#their names are ly and artem

[skull0pendra]

am i allowed to post ocs

(old man with mustache belongs to @the-himbogod)

[butterflyseas]

Hello! I love your writing :) Would you be open to doing a continuation of the "taking care of you when you're sick" one with Himeko, Pela and Sushang? (And anyone else if you want) Thanks for reading and I hope you have a nice day!

aaa thank you so much! and of course! i hope you have a nice day, too! <3

⸻ "hey... you okay?" part two

↳ pairing: himeko, pela, sushang x gn!reader

↳ content: gn!reader. fluff. dear as a pet name (himeko). vague references to illness. mentions of headaches (shushang). might be slightly ooc in shushang's part.

⸻ 𝗛𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗞𝗢

despite how it may seem on the surface, himeko notices a lot — about the others aboard the express; about their preferences and likes; about their personalities and how they act when they're at their best. she can tell when dan heng needs to be left alone; when march is thinking too deeply about what her past may be; when welt is stressed. and about you, too.

so when you enter the main compartment of the express slower and groggier than normal, she notices right away; and you cough and sniffle, she realizes immediately that you're sick.

the first thing she does is usher you to a bench seat to lie down — no matter if you just got up, she tells you that you need to rest and that she's more than happy to take care of you.

will pat your head when you comply — "thank you, dear~" <3

she's also the type to check your temperature by pressing her lips to your forehead. the main reason is genuinely to do just that, but also because she finds it adorable how you blush when she does &lt;3

tends to dote on you a little more when you're sick. she already has a bit of a tendency to in the first place, but it only becomes more noticeable when you don't feel well. always asks if you're comfortable; if you need anything; if you'd like her to get you something — all while calling you cute and telling you how happy she'd be to spoil you.

as much as she would love to make coffee to share with you, she opts to make tea instead. she'll make coffee for herself later; you're her top priority right now.

besides — you can always share a cup later, once you feel better.

coaxes you into resting on her lap while you rest. she'll pet your head and run her fingers through your hair until you fall asleep; hums along to the music pom-pom has playing as a sort of makeshift lullaby.

oftentimes finds herself gazing at your face while you sleep.

if the others aren't currently on a trailblazing mission, she'll make sure they don't wake you; and if it's just welt, then—

he left you two alone a while ago.

"you can rest on me until you feel all better, dear~"

⸻ 𝗣𝗘𝗟𝗔

she read a fanfic like this once.

she'd be lying if she said she hadn't fantasized about something similar herself — you, bedridden and relying on her for help and comfort; her, the person you had turned to in your moment of need. there's only one bed for you to share...

when it happens in reality, though — when pela finds you trying to suppress a cough and the way your eyes are just barely unfocused — it's a lot less romantic.

in her head, she often imagined she'd sweep you up into her arms at this point — that was what artem did in that fic, as well — but now, she finds that she's far too worried to do so.

even if your illness isn't anything serious, she knows it's not something to be taken lightly — though you might be on the surface, the eternal freeze is still a problem; being outside in the cold too long runs the risk of making even the smallest cough something much worse.

her usually placid expression turns a little more concerned when she asks what's wrong; and when she offers to let you rest at her place, there's a distinct softness to her voice.

she can't take the entire day off, but she will stay with you for as long as she can; and any moment she has to leave, she assures you she'll be back as soon as she can.

brings you anything you need throughout the day — food, snacks, drinks, medicines. don't worry about paying her back; she wouldn't accept it, anyway.

is — a little embarrassedly — glued to your side once her duties are done for the day. unless you point it out to her, she won't notice until after the fact.

would absolutely love to hold you in her lap. doesn't matter the size difference between the two of you — she'll offer to hold you and will hold her arms out to you until you take her up on it. buries her face into your shoulder when you do <3

would also read her latest work in progress to you — just so long as you promise not to tell anyone about it ever.

"what do you think? for the next part, i'm considering having artem and anna—"

⸻ 𝗦𝗛𝗨𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚

whether it be hunting down a bad guy for the cloud knights or carrying an elderly woman's shopping bags home for her, shushang's favorite thing to do is help.

and her favorite person to help is you!

of course, she's not happy about the circumstances of you asking her to buy you a bottle of painkillers, but she is happy that you came to her before anyone else!

did probably panic a little bit at first, though.

when you met during one of her patrol breaks, a grimace on your face and one of your hands pressed to your temple, she launched into a series of questions before she could stop herself — "are you okay? are you hurt? did somebody hurt you? what hap—"

even after you tell her you just have a headache because of a cold you woke up with, the frazzled feeling she has doesn't fully go away.

does insist that you get some rest, though — that was what her ma always told her whenever she didn't feel good. of course, she'd usually be tired from sparring so much... but still! it should definitely still apply here.

she'll walk you back to your house with an arm wrapped around your waist so you can lean on her. she knows you're not that sick — and that you're more than capable of walking on your own — but she does so anyway. it makes her feel useful; and above all else, she really likes how it feels when your head gingerly leans itself on her shoulder.

tucks you into bed before rushing out to go buy you the medicine you asked for you — but not before stopping at the door and running back to your side to give you a little kiss on the cheek <3

stops in periodically to check on you — both whenever she has another break in her patrol schedule, but also whenever she's in the area. as committed as she is to being the best cloud knight as she can be, she can't deny the persistent worry about you that lingers in the back of her mind.

it doesn't fully hit her until her shift ends for the day and all the tension leaves her body when she's able to return permanently to your side. please reassure her that she didn't have anything to worry about :(

cooks for you!! breaks out an old recipe her ma used to make when she got sick. says it'll fix you right up, but also secretly just wants to share it with you <3

"i hope you're starting to feel better... i was really worried about you today."

[strawbbfluff]

tears of themis boys find out you’re ticklish!

(implied fem!reader)

artem wing . . .

you were currently immersed in work. you had just taken on a new case, and as a themis attorney, you had a reputation to uphold. however, it was already past 11pm. you were working way past your time, as most of the employees at themis law firm had already left hours ago. regardless, you were truly stumped on this one. finding evidence for your defendant was going to be near impossible at this rate!

“y/n?”

you jumped, startled out of your slight trance. you hadn’t even heard the knock at your office door, or the slow creak as it opened. you turned around in your chair to see none other than artem wing.

“mr. wing! i… w-what are you doing here?” you stammered, organizing your thoughts and nervously stacking your papers. well, this was embarrassing! he had probably called your name multiple times already! way to go, y/n, ignoring your boss like that! you internally kicked yourself.

“i could ask you the same. everyone else left hours ago,” artem replied, walking over to your desk. he glanced at your papers and sighed. “you’re overworking yourself.”

“oh- i’m fine, really! i just really don’t want to mess this one up. i’m not used to doing criminal cases,” you explained sheepishly, fidgeting with your thumbs. double embarrassing!

artem smiled a little. “don’t be so nervous, y/n. we’ve been colleagues for how long now?”

you were about to formulate an apologetic response before you felt a hand on your shoulder. out of all the things you could’ve done, you squeaked.

“erm- did i hurt you? i was simply trying to be comforting,” the lawyer asked, raising an eyebrow.

“no! nothing like that! i’m just… um… pretty sensitive. sorry!” you babbled, cheeks glowing as bright as a tomato at this point. you very much wanted to fall into a hole and never come out.

“…what did i say about the nervousness?” artem mused, smirking a little as a finger discreetly found its way under your arm. “hm?”

you didn’t particularly like the look in his eyes.

vyn richter . . .

“y/n, i can guarantee you this is a game i’ll win,” vyn said, looking at your face with a slightly amused smirk.

“so cocky! we haven’t even started yet!” you whined, rolling your eyes. you and vyn were hanging out at your place, and after chatting about psychology things for a bit, you grew quite bored. an idea had suddenly popped into your head that had you practically bubbling with excitement. how fun would it be to see the calm, composed dr. vyn richter engage with you in a tickle fight? this idea was pure gold!

“no, but a childish game like that is partly a mind game, and i think we both know who always wins those,” vyn answered smoothly, closing his eyes in satisfaction. you pouted.

“oh yeah? then take this!”

suddenly, you were on him, legs wrapped around him as you sat in his lap and dug your fingers into his ribcage. he spluttered, not expecting the game to start so soon and for you to be in such a… position on him.

“y/n, w-wahahait! you never said we were starting, brahahat!” he laughed, trying to pry hands off of him. you smirked.

“all’s fair in love and war~,” you mused, moving your fingers down to his sides. you relished in his unrestrained giggles; you never got to see this side of him!

“a-ahahalright- that’s it for you-!” the psychiatrist announced, and in an instant he had grabbed your wrists, holding them above your head as he caught his breath.

you blinked, not having thought this far ahead. shit, he never knew you were tick-

“you know i am going to make you regret that, correct?” vyn inquired, his composure regained just as quickly as it left as he stared you right in the eyes. you gulped, starting to squirm desperately in his lap as he formed his other hand into a claw.

“i-i’m not ticklish! it won’t work!” you exclaimed, squealing already as he slowly, carefully brought his hand closer to your tummy.

“you think i don’t know when you’re lying to me~?”

marius von hagen . . .

you loved cuddling with marius. he was so warm, so gentle, so perfect. especially after a long day at work, you adored nothing more than allowing him to wrap his arms around you, engulfing you in his comfort.

“i love you…” you mumbled, too sleepy to filter your thoughts right now.

“you… what?”

you hummed, before realization hit you and you snapped awake. why the hell did you just say that?!

“i-i didn’t…! oh my gosh, i am so sorry!” you stuttered, quickly moving to get yourself out of his embrace. however, marius’s grip only tightened around your waist as you tried to run away.

“no, no, what did you say? go on, i don’t think i heard you right the first time,” marius spoke, and you could just tell by the tone of his voice he had that annoying, shit-eating grin on his face. the nerve!

“nothing! it’s nothing! h-hehehey, watch your hahahahands!” you giggled.

without realizing it, his fingers had started to squeeze your waist gently. nevertheless, upon realizing this, his grin only widened, his violet eyes searing into yours.

“oho! don’t tell me… my pretty little attorney is ticklish?” marius sang, his fingers deliberately moving now as you squawked and wriggled in his grasp.

somehow, you knew this was going to be a long night.

luke pearce . . .

“luke! come on, get up and help me cook dinner!” you exclaimed, starting to dice some peppers on the cutting board. it was saturday night, which meant you finally had some time to hang out with luke.

“yes ma’am~!” luke responded, getting up from his spot on the couch and walking over to the kitchen. his tall figure soon loomed over you.

“there’s no way i’m making dinner in your own apartment,” you joked, sticking your tongue out at him as you poured the diced vegetables into a bowl and started to wash your hands. you really didn’t mind; you were just grateful to spend time with him. it was surreal to see your childhood best friend again after all these years.

“cmon now, i just said i’d help! you should’ve told me you were going to start cooking,” he pouted, jabbing your side playfully. you almost fell over.

“…”

“…”

“y/n, there’s no way! still? after so long?!” luke chirped excitedly, reaching for you with grabby hands as you quickly dried yours off and started backing away.

“d-don’t! i’m not ticklish anymore, i swehehear!” you snickered, squeaking as your back suddenly bumped into a wall. damn it, his kitchen is so tiny!

“y’know, for an attorney, you sure don’t make a good case for yourself~,” luke teased, grinning as he brought his fingers to your hips and started scribbling.

“NAHAHA! but whahahat about dihihihihinner?!”

“i think dinner can wait a while~”

[rosa-qing]

Themis-Scenario

Artem Wing

Day 30 : birthday surprises

♥️ : happy birthday Artem Wing 🥹♥️, the best senior attorney. May you always be happy

Notes : thank you for reading Artm426-23 fics ✧⁠◝⁠(⁠⁰⁠▿⁠⁰⁠)⁠◜⁠✧

Artm426-23 Masterlists

The sun is shining brightly, waves are crashing to the shore. And the smell of the sea filled her senses.

Lately it was too hot so they decided to spend his birthday on the beach.

She was lying under the shade of their umbrella as she watched Artem surf. He looked cool conquering the waves that she couldn't look away from him..

"My cool fiancé" she exclaimed as soon as Artem returned to her side.

Artem cheeks turns red maybe because of the sun or he's still not used to hearing the words "cool" and "fiancé"

"Why don't we take a walk?" She stood up and extended her hands to him.

Artem smiles and grabs her hand

They walk along as the sun sets, illuminating their surroundings with an orange hue. They keep on walking away from the crowd.

Suddenly they saw a roses scattered across the sand. She pulled his hand following the path.

At the end there was a romantic candlelight dinner for two

"You" Artem looked at her

She stepped away from him to get the cake placed on the table.

"I know you're content with this trip, you're content with having me at your side. But I still want to prepare something special for you." She said as she walked back towards him.

"Happy Birthday, Artem" she continued.

In that moment Artem wanted to her if only she wasn't holding the cake

"Now, Make a wish" she said

"I don't need to wish anything cause my wish already came true the moment you came into my life" he leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss on her lips before blowing the candle.

---

They return back to the hotel after their romantic dinner.

She look at herself in the bathroom mirror. She bought new lingerie especially for this occassion. Adding a finishing touch, she place a ribbon on top of her head

She peaked on the bathroom door and called his name

Artem walked up to her, as soon as she revealed herself

Artem.exe stopped working.

It looks like they're celebrating his birthday until the day ends..

© rosa-qing 4-26-23

[my-soul-sings]

HHNNGNFGGGNNGG HES BEAUTIFUL 😭😭😭

THANK YOU!!!!! UR THE BEST I WILL FOREVER WORSHIP THE GROUND U WALK ON NO MORE BULLYING LY ONLY WORSHIP LY

YOUR MARIUS FIC IS MY NEXT TOP PRIORITY I WILL WRITE AS MANY “ONLY ONE BED” FICS AS U WANT

drew artem for @my-soul-sings 🥳🎉

[gavin-plz-call-me]

Trust in Him

TW: Depictions of sexual harassment and sexual assault

You love your job, so when one of your coworkers begins to harass you, you're scared that you'll have to choose between your job and your safety. Luckily, Artem is here to support you.

This is my first time writing about sexual harassment/assault, so I apologize in advance if it's not a perfectly accurate portrayal.

AO3

Word Count: 3.3k

You needed this job, those words alone were all that kept you from doing something rash, but your resolve was growing thinner and thinner by the day. Every day you worked in the office, which, luckily for you, grew less frequent after becoming partners with Artem and joining NXX, one of your co-workers in particular was bound to come speak with you. This wouldn't be an issue if he were speaking to you about work issues, or a case, hell, even the weather but he, Julius, never came over for any productive reasons. The two of you had worked a case together a few months ago, but other than that, you should be complete strangers.

You could see Julius approaching from the corner of your eye, a nasty smirk plastered on his, and you hated to admit this, conventionally attractive face. While others might swoon at his good looks, you had to hold back a gag as he placed his hand firmly on your shoulder, enveloping your senses in his stale scent. He then slowly leaned down, his lips almost touching your ear, and whispered "That shirt makes your tits look great," his disgustingly wet breath sent shivers through your body as he gave your shoulder a squeeze and headed off like nothing happened.

As far as you knew, you were his only victim. The other ladies in the office swooned over him, speaking highly of his good looks and "great" skills as a lawyer. A few who had witnessed his advances towards you and misinterpreted your blush as shy interest complained of how envious they were that such a handsome, successful man was interested in you, and you kept quiet. You had heard enough horror stories of women who had come out about work-place harassment who were fired, never given or even considered for promotions, and even sued for slander, and you couldn't let any of that happen to you, you had to tolerate it. A job at Themis law firm is a dream for many law students, you included, and you wouldn't let that slip away. Even if you had to endure harassment, even if you had to leave your desk to escape to the bathroom some days because you couldn't keep the tears out of your eyes, even if you couldn't fall asleep some nights because images of what he's done to you and what he's capable of doing to you infect your mind, even if you had to start wearing ill-fitting clothes to hide your figure in an attempt to get him to leave you alone, and even if you were terrified to be in a room alone with him, lest he become bolder, you had to persevere. If everything in your life went right, you'd become his boss one day, and when that day came, you could fire his ass.

Of course, though, you weren't the boss, and you had to listen to what yours said. So, when your manager approached you a few days after Julius's latest incident telling you you'd be assisting him in a case, there wasn't much you could do to get out of it. Artem and you weren't working on any urgent cases at the moment, so he gave them permission to steal you away for the case. You were very skilled in working the case type Julius was "stuck on" so your manager said you the obvious choice for the job. There was no way out.

Julius invited you into his office with a sickly-sweet smirk and an almost impermeable wink as a knot settled in your stomach. Something in you screamed at you, don't go in there, it yelled, anywhere else. Just not his office.

"Well, I wouldn't want to intrude in your personal space," You said, trying to keep an aura of professionalism while also trying to protect yourself. There were still others around, if you start to show your discomfort, you'd be found out. You felt like you were lying, in a way, maybe you were? Guilt ran up and down your spine, and you hoped the feeling didn't translate to your expression.

"Oh, MC." His voice was outwardly cheery with an undertone of something, though you couldn't pinpoint what exactly it was, "You could never be an intrusion to me. Let's use my office, I insist."

No, no no, the voice within you screamed again, you felt your breath hitch slightly, but you forced your breaths to be normal, despite how badly your lungs wanted you to gasp for air. "I would prefer it if we worked somewhere else, Julius." His name tasted disgusting on your tongue, "My desk for example," the two of you squeezed together, trying to work at the same small desk, his smell surrounding you, "or an empty conference room," still alone in a room together, his hands reaching out to touch your body, "or-"

"Mc, this would all be much simpler if we just worked in my office, I promise you, I don't mind." There was a hint of aggravation in Julius's voice, but it disappeared the longer he spoke. "There won't be any meeting halls open, now come on, let's go to my office."

You stood still for half a second, debating just running away, job be damned, but you didn't have time to start walking. You hadn't even decided which way to go, towards Julius's office or towards the main exit, when a voice rang out, "Mc, Julius, conference room six is open." You turned around, eyes meeting the bright sapphire eyes belonging to Artem. His brows were slightly furrowed, looking you up and down.

"Great," You said before Julius could say a word, "thank you Artem." You turned back to Julius, his eyes were much less kind than Artem's, and all you wanted to do was turn back to face the man with the beautiful eyes and put Julius in the depths of your memories, but you plaster on a fake smile as you say, "conference room six it is, then!" You quickly passed Julius, feeling two sets of eyes burning into you as you walked away. Julius's office was past conference room six, so as you entered the room Julius walked towards his own office instead, muttering something about needing to grab his case files.

You were glad that you didn't end up in his office, but the conference room wasn't much better, panic began building up in your chest again. There were large windows leading out into the hallway, which you sat right in the middle of giving anyone who walked by a perfect view of you and whatever you were doing. Conference room six was the most open of the conference rooms, but the hallway around here was never too busy. The windows also left a few blind spots, places he could back you into if he really wanted to. With slightly shaky hands you opened your laptop, opening an audio recording app. There weren't any security cameras in this conference room, and even though your gut stopped you from telling anyone about Julius, something within you told you to record.

The door to the conference room quickly opened and shut. You minimized the recording app, the pulsing red dot indicating that it’s recording disappears along with it. Julius throws a few case files onto the conference table before walking around to sit directly next to you. You rolled your chair away from him slightly, trying to escape his revolting stench. You began speaking about the case, reading the case files, and making comments about the stranger details, details you could use to defend your client.

The two of you continued to talk about the case for a while, the anxiety that had grown so high before began to dwindle, maybe you were wrong. Maybe Julius wasn’t going to take this chance to do something horrible to you, maybe he never was going to do anything to you. Had you just imagined his threats? “Mr. Johnson’s embezzlement of the school’s funds could be grounds for-”

"Tease," Julius interrupted you, his voice much darker, almost an inhumane growl, than what it was when you were surrounded by your coworkers. Darker than it was even a few seconds before when you were talking about the case.

"E-excuse me?" you asked, your professional front slipping, anxiety raising in your stomach once again.

Julius inched closer to you, holding the back of your chair to prevent you from rolling further away from him, "I said, you're a fucking tease Mc. Making me go back and forth like that." The undertone you couldn't pinpoint from before was back, but it was much more pronounced now. Anger mixed with desire, his unkempt nails dug into the skin of your thigh as he pushed himself onto you, "but you're not gonna tease me anymore."

Desperately, you pushed your feet against the floor as hard as you could, propelling your chair into the one behind you, allowing you to stand up and try to make it to the door. Julius's hand violently grabbed your wrist, yanking you back towards him. “Come on, Mc,” he growled in your ear, “everyone in the office knows you’re whoring around to get to the top. You can’t refuse me.”

You struggled against his grip, but every movement you made had him tightening his hold around your wrist, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Julius.” you gasped as the pain of his hand on you became too much.

This seemed to enrage Julius, who suddenly stood up from his chair, forcing you against the wall furthest from the door. Your head smacked violently into the wall sending sparks of pain through your vision. “Oh, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Everyone knows you’re putting out for Artem. Why else would he choose some sub-par slut of a lawyer to be his partner?”

“I-I didn’t-” Julius put more pressure on you as you tried to speak, stopping your words completely.

“Let’s put it this way, Mc,” Julius's hands snaked in opposite directions, one reaching your throat, putting suffocating pressure on it, the other gripping your ass, pulling you unwillingly closer to his body, “You put out for Artem to advance your career, and if you’re a good little slut for me, you can keep your career.” He pulled you somehow tighter into him, his mouth ghosting your ear before delivering a harsh bite into its flesh. “If not, you can kiss being a lawyer goodbye.”

The knot in your stomach twisted, the job you were passionate about, the coworkers you loved, Artem, your senior partner who had already taught you so much, could he really take all of that away from you? Was it really worth it to lose all that to him? Maybe you should just let him have you, once to save your job. But, as Julius’s hand moved from your ass forward, threatening to touch you in a much more intimate place, something in you broke. No. You wouldn’t let him take your career away, but you also wouldn’t let him have you. Throughout your career as a lawyer, you fought and fought and fought for your clients, day in and day out so they could find justice, and it was time for you to fight for yourself.

You thrust your knee upwards into Julius’s groin, and in the split second where he was caught off guard, you used all your strength to push him off of you. You ran for your laptop, his angered cries of pain filling the room as he stood motionless in the spot you left him in, grasping at his groin, trying to ease the pain. You took the opportunity to haphazardly grab your laptop and head for the door. Julius’s hand grazed your arm again as he regained some of his movement, but you were too far away from him at this point. He couldn’t reach you.

Escaping the suffocating air of that conference room could have been the happiest moment of your life. You saw Julius staring at you from the corner of your eye, still standing in the conference room, slightly doubled over. He wouldn’t dare chase you through the office, and he was out of sight before you could figure out what his next move would be. Adrenaline pumping through your body, you made your way across the office. You weren’t sure where your legs were taking you until you were already knocking at the door you sought out, Artem’s office.

The moment you saw Artem as he opened the door, his face going from stoic as always, then softening at the sight of you, and finally, his eyebrows furrowing in concern as he got a better look at you all in a matter of seconds, the emotions you had kept hidden for months suddenly broke free. Tears threatened to escape your eyes, so you broke your gaze away from Artem, opting to look down at your own shoes instead. You really didn’t want to cry in front of Artem. You so desperately wanted to be a great lawyer like him, famous for winning countless cases. He wouldn’t be so vulnerable as to cry in front of a coworker, and you wanted to follow in his footsteps. You tried to push them back, but they refused.

Artem put a gentle hand on your upper back as he led you into his office, closing the door behind him, and placing his jacket on you. It smelt strongly of him. You could detect hints of vanilla from his cologne which made you want to envelop yourself further into the cloth. He led you to the sofa in his office, Artem himself sitting down on the coffee table in front of you. His kind, gentle movements, so contrasting from Julius’s threats, made the tears stream down your face harder. You began to shake from the loss of adrenaline, and you buried your face in your hands.

Artem was at a loss for what to do. He’d never seen you cry before, he felt helpless as he watched you heave from your tears. One thing was certain in his mind, however: Julius had something to do with this. He could sense your discomfort earlier when he’d suggested the two of you use conference room six to discuss business. He could tell you were trying your hardest to suppress the feelings, but they were prevalent enough on your person for him to detect, but his actions had failed to protect you further. A part of him wanted to leave the office immediately, find Julius, and beat him to a pulp wherever he stood, but a more sensible part of him knew you needed him right now. Julius could be dealt with later.

Slowly, Artem stood up from his place on the coffee table and sat down on the couch, a good few feet away from you in order to give you space. You finally looked up at him when you felt his weight on the couch. Your eyes were red and irritated from the tears, makeup running down your face in light gray streaks. You desperately wiped away at them, but it didn’t make a difference. Artem’s soft voice finally broke the silence between the two of you, “Mc, can I hug you?” The hysterical part of your brain was surprised by his words. In your emotional state, you expected him to reject you, and act disgusted by your emotions. You nodded slightly, desperately wanting his comfort.

Before you knew it, Artem had slid closer to you on the couch, taking you in his arms, and gently pressing you into his chest. This simple action started your tears anew. You began crying harder than before, gasping for breath. Clumsy words spilled out of your mouth as you tried to tell Artem what had happened. You thought he deserved to know why you came to his office crying, but Artem simply gently shushed you, rubbing comforting circles into your back. “You don’t need to say anything yet, Mc,” he whispered

The two of you stayed like that for a long time until your tears eventually slowed to a stop. At that point, you pulled away from Artem, desperately missing his warmth as soon as you did so. Artem slid his hand in yours, giving it a gentle, supportive, squeeze before speaking again, “If you’d like to tell me what happened, I’ll be here for you, okay?” Artem’s comforting words, his warm hand in yours, and his beautiful blue eyes made everything that’s happened with you in relation to Julius spill. You couldn’t look at him as you told him about everything: the case you worked on together, how he’d continue to go to your desk even when the case was over, how that escalated to the harassment you had to endure, what just happened in the conference room, and the audio recording of the incident.

When your gaze finally settled back on Artem, he was wearing an expression you had never seen on him before. It was anger, it was concern, it was... it was something else you couldn’t quite place. Artem pushed himself up from the couch, his eyes on the door to the office. You tightly grasped his arm, stopping him from moving towards the door. The door meant he’d tell, the door meant all your fears would come to fruition, the door meant you’d have to face the world outside Artem’s warm embrace again, and you didn’t want that. “Please don’t,” you whimpered, new tears stinging your eyes, “don’t tell anyone, please.” A sob escaped your throat, making Artem sit back on the couch next to you. “I love my job here, I love working with you and Kiki. I love being your partner and working on NXX cases with you. I don’t want to lose it all.”

Artem was back to rubbing circles into your skin, this time at the base of your shoulder. “You won’t lose your job, I promise.”

“B-But, so many people have b-been fired because they r-report assault, I-I can’t l-let that happen.”

“Mc,” Artem said, his voice slightly stern, but still gentler than you’d ever heard it before, “please look at me.” Your eyes trailed up his body, which was still holding you, and finally met his eyes. “I won’t let that happen, okay?” His hand found your hair, gently combing through it with his fingers, “I promise you that you’ll be okay, that your job will be okay. I’ll put Julias in jail if it’s the last case I ever take, just please, please let me help you.” Before that day, you could never imagine Artem crying, but you knew the sight of his eyes filled with tears was real. He allowed you to see his emotions just as you’d allowed him to see yours. He wasn’t some emotionless lawyer who would allow his coworker to be fired because they told the truth. He was a man who’d openly share your emotions with you, even if that meant sharing your tears. You could trust him, you knew that now.

“Okay,” you let the word with a shaky breath, “I trust you, Artem.”

Artem stood up from his place next to you, not letting your hand go quite yet. He leaned over you, giving your forehead a gentle kiss, before looking into your eyes, determination filling his own sapphire ones. Your body slightly tensed when Artem finally removed his hand from yours, you quickly grew cold at the lack of his warmth, but you let him go. You watched his figure as he reached the door, taking one more glance behind him towards you, and left, shutting the door behind him. Eventually, you knew, everything would be okay again.

[alstroemeriadissonance]

Sugar Sweet Nightmare (NSFW)

I'm not sure how I came up with this. Maybe hopped up on booze and caffeine

Also, Luke isn't here because I got an Ask for an NSFW of him, and I have just the perfect scenario where it's explained (sorta) why he wouldn't figure here. Worry not Luke simp anon, I'm on the case (I shall try my besties)!

WARNING: NSFW.

You step into the office with a heavy feeling of dread that you could not quite comprehend. It is at the tip of your brain's tongue, the anxiety festering in your bosom.

Click-clack. Your heels resound as you cross the distance from the elevator to your desk. Why do your footsteps echo so loudly? It is then that you realize the floor is empty, devoid of the usual chatter, the sound of printers, fingers fluttering over the keyboards.

There is nobody in the entire floor but you.

Oh, but Artem, you think, maybe he's in his office...

Unnerved at the sheer eerieness of the empty Themis Law office floor, at the way your steps seem to be bogged down as if walking in an invisible quagmire, you panic, and struggle to get your legs to run, run, run towards that familiar door and the familiar occupant of the office behind it...

"What are you doing?"

The voice that greets you upon opening that glass door of Artem's office is stern and forbidding. Surprised, taken aback, and hurt, you find yourself flinching at the tone of his voice.

"Artem..." The feeling of dread grows even heavier, thicker. You do not understand.

"I told you I needed the revisions yesterday. Why are you wasting your time doing nothing?"

"But--" It is at this moment that you throw a glance at your senior, your partner. But instead of the stoic, yet gentle warmth what greets your eyes instead is his disappointment and irritation.

"I--I--" you struggle to put together your protest, but then you realize...you don't know what to say to him. You don't even know what you have been doing, you don't know what he was expecting.

All you know is that he is angry and disappointed at you.

"Tsk." Artem uncrosses his arms and approaches you in such a furious manner that you recoil and close your eyes, expecting him to hit you, but instead--

He pulls you by the arm and kisses you deeply.

Artem's tongue is forceful, brimming with the same energy that he devotes towards his courtroom battles; he does not have any qualms assaulting you with his tongue with as much ferocity as he attacks your lower lip with play bites, marking the tender part of your neck with his teeth.

"Artem, what?" you gasp as soon as you surface from his kissing, then you realize you are now in his apartment, lying on his sofa, a writhing mess underneath him.

Naked.

A strong hand cups your bare breast firmly, feeling its heft as his tongue quiets your protests, entwining and at times sucking your own trembling tongue into submission.

He runs his palm slowly to tease your nipple to full hardness.

You squirm at the exquisite sensation that sends shivers down your nether regions. You sigh his name in reflex. "Artem..."

His other hand then cups the small of your back and, rather suddenly, pushes your hip towards his.

The hardness in his crotch grinding against your wet sex is unmistakable.

"You took advantage of me when I was drunk," Artem whispers as his hands let go of you momentarily to unbuckle his belt and undo the zipper of his pants.

His words momentarily snap you back to sobriety.

You recognize this scene--this was when you were made to escort him home for the second time--but one detail is different.

He pulls down his underwear as well, freeing his now erect cock, standing poised to take you.

This is when you start realizing things are wrong.

But Artem does not know what you are thinking, nor does he even care at all, and so with his strong hands does he pull your thighs impossibly closer to his hips, and wrap your legs around his waist.

His tip is now partly lodged in your entrance.

"You took advantage of me when I was drunk," he repeats, a half accusation and half erotic suggestion, and he moves his hips just enough so at least half of his rock-hard length is inside you. "What do you have to say to that?"

"Artem," you gasp, torn between begging him to stop and begging him to please, oh, start moving, "I didn't--"

"Didn't what?" He adjusts his hips and throws your legs over his shoulders. The sudden movement now easily buries his entire length inside you, to the hilt.

A loud, lusty moan escapes your lips.

At this point you don't bother arguing anymore. Your olive eyes meet his cerulean blues bereft of that steely determination, now misted over with a look of pure sexual desire.

He starts thrusting with a slow rhythm, the rocking of his hips making the sofa underneath creak alongside the lewd, wet noises as skin met wet skin.

Your breaths increasingly get more shallow and faster. Eventually your fingers dig into the fabric of the sofa beside you, anchoring yourself from being pushed further up the upholstery by Artem's slow, steady, yet strong movements.

"I always wanted you, Rosa," he breathes out in between thrusts. "Wanted you so badly, ahh--" He bites his lower lip, perhaps trying to control his release, waiting for yours to catch up...

"Heeeey. What do we have here?"

Marius?!

Sure enough, you see Marius looking at you with his usual grin, as if you are not in full display being impaled by your senior partner's cock right in front of him.

"Missy~ I need your help with legal consultation, but it looks like you're a bit...busy..."

Unnerved by this development, you try to push Artem away, but you then feel Marius squeeze himself into the sofa, in that space between the armrest and your head.

"Nice pair of tits, Miss Lawyer," you hear Marius say as reaches over your head and grabs both of your breasts, kneading them as the pads of his thumbs tease both nipples. "I wouldn't mind kneading these every day instead of sculpting clay." He pinches your nipples lightly.

Your mind goes blank at the sheer white-hot pleasure emanating from both men's assaults.

"You like this, don't you?" Marius says, his hands still pawing your chest.

Your back arches in sheer delight, pressing your breasts even closer against Marius's artful touch.

Artem, in the meantime, never lost his rhythm in hammering into you, his hips still bouncing as he rams inside you over and over.

"Such a lewd little lawyer."

And you do not know what exactly happened, because now you're sitting on Marius's lap, your thighs spread over his. And somehow, his hard length is lodged inside you, up to the hilt, unmoving.

Both of you are now in his office, seated by Marius's executive desk, a stack of papers awaiting signatures piled right in front of you.

"Missy," Marius's breath is hot against your ear. "Could you please go over these documents for me?" His slick, wet tongue snakes into your ear, causing you to squirm, which in turn clenches your sex around his shaft.

You try to read the text just as he asked, but nothing really registers, not when you're being driven mad as it is with his hardness inside you still not moving, and now his long, artful fingers are fondling both your breasts.

"Marius," you breath out loud, "can't you move?" You are now getting increasingly impatient, and you are ready to pay everything that you have to Pax just so the goddamn Marius von Hagen can start giving you release...

"Mhm, not until you finish reviewing and signing the contracts," Marius laughs softly before teasing your ear once again with his tongue.

The scene shifts once again without warning and suddenly, you're in the hall in Stellis University where Dr. Vyn Richter frequently conducts his lectures.

Somehow you're lying on top of the lecturer's desk, still helpless and naked, but thankfully there is no one else in the lecture hall to bear witness to your predicament.

Until you hear the door slide open.

"Alright, class is in session," a very familiar voice calls out.

He walks towards you with his hands in the pockets of his white lab coat.

Somehow you're now aware of the presence of the two other men, Artem and Marius, and they're both watching you seated by the front row seats.

Vyn places his books and notes right beside where your head lay, as if having a naked woman writhing on top of his desk is one of the most natural occurrences in the world.

"No lectures today," Vyn announces as he positions himself between your thighs, which are half-dangling over the edge of the lecturer's table. "Only a practical demonstration on how to pleasure my dear Rosa..."

He helps you sit up and, with some gentle prodding, Vyn has you leaning against one of of the table, your elbows planted on the table's surface.

"Right. Move your ass a little bit higher, if you may," Vyn instructs you with a clinical tone of voice as he grabs your hips, his erect cock slowly entering you from behind.

You chant out his name, over and over, with every thrust...

===

Rosa's eyes snapped wide open.

Disoriented, it took a long while to register the fact that she was sleeping, and that she was, all along, in Vyn's living room, taking a nap on the sofa.

Her breathing has yet to slow, and her heart still thudded fast against her rib cage.

Deep golden sunlight of late afternoon spilled through the french windows, bathing Rosa in a warm glow...

Then as she tried to move, she noticed something amiss.

"Awake, love?"

Vyn was seated on the floor beside where she lay in his sofa. Beads of sweat made strands of his silver hair stick to his forehead at odd angles.

His face was flushed for some reason.

"Vyn, what...what are you doing...?"

It was when he pulled out three fingers from her sex that she realized what has been happening during her sleep.

Vyn languidly sucked his fingers clean of Rosa's slick wetness, taking his time before he responded. "You were very obviously having a wet dream." He continued cleaning his fingers with his tongue.

"I remembered you complaining of having dry orgasms sometimes in your sleep," he said matter-of-factly. "I only thought of helping you along.

"But." His brow furrowed. "Did you really have to dream of having sex with other men? I heard you moaning for both Artem and Marius."

Rosa's face turned red. "I can't help it! You--you of all people should know I can't control my dreams!"

"Yes, I know. I am only joking," Vyn said, with a mischievous look in his eye, tinged with something else.

"I heard you moaning my name as well. What did we do in your dream? Tell me, exactly."

"Uh. We were in your lecture hall, and we..."

"We...?" Vyn prodded.

Rosa blushed, and she looked down. "We did it...from behind. Over the lecturer's desk. Artem and Marius were watching."

A sharp hiss escaped Vyn's lips.

It was at that moment that she noticed that his hard cock was free and erect, slightly hidden under his coat.

"I am not yet done pleasuring myself," Vyn said as he noted Rosa looking at his erect length. "Shall we pick up where your dream left off?"

Vyn swiftly carried Rosa to his study, and, after knocking over several books and piles of papers from his mahogany desk, he fucked Rosa from behind, the woman barely hanging on the edge of the desk.

"Vyn," Rosa gasped. "You're...you're a bit rough..."

"I could not help it," Vyn hissed against her ear. He reached around to massage her clit, his flicks matching the rhythm of his thrusts. "Is this better?"

Rosa could not reply, instead arching her back in sheer pleasure.

===

That night Vyn did not bother doing his self-assessment.

Instead, he was trying to fit into his schedule a psychological counseling session for Rosa, having recognized her now-frequent sexual dreams as resulting from work-related stress.

He poured himself a glass of wine, his fingers flipping through pages of his calendar.

There was also the matter of coming up with a plausible excuse to send Rosa away from the other NXX members for at least a week, or at least while the recent sexual dream was still fresh in her mind. Vyn did not want to have her so easily flustered in the other men's presences.

Rosa wears her heart in her sleeve too much. It'd be near impossible to avoid...misunderstandings from happening.

Well, what to do...

Then, Vyn thought, since hypnotherapy is absolutely off the table, maybe he could just start fucking her as often as possible, in as many different venues as possible, until she associated sexual pleasure to him and him only?

He laughed at his own silly fantasy.

Ah, well. It is a start.

[tiramisiyu]

Tears of Themis - Chapter 8 PV

Translation Masterlist | 

Please turn on Closed Captioning to see the subtitles!

✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼Transcript below cut✼ ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼

Vyn: This cruise ship you all see here is "Pluto". 

Artem: Are you sure that there are illegal dealings in the auction happening on this ship?

Luke: Then could this also be the reason why Xiao Ren - as well as Tyson Turner before - boarded this ship?

Vyn: Once we board "Pluto", not even I can prevent accidents from happening.

Marius: If it comes down to it, I'll just summon Pax's helicopters again.

--A CRUISE TRIP SWARMED WITH SUSPICION--

NPC 1: Aside from you all, and me, there are also two young people from Stellis on the 18th floor and two Svartian businesspeople. Those two businesspeople are here to sell artwork. As for those two young people...

[Jerome Adams / Xiao Ren / Selly / Leo]

NPC 2: A-a dead person... I saw a dead person!

Vyn: If these really are NXX, that quite smoothly explains one of my questions earlier, and nothing that happened aboard this ship was an accident. 

--HIDDEN EVIL, APPROACHING DANGER-- NPC 3: Teacher was perfectly fine when I left. He wasn't hurt at all!

NPC 4: You're all lying to me. You're all hindering me!

Vyn: What if everything that happened to those two was an intentional setup?

[JEROME ADAMS] Jerome: I will find an opportunity to instigate chaos and bring it back.

[NAME: XIAO QING DIAGNOSIS: STAGE III LUNG CANCER] Xiao Qing: I want to give it my best once more - for you, and for me.

--ULTERIOR MOTIVES EVERYWHERE, AND THE TRUE MURDERER INDISTINGUISHABLE--

Vyn: He is a smart, yet tragic person. Without a doubt, I will expose him next.

[maomao-words]

Those of you who followed my writings for a while would know that I'm a hoe for angst (~˘▾˘)~

So here's another extra-angsty piece! Enjoy yourselves!

Trigger Warning: Heavy angst and major character’s death.

List of the songs quoted by order:

Lewis Capaldi - Someone You Loved*

SLANDER - Love Is Gone ft. Dylan Matthew**

Katy Perry - The One That Got Away***

Don't Watch Me Cry - Jorja Smith****

(Tears of Themis) Attending MC's Funeral:

Marius Von Hagen:

Marius was a pure mess. Eyes red and swollen, fists clenched tightly by his sides, and tears clinging to his eyelashes, Marius stood near the coffin you were laid in. Under his desperate request, the lid of the casket was kept tightly shut, for he was simply unable to see you lying motionless and pale in front of his eyes and not lose his mind.

Vincent, Marius' secretary, was in charge of the entire event. Although the young painter knew it would be impossible for him to calmly organize your funeral, he did not want to give up the task to any of your relatives. As such, he gave brief orders to his most trusted aid to not spare any efforts in organizing a ceremony worth of you and your weight in Marius' life as his fiancée.

At a certain point of the funeral, Marius would simply break down completely. He would crumble to his knees beside your coffin and repeatedly murmur your name as he sobs his heart out, hoping and praying he would hear your usual exasperated yet gentle response back at him.

The entirety of the funeral, it would be quite impossible to even get a single word out of Marius, let alone engage in a conversation with him. Only Vyn would be able to successfully coax him to drink some water or grab a bite before he drags himself to a coffin next to yours.

Marius' cheerful, mischievous and playful nature was nowhere to be found after your death. The warm embrace that sheltered him from the ruthless and merciless world simply disappeared. Marius was only able to get this far, juggling mountains of heavy responsibilities with a smile, thanks to your presence in his life. But now that you were gone, the youth felt that nothing was worth it anymore. The one thing he still kept at it was his paintings because he still wanted to keep you alive with his own trembling hands even if you were gone from his side for good.

"And I tend to close my eyes when it hurts sometimes

I fall into your arms

I'll be safe in your sound 'til I come back around."*

Artem Wing:

Artem's mourning attire was as meticulous and tidy as always as he rigidly stood near your coffin, receiving guests’ condolences for the death of his fiancée. Despite appearing calm and collected on the exterior, Artem's hand trembled each time he extended it for a handshake and his eyes never looked up from the ground for hours with no end. Only Celestine was aware of the warm tears gliding down his cheeks the whole time, as she stood by his side and cried openly for his sake as well as hers.

Artem would definitely fight with Luke about who would be in charge of organizing your funeral. But despite Luke's bitter and loud protests that he is your only family present in the city, Artem would still hold his ground with a fierce stubbornness that no one knew he was capable of. Following countless fights between the two, Artem would take it upon himself to plan and prepare for everything alone. Each night, he would silently break down in the quiet house you both purchased in preparation for your upcoming wedding with no one to comfort him by his side.

The funeral would be a small yet well-organized affair. Artem took into consideration all of your preferences; from your favorite colors to the flowers you adored with all of your being. The entire hall basked in the gentle smell of fresh roses as Artem took his time to tenderly tend to each one of the blooming flowers before guests started to arrive. Celestine watched from the sidelines after Artem snapped at her twice for trying to help him and desperately prays to the heavens she does not have to attend another funeral too soon.

Artem lost his one and only love after your death and, subsequently, completely shuts off his heart to everyone. He immerses himself in work even further to the point of having to visit the hospital once every week because of extreme exhaustion and stress. Artem was simply trying to keep the promise he made to you a long time ago, when he vowed he would protect the peace you sacrificed yourself to create.

"I'm sorry, don't leave me, I want you here with me

I know that your love is gone

I can't breathe, I'm so weak, I know this isn't easy

Don't tell me that your love is gone."**

Luke Pearce:

Luke's face was unreadable for the entirety of the day. Coral eyes reflected mere emptiness and void, jaw clenched and mouth tightly shut. None of his features betrayed any emotion. No sadness, no remorse and no longing. Everything screamed of resignation and hopelessness. As if he has simply accepted it all and refused to utter a word about what he truly felt about your death.

Luke took charge of everything concerning your funeral, down to the tiniest details. Aaron helped around, choking up every time Luke turned around to say something, but finding your usual figure nowhere to be seen near him. Each time that happened, Luke's eyes, already empty and dead, would sink deeper into nothingness. Luke would then smile at Aaron after seeing him staring. Like nothing was wrong. Like Luke was not planning to follow you soon. 

When Kiki broke down at your funeral, her tears wetting her cheeks and sobs filling the entire hall, Luke was there to give her a hand. When Celestine was unable to swallow her grief back any longer, she turned back to Luke, and he silently escorted her out of the place in a heartbeat. Luke's presence carried the entire funeral smoothly to its end. Yet, even as the very last guest left the hall, Luke still stayed behind to help tidy up and take care of the final paperwork.

Only when he was alone in the quiet and empty room where your casket was sitting at the center, did Luke finally crumble down. His façade fell down at last and the young man fell down to his knees. Wretched sobs were torn out from his throat and tears fell soundlessly to the marbled floor. Luke lost his everything; his best friend, his family, his beloved and his life line. Everything crumbled down in one day and now Luke cannot withstand the crushing feeling of loss that is suffocating him every second of every day. 

"In another life

I would make you stay

So I don't have to say you were

The one that got away

The one that got away."***

Vyn Richter:

Standing motionlessly in front of your coffin, surrounded by members of your family and your closest friends, Vyn truly felt alone for the first time ever since you accepted him into your life. The bitter loneliness and coldness that Vyn was familiar with for so long was abruptly back to haunt him the moment the police called to deliver the news of your death.

During the blissful time Vyn has spent beside you, he has managed to delude himself into believing this happiness will last. He should have been ready. He should have considered the possibility of this happening and prepared well to face this sort of bleak future. Being someone who dealt with people’s anguish and misery every single day for a living, Vyn should have simply known better. He should have known better than to cling to your warmth and affection as his sole reason to live.

As Marius stood near him while guests slowly flooded the funeral hall, the young CEO weakly noted that his tutor’s usual golden and bright eyes seemed to have lost their vividness even under the room’s harsh light. Marius swallowed back his own tears as he watched Vyn receive another guest’s condolences. The silver band adorning the older man’s ring finger seemed also to have lost its shine, matching its owner’s status. 

Marius couldn’t bring himself to even utter a word under the heavy atmosphere surrounding Vyn. The young painter still remembered how his tutor did not shed a tear, nor uttered a word of pain or anguish, as you breathed your last in his arms. He just quietly sat there, your cold body cradled gently in his strong arms, before bending down to softly peck your forehead and gently close your lifeless eyes.

As the daylight gradually faded into darkness and the funeral hall was emptied from its guests, Vyn remained in the same spot. The line within his heart stretched even further under the crushing weight of grief before the soft noise of it snapping, heard only by Vyn, echoed in the silence. Only then did Vyn move towards your casket and bend down, his tears flowing down to the floor in a wordless grieving.

“I'm not crying 'cause you left me on my own

I'm not crying 'cause you left me with no warning

I'm just crying 'cause I can't escape what could've been.”****

[worms-i-think]

⚖️ Discussing ArtemRosa in RRG and Ep. 6 :D

I just felt like I should share some thoughts about RRG pt 2 and episode 6 in terms of Artem and Rosa’s dynamic. Warning for spoilers in both of those!

‘Worms, why didn’t you share thoughts for the other 3?’ Because my brain is empty. I do as I please. 🪱

When it comes to RRG part 2, I can really clearly see the progression they’ve made in thus far in their relationship. As I’ve been saying to myself for over a week, ‘forget the anniversary cards, if their ice cream wasn’t melting they would’ve kissed right then and there in that last scene’. From Rosa calling him “super handsome! Just like a hottie! Even better than a model!” in his Skadi SSR card to straight-up admitting he was the most beautiful thing she saw on her trip while looking for the country’s most beautiful sights…

Rosa, you’re completely head over heels.

The funny thing is, I’m pretty convinced she doesn’t know how this looks to an outsider. In her eyes, she’s learning to speak her mind and act more comfortably around him, and the remarks she gives him are just genuine compliments. She gets flustered at the simplest things, but tells him he’s literally gorgeous without batting an eye because she feels like it’s just a fact.

Artem, on the other hand, took those compliments really well considering how flushed he gets at most of her precious displays of affection. He just Uno Reverses that back at her to say she’s the most beautiful thing he’s seen, but the both of them mean it too much to even realize they’re flirting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In Episode 6, a lot of the focus is placed on their relationship as well, which makes me wonder how much the story will be affected post-Anniversary cards (if you know what that means). Artem snaps into his Big Lawyer Voice against the NXX team in order to keep Rosa at his side using his name and position, which is something out of the ordinary for him. I definitely feel like each of the male leads is going to take a turn doing this at some point.

He proceeds to explain to Rosa that his father is Supreme Court Justice Bryan Wing (which is just…a little obvious if the name is uncommon as he says LMAO but that’s besides the point). There’s definitely some distance between him and his father that we haven’t seen. I already know he was alone for a lot of his childhood and spend much of his time by himself, but I think it’ll be interesting to hear more about his relationship with his parents. I’ve heard the newest amusement park card deals with this topic too, but I’m trying to avoid spoiling the translations for myself, though I will inevitably cave in soon. We’ve only recently heard about his mother, who I’ve seen in future cards, but his dad doesn’t have a sprite yet, which is probably for the best considering he would likely be made too attractive for a love interest’s father.

Next, I have to comment on this scene:

I almost have nothing to add. This is what peak ArtemRosa is about.

Despite how the sprites have their default expressions in the story log, he had the most comfortable smile on while he’s just like ‘yep’, catching her completely off guard. I love how he’s becoming less shy about being outwardly, cavity-inducing-ly sweet. Taking care of all her meals at work is a pretty big step, which must feel weird to read if you aren’t aiming for them to be a couple, but either way, he’s moved from getting all stressed and flustered about making her breakfast in the beginning of his personal story to calmly offering to make her meals and taking her out…forever. Like, for an indefinite period of time. Celestine is gonna snap.

The dude genuinely enjoys and looks forward to taking care of her, which makes me want to scream. This is all I have to say, have a good morning, and goodbye.

[rulcrs]

ARTEM TARGARYEN.  53. Captain of The Blackfyre/Exiled Lord Targaryen. Godspite.

INTERACTIONS | MUSINGS 

im gonna speed run this bio LETS GO SUMMARY: Artem is a Bad Man - an Evil Man. He killed his own wife and her lover after he caught them together in bed. Instead of being executed or sent to the Black, he was exiled because he is still a Targaryen, and Targaryen were so few in those days. He became a proficient sellsword, and later an even more proficient pirate. He has travelled as far as east of Qarth and is the captain of a fleet known as The Blackfyre (named aptly to spite his own family and those who wish him dead). He has been in exile for more than three decades now, and has been a pirate for the most of those years. His fleet raids the lands/islands along the Narrow Sea - very frequently Dorne, and most recently the North. Since Aerys and Lucaerys are dead now, he is hoping to come back from exile and appeal to the good nature of the new Queen Regent. He doesn’t care for the throne - he would sooner see it melted and turned to chamber pots than have anything else to do with it. He simply has unfinished business in the realm - matters close to his heart, you may say. BLACKFYRE ARC: Pentos, Tyrosh, Lys, and Volantis - the Free Cities are not free when they see The Blackfyre flag.  Artem has been a pirate for close to three decades now. He is one of the oldest and most respected men in the trade. Many fear The Blackfyre fleet for its brutal arduousness. They reach waters only mentioned in passing legends. The crew of The Blackfire are explorers first; pity how they have a fondness of exploring towns and cities with swords and violence at hand.

RAIDING ARC: Mouths need to be fed, and the Captain feeds them well. First they hit the Free Cities and take their exotics. When they’ve taken enough of such to no longer find them that exotic at all, Artem hits Westeros. Dorne is his favourite. They claim to be descendants of Queen Nymeria, a seafaring warrior, yet oft they let his sails hit them in the night. They have little trinkets that the rest of Westeros does not have, and what the other Great Houses lack, they always seek to claim. Much of Artem and The Blackfyre’s “operations” were raiding the seaside and riverside towns of Dorne. They are bold enough to oft drive inland and hit roads. Artem knows he has killed a noble here and there during such raids - those are always the most exciting (hehe, hi mors!!! @conqueredcrowns) . Though he has made enemies, he has also made acquaintances. Being friends with pirates is always lucrative business. 

WINTER FAMINE ARC: He’s never had much love for the North. It is ugly and barren and sparse. When the harsh winter hit them, he may have even felt sorry for them. A good man would sooner see trading opportunities to sell the North cheap grain. Artem is not a good man, and he has made himself rich by staying that way. He has an informant - a pretty little bird - that tells him when and where food and aid comes to the North. He raids those routes, take the bounty, and sell them back cheaper elsewhere. Artem may not be a good man, but he is a great man at what he does. (side note: Artem has his fleet doing the raiding in the North. He’s mainly been chilling and exploring shit idk)

CURRENT ARC: When cousin Aerys III exiled him, he was 21. His nephews and nieces were children and the Realm cowered at the Seat of the Dragon. When Aerys died, his nephew Lucaerys became king. Artem would have never known had Lucaerys  not wrote him that he is still exiled and is not welcome to return Westeros under his reign. Well, now, both are dead - and he is not. Artem has been back in Westeros just recently in hopes of being pardoned and removed from exile. He has great hate for his own house and wants nothing to do with them, such is his relief that the Queen Regent is no Targaryen but a Stag. 

BACKGROUND

INSPIRATIONS: euron greyjoy, a lil edward blackbeard from our flag means death, nigel from the necessary death of charlie countryman

artem is a cousin of king aerys from a minor targaryen family members, had a childhood fit for a targaryen. im pretty sure he was given a valyrian dagger or some shit for his 8th birthday - v age appropriate ofc

jousting? hell yeah!! fucking the blooming ladies of the realm?? fuck yEAH!! who wouldn’t wanna be with a targaryen lbr here. he was being seen as one of the great warriors at his prime, but no way in hell would he take the oath of the kingsguard. thats boring af

he ALMOST got that dragon sickness sexiness to him, but he aint really with a dragon so i suppose that just means he is sick

to get rid of him from the red keep, the was promised to marry the only child of the former ruling lord of rykker. he was supposed to tie them even more closer to the targaryens while his wife ruled and managed the house and its lands. great idea, 100% inspired - forcing artem to do smth he does want, what could possibly go wrong??

WELL, AS IT TURNS OUT, A LOT.  artem didn’t necessarily loved lady rykker, but they were MARRIED and they were supposed to br each others’. he learned how to love her and be loyal to her. artem is a scorpio: when he loves, its dangerous. so guess what happens when he comes to their bedroom to find his then-wife of 2 years in bed with another man.

MURDER TW / VIOLENCE TW artem killed them with his own hands. they soiled his bed, they soiled his name. he killed his wife first because he, at the very least, trusted her to be his wife. he made her lover watch - and then he killed half of her lover’s family and made him watch still. he killed his wife’s lover last: stake a valyrian steel rapier through the top his skull and then out through his throat. 

some more sensible men would say “ah, my mind just went blank and rage filled by sights” - oh, but not this man. he remembers it all. he remembers it so well that as soon as he was exiled by the king (ofc aerys wouldn’t actually punish him - there were so few targaryens in the world at the time. they couldn’t possibly risk executing artem or sending him to the wall) he had a skulled pierced with a sword tattooed on his left arm. he wears it with pride. (btw shoutout to akhil, his absolute bestie, for the design xoxo)

sooo there he was, just generally Bing Chilling in the free cities as a sellsword. i mean, he grew up in the red keep and was trained by westeros’ AND essos’ best - he made for a fine warrior. once he started earning more than he can spend on whores and drink, he bought himself a ship - THE BLACKFYRE

how mental is this man to actually name a pirate ship after targaryen bastards exiled to essos and was the general cause of MANY deaths and rebellions back home? pretty mental AND METAL. see, artem, he’s not a good man. he’s petty and he is exacting. first thing he did once he got his ship? asked his bestie akhil to make them a flag that had the skull logo, sailed just by the coast of the crownlands in midday, and made sure that House Rykker sees him. man’s unhinged.

anywaaaay, thats his BG. now lets get to the juicy stuff

PERSONALITY: He’s a Scorpio, sorry.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

FUN FACT:

His two biggest crimes in Westeros are, of course, the murder charges AND the violation of Guest Right. Since he was under House Rykker’s lands and roof, having murdered a member of their family during his stay, he become known as god-spited. The Gods supposedly h8 him, who knows.  

He wears an eye patch over one eye after it was injured in a fight. He can still through both of his eyes, but his left eye has gotten very sensitive to light that it hurts him.

He has very dark purple eyes that almost look like black

His flag/sigil looks like this ( X ) - hot, we know (thank u akhil @crwyn​ <3)

He has about 5 ships in his fleet

His KD ratio is really good - seeing has he’s still alive and most ppl he’s fought have been RIP’d. 

CONNECTIONS: 

Someone who hates him, preferably related to House Rykker or a maritime House his fleet has invaded

Baddie Buddies - we’re bad and we’re good at it yay!

Former Lovers - he’s kind of a h0e, non-gender specific; he loves all

Essosi Connections (h0t & sexc)

“““Trading”““ Associates - your muse needs smth from the literal ends of the word? Aight,  Artem’s gotchu

[angstmongertina]

A Moment of Peace

I started this around the time the closed beta came out and didn’t actually finish until literally the night the game is released but oh well lol. But hey, I did finish before the game is released, at least?

Also, I used the name Artem because I didn't want to have to figure out how to deal with the Lawyer Zuo vs. Artem usage between Chinese and English.... and also because I couldn't remember Celestine's Chinese name lol.

Cross-posted on AO3.

Sometimes, she doesn’t know how he does it.

Actually, if she is to be perfectly honest with herself, most of the time, she doesn’t know how he does it.

Within the firm, she already has a reputation for putting in long hours. After all, as a relative newcomer to the Stellis legal scene, still only a few years out of law school herself, she knows that she still has plenty of work to do in order to establish herself in the field, to climb the ranks of the legal world and prove to the rest of Stellis City, as well as herself, that she deserves to be at Themis.

And even so, Artem still far outpaces her work ethic, leaving her to wonder more than once whether he ever actually leaves the building.

As such, it isn’t exactly surprising for her to leave the room and find the light still on in his office as she makes her way to the break room, an empty mug in one hand and her pile of notes in the other. After all, as she juggles between her cases and the upcoming attorney test, he is left picking up her slack, and while he might have volunteered more than once for the task with his usual calm expression, the concept of putting even more on his already full plate still sits poorly in her stomach.

Particularly since she has no clue where he’s even managing to squeeze the time to help her out of, given the seemingly endless collection of cases vying for his attention.

Pursing her lips, she contemplates the coffee machine for one, long, moment before shaking her head with more reluctance than she cares to admit against the siren call of caffeine. Instead, she reaches for the box of chamomile, a not-so-subtle gift from Celestine soon after her sudden and unexpected trip to the hospital—yet another of the now too many to count times that she has found herself in Artem’s debt—and prepares two mugs, breathing in the warm comforting aroma.

If she closes her eyes, she can almost imagine that she’s at home, decompressing after a productive day without a care in the world…

With a sigh, she shakes her head again, this time to clear the daydream from her mind. Soon, perhaps, but she has a mission to complete first.

Tucking her notes under her arm, she makes her careful way to his office, nudging the door lightly with her shoulder before stepping inside. “Artem?”

She’s not surprised to find him still hunched over his desk, hard at work despite the late hour. In fact, the only visible signs of the time are his jacket, carefully lain aside on the couch, and his head propped up in one hand as he makes notes on whatever document he is in the process of perusing. At her voice, he looks up, blinking a few times at her before he jerks upright and she can’t help but follow his hands with her gaze as they reach for his tie, fidgeting with it slightly before drifting down to tug at his shirt cuffs.

“I… Eliana?”

With a jolt, she snaps her eyes back up to find his lips set into his usual faint smile, though with something unfamiliar twisting their corners, something that disappears the next instant as his face smooths back out to inscrutability with truly enviable ease. “What are you still doing here?”

She blinks. For just a split second, his expression was odd, almost shy, although that conclusion makes absolutely no sense, and she shakes her head, though whether it’s at his question or to dislodge her irrelevant, uncontrolled thoughts, she can’t say. Instead, she sets her shoulders, pushing it to the back of her mind, and offers him a smile of her own. “I think I should be asking you that question. But first…”

She glances down and he starts again, eyes widening as he follows her gaze. ”Oh, right. My apologies. Please, come in.”

As he moves to rise to his feet, she steps forward, reaching out an arm to wave him off before remembering and freezing too late. She can only watch, muttering a silent prayer to the god of fluids, as the tea sloshes dangerously close to the rim of the mug before settling back down, thankfully—if barely—avoiding spilling over.

She does not miss the noise from the desk that sounds suspiciously like a muffled chuckle.

Studiously avoiding his gaze, she contemplates his desk and the neat piles of notes and evidence before turning instead to the couch and his comparatively less cluttered coffee table. While papers still pepper the surface, as they inevitably do during complicated cases, it is easy enough to push them gently to the side, making a point to keep them at least somewhat organized.

“What are you—?”

She looks up, meeting his bemused gaze with a cheerful smile. “Giving you a hand. I’m your partner, after all.”

One eyebrow quirked, he huffs something that might have been a laugh. “Oh? How so? I need to—”

“Take a break,” she interjects smoothly. “Celestine told me that she came in early and even so, you got in before she did this morning.”

Something crosses his face, so quickly that she can’t identify it, before he releases a gentle sigh, though with a hint of a smile curling the corners of his mouth. “Of course she did. Meddling as always.”

“She’s concerned about you. As am I.” Before he can so much as open his mouth, she shakes her head. “I know the report needs to be finished and I’m here to help, but first, you need to take a break.”

When he only frowns, she sighs herself, though hers is with more reluctance than anything, particularly as she recalls the advice Celestine had seen fit to gift her with, wearing an impish smirk all the while.

But with Artem’s own diligence working against her… Well, desperate times and all.

Taking a deep, fortifying breath, she tilts her head, aiming for her most beseeching expression. “Don’t you trust me?”

It works just as well as, if not better than, Celestine promised; she can see the exact moment her words register, his eyes widening to an almost comical extent as a flush darkens his cheeks. Her resolve nearly crumbles on the spot, held together only by the knowledge that she is putting on the pressure for his own good.

“I… You…” He coughs, shaking his head as his face somehow manages to redden even more, beyond what she thought was even possible. “Of course I…” He sighs again, this time ringing of defeat, and mutters something under his breath, too low for her to make out.

“What was that?”

“Nothing.” He clears his throat, fidgeting once more with his tie before standing and stretching. “You’re right, of course.”

“Then come here.” She puts down the mugs, setting them side by side on the table, before plopping down on the couch and patting the spot next to her.

He sighs again, though it is belied by the warmth of his smile as he makes his way over, sitting down beside her with a long, slow exhale.

Glancing at him, she can’t help but frown. This close, it’s hard to miss the faint dark circles under his eyes, the strain tucked away in the corners of his mouth, the subtle signs of how much work he has been shouldering to help her. That Celestine noticed before she did, that she, his partner, needed it pointed out to her, is enough to make guilt, cold and swirling, pool in her gut.

“What’s the matter?”

And now he’s looking over her, brows pinched together with concern, and she almost denies everything on reflex before catching herself. Instead, she lets the worry she feels filter into her expression as she turns to face him fully.

“How late have you been staying? Are you that busy right now?”

The questions seem to catch him off guard; he shifts, a fleeting look of guilt, or perhaps shame, darting across his face before he smiles, a small, almost helpless curl of his mouth.

“I… would be lying if I said that I have a light load at the moment.”

It is not a direct admission, but also not prevarication either, and she can’t decide whether to be grateful or worried that he is even willing to admit how swamped he is, albeit in a roundabout sort of way. Grateful, since acknowledging the fact allows her to help, and worried because… Well, he must truly and rapidly be approaching overwhelmed to admit to such a thing so readily.

Taking a deep breath, she stamps down on the urge to apologize, though whether for forcing the admission or for not noticing earlier, not even she’s sure. Instead, she reaches for her mug, cradling its warmth between her palms before taking a slow sip. The warm, gentle fragrance fills her senses and she lets out a slow sigh of relief, feeling the stress of the day dissipate with the curling steam.

“You sound like you needed that.”

She feels her mouth curl into a smile without conscious thought and nods at the way he holds his, with almost reverence in his expression. “You as well.”

He inclined his head, a hint of a smile on his own lips. “Touché. It is very good though.”

“Celestine gave it to me, as a welcome back gift after…” She waves her hand vaguely, fighting the heat that, for some reason, wants to rise in her face every time she remembers that frantic, foolish trip to the hospital.

“Ah. Right.” Is it her imagination or do his cheeks also seem to flush as he takes another sip? “Well, it’s very good. And you could definitely use it.”

She clears her throat, determinedly putting it out of mind. “So could you, considering you’re still here.”

He raises an eyebrow. “And you’re not?” His expression is almost a smirk as he nods towards her notes. “Still studying, I presume.”

“Oh. Yes.” She sighs again, putting her strangely loud pulse at his expression out of her mind and instead contemplating the pile of papers with something that feels vaguely like exasperation mixed with a hint of despair. “There’s just so much to review.”

But before she can actually pick them up, he reaches over, snagging them before she can, and flips through her scribbled comments and answers.

“Hey!”

She makes a grab for them but he turns away, just enough to be slightly out of reach, as he flips through them, his brow furrowed in either disapproval or concentration. “There is nothing for you to be concerned about.” He turns a page, scanning over the script with his typical intense scrutiny before nodding. “Thorough and carefully thought out, just as you’ve always done. I have no doubt you’ll—”

He cuts himself off when she leans over until her weight is practically resting on his side. Frozen as he is, she is finally able to reclaim the packet and grins at him, though whether she’s flushed from exertion, the small victory, or their sudden closeness, she can’t be sure.

“You…”

“You are supposed to be resting, not taking precious time to help me with studying.” He’s still just watching her, sea blue eyes wide with a mix of surprise and what on anyone else, she would call embarrassment, and part of her wants to twist away, to hide both the papers and her red cheeks from his piercing gaze, but something about his presence, his closeness, has her pinned into place; she’s not sure she can even if she tried. “I can...”

“You can study later as well.” His lips curl into a smile, small but true, and she can feel her breath catch in her throat at the tenderness shining in it, can feel her heart hammering in her chest, so loud that it’s a wonder he doesn’t hear it. “If I need a break, then so do you. I know you have been just as diligent in the past weeks.”

“I… will.”

“Good.” His smile widens, full of gentleness and approval and something more, something that she doesn’t dare—that she can’t dare—put a name to, but which shines like the sun, filling her with warmth, bringing heat to her cheeks, even as she has to avert her gaze from its brilliant radiance.

Still, the quiet that settles over them, a soft blanket against the threat of another late night, is calm, comfortable. She cradles the cup between her palms, feels the heat radiating out with the steam that curls in the air before her, pale and ephemeral in the silence that she is loathe to break.

Not now, while the weight of the day slowly dissipates from her shoulders, while her breathing settles and calms, matching the steady inhales at her side. The office, the city, the rest of the world even, fade away until there is nothing but the rapid beating of her heart and the warmth of the man beside her, his rich cedar scent mixing with the fragrance of her tea, his quiet breathing aligned with her own, his constant care and steadiness.

In this moment, it would be easy, so easy, to just lean her head down a little and let it drop onto his shoulder.

And so she does.

For a heartbeat, he tenses under its weight and she nearly recoils, an apology on the tip of her tongue, but before she can, he relaxes again, even as his exhale ruffles her hair. “And you were planning on going back to studying immediately?”

“Mm.”

She feels more than hears the low rumble of his chuckle, feels the warmth of his shoulder against her cheek shifting as he settles more comfortably. Feels her heartbeat speed up as a gentle weight presses against her temple, a soft sigh sounding in her ear.

Feels a smile tug on her lips as she closes her eyes and lets herself rest.

[rosa-qing]

Themis-Scenarios

Artem Wing

all too well

Angsts

Masterlists

A hand slips across his waists while he prepared their breakfast, without even looking Artem already knows who it is. He gently lifts her hand and place a soft kiss

“Good morning” he look over his shoulder to met her gaze. Neither of them speak and just cherishes this calm morning together.

“Artem” a familiar yet at the same time unrecognizable voice called out his name snapping him off from his daydream.

He look at her realizing she wasn’t the same person on his daydream. The person sitting in front of him is someone whose ready to let him go as she slipped the divorce papers across the table.

“Are you sure about this?” Artem asks again as if her answer will changed.

She faintly smile and nod her head.

“We talked about this"

He tried to reach out for her hand, but she pulled away before he could even do so. Leaving him hanging.

"I know.. but is it just that easy for you to forget the 7 years we've been together" Artem clench his fists until his knuckles turned white as tries to calm his surging emotion.

She didn't answer, but her silence is enough for him know the answer. And for a moment he couldn't breath.

"That 7 years with you will always be the best years of my life. It's just that I fell out of love with So don't make this hard for the both of us." She quickly stood up

"So dont make this hard for the both of us, I'll give you time to think" she said while he just sat there frozen unable to look as she walked away from his life.

His gaze caught a glimpse of the wedding band on his ring finger. Tears trickle down his cheeks as questions flooded his mind.

Didn't he love her enough

Did he do anything wrong

Why can't he make her stay.

But those questions are all left unanswered.

That night Artem stared at ceiling unable to sleep. He kept tossing and turning but to no avail the missing warmth made him feel restless.

He got out of bed and decided to get some drinks to calm him down. He open the refrigerator to find some drinks but then

a hand slipped on his waist, he looked back and found her smiling.

"Sorry am I taking too long" Artem turned around hugging her back.

She shakes her head and smile

"I just miss you" she reaches out cupping his face standing on her tiptoes as a kiss land on his lips.

Artem chuckled as he enveloped his arms around her. He slowly sway her as if there's a song playing on the background.

She pulled away from him and placed her hand on his shoulder as they slow danced round the kitchen in the refrigerator light.

He looked over and no one was there, with sigh he closed the refrigerator and decided to sleep it off.

----

The papers lying there left untouched, how many days have passed he couldn't barely remember. Rather he wanted to forget that exists.

Sooner or later he needs to sign that but not now he can't even look at it.

Artem did most of his work at home, he did whatever he could do to distract his mind from thinking about it.

Rummaging through his files when a photo fell on the floor. He was about to pick it up however seeing the doodle on the back of the photo stopping him

It was filled with hearts and a doodle of two children walking hand in hand. A soft smile break from his lips as he remember how she fawn on his childhood photo telling how cute he is.

Slowly his smile vanished, realizing he will never see her like that anymore. He place the photo back on his drawer. Shifting his attention back to work again.

---

"You're getting divorced" Celestine couldn't even believe she's saying that words to Artem

"Yes" Artem didn't look at her and focused on the paper at hand.

Celestine pacing back in forth on his office

"What happened, I couldn't understnd. She wasn't the type to leave you."

Artem sighed and look at her

"She fell out of love, i don't know"

"And you just let her leave" She asks

"Celestine I tried to stop her, to make her stay to make her reconsider but there's nothing I can do if she wants to walk away from this marriage. Called this 7 years itch or what one thing I know for sure she doesn't want to be with me anymore" Artem could feel his whole body is shaking.

"If you're worried about work don't worry were both professionals."

Celestine didn't say anything anymore.

---

He gave up..

Eventhough he didn't wanted to. Even if he wanted to fight so hard for their marriage but how can he do that when it was her who let go first.

He scan through the divorced papers, as if those words matter. If everything only points out that she wants their marriage to end.

With shaking hands he signed the papers, and placed it back on the envelope.

He retrieve his phone and messaged her.

I'll drop it off later

He typed but unable to hit send, clearing everything again as he rephrase his words.

Can we give this marriage another chance...

Staring at those words, before deleting everything again. And decided not to tell her he's dropping by.

----

"Mrs.Wing" The receptionist called out to her as she walked on the lobby of the law firm.

"Mr.Wing, dropped this off and asked me to give it to you" She handed her a brown envelope. Even without looking she knows what it contains.

However she felt something hard, she unravel the inside and a ring fell off the ground. It was Artem's wedding band.

"When did he drop this off" She asks looking at the ring in her hand

"A couple minutes ago"

She storms off the office to look for him.

Artem stood there waiting for the traffic lights to turn red so he can cross the road. He did it but it only left him with a hallow heart

"Artem" a voice called out to him

He looked over and found her standing there couple of distance away from him. For a moment they held each other's gaze and the world around them stopped.

Until the lights turned red, Artem turned around and crossed the street. Leaving her behind.

While She watches him leave, before going in the opposite direction.

[dwtsfun]

Dancing with the Stars Season 29 Week 10: Let’s Talk

So I spent some extra time really thinking about how I want to approach talking about this week. There are many parts and I want to address and I wanna do it as thoroughly as I can. So first let me get the trivial things out of the way. Tyra looked amazing. I loved the judges’ entrance. CAI looked incredible too. Bruno looked great. Derek’s suit would’ve looked better if it were a different color. Maybe a darker and cooler color would’ve been better, like a green, blue or purple. 

Okay now let me address the elephant in the room. Nelly. So here’s where I stand. He deserves to be in the final as much as anyone else that is there right now. Period. You can dislike it all you want, but he earned his spot. He is not a Skeleton type where he hasn’t improved, can’t dance for shit, talks shit about EVERYONE and expects to be rewarded high scores for terrible dances. From what we have all seen, Nelly seems to be genuinely shocked that he’s being received well and at the fact that he is doing as well as he is. And he’s hasn’t shown a sense of entitlement that Skeleton always had surrounding him. Plus, he minds his business and doesn’t bad mouth the other celebs. So I’m going to fully reject that comparison. It’s asinine.

“But he was the worst dancer left!” Okay. And? Your point? This is not new. We have had plenty of celebs who were not one of the best dancers make it to the finals. Kelly Osbourne made the finals over Aaron Carter and Joanna Krupa. Cristian de la Fuente made it over Mario. Marie Osmond made it over Sabrina Bryan and Jennie Garth. Jerry Rice made it over Lisa Rinna. Bristol Palin and Bill Engvall made it over everyone. Candace and Alek beat out a ton of people. Noah made it in over Nastia. Ginger dumbass (I actually have real issues with this lady) made it in over Wanya. David Ross got second place. Lauren Alaina got in over James van der Beek. And Nelly making it as far as he has should not be shocking. He’s got the biggest name of everyone on the show. He’s not a bad dancer (he’s actually pretty decent and better than most of the people that I just listed). And his journey is the quintessential DWTS journey. The audience loves a person that comes in with no experience, embraces the experience and improves as the weeks go on. So it’s very strange to me that Nelly is garnering this type of reaction because he’s “the worst left”. It’s almost like a lot of fans have never watched this show before. So I have to wonder what is driving this issue with him (I know why and I’m sure you all know too). It’s the same thing that drove (and still drives the uproar) for Jacoby placing higher than Aly back in season 16.

“But what about his sexual assault allegations! He shouldn’t succeed because of those.” Yes, I know those are surrounding him. Yes, I know he’s been arrested. Yes, I know it likely happened (and for those of you that are going to come in here acting like I’m doubting survivors, I am not. But I have a platform and I’m not trying to be sued if anyone on his team comes across this post). I am not absolving him of that. BUT, many of the fans don’t know that. To them, he’s just the really famous rapper that made those couple of songs that they like and has worked with Tim McGraw. He might even be their favorite rapper. We also cannot suddenly choose to take the moral high ground when it comes to Nelly, while still watching and supporting this show. This show has casted several different types of abusers, racists, downright hateful people and alleged MURDERERS since it’s inception. And it sympathizes with them. This is actually a shoe where many stars go so that they can try to rehab their image. So that moral high ground approach just doesn’t work for this show. Especially not when there is another alleged abuser sitting right next to him. You can make the personal choice not to vote for him for whatever reason. That is fine. But you also have to know that your continued support of the show is going to allow them to keep casting these types of celebrities.

“But Skai and Johnny were just better.” Yes. That is very true. AND people weren’t voting for them in the way that they were voting for everybody else. Each of them had already had at least one bottom 2 appearance. It made sense for them to both end up in the bottom 3 on double elimination night and be sent home. It’s actually what should have happened to Ally last season when she ended up in the bottom 2 with James.

“But his dances sucked!” I will get to his dances from Monday later on in the post. But his dances throughout the season largely did not suck. I will give you his first paso. That was a mess. The rest of his dances were decent to very good.

“Women have it harder than men on this show!” Well see, here is where need some more nuance. White men (pros and celebs alike) get rewarded for the bare minimum on this show. The judges will (and have) rip apart a Black, Indigenous or Asian man very easily. I would actually say that white women are more fairly treated than any other group besides their white male counterparts. The rest of us fall below everyone else in the social hierarchy.

Okay. I’ve gone on a lot so I’m going to make these rankings pretty short.

1. Skai and Alan- I am ranking these based on my personal enjoyment of both dances, So if you’ve followed me for a long time, you know that I love me a good Viennese waltz. And this was beautiful. Skai’s top line is gorgeous. She was very elegant. And the balance of confidence and vulnerability was something I have not seen from Skai this season. Her cha-cha was a definite redemption. I thought she did a great job with her hip action. She was loose. She was sure of herself. She was confident. I’m glad Skai got to have a week where everything was just top notch. If she had to leave, this was the perfect note to leave on.

2. Johnny and Britt- I really loved both of these dances as well. I was shocked at how well their salsa went. Johnny seemed to do a much better job of understanding the movement of it and executing it. As for the jazz, it was amazing. I loved it. And I loved that it didn’t seem like the freestyle lite routines that we’re used to seeing when couples are assigned jazz. These two should be incredibly proud of everything that they accomplished. I spent the season comparing Johnny to Evan Lysacek and while I think Evan beats Johnny in ballroom, I think Johnny was the overall better dancer.

3. Justina and Sasha- I really really liked this tango. I’m not sure if I would’ve given it a 10, because there were definite issues with her frame throughout. But, it was a huge improvement over their last one, so I’m okay with it. She wasn’t hopping throughout the dance and there was a difference in the way she embodied it that I just liked more. Maybe it was the lack of the character thrown on top of a dance that already has a distinct built in character. As for their contemporary, it was very pretty. I don’t care much for that style, but the perfect score was well deserved. 

4. Nelly and Daniella- Like everyone else tonight, Nelly definitely brought his A-game. That paso was a huge improvement from the first time that he did it. There was way more artistry this time around. He was shaping properly minus a few moments. He was smooth and intentional. It was actually very good. His feet still need work, but this was a very nice dance. I liked that Daniella left his shirt off because we really got to see all of the shaping. He is also very nice to look at lol. I honestly felt like this could have been a very solid 27. I could even see Bruno throwing in a 10 because of how attentive he was to the smaller details of this dance. As for the jive, this was actually the dance where I felt Nelly was most at ease. To me, this was their best dance of the season. That final gear that I could sense they hadn’t tapped into yet, was finally realized. Now from the way a lot of the fans were talking, you’d think this dance was a disaster. But it was far from it. He messed up the choreography a few times, so I don’t think it should’ve gotten a 30. But it was no less than a 27. Everything else he did was actually really good. Daniella put in a lot of content into this dance and he really nailed it. Also, recently there have been a ton of dances that were given perfect scores that may not have deserved them (including a few this season). So I don

5. Kaitlyn and Artem- Their paso was a definite improvement over the first time they did it. And I think it was technically the best dance of the first round. However, I still wasn’t feeling it. It was still too restrained for my liking. And while Derek tried to explain it away by saying that was the character of the dance, I just can’t let that slide.Their contemporary was beautiful though. By the time we got to their dance, I was all contemporary’d out because it was the last of three. So I didn’t appreciate it as much at first. But upon my second and third viewing of it, I actually really liked it. Everything that I had wanted from her in the paso and the Argentine tango was sitting right in this dance. I wish she had taken some of that and put it into those two dances as well. I might’ve actually been able to truly get behind her.

6. Nev and Jenna- Their foxtrot was an improvement but like my feeling with Kaitlyn, I just didn’t care. It was good. I don’t feel anything when he dances. It feels very hollow. His contemporary was nice but of the three contemporaries, I liked it the least. It didn’t really stand out. It was there. It was good. Perfect even. I wasn’t all that impressed though. I wish he would stop lying about his dance experience. 

So that’s it. Let me know your thoughts on the night and I will talk to you all soon.

[officialleehadan]

Honey Moon

Hello darlings! You guessed it! Here's another +5 Patron Prompt! This one is for Kriggens, who requested another episode of 13 Moons! Thank you for all your support, darling!

+++

Elena thought that her life would end on her wedding day. Had thought that she would be auctioned like a prize broodmare, valuable only for her family’s royal connections and her ability to bear sons for her husband.

But now, four weeks after her wedding to the one man of all her suitors who she actually dared to fall in love with, she was finding that it was entirely something else.

For one, Artem’s estates were… lavish. Lavish in a way that Raventower, for all its age and unrelenting strength, simply never had. That was reasonable, of course. Raventower was a country manor-house, not the estate of a duke. All the same, it was strange to be surrounded with luxuries. Her clothing, for instance, was a point of concern. As the only daughter of Raventower, Elena had spent most of her time in simple clothing, not poorly made, but inexpensive enough to hold up as she joined the family servants with the upkeep of the House. Here, she was expected to carry herself as a duchess, and that meant an entirely new wardrobe.

She would be lying if she said she disliked the idea. She had often daydreamed of going about in the kind of clothes her royal cousins favored, and now, at last, she could.

READ THE WHOLE STORY HERE!

+++

13 Moons

Raventower Manor has always had a reputation for being just a little odd, despite their good name. After all, the moon is always watching, and some wishes carry just a little farther than others.

Frost Moon

Blue Moon

Jasmine Moon

Rose Moon

+++

More Stories!

+++

[waywardsignns-moved]

“Being able to see you smile, being in your vicinity, just that is enough for me.” Katia spoke it soft, unsure if he could hear her or not. She wanted to reach out to touch his hand but instead she offered a smile, finger's moving to ruffle his hair a bit, wrapping a piece of it around her tanned finger before she let go. "But I should probably get going I wanted to drop off some food Artem made for you is all." She was falling for him head over heals.

unprompted || always accepting

Kobe was concerned ... and it showed in the way his green eyes practically bled with emotion as she touched his hair. Even the silly little show of affection was enough to make Kobe want to melt, he was that touch starved, but the fact that she was okay with just being friends ... something told him that she was lying. Perhaps it was the look in her gaze, or the way her hand diverted in what she initially intended to do ... Or perhaps the way her touch lingered. 

Or maybe he was just imagining it. 

“...Will you tell him I say thank you for me..?” was he really just going to let her go? Was he really going to let this be it? Because quite frankly ... he got a deep sinking sensation as she turned to leave that this was all there was. That he’d never see her again ... and that made him feel a desperate surge of panic, one that had him lunging forward with her name spilling past his lips moments before his hand took hold of her bicep. 

And the instant she turned to him, his other hand drew her to fully face him as his lips crashed to hers in a desperate, smooth action. Because he was desperate ... desperate for her to stay. To love him ... 

And the faint whining noise as they kissed would show it. 

And he couldn’t bring it in him to leave the kiss as long as her body language showed just hwo much she wanted this too. Making a deep moaning noise a moment later, he pulled her flush against his body, fingers grasping desperately against her clothing before finally forcing himself to part from her. 

“...Please don’t go..”