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successartistry · 1 year ago

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Affiliate Marketing: The Unexpected Path to Financial Freedom

Introduction

Are you interested in finding a way to achieve financial freedom? Look no further than affiliate marketing! In this blog post, we will explore how affiliate marketing can provide you with a lucrative income stream and the opportunity to be your own boss.

By promoting other people's products and earning a commission, you can leverage the power of online marketing to reach a global audience and generate passive income. This means you don't have to create your own product to start earning money.

Affiliate marketing allows you to tap into the vast potential of the internet and make money while you sleep. With the right strategies and dedication, you can build a sustainable online business that brings in steady income.

So, if you're ready to embark on an unexpected path to financial freedom, keep reading. We'll delve into the various benefits and strategies of affiliate marketing that can help you achieve the financial independence you desire.

Section 1: No Need to Create Your Own Product

One of the most attractive aspects of affiliate marketing is that you don't need to create your own product. Instead, you can focus on promoting existing products or services that align with your interests and passions. By leveraging other people's products, you can bypass the time-consuming process of product development and jump straight into earning commissions.

This approach allows you to get started quickly, which is especially beneficial if you're looking for a way to generate income sooner rather than later. Additionally, by promoting established products, you can reduce the financial risks associated with launching your own product. The costs and uncertainties of product development, manufacturing, and inventory become someone else's responsibility, leaving you free to concentrate on marketing and driving sales.

Whether you're passionate about fitness, technology, or home decor, there's likely an affiliate program available to suit your interests. With the opportunity to earn income from products you genuinely believe in, affiliate marketing provides a flexible and rewarding path towards financial freedom.

Section 2: The Power of Online Marketing

Harness the power of online marketing to tap into a global audience and expand your income potential. With the rise of digital platforms, reaching customers from different parts of the world has become easier than ever before. Through affiliate marketing, you can utilize various online channels such as websites, social media, and email marketing to promote your affiliate links. This opens up opportunities to earn income while you sleep, as your marketing efforts work continuously in the digital realm.

Online marketing allows you to target specific demographics and interests, ensuring that your promotions reach the right audience. By leveraging the power of search engine optimization (SEO), you can increase your website's visibility and attract organic traffic. Additionally, social media platforms provide a vast network of potential customers who are actively engaged and ready to discover new products or services.

Email marketing is another effective tool in your online marketing arsenal. By building an email list of interested subscribers, you can regularly communicate with them, share valuable content, and promote your affiliate links. This direct line of communication helps you establish trust and credibility with your audience, increasing the likelihood of conversions.

In the digital age, the possibilities are endless. Embrace the power of online marketing to reach a global audience, expand your income potential, and achieve financial freedom.

Section 3: Be Your Own Boss

Imagine the freedom of being your own boss, setting your own schedule, and working from anywhere in the world. As an affiliate marketer, you have the autonomy to choose your niche, select the products you want to promote, and define your marketing strategies. This flexibility allows you to pursue your passions and build a business that aligns with your interests. Say goodbye to the constraints of traditional employment and embrace the freedom that affiliate marketing offers.

Being your own boss means you have the power to make decisions that directly impact your success. You have the freedom to experiment with different marketing techniques, explore new opportunities, and adapt your strategies as needed. No longer will you have to answer to a supervisor or adhere to someone else's vision. Instead, you can take charge of your own destiny and create a business that reflects your unique strengths and aspirations.

In the world of affiliate marketing, you are in control. You have the ability to set your own goals, determine your own income, and shape your own future. Whether you want to work part-time or build a full-time business, the choice is yours. So, take the leap, embrace the entrepreneurial spirit, and become your own boss in the exciting world of affiliate marketing.

Section 4: Diversify Your Income Streams

Affiliate marketing provides an opportunity to diversify your income streams and reduce financial risks. By promoting products across different niches, you can ensure that you are not solely reliant on a single income source. This diversification not only brings stability but also allows you to tap into various markets and adapt to changing trends.

Imagine having multiple streams of income flowing in from different sources. If one niche experiences fluctuations, you can rely on the others to keep generating revenue. This flexibility is crucial in the ever-changing world of online business.

Utilising your skills and passions, you can explore different niches and find products that align with your interests. This way, you can enjoy what you do while earning money. As you expand your affiliate portfolio, you can create a reliable and sustainable income stream that continues to generate even when one niche experiences fluctuations.

Diversifying your income streams through affiliate marketing is a smart move that can lead you on the path to financial freedom.

Section 5: Utilise Your Skills and Passions

Finding the perfect affiliate niche is not just about earning commissions, but also about utilising your existing skills and passions. Take some time to evaluate your interests and expertise. What topics or industries excite you? By focusing on areas that align with your skills and passions, you can build credibility and create content that resonates with your target audience.

When you are passionate about a subject, it shines through in your work. Your enthusiasm will captivate your audience and make them more likely to trust your recommendations. Plus, your existing knowledge and skills will give you a competitive edge in your chosen niche.

For example, if you have a background in finance, you could explore affiliate programs in the personal finance or investment industry. Your expertise will allow you to provide valuable insights and advice to your audience, establishing yourself as a trusted authority.

Remember, affiliate marketing is not just about making money; it's about sharing your passion and expertise with others. So, leverage your skills and passions to create content that not only drives sales but also brings you joy and fulfillment along the way.

Section 6: Develop Valuable Relationships

In the world of affiliate marketing, building relationships is crucial for long-term success. Connecting with top performers and industry players allows you to gain insights, exchange ideas, and collaborate on projects. By networking within the affiliate marketing community, you open doors to valuable partnerships, joint ventures, and mentorship opportunities. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals accelerates your growth and allows you to learn from those who have already achieved financial freedom through affiliate marketing.

To develop valuable relationships, start by attending industry conferences and events. These gatherings provide an excellent opportunity to meet influential people in the field. Additionally, join online forums and communities where you can engage with fellow affiliate marketers, ask questions, and share your experiences. Actively participate in discussions and offer help whenever possible.

Remember, relationships are built on trust and mutual support. Be genuine, provide value, and be willing to help others. By nurturing these connections, you'll create a strong network that can propel your affiliate marketing journey to new heights.

Section 7: Embrace the Digital Age

In today's digital age, e-commerce is thriving, and affiliate marketing is at the forefront of this boom. By embracing the digital landscape, you can tap into the enormous potential of the online market. The convenience of online shopping and the increasing number of internet users provide affiliate marketers with a vast pool of potential customers. Putting your marketing efforts in the digital space allows you to capitalise on this growing trend and maximise your earning potential.

With the rise of social media platforms, search engines, and online advertising, reaching your target audience has never been easier. You can leverage these digital tools to create engaging content, build a strong online presence, and attract customers to your affiliate products or services. Additionally, the ability to track and analyse data in real-time enables you to optimise your marketing strategies and make data-driven decisions.

Embracing the digital age opens up a world of opportunities for affiliate marketers. It allows you to reach a global audience, scale your business, and stay ahead of the competition. So, don't hesitate to dive into the digital realm and unlock the full potential of affiliate marketing.

Conclusion

Affiliate marketing offers a unique and unexpected path to financial freedom. With no need to create your own product, the power of online marketing, the flexibility of being your own boss, and the opportunity to diversify your income streams, affiliate marketing provides endless possibilities.

By utilising your skills and passions, developing valuable relationships, and embracing the digital age, you can embark on a journey towards financial independence. Imagine having the freedom to work from anywhere, set your own schedule, and earn passive income while you sleep.

So, what are you waiting for? Start your affiliate marketing business today and unlock the door to a life of freedom and financial success. With determination, perseverance, and a willingness to learn, you can turn your dreams into reality. Take the leap and embrace the unexpected path to financial freedom through affiliate marketing. Your future awaits!

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reasonsforhope · 7 months ago

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"When politicians unveil a new national park or wilderness area, it’s often accompanied by debates about what effect it will have on the livelihoods of people living nearby. In some places, it can be welcomed as a boon, attracting tourists and their dollars. In others, it’s booed as a job killer, squelching the chance for new mining, grazing, logging or other industries.

As nations promise to nearly double the amount of protected land on the planet, from 17% to 30% of the Earth’s surface, these debates are likely to happen more often. Now there is new evidence that it’s possible to have both land protections and a growing economy. But it’s not guaranteed. “Achieving both aims is more common than we previously expected,” said Binbin Li, an environmental scientist at Duke Kunshan University, a Chinese institution affiliated with Duke University. “But that balance depends on socioeconomic conditions near a protected area.”

It can be hard to tease out causal links between two things as complex as the changing condition of a landscape and the economy of a nearby city. Did a town flourish because of a nearby national park, or because an increase in remote work enabled people to move there? Did another town collapse because a forest reserve contributed to the demise of a sawmill, or was it part of a bigger downturn in the timber industry?

To try to clarify the effects, Li and colleagues at Duke University and Shandong University in China compared the fates of “twin” towns and cities, as well as comparable patches of land. They identified more than 10,000 protected areas in countries around the globe, then examined how economic activity changed in nearby settlements between 2013 and 2020, compared to similar settlements more than 20 kilometers from any protected land. They also matched the protected area to similar nearby unprotected areas, to see if they fared differently.

The scientists used satellite images to track changes on the landscape, such as forest turning to farmland. They also tracked changes in the amount of nighttime artificial light as a surrogate for economic activity.

The satellite images revealed that in many cases, more trees and grasslands stayed standing and the lights shown more brightly at the same time. In about half the protected areas, there was simultaneous progress in both conservation and economic development, the scientists reported on June 20 in Current Biology.

Land protection was broadly successful at reducing the loss of forest and grasslands – more than 90% of the protected areas either lost no natural land cover, or less than their unprotected twins, the researchers found. At the same time, 60% of neighboring communities had as much or more of an increase in nightlights than places further from protected land...

Land protection and economic growth went hand in hand most easily in wealthier countries, around smaller protected areas, and in places with some of the infrastructure critical for economic development, such as roads. In places without these features the ecological fate of the land and the economic fortune of nearby towns was more likely to diverge or decline together the researchers found.

“Conservation does not happen in a silo,” said co-author Stuart Pimm, a Duke University ecologist. “We must consider local development alongside biodiversity conservation to know where and how to protect areas to benefit both the environment and humans.” ...

The results underscore the ways in which poverty and environmental degradation can be bound together. If poverty isn’t dealt with, creating protected areas could set the stage for both loss of biodiversity and economic development, the researchers warned. The flip side is that with careful planning, conservation could help set nearby towns on a path out of poverty. As an example, the scientists pointed to Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park, which has become a hub for ecotourism on the country’s Pacific coast.

“We need to get to a win-win outcome more often, especially in the most biodiverse regions that can ill-afford losing out on economic development or biodiversity,” said Li. “We cannot address biodiversity loss without addressing local development issues.”

-via Anthropocene Magazine, June 26, 2024

#would be super interested to hear the thoughts of science and statistics people #on the methodology of this study #like it's probably about as direct as it can be at such a large scale but still pretty indirect #anyway #human development #conservation #poverty #global poverty #climate change #climate action #biodiversity #good news #hope

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writtenbyjeanofarc · 3 months ago

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⋆𐙚₊ SILENCE IS COMPLIANCE. ˚⊹♡

that boy is a monster <3

˚ · .─ genre: psychological horror, thriller, smut, porn with plot.

˚ · .─ pairing: Johan Liebert x You (Fem! Reader)

˚ · .─ warnings: guilt tripping, facefucking, stalking and sexual harassment (on Johan’s end), fingering, slight praise and degradation, oral sex (you giving), sadist! top! Johan, implied threats of blackmail. Johan is unpleasant to be around as always, but HE IS HAVING FUN.

˚ · .─ summary: You, a renowned private detective working alongside Richard Braun, happen to be overwhelmed with a lingering sense of guilt that was almost painful to get rid of. It may have been your conscience taking over you after your subordinate Mr. Braun called you by the phone, confirming that your plan to execute 17-year old Stephan Joos was successful. As his superior, it was your responsibility to command a group of detectives on whether executing the accused was an option in the first place. The fear of having your name tarnished as a trusted detective befalls you, even more so when a mysterious man who has been keeping tabs on you pays you a visit.

Johan currently has plans for killing off Schuwald and anyone close to the tycoon. Because of your affiliation with Schuwald, he also happens to take an interest in you for the time being after knowing you were hired alongside Mr. Braun to investigate a “suicide.” Performing a deep dive on your position over Mr. Braun, you never knew all would be too late for you as Johan knew about the enabler behind a teenager’s death, and it was none other than you — Detective [Name].

˚ · .─ author’s note: This takes place after the death of Richard Braun. The most disturbing fact about this is that Johan’s basically just killing time here. He’s beyond evil and as we all know, this man is a walking red flag but red is my favorite color. Also, do note that I forgot most of the events in Monster, which prompted me to search up the Wiki to get caught up. So don’t be surprised if there are any plotholes. I tried my best. I now have to take a shower with how nasty I felt writing this. Who doesn’t want to see our man facefucking reader? Right. Anyhow, enjoy.

────୨ৎ────

Droplets of rain cascaded down the streets of a hollow, yet bustling town in central Germany. Ashy smoke polluted the air, if not filled, allowing you to take a whiff of what it was truly like to be in a place so dynamic, yet irresponsibly handled by authorities. On your way home, a different type of clutch has weighed in your chest — the feeling of someone’s ghost haunting you to the depths of your heart, mind, and soul. If not a ghost, then a gut instinct, a heavy one at that, pleading you guilty of a crime you indirectly committed. It was as if a pitch black hole of dread was looming over your eyesight, tracking you down until you were about to end up having a heart attack.

So you drew in a deep breath, taken aback by your pointless worries, and asked yourself: Why feel such if the guilt I’ve been experiencing has not been backed up by witnesses? Perhaps if my plan was to be discovered, the blame wouldn’t be put on me, but Richard. After all, he was the one who explicitly murdered Stephan.

On a brighter note, working as a renowned private investigator did not just pay you well. You were a superior, a senior figure, at best. Reaping the rewards you sowed from almost a decade of hard work, you collaborated with skilled professionals with great respect carried with your name. From closing cases and bringing justice, everyone of those victims you saved look up to you. You always paraded yourself as a knight in shining armor, because cleansing the world off of its taint was what you believed you did best.

Yet here you are, hands trembling as you slowly unlock the door leading to your apartment. Soaking wet from the rainfall, you sigh of relief, stripping yourself off of the protective raincoat your mother gave you. It was about 6:00 in the evening.

You could remember hearing about Richard’s death all too well, yet can’t identify who drove him to kick his own bucket. At first, you suspected the man who often hung around children — perhaps he murdered your subordinate, or maybe convinced him to drink up to a point where he couldn’t tolerate its toxicity. A part of you wanted to despise the man after he may have been responsible for your subordinate’s death. So you took a whole bottle of alcohol from your kitchen in hopes of letting your guilt fade, in hopes that your drunken state would absolve you of any sin you were responsible for causing.

Maybe if you called up your subordinate Richard asking how he was doing after murdering Stephan, maybe he wouldn’t have taken his own life. But tonight was no use dwelling on such, for you had to focus on getting drunk after every ounce of guilt thrown your way. After finishing a whole bottle of whiskey in the dining room, a plethora of intrusive thoughts began to overtake you as you made your way to bed.

The worst scenario you envisioned was becoming involved in a “scandal” that cost you your career, potentially endangering your reputation as a trusted detective. Another thought was receiving consequences in the next life for your plan to execute Stephan Joos without due process — no one pleading guilty, and definitely no chance for him to share his side of the story. You may have had a strong sense of justice, but a lingering smoke of conscience came with this gift. You didn’t know what to make of it. Regardless, you feared that the guilt would eat you away, leaving you with nothing but misery in the potentially evident afterlife.

However, the last thought was something you wanted to brush up against most. All you could think of was Mr. Braun’s warning to you regarding a peculiar young man that often hung around by the nearest orphanage. You always suspected the blonde, clad in a turtleneck and a loose brown suit paired with pants of similar fabric. Mr. Braun claims that the man’s got something planned for your mentor, Hans Georg Schuwald. But something didn’t sit right with you the moment you dreamt of his touch. You definitely didn’t want to think about it, though you can feel moisture well up in your designated area from the thought of him defiling your dignity.

Naturally, you’d want to avoid this man at all costs, and instead, focus further on investigating Fahren’s suicide. However, like Richard, you also suspected him to be a significant part of the case you were hired to solve. Perhaps he ordered professional killers to induce suicide within the victim’s will, or that he manipulated them to his will himself. Either way, you were preoccupied with putting an end to this man‘s life, as ironic as it sounds, while also absolving yourself of the sins left upon you by the now deceased Richard.

What if I’m not doing my job the way it should be done? What if I failed to meet the victims’ expectations? Am I being complicit to the fact that my subordinate put that teenager down like a rabid dog? Maybe if I didn’t push Richard to kill that young man, I wouldn’t behave as if a shotgun aimed straight to my heart…..

The clock hit 9:00 late night; your body fell unconscious hours ago, having lost track of time. You were placed in no other state but a deep sleep — no thoughts plaguing your head this time, with definitely no sense of urgency. You laid in bed bare, leaving you to fall prey under anyone opportunistic enough to take you in.

But you didn’t care. Your home was yours to live by. You lived on your own. After your parents granted you permission to move out, this apartment was the only choice you had. You didn’t tell anyone of where you lived, not even the colleague closest to you at this very moment. So it would be impossible for someone to track down your whereabouts at night this late, right?

Your momentum was ruined the time your telephone rang. Despite it being in the living room, its tone was loud and clear that you jolted awake, only to hear a couple of sounds overwhelming your hearing. The first sound was the ringing outside your bedroom, along with a doorbell that was deafening enough to awaken a neighboring apartment.

“Huh—Who…..who could it……be???“, you stammered, getting up from a drunken state and nearly stumbling to the floor. “C-coming…..!!!”

Rubbing your eyes, you got up and about while rushing to the main door. Undoing every lock, you slowly reached out to the knob, twisting it, only to be greeted with a man who seemed friendly and polite.

“Ah, my apologies,” the man laughed. “…..How rude of me to interfere in such a questionable hour. Johan Liebert, ma’am. I’ve been trying to get in touch with you as I’ve heard of your meaningful contributions to one of Germany’s best investigation teams.”

“Johan……that was his name?” you thought.

Johan continued to speak.

“Pardon me for my sudden intrusion, but I didn’t know the senior of this team was such a busy woman. I should have paid you a visit some other time.”

“N-No, it’s fine,” you replied with hesitation. “Come on in, I can make us a cup of tea.”

“Oh?” he spoke once more. “In that case, I’d love to be indulged.”

Without warning, Johan stepped foot inside your apartment unprovoked. You had the slightest idea of what he was up to, but you didn’t really care. You were half tipsy, after all.

Footsteps were heard as the main door closed, locking you both inside your apartment. You went straight for the cupboard, preparing two cups of tea for the both of you. Silence filled the air — it was almost awkward to know that you two barely spoke in the middle of it all.

You preferred your tea a little sweet, so adding some sugar didn’t really take away its appeal. After welcoming your guest with chamomile tea, the two of you shared a table, pulling the chairs out in order to accommodate each other’s presence. The atmosphere was so tense, it left you slightly lightheaded, but it wasn’t like it mattered to you.

Sipping your cup, you wanted to initiate a conversation with the young man in front of you. However, as soon as you were about to utter a word, Johan interjected.

“Not a bad night, eh?”

“Not so much.” you replied. “I just got home after an exhausting day of work. Ah, forgive me. I forgot to introduce myself. Name’s [Name].”

“I know.” Johan reassured, smiling. “I’ve heard you were responsible for investigating a series of murders in this town. Quite the skilled investigator, I must say. It is to no surprise you’ve been voted as the team’s senior.”

You didn’t answer, leaving the room filled with silence as he continued to drink from his cup.

“See, I’m a law student who’s been researching a case for my report. I happened to discover that you were involved in the murder of a young boy named Stephan Joos, as he was executed by Mr. Braun. Is this true?”

Your eyebrows furrowed, walls being put up as a defense to what Johan has disclosed to you. You wanted to end this man’s life right here, only to find out you didn’t have your gun. You were about to make an alibi and leave the table, but Johan saw right through your plan, stopping you.

“Aha, well…..” you laughed. “That isn’t true. In fact, it was Mr. Braun who chose to murder that young man. I even have a recording of him telling me he chose to murder that man in cold blood. I, his superior, had nothing to do with that act. Now, if you’ll excuse me—“

“No, no, Miss [Name]…..” Johan reassured, his palms signaling that you stay where you were. “It’s no big deal. I’m not trying to antagonize you, I was just trying to confirm my findings.”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s all you need to know.” you stammered. “Ah, I need to go to the bathroom, it’s just that—“

“Oh?” Johan raised an eyebrow. “Never mind. Of course you may, my apologies for the sudden reaction.”

Without hesitation, you retreated from the table and rushed to your room, unarmed and helpless. Johan’s smile dropped, arousing his suspicion on what you got planned for him. In turn, you searched through the closet in search for a gun you could use against Johan. After retrieving it, you kept the gun in your left pocket, in hopes of defending yourself against the man you suspected was a culprit behind Fahren’s suicide.

Sweat dropped from your forehead, your frail figure trying to keep things cool despite sitting eye to eye with Johan’s seemingly dangerous presence. After calming yourself down, you drew in deep breaths and kept yourself composed. It wasn’t like he was a mere stranger to you. Your subordinates have told you numerous observations about Johan, and it was just his name that you didn’t have any clue of. You only witnessed him in the orphanage where you and Braun were conducting investigations, but never had the chance to actually talk to him. Until…..

Three loud knocks came at your bedroom door, prompting you to snap out of a trance. Despite your fear, you stood up with confidence, hiding the gun in your pocket. You were armed now, so there wasn’t any need to worry much, right?

Opening the door, you found Johan still in his friendly facade, now smiling before your figure looking like a hot mess.

“Ah, Johan, what brings you here?” you asked. “I just told you I was going to the bathroom.”

“You’ve spent a long time there, so I decided to check up on you. Is everything alright?”

“Yes, yes, things are going well. Now let’s get back to work, shall we?”

“Of course.” Johan replied.

On your way back to the dining room, you suspected Johan to have caught you red-handed, but brushed it off for the time being. It’s not like he was smart enough, or invasive even, to sneak into your room unraveling the truth behind your escape. Right?

“Anyhow, please enlighten me about the victim, Stephan Joos. Do you know of any evidence that defined his upbringing? Any clues of his whereabouts? It’s impossible that you wouldn’t know of his name. You worked alongside Mr. Braun, after all.”

“Ah—yeah. Well, as a senior investigator, yes, I do know of his roots. That teenager has been subject to the abuse brought about by that place……Kinderheim 511. That place was hell on Earth, I would be better off not uttering its name.” you laughed. “So…..is that all you need to know, Mr. Liebert?”

Johan lets out a satisfactory hum, yet unconvinced in your delivery of words. He applauded you for knowing the case by heart, but he had a sneaking inkling that you, the superior, were hiding something highly significant to his findings.

“But did that give you the right to issue a murder without a warrant of arrest?” Johan’s voice darkened, with a hint of curiosity oozing from his words. Still, it was threatening enough that you took it as a personal attack. “Were you absolutely uninvolved in Mr. Braun’s pursuit for killing that young boy, uninvolved enough to let your subordinate do as he pleases?”

“What the hell are you mumbling about now?” you asked, raising your voice in defense of Johan's provocation. “I was never responsible for Stephan’s murder. You think there’s more to it than I know? You’re nothing but a young man pulling off an accusatory statement to tarnish my name. Are you not ashamed, Mr. Liebert? I can get you locked up in no time for putting the blame on me. I’m innocent. Mr. Braun’s guilty. I had absolutely nothing to do with—”

“You talk too much, [Name].” Johan interjected, his smile dropping in annoyance to your constant blabbering. “Still, defending yourself when on the verge of tears isn’t going to absolve you of your sins. Do you think your guilt will disappear when you lie?”

“No—!!!” you yelled.

“You orchestrated the murder of Stephan Joos, and you knew exactly what you were doing. Did I get it right?”

You stood up, pulled out your gun, holding Johan at gunpoint.

“……And what if I did, then?! What will you do about it?” you blurted out, defenseless as you gripped the gun with brute force. “I’ll kill you right here and then. You’re going to be held guilty for Fahren’s suicide, and eventually Schuwald will be informed of your plan!”

“Resorting to violence on a whim now, [Name]? Killing me won’t erase the lies you’ve told your victims from the moment you stepped foot into such a position. They’ll eventually know of your sins, then you’ll have no other choice but to choose the easy way out, and that is death.” Johan responded, as calm as he always was.

As you pulled the trigger without warning, you stopped dead in your tracks, realizing nothing came out of the gun. It was like your heart skipped a beat at that very moment. A fatal mistake, you would say. You were out of bullets, leaving you with no other choice but to dial the police force in hopes of capturing Johan.

“No, it won’t shoot!!!! Why?!!!”, you thought.

Johan stood up, walking straight up behind you, almost as if he was circling you — he’s watching your every move, and you knew he was doing an incredibly good job at it. You wanted to run from your own home, yet didn’t know where the telephone was as your body decided to freeze.

“Out of bullets?” Johan chuckled, gently snatching the gun off your hands as your subconscious complied with letting the unloaded gun free of your reach. He placed the gun at your front, and from behind, he tucked a strand of your hair behind your ears. Eventually, he landed both his hands on your shoulders.

“By the way…..when will you be seeing your colleagues again? Tomorrow, perhaps?” he asked, restoring his friendly tone. “Don’t you feel guilty for the murder of your subordinate? If it weren’t for your plan to execute Stephan Joos, Mr. Braun would’ve still been alive.”

A part of you wanted to succumb under Johan’s unwanted touch, another side of you wanted to resist. As Johan’s right hand ended up groping your breast, you immediately thought of coming up with a solid response — you didn’t want to be found out for what you did, but you knew Johan was capable of spilling the beans.

“H-How do you know all this…..?!” you asked, still clinging onto your pride and refusing to back down. “L-let go!!!”

“How do I know?” Johan replied, his left arm hovering downward to wrap around your waist. “By keeping in touch with your colleagues, of course.”

“How…..how long have you been watching me???”

Johan chuckled once more. “Why don’t you find out?”

Suddenly, you had to resist his sudden intrusion by pushing him away. It’s not like you wanted to be touched by Johan in any way, and tonight was definitely not the time to have your way with a man like him.

“I was thinking of letting your colleagues know about your little secret, but I’ve got other plans up my sleeve.” Johan proposed. “If you don’t want rumors getting out, then I don’t suggest choosing to resist.”

“Huh?!” you protested. “No, just no…..You can’t just pay me a visit and reveal this to my comrades!!!”

“Hm? As I mentioned, if you don’t want your secret getting out, you shouldn’t be in a place to resist. After all, you’re looking for a way to be expelled from Germany’s best investigation team.” Johan murmured, in a voice almost sultry. His right hand moved down past your trousers, palming your damp cunt with his huge, pale hands.

“N-no!!!! Please, I’ll…..fine!!! I’ll do anything you say, please, just don’t inform anyone of this!!!”

“As I thought…..” Johan’s tone remains dark, his fingers tinkering with your entrance without much effort. Swiping a finger across your folds, he gathered a reasonable amount of slick past them, up until he found your clit soaked in even more moisture. “You know…..you’re quite adorable when you squirm in such sensitive fashion, don’t you think, [Name]?”

“Ah! No!!!”, you yelled, jolting your body off of Johan and attempting to run towards the telephone. Dialing the police force was your last resort, so you ran away and looked out for the telephone. But since your body was programmed to function at fight-or-flight, your eyes wandered aimlessly, searching for the item that was out of your reach.

“It’s no use,” Johan smiled. “How do you file a report on a man who doesn’t even exist?”

“What is it that you want?! Wasn’t that enough? What have I done to deserve this? I’m onto you, kid! You’re going to tell me everything there is to know about your plans! So who are you? Who are you??!! Tell me!!!”

Johan sighed.

“What is it that I want?” he replied, moving inches closer to you. “To impose punishment.”

“It’s not like—it’s not like you’re some type of God!! You can’t—you can’t just…..let me do as you say if it means protecting my reputation! It’s not like you know everything that happened….. Do you?!” you yelled, taking steps backward and having you trip by the furniture of your own living room.

Your body aching from the pain after you fell to the floor face first, Johan approached you, reaching his hand out and intending to help you up.

“You should’ve been more careful, [Name].” Johan chuckled as he wrapped his arms around you in an attempt to carry your frame. “Here, let me help you.”

“Hands off me, you filthy piece of shit!”

“Oh?” Johan spoke softly, his hand now on your scalp, stroking it with his thumb. “I guess I really don’t have a choice, don’t I? I’ll just have my way with you if it means granting your wish, [Name]. Besides, you’re fairly beautiful, looking the way you do. It’d be a shame if we don’t spend such a grand night together.”

“Bastard!” you yelled. “Let go!!!

Johan ignored your pleas as he lifted you up bridal style, leading you to the bathroom and bringing you down to the floor where you struggled to get up. Your hair was unkempt as your pajamas happened to be soiled by dirt. Locking the door, you were left restrained by the bathroom’s tight little space, with no other place to retreat to.

“Somebody, help!!!”

“There is no paradise that awaits you, [Name]. Constantly running and falling to move past your sins won’t erase them. You’ll forever be tainted, and your actions are the one to blame.”

Johan crouched to your eye level as he began to tilt your chin up. Looking elsewhere, he began speaking once more, breaking the silence.

“Hm, you’ve always interested me the moment I entered university for the time being. You’ve always been really close to Schuwald, after all.” Johan spoke. “He even paid your dues for studying there, how sweet of him.”

“….He’s like….. a father…..to me.” you replied, slightly shedding tears out of desperation to get out of this situation. “Why…..what’s it to you……..???”

“Schuwald amuses me.“ Johan said, letting you go. See, I won’t reveal what I got planned for those close to him. There’s just more to your background that I know.”

“Just…..why……???” your body shaky as you attempted to get up, only to fail under Johan’s height blocking your view. “How long have you been watching me for?!”

“Three months. All I know is that you graduated from the same university I was attending, and that you moved out from your parents in less than a month.”

Your eyes widened at the information fed to you due to how accurate it was, but regardless, you let him continue.

“A Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, certifications from online programs held in Munich’s western block, and on top of it all, a Mid-Senior detective hired by several professionals in the industry of public and private investigation.” Johan announced, looking down at you with a seemingly false sense of humility. “Did I get it right?”

He held you still despite your futile attempts to resist him once more. Because you were slightly drunk, it was easy for Johan to take advantage of you right there and then, defiling you completely without a chance of atonement for your sins.

“N-no!!!!” you blurted out in defense, even if you knew he did understand your background correctly.

“Stay still, [Name]. You wouldn’t want to risk getting this secret out.” Johan smiled, unzipping the hem of his pants and reaching out for something hidden from your reach. “I suppose this is all you’ll hear from me. Just letting you know that I’ve been familiar with you from the time I entered Germany. There’s no other way to put it.”

“What are you planning?!” you asked. “It better not be you trying to blackmail me.”

“Do you really think I’d care enough to expose your crimes?” Johan asked, still maintaining a smile despite tilting your chin up with his finger. “Perhaps I’ll only do so if you refuse my advances.”

“…..And what do YOU want this time?!” you stammered.

“Don’t play dumb, [Name]. You know exactly what I’m talking about.” Johan teased, letting out a smirk that hinted at everything but genuine. “You’re quite the eager professional yourself, I mean you never hesitated to order a murderer around, right? Why would you hesitate to please someone in exchange for cleaning up the problems you created?”

You froze dead on the spot, accepting your fate as Johan reached out for the roots of your hair, grabbing a fistful of it as he let his cock spring free.

“Such a tainted, desperate little girl who never weighed in the consequences of her actions.” Johan said with a blissful expression plastered on his face. “You should’ve been more ashamed of yourself. A senior investigator, staying silent in the face of a juvenile facing serious accusations of a crime? How will you look your colleagues in the eye tomorrow? Isn’t their senior a complicit pawn in the murder of an innocent child, hiding behind an empty bottle?”

Without further explanation, he caressed your cheek with his thumb, his other hand stroking his cock as its silhouette rested over your face. “But it’s all over. You’re going to seek atonement for the crimes you’ve committed, and that is by threatening me with a good time. Besides, you’re pretty much adorable on your own. A beautiful girl like you should feel grateful for stumbling across someone who openly shows an interest in her endeavors.” Johan’s voice is rather dark this time, exuding an eerie feel that sends shivers down your spine.

Your jaw dropped as you froze as a response to the sudden change in Johan’s treatment. Guiding his cock into your mouth, you wanted to curse, resist, and avoid his gaze as you were about to be facefucked by a monster before your very eyes.

Trying to maintain a sense of balance, you grabbed a fistful of his pants while he grabbed a fistful of your hair. Your head bobbed back and forth in varying tempos as he was in control of the scene, pushing you to comply with the pacing he liked. It felt dirty having to stumble upon a man as unsettling as he was, where his seemingly soft whispers have prompted you to believe he was harmless. Johan Liebert was his name, you thought…..and while you hated his guts, a part of you wanted to just give in to his wishes, if it meant not disclosing your plan to kill 17-year old Stephan Joos.

While taking him into your mouth, you began palming your cunt in hopes of fulfilling a favor bestowed onto you. You couldn’t speak against his remarks, so all you did was suck him off to his benefit.

Johan, on the other hand, chuckled at your pitiful state, sighing in pleasure from the flames he started. Sounds of wet, sloppy meat slapping against skin and suckling echoed throughout the area, it would be almost a crime to get caught in the act.

“Go on, [Name], do it for your future.” Johan spoke in his usual nasal tone, the sounds of skin slapping against skin growing loud as time passed. He let out a satisfied hum, expressing his desire as he rocked his hips to and fro. “Show the world how desperate you are — desperate enough to prove your worth as a savior of mankind. Even if you aren’t deserving of it, it would be nice to see you try. It’s just fun seeing people like you struggle past ethical means just to prove their purity to the world.”

You only moaned around in retaliation, and in spite of the taunts you received from a pleased Johan, you were beginning to embrace the thought of pleasuring him. It felt exciting in general for you to make a man squirm just by pleasing him orally. He obviously couldn’t get enough of you, just as you couldn’t get enough of him. However, when you thought you were getting it right, he pulled you away, leaving a string of saliva from between his tip and your tongue.

“Hm…..that was….not as great as I expected.” Johan’s smile dropped. “You’ll have to do much better, [Name]. Come on, you can do it. Think of all the victims lined up before you, begging to be saved. Would they be satisfied right now, knowing their team has murdered a juvenile in the name of justice? Have you considered how it would be like getting sentenced to death if I took your dirty laundry out for the world to see?”

Catching your breath, you were taken aback by his cruelty. What were you not doing right? You thought it was a joke, but was it?

“Begin again.” Johan commanded. “Otherwise, I’ll have to scatter your sins out for your family and friends to cherish.”

In response, you reached out for the underside of his cock, getting on your knees in an attempt to play around with his balls. You tinkered with them, held them in your palm, and bent over to plant kisses on them, boldly so.

Johan chuckled lowly at your sudden move. “Such a dirty, desperate little girl willing to do anything if it means preserving her morality. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? Not one bit? Wouldn’t you be taken aback if I revealed how I was secretly recording you for my benefit?”

You shook your head, suckling at his balls like your future depended on it. A hand of yours stroked his cock, twisting it so he didn’t have to jerk it off in an attempt to assist you. This sickening wish of his to take you raw was something he wanted as a means to pass the time. You were nothing more than an object, a plaything he could fuck with while plotting to control all of Germany’s economy.

“As I thought. You really have no shame, don’t you, my dear? You cling onto purity as if it’ll save you from despair?”

After sucking him off from under, you placed your tongue at the underside of his cock, moving upward to lick past his length and onto the tip. Your lips puckered in a cute manner that it left Johan with a look of surprise, which became even more surprising when he witnessed you take all of him in one go. You did your best to pleasure him in exchange for security, which you believed would be best if you deepthroated him at that moment.

Johan threw his head back at the sight of you taking him in your throat, all out of an overwhelming heat that sparked from within. Letting out a moan, he let you take the lead as you began sucking him off in a slightly rougher approach than the last one.

To regain control over your intentions, he gripped your head and kept up with the pacing you initiated. Bobbing your head back and forth once more, more saliva coated his length, leaving him aroused at the feeling of contraction building up within his lower abdomen. The heat was, in fact, so intense that it was impossible Johan had all his clothes on.

Johan’s grip tightened as your slurps began to grow more audible over time. He let out a grin, stifling his moans and urges to curse right on the spot. To rile him up even more, you placed a hand right into his length and twisted it in a way that made him react accordingly.

“Mmmmmhhhh…....!!!“ Johan groaned, his voice slightly deepening at the forceful motion of your head thrusting back and forth. Grabbing another side of your head with his other hand, Johan was about to signal that he was close. This prompted you to get a little risqué, closing in on him by deepthroating him on the spot again.

You had to draw in a deep breath after slowing down to show him how magical your throat was. Warming his cock with your mouth was all you could do if it meant protecting yourself, so what would be better than to deepthroat him with a little effort?

As you held your breath, taking all of him made him shoot ropes of cum down your throat, everything occurring as his head was thrown back. To hide his eyes rolling back, he closed them…..firmly.

Retreating from his cock, it wasn’t over yet. He loomed over you once more, taking in the sight of your tongue out as his cum coated it. As sticky its texture was, a side of the encounter also sent shockwaves of arousal within him, leaving Johan to cum all over your face without any inhibitions, whatsoever.

“Hah, that was close, [Name]. You took me so well.” Johan applauded. “No worries, I wouldn’t……tell anyone about our encounter, or the way you executed Stephan Joos. This stays between us.”

“Oh, right…..” he added. “I believe it would be best if you cleaned up after the mess you just made.”

“The mess I made? Johan, you were the one who wanted this……” you spat.

“And what if I did?” he winked. “Just because you pleased me does not mean you’ll refuse to take responsibility.”

“Huh?”

“See, I’m leaving this town. I’ve changed my mind. I no longer want to kill Schuwald and those dear to him. I’ve grown bored of this endless little game between cat and mouse.”

“What?! So you just made this all up, and came all the way to my place only to get your cock sucked dry? Who the fuck do you think you are?!” you snapped.

“Dear, you’ll find out eventually. If I let you know my past, that is.”

Confused by Johan’s statement, he squatted before you and helped you get up like a gentleman.

“Come, [Name]. There’s plenty of things I haven’t discussed with you yet regarding my report. Keep in mind that my plans for you aren’t through yet. After all, I’ve taken a liking to you that it would be a shame for us to part ways at this very moment.”

You nodded, both of you making an exit from the bathroom to talk things through. Feeling disgusted from your cum-soaked clothes, you were ushered to meet Johan in your bedroom, where he was about to demonstrate what it’s like to truly know you.

Some secrets are never meant to be revealed, indeed.

#x reader #johan liebert x reader #johan liebert #monster anime #johan liebert x you #johan x reader #johan liebert headcanons #monster manga #smut

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charles-leclerizz · 11 months ago

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FORMULA FOR LOVE

With turns sharper than a Formula one track, Indian, British driver Aisha Patel has embarked on her first ever season in formula one. Join her drama & adrenaline filled races that will have you gripping the edge of your seat !

[@charles-leclerizz is not and never will be, in the forthcoming future, affiliated with Netflix, the FIA or Official FORMULA ONE. All scenarios, character actions, characters and race outcomes are purely fictional and should not be taken seriously.]

Aisha Patel · 🪷

Porsche F1 TEAM · 🪷

The Relationships · 🪷

Challenges · 🪷

⸻ EPISODES:

TRAILER : THE BEGINNING

It's the dawn of a new era.

Upcoming stardome. Streaming only on Netflix

🥭 EPISODE 01 : Start your engine

It's light's off and away we go with newcomer Aisha Patel, the first south-asian female driver in Formula one. Join her in her first ever race in Bahrain and understand the young talent's personality. And see the grid's reaction to the true needle in a haystack.

LENGTH : 51 minutes, 49 seconds

WORD COUNT : 10 K [ 10366 words ]

🥭 EPISODE 02 : Racing Hearts

A few months into the 2024 season Aisha has met someone that ignites her heart like a malfunctioning engine. Will she have to retire from the race, or will she cool off before it's too late?

🥭 EPISODE 03 : Speed of Love

The teams around the paddock are starting to notice Aisha's success, winning race after race, the Indian rookie has impressed and sparked jealousy all around. Will she shatter beneath the pressure, or will she blossom like a lotus?

🥭 EPISODE 04 : Heartbreak Circuit

Icarus has always flown too close to the sun, no matter the rendition. And when too many people have too many opinions, Aisha must realise that a straw can truly break a camel back.

🥭 EPISODE 05 : Victory Lap

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Aisha finally collects her flames and moulds herself like glass into a beautiful sculpture that refracts light into beautiful shades for all to bask in.

🥭 EPISODE 06 : Love's pit stop

To accelerate or to take a sharp turn? Aisha is met with odd twists within her heart that she will need to fight to escape from. One will come out victorious whilst another, is left in 11th place.

🥭 EPISODE 07 : Racing against time

A simple sign on the dotted line, and just like Ariel, she had signed her voice away. What trials and tribulations is Aisha forced to face within her personal and professional prison?

🥭 EPISODE 08 : Crossing the finish line

Only a few races away from her greatest win, Aisha needs to tie off some hard to grapple with sailors knots, unless she wants to be floating away into the great blue for eternity.

🥭 EPISODE 09 : Heartfelt Victory

It's the end, the last time the lights go off for the 2025 season and Aisha looks back on her year in formula one. Sticking it to those who doubted her and winning where other's thought impossible.

[NOTE ! There will be smaller epilogues, episodes and fillers in between these. for example, a vogue 20 questions or a "what's in my bag" etc. Just for funsies.]

[NOTE ! The couples made in this series will have their own request-able time period, if you want to see something specific from a certain couple within the show, just let me know.]

[NOTE ! The tracking tag is as follows : [#formulaforlove]]

EVERYTHING WRITTEN CAN/WILL BE SUBJECT TO EDITS, CHANGES ETC.

honourary tags [for special pookies] : @disneyprincemuke

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certified-eureka-posts · 2 months ago

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About this blog!!

Hi! This is a sideblog for me to dump posts that remind me of Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy, an excellent system for tabletop mystery games developed by @anim-ttrpgs. Below the cut is information about Eureka, its creators, myself, and what to expect out of this blog.

What is Eureka?

Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy is an indie tabletop roleplaying game by the very talented team at @anim-ttrpgs, focused on providing mechanical support for stories where characters investigate mysteries, as well as allowing for the presence of supernatural phenomena and characters. In my opinion, it is the most elegant, cohesive, and interesting TTRPG system that I have ever read or played in terms of its mechanics, storytelling capabilities, and even its perspectives on society as a whole. This blog is, more or less, "propaganda" convincing people to give the game a shot – I'm not affiliated with its creators in any way other than being acquainted with them through their work and online communities, but I love the game and its community, and I'd love to see it succeed, so I want to share an idea of what it is and why I like it.

What makes Eureka such a great system?

A whole lot! Its systems are deeply elegant, creating a game where players can piece together mysteries alongside their investigators in a grounded world that still leaves space for supernatural intrigue. Combat is swift and strategic, but deadly if you go in without a plan. Investigations can be complex, but even the stickiest of situations don't require railroading to keep players on track. Mundane and supernatural characters alike have access to unique abilities, quirks, and skills that make each character feel distinct in mechanics as much as in flavor. The game interacts with the real world by way of fiction in a way that's refreshing and endlessly fascinating.

Systems like Eureka! moments (which allow investigators to retroactively learn information from a previously failed roll) and the streamlined character creation system allow the game to run smoothly and efficiently without getting overly bogged down, and mechanics like the Composure meter (representing an investigator's energy level and state of mind) and the Success/Partial Success/Failure resolution mechanic create an interesting element of risk where player choices matter a lot.

On top of all that, Eureka includes rules for supernatural characters that beautifully integrate the themes, traits, and abilities of classic folkloric or media monsters, making for intriguing secrets, hard choices, and a lot of variety in the gameplay of different investigators. (Most of this is already true of mundane non-supernatural characters, but it's carried through into the lens of vampires and other monsters very elegantly.)

I'd love to see the tabletop gaming scene as a whole take notes from Eureka's handling of a lot of different problems, and I'm constantly excited to see what their team comes up with next. If you ever want to run a mystery story in a tabletop game (especially if systems like D&D 5e have disappointed you on that front), I would seriously recommend Eureka as the game to use for that purpose, and if you're interested in the hobby at all, I would recommend reading Eureka as a way to get valuable insight into the thought process that goes into game design in the tabletop space.

What can I expect to see on this blog?

This blog is for basically any post I see that makes me think of Eureka. Most of the time, that includes references to the monsters and phenomena referenced in the rules about supernatural characters – posts about vampires, werewolves, witches, and alien shapeshifters, for example, are often right at home here. In particular, posts about these kinds of supernatural beings being normal people and living normal lives tend to remind me of Eureka. Other things that are reminiscent of Eureka include noir and neo-noir aesthetics, which the game owes a lot to, and popular detective media, which is ultimately its core inspiration.

Who runs this blog?

I'm Nora, my main blog is @mc-cookies, and I am just a fan of Eureka. I'm not directly affiliated with the creators (hell, they don't remotely have the budget to make me advertise for them), but they and the rest of the community are super nice people who have a lot of insight about the process of making and playing tabletop games.

Who makes Eureka, and how do I support them?

Eureka is an amazing game, and independent tabletop designers across the board do a ton of work to make art that I enjoy a lot, but unfortunately it's not the most welcoming market to be in. Wizards of the Coast, and by extension Hasbro, has what is effectively a monopoly on the TTRPG hobby in the form of D&D, and it's hard for new creators to break into the space because of that. Eureka is made by ANIM TTRPGs, a very small group of designers taking on a very large project. While they're gearing up for the full release of Eureka and preparing their next projects, any support is helpful to them.

To read Eureka, visit their itch.io page to download a fully playable beta version on a pay-what-you-can basis! Even free downloads can support the game by bumping Eureka on itch's algorithm and getting it recommended to more people.

To support ANIM more, consider subscribing to their Patreon, which will grant you access to more frequent updates of the Eureka beta, as well as concept art, previews of their future projects, and a community discord server.

To give on a one-time basis, use ANIM's ko-fi page to donate to them more directly. Right now they're also taking donations to add custom characters into the rulebook as possible random encounters, and ko-fi is the place to go for that!

If you just want to interact with the team at ANIM and learn more about the work that they're doing, give them a follow here on tumblr at @anim-ttrpgs – their blog has similar content to this one, as well as regularly posting excerpts of the rules, answering people's questions, and discussing the broader tabletop gaming hobby.

And last but certainly not least, ANIM also runs a TTRPG Book Club server on Discord, which is excellent for finding RPGs to read and play and people to read and play them with, and is a great place to interact with other people who are interested in indie TTRPGs (including ANIM's staff and other fans of their work).

What's the deal with your avatar?

That is a "snoop", a stylized human figure serving as the mascot of Eureka! Designed by @theblackwarden, these little guys appear throughout the rulebook to graphically represent various mechanics, and they're very fun designs. This one, in particular, represents the "anime wolfgirl", which is a humanoid form that wolfman (aka "loup-garou" or "Hollywood werewolf") investigators can take, reserving only their ears, tails, and claws.

I have more questions!

My ask box is open! Have fun checking out the other posts around this blog :)

#pinned post #not a eureka post #rules discussion #might update this later to explain my tag system

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ateez-himari · 4 months ago

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VERSACE; MILAN RECAP

Himari finally spreading her creative wings at the Milan Fashion Week.

September 22, 2024 (11:14PM)

House Versace's Ephemeral collection marked the entrance of global ambassador, Min Himari, into the high fashion world with designs seeking to replicate the refined yet unfortunately temporary beauty of butterflies through flowing colorful fabrics and loose hanging jewelry. This rather impressive debut resulted in several designers speaking out about the artistry behind every showcased piece, one of them being Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing, and some brands have even set their sights on the young idol as a possible representative.

Fashion Week hosts the most watched showcases of the year which is why audiences were shocked that Ephemeral was premiered alongside the spring - summer collection, as it would undoubtedly occupy the spotlight due to its rather unique nature. During the last model fittings for this runway, Donatella Versace expressed wanting the project's success to reflect the unbelievable amount of work that had gone into its creation, hence letting her protégée close off the night in order to truly leave lasting impressions on attendees.

'The Hand of Midas is an accurate title for her, these designs went from mere sketches on a page to museum worthy pieces.' She said. 'The world should witness these ephemeral wonders before they sadly disappear.'

The artistic director kept the afterparty outfit secret even from the idol herself and those staying on track with updates were far from disappointed when she stepped out of the car wearing a custom made short butterfly dress. Royalty had long been associated with this young ace and some photographers even expressed feeling a sense of admiration when catching their first glance of her walking onto the carpet, bejeweled hand supported by Versace Prince, Hwang Hyunjin, to regain balance;

Photography Credits; @/versace on Instagram

The ambassador's bandmates, Song Mingi and Choi San - who was in the city for the Dolce & Gabbana show-, received invitations to the event despite having no affiliation with the brand in order to not only witness this momentous occasion for their industry but to offer comfort to the nervous upcoming designer as well. With the rapper being in a romantic relationship with their youngest, it led to some sweet moments caught on camera;

When the show came to an end the rapper could be seen wrapping large arms on her body and spinning the two of them around before placing the most tender yet lasting kiss on her lips, some reporters on the scene managing to capture his endless whispered praises. A somewhat brief conversation ensued before the vocalist found refuge in his chain adorned neck with adorable squeals of excitement, attendees along with the house's designer herself stopped to admire their display of heartwarming affection.

'Himari had told me about their relationship, but I've never seen them together in person before.' Shared Donatella. 'To see two people so in love with each other is almost unbelievable...but I'm happy our Princess found her soulmate.'

The members who unfortunately could not attend conveyed respect and pride for their maknae through livestreams in which they made sure that fans were aware of just how much work went on behind the scenes, most ending their lengthy speeches with tears - showcasing the genuine love tying these idols together. While in the music industry the young woman is somewhat guided by the other artists' voices when creating tracks, this night proved to all that behind her delicate beauty was personal artistry extending far beyond unique harmonies.

Himari's Ephemeral Collection will be available for public viewing at the Nilufar Depot, Milan from October 1st to November 3rd and the Opera Gallery of Seoul from November 12th to December 21st. See the official Versace website or ATEEZ instagram account (@/ateez_official_) for more details on ticket availability.

Share This Post

#ateez au #ateez imagines #ateez 9th member #ateez extra member #ateez female member #kpop oc #himarinews♡

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shalomniscient · 6 months ago

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f1au arlecchino in a need... f1au hoyoverse women as a whole honestly

oh, anonnie… i fear you have enabled me 👀👀👀 i will now proceed to spill my guts about f1au (with a little bit of modern au thrown in there to accomodate other characters) in a way nobody asked for 😌😌😌 (au details/lore utc)

>> SCUDERIA FATUI

An infamous yet historic team from Snezhnaya, known for its talented drivers and cutthroat strategies both and off on the track. Sponsored wholly by Zapolyarny Corporation and lead by Team Principal Pierro, Scuderia Fatui has produced many star drivers, most notably Arlecchino and Tartaglia. Arlecchino was trained within Fatui’s own F1 academy, the House of the Hearth. Tartaglia, on the other hand, is the youngest driver to ever debut in Teyvat F1. In spite of their success on the track, Fatui’s title sponsor Zapolyarny is known for some underhanded business practices, which many speculate and allege resulted in the resignation of Diluc Ragnvindr from Favonius Racing.

Other roles:

Chief Engineer Sandrone

Zapolyarny Founder the Tsaritsa

Zapolyarny CEO Pulcinella

Zapolyarny CFO Pantalone

Zapolyarny CTO Dottore

Zapolyarny CMO Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter

House of the Hearth Director Crucabena

Team strategist and former driver Capitano

Idol Columbina signed under Zapolyarny Records

>> Marechaussee Racing

A team from Fontaine known for its technological and engineering innovations. Title sponsored by Meropide Heavy Industries, Marechaussee is also backed by other brands and companies including the Spina di Rosula and Chioriya Boutique. Headed by Team Principal Neuvillette, Marechaussee Racing’s most successful drivers include Wriothesley, Navia and Clorinde.

Other roles:

Fashion designer Chiori

Steambird journalist Charlotte

>> Seven Stars Formula 1 Racing Team

A popular team from Liyue, especially known for its unique and unconventional strategies that nonetheless lead their drivers to victory. Like Scuderia Fatui, Seven Stars is backed entirely by a single corporation, the Qixing Corporation. Its team principal is also the CEO of Qixing Corp., Ningguang. Seven Stars is known for producing unique but fan favourite drivers with long careers, as seen with Beidou, Shenhe, Yelan and Xiao.

Other roles:

Qixing secretary Ganyu

Qixing CTO Keqing

Team strategist Zhongli

>> INAZUMA Racing

A very well-known and storied team with a long history in F1. INAZUMA Racing used to be the only team from Inazuma, however following an internal dispute, several members of INAZUMA Racing split off to form Watatsumi Formula 1 Racing Team. INAZUMA Racing is sponsored by the Kujou Corporation and Hiiragi & Co, as well as Yae Publishing House. Currently, the top positions within INAZUMA Racing are held by the Raiden clan; Raiden Makoto as Team Principal, Raiden Ei as Chief Engineer, and Raiden Shogun as the team’s premier first driver. The position of second driver is filled by Kujou Sara from the Kujou family, who also has a longstanding affiliation with the sport.

Other roles:

Yae Publishing House CEO and Chairwoman, Yae Miko

>> Watatsumi Formula 1 Racing Team

The youngest racing team on the roster, Watatsumi Formula 1 Racing is the underdog of Teyvat Formula 1. Despite having a tumultuous birth, Watatsumi, under the sharp guidance of team principal Sangonomiya Kokomi, has secured high-profile sponsors such as Kamisato Corp (KCorp). Drivers signed with Watatsumi include Arataki Itto, Kuki Shinobu, and Kaedehara Kazuha, who is well-known to be a former driver for Liyue’s Seven Stars Formula 1 Team.

Other roles:

Chief Engineer Yoimiya

Idol Kamisato Ayaka, signed under Kamisato ENT

CEO and Chairman of KCorp, Kamisato Ayato

>> Favonius Racing

A historic team hailing from Mondstadt, Favonius Racing has recently hit a rough patch. After the sudden resignation of one of its star drivers, Diluc Ragnvindr, Favonius Racing has been unable to secure Championship titles for a few years now. However, under the leadership of new Team Principal and former driver Jean Gunnhildr, as well as the technological advancements made by genius Chief Engineer Albedo, things may be looking up for Favonius Racing. Favonius Racing’s title sponsor is Dawn Winery. Its current lineup of drivers is the fan-favourite Kaeya Alberich, the mysterious Rosaria, and the up-and-coming driver Eula Lawrence.

Other roles:

Team strategist Lisa Minci

Assistant engineer and fuel scientist Sucrose

Idol Barbara signed under Barbatos Entertainment

>> Akademiya Formula 1 Racing Team

Another team known for its pioneering in F1 engineering, Akademiya Racing hails from Sumeru. Led by former driver turned team principal Al-Haitham and under the scrutinizing eye of Chief Engineer Kaveh, Akademiya Racing’s already impeccable history of machinery is only projected to get better. Alongside its excellent cars, Akademiya Racing is also known for producing the most resilient of drivers, which include Dehya, Candace and Cyno, as well as former INAZUMA Racing driver, Raiden Kunikuzushi.

Other roles:

Medical officer Tighnari

Idol Nilou

#sev.responses #f1au #this is the f1au masterpost #will come back and add more to this as i think of more stuff #reader can take any role from driver to celebrity etc etc #in the arlefic i dont know when will ever be complete reader is a driver #but hypothetically in theory being driver!beidou’s celebrity partner or ceo yae miko’s sugar baby sounds nice doesnt it #also there are dudes in here but i wont write for them obvs #theyre like. set dressing #anyway. i wasnt playing when i said i had more lore than actual plot lmfao

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queen-of-onychinus · 4 days ago

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Introduction

[ACCESSING CLASSIFIED FILE…]

[SECURITY CLEARANCE LEVEL: OMEGA]

[USER AUTHENTICATION REQUIRED]

[AUTHENTICATION ACCEPTED]

[OPENING FILE: HUNTER #0027 – "REYNA"]

[WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS WILL BE LOGGED AND PROSECUTED]

HUNTER’S ASSOCIATION – CLASSIFIED DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Reyna (Codename: Nebula)

FILE ID: HA-0027

CLEARANCE LEVEL: Classified

STATUS: ACTIVE | High value asset

AFFILIATION: Hunter's Association (Current)

EVER (Formerly, CLASSIFIED)

RANK: Captain - LEVIATHANs squad

CURRENT LOCATION: [REDACTED]

BIOGRAPHICAL DATA:

AGE: 27

HEIGHT: 5’9”

BUILD: Athletic, Lean, Enhanced Physiology

HAIR COLOR: Teal (dyes often)

EYE COLOR: Icy Blue

SUBJECT HISTORY – RESTRICTED ACCESS

ORIGINS: Subject was born to two EVER Group scientists specializing in Biotech and Evol Energy research. Following the Chronoshift Catastrophe, which resulted in mass destruction, her mother was confirmed deceased. Her father survived and continued work under EVER, becoming the lead researcher in cardiac protocore augmentation—one of the organization's most controversial and highly classified projects.

At an undisclosed age, subject was forcibly entered into experimental trials, wherein a specially engineered protocore was implanted within her cardiac structure. This resulted in significant amplification of her Evol abilities, leading to her designation as an elite bounty hunter within EVER’s ranks.

Codenamed "Nebula," subject was deployed to countless missions to track and retrieve rogue protocores—either by acquisition through underground trade networks or by direct elimination of individuals in possession of them. Her success rate was recorded at 90.7%, marking her as one of EVER’s most effective assets.

However, classified records indicate an unauthorized departure from EVER Group. Subject engaged in covert contact with an internal informant (Identity: KADE, Status: DECEASED), securing forged identification and transport out of EVER jurisdiction. Subject’s departure was not without consequence—intelligence confirms that her informant was eliminated by EVER operatives within 72 hours of assisting her escape.

Reyna successfully integrated into the Hunter’s Association, assuming command of LEVIATHANS, an elite squad specializing in high-risk missions and operations. Despite her tactical proficiency and leadership capabilities, concerns remain regarding potential retaliation from EVER Group and the long-term stability of her protocore enhancements.

EVOL CAPABILITIES – HIGH THREAT LEVEL

PRIMARY EVOL: Plasma Manipulation

SUBSET ABILITIES:

Starfire generation

Plasma shields

Fusion bursts

Augmented endurance

NOTE FROM THE HUNTER'S ASSOCIATION:

Despite the subject’s efficiency in field operations and squad members exhibiting high loyalty to her command, her past affiliation with EVER remains a point of concern. Continuous monitoring is advised to prevent potential conflicts of interest. Despite it all, the subject is a critical asset for the Association.

[FILE LAST UPDATED: [REDACTED]

[AUTHORIZATION: HUNTER’S ASSOCIATION OMEGA-LEVEL CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR FURTHER ACCESS]

[END TRANSMISSION…]

OOC: Credit for the dividers goes to @firefly-graphics

#love and deepspace #lads #lnds #love and deepspace oc #lads oc #lnds oc #sylus #Xavier #love and deepspace sylus #onychinus sylus #onychinus #Hunter's Association #zayne love and deepspace #dr zayne #lnds rafayel #lads rafayel

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fahmichowdhuryrayat011 · 5 days ago

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adambadeau · 21 days ago

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i need more edwin booth lore Please i think i am going to #die

so where were we. Ah yes. 1864 long run of hamlet big deal . Edwin Booth votes Lincoln in that year, because he’s based. Then comes the year after 1864, 1865…

note: somewhere in between these years Edwin saves RTL from dying on the train tracks!

the civil war ends in April of 1865. someone’s not too happy.

remember the brother I talked about earlier?

on April 14th, 1865, during a production of the wildly popular farce Our American Cousin, (that actually featured one of Edwin’s old friends and acting colleagues, the esteemed Laura Keene) the President was enjoying a reprieve from the war business with his wife, Mary Todd. John Wilkes Booth snuck into the president’s box and fired a single bullet from a .44 caliber derringer pistol into the back of President Lincoln’s skull.

He died the next morning.

For the next twelve days, Booth and accomplice David Herold were pursued through the forests of Maryland and Virginia in a manhunt directed by Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. The nation was in shock- in reality, support for the President had been lower. But now? Lincoln was a martyr.

the war department rounded up anyone who was previously affiliated with Booth, including his family and brother in law.

Edwin, however, was not arrested.

he quickly denied being close with his brother in any way, shape, or form, and stepped away from the stage in the years following the assassination, instead repeatedly asking new President Andrew Johnson for his brothers’ body (so it could be buried anonymously on the family plot) and taking a new wife, 19 year old actress Mary McVicker.

Despite living in the shadow of his brother’s heinous crime, Edwin returned to the stage showered in adoration and support once again 😊. He continued to have successful performances in the years leading up to 1873 when a young deranged man named Mark Gray fired several shots at Edwin while he was performing onstage… they all missed,and Edwin was unscathed, but surprised. As one would be, if they were nearly assassinated for what seemed- and seems to be- no clear reason.

So Edwin was chill I guess. He had a statue erected of Shakespeare … built what is now the Booth theatre on Broadway, and founded the Players’ Club.

then in June 1893, he croaked at the age of 59 after a steady decline of several strokes . That was the finale.

There’s also a cutesy statue of him as Hamlet in gramercy park! I’d love to see it, it’s on my list . One of these days I’ll get out there and check out all the Edwin stuff. Heading up to Broadway soon and thinking of him (as I am always)!

Edwin really inspired me to pursue theatre and history . I care about him so much because without my Booth research I don’t think I’d be the same guy I am today! Despite all that happened, all the hardships and loss (he had quite a sad life, digging deeper), he still made his name as one of the greatest actors of all time, and many actors (like me!) have looked to his many influences and performances for inspiration to infuse the craft they adore with the same passion he had. Edwin Thomas Booth, ladies and gentlemen!!

#Edwin booth #inquiries of the mckinleygirl #us history

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shyvioletcat · 2 years ago

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Oh hi! Yes, This is something a little new and different, especially for @sjmcrackshipmonth. For Pirate Day my wonderful friend @sassyhobbits and I came up with a little idea, she came up with this wonderful artwork and I wrote a fic and we had so much fun. So, without further rabbling here is my first official Aelin x Fenrys work.

CW: it’s smutty, like really smutty. Secondhand embarrassment

FIND THE ACCOMPANYING ARTWORK HERE.

~~~~~

People told Aelin she was mad for running a tavern in a pirate port, and at times she would have to admit that they were right. Brawls were common, there had been damage to the ceilings from more gunshots than she could count, when things truly got out of hand there was an occasional stabbing. Aelin had threatened carousers here and there herself down the barrel of the pistol she kept stowed away in a dark corner of the counter. But for all its trouble the White Stag thrived under her charge. She could never be idle and a tavern in a pirate port like this was a lucrative business. And it wasn’t like she was without protection.

Rhoe Galathynius was the most prominent merchant in Orynth, which made him a veritable king amongst men. Coin was the power in these waters, and their city on the river thrived under his watchful eye and scheming. So the fancy, looping gold lettering of her family name under the wood carved sign of the rearing white stag hanging above her door let patrons know who they were dealing with. It was an assurance for both her and her customers that serious misdeeds would be met with severe punishment, and that kept people coming to her fine establishment night after night.

Tonight was busy, patrons filling nearly every space they could. It was good for business but it was running Aelin off her feet. Usually she was content to watch from the landing above the main floor or slip through the crowd mingling, leaving the bartending to those she hired. But tonight with a barmaid ill that’s where Aelin found herself—pouring pint after pint, the pockets of her skirts full of coin. The gossip was that a few ships had docked over the past few days, bringing an influx of commerce and bodies to the city. Aelin hadn’t caught the names of the ships, but from the energy the city hummed they must have been successful with their seaborn endeavours.

“Lass, two more!” A man weathered by wind and salt called to her. From the way he swayed he probably didn’t need another, let alone two, she would have to cut him off after this.

Aelin grabbed two tankards from below the bar and filled them with beer from the keg behind her. By the second the flow was slowing, a sure sign she’d need to send Ren down to the cellar for another. His main job was to provide muscle when things got out of hand as pirates and their affiliates tended to do. It was just convenient for her that his muscles were useful for other things as well. When she had a moment to breathe she’d have to track him down.

“All clean,” Luca said, setting down a clean crate of tankards. “And more to wash I see, my hands will be shrivelled as prunes by the end of the night.”

“My apologies, but I’ll be sure to compensate you accordingly,” Aelin took a handful of her green overskirt and shook it enough that the coins in her pocket jingled.

Luca’s eyes lit up as the crate of dirty tankards was set in front of him. “I’ll get these cleaned up right away.”

Aelin smiled then started unloading the clean drinkware that would be dirty again all too soon. She didn’t bother to make the arrangement look tidy, on a night like this no one would notice. Feeling sweat gather on her brow Aelin dotted it away with on her sleeve. It wasn’t a particularly hot night but with the amount of bodies in the tavern and how busy it was, her temperature wasn’t surprising. She was glad of the stray breezes that would brush over her shoulders, bare from the way her blouse draped off them.

“Spare a drink for a poor, weary sailor?”

The question came from behind her, smooth and sensuous, the words were nothing but a tempting caress over her skin. Aelin knew that voice and knew its full intent, even though it had been missing from her tavern for months. As pleased as she was to hear it she made sure her smile was hidden away as she turned around slowly, a hand on her hip conveying her feigned displeasure at being interrupted. This is how they would start the game, and if he played along they would both win.

“Fenrys Moonbeam, what brings your sorry arse into my tavern,” Aelin drawled.

Fenrys’ smile was pure taunt and flirtation. “The rum and the company of course.”

“So the rum takes precedence over the company then?” Aelin said, stepping up to be just a little closer.

“Ah, Princess,” Fenrys said, leaning his elbows on the counter that was still between them and not bothering to hide the appreciative sweep his eyes did over her. “You know what the truth of it is.”

Aelin couldn’t help it, she felt the corner of her lips tilt into a crooked smile. But she also wasn’t about to concede, “Do I, though? Nary a word all these long months, for all I knew you had found a more favourable port and run off with a prettier girl.”

“Prettier than you? I think I’d be hard pressed to find someone as lovely as you, Miss Galathynius,” Fenrys said.

“You’re flattering me for a free drink,” Aelin accused.

Fenrys tipped his head back and laughed. “Is it working?”

There was a thunk as the short glass hit wood, and then Aelin was pouring out a measure of her best rum. “Yes.”

Their fingers brushed as Fenrys took the glass and he downed it. While he was occupied Aelin took the opportunity to peruse over him. First she looked for any sign of injury, pirating had its many dangers but from what she could see there were no noticeable hurts. Fenrys looked good, he always did. His golden sunkissed curls were tied back from his face showing off the perpetual smile that seemed to grace his lips. The blue coat he wore was very dashing, with the cut of it accentuating the broadness of his shoulders. Ever the flaunter he’d chosen a white shirt that dipped low, the white of it contrasting the deep bronze of his skin made deeper from the hours he spent in the sun. He’d been gods’ blessed with handsomeness that could only be dreamed of, and an ego to match. Some found him insufferable, mainly those who lacked a sense of humour or any idea of fun. For Aelin, he was an utter delight.

She was called away before they could continue their conversation, but Fenrys didn’t go anywhere. He lingered at the bar, claiming a stool when one became available.

“The next one will cost you,” Aelin said, wiping down the counter so it looked like she had a reason to stop.

“Always such a hard businesswoman.” Fenrys didn’t protest and dropped two coins on the worn wood.

Aelin slid them off into her and then her pocket. “What will it be?”

“That sweet Perranth wine if you have it,” Fenrys requested.

“You’re in luck, my supplier just brought in a delivery yesterday,” Aelin wasted no time, because she didn’t have it, and poured Fenrys a tankard of wine. Glasses were for quiet gatherings, not an overcrowded tavern where it was likely to be knocked out of an unsuspecting hand and shattered on the floor.

“My thanks,” Fenrys tipped his drink at her.

Aelin left him to his wine and tended to the never ending flow of patrons looking for food and drink. Fenrys just stayed sitting there and making sure to catch her eye whenever she passed by. There was no question as to why he was here.

One evening a year or two ago Fenrys had come in with the crew of the Maeve. That night had been vastly different to this, with Fenrys and his crewmates nearly the only customers for the evening. That had allowed an easier night for Aelin with more than enough opportunity for conversation with the charismatic man—not with the others because they were a sullen and broody bunch—and eventual flirting. As the night wore on, she and Fenrys ended up on a low couch by the fire. Along with his staggering handsomeness, he was also highly entertaining. His ludicrous stories had Aelin’s sides hurting with laughter and he was kind enough to ply her with enough compliments to keep her by his side. And when it was just the two of them left basking in the fire’s warmth and Fenrys leaned in, she’d let him kiss her. Which led to Aelin guiding him up the stairs and to her room where they kept each other company in other ways.

Since then, whenever he was in port Fenrys appeared in her tavern and they spent what time they could together until he was called away to the sea again. His captain was a hard bastard and didn’t see the point to lingering on land. The first mate wasn’t much better. Aelin had more than her fair share of run-ins with Rowan Whitethorn—none of them ending well. Their arguments had become legendary. She was more than sure that she hated him and that the feeling was mutual.

Fenrys couldn’t be more different than those men, vivacious and brash, he was more than enough a match for her when it came to wit. It was hard to find a flaw in the man. With so much in his favour, Aelin was still unsure whether or not she was in love with him. He was gone too often and for too long for any real emotion to take root. But at the very least they were friends, and they had fun. Without Fenrys her life would be far more dull and the unexpectedness of his arrival always gave their trysts a thrill. If he ever gave up seafaring maybe she could love him more than she did. There was a wildness to Fenrys that only the sea could soothe. Life on land just might bore him to death.

Despite the lack of attention, Fenrys remained, his thumb running over a loose nail that was poking out of the wooden counter. Aelin made note to fix that, she didn’t need the complaints of an unobservant patron who hurt themselves or ripped their clothing. She had to commend Fenrys for his patience, a lesser man might have run off by now.

“How has your day been, Miss Galathynius?” Fenrys asked when Aelin stopped near him to pour out a measure of rum for another customer.

“As you can see, I’m very busy tonight,” Aelin told him, watching his eyes shine as he sipped.

He didn’t look away as the tankard lowered. “I can wait.”

Aelin wanted to sigh in self pity, but she didn’t. “It’s going to be a long night.”

“You can bet on it,” Fenrys said, his words a sensual promise.

Aelin passed off the tankard to the patron who gave her the money in exchange, when there was a call for more beer it reminded her of the impending problem. “Make yourself useful and I might think about it.”

Fenrys’ head titled, the beaded lock of his hair swaying. “How so?”

“I need another one of these,” Aelin said and slapped the keg behind her, “brought up from the cellar.”

Finishing off his wine far quicker than it deserved Fenrys got up from his stool. “It would be my pleasure.”

Aelin pulled out the ring of keys that she tucked into the wide belt around her waist and handed them over to the pirate. “Do not cause me more trouble than you're worth down there.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Fenrys said with a wink, fingers grazing over the outside of her palm and up her fingers. Despite the heat of the room and the busy fluster Aelin had worked herself into she shivered. That was the first time they had touched and that soft caress had her craving more.

She didn’t have long to dwell on that as she was summoned again and was more than occupied while Fenrys was gone. Drinks were poured one after the other, bowls of Emrys’ chowder went out from the kitchens, the way this was going Aelin wouldn’t be done until the sun came up. Gods knew if Fenrys would be around that long. Aelin groaned, cursing her bad luck. The one night Fenrys would be assuredly in Orynth she would be run off her feet and too busy and too tired to enjoy his company.

Before too long the Fenrys was back, keg on his shoulder to keep it out of the way of the patron’s heads—very considerate. He stepped behind the counter, easing the fresh beer onto the empty stand and expertly fixed the tap. With his job done Fenrys grabbed himself a tankard and helped himself to the first serving. Aelin didn’t bother to stop him, she just gave him a crooked smile and a playful roll of her eyes. He stayed where he was, even though he shouldn’t. Aelin ignored his antics and grabbed two tankards for her own uses. As she leaned over to fill them with beer a broad hand rested on the small of her back, deft fingers tucking her keys back into her belt. With two tankards full, Aelin straightened, one in each hand, and found her path blocked.

“Out of my way, please,” she huffed and then blew at a loose strand of hair. She had tied a scarf around her head in an effort to keep her hair out of her face. The flustering conditions and the humidity weren’t helping the intent.

“Where are you going?” Fenrys asked, standing a little taller but not leaving for where he should be as a paying customer.

Aelin took advantage of the space she could, easing through the small gap Fenrys left between his body and the counter, careful not to spill the beer. “To those people in the corner, I promised I’d bring it over once you had done your job.”

She thought she was free and clear when troublesome hands on her hips stopped her progress. “Do I get a thank you for that?”

The annoyed smirk that lacked the needed irritation was already on her face when she looked up at him. Fenrys was a good head taller than her, his face was full of mirth and all but begging for a kiss as he looked down at her. But Aelin wasn’t ready to give into him just yet.

“Have you bathed since making port, or was the allure of my company too compelling?” She knew the answer, she had noticed the lack of braids he wore while at sea, and she was sure his hair was wet when he first walked in.

That smile fell, an affronted look filled his face. “I’m offended that you would assume that, Aelin.”

“I’m offended that I wasn’t worth skipping a bath over,” Aelin told him.

That was enough of a distraction and when Fenrys laughed Aelin took her chance and stepped out of his hold. Over the commotion of the tavern she swore she could still hear his amusement chasing her through the crowd. Aelin set the foaming tankards down and accepted the generous contribution to the establishment in return. Her pocket was starting to get severely weighed down, she might have to duck up to her rooms to empty it into her coffer.

Her return to her task as barmaid was slower than anticipated, many patrons stopping her for greetings and snippets of gossip. Aelin liked to know what was going on in her city so she listened to all of it, tucking away bits of information that might be useful to herself or her father. Rumours were buzzing that the Maeve had been quite successful on its latest voyage and promised more profit. A hoard of treasure maps was cited as the reason. She might have to ask Fenrys about it.

Eventually Aelin made it back to her post and was surprised to see a small woman with dark hair seated next to Fenrys. They chatted, and the woman laughed at something he said, even touching his forearm that rested on the bar. If Aelin didn’t recognise the woman she might have been jealous. The golden, smiling man was not the company her friend preferred to seek out.

“Elide, hello,” Aelin said, resting her elbow on the other woman’s shoulder.

Elide was dressed in a simple lavender gown, nothing gaudy or to draw attention. She preferred an inconspicuous life where she was the one who made the rules. Her family winery in Perranth was her’s once her parents decided to retire. In the meantime she set about proving just how capable she was.

“I was just chatting to Elide about her wonderful wine,” Fenrys said. “Amongst other things.”

Aelin raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“There was a request for a barrel to be sent to the Maeve and I had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting the captain who was the only one left on the ship,” Elide explained. “Such a sullen bastard. I could barely get three words out of him before he disappeared back into his cabin. Luckily before he did he threw some coins at some boys on the dock and they carried it up the gangway.”

“I don’t know why you don’t find yourself a new captain,” Aelin directed at Fenrys.

The man just shrugged. “He’s good at what he does and I get the benefits. It’s not like I have to talk to him. I leave all that up to Whitethorn.”

“Whitethorn? Isn’t he the one who you threw a glass at that one time?” Elide asked.

Aelin huffed, the sound full of aggravation, and then went back to being behind the counter. “The very same.”

One evening for some reason beyond her, Rowan Whitethorn had graced her tavern with his insufferable presence. Nothing had been to his standards, not the beer, not the music and he had been very vocal about it. Aelin had told him to go elsewhere if the current surroundings were so offensive, he ignored her and chose to stay. When he claimed the beer was cheap and tasted like shit she had lost her temper. She had picked up a nearly empty glass of wine and threw it at him which he had effortlessly dodged, something akin to shock on his face as he watched the red liquid drip down the wall. Her demanding he pay for the damages had been the final straw and with a scowl on his sharp and handsome face he left her tavern. Aelin counted that as a win for her.

“The glass was chipped anyway, it was no loss to me.”

Fenrys looked like he was trying to keep his laughter in and like he was about to say something he’d surely regret.

“Don’t,” Aelin said, pointing a finger at him. “You’ll not say a word if you know what’s good for you.”

Yielding to her request, Fenrys held up his hands, the gold rings on his fingers glinting in the low light. “Understood, Princess. Now if you fine ladies will excuse me.”

He was gone moments later, disappearing into the crowd, but Aelin had no doubt that he would return. Fenrys was far too eager for her company to be dissuaded so easily. There was a call further down the counter for more beer and Aelin saw to that before coming back to her friend who hadn’t left.

“Can I get you anything? On the house of course,” Aelin offered.

Elide gave her a knowing look, her eyebrows raised like she could have been questioning Aelin’s sanity. “What are you doing?”

Aelin felt her own brows narrow in confusion. “Working, as you can see.”

“Aelin, my dearest, most lovely friend,” Elide said leaning forward on the counter. “You have a man here, who is desperate for your company and is more than willing to give you a long night of pleasure, and you’re passing out beers instead?”

“I don’t exactly have a choice here,” Aelin said. “Essar is ill, and you can see how busy we are. I’m not exactly the shrewd business woman I claim to be if I ignore it to take Fenrys to my bed.”

As a timely reminder yet another patron asked for a pour of wine and rum, Aelin saw to it as quickly as she could. Luck was not on her side this evening, at this rate she’d be too tired to do anything once she fell into bed.

“I won’t say that you won’t owe me for this,” Elide said, standing up from her stool, “because you will.”

“What are you…”

With quick fingers Elide braided her hair back, securing the end with a dark piece of ribbon. “Show me where everything is.”

It took Aelin a moment to catch on, her face going slack before she grinned. She showed Elide where everything she might need was, going over it twice more for her own peace of mind than her friend requiring more clarification. Aelin also made sure to inform the other’s working tonight so there wasn’t any confusion as to why Elide was behind the counter.

“Keep the tankard tilted, helps limit the foam and unhappy customers,” Aelin explained and the amber liquid rose higher as she gave a hands-on demonstration. “And I think that’s all you need to know.”

“I think I’ve got it,” Elide said.

“And if you have any trouble, call for Ren. He’ll sort it out,” Aelin added.

“Aye, captain.” Elide flourished that comment with a salute.

“What’s going on here?” Fenrys’ voice cut through the conversation.

“I need to deposit some of tonight’s earnings in my room,” Aelin said, sauntering around to the other side of the counter, a hand raising to even out the collar of Fenrys’ jacket. “Care to join me?”

His dark eyes flashed as he easily read the implications of her invitation. “Lead the way.”

Aelin took his hand, leading him through the crowd to the staircase in the corner. The crowd took up the shanty that was being played. When they passed the small gathering dancing in front of the musicians Fenrys spun her and moved with the music, but still kept them heading towards their destination. Reaching the wooden stairs, Aelin gathered her skirts in her free hand to prevent herself from tripping as they hurried up the steps. On the landing they went left, the right led to a halfway with a handful of rooms she let out. Her private ones were larger and more secluded, the balcony on the outside offering beautiful views of the river port. That door painted a rich green was the last obstacle between her and what she wanted. And in just a few more steps she would be there.

Fenrys was a heavy and welcome presence behind her as she worked on unlocking the door. His hands were on her waist, his lips on the bare skin of her shoulder, it was enough of a distraction that Aelin was struggling to secure the key in the lock. That was only made worse when those godsdamned hands slipped higher, pressing over her bodice until they cupped her breasts. That had Aelin arching onto him, and in return that had Fenrys squeezing before his hands travelled downwards again—fingers catching on the neckline of her blouse. She was desperate to feel those hands on her with nothing to hinder them.

“Fen,” Aelin whispered harshly. He just hummed his response onto her skin. “I would very much like to open the door so that we can continue this more privately.”

“My apologies,” he said, low enough that it had her skin pebbling.

Other than that he let her be, halting his distracting journey over her body. It was a disappointing loss but the sooner Aelin got the door open, the sooner they could start again.

Blocking out everything except the lock and key was the only way that Aelin managed to get the door open. She stepped into the dimly lit space, a single lamp barely glowing on a small table where she dropped her keys. There was a couch and an armchair set in front of a cold fireplace and there was another door that led to a private bathroom. The place could have been tidier, but Aelin hadn’t exactly been expecting guests. Fenrys closing the door redirected her attention, and he all but stalked towards her. To tease and make the trek that much easier, Aelin backed up towards her bedroom. She was caught just as they got to the entrance of it, Fenrys catching her by the waist and cupping her face. The moan at that first press of his lips was undeniable.

For a while that’s all they did, just kiss in the dim light under the doorway. When Fenrys’ thumb dragged down the length of her neck, Aelin got impatient. She angled them so that they entered her room with tangled steps towards her bed. Her hands weren’t idle, searching out what bare skin they could. When there wasn’t much on offer Aelin slid one hand down the centre of his chest, all the way down to palm him through his trousers. Fenrys stumbled forward with enough strength to force Aelin back a couple of steps.

“Still have your sea legs?” Aelin teased through her laughter.

Huffing his own laugh, Fenrys pulled her closer so their noses brushed. “Maybe I’ll be steadier on my knees then.”

Before Aelin could even comment his lips were back on her’s, while his focus shifted to removing her clothes. The belt around her waist was the first to go, then his deft fingers had the laces and buttons of her forest green outer skirt undone and it was dropping over her hips. There was a jingling thud as the coins hit the floor, probably scattering, but that was a problem for later. Fenrys' progress was stalled when he discovered that the laces of her undershirt were hidden beneath her bodice. His groan of frustration was comical, and Aelin would have laughed if it weren’t for the way Fenrys’ hands were playing along the tops of her exposed breasts as his mouth lowered to her neck.

Her body was tugged forward as the laces of her bodice were pulled at. Fenrys struggled, getting clumsier the more desperate he became, and even now Aelin’s patience was running thin. She needed him, now. It seemed Fenrys felt the same because one moment her floral embroidered bodice was tight against her body and the next it was falling away. Confused by the sudden development Aelin looked down to see the metallic glint of a knife and the ribbons in pieces.

“You ruined my laces,” Aelin gasped, shoving the brute back half a step. “You bastard.”

Fenrys just smirked down at her, reaching out to slip the strap of the bodice off one shoulder, “I’ll buy you more,” then he did the same with the other. “The prettiest ribbons you can find.”

Aelin let the useless piece of clothing fall off her arms, Fenrys watching her every movement. She gave him a look that said don’t touch as she saw to the underskirt herself, her untucked blouse falling to the very top of her things. Fenrys’ gaze swept over her from head to toe, once and then twice, his eyes catching on the loose neckline that was revealing just enough to drive him wild. But he didn’t move, just waiting for Aelin to dictate what happened next.

“The prettiest and the most expensive,” Aelin said.

Fenrys nodded, not taking his eyes off her for a second. “Whatever you say.”

She didn’t bother with the buttons of her blouse, instead she just pulled it over her head. When Fenrys reappeared in her vision his eyes were ravenous and his hands twitched at his side, no doubt warring with himself and the need to touch her. Aelin pulled out the head scarf and then she was bare except for the simple underwear at her hips. Her hand draped from her neck, drifting down between the valley of her breasts.

“Do you promise?” Aelin asked, smirking at the man in front of her who looked ready to erupt.

She saw the exact moment his resolve snapped, had her laughing as he rushed forward and gave his breathless answer against her lips. “Yes.”

Aelin found herself seated on the edge of her bed, her senses fleeing as Fenrys kissed her. She was half aware of him shedding his jacket and starting on the buttons of his white shirt. The thought came to her that she should help him so that his hands might be better occupied, but she never got the chance to voice it in the slightest. Because Fenrys dropped to his knees in front of her, large hands inching up her thighs. Aelin shuddered and her underwear was pulled down her legs and thrown away. A single wink was all Fenrys gave before on her.

The first brush of his tongue over Aelin’s core had her gasping, arms quaking where they braced her weight on the bed. Fenrys was one to playfully brag about the wonders for his mouth and Aelin could truly attest to every word. She buried her hand in his curls, ruining the bun he had them tied in, and gave herself over to the feeling of every nip, every press of his tongue. Aelin moaned, loud and unrestrained. It had been too long since someone had made her feel like this. The pleasure built to the point of consuming her when every ministration stopped and Fenrys pulled out of her grasp.

“The hell… what are you doing?” Aelin asked through her laboured breaths. Her heart was pounding, her body screaming to be touched again.

“I’ll never last,” Fenrys said, sounding a little mad at himself. That anger only became more evident as he yanked at his clothes to get them off. If Aelin had the wits she might have helped him, but for now she could only watch as everything was revealed to her. “I have to have you now.”

With his pants gone Aelin could see how much Fenrys meant it. The sight of his cock, hard and ready, had her unconsciously arching towards him with need. Fenrys used that to his advantage, his muscled arm wrapping around her waist and hauling them up the bed. It was Aelin who pulled him in for a kiss and from there she let herself burn.

Fenrys settled on her hips, pressing their bodies as flushed together as they could be. The feel of him was incredible, the weight and heat of his body was something Aelin had absolutely missed. His hands ran over what they could—her sides, hips and thighs—anywhere he could reach without separating them. All the while his hips drove into her’s, the length of him rubbing enough delicious friction to make Aelin dizzy with need. She writhed against him, trying her best to get him to slip inside her, even trying to distract him by biting down on his bottom lip. It didn’t work, for now Fenrys was content to touch her, not surprising considering how long he’d been at sea. Aelin knew a touched starve man when she saw, and had thrown many of them out of her establishment over the years. If this is what Fenrys needed, she would gladly give it to him and surrendered.

One hand ceased its movements on her thigh, fingers digging into her flesh to pull her open just a little wider. Aelin moaned in anticipation, feeling the head of his cock at her entrance. Fenrys continued to tease her, his unoccupied hand pressing into her side and then up, his thumb taking a moment to run hypnotising circles over the side of her breast before heading upwards again. Then he pushed her arm up and extended it above her head, his hand dragging all the way up to meet Aelin’s. It wasn’t until their hands were laced together that his hips thrusted at just the right angle he slid into her. At the feel of him seated so deep Aelin’s body bowed into the sensation instinctually, trying to draw the man above her closer, deeper. It had Fenrys groaning into the skin of her neck as they both took a moment to collect themselves before he started moving.

Aelin had expected it to be hurried and desperate, this was anything but. Each roll of his hips was slow and thorough, enough to make Aelin’s breath catch but not take it away. Maybe Fenrys had the right idea, maybe after being apart for so long he was right to savour this first time. She was sure before morning came they would have time for more than enough rounds to make up for it.

“Talk to me, Princess. Let me know you’re here with me,” he nearly begged in between kisses.

“You feel so good, Fen,” Aelin told him.

“I could say the same.” The thrust that followed that admission was sharper than the others, a sure sign he was slowly unravelling.

“You know how I like it.”

“Like what?” Fenrys asked, voice edged with desperation as Aelin moaned. “How you like what, Aelin?”

He was enough of a bastard that he would taunt and take away what was currently driving her insane until she said it, and Aelin was tired of playing. “How I like to be fucked.”

At her words, the steady pace that Fenrys had set faltered, had his body shuddering. “The things you do to me.”

His hips snapped, the angle perfect. Aelin only knew she needed more. “Gods, I need you closer.”

Fenrys rolled them both, his grip on her arse keeping them intimately connected. Aelin thought he was going to stop then, but she felt one strong thigh bend behind and then he had pushed himself up so his back lent on her headboard. Aelin panted as she sat in Fenrys’ lap, savouring the feeling this position gave her. She wouldn’t last much longer, the coil in her stomach wound with each shift of their hips.

“There you go,” Fenrys said sweetly. “I’m right where you want me.”

“Yes,” Aelin whispered. “Thank you.”

The sass that came out of near delirium earned her a rumbling laugh and lingering kiss, making Aelin’s hips roll on their own accord. That undid Fenrys and he kissed her with more urgency as the hands that hadn’t moved shifted her in his lap dragged her onto him, prompting her to move like that again. Aelin did, her hands on the headboard either side of Fenrys’ head. Once she had her rhythm Fenrys let go of her, but not for long. There was a hand on her breast, the other splayed on her pack to push her closer. The man was indeed desperate for contact, only made clearer by his next request.

“Touch me, Aelin.”

She knew he didn’t mean his cock that was still inside her, there was no way in hell Aelin would be willing to with how close she was to breaking apart. Fenrys was after something softer. Her hands left the headboard, and she touched him like he wanted. Sweet caresses over his face, sweeps over his shoulders. It urged Fenrys to move his hips faster, meeting Aelin in perfect synchronisation. His lips on her neck were not what she wanted, so she angled his face to hers, kissing him fiercely. It was his heady groan on her mouth that had Aelin breaking like a wave, pleasure rushing through every nerve of her body. She nearly screamed from the force of it, they had strung it out so long that this relief was blinding and all consuming, all Aelin could do was keep moving to drag it out as long as she could.

“Fuck,” Fenrys moaned on her mouth, helping her move on him chasing his own pleasure. “Fuck me, Aelin.”

Her over sensitive inner walls felt his cock twitch and then Fenrys was groaning as he came. Aelin kept rocking, wanting to draw it out for the both of them as long as she could. It felt too good to let it fade just yet. The way Fenrys clung to her as he caught his breath was sweet, and as Aelin’s own body calmed she ran a soothing hand over his hair. He hummed contentedly, hugging Aelin tighter against him while his lips wandered aimlessly over her skin.

Aelin chuckled. “Feel better?”

“You are too good to me,” Fenrys murmured onto her skin.

For a while they just sat there, touching and waiting for the other to move. In the end it was Fenrys, kissing Aelin deeply as he lay her down before pulling out. He didn’t bother with pants and Aelin took the opportunity to admire the view. When he was gone entirely she stretched out, feeling sated but willing for more. Aelin missed him while he was away, and it wasn’t just in the bedroom, it was the conversation and companionship as well. And now that they’d had such a gratifying release of tension there was nothing to say that they couldn’t do both at the same time.

Soon enough Fenrys returned, cloth in hand, and moments later they were cleaned up and back in each other’s arms. Aelin lay on her side facing Fenrys, and he did the same, his fingers playing with the ends of her hair. She busied herself with idling tracing the scars on his chest. There were no new pale marks that marred his skin. When she ran her finger over a particularly large one low on his side Fenrys shivered.

“So I hear the Maeve and her crew have fallen into good fortune,” Aelin said.

“That would be true,” Fenrys kissed her forehead before pulling back. “Whitethorn found some maps in an abandoned cave in the Cambrian Mountains. There used to be stories of a creature in the lake that guarded them, so who knows how many years superstition won out. We’ve been more than successful.”

“Good to hear.” It was then that she noticed the blue gem stud in his earlobe. The piercing wasn’t now, Aelin hadn’t seen this earring before. She reached out to flick it. “Is that a sapphire?”

Fenrys nodded his head. “It is. Do you like it?”

Aelin shrugged, and as if she couldn’t help but be drawn to him her body inched closer. “I prefer emeralds.”

“Well,” Fenrys said, voice straining as he used his weight and a hand on her hip to urge Aelin to lie on her back. “Next time I’ll try and bring you some back. Whitethorn usually claims them all first though.”

Aelin scoffed. “Selfish bastard.”

Fenrys’ answer to that was a soft chuckle and an upward sweep of his hand over her body. Instantly Aelin's blood heated again, craving his touch and the release that would inevitably follow. Fenrys read every sign that her body was giving, propped up on an elbow as he watched her try not to writhe. His fingers had claimed the peak of her breast, teasing and pinching until it was hard. When he flicked it Aelin gasped, a hand darting out to hold him by the back of the neck. Then his mouth was on the unattended breast and Aelin gave up fighting her composure.

“You’re not ready yet,” she panted, her body bucking as need pulsed lower.

“Ah, Princess,” Fenrys said, but Aelin barely heard him. She was too focused on the hand that was travelling down her body. “That doesn’t mean we can’t have fun in the meantime.”

The only answer she could offer him was a deep moan as his thumb reached the apex of her thighs, drawing tight circles that were almost too much. Fenrys slowed down, and shifted so that both his hands and his mouth had something to do. When Aelin gasped as his fingers teased her entrance, Fenrys kissed her, his tongue sliding into her mouth. The sensations of his mouth, the hand on her breast and the other between her thighs had Aelin hurtling towards that peak of release. But Fenrys held her there right on the edge, forcing Aelin to open her eyes and look at him.

Fenrys’ dark eyes were full of so many sinful promises that there was no doubt what the rest of the evening would entail. “I made you a promise, Aelin. And I intended to keep it.”

With that declaration his fingers slipped into her, finding that spot and moments later she was unravelling and moaning her pleas to the gods. Aelin was in for a long night indeed.

Soft kisses and wandering hands woke her up the next morning. Her bedroom was barely illuminated by the morning light meaning it must be early. She usually got to sleep late into the morning due to the working hours she kept. But last night it had been Fenrys who had kept her up until the very small hours of the morning. Aelin groaned, this time not in pleasure—at least it wasn’t that way at first. When his hand brushed over her bare breast like that it was hard to maintain her indignation.

“Why are we awake?” Aelin mumbled into her pillow.

Fenrys kissed up her neck. “Still on ship's time.”

He was ready. She could feel the hardness and heat of him pressing into her back. It wasn’t a terrible way to be woken up and Aelin supposed she could sleep later. The White Stag wouldn’t open until after noon anyway. Aelin pushed back into him, but went pliant in his hands, a signal that she was willing to give him the lead this time. Fenrys all but growled, nipping at her shoulder and he urged her onto her stomach.

They were in a tangled mess of sheets and bedding, there was some manoeuvring on Fenrys’ part to free trapped limbs. Opening her eyes, Aelin found herself at the foot end of the bed. It seems they hadn’t bothered to put themselves to bed properly after their escapes the night before. Aelin had simply grabbed a pillow and fallen asleep where she was, the pillow she now tossed away as she was pressed into the mattress. Fenrys ran his hands over her body, stopping at her hips just to angle them how he wanted. The sleep haze fled, and want replaced it, causing a needy whimper to escape Aelin’s lips without her permission.

Fenrys started his trek up her body, his lips leading the way as they trailed up her spine. He brushed her knotted hair over her shoulder and continued to the newly exposed skin. Aelin could feel the heat of his body as he was braced over her now, a hand sneaking its way of the sheets to lay over one of her’s. That little gesture had Aelin smiling, remembering how demanding he had been for small affections last night. This morning was no different.

“I don’t think I’ve told you enough,” Fenrys said by her ear, making her skin pebble. “You’re stunning.”

“You don’t, I want to hear it more,” Aelin snarked back.

Fenrys snorted, making her laugh in turn. “Duly noted, Princess.”

He lined himself up, the swollen head of his cock pressing against her core. Aelin tried to push herself back to take him deeper, but Fenrys held her still, a silent demand to just wait. She did, it might have killed her a little but she did. Then Fenrys slid in with one delicious stroke. Aelin moaned the entirety of it, loving the feeling of having him inside her again.

“You are stunning,” Fenrys whispered, accentuating his words with another thrust. “Absolutely stunning.”

“Fen,” Aelin breathed. “More.”

Fenrys dropped lower, still holding most of his weight himself, and shifted so that they moved in a steady grind. It felt so good that all Aelin could do was let herself be swept away in everything he was giving.

“Stunning.” Fenrys’ breathing was getting harder, the word coming out nearly desperate.

Aelin was about to demand it harder—faster—when her bedroom door was unceremoniously thrown open, hard enough it slammed on her wall. No knocking, no nothing, there was someone else in her room. Fenrys nearly collapsed on top of her, he managed to stop himself before he crushed all the air out of her lungs. Aelin looked up, glaring and ready to spit her best obscenities at the intruder. The unexpectedness of their identity had the words catching on her tongue and her cheeks heating.

Because there, in her doorway was none other than Rowan Whitethorn.

“Shit,” Fenrys said, pushing the sheet her way so she could cover herself. He’s always been considerate like that.

Aelin was the first to recover. “I don’t remember inviting you into my home.”

Rowan ought to be commended for how intently he kept his eyes on her face. “Should have locked your door. Time to go, Moonbeam.”

“Piss off, Whitethorn.” That may have been the first time Aelin had truly heard Fenrys sound angry.

“I gave you orders,” Rowan said, arms crossing over his chest.

Aelin wished she had her pistol, or maybe the dagger in her nightstand, just something to threaten the infuriating man with. “Unless you plan to join us, get out.”

Rowan raised one of eyebrows, the tattoos on his face shifting. “You two should be so lucky.”

Gods, here they were chatting and Fenrys was still inside her.

Fenrys seemed to realise the same moment she did, discreetly separating them and using some of the messy bedding to cover himself. Keeping her eyes locked on the green ones, Aelin took a handful of sheet and held it to her chest as she slowly sat up, not caring what might or might not be covered. From the way that the cold morning air nipped at her skin, Whitethorn was getting at least a little bit of a show.

And right there, Aelin didn’t miss how his eyes finally darted down, just for one lingering moment before he spun around and marching through her living room.

“Now, Moonbeam!” He bellowed over his shoulder as hand racked through his shoulder length silver hair, making sure to slam the other door that opened to the landing as well.

There was a moment of charged silence and then Aelin giggled and fell back on the bed. Fenrys joined in, the intensity of their laughter increasing until they were both struggling to breathe. Fingers on her chin tilted her head to the side to see Fenrys’ dark eyes full of amusement.

“I am so sorry, Aelin.” His voice was still shaking.

Aelin shrugged. “I don’t suppose we could finish up?”

That sobered Fenrys up very quickly. “He’s likely to come back and drag me out naked into the street.”

“That would be quite the end to the story,” Aelin mused like she was considering it.

“You are pure trouble,” Fenrys said, tapping her nose.

Aelin laughed, taking Fenrys’ hand. “I could say the same about you.”

They both knew he had to go, but neither of them were willing to start the goodbye. In the end Fenrys got up with a heavy sigh, picked up his pants and started dressing. Aelin sat up, watching the disaster unfold in front of her. She thought they would have more time—at least today to enjoy themselves together and catch up. It wasn’t to be and it filled Aelin with a sudden feeling of loneliness.

“Hey,” Fenrys said as he tightened his belt. “I’ll be back in no time.”

Aelin nodded. “With my emerald”

With a crooked smirk Fenrys replied, “With your emerald.”

“Even if you have to fight that bastard Whitethorn for it,” Aelin pressed, moving to sit on the edge of the bed.

Fenrys’ hands landed either side of her hips, one last brief moment of closeness. “For you it would be my honour.” He picked up his jacket off the floor, shrugging it onto his shoulders. Fully dressed there was nothing left to delay him and with one final kiss, Fenrys finally said goodbye. “Until next time, Princess.”

Aelin nodded, swallowing against the tightness building in her throat. Fenrys winked then left her room. It was at the final glance of him walking out the deep green door that she finally whispered, “Until next time.”

~~~~~

I know its not the usual but I had so much fun writing these two!

Tags: @fucking-winchester-trash // @literary-licorice // @galyxsy // @tangledraysofsunshine // @highqueenofelfhame // @3am-reading // @soup-that-is-too-hawt // @aelinfire-bringer // @nalgenewhore // @highladyofthesith // @http-itsrebecca // @sleep-and-books // @alifletcher2012 // @westofmoon // @sleeping-and-books // @ttakeitbacknoww // @armixers-unite // @mariamuses // @chocolate-eating-bitch-queen // @velarian-trash // @queenofxhearts // @heroesofterrasen // @highladyofstoriesandmusic // @empire-of-wildfire // @camerooonchiu // @crackedship // @lowhangingtreebranches // @over300books // @yourwhisperingshadows // @thesirenwashere // @tswaney17 // @impossiblescissorspeachpaper // @cat5313 // @judelovescardan // @flowerspringsea // @chaoticskyy // @the-regal-warrior // @fanfictrash3000 // @blueeyes425 // @starseternalnighttriumphant // @bamchickawowow // @thehuntressofmoon // @giorgia-the-trashpanda // @flora-and-fae // @thereaderandfangirl // @illyrian-bookworm // @chemicha // @meltalgel // @gay-book-nerd // @that-odd-puzzle-piece // @i-love-all-books // @in-love-with-caramel-macchiato // @girl-who-reads-the-books // @hizqueen4life // @the-third-me // @1islessthan3books // @bestmelle // @cursebreaker29 // @b00kworm // @superspiritfestival // @aesthetics-11 // @maastrash // @mynewdreamwasyou // @the-last-apprentice // @charincharge // @firestarsandseneschals // @scarznstars // @absolute-dissapointment // @thesurielships // @df3ndyr // @trinitybailey2003 // @gwynethhberdara // @booknerdproblems // @larisssss // @sevenfreckles-for-sevenloves // @rolltide7 // @scandinavianromantic // @tillyrubes10 // @starwarsslytherin // @minaidss // @paytin77 // @jesstargaryenqueen // @anntheintrovert // @starbornvalkyrie // @loudphantomdragon // @woollycat22 // @claralady // @perseusannabeth // @fangirlprincess09 // @maddymelv // @sierrareads // @more-espresso-less-depresso-xx // @jlinez // @lysandra-ghost-leopard // @rowaelinismyotp // @pullnpeeltwizzlers // @anne-reads // @jadeaffliction // @gracie-rosee // @elriel4life // @rowaelinrambling // @tothestarswholistentodreamers // @thenerdandfandoms // @castielspelvis // @swankii-art-teacher // @grandma-noob-lord // @vanzetanze // @highlady-brittney // @story-scribbler // @linguine-panini // @pastasiren // @surielandiareendgame // @silentquartz // @live-the-fangirl-life // @whimsicallyreading // @goddess-aelin // @s-uppertime //

#sjmcrackshipmonth23 #fenlin #aelin x fenrys #throne of glass fanfiction #it might not be your thing but you might want to skip to the end #ohhh boy i might have created a monster here

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edenesth · 1 year ago

Text

Undying Bonds (Part 10)

Pairing: Hongjoong x fem!reader, Seonghwa x fem!reader

AU: zombie apocalypse au

Word Count: 4.8k

Summary: What could be worse than being separated from the love of your life in a zombie apocalypse? Hongjoong was forced to leave you behind with his friend, Seonghwa, as he ventures out alone to search for the rest of his missing group members. Will Hongjoong be successful in his solo mission to find his members? Will he be able to return to you unscathed? And what happens when you're stuck with his caring best friend, who is hopelessly in love with you, for too long?

Part 9 | Masterlist | Part 11

District 9.

That was the name that only insiders were aware of, only people with the opportunity of stepping foot into SKZ HQ would know.

Though not many people have survived after learning of the name, since they were mostly prisoners taken in either for information, for Seungmin to conduct his many zombie science experiments on, or worse, both.

If you're lucky- or unlucky enough to find yourself in District 9 for whatever reason, chances are it most likely won't be easy to live and tell the tale later on. 'Consider it a small price to pay for having the pleasure to witness such luxury again', was the famous final sentence that Minho never fails to bestow upon his victims before sending them off to meet their cruel ends.

Under different circumstances, perhaps Hongjoong would have been impressed by what he was seeing when they finally made their way into the legendary Stray Kids Headquarters.

Unlike his younger friends, he couldn't find it in himself to feel even the least bit excited about any of this, especially not when he was fully aware of how many innocent lives it must have cost for this insane amount of extravagance to come to fruition.

Hongjoong and his boys were eventually led to the furniture store where the rest of their friends were currently resting at.

The captain's anxieties were slightly eased when he spots Seonghwa, Mingi and Jongho safe and sound. He watched as Yunho, Yeosang and Wooyoung wasted no time in running towards their friends but he stopped in his tracks when the realisation hits, you were absolutely nowhere to be seen.

"Where's my girlfriend?"

That was all it took for Minho to understand who he was referring to. There was only one female amongst all the people here now after all.

The boys stared after their captain who was busy speaking to Stray Kids' second-in-command before he eventually holds a hand up to let them know that he'll be back soon, rushing off in the direction they'd last seen you disappear off to with Bang Chan.

Seonghwa's heart calmed slightly, knowing that Hongjoong would be there to protect you now. He wasn't sure how to feel; on one hand, he was happy for his best friend to be back, but on another hand, there goes his chances of confessing to you. He eventually decides all that really mattered to him was your safety and happiness, whether or not that included himself in the picture.

He snaps out of his thoughts when Mingi and Jongho inquire about the one missing group member, the news that they were about to receive would send the three of them collapsing in an instant.

Meanwhile, the high levels of adrenaline that were running through Hongjoong's veins simply at the thought of seeing you again was enough to send his heart racing. With the rough directions provided by Minho, he makes his way hurriedly to your specific whereabouts in the annoyingly enormous building. Blinded by his eagerness to reunite with you, Hongjoong failed to take notice of the sly glint in the gang member's eyes.

Minho intentionally left out one vital detail, the captain does not know that his girlfriend was alone with Bang Chan.

And the motive behind the right-hand man's actions? It was simply to wreak havoc; Minho could honestly care less about whatever affiliations you had with his leader and would quite frankly rather Chan put an end to this nonsense because he looked pathetic ever since you made your appearance.

So, if sending Hongjoong your way unannounced was what it would take to stir up some trouble, he's all for it.

Hongjoong slowed down in his tracks when he could faintly hear what sounded like your voice speaking and he strained to try listening carefully to what you were talking about.

He stilled when he heard the name Chris coming from you as you tiredly instructed said person to let go of you, that immediately made him pick up his pace again but it wasn't until the following words spoken by the unfamiliar male voice from across the hall that made his blood boil.

"No please, it's still me! I'm still yours, I swear! Just... at least let me explain myself, yeah? All I ask is for you to hear me out this once, you must know how much it pained me to believe you were gone... You were my everything- you still are!"

Oh no, you don't. That's my girl.

The captain saw red when his eyes finally landed on the two figures by the large window, he dared say it almost looked romantic had it not been his own girlfriend forcefully held in the arms of another man.

Still caught up in your conversation, neither you nor Bang Chan had realised a third person stalking his way up to the both of you.

In one strong but gentle pull, Hongjoong had you back safely in his arms at long last. He almost cried in relief at the familiar feeling of having you so close to him again, he felt like he was finally home.

"I won't tell you twice, stay away from her."

The tight squeeze that he gave you when noticing how tense you were managed to help you relax as you sink deeper into his embrace, the small action was enough for him to feel like he could breathe again.

Enraged by the sudden interruption, Chan proceeds to tell Hongjoong off rudely, "And who the hell are you? Know your place, this is between me and her!"

"I'm her boyfriend," He answered proudly, almost laughing out loud at the gang leader's audacity because who was he to raise his voice? The flabbergasted expression on Chan's face made the captain further grin in victory, "B-boyfriend..?"

Hongjoong's heart swelled with pride when you nodded to confirm and pressed closer to him to prove to Chan that he truly was your other half.

Giving your childhood friend a once over almost in distaste, your boyfriend smirks in amusement, "I think this is exactly where I should be, right by her side. Can't say the same for you though, Christopher."

Of course, Hongjoong knows all about Christopher.

There was not a single thing that either of you bothered to hide from one other. You knew each other like the back of your own hands.

And you'd told him all about your past in Australia; about Christopher, about the accident that nearly took your life, about how Christopher had abandoned you after the accident, about your brutal journey in emerging from that darkness all alone.

The heartache that Hongjoong felt when he learned of what you had gone through was something he'd never let himself forget.

He vowed to stay with you always and swore he'd never forgive this Christopher person for what he did or more like, what he didn't do. And here this jerk was, standing right in front of him, having the cheek to beg for your forgiveness after what he's put you through.

Chan laughs bitterly at you, choosing instead to completely disregard your boyfriend's presence, "Is he that special? So much that you actually got into a relationship with him?" Anyone could tell from his tone that he was clearly disheartened by the new information.

You sighed in exasperation, screwing your eyes shut to gather your thoughts for the most effective way to end the conversation.

"Yes, yes, he is. And he has a name, it's Hongjoong. I can tell you how much of an amazing person he is and I know you wouldn't care at all but he means everything to me. He was there for me when you weren't, so please show him some respect… It's the least you could do for me now."

Your former childhood friend's face fell and you looked away from him, the last thing you needed to feel was guilt for him.

"Listen, Chris, can we let whatever happened in the past to stay in the past? I really do not wish to relive any of that, I'd appreciate it if you could just drop this once and for all. There's literally a whole damn zombie apocalypse going on and this is honestly the last thing I want to talk about right now."

At your words, Hongjoong ran his hands up and down your arms in a consoling manner to remind you that he was there with you. Smiling gratefully up at him, you took the moment to look over his features that you missed so dearly before continuing, "And I haven't seen my boyfriend in a while now, can we please be left alone for some privacy?"

Your question was not really a question, the finality in your tone signalled the end of your conversation with Chan.

The gang leader's shoulders slumped in defeat and he did as you asked, not wanting to further upset you. But that didn't mean he's giving up though, he won't be letting you out of his sight so easily now that he's found you again.

For now, just for now, he'd let you spend some time with that little boyfriend of yours.

I'll be back for you, I swear.

Flashing one last glare at Hongjoong as if to challenge him, Chan stormed off with fists clenched tightly to his sides in reluctance. You rolled your eyes at the ridiculous exchange when seeing your boyfriend's eyes also remaining glued to the gang leader's back, clearly displeased.

Once Chan was completely out of sight, you didn't waste another second to throw your arms around your lover's shoulders, instinctively burying your face in the crook of his neck.

Your bodies pressed close as if trying to bridge the time and distance that had separated you. The embrace was tight, as if you were afraid that letting go would mean losing each other all over again.

Tears welled up in your eyes and his, glistening like dewdrops as you held onto one another. The weight of the separation, the longing and the uncertainty melted away in that single embrace. Your fingers found solace in each other's hair, on the small of your backs, as if mapping out the contours of a familiar and treasured landscape.

As you pulled back slightly, you met his eyes and you shared a gaze that was both intense and tender. Every unspoken word, every emotion that had been bottled up during your time apart, seemed to pass between you in that moment. Your eyes spoke of missed moments, of countless thoughts that had been dedicated to the memory of the other and of a love that had only grown stronger in the face of separation.

"You're back," You whispered, tears rolling steadily down your cheeks as he moved to wipe them away, his touch as soft as a feather, "I'm back, my love, and I'm never leaving you again." The look in his eyes was all it took for you to believe him completely.

With a quivering smile, a mixture of laughter and tears, Hongjoong closed the remaining gap between you.

Your lips met in a kiss that was both fervent and gentle, a sweet testament to the depth of your connection. He pressed his lips against your softer ones over and over again, savouring the feeling he feared he'd never be able to experience again.

The world around you seemed to fade into insignificance, leaving only the sensation of your lips touching and your breaths mingling.

"God, I missed you like crazy," He whispered in between, the words sending the familiar warm feeling throughout your body, "Missed you too." You muttered, your words were quickly muffled by his lips.

As the kiss deepened, it was a fusion of emotions—a mixture of relief, joy and an aching awareness of the time you had lost. Hongjoong pulled you closer when his mind drifted back to the moment Soyeon had held him at gunpoint, the time he thought he'd never get to see you or be with you again.

His hands roamed, tracing the lines of your face, cupping your cheeks while yours rested firmly on his shoulders. It was a tactile affirmation of the other's presence, a way of assuring yourselves that this moment was real.

The taste of salt on your lips was from the tears that continued to fall. The kiss was a cascade of emotions, a testament to the journey you had been on individually and the reunion that had brought you back together. It was a declaration of love that needed no words.

Eventually, you pulled away slightly, your foreheads touching as you shared a quiet, intimate moment.

Your breaths were unsteady, your hearts still racing from the intensity of the embrace and the kiss. At that moment, as you held each other close, you knew that no amount of time or distance could ever truly keep you both apart again.

"I love you so much," He whispered, the words immediately bringing a smile onto your face, "I love you too, Joong."

Dread fills your being when you and the captain return to the furniture store to join the rest of the group only for you to sense the sombre atmosphere and upon double confirmation, you realise that one person was indeed missing.

"W-where's Sannie?" You stammered, your heart picking up its speed when the guys avoided your eyes. You hated your mind for immediately jumping to the worst possible conclusions.

Maybe he went to the washroom? Don't scare yourself just yet.

Looking to Seonghwa for answers, you find him biting down harshly on his bottom lip as he painfully held his cries back.

Maybe somewhere deep down, you could have guessed what had probably happened whenever your sixth sense tingled as if to let you know that something's gone terribly wrong but you refused to believe what your gut was telling you until you hear the truth with your own ears.

You could already feel the lump forming in your throat when your boyfriend sits you down on a nearby couch to prepare you for what he was about to tell you.

Your heart wrenched when you catch sight of Mingi and Jongho sobbing pitifully into their hands while Yunho and Yeosang held them close, Wooyoung was staring scarily blankly ahead of him with his hand placed firmly over Seonghwa's trembling ones.

Hongjoong got on his knees in front of you, his grip on your hand tightening and you hated how sad he looked, his eyes glistened with tears, "Sannie… H-he's uhh…" Blinking rapidly and clearing his throat, he took a deep breath before willing himself to just spit it out.

"He's gone… forever."

The captain immediately moved to settle beside you, wordlessly gathering you in his arms when you visibly froze.

Time seems to stop, the words hitting you like a heavy blow to the chest. Your heart skips a beat and a cold numbness spread through your body, making it difficult to breathe. It's as if the air itself has thickened and the world around you fades into a hazy backdrop.

Shock was the first emotion that courses through you, a disbelief that this reality could actually be true. Your mind struggles to process the information, grappling with the enormity of what you've just heard. You want to reject the news, to declare it a terrible mistake, but deep down, you know it's real.

The initial shock is swiftly followed by an intense wave of pain that crashes over you like a relentless storm. It feels as if your heart is being squeezed, an ache that's both physical and emotional.

Your eyes well up with tears and the first sob escapes your lips, raw and unfiltered. It's a guttural sound that echoes the anguish within, breaking Hongjoong's heart as he holds you closer.

Every detail of San flashes before your mind's eye—his bright and adorable smile, his infectious laughter, the way he moved and spoke. You find yourself replaying memories in a desperate attempt to keep him alive in your thoughts. Each recollection is like a lifeline, a way to connect with San who's no longer physically present.

Why… why did it have to be poor Sannie of all people in this world?

Anguish grips you as you grapple with the reality of his absence. It's a heavy feeling, an ache that settles in your chest and refuses to let go. The world suddenly feels like a different place, one that's been robbed of its vibrancy and warmth.

As the shock and pain ebb and flow, you find yourself caught in a cycle of disbelief. You half-expect him to walk through the door, to call for you, to remind you all that he's still here. It's a desperate hope that clashes with the harsh reality and it only serves to deepen the ache in your heart.

"How..?" Your boyfriend pulls away slightly to meet your now red and swollen eyes, "How d-did he… what happened?"

Pressing his lips against your temple for a moment to ground himself, he squeezed his eyes shut as he begins to fill you in on everything that's happened from the beginning of his journey until this moment.

There were no exact right words that could be used to describe the intense ache bubbling in your chest as you listened to Hongjoong painfully recount how San was already bitten when you were all separated to how he tried to keep Yunho away from him as he slowly turned, and lastly, how he ultimately pleaded for your boyfriend, his brother, to put an end to his life.

Mingi and Jongho could hardly believe or digest the words coming out of their group leader's mouth. It was as if a huge chunk of their souls were mercilessly ripped away from them with the gaping void left by San's absence, their one and only sunshine.

The amount of guilt you felt for not knowing or being there with him when he was going through all of that alone was almost suffocating.

He must have been so scared. God, and we didn't even know while he was suffering all by himself...

You, Seonghwa, Mingi and Jongho didn't even get the chance to say goodbye to him. All the regrets going through your mind torturing you endlessly; you should have been more attentive, you should have protected him better, you should have been the one bitten instead. San was the last person on earth to deserve such a cruel fate.

The violent sobs racking your body did nothing to ease the agony within you, your knuckles slowly turning white from clutching so tightly onto Hongjoong's shirt.

He pushed your head firmly into the crook of his neck and somehow, the specific action reminded you of Seonghwa almost instantly. Seonghwa, who has done this countless times as his way to console you. Seonghwa, who was always there for you no matter what.

Pushing yourself slightly off of your boyfriend's chest, you glanced worriedly over at Seonghwa.

He was obviously not taking the news any better than you. Wooyoung did his best to stay strong for his hyung at the moment but there was only so much he could do, when he himself was going through the exact same pain of losing his best friend.

As if feeling your eyes on him, Seonghwa stares tearfully back at you, the shared look between you holding some sort of unspoken message that only the two of you could understand. Your heart hurt at the sight of his tears, he was always so strong for you and seeing him like this now affected you more than you had expected.

A part of you wanted to go to Seonghwa and to be his comfort too but Hongjoong's touch on your face immediately snaps you out of it.

Your attention was once again taken over by your boyfriend, who was apologising for not being a good enough leader. His words only made everyone in the room protest loudly against the statement, all assuring him that none of this was his fault and that he's done the best that he could, given the circumstances.

"You mind telling me what the hell that was all about?"

Minho snarled, he was pissed at Chan for the display of weakness. For a moment back there, Chan looked nothing like the intimidating gang leader that he was known for being and instead, he resembled some weak loser overwhelmed by stupid emotions.

All this just because of some girl, Minho didn't take his boss to be some sappy hopeless romantic. The leader's behaviour from earlier was enough embarrassment to last for a lifetime.

If he didn't know any better, he'd almost say Chan was in love.

Disgusting.

The elder of the two lets out a deep sigh as he stared out at the view of the ruined city from the futuristic electronic gadget store that is now being used as his office. He turns around in his chair and glances up to find a very disgruntled-looking Minho.

"She's my- Look, she's an… an old friend from Australia, okay? I was just… surprised to see her again, I guess. Listen, I know you wish to discuss work but not right now, Minho. I've got to sort things out with her first… or else, I-I can't…"

To Minho's chagrin, the leader appeared somewhat abashed as he struggled to form a proper sentence, it was as if the simple thought of that woman alone was enough to fluster him this much.

Was this really Bang Chan?

The great leader of Stray Kids, stuttering like an elementary school kid over some girl? This was utterly ridiculous and there is no way in hell the second-in-command would stand for it.

Infuriated, Minho scoffed loudly before slamming his palms against the desk separating them as he glared down at his boss.

"You're joking, right? I don't care who that lady was and what she was to you but you need to pull yourself together. I never thought the day would come when I'd have to say this but you're being embarrassing, Chan. As if acting like some lovesick fool wasn't enough, you had to do it in front of our new recruits too? Way to set a good example!"

Hearing this from another person's point of view really did make Chan feel slightly ashamed of his behaviour, the new members must take him for a fool now.

"Thanks to Jisung, one operation's already down. I mean sure, we managed to take everything from the convenience store but with that, came seven extra mouths to feed. By right, we should be getting to work immediately. And now, you're saying you want to do what..?" Minho was fuming at this point.

Chan's nostrils flared at his younger counterpart's boldness before growling lowly in his alpha tone that he'd usually used to intimidate his members when needed.

"Have I been too lenient lately? Don't you dare speak to me like that, Lee Minho. You don't even know half the story. And remember your goddamn place, that's hyung to you by the way." His snarky attitude finally made the younger's lips tug upwards slightly in approval.

Now that's more like it.

"You're right, hyung, I don't. And I'm not interested in learning about any of it, need I remind you of who exactly you are right now? Like you said, she's from the past so don't you think it'd do you good to leave things where they were before?"

This was important to Minho, he needed to know he could trust his leader to still do a good job because Chan was the first and only person to have earned his respect, it'd be a shame to lose any of that over something this silly. After all, he only stayed loyal to Chan because they shared the same vision.

If the gang leader were to stray from their initial plans, Minho would be left with no choice but to take necessary actions. Though he hopes it'll never have to come to that, he'd hate to have to bite the hand that feeds him but there's only so much he's willing to tolerate.

Chan runs a hand frustratingly through his hair, how he wished his friend could just understand the way he was feeling.

He was only human after all, he has emotions too but he supposed that might have been too much to expect from Minho. He's never met anyone quite as cold-hearted and ruthless as Minho, he used to admire the younger for that quality but it was proving to be a bit of a pain in the ass as of this moment.

"You don't get it, it's not that simple! For the longest time, I thought she was dead, Minho, dead! Her 'death' was what made me into the person that I am today, it was because of her that you even got this version of me!"

The younger of the two raises a brow daringly, as if to challenge his boss, "So, are you saying that just because she's alive now, you'll go back to being your weak and pathetic old self?"

"No- God no, Minho, that's not at all what I meant. It's far too late for that anyway… but she's important to me, alright? I must… She went through a lot because of me, I have to make it up to her somehow…"

Minho couldn't believe his ears, "Wow, I hope you realise just how ridiculous you sound. Well, she might as well continue to be dead to you because she's already belonged to someone else anyway. I know that the leader of Jongho's group is her boyfriend."

The annoyed look on Chan's face proceeds to bring Minho satisfaction, "Besides, weren't you the one who taught all of us that 'in this selfish world, only the selfish succeed'? Will you please stop all this useless whining over spilt milk? We have work to do, hyung."

The mere reminder of you having a boyfriend now was enough to set Chan on fire again, making him shoot up from his seat.

"What did you just say?"

Had it been another member, they most likely would have peed their pants just from his tone but Minho was a special case, he wasn't one to back down, "I said, we have work to do," Chan's eye twitched in irritation, "No, before that."

Minho smirked, making it his mission to continue provoking the leader, "Oh, you loved that part, didn't you? I said, she already belongs to someone else. I'm sorry, was that a hard pill to swallow?"

He pouted tauntingly, the hateful grin on his face doing nothing to ease the rage burning within Chan, "Just forget her, hyung. That road's a dead end and we all know it, no point wasting your time." Rubbing more salt in the wound, his goal was to make the leader give up on all thoughts of making up with you.

"I guess you're right. She may be taken now, but not for long though. I'll make sure of that."

That was not at all what Minho had expected him to say, he was hoping to discourage his boss from further involving himself with you. Instead, he realises now that what he said was only fuelling Chan to fight harder for you.

"You just can't let this go now, can you? I swear to god, if taking her out is what it means for you to get a grip on yourself then I will do it."

That did it.

Minho never should have underestimated the depth of Chan's feelings for you. In a flash, the elder male wrapped his fingers around the younger's neck in a grip so tight that it had Minho scratching desperately at the leader's hands for air.

"Lay one finger on her and I swear, you'll be shown no mercy."

As fearless as he is, Minho values his life enough to know Chan was not at all kidding, "I'm your boss, Minho, just remember that and do as I say. We will get back to work soon, don't you worry. I just need some time to… debrief our new friends, is all."

The leader releases his grip eventually, "Now get the hell out of my sight, I need to think."

With a hand on the skin of his throat that was sure to start bruising soon, Minho clenches his jaw tightly at the humiliation he just suffered. Chan has never laid a hand on him thus far, and for him to do this over a mere woman from his past. It's something Minho finds completely unforgivable.

Was Chan even still in his right mind? Was he really putting work aside to waste his time on such silly emotions instead? Well, Chan is sorely mistaken if he thinks Minho will stand by and watch idly as he fools around.

Not wanting to piss his boss off any further at the moment, the right-hand man smiles sarcastically at his superior, "As you wish."

He curtsies dramatically before stalking out.

Oh, I'll remember that, Bang Chan.

We're nearing the climax soon, I estimate the story to end around Part 15. I might do some bonus parts later on if I'm feeling up for it or if there are requests for any. But for now, thank you for reading and as always, don't be shy to let me know your thoughts on this part!

Tag list: @aurasblue @tmtxtf @park-simphwa @sunnyhokyu @felixs-voice-makes-me-wanna

#edenesth #undying bonds #ateez #ateez fanfiction #ateez fanfic #kim hongjoong #park seonghwa #ateez hongjoong #ateez seonghwa #zombie apocalypse au #hongjoong x you #hongjoong x reader #seonghwa x you #seonghwa x reader #ateez fic

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