#who gave her a life to live and nurtured since she was a baby

[reginrokkr]

Last post before going to sneep, but I just realized that it's the 23rd anniversary of FFX and I have to admit that one of the reasons I've been falling more and more in love with Jinhsi is because she reminds me of Yuna a lot. From the knowledge that she's akin to "the last hope" if we keep in consideration Jué's condition and what it wanted to do just to protect Jinhsi, down to having lost her youth and wanting to do things here and there, but ultimately resigning to them because of an inherent guilt that this life was never her own to begin with, but also because she must adhere to her role.

[topguncortez]

Leave the Lights On - B. Bradshaw

whumptober masterlist || previous day

prompt: forced to stay awake

synopsis: Bradley goes back to work for the first time since him and Dragon welcomed their baby boy into the world. Dragon comes to face to face with her darkest thoughts.

warnings: postpartum depression, suicidal thoughts, mentions of a c-section, mentions of having a child in the NICU, crying, infant neglect (not serious or life threatening), mentions of parental death, mentions of previous miscarriages, mental breakdown

word count: 2.9k

Dragon knew that motherhood wasn’t going to be easy on her. She never really was the nurturing, lovey dovey type of person. Sure, she could give someone a hug and comfort them when it was needed. But she didn’t know how she was going to be as a mother. She grew up watching her own mother stay in a loveless marriage with her father, and the older she got, the colder she got towards her kids. She knew that Bradley was raised by a woman who was basically a saint. The stories Maverick and Bradley had told her during her pregnancy had Dragon wishing that Carole Bradshaw was around to show her how to do this. 

“Are you sure you are okay with me going back?” Bradley asked, looking at his wife through the bathroom mirror. He was finally returning to work after four months off.

After the emergency c-section and spending nearly a month in the NICU with his son, Cash, Bradley had asked for extended paternity leave, not wanting to leave Dragon alone just yet. She had a harder time recovering than they originally thought. She pushed herself too hard the first couple of days they were home, trying to finish up the final touches, and ended up ripping her incision open. And then came the side effects of having a baby in the NICU. Dragon fell into a depression, something she would never admit out loud, but both Bradley and Y/N Seresin agreed, Dragon checked all the boxes for postpartum depression. Her milk had also come in while Cash was in the hospital. Without having to wake up for regular feedings, she got mastitis, leading to one of the worst weeks of her life. Having to pump and freeze milk for a baby she hadn’t even held in her arms yet. 

“Rooster if you don’t go back today, I will shove my boot so far up your ass-” 

“Language,” Rooster chided, looking down at the infant in her arms, nursing happily from her, “I just don’t want to leave if you aren’t ready for me to be gone. We had a rough night last night.” 

Dragon sighed, looking down at Cash. The little boy didn’t sleep much, crying and screaming for most of the night. Hell, it has been that way for most of the last two weeks. Dragon and Bradley had tried every trick in the book to try and help their son, their doctor assuring them that there was nothing medically wrong with Cash. He was just colicky, crying incessantly for really no good reason. Penny had come over the other day, knowing exactly what the new parents were going through and gave them some tips and tricks. But it still didn’t make their lives any easier.

“I have to be ready for you to be gone at some point. Might as well start when you’re right down the street, versus across the pacific ocean.” 

Rooster nodded his head, knowing that this was the best way to ease into their new lives. It was uncharted territory for the both of them. Sure, they had plenty of friends in the Navy who had kids and were raising families. But they didn’t know anyone who had both spouses in the Navy, both TopGun pilots, and were both raising a new family. They didn’t know what their future was going to look like; would both of them be deployed at the same time? Would one of them have to move from the unit? Would one of them have to walk away from flying completely? But they both knew that starting with returning to daily work activities was better than being sent on a deployment somewhere. 

“Y/N said she can come over and help you, if you need it,” Bradley said, pulling his flight suit up his muscular thighs. 

“I know,” Dragon sighed, moving Cash from her chest, and setting him up to burp him, “I think if I need anything I’ll call Val.” 

“Why?” Bradley’s eyebrows furrowed, “Why bother Val and not Y/N?” 

“You know why,” Dragon muttered, pressing her nose into Cash’s head. One thing for certain, there was no denying this boy was a Bradshaw. Dragon had joked that she was surprised he didn’t pop out the womb with a mustache. But the dark curls on his head and big brown eyes were a dead give away for who his dad is. It almost made Dragon jealous how much they looked alike. 

“Baby,” Bradley sighed, sitting down on the bed next to her, his hand on her thigh, “She wants to help, and I think it would be therapeutic for her to help. Please, just keep that in mind.” Dragon nodded her head, and Bradley leaned up to place a kiss on her cheek, “Now give me my boy, woman.” 

Dragon chuckled, handing their son over to his father. Dragon couldn’t believe it, but she had fallen more in love with Bradley Bradshaw the moment she saw him become a father. He had truly become the definition of a gentle giant, Cash looking so small in his arms. Every time Dragon was up for those late night feedings, Bradley was up too, either helping her get Cash latched on, or cleaning him up. Dragon couldn’t have asked for a better partner to help her and Cash. 

“Are you sure I need to go back?” Bradley asked, pressing Cash’s cheek against his, “I think I need to stay another day.” 

“I think you need to get out of this house and back to the sky,” Dragon leaned back against the bed, “One of us needs to get back to the sky.” 

Bradley sighed, “Yeah, I know,” Bradley looked back at Cash, “I wonder if this is what my dad felt.” 

In the past six months, Bradley had been thinking more and more about his father. There were times that Bradley wished he could just pick up the phone and call his dad, asking him for advice. He hated whenever he would get jealous watching Maverick and Penny fawn over Cash like he was their own grandchild, and in a way he was. But it still wasn’t the same, and it would never be the same for Bradley. 

“Probably,” Dragon said, climbing out of bed and over to her boys, “I think every parent feels like this in our situation. I don’t think it ever gets any easier.” 

“I just hate thinking. . . when I was Cash’s age, my dad only had like two years left to spend with me,” Bradley shook his head, feeling that familiar burn behind his eyes, “And my mom. . . I know that she would be here and I think that’s what sucks more.” 

“I know,” Dragon rubbed his shoulder, “And I wish she could be here too.” And Dragon truly meant that. She loved having Penny around, having that pseudo-grandmother around to do things like the laundry and make dinner and remind Dragon to change her shirt because there was spit-up on it. But it still wasn’t the same, as it would be if Carole Bradshaw was there. Penny didn’t overstep, she stayed in her lane and would only ask to do certain things or if she could pick up and hold Cash. Dragon knew that if Carole was here, she wouldn’t ask to do certain things, she would just do them. 

“No,” Bradley shook his head, “I can’t go back today. It’s too soon,” Bradley handed Cash back to Dragon, and bent down to kick his boots off. 

“Stop it right there, Lieutenant Bradshaw,” Dragon commanded, making her husband look up at him, “You are going back to your assignment.” 

“Is this a command, Lieutenant Commander Bradshaw?” 

“It is,” Dragon nodded, “You need to go back to work,” Bradley stood up, “We will be fine. I’m going to be home for another three months and I need to learn how to do it on my own. So please, go back to work.” 

Bradley sighed, dropping his head in defeat, “Okay, okay. I’ll go. But if you need anything, please, please call me. I don’t care if I am up in the air or not, please.” 

“I will, I promise,” Dragon nodded her head, “Now please, go before the MPs show up at the front door.” 

Bradley nodded his head, taking a deep breath, “Okay. Bye Cash,” He said, running his knuckle down his boy’s cheek, “Please be good for your mommy.” 

Dragon stood in the living room, looking out the big bay window as Bradley loaded up his truck (something he had gotten after they found out they were expecting). Bradley paused for a moment before getting into the driver’s seat, looking back at the house, and then getting in. Dragon smiled to herself, knowing this was one step into getting things back to normal. She loved Cash with all her heart and was so happy to be a mother, but she also wanted things to get back to normal. She hated how everything just seemed to abruptly change. Her daily routine had changed, her workout schedule had changed, hell, even her eating schedule had changed. Sure she was used to having to make quick changes in her job, but it was never anything like this. 

“Alright little guy,” Dragon whispered looking down at her son, who was strapped into the soft carrier on her chest, “It’s just you and me.” Cash started to stir, a tiny whine leaving his lips, “Okay, okay, we’re gonna be fine.” Dragon shushed him, bouncing lightly, “We’re gonna be fine.” 

And Dragon thought she was going to be okay. For most of the morning, Cash had slept in the carrier, while Dragon moved around the house, doing small housekeeping things that she had been putting off. Their house wasn’t necessarily dirty, but it wasn’t as clean as it could be, as it used to be. Both Dragon and Bradley are clean freaks, but since having a child, they let things slip. 

It was late morning, when Dragon had woken Cash up to feed and then put him on the playmat for tummy time that everything seemed to hit the fan. Cash wasn’t a good eater, sometimes he hardly ate and sometimes he ate too quickly, causing his stomach to hurt. Dragon and Bradley had tried everything to get to help him, from having timed cluster feedings to switching different formulas. Dragon should’ve known, watching as he fussed around during his feeding that something wasn’t right, and the moment she set him down, a meltdown was going to ensue. 

“Cash,” Dragon cooed, picking up the screaming baby, “Oh no, what’s wrong?” She patted his back gently, “C’mon we were doing so good, baby.” 

Cash’s screams were ear piercing as Dragon tried to soothe him, switching from using his pacifier to grabbing his favorite Sophie the giraffe toy (gifted by Fanboy). But nothing seemed to soothe the baby. Dragon tried feeding him again, thinking that maybe he didn’t eat well enough and was hungry. She lost track of how many times she had checked and changed his diaper. She even walked around in circles in the backyard, thinking the fresh air was going to help. Nothing seemed to soothe him, nothing at all. 

“Cash,” Dragon felt herself getting frustrated, “Please stop,” Her nose began to prick with the telltale sign of tears beginning to form, “Please, please stop crying. I don’t know how to help you!” She felt like she was out of options, going through a mental list of everything she had seen Penny do last time Cash was inconsolable like this. “Do you want to take a bath? Hm? Will that help your tummy?”  

Dragon walked up the stairs to her shared bedroom, putting Cash into the bassinet. His crying seemed to grow louder as she put him down. Dragon rubbed her temples, trying to soothe the migraine that was forming from the loud shrieks. It broke her heart to listen to him carry on like this, knowing that there wasn’t much she could do to help him. 

“Just a minute, baby, I will make it better,” Dragon whispered, putting his pacifier in his mouth, before walking into the bathroom. It was like she had gone on autopilot, her eyes glossing over a bit as she got everything set up for his bath, putting the plastic tub in and then turning the water on. Dragon sat down by the edge of the tub, dangling her hand over the side, to test the water temperature, the sound of Cash’s tears a little quieter behind the closed door. For a moment, Dragon closed her eyes, revealing in the break from the screaming and getting a moment to herself. 

— — —

Bradley had a hard time focusing. It was hard trying to get back into the full swing of work, but also having a newborn at home. He had sent Dragon several texts in the morning wondering how Cash was. He hadn’t felt one hundred percent confident leaving Dragon at home alone with the way Cash had been for the past couple of weeks. Of course he trusted Dragon, but Bradley knew how hard everything had been for her. It was around noon that Maverick had enough of walking by Bradley’s office and seeing him check his baby monitor app, and sent him home. Bradley had never left that place so quickly in his life. 

He hardly put the car in park, as he jumped out, grabbing his duffle bag and making a beeline for the door. A smile was on his face as he pushed the door open, ready to yell out his wife’s name, but it quickly fell upon hearing the distant sound of his son crying. 

“Dragon?” Bradley called out, closing the door and setting his bag down. He went to the kitchen, looking around and finding it vacant, “Dragon!?” He called again, and paused to hear a response. Instead he heard the sound of running water, and immediately ran towards the stars, “Grace!” 

Bradley felt his heartbeat in his ears as he burst through the bedroom door, the sound of Cash’s cries intensifying. He quickly made his way to the bassinet by the side of the bed, his heart breaking at seeing Cash’s little face scrunched up, red with tears streaming. His loud wails didn’t cover up the sound of rushing water from the bathroom or the squelch of the carpet underneath BRadley’s boots. Torn, Bradley picked up his son first, his loud cry indicating that he needed comfort. 

“Hey, hey, hey,” Bradley cooed, looking down at his five months old face, “What’s the tears for? Where’s your momma?” Bradley brushed a finger over his son’s cheeks, “This what you need?” The blue pacifier that was clearly in his mouth before had fallen out of his reach. He gently put the pacifier into the baby’s mouth and the crying ceased, “There ya go, buddy. All better.” 

Bradley watched his son for a moment, watching as Cash happily suckled away on the pacifier, before putting him back down in the bassinet. He stood over him for a moment, making sure Cash wasn’t going to start crying again, before rushing towards the bathroom door. The door was unlocked, as Bradley came face to face to a room full of steam, and his wife on the floor, passed out, in a puddle of water from the flooded bathtub.  

“Dragon!” Bradley rushed to her side, dropping down to his knees in front of her. He gently shook her, and she immediately woke up, her frantic eyes looking around the steamed up, flooded bathroom. She quickly moved towards the bathtub, but Bradley grabbed her arms, “Hey, it’s okay.” Tears instantly welled in her eyes as she looked at Bradley, “Oh hey, it’s okay.” 

“No it’s not!” Dragon was breathing rapidly, “W-Where’s Cash!?” Dragon pushed Bradley’s hands off of her, looking around the bathroom, “Oh my god, where is-” 

“Hey, Grace, look at me,” Bradley grabbed her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him, “He’s okay. He’s in his bassinet, fast asleep. What’s going on? What’s wrong?” 

“I really, really tried,” Her lip trembled as the dam broke, and the tears came out. Bradley pulled her into his arms, his hand cradling the back of her head. He rocked her slightly back and forth, trying to soothe her. “He just wouldn’t stop.” 

“It’s okay,” Bradley tried reasoning with her, but he knew that she was too far gone in her head for it to make any sense, “He’s okay.” 

“It’s not!” Dragon yelled, “Oh my god, what if he was in the bath! What if I-” 

“No,” Bradley shook his head, “No what ifs, because that’s not what happened. You are tired, that’s normal. You got stressed out and didn’t know what to do. But most importantly, you didn’t hurt Cash. He is okay.” 

“He’s okay,” Dragon repeated, nodding her head, “He’s okay.” 

“He’s okay,” Bradley said back to her, “But, are you okay?” 

Dragon let out a shaky breath, “Sometimes, I don’t know if I can do this anymore. I love my son, I really do. . . but I think. . . I think he could be better off without me.” 

“What do you mean?” Bradley asked as soft as he could, “You don’t think-” 

More tears ran down Dragon’s face as she hid her face into Bradley’s neck. It was embarrassing to her to admit it out loud, the dark things she thought about in the middle of the night, while Cash laid in her arms. How could a mother think like that? How could she think like that? Knowing what Bradley went through at such a young age, losing his dad and then his mother. How could she even have thoughts of leaving her child motherless? But they were fleeting thoughts, when Cash wouldn’t stop crying or she was having a hard time producing milk, or doing anything to help her son. It was those thoughts of ‘he would be better off without me’, ‘they both would be better off without me’, that crossed her mind. 

“I’m so sorry,” Dragon sobbed and Bradley held her tighter. All he could do was hold her and press soft kisses to the side of her head. 

taglist: @damrlova @shanimallina87 @mygyn @cherrycola27 @sio-ina-bottle @seitmai @topgun-imagines @bradleybeachbabe @xoxabs88xox @atarmychick007 @munsonswhore86 @happypopcornprincess @sophiaslastbraincell @bradswolfe @fandom-princess-forevermore @angelbabyange @genius2050 @lovelywiseprincess @krismdavis @eternallyvenus @dakotakazansky @pono-pura-vida @callsignartemis @starberryhorse @carsgeek24 @daggersquadphantom @gspenc @els-marvelvsp @nyx2021 @t0kyoreveng3rs @frazie99 @spencvrr @kmc1989 @avada-kedavra-bitch-187 @malindacath @senawashere @bradshawsprincess

[katiemay-025]

Surprise Plan

~~~~~

summary: You and the fellow victors gather for a small get together last minute or at least that’s what you thought.

wc: 4.6k

warnings: mdni, alcohol use, use of y/n and l/n (your name and last name), brief nudity(topless), mentions of acrophobia(fear of heights), mentions of hydrophobia, unclear transitions between a memory and reality(maybe)

~~~~~

You were frantically running around the house making sure everything was in order and baby proofed when there was a knock at the door. Johanna was cooped up in her crafts room for weeks but this knock sprung her to life letting her feet move on their own to the door. You had your hand on the doorknob when Johanna rushed to it pushing you out of the way and swung the door open to Finnick, Annie and baby Flynn. Finnick held his son in his arms as Flynn rested his head against Finnick’s shoulder slowly waking up.

You greeted the district 4 couple from the floor and reached your hand out to their kid. He reached out for you because baby Flynn always loved when you brought him to play on the textured quilt you made. Finnick gave you the baby bag before Johanna grabbed at Finnick’s loose hem and whisked him away to her crafts room.

She never let anyone in there when she was working on a project so when you looked at Annie, she gave a shrug and brought the tray of lobster into the kitchen. It was a feat that she kept them all alive from District 4, then again it’s Annie and she’s got the nurturing hand of a mother. She even hummed to them to get the lobsters to sleep before cooking them. You remember when you thought it was a joke but then you watched her and was absolutely gobsmacked when she balanced them on their heads. Their tails curled in and they stopped moving.

Johanna suggested that they should do that to baby Flynn and she was promptly never allowed to babysit him without you, although Finnick seemed amused by it and onboard with trying it out and even held Flynn upside down. Safe to say, Finnick slept on the couch that night.

Johanna woke you up this morning telling you that the other victors were coming over sometime in the evening and you spent the rest of the day cleaning the house. Annie and Finnick couldn’t have come at a better time because the mess was just cleaned, Johanna was usually good about keeping the house clean but it’s like last night after you went to bed, she purposely let a tornado run through. That was an overstatement she just rearranged some of the appliances but you hated when things were out of place.

Beetee had work in the Capitol but you were able to ask him about what time Peeta, Katniss and Haymitch would arrive. Right in time for dinner at 8 which was 4 hours away. You were bouncing baby Flynn on your hip, helping Annie with the vegetables when Johanna pushed Finnick out of the room hastily. He had stopped in the middle of the room with an awkward smile. “Wow Annie, you are so beautiful.”

You watched her blush while balancing a lobster. “Awwww cute. Flynn this is what you should be like when you grow up.” You held back a laugh before cooing.

“Ew, okay now move your fish brains.” Johanna said pushing Finnick.

You ended up helping Annie for the next few hours and especially with playing with Flynn. It had been hours since Johanna and Finnick left the cabin and you had no idea where they went. It was getting annoying since Johanna was the one who knew everyone was coming and didn’t bother to help.

Annie could tell you were getting stressed when you started running a hole into the ground with your pacing. She took Flynn from you and guided you to the sofa in the living room and ran her fingertips through your hair trying to calm you down though it was all for not when the doorbell rang and you sprang up to get it.

Right on schedule, Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch arrived at your cabin. You hugged them and heard some quacking behind them, Haymitch had two geese with him waddling in outfits. “Haymitch, what’s with the geese?”

“Oh yeah it’s for you and Johanna. Y/n, meet goose you and goose Johanna. They’re your we-“ He didn’t get to finish his sentence before Katniss slapped him upside the head. Peeta came with the garlic bread and Katniss had a block of butter from a goat and she was going to melt some for the lobster.

You caught what he was about to say, there weren’t many words that started with those sounds and you and Johanna had an extensive conservation about marriage for the past three months. Your heart fluttered in your chest but you were still annoyed at Johanna for up and leaving with Finnick and not helping around the house especially when she knew you were going to have guests over.

Speak of the devil, and she shall appear, Johanna ran into the cabin almost out of breath with Finnick in tow.

“Where have you been?”

“I needed Finnick’s help with something.”

“For four hours?”

Johanna cut you off by flashing you and subsequently everyone in the room. You glared at her. You never liked that she was so open with being naked or in this case topless, mostly because you hated sharing but it did work, you shut up, looking at her with a smirk. It worked a little too well as Flynn made grabby hands at Johanna. “Milky!”

You laughed as Finnick threw a pillow at her to cover up. You guided Annie to the guest room with the long seat so she could nurse Flynn. You had Peeta help set the table for 7 and pulled a high chair from the closet that Johanna and you made for baby Flynn. She did the wooden frame and you flourished it with the cushions you made yourself. Much like all the other furniture in the house. You went back to the kitchen with Katniss.

“How have you been Katniss?” You made it a habit to check in on your fellow victors speaking to them through the phone as you sewed, knitted or crocheted something.

“Sometimes I think there’s nothing else to live for, without Prim, without my mom.“

“Yeah grief can do that.”

“Is this what it was like when you lost your family?”

“Like there’s nothing to live for? I mean I lived my whole life without them, but I still feel the loneliness of it. Some days I thought I had no purpose and I was better off dead.”

“Was that why you volunteered for your games?”

“Partly, I didn’t have anyone to grieve me but the little girl, Esther, she had a family, a place to call home. It’s crazy how your will to survive completely changes who you are. I was ready to die in that arena, but here we are. Things didn’t get better for a long time, I felt like I was stuck, I didn’t want to live and I didn’t want to die, but I didn’t want to go back to the girl I was before I volunteered. I couldn’t. That was when I decided I was ready to move forward despite my grief. Of course that’s the year Johanna won her games. I reached out to her and then she kept reaching out after that, at the most random times of the day too. I had to install a phone in all of my rooms so I’d actually hear the phone ring. She is the fire that lights up the void in my heart. Anyway, grief takes time Katniss. When you’re ready, the world will be too.”

You were too busy conversing with Katniss to notice Johanna watching you as she leaned against the wall with a giant smirk on her face. Following Katniss’ gaze you found Johanna and winked at her. She grabbed your chin and pulled you in for a kiss.

“Ew get a room.” Katniss announced.

Johanna pulled away with a glare. “This entire house is ours, so if you don’t like it, you’re welcomed to leave Swamp Potato.” You felt her try to rush at Katniss but promptly held her hips.

“No, we are not doing this right now. Go sit down.” You pointed towards the table. “Now.” Johanna grumbled before dragging her feet as you kept your eyes on her. When she suddenly paused, you knew Katniss was doing something behind your back to aggravate your girl. “Katniss.” You said sternly. Johanna smirked and stuck out her tongue. All it took was a deep sigh for the two of them to stop their antics.

Haymitch who was looting your alcohol stash bellowed with laughter. “And this is why Finnick and Annie chose you to be their baby’s godmother.” You turned your glare towards Haymitch and the alcohol in his hands. He immediately shut up. “I’ll go sit down until dinner is ready.”

“I think you should.” You agreed with a nod.

Dinner was pleasantly quiet. Finnick and Johanna were sharing looks towards each other like they did in the Quarter Quell when they tried to hide the breakout plan from Katniss and Peeta. You had to pretend you didn’t see it and it was hard. Normally Johanna would be staring at you every chance she got, only avoiding eye contact with you when she had something to hide like that one time she accidentally unraveled the crocheted bunny you were making. Finnick was a little better tending to Flynn on the high chair to keep his hands busy.

Katniss slipped up once by saying marriage instead of margarine. Glares were thrown at her at the table as you mindlessly passed her the butter. Peeta ‘if it weren’t for the baby’ Mellark was an excellent liar but when the topic of cakes came up, you saw him tense when you told him that you loved the cake for Annie and Finnick, he choked.

Surprisingly enough, Annie was the best at keeping the secret. You had not expected it from your best friend having held her in her delirious state after her games and Finnick took to answering the interview questions. You were the first person who was patient with her, even scolding Finnick before the District 4 train left the Capitol to go home urging him to be more gentle with Annie. The Odair Family came over often after the war and with Finnick and Johanna being thick as thieves, you naturally became close with Annie. The woman was just enjoying her lobster the way she cooked them having no reaction to the word, marriage, ring or other related words. Though you could see her through your peripheral when she gave quick glances at you whenever you did something for Johanna and vice versa.

The tension was cut when the phone rang and you simply leaned back, balancing on your chair to reach for telephone. “Hello. Mason residence.” You watched as Johanna spit out her food. You always addressed the phone Mason and Y/L/N residence.

“Hi, Y/N congratulations on your engagement.” Beetee said on the other line.

“Oh that. Yeah that hasn’t happened yet.” You laughed. “I will send you the blanket as soon as possible. I’ve just been a little bit busy today.”

“Oh no I’ve ruined it. I’m sorry.”

“No. It’s okay. Call back tomorrow to check in okay?” You chuckled as the other hurriedly went dead.

“Who was that?” Johanna asked.

“It was Enobaria asking about the blanket I’m making her.” You nonchalantly lied going back to your food.

“I forgot that she existed.” Johanna mumbled. She had always been angry at Enobaria, mostly because of any of the victors left, you had once admitted that you had a crush on her. It never went anywhere of course but when Johanna found out, she grew a new hatred for the career woman. After the vote, when she had no fear of ‘being her weakness’ she pulled you by your collar as everyone was leaving and kissed you hard in front of them.

You were shocked at first but melted into the kiss as you could finally have her without hiding it. Finnick wolf-whistled as Haymitch laughed. Johanna would have taken you right in that room if you hadn’t had somewhere to be. You thanked Peeta for the reminder and held Johanna’s hand the whole way to the city circle for Snow’s execution.

Beside you, Johanna was muttering words you could barely make out. You heard words like love and forever as she continued to stutter her way through the speech you presumed would be the one she’d propose to you with. Her nervous habit of bouncing her leg became more apparent when she messed up and had to start over again. As you continued to pretend to listen to Finnick’s story about baby Flynn loving the forest and pointing at every tree you placed your hand on Johanna’s leg to calm her.

They loved to think they were discreet but you knew it was a segway to move the party outside to wherever Johanna was going to propose. You knew because Finnick stared at Johanna and even cleared his throat to get her attention. You also knew because Flynn couldn’t care less about the trees, the Odairs have been over enough times for you to know he liked the hanging deer toys more than anything.

You were at a cross between blurting out that you knew what was going to happen and seeing how long they would try to deceive you. Either way a little help wouldn’t be that bad in the long run. “Johanna’s lived here all her life, I bet she’ll know a spot.“

“I can take you all there.”

Everyone agreed to tidy up the dining room and kitchen before going to the spot. Washing the dishes was therapeutic for you, granted it would only be two dishes with you and Johanna’s plate. Now with 8 plates, you made Finnick help as Johanna ran outside chasing Flynn who was chasing the geese.

“Look at our babies.” Finnick chuckled.

“I think my baby is cuter than your baby.”

“No one is cuter than Flynn. Except for Annie.”

“Except for Annie.” You said at the same time he did, matching his mannerisms. He looked down at you shocked before you snickered. “Everyone has their opinion Finn.” You finished soaping the last plate and washed your hands.

“I’m going to tell Annie that.”

“No need. I can tell her myself.” You knocked on the window to get her attention outside and pulled the window open. “Hey Annie. Finnick thinks you’re cuter than your child.” You saw the red in her face.

Johanna who had looked up from the knocking said. “I hope you try to kiss her through the window and fall out.”

“She was so close.” Finnick told.

“To what? She was never the romantic type.”

“You’d be surprised.”

You shared a look with Annie and she narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Finnick. “How would you know that?” She asked. Finnick stammered before quickly changing the subject. That’s when it clicked, Annie also didn’t know about Johanna’s proposal. It made sense, she would have told you the second she walked in.

You might as well indulge your bestie. As the lot of you followed Johanna into the forest, you fell to the back and looped your arm around hers. “Annie, how are you?”

“Wonderful. It’s been so long since we’ve all had dinner together. I love it.”

You smiled. “I think you’re going to love it even more because Johanna is going to propose.” Your heart fluttered saying it out loud for the first time. It felt good.

Annie stopped and snapped her head towards you. “Are you certain?”

“Well yes Beetee actually called congratulating me on my engagement.”

“The one you said was from Enobaria?”

“Yeah.”

“So he knew?”

“I think they all do hence the gathering, the walk in the forest, Katniss saying marriage instead of margarine.”

“Aaaahhhhhh!!! Oh my god!” Annie jumped in her spot. Everyone turned their heads and you caught their questioning eyes.

“It’s fine. She just saw a giant bug.”

“I caught that too but didn’t think you heard because you just passed her the butter! Can I be your maid of honor?” She whispered.

“Um, do fish swim?”

Annie squealed and you had to shush her before everyone turned around again. “Is it supposed to be a surprise?”

“Oh yeah. They’re just bad at keeping a secret from me. I know them too well.”

The 8 of you continued your trek through the forest and slowly you remembered the forest around you from the times Johanna took you out here.

There was the small cabin with the broken window where Johanna disappeared to and proceeded to scare the living daylights out of you when you found her. It was scary at that time, but hilarious thinking back at it. “Hey Jo! Remember when you scared me in that cabin?” You yelled getting her attention in the front.

“You mean when I scared you so bad you fell over?”

“Yeah and then you sprained your ankle and we spent the rest of the day crying and laughing on the floor. Getting sticks in our hair.

“Good times.” Johanna smirked and you giggled.

The sun sent golden rays through the canopy spotlighting small areas of the forest floor. You forgot how beautiful it was out here, with the wind whistling through your hair and the leaves dancing in the air the sun There was a wooden info plaque in front of a young tree dated to the day you first kissed Johanna.

You had stopped at the 7th floor in the Capitol to comfort her after her tributes died in the bloodbath. Not many words were spoken but you silently held her hand as she cried knowing the feeling of losing your mentees for the first time. The hand holding quickly became engulfing her in your arms. The kiss wasn’t planned; your intention was to kiss her cheek as you left once she cried all her tears. Johanna had turned and your lips met for a brief second.

When you first found the tree after moving, you asked Johanna about it and that’s when she told you that whatever you had started on that day. You had a bigger impact on her than you thought initially. The tree was 5 years old now and already towering over you. You stood in front appreciating the pine tree.

Johanna strolled back to you with her hands behind her back, admiring you admiring the tree. “Enjoying yourself there?” She asked.

“You know, this was when I should’ve ran. You planted a tree the day we first kissed. It wasn’t even a real one.”

“It was real to me. It’s what got me addicted to your taste.”

“Obsessed much?”

“You’re the one that knitted a tapestry of me holding an axe.”

“First of all, it’s cross-stitching get it right, second of all, where did that go by the way? I feel like it disappeared.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about but we can look for it after our walk.”

“Wait.“ You grabbed her wrist stopping her in her tracks. You found her jaw with your free hand and guided it to face you before kissing her. As you pulled away, Johanna tried to follow your lips. “Now that’s a real kiss.”

“I didn’t kiss you yet. It didn’t count.” She moved her arms to wrap around your waist and you slung your arms around her shoulders to deepen the kiss. Her hands traveled down your body to grope your butt.

“Let’s focus on the task at hand please.” Haymitch reminded as he grumbled.

Johanna got in a squeeze and started running before you could scold her. You couldn’t help but laugh at her childish manners. She and Finnick were the same. They’re children at heart but they have their moments of maturity.

Moments like this spot in the forest. You saw the glow in the forest and would have to admit that it got your heart fluttering. The last time you were out this far, Johanna convinced you to climb the towering trees and stay in the canopy. You were terrified of heights, hugging the tree like a koala, eventually prying your eyes open to appreciate the landscape. Johanna eased you out of your panic and carefully guided you down from it nearly two days later.

You were fine conversing with her throughout the day but the second you looked down, you tensed up and held the tree tighter. You weren’t convinced to come down until Johanna spotted storm clouds rolling in. It was when she was still fearful of water and threatened to leave you there because she would be rendered useless in it.

It was that day that she allowed herself to heal from her trauma, striking a deal with you that she’d help you with your fear of heights in exchange of being allowed to help her with hydrophobia. In the following months, you would both take steps to overcome come your fears. You could climb at least as tall as a house and be okay while Johanna was able to wash herself without cowering.

It was like a village in the sky, ladders and guard rails would keep you from falling and the fairy lights climbed up the wooden structure like vines. It was beautiful with all the gazebos with plenty of rooms.

“Wow. This is definitely a spot.” You sighed in awe. Finnick and Annie beelined it towards the swing as Johanna approached you.

“You wanna check out the gazebo?”

“Is it structurally sound? This was not here 3 months ago.”

“Are you doubting me?” Johanna feigns hurt.

“A little.”

“Finnick and I tested it. We’ll be okay.”

“Okay then.” You made your way to the ladder nailed to the tree and climbed up. Once the two of you made it to the platform, you caught Johanna’s smirk on her face.

“You’ve got a nice ass.”

“Thanks. You’ve got a good looking butt too.”

“I sure do.” Johanna smirks and you laugh continuing to walk through the treehouse. It was beautiful up here seeing the glow seep through the other trees. The bird calls slowing down for the night and the gentle breeze rustled the leaves. You looked down at the other victors and waved to them. “Do you like it?”

“I love it Jo.”

You continued to the gazebo where the sunflowers were blooming. There were empty bookshelves, a rocking chair in the corner and cushions on the ground over the tapestry Johanna said she had no idea was. Your heart fluttered over the idea that you would spend more time here with Johanna.

In the corner of your eye, you saw Johanna pat all of her pockets and relaxed after sticking her hands into her jacket pocket. She kicked the dust on the wooden platform. This was the moment and your heart rate picked up. The district 7 girl was muttering her speech again, messing it up and starting over.

You watched her for a few tries feeling your face warm up at the thought that Johanna wanted this to be perfect.

“Jo. I’ll marry you.”

“What?”

Your eyes traveled to her pocket then back up to her eyes. You crossed the small distance between the two of you and reached for her hands. “Johanna Mason. I know all this is because you want to propose.”

“How- was it Swamp Potato’s? I’ll kill her.”

“No. No need for killing.”

“Let be honest I knew something was up when I woke up and you told me everyone was coming over. I’m usually the one that comes up with the plans to hang out. My favorite meal, my favorite people, my favorite flower.

“Plus you were all running around like you had a secret. I was in on the plane to get Katniss and Peeta out of the arena remember. I know what you look like when you try to hide something. It’s horribly obvious.

“Also Haymitch almost said wedding gifts when showing me the geese. Are we keeping those by the way?”

“I don’t see why not. If they misbehave we’ll just eat them.”

You were around her long enough to not react to it. “Katniss saying marriage, I did notice that. And there’s also the fact that Beetee called to congratulate us about our engagement.”

“When did he call?”

“When I said it was Enobaria. Then there’s also you sitting next to me mumbling your speech to get it right. And let me just say, I would marry you with ring pop as long as forever means forever. You are insane and unhinged but deep down you have a heart. I’m so glad that I’m lucky to be the one who gets to see it, both literally and figuratively. Johanna Mason you are strong, smart, and a secret softie. You have no idea the light you bring into my life when you kept bothering me. I love you. You’re my life, you’re the reason I love waking up everyday.”

“Can you still act surprised when I get down on one knee?”

“Yes of course.”

Johanna hummed and pulled you into a kiss. “You were the first victor to ever reach out to me and make sure I was okay. It left a big impact on me to the point where I craved you. And hearing your voice on the other side of the line made my house less lonely. I loved that you picked up the phone before it even finished the first ring because it made me think that you wanted to hear me too.” You nod in agreement and Johanna’s smile widened.

“I was angry, at everyone, I still think I am but you always have the ability to calm me with a simple touch or even your alluring voice. You know when to hold me back from a fight and you know when to let me have at them.

“I want to do things with you like climb trees, lay in your lap as you work on your knitting projects, spoil Annie and Finnick’s kid, hike in the forest, cuddle, argue at each other until I flash you or until I have to sleep on the couch. I’ve already been through hell and back with you what’s a few more decades? Maybe even forever if You're up for it.“

You kissed her pulling her in for one. When she pulled away, she got down on one knee, and all her joints popped. She groaned as you laughed because your joints have been doing that since you met her. Her hooded eyes stopped you in your tracks. “I mean. Oh my god!” You acted covering your mouth in shock.

“Y/n L/n, will you marry me?”

“Yes! A thousand times- pffft.” You laughed at the cheesiness of it.

“Finish it. I have to be on my knees for this. The least you could do is finish it.”

“That’s what she said.”

“Fuck me.”

“She said that too.”

Despite the glare Johanna gave you, you could tell she was holding back her laughter.

You cleared your throat, “Yes! A thousand times yes.”

Johanna finally got up and popped her other joints groaning in the process. You laughed and hugged her as she placed the emerald ring on your finger. “Not a word.”

“Shut up about your old lady joints and kiss me.”

“Say less.” Johanna hummed and kissed you passionately. “SHE SAID YES!!!”

You couldn’t wait for the memories you would make with your fiancee and your future wife. “I love you.”

“SHE ALSO SAID SHE LOVES ME!” Johanna announced. You held her face in your hands. “AND I GET TO KISS HER!” She held you tight and you didn’t mind if she never let go as long as you had her.

[platinumaspiration]

well, @brandinotbroke just gave my ego the hugest boost with this tag game! I really shouldn't play this while in a bad mood tho :p

What’s your favourite sims death? I would have to say...probably flies. Never had it happen in my game (naturally), tho

2. Alpha CC or Maxis Match? 4t2 maxis match conversions, because it's gross and ugly :p No, but for real, I like all cc. People put a lot of time and love into what they create/convert/retexture/recolor. I think that should be recognized.

3. Do you cheat when your sims gain weight? No...who does that?

4. Do you use move objects? Yes, kind of have to sometimes!

5. Favorite mod? I had to go into my main save for this one haha. I'd say...all the anti-corruption mods. And to piggy back off of brandinotbroke, ACR! The rest I could probably live without if I could ever sort my folder. Oh, also, one mod I'd really like to give a try is Story Progression by LazyDuchess.

6. First expansion/game/stuff pack you got? First purchased was Christmas 2005. My parents gifted me Sims 2 and then my birthday a month later I got University, I believe. I should show you all the video of me opening it and running off to play haha. First played was, I wanna say Urbz! and Bustin' Out. We would rent those from the video store.

7. Do you pronounce “live mode” like aLIVE or LIVing? Alive. I recently found out my IRL BFF pronounces it as Living. I've known her almost 20 years and feel like I don't know her anymore 😅

8. Who’s your favorite sim that you’ve made? Rhiannon, one of my model sims, but all 4 of my models are my favorite. I really should put Rhiannon as a townie in my uberhood. She deserves a life outside of posing.

9. Have you made a simself? Yes, like 18 years ago lol. Ended up corrupting the hood trying to move me with my 10 same face kids to a new neighborhood. I've really enjoyed the premade sims ever since.

10. What sim traits do you give yourself? of sims 3 traits: absent-minded, light sleeper, brooding, over-emotional, nurturing, workaholic, frugal

11. Which is your favorite EA hair color? TS4's #13 - Honey Blond

12. Favorite EA hair? probably aflongsimple or affuzzylongep

13. Favorite life stage? oh gosh... probably adult in any game lol

14. Are you a builder or are you in it for the gameplay? gameplay, I'll let @plumbtales and @kestrelteens do the building and inspo!

15. Are you a CC creator? I don't think I've created anything myself. I've converted a ton of stuff tho! I'd love to create something, but textures are so difficult for my brain to understand. I commend those who retexture!

16. Do you have any simblr friends/a sim squad? Yeah! Baby Gang! lol, not like we do anything other than play online pvp games and share cc wips

17. What’s your favorite game? (1, 2, 3, or 4) 2 is my ultimate, though I'd love to dive back into Sims 3

18. Do you have any sims merch? Maybe someday @microscotch and I can make something palpable

19. Do you have a YouTube for sims? Not gameplay (yet).

20. How has your “sim style” changed throughout your years of playing? Well, I had dial up internet until about 2010 so... figure that one out haha. But yeah, I was a semi-realistic kind of girl up until about... 2020? 2021? when i made the switch to 4t2. Still working on becoming completely 4t2.

21. What’s your Origin ID? n/a lmao

22. Who’s your favorite CC creator? Oh gosh, there's too many. All my mutuals, I love ya and your cc! Even some people who are not mutuals with me are my absolute favorite. I could never choose haha.

23. How long have you had a simblr? I think I just had my 2 year anniversary.

24. How do you edit your pictures? I recently commissioned the Queen of Renders ™ @microscotch to take preview pics for me while i was out of town lol. She also made me a photoshop template as well. (Go get a commission, she's having a sale right now 😉) For gameplay, I let reshade do the work for me and crop/size it to 700x934

25. What expansion/game/stuff pack do you want next? Brandinotbroke gave the best answer haha. I honestly don't know what kit EA can come up with next

25. What expansion/game/stuff pack is your favorite so far? For Sims 2, probably Nightlife. The first 3 EPs, honestly. Sims 3 has to be Ambitions and Generations. Idk about Sims 4 as most I've played is about 2 hours in Strangerville as the Beakers.

Gonna tag baby gang, feel free to ignore! @microscotch @tvickiesims @lordcrumps @simsisit

thank you again to brandinotbroke for making my day, my week, my month and maybe even my year.

[0miss-anonymous0]

The Blood of the Ram

“Why do I need a history lesson? I've been studying here for a year now. You and Scarlet have taught me everything about the history of Otherworld.” Genesis asked, they’d been up since the sun was and they weren’t particularly happy about it especially since it was their day off. After spending a year in the custody of their eccentric teacher, Genesis knew he had a flair for weird and flashy things, but this was too far.

“Yes, that’s true but there is a history that you do not know-“

“The history of you?” Genesis drawled sarcastically. Giles turned around pouting.

‘Oh so it was that.’

“The history of me and Scarlet actually.” Giles finished his sentence by folding his arms and making a ‘hmph’ sound. Genesis rolled their eyes. 

“I thought there was no story of you two. You tried for centuries to woo her, she resisted and here you are, still trying and testing her patience.” And mine Genesis wanted to add, but didn’t.

“The story of how we met and how our parents made us. Not the story of our relationship.” He was still pouting.

Genesis raised their hand, “Usually when schools teach about reproduction they just say; don’t do it.”

Giles gave them a humorless glare. “Not like that! I meant how they used their magic to turn us into living beings. And how Scar and I met each other.” He had a triumphant smug look on his face when he finished.

Genesis was still bored.

“It started centuries ago,” Giles started. “Life and Death made a deal-” 

───⋆｡°✩☼✩��｡⋆───

The oldest being is the Great Creator. Through him everything in our world was made. He helped us in the Great War. Over the centuries He has split into multiple gods each one with a specific power and domain to rule over. The oldest of these being life and death.

Life takes the form of a beautiful woman, while Death takes the form of a skeleton in a dark wispy cloak. They have been friends for eons working in tandem with each other. Where there is life there will be death and where there is death there once was life.

Life is renowned and considered to be perfect in every sense of the word. She is beautiful and kind. Her most loyal followers are mostly comprised of the Druids. 

Druid teachings, depending on which tribe, are strict and harsh. The littlest misstep of a Druid could mean excommunication or even the death penalty. Their most worshiped deity besides the Great Creator is Life herself. She was known for giving every single person in the world a soul, and why wouldn’t she be worshiped for that? Everyone who was alive had her to thank for that. Without her creating them they would not exist. 

Vise versa to Life, Death was cursed and insulted. The few tribes who did regard him as important were vastly outnumbered by those who didn’t. Who would celebrate Death and his doings? Death is what takes away people’s loved ones every day of every year. The only thing Death was capable of was bringing sorrow and pain.

Death despised his job, he couldn’t fathom how anyone would think otherwise of him. He hated collecting souls. His least favorite was when he had to take the soul of a child. It seemed to increase every year, more and more murders, abductions, and suicides. And the kids who died only seemed to be getting younger and younger. It saddened Death to take them to the Underworld. Most of them were too young to comprehend what had happened to them. It wasn’t fair to the kids who suffered so much in their life just to end up dead.

Death had a wish, he wished for a kid of his own, to nurture and protect. A kid who would live life for those who did not get a chance to. He asked his oldest friend and confidant for a favor and she obliged, wanting to help her friend during his toughest time. 

Life used her powers to make a baby girl and from Death she asked for one thing to finish her. Death gave Life a piece of his bone marrow, which was used to finish the baby. The bone marrow was what caused her strange appearance and her powers. It made her truly related to her father.

She was born with ruby red eyes and the purest white hair ever seen. 

───⋆｡°✩☼✩°｡⋆───

“Wait hold up, Scarlet was born with white hair?” Genesis asked.

“Yeah, did you really think that her hair was naturally split-dyed?” Giles raised an eyebrow.

“Well over the past year I’ve seen how people from other races have different characteristics to humans, like abnormal eye and hair colors. That said, even some humans with magical powers have the same.” 

“So, yeah you did.”

“Yeah.”

“Stupid.”

“Shut up!”

───⋆｡°✩☼✩°｡⋆───

The skin on her hands and feet were transparent and revealed bone, making them look like X-rays. Her skin got more opaque as it got closer to her knees and elbows. Once it reached there it looked like normal skin however it was deathly pale and shimmered with a pearlescent sheen.

The little girl did not age quickly like a normal human child would. She was not human after all, nobody knew what she really was. She wasn’t human, her dad was a god but she herself didn’t have godly blood. Her father took the form of a skeleton, and she looked like part of one, maybe that was what she was? But she still looked human for the most part. She was just her.

She asked her father once what she was and he replied with, “You are my beloved daughter, Scarlet.”

“That’s not what I’m asking,” Scarlet complained “I want to know what I am not who I am.”

Her father chuckled. He knelt down so that he was eye level with his young daughter. He cupped her face, “You are a gift. The greatest one I ever received.” He kissed her forehead, stood, and went back to work. 

Work, work, and even more work, Scarlet’s father was always working. He never slept, ate, or even took a break. He was not a mortal being that required it, but that didn’t diminish Scarlet’s worry for her father. Even being a god she worried that he would one day work himself to death. That was an interesting thought, the Grimm Reaper himself working so hard that he died. Would he capture his own soul, would there be a new Lord of death to replace him, would the Great Creator or Life simply revive him? Scarlet hoped she would never get the answer to her question.

Scarlet watched her dad as he worked studying what he did, how he did his job. Over the centuries Scarlet’s powers manifested themselves. She had the same dominion over the dead that her father did, and with time and training she could be just as powerful as her father. That was the plan at least, she wanted to take her father’s place, she wanted to give him a break.

One time when Scarlet asked he had let her do his job for one full minute. In that minute Scarlet’s head was simultaneously flooded with information from both Otherworld and the normal world. People dying, people who will die soon, souls that needed collecting, restless spirits hoping for rebirth, corrupted souls needing exorcism, wandering ghosts in both worlds, live feed from every cemetery and burial site, newly deads needing judgment, and so much more. The information updated every second, every second billions and billions of things flooded Scarlet’s brain. She couldn’t keep up, she got a headache so bad that she couldn’t even open her eyes. Her eardrums popped, she started trembling, her brain felt like it was being torn in half like a sheet of paper, her bones burned under her skin. Scarlet felt like she was going to die.

           Then it stopped. Her father took his place at his desk once more. He took the burden from her, even though it was meant to be the other way around. Her father burst out laughing and tears of anger and frustration welled in Scarlet’s eyes as she wiped away the thin trail of blood from her nose. She was embarrassed, upset, and her head really really hurt. 

Tears streamed from Scarlet’s eyes, she was in so much pain the fact that she hadn’t blacked out from it would have amazed her if she still wasn’t feeling the after effects. Her father held her until she stopped crying, whispering to her how much he loved her and how proud of her he was. But she couldn’t be proud of herself. All she wanted to do was help her father and she couldn’t even manage that. In her mind it didn’t matter that he was proud of her, she still failed. Scarlet didn’t cry just because of the pain, but from the realization that she was miles away from her goal. 

After that day Scarlet practiced her magic more and more. Her aptitude grew and grew. Her magic might never be exactly as powerful as her father’s but it would still be a force to be reckoned with, a close second, and to Life that was something that did not go unnoticed.

For centuries Life watched Death and his daughter. She saw everything, how happy they were, how content. She wanted it. Life wanted a child of her own, one who could be better than Scarlet, one who would succeed where she failed, take over her job, and become her predecessor.

Therefore Life created Giles. Giles was made from the blood of Life and the body of her most faithful and devoted follower.

───⋆｡°✩☼✩°｡⋆───

“So your mom made you to be Scarlet, but better?” Genesis asked, a little confused. It was hard to believe. Giles and Scarlet were polar opposites, that’s why they worked together so well. Scarlet’s seriousness was balanced with Giles’s goofiness. Giles’s craziness was balanced with Scarlet’s calmness. Together they worked because they made up for what the other lacked.

“Yep dear old mom wanted a kid so she could pass down her ‘legacy’,” Giles sounded bitter. “I was made centuries after Scarlet was. We only look the same age because I was made to.”

“Scarlet’s older than you? I never would have guessed.”

“She’s older than me by centuries. My mom didn’t make me a baby like she did to Scarlet. Scarlet already looked like a late elementary schooler or early middle schooler when I was born. And you can’t really have a newborn compete with a preteen.”

The last sentence sounded like a joke, but Genesis could hear the seriousness in it. Genesis felt like they understood so much more now and yet nothing at all.

“In making me the opposite to her, my mom failed. Scarlet is serious and actually has a drive to do her father’s job. Likewise Scarlet actually loves her father. I hate my mother,” Giles said so matter-of-factly that Genesis winced.

Genesis viewed Giles as an older brother and spending a year in his custody, they learned how to read him well. They never met his mother, the goddess of life, they didn’t ask to meet her either. Everyone else always made her sound like the perfect woman and mother, but who knows the story better than her own son?

Genesis remembered Scarlet asking Giles about his mother once. Scarlet asked if he would ever let his mother meet Genesis or help them with their powers. All Scarlet was met with was a protective ‘no.’ Giles didn’t want his mom and Genesis meeting that was made abundantly clear.

After listening to the whole story Genesis understood a little more now. Giles resented his mom for not loving him even though he was her child. Instead Life only made him in order to pursue her selfish desire. She made him for one purpose and when he didn’t fulfill it she cast him aside. Giles did the same. They’re relationship seemed irreparable. 

Giles clapped his hands together. “Anyways, enough about my family drama and onto more important matters. The Druids-”

“Giles, if you want to talk about it, her. I’d be happy to listen.” Genesis tried to reach out to him. But Giles closed himself off.

Giles gave a sad smile, “I appreciate it Mouse, I really do, you’re a kind kid. But there’s nothing to talk about that I haven’t already. Bottom line, despite popular belief to the contrary my mom is not a good person. Now on with the lesson.”

───⋆｡°✩☼✩°｡⋆───

The druids are one of the most prominent religions of Otherworld. Druids are mostly nomadic and travel the world healing the sick. They spread the word of the goddess of life and how she brought life to all around them, every person young and old.

Druid society is made up of the followers: those who joined the religion without any prior connection to it, the priests and priestesses: those whose families have a long history of druids and have never once left the religion, and the Druid council: comprised of the oldest members of each Druid tribe.

Anybody can join the Druids; species does not matter. But Druids have strict teachings and follow archaic rules and the littlest misstep can cause banishment from the tribe. The leader of each tribe is the direct contact with the goddess herself, other Druids can pray and worship her and are encouraged (required) to do so but the only one who can directly talk to her is an Archdruid. 

When a new follower joins a tribe they must first pledge their allegiance, this is done in a myriad of ways depending on the tribe. However the most common is a sacrifice of blood. 

Because followers do not have close ties to the religion they are not allowed to become priests or priestesses. Priests and priestesses are given powers beyond the typical knowledge of plants and healing that ordinary Druids possess. Priests have the power of truth; they can see a person’s character and intentions with a single glance, if they were to lie their fib would be made known to the Druid. Priestesses have the power of foresight and prophecy: allowing them to be able to see glimpses into the future.

Gender plays a huge role in position for the Druids. Only males can be priests and only females can be priestesses. Males in Druidism are leaders and if they take a wife he is expected to care for and become the sole provider for her and their children. Females in Druidism are expected to get married and bear children, because their husbands are the providers of the house; women are not permitted to work unless absolutely necessary.

───⋆｡°✩☼✩°｡⋆───

A knock sounded on the door to Giles’s cottage. Scarlet walked in with Nevermore, her pet raven, perched on her shoulder. “Good afternoon you two,” Scarlet said in greeting. “What are you up to this early? Usually you both are still in your rooms past sunset.”

“For your information Scarlet I was teaching an important lesson to Genesis,” Giles pointed to them to emphasize his point.

Genesis looked up from where they were drawing in their sketchbook. “Yes I can see that,” Scarlet said, smirking at Giles. “Genesis seems to be paying very close attention.”

Giles grumbled, Genesis sprang up from the couch and ran to hug Scarlet. “You’re supposed to be on my side, you little brat.”

Genesis stuck their tongue out at him. “You wanted me to be here. You said that you were going to tell them how we met for the first time, and you wanted my side of the story.”

“I am and I do.”

───⋆｡°✩☼✩°｡⋆───

As a kid Giles spent most of his time in his room. He didn’t leave unless absolutely necessary. It was his safe place away from everything and everyone. He could go in there and sleep and be drifted off into the abyssal numb happiness of dreamland. Things were more happy in fantasy than they were in real life, everything felt easier.

Giles lived with his mother although he rarely saw her. It felt like he was alone, like he had no family in the first place. Honestly he would have liked that more, all his mom ever did was berate him and yell. He wondered why she wanted a kid so much in the first place considering how incapable of loving someone she was. 

Giles was always told that he had to be better, he had to be perfect. It didn’t make any sense he was made for some fucked up plan his mom made for some pointless grudge that she created. The other party didn’t even know she was ‘fighting’ against them. What was the point in Giles trying if he was going against someone he did not know, who did not know him, and certainly didn’t want to compete against him anymore than he did them.

He could never understand his mother. She made no sense. All she did was prattle on and on about Death’s daughter, she refused to even say the girl’s name, like doing so would be poison on her tongue. She complained about her every day, how much Death loved the girl and how good of a child she was. She told Giles every day that she wished he were like her. Maybe that was why they were meeting each other now. Was this his mom’s attempt at giving him a friend or a good influence? He didn’t know, but he did know that looking at the girl before him, he realized something.

She looked to be the same age as him. She was hiding behind her dad. Giles let go of his mother’s hand and walked towards the girl. He extended his hand, “Hello my name is Giles. It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s okay Scarlet, go on.” The girl, Scarlet, slowly walked out from behind her father. Giles could see her fully now, she looked…. strange. She reached her hand towards his, Giles tried not to stare, but it was hard. Scarlet looked a lot like a Halloween decoration.

“What?,” the girl squeaked and pulled her hand back. She didn’t hide behind her father again, which was good.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just that I’ve never seen anyone like you before.” Giles took a step closer to her. She didn’t move back.

“I’ve never seen anyone like you either. What are you?” Scarlet asked in a quiet voice. 

“I’m Giles Vitus, son to the goddess of life and I’m a satyr,” He said pointing to his goat legs. “Although unlike other satyrs my fur is white instead of brown.” He chuckled. 

Scarlet chuckled too, her red eyes met his blue ones “I’m Scarlet Grimoire, daughter to the god of death, and,” she paused for a moment, “I’m afraid I don’t know what I am.” She looked down in embarrassment.

“Well I know for certain that you are way cooler than a Halloween decoration.” She laughed again.

Life made an over exaggerated yawn. Everyone’s attention fell to her. “Oh excuse me,” She knelt down to be eye level with Scarlet, “but your father and I have important business to attend to.” Life grabbed Death by the arm and began to pull him away.

“What about the kids?” He said looking back at them as he was dragged away.

“They’ll be fine,” Life replied, waving off his concern. 

───⋆｡°✩☼✩°｡⋆───

“W-What are you doing,” Scarlet asked. Her father had never left her alone like this. It was a little unnerving. Her father left with his friend and she also left her child behind, a boy who looked the same age as her, and now said boy was repeatedly walking around her in circles looking her up and down. 

Scarlet pulled the hood of her cloak over her face, closed the front around her body, dropped to the ground, and curled into a ball. “Now you look like a strawberry,”  Giles said, poking the part of her cloak’s hood that was sticking up in a point. 

Giles sat down in front of her with his legs crossed, “I was just trying to get a good look at you, but you’ve completely hidden yourself, why?” Giles tilted his head to the side in question.

“I don’t like how I look.” Scarlet’s voice was muffled from her hiding herself in her cloak. “I look human, but I don’t look like other humans.”

“But why don’t you like how you look? You look cool.”

“You said that I looked like a Halloween decoration.” Scarlet was still curled into a ball with her hood on her head, but now she lifted her head up revealing her face.

“And what’s wrong with that? Halloween decorations are cool.” Scarlet didn’t look impressed with the boy, the more she spent with him the more she wanted to leave. Giles scratched the back of his head, “Um, I’m sorry but I’m not good with words. What I’m trying to say is just because you look like you do doesn’t mean that you’re a freak.”

Freak? In her head Scarlet would use a lot of different words to describe herself, but that wasn’t one of them.

“My mom says that mortals waste too much time on things like vanity. Your appearance is important and you should take pride in it, but it shouldn’t make you who you are, only your personality and character can do that.”

Giles crawled towards Scarlet, when he reached her he sat up on his knees and cupped her face, “Scarlet Grimoire you are the coolest Halloween decoration I’ve ever seen.”

Her pale cheeks gained a rosy tinge to them, she put her hands on top of his and smiled, “Thank you.”

Giles felt his heart skip, he immediately let go of her and stood up. He brushed off the dust from the ground off of his legs, when he finished he held a hand out to Scarlet. She took it and he helped her up. Giles looked at the clasp of her cloak, it was in the shape of a skull and in its eye sockets were red gems. “Hey take your cloak off, I want to see something.”

Scarlet reluctantly obeyed and with shaking hands undid the clasp, giving her cloak to Giles. Once she let go of it Giles took off running with it. Scarlet tried to chase after him, but his goat legs made it impossible for her to get anywhere remotely close. Scarlet tried to yell after him to stop, but he kept going. It took all of Scarlet’s energy just to run fast enough to keep him in her sights.

Giles finally stopped when he reached the peak of the valley hills. He held the cloak up into the wind, it flapped violently against the breeze. When Scarlet finally caught up to him it was a second too late, he stood facing the cloak raised above his head and yelled, “NEVER HIDE WHO YOU ARE!” Before she could yell back in protest he let go of the cloak.

Scarlet walked towards Giles with anger written on her face. Giles realized his dilemma, he couldn’t run away unless he wanted to fall down a hill and if Scarlet decided to show him that she was in fact the daughter of Death she just might push him off. 

Luckily for the satyr neither of those things happened. Scarlet was mad but instead of enacting revenge she crossed her arms and looked at him with a disappointed look. “What was that for?”

Giles couldn't tell if she really wanted an answer to that question, but he gave one anyway, “Like I said you shouldn’t hide. Nobody will ever get to know you if you hide yourself forever. Call it rude but sometimes we need somebody to force us out of our comfort zones so that we try new things.”

Scarlet thought about what he said for a second, he was right. His methods and tact may have been awful, but he was right nonetheless. Scarlet brought her hands in front of herself, looking at the gloves she was wearing. She always wore gloves and her cloak, not seeing the parts of herself that looked abnormal made her almost believe that she was normal, almost. She took one glove off and stared at her hand turning it over and over, scanning every centimeter, looking at every individual bone. She held up the glove into the air and let it go, it sailed off into the wind’s wild and unpredictable current. She did the same to the other glove letting it join its twin in the wind. Scarlet thought she would feel different after relinquishing the gloves, instead she felt the same and her hands felt a little bit chilly.

“What’s wrong,” Giles asked looking at her disappointed expression.

“Nothing’s wrong, I just thought that I would have a different reaction.”

“Like, an allergic reaction?”

“Never mind, forget I said anything.” Scarlet shook her head in dismissal. Giles grabbed her hand and started looking at it. Instinctively Scarlet wanted to pull away, but she refrained from doing so. He studied her hand closely, admiring her. He looked at her with such inquisitiveness. She studied him too, looked at his face and noticed the faint freckles dotting his peachy skin, his pale blue eyes, his shaggy golden curls. Finally she looked down at his legs, he was in fact  a satyr. His goat legs were proof enough of that, the fur there though was white like her hair. Giles said that he was different from other satyrs because of it. It made Scarlet wonder if he ever met any other satyrs or if he stayed with his mom like she did with her dad. She looked back up at Giles, noticing his horns, they were barely an inch or two long. They were little nubs poking from the top of his head, barely noticeable through his hair.

Giles laced his fingers with Scarlet’s, “I want to take you somewhere, it’s not far.”

Scarlet clasped her hand in his, “lead the way.”

Giles took her to a small village. It was quaint and quiet, nothing like the hustle and bustle of Crystal City, New Haven’s capital. Shops lined the cobblestone pathway leading into a cul-de-sac of houses. In the middle sat a fountain with a dove on the top, the sacred animal of the life goddess. 

“I come here every once in a while to go to the sweets shop, they have the best cinnamon buns that you’ve ever had,” Scarlet could see Giles’s eyes light up in happiness thinking about the desserts. It made her excited to try them for herself.

Giles led her into a shop, a bell overhead tinkled with glee when the door opened. An old looking man looked up from behind the checkout counter, “Welcome in. What can I get for you today?”

Giles stepped forward to the counter, “I’ll have the usual please.”

The man let out a merry hearty laugh, “Giles it’s good to see you again.”

“He knows you?” Scarlet asked.

“Of course I know him, I’d remember the sound of those hooves and that voice anywhere. And judging by the sound of it you have a friend with you and a girl too.” Mischief was written along the man’s face, “is she your girlfriend by any chance?”

“No, we just met today.”

“Well maybe I’ll still be around when you do have a significant other. I’d love to meet whoever ends up stuck with you, they must be just as abnormal as you are.” Giles stuck his tongue out at the man.

“You’ve been here for my past 30 plus birthdays, I think you’ll still be around in a few more centuries, you’re a pure blood elf after all.” Scarlet took a better look at the old man, she indeed did see the signature pointy ears marking his heritage.

“That I am,” his laugh sounded like a kind grandpa. It made Scarlet smile.

She reached her hand up for him to shake, and instantly pulled it back remembering that she wasn’t wearing gloves. She looked at the old man’s face but there was no change, he didn’t have any reaction whatsoever.

“This is Myrkr, he and his wife own this shop here. I think of both of them as my grandparents. Myrkr is completely blind so that’s why he didn’t shake your hand when you held it up.”

“I’m truly sorry my dear, you must think me rude, I did not mean to offend you. Here,” He held out his hand for Scarlet to shake, she obliged, “now what is your name young miss?”

“Scarlet,” she replied in answer.

Myrkr was nice; he talked to Scarlet as if he’d known her for decades and they were catching up like old friends. He told her stories about the shop, his wife, and Giles to the satyr’s embarrassed dismay. Soon his wife came down from upstairs and greeted the children. She looked at Scarlet like any other person, and smiled at her. Scarlet looked at her too. She was human and if her husband looked old then she looked ancient. Her face was deeply set with wrinkles, her hair was a silvery grey, and her hands were bony and shook uncontrollably whenever she moved them. 

Myrkr led Giles to the kitchen, he needed help with getting Giles’s usual out of the oven. Giles didn’t hesitate to leave Scarlet behind in order to get whatever it is he wanted. 

“He seems to like you very much. I might not have centuries of experience reading people like my husband does, but he seems like he enjoys your company.” 

Scarlet turned to face the old lady. “I hope you two stay friends. You seem to have a genuine connection, he probably won’t tell you but he spends most of time alone, unless he’s here. I’m glad he comes by every so often, don't get me wrong. He’s like the kid me and my husband never got to have, but sometimes I wish he had better company than us old souls.”

‘Never got to have.’ Scarlet had heard before that bi-species couples had hybrid kids before. She’d seen some of them before too, but hearing those words she actually thought about how rare of an occurrence it was. Some species couldn’t mix physically and sometimes bi-species children were just a ball of health problems waiting to happen. Presently children with two different species for parents was becoming more common and with technology advancing in the medical field those children were hardly ever born with defects. The prejudices though, that was something no amount of technological advances could fix. People will always think what they want and that’s that.

Looking at the old lady Scarlet could see the smile on her face, instead of the sadness she thought would be there. “Promise me Scarlet that you won’t let anything bad happen to that boy. I may sound like a crazy old coot, but I want to know that he’s safe with you, that you’ll be there when he needs someone.”

Scarlet locked pinkies with the lady, “I promise.” She had never been more sure of anything else in her life. She would do her best to protect the weird goat boy. She made a promise and she intended to keep it.

Giles and Mykyr came back wheeling a large pan rack from out of the kitchen. On the rack were, brownies, cinnamon rolls, macaroons, and assorted cookies; chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, oatmeal, sugar cookies, and even some that Scarlet had never heard of.

In the end both Giles and Scarlet left the shop, each carrying their own large box of desserts and a smaller, but still big, bag of candy. The kind couple said goodbye to them and they both promised to come back soon. 

“Your teeth are going to rot.”

“That won’t stop me, besides I’m part goat. They’ll grow back.” Giles kept eating his candy. Him and Scarlet had barely left the shop and he already plowed through almost a third of the treats that he got.

“Goats don’t grow their teeth back. That’s mainly a reptile thing, the only mammals who can are elephants, kangaroos, and manatees-.”

“BORING.” Giles made an over exaggerated drawl of the word, “fine then I’ll enjoy it now and then later I’ll brush 20 times will that make you happy?”

“It’s not about making me happy, it’s about your health.”

“Fine then Scar, how about I eat one more cinnamon roll and 3 more pieces of candy, then I’ll go home and brush my teeth 20 times.”

‘Scar’? Well nobody ever called her that before, she wasn’t opposed to the idea. “Deal goat boy.” They shook on it and as promised Giles had three more pieces of candy, which he made sure were the biggest pieces that he could find, and one last cinnamon roll.

The two continue walking along the cobblestone path. Until they reached the cul-de-sac. They sat down on the rim of the fountain and talked. It was fun, the most fun Scarlet had in years. She had fun back at home with her father, but she always felt like she was annoying him and monopolizing his time.

“There’s one more place that I have to go. I’ll be right back.” Giles sprang up and took off down the cobblestone pathway where the shops were. In a blink he was a dot on the skyline, how Scarlet ever kept him in her sights when she was chasing him, she had no idea.

She got up from the rim of the fountain and peered into the water. It was a clear blue and glittered in the sunlight. She could see her reflection in it, more clear than any mirror. She looked to the top of the fountain, the dove, in its beak was a rose; the sacred flower of the goddess. The dove itself was made of pure marble, not a single impurity on its white body. It made Scarlet think back to seeing the goddess earlier that day, she looked perfect, the most beautiful woman to ever exist. Scarlet looked back in the pool. She looked past herself on the water’s surface and at the bottom of the fountain. Miscellaneous coins sat at the bottom, probably from people making wishes to the goddess. Scarlet reached into her pocket and pulled out a gold coin. She held it in between both of her thumbs and index fingers, she closed her eyes and made a wish, relinquishing the coin into the fountain.

“She’s amazing isn’t she?” Scarlet jumped at the unexpected voice.

She jolted around to see a man dressed in a Druid priest’s robe. He must have been stopping by to preach in the town. 

“I think so, I met her earlier today. She seemed nice, although she also looked a little bit irritated. She was very pretty, the legends of her beauty are true. There is no woman more beautiful than her.”

“I’m glad we agree on something,” the man tilted his head to the side and smiled. “You said that you met her earlier today?”

Scarlet shook her head, “Yes, her and my dad are best friends. They went off to talk and left me and her son together.” 

“Is that so?” The man asked the question like he didn’t really want an answer.

Scarlet hummed in agreement.

“BLASPHEMY!” The man screamed. His kind demeanor was gone, his skin turned an angry shade of red, like he was badly sunburned. His pupils seemed to constrict to almost nothing. He lunged for Scarlet, grabbing her by the hair. He pulled her up and off the fountain making Scarlet’s scalp burn and sting in pain. She started crying.

“Stop that infernal crying you devil,” he shoved Scarlet into the cobblestone pathway. Her head hit it with a painful crack, blood seeped out, black, the color of tar and bitumen. The priest pulled his hand away from her hair, making sure to keep her pinned down with the other one around her throat. He looked at his hand covered in her blood and grimaced. He flicked it trying to get some of her blood off his hand, “you dare taint a holy man, you shall pay for this,” he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “with your life.”

Scarlet was in pain. Her head was throbbing, her eyes burned with tears, the loss of blood was making her vision blurry, and the loss of oxygen was making it hard not to pass out. Scarlet went into a fight or flight mode unwillingly using her powers. Through the cobblestone skeleton hands tried to break through the rock. Barely 3 of them succeeded, with Scarlet slowly losing consciousness she couldn’t keep it up for long, luckily for her the priest let go of her. She couldn’t summon any more reinforcements but she could control the ones that she did have. The skeletons lunged for the priest swinging wildly and unpredictably. The priest drew his sword and tried to cut them down, only for them to reform and attack again. 

Scarlet watched the battle from where she layed on the ground, without her breathing being obstructed she was slowly regaining consciousness. However she was still weak due to the blood loss and focusing her power on the battle. She couldn’t keep it up, not for long. Her body would give out before she won the fight. She knew there wasn’t anything she could do. So she gave up, she decided that she put up a good fight. The skeletons disappeared back into the ground listening to the daughter of Death. Memories of the day flashed through her vision, she guessed that she was dying, it was okay though. If she died then she would just go back to her father. What would he say? Would he be proud that she fought to protect herself? Would he be disappointed that she used her power against a mortal? She’d know the answer soon. She smiled, Giles would be proud of her, her friend would be proud that she fought. 

The priest's heavy steps landed on the cobblestone with a thud. He was charging for Scarlet, hands gripped tightly on the hilt of his sword. The sword was raised over his shoulder, building momentum with his run towards Scarlet. 

Scarlet didn’t try to move. She was content with her life, it was way longer than most and happier too. She let her eyes drift closed giving into the darkness and she felt the darkness climbing up her legs, to her arms, her head. It was warm and soft, she felt like she was embraced in a hug.

She reached out and felt something in front of her. She opened her eyes and there he was. Giles had his arms wrapped around her cradling her head in his hand holding her close to him. His goat ears were drooped in sadness and fear. He was crying, babbling unintelligibly asking her if she was alright.

Scarlet’s throat was raw and scratchy from crying and screaming earlier, but she managed to croak out a single word, “fine.” Giles hugged her tighter and Scarlet felt like she was being choked all over again.

Scarlet was down the cobblestone pathway where all the shops were. She was outside the sweets shop. Myrkr and his wife were standing next to them.

His wife, Matilde, knelt down to them. “My husband used his powers to get you away from there. There are perks to being a shadow elf even if others say the contrary.” It was meant as a joke but Scarlet couldn’t laugh, she was barely there. She was barely breathing.

Matilde moved to help Scarlet up so her and her husband could carry her inside. 

A throwing knife grazed her making a sizable slash from her shoulder to the opposite side of her collarbone. Matilde snapped her head towards where the knife came from. There was the priest charging straight for them Matilde ran for him but the second she got even a  foot away from Scarlet and Giles she fell to her knees, “you will pay for this,” she spat out as unconsciousness filled her body.

Myrkr cried out for his wife. He yelled at the priest demanding to know what he’d done to her. “Don’t worry old man. Your wife is fine, she’ll wake up soon enough. And so will you.” 

Before he could ask what he meant by that, he felt drowsiness filling his body. He soon too fell to the ground as his wife had, a small throwing knife sticking out of his stomach. “Can’t say the same for that demon.” He refocused his attention to where Giles was holding Scarlet. “Get away satyr this doesn’t concern you.”

“Why are you doing this!” Giles screamed, voice cracking with tears. “She didn’t do anything to you, to anyone!” He looked down at Scarlet’s face, she looked pale and lifeless, even for her. She felt colder than usual too. Her breathing was shallow and choked. Giles’s tears rolled down his cheeks and onto Scarlet’s face.

“Suit yourself kid.” He ran for him. Giles ran too leaving Scarlet on the pathway. He made sure to lay her on her side so as not to worsen her head injury.

Giles charged forward with his horns. They jabbed the priest into the gut making him stumble back and clutch his stomach in pain. The priest redrew his sword and ran for him. Giles kicked the priest in the leg making him trip and fall on top of him. The sword went flying and got stuck in the cobblestone path, giving Giles an opportunity to strike. He kicked the man in the stomach; he reared back, stumbling in pain. He fell to one knee grasping his stomach with one hand. He coughed into the other, droplets of red painting his hand. 

Giles didn’t bother looking back at the priest; all that was on his mind was Scarlet. If he could just get to her, he could run while carrying her and get her to safety. 

The priest wasn’t done yet though he picked up his sword from where it stuck into the ground. Giles had his back turned, Scarlet in his arms trying to pick her up in the most efficient way. The priest was behind him and before he could act the sword came down. 

It sliced through the skin on Giles’ back, tearing a pained cry from his throat. A huge cut went from his right shoulder all the way down to his left hip.

The priest dropped his sword and stumbled away in terror. Giles held Scarlet close to him. The priest tripped on the now rocky and beat up ground. He fell back, crying and mumbling as tears ran down his face. His face was pale and terrified. He was screaming like a mad man. He was backing away while still on the ground, he was using his hands and feet to push himself away.

The priest knew he messed up the second he saw it. He expected red to seep from the wound that he inflicted on the satyr, not gold. Gold came from his wound. Not gold like honey or a kind of yellow. No, metallic and shimmering gold ran down the satyr’s back. The blood of Life herself. The girl he thought was a demon was telling the truth. He thought her demonic powers were deceiving his holy ones.

It happened instantly a loud boom and a flash of light ricocheted through the town. There she was in her true form, a silhouette of pure golden light. The priest bowed, his forehead touching the ground.

“My lady, it is an honor to see you.”

“What transpired here?” Life didn’t bother with pleasantries. 

The priest explained, making himself sound like the victim. 

“Do you dare doubt the power that I bestowed upon you priest?”

“No my lady.” Terror shook his voice.

Life glared, “You dare to deceive me as well.”

The priest tried to say something but he couldn’t. “Hold your tongue. I know exactly what happened here. I was just giving you a chance to confess, show you a little mercy before your punishment.”

Sweat dripped from the priest's brow. “Punishment? But my lady I was only trying to get rid of that demon.”

“You mean my daughter.” Another figure appeared and the priest went numb with fear. He dared to look up and instantly regretted it. He was literally looking Death in the face. His skull head couldn’t articulate like a human face could but he knew that anger was written all over it.

“You attacked the daughter of Death, my dear friend, which she told you. But you doubted the power of truth that I bestowed upon you. You disrupted a peaceful town. You attacked an innocent couple who was only trying to help defend the kids and finally.  You. Attacked. My. Son.” 

The priest cried for forgiveness and mercy. “I would have been merciful if you had told me the truth, but alas you didn’t. Instead you chose to lie to me to cover your own sorry skin.” The priest swallowed a lump in his throat.

“But I am a merciful goddess if nothing else.” Life feigned pity in her voice.

“Thank you, my lady.” The priest’s voice seemed to beam with hope.

A wicked smile crossed Life’s face even though nobody could see it. Giles knew, he always knew when his mom was planning something. “Since this all happened because you tried to kill my best friend’s daughter I’ll let him decide what becomes of you. But know that your power is gone and you are no longer a Druid. Any family that you have is now disgraced and might be ridiculed for it. Tata.” With that she disappeared into a cloud of glittering dust. The way she so merrily and cheerfully said that made Giles’s skin crawl.

The priest’s pants darkened, tears streamed down his cheeks, and soon consciousness left his body. 

“D-did you kill him?” Giles asked.

Death shook his head. “No, killing him would be too easy of a punishment. He deserves to live out his life in exile and disgrace.”

Death walked towards Giles and picked up Scarlet from him. “Thank you for protecting her and being here. And for being her friend. I want to thank you young one, is there something that you want?”

Giles didn’t hesitate. “I want her, I want her to be my friend, to be by my side for the rest of my life, if harm comes to her ever again I want to be there for her.”

“Then I offer you these words: put her above all else.” Death turned to Myrkr and Matilde, who were starting to wake up.

“You two also protected my daughter and you didn’t judge her when you saw how she looked. For that I thank you and I ask what you want in return.”

Myrkr bowed, “My lord I want you to shorten my life to be the same as my wife’s.” Matilde gasped in shock and horror.

“My love you mustn’t.”

“It is what I want. You are a human and me an elf. I will live centuries long after you have departed from this world and that my dear is a world I do not wish to live in. What good is life if you cannot enjoy it with the one you love.”

Matilde cried tears of happiness and ran to kiss her husband. “I will do you one better. Your lifespan will now be the same as your husband’s. When the time comes I will collect you both at the same time. You will be together in this life as well as the one after.”

The couple thanked Death and he left carrying his daughter in his arms. Giles followed the god and he led him home. Afterward Death took his daughter back to their home.

───⋆｡°✩☼✩°｡⋆───

There were stars in Genesis’s eyes. Every story they heard of the pair only heightened how much they admired the duo. To Genesis’s brief sadness though, they remembered that Scarlet had worn a red cloak when they first met her. They didn’t remember her wearing gloves though, so progress is progress. They would leave it at that and continue.

“Yeah, I’m pretty cool aren’t I?” Giles sounded smug. Scarlet jabbed him in the hip, causing him to jump and clutch his side.

“Don’t forget who left me alone ‘Mr. Cool’. You should never leave a lady alone when you escort her somewhere.”

“Oh come on, that was centuries ago. Give a man a break.”

Giles and Scarlet started ‘arguing’ like they usually did. It made Genesis laugh every time. Both of them were so comfortable and happy around each other it warmed their heart.

“I have a question though. What happened to that priest and Myrkr and Matilde?”

“That’s actually two questions you just said them in the same sentence.” Giles said.

“Matilde and Myrkyr are still happily married and working at the sweets shop and I don't know what happened to the priest.” Scarlet looked to Giles for confirmation.

Giles shrugged his shoulders, “I don’t know either. Genesis if you want, one day we can take you to the shop.”

They jumped up in excitement. “Really!? I’d love to, let’s go now.”

“Nah, let’s not, it's getting late Mouse and I’m tired.”

“It’s only 3pm.”

“And that’s my nap time.” Giles emphasized his point by booping Genesis on the nose. “‘Night ladies, love ya.” With that he left to go to his room.

In his room Giles started crying remembering that day. It was happy for the most part, so many wonderful things happened: he met Scarlet, he got to see Myrkr and Matilde, but most importantly the candy and cinnamon rolls he had were divine. Bad things happened that day too, that he didn’t mention.

He would never admit to it but his relationship with his mom was more messed up than he cared to share.

───⋆｡°✩☼✩°｡⋆───

Giles walked through the door of his mother’s house and was immediately met with a slap from the goddess. His cheek stung, but he didn’t reach up to touch it. He’d stopped doing that decades ago. It stung but it was faint and barely there, pain immunity was a real thing. Giles was living proof of that: physically and emotionally.

“Don’t you ever embarrass me like that in front of my friend again.” Life scolded, she sounded like she’d been crying. Her voice was gravely and threatening to break. She turned away from her son and went back inside her room.

Giles went upstairs to his room too. He got ready for bed and did what he always did when he was home; he went to sleep. His mom could yell and hit him all she wanted to later, but right now he let sleep embrace him. The abyss of happier, more peaceful places was where he wanted to be, not the real world with pain and suffering.

He went to sleep and he dreamed of a beautiful girl.

[mamatayto]

Ya know; I'll admit that it sucks and hurts to not have my childhood best friend in my life anymore. Another broken piece of losing and leaving everything behind to start a new life, to start over with my husband and kids.

Sucks that she believes lies and rumors from others that I'd steal from her like that. The most comfortable person to talk to about any and everything just gone and moving on enjoying her own life. Having nothing she would ever want to share or say to me again other than bitterness and anger of her own.

Ya know what hurts most about not having her in my life anymore? All the things we said we would share together as children that are now gone. What hurts the most other than NOT being able to share my failures, tragedies, and victories with her; is the emptiness left inside knowing the amount of years we would just talk talk talk talk and fantasize about being aunites and being there for when we have children finally... and their very first aunt to love is just gone.

When she thought she had proof of my stealing from her, she told me she was done and blocked me everywhere. I told her I don't have time for that kind of drama right then, and that if she blocked me and chose to reject me she wouldn't be allowed to take it back this time. I even let her know albeit angrily that I had been asked out, and was going to leave state to start my life over and have babies finally. I just KNEW he was the one who would get me pregnant and father my babies. And she didn't even care due to her own sense of betrayal and anger. Now my 2 beautiful babies are here and she is not. I often day dream about her driving up on weekends just to hang out with the kids. Chatting and chilling like we used to.. except with the kids. She would really love them both....

What hurts the most is what she is missing out on now.

But.. she is moving on and making her own happiness in the world which is fantastic.

Ya know ... it was really hard the day my son was born. March 24th. All I really wanted to do was video call her to show him to her and talk about how odd and wonderful it was that my second child was born in the same month as she is.

Or to talk to her about every struggle of parenting and living with my in-laws.

It hurts and is sad she gave that all up. But as long as she's happy it was worth it.

I love you always no matter what Jammie... I'm no longer watching you and following your posts. You know how to reach out to me. I won't reach out since I'm not the one who blocked and walked away. But I am sorry for the way things happened.

That being said...

My new life couldn't be better too. I'm with a loving and nurturing man who doesn't hit me and slam me against fridges when he is drunk or had a bad day. He actually pays attention to my moods, and actively WANTS me around. Took him awhile to get there, but also defends me against his parents. Finally starting to be on the same page with me on parenting. Living with two toxic in-laws hasn't been easy, and being molested by my father inlaw has made living here very difficult mentally and emotionally. We are moving into our very own and first rental house mid May, which I cannot wait for in layers of reasons. It hasn't been perfect or easy, and nothing in life is... but overall I couldn't be happier and remain focused on being a stay at home mom for now. I won't be a working mom for awhile yet.

Still trying to learn to drive. Having a he'll of a time just passing the multiple choice test yet, especially when there are differences from state to state. When living in Oregon I was 2 questions away from passing. Now though? Now I'm lucky to score 42%! But as soon as I'm driving I get to do all sorts of things including take up an Instacart Driver job.

Just being a mom of 2 so young, and house wife keeps me crazy busy.

But I do love my life now. And my family.

I don't know why trying out poly was so important to me I'm my past. Maybe because I wanted to be loved the way I needed without having to leave what I already had. Idk. But it wasn't for me or right. I'm relieved and blessed to be with a man happy to only have 1 woman in his life. In fact when I found a couple potential women to play with he got mad and asked me if he isn't enough for me. I was confused because what man doesn't want 2 women st the same time for fun? But it's MY man who don't care about that shit. Lucky me honestly~♡

Even though you won't talk to me Jammie, I'm glad we are both moving forward and mostly happy now. That makes all the pain and distance worth it.

[triandafillia]

A broken system can't fix broken people.

Reaching out for help is one of the hardest things to do when you are struggling. The boundary that needs to be crossed just in admitting you need help is a journey in itself. Then once crossed and accepted you think that you're on the way to understanding, accepting, dealing and then mending all the things that you have fought with. Each little thing that has manifested into your mind makes everything so hard, so consuming and so overwhelming. You think you broke the ice and now you can find you again. 

This should be the beginning of new chapters even if they come in baby steps. Unfortunately this is not true.

My story is one many can probably relate to. My story is mine and I write this to free my mind and express my feelings. Get out the burdens that may be insignificant to some yet powerful and meaningful to me. This is my story.

In recent times I have had a mental health relapse. I have walked this road before and each time I have met with new challenges. This time has been no different. Today I am only going to focus on the system. The system that is designed to help people like me navigate how I'm feeling. And I am feeling deserted. You see I started where we all started at my G.P. I landed in her office a shaking ball of a sobbing mess. I asked, pleading for help. Only to receive what felt like a wrecking ball. She looked at me, gave me medicine to calm me down. (Band Aid) . A referral to see a counselor. Told me to join a gym because it's good for me although I explained the debilitating social anxiety I was struggling with. Here comes the real kicker. She looked me square in the face and said. I really want to help you. To which I replied thank you. I really need some help. She continued with. But I Can't.

I know that there is not much she could have done but her choice off words were what made me lose even more hope. I can't, to me felt like a punch in the gut that took the last of the wind left in me.

I left her in a worse state than when I went in to see her. Thankfully I have a supportive partner who is my rock. He helped me calm down and just nurtured me until I could pull it together for the days that followed this appointment. He is no health professional yet he found the words to support me and make me feel a little more at ease. It was what I needed from my doctor who could have found words to guide and encourage me to just take the time to heal and give me hope that things could only get better. 

Why do people get into the medical profession if they lack the empathy and compassion for those who need them most? Or is this their way of not being weighed down by patients.

It took me two weeks to move on from this, not recover but to calm enough to just let it be. I was sent to a counselor and so I built up the courage to go. I hate this part so much as I have had at least 10 councilors, psychologists and psychiatrists over the period of years since the onset of my mental health issues. I know how it works and this one was no different. You spend three sessions going through all your history for them to sit there and wobble their head like one of those dolls people put on their car dash. Then they tell you how to breathe. Yes, breath. Then start with tapping techniques and cognitive therapy. Well let me just say that this can't be it. This cannot be all the help that is available. There has to be more to help people get better and stay better. I want to live a normal life. To not need to be medicated to just be able to do simple daily tasks like having a shower and making a coffee. I want to be able to leave my house without fear. I want to be human. Yet I am a prisoner of my own mind. I am another number in the system. 

A system that is broken can not fix broken people.

[adultswim2021]

Squidbillies #27: “The Good One” | March 3, 2008 - 12:00AM | S03E07

An okay Squidbillies. In this one, Lil has given birth to a litter of baby squids after having several men bust inside her. She’s a prostitute, you see. Early tries to dispose of them in the local lake, letting the audience quietly make the joke in their heads about how funny it is to “drown” squids. I have hazy memories of previous episodes making fun of this discrepancy; the fact that the Cuylers don’t live in water and can’t breathe in it or even swim. ANYWAY, They get busted by Sheriff, who takes them all home. There Early begins to be won-over by a particular squid, a rowdy boy who has knifed a few of his siblings to death. He steals Sheriff's service pistol and blows the top-half of Sheriff’s head off with it. It’s honestly a pretty satisfying moment as far as gratuitous violence goes. Good animation, funny and gruesome visuals.

This is Herschel, the titular “Good One”. The rest of the episode is about Early nurturing him in their shared rowdy boy ways. Early ignores Rusty, much to his dismay. Early gets some form of comeuppance when a father-son camping trip ends with Early left for dead after having his tentacles be run over by a train. The bittersweet ending has Early wondering what will become of young Herschel.

Nothing too spectacular here. There are, I guess, a few notable things about this episode. One is the scene where Rusty takes the baby squids to the movies and there’s an Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters poster. The other thing is the opening of the episode has to do with Early getting a pair of Truck Nuts instead of paying to have his brakes fixed. The Truck Nuts fad was indeed becoming obnoxiously ever-present at this time. Wikipedia claims they were a thing since the 1980s? Huh! Anyway, he mentions the website chrometrucknuts.org which turns out goes to a real website. It’s mildly amusing, just like the episode it came from.

MAIL BAG

What's your favorite "hippie episode" of a sitcom? The South Park one? The King of the Hill one? The Simpsons one? The Family Guy one?

Oh my god, I can’t think of a particularly good one to be honest. I literally gave this one some thought, too. (Cartman voice) I hate hippies.

Would you describe yourself and your lifestyle as bohemian? It's just that some of your anecdotes about your life feel very bohemian/new bohemian. Hmm?

Maybe I should start. I tend to refer to it as “stubbornly non-functional”. I don’t know if I can claim bohemianism because I have a dumb job for dipshits and I follow their dress code and stuff. For more information on being a bohemian please consult this valuable text.

[findopulencerp]

                                𝖘𝖎𝖔𝖇𝖍𝖆𝖓 '𝖘𝖍𝖎𝖛' 𝖍𝖊𝖒𝖒𝖎𝖓𝖌

she was born 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐭𝐰𝐨 years ago, she is a 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐥𝐟 who lives in 𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 as a 𝐩𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧, and is in the 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬. she looks an awful lot like 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧.

“Some days I am more wolf than woman, and I am still learning how to stop apologizing for my wild.”

TW: mention of death, miscarriage, violence

It always humored Siobhan hearing her human friend she was simply blending in with talk about werewolves and supernatural creatures growing up in her latter year of life. How much fun it must be to be friends with the Alpha or the ability to shift and have an internal temperature that can have the coldest days Washington state brought them. At thirteen is when Siobhan finally shifted. A long-awaited anticipation to join her family and friends while making her grandfather the Alpha ever so proud. The Hemming family had been leaders of the Crescent Wolf Pack for multiple generations. Located on the outskirts of Seattle, Washington near the border of Canada and Vancouver, they had generated a stealthy and brilliant pack of like-minded individuals. Welcoming all those who sought for a safe haven within their own kind and a place to seek family and friends who nurtured and supported one another in their niche community. One in which did that for Siobhan and her father, Simon, following a complicated pregnancy and the loss of her mother and baby brother. 

Privy to the ways of werewolves since she was a child, Siobhan was looking forward to the opportunity to grow up amongst the pack and her large adoptive family. However, that fell short, when her father was dismissed from the community after trying to go over her grandfather, the Alpha’s head. Unbeknownst to her, Simon relocated them to London saying that he was on a long term assignment on behalf of the Crescent Wolves. Being an American in an English environment came with quite the learning curve. However, it was very easy for Shiv to make friends, integrate well with her classmates, and even fall into a serious high school relationship with the most unexpected and edgiest of boy. While being distracted by the highs and lows of secondary schooling and being a teenager, her father was concocting political moves and decisions to take claim to the family heritage. His chance at Alpha. 

Once Siobhan turned eighteen and graduated, she returned back to the States. Her grandfather had gotten a hold of her and made contact for the first time in five years, informing her of the reason why she was subjugated to being isolated from the Crescent Wolves as a hold. However, feeling limited in his moves at the time, he wanted to welcome her back to the fold. Confronting her father had gotten her nowhere and so Siobhan rekindled the lost relationship of her roots and was welcomed back to the pack as if she was the lost child who returned. As a result, she had cut ties with her father, incredibly disheartened that the man who raised her was no more than a mirage. The next several years she spent at college and with the pack as she worked to become a pediatrician. It was the occupation of her mother and how she gave back to community and wanted to pay homage to the caring, kind, and empathetic spirit that was the woman. 

The next several years in Washington had been great. Growing and formulating new relationships amongst her pack members, graduating medical school, and building her own reputation as a phenomenal pediatrician like her mother. Life was wonderful and had been going relatively well until they woke up to their community being ambushed on the night of a full moon. Simon had recklessly calculated a move against his lineage after recruiting omegas throughout the years to join a makeshift pack. It had led to a lot of bloodshed and the death of Siobhan’s grandfather. Those who did not submit to her father fled. A member had heard about a community in Colorado known as Opulence that was receptive to all supernatural types. About thirty families including Siobhan had relocated hoping that they could reset and start anew. All eyes on her as the Hemming and wanted to hold onto the roots and traditions of the Crescent Wolves had collectively nominated her Alpha. It’s been almost a year since they’ve moved to Opulence. Finding this place potentially a new ground and home, Siobhan is trying to make the best decisions on behalf of all of those who are looking to her now as their leader and Alpha. 

“what power did she attain when settling in opulence?”

Has the ability to communicate and understand the reactions of animals and creatures when in full or partial wolf form. Conveyed mentally and can be used advantageously in strategic planning or as simple as communicating with an animal who is hurt or lost. Is an added layer to the Hemming inherited familial trait that allows to heal those by removing pain from another and taking it upon themselves. Something Siobhan discovered upon her first full moon in Opulence when roaming alone in the wolves trying to process all that has happened to her to lead to this point in her life.

this character is…retired

[meowcatonini]

Prologue: Journey to Motherhood

We all begin our journey into the world we live in from one unique, warm space called the womb of our mother. For nine months, this is our world, nurturing us as we grow and get ready to explore the outside. Mommy Biverlyn is one of those amazing mothers who go through a number of changes, including challenges, for the healthy start of her baby. Here is a closer look at her journey as she approaches her third trimester:. Mommy Biverlyn has been experiencing both physical and emotional changes throughout her pregnancy. These days, she said she's been experiencing a lot of stress. With her husband trying to work outside their home, she had to take sole responsibility for the elder child and household chores. All these added responsibilities sometimes really overwhelm her but at the same time strengthen Biverlyn. One of the noticeable changes in Biverlyn is at her pelvic area. The discomfort and unease of having the baby inside kicking have been bothering her, yet she has learned to put up with these disturbed feelings. When the pain becomes insupportable, relief comes from the sister through gentle massages. On the emotional level, Biverlyn's journey has seen its seesaws. While the early pregnancy was rather smooth, the illness of her eldest child has been adding to the stress. Biverlyn realizes the implications of stress on her baby; as such, she tries to be a cheerful disposition and maintain her stress level at a minimum. She is also getting ready for the baby, putting everything in order. She has gathered some things for the baby, and she has washed and ironed some of her oldest child's clothes to use again with this baby. For the future, Biverlyn wishes to deliver healthily. Because of their economic status, she hopes for a more affordable delivery in a Lying-In clinic. Since the gender of her baby is still in suspense, she has not yet chosen a name. Biverlyn's husband has been with her throughout the pregnancy, he was understanding of her mood swings and gave necessary support whenever in need. His presence means a lot more than anything during this period. She said, "My faith keeps me going," in light of her pregnancy challenges. Comforted with deep faith in God, she felt helped in preparation for the birth. Despite uncertainty about the birth, Biverlyn somehow manages this financial constraint. Her faith and her family support her through this exciting yet transformational time.

Pregnancy is that time of your life when you are excited, anticipating, and changing. It is one of those very few, special moments in a woman's life when amazing changes take place in her body to nurture and support new life. From the early stages of morning sickness to the final weeks of feeling the kick of the baby, each phase has its challenges and bits of joys. The entire journey is a saga of strength in women as they get ready to welcome the little one in their arms with lots of love and care.

[cryptofadventure]

Sarasaland, a very newly established empire.  The biomes that make them up are very culturally and especially weatherly diverse. In the start the 4 kingdoms would be at constant war over land and resources as their soil were far from fertile and they faced famine daily. Originally the lands' terrains were similar to the Badlands however they lacked unity and technology so they suffered as a result. There were tales of a treasure birthed by the land that will bring great power and life to anyone who finds it. Through a warp wipe a large man tumbled into these barren lands, his body shielding a very precious bundle. Upon impact he injured his head forgetting his home and prior life; he retained a sole memory and that was he has an infant daughter that is very sick. He traveled living solely for her; any food he scavenged or water he found he gave to her first. The little food and water from the land nurtured the sick baby and she seemed revitalized by being in this land, so much so her joy and improving health flourished the land around her and her father. Following the trail of unnaturally beautiful flora, the four kings knew the treasure had been found and sent their troops to hunt it down and spy on the treasure hunter that found it. Upon inspection the troops deducted the treasure was the strange child this even stranger man was caring for. Forming a temporary alliance the kingdoms sought to steal the child since the man who found the treasure belonged to none of their lands and they were simply 'taking what's rightfully theirs'.

Having his daughter ripped from him the man had nothing to lose. He tore through the lands taking on the kings on his own in search of his child; in the closing of his battles each fallen king would reveal the location of the next king until all were felled. However, by the time he reached his daughter the emotional distress and malicious intent of those around her were enough to bring a close to the sickly child. The man wept for his child, the kings gathering and reflecting upon themselves in sheer horror of their own doing to both these innocent strangers and their own people. As he looked to the clear night sky, the man called out in his grief and it seemed in this strange world of whimsy the stars answered his call. Silver streaks of light lit up the sky and showered the child in starlight, reviving her in a much healthier state than she previously lived. Having been felled by and owing a grand debt to the mysterious man (as well as having their futures hinge on him and his child alone) the four kings knelt to him and plead for his forgiveness and their desire for him to lead them. Seeing as how the land healed his child even before her kidnapping and securing a home for both of them, he took the offer to lead the land, securing the newly named Sarasaland.

[stellatravers]

ID. STELLA BEATRIX TRAVERS. AGE.  TWENTY FIVE. RESIDENTIAL AREA.  SOUTHSIDE VILLAGE. HOMETOWN.  SIESTA KEY NATIVE. JOB.  CASHIER AT DAVE’S RECORD SHOP. FACECLAIM.  KAIA GERBER

late-night surf & skate sessions, the scent of spray paint and cigarettes, torn stockings & combat boots, vinyl collection, video games, dinosaur nuggets covered in “bloody” ketchup, tired eyes,   uncertain paths, wasting time on youtube, living in the shadows, feeling out of place, driving fast, blasting music late at night, neon signs,   tattoos, the smell of perfume masking marijuana.

biography.

Growing up was very unusual for Stella, to say the least. For a while, she was convinced her brother was actually her father. Despite there only being a ten-year difference in age, she didn’t know any better. He was the only person raising her. Memories of her parents are blurry; if not totally made up in her head. The human mind is powerful enough to have imagined being cared for by anyone other than her brother. The only thing she knows for sure is that her parents were hippies and never around. When she was old enough, she learned through her brother that their father was imprisoned for child endangerment among other charges. He apparently left his stash of mushrooms out and baby Stella got into the bag and almost swallowed them. If it weren’t for her brother’s quick reflexes, who knows if she would still be alive. She’ll always be grateful to him that he took such good care of her at such an early age.

After their father was arrested, their mother ran off with some lover boy to continue her life as a free spirit. Stella believes she’s a little bit of a flower child herself. She loves the rain and sunshine and can spend all day and night outdoors with the earth. She also works in a record shop and has taken to old 70s and 80s bands like The Doors and Sublime. But she’d be lying if she said she didn’t inherit some of her brother’s thorns. She experiences rage blackouts and carries around a switchblade everywhere she goes. Dante gave it to her as a birthday gift when she turned sixteen after an ex-boyfriend tried to assault her inside his car. She’s not much for relationships anymore but loves making out with people - mostly her girlfriends. For years, she thought it was just a matter of fun, but she’s since come to terms with her bisexuality. She doesn’t openly talk about it, but a lot of her friends already know.

Currently, she’s what you would consider homeless. For the past year, she’s been couch-surfing, hopping from one friend’s house to the next. Prior to this, she was living with her brother but moved out on her own. He never asked her to leave. She just thought it would be better if they had their privacy. She was also a little tired of hearing him talk to her like a parent. They were older now, she didn’t want to be watched over and given rules to abide by. Especially when she knows he’s not following any rules himself. Her rebellious nature is an exact correlation to that. She’s become wild and crazy because he’s wild and crazy. But she’s also very nurturing and loves to cook for him and take care of him too whenever she’s given the chance. Not just because she owes him, but because he’s the most important person she has in her life.

about.

Living: Stella is currently couch-hopping between friends. Before that, she was living with her older brother Dante. He didn’t kick her out or anything like that. She just wanted to give them both more space. It’s been a year.

Profession: She’s currently working behind the cash register at Dave’s Record Shop. She loves music, mostly old-school rock, but can’t play any instruments herself. However, that doesn’t stop her from singing during long car drives and hot showers.

Interests:  She loves surfing (her brother taught her everything she knows), skateboarding, spray painting, 80s slasher movies, and parties.  

Relationship: Single and bisexual. For as long as she can remember she’s been attracted to both sexes, but more recently she’s come to terms with her sexuality. Making out with her friends wasn’t just for fun, she actually likes girls too.

Challenge: Growing up and moving forward with her life. She’s always relied on other people, and she’s still doing that now. She’s coasting through life instead of trying to put down roots and build a future. She doesn’t like planning ahead. Her life is in the present and figures, whatever happens, happens.

Personality: She’s very guarded, but also very fun. Her upbringing was unusual, to say the least. For years she thought her brother was her father. They’re only ten years apart, but what did she know? He was the only person taking care of her since … birth. Her parents were hippies and never around and any memories of them are blurry or probably made up. She knows (from her brother) that her dad went to jail and she almost died when she got into his drug stash. Her mother took off with some lover boy and that was the last they saw of her. Stella was only four. Because her brother had so much responsibility at such a young age, he was more of a friend than a parent. They would surf, play video games, eat dinosaur nuggets with lots of ketchup and pretend it was blood. He made her life an adventure and she still likes to live it that way even at 25.

[faces-ofvenus]

Your first kiss with...

The first kiss with Aegon would be amazing, you were one more of his servants and lovers, and honestly Aegon didn't care about your pleasure, affection or love, he didn't need to be sweet, he didn't need to show that he cares, this in the beginning of course, it doesn't hurt overnight, but even the blindest could see that he treats you better than anyone who has ever been in his bed, you were already dressed from more than one night, it was rare that you stayed, it was just sex for both of you, especially for him you thought, but when he simply took your hand and pulled you into bed, you were left with no reaction, you were both sitting on your bed, on top of the sheets, Aegon completely and you that all dressed up, he took you gently by the cheek, or rather as gently as he could, it wasn't like him to show affection in this way, so when your lips met in a shy and unexpected way, and you responded almost immediately, it was so simple, so calm, as it had never been in your life, no one had ever kissed you like that, just as he had never shown such affection in such a meaningful way, After that you lay facing each other, it was maybe the first time that you really looked at each other without lust, that there was no sex, no social positions, other kisses were shared that night, just a way to prove that everything was really real, and that you were living this moment.

The first kiss with Aemond, you are a dragon keeper, and one of the few that Vhagar would let you get close to, apart from Aemond of course, and that's when you both met, you knew about his history, the abuse, the eye, everything, exactly everything, You also heard that he might resemble a lunatic, an unpredictable monster, and a snake that could attack at the slightest sign, but this never stopped you in fact, you and Aemond sincerely exchanged few words, he only really started to pay attention to you the day he saw you petting Vaghar so gently, even though you were so old you treated her like a baby maybe, from then on your little romance started to blossom, no longer being influenced by outside information, meeting the real Aemond was something rare but precious in life, he made no sexual gestures, always wanting to see you at ease, giving you rides with Vaghar who didn't seem to mind that, you told each other your biggest insecurities, ambitions and desires, in a people of mutual care and zeal beyond an extreme trust, and it was only when both of you really felt ready for this, that it was in one more of your encounters alone, that he gave you the first kiss, you gently took the eye patch off his face, you wanted to see him completely, because you really loved him, regardless of what others said, what he said about himself, passing his face gently across your face, you put your lips together, almost hurriedly since you were tired from waiting so long, your first kiss, also started your first time together, Aegon took you to his room, through the many secret passages, but even if it was to walk the halls showing you he wouldn't object, you spent the whole night, together, loving each other and showing your true feelings between stolen kisses and caresses.

Your first kiss with Jacaerys was perhaps the most overwhelming, of all, it's no secret that even with everything, Jace was always a confident and brave man, who was always there willing to defend everyone including the ones he loves, you were nothing more than a nanny for Rhaenyra and Daemon's children, but secretly began to nurture feelings for the older Velaryon, who fortunately or unfortunately was showing the same interests, your friendship and love grew almost immediately, and even trying to hide it was no secret to anyone, Rhaenyra was totally apprehensive, she tried her best to try to warn her son, that a relationship like this, with him being her successor was way out of bounds, but he honestly didn't care, he met with you, Your kiss was in Jace's room, in one of your picnics you had in his room, it started as a teasing joke between the two of you, but the more you looked at each other the more the desire consumed you, the fact is that you would have made a pact of sex and kissing only later in the marriage, a nonsense now that was easily forgotten, because the speed their lips and hands came together, they could never leave each other anymore, they were already too far gone to stop, and you both didn't want to, you made love right on that floor covered with pillows, if the walls weren't so good, for sure your moans and kisses would be heard all over the castle.

Lucerys what to talk about this little baby, maybe in the relationship Luke will always be the quiet one, he was hungry for your touch, you were his cousin/sister of the relationship between Laena and Daemon, you were a woman as confident as your father, decided and adventurous as your mother, for sure in everyone's view you would have to be with someone just like you, but Luke's quietness was what attracted you the most, you gave him the strength to be more confident, making him want to just go out there with you, traveling through the seven kingdoms without any responsibility, that was your wish, but for the time being that couldn't come true, you settled for being two young men who just want to be in each other's company 100% of the time, if it depended on you, obviously, you and Luke would have kissed a long time ago, but you respect him and his shy way, it was on another one of your little disappearances, which was already quite frequent for Rhaenyra and Daemon, who don't care much because they knew you'd protect each other until the end, that it was your first kiss, after a trip to a field of flowers with your dragons, you pretended that at least it was just the two of you in the world, your kiss was nothing short of adorable, after falsely exchanging your wedding vows, Luke's sweet kiss was given, with shyness on his part, and an urgency on your part, and what should be a bad thing, actually became a funny and memorable experience for both of you, your day went on like this, until almost nightfall, rolling through flowers, and pecking your lips until nothing seemed more than familiar to both of you.

I hope you enjoyed it, I will try to make more headcanons with the four of them, because ah I love them. And sorry for any spelling mistakes.

Orders are open.

[orphicidiot09]

Uchiha men when their s/o dies during pregnancy

(Includes Sasuke, Madara and Itachi)

! Triggering content !

UCHIHA MADARA

He was sitting outside the room when her painful screams starting echoing in the compound. They were loud and blood wrenching. He couldn't even imagine the pain she was in and first time in his life Uchiha Madara felt helpless. He couldn't do anything except hear her cling on to her life while giving birth to their kid. He felt so useless.

This was far from normal. Madara was young but old enough when his mother gave birth to his siblings, he had heard painful screams of her mother but none of them were like this. So utterly painful. Somewhere between those screams he heard her calling out his name which made him nearly crash inside the room if it wasn't for the women outside the room pulling him back.

Suddenly the screams died down and shrill cry of a baby echoed. He smiled hearing his younger one's cries, she gave birth successfully, everything was fine right? The maid came out of the room holding a baby boy in her arm and handed him to Madara who held him close to his chest delicately like a piece of glass. But when his eyes met the maid's eyes and when when he heard the words we couldn't save her leave her mouth his world crashed down.

Empty, that's how he felt. He couldn't save his brother and now he lost his love of his life too. He felt like crying everytime he saw his son wail out for his mother. They were supposed to celebrate the birth of the Uchiha heir but here he was grieving for another loss. Hashirama tried consoling him but all that did was make him feel angry. Despite being the great and feared Uchiha Madara, the head of the clan, the shadow Hokage of leaf he couldn't save her. A part of him died along with her, part that no one can recreate neither can anyone replace. For the first time in his life the great Uchiha bowed down. Bowed down before his own fate.

UCHIHA ITACHI (non massacre au!)

Late night talks with her pregnancy bump, softly caressing and kissing her bump till she would slip into slumber and cuddling with her and his unborn baby, these were Itachi's highlights of the day. But right now he was not in the village due to some mission, he never wanted to leave especially not when he saw tears pooling in her eyes when he was at the gate of the village. God he missed her, he couldn't even focus on the mission since he was too busy thinking about the names for their unborn child.

He should have stayed at home and nurtured his wife with love and affection instead of going outside the village to attend some mission. As soon as he stepped in the village he was met by his weeping mother and grieving father, his brother Sasuke who would usually look enthusiastic at his arrival couldn't even look at him in the eye. No one had the heart to tell him what happened that was until he came across Shisui who too had a grim expression on his face, he told him everything...

He was blessed with a beautiful baby girl who looked just like her mother but god took away someone so precious from him, he couldn't even cry properly. They told him that she slipped while coming down the stairs. When Shisui found her she was bleeding and was barely concious. The doctors could only save one, either the baby or her. And as any mother would do she chose baby's life over hers. Itachi didn't realise he was crying till his brother wiped his tears and pulled him into a hug.

Hollow, that's how he felt. He blamed himself for this, he felt angry at her. This was so selfish of her. How can he possibly live without her now, Itachi is a great father but if someone at that time would have asked him who's life he wanted to save then he would've taken her name without a second thought. He was being selfish too right? But for once he wanted to be selfish. If only he was at home. If only he was there when she was climbing down the stairs. If he was there then here he wouldn't be sitting alone in the cold bed with his baby tucked and sleeping on his chest. If only.

UCHIHA SASUKE

'Sarada if it's a girl and Itachi if it's a boy. Is it okay?' All he got in response were some soft snores. A soft chuckle left his lips when when he looked at his pregnant wife fast asleep leaning against him. They both were out of the village traveling around the world, when she fell pregnant Sasuke wanted to return back to Konoha but when he saw those puppy eyes and her baby words he gave in. She said that god knows if she'll ever be able to leave the village again. So here he was. Maybe it was the fact that he had not slept a wink or that they had been traveling for days that he accidentally fell asleep.

He woke up to sound of someone rushing towards them, immediately alerted by this he shielded her quickly and pulled out his kusanagi. As expected they were surrounded by 15 dangerous rogues, not a tough task for him. But he felt nervous, nervous that he was surrounded by unknown bloodthirsty ninjas, his civilian pregnant wife who is terrified of them is still trembling and sitting at the same spot, he can still defeat them though.

He had taken down 13 of them easily and had cornered the remaining two, without thinking twice he slashed down one of them and seeing this the other one run away towards the deeper forest. Angered by this, adrenaline still running in his veins he chased him without thinking twice and it didn't take him long to cut him down too. All down. All safe.... He made a huge mistake. Left her unguarded. When he came back the sight before him was blood curling.

There was a huge slash across her belly, her insides showing, her eyes wide open with no sign of life in them and the place here his baby once rested in her womb was now all bloody and mushy. He counted wrong, there were 16 of them. It didn't take him a second to burn the last one alive but that didn't make anything better. Bile was rising up his throat seeing her in this state. He lost again. His cruel fate won.

Numb, that's how he felt. Be couldn't save her, he couldn't save their baby. First his parents, his clan then his brother who he killed with his own hands and now his wife, his baby who died because of his recklessness. He did exactly what those thugs wanted, he fell right in their trap. He failed as a son, as a husband and soon to be father. Oh how cruel can his fate be.

:(

Masterlist

[comfortwriting]

A Triwizard Baby - Final Part - F.W

Fred Weasley x Fem Reader

Masterlist, Requesting Rules, Writing Prompt Masterlist

Final Part of the 'Triwizard Baby' mini-series.

Please Read Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 if you haven’t already.

A/N: Thank you ever so much for loving and for showing so much support and excitement for this mini-series, it has been one of my favourite things to have ever written and I'm so sad it's coming to an end, but I hope you enjoy it <3

Warnings: Implied Smut, swearing.

Mr and Mrs Weasley were slowly approaching the hospital wing, George following not far behind.

“Yeah, which I’ve only just found out are mine!”

The hospital wing doors opened, Molly and Arthur standing in the doorway, staring at you, their son, and their grandchildren.

"Mum!" Fred smiled "Dad!"

You looked up and swallowed hard at the sight of your child's confused grandparents, they were just as clueless as Freddie with this whole situation, but when Molly's eyes landed on the smaller and sleeping twin, her heart burst into flames.

"Oh, congratulations dear!" she smiled, starting to tear up, you encouraged Fred to hand the baby over for her to hold.

Molly cradled the bundle of joy in her arms, counting his fingers and toes, stroking his soft hair as tears filled her eyes "he looks just like you, Freddie when you were a baby."

"He finally knows," George smiled, approaching you, planting a friendly kiss on your head and sitting next to you "I'm sorry I couldn't be here."

"It's okay," you sigh, the corners of your lips curling up into a smile "but it's okay, everything has worked out perfectly in the end, better than I ever thought it would."

“I’m sorry for crashing into you” he frowned, sitting next to you on the train “is your head alright? I can try and make the bruising go away.”

You couldn’t stay mad at him, you chuckled and shook your head “It’s okay but thank you for offering” you smiled.

His twin brother entered the carriage, “Fred-” he stared at you “what’s happened to you?”

“I wish you were coming with us” Fred sighed, grumbling to himself.

“Oh don’t be silly, you’re going on holiday!” you beamed “just make sure you take plenty of pictures, I’ve heard Egypt is lovely!”

“I’ll write to you and I’ll send the photos through the owl post if I’ve got enough time.”

“We’re supposed to be studying for our O.W.Ls!” you hissed at Fred, hiding your answers from him as he continued to make your stationary levitate and drop onto your head.

“Please take part in this prank, Y/N” he begged “I promise I won’t ask for anything ever again.”

“But you always do, Freddie!”

He stared at you, pouting and making puppy eyes.

“Fine” you sighed, giving in “Let’s go and do it then.”

Fred punched the air and grabbed you by the hand, pulling you away from your desk, the two of you smirking and giggling with excitement.

“I didn’t realise it would be this cold” you shivered, standing outside of Honey Dukes, snow falling from the sky and sticking to the pavement.

Fred pulled off his knitted jumper “Put this on love, don’t want you freezing now do we?”

“I want you.” you breathed, pulling away from the kiss “I want you to fuck me like you do everyone else.”

“I want you too” Fred replied, taking your hand and fleeing from the party.

“Are you going to tell him?” George asked.

You shook your head “No, and the both of you aren’t going to tell him either, you need to promise me.”

“I’ve got plans!” Angelina smiled, unable to hold her emotions back, the bottle lid slowly starting to tremble as the liquid inside bubbled up.

“What’s going on?” Fred asked again, slightly puzzled as he had never seen her so excited.

“You don’t know?!” Angelina gasped “Me, George, and the girls are planning a surprise baby shower for Y/N!” she beamed.

“I’m ready to tell you” you sighed again “who the father is.”

They all stayed silent except Matt’s little sister, “who is it?” she asked quietly.

“Fred,” you blurted out, unable to hide his name for much longer “Fred Weasley is the father.”

"Y/N Y/L/N, will you marry me?" he asked, opening the ring box

You and George smirk at one another and laugh, shaking your heads, you partner Fred watching you and his newborns full of life - he had never felt this heavy strike to his heart before - but he couldn't mistake it anymore, he knew - he was truly in love.

Flickering your eyes open, you smirked at the open wide brown eyes staring back at you, the peppered freckles sitting across his nose and face which you slowly stroked with your index finger.

You didn't need to speak, you could just live in this moment forever, with him, your husband.

Your bedroom door slowly creaks open, you and Fred quickly cover your faces with the bed covers so only your eyes are visible, and the two of you chuckle when you hear the pattering of feet thunder across the room, only to be followed by another pair of feet, less thundery and more stumbly.

Your two boys pounce on the bed, full of energy and mischief, you and your husband jump up and lift up your children in your arms, pulling them into the soft and cosy sheets, tickling them, the room filling up with their laughter.

"Gideon! Fabian!" Molly yells up "Get down here now! Leave your poor mother and father alone to sleep!"

"Go! Go!" Fred whispers "Uncle Ron won't show you any magic if you don't listen!"

"Listen to your dad!" you smile "Or Uncle George won't show you any magic either!"

Your twins quickly pull shocked faces and scamper away, hurrying downstairs to finish packing with Molly to go to her house for the weekend as you and Fred were getting ready to go away for your honeymoon.

"Last night was the best night of my life," you kiss Fred softly, bringing up your hand in the morning light, examining the beautiful ring.

Hearing the door close downstairs and many feet storm away from the house, Fred wraps his arms around you and he pulls you into him, kissing your neck, his hot breath now tickling your ear.

"You won the bet" Fred whispered

“So, when can we make another one?” Fred winked.

“When we graduate from Hogwarts!-”

“Next year?” he raised an eyebrow.

“You didn’t let me finish! We need to graduate, get stable jobs and have a house with enough room!”

“So next year then?” Fred smirked, still cradling the baby.

Your furrowed your brows, unsure whether or not he was bluffing.

“Okay then, since you’re all confident, let’s make a bet.” You smirked back.

“If I win, we make another baby, if you win… we get married,” Fred said softly as the baby opened his eyes and let out a cry.

"Even if I did," Fred sighs "I still want to make another one."

You ponder the thought for a minute, "So why don't we?"

Sharing a glance, your husband attacks your lips with his, his hands roaming all over your body and pulling off your pyjamas whilst you take off his and get your hands lost in his golden hair. Life had finally worked out for you, for the twins, for Fred, you were finally a family - you never thought that you would be here now compared to the situation you were in three years ago.

Fred's eyes admire your naked body basking in the beam of sunlight that burst through the gap in the curtains, his finger traces your stretchmarks and he places small kisses across every single one of them, the reminder that you created and nurtured two lives inside of you, two lives he had helped you create after a heated makeout session at a party.

Fred didn't want anyone else but you, and the thought of him being present for the whole nine months to see another life blossom inside of you, gave him one more reason to thank the world for being in it.

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[ekaterinatepes]

Nothing but the Best

Author Notes: hello again my loves! Thank you for all your likes, reviews and specially your comments! I love it when you make questions and in general let me know what you think about the chapter. Thank you once more for all your support!

XII.

They say time heals all wounds, but there are some wounds that run so deep they refuse to stop bleeding.

https://youtu.be/s1tAYmMjLdY

A cold September afternoon welcomed the dying rays of the sun, the incandescent amber tones of the twilight illuminated the streets of Tokyo, ever so vibrant; full of life, people, delicious food, kaleidoscopic colors, laughter, children running…. Couples holding hands.

A tall man with a blindfold walked down a heavily transited sidewalk with his hands in his pockets and a small bag of pastries hanging off the side. Slowly, he made his way further away from the more concentric streets towards a park, he found a bench near a fountain and took a seat placing his bag right next to him.

The world remained the same and yet everything seemed to have changed, the days were now long and boring, conversations with people didn’t manage to hold his attention for long; missions were repetitive. Everything seemed… dull, opaque, flavorless, empty…

Everything, except perhaps his students who were the only sliver of hope he had left. Those kids would make it far in life, they were going to change the world and he was going to be there to help them along the way. A sad smile pulls at his peachy lips. You would have liked that. After all, the kids also enjoyed your company back in the day when you were still his. It was as if you had become their adoptive mother of sorts at some point. Your nurturing nature guided you to care for others.

A year ago when Yuuji was placed under his care and tutelage at Jujutsu High it had been hard for the boy. At the time the kid had just lost his only living relative and to top it off he also consumed the most powerful curse ever known to man kind.

He had so much responsibility on his shoulders Satoru couldn’t help but make the connection with himself when he was a kid his age. That’s how Satoru decided to take him home for dinner one night; he couldn’t have been more pleased with his decision. Of course, you adored Yuuji. His sweet snd enthusiastic personality, his polite manners and naiveté made him just endearing in your eyes.

Even Megumi, who barely spoke with his more taciturn approach asked about you. Satoru didn’t know how to answer. The dark haired boy would also come and visit your home to help you prepare some foreign delicacies you loved to cook. Sighing once more he ran his hands through his white hair.

***-Flashback-***

“So where’s Y/N-san? I haven’t seen her in a long time?” Asked Megumi right after Satoru returned from New York. It caught him by surprise

“She… she doesn’t live in Japan anymore” was all he said before changing the subject. Megumi looked at him with eyes wide open but decided not to pry.

Yeah… that probably was weird. Someone asks you about your spouse and you say they moved out of the country. It was pretty obvious what that meant.

***~End Flash Back~***

Sighing he opened the small paper bag containing his mochi, he loved his desert but lately he didn’t even have the will to indulge in sweets anymore. Satoru consumed insane amounts of sugar to stimulate his brain. The problem was that during the past year all that stimulation manifested in the form of vivid memories of you. Your voice, your smell, your presence. It was as if his brain chose to take him down the path to misery, as if to rub on his face what he could never have.

As of last week you were officially not Y/N Gojo anymore. He finally signed those blasted papers giving you your freedom and his capitulation.

It had been one of the worst days of his life.

After signing the divorce Satoru went straight to the liquor store where he found that exotic apricot liquor he liked in New York and bought a bottle. Once he made it back home he proceeded to get drunk out of his mind. The next morning he woke up by the pool, laying down on a tanning chair, wearing only a pair of boxers and hugging your wedding picture.

His head was killing him, at some point he had emptied his insides in the pool. A disgusted grimace reminded him he had to hire some help to take care of the house that was an absolute disaster, faithfully reflecting the state of its owner.

That morning, nursing a hangover he swore off alcohol for the rest of his life.

But hey! On the positive side he didn’t remember at all that night! Which means he ‘probably’ didn’t think about you (yeah right! As if he was ever not thinking about you) and how much he hated the fact you were not his Y/N Gojo anymore. You were not his wife anymore…

The memory made him want to cry like a baby. He lost the person he loved the most in his life because he had been one flaming idiot.

Despite all his efforts he could not forget you. Wherever he went, whatever he did… there you were, tormenting his waking and sleeping hours like his own personal curse.

He tried to get over you. He tried to be the asshole you knew him to be. He slept with so many women he couldn’t even count. But at the end of the night, in the throes of passion it was your face that he saw, your body that he craved, your flavor that he yearned and your name the one he called out when he climaxed.

He was absolutely fucked.

Revisiting memories of the last night he saw you he couldn’t believe how stupid he had been at the time. It took him so long to realize he had always been in love with you but Satoru, being well… himself, he didn’t want to see or admit that he had been head over heels, madly in love with you. He was a cynical bastard and that had cost him dearly. He chose to lie to himself thinking that THE Gojo Satoru was above all human weaknesses… including love. What an ignorant fucker he had been.

He wondered how you were doing and if you ever thought about him.

A frown made his handsome face look stern. Well… you were not alone anymore. Suguru also had stayed back in New York with you. After Satoru returned to Japan, Ijichi told him Geto Suguru wouldn’t be working out of Japan anymore. He had requested a transfer to the Americas.

Of course he did…

It had been one of the reasons Satoru fucked so many women. In his delusional mind he was ‘getting even’ with you for sleeping with Suguru. Not that he knew for a fact you were sleeping with him or not but… I mean….

Come on! It’s mother fucking Geto Suguru we are talking about here! 6’2 of pure sculpted muscles, tattoos and bad boy looks but with a Prince Charming complex. Yeah… Satoru was green with jealousy because he knew his former best friend was a better man for you than he ever was.

Looking down at his mochi bag he realized the small item had paid the price of his anger as he uncurled his death grip from the bag. Sighing he tossed the ruined pastry in the trash can to his left.

“Miss you….” He whispered to the wind.

———–

“I’m home!” You announced walking into your apartment. Setting you bag down as well as a couple of grocery bags “did you start dinner already?” You ask pleasantly surprised although you already knew the answer to that question since all the apartment smelled fantastic. Suguru walked out of the kitchen with a big smile wearing an apron that read ‘Kiss the Cheff’ nods “yes! I figured I would give you a hand tonight!” He answered as you walked to him to wrap your arms around his waist and give him a chaste kiss on his cheek “thank you Sugu. How was your mission?” You asked deciding to set up the table while Suguru finished dinner. “Not too bad actually, it was a special grade but nothing I couldn’t deal with” you returned a bright smile “I’m glad”

Your friendship with Suguru had slowly evolved into something else. You both spent all of your free time together. Your connection was deeper than mere sexual attraction. Suguru truly understood you, cared for you, shared your dreams and hopes. He was the type of poetic soul who would stay awake with you well into the night just to talk about the stars, the book you read that week that you loved, the new music you liked. It was wholesome.

On the more carnal side you desired Suguru and he desired you but you hadn’t taken what was going on between you two further than a few passionate make-out sessions and some cuddling.

After you last saw Satoru everything became worse before it got better. Suguru had been your rock, he had been there for the sleepless nights you spent crying. Without a word he held you in his strong arms and allowed you to let go. He knew you were deeply wounded, your emotions in disarray and your mental stability in peril. But Suguru never asked anything from you, he gave you the strength to go on. To take care of yourself, to keep going with your career. To have… hope.

It seemed like a dream to think that your life had changed so much in the span of a year. You weren’t able to recognise yourself anymore. Pain and duress molded you into someone new, better, more resilient, harder to hurt.

At this point, the only person you fully trusted was Suguru, he was always honest with you, no matter what happened or how much something hurt, he always remained true to himself and to you.

It was impossible not to love someone like him. He was the whole package.

Suguru was handsome, that was indisputable. But Geto was more than a pretty face. He was kind, truly kind! He did things out of the goodness of his heart, not because he expected anything in return. He was honest, Suguru Geto would never lie to you and THAT is what you loved the most about him.

He was patient.

He wanted you to be his but at the same time Suguru wanted you to heal, to have the chance to trust and love again, not as a means to forget about Satoru but because you wanted to choose a new path for yourself.

After diner you helped with the dishes and then settled on the couch. Suguru joined with a smile and two glasses of wine. He handed you one and sipped on the other one “what would you like to watch tonight Kitten?” He asked sitting next to you while picking a movie from the titles available on the screen of the tv.

“Anything you like! It’s your turn to pick” you said with a smile, leaning your head on his shoulder making Suguru smile. These tender displays of affection always made him feel so warm. Passing an arm around your shoulders he kissed your forehead.

You look up into his hazel eyes you blush. Suguru didn’t lose a second before he closed the space between your lips. The kiss was soft but meaningful, you didn’t hesitate to return it; wrapping your arms around his neck, pulling him closer to then climb on his lap straddling his hips.

The handsome sorcerer leans back, relaxing and running his hands slowly up and down your naked thighs covered only by the small fabric of your shorts, he strokes them softly leaving a path of warmth in the wake of his touch. Suguru deepened the kiss. His tongue delved in your mouth, slowly inviting yours to join the delicious dance. After a few minutes you pulled back, you are breathless. Your heart beats fast and the adrenaline was making you dizzy in anticipation.

Suguru looks at you, leaning his forehead against yours “I missed you” he ads before engulfing you in another passionate kiss, not even giving you the chance to reply. This time his lips are more demanding, his teeth nibbling your lower lip, requesting entrance. His tongue still tastes like the wine and you recognize his addictive flavor. Suddenly you find yourself laying on your back on the white couch, Suguru is on top of you and your legs are wrapped around his waist. Things are getting much more heated than you anticipated. Your hands roam the expanse of his back over hard muscles and warm skin covered only by the thin layer of his t-shirt. You know if you keep going this way you won’t be able to stop.

https://youtu.be/yBatuRGZAmA

A part of you doesn’t want this to end, you want to go all the way with Suguru. But… as much as you hate it, there is a tiny part of you that feels ambivalent about it. You wonder why is that you can’t just… do it!? You want Suguru! God! You desire him more than you can express with words, the growing wetness between your legs is evidence that you indeed were very much sexually attracted to him and yet your mind kept torturing you.

It was… complicated.

Your marriage with Satoru have been over longer than that piece of paper you got last week said. But erasing your feelings wasn’t something you could ever hope to do.

As much as you wanted to give yourself to Suguru it felt wrong that you were holding a part of yourself back. You wanted to give him everything, he deserved EVERYTHING of you. It wouldn’t be fair to just have sex with him when he deserved to be made love to.

You love Suguru, everyday that goes by your feelings for him grow and intensify, it was hard to even understand why would you hesitate and yet you did.

Your passionate kiss slowly becomes more tender until you are just sharing small pecks. Suguru pulls back with a little comforting smile; he felt the change in your body language, he knew what was going through your mind. You explained it to him before and he didn’t want to push you. He knew you needed to go at your own pace and he respected that.

“I’m… so-“ you starts apologetically but Suguru stops you with a little kiss “don’t… don’t apologize, I know baby…” he said reassuringly. Sealing his tender words with a kiss. When you separate again he asks “Alright little kitten, tell me… what’s it gonna be? ‘Dorian Grey’ or ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’?” Pulling you in his strong arms he cuddled with you on the couch, returning to the choices for movie you had.

You were so thankful for this man in your life “let’s go with ‘Only Lovers left Alive’”

With a last kiss he started the movie and pulled a blanket over you both.

He could wait, he would wait till the end of time. For you.

———-> Chapter 13/Part 1

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