#when my sister could very easily get a test and know

[garciapimienta]

Why are my siblings so annoying sometimes

[randomimaginesideas]

In the end we're all alone (Valtor x reader) One shot

Summary;  You are Bloom’s sister, despite not being the keeper of the dragon flame, you are a strong fairy with passion in your heart. But fire is all consuming, and can leave ugly scars in one’s mind. But when you come across a person who knows just how to add fuel to the fire, can you resist or do you destroy everything you love?

A/N; Remember when I said that I would post a one-shot a couple of weeks ago in that same week. Well, it’s a bit later but it’s here.

Somebody asked me if they could request a Valtor x reader, and I said yes. I liked the idea, and that’s where this fic came from. To keep the surprise on what will happen in this one shot I made a brief summary. 

Trigger warnings; Manipulative Valtor, slight stalking, jealousy, open ending

Most people would be overjoyed when it turns out that one of their lost sisters returns to you after so many years. And don’t get me wrong, at first I was overjoyed. The day Faragonda had called me to her office, and announced that Bloom had returned to Magix. She had been hiding on Earth. Or rather, she had grown up there, unaware of the power she held, and the history of her family. Our family, and we are the only two left of Domino. 

Bloom was a few minutes older than me, making her the keeper of the dragon flame. Our big sister Daphne had saved us both when Domino was attacked. The difference being that she had sent me to Faragonda, knowing that the Ancestral Witches probably wouldn’t come after me since I held no real power. At least no power like the dragon flame. To hide Bloom from the witches she had sent Bloom to earth, a magic-less place. Faragonda sent me to live with a family on Solaria, knowing the family would take good care of me. My adoptive parents were kind and gentle people, who raised me as if I were their own, and told me, along with Faragonda, the truth about my heritage. And then it was time for me to go to Alfea, where a few days later I discovered my sister was alive. 

And like I mentioned, at first I was overjoyed not being the sole survivor of Domino, and Bloom was a nice girl, who accepted me for who I was. We lived comfortably, she had her own friends, the Winx club, and I had my own. But things started to go downhill very quickly. I am not a jealous person by nature, but when your sister becomes the center of attention, the most important person in the whole magic dimension thoughts will get the better of you. Because in the end, I was just the fairy of fire, nowhere near powerful enough to compete with Bloom. Everything took a turn for the worst when Bloom and I had to duel in a battle, to test our strength. She was able to easily take me out, her dragon flame consuming my own. It was until after the battle, and she had received all the compliments she had gotten that she bothered to ask if I was alright. 

I started hanging out with Bloom and her friends more, losing touch with my own. I just wanted to have with Bloom did, a close friend group who stood by each other no matter what, and maybe show that I was strong, like she was. The winx accepted me easily as I was Bloom’s sister, and a sister of Bloom was a friend of theirs. But maybe it was the fact that I wanted to be accepted, that I didn’t notice the distance there still was between the rest of the winx and me. That they weren’t really my friends. 

But even though I was jealous, she was still my sister. So when she was kidnapped by Lord Darkar I didn’t hesitate to offer the winx my help to save her. During the fight the Trix had been able to beat me, not without a fight, but even with my Charmix they had been able to defeat me. I had been separated from the winx, and saw my chance to flee from the Trix who decided they had more important things to attend to. That’s when I stumbled through Darkar’s library. The books screamed dark magic, but they also screamed power. The moment I had picked up a book I felt the power surge through me, promising everything that I was and could be. I admit, I was weak. The promise of becoming stronger, of being worthy of my sister made the decision for me. With a spell I had learned when I was younger, I transported multiple books to a box in my dorm room, which only I got open with a spell. It’s where I kept my most prized possessions.

The winx, and mostly Sky, managed to save Bloom from Darkars hold. That night, I snuck into the woods outside of Alphea with a book in hand, and tried out my first dark spell. It felt wrong, my body felt wrong, as if it was pushing me to stop trying, but I was determined, and when the spell finally worked the impact it had on the trees surrounding me was far greater than any other spell I had. And that was when the first seed had been planted in my brain. I could do this, I could become stronger than I was now. And so I practiced. 

***

It didn’t take long for another villain to rise up, and claim power over the magic dimension. This time it was a man by the name of Valtor, a powerful sorcerer, set on becoming stronger and taking over the magic dimension. He had escaped the omega dimension together with the Trix, and had taken over Andros. The Winx had made this elaborate plan to go to Andros and face Valtor, leaving Stella behind to create a diversion at the school. I came along, as Layla had always been one of the nicer Winx to me, and I didn’t want the same thing to happen to Andros, as it had with Domino. 

After traveling to Andros, fighting the enslaved mermaids, and finding out the Trix had escaped the omega dimension as well, I found myself holding my sister as the platform raised from the ground. Icy had attacked her in the back, the rest of the winx immediately started fighting her, but I flew after my sister as I watched her hit the water and I dived in after her. Water dripped down the columns of the ruined castle, as I assumed it had been just that, and from the edge a man appeared.

I had to admit that at first glance the man was a beautiful sight. He was tall, a lot taller than I was even in my heels. His long golden hair looked sleek and well kept, and he had this dangerous aura around him, tempting just like the books in the Dark Phoenix library had. Everything about the man screamed at me that I should run away, that he was dangerous, but another part, the same part that had made me pick up the Dark books, wanted to talk to the man, find out more about him. But his predatory gaze on my sister told me I had to hold him back. 

My eyes glanced in the direction of the winx, who were too caught up in battle to watch me, or Bloom. “Dark fire.” I whispered as I held out my hand in Valtor’s direction, as to not draw attention to the dark spell I just cast. A smirk came on the man’s face as he easily held out his hand and caught the fire ball, with purple flames, in his hand and extinguished it. “Nice trick, but I can do better.” Was all he said before he held out his hand again, and the same fireball came back at me, knocking me in the chest and off the platform. 

Musa was the one to get me out of the water, and was able to cover my eyes just in time as a bright light came from the platform my sister and Valtor had just been standing on. When the light faded we all flew down to the platform. I was glad to see my sister was safe and sound, even though I was jealous sometimes. I didn’t want anything bad to happen to her, but Layla was a different case. Valtor hadn’t only taken her planet from her, but her eyesight as well. 

***

Valtor watched, arms folded together, as he stood in front of his scrying orb. Inside he could see the image of the little fire fairy. It wasn’t the redhead who held the dragon flame, although he kept a close eye on her as well. No, tonight the object of his interests was Bloom’s younger sister. 

Valtor couldn’t say for certain if she was part of their so-called Winx club. He had only seen her once, and now as he looked into the orb he could see a distance between the girls. Standing off to the side of the room, leaning against a table, while the others were gathered in the middle of the room, lying on the couch in their pajamas. “We’ll find a way to get your eyesight back, Aisha. And we won’t rest until you will.”

“What are you looking at?” Icy’s voice caught Valtor’s attention, glancing over his shoulders to see the Trix walk in. They’d just gotten back from a mission he’d send them on to Andros to cause trouble, to let them give their new powers a try. Before Valtor could answer Darcy had made her way towards the scrying orb. “What do you want with her?” She asked, curious as to why the orb would be following the spare domino princess as she walked towards her room.

Valtor could see the remaining two sisters also look into his orb. “Yeah, is one domino princess not enough for you?” Stormy commented, which earned her a glare from Valtor, but also from her sisters. 

“Not that it is any of your business, but this little fairy caught my attention the last time we fought.” Valtor waved his hand over the orb, and in it came the memory he had of standing on that platform, the fireball infused with dark magic - indicated from the purple glow coming from the flames-  coming towards him. “A fairy using dark magic?” Icy asked skeptically, as walked closer to the orb. The memory fading, and going back to present time where the fire fairy had made her way towards her bedroom, and towards a chest on the foot of her bed. 

The four of them watched as the fire fairy opened the chest with a spell and proceeded to grab a few books out of it. She placed them all around her, and then grabbed a notebook she also had in the chest. It was clear that she was translating some of the ancient books, or writing down the spells so she wouldn’t have to transfer the whole book with her. “Huh, don’t those books look familiar to you, sisters?” Darcy commented as she glanced at the rest of the Trix. Valtor briefly looked up from the orb, before returning his gaze back to it.

“Yeah, you think this little fairy is a little thief as well as just an overall nuisance?” Icy replied. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.” Valtor let the orb some in closer, to see the contents of the books more clearly. He knew that the Trix had worked for Darkar before him, and that the temple had been destroyed. He also knew that the Winx were the reason Darkar had died. He hadn’t expected a fairy to take some of the spell books the Dark Phoenix had in possession. Spells he could very well use himself, if only to make sure nobody else had them. It did explain how the fairy was able to cast the spell she did. Valtor felt himself getting deep in thought as the Trix continued their conversation.

“I’ve never seen a fairy use dark magic with her own free will.”

“Desperate sounds more like it.”

“What, are you surprised? You know how much she wants to be like Bloom. Now she’s even turning to dark magic like Bloom did.”

Valtor’s head snapped up, looking directly at Stormy. “What did you say?” Stormy felt herself getting nervous under Valtor’s piercing gaze. Not sure if the look Valtor was giving her was because he was angry, or curious. She sometimes found his emotions difficult to read. 

“Uhm, she’s turning to dark magic like Bloom did.” If Valtor was surprised by that fact his face didn’t show it. “When?” Was all he asked.

The Trix continued to explain about how Darker had captured Bloom by using one of his henchmen to infiltrate Alfea. And how Darkar casted something he called ‘enchanted darkness’ over Bloom's heart, resulting in her switching sides. They mentioned how much stronger she was then compared to her now, and that the Winx only managed to get her back to her normal self because of; “ugh…friendship and love.”

As Valtor heard the story he watched the second living domino princess, as she was alone in her room, making notes of the spellworks while the Winx were still where they had been previously, all together. “Something tells me that won’t be a problem here.”

***

A couple days had passed since that day on Andros when I’d seen Valtor. Aisha had even gotten her Enchantix and eyesight back all in the span of a few days. Luckily all in time for the party that would be happening on Eraklyon. Even as a child I had been invited to attend some of the more high end parties, seeing as I was still a princess of Domino. The invite was more of a formality, as there was no Domino more I would have been representing. But now Bloom also got invited to these types of parties. Me and Stella had helped Bloom the first time she had to attend one of these types of celebrations, and how the proceedings would go.

Bloom knew that I would still get an invite to the party, and I suppose it was kind of her to invite me along when Sky dropped by to bring the winx their personal invitations. But I couldn’t help but feel the small sting that act caused me. Did Bloom really think that I wouldn’t go to the party if she didn’t ask me to tag along? Or did she assume I wouldn’t get one because she was the keeper of the dragon flame? 

I tried not to let my mind get the better of me regarding the situation. Bloom had a lot of things on her mind, perhaps she had forgotten that the two of them would have gotten an invitation regardless.

To keep my mind off the situation I had brought my notebook with me towards the forest surrounding Alfea. I had spent the last couple of days in the woods during nightfall. One of the new spells I’d learned let me sneak back into Alfea without Griselda noticing, so I had more time to study. Every time I returned from the woods I felt stronger, and I was sure that the next time Bloom and I were put together to duel in class I would win despite her having the power of the dragon flame.

I ended up in the open meadow a bit farther from the school grounds where I had been practicing almost every night. I pulled my notebook from the bag I had been carrying with me, and made it float in the air, pages open and on eyesight. Rereading the spell, and studying the drawings of the hand movements that I had made earlier, I focused on a nearby tree. “Withering fire.” Black smoke shot from my hands reaching the tree. As the smoke consumed the tree I could see the leaves turning brown, and the tree bark shriveling and falling off the tree.

“Impressive.”  Startled, I turned around, my hand still raised in the direction the face had come from. I found Valtor leaning against a tree, his arms crossed casually in front of him. “Valtor.” I said, keeping my hand raised. “You remembered my name. Impressive.” He replied nonchalantly, pushing himself away from the tree and sauntering towards me

“What do you want? The winx aren’t here so you’re out of luck.” I retorted, earning a chuckle from Valtor. His head tilted slightly to the side, as if in pity. “Is that what you assume of everyone? That they come to you for the Winx? No, my dear. I’m here for you actually.” I just looked at him skeptically, waiting for the Trix to arrive any minute and attack me. “Your little trick the other day caught my attention. It’s not often a fairy throws dark magic at your face.” 

“There is more where that came from.” I answered, proud that my voice didn’t betray the fear I was feeling. Because just as he had remembered she had thrown dark magic around I remembered how well he had been able to reduce her spell to nothing. “How hostile, and here I thought you fairies were all about love and peace.” He countered right back. I couldn't help the humorless laugh that escaped my mouth. “As you’ve perhaps noticed I’m not like most fairies.”

Valtor’s expression darked, a predatory smile coming onto his face. Goosebumps started on my skin as he looked at me like that. As if I was the prey who had walked right into his trap, and he had me cornered, just the way he had wanted too. “Funny you should mention that because it is exactly the reason why I am here.”

Valtor snapped his fingers, and feet started to get heavier like my muscles and bones were turning into stone, keeping me locked in place. “Hey, what are you,-” Valtor disappeared in front of me, and before I knew it I could feel his presence behind me but with my feet locked to the ground I couldn’t turn around. One of his gloved hands reached for my hair and pushed it over one shoulder so it was out of the way as he leaned closer and whispered into my ear.

“You impress me. A powerful fairy like you I could use by my side. Imagine all the things you would be capable of doing. You think you learn from those books you keep locked in your room, but I will show you what real power is like.” Along with the goosebumps a shiver ran down her spine. How did he know she kept those books in her room? Had he been spying on her? And if he knew this about her, what else did he know? Not about her but about the winx as well.

And I hated to admit it that his offer was tempting. She had seen the power Valtor was capable off and the possibility of him teaching her was very tempting. But I also knew that it wouldn’t last. The good would always win from the bad. And as long as she remained on the good side, she could dip her toe in the bad, even if just for a few dark spells. But if she would betray the wink, she would close that door forever. She would never fit in with them, and she would lose her sister all over again.

“No. No, you don’t mean that. You just want to use me like you use everybody else. And the moment you’re gone I will tell Miss Faragonda and the Winx you were here and they will get you.” Valtor laughed as he stepped away from behind her and into her view again, still laughing. “And what will you tell them you were doing out here? The truth? That you are secretly a user of dark magic, the magic that is currently destroying most of their home planets. I think you keep forgetting that the winx’s are Bloom’s friends, not yours. To them you are just an extra, a charity case to keep around.”

I flinched at this words, but I tried not to let them get to me. “They will see that I was just trying to protect myself, protect them.” I tried to reason, but Valtor just shook his head. “You keep telling yourself that. My offer still stands, but I think it’s time for you to figure out what you really want.” And with that he disappeared again, and the spell on my legs disappeared.

I sank through my knees, tears gathering in the corners of my eyes. Figure out what you really want he’d said.

“I just don’t want to be alone anymore.” I whispered crying into the dark. 

[blackhistorystoryteller]

AFRICAN PROVERBS AND THEIR MEANINGS

This is a message to my black brothers and sisters

Learn about African proverbs and know your culture is filled with poetry

1) Only a fool tests the depth of a river with both feet.

Meaning: You don’t jump straight into a situation without thinking about it first.

2) Knowledge is like a garden: If it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested.

Meaning: If you don’t make efforts to acquire knowledge then you would not expect to have it and if you do not put the knowledge you have to use, you cannot expect to gain anything from it.

3) Sugarcane is sweetest at its joint.

Meaning: Good and sweet things of life may appear difficult to achieve but in the end, it is worth it.

4) If you offend, ask for a pardon; if offended forgive.

Meaning: This is as simple as it sounds: If you upset someone, apologise to him or her. If someone upsets you, forgive him or her because what goes around, comes around.

5) Don’t set sail using someone else’s star.

Meaning: Avoid copying someone else. Just because someone has been successful in what he/she does should not be what will make you to do the same thing and expect to be successful.

6) The best way to eat an elephant in your path, is to cut him up into little pieces.

Meaning: The best approach to solving a problem is to take it bit by bit; one at a time.

7) A restless feet may walk into a snake pit.

Meaning: If someone is busy doing nothing or is involved in what he does not know about, it is easy for him/her to get into trouble.

8) A chick that will grow into a cock can be spotted the very day it hatches.

Meaning: You can easily foresee the future of something through the character and tell-tale signs it exhibits today.

9) After a foolish deed comes remorse.

Meaning: Feeling sorry always follows a foolish act.

10) A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness.

Meaning: What goes around, comes around so whatever you sow, you shall reap.

11) He who does not know one thing knows another.

Meaning: No one knows everything, but everyone knows something.

12) A roaring lion kills no one.

Meaning: You cannot achieve or gain anything by mere sitting around and just talking about it.

13) Do not call the forest that shelters you a jungle.

Meaning: Do not insult someone who is taking care of your responsibility or taking care of you.

14) When a king has good counsellors, his reign is peaceful.

Meaning: What defines a man is the circumstances and people around him and if they are good, he turns out good.

15) It takes a whole village to raise a child.

Meaning: The society is responsible for the moral characters it creates and everyone in a community should be responsible for helping to train a child irrespective of who the parents are; offering correction where they are needed.

16) If a child washes his hands he could eat with kings.

Meaning: If you prepare and allow yourself to be well trained when you have the opportunity, you will achieve a lot and be favoured in due course.

17) The Rain does not fall on one roof.

Meaning: Trouble comes to everyone at one time or another.

18) Life is like a mist or a shadow; it quickly passes by.

Meaning: Life is too short, and you only live it once.

19) Wherever a man goes to dwell, his character goes with him.

Meaning: What defines a man is his character which is, inseparable from him and follows him everywhere he goes.

20) Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped.

Meaning: Don’t look at your mistakes; look at what caused your mistakes, otherwise you may repeat the same mistake again.

He who sees an old hag squatting should leave her alone; who knows how she breathes?

Meaning: You should never interfere in someone's issues, particularly when you do not know anything about them.

Anger against a brother is felt on the flesh, not in the bone. Meaning: You should forget and forgive anything your relatives did to you.

Maize bears fruits once and dies because it is not rooted in the ground. Meaning: You will never get to the top and stay prosperous without a good foundation.

He who will swallow the 'udala' seed must consider the size of his stomach. Meaning: 'Udala' seed is an apple seed. It is never digested in the stomach

[3liza]

he was an asshole so I never spoke to him again but my high school boyfriend had some sort of very obvious gigantism or Marfan syndrome, dude was 6'10" (208.28cm) and had the typical Marfan features including being nearly blind, short torso, long face etc. he wasn't emaciated but was very thin and immediately identifiable as "guy who had something going on with his growth and development, definitely not normal" even to a casual observer. but I was the person who googled all this and found out whatever his deal was actually had a name, he had been raised to just deal with being blind and hitting his head on stuff and think it was normal. naturally I assumed his parents were also tall and didn't know what was going on.

so at one point we went to his sister's wedding and I met the rest of his family. both parents were about 5'7" and completely normal. his sister was easily 6'2" and had the exact same Marfan symptoms. I was only about 15 so I didn't really have the status or experience to ask anyone what the fuck was going on, but I knew for certain that the BF had no information about why he was seven feet tall and disabled, and his sister didn't say anything, and his parents didn't say anything, I don't think they were adopted, and he wasn't one of those kids who was born at home and raised off the grid or anything so he MUST have seen a pediatrician at some point, gotten shots, went to public school and so on. so what the fuck. did every single adult in this kids life and both parents just see that their 17 year old was Slenderman and think "hm! that's odd! oh well!"

I think about this all the time. they weren't poor either, they were working class and able to take a kid to a doctor about something if they wanted to. I'm not THAT old, but even if I was, 6'10" at any point in the history of the USA would be locally remarkable, and at any point in the last near-century would warrant at least a screening for pituitary tumor. instead he was just annoyed every time someone asked him about basketball. as far as I know he never had any tests or care from a cardiologist or endocrinologist or physical therapist. unfortunately he really is so much of a dickhead I can't even follow up on this but when he drops dead of spontaneous arterial dissection in his 40s are his parents going to say "if only there was something we could have done"???

anyway I spot people's medical problems all the time that have seemingly gone unremarked upon for decades, that's not unusual for me or anyone, but it was the sheer magnitude (literally) of this particular case that has maddened me ever since. if you were a short couple and had two giant children would you not want to get that checked out. I would want answers

[lucienarcheron]

Spirit Meets the Bones XXVII

Genre: Angst/Romance/Drama Warnings: Mentions of physical abuse. Author's Note: I appreciate your patience darlings.I hope you enjoy :) here's a moodboard of the Vanserra brothers you'll meet today HEHE.

shoutout to @abruisedmuse for being part of this journey with me!!

Tagging: @climb-the-mountian / @vanserrass / @zenkindoflove / @animezinglife / @readthelastpaage / @teddyhoneybear / @positivewitch / @clockwork-ashes / @carnythian / @secret-third-thing / @runningwiththeoceans / @readychilledwine / @goldenmagnolias / @thedarkinmansfield / @mali22 / @maidr-00 / @electromagnetic-waves / @eastofatlanta / @moobell55 / @bibliophiliaxvignette / @devilsfoodcake22 / @weesablackbeak / @ladywhilemia / @alohaangels / @feysandfeels / @corcracrow / @thelovelymadone / @dawneternal / @gracie-rosee / @mage-neve / @queenoftheworld1998 / @wolvesnravens / @illyrianvalkyrie / @rainbowsnowflake

Find it all here.

Eris waited for a beat, his senses open and aware of any sounds, any shifts in the air. 

His brother had been very specific with the directions to where he lived and if Eris missed a turn, he wouldn’t find it so easily and Izak would be very obnoxious about it. But Eris understood; being stuck in The Forest House with his father, he knew what it meant to have a place that was hard to find. 

He now stood at the front of his brother’s house, hidden in a location only meant for a select few, in a neighborhood where privacy seemed to be prized; there was significant space between each house and it was a quiet area, scarcely a sound. Eris turned his head one last time, his power expanding to test for curious ears and eyes but again, found none.

No one would dare tail him but it never hurt to be extra cautious, especially when secrets were to be shared. 

Taking a breath, he straightened and knocked sharply when he heard light footsteps come to the door. Given the sensitivity of the circumstances, he was surprised Izak let Helene be the one to open the door and quirked his brow as she stood before him.

His new sister-in-law was a pretty thing. She blinked at him with almond-shaped emerald green eyes, her expression careful as she watched him observing her. Her dark brown hair was to her shoulders, tousled lightly and she was dressed in a fitted lilac gown that gave him a slight idea of his brother’s taste in females. While he had known of the mysterious Helene for many years, Izak had guarded her like a dragon guarded its treasure trove so they’d never been allowed to meet. And Eris was very curious.

He became even more curious when his eyes zeroed in on the delicate chain at her neck, the letter I dangling from it.

“I didn’t take my brother for a romantic,” Eris said, his hands clasped behind his back. “Lovely necklace.” 

“You’d be surprised.” Helene said carefully and the corner of Eris’s mouth curled up.

“No doubt. He’s managed to surprise me more than once already,” he replied then ran his tongue over his teeth. “Helene. I’d say it was a pleasure to meet you but the little stunt you and my brother pulled puts me in quite a tight spot.”

“I’d apologize but it wouldn’t be honest of me and I don’t think it wise to lie to my brother-in-law in our first meeting.” She replied and Eris had to fight back a laugh. 

He had a feeling his wife would get along very well with her sister-in-law. 

Thundering footsteps announced his brother’s arrival and soon Izak was calmly moving Helene behind him as he faced Eris.

“Eris.”

“Izak.”

Izak’s wide shoulders filled the doorway and like Finn, he had been born to hold a blade. Standing about an inch taller than Eris, Izak had a full beard, a two-block style with an undercut, and the top of his hair was messy enough that Eris could tell his brother had been running his hand through it in stress. His russet eyes matched their mother’s and Eris allowed him a moment to scan him, knowing the confusion on his face was at the difference in his appearance. 

His brother’s hands fisted at his sides and he scowled. “You’re here.”

“I am.” 

“You cut your hair.”

“I did.”

“You’ve never had your hair this short.” 

“It wasn’t really my decision,” Eris said, his hands falling to his sides and Izak’s mouth tightened. “But my hairstyle isn’t what I’m here to talk about, is it.” 

Izak flushed, his scowl deepening and Eris couldn’t help but smile pleasantly. 

“I hear congratulations are in order, brother.”

A minute passed. Then another as Eris waited in the tense silence, Helene’s eyes darting nervously between the brothers. 

Finally, a lifetime later, Izak sighed and rolled back his shoulders. “You get one,” he warned. “Make it count.”

Eris chuckled. “Trying to tough it out in front of your wife?” he taunted. 

“Don’t worry about my wife.” Izak replied, widening his stance and gently pushing Helene back. 

“Now where have I heard that before…” Eris mumbled, disturbed by the thought that he and his brother might have more in common than he cared to admit.

“I’ve heard that –” 

And before said brother could finish the thought, Eris had curled his hand into a fist and slammed it into Izak’s face followed by a quick punch to his gut. A cry left Helene’s mouth but Eris kept his eyes on Izak, who staggered back a step at the impact of the blow and doubled over. 

“Gods fucken dammit.” Izak spat, a hand covering his now bleeding nose, the other arm curling back to Helene’s figure still behind him. “Been holding on to that, have you? I said one.” 

Eris fought back an eye roll. “You gave me such good news, I owe you at least two more.” he said and shifted his shoulders back, his back stinging at the movement. 

“Oh fuck right off, Eris.”

Eris sighed rather dramatically. “I would if I could — I assure you, but you and I have matters to discuss,” he said. “Are your moronic brothers already here?” 

“Yes.” Izak snapped, gingerly touching his face. “Emil is making things uncomfortable sitting in silence and Finn is eating all my fucken food.” 

“You brought this upon yourself,” Eris said with a snort. “May I come in now?”

The two brothers watched each other and Eris could see Izak weighing the risks of inviting him inside; while they all had an understanding, it was different when someone they loved was involved.

It was different when Izak allowed Emil and Finn inside. They didn’t possess the same risks Eris did. 

And Eris knew better than anyone the stress underlining Izak’s demeanor. He knew what it meant, to allow someone who could easily betray you into the heart of your loved ones’ space. 

It didn’t make the hesitation in Izak’s expression hurt any less.

“No harm will come from me. You know that.”

“You just punched him twice right in front of me!” Helene snapped and Eris lifted a brow at his sister-in-law who shoved a cloth in her husband’s hand and faced Eris. 

“We’re brothers. If you think a punch is harmful, you have no idea what’s in store for you and your husband should my father find out about you two.”

“Did your hands have to come with the warning?” she grumbled, even as color drained from her face and Eris would’ve felt guilty if he didn’t know better; it was better to be straightforward when it came to his father’s wrath. 

“Helene, it’s fine,” Izak said, his hand pulling Helene back again and giving his brother a knowing look. “He’s my brother. This is how we say hello.”

Eris tried not to make the hard swallow too obvious at Izak’s words. It shouldn’t mean as much as it did but gods damn it, it did. 

So instead, he quirked his brow at Helene who was still glaring at him, her mouth in a thin line. “Do you have something else to add, sister-in-law?”

He tried not to let his amusement show as she worked her jaw, clearly holding back the many things she wanted to say, and gods, her expression reminded him so much of his wife, he almost laughed. 

“Please keep your hands off my husband in my home.” she finally said. “I don’t care if you’re a prince, I’ll kick you right out.” 

“Noted, Mrs. Helene Vanserra.” 

Eris couldn’t help his smirk when she flushed and Izak sighed, then stepped back. “Just come in. Let’s get this over with.”

Cautiously following his brother, Eris stepped onto the threshold of Izak’s home. He glanced around, cataloging every detail of their space as they walked and it shocked him to find photos adorning the walls, capturing moments frozen in time — cherished memories Izak and Helene had somehow cultivated in secret. How the hell had his brother managed this? All without anyone knowing a single thing. 

His expression remained stoic as he watched his brother’s happiness bleed through and a sharp pain expanded through his chest. He was having difficulty describing the emotion he felt but that longing struck him again. That longing for a sense of normalcy he always seemed to crave. Iris made him feel like it was tangible, like he could grab onto it if he wanted to but watching the way his brother walked in front of him, his hand on Helene’s lower back made the pain in his chest tighten. 

Eris had kept his distance to keep them all safe. How much had he missed out on the company and family he desperately desired by doing so? 

As Eris followed Izak further inside, open dark wooden French doors greeted them, the living space coming into view and he found his other brothers already seated on opposite ends of the room.

A polished wooden table stood at the center of the room, adorned with intricate carvings and scattered trinkets— a chess board with pieces toppled over and a painting lay drying. While Eris’s taste had always leaned towards elegant and timeless, much to his surprise, his brutish brother leaned towards…cozy. 

Izak had been holding out far longer than Eris had anticipated, this place had been lived in. A house that was truly a home. A safe space away from the parasite that was their father.

The green monster of jealousy reared its ugly head and Eris had to squash it down hard. He had pushed them out for their own benefit. He had no right to be jealous. 

“You’ve certainly been living comfortably.” Eris finally spoke, his hands clasped behind his back. 

Izak worked his jaw, his hands clenching and unclenching by his sides, his eyes flickering to Helene by his side then back to Eris. “We’ve made it work.” 

Eris forced himself to take a quiet breath, his thumb tapping against his hand and slowly, he turned in place, taking in more of the space. The sheer life that was in this room. He wasn’t sure how to feel about it…was he allowed to at least envy his brother’s ability to have a safe place like this a little bit? He assumed so. Was he relieved that at least one of them had managed to find some happiness somewhere else? Yes. Did it still make him feel like his whole chest was on fire and he wanted to burn the city down? Gods yes.  

He turned to face his other two brothers and both Emil and Finn seemed to straighten. Eris and Finn were in each other’s orbit often enough but he hadn’t seen Emil in about a month since their last check-in. 

He had always been the quietest of his brothers. Serious, content in his own solitude, and of his brothers, the most educated despite his father’s objections. Emil was also deadly with an arrow. He could ruin a person with words alone so if he had to resort to pulling out an arrow, the person was truly fucked and Emil was not known as someone who holds back; he’d sink that arrow into a victim with his bare hands. His brother was Eris’s eyes and ears on the ground; his network was almost as impressive as Eris’s. Almost.

“Emil.”

“Eris.”

His long hair was tied back neatly today, wearing the glasses he reserved for private settings only, the Courtier in him sitting calmly, hands resting in his lap, and ready to take in all the information he could.

Eris jerked his chin towards Emil. “I like your new glasses.” 

“Thank you. You cut your hair.”

“Courtesy of our father.” He replied and Emil’s expression darkened slightly. 

“I didn’t know our sperm donor had an interest in becoming a barber.” 

The corner of Eris’s mouth ticked up. “It must’ve bloomed recently,” he said. “He used a new method with a whip. All the rage lately.” 

Emil’s expression shuttered and before it could change into what he knew would be concern, Eris turned to Finn who had been in the middle of eating an apple. 

“Finn. Still chomping away like a hyena, I see,” he said and Finn halfheartedly flipped him off. “You should consider saving some food for the expecting female in the family.” 

The energy in the room tensed immediately at the elephant in the room and Eris’s eyes landed back on his sister-in-law. “I’d say welcome to the family but honestly, it’s a tough crowd.”

Helene straightened next to Izak and shared a glance with her husband. “I have brothers. I can imagine.” 

Eris chuckled darkly. “No. No, you can’t.” he said, his hands fisting behind his back and the room descended into silence. 

And the more Eris watched her, the more difficult he knew this conversation was going to be. Rather than see her as a threat, Eris could see an anchor. He saw the way his brother fidgeted next to her, trying not to touch or hide her. He saw how Helene watched him and despite knowing they all must smell the fear on her, she was determined to stand her ground in front of them. He had to respect her for it even when he wanted to wring her neck. 

He blamed Iris. It was her fault he felt guilty being mean. 

His sister-in-law watched him carefully for a heartbeat then swallowed. “I’m…going to get everyone a drink.” she said. “I’ll be right back.” 

They all watched her with barely contained curiosity until she disappeared, then Eris turned back to Izak and said, “She seems almost as demure as my wife.” 

Izak snorted. “I don’t think anyone that gets involved with us would be anything close to demure.”

“I like the quiet ones.” Finn said with a small grin.

“We know.” Eris, Emil, and Izak said in unison and Finn scowled.

“Oh, fuck off.” 

A light chuckle escaped his brothers and Eris was glad for it because he didn’t know if he had it in him to keep things light, to not explode. 

Eris eyed the room again before his gaze settled on Izak. For all the room his brother usually took up, he couldn’t help but see how young he actually seemed. Wild in his actions. Reckless with his decisions. 

But Eris wasn’t sure how to start. Did he tear his brother a new one and scare his new sister-in-law into tears? Did he crush whatever little joy they had found? If he wrapped his hands around both their throats and wiped them out here, would it be considered a mercy compared to what his father would have in store for them? 

Eris watched his brother’s hands fist as Izak’s gaze flickered towards the soft noise coming from the kitchen and he couldn’t help but see just how similar their situations were. His gaze shifted to his other brothers and he thought about how Finn hid his affections for Theo out of necessity — so nothing happened to the soft-spoken Blacksmith. He thought about Emil’s surface-level indifference to relationships when he knew for a fact that there was a female he paid just a little too much attention to that no one was ever allowed to bring up.

Most importantly, he thought of his mate waiting for him when he returned. How stressed he was to be away from her. How anxious he was to make sure she was alright. 

With everything that had happened to him since he met Iris and all that had changed in his family’s dynamic since then, it felt like a sign that better things should be coming.

The cynical part of him also considered how he and his brothers were getting a taste of something good before it got viciously ripped away and it all ended in blood.

“Whatever you have to say to me, spit it out already.” Izak said gruffly.

“I’m trying to figure out when you lost your sense of judgment,” Eris said. “You’re the General of one of my armies and yet…” 

“He was already deformed as a child. Stupid decisions aren’t that out of character for him.” Emil quipped.

“This is why we’ve always picked on you, Zakkie. We knew you’d do something disappointing at some point.”

Izak scowled, then pointed at Eris first. “Fuck off.” He then pointed at Emil. “Fuck you.” And lastly pointed at Finn. “Go fuck yourself.”

“All those fucks and you couldn’t have bothered to pull out at the right moment to save yourself all the trouble coming your way,” Finn said with a snort and Emil chuckled when Izak flipped them both off again before turning back to Eris.

“Say what you have to say. I know that look on your face and I’d rather Helene didn’t have to hear whatever it is.” Izak said and Eris’s eyes narrowed.

He stared Izak down, suddenly wishing very badly, he had brought Iris with him. He was almost too embarrassed to admit to himself but he was getting used to having her as his support system. He wondered what she’d think if she was here and how she’d react, especially when he opened his mouth and said, “I’m trying to consider whether it would be a mercy or not if I just killed you both here.”

Silence filled the room, the tension so thick, Eris felt it like a noose around his neck. Izak stared at him, his expression shifting from shock to anger to distress and finally settling on grim acceptance.  

“I understand you’re angry about this but don’t fucken threaten my wife.” Izak snarled.

“I am not threatening your wife. I am sharing my thoughts. We both know I wouldn’t make you suffer.” He said calmly. “I would snuff you both out now and it would be quick and painless. Father would not do you the honor.” 

Izak worked his jaw, his expression tight and he licked his lips before speaking again, “What happened has happened, Eris. I’m not going to let him ruin anything else for me.”

“Oh, you think he’s going to just ‘ruin’ it for you.” Eris said lightly. “Give you a little slap on the wrist and have you walk on your merry way?”

Izak scowled. “Don’t speak to me that way. I know the risks.”

“Do you?” Eris said and his tone dropped. “Does your wife know the risks of being involved with you?”

“I don’t appreciate that fucken tone, Eris.” 

“And I don’t appreciate you and your foolish wife not keeping your feelings to yourself so you’re not viciously murdered by our father.” he snapped, waving a hand. “Did you think I came here to pick out baby names with you? Tell me, Izak, how did you envision this conversation going?”

“I’m not a fucken child, Eris. We have a plan.” 

“Oh? Please, enlighten me on how this plan is going to work.”

“I’m not going to tell you shit if you keep talking to me like I’m an idiot.”

“You are the biggest idiot I know at the moment.”

“Fuck you, Eris. I didn’t ask for you to come here and patronize me.”

Eris chuckled drily. “You didn’t ask me to come here at all though, did you? If it was up to you, this would be kept from me and I bet it would’ve looked wonderful for you if I had found out while I was with your father.” Eris snarled, taking a step towards his brother, his eyes aflame. “Do not mistake my calm demeanor as anything other than a very tight leash I hold myself to. I am simmering with rage at the fucken stupidity of the two of you.” 

Izak flushed deeply and opened his mouth but Eris pointed one threatening finger. “You better start talking and saying the right things because if you’d rather sit here and listen to us try to plan a way to keep Helene from getting strung up at the gates of the Forest House as an example of what happens when you do things without the High Lord’s consent, by all means, keep us in the dark, brother. We’d love your input on which dress you’d like her to be wearing when Beron carves out her uterus to kill your fetus while you watch because you two dared to find a moment of happiness. And then of course, once Father turns his sights on you, if Helene’s lucky, she’ll already be dead not to witness it.” 

A crash sounded behind them and they all whirled to Helene frozen in the doorway, the tray of drinks in pieces on the floor. She stood frozen, her expression stricken and Eris had to fight hard not to set the place on fire. He worked his jaw, breathing deeply through his nose then jerked his chin at his brother.

“Emil.” Eris muttered and without saying a word, his brother stood, giving Helene a tight smile, walked around her, and started to clean the glass. 

“Izak told me I should expect the worst,” she whispered, her hands dropping to her sides. “But I don’t understand w-why he would react so badly.” Helene swallowed, blinking rapidly. “My father is a commander of one of his armies. I come from a good family. We’ve never done anything to step out of line and have always supported the High Lord even when it’s not right.”

“Your mistake is you are assuming the High Lord is rational, Helene,” Eris said calmly. “But he will do what he likes because he can, especially when secrets come out. He is very sensitive to being made a fool.” 

“We’ll be careful. I’ll stay in hiding and move out to another territory when the baby comes. There’s no reason for him to find out.”

Eris blinked then blinked again and turned to his brother. “Is that your plan?”

“We got married a few days ago, Eris.” Izak said flatly. “And only found out a few days before that about the baby. Sorry I couldn’t scheme a better plan than that when I’m trying to be happy.”

“I see,” Eris replied. “So not only are you an idiot, you think you have time to be one. Did you forget what family you came from? Are you being deliberately delusional?”

“I’m doing my fucken best, asshole.” Izak snapped. “You all are coming at my neck acting like I want to have my life and my wife’s life threatened. As if I don’t know the kind of shit that our father is going to pull. I know.”

“Well, you sure as fuck don’t act like it. With your cozy little cabin, and your pictures, and your paintings – all this evidence that anyone could share with the High Lord.” Eris sneered. “You sure got comfortable enough that now you have a child in the picture.”

“How can you stand here knowing what you know about us and think we want any of this to happen? As if we are trying to cause this chaos to everyone.” Helene said and Eris grimaced at the crack in her voice. “What kind of a brother says these kinds of things?”

Eris gave a dry laugh then his expression hardened. “And how could you get involved with my brother knowing what you know about our family and the likelihood of your demise should our father find out about you?” 

Helene blanched but Eris didn’t have much room for sympathy. His nerves were already frayed as it was and while he respected his brother’s decision to fuck up his life by putting himself and his wife in danger in defiance of their father, Eris had very little patience for people arguing with him. He stared down Izak for a fleeting moment, then his gaze returned to his sister-in-law. “I’m the kind of brother that is trying his very hardest not to have history repeat itself with you here,” he said, his tone ice cold. “The kind of brother that has to watch time and time again everything around him going up in flames because we are in the kind of environment where you’re not allowed to breathe much less think for yourself.” 

He took a step closer to his brother and sister-in-law and Eris tried with everything he had to keep his anger leashed. “The kind of brother who has had to push everyone out and as far away from The Forest House as possible so maybe the High Lord won’t give you a lashing because he didn’t like the way you stood. So maybe he won’t shove you off your moving horse because in his eyes you were riding like a bitch that needs to get fucked and he can’t have a son that does that. So maybe he doesn’t send you flying off the dinner table because you dared to pass your mother a plate instead of forcing her to get up and crawl her way to get it herself.” he fumed. “You’re new to the family so I’ll excuse your misunderstanding of this situation thinking you have a say in much or I want your unsolicited opinions. I’m sure this is a stressful time for you with getting married and being pregnant but my brother must not have truly warned you about the consequences of your little surprise because I assure you, whatever I may or may not say or do, will be heaven compared to what is coming.” 

“That is horrible.” she whispered and Eris fought an eye roll. 

Izak glared at his brother despite taking a step back, his expression a mix of anger and regret. “I understand you’re angry and I’m sorry I caused this but I don’t appreciate you speaking to my wife in that tone, Eris.”

“And I don’t fucken care. We’ve all witnessed this before so my tone should be the least of your worries,” he said and tension returned in full force, the room heating drastically. “I have to dance around my father on a daily basis so he leaves my own wife alone because I happen to not mind her presence. He tied me to a flogging pole three days ago and whipped me within an inch of my life because I happened to have defended my wife. I can’t even let myself —” Eris cut himself off, his fists clenching tightly. “Horrible is an understatement. Horrible is a joke. So forgive me if I am trying to save you from what is to come.”

Eris felt his brothers’ shock at his statement shift through the room as Helene’s hands flew to her mouth. He forced himself to breathe and casually ran a hand through his hair. This conversation had already gone off the rails and he hated that the first impression his sister-in-law had of him was a terrible one. It made Eris scowl, thinking of his wife and how she’d only learned the true dynamic between his family a few nights ago and what that conversation had been like. His eyes flickered to the photos of Izak and Helene around the room and he couldn’t help but think with how long they’ve been together, they should’ve known better.

“You stand there asking me what kind of a brother I am when I have stood between them and him in every moment that I could,” he added quietly. “I am the kind of brother that has clawed my way to where I am and kept them all at a safe distance so he won’t touch them. So he can’t scar them as much as he’s scarred me and our mother and I still can’t protect everyone the way I want to. It is because of me that Izak had a chance to get out and not be infested with the poison that is our father’s cruelty. That he stands there somewhat whole despite the shit we’ve seen and you found a partner in him.” Eris ran his tongue over his teeth and forced himself to take a breath. “What has happened can’t be helped and this isn’t how I would’ve preferred this initial meeting between us to go but do not comment on what you do not know. I have low tolerance for it and you will not like how I respond to you.” 

A heavy silence covered the room and Eris watched as Helene swallowed, her bottom lip trembling and the sound of her sniffle that followed made Eris grimace, the self-loathing in him fighting its way to the surface. He avoided looking at her until he felt her take a step towards him and saw the grim determination on her face that seemed to mirror her husband’s.

“So what will you have us do then?” she finally asked. “How do I avoid getting hung from the gates?”

Before he could open his mouth again, Izak’s hand slid to his wife’s, and giving his brother a warning look, he said, “Enough. We need a minute. Don’t fucken touch anything.”

No one said a word as the two left the room and he let a moment of silence pass before he rubbed a hand over his face and sighed quietly. 

“Eris.” 

He turned his head and found both Finn and Emil sharing an expression of solemnity he wasn’t used to from them.

“What.”

“What can we do?” Finn asked quietly.

And suddenly he was very, very tired. This was why he hated talking. It led to feelings and truths and sharing things he’d rather not share.

“Don’t get married in secret or get anyone pregnant and you’ll be off to a great start.”  Eris mumbled. “Don’t even think about saying anything sentimental. I’ll deck you both in the face.” 

The corner of Emil’s mouth lifted as Eris watched him. “You have such a way with words.” 

“I have a way with my fists too.”

“I told you this the other day and I’ll say it again, but I’m sorry.” Finn said. “We don’t say it enough but we are and we know the kind of crazy shit you’ve had to deal with and do. So.” 

The urge to vomit returned at full force and Eris scowled so deeply, he wondered if his face would be permanently set that way. “What did I just say about getting sentimental.” 

“Fuck off, I’m trying to say something nice.”

“Well, I don’t want to hear it. Go back to saying the stupid things you usually do.” 

“What if I told you I actually like you as a person.”

“I will slice you where you stand.”

“Damn. What if I went in for a hug?”

“Finn, I swear to the gods if you don’t shut the fuck up –”

“It pains me to say this, but Finn is right.” Emil interrupted and fought back a smile as Eris almost groaned. “We don’t say it enough. Maybe it’s time we start to and not be so disgusted by it.” 

Eris sighed deeply, rubbing a hand over his face again. Was his wife somehow infesting them all to be like this? Was the disease of feelings she spread over him contagious and now his brothers had caught it or something?

“It’s not necessary.”

“We think it is.” Emil simply said.

“Oh, you three are a collective now?” Eris said with a snort despite the tips of his ears heating. “Having drinks behind my back while discussing me?”

“We’d invite you but you seem to be glued to your wife’s side since you got married.” Emil replied with a small smile and Eris rolled his eyes. 

“What the hell is that supposed to mean.”

“Nothing. We’re happy you seem to like her considering she was forced on you.”

“Oh, he more than likes her,” Finn said with a smirk. “He let her touch him in front of me.”

“Did he now?”

“He did.”

“Oh, he really does like her.”

“I would say he even lo–”

“I will strangle you both if you don’t stop right this moment.” Eris snapped and he truly did want to snap both their necks as they smirked at him. Since when did they tag team on him? And tease him? Was he getting soft enough that they just did this?

He scowled deeply. This was all Iris’s fault. She would just love this.

“Speaking of Iris.” Finn started with a smirk. 

“Finn.” Eris warned. 

“Now that you’ve traumatized Helene,” his brother continued, ignoring Eris completely. “How much is Iris going to just love how rude you were to our new sister-in-law?” 

Eris narrowed his eyes on his brother. “What did I say to you about mentioning my wife?”

Finn smiled. “I asked an innocent question.”

“Nothing about you is ever innocent,” Eris muttered and turned to Emil. “It’s not like I did it on purpose. Helene happened to walk in at the wrong moment.”

“I think it went better than expected. She barely started crying.” Emil said calmly, settling in his seat once more. “At least you didn’t have to witness Finn asking her inappropriate questions and Izak almost ripping his face off before you arrived.”

“So alongside eating all her food, you’re making her uncomfortable and have the audacity to worry about me being rude?” 

“You literally just told her how father dearest is going to hang her from our gates! That is not worse than me asking her if Izak was a disappointing lay or not.” Finn said with a snort and Eris rolled his eyes hard enough to see the back of his head. “I wanted to know if she’s staying with him out of pity or if he’s blackmailing her.” 

“Clearly, they are in love.” Emil said and chuckled at Finn’s immediate gag and Eris’s snort. “Love shall conquer all, I suppose.”

“I’m sure our father’s weapon of choice won’t stand a chance against feelings,” Eris replied and it was Finn’s turn to snort. “His wrath will be defeated by confessions of love and the High Lord won’t murder us in slow and painful ways.”

“It concerns me how apathetic we all are to the attempted murder by our father,” Emil mused. “We find humor in things at the most inappropriate times.”

Eris waved a hand. “We’ve dealt with this a long time. We’re lucky to feel anything at all at this point.” he said, focusing on Emil. “Until the newlyweds return, any new information I need to know?”

His brother crossed one leg over the other. “There’s a rumor going around that I’m planning a coup against you so I can get into Father’s good graces and take your place,” he said calmly. “I plan to try assassinating you in the next week.” 

Eris snorted as Finn laughed. “Good to know,” he replied. “Try not to overpower me too easily so I can die with some dignity.” 

“As you wish, brother,” Emil said, the corner of his mouth curling up for a moment before his expression turned serious. “Finn let me know about your situation with your father-in-law. I’m assuming your new look has something to do with that.”

Eris’s fists clenched. “Father didn’t appreciate that I didn’t allow that asshole to touch my wife and get away with it. I managed.” he said and paused for a moment before adding in a quieter tone, “I assume you know about Mother.” 

Emil nodded grimly as Finn sat up in his seat angrily. “She hasn’t allowed me to see her yet.”

“He put his hands on her again?” Finn said, his eyes flashing. 

“She came to my defense so of course he did,” Eris muttered, running a hand through his hair. “But I saw her before I came. She’s what I’m here to talk about as well.”

Izak’s thundering footsteps announced his return and they turned to find his expression dark. He closed the door to the room and Eris felt a shield go up alongside his own. 

“I will only say this one time and one time only,” Izak began. “If you ever speak to my wife like that again, I will rip your fucken throat out. That warning goes to all of you.” 

Eris faced his brother, his eyes narrowing. He couldn’t exactly fault Izak for his response but again, hearing the words that sounded so similar to his own when talking about Iris disturbed him. 

“You realize the only reason I let her speak to me that way is because of you, right? Don’t push your luck with me.” Eris said and a muscle feathered in Izak’s jaw as they gazed at each other. “I don’t love how this conversation went and I would’ve rather not had it happen this way. But your wife should know better. You should definitely know better.” 

“Is that what you call an apology?”

“I don’t apologize for speaking the truth, Izak.” 

“You didn’t have to fucken say it to her like that!” his brother finally snapped. “I know what she said was uncalled for but we’re already stressed enough and she’s hardly keeping anything in her stomach as it is. I know we should’ve done this differently and I know we should’ve been more careful but it is what it is now. I can’t change it and I don’t want to. I got sick of waiting to marry the only person I’ve ever wanted as my wife. I don’t regret anything.”

Eris watched his brother’s expression as he stood there, angry and breathing hard. Underneath it all, he saw the stress. He felt his anxiety. 

“You have to know how reckless this is,” Eris said quietly and waved a hand around the room. “You two aren’t even trying to hide it. You have photographs all over the place. This has been going on for years.”

“So?”

“Don’t be a fucken idiot, Izak.” Eris snapped. “It’s bad enough you married her and she’s with child. You know he will have someone lined up for you just like he has someone lined up for each of your brothers. How well do you think he’ll take it that you’ve disregarded that and have been happy with someone he won’t approve of for years while lying to him? ”

“Do you think I don’t know that?” Izak snarled. “Do you think that I’m not aware that the only thing in my life I give a shit about is at risk? That the only person who understands me and makes me feel like I’m not a thing – like I’m not just a piece of shit that helped murder his brother’s lover and lets his mother be abused — do you think I don’t know what I’ve signed her up for? Do you think I’m worth this kind of fear?”

Eris tried not to flinch at the words but the room heated immediately as the brothers stared at each other. He had to clench his fists hard to keep the shaking at bay, to not let his brothers see exactly how these words impacted him. How it mirrored his own emotions. 

“You know our people don’t all think that about us.” Finn said quietly. “They know the truth.”

“Maybe.” Izak said with a shrug. “But enough don’t and we can’t blame them. Her parents were against it for so long because they knew what would happen to us if our father found out but what else am I supposed to do? Just keep kneeling over for him? So he keeps taking away from my life like he’s doing to all of us?”

“Izak,” Emil began, his tone placating. “We know –”

“How?” Eris asked, cutting his brother off and waving a hand around the room. “We knew about your interest in Helene but how have you gotten away with all this?”

Izak ran a hand over his beard and looked around the room, his expression tight. It took him a moment before he quietly began, “When you gave me this territory and told me to shape it up, thinking about anything beyond making it through each day was not on my mind. I came here because what happened with Jesminda could not happen again and I had no way to get that off my hands.” He swallowed. “I still think about that day but the other assholes are dead so they don’t have to worry about it. It’s why I have a hard time being around Lucien even if he’s moved on and I’ve apologized. I still think about his fucken face watching it happen. So meeting my wife was never on the table. I focused on getting to know the people of this place and spending time with them. They didn’t know what to make of me. They certainly didn’t trust me and I didn’t want to be like him, beating people into submission.”

Eris kept quiet as his brother swallowed hard again and ran his hand through his hair. “I met her accidentally. She was helping her father organize the training grounds and…I had never been so attracted to someone in my life.” he continued softly. “She made me feel like I’m a person. A person worth time and effort and not just some wild dog his father sics on others. The people of this territory love Helene and her family. They like me. They believe in me.” His gaze hardened. “But they also know what happens to people the High Lord no longer favors. And make no mistake, everyone here gave me so much fucken grief before I could even court her. I had to prove I was worthy of her and worthy of protecting her and every single day, I know I’m nowhere near that. But these people…they know what we have is real. They know I will go down swinging for her and them. So they will watch over us and take care of us.” Izak waved his hand around the room. “We have this because despite what Father believes, this place is not some forgotten land the High Lord ignores. It’s a community and we protect our own.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me all of this?” Eris asked. “You know I would’ve helped you prepare for it better. I would’ve helped you marry her without the secrecy.” 

“Because I’m fucken terrified, Eris.” Izak snapped. “I never thought I was a family man. You think I ever thought about having children? With the way we live our lives? When we all know Father is going to decide who we marry whether we like it or not? You think I wanted to put Helene through this shit?” He ran a hand through his hair and tugged, his expression anxious as he confessed quietly, “When she told me she was pregnant I wanted her to get rid of the baby.” 

The room fell silent as Izak took a breath and Eris had the feeling his brother was two seconds away from collapsing. “All I ever wanted was Helene and a life with her, however way we could manage it. A baby was never on the table. We have been so careful for years and I knew there was no going back if we kept this baby. That I could lose her in the process and I didn’t want to risk it. I know what he’d do if he found out. I know how he’d react and I am not worth having her die because of me.” he said, his voice cracking at the last word. “But she refused. She said it was a gift. This baby was a gift and we all know how hard conceiving is. So I did what I’ve wanted to do since I met her and proposed. She said yes and now here we are.” 

“Here we are.” Eris repeated and couldn’t bring himself to say more. He thought back to Iris coming into his life and what events have taken place since then. How much he’s had to push back on his father and what it’s been costing him. And yet…he had something he looked forward to each day because of it. He had a purpose that extended past getting his mother out and killing his Father. A purpose that was just about him.

Eris looked at his brother and saw a mirror. Izak had a life he was willing to die protecting. Despite everything they had dealt with, he had found his someone. He had found hands that didn’t hurt. Hands that soothed. 

“You’re scared shitless.” he finally said softly.

“I’m constantly on the verge of vomiting.” 

“Gods, we really are related.” 

A chorus of chuckles passed between the brothers and then Eris sighed for what felt like the millionth time today. There were many pieces at play but they all needed to see the stakes. He turned his head towards Finn and Emil. 

“Cards on the table?”

His brothers straightened, glancing at each other and then at Izak.

“Cards on the table.” Emil said.

“You both have someone you care for. Do they have an out?” Eris asked. “And can they get out soon?”

“How soon are we talking?” Finn asked. 

“Soon. Three weeks to stagger their departure.” Eris said and his brothers all shared a glance of confusion.

“Why three?” Emil asked.

“I’ll explain that in a moment,” Eris said and raised a brow at Emil. “Does she have an out?”

And Eris couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen Emil get flustered. His brother shifted in his seat and avoided everyone’s gaze. “Yes. She has family in Dawn.”

“Good. Send her there.” Eris jerked his chin to Finn. “And you? Does he have an out?”

Finn scowled. “He’s a well-known blacksmith. He can’t just up and leave.” 

“He’s going to have to. Things are going to get ugly.”

“How ugly are we talking?” Izak asked with raised brows. 

“Very.” Eris replied. “You know we’ll need to get Helene out of here. Taking cover within the Autumn Court will not be enough. He can always reach her here.” 

“I don’t have ties to get her out without it being suspicious,” Izak replied, running a hand through his hair. “My ties are all within this court.” 

“I have someone that can help with that.” Eris said and he couldn’t have timed it better himself when a sharp knock sounded at the door. 

“Who the fuck is that?” Izak demanded. “I never said you could give my address to others.”

“I know.” Eris said. “But I need you to trust me and trust that I know this person will bring you no harm.”

Izak scowled, sharing a glance with Emil and Finn before stalking towards the seating room door and yanking it open. “You better be right or ugly is going to come at you a lot faster than you think.”

“I’ll take my chances.”  Eris said with an eye roll and waited a heartbeat for Izak to reach the door, his eyes following his brother’s movement as he yanked his front door open and froze. 

Because standing at the door was none other than the Heir of the Day Court and youngest of the Vanserra brothers. Lucien had joined the fray. 

[anathemaloren]

flowers and tea

Naomi McPherson x fem!florist!reader

🌼Warnings - 2 curse words? and english is not my first language

🌼Genre - fluff (i guess)

🌼Word count - 3.4k (WHAT?!)

🌼Notes - OH MY GOD, you don't know how much time I've spent writing this like 3k words???? that's just crazy. also, i wrote this in several classes at school, sorry arturo, montse and chus 🙏🏼 and this is dedicated to carolina who tried to peek into the story and i didn't let her, luv ya bubs

Having her own shop was a dream and a nightmare at the same time for Y/n L/n.  Paying the bills, keeping the flowers beautiful the whole day through, being all day on her feet or dealing with rude costumers were all things Y/n wished she could get rid of. But at the same time, she truly loved her job. Being able to surround herself with flowers was a dream come true, and seeing a smile on the face of a happy customer really made her day. Plus, the shop was in a strategic place in Los Angeles where sometimes famous people came through, and she even had a few celebrities who were usual shoppers. Lucy Dacus stopped from time to time to buy flowers in order to dry them, and considered Y/n a friend. Pedro Pascal always bought flowers for his sister from Y/n, and Ashton Irwin loved to stop by for a chat about how to keep his plants as beautiful as Y/n’s. So, Y/n shouldn’t fall easily for a star, right?

          It was a slow day, so Y/n busied herself rearranging flowers on the back of the shop. She was calmly arranging a bouquet of lilies when she heard the bell on top of the door and a pair of shoes rushing in. Curious about who would come bursting in like that, she lowered the volume of the Glenn Miller vinyl that was playing on the background and stepped into the front of the shop while cleaning her hands on her apron. She then saw a person looking like they had run for 10 kilometres, with curls sticking to their red face, and trying to catch some air.

          “Hi.” Y/n said calmly “Can I help you with something?” she asked. “Yeah, I think you would be unbelievably helpful right now” they said, making Y/n chuckle amused. “Tell me, what can I do for you?” she said, taking her notebook out, just in case she needed to write something down. The person standing on the other side of the counter leaned a bit on it and tried to arrange the curls around their head. “It’s my mum’s birthday, and I’ve been so busy that I completely forgot about buying her something, and I love her very much I can’t just not buy her anything, and I’m meeting her tonight, I can’t show up empty handed” they said without stopping, catching a quick deep breath “. So Lucy told me to come here and say to you that she sent me and that you could arrange something with flowers that have meaning for, like… now… could you?” they finished, looking expectantly at Y/n. The girl just blinked a few times, taking all the information in. “Which Lucy sent you?” she asked, testing the person’s connection to her, not truly trusting them yet, even though they looked like a decent person to her. “Ummm… Lucy Dacus?” they said, with caution. Y/n visibly lighted up, smiling at the thought of the black haired girl recommending her to her friends. “Well, you should’ve started with that.” She said, turning around and starting to walk to the back of the shop, turning around again to gesture to the still nameless person to follow her back.

          If the front of the shop was a dream, full of aromatic plants and antique furniture, the back of it was another level of etherealism. Besides another huge amount of plants and flowers, one wall was a window wall, made out of old looking stained glass of art déco style. There was a table with two chairs were Y/n would have tea, sometimes with someone else, and behind the table there was a bookshelf with heaps of books about flowers and their care and meanings. In the middle of the room there was a worktable with a few half-arranged bouquets of lilies of different colours. Y/n moved with ease around the space, and she turned to face the stranger once she got to the workbench, only to find said stranger with their mouth half opened in awe.

          “Are you okay?” Y/n asked, slightly amused with the reaction she was witnessing. The stranger blinked a few times as if to come out of some sort of trance, and responded after centering themselves in the conversation again “Yeah, yeah, fine” they said, making Y/n’s smile a bit brighter. “I’m Naomi, by the way” the stranger said, finally giving a name to the curious person. “Oh, yeas, from Muna, right?” Y/n said, eliciting a nod from Naomi. “Lucy has told me so much about all of you, I don’t know how I couldn’t recognize you the moment you walked in” she said, making Naomi smile a bit. “She really talks about me to you?” Naomi asked, feeling a wave of affection for their friend. “Yeah, she talks about all of you all the time” Y/n said, giggling a bit “. I almost feel like I know you personally sometimes, although meeting you in person makes me realize she forgot to mention some things” she said, standing behind the working table and moving the flowers around to make space for others. “Like what?” Naomi asked, furrowing their brows, thinking that maybe they had given a terrible first impression, when they had been mesmerized with Y/n since they had seen her. The girl standing opposite to them smiled at them coyly before saying nonchalantly “For starters, she forgot to mention you are even more handsome on real life than on pictures.” The comment made the curly haired blush, not expecting the sweet looking florist to be so flirty and straightforward.

          Naomi’s reaction made Y/n giggle, feeling like she couldn’t stop smiling around them. She didn’t know where the confidence to be so bold had come from, either. She then decided to stop messing around and get to work. “So” she said, clearing her throat before continuing ´´, what did you want for your mum?” Naomi shook their head for a second, pulling themselves together about the flirty comment from before, and answered the question “I truly don’t know, I just want to tell her I love her, and flowers seemed like a good option” they said, being truly bad at flowers. “So you want to send a message with these flowers” Y/n said, looking at Naomi attentively. “Yeah, basically” they answered, doubting a bit about the rightness of their answer. “Well, if you want I can arrange a bouquet with flowers that mean that you love her” Y/n smiled, always loving to do bouquets with deep meanings. “Do you mean flowers mean something specific?” Naomi asked, making Y/n clutch her pearls in feigned offense. “Of course they do! That’s my job you’re talking about!” she said, making Naomi laugh. Y/n smiled and walked over to the bookshelf, picking up and old-looking book, with a pink cover and golden details.

          Y/n sat down on one of the chairs of the table, signalling Naomi to sit in the other one. The florist browsed through the book, in which Naomi could only see beautiful illustrations and paragraphs of what they could guess was information about the flowers in the other page. When Y/n finally had all the information she needed, she closed the book and looked up, only to find the curly haired brunet already looking at her. This discovery made the girl blush and Naomi look away immediately, embarrassed about being caught. Y/n decided not to panic, clearing her throat before speaking “I think I’ve found the ideal flowers” she said “. If you follow me, I can show them to you” she continued, while standing up, already blushing a bit again. Where had all the previous confidence gone? The person now standing in front of her was truly messing with her emotions, and they had only met for roughly 25 minutes, even less.

          Y/n waltzed around the room picking up flowers, oblivious to the mesmerized client who was following her. She picked up the flowers and explained their meanings to Naomi “White carnations mean purity, love and beauty; the azaleas are a symbol of womanhood in China, and they are a symbol of love; daisies symbolize purity and innocence; and camellias represent gratitude and longevity” Although Naomi seemed like they were just hypnotized about the girl’s beauty, her words were also enthralling to them. After coming back with the flowers to the worktable, Y/n asked Naomi about their opinion, at which they could only stutter an OK, making the girl working in the bouquet blush and giggle.

          When she finished the bouquet, the mixture of carnations, daisies, azaleas and camellias looked beautiful. Y/n’s talent was something that had Naomi’s mouth open in amazement. Their head couldn’t wrap around the fact that two hands and a few flowers had given such result, the florist’s talent oozing from every aspect of the bouquet. Besides from the big possibility of their mum loving the bouquet, Naomi had also fallen in love with the care and talent Y/n had shown making it. Maybe they had also fallen for the hands responsible of such beauty, and the person who controlled them with so much grace.

          Y/n finished wrapping the bouquet, not really wanting Naomi to leave her shop. But she knew she couldn’t stop a big ass pop star that surely wasn’t going to fall for her. “I think this is finished” she said, nerves flowing through her whole body. “We can go to the front now” she continued, now moving to the front of the shop, bouquet in hand. While Naomi paid with her card, Y/n finished preparing the gift. When she turned around to get the business card she always gave out to first time clients, she hesitated when deciding what complimentary flower to give to Naomi. She finally chose a lavender coloured rose. She nervously put the flower and the card in a bag with the flowers. She didn’t know why she was so shaken, Naomi probably didn’t share her feelings; for fuck’s sake, they had known each other for something more than an hour. When Y/n gave the bag to Naomi their fingers brushed ever so slightly, which resulted in different reactions; Y/n let out a sigh, while Naomi froze immediately. When the florist realized they had spent more time than necessary in that position, she put her hand back as Naomi’s suddenly burned. They just blinked a few times, blushed, turned back and marched through the door mustering a rushed thanks and a farewell. Y/n sighed when Naomi was finally out, leaning on the counter and placing her head between her hands. What a naïve thought, that someone like Naomi McPherson could ever like someone like her. Now, she just had to move on, and try to forget about them.

Lucy Dacus had decided to have a quiet night. She had a nice dinner, placed a few candles and played some soft background music. She then picked up her current read, and with a cup of a delicious tea that Y/n had suggested her, she got ready to relax, plunging down on the armchair she loved the most. That relaxing, though, didn’t last long, as she heard the doorbell ring. She groaned, detangling herself and getting up to open the door. If it was her annoying neighbour again, she was ready to throw hands. However, when she opened the door, there was no nosy neighbour on the other side; instead, Naomi was there, nervously biting her nails, and looking a bit miserable. “Naomi? What are you doing here? Are you okay?” Lucy asked, worried about her friend’s state. “Where the fuck did you send me?” they just said, spreading their arms exasperated. “What?” Lucy just said, sincerely confused. Seeing as the only answer from Naomi was a pair of widened eyes, which lead to Lucy sighing and moving from the door, signalling Naomi to come in. Goodbye, quiet night.

          After a cup of tea, Naomi had calmed down, and they had told Lucy about those afternoon events. “And when I finished dinner with my mum I needed to vent, and as you were the one who told me to go to her, I just…” they finished, trailing down at the end. Lucy nodded in understanding, not needing to hear more from her friend before concluding “So basically, you fell head over heels for her and you think she doesn’t correspond your feelings”. Naomi just mustered a “yeah” while dropping their head in defeat. Lucy nodded again, leaning back on the armchair she was sitting in. “Well, we can kind of know how she feels about you” she said, smiling softly, making Naomi shoot their head up, waiting for a solution for their problems. “Did you keep the flower she gave you with her card?” Lucy said, already knowing the answer. Naomi slowly reached for a pocket in their jacket, taking out a lavender rose. Lucy got up and moved towards a shelf next to a window, where she saw rain starting to pour. She took a book from the shelf, under the curious stare of her friend. The book was a Victorian guide to flower meanings, which Lucy had somehow managed to thrift. She looked through the book sat on the armchair again. She could feel Naomi biting their nails and looking nervously at her. Finally, she found it. “It says here that lavender roses mean…” Lucy stopped, looking kindly at the meaning “It’s a flower that represents enchantment love at first sight” she said, looking again at Naomi, whose mouth was now partly opened in shock and eyes completely opened. They quickly recomposed and started shaking their head in denial. “Come on, Dacus, stop playing” they said, not believing what Lucy was saying. “I’m not” Lucy replied, showing the book to them. Naomi was feeling a weird mix of emotions, between shock, denial and complete confusion, with a tint of utter affection. Was this some kind of sick and twisted joke?

          Naomi got up and started pacing Lucy’s living room, not sure about what that really meant. They knew they had liked Y/n, call it love at first sight if you feel like it, but something had bloomed in that flower shop, and not only the plants. Lucy closed the book and laid back, deciding to leave Naomi to walk around and calm down. They finally did, sitting across Lucy again. Taking a deep breath, the curly haired talked for the first time in the last few minutes, breaking the silence that had settled itself on the room, mixed with the sound of drops of the still pouring rain. “What do you think I should do?” they asked Lucy for advice, with a hint of somewhat fear on their voice. “I can’t decide anything for you” Lucy said, shaking their head. “I’m not asking for instructions, Luce, I want your opinion” Naomi said, in a soft tone. Lucy sighed and leaned towards her friend “Do you like Y/n?” she asked, not really expecting a forward answer. “Yeah, I think I do” Naomi said with a sincere voice, astounding Lucy, who blinked and talked again. “Do you want to tell her that?” “I think I do” they replied again. Lucy questioned Naomi for a third time “I have her address. Do you want me to give it to you?” she said, and spoke again before Naomi could say anything “And don’t say that you think you do” she half-threatened. Her friend closed their mouth, opening it not much of a second later “I truly want her address” Lucy nodded, getting up to write it on a blue piece of paper. When she finished, she folded it and gave it to Naomi, who was standing up, nervously playing with their fingers. The moment they had the paper, they gave a heartfelt hug to Lucy, and then sprinted to the door. Lucy saw them get into their car and smiled softly. She didn’t mind a night not so quiet if it was for the sake of romance.

Y/n was laying on her couch, one feet dangling off it. She laid there, looking at pictures of Naomi on Pinterest, although if someone asked, she was reading the Rilke book that was now laying on the coffee table next to her. She sighed, turning her phone off and keeping to staring to the ceiling. How was she so stupid that she had been so enchanted by someone who had been in her store for an hour. She stood up and picked up the book, deciding it was enough pining for someone she probably would never see again. She read a few pages, but didn’t last long before putting the book in her lap and looking out the window. She looked at the pouring rain, which she loved. She knew she should hate the rain, but she loved the romanticism of it all, even though she knew she would never have her ever so idyllic love confession in the rain.

          Just as she was lost on her thoughts, Y/n heard the doorbell ring. She wondered who the hell would be knocking at that time in the night, even more with that terrible weather, which truly didn’t invite to going out. She kept wondering who it could be as she walked to the door, expecting to see a neighbour or someone trying to sell her some stupid product. However, the only person she found waiting outside of her house was a drenched Naomi. Y/n’s eyes opened wide as she took the sigh in, with her breath getting caught in her throat.

          Y/n talked, although the lump she felt on her throat made it a bit difficult. “What are you doing here?” she said, not being able to move herself from her spot on the door entrance. “I needed to see you” they said, with a tint of hopelessness in their voice. Y/n felt like flowers were blooming in her stomach, with the leaves and petals tickling her stomach. “How did you know where I lived?” Y/n asked again, nerves now flowing through her system. Naomi looked a bit guilty before answering “Lucy gave it to me, I asked her for it”. Y/n made a mental note of scolding her later, but asked the last question she couldn’t stop pondering about. “And why did you want to see me, Naomi?” she said, not sure if she wanted to hear the response. Naomi breathed deeply before replying. “I like you” they said, making Y/n’ world turn upside down in a matter of microseconds. She tried to calm down her breath, that was now working, but too fast for anyone’s liking.

          However, Naomi misinterpreted the silence, thinking that Y/n was somewhat outraged by the statement, apologizing while moving back to what Y/n suspected was their car “I’m sorry, this was a mistake”. Y/n snapped back then, following Naomi to their car with a quick pace “Naomi, wait!” she said, trying to get Naomi to look at her. The curly haired, which hair was now not so curly as it was soaked and stuck to their face, turned around and looked at her with a pained look on their face. Y/n tried to find the words, but they seemed to be stuck to the walls of her throat. Naomi exhaled, turning back once more to unlock their car. Seeing as the opportunity of confessing was slipping through her fingers, Y/n decided to take matter in her own hands… literally. She got closer to Naomi and took their face into their hands, pulling them in for a kiss. The kiss was short and sweet, and Y/n pulled away to see what reaction that had elicited from Naomi. They just stared at Y/n with a look of shock on their face, that didn’t last so long, as their brain decided to finally act. Naomi took Y/n face in her hands and kissed her again, now deepening the kiss. The moment under the rain seemed to last forever, as both their hearts synchronized in loud thumps. When they finally pulled away from one another, the rain kept pouring over them with an astounding force that seemed to mimic the strength of their feelings for one another. They were both soaked as they stood outside of Y/n’s house, smiling to each other like the infatuated idiots that they were.

          “I liked the flower” Naomi said, still not getting away from one another. Y/n laughed, touching her forehead with Naomi’s. “It was not as subtle as I intended it to, I guess” she said, making Naomi laugh now. “I liked it better that way” they voiced, giving a small kiss to the side of Y/n lips. It that was a dream, they both hope they would never wake up.

[vividwritinglove]

Hello I have a request, if you don’t mind✨🤍 I hope you like my idea🫶🏼

Carlos x reader trying to have a baby, but after some failure, during the summer break with all of his family in Mallorca they got the big news (baby Carlos is comingg). After a year they come back to the summer house, as a parents, dealing with baby Carlos, with his sister and his mother🤍

I’m very curious to see Carlos as a dad🥹🫶🏼

Omg - I had to do this request! Carlos (in my mind) is the sweetest Dad and so supporting during the pregnancy and the labor.

I wanna give a TRIGGER WARNING on this one, not for pregnancy loss, but for not getting pregnant instantly and the frustration and stress it comes with. You’ve been advised. Hope you enjoy anyways.

————————————————————————

"It will work next time, mi vida." murmurs Carlos against your temple and then presses a loving kiss on the same spot. This gesture passes you by. Dejectedly, you look at the negative pregnancy test you are holding in your hands. It is already the fifth practice cycle and it just won't work. The initial anticipation you and Carlos felt when you decided to have a baby six months ago is almost gone. You know that you have to give yourself and your body time. But on the one hand, you also put yourself under endless pressure, which is absolutely not beneficial to become pregnant.

During the first 3 months you were still relaxed. But when Carlo's sister Blanca happily announced that she was already 12 weeks pregnant and Carlo's parents were so excited about their first grandchild, your inner clock started ticking. Up until that point, no one knew that Carlos and you were trying to get pregnant too and you both decided not to tell anyone. The last thing you wanted to do was to squeeze Blanca's joy with your gloom.

You are happy for her, even for Carlos, who will be the world's best uncle to his niece or nephew. You will never forget the sparkle in his eyes when his sister announced the good news. That's how much you wish you could give him the greatest gift on earth yourself. Even though Carlos would never admit it in front of you, he suffered just like you. But he wants to be strong, for you. To catch you and comfort you if the next test is negative again.

The next cycles come and you are again not pregnant. In the meantime it is getting to your psyche. Everyone around you seems to get pregnant easily or you are confronted with babies in any way. You read out about a different diet, tried true remedies for natural conception and even look up for artificial insemination. You withdraw yourself more and more from the public, accompany Carlos less or not at all on his race weekends and generally don't want to go out or see anyone anymore.

Carlos is worried. Really worried. He's never seen you like this before, and he doesn't want to see you like this. After a hard weekend of racing, he comes home to find you in bed in the darkened bedroom, as you've been doing so often lately.

"Mi amor?"

"Hmm..." you grumble in response without turning to him.

He lies down in bed next to you. For a few minutes you lie next to each other in silence, until Carlos finally breaks his silence.

"I needed you..."

"Carlos, I can't."

He quickly sits up and turns you to face him. You're a little startled by his brash manner and look at him expectantly. Tears start to form in his eyes. Your heart breaks, and only now do you realize that you are not the only one suffering.

His breathing is faster, you feel his frustration. He has so much on his mind right now, your relationship, which should not be ruined by this, and then the pressure to deliver good results at Ferrari. And of course the great desire to become a father himself. You hug each other tightly and cry together. Long, certainly over half an hour, but it’s good for both of you. You finally release a lot of the pressure and negativity that has built up in the two of you over the last few months.

After a while you look around the room, "I hate this room!"

Carlos looks at you questioningly. It wasn't that long ago that you two moved into this new apartment in Madrid.

"I want to remodel it!"

"Whatever makes you happy!" agrees Carlos.

The very next day, your new project begins and it takes in all your time. You order paints for the furniture. You buy new lamps, bedding, pillows, decorations and a comfortable armchair. You don't let anyone help you, you want to design everything on your own to just be distracted and productive. After the bedroom, you also get to work on your office and the guest room. It helps you to find yourself again in the few weeks of renovation. Carlos also notices your positive change of mood, which makes him feel happy.

Your sex life revives. It's no longer a must, just passion. Like it used to be. You let the cycle calendar be a calendar and only pursue your desire and lust. Just switching off your heads. The last races before the summer break you accompany Carlos again on the weekends and the races are going increasingly better for him. He got back on the podium and even managed to take his 2nd race win. This was so enormously important for him and brought him back his necessary self-confidence. It is only incidental to mention that you two have multiple uninhibited and passionate sex that night.

Like every summer, you'll be spending your summer break in Mallorca with Carlo's family. You are looking forward to it, as you love Carlo's family more than anything, but at the same time you are very nervous, as Carlo's sister recently gave birth and will of course take her newborn daughter with her. You are excited to meet her, but it will bring you back to the fact that you are still not pregnant.

You are in the kitchen with Carlo's mother, preparing dinner, when the new little family enters the living area. Reyes immediately drops everything to greet her daughter Blanca and granddaughter joyfully and warmly.

By now, Carlo's family knows about the attempts of you to get pregnant. They also noticed your changes and Carlos finally told his mother about it. Everyone is very understanding, however, you did not want the joy of the newest Sainz family member to be squeezed. Blanca looks at you immediately as her mother takes the little one from her. You smile at her and approach her with open arms. She hugs you gratefully and you congratulate her again on her beautiful daughter.

For the time being, cooking was out of the question. Everyone is enchanted by the sweet little babygirl. She is literally passed around, until it was quiet and everyone looked at you. Only and alone the baby was crying.

"Would you like to hold her?" Blanca asks timidly, hoping not to hurt you.

You swallow hard, but then smile slightly, "I'd love to."

As you take the little girl in your arms, she immediately calms down and stops crying. She fixes your big and bright eyes and you get lost in hers too. You put your index finger in her little hand and she immediately squeezes. At this contact all your dams break and tears run down your cheeks. Carlos puts his arm around your shoulder and leans his head against yours. Carlos' mother also sits down next to you and strokes your back. You quickly calm down and hand the baby back to Carlos' sister.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you sad." Blanca apologizes to you as she joins you in the kitchen to help you prepare dinner.

"I have to apologize. I just can't control myself lately and I don't know what's wrong with me." you mumble to yourself as you chop the vegetables, "I'm so emotional and I start crying at everything. On top of that I'm so tired and for the past few days my boobs have been hurting so bad."

"Querida." Blanca holds you by the arm, stopping your cutting motion, "When was the last time you had your period?"

You look up from the cutting board and start calculating in your head. You shake your head and reach for your phone,

"According to the calendar, last week. I didn't came though." you say almost in disbelief and look up at Blanca who is already grinning widely and jumping a little on the spot. After the fallout, you've cursed this app and didn’t used it for several months to track your period properly.

"There should be a pregnancy test upstairs in the bathroom," she says, grabbing your arm and together you sprint off to the upstairs bathroom.

The test is found quickly. Fortunately, the test is still durable and you go through the instructions. Even though you have done countless tests before, you were so nervous that only Blanca's presence could calm you down. She lets you do the test alone and gets Carlos in the meantime. There was no way he was going to miss this moment.

"Mi Amor, what's wrong?" asks Carlos in surprise as he enters the bathroom. Your gaze wanders to the sink and now he also recognizes the test. "It still needs 1 more minute." you say, showing him the timer on your phone.

You both sit down on the edge of the bathtub and Carlos reaches for your hand, "If it's not, then..“

"Then we'll just try it again, without pressure and stress!" you finish your sentence and give him a passionate kiss on the mouth, "We can take care of your niece and practice with her first on how to be parents.“

You both smile into another kiss and are interrupted by your timer. You take a deep breath, squeeze Carlo's hand again, put your phone aside and reach for the pregnancy test. And then there they are, 2 bright lines. Carlos looks back and forth between you and the test. You're in a state of shock. He is confused.

"What does that mean?" he asks excitedly and reaches frantically for the package, "What do 2 lines mean? It usually says pregnant or not pregnant!!!"

You cheer and scream and now Carlos also understands that the test result is positive. You fall happily around each other's necks and Blanca also rushes into the bathroom and hugs you both tightly. The commotion upstairs is not hidden from the rest of the family for long. In the meantime, Carlos' younger sister Ana has also arrived and is more or less greeted with the news. Reyes and Carlos Sr. are falling from all clouds and warmly embrace you and their son.

"I can't believe we're going to spend next summer here with two little grandbabies," Reyes says overjoyed, showering you and Carlos with kisses.

1 year later

It’s the morning you arrive on Mallorca at the vacation home of the Sainz family. This time you travel with more luggage than usual. More than half of it, belongs neither to Carlos nor to you, but to your son Antonio, who is currently taking his nap on top of you.

This bundle of joy saw the light of day 3 months ago and has since turned Carlos and your life upside down in a positive sense. He looks just like his dad, thick dark hair and those dark beady eyes. He is the most beautiful human being you have ever seen and are so thankful to be his mommy.

"Can I get you something to drink, querida?" asks Reyes softly as she approaches your cot, gently stroking your son's mop of hair.

You nod and smile gratefully at her, "Let’s get inside. I'm sure he'll be hungry in a minute."

As softly as you say it, this was Antonio's cue. He wanted his milk, and he'd best have it now. As soon as you enter the kitchen to warm the breast milk in the bottle for you, Carlos jogs toward you and takes Antonio from you, "Let me feed him, mamichula!"

Carlos wants to spend every free minute with his son. Especially during the stressful race weekends, he sees him far too less. It makes you so extremely happy to see him like this with Antonio and you are grateful for the greatest partner at your side and the best father of your child. You hand him the bottle and contentedly your son drinks the milk. You sit down next to Carlos on the sofa and rest your head on his shoulder.

"It's so good to be back," you murmur dreamily, kissing his shoulder.

Before Carlos could answer, he is interrupted by his niece, who will celebrates her first birthday tomorrow. The little girl with the brown curls, climbs up the couch and wants to get on your lap to see her little cousin. You pick her up and immediately her eyes are on your son. She puts a hand on the bottle and together they feed Antonio.

[theplaid-wearingmoose]

Giving It Up ~Cavill!Sherlock x Reader smut~

When Enola had told him he needed to learn to give up control sometimes, he was fairly certain this is not what she had meant.

He'd told his beloved Y/N about his conversation with his little sister and she immediately got a mischievous gleam in her eye. He knew that look. She was about to get him out of his perfectly designed comfort zone and experiment. Sherlock hated to experiment...

That was how he ended up in this position. His darling had managed to seduce him out of his multiple layers until he was left in just his trousers. He usually had an iron grip on his emotions but Y/N was just about the only person who could addle his senses like this. She had sweetly convinced him to lay on the bed and before he even knew what had happened, she had pinned his hands above him and used his necktie to bind his wrists to the bed frame.

"Now dearest...I don't think this is what was intended when I said I would be less controlling about things." He protested. Y/N flashed a wicked grin at him, something that had his cock twitching in his pants even as his words came out with an uneasy tone. Sherlock wasn't opposed to trying new things in the bedroom. He was just very used to having her under him, taking her quickly but passionately. He liked being the one to determine when she came. He knew all of her favorite places to be touched, kissed, and caressed. Her body had been thoroughly inspected and studied by him until he was confident in his ability to please her without any issues.

"Sherlock, my darling, I know how much you love your routines. I just think this is a good opportunity to test out this new advice. A fun little project, wouldn't you say?" She asked, running her finger down his chest teasingly. Sherlock felt his face warm under her touch. This new dominating side of her was simply shocking and borderline scandalous. He could imagine Mycroft's horrified expression if he knew his brother was allowing his woman to behave this way. Even if they were in their own bedroom.

That thought was quickly shoved out of his brain as Y/N stood and began to remove her clothes. Sherlock watched with lustful eyes as layer after layer was removed. His chest began to rise and fall faster the more she took off. Of course they'd been bare before each other many times, but part of Sherlock's routine was that he liked to be the one to undress her. This giving up control thing was starting to wear on him as she took her time unlacing and unbuttoning. He'd decided he needed to voice his frustrations.

"Darling, you're driving me mad. At least let me take those damn bloody things off you. Then you can have me back where I was." Y/N grinned. "Are we already at the bargaining stage, my love? I've barely started and you already can't bear it?" She teased. Sherlock groaned but stayed silent. His hands tensed against his restraint and he cursed himself for wearing one of his more expensive ties today. The material would not tear easily.

His eyes were drawn back to his beloved at she got down to her last layer. Sherlock inhaled sharply as he took in the sight before him. "Where on earth did you get that from??" He choked out. He had never seen these undergarments on her before. They reminded him of the outfits he'd seen on a case where he had to investigate a brothel. The women there had tried to seduce him too and he noticed the way Y/N carried herself in this moment reminded him a great deal of them. The independence, the confidence, certain that they were going to get whatever they wanted from the man they were entertaining. Y/N had this same attitude about her, as if she knew she was going to get exactly the reaction she wanted from him.

She didn't answer his question. She simply climbed onto the bed and straddled his hips. She rolled hers against him, moaning contently at feeling him hard beneath her. "Sherlock..." She sighed, her eyes closing and a blissful smile forming on her face. She pressed her hands to his chest, supporting herself as she ground down on him harder. Sherlock felt sweat begin to appear on his forehead as he looked up at her. Pleasure coursed through him the faster she moved. Moans and sighs of her name fell his lips until he found himself unable to stand her teasing any longer.

"Please...please my angel...let me be inside you." He begged. Sherlock surprised himself with this behavior but he couldn't help it. Y/N was truly an astounding woman to reduce the great Sherlock Holmes to a begging, sweating mess. And she knew it. She leaned forward and planted a messy kiss to his lips. He groaned as her tongue explored his mouth. He never would've imagined enjoying being on the receiving end so much. He always preferred being the dominant one. It seemed natural to him. Yet here he was begging for his love to give him release.

Breaking the kiss, Y/N sat up and slid down Sherlock's legs to reach his trouser button. Sensing her lover's anticipation, she took her time unfastening them and only pushed them down far enough to free his erection. Sherlock cursed as she began to stroke him. His head fell back against the pillows and his eyes fluttered closed. "You are too good at that, my love." He sighed. Y/N grinned and continued faster. Sherlock bit his lip in an attempt to stifle his moans but Y/N's hands moved with such skill he could hardly contain himself. "D-Darling...I don't think I will last much longer if you keep going like this. I want to be inside you...please." He moaned.

Satisfied that he'd been broken down enough to accept this new change of pace, Y/N stopped stroking him and reached down between her own legs to play with her clit. Sherlock moaned again at the sight of his beautiful Y/N touching herself. It seemed almost scandalous to be watching her, but the way her eyes rolled back and her full lips parted to release those adorable little gasps she let out, held his focus and he couldn't bring himself to look away. "Y/N....my sweetheart...I need you." He groaned, impatience rising in him. Y/N's fingers continued to work inside her as she brought her sultry gaze back to her lover. "What do you need me to do, Mr. Holmes?" She teased. Sherlock cursed again and sighed heavily. "Please my love, I need you to sit on my cock. I need you to ride me until I cum inside you and you coat my cock with your delicious release." He all but growled his answer back at her.

Biting her lip and humming in satisfaction at his answer, Y/N removed her fingers and moved to hover over Sherlock's large erection. Bracing herself on his chest, she lowered down onto it, the two of them moaning loudly. Y/N gasped as she sank down all the way. She felt so full and stretched as she took him inside her. Sherlock's eyes darkened as he watched his cock disappear inside her. "Ride me, my love...I want to see you fuck yourself on my cock." He rasped. Y/N began to move her hips, pushing on his chest for leverage. Their gasps and moans filled the room as Y/N bounced up and down on him. Her tits moved deliciously in Sherlock's face and he wanted so badly grab them and bury his face between them. He needed more of her. He needed to touch her, hold her, wrap his large arms around her and hold her to his chest as he slammed up into her wet heat.

Y/N leaned forward and pressed kisses down his neck. This new angle allowed Sherlock to fuck up into her like he wanted. Her cries of pleasure rang throughout their home. "Fuck, angel. You feel so good like this. So tight around me. I can feel you squeezing me....I need you to cum, my darling...cum on my cock while I fill you up." Sherlock growled in her ear. His words combined with the fast pace they were setting pushed Y/N over the edge. She spasmed and trembled as her orgasm hit her, her wetness soaking Sherlock as it gushed out of her. Using the last bit of strength she had, she pushed her hips back to meet Sherlock's thrusts, sending him to his release as well, as her ass jiggled against him. Y/N felt his warm cum spill inside her, filling her.

As they lay together, both trembling and sweating, Y/N brushed Sherlock's hair from his forehead and lifted her head off his chest to look at him. "Did you enjoy that, darling?" She asked. Sherlock gave her a sleepy smile. "Of course I did, my love. You are very impressive when you take control like that." He complimented her. "Does that mean you'll be willing to give up control in other things?" Sherlock hesitated. "One thing at a time, my sweet. I will try, but one thing at a time."

[muffinsin]

Thank you so much for all these great posts. They've been really helping me while my dog is really sick.

I don't know if you've written something like this already, but maybe you could write one where the sisters fall in love with one of the maids from afar but they're afraid to talk to her because she might be scared of them?

Of course! I’m glad you’re enjoying them & I hope your dog will be better soon! :( (give us doggo updates?👀). I’ve mentioned them being worried in a couple of posts, though never fully elaborated I think

Let’s get into it! :)

Masterlists

Bela

She’s had her eye on you for a while already now

Never has she dared approach you

Much less talk to you!

Bela’s a nervous wreck when you do as much as look at her

Having discovered you originally after you cleaned her office, she immediately felt intrigued

Bela is, some might say, a difficult person

When maidens clean her room or office, it’s even more dangerous than with her sisters. This is her private area

And she has a very, very specific order and pattern of placing her things. Pencils must be right where she left them, papers even more so

Often the staff mistakes these things. Pencils she left out, shoes she left out, papers meant to be easily taken are moved back to the stash of papers on her desk

Has she hates it! She feels, she must reorganise her entire room after it’s been cleaned

You don’t make these mistakes, though

You clean, and only clean. You respect her enough to view what seems like clutter to others as precision

Pencils are right where they’re left. Clothing is re-folded, and put right where she left them

This is bound to catch her attention. You stand out

Yet, Bela starts to fall in love long after she’s made you her private maiden, the one appointed to only her and all her needs

For when you clean her bookshelf and put finished books- neatly piled so you won’t move those she wants untouched- back in the shelf. Perfectly organised, of course

It’s as if you understand her

And yet, she’s too scared to face you

Bela feels flustered when she once finds a note next to her pile of unfinished books

Recommendations…

She didn’t think any maid really took to reading. Even knew how to. And much less did she assume anybody would share her taste

But, upon following your recommendations, she finds they’re very good!

She leaves them out subtly, to show you she’s read through each and every one of them

To ask you, without having to face you, for more

And you keep making recommendations

Bela catches herself falling for you, and tests you

Sometimes she leaves slips of papers containing quotes

She falls back on her bed with a large grin when you pass her tests, writing the books they’re from, or promising you will read them

Your handwriting is neat too, she notices

Yet, Bela wonders and adores from afar

She watches you work, and eagerly takes in all you do. She gazes, stares maybe even, but never engages

What if you too, will see her as a monster?

Cassandra

Cassandra is intrigued by you the moment you’re sent to the castle for work

The blacksmith. You’re to make her weapons

She’s thrilled! She goes to visit you immediately, having a full list of what she’d like

But-

She’s almost shrieking at you when she comes inside and almost swarms face first into your muscular back

It’s rare she sees someone with muscles at the castle! Though she knows your work technically demand some

She’s by far more flustered than she’d like to admit, and when you begin turning around, she’s quick to swarm away, leaving only flies and the list falling to the floor

Behind a wall and out of sight, she face palms herself

So much for being menacing…

She admires as you work, even if she never allows you to see her

That’s right, the sadistic little middle child of Alcina Dimitrescu is smitten, laying on one of the wooden foundations of the wall, far above you as she watches you work the furnace

Large muscles glistening with sweat…

Cassandra basks in it all, and the warmth of the furnace

She watches wide eyed as you craft her a sickle and dagger, eyes wide when you add a little bit of something to it

No previous blacksmith has ever dared swat from her exact orders

But- it’s beautiful

A pattern at the grip, a beautiful one resembling her swarm

She nearly falls from her lounging position as she tries to get a closer look, and the thought of falling, halfway swarming and landing in your arms is enough to fluster her already

She scolds herself for being this way. Daniela would act like this, not her!

But, she just can’t help it around you. She feels by far too careless and by far sweeter than she is

Then, you start gifting her things

She finds random, little things of metal crafted to her- things she has not commissions

Things that make her stony heart melt

You craft her beautiful daggers with a gemstone as gold as her choker’s gemstone at the bottom

And, something particular that makes her breath hitch

A silver platter, with silver, bronze and copper hearts, beautifully crafted just for her

Not the cliché, sweet hearts. Realistic ones. With a dark metal serving as blood at the top

She swoons at the sight

And still, she can’t bring herself to talk to you for a second reason:

What if you’re scared of her?

While she feels like a flustered maiden merely watching you, this is a harsh contrast to her behaviour around everybody else

She knows her reputation

A monster

The sadistic one, it’s best to stay out of sight

The mistress of torture

She knows, these things are all right. And she’s proud of these titles, of the fear she strikes in all but her family

Yet, she can’t help but feel worried you also see her as such

What if the little gifts and addition you make her are nothing but a way, an attempt, to stay on her good side and alive?

What if you too are trying to save yourself from her clutches?

Daniela

Our sweet Daniela, delusional and naive, yet so fast to fall in love

Or what she calls love, at least

She’s been watching you, love evident in her eyes as she dreamily watches you from her window

You’re the gardener, watering the flowers she loves so much. Oh, she wishes she could go outside and pick some!

But the cold temperature suggests otherwise, and locks her inside the warmth of the castle

Oh, but she watches, head held up and resting against her palms, a dreamy expression on her face as she watches you tend to the plants and hedges growing in winter

White and purple flowers on the ground

You’re wrapped into many layers to keep warm, and she wishes she could merely copy you

Daniela watches every day, sighing dreamily and smiling lovingly as you tend to it all

Her cheeks warm when you look up, yet she knows she is too far up and in the distance for you to make her figure out at the window

What she doesn’t mind is, however, that you are very capable of seeing her when she does not glance at you from her room, high above the ground in the castle’s tower, but from the library

You feel the youngest Dimitrescu daughter stare at the back of your head when you work, and you can’t help but feel flustered

She’s very…adamant on watching you

She stares every day

Oh, and she admires every day

And sometimes, sweet Daniela gets so lost in her daydreams, she doesn’t even notice you look back at her and catch her staring

She blushes wild pink when she, one day, wakes up to flowers set outside her door

The white and light pink ones from the garden, with two purple ones in the bouquet!

She falls even more for you,

Each day she receives another flower, and each day she folds them into a beautiful flower crown

Daniela is sad when they die- she wishes she could just go outside

And her sadness is apparent when she plays with the dead flower petals between her petite hands, sitting once again at her seat at the window of the library

You understand the Lady’s sadness, and Daniela finds herself grinning again when instead of flowers, you bring her a slip of paper folded like a flower each day

You get her!

She yearns to feel your touch. A knight to her, the princess

Yet, she fears- what if she is not the princess, but the monster? And her knight?

What if you are not hers, but a knight sent to slay the beast that is her?

[demvalhaken]

HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!! Just some super cool arts

If I EVER had the patience to write and draw the Catecis comic, it’d look like this

This is just a grasshopper sailor out on the Waspian port

I was thinking about naming him Sir. Irian like the Iris flower. The thing is I have to differentiate him from Iris, a male monarch Butterfly across the entire world. Or Sir. Astroway as his last name is Astroway due to his sailor family using stars as a way to travel.

About my long break: Look guys, I haven’t been doing well mentally. I am in a depressive state, I am sleep deprived, I am done with life. To draw so much and pour your time and skill into an artwork only for a few likes can be frustrating. I don’t post my art for fame or love, I do it to share my ocs and ideas, I don’t want the masses to flock, I just want recognition for my work. I didn’t really mean to take a break, I get distracted very easily and forget to post. I wish I could post more but art takes time, I have to develop ideas and passion due to my constant art block and burnout. The only good thing in my life is just being alive. There is a large scar on my neck because I gave myself a friction burn with my lanyard at school due to anxiety :( I have mental problems, whatever I have, it isn’t good and will probably slowly deteriorate me to a depressive glob of my former self, but I will never get diagnosed. My family is constantly angry at me for no reason, I get that my clean obsessed behaviour can get annoying especially when I panic and get water everywhere, but I hate to be yelled at for something that I cannot control or fix. They say I am overreacting and will got over it, but I’ve tried, there is no fixing this. That’s why I’ll probably never ever get a diagnosis or therapy session. I lied, I am actually not as okay as I say I am. If I ever don’t post for a period time, please know that it’s either from lack of art or mental issues. I am sorry for not posting in awhile as my usual breaks take a time of 3 days or 2. I am deeply sorry.

Bevel, Snow, and Berry.

I drew these in my math book, very classic place to doodle, I know. There’s not a lot of doodles in my book though, I am usually trying to do equations and get an 100 on my test

I finally got a haircut, though my hair is now a short messy thing, I feel quite confident even if I don’t fully look masculine. My arm hair should be quite an indicator and the trans pin inside my backpack, haha! That pin was made by a friend of mine, don’t worry he’s very fruity and slay. Idk if it’s just my senses but my hairdresser was definitely an ally, he slayed, my hair is hairing. Also I have giant eyebags and a cowlick, like I literally have Dem’s cowlick.

Here’s some more little oc ideas. Eclipse is my first transfem oc, I know I know I’m slaying. She’s has a twin sister, Luna! Yes, Eclipse and Luna are Hornet twins, from the same egg btw. I still don’t know how it works, I’m too tired to research though. Arctic and Viper are a married couple, I like to think Arctic is just a lesbian and her/his wife is a crazy queen with schizophrenia who totally didn’t kill her family. They’re both from Bloodlust’s time period, though a little older.

I don’t want to talk about it… This is really gross but because Snow’s family wanted to keep the bloodline “pure” she’s SHORT and albino but like literally no one else in her family is albino… poor Snow… GUYS DONT MARRY YOUR SIBLINGS AND COUSINS… Bevel transmasc headcannon, I’m not making it cannon yet because Bevel is a lesbian.

Layze, Funkyfrogbait, and Bevel with one tooth

@purpledemonss asked for this minus Bevel, that was my idea

OKAY I LOVE YOU GUYS SM, EAT THIS UP, STAY A MENACE TO SOCIETY JUST DONT EAT LEATHER UNLESS YOU ARE DEATHLY STARVED

[ddagent]

This was the hardest decision I've had to make this week because I am curious about all the smut prompts. May I request number 33 please? 👀

33. 69

It was a game they played. They'd hear about it from one of the engineers bragging at the Outpost, or one of Sergei's sisters would share a new position they had read in a magazine they had to hide from Sergei's mother. Then on Monday, Margo and Sergei – in their shared office – would discuss how the position could be achieved. What would be the best angle for maximum pleasure, limited joint strain? Could any improvements be made? Then they would test their hypothesis on a Sunday afternoon when the offices were empty and the skeleton crew would leave early. Just the two of them.

They were currently in one of the labs, on a drafting table. Margo's eyes kept drifting to the door, but Sergei had already locked it, wedged a chair underneath the handle, covered the window with paper. No one would be able to look inside – and they'd have enough warning for Margo to get her clothes on. Still, she flushed as she lay naked on the table, exposed to Sergei's wanting gaze.

Above her, Sergei grinned. He tipped her chin up so she could meet his mouth in a kiss. "Beautiful."

"Thank you."

"So—" He kissed her throat. "So—" Her sternum. "So—" Her breasts. "—beautiful."

Sergei let her adjust to the position while he kissed her breasts, her stomach. Her nipples were already erect with the chill in the room; his tongue circled them to hard points and left her squirming atop the drafting table. His hand lay firm on her stomach, trying to keep her steady but Margo was already anticipating what was to come, was already wet. She tried to occupy herself with Sergei: just as naked as she was. Her fingers touched his sides, ran through the fine blond chest hair. Her thumb swiped over the flat of his nipple and he shivered in pleasure.

"Margo."

His mouth advanced, drawing closer towards her cunt. The moisture from his mouth cooled on her skin; his nose pressed against the fine auburn hair between her legs. And then, Margo's clit was between his lips and he was pressing his tongue against the nerves, one hand spreading her thighs wide so he could better eat her out. In the two years they had been doing this regularly, ever since Sergei had joined her at NASA, he'd become adept at getting her off with his mouth. Wholly different from their very first encounter, in his college dorm, years after their first meeting.

Leaning back, Margo took a moment to savour the feeling of Sergei's mouth on her cunt before she turned to his cock. They'd discussed this position, with her head just over the desk, to minimise the strain. Margo took his cock easily in her mouth, lips closing around the head. She tasted pre-cum on her lips as her tongue swirled around the tip, her hand reaching behind her to grip his shaft. It was difficult to focus on a rhythm when Sergei's tongue was flicking against her clit, but she managed. Margo was nothing if not good at adapting to new rhythms.

She stuttered to a climax first, coming against Sergei's mouth. His tongue eased her through an aftershock as she tightened the pressure around Sergei's cock with her hand, her mouth. Then she was eased back, Sergei standing, his hand around his own cock as he spilled onto his hand.

Sergei leaned back against the drafting table, enjoying the aftermath of his orgasm. Margo knelt behind him, arms wrapped around his torso. "Satisfying. But we've had better." Her hand ran along the blond hair leading to his softening cock. "You could have come in my mouth, you know. I wouldn't have minded."

"You didn't care for that with Steve."

Margo snorted. "That was three years ago. If I knew any better, I'd think you were jealous." She kissed Sergei's cheek. "Anyway, it's different. I trust you." Margo paused, quickly removed her hand. Come on; let's get dressed. I need to re-check those re-entry equations and you need to find the disinfectant."

Their regular Sunday afternoon drew to a close; both would be heading back to work. But Margo was already looking forward to next week.

Send me a number and I'll write you 300+ words of Margo/Sergei smut

[teecupangel]

Hi this Jasmine Miles from AO3! I was wondering how you might interpret this following setting:

Its 2020 and Desmond Miles has awoken held captive by a really minor front of Templars, here he meets Leonardo Da vinci and they not only become friends but because of already seeing him in Ezio's memories, they become lovers. In time Desmond learns Leo was an assassin and they meet up with Altaïr and Ezio who are also here. They eventually escape and they form a new group of loyalists with Desmond as mentor, gaining confidence as he goes.

You say minor front of Templars and my brain immediately goes for the Templar team that kidnapped Noa Kim in the Black Flag webtoon but that happened around 2023 XD

2020 is the year Valhalla’s plot starts so we can set this up to be a case of “While Layla and team were checking the mysterious message that led to Eivor’s remains, Desmond wakes up in an unknown Abstergo facility”.

The plot would be less like the webtoon’s Templars but more like the movie’s Templars.

Hell, we can even put Sofia Rikkin as the leader of the Templars that have ‘taken’ Desmond.

This sounds like Leonardo Da Vinci is an Assassin in this one which he wasn’t in canon so this could be a case of the Leonardo Da Vinci Desmond is introduced to is said to be a descendant of Leonardo Da Vinci who came from an Assassin family.

He’s a fellow captive who is being forced to watch the past Leonardo Da Vinci’s memories.

To be more exact…

How Leonardo Da Vinci was forcibly made to use the Apple by Cesare Borgia.

Desmond was in the same boat. They’re not looking for certain POEs or anything.

They want to see the memories of Altaïr using the Apple.

It didn’t take long before Desmond realized that they were looking for those memories because they have an Apple in their possession (kept in a different location because Sofia Rikkin is not an idiot, Desmond Miles is the most dangerous Assassin to ever wield an Apple easily after Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad) and they’re using data they gathered from the Animus sessions to try and create a ‘device’ that would control the Apple while they control the device because…

The Apple has a corrupting influence on everyone that wields it. Sooner or later, the user starts changing mentally and emotionally.

The only exception they could find to this rule were…

Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and…

Desmond Miles.

Leonardo was being used as a ‘control’ subject, to give a more accurate reading to compare to Desmond.

Because reliving the times Leonardo Da Vinci used the Apple aggravate Leonardo’s Bleeding Effect.

But Desmond hasn’t had any negative effect at all.

That’s when Sofia Rikkins orders from two other test subjects to be brought in and to be given the same setup.

To see if Desmond Miles is the exception or…

If it’s his bloodline.

Now, this is where the plot separates into two routes you can take:

Route 1: This is really a case of historical AC characters being reborn in modern day

This is the less sci-fi and untwist-y plot. Ezio and Altaïr are reborn into the modern day. If you want to hammer in the ‘history repeats itself’, they are both from Assassin families that got hit by the Great Purge and are related to Desmond in some way. Ezio actually calls Bill ‘Uncle Bill’ and the Great Purge killed his father and brothers and Ezio only learned about his Assassin heritage after their deaths. He had been on the run with his mother and sister and he got captured because he stood his ground to buy them some time. He doesn’t know if they’re safe or they’ve been captured. Altaïr, on the other hand, was raised to be an Assassin from the get go in a facility very similar to the Farm. He’s related to Desmond’s mother (his late father is Desmond’s mother’s distant thrice removed cousin or something) and perhaps is even the grandson of the previous mentor (or so it’s hinted because Daniel Cross describes him as looking like his grandfather). If you really want to hammer some kind of past that will create conflict between him and Desmond, they’re both from the Farm and Altaïr is actually the only one who survived the failed rescue attempt back in AC1 so Desmond feels guilty and Altaïr is too awkward to clear any misunderstanding Desmond might have.

Because, technically, Desmond has more experienced among them (as Altaïr’s experience is more akin to an elite foot soldier), Desmond takes on a leadership role and that’s the start of the ‘let’s plan how to escape this place’ arc.

Route 2: This is a cloning plot that gives a ‘reborn AC characters’ red herring

Leonardo would note early on that “they say I’m Leonardo Da Vinci’s descendant and an Assassin. I don’t feel like either of them” which Desmond (and the narration) would mistake as Leonardo saying he feels like a failure.

No.

Leonardo has no memories of his life before waking up in the Abstergo facility.

That’s because he is one of the clones made from Leonardo Da Vinci’s remains using the technology left behind by the Phoenix Project.

Desmond has all his memories and believes he’s Desmond Miles but he actually isn’t and he finds this out when Altaïr and Ezio are placed in the same facility.

Altaïr only has memories up to that fateful night he spent with Maria.

Ezio only has memories of a night of passion with Sofia.

If they were reborn, why would they only have memories up to the ‘time’ of conception of Desmond Miles’ ‘next’ ancestor?

Sofia Rikkins didn’t bother to lie to Desmond when he confronts her and he learns the bitter truth.

Leonardo, Altaïr and Ezio are all clones.

As well as Desmond.

Altaïr, Ezio and Desmond were cloned after Sample 17 because Desmond Miles’ actual corpse went missing for some reason.

Cue existential crisis here, a callback to the whole ‘what makes us who we are but our memories?’ and hurt/comfort all over.

Because Altaïr and Ezio are pretty much ‘newborn’, Desmond takes on a leadership role and that’s the start of the ‘let’s plan how to escape this place’ arc.

Unorganized Notes:

I picked the movie’s type of Abstergo facility because (1 if this is reborn route) this gives you the choice of doing other possible reborn characters to include to the new group of loyalists Desmond’s gonna lead or (2 if this is cloning route) to keep the audience from fully guessing that this is actually a cloning facility by making them remember the movie’s setup

Altaïr calls Desmond ‘Al Mualim’ once and Desmond felt so disturbed everyone laughs. ‘Al Mualim’ now becomes their pet name for Desmond whenever they want to tease him or when they think he’s planning to do something stupid

Leonardo and Desmond’s relationship is slowly blooming when Ezio enters the fray and, well, with Ezio there, there’s now this awkward love triangle thing going on with Desmond believing that Leonardo would fall in love with Ezio again, Leonardo being torn by his feelings for Desmond and the Bleeding Effect’s feelings for Ezio and Ezio not actually realizing he’s part of a love triangle because he just sees Leonardo as his BFF.

Altaïr in the background, suffering through these three idiots’ drama and wishing he could just kill every last security personnel around… just to get away from all of these.

Sofia Rikkins is colder and more professional in this one. Cal killing her father after she and he got sorta close really fucked her up.

Up to you if you want Cal and his team to show up. I placed Sofia as the ‘main Templar’ because she’s one of the few Templars high enough in Abstergo to be able to do commandeer an entire facility, she has knowledge of the Animus, and is part of the Templar inner circle in some capacity.

[nerizys]

Yaya's Cookies, and how it affects Spirits - Boboiboy AU

Contains OCs, OOC

___________________________

A spirit's job is no easy task, or that's how it is nowadays since civilization came into the picture. Keeping balance, taking care of the planet... It's hard work. But that's why the spirits aren't bound by ordinary biological rules. They can easily shrug off radiation or poisoning.

So why did Yaya's cookies affect Taufan in such an adverse way?

Granted it was made with poisoned goat milk, but her cookies have proven themselves to be quite lethal even without the milk.

There are also certain exceptions to this, but he doesn't know why a spirit like Taufan would go manic while they didn't.

The spirit of light has a hypothesis in mind, but he can't confirm it just yet with so little data. Perhaps a few interviews are in order.

Ah, what boredom does to the mind.

________________________________

The first spirit that Solar contacted was Forte, the spirit of Fortification, the youngest known spirit, and works indirectly for TAPOPS

It was also known that she likes to spar with Yaya to practice her power and skill. Yaya was fond of the little spirit too, acting like an older sister to her (despite Forte being 528, not like he can criticize them).

"Hi Elder Solar! How are you?" Forte's face appeared on the tablet, she appears to be lying on her back, she must have been playing while waiting for Veronica.

Being the youngest, she had taken to calling the Elementals 'Elder', after learning they are the oldest living spirits as of now to annoy them.

"Hello Forte. I am fine, I simply have a few questions for you regarding Yaya's cookies"

"Oh... those.." Forte's face seem to droop a little. "What about them?"

"How did you feel when you ingested them?"

"That's it? Well, it was fine at first"

"At first?" Solar asked with a raised eyebrow

"You see..."

"Here, I made some cookies for you Forte" Yaya said, handing the little spirit a basket of cookies.

"Really? I can have them?" Forte asked as she looked at the adorably shaped cookies.

"Of course! Try one"

Forte picked out one of the cookies and tried taking a bite. It's weirdly hard, the taste reminds her of the wasteland days...

"How is it? I made it with a new recipe"

"Ummm, it's not bad, could use a little more flavor"

"I see. Thank you for the feedback" Yaya nods

"Ever since then, she kept handing me cookies, but they start to taste even worse somehow... There are times of improvement but very little" She sighs. It was dreadful.

Solar can only share his condolences for Forte's fate. At least she hasn't fainted from it or become manic.

"Anyways, I have a question for you too Elder!"

"What is it?"

"Can you help me figure out the fuel for this one piece of equipment? We're trying our best but it keeps blowing up. I can use my power so it doesn't get destroyed but everyone would rather have more permanent solution". Forte had picked up a fondness for weapons and many technologies, as they align well with her power, not so well with chemistry though.

Since he's bored. Why not?

"Send it's data over, I'll see what I can do"

"Thank you Elder! Also, Yaya decided to hand out her treats to engineers and mechanics that came to assist us a while ago. She handed a box of them to Remiel. He's an android so he should be fine. Not sure about Kanoa or Mr Esther though

"I see. I'll ask them"

"Wow. Elder Solar socializing? Oh wait, lemme guess. You're doing some kinda experiment aren't you?"

"It is just a test to pass the time" Solar simply stated the truth, he is definitely not slightly miffed about Forte poking fun at him.

"Sure sure whatever helps you sleep at night. Wait you even sleep-"

"Just send me the data"

It wasn't nothing Solar couldn't handle. He quickly found a way around the "spontaneous combustion".

_______________________________

"Hello Solar. How may I help you?" A polite voice had picked up the call. He knows who it is.

"Hello Remiel. I heard Yaya gave you a box of cookies"

Remiel, an android made by a spirit. Solar's quite curious about his functions. For a creation from 50000 years ago, his functions are quite advanced and mysterious.

Raziel knew what she was doing

"Yes. It was kind of her. I assume this isn't the only reason you called?"

"Correct. I am currently studying the reason why we spirits can't seem to handle them" He doesn't have that many options to be honest. Only 11 spirits are confirmed to exist. His brothers liked to keep in touch with the other spirits and Solar himself really had no complaints.

"If it's the results you are looking for... Kanoa is currently curled up in bed. She is recovering. Briar also had some, but he is alright from what I've observed"

"Thank you Remiel"

"You're welcome".

________________________________

"Greetings, Solar" A voice rang out in his mind before he could contact the next spirit he knows.

"Greetings to you too, Neira" Or Oneira if he goes by the name her master gave her. Although she initially introduced herself as the spirit of Dreams, her true identity is the Spirit of Sentience. As such, it allows her to tamper with the senses.

One of which being one-way telepathy.

Solar pressed call, and Neira's face showed up on the screen, smiling.

"I assume you had an experience with Yaya's confectioneries?"

"It's not exactly me per say, but I experience it through Nisha"

"Do elaborate"

Nisha stared at the adorable box of cookies Yaya had made, then at Yaya and Ying.

One's face was almost as bright as the sun in anticipation, the other looked at her with pity. Nisha knows why. She had heard rumors of the dreaded treats.

But she can't simply say no, not when the pink hijabi girl made it out of such good will. She can only hope it tastes good.

So she goes ahead and took a bite.

Shakily, she gives them an "Okay" hand signal.

"Of course, Nisha wasn't actually okay. It absolutely decimated her taste buds in a bad way, and I had to numb her tongue. Then she suffered from a stomachache later" Neira sighs.

"I... see" Solar sweatdropped. Nisha was still in medical care, rehabilitating her movement. 64 years in a cryopod can do that to a person.

"Before you end the call. I have something to tell you as a spirit that's very experienced with the senses"

"And that is?"

_______________________________

'With some input from Neira, the spirit of Sentience. I've confirmed my suspicion. We were simply vulnerable to the taste of the cookies, not the actual ingredients itself. It's both quite the relief and cause for concern'

[margindoodles2407]

Fellas is it wrong to feel less holy for wanting to get married instead of entering religious life. Asking for a friend

In all seriousness. I just... I mean, half the people who know me think I'm going to enter the convent. And I love the religious life! It's a beautiful and noble vocation and I commend and love all the women who have given their lives so fully and completely to God!

But... it hurts me a little, that people think that I have to become a sister because I love the Lord. As if I'm too holy and pure to do anything else. I kind of feel put on a pedestal, and an undeserved pedestal, because I am- to use my favorite expression of St Paul's- the foremost of sinners. I have so many problems. I'm violent and proud and lose my temper too easily, my prayer life is atrocious, and I don't really want to get into it here, but I've had a huge, lifelong struggle and battle against lust that with God's help it looks like I am finally getting over. And I am working on it, and I am offering my broken, sinful self to the Lord and striving to change! To be holier and more patient and kinder and humbler and more chaste and more prayerful and, in a word, more Christ-like! Because that's truly what I want!

But I don't necessarily want that in a convent.

Ever since I was little, the deepest desire of my heart has been to be a mother and a wife. I remember preschool career day, everyone else came in wearing their firefighter and doctor and veterinarian costumes... and I came in, wearing casual clothes and with my baby doll bundled to my chest in a miniature baby carrier my grandma had made specially for the occasion. Maybe it's something about me being the oldest of so many siblings. Maybe it's the fact that my own mother is such an amazing role model. But that's what I truly want, and it's what I have wanted for so many years, and I genuinely think it's what God's been preparing me for my whole life.

But everywhere I go, everyone I've turned to, all I seem to be met with is "You'd make such a good Sister!" or, "So, when are you entering the convent?" or, "Have you ever thought of entering [x] religious order?" with the exception of my own family. And it's led to a lot of stressing over my own vocation, because I'm a very naturally scrupulous person, and so ever since I was, like, eleven years old I've worked myself into the mentality of "I so want to get married to an amazing, wonderful man and have amazing, wonderful children. But what if that's not what God wants for me? I mean, we are called to sacrifice, aren't we? And I'm sure that if I spent enough time in the cloister I could learn to love it. But it's really not what I want. But does what I want matter? Maybe I'm just being selfish. Maybe this is my big test, and I need to give up my own selfish desire for a husband and a family. I'm so afraid that I'm not doing God's will." And so on and so forth.

And it doesn't help that... I've never once been pursued romantically. This is both a blessing and a curse. I get it, I'm young, I've got years to go before I get married, and in today's dating world over half of the hypothetical boys who would ask me out I'd have to politely turn down for various reasons. But it just kind of adds to that whole feeling of me being untouchable, too good and holy and pure for any prospective suitor to soil by attempting to win my favor, and unfortunately... it's kind of gotten to the point where I feel unlovable. Like no one will ever want me like that, like maybe I have no choice but to head behind the grille.

And to make matters worse, there is a boy. He's kind, he's funny, he's courteous and chivalrous and handsome and, most importantly, devout. On fire for his faith. And he shares so many interests with me- we met over the summer and quite literally bonded over our shared love of Zelda and Star Wars. He's an artist, like myself (he draws and writes and plays music) and appreciates the value of beauty in the same way I do. He's also one of my only not-online friends I feel completely and totally secure talking about my faith with, which is the most important thing because in my other friendships I almost always feel spiritually stifled in some way. I am not kidding when I say that he is exactly the man I always prayed for. And, after a very long time of not having a crush, I fell fast and hard. And I can picture us together, I can see us being married and raising children and helping our family get to Heaven together. I can see us growing old together, and having our fights and squabbles but always, through God's grace, coming back more in love than ever. He is one of my best friends and we talk almost every day, and I know that a relationship with him would lead me truly closer to God.

The problem is: he lives pretty far away. We're in the same state, but it's still a three-hour drive. And I have no idea if he feels the same way, because I'd rather have a long-distance friendship that is Godly and holy and whole and lasts for years even if it never leads to anything more, than a long-distance relationship that fizzles out within months and strains the friendship we did once have. To make matters worse, we've talked about vocations and marriage and stuff before (we actually met at summer camp, and our little friend group talked about this kind of thing often), and it turns out that he experiences that phenomenon that seems to be found most heavily concentrated in teenage Catholic populations where there's this amazing incredible Godly young man that every Catholic girl who knows him ends up falling head over heels for. Now, he doesn't play into that (did I mention he's amazing and incredible and Godly), but... there are so many other girls that he could choose, and none of them live three hours away.

I don't know. I just needed to vent, I guess.

TL;DR: I am tired of marriage being seen as lesser than or sub-optimal to religious life, I am tired of always feeling like I need to enter a convent in order to please the Lord, I am tired of being constantly on the verge of a spiritual breakdown over trying to discern my vocation at the tender age of [redacted], and I am tired of feeling like no one will ever want me, except maybe the first guy I've ever been able to actually envision a life with but who lives three hours away and has plenty of admirers besides me.

[okaylorrainee]

her way of water finale

characters. neteyam & female reader. sully family. tsireya.

synopsis. neteyam and his family left their clan to seek uturu from yours. on their first night, neteyam wanders by the shore to clear his mind. he finds himself away from everyone’s marui pods and comes across you as you bathed - he couldn’t get you out of his mind since then.

contains. timeskips. skinny dipping. kissing. all sfw, nothing wild.

note. thank you all for reading this story! had lots of fun while writing this. this fic is officially the first one i’ve finished in my years of writing fanfics. see you in my next avatar story! (lo’ak or tsu’tey x reader) <3

taglist. @rainbowsocks @mashiromochi @anm3mi @fanboyluvr @anxietydrogz @sakura-onesan @amortencjja @kaealowri @jkeluv @xxlaynaxx @mirikusashes @strangerdangerwrites @hafutoru @inluvwithneteyam @jjkclub @lovergirl-3000 @papadragun

Ch 07 [ previous . masterlist ]

flying with neteyam was an experience you knew you would never forget, and the same could be said for him. the few minutes you’ve asked from kiri became hours because every moment was wonderful that you’ve lost track of the time. you watched the ocean together and got to know each other more as the conversation went on, you didn’t want this to end; neteyam was genuinely so fun to be with.

just like that, days went on and it’s been weeks since that moment. from there on, spending time with each other became normal for you both. every day would either be him joining you to hunt or you just hanging out somewhere on the island talking and training until eclipse came. eventually, you even felt comfortable around him enough for you to let him come with you every night when you ventured to the other side of the island to do whatever it was you were doing. neteyam never joined you in the water though, he would only sit quietly on a tree branch, looking somewhere else as he enjoyed listening to you sing the songs he later figured out were your parents’ life stories.

this connection you were forming with neteyam didn’t come unnoticed by everyone around you. after all, many of the people knew you as someone who was too busy to socialize. even your peers struggled to keep to themselves when you seemed inseparable as days went on. not a day goes by that neteyam wasn’t seen with you. he had even given you one of those extra throat comms their family brought with them to awa’atlu just so you could call him anywhere if you were in trouble; jake became interested in meeting you when his son asked.

when the tulkuns came back, it meant that it was another time for the metkayina coming-of-age rituals. you had mentioned this to neteyam before, and he asked you to help him prepare; he seemed eager to be recognized as a warrior. perhaps he grew tired of the limits and being treated like a child when he was already a skilled warrior back in his clan, or perhaps he couldn’t wait to ride through the oceans with you in your skimwings, just like you promised. 

when you introduced him to your spirit sister, aweä, he felt even more encouraged to overcome the tests of the coming-of-age rituals. aweä was very fond of neteyam. because of your spiritual connection with her, it wasn’t difficult for her to notice the feelings you had for the man. she expressed how she supported you and wished for your success, and how she approved of him becoming your mate. you simply laughed at her, saying, “he has to succeed in the trials first.”

and succeed he did. neteyam easily prevailed in taming a skimwing. you watched from afar when neteyam swam and dove with his new partner, a proud grin on your face as his siblings cheered beside you. everyone saw how he flew with his skimwing while raising his spear with both hands, yelling his own victory cheer as he locked eyes with you. tsireya teased you all day about it.

neteyam, unsurprisingly, proved successful for the tulkun trials as well. when he came back with the more experienced hunters with a huge grin on his face, everyone already knew. you immediately went and threw yourself at him, arms around his neck as he laughed and returned the embrace. the people cheered as you guided him to the hut where tonowari, jake, and the other hunters were waiting. you sat beside him, smiling the entire time he was given his first tattoo. neteyam would wince from the pain every now and then, but you held his hand to encourage him, such a sweet act was smiled upon by his parents and the adults who acted as yours.

the next few days were wonderful. with neteyam now officially recognized as a warrior in the clan, your promise to ride with him was soon to be fulfilled. all that was left was for you to call for your skimwing and connect with her again. neteyam placed his hands on your shoulders to help ease your anxiety, a gesture to let you know he was here. “you can do it. she will be fine.”

you put your fingers on top of his hand, inhaling deeply before calling for your skimwing. the water was pushing and pulling beneath you, and it takes a while before the creature shows up. neteyam gently squeezed your shoulders, urging you to approach the animal. “go.”

you took slow steps to come closer to your companion and neteyam watched you from the shore. breaking away from your shared gaze, you drew your attention back to the skimwing and began to pet it carefully. “kaltxì, kaltxì. i have missed you. will you accept me as your rider again?”

the skimwing opened its mouth and puffed out a deep breath, as if it was replying to you. you took your queue whilst you observed the animal, gently connecting yours with it. a sudden wave of emotions gushed through your body when you felt the skimwing’s entire being. her breath, her heart, and her mind - showing you the fond memories you had together that she kept, it all overwhelmed you so much. you truly missed your partner. 

you began tearing up as you moved to mount the skimwing, whispering an apology to her over and over because of how much you neglected her. you hadn’t even thought that she was missing you too. 

neteyam smiled at you affectionately as he watched. your connection with your partner warmed his heart, he was so proud and happy for you. from that day on, you rode your skimwings together almost every day, exploring the ocean and hunting together, discovering more about the beauty of the ocean with you by his side.

everything was perfect. you hadn’t felt so content and happy with your life in such a long time. it was like the deep hole in your heart had disappeared, and the one who filled it was neteyam. 

neteyam who took you flying for the first time and continued to do so every now and then because you loved it so much. neteyam who offered almost all of his hunt to you everytime he got back, that the people now assumed you were courting each other. neteyam who treats you with so much care he would run to your side whenever you called him using the throat comms. and neteyam, whom you spend every night with when you hide away from the village, the same place where he first found you and thought you were beautiful.

you smiled as you closed your eyes, thoughts of him clouding your mind as you reminisced the past few months you’ve spent together. finally, you’ve embraced the feelings you’ve developed for him. your heart was so full, aching for this man. there was no one you’d want more.

you curled your toes on the sand beneath you as you relaxed on the water again. the moment you opened your eyes, you were met with the same view you saw every night when you swam. of course, you were here again, and neteyam was with you too, up on a tree, overlooking the ocean and your back that was turned to him, body submerged in the water. 

you weren’t speaking and neither was he, only the waves and the tree leaves that rustled from the breeze created sounds. but that was until he spoke. “why are you keeping this affair of yours a secret?” he has been with you here for so many nights, and yet he only asked now. 

“it is not a secret. nobody else has simply noticed to ask.” you explained as you fixed the strands of your hair from behind you. you paused for a few seconds before continuing, “water is around us and within us. every night i come here to be one with the water. because as the tulkun and fishes swim bare, i believe we should too. at least, every now and then.” you smiled. “it is what my mother has taught me, her way of water.” 

neteyam didn’t reply, absorbing what you said.

a few seconds of silence went by, and you suddenly turned around to face him. neteyam’s eyes shifted to you in surprise. usually when you were finished, you would tell him first to turn around before you faced him and went out of the water. neteyam wanted to look away, but your gaze on him was too steady, he couldn’t bring himself to. 

“neteyam, why don’t you join me in the water?” you invited him, combing your hair to your front and letting them fall to hide your upper body.

he felt his eyes widen, and he tried not to stutter. “... are you sure?”

a gentle smile appeared on your lips. “i have told you now why i come here every night. do you not agree with my belief?”

he exhaled from his mouth and jumped down from the tree branch. “i do. i think it is very meaningful. your mother’s teaching has helped you form a very beautiful mindset.”

you smiled again before turning your back to him, saying nothing else. you watched the glowing ocean floor, deep in thought. you didn’t notice neteyam approaching behind you.

“should i take off everything as well?” he asked in a low voice.

“if that is what you are comfortable with.”

you hear him moving from behind you. you feel the ripples of the waves move against your skin as he enters the water, but you didn’t say anything and continued to look at the vast ocean in front of you. 

neteyam finds your arm when he closes the gap between you. he’s standing right behind you, breath hitched and hesitating on what to do next. his hand is cold, but his presence was warm on your rear. you smiled even if he couldn’t see, grabbing his arm and pulling him gently to let him embrace you. you rested your head back on his shoulder and your hands on his arms that were around your waist. “how are you feeling?” you asked him.

his warm breath blew on your skin as he answered, “to be honest, i do not feel any different.” ignoring his nervousness from this skin-to-skin contact, that is.

you chuckled at his response and turned around to face him. again, he is startled, and he tries hard not to look anywhere else but your eyes. you cupped his cheeks with your palms, and you noticed how warm they had become - he was blushing. “come, let us do something fun.” you slightly grinned, tugging his arm gently as you dragged him to the deeper part of the ocean.

“what are we going to do?” he allowed himself to be dragged by you.

“breathing training.” 

he paused for a while. “are you serious?”

you laughed again. “yes.”

as your bodies fully submerged in the water, you focused on nothing but each other. you were both kicking your feet and swaying your arms, trying to keep yourselves in your position. you could see his entire self, and he could see you. the way your eyes were drawing him in made it easy for him to concentrate on returning your stare, even as your hair would float away from hiding your skin. you were so so beautiful in his eyes. not even the glowing fishes nor plants surrounding you could make him look away.

minutes underwater go by like seconds, neteyam was enjoying whatever this is you were doing to notice the time - he could stay here forever, he thought. only when he felt his insides cramp did he realize he was about to lose his breath soon. and that was the only time he broke away from you - his face couldn’t help but to crumple.

you smiled watching him, like the first time you dragged him into the water with you for breathing exercise when you were upset with him. back then, you didn’t do anything but observe him catch his breath. but now, it is different. you swam closer to him, lifting your hands to catch his cheeks. neteyam couldn’t even find the time to react when you pulled him closer, bringing your lips to his. his eyes gaped when he felt air coming into his mouth.

you felt him pull you closer in an attempt to deepen the kiss. you brought your arms around his neck, and you stayed like that for a while. neteyam could feel how his heart was about to explode.

when you withdrew from the kiss, he wasted no time in pulling you with him as he floated to the surface. he hugged you tightly before drawing back to kiss you again. he leaves slow and gentle kisses from your forehead to your eyes, your cheek, your jawline, and then your neck - you were giggling the entire time. 

with your palms on his pectorals, you look at him adoringly. neteyam felt the love in them, but he couldn’t believe it not until he heard you say it yourself. and so, he asked, “does this mean you have feelings for me?” 

you smiled again, sliding one hand up to his neck to kiss his lips. “i do.” you whispered to him as you caressed his hair. “my heart is yours, neteyam.” and that was all he needed to hear before taking your lips once again.

on that night, you shared nothing but love to each other, and it has been many years since your confession. many years since you have both announced your choice of mate, many years since you’ve tied your souls together in a ceremony in front of eywa.

the people were overjoyed for the both of you, your closest friends and family especially. tuk was happy to have another older sister especially because that sister was you, kiri could finally stop her worrying about her brother, and lo’ak was just very happy for you and for his older brother. among your peers, tsireya was the most excited one of all. after all, she witnessed your love from the beginning, and she was the friend that helped bring you two together. it took her long enough to realize that you, her friend, were the metkayina woman neteyam was talking about from before - she feigned being upset for a whole day when she figured it out because you didn’t tell her. but you and neteyam made it up to her by setting her and lo’ak up on a little date.

jake sully and his mate, neytiri, welcomed you into the family with warm hugs. at first neytiri was worried about her eldest son - he was a mama’s boy, but as she got to know you, she knew her worries were not necessary. you were a sweet and kind girl, and a strong and capable huntress too. she and jake knew you were perfect for neteyam. 

your acting father, inäin, wasn’t as affectionate to neteyam as his family was to you. you remembered it as clear as day when he challenged your mate to a duel. he was quite the overprotective one, declaring how he would never give you up until neteyam proved to him that he was able to protect you. in the end when he lost, he softened up and admitted that he was only worried for you, his ‘daughter’, because you had lost your parents once, but what if it was his time to leave, what would happen to you then? 

you watched as neteyam firmly held inäin’s hand, proclaiming, “i will protect her with my life. even when the stars fall, she is my priority. don’t worry, sir, we will form a loving family together, and i will make her the happiest woman in pandora.”

neteyam was really a man of his words. you recalled how his sincerity impressed you once before back when you were young adults, he truly has not changed in these many years that have passed. currently, you are in your thirties, still in awa’atlu with all your families and friends, except there was an addition to your loving circle, and another one on the way.

you placed a hand on your growing stomach as you watched your daughter feeding a young ilu with her father, the love of your life, neteyam. 

a smile formed on your lips as you raised your hand to wave to them, “ma’yawne, it is time to go back. the others are waiting for us.”

neteyam lifted his head to smile at you before carrying your daughter in his arms. she giggled in his neck, hiding herself in there playfully as neteyam jogged to your side.

you tucked strands of your daughter’s hair behind her ear as soon as neteyam stood in front of you, and this made her turn to you with a grin. on her neck was an ornament you made weeks before you gave birth to her - a pretty necklace with a pearl in the center, the same one you obtained with neteyam years ago on your first trip together. the pearl sat right on her chest where her heart was, and it was like you and neteyam’s love was closest to hers - thinking about it made you smile. 

neteyam is the best thing that happened in your life, and you are his. you hadn’t loved like this before, and you were sure you would never love another like this in your life. 

©️ okaylorrainee 2023. please do not re-upload, translate my content anywhere without permission.

Ch 07 [ previous . masterlist ]

[marvelfanfn2187a113]

Hey guys! It’s been a while but I’m currently obsessed with the BBC Sherlock and was struck with this idea for a tword fic, so here I am.

Warnings: literally none lol, I guess hurt feelings (Sherlock’s a bit of a jerk at first) and tword?

Sherlock x teen sister reader

Holmes Sweet Holmes

Y/N Holmes was about to throw her Pre-Calculus book into the wall. Considering her brother Sherlock had previously shot bullet holes in it, she didn’t see how she could get in trouble for it. She was just about to pick up the book when-

“Are you still working on those problems?” Sherlock asked absentmindedly as he strolled into apartment 221B.

“Yup. Help?” She pleaded. It was not often that she asked her Genius brother for help, she never wanted to distract him from a case, but she had a test tomorrow and had barely gotten any sleep this past week trying to understand the concepts, and she still couldn’t work them out.

“I’m busy,” he responded airily.

John, sitting in his chair by the fireplace, cleared his throat—his sign to Sherlock to remind him to be nice to his little sister.

Sherlock groaned “oh alright,” and snatched up Y/N’s math book. She grinned widely.

“Thanks, Shock.”

Sherlock gave her a sideways glare, and John looked up from his paper, “you know, you never did explain where that nickname came from.”

Before Y/N could explain, Sherlock huffed out a response.

“When my dear sister was learning to talk, she could not wrap her tongue around two syllable words, and Shock was all she could get out. Now, though she is practically grown and fully capable of pronouncing my full name, she chooses to remain with the nickname.”

“I see,” John smirked and went back to his paper.

…

It was a full two hours later that Sherlock’s impatience really began to heat up.

“This is a very simple equation, Y/N, I don’t see how it’s still confusing you.”

Y/N’s cheeks turned bright red, and she rubbed her bleary eyes as she tried to focus on the paper.

“I just don’t understand why-“

“If you don’t understand at this point, there’s really no reason to try to further explain. You clearly cannot grasp the concept no matter how simply I explain it.”

“I-I just-“

“Even Mycroft, though he was not nearly as good at these subjects as me, had Calculus down easily when he was years younger than you.”

Y/N bit the inside of her lip hard to keep it from quivering. She wouldn’t be able to hold her tears back for long, she knew, so she closed her math book and gathered her homework sheets, keeping her eyes averted from her big brother’s.

“Yeah, ok. Thanks for trying Sherlock.”

And she rushed to her room, closing her door before finally allowing her tears to fall.

…

“She’s not Mycroft, you know.”

Sherlock ran a hand over his face before turning to look at John. “What are you talking about?”

“Y/N. She’s not Mycroft.”

“Yes John, that much is very clear.”

“Well then don’t treat her like Mycroft.”

Sherlock frowned “I’m not following you.”

John groaned and threw down his paper. “Don’t be so thick. You and she both know that she doesn’t have the genius mind of either you or Mycroft. She’s not a superhuman, and you’re not in competition with her the way you are your brother.”

“Why would you want me to treat her differently just because she’s normal?”

John glared at his friend. “Because when you and Mycroft belittle each other, you’re really only knocking your egos down a peg. When you belittle Y/N, you’re just kicking her when she’s already down, and I’m sick of it. She’s too sweet, she doesn’t deserve that, and growing up with geniuses for brothers I’m sure she already feels inferior as it is.”

Sherlock hesitated before dubiously attempting to see the situation the way John did, or perhaps the way Y/N did. It didn’t take him long to come to the conclusion that John was right.

“Sherlock?”

“Alright then. Fine, you win, I’ll ease up on her in the future.”

John rolled his eyes “Now. Don’t wait for the future, go in there now and talk to her.”

Sherlock sighed “alright, perhaps I will.”

…

Sherlock knocked gently on the door. Y/N quickly tried to rub the tears off her face and her math book.

“Just a minute!”

The door swung open and Sherlock strode into the room.

Y/N ducked her head, letting her hair veil her face “Sherlock I didn’t say come in.”

“No, you didn’t, and I know why,” he hesitantly reached his hand up and brushed her hair behind her ears, revealing her tear stained face. “I know I’m not the best with emotion, but you don’t have to try so hard to hide yours from me.”

“You have enough to deal with with me just being here, I’m not going to add more to your plate.” Y/N grumbled, turning her face away.

“What are you talking about?”

“I know you wish that mother and father had sent me to Mycroft when they got too old to deal with me. I know I bother you, and I know you hate it when I can’t keep up with your mind. I’m sorry.”

Sherlock didn’t know what to say to this. He didn’t know how to deal with emotions, with his little sister’s feelings of inferiority. But as much as he wanted to leave her room and not come back until she felt better, he knew it was somehow his job to help her.

“Don’t apologize to me. I know I’m not a very good big brother.”

Y/N looked up. “Don’t be silly, you’re great. I just-“

“No.” Sherlock interrupted. “If you’re convinced that somehow you have to be me, or that you aren’t good enough just because you’re not like Mycroft or I, then clearly I’ve done something wrong. I don’t want you to be like me, ever.”

Y/N stared at Sherlock “you don’t?”

“Of course not. There’s already two of us in the family, and you’ve seen how we are at getting through life.”

“What are you talking about? You’re both doing great. I’m the idiot.”

Sherlock winced. “Perhaps you’re not as perceptive as Mycroft and I, but you’re worlds ahead of us when it comes to how to really live in this world, and enjoy life.” He pushed her math book away from her, and sat on the bed next to her.

“Really?” Sherlock had to strain to hear her croaked question.

He smiled “of course. I’ve never met anyone as vibrant as you.” He hesitantly placed his arm on her shoulder. “You don’t have to be me. Or Mycroft. You’ll do just fine in this world as you.”

Y/N smiled “thanks Shock.”

“Now, let’s take a look at that maths book.”

…

Y/N closed her maths book, a sleepy smile splayed across her face. “Thank you. I never would’ve figured that out.”

“My pleasure.”

Y/N groaned and laid across Sherlock’s lap, startling him. The comforting speech had put him out of his comfort zone enough for one night, or so he thought.

“Shock, I’m bored.”

Sherlock rolled his eyes “I believe it’s time for bed.”

She huffed “I’m not tired.”

Then she made a horrible mistake. She reached up and began to poke Sherlock’s side.

“You really should stop that.” Sherlock warned.

“Aw, c’mon Shock, don’t be a spoil sport. She poked him again, and he had to fight hard to keep a straight face. He really wasn’t very ticklish, but if she hit the right spot…

Y/N squeezed his side, and a tiny laugh escaped him. A huge grin split Y/N’s face before Sherlock reached down and pinned her hands together.

“Whahat are you doing?” She laughed nervously.

“Teaching you a little lesson about listening to your big brother.” Sherlock smirked and began to use his free hand to poke at Y/N’s stomach.

“AHAHA, Sherlock no!” Y/N squealed.

“I thought you were bored! I’m helping you!” Sherlock insisted, fighting a laugh himself as he watched his sister struggle to free herself, giggling constantly.

After a minute, Sherlock switched his tactic, scratching at Y/N’s neck, then under her arms, then back to her stomach, before he began to pinch at her ribs.

The sound that escaped her barely sounded human.

“Oh-ho! I believe we found the best spot!” Sherlock laughed, continuing to scratch at her ribs.

“SHOHOCK NOO!” She squealed, struggling like mad to free her hands.

“What on earth is…” John peaked his head in the room and froze, staring at the strange sight in front of him.

Sherlock laughed “John help me, trust me it’s great fun.”

After the shock had warn off, John just shook his head and chuckled. “No thanks Sherlock, I think I’ll just leave you both to it,” he backed out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

Sherlock continued to dig at Y/N’s ribs until her face turned bright red and her laughter turned silent as she gasped for air, then finally he let up.

“You’re so mean, Shock,” Y/N giggled as she shoved him off her bed.

“But it worked, didn’t it?” He smirked.

“What do you mean?”

Sherlock reached down and pulled the covers up to Y/N’s chin. “You’re tired now, right?”

She tried glared at him, but couldn’t keep the smile off her face.

Sherlock leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Sleep well, little sister.”

She smiled sleepily at him as he turned to leave. “Shock?”

He looked back “yeah?”

“Thank you.”