#yes these are the old Ero colors. what of it????

[peapod20001]

So anyways.....he’s pink...

Fuckin uhhhhhh. Ass <3

[rainydayarcaneimagines]

One Last Night(Jayce x reader)

Warnings: SHIELD YOUR EYES FOR THE UNCOVERED ANKLES (smut. There is smut.)

It was all a shock. To land in an alternate reality where everything was fucked up. But it was an even bigger shock to him when he went to go back to his own and still ended up in the wrong reality.

There he was and everything was…

Great?

Life was almost a damn Utopia. What was crazier was Zaun and Piltover were put together and better functioning than his own damn reality. He walked the streets absolutely fucking baffled by what was happening before him. He heard tidbits and realized that in this reality his creation killed Vi, but was destroyed in the process.

From what he managed to understand, he had basically gone through his trial by getting his experiment confiscated. Even weirder, Jayce was successful in other ways but not… actually hextech.

It was beyond bizarre. Especially since… you were alive. No hextech meant no advanced weapons, no explosion, no explosion meant you were alive. Now he was fixated on finding you. If he was stuck there, he had to find you.

He had looked high and low.

And nothing.

Not a freaking sign. He sighed, sitting at a booth in a bar with his head in his hands when the gods seemed to finally answer his prayers.

“Can I get you anything sir?”

Jayce’s head snapped up and his eyes widened. You were fucking beautiful. Your hair was longer, dyed a vibrant color, just like you always said you wanted but weren’t ballsy enough to go through with it. Your eyes were brighter. You seemed happy.

“Y/n..” he breathed.

“Yeah that’s my name dude, don’t abuse it.” You chuckled.

“Jayce— it’s me Jayce.” He said staring at you. You squinted.

“Uh… do I know you man?” You asked confused. Oh fuck. No hextech meant you never got hired at the academy to be his assistant…

“Fuck uhm…” he sighed. You looked at him confused.

“You okay?” You asked. Your kindness was definitely still there.

“Uh… Shit I uhm.” He couldn’t form words. You were alive. The love of his fucking life was alive. But didn’t know who he was.

“…Need a drinking buddy?” You asked.

“…Yeah that uhm… Yes please.” He nodded.

“Vander! I’m taking my break!” You called out. Holy crap— Vander and Silco were alive?! And running a damn bar—“what’s got you so weirded out right now?” You asked.

“Why do you think I’m weirded out?” He muttered.

“Because you looked… bugged out, like you just took a fucking ice bath dude.” You shrugged. Glad to see your bluntness was still intact too.

Jayce smiled sadly before sighing. “I uhm… well I just… feel like a fish out of water.” He admitted.

“Why’s that?” You asked.

“…” did he risk sounding nuts, potentially causing you to freak the fuck out? Did he risk pushing you away from him? Fuck it. Things were still out of control in his reality, he needed to find a way back and there was someone he knew had a brilliant enough of a damn mind to make it work. “This is going to sound crazy but—“

He explained it all. From start to finish. You of course, stared at him like he was nuts. “Yeah but do you have proof dude, because right now you sound batshit.” You said after the explanation.

He sighed leaning back. “Your favorite song is Midnight blues. But you always say it’s Eros.” He says. You snorted.

“Okay weirdo maybe you just lurk on my Next tune—“

“You are allergic to peanuts. You always wanted a poro but your allergies stop you so you have a hairless cat instead. You love to sit on top of the old factory at night because it overlooks everything and you love to see the city at night, you love ionian literature, you hate the sounds of trucks that run too loud and flip off the driver every time you see one.” He listed off. Some of those were habits you knew no one would know. And he knew this. “You wear your grandmother’s locket. It has a picture of both your grandparents inside, the damn thing is almost eighty years old and has their initials engraved on the heart.” That. That detail made you believe him. Because you wore your locket, yes. But it was tucked inside your shirt so the pendant wouldn’t fall off.

You stared at him “..How did you—“

“Because in my reality we were together.” He said softly.

“…oh” you said. That’s why this guy stared at you like you completed his life just by merely existing. “Did we break up or something—“

“You died, Y/n… some girl— uhm… she went nuts and shot off a missile into a council meeting. Killed half the council, my partner got severely injured and… you died.” He muttered.

You blinked “…No offense, really. But if… your reality is really that shit, why are you so eager to go back?” You asked.

“Because before I ended up in this one, I saw what happens when I don’t succeed. I gotta say. It’s bad.” He said. You sighed.

“Why… tell me all this?” You asked.

“Because I know your mind. I know your talent Y/n, if anyone can help me I know it’s you.” He said softly. You stared at him before sighing again and running your fingers through your hair.

“…I mean I don’t even know how to start with time travel.” You admitted.

“I don’t either.” He admitted. “But… I think if we work together we can figure it out.” He said softly. He put his hand over yours that rested on the table and you pulled away. He mentally scolded himself that you didn’t know him in this reality.

“Okay I mean I can try but don’t be disappointed if me in this universe isn’t a damn genius.” You said leaning back in the booth. You seemed to have a lightbulb moment. “But my dad might know.” You added.

Your dad. You never mentioned even in your relationship in his reality who your dad was. He assumed he wasn’t around in his reality.

“Hey! Dad!” You called. Silco looked over.

“Yes kid?” He asked. Jayce froze. Silco? Silco the gods damned inventor was your dad? The man who basically made Vi’s sister into Jinx was your dad? That’s why you never mentioned this?!

“Come here for a sec.” You motioned. He walked from behind the bar and sat down. With zero hesitation you explained everything Jayce had told you. You trusted Silco. You clearly loved your dad too.

“…Well this is… interesting.” He said.

“Yeah. Any idea where to start?” You asked.

“My best educated guess is string theory. You made a major event. You came back here from a major event. So maybe make a major event. Your uh… hex something or other, doesn’t exist in this world, do you know how to make it again?” He asked.

“Yeah..” he admitted.

“Then I’d start there. And maybe try to do what you did to your core in your timeline to that one?” He suggested.

“That’s… solid advice. Thank you silco.” He nodded. The fuck? Silco never said his name..

“Right. Be careful Y/n.” He muttered before getting up.

“Thanks dad.” You nodded. Jayce looked at you. “What?” You asked.

“Your dad is Silco?” He asked quietly.

“Yeah. Why? Was he not in your reality” You asked.

“No he was but… nevermind.” Jayce sighed.

“We can use my dad’s workshop. Plenty of space. Come on.”

You started working. Days Jayce spent close to you, working on calculations and making a hexcore. Many nights he found you sleeping at your desk. And every time his coat would be wrapped around you in the morning when you woke up.

It was strange. A man you swear you had never met loved you so much that you could tell that the closer you got to cracking this, the more he struggled with the idea of losing all you over again.

It had been a week. You walked over to him sitting on the couch with calculations.

“Can I ask you something?” You asked. He looked up and nodded. “…Were we happy?” You asked softly.

His focused gaze cracked to a soft fondness. “We were.” He told you.

“…And even though I don’t really know you… do you still love—“

“Without question.” He said softly. You stared at him in silence. You almost felt sad. To have such a firm romantic love from someone, even if it was from another timeline but not be able to know, to share that feeling with this man that seemed to unconditionally love you…

There was guilt. You thought of throwing him a line, flirt with him. But you didn’t want what you knew were his last memories with you to be a lie. You couldn’t force yourself to love this stranger either.

“Jayce?”

“Mhm?”

“What if we went on a date?” You asked. He seemed shocked by this suggestion. “I mean… you feel this love for me. And judging by the way you mentioned your memories of other me, it was mutual and it… bugs me that I can’t really share that.” You said.

He looked at you like he was happy yet still… sad. “Sure, Y/n. Where would you like to go?” He asked softly. He couldn’t refuse one last lasting memory with you. Not when this wound still felt this fresh.

“Uh… well I dunno. This version of me never went on a date before so..”

“Mm. I can figure it out. Come on.” He said getting up.

“Oh— now?”

“Yeah. I know where we should go. Come on.” He said softly.

So you went. On a date. From that moment on, every night was a date. Spend the day working with this strange little blue glowy ball, then go off to dinner. What was worse? You knew this version of you was going to lose him. But you still fell in love with him anyway.

It was the final night. The last piece had been clicked into place thanks to Ekko and Heimerdinger in the same damn predicament. Heimerdinger insisted he needed to make adjustments. In reality he was giving the boys time to say goodbye.

You sat across from him in your apartment. “So this is it… after tonight you’re going back.” You said softly.

“Yeah… yeah I uhm… I am.” He nodded clearing his throat.

You looked in his eyes “…I didn’t expect this to be hard.”

“For what to be—“

“You leaving.” Jayce went silent. You drew in breath “…after these dates, these… times… I get why I loved you, Jayce.”

He swallowed hard. “Then… let’s treat this night like it really is our last.” He said softly.

You looked over at him “how?”

He pulled you closer to him from the chair you were sitting in. “…Let me love you for one last night.” He said softly. You broke at that. This was your last night. You were losing the only romantic love you have ever known. You had had “situationships” that pretty much were just sex but nothing like this. You had two options. Cry….

Or cherish it.

You kissed him. For the first time you kissed someone. Was this absolutely bizarre? Oh fuck yeah. But you didn’t regret it.

He pulled you even closer, into his lap, holding you like you were the most precious thing in the world to him. He needed you like fucking air right now. One final victory before the bigger fight he knew he’d come back to.

He kissed you, over and over again, his fingers in your hair, his other hand on your back holding you close. You slid off your shirt and his eyes widened.

“Y/n are you sure—“

“I don’t want to think anymore Jayce… I just… I want to feel.” You whispered. So that’s what he did. He kissed your neck, unhooking your bra, cupping your breast in his hand. He rolled your nipple through his fingers and you buried your face in his neck.

“We can back out at any time Y/n—“

“Don’t stop” you breathed out. No. Not breathed. You moaned. Any semblance of control the man may have had flew out the window as he pushed you onto the couch.

Kiss after kiss, hickey after hickey his hand moved lower undoing your pants. He slid his hand past the hem of your panties and you gasped, your hands covering your mouth.

He pulled them away with his freehand. “Let me hear you.” He said in your ear, rubbing circles over your clit. Your eyes fluttered closed, your hands moving to his hair as you took moaning breaths.

“J-Jayce I need—“

“I know baby. I know.” He said pulling off your pants. There you were sprawled out naked under him as he pulled off his belt. He let it hit the floor with a soft clatter and he gently spread your thighs.

“Gods if we had time I’d be worshipping you right now,” he murmured. You kissed him as he lined himself up. With a gasp from you he pushed in and you gripped the couch moaning as he moved. He went the pace he knew you loved. Deep, and fast.

“Oh gods— don’t stop please don’t fucking stop!” You moaned.

“That’s it. Let me hear you.” He whispered in your ear. Gods his voice as he was absolutely railing you was making this very difficult not to finish on the spot. It didn’t help that his fingers found their way back to your clit rubbing circles as he kept going with his thrusts.

In.

Breaths kept mingling

Out.

Kisses and moans filled the room.

Back in.

“I love you”

“I love you too”

Back out.

Your nails dug into his shoulder as he thrusted, your head tilting back. The release hit you both, his face buried in your neck as he panted against you.

After a few minutes he pulled away looking in your eyes. You looked at him with that same warmth. That soft smile. But from both of you it had an underlying sadness. You looked in his eyes before you swallowed hard, looking down.

“…Jayce..?” You murmured

“Yeah?”

“Do you… really have to go?” You mumbled. He sighed softly.

“Believe me. If I didn’t, I would stay right here with you.” He muttered.

“What if I went with you..?” You muttered.

“Baby, I don’t know how that would go… you died in my reality. If I brought you from this one… you might die… again.” He said softly.

You looked sad. “I’m never going to see you again… am I?” You murmured.

“…I don’t know. I will find a way to come back once all this shit in my reality is over.” He murmured. You swallowed hard.

“And if you can’t?” You muttered.

“I will.” He said determined. You looked in his eyes. You could tell he meant it.

“Then let’s get you to that weird little core then.”

[justtrash202]

The Scent of Sector V Boys

Hey, just a heads-up—this post is all in good fun! The weirder parts are totally jokes but I couldn’t resist diving into what I imagine these characters would smell like as they grew up. Enjoy the weirdness!

Ever wondered what the boys of Sector V would smell like as they grew up? This is what I think they would smell like—or what their canon versions might go for (including my post-KND teenage AU). Yes, I may have way too much time on my hands, and I definitely think of the weirdest things sometimes—but hey, let’s have some fun! Let’s take a dive into their evolving scents—from their childhood days to their teenage years and finally, their adulthood!

Nigel Uno

Kids (10–12): Pencil shavings, freshly cleaned uniforms, and the faint smell of his mom’s detergent. Nigel is all about discipline and practicality.

Teenage Years (13–16): Unscented or lightly scented deodorant, like Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort or Speed Stick Fresh. Nigel values efficiency over flair and doesn’t think much about colognes.

Late Teens (17–19): He begins leaning toward minimalist colognes like Bleu de Chanel or Prada L’Homme, which are clean, elegant, and understated.

Adulthood (20+): Nigel’s final choice is something classic and commanding, like Tom Ford Oud Wood or Creed Aventus. Sophisticated and timeless, much like the leader he’s become.

Hoagie P. Gilligan Jr.

Kids (10–12): The faint scent of engine grease and peanut butter sandwiches. Hoagie’s inventing and snacking habits leave their mark, literally.

Teenage Years (13–16): Old Spice Swagger or Nautica Voyage. Light, fresh, and sporty, reflecting his laid-back personality. He doesn’t overdo it, making his scent approachable and fun.

Late Teens (17–19): Hoagie starts experimenting with slightly more mature options, like CK One or Versace Eros Flame. Playful yet polished.

Adulthood (20+): His signature scent becomes Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani. It’s aquatic, fresh, and subtly masculine, embodying his dependable and easygoing nature.

Wallabee "Wally" Beatles

Kids (10–12): Dirt, sweat, and faint hints of sugary snacks like candy or chocolate. Wally isn’t exactly one for hygiene at this age, so his natural “scent” is mostly the result of outdoor adventures and messy eating habits.

Teenage Years (13–16): Axe Dark Temptation or Phoenix. Wally goes through an Axe phase, applying way too much to “impress” people (read: Kuki). The overpowering scent of chocolatey musk or crisp freshness follows him everywhere, earning him plenty of teasing.

Late Teens (17–19): He transitions to something more refined, like Old Spice Timber or Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue, with hints of sandalwood or citrus. Still bold, but more mature.

Adulthood (20+): Wally finally settles into a rugged yet subtle cologne, like Dior Sauvage or Armani Code. Warm, spicy, and slightly smoky—perfect for his grown-up, confident self.

Bonus: The Girls of Sector V

Since we’ve got the boys covered, let’s not forget the girls! This is what I think they might smell like—or what their canon selves might gravitate toward. And to continue the weirdness, here’s what I think the girls might smell like!

Kuki Sanban

Kids (10–12): Bubblegum and strawberries. Kuki smells exactly like her favorite candy, bright and cheerful! It’s a scent that perfectly matches her bubbly personality and love for all things colorful and fun.

Teenage Years (13–16): Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom or Sweet Pea. Floral, sweet, and delicate, reflecting her playful charm and growing sophistication. She’s the type to love a spritz of body mist before heading out.

Adulthood (20+): Chanel Chance Eau Tendre or Marc Jacobs Daisy. Fresh, light, and romantic, with a soft warmth that mirrors her kind and loving heart. Kuki’s adult scent feels elegant but still retains a youthful joy.

Abigail Lincoln

Kids (10–12): Cocoa butter and freshly baked cookies. Abby always has a comforting, homey vibe about her, thanks to her chill demeanor and her love of sweets.

Teenage Years (13–16): Victoria’s Secret Love Spell or Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus. Smooth, fruity, and effortlessly cool, just like Abby. She’d wear something that’s understated but still leaves an impression.

Adulthood (20+): Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt or Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium. A mix of earthy and sultry, reflecting her mature yet unapologetically chill persona. Abby’s adult scent is grounded but bold, just like her.

And there you have it—the scents of Sector V! This was all just for fun, so don’t take the weirdness too seriously. Honestly, I might have way too much time on my hands, but I couldn’t resist sharing this random idea. Hope you enjoyed!

[starsfic]

Eros and psyche au prompt: season 1, MK and Mei repair their friendship

It had been about three weeks since Qi Xiaotian had reunited with his husband and formally took the title of Sun Wukong's successor. In those three weeks, Long Xiaojiao hadn't seen him.

It wasn't unusual. Xiaotian and Red were sorting out where they would live together and preparing for the baby. He also had to introduce himself to people, making sure that his name was known as Sun Wukong's successor. Xiaotian was doing deliveries.

He was also avoiding her.

On one hand, Xiaojiao wanted to be mad. Furious. Her best friend was pregnant with her little niece and nephew and he wasn't taking a break to take care of himself. He wasn't letting her help.

On the other hand, Xiaojiao had given him a knife and suggested he stab his spouse. Which led to Iron Bitch's whole "trials" that were more like attempts to flat out murder him.

Xiaojiao could see why Xiaotian was avoiding her with that.

Still, it hurt and she didn't know how to fix things.

Not until the day that Xiaotian texted her.

U free on Sat?

She blinked at the sudden text. She was tempted to say no, but that would drag this on. Ye. U need smth?

Need help picking out paint colors. There was a pause and a second text popped up. Promised u that u wud help with my kid's room.

Xiaojiao blinked. She didn't expect that old promise to come back up, not when they were discussing whether or not they wanted kids. Personally, she wasn't the biggest fan of the idea right now, while Xiaotian always knew he wanted to start a family or at least have a kid or two. Back then, they had assumed he would start with adopting, like what Wukong and Pigsy had done for him, and if a bio kid happened, they happened.

She felt a smile form. But she also saw it for the olive branch it was. When they did this, she would apologize, to both him and Red.

I'll be there.

[cerseimikaelson]

Episode Three: Period Cravings [AO3]

It took Ares longer than he was comfortable confessing to notice the thief.

In his defense, there were multiple explanations for this blunder other than a sheer lack of observation skills.

Number One: they lived in a world of magic. When your doorknockers could talk and your books moved on their own whenever you forgot to dust them and your ties changed color to match your girlfriend’s dress, (though Ares wasn’t complaining about the last one) it wasn’t uncommon for objects to switch places for no better reason than boredom.

It was only when Ares decided to broach the subject with Aphrodite that the following dialogue ensued:

“Has the fridge been acting up lately?” he asked out of the blue.

They were laying on the U-shaped sofa Aphrodite had insisted was imperative to buy in lime green to bring out the curtains. Ares hadn’t been entirely sure how the whole concept was supposed to work, considering she liked changing their drapes every other month, and brought out holiday-themed ones for the solstices, but the sofa was soft and comfortable to cuddle on, so he just let her do her thing.

He was a good boyfriend like that.

“Um… no?” Aphrodite looked somewhat bewildered at the topic, so it rather came out as a question. “Why are you asking?”

“Couldn’t find the jam earlier. Demeter just dropped by and left us this jar of strawberry jam she made from her own plants, there’s no way it’s gone so quickly.”

Aphrodite quirked a brow.

“And you think the fridge just… what? Swallowed it up?”

“Crazier things have happened.”

She couldn’t really dispute that one after having witnessed last year’s Halloween spectacle with her own two eyes.

The less said about that, the better.

Uno was still under an Olympus-wide ban.

“Well, I am in my avocado spread era, so I definitely didn’t try any jam. Have you asked the kids?”

Which brought us to Explanation Number Two.

When one lives with two rambunctious toddlers, one learns fairly quickly nothing- not carpets, not bookcases, not even paintings literally nailed to the freaking wall, which Ares still had questions about- stayed in one place for long. 

Combine that energy with the mayhem that came with raising two immortal toddlers with absolutely no handle on their budding magical powers originating from a love goddess and a war god and you got…

Well, their kids basically.

“What have we said about sneaking into the kitchen for snacks after bedtime?”

Two pairs of adorable wide eyes blinked up at him in exasperated innocence.

Damn, he and Aphrodite had to stop creating such cute miscreants.

“Not to.” Harmonia even shook her head for emphasis, honey curls bouncing.

“Yes, that’s right. If you want a snack, you…” Ares trailed off, letting Eros take the lead.

“Come to Mama and Papa.” his four year old son finished his sentence, looking serious like he was delivering an answer in math class.

“Correct. So which one of you ate the pozole last night?”

There was a part of Ares that doubted they had done it, though. The thief had been incredibly meticulous in covering their tracks, no stains or prints in sight. The only reason Ares noticed the missing quantity was because he had actually made the dish himself, and he knew exactly how filled the pot had been. How well-thought the operation had been overall required a bit more stealth than his four year olds were capable of.

Hopefully. Otherwise he and Aphrodite were so screwed.

Harmonia and Eros glanced at each other and then proceeded to simultaneously shake their heads.

“We didn’t, Papa.”

Okay, Ares wasn’t new at this. It wasn’t the first time the little ones thought they could weaponize their big eyes and wide grins and turn them against him. He wasn’t even mad, it was the principle of the matter. He and Aphrodite agreed the kids had to feel free to come to them to ask for more food, safe in the knowledge they would never be turned away by their parents. They didn’t have to sneak around and smuggle items out of the kitchen.

Ares opened his mouth to tell them a variation of that, but one look at Eros’ cherubic wings made him pause.

They weren’t flapping.

His son’s wings were dove shaped, but the feathers resembled something more eagle-like, (possibly due to the influence of Ares’ genetics) white and pristine since the day he was born.

They were also his biggest tell: not strong enough to fly yet, they twitched like mad every time Eros lied.

The utter petulance on the boy’s face as he tried to get them under control was something Ares wanted to blame on Aphrodite, but the truth was he had seen that same expression one too many times on both their faces.

Only this time the wings were still, nary a twitch in sight, and Ares had to admit he had missed the culprit again.

“It could be someone pulling a prank on us.” Aphrodite said as they settled into bed one night, a few days after Ares’ fruitless conversation with the kids. “Hermes or something.”

“Sneaking into our pantry and eating small portions of our food isn’t really Hermes’ brand of mischief.” Ares argued. “Besides, what would he need to do that for? He can literally snap his fingers and conjure whatever.”

“Maybe it’s someone else then.” Aphrodite shrugged, looking supremely unconcerned at the possibility of some stranger essentially breaking into the home where they and their children slept and committing theft, however minor.

Ares knew it was because she was confident it wasn’t anything serious, because if his girlfriend ever felt they or their kids were threatened she could put the fear of the Primordials even in his father, and that wasn’t something anyone could claim.

Gods, he loved this woman.

“I am just irked by the whole thing, you know? I feel like whoever it is are mocking us.” Ares grumbled, watching Aphrodite tie the end of her long braid with a pink ribbon without even glancing downwards.

“I am sure you’ll figure it out.” She kissed him soundly. “Don’t stay up too late, okay?”

Ares didn’t sleep at all that night (sorry Dite) but the plan he drafted to catch the mysterious food thief in the act was nothing sort of genius. It involved copious amounts of string, a jingle bell from one of Harmonia’s toys, a HD camera he pilfered from Apollo, and a bait tantalizing enough to tempt a saint: his mother’s double stuffed smore brownies.

Ares had to pull strings to get Hera to bake those in such a short notice, but as he carefully set the plate down on the counter, all he could think was: worth it.

No one could resist the allure of his mother’s baking.

“Is that extra chocolate graham cracker? Gods spare me.”

It took a considerable amount of effort on Ares’ behalf not to forget what he was here for entirely and just inhale the whole thing himself.

Yeah, the food thief was definitely down for the count.

Satisfied with himself, Ares turned the lights off, turned the camera on, and waited.

And waited. And waited. And waited.

Now he knew what trying to catch Santa in the act felt like.

He hadn’t been able to detect a concise pattern when it came to the thief’s, well, thieving, only that it was somewhat regular and occurred every month or so. But sometimes it happened twice in the span of a few weeks and once the thief skipped a month entirely.

Ares was so busy trying to calculate the number of days between tonight and the last incident (nine of Aphrodite’s limited edition flavor changing French truffles had vanished without a trace) that he almost missed the bell chiming.

Shooting to his feet, the war god made a mad dash for the kitchen, hand immediately reaching for the trusted sword strapped to his hip.

He would show this sniveling excuse of a criminal what happened to those that defiled his family’s sanctuary (and ate his brownies!).

He would teach them the hard way not to ever covet the gods’ belongings again.

He would…

Swinging his sword with a war cry, Ares lunged forward.

And found himself staring at his very displeased, very judgmental niece.

“Let me get this straight.”

Ares ran a hand through his curls, probably tousling them beyond repair. He would have to let Aphrodite put conditioner on them. But honestly, after nearly decapitating the mysterious food thief whose secret identity had plagued him for three months, only to find out said thief was his niece, well, Ares thought he was entitled to his reaction.

“You’ve been fighting with your mom over eating healthy, so your solution was to sneak into my house and eat my chips and chocolate instead of, I don’t know, getting your own?”

His voice rose a little at that last part.

Viola, for her part, looked entirely unrepentant. She sat cross-legged on his counter, eating the brownies straight out of the container with a spoon Ares was pretty sure was meant for soup.

“Athena forbade all the shopkeepers on Olympus to sell me over 7 chocolate bars a week. One for each day after dinner, she said.” Viola scoffed as if the idea was ridiculous. “I burned through my secret stash within a week. It’s going to take me some time to charm the shopkeepers back to my side. She’s pretty goddamn scary when she wants to be, and they are all wimps.”

Ares tried to comprehend this information, but it was 2 am and his brain wasn’t entirely cooperating.

Anyone with a working set of ears was aware of Viola and Athena’s tumultuous relationship. In just the short three months the girl had been living with the Olympians since the diplomatic incident that forced her out of the Faerie realm (her permanent residence) for a whole year, her clashes with the wisdom goddess had become the stuff of legend.

Ares himself wasn’t surprised. Viola and Athena were like oil and water. Night owl versus early riser, flashy and fashionable versus practical and conservative, careless and spontaneous versus organized and prepared. Even if there wasn’t anything to bicker about, they’d sure make something imaginary up and go from there.

However, this particular stunt felt… odd, even for Viola’s standards.

And this was the girl that convinced Hermes to take her for a joyride in Artemis’ moon chariot.

“Okay kid, time for subtitles. I am too tired for this. If you wanted snacks, why didn’t you just ask someone?”

“I am not allowed to leave Olympus per the terms of the treaty.” Viola reminded him. “The forest is considered part of the grounds, but that’s the end of the property line and as far as the wards extend. Since no one on this godsdamn mountain is permitted to sell me past the Ice Queen’s limit, the closer shops are in the mortal realm. And I can’t go there without violating the treaty and pissing off a lot of important people.”

Viola used air quotes for those last words. There was a tint of bitterness to her speech that warned Ares to tread carefully. For the first time, he contemplated how it must have felt to her, ripped from her home and used as a pawn in the complicated relations between the Olympians and the Fae, essentially changing hands. It was a lot of responsibility to place on a child, even one as precocious as Viola, not to mention the added strain of having to live with a mother she hardly knew anything about.

It gave a whole new meaning to her rebellious tendencies for sure.

“Alright.” Ares said slowly. “I get not wanting to mess with the treaty’s rules. But why not take the stuff from a store and leave the money in the register?”

Viola shrugged, taking another bite of gooey brownie, but there was something deceptively casual about the motion. Like she had to try to pull it off.

“It didn’t feel right, you know? That’s someone’s job. Not to mention, if Athena found out she never would have believed they didn’t just cave and sell it to me. I don’t want to get anyone in trouble.”

“But it’s okay if you get in trouble?” Ares asked, curbing his voice into something a little more gentle.

Another one-shouldered shrug.

“I am always in trouble. If not for this then something else. I like a little variety.”

Ares took in Viola’s hunched posture, the way her fingers were wrapped protectively around the container with the brownies as though she feared he would snatch it away before she finished, and the dark circles under her eyes and realized there was more to this than a midnight craving.

“Kid, I still don’t get it. Why all the sneaking around? You could have just knocked on the front door. Dite would have fed you to her heart’s content.”

“It’s not like Athena doesn’t feed me.” Viola protested immediately, eyebrows furrowing. “Sure, she’s a little too invested in the whole protein/no carbs after three/smoothie before the gym thing, but even she understood I need my daily chocolate fix the same way she needs her tea after supper, you know? It’s just…”

Ares waited patiently as she tried to find the right words.

He already had a good enough of a clue where this was headed.

“I am on my period, okay?” Viola aggressively stuffed her mouth with chocolate marshmallow. “And it sucks because when does it not and the cramps are killing me and I want to do nothing but curl up watching Love Actually and Gone with the Wind and eat a bucket of ice cream all by myself and I just…”

She waved her free hand around, indicating at Ares’ kitchen as though he could figure out the rest on his own.

He could, actually. After all, Ares had Hera for a mother, Hebe, Eileithyia and Enyo for sisters and Aphrodite for a wife. He knew a thing or two about period stigma.

“That’s perfectly acceptable.” he said, and Viola’s head snapped in surprise as though she expected him to say something nonsensical about how gross periods were like they were in third grade.

“You can have anything you like unapologetically on your period. It’s already uncomfortable and painful, you deserve the pampering. If that means indulging in gourmet French chocolate, you do what makes you happy. Your body is doing some hard work, you can reward it with pizza or chips or whatever. And treat yourself while you’re at it.”

Viola stared at him like he had grown two heads like a Hydra. Ares raised a bushy eyebrow.

“What? I am the eldest sibling. I’ve got a mother that doesn’t take shit from anyone. I have three baby sisters that won’t settle for anything other than being treated like the princesses they literally are. My girlfriend is the literal goddess of beauty. I’ve been raised right.”

“So it seems. Kudos to you, actually. I didn’t think you had it in you. That’s a major green flag right there.” For the first time that night, the beginnings of the familiar impish smile bloomed on Viola’s lips. Ares took the win for what it was.

“Yeah, yeah, just don’t go spreading it around. I’ve got a reputation to uphold.” Ares pretended to be gruff. “But seriously, if you want me to fetch you like, a heating pad or something, I got you covered. Hebe has me thoroughly trained in what painkillers do the trick. And I always get my mother ginger tea and Danish pastries.”

“The god of war is a softie and I am living for it.” Viola gushed, grey eyes sparkling in a way Athena’s rarely did.

“Eat your brownies, kid.” Ares rolled his eyes. “But I still don’t get it. Why didn’t you tell Athena you have period cravings?”

Viola’s good mood vanished. She glanced sourly at the half empty container.

“She wouldn’t understand.”

Ares blinked at that.

“She’s a woman.”

If the kid was comfortable discussing this with him, then surely she could talk about it with another adult who was literally her own mother, right?

“She’s all about self control and not giving in to our urges. She goes nuts when things don’t go according to schedule, you know? There’s no room in the Goddess of Wisdom’s Daily Plan for unwinding with romcoms and eating our weight in Rocky Road. We’re supposed to be tough and power through, which okay, I get it. I just… didn’t want her to judge me.”

Oh Athena…

Ares was going to have words with his sister (who was generally brilliant but could be such a blithering idiot sometimes) but first things first. He needed to get that dejected expression off his niece’s face.

“Listen up, kid. Taking breaks and recharging doesn’t make you any less of a badass or a strong, capable woman, okay? It’s literally what your body and mind needs to survive and keep on all the good work you’ve been doing. Now, Athena may be used to powering through anything, but even she should know you can’t pour from an empty cup. If you want to do something silly just for fun while you’re literally bleeding for four days straight, then that’s exactly what you should do.”

Viola snorted.

“Sweet of you to think it’s only four days.”

“What? You know, nevermind.” Ares shook his head. “The thing is, Athena can come across as frigid and judgmental at times, but even she wouldn’t deny you a little indulgence when you so clearly need it. She’s hardcore, but she’ll cut you some slack.”

Viola looked doubtful, which honestly made Ares want to march up to Athena’s palace despite the ungodly (no pun intended) hour and ask her what the Hades she had been doing to alienate the girl this badly.

Apparently fatherly instincts could extend to distressed kids that weren’t even his. Who knew.

“Okay, how about this? You stay over tonight, and tomorrow we all have breakfast with the little ones. Dite has this special pancake recipe that will make you see Kronos in a piece of batter. You’re going to be licking your plate clean.”

Viola’s grin returned full force.

It mustn't have been a conscious decision, but the girl leaned forward and enveloped his larger frame into a hug. 

"Thanks Uncle Ares." Viola mumbled into his neck, a testament to how affected she really was.

This baby owl was going to make him soft.

Damn it.

Ares knocked once on the heavy oak doors leading to Athena's study and entered without a care in the world.

The goddess of wisdom was seated behind the ornate, claw foot desk, engrossed in some parchments filled with tiny, cursive writing in Ancient Greek.

"You do realize the whole point of knocking is to wait for a reply, right?" she asked dryly.

"I come bearing gifts." Ares said in lieu of an answer and dumped the box he was holding all over her papers.

Athena hissed in annoyance and tried to recollect them.

"Yo, pay attention." Ares snapped his thumb and forefinger inches from her face.

"What's gotten into you?" Athena asked, cheeks darkening with anger.

"You need an intervention and you need it yesterday." 

As Ares relayed the facts of what had transpired the previous night, he was somewhat surprised when Athena didn't immediately start yelling in outrage. 

Maybe she wasn't as hopeless at this as he thought.

"I trust you have the common sense not to rat me out. The last thing Viola needs is thinking someone else broke her trust." Ares said, looking and feeling uncharacteristically stern. He wasn't sure how he felt about it, to be honest. He had always assumed berating Athena would make him feel like the happiest god to ever grace the heavens, but now that day had finally come, all he could think about was Viola's crushed face last night in his kitchen.

Ares wasn't okay with his gloating coming at the price of a kid's comfort.

"Of course I won't tell her." Athena said like he was being an idiot and put her head in her hands. "Fates, this is such a mess. Why didn't she come to me?" 

"Maybe because, and don't even think about acting shocked, people don't usually seek the comfort of those that hurt them?" Ares retorted sarcastically. "What the fuck have you been doing?" 

"Nothing! I swear, I was just trying to get her to consume something that wasn't orange soda pop tarts for breakfast! The one chocolate bar per day seemed like a good compromise, and Viola even agreed to it!" Athena protested.

"Look, I get it, the kid is a handful." Ares conceded because that much was true. "You can't have her walking around either on a sugar rush or a sugar crash every day. Trying to set her nutritional habits straight isn't a bad thing. But you clearly forgot to factor in something important."

"I didn't think about it." It was a cold day in the Fields of Punishment if Athena was openly admitting that. To him! Ares wished he had a camera. 

"Well, you not thinking about it got someone really hurt." Ares continued without rubbing it in her face despite the overwhelming desire to do just that.

If he didn't get the Brother of the Year award this year he was going to riot. 

"I know, alright?" Athena rubbed her forehead. "I'll talk to her. Make sure she understands her period cravings are nothing to be ashamed of."

Finally they were getting somewhere. 

His job almost done, Ares pointed at the box he had brought.

"What's that?" 

"An olive branch." Ares thought it over for a moment and snickered. "Although this one definitely tastes better." 

As Athena unwrapped the golden foil, a blue velvet box of fancy chocolate truffles was revealed. The label advertised them as beetle shaped, cranberry jam filled white and milk chocolate bites.

"You'll do better with Viola if you bring in a peace offering." Ares explained gruffly. 

Athena studied him carefully.

"I can't take credit for this. It was your idea."

Ares rolled his eyes. She really was clueless, wasn't she? 

"Take the damn candies and go apologize to your kid. Do something with her that doesn't involve fighting for once, okay? She's not bad once you get to know her."

Viola really wasn't. A bit intense, sure, but Ares happened to like her brand of chaos. It was about time Athena found someone her icy demeanor couldn't intimidate. 

Athena looked from the beetles to him then to the beetles again as though she had been presented with a very complicated math problem. 

"I am messing this up, aren't I?"

She sounded almost defeated. Ares decided there and then it wasn't a good look on her.

"You can do better." he said flatly, because he wasn't one to mince words. "You're not terrible. You clearly care about her being healthy and stuff. That's good. But having a kid is about more than just putting a roof over her head and making sure she has blankets and keeping her fed. You gotta care about her feelings. Make sure she doesn't pull stunts, yeah, but there's a difference between disciplining her and hurting her. And if you mess up, swallow your damn pride and apologize."

Athena sighed deeply.

"I wish there was a rule-book for this. Every time I feel like I am ahead of things something happens and I have to deal with yet another curve ball thrown my way. It’s exhausting." 

Ares grinned. 

"Congratulations. You just became a mom. It sucks deeply sometimes, but you are going to love it." 

See you for next week's Episode Four: A Clash of Style

Tagging as per usual: @sarnai4, @firinnie, @greekmythstan, @angelfoxlove,

@strongest-angel-in-heaven, @mer-acle, @cloak-of-ares

[dizzymisslizzie]

Casual Friday

Henry’s luggage is somewhere over the pacific going in the complete wrong direction.

He fantasizes that this would never happen to someone with a private jet.

The heat of LA is overwhelming in his trousers and sweater. His carry-on is a Burberry weekender that has his meds, toiletries and a few books. He’s going to have a buy a whole weeks worth of clothes.

He’s being picked up from airport by his new publisher. He’s on the curb and realizes that he didn’t pass the typical dark suited person holding a sign with his name. He’s looking around and opens his rapidly dying phone to call his contact, Zahra. Before he can type out the message, a red open jeep screeches to a halt in front him. After the dust settles, Henry sees brown curls, a sharp jaw cresting into a chin dimple, a perfect nose holding up aviator sunglasses that reflect Henry’s hapless expression. The curls are cut short but he’s imagining them longer and draped over his shoulder as… wait - is the most attractive man he’s ever seen walking towards him?

“Fox?” The southern drawl that comes out is honey smooth and adorable. He nods and this seems to amuse the gorgeous human who smirks and takes off his aviators. When he pulls the sunglasses off his face Henry notices his sinfully long fingers that he wants to suck into his mouth.

“Is that all you brought?” Adonis asks Henry who still hasn’t said a word. He shakes his head, “The airline lost my luggage.”

“So you need to go shopping?” Eros asks Henry who barely trusts himself to speak so he just nods. The brown eyes of Adonis sparkle and Henry isn’t sure why.

“Well then, Sweetheart. I’ve got just the place. Hop in. Oh! I’m Alex!” Henry’s fucked. “Hi, I’m Henry.”

“Oh I know, let’s get a move on.” Alex winks and takes Henry’s bag from his shoulder and stores it in the jeep.

A short drive full of getting to know you things later…

“Here we are!” Alex pulls in a gravel parking area with an old wooden A-frame store front with gold letters reading Vintage.

“I was expecting…” Henry starts.

“Rodeo drive, your majesty?” Alex smiles wide.

“Not exactly… but maybe one of those malls you’re all so proud of.” Henry looks over the well kept building.

“C’mon, give it a shot.” Alex claps him on the shoulder and walks him into the shop.

A bells rings when they enter, Alex leads Henry to a section of the store.

“Ok, there’s chinos and button ups but there’s some great denim for your readings and these amazing vintage t-shirts.” Alex is pointing in various directions and Henry cannot keep up.

“Sorry, too much?” Alex asks, wincing a little.

“No, I’m not a great shopper. I tend to get anxious.” Henry’s admits as he looks around at the decor on the walls. It’s got rich colors and accents that could border on over stuffed but isn’t.

“Can I pull a few things for you?” Alex asks.

“Yes… I think that’s would be helpful.” Henry is nervous that he’ll just buy whatever Alex picks out for him.

“Stellar!” Alex is off to the races, “oh! Sizes?” Henry tells him and turns to a rack of khakis. He finds a few trousers in his size, a few button up shirts that are neutral colors. He takes his finds to the dressing room where Alex has set up a dressing room full of selections.

“Jesus, we have got to work on your wardrobe.”

“My look is… classic.” Henry’s sticks out his chin.

“Absolutely! But also boring as fuck.” Alex gives him a cheeky smile.

“What’s your plan then?” Henry looks around his selections.

“Picture it! Color… on… your clothes!” Alex does silly magician flourishes and Henry honest to god giggles.

“I am in LA for professional reasons.” Henry’s reminds him.

“And I pulled several business casual options but! You could dress more your age, relate more to your audience, maybe even… gasp… show some personality.” Alex teases.

“Why would my readers care about my personality?” Henry’s quirks and eyebrow.

“They are obsessed enough to come to a reading, they are interested in you. Authenticity, well… it’s something that not everyone can give but I see you can. I think showing more of yourself will resonate with your readers. They might even feel seen.” The sincerity on Alex’s face when he says to Henry makes his inside molten with feelings.

“That’s… exactly how I wanted people to feel with my first book. I… Pez, he’s the only one who sees me.” Henry shares.

“He’s a very lucky human.” Alex says low and a little… Henry can’t place it.

“He is, we became best mates at Eton and it was like he saw straight through the uniform and confident facade and saw me. It meant everything to me and I wouldn’t be who I am today without him.” Henry smiles nostalgically.

“I’m so glad you’ve got him in your corner.” Alex says and Henry can’t believe he’s real.

“Alright, Foxy, let’s try so stuff on!” Alex turns and Henry would swear he wipes his eyes before picking up a few hangers. “Here ya go! Shopping montage!” Alex sits in an overstuffed purple chair and Henry closes the curtain.

Henry tries the trousers first and two of them fit fine, third are too long.

“Hurry up! I wanna see something! Also, I’m almost done with the pick up order for essentials. Any special requests?”

“See something? I’m trying on trousers, I don’t think I need assistance in deciding if they fit or not, Mum!” Henry’s being cheeky.

“I’ll be the judge of that!” Alex calls back. Henry smiles and rolls his eyes. Henry puts on the bright blue button up and navy trousers and opens the curtain.

Alex looks up from his phone and his smile makes Henry’s brain fuzzy.

Tagging @miss-minnelli

[theraven-void]

Shades of Black

Chapter 1. Denial

Connection(s): The Isle of Stones, The Broken Gods, A Story of Sea and Death

Chapter 1. Denial

Connection(s): The Isle of Stones, The Broken Gods, A Story of Sea and Death

Ero paced around the room. This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be true. Really, he just wasn’t sure if this could be true. It couldn’t be! His mother, his absent mother who he’d never even met was the goddess of destruction! Luckily for him, he’d been the only one made aware of this- for the rest of the home, they were under the impression he’d gotten a scholarship for a fancy, expensive summer camp. I mean, that wasn’t completely incorrect, but still.

“Oh gods… how did this happen? There isn’t even a goddess of destruction! Ytzol law says there are only three gods! Then again…” He said, thinking out loud. Then again, he reminded himself in his mind, apparently all religion is completely false, and the Three aren’t the only gods, so- ugh! Why me of all people?!?! At least this explains where I got my shapeshifter genes.

While walking out, he proceeded to walk into a wall and bump his head, reminding him of his pitch-black eyes with no pupil nor color which constantly reminded everyone he met to ask about them. He’d actually rehearsed the answer.

“Not sure exactly why they look like that, but pretty sure it’s because I’m blind.”

“Then how are you looking directly at me?”

“Oh, well, I can see souls? It’s odd. But for example, your soul is [color], for [species]. Deathborn have purple, and shades have dark gray; etc.”

It was beyond his eyes being pitch black voids; they seemed to have smoke coming out. At least this partially explained his shade heritage; apparently, his mother was a shade as well.

Another thing he’d noticed; the three strangers that had come to bring him to the camp. They had the soul color gold, or partially gold. One of them was strong green/gold, green for lizard person. One was pale blue/gold, blue for angel, and the last was dark crimson/gold, the crimson for demon. That gold, however; he’d never seen it on anyone but himself. Gold apparently represented godly, he’d learned. This was a lot to take in for a child, you can imagine.

He finally managed to exit the building without giving himself a concussion, and shut the doors to that old rusty car; which he’d soon learn was not going to be a car for very long.

All of a sudden, a pale green soul appeared with slight tinges of bright red. Earth dragon, he presumed. He hadn’t seen many, but he could guess. The old seat he’d been sitting on felt more like the leather of a saddle now, and he realized they’d somehow just… spawned a dragon?

Finally, they arrived, and what he saw was indescribable.

A dozen souls of many colors, lots of different species; except they all had that hint of gold. For most of them, it was about half. He was the only light silver he saw besides that demonic god stranger that’d brought him there.

“Why’s your soul silver and mine too, but none of those other people?” He said. This had piqued his curiosity. “Are you like a shade too? I don’t see dark gray.”

The stranger chuckled. “No, that’s just because we’re both broken. There’s another one here; she’s just hiding in a cabin. Oh, I don’t believe we’ve properly met.” She flicked a fly out of the air.

Ero laughed with her instinctively. “Broken? Oh, yes. Um- I’m Ero. You?” He was even more curious at this point. ‘Broken’ was a touch vague, and he didn’t think that was a species.

The stranger seemed amused by Ero; they muttered something incomprehensible and began to speak. “Tamu’Kai, god of chaos, pleased to meet your acquaintance. You may call me Kai or Scarlett, however.” The strange- er, um, Kai, walked off and Ero was left alone.

The other two he’d already met; the angel being Jay, or Jay’s Wing, and that lizard being Ouroboros. The other two called her Oro, but when Ero tried she threatened to rip his throat out, so he decided that he’d address her by Ouroboros, or ‘Captain Ouroboros’, as she had insisted.

By now he’d realized these were the Three; the three original gods that ruled the universe. Apparently, this wasn’t true, but it was still quite an experience to meet the god you believed controls all good, the god you believed controls all evil (or essentially just your religion’s devil), and the god you believed keeps the world in balance.

Ero walked into the main campground and hoped, simply wishing to not immediately embarrass himself.

>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<

Thank you for reading! I’ll add a Chapter 2 link when it’s done, but thanks to @asqadia-banthen for making me feel like anybody would actually care about my writing, so yay!

Next

[jerzwriter]

Y'all have been asking for Eli x Zoe x Troy, I'm delivering Eli x Zoe x Troy. Though, this is just a little intro, not at all the beginning of an HC. Speaking of which, if you'd like to help me out in deciding how to move forward, take this poll!

Book: Wake the Dead Characters: Eli x Zoe (F!MC) x Troy Words: 1,700 Rating: Teen Summary: Zoe's a little under the weather, but Eli & Troy are determined to make it a special day after all. A/N: @choicesfebruary2024 Eros/Philia/Storge/Pragma @choicesholidays

The sun had finally set. Though, finally wasn’t a word that would typically be used. It seemed to set as quickly as it appeared in the sky this time of year, and that was one of Zoe's least favorite things about winter. But today, it worked to her advantage.

There were many upsides to winter at Olympus. Fewer zombies meant less anxiety and less work, too. It was the only time of year when the concept of “downtime” became a reality, and what better time for it to occur? Winter transformed Olympus into a veritable wonderland blanketed in a bed of sparkling white snow, shrouding the often dark and desolate world with a sense of frivolity and wonder most of the colony’s occupants had never known before.

Zoe simply loved it. She could often be found outside, sledding and making snow angels with the children. Long winter walks and snowball fights with her friends were the norm, and her snowman-making ability was unmatched. Yes, winter was full of wonder, as far as Zoe Rivera was concerned, but it had a downside, too.

“Ahh-ahh-ahhh-chooo!” she sneezed, gripping the wall beside her to maintain her balance. Her congested head felt like a ball of lead upon her shoulders, and keeping upright was proving to be a difficult challenge.

But the early sunset meant everyone was inside entertaining themselves in the great room, which made it easier for her to sneak off to bed. No one would have prevented it; most had encouraged her to return to bed all day. But Zoe wanted to sleep, not to be fussed over; sneaking off was her best choice.

~~~~~

The great room was bustling. Angel was sprawled out by the fire, playing games with some of the colony’s youngest residents, Eli played guitar in a corner, and Shanon led a small group in song. Troy was thoroughly occupied. Winter was the perfect time to retrieve the old Frogger game from the mall, and while there were some glitches in its functioning, he was determined to get it fixed. When the screen came to life with semi-vibrant colors and a joyful little tune started to play, he jumped to his feet.

“YES!” He hollered, smacking the side of the machine in triumph. “It’s working! I’ve got it working!”

The pronouncement got Angel to her feet, and she rushed over, demanding first play. But Eli looked up from his guitar with annoyance.

“If you smack it like that again, it might not work for long."

“Au contraire mon frere,” Troy beamed. “That’s precisely what got it working!” Troy looked around the room frantically. “Zoe! Where’s Zoe? She has to see this.”

The mention of Zoe’s name had Eli searching the room as well. “Yeah, where is she? I haven’t seen her in a while.”

“I think she went to bed,” May replied, never turning away from her coloring.

“Bed?” Troy asked. “It’s barely evening?”

“True,” Shannon nodded, “but she has a terrible cold. I’ve been telling her to rest all day.”

Eli and Troy's eyes met, and both men headed to the stairs.

“Guys,” Shanon called out, “The best thing she can do is sleep.”

“We’re not waking her up to take her for a sleigh ride,” Troy insisted. “But we can check to see that she's OK.”

May’s eyes lit up. “If she’s OK, I wouldn’t mind the sleigh ride!”

“Maybe tomorrow, May," Shanon smiled. "But for now, just color.”

When Shannon turned again, the men were gone, gingerly stepping into their bedroom, where Zoe lay, snoring just a bit. Eli smiled tenderly. He found their girlfriend’s snoring endearing, whereas Troy said it was the only time he fantasized about tossing her out in the snow. But right now, they were both relieved to find her at rest. Eli reached over to touch her forehead.

“No fever,” he whispered. “But she does feel a little cold.”

Troy wordlessly retrieved an extra blanket from the closet and tucked it around her. “Then Shannon’s right; we should just let her sleep.” He nudged his head toward the door, and the two men convened in the hall.

“It’s just a cold,” Eli stated. “With some sleep, she’ll be fine in no time.”

“Yeah,” Troy sighed. “But what about our plans?”

Eli shrugged. “Do you think she even remembers it’s Valentine’s Day?”

“With the way she loves celebrating old-world events? Probably. But even if she does, I don’t think she’s up for a special dinner and romance tonight.”

“Hmmp,” Eli said, the corner of his lip turning.

“Oh, I know that look...What are you thinking?”

“A special dinner and romance is what you make it, right?” He clapped Troy’s back with a smile. “Let’s go downstairs.”

~~~~~

An hour later, Zoe’s eyes began to flutter. She wasn’t certain if it was day or night, and it didn’t even matter. Alone in her room, she was glad no one was present to hear her soft groans as she shifted onto her side. If she was anything, it was self-aware. Self-aware enough to know that she made a lousy patient and it was in everyone’s best interests to leave her be. She loved Eli and Troy, and she loved her friends, and the last thing she needed was knowing she’d have to embark on an apology tour the moment she felt better again. They knew her, she smiled, pulling the blankets to her chin. They knew her well. She was about to doze off again when the creaking of her bedroom made her rethink her friend's judgment. Just barely making out a figure in the darkness, she called out.

“Troy....”

“Nope, not Troy,” Eli smirked.

“Eli...”

“Nope, not Eli,” Troy chuckled.

Her blankets rustled as she lifted herself on her elbows. “Guys... you know I’m grumpy when I’m sick. Why are you putting yourselves at risk?”

“Bravery,” Eli said at the very moment Troy replied, “Stupidity.”

“There’s a fine line between the two,” she half smiled, her voice weak.

“We might be willing to let you stay here alone on a normal day,” Troy began. “Nah, I’m full of shit, we’d check in on you even then.”

“He’s right,” Eli agreed, “but we certainly weren’t going to leave you up here alone today.”

Her brows knitted together with confusion. “Today? What’s today.”

“It’s Valentine’s Day. Ta-da!” Troy beamed, removing a napkin covering the heart-shaped cookies the men just baked with dramatic flair.

“It’s.. Valentine’s Day,” she lamented. “Shit! I forgot! I didn’t get to do anything for you two!”

Eli sat at her side, taking her hand in his. “Wow. How fortunate for you that... we don’t care.”

Troy nodded as he scooted to her other side. “You know how much I hate to say this, but Eli’s right.”

It hurt to breathe, and her head pounded. Still, Zoe couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You guys!”

Eli dragged a small table beside the bed and placed a bowl on top. “You need to eat something, so we brought you some soup.”

“Yeah. You just lay there; we’ll feed you. The plan was to feed you grapes...this won’t be as seductive,” Troy playfully wagged his eyebrows, “but you're the one that went and got sick."

Zoe laughed, but it quickly turned into a wicked cough, and Eli gently rubbed her back to assist.

“Good work, Hassan. I told you your jokes are lethal.”

“If my jokes were lethal, there would be no zombie apocalypse.”

“He has a point,” Zoe smiled. “Now, feed me that soup because sick or not... I want those Valentine's cookies, and I’m sure you won’t let me have them if I don’t have my soup first.”

“She knows us too well,” Troy winked.

“When did you guys decide to make cookies?”

“I came up with the idea this morning,” Troy declared to Eli’s chagrin.

“You! YOU came up with the idea? I told you I was preparing the dough when you came to the kitchen for breakfast!”

“True... but I’m the one who suggested the heart shape, and face it, Sipes, without that... there is no pizzaz, and according to everything I’ve learned about the old world, Valentine’s Day was all about pizzaz.”

Zoe shook her head as Eli grumbled under his breath, and then she reached out to hold their hands.

“I don’t know how they did it in the old world, but I know how we do it now. It’s not about pizzaz; it’s about love, and I’m so lucky because I’ve got plenty of that.”

“You sure do,” Troy smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

Eli leaned over to kiss her forehead. “You can say that again. Now, do you want to go back to sleep for a bit?”

“I do,” she smiled, patting both sides of the mattress next to her. “But I want company. Will you guys take a nap with me?”

“Holy shit!” Troy gasped, reaching to touch her forehead. “She wants us to stay with her when she’s sick? It’s got to be a fever! She can’t have much time left.”

“Hassan, stop being a wiseass and hop under the covers,” she instructed. “Otherwise, I’m sending you back downstairs.”

“He’d be fine with that,” Eli teased as he lay on Zoe’s other side. “He got that Frogger machine working after all.”

“You got FROGGER working! And you still came to stay with me?”

“Yeah,” Troy smiled, putting an arm around her. “I’ve got plenty of time to get that poor little guy splattered by trucks tomorrow.”

“Wow! You must really love me.”

“I do,” he said, bopping her nose with his index finger. “You’re my girl.”

“Your girl?” Eli challenged.

“Our girl,” Troy corrected with a smile.

“I’m a lucky girl,” she said, shutting her eyes.  “Only one thing could make me luckier.”

“Oh, what’s that?” Eli asked.

“Both of you being quiet so I can go back to sleep. Happy Valentine’s Day guys, we’ll celebrate proper when I feel better.”

“We can if you want,” Troy shrugged. “But this feels plenty proper to me.”

Eli closed his eyes and nodded in agreement as Zoe began to snore.

“Great,” Troy sighed. “Now we’ll never sleep.  Right, Eli? Eli?”

He turned to find Eli, head on Zoe's shoulder, snoring lightly, too, and he shook his head while adjusting his pillow.

“You’re both so lucky you're cute," he sighed. But despite the snoring, he joined the slumberfest as soon as his eyes were closed. In the end, Valentine's Day was just fine; they had all that they needed.

~~~~~

Thanks for checking out the inaugural E/Z/T! :)

@choicesficwriterscreations

Tagging others separately.

[kallie-den]

One Little Kiss

Eros, a small-time supervillain, gets a lucky break when the all-powerful psychic heroine Qualia succumbs to her mind-warping kiss and starts falling in love with her

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---

“Hurry up!” the supervillain Eros yelled down the stairwell, already faintly out of breath from all the running and climbing. “We don’t have all day! This is a heist, you know.”

“Yes, my love!” called back an even more breathless security guard. She was carrying a huge duffel bag stuffed with cash, and despite how red-faced from exertion she was, the vibrant red lipstick mark on her face stood out even more. “Anything for you!”

Trailing behind her were a few more guards and bank tellers, each one of whom was carrying a duffel bag and each one of whom was wearing one of Eros’s little kisses on their face. One after the other, they each replied with their toothachingly sweet little professions of devotion and undying affection.

Eros rolled her eyes. Hearing her love-drunk minions babble got old very, very fast. But if it was the price of becoming a successful supervillain, so be it.

Admittedly, calling herself a successful supervillain was getting a little ahead of herself. Eros hadn’t yet succeeded at anything more than robbing a few high-end stores so she could put together a costume while she tested the limits of her ‘power’. She didn’t know much about the life of a villain, and she certainly didn’t know anything about fighting superheroes.

But as a perpetually-overworked administrative assistant, she knew a great deal about timing and scheduling. For her first big heist, Eros had put those talents to good use. The likely time it would take for someone to sound the alarm. The delay before the cops arrived. The time it would take to grab everything and get out.  Eros had it all memorized. She’d planned it out like clockwork. At this day and time, once a week, a helicopter landed on top of the building that held the Pierce Street bank to accept delivery of some sensitive financial documents. It was the perfect way out, and Eros had already taken care of the pilot.

Everything was perfect. Eros had even spent a week scouring social media for superhero sightings. If she was right, the bank was far enough from any patrol routes that they should be able to avoid any interventions.

It was still a risk, of course. Heroes were unpredictable. But the millions in those duffel bags was worth any risk. And Eros was thrilled to be doing something truly selfish for a change.

“Here!” she called, as she reached the top of the stairwell and pushed open the door that led out to the helipad. “Load it into the heli. And quick!”

Her adoring, unwitting goons hastened to obey. And as they did, Eros took a moment to re-apply her lipstick.

Her vivid red lipstick was the key to everything. It was Eros, just as much as she was. After years of thankless work as an administrative assistant at a cosmetics company, Eros had already been ready to snap - and when she’d seen the discarded lipstick formula before it was to be destroyed, it had seemed like an opportunity too perfect not to take.

According to the government, it was both unethical and dangerous. Whenever she thought about that, it brought a grin to Eros’s face. In a way, she’d proven them right.

Love was a very, very dangerous thing. In a way, cosmetic companies had always been aiming to create artificial love, be it with the right color, the right shape, or the right scent. But Eros’s company had gone further. They had created a lipstick that could make someone fall in love with a single kiss. Eros didn’t know how it worked, but it certainly worked. She’d stolen the formula, and ‘redirected’ enough raw materials to synthesize it herself. And now she had love itself painted all over her lips.

But as it turned out, love was more than just a pretty word. If someone truly loved you, you could convince them to do anything - at least until the effects wore off. Anything. They’d gladly break laws, if Eros asked sweetly enough. It was the perfect tool in the arsenal of a supervillain. Because of it, the women hired to work at the bank she was robbing were currently helping her make off with the money.

All it took was one little kiss.

Thanks to her mind-warping lipstick, Eros’s heist was going perfectly - or so she thought, until she realized that all of the people she’d brainwashed with her kisses had stopped moving.

“Hey!” she said sharply. “What’s going on?”

There was no reply. Her confusion started to turn to alarm.

“Hey,” Eros repeated. “Can you even-“

She trailed off when she realized what had happened to them. Something was coming. Something big.

Eros wasn’t sure how she knew, exactly. But there was something in the air. Something so palpable it was almost physical. It reminded her of the kind of brimming charge you could sense hanging in the atmosphere before a thunderstorm, only ten times more potent. Whatever that strange energy was, it felt as though it was touching her very soul. And she could sense it coming off her minions in waves.

And then Eros saw her, floating over the nearby rooftops.

Qualia.

Immediately, Eros knew it was over.

Qualia was one of those superheroes every single person had heard of. Every single citizen of Future City would have recognized her. She was a member of the city’s Apex League, the team of its most powerful heroes. Time and time again, she had appeared to defend the city against world-ending threats, and every single time, she’d triumphed. According to some, she was more like a god than a human.

And if she was close enough to put Eros’s minions on ice, it was already too late to run.

“What do we have here?” Qualia asked imperiously as she floated down to stand on the helipad, eyes blazing with green light. “I don’t recognize you, villain. This will be your last misdeed, as well as your first.”

Eros grit her teeth. She was so fucked.

The things Qualia could do made Eros’s lipstick look like child’s play. In simple terms, she was a psychic - a natural telepath and mind controller - but it went deeper than that. Some experts speculated that she was psychic so powerful, she was capable of tapping into and manipulating the collective unconscious that made up reality itself. Others disagreed, but ultimately, that was all academic. There was simply no denying what Qualia was capable of.

Even now, as she stared coldly at Eros across the helipad, she was surrounded by a crackling nova of energy, the same green as her eyes. Pieces of random debris - stones, branches, other small objects - kept levitating off the ground and floating towards her, before being pulled into a kind of orbiting ring that surrounded her, as if Qualia’s sheer psychic presence gave her a gravitational pull.

Eros’s nerve broke. She turned and ran back towards the stairwell.

She made it one whole step.

“No,” Qualia said simply.

As she did, Eros felt her whole body lock up. There was no warning. She simply couldn’t move. She couldn’t even turn to look at Qualia as the superhero walked slowly toward her.

“I’ve partitioned your nervous system from the conscious part of your mind,” the superhero explained calmly. “You’re paralyzed, just like your minions.”

Eros tried to scream. She couldn’t even do that. Her lips, her tongue, her vocal cords - they were all frozen.

“And now that this little farce is over,” Qualia continued, walking a slow circuit around Eros, “let’s see what you’re all about.”

Without any more warning than that, Qualia started to peer into Eros’s mind with her power. Eros wasn’t sure how she knew it was happening. She just knew. Eros felt completely transparent for a moment, before being struck by a chilling sensation that she instinctively associated with being completely and totally perceived. When she tried to focus on it, it felt a little like staring into one of those lights that the doctor used to inspect your eyes.

It sucked.

“Yes, I understand now,” Qualia said dispassionately. “Your name is Rhea Galanis, even though you call yourself Eros. You’re thirty-two years old. You’ve spent the last twelve years working your way up from secretary to administrative assistant - until you decided to turn to a life of crime.” The superhero’s lips curled up into an arrogant smirk. “That was very unwise. Tell me, what did you think was going to happen?”

For a moment, Eros thought Qualia was simply mocking her, but then she found that she could speak again. Control over her throat, her tongue, and her lips had been returned to her.

“I… just…” Eros replied slowly, stumbling over her words. “I… wanted something for myself for a change!”

“Yes, I see now.” Qualia nodded thoughtfully. “You were overworked and under-appreciated, so you decided to start breaking the rules. I’ve seen the same story many, many times.” Her smirk grew. “It’s so very petty.”

There was a chilling arrogance in the superhero’s voice. Eros could see what was happening now. Qualia was enjoying herself. She wasn’t indulging some kind of morbid curiosity. She was simply playing with her food.

“Not that I’m surprised you’re new on the scene,” Qualia continued. “Your ‘costume’ says it all. You… stole the jacket from a high-end clothing store.” Her lips curled a little further upwards. “How charming.”

Eros couldn’t help but blush a little. She’d done her best! Her costume - such as it was - consisted of a striking white leather jacket with a red sports bra underneath, worn with some simple, pragmatic, black combat pants and a black domino mask to conceal her identity. It wasn’t exactly professional, but it was wildly daring compared to Eros’s mousy dress sense in her old life as an administrative assistant. She’d even sewn a massive patch featuring a stylized pair of lips onto the back of her jacket. Branding was important, after all!

Still, the whole affair marked her out as belonging to an entirely different world from Qualia. The superhero had no need for a mask, and she was clad neck-to-toes in a black, tight-fitting bodysuit. It was made out of some kind of futuristic, texture, membrane-like material that rippled with a green glow whenever Qualia called upon her psychic powers. It wasn’t exactly something you could get at a clothing store.

Perhaps the most obnoxious part was how utterly perfect Qualia looked in it. She had a classically curvaceous bombshell body, absolutely none of which was kept hidden by the skin-tight costume, and the blazing green her eyes shone with was the perfect counterpart to her rich, dark, tanned skin. When she floated or lifted something, her long, brunette hair spread out behind her like a mane, making her look utterly, implacably regal.

She might have been Eros’s type, if she wasn’t such an ice queen.

“Insecure?” Qualia let out a high-handed little laugh. “You should be. You’re not suited for this, Eros. It’s just like you thought.”

“Hey!” Eros whined. “Get out of my head!”

“No,” Qualia replied simply. “You chose this. You decided to break the rules, and now you’re going to be punished for it.”

Eros tried to shake her head, although Qualia’s control barely let her move. This couldn’t be the end. Not already. She wanted better! That’s why she’d put herself on this path.

“It doesn’t matter what petty little power you managed to manifest,” Qualia lectured. “You’re nothing compared to heroes like me. Your kind always loses. If not to someone else, then to me.”

There had to be something Eros could do. Anything. But what? Even plotting felt like a fool’s errand when Qualia could see into her thoughts. And how could she ever overcome all the other aspects of Qualia’s power?

She had frozen Eros’s minions without so much as a touch or a word. The gulf in power between her and Eros was beyond measure. Her reputation as a top-tier invincible hero preceded up, but up close, Qualia seemed even more formidable. Between her overwhelming power and her supreme arrogance, she was like a force of nature.

“You should count yourself lucky I was the one to catch you,” Qualia went on. She said it so bluntly. To her, it wasn’t even a boast. It was a fact. “Rather than someone more destructive. Or another supervillain, sweeping in to steal your prize. You should be grateful.”

Eros grit her teeth. There had to be something. Please. Or maybe not. Maybe she should just give up and go quietly. Maybe Qualia was right. Maybe her plan to break bad as a supervillain had never been anything more than a pathetic joke. She wasn’t a criminal. She was a glorified secretary.

“You know, I could reach into your head and fix you, if I wanted to.” Again, Qualia made it sound more like a gospel truth than a threat. She said it the same way Eros might have said that it could rain tomorrow. “I could make you sorry for this. I could make you regret everything. I could make sure you never break the law or hurt anyone ever again. But I won’t, because that isn’t what heroes are supposed to do. Instead, I’ll hand you over to the cops. They’ll give you plenty of time to contemplate your mistake. Your defeat.”

Something inside Eros’s head suddenly snapped. She wasn’t sure what it was exactly, but something about Qualia’s lecturing reminded her of the way her former boss had always talked to her when she did something wrong. And it pissed her the hell off.

No. She wasn’t going to go quietly. She had an idea.

“My defeat?” Eros forced a half-crazed grin onto her face. Her plan was a ‘maybe’ at best, but it was all she had. “I haven’t lost anything yet, hero.”

Qualia raised an eyebrow disdainfully. “Yes, you have.”

Eros spat onto the ground. “Come a little closer, and I’ll teach you otherwise.”

Her heart started pounding a double rhythm. If Qualia peered into her head again, she’d know exactly what was going on. She’d just have to hope the hero was too arrogant to bother.

“Very well.” Pointedly, Qualia took a big step forward. She looked even more amused than before. “Do your worst.”

She was two steps away now.

“You gotta get closer than that.” Eros sniffed. “Or are you scared?”

Qualia laughed softly. “You understand that you can’t move right now. Don’t you?”

Unafraid, she took another step forward. Just one pace away.

Qualia hadn’t mentioned Eros’s power. Eros had to hope that meant she didn’t know what it was. Eros was obviously small-time. Her power was nothing compared to the hero’s, and she was paralyzed. Why would Qualia even bother to check, when she could knock Eros out with a single thought?

“I’m waiting,” Qualia mocked.

“C’mon,” Eros jeered. She tried to make her grin look even bigger and even stupider. “Closer.”

Qualia was too amused not to indulge her. She pressed close to the would-be supervillain, like they were about to embrace. Eros knew she felt secure in the knowledge that she couldn’t move or raise a fist.

The only thing she could move was her lips.

It was time for the last and dumbest part of Eros’s gambit. She sneered up at Qualia, and mumbled something completely incoherent under her breath.

“Huh? What did you say?”

Instinctively, Qualia moved even closer to try and make out her words. She put her face right next to Eros’s.

So close, Eros was able to stretch forwards, just barely, and kiss her.

At once, Qualia surged backward. She was too experienced a hero not to react instantly. But the damage was already done. Eros rejoiced at the sight of her big, red, bright lipstick stain on the superhero’s tanned cheek, and almost jumped for joy when, a moment later, she was suddenly able to move again.

It was time to have some fun.

***

Qualia recoiled as soon as she felt Eros’s lips touch her, chiding herself sternly as she did. It was unbecoming of an Apex League superhero to allow a third-rate villain to make a fool of her. Fortunately, it was just a kiss. A harmless prank.

Or so she thought until, moments later, she felt her concentration slip.

That never happened. It was impossible. Qualia was a genius. A savant. She could keep a crowd of hundreds dancing to her tune and have it be nothing more than an afterthought as she crushed the psyche of a world-class supervillain. The only time she had ever come close to losing her focus was against a dark mirror version of herself from another dimension.

Compared to foes like that, Eros was nothing more than a bug.

And yet, after a few more seconds, she felt her own thoughts scattered like ships in a storm, and she lost her grip on the villain.

Qualia blinked. She shook her head. She tried to recenter herself. This was impossible.

“What… did you do?” she said slowly.

Eros was stretching languidly, enjoying her brief moment of freedom. As Qualia spoke, her face lit up in delight.

“Oh my god!” she exclaimed. The villain looked like a kid on Christmas. “It’s actually working? Oh my god.”

Qualia closed her eyes. This was a momentary lapse. Nothing more.

“I can’t believe it!” Eros squealed. “I wasn’t sure… I mean, according to the research documents, it all depends on willpower. Mental resilience. I thought for sure, someone like you…”

Qualia opened her eyes again. She needed to figure this out. For the first time, she deigned to look properly at Eros’s minions. She could still hold them in place, at least. A sinking feeling developed in the pit of her stomach when she noticed the lipstick marks on their faces.

“What have you done to me?” the hero demanded.

“Oh, now you’re real curious about my power, huh?” Eros laughed. “Well, let me explain. It’s my lipstick. I kiss you, and it makes you fall in love with me.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Qualia scoffed. “You can’t just… you… you can’t…”

She trailed off. She had just noticed something that suddenly seemed incredibly important to her.

Eros was really, really pretty.

Qualia tried to pinch herself. So what if she was pretty? Why would she even notice that right now? It didn’t matter.

Except, it felt like it did.

“Wait,” Eros said, pausing. “Have you ever been through anything like this before? Ever been captured and brainwashed? Hypnotized? Drugged?”

“O-of course not!” Qualia scoffed. “No villain has ever got the better of me! I’d never let them, um, even so much as try to… or, um drink something, without, um… I mean, I don’t even drink!”

She glanced down. Qualia kept getting tongue-tied and tripping over her words. Why?

“Oh my god!” Eros was practically delirious with glee. “That’s it, isn’t it? That’s hilarious! I can’t believe this is the closest anyone’s ever come to defeating the legendary Qualia.”

“What are you t-talking about?” Qualia’s cheeks were starting to grow hot.

“Don’t you see?” Eros gloated. “You’ve always kept danger at arm’s reach with your power. Behind that, you’ve got no defenses. No resistance. You don’t even drink. Gotta keep a clear head, am I right?” She took a step closer and leered eagerly at Qualia. “You might be one of the most powerful superheroes in the world, but you’re also the single most susceptible person I’ve ever met.”

A cold shiver raced down Qualia’s spine, but she wasn’t sure if it was because of Eros’s words or because - as much as she was trying not to think about it - the closer the villain, the more overwhelming her beauty became.

‘Beautiful’ really was the only fitting word, Qualia unwillingly decided. She was having trouble taking her eyes off the supervillain, even though when she had first arrived she had barely bothered to look at her. Eros had seemed pretty ordinary, physically. But now, everything about her was enchanting.

The way Eros’s short, curly, coiffed hair sat atop her head like a crown. The way her vibrant lipstick made her perfect lips pop. The dazzling blue of her eyes behind her mask, and the way her costume left her stomach teasingly on display. It was all breathtaking.

Qualia’s calling as a hero didn’t leave much time for romance. She’d never spent much time thinking about her ‘type’ - but now she knew. This was it. Eros was exactly her type.

Which was strange, because Qualia had always considered herself straight. But even so, she couldn’t bring herself to question it.

“Yeah, that’s it,” Eros commented. “It feels pretty good, right? Falling in love?”

That remark was like a bucket of cold water dropped over Qualia’s head. Right. The lipstick. She needed to remember.

However much she wanted to get lost in Eros’s eyes…

Qualia made a fresh attempt to focus. There was no denying Eros’s lipstick was affecting her. Qualia needed to subdue the villain while she was still in her right mind. If she couldn’t use her power, she’d use her fists. The superhero clenched them as tight as she could.

And then, as she looked at Eros once more, let them fall to her sides.

What was she going to do? Put a bruise on Eros’s pretty cheek? No way. She couldn’t bring herself to throw a punch. It would be like defacing a work of art.

“I’m curious,” Eros piped up. She was watching Qualia intently. “How do you feel about me? You know, you said some very, very mean things earlier.”

She affected a pout. It was so cute it made Qualia sigh. But her mood instantly soured when she remembered the way she’d spoken to Eros earlier.

“O-of course I do!” Qualia replied half-heartedly. “You’re a… a criminal. A villain!”

Still, Qualia couldn’t help but regret her words. What if she’d actually hurt Eros’s feelings?

The superhero blinked. There was no way she’d ever care about something like that. Was there?

“Are you sure?” Eros pressed. “Really? That’s all I mean to you?”

“I…” Qualia said in an uncertain, strangled voice. “Y-you’re…”

So many embarrassing professions of admiration were on the top of her tongue. And moreover, she had to fight down the urge to apologize for everything she’d said before.

Why did she feel so terrible about it? Was it the lipstick? How could Qualia be sure?

No. No, of course not. She wasn’t falling in love. That was ridiculous. She couldn’t accept that she’d be so easily influenced. It was just that, she’d been so blunt and needlessly cruel. Boorish, even. It was embarrassing. Mortifying.

And there was nothing wrong with the fact that she found Eros so beautiful, either! It was just a fact. Qualia was simply acknowledging it. Only a fool wouldn’t have admitted that she was one of the most perfectly divine creatures ever to have walked the Earth, and only someone with no taste whatsoever wouldn’t have found themselves thinking about how much they wanted to hold her hand, and embrace her, and-

Qualia groaned and buried her head into her hands. What was happening to her?

“Hey, don’t worry about it too much.” Eros laughed. “But do you wanna know what I think of you?”

Qualia looked up with humiliating eagerness. Now that it was being suggested, she realized she wanted that desperately. It was all-important.

Eros leaned in, wearing a slightly cruel smile that, to Qualia, did nothing but enhance her beauty. “Actually, I think you’re really pretty.”

Immediately, Qualia’s face lit up in a red-hot blush, and she could barely hear her stammering reply over the sound of her pounding heartbeat. “Y-y-you do?”

“Of course!” Eros confirmed. “You’re so cute, Qualia.”

Qualia’s blush deepened and her mind started to race. Why would Eros say that? Was the supervillain messing with her? Lying to her? No. There was no way Eros would do something like that, she decided. Eros simply wasn’t that kind of person.

Then… did she mean it? Really? It was almost too good to be true. Qualia struggled to imagine that the vision of beauty standing before her would even notice a girl like her. She didn’t want to get her hopes up. And yet, the mere thought of it had butterflies filling her stomach.

After a few moments of torturous mental gymnastics, Qualia could no longer bring herself to meet Eros’s gaze. She was a blushing, stammering mess. She felt like a schoolgirl.

“Oh my god!” Eros laughed again. Qualia was keenly aware of the villain’s gaze. It kept making her blush anew. “I’ve seen ‘down bad’ before, don’t get me wrong. But this is something else! Wait… is this the first time you’ve ever been in love?”

Qualia’s heart skipped a beat. She couldn’t answer that! This was the first time they’d ever met. Qualia didn’t know much about romance, but she felt sure that confessing her feelings right away would be coming on way too strong. Weren’t you supposed to play it cool for a while? She was sure she’d heard that somewhere.

“I-I-I! Um!” she blurted out, tongue-tied. “I mean um… I guess… I guess I’ve never really, um, dated?”

Immediately, Qualia paled. Why had she said that? She risked a glance at Eros. Would she think it was lame, or cool? Surely the former. Who, at her age, hadn’t even dated? Qualia was crestfallen.

Eros giggled at her, smiling. “Wow. Maybe I’ll get to be your lucky first.”

Qualia had fought insane pyrokinetics and gone to Hell itself to battle demons, but her face had never felt as hot as it did now. She could tell Eros was teasing her, of course, but maybe that wasn’t so bad. She was interested, wasn’t she? That was the most important thing. And besides, even the teasing was starting to feel pretty amazing.

At that moment, Qualia realized she’d been forgetting something. The lipstick. All of this, everything she was feeling, was down to Eros’s lipstick.

Only… Qualia wasn’t so sure of that anymore. Everything she was starting to feel for Eros was just so real. So important. Surely it couldn’t be explained away so easily. It reminded Qualia of when people tried to insist that love was ‘just a chemical reaction’. Admittedly, Qualia had always been of that mindset. But now it seemed so foolish. So cynical. So lacking in poetry.

Suddenly, it occurred to Qualia that maybe she should try to write Eros a poem.

"Hey Qualia,” Eros piped up, grinning. “Since we’re getting to know each other, how about you tell me your name?”

Qualia froze at once. She couldn’t. She shouldn’t. For a hero like her, revealing her identity was an unspeakable taboo. It exposed her, and all those close to her, to unspeakable dangers.

And yet, she yearned to answer.

“I…” she struggled. “I’m… we’re not, um, supposed, um…”

“C’mon. Please?” Eros pouted again. “I thought we were getting to know each other! And besides, you know my name. It’s only fair.”

Qualia was no match for that pout. “S-Sophia,” she said, before she could think better of it.

“Sophia!” Eros repeated, delighted. “A pretty name for a pretty girl.”

Qualia thought she was going to pass out from sheer joy. Her heart was beating like a jackhammer.

“So, Sophia,” Eros continued. Just hearing her say her name made Qualia bite her lip girlishly. “Wanna help me haul this stolen money out of here?”

The superhero blinked. Hearing that brought her back to herself, a little. It was a patently absurd proposal. She was one of the greatest heroes in the world. A powerful and righteous defender of everything lawful and good. She couldn’t possibly help a petty crook carry out a bank heist.

But… could she really say ‘no’ to Eros?

“T-that’s…” Qualia struggled. “I… well… you know… I’m a hero.”

“Oh, sure,” Eros replied dismissively. Her smile didn’t budge. “It’s just, I thought maybe we could be partners.”

Partners.

That word hit Qualia like a lightning bolt.

“P-p-p-partners?” she stammered. She couldn’t keep her leg from bouncing. “Like…?”

Eros kept her hanging for just a moment. “Partners in crime,” she answered. “Or perhaps, you know…”

That ‘you know…’ meant everything to the lovestruck superhero. Her face kept twitching, threatening to break out into a nervous, adoring, smile. But even so, Qualia held back. If she agreed, she’d lose everything. Her status. Her reputation. Her pride. It would all be gone, and she’d never get it back.

“L-look, um, Eros,” she said slowly. “It’s not that I don’t want to be, um, p… it’s just… well I… I mean, people would… maybe t-there’s something else?”

She lapsed into silence. Qualia had never been so on edge as she was waiting for Eros to respond. Somehow, more than her reputation or her pride, she found herself worrying about whether or not Eros would think less of her now.

After several seconds of awkwardness, Eros just shrugged. It was devastating. “Well, OK. If that’s really how you feel…”

Then, she did the worst thing she could have: she turned away.

Qualia tried to hold firm, but after Eros made it just two steps, her will broke. She couldn’t handle this.

“W-wait!” the prideful hero cried out.

Eros paused and turned back. “Yeah?”

“I…” Qualia took a moment to contemplate everything she was about to throw away. But ultimately, none of that had ever made her feel the way Eros made her feel. What was she fighting for, if not love? What was more important? “I want to be your p-partner.”

“I see.” Eros folded her arms and smirked. Clearly, she’d expected nothing less. That made perfect sense to Qualia. Eros was so smart. “But you know I’m a villain, right? And you’re a hero?”

That gave Qualia pause, but she immediately found herself rationalizing. It was strange, sure, but heroes going bad was far from unheard of. Maybe there was a good reason for it. And suddenly, being a villain had started to seem kind of cool. If Eros was doing it, it had to be cool.

If Qualia became a villain, maybe Eros would think she was cool too.

The very thought made Qualia want to squeal.

“W-well, um,” she said nervously. “If we’re p-partners, then I’d be a villain too, right? S-so that’s fine.”

“That’s true,” Eros replied.

She sounded pleased. Her approval made Qualia’s whole body hum with joy. It felt better than saving people ever had. Her pride and her reputation had been important to her, yes. But maybe, deep down, she’d always been a romantic at heart. Maybe there had always been a little hole in her heart, waiting to be filled. Maybe she’d always been pining for that perfect connection.

How could she let it slip through her fingers, just for the sake of a little pride?

“Although,” Eros added, “if we’re partners, I think it’s only fair that I’m the senior partner. Right?”

“Of course!” Qualia agreed instantly. She wouldn’t dream of having it any other way. Eros had been a villain first. It only stood to reason that she’d be in charge.

The fact that this was Eros’s first big act of villainy failed to register with her. Neither did the fact that her power was so much stronger.

“Great!” Eros held out her hand. “Shall we shake on it?”

Qualia blushed yet again. She was going to get to hold her crush’s hand. She couldn’t believe her luck. She tried to surreptitiously brush her own hand off on her thigh. She didn’t want it to be too hot or too sweaty. She didn’t want to look like a nervous, blushing virgin in front of her crush. Even so, as they shook, she couldn’t keep her hand from shaking. And she let out a gasp when Eros abruptly pulled her closer.

“Actually,” Eros said, smirking. “You like me, right?

“Yes.” Qualia was too disarmed by the sudden gesture to lie.

“And you think I’m pretty?”

“God, yes,” the superhero whimpered.

“In that case, do you want to kiss?” Eros’s eyes were shining with the thrill of victory. “Since we’re maybe going to be more than just partners in crime.”

Qualia forgot to breathe. She certainly forgot to play it cool. She just nodded with breathless eagerness.

“Great.” Eros giggled. “Then go ahead and kiss me.”

Qualia looked at Eros’s perfect lips, still drenched in that bright red, mind-warping lipstick.

She didn’t even hesitate. She kissed Eros as fiercely and passionately as she could, smearing the villain’s lipstick all over her own lips in the process. The whole time, Qualia was blushing fiercely. She didn’t have a lot of experience with kissing. She wasn’t sure if she was doing it right. But now, all her nerves were blown away by giddy jubilation.

She couldn’t believe this wasn’t a dream. She couldn’t believe how lucky she was.

“Wow,” Eros giggled, as they broke the kiss. “You’re an eager one, huh? Although your technique could use a little work. Who knew heroes didn’t get laid?”

Too love-drunk to be embarrassed, Qualia felt like she was going to faint as the second dose of the lipstick took hold of her. When she looked at Eros, it was almost like the villain was shrouded in a heady, pink glow.

“Well, fortunately, I’ll have plenty of time to teach you,” Eros mused. “Maybe we’ll change your costume too. I like that idea. And… huh. Did your eyes just…”

“Huh?” Qualia tilted her head.

“Never mind,” Eros decided. “Let’s get out of here - you and me both, babe.”

Qualia giggled wildly and took Eros’s hand. She summoned up her power and used it to lift both of them up into the air, along with all of Eros’s ill-gotten gains. And then, without a single regret, she flew both of them off into the sky, and left her life as a superhero behind.

***

Starfrost grunted in pain as she was lifted into the air and thrown bodily through the solid brick wall of a nearby building. Even for a superhero like her, that was going to leave some bruises. It was fear, though, rather than pain that was starting to grip the statuesque heroine.

So this was what it was like to go up against Qualia.

A couple of weeks ago, reports had started coming in that Qualia had switched sides and become a villain. Starfrost hadn’t believed it, of course. She’d only met the psychic a few times - Qualia was definitely a league or two above Starfrost, in terms of power and prestige - but that had been enough for her to know that Qualia was morally upstanding to a fault, and far too powerful to succumb to any kind of corruption.

She had been so, so wrong.

Psychic power crackled around Qualia as she stepped through the hole Starfrost had left in the side of the building. Without so much as lifting a finger, she seized Starfrost in her mental grip and paralyzed her. A chill ran through Starfrost.

What the hell had happened to Qualia?

There was no mistaking that this was the real deal, but Qualia had undergone some shocking changes. The most obvious was her costume. Her traditional sleek, high-tech jumpsuit had been trimmed down to nothing more than a bikini, leaving a mouth-watering amount of skin and curves on display.

Ominously, her new costume revealed that all over her body, Qualia was covered with bright red lipstick marks.

Her eyes had changed, too. Normally, when she used her powers, Qualia’s eyes glowed with her signature, psychic green. Not anymore. Now, they were red - the same red as all that lipstick she was covered with.

But to Starfrost, the biggest change of all was in the heroine’s face. Starfrost had always known Qualia to be stern and calm, and perhaps a little arrogant. There was no longer any trace of that. Instead, she wore a big, joyful, unnatural smile that reflected the same placid happiness she could see in the superhero’s eyes. The happy, tranquil expression was completely out of place on Qualia. It was obvious someone was messing with her head.

“Hey,” called an unfamiliar voice. “You got her?”

“Yes, my darling!” Qualia called back brightly. Her smile seemed, if anything, to grow even wider.

Starfrost frowned.

Someone else entered through the hole in the wall. After a moment, Starfrost recognized them. It was Eros - apparently a new villain on the scene, and an associate of the corrupted Qualia. Starfrost hadn’t thought much of her, but now she couldn’t help but notice that the lipstick on Eros’s lips matched the lipstick planted all over Qualia’s body.

“What did you do to her?” Starfrost demanded.

Eros just laughed. “I’d explain, but in a few moments, you won’t really care. Suffice it to say, she’s had a change of heart.”

Starfrost’s blood ran cold. “And… what are you going to do to me?”

“Well, it’s been going great between me and Qualia,” Eros explained theatrically. She sounded half-crazed with power. “She's such a sweetheart. But I don’t think I’m really a one-woman type of girl, you know? So we’ve decided to expand our relationship a little. You don’t mind, do you, Sophia?”

Qualia shook her head and giggled. “Not at all! Whatever you need, my love.”

Starfrost’s dread was mounting. She tried her hardest to move, but all her superhuman strength was worth nothing when Qualia was in her head.

“In fact, she even offered to help wingman for me!” Eros exclaimed theatrically. “Isn’t that sweet? She’s such a wonderful partner. And soon, you will be too. Would you mind, babe?”

“Of course!”

Qualia looked positively rapturous at the petty villain’s praise, but then she focused as she turned her attention to Starfrost. Her eyes started to glow, and pieces of debris started to lift into the air around her.

Starfrost shuddered as she felt the former superhero break her mind wide open, and replace all her deepest convictions with nothing but true love.

—

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[mperosx]

Super Shy || Ahri & Eros

Continued from here with the lovely and fun @mpahri

—*

   He had noticed the first day it began but given that his wife had told him that someone had asked after him posing he merely thought it had just been a mild curiosity that would fade after a bit. Eros had let the girl trail him like a ghost for a good few hours around town as he shopped, met with friends, and took time to visit the newer exhibits in various galleries around the city. Sufficiently done with his day, he made his way back home on foot preferring to enjoy the long city walk just before the snow would surely come.

  On day two of the following Eros had sensed that it was more about the little tingle of a feeling he had noticed on day one. That sharp and undeniable feeling of hope, quick like lighting a match stick, was burning in her heart and Eros, felt it in his own. A charge! The god loved each charge he got and only stepped in when they were ready enough to seek him out or call on him within the silence of their hearts. She was the bolder sort and while it was slightly weird— the god was tickled by her growing determination.

     On the second day, Eros makes his way around town on foot again but armed with a slightly thicker jacket, the chill in the air delightfully crisp! It’s when he takes a seat at one of his favorite cafes to read for a while that it becomes radiantly obvious that she wants to talk to him. 

   Her little heart pounds with a million questions, her mind alight with her wondering of how to approach not only the topic but the god himself but above all of that, he hears a name over and over.

      Ayden.

   There it is! Eros’ cheeks color softly when it’s clear who it is she is toiling over so much. Well, isn’t that sweet! He hums softly to himself as his order is set down and he pulls from his pocket a small journal. In neat Greek he jots down her and Ayden’s names before setting the little journal open on the table before him. It’s light magic and something he can do for now that Eros speaks the names quietly before he waves a hand over the paper. The names do nothing for a second then go from black ink to glowing pink lettering that wiggles a bit before lifting off the page to pull close to each other. On their frail impact the letters dissolve into nothing, the page blank before him.

   “Well, at least they’re compatible,” he smiles before shutting the little book and tucking it back into his pocket.

    On the third day, they speak. Or well, he does! He watches the recognition that she’s been caught dance across her little face but schools his own to an expression of understanding. She’s just curious if he can and will help! He’ll be kind and see what she needs.

    “I’ll take that as a yes,” he chuckles gently before he closes the book he’s actually reading this time when she has found him again. Its title is embossed in gold on its deep red cover as he sets the book down. Tristan and Iseult, the spelling and book itself old. Eros gestures to the seat across from him. “You’re safe friend, talk with me.”

[midnightriderx]

BASICS

FULL NAME: SASITHORN MANOBAL

» MEANING: Sasithorn [ This poetic word for the moon is also used as a name in its native Thailand, pronounced “sah-see-TAWN”. Sweet short form Sasi also means “moon”. ]; Manobal [ Thai มโน (mano) meaning "heart; mind; imagination" and "บาล" (ban) meaning "to protect; to tend; to govern". ]

NICKNAME: Night, Midnight, Sasi.

AGE: 24-years old.

DATE OF BIRTH: 1999 October 13, Wednesday, at dawn.

PLACE OF BIRTH: Bangkok, Thailand.

OCCUPATION: Mechanical Engineer for a large Japanese construction company; broadcast jockey on an establish social media site.

ORIENTATION: Pansexual; Panromantic.

GENDER: Cisgender Male.

VERSES: The Meaning of Forever.

POWERS: His abs............................

PERSONALITY

STRENGTHS: Loyal, Hard-Worker, Compassionate, Emotional, Brave.

WEAKNESSES: Insecure, Low Self-Esteem, Distant, Emotional, Cautious.

APPEARANCE

FACE CLAIM: Boss Chaikamon Sermsongwittaya.

HEIGHT: 6′0 [182 cm.]

WEIGHT: 149 lbs. [68 kg.]

BUILD: Lean with muscles.

GAIT: Relaxed.

HAIR COLOR: Black.

EYE COLOR: Dark brown.

BIRTHMARK: TBA. 

OVERVIEW: » SCARS: Yes, from minor accidents.

» TATTOOS: Yes, details to be added.

BACKGROUND

HOMETOWN: Bangkok, Thailand.

RESIDENCE: Bangkok, Thailand.

NATIONALITY: Thai.

ETHNICITY: Asian.

FINANCIAL STATUS: Middle class.

EDUCATION LEVEL: Graduated under the Faculty of Engineering in Chulalongkorn University.

DEGREES: Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

SPOKEN LANGUAGES: Night's first language is Thai. He speaks English as well, some Mandarin, Korean, and Japanese.

RELATIONSHIPS

PARENTS: Both parents are alive.

SIBLINGS: Three siblings, one older brother and a younger sister and twin brother, Saengdao who's name means starlight in Thai. Their mother wanted girls and was convinced she was having twin girls; she found out she was having twins but did not want to know their gender. She gave them names while still in her belly. Traditionally, their names are meant to be for female babies. Their mother didn't want to change their names and a bit disappointed that they are boys when they were born. She got over it pretty quickly though and although many pointed out the obvious favoritism, their mother loved them to the core. [ Saengdao means "starlight," and has just the right amount of whimsy to delight any dreamer. It comes from the Thai word saeng, meaning "light, ray, beam," and dao, which means "star." Saengdao was nicknamed Day. Growing up, his mother also called him Yihwa., saying that having him lights up her soul. In Thai, Yihwa (ยิหวา, RTGS: Yiwa, pronounced [jíʔ.wǎː]), also spelled Yiwha and Yiwah, is a feminine given name meaning "soul" or "heart". It is derived from Javanese: jiwa,[1] in turn from either Sanskrit or Pali jīva, meaning "life". It is often a shortened form of the associated name Wanyiwa (หวันยิหวา, also spelled Wanyihwa, etc.)]

CHILDREN: None.

PETS: A beta fish. He said it's probably one of the very few animals that he can own and won't run away from him even if they wanted to...

SIGNIFICANT RELATIONSHIPS: 

» Night was once very close to his twin Day but circumstances - and Aphrodite's curse - pulled them apart. Night is often seen hanging out with Zero, a photographer/film maker working for Amarin Group. He doesn't friends aside from Zero.

FAMILY HISTORY: Night was never favored by the gods. At least, this is what he claims. He wasn't entirely wrong as one god, Aphrodite or the entity that embodied this powerful being hold grudges against Night.

When Psyche was reborn for her punishment, she was given a new identity and a huge baggage in the form of her former family who instigated her rebellious and malicious acts against Eros.

Psyche who was known for her beauty now had a twin and she was reborn in a form of a human man. The gods said that with a duplicate, Psyche couldn't boast about her extraordinary beauty anymore because she looks exactly like another being.

But still, Psyche had an advantage over Night; Psyche a mortal turned to goddess had kept her charm. In her new body and life, she was more popular than any of her siblings, most especially her twin Night.

Even their parents favored Psyche.

When the twins were born, they were immediately compared to night and day and got their nicknames that way. Although both twins were fair in complexion, Day appeared to have fairer skin. And due to the culture's colorism, comparisons fed favoritism within the family.

Night developed insecurities and had issues with confidence. He worked as a mechanical engineer during the day and once midnight hit, he's a broadcast jockey who goes on live to entertain subscribers. This job appealed to him as he was able to distance his true self to the character he plays. He wore a mask and hid his face meanwhile letting thousands of people adore his body and what he can do with it. None of the people related to him in his private and professional life know this side of him.

Night got into adult entertainment online when he heard some students at his old university talked about it. He has been a broadcast jockey for the last three years but only really delved into adult entertainment this recent year.

ROMANTIC HISTORY: Night never had a proper relationship although he tried in the past. He was cheated on and they always preferred his twin brother, Day. There were several people who tried to get with him to get closer to Day.

Although in his past life, Night was said to be very jealous of Psyche but in this lifetime, Night for whatever reason just feels embarrassment when he's around his twin. He doesn't resent Day and missed the times when they were really close. He tried to avoid Day even when he goes home to visit their parents. But since they both live in Bangkok, there are still times when they cross paths.

Night is not entirely without his own successes but as the curse/punishment follows him, there were mouths that talked about him stealing the spotlight from Day.

PLATONIC RELATIONSHIPS: Night is good friends with Zero; they sometimes ride bikes together. He likes that Zero cannot speak the way people like him speak - not that Zero has a problem expressing his thoughts - but he appreciated that he can just be quiet around Zero and not have to deal with 'sorry' and 'are you okay' comments. Although, he always thought that Zero never really felt bad for him and treated him like another person struggling with family issues and inner demons. Zero also never treated him special and that his flaws are all his and no one caused them and could be blamed for them other than his own way of dealing with his situation. It makes him forget that he does have that shadow that follows him around that he can't shake off. Anyway, he enjoys Zero's company and often times, he accompanies Zero on photography trips. They usually ride their bikes to locations.

THOUGHTS ON LOVE: "It's not for me."

HEALTH

PHOBIA(S): None, clinically.

HANDICAP(S): None.

MENTAL DISEASE(S): Depression, anxiety.

PHYSICAL DISEASE(S): None.

PREDISPOSITION(S): Alcoholism.

[starlightmoon96]

The age of Rosalie Chapter 5.

"I can't believe a human managed to get the drop on you?" Lucrecio said those words to Rosalie, she had her head resting on his lap while the two where sitting on one of the love seats Rosalie owned in her mansion. The two where in her library, Rosalie called her husband after what had happened to her and explained why she went after Alastor.

"I can't believe it either, Alastor wasn't like normal humans that's tried to kill me over the centuries. He was the closest and I'll give the guy credit." After saying that Lucrecio lovingly rubbed the top of Rosalie's head

"From the way you described him I have a feeling he might cause an uproar in the pride ring."

The thought worried Rosalie she did contact her daughter and warned her about Alastor, she had good timing by the time Rosalie informed her daughter Alastor had appeared in hell.

Rosalie had quite a different night. Just as she was recovering from the blood loss and making tea in her kitchen she head a noise from her garden that caught her attention.

"The fuck?" Being curious Rosalie went outside to her garden, she didn't see anyone at first...until she saw a demon passed out on her rose brushes that where covered in snow, seeing the bright beautiful tail feather she knew that she was seeing a passed out Goetia.

"Well...this feels familiar?" When she got closer to the goetia like with Lucrecio when she first met him he reeked of strong alcohol that made her cover her nose

"Whoa...he smell worse." She pocked the demon with a gardening broom a few times and the guy fell on the ground in the snow on his back, Rosalie was surprised by the Goetia. He was young around seventeen years old. He wasn't really dressed like royalty but like a rebellious teenager, he also had different colors from the Goetia that Rosalie knew about and different colors like that of Lucrecio who was a prince. His tail feathers where beautiful peacock feathers and his main feathers on his body was dark blue and the top part of his head was light green, another thing noticed was the smell. Yes he reeked like alcohol but he also had the faint smell of sex also and sensed that it was apart of him.

" I have a feeling his situation might be similar to Lucrecio when I first met him?" Rosalie was familiar with this type of dance, she brought the young Goetia into her home and put him in her library study while she made something for the kids hangover. By the time Rosalie finished making the drink Lucrecio had returned but he wasn't alone with him was Cordelia, she explained how she found a Goetia outside and brought him in her home. Instead of Rosalie bringing the kid the medicinal drink the person that brought it was Lucrecio, when he entered the library the kid had started waking up he groaned in slight pain and holding the side of his head as he was sitting up.

"My fucking head." The second after he said that Lucrecio had handing him the drink standing near him

"Here, this will help really quick." Not looking at him the young Goetia took the drink from him and drank it and Lucrecio questioned him

"Your one of Grand Duke's Armaan children aren't you? Duke Eros his second child?" Saying that the kid look at him and was a little surprised to see him in front of him

"Lucrecio?Your...alive?"

"Care to explain what you where doing in my wife's prized rose garden your grace?" Was Lucrecio's question to Eros, him saying whose garden caught the kids attention he then noticed that he wasn't in hell upon looking at his surroundings

 "This doesn't look like we're in hell?"

"Just answer my question first and I MIGHT answer yours?"  Having that said to Eros, the teenager sighed and sat back down

" I guess it's alright to tell you, your not like usual goetia. Your the first to rebel and leave. I've heard about you and what you've tried to do when you where younger than me… also…I already know about your marriage,

I'm a secrete ally with the sinner twilight." Him saying that really shocked Lucrecio more so with Rosalie and Cordelia hearing him from the other side of the door, being surprised Rosalie couldn't help but open the door and revealed herself along with Cordelia being right with her

"I have a sense you haven't said a word to anyone? Out of fear maybe?" Of course the kid that a little surprised seeing Rosalie in person but he calmed himself down

"No...out of respect...I actually do believe in Prince Lucrecio cos, I'm on your side." Him saying that really surprised the family of three then the young duke looked at Rosalie

"You maybe a very skilled and fearful demon hunter, but the way Helen told about you...and the things you've done for change over the few centuries in the living world. I have nothing but respect."

"Your different like Lucrecio, your sick of the outdated traditions as well. Have you ever voiced your thoughts?" Her asking that Lucrecio answered her

"He can't, not in his position. He's the second child of the Grand Duke's." That one caught Rosalie's interests

"Grand Duke? That's new I thought there where only dukes?"

"This group of Goetia is different, THAT family has a blood relation to Asmodeus . Hence the reason why he had similar colors to the King of the Lust Ring, because of that bloodline they where given the title Grand Duke and equal to power and raking of king. This family member is the second son of Grand Duke Armaan , they reside in the lust ring Duke Eros."

"That explains why I detected the faint smell of sex on him?" Rosalie said that and Cordelia noticed that Eros tensed up when her mother mentioned the word sex

"Wait a minute? Are you....uncomfortable with sex?"Her saying that caught her father's attention that made him look at Eros who was looking at his feet with a nervous look in his eyes then Rosalie spoke up to him

"It's okay to speak freely here." Eros was very hesitant at first but after a couple of minutes he spoke

"Yes....I'm actually......asexual...I've...never had sex with anyone...No one ever caught my interest." That word really shocked Lucrecio

"A blood member of the embodiment of lust and the sin of lust....asexual? That's impossible...or at the very least unheard off." Eros sighed after hearing that and he then continued talking

"This is why I never said anything to anyone, people assumed that I'm just like the other members in my family. I purposefully sneaked out with our guards noticing in thinking that I was getting some ACTION in different ring, when really I just couldn't stand being in the lust ring. I've always hated the smell and even more so whenever I would be around Asmodeus, I preferred staying FAR away from him and that ring if I had a choice....I was out drinking to myself in the sloth ring and I guess I had too much? I didn't notice that I opened I portal to earth instead?"

Because of his story and for being an ally with Helen Rosalie had offered Eros in staying in her home from time to time and he accepted, he ended up staying in Rosalie's mansion for three weeks with a cover story saying that he would be traveling for a bit and his family believed him. During that time him and Cordelia had became close since she was staying in her mother's home after Alastor started causing a little chaos in hell upon his arrival and Helen kept herself safe and out of Alastor's way, hearing the news on how Alastor was powerful it amazed her with just how evil his soul was.

During those three weeks Eros and Cordelia had became so close that the two had ended up dating, in those short weeks the two had strong feelings for each other and both had confessed their undying love for one another. Even after Eros's three weeks where up and returned to hell the two didn't stop seeing each other in secrete so other demons nor the goetia family would find out about the two of them, withing four months of dating Eros had proposed to Cordelia and she said yes after the two had fallen in love. That love was so strong that the two had bonded their souls with each other a lot like how Rosalie bonded her soul with Lucrecio, Cordelia's parents have their blessing even and Lucrecio even performed the wedding with just the four of them at the same place Rosalie and Lucrecio had their wedding in the Belmont garden at night under the blood moon in France.

Within the first month of Cordelia and Eros being newly weds Cordelia was already pregnant, how the child will out was a type of mystery. They didn't know if the child would look less human or more like a goetia, Cordelia's pregnancy lasted for three months unlike Rosalie. However Cordelia's pregnancy was......horrible compared to her mothers, she had DEEP demon like hungers mainly for meat. It was so bad that she had live caudal a few times while she was in France in the country side, a lot of sheep also thus her beginning of the legend of the harpy women in 1934 both in France and Scotland. The animal eating only lasted for a month because she gave birth to her egg which was eight pounds for the process of the egg hatching the eggs color was different, the egg was a beautiful light sky blue like a cardinal egg.

On August 24 1934 Cordelia's and Eros's daughter was hatched out of her egg, what really shocked the family that her eyes where two different colors one eye green just like Rosalie's father's and the other the same shade of blue in Rosalie's eyes and her blood red with the feathers with the tips being the same light blue as Asmodeus if she was goetia. The blood red was one thing but have Rosalie's eye color was another since no Goetia or demon besides Cordelia had those eyes, how she would look when she got older was a little bit of a concern and worry if she started looking a lot like her human grandmother who was still feared and hated by demons. 

Eros's had made a cover story with the rest of the grand duke family about his daughter that he named Harmonia, Cordelia was to be kept secrete from the rest of the Goetia family besides the family of the Grand Duke since she still on her second identity of being a sinner. But because she had the title of an overlord Eros's father Grand Duke Armaan

allowed it and since Eros was the first to give him an heir instead of his older brother of three years, because he was able to produce and heir first as much as Eros didn't like it he was given a much more higher status than his brother Duke Bhojadeva.

Harmonia was the first member of the grand duke family whose name didn't mean desire or lust instead her name meant ' Unity' also it was only Eros's father that knew that Cordelia wasn't a sinner but instead a half human/goetia but didn't reveal the identity for Cordelia's mother claiming that he didn't know who she was.

As for Rosalie she still did her best with helping humanity and when ww2 started in 1939 she knew she needed to help the nation the she called home along with making certain that the Belmont home wouldn't be in any danger, she had very loyal humans on her side that gave her information about the person that started the war. Hitler was the person that started the Nazi's and putting Jewish people in concentration camps which she knew she needed to free those people and their children from Europe, another thing that she was aware of where certain demons that loved war and feeling off it and feeding off fear she had killed dozens of different ranking of demons in protecting what she could. Lucrecio did what he could to help, the same with Cordelia and even Eros since he was now a part of Rosalie's family and a in law of the Belmont family, in secrete Rosalie had supplied the united states military with her solider pills and plasma pills. Not only those pills but also pills that she created for healing broken bones and help with pain almost instantly, she didn't give them to just soldiers she also gave those pills to villages and towns where where invaded by Nazi's and the children that she rescued she had brought them to Rosemont and told the current head mistress the situation and took those children in the school. It wasn't just the school she also requested the families that she was allied with in taking in the children temporary until the war was over, those families agreed with her request, as much as Rosalie didn't like killing humans she had no choice and those Nazi's where already going to hell so to convince herself she told herself that she was just speeding up the process.

For five years to 1945 Rosalie had killed over a hundred Nazi's and freed thousands of people that she could, many camps and the prisoners dealt with a lot of mental pain and Rosalie was aware of it especially with the women and children. Rosalie knew there was only one real way in ended the war with Germany and that was killing Hitler eve after WW2 ended she needed to kill the man that started it all and she knew it needed to be done by her hands alone, before she carried out her plan she inform Helen about a Hitler soon to be in hell and request him to really suffer and her friend and those that where with Helen where more than happy in fulfilling that request for Rosalie.

  It took two years in 1947 to find Hitler and his location before caring out her mission she had worn her demon hunters clothing, for making things a little stealthy for her she chopped off her hair to her shoulders. Before she left Lucrecio had wished her luck and kissed her goodbye and for luck, another good luck kiss she gave was on the forehead of her new grandson of three years old named Eadwardsone who had Cordelia's eyes. Rosalie also kissed and hugged her granddaughter who was fourteen years old and the spitting image of Rosalie when she was younger if goetia form despite Rosalie looking like she was still sixteen years old, Harmonia admired her grandmother so much that she wore the colors of her demon hunters robes and bared half of the Belmont crest but on the opposite side from Cordelia.

With the resources Rosalie had she knew where to find Hitler and where to strike, she went to Berlin Germany using a portal she learned how to do from Lucrecio and the location her destination was führerbunker from her sources said that Hitler was hiding. She decided to make her attack at night however something she wasn't expecting was facing a demon on her way to the bunker.

"Well...isn't this a nice surprise." Rosalie said that to the demon figure that was right in front of her and the demon having her back to her which was surprised hearing her voice, when the demon turned around she saw that it was large demon hound. And from the looks of the hound it looked like he was on a mission himself, of course he was shocked seeing Rosalie in person as she drew out her morning star with a serious look on her face.

"R-Rosalie Belmont?" Was what the demon hound said as he started backing away from her and she said to the demon

"This human is MINE to kill, the only smart thing you can do is not getting in my fucking way."

Rosalie didn't want to risk more demons after her target so she just killed the hellhound, he did put up a fight but he wasn't a match for her. Another thing she had to deal with where the nazi guards that where protecting Hitler though she still didn't mind killing those humans if it meant getting to her target, she could have used a portal but she didn't want that. Those people that where Nazi even if they where forced needed to face their actions, so yay the bunker had turned into a blood bath. Using stealth and magic to gain the upper hand and hiding her identity, she saved the best for last. When she found Hitler he begged for his life and she didn't listen to him, before she killed him she tortured him so that he knew the pain and fear that he had inflected on thousands of people.

[penhive]

March 31, 2023

Creativity is chaos redefined. A lot has been going on in my head. I am thinking of emotions and feelings and they are a cathartic subjectivity and they are so irrational. I saw the motion of ant, a tiny creature and it was a dancing waltz. It was poetry humming in time. While listening to old hymns I feel the presence of Christ. My body’s needs of physical intimacy are not being satisfied and my wife is a social media nerd. I write God’s name in Hebrew and Greek and I ask him to immerse my body, mind, soul, spirit and loins with blessings, cured curses and miracles. Eros is life and Thanatos is death. I am a muse of feelings. I ask God every day that I can transcend all the poets, novelists and philosophers that I have read. The muse of feeling is a beautiful rainbow. I wonder why God is giving me trials and temptations. Yes, the Lord is my shepherd and I lack nothing. I love to become Nietzsche’s Zarathustra and also be a professing Christian. Many a time I have backslided but I have got a prodigal welcome from God on my return. I feel unhappy that I could not marry my college sweetheart. Yes the first kiss from her was a beatific poem. I also cajoled her breasts with loving fantasy. Words have become thoughts and thoughts have become things. I am living in the word of flesh and the spirit of meaning. I am writing with a poet’s heart and with a muse of feeling. I look at the evening sky soaked in a myriad of colors and I become a beatific entity. I wonder why the Philosopher Nietzsche hated God. And why he became mad. Music makes the soul happy. I feel contented about life with no regrets. The peace of God that transcends all understanding be with me. Though I have no money, I live the millionaire mindset. My body is an orgasm of eroticism and my soul a butterfly of hope. I am happy that God has forgiven all my transgressions. I think why God blessed Abraham’s maid Hagar and her son Ishmael and made him inheritors of a great nation. If God can bless the gentiles why can’t God bless me? Yes, my flesh is weak but the spirit is willing. Let my will yield to the will of God. The mystery of life can’t be fathomed. Beauty is form, content and meaning. Beauty is the poetry of life. Art is the essence of life. I have copulated with muses in my dream. I wish that the fantasy of my dream life merge with fiction of real life. Eros is the poetry of meaning. Existence is the authentication of essence. Existence is the privilege of meaning and not condemnation.  Existence has to be lived creatively. Existence is the celebration of meaning. This my postmodern view of existentialism. When Christ was asked to pay taxes he asked his disciple to fetch a coin from the fish’s mouth and said the iconic statement: give unto Caesar what is his and give unto mine what I mine. Christ was hinting about the necessity of material provisions and where there is lack of money, Christ will intervene supernaturally.