#they sniffed hot sand :(

[snickerdoodlesart]

Candle mouse shenanigans

[woso-dreamzzz]

Beach

Hardersson x Child!Reader

Alexia Putellas x Hardersson!Reader

Part of The Big Adventures Universe

Summary: You go to the beach in Spain

Spain is hot.

You don't like it much.

It makes you hot and sweaty and it means that Momma or Morsa carrying you makes it so much worse.

You blow a strand of hair off of your face and huff.

You don't particularly like the beach either. It's too sandy and it gets everywhere so you've had to forego your shoes and socks.

Momma and Morsa are nearby, relaxing on their towels and reading. You're meant to be sitting by them, making a sandcastle but it's an activity you've grown bored of quickly.

With every passing moment, you shuffle a little bit further away until you can slyly stand up without either of your mothers noticing.

You don't like the ocean either. It scares you a little bit and Erin at Not-Wolfsburg once told you that in Scotland sometimes the waves crash against cliffs and make rocks fall off.

The ocean is scary and you don't like swimming so you stick to the beach, periodically looking back so you can check that your Momma and Morsa are still there.

You crouch down in the sand, poking at it with a stick you've found. You keep yourself occupied like that for a while before looking up and coming face-to-face with a puppy.

It's very small and kind of fluffy and a similar colour to the sand.

"Hej!" You say. Now that you're not in London anymore, Momma and Morsa have been speaking to you in a blend of Swedish and Danish again and you're very happy to greet this puppy like that.

The puppy stares at you for a moment and you offer it your hand. Momma tells you to do that a lot when you meet puppies at the park.

It sniffs you for a moment before it's little tail wiggles and it licks your face.

You laugh, patting it on the head. It pants and lays down at your side, sniffing your stick for a moment before trying to gnaw on it.

"Nej, valp (no, puppy)," You say, moving the stick away to poke at the sand again. The puppy whines a little but rests its head on its front paws and watches as you draw in the sand.

Silence reigns between you for a long while before muffled footsteps are hurrying closer and the hot Spanish sun is blocked by a shadow falling over you.

It's a woman.

She's kind of tall compared to you and she's dressed comfortably in just a sports bra and some jogging bottoms. She looks highly distressed though, as she stares at you.

She clicks her tongue and orders," Nala." The puppy stands up to join her, allowing the leash to be clipped onto its collar.

"Hola, nena," The woman says, crouching at your side as she continues to look distressed," Eres muy pequeña (you are very little)."

You stare at her blankly as she looks around the beach, looking at each group of people for some reason.

"¿Dónde están tus padres (where are your parents)?"

You don't know what she's saying. You don't speak Spanish. It's not one of your languages. You think for a moment. As much as you love being able to speak your Swedish and Danish on holiday, Morsa tells you often that not a lot of people abroad understand either and you know that your German won't be much help either.

So, you settle on your English.

"Hello."

She looks taken aback for a moment and then even more distressed when she comes to the conclusion that you're not a Spanish child. Her head whips around as she tries to weed out which of the beachgoers you belong to.

"Hi," She says when her search comes up empty," Are you lost?"

You shake your head, poking at the sand.

"Where are your parents?"

You dismissively point in the vague direction of where you left Momma and Morsa.

"What is your name?"

"y/n," You reply," I like your puppy."

"Thank you. Her name is Nala. I'm Alexia."

"Cool."

You start to dig at the sand, making a hole. You wanted to bury Morsa in a hole earlier but she wouldn't let you.

Alexia sits down next to you, seemingly unwilling to continue her walk and leave you alone. "Are you on holiday? Where are you from?"

"London," You answer," But before was Germany and Momma and Morsa from Sweden and Denmark."

Alexia nods along, sparing another look down at the beach as if she would just be able to tell which tourists looked Swedish or Danish. She knew now to look for two women so at least that narrowed down her prospects.

"Your English is very good," She says, quickly regaining your attention when it looks like you are going to start walking away.

"Thank you. Morsa makes me practice."

"That's good. English is a very good language to know."

You giggle. "Morsa says that too."

Alexia notices that you get a bit restless and clicks her tongue, sending Nala over to keep you distracted for a bit. This wasn't how she expected her day off to go. She glances around the beach again as Nala gives you little kisses on your cheek but nobody seems to stand out to her as looking for their child.

She stays with you for a bit longer before spying Harder and Eriksson further down the beach. Your English is good but it would probably be easier if you had someone who spoke your first two languages. It would hopefully make it easier for you to find your mothers if Harder and Eriksson were around to translate.

"Hey, y/n," She says softly," Why don't you come with me? I think we should go find your mums."

You look back at the hole you're digging and sigh. Alexia is an adult and Momma always tells you to listen to adults when she and Morsa aren't around. "Fine."

Alexia takes your hand in hers and Nala pads around between you two.

As the two of you get closer, Alexia notices the way that Harder and Eriksson seem to be in the middle of an argument, voices hushed and harsh as they squabble in a blend of Swedish and Danish.

"Eriksson," She says," Harder, I was wondering if you could help. y/n, here has lost her-"

"Princesse!"

She's cut off by Harder, who surges forward to wrap you in a hug.

You wrinkle your nose up in annoyance and try to push away, poking at Harder with your stick.

"What have I told you about wandering off?!"

You huff. "Didn't wander!" You insist," You say wandering is walking away until I can't see you anymore. Could still see you!"

"Don't sass your Momma, y/n," Eriksson says firmly before turning to Alexia," Thank you, Putellas. For finding her. She's got this awful habit of wandering around when we stop looking. Last time she ended up with the Arsenal girls."

Alexia is still a little confused. She supposed it made sense. You spoke about your parents being from Sweden and Denmark (which Eriksson and Harder are) but that you were visiting from London (where they both play) but used to be from Germany (where Harder used to play with Caro).

But, still, it's an incredible coincidence that you just happened to be stumbled upon by another football player on a crowded beach in Spain.

It makes Alexia laugh a little under her breath in sheer amusement. "Sounds scary."

Eriksson laughs as well, looking over to where you've got a sullen expression on your face as Harder flips between lecturing you and fluttering her hands around your body to make sure you're not injured.

"You have no idea. Thanks though, for finding her."

"It was Nala that found her."

The little dog wags her tail at the mention of her name and you manage to pull away from Harder to pat Nala on the head.

"Princesse," Eriksson crouches down next you, brushing some sand off your cheek," I want you to say thank you to Alexia for helping you."

It's a little disconcerting to see Eriksson and Harder so soft and domestic. Alexia knew that they had a daughter, had known for a while now ever since you made your debut to the world the same day as the infamous World Cup kiss.

She knew that Harder and Eriksson were parents but knowing it and seeing it are two different things. You've got Eriksson in your face but Harder in your stance. You look like a perfect blend of the two in everything you're doing.

"Thank you for helping me Alexia," You say.

"And?"

"And sorry for wandering off, Morsa."

"Okay, princesse." Eriksson presses a kiss to the side of your head. "We'll have to get you a bell to wear soon, if you keep wandering like that."

You huff out an annoyed breath and kick your foot, spraying sand everywhere.

Harder laughs, draping a towel over your slightly burnt shoulders as you yawn.

"I think she needs a nap," She says to Eriksson, allowing you to sag against her as you fight off your exhaustion," Time to head back to the hotel, I think."

"Good thinking," Eriksson replies before turning back to Alexia," Really, thank you, Putellas, for getting her back to us."

"Er...No problem. She's a great kid."

Eriksson smiles as she turns to look at you, blinking tired eyes up at Harder, who whispers to you in Danish.

"Yeah, she is."

[filtharchives]

guys im so embarrassed i wrote this but as a Freak™ i firmly believe there is not enough omegaverse in this fandom so i gotta write it myself

hopefully i’ve improved some since last time… 🫣

summary: cove x reader - your sudden heat triggers cove’s rut and no one is home to stop you

tags: NSFW, takes place in Step 3, fem/afab reader, omega!reader, alpha!cove, traditional stuff (being a provider for spouse) cause tbh i also can’t deny the housewife kink in me lol, normal omegaverse stuff like knots and slick etc., first time/virginity loss, mating press ♡, reader is pillow princess-ing, breeding kink (you tried to be safe but he got impatient sorry), only a little size difference/kink and belly bulge

it was a hot summer day–too hot for even the biggest beach bum to spend out on the sand–and you and cove were lazing around in your bedroom with the air conditioner as high as your moms would let you put it, which was just enough for you and cove to cuddle comfortably in your nest with the condition that he was shirtless and you were in the flimsiest tank top you could find. .

cove was beyond thankful to not have a shift at the tropical restaurant today. he told you he thinks he would have died if he had to wait tables while the restaurant was full of sweaty, heat-agitated tourists whose scents would overwhelm his nose which was pretty sensitive, even by alpha standards. his comment got a sympathetic nose exhale out of you, which in turn got a playful pout out of your boyfriend. 

“don’t laugh. it’s not funny,” he scolds half-heartedly. “i really could’ve died in that situation. do you know how many sweaty, old alphas i’d have smelled? and they get so snippy when they’re sweaty and uncomfortable. if you knew what it was like working there, you wouldn’t be laughing right now.” 

“yeah, yeah,” you roll your eyes with a smirk, feeling a little smug as he squeezes your waist in his arms and nuzzles his face into your neck despite his little rant. “but they still give you the big tips, don’t they?”

“only cause they smell you on me,” cove argues. “they think that i’m an alpha working solely to provide for my omega mate, so of course they’d wanna ‘help out’.” 

“then really, you should be thanking me right now, instead of lecturing,” you snicker, joking. “where’s my cut of the money?” 

“your ‘cut’ is everything i buy you with those tips.” he nips at your collarbone pointedly. “those alphas are kinda right–i am providing for my little omega.” 

my little omega. god, that sounds so delicious coming from his mouth, it almost makes you dizzy. and the idea of him taking care of you makes your inner omega purr with delight. you’re too busy fixating on cove’s words that you almost don’t notice cove perking up in surprise, his head lifting off your arm as he supports himself on his elbow. 

“you…” he pauses, sniffing. “you smell different. just now.” 

“mm?” you hum, looking at him with hazy eyes. you feel your body grow warmer and cove’s scent seems so tantalizing all of a sudden. cove seems to think the same about you, leaning back into your neck to sniff your scent glands, the arm he’s had over your waist moving back so he can grip your hip with his hand. 

“smells sweeter…” he mumbles curiously, practically shoving his nose against your skin. his hand squeezes your hip before moving to your rear to pull you close to him again. 

“cove-?!” you cut yourself off with a small squeak of surprise as he drags his tongue against your gland, your body shivering as his warm, wet muscle teases the sensitive skin. your hands press against cove’s bare chest as he rolls on top of you, caging you in his arms as his knees sit between your thighs. 

“god,” he hisses against your neck, voice not as soft and playful as it was moments ago. “i’ve always wanted to smell this straight from the source. it’s not the same coming from your clothes.” 

it’s only when he says that, that it clicks for you–your heat had arrived early. a few days early, in fact. and you feel silly, not recognizing it after several years of experience, but in your defense, the response from cove was far too distracting for you to put the pieces together on your own. but now that you know what changed in you, you also realize the change in cove was from his rut being triggered. by you. that thought warmed you up even more. cove calls your name. 

“tell me to stop, and i’ll go home right now. i can ask my dad to deliver some of my clothes and we can call, just like we always do,” he says, eyes shyly avoiding yours and staring at your stomach instead. “but if you want me to stay… i-i’ll take care of you. i think- no, i know i’m ready. to take this step in our relationship. b-but only if you are! we can hold off on it if you want!” 

he finally meets your eyes, looking a little frantic, as if worried he was too bold and would scare you off. still, you could see his arms shaking as he held himself over you, taking all the self control he had to not take you then and there. as much as you admired his restraint, your body ached for his. 

“i want this,” you respond breathlessly, feeling almost winded by the anticipation and desire running through you. “i trust you, cove. i want you to knot me.” 

cove turns bright red from his ears to his neck. he was hoping you’d say yes, but he didn’t expect such an explicit answer. 

“oh! o-okay, let me just-” he nearly throws himself off the bed, running out of your room and you hear his heavy footsteps race down the stairs. before you can call out and ask questions after processing his sudden disappearance, you hear him running back up the stairs. he returns to your room and shuts the door with his foot, arms filled with water bottles and snacks. he gives you a sheepish smile as he sets them on the shelf under your window. 

“for later, you know?” he says, fumbling nervously with the last water bottle before putting it down. “wouldn’t want you to get hungry or dehydrated.” 

you’d make a witty quip if you were more lucid, but his preparation and concern for you makes you preen and only more needy for the rest of the care he has planned for you. smelling the slick pooling in your underwear, the cute look is wiped off cove’s face and replaced by an almost uncharacteristic, wolfish grin as he approaches you and your nest again. fuck, this heat is becoming unbearable–you want him now, you don’t even notice you’re whining until cove’s in front of you on the bed again, cupping your face and pressing a gentle kiss to your lips.

“don’t worry, i’ll take care of you, just like i promised,” he coos softly, his hands parting from your face to remove your shorts. he licks his lips again when he sees the large wet spot on your panties that had seeped through your shorts. 

“one more time: are you sure you want to do this now?” cove asks, looking into your eyes through his lashes. his breathing is heavy with the amount of self-discipline he’s exerting. his inner alpha is practically howling at him to get on with it and fuck you like an animal, but he loves you too much to give in when there’s still a chance you might back out. “i can’t promise i’ll control myself o-or be gentle past this point. but i’ll do my best to stop whenever you tell me! i-if you ever tell me-”

“please,” you all but beg, adoring his efforts but so over the waiting. “please just fuck me already, alpha. i hate waiting.” 

your interruption and desperation draw a small chuckle of disbelief from cove, but it also settles his nerves. he gives you an apology kiss as he tugs off your underwear, practically drooling at the unfiltered scent of your slick.

“sorry for making you wait,” he murmurs as he pushes your thighs apart, backing up on his knees until he can comfortably lean down and kiss your clit. 

you’re a sobbing mess as cove draws you closer to your third climax of the day, still only giving you his mouth and fingers. as much as you begged for his dick after the second orgasm, cove insisted he needed to make sure his knot wouldn’t hurt you, even if it meant straining against his pants uncomfortably while rutting against your nest. still, with how enthusiastically he was devouring your cunt, you can’t say he wasn’t enjoying himself as well. 

the slurping and squelching that filled your bedroom were lewd, but that was nothing compared to your mixed moans and the stench of sex that was probably stuck on your sheets by now. cove always got off on your scent during his ruts, holding your gifted, used panties to his nose as he jerked off, but the smell coming straight from your glands mixed with the taste of your slick on his tongue–he felt like he could cum untouched from those alone, but he needed to hold out until he could stick his dick inside you, even if he couldn’t actually breed you yet. oh fuck, the idea of you filled with his pups had his eyes rolling to the back of his head, even if the logical part of him knew you were both too young for that yet. still, he couldn't deny the idea’s appeal.

“cove!” you gasp, one hand tugging his hair as the other gripped the pillow behind your head. “‘m gonna cum again-!” 

you barely finish your sentence before you gush all over his face for the third time, and just like the previous two times, cove laps it all up eagerly, rubbing his nose against your overstimulated clit as his tongue parts your lips. you try to push him away but it’s only once he was satisfied with his cleanup that cove lets up to pull you into a sloppy, open-mouthed kiss. you moan into his mouth and whimper when he pulls away but you’re already too spent to chase his lips. he chuckles at your dazed state but is far from done. 

he gets off the bed and finally relieved himself of his pants and boxer-briefs and you drool at the sight of his big dick and the much-desired knot at the base. he nearly trips as he simultaneously hurries to your drawers while removing his clothes and digs through your drawer to find the condoms (that you’d told him your moms bought for you regularly once you and cove started trading clothes during your synced mating cycles. it was funny and embarrassing at the time, but now you were grateful). he grabs a handful and rips open the first one as he rejoins you in your nest, also ripping the condom inside in the process. he tosses it aside and goes for the next condom, only for history to repeat. he blows through two more, growling as you whine impatiently, before muttering “fuck it” and tossing all the condoms onto the floor. 

“i’ll buy you plan b later, okay?” cove assures you as he lines up his dick to your pussy with one hand, the other holding up one of your thighs. “just be good and take my knot, just like you wanted.” 

you moan a cuss and throw your head back on your pillow as he slides in, your endless slick and his careful preparation making it easy and oh-so pleasurable. cove hisses as he stops just before his knot, his now-free hand moving to your other thigh. you’re about to complain about the lack of movement but cove already starts pushing in again, watching intently as your cunt swallows him up with relative ease. you mewl at the stretch that was much easier than you’d anticipated–you’ll have to thank him later for making it so easy on you despite your impatience. 

cove stops again once buried to the hilt inside you, his eyes flick up to your face and, seeing you without any discomfort, grins. 

“look at that, omega,” he murmurs, his hand pressing gently on the small bump in your belly that disappears and reappears with each slow thrust of his hips, making your breath stutter. “your needy little pussy all stuffed by my cock.” 

playing nice doesn’t last long, however, as he quickly gets pussy-drunk and picks up the pace. 

“f-fuck~” cove groans, tossing his head back in pleasure while his hands grip the backs of your knees, keeping you wide open. he leans his head forward again, looking at your half-lidded eyes and drooling, moaning mouth with dark eyes. he lets your legs fall to his sides, choosing instead to lean forward with his elbows at the sides of your head and his chest pressed against yours, practically putting all his weight on you as he fucks you hard and fast.

the wet slapping of his balls on your ass and the sounds that leave your mouths are loud and lewd and surely your sister or one of your moms will come home soon, but cove really couldn’t care less when it feels so good. he’d always dreamed of having you on his knot like this, ever since he first jerked off to your scent, but having it for real was better than he could have ever imagine. so tight and warm, and the fucked-out look on your face was even better. 

“so cute like this,” he mutters, his face so close to yours and you try to focus your eyes on him but can barely keep them from rolling back. “you were made to take my knot. we fit so well together. fuck, i can’t imagine doing this with someone else. i should just claim you already.” 

the prospect of being claimed by cove makes you keen. his face is shoved up against your neck again, inhaling your scent like it’s oxygen, and he really is tempted to bite you then and there. 

“you’d like that, right? being bonded to me? oh f-fuck! oh, yeah, you do. tighten up so much at the idea…” instead of biting your neck, he moves his mouth to your shoulder and satiates that need. you cry out his name, both out of pleasure and disappointment. it feels so good to be bitten by him, if only it was where you want it most. 

his sweet words are reduced into babbles as he loses himself in you and you could admit that you’ve lost yourself long into this heat. his tip kissing your cervix and his knot stretching your lower lips is all so delicious, it’s overwhelmed you to tears.

“c-cove,” you gasp, clawing at his back, toes curling as you get closer. 

“mm-” cove grunts, picking up pace for the final stretch as he mutters thoughtlessly into your ear. “gonna fill you, omega… fill you with pups… all mine…” 

normally, the thought of being pregnant would would terrify you, but with a heat-clouded mind, it’s all you want. 

“please fill me,” you whimper. “cove- cove! wan’ your pups… please gimme pups, alpha…!” 

“agh- fuck!” cove’s arms cradle your head to his chest as his knot swells, locking him inside you. “gonna fill you,” he repeats. “fill you w’ my pups… my omega… all mine…” 

you cry out as cove’s hot seed fills you, clinging onto him with your arms and legs wrapping around his muscular body. he’s shaking and growling and still babbling as he cums, and his load feels heavy inside you, especially with his knot preventing any from leaking out. as he comes down from his high and feels fatigue wash over him, cove quiets down and at least finds the strength to lower himself onto you slowly, lying on you while his still-inflated knot keeps your bodies stuck together. 

you sniffle as post-coital clarity slowly comes to you, and your lust is temporarily pushed aside by your affection for cove. you gently comb a hand through his hair as your eyelids feel heavy.

“we’ll be like this for a while,” cove chuckles, cheeks flushed pink. “go to sleep. i’ll clean everything up once my knot goes down and when you wake up, i’ll still be here. we’ll drink and eat, and then we can keep going as much as you want. i’ll be right here.” 

his words of reassurance and the gentle rumble of his chest as he speaks is enough to lull you to sleep, as if you weren’t already totally spent. and yet, the idea of going for more rounds sparks your excitement once again, and you can’t help how your pussy briefly squeezes cove’s dick, making him gasp. you chuckle at his reaction as you finally nod off.

ahhhhhhhh omgggg !!!!!!! 🙈🙈🙈

[mimising]

Summer with stranger | Carlos Sainz

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Carlos x (she)reader

Little angsty with sweet savoury.

--- It's my first time to write something like this. I have NO idea what I'm actually doing. Do enjoy if it's enjoyable.

---

“Please don’t cry.” Her head sifted from her hands. Big watery eyes looked up to him. He squatted down in front of her. “What’s the matter? Who made a pretty girl like you cry?” She sniffed. “Some arsehole.” The girl took a closer look at a man in front of her. His skin was golden brown, fluffy hair sat just right. Only she couldn’t look the man in the eyes. 

 Carlos put his hand on her shoulder. “I’ve heard that hugs make everything go away. Would you like to try it out?” His voice sounded sincere. She didn’t say anything but sifted her hands. That was all he needed to see and took the girl in his arms. One hand caressed her hair while the other held her tight against his chest. Head pressed against his neck and shoulder. He could feel her warmth and heartbeat. Tears started to slowly soak his shirt. Her smell was divine. 

 Slowly the girl started to feel a sense of comfort. The arsehole was forgotten for a minute. She felt safe. Although her nose was blocked from the crying she could smell his strong cologne wrapping her in a heavenly space. 

“Would you like to go for a walk?” Suddenly the comfort was gone and cold reality was back. The girl nodded. “Ye-yeah, I would like that.” 

He stood up and held his hand out to her. This was the first time she really looked up and saw the man's eyes. Soft brown eyes which matched with his fluffy hair. 

“I was on my way to the beach. If you're interested then we could go there for a swim.” He did have a towel on his other shoulder. “I don’t have a towel.” All she could come up with. The part where she didn’t really know how to swim was left out. “No need to worry about that. They must have plenty to rent.” 

If he hadn’t been so sweet she would have declined but for some reason she just couldn’t. “You are right. Will figure something out.” She smiled at him and looked away when their eyes met. Blood rushed to her cheeks. 

As they walked he asked if she was local but learning that she was just visiting and didn’t know much about the city did he start talking about the beauty of it. She enjoyed listening about cafes to visit and roads to walk through. 

The girl was quiet and he didn’t even know her name. “You are visiting for the first time. Is there a particular reason why here or?” 

“I was meant to pay a visit to my boyfr- ex’s summer house. Things took a darker turn and now I’m just here to leave.” “Sorry, I didn’t mean to overstep-” “It’s completely fine. I should be the one apologizing and thanking.”

They walked side by side, almost close enough to hold hands. Occasionally catching sights of each other.  Her face started to light up. Teares long forgotten. 

The sand was warm under their feet. She soaked in all the warmth and hid the fear of the sea with smiling. 

“I never got your name..” As he was taking off his shirt he said “Carlos. Carlos Sainz. And you?” For a second the dictionary was forgotten. The man was ripped. She couldn’t stop blushing. After saying her name she held out her hand. He snickers but shakes it. Even his hand was twice her size. 

He tried to be polite and not check her out. What a naive idea. She looked like heaven. Her skin white like the milky way. It didn’t go unnoticed by her.“I’m from a colder area. That’s why my skin is so light.” He took a sharp turn to the sea. 

 “Run to the sea?” She really would have liked to run the other way. Without saying anything she started running to the sea instead. He was hot on her tail. “I’ll catch you, you little-!” 

 She cried out when he caught up with her. Easily running past. She cried out with laughter while adding speed. 

 Once in water, she slowed down. He went head into the water. She stayed back and watched. When Carlos didn’t see her beside him and almost on the shore he screamed “oh no, you are coming in the water!” And swam back to her. “Nono, I’m happy right here.” 

 Carlos didn’t slow down which concerned her and she tried to run back. “You are not going anywhere!” Playfully he pulled her into the water. The water was only to her hips but scared her nevertheless. She screamed with horror and held onto him with her dear life. 

 He pulled the girl against him. “Everything is ok. You are safe with me. I won’t let you get any deeper, cariño.” She caught her breathing back and opened her eyes. 

 “Are you scared of the sea? You should have told me.” Lustful face was washed from his face and replaced with concern. “I didn’t want to ruin your plans. Already ruined your shirt with some mascara.” He chuckled. “This is the least of my problems.” 

 Her hands were still holding tight around his neck. Eyes roaming to his lips. They looked so kissable at this distance. 

 “Actually I have to confess something.” “Go on.” She looked away. “I don’t know how to swim.”

He took her chin into his hand and made her face him. “Then I can teach you. Maybe the sea isn't the best place to start but some other day. For example a pool. How does that sound?” She nodded. “The pool it is then. But right now we can just stand here and feel the warm water. If that’s fine with you.” Once again she nodded. 

 They stayed like this for a few more seconds when she realized their position. Her hands let go of his neck. He cleared his voice. The hands slid away quickly. 

 “You’ve helped me out a lot today. Would you like to grab some lunch together?” She had tried herself with his towel and was putting clothes back on. Carlos tried himself with the same towel. It felt a little erotic to know that just minutes ago the fabric ran against her smooth skin. 

 “Sure. I can take us to somewhere nice.” His meaning of nice ment somewhere fancy at first but the woman didn’t seem to know who he was and he’d love to keep it that way for as long as he can.  “That would be smart. I only ever visited a few places where they mostly served coffee and sweets.”  

 As they were both dressed, they took a turn back to the town. Sun was burning extra bright and finding a shelter with a cooler seemed mandatory. “Do you have a place to stay tonight?” She turned around, looking at him. “Uh, to tell you the truth, not really. I mean, I can afford one more night at the hotel but that’s it. And my booked flight isn’t until next week.” 

 She had forgotten all about her ex and her situation. But the weight was back on her shoulders. He saw the change on her face and regretted immediately what he had asked. “If you’d like, you could stay at my place until your flight back home. Not that I have a big apartment here but some arrangements could be done.” First it sounded a little too good and creepy to her. She had known Carlos for only… a few hours. In reality it felt much longer. And she didn’t have a plan B. Maybe he isn’t trying to kidnap her for her organs and genuinely felt sorry for her. 

 “If I did take your offer, what would you like back? There are no free lunches as they say.” She was shivering. Carlos thought for a minute. He just didn’t want her to go just yet. Moments where someone didn’t know him were rare. She as a person felt rare. “You come to me to the pool to learn how to swim.” First thing that came to his mind. She laughed. “That's beneficial to me. What about you? I could do your laundry for that time period or run errands.” 

 Carlos didn’t need those things to be taken care of. He did enjoy doing them himself after a long season. Just something a normal human can do. “I guess you could help out but I do enjoy doing these things myself.” 

 As she was throwing ideas at him and Carlos tried to decline, they had reached main streets. He had a particular smaller business in his mind where to take her. “Right this way. Even Though it’s out of the main street, the food is delicious.” 

 He stopped in front of a big old door that didn’t have any signs near it. “That? Are you sure? I don’t see any-” she was saying before he opened the door. “Yes, ladies first.” Carlos smirked as she stepped in. The interior was mind blowing. High ceilings, huge windows with a view to the sea. You couldn’t really see it all from the grand entry. 

 “Table for two please.” said Carlos and the waitress took them to one next to a window. Carlos held her chair like a gentelman. “I’ll be right back with your menus. Would you like something to drink?” She sounded sweet but held back for some reason. “Some water with lemon. Is that fine with you?” Carlos was asking that from his companion. “Of course.” Waitress nodded and went away. 

 “This place looks way too fancy. Look at the wallpaper they have. This is either Jane Claytons or I don’t know…” Carlos was a little shocked. He had a wide grin. “How or why do you know about wallpapers?” He was genuinely interested. “I'm a little into interior design and just like to know about history and products.”  Carlos put his elbows on the tabbed and held his head in his hands. 

 She told him more about her interests and job back in the other country. He would occasionally ask one or two things about her work. Finally the waitress came with water and menus. She told them about today's dishes and left. 

 The food was not on the cheaper side and made her anxious. How could she say no if she had asked him to choose the restaurant. She’ll live off noodles for the next few months. Nothing new really. 

 She had chosen the cheapest dish from the menu. Carlos had noticed that.“You know, if you’re concerned about the food then don’t be. It’s on me. Choose whatever you like.” She shook her head. “Mkm, no way. You have helped a lot today. The food is on me.” This went on back and forth til their food arrived. Carlos had convinced her in some circumstance–she would pay for the ice cream after lunch. 

“I haven’t allowed myself a cheat day in a while. Thank you for the ice cream.” He was one of those who bite his ice cream instead of licking. She was licking it. While she did that Carlos would glimpse looks. They were walking without a destination. Mostly him showing her around the town while talking about facts about thing or two. ---

Part 2

[shortpplfedup]

Only Friends Character Rankings Episode 8

Well this was a whole-ass SITUATION. I'm still processing, but another outstanding ep. The twin scents of audacity and desperation hung over this episode. Sand tries and fails to have any kind of backbone with Ray. Boston sits in purgatory and decides nope, hell it is. Cheum learns more valuable lessons about perhaps minding her own business. Nick might be moving on to Zaddy!Papang. Mew spirals. Yo and Plug break up. And Top...maybe set Ray up to get arrested so he could look like a hero? Everybody had the goddamn audacity this episode. Y'all went up for Mew's crazy eyes last week, let's see where the gworls are landing for me this week.

⭐1. Atom

People with self-confidence like you are very charming to me.

OH SIR! Talk about coming in hot! Atom's in an experimental mood and looking for somebody to blow his back out, so of course he thinks of Boston, and he's putting out whatever sauce he can muster to entice him. I gotta say, this is a wrinkle I ABSOLUTELY did not see coming but the mess is MESSING and I'm fully on board. Cheum is gonna LOSE IT.

🔺2. Boston (3)

Alright. I’m a social leper.

Well he didn't do a lot this week but boy did he make it count: his bitchface at Nick, who it seems he might have really started to care about; poking at Top's soft spots; telling Cheum maybe she should mind her own business; and just talkin' gay shit with Atom who is VERY into gay shit right now it would seem...every second Boston was onscreen was a second of perfection. ESPECIALLY the second when he decides to make yet another terrible decision and take Atom home and maybe give him what he's been sniffing around asking for. I mean, has learned not ONE goddamn thing and I LOVE that about him.

🔻3. Mew (2)

You take no space in my mind at all.

I haven't seen a classic post-breakup slut spiral this well executed in FOREVER. When Mew did the line of coke I gasped, and when he shoved his tongue down Ray's throat right in Top's face I SCREAMED. Oh honey, you're SUCH a cliché and I love you for it. Mew does not feel an ounce of anything resembling love or attraction for Ray, and he knows it, and he also knows the thought of him and Ray will keep Top up at night, so cigs, booze, yeyo and tonsil hockey it is.

⭐4. Daddy Dan

If you have a friend who likes old people, introduce us.

Papang has arrived, and he's playing the kind of guy who asks college students he's hiring to hook him up with their friends so...that's all present and correct. They love to cast Papang as charming but also slightly seedy and creepy and I'm very into it. Also, in my country there is a strip club/brothel called Dad's Dan so I cackled for a solid 5 minutes at the previews.

⭐5. Freddie Mercury The Second

I want no business with someone else’s boyfriend.

The only person this episode to exhibit even an ounce of self-respect. I salute you sir.

🔻6. Nick (4)

What should I do to earn your forgiveness?

Nick's licking his wounds and trying to get back in the game with Boston, but Nick having never met a boundary he couldn't trample has pretty much sealed that deal for now. As Sand pointed out to him: what was he even doing at that party, other than making a fool of himself?

🔻7. Top (6)

Are you really picking Ray?

Ok so Top's the one who called the cops right? Because they knew exactly who and what they were looking for, and his #1 priority was getting Mew out of Ray's orbit and back into his. Top's beggin' tour wasn't working on anybody except Cheum (who...girl. GIRL!), but he still managed to end the night in bed with Mew, so I guess he'll count that as a win?

🔹8. Cheum (8)

They're all selfish. They don't care about me.

GIRL. Your girlfriend keeps telling you to LEAVE THESE BOYS ALONE AND MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS. Now you crying on the couch and don't nobody care except your girlfriend, WHO TOLD YOU. All them boys one by one just telling her to get out of their faces...GIRL YOU ARE A LESBIAN YOU ARE ABOVE BOYS MAKING YOU CRY.

🔻9. April (7)

I know you’re worried about Mew. But he’s a grown man. He can take care of his life.

Girl aren't you tired? That woman don't never listen to you and now instead of having a good time you're feeling her snot seep into your chest through your (slay) outfit and thinking about how you're not getting any sex tonight either. SHE DOESN'T EVEN APPRECIATE YOUR ART.

🔻10. Plug/Yo (5)

There were many people I gave all my heart to. I gave them everything I got. There were many people I gave my room key to. They all returned it to me in the end. I don't want you to raise my expectations. And then you leave me too.

Oof, poor baby Plug. He just wants to live that househusband life but Yo been THRU it and ain't interested in going thru it again. I was surprisingly affected by Mom breaking up with Cool Stepdad, given how little screentime they've had, but Jennie's just that good.

🔻11. Sand (5)

Friends? You and I have never been friends from the get-go.

What more can I say about this loser? He's so embarrassing I can hardly look at him. Ray does not give a good goddamn about him, he uses him as a plaything, a servant or a punching bag as it suits him, and instead of throwing rocks at his ass and telling him to GTFO, he FIGHTS THE DAMN COPS who are trying to take him away. It's almost fascinating, watching this bullshit: every time I think this is surely Sand's rock bottom, he goes lower. We've got 4 episodes left but I'm calling it now: Sand is the most pathetic character on this show.

🔻12. Ray (1)

Let's hire a DJ instead this time. I don't want a band anymore.

OH MY GOD FLAMES ON THE SIDE OF MY FACE. Does Thailand do 5150s? Because Ray needs to be committed as a danger to himself and others. He got everything he wanted and IT'S NOT ENOUGH, just as we all (I hope) knew it wouldn't be. And then on top of that Mew refuses his kiss in private but lays one on him in Top's face and it's like he just lost it. That ugly scene, breaking up Sand's encounter with Freddie II (shades of him doing the same with Sand's date earlier in the season), claiming ownership of him (told y'all) forcing a kiss on him because Sand's his property right? Ray was downright nasty this week, and not in an enjoyable way.

[wa-wandavision]

Solar Eclipse | Y. J

Summary: you and Jeongin fall in love all over again

Ancient times, time travel, mentions of death, slightly strangers to lovers, fluff.

Ancient time Jeongin x 21st century fem reader

O.9k words

published on 7th of Febuary

Happy Birthday Innie!

You sobbed as you mourned the loss of your beloved, clutching a picture of him close to your chest.

It has been marked as nine months since your beloved had left you alone in this vicious and revolting world—nine months since he sacrificed himself for you. 

Nine months have passed since Jeongin turned to dust in front of you. Your heart ached painfully at the memory. You begged the universe every night to let you feel his arms envelop you as he calmed you with his soothing words, but it never happened.

Your cries reverberated throughout the house, but Jeongin never rushed to you like he used to, taking you in his arms, placing his palm on the back of your head, and promising that everything would be okay and that he'd be there next to you whenever things got tough for you. 

He never kissed the side of your head while holding the back of your head and soothingly stroking your back.

You needed him so much that it ached, but he wasn't there.

Jeongin never came…

You sniffed and pressed a peck on the picture of Jeongin's lips. “I miss you.” You whispered.

You stood up from the polished floor and sauntered to the bathroom to wash off your tears. Your face neared the bathroom sink as you splashed cold water onto your face, not wanting to make a mess on the floor.

You turned off the tap and grabbed a towel to dry off your face, but you felt tears swell up in your eyes as you stared at the colour of the towel.

Hot pink. Jeongins favourite colour.

You bit your lips and tilted your head back slightly and forced yourself to take a deep breath to stop yourself from crying once again. Crying all day and everyday sucked the energy out of you, and you were too tired to start crying again. 

You placed the hot pink towel to its rightful place and headed out the bathroom to the living room, grabbing your keys and phone. 

Slipping your shoes on swiftly, you left your house.

You sauntered to the beach, trying to get rid of your thoughts of Jeongin. You went to the beach for your first date, and ever since his death, you began to go every month, pretending that he was still here next to you. Just like he promised he would do whenever you felt deeply upset.

Settling down on the cool sand, you placed your handbag to your side and gazed at the ocean. You sighed at the feeling of emptiness eating away at your chest. Bringing your knees up to your chest, you rested your arms on your knees, staring at the clouds and trying to figure out what it looks like to you. 

You and Jeongin had done this a lot in the past, and it was fun to know what the other saw. You softly smiled at the memory. 

Your brown eyes softened and your face relaxed as you noticed how pretty the sky looked. The sky was pink, and it looked so pretty that you hurriedly took out your phone from your handbag and clicked a photo of the sky. You looked at your photo with a soft, sad smile. Maybe Jeongin never broke his promise after all. “So pretty.” you whispered before clicking your phone shut and placing your phone back in your bag. 

Your head tilted back, staring at the sky with adoration. “I miss you so much. I hope I get to see you again one day.”

Your serenity only lasted a few minutes before you heard a child scream panickingly for its mum. Your dark eyes widened in alarm and looked around to see if anyone reacted, but nobody did. Some of them were on their phones, and some of them were chatting to each other to realise a kid needed help. It made you think that it was just your imagination, but you were proven wrong when you heard a light, faint scream once more.

Hurriedly getting to your feet, you sauntered to the source of noise, taking your handbag with you.

Stopping near the ocean, your sharp eyes quickly spotted a small kid desperately trying to stop himself from drowning.Taking off your shoes and dropping your handbag on the wet sand, you stepped in the water, swimming to the panicked child. “You’re okay.” you attempted to reassure him, holding onto him tightly. By now, you noticed people eying the troubling scene, a few people attempting to see if the child was alright. You noticed a crying woman standing on the shore, and guessed it was the mother.You passed the child to the mother first, your body still in the cold water.

“Thank you so much.” the lady sniffed, bowing her head in respect at you. You softly smiled at her, trying to sooth her distress. As the mother gripped onto her son, you attempted to step out of the water, but a weird feeling around your ankle stopped you.

You frowned and tugged your ankles, attempting to step out of the ocean.

What a big mistake.

You felt yourself being dragged back into the lake, and you screeched in fear, reaching out your arms for help.

You tried to fight against the grip, but whatever was holding your ankle was too strong. You screamed one last time before you felt your head go underwater. You squirmed continuously, trying to fight off the grip. 

It seemed like you were underwater for too long as you began to get lightheaded. You felt your lungs burn for air as your body went weak. You couldn’t shake off whatever was holding you down. Your eyes slowly shut as your body went limp.

This probably doesn't make sense because i wrote most of this so fast.

[helios-writings]

Kind Stranger

Vash x gn!Reader

wc: 1.2k

notes: general fluff, kissing, sharing a bed.

After getting lost on your way to a new town, you get directions from a kind stranger.

The desert was hot and windy, but you endured it as you made your way to your next destination, wherever that was. You looked closer at the map, but couldn’t make sense of the direction you were headed in, which meant that you were lost. 

You groaned and shoved the map back into your pocket, getting ready to turn back the way you came when someone tapped you on the shoulder. “Um, excuse me?” 

You shrieked in surprise, nearly falling over in your hurry to back away from the stranger., but he made no move to harm you. 

His face was red and his green eyes were wide. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to startle you, I just wanted to offer you my help.”

“Didn’t anyone ever teach you not to sneak up on someone?” 

“Maybe, maybe not. You seemed lost, so I came over to help.”

You sighed heavily. “I’m trying to find the nearest town, any idea where it is?” 

The man thought for a moment and then pointed opposite of where you were facing. “About five miles that way.”

You grinned. “Thanks, I appreciate it. Are you headed that way too?” 

He shook his head. “Heading the way you came, I hear the townsfolk are real friendly!” 

“Well, I hope we run into each other again someday.” 

He smiled. “Me too. You take care now, y’hear?” 

You watched him walk away until he disappeared into the sandy hills, but it wasn’t until his red coat was swallowed up by the desert that you realized you hadn’t asked for his name. 

***

It was a few weeks before you saw your kind stranger again, but he never strayed far from your thoughts. Who was he? Most people would’ve left you to die by the desert’s hand or robbed you, but he didn’t do any of that. You wondered if you would be able to return the favor one day. 

Right at this exact moment, however, you were lost again and you wondered why you became a traveler if you were going to end up in this position so often. 

“Dad was right,” you mutter to yourself, “if the sand doesn’t kill me, something else will.” 

“Lost again, I take it?” Asked a familiar voice from your left. 

You turned and grinned. “Hey stranger, heading my way?” 

“And which way is your way?” 

“I’m supposed to be headed towards May, but I can’t find it on my map.” 

“Can I see that?” He questioned, green eyes eyeballing the map in your hand. 

“If you can make more sense of it than me, sure.” You handed him the aged piece of paper. 

“Well, you’ve got it upside down.” 

Your eyes widened and you snatched it back from him. “No way. That’s so embarrassing! My folks were right, I’m going to die.” 

He put a hand on your shoulder, in a comforting and gentle way, but his touch felt scorching. “Hey, don’t say that. Who listens to their parents, anyways?”

You sniffed. “I did, until I left home two months ago, but you don’t need to listen to me cry. We don’t even know each other.” 

His hand left your shoulder and entered your own as he shook it. “Vash. Now we know each other and you can cry all you want.” 

You laughed, and then looked at the sky darkening above you. “Wish I could, but if I want to reach May before nightfall, I’d better get a move on.” 

Vash grinned at you. “Destined to go opposite ways, are we? I’ll see you next time.” 

As the two of you went your separate ways, you felt his hand in yours and saw his smile in your mind when you closed your eyes. You hoped to see him again. 

***

You don’t meet kind Vash on the road the next time you see him. In fact, you could say you don’t see him. 

You run into someone as you both try to enter the inn at the same time, butting heads hard enough to make you wince. 

“Ah jeez,” comes a voice you know well, “I’m so sorry.” 

“Well, if it isn’t Vash, my personal navigator.” 

He beams when he realizes it’s you. “It’s you! I knew our paths would cross again soon.” 

“And we’re in the same place; a miracle in itself.” 

The two of you walk up to the front desk, chatting as you do so. 

The innkeep frowns as you approach. “I sure hope you two aren’t looking for a room; we’ve only got one left.” 

Quicker than Vash can react, you take his hand and put on a lovesick. “My husband and I are on our honeymoon, so one room won’t be an issue for us, right dear?” 

He nodded enthusiastically. “Of course, sweetheart.”  

The man frowns but hands you the key. “Well, enjoy your stay.” 

You snicker as soon as you're out of earshot and turn to Vash. “Well, dear husband, let’s go get some rest.” 

He frowns. “You sure you want to share a room with a stranger?”

You rolled your eyes. “You helped me out when you didn’t know me, think of this as me saying thank you.” 

“That was a little different.” 

“Just share the room with me, Vash.” 

He smiles, a little shocked. “You got it.” 

The room in question is a little dusty, and there's a vase of fake flowers on a nightstand that have been there for so long, the colors have faded to gray, and right in the middle of it all is a king sized bed covered in orange bedding. It’s so ugly it makes you snort.

“Nice honeymoon location.” Vash jokes, standing awkwardly to one side.

“Better than sleeping out in the desert.” You tell him, shucking off your jacket and tossing it aside.

“You’re right about that.” He’s still standing stark still, even as you climb into bed. 

“Vash, it’s fine. Just get in bed and sleep.” 

He flushes. “Oh right!” 

Vash takes off his own jacket, which covers a long sleeve black shirt, and clambers into the bed, facing you. 

Your noses are touching. 

“That wasn’t so hard, was it?” You tease. 

“I should tell you something.” He whispers, breath fanning your face. 

“Is this where you tell me you’re a wanted man? Because I knew that ages ago.” 

His eyes widened. “You knew? And you didn’t care?” 

“Of course I knew, there’s only one man named Vash that fits your description. And, as for being scared of you; well, you didn’t seem so evil back in the desert when you helped me.” 

The Humanoid Typhoon kisses you roughly, startling you so bad you nearly fall out of the bed. You both sit up and one of his hands circles around to your back, pulling you as close as he can without making you sit on top of him. You kiss back with the same fervor, remembering the heat from his hand on your shoulder and needing it all over your body if he would let you. 

Vash opens his eyes (so, so green, like nothing you’ve ever seen before) and he pulls away, embarrassed. “Guess I should’ve asked first, sorry.” 

You pull him in and place your forehead against his own. “Believe me, I could’ve stopped you if I wanted to; wanted man or not.” 

He laughs. “I believe you.” 

And he pulls you into another kiss. 

The next morning. When you ask him what direction he’s heading in, he just grins and says: “whatever direction you're headed in.” 

[arkytiorwrites]

Never Again

Sherlock Holmes x Reader x John Watson

My first BBC Sherlock post, and of course it’s a poly. Because who wouldn’t want them both?

I crept up the stairs to the flat of my boyfriends as silently as I could; not wanting to summon their landlady, Mrs. Hudson. I liked the older woman a lot, but I wasn't in the mood for her now. Right now I needed John's tea and Sherlock's hugs if they were home.

Unlocking the door to the flat , it was quickly obvious that they were out. Their coats were gone and the flat was silent. I left my backpack, coat, and shoes in a pile under the coat rack and curled up in John's chair, pulling on the jumper discarded on the armrest.

God I was so tired.

I sleepily nuzzled the shoulder for the jumper and inhaled as much of John’s scent that I could. He smelled like maple wood, hot sand, and a dash of whiskey. It always reminded me of his silent strength somehow. That John would always be there.

I was unable to continue waxing poetic because I was asleep after a few minutes.

. . .

Sherlock followed John up the stairs home in what John liked to call a 'strop’. Lestrade had called them both away from Baker Street for a case that hadn’t even been a four! Sherlock was even stroppier than normal because their wonderful partner, Y/N, would be coming home from their visit to America today and they both had wanted to be there to welcome them back. Instead, they were probably already back and had come home to a cold, empty flat. Sherlock nearly crashed into John where he had frozen in the doorway.

"John, what are you -"

" Sh!" the doctor scolded, reaching back and swatting vaguely at the lanky detective.

Looking over John, he finally saw what had caused his lover to try and shush him. Y/N had curled up and fallen asleep in John's armchair, but if that wasn't adorable enough, they had put on the dark blue jumper John had discarded earlier that afternoon.

The two men tiptoed toward their love, John crouching down in front and Sherlock kneeling at their feet.

" Baby? Wake up sweetheart," John softly urged.

Shifting a bit and letting out a soft kitten mewl, Y/N’s eyes fluttered and lit up the moment they saw the doctor.

"John?” they asked softly.

"Hi, love," he smiled reaching out and gently brushing their cheek.

They gave the ash-blond man a sleepy smile before looking around the room until they spotted the detective.

"Sherlock?"

"Hello, darling," he murmured, reaching out and gently rubbing their calf in a rare show of affection.

They yawned cutely before asking, "How was the case?"

"It wasn't even a four," Sherlock sniffed, standing and taking off his coat and scarf, hanging them on the coat rack.

"Which never a good thing for Greg,” John sighed standing as well.

"Tea?" he offered as the tempemental detective aggressively flopped onto the couch.

"If you don't mind," Y/N mumbled sleepily sitting up and rubbing their eyes.

John leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his partner's forchread before going to the kitchen.

Y/N stood from the doctors chair and shuffled over to the couch, where Sherlock sat in one of his many thinking poses. At Y/N’s approach, however, he held out an arm in clear invitation and the young American happily snuggled into his side. Sherlock tugged them closer and rested his cheek on their head.

"How was Oregon?" he asked quietly.

“Wet, windy, cold. The usual," they quipped.

"You know what I meant,” the brunet scolded.

"Not any different then when I left three years ago. Hannah’s got herself a contract. Rosemary and the other's are still at home. Mom and Dad haven’t changed theyre just a bit grayer now,” Y/N shrugged. "But I'd forgotten how beautiful it is in spring over there."

Sherlock hummed noncommittally before the two lapsed into a comfortable silence.

A few minutes later, John emerged from the kitchen with two mugs of tea. He doled them out accordingly, giving the loves of his life a kiss each before going back for his own own. He came back and sat on Y/N’s unoccupied side, the three of them happy together.

"You are not allowed to leave us for that long ever again,” Sherlock announced just as Y/N was beginning to drift off again.

“I was only gone for two weeks,” they mumbled, confused.

"Exactly. Far too long," John agreed, nodding seriously.

Y/N playfully groaned as they said, "Of course, I would somehow and up with the most clingy boyfriends in all of the UK."

“You love us, " Sherlock snorted.

“Yeah," they agreed, happily snuggling into the self proclaimed sociopath’s shoulder. "I do."

[rmoonstoner]

The Temple

***

Chapter 3 - The truth shall set you free

***

Note:

My apologies for taking so long on this one. I had written this chapter, then promptly lost the will to write for a while. I never posted it, then I forgot that it was ready to post. Whoops, my bad.

***

Warnings:

18+ smutty foreplay? Language, mentions of past trauma, feeling denial, angsty vibes, romantic sort of?, sex pollen/berries

***

Summary:

You don't get one. It will spoil the chapter.

***

Soon you both were just hovering over one of these odd bushes and eating handfuls of blue raspberries. You both hadn't eaten in a whole day, so the sustenance was greatly appreciated. After you finished eating, you felt your body heat up, like the air in the cool chamber was growing in temperature. You kept quiet about it, figuring he didn't need to hear you whine about something as trivial as being hot, especially since it had been hot for days.

Steven took you by the hand all around the perimeter of the place, to hopefully look for more clues. When you got back to the beginning entrance, which was now shut, Steven appeared to be sweating just as badly as you. He was tugging on his tie, trying to loosen it a bit, and he banished his gloves away, then his suit jacket.

"Blimey, it got hot all of a sudden, which is odd. We're underground, in a very cool, temperature controlled climate. How are you holding up?" Steven asked. You huffed and took off your backpack, setting it down in the ground as you took off your long coat meant to keep the sun and sand off of you. You didn't exactly need it right now anyways. You grabbed two water bottles from your pack, and handed one to Steven.

Both of you cracked them open and chugged them back in a way that left you gasping for air. You only felt a little bit refreshed, and you decided to remove your shirt, leaving you in a sports bra. You shoved your things into your bag, wishing you could just vanish it away the way they did with their suit. You started to walk to the center of the oasis, where a large purple obelisk was standing in the biggest pool of water.

It didn't take very long to get to the pillar. Steven was breathing heavily as he stared at you in that bra. He had seen you in your underwear before, but every time he would act like it was the first time, and he would always let out a sigh when he saw your breasts in the thin and nearly see-through fabric. Then he watched you go to the lavender stone for a few moments, just looking at it, trying to figure out what it was made of. Amethyst maybe?

"Damn. That's a big amethyst point. It's perfect." Steven followed you to inspect it, confirming your suspicions.

As cool as that was, you were thirsty, hot, and very uncomfortable. Sweat was dripping down your hair to your back, pooling and soaking the back of your pants and knees. You only had two more water bottles, and you were thirsty. You saw Steven whispering to himself, knowing he was trying to work out what the obelisk said. You smiled at the way he would switch to talking to Marc or Jake, and it was adorable to watch. Steven turned to you, and he sighed.

"This thing says the water here is enchanted. It quenches thirst, and gives energy," Steven said, and he pointed to the various pools of water.

"It also says it's purified and blessed by Hathor herself," he said, and he took his empty bottle of water to fill it from the nearest spring.

"Let me try it, make sure it's alright to drink. You can save your bottles for yourself, and by then, we'll know if the water is good enough for you. If we're here that long, anyways." Steven sighed and he sniffed the water. It smelled sweet, and it was slightly blue, like the berries you had ingested. He took a swig, smacked his lips, and the same blissful and serene look came over his face from before.

"Bloody hell. It tastes just like the raspberries. It must be how they get the taste and color." Steven said, then he promptly chugged the rest of the bottle back. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and he leaned back against a tree, head tipped back as he peered at the pillar.

You stared at him, seeing him run his hand through his hair and wiping his palm on his pants. You could see his skin was warm with perspiration, the sweat slowly making its way down his neck, down his Adam's apple, and down into the collar of his shirt. You swallowed hard, and imagined kissing him, tasting the salt on his skin.

Afterwards, he rolled up both of his sleeves in a slow and precise manner, showing off his powerful forearms that you had secretly drooled over for the past twenty or so odd years. You could see his dress shirt had dark patches under his arms, at the small of his back, and the dip around his tie. He was cooking in the heat, yet the air was almost icy cold, his breath coming out in a fine mist.

You weren't doing too well yourself. You were sweating and burning up, and you felt an odd sensation in the pit of your stomach that went straight to your groin. It felt similar to doing drugs, the kind you used to do in your early twenties. Moving was becoming unbearable, because the fabric of your pants was scratchy and hot. You looked at the pool of water, wishing to cool down in it.

"You think the gods would be mad if I bathed in one of these pools?" you asked, and no sooner had you said the words, then the pillar began to glow and pulse. Slowly an image of a beautiful and ethereal woman with long horns appeared in the stone.

"Greetings, mortals. Welcome to the temple of bonding. Ah, Avatars of Khonshu, welcome. And a very warm welcome to your lady friend. Thank you for coming here," the woman in the pillar gently said in greeting. Steven stepped up to face her.

"Uh, thanks. Why did you need us to come here, Hathor? You didn't exactly tell the big bird what it is you needed us to retrieve. You just said a priceless artifact. What does it look like?" Steven asked. Hathor began to chuckle as she gave him a lewd looking sneer.

"I need a special gem. It will only reveal itself if a God's Avatar declares a deeply buried, but known and unspeakable truth. They must make an oath of bonding, and then give an offering as tribute. Only then, will the gem be freed from its prison. Only then, will you two escape this place," Hathor's image replied with sparkling eyes.

Steven tilted his head and scratched his temple. He looked confused, and to be honest, so were you. The heat was becoming more bothersome, and at this point, you just wanted to ask Hathor if it would be alright to relax for a little bit in one of the clear sparkling pools of blue water.

"Well, I have a question!" you said with a bit of a pant. Hathor chuckled again and she nodded.

"Yes?"

"I think I have heat stroke or something. Would it be okay to rest and lounge in the water? Just until I feel a bit better, and while Steven tries to figure out what to do."

"Oh, of course! Both of you actually should. I recommend the large one with this obelisk. It's deep and calming, and has a nice shallow slope on one end. And yes, the water is drinkable. I suggest you get comfortable, because you'll be here for a while," Hathor said with a mischievous look on her face.

You sighed with happiness, and thanked her as you set your bag down by some flat rocks next to the pool she mentioned. You kicked off your shoes and toed off your socks. You rummaged around your bag for the small towel you had, and you put it out onto the rock.

"Okay. But what do you mean by that? How long is a while?" Steven asked as he unbuttoned his vest and willed it away.

"Well, the tribute that is required will take a while."

"What exactly is this tribute? You're not going to make me sacrifice her, I hope? You said no harm will come to her." Steven was worried, but the worry faded when Hathor erupted into a fit of giggles.

"Oh, heavens… No. Didn't my brother tell you?" she asked while wiping a tear from her eye. Steven did not look amused, and his response told her that, no, Khonshu did not tell him or his alters what was expected.

"Is this woman not your most trusted friend?"

"Oh, yes. I trust her. We all trust her. With our very lives if it came down to it."

"Would you die for her?"

"I know I would. Jake says he trusts her, and he would die for her a thousand times over," Steven softly whispered, but you still heard him. It made you blush, and the hot feeling in your gut got worse. You squeezed your legs together as you ease yourself into the pool. The water instantly cooled your skin down, but it made the odd rush in your blood stronger, like you just snorted a few rails of uppers. You tried to concentrate on your breathing so Steven wouldn't get worried, but you were finding it difficult.

"I want to hear it from him," Hathor requested, and the suit morphed to the one Jake usually wore. His face was free of any mask, showing off his hardened expression, melting into a soft one similar to Steven's.

"Sí. I trust her more than anything in this world. I would fight anyone, including your brother, to make sure she was safe. I would gladly trade my life for hers. Ella lo es todo para mí. Mi luz, mi amor, mi vida," Jake rasped out as he stared at you with an affectionate grin. You felt your heart flutter, and your lower half surged with that burning sensation between your thighs. Fuck, you always loved it when he spoke Spanish. It did the same naughty things to you as Steven's accent.

"What about Marc Spector? What does he say?" Hathor softly asked, and Jake was quiet for a moment as he tried to get Marc to answer.

"Marc Spector. Answer me," the Goddess firmly said once more, and Jake went rigid as his eyes rolled and his jaw clenched with a hiss. A second later, his face was all scowls and his suit was changing to the one with the cape and hood, but with no mask and the hood down.

"I asked you a question, Marc Spector. Please answer me. I'm not like Khonshu. I won't belittle you for your response."

Marc sighed as he glanced over to you. You were in the water up to your nose, watching and listening. He was ashamed he couldn't easily answer this question the way Steven and Jake had.

"I… I do trust her. She's always been there for me. For my alters…"

"But would you die for her?" Hathor pressed, sounding a tad annoyed that it was taking him so long to admit it.

"Yes." Was all he could muster as he hung his head. His clothes started to shift back to Steven's suit, leaving Steven standing there the way he was before, with no gloves, jacket, or vest.

Steven was about to ask one more question, when Hathor's image suddenly faded out as she wished you both good luck. Her last words echoed through the oasis, and it sent a chill down Steven's spine, right into his middle, where all three of them felt it.

"Remember! You must face an unspoken truth, and speak it out loud, then I require tribute!"

Steven chewed his lower lip as he came up to where you were. You were only in your underwear, a black sports bra, and a matching set of panties. He felt himself flush and he scolded himself for growing hard.

'Steven. She looks beautiful,' Jake suddenly whispered to him. Steven gulped as his clothing shifted back to his funky coloured shirt and khaki pants. He took off his shirt, his eyes never leaving your form as you floated on your back with closed eyes.

'She looks stressed. Her brows are furrowed, like she's in pain,' Marc spoke up.

"Maybe she has a headache. She did say she wasn't feeling too well. Like she had a heat stroke or something. Come to think of it, I don't feel very good, myself. I feel overly hot, my blood feels like it's boiling and tingling in my veins…" Steven trailed off, then lowered his voice so you wouldn't hear him.

"And I'm hard as a rock. How am I supposed to get in the water, without her noticing?"

'Just do it now. Her eyes are shut,' Marc suggested and Jake started laughing.

'Yeah, hermanito. Just strip already and get in the water.'

Steven grumbled and stripped down to his boxers. Well, these ones were actually Jake's, and he didn't care too much for how tight they were. They offered no way of hiding his raging erection. On that thought, he slid into the cold water with a sigh and clung to the side of the pool as he found the floor that allowed him to stand with his head out of the water. He started to wade out towards you while thinking about what Hathor had said.

He was stuck in his thoughts. Of the specific word, 'bonding', and then the sign that had the weird poem. He decided the poem was a hint, and he shut his eyes to try and remember what it said. The words came tumbling from his mouth, and he started to feel strange, almost feverish:

Berries of blue,

Eat and become new,

Find the center,

Your true selves will be free,

Keep it true,

Bind yourself to three,

Drink of ecstasy,

Show your hearts to thee.

"Steven? Are you okay?" You suddenly asked him, but he wasn't able to hear you. There was a nasty buzzing in his ears, and he was suddenly plagued with the worst head rush he had ever had. He stared at his reflection, which at the moment, it was Jake looking back at him with a quizzical look. You saw Steven holding his head, gripping his hair tightly. His head was hanging so close to the water, his nose was touching it. You flipped onto your stomach and swam over to him.

"Steven?" You gently said while placing your hand onto his shoulder. The moment you did, he growled, and stumbled back like you had just burned him.

"Are you alright? Steven?" You said as you chased him to the edge of the pool.

"I think I'm gonna be sick," Steven replied with a shaky breath, and he promptly lost consciousness, falling into the water completely. You panicked and dove down to grab him, but he was just out of your reach. You hated opening your eyes in the water, but you did so to see him better.

You blinked when you saw three bodies suspended just inches above the floor of the pool. Your mind raced when you realized they all looked the same. You grabbed one and hauled him up onto the shore, then you grabbed the other two. All three still had their legs dangling in the water, and all three were starting to cough and sputter.

You were stunned, seeing there were three of Steven now. One was sitting up and coughing badly, while another rolled onto his stomach to vomit. The last one just grit his teeth and he squinted at you while swiping a lock of wet hair from his face.

"God damn. Steven, what the fuck happened?" Marc said. At least the one who just vomited sounded like Marc.

The one coughing managed to huff out a reply between wheezes, and that one sounded like Steven.

"I said I was gonna be sick, mate. What more do you want from me?"

The last one, well, he craned his neck to look at the other two who were right beside him. He tilted his head and raised a brow, then looked down at himself and his hands. The gears quickly whirled around in his head.

"Hermanos…" Jake's voice spoke up, but Steven and Marc kept bitching.

"Seriously, Steven, I don't want to share this experience. Take the body back this instant. Hell, Jake, take the body!" Marc blurted out, right before he puked again.

"Haha, real funny, Marc. I was going to ask the same thing…"

"Hermanos!" Jake yelled this time. Both the other two fell silent as they turned to look at Jake.

Marc's eyes went wide, while Steven's jaw went slack. A second later, they looked at each other, then right back at Jake. You floated there looking just as stunned.

All three of your boys were there, and separated from each other. You reached out, going to touch the ankle of the one staring at you intently. Jake. He felt so real, and just the same as before, but with his facial expressions. You turned to Steven, and grabbed his ankle to do the same thing. They felt exactly the same, but the way they reacted when you grabbed them was entirely different.

Jake had reached out to wrap his hand around your wrist when you grabbed him. He stared at you with a warm grin as his thumb rubbed yours in slow and soothing circles. Steven blushed and placed his hand over yours, his eyes darting to where you held Jake with the other hand, and then back to his own ankle, a large smile plastered to his face.

And Marc…

Poor Marc had just finished wiping his mouth and chugging back one of your water bottles to get rid of the taste of bile mixed with raspberries in his throat. He huffed and looked at you, still in the water, between his legs while you held onto Steven and Jake.

His brain started to backfire.

This wasn't possible.

There was absolutely no fucking way that this was happening right now.

"This is mental, innit? You guys seeing this, yeah?" Steven said as he reached out to touch Marc. Marc flinched, and stared at Steven. It was like the Duat all over again, and he felt panic rising up in his chest.

"Are we dying again?" Marc asked as he checked his entire body out. Nothing was amiss. He even looked over at Jake, seeing the man was not bothered at all by what was happening. Marc noticed that Jake was more focused on your hand, than trying to figure out why they had been split apart.

"I don't think you guys are dying," You offered up as you removed your hand from Steven to place on Marc's thigh. Marc looked at your hand and frowned.

"I think she's right, mate. Hathor did say we would not be harmed."

"I think this counts as being harmed, Steven. We're all separate. How are we supposed to figure out what to do like this?" Marc motioned to their bodies with a grunt.

"Well, she's not harmed," Steven muttered back.

Jake started laughing and you looked up at his face. He turned to look at you, and his hand on yours tightened, beginning to pull you up to a standing position between his legs. Marc stared at Jake, and a feeling of dread started to well up in his chest.

He knew how his alters felt about you.

They adored you.

They loved you, just like he did. You were always there for them, with minimal questions asked, and now for the first time in his life, he was seeing Jake's expression of intent, and Marc was scared. He had seen that look before on his own face, and on Steven's when they used to drink with you.

Pure, unhinged affection.

What he failed to realize, is that Jake was calmer than he had been in his entire life. Jake was able to think clearly, without them nattering in his head. With having to be constantly willing them to stay down so they couldn't be conscious at the same time. Now he didn't have to be on high alert. Now all that was on Jake's mind was you.

"Mi Vida… Mi amor…" Jake purred out as he wrapped his arms tightly around you and stuffed his face into the crook of your neck. The closeness and the sudden declaration that escaped his lips made you shiver and a small moan escaped your mouth as he rubbed your back.

Jake understood what needed to be done. He might have always been the quiet one that lurked in the background, but he was always watching and listening. He had heard and seen that inscription on the rock, and he had heard Hathor's cryptic and riddle-like words of advice. He knew Marc wouldn't be the one to figure it out first, and if he did, he would pretend like he was stupid, because he knew Marc was deathly afraid to tell you the truth.

But now was his moment. Marc couldn't stop him this time, even if he was mortified with the way Jake was holding you.

"Don't fucking touch her like that!" Marc snapped just as Jake started to leave sloppy and open mouthed kisses to your throat. You shook in his hold, feeling that heat inside of your belly increased ten fold. You barely even heard Marc's words as Jake tucked you closer to his chest.

"Fuck off, Spector," Jake retorted as he turned to glare at Marc. Marc grit his teeth, ready to throw down if he had to, when Steven grabbed his shoulder hard, and pulled him back.

"Marc. Calm down-" Steven started to say, but Marc slapped his hand away as he growled at him.

"No, Steven! I can't fucking calm down. Jake's taking advantage of her and-"

"He's not taking advantage of her, mate. Look at her eyes. She wants him. She's always wanted him," Steven whispered as he pointed at you and the way your face was pressed into Jake's chest. Marc deflated, knowing damn well Steven was right.

"She's wanted this with all of us," Jake replied softly, his hands rubbing and squeezing at your back. He moved one hand to your chin, and tilted your face up to look him in the eye.

"Isn't that right, mi amor?" He rasped, his eyes deeply set on yours. You swallowed thickly and nodded. You would have been crying by now, had your insides not felt like you were filled with drugs that messed with your senses. All you felt was arousal and longing, a feeling that had been there for years for these men when they were of one body.

And you were now at your breaking point, having Jake so close, hearing his heartbeat as your face rested against the palm of his hand, his thumb stroking your cheek.

"I know I've wanted her since day one. I even tried to make you see that, Spector. You never should have married Layla. You should have married this one, right here," Jake growled the words as he glared at him.

"Oh. So you're the one that kept fucking things up in my marriage!" Marc raised his voice in an accusational manner. Jake snorted and clicked his tongue.

"I'm not the one that would start drinking to cope with the guilt of being with the wrong person. You would start fights with Layla, then black out half way through them, leaving me to fucking deal with it. Yes. I will admit it. I did purposely come out to start fights with her. But I hardly ever had to with the way you kept fucking things up. I came out and made it worse, then let you back, only for you to start drinking. I'd wait for you to pass out, then I would take us where we belonged. With her. Isn't that right, Steven?" Jake remarked as he looked at Steven.

Steven blushed and looked away. He knew Jake was right. All those times he'd pass out, then come to in your flat. He always went along with it, figuring it was normal, and that you somehow kept him grounded. You did keep him grounded, and you never told him to leave. You always welcomed him.

"All those nights spent cuddling under a blanket, reading to her, or telling her stories about mythology. You can't say that's just a friend hanging out with a friend. Holding her hand, and rubbing her back. When she almost died, we didn't leave her side for months. Steven and I legitimately took care of her, while you just shut right off. You couldn't bear to see her like that, yet you made us do it. Even after she said she loved us. All of us," Jake laid down the hard truths right in front of Marc, and he wasn't sugar coating it.

"No. She can't love us. We're fucked up. We've killed people. We-" Marc tried to argue, but Jake smacked his arm with a growl.

"I said shut up, Spector. I think it's time to stop running from this. Steven knows I'm right, and so do you. I know, deep in my bones, that this is why Hathor demanded she come with us," Jake snapped back at Marc.

He looked at you again, going to rub his thumb over your lower lip. You shut your eyes as his fingers stroked the side of your neck.

"You've loved us for a long time, mi luz de luna. You've always been here for us. You didn't try to stop Marc from getting married, because you didn't want him to know that you loved us. You just wanted him to be happy… You didn't want to be rejected, right?" Jake asked as your eyes filled with tears.

All the emotions were becoming too much.

The heat in your belly, the turmoil of loving these three very different people…

"Yes. I've loved you all, with all of my heart. I just wanted Marc to be happy, even if it wasn't with me."

"Well he wasn't happy. Did you know that?" Jake said and you blinked.

"He forgot Layla's birthday, their anniversary, and the holiday." Jake carefully said.

You knew what he was getting at, because Marc never forgot about you when it was your birthday, or the holidays.

"He would go out and get her meals or drinks, and always come back with your favorites. She would be mad when Marc mentioned you. He doesn't know what her favorite color is, yet he remembers yours. He would buy her your favorite flowers, a kind she hates. He would bring home little trinkets from our missions, and she would be furious with him when he said he bought them for you, yet he didn't bring anything home for her." As Jake went on to tell you all the little things that Marc had done while he was with Layla. You were touched, although a little sad for the woman that never really had his love.

Jake leaned down and kissed your forehead, then down to your cheek, and finally your mouth. It was a soft and loving kiss, one that conveyed just how much he cared for you. He slowly slipped into the water with you while giving Steven an odd look. Steven returned the look, and he too slipped into the water. Marc continued to sit there on the edge of the pool as he watched Steven wade over to you, with Jake turning you to face him, his chest flush up against your back with both hands firmly holding onto your waist.

"Jake's right, Marc. I've loved her too, since the beginning. I've just been too scared to say or do anything." Steven murmured softly as he reached out to hug you.

He pressed his forehead against yours and looked into your eyes. All he could see was adoration and love…

And that deep rumbling of lust that was brewing inside. The same lust that was coursing through his veins this very second.

Steven pressed his lips to yours, but he surprised you with how hard he kissed you. He was all teeth and tongue, licking into your mouth as he pressed himself close to you, sandwiching you between him and Jake. You whimpered as he moved to your neck, while Jake took the other side, leaving you in a sea of bliss as they nudged and pawed at you from both sides.

Marc was shocked to see how aggressive Steven was being. How he had no hesitation, no regret, and no fear as he kissed you. He was even more shocked to see that Jake was calm and allowing Steven to take what he wanted from you. He was especially shocked to see how eagerly you kissed him back, with the same urgency and need.

"How can you do that to her? How can you just… Just-" Marc stammered as he watched Steven reach down and hike your legs up around his waist. At the same time, Jake was smoothing his hands up your sides. Both of them were touching you just right, driving you insane.

"Love her?" Steven shot back in a deeper voice without even bothering to look at Marc. He looked at Jake, and he smiled lewdly. Jake gave him a grin back as he met Marc's gaze. He could feel the heat, and the tightness of his boxers against your body.

"It's easy. Stop lying to yourself. You want this… You want her, just as much as we do," Jake stated as he nipped your neck. He was feeling the heat in his own stomach, and he was losing his patience with Marc. He was about ready to just stop talking to him, and show Marc exactly what needed to be done.

"Yeah, mate. Stop fighting it. We aren't going to any more. That's the point of this quest, innit, Jake?" Steven nearly groaned as Jake pressed you against him.

You squirmed between them, finally understanding what was going on. Jake looked at you with a smoldering expression.

"Sí. Hathor knows how much we love you. She wants us to be with you, hoping to keep us from slipping into the darkness of being her brother's Avatar," Jake said while he kissed your neck. He was quickly slipping deeper and deeper into the feelings of lust as time ticked away.

Marc barely moved an inch when he saw Jake cup one of your breasts. His nimble digits peeled the cup of your bra down, exposing your soft mound of flesh. Jake was pinching and rolling your nipple between his rough fingers, causing you to moan and squirm more. Steven couldn't help himself, and he moved his hands to undo your bra, pulling it off and flinging it behind him. It smacked Marc in the knee, and he stared at the wet garment of clothing. He looked up just in time to see Steven dip his face down to capture a nipple in his mouth.

His heart twisted in his chest, and that hot feeling in his center was getting worse. He was also filled with jealousy, seeing his alters were freely touching you, and making you moan for them.

Without him.

You were moaning for them, and not him.

***

A special thanks for proofreading goes to:

@moonmoonboys

***

TAGS:

@maizieval @elliaze @pascalsism @everythingsfan @philiasoul @classypeachlightsalad @sgt-morgan @bibibeu @darkes-desires @official-witch-of-night @vinz-vinz @dynamiter-lune @gardenof-venus

[scorpionrising]

there's an ache in you, put there by the ache in me (pt. 2: it's a war, it's the fiercest fight of my life)

pairing: aemond targaryen x oc word count: 5822 content warning: same as part 1 read part 1 here

notes: feel more than free to read whatever you want into rhaenyra and daena's relationship

Daena and Aemond had barely breached the mouth of the cave Vermithor slinked off into before they were met by the screech of a dragon Daena knew all too well. Syrax in all her yellow-golden glory landed hard on the sand in front of them and Daena wondered briefly if she should have bound Aemond’s hands. He had no weapons and the thought of him harming her had never crossed her mind, but perhaps it would have looked better. Less suspicious. He was supposed to be her prisoner after all. 

When Rhaenyra dismounted, Jaehaerys’s crown gleaming atop her head, Daena watched as the older woman’s face betrayed every one of her feelings. Confusion being the most prominent. But that did not stop her from rushing forward and pulling Daena into a crushing embrace. At the same time, Syrax maneuvered herself into Aemond’s path even though he made no attempt for escape. For the time being, Rhaenyra paid no mind to her half-brother. 

“We thought you dead,” Rhaenyra whispered, eyes glassy as she took in Daena’s appearance. “Luke told us…” Syrax growled, baring her sharp teeth at Aemond. “He said you sacrificed yourself for him.” 

“It was my intention to,” Daena admitted. “But when we fell into the bay and I realized Aemond and I were both still alive, I felt I had no choice but to keep it that way.” 

Rhaenyra raised an eyebrow and hummed with the same tone and sharpness that Aemond did. Daena felt vaguely ill for it.

“I cannot put into words how dearly glad I am to see you alive and well,” Rhaenyra said. “Though you’ve gotten very thin. I’ll arrange for a hot bath and meal for you as soon as we reach the castle.” 

“Thank you,” Daena said, on the verge of tears herself. And then, because she simply could not seem to help herself when it came to him. “What of your brother?” 

Rhaenyra’s eyes were sharp and cold as she finally turned to her much younger brother. Aemond stood tall, glaring at her with as much vitriol his single eye could muster. The clouds shifted and a beam of light hit the center of his sapphire eye. The sapphire she gave him as reward for saving her life. She left her mark upon him as he did her, and she touched her scar gently. Were they even now? An eye for an eye, a life for a life. 

“Brother,” Rhaenyra finally said, breaking the heavy silence. 

Aemond sniffed. “Sister.” 

Their voices dripped with the same casual indifference, though Daena knew there was more hurt between the both of them than either would care to acknowledge. Once, Rhaenyra told Daena, she had been quite fond of Aegon and Helaena, trying in earnest to get to know them. But, by the time Aemond came along there was more than enough bad blood between Rhaenyra and Alicent for Rhaenyra to lose nearly all access to her young and impressionable siblings. There had never been a chance for them to be a true family. Daena pitied them all— even Aegon, if only mildly.  

“You are lucky for Lady Daena’s gentle heart,” Rhaenyra said.

“Is that what we’re calling dragonslayers these days?” Aemond retorted.

Despite herself, Daena flinched. Vhagar’s death would be a ghost haunting her legacy for all of time, but what pained her more was that she took something irreplaceable from Aemond when he had longed for a dragon for so very long. It was she who encouraged him to lay claim to Vhagar, and thus set forth the circumstances that led to him losing his eye. And it was she who took his dragon from her. He had said he forgave her, but how could she believe him when he slipped into the facade with so little trouble? 

“Her stopping you from murdering my son is the only reason you still draw breath, brother, make no mistake,” Rhaenyra said in an even and calculated tone. 

“He has agreed to bend the knee!” Daena blurted. Then, added in haste, “My queen.” 

Rhaenyra’s fondness for her was what allowed her to get away with such irreverence. She shot Daena a look that Daena recognized well as a look Jace was often on the receiving end of when his temper and pride flared. 

“Does she speak the truth?” Rhaenyra asked.

Aemond nodded barely imperceptibly. “If you’ll have me, dear sister.”

It was the same tone as that last dinner the night Viserys died. “Let us drain our cups to these three strong boys.” Insecurity made flesh, a cornered dog lashing out. Daena wished she could take it all away from him and make him see that his family were not so bad. She was, most unfortunately, impossibly and irreversibly fond of Prince Aemond. 

“You will remain weaponless, under constant guard for the time being,” Rhaenyra said icily. 

A luxurious prisoner; Daena was almost sure he would rather go to the Wall. But surely he had known what awaited him when he decided to change his allegiance. Daena had to believe Aemond knew what he was doing and welcomed the uphill climb he faced. Aemond went quietly, walking silently between Rhaenyra and Daena the entire hike back to the castle. When they reached the courtyard, all the servants, knights, and royal attendants stopped and stared. 

Ghosts walked the halls of Dragonstone now, and Aemond would haunt her every waking moment until the day she died, she was certain. He had wormed himself into her heart, and he would stay there forever, for that was how Daena loved. But all that was to say, really, that she did not love Aemond. 

Jace intercepted them in the entrance hall. His hair had grown longer in the time Daena was gone, long enough for the natural wave of his hair to loop into rich curls that tumbled past his chin. A stalwart and true prince, a worthy heir to the throne. His dark brown eyes flickered from Daena, to his mother, to Aemond, and then back to Daena. As his mouth dropped open, Daena thought he might say something, but he quickly closed it and rushed her at full speed. She was lifted from the ground into his arms as he embraced her with strength she did not remember him having. 

“You’re alive,” he whispered into her ear through her hair. “I wept for days when Luke told us what happened. I’m furious with you.” 

Daena laughed wetly as her nose threatened to begin to run. Being so cut off from family had been harder than she realized. At least in the Step Stones, her father, uncle, and cousins were there with her. Though Vaemond, Daemion, and Daeron were all prideful idiots, they provided the comfort of familiarity, of home. There had been no trace of any of the sort on Hog Isle. 

“I will tell you everything,” Daena said, knowing it was a lie as she spoke. “And I wish for you to tell me everything.”.” 

She and Jace parted and that was when he noticed Aemond. Whereas Rhaenyra’s face had betrayed her confusion, Jace’s face showed nothing short of rage. His hand went to the sword strapped to his hip, a new development for him on Dragonstone. He had never done that before and her heart broke just a bit for him. He would never be a boy again. 

“Ser Lorent,” Rhaenyra said, addressing the Kingsguard that trailed after Jace with a healthy breadth. “Please locate Ser Harrold for me and tell him to meet us in the council chambers.” 

The knight eyed Aemound warily, but nodded. “Yes, my queen.” 

“Why is he not already rotting in the cells?” Jace spat. 

“He claims he wishes to bend the knee,” Rhaenyra said. 

Aemond stood a head and a half taller than her, but she seemed to loom even taller than him. Daena chanced a glance at Aemond’s face, pulled tighter than she had ever seen it before. This was humiliating for him, clearly. Was he really doing this all because he thought it was what she wanted? Though, she also supposed he had no other choice, really. It was either bend the knee and be a free man only in name, forever bound to suspicion and constant guard, or be sent to the Wall. And she wagered he would rather die than sentence himself to a dreary life in the frozen north. Jace scoffed at his mother’s words but said nothing in argument, turning to lead them further into the castle to the council chambers. 

Ser Harrold was already waiting for them at the painted table. His face betrayed nothing. 

“Ser Harrold,” Rhaenyra greeted. “I would like you to serve as Prince Aemond’s personal guard. He is to go nowhere alone, ever.”

“Yes, my queen,” Ser Harrold said without argument. 

Aemond said nothing. Daena doubted he would until forced. Even then, too, it was not a sure thing. He had always been the silent type, even as a child from what she could remember. While Jace, Luke, and Aegon sprinted through the halls of the Red Keep or the dragonpit, Aemond often lingered behind. There were many times where the two of them found themselves walking together, watching the other boys run themselves into trouble, and it was rare he spoke to her even at the times she initiated conversation. Always sullen and quiet and strange, but she always enjoyed that. Even now, after everything, she enjoyed it. Enjoyed him. 

“Tell me,” Rhaenyra said, “what happened in the sky above Storm’s End? I should like to hear it in your words, Daena.” 

Daena glanced sideways at Aemond. “I told Luke to keep flying no matter what, to use Arrax’s size to his advantage and go where Vhagar could not, and I would intercept Vhagar.” 

Vhagar. Not Prince Aemond. Daena wished she hated Aemond, that she would try and make his actions seem worse than they were rather than trying to minimize his fault. She had forgiven him, where it had not been her place to do so. But then again, Aemond had tried to dissuade Vhagar once he realized he went too far. She squared her shoulders and proceeded. 

“Arrax was frightened and blew flames at Vhagar, and that was when Prince Aemond lost control of Vhagar. She began acting of her own accord, and I knew I had to stop them. So, I commanded Vermithor to kill. We fell into the bay and I was shocked to be alive,” Daena explained. 

Rhaenyra arched an eyebrow and turned her gaze to Aemond. “From your perspective now.” 

He bristled but relented. “Lady Daena speaks the truth.”

“That’s all you have to say for yourself?” Jace snapped. “You tried to murder my brother.”

“He returned home unharmed, did he not?” Aemond retorted with just as much venom. 

“If I may?” Daena cut in. “Prince Aemond is too proud to admit this, but I am not and I have no wishes to let animosity grow where it can be stifled. I do not believe it was Prince Aemond’s intent to murder, perhaps to harass and frighten, but he did not set out to become a kinslayer. He tried to stop Vhagar once he realized he had gone too far. I could hear him yelling the commands.”

She could not meet Jace’s eyes as she spoke, and Rhaenyra’s own gaze became far too heavy to hold after a moment. She dropped her eyes to the floor, waiting for a response. 

“Ser Harrold, please bring Prince Aemond to one of the guest chambers in the Sea Dragon Tower. Ensure he is comfortable, but do not let him out of your sight… And remove anything in the chambers he might use as a weapon. I will also leave it in your capable hands to see to the making of a guard shift.” 

Ser Harrold nodded in deference to his queen and grabbed hold of Aemond’s arm to bring him away. When it was just Daena, Jace, and Rhaenyra left alone, the queen crumbled into a seat with a heavy sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. 

“Jace, go find a maid and have them prepare Daena’s usual chambers with a hot bath, fresh and warmed furs, and a big meal. I will update her on all she has missed out on.” 

He cast one long, meaningful glance in Daena’s direction before nodding at his mother and leaving the room. They did not speak again until the heavy door groaned shut. 

“Laenor has returned.” 

“What?” 

Rhaenyra looked down. “After your presumed death, I flew to Essos to retrieve him. It did not feel right to keep him away from your parents in their grief. Or his.” Again, her eyes turned glassy. “Your mother nearly set Storm’s End alight for Borros’s handling of things.” 

Daena felt tackled by her guilt. While the people who loved her mourned her, she was whoring herself for the enemy without a care in the world. Whatever gods there were, they would not look favorably upon her. Of that she was certain. Aemond was right. She was a wicked and vile woman. And though he had not let her reputation fall to ruin, she was ruined at her core.  

“There’s more,” Rhaenyra said. “Your mother— Daena, she…”

“Don’t,” Daena whispered. “Please, Rhaenyra—”

“It happened two weeks ago a–at Rook’s Rest. She— She met Aegon and Daeron on dragonback with Baela. Baela is fine, suffered some mild burns when fighting Daeron and Tessarion, but she’s back at Harrenhal with Daemon.” 

Daena squeezed her eyes shut. “And my mother?” 

“She did not survive her encounter with Aegon. Nor did Meleys hers with Sunfyre.” 

“Gods.” Daena let out a choked sob. “And Aegon?”

“Crippled, half-burned, addled on Milk of the Poppy according to reports,” Rhaenyra said. “Sunfyre will never fly again.” 

Daena’s eyes stung bitterly, but she did not let the tears so desperate to escape fall. Not now. Not when it was it all could have been avoided if Daena had not been— Well, it felt like her fault entirely. 

“Your father continues to patrol the Gullet. Rhaena has gone to stay with my cousin, Jeyne Arryn, as her ward, along with Aegon and Viserys. Luke is at Driftmark currently, but he will be joining Daemon and Baela at Harrenhal in three days’ time.” 

“I—” She ran a hand over her face and ran her nails hard down the side of her neck. “I need— My chambers—”

“Yes,” Rhaenyra said quickly. “Of course.”

The moment Rhaenyra offered her approval, Daena tore from the chamber. She sprinted through the gallery of the Stone Drum and burst into the Sea Dragon Tower at top speed. She needed to get to her chambers so she could fall apart in peace, but it was getting harder and harder to breathe. 

“Out!” she yelled at the maids, half mad by the time she reached her chambers. “Out! Get out!” 

They scurried away without complaint and the door had not even fallen completely shut before she fell to her knees and began to sob. Before she left for Storm’s End with Luke, her conversations with her mother had been short and clipped, filled with disagreements on how their House should proceed in the war. And to hear her mother had nearly scorched her own mother’s home in rage for her cousin’s hand in Daena’s supposed death… Her mother had died thinking she was dead, that they would be reunited in the next life. Another betrayal, another disappointment for her mother at her hands. Daena beat her knuckles bloody against the floor, raging at herself, at Aegon, at Aemond. 

She managed to scrape herself out of her rain soaked clothes and sunk into the tub. As she slowly undid her outgrown braids with trembling fingers, the tears came even harder as she was hit by the realization that she would never again sit for her mother to do her braids for her. When Daena was a little girl, she would sit with a doll in her lap while Laena plaited careful braids into her hair, and then when Laena left Driftmark after marrying Daemon, Rhaenys took up the ritual. Now, both women were gone and there was no one to braid Daena’s hair. 

She pulled her knees to her chest and dropped her hands into the water, wincing at the sting of her open wounds in the soapy water. The pain would have otherwise been of little bother, but tonight it only made her weeping worsen. Everything felt like a trial, a slight against her, the gods punishing her for abandoning and betraying her family. 

When morning came, she even admitted so to Rhaenyra, taking care to not let what she and Aemond had been doing in the last month slip as she bared her soul in the solar of Rhaenyra’s apartments. 

“Listen to me,” Rhaenyra whispered, holding Daena as she shook from the force of her own sobs, “you cannot blame yourself. We cannot possibly know what the world would look like today if Storm’s End had gone differently. Perhaps the fight at Rook’s Rest would have been between Aemond and you, or Aegon and myself, or any other combination of us.”

Daena sniffed, lifting her head to meet Rhaenyra’s eyes as her tears began to slow until they dried, sticky and salty, on her cheeks. 

“Your mother loved you,” Rhaenyra said. 

Daena sniffled again. “At least she’s with Laena now… and Laena’s son.” 

And Daena’s twin as well, she supposed. Corwyn, who died in their shared cradle, sometime shortly after their first nameday. At the thought of him, the ache in her chest eased just a bit. She always thought of him alone in the next life, haunting the walls of High Tide for as long as she lived without him. But perhaps he never had been. Perhaps, her grandparents she never met were waiting beyond the veil for her. Perhaps death was nothing terrifying at all, but just like returning home. It was a small comfort in the sharpness of her grief. 

“I apologize,” she said as clarity slowly returned. “I— It was unbecoming of me… You are my queen—”

“Daena.” Rhaenyra laughed softly, her thumb stroking the swell of Daena’s cheek. “You are as good as my blood, more loyal than any soul I’ve ever known. You need not feel ashamed for mourning.” 

The grotesque display of mourning was hardly all Daena felt sorry for, though she could not confess those sins to anyone but the gods themselves. 

Jace found her sometime later in Aegon’s Gardens, staring blankly into the rippling water of the dragon fountain. He sat down on the lip of the fountain beside her and sat in silence for a moment, dipping his fingers into the cool water and pushing around a fallen lily as it floated.

“Is it utterly idiotic for me to ask you how you are?” 

Daena snorted and rubbed her nose. “Perhaps, but very kind.” 

Jace offered her a crooked grin and knocked his shoulder against hers. “Would you like to train with me in the courtyard? Perhaps it will take your mind off things.” 

“Yes,” Daena said, rubbing her palms dry on the skirt of her gown. “I think so.” 

It had been far too long since she had a sword in her hands and she was aching to hit something. Jace stood before she could and offered his arm, which she supposed really was the only proper thing for him to do as her intended. They did agree to play their parts as his parents before him did. Perhaps they could even have another man sire their children as Rhaenyra did. That would certainly make things easier. 

“What happened to your hand?” Jace asked once she wrapped her palm around his forearm. 

Daena scrunched her nose, looking at the matching cuts on her free hand. “It’s nothing,” she said quickly.

“He didn’t hurt you, did he?” Jace asked in a low, suddenly very serious voice. 

Daena’s stomach twisted. “No. No, most of the hurting was done by me.”  

Jace’s eyes, so typically warm and brown, were sharp as steel. “Whatever it was you did, he deserved it and more.” 

She shook her head. “No one deserves what I did. I… I murdered a part of his soul, Jace. Part of Laena’s soul!” 

“But Luke is alive,” Jace said. 

“I know,” Daena said, every emotion she suppressed over the last three and a half moons threatening to spill out of her. “And that’s the only reason I can still live with myself.” 

Jace smiled in sympathy and placed his free hand over hers. He had grown in the time she was gone, now matching her in height and broader in the chest and shoulders. Her dearest friend, the only thing that made her smile after Corwyn’s death as a babe Laenor always said, had become a man right in front of her eyes and she had not even noticed. Sniffling, she pulled her hand out of Jace’s and embraced him instead. 

“You will make the finest of kings one day,” she whispered fiercely. 

“I must tell you something,” he blurted out, stepping out of the hug and dropping his eyes to the ground. 

She furrowed brows together, confused by the sudden shift and the shadow of guilt darkening his features. 

“When I was in Winterfell… Well, how can I say this?” He cursed quietly beneath his breath and ran a hand over the light stubble growing in on his chin. “Um, well… Laenor might not have sired me, but I do take after him— if you catch my meaning.” 

“Oh!” Daena could not help it, the way her entire face dropped in shock. “I thought— You and Baela?” 

Jace shook his head. “I have been fond of her, but never expressed my feelings. I knew Mother wanted to betrothe Luke and Rhaena, so I resigned myself to knowing I would likely have to marry for advantage.” 

Daena could hardly blame him. She had been much of the same mind her whole life. 

“So, what happened in Winterfell then?”

His cheeks twinged pink. “We received news of your death, and I drank myself half-blind. That was how it started, at least. And then we never stopped.” 

“Jace,” Daena whispered, bringing her hands to his shoulders. “Who is this person?” 

He squeezed his eyes shut. “I am only telling you because I know you understand the weight of this secret.”

“I know,” she assured him. 

“It is Lord Cregan,” Jace croaked. “I know how foolish it is, but— Gods— I love him.” 

It seemed that this was to be the fate of any Velaryon-Targaryen child. If she, Jace, Laenor, and Laena were any indication, she could only imagine how Luke, Joffrey, Baela, and Rhaena would turn out. Destined to ache and yearn for what you could never truly have. 

“Do not feel shame,” Daena said, grabbing his hands in hers and stepping closer to look him in the eye. Any passerby would likely think it a romantic scene, which only would serve them well in the end once they needed to begin their charade of marriage. “We are in this together, you and I. We can do as our mothers arranged, but we only need to do it in name so long as we are honest and loyal to one another. Cregan is a good man. Take him to bed whenever you please.”

Jace snorted, rolling his eyes. “I have no wish to continue this conversation. Let us make haste to the training yard.”   

Daena snickered, a lightness entering her lungs that she had not felt in so long. Still, it was only burdened by the weight of her guilt. For as much as she wished to be honest with Jace about what happened on Hog Isle, the bad blood between Aemond and him was too insurmountable. Maybe, someday, she could confess those indiscretions to him, but it would not be anytime soon. What she needed was for Laenor to return to Dragonstone from the encampment at Rook’s Rest. He was perhaps the only person in the world she could tell the truth to without fear of judgment or resentment. But until then, she would use the training yard to work out her feelings, to fight away the oppressive weight of her lies. 

Her knuckles strained under the barely scabbed skin as she wrapped her fingers around the hilt of a training sword— blunted, yes, but still the weight of real metal. She twirled around her wrist to get a feel for the balance and stepped into the packed dirt of the sparring square. In a normal training session, she would wait for her opponent to lunge, but today she could not. Instead, it was she who made the attack, swinging her blade in a large arc towards Jace’s head. He parried just in time, stepping out of the way and trying to land a blow on her side as he pushed her blade away. 

But she was a better, more experienced swordsman than he was. Generally, she knew better; she could exert self restraint, but that seemed to be something she was greatly lacking lately. She was furious, so mad with grief that her vision blurred until Jace was no longer himself but just the blurry splotch of an opponent. Later, she would wonder if this was what the histories of the First Men spoke of when they made reference to the bear-men House Mormont was allegedly descended from, who could enter a raging trance before a fight and grow stronger, quicker, more deadly. She did not relent until it was too late and the flat side of her sword smacked Jace across the face and he crumpled. 

“Jace!” she screeched, shocked by her own actions. She dropped down beside him and let out a great sigh of relief to find him dazed but still conscious. “Jace! I am so sorry. I— I don’t— Seven Hells, you’re bleeding.”

His nose was crooked now, too; very likely broken. Another thing that was her fault. She needed to get a grip of herself or soon enough she would break. Or hurt someone worse than she hurt Jace, in a much more permanent manner. Gods, was she a mess. 

“Let me bring you to Maester Gerardys,” Daena said, helping him into a sitting position. “You have every right to be furious with me, and I have no explanation to offer. It is the least I can do.” 

“I would not turn down your company,” Jace said in a strange and nasally voice, cupping one of his own hands over his nose to staunch the bleeding. It did not do much and dark red blood poured from out of his fingers. “But you do not need to apologize.”

“I certainly do,” Daena scoffed. 

“Perhaps no more training for a time,” he said lightly, as though it were his job to lighten the mood. “Do you feel better now, at least?”

Daena did not have the heart to tell him she felt worse. They walked to Gerardys’s chambers in silence, and she left him there to go be alone once more. 

Dragonstone’s castle had two libraries. There was the main library in the Stone Drum with all the typical histories, manuals, and fables, and then there was the private Targaryen library in the Sea Dragon Tower where all the interesting literature was. In her youth, she once stumbled upon a journal that belonged to Maegor himself. Though, that was quickly confiscated from her by her Septa, and who knew what that old bat did with it. Today, though, Daena was in no such mood for controversial reading material. Instead, she settled on a book of legends of the Faceless Men of Braavos that the Good Queen Alysanne, left annotations in. 

And it was there in the stacks that Aemond found her. Ser Harrold was maintaining a distance, seemingly believing that Aemond would not flee enough to at least walk far enough behind him that Aemond could pretend he was a free man. Aemond halted a few feet from her, frozen almost comically in the spot he stood. 

“Prince Aemond.” She greeted him with an almost icy politeness. “Pardon me, I was just leaving.”

“Wait,” he said quietly as she moved to brush past him. 

Daena was keenly aware of Ser Harrold’s presence. She did not doubt for a moment that anything she and Aemond said that he could hear would get reported back to Rhaenyra. She could not begrudge the knight, as that was his role as Lord Commander of the Queensguard, but it did make her life all the more difficult. 

“What is it?” she asked, hoping she appeared uncaring and aloof to Ser Harrold even if she felt entirely otherwise. 

“I wish for you to know I will not…” He trailed off, clearly unwilling to even give name to an allusion for the depravity they committed. Then, in a firm voice, said, “I will not hurt you, my lady.” 

“I appreciate that,” was all she could say before running off like a coward. 

But she could hardly have Ser Harrold reporting back to Rhaenyra that Daena had been staring up at Aemond all moon-eyed. Not when her affection for Aemond needed to stay as hidden and secret as possible. Not when she was already likely to be treated with precise suspicion the next time she met Daemon. Not when she was betrothed to Rhaenyra’s son. 

Tales of the Faceless Men of Braavos clutched to her chest, she made her way from the private library on the top floor down several flights of stairs to the floor where her apartments were located, on the same level Jace, Luke, Rhaena, and Baela’s all were. Now, the place just felt empty. Two floors below her were Aemond’s chambers, which she knew from passing by Ser Harrold guarding the door that morning on her way to the gardens. 

They were the same chambers Queen Visenya once kept Daena’s great-grandmother, Alyssa Velaryon, prisoner in. Daena wondered if Rhaenyra had done that for a reason, as it was with Visenya’s dragon that Aemond nearly killed Alyssa’s great-great-grandson. Some sort of poetic justice along the lines of Aemond demanding Luke take out his own eye. Perhaps the Targaryen siblings were more alike than they ever wished to admit. 

Daena was not called upon for the war effort for another three days, but when she was— it was for a full council meeting. She tried to ignore the scourge of bile in the back of her throat as the men cheered her on and called her Dragonslayer. There, Rhaenyra announced that Lord Cregan Stark had written from White Harbor. He was sailing south to prepare for battle while the full force of the northern armies began their march south. Cregan would reach Dragonstone in two days shy of a fortnight, and the armies in a month if the winter weather permitted it. 

At the mention of Cregan coming to Dragonstone so soon, Daena shot a quick glance at Jace from the corner of her eye. He was doing his very best to seem unaffected by the news, but she was sure he was happy. 

Until then, Rhaenyra told them, there was not much to do on Dragonstone but wait. Gnawing on her lip, Daena waited until the chamber was emptied to approach the Queen.

“I’d like to go to Harrenhal,” Daena said. “Or to Rook’s Rest. Anywhere, really.” 

Rhaenyra frowned. “I need you here for when Lord Cregan arrives. You will be needed then.” 

“You just said yourself we have nearly a fortnight until his ship docks,” Daena pushed. “I can be useful.”

“You are plenty useful here,” Rhaenyra assured her. 

“But—”

“Daena,” the older woman interrupted softly, reaching out to brush her fingertips over the back of Daena’s hand. “I am ordering you, as your Queen—” Her lips twitched upwards. “—to remain here on Dragonstone until the time comes for us to march on King’s Landing. I, your Queen, if you remember, need you.” 

“You need me?”

“Of course, I do,” Rhaenyra whispered. “And not just as a dragonrider, but as a pupil. Someday, you will be Queen, and you must learn.” 

Daena forced a smile and wondered if Rhaenyra could see through it. 

“Very well,” she relented. 

“Wonderful.” Rhaenyra pulled the crown from her head and dropped it onto the Painted Table with an unceremonious clatter. “Now that we’re alone, I must inquire after you regarding Aemond.”

Daena’s mouth had never been more dry. Not even when she smoked a pipe full of crushed herbs that seemed specifically designed to make one lightheaded and more delirious than when drunk with some sailors in the Stepstones. 

“Yes?” she asked in a would-be casual voice. 

“When you two were trapped,” Rhaenyra began, “he was never cruel to you, was he?”

Daena tried not to sigh audibly in relief. “No. Never… He never tried to harm me either, and there was ample opportunity. Instead, he… He… Well, he was far more reliable in attempting to survive together than I ever thought possible.” 

Rhaenyra’s face gave away nothing. She blinked, tapped her ringed fingers on the stone table, and bounced her foot, but said nothing for the longest time. Daena grew itchy just standing there waiting. Finally, Rhaenyra broke the silence.

“Ser Harrold says my brother has been a model prisoner.”

Daena smirked despite herself. “I thought we were not to call him that?” 

“Well, I am considering making him not my prisoner,” Rhaenyra said. 

That was a surprise. As far as Daena knew, the two of them had not even spoken since that first night. Though, Daena supposed she never had asked, nor had she done more than go from her apartments to the gardens to the private library and back to her apartments. And she had taken all her meals alone aside from supping with Rhaenyra and Jace at night. 

“Nothing radical just yet,” Rhaenyra said in a reassuring voice, as though she were worried about Daena’s reaction. “But, I have been thinking— How many times did my father forgive Daemon for his countless, excessive transgressions?”

Daena could only wager a guess, but she would put it somewhere above twenty. 

“And how many foul names has Daemon been called? How many have I been called?” Rhaenyra continued, almost seeming to attempt to rationalize her thoughts in real time. “Aemond is young. Far younger than either Daemon or I were when we were making our worst mistakes.” 

Daena did not know what to say, so she toed the line as close to honesty as she could. “If I may speak plainly, your grace, I am perhaps one of the only people in the Seven Kingdoms you do not need to convince of that.” 

Rhaenyra smiled thinly. “You always did see the best in people.” 

[spinningwebsandtales]

Imagine Nicholas Saving You From A Group Of Vampires (Vampire Hunter AU)

Nicholas D Wolfwood X FemReader

Rating: T+

Warnings: Blood, horror, knives, y’know all that good vampy stuff

Word Count: 967

(A/N:) I saw some fanart of Nicholas wearing a hat and a long cloak and I got slammed by the idea of a vampire hunter AU. Cause that’s exactly what he looked like. So I had to explore the idea, that’s where it came from and now I’m a little too giddy about the thought of Nicholas hunting vampires. I hope y’all get as much enjoyment out of it as I did! Until next time happy reading! ~Countess

You grew up with the warnings being pounded in your head over and over. Do not go outside in the dark, don’t open the door at night for anyone, and don’t go looking for trouble with anyone to do with the night. Those rules played over and over in your head as your feet pounded against the sand. The snarls and beastly growls hot on your trail as you tried your best to escape. Vampires hunted the sands at night for hapless victims who found themselves lost among the land at night. You were now one of those hapless victims as you struggled to escape a gruesome fate. If you couldn’t shake the group of vamps on your trail, the scavengers would find your drained remains abandoned in the sand in the morning.

There were people in Noman’s Land that hunted the vampires during the night. They were ridiculed for their occupations and ran out of every town, as the townspeople were afraid of incurring the vampires’ wrath for harboring their enemies. You weren’t sure how you felt about them yourself as; yes, they could bring doom to any village that boarded them but they were also out protecting people from the monsters that were vampires. 

Your lungs began to burn as you prayed for a hunter to come to your rescue. There was no other being to be seen around your surroundings and all you could hear was the group of vamps getting closer. You know they could overtake you at any moment, but they were enjoying toying with you until your demise came. Crawling under some sparse brush you tried to calm your breathing as the sounds of the hunting party grew closer. Tears suddenly flooded your eyes as large shadows overtook your hiding spot. Your breath still ragged, you tried to bite back a whimper as the glowing red eyes searched your hiding spot. The creature began sniffing, smelling your adrenaline and the blood flowing swiftly through your veins. It hissed, sending shivers down your spine as your blood froze. With no other options but sit and pray that the brush kept you alive for a little longer. It lunged towards you, claws outstretched and hot drool splattering across your face. Hearing their fellow monster making it’s move on you, the rest of the group followed suit. The brush cracked and broke into splinters, claws raked across your skin bringing forth blood that soaked quickly into the dry desert sand.

You closed your eyes, waiting for the end when one vampire was ripped away and slung away with a howl. A silver knife embedded in it’s chest, it disintegrated, it’s pained screams echoing through the dark sky. The others quickly turned to see their attacker and despite the blood in your eyes you could see the outline of a man in a long trench coat and hat. A hunter. You breathed in relief, hoping that you weren’t celebrating too soon. Pained screams, cries, and grunts sounded in the air, but you couldn’t bring yourself to come out of your hiding spot. You shivered in shock and refused to budge even after the sounds had quieted. You heard footfalls sound across the sand before a large silhouette leaned over you, blocking the little light provided by a few flickering worms. Then the remaining branches cracked and a hand reached out. You flinched cowering back until a low rumbling voice spoke, calmly.

“It’s okay now.”

It was the hunter and the relief overwhelmed you, you began to cry. He stumbled back, unsure of how to calm a crying woman. But you still took his hand letting him lift you from the brush.

“I thought I was done for,” you sobbed.

He patted you awkwardly while letting you cling to his hand tightly, “If I hadn’t of heard the commotion you would have been. I’m glad you’re okay.”

You sniffed, “A little scratched up but that’s better than the alternative.”

He chuckled, readjusting his large cross shaped weapon. “What were you doing out so late at night?”

“I was out of my village for a little bit and it got darker faster than I thought it would. So I was caught out here, alone. I’m so close to home too.”

The dark figure nodded. He looked around to see if anymore danger lurked within the surrounding shadows. He didn’t want to take more time out than he already had, but he couldn’t leave you alone to be a feast for the blood suckers.

“How much further to your village,” he asked with a serious tone.

“Maybe a couple miles,” you replied.

He nodded holding out his arm which you took as your legs were becoming weak as the adrenaline left your veins.

“I’ll make sure you get home safely,” he said. “Just be more careful next time. A hunter may not be around the second time.”

“I will,” you nodded your head, the howls and pursuing vampires replaying in your mind. If it hadn’t been for this man, you wouldn’t have been able to go home to your family alive. You wished it was a little lighter so you could see your hero clearer as his strong arm that held you upright made you giddy. Or you were going crazy from the exhaustion that was now taking over. You wished greatly that this wouldn’t be the last time you would ever see this hunter. You tried to remember all you could in case your paths ever crossed again. As he released you to go back you quickly kissed his cheek, thanking him again before disappearing into the safety of your home. Nicholas chuckled, rubbing his tingling cheek before making his way back into the waning night to punish the undead for ever setting foot in Noman’s Land.

[cyb-by-lang]

Today's snippet (11/19/23)

This isn't strictly from the crossover, but more like an idle thought that embodies, "what might've happened if Obito's first attempt to get them back home missed the mark?" He's not being quite so reckless in the actual story.

Or: a brief snippet wherein Team Minato and Hayate accidentally visit "Akaboshi's defining tragic moment" and decide they have Opinions.

In hindsight, it was almost comforting how quickly everyone snapped into their roles. How quickly they went from relaxed, or nearly so, to the bared-teeth warnings that were just short of literal. 

Even in the moment, Hayate could practically hear the puzzle pieces slide and click together after that first breath of hot, offensively dry air. Wrong-uncanny-hate-it slammed through all of their chakra signatures at the same time. His sister’s team closed ranks around him like a wolf pack around pups, like the bars of a cage meant to keep night terrors out. Fire, Earth, Lightning, Water—and Isobu, burning as brightly as the sun and making it a little uncomfortable to stay too close. 

Past the protective forms of Kei’s friends and also his very jumpy sister, Hayate surveyed the scene as they talked. There was a warehouse—even more worn down than Gotham ones—dusted with a fine layer of clay-rich red sand. It reminded him of Sunagakure, whenever the sandstorms were a little less persistent, but in most other aspects, it could have been any random building in any random desert.

Still, a shiver ran down Hayate’s spine. 

“Okay, guess it’s my turn! See you in a minute.” Obito hopped to his feet and started investigating the immediate area, Sharingan glow visible even on a glimpse through his mask’s eyeholes. Then he slipped into the ground and vanished. 

“Kei? Kakashi?” Rin prompted, drawing a kunai from her thigh holster in clear anticipation of trouble. Her friends were unnerving her too. 

“Bomb,” Kakashi said after a cursory sniff, not even bothering to lower his mask. He’d locked onto the warehouse too. After a few quick strides to put him fully downwind of the building, he reported, “At least one, locally made. And blood.” 

“Oneesan…” Hayate began. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, muffling almost all other sound. 

Kei held out for about three seconds under Hayate’s and Kakashi’s combined stares. Her chakra hummed like a bowstring. All tension, no release. And then the question burst out: “Kakashi, whose blood?”

Kakashi sniffed again. Then, “Ah.” 

Alarm shot through Kei’s chakra before the others, and she met Hayate’s eyes with the kind of foreboding in her expression that confirmed every terrible feeling he’d had so far. 

“Yeah, ‘ah’ works for now. Fuck.” Kei stuck her Genbu mask solidly over her face, making sure the ties were tight. “Guess Akaboshi’s taunt was prophetic.”

Oh no—

“Which one?” Obito asked, popping back into reality. He ended up behind Rin’s shoulder, shoes crunching in the loose dirt and gravel. “Sorry, I didn’t quite make it over the hill there—”

“Rin, you’re in Kamui. Prep for surgery.” Kei didn’t quite snap at her, but the whip-crack of her command tone was firmly in place. While her entire team startled to attention again, “Obito, you’re the only one allowed in there with me. Be prepared to move two, if they’re alive. If we’re lucky, no one’s dead yet. Let’s keep it that way.”

Every word out of her mouth simultaneously keyed up Hayate’s anxiety and his anger. He swore he could see his vision pulse in time with his heart. “Oneesan, this is Aniki’s past, isn’t it? This is the story he told me. He’s in there—”

“Yeah. Yeah, I think so.” Isobu’s chakra poured out of her like smoke, turning deep red in places and lowering her voice to a growl. “Which is why I’m going in and taking the explosion to the face if I have to.”

“Then what about me?” Hayate demanded. 

“You and Kakashi are on the outside.” She held up a hand before Hayate could argue, rapping her fingers sharply against the bridge of Hayate’s goggles. “Watch for a certain white-faced escapee. Hunt the Joker down. Kill him.”

Oh. Some unnameable, hateful glee bubbles up in Hayate’s core. Oh, he could do that. He’d love to do that. 

“Of course,” Kakashi said, and began the hand seals for summoning every single dog who’d answer his call. They’d hound the monster, snapping at his heels and his calves and his face, and then he’d be still alive long enough for Hayate to get a last word in, right at the end. 

[footballffbarbiex]

this is what i'm hoping to come back with

these are on my first to write hit lists but that doesn't mean i won't be writing anything else too.

i know i have some more blurbs on here to write but this cold has knocked me on my ass so i'll get on them ASAP.

anything below you're looking forward to?

Antoine Griezmann

Antoine knows you’re watching at home (and there might be a sex ban bet) and plays up for the camera a little. 

Baby daddy anto and his little girl braiding one another’s hair. 

Watching a scary movie where one is terrified and the other can’t stop laughing

Enjoying some wine after a hectic day

What a better way to brush up on your french than a quick oral lesson?

A clear penalty that wasn’t given leaves a bitter taste in anto’s mouth so you take matters into your own hands and holes.

Baby it’s cold outside so you need warming up in the best way

Tracing his tattoos becomes a form of foreplay…

The only way to ensure you get what you want is to make sure it’s on his mind

Whoever cums first loses

He’s up for a threesome until he realises he doesn’t want to share

He’s thinking about what he wants from you while he’s alone in a hotel (smut)

Anto plans to edge you for as long as possible, even if it takes all day

________

Ben Chilwell

A continuation of the pillow humping drabble

“You’re not the man I married” angst. 

________

Ben White

Ben really wants to show you how much he loves the new lingerie

________

Beth Mead

Celebrating winning the euros with her (leads to smut)

________

Charles Leclerc

Charles is left to handle several children by himself, making him one stressed boy.

Enemies to lovers. Slightly AU - he’s an old money prep boy

Secret dating is about to become public

________

Daniel Ricciardo 

Cooling down on a hot day only leads to more heat

________

Dominic Calvert Lewin

His curls. Playful and dirty pulling of his hair examples

________

Emre Can

Walking in the summertime with his little girl. Playing with the flowers.

________

Eric Dier

Eric and your daughter are putting on a magic show and he’s the assistant

________

Jack Aitken 

Leaving love notes

________

Jack Grealish

Showing Jack just how confident you’re now feeling and dressing up for him 

________

Jadon Sancho

Jadon’s ex is causing trouble and their relationship is on thin ice.

Jadon’s dressing up your son to look like him

________

John Stones

Finally having untprotected sex with John. 

Unwinding at home with John after a long stressful week (fluff)

John likes to get handsy after some sun, sea and sand. 

Over protective baby daddy John

Out and about with the newborn

________

Kepa Arrizabalaga

They split when he was leaving Spain and though things didn’t end bad, it felt like there was little closure. Now they’re back in the same city, are those feelings still there?

________

Kylian Mbappe 

Dating Tuchel’s daughter in secret … until it’s no longer a secret. (smut)

________

Leon Goretzka

That first time sex and trying to be quiet

________

Marco Rose

An unexpected pregnancy leaves Marco unsure of himself 

________

Mason Mount

Mason takes it upon himself to decorate the nursery

Mason being a good egg during labour

________

Paulo Dybala

She’s a belly dancer and practices a new routine for him

Lazy day in after he’s been to training

Celebrating his birthday with a meal and dessert 

Drunken sex headcannon

________

Rodrigo De Paul

Helping her get out of her head (smut)

________

Rúben Dias

1 of 2 - they meet and bond over both being new to Manchester and not having many people around. One thing leads to another and ….

2/2  even though they’re just friends, jealousy gets in the way during a night out and there’s only one way to get rid of that. 

A bad mood of yours leads to cockwarming

Rúben doesn’t like that your ex is sniffing around again

You really shouldn’t have sent those nudes while he was away

A new on the pitch agreement leaves him feeling competitive (smut)

Trying to make a baby

You get a tattoo of his jersey number

Watching porn together

NSFW alphabet

She’s his neighbour and drunkenly locked herself out. He’s there to rescue her

You’re home late from work and he’s doing the baby’s bedtime routine

Spending the first night at his (fluff)

Ruben is all manly out of the bedroom, but you’re in charge between the sheets

Squirting for the first time

She’s not there at the ballon d’or with him but he sees what she’s up to and he’s not impressed (smut)

Being manhandled by Ruben

John’s challenged Ruben to No Nut November but can he last?

________

Sergio Ramos

A birthday present for the birthday boy. 

________

Trent Alexander Arnold

Sexting quickly escalates. 

When a switch meets a switch, who will come out top? (smut)

Your son has only just started walking but Trent’s determined to put a ball at his feet

Trent is trying to be her tour guide in another country but she knows more

________

Threesomes and moresomes

Poch’s daughter has caught the eye of several Liverpool players… ft Joe Gomez / Trent Alexander Arnold /  reader  / reader’s best female friend /  Virgil van Dijk

Thigh riding becomes more -  Kepa Arrizabalaga / reader / Mason Mount 

3 Lions aren’t just on shirts, they’re also inside you. Dominic Calvert Lewin / reader / Mason Mount / John Stones

________

Unnamed

Making you watch yourself cum + aftercare

Needing to make you forget about the shit day you’ve had

You receive texts throughout the day about what he wants to do to you

You’ve begged for him and he’s not giving you attention. But you’ll take what you want and pay the price later

Public teasing only gets you so far

Sub!player being made to watch and beg to touch you

________

Virgil van Dijk

Restraining and blindfolding Virgil and having your way with him

Meeting your family for the first time

[secret-smut-sideblog]

First Light

Astarion x F! Plus Sized Tav, Prologue, Set before the tadpole infection

CW: implied violence/abuse, blood, fear, self worth, just having a bad time

listening to: First Light - Hozier, Breath Of Life - Florence and the Machine

been wanting to flesh out my tav's past more cause she's been through it. my sweet girl..

-

Almost there. Almost there.

Her pack abandoned long ago, she moved as quick as her broken body would allow. Thighs burning as she climbed up, up, up.

Muffling the moans of pain and exhaustion, the vibrations making the wound on her throat scream.

Her mothers torn cape tied as tight around the wound as she could stand, she walked. Could still feel blood flowing down her front.

Almost there. Just a little farther.

She had been traveling the Underdark for what felt like weeks, though it could have only been days. The constant dark never helped the passage of time, days sliding and fluid into one another.

It had to be near. Had to be.

Gripping the swords on her hips, she wondered if she had imagined it all. The patch of dim light that she had found as a girl. Had snuck away constantly to hover beneath it, dance in it, sing to it. A piece of heaven, dappled on the cold ground.

Her only salvation then, her only escape now.

The deep gash across her throat pulled as she lost her footing. Gods, please. Please! She begged in her mind, knew that if she used her voice it would come out a wet gurgle.

Please let this be the right direction.

Though that memory was always fresh in her mind the specifics of it were hazy with age. Was it left at the tower? Right past the Torchstalk mushrooms?

Guide me. Someone. Anyone.

Gasping she rushed to one lone Barrelstalk, carving into its side and drinking greedily. The water rushing down her front. Kneeling on the wet ground.

A sound pulled her out of her reverie. Low in the ground. Oh Gods no.

A Bulette had been stalking her for days, she was able to stay on high ground, away from the paths for a while. Quiet footsteps, careful movements. But her wound was slow closing and the bloodloss and delirious thirst and hunger made her movements sloppy.

No time for strategy she rose to her feet, the rumbling far too near.

Run. Run little girl. You cant hide from me forever.

Her mothers voice. The fear pushed her feet faster, harder. Maybe if she ran hard enough she could break apart entirely.

Scenery a blur as she ran wildly, quakes in the earth hot on her tail. Leaping over obstacles, her adrenaline in control.

The path is gone, the way is gone.

Doomed, she thought, a cold laugh caught in her mangled throat.

Finally the Bulette lost interest, but she couldn't stop now. Run rabbit run.

Only when a cramp in her thigh made her fall did she come to a stop.

Hands and knees, she cried. Cried for her pain, what she lost, the people she knew, the blood she had to shed. The building she knew was still burning, somewhere behind her. Everything she had ever known, behind her.

A promised life of power, control. Corruption. She spat at the ground, saliva wet with blood. They would never have her. This was her victory, she reassured herself.

Then why does it hurt so much?

Rose to her feet shakily, sniffing, wouldn't do any good to stop now. Heavy eyes caught a glint up ahead. No...

Hurrying she limped to it, the light.

Gods it's real, she thought, new tears streaming. It's still here.

A cave in some time ago made a ramp, the way set for her. On hands and knees she took to the stones, cutting into the flesh of her palms, her knees.

The crawl slow work, stones and sand uneven, unsteady. Slipping and pulling her back down, sliding her further back.

Her resolve was granite, she would get out. The way was here, she would climb.

The light getting ever closer made her squint, the small corner of it's full power already so much. Her green eyes accosted. More, at the precipice she wanted more.

- - -

One dark hand plunged out of the earth, grasping. Holding a large root, pulling up. Body trembling, eyes screwed shut, scrambling onto the surface. Taking large gulping breaths, the ground holding her limp body.

Even with eyes shut it was overwhelming, the air so thick, full of scents and sounds. Something salty, wet, a crashing. The ground so warm, kissed so gently. An animal call somewhere nearby, a high somber keening.

Dizzy with it and her weak body, she felt everything. It was too much, it wasnt nearly enough.

Rising, one final time, to her feet, she stood shaking. Touched her neck gingerly, hissed in pain. The blood had slowed, but she was still in a bad way. Needed to get help.

Opening her eyes only to slivers, she watched her feet as she walked. Using the sounds to guide her. Found a delirious delight when she caught new ones.

The crashing, that was her touchstone. Through small vision could see the light getting dimmer as she stumbled along.

It was so loud now, other sounds mingling in, voices, bird call. The ground was soft with sand, gritty against her feet.

With a shaky breath she opened her eyes.

An expanse. An ever widening water. Striking the ground. The sun. The sun.

Falling to her knees, she wept.

The light. She was here. In the burning golden hue, the eruption of the setting sun, she was here.

Hands limp at her side she let out a wail. A cry of victory, of grief, of all things that came before.

It's all hers now, this light, this water. To hold inside her. Something so powerful and deeply precious.

Only after the sun had finished its descent, slipping gentle into the earth, did she rise. Body still broken and bleeding but ready.

Wandered blindly into civilization, as it were. Heard hushed voices and gasps, those on the street giving her a wide berth. She could almost laugh, after everything they were still afraid of her. This broken stumbling carrion.

A tiefling took pity on her, approaching with gentle hands, gentle eyes.

"Where are you going, love?"

Good question. "I'm.. I'm not sure. What settlement is this?"

Confusion striking her face. "This is Baldur's Gate, dear. Lower city. Are you lost?"

She laughed darkly, gripping her throat at the sharp pain. "You could say that. I need a healer, do you know of any?"

"Of course, here." Took her arm and led her. Slow and steady. A flash of white hair, a drawl in her peripheral. "Look a little worse for wear there, darling."

She chuckled quietly to herself as they walked, to where she could be mended.

Where she could start again.

~

[peekapen]

Into the Deep Chapter 11

Summary:

You help Sun out with his first heat

Notes:

Content warning! Heat, smut, praise kink, scent kink, marking, biting, mild blood.

When Sun woke up the next morning he couldn't stop the happy purrs that came from him at the sight in front of him. In his sleep he had seemingly pulled you off of your nest and into his arms, keeping you safe and warm as he curled around you whilst Moon curled behind both of your heads, acting as a pillow for the two of you as he slept soundly. It was just perfect in his eyes. He chirped happily at that thought and rubbed his face gently against yours, shocking himself with how badly he wished to just lay here with you.

Sun usually wasn't one to enjoy sitting still, but for some reason, you made him want to. Just laying here with you, with that wonderful, fuzzy feeling in his chest made everything seem so…perfect. Especially now that Clide was gone! Moon had told him last night after you had fallen asleep. It was so so so wonderful! Now you wouldn’t have to live in fear of that ghastly human ever again! Now you could just be here and be safe and sound and protected by the two of them! All of you just happy and wonderful and perfectly content!

He sighed happily at the thought before taking a deep breath, planning on exhaling deeply so as to relax more thoroughly, but when a delicious scent wafted through his nostrils he instead tensed up. He nearly did a double take in surprise as he shot up and started scanning the room, looking for the source of the wonderful smell, but he couldn’t see anything. Growing ever more confused when he saw nothing abnormal in the room he sniffed the air again, eager to find what smelled so good, but when he could finally follow the scent his eyes widened in surprise. Shocked, he looked down, finding you there as asleep as you had been only a minute ago, which only made the poor Mer more confused. What was going on?

Confused, yet curious he leaned down, your noses nearly touching before sniffing you slightly. As soon as your scent entered his nostrils he immediately leapt away with a shocked yelp, nearly crushing poor Moon’s tail in the process. You! You were what smelled so good! Why did you smell so good?! Who cared? Now that he knew he just had another excuse to sniff you! He let out a delighted purr and quickly nuzzled his face into the crook of your neck, inhaling your scent deeply. You always smelled good to him, but for some reason, it smelled so much better now! And it made him feel so good to just lay here with you and your scent, it felt like heaven! The fuzzy feeling in his chest even felt stronger! Now it felt all cozy and warm~

…Wait, no, now it’s getting hot? He whimpered, confused at the sudden change, and tried to push himself up, but he nearly fell back down again as he started feeling dizzy and a strange heat started to course through him, replacing the comfortable warmth he had been enjoying mere moments ago. He frowned and tried to ignore the strange feeling in favor of laying there with you, but it only got stronger and stronger until he started feeling an ache lower down in his body. Thoroughly frightened now he quickly pushed himself away from you, ignoring his instincts that begged him to hold you close, and rushed out the door. Without any more delay, he rushed to the water and dove in, hoping that the ache and heat would leave due to the coldness of the water, but for some dang reason, no matter what tricks he did or to which parts of the pool he would swim in it just wouldn't go away! If anything, it seemed to be getting worse and worse the more he moved!

Now even more frightened than he was before, he jumped back out of the water and rushed back toward your room, knowing you would be able to help him, but right before he entered he stopped himself as he remembered that he was covered in sand. Moon had given him a whole lecture about tracking sand into the room and how it frustrated you last night and he was determined to never cause you any frustration ever again! So, to make sure you woke up, he started to sing. He didn't sing as much as Moonie did, after all, his voice wasn't nearly as lovely as Moon's, but he needed you to wake up now! Like, right now! NownownownowNOW! His desperation for help fuelled the song and you immediately started to stir. As soon as your eyes started to flutter open he stopped singing and waited as patiently as he could for you to properly wake up, trying to ignore the worsening heat and ache as he did so. As soon as you sat up he started to whine which quickly drew your attention to him, immediately concerned as you no doubt noticed something wasn't right.

"Sunny? Baby, what's wrong-" You started, but before you could finish your question Sun interrupted you, eager to have this taken care of.

"I'm so sorry for waking you up Sunshine, but something's not right! I woke up and you and Moon were there and it was so comfortable and I really enjoyed just laying there with you and then I smelled something wonderfulanditwasyou and then I started to feel heat everywhere and now it hurts and I can'tseemtostopitpleasehelp-!!" He said far too quickly for you to follow, but he couldn’t help it! He was so scared and he didn’t know what was going on or why this was happening or-

"SUNNY!" You yelled and Sun shrank back in surprise as you raised your voice whilst placing your hands on either side of his face. When did you get here? He was disoriented and a little nervous but didn't pull away from your warmth. Instead, he leaned into it and listened as you continued speaking. "I'm sorry Sun, but can you please tell me what's going on? You were talking so fast I barely understood what you were saying! Did you say that you're hurting? Where is it hurting?" You asked and Sun whimpered, the heat and pain growing more substantial as your scent surrounded him due to how close you were to him, before nodding and pointing to the area just below where the fins divided his upper half from his lower. "And you're feeling a heat everywhere?" He nodded again and you sighed deeply before giggling, causing the Mer to give you an indignant growl with no real bite behind it. What was so funny though?

"Sunshine! Why are you laughing? This isn't funny!!" He whined and he tried to look away, but you giggled and kept your hold on his face, forcing him to stay turned to you.

"I'm sorry Sun, but I know what's going on and I'm just so relieved it’s nothing serious." You giggled again and he let out a huff of air before shivering as another wave of heat went through him.

"HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT ABOUT SOMETHING SO BIG?! WHAT IS IT?!" He yelled and you flinched before giving him a comforting smile as you rubbed his head fins gently, making the ache lessen. he let out a grateful purr and relaxed into your hold, whining as the feeling became a little more...Pleasurable than usual.

"My sweet, sweet Sunny, you're in heat baby." You cooed as you smiled up at him with such a warm gaze that it made the warm, fuzzy feeling in his chest come back even stronger which sadly made the ache grow stronger as well, but it felt better somehow than it did before. He whimpered as he leaned into you more, pushing his face into the crook of your neck again and inhaling deeply, groaning as your scent made everything worse and better all at the same time.

"H-heat? What's that?" He asked nervously, jumping a little before melting onto you as you started rubbing his back comfortingly.

"It means you're ready to procreate with your mate Sun. Do you have one out in the wild? It could be that it’s been a while and your mate is trying to call you to breed with them." You wondered but he shook his head, trying his best to ignore the growing aches and heat and stay focused on you. Sweet, wonderful, adorable you.

"N-no. I-it was a-always just m-me a-and M-Moonie.” Sun stuttered out, shyly glancing at your face before feeling his heart drop at the concerned look on your face. He quickly pushed himself away from you with panicked eyes, surprising you but he was too scared to care. “O-OH NO! I-i-is s-something w-wrong?! A-am I g-g-gonna die?!” He asked, starting to freak out again as tears started to form in his eyes but you quickly shook your head and pulled him into another, comforting hug, immediately putting him at ease.

“Of course not Sun! It’s just unusual, that’s all. Wait here, I’ll be right back, promise.” You assured before pulling away from the hug making him whine needily as he tried to grasp you again, but you had already slipped out of his reach.

He didn’t know why, but having you further away just made the feeling worse in a bad way rather than in a good way. He let out a whimper as he tried to follow you and hold you again, but the feelings became too overwhelming for him so instead, he lay down in the sand while he waited, curling into himself as tightly as he could to try and alleviate this strange feeling down below. The wait felt like ages to him as he lay there, aching and whimpering until he finally, finally felt your touch again on the back of his head. He let out a happy chirp and immediately nuzzled into your hand which made you giggle and in turn the fuzzy feeling grew alongside the ache, but it felt better again now that you were there.

“Hey, Sunny. Ready to take care of your heat?” You asked sweetly as you put some weird, plastic thing on your hands and a small container on the ground and he nodded frantically.

“O-oh p-p-please do!” He begged, eager for this to be over. You gave him a small, reassuring smile before looking down and nudging his tail a few times, confusing him. “W-what are you t-trying to d-do S-S-Sunshine?”

“Well Sunny, if you want me to help you I need to get to where the pain is. And I can’t when you’re all curled up like a cinnamon roll.” You responded gently before suddenly drawing your hands away and shaking them in front of you with a nervous expression on your face. “But if you don’t want me to do this that’s fine too!”

He looked up at you, confused and frustrated by your sudden uncertainty. He didn’t know what you were going to do or why you were doing it, but he wanted this. No, he needed this! He didn’t know why, but something inside of him couldn’t function without your help! And he trusted you more than anyone else in the world to help him with this. With this last thought, he quickly but gently grabbed your hand and slowly unraveled himself, placing your hands close to where it ached, but not on it as he was afraid he would do something wrong by doing so.

“N-NO! P-please h-help m-me.” He stuttered out, nervous, but determined as he let your hands go, giving you full control over his body. You nodded at this as you placed your hands on either side of where he ached the most and he whined, eager for you to move your hands and help heal him but you didn’t move. Instead, you just turned to him again with that adorable, concerned, and serious expression of yours.

“I will, but first I need you to know that if you need me to do anything, explain, slow down, speed up stop, anything at all, you let me know immediately. It’s going to feel really weird, but it should feel good for the most part and if you start feeling a buildup, don’t worry, that’s normal, okay?” You asked and he felt his heart flutter at your intense concern. You were always so cute when you worried about them~

“A-alright. I will.” He said resolutely and with that, you gave him a small peck on his forehead before taking a deep breath and gently rubbing the aching area.

Not expecting the jolt of pure pleasure he thrashed and nearly hit you over the head with his tail, but he was thankfully able to catch himself before he did so and forced his body to become limp. He would die before he ever thought of hurting you! After you briefly checked in and he gave you a nod to tell you he was okay you continued, far more gently than before and he shivered at the intense pleasure, but stayed as limp as he could. After a few moments of gently rubbing over the area you slowly started pressing against a slit, which he instinctively recognized as there needing to be something in there so that something else could come out, but you just teased the rim which made him whine.

“Alright. I’m going to put my fingers into your slit to stimulate it. It should cause your penis to come out and from there I’ll be rubbing that whilst pumping my fingers in and out of your vagina which is also in here, but a little deeper. Is that okay?” You asked, your voice nervous, yet still professional. He whined and nodded, desperate for you to do anything, but instead of continuing you stopped rubbing his slit completely and turned to him again. “I need a verbal response Sun.”

Sun whined louder at this and pouted. Stars, was it not obvious that he wanted this?! Whatever this was, it felt so good and he loved this! He loved you! He started to pant loudly due to the ache and to relieve it he gently grabbed you and hugged your head close to his face before burying his face in your neck, taking another, deep sniff of your scent before turning to you with lidded eyes, feeling dizzy and hot, all of it too much already yet most definitely not enough.

“Y-yes, a-anything you w-want is o-o-okay.” He said softly and with that you gently pushed two of your fingers into his slit, causing him to jolt as the pleasure grew stronger than before.

He moaned at the feeling of your small fingers in him and instinctively ground his hips onto them, but when you stopped moving your fingers he went limp once more, not wanting to displease you and risk you not starting again. After a second of nothing you slowly started to gently pump your fingers in and out of his slit which made him moan and groan at the pleasurable feeling. For a few moments, you continued this action until he suddenly felt very cold down there and you stopped. Confused, frustrated, and scared by your lack of movement and the sudden cold he tightened his grip on you and looked down, shocked to find an orange and gold tentacle-like thing writhing about that seemed to come from his slit.

“W-what’s that?” He asked nervously and you gently rubbed his side, immediately comforting him before you explained.

“That’s your penis, Sun. It’s also known as a cock or dick and it’s what you use to procreate with either a female or a hermaphrodite Mer, of which you fall into the latter category. It’s where your eggs come from when you’re ready to impregnate your mate. And this,” You said before gently placing your fingers against something in his slit. “is your vagina, also known as a pussy. Can I touch them? It’s the only way to relieve your heat.” You asked after your explanation. He only understood a part of what you had said, but he knew for sure he wanted you to touch him. He wanted to keep feeling this delightful pleasure!

“YES! Yesyesyes p-p-please continue.” He begged and you immediately acted upon his request.

He moaned and mewled loudly with overwhelmed tears in his eyes as you slowly started to move your hand up and down his dick whilst simultaneously pumping your fingers in and out of his pussy. It felt so good. Sososososo good! It was the best feeling in the world!! He whined and started bucking up into your hand and grinding down on your fingers, taking care to not accidentally hurt you and when you didn’t stop he knew he was in the clear and allowed himself to drown in the pleasure you gave him. That’s when you hit a spot inside of him that made him see stars and made him nearly scream as he started to deliriously lick your shoulder, trying to stay conscious amidst the intense pleasure you were giving him. He shuddered as your taste and smell overtook his senses before withdrawing from your neck for a moment to turn to you with a desperate look in his eyes.

“(Y/n)!! T-t-there! S-so much S-S-Sunshine! S-so g-good! Don’t s-stop!” He begged before going back into your neck and licking it.

You shuddered before nodding as you started to both rub his dick and continued to hit that wonderful spot in his pussy over and over again, which made his moans ever louder, now accompanied by your name which spilled from his tongue constantly. Everything felt so good! The only thing he wished he could change was that horrible plastic thing over your hands which felt weird against his scales and flesh. God, what he wouldn’t give to feel your warm, soft hands on him like this…Just the thought made the heat grow and his bucking a little more erratic.

“Good boy Sun, you’re doing so well puppy.” You praised him as his pace grew faster and he felt the pleasure nearly triple in response. He moaned even louder as a loud squelching sound came from below, but he didn’t care to check. He was a good boy! A good boy! Your good boy! Goodboygoodboygoodboy!! He continued to moan between licks and bucked into your hand whilst grinding down on your fingers when he felt something in his gut growing stronger, freaking him out a little bit, but not enough to stop his motions. It felt far too good to stop anyway!

“S-something’s h-h-happening!” He warned you with a whimper and he felt you nod in response.

“That’s okay, it’s what’s supposed to happen, just let go, baby. Be a good boy let yourself cum.” You said sweetly and that combined with a particularly hard, well-aimed thrust that made him see stars was enough to cause the pressure in his gut to snap.

The suddenness of the pressure bursting and the heat leaving pushed him to pull you into his chest completely before biting down on your neck. He heard you yelp in pain, but he was too far gone to notice what he had done. Instead, he started softly licking the spot in an effort to stay grounded in you whilst the horrid heat and ache was replaced with a wonderful, warm, weightless, and fuzzy sensation, afraid that if he stopped he would float away or you would disappear. As he licked and suckled at your neck he felt something leave his dick in troves, but he was too focused on his current task to even think about looking down. It wasn’t until he noticed you were squirming and whimpering that he stopped licking you and instead just held you to his chest, rubbing comforting circles into your back as he whined apologetically. Poor thing! He didn’t mean to scare you!

“S-Sun, can you please let me go?” You asked after a few moments, voice nervous. He whined, his instincts screaming at him to hold you close, keep you there with him, and never let you go, but he knew he had to. After all, he didn’t want to scare you any more than he already had!

“R-right! Sorry Sunshine!” He apologized and quickly released you before getting up, immediately noticing how much better he felt. He chirped happily and turned to you, about to thank you when he noticed one of your hands on your neck, his heart dropping at your terrified expression as a little red seeped through your fingers. “Sunshine! What’s wrong? Are you hurt?!” He asked and before you could say anything he had gone up to you and grabbed your hand.

When he pulled your hand away he felt his heart drop once more at the sight of your bleeding shoulder and neck. Right there, in the junction of where the two parts met, was a huge bite mark that could only be his, which was further proven by the taste of blood on his tongue. He reeled away from you, horrified at what he had done, and tried to spit out whatever blood was still left in his mouth and curled up in himself, one hand covering his vile, vile mouth whilst the other started pulling and tugging at his head fins.

“O-oh my gosh! Sunshine! I’m so sorry! Sorrysorrysorry-” He repeated over and over again, tugging more harshly at his fins as large tears started to fall down his face.

How could he do this to you?? You were his best friend! He was supposed to keep you safe and sound from people that would hurt you! Like Clide and Vanessa! And yet here he was, hurting you! He was no better than those two! Oh stars, you were going to hate him, weren’t you?? You were never going to talk to him again! Especially if you knew that he kinda liked the way that mark looked on your neck…Golly! What was wrong with him?! He was sick, twisted, wrong, monstrous-

“Sunny! Sunny, baby please look at me?” You suddenly asked, pulling him from his distressing thoughts as you gently pulled at his hands, but he shook his head wildly in response.

“No! I-I’ll hurt you again! I can’t hurt you again…” He trailed off with a whimper, expecting you to leave him be. But of course you didn’t. Sweet, wonderful, beautiful you never would. Instead of leaving like he asked, you gently grabbed the hand pulling at his fins, gently prying his fingers off of it before gently rubbing the fin lovingly, forcing his body to relax.

“You won’t hurt me puppy, you never would in your right state of mind. This happens Sunny, heat makes one more erratic and instinctual. You probably bit down because your instincts made you see me as a mate and you wanted to mark your mate like your kind do. I should’ve been more careful if anything considering what I know.” You said with a soft chuckle before gently guiding his head to face you and he felt his heart skip a beat at the loving, gentle expression on your face as you caressed his fins. “You did nothing wrong puppy, you never could even if you wanted to. Now, enough apologizing! Let’s go get some breakfast and-”

You started, but before you could finish your proposal to the distressed Mer the two of you heard something musical going off in your room. Your eyes widened in surprise and you quickly rushed into your room, Sun hesitantly following behind, his curiosity far stronger than his concern. When he did make it to the door he heard you talking into a weird little brick thing, saying quick little yeah’s and gotcha’s before taking it away from your ear and turning to him with an apologetic look.

“I’m so, so sorry puppy, but it seems that I have to go to a meeting all of a sudden. It’s strange, I’ve never been called in for a meeting before…I wonder what it’s about…” You wondered aloud, obviously confused. Sun felt himself droop in disappointment, he had wanted to spend some time with you and make it up to you, but he quickly perked up and gave you his best smile.

“Of course! No problem at all Sunshine! We can play when you get back! Go to your meeting before you’re late!” He urged and you nodded before grabbing the vessel, now full of something, and rushing to the storage room.

He watched you from afar with a chuckle as you grabbed a few fish, placed them on the ground for the two Mers to take, and then ran out as fast as you could. As soon as you were out the door he was already in the water, waiting for you on the other side of the glass and giving you a little wave. You waved back and started running toward the big nest, Sun swimming next to you as long as he could before he was forced to a standstill by the invisible wall that kept him in his prison. As he watched you go, he couldn’t help but notice how you forgot to clean or hide his bitemark and thought back to what you had said before. Mate…huh? He kinda liked the sounds of that~

[thetobiroppofan]

one piece rant #3: ugly men who i HATE.

hello little tumblr people who i DONT!!!!!!!!!!! care about i havent been here in a hot second but this isnt a professional blog i am insane and this is an illusion you're all just living in my head anyways hello new post from me THE tobiroppo fan.

id go on a rant abt myself but this aint about me this is about the ugly men i HATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

starting off with an agreeable one: THAT FUCKASS PURPLE HAIRED GUY FROM WANO

OROCHI WHEN I CATCH YOU YOU BIG HEADED FUCK. I WILL TEAR OUT THOSE BIG ASS FRONT TEETH YOU GOT LIKE A DENTIST WHO JUST STARTED HIS JOB. NOT TO MENTION HOW YOU BUILT LIKE A WHOLE HANK HIPOOPAPOKGUHUD IDK HOW TO SPELL HIS NAME

wyd when he and twin pull up cause me personally im getting registered to the psych ward

next one

this is the part where im glad to be a small oh little humble tumblr blog yes thats me cause

he has a bigass forehead

i can play tictactoe on that thing

not to mention those weird ass shades like go back to the dollar store and return those please they look horrible.

that fuckass haircut dont do you no good either please dye ur hair uglyuglyugly

also this applies to most one piece men but i feel like his neck is massive like way to massive like if i tried to chop his neck itd genuinely be stopped by the amount of mass doflamingo has and shockingly he isnt the only one

eustass kidd i love you but

What is this. he looks like hes buried

in the sand

he dont look real

im scared

like

i LOVE YOU eustass kidd like yk i like loud angry characters but

he scares me with that neckgame like thats thicker than those dark oak minecraft trees :(

next one is a bit controversial as well since. i am mutuals with a enjoyer of this char on tt and i dont think thye have my tumblr cause we never talked before nd i dont think they know the lore behind lobotomylegendchick4 but

The love hate relationship I have with this disgusting ill strucken poor old geeer is more bipolar than a 2018 x reader enemies to lovers fanfic between a guy from a kpop fan

because one day i wake up from my super cozy fluffy bed with my AMAZING trafalgar d water law bootleg plushie staring coldly into my eyes with that stupid fucking face

and i think "man..

I hope Caesar Clown gets his nuts torn off by a rabid dog." and then i go downstairs and trip while walking down and hit my head on the side of the coffee table and have a trip to the ER that lasts 2 days and i miss the release trailer of the new youtooz figures of mihawk arlong and buggy.

only part of that is a lie. you can figure it out.

Other days I wake up and I look at that one fucking pinterest progile that LOVES caesar clown and i think "maybe he isnt that bad" then i remember oh yeah hes morally terrible cause he experimented on kids then i turn and stare at doffy stans for like 5 minutes then think "child experimentation, doflamingo, or the things i see out of the corner of my eye that might be hallucinations cause im probably slowly losing it" then i get distracted by the feeling of

HUNGER.

i am hungry now

THANKS TUMBLR.

YOU MADE ME HUNGRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

last part before i post this and hope the doflamingo and caesar stans dont find me and jump me and leak my address

so in the end

I actually hate a lot of ugly men

but at the moemnt i cant think of one specifically to end this about

tldr: I hate 4% of men in one piece and get hungry and sidestory: I think there is a wasp in my room however maybe im just seeing things its 1:47 am and ive forgotten when i woke up

thanks for reading tumblr blog maybe i did go insane but hey

thetobiroppofan is nothing but a humble small tumblr blog

if i go insane spread my legacy my average 2 viewers on each post

th.thank yo.

snif

sniffele.

han.thank.you.

see you guys in

some day

thetobiroppo fan out