#todays activity: tell me about your favorite mug

[so-very-small]

look at my mug boy

i genuinely haven’t used another mug since getting it. i love her. being able to hold a giant strawberry and feel smaller is doing wonders for my mental health

[lacedinweb22]

Miguel babies you when you’re sick ⁺‧₊˚ boyfriend headcanons Miguel O’Hara x fem!reader  

nsfw 18+ towards end

⊹ At the first sign of a cold, he’s on it, forcing you to stay on the couch, drink water, and take zinc supplements every three hours. You tell him to stay away, but he insists that his immune system will fight it off, which always proves true. He wraps you up in blankets and cuddles you. 

⊹ You’ll dig your face in his neck, groaning and complaining about the aches you feel all over, while he massages your neck dipping his fingertips up into your hair, massaging your neck, then tracing down to your back. His hands are so strong, he effortlessly gives you the best massages of your life. He whispers into your hair, “Sana sana colita de rana. Dame un besito para hoy y mañana” (Heal heal little frog's tail. Give me a little kiss for today and tomorrow).

⊹ He’ll make you soup, bringing it to you in a mug so you can sip on it as he wraps you up in his arms while you watch your favorite comedy together. He’ll give you endless kisses on your head as he holds you. 

⊹ As you’re curled up against his chest, kissing his neck gently, he’ll massage your thighs, which eventually progresses to his face in between your thighs as he wants so desperately to make you feel good when you feel so shitty. 

⊹ He’ll drink you up. He’ll place gentle kisses around your heat, before going straight to town, lapping at your core as you arch your back against the blankets under you, moaning and whining from the pleasure, the much-needed release of tension from your body. As he sucks gently on your sensitive bud, his hands explore your thighs then go up under your t-shirt and onto your belly, as he squeezes, and massages your warm flesh. His fingers massage your lower belly, making you more sensitive, bringing you your orgasm, the first of many. 

⊹ He runs you a hot shower and joins you, carefully lathering soap all over you, his big hands massaging your aching body. He sits down on the ledge, rubbing soap onto your thighs, hips, and stomach, then tracing his big hands up to your breasts, gently massaging as he looks up at you lovingly. He gets back up and urges you to turn around so he can rinse the soap from your hair. He gently combs his lengthy fingers through your locks then moves your hair, giving himself access to your neck, kissing and sucking gently on wet skin. “I’m sorry you’re sick, cariño,” he mutters into your neck. “Make me feel better,” you whisper back, pressing your ass against him. He does just that, turning you back around so he can kiss you, and press you up against the tile wall. He holds your thigh against his hip, opening you up, and thrusting up into you slowly, gently, providing endless kisses, endless words of encouragement, “Like that, baby. Does that feel good, princesa? Am I making you feel better?” he’ll whisper, brushing your wet hair from out of your face. Your nails dig into the back of his biceps, as you look up at him, head thrown back against the tile, moans and heavy breathing echoing through the steamy bathroom. His tip massages up into your g-spot, his slow strokes bringing the blissful ache in your stomach down to your thighs, as you begin to c*m around him, throbbing as he bottoms out into you, muttering cuss words as his lips brush against your forehead. 

⊹ After your shower, he'll massage vaporub onto your neck and chest, then help you put on your pajamas (one of his t-shirts and sweats), then he’ll give you some hardcore cold medicine, the kind that is quick to knock you out. He insists you get in bed, but you want to watch more of your show. So he’ll oblige and spoon you sideways on his big couch as you both watch TV, his hands running all over you, under your t-shirt, massaging you, feeling you, actively trying to find ways to make you feel better. He’s propped up on one elbow as you lay in front of him. He eventually sees you’ve succumbed to the medicine and so easily carries you to bed.

[multi-fandom-imagine]

Little One's || Damian Wayne ||

A/n: Dad Damian 🥹

Late evening in the Wayne penthouse, the living room is softly lit by the glow of the Christmas tree, its lights twinkling warmly still set up much to Damian's chargin. The remnants of the day’s activities are scattered around half-empty mugs of cocoa, toys strewn about, and a blanket crumpled on the couch. You are fast asleep, curled up under the blanket, your breathing slow and peaceful.The twins, however, are still awake, their quiet babbling filling the room as they play on the floor with their stuffed toys. Damian sits nearby in his favorite chair, keeping a watchful eye on them.

Shifting his body, Damian then looks over at you, his expression softening as he takes in the sight of your sleeping form. You look so peaceful, your hair falling over your shoulder, your hand resting on the edge of the blanket. He knows how much you've done today,how you always give you it all for your little family. A rare, small smile tugs at his lips as he thinks about how much you mean to him.

“Your mother,” he murmurs quietly to the twins, “is extraordinary.”

Leo, holding his toy truck, looks up at Damian with wide green eyes that mirror his father’s. Lila, clutching her bunny, toddles closer to Damian, babbling something unintelligible but sweet.

Damian leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he watches them. “Come here, Lila,” he says softly, his voice gentle.

Lila waddles over, her bunny tucked under her arm, and raises her tiny hands to Damian. He scoops her up effortlessly, settling her on his lap. She rests her head against his chest, her little hand clutching his shirt. Damian presses a soft kiss to the top of her head, his eyes closing for a moment.

“You know,” he whispers, “you have your mother's smile. Her warmth.”

Lila looks up at him, giggling, her tiny fingers poking his chin. Damian chuckles quietly, a sound so rare it feels like the room itself pauses to listen. “Yes, you do,” he says, his tone affectionate. “And your brother…”

He looks over at Leo, who is now crawling toward him with the toy truck in hand. Damian reaches out, pulling Leo onto his lap alongside Lila. “You’re going to be just as strong and stubborn as your mother is. I can already tell.”

With both twins on his lap, Damian leans back slightly, letting them settle against him. Lila plays with the buttons on his shirt, while Leo examines his father’s hand, his small fingers tracing the faint scars there.

“You two have changed everything,” Damian says softly, his voice barely audible. “Before you, I didn’t think I could be this. A father. Someone you can rely on.”

Leo babbles something in response, his tiny voice breaking the quiet. Damian smiles faintly, his hand gently brushing through his son’s hair. “But I will be. For both of you. I’ll protect you, guide you, and make sure you never face the things I had to.”

He looks over at you again, his expression softening further. “Your mother taught me how to love, how to let my guard down. And because of her I have you.”

Lila yawns, her head resting against Damian’s chest, her bunny still clutched tightly in her hand. Leo mimics her, his eyes starting to droop as his small body relaxes against his father. Damian’s heart swells as he watches them, their tiny forms so peaceful and innocent.

“You’ll never know how much you mean to me,” he whispers, his voice full of emotion. “But I’ll spend every day making sure you feel it.”

A soft rustle from the couch draws Damian’s attention. You stir, your eyes fluttering open. You blink a few times before sitting up, your gaze landing on Damian and the twins. A sleepy smile graces your lips.

“Falling asleep without me, beloved?” Damian teases quietly, his tone warm.

Stretching on the couch, the blanket slipping from your shoulders. “It looks like I wasn’t the only one getting sleepy,” you said, nodding toward the twins.

“They’re finally settling down,” Damian replies, his voice soft. “I didn’t want to disturb you.”

Smiling you slipped off the couch then walked over to him,sitting beside him as you rested your head on his shoulder. “You’re amazing with them,” you whispers, your hand gently brushing over your daughter's Lila’s hair. “They’re so lucky to have you.”

Damian glances down at her, his expression tender. “I’m the lucky one.”

For a while, you two sit together, the twins snuggled in Damian’s lap and you leaning into his side. The room is filled with the quiet sounds of their breathing and the faint twinkle of the Christmas tree lights. It’s a moment of pure peace, a reminder of the love and warmth they’ve built together.

As Lila lets out a soft sigh in her sleep, Brooke smiles. “I love you, Damian.”

“I love you too, beloved,” Damian replies, pressing a kiss to your temple. “And thank you. For this. For them.”

[imababblekat]

Simon sees you sitting curled up in a chair, eyes peering lost at the sketchbook and computer before. He knows that look. It’s a look you often get when the team finally gets some time off, but you brain is stuck in this void of being unable to commit to any hobbies you once enjoyed. You told him about it once, it was offhandedly and you hadn’t delved much into it with due to still being fairly new and not wanting to bother the apparent cold stone lieutenant. Simon paid attention though, and this detail about yourself had been added to his mentail folder of his teammates.

A deep breath huffed out your nose, head drooping into your folded arms, when your ears picked up on the sound of light footsteps entering the kitchen area you resided.

“The usual?”, came Simons gruff voice, large hands reaching into the cabinet for your and his mugs.

“The usual.”, you mumbled in reply, staring at your phone and resisting the urge to start doom scrolling.

It was a battle you lost as you reached out to open an app and scroll mindlessly through its feed, the light clinking of Simon making you both tea behind you. You’re not sure how long he had taken, too lost in the endless information of peoples lives and other nonsensical things scrolling past your dulled eyes, not registering a thing you watched or read. At some point though, your phone had been snatched from your hands, replaced by a warm cup of your favorite tea, Simon pulling out the chair beside you to sit with his own.

You couldn’t even bother the smallest fuss at the large soldier for taking your phone, simpling taking a sip and then blindly staring into the liquid void.

“That bad today?”

You nod with a groan, putting your cup down to splay your hands out at the objects you once enjoyed before you.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I thought maybe I was bogged down by knowing I had chores to take care of, but even after finishing those I still can’t get myself to do any of my hobbies!”

Simon sipped his tea, dark eyes glancing up at your downtrodden expression. You thought nothing of his silence, having known him for a while now that his silence was him listening. If he truly wasn’t interested, he would have left, hell he wouldn’t have even bothered to make you a drink.

“I just. . .”, you hold your head in your hands, “I don’t feel myself. I finally get a break, and I can’t do anything I wanted to do. What’s the point of having hobbies if every time I try one of them, I immediately become disinterested?”

The Brit beside you stares down into his own mug now, thinking on your words, a silence filling in besides the muffled sound of Johnny bellowing songs in the shower upstairs. Before, he wouldn’t give two shits about something like this, leaving you to figure it out or not all on your own. Of course, being apart of the 141 it was only a matter of time before you became apart of this oddly dangerous family of sorts, and Simon found himself caring for you just as much as he did for the other three, even if he ever expressed it.

“Maybe doing nothin’, is what you’re suppos’d do.”

You quirked a brow at him.

“You? Telling me to do nothing?”

Simon rolled his eyes, sitting back against the creaking old dinning chair.

“Yeah, shocker I know, but trust me, after years of doing this shit, sometimes you jus’ gotta kick ya feet up and do fuck all.”

You look back to your tea before taking another sip, thinking on his words. He had a point though. As frustrating as it was, wanting to engage in activities that would normally bring you joy, it was only natural to not always be motivated to do them, especially with the grueling type of work you all did.

“Welp,” you shrug, closing your lap top shut and throwing your sketchbook atop it, “guess I’m doing fuck all today.”

A light, deep chuckle came from Simon, him always finding it kind of funny when outlandish vocabulary came from your lips. You never came off as the type to say such words, but then again you also didn’t exactly fit into the picture of the intimidating guys you were so close to.

“Good. Relax, ya earned it.”

You smile up at Simon, your eyes crinkling in the corners something that brought him some warmth.

“We earned it, Simon.”

[lilyprettyremy]

Redefining Femininity: Your Guide to Embracing Grace and Inner Strength

Hey love,

Let me tell you about something that’s completely changed the way I see my day-to-day life: stepping into my Soft Girl Era. It’s not just an aesthetic or a mood, it’s a whole mindset that’s about slowing down, showing yourself love, and finding joy in the tiniest things.

And listen, I get it. Life gets crazy, and sometimes we feel like we need to keep up with everything. But honestly? There’s magic in choosing softness and deciding that you deserve the good things, right now. Let me share how I’m doing it and how you can, too:

Romanticize Your Life

I used to wait for big moments to feel good—birthdays, vacations, those rare “perfect” days. But here’s the thing: life isn’t made up of perfect days. It’s the little ones that count! So now, I’m pouring my coffee into the prettiest mug I own, spritzing on perfume even if I’m just staying home, and playing my favorite music while I do my skincare.

Use your best things every day—your fancy candles, your satin pillowcases, your sparkling water in a wine glass. Why not?

Pick one “special” activity you love and make it part of your routine. Journaling, reading a dreamy book, or even sitting outside to watch the sunset can feel like a treat.

Glow Through Your Style

Soft Girl vibes start with wearing what feels good to you—literally and emotionally. For me, that’s cozy knits, flowy dresses, and the kind of jewelry that makes me feel like the main character. I’ve started thrifting pieces that bring me joy and pairing them with staples I already loved.

Go through your closet and pick the pieces that feel like you. Maybe it’s pastels, maybe it’s neutrals—whatever makes you feel soft and confident.

Accessorize! Add gold hoops, a simple hair bow, or your favorite gloss.

Care for Your Heart and Mind

Let’s get real: being soft doesn’t mean being weak. It means being honest with yourself and letting your emotions flow without shame. Lately, I’ve been journaling almost every day—it’s like having a heart-to-heart with myself. Sometimes I even set a timer for 5 minutes and just write everything I feel. It’s so freeing!

Start or end your day with journaling. It doesn’t have to be deep—write about what made you happy or even what annoyed you.

Try a mini reset when things feel overwhelming: sit in silence for a moment, take a deep breath, or cry if you need to. It’s all okay.

Create a Beautiful Space

I used to think my environment didn’t matter much, but wow, was I wrong. When my space feels cozy and pretty, I feel better. Adding fresh flowers, twinkly lights, or even a soft blanket can completely shift the vibe.

Add one small thing to your space that makes you smile—like a cute photo, a plant, or even a thrifted vase.

Try a mini DIY: create a vision board with quotes, pictures, and colors that inspire you. Tape it to your wall or keep it in your journal as a reminder of what you’re working towards.

Nurture Your Relationships

The best part of my Soft Girl Era? Feeling closer to the people I love. I’ve been making an effort to check in with friends, even if it’s just a quick voice note or a funny meme. It’s not about perfection; it’s about connection.

Send that “I miss you” text you’ve been thinking about. It might just make someone’s day.

Be present in conversations. Put down your phone when you’re with people and really listen.

Make time for the relationships that feel good and let go of the ones that don’t.

Softness Is Strength

Choosing softness doesn’t mean you’re fragile, it means you’re strong enough to prioritize joy and kindness in a world that can be harsh. Every time you choose to take care of yourself, you’re showing the world, and yourself, that you’re worth it.

So, let’s lean into this together. Light that candle, grab your coziest sweater, and step into your Soft Girl Era. You deserve a life that feels gentle, beautiful, and completely yours.

What’s one thing you’re doing for your Soft Girl Era today? Let me know—I’d love to hear! 💕

[gracev0609]

Get Your Blood Pumping

Josh Kiszka X Reader

I apologize, I'm not sure who to credit for the gif, it's been in my gvf folder for forever! But thank you for your service! EDIT: @joshsindigostreak informed me that the gif is by @readyforthegarden , so thank you!!

WC: 3k+

Warnings: 18+ Only, Minors DNI, Explicit Sex, Rough Sex, BEEFY GYM JOSH

A @lipstickitty / gracev0609 collaboration.

Fic based on this request!

When Josh wasn’t on tour, the weekends were your favorite time of the week. This was mainly because in most instances, that was when the two of you had the most free time to spend together. Saturdays were usually more of an errand day, getting any running done that you hadn’t had the time for throughout the week, Target trips, coffee dates, hanging out with friends and family. Sundays were almost always reserved for the two of you- eating breakfast together, spending as long in bed as you wanted, just being with each other and recharging after the busy week.

You would usually wake up on a Sunday morning to the sun gently shining through your windows and Josh’s gentle touch easing you awake. Here lately, however, he’d been hitting the gym most mornings before the sun even rose. Sometimes you’d still be tucked away in bed fast asleep and he’d gently pull you from your slumber with coffee and breakfast after showering off the sweat from the gym, other times you’d already be awake doing some cleaning around the house or cooking breakfast for the both of you- the latter being your favorite by far.

There was no other sight quite like Josh walking into your shared home after leaving the gym, glistening with sweat, curls all in disarray from being shoved back off of his forehead. He would always shed his shirt on the drive home, hating the way the damp fabric would stick to his skin and the leather of the seats. He had a few different pairs of shorts he liked to work out in, being rather particular about the way clothes fit and moved with his body when he was active like that. Your favorite pair by far being the shortest, skimpiest ones- and the ones he wore least often. You swore it was simply to torture you, he knew how much you loved that pair of shorts on him, so he would pick and choose what days he wore them to really get you going.

Today seemed to be the day. You had awoken naturally, early in the morning and you had already brewed a pot of coffee in anticipation of his arrival. You heard his keys jingle in the door lock, and he made his way through the threshold. His light grey t shirt in his hand with numerous dark sweat spots hanging limp between his fingers. His tiny shorts hung low on his hips, the bottom hem landing only a few inches underneath his goods. Your eyes studied his form, his newly sculpted obliques framed his, thankfully, still soft stomach. Following the planes of his body you observed his pectoral muscles, now round and full. Dancing across his collarbone your sight followed his arms down to his recently sculpted biceps. Once again your eyes bounced down to his teeny tiny shorts, and more so you looked at his bulging protrusion between his legs.

“See something you like sweetheart?”

You blushed bringing your coffee mug up to your lips,masking your smirk.

“What? You're blushing like a school girl,” he makes his way over to you, caging you in his arms. Watching his muscles ripple, you reluctantly met his eyes. He leaned in and his scent infiltrated your nose. You smelled the stale cologne he applied hours ago and the unmistakable musk he acquired from his workout.

“Impressed baby?”

Raising your hand your fingers delicately traced his chest, feeling the muscles flex under your touch.

“You've gotten so…. Solid recently. Tell me Joshy, what have you been doing at the gym?”

He brushed his nose over your cheek, voice coming out low and smooth as silk, “I start with a warmup…” one of his hands moved to your throat, not squeezing, just trailing his fingers over the delicate skin. “When I wanna work out my chest, a bench press is my go to…” his breath warmed the skin of your jaw and you felt the rumble of his chest against yours as he spoke. His hand skimmed down your neck, following the trail of your collarbone to your shoulder and back again before just barely brushing against the tops of your breasts over the thin material of your worn sleep shirt. You could feel your slick threatening to drip down your thighs already and he’d barely even touched you.

“Bicep curls, and overhead bar extensions for the triceps.” His fingers started at your wrist and ran their way up the length of your arm, tracing over the muscles he named. “Lat pulldowns work your back…” both his hands traveled to the small of your back, thumbs stroking over your heated skin. “Squats, and hip thrusts…” he trailed down to grab a handful of your ass, squeezing and pulling your body impossibly further into his making you gasp. “Be patient baby, I’ll show you how much I can hip thrust.”

The smirk never left his face, clearly enjoying how easily he could get you all worked up.

He knelt down before you, thumbs stroking over both of your hips before he started peppering kisses there, slowly feeling his way down every inch of your bare thighs. His lips left a searing trail of kisses everywhere that his hands touched, every touch building the burning need inside of you. “On leg days I do lunges and calf raises.” His touch had migrated to the tops of your calves, leaving a few love bites down your thighs as he went. “There’s more, of course, but I’d hate to bore you.” He teased, hands locking around your legs and throwing you over his shoulder. You giggled and squealed the whole way there, begging him not to drop you.

He tosses you onto the bed like you weighed nothing, making you squeal again. In an instant he was on top of you, blanketing his body over yours. His bare chest rubbing against yours makes your nipples ache under his brief touch.

Hot wet kisses from his lips make you moan out his name.

“What, baby?”

“I need you.”

He chuffs a laugh, his cocky smirk still plastered on his lips,” I know you do.”

You huff lifting your hips off of the bed to meet his. Gasping when you rub your sensitive core against his hardness straining in his tiny shorts.

“ ‘M so wet. Need you.”

He grinds his hips down, pushing himself to press against where you're aching.

“Yeah? Does my pretty baby wanna make a mess? Grind her beautiful cunt against me until my shorts are wet?”

You smile, teeth showing,” I think that's what you want Josh.”

“Is that so bad?”

Quickly he rolls off of you, scooting his body up the bed so he can lean in the mass of pillows. He grips his length through the tight fabric of his shorts, squeezing himself for some relief.

“Take your panties off baby. I know they're soaked and uncomfortable.”

Hooking your fingers in the cotton underwear you pull them from your hips, wincing lightly when the material sticks to you between your legs. Slowly you crawl up the bed, straddling his hips. You watch as he adjusts himself in his shorts, laying his cock straight up letting his tip peek out of the waistband. Whispering he croons,” Come on baby, grind that pretty wet pussy on me.”

You breathe out a sigh of relief once your hot aching core makes contact with his covered cock. Tentatively you rock your hips, pressing your swollen clit against his length.

Josh keeps his voice low as he pushes your bed head back, tucking the stray hairs behind your ears,” There's my good girl… I want you to grind on me until you cum okay sweetheart?”

You hum in agreement, rocking your hips against him, already losing yourself in the pleasure. Your fingers dig into his bare shoulders, your toes curling as you hump against him. Feeling him twitch as your wetness soaks his thin shorts. Josh's hands find your hips as they begin to stutter, pushing and pulling you. Suddenly the band in your tummy snaps and pleasure floods your body. Crying out as you shamelessly buck your hips against his swollen length. As you start to still he pulls your hips closer to his, pressing you completely flush against his length.

“Good girl, that's my good girl. Now get up, Daddy wants to see your mess.”

Your limbs felt weak as you clambered off of his lap settling down on the bed beside him.

His breath shudders as he spies the large wet spot sitting over his length. Hooking his fingers into his waistband he pulls his shorts off. What he does next shocks you, a flood of slick threatening to drip down onto the bed sheets below. Instead of tossing them to the floor he brings them to his face, inhaling deeply as his eyes roll back. He connects his lips to the ruined fabric, and sucks your juices off of them.

After a few moments he discards them, looking at you with an unhinged, feral look in his eyes. You knew you were in for it.

“God damn it.” He groaned out and you reveled in the sight of him, a pool of his arousal accumulated where his length rested, flushed red and twitching against his abdomen. “Get the fuck up here baby.” His words came out in a low growl, gripping your hips and pulling you up the bed to straddle his chest.

You hovered over him, a bit nervous to rest all your weight on him every time despite knowing that not only can he take it, he aches for it. “Josh, I don’t want you to suffocate!” You giggled, supporting your weight with your hands planted on each side of his head. He scoffed, letting you know once again how silly he always found it that you weren’t immediately willing to smother him, and yanked you down until you felt the delicious feeling of your dripping core meeting the wet warmth of his soft tongue.

His fingers gripped your hips so tight you knew you’d have fingerprint-shaped bruises to serve as a reminder of his animalistic need to taste you. His pointed tongue drove into your entrance, greedily lapping you up, moaning into your aching heat as your taste overwhelmed his senses. You cried out, one hand propping you up, the other gripping onto his curls for leverage.

His tongue explored every inch of you, licking and sucking at your clit, pleasure surging through your entire body. “That’s it Joshy, such a good boy for me.” You whined, fingers tightening in his hair. He let out a deep growl into your cunt and you felt the sharp sting of his teeth nipping at your sensitive bundle of nerves making you yelp.

“Fuck Josh!”, you raised your hips from his face, sitting back onto his chest. Eyeing him he had a lazy lust filled smile on his lips, his mouth and cheeks shining with your wetness.

His voice raspy with arousal,” Wanna fuck you now. Can I baby?”

Gently you pat his messy cheek,” Of course you can lover boy.”

Once again he uses his newfound strength to flip you on your back, settling between your legs,” I'm gonna let you adjust to me, and then I'm not gonna go slow. I've been aching to fuck you for days. We've been so fucking busy.”

You giggle knowing it was all his own doing, spreading your legs wider enticing him to enter you.

His breath catches in his throat as he grasps his painfully hard cock, swiping it through your entrance.

“So pretty and pink, just for me.”

Canting his hips forward he gently plunges into you, letting your body slowly stretch to accommodate him.

He leans his head down to your chest, letting you relax around him. He squeezes his eyes closed as if the sensation of your pussy around his cock is simply too much for him to bear. Running your hands across his toned shoulders you try to ground him, easing him back to you. You feel his lungs expand and take in a deep breath as he lifts his head,” You ready for it baby?”

You smirk,”Go ahead Joshy. Wreck me.”

You watch his jaw clench as he powerfully thrusts his hips forward, already tapping against your most sensitive spots making you gasp.

“Be careful what you wish for honey.”

After a few deep thrusts, his hips harshly colliding with yours, he grasps your right leg hitching it up over his shoulder. His hands desperately grab at your stomach and your ass, gripping on for leverage as he goes impossibly deeper, pushes impossibly harder into you. In and out he pounds, your eyes rolling every time his swollen tip hits your cervix. The pain and pleasure make a delicious combination. Fluttering your eyes open you first meet the sinful image of his chest, beads of sweat rolling between the valley of his breasts. Following the shimmering trails upwards you're met with his flushed face, cheeks red and lips pink and pouty. His brows are deeply furrowed. He almost looks in pain, but you know better. A small sparkle drips down the side of his head, trailing down in front of his ear, down his cheek to drip off his chin splattering on your stomach.

The sight of him sends you spiraling, the need to have another orgasm already swirling deep in your stomach, you mumble your tongue feeling heavy as if you're drunk on him,” Josh… ‘m gonna cum.”

He curtly nods his head as if words are too much for him now, and he grips your body even tighter pulling you in to meet his punishing thrusts. It doesn't take much longer until your walls are fluttering around him and your back arches off of the mattress. A long wailing moan pairs with the gush of slick around his cock as you come undone for him.

As soon as your body stilled Josh was pulling out and manhandling you once again, maneuvering you onto all fours. You gripped onto the sheets, arching your back for him. Josh buried himself inside your walls fully in one brutal thrust, a strangled moan tearing from your chest.

He brought one arm around the front of your waist and tangled the other hand in your hair, pulling you up so your back was flush against his chest. The strong arm around your waist locked you in place as Josh resumed his harsh pace, bruising thrusts hitting every spot inside of you perfectly. The sounds of Josh’s hips smacking against your ass filled the air mixed with the sinful sound of his cock driving in and out of you relentlessly.

The force of his tip nudging your cervix rendered you speechless, no sounds escaping from your lips other than your ragged breathing and strained gasps. Josh, however, couldn’t keep quiet, a constant chorus of moans, groans, whimpers and cries flowing freely from his lips.

“So fucking good, baby.”

“Shit, your pussy’s squeezing me so fuckin’ tight.”

“You just love having my cock this deep, don’t you sweetheart? Filling up your pretty cunt so good you can’t even speak?”

You tried to respond, but with the way Josh was pounding into you, you couldn’t manage anything more than a breathy, barely audible chant of ‘yes’ as your walls constricted around his pulsing cock once more. You couldn’t find the words to let him know you were close but your body gave you away, Josh instantly knowing you were right on the edge. “That’s my girl, cum for me.” He choked out through clenched teeth, hips stuttering briefly as you vaguely registered the sensation of him twitching inside you but keeping their pace as he fucked you through your intense high. “That’s it, soak my cock. Just like that.” He growled as he felt you gush all over him again.

His hips stilled while you recovered, letting you float back down to earth before he pulled out of you again making you whimper at the empty feeling. “Get on top of me sweetie, don’t wanna cum just yet. Wanna feel you a little longer.” He cooed, helping you climb onto him taking in your bright red cheeks and fucked-out expression with pride.

Slowly you rocked your hips with what little strength you had left. Josh has utterly and thoroughly expended all of your energy.

“Hmm is my pretty girl tired?”

Nodding your head you agreed as you tried to rock your hips with more gusto.

“That just won't do sweetie, you want me to cum don't you?” He grabs a hold of your hips helping you bounce,” Hold on to me baby, gonna fuck you good.”

Before you can really register what's happening, his hips push up off the bed into a sort of bridge pose. Wildly he thrusts in and out of you, sopping wet slapping sounds fill your bedroom as he pounds into you from below. He lifts your hips up and down, meeting his thrusts pushing himself ever deeper inside of you. Your brain is thoughtless. Pleasure is the only thing you feel.

“Getting close.” He whines.

His legs shake as he slams into you for the final time, holding your hips in place as his cock swells and bursts, flooding your insides with his release.

As he settles you both back down onto the mattress he listlessly mutters,” Fuck” under his breath. You can feel his entire body trembling, the same as yours. Limply you slump over, one locked arm bracing you from landing on his chest. You're panting and sweating and your legs burn like you went to the gym.

Josh gathers your ratty hair into a makeshift bun at the base of your neck with his fist, an attempt to cool you off.

His other hand comes up, lovingly stroking your cheek,”You okay, love bug?”

Mustering up a smile you mumble,”Mmhmm, jus’ tired. That was a lot.”

Worry flashes across his face,” Too much?”

Leaning down, you nuzzle your face into the damp skin of his neck,” No, never.”

After a few beats of silence you're suddenly aware of how sweaty and slick you two are. Sitting back up in his lap, you grit your teeth as he twitches inside of you, he lets out a small whimper from the back of his throat,” Sorry… Sensitive.”

Gingerly you rise from his lap, careful not to disturb his abused flesh, and you lay down beside him.

Sighing, you say,” I'm sleepy now.”

He giggles, his fingers intertwining with yours,” You have two options. We can shower and nap. Or, we can shower and go get breakfast and coffee. Your pick.”

Bringing your hand up to your face, your index finger taps your chin pretending to be deep in thought, “ I'm thinking a nap.”

You watch as Josh's face visibly falls, clearly looking forward to breakfast.

You giggle, grasping his face between your hands,” Baby I'm joking! Let's go get breakfast.”

His eyes light up,” Crepes?”

“Sounds perfect Joshy.”

You rise from the bed making your way to your bathroom, eager to wash the mess from your bodies.

You start the water, waiting for it to heat up, Josh's large palms gently massage the tension in your shoulders.

“Sweetheart, can I wash your hair?” Josh places loving kisses to the nape of your neck, trailing down your spine.

Turning slightly in his grasp to face him,” Only if I can wash yours too.”

He smiles, teeth on full display, eyes scrunched,”Deal!”

[koolades-world]

prompt 5 with Satan, please? 🤲💕

hello!! yes of course :)

enjoy <3

prompt 5 w/ Satan

“Mc, how much sugar in your tea?” Satan called to you from the kitchen. You were seated in the living room, texting friends.

“Not too much. Like, a spoonful or two. If I have too much sugar I’ll never be able to fall asleep.” You looked up from your phone, but he wasn’t in the room.

“Thank you. You’re amazing.” You heard him laugh a little from the kitchen. He went back to preparing the tea, and you momentarily went back to messaging your friends. You were chatting about menial, unimportant, random stuff. As soon as you mentioned you had to go because you agreed to spend time with Satan, they began to tease you. They all make jokes about the two of you kissing and what not. This had become something of a regular routine, as this was something you did with Satan often. Whenever you told them you had plans with a different brother or were spending the night doing something else, they were shocked. You really didn’t spend that much time with him in the evenings like this, but part of you wished you could more.

“Ready?” He entered the living room with two mugs in hand. One was his favorite mug. It was a light gray covered in little cats doing various cat things. It had been a gift from Mammon, and after confirming he got it in a legit way, it became the only mug he used ever. The other one was a mug that was mostly Lucifer’s, but he allowed you to use it when you wanted. However, when he sees that it’s missing and you’re not the one using it, he never says anything, even though it’s most certainly Satan at that point.

“Yep!” You got up from your chair and followed him back to his room. You couldn’t lie, you were giddy to spend time with him. Even if the two of you were just spending time in each others vicinity, both doing separate activities, it made you happy. You tried to take one of the mugs from him, but he wouldn’t let you. You didn’t want it to spill, so you let it go and resolved to holding the doors open for him instead.

You made your way into his room. He set the mugs on his side table, and debated on what book to read. He seemed to be midway through a few of them. You, on the other hand, knew exactly what you wanted to do. You’d borrowed one of Levi’s Devilswitchs and had been slowly, but surely making you way through one of his games. The device was sitting on his bed, exactly where you’d left it. Eager to pick your game back up, you threw yourself onto his bed and booted it back up. Satan eventually settled down next to you with his book in hand.

“What blend did you pick today?” You asked, inhaling deeply and trying to place the scent.

“That new one you brought for me when you got back from visiting home.” He didn’t look over at you, but you could tell how excited he had gotten over that fact.

“Aw, you’re really sharing it with me? I’m honored.” You carefully sipped it since it was still a little hot. He'd handed you the mug that was usually his. It was quite a cute mug, and the gesture moved you.

“Of course I am. You gave it to me, so I figured it was only fair. It reminds me of you, anyways.” He opened his book and began reading. You started playing your game, and the time flew while you were together. You drifted closer and closer to him, until eventually you were laying with your head on his shoulder. You rolled over to the device wasn’t so much in his face.

It was nice, laying there with him. The quiet sound of Satan flipping pages was the only sound you could hear beside the occasional shuffling outside the room. You don’t know when it started, but at some point, you started to fall asleep. Your eye lids grew heavy, and every time you felt them close for a moment too long, you tried your best to snap them back open. But soon, you stopped resisting and fell asleep.

It took Satan a little while to notice you were asleep. Only after he heard your gentle snoring did he realize you were knocked out. He couldn’t help but smile at the sight. He took the switch from your hand and set it down on his side table next to your tea. You’d gotten so into your game that you’d barely touched it. He couldn’t fault you though; he tended to do the same from time to time when he was really into a book. He returned to reading, trying his best to hold still.

Some hours later, he was still reading the same book when you started began to stir. Or, that’s what he assumed. You began to twitch and shift around. At first, he thought it was cute. Your breathing picked up, and your brows furrowed. Your features grew steadily more concerned. He knew something was wrong. He wasn’t sure how intense your nightmare was, but it pained him to watch you suffer. He knew he shouldn’t wake you though. Instead, he held you close and soothing stroked your hair. Even if you wouldn’t remember it was him, he wanted to comfort you. All that mattered to him is that you felt secure.

You woke up with a start, breathing heavily and gripping him tightly. You seemed a little confused, but you didn’t want to let go of him. “I’m here. You’re safe with me.” You melted into him once you heard his voice. It was the confirmation you needed. He continued to tell you comforting things until you were calm again. At some point, he wasn’t sure if you were awake or asleep anymore. “Mc?” He whispered. Since you didn’t respond, he knew you must’ve been asleep or had a good reason to be so still and silent. He didn’t mind though. He liked that amount of trust you put in him to fall asleep on him twice.

He was happy to have met you.

[gaycragula]

Self-indulgent request: Could I get a typical domestic morning while married to Soldier 76? Thank you ❤️

Mornings with Soldier 76

Pairing: Soldier 76 x GN!Reader Warning(s): Mentions of nudity but nothing descript Word Count: 994 Account Navigation

The bed creaked next to you before you felt the mattress shift. You groan as you push yourself up to see what the disturbance was. Lips pressed against your temple, a quiet ‘shhhh’ following. 

“Just me,” Soldier whispers, urging you to lay back down, which you happily did. 

“That time already?” You mumble, your words slurring together ever so slightly. You hear a quiet laugh before a hand was stroking your head, urging you back to sleep. 

“You’ve got time. It’s still dark outside. Go back to bed, honey.”

You grumble in response as you nestle back into bed, happy to get a couple more hours of sleep. 

By the time you woke back up, the sun was peeking through your blinds, casting a pretty yellowish orange light along your walls. You rub sleep from your eyes, yawning as you push yourself up and out of bed. The faint smell of coffee hung in the air as you walked into the living room. 

You smile as you enter the kitchen. He left enough for you to have a cup. You poor the rest into a #1 one husband mug Jack had gotten you when you first got married- he’d found it amusing- and add your cream and sugar. 

A sigh left you as you leaned against the kitchen counter. Jack wouldn’t be back for a little longer. His morning workout normally stretches for a few hours.It still amazes you how active he is at his age. But you suppose being a super soldier probably has something to do with it. 

You glance at the clock above the stove. 7:30 AM. You could probably start breakfast. He’ll probably be back around the time it’s done. 

You were right. As you were plating the last bits of breakfast, the door unlocked. You heard him let out a sigh as he walked in. Lips pressed against your temple as hands settled on your hips. “Good morning, Jack,” you greet, turning in his grasp so you could look at him. 

“Good morning, honey,” Jack greets, leaning into you to press a kiss against your lips. “Sorry about waking you up.”

You let out a quiet laugh, pushing your head under his chin as you hugged him. “Doesn’t bother me. And thank you for the coffee.”

Soldier huffed above you and you’re positive he rolled his eyes. You pulled back, nudging Jack towards the table. “Go sit down.”

You’d be lying if you said you were surprised Jack instead grabbed two plates and silverware before he went and sat down. You fought the urge to roll your eyes as you grabbed the food and joined him at the table. 

He enjoyed telling you about his run. The things he saw, the people he talked to. His favorite thing to bring up were deals he saw for stores the two of you frequented. It always amused you. 

Jack did the cleaning up, insisting you relax for a moment despite your rebuttals. You finally gave in when he promised he’d let you do it next time. You’re sure ‘next time’ will end the same way. 

You watch from the couch as Jack cleans up, setting the dishes in the dishwasher and starting it. It took less than 5 minutes and then he was joining you on the couch. 

“Did you shower before you left?” You ask, cozying up to him as you waited for an answer. It was a 50/50 with him. 

“Not today.”

“Good. You’re all sweaty. Come on.” You drag him off the couch. Soldier let you pull him into the bathroom without much fuss. The usual ‘I was just getting comfy’ was all the trouble he caused you. 

You turned the shower on to let it warm up before you started stripping, folding your clothes in a neat pile on the sink. Jack mirrored your actions. 

The water was warm as you stepped in. You offered your hand to Jack who took it with a quiet thank you. It was usual for the both of you to help each other wash. Jack had issues getting his back and parts of his legs. 

You were more than happy to help and he was more than willing to accept the help. Hands traced over Jack’s scars. It was one of your favorite things to do. He’d told you how he got most of them- long as he remembered them. He let out a series of quiet sighs, his muscles visibly relaxing under your hands.

Showers with Soldier always lasted maybe a little longer than they should, both of you getting out long after your fingers had pruned. Towels wrapped around your waists as you start your morning routine. 

The double sink was amazing. Neither of you crowded each other as you brushed your teeth and did the other steps of your morning routines. Jack waited for you to finish, pressing a short kiss to your lips, before you both returned to the bedroom.

You rummaged through your dresser to find an adequate outfit for the day. Jack does the same. You’d both gone with jeans and a simple t-shirt. He grabs a belt from the closet, looking it over for a couple seconds before handing it to you. 

You chuckle in response, taking it before doing the same. It had become an everyday thing. You’d both end up picking something out for the other to wear. Sometimes it was a shirt, sometimes something as small as a bracelet or necklace. Jack had admitted once it was his way of showing you were ‘bonded’ in his words. 

He helps you pull your belt through the loops of your pants, pressing chaste kisses against your lips. It has you letting out breathy laughs that he returns with low chuckles. While you do your belt, making sure it’s not too tight, Jack loops his into his own pants. 

“What’s the plan today, Soldier?” You hum, pulling him into another kiss. 

[dawnoftime22]

"be soft please, I love like the entire world is about to fall apart."

| W.M ( -> N.R )

Undeserving of a love like yours, Chapter 3

Chapter Warnings: tense/awkward conversations, slightly competitive r and wanda, but fluff in those parts, has it been proofread? I don't remember, but I'm hoping it is

Summary: Your mind starts to get louder with worries, and you can't tell if you're making it up. Wanda invites you along to some time together, hoping to relieve the odd built up energy between you.

Series Summary: When you're stuck in a complete hole of confusion and hurt with the one you thought you loved most, a certain redhead finds her way into your life.

Word Count: 3.7k

Category: Fluff, Hurt/Comfort...Angst if you squint?

A/N: really the first few chapters is just an excuse for me being able to write fluff for wanda for a bit (I'm kidding) but I'll be very busy in feb, so if I don't seem to be as active, that's why. but I'll try my best to keep posting the fics. okay love u all<3

| Started on 11/01/2024, 1:44 PM |

| Finished on 19/01/2024, 2:23 PM |

Masterlist | Series Masterlist | N.R Masterlist

<- Chapter 2 Chapter 4 ->

"but are your words true to your soul?"

|——————————— ᗢ ———————————|

-- - 5 days later...

You were sat at the reading space in your bedroom, holding a warm mug filled with tea. The window was open just slightly, letting air in. The sun was going down, and the sky was turning into a shade of blue, holding little of any orange.

You sigh and check your phone, the time showing 6:58 PM, but there were no new notifications.

You unlock your phone and go to your messages, looking at the texts you've sent Wanda. Not a single response yet. You brushed it off as her being busy, but now you were getting worried.

After a few seconds, the bubble of the dots come up. Although late, you now see a gray message than just your own blue one.

I stole one of your hoodies :)

it's one of your favorites, so I just thought

if you're searching for it, I have it

11:29 PM Today

do you want to bake some cookies

when you're free?

2:34 PM Today

Read Just Now

omw home now ❤️

6:59 PM Today

Read Just Now

Your eyebrows furrow as your eyes go over the words again, no other ones going along with it, and the dots had disappeared when the message sent. Had you annoyed her? You couldn't have. She was probably just driving and didn't have time to type more. Right?

You turn off your phone and look back at the window. The streetlights had turned on, illuminating the streets and trees nearby. Your eyes flicker down to your mug though, watching the drink make small riptides with the smallest movements you did.

You take another sip and finish off your tea, letting the warm liquid run down your throat before moving to stand up, the soft seat meeting your skin as you push off it.

The bedroom has a cozy atmosphere, the dim lights keeping the place dark, but still well lit. You don't stay for any longer though, with your path leading towards the kitchen.

You put your empty mug in the sink, but clean it with the dish soap and washing it off, to then putting it on the drying rack, having decided to keep the sink empty.

You rest your arms on the kitchen counter, a yawn escaping your mouth and your eyes water up, leading to the smallest tear leaving them. Your elbow replaces your sleeves on the counter instead, your hands moving to run themselves over your face and covering it. You move your fingers to wipe your stained cheeks.

After doing so, one palm of your hand held your jaw, the other one drifting down to rest on the counter once more. You stare at the dark kitchen wall, hoping time would pass by quicker.

A key was inserted in the front door. You heard it clearly echoing through the large room with the quiet silence. You turn to look, and it opens. A brunette walks through the entrance, but you don't move. You just watch.

She closes the door and turn the lock, then takes off her shoes and her jacket. She takes notice of your presence when she looks up, but not much of a smile went on her face. Bad day, perhaps.

"Hey. I came home on time." She says, her jacket hanging on her shoulder as she puts her hand in her pockets and walk closer to you.

"Hi." You say, your response short while you turned around completely and leaned back on the counter. She purses her lips and looks down, remembering she didn't get anything for you on the way, so all her hands were available to do was hide in her pockets, not knowing what to do with them.

You notice that, and you continue talking, not wanting an awkward silence to fall upon the two of you.

"I uh, didn't make anything for dinner. But we can order take-out or something if you'd like." You raise your eyebrows in question with your offer, and she looks back up at you.

"Oh, that's alright. I already ate on the way here," she says, with a gentle shake of her head. Your heart felt like it fell just a little, but something stopped it just inches before it hit the ground.

"Are you hungry though? We can order some either way," she asks, worrying your needs haven't been met yet while hers, has.

"No. No, it's fine, I had a sandwich earlier." You give her a small smile. Her attention drifts off to a blank space in the room, her head moving to nod, but her eyes not once going to yours, only focused on the wall behind you.

"I'm gonna go take a shower." She points to the bedroom with her thumb, her feet taking her away to clear herself from the living room.

You stand there for a second, shifting your body and contemplating a decision before pushing off the counter, the cold marble meeting the skin of your hands. You follow her once she's already in the bathroom, knowing the conversation was awkward enough.

You make your way across the room, going to the window to close it along with the blinds. Once that was done, you walk to the bed, the soft mattress dipping with your body as you sat on it.

The sounds of the shower could be heard even from outside the bathroom. You didn't mind it much and grabbed the tv remote, deciding to put something on.

You scroll through the lists of films and end up going with a rom-com Wanda loves. You got comfortable in bed, pulling up the blanket for warmth.

You didn't notice through the laughs in the show and talking, but the running water had stopped for a while, and the bathroom door opened with Wanda wearing her pajamas.

You look at her, and see her eyes focused on the tv screen, a smile raising on her lips before she saw you on the bed.

"You're playing my show," she said, as another funny scene plays and laughter erupts in the audience within the tv. You try your best not to smile too hard in making her face brighten up a bit.

"Yes, now get in bed and cuddle with me." You open up your arms, turning on your side and pouting. Wanda shakes her head with a smile and walks to the bed, sitting down next to you and shuffling closer until your bodies touch.

She pulls the covers up her body as you did earlier, and you help her, of course, not being a blanket hogger. You lean into her, your eyes focusing back on the tv screen.

She shifts until she's comfortable and then puts one of her arms around your back, the other one at your front, going around your waist. You look up, and she was focused on the show. Her heartbeat can be heard thumping against her chest with how close you were.

Your legs was tangled with hers, and she held you closely. Eventually, she looks down on you, her green eyes shining even within the dim lighting. She brushes her finger against your cheek, and you know you can't ever resist her.

Your gaze travels back up to her, and her eyes searched your eyes for something. What? You didn't know. But a certain sadness swirled in her pupils, you can see it.

"I'm sorry I've been so busy lately," she whispers, her hand dropping back down to rest on your waist. You snuggle closer to her, one side of your cheek against her shoulder.

"It's okay. I just wish work would take it easy on you." Your hand goes up, your fingers fidgeting with the fabric of her shirt. She keeps watch on you, her lips tucked in as she thinks of something in her mind.

"I have an idea." You pause your movement and curiously look at her, wondering what's to come. She takes a gentle breath before continuing.

"Do you wanna go to the beach tomorrow?" She offers you, and your eyes gleamed with happiness. Her lips raise up slightly face when she sees you brighten up.

"Yeah! I'd love to." You say, your voice filled with genuine excitement, having missed spending time with her. Her smile grows and she turns back to the tv.

The rest of the night, you spent in each other's embrace. You were the first to go to sleep peacefully, and Wanda had turned off the tv, following you along.

In the morning, both you and Wanda are sleeping soundly, the blanket and her arms still around you are keeping you warm.

The only movement was of the breathing of two bodies. That was, until you slowly stir, your mind awakening to the sun slowly brightening the skies. Your eyes slowly open, sleep invading your vision, blurring it.

You blink it away and move to rub your eye with a single finger just for a second before yawning, turning to the still sleeping brunette beside you.

It was the first time in a while she was there in bed with you while it was the morning, with her being so busy lately. You take the moment to indulge in being so close to her, in her arms, safe again.

Your fingers trace some meaningless patterns near her neckline, your head resting against her shoulder.

It didn't take long for her to soon wake up, just minutes later. You pause your movements, looking at how her eyelids slowly open, her eyes taking in the scene around her and registering that it was now morning.

She notices the touch of your finger on her skin along with your own pair of eyes, making her glance down.

"Morning, детка," she whispers, her morning voice only reaching your ears and not even the walls due to her saying it under her breath.

"Morning," you reply softly, continuing your hand's movement. Her lips raise up slightly and she closes her eyes, her arms releasing their hold on you to stretch for a moment before leaning her head closer to yours.

"You excited for today?" You ask, your eyes on hers. She goes to look at you for a second before replying.

"Of course I am." She said, her tongue going out slightly to rid of the dryness in her lips that her sleep caused.

"We're going to the beach. So, we can relax, splash water on each other, make sandcastles..." She trails off when she sees your eyes gleam at not just the first few words, but specifically her mentioning of building sandcastles.

"And I'm going to challenge you in a sandcastle contest." You say, and she tries her hardest not to break out into a big grin at how determined you were to do such a thing.

"Oh, really? Well I'm going to beat you in it!" she says, her voice slow and a quiet volume at first until her last few words, exclaiming as if she was trying to scare you, although with a soft voice.

"We'll see, we'll see." You say with your eyebrows raised, eager to win. At that, a laugh comes from her lips like a gentle melody.

The small laugh she did was short, but your heart still warmed just the same as the morning sunshine that peeked through the windows.

"Do you wanna go shower first, or should I?" You ask her, leaning back slightly to either get out of bed and go to the bathroom, or let her go.

"You can go shower first, sweetheart." She says with a soft smile. You nod, and her hands move to let you get out of bed.

You went to grab some clothes from the closet while Wanda unplugs her phone from the charger, checking the time. It was 8:24 AM. Certainly early, but not too early or late for the sun to be too sunny in the morning for your time at the beach.

You go into the bathroom and turn on the shower once you had your clothes off, making sure the temperature was just right. The shower gel was gentle on your skin, the aroma filling up the bathroom and making itself out to the bedroom, the familiar scent comforting the brunette outside the bathroom.

Soon enough you get done with showering and you step out with a towel. Wanda's eyes linger on you for a short while before returning to her phone. You blush as you made your way to your clothes on the bed.

She gets up and gets her own clothes and towel, to then shower herself. You put on your clothes when she closed the bathroom door. You plop on the bed, the soft mattress slightly going down with the change of weight.

You hear Wanda's phone make a notification sound, but you don't mind it much, and grab a hairbrush to fix up your hair a bit.

Wanda was quick with her shower, she came out and while you grabbed your phone and got ready with the other items, she wore her clothes, a loose thin jacket and a swimsuit underneath.

You turn to look at her softly, your eyes focused on hers. She was looking around the room, making sure you got everything.

"You ready to go?" You ask, and she hums her answer of a yes, grabbing her sunglasses on the bedside table and putting it on, now fully giving a beach look.

"Let's go, then." You walk out the bedroom with her behind you, going to the front door and opening it. The weather outside was perfect and clear.

Wanda locks the door with her house keys and goes to the car next to yours, which is of course, hers. You go to the passenger side, settling down into the seat as she turns on the engine.

She gets out the driveway and starts the journey to the beach, turning on the radio after a few minutes of quietness. Some Rihanna song is playing, setting a peaceful mood, but also making you want to move along to the beat.

The drive was short, seeing as your house wasn't too far away from the beach. The both of you were out the car when you had arrived, the crashes of the waves coming onto shore and visiting the sand could already be heard along with the strong wind.

You walk together to the beach, the sand hitting your sandals and feet as you go. Wanda's hands held beach towels so you could rest and lay down together.

When you find a perfect place where not many people were, that was when she set up the spot with the towels and sat down. You watch her, a smile growing on your face at the thought floating in your head.

"So...sandcastle competition time?" You ask her, and she shakes her head at your quick question, even right when she sat down. But a smile was present on her face.

"You're on!" She says, and goes to the side of the beach blanket, starting her little sandcastle, and you scramble to find your own place. She giggles, seeing you panic at her fast answer. You had sat right in front of her, working away with the sand.

After a few minutes, the two of you finish up, and both was perfect in every way. Although some parts were starting to fall apart. But it was still holding up good. Wanda looks at them, surprise over her face just as you were.

"Yours is...wow." She says, normally at first then to surprise with her eyebrows raised and a small laugh. Yours were big, but not all that much bigger than hers. You just had a tinge few little more details...and a small flag atop the castle. Where had you gotten it? She didn't know. You must've hidden it away in your pocket, she thought.

"If I'm going to be honest with you, yours look amazing. But mine is..." You stop when she cuts you off with a hum and a tilt of her head, her eyes narrowing their gaze on you as a warning.

"Hmm, well I think that we...have a tie!!" she gently pushes you on the beach blanket and tickles you, making shock fill your face, but laughs making sound from your chest.

"Wait, no!" You say between the giggling and laughing, her hands easily finding all the spots that you're ticklish at.

"Say it, or I won't stop!" She said, continuing on with no mercy. You were kicking your legs a little, but she was on your lap, so it did nothing.

"Okay! Okay, we have a tie!!" You surrender, the laughs getting tiring. She stops her attack on you, the both of you smiling brightly even though she had made you breathless.

She lays down beside you, catching her own breath even though she was the one who tickled you. But a giggle sounded out from her, having joy lingering from earlier.

A quietness went over the place other than the occasional seagulls in the sky and flapping their wings and on the sand, just near where the water kept coming in small waves.

Wanda moved closer to you, resting her head on your shoulder while you looked down on her. Your arms go to rest on the side of her waist, the warmth of your bodies keeping you in a decent temperature while the wind came and went by.

Your mind started to wander off, and your eyes travel way off over to the view of the ocean, the skies holding clouds melting within the blue. There was nothing in the distance but the ocean.

"Be honest," you start quietly, making Wanda curiously look up at you. Your hands had went to fiddle with hers, taking out one of her rings every now and then and playing with them, then putting it back into her fingers.

"...Are you starting to dislike me?" You mumble, trying to not make it too obvious that your thoughts were awfully loud. She notices you distracting yourself with her rings and fingers, making her look at you softly.

"What? No. I could never." Wanda's eyebrows furrow as her face fills with concern. She props herself up with her other hand that you weren't holding, looking into your eyes.

"What makes you say that?" She questions, as if oblivious to anything that's ever happened. You bit down on your lip and teared your eyes away from hers, looking at the sandcastles beside you.

"Okay. I know you've been busy, it's just...nevermind, it's stupid." Now her eyes sadden and she lets out a quiet sigh. She moves her hand to hold yours entirely, giving you an assuring squeeze.

"Hey...don't do that to yourself, малышка." She says softly, rubbing her thumb on the skin of your hand gently, hoping the motion will soothe you a little.

"I love you." She lets go of your hand and cups one side of your cheek, while going to place a soft kiss on the other side. She brushes her thumb on your lips now, making your teeth release it. It took everything in you to not break right then and there.

"I love you, too," you whisper, leaning into her touch. The sand moved with the wind just slightly, and even took a few layers off the sandcastles you had made.

"Don't ever blame yourself for anything between us." She shakes her head while saying it. Her voice was soft, and you look at her. You couldn't tell what the look in her eyes were, but you know you've seen it before.

You didn't give a reply. She didn't want one anyway. A silence washes over you like how the water washes the sand with it's gentle touch. She goes over her thoughts as she looked at your face.

"Do you wanna go to the water?" she asks, breaking the silence and looking at the ocean. Your eyes flicker to her before you look at the water, too.

"Yeah." You nod, and she smiles, pushing herself up to stand. You take her hand when she offered it, your legs moving to get you up.

Wanda takes off her thin jacket and kicks off her sandals, the sand meeting her feet as she walked closer to the water. You follow her, having gotten yours off too.

The water hits both of your feet, making a shiver run down your spine at the coldness of it. Wanda was already in to her waistline, but not going any farther than that. You continue on until you were close to her.

You feel the water with your skin and hands and the small waves that come and go, a feeling that had always calmed you. Your body starts getting used to the temperature, and it wasn't awfully freezing.

"How big of a splash can you make?" You ask casually, not really going in any direction with your small conversation, but she looks at you with her eyebrows raised.

"Is that a challenge?" She asks, watching you play around with the water and see the small waves that you make.

"Maybe." You tilt your head playfully, suggesting so, but only trying to feel the lovely beach air. The water keeps cascading against your bodies, while your hands go to rest on her shoulders, admiring her with the ocean in the background.

She smiles, and you could see the mischief in them. It made you curious, but then she splashed water lightly towards you, making you gasp. You splash back, initiating a battle of hitting water against each other, and each other's faces.

"Stop!" You shout, giggling along with her as you shielded yourself with your arms. She had done a big wave of a splash, making your hair soaked.

You wipe the rest of the water off your face, needing to breathe. You move your hand just slightly to do another small attack of water to her, but that was the end of it. You move away with a cheeky smile on your face and get out the water.

She laughed, knowing she won as you surrendered. The sun shone down on the both of you, although making you warm and the water glimmer with the light, the wind that breezed by made your bones tingle.

You walked back to the spot you picked out, sitting back down on it. She stays in the water for a while longer, taking in the refreshing feeling.

Soon after, she joins you, putting back on her thin jacket to defend herself against the wind. You welcome her into your arms, and she goes into your embrace just the same as the way the clouds enveloped the sun.

end of chapter 3. <3

Series Masterlist <- Chapter 2 Chapter 4 ->

--------------------------

taglist <3 - join here! :]

@may-z3 @ludasgf @lovelyy-moonlight @red1culous @justanotherteenpoet @fxckmiup @dmenby3100 @natashasilverfox @wandsmxmff @simp-erformarvelwomen @marvelwomen-simp

[tragedybunny]

Dance With Me Under the Diamonds, See Me Like Breath in the Cold Part 2- Astarion x F!Reader

Part 1 here

Hello lovelies! It's part two of the wedding fic I published some time back! I love these two and I'm excited to share the next steps on their journey.

Reader and Astarion have a conversation the morning after their wedding that lays bare some secrets of the past.

The unexpected scent of bacon wakes you, and you roll over to sit up. You cringe, feeling a bit of soreness, well everywhere, but especially between your legs from the activities between you and your new husband last night. 

Husband. That brings you back to bacon. Neither of you were all that competent in the kitchen, and you found your curiosity piqued. Your eyes spot a nightgown you'd left draped across a chair, as though you'd ever had any chance of wearing it last night. 

You're just slipping it over your head to go investigate when the bedroom door opens and your aforementioned husband enters, a tray of bacon, eggs, fruit, and warm tea in his hands, and warmth dancing in his crimson eyes.  

“So you can walk this morning,” he gives you a toothy grin, the tips of his fangs adorably peaking out from between his lips. 

“What a lewd way to greet your wife,” you feign irritation and settle back on the bed.

“My humblest apologies,” he delivers the tray to your waiting lap and makes himself comfortable at your side, “my love.”

“I suppose that's acceptable,” you turn and catch his lips in a quick kiss before setting your attention on the tray before you: perfectly crispy bacon, fried eggs with the yolk still slightly soft, buttered toast, your favorite red berries in a small bowl, and a warm mug of strong tea. It’s he perfect breakfast you'd order at any inn when the two of you traveled. “How did you manage all this?” You ask, bacon already halfway to your mouth. 

“What? Are my abilities in the kitchen in question?” He puffs and you stare him down, the playful rhythm you two know so well. “Fine. I have been listening when Gale goes on about cooking. And practicing when I get a chance here and there. The love of my life deserves the best.”

You take a sip of tea, the perfect amount of honey sweetens it. “I already have the best. I have you, Astarion. And I love you so very much.”

“I love you too, but do try not to make me cry again this morning, darling. I already did that enough in front of everyone last night.” 

Snuggled into your side, head resting on your shoulder, he doesn't make eating easy, but that hardly matters. Fingers idly trace your thighs, hip, and stomach, while you chat   about your wedding last night. You can tell there's a cloud hanging over you both now, though, and there are things that need to be brought out into the open. Finally, when you finish, you set the tray on the bedside table and let Astarion wrap himself around you, resting his head on your chest. “About what you were able to see last night,” no use delaying it. 

He makes a soft hum against your skin, a noise you know means he’s thinking about what exactly to say. Fingers stroke through his curls as you give him a moment, there’s no rush, Today is just for the two of you. “You know, Cazador used to pass us off as either servants or distant relatives, usually he’d wait a few years, then we would switch parts. It made it easy to spy on the other nobles. Of course, I usually got stuck playing servant as a punishment. He’d loan us out to other houses to assist with their large events. He sent me to spy on a girl, some noble's daughter, at her sister’s wedding. Lucky thing married the only cousin left of the Vanthampur’s. When the dear old Duke and her offspring met their end, she inherited everything, and her husband is more prisoner than spouse, they say.”

The night of your Samara’s wedding is burned into your mind, it was the night you first heard of your own nuptial fate, your sentence for the crime of being born into your family. You thought nearly every detail blazed with clarity, but the faces of the endless horde of temporary help elude you. A reply forms on your lips but Astarion continues on from where he lays, hand entwining with yours, lips idly brushing your neck. “She seemed ordinary, if a bit withdrawn. Pretty enough little thing, I might add.” 

That earns a weary laugh from you. “I didn’t expect to see her again, but I did, months later. The last party Cazador hosted before everything, she was there. By that time rumor had gone around that Cazador was going to take on some sort of consort as part of an alliance. I think Gortash’s rapid ascent was unsettling for some of the old families. The poor thing, she looked terrified, she knew something was wrong in that house. And…,” his voice breaks. Unconsciously, you pull him tighter, he’s not the only one reliving that night. 

Drowning in a dress of purple and black, you were hauled to Szarr manor on pain of death. Not that it mattered, nothing mattered with Ophelia gone. Your first love, the tiefling that tended the gardens of your home, the only place you were allowed to move around freely outside the house. She’d disappeared right after your sister’s wedding, your Mother’s work no doubt. At the time, you had no idea Cazador was a vampire, but the whole manor was full of an air of hungry malice, and fear sprouted in all the shadows. Even the servants had an unearthly quality to them. “...we laughed at her. Well, Petras, Violet, and I, the most. Because we knew what awaited her when she became the center of Cazador’s attention. And it would be a relief to have someone else around that he could torture. She was so scared, but we didn’t have any empathy left in us, so we mocked her future suffering. I’m so sorry, my love.” 

Since the first time he’d mentioned Cazador, you’d wanted to tell him, to empathize with him. But doing so would've broken your pact, taken away the shroud that hid you from your family. In your more introspective moments, you wondered if fate had somehow bound the two of you. You’d passed like ships in the night, you not even noticing him as a servant among the Szarr retinue, and reason would say you should have never met again. Yet he, of all the populace of Baldur’s Gate, was swept up by the Mindflayers, and lived to fall to that beach. You leave a comforting kiss on his forehead. “We left the past behind, remember, don’t worry yourself over it.” While it does sting to know there was a time he would’ve enjoyed your suffering, you know it will pass, inconsequential as the flower petals that used to litter the garden paths. 

Even if it wasn’t fate, your love had grown out of the most amazing circumstances and it had given you courage to keep traveling the new path you’d laid out for yourself, even when you’d nearly stumbled at the beginning. Astarion sits up and you find his eyes watery, but he cups your cheek and brushes a thumb over it tenderly. “If you say so. It’s not like anyone else was getting a better version of me at the time I suppose.” He studies you for a moment, thinking again, before speaking. “Can you tell me about yourself now? Is it safe?” 

Why Titania has granted you this reprieve, you’re not really sure, but you’re grateful that there’s no longer any forced secrets between you. “I believe so.” You try to gather your disparate thoughts, but a thousand little bits of darkness begin to tug at you, threatening to pull you down until ice water fills your lungs as you sink into a black ocean. “I…”

It’s not the pact that keeps you from talking, but years of entrenched dread. “You don’t have to, love, not if you’re not ready.” Astarion recognizes it too, hand now gently squeezing yours. 

Shaking your head, you dispel the ghosts of that dark house, your life is full of love and light now. “No, I want to try.” A thought strikes you, a fitting place to start. “Can I tell you about Ophelia? I-I loved her, and I haven’t been able to even say her name since.” 

Silence hangs between you and your breath is stilled, you hadn’t thought about how Astarion might feel, hearing about your first love. “I would be honored,” he presses his lips to yours. “And I can’t wait to learn everything else about my darling wife as well.” 

Tag List:

@micropoe10  @writingmysanity @mxxny-lupin @azu21

 @tallymonster  @dependsonthedream @sunfire-ancunin 

@bambamwolf87 @fayeriess @lumienyx @lisrelly

@elora-the-slutty-songstress @bhaalbaaby @spacebarbarianweird

@satanicspinosaurus @darlingxdragon

[ms-wwe]

CHAPTER I (PT. 2) DAMIAN PRIEST X OC

“ Your favorite! Don't drink too much before your interview baby doll. I'll be at the house if you need me.”

- Daddy

The note brought a smile to my face as I popped the lid on the coffee canister, taking in the strong scent of coffee grounds as I began prepping the pot. Though I was a thirty-four-year-old woman, I still found immense comfort in knowing at least one of my dads gave a damn enough about how stressful today may be for me to stay planted at their home that was just down the hill. Knowing if this interview became too much, too hurtful, that I could go running into his arms felt like a security blanket. I examined the kitchen for the next five minutes while my coffee brewed, the pantry was stocked with food I’d eat, there were drinks and snacks in the refrigerator, and I knew that this had to of been the work of my fathers. Knowing them, they likely assumed I’d be too nervous and too dread-filled to go grocery shop for a house that sits empty until I pay a visit, and they were right, groceries hadn’t even crossed my mind. I considered making myself a meal, it was eight fifteen and I had plenty of time to eat before this interview happened, yet the thought of putting food in my system made me feel sick, so I chose to skip the meal and enjoy my hot black coffee all on its own. I opened the cabinet next to the fridge and pulled out a coffee mug, one of my grandfather's favorites. It was a large mug that had been in this house since before I existed. It had a weird yellow hue to it now, my guess from the years of daily use, and on the front had an old logo that had started to fade away. It was for an old diner that used to exist in town but had been shut down for years. According to my grandfather, it was where he and my grandmother went to breakfast after church every Sunday. He always said using this mug made him feel connected to her again, and now I’m using it to feel connected to him. I poured my coffee and decided to enjoy out on the front porch in one of the old rockers. As soon as I opened the front door, I was hit with the crisp fall morning air, something I missed being in Florida permanently now. I made my way to the closest rocker and curled up in the seat, taking in the view from my grandfather’s porch. The compound of more acres than I cared to know of land that my grandparents had bought in the early days of their marriage. Their house, a single-story, old-timey ranch home, sat on top of a rather large hill, and now, it overlooked two massive homes flanking either side in the close distance. My fathers lived in these homes with their respective families and children. I looked at both houses, trying to see if I could discern any activity in the homes yet but to no surprise, I couldn’t quite tell from this angle. I sipped my coffee and took in the morning as much as I could, knowing in less than an hour, I’d be in the most uncomfortable position I’ve ever experienced in my life. My phone buzzed in my back pocket, jolting me out of my doomsday thoughts. I immediately pulled it from my pocket and smiled at the incoming call as I swiped to answer it. “Mija,” the deep voice said happily, and suddenly, I was back on earth without a care in the world.

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #372

I feel a little better today. Being downstairs doesn't seem as horrifyingly cold today compared to yesterday. And actually, being upstairs in the warm was a little too much heat for me. So I migrated myself and my things back downstairs where M and J generally are.

That said, J has been out almost all day. I'm a little sad about that, but it can't really be helped. First he had work out of the house, and now he's at his parents' house because it's Christmas (merry Christmas, by the way; I know your world has it, even if it has a different meaning there than here, since as far as I know, Yeshua never visited your world). I couldn't go along with him because I'm still a little sniffly and sneezy; I don't wanna risk making anyone sick, so I stayed home.

I yesterday, I didn't get soup because there was pizza. I thought that I was gonna get soup today, but that didn't work out either, because the place I had intended to get soup from was closed (which is weird, because normally places run by Chinese folks aren't closed on Christmas). That's all right; if they went to spend time with their families, then that's the best thing! I'll get soup tomorrow. Today, I made do with the homemade bone broth I thawed yesterday:

My homemade bone broth is made with so many wholesome and delicious things!!! It's great to drink right out of the jar, and it'll lend my body some strength and help me to recover faster!! Yay!!

I was also ravenously hungry today. I finished all the leftovers I had in the refrigerator – half a chopped cheese sandwich, half a buffalo chicken quesadilla, and the last of the saag paneer. I also made myself a concoction of several different herbal teas; too many to fit into my little glass mug, so I brewed it in a pot, and then put the result in a big mason jar to drink! I sweetened it with honey and... you guessed it, mascarpone cheese, haha! Though I'm out of the stuff now; I'll start using the leftover heavy cream from your cake soon.

...My father texted me today, and I got it because I forgot that with my new phone, all the blocked numbers are now unblocked. He wrote some bullshit about “merry Christmas” and how he “loves” and “misses” me. But. Well. The man knows where I live. If he really missed me, he could visit. If he really loved me, he would have made more of an effort to be part of my life when I needed him most. And the minimal role he did play in my life would not have been abusive. Besides... the man doesn't even know me. He doesn't know who I am as a person, or even basic things about me like the kinds of activities I enjoy, my favorite color, my favorite foods, or anything. He wasn't there for most of the major events of my life. Like. He knows absolutely nothing about the contents of my character or the values I hold or the way I think and feel.

...and not for lack of trying on my part...

…

I wanted to tell him all the things I just wrote to you. But it's a waste of time. As much as I wish that my biological family could be people who are a regular part of my life... all they do is hurt me and tell me how wrong and bad and stupid they think I am. And... I don't have room for that in my life anymore. I'm surrounded now by people I don't have to struggle to get love from. Trying to get love, respect, or even basic goodwill from my biological family is like trying to squeeze blood from a stone; it just doesn't fucking work.

...And it's not because they're bad people. Rather, it's because none of them have been able to do the necessary work to start healing the damage they sustained from their own abusive childhoods. Some of the people I grew up with endured horrors so unspeakable that I dare not write them here. Still, the fact of the matter is that they are, at present, unable to lead lives that would facilitate their healing.

...I'd help them if I could. But my voice is not one that they are willing to take seriously. In their eyes, I am a perpetual child, despite the fact that I'm gonna be 40 in a little less than 5 years. And children are automatically considered stupid and inferior in circles like the ones I grew up in, to the point that it's considered disrespectful if a child speaks up if their adult is objectively wrong about something, even if their failure to speak up would lead to some kind of bad outcome. But at the same time, failure to speak up will also be used as proof of the child's inferiority and stupidity. Go on, ask me how I know these things.

Even if I said anything to my father at this point, it wouldn't result in anything productive. All it would do is stress him out and stress me out, and for what? I could list all the things that happened to me under my stepmother's care, and all she has to do is lie and say “no that didn't happen” and that'll be the end of it.

...Best to stay away.

...And before you ask... yes. I am already aware that the person I'm trying to convince is myself. There is that small part of me that will always yearn for connection with the people who brought me into this world, in the same way that dogs yearn to eat weird things off the ground like pinecones.

Metaphorically, we do not eat pinecones, no matter how appetizing they look. Because they will tear through our bodies, spiky and whole, and then they'll have to come out the other end. And can you even begin to imagine just what an absolute fucking nightmare that would be??? No thank you. We gonna “nope” right the fuck away from that.

I refused to engage with my father's text message for the same reason I don't swallow whole pinecones. Though it might seem satisfying at first glance (at least if we're making pretend that we're some kind of derpy canid), we have to think about the consequences later.

Needing a distraction, but not quite having the brainpower for Hades, and feeling vaguely creative despite still feeling somewhat ill, I decided to work on something else. And then I put the results here:

...Why yes, it is "Everywhere" by Fleetwood Mac again. Are you getting sick of this song yet from the number of times I've shown it to you? Hahaha...

You might guess even without reading the description that I put it in LMMS in preparation for putting it to a music box. Though the song in the video is in the key of E, I've already converted it to the key of C (because music box paper is marked in the key of C, even though the music box itself plays in F... figure that out). So now it's just a matter of arranging the notes in their proper place in Audacity – easy peasy. Tedious and time-consuming, for sure, but ultimately the process is fairly straightforward once you know what you're doing.

I was almost gonna get started on the Audacity portion today, actually. But then I realized that if I start it now, the time is gonna fly right on by, and I won't even realize that it's tomorrow until 6am or something stupid like that. So if I have energy tomorrow, I'll do it then instead.

Anyhoot. Because I spent most of my time doing this thing, I don't have much else to write about today, and it's already almost 11pm, so I guess I had better stop writing here in favor of maybe quite possibly actually getting to bed on time.

I love you. Please try hard not to forget that you're loved, okay? And please... please stay safe out there so that you can come back to us in one piece. We miss you.

I'll write to you again tomorrow.

Your friend, Lumine

[kaira-diaries]

The Colonel’s Sister:

Note: one shot is also available on Wattpad under my account Kairadiaries for those who prefer it.

Warning: smut / fluff / language / wounds / blood

Pairing: Javi x f!character

Summary: she's Carrillo's sister, and off limits, until Javier thinks otherwise.

••••

My brother's lesson consisted of standing in the blistering heat for hours with my hands rolled into fists, bruised from a punching bag. Throughout it, he silently critiqued my form and stood with his arms crossed in authority. One two, I counted to memorize his instructions on the combos he was reluctant to share with me.

I made the mistake of asking if he'd caught Escobar yet. The answer was no, as the anger erupted between his clenched teeth. My older brother scowled at me the way he would as the colonel of the DEA. I still remember the day he was promoted to the job. Mama had been crying and squeezing him in hugs tighter than he could handle. My fingers poked at his uniform as I laughed at how ridiculous he looked, but he always made it a point to educate me on what an honor it was to become a colonel. He wears that same uniform now with no detectable expressions on his face. I rolled my eyes and limped over to the nearest chair I could find.

"Tell me something, Horacio. You look like a knob just standing there." I snickered. Knob. I'd just learned that word yesterday at the embassy.

I lick the sweat from my upper lip and empty the rest of my water bottle. He exhaled through his nose and went to open his mouth, but his wristwatch chimed. 8:00. I had guessed. Hours at the embassy were flat-out exhausting. Though, I'm only a receptionist. Despite rising at such early hours for my brother's lessons, it still hasn't gotten any easier.

"We should go." He said and disappeared into the apartment.

***

I hadn't gotten many calls today, and it was exhilarating.

Flipping to the next page of my novel, I sip on some much-needed coffee. It burns my tongue, and I groan at the burning sensation.

"You still haven't learned, huh?" I turn my head to find Murphy. He holds an orange folder stuffed with papers.

With a lopsided grin, I say, "I guess not."

He trades with me. I now have the nightmare of a folder, and he sips from the coffee mug. "What's Peña up to?" I ask, and he raises a suspicious brow. Exhaling through his mouth, he said

"Oh, you know, out, gathering information." His scrunched mouth confirms the worse. "How does the colonel feel about that?" I pick up the nearest pen and tap it against the desk. A shrug was all he gave.

"I don't know, you tell me? He's your brother." Horacio knows damn well what Peña has been up to but doesn't care to act on it. I've even called him on it, seeing it unfit to allow an agent to sleep around for information. I shrugged back when the double doors flew open to reveal peña. It was an effort not to roll my eyes at his appearance. The chocolate brown hair on his head was ruffled to hell, along with the wrinkled mess that was his maroon shirt. I leaned back in my seat.

"Jesus, you can't keep it in your pants, can you?" Peña unveiled a devious smirk and threw it in my direction.

"If it gets us what we need and keeps me young." I swallowed in disgust, and Murphy patted him on the shoulder. My brows raised, and I scoffed, standing from the chair to file the folder Murphy had given me. Checking the clock on my desk, my heart excites at quitting time.

My brother had promised to bring back my favorite allergy free dessert from his business trip today. I could already taste the sweetness as I smiled and grabbed my purse.

Tuning in to the boy's conversation, Peña was in the middle of sharing his recent sexual activity with yet another woman. I mimicked a vomit sound and pushed my way between them. "You're a pig." I spat and strolled out the doors, thinking that was the end of it.

My heels hit the concrete of the sidewalk when he stepped beside me. I gasped, jumping back. "That was quite the insult." He intercepted me.

I pulled my purse closer to me. "You have no sense of self-control or respect." I grab my car keys and unlock the doors, circling him. "You're wrong." He disagrees.

"I have a lot more than you think I do." With that, his eyes darken, and his jaw clenches. I feel trapped between him and my car as a hand reaches up to stroke my glossed, pouty lips. Lucky for me, I break from the trance and shove him back.

"I'd suggest Lisa as your new subject for your kinky fuckery. I heard she likes to sleep around." I threw myself into my car and sped off, leaving him there and not looking back.

***

I laid in bed that night, stomach full of the yummy dessert my brother had gotten me, and thought of Peña. My lips still stung from the lingering kiss of his fingers, and I had wondered why he'd done it.

It's no secret that the man is handsome, with strength in his appearance and confidence in his tone. He was the golden boy of the embassy and sought after by women of all ages and wanted for jobs by other businesses, despite how..flawed his tactics were. I'd asked him why he never took the better offers, but he only shrugged the question off his shoulders. I stopped believing the dismissive answers when I saw his clenched fists and frigid breaths. There was a reason; he was just so reluctant to tell me or anyone.

Blowing a caramel strand of hair from my face, I sit up, having an idea.

An hour later, I sat in a nightclub. Drinks and laughter filled every corner with gleaming happiness as I smiled at the sight of the glowing strangers that'd find love on the dance floor. A tinge of jealousy stabbed at my chest, and I sipped down the rest of my drink.

I hadn't registered the movement of my legs that carried me onto the dance floor and into the arms of a tall and handsome stranger. The red dress I had chosen tightened as my breaths increased once we set the pace. The man's eyes were blue, his hair black and long. I crumbled into his arms as his hands seduced my body. It was like electricity that had brought my limbs to life once the song's climax started.

But once the song had ended, my happiness ended with it.

In a second, the man was violently shoved in the opposite direction...by Peña, who had a melody of rage and jealousy in his eyes. The stranger recovered, but the strength of Peña's shove was enough for him to get the message as he disappeared across the club. "What the fuck are you doing here!" I yelled.

"Yeah, in this situation, you're not allowed to ask that question." He yelled back. Before I could open my mouth to question him on what 'situation', he pulled me in to talk into my ear.

"Carrillo called me once he'd figured out you went on a field trip." I screeched and shoved him back. "Fuck off." I scolded and ran off.

I wrapped my jacket around myself and slid my arms over my chest to draw less attention as I walked home. "Get in the car." I halted to find Peña's car. I snap my chin in his direction.

"Don't you have some bitch to fuck?" I bite.

"Not until Tuesday." He smirks. I could almost read his mind as it said,

Play with me.

I'd do no such thing as I started walking once more.

He drives alongside me. "Are you going to walk five miles? Just get in the damn car; that's insane." I scoff.

"No, you're insane." I countered.

"I don't recall asking for your opinion, querida." I rolled my eyes at the name and kicked off my heels to carry them.

"Someone needs to keep you and your inflated ego in check." My feet begin to ache, and he chuckles.

"Then I'm glad it's a young twenty-four-year-old like you, now get in the car; I'm wasting gas." I considered it for a minute until I had no choice as a shard of glass punctured the arch of my foot. I cursed and hit the ground like a coward, making Javi stop the car and speed to my side. "Don't touch me." I cringed when a hand grazed my shoulder. "Fine. Stand on your own, but we need to remove the glass." He plainly said.

Planting my hands, I push up with my arms but accidentally put pressure on my foot.

A sharp pain runs through my foot as I cry and nearly hit the ground again until he's there to catch me. Peña reassures me that he's got me, but his calloused hands linger on my bicep. His raised brows make me chuckle through the pain. "What? Were you expecting skin and bone?"

***

We ended up at his apartment.

Something about it being closer than mine.

I sit on the toilet seat with my foot elevated on the edge of the tub.

Peña curses as he digs for the medical supplies underneath his sink. He eventually finds the kit hidden behind a new bottle of body wash. "Ah, here it is." He gleams and disappears into the kitchen and returns with a bottle of titos vodka. I squirm and pull the bottom of my dress down, afraid of showing too much.

"It's best if you don't tell your brother about this." He comments, pulling out a bandaid to cover the soon-to-be-open wound once the glass is removed. "Why? You're just dressing a wound?" I asked, genuinely confused, and he shrugged.

"Carrillo is the colonel, and if he hears of you and me at the club, I'll be sacked."

My brows pinched together, and his rose.

"But..you said he sent you?"

My lips part. If Horacio didn't send him, then why was he there?

Peña remains silent and pulls out a pair of tweezers, and I bite my lip. "Will it hurt?" Fear travels up my spine as he looks at me with softened eyes. "Only a little." I release a breath from my nose and nod for him to continue. I yelped at the intense pinch of the withdrawal of glass and the burn of the alcohol to clean the wound. My hand reaches to grab for something to hold until the pain passes, and that something was accidentally Peña's free hand.

He allows it and laces his fingers with mine. I'm in too much pain to bat him away and embrace the warm and rough feeling of his touch.

Groaning through the pain, I ask him.

"What were you doing at the club?" I hiss at the burn as he thoroughly cleans it. Once the blood is wiped clean, he covers the wound with a bandaid. "Keeping an eye on you." He responds.

"Why?" I asked, quicker than I had intended, and he took a deep breath. "Because that man wanted to fuck you." I folded my arms over my chest. "So? Maybe I wanted to fuck him?" He throws the kit back in the cabinet under the sink and takes a mouth full of vodka.

"Don't say shit like that." He groans in annoyance. I lean forward to get in his face.

"I'll fuck who I want, Peña; it's none of your business, nor is it your place to interfere." He stands from the edge of the tub, laughing.

"You're such a hypocrite, Carrillo. So I'm not allowed to fuck anybody, but you can spread your legs, and it's all kumbaya?"

I stand, relying on my left foot. "Are you serious?" I asked.

He raises the bottle for another drink. "Do I look serious?"

I shake my head. "No, you look like a fucking imbecile."

As soon as it left my mouth, I knew I was in trouble when he pinned me between his intimidating figure and the bathroom sink.

"Such a dirty mouth." He cooed and licked his lips before pressing them to mine for a peck. I froze from what he had done, and he leaned in again for a deepened kiss. My lips widened as his tongue dipped into my mouth. Fuck. I hadn't known I wanted this, and fuck did he know.

He grabs my waist to spin me around. Facing the mirror, his fingers diligently travel to undo my dress and take ownership of my panties. We both knew damn well what was going to happen, but what I hadn't known was what he was thinking, and for some reason, I wanted to.

Leaning back into his chest, I offer my neck as he leaves hungry bites that'd last for a week.

As if he read my mind, he says,

"I think that whenever I'm around you, I feel like I'm worth more."

The clink of his belt brings me to life as he continues,

"I think...I want to bend you over and brand you as mine." A soft moan drags from my lips. He's concrete against my backside when I'm bent over.

He gathers my hair in his fist, and I prepare for what's to come.

"I'm thinking..you've been wanting this for a long time." He whispered in my ear and, in one thrust, filled me until he leveled out. I'd never felt so complete as he tried to wiggle closer. I welcomed him, wanting his skin pressed tighter against mine. The pain in my foot stung, but I shoved it aside as the feeling electrified my body.

"Fuck." He barked, and I arched back into him until his other arm pinned down my body. The thrusts were slow as he was pacing himself, but I wanted more.

"Stop being withholding." I groaned, and he chuckled.

"What do you need?" He rasped. "Fuck, you want more?" I nodded in the mirror, but his movements stopped. "I need words, baby doll."

"Give me more." I cried against the cold granite top. My chest was freezing, and his thrusts were coming in faster than I could take them.

My hips were bruising from his impact as I crumbled beneath his fingertips. He groaned in satisfaction from above and collapsed into my back. Turning my head, we share our breaths and come down together.

"Don't tell my brother," I whispered, and together we breathlessly chuckled.

[see--sea]

Allooooo, this is part 2 of Souls Of Redemption. If you haven’t seen part 1, you can read it here.

Also, HUGE thanks to @dem0nguy for editing and giving me some pointers.

Anyways, with out a further a due, I hope you enjoy :3

It was about Noon the next day. Penny, not truly remembering much from the previous day, woke to the sun blinding her. She stumbled out of bed as though she had a hangover. Before slowly walking downstairs in the world's baggiest PJs.

She comes face to face with her mom, “Oh honey, you're awake. How are you feeling?” “Like I’ve just had a thousand bottles of liquor, how about you?” Penny murmurs under her breath. “Oh jeez louise, let me make you some tea to help ya.” She reaches for a mug that says “World's best Grandma.”

It was one of Penny's favorite mugs. Her dad jokingly got it for her when she turned the grand age of ten years old. Her dad hadn’t expected her to love it so much, but it meant a lot to her. Her dad meant a lot to her.

Penny’s dad, John, had been a sweet man since he was a little kid. He was raised Christian, and taught all of the good values of Christianity. Penny’s great grandmother, her father’s grandmother, was John’s caretaker. His mom had unfortunately died during childbirth and his dad in the line of duty only a few months after he was born. All he really had was his grandma and the church, that’s how his life had always been.

When he turned 18, he became a permanent volunteer at the church and started actively working there when he turned 22. It was at the church where he met who is now the love of his life, Courtney, Penny’s mother.

John, known to be a very charismatic young man, approached Courtney and asked her to go out with him. Courtney was flustered, no one had ever talked to her like that before. But not skipping a beat, she said yes. The next day they went out, and as most movies would tell you: they started dating, got married, had a kid, etc. etc.

When Penny was born, John was thrilled. He was always perceived to be a family man, and now he finally was. He spent every free second bonding with Penny, and they grew an unbreakable father-daughter bond.

“Would you like to go to church today sweetie?” Penny’s mother asks, putting the mug of tea down in front of her. She snaps out of her trance-like state, “Uh, what? Yeah, no I’m good.” It was, odd for her to say. She almost never missed a day of church in her life. The only time she did was when her Great grandma passed away and they held a funeral on Sunday.

“Why not?” Her mom raises an eyebrow, she too, picking up on the oddity of the situation. “I don’t know, I just don’t want to.” Penny turns away from her mom, “Get off my back why don’t ya.” She mutters under her breath.

“EXCUSE ME YOUNG LADY?” Her mom screams, “I DON'T CARE HOW YOU FEEL, THAT IS NO WAY TO TALK TO YOUR MOTHER!” Penny was shaken. Her mom had never raised her voice before, let alone screamed like that.

“Yeah, whatever, I don’t care.” Penny states as she gets up from the table to go back to her room. Hoping she could get back to sleep. “I DON'T THINK SO YOUNG LADY, YOU GET YOUR ASS BACK DOWN HERE AND GIVE ME YOUR PHONE!”

Penny froze. Her mom was still screaming, which was startling enough, but now she’s swearing? It’s rare for Penny to hear anyone swear in her tight-knit community. But to hear it from her mother of all people… it was startling.

“Ugh, fine” Penny says, lightly tossing her phone onto the kitchen counter. “Oh you’ve done it now.” Her mom glowers. “Go to your room and get dressed, you're going to the confession booth.”

Confession booth? Penny thought to herself. She never, ever had to go to the booth. Despite the pressing idea, she still didn’t care about going. She dressed in her laziest and most comfortable church clothes, before heading back down the stairs and into the car where her mom was waiting for her.

In the short car ride to the church, what happened earlier finally clicked in Penny's head. Jesus, did mom actually yell at me? Did she actually swear? She looks up at the rear view mirror, catching sight of her mom’s face. Ok, yup she’s totally pissed. The car ride was silent the rest of the way there, it was almost haunting.

When the two ladies arrived, Penny's mom practically dragged her to the confession booth. “Now go and there, and fix what you started” Her mom passively aggressively states. Penny, not knowing what else to do or even say, simply listens to what her mother said.

“What’s on your mind?” A rugged voice spoke from the opposing wall she entered from. “Uh, honestly, sir, I don’t know why I’m here. My mom just told me to come here, so honestly if it’s cool with you, I’m just gonna sit here for a bit till I’ve, I guess confessed my sins. If that’s cool with you?” Penny stumbled through her words.

The voice hums, “You’re the girl from yesterday, aren’t you?” Wait, how would he know this? She hasn’t even said anything about herself—OH WAIT, that wasn't a a fucking dream… “Umm, yes sir. How—how do you know that?” A piece of paper slips through a crack at the bottom of the wall that blocks off Penny from the man.

“You are now a demon now, and you are in debt for your life. You need to collect at least a hundred human souls by the summer soulstice, or else we won’t take mercy on yours.” WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK? Penny, the sweet Christian girl is now a DEMON? And she had to do WHAT NOW?

“The name of every soul you collect will appear in the notebook we gave you. And if I were you, I wouldn’t lose it.” HOW DID HE KNOW ABOUT THE NOTEBOOK? Penny had completely forgotten about it until now.

“Uh, sir, respectfully, WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT! I’m a WHAT? I need to collect souls? Not to even mention how crazy that is, but if I were to do it, HOW would I do it?!?!” Penny quietly shouts, resisting yelling any louder for fear of her mom hearing.

“You will know enough in due time. If you don’t believe me, young one, look at the back of your hand.” The door on the man’s side swings open, leaving Penny in her own shock.

She, inevitably, looks at her hand. She hadn’t even noticed it, but what looks to be a—A PENTAGRAM ON THE BACK OF HER HAND!? She, in turn, panics. What if mom sees it? What if my friends see it? She freezes. What if dad sees it.

Penny, scatterbrained as all hell, shoves her hand in her pocket and walks out to face her mom. She had a smug look on her face, her arms crossed as she stared down her daughter. “Are you happy with yourself?” Her mother smirks.

“Uh, yes ma’am. Can we—can we go home now?” Penny said, still in complete shock. “Sure honey, of course we can!” Her mom’s demeanor changed in the blink of an eye. She practically skipped out of the church and into the car.

Penny, reluctantly follows suit. Before long the pair are back home. It’d already been a long day for her. She walks back to her room and collapses onto the bed. She casts a glance at the clock, only to realize that a mere hour had passed since she woke up. Great God she thinks to herself, only to pass out the next second.

[minty-tea-soup]

Would you mind telling me something that made you happy today? No matter how small.

Yeah of course!

So there was this really cute twine that someone posted to Tumblr today. It's one of those text based web games where you sort of choose your adventure to just read a story. It was made by kociamieta and I'm going to give the link to the game as well.

It is so cute and I immediately sent it to a friend who also liked it and we talked about it which was amazing cause I always love talking with friends about cool things.

Also while I haven't been able to do art today yet I did get some mozerella with balsamic which is one of my favorite combos and layer it in this flower pot mug. And like it's silly but it makes me happy. Cause eating out of a mug let's me have a handle and feel like the food is more safe as I walk around and eat.

Also like the mozzarella is pre sliced but still watery so it's super easy to eat and I layered it in the mug like how you make flowers for a cheese board with sliced meats so my brain looks into it and goes: "it's a flower!!!"

Oh also some people I don't always get quick replies from messaged me back today. One is from my best friend for a bunch of pics I sent him and I love getting any confirmation from him about anything.

Finally and this hasn't happened yet today but it's one of my stream days where I get to hang out with a lot of my online friends/The Rats and watch a stream together and those streams always make me feel better no matter how shit everything is.

Overall today wasn't super busy or active and I most likely won't even remember it in a week. But it still existed.

[messenger-of-stupidity]

Protocol Mug - Day Three

Welcome to day three! I actually enjoyed writing this. The dynamic between Asset and James is barely in existence, but the few videos they interact are some of my favorites. So enjoy.

Prompt: Hand-painted mugs

Characters: James and Asset

CW: Mentions of distrust, reverse of progress, worries about the future, a hint of mystery, fluff if you squint. And I mean if you squint like you’re half blind and are trying to see the details of a mosquito’s wings. Might as well get a fucking microscope at this point, minimal cursing 

Masterlist

Asset followed the security guard down the hall, the noise compressors installed into their body silencing the otherwise loud metallic footsteps they would have had against the linoleum. They stared straight ahead, line of sight bypassing the security guards shoulder.

The day had started out simply enough. They had powered on Marcus would have said they should use the term "woken up" because it made them more relatable to humans, which would improve their social standing, and picked out an outfit to wear today. Granted there was no variation. But they could pick out which white long sleeved shirt and light gray pants they wished to wear. Footwear was unnecessary and their installment team wanted to test the noise compression updates. They were partial to the socks commonly found within a human hospital that allowed for the wearer to find friction on the ground for movement. They liked the soft sound of it sticking. Plus when they were well and truly alone, as much as they could be, they could turn the sock around and use the fabric to slide this way and that.

They had been waiting for the first summons or appointment when the security guard had come to get them. That only ever meant one thing. They were going to meet with James.

She didn't acknowledge them as she knocked on the door to James' office. She only departed when the door was pulled open and Asset was greeted with his smiling face. Smiles can't be trusted. Don't start now.

"Good morning. How are you doing?" James asked them as they entered. The bionic eyes shifted in their sockets, documenting every new and little shift of their surroundings before they took their usual seat.

"I'm well. All my systems are functioning properly, and the new upgrades appear to be working as the installment team had hoped. As for my emotional health, nothing today has gone wrong to cause a dip within my... happiness." They answered, hands folding in their lap as they looked at James carefully. "How are you this morning?" James smiled at them, but it was soon replaced by a frown. Their emotional detection reasoning spun as they tried to orient and assign an emotion to the expression on his face.

"A bit troubled if I'm being honest. I'm worried about you. Do you want to tell me what's going on?" They seriously doubted that he needed anything from them. After all every activity they participated in, whether scheduled or not, was documented and reported to him and his own teams. So he would know everything. They looked away.

"I don't know what you are referring to. Please specify." They replied. It was a demand, but James knew they meant it as a question.

"Gladly. The newly appointed lead for your social protocol team reported you as uncooperative and disinterested." If they were human, they might have flinched. But they weren't, so they remained still with their expression carefully maintained. "And it's only with your social protocol. I can understand how it might unnerved you, but is there another reason why you want to avoid all interactions with the team?" He asked. They wished he hadn't been so thorough with his question. It had been purely analytical, so there was no room to dodge or leave information out. He certainly had a knack for getting to the heart and root of all of their problems.

They fidgeted with the stitched hem of their shirt. He knew it was on purpose though. Every action that seemed accidental was always done on purpose and thought through.

"I don't want to risk something like the code happening again." They muttered and James nodded with a sigh. They didn't like it, but they kept the opinion to themselves. They watched him lean against the edge of the desk and cross his arms over his chest.

"That's understandable. But these protocols are important to your connection to humanity. And you have to have that connection to have true and unshakeable motivation to save us. It's unknown what you'll encounter but we have to make sure you'll never waver." He said, sympathy coating his words. They nodded along with a frown. "Would it help if it was someone you could trust?" He asked. They stared at him before their shoulders moved in a shrug.

"I suppose if I already had a solid basis of trust and mutual understanding, it would make me less apprehensive to allow my social training to resume." They relented, unsure of where the conversation was going. They knew everyone that worked with them, but that didn’t necessarily mean they trusted them. The only person they could think of that they trusted was Anton, but he was on the team that focused on installing upgrades. That was what his contract was for. They watched as James nodded as if he had gotten some clarity. They still remained confused however.

“Alright. Do you trust me?” He asked, still staying where he was. They eyed him before copying his open stance. It wasn’t a perfect replication, but the flaws in it were also made on purpose.

“I suppose so. However, I don’t have a lot of data on you. While you have been very forthcoming with information in the past, you also held some information away. It brings into questioning what else you’re not releasing to me.” They responded. James’s smile didn’t go away, but his eyes remained guarded. They weren’t going to pull anything new from him, but that was expected. If they had been trying to get more information from him, they would have continued their line of questioning. Instead they leaned back in their seat and dipped their head a few calculated degrees towards him. James clapped his hands together, signaling a change in the conversation direction.

"Well then. Now that you've established you trust me, with some added tidbits, how would you feel if I took over your social protocol training? At least until you built a relationship with your new team lead and member, or until we found a suitable replacement. Whichever comes first I suppose." He asked. Asset paused at the offer, genuinely caught off guard. It didn't happen very often since they were usually able to predict outcomes. Then again, James had always managed to trick them. So they shouldn't be surprised. Although it was a very human thing to do - becoming surprised by the typical behavior of an individual.

"You have enough recreational time to set some aside in your schedule to take part in my training, James?" They asked skeptically. James didn't answer them, but the question was more rhetorical than it was literal. They nodded, as careful as usual. "I suppose that would be an acceptable temporary arrangement." They responded and James nodded, straightening up as he walked around his desk to the other side.

"Perfect. I figured that we would start now since you're already here. Is that okay with you?" There were a few possible reasons for the consistent check ins. It could be because James was that type of person, he wanted to keep their trust, or he was trying to get them to trust humanity as a whole once again. They guessed it was a mix of the latter two.

"I have no complaints with doing so." They responded, watching curiously as he pulled out a plastic shopping bag. They leaned forward slightly as their eyes grew wider. There was a soft mechanical whir as their pupils audibly zoomed in. James pulled out a couple art kits and he watched with amused interest at the way that Asset replicated the soft scrunch of their nose and the disinterested lip curl that was so present upon human expressions. "You want to do arts and crafts for my protocol training? I don't mean to bring doubt upon your methods, however... unprofessional they may seem, but I must question what painting clay pottery has to do with learning the social behaviors and patterns I'm meant to emulate of the human species." James laughed softly at their confusion as he opened one of the boxes to pull out the kiln-dried mug from its protective styrofoam casing.

"True true. But it's not the act that is the protocol training. It's the act of the bonding over such a project. I admit I also want to test your creative cylinders. But humans are social creatures, so we seek anyway of bonding. Plus I figured it would be a nice way to ease into this arrangement." He said, waving the mug harmlessly by the handle. Asset's eyes tracked the movement before their gaze shifted to lock eyes with James.

"Observations tell me that you have no inclination how my social team teaches and trains me." They deadpanned. His smile turned sheepish and he shrugged. His eyes never lost the guarded calculating look though.

"Guilty as charged. I can put the mugs away if you'd like." He offered. They stood up and walked over to grab the unopened box. They turned it over in their hand before meeting his eyes again.

"Negative. I'll take part in your scheduled activity. From my understanding, conversation is often present during such activities, often leading to mistakes being made which provokes frustration. I have multitasking program installed, so I shall not get frustrated. What would you like to converse about?"

When James had first met them, their speech had sounded slightly off. Just a nudge away from sounding genuinely human, bar any slang. But after the Marcus incident they had been distancing themselves further from more human speech patterns. It was what had provoked James to intervene in the first place. The concern that they would distance themselves as much as possible from humanity as a whole had been the more concerning factor. The sense of duty to save humanity had already been established, however they also wanted the Asset to desire to save humanity. It would make them try harder and cut no corners.

"It could be anything you'd like." James answered as he pulled out his radio to request a small table to be brought into the office for the two to work on. He watched as they sat down on the floor, carefully and methodically unboxing the mug. He wondered if they would purposefully cause bits of the styrofoam go splinter off like it would under a human's clumsy hands. But they managed it without much mess and collected little bits that came from it scraping against the flimsy cardboard of the box.

"I have nothing to say or contribute. Choosing topics are often in my clearance as well. The privilege was revoked since my topic of interest was always..." Their voice trailed off, body and expression stilling. The silent name was practically tangible. And for a moment they could almost feel his fingertips drifting along their sensors. They shuddered and refocused on the mug. They didn’t look up as the door clicked open and two people entered, carefully carrying a table as the third held the door open. James waited for the door to close before grabbing an edge of the table and scooting it to where he desired.

"I was serious when I said that whenever you changed your mind we could pursue legal action. It might be a bit difficult because of the memory modification, but we have legitimate proof of his crimes.” James offered gently. They looked at him, their head already moving in a shake.

“I would prefer to just try to let it become less detrimental within my memory hard-drive. It’s better to let it not get in the way of my progress.” They responded as they picked up the mug and painting accessories from the floor to bring it to the table. It was at average knee height so there was no need to drag a chair over. They moved towards it on their knees, holding the objects close to their chest. It was a very human behavior, although James didn’t bring it up. He carried his own project and sat down on the floor across from them. The cold temperature of the tile below the rug brushed along his thighs. He was sure that they were able to detect it. But it wouldn’t bother them.

“Alright. I just want you to know that the offer was still on the table.” He said as he leaned an elbow on the table, fist supporting the weight of his head, as he eyed the mug calmly. They stared at him, trying to analyze and sort his behavior. Giving credit where credit is due, he looked very relaxed and open. Too bad he couldn't mask the expression in his eyes. Unless he was leaving that open on purpose. Or was that a mask hiding different intentions itself? "You're trying to read me again, aren't you?" James asked, his attention now returned to them. There was no point in lying.

"I'll admit there was never a pause or lull in my analyzing. It's always active and directed to any organic lifeforms in my vicinity. Isn't that what some of my program updates' purpose was?" They answered. They grew confused at the appearance of a crease in their... what was he... owner? Boss? Manager?’s forehead. He didn't give them a chance to ask a question. He simply wet his brush before dipping it into the paint palette and began to carefully move it along the mug. They stared before mirroring the action. They hesitated before letting it touch the dried clay though, thinking. They let the brush touch briefly in intervals to let it place small green circles over the expanse.

"Have you decided what you want to talk about?" James asked. They glanced at him, but he was still carefully constructing a pattern out of their view.

"Yes, I have realized a conclusion to your inquiry. I would like our topic of discussion to be about you. It seems only fair considering how you already know everything about me. Especially since you been on this project since before the start of my operating. Don't you agree?" They asked. It was a little passive aggressive of them, but if it would get them what they wanted, it was a small price to pay. Silence filled the room as James considered his answer and they waited patiently. After a couple minutes he responded slowly. Carefully.

"What about me specifically?" He asked, looking up from his project to regard them. They washed the green away from their brush before putting yellow on one side and making small brushstrokes of the yellow to make repetitive small rectangles.

"Have you always resided within this nearby vicinity?" They asked. James shook his head without pausing to think. It meant that it was a safe question for him to answer. And that meant that some information was being held away from them due to the danger factor of it. How many threats were there?

"No. I travel around some for my job. This is just one of the longer stays." He answered. That didn't surprise them. They had scientists, programmers, doctors, ect. from all over the place brought in under NDA and contract to work on the project. Project being them of course. Of course there were those who didn't mind it as much and those who did. Like Brian. Although was that just because he had to leave his family?

"Do you have family, James?" They asked, the volume of their vocal compartment lowering. It was the most human they had sounded for a while if reports were to be believed. There was a pause this time and their grip tightened slightly on the shaft of the paintbrush, applying more pressure to their mug.

"Yeah, I do. My..." His voice trailed off as he paused to think again. He corrected himself soon after. "The person I care about is waiting for me to come back." He finished. They nodded, understanding the feeling, if a twisted form of it.

"I apologize for keeping you away from your loved one." They added a couple moments later, remorse filling their tone. James smiled.

"This is important. You are important. My partner understands this to some extent due to the confidentiality of this project. Besides, once you succeed, I plan on spending more time with them again. So don't feel sorry for existing. It will be thanks to you that I'll be able to see them again by the end of it." He said. They nodded, not offering a verbal response. The topic was moved away from James, as well as their end goal. A part of them wanted to ask what would become of them once if they completed the goal of saving humanity. Would they be repurposed? Held in some kind of mental frozen animation in case they were needed again? Scrapped?

“What happens at the end, James?” They asked suddenly as they used the water to help blend some blue and violet together so they could get the intended gradient effect on the handle of the mug.

“The end of the book? I haven’t finished it yet, so I don’t know.” James answered, misunderstanding the direction of their question.

“No, at the end of my mission. What happens to me?” They looked up to see James smiling and they frowned in return. What about their question brought him enjoyment? 

“That’s a really human thing to wonder. Improvement. But to answer you question, I don’t know. That would be outside my jurisdiction. I’m high up there, but I still answer to people. It would probably be the decision of the project originators. Which is a council of people when it comes to answering that. I hold no sway there.”

Out of all the information within their grasp, all the statistics they were able to run, variables to account for, educated and often correct assumptions to make, the answer of their future was always out of their reach.

A soft buzzer sounded and the door opened. They looked up to see the face of a security guard to act as their escort. “It’s time for their physical, sir.” The guard said. James sighed and nodded, standing as well.

“Alright then. Next time I suppose. Thank you for meeting with me today. I’ll see you again in a couple days, is that alright?” They stood, hesitantly leaving the partly finished mug on the table. 

“Yes, that’s fine.” There was only an illusion of another answer choice, but they appreciated the structure of a question instead of a demand nonetheless. They dipped their head to James before following the guard out. The door to his office closed behind them. 

James turned towards the table to look down at the paints, cups of water, and two mugs. He picked up the Asset’s to look at it. As soon as he did, he swallowed at the sight, a chill running down his spine and his jaw tightening. He stared at the design on top of the blended background. How the fuck did they know what a shade looked like?