#tomorrow’s promise 3.03

[topazy]

Tomorrow's promise

Pairing: Daryl Dixon × reader, Rick Grimes × sister reader

Warnings: Blood, childbirth, character death

Chapter: 3.03

“Come on, you can do it.”

Jace wraps his small hands around your fingers and manages to take a few steps in front of you before stumbling forward, but you use your hand to break his fall, so your hands are between his knees and the ground below. Jace repeats this action a few times until he becomes too tired and curls into your arms.

Carl claps his hands and says, “Well done, little guy.”

“Wow, big day for the both of us,” Hershel chuckles. “Give it a few days, and me and Jace will be racing each other in the yard.”

Hershel had adapted quickly to his leg amputation and learned how to walk with crutches. He looks great considering how much trauma his body had gone through a few days prior. Hershel really was a strong man. “You’re looking great; it’s good to see you up and about.”

“Well, Beth told me you helped her alter my trousers; I just wanted to say thank you in person.” Now leaning against the wall beside where you’re sitting on the ground, Hershel uses one of the crutches to point at a folded-up piece of paper falling out of your pocket. “What’s that?”

“Oh,” you say as you stand and shove the paper back into your pocket. “Me and Daryl are going on a supply run later; I was just making a list so I don’t forget anything.”

Carl cocks his head to the side. “I thought my dad said we had plenty of food.”

“I need more baby supplies, not just for Jace but also for your new brother or sister as well.” You didn’t want to embarrass your nephew by explaining that your breast milk was drying up. Daryl had overheard you telling Maggie at breakfast and immediately offered to accompany you. Changing the subject, you look to Hershel and ask, “So, how far have you walked now?”

“Only up and down this cell block so far, but I'm going for a stroll outside. Care to join?”

—

“Can I hold him?”

“Sure,” you smile down at Jace, who was trying his hardest to fight sleep. His eyelids would flutter shut, then he'd force them, then he’d whine and open them again. When Beth holds him, he beams up at her before his eyes betray him and close again. “You’re really good with him.”

Beth was only sixteen, and regardless of losing so many people at such a young age, kindness radiated from her. Beth would make such a good mom someday. You smile, noticing the proud look on Maggie, Rick, Daryl, and Glenn’s faces as they watch Hershel walk outside for the first time with his crutches.

Carl raises his gun. “Walkers!”

“Everybody, get inside now!”

You cover Beth as she runs to safety. Hershel hits a walker with his crouch and makes it into the small, fenced-off area with his daughter and Jace. The undead continue to close in on you, their hands reaching out to grab hold of your clothing and pull you down, but you manage to dodge their grasp and continue to fight, the bullets you fire landing in their rotting bodies. Rick, Daryl, and Glenn sprint to the prison yard, but you didn’t have time to wait for them.

“Lily, quick!” Maggie waves you over to join her, Carl, and Lori as they go into the prison.

You narrowly avoid walkers while getting to the doorway. But you’re unable to close the door behind you, knowing Jace is on the other side of the yard. But when you look back, you see that your brother has reached them and is taking the dead out one by one. Knowing your son is safe, you slam the door shut.

As you run from the walkers already in the prison, your heart pounds in your chest as you catch up with the others. You swear you can feel the hot breath of the undead on your heels, and when you glance back, you see Shane. Except it couldn't be him; his body is still on the farm. The walkers' moans and groans grow louder as they close in on you.

“Aunt Lily! In here!”

You run to the cell block Carl, Lori, and Maggie are in. Soon as your nephew slams the gated door shut, while catching your breath, you notice Lori crouching over in pain, her hand pressing against her back. “Somethings wrong.”

“Are you bit?” Carl asks, panicked.

“No, no, the baby is coming.”

A deafening alarm starts to blast through the prison. You clap your hands over your ears. “We need to move; that damn thing will draw every walker right to us.”

—

You manage to make it to the boiler room without coming into contact with many walkers. You help Lori stand; her screams of pain fill the air. She lets out a deep breath. “The baby is coming, now!”

While Maggie helps Lori lay down and take her pants off, you go to Carl, who is terrified and crying. You gently squeeze his shoulders. “Carl, keep an eye on the door for us, just not, okay?”

His voice is filled with fear and uncertainty. “Is my mom going to make it?”

Unable to respond, you kiss him on the forehead and turn him to face the door. He didn’t need to see his mom give birth.

When you hear Maggie saying, “Okay, it’s time,”

You go over to where Lori is standing, gripping tightly onto the metal poles tightly as she starts to push. You're not sure how to help, you let Lori squeeze your hand so tightly that it will probably bruise as she tries to push again.

“Stop, stop, stop!” Maggie says. Maggie holds up her blood-coated hands. “Somethings wrong.”

—

“Mom, look at me. Look at me. Keep your eyes open.”

As you watch Carl cry, your heart breaks not only for Lori but also because you know he’s about to witness his mother dying. Tears stream down your face as the realization sinks in that she was going to die during childbirth.

“I know what it means, and I’m not losing my baby.” She looks directly at Maggie and says, “You’ve got to cut me open.”

“No, I can’t.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

“You won’t survive.”

“My baby has to survive, please. My baby... for all of us. Please! Maggie! Please!”

“Carl? Baby, I don’t want you to be scared, okay? This is what I want; this is right. Now you... you take care of your daddy for me, all right? And your little brother or sister, you take care.”

“You don’t have to do this,” Carl weeps.

Lori breathes through the pain and says, “You’re going to be fine. You are going to beat this world. I know you will. You are smart, and you are strong, so brave, I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Maggie holds onto you while sobbing; she wasn’t ready to perform a C-section with Carl’s knife. The baby was breech, and this was the only way to save them. Lori knew that and was saying goodbye. When she meets your gaze, you immediately crumble. No matter how much she hurt you in the past, you never wanted this.

When you kneel beside her, Lori wipes your tears away. “Lily, when this is all over, you need to do what we talked about; it can’t be Rick.”

“No, no, I can’t.”

“Yes, you can; you need to. And promise me you will love this baby as if it were your own, and you'll take care of Rick and Carl for me. They will need you.”

Kissing the back of her hand, you nod, tears obscuring your vision.

Carl hands Maggie the knife.

All three of them were being so brave. Hershel had taught his daughter the basics of a c-section, so Maggie would take the lead. “Carl, baby, turn around.” Through your blurred vision, you see him still watching. “You don’t want to remember your mom like this; please turn around or close your eyes.”

When Maggie makes the first cut, Lori screams out in agony, and Carl begs for the brunette to stop. Lori suddenly goes still; you weren’t sure if she had bled out or passed out due to the shock of the pain.

“Lily, give me your hand. Lily please.” Maggie places your hand on Lori's stomach, where she needs it. “Keep that site clean, okay? If I cut too deep, I’m going to cut the baby.”

Everything that happens next feels like a blur. The alarms have been cut, and the room remains silent except for the distant growling of walkers. Behind you, Carl froze, unable to talk or move.

“I can see the ear. I’ll hold this open, and you pull the baby.”

You follow Maggie’s instructions and pull the baby out. “It’s a girl.” When the baby doesn’t make a sound, you turn her over and rub and pat her back until her cries fill the room. You sob, “She’s breathing; she’s breathing.”

After Maggie cuts the umbilical cord, Carl takes off his jacket and gives it to you to wrap the baby in.

“We can’t stay long,” you whisper to Maggie. “The walkers will smell the blood.”

“I can’t leave my mom like this; she’ll turn.”

“He’s right,” you say, squeezing your eyes shut, and when you open them again, Carl is pointing a gun at his mom's head. “No, no, no!”

He pulls the trigger.

—

The closer you get to exit, the louder Jace’s cries become, which is a relief knowing you’d see him any second, but it didn’t change the massive gaping wound in your heart. Lori was gone. If it wasn’t for the newborn baby in your arms, you would have thought everything that just happened was a horrid hallucination.

Your voice breaks as soon as you see your brother. “Rick…Rick…”

Upon hearing your voice, he smiles for a split second, but the horror etched onto your face and the baby in your arms, and immediately knows that his wife didn't make it.

“Wh-wheres Lori? Where is she?”

You try to answer him, but only a sob comes out.

When Rick tries to go up the staircase you just came from, Maggie stops him. “No,” she says, grabbing his arm. “Rick, no!”

If he saw Lori as you left her, it would completely break him. Rick looks to Carl, hoping his son can reassure him that Lori isn’t dead. “No…no…no.” He cries, “No, no, no!”

Your heart breaks for the innocent baby screaming in your arms, as well as your brother and nephew. She was born into a world that is so cruel and full of darkness and death. You start to shake, your body wracked with sobs, as the guilt of not being able to save Lori sinks in.

Daryl hands Jace to Beth and comes over to you, his eyes full of concern. He wraps a comforting arm around your shoulder. Softly, he asks, “What is it?”

“A girl,” you say, your voice wavering. “She’s—she’s dead. Lori’s dead. The baby… she was the wrong way.”

Holding you tighter Daryl whispers, “There was nothing you could have done.”

[wearfinethingsalltoowell]

Downton AU Snippet #1

Set in the opening scene of 3.05, Richard’s been Matthew’s valet since abt 3.03

Returning to his dressing room after his sister-in-law’s false labor pains, Matthew Crawley felt a twinge of guilt at seeing his valet still awake.

“It’s nearly two in the morning, Richard. Have we kept all the servants from their rest this evening?” Matthew asked, trying to keep his tone light but unable to hide his genuine concern for the staff’s welfare.

“It was no trouble at all, sir,” Richard responded, conveniently not answering Matthew’s question, “Is everything all right with Lady Sybil?”

“Clarkson says everything is as it should be, and given that I have no experience on the topic, I am going to trust his judgement.”

“In your defense, sir, most men our age have no experience in this particular field.”

“You can say that again. I’m nearing my twenty-eighth year on Earth and I’ve never been around a pregnant woman!”

“A natural consequence of being your mother’s only child, sir. And you should count yourself lucky. When I was younger, I overheard the rather unpleasant experience of a friend of my sister. Believe me when I tell you it’s all I needed to know about the subject.”

“Oh? What happened to her?”

“Her parents were so concerned about her that they shelled out thousands for a huge London doctor to come and treat her. I think he even had a practice on Harley Street. It was all the neighborhood could talk about for weeks. But, during the birth, I guess he missed the symptoms of some disease or other, and she died.” Richard explained, forcing away the growing feeling that he had said too much.

“That’s horrible,” Matthew said, attempting to console his friend, “did you know her well?”

“Not very, though she had been very close with my sister,” Richard said.

“Still, quite tragic, especially for a young woman. Do you remember who the doctor was?” Matthew asked, not knowing what had prompted this sudden curiosity about such a small detail of Richard’s story, but nearly being swallowed by the feeling that it was of paramount importance that he know.

“I could never forget it,” Richard said with a chuckle, “The village was so furious with him, I thought they’d form a mob and storm his practice with pitchforks. It was a Dr. Tapsell.”

Matthew’s blood ran cold, and suddenly he could hear his heart beat speed up.

“Good God,” he breathed, “you don’t mean Phillip Tapsell, do you?” he asked, praying he was wrong in his assumption.

“Yes, sir, it was him. What’s wrong?” Richard questioned when he saw the horrified look on Matthew’s face.

“That’s the doctor Robert has hired for Sybil. I have to tell him right away!”

“I shouldn’t have mentioned it,” Richard said quickly, trying to take back his words, “I wouldn’t want to cause His Lordship any undue stress before his first grandchild’s birth. I’m sure he’s a fine doctor who just made a mistake.”

“Trust me, Richard, if something happens to Sybil, and Cora, my wife, or, god forbid, the Dowager, finds out I knew this information and withheld it, then my war injury will no longer be the most painful thing that’s ever happened to me. I have to tell Robert as soon as I can.”

“If you think it would help, sir.”

“I do, immensely. And I owe you a debt of gratitude for the warning, God only knows what might have happened otherwise. Goodnight.” Matthew said, retreating to his bedroom.

______________________

“You were in your dressing room so long, I was beginning to worry.” Mary said when her husband finally appeared in their bedchamber.

��So sorry, darling, but I promise it was for good reason. I was having the most enlightening chat with Richard.”

“I’m glad to see you and your new valet get on so well. Molesley was nice, but I sometimes wondered if he’d ever interacted with another human before.”

Nodding in agreement at his wife’s comment, Matthew began to recount Richard’s story for her.

When he’d finished, she looked nearly as panicked as he had when he’d heard it.

“And this is the doctor Papa has hired to treat Sibyl?” Mary nearly screamed.

When Matthew shook his head “yes”, she took it as permission to continue spiraling into fear for her sister.

“We have to tell him, and the earliest possible opprotunity!”

Putting his hand through his wife’s hair in a calming gesture, Matthew tried to soothe her worries while panicking himself.

“Darling, I couldn’t agree more. We’ll find Robert tomorrow morning, as soon as he wakes up. Don’t worry, I’m certain the second he hears what Richard told me, he won’t let Tapsell near Sybil. I’m certain Clarkson won’t mind stepping in at the last minute.”

Her worries not quite gone, but recognizing there was nothing she could do until morning, Mary fell into a restless sleep.

————————————-

Meanwhile, in the servants hall, Richard was replaying his conversation with Matthew in his head when His Lordship’s valet walked in.

“Mr. Barrow,” Richard greeted the man whom he’d taken to calling “Thomas” in his head. Her Ladyship’s maid had pulled him aside his first week on the job, and told him that, as one of the longest serving staff members, getting into Thomas’ good graces would help him advance at the Abbey. Richard hadn’t needed to be told twice, and he was glad that he’d taken her advice. Thomas was now his closest friend at Downton (and if he spent a good chunk of time gauging if more than that was possible, that was his own business).

“Mr. Ellis,” Thomas greeted in return, “how are you?”

“I might have just gotten myself in a bit of trouble with His Lordship.”

“You? What could you have said to get yourself into trouble?”

“I was chatting with Mr. Crawley earlier, and I ended up telling him about a friend of my sister’s, who passed in childbirth. It turned out the doctor who failed her is the same one His Lordship hired to treat Lady Sibyl.”

When Thomas burst out laughing, Richard’s concerned expression turned confused.

“What is amusing about that?”

“I’m sorry,” Thomas said, catching his breath, “It’s just that, His Lordship forgave me for literally stealing from him numerous times, is currently fighting to overturn his valet’s conviction for murder, and his wife has a maid who would be more at home as one of Notre Dame’s gargoyles. I truly doubt that his son-in-law’s valet warning him about a potential threat to the life of his beloved youngest daughter is gonna be the straw that breaks his back.”

Realizing from Thomas’ words that he was being a tad ridiculous, Richard sighed.

“I just didn’t want him to stress out unnecessarily”

“I promise, when Mr. Crawley tells him your story, he’ll be grateful to you.”

————————————

The following morning, both Matthew and Thomas’ predictions from the previous night came true.

Mary and Matthew had corned Robert the second they saw him, and told him everything. Robert cursed, made them promise not to tell his mother, and cancelled Sir Phillip’s services immediately, and asked Cora to telephone Clarkson, which she happily did.

And, that afternoon, Richard jumped to his feet when the Earl of Grantham himself appeared in the servants hall.

“Your Lordship,” he greeted.

“Ellis, I wanted to come down and personally offer my thanks. Your conversation with Matthew yesterday evening may have saved my daughter a traumatic experience, and I am very grateful.”

“Thank you, Your Lordship. I’m glad I was able to help.”

______________

This is my first attempt at any type of fic since my ancient Wattpad account, and it is probably very bad, but I hope it was at least cute. Possibly more snippets from this au coming if anyone likes it

[jupiterreed]

raining all summer

3.03 am, the embodiment of your ghosts said, look at you. your knuckles are always bleeding & there’s god swivelling around at the bottom of your diet coke but you’re still a blank sheet of paper, you’re still so young, at least in theory, at least in that photo from three years ago back when smiling used to be an easy thing like peanut butter sandwiches or ribbons tied around pinky fingers. i stop the clock. i lift off the ground. have you noticed? i never meet your eyes when we talk. it’s not avoidance, really it’s protection against the paranormal. against what i don’t know. i ache for things i can’t even name, the words are there but they’re skewed & wrong & maybe a little ugly; i’d be ok with love that lasts only a night, i’d be happy in a foreign country where my language is made empty; i don’t want to be understood. is it the moon or does the sky have a black eye tonight? who hurt you last saturday? when you totalled morgan’s toyota & sweat whiskey, when you called me after asking for help but i couldn’t translate your sorrow through the grinding teeth of telephone static. maybe we grew up wrong. you grew up in a trailer behind a church that talked back to you & i grew up on my brother’s couch & we learned the real colour of skin before we could learn how to count. fleshy & ripe, like soap suds or a crushed strawberry. and then the delirium of stars. summer moon cocoon, late evening thrums out like honey through a fractured nozzle & pink smoke rises from the pits where we turn ourselves to offerings for the highway to swallow, undrunk wine left bleeding in the throat your silhouette roams the floor like a shark through cold waters and the ceiling bends, lights me aflame. hush, i’m telling you, it’ll be different next time. love waits for you somewhere else, it’ll be a warm spring day in another country and you won’t even remember the way it used to cram your mouth. the pain in your chest is merely percussion, the bones stand still and await release. where do we go to escape from the cracked skull of tomorrow, the sorrow with weight like an elbow digging into your ribs, the dirtied feathers, the open sores? we’re gonna live thru it all, my ghost is texting me again and it’s only 12 am this time. u really think so? i know that the rain hasn’t stopped where u are, i’ll find you again once the sun rises, i promise.

j.r

[vividlyinlovewithotome]

Ikemen Revolution: Ray Blackwell [Walkthrough]

Needs some friend? You know I do so add me with these codes P4VZVCS2Z and P954KFEDT! 

Tips:

[1] Log-in everyday to receive items.

[2] Participate on Destiny Duel every time it fully replenish to increase your Intimacy and Lin.

[3] Save up your Gacha Tokens, Tea & Cake,Story Tickets, and Keys by the time you really need it the most on events and such you’ll have no problem achieving those special rewards.

Ikemen Revolution is here! So don’t forget the others~

Jonah Clemence

Part 1

 1.04

I lifted my skirts in a curtsey. (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +4) I stood up straighter. I bit my lower lip.

Part 2

2.04

I love cupcakes! (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +4) Is it one per person? (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +2) What, really?! (Romantic: +2; Dramatic: +4)

2.05

Intimacy Check: Needs 100 Intimacy Reward Item: Ray-colored Sapphire Eyes (Beauty: +15)

Part 3

3.03

I didn’t mean to! (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +2) Yes, I heard everything. (Romantic: +2; Dramatic: +4) I’m so sorry. (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +4)

3.05

His Side Story: Different Worlds (Needs 1 Key to His Heart)

Part 4

4.03

Aren’t you going to stop them? (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +4) This is a big deal! This is hardly the time to be impressed!

4.05

Avatar Challenge:

Premium: Pleated Blue Top with Ribbons (Beauty: 60): 300 Magic Crystals Normal: Polka-dot Cocoon Skirt (Beauty: 30): 150 Magic Crystals/ 3000 Lin

Part 5

5.02

I love that idea! (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +4) I want to compete too! (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +2) I’m gonna have to clean hard! (Romantic: +2; Dramatic: +4)

5.05

Receive a Letter from Him: Read This

Part 6

6.03

That’s not very many! (Romantic: +2; Dramatic: +4) Can I have two, at least? (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +4) I’ll have to plan carefully. (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +2)

Part 7

7.02

That, I can do. (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +2) Are you sure you don’t need backup? (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +4) Okay, but please don’t get hurt. (Romantic: +2; Dramatic: +4)

7.05

Intimacy Check: Needs 2500 Intimacy Reward Item: Emerald Necklace (Beauty: +20)

Part 8

8.03

I didn’t expect to be right! You’re easier to read than I thought. (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +4) Did you pick the first thing that came to mind?

8.05

His side story: Knowing and Understanding

Part 9

9.04

Eat it whenever you feel up to it. (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +4) It won’t be as tasty as yours, though. All I could do was nod.

Part 10

10.01

You don’t have to laugh that much! (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +4) Did I say something funny? Ray! C’mon, stop it!

10.05

Avatar Challenge:

Premium: Shiny Golden Locks (Beauty: 80): 400 Magic Crystals Normal: Raven Ponytail (Beauty: 30): 150 Magic Crystals/ 4500 Lin

Part 11

11.04 Fenrir Ray (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +4) Luka

11.05

Receive a Letter from Him: It’s All Good

Part 12

12.04

I did! I ate your share too. (Romantic: +2; Dramatic: +4) Yes, of course! (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +2) I did. I ate plenty. (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +4)

12.05

Intimacy Check: Needs 4000 Intimacy Reward Item: Antique Book (Beauty: +30)

Part 13

13.02

Goodnight, Ray. (Romantic: +2; Dramatic: +4) I’ll leave the milk here for you. (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +2) I’ll see you tomorrow. (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +4)

13.05

His side story: The Words I Want to Hear

Part 14

14.03

Don’t do anything stupid. (Romantic: +2; Dramatic: +4) Promise me you’ll come home. (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +4) I’ll be right here, waiting for you. (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +2)

Part 15

15.04

What are you doing here? (Romantic: +2; Dramatic: +4) I didn’t think you’d come! (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +4) I called his name again. (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +2)

15.05

Avatar Challenge:

Premium: Lacey Headdress & Pumps Set (Beauty: 100): 500 Magic Crystals Normal: Fancy Barrette & Shoes Set (Beauty: 50): 250 Magic Crystals/ 6000 Lin

Part 16

16.01

(Is it Fenrir?) (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +4) (Sirius? Is that you?) (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +2) (Luka?) (Romantic: +2; Dramatic: +4)

16.05

Receive a Letter from Him: Needs 110 points

Part 17

17.01

You’re kidding, right? (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +2) I don’t believe it. (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +4) Ray wouldn’t do something like that. (Romantic: +2; Dramatic: +4)

17.05

Intimacy Check: Needs 7500 Intimacy Reward Item: Ray’s Pet, Belle (Beauty: +40)

Part 18

18.02

I don’t want to let go yet. (Romantic:+2; Dramatic:+4) I just-- I wanted to hug you. (Romantic:+4; Dramatic:+4) I wouldn’t do this if it wasn’t you. (Romantic: +4; Dramatic: +2)

18.05

His side story: When The Moon Is Full

Part 19

19.04

We did our best, but-- I’m sorry. He’s impossible to catch! (Romantic:+4; Dramatic:+4)

Part 20

20.03

I knew you wouldn’t forget. I haven’t forgotten our deal, either. (Romantic:+4; Dramatic:+4) Thank you, Ray.

20.05

Avatar Challenge:

Premium: Detailed Sapphire Dress (Beauty: 120): 600 Magic Crystals Normal: Sky Blue Chiffon Dress (Beauty: 70): 350 Magic Crystals/ 8500 Lin

Part 21

21.04

He’s just being kind. (Romantic:+2; Dramatic:+4) But it’s a nice lie. (Romantic:+4; Dramatic:+2) Well, I’m glad he lied. (Romantic:+4; Dramatic:+4)

21.05

His side story: Smiling With All My Heart 

Part 22

22.01

It’s almost too much. (Romantic:+4; Dramatic:+4) It feels almost like a waste. (Romantic:+2; Dramatic:+4) I wonder why. (Romantic:+4; Dramatic:+2)

22.05

Intimacy Check: Needs 14000 Intimacy Reward Item: Standing Floor Globe (Beauty: +60)

Part 23

23.02

Please, let me thank you properly later. (Romantic:+4; Dramatic:+4) Thank you, Loki. I’m so glad you came.

23.05

Receive a Letter from Him: Needs 158 points

Part 24

24.02

You’re the one who’s always got his back. (Romantic:+2; Dramatic:+4) He’s useless without you. (Romantic:+4; Dramatic:+2) You’re his number one best buddy. (Romantic:+4; Dramatic:+4)

24.05

His side story: Even If We Never Meet Again

Part 25

25.04

I pushed firmly against it. (Romantic:+2; Dramatic:+4) I grabbed the doorknob. (Romantic:+4; Dramatic:+4) I pounded on the door. (Romantic:+4; Dramatic:+2)

25.05

Avatar Challenge:

Premium: Lacey Blue Gown Set (Beauty: 180): 900 Magic Crystals Normal: Navy Blue Ribbon Gown Set (Beauty: 100): 500 Magic Crystals/ 22000 Lin

Part 26

26.01

You can be angry at me if you want. I know it was reckless of me. I couldn’t help myself! I just had to. (Romantic:+4; Dramatic:+4)

Romantic Route

27.01

Welcome back, Ray. (Romantic:+4; Dramatic:+2) We’ve been waiting for you. (Romantic:+4; Dramatic:+4) Good timing. (Romantic:+2; Dramatic:+4)

27.05

Receive a Letter from Him: Needs 190+ points

His side story: You Are My Light

Romantic End Bonus: Ray’s Room Background

**Chapter Ticket x 5, Magic Crystals x 300

Dramatic Route

27.03

I won’t forget. (Romantic:+2; Dramatic:+4) I’ll do my best. (Romantic:+4; Dramatic:+2) Have a little faith in me. (Romantic:+4; Dramatic:+4)

27.05

Receive a Letter from Him: Needs 190+ points

His side story: You Are My Destiny

Dramatic End Bonus: Ray’s Casual Clothes

**Chapter Ticket x 5, Magic Crystals x 300

Both Ending Bonus: Ray’s Plushy

[mmmuses]

My Wife, a missing moment fic by mmmuses, part 2

Happy Poldark Day, folks! Still working on this one, and will have one more part to complete. Should have that to you by next Sunday.

From Poldark 3.03, continued from here. Story request and gif by @poldarked-fangirl

~*~*~*~*

He reached for the laces of her bodice, sliding the ribbons free, reminding him of the first dress he ever helped her out of, so many years ago. He grinned, which earned him a gentle poke in his side. “What are you thinking of, Ross?”

“Oh, I imagine you can guess,” he chuckled, drawing the ribbons free and spreading her jacket open, revealing the lovely brocade stomacher beneath. He was happy she’d still found one of the purchases they’d made at Mistress Trelask’s before he’d left for France useful. “I believe, once the child has come and you’re ready for another jaunt into town, I should like to find some blue-green silk for a new party gown for you.” His grin broadened as her cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink. He slipped the pins on the stomacher free, running the tip of his index finger along the edge of her neckline, the skin of her breasts erupting in gooseflesh. He nuzzled his nose against hers. “I’ve a need to see you in that colour once again.”

She nipped his bottom lip when he drew back from the urgent kiss she’d pressed upon him. “Twill be several months before then--” He kissed her, sharp and quick, before levelling her a glance. “I would be most pleased to do so, my lover.”

Ross reached for the open lapels of her jacket when a sound from down the hall brought him short. “Our Jeremy?” he asked.

“Yes, Ross." Her eyes softened, taking a little of the sting away from her disappointed sigh. Tonight is the first night he’ll be in his room for the last few weeks, so I thought we might have some troubles.”

Ross covered her hands as she drew the fabric closed. “You’ve had him here with you whilst I’ve been away?” he asked softly.

She nodded, her eyes dark and warm. "Jeremy looks just like you when you are asleep." She drew her jacket closed. “I should go to him, just to settle him down.”

"Let me, Demelza," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "As much as I should enjoy helping you from your garments, I dare say I might have a chance to finish the task when I return?"

"Oh yes," she sighed, kissing his jaw, the tip of her tongue running against the stubble before her teeth gave him a nip. "I'll be waiting," she whispered against his skin.

Ross couldn't restrain a groan from leaving his lips. "Temptress." She laughed throatily, nudging him towards the door with a gentle shove.

He adjusted his breeches as he moved down the hall towards Jeremy's room, shifting his focus towards his son. It had been Prudie's voice that had separated Ross and Demelza from their embrace in the yard, his annoyance turning to joy when he saw the lad peering around the maid's skirts. Jeremy had grown during his absence, or was that just his imagination? It had been hard to tell, since the boy had been shy around his father at supper, peeking and peering around his mother to watch him. His son's wariness had eased when they'd all relaxed by the fire, their bellies full and the day's excitement mellowed into contentment. Ross had been telling Demelza of his escape from the French when he'd caught Jeremy's dark eyes observing him with a trembling curiosity it made Ross bite the inside of his cheek to keep from grinning. Eventually, the boy had made his way from Demelza's side to Ross's, his little body leaning against his father's as they sat on the settle until he'd nodded off, his head in Ross's lap. Now, as Ross opened the door, he hoped the lad would not object to his father being the one to tend to him.

Ross was able to lock onto Jeremy's eyes the instant he entered the room, the light from the eight-hour candle Demelza had used reflected in his tears. "Son?" Ross asked, striding across the room to sit on the edge of the cot. Jeremy scrambled into his father's lap, his arms clamped around his neck. "What's this?" Ross said, stroking his hand down the boy's back.

"Miss Mama," he sobbed.

"I know, 'tis a big thing to ask you, to be in here all by your lonesome," Ross murmured, breathing in the boy's scent, his throat catching by how much he'd missed this. "What if I were to let Garrick stay with you tonight?" He smiled at the jolt of pleasure that raced through him, brought about merely by his son's gasp of delight.

"Oh, yes, Papa! Please?" Jeremy sat back, wiping his cheeks with the backs of his hands.

"Alright, then." Ross pressed a kiss on his son's temple. "Just this once." He shifted Jeremy back under his blankets and went to fetch the dog. Whilst Ross had long since lost the battle to keep the dog outside, he had been able to insist the beast remain downstairs in the kitchen. True to form, when Ross reached the room, the scent of yeast from tomorrow's bread spreading its sweet, homey tang through the air, he found Garrick, sitting at attention amidst his blankets. "I require your services, mongrel," he said, hands on his hips, humour removing the edge from his phrasing. "Care to accompany me to Master Jeremy's room?" The dog gave a quiet 'woof' and padded his way to Ross's side.

Moments later, Ross pushed open the door to his son's room, his heart warmed by the delight that spread its way across Jeremy's face as Garrick bounded across the room and into his cot. "Now, I've your promise that you will not stay up all night at play, son?" Ross asked.

"Yes, Papa, I promise," the boy squeaked, closing his eyes as the dog did his best to lick Jeremy's face clean. "Thank you, Papa." He held Garrick at bay and offered his lips for a kiss.

His heart too full to speak, Ross leant down to press his own against them. "Goodnight, lad."

[topazy]

Tomorrow’s promise

Pairing: Shane Walsh x reader, Daryl Dixon x reader, Rick Grimes x sister reader

Warnings: character deaths, blood & gore, explicit language, mentions of abuse and SA, sexual content

Tomorrow’ promise edits A different tomorrow

S1/2

1.01 1.02 1.03 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12

S3

3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10

S4

4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04