#weather was cold but sun was out it was fantastic

[ghosts-of-love]

another day another walk !! :)

[fastandcarlos]

“Hey Stranger!” : ̗̀➛ Max Verstappen

summary: with your conflicting schedules, match day always clashes with race day. it means it’s been a while since you’ve seen max, until you pull a few strings 🥺

pairing: max x footballer!reader

face claim: lucy bronze

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by ynusername, danielricciardo and 2,493,162 others

maxverstappen1: another brilliant race here in japan, the fans are always incredible 🇯🇵 see you all next week at silverstone 🏎️

328,075 comments

username1: such an incredible race max, super job 👏🏻

ynusername: you were incredible, even if I did have to wake up at 3am to watch 😂💞

maxverstappen1: @/ynusername you didn’t have to do that sweetheart 🥺

username2: the end photo omg 😭

redbullracing: we were never in doubt in the garage, fantastic race max ❤️💙

schecoperez: at least this week you managed to make it to debrief before giving yn a call 👏🏻

username3: idk how you and yn do it on the opposite sides of the world together

landonorris: why does that last photo look like something out of a cheesy romcom??

maxverstappen1: @/landonorris it’s better to have a long distance gf than no gf at all 😂

username4: shame yn couldn’t be here to support you, I’m sure she’s so proud of you though ❤️

username5: idk how you and yn do it with all the events you miss out on for each other!

charles_leclerc: such a dedicated boyfriend!!

username6: and you absolutely know he’d be rushing back to check yn’s game after the media too 😭

carlossainz55: that last photo is one way to ruin your cold exterior image verstappen 😂

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by leahwilliamsonn, aitanabonmati and 428,028 others

ynusername: finishing the first half of the season with another W on the board, looking forward to a week off before kicking on to make sure we’re lifting that trophy at the end of the season ⚽️❤️💙

78,371 comments

username7: enjoy your week off yn…you’ve so earned it 🥺

landonorris: man utd would be a much better team to play for btw… 🙃

username8: i wonder what your plans are for your week off 🤔

maxverstappen1: you’ve been amazing so far, so proud of you 🫶🏻

username9: pls say this means we now get some yn and max content again…

alexiaputellas: our squad is so much greater for having you in it ❤️💙

username10: could not be more confident that barcelona are winning the title again this year 🏆

leahwilliamsonn: don’t forget all your friends back in england over the break 😉

username11: stay safe, we need you if we’re in with a shout of winning the league 🙏🏻

ellieroebuck_: shout out to my personal tour guide for the next seven days 😘

ynusername: @/ellieroebuck_ 🫡🫡🫡

username12: not yn and max spending their evenings cooking on ft together!!

keirawalsh: can’t wait to spend the next couple of days annoying you 😂

ynusername: @/keirawalsh I wouldn’t have it any other way!

username13: I just love how dedicated the two of them are to spending time together 🥺

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by mbrighty04, schecoperez and 572,038 others

ynusername: nothing like the spanish sunshine to help with a bit of rest and recovery ☀️

78,492 comments

username14: ngl my heart broke a little to see no max around 💔

schecoperez: max has not stopped moaning about how bitter he is that you’ve got the week off!

ynusername: @/schecoperez he gets three whole weeks off in a bit it’s not fair 😂

username15: glad to see a smile on your face girl 🥺

landonorris: it’s alright for some 😂

ynusername: @/landonorris jealousy was never a good look on you norris

username16: wondering who it was that took these photos???

maryearps: damn that spanish sun looks like it’s been treating you well 😍

username17: what I would give to live in spain and enjoy that weather on my doorstep

maxverstappen1: looks like you’re doing plenty of hard work 😬

username18: why do I get the feeling max is not impressed 😭

ona.battle: it’s been three days and I already miss you 🫶🏻

username19: poor max wishing he was there

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by maxfan101, lestappenoursaviour and 2,593 others

f1gossip: eagle eyed fans managed to pap the moment yn yln managed to surprise max verstappen at silverstone this weekend. one fan told us yn came up behind max, tapped his shoulder and simply said “hey stranger,” before leaping into his arms…talk about romantic 🥺

482 comments

username20: I can’t believe some of you actually thought yn wouldn’t bother with max wtf

username21: “hey stranger” sounds like a line from a movie 😭

username22: my two favourite people reunited!!!

username23: poor max who thought yn was actually enjoying her summer without him 😂

username24: all these years and they’re still surprising each other 🥺

username25: no one can convince me that these two aren’t the cutest couple on the grid

username26: keep refreshing social media in the hope that someone recorded this moment…

username27: look at that smile in the first photo omg ❤️

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by ynusername, landonorris and 3,955,089 others

maxverstappen1: my lucky charm here to see me through and get me to the top of that podium this weekend ☺️ best surprise ever 💞

787,392 comments

ynusername: wouldn’t have missed it for the world, so so proud of you 🫶🏻

maxverstappen1: @/ynusername you really are the best ❤️

username28: I’m so happy yn got to finally be there to see you get a race win 🥺

landonorris: I only let you win cause I knew your girlfriend was watching 😂

username29: not max calling yn his lucky charm, my heart 😭

redbullracing: congratulations on yet another p1 max 👏🏻

username30: such a good race, congratulations max!!

keirawalsh: I’ll forgive you for stealing my girl seeing as you got the win 😂

username31: bet there’s going to be some incredible celebrations tonight 🥳

username32: I can’t with how proud yn looks of him either…

oscarpiastri: reckon you could at least leave the paddock before throwing yn over your shoulder 🤔

username33: I’ve been waiting to see a post like this for so long 🥺

danielricciardo: forget the win, I was just happy to see yn again after so long!!

ynusername: @/danielricciardo secretly I only actually came to silverstone for you 😘

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

liked by maxverstappen1, charles_leclerc and 482,028 others

ynusername: reminding ourselves how nice it is to cook and eat dinner in the same room again 🥺❤️

68,392 comments

username34: I never want you two to be separated again 😭

landonorris: you’re not allowed to keep him forever btw - he needs to come back to us!

username35: I’m still not over the fact they’re finally reunited

username36: look at the smile on yn’s face, that’s definitely the max effect!

danielricciardo: I’m just glad that it was you cooking and not max 😂

ynusername: @/danielricciardo I’ve been with him long enough to know better than that 😂

username37: the holding hands ☺️☺️☺️

lewishamilton: remind me to block you two when summer break comes around so I don’t have to deal with your sickly sweet posts 😝

username38: now I remember why this is my favourite duo in the world

maxverstappen1: the best couple of days with you 💕💕

username39: a relationship like this in the future pls 🥺

charles_leclerc: do you guys ever plan on not being adorable???

username40: forever my two favourite people ❤️

˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

˗ˏˋ 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 ! ´ˎ˗

[eyesthatroll]

fucking allergies | jack hughes

pairing; jh86 x fem!reader

warnings(s); cursing, not much else idk

word count; 0.52k

author's note; does anyone else get the worst allergies when the weather goes from hot to cold + when daylight savings time happens?? shoutout to my pharmacist who couldn't sell me anymore claritin because i reached my limit for the month! nice! all jokes aside, this is very much self inserted, and short, but alas, i hope you enjoy, lol. also!! i'm going to the red wings/devils game on the 22nd, will i see anyone there?? love ya! -mari

The sun, seeping through the gaps in the blinds, nudges you awake on what should be a splendid day at the lake house. That is, it would be splendid if not for the persistent struggle to breathe through your nose and the annoyance of itchy eyes and a scratchy throat. Despite the season being in its early throes, your allergies have already unapologetically launched an assault on your well-being.

Gazing to your left, Jack is sprawled on his back, emitting soft snores that the harsh sunlight fails to disturb. Extending your arm to the bedside table, you open the drawer in a quest for your Claritin. Your fingers finally clasp it, but a frown creases your brow as you shake the empty box. Fantastic, just what you needed. Audibly groaning, you hoist yourself out of bed, your bare feet padding against the cool embrace of the hardwood floor. Silence envelops the house, and as you descend the stairs, an empty kitchen and living room confirm that you're the first one to rise.

Navigating to the kitchen, your hands instinctively reach for the cupboards in a quest for the Claritin or Zyrtec you're certain must be lying around. Alas, your search yields nothing but frustration, prompting a string of curse words to escape your lips. "Fucking allergies..." Closing the last cupboard, you straighten up, your heart nearly leaping out of your chest at the sight of the tall boy standing before you. Clutching your chest, you exhale heavy breaths to steady yourself.

"You scared the shit out of me!" Your exclamation earns a laugh from Trevor, who shakes his head as he takes a seat on one of the barstools.

"Not surprising you didn't hear me with all that noise you were making."

You rub at your eyes, desperate to rid the persistent itchiness, and lean against the counter, confusion etched on your features. "I wasn't even loud, dumbfuck!"

He grins at your response, savoring the ease with which he can rile you up, even this early in the morning. Your boyfriend enters the kitchen, nonchalantly slapping Trevor on the shoulder before playfully flicking your cheek, stopping to ruffle your already messy bed head. "Too early, knock it off," he rasps, a touch of amusement present in his tone.

He ambles to the other side of the kitchen, reaching up to the far back of the small cabinet above the stove. Your eyes widen as you spot a familiar blue and white box in his palm. Hastily crossing over to him, you snatch the box from his grasp with both hands. "I love you, I love you so much." He grins at your words, and leans down for a kiss, but precisely at that moment, your head throws forward with a wet sneeze, causing him to step backward, his fingers reaching up to feel your snotty residue against his cheek in disbelief.

Your palm slaps against your lips, your mouth falling agape as you register what just happened. Trevor, still seated at the counter, bursts into a bellyaching laugh that reverberates through the entire house.

"Gross!" Jack cringes, just as you profusely apologize, "I am so sorry!"

[lupinsversion]

𝐒𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 - 𝐏𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐮𝐭𝐬

• summary: when reader and sirius are meant to be carving pumpkins, they find themselves a bit distracted

• contains: sirius black x fem reader, established relationship, flirting, pumpkin fight, hints at sexual context

• word count: 1.2k

masterlist || requests

The weather is chilly and crisp as Halloween creeps ever so closer. The sun is slowly setting below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the scene.

A small pile of pumpkins sits on the ground next to them, fresh from the farmer's market.

A small table has been set up outside, a few carving tools and a couple of old magazines spread out. Sirius stands beside her, a big, goofy grin on his face as he grabs ahold of a knife, ready to start carving the first pumpkin.

"So we have the knives, the pumpkin.” He lists off on his fingers, a playful gleam in his eyes, "Some old magazines for inspiration, oh and your wonderful presence. I’d say we've got everything we need for a fantastic carving session, wouldn't you agree?"

“Real cheeky.” She commented with a playful roll of her eyes as she scooped out the insides of her own pumpkin, the weird goop covering her fingers.

He chuckled heartily as he watched her scoop out the insides of the pumpkin, a mixture of amusement and disgust on his face. He couldn't help but admire her determination to get down and dirty in the gross, pulpy mess.

"I can't help it, love.” He replied with a cocky grin. "Just comes with my charming personality."

She took a small bit of the pumpkin’s guts and seeds and playfully threw it in his direction.

He let out a loud, surprised gasp at her playful act. He hadn't expected her to throw the pumpkin gunk at him, and it caught him completely off guard. A look of disbelief was evident on his face, mixed with a hint of amusement. "Did you just-" He sputtered, unable to finish his sentence from surprise.

“I did, and I would do it again.” She stuck her tongue out playfully before resuming the scraping of inside the pumpkin as if she were doing it this whole time.

He stared at her for a moment, shock still evident on his face. Hs couldn't believe she had the audacity to throw pumpkin guts at him. But then his expression shifted, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Oh, that's it." He grabbed a handful of pumpkin guts off the table and threw it back at her with a playful laugh.

She let out a squeal before picking up a clump of her hair that was now covered. “Not the hair.” She whined.

He chuckled at her squeal, finding her reaction absolutely endearing. He tried to look sympathetic, but the hint of mischievousness was still present in his eyes. "Oh come on, it's just a little pumpkin guts."

He reached out and gently picked a clump of the pumpkin guts out of her hair. "I think it's an improvement, honestly. Really brings out your highlights."

She looked up from her hair to his face, her eyes narrowed in a cold glare.

He couldn't help but chuckle at the cold glare in her eyes. He loved seeing her riled up, even if it was just playfully. He took a step closer, the mischievous grin still present on his face. "Oh, don't look at me like that," he said, feigning innocence. "You started it."

“I didn’t get it in your hair.” She protested grumpily.

He just smirked, enjoying the way she pouted and protested. He loved seeing this grumpy, slightly bratty side of her. He took another step closer, closing the distance between the two of them. He reached out and gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, his touch almost tender.

"Trust me, love, if you had gotten it in my hair, we'd be having a different kind of conversation right now," he teased.

She had to suppress the smirk that threatened to pull at her lips, he was walking straight into her trap and didn’t even know it. She pouted as he spoke as she sneakily lifted up her hand with a bit of the inside of the pumpkin between her fingers, slipping it in between his lips and onto his tongue.

He opened his mouth to respond, fully confident in his banter, when he suddenly felt the cold, slimy sensation of pumpkin guts slide onto his tongue.

A look of surprise mixed with disgust flashed across his face as he sputtered, the bitter, cold flavor of the pumpkin guts hitting his taste buds. He immediately pulled back, a mixture of shock and annoyance in his expression. "What the-" He grumbled, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, "What was that for?"

“My hair!” She expressed dramatically.

He couldn’t help but roll his eyes at her melodramatic display. He knew she was trying to get a rise out of him, and damn it, it was working.

He reached up and ran a hand through his hair, trying to assess the damage. thankfully, not a lot of the pumpkin guts had gotten in his hair, but he was still slightly annoyed.

“Really? You’re gonna play the ‘my hair’ card?” He said, trying to sound frustrated, but failing to hide the hint of amusement in his voice.

She waved her pumpkin covered hair in his face. “Look at it!” She demanded playfully. “It’s all mushed together. Besides, pumpkin is edible, it’s not going to kill you.”

He grumbled, reluctantly admitting that she had a point. he couldn’t stay annoyed at her for too long, no matter how much he tried. He reached out and grabbed a handful of her pumpkin-filled hair, gently combing through it with his fingers to untangle it. “Fine, you got me.” He conceded, a playful glint in his eyes. “But next time, aim better.”

“I’ll aim for your nose next.” She smiled up at him innocently.

He chuckled at her innocent smile, finding her boldness endearing. He took a step closer, towering over her with a mischievous smirk. “If you get it in my nostrils, I’m pinning you against the wall.” He warned, a hint of challenge in his eyes.

She couldn’t help the little giggle that escaped her. He found her giggle adorable, and it only served to make his desire for her grow. He took another step closer, closing the distance between them even more.

He reached out and placed a finger under her chin, tilting her head up to look at him. “Be careful, love,” he teased, his voice low and sultry. “I can only hold back for so long.”

He could feel his desire for her ignite, his need to have her and be close to her growing with every passing second. He leaned closer, his face mere inches from hers, his breath hot against her skin.

"You really do like pushing my buttons, don't you?" he whispered, his voice a low, hungry rumble.

“A little bit.” She confirmed in a whisper as she brushed her lips over his.

He felt a thrill run through his body as her lips brushed against his. He was completely captivated by her in this moment, his need to kiss her and explore her body overwhelming.

Without warning, he cupped her face in his hands and claimed her lips in a fierce, passionate kiss. his tongue teased at the seam of her lips, seeking entry into her mouth.

© lupinsversion 2024

[photo1030]

Leather and Lace - Chapter 24: To Know the Winter Darkness

Summary: Arthur's irritation with the gang's situation begins to take its toll on your relationship.

*A/N: Some of this dialogue is not mine, but pulled from the game.

*This fantastic image comes from @arthurs-btch

*Special thank you to @appalachiancowboy99 for being my sounding board.

Previous Chapter / Next Chapter, but there are a handful of future chapters that were posted ahead of time

The cold air on your face stirs you from your restless slumber. A heavy silence lingers in the air, smothering you like a wet blanket as you lie sequestered away in the bunkhouse here in Colter. The only sound you can hear is the wind as it whistles through the gaps in the grimy, weather-beaten windows. The sides of the humble structure even shake a bit when a few particularly angry gusts of wind whip against the sides of the cabin. 

A groggy moan hisses out of your mouth as your eyes reluctantly crack open, immediately searching for the comfort of the fire in the corner. To your surprise, you are greeted by the beautiful sight of red and orange flames dancing vigorously along freshly replenished logs. Arthur must have gotten up and added more wood at some point. Your eyes slowly blink their way awake as a sleepy smile blossoms across your face, the first to do so in a long time. You roll over in search of him, but you are disappointed to find an empty half of the bed. Last night, Arthur had ridden out with Dutch in search of supplies or something, anything that may help the dire situation (that, or Dutch wanted to avoid the questioning looks of his people) and you were hoping to see him before you fell asleep. But no such luck.

While Arthur and Dutch were out looking for necessities, the rest of the gang made quick work to create a new camp here in the Grizzly Mountains. You had all worked well into the night setting up bedding, arranging supplies and sorting food, and still Arthur had not returned by the time you had drug yourself to your shared space to collapse upon your makeshift bed. Being a partner to a senior member of the gang comes with its privileges and having a room to yourself is one of them. Ms. Grimshaw put Arthur and you, Dutch and Molly, and Hosea together in one building and paired up the others accordingly. 

As the morning sun stretches its lazy fingers of light across the dusty floorboards, you bask in the peace and quiet of your and Arthur’s room. Casting your eyes about the space, it is simple and nothing luxurious by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s private. And you keep these stolen moments to yourself where you can to try to wrap your nerve-wracked brain around what’s happened since the catastrophic Blackwater job. You are still at a loss on how you all came to be here, how things could go so wrong, so fast. But what is most unsettling to you is that even those who are used to such turmoil are also distraught by it. 

But no time for such deep thoughts at the moment. Right now, the only thing you can focus on is Arthur. You want nothing more than to see him, to hear his raspy southern drawl and to put your arms around him and feel his embrace in return. It is like an addiction; you are restless and will not be able to calm yourself until you have what you need. And it is this desire that motivates you out from under the warm cocoon of blankets to get yourself dressed and groomed for the day.

It takes you about an hour to get yourself together before you open the door of the cabin, grimacing as you stumble outside, the biting cold smacking you in the face and the sun blinding you as it reflects off of the snow. Last night’s storm had settled by the early morning hours and draped everything in a thick blanket of white. Bracing yourself against the harsh wind, you rush over to the main building where the smoke plume of an internal fire floats into the brisk winter air. Your eyes dazedly watch it like a beacon as the white vapor dances and sways in a hypnotic motion, offering a sign of life in an otherwise desolate landscape. 

You push through the heavy door of the main cabin to find most of the gang already assembled, muttering and conversing in their own little social rings. Scanning over the faces, your eyes immediately seek out Arthur who is speaking with Dutch in the far corner. Relief washes over you like the floodwaters of a swollen river after a thunderstorm when you see that he is safe and sound. Just the sight of his handsome face sets you at ease as you head straight for him before you lose track of him once more.

Arthur notices you out of the corner of his eye, and when his gaze finds yours, a fragile smile pulls at the corners of his mouth. Noticing Arthur’s attention is now elsewhere, Dutch looks over his shoulder to see you heading their way. Thankfully, the man gives you a nod and a quick “G’Morning, Miss Y/L/N” before he excuses himself to leave you and Arthur to yourselves. 

Arthur takes in the heavenly sight of you as you glide over to him, leaning yourself into his body as your hands find a place along his ribs. The loving smile you offer him lets Arthur forget the problems facing the group even if just for a brief moment. He doesn’t say anything as he gazes into your adoring face. He looks beyond your ruby cheeks and worried eyes to see the love and devotion that is nestled there just for him. Arthur will often simply stare at you and smile to himself, appreciating everything about you and thanking God above for letting you into his life. For just this one fleeting, fragile moment, Arthur lets himself forget the trouble the gang is in, for you offer him that refuge, that safe haven. 

“Did you even come to bed last night?” Your voice floats to his ears with a playful chiding tone. 

“Sure did. But you were too busy snorin’ away,” he chuckles tapping your nose playfully. “I didn’t want to wake you.” 

“I wish you would’ve,” you pout. “I missed you.”

A sympathetic grin forms on his lips, those cobalt eyes sparking just right. “Thought I’d give you a moment’s peace while you can get it.”

But that thought is ironically short-lived.

“Miss Y/L/N, nice of you to join us.” Ms. Grimshaw’s harpy voice cuts into your brain from across the room. Your heart drops as you watch that spark of happiness on Arthur’s face transform into disappointment and annoyance. All he wanted was one goddamn moment with you. With a sigh, you reluctantly pull your gaze from Arthur to see the matron walking over to you. 

“Good morning, Ms. Grimshaw,” you sigh.

“While you were getting your beauty rest, I’ve been tending to things here.” Her arm waves behind her at the shivering group of sad souls. “We have a new arrival that you should probably look after.” She nods her head towards the corner and you follow her sight line to see the woman Arthur and Dutch had brought back last night. 

Your eyes settle on the fragile looking figure sitting wrapped in a blanket in front of the fire, staring blankly into the flames. 

“Oh my god”, you whisper under your breath as you quickly break away from Arthur’s presence to make your way over to her. 

Arthur sighs as he gives up your attention for another once more. But he marvels at how you float across the creaking wooden floorboards, hesitating before you slowly kneel down in front of the broken woman. His heart flutters a bit as he watches you introduce yourself to Mrs. Adler, placing your hand over hers in solidarity, a kind smile sitting upon your face to try to put her at ease. Arthur can’t make out what you are saying to her, but he gives silent thanks when her shoulders relax a bit and Mrs. Adler nods in acceptance of your help as the two of you disappear into another room, presumably for you to examine her for injuries. Your arm wraps around her, cradling her into your side as you walk. Pride swells in Arthur’s chest, knowing Mrs. Adler is in your good hands. 

Sometimes, if you’re lucky, someone comes into your life that changes everything. They raise the standards of living, make you laugh, make you see the world in a whole new light, helping you to notice things that you never did before. They make you feel like you again, that person who sometimes seems to get lost in the turmoil of life. From the moment he met you, the only thing Arthur has ever wanted in the universe is to be part of your world.

When Arthur fell in love with you, you became his weakness in a mind of unyielding hardness. When you fell in love with him, he became your strength at a time of unparalleled fragility. It is a powershift that Arthur still struggles with, trying to find his footing to understand it. You provide his foundation, his support, yet somehow leave him weightless and exposed at the same time. It was like magic the way you burst into his life, turning everything that he knew to be real upside down, making everything in life explode in beautiful, vivid color. 

—-----------------------------------------------------------

*This image comes from @rosesrdr2photos

By late afternoon, Abigail has become nervous, pacing frantically within the cabin and wringing her hands. John has yet to return to camp since before the snowstorm settled in and no one has seen him. 

Arthur lumbers into the cabin from outside, blowing his hot breath over the stiff joints in his hands, and heads over to the fire to get warm as he overhears the group talking about John. He keeps his head down and eyes diverted, though, wanting no part of whatever is brewing. 

“He’s strong and he’s smart,” encourages Tilly, trying to calm Abigail's frayed nerves. 

“Well, strong at least,” grumbles Abigail. But her head perks up when she notices Arthur has come in.

Arthur catches her out of the corner of his eye as she quickly approaches him where he stands at the fire, knowing full well what she’s about to ask. 

“Hello, Arthur. How are you?” she asks tentatively, looking at him with anxious eyes. 

He cocks an eyebrow at her, bracing himself for her yet unspoken question. “I’m fine, Abigail,” he says warily. “And you?”

“I…I need you to-”

Arthur rolls his eyes with an irritable sigh, his weight shifting uncomfortably from one hip to the other under her intense stare.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she rambles quickly, her hands still fidgeting. “I hate to ask, but…”

“It’s little John, gone and got himself into a scrape again.” The distemper is evident when the familiar scowl returns to Arthur’s face, his hands slowly clenching open and closed into fists, causing Abigail to recoil slightly, hesitant to plead her case. 

“He ain’t been seen in two days!” she cries, her tear-rimmed eyes looking imploringly up at Arthur.

“Your John will be fine. I mean, he may be dumb as rocks and dull as rusted iron, but that ain’t changing because he got caught in some snowstorm.”

“Arthur!” You shoot him a scolding look when you see how Abigail’s face wrinkles painfully at his answer. 

“At least go take a look,” pushes Hosea as he, too, joins the conversation. Always the level-headed one, he steps up to Abigail, quick to her defense. “Javier?”

The man looks to Hosea at the sound of his name being called, awaiting instructions. “Yes?”

“Will you ride out with Arthur and take a look for John? You’re the two best fit men we got. We’re all pretty worried.”

Javier nods and is quick to stand. He adjusts his coat, pulling his collar up to his cheeks. “I know if the situation were reversed, he’d look for me.” Resolution set upon his dark features, Javier grabs his gun and heads to the door, shooting Arthur a guilting look on his way out. 

With a lofty eye roll, an exasperated sigh puffs out of Arthur’s nose, his mouth set in a hard, angry line. And he slams out the door behind Javier before you can even say good luck. While you can understand his frustration, you know that Arthur is John’s best chance of survival if he is in any sort of trouble. And as time continues to crawl forward in this frigid wasteland, it is becoming more and more apparent that the situation is not looking good.

You quietly cross the room to Abigail, who hangs her head with worry. “Try not to fret about John, Abigail,” you say softly. “Arthur and Javier will find him. If anyone can, it’s them. You’ll see.” You rub your hand along her arm in comfort. But she can only offer you a weak smile in return. 

Outside, Javier and Arthur head out into the frigid, unforgiving white once again, this time in search of one of their own. As the winds kick up, they head further up the mountain, up where the air gets thinner and the snow deeper. 

As they trot along, Arthur takes this opportunity to privately ask Javier about Blackwater. He has to be careful not to sound like he’s questioning Dutch, but something just doesn’t sit right with Arthur, and the people who were there are acting cagey about it. But if Arthur is to intercept any problems heading their way, he needs to know what he’s up against. Like you had told him before, people in this gang tend to not worry too much about the swirling chaos they get themselves caught-up in as long as he’s the one taking the brunt of things. 

“So…you were there, Javier. What really happened on that boat?”

Javier shakes his head in disbelief. “We had the money and it seemed fine. And then suddenly, they were everywhere.”

“Bounty hunters?”

“No, Pinkertons. It was crazy. Raining bullets.” As the snow blows around them, Javier tells Arthur about how their group was swarmed, members were shot or lost, and that Dutch even killed a girl, an innocent bystander in the mayhem. 

“That ain’t like him, though,” murmurs Arthur as his eyes dart back and forth in shock. 

“I’m surprised we escaped at all. By the time you boys showed up on the other side of town, we were all just barely hanging on.”

Arthur digests all of this information, rolling it around in his mind. “Bad business alright.”

After an hour of trudging through the cold with no sign, they catch sight of tracks in the snow running along a deep crevice in the mountain. Encouraged by the first indication of activity, they follow along for several yards, but the two men eventually stumble upon a grizzly sight. They discover John’s horse lying on the frozen ground, its belly ripped apart. Upon closer inspection, they see tracks scattered all around in the bloody snow. 

Wolves. And quite a few of them, judging by the number of prints. It is a grim sight and Javier and Arthur share an uneasy glimpse between each other. 

Looking around, there is no sign of John. Everything around them is silent and ominous, with no indications of life. He could be anywhere. He could still be alive, but he could also be dead at this point. Arthur grabs his revolver from his side, aiming it straight up into the air and fires a single shot. He anxiously waits to see if John hears the discharge as it ricochets off of the rocky terrain, alerting him to their presence. Moments pass tensely and agonizingly slow, waiting for any response. 

And suddenly, they can hear hollering off in the distance. It’s John's voice. It’s faint, but he’s alive. Relief washes over both Javier and Arthur, as they try to figure out where he’s at. Sound bounces in every direction here and everything is coated in white, hiding any discernible landmarks. They have to be careful not to get lost, themselves. 

The men exchange calls, trying to follow John’s desperate, raspy voice, and walk down along the ridgeline until they get to a point that is too narrow and precarious for the horses. They dismount, leaving the animals behind, and proceed on foot in search of their brother. And thankfully, they spot him. 

John has himself sequestered onto a ledge, out of reach of the wolves that attacked and maimed him. He’s bloodied and shivering violently, barely conscious. Arthur and Javier make their way to the edge, careful not to slip and fall over the side. 

“Quite the scratch you got there,” Arthur teases as he looks down over John.

John gingerly tilts his head up, giving the men a good view of the deep and savage gashes across his face, cutting brutally into his eye. “Never thought I’d say this, but it’s good to see you, Arthur Morgan.” 

Arthur hops down to the ledge, crouching to eye level to take a moment to get a good look at John. “You don’t look so good.”

“I don’t feel so good, neither,” he replies dejectedly. 

A humorless chuckle huffs out of Arthur as he takes ahold of John’s arm, helping him to his feet. “C’mon. Let’s get you outta here.”

Javier reaches down, wrapping his cold yet nimble fingers under John’s arms to help pull him off the precarious ledge. It is quickly apparent that John is in no shape to walk, let alone climb down the mountain. Without a word, Arthur slings his brother across his strong shoulder and they begin to head back to the horses. They need to get John back to camp and straight to you as soon as possible for medical attention. He’s been out here in the elements for far too long and his injuries are profound. 

“I told Dutch you weren’t the right man for this job.” Arthur mocks as he adjusts John across his shoulder as if he’s hauling a deer carcass.

An exasperated sigh manages to escape John’s cut and bleeding lips. “I’m sure you did.”

The three men don’t make it very far before they spot a cluster of black and gray standing stark against the pristine white snow off in the distance.  Drawn by the noise and the scent of John’s blood on the wind, the wolves have returned to finish what they started. They sit perfectly still, silently eyeing up the men, ready to pounce at any moment. 

John lifts his head to look past Arthur at the impending threat before hanging back down despondently. They still have a bit of a walk to get back to the horses at this point and outrunning the pack is not an option. “Shit”, he mumbles and his whole body goes limp against Arthur’s broad back. John doesn’t have much fight left in him and what he does have, he needs to stay alive. 

Arthur slowly sets John down to his shaky feet, eyes never leaving the fierce pack of predators looming in the distance. “You head for the horses,” he tells Javier as he pulls his gun. “I’ll keep John’s friends off ya til you’re clear.”

Javier gives a sharp nod of understanding to Arthur as he slings John’s arm around his own shoulders and they begin to shuffle away towards their waiting mounts.

The moment Javier and John break off, the wolves lunge. The explosion of motion causes Arthur to immediately fire into the pack, taking down two of the large animals that head straight for Javier and John. Two more wolves go down in rapid fire shortly after that with painful howls echoing into the air, but it’s the last one that gets a little too close for comfort. The remaining animal comes barrelling towards Arthur, galloping at full speed, fangs bared and saliva oozing from its jowls. Arthur’s heartbeat thunders painfully in his ears as he takes aim once more, ignoring the slight tremble in his arms. The solitary wolf hurls itself at Arthur with a terrifying snarl, knocking him backwards into the snow. With a fierce yell of his own, Arthur’s gun rings true into the beast’s chest, dropping it dead atop his legs. 

As fast as a lightning strike, the vicious threat is over with, barely giving the three men time to comprehend whether or not they will all survive to make it back to camp.

Lying motionless and staring up into the icy blue sky with his eyes wide with adrenaline, Arthur tries to catch his breath as he lays in the snow, afraid to move lest the wolf still be alive. When the world stops spinning and settles back into reality, he draws the frigid air deep into his lungs, exhaling slowly out of his wind-chapped lips to steady his nerves before cautiously looking down, nudging the heap of fur with the tip of his gun. 

Arthur’s gaze drops to the sudden stinging sensation on his arm. A deep gash sits there from the wolf’s claws but it’s nothing that you can’t take care of. If he can just get his ass back to you in one piece, that is. If this is the extent of his injuries from this ordeal, he’ll make out pretty well. 

Shoving the carcass off himself with a pained grunt, Arthur rolls himself up and catches up to his companions just in time to help Javier get John situated on his horse behind him and the three of them head back down the mountain side. John slumps against his friend, silently thankful for the man’s body heat.

“Come on, John, you’ll be okay,” asserts Javier. “It’s just like a dog bite.”

“I knew a guy got bit by a dog...died an hour later,” mumbles John as he rests his forehead in between Javier’s shoulder blades.

“You ain’t gonna die,” huffs Arthur. “Not yet.” 

The horses begin to lumber their way back through the deep snow. Arthur and Javier push through the cold, trying to get back to Colter in one piece and not get lost in the tundra of the mountains. Javier is desperate to return John to Abigail and Arthur just wants to return back to you. And although they encounter more wolves along the way, fortunately this time it is not a full-on attack as before. Arthur makes quick work of the remaining pack, ensuring their safety for the remainder of the journey back to camp. 

Throughout the ride back, Javier is sure to keep talking to John, nervous as he feels his friend growing weaker by the minute, his body resting limply against him in the saddle. “You’re going to be okay, John,” Javier repeats again. “We have some shelter now.”

Despite his exhaustion, John’s mangled lips flash a grin. “Thanks for coming for me.”

“Sure. First the bullet in Blackwater, now this. You’ve had a hell of a time.” Javier nods in empathy for his good friend, thankful he’s found him alive as he’s lost enough companions in this baptism of fire. But from where he sits in his saddle behind them, Arthur carries an air of annoyance as he rides along in brooding silence on his horse. When will he be able to stop looking after ‘Little Johnny’?

“Arthur always says I’m lucky,” John manages a deflated chuckle out of his torn face as he looks behind him to catch Arthur’s eyes narrowed at him.

“Well, none of us are lucky right now,” Arthur retorts coldly. He shrugs his shoulders up around his chin when a particularly blustery gust of wind swirls through the air. “We’re going to need to come up with a better story for that scar.” 

If John weren’t half-dead, he’d spin on his brother in a heartbeat with fists raised. His teeth grit together despite the pain in his jaw. “So, freezing, bleeding, starving, damn near getting eaten to death ain’t good enough for you?!” John hurls what little energy he has left coursing through his fragile body in anger towards Arthur, his body shivering and trembling behind Javier. Why the hell does Arthur have to be on John’s ass all the time? 

“Come on, let's just keep pushing ahead”, complains Javier, becoming increasingly annoyed at the brothers’ bickering. Jesus, Arthur can be unrelenting sometimes. It’s too damn cold and miserable out, there’s no need to make it even more uncomfortable.

“See those buildings, John? That’s where we’re camped,” offers Javier in an attempt to lighten John’s spirits and distract him from Arthur’s ire. 

Thankfully, they ride the remainder of the way to camp in silence.

The three men ride into the middle of the dilapidated structures of the mining town, heading straight for the largest where the smoke floats out of the chimney. 

“Can we get some help here?” Arthur’s voice carries out over the snow as they pull the horses to a halt outside the building.

The rickety door is thrown open and Abigail comes running out with you close on her heels. A few others come assembling out as well.

“You’re alive!” The relief is apparent in her face as Abigail reaches up to lay her hands on John, confirming he has indeed come back to her. “Come on, let's get you warm.”

“Careful of his leg,” Arthur warns as John slides off the back of Javier’s horse and into Rev. Swanson’s supportive arms. As you get closer to him, your eyes quickly assess the man’s wounds, your skilled hands flitting about over his body. He’s an absolute mess. You’ll have your work cut out for you once again. But John is, in fact, alive and that is more than enough for you right now. 

You and Arthur catch each other’s gaze for a brief moment, a silent thankfulness that your beloved has returned to you as well, before you lead John inside for care. 

“Thank you, both,” Abigail says emphatically to Arthur and Javier, but her attention quickly turns to Jonn, angry for the days of worry she’s suffered. Like their whole relationship, the gamut of Abigail’s emotions runs from one pole to the other. “This is a new low, even for your standards,” she hisses into John’s ear. 

Hosea walks up next to Arthur as they watch John being half-carried inside. 

“Thank you, Arthur,” hums Hosea, knowing full well how irritable his eldest son is right now. Arthur has been moving non stop since the gang left the valley after Blackwater. He’s cold, tired, hungry and just disillusioned altogether. 

“You got any other lost maidens need saving?” Arthur retorts, his face devoid of any amusement.

“Not today,” Hosea chuckles, pulling a cigarette from his breast pocket.

Arthur lifts his head to look back at you, longing for your attentiveness, willing you to turn around once more to give him that smile of yours. But you’re already off with John. He watches as you help get John inside and the door shuts again, closing your image off from him. Like the sun setting behind the horizon, your warmth, your glow is eclipsed from his view.

With a slow exhale pushed through his nose, Arthur turns his attention back to Hosea.

 “You been talkin’ to Dutch about how we’re gonna get outta here?” 

“I was just discussing with Herr Strauss,” confirms Hosea, lighting his cigarette and drawing the smoke through his weathered lips. “When weather breaks, we’ll head east.”

Arthur’s face immediately scrunches in disgust. “East? Into all that civilization?”

“The west is where our problems are worse,” Hosea says pointedly. 

This is disappointing news. Arthur turns his angry eyes back towards the house where you just took John to get cleaned up. God, how he wants to march in there right now, grab you and head back to your room and forget about all this ugliness for just a bit. He just needs one goddamn moment alone with you to set his mind right again. But now you’re tied up with caring for that idiot. 

Deciding he’s had enough for one afternoon, Arthur trudges over to his bunkhouse, hoping that if he’s hidden out of sight, no one will ask any more favors. He sits inside the dreary, depressing cabin, stewing in frustration, his festering anger edging dangerously close to where his precious affections and love reside. He fears that he is beginning to lose that contentment in his heart that he has been working so hard to rebuild over these last few months. 

“We’ll be here freezing for weeks, waiting for the thaw to come,” he gripes as he pulls out his journal, flipping it open. “What a goddamn mess of things.”

*This images comes from @rosesrdr2photos

————————————

Over the next two days, Arthur becomes more irritable and distant, not just from the gang, but from you as well. The strain of losing Jenny and Davey and worrying over still-missing Sean and Mac weighs heavily upon his nerves. That, coupled with the constant need for warmth in the freezing cold and fending off the possibility of starvation is leaving you both frazzled. 

Dutch is leaning heavily on Arthur, even more so than before, if that is even possible. Sure, you and Arthur have had your arguments, but this is the first time he has been ugly to you. His aggravation is paramount yet he needs your presence to calm the hurricane of thoughts in his mind. 

But like Arthur, you are also being pulled in a multitude of directions. John’s injuries are severe and occupy much of your time, and there are plenty of other things to do to keep this gang going amongst the turmoil. Where Arthur is used to having your attention to himself, he now has to share you with the rest. And it is a feeling that does not sit well with him at all. 

The tension between the two of you pulls heavy on your heart. You’ve heard the gang speak of how much of an ass Arthur can be. Before you met, Arthur was known to be harsh and often difficult. Whether it was the nature of the jobs he was on or the nightmares of his past, or even his drinking, Arthur could be a son of a bitch to be around. And although you’ve seen him more than angry before, that aggression and ugliness has never been turned on you. Until now, as he is angry about everything. 

You try your best to be understanding and patient, but your own nerves are pushed to the limits, as well as his. You’ve never been in a situation such as this before and you so desperately want to turn into Arthur’s arms for him to shield you from it. But Arthur has the weight of the entire gang on his shoulders, leaving little time for comforting just you. 

You try to talk to him about it, but being faced with one more issue that he has to deal with, one more person asking something of him, ignites his fury. You’ve gotten yourselves caught up in yet another argument when his negativity rears its ugly head, testing the limits of your patience. He is being overextended by the gang’s needs and neglecting his own, as the gang must always come first. But it is leaving Arthur to be triggered by even the most minor annoyances, leaving him unbalanced and agitated. He has become focused on the continuing obstacles instead of the intended goal. 

What started as a simple statement about how your jaw aches from chattering teeth due to the cold sends Arthur into a storm of annoyance. 

“I’m sorry things can’t be all butterflies and flowers for you,” he bites back at you with a dismissive wave of his hand as you have elected to take your fight outside and away from prying eyes. 

“I never said it had to be,” you snap, trying not to raise your voice and provoke him even more as you can already see the tension in his shoulders, his face set hard as stone. “Things are hard enough right now, Arthur. You don’t need to be adding to it with your constant grumbling and complaining.”

Wrong response. 

“Come again?” His eyes shoot open, burning with anger.  “You best remember who you’re talkin’ to, woman.” Arthur’s voice settles into a low umber, making your chest tight and your heart race. 

Heat spreads through your belly as your spine straightens like an arrow and pulls your proud shoulders back to square up to his. You cross your arms over your chest, slowly inching closer to him. “Or else what?” 

Arthur would never hurt you. Ever. But he is still a man who believes in tradition. He loves your spirit, your fire. But you need to know your place. And he doesn’t appreciate your attitude in the slightest. But you won’t back down, either. 

Arthur’s jaw clenches tightly at your challenge, desperately trying to keep himself together. He’s used to getting his way when he’s angry, as that’s the very nature of his livelihood. And even though you have worked to tear down those walls that he’s barricaded himself within to see the loving and kind heart hidden there, he still has a bad temper and a mean streak that runs for miles. Arthur doesn’t need this fight right now. His hands slowly lift to settle onto his hips as he looms over you, but instead of being intimidated, you suddenly become distracted when you notice a flash of red. Your face immediately turns from sour to one of outright concern. 

“Arthur, are you alright? Your hand is bleeding.” It’s the wound from the wolf from when he brought John back. 

Arthur blinks at you, his face twisted up at the sudden turn in the conversation. “It’s fine, leave it.”

With an exasperated sigh, you try to grab his hand to look at it. “But if it isn't cleaned it could get infec-“

“I said leave it!” He barks at you, yanking his hand out of your grasp. 

The look of hurt and shock on your face instantly washes him in a wave of shame. Jesus, he can be a right ugly bastard sometimes. Afraid of saying anything else that will make this worse, Arthur abruptly turns, leaving you speechless in the snow as you watch him stalk away from you.

Several yards away, Dutch stands under the awning of the lean-to barn and observes the altercation between you and Arthur play out with a slightly amused grin on his face. When your conversation comes to an abrupt end, he slowly saunters over to you, following your gaze as you watch Arthur slam into your cabin. 

“Arthur has obligations, Miss Y/L/N. Responsibilities.” His expression carries a smugness that just rubs you the wrong way as he wraps his arm around your shoulders. “He doesn’t have time for romantic nonsense.”

It takes you a second to process what it is that Dutch has just said and you turn a disbelieving expression towards the man, stepping out from under his falsely comforting arm. “I’m not trying to be romantic, Dutch. I’m worried for him.” 

“He’s fine,” Dutch says dismissively. 

“Is he?”

Your question causes a dark eyebrow raised in your direction, his intense eyes piercing into you like a dagger. Dutch’s dark-haired crown tilts just so before he speaks, the suffocating pause most unsettling.

“You may whisper sweet words in his ear, lay next to him at night battin’ those eyes at him,” he sneers as his lips curl into a falsely sweet smile. “But you don’t know him the way I do, Y/N.”

Time stands still as the argument hangs in the air, right there on the tip of your tongue. And oh, how you’d like to give the man a piece of your mind right now. So many things race through your rattled mind as you stand there pinned under Dutch’s burning scrutiny. 

But you need to choose your battles carefully, and now is not the time. 

“You are right about that, Dutch.” You lift your chin in slight defiance. “I don’t know him the same way you do.”

You hold Dutch’s gaze for a moment, an unspoken challenge between you. You would never dream of coming between Arthur and his family. But if it means his safety, his well-being, you will sure as hell step-up to take his back. 

But the tension is promptly snapped when Mary-Beth’s voice calls to you from across the yard. “Y/N! I think it’s time to change John’s bandages.” She even waves her hand to get your attention, trying to break the spell that Dutch has you under. 

The sound of your friend’s voice breaks the precarious trance, causing you to blink and inhale sharply to collect yourself and settle the frustration bubbling deep within your stomach. Your feet remain cemented to the ground as you desperately try to resist the urge to shake the tingling out of your fingertips. 

“If you will excuse me, Mr Van der Linde, I need to tend to your other son.” 

———————

The hours of the day after your fight with Arthur tick by slowly as the night eventually drapes everything in its path in darkness. Exhausted, you exit the ramshackle building where you’ve spent a good part of the day looking after John. You’ve been painstakingly cleaning his wounds and sitting with him as he rests, keeping vigil over him and only leaving his side now that Ms. Grimshaw relieves you when she comes to sit with him overnight. His vital signs are fair, but it wouldn’t take much for him to take a turn for the worse. A bad fever could easily do him in. And after losing Jenny and Davey, you just don’t want to take any chances leaving John alone for any extended period of time. 

The evenings here in the Grizzly Mountains descend into a quiet like none other. No birds, no wildlife, no commotion of people. Tonight, even the howling winds have ceased. Were it not for the freezing cold temperature, it would be beautiful. 

Cold air gets drawn into your lungs with a bone-weary sigh, your breath a dancing wisp in front of you. Tucking your arms around yourself in an attempt to stay warm, you roll your eyes upward and the stars above catch your attention. It seems that there’s almost as many stars as there are snowflakes. The inky black vastness of the heavens that cradle the cosmic diamonds is a sharp contrast to the crystal white snow at your feet, illuminated by the moon’s full glow. The pinpricks of light are like a promise of life in the darkness, a sense of warmth springing from the cold that envelops the world. And it humbles you as you try to find your place within it.

With John taken care of and the evening chores settled, your mind relaxes as your hands rub together to create warmth, and begins to drift once again to the issues that you have been trying to avoid thinking about. 

Being chased up into these unforgiving mountains by Pinkertons, of all people, is bad enough. But that is not what is troubling to you the most right now. Your mind keeps replaying the arguments and discontent between you and Arthur since you left the valley after Blackwater. Instead of sweet whispers in each other’s ears and breathless sighs against soft skin, you two are hurling bitter, angry words at each other, causing a coldness that you are not used to.

Something feels…broken between you.

Standing out in the cold night, the tender moments that you’re used to sharing with your love seem so far away now. You think back to sitting by the fire, curled up against Arthur’s warm body, his brawny arms secured around you as his lips dance along your neck, making you shiver with anticipation. You recall the delicate conversations of dreams and tender emotions that were whispered as you stared into each other’s eyes after making love. It seems like a whole other life now. 

Where is the roguishly charming man that you fell so hard for and so deeply in love with? You have never had any illusions of what sort of man Arthur is. But you had so desperately hoped that you were past the distemperment that perpetually plagues his mind. And a horrifying idea begins to take root in your brain:  Maybe Arthur is having second thoughts about you and this whole relationship?

Suddenly, you become short of breath and your heart flutters within your chest like a panicked bird. Tears begin to prick the corners of your eyes at the very thought of possibly losing Arthur, of the thought that the life you had envisioned spending with him could be snuffed out. You bite down on trembling lips as they get pulled into your mouth in an attempt to keep from crying. 

Looking up at the silent stars once more, the only witnesses to your pain, you are starting to question if your relationship is even real. 

—--------------------

“You comin’ to bed?”

You tense up as Arthur stands behind you where you sit in front of the fire to warm yourself. You just heard him outside yelling about some damn thing or another a few moments ago before he came blustering inside fit to be tied. He looms behind you as anger radiates off of him, making you shift nervously next to Mary-Beth.  

“I think maybe I’ll stay here with the girls for a bit longer if you don’t mind,” you say meekly, pulling your shawl up over your shoulders even more as you avoid his eyes burning into you.  

Arthur pauses for a moment, lips pulled into a hard frown, his gloved fingers twitching at his sides while he has his internal fight with himself about what to do. He’s getting really sick and tired of this tension between you. And yet, he doesn’t know what to do about it. Old habits of self-damaging thinking and second-guessed opportunities continue to plague Arthur’s mind, constricting his sanity. The words he needs to say to get you to really hear him do not come. And his actions, of course, default to what he knows best:  anger. 

“Fine,” he huffs out finally as his hand waves dismissively in the air at you before letting it fall haplessly to his side. Arthur storms out of the cabin, kicking over a wooden storage barrel on his way out and letting the door slam loudly in its hinges behind him. Arthur’s exit creates an awkward silence like a vacuum in the room and the eyes of your fellow gang members cautiously shift to you.

“You sure that was a good idea, Y/N?” asks Mary Beth, giving you a skeptical look.

Your thumb and forefinger pull at the corners of your temples in an attempt to quell the pulsing in your head. “My nerves are shot as it is. If I go over to that cabin with him we’ll just get into another fight. And I don’t need that right now. He don’t need that right now.” 

The air settles into silence as the fire in the hearth pops and crackles, its heat comforting you as you slowly allow the tension to drain from your shoulders. You nod your head in assertion as the idea solidifies in your mind.

“As angry as he is with me, it’s best I leave him alone. There’s a time to vent and a time to brood. And Arthur needs time to brood right now. He’s got a lot on his plate. Then I’ll let him vent.” You give her a small smile. “We’ll be okay.” 

Mary-beth’s eyes sparkle with red and copper as the fire reflects back into her freckled face when she takes you in for a moment. “I think it’s amazing how you understand him, Y/N. Lord knows, Arthur’s a hard nut to crack,” she hums warmly. 

“I don’t know what it is, really.” Your eyes settle unfocused on the flames in front of you with a slow blink as you ponder your beloved outlaw. “He’s a pain in my ass, for sure. But I love him just the same. Wouldn’t have him any other way, to be honest. I know he can be a beast. But even the most untamed and savage of animals need to be loved.”

Mary-Beth’s breath catches in her chest, the hopeless romantic that she is, moved by your statement. For what better way is there to surmise, Arthur Morgan, fearsome outlaw of the Van Der Linde gang, than that?

Like the crocus pushing through the cold spring soil, Mary-Beth’s frigid cheeks blossom into a serene smile for you. “I suppose if you can’t explain why you love someone, then you must really love them.” 

You lean your shoulder into hers with a contented hum of agreement. It is a bit of a relief to you that someone outside of your relationship with Arthur can see the potential beauty there. 

After a few moments, you look about the room and your gaze falls upon the poor woman that Arthur and Dutch had found. You nod to Mary-Beth, affectionately patting her hand, before standing up to move over to sit next to Mrs. Adler, offering her another blanket to cover her legs. 

“How are you holding up, Mrs. Adler? You okay?”

The woman lifts her head at the sound of her name, tearing her eyes from the cup of hot coffee in her hands to look at you. “I guess,” she shrugs. “Then again, maybe not.” Her eyes go dark once more, lost in a world of uncertainty. She looks so weak and fragile sitting there wrapped up in a blanket, trying to hold onto some sort of semblance of herself.

“It takes a lot of courage to look past what you’ve been through. Believe me, I know.” You reach out to put your hand along her arm. “You can trust us, Mrs Adler. You can trust that we won’t put you through anything like that again. And we won’t let anything happen to you either.” 

“Thank you. You’ll have to be patient with me, I suppose.” While her voice is sweet enough, her vacant eyes carry a sort of detachment to them that makes your heart just ache for her. It’s the type of look that you know just one wrong word would send them pooling with tears once more. “I’m somewhere between losing my mind and finding my soul right now.” 

“Aren’t we all?” Your kind eyes glint at her with a playful mischief to them. “You’ll fit in just fine, Mrs Adler. No doubt.” 

Mrs. Adler gives you a lopsided grin, the slight tremor of her nervously bouncing leg ceasing as the knot in her abdomen finally begins to loosen its grip. 

“Is that your husband?” She lifts her chin towards the door that Arthur just pushed through, as she tries to discreetly change the subject. 

“No,” you sigh in confirmation, “we’re not married. But we are together.” 

“He seems…gruff.” Mrs. Adler teasingly gives a raised eyebrow with her simple statement, and your head tosses back with a genial cackle erupting out of your throat. 

“That’s one word for him.” A bright smile erupts across your face as you think of Arthur. “Arthur can be the devil, for sure. But he can also be as sweet as an angel. When he wants to be. And with people he likes. Which aren’t too many.” 

Mrs. Adler replies with a humorless chuckle of her own. “Ain’t that most men?” But sadly, the dark cloud returns to settle over her features once more. “Not my Jake, though. He was a dear to me. I don’t know what I’ll do without him.” Her honey eyes begin to mist again, her lips trembling woefully.

But you are quick to catch her gaze again as if looking right into her very heart. “For what it’s worth, you’ll have us for as long as you need, Mrs. Adler.”

“Sadie. Call me Sadie, I insist.” She gives you a genuine smile, probably the first since the death of her husband. “And, ‘for what it’s worth’, nobody has to understand what is between you and Arthur but you two.” 

And you and Sadie wrap your arms around each other, resting in the comfort of the other’s understanding. 

But outside in the cold, Arthur trudges through the snow, pouting and sulking as he heads back to the bunkhouse. This isn’t how it’s supposed to be. Things were finally going well for him. Dutch was starting to think of “retirement”, however that would look. And the gang was making its way away from trouble, but now you are all buried so deep. 

And, Arthur has you in his life now and things are going well there, too. Things are going too well. At least they were before this shitstorm descended upon the group. He longs for the blissful moments where he can taste you on his lips and smell you in his clothing. He should have known it couldn’t last. 

It’s hard not to let the all-too-familiar bitterness start to creep its way back into his fractured heart. Good things don’t happen to bad men. This is something Arthur has always been adamant about. Like a fool he was starting to believe you when you told him otherwise. When your sweet voice floated into his ears like a feather on the wind, swirling around in his mind and nesting around his heart, Arthur was starting to think he could have a decent life with you at his side, that you could somehow build something really good together. That he could finally mean something to someone. He harbored the thought that maybe, just maybe, you could eventually break away from the gang, just the two of you, after the dust had settled and everyone in the gang was safe and out of harm's way. 

Arthur wants Tilly to find the good man she deserves and to start a family of her own; to see Mary-Beth achieve that dream of being a writer and make something of herself. He’d love to see Dutch living his best life, free and wild. Maybe John could finally get his shit together and make an honest woman of Abigail and be a real father to his boy. He prays that Hosea will someday finally be able to rest his weary bones with a roof over his head and a fire at his feet. And for himself, to have you at his side on a little homestead, living the life that only existed in his daydreams before you fell into his life. 

But all Arthur ever seems to find is hardship and bloodshed. And now, he has you trapped in the middle of all of it, the very thing that he has wanted to avoid from the beginning. And what’s more terrifying is that he’s not so sure if he can protect you from it. Arthur can’t imagine the sorrow and responsibility you must feel from losing both Davey and Jenny, knowing that you did everything you could, but it wasn’t enough to save them. 

He’s not an idiot. Arthur can sense your grief and misgivings about what’s happened. What if you finally come to your senses and decide to leave him, leave the gang at the first opportunity you get to escape the danger all around you? He certainly wouldn’t blame you if you did. 

But the thought of you leaving clefts his black heart in two. What would Arthur do if he lost you? He may as well put a bullet through his skull if he did, as there would be no use in living without you. It would be like the color drained from everything in his life. The sun would refuse to shine and air would turn rancid, burning his lungs as he tried to breathe.

When you found each other, Arthur could not get over how your broken pieces fit together so perfectly with his. How wonderous it was that together, you create one person, both halves being fused together to make a whole. And now, he fears you may be slipping away from his ever-strong grasp, losing his other half, his better half.

Arthur stops at the corner of the bunkhouse, leaning against it with his forearm. His other hand comes up to his mouth, trembling as a shaky breath exhales across his lips. His eyes furrow like a canyon with concern. 

If he could just hear the sound of your laughter, then he’d be alright. 

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

*Almost there! More drama to come, but don't worry, some fluffy goodness is coming!

Tag List: @rivetingrosie4​ @bimbo-dollz​ @pine4pple-b0i​ @redwritr​ @kuri-chans-blog​ @queer-sadie-adler​ @joelmillerswifey​ @gimmethosedaddymilkers​ @pcotarelo​ @delilah-grimes​ @maemortem​ @wistfulwisteriawitch​ @lilacxxdreams​ @mentallyillfrogs​ @absolutegeek​ @spurz​ @sophiaj650​ @uniqueclodzinevoid​ @lookingformaurice​ @pawoui​ @randomidk-123​ @yyiikes​ @eddiemetalheadmunson​ @twola​ @kmartkiddieisle​ @red-dead-simp @regwishesshehadmagic​  @rhehr241​  @earwen-x​ @akariver75​ @djennty​ @nervousmumbling​ @xliliths​ @unbotheredbeeeee​ @onnetonprinsessa​ @kittiowolf210​ @ezrynn​ @suhiss @arthurmargon​​ @codnerd1999 @queer-sadie-adler​​ @alice-vanderlinde​​ @sweetandstoned21​​ @j4llyf7sh @spooky631​​ @m0r4rx @ilovrxats​​ @i-69-urmom​​ @ddbluesie @ivuravix @nervousmumbling @sickvictorianangel @tirededuxhours @ezzythereal1 @chloepluto1306 @ivys-valentine @spiritcatcherxo @lea-khena @brccklynbaby1 @foundynnel @readingcoco @carmelamontezlikr @ultraporcelainpig @sofiaa-xcx @namesaretomainstream @miphy @cookiesandcreaminthetardis @loveheartabby @daisybvck @julialoopeezz @a-court-of-valkyries @oziozzioslo @stargazer-88 @lunawolfclaw

*I tagged people who expressed interest in the continued story. If you’d like to be added or removed, please let me know. There are a few that would not let me link, so I apologize if this doesn’t ping some people. 

[genshin-impact-updates]

Happy Birthday, Amber!

What delightful weather! I've brought Baron Bunny out to get some sun.

It was so miserable before with all that rain, I thought I was going to turn into a Sumeru mushroom!

Mm~ The smell of wild flowers in blossom! Spending time in the sun always lifts your spirits.

Do you have any plans? Once Baron Bunny's warmed up, let's go out for a meal! I'll treat you to an ice-cold drink!

Thanks to あかもく for the fantastic artwork!

[darl-ingfics]

Sicktember Day 23: Under a Spell

Fandom: Seventeen

Sickie: Jun (cold)

Caregiver(s): Mingyu (virtually)

Word Count: 878

Notes: Two Jun fics in a row. It's almost like he's my bias-wrecker or something.

“Junnie-Hyung!” Mingu cheered instantly when the Facetime call was accepted. He had been biting his lip, hoping that Jun wasn’t busy. He could’ve always left a voicemail if so, but he just really wanted to talk with Jun tonight. And the feeling appeared to be mutual; the sight of Mingyu made his hyung smile on impact. 

“Mingyuuuu!” Jun exclaimed, shifting around to a more comfortable position. He appeared to be on a couch, wherever he was. “How are you?”

“I miss youuu!!!”

“I miss you too! How are promotions going?” His voice sounded off to Mingyu, but he figured it was the audio quality. 

“Amazing, hyung!” Mingyu sighed. “Everything has been going so smooth, but it’s just different without and Hannie-hyung.”

Jun pouted. “I know, I’m sorry.”

“Not your fault. You’re living your dreams right now! How’s filming?”

“Filming is going great! My scene partners have been fantastic, and…” Jun broke off, disappearing off the screen, sneezing twice.

Mingyu’s face fell. Something in his brain clicked. “Hyung, are you sick?”

Jun nodded, swiping at his nose. “Yeah. Just a cold, though.” 

It was Mingyu’s turn to pout. “I’m sorry to hear that…” 

“It’s okay, really. It was bound to happen. I had to get thrown in a pool for a scene the other day, and wet clothes plus cold weather plus AC blasting inside PLUS erratic sleep hours…” He shrugged. “It’s more annoying than anything.” He sniffled, rubbing at his nose again. “Besides, I’ve had worse.”

“But we’re not there to take care of you!”

“No, and that’s definitely been felt. Luckily I have the next two days off anyway, and my cast mates have been really kind…”

“But they're not us,” Mingyu interrupted. 

Jun shook his head. “No, they’re not you.” 

Mingyu couldn’t fight the frown off his face. Yes, of all the members, Junhui was probably one of the most adept at taking care of himself when sick; he never made a fuss about it but advocated for his needs and spoke up to let others know what was going on, took his medicine and drank plenty of fluids and slept as much as possible. But just because Jun was self-sufficient didn’t mean he had to be. When he was at home, in the dorm, with his team, they knew how to take care of him without being asked. Mingyu knew exactly how Jun liked his tea, knew which blanket in the living room he preferred, knew the recipes that comforted him the most. And knowing that his brother was so far away from all that… it broke his heart.  

“Gyu? Are you still with me?”

“Y-yeah. I’m just… bummed that you’re sick and I can’t be there with you.”

Jun laughed. “I’m pretty sure you have better things to do then hang out with me and my germs.”

“Okay, fine, I’d rather not hang out with your germs, but I’d take them if it meant I could hug you.”

“Are you homesick for me?”

Mingyu blinked. “Honestly, yeah, I think so. Aren’t you?” The words escaped his mouth before he could stop them. He slapped a hand against his mouth, eyes comically wide. 

Thankfully Jun laughed before his smile turned thoughtful. “Desperately. But I am also so happy to be here. This all feels so…”  He began to move his hands in a circle, searching for the right word. He opened his mouth to respond, but pitched forward with another sneeze instead. “See, I don’t even have words for how much I miss you!”

Mingyu chuckled, shaking his head. “Should I let you get back to resting, then?” 

“No, no, I want to hear about the comeback!”

“Are you sure?”

Jun nodded. “Talking with you has been the highlight of my week.”

So, beaming brighter than the sun, Mingyu talked. He explained every detail of their comeback from practice to pre-recording to performances. He explained their outfits, their sets, the memes and jokes that they’d created. After a few minutes, distracted in his story, Mingyu noticed that Jun’s eyes had slipped closed. He hadn’t noticed when that had happened. 

“Hyung? Are you still with me?”

Jun smiled before opening his eyes. “Yes, I’m listening. Your voice is putting me to sleep, though, it’s so peaceful. It’s like magic.” 

“Adila kiya akiya shurapoeh / With a language only we know, I cast a spell,” Mingyu sang softly. Jun beamed. Mingyu continued singing, starting back at the top of “Spell.” Jun moved his shoulders along to the beat, arms twisting and winding in an interpretive version of the actual choreography. Mingyu’s voice grew sillier in time with Jun’s movements until both of them were giggling hysterically. 

Suddenly a knock came on Mingyu’s door. He turned to see Joshua poking his head in, gesturing that it was time for dinner. Mingyu nodded before turning back to the phone. “Okay, hyung, I’m so sorry but I gotta go.”

“That’s okay. Thanks for chatting so long. I love you, Gyu.” Jun formed a heart with his hands. 

Mingyu copied the gesture. “Love you too, Junnie. Feel better soon, okay? Pretend I’m there giving you the biggest hug in the world.”

Jun wrapped his arms around himself. “I can feel the love.” 

“Good. Bye, hyung.”

“Bye bye!” 

[e-dubbc11]

Beneath the Surface

Photos are not mine. They are courtesy of Pinterest/Google.

Pairing: Billy Russo x F! Reader

Warnings: mentions of emotional and physical abuse. Comfort and fluff. Nightmares

Word Count: 1.2K-ish

Summary: You had a nightmare last night, Billy takes you to your favorite place that always calms you and makes you feel better.

A/N: The beach is one of my favorite places, especially the beaches at home. I’m currently on vacation and the beaches here are pretty fantastic too but there’s no place like home. I’ll put a pic of one of my favorite beaches at sunset close to home at the end of this. I hope you like it!

As always, thank you for reading!  I appreciate it so much and comments, reblogs are welcome and encouraged. Don’t be shy to tell me your favorite part. 💕💕 💕

In between the vibrant energy of a hot New England summer and a cold, desolate winter, after the crowds have gone away and they’ve locked up their summer homes for the season, there was a period of time during late summer of unspoiled tranquility.

That was your favorite time of year to be at the beach. Under a canopy of blue with hues of deep pink, red, and orange, the world seemed to stand still as you listened to the gentle lapping of the waves against the wet sand.

The weather was still warm, a little drier, and a bit more comfortable. Over the grassy dunes, the soft sand stretched out in both directions while small flecks of quartz glistened in the sand beneath the early evening sun.

The soothing symphony of waves crashing against the shore continued to pull you deeper and deeper into a trance like state. The sea looked like a rippling blue blanket with all of its twists and turns, the noise echoed off the rocks, resonated in the air and floated into your ears before it disappeared and the relaxing song started to play all over again.

This was the place that always made you feel better.

No matter what time of year it was, this is where you would come to escape him. The serenity of this place cancelled out the pain, the yelling, name calling, and the bad dreams. But now it was a different type of escape, a happy one where there weren’t any tears to stain your cheeks.

Rupturing the tranquility, you heard the screech of a gull overhead; it startled you and caused you to flinch but the hand enclosed over yours, squeezed you tightly.

The soft voice you heard whispered reassuringly that it was ok, and “he can’t hurt you anymore, sweet girl.” His warm body there next to yours, cradling, comforting you and always keeping you out of harm’s way.

The sand sifted in between your toes as you watched the sun dip lower and lower toward the horizon where the sea and sky dissolve into each other.

The rolling waves lightly crashed against the shore bringing large clumps of seaweed with them and the salty sea breeze gently kicked up tiny grains of sand that ended up stuck in the short bristles of his beard.

His endless brown eyes focused on the dark beauty of the hungry sea, a slight smile stretched across his face, and you watched him wiggle his toes in the warm smooth sand.

He relished in the harmony too. He was very content.

Billy wanted to see the ocean you loved so much as a child, where you came to get away from everything, and where nothing bad had ever happened to you.

He had felt so helpless last night because he couldn’t stop the nightmare from happening, watching the tension grip your body, your knuckles white as you tightly clutched the sheet in your hands, and smothered by your own screams.

He would do anything to keep you from having them but still the sobs tore loose, freeing themselves from inside your throat and echoing throughout the bedroom.

Murmuring soft sounds and words to calm you, Billy tried his best to soothe you from your nightmare. He knew what it was like to be vulnerable while asleep, to fight going to sleep because he didn’t know what would be waiting for him when he closed his eyes but he didn’t care about that right now. It wasn’t about him; it was about you which is why he brought you here.

Billy remembered you talking about your favorite beach, how the music of the waves would sing to you and make you feel better any time that monster hurt you, called you “stupid,” or “ugly,” or threaten to tear you so far down that you couldn’t get back up and no other man would want you. “No one will want someone as damaged as you except me.”

There weren’t any tears this time. As long as you had Billy, you would be ok.

The canvas of bright colors across the sky kissed the high points of your face and melted away the remnants of your nightmare. You looked over at Billy, leaned in close and kissed him on the cheek. He turned slowly to face you, a wide Cheshire cat smile stretched across his lips while the familiar scent of his spicy cologne drifted past your nose.

“Thank you, Billy.” You whispered. “For this.”

You brought your gaze toward the dimming blue sky.

“I wish I could do more, sweet girl. I wish I could replace every memory of him with something else but I can’t.” He said with an alarming edge to his voice.

Billy’s handsome features twisted with rage as he clenched his fist.

Your heart swelled at the thought of Billy wanting to take all of your pain away, wanting to make all of your nightmares disappear forever, never to come back.

“It’s ok, baby. This is my favorite place, and you’re my favorite person.” You said. “Look at our view! It’s perfect!” You exclaimed. “I don’t need anything else. I love you.”

He pulled you into his lap, moved a stray piece of hair away from your face, and touched his forehead to yours. The anger in his eyes was suddenly replaced with love and affection before his lips collided with yours.

He tasted like the sea salt in the air, you could feel it in his hair too as your nails gently raked against his scalp. Parting your lips with his tongue, Billy deepened his kiss, pulling you in tight by the waist, his long agile fingers danced up and down your spine, silently telling you that he loved you too.

Every time Billy kissed you, touched you, held your hand, or even just smiled at you, he was replacing bad memories with good ones, mending the pieces of your shattered soul you deemed unfixable.

He dropped all of his responsibilities today to try and make you feel better, bringing you to your favorite place two states away. And he would do it every day if you let him, if you wanted him to.

The sea was forever vast, uncharted and in a way, reminded you a lot of Billy. It was dark, beautiful, and there was so much more beneath the surface if you took time to unearth the possibilities of the unfamiliar.

Both of you were broken in your own way and still navigating the emotional and metaphorical caverns of Davy Jones’ locker, looking for those priceless treasures within each other that you can’t live without.

You would have to take a deep breath and dive deeper than you’ve ever been before but this time you wouldn’t be alone and promised to pull each other up when you needed air.

His love made it possible for you to breathe again and you would be forever grateful for it…always.

Tag List: @wheresthesunshinesblog @rafaelakelley @idaoftheburningmind @snowkestrel @fakehappy27 @music-indie-tv @fictional-hooman @kayhi808 @munsonownsmyass @gijos @celestialend @k-marzolf @nutmeg17 @rosaleenablack @vaguekayla @qu1etwolf @danzer8705 @fireeyes-on-teller-dixon-grimes @mysteriouslydeafeningwerewolf

Others that might enjoy: @itwasthereaminuteago @fluffyprettykitty @jvanilly @imagine-a-fictional-boyfriend @ittybxttykxttytxtty @russosafehaven @mrsbillyrusso

If you’d like to be added (or removed from) my tag list(s) for the ever so handsome Billy Russo, just let me know and thank you again for reading! 💕💕💕 If I tagged you but you didn’t want to be, just let me know and I’ll never do it again.

[itwasthereaminuteago]

Idk if your requests are open but if they are I thought that frank castle x reader fic with a line 'You're an asshole but I love you' could be cute

Hi nonny, here you are, written for @theradioactivespidergwen 's 🍂Sweater Weather Writing Challenge🍂. 😊

🍁Frank Castle x gn!reader🍁

Please reblog if you enjoyed it!

"A'right, c'mon baby, it's time to get up."

You groan, stretching and yawning loudly, the difference between the dark behind your eyelids and the darkness in the room barely perceptible as you blink your eyes open sleepily. The covers are pulled back, not in anger, but the jarring of waking up so early makes it feel like it and you're grouchy and on the defensive.

"Fraaaank nooo! Why?!" You whine, reaching out and scrabbling to get the corner of the soft duvet back over you but it's no use, he holds it hostage and then hooks his arms under your outstretched ones and lifts you up from the mattress.

"Because I clearly remember you sayin' somethin' like; 'Frank, I agree to you waking me up before dawn even if I get all pissy about it'. So c'mon darlin', we're on a schedule."

You concede but grumble about it as you make your way to the bathroom to get ready. "Ugh, yeah well, past me was an idiot."

Frank just laughs and heads to the kitchen to get everything else you need together.

You're yawning almost constantly in the truck on the way, pleading for the Thermos of hot coffee you know he's got stashed somewhere as you pull your warmest hoodie and scarf up around your neck.

"Ten more minutes darlin'. I promise, just a lil longer. It'll be worth it." He responds, with a knowing smile.

Your breath makes ephemeral clouds of mist in the air when you first step out of the truck after Frank eventually pulls up at the parking spot. There's thick trees all around and the ground has the slightest hint of a frost making the leaves and grass crunch beneath your boots.

The birds are already wide awake and broadcasting their twittering, musical trill as Frank takes out the bag with the supplies, slinging it over his shoulder and then leads the way up a trail. You wind your way up the hill with your hand nestled in his, his fingers occasionally rubbing over the tips of yours to keep them warm.

The thick blanket Frank sets down in a spot at the crest of the hill keeps the cold ground at bay, the moss providing a welcome cushion underneath. You sit down, leaning into his body, his arm wrapped around you holding you to his warmth as you both silently sip at your steaming coffee and take in the beauty beginning to unfurl before you.

The first rays of the sun, bands of deep amber fire and crimson slowly emerge over the horizon, gradually and fantastically spreading a wash of the beautiful golden light of a new day across all of the trees below. It's as if you're the only people in the world just then, hidden in your own little universe.

"Frank?" You say, quietly, almost reluctant to break the spell of this moment. As you look at him you see the autumn light reflected in his warm brown eyes.

"Yeah?"

"I'm tired, and you're an asshole, but this is perfect and I love you."

His deep laugh shakes you and he wraps his arm tighter around your shoulders, pulling you closer to plant a sweet kiss on the top of your head.

"Love you too, sweetheart."

[alectricblue]

London was incredible

I was right in thinking England was made for me omg

I'll put everything about my trip (plus more photos) under the cut bc this is gonna be Long:

- First of all: I CAN SEE. Everything is constantly bathed in a dim light so I can open my eyes fully in photos during the day even if the sky is clear. I've never been able to do that!!! The moment I landed back in Spain I had to really shield my eyes from the sun bc of how bright it was, just squinting was useless 😂

- And the weather was perfect 👌. I love it a bit gloomy and miserable and it stays the same weather the whole day, unlike my home town which can have every kind of weather in a day. It did not rain ONCE the whole time I was there, the most it did was like two drops then stopped. But I wouldn't have minded it if it had rained

London isn't as cold as I expected, which was great, it was the same weather as my home town, except a couple degrees colder and bit more humid. The outskirts where colder, but I liked that too

- I don't have to talk to ANYONE there. Everyone minds their own business and almost everything is automated so I can go anywhere and do anything with only a few words at most. I talked in English more with my cousin's dog (he only understands commands in English and I luckily got obsessed w Victoria Stillwell's videos a couple years ago) than any person I had to talk to 😂

- British people are hilarious. I don't understand when people say they're serious and unpleasant or w/e they say. I've only found nice, charming and funny people. Maybe I'm biased bc I love their culture and their humor, but still, seems unfair

- Every big museum is free :D. I only had time to go to the National Gallery and it was so huge and overwhelming that I had to get out early lmao, but it was gorgeous. Now I've seen an actual museum! I say this one bc a British family behind me on the queue complained that in Madrid museums aren't free - I had no idea, and I agree, all museums should be free

- You don't need to have a car!! (At least in most of London). You can go anywhere you want with just a credit card and the Citymapper app. Sure, I spent a fuckload of money going everywhere and buying things (/hyperbole), but I was ready for that

- And oh the expensive suits shops 😍😍🤩 I want to buy everything (I could never, I can't spend £400 on a suit or a coat or a jumper, but I can dream)

- The houses, parks and streets are beautiful 😭. Just my kind of aesthetic. And you can find them everywhere, from the center of London to the outskirts. And most of the plants there are my fave shade of green (dark blue-ish green). I've never seen grass so green 🥹

- My red hair color looks fantastic against the gray sky lmfao. And bc of the high humidity my hair stays wavy and my skin doesn't itch or break ☺️

- Now, British food I can't say much about. I've only tried fish (haddock) and chips and a beef pie at a pub. And a cinnamon roll at another place (not sure if that one is British tho). Everything I tried was delicious and would gladly repeat. That's all I can say for now

- I love the tube. It feels like riding a poorly constructed rollercoaster that needs oil and sounds like it's gonna derail any second. And you REALLY need to hang on. It's so so fun (/not being sarcastic). And it's SO convenient, I used it way more than the bus, which was pretty good too

- There were crows, squirrels and foxes everywhere!!

- I can watch British telly :D. I watched the last episode of Junior Taskmaster and the whole last series of Would I Lie To You on my cousin's smart TV :D

And then I could visit the places I've only seen on TV!!!

- - -

I was there for four days, which made it essentially two days, so I had to make the most of it. My legs are dead now lmfao, but I went to SO many places 🤩 I might be short but I'm gay so I can powerwalk everywhere

My fave places were: 1. the Big Ben, bc it was the first famous place I went to and it's the one that shocked me the most bc, omg, I AM here, I AM in England, Oh my god. And 2. St James park. Sooo beautiful, I had no idea it was a nature reserve for ancient trees and many animal species

But I also went to places younger me would have been ecstatic to go to (and current me lmao)

I went to 221B Baker Street and Scotland Yard. Picadilly and the Gherkin

Ate lunch while sitting on one of the benches at St James park and passed Berkeley Square, the Ritz and Soho

Went to St Paul's Cathedral, where the old woman in Mary Poppins feeds the pigeons

AND WENT TO THE TASKMASTER HOUSE. I only saw the roof... BUT I SAW IT. Now when I watch Taskmaster I can say that I've been there!! :D

It was sooo much fun hunting every place down and I took LOADS of photos

First time on a plane/flying check✅️

First time travelling alone check✅️

First time on the tube and on a double decker bus check✅️

First time on a pub check✅️

First time in London/England check✅️

I can't wait to go back. I would love to live there. Well, maybe not in the center center of London, but in England in general. Such a beautiful place, I knew I would love it

I finally fulfilled my childhood/teenage dream of going to England 🥹😭

Now onto the next adventure 😄

[thewritingstar]

Frozen Bliss: Gruvia Oneshot

after months of being frozen in my own self doubt, I have emerged for a second to give you this.

I do hope you enjoy. Its a little bit more poetic than fic (if that makes sense and yes I have been binge listing to TTDP)

thanks for reading <3

------

In her mind, she had thought love felt like she was evaporating. They said you know when the person you love stares at you and it feels like when sun creeps on your skin after being in the cold dark for hours.

She felt that with him. A blasting heat absorbing everything around her. Hot sun on her skin yet they had all forgotten that she was made of water.

And while they said she was glowing, they didn't see that she was fading away. Becoming so lost in the blaze of him that his smoke made her steam and loose the way her eyes sparkled.

She choked on a fire that she had helped build and the clean air they once had coated her lungs black until her knees buckled and she had gasped for air. Her skin bubbled as his so call love boil her at her seams. There was nothing to be left of her if she would stay.

He said no one could love her the way he did and she desperately hoped that it was true. The scorch of his fire was crueler than the years of a dark sky. She'd rather spend the rest of her life sheltered by the rain if it meant to keep his flame away.

For a moment, after she left, she was merely raindrops of who she was. Like a ripple in a lake that never settles to see the clear reflection. Water can retain any form and yet she barely remembered hers. She thought it would be best to join the water cycle and wait until she precipitated. Maybe then she would be like a fresh water spring.

There was no hope. A fantastical heat that made her feel warm for a moment left burn marks everywhere. She wanted her heart to be mended but not if it was forged from embers.

Heat rises, yet she felt frozen on that roof top.

Locked into a tundra she had never witnessed. Her own water boiled with anger and she hated the feeling of heat. Hated how he turned her own magic against her. A rage consumed by broken promises and remorses. Once a delicate rain cloud, now stood a violent mess of a tsunami contained in a cracked bottle.

But him.

He was cold.

He was frozen.

She was mesmerized.

An ocean is meant to be a plunging cold and while the burns were still fresh, she jumped.

They were scared that her water would break out into an icicle. That she would become an ice sculpture at the center of the table. Water into a solid form that could never be melted. Oh how they thought she was going mad for following him down that snowy path.

They said that no matter the weather, her rain would prevail. There was no room for growth or flowers to bloom as she drowned everything and took herself too.

But how wrong they were.

She had sunk so far down into the depth of her sea, she had almost forgotten that she commanded its waves.

Instead of blisters of heat, there were snowflakes dancing around her. Fractals of ice surrounded her world and danced rainbows across her skin. And for the first time, when his hand caught hers, she felt a warmth like never before.

It was beautiful and peaceful. Skating on a frozen lake but she never was scared if she fell in.

They said that opposites attract but she felt perfect with him.

Her heart became mended and crystallized in a way that enchanted her. Every burn was slowly cooled to where she almost didn't notice the scars. Her face had paled from the heat that when she stared at her reflection, her red cheeks surprised her.

Some didn't like seeing their breath in the cold, but she loved it. The higher the altitude, the shorter the breath. But here with him, she never felt more alive.

Water and ice. One in the same. She was frozen in his eyes and she had never felt safer.

For a man that claimed to have a frozen heart, it thawed instantly with her.

The cold could leave someone dead, but it brought out her pulse. A remembrance of how powerful she was came back in her own tears as he held her.

Her lungs flushed out of any smoke became resistant to heat. A flower that could withstand the frost. A beauty that embrace the cold. Every trace of her skin was covered in a blanket of his lips.

Love for them was clear and pure like ice. No longer does she squint within flames to see her own hand. She parades loudly through the snow knowing no harm will come her way.

She was eternally grateful to be caught in this frozen bliss.

----

:) Thanks for reading, let me know what you think <3

-star

[gimmethosedaddymilkers]

Letters Kept Secret

This was requested by lovely @cantchoosejust1 Who actually wrote out most of the beginning idea, and I kept the ball rolling.

This one is just fluff y’all! 

Nothing to hide from the people in the room lmao 

Tags: @mrsarthurmorgan7 @kieropal @6kaja9 @photo1030

*Dear Arthur,

Arthur's skin prickled as he stared into the fire. It was nearly dark out, the sun was on the verge of dipping completely under the horizon and as soon as it did Horseshoe Overlook would be left in darkness.

You had left camp nearly six hours ago.

You weren't his to worry about, the two of you weren't together, and he hadn't told you anything about how he'd felt.

He couldn't let himself tell you. He couldn't. Not when you were just too damn perfect for him.

That wasn't the most important thing in the front of his mind though.

Six hours was way too long.

And he couldn't do anything. He had no clue where you were, what you were doing.

But he was worried.

He'd never admit it to you out loud that he was worried about you.

Never.

But he was worried. Worried about you, worried you were dead somewhere, lying in a ditch with a bullet in your forehead or temple.

Worried that you'd been bucked from your horse and had a broken leg somewhere, unable to call for help, without food, and alone.

Worried that maybe....

Instead of those things...

Maybe you'd just decided to leave the Gang. Maybe you'd had enough, and finally decided that you just couldn't handle it anymore. Couldn't deal with the robbing, the killing, the conning.

With him.

Arthur ran a hand over his face, sighing deeply as he looked into the flames.

"Ah, Mi Amigo, why do you look so down? It's a lovely night, not too hot, not too cold. Fantastic weather for a nice singalong." Javier takes a seat with a smile across from the older outlaw, grabbing his guitar as soon as he was comfortable.

"Jus'....thinkin'." Arthur sighs. "Jus' thinkin' that's all. Too much goin' on in my head Javier."

Javier smiles and nods quietly, tuning his guitar before offering a quiet and comforting tune.

"About what brother?"

Arthur hesitates for a moment.

The idea of even uttering your name as the topic of what he's worried about...

He knows he'll get picked on, but not only that he knows that if he tells Javier, hell anyone, then you'll eventually hear about it, and whether or not he specifically says that he's sweet on you or not...his worry is bound to be taken that way. The men in camp had a tendency to...well tease.

His hesitation doesn't last long. His anxiety wins over and a part of his brain hoped that maybe Javier would be able to ease it.

"Just....Y/N. She left about...damn near six hours ago now...I just...She ain't never been outta camp that long, I'm...worried about her...is all." He clears his throat, and scratches the back of his neck, avoiding Javier's gaze as he begins to strum the tune of "Poor Lonesome Cowboy" one of Arthur's favorites.

"Ah, Mi Amigo," Javier smiles and looks down to his hand as he continues to strum along. "You have nothing to worry about. Nothing at all."

"Javier, you know just as well as I do that it ain't kind outside of camp, hell it ain't kind inside of camp, I got plenty to worry about."

"Y/N is a strong woman." Javier looks up, and offers a smile. "Not only that, but she can't stay away from camp for too long, she likes it here too much."

Arthur snorts and raises an eyebrow.

"The hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Haven't you ever noticed the look on her face when she's talking to you?"

"What the hell are you talkin' about?" Arthur scoffs and looks at his feet.

"What I'm trying to say," Javier sighs and strums one more cord before he stops and begins to dig around in his pocket. "She likes YOU too much to not do her best to return."

"I ain't got the faintest idea of what the hell you're talkin' about." Arthur looks back up, furrowing his brows as he watches Javier procure a piece of folded up paper.

"I found this after Y/N left," He explained, handing it towards Arthur. "I think it might have fallen from her pocket, I think maybe you should read it."

Arthur swallows before taking the note, a sudden surge of nerves firing through him.

A note?

Why the hell would you need a note for? And did you mean to leave it behind? Or did it actually fall out of your pocket?

If it did was it really his place to read it?

But...Javier said that he should read it...

Taking a deep breath he took the paper between his pointer and thumb, feeling the coarseness of the material between his fingers.

"Alright...if you say so."

Javier nods and looks towards the cliffside of Horseshoe Overlook.

"You can get some nice light over there, what's left of the sunset."

Taking the hint Arthur nods and pushes himself off the seat he'd been sitting on.

With each step towards the cliffside his stomach twisted in knots, feeling as though his fingers were burning where he touched the paper.

As soon as he was away from prying eyes he opened the letter, unfolding it gently, making sure not to damage the paper in any way.

I can't think of a better way to do this though I really wish I could. I wish I could say it to your face, say it with my own words, and say it all sober, say it with confidence and bravado, and say it with all the sickly-sweet words that you deserve to hear.

But, to be honest with you Arthur, I'm nothing but a coward.

I'm too shy to even attempt to say what I wish I could, for fear of tripping over my own words, and for fear of your rejection.

It'll be a miracle if you ever even see this, for all I know at the moment I'm only writing to myself to get this out of my system.

I can hardly speak to you as it is, or at least it feels that way. Every time you joke with me, make me laugh, make me smile, I struggle to even look you in the eye.

It's the same when I make you laugh.

It's a sound I wish I could hear more often, your laugh is so hearty, and deep, it makes me feel so....

Warm, I guess is the right way to explain it.

In those moments, I know if I look you in the eye I'll be nothing but putty in your hands, and I won't be able to get an entire sentence out without stumbling over every word that exits my mouth.

You are by far the sweetest, kindest, and yet most tough man I have ever met in my entire life, and that...Makes you extremely attractive Arthur, and quite honestly I have no idea what to do about it.

I would give anything to be able to properly express what I feel for you, but it seems even in writing I don't have it.

Every time I see you, whether its just a simple flash of that smile towards me, or bringing me coffee in the morning, I just get this feeling in the pit of my stomach, like the sun itself is sitting there.

You light up my entire day, if I talk to you in the morning I'm in a good mood for the rest of the day.

Arthur you make me feel just so....

Happy, you make me so excited to come into camp, I find myself looking to make sure your horse is tied up every time I come back or wake up, just to make sure I know whether or not to be excited.

Watching you get so excited over your hobbies too, outside of jobs, makes me so happy.

You are far smarter than you give yourself credit for. I hear you badmouth yourself all the time.

But I also see you read all the time, on those hot days when you have nothing better to, I've seen you finish books after books, a smile on your face as you read along.

I've see that smile show up when you doodle in that journal of yours.

Arthur I could almost write that you're my world.

If only I could say it to your damn face.

If only you didn't turn me into a fool.

If only, I had a little more to offer to you.*

Arthur blinked, re-reading certain parts of the letter, his face heating as though he was seeing something incredibly private he wasn't supposed to have stumbled upon.

In a way he was, yet at the same time it was addressed to him.

"Arthur...I...You...Uh...did you read it?"

Arthur lifts his head quickly, folding the letter quickly as he realizes its you standing behind him.

For a moment he's stuck, a weight lifted from his chest now that you were back, but another replaced it, seeing how he'd been caught red-handed, even though he wasn't necessarily doing something wrong.

"You can tell me the truth...I...I saw you with it Arthur."

He swallows for a moment, and then quietly nods.

"You....ya really feel like that Y/N?"

"I know...it's....I'm really sorry Arthur, I really am, I shouldn't have wrote it, I should have kept my damn feelings to myself, it's okay that you don't feel the same-"

"What the hell makes you think I don't feel the same?"

You're silent for a moment, watching his oceanic eyes, trying to detect that familiar sarcasm he carried so easily.

"Arthur, I...I don't understand-"

"I'll ask ya again," He stands straighter and moves a little closer to you, standing just inches away from you. "What makes you think I don't feel the same?"

"Arthur you can't. I'm nothing special, I know that. I'm not any particular gunslinger, I'm not fantastic at robbing or anything of the sort, I don't have any special talents...Arthur I'm plain, I'm nothing like you, I have nothing new or exciting to offer you."

Arthur's fingers find your chin, and he gently tilts your head to look at him.

"You ain't gotta be some kinda gunslinger to win me over, you ain't gotta have some, special talent, and don't you go around sayin' you don't have any cause ya do, and I like the fact that you ain't like me. I don't want you to be like me, part of why I like ya so much is because you're so different than me."

He pauses, but only for a moment.

"I hate me Y/N. I hate me a lot. But I don't hate you, because you're good, and you ain't a killer. The way you described me? I ain't never had anyone describe me like that...but...I feel that exact same way when I see you."

He smiles and looks to the ground quickly before looking back at you, gently moving his hand to place his palm on your cheek, his smile widening slightly as you grab his wrist softly.

"I feel like I've got a furnace in me, I'm warm and, shit sometimes I get them damn butterflies like I'm a little school boy. I stumble over the shit I say when I look at you all the damn time, I just...got good at coverin' it up."

You blink, and can't help but smile yourself, your face turning red under his palm.

"You...really? You really feel the same Arthur?"

"Course I do Darlin', I'm surprised you ain't never realized it. I apparently ain't that good at hidin' it, Javier seemed to sniff it out a mile away."

You feel your heart skip a beat at his nickname for you, and you swallow.

"Arthur....I...Will you kiss me?"

"I'd love to."

With that he leans forwards, and presses his lips to yours, soft and gentle, and your entire body heats, feeling as though he himself is the sun, heating you from the inside out.

His hand remains on your cheek and the other grabs your waist, pulling him flush against him, and you've never felt so comfortable in your life.

Something about kissing him.

It felt right, it felt as though you were meant to do it.

Suddenly you were very glad that that letter had slipped out of your pocket that morning.

[kingakryn]

He Came From The Streets

He Came From The Streets

A Rengoku Fanfic by KaenHomura

WARNING : Orange Tabby Kyojuro, Feline genitals, Humiliation, Blindfolding, Binding 

Y/n was walking down the street minding her own business. As she walked by a bush a little mewl for help could be heard, “Huh, what was that noise?” *mew!* She heard it again, she knelt down to rummage through the brush patch and there it was, a fluffy orange tabby shaking in the cold weather hiding in the shrub for warmth as it curled into a ball. “Awwe, poor baby, c’mere, let me take you home and get you all nice n warm.” Y/n said with a sorrowful tone, when she picked up the pitiful creature she noticed he had a wounded paw and a few fresh scratches along his body from a fight. 

She wrapped him up in her jacket and carried him home. 

*

When she arrived home with the cat she brought him to the bathroom to bathe him so that he wouldn’t have any more fleas, wouldn’t be dirty, and most importantly, so that way his wounds wouldn’t get infected. She ran the bath with lukewarm water only a few inches deep and set him in the tub. He was weary of the water as he reluctantly stepped into it as the strange woman placed him in it. She grabbed an empty cup scooped the bath water and gently poured some over the fluffy cats’ shoulders going down his back to get his full body soaked. “You’re doing such a good job buddy! I guess you like baths huh?” Y/n said with a soft smile. The cat looked up at her and let out a mewl. “If you’re gonna stay here, I should give you a name. How does Hamada sound little one?” The cat let out an angry meow “Oh I guess not that one.” She laughed to herself. “How about, Fuwara? OH ! How about Kyo? Short for Kyojuro.” She smiled down at the cat, the cat let out a happy meow and rubbed his face along y/n’s arm. “So you like Kyo then? Then that will be your new name, Kyo, mine is y/n.” 

She finishes Kyo’s bath by getting all of his fleas and gently cleaning out his dirty wounds and drying him off with a warm towel fresh from the dryer. “Tadaa ! All clean and you smell fantastic now Kyo!” Y/n said with a gleaming smile. “Lets go get you some food fluff butt. The kind lady rummaged through her pantry and fridge to find some cooked shredded chicken breast and some canned tuna, she opened their containers and put some on a plate next to a bowl of water for Kyo. “There you go buddy, chicken and tuna for you, eat up, you must be hungry.” She knelt down on her knees to pet the cat while he ate his serving. His happy little grumbles as he ate made her so happy and his purrs let her know that he was comfortable and safe. When Kyo was done eating, y/n put a bell collar on him so he wouldn’t get lost again and picked him up to take him to her bedroom to lay on the bed. She tucked him into the covers and layed next to him cuddling Kyo as if he were a teddy bear. But Kyo didn’t mind, he purred loudly and fell asleep in her arms as the night went on. 

As the sun arose from the hills shining its light through the bedroom windows y/n clenched her eyes shut from the harsh light, something was different though. She didn’t feel Kyo in her arms or by her like the night before, a large feeling of warmth radiated near her, too big to be a cat, but she felt his big fluffy tail on her leg. She slowly opened her eyes to see what it was, her eyes immediately widened and her jaw just dropped. Much to her surprise this tall, buff man with cat ears and a tail layed next to her sound asleep. She tried her best to slowly turn over and get out of bed as quietly as she could, but as soon as she did the man turned to the other side and wrapped his arm over her nuzzling his head in the crest of her neck. Frozen still and unable to move her tense body just relaxed to the warmth as she did not want to wake the strange man. Amidst his sleep he began to purr, pulling her closer to him. Y/n was a bit uncomfortable and tried to wiggle her way about the bed to be in a more comfortable position for her, she shimmied her body closer to him and got right up to his groin and realized….he’s not clothed, this cat guy is fully nude. The only thing keeping her body from touching him is just the thin layer of fabric that is her panties, and she herself might as well have been naked too since she wasn’t wearing a shirt. The man’s hand cupped her breast as a finger grazed over her nipple. The mans body grinded up against her from behind. Y/n let out all the air in her lungs in one shaky breath as blush ran over her face. 

The cat man slowly opened his eyes realizing the position he was in, out of embarrassment he quickly let go of y/n, flipped over facing the other direction, and curled in a ball with his tail between his legs all wide eyes. Y/n was shocked by this negative and retractive reaction when he awoke, she leaned over him with a skeptical look on her face and looked into his eyes. It took her a second but then he heard it. “KYOJURO IS THAT YOU !!??” She shouted with a very surprised tone. “How, when, what ??” She began to ask. Kyo hated being yelled at, and when she yelled at him, his body just naturally tightened into a more constricted ball, he held his tail and avoided eye contact with his new owner. His body was quivering with fear as he clenched his eyes shut. Y/n realized that she had scared him really badly and went to comfort him, reaching down to place a hand on Kyo’s arm as he harshly flinched to her touch “Oh, no no no baby boy. I didn’t mean to scare you, I was just…really surprised to see you like this, I didn’t know I’d wake up next to you looking this way.” She said in a soft sorry tone while she rubbed her hand up and down his arm to let Kyo know that everything is okay, she’s not mad at him, it was just something unexpected. 

You can feel his tense body relax a little bit as he opens his eyes just a little bit and looks at you with a gentle yet cautious side eye, when you lock eyes he quickly looks back ahead in hope you didn’t notice him looking at you. But you did, and you just let out a light chuckle to yourself as you continued to pet Kyo. His hair looks so fluffy, and his tail and ears are as soft as they were when he was just a cat.  You knew you had to care for him since there’s no way he’d be okay outside in the wild. 

Days became weeks, and weeks turned into months as you cared for Kyo. You always cooked his meals, bathed him weekly and tucked him into bed each night, but the ONE thing he never let you do, no matter how much you tried or begged, he would not put…on…clothes. You never complained about the sight, to be honest it was kinda hot seeing this 5 foot 10 chiseled cat guy walk around naked in a bell collar. Although, there was one little thing, he has the genitals of a cat, the weirdest thing you come home to everyday after work is seeing that. You’ve never actually seen it, you’ve only seen his balls, but it was so bizarre to you, as nothing about this situation was normal. But your curiosity grew as you caught yourself thinking things you simply should not think. Unluckily for you, you didn’t get a chance to see if he was fixed and it was February, mating season had begun and he was getting handsy constantly. He would not leave you alone, would not stop bringing you your favorite food from the pantry that he raided, when in bed he’d always shimmy close to you purring in your ear and on top of it all, he did the weirdest thing. He’d sit down on his knees slapping his tail on the floor and would look up at you with wide pupils pawing and mewling at you. 

You loved these little things he did in his heat, but you couldn’t stand him being handsy and his bed shimmy. You thought to yourself about your morals and the morals of doing it with him. “He’s a cat ! But he’s a man with cat features ! He’s both but what is he more of ? I can’t do him, or can I ? Will I get into trouble if I do?” She argued and contemplated with herself. While arguing with herself as she just stood in the middle of her bedroom she heard his bell as he crawled in on all fours, rubbed his head on her leg and sat back on his knees like he’s been constantly doing. She looked down at him for a moment, she bent down to pat his head and rub his ears as he nestled his head into her palm and purred loudly. “Mrrrow” he let out as he looked up at her with his big begging eyes. You just couldn’t deny him any more and you couldn’t say no to your urges either. You wanted him, and you wanted him bad, clearly he wanted you in return. You had plans for him though, you wanted to see him beg, to plead, to cry for you. You turned around in the bedroom and walked to the closet to open a very particular box. One unfamiliar to Kyo. He looked at you with a curious look and his head tilted slightly to the side. “Mrow.” He let out as he got up on all fours to walk over to you. “No, sit and stay.” You said to him in a demanding tone as he obeyed your order as if he were a loyal dog. 

You placed the box a little away from him, just out of view inside of it as you pulled a few things out. A blindfold, leash, two sets of cuffs, and a feather rod. Kyo looks down at the items and sees the feather, he gets up and pounces on it to play with it. He swatted it around as you teased him with it, but this playtime was over, and a new playtime was about to begin. “Sit boy.” You commanded as you pointed at the floor. He obeys immediately as he eagerly looks up at you. With the blindfold in your hand you tie it behind his head covering his eyes so he can’t see anything. Reaching down for the cuff sets you place them on his wrists and pull his arms back to his ankles keeping him in an upright position with his chest puffed out. Reaching for the feather rod you lighty glide it up his back as it pulls away, forcing his position to be more upright and curved, just the way you like it. Moving the feather down his spine and across his butt cheeks you see his ears flatten, tail poof up, fingers strain and notice that he’s getting excited. You tease him even more by moving the feather across his bare chest, his nipples hard and his body begging for more, sliding it down his stomach and stopping for a moment before you tease his cock with the light touch of the feather to see it twitch in anticipation. “You’re so small aren’t you?” She began to speak about him. His face evidently turned red as he moved his head down in shame, ears flattened back and he used his tail to cover himself. “Tsk tsk ah ah ah, you’re not allowed to do that. Move your tail.” He denied the order as he bit his lip showing his two long fangs. He only curled his tail around him more. “What did I just tell you Kyo, you’re not allowed to cover yourself.” She said in a demeaning tone as she moved his tail out of the way and placed it under her foot lightly applying pressure to keep it from moving, she could feel it twitch below her as he tried to cover himself again. He closed his legs and leaned forward in another attempt to hide. “You are what you eat huh Kyo? All that shrimp through the months got to you I see, but you have nothing to hide, I’ve already seen it all.” The blush on his face turned from pink to a bright red of embarrassment that he felt “What do you have to say for yourself, being so small. Thinking you can take me. With what size to offer.” she continues, she grabs the leash and attaches it to his collar and pulls up on it harshly, forcing him to sit up and look in the direction of the mistress in front of him. “Open your mouth and stick your tongue out, now.” She commanded him. This was an order he could obey, and that he did. She knelt down and examined his teeth, moving his lip out of the way to the gum to see it all. “So precious, so sharp and dangerous, these are bigger than you down here.” She states as the other hand goes down to touch him. “Mmnng mrow” Kyo let out. “You don’t bite, do you Kyo? You wouldn’t bite me would you little one?” She whispered in his ear with a seductive voice. He swallowed hard and stuck his tongue out again like before from his previous order as his ears perked back up. She placed her index finger below his chin and thumb on his tongue. “I want to see your eyes, your needy sweet face.” She goes to take his blindfold off to see his eyes watery and ever so hungry. She goes back down to his member and pulls on the leash to get his face close to hers. “Being so small where it matters most must be so humiliating for you, you’re so big everywhere else but here, how do you feel about that.” She asks with a devious grin as she interrupts him with a kiss. The tears in his eyes swelled so much that when he closed them for the kiss salty tears fell down his cheeks. When she separated from his lips a line of saliva kept them connected, as she dived right back in, she fondled him while they made out and he whimpered through the pleasure into her mouth. 

She wiped away the tears that fell down the left side of his cheek and said with a kindhearted smile. “You make the cutest noises, continue that for me, can you do that for me and be a good boy?” He smiled at her, tears still in his eyes as she stroked him below. He let out the cutest moans and mewls as she touched him so caringly. Moving her hand away from his cheek she moved it to Kyo’s chest and played with his nipple. Pinching, pulling and teasing it as she caressed his chest while stroking his cock. “That’s right, moan for me, you’re being such a good boy for me right now.” His body jolted in her hand eagerly for more of her touch as he was close to his climax. His face was one of desperation, he was on the edge and couldn’t take it anymore. She unbuckled the cuffs with the hand that was placed upon his chest and he immediately placed his hands on her shoulders and his face to her collarbone for support while she continued her work on him. His body was quivering so much, his mewls picking up more. With tears in his eyes he looked up at y/n one last time with the most desperate face, begging to be allowed to release himself as he mewled hopelessly. She looked at him, and without mercy told him “I’ll count down from ten, when I reach zero, you can come.” At last, there was hope for him. The countdown began but her hand picked up the pace edging him on even more, making it all the more hard for him to hold back. The mewls and pants that escaped him were so precious to her, she wanted to hear them a little bit more. “10….9…..8…..7…..6….5, halfway there Kyo, keep it in a little longer boy, 4….3….2….1….ready little one.” She paused for a moment and leaned into his ear as he whimpered and mewled into hers, she whispered the final note. “Zero.” Kyo let out a loud series of moans, mewls and purrs as he was able to let go and release himself, making a mess all over himself, his mistress and the carpet. Big long shots of cum came out of him, it was the most that y/n had ever seen. She stroked him through his orgasm and gave him much praise. “You’ve been such a good boy for me Kyo. You’ve been a very very good boy tonight. Such a good kitten for me and obeying my orders.” She said as she rubbed his ears. “Now let's get you cleaned up, little one.” Y/n said as she took off the leash and guided him to the bathroom for a bath in the tub. 

[guess-my-next-obsession]

Starlight — Prologue

pairing: fae!ezra x princess!oc (Marigold)

rating: M (first person POV, split second mention of death, strained paternal relationship, arranged marriage, fantasy elements, i literally created a world and lore for this so if none of it makes any sense that is why, this chapter is just meant to build the world—we meet Ezra in the next chapter)

wc: 1.2k

a/n: hi everybody!! i’m well aware this book will not be one of my more popular series, but i really just wanted to write something fantastical, and even if i’m the only soul who reads this, it’s fine! we love a bit of self indulgence every now and again! anyways, hope you guys like this little prologue. i’m hoping to have the next chapter out within the week 🤍

series masterlist

All I’ve ever known is summer.

In my world, Etos, there are five kingdoms: Heims, Oceanus, Florere, Ember, Nox, and Solis. Anywhere else is far too dangerous for a mortal to step foot into, even if they could manage crossing the sea that separates us from the Fae lands and beyond.

The furthest land from my own is Heims, a frosty wonderland full of people hardened by the perpetually cold weather. Most of our coal comes directly from Heims, as well as my father’s toughest soldiers. My eldest sister, Wilhelmina, or Mina, as far as our family is concerned, married the charming Prince of Heims, Kristofer, and currently resides in the castle made of crystal so clear it almost looked like ice, setting the standard for the rest of my sisters.

Oceanus, too, was an important ally to have—their land producing the entirety of our fish as well as guarding the coast from those who seek to take back Etos. My father knew this well, and soon arranged for my second eldest sister, Peregrine, or Peri, to be married off to the King’s highest ranking emissary, Lord Titus, assuring the alliance between our lands. Luckily for soft-natured Peri, Titus seemed to be a gentleman and truly in love with my sister. I would have never allowed my father to marry her off if he wasn’t. Her gentle and kind spirit was far too precious to me to allow some man to ruin it.

Ember, a land of constant autumn, was where the academics went to study the arts and the sciences. My sister, Wilhelmina, was the actually the very first woman to be admitted into the university. I always admired her tenacity in the face of adversity, but even in my admiration, I feared her intellect and drive, just as my father must have after breaking down and allowing her to leave Solis.

The softer lands—at least in the minds of the northerners—were Florere, a land of eternal spring, and Solis, my land, the eternal summer. Octavia, the sister closest in age to me and by far the only one I couldn’t bring myself to enjoy due to her mean-nature and competitiveness, had recently left Solis to be with her betrothed, the Prince of Florere, Ignacio. I didn’t bother to vet her partner, but from what I could see by his solid gold carriage and fine regalia, he seemed to be just as pretentious as she was. A perfect match as far as I was concerned.

Even in all the beauty of Etos, all the varying climates and scenes, I never wanted to live anywhere else but my home. Solis.

Here there was no reason to be cruel and cold. Here, we appreciated the arts, and believed that leisure itself was an artform. We worshipped the sun, we worshipped our gardens, and when it came to love, we worshipped one another.

My father, his mother, and her father before her all wore the golden crown of Solis. Warmth and sunlight was woven into my bones, tanned my skin, softened my heart. My mother once told me, long before she passed, that my sisters and I were all born beneath a blazing sun at her request. I suppose she believed a warm birth meant we’d all live warm lives and die warm deaths.

As I wandered through the garden contemplating my newly revealed fate, I couldn’t help but wonder if her efforts were in vain.

My father, a once-loving, soft man I cherished more than the sun itself, had changed since my mother’s shocking and violent death after she was mauled by an injured wolf while attempting to remove an arrow from its side in the very forest I now padded my feet into. He grew cruel and hateful towards me, his youngest of five girls. I suppose I understand why, if I truly think about it.

Unlike my four older sisters, I took after my mother so much that even I found myself shocked at the resemblance. And even if I didn’t have her shimmering, gold eyes, or her caramel-brown head of long curls, or the same dimple in my left cheek, I had her heart. Soft, curious, and empathetic. Everything my father once loved about my mother, he now hated about me.

Of course he found it hard to look at me, to talk to me. I was his grief personified.

But even in all his iciness and hatred, I never expected that he’d sign my life away to the coldest, darkest realm in the world. To Nox. To marry the infamously insufferable King Kaius and become the future queen of the starland.

Whether I wanted to or not.

It felt personal, his choice in my betrothed. A daughter of the sun being forced to never see it again. It almost felt like another death to endure. Everything I have ever known and loved gone overnight.

As I found my place underneath my favorite elm tree, the one me and my mother used to sneak off to with our stolen bundle of sweets from the kitchen, I couldn’t bring myself to loathe him the way I wanted to.

Perhaps the distance would chill the warmth I still held in my heart for him.

Perhaps then, I could hate him the way he deserves.

My sister, Cosabella—the most cautious and maternal out of the five of us, happily married to the head of our father’s King’s Guard—and my father stood in front of our palace, its white marble and green grass beckoning me to stay. To fight for my right to live here in the sun, just as my mother had. But one look at my father’s cold and emotionless face and I knew there was no point.

This was how he wanted it.

“Take care of yourself,” Cosabella warned, slipping me a golden dagger. “Do not trust anyone. Write when you can. I will see you…” She trailed off, but I knew why. She didn’t know when we’d see each other next, if at all. “Just…be careful. Remember that just because the sun is gone, does not mean mother isn’t right there with you. She lives in you, Mari—“

“Enough,” my father shouted, gesturing behind me at the carriage waiting with two footmen and two Kingsguards. “Off you go.”

“Yes, father,” I replied, my voice as small as a child as I gave Cosabella one final hug, memorizing the citrus of her perfume.

“Go on, now,” she smiled as she pulled away, wiping the tear from my cheek. “Go introduce Solis to Nox. Bring them a little light.”

“I love you,” I managed, nodding my head at her command. “I will see you.”

“I love you too.”

I knew she wouldn’t promise me anything she couldn’t assure, but it didn’t help my cracking heart as I climbed into the carriage, leaving everything I’d ever known behind.

I placed my hand upon the glass window and watched as she lifted her own, waving at me before resting it over her equally breaking heart.

“Make yourself comfortable, Princess,” the footman that I’d known since I was a child called back into the carriage. “It’s a long ride to Nox.”

To the eternal darkness.

I wasn’t sure how they managed any of it. How cold they must be, not only their bodies but their hearts and minds. I couldn’t imagine any beauty in a black sky.

I’d heard about stars in my astronomy courses, learned that the sun itself was a star, but it never seemed to make any sense to me to spend time contemplating a billion little specks of light when I could lay beneath the biggest. A light bright enough to shine over the entirety of the world—except for Nox.

My father had said it was cursed by the fae Kings and Queens who once ruled over these lands, a punishment for the mortal revolution. And based on the description he gave of his own visits, I was inclined to believe him then. But now…

Curse or no curse, this was my fate. I could either accept the cards dealt to me and make something of them, or I could fold.

My mother taught me to never fold.

[terrence-silver]

I don't think Terry Silver likes the snow, but what if his partner adores it? Does he join her outside?

I think he abhors it too.

Man's hot blooded. Relishes in the warm sun. Hot climates. Jacuzzi lounging. Cold poolside cocktails. Palm trees. Beaches, private or otherwise (but, especially private). He likes sweat, tropical weather conditions and he likes it searing. While California has it's vast share of mountains and diversely cool to temperate zones, that sort of thing, well, is not exactly his cup of tea, although you could bet your ass Mr. Silver owns winter resorts he undoubtedly never or seldom uses purely because he can, as a mere status symbol. A colossal Manor in Aspen or Switzerland that stays locked all year round and that's the collective envy and sore spot of everyone breaking their asses to own something Terry doesn't even care to ever utilize or enjoy? Why the heck not. It amuses him how pissed off people get about it, him having a ten million dollar mansion that just sits there...empty...purely because he doesn't want to compromise on changing climates.

Extreme winter sports on the other hand?

Contradictively enough, I can see Terry rather enjoying and excelling at those, purely because he pushes himself to excel at everything he touches like someone out to collect achievements and accolades, be it in martial arts, playing an instrument or skiing, for example --- something he quite literally does with a smile on his face, absolutely in control and far so than most trained professionals while he's on a Snow mobile, hanging off of rock climbing equipment, perched up on skates, on paragliders, soaking in saunas, bathing in ice cold streams for the disciplinary hell of it and relishing the adrenaline like someone hitting a ketamine high. Chances are, he tried an extreme winter sport with a narcotic shooting up the blood in his veins purely for the thrill of it. Not to mention, he looks fantastic in custom made and commissioned winter sport's wear and gear that undoubtedly costs a fortune!

So, if beloved likes snow? The winter?

That's a pleasure he gives them.

He gives them anything they want and they seldom even have to ask for it, if ever. They want the keys to his winter resort estate over the season? Done! It's theirs! They should take it! It's his gift to them and he insists that they have it! He won't take 'no' for an answer! They want to spend time out there? Arranged! He flies them out with a helicopter and has a full waiting staff on stand by that's more than happy to actually be doing something out there for a change seeing as how Mr. Silver never comes down from LA. Beloved wants Terry joining them for some winter fun? Why not. He takes time off specifically for the relish of it. Terry Silver can always give beloved the chase of their life through a snowed in patch of forest, fuck them in front of a roaring fireplace on a polar bear pelt and then sweat it out in a private steam room, hoping they'll be snowed in long enough for him to have beloved all to himself as a hostage up here.

The options and opportunities are endless.

[shyvioletcat]

SNIPPET TIME: The Calling CH 9

I swear we’re in a 24 hour time frame for this. A few fun things happening in this chapter so keep an eye out.

~~~~~

The next day the weather was too nice to stay indoors and Aelin took her book down to the beach. For hours she read, sitting on the sand and the break of the wave a pleasant hum in the background. She had assumed the sun would be enough to warm her, but she had been wrong. As the day waned the wind had picked up and the clouds had sailed in from the ocean. Aelin had been so engrossed in her story it took her longer than it should have to realise. A bitterly cold wind had skittered across her skin, making her shiver. It pulled her out of the fantastical story she was in, and she looked around taking in the full severity of the weather.

Maybe Mistward would be in for one of the seasonal storms that prevented Rowan travelling for months. With no desire to be caught in it Aelin picked herself up and book in hand she had trudged through the sand and back to the apartment. She didn’t know where Rowan was, she had let him know where she was going and what she was doing, but he had just nodded and mentioned that he might duck to town to buy some supplies.

The stairs creaked under Aelin’s weight as she walked up to the back entrance. She threw one last look out at the ominous clouds gathering and stepped inside, greeted by the pleasant warmth emanating from the fireplace. At first she assumed Rowan wasn’t home and that she had come back while he was still running errands. But then she heard singing, soft and low, coming from the bathroom.

Afraid that her presence becoming known would make it stop, she crept towards the door as silently as she could. Considering her natural form had fins instead of feet, she did quite well. The singing became clearer with every step she took, as did her interest. Rowan had a beautiful singing voice, and with song being such an intrinsic part of who she was, Aelin was drawn to it.