#was anyone waiting for this idk but it's here

[charmed-asylum]

GIRRRRRL ONCE AGAIN IM SNAPPING MY DIVA FAN OUT AND SNAPPING MY GOD DAMM FINGER OOOH GIRL I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING LORD MMM MMMM MMM. Nah bc she ain’t that stupid and with Sarah and Wheezie. Lets me realistic give the bene of doubt . What if Ward wanted the land and dad like no whole time. Makes sense why Rafe ain’t moving in to her land but snatch her up and shit. Like if it’s a real thing why didn’t they discuss this with the will or something no out side party to approve of this. You want the land I’m giving you money which again if Ward was doing so much why didn’t they not sale the horse why did they not gain the staff of what not others had and can share if it in fact a REAL THING. Also Rafe you can’t be more idk non bull in a china house shit. What would few days even do huh nothing ain’t nothing but a shit on a cracker. Huh.

Let be realistic you know not only did Rafe lose his shit seeing her in her outfit but I bet even Ward did a 👀. “The long-sleeve, cropped sweater that featured a soft ruffle trim that barely grazed your midriff, paired with a high-waisted, flowing skirt that swayed with every step” I feel bad because again he manipulating her to do stuff but she justifies it with things like oh I like to do it anyway and a thought of what happens if I don’t and do. “ You certainly knew how to get dolled up, like Rafe said, and lucky for him, you liked makeup and clothes that made you feel breezy and feminine” even at the end all he doing is manipulating her I’m sorry but I’m adding the fact that yes they just met but out of all the girls OUT OF ALL OF THEM he choose her so someone some how she got pick he could go to a shit tone of people but he went to her and they just met how the fuck does Wheezie know shit about her and she don’t know shit about them two days two days she knew them. That’s it.

Again out girl may say she a bimbo bc she got bimbo ways but girl yesssss remember that shit .” When the room grew quiet, Rafe’s words rattled around in your head. You’d always done what your father had said, let him lead you in all aspects of your life, because you trusted him. You couldn’t wrap your mind around how your father expected you to trust someone else. In the end, he was the reason you were here now.  He’d handed you over to someone else, like, what? A trade deal? The whole thing was completely unreal” I wonder what was the convo between John B and Rafe. Girl don’t be looking at his goods it’s a trap 🪤

Weee we meet wheezie omg thank you father of god huh use her girl use her a s shield. “ You liked her instantly “ When she was talking about what Sarah never had time to do I wonder if reader become that sister wheezie always wanted also what did they tell her regards the reader bc she acting like she should know a shit tone then she does. Does she know of anyone from the neighborhood.

AGAIN OUT GIRL AINT NO BLONDE HAIR BIMBO WOO WOO” It wasn’t urgent, but you had hoped to speak with Ward sooner rather than later. Part of you wanted to officially see the contract he’d wrote up with your father. Could two men really decide together that you should be married off? Was that still legal? “

Do you think the look Rafe gave reader was of possession more than shock or pleasure. Or his tone, Rafe’s voice cut through the growing tension, his tone firm, almost possessive. He makes me huh “ You won’t need to be over there, it’s no place for a woman “ Like 1st chapter I got better things to do now it’s MINE ERRRREREEEE WOOF WOOF 🐶

Sarah ain’t waiting for nothing lol

Rafe touch and firmness Man U need to go tho a year book and jerk off or something. Like damn he in that much of a rush I have to say even Ward should be a little worried like don’t this seem a little unstable and with Sarah calling bullshit even Wheezie shim in like damn .

Rafe sure as hell went from it’s a duty to know it’s about legacy with a puff out chest. Idk I feel he so calculated that what part real or not real it’s like an abusive man or a criminal trying to reason on why they do what they do. I just feel bad bc this reminds me of what she said in part one about family and shit he must of teacher diary ( something I can see him doing) once start talking about this bit I’m like yup he got the biggest breeding kink if I didn’t ever seen one. I’m just huh this shit got me getting high blood pleasure and I read it again I get mad again

rough hands, soft chains [2] r.cameron

[warnings] dark!rancher!rafe x bimbo!cowgirl!reader, arranged marriage, rancher au, manipulation, size difference, DUBCON, loss of virginity, rafe is HUGE, breeding kink, little editing, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK 18+

a/n: i only tag people who reblog the fic AND let me know their thoughts, thank you :)

In which you meet your new family, the Camerons, and learn Rafe's true intentions.

word count: 5.1k

part one

rafe cameron masterlist

The spare outfit you’d packed for your failed escape attempt was a delicate two-piece set in white. The long-sleeve, cropped sweater that featured a soft ruffle trim that barely grazed your midriff, paired with a high-waisted, flowing skirt that swayed with every step. The lightweight fabric was a reflection of your usual preference for comfortable clothes. A handful of other items hung in the closet, clearly not yours, but you couldn’t bring yourself to accept whatever offering the Camerons had left for you.

After giving your reflection a look, you turned your attention your room. You floated over to the vanity, a rustic wooden display decorated with gold trinkets. You’d only packed the essentials, meaning you’d limited yourself to mascara, concealer, blush and lipgloss. You slid onto the matching stool decking to touch up your makeup, wiping away the smudged mascara and applying a fresh coat of lip gloss. Lip gloss always had a way of brightening your mood, even now. You certainly knew how to get dolled up, like Rafe said, and lucky for him, you liked makeup and clothes that made you feel breezy and feminine. 

When the room grew quiet, Rafe’s words rattled around in your head. You’d always done what your father had said, let him lead you in all aspects of your life, because you trusted him. You couldn’t wrap your mind around how your father expected you to trust someone else. In the end, he was the reason you were here now.  He’d handed you over to someone else, like, what? A trade deal? The whole thing was completely unreal.

Something caught your attention outside the large windows. Rolling pastures stretched out before you, dotted with fences and patches of wildflowers swaying gently. Your gaze drifted toward the yard below. Rain trickled down slowly but you realized the figures moving in the distance, behind a tall white fence, were Juliet and John B. Making his way to the fence’s edge, now adorned in a work jacket and dark hat to protect from the rain, was Rafe. 

They were soon deep in conversation. Your eyes lingered on Rafe’s figure a little too long before shifting to Juliet, whose movements were graceful and unbothered. She had been alone for so long, your father had been forced to sell the other three horses your family owned years ago, and her care had undoubtedly suffered as your father’s health declined. Surely, the Camerons had at least a hundred horses and the resources to ensure Juliet was well cared for and had proper company. For a moment, you wondered if she might be happier here, happier than even you.

You were grateful for the distraction when a knock came at your door an hour later. You expected it to be Rafe, but a fleeting thought made you pause, would Rafe even bother knocking?

When you opened the door, you were surprised to find a dark-haired girl standing there, no older than fifteen. She was smiling, her eyes full of curiosity.

"Hey," she said, giving you a once-over with a playful look. "I’m Wheezie, Rafe’s little sister.”

So this was the other Cameron sibling? You smiled instinctively and offered your hand. "Oh, hi! I’m Y/N."

You blinked, studying her more carefully. She looked nothing like Rafe, and in that moment, she seemed almost... approachable. Less intimidating. Her warmth, however, felt almost out of place given the situation.

"I like your outfit," she said, her gaze scanning your clothes and makeup. "And your makeup. Ugh, I wish I could do mine like that. Sarah never has time to show me how."

“Sarah?” you asked, a little confused.

"My older sister," Wheezie explained, raising an eyebrow as if surprised. "Rafe’s never mentioned her?"

You shook your head, realizing she might think you'd known Rafe longer than just today. “Uh, no. He hasn’t.”

"Well, there’s three of us," Wheezie continued, her voice casual. "And Rose, our step-mom."

“Oh, okay,” You nodded, taking in all of the information. You weren’t at all used to meeting new people, “It’s nice to meet you. Can I ask you if Mr. Ward is home yet? I kinda need to speak with him.” 

Wheezie’s expression shifted slightly, a hint of disappointment flickering in her eyes. “Him and Rose have been gone all day. Cattle auction, I think. They probably won’t be back until dinner.”

You tried not to let the disappointment show on your face. It wasn’t urgent, but you had hoped to speak with Ward sooner rather than later. Part of you wanted to officially see the contract he’d wrote up with your father. Could two men really decide together that you should be married off? Was that still legal? Wheezie, sensing your hesitation, brightened up and added, “I could show you around the house in the meantime.”

You thought about it for a second, then smiled. “Sure, that would be nice.”

Joining Wheezie out in the hallway, your tour began. Wheezie led you to Rafe’s room first, just beside yours. “He likes to keep it locked,” she said with a grin, “Or else I’d totally snoop around with you.”

You liked her instantly. Moving down the hall, you passed Ward’s study, a room that felt both timeless and functional. It had a desk covered in papers and shelves filled with books. Next was the master bedroom, a room with dark wood furniture and soft linens. 

Finally, Wheezie opened the door to the library. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled the room, and large armchairs were scattered around a grand fireplace. It felt like the perfect spot for quiet moments. 

You couldn’t help but feel small in this place. It held the warmth of a family home but it was massive, the ceilings too high, and had decor that screamed “we’re wealthy”. 

Downstairs, the living room was the first stop, a grand space with towering ceilings. Soft leather sofas and enormous windows that offered a breathtaking view of the stretching land and mountains in the distance.

Moving through the open archway into the kitchen, you took note of counters made of polished stone, dark wood cabinets, and the appliances all state-of-the-art. The kitchen was bustling with a couple of workers, one chopping vegetables at the counter, the other pulling something out of the oven. You noticed a door that led out to a terrace.

“These are all Rose’s renovations. She’s really into interior design, and all that stuff.” 

“And the people. They work here all the time?” you asked, intrigued.

“My Dad can grill, but Rose doesn’t cook at all. So they get help,” Wheezie explained with a shrug. “I think she likes having everything perfect, you know?”

“She does have really nice taste,” You spoke genuinely, fumbling with your fingers as you looked around.

Past the kitchen was the dining room, where a long, weathered table was set for what could easily be a dozen guests. The chandelier above was massive, its crystals catching the light and casting a glow over the room.

Wheezie led you into the garage next. The space was expansive, with polished concrete floors and a collection of vehicles parked neatly in their spots, sleek trucks, a few SUVs, and a couple of classic cars you assumed were more for show. Near the back of the garage, you spotted a few horseshoe-shaped saddles hanging on the wall, alongside an array of hunting gear. There were rifles and ammunition neatly organized on the shelves, a few pairs of boots stacked by the door, and weathered hunting jackets hanging from the walls. It was practical, but still had the polished look of the rest of the house, like nothing here was ever out of place.

“Do you ride?” Wheezie asked as you took in the details of the room.

“Yeah, I have a horse named Juliet,” you grinned. “Do you?”

“I can,” Wheezie replied with a shrug. “I’m not great at it. Sarah’s better, and Rafe—well, he’s good at things like that.”

“Does Sarah live here too?” you asked, curious.

“Yeah, but she’s been MIA for two days.” Wheezie’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “You can’t tell anyone this,” she continued, glancing around before leaning in closer. “She and John B. are a thing. And she hangs out with his friends.”

“It’s a secret?” you asked, intrigued but still unsure of the family dynamics at play.

Wheezie nodded, her eyes flicking to the door as if checking for eavesdroppers. “My dad wants her to be with someone whose family is... more prestigious, if that makes sense?”

You processed that for a moment, nodding slowly. “But my family’s not... prestigious. But Ward wants me to marry your brother.”

A mischievous glint sparked in Wheezie’s eyes. She crossed her arms and leaned against the wall, clearly enjoying the tension in the air. “Is it true that Rafe got you pregnant and that’s why you have to live with us?”

You froze for a split second, then blurted out, “I am not!” You suddenly realized how loud you’d been and lowered your voice, grabbing Wheezie’s hand as you whispered urgently, “I am not.”

“Other people don’t think I’m pregnant, do they?” You continued, “Because I don’t think I’ve done anything that could lead to that…”

You questioned yourself for a moment, feeling a pang of uncertainty. You’d learned about the birds and the bees just once, when you were eleven, and it had been before your mother died. After that, your education had been limited, and anything beyond what she'd explained was a blur of confusion.

What you were certain of, though, was that the kiss with Rafe couldn’t have led to that. You had never heard of anything like that happening from a simple kiss. To your knowledge, you needed at least to sleep in the same bed for that to happen, and you and Rafe hadn’t crossed that line. Before your mind could wander to that possibility, Wheezie spoke. 

“I’m not trying to be rude, just curious,” She said with a smirk, her tone light and teasing. “No one around here tells me anything.”

A few hours later you entered the dining room again with Wheezie. You’d spend a good amount of time in her room and she’d explained more about her family, including more details about Rafe. You learned that she was Rafe’s soft spot. That he was cold to almost everyone except her. Ward had a lot of expectations for him and Rafe did about everything he could to appease his father. 

“I think Rafe just wants to do things his own way,” Wheezie had mused. “But, you know, my Dad has other ideas. He’s been trying to get Rafe to be more... ‘like him.’”

Kindly, you’d accepted her request for you to help her with her makeup. You’d done hers like yours, with bright blush and shiny lipgloss. She was so excited that she practically skipped down the stairs after, her happiness infectious as she bounced in front of you. A part of you couldn’t help but smile. Was this what it was like to have a sister? The feeling was new and strange, but warm, like something you hadn’t realized you’d been missing.

Rafe looked you over, as if he was offended by your choice in clothing, “What did I do?” You asked, innocently. 

Maybe he didn’t think your outfit was cute. 

“Come sit next to me,” he said, his voice smooth but laced with something possessive, as if he were commanding you rather than asking. He waved you over. 

You hesitated, looking at Ward, who gave you a reassuring, welcoming smile, and then at Rose and Sarah. Sarah’s gaze was sharp, watching you with a kind of calculating curiosity, while Rose barely seemed to notice, her eyes distant and uninterested.

You exhaled slowly, making your way over to the seat next to Rafe. Your knees brushed against each other but he didn’t move his. 

“Everyone, this is Y/N. I’ve known her family for years, and after that everything’s happened, she’s going to stay with us. She’s been through a lot.”

“Mm-hmm,” Rose murmured, almost absentmindedly. “It’s lovely to have you here with us.” Her tone wasn’t cold, but it certainly wasn’t warm, either.

Ward’s words seemed genuine, but you didn’t understand fully why he spoke so kindly. The two of you were practically strangers. Wheezie smiled brightly in reaction. Sarah, on the other hand, was looking you over even more closely than Rafe. You could see the thoughts swirling in your mind. 

“I have a question-” She blurted out.

Ward interrupted, “I’d watch yourself, young lady.” 

“I just want to make sure everything’s clear,” Sarah said softly, her voice quieter now. “I’m just... trying to understand why, that’s all. A marriage seems a little bit rushed, don’t you think? They didn’t even know each other before today.” 

“They didn’t?” Wheezie raised an eyebrow. 

The pressure in the room increased, “Sarah,” Ward began to warn her but it was Rafe who spoke up next. 

Rafe’s voice cut through the growing tension, his tone firm, almost possessive. “It’s not rushed, Sarah,” he said, turning to look at her. “It’s just what it is. No need to complicate it.”

You could feel the heat rising in your cheeks, the sharpness of Rafe’s gaze making you shift uncomfortably in your seat. He answering for you, as if you didn’t have a say in how things were perceived.

Sarah didn’t flinch. Her eyes held a quiet defiance. As if to change the subject, Rafe continued, “What is that on your face, Wheeze?” 

“It’s called makeup,” She shot back, annoyed, “Y/N did it.”

Rafe turned his head towards you, “It’s a little much for someone her age, don’t you think?”

“I think she looks really pretty. I started wearing makeup way younger than her,” You responded quietly but honestly, “That’s how you, like, get good at it.” 

“See,” Wheezie stuck her tongue out at her older brother. 

Suddenly, you felt Rafe’s hand touch your knee underneath the table. The warmth of Rafe’s hand on your knee sent a jolt through you, and for a moment, you couldn’t quite focus on anything else. His touch was unexpected, as though he’d done it without thinking, and yet, there was something deliberate about the way he kept his hand resting there.

Dinner was officially served moments later. Rafe’s hand remained there on your knee as you all began to eat the carefully prepared steak, potatoes and asparagus. Your steak was already cut into a pieces, a luxury that you didn’t even know others experienced. 

Sarah pushed around her asparagus, “How do you feel about moving in with us so suddenly, Y/N? I mean, do you really know what you’re getting yourself into?”

You paused, unsure of what to say, your gaze instinctively shifting toward Rafe. His hand was still on your knee, but the grip felt firmer now, like he was holding you in place, keeping you from saying something that might upset the balance of things.

You bit your lip, trying to gather your thoughts, but when you opened your mouth, it all just came tumbling out. “It’s kinda overwhelming,” you started, your voice soft but a little unsure. “I miss… I miss my Dad. And you guys have all this land, and this house is so huge, it’s hard to wrap my head around it all.” You glanced at Sarah, then back to your plate. “And, like, I didn’t think I’d get married this young, but… if it’s really what my Dad wanted…”

You trailed off, feeling a little embarrassed. Sarah’s gaze softened slightly, “It’s a big step. Are you sure you’re ready?”

Up until that point, you hadn’t realized you had a choice in all of this. You could see she wasn’t questioning you out of judgement. She almost looked concerned. 

“Enough, Sarah,” Ward spoke sharply, “This is bigger than what one person thinks is right. I don’t expect you to understand but it’s about responsibility. Rafe is growing up and he’s decided to take on new responsibilities. I don’t see why you can’t be supportive.” 

“I just think she deserves more time to decide,” Sarah said. 

“There isn’t a rush. I’m not rushing them, that’s for certain. Rafe and Y/N will take the time to get to know each other.”

The room fell quiet for a moment. You could feel the weight of everyone’s eyes on you. You glanced at him and noticed the subtle shake of his head, as if dismissing the entire idea. “What’s the point in waiting? You can plan a wedding in a few weeks, right?” 

“Rafe, son, don’t you think two should spend some time together?”

“No, Dad, we’ll get married as soon as possible. If Y/N wants to have a real ceremony, Rose can plan it, but I’d be down to just go to the courthouse.”

Your breath hitched in your throat. 

“Rafe,” Sarah leaned forward in her seat, “Are you actually crazy?”

How did we get here? You had no answers, just a rush of emotions you couldn’t quite put into words. Maybe you should’ve said something, but the lump in your throat made it hard to think. 

“We’ll figure it out” Rafe said, cutting her off. He turned his attention to you, his gaze intense but unreadable. “Right, darling?”

The way he looked at you made your stomach twist. It was as though he was asking you to confirm something you didn’t fully understand yourself. You opened your mouth to respond, but Wheezie chimed in before you could.

“Dude, that’s like, so not romantic!” she exclaimed, scrunching her nose. “You haven’t even proposed yet!”

Sarah seized the moment, leaning back in her chair with a smirk. “Exactly. At least ask her properly, Rafe. Or are you afraid she’ll say no?”

The air at the table grew heavier. You glanced at Ward, who looked ready to intervene, but Rafe beat him to it. His lips curled into a tight smile, though his eyes flashed with something darker. “You think I’m afraid of that, Sarah?” he asked, his tone deceptively calm.

All you could think about was the way Rafe’s hand hadn’t left your knee, his grip steady, as if anchoring you to him despite the chaos swirling around the table.

“Can we drop it, please?” Rafe asked, his tone deep and final. 

“I want Y/N to stay,” Wheezie decided. 

“We all want Y/N to stay,” Ward clarified.

“Well, good,” Rose chimed in, her smile polished and hollow. “Then it’s settled.”

At the end of dinner, Ward leaned back in his chair, addressing you, “You’ll find we take care of our own here, sweetheart. Anything you need, you only have to ask.”

“Thank you,” you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper. You weren’t sure what else to say.

“We should get going,” Rafe announced abruptly, pushing his chair back and rising to his feet. His hand left your knee, only to find the small of your back as he helped you up. 

Wheezie pouted. “But we haven’t even had dessert!”

“Next time, Wheeze,” Rafe replied, his tone firm. “Come on, Y/N.”

You followed him out of the dining room, feeling the eyes of his entire family on your back. 

“Where are we going?” You asked, trying to keep up with Rafe’s long strides. He’d given you his jacket and asked you to put on your boots, before guiding you out the front door. You clutched the jacket tightly, the night beginning to turn cool. The sky was still heavy with the remnants of rain but an orange and pink sun began to lower in the sky, peaking behind soft, gray clouds, “Rafe?” 

High grass tickled the bare legs hidden beneath your skirt as you walked into the fields, “Just for a walk. That okay with you?”

“You know, sometimes I think you really don’t care what’s okay with me.” Rafe flashed you an amused look, “Oh yeah? Maybe I like making decisions for you.” 

You snorted in disbelief but your heart fluttered nonetheless. 

"What's the real reason you brought me out here?" You asked, pushing the conversation forward despite the tension. 

Rafe stopped and turned to face you, his expression unreadable for a moment. He studied you, like he was considering his words carefully. "Maybe I just wanted to see you without all the noise around us. No distractions. Just you and me."

The ranch stretched out before you, vast and quiet. The ground beneath your feet was soft as you walked, fast enough to follow Rafe’s steps. A faint hum of crickets began to rise in the distance. 

A modest building tucked near the tree line, far from the main house came into view, “That’s the ranch hand’s quarters,” Rafe explained, “You won’t need to be over there, it’s no place for a woman.” 

The sun continued to hang lower as you walked, casting a golden hue over the land. Rafe led you further into the sprawling escape, pointing out different landmarks, “This land’s been my family’s for generations. But my Dad was the one who made it what it was today. It’s very important to me. This land and all the hard work that’s put into it.” 

“My dad’s tough on me but it’s his legacy, you know? It’s more than just making money or raising cattle. I don’t know, I just want to protect what I have. Make sure my kids and my grandkids have it, ya' know?”

He didn’t look for your understanding, his words genuine, but the look on his face was guarded. He paused, his jaw tightening slightly, “You don’t to get to be part of something big and not feel like you’ve got to give everything you have to it.”

“What if…” Your voice trailed as you tried to collect your thoughts, “How do I know it’s something I want to be apart of?” 

“As my wife, you’d stand beside me. You’d build with me. Raise our children. Make a home. You’d make everything that I’m working towards, worth it. That’s a life with purpose, yeah?” 

As he spoke, his voice deep and steady, you found yourself drawn to the way his features seemed to soften, despite the intensity of his words. Those blue eyes were focused on you with an intensity that made your throat go dry. 

He stood taller now, the weight of his words pressed in on you and you could see the full picture he was painting. It wasn’t just the land. It was you. It was him. It was a family. 

“Yeah,” You agreed, the word leaving your lips before you could stop it. Your gaze drifted, almost involuntarily, to his lips. They were slightly parted, the edge of his mouth curling just a bit as he spoke, and for a moment, you forgot where you were.

“Yeah,” Rafe agreed, a knowing look on his face, and his hand found the small of your back, “I owe you something, don’t I?”

“Owe me?” Your voice faltered. What was he talking about? 

Rafe didn’t answer right away. Instead, he simply pulled you forward, his hand firm against your back as he guided you through the tall grass. You didn’t have time to question him before the two of you reached a secluded barn, tall and clay-colored, tucked far away from the main house. The air smelled faintly of hay and wood, the earthy scent of the ranch settling around you. But you barely had time to take in your surroundings before Rafe was pulling you into him. His hand slid to the back of your neck, drawing you closer, until his lips were on yours. 

The kiss Rafe Cameron had promised you. 

All those thoughts you had about the land, the future, everything he’d said, it all slipped away. 

Someone, something, had overtaken you. Something ached inside of you, a part of your very being that had never been satisfied. You felt like an animal, desperate, grabbing at Rafe’s shirt, wanting him closer. He was already pressed tightly against you but deep down you wanted more. 

His lips weren’t as gentle as you remembered, they enveloped your mouth, his tongue tasting you, his arms keeping you where he wanted as he explored you.Without warning, he tugged you into an empty stall, the scent of hay and leather thick in the air. His hands were at the edges of your jacket now, pulling it open, his fingers brushing against your skin as the cool air of the barn nipped at your exposed flesh. 

A startled yelp escaped your lips as you felt his hands bunching up your skirt, the fabric sliding higher until it was gathered above your hips. Your eyes flew open, but Rafe was relentless, his mouth still claiming yours with fervent, unyielding kisses. You didn’t know exactly how babies were made but you had a feeling you were getting closer than you’d ever had before. Before you could process it, Rafe lifted you effortlessly, his hands sliding to cup your bottom as he held you tightly against him. Part of you began to panic. 

Then, with deliberate care, he laid you down. not on the rough ground but on his jacket, which was spread beneath you. Darkened eyes met your panicked ones. This was much more than a kiss. Although you’d enjoyed that part of the exchange, you weren’t sure you wanted more, “Rafe,” You whispered, your voice uncertain, as he moved his mouth from your lips to the sides of your mouth. Your mind raced, trying to keep up with the whirlwind of sensations. You pushed at his chest and felt you were pushing against a boulder. There would know way to get from underneath him, even if you tried, “Are… you gonna put a baby in me?”

He paused, lifting his head to look you in the eye and you had to remind yourself to breathe in that moment, “Jesus Christ. You’re something else, you know that?” Rafe grinned and some of your uncertainty went away. His reaction made the moment feel more lighthearted, like there wasn’t a boundary being crossed, like his intentions were innocent.

“I like the kissing,” You admitted, “It feels good b-but I’m scared–”

Rafe shushed you, peppering gentle kisses along your jawline, until he reached the side of your neck. Your thighs clenched tightly, your head tilted back, and you couldn’t control your moaning. Rafe spread your legs with his own, his jeans brushing against the smoothness of your thighs. He pressed his lower half into you and you felt something as hard as a rock, rubbing against your panties. It was then, your core started to feel like it was on fire. 

“Don’t be scared, it’ll just hurt for a moment,” Rafe spoke against your skin, huskily, his voice almost sounding like he was in pain, “You’re just gonna lay still for me, I need you to help me to take care of something.”

“Hurt?” You questioned, your mind hanging on that word. Then you thought back to your question. He hadn’t really answered. 

He seemed to ignore you again, his mouth moving lower on your body. He pulled your shirt down, and as your breasts spilled from their constraints, he left kisses on your nipples. Your head tilted back again when he took one of your nipples fully into his mouth, “Rafe,” You whispered but the sound of his name only seem to push him further. His fingers traced the edge of your panties before he slipped his fingers inside, brushing over your folds. You were wet down there, you realized, and mostly out of embarrassment, you started to pull away, “Please don’t touch me there.” 

You watched his pupils dilate as he stared down at you intently. He kept one hand in your underwear and wrapped his other around your throat, quickly, as if his body was reacting instinctively to your defiance. 

“Don’t tell me that,” Rafe said, almost growling, and your hands wrapped around his wrist, trying to push away his hand as you struggled to breathe, “I have to touch ya' here, darlin’. I’m gonna be your husband. This belongs to me, understand?” 

Your eyes widened as he rubbed circles over your sensitive skin. Your hips bucked in reaction and you silenced your moans, knowing you only had so much air to breathe, “Say you understand. Say yes.” 

You nodded your head quickly, “Yes,” You whispered. 

You were grateful when he loosed his grip around your throat, “It’s a good thing you’re wet. Nothing to be ashamed of. Just means this is what your body wants, baby. You already want to make me happy.” 

You weren’t quite sure at what moment your body decided to freeze. Your nerves were overwhelmed, of course, and it seemed like you’d come out less scathed from the situation if you did as Rafe said. You could stay still and take it. There was something happening with Rafe you didn’t understand but he was acting as though he needed something and you were only one who could provide it. You could stay still and take it if it would make him happy, right? It’s a good thing to make other people happy. 

You focused on the kisses on your lips, the way his soft mouth moved methodically over yours. The faint jangle of metal pulled you back to the moment, a sound you barely registered until you felt the press of something impossibly hard, slowly pushing against a place you hadn’t realized could take him. His manhood, you assumed, what made him different from you. It hurt like he said it would but not for just a moment. Were all manhoods this size? This is what your body really wants? 

“Relax,” he murmured, his voice low and soothing despite the edge of strain. His hand brushed over your trembling thigh, steadying you as your body tried to accommodate him. “You’re okay. I promise.”

He started to rock into you once you felt completely full to the brim. Initially, it felt even worse than him pushing all the way inside you. Tears fell and your breath grew rapid, “It hurts,” You whimpered, “It really hurts.”

“It’s okay,” He said, maintaining his pace, “You’re okay, darlin’. You’re doing great. It’s just your first time. Gotta get used to me, that's all.” 

“Are-are you putting a baby in me, Rafe?” You asked, your voice an innocent whisper. His grip on you tightened as his rhythm grew more deliberate, his words spilling out in a low growl.

“Fuck yes, darlin’,” he said, his voice thick with unrestrained desire. “I’m gonna put a baby in you.”

His hands, his words, the pain between your legs that was slowly turning to pleasure, it made you dizzy, and you couldn’t keep track of your thoughts. You belonged to him? A baby? It didn’t make sense, but part of you felt comforted by the intensity of him. You trusted he knew more. Everything’s okay. You were okay. It felt like something you were supposed to be, so you let go and let him have you.

a/n: i only tag people who reblog the fic AND let me know their thoughts, thank you :)

[merbear25]

Hiii, got inspired by Mihawk's recent birthday and was thinking maybe his SO trying to spoil him for his birthday? Both with small gift and then something more NSFW, like reader indulging him in one of his favorite kinks? (idk why I see him as a mirror sex guy or/and into blindfold)

Ohhhh!!! This is a good idea... Thank you for sending this in! I hope you like it!

Caught with your hands in the cookie jar, you were unable to keep your cool. After all that work you'd put into trying to think of a good hiding place, here he was suspecting you of just that. You needed to be reminded that you should never keep a secret from him.

CW: NSFW, MDNI, gn!reader, established relationship, some fluff, mirror sex, rough sex

Secrets are meant to be shared (Mihawk)

There weren’t many options when it came to finding that perfect present for someone like him. Although he wasn’t outwardly outspoken about what he favored, he had his preferences much like anyone else. Something that showed your attentiveness to his less spoken of interests would go a long way with him. Tucked away under your bed so as to remain out of sight, the perfectly wrapped present with a modest bow waited patiently.

Hearing footsteps traveling down the hall, you sprang up from the side of the bed just in time. He entered the room, side-eyeing you and the flustered look upon your face.

“Did you forget something?” Your curiosity was far from subtle.

He took a moment to examine your posture. Your palms were sweaty and your eyes showed the amount of stress you were experiencing. “Perhaps…” 

The few steps he took towards the bed sent your heart racing. You knew you shouldn’t have risked hiding it in the shared space, but you’d convinced yourself that it would be too obvious to raise suspicion.

When he stopped at the side of the bed, you stared at him from across the mattress. “I have a feeling you’re keeping something from me.”

“What? Me? I could never.” You were the least graceful liar there was. He sighed and walked over to the vanity mirror, gesturing for you to join him. He stood behind you and gently laid his hands on your shoulders.

“Look at yourself. You’re shaking like a leaf.” The attention to your frame shivering slightly from the tension you’d caused for yourself was apparent. 

As he leaned closer, his breath bathed your neck. Soft, open-mouthed kisses were pressed on your sensitive skin. He held your hips tightly while you bore more of your neck to him. The sensation of his teeth grazing over your pulse made goosebumps break out over your body. A gentle bite when paired with roaming hands on your thighs were making your head spin. Softly, a moan passed your lips, giving him his queue to delve deeper into desire.

Such a beautiful display of devotion deserved to be handled with the utmost care. His fingers undid your pants, letting them drop to your ankles. Running his hands over the outer parts of your hips and thighs served as a reminder that the best of things come to those who wait. Despite your body aching for more, you knew such patience would be rewarded handsomely. A glimpse of you in the mirror was all he needed to see the evidence of your arousal.

He nipped at your earlobe, while his hands gripped your inner thighs. Finally, he reached under the elastic of your underwear. The soft sound you made when he touched you where you needed him most complimented his guttural groan. Your body was already eager for him, but he couldn’t resist teasing you a little for thinking you could keep a secret from him.

Your hands clamped down upon the dresser, causing the mirror to shake and rattle. Each skillful movement of his fingers had your thighs trembling. The huffs and pants of needy moans coming from you were growing more and more impatient. There was no use in trying to hold back those blissful sounds of euphoria; he knew your body too well.

The sound of him unbuckling his pants crept up behind you, shortly followed by his arousal being pressed up against you. Him stroking himself at the mere state he’d put you in was making your ass shake slightly from the friction. You gripped the dresser harder as he teased your tight little hole with the tip of his cock through your underwear.

Just as withholding your begs and groans for more was reaching a boiling point he finally gave into his own desires. Ripping that last shred of clothing down, he pinned you against the dresser. Firmly, he grabbed your hips, spreading you perfectly for him to slide right in. Stretching you out never felt anything less than heavenly.

Slight grunts as he thrusted against you alluded to more than the heat of the moment. You were his and he was yours, anything other than passionate in a moment like this would be criminal. Losing yourself in the pleasure, you leaned forward on the wooden surface. Gently, he wrapped his hand around your throat and forced your back to arch while he pulled you up. Making eye contact as he took you from behind made your entire body tingle. He reached around to play with you and coax out every sound you were capable of all while his thrusts went deeper and harder. 

Your moans of ecstasy, you clawing at his arms, the way your body was spasming around him the closer he pushed you towards the edge: he couldn’t keep his eyes off of you—a vision of beauty. The mirror shook more violently, and the drawers were opening and closing with urgency as he chased his own high.

Your body quaked against him, choked back cries of your climax filled his ears. He couldn’t resist letting himself indulge in such blissful release any longer. Watching the way your body moved as he released each drop of himself deep inside you made the sensation all that more intense. He bit your shoulder to muffle his own groans of pleasure. The extra spasm from you got him to bite down harder as pleasure jolted through his veins.

A few more pushes into you were all he needed to completely drain himself. You fell on your forearms as your legs gave out. He leaned over you, a sense of pride and affection washing over him. His hand caressed your back and lingered on the dip of your waist. Softly, he pressed a kiss on the bite mark he left on your shoulder, soothing any sting he’d left behind.

Trailing kisses up your neck, he whispered in your ear. “And don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll love any present you’ve stowed under our bed.”

You hid your flustered expression in your hands. “You knew?” 

“You’re anything but subtle.”

Groaning at your own lack of the art of surprise, you went over to get the present from under the bed. Holding it in your hands, you nippled your lower lip. “I’d hoped to give this to you in a more… romantic setting.”

Much to his word, you had nothing to worry about. Being a man of action more than verbal expression, you knew right when he opened the box that he appreciated what you’d spent so long putting together.

[anotheroceanid]

I'm writing that Athenide lore fic like it's a myth book. I mean, it's more like a Athenide page on a greek mythology website, because I'm not fully sure about my approach to it yet, but the idea is keeping it very open... If that makes sense? Idk. It's 5pm, I need some sleep. But here it go. (Now I'll sleep)

PERSE was the goddess of loyalty, seafarers, sea warfare, demigods, olive oil and destruction¹, among other debated domains². She is depicted as a girl in marriageable age, sometimes in a bridal attire or wearing a laurel wreath, carrying an olive branch in her right hand and a sword in her left hand. She is associated with the Roman goddess, Fides. She is the daughter of Poseidon and Athena, conceived without sex, during their contest for the city of Athens. While her mother was a patron, Perse was the living representation of the city, though her cult was successfully exported around the Mediterranean through sailors. Being the only child of Athena³, she was more commonly referred to as Athenide, for her actual name was rarely invoked vainly. Very much like swearing to Styx, speaking upon Perse’s names was taken very seriously. Once she was mentioned, no lie could be told. Willing or not, whatever said before or after the goddess’ name became a promise—breaking it would be the same as cursing oneself. Athenide’s cult had five main branches that can be easily traced—Athenide of the City (Polias), the Athenide of the Children (Kourotrophos), the Bride Athenide (Nymphia), Warlike Athenide (Areia), Athenide of Good Sailing (Euploia). Other cults(4) have been identified, but their practices are unknown due to lack of sources or the secrecy of their rites. The Polias aspect was exclusive to Athens, for there was her birthplace. Athenide was, for all that matters, the first citizen of Athens, she could not be stolen from the city. Other regions could venerate her, but the city and the goddess were conjoined. The festivals and rituals to Athenide Polias were all tied to the city, they could not be replicated anywhere else. Another important cult was of Athenide Kourotrophos, associated with parenting. Athenide famously raised two gods when they were still mortals—Dionysus and Asclepius—but also participated direct or indirectly in the upbringing of other heroes, so she was believed to protect kids from great dangers. Besides, her cult often crossed Apollo’s and Artemis’, both protectors of children, to honour Athenide was considered a way to please the twins. Though Athenide herself never married, her most widespread and represented version of her is Nymphia: Athenide, the eternal bride—waiting for a betrothed. The matter of Athenide’s hand in marriage is recurrent theme in myths, though no man was ever proven worthy of her. Her bridal aspect was revered as the ideal bride. Mothers would pray for her to help their daughters marry gentle man, families would asks for virtuous brides for their sons, her name was invoked in wedding ceremonies, and a part of the bride’s dowry should be offered to her. Athenide Areia was represented following her mother to war—Wisdom brings Loyalty into battle. She represented the pact every warrior had with their land, that their loyalty would be repaid with victory and a safe return to home. The Romans became particularly fond of this concept, and Perse Athenide became Fides, who represented absolute loyalty to Rome above all else, and they invoked her name before every battle. Desertion was a crime punishable by death and after death, as one could not lie upon the name of Fides. In her aspect of Athenide Euploia, she protected anyone who was in the sea. Before travels, long or not, a offering for Athenide was expected in exchange for a safe journey—one in each port where the ship docked. Despite the exigence, this seemed to be the least “expensive” of the cults, as the sailors would gift the goddess with self-made crafts and trinkets from their travels. It is unknown why, but this is the most “child-like” aspect of the goddess. Euploia is often represented as a young girl, usually with her father, leading to the conclusion that the sailors were gifting her with the same toys they’d give to their own kids, should they ever return home. While other aspects existed, their cults are mysteries, as extensive literature about Athenide was mysteriously lost across the centuries.

[lolitasangel]

I know it’s just cause of the way he’s posing and such but I really need Bad Boy! Noah who is only sweet to his partner. I guess he’s not a ‘bad’ boy but you get what I’m trying to say. He’s quiet and to himself but with you he’s different, he’s still a little quiet with you but he’s so loud in his actions about how feels about you.

Kind of nsfw below the divider, MDNI 18+

He brings you flowers, chocolates or whatever it is you want that day. He knows he has the scary boyfriend look and uses it to his advantage when he’s with you. Noah keeps an eye on you especially when you are joining him and the boys. Making sure you aren’t uncomfortable with anything or if you’re too tired and want to go home. He still sings to you and writes you your own personal songs.

I imagine after a long hard day, you come home, and as soon as Noah sees the tears in your eyes he’s immediately ready for kicking anyone and everyone’s ass. Who made his girl cry. Or if say you saw something and it triggered something in you and he’s quick to your side comforting you. “It’s okay, baby. I’m here, you aren’t alone” he just wants to make you feel better and forget your day. I feel like he would make you relax for the rest of the day, no more work just relaxing while he cooks dinner.

Noah loved to see you wearing any of shirts or his leather jacket. He could die happily just from the sight of you curled up and asleep with his scent wrapped around you.

Noah doesn’t smoke anymore but he while he would wait for you to get off work (sometimes he would come and pick you up to spend more time together) he would wait with something for you. A snack, some candy, or a gift of some sort. He was never empty handed to you.

Noah knows he has a sort of reputation, even though he hasn’t done anything to gain the ‘bad boy’ title despite the way he dresses or his tattoos and hair. He doesn’t mind the title as long as people don’t bother you. Say at rehearsals he’s on stage singing and sees security trying to make you leave, Noah will quickly call it out in the mic “Is there a problem over there? She’s with me, don’t touch her again” the security guard feels terror course through his veins. He just thought you were a fan that might’ve snuck in idk.

I also feel like Noah makes you take off your panties before every show and stuffs them in his pocket. He likes to use them as a good luck charm, no you can’t get them back. You are on a serious panties shortage due to Noah taking them as often as he can.

AN- I’m sorry for the late updates and replies lately. I’ve been trying my best to respond to and engage with people but it’s been very hard for me lately. I haven’t been okay or ‘mentally’ well for the last few days and I think I just need to log out for a bit and figure my stuff out. So if I don’t respond please know it’s not to be rude I’m just not ‘here’ My requests will be open and I’ll try to get to them as quick as I can when I come back. Thank you to all my angels/moots for the kind words on my writing, and I love reading everyone else’s writing, it really does help me with my day. Love yall, good night

Taglist 🫶🏼- @fadingintothegrey @like-a-omen @veejezhyk @english-fucker @iloveyoutodeathbutimdrowning @bluestdai @kaliforniahigh @flowery-mess @concreteemo @dollieomens @calleyx13 @fadingangelwisp @hurricanesfollowyou @lacy1986 @alwaysfightforwhoyouare @xxkittenkissesxx @iluvmewwwww75 @silent-stories @veephoenix @graceylove @marvelousmal @thenmaybehellaintsobadafterall @amelia-acero @disappearintothegrey @concretejunglefm @concretenoah @tikosblogg @xmads-omensx @tosoundlessdarkistare

Divider by- @anitalenia

[jellybeanium124]

What a shitty shitty shitty shitty shitty shitty shitty shitty shitty shitty shitty shitty shitty shitty shitty shitty shitty day. Can’t wait to go home chug half a bottle of Gatorade fill it with vodka shake it together and get a little drunk 😐 I don’t wanna be at work anymore I spilled food on my fuckin shirt and I’m sitting in the break room waiting for my wet cleaned-best-I-could shirt to dry thinking about how this guy who I thought of as a very close friend lied to everyone and will probably never respond to my dms coz why would he did he even like me at all or what. Did he care about the themes and messages of the show or what. “Our flag has made me feel more able to be myself” DID IT?? DID IT REALLY ATTICUS?? You loved it so much you decided to be a race faking plagiarist??? You could’ve been yourself and nobody would hate you. Nobody would’ve hated you, nobody would’ve looked at you and said “there’s that stupid piece of shit with his crappy fics we all hate.” Nobody was saying that to you but yourself. And now a lot of people do hate you, and you brought it on yourself. Because you decided that you needed more oppression points or something. Because you didn’t think you were a good enough writer to come up with ideas yourself. Go to therapy and APOLOGIZE TO ME!! APOLOGIZE TO EVERYONE!! And you’re not getting the sea pancake plushie by the way lmao. Just in case there was any doubt in your mind. I’m giving it to someone else.

I hope you look at the four sharks on your shelf and remember that you used to have friends here and all of this is your own fault. And if you can’t keep them, because you’re a coward, then give them away so that someone else can love them. You don’t deserve the surprise sharks I gave you. I loved you like a big brother, man… you were a close friend. I trusted you. I sent you money when you said you couldn’t afford to eat and I cheerleaded for you when you felt down because I thought you deserved it. Well now we all know why you felt so horrible all the time don’t we? Coz the guilt was eating you up inside. I don’t think you’re a psychopathic narcissist, you are just a sad little man who hates himself and ruins his own life.

I hope one day you can apologize.

I hope you learned something.

Bet writing your phd will be easier now that you’re never gonna write another fic lol. Well maybe you should. Use a bit of fiction to process your trauma. But you ain’t posting no more that’s for sure.

Whenever you wanna apologize I’ll listen. Idk if it takes you years I’ll still listen. Idk about anyone else tho. I’m not mad, not really. I’m hurt, I’m upset, and I’m tired.

[weirdero]

This may be my longest one yet. Can’t stop thinking about those three blond freaks. The relationship between those three women in The White Lotus has my brain in shambles and I just need to talk about all of them in length so here it is

Laurie

Laurie is surprisingly the least talked about of the three, yet in my eyes, she’s always been the hardest to pin down for me cus like she sucks but not in the same way jaclyn or Kate suck. Like the others, she’s deeply insecure and self absorbed, but unlike them, she has a sense of individuality. She doesn’t seem to exist for anyone but herself. That doesn’t mean she isn’t a coward or a fake ass bitch especially towards jacelyn there is alot of animosity there also shes not perfect. Inviting strangers to your shared villa isn’t okay. It’s still like irresponsible, childish, selfish, and borderline dangerous but it’s her.

She’s herself I don’t think she’s pretending to be something else or forcing herself to become someone she’s not. She’s a broken woman forsure with deep deep wounds that need healing but her own person nonetheless.

Laurie’s actions aren’t necessarily driven by the same validation seeking impulses that control the other two. She drinks for herself even if it’s pathetic at times. dances for herself and flirts because she wants to, not to prove anything to anyone else. Of course, she craves attention and the feeling of being desired, but not in the same way as Jacelyn, and she isn’t as fake as Kate is. Laurie is the one they pity yet she is the most naturally fun and authentic. She’s lost, yes drunk without a care in the world and when given the opportunity she blindly basks in male validation. But she isn’t seeking it actively YK?. At the end of the day homegirl just wants to get fucked and grinded on idk.

Jaclyn

Jaclyn’s entire identity hinges on being perceived as young, desirable, and larger than any fucking life. The thought of being seen as older—a “ma’am” rather than a “miss” genuinely almost makes her gag. It’s insane. Laurie and Kate talk about her high school days like she was a goddess among men, and in her mind, she still is. I mean she did the thing peaked in highschool then probably in college then in life by becoming a Hollywood star, being part of a society made up of rich privileged and powerful batchlors YK who doesn’t love a young hot up and coming actor, but she’s not that anyone and she’s being forced to reckon with the reality that time waits for no one. The industry, and society at large, have little patience for aging women it’s evil it’s terrible watch the substance of you haven’t. and rather than confronting that reality, or actively trying to subvert expectations Jacelyn convinces herself that she is the exception to the rule. she will never age!

She’s not like most women who simply accept aging as what it is a natural part of life. She’s not out here trying to advocate for less ageism in society like women still have lives after 30 that aren’t just about being maternal figures, YK but no. Fuck that shit she’s not an average woman. She’s Jaclyn Lemon!

All of that is why her ego is so shaken when her young husband starts pulling away. She must have felt so rejected irrelevant. Like who ghost their wife. And instead of processing that pain and idk trying to find other wats to reach him being like what the fuck is going in , sor just focusing on her vacation. She throws herself into proving that she’s doesn’t need that nigga because she’s still it. That she can still command attention, still make men crumble, still be the center of the universe. She grinds on strangers, downs drinks she doesn’t recognize, and acts as if she’s the hottest woman in the club world she has to prove not just to other but to herself. she’s still it.

The Scene on the dance floor is what’s gets me The way she locks eyes with the young women in the club, misinterpreting their shock as fucking jealousy says everything about her and her current mental state. She has convinced herself fully that they are seething with envy watching in horror as she steals their potential matches in the club. The fact that she can’t even enjoy her night without doing that shit is so pathetic. She is so deeply insecure it makes me think of what she’s like when she’s alone. When she has no one to feed into her delusions. Cus truth be told, those girls are probably telling each other “oh my god. The soccer mom is going crazy rn that’s wild.

To me her most telling moment that night isn’t even when she bangs Valentin or when she’s at the club or in the pool. It’s when she’s passed out on the lounge chair, looking like a corpse, only to immediately snap awake at the words “we’re old ladies.” And that. That right there is who Jacelyn in a nutshell her entire existence fueled by the need to be desired, to be envied, to be seen as someone who still has time.

She is not a feminist. She is not a “girls’ girl,” no matter what she says. She is not a good wife. She is not a young actress. She is not anything she claims to be. And she cannot face that truth. She’s blinded by her own delusion. I feel like she’s the type of person who loves no one or hates no one more than herself.

Kate

Kate is actually my queen. I’m not afraid to say it I love her. She’s my favorite character. She is so pathetic, and I adore her for it.

Kate is born a people pleaser, genuinely a master of adaptability. I already have this post about Kate and how she’s perfected the art of fakeness in women’s centered friendships , but I can’t help but talk about her more after this recent episode because we got to see a little glimpse of who she really is. Kate’s “real personality” isn’t often seen since it’s almost assumed she doesn’t have one. She absorbs and reflects the personalities around and does so effortlessly, mirroring back whatever version of herself people want to see. She is warm, accommodating, agreeable always saying just the right thing perfectly balancing empathy with quiet condescension. She knows exactly how to navigate every situation without causing any hiccups.

And it’s an impressive skill to have but it’s not like it’s matters some she has no real identity. No true personality. Shes a friend of everyone so she’s also a friend of no one

Which is her current situation with both Lauri and jacelyn. That’s why the whole gang up at dinner about politics happened she still does her absolute best to evade any questions and not cause any awkwardness. when she’s asked if living in a red state is awkward. Kate doesn’t hesitate “ No, they’re good people. Really good families.” Flawless answer. Neutral. Disarming. Phenomenal. Normally that would work but those hoes aren’t her friends and they need to find a reason to not like her and that’s was their chance so they press her. she was still able to slither herself out of that corner tho.

I never really talked about the Trump conversation since everyone and their mother has covered it to death, but keeps taking me back to that moment is her smile. And then the line, “Are we really going to talk about Trump tonight?” She like a fucking pageant queen it’s phenomenal So clean, so calculated.

I think she’s so used to preforming for others and pretending she’s okay and everything fine that she doesn’t like any of her real opinions slip out. She hasn’t had a very emotionally charged moment yet like. Laurie sees Jaclyn and Kate talking without her and immediately sobs like a mad woman and starts drowning herself in alcohol and self pity. Jacelyn loses her mind over the simple idea that someone else might view her as an older woman and not a teenage girl.

But Kate? Kate holds it together. She hasn’t had a meltdown at least not yet. Even when she finds out they’ve been talking about her with realization of genuine devastation she still shows up at breakfast the next morning with a smile. She bites her tongue. She keeps the peace. She bends and bends and bends.

But I do think and hope she will crack eventually her comment towards jacelyn being first sign. It’s the first time we see Kate speak honestly no filter no buffer is when she tells Jacelyn she thinks they should leave the bar.

And let me tell you this she may be a judgy bitch but she tried so hard that night to be chill. She genuinely tried go with the flow. She drank strange drinks she didn’t order. She danced to music she probably didn’t like. She listened to this bald Russian guy vent about his very shady odd life all night. But it gets to a point. Watching a grown man scream at a woman and slammjng both his hands in a hacks in front of guests like it’s a normal occurrence is actually insane. And for me that would’ve been my last straw too.

Even in that moment she’s still quiet and mellow “I think we should leave.” And out of nowhere this fucking hoe just says “Come to the villa.” The only home and shelter they have with all their belongings “YYeah come to it.” And she finally puts her foot down. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” and she gets laughed at. Then ignored.

Me? Personally, I would’ve left that same night. I’m not getting murdered in Thailand for some dick. Hell no.

They make their way back to the villa against her advice and she once again tries to adapt to the situation . Instead of adding herself to the equation she stays out of their hijinxs still vigilant and watching as a decent friend would

Also I’m now just remembering those men went skinny dipping IN HER POOL. oh my god I would lose my MIND.

And the moment she realizes what Lauri did? It’s horrifying.

Again Kate isn’t perfect she’s from Texas like cmon In the next episode, I’m expecting some extremely judgmental sex negative conversation about the whole night. But right now I’m choosing to see that moment of pure terror on her face as a result of the sinking realization of their current situation. three men young who are stronger and not as drunk and three women all lean one sober the other two bordering on blackout and one half naked.

And I’m not saying anything would’ve happened. I highly doubt Valentin would do something like that or have his friends do something evil . But something could’ve happened. Something could’ve gone wrong. Even something more mundane like a slip and fall, or a drowning, or a robbery.

That look on her face in that moment? It’s just a look of, “Oh my god, what are we doing?”

We don’t know how much time has passed but the next time we see her, she’s talking to the shadiest of the man in the group who is yapping about how he seemingly got into a physical altercation with a woman and faults him for the death of her son. And she’s sitting there bewildered, possibly horrified. What do you even say to that?

All of that which leads me to my current theory oooooo I believe in a very basic soft take that Kate is the buffer between both Lauri and Jacelyn and tension and drama between those too will have some negative consequences that Kate ends up having to deal with possibly even her murder. Those women are going to be the death of her (literally).

I’m also hoping Kate will find out about Jacelyn and Valentin’s night together. I hope she catches him leaving or notices some suspicious behavior, because it’ll put her in such a tight spot.

Telling Lauri wouldn’t go well. But not telling her might kill Kate internally. It’ll be interesting to watch her grapple with a decision she has to make on her own without the goal of pleasing anyone else. Because in situations like this, there is no winning. Whether she tells someone or no one there is still a negative outcome in one way or another

I love her. She’s pathetic, and she’s mean And hypocritical in a way she’ll never recognize on her own. I genuinely believe she’s done for because she’ll be caught in between the two women when push comes to shove.

[journey-to-the-attic]

one thing about ik is that she will always reach out

[unclewaynemunson]

Pt2 to this post

'Is something wrong?' Nancy asks, not long after the two of them have taken their familiar spots on the hood of Steve's car. They're basking in what might be the last warm sunlight of the year, looking out over the quarry, at a safe distance from the edge.

It's become a tradition the two of them share, ever since they reconnected back in March. It calms them both, to just sit here and take in the view, no one around but each other. Nancy is one of the few people Steve can share a comfortable silence with: sometimes they sit here quietly for what feels like hours, side by side, listening to music or to nothing but the birds singing around them. But they also have their best conversations here: it's the place where Nancy entrusted him she wanted to break up with Jonathan; it's the place where they talked about their shared past and decided they would always love each other as friends; it's the place where they finally talked about Barbara in a way they couldn't when they were younger. It's where Nancy talked about the ghosts still haunting her and Steve talked about how lonely he sometimes felt.

Steve huffs. 'How did you guess?'

'When you frown, you always do it with your whole face,' Nancy notes. 'So it's hard to miss, really.'

Steve glances at her side profile. There's a serenity to her features that's still relatively new. It means she's healing, slowly learning how to be happy again. It means she stopped waiting for the end of the world and started believing in a real future again. It makes Steve proud of how far they both have come.

'I had a fight with Eddie,' he confesses. 'And with Dustin, I guess.'

'What happened?'

He sighs. 'It's complicated.'

'Wanna tell me about it?'

The look in her eyes is kind and inviting. Steve hesitates. He wants to, but he doesn't know if he can. It's a risk. It's scary.

But he can't imagine Nancy Wheeler ever being careless with his secrets. He can't imagine her judging him, can't imagine her being as small-minded as most people in this town.

He was planning on telling her anyway, because things had been going so well with Eddie lately and – no, he shouldn't think about that right now. But maybe it would actually be nice to talk about it with Nancy.

'So, um...' His throat feels tight and his hands are sweaty. 'I recently discovered some things about myself. I-' The words get stuck somewhere on the way to his mouth, and he clears his throat.

Nancy doesn't push, but only gives him an encouraging nod, waiting for him to find his voice again.

'I found out I like boys,' he finally manages to confess. 'And I need you to know that – that that doesn't mean that what I felt for you wasn't real. It was. I loved you, and now I fell in love with a boy. And-'

'Steve.' Nancy's hand suddenly covers his, causing him to finally jerk his head away from the view over the quarry, to focus on her face again instead.

Her eyes are wide, and she squeezes his hand.

'You don't have to explain yourself to me,' she tells him. 'We're good. But thank you for telling me. For trusting me with this.'

Steve heaves out a relieved sigh, and Nancy smiles; it's that genuine kind of smile which reveals all kinds of dimples and soft lines across her face.

'We might be more similar than you thought,' she tells him, a faint blush spreading over her cheeks.

'Really?' Her words make his breath catch in his throat. He squints at her, trying to see her in this new light. 'Are you saying what I think you're saying?'

She shrugs. 'I don't know. I'm not sure yet,' she admits. 'Still figuring things out.'

'Take your time, there's no rush,' he tells her. 'But...' He bumps his shoulder against hers. 'When you're done figuring it out, talk to me, okay?'

She nods. 'Okay.'

For a while, it's quiet between the two of them. Some kind of raptor circles high above them in the sky. They both follow it with their eyes until it disappears among the tree tops west of the quarry.

'Is it Eddie?'

Steve blinks dumbly a couple of times.

'Wha- what?'

'The guy you were talking about. The one you fell in love with. It's Eddie, isn't it?'

'Jesus, Wheeler, what kind of sorceress are you?' Steve exclaims.

Nancy laughs again. 'You're not being as subtle as you think,' she tells him. 'The two of you have been hooking up for a while now, haven't you?'

Steve huffs dramatically. 'This is unfair. You know everything; I can't even tell you my own secrets anymore!'

'So what happened?' Nancy asks. 'You said you had a fight with him?'

'It's fucking stupid,' he sighs. 'Dustin was getting way too excited about the fact that I was gonna be hanging out with you, so I told him I was seeing someone. Next thing I knew, he was telling Eddie all about how I was seeing a girl.' He waves his hands around to make annoyed air quotations. 'I wanted to tell Eddie it was a misunderstanding, but Dustin was there, so I couldn't out us just like that, and he looked so betrayed and heartbroken... He didn't wanna listen to me.'

Steve sighs; he still can't manage to forget that look in Eddie's eyes when Dustin delivered the big news. 'I wish I would've talked about what I felt for him earlier. I should've been honest when I had the chance, y'know. But I was afraid he wouldn't wanna label what we had, that he wouldn't feel the same way – and now we're in this whole mess. God, he must hate me right now, Nance.'

To his surprise, Nancy gives him an unexpected slap against his arm.

'Ouch, what the hell was that for?!'

'What are you even doing here with me, Steve? You should've gone after him, tell him how you feel!'

'I tried, obviously, but he didn't wanna listen to me!'

'So make him listen! You're in love with him, he obviously feels the same way about you, and you let him leave to wallow in a broken heart he doesn't even need to have!' She rolls her eyes and slides off the car, adding something under her breath that sounds suspiciously like an exasperated 'Boys!' before she pulls Steve off the car as well. 'C'mon, time to get your ass over to the trailer park. Right. Now,' she says through gritted teeth. And, well, Steve knows better than to argue with a determined - and truthfully quite terrifying - Nancy Wheeler.

Read the last part here Taglist: @withacapitalp @ultimatedreamer104 @irregular-child @jcmadgirl @estrellami-1 @myguiltyartpleasure @hallucinatedjosten @jaybren @thew1ldblueyonder @melodymeddler @alycatavatar @zoeweee @lolawonsstuff @fairy-princette @saramelaniemoon @phirex22 @krazyperson @xxsky-shockxx (I only put people on this list who explicitly asked to be tagged. That's really no problem, I love to do that so dw about asking, but I got a lot of relatively vague reactions to the previous post that i'm not gonna dissect and interpret, bc I don't wanna clog anyone's notes unwanted. So just to be clear: i consider it a huge compliment if anyone asks for a tag but please do it clearly if you do!)

[almostyours]

WAITWAITWAIT HOLD UP— KAIA KILLED NARI???? LIKE SHE REALLY ACTUALLY 🔪🔪 i mean go off queen we stan but you can’t just lore dump that in the tags 😱 please expand 🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️ and my life will be yours

help,  i laughed when i first read this  😭  i was going to do my usual info dump for u,  but truth be told,  i’ve been working on a piece about this very topic ever since i decided to give the group a little revamp,  so i took this ask as an opportunity to not only dust this piece but also to let u actually read what happened between kaia and nari.  just be mindful of the trigger warnings,  friend!

title.    faith.

characters.    hiiragi  kaia,  narissa  kwon,  yvan  liu,  poppy  kim.

timestamp.   april  29,  2018  @  ███’s  studio.  

word  count.   3937  words.

trigger  warnings.    physical  violence.  emotional  and  physical  abuse.  swearing.  gaslighting/manipulation.  mentions  of  blood  and  bullying.  subtle  mention  of  sexual  harassment. 

“who was it?”

for a moment, silence hung heavy in the air. 

this only annoyed nari more.

“i said,” nari repeated, her voice slower and deliberate, each syllable slicing through the silence. “who was it?”

no one answered.

the studio was filled in a silence so thick it felt suffocating, a tension sharp enough to cut through anyone’s everything— forcing them to consume nari’s presence. because she was the kind of person whose words commanded gravity, pulling and forcing all focus to be on her, leaving no space for distraction or to overthink. 

nari raised an eyebrow as their backs straightened, her patience thinning— either from their silence, or the pressure gnawing at her composure.

she was about to say something, but yvan broke the silence first.  

“what are you talking about?” yvan stammered, slowly standing from their seat. they didn’t notice the way kaia visibly tensed— body rigid, eyes widening ever so slightly as she glanced at yvan from the corner of her eye. yvan, however, was too preoccupied holding nari’s cold gaze, unable to look away.

a small, awkward smile tugged at their lips, an expression that only deepened the unease in the room. nari didn’t say anything. instead, she reached into her pocket to pull out her phone. the deliberate movement made yvan shift uncomfortably. 

“shocking claims surface!” nari read out loud, her voice rising in a way that caused yvan to flinch. kaia, still standing by the music workstation, shifted awkwardly, her posture stiffening as if the words themselves had struck her. 

oh no.

slowly, she turned her head, her gaze finding yvan, an unspoken question lingering in the brown of her eyes.

yvan didn’t meet her eyes. they couldn’t, because how could they? they’d done the one thing she had asked them not to do.

i will handle this, she had said, gently applying pressure where the pain was the worst on yvan’s leg. they only sobbed. don’t do anything you will regret. i will do something about her.

nari continued, “allegations and photos accuse rising star nari kwon—” she paused, jaw tightening as if the words had lodged themselves in her throat. her grip on the phone visibly hardened, knuckles pale against the sleek device. slowly, her eyes lifted from the screen to meet her members. she enunciated the rest of the title slowly, “of abusive behavior.”

pure silence. 

kaia’s heart sank into her stomach as nari tossed the phone in yvan’s direction. the sharp, metallic clatter of the device hitting the floor, paired with yvan’s startled yelp, sliced through kaia like a knife. 

“you don’t know what i’m talking about?” nari repeated, her tone teetering between a dare and feigned innocence. it carried something akin to a sing-song quality, almost mocking in its sweetness— like she was the kindest leader imaginable, someone who would never ever hurt her members in any way, someone they could trust. 

kaia takes a quick look back at yvan, and this time they meet her eyes.

but they couldn’t say a word, couldn’t even convey anything with their shared look, as nari’s sharp yell sliced through the room, demanding their attention once more.

“i’m done—” she yelled, making them both flinch and look back at her. her voice was loud, then it went a bit quieter but still firm. “—repeating myself. who was it?!”

“nari, calm down,” kaia said, voice steady but cautious, breaking her silence for the first time since the leader’s arrival. her heart pounded in her throat as she watched her start walking into the room, allowing the door to close shut behind her. “we can talk once you’re—” kaia hesitated, her words cut short by the sharp intensity of nari’s presence before her.

“give me a damn break.” nari spat, cutting off kaia’s calm tone without hesitation. she closed the distance between them in a heartbeat, voice dropping to an almost conspiratorial whisper— sharp, intimate, and inescapable. 

“i want one of you to open your mouth and tell me the truth.”

kaia blinked, startled, but nari didn’t falter. 

“do you want to sit down and read the article with me?” nari pressed, her voice almost razor-sharp, biting into the silence. “look at the stupid pictures proving nothing?” she gritted her teeth, frustration etched into every syllable, and let out a sharp tsk. 

“trying to destroy our reputation with fabricated lies? before debuting?”

kaia’s breath hitched, and her focus zeroed on a single phrase: fabricated lies. 

she didn’t need to read the article to know its contents. she was certain, beyond a shadow of doubt, that absolutely nothing about it was fabricated. every word, every damning accusation she knew was there— there was no doubt that they were all rooted in truth. 

because ever since kaia had moved to south korea to train alongside nari, she’d seen the truth beneath her polished facade. nari’s demeanor, oh-so sweet and charming to the world, was anything but kind behind closed doors. under the saccharine smile lay a streak of cruelty reserved for those closest to her— for those she deemed weak, useless, and pathetic. 

kaia, however, had long since stopped being fooled by that smile, by her selective respect. she was the one person nari could never deceive. 

she had some nerve lying to her face like that. 

“but why do you think it’s any of us?” kaia’s breath hitched when yvan’s voice broke the silence, drawing nari’s hardened gaze past her to where yvan stood slightly behind. 

nari’s glare made yvan visibly tense, and they stuttered, “w-what about the back up dancers? the stylists? or p-poppy. poppy is also part of us…”

guilt bites at yvan. nari scoffed. 

“that lapdog?” she sneered, sending yvan into a panicked silence while kaia’s jaw tightened. 

“she can’t even think on her own without those meds of hers. hell, she can’t even defend herself!” nari taunted, her voice lilting with a mockery, almost melodic in its cruelty. she started moving toward yvan with deliberate steps, her hands clasped behind her back in a feigned innocence. yvan tried to hold their ground, but their unease was unmistakable— their body shrinking under the weight of nari’s cold gaze. 

kaia blinks. something about nari’s awareness of poppy’s vulnerabilities sparked a warning deep in her mind—- a warning that wasn’t really new, really. 

“she’s also not stupid,” nari added, stopping inches from yvan, who refused to meet her gaze. “and neither is kaia.”

yvan said nothing. 

nari shoved them— hard. 

they stumbled back. 

“it was you, right?”

“i don’t know what—”

“it was you,” nari repeated with a laugh, pushing them again. this time, they hit the ground with a thud. 

kaia’s instinct screamed at her to intervene, but panic, dread, and worry rooted her in place. 

“nari, nari!” yvan scrambled to stand, desperation evident in their voice. tears welled in their eyes as they tried to speak, “it wasn’t—”

“don’t—” nari snapped, and yvan yelped in pain as nari delivered a sharp kick to their side, forcing them back to the ground. kaia just stood there, frozen, watching as nari delivered yet another ruthless kick, her voice venomous as she hissed. “—even bother.” 

suddenly, nari’s tone shifted, adopting the voice of reason, of a calm and rational leader. 

her voice dripped with a chilling hypocrisy as she said, “making excuses, bringing up someone who isn’t even here, lying right to my face— aren’t you ashamed of yourself?”

kaia could barely stand to listen. 

the room fell silent for a moment, broken only by yvan’s soft sobs. 

“what? should we throw a pity party for you?” nari asked, her shoe uncomfortably close to yvan’s vision. they flinched, fearing she would aim for their face next. 

“we are in middle of debuting, you imbecile!” she snapped, attempting to kick their face. yvan managed to block it with their arms, trembling as nari ranted. “our reputation is at stake because of the stupidity you just had someone post—”

“i’m sorry!” they cried out, shielding their head.

“stop talking—” her voice was sharp, and before anyone could react, she landed a kick square on yvan’s nose. they cried out, clutching their face as she raised her leg for another strike. “—back. who do you think—”

kaia pushed her. 

of course, that was something nari didn’t see coming. 

the impact sent her stumbling back into the music panel, a loud crash echoing through the studio as some equipment tumbled to the floor. she caught herself against the table, her gaze, confused yet seething, snapping to kaia’s direction, whose hands were still trembling from the push. 

“what the hell was that?” nari’s voice cut through the silence, sharp and disbelieving. 

kaia’s ears rang—panic, worry, anger, fear… all jumbled together. she couldn’t pinpoint which emotion had driven her to act, only that she had. 

because kaia was good. kaia was nice. kaia was calm. 

kaia was the one who never fought back. 

the air was suffocating as nari straightened, her gaze piercing through kaia’s silence. her voice dripped with disdain. “well, maybe you are stupid,” she spat, her eyes narrowing. “what’s your problem?”

kaia blinked, stunned. her lips twitched as if on the verge of laughing at the absurdity of the question. “what’s my problem?” her voice cracked, disbelief laced in every word. 

the door clicked open. 

from the corner of their eyes, they watched poppy step in, her eyes widening as they took in the scene before her once she had pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. slowly, the brunette closed the door behind her, gaze sweeping over the fallen equipment, kaia’s tense figure, and yvan, crumpled on the floor. she said nothing, but the unspoken question hung heavily in the air: what’s happening?

yvan let out a weak, desperate whimper, their breath hitching as the blood rapidly poured from their nose, making it harder to breath. 

poppy rushed to their side, crouching down beside them and trying to help them into a sitting position while wiping the blood from their face with careful, but trembling fingers. her voice was soft, laced with both concern and rising panic. “what happened to you?” 

her touch seemed delicate, and her tone was anxious, but it cracked something deep within kaia’s senses. 

because nari’s presence lingered like a storm, her silent fury simmering in the background, casting a heavy, oppressive silence that loomed over everything and everyone in the room. poppy’s calm gentleness with yvan, in contrast, felt almost out of place. yet, it was the only thing that seemed to reach yvan in that moment. 

kaia takes in a deep breath.

“you’ve been doing this for years,” kaia said, voice steady, but lacking the sweetness she usually carries with her. “and not just to us.”

nari blinked, caught off guard. 

poppy looked up from where she was holding yvan up, no longer guiding them to cough out the blood as her hands completely froze in place. 

“and now you’re surprised someone finally had enough of your bullshit?” her voice wavered, sharp with an anger that burned in her chest. 

her hands trembled, tears pooling in her eyes. not from sadness, but rage. 

pure, unfiltered rage. 

“bullshit?” nari’s lips curled into a bitter smile, scoffing once she’d gotten past the shock of kaia’s words. “you think acting like a leader is bullshit? you think caring about the crap you three mess up is bullshit?” she motioned to her members with a wave of her hand. “you’d all be nothing without me. nothing. if i hadn’t fixed your mistakes—”

“you haven’t done anything,” kaia snapped, voice rising as tears spilled over. “you’ve never done anything but be a bitch—”

before kaia could react, nari pushed her forcefully. kaia stumbled, her balance faltering as the room seemed to spin and tilt around her. 

“i have,” nari said, voice louder to bear her in volume, “and for nothing, it seems. skin hardens over time, my ass,” she laughs bitterly, “because all of you,” she looks back at the other two, and although yvan hid their face in poppy’s shoulder, poppy held her stare, unflinching. 

her tone shifted, sweet yet venomous, dripping with mockery, loud enough for her words to echo in their minds. “you are still as useless as when we were trainees. you are nothing.” 

her gaze snapped back to kaia, locking on with unrelenting intensity. this time, her voice softened to a near whisper, but her words carried an icy weight that sliced deep. 

“and you?” nari’s lips curled into a cruel, mocking smirk. “you’re just a fool playing house everywhere you go. and for what? nothing, because everything you do never happens or lasts. you’re nothing but a joke.”

nari gave kaia a quick look over, a flicker of disdain that taunted her to speak, to retaliate. that glance burned through kaia, igniting something deep within— a sharp pang of disbelief slicing through the anger already churning in her chest. for a moment, she couldn’t speak— couldn’t even think.

and then it hit.

anger surged through her veins, hotter and sharper than she thought possible. her hands clenched into fists at her sides, nails digging into her palms as she trembled with the effort of holding herself back. she blinked hard, her vision blurring as more tears threatened to escape— not from sadness, but from the sheer intensity of her rage. 

because how dare she?

everything kaia had done— personally and professionally— every sleepless night, every sacrifice, every time she had put herself second to make sure this dream stayed alive. she endured ridicule, bruises, and endless doubts, yet she pushed forward because she believed in herself and her members. she believed in their potential, in the spark each of them carried that could ignite something extraordinary if only they worked together. 

kaia had faith— unshakable, relentless faith— that this group could be more than just another fleeting attempt at success. she wasn’t the leader, just a mere sub rapper and lead dancer, but she still tried to hold them together, even when they doubted, even when they wanted to give up. she smiled through her own pain, lifting yvan when they crumbled under pressure and reassuring poppy when her fear clouded her resolve. 

even nari, with her biting words and abusive control, had received kaia’s support. not because she deserved it, but because kaia knew that for their dream to happen, she had to keep the peace, and at the end of the day, nari had a dream just like she did. she endured nari’s cutting remarks, the moments that left her crying in private, because she thought if they could just get through it, they could debut as the group she believed they were meant to be. 

but now? now, it was clear. no matter how much kaia gave, no matter how much she sacrificed, no matter how much they endured her abuse, nari didn’t care. she would keep holding them back, sabotaging any chance they had to shine, all for her own selfish gain. 

there was no place for yvan, poppy or kaia to shine. not under nari’s rule— only shadow and silence. 

nari turned away, simper lingering as kaia stood motionless, trapped in the suffocating silence. “well, it doesn’t matter anymore. vivi said they’ll handle the article,” she said lazily, her tone as casual as if she was discussing the weather. she strolled over to the sound panel, gripping the mouse and clicking idly through the screen with disinterest. 

the repetitive click echoed through the studio, each sound amplifying their emptiness. poppy glanced back at kaia, her expression a mix of both curiosity and concern. kaia’s eyes remained fixed on nari’s back, her face unreadable. 

poppy gulped. she couldn’t help but wonder what was going on inside kaia’s head. she knew all too well about kaia’s battles with self-doubt, her past thick with unfair circumstances and bitter luck. it made poppy worry even more about what this moment might mean for kaia— for all of them. 

“she asked me to take all of you to the meeting room to, y’know, talk about this,” nari said, her voice light and casual but carrying an edge of unease. poppy looked back at nari, who remained turned away, focused on the screen as the rhythmic clicking continued, most likely just saving the progress of whatever kaia and yvan had been working on, acting as if she was completely unfazed by the tension in the room. 

“so, let’s go and—”

kaia didn’t let her finish. 

in a blur of movement, her hand shot out, grabbing the back of nari’s head and slamming her face into the music panel with a sickening crack. 

both poppy and yvan gasped loudly at the scene. yvan scrambled backward, bumping hard into poppy’s shoulder, who instinctively moved with them, eyes wide with shock. 

but their collective gasp was nothing compared to nari’s scream, raw and piercing— at least, until it was muffled by the panel as kaia slammed her down again. and again. and again. 

the sound of nari’s head hitting the panel seemed to reverberate in the studio, freezing both poppy and yvan in stunned silence.

nari’s hands flailed, desperate, clawing for anything to grab onto— anything to stop the assault or defend herself. she managed a weak, choked cry for help, but kaia was relentless, her movements sharp, calculated, and quick. 

the panel rattled with each impact, a brutal rhythm of anger. 

by the time nari’s screams faded into weak, incoherent sounds, her world started to blur and fade to white. her vision started swimming, and every taken breath felt heavier, each heartbeat distant and sluggish, until all that remained was a faint, fading echo of her reality.

that’s when kaia paused her actions, yanking nari’s head back with a tight grip on her hair. she glanced at the blood smeared across the panel, messy and vivid, before tossing nari to the ground like a discarded ragdoll. a weak, pitiful whine escaped the woman kaia had just brutalized, barely audible over the heavy silence that followed. 

yvan cried out when nari’s body crumpled limply in front of them, retreating further into poppy, who instinctively wrapped their arms around them. poppy’s eyes were wide, her expression a mix of both shock and horror, yet it wasn’t the blood or nari’s broken form that rendered her speechless. 

it was kaia— tha blank stare in her eyes, devoid of any warmth or hesitation, that froze her in place. 

because kaia was good. kaia was nice. kaia was calm. 

kaia had faith. 

but kaia didn’t even glance at them. her gaze remained locked on the crumpled figure before her, a fragile and broken thing now barely clinging to any lasting strength. nari struggled, her body betraying her attempts to rise, only to collapse back onto the cold ground. her face— swollen and grotesque, a canvas smeared with blood and bruises— was unrecognizable. she wasn’t narissa kwon anymore. 

she was nothing. 

and in that nothingness, kaia saw a reflection of everything nari had become: a hollow, festering voice that thrived on greed, abuse and ridicule. it wasn’t just emptiness; it was a consuming force that had sabotaged their efforts, stifled their dreams, and mocked every sacrifice made along the way. it was the same nothingness that threatened to poison their potential, to strip away everything they had worked for until it all meant nothing. 

the sight sent a cold shiver through kaia— not from guilt, but from the quiet, unshakable certainty that she could no longer allow nari to hold them back. 

“k-kaia…” nari’s voice came weak and trembling, a glimpse of fear cracking through her voice. this time, she managed to push herself off the ground just the slightest, her movements slow and faltering as she tried to sit upright. 

kaia answered with a kick to her face, sending her back down with a thud. then, without a second thought, kaia dropped to her knees, fists slamming into nari’s bloodied face in a frenzied, relentless surge of fury. 

yvan covered their bloodied mouth, eyes wide with shock and fear, while poppy sat frozen, her entire body trembling, unable to look away. the sound of each punch reverberated through the silent studio, but poppy could only watch, her heart pounding against her ribcage, her mind unable to comprehend what was happening before her. 

each punch landed with a visceral satisfaction, fire coursing through kaia’s veins with every strike. each blow was a reckoning, a release of years spent enduring nari’s cruel control. for all those times kaia had been mocked and humiliated, her dreams weaponized against her because nari saw her as nothing more than a toy to play with. 

for all those countless nights kaia had held yvan as they cried, nari’s cutting words and manipulations tearing away at their confidence, leaving them dimmed when their light had once shined the brightest. 

for all those times kaia had seen nari’s hands linger a little bit too long on poppy’s skin, her words dripping with twisted intent, turning a strong-willed woman into someone trapped in fear, reduced to a fragile doll— played with and discarded without care, waiting for the day nari would repeat the cycle. 

and as kaia’s fists continued to fall, the anger deepened— not just for herself, but for the potential nari had trampled underfoot, the possibilities she had stifled with her poison. nari had taken so much, stolen so much, dragging them all into a shadow where they would be kept away. kaia’s chest heaved with every strike, the weight of years of frustration and helplessness lifting, punch by punch. she wanted her gone— they needed her gone. everything would be better once nari was out of their lives, once the weight of her abuse and manipulation no longer held them down. 

this was the first step toward breaking free— toward a future where they could finally find peace. 

she had faith that this was the only way.

poppy cried out her name, but kaia didn’t hear it. not the first time. not the second. not the third.

but the fourth time, poppy’s cry broke the trance, making her gasp. 

slim arms successfully wrapped around her ribcage, pulling her away from the broken, bloodied figure beneath her. 

poppy’s warmth behind her felt like home, grounding kaia back to reality. and for a moment, she had been lost—lost in the chaos of her own rage, consumed by the weight of everything she had endured and fought against. 

but now, clarity starts to seep through her senses, piece by piece. 

she stared at nari, lifeless and unrecognizable, her body crumpled on the bloodied ground. this wasn’t someone kaia could recognize anymore— this was a hollow, broken thing. 

the person who had once towered over them, wielding cruelty, mockery and control, was now a hollow, broken figure. the image of nari had become something foreign, a reflection of the void kaia had tried to hold together for far too long. 

because kaia was good. kaia was nice. kaia was calm. 

kaia had faith in them. 

poppy’s jagged breaths pressed against her ears as she held onto kaia tightly, but kaia didn’t respond, didn’t move. her bloodied and bruised knuckles, once delicate and soft, now felt foreign— scarred by the weight of her own rage. yvan’s cries echoed through the silence, but kaia remained still, staring down at the nothingness before her. 

kaia takes a slow, steady breath. 

“bring vivi.” she said quietly, words barely above a whisper but heavy with the weight of everything that was about to change. 

[idiotdriftinginspace]

I offer memes for one of my favourite fics (written by @lets-try-some-writing)

I made them simply because they wer funny in my head :D

orginal photos and flat colors under cut

flat colors

and og photos

-and rambling as usual, and weird/crack ideas that I don't regret in the slightest; you have been warned XD

I saw this slav totem somewhere on tumblr and my first thought was: "Autoway, Ironhide and Springer". At the same time I knew this would be very out of character for them in the middle of war.

My excuse why I did draw it in the end? One: How could I not to XD; and Two: Since orginal circumstances were not suitable, they didn't have a chance to be young and do stupid stuff. And then it enlightend me: WHAT IF THEY COULD?! And so I present to you a glimps of "these 3 were born after the war with quintessons" timeline. I decided to shove them into either some military high school or just military, but not on the war front, after all they are still warframes.

This "alt timeline" (if I can even call it that XD) exists solely for this one meme, just me having a thought "what if they could be teenagers and annoy their sergeant (what if it was Kup >:) ) without major consequences (e.g. cleaning washracks for a month instead of having your helm blown of). And the funniest thing, I have absolutley no idea what else to do with this concept, exept maybe the RGB trio being a menace in th military (I am not downloading tiktok so terrible yt compilations must suffice, sorry <:) )

For lamborgini twins - I really wanted do do something for -back then a brand new- chapter 43, but again Auto just didn't fit in there, be it scale or how things played out in the story, and so Prowl was shoved here against his will. This is probably how Sentinel views them and why he sent Autoway there, my only excuse XD.

And Whirl is here solely for laughs, gigles and "what if he met the twins" scenario XD. If they met somwhere just before discovering the ring I'm guessing they would get along like a house on fire XD

[riacte]

being a fan of false/ren/both atm is kinda weird and surreal in these times because you have to carefully tread around in your mind to avoid thinking about upsetting things (which consist of like 50% of the total stuff in your head) and you have to rewire your longtime neural pathways but it’s necessary and doable lol

[uhbasicallyjustmilex]

i’ve been having a bad week and my lovely friend sent me these in the mail to cheer me up 🥺🥺 he doesn’t even like arctic monkeys but he always knows how make me feel better ❤️‍🩹

[samuraiviolets]

sorrow

[littlelightfish]

As a member of Mickbell Nation, and a honorary member of Kuro Nation, for Kuro's and Mick's sake I will speak up. I loved this scene on anime.

When they arrive to the island, the first thing Mickbell does is go to the window and try see outside. He can barely see anything aside the sky color, that's why he wonders what time is it. Kuro leans towards him, or is looking outside the window, or both, I can't really tell. Here we can see that Mickbell could tiptoe and try to see outside, but I believe he doesn't because: a) he'd still be too short to see and knows it and/or b)he is expecting Kuro to hear him.

Now, he could be just wondering and looking outside with no real wanting of looking outside further (he's ok with just looking at the sky), but his body language tells he wants to peek outside.

THEN he picks up Mickbell without him asking Kuro to do so. Kuro sees his small friend who can't get the vew strugling and decides that he would lift him up to see. He could have just told him "it's dawn", but he decides, without no-one asking him to do so, to do this. Did Mickbell expected this to happen? Yes, you can see it on his face. He's quite happy being lifted up to see outside the window.

This is meant to show that, even tho Mickbell is his boss, Kuro very much does what he wants. Wich is often what Mickbell wants. Because they know each other so well that Mick can be certain that if Kuro hears him, not even complaining, but wondering what time is it, he would be picked up to see by himself.

On anime, it happens backwards. The first thing we see is Kuro lifting him up. It takes off the sweetness of "oh, he can't see, I'll help him" that we get when Mick asks first and Kuro lifts second. Even when we still get the message if we look at this images, it's not quite the same. At least at first glance. But... Isn't it lovely that he looks at his short ass friend, thinks "is he trying to look outside? He can't, he's too short. I'll help him". And the little surprise on Mick's face? It gives that Mick wasn't expecting this care. He was just looking outside with thia "Well I can't see shit, I wish I was taller sometimes" look in his eyes. Then he gets just a tiny bit surprised as he feels hands grabbing him, but nothing else. He's so used to this he doesn't even turn around to see who picked him up. He alredy knows.

Here, Kuro looks at him, Mick is trying to look outside with not a word. I at first didn't liked that he sayed nothing. The idea was that Mickbell, knowing how his friend would react, sayed something. Bit the "up we go" Kuro tells him as he lifts him up its everything I needed to keep on the living laughing loving.

And after he can see outside he wonders what time is it. Wich... is a bit wierd... Because he now can see, not only how the sky is, but how the town down there is. It's not dificult to know if it's dusk or dawn by looking at the people on the streets.

So yes, me (detail-obsessed fish) is quite happy with the comeout after a bit of analysis. But I still feel it could've been better to leave as it was on the manga.

[murdockhawkeye]

yk i kinda wish miss chatham was in the later seasons still. like imagine if we got an episode of them visiting the retirement home

i can see it now. they lose miss chatham somehow while in there, and then end up on their own side adventures

lewis is acting like he's found his people and he's invited to the next bingo meet by a gladys. or multiple gladys's. while on the opposite end of the spectrum, rikki gets into a fight/rivalry with some old lady

and cleo and emma end up being wrangled into helping one of the seniors, only for emma to end up transforming into a mermaid and for the senior that they were helping, to see it

and then because for whatever reason this came to mind, it turns out said senior is julia's ex karl, who apparently lives at the same retirement home as miss chatham

he almost gets his camera out for old times sake, because he hasn't changed much since they were teenagers, but then miss chatham gets her tennis racket out

suffice to say. they end up walking out with pocketful of old people candy and also a bunch more lore/info from miss chatham. idk

[perseabeth]

These lines by Apollo, aka Lester, live in my mind rent free

Listen, i have no theory, i have absolutely no idea what is the connection here

ALSO:

I mean HELLO?? A four-thousand-something years old god saying that. plus i might not be knowledgeable about genetics and how it works but doesn’t percy possess these eyes because of Poseidon ?

this is an extract taken from The Lightening Thief:

I’ve been a reader of Rick Riordan for so long that i know he doesn’t just add things randomly

I don’t know what’s happening here, but I do know that Estelle Blofis, the very lovable energetic child who is very much capable of dominating the planet (Apollo’s words not mine) might have an important role in the story

but again, who knows