hated their King and that they'll never forgive him for what he had done.

Still, Smokey swears he still saw a familar shadow visit him in those 500 years under the mountain.

Even now? As "Monkey" traipsed across the continent for a task that could take him a few minutes if not for this stupid spiritual Journey? He sees a cloaked figure following behind him. Never speaking, but he knows there's quick wit and a sharp tongue behind those lips...

He had dubbed the other monkey "Liang" in his mind so long ago due to the thick silvery fur that caught moonlight like a reflection in the water. He thought it was a far nicer name than "Liu'er Mihou/Six Eared Macaque".

Smokey honestly doesn't know *what* him and Liang are. Friends? Enemies? Rivals? They've traded as many punches as they have secrets. And out of all his connections from before the Mountain, Liang seems to be the only one of the Sages to want to confront him head-on.

Of course the whole situation with Yuandi and Fruitie happens...

That very night, Smokey finds a familar dark robed figure sitting at the spot on the mountain he had claimed for his own. This time Liang doesn't whisk away into the shadows.

Liang, mocking bravado: "The Monkey King! Great Sage Equal to Heaven! Punished once again for pilferingproduce!" Smokey, growling: "I'm not in the mood Liu'er." Liang: "Oh, but I am!" *jumps off rock and walks closer* "You see, there's a lot of talk that you destroyed a heavenly tree. One that contained super dangerous primordial demon. One that everyone seems to think is their ancestor! Do you know,how many demons I had to run and hide from to prevent that overgrown worm from finding me?!" Smokey, shit-eating smirk: "You've always been so good at running and hiding." Liang, pouncing: *angry snarl!* *monkey fight ensues*

Which all leads to... yeah. Confessions and a first kiss occurs in the carnage of their fighting.

Liang bolts back into the shadows the second silence falls. Smokey is left dismayed and hopeful. He feels better than he's felt in a long while, he just hopes Liang doesn't stop being his shadow...

And then the next time they meet, Liang is holding a pink-ish monkey cub who seems to reach out towards the Monkey King like he's an old friend...

[fff777]

watched the wayv 5th anniversary stream

It's pajama themed!!!!!! :3

Ten called Kun gege and Kun was like this is definitely a thing I am not used to wtf

When Winwin introduced himself in English he was like "I'm uh-Winwin" and Xiaojun and Hendery in Mandarin were like "you're a Winwin???"

Ten: ���可以叫我欽欽哥哥 WayV: *o*

Kun voluntold Sicheng to introduce the stream :3

Ten wanted them all to introduce their pajamas first :P

Yangyang introducing his pants and housecoat pattern combo

Ten had a nature wildlife theme lmao

Sicheng said that Dejun's was a ocean theme and Hendery and Dejun were like "no this is a hospital patient theme" lol. Ten said that his pajamas reminded them of Dream Launch.

Sicheng said that his pajamas were Dalmation vibes and the guys were like ehhhh that's not quite it

Ten: You are my star Sicheng: ...So romantic

Dejun asked Sicheng for help on taking off his eyemask (probably so as not to disturb his hair).

Apparently Hendery's not the kind of guy to wear pajamas. Like I think he doesn't wear much when he goes to sleep based on what the guys are saying.

Kun's housecoat is very dadlike lol.

He's showing off the bear

Ten saying that Kun looks like an esteemed guest at a hotel and Sicheng saying that he looks like rich president (like of a company)

Discussing what they did in 2023

Sicheng: *Sneezes* Sicheng: Bless me (I think that's what he said lol)

They said it would be game time but they're just reading comments first

Ten said he cut his hair for the rookie mentality lol

Kun reading the comments: 劉揚揚好嫩 Yangyang: Hah

Commenting on Yangyang's haircut and Hendery chopping the mullet

This stream has no subs as of right now so I can't understand the Korean parts unfortunately

They noted that the stream was happening around dinner time/bedtime

Aw cute collage journal

Sicheng calculating the number of days in 5 years XD

He said he calculated it with astrology lmao

Hendery was like uhhh do we have to read our own entries? And Sicheng was like yeah we love seeing other people embarrassed (so you have to)

Hendery's entry was about going to the amusement park together and buying animal hats together

Yangyang explained that it was during Kick Back promos and it was on a day when they had free time

Hendery telling us to guess what this picture is of. Apparently it was the merry-go-round.

Kun finally found pictures of them on that day.

Kun pointing to the animal hats

Yangyang said that on that day, they'd agreed to dress more low key. And Hendery said that it was because all of them had dyed hair. But then they all wore animal hats which kind of defeated the purpose.

Hendery was looking to see who wrote the next entry and it was not signed by anyone but he knew it was Dejun's :3 Probably recognized the handwriting.

Dejun's was about visiting Rain Day filming. He'd taken 1.5hrs to get there and bought drinks. But because it was raining the people on set were going to get changed. So Dejun saw them for one minute. And then he went home, another 1.5hr journey XD

Sicheng's entry was about a time he had stubble and he thought he looked good and wanted to take a bubble for fans but the members said that if he did, he'd lose fans and scare people so he didn't X'D All the members denied this or claimed they forgot that such a thing happened lol.

Sicheng's picture of his facial hair that Ten said looked a lot like Sicheng XD

Yangyang explained that it was just stubble, it wasn't full-fledged facial hair. And then Hendery asked the fans to weigh in on whether they want to see Sicheng with facial hair.

Ok so it's a promise, Sicheng will have facial hair like Guan Yu/Guan Yunchang for the next comeback XD Guan Yu aka Guan Yunchang is a historical figure often depicted with a very long beard.

Kun wrote a really long entry

Apparently WayVs went to an escape room and Kun asked the fans to weigh in on who was the most courageous/cowardly in escape rooms

According to Kun, Hendery was the bravest, and Ten was the most cowardly XD

Apparently Ten just go through the escape room with his eyes closed XD

Ten also talked about escape rooms. He said that if he was scared in the escape room, then he would make animal sounds to scare away the scary things lol. But apparently the NPCs would just get confused lol.

Kun demonstrating a scared Ten

Ten would get mad in the escape room when he had to do certain things XD Sicheng's example was that if the NPC said that person #1 had to do something and Ten was person #1, he'd be like "why do I have to do it?!" and argue with the NPC lol

Yangyang talked about Christmas hotpot with the members :3 They also did Secret Santa but they had to buy impractical things. They can't share them with us though ToT

They have to write an entry for memories with the fans. They're all going to do it in different languages and Kun has to write it down.

Yangyang hoping that there'll be lots of opportunities to meet fans and that fans will come and see them.

Kun struggling to keep up with summarizing and writing while the other guys are talking

Ten voluntold to keep the journal lol

Sicheng wearing Dejun's eye mask

Polaroid decorating time

Aw Yangyang did Ten's photo with a kitty theme

Ten did Yangyang's photo

Lol Dejun decorated Hendery's. He also used the kitty sticker.

LMAO Sicheng has experience with polaroid decorating and he just slapped as many stickers as he could onto it lmfao.

Hendery calling out Sicheng for speaking with such little enthusiasm as he explained his work X'D and they made him do a take 2 XD

Hendery used stickers and washi tape for Kun's photo, and explained that the face was Weishennies doing a kissy face to Kun :P

Kun explained that he went with a simple approach to Winwin's photo :P

Game time!

Ten arguing with Kun about moving the game piece X'D

Lol choose the phrase that Ten has not spoken before X'D

Hendery trying to game the tissue blowing game

Ten's trick did NOT work lol

Ok is it just me or are they NOT moving the game pieces properly???? like 1 space should be the next space over lol

Yangyang told Sicheng to be the person that they have to blow the balloon over because he's the tallest and then he lay down like this X'D

Balloon: *Lets out air* WayV: OMG Winwin!!!!!! dId YoU fArT?????

Dejun succeed by flinging the balloon a bit as he let go X'D

Ten was unsuccessful X'D

Question: Which one is not Sicheng's hobby?

Question: Which has Yangyang and mom not said to each other?

Hendery said that Yangyang's mom definitely did not say he was ugly because she always says good things about Yangyang to Hendery

Lol Hendery was wrong lmao

Confusion over whether they should be standing up or not lol

Lol the guys really have no 默契

Interesting how when they're talking about dancing, they revert to Korean. I wonder if it's because their dance trainers speak to them in Korean.

Kun voluntold to light the cake I guess (they were speaking in Korean for much of this)

Wayv: 錕哥今天是什麽日子 Kun: 今天是我五歲的生日啊 *aegyo*

Bro like no one reacted to his joke X'D

Lol thinking about what their debut song was, but settling on a simple Happy Birthday

Wtf is this candle??? lol

Ohh it's a spinning cake. Kyungsoo had a spinning cake for his Expectation livestream, I wonder if this is the new cake trend.

Yangyang always coming in with the emotional messages :3 He was saying how it was their fifth anniversary, but they'd known each other for longer than that, and that he hopes they'll continue to grow old together :3

Kun arguing that he will NOT be fifty years old in twenty years X'D

ASMR sleepy times with mood lighting

Lol Yangyang doing his qipaoyin which I looked up is called vocal fry register XD

Dejun preemptively drying Sicheng's tears

Nuisance strikes again

Sicheng: 晚安, 我愛你 ;_; <3 <3 <3

They were not prepared for this ASMR because the background noise is so loud....

Hendery saying the end of his message in Cantonese T_T

NUISANCE JUN

Not paying attention during Kun's bit ^^;;

Extra not paying attention during Ten's bit OTL

A fan asked if Hendery's teeth still hurt lol. I think this was a reference to when he'd gotten his wisdom teeth out earlier.

Sleepy times :3

[frodo-with-glasses]

I've had one ask for Artist Commentary, but what about Second Ask? XD (If you're still down to answer!) Could you do "Well done, good and faithful servant" (the one where Frodo recalls all Sam has done for him and confirms to the Gaffer that he gave "perfect satisfaction") with 1, 3 (Frodo' expression looking down at Sam while thinking of the feats above), 6, 11, and 20? Thanks! :D

I’m trying to come up with a pun between “ask” and “second breakfast”, but it’s not happening. X-D Let’s go!

(Read the whole comic here!)

1. What made you want to draw this scene?

Oh please, you KNOW how weak I am for Frodo and Sam 🤣 Any time these two are being cute I’m gonna want to draw it.

But I do admit this little pause to reflect isn’t actually in the book. I made it up. Tolkien is very frugal when it comes to writing emotional responses, so in canon, Frodo just answers the Gaffer’s question immediately without a second thought.

But I wanted Frodo to sit there and think about it for a second. I wanted to linger here, savoring the emotions of the journey and how far these two have come. I wanted Frodo to look at Sam and feel the weight of everything this lovely, humble little gardener has done for him.

Which brings me neatly to:

3. What does [character’s] facial expression mean/what’s going through their head?

Oh man, what isn’t going through Frodo’s head right now?

I don’t really think there’s a coherent thought in there except “where do I begin?” I think the entire Quest is flashing through Frodo’s mind at once, playing like a loop film, and all he can do is look at Sam and feel this sudden wave of emotion and affection and gratitude that he can’t express.

It’s not that he wasn’t grateful before. I’m sure, once he began to recover, he did nothing but heap praise and thanks upon Sam. But here, at home, in the Shire, talking to Sam’s father, everything is recontextualized; suddenly Frodo has to summarize a year and a lifetime’s worth of servitude and companionship and comfort and loyalty and courage and utter devotion—in one sentence—to someone who saw none of it, someone who will never understand the true depth of what Sam has done for him.

I think there’s a bittersweet tinge to that, looking at Sam and knowing that it’s their secret; that even if they tell the story over and over, the experience will forever be theirs and theirs alone. There’s something intimate about that. No one else will ever know the tedium and the misery and the grief and the suffering and the love and the victory and the joy quite the way that they experienced it. No one else will ever understand. They are alone in this; but they are alone together.

And as Frodo looks at Sam, he finds that Sam is looking back up at him, with a soft and humble and almost questioning expression. “Did I do all right?” he seems to ask. “Was it enough?”

And the humility of it blows Frodo away. How on earth—after everything they’ve been through, everything he’s done, everything he’s sacrificed—how on earth could Sam possibly think he is anything less than an utter venerable saint?? But that’s just it. Sam don’t think he’s a saint. Sam don’t think much about himself at all. All he wants to know is if Frodo is all right, if Frodo is satisfied with his service, if Frodo thinks he did well, and he’s hanging on his words with all the eagerness of a loyal hound dog hoping for praise from its master.

“Sam, my dear Sam,” Frodo thinks, “where do I even begin?”

6. What is your favorite part of this piece?

Mmmmm yes LOL

Seriously, this whole comic turned out great, and it’s really hard to pick a favorite part. But if I had to choose, I think I’d say Frodo and Sam’s little smiles after the big panel are my favorites. It was very important to me to get their expressions right—it needed to be subtle, warm, bittersweet, and full of unspoken love—and I think it speaks to how much my art has grown in the past year that they turned out so well. Especially Sam’s face. Just. Ugh, I want to hug my boys.

11. What did you learn from drawing this?

I got great practice drawing wrinkles, using crosshatching (surprisingly distinct from hatching!), arranging stuff in the panel in a way that draws the eye where you want it to go, and playing with different “scales” of my art (from teeny tiny all the way up to normal-size). I also learned how to draw spiders, because…

20. Quick! Random fun fact!

…this comic was the first time I’d ever drawn Shelob LOL

ARTIST COMMENTARY ASK GAME!

[theinfamousdoctorf]

Moon's facial journey here is killing me. XD Good job!

personal headcanon that before the 'virus' (or whatever it was) happens moon is just a bastard who loves scaring people for fun

and my self insert discovers this and plays along bc they love getting scared and manhandled

this is also why theres a high turnover rate for night guards, they quit bc they genuinely think moons gonna kill them. but really hes just bored as fuck and enjoys chasing and 'attacking' people, and like, its just a game to him hes not actually gonna hurt anyone dw

[isilrina]

Happy Art Monday Tuesday, everyone !

I made an exception to my usual Monday post because I was celebrating Christmas with my husband and his family. Here is the post I had originally planned to share.

"Triumph Tango."

About four months ago, I received a unique request that presented me with a delightful challenge. I found a message in my inbox asking if I accepted drawing requests or commissions. Although it was my first time, I decided to take a leap of faith and accept.

The request involved two women dancing in front of an iconic French monument. It was incredibly specific, detailing the outfits, facial expressions, and colors.

If you're familiar with my work, you may recognize my cherished OC, Erel'Vrae, adorned in the vibrant colors of my homeland's flag, symbolizing the spirit of France in this artistic tango. The other figure is a mesmerizing belly dancer named Hanard.

This project was an exciting journey, albeit not without its hurdles, particularly when it came to the background. I wanted the backdrop to resonate with my homeland, France. I deliberated over a few iconic landmarks, considering the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre's Pyramid, and the Arc de Triomphe. Ultimately, the Arc de Triomphe won, seamlessly complementing the characters' poses and the overall composition.

However, unraveling the intricate details of the Arc de Triomphe caught me off guard; I never realized how many details this monument holds.

Typically, I prefer simpler backgrounds to maintain focus on the primary subjects—in this case, the two dancers. Simplifying such a complex structure was a unique challenge, but I'm thrilled with the result.

Four months later, I'm still pleased I accepted this request, as it provided me with my first experience of working for a customer. It has given me insights into what to expect for future commissions.

As a bonus, click on the picture to enlarge it and take a closer look at the statues on the side! From up close, they reveal their silly faces, especially the angel. It never fails to make me laugh XD.

[xxtc-96xx]

Do you think Scarfy’s facial expression range will increase during parenthood like Newtwo did?

I'm sure he's going to make a lot of expressions he's not used to in this journey through parenthood

I mean he doesn't make this one that often XD

[marbarmars-arts]

Evergreen Mint! A 44 year old man who wants to shield his four children from a generational burden: an ice curse. He and his wife set out on a journey to find a permanent cure for the curse, which leads him to often clash with his younger brother and his daughter.

Now to ramble on about the design. Sheesh....that old design looks like hot garbage in terms of the colors imo. I knew what I was trying to go for, like evergreen tree with some starry night elements but the cape and stuff made him appear way more evil than intended. My friend said it best the old design made Evergreen look like he was working with his brother Gingersnap and I DID NOT WANT THAT LOL. Total opposite from what I intended.

This time I fully leaned into the green, browns, and wanted a "refined adventurer" vibe. His outfit is somewhat inspired by some equestrian outfits with the white pants, boots, and buttoned up coat. ....Evergreen might have a horse, I dunno xD those horses from Mario Sports Superstars exist! The colors on his belt represent the hair color of all of his kids. Mocha has this element on her design too.

Mocha Mint! A 45 year old woman who wields all sorts of dark magic. Found a spell to quell the ice curse on her children temporarily. Entrusted her older sister to take care of the kids while she goes on daring adventures with her husband. Has a sassy streak.

Looking at the differences, I'm glad I abandoned the Christmas theme of the old Mocha and transferred it onto her niece which you'll see later. But I liked keeping the red in her design! Gives her and Evergreen the red/green contrast. It's kind of a shame that I don't have that matching starry night design between the two but the coffee stained scarf is soooooo pretty. This new design just screams "Mocha"

Fun fact, Mocha's hair color is the exact same color as my sona's. This is just a nod towards how Minty started out as my sona and then turned into the girl you know today. Doesn't mean Mocha is related to my sona though xD

Cinder Bundtee! A 49 year old man who's a simple but charming lumberjack. A fun uncle and father, a day with him will always leave you with a smile. Helps his wife with her boutique, and is good friends with the Mario Bros. His axe and hammer swings are no joke.

I knew his design wasn't going to change too much when I was working on the new version. Just amplifying the old design to the next level! His name used to be Cinna (like based after Cinnamon) but Cinder started to sound a lot better so it changed. With the new name, I changed his shirt color from warm browns to greys. It really makes the pink pop! You'd bet he would also wear pink tshirts and whatnot. ALSO HIS BEARD IS WAY MORE NOTICABLE NOW! I swear I forgot it was there in the old design, I wasn't great at portraying facial hair back then.

I love my short chubby king and he deserves to live with his one daughter three nephews and one niece

Vanilli Bundtee! A 50 year old woman who owns a very successful clothing and bakery business under Toad Town's busiest boutique. She's a responsible woman that holds herself and others to high standards. Over-protective to a fault.

Absolutely adored her old design and I'm still proud for coming up with it even though I didn't really solidify the idea of her owning the Bundtee Boutique until later. So of course things didn't really change, just some refinements. Love how the new color of the glasses really make her eyes pop out at you. I always struggled with these old designs to make the glasses contrast and noticeable with everything else going on.

Vanilli's name is actually taken from an old concept of my OC Velva having an older sister. I've had multiple attempts of giving Velva sisters but none of them stuck. But I think Vanilli works best for this stunning woman right here~

Velvina Bundtee! A 25 year old woman who helps look after her mom's shop, as she plans to inherit it one day. Tends to be a worrier, but loves her cousins dearly. Been practicing the art of light magic just in case anything happens.

It's fun to create an OC inspired by another OC...that would be Velva. This is where I kinda transferred Mocha's old Christmas outfit to...it's a nice mix of reds and greens, and the whites look so so fluffy! When I look at Velvina I think about a librarian and that's about right xD

That hair looks so much better btw. The old haircut was just not vibing correctly imo. Just in general I've been hella improving on the hair of my characters and I'm proud of that!

Frost Mint! A 19 year old were-cat (once human) who highly enjoys researching about animals. Hopes to one day become a veterinary doctor/professor. Pretty chill with his unexpected transformation these days, but wants to learn more.

Frost was one of those characters that needed a fresh new rework from the ground up, I guarantee almost all the colors of the design were changed. Took forever to find a good new fur color. The green looks nice but then it's hard to decide what to do with the rest of the outfit to make Frost....well, Frost. His cat-elements are inspired by the kitties seen in Bowser's Fury. He's part cat but that doesn't mean he's not a Mint either. I'd wear that tank top irl if I could.

Pepper Mint! A 13 year old boy who's headstrong and confident to a fault. Picks brawls with others and will always stand up for what's right. One day he hopes to be as strong as someone like his uncle, or the mysterious fighter Aquamarine.

A trend I seem to notice with these newer designs is that I made everyone look just a little bit older, which works for me. I think Pepper and his younger brother Spear were originally going to be around 9/10 years old. He's entering his teen years! And with that I present to him the dueling gloves from mario party xD there's no specific reason in particular Pepper gets mario party items aside from I think they look cool.

Spear Mint! A 12 year old boy that's focused on learning all about technology and machines. Calm and collected, he tries to rein in his overactive older brother. Looks up to his elders and is generally conflict avoidant.

The small amount of changes between the old and new Spear is crazy! The main thing was fixing the design on his pants and now the ice flower on his shirt is based off of the one seen in partners in time. Did you know that was one of the first appearances of the ice flower? I like the new symmetry in Spear's hair, and he looks like a spitting image of his dad. Pepper and Spear are somewhat based off of some of my irl brothers. I have 4 :)

Gingersnap Mint! He's a 42 year old man that uh, he wants to use his beloved niece to bring back a really old soul back to life to wreak havoc and rule the world. Maybe even bring back the dead wife he misses. Thinks the ice powers are a blessing.

HOOOO BOY HE AND HIS DAUGHTER GOT SUCH A GLOW UP........because I had no idea what I was doing back then.....I had the base idea of "evil uncle" but not official ice cult leader like I do now. I swear I spent like. Hours figuring out the colors and how to balance the teal and the purple/grape. Love the new cloak to signify the Ice Goddess (my fun third Firebrand/Thunderhand god-like OC) He also has both Grodus and Cortex inspirations :)

Not much else to say here, I really enjoy a good bad guy design. Gingersnap is a fun tragic villain who can be very silly, very threatening, and probably whack you with his cane.

Lavender Mint! A 22 year old woman who aspires for her father's love and acceptance. Thinks she'll be alright on her own until she meets some good, lifelong companions. Very deadly with her ice powers, and very socially aloof.

I'm very inspired by Blaze the Cat when creating her design and personality. You may notice there's no teal in her new design like there is in Gingersnap's, and that's intentional. But her outfit is very centered around the Ice Goddess her father's cult worships. It was tough to balance the outfit between decorative and combat ready but I think I did a good job! The new hair is fabulous too, it flows a lot nicer.

....Aaaaand that's everything for today! Thanks for reading!

Minty Week Day 6: Family! 🌟

One of the most important things in Minty's life is family--and she has a whole lot of that! There are 10 characters related to Minty that will be important to Minty Frazzles, here are their relations in order:

Evergreen: Minty's Dad

Mocha: Minty's Mom

Cinder: Minty's Uncle-In-Law

Vanilli: Minty's Maternal Aunt

Gingersnap: Minty's Paternal Uncle

Spear: Minty's Youngest Brother

Pepper: Minty's Second Youngest Brother

Frost: Minty's Younger Brother

Velvina: Minty's Maternal Cousin

Lavender: Minty's Paternal Cousin

[fireflyhwufanficwriter]

My thoughts on Dr. Stone’s Chapter 232.1 (“Dr.STONE Terraforming”)

MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE BIGGEST MYSTERY OF THE SERIES!

MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE BIGGEST MYSTERY OF THE SERIES!

MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE BIGGEST MYSTERY OF THE SERIES!

My thoughts after reading Chapter 232.1:

01. Ah, Chapter 232.1! :) From the colored chapter art of Senku, Chrome, and Ryusui, you can tell that this was released in honor of the Dr. Stone: Ryusui TV special :D

02. This is an interesting way to start things off. Instead of being isolated on land, like he was in the very beginning of his stone world journey, he’s now isolated in water :O

03. Of course Senku wouldn’t give up! :) He’s started from scratch before, and he can do it again! :D

04. I never thought of oil being useful in this kind of situation, but it makes sense! And Mecha Senku’s here! :)

05. He has SO much stuff XD Maybe he has new bags that are airtight and they helped him float?

06. A reference to Senku and Byakuya’s clothed swimming training! :)

07. He found Kohaku!! :D It looks like there’s a worried sparkle in his eyes while he’s looking at her :)

08. Whyyyy would anybody want, like, two whole teams of people (science team and battle team) along on their honeymoon? XD Why, Taiju, why??? XD

09. Kinro, Ginro, Taiju, Yuzuriha, Sai, Senku, Gen, Chelsea, Francois... and Whyman and Chrome! :) Aww, Whyman’s still adorable! :)

10. And then... oof! Some bad lightning (not to be confused with baaad lightning XD) hit their plane :(

11. We actually see Whyman worried XD Like, Whyman, out of his capsule, is a lone Medusa, but somehow, with just some lines, Boichi still managed to convey its distress - great job! :D

12. I find it interesting that while Chrome, Ginro, and Gen look worried... Taiju and Yuzuriha don’t. Taiju’s facial expression is more... speculating, and Yuzuriha’s eyebrows make her look determined, not scared. And this is just my take on it, but maybe being the ones who have known Senku the longest, they know that Senku can get them out of the situation, so while what’s happening IS alarming, both of them aren’t showing/feeling fear :)

13. I’m glad Taiju was able to catch Whyman! :) Ryusui totally looks on the bright side of life XD Poor Sai, having such an adventurous younger brother! XD

14. Kohaku told everybody to assume protective positions, just like how Ruri told everybody to assume defensive positions during the second worldwide petrification! :)

15. Senku got bonked on the head by his own revival fluid bottle XD Good thing he still keeps them in those earthenware bottles! :O If that thing had been in a sturdier container, they’d all be petrified for another 3,700 years! :O

16. ...And then he got bonked in the head AGAIN, this time by something decidedly LESS friendly :O Hit in the head by a palm tree... poor Senku... :O

17. Dr. Xeno’s so confident in Senku! :D He knows what Senku’s capable of, after all! :)

18. Senku revived Kohaku, and she looks at him with shining eyes (well, eye) and immediately wraps her arms around him in a hug! :’) Looks like the sudden action startled Senku, from the way his eye looks :D

19. But after that... look at him XD He’s not even trying to get away or anything. He and Kohaku are just looking each other in such a mischievous way, like, this is so normal for both of them or something XD

20. He complimented her, and their dialogue... ahhhh, a callback to when they first met and he talking was talking about how she was acting during an emergency!! XD The way they’re talking, it’s so... like... casual. Like it’s so normal for them to hug and flirt like this, and I LOVE it! :D

21. And Kohaku knows why Senku revived her... he wanted her to be his partner... okay, in this situation. But c’mon, acting like this and talking like this in this kind of situation without any awkwardness whatsoever? It feels like they’re already together but just not explicitly mentioning their relationship in this scene :D

22. The way she looks when she’s hugging him and talking... when she said that part about being his partner; there’s such a soft look in her eye :) And Senku has this blend of ACTING indifferent, but saying all the right things anyway :D

23. Such a sweet moment between them, and then Kohaku even goes on to say that that’s very... AND THEN SHE ABANDONS HIM FOR A PALM TREE :’( It may even be the same one that bonked Senku. Arrrgghhh, they’re both too practical...! :’( I mean, look at that, just two panels later and she’s so focused on getting the palm and he’s just like, sort of knocked out or something in the background XD

24. I like to think that Senku was really enjoying the hug and the sweet things Kohaku was saying, and was totally waiting for her to continue saying sweet things when that she spotted that palm tree :D :’) Would explain his wide-eyed / knocked out expression as she was swimming away, hahaha! XD

25. Aww, look at Kohaku, holding Senku’s axe as she swims and talks/thinks confidently about bringing back scientific civilization! :) And both of their mouths are wide open when Kohaku shows him the fish she caught - him from absolute shock, and her from I’m guessing eagerness to eat :D

26. From just the two of them floating in the water, they got a palm tree; food; more wood to build a raft, and a pile of something soft to serve as a mini-shelter... and from the looks of it, they spent two nights together, just the two of them, out there on the open sea :)

27. Chrome and Suika are here; a callback to how they were the next two Ishigami Village members to join the kingdom of science after Kohaku! And maybe they sat close to each other on the plane because they’ve worked closely for so many years and are great friends! (Although I thought earlier that maybe Kohaku and Suika sat together since they love each other a lot and they both weren’t in the wide panel with the others.) And she and Kohaku are so happy to be reunited! :)

28. The incredibly strong expressions on Chrome and Suika’s faces as they prepare the fish... XD A callback to when they made food (ramen) way way back, too! :) And also a callback to how they need alcohol now for something important, just like they did back then! :)

29. Ahhh, the original four (well, from the village arc, anyway XD), working together... :)

30. Kohaku learning from Suika, the science expert! :) A callback to the different methods for making nitric acid... and, the importance of Chrome’s observation of the lightning now is just like the importance of his observation of the Medusa’s constant speed way back on Treasure Island! :D

31. I had never heard of this St. Elmo’s fire thingy before I read this chapter! :O It looks like this fire likes Senku’s spiky hair XD And electric Senku here is a callback to electric Senku from the cell phone arc! :D

32. Ahhhh, Senku and Kohaku are holding hands!! :) I know it’s for a practical purpose, but it makes me happy and I’m sure it made them happy, too :D

32. Senku’s sort of struggling with holding his breath underwater, but Kohaku’s just fine hahaha XD

33. The four of them working on... whatever this is is JUST like when the four of them worked on pumping oxygen into the furnace back then after they had gathered all the iron sand! :D Poor Senku’s eyes are shooting out lasers again, just like before! XD

34. Time for reviving lots of folks! :) This is just like on Treasure Island, when they had to revived people in a certain order, depending on their capabilities! :) Although I do know that this time, the order might have been limited to who happened to be nearby... but I’m sure some strategic thought went into this order as well :D

35. Ukyo’s hearing; Tsukasa’s food-gathering; Chelsea’s cartography; Sai’s mathematics; Ryusui’s captain abilities; Gen for hard labor (hahaha! Poor Gen! XD); and then we see Taiju with Whyman, Ginro with the treasure chest (just like how there was a treasure chest on Treasure Island! :D); Kinro’s here as well... and Yuzuriha! :) Wow, look at that incredibly strong sail-sewing facial expression of hers! XD

36. The Ainu people (whoever they may be) made clothing from fish skin? :O Wow! And now Senku and the others are using this knowledge - especially Yuzuriha! :D

37. And that two-part boat shape... it’s like the the boat design that Magma made Namari draw for him during the boat design competition in/before the age of exploration arc! :D

38. Dr. Xeno still believed in their being alive, and his faith was rewarded! :) Everybody else is shocked at what Senku and the others made, but he’s not! :D He’s proud of Senku! :)

39.  WOW that thing is GIGANTIC! :O XD Ryusui’s in his own hot-air balloon because he’s can probably control it the best, and Senku, Kohaku, Chrome, and Suika are at the head of their terraformed ship! :D

40. Their opening the treasure box to find so-called “gravel;” Ginro’s reaction; and Kohaku talking about how simple stones can be scientific treasures... it’s just like in the Treasure Island arc when Kohaku drilled and exploded the Soyuz open; was aghast that there was just sand inside; and then remembered how Senku turns simple things in the stone world into useful things through the power of science! :D Now SHE’S the one who’s explaining that to somebody else... and not just anybody else, but Ginro the person she was petrified with on Treasure Island! :O :)

41. I like Kohaki and Dr. Xeno’s exchange about taking things from Earth and how they weren’t limited to just Earth! :D

42. They want to TERRAFORM OTHER PLANETS?! They want to make cities in space?! :O

43. I love how Ryusui got to say something in the last two pages, as if to remind us who this extra chapter is in honor of XD

44. Oooh, we saw the globe, and now Chrome and Suika have scrolls... it’s just like when after Tsukasa was revived, Senku had scrolls for their spaceship roadmap that Kaseki and Yuzuriha built a globe for! :D

45. And, of course, the last panel is of Senku telling us to get excited! :D

46. The chapter is now over, and, ohhh, what a wonderful chapter!! :) So full of Senku and Kohaku sweetness; callbacks to SO many things that happened in the past; and lots and lots of science! :D I didn’t know that the word “terraform” could be used in this context, since they weren’t working with land/soil, but this is another thing that Dr. Stone has taught me! :)

47. I’ll be honest, both Chapter 231 and Chapter 232.1 (this chapter) feel more like solid, satisfying last chapters for Dr. Stone than Chapter 232, the ACTUAL last chapter for Dr. Stone XD

48. While Chapter 231 was full of awe and wonder, Chapter 232.1 was full of warmth and light :) I am so happy and grateful that they made and released this chapter!! :D

49. I hope there will be more bonus chapters to come... which, like I said in my post about Chapter 232, I think is possible, for Dr. Stone anniversaries and things like anime season, movie, and game and other promotions :)

50. But even if this is the only bonus chapter we get, it’s a very sweet, warm, and wonderful way to conclude the manga! :D

51. And now, I’m waiting for the Dr. Stone: Ryusui TV special to be released with English subtitles tonight! :) (Hopefully it’ll be tonight, and not tomorrow!) It’s going to be exhilarating... am I wrong? :D Advanced congratulations on your television debut, Ryusui! :D

https   ://   firefly-hwufanficwriterrrrr   .   tumblr   .   com   /   MyDrStoneEpisodeMangaThoughts

[mythicalshipping]

Just a casual wedding toast pose, nbd. (Yes, Rhett had to switch to his other hand but STILL. RITUALS. THEY ARE INTRICATE). 

(I just really loved Rhett’s dramatic facial journey here XD) 

Sounds like a Professional Handshake title. 

A different kind of Professional Handshake title. 

They can’t even go one episode without some kind of physical contact. It’s so...natural to them I just simply cannot. 

Yet another kind of Professional Handshake title based on Rhett’s o*al f*xation.

(Pls excuse the thirsty tags, it’s one of those days...)  

[zune-ishi]

Roleplay Rules :

- No Drama

- IM me for plotting or if you wish to roleplay within IM I do not mind.

- This Blog is Multimuse and Multifandom friendly.

- This Blog is very selective and private with Following. If I don't feel comfortable with a certain blog following I'll hard block...

- NO NSFW ( Smut )

- I will tag triggers

- Gore and Dark themes are fine within roleplaying

- Mun is not Muse

~~~~~~~~~~

About Mun :

- Mun is 18+

- Goes By Ryuko

- Pronouns: She / Her

- I have life outside of roleplay if I cannot respond please IM to remind me if I have not written up a reply.

- I have anxiety so I'm very shy when approaching but other than that I am very friendly and do not bite. So IM me if you're interested in plotting.

- lastly roleplay is about having fun and making friends.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Full Name: Kirin : The Sakura Origami Demon.

Nicknames: Ki-Ki , Rin ,

Age: Eight ( Human years )

Gender: Female

Sexuality: ???

Birthday: Born Upon The full Pink Moon. ( April, 5 )

Species: Demon ( was once human )

- before kirin's village had been ambushed by a the demons. The youngling lived life just like any other human..

..Sadly.. her home life wasn't the safest.. the girl was always placed into a crude home..

due to people not even wanting her as they're ' daughter ' By living in such conditions the little one had to become independent at a vet young age..

she had to teach herself how to make food, wash clothes.. bathe.. find safe sanctuary away from cruel men and women who prayed upon her supple flesh out of malicious acts of cruelty

..After the cruelty..

kirin was fully independent she chose to run away from this horrible village but.. that night she chose to make her escape.. everyone was ambushed by demon's..

The youngling layed upon. The topsoil bloodied red rubied remnants pouring out of her porcelain skin.She stared up longingly at the moon hoping Buddha would welcome her to nirvana..

..Sadly..

her dreams of being adorn in white silk was not within her grasp..The little one had been turned into a demon from the amount of bites she endured.. And so.. her journey of rencarnation had begun..

Powers: Blood demon art : Sakura blossoms of vexed origami

Ethnicity: Japanese

Languages Spoken: Japanese/ English / demon-language

¤PHYSICAL APPEARANCE¤

Height: 4 ft. ( Smol )

Weight: 50 lbs.

Hair Color: pastel white pink graident

Eye Color: lavender

Skin Color: porcelain

Battle Marks(Scars, missing body parts, etc.): Sakura blossoms tattoos upon the apples of her cheeks. Along with upon her forearms and tummy

Type of teeth(Normal, fangs,etc): Fangs, baby fangs

Type of eyes(Abnormal pupil shapes and such): slit pupils

Other Forms: she can shapeshift I to any age she just prefers to be a smol imp.

Facial Shape: round pudgy

Additional Notes (optional): none

~PERSONALITY~

Brief Description: Naive, impulsive, playful..

First Impression: shy, naive.. she is still a child. Even though she had been turned into a demon..

Once you get to know them:

She will probably follow you around if she has warmed up to you or If she see's anyone as a threat then she will ursrup you.

Default Expression: smiling or smirk

MBTI Personality Type:???

Extrovert, Introvert, or Ambivert?: Extroverted-introvert. She does like her personal space. But does enjoy company of others at times

Alignment(lawful evil, chaotic good, etc): chaotic good.

Habits: thumb sucking, knuckle biting.. she's still an imp and that means her baby fangs are making her grumpy and teething will occur.. she will bite you.. it's out of play of course

Fears: MUZAN... The sun..

Intelligence: she's an observer..

Pet Peeves: Enmu trying to scare them xD

》BELIEFS《

Religion: Buddhist

Thoughts on government: ???

Thoughts on people in general: she's friends with a little human orphaned girl.. kirin is protecting her while trying to find a loving family to raise little zen...

Moral: she's got morals even though she's a demon.. good morals

Do they believe in:

Ghosts? ( Yes )

Aliens? ( Maybe )

Cryptids? ( She's cryptic xD )

Conspiracy theories? ( Nope )

Anything else I didn't mention?

Superstitions: ( I mean yeah a little bit but she's not to sure about superstitions )

•°SPEECH°•

Voice Description:

Head-Canon Voice: soft spoken / raspy cute

Accent(if any): not really?

Speech Patterns:

Do they parrot people?(repeat phrases other people say): Yes.. XD

Most used phrases/words: No, Why, I'll bite you,

Slang the use:

Swearing?: Yes if she hears someone else saying it she will parrot that xD

Do they think before they speak?: yes.. sometimes..

Do they worry about accidentally offending someone with their words?:

It depends on who she's speaking with.

Movement while speaking (hand gestures etc): hand gestures

Humor: she likes to make others laugh. Be it a joke or just giving someone a tickle.

♡LIFE♡

Occupation: Demon slayer killer

Thoughts on occupation: none

Dream Job: if.. she could.. probably own a cute tea shop that would sell mochi and jujube sweets

Education: none. Even though she has taught herself how to read and write.

Past Relationships: none

Current Relationships: none

Family: none

Hometown: none

Current Residence: The Infinity Castle 🏯

Room/Housemates: Every other demon who lives there but she has her own room and no one is allowed to enter unless she has invited them in..Enmu found the little one as he decided to take her under his wing.. The sleep paralysis demon made sure no one else would disturb the little imp she is his usurper.. Kirin needs all the training she can get and privacy from others who could try and disrupt her studies or harm her..

Financial Status:

Source of Money: Muzan would give her some spending cash. For clothes or books toys she wants.. she's still a child..

Health: fit as a fitle

Past Life/Backstory: unknown

Current Life: imp demoness

•●INTERESTS●•

Likes: reading, folding origami..

Dislikes: Being interupted while folding origami or reading.

Favorite Food: she used to enjoy eating mochi, Udon, Onigiri, Yakitori ,Sukiyaki

Favorite Animal: Bunnies

Favorite Color: lavender

Favorite Movie Genre: none

Favorite Book Genre: horror

Favorite Style of Music: anything

Least Favorite Food: ???

Least Favorite Animal: spider

Least Favorite Color : green

Least Favorite Movie Genre: ???

Least Favorite Book Genre: she's a child so I'd have to say romantic stories eeeeeewwww gross 🤢

Least Favorite Style of Music: ?

Hobbies: painting, reading, folding origami. Watching the moon

°■MISCELLANEOUS■°

Song that fits character's personality: Bury a Friend- Billie Eilish

Song that fits character's story:

I'll keep coming- LowRoar

Social Media Account they would have and what type it would be: None even in the modern day verse she would not have any..

Typical Hours of Sleep: seven

Aesthetic: Sakura blossoms origami paper, lotus flower, Purple pink pastels

How they type: ?

Zodiac: ???

Worst nightmare they've had: Becoming Enmu's next meal because he's horrific and a sleep paralysis demon.

Best Dream they've had: having a family and seeing her parents one last time..

Other: none

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Name• : Zenna

•Nickname• : Zen, zu-zu , Jujube, Zenny, Zenni

•Age• : Five

•Gender• : Female

•Sex• : Female

•Birthday• : Jan 6

•Zodiac• : Aquarius

ii. Appearance : Usually wearing colorful dresses. Depending on the verse. Short stature. Porcelain skin. Short messy haircut. White locks Maryjane dress shoes to match dress.iii. Personality : Independent.. Clever. Playful, Optimistic

.•Good traits• : Helping others..

•Bad traits•: ignoring her own needs such as eating or sleeping to help someone else with they're own struggles.

•Strengths• : Sign language.. is multilingual..

•Weaknesses• : She's shy at times. Especially when asking for help.

•Overall Personality• : Loving and playful

iv. Relationships

•Mother• ( deceased )

Father• ( deceased )

•Siblings• ( None )

•Friends• : Kirin

•Other close relatives

• None

v. Backstory

Zen had the misfortune of growing up within the foster system. Not knowing who her parents were or who she is. But besides that. Zen won't let that stop her from becoming the person she wishes to be..

[cjracingpnf]

Day Seven, Part 6: It's Confession Time!

We are reaching the end of our mini-series journey through "Act Your Age", with today officially being our final topic point being brought up… And this one is the BIG one, the moment so many were waiting for, it's confession time!

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To set the scene, we see Phineas walking down the street in front of the Garcia-Shapiro's home, taking a glance at the house and looking to be deep in thought. A moving truck that had stopped across the street drives away, and after a moment, Phineas realizes that Isabella is sitting on one of the steps in front of his house. They look at each other from across the street, almost as if time had stopped for a moment, before Phineas walks towards her and with a chuckle asks, "What'cha doing?" This puts a smile on Isabella's face, and when Phineas asks, "Is this step taken?", she signals to him with her hand to sit down by her.

This moment, the first of I would say 4-5 pivotal ones in this last part of the episode, encompasses a fair range of emotions between both Phineas and Isabella. Taking this from an more realistic point of view, you see Phineas' continued look of what was likely disappointment and regret that had started in the previous scenes (mainly during "What Might Have Been"), before he realizes that Isabella is sitting in front of his house on the other side of the street.

Once they lock eyes, they stay that way for a bit, before you see Isabella frown. Obviously at this point there are a lot of emotions going through both of their minds, and with Isabella not knowing yet that Phineas knows of her crush on him (and that he has feelings for her), is probably expecting not much more then a sad goodbye.

It's at this point that Phineas does something I think was extremely smart, and with a chuckle using the line Isabella did almost every day when she would walk into his backyard, "What'cha doing?" I found it to be a wholesome bit of humor, to help "break the ice" between them, and one that made Isabella smile, even with all the emotions she must have been going through.

Moving along, Isabella tells Phineas that she came to say goodbye to him, and after he asks "Off to school huh?", she replies with the reasons why she is going two weeks early. Phineas mentions that he hasn't seen her all summer, to which she replies with "I've been busy." After this, both seem to look away from each other, and are quiet for a moment.

I want to make a quick mention of all of the great facial emotions in this part of the scene, particularly with their eyes. Seeing Phineas crack a small smile when Isabella is going through the reasons she is going to College early was a very nice touch, while seeing them look away from each other once they mention not having seen one another all summer brought a small additional element of emotion and visible disappointment that added a heaviness to this as well.

After this, Phineas opens up to Isabella that Baljeet mentioned to him that she "had a crush on him back in grade school", to which Isabella replies back admitting that she did. Phineas responds that he "had no idea", which seems to stun/surprise Isabella quite a bit, who replies, "Really, I thought I was being so obvious?", to which Phineas responds, "Absolutely clueless… Sorry."

Once again, the facial expressions are fantastic in this part, and now we see come more added emotion vocally, both in Isabella's stunned/surprised reaction to Phineas having "no idea" about her crush on him, and in Phineas's apology about not having noticed it, especially in the "Sorry", which came out almost like he was defeated in a way.

(This is of course ignoring the unrealistic nature of Isabella's reaction to hearing that Baljeet told Phineas about her crush on him🤣🤣🤣, but I feel like I've sufficiently beaten up and said more then enough about how much I dislike how the entire premise of this came to be xD )

After this comes the most pivotal moment in the scene, where Isabella confesses to Phineas that she "sort of gave up" on her crush on him once they got to High School, to which Phineas responds with his own confession, that around that time was when he "started to have a thing" for her. This admission surprises Isabella, who's eyes open wide for a moment before looking at Phineas, who looks back at her, and both look into each others' eyes for a sec before Isabella replies with a saddened, "That's unfortunate timing", to which Phineas responds with a simple, "Yep."

I'm going to be completely honest, I was a bit disappointed by the way this part of the scene came out, with Isabella barely having more than a momentary surprise at Phineas' admission before becoming disappointed/saddened again. However again, if we take this from a more realistic point of view, we know how strong her emotions are at this time, and it may have not completely gone through her mind what Phineas had just admitted… Or, I can just take it at face value, and admit that I wish we could have seen Isabella have more of a reaction to this, that we unfortunately did not get to see.

After a momentary pause, Phineas says, "You're off to College.", to which Isabella responds, "Tri-State State. Have you decided where you are going yet?" Phineas looks away for a second, and then a thought/realization pops into his mind. He takes two envelopes out of his pocket, gives one to Isabella and with a smile says, "You know what, I just did." Isabela takes a look at it, sighs and says "Oh, huh", which confuses Phineas until he realizes that he gave her the wrong College acceptance letter, to which he quickly corrects himself, giving her the letter from Tri-State State, confirming to them both that there is where he is gonna go. Isabella's face immediately changes, and smiling says, "Well, I guess I'll see you in two weeks", to which Phineas responds with a synonym of one of the classic P&F lines, "Yes, yes you will."

I really enjoy this part of the scene, first in a bit of comedy that happened with Phineas accidentally giving the wrong letter, and then the change of emotions once Isabella realizes what the decision Phineas made meant. And I personally found that super cool, the fact that no additional words needed to be said, that both of them understood, through the exchange of a simple letter, what it meant for their lives moving forward.

After this, clapping noises come up, and we see that because of how invested that they were in their conversation with one another that they didn't see the crowd of their friends surrounding them. And, as Adyson so eloquently states after seeing them finally get together, "It's about time!" After a moment of shaking hands and hugging with their friends, Phineas and Isabella rejoin, giving each other a hug, and looking each other in the eyes before blushing. Isabella walks over to her car, and says, "See ya", to which Phineas responds with a smile and two fingers pointed up, "In Two Weeks." Isabella, now with a huge smile on her face, responds, "Eh, I've waited this long.", before getting in her car and driving away.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! 🥺😭😍🧡💗 What a beautiful scene, a beautiful moment, there didn't need to be their first kiss at that point (because doing it in front of all of their friends would have admittedly been a little weird NGL lol), but just the fact that they were so happy, and from a realistic sense, very likely so emotionally relieved, to be able to hug one another (THE BLUSHING 🥺🧡💗) and know that their hopes and dreams had been realized, it was so sweet to see. In all of the ups and downs that "Act Your Age" had, it was these moments that made it worth it's weight in gold, and I am extremely grateful to have been able to watch through this entire series and have gotten to see this moment!

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And that is where we end!

Oh wait, were you expecting something more? Maybe something about the last scene, about a certain moment that happens that brings closure to the show and is one of the greatest moments in Disney history?

Well… I guess you'll have to wait till Phinabella Day for my thoughts about that 🤭😉🧡💗

As for tomorrow, we finish off with my conclusion and final thoughts about AYA as a whole. Thank you all for riding on this journey with me, and I hope you enjoyed it! :D

Until then, God Bless, and Carpe Diem!