#the stubborn husband and the nagging wife

[superbat-love]

Superbat Moments #15

Arguing like an old married couple

Superbat Master Collection

[pedge-page]

What about Joel having to spend a night away for work last minute and reader sulking about it when he gets home and blanking him? 🤣 Cue grovelling from Joel lol

Joel Dealing with Preggo Wife: Late From Work

Notes: I must be too yeehaw American because I had to look up what "blanking" someone meant 😂. Anyway, I had so much fun writing this! Decided to make him late rather than spending a whole night away because lets be real, she'd be serving divorce papers for that.

Warnings: brief oral (f receiving) scene; jealous!Reader, Stubborn reader is BACK

18+ ONLY:

- - - -

He knows he fucked up too. Big time. 

When he said he’d be home at the latest by 7:00pm and it’s now 7:02 and he’s just getting in the truck leaving the site. And when his call goes to voicemail for the 3rd time, and then the fourth time tells him that the number is no longer valid (he’s been blocked), he knows he’s in Big-Fucking-Trouble.

Doesn’t want to call Tommy up for help to coax partially because he wants to fix this own his own, and partially to save Tommy from your wrath you most certainly will take out on him rather than your absent husband.

He grabbed a bouquet of flowers at the grocery store (he’s already in the doghouse so what’s another 5 minutes added to his sentence) and is currently speeding home, a solid 15mph over the limit. Tonight isn’t even anything special: you had both just come back from a lovely weekend trip on the coast and were just settling back in to your house. But when Joel doesn’t deliver on his word, isn’t home for pizza and Pepsi, and sitting behind you while rubbings your back and belly for a quiet movie night…

Well, he’s never been late since the start of your pregnancy. Doesn’t want to think what hellfire you’re going to spit at him the moment he walks in that door.

So here he is about to walk in that door. He takes a big breath, not feeling this anxious since the he proposed to you, and steps in.

He immediately makes contact with you: standing at the end of the hall, illuminated by the kitchen light with your extra extra large T shirt stretched over your belly and dangling loosely around your thighs, hands by your side, barefoot, despite how often he nags at you to wear socks around the house so your feet don’t get cold. He’s thankful to see you hadn’t packed a suitcase, trying to leave the house with a “my husband doesn’t love me” stunt again. 

You clearly had just been walking past when you heard the door, not even fully turning to him but just having your head directed to the entrance the second he walked in. You briefly note the flowers in his hands before your eyes quickly go back to his. He feints an apologetic smile, heart beating so hard. You’re soooo quiet. The calm before the storm.

He gulps hard. 

Instead, you turn forward once more and continue walking towards the living room without a word.

You have a hand on your back as you gently collapse onto the couch. 

“Baby,” he says meekly, voice all tiny yet determined.

You pull your legs up over a pillow and fold open your book.

He comes to kneel beside you, immediately kissing your shoulder.

You do nothing. 

“Baby,” he says more clearly. “I’m sorry, honey. I couldn’t beat the time.”

You flip a page, tilting your head to read the fascinating text on the page rather than listen to your poor husband on his knees for you.

His fights with the sleeve of your shirt. Would you at least look at him? He’s holding the flowers still in his hand, big puppy dog eyes trying their best to plea with you, and with his irresistible pouty lips that get him just about anything he wanted from you. But you only lend him a sigh, flipping yet another page.

So it’s gonna be like that.

"Please, angel. I was tryin' so hard to leave on time like I said. They got the concrete all mixed up and it needed to be set today, was tryin' to get out of there, just couldn't get it moving fast enough, I'm sorry baby I really sped over here fast I can to see ya, couldn't wait a second longer—"

“Oh!” You gasp suddenly.

He’s started, but nonetheless quick to be by you.

You check the clock on the wall and laugh. Time had gotten away from you too. You slam your book and hoist yourself up, on the other end of the couch to avoid his anxious hands fluttering to your aid. You brush past him and start your climb up the stairs.

Joel is right behind you, a bit of hope stirring in him. Its not until you’re walking through your bedroom door—and slamming it right in his face that he gets the message loud and clear.

Perhaps he earned a night on the couch to pray your forgiveness. After finding a suitable vase for the roses, he puffs up his pillow, his back killing him (though he’d never say it aloud while you’re waddling around with a whole 'nother being in your belly for the last few months) and crashes down on the sofa.

He just makes out the light go off under the door in the bedroom before he too is closing his eyes.

Tomorrow brings a new day, and he’s gonna spend every second satisfying his wife. He’s deserves his stay on the couch tonight.

-

He did NOT deserve this bullshit.

It’s been 3 fucking days since he came home late.

3 days of waking up early, trying to kiss his beautiful wife and baby momma with sweet affirmations and praises, which you dodge and continue about your stubborn ignoring-test. He spent all morning cooking every single food you’d craved since your pregnancy started—waffles, French toast, cinnamon pancakes, toast with special mixed fruit jam you can only get at a grocery store an hour away, scrambled, over easy, poached, hard boiled eggs. All arranged so beautifully on the table, even going as far to put the napkins on the left, after you screeched at him a few months ago for haphazardly having them on either the right or left, and never with the fork consistently on top.

He thought he’d learned his lesson, thought he made more than enough up to you, but no. You breeze right by, making a cup of tea, and go back upstairs to your closed door.

Your sadistic mind had given him false hope when you hadn’t locked the door on him on night number two. He slept in his bed, but you had made a clear parry by slotting between the two of you the infernal pregnancy pillow that Joel had kept in storage since you “Much preferred your husband’s plushy belly and soothing rubs.” 

Fat chance tonight.

Every minute he wasn’t telling you how beautiful you are, how amazing you are, how lucky he is, he spends groveling with please forgive me, I’m so sorry, I’m such a worm.

None of it sways you any differently. 

By day 4, he’s given up the sweet talk and grand gestures. Goes for a “think like her” kind of mental approach. 

He tries to bribe you—either making you a Pepsi float, or even bringing home the famous Hot Fudge Cookie Dough Chocolate Gooey Fantasy Milkshake with EXTRA Rainbow sprinkles. But even as he temptingly waves in front of your little wiggly nose, you don’t acknowledge him.

He makes a big show to sigh heavily in defeat, leaving it on the kitchen table alone and trotting helplessly upstairs for a shower.

Less than 7 minutes later he’s come back down to see if you’d given in yet, maybe even telling him what a fantastic husband he is while shoveling your face with ice cream and admitting you were being dramatic. 

Instead, you’re still sitting on the couch, exactly as he left you. Of course, the milkshake cup is completely empty, sucked clean of its gooeyness, and there’s a little splotch of chocolate sauce lingering on your chin you had failed to wipe clean. 

A start, he thinks.

Still though, you don’t pay him any mind, scrolling on your phone with tight lips.  

He wonders how long you could go on with this game.  

It’s honestly a fucking terrible miracle—not even since before you were pregnant had you gone this long shutting the fuck up. But now its horrifyingly eerie, like a curse has fallen upon him and he’s doing everything he can to break it, to bring back your nagging and bitching and whining and crying because it would be so much more relaxing than this new kind of psychotic hell you’ve subjected him to.

He starts getting a little more involved: playing with your body, touching you softly with gentle strokes along your thighs and belly. You hadn’t flinched away, or tried moving to another spot on the couch. 

Which confirmed one thing to him: your horniness and lack of physical attention from your husband due to your stubborn mind was losing your mental battle to hold out against him.

So Joel doesn’t say anything either as he moves his lips over your breasts, down your swollen belly and kissing his babygirl in your bump. He mumbles, “Mommy is awfully mad at Daddy, think I can cheer her up?” 

The baby kicks as if in agreement. His gaze glances up briefly to see if you’re listening.

Your eyes catch and yours quickly dart away, leaning back and pretending to yawn. He snickers before continuing his hot trail of open mouthed kisses until your legs “shift” and “accidentally” part on their own.

He makes sweet, insatiable yet slow love to your pussy, licking a fat strip from your little clenched hole to that hot delicious center that is beyond wet for him—yet another example of how much your body clearly can’t ignore him forever.

But, ever as he brings you to a long needed orgasm, you bite your tongue, absolutely refusing to give him even the slightest sound of satisfaction despite clenching tightly around his thick digits pumping into you. Only letting out a strangled breath through your nose while you stare up to the ceiling, fingers folded across your tummy as if bored. 

He wipes away the slick from his mustache. Hell, even he can admit you deserve an applaud for making it through that without uttering a peep to his skills.

Hurts like hell on the inside though that you’re just that mad still.

He had hoped that being forced to drive with him due to your size preventing you from sitting behind the wheel would corner you into talking him, but even then, as he opens the passenger door for you, you climb aboard and slam the door shut without his assistance.

Now the two of you are on your way to yours and Maria’s weekend brunch. Tommy was also coming to drop his girlfriend off, so it would be a good time to catch him up on this unqiuely-pregnant-you madness.

You snatch your purse and hop out of the car, mood going a full 180 and instantly greeting Maria with a warm hug and perky voice. The two of you sit down at a little table way aways from your idiot husband and brother in law.

Tommy nods him over to the bar and Joel grumbles over.

“She ignoring you?” His little brother asks while shelling peanuts.

“Is it that obvious?” Joel shakes his head. He can’t even leave off with Tommy because he knows you won’t answer his texts asking what time you’re done for pickup. So he’s stuck here to wait for you the entire time.

“You try going down on—“

“Yes! Yes I fucking tried.”

“She didn’t like it?”

“Oh no, she came hard. Wouldn’t even whimper for me when she was clenching her little cunt around my fingers—” he says with an aggressive whisper, his pointer and middle fingers shooting up in the air with wild eyes demonstrating the scene, “—and her little numb twitchin’ on my tongue. Didn’t even fucking moan. She’s a stubborn girl but I don’t deserve that.”

Tommy shakes his head with a chuckle. “Damn. That’s just determination right there. Gotta give it to her.”

Tommy excuses himself with a slap to the shoulder, muttering “gotta take a leak” and disappears to the bathroom.

Joel wouldn’t mind having a drink right now, but know’s he’s gotta stay sober to drive you home. A miserable, silent filled drive once again. He glanced at his watch, following each tick of the hand.

“Hi there.”

Joel almost didn’t address the voice of the woman who had gentle snuck up behind him, moving to take Tommy’s seat. She’s probably a little younger than you, a nice kind smile, inviting and warm towards a stranger. 

Joel politely smiles back with a little nod. 

She offers a sweet “thanks”, a blush creeping on her cheeks before she begins to speak: “Listen, I don’t mean to prude… but I saw you come in and ...I’m usually not so brash—but I was wondering…”

-

Meanwhile, your baby is beat boxing extra hard today in your stomach. You can’t even focus on eating your salad and keeping up with Maria’s chatter about Tommy’s nose hairs all over the vanity. 

Your baby is smart. She knows something is up. You narrow your eyes and look around, finding Joel and company at the bar— 

Except the company he is keeping is NOT Tommy but instead, a gorgeous woman tossing her hair and flashing her pearly white teeth off at your husband, who’s giving her his full attention. She’s giggling with him, taking animatedly with her hands, lingering heavy eye contact and touching his watch as if looking for an excuse to get closer.

You forget about the massive planet sized lump in your belly as you instantly stand up, nearly tipping the table and all its dishes and cutlery over. 

Maria is calling your name but you don’t have the mind to answer, striding over like a bull towards the bar.

-

“Hiiiiiiii!”

Joel and the woman both jump at the harsh shrill of an annoying, high pitched, slightly perturbed but faking a smile, voice screeching behind them—the most beautiful voice Joel’s ever heard…and had missed so dearly this week.  

The woman looks over to you, seemingly startled that you had interrupted the conversation so brazenly.

“Oh, um, hi,” she offers, blinking off your pregnant belly and abrupt appearance.

“This is Joel,” you boast, pointing the shlump of a man in front of her.

“Ah-Hello—“ she smiles again to him.

You add quickly. “He’s my husband.”

“Oh.”

“And I’m his wife.”

“Ah—I—“

“Annnnnnnnd this is our baby!” You boast, proudly rubbing over that enormous swell of your tumtum so she can see in case it wasn’t the biggest fucking thing in this room. “And… you are?” You ask sweetly.

“Um…” she takes one last glance at Joel, his apologetic shrug saying everything then at you, your hard gaze burning holes into her head. “…leaving,” she says towards you.

“Great answer. I like you :) Bye Bye now!” You wave enthusiastically with a chipper voice and a deadly smile. She nods fretfully and pops off the stool, walking away like a threatened animal.

He just chuckles, shaking his head and looking down at his hands with a grin. “Ya know, she just came over to ask where I got my watch.”

“And did you tell her your WIFE bought it?” You ask, poking your finger at his chest.

He has to hide his crooked smile. It’s the first time you’ve directly spoken to him since Monday. “Yeah, I did. She asked where ya got it, because she was looking for one just like it—for her husband.”

Your finger fidgets slightly, expression drawing a blank at the revelation turning over in your mind.

“……………………………………………....................................oh.”

He rotates his stool to face you. You’re steeping in your thoughts, the confidence faltering just slightly in your mind at the realization of how grossly you had interpreted the situation between that innocent woman and your hubby. He didn’t even care, though. All he could think about was how his heart feels 10x lighter seeing you back in your usual, bold, daring, audacious self. All of your attention on him once again.

“I’ll admit, still felt good havin’ ya come to my rescue.”

You scoff, near offended by his words. “Well duh, you’re mine.”

“That right? Even these last few days?”

Yet another bomb goes off in your head at the second realization—that you had forfeited your punishment to ignore him to the ends of the earth.

 You cross your arms defensively anyway. “Well... I…decided.”

“Mmm?”

“That…I needed a back rub. But you clearly you can’t pick up on that on your own so—now I have to verbally tell you.”

“Ah huh. Sure it wasn’t cuz you were jealous? Couldn’t stand me being interested in another woman since my own made it clear she didn’t want me no more? Because my wife decided she couldn’t be patient and wait the extra 13 minutes I was running late before punishin’ me all goddamn week?”

Oh wait—was he really only late by 13 minutes? You could have sworn it was an hour plus!

“That wasn’t 13 minutes! Do you know how to tell time? It was over an hour—“

“Did you set your clock back like I told you to the night before when we got back from the coast, into our own time zone?”

😳

- - - -

Also this is how I see reader getting ate out but trying to be nonchalaunt about it:

conveniently also my favorite shot of Pedro during a photoshoot

Permanent taglist:

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[acequinz]

Zhou Zishu and Li Lianhua besties. Like that's just canon event right there.

Both depressed and wanna die.

Both little experimnetalists making medicines and less than average at cooking.

Both stuck with two travelling companions each clingier than the other.

Both also very adept at bullshitting when they want to.

Both wanting to just chill and relax and wait for death but forced to move because plot.

Both living in the end because of their stubborn soulmates love made them want to live more.

Just let these two sit together, the bitching would eventually just turn into bragging.

Zhou Zishu: my wife and son are such nags and so silly always hanging by sleeves.

Li Lianhua: my husbands are the same, so silly always bickering with each other and hanging on my sleeves.

Competition to see who is more loved and pampered. In the end it's just them sharing a drink because dammit they are indeed very loved and pampered.

[pettyrevenge-base]

Cheat on me? Well good luck having your mistress tak careof your lazy ass.

This is not my story. This is my aunt's story. I am in her house because there is a family reunion. My aunt, let's call her sara. And her ex husband dick. This happened almost 10 years ago. My aunt sara discovered her husband was cheating on her with a 25 year old. He was 49 and my aunt was 42. They had 2 kids. Now a little back story my aunt was a SAHM. She was very health conscious. In out culture people tend to overfeed you. But she was against it because people in our family have heart condition and diabetes. Dick was someone who liked to eat and lead a lazy life. My aunt always pushed him to do some exercise. The reason is none of the men in his family lived past 55. She wanted him to stay alive for the kids.

She always cared for his health, did all his chores and was a good wife overall. But it wasn’t enough for dick. He went on and cheated on her and blamed her. Because when he is with the mistress he feels alive. The mistress doesn’t force him to eat healthy or exercise. The mistress doesn’t nag him all the time. My aunt was devastated. Her husband left her and soon she is going to be a single mom. So instead of wallowing in pain. She packed his stuff up and went to the mistress's house. She left those bags and had a long list.

The list contain the number of medication he needs. What he needs to eat, his schedules, where he shops, what he likes to eat etc. It's basically a manual of how to keep her deadbeat husband functioning. The way my aunt described the mistreas's expression is priceless. It is like as if there was an explosion in front of her. Few days after she left she would get constant calls from the mistress about her husband. She would complain he doesn’t like the food she makes because it is not like hers. Even her ex husband had the audacity to call her when his gf wasn’t home so that she can come and cook. She would always hang up. They both calles multiple times my aunt turned them away each time.

She got backlash for not caring but she was stubborn in her decisions. Over the time her kids also stopped visiting their dad because their dad knows nothing about the kids. It’s been 10 years, she is divorced. She works as a teacher in a school. Her kids are all established and takes care of their mother. They barely talk to their dad. Aunt never got married. I think she doesn’t want to either.

On the other hand dick and his mistress are miserable. The last time I saw them dick looked fat. Like really fat. He had a heat attack last year. The mistress looks like she aged 20 years. She looks miserable. And whenever she looked at dick it seems like she wanted to kill him. I guess my aunt was the only one keeping him alive. But I'll give him credit for making past 55.

Source: reddit.com/r/pettyrevenge

[sashaisready]

Chapter Six

Lee Bodecker (The Devil All The Time) x Femme Reader

A year after the sudden death of your husband you find yourself at a loose end, unsure what to do next. You're also learning about your sexuality - your hidden desires and fantasies creeping out now you're no longer playing the role of the good wife. A certain Sheriff in town could be the one to awaken something in you.

Series Masterlist

Chapter 7

Lee had gone back to the station to finish work and you had got to work cleaning yourself up. You had washed your dress which was sweaty from your time in the cell, flecked with mud from the woods and God only knows what else from yourself and Lee combined. You took a long bath, cleansing yourself of the day's deeds – not that you could wash away what you'd done.

As you sat in the bath your mind raced, wondering what this all meant, what you were going to do next. You felt guilt towards Arthur, it felt like a betrayal to do this with another man. In his house, the house he paid for and lived with you. Debasing yourself in his armchair where he had watched TV, writhing against the mouth of another man in his kitchen where he had eaten his meals.

But, Arthur was gone. He was dead. He was never coming back. Living like a nun wouldn't change that. Nothing you did would change that. It had nearly been a year now.

And he'd want you to be happy. You knew he would. He had loved you, and he wouldn't want you spending the next fifty years of your life chaste and lonely, slowly decaying in your modest home like a Knockemstiff Miss Havisham. If it had been you who died, you know you would've wanted him to meet someone new and be happy again.

Could you be happy with Lee?

Maybe.

He certainly made your body happy. It was as if he had discovered a key to your sexuality's cypher, decrypting and unlocking your secrets. You hadn't even really considered the possibility of Lee as a partner, what it would be like to have him come home to you, to cook and clean for him, to share a bed with him. In your mind you had ringfenced him as something physical only.

But maybe?

He wasn't perfect, you knew he had a penchant for booze and if rumours were to be believed then he wasn't a cop keeping on the straight and narrow. And before all this you'd had a nagging feeling about him, like something was wrong.

But he'd treated you well. Mostly. He had been rough with you, demeaned you during your trysts – you had wanted that of course, been aroused by it and bathed in it. But was he like that outside of the bedroom too? Would he disrespect you? Treat you meanly? After years of Arthur's careful affection you're not sure you could handle a man being cruel to you. Despite your stubbornness and occasionally getting carried away with your enthusiasm, you are still quite fragile underneath.

But God, imagine that type of sex for the rest of your life. The thought was dizzying, enticing. Entire weekends spent in bed with Lee, endless orgasms and exploring every sexual curiosity you had stifled with Arthur. It made your head spin.

You laughed out loud at the madness of your thought pattern, getting ahead of yourself as always. You didn't even know Lee and here you were fantasising about a life with him. This was so typically you. The man was divorced, and it was pretty rough going according to the town's whispers, he might not even want to get married again. He might be content with the bachelor life and occasional casual flings with local bored housewives to keep him satisfied. Or maybe women who charged for their services. You would bet good money that you were one of many women he'd taken out in the cruiser for non-police business.

You sighed, sinking into the bath with your eyes closed, your fingers on your temples. All you could do was ride this out and see where it went.

🌼

Lee couldn't get you off his mind.

He was distracted back at the station, making silly mistakes with his paperwork and losing his train of thought. He just kept thinking about the way you'd felt wrapped around him, the sound of your moans in his ears, the mischief on your face as you dripped with his cum.

You were something.

He was thrilled by the duality of you, how innocent and proper you seemed on the surface and then how utterly filthy you were behind closed doors. He liked that nobody else knew what you were capable of, even in their wildest dreams.

It was all for him.

He thought about taking you out in the town, looking pretty on his arm as everyone saw you together. Having a nice dinner and looking respectable, then taking you home and leaving you a quivering mess drenched in your own bodily fluids. Maybe settling down together, him coming home from work to enjoy a home cooked meal and then you sucking him dry as he watches the news with a beer.

Okay, the respectable element may be questioned now that everyone had seen you kicking and spitting at him at the library – but you could work on it.

They'd all be so impressed that he saved the lonely, slightly quirky widow – charming her and making her the Sheriff's nice little wife.

He liked you, too. Not just your mouth. Or your body. But you were sweet. Polite. Also you clearly had a fiery streak within you which kept him on his toes. A nice little wife is fine and all, but he didn't want to get bored, either. And you certainly wouldn't do that.

He wasn't sure what would happen next exactly, but he knew this wouldn't be the end of it. He'd make sure of that.

🌼

Your next shift at the diner came around quickly. You were nervous as you stepped in, tying your apron on and surveying the scene around you. You were grateful that it seemed to be a quiet day with only a few customers milling around. Gina had greeted you with more of a smirk than you would've liked, but she didn't say anything about the library.

There were a few whispers here and there, but nobody was saying anything to your face. And you were used to the whispers, after Arthur. As much as the town loved its gossip, they were also cowardly – doing it in the shadows, too meek to say anything to anyone directly. You kept your head high and pretended you hadn't noticed it, your smile plastered on and your tone sunny. They wouldn't get you down. And you'd give Hell to anyone who tried.

You hadn't heard from Lee. It had been a few days. Probably best to have a bit of space as you still didn't know what it all meant. Still, part of you was disappointed he hadn't called or stopped by. You knew it was silly, he didn't owe you anything, you weren't a couple.

But you couldn't help it.

As if you'd somehow summoned him, he strolled into the diner just as you finished that thought. Your stomach flipped as his bright eyes found you immediately and he tipped his hat to you, smiling. You felt momentarily weak, his gaze was just so penetrating. Your thought about his tongue, his hands...Before you knew it you were making a beeline to him, menu in hand despite the fact he ordered the same thing every time. You realised you were looking at him with gooey eyes and anyone could've seen, but you didn't care. It was as if he was pulling you towards him like a powerful magnet.

Gina intercepted you at the last second, her body a barrier between you and Lee.

"Don't worry sugar, y'know I always handle the Sheriff" she said sweetly, taking the menu from your hand. "And he knows exactly what he wants, so don't you worry about any o'this".

Your face dropped but you realised you had no reason to challenge her, unless you wanted to raise suspicions of course.

"Oh right...of course. Sorry Gina, I guess I just forgot today" you said awkwardly.

Gina laughed and turned to Lee as you trudged back to the kitchen. You looked back at him over your shoulder and caught him glaring back at you over Gina. His brow was furrowed, his smile had faded. Was he...annoyed? It was hard to say.

You kept an eye on him after that, looking for a rare moment Gina wasn't hovering around him to go say hello but she barely let up. If you didn't know any better you'd think she was tethered to him and could only walk a few feet in either direction. You huffed in annoyance.

Then a large group came in and kept you busy with complicated orders and substitutions and complaints about how much ice was in their drinks. It was a family you recognised but couldn't place their names. You were run off your feet, rushing around trying to keep them happy despite it being impossible to meet their ridiculous demands. Stiffed you on the tip too, of course. They always did. You made a mental note to spit in their iced teas next time they came in.

You finally got a chance to check on Lee and your face burned when you saw what he'd been up to in your absence. Gina was sitting on his side of the booth, a finger twirling in her hair as she giggled and tapped him affectionately on the shoulder. Whatever he was telling her must've been hilarious because her giggles got louder and their bodies got closer. Lee was smiling away, clearly lapping up the attention and egging her on.

You felt anger rising from within, suddenly feeling stifled by the heat of the kitchen. You pulled your apron off and flung it behind the counter as you shot out towards the front door.

"Gina, I'm gonna take my break – that last table wiped me out" you sniped as you walked by without looking at them.

"Okay 'hon" replied Gina, clearly oblivious to your annoyance.

The cool Autumn air was a godsend, you needed to get out of there, marching round to the back of the building for some privacy. Christ, what was going on with you? Were you jealous? You knew you were being ridiculous. Gina and Lee could flirt with whoever they wanted. But still, you were so angry. How dare Lee do that right in front of you?

You were suddenly struck by the realisation that Gina had probably had a trip in the Sheriff's cruiser too at some point. Of course she had. Maybe still did. She was always all over him and cordoned him off in the diner like a prized museum exhibit. She may have been with him last night for all you knew. How stupid could you be? To think you were daydreaming about marrying him. God, you really were an idiot. One of many in a rotation of loose bimbos who all thought you were the Sheriff's special gal.

You sighed, leaning your head back against the bricked wall of the diner and closing your eyes. You needed to get a grip.

"Nap time already, babydoll?" came a voice from nearby.

Your eyes flew open. Lee, of course. You crossed your arms trying to appear unfazed while your heart beat out of your chest.

"I'm just taking my break, Lee" you replied deadpan, not meeting his gaze. You could see him in the corner of your eye, his hands on his hips as he watched you.

"In that case - can you spare a few minutes for me?" he asked as he stalked towards you, his voice low and teasing.

You sighed as his hands met your waist, as much as you wanted him you couldn't fight the jealousy you had bubbling inside.

"Or maybe you could ask Gina?" you spat as you wrenched his hands off of you.

Lee laughed, unperturbed by your annoyance. "And why would I ask Gina?" he whispered, lowering his face to meet yours.

You shrugged, keeping your eyes on the ground. "Well you seemed pretty close in there.

Lee lifted your chin with a finger and did a mock gasp. "Don't tell me you're jealous babydoll?" he asked as his thumb stroked your cheek, his voice dripping with amusement. The idea of you jealous and feeling possessive of him was absolutely mouth-watering, his ego was inflating in real time.

You shrugged. "Not jealous...just...clearly there are a lot of girls around town you could have a few minutes with". You had tried to sound casual but it came out much whinier than you'd planned.

Lee laughed again and he continued to stroke your face attentively. 

"Sweetheart...don't get all pouty. Gina means nothing to me, we fooled around a few years back and she has a little bit of a crush on me is all. You're my best girl".

You blush, raising your eyes to meet his gaze. Embarrassed for him to see you like this. Needy and pathetic.

But Lee loves it. Your desire for him just fuels him.

"Yeah?" you ask shyly.

"Yeah" he responds, his voice silky. He kisses your collarbone and you gasp quietly at how good it feels.

"You miss me honey?" he asks, his hand running up your thigh, skimming under your uniform. "That it? You missin' me and feelin' jealous? Have I been neglectin' you? That's so bad of me. Need t'make it up t'you".

You can only moan as his fingers gravitate to your panties, slipping inside of you. You look around urgently but fortunately there is nobody else around, nobody really comes back here except staff and Gina is busy holding down the fort. You rest your head in the crook of his neck.

"Well, it seems she missed me" he coos, feeling the moisture on his digits as your pussy moulds around him.

"Lee..." you whine, shuddering. "I gotta get back to work" you plead.

"Uh huh..." he says gently, dipping his fingers even deeper within you. Your knees begin to crumple as you whine. "Well, I'd never keep a gal from her work".

He roughly yanks his fingers from you and you mewl pitifully at the loss.

"How about I come by and see you tonight, huh?" he asks. "After my shift? Make you feel better hmm? Help keep your jealousy at bay?"

You smile up at him bashfully, nodding with gusto.

He smiles back, "there she is".

He gives you a short, sweet kiss. "And until then, 'hon, I've got a taste to keep me going".

He lifts the hand from under your skirt and begins to suck on the fingers like he'd just finished a fine meal. You gasp, your eyes glazing over with lust.

"Mmm. Delicious" he winks, running a finger under his nose. "And I'll be able to smell you on me all shift to keep me tied over".

You stare at him with stars in your eyes, entranced by him.

He leans over to you, his voice low in your ear, "Make sure you limber up before I get there, babydoll" he warns. "It's gonna be quite a workout" he teases.

You nod rapidly, smiling at him as you turn to go back inside.

He delivers a short spank to your behind as you pass him which makes you yelp.

As you step back indoors and retrieve your apron, you can already feel how drenched your panties are.

[brothermouse]

Extended cast for my Mormon/Disney/Pixar movie idea about some kids who turn into seagulls and fly around Utah dealing with *emotions*

Here who’s who. Some names I haven’t decided yet, but that’s okay.

Emma: The primary protagonist, I think the story will be mostly from her perspective. She’s brave, bold, and filled with confidence in herself. Unfortunately that’s only when she’s actually in control of the situation. When things are out of her control, her confidence falters, so she’ll often try and remain in control in whatever way she can, even to her own detriment. She’s not super jazzed that her mom is getting remarried because the whole situation is out of her control. It reminds her of when her parents got divorced.

Eli: the secondary protagonist. Eli is initially standoffish, but is eventually revealed as a deeply kind and loving person. He’s not happy about his dad remarrying because he’s still hurting from the death of his mother and he’s worried that opening his heart to someone new will only lead to more pain.

Nigel: Nigel is a seagull the kids meet after they get transformed. Nigel contributes nothing to the plot. His only purpose is to do bird things in the background.

Orrin: Eli’s Dad. He’s a networking specialist and no matter the situation he always somehow “knows a guy”. He met Minerva at a work thing and they hit it off. He’s kind, outgoing, and loves his family deeply. In some way he still feels guilty about inadvertently neglecting Eli shortly after his first wife’s death.

Minerva: Emma’s mom. She’s an inventor/scientist/borderline man scientist (she’s not robbing banks with a ray gun, but the phrase “rue the day”is part of her daily vocabulary. She separated from Emma’s dad after he came out, but is still on good terms with him. She encourages her daughter’s self confidence, even though she finds herself lacking in confidence. She know that she didn’t “turn her husband gay” but she can’t shake the nagging thoughts that things would have been different if she was “more feminine”.

Emma’s dad: he still is on good terms with his ex-wife Minerva and his daughter. He tries to give good advice whenever he can.

Emma’s dad’s boyfriend: He’s really good at cooking and is planning to make a verity of jello deserts for the wedding reception.

Eli’s Grampa LaVerne: Orrin’s dad. A self confessed “character and a half” LaVerne has a huge personality and is known to spin a tall tale or two, though he’ll insist that they’re all true. He never sets out looking for shenanigans, but nevertheless, shenanigans find him.

Eli’s Uncle Bill: Orrin’s brother. He owns a company that sells snowboarding and skiing equipment. Beyond that all I got so far is that he has the personality of a store brand saltine cracker.

Eli’s Aunt Wanda: Former Ms. Kanab 4 years straight (3 years she ran unopposed and the forth year her opponent got disqualified for robbing a bank because that’s just how small town drama works). Has opinions, will share them, loves attention.

Eli’s cousin Nephi: Bill and Wanda’s son, Lehi’s twin, loves basketball, BYU fan

Eli’s cousin Lehi: Bill and Wanda’s son, Lehi’s twin, loves basketball, U of U fan.

Eli’s Aunt Zipporah “Aunt Zip”: Orrin and Bill’s sister. Former rodeo lasso champ (I plan to use that in the climax). She’s a self described old maid (she’s in her mid-thirties) and is convinced she will “whither and die alone”. She copes with this by writing western themed romance novels and working as a wedding planner (neither of which helps, but she’s too stubborn to admit defeat). She’s handling the planning for Orrin and Minerva’s wedding.

[tomtenadia]

Arrivals - an ALB Outtake.

Hello everyone. I have a surprise for all of you. It’s fluffy and I hope you love it.

Winter in Orynth was always challenging and cold. Snow was a permanent feature from late September all the way through to March and sometimes until a very early April if the winter had been bad. That year the snow had arrived at the very beginning of September and the meteorologists had predicted a very harsh winter.

Rowan stared at the outside world from the rolling doors of the firehouse and sighed. The storm had been raging since the early hours of the night and it was not meant to let go for another day.

They had a few call outs and the drive had been hellish. Ansel and Nox had guided both truck and engine through the streets of Orynth under a snowstorm and very poor visibility. He had driven the ambulance with nervousness. He knew Nox had changed the tyres and was always on top of maintenance, but even with that reassurance he had hated the drive. When dispatch alarm went off he ran to the ambulance and joined an apprehensive Elide.

“Here we go again.” She whispered, while reading the details of the call on the onboard computer. This time it was just them. 

His phone on the dashboard pinged but he ignored it as he parked the ambulance and jumped to work.

*

A heavily pregnant Aelin exited her car, wrapped in the coat and walked to the familiar doors of east station. The apron already covered with fresh snow, the tyres trails faint on the snowy tarmac. Keeping it clear was impossible. She entered the side door and found the apparatus floor empty and her heart sank. She hoped they were all fine. That was an aspect she always hated. If a call came through on such horrendous conditions, they had to respond. It was the job of a first responder. She stomped her feet hard to remove the snow and walked quickly to the bunks room and dumped her stuff on Rowan’s bed remaining only in her polo shirt and TFD track suit trousers. Her uniform had soon become very uncomfortable so she had started wearing more comfortable clothes.

She then walked back in the common room and sat heavily on the sofa. Rowan had begged her to join him at the station as soon as her shift at the academy was over. She had just entered her last month of pregnancy. Both the commissioner and her husband had been nagging her to finally go on maternity leave but Aelin had asked for another week. There were a few thing she wanted to get ready before she went on leave. They both had resigned at her stubbornness. On that day though, Rowan had begged her to stay at the firehouse. If power failed they had backup generators and she would be safe. He did not want his pregnant wife alone in a cold house.

It was a few minutes later when she stood again and made her way to the kitchen. She was not feeling great and hoped some warm green tea might help. With the finesse of a stranded whale she landed again on the sofa and her hand went to her bump. It had been feeling tight and sore all day. She shrugged and grabbed the remote and relaxed until the team was back.

It was an hour later when she heard the familiar sounds of the rolling doors being activated and the vehicles being parked on the apparatus floor.

She stood and slowly walked to the big room knowing that it was very likely that Rowan was not there yet.

Aelin stared at the team jump off the vehicles and smiled but the pang of sadness she was expecting never came.

“Aelin!” Shouted Brullo who had been the first one to spot her.

“Hellish call?”

“Roof cave in,” added Manon while she removed her bunker gear “All of this snow is crazy.”

Aelin chuckled “Guess that will keep you busy, eh captain?”

Manon sighed “I have already three reports waiting for me in the office. No rest for the wicked.”

In the background she heard Asterin giving orders to the team and she smiled. Aelin was not worried about her station as she left it in very capable hands. Manon had become a wonderful captain very quickly and Asterin had stepped up to her role of lieutenant on truck with the same easiness. 

“Shouldn’t you be stranded on the sofa?”

Another strange pang of pain and Aelin nodded and followed the team inside.

“Cap, fancy some lunch with us? Rowan and Elide had to go to med. They will be back soon.” She smiled back at Brullo and the man joined Ress at the stoves. As the smell of food started to rise in the air she began feeling sick and thought she had far too many doughnuts for breakfast. One of her students of the class that was about to graduate had brought in sweet treats knowing full well how much she loved them. She ignored her upset stomach and kept sipping the hot tea in the hope it would settle the stomach. Rowan and Elide waltzed back in not long after. Her husband’s stare landed on her and he smiled at seeing her safe.

“Buzzard, your whale of a wife has landed,” she announced, extending her arms to him.

Rowan walked to her and kissed her deeply then brushed her bump “Hi Maya, being nice to mum?”

Aelin sighed “she has been very active today,” another flinch escaped her and Rowan did not miss it.

“Are you okay?” And from his tone she knew he had activated his fussy mode “do you want me or Elide to check on you?”

She shifted uncomfortably “No Ro, I am fine.”

He sighed and walked away but she knew the battle was not over yet.

Aelin had been feeling lousy all afternoon, and worry started to rise in everyone when she barely ate.

“It’s just false labour,” she kept repeating “I think Maya is getting ready, and she has been swimming all day.”

Surely her daughter had decided that her bladder had become a squeeze toy as she stood to walk to the restroom for the billionth time that day.

It was on her way back to the common room when the pain started to get worse. Aelin landed heavily back on the sofa and swore at the stabbing pain in her abdomen.

“Aelin?” Rowan was at her side immediately “What is it?”

She grabbed her belly as what now she was positive was a contraction rocked her abdomen “I think….” She breathed out in a desperate hope to chase away the pain “I think I am in labour.”

Rowan turned his head to Elide and the woman jumped into action, coming back a few minutes later with Manon “My quarters are free. Go, check on her.”

Rowan helped Aelin up and the two paramedics accompanied her in the captain quarters and lay her down on the bed. Her husband grabbed the jump bag Elide had passed him “Ae, I need to check on you.”

They both removed her trousers and Rowan donned his gloves and proceeded with his checks and then gasped “Aelin, did your water break and omitted to tell me?”

She stared at Rowan with curiosity “I—“ she did manage to finish the sentence as another contraction followed really quickly “Maybe this morning in the shower…”  more pain rippled through her “I have no fucking clue, Rowan,” she growled.

“Damn,” he resumed his position between her legs “Aelin, you are well advanced in your labour and almost fully dilated.”

He stared at his wife close her eyes and grit her teeth as another contraction rippled through her.

“It’s too late to take you to the hospital, we are delivering here.” Elide looked at him and nodded in approval. Plus, considered the weather, Aelin would probably end up delivering in the ambulance along the road. No, the firehouse was a safer location.

“Ro, I just thought it was false labour.”

“Yeah, well, our daughter seems to think otherwise, fireheart.” Rowan gave her a big smile and tried to be as supportive as possible.

It was when Aelin screamed out loud once more that he noticed his daughter’s head crowning.

“Fireheart, Maya is coming.”

Elide took position behind him but let him deliver his daughter. She trusted his skills and was ready to jump in if needed.

“Ae, I need you to push at the next contraction,”

And so Aelin did, over and over and over until Rowan held their crying daughter in his strong arms “You did it, my love.” Aelin was positive her husband was crying.

Elide grabbed the baby and checked her while Rowan went to kiss Aelin “You have done so well, my love and she is gorgeous.”

While Elide was cleaning and checking on the baby, Rowan enveloped his crying wife in his arms “Is she okay?” She sobbed hard.

“She is healthy,” added Elide while passing the baby to Rowan “But we should go to the hospital as soon as it’s safe.”

Rowan nodded and Elide left, probably to give the good news to the team and also to allow the new parents some privacy.

“I am sorry baby,” cooed Aelin as Rowan passed Maya to her “I just thought you were being very active, sorry my love.”

Rowan chuckled “Well, it will be a very interesting story to tell. You are so stubborn you ignored that you were in labour.”

“Maya, don’t listen to him, your dad is a mean old man.”

Rowan kissed his daughter’s head and in that instant the baby girl opened her eyes and pine green meet green.

“Ro, she is a mini you.”

His arm went behind Aelin and he pulled them both close “I love you so much,”

“She is here…” whispered Aelin almost incredulous.

Rowan placed his pinky in her tiny fingers and she gripped softly and at the gesture he almost cried on the spot again.

Elide came back ten minutes later and while she checked on Aelin, Rowan grabbed Maya and decided to introduce the little girl to the crazy band of aunties and uncles.

“Now, my love, we are going to meet a lot of people who will probably love you just as much mum and I do.”

His daughter looked up at him and cooed happily.

He entered the common room and silence fell.

“Are you all ready to meet Maya?” He turned to allow everyone to look at the tiny bundle in his arms.

Joy spread in the room and then Rowan turned to Brullo “I can’t keep her away from Aelin too long but I want you to be the first one to hold her,”

The man’s eyes were moist with emotion and with extended arms he took the baby from Rowan.

“Welcome to the world, Maya. You have been part of this family since the day your dad told us Aelin was pregnant,” he kissed the girl’s head “You will always be welcome in this house.”

Slowly Maya was passed around all the members who were eager to finally met her, but when she started fussing, Rowan claimed his daughter back and joined his wife once more.

“Did she meet them all?”

Rowan smiled and placed his daughter in her mother’s arms “she did, and they are all in love already. Brullo cried.”

“Did Elide check on you?”

Aelin nodded in a tired way “she wants to go to the hospital as soon as possible, though.”

He brushed huis wife’s hair “I agree. We need to check on both of you.”

“Is the storm still raging?”

Rowan nodded “we’ll go very slowly. I hate this but I want to make sure you are both okay.”

His wife nodded tiredly and Elide came back in that instant “Nox did a quick check on the ambulance and I called the hospital in advance.”

Rowan, reluctantly took Maya back from her mother and passed her to Elide, while he lifted his wife in his arms.

“I will make sure to leave you a five stars review for service.”

Once in the ambulance he passed Maya back and covered them both with a blanket and nodded to Elide.

“I will stay with the two of you. We’ll let the man drive.”

The drive to the hospital had been long and painfully slow. Rowan was positive he broke road rules for slow speed, but he was not risking all of their lives.

At the emergency room they were met by Sorscha who had a doctor and a paediatrician ready. Elide and Rowan both followed and lingered in the waiting room for the all clear.

The doctor came back ten minutes later “They are both fine. Aelin is exhausted and we are keeping an eye on her while her body finishes the afterbirth process,” she explained “your little girl is healthy too and she is busy having lunch now.”

Rowan relaxed. They were both fine.

“Go and see them before we head back to the station,” Elide pushed his elbow and nodded towards the door.

Rowan walked to the room’s doors and once inside his heart melted at the scene. Aelin was sitting in bed, in her arms Maya was nursing and he stood immobile for a moment. Incredulous that he had a daughter and a family.

“Come, Ro.”

At his wife’s voice he took a step and then another and sat down on the bed at Aelin’s side.

“She was so hungry.”

“Like mother, like daughter.”

“Hey,” retorted Aelin in false indignation “She looks like you, I am glad she took something from my gene pool.”

Rowan kissed her head and stared at his daughter. He was itching to hold her and touch her again but didn’t want to disturb the baby while she was feeding.

“Elide and I will have to go back to the station. Our shift will be over tomorrow morning, I will come and see you then and bring clothes for both.”

Aelin looked at him and went for a kiss “Please drive safely.”

He kissed her deeply and then kissed Maya’s head inhaling the scent of a newborn baby “Love you both.”

*

It was three days later when Aelin was finally discharged from the hospital and Rowan was happy it had happened on his day off. The storm had abated a day earlier but Orynth was still covered in a thick layer of snow. The roads were clear but he still drove carefully while Aelin called him grampa.

Their house in the outskirts was surrounded by heavy snow, but Rowan had spent the morning cleaning and gritting the driveway.

He got out of the car and ran to his wife’s side and opened the door “M’lady,” he then ran to the the back door and removed an attentive Maya from her car seat and passed her to Aelin.

Once in the house Aelin started walking around while Rowan was unpacking all of their belongings “Welcome home, Maya.”

Rowan was busy preparing lunch when he walked back to the living room and saw Aelin standing in front of the fireplace with Maya in her arms, swaying her gently. He leaned against the doorframe and took in that image, treasured the infinite happiness that he was feeling.

“See this, Maya?” Aelin nodded at the box with the piece of metal from the hangar “A cold January four years ago, that’s when I met your dad,” Aelin turned to Rowan and winked at him “He was grumpy and a mean old man,” Rowan walked closer and pulled Aelin against his chest while his arms circled his wife and daughter too “See? They were bad at fire prevention, so mum had to go and save him. It took me a while but I finally had him to fall in love with me.”

Maya cooed happily and gave her parents a gummy smile.

“Yes, you just listen to mum.”

“Fireheart, I let this pass because you had our daughter and I honestly I don’t care,” he nibbled at her ear “What matters is now. Our family and our future.”

“Maya, you should also know that your dad is an old sap.”

Rowan squeezed them both “And I wear it like a badge of honour.”

Aelin hummed in approval and let him sway them both. While they stared at the piece of metal.

For years since that cold January day. Since the fire that changed their lives and fate threw them together.

Through pain, through loss, through hard times and happy memories.

Rowan looked at the piece of metal and realised that it had all been worth it. The journey there to the day in which he would hold his two most precious women in his arms. 

“Come on, bottomless pits, time to feed you both.”

Aelin grabbed Maya’s tiny hand and gently smacked Rowan’s “Brute.”

The echo of their laughters filled the house.

TAGS:

@rowaelinismyotp​ @swankii-art-teacher​ @whimsicallyreading​ @elentiyawhitethorn​ @aelin-bitch-queen @bruiseonthefaceofhumanity  @mis-lil-red @thegreyj​ @sailorsassley @leiawritesstories​ @clairec79 @morganofthewildfire​ @sv0430 @heartless--aromantic @autumnbabylon @rowanaelinn @backtobl4ck​ @susumaus98  @gracie-rosee @mybloodrunsblue @tanvee1231 @avenrebekah @whoever-you-choose-to-love  @theywillnotsingforme @universallytreepost @black-daisy-water @goddess-aelin @whispers-in-the-darkest-heart @lovely-dove-zee

[hphmmatthewluther]

Bringing Good Tidings, Part 2: Childermass Goes Awry

Here's my first part of this collab between me and @endlessly-cursed ! Apologies for the slight delay! Continuing from her last post, we rejoin Lachlann and Henriette as strange goings-on begin to threaten the holiday...

(Featuring ocs from @endlessly-cursed , @camillejeaneshphm , and @that-scouse-wizard )

The next few days passed with much merriment from those in attendance, though Lachlann continued to worry about the nagging feeling that he was about to be caught off guard by something. As he mingled with the other guests, he was able to pass off any of his nervous glances as “Serf’s Intuition”, which always got a polite laugh from the other guests. But, of course, there was one person he couldn’t keep it hidden from. His wife, Mathilde, looked up at him in a way that only someone who’d studied his entire biology to know how best to poison him could know.

“What is it?” she asked at one point late on the 27th of December, the children already in bed by now (if not asleep, at least in their bedroom). “Is it about the Lord of Misrule business in a couple of days? I doubt you of all people would find it too humiliating, you always have been quite good at dismissing any funny looks.”

“It’s not that.” Lachlann said bluntly, shaking his head for a moment before shuffling closer. “And it’s not even about who that Lord of Misrule is going to be…if anything, I wish that were the explanation…”

“But it’s not, is it?” Mathilde raised an eyebrow at her husband. “You don’t get nervous when dealing with Betwixt. More…mildly irritated.”

“Can you blame me? They cursed our bloodline because of what happened back then…and whenever it comes up I try to tell them how I tried to find another way, but…”

Mathilde placed her hand on his shoulder. “You really can be quite stubborn sometimes. It would take a miracle to get Betwixt to like you, so I suggest moving on. Even they’ve learnt to do that, from what I’ve heard.”

“Oh yeah, that Spaniard woman they married. I honestly can’t believe they settled down after the strop they pulled when Hen- what?”

Mathilde pointed to the woman standing in the door, who had a friendly smile on her face as if recognising Lachlann’s utter embarrassment. “You are somewhat right, Lam.” Henriette began, walking forward and sitting down with the other two. “Betwixt never was one for mortal traditions…or monogamy. Still, they took the time they needed, met a nice immortal, and now they’ve got a family. In fact, I hear that Lady Sancha is expecting her 4th child, hence why Betwixt is only coming for one day.”

“Oh, how lovely for them!” Mathilde exclaimed, Lachlann detecting no amount of her normal snark. “The child must be due soon, in that case.”

“Quite soon, I imagine so, yes.” Henriette confirmed. “Seeing them will be a wonderful change from the routine of these feasts…not to mention tomorrow.”

“Don’t remind me.” Mathilde chuckled, looking over at the corridor that led to their children’s room. “How do your children deal with it? I think Caitílin is just about growing out of being fully terrified by it now, like Sam and Simone are, and Fèlix is still too young to fully understand what’s happening, bless him.”

Henriette smiled as Mathilde recounted their children. “I’d say it’s the same with us, yes. It’s always interesting to see who tries to act all tough and unafraid and who still voices their fears. Speaking of, we ought to get our sleep if we want to be ready for the Mass tomorrow. Still, it’s only for one day. How bad could it be?”

Lachlann bit his tongue and refused to comment on how dangerous it was to ask questions like that. “I suppose we’ll see. Goodnight, Henriette.”

Henriette made her way back to her room, where her husband Frederick was already sleeping. She didn’t blame him, considering how restless the children could get during Childermass. She laid down next to him, shuffling close. As she closed her eyes, she found herself thinking about Lachlann and Mathilde. To say they weren’t a traditional couple was something of an understatement, after all, he was a former serf and she was a former assassin who’d been tasked with killing him. They talked and acted like all the other couples in attendance, of course, but then there were moments when they’d mention what happened during the Mage Wars, and it was obvious how it had given them such a different perspective. They seemed almost untouchable, seeing as most other nobles were terrified of this new clan, too afraid to try to interfere with their matters. This was where Henriette’s mind settled as she drifted off: that her role in maintaining a noble family was one thing, but to get one started was an entirely different beast.

***

The morning silence was broken by the sounds of bickering from the next room. Lachlann leant forward, gently moving Mathilde’s arm from his side, giving her a brief kiss on the forehead. “I’ll handle it, darling.”

Mathilde hummed in relief, trailing her hand down his chest as she settled back in the bed. “Bless you, Lam.” she whispered, Lachlann smiling for a moment before getting dressed and heading out into the other room. Inside, he instinctively took a head count of his children. Caitílin, the oldest, was currently trying to force Fèlix, still very much an infant, into the arms of Sam, the second oldest. Simone, meanwhile, the second youngest, was seemingly content to watch this play out. Lachlann took a seat next to her, waiting for the others to notice him.

“Morning, Daddy.” Simone said, smiling up at him in that way all siblings do when they’re the one not in trouble.

“Morning, sweetie. What’s all the fuss about?” Lachlann whispered back. Simone simply chuckled and pointed to the others.

“It’ll be good for you!”

“I have no clue what I’m doing!”

“Time to learn, then! You’re inheriting the Line, after all.”

“Line, Line!” Fèlix laughed, clearly enjoying the rocking motion, before looking up and seeing “Daddy!”

Caitílin and Sam looked up and finally noticed their father, both stepping back leaving Fèlix staggering in the middle for a moment before Lachlann caught him, picking him up and holding him.

“All up and early, I see. Cait, didn’t your mother say it was your job today to look after your brother?”

“But why? If I’m not inheriting the Line, surely I shouldn’t have those responsibilities!” She said, sounding out the longer words in a way that suggested they weren’t originally hers.

“But I don’t know how to do all of it!” Sam pleaded.

“Neither do I, but you have to do it anyway.” Caitílin said, as if that ended the matter, her face dropping when she saw Lachlann’s expression, which made it very clear that it didn’t.

Lachlann cleared his throat. “Here, Sam. I’d like you to take your brother over to your mother’s room and she’ll get you something to eat. Simone can help you. Can you do that for me?” 

Sam thought out the process in his head, before nodding. “Yep! I can do that!” Simone looked over and nodded as well.

“Excellent. Now, Caitílin, out here please.” Lachlann said, pointing to the balcony overlooking the snow-covered fields. The youngest three Doherty children looked at each other, shrugged, and left the two in the room. 

They walked over to the balcony, Caitílin sighing as she leant against the wall. “I’m the only one who can see over the wall, the others need me to lift them up.” she said, proudly.

Lachlann smiled at her, before looking out over the fields. “Cait, where’d you hear about all this line stuff?”

She shrugged, tracing a pattern in the snow that had fallen onto the very edge of the wall. “Dunno. One of the other children at the feasts was talking about how since he’s the oldest and a man he gets to inherit the Line of his family.”

Lachlann nodded, understanding perfectly. “And you thought that meant we’d be giving this “Line” to Sam instead.”

Caitílin looked up at him. “Well, aren’t you?! You need a strong line to keep the family going, and that means choosing someone suitable. Well, I’m far more capable at most things than Sam, and I actually want to do it!”

Lachlann shook his head. “Cait, you do realise what a Line is, right? It’s a continued legacy going all the way back through noble families, all the history and betrayal and fighting.” He traced a line in the snow, all along the windowsill. Then, at one end of the line, he put a very tiny dot.  “We…don’t really have a Line yet. Your mother and I are the first Dohertys. That’s what you and Sam have been bickering about.”

Caitílin leant over, staring at the little dot in the snow. “...That’s our Line? That’s all it is.”

Lachlann nodded. “Pretty much, yeah. Not so important now, right?”

She shrugged, leaning back from the wall. “I guess not. Can we get breakfast?”

He smiled, taking his daughter by the hand. “Of course. Come on, let’s go and find the others.”

They left the room only to hear more yelling from the others, though this time it was not bickering.

“Mum, Dad! Look! It’s the Lord of Misrule!” came the yelling.

“On Childermass?” Caitílin asked, confused. Lachlann, however, looked more afraid. 

“Cait…don’t let go of my hand.”

***

For Henriette and Frederick, the morning seemed oddly quiet. She’d been expecting more arguments between Juliana and Denefigu. But no, there was nothing. At least not until there was a loud knocking at the door. Frederick shuffled in his sleep, clearly assuming it was one of the kids, but it was far too heavy for that. Henriette moved out of bed and got dressed quickly before opening the door, seeing someone who definitely was not one of her children. They were dressed in an incredibly odd costume, consisting of a large green overcoat, matching stockings, a bright gold and silver-covered shirt, and an olive wreath wrapped around a large jester-like hat. It could only be the Lord of Misrule, and that meant…

“Betwixt?” Henriette asked, surprised, watching them breathing heavily as if they had run all the way here. 

The Monarch of the Changelings looked up at her, nodding. “A-Apologies…M-Merry Christmas, I…I wish I could say I’m here early for a good reason.”

“I’ll say. It’s Childermass, you know, the day when all the kids are hiding, hoping Herod’s ghost doesn’t come back and get them.” Henriette explained.

“Yes, that’s what I mean.” Betwixt said. “But that’s Catholic tradition. While that and the Fae sometimes are intertwined…and by that I mean they stole from us and our worshippers….sometimes there are differences. Childermass is one of them, and it means that we have to go now.”

Henriette nodded, suddenly aware of how deafening the silence was. “Explain, Betwixt. If something has happened to my children…”

“Your children will be fine, I’m sure…provided we hurry and deal with this as quickly as we can and get them back inside before it’s too late.” Betwixt held out their hand to her. “Come on, we’ll Apparate.”

Henriette looked back at her husband. “Darling, there’s a bit of a problem. Get dressed and meet us down there, alright?” Turning to Betwixt, they took their hand. “How’s life now you’ve settled down, then?”

Betwixt couldn’t help but smile. “It doesn’t feel like settling down, I’ll tell you that much.” With a loud crack, they were gone, as Frederick prepared to bring certain non-magical elements to the fray.

They arrived outside in the snow, Betwixt taking a moment to adjust their tall hat as they surveyed the frost-covered area. “There!” they exclaimed, pointing out at a group of children surrounding someone who was wearing identical clothes to Betwixt, albeit with a strange mask covering the face. The two set off through the snow, their path bringing them past the castle gates. As they ran past, Lachlann and Caitílin emerged. Lachlann saw Betwixt. Betwixt saw Lachlann. The two slowed as they approached each other.

“Don’t tell me you think I’m responsible for this?” Betwixt asked incredulously.

“I wasn’t sure at first. I heard the Lord of Misrule was here on Childermass of all days, and you’re dressed as him, and we all know you’re not exactly a fan of Christian traditions like these.”

“I most certainly am not, that’s true.” Betwixt said, shrugging. “But even I am not enough of a fool to mess with the bizarre magicks of the Yuletide season. However…it would seem that someone is.” They pointed over at the other Lord of Misrule. The two looked back at each other for a moment, before sharing a brief nod, sprinting towards the False Lord.

Henriette followed closely behind, finding herself next to Caitílin. The eldest Doherty looked up at her. “Merry Christmas, Lady Henriette!”

“Merry Christmas, my dear child.” Henriette responded, noticing her children near the Lord. “Though it would seem someone is conspiring to take that merriment away.”

Eventually, they arrived before the False Lord, the children looking very confused as to why there were now two Lords of Misrule. The Fake looked like they were about to say some in-character nonsense to keep the children entranced, but only managed to get out “Well, well, well-” before Lachlann and Henriette blasted them with their wands, Lachlann using a lightning spell and Henriette using an orange and red hex that burned through the air like a flame. The Fake skidded through the snow for a moment before coming to a stop.

Betwixt blinked a few times. “Hmm. I’ll have to tone down what I had planned.” they muttered to themselves. “Still, we are in luck. For a second there I thought the real Lord of Misrule was there, and…” they paused, looking around at the children. “But that couldn’t be right, because I am the real Lord of Misrule!” they began, before catching themselves. “Apologies. It is still Childermass.”

The Fake slowly got to their feet, their mask having fallen away. Lachlann squinted at the face for a moment before raising a moment. “Hang on a second…weren’t you one of the Silver Kingdom’s Royal Advisors?”

The other changeling’s face contorted until the eyes were blank and the skin pale. “I assumed you wouldn’t recognise me, seeing as you were so callous with destroying our home. I am indeed Advisor Pridestone, and do excuse me Monarch, but I thought it fitting to try and teach these insipid mortals a lesson.”

Betwixt had their hand in their arms. “Oh, god, Pridestone, this does not help matters. Firstly, I have already dealt with enacting revenge on Lord Doherty, which means you don’t need to do it, nor do you need to get Lady Henriette’s family involved too.”

Pridestone sneered at her. “She worked with those abhorrent sorcerers that sealed our Kingdom, and helped build a school on top of it!”

Henriette simply sighed. “I apologise if my actions displeased you, my good sir. But I find your method of dealing with grievances to be rather heavy-handed and crude. Not to mention unoriginal, seeing as we all heard of the fascinating tale of a Piper in Hamelin who did something rather similar.”

Pridestone floundered for a moment, their blank eyes staring daggers at Henriette. “Crude?! Unoriginal?! How dare a mortal speak to me like that, I-”

They took a step forward, but were repelled by two more volleys from Lachlann and Henriette. Pridestone went flying into the snow, landing headfirst. Before anyone could say another word, the children erupted into a chorus of cheers, crowding Lachlann and Henriette as Pridestone got up and fled the scene. Lachlann found his own children had made their way closest to him.

“Dad! That was amazing!” Sam yelled, holding Fèlix in his arms who had taken to yelling “Dad! Dad!” over and over. Lachlann picked Fèlix up, nodding at all of his children, watching as Henriette did the same to those that were hers. At this point, a crowd of the other parents were coming out too, Mathilde and Frederick at the very front. But at that moment Lachlann’s eyes were on Betwixt, and their eyes were on the trees of the area, which formed a large forest. Mist seemed to be falling in. Betwixt turned to Lachlann.

“We played right into their hands.” they said, scowling. “I told you, bad things can happen when certain magical energies mix…Let’s just hope it goes away, and we can enjoy the festivities in peace…well, relative peace.”

Caitílin tugged on Lachlann’s arm, grinning, all thoughts of inheritance and family lines forgotten. “This is the best Childermass ever! Why couldn’t we do this every year?”

Lachlann shrugged, ruffling her hair, though he had a nasty feeling that by the end of this they were about to find out why exactly that was.

[afullygrownflowerboy]

Jiggy in different Forms aka the movies💀

The book! Cute adorable amazing prefect mwa mwa mwa mwa mwa mwa mwa you already know what I think about this one! It’s kinda like always gets in trouble and goody two shoes !💗♥️💗♥️💗💗♥️

I don’t really ship them in this movie but it’s kinda like Nagging Wife (Piggy), Stubborn Husband (Jack) but they aren’t really good par in this movie.

Honestly, I ship Simon and Piggy in the movie but Simon always cares for Piggy and wants to be around him and even missed him so he goes back to camp with Piggy to keep him company!♥️ heheh I’m a multi shipper!

[rockislandadultreads]

Black History Month: Fiction

The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray

The Butler family has had their share of trials - as sisters Althea, Viola, and Lillian can attest - but nothing prepared them for the literal trial that will upend their lives.

Althea, the eldest sister and substitute matriarch, is a force to be reckoned with and her younger sisters have alternately appreciated and chafed at her strong will. They are as stunned as the rest of the small community when she and her husband Proctor are arrested, and in a heartbeat the family goes from one of the most respected in town to utter disgrace. The worst part is, not even her sisters are sure exactly what happened.

As Althea awaits her fate, Lillian and Viola must come together in the house they grew up in to care for their sister's teenage daughters. What unfolds is a stunning portrait of the heart and core of an American family in a story that is as page-turning as it is important.

The Dragonfly Sea by Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor

On the island of Pate, off the coast of Kenya, lives solitary, stubborn Ayaana and her mother, Munira. When a sailor named Muhidin, also an outsider, enters their lives, Ayaana finds something she has never had before: a father. But as Ayaana grows into adulthood, forces of nature and history begin to reshape her life and the island itself - from a taciturn visitor with a murky past to a sanctuary-seeking religious extremist, from dragonflies to a tsunami, from black-clad kidnappers to cultural emissaries from China. Ayaana ends up embarking on a dramatic ship's journey to the Far East, where she will discover friends and enemies; be seduced by the charming but unreliable scion of a powerful Turkish business family; reclaim her devotion to the sea; and come to find her own tenuous place amid a landscape of beauty and violence and surprising joy.

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré

Adunni is a fourteen-year-old Nigerian girl who knows what she wants: an education. This, her mother has told her, is the only way to get a "louding voice" - the ability to speak for herself and decide her own future. But instead, Adunni's father sells her to be the third wife of a local man who is eager for her to bear him a son and heir. When Adunni runs away to the city, hoping to make a better life, she finds that the only other option before her is servitude to a wealthy family. As a yielding daughter, a subservient wife, and a powerless slave, Adunni is told, by words and deeds, that she is nothing.

But while misfortunes might muffle her voice for a time, they cannot mute it. And when she realizes that she must stand up not only for herself, but for other girls, for the ones who came before her and were lost, and for the next girls, who will inevitably follow; she finds the resolve to speak, however she can - in a whisper, in song, in broken English - until she is heard.

The Mothers by Brit Bennett

It is the last season of high school life for Nadia Turner, a rebellious, grief-stricken, seventeen-year-old beauty. Mourning her own mother's recent suicide, she takes up with the local pastor's son. Luke Sheppard is twenty-one, a former football star whose injury has reduced him to waiting tables at a diner. They are young; it's not serious. But the pregnancy that results from this teen romance - and the subsequent cover-up - will have an impact that goes far beyond their youth.

As Nadia hides her secret from everyone, including Aubrey, her God-fearing best friend, the years move quickly. Soon, Nadia, Luke, and Aubrey are full-fledged adults and still living in debt to the choices they made that one seaside summer, caught in a love triangle they must carefully maneuver, and dogged by the constant, nagging question: What if they had chosen differently? The possibilities of the road not taken are a relentless haunt.

[symphonyofmalice]

Nicolas watched Daniel leave. Good. He thought. Maybe Daniel would come to his senses. And maybe he'd really come to his senses and never come back, learning that living with a murderous vampire was a horrible idea. A stab of pain went through his chest at the thought, but he ignored it. He could take one more heartbreak in his life.

For the first hour alone, Nicolas felt restless. His apartment felt empty. It shouldn't have, not after so short a time with a companion. But it nagged at him, got under his skin. He should hunt. Not feeding enough was what got them into this mess in the first place. He left, leaving the door unlocked behind him in case Daniel came back while he was gone. If a very unlucky robber happened to wander in in that time, Nicolas would just make a meal of them.

He fed quickly, and when he came back, the apartment was still empty, untouched. No burglars. No Daniel. The hours ticked on. Had he really left for good? It seemed unlikely...he was so stubborn. He waited for Daniel. He started to resent the fact that he was waiting for Daniel. He wasn't some sailor's wife pining for her absent husband! He tried playing violin, to distract himself.

@symphonyofmalice

Daniel was wandering the city in search of a story. He had no destination in mind. He wasn’t exactly sure what he was looking for, but knew he’d recognize it when he saw it. He needed a real unique story, something that would make his career and that no one else could write.

The sound of music drew him in. He found himself watching a performer busking on the corner. The young man was ridiculously pretty. The melancholy music seemed to flow from his very soul. The violin was an extension of himself. Daniel was in awe. He’d never seen anything like it.

A small crowd had gathered, a few of them dropping money for the talented performer. Daniel waited until the other people had dispersed, then he approached the musician. “You’re incredible,” he blurted out, immediately embarrassing himself. “I mean, I’m a journalist. My name’s Daniel Molloy and I’d love to interview you.”

[strawberryama]

Favors

younger, tiny fem reader x hotaru haganezuka~

content : age gap!!! (early/mid twenties reader. If you arent comfy with that/dont like it, just dont read it. Easy as that.), lil bit o blood /Hotaru cuts his hand, tsundere-ish? reader, fingering, squirting, one (1) cunt slap, “good girl,” i didnt beta read im sorry;;

Word Count : 3.2k

Minors DNI!! 18+

“Hotaru!”

The yell startled the daylights out of the man, freezing him in his tracks. If the shout wasn’t enough, the ice cold glare directed at him by the housekeeper surely would do the trick.

“I cannot believe you,” the young girl griped. She quickly grabbed the older man’s by the arm, leading him around the corner of the veranda. For such a young thing, she sure had grip as strong as the ore Hotaru worked with.

“What is it this time?” he groaned.

______ quickly came to a halt, huffing up to him in disgust and frustration. “Are you trying to upset me? Or are you truly that dense?”

“Me?! You’re the one grabbing me and yelling at me!”

“Take your mask off for one second maybe and you’d get it through that thick skull of yours!”

Hotaru’s voice immediately rose in pitch, mocking the girl. “‘Take your mask off’…nag, nag, nag! You say that like I wear this for fun!”

Sick of the bickering, ______ reached up for the clown mask. Surprisingly, Hotaru didn’t put up much of a fight as it was shifted to the side of his face. Not even when the soft palm of ______’s hand pushed against his cheek, directing his attention to behind them. That’s when he finally caught sight of what she meant.

A trail of dark red drops had followed them, letting all in the building know of Hotaru’s whereabouts. Looking to his arm that ______ held onto, he saw a deep wound in the palm of his hand. He must’ve gotten it while working. Normally something like that was hard to miss, but he was the kind of man to submerge himself entirely in his work. He wasn’t too shocked, but he’d normally remember a cut like that.

“Idiot,” ______ muttered as she moved his mask back over, covering his face. She wasted no more time, tugging Hotaru into the kitchen.

“Sit.”

Hotaru’s arm was finally released once he sat upon a little wooden stool. For once, he had no retort. The housekeeper was as feisty as he was, but he knew she was just trying to take care of him. So Hotaru sat patiently, waiting with his palm up.

Truthfully, he felt a bit bad for dragging his blood all over the veranda. That would be her job to clean up. He knew even if he offered, she would refuse. It’s not like she’d let him help with dinner either. ______ was even more stubborn than him. But still, she did all the work. That was why she worked there, of course. That way everyone could focus on their work without living in shit conditions.

Hotaru’s gaze met ______’s as she knelt before him, gently taking his hand in her smaller one. In her other hand, she held a wet rag. ______ wiped up all the excess blood that spilled from the wound. As she applied a bit of pressure, Hotaru studied her face. She was pretty cute he had to admit; the way her tongue poked out a bit, and the scrunch of her eyebrows as she concentrated. Fuck…she adorable.

“______, why haven’t you taken a husband?”

The girl didn’t even miss a beat, not looking up. “Why haven’t you taken a wife? You’re much older than me.”

“I’m thirty-seven!”

“Exactly! So mind your business!”

______ set aside the wet rag that now was dyed red, reaching for the bandages she set besides her. At first, she was gentle, not wanting to put too much pressure on the wound. It seemed only superficial but having more blood seep out would only make a bigger mess. That was the last thing she wanted; especially with the veranda to clean after this.

“______. Are you seeing anyone at least?”

“No. Are you, old man?”

“I’m not that old!”

“Then why haven’t you married and had kids then? Hm? By now you should be on your, what? Third kid, at the very least?”

“And you should be on your second!”

“Why does it matter to you?!”

“None of your business!”

The more they bickered, the tighter ______ wrapped up Hotaru’s hand. But after his last comment, it shut down their argument. As she came to the end of the bandage, ______ was more gentle.

“______,” Hotaru began for a third time.

“What?!”

“It’s too tight…”

She gave a bit of a huff but quickly unwound the bandage. ______ was more gentle this time, getting it just right. This time Hotaru allowed her to focus, no longer provoking her. With the accurate amount of attention given, this time around, the bandage was wrapped not too tight, not too loose.

______ gave a gentle pat to his hand before pushing off her knees to stand up. “There. Now be more aware next time. I’m nothing special and can’t heal or whatever. I’m just a housekeeper.”

Hotaru sat still on the wooden stool, staring at his hand. He flexed his fingers, gently opening and closing his fist. It was easy to move with. This was far from the first time ______ had patched someone up. And now that he was thinking about it, she missed a step.

Raising from his seat, Hotaru held his hand out, palm up. “You missed the last step.”

Setting the bloody rag in a bucket, ______ turned to him, eyebrow raised. “Uh…no I didn’t?”

“Yeah. You did.”

“Enlighten me.”

Fuck. Hotaru could feel his face warming up. He didn’t think about her asking what it was. But it’s too embarrassing to say. “You have to-!” Fuck fuckfuck!!! His voice cracked.

“Ahem. Kiss it better.”

The bewildered look on ______’s face slowly morphed into one of embarrassment. Her cheeks turned red and she couldn’t even find a witty retort. That was something she only did for the younger kids in the village. Since when did this old man expect that of her?!

But at a loss for words, she took his hand in both of hers. ______ couldn’t even look up at him. She quickly lowered her head, softly kissing his palm wrapped up in the bandages. As fast as she went down, she came right back up, avoiding all eye contact.

Turning towards the bucket with the rag, ______ grabbed it in haste. “G…Get better.”

She quickly made her way out, returning to the trail of blood on the veranda

-

-

-

Hotaru’s hand healed up just fine and quickly much to everyone’s relief. A cranky Haganezuka was never a pleasurable experience, but a cranky and injured Haganezuka was even less desirable. He thankfully was back to work though, and his first assignment was done already.

It was late in the night when he’d finally finished, and truthfully, this was the first time Hotaru was unsure of something he’d made. He had made plenty of beautiful swords; never once did he doubt them or their craftsmanship. But this - this was something new. Something he wasn’t entirely certain of. What if the recipient hated it? What if they thought it was stupid? Even worse, what if they wouldn’t accept it at all?

Hotaru had left his mask behind cause of how late it was, certain that it’d simply be those within the village around. He approached a specific room with light foot steps, noticing the lantern light was still glowing. Perfect. She’s awake.

Without even announcing himself, Hotaru slid back the shoji. “Excuse me, ______-“

Never in his life, had Hotaru made a larger mistake, nor a more embarrassing mistake. The very moment he stepped inside he was met with a high pitched shriek and a pillow to the face.

“Get out!”

This was the first and the last time, Hotaru decided then, that he’d ever be nice. He grabbed the pillow, practically growling. Throwing it right back, he yelled, “Do you mind? I’m trying to be nice!”

Once the pillow left his hand though, he finally got what exactly cause ______ to shriek. Her kimono was undone and she was in a compromising position, to put it nicely. Hotaru felt his face heat up instantly. In fact, his whole body was on fire. He had to act fast before someone else walked by, or someone came over wondering why ______’d yelled in the first place. The only problem was Hotaru’s brain had completely shut off.

His body moved completely on its own. It stepped into ______’s room fully before shutting the sliding door.

“Calm down! Calm down! I am so sorry,” Hotaru panicked. He began to kneel down, trying to bow deeply as an apology.

All the while, ______ was trying to cover herself and preserve what little dignity she had left. To be caught with two fingers as far as they’d go into her cunt was embarrassing as is. But to be caught like so by one of the most attractive men she’d ever laid eyes on, was even more psychologically damaging. And now he was bowing before her, forehead at the edge of her futon mattress.

“Get up. Please, this is the worst! This is so embarrassing!”

. . .

. . .

It took a moment but the pair eventually settled down and sat face to face. Though neither of them could really look each other in the eye. The tension was so thick that it was suffocating.

It wasn’t until Hotaru cleared his throat that the silence was cleared. “I made you a gift.”

______ perked up a bit, tilting her head. “Wh…Why?”

“A-A, ahem! A thank you for all the work you do, and for taking care of my hand. I made you a hair pin.”

“A hair pin?” ______ sounded so soft. Hotaru’s heart nearly stopped when he looked towards her and saw the look on her face. She was precious. The look of wonder and surprise suited her well. It made her look adorable.

Hotaru slowly took the wooden box out from his sleeve, setting it on the floor for ______. She didn’t hesitate to reach for it. Her eyes lit up as she opened the box and marveled at the jewelry. It was simple, but it was gorgeous. Hotaru had made a silver hair pin with a crescent moon at the end as decoration. It must’ve taken him forever. This was so different from the swords he forged. Nonetheless, it was flawless and clean, just like his other work. It was beautiful.

“Th…Thank you, Hotaru. It’s stunning!”

She had the purest smile; a smile that Hotaru hoped wouldn’t leave his memories any time soon. If he got to see that smile everyday, then he’d keep fighting for another day, one at a time. He’d decided right there and then, ______’s smile was his motivation for anything and everything.

“I’m glad you like it. It’s late though, so I’ll let you return to your…activities,” he mumbled the last bit. Hotaru began to stand up but felt a soft hand grab onto his wrist. Mid-stand, Hotaru looked down to the younger woman, eyes wide.

“Actually, would you…stay?”

-

-

-

That was how Hotaru came to his current situation. A situation he’d had impure thoughts about, sure, but never thought would happen.

Sat in between his legs was ______, kimono open and sliding off her shoulders. Her face rested against his collarbone as she tried to hide her embarrassment. She was the one that had boldly asked if he would ‘lend a hand.’ Yet here she was, whimpering as one of his hands fondled her left breast. All the while, his other hand ran circles over her inner thigh.

“You’re all bark and no bite after all, aren’t you?” he chuckled. He was putting up a good front, but inside, Hotaru was also malfunctioning. How was it even possible for her skin to be so soft?! And the little whines that left her lips were driving him up a wall! Focus, Hotaru! You’re just gonna help her, then head to your room for the night, he told himself.

“Hotaru, I need you,” she whined breathlessly.

“Where’s your manners?”

_______’s hips jolted as Hotaru’s hand grew closer to where she needed him. “Pl-Please! Please, Hotaru!”

“There you go.”

Hotaru wasn’t always the most patient despite his craft, so once he got what he wanted, he gave in. This scenario was no different. His callused fingertip dipped into her folds, running up and down slowly. He collected her slick, trailing up to her clit, gently rolling it a few times.

The moan that left ______’s throat, pleading for more, was heavenly. Hotaru wasn’t going to make it without cumming in his pant if she sounded this good now. He wasn’t even a finger in yet. He was getting aroused at the thought of what she may sound like when he gets two fingers into the tight cunt.

He applied more pressure as two of his fingertips drew circles over that oh so sensitive clit. Each movement elicited a breathy whine or throaty moan from ______. Each one got more and more needy. This wasn’t enough. She wanted more from Hotaru. She needed more from him.

______ tilted her head up, eyes pleading with him. And while Hotaru wasn’t too experience, he could see what she was silently asking for. Which he was happy to supply. He craned his neck down, his lips meeting her own with a soft grunt. Hotaru began to flick ______’s clit side to side quickly, swallowing every whimper of hers. He began grinning into the kiss as he felt her body shaking against his broad chest. She was so damn sensitive.

Breaking the kiss with a sigh, he let out a deep chuckle. “You’re so needy.”

“Inside, pl..please. I-I need you inside,” she panted.

“I don’t know. You’re already so sensitive, ______,” Hotaru teased.

“Please! I can handle it! I promis-! Ah!”

A sudden sharp slap to her cunt interrupted _______, causing her to jump. The pitiful, helpless look in her teary eyes was enamoring. He wasn’t planning on teasing her too much, but Hotaru was in love with that look. It was one he never saw during the day. He already knew this had to be his favorite side of her; a side that only he got to see.

Hotaru let out a dramatic sigh, looking down at the housekeeper. “I suppose, since you said please, I can indulge your request. After all,” he began. He spread her pussy lips with two fingers. “you’re so wet. You’re a good girl and can handle my fingers, right? You wanted me to stay cause they’re thicker and longer, yeah?”

______ gulped, nodding. She was practically salivating at the thought of what his fingers would feel like. “M-Mhm..”

“Good girl. I’ll start slow.”

And just as promised, one fat, long finger began to prod at her tight hole. Her cunt wrapped about his finger as he gently pushed in. Even Hotaru let out a groan at the tightness, causing ______ to feel lightheaded. God, his moans are the hottest thing I’ve ever heard, she thought.

______’s slick was practically dripping down Hotaru’s hand at this point. As he began pumping his finger in and out, ______’s moans only got louder. Her fingers couldn’t reach as far as his. And just one finger was nearly the stretch of two of hers. Everything about Hotaru was bigger and better in the best way possible. His pace began to pick up steadily, causing her hips to grind to meet with it.

Then the calloused pad of his fingertip hit a spot that had ______ yelping, breath hitching. Figuring it was just a fluke, Hotaru experimentally curled his finger like he just had. The shudder that left _______’s body was sinful. The broken moan was hot. He needed more.

Hotaru was relentless, his free hand wrapping about her waist to press her firmly against him. With each curl of his finger, ______ would squirm and whine, tears of pleasure building up. It only sent her over the edge each time her hips pressed into his palm, clit grinding against the heel of his hand.

“W-Wait! Hah! H-Hotaru! Please-“

Her cries fell on deaf ears though as the older man was out of it. Hotaru was allowing for his body to take over, intuition trying its best to make ______ feel good. Was it too soon to add another finger? Hotaru’s body didn’t let his thoughts fester for too long, deciding on its own.

Eagerly, Hotaru added his ring finger, forcing it into ______’s cunt. Her walls ached at the stretched and she threw her head back against his chest. ______ grabbed Hotaru’s thighs, nails digging into the meat of them.

“H-Hotaru, mm!”

Hotaru took advantage of her head being tossed back, slotting his lips perfectly into hers. He groaned into the kiss, ______ whining in response. She let out a muffled squeal as she felt Hotaru’d released her squirming body only to add more and more pleasure. His fingertips began to attend to her swollen clit again, rolling the abused nub.

There was so much stimulation going on. She was going to drown in the pleasure. She was going to go absolutely brain dead. The only thought on her mind was Hotaru. Hotaru. Hotaru! Hotaru Hotaru Hotaru!

His name came out in a jumble as she felt her vision get splotchy. She was hot and couldn’t keep up. Both of the thick, strong fingers were curling into her tight cunt. The noise they made was obscene. It almost threatened to drown out the moans that Hotaru let out, right in _______’s ear.

“Cum,” he panted softly. “Be a good girl and cum for me”

“Mm!”

_______’s head began to shake back and forth, unable to take the pleasure she was being given anymore. She let out a choked whine and her vision filled with splotches. Her dripping pussy squeezed even tighter about Hotaru’s fingers and he was forced to stop pumping. His other hand never stopped flicking her clit though. Not even when the clear liquid squirted out and all over his arm.

Hotaru watched in awe as the younger girl writhed under his touch, cumming about his fingers and squirting onto him. He did that; he’d made her feel this good.

He finally let up, giving her abused cunt some room to breathe once ______ stopped squirting. Her grip on his thighs loosened and she slouched in exhaustion against him, gasping for air.

There was one thing that the sword smith was curious about though. The thick, creamy fluid that coated his two fingers. He didn’t even give ______ time to stop him before him stuck them in his mouth, tongue swirling about and lapping up every drop. ______ weakly reached up to his arm, whining in protest but it was too late.

“Tasty,” he murmured as his fingers popped from his mouth. “Perhaps next time, I know what I’ll be partaking in.”

“…’Taru..”

Looking down with a grin, Hotaru chuckled. “What?”

______’s arm that reached for Hotaru’s hand fell. She was still catching her breath after the orgasm he’d managed to rip out of her. She was truthfully a bit surprised her eyes were still open.

“Let’s get you cleaned up and to bed.”

“Thank you.”

…

…

Snuggled up to Hotaru as he carried her bridaly beneath the veranda in the cold night air, ______ sighed softly.

“It truly is a wonder you’ve not taken a wife, old man.”

“And I suppose,” he mocked. “it’s a wonder you’ve yet to take a husband, after all.”

—————-

pt 2, you animals

[sukirichi]

dnhfjdanxs- imagine husband! Bonten getting into a little 'married couple' fight with their wife and when she gets mad she looks so adorable they can't help but smile and tease her, wich only makes her madder so she makes them sleep on the couch😭

BONTEN COUPLE GETTING INTO AN ARGUMENT – EVICTED TO THE COUCH !!

☁︎ mikey, haitani ran, haitani rindou, kakucho hitto, kokonoi hajime, haruchiyo sanzu

☁︎ unedited. angst. sanzu uses drugs. hurtful comments :(

♡ — MIKEY

Mikey has had a long day. There’s been a miscalculation in Kokonoi’s funds, the Haitani Brothers disappeared off into their own agendas without telling him, Sanzu came to work high and wouldn’t stop laughing during meetings, and Kakucho walked out of the room out of exasperation. It’s been a terrible day, the storm clouding his shoulders brought all the way home. You understand his pain and his troubles, but sometimes, you really wished Mikey would be more careful with his words when he’s frustrated.

“Mikey, you should at least wash your face before heading to bed-”

“Leave me alone and stop nagging,” he growls, nails digging into his scalp as you stand before him, perplexed at the sudden venom in his voice. “Just shut up will you? I can’t get a fucking break anywhere. Your voice is so annoying too – it’s scratching against my ears, fuck, I’m so tired.”

You stepped in front of him, your body blocking the door as tears glistened in your eyes. Still, you held them in, refusing to give your husband the satisfaction he was getting to you.

Mikey sighs at your stubbornness. “Move out of the way. I’m tired, okay? Just let me go to bed. We’ll talk tomorrow when I’m feeling better.”

“We’ll talk tomorrow when you pull out that stick from your ass,” you retort, stomping in the room to throw pillows and blankets his way. Mikey catches them with his arms, brows drawn together when you fling him a pair of socks that lands on his irritated face. “You’re sleeping in the couch tonight. There’s no way I can sleep beside you when you’re being mean. I get that you had a bad day but you can’t just take it out on me and say hurtful things.”

“...What’re the socks for?”

Your shoulders slumped as you leant against the door, heart aching that your husband won’t even apologize. Mikey has always been this way. Prideful, unwilling to admit he makes mistakes, and head too up the clouds to ever see you eye to eye. “I know your feet get cold easily,” you mumble, closing the door halfway to look at him one last time. “Good night, Mikey.”

Even as you closed the door, awake for hours in the emptiness of a bed meant for two and his side painfully empty, Mikey never crawled beside you. Not even a kiss to the forehead like he always did before leaving for work when you were still half-asleep.

You bit down on the blanket to muffle your cries that night, unaware that Mikey stood outside the door. His fist was raised halfway when he heard your restrained sobs, whines of how mean he was like a direct stab to the heart. Maybe this wasn’t the right time to talk, he thought to himself, and turned his back to the door before retreating to the couch.

♡ — HAITANI RAN

If there was one thing you hated about Ran, it would be his annoying trait of never taking you seriously. You admitted your husband was a devoted man, loyal and protective to a fault, but sometimes he was too confident in taking everything as a joke that you could never come to an understanding. You’d told him multiple times that he should stop leaving his stuff everywhere. He had a habit of leaving his mug on the table when the sink was just a few steps away, or discarding his tie right on the couch because he was too tired that he’d just plop straight to bed.

You weren’t even asking for much. It was a simple request of him to clean up after himself.

“Ran, you’re not a child anymore!” you picked up his gold wristwatch lying on the marble countertops, centimetres from falling before it crashed into pieces. Dragging him to his closet, you pulled out his own watch organizer. “We have this for you, why can’t you put it back as soon as you’re not wearing it?”

“Babe, relax-”

“No, don’t tell me to relax. You always do this and it’s annoying-” you cut yourself off when Ran hides a snicker behind his fist, lips pursed as his eyes glimmer with amusement. “What’s so funny, Ran?”

“Nothing. You’re just too cute.”

“Were you even listening to what I said?”

“I think I heard a thing or two,” he shrugged, the smile on his face falling when your bottom lip quivers. Sniffing, you tucked his watch back into his pillow, closing the drawer and walking past him in loud footsteps. Your husband followed behind you, the sound of his laughter echoing all over the room. “Babe, come on, I was just joking. You take everything too seriously.”

“And you think everyone is a joke,” you spat out. Pointing to the couch, you gritted your teeth to stop yourself from crying – annoyed because you were infuriated but you also wanted his comfort. Wanted his arms around you since sleeping alone wasn’t comfortable. But boundaries were important; he needed to learn not everything was funny. “You’re sleeping on the couch tonight, Haitani. Don’t even think of talking to me until the house is spotless by the next morning. Let’s see what’s funny now when you don’t get your goodnight kisses anymore.”

♡ — HAITANI RINDOU

Opposite to Ran, Rindou’s least pleasing trait was that he was impatient. He took everything seriously, the darkness of his life as a Bonten Executive turning him into a rigid, stiff guy who barely smiled. He’d witnessed the cruelty of the world, he was cruel himself so he was often on edge, triggered by the least complicated situations until he was blowing it up too much. Tonight would be one of those where Rindou is tapping his foot on the ground. He’d glanced at his watch more times than he could count, his jaw clenching and unclenching because you were taking long.

“Babe, how long are you going to be in there?”

“Just one more minute!” you called out, plumping your lips as you applied colour over it. Once satisfied with your look, you made your way to Rindou, the smile on your face freezing awkwardly when he offers you a distasteful glance. “Is... is there something wrong with my face?”

“No, but there’s seriously something wrong with your concept of time,” he tapped at his watch flashed in your direction, “I told you I wanted to leave fifteen minutes ago. You took forever there.”

“We’re still half an hour early to our appointment, Rindou. You act as if I’ve just killed somebody.”

“You wasted my time.”

You flinched back at the harsh tone. Fiddling with the necklace to calm yourself down, you sucked your cheeks in as an attempt to hold your tears back. Rindou has had his fair share of letting out mean comments, but did he really have to do this now? On a dinner date you’d been looking forward to since he’d been busy for a while now? You were a waste of time?

“I’m sorry then,” you sniffed, refusing to look him in the eye. “Uhm... I don’t think I want to go anymore; I know you had to cancel a Bonten meeting because I wanted to go out with you. Waste of time, right? So don’t worry about me anymore, I’ll just head to be. You can go back to work.”

Rindou groaned behind you. “Babe, I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant.”

“Sleep on the couch tonight,” you gestured to the living room, tears staining this beautiful dress you’d been so excited to wear for him. “I want to be alone tonight.”

♡ — KAKUCHO HITTO

Arguments with Kakucho were as rare as they were drawn out. He was a patient, understanding man who always insisted on clear communication if there was a problem that needed to be worked out, so you never had to worry nor did you understand the complaints of other Bonten wives whenever their husband unnecessarily said something hurtful. Kakucho paid close attention to his words; you were more than lucky to have married him, but nobody was perfect. And wanting a perfect marriage where everything was butterflies and rainbows were impossible.

Kakucho, while being the sweetest husband ever, was also a dedicated Bonten Executive – so much so that you could barely feel his presence.

He’d be out before the sun came out. He’d come home long after you’re asleep, and on the few times he was home, he brought work with him. You wanted to be as patient with him as he was with you that you never said anything about it. You of all people understood how demanding his work was, whatnot with being the most notorious criminal gang. It wasn’t easy for him, but neither was it for you.

You wanted your husband to spend more time you before you believed that he was becoming more and more of a privilege to talk to than a husband you could count on.

Hugging him from behind, you kissed below your husband’s ears. “Kakucho...” you whispered, hands trailing down his arms to loop at his fingers, his knuckles bumping to your palm. “Let’s go to sleep now, or watch a movie at least. You haven’t stopped working for weeks now. I’ve barely talked to you and I’m worried.”

“I’m okay,” he answered, distracted by the paperwork in front of him. It’s like you weren’t even there. “Head to bed straight first, love. I’ll be there later.”

“You always say that but I’m already asleep by the time you come, Kakucho. I’m tired of sleeping and waking up without you – it’s like my husband isn’t here at all.”

“My work is important.”

“More important than me?”

“Fuck, what is it with you tonight?” he slammed his pen on the table, peeling your arms off of him and staring up at you with a scowl. “I’m the one putting the food on the table just to feed us with my hard-earned money. I’m the one working day and night to provide you a comfortable life and I’m doing everything I can, what else do you want from me? Of course Bonten is more important. It’s what makes us live this lavishly.”

“If I’m going to lose my husband through a line of criminal work, then I don’t want it, Kakucho! I just wanted to spend more time with you! Why is it so impossible for you to talk to me for even five minutes?”

“Then you shouldn’t have married me if you wanted a man that could be your playmate each fucking minute because I have other things to do!”

Your mouth fell aghast. “I can’t believe you said that,” tearing your gaze away, you felt Kakucho shoot up from his seat, ready to apologize and coo for what he said. You could tell the exhaustion and sleep deprivation was getting to him. Dark circles lined under his eyes and his shoulders were drooped weary, arms extending to hold you but you gently flicked him away, heart torn and conflicted from this argument rooted from something as small as wanting more of his attention. “You should... you shouldn’t stay up too late. Go to sleep as soon as you’re done, I’ll have food prepared for you before you leave.”

“Love,” he pleaded, “Can’t we at least talk it out?”

“We’re just going to shout at each other. Let’s talk when we’re feeling better,” sending him a forced smile, your heart ached at the sight of Kakucho’s guilt written all over his face. “Can I have the room for tonight, love? I want to be alone for a while, although I’ve been feeling lonely for a while now anyway. Not like anything changed.”

“Will you not let me hold you for a while?”

You nodded to his study. “You should finish your paperwork. Mikey’s going to come for your ass if you don’t get that sorted out soon.”

♡ — KOKONOI HAJIME

Kokonoi has worked hard to fill up both your pockets, ensuring that there’d never be a day where you had to worry for things such as bills or not having anything to eat. He’d gone through hell and back to get where he is now. With his efforts, he was more than eager to spoil you with his black card, reassuring you every day that you could get whatever you wanted and he wouldn’t blink at it. Hell, he wanted you to go crazy – fill up your closet with the latest designer brands, indulge in expensive wine, strut down to the next party you’ll attend with Louboutin – he wanted his pretty baby dolled up until you felt like an absolute goddess.

Only you didn’t want to.

You appreciated your husband’s desire to spoil you, but you wanted to use your own money as much as possible. Your money, your decision. His money, his own expense. Only that you cut back on shopping since you found no need to buy the most expensive brands, nor did you feel like it was important to impress anyone or be the most stunning in an event you didn’t want to attend in the first place. Sometimes, though, Kokonoi could be quite demanding.

“Come on, sweetheart, it’s just a necklace. It won’t kill you to get it. Consider it an advanced birthday gift from me.”

“But you already got me a car.”

“Because I wanted to, and I’d still get you whatever you asked for. We’re loaded, sweetheart. You don’t have to worry about a thing,” he grinned, nodding at the saleslady awkwardly watching your exchange with a stiff smile. “She’ll get it, Miss. Please wrap it up nicely in a box.”

“No, Koko, I don’t want it-”

“God, I should’ve just gotten a sugar baby if I knew you’d be this much of a cheapskate,” he muttered under his breath, thumbs pushed to his forehead. Kokonoi scowled at you for a brief moment before he slapped his card onto the table and pushed it to the saleslady. “She can get whatever she wants here, consider it paid for,” turning to you, he exhaled through his nose. “Meet me in the car once you’re done. If you still don’t want to accept a gift from your husband who only wants you to get something nice, then throw the card away. I don’t care.”

You gaped at your husband who walked away. Out of spite, you bought that damned necklace and rushed back to the car, watching the city speed by as Kokonoi had one hand on the steering wheel. “So you got the necklace,” he glanced at the box on your lap, “I told you it’s not a big deal. You made a fuss out of nothing.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t force me to buy things in the first place,” you snapped, “And sugar baby, seriously? Why would you even think of that?”

“Because you’re being such a drama queen!”

“You’re insufferable, Kokonoi,” you slammed the door when you’d reached the parking lot of your penthouse, heels clacking while your husband leaned over the car, unimpressed by how you’d left the box inside on purpose. “Go give that necklace to your sugar baby, I’m sure they’ll like it. Oh and just a note, you’re sleeping on the couch tonight.”

♡ — HARUCHIYO SANZU

Sanzu has a bad habit of stumbling late into the night, high and out of his mind that he’s creating a ruckus everywhere. He’s taken more than two hits today, coming home singing at the top of his lungs, unaware that you were trying to sleep. You stormed out of the room then, ready to scold him because he might wake the neighbours when you heard a crash, and on the floor you found an ancient vase your mother had gotten you as a gift. Beside it, Sanzu whistled an oops.

“Sanzu, what did you do?! This was a precious gift!”

“‘Twas an ugly vase,” he slurred, crouching down to watch you pick it up one by one carefully. Narrowing his eyes, he laughed at the way you were angrily mumbling to yourself. “You’re cute, wife. Getting all riled up for an ugly vase... I bet that was a fake too. It’s nothing special.”

“Would you shut up?”

“I’m speaking the truth!” he placed a hand on his chest and snorted at you, “Don’t cry now, you’re not a baby anymore. I’ll get you a better vase, babe. Just don’t cry.”

You flicked his hands away as you were busy gathering the shards piece by piece, but Sanzu whined, grabbing you by the wrist until a shard slipped through your palms. Blood gushed out from the cut and you gasped, staring up at Sanzu incredulously who only gasped, but made no move to help. “Hands off me, Sanzu,” you warned, “You’ve done enough, don’t you think? Get the first aid kit and move!”

“I uhm... I don’t know where it is.”

“You’re so hopeless,” you cried, pushing past him as Sanzu trailed behind you like a little puppy. He fidgeted from one foot to another. You gestured at the top of the bathroom tops where the first aid kit lay, and he wowed, reaching up before he helped disinfect the cut and bandage it. Smelling the substance on him, you frowned and beat gently at his chest. “You should be more careful, Sanzu. I’m going to die worrying about you.”

“Em not that bad, babe...”

“Whatever,” you wiped your tears away with the fitted vest he wore, “I’m not in the mood to talk right now. You’re evicted to the couch until I get a replacement for that vase.”

MY REQUESTS ARE CLOSED. PLEASE DON’T SEND ME ANYTHING AFTER THIS :)

[pagetreader]

She believed him. In another life perhaps John and Ben would have been splendid companions, sharing their interest in modern sciences. If Ben’s curiosity for innovation was anything like John’s, Peggy imagined they may have discussed such things for hours on end. The idea was almost a fond one. 

John had made his own mistakes, one she firmly believed to be ever leaving her behind in Philadelphia to sway that beastly Arnold into spying for the British, but why, oh why, had she been so naive in obliging him when that nagging feeling in the pit of her gut had screamed at her to say no? If only she’d stood her ground as she was clearly more than capable of doing. Perhaps then he’d still be alive.

 It was a terrible blunder on both their parts, but John was the one who had paid with his life. Ben, however, was kind enough to remind her that John was a man adept at making his own choices, but to shift the blame solely to Andre only served to make her angry at him for leaving her like this, something she couldn’t bare in addition to her already overwhelming grief. 

What was worse, her heart had fluttered rather pleasantly when Ben had pressed her hand over his beating heart, prompting an awful lump to form heavily in her throat as he released her from his warm and tender grip. He claimed to have recognized her eyes and Peggy found herself wondering if she had truly made such an impression upon him the night they’d met at the base of the staircase beneath the old clock. It bothered her that she could still recall his awed expressions as she’d entertained him that evening, how their dance had been the first time she'd enjoyed herself since Andre's departure.  

“You’ve called me Miss Shippen twice now despite my being just as legally a Tallmadge as you, is that not indication enough of your underlying feelings concerning us as a couple?” she challenged mildly, not fishing for an argument, but pointing out any verifiable evidence she could spot.

“If you found me unshakeable and unforgettable, then why can you not bring yourself to address me as a familiar? Are you not bold enough to initiate such a simple formality, or is my uncertain reaction truly so terrifying a thought to even a soldier who has seen combat?” 

In a moment of irrationality, she reached out to forcefully lift his chin, sizing him up and daring him with her eyes to do something, anything.

"You claim to be stubborn and persevering, why then do you not act? How can you ask me why I’m convinced that I cannot possibly be desirable to you if you cannot prove that to me?” 

Her mind flashed to when John had stopped her from taking her leave, taking her by the wrist and pulling her into his arms as their lips collided. Peggy longed for that audacity again. She wanted to be surprised and astonished by Ben’s actions in the way that she had been the first time she’d fallen in love. 

Peggy was frustrated, not with Ben so much as herself for this predicament they found themselves in. Her tone became more rueful as she verbally poked and prodded him.

“Is it because I carry another man’s child, or because I’m from a family of Tories? Is it because the great love I was meant to have was hung on your General’s orders, or that I’m about as wide as a grand villa? Tell me, husband, why you don’t love the wife that ruthlessly manipulated you into this sham without any regard for your desires?”

Ben's brow creased at her reaction, bewildered by the borderline amusement she seemed to express. Was the idea of him respecting and even liking her truly so difficult to believe?

“I don’t hold you responsible for taking John away from me any longer. He showed great respect for you in his final moments, I could see that even from where I stood.” 

"I admired him, as well," Ben softly offered. "Had the war turned out differently, I imagine we might have been friends." Anxious, he laced and unlaced his hands. It relieved him to hear Peggy forgave him -- that she didn't loathe, nor blame him for John's death -- and with a soft exhale, he assured her, "I don't feel undeserving of your bitterness, Miss Shippen. You've endured so much over the years. No one could fault you for hating me, and least especially when I've more or less become your jailer."

“It is not that I do not wish to try…” 

Visibly startled, Ben opened and closed his mouth. "You do?" A bloom of hope radiated within his tone, and flustered, he looked away again. It ashamed him how delighted the sentiment made him. And yet, should he not be eager to love and be loved by his wife? Was that not they were meant to do?

And then Peggy was rattling off his qualities -- claimed he was everything she could desire in a husband, in fact -- and bemused, Ben huffed as she implied his affections could lead to death.

"With all due respect," he cautiously began, "Major Andre met his end because he was careless; that had nothing to do with you. Whether or not you were in the picture, he would have continued fighting valiantly for his country, just as I am."

Peggy, unfortunately, was quite persistent. “Please, darling, you needn’t spare my feelings. You say you want to try now, but what if you were to find a woman who was everything you’ve ever wanted, the very vision of your dreams that you can’t shake from your thoughts no matter how you try to forget?”

Ben blinked incredulously. "What is the point in entertaining all these hypotheticals? Could it not be possible that I already hold you in high regard? That I already find you 'unshakable?' Miss Shippen..." He drew her hand over his heart. "When Andre first showed me that drawing of your eyes, I instantly knew it to be you. You're not one who is easily forgotten...no matter how hard I try. And besides..." He slowly lowered her hand. "Did you not claim a deep and unique love with Major Andre? If you did, in fact, love one another so ardently, why do you seem convinced that any man would fail to love you? To desire you above all else?"

[dulcelibra]

good wife

Pair: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x fem!oc

Summary: As their marriage goes through a rough patch, Nia finds her reevaluating her relationship with Bradley, and what she signed up for when she said ‘I Do’. Slight character study based on some lyrics from good wife by Kacey Musgraves

Check out my Rhett Abbott fic here. And follow me on my writing blog: dulcewrites

Warnings: just angst… Bradley being slightly manipulative if you squint. Both parties being a bit a toxic. Ideas of misogyny/patriarchy in contexts of marriage.

Notes: Hiiii. This is not only my first Top Gun fic but first fic in general, so go easy on me lol. I was revisiting star-crossed, and the idea just sort of popped into my head. If this goes how I hope it does, I’d love to make a series based on songs from this album (maybe just songs in general). I wanted to this to be less dialogue and more introspection. I left the ending slightly ambiguous.. so let me know how y’all like it!! ❤️ also I see all my characters as black but the descriptions for this oc are pretty vague.

Wake him up nice and slow, bring him coffee in bed. Listen to his problems, tell him that I understand

Nia was clueless about the military till meeting Bradley. Navy aviators, air to air combat, the idea of calling a grown man ‘rooster’, air maneuvers and top gun, all things she learned through him. With learning the fun and fulfilling parts of his job came learning the awful parts. The sometimes mind-numbing lunacy of doing what he did. But to take all of him means taking the thing he loved to do.

“It was fine,” mumbled Bradley as he stared at his eggs.

This was becoming the new answer when Nia asked about work trips. She remembers the days when he couldn’t wait to tell her what he did when he was at away. He loved bringing her into a world that was so important to him. A world that was cemented in his dna, that influenced every thing he did. The morning coffees they would share when they had the time to.

As odd as it sounds, she liked listening to his problems. She liked knowing that he trusted her with that. That her sweet but extremely stubborn and stuck in his ways husband trusted her with the truth. But now she sits here at a silent kitchen table taking in rich curls and puppy dog eyes. She can’t shake the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach she’s been having lately.

Try to loosen up and be more fun. Yeah, I could be more fun

“Has anyone ever told you’re kind of uptight… but don’t worry stick with me and we’ll get rid of that,” said Bradley with a teasing smile.

She knows he meant it in jest in the moment but it’s theme that’s always showed up in their relationship. Even on their first date, Bradley couldn’t help pointing out Nia’s stiff nature. She knows she’s not the most adventurous person. She lived a simple life up until meeting him. She grew up in Tennessee, born to a professor and a pharmacist. The most exciting thing she ever did was move to Virginia for school years ago. Even after the move she had a planned to go back Tennessee eventually. Bradley threw a wrench in that plan. The Navy threw a wrench in that plan.

Nia tries to not nag, and god she hates that word. She hates the idea that her wanting communication makes her the ‘nagging wife’ who doesn’t get it. She hates that there is an expectation for her to know her place. She tries not to take it to heart when it seems like Bradley would rather hang out with the same people he sees all the time. His military friends are family. But then she remembers she’s also his family. She became his family when she said I Do and took his last name.

Just let him be himself, don't try to control

God, help me be a good wife, Cause he needs me. Even when he's not right. Yeah, he still needs me

“You did not just say that to me,” the words come out more shrill than Nia would like.

They’ve been going at it for the better part of an hour. It started with a passive aggressive comment that Nia is fully regretting now.

“You’re the one who brought the conversation in the first place. You picked a fight,” he shrugs nonchalantly.

Nia has always admired (and sometimes resented) how calmly Bradley reacts to things despite never letting things go easily. It takes a lot to push him over the edge. It’s probably a good thing he has that mindset with his job.

“All I want is a heads up. Is that so hard to do?? One measly heads up to know if my husband is leaving… again. It would be nice to know I’m being thought of,” sighs Nia.

She can’t help but think about how differently this conversation went at the beginning of their marriage.

“You don’t get to say that. I think from the moment I wake up. I think of you every time I step foot in a plane, so don’t tell me I don’t think of you,” his words are pointed and his tone turned sharp.

Nia twists her wedding ring; a well established nervous tick. She would be lying if she said it didn’t feel nice hearing that. Maybe he’s right. Maybe she did pick of fight so he’d say something, literally anything to her with some passion in his voice. She feels like it’s been forever since she’s gotten that.

With a gentle sigh, he sits next to her on their bed. He didn’t make the bed this morning, white sheets crumbled under their weight.

“You do know that I think of you right. You’re the only thing that keeps me going sometimes. I’m sorry if it wasn’t enough time. It’s been years and it’s never gonna get easier leaving you,” he says as he grabs her hand and squeezes it.

Nia feels the guilt get stuck in her throat as tears fill her eyes. She can barely get the ‘I’m sorry’ out before he’s pulling her into his chest.

“Sweetheart…we are ok. We will figure it out. It always do. We’re the dream team remember?” he says it so confidently, so sweetly that Nia almost forgets why she was upset in the first place. Almost forgets having to hear the news of a possible mission from a fellow military wife, and in the supermarket of all places.

A part of her wants to continue the conversation, but she takes in his strong arm around her and the smell of his cologne she secretly sprays on things before he leaves.

“Yeah we do figure it out,” Nia leans her head on Bradley’s shoulder and prays the universe doesn’t prove them wrong.

And the truth is I could probably make it on my own. But without him, this house just wouldn't be a home…

Nia is always wound up tight. It’s why when Bradley breezed through her life one really hot summers day nine years ago, she felt every fiber in her body tell her to hold on. Hold onto that delicious, albeit scary feeling he gave her.

She gets to be with the love her life; it seemed like an easy trade off. Put up with seeing him less, and the worrying because when he’s with her, she’s home. And it is hard to find something that compares or beats that feeling. She wonders if something will ever beat it

Things like: the everyday monotony of a past life she thinks about, the peacefulness of country backroads she misses, the independence she sometimes feels like she doesn’t have.

Does their love cut through the bitterness of what could’ve been? Or does it fester her need to be a “good wife”?

[mo-yin]

1800s Sakusa Kiyoomi

1800s Sakusa Kiyoomi x fem reader (+small nsfw) minors dni

<•> 1800s Duke Sakusa Kiyoomi or ‘The Dark Duke’ may be a man of few words but he is highly respected and feared. He’d inherited his fathers properties after an untimely death, and did well to take his father’s wealth to greater heights. Kiyoomi does not like people. Little people, big people, old people, young people, dead people and living. The person Kiyoomi dislikes the most is his cousin Komori. (Jk lol)

<•> 1800s Kiyoomi’s current concern is the fact that his mother is pushing him towards marriage “you cannot continue this any longer! You must settle down, as your mother I wish to see you happy with a loving wife and family” she’d nag on and on with stupid Komori backing her every word. After months of arguing back and forth, Kiyoomi decided to listen to her and get married to the maiden of her choice. He thought it would be beneficial anyway as the other rulers had been beginning to see him as inferior.

<•> And so, 1800s Kiyoomi Did what he had to do like the good son he was and got married shortly after to Lady (Y/n) of one of the Neighboring capitals. He couldn’t deny the fact that you were the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on. Of course he wouldn’t budge easily. It would take much more than a face to woo the duke.

<•> Soon after, 1800s Sakusa quickly grew intrigued by you. You were passionate yet fierce, you’d already set new rules as the lady of his house, fishing out any incompetent or thieving staff as he’d been too busy to notice. You changed his diet, making sure he ate healthier food “I’m simply making sure my husband lives a long life” you’d say with a smile making his cheeks warm up slightly. You wore the most glamorous clothing yet kept up with all the politics and history from both your land and his. He adored how smart you were. ‘That’s my wife’ he thought proudly as you lecturer one of his advisors who made a rookie mistake.

<•> 1800s Sakusa secretly enjoys how you force your way into his schedule to spend time with him “we must make time for eachother if you want this to be a happy marriage, Your grace” you’d say to him arranging the various snacks you had the chef prepare as he smiles, looking at the scenery. He’d nod and you listen intently as you told him jokes and stories from your homeland: he could tell you were a stubborn child from the cheeky grin you had, explaining how you snuck out of your house to see a festival. Kiyoomi also liked how you didn’t force him to speak as he wasn’t much of a talker. He didn’t mind listening since it was clear you always had a lot to say.

<•> You and 1800s Sakusa weren’t exactly acting like a couple but it was clear he didn’t mind your presence. He’d insist on having dinner when you were eating instead of his usual late night meals. He tried to be discreet, watching you read your books from his study window but you knew he was watching you, to catch him off guard you’d look straight at him and wave. Making him turn away quickly. Kiyoomi grew surprised at himself. He didn’t think he’d ever be in love with anyone and honestly he wasn’t used to this type of treatment.

<•> 1800s Sakusa has convinced himself that you, his wife, had to be some sort of gift from the heavens or something. He’d gained some tendencies he wasn’t exactly proud of; like watching you sleep. His fingers would trace down the bridge of your beautiful nose, to your luscious lips and at times wonder what it would be like to kiss you, he’d been getting thoughts like that as of recent. With a soft smile on his face, he could only imagine you smiling at him, kissing him, maybe even mothering his children. Would you love them dearly like his mother did him? A lot of thoughts crossed his mind. Did you feel the way he did? He’d go to sleep anxious hoping this gift he’d been holding in his hands wouldn’t slip through this fingers. At times you’d wake up with your bodies intertwined. You’d smile at him, of course. because you knew your husband wasn’t quite sure of his feelings yet, and you’d just have to be patient till he was sure of himself .

<•> 1800s Kiyoomi respects you and he doesn’t approve of any of the other leaders speaking ill of you. You’d already made your mark spreading a little controversy as you weren’t the type to sit still whilst the snake-like ladies of court said foolish things. But what you did this day in particular took the tea. It was one to correct your staff, but it was another thing to Educate another aristocrat. “Perhaps you’d do best to speak to your wife, Count. Perhaps his grace may overlook it but I most definitely won’t stand by and watch her speak such baseless rumors about my husband” You threatened glaring at the old man as though he were a piece of dog shit. Kiyoomi had never been more proud he smiled, staring at you with such admiration.

<•> 1800s Sakusa liked that you two had gotten closer, he liked the fact that could play with his hair and you didn’t address him as the ‘Dark Duke’ like others. You’d changed him. He sometimes thought that was a blessing and a curse, as he felt he’d become too merciful and soft. He grew jealous and angry when he’d sometimes see you jesting with others as he felt that could only be done with him but he also didn’t want to seem possessive. It would crush him if you were annoyed at him.

<•> 1800s Sakusa was absolutely horrified once he found out you’d been poisoned. All hell broke loose an it took much more than Komori, his mother and his guard squadron to contain his wrath. How dare they mess with his wife? Kiyoomi went on a rampage making sure to behead anyone involved in the poisoning of his lady. It seemed they’d all forgotten that ‘The Dark Duke’ was not to be messed with. “Find them Komori, find the bastard that dared mess with my wife”.

<•> It was obvious to everyone else, and finally. It was obvious to 1800s Kiyoomi that he was absolutely captivated and hopelessly in love with you. He’d sit at your side hoping for any changes in your condition. You slept for 4 days, your moist lips were dry and cracked, your complexion was pale, and the doctor said he wasn’t quite sure of your recovery. “Please…please don’t leave me” he whispered holding your hand in his. He’d never truly understood or felt happiness in that sort of way and he felt like he’d been robbed.

<•> 1800s Sakusa had never been more relieved when your eyes opened for the first time in 6 days. His heartbeat grew rapid and his eyes stung a bit so he did the only thing he’s seen fit, cupping your cheeks in his large hands he pressed his lips onto yours for the first time since your wedding day “(Y/n), Do not ever think of dying on me or else” He said glaring at your dumbfounded features “Is something wrong…?” You asked, confused as the man climbed onto bed, pulling you into his lap. “How dare you drink poison without my permission!!” He yelled hugging you tightly

<•> You found it funny how 1800s Sakusa was being so cautious over you, he’d bring you breakfast in bed and insist on staying by your side, saying he was only doing that to make sure you wouldn’t pass out again. “Mhm? Your grace shouldn’t you just say you want to stay with me?” you smirked up at the man cuddling you in his lap. “Perhaps…” he whispered burying his face in the crook of your neck.

<•> 1800s Kiyoomi was nervous, he’d never planned a date before and there he was sitting beside you. It was late at night and his ‘Night Picnic’ plan was a success. He watched you ramble away before it all came pouring out. “I love you, (Y/n)” he said almost inaudible. You kept speaking as you were sure that happened in your head “(Y/n)…I- I said I love you…” he said again, this time coming out a little more shaky. Did you not feel the same way?’ He froze. This was the first time he’d confessed to someone and maybe it’d be the first rejection? “Why are you looking at me like that?” You smiled at him, locking your arms around his neck “I’m a little angry at you for saying it first” you added, finally kissing him.“I love you too, Kiyoomi”

NSFW

<•> 1800s Kiyoomi was never really the type to spend time on sex and the usual male urges. How could he? With his title and the multiple properties and businesses he owned he never truly found time to sleep around like his fellow males. But yeah, he knew his way around sex. Now that his beautiful Duchess had been around for a while he’d been getting sudden pangs of arousal quite often. The smallest thing would make his cock twitch in his pants; your smile, the sound of your voice. the glint in your eyes when you wanted to say something mischievous, he wondered if that snarky mouth of yours ever had a cock inside it. You’d catch him staring at you at times and wonder what in the world he could be thinking about. Kiyoomi on the other hand, was just patiently waiting for permission to spread your legs open and temporarily seize your ability to walk.

<•> If by accident you interrupt one of 1800s Kiyoomi’s meetings, he will make sure to invite you in and sit you on his lap. “I can come another time” you’d insist. “It’s fine.” And if anyone dared to oppose, he’d send them a glare. “If anyone has an issue with my wife, you have an issue with me. Is that clear?”

<•> When it’s just you both in his study, 1800s Kiyoomi will slip his hand under your dress, gently stroking between your thighs as he slowly inches closer to your moistened core. “Is something the matter, my dear?” He smirks as you bury your face into his neck, on the brink of climax. He loved the sight of you begging.

<•> When you’d given him the impression that you were ready to consummate your marriage. 1800s Kiyoomi knew he had to make your first night special. He’d prepared wine, flowers and a candle-lit dinner. Well, nature took its course and he knew somewhere along the line he knew his plans were soiled as just as he had you bent over your dinner table pounding all his sexual frustration into you. “Ah-ahn~ Y-your gra- Hah~ Kiyoomi!!” You whined, wanting him to move you to the bed, knees giving out as you almost fell to the floor. He held your abdomen back up with his left hand and keeping your waist in place with his right. “Is something the matter, love?” He whispered in your ear slowing his pace a bit as he’d noticed your struggles, the least he could do after 3 previous rounds. “Fuck” you choked out, eyes rolling back while you rubbed circles on your aching clit as you chased yet another orgasm. “Good girl. Now be good and maybe we can move to the bed.”

<•> After your first time, 1800s Kiyoomi admits that he might have lost control and been a bit too rough on you. He’d been holding back since the wedding as he didn’t want to seem animalistic. Bruises, scratches, and bites decorated your soft skin from your neck to breasts all the way down to your thighs. Kiyoomi will prepare a nice warm bath for you both and have a maid bring you both a meal, making sure to feel you even though you insist you’re alright.

<•> after the first night with 1800s Kiyoomi, your whole world changes. The Duke craves sex all the time. After long meetings, in the mornings, late at night- heck he could just be waiting for you at the bathroom door just to take you back in with him.

did i write this….😩daaamn~