#yes. I included his pretty long eyelashes

[freshmarketflesh]

Album redraw part 11

ROB VAN DAM as Limp Bizkit’s “significant other” album cover

[rafeandonlyrafe]

the beginning

words: 1.4k

warnings: 18+ only, smut, pretty fluffy and cute tho, male masturbation, kinda creeping on reader by masturbating to pics of her?, p in v sex, brief male receiving handjob, unprotected sex, a bunch of different scenes with time gaps this isnt one continuous fic if that makes sense?

“your bikini is so cute.” you tell your friend, looking at your own swimsuit in the mirror.

“i have another one in a different color, you wanna borrow it?” julie offers.

“girl, yes!” you squeal as she digs through her closet before tossing the small material to you. you were invited on rafe camerons boat, and while you chose your best swimsuit, you just moved to the outer banks from new york city and don’t have a ton of options.

you put the swimsuit on before standing next to your friend. “we look good.” you nod.

“damn girl, the boys are gonna be all over you.” “hopefully including rafe.” you say, a slight blush coming to your cheeks. it didn’t take you long to learn that rafe was the it boy of the outer banks, the kook prince, and that all the girls wanted him. you didn’t get the hype until you met him at a party and instantly became attracted.

“there’s no way he’s gonna be able to keep his eye of you.” julie encourages you, before glancing at her phone. “we better get going.”

you nod, looking one last time in the mirror before putting your coverup on and following julie out of her room.

--

“hey rafe.” you smile at him, letting him sling his arm around your shoulder. you’ve been flirting a lot, its how you got invited onto his boat along with a few other friends, but you haven’t progressed past just talking.

“hey.” rafe tugs you into him, making you press against his shirtless torso, in just his swim shorts. “wanna come up and drive with me?”

“yeah.” you nod, briefly looking to julie to make sure she was good, but she's already twirling her hair and batting her eyelashes at kelce.

you follow rafe up to the stairs to the second story of the yacht where the captains helm is. you sit next to him on the bench as he steers the boat out of the marina. 

“this is a really nice boat.” you comment. “maybe you should give some advice to my parents on what to buy, my dad is looking but has no clue what is good.” you say without thinking, before cringing at your words, worrying rafe might mistake your small talk as wanting him to meet your parents.

“ah yeah, didn’t have much opportunities to own a yacht in new york, huh?” rafes says as his arms move the wheel, making your attention shift to his muscles.

“nope.” you shake your head. “but i’m glad we moved, i love the city but its really nice to be somewhere… calmer.”

“i’m glad you moved too.” rafe says with a smile, making you blush as you nod at him. you manage to make the small talk not overly awkward as he drives the boat out towards the ocean before finding a place to drop anchor and hang out for a bit.

“wanna swim?” rafe asks as you both head down the stairs, rejoining the group.

“yeah.” you nod, pulling your coverup off over your head. you toss it onto a soft before turning to rafe, who is staring down at your body, blatantly checking you out as he pulls his lower lip between his teeth.

he doesn’t snap out of it until topper claps him on the shoulder. “i got the ladder in for us, man.”

“yeah, yeah thanks.” rafe nods, eyes finally flicking up to meet yours.

“y/n! jump in with me!” julie calls.

“lets go?” you tilt your head, looking to rafe.

“wait before you jump in i want to get a picture of everyone.” rafe shouts out, pulling his phone out of his pocket and handing it to topper. “you'll take it?”

“yeah, sure.” topper says, looking at his friend a little strangely.

you all group together on the front deck, rafe moving so you’re in the center, his arm around your waist as you smile at the camera. you change your pose a couple times as topper continues to snap pictures, including turning towards rafe and placing your hand on his abs, still grinning as you pose.

rafe eyes up topper as he leans and picks you up, topper getting the message to record as you let out a shriek, wrapping your arms around rafes shoulder as he hurdles towards the water before jumping off the back deck, sending a spray of water as you let go of him and swim towards the surface.

you push the hair out of your face before sending a splash in rafes direction, scrunching your brows to show your anger at getting tossed in, but you can’t help the smile that stretches over your cheeks.

--

rafe gives you a tight hug, not caring that your hair is still wet and smelling of salt water. “i had fun today.”

“i did too.” you nod, getting on your tip toes to press your lips to his cheek. 

“what are you doing tomorrow?” rafe questions.

“why, wanna take me on a date?” you ask, biting your lip as your eyes glance between his eyes and his lips.

“and what if i do?” rafe smirks.

“then i’m definitely free.” 

“pick you up at 6:30 then.” rafe says, pulling you against him again before letting you go, watching you get into julies car.

--

“fuck.” rafe groans, hips thrusting forward as he fucks his fist, phone pulled open to the pictures he had topper took. he doesn’t give a shit about anyone else, he cropped everyone out but you, in your tiny lilac bikini.

rafe groans, wanting to squeeze his eyes shut as he squeezes the head of his dick, imagining it was you instead, either your mouth on him or you spread out below him, moaning as he fucks into your cunt.

rafe thinks about texting you, about begging you to come over, but he remembers your date tomorrow, knows what is going to happen after if things go well. he doesn’t want to seem too desperate, but you’re too pretty, too enticing as he swipes to the next photo, the photo of you turned to the side, hand on his bare abdomen.

he looks at the curve of your ass, the way the bikini hugs your hips. rafe strokes faster, imagining his hand making impact with your bum, watching the skin ripple.

“y/n.” rafe groans out your name as he cums, releasing over his stomach as he squeezes himself until he’s satisfied, smiling as he swipes again, this time to the video of him picking you up and running into the water.

--

“this is easily the best first date i’ve ever had.” you say as rafe drives you home. it was surprisingly simple, a picnic on the beach all set up by rafe, and then some live music on the pier.

“mine too.” rafe says, placing a cautious hand on your thigh, relieved when you smile at him.

“you know…” you begin as rafe pulls up to your door. “my parents are back in new york this weekend.”

“really?” rafe hums, bringing the car up the driveway.

“if you’d like to come in for some… tea.” 

“tea, sure.” rafe nods, turning his truck off.

you move quickly inside. while you made up the tea excuse to get him in, you both know what the intentions are as rafe presses you against the wall of the entrance as soon as the door swings shut behind you, his lips meeting yours.

--

“good morning.” you mumble, turning over in rafes arms, both still naked from the night before.

“morning.” rafe says, his voice gruff from just waking. he moves a hand to your hair, brushing it out of your face. “you look beautiful.”

“not too bad yourself.” you smile, pressing your lips against rafes.

the kiss instantly wakes him up as his hand moves to the back of your neck, deepening the kiss as he turns so he’s over top of your body, your hair flared out on the pillow.

you smirk into the kiss when you can feel rafe growing against your stomach. you reach down with one hand, grasping his shoulder to keep him close and kissing you with the other while you stroke his cock, getting it to full hardness quickly.

“when are your parents home?” rafe asks suddenly when he pulls away.

“um-” your brain briefly doesn’t work at the randomness of the question. “monday evening.” “i say-” rafe says, reaching down and grasping his cock, pushing your hand out of the way as he rubs the head of his cock through your pussy. “we spent the entire weekend in bed then.”

you gasp as rafe thrusts into you, filling your cunt in one swoop. “sounds good to me.” you say, before pulling him back into a kiss.

taglist: @drewstarkeyslut @rafecamerongirl @f4ll-for-you @dilvcv @drudyslut @jjmaybankswifes-blog @rafescokenostril @jjsmarijuana @jjmaybankisbae @seeingstarks @angelofcigs @cece45450 @babygorewhore @vanessa-rafesgirl @michelleisheres-blog @outerbankspov @drewstarkeyswifehoe @cutielando @kamninaries @buckyswhxre @rafeinterlude @bellbottombaby @deeaardiary

[verinarin]

✧･ﾟ:* ~ 𝙫𝙚𝙞𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜; 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬

fluff; she likes to touch, he likes to see her touch.

a/n : starting now every fic of mine that has his view on it means the fic is in his pov

She likes to touch.

She would let her fingers traverse through any surfaces she could find, whether it’s soft or cold she doesn’t mind. Her fingers seem to have a mind of its own.

I find it cute that she has this unquenchable curiosity, it’s oddly charming. Another thing I'd like to add is that she adores touching me. Well, I can’t really say what she finds so interesting about an old guy like me, my skin ain’t soft or anything.

It’s full of scars, it’s rough, coarse. Hell, my arm even glows, ain’t that creepy for a pretty girl ?

But she adores it like a kid holding her favorite toy, keeping it close and never letting it go. Once she sets her eyes on something, she’ll get it. Aghh perhaps that’s my fault for spoiling her too much, but how can I not ?

Maybe I’m a fool to let her boss around me, but then again I don’t mind it.

Not even a bit.

“Hey lady, can ya stop tickling my biceps ?” I sigh, looking at my arm that’s currently resting on her lap. It looks ridiculously big against her thighs. I couldn’t see her expression properly, I was too struck by her eyelashes, has it always been that long ?

My head leans forward right beside her face so I could see her better. From the bridge of her nose to her pouty lips painted by the pink rouge that I bought her yesterday, “Husshh I’m doing something important here !” she shushes me, the audacity of this brat.

I couldn’t help but chuckle as I let her finger trace my veins, is she counting my heartbeat or something ? I can’t tell. She starts from my wrist to the farthest part of my arm that’s not covered by the sleeve. I rolled my sleeves earlier since it was annoying but I didn’t know my arm would be a plaything for the girl.

“Care to tell me what is this important thing ?” I ask, now her hands grip my biceps, perhaps squeeze is a better word to describe it.

Is she massaging my arm ?

“You know how you could read the future based on your palm,” she explains as she lifts my biceps towards me, well she struggles at it.

I lift my biceps for her to entertain her explanation,“Yeah ?”

“I’m doing it but to your veins instead,” that’s a cute excuse.

“So miss fortune teller, what do my veins say to you ?” I laugh as I tilt her chin up to look at me, never noticing how pretty her lips are.

Ahhh I’m gettin distracted.

“It said that we should eat steak for dinner,” she smiles, that’s a smile men would go to war for.

Including me naturally.

“Is that so ?” I ask, not noticing that my lips curve into a smirk.

“Yes, if it’s not for dinner then there’s an unlucky event that’ll happen in the foreseeable future,” she continues, I mean she wouldn’t have to do make up this little stunt. Hell, any desire that comes out of that pretty mouth is like a mission to fulfill for me.

“Well, I can’t have that now can I ? steak it is then,” I let out a small chuckle, before leaning closer to her. I brushed her hair back to press a small kiss on her forehead, then her face turned as red as a strawberry.

Real cute.

[myfeetrcolddd]

A date? (PART TWO!!)

Theo kept to his word. After leaving the cafe he took her hand in his once more, intertwining their fingers together. He walked so close to her that their shoulders kept brushing.

"D'you want to go to the bookstore?" Y/N asked innocently, batting her pretty little eyelashes at him in a way she knew always worked on him.

He pursed his lips and acted as though he was annoyed by the prospect of going there, even though he had planned to go there. After all that was the one store she had gone to consistently every time she was at Hogsmeade. "I suppose so." He rolled his eyes with a grin and she shoved him lightly.

Theo tossed their empty cups into a trash can before he held the door open for her and let her in.

Theo watched her face as it morphed into this giddy childlike expression and found himself smiling at it. A thought came to mind, a muggle phrase he had heard once, 'Happy wife, happy life' and he knew they weren't married (yet), but he couldn't help but feel as though that phrase was nothing but the truth.

He followed her around the store, listening intently as she rambled on about each book and the plotlines. He held the books she handed to him and kept track of those she lingered on but didn't pick up.

Theo was not known for his patience, or his ability to stay quite for such a long time without putting in his two cents. This was not the case with Y/N, because when he was with her he found his loud and over busy mind was calm and quite. He liked that nearly as much as he liked the girl herself.

"Are you sure this isn't too much?" She asked, as she stared at the stack of books she hadn't realized had gotten so high. Truth was that she always felt bad about spending Theos money, she never wanted him to think she was only friends with him for his money.

"If you asked I'd buy you the whole store." He said casually as he paid for the books.

She was glad he had his back to her, because if he didn't then he'd see how flustered that 'casual' comment made her. Though she imagined it wouldn't matter, nearly everything Theo said to her made her blush to some extent.

Before she could grab the bag of books herself Theodore did, he then grabbed her hand and without thinking kissed the back of it. Y/N felt as though she looked as red as a tomato right then.

He mumbled something in another language, Italian. Though she could barely hear it and even if she could hear it it's not as if she would have been able to understand.

She'd have to ask him about it later.

Soon the two found themselves walking into The Three Broomsticks. "I'll go get us a seat, you order." Y/N says, leaving no room for argument before she took the heavy bag of books out of Theos hands and going to find a booth.

Thankfully there was a empty booth towards the back, away from any prying eyes. Not that she wanted to keep this day a secret, but she had her what ifs about this day she was nearly certain was a date. What ifs that included Theo denying the day ever happened.

As she waited for the Slytherin boy to return Y/N found herself getting nervous. Pulling her out of her thoughts someone cleared their throat above her.

She turned and found one of the boys she had 'hung out' with in fifth year. It was awkward when I realized it was a date, but we kept talking and I thought I might've been able to like him. But then he ghosted me.

"Oh- Ben! Hi." She said glancing behind him to see Theodore still waiting for their drinks.

"Hey." He smirked, "Long time no see."

"Uh- yeah." She glanced back over at Theo who still had yet to notice what was happening, "What are you doing here?"

"I just saw you over and thought I'd come to say hi." He shrugged and she grew a little irritated, because this guy hadn't come to say 'hi' to her in the past two years.

"Oh well. You've said it." She said, not so subtly.

"Yes I have." He looked her up and down and it was then that she was thankful for having learned social ques, had she been in this interaction a few years ago she would think he really was telling the truth. "Listen, I think we should hang out sometime-"

"Sorry, her schedules full." Theo says from behind Ben and we both turn to him.

"Well I'm sure she can make some room-"

"Nope." Theo says, shoving past the short boy and sliding into the seat next to Y/N. He places their drinks down on the table before wrapping an arm around her, "Is that all? Or is there more we can help you with?"

"Look-"

"I really think you should leave Benjamín." Theo glares, not bothering to hide his aggravated mood.

Ben scoffs before stomping away.

Even with Ben gone Theo kept his arm around her, if she didn't know any better she'd say he actually held her tighter. Despite the mood Ben seemed to put Theo in Y/N couldn't help but be amused and let out a giggle.

His head snapped to hers, their faces closer than they've ever been, "Do you find this amusing?" He raised an unamused brow at her.

"No." She grinned, then leant forward picking up her butterbeer and taking a sip.

"Mhm." He hummed unconvinced and she kept grinning and Theo dropped the moody act, smiling and shaking his head at the pretty girl and drank his own butterbeer.

They slipped into a comfortably silence and Y/N figured now would be a good time to ask him. "So..." She started, keeping her eyes on the foam floating around her drink.

"So." Theo copied, his eyes on the side of her head.

"Are we on a date right now?" She ripped the band-aid off, turning to him and he froze. His eyes widening and his cheeks flushing slightly.

He then grinned, a wide ear to ear grin, flashing me with the deepest dimples I have ever seen. "I was wondering when you'd piece it together."

"I-what?" She spluttered and looked at him confused. She wasn't sure what she had expected his answer to be but it surely wasn't this.

"You heard me." He whispered, leaning in closer. His eyes darted from her lips to her eyes.

Y/N cleared her throat loudly and turned to face her drink once more, Theo laughed and brushed a stay piece of hair behind her ear. "I like you, Y/N." He said in a low voice that made her feel all kinds of things. "Actually, I like you a lot."

She swallowed her dry spit at his words as her face heated so much she might as well be the fucking sun. "I've liked you for a while now, a few years give or take. Personally, I thought I was kind of obvious with it." He spoke into her ear and she huffed.

Turning her head towards him once more their faces were so close their noses rubbed each other. Theo opened his mouth to say something else but she cut him off. "Theo, are you going to kiss me or not?"

He grinned before he grabbed her face and their lips met in a passionate kiss.

[neteyamslovrr]

congrats on 2k babes!🫶🫶🫶💖💖💖💖 if no one requested it yet, i’d like to request #7 with neteyam bc yk i’m in love with neytiri and i need her validatiooon

ADORES YOU

another drabble for 2k and its neteyam!!!! ugh love that guy (it's currently 2am but i could not sleep so 🫶)

yawntutsyìp - darling, little loved one

_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

neteyam was everything you could've asked for in a mate. he was loving, he was caring, he was kind. He knew you inside and out as you did him. but something that constantly ran through your mind was if you were good enough for him. more specifically if his mother thought you were.

you adored Neytiri. she was brave, she was powerful and she was protective. she was someone you truely looked up to. which is why when neteyam would ask you (beg you) to eat dinner at his home, however you were always weary.

"we've been together for a long enough time now, you shouldn't be afraid of my mother." neteyam was sitting across from you holding your hands tight in his grip.

"i'm not afraid! i've spoken with your mother before i just don't want her to think badly of me. i want to be a good mate for you." neteyam's expression softened as he let out a sigh before squeezing your hand reassuringly.

"my beautiful girl you know you are a good mate for me. you are wonderful in every aspect, and i know my mother sees that." you looked up to him giving him a loving gaze, kissing his lips softly before caressing his cheek.

"i'll go, okay?" neteyams smile lit up as he engulfed you in a tight embrace.

"thankyou yawntutsyìp, thankyou."

_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

you were seated around a low table that was set up with an array of food including bugs, small servings of fruit and the meat jake had caught early that week.

the atmosphere in your mates home was calm, it was like a warm hug almost, love filling the entire space.

"so neteyam says you are very good at weaving?" jake started the conversation right after slurping his food. neteyam smiled at you, motivating you to speak to the slightly intimidating Olo'eytkan in front of you.

"yes, yes! i make lots of jewellery for my friends and mother, and i tend to help make alot of the materials around here."

" can you make me a pretty necklace pleassee" tuk smiled up at you her eyelashes batting as she begged.

"tuk, you do not beg to the guests." neytiri chimed in, giving you an apologetic look.

"oh no! it's okay i'd love to make tuk one. she could have a matching one for the one i made neteyam? maybe?"

tuk excitedly jumped around before giving you a big hug. "thankyou thankyou." you smiled hugging her back before digging into your food.

neytiri smiled at the two girls bonding. and neteyam caught on giving his mother a knowing smile. neytiri looked at him, while you were still animatedly talking to tuk. and gave him a nod.

the nod was important. it was to say. she is a perfect mate, she is good to have around and neteyam was filled with joy as soon as he caught on.

_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

leaving neteyam's tent it was time for you to head home, so as he always did he started walking you home with his arm wrapped tightly around your waist.

"it wasn't as scary as i thought it would be" you smiled up at him, happy that the night went so well.

"my family loves you, you're going to have to come around more often."

"what about your mother? does she like me?" neteyam squeezed you a little tighter as he smiled down at you.

"my mother adores you." your face lit up, a huge smile bursting onto your face.

"she does?! oh i'm so glad." you stopped to give him a tight embrace, overwhelmed by the joy of being accepted by his mother.

"so this means you might just have to eat dinner with me every night, isn't that terrible?" you gave him a little nudge, rolling your eyes.

"i'll have to get started on tuk's necklace then if i'm coming back."

"i think you'll have to gather more supplies because she will be begging for jewellery everytime you come over." giggling you realised that you had reached where your family was situated in high camp.

neteyam leaned down to give you a soft good night kiss. "i'll see you tomorrow teyam." you gave him another kiss.

"sleep well pretty girl."

_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

thankyou for reading (⁠´⁠∩⁠｡⁠•⁠ ⁠ᵕ⁠ ⁠•⁠｡⁠∩⁠`⁠) reblogs super duper appreciated!!

[websterss]

DATING TEDROS PENDRAGON INCLUDES…

REQUEST: I was wondering if I could request a Tedros x afab reader headcannons for dating! It could go in any way you like!

WARNING(S): none. fluff.

PAIRING: Tedros Pendragon x afab!Reader    

A/N: Hope you enjoy it! <3 Feedback is always welcomed!

MASTERLIST

At first, you had no interest in the future prince of Camelot. Too busy and too unbothered to pay the boy any mind. You mostly kept to your books, nose delved deep into an enchanting love story that seemed too good to be true. But these were your history. All the fairytales and love stories that your mother told you to help you sleep, were all written within the pages your eyes scanned, and fingers glided down. They were far more interesting than that of King Arthur’s son.

Tedros started to finally take notice of you one day, eyes shifting onto your figure that sat alone in a corner table during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Each time you got up to leave the great hall. His eyes would trail after the swift movements of your gown swaying side to side with each step you took. 

You intrigued him. You had him wondering why you appeared to be the only one who didn’t fawn over his looks, his title, or who his father was. 

Why did he only just start to see you? He pondered whether you were new but you weren’t. You had been there just as long as the rest of the Evers were.

His guilty conscience made him feel bad for never knowing your name. Knowing who you are because you appeared to be a wonderful soul.

It made him question so many things. So he set out to befriend you.

It first began with the introduction of one another. He hoped you would shake his extended hand but you only set your book down and stared quizzically at him. An eyebrow raised at his odd behavior.

“Hello, I don’t think we’ve formally met-“

“We have.” You cut him off bluntly. Tedros winces and retracts his hands.

“W-We have?”

“Yes.” You blink expressionless at him.

“I don’t believe so. I would’ve remember a pretty face such as yours-“

“Well, you didn’t. Otherwise you would’ve remembered that you bumped into me on the first day, told me to watch where I was going. Quite the impression you’ve set…” You gave him a light tip smile.

His face falls. Mouth opening and closing, in hopes to make things right. “I-I’m so sorry. I didn’t-“

The hand you raise cuts him off. You save the poor boy from embarrassing himself. “No need to apologize. All is forgotten.”

“What about…forgiven?” He looks up through his eyelashes with hope.

“I suppose that depends on how you make this interaction.” You smirk. Then avert your eyes back onto your book. This causes him to smirk.

“May I sit?” He gestured to the chair beside you. You meet his gaze, pursing your lips in thought. Then turn to your book.

“No.” You want to laugh at his puzzled face.

“No?” He scoffs, but laughter follows after. “Are you reserving these chairs for someone then?” He teases, gesturing to the vacant table and chairs around you.

“No…” You chew your bottom lip. To keep from laughing.

“Well, then how come I can’t sit?”

“I didn’t think you’d want to spoil your image.” You shrug.

“Is that what you’re concerned about? My peers seeing me being social?” He claimed the chair to the left of you.

“I thought of it as more of you being concerned. We don’t exactly sway in the same social group.” Your eyes vacantly flicker to the table a few feet down from your shadowed one in the dark. They seemed to be casting snickers and judgemental glances towards you, or rather where Tedros’s attention was on.

“Then allow me to be the first to be in yours...” You grow flustered with a loss for words. You scoff out a laugh, then finally set your book faced down. You extend your hand and he gladly accepts it. Shaking yours with a firm but gentle grip. 

“I don’t believe I got your name, my lady.”

“That’s because I never gave it.” You smirk. He mirrors it. 

“You’re gonna make me work for it...I assume.” He lets his head fall. 

“In due time...You’ll learn to love rewards.” You tease and rise to leave. He follows suit and stands up beside you. 

So it began. A love story in the making. One slow, but rather enchanting, and endearing. You knew you were being unfair, gatekeeping your name, but your heart fluttered each time he put in the effort to get to learn one new fact about you. One new trait or scrunch or twitch of your nose or hands. The journey to get to know all of you was one challenge he was willing to face.

You didn’t exactly make it easy on him now either. 

It took him a while but as soon as he found out where you liked to spend most of your free time. He had a hard time leaving you alone. Your peace was disrupted by his charming grin, and loud persona. Not that you minded though, the distraction was rather appealing to look at. 

“Thought I’d find you here.” You squint up, the sun half in your eyes. You lift your hand up to your face to cast a shadow over your eyes. Once you finally reel in on who approaches you, you roll your eyes. Though it was hard not to know who came trollying about. He was too loud to miss. 

You shrug, gesturing to the tree you were leaning back against. A green flower embroidered blanket laid out underneath your gown. Your slippers slipped off to help you find comfort more easily. Though your desire for peace and quiet was long forgotten as the prince himself plopped down onto your blanket. He laid on his side, a cheesy smile casted your way. You tried hard to fight your own, but your teeth peeked out from your lips. 

“It’s Saturday.” You go back to reading the page you were on. 

“Yes I know.” He nods. “As opposed to yesterday being Friday, where you picnicked by the wishing pond. Though you never wish for anything.” He quietly mutters, like he was telling you a secret. It was true though. After learning the history behind the pond due to Agatha saving that poor girl and freeing her from her captivity. You refused to partake in any wish making. “Only sit and ponder-”

“And read my book.” You finish for him. “I see you’ve been paying attention, but what about tomorrow? Where might you find me then?”

“Well, it’d be Sunday. Some princesses might find themselves at the great hall looking out for a prince...” He trails off. His hands tracing over an embroidered pattern on the hem of your dress. He smiles as you tuck your feet in, letting your dress swallow their visibility. 

“But?” You eye him over the top of your book. He meets your eyes for a fleeting second then looks away, his face flushes red. 

“But not you. I’ll find you in the library. Tucked away in the farthest corner from eyesight...You think you’re well kept hidden from sight, but I spot you right away.” 

Your face becomes visible as you lower the book down onto your lap. Your eyes soften. “You see me?”

“I do.”

You gain the trouble to suddenly breathe correctly. Tedros subconsciously reaches for your hand. A tingle runs up and down your spine upon his light touches. He smooths his fingertips over your own. You gasp as he sits up tall. Your book falls carelessly onto the blanket as you watch him inch closer. Closer than he’s ever been. You catch his eyes flickering down to your lips, then up to your eyes, begging for you to allow him to press a kiss onto your lips. A plea more like it as he turns into a puddled mess. He breathes out a laugh as he reaches up to cup your face. He pressed his head against yours.

“I’m gonna kiss you now.” A faint nod from you was all he needed to proceed. His lips felt soft against yours. Yet the way he held you. Cupping your face, thumbs caressing your skin delicately. Holding you gently like you were a flower in a meadow, hoping not to be stepped on and ruined. 

When he asked you to be his princess. You had said yes. 

As much as you enjoyed being Tedros’s friend. There was something about being his girlfriend that brought out a side to you, one you never imagined you’d have. 

Call it jealousy, perhaps troubled doubts. They were all there, but as scared as you felt. You revel in the small things. The way he reaches for your hand when seated during assemblies. How his eyes search for yours in the great hall. How he brings your hand up to place a kiss upon them. How he tries to sneak you out for a stroll in the gardens. 

You’re quite fond of the memories of your dates at the wish fish pond. You could still feel the gentle grip on your chin as he turned your face to kiss you gently, leaving you breathless each time.

Your timid giggles were enough to have him groan in delight. You made his heart soar. He was in awe of your beauty, your laugh, your affectionate smile. The way your kisses lingered as well that he’d chase your lips each time you pulled back with a smirk.

Though he too had his own troubled doubts. That he’d wake up from a dream, and you’d have only been a part of his imagination. He was scared shitless. Incredibly so that one night during your date by the pond, he dipped his finger into the water. You laughed at his antics, telling him from where you sat on your blanket, that the wishfish only showed you what you most desired, that the fish couldn’t really grant him the thing he wanted most. It was something he had to make happen himself. 

So that’s what he had set his mind to afterwards. 

He fully believed that you coming into his life was no coincidence. He had never felt as connected to someone as he had with you. It was almost like...

Like you were his true love. And he didn’t waste time to tell you either. 

It had been the night of the Evers Snowball. 

When you hadn’t arrived into the great hall. He left to find you watching the snow fall through the high raised arched windows. Though he stopped a few steps away from you. He hadn’t seen your pretty gown yet. A soft baby blue matching his own royal jacket. You had heard his familiar footsteps before you even turned to see that it was him.

“I understand why they called it the Evers Snowball now.” You giggled. You then turned to face him with a beaming grin. “Hard to believe since it was clear blue skies and puffy white clouds yesterday. Though this is a magical school. Nothing’s ever impossible.” You stepped forward. Offer your hands for him to grab. He smirked because you were in fact right. He curls his fingers into your palm. Your hands curl into each other. Your smile remains as you try to meet his eyes. Head tilting in confusion as to why he wouldn’t meet your gaze. He turns to eye the falling snow. 

Quite the perfect evening. A magical aura wrapping itself around you both. This moment with you truly felt like one from a well known fairytale. Though Tedros knew as much this would be your own fairy tale to tell in the future.

“Tedros?”

“Mmm.” He turned his head to meet your eyes now. He chewed on his bottom lip as he hummed in thought.

You only laughed. “You okay?”

“I’m great!”

“Yeah?”

“Yes. It’s all perfect. Being right here with you.” 

You only rolled your eyes thinking he was trying to be a sap again. You playfully slap his shoulder clad with blue epaulets. 

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s head back to the great hall, no? I’m in the mood for a dance to be honest.” You breathe out a laugh. You pass him with a hand on his shoulder. You had taken a few steps forward only to look back to see his back turned to you. You halt and frown. “Tedros?”

“No.” He shakes his head. Your heart skips.

“No?”

“No. Let’s not head back just yet.” He turns around to face you. 

“Okay...” You step closer. “We can stay here for a bit if you prefer.” 

“No I do- I do want to head back, but I just. There’s something I’ve been wanting to do...” You raise a brow at him confused. You open your mouth to ask what he wants to show you, but your only left gaping as he lowers himself onto one knee. “Well...ask you really.” He laughs out nervously. He reaches into his jacket and pulls out a black velvet box. You were all too familiar with these kinds of scenarios. What surely was a ring beneath the closed lid didn’t pass you. You place your hand over your mouth in shock. Your other hand holds your stomach. You were thankful at that moment, you hadn’t eaten dinner yet. 

“Tedros-” You begin but he cuts you off.

“B-Before you say anything. I just want you to know that you are sure not like anybody I’ve ever met before. Until I got to really know you. I had no faith in falling in love because of what happened with my father and mother. In fact the concept of love scares me. It still does...” He gives a faint smile, one you reciprocate lightly. “But if there’s one thing I’m positive about is that you’ve made me want to be better. Make me want to see the world for more than just black and white, for more than just evil and good. You’ve been a wonderful best friend, but you have been the best love I’ve ever had.” He pops open the small box. You cry out a laugh. Tears brimming your eyes. “My true love.” 

“True love?” Your eyes widened.

“You are my one true love. I believe that this, right here. You and me. Us. It’s meant to be, that the universe brought us together, and if that’s not true then I don’t know what to believe in anymore because I can’t imagine my life without you. You, Y/n, are my one true love, and I’ll be damned if someone who’s writing our story thinks otherwise.”

You were a crying mess at this point. You tilt your head, a beaming smile on your lips as you look down at him on a knee before you.

“Is that all you wanted to tell me?” You breathe a laugh out. Tedros lets a tear slip down his cheek, his charming smile gracing you.

“I’m getting to it!” He laughs. 

“Sorry...go on.” You composed yourself. Nodding and gesturing to continue. You couldn’t stifle your laughter though. 

“Will you marry me?” He takes the ring out of the box and gestures it to you. “Be my ever after?”

“Yes!” You beam. Gently cupping his face, and pressing a sweet kiss to his lips. He slips the ring onto your ring finger and stands to his full height. Cupping your face this time and pressing a hard but slow kiss on you.

“She said yes!” Multiple cheers and hollers startle you, causing you to pull away and look back towards the great hall entrance doors. 

You scoff out a laugh seeing multiple Evers, a few buddies of Tedros, and surprisingly a few Ever girls. Applauding you and Tedros. 

You look back to him, a cheesy smile on your face now, as your hands slide to cup the back of his neck. He leans forward to press your heads together, eyes closed, cherishing each other’s touch, and embraces. 

You can’t help the laugh that emits past your lips as the cheering only grows louder. It’s not long before you’re drowned in confetti. You gasp, blinking up to the ceiling as little pieces of plastic fall all around you, but the bigger surprise is when they start to dissolve before they can even touch the ground. It only adds to the magical feeling that swells in your heart. 

You lean in to give him another small peck. He chases after your lips. Then sighs in relief when you allow them to get caught up with his own. “I love you...” He mutters out gently, pressing a kiss to your temple.

“I love you more, my ever after.”

[slashingdisneypasta]

Spotify Wrapped Prompts !

Sorry it took me a week!! 😅 But here they are, for those of you who requested in the comments section ^^ (Those of you who requested in the ask box, I will answer you individually cuz its just easier ^^ )

Some are much longer then others. Some are just sentences. Its just whatever came to mind regarding to song! And no, I'm not giving you the song XD Just a line or two. If you wanna do sleuthing that's your prerogative but its mostly country and I know that's not everyone's cuppa tea 😅😅😅 Without further ado- here we go!

Included down below; Professor Ratigan (3), Judge Claude Frollo (6+7), Bill Sykes (13), Percival C McLeach (14), Wheezy Weasel (39), Hades (66) and Jafar (77).

3. Professor Ratigan Prompt 🎶'If you go down, I'm goin' down too'🎶

"You are my husband. If you go down, I go down with you. There are no if's and's or but's about it."

"My dear... That's not going to happen."

"I know- I know." Do you? You should, because he's so smart and you trust him, but still there's a nagging itch in the back of your mind telling you that one of these days one of these things is gonna fail. Taking a deep breath, you squeeze his hands in yours. "I just... want you to know."

With one of those dark and sinister smirks on his face, Ratigan gives you a kiss on the forehead; speaking lowly only to you. "Then we'll go down together, hmm? Two burial plots side-by-side~ "

6. Judge Claude Frollo Prompt (Fem Reader) 🎶'Jezebel, you're bound for Hell.'🎶

You're a woman who murdered her father's lover (You couldn't bear for your mothers heart to be broken) and find yourself under the judgment of one Judge Claude Frollo.

Will he send you to the gallows for your crime? Maybe not, if you keep flirting with him from across the courtroom.

Bat your eyelashes, Smirk those pretty lips, Make sure he gets a good look at your legs when you shift in your chair, do all these things in order to survive. Maybe you're only doing it to survive, maybe you actually like it. The way he looks at you.

7. Judge Claude Frollo Prompt 🎶 'Don't lie, I know you think about it in the back of your mind' 🎶

You're just a secretary in the office and the judge has made it quite clear what he wants from you. You refused him steadfast, of course, because you have dignity. And you're saving yourself.

But you cant stop thinking about it. What it might be like to say yes.

You know perfectly well that you shouldn't but with every day that goes by, your resolve grows thinner and thinner.

13. Bill Sykes Prompt 🎶'Thirty-one, waiting tables. She has They have a voice of an angel. Out of money and power. She only sings in the shower'🎶

You were working a dead-end job, living a dead-end unloved life until Bill Sykes walked into the diner you wait at. He walked in at the stroke of 4 in the afternoon, when you were supposed to leave- so, you weren't happy about it that day but had to go help him.

It was a curse at the time but now he has you singing at beautiful clubs and you have a penthouse and you don't have to wait anymore. People love you.

And yes he scares you sometimes- but the terrible man can be undone by your voice.

14. Percival C McLeach Prompt 🎶'I like em unavailable; guess that's just me.'🎶

You have a long history of going for the Wrong Guy. They're wrong because they're always taken already, a fact you only discover after the fact.

Now here's this guy- a rugged Australian guy from the middle of the outback. He's older and kindof uneducated and kind of brash but he always takes his hat off when he talks to you and opens doors for you, and... you're developing feelings for him.

He's completely not your type- you don't think he's ever dated before, and he definitely wouldn't have the sense of subtlety to pull off cheating. He wants you to be his one and only.

He thinks you're amazing. He thinks you're smart, funny, interesting, and beautiful. You feel kind of... greedy... finally having someone who just wants you.

But you're gonna make the jump. Whatever happens, happens. But at least this one truly wants you.

39. Wheezy Weasel Prompt 🎶'It's genius It's gonna be awfully rough on those children'🎶 This one's a little different! You got a Newsies Song, The Bottom Line (My favourite) so I- obviously- had to do something sticking with that theme XD

NewsiesAU!

Imagine you're in the position of Joseph Pulitzer's secretary (Hannah's character). You only got this job to be a help to the Toon Patrol (Wheezy, especially ^^). In this position you could easily sway the writing in the papers in the patrols favour, striking out any bad press. Yes, they would still get a bad reputation via word of mouth but it would be unofficial. Good notoriety in the papers would at least offer them some mystique.

This is hard enough on you. You hate deceiving people. You hate what the Toon Patrol do! But you love Wheezy, and you have to help him.

When Joseph bumps up the price of the papers, making life so so much more difficult for the newsies- the poor children, - to do their jobs and earn enough money to even feed themselves- you go home overwhelmed and in tears.

Wheezy's there to gather you in his arms and glare at Smartass when he sighs at you (How silly you are (Its just business)). He never wanted you to do this job! He never wanted you to be apart of this crap.

And now here you are sobbing because you're so stressed out and so sad- and- he's gotta get you out of this. He will get you out of this.

66. Hades Prompt 🎶'Dressed to kill'🎶

Imagine being a indebted servant to Hades along with Meg except you don't do a whole lot of the... communications work, that Meg does. So you don't have to look as nice all the time. You're often in the underworld with Hades helping him strategize and doing paperwork-type stuffs. You're closer with Hades then Meg is but it has never been a flirty thing, with you two. Just friendly. He's grown to actually like you- he's happy when you're around- you can calm him down when he's starting to lose his temper.

And honestly you like him, too. Despite the indenture. Somehow.

One day by some miracle Hades is in such a good mood, he lets you and Meg go for the day. You can do whatever you like but be back by sunset or he'll be pissed.

So you take the opportunity to wear something prettier then usual! Why not??

... When Hades sees you both leaving, that's when the penny finally drops.

He loves you.

How the hell did this happen!??-

77. Jafar Prompt (Fem Reader) 🎶'He don't know it 'cause I sure don't show it. When I kiss him goodbye and I wish him good luck'🎶

You try so hard to hide it; pretend like you're the perfect wife and you have no secrets. When you kiss your husband goodbye before you separate for the day, him going to the kitchens to work and you to laundry rooms, you look like the perfect young couple.

No one expects a thing.

Except you're truly being courted by a tall, dark, devastatingly handsome man you cant tell a soul about. And your husband, likewise, has a gentleman of his own to hide.

At night Jafar will meet you in the gardens where no one but the princess and the Sultan are allowed to roam, except they're asleep when you slip by. You're all his then and, truly, you're all his all the other hours in a day.

And he's all yours ^^

-But you cant tell a soul.

These are all Free to Use if you want ^^ Please tag me if you do use them! I so so wanna read them! ^^

Thank you so much for participating! ^^

[iifishizzleii]

sibling johnny mactavish includes

unedited😛

having eight sisters.

this man has ‘younger brother’ energy written all over him. he’s the middle child, but by the time his parents got to having johnny, they were already at the ‘eh, i don’t care what you do just don’t die’ phase parents get at with their kids. which meant that it was up to his four older sisters to raise the boy right.

johnny knows how to read women. and while it’s partly because his sisters taught him well, it’s also because living in a house full of that many women meant learning their language or fucking perishing. this man is fluent in eyelingual. he knows every eyebrow raise, side-eye, narrowed gaze to a pointed look. who needs morse code in the military when you got eyelingual?

being a big character

because when you learn the language, of course you’re going to want to learn the culture as well. and johnny mactavish has been submerged in women culture all his life. which means three things:

one, he knows how to play the long game. whether it comes with petty revenge or simply asking for something from a higher power (his oldest sister), johnny is the king of waiting it out, finding the sweet spot of those moments and taking it. it’s the reason why only he, out of the entire task force, can get away with so much shit when it comes to laswell.

two, johnny knows how to be mean without being rude. thanks to the second and third mactavish daughters, his sisters (bless their heart), johnny knows how to kiss a person’s cheek while stabbing them with verbal cues. his sisters would do it all the time to each other and to guests that came over that they didn’t like. and it paid off being the brunt of so many passive aggressive comments because johnny’s work sometimes requires being civil, but that doesn’t mean he has to be a gentleman.

and three, johnny knows how to play dumb. really. it’s almost scary how quick this guy can go from playing with sticks and making dumb jokes about mud, to building a bomb made of sticks and mud. and it was his younger siblings, surprisingly, who taught johnny that being as pretty of a family that they were (because let’s be fr, soap is gorgeous), nobody expects them to know how to think. it makes getting out of certain situations and receiving special treatment so much more easier, too, when all you gotta do is give a charming smile and bat your eyelashes (ghost has been at the receiving end and has fallen for this act far too many times to let anyone else know).

having really thick skin

a lot of people think having an older brother is tough. and hey, it is! ghost would argue its a lot meaner than having a sister, because sisters are naturally more nurturing, nicer, and kinder than brothers are.

and for the most part, that was true. all of johhny’s sisters are good people. they’re kind, yes, and helpful and overall worthy of their spots through the pearly gates. but they’re not fucking nice. the fuck.

the amount of times johnny was dragged out of bed to take out the trash at the crack ass of dawn is ridiculous. he should have brain damage now from how many times his head hit the floor. but, he was the only boy, so all the ‘manly’ jobs like mowing the lawn, washing the cars, bringing in the groceries, all of those were johnny’s chores. (but, even then, most people would pass their home and see several girls—blondes, brunettes, and gingers— washing the porch, the family truck, and tending to the yard. johnny was j

and that’s not even to mention the psychological warfare. mactavish’s are infamous for their temper, so when you’re living with eight other land mines dressed in heels and lashes just waiting to be stepped on, everyday was a different fight blowing up in the house. and when you got insulted by your sister, johnny learned that the only way to deflect is by hitting them with something meaner a lot more quickly or you’d cry.

like that time johnny blamed the wet floor in their bathroom on all of the leg hair his younger sister kept shaving and getting stuck in the drain so the water flowed out the tub and soaked the tiles. and she automatically replied with, “or maybe it’s all the grease from the back of your fat fucking neck dragging on the ground that’s making the tiles wet”. (it was their other sister’s fault it turned out.)

loving the hard times

because as much as johnny could give his family shit for all of the bad days, none of them could compare to the good ones.

the mornings where he woke up to the smell of sourdough pancakes and sizzling bacon.

when his sister would pull him out of school early to go shopping at the mall, and she’d buy him a new toy or cool shirt.

when he did one of them a favor and later that week she’d taken johnny to get some greasy fast food with her to eat at a park because she wasn’t trying to buy food for the whole house.

when his younger sisters spent their first daddy-daughter dance standing on his church shoes and holding his hands because their real father wasn’t around anymore.

when they spend the rest of the day outside spraying each other with the water hose after washing the cars because the house was too hot, and sandwiches with premade lemonade under the tree was lunch.

when the winter winds were so strong they broke the heater, and the family spent a week having a slumber party in the living room to keep warm.

when they all got matching tattoos on the ankle, a roman numeral for each sibling.

when johnny went off to join the army, leaving his sisters for the first time, they all went to the airport to see him off.

[ladykailitha]

Oh For a Muse of Fire! Part 13

Steve’s turn to come to the rescue? Hell yeah!!

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6  Part 7  Part 8  Part 9 Part 10  Part 11 Part 12

Steve’s painting was coming along really well. He was trying to get the expression on Eros’s face right. It was becoming a problem. There was just something about the eyes being closed that didn’t work.

But he was supposed to be asleep when Psyche came in, but when Steve tried to paint the eyes closed, he looked dead and not asleep.

Steve sighed and decided to talk to Joyce about it after class. He told Eddie go ahead to the parking lot and he’d meet him there.

“Hey, Mrs Byers,” Steve greeted. “I wanted to talk to you about my final.”

Joyce looked up at him and smiled. “Sure, Steve. What’s up?”

“I’m having a hard time getting the face right, can you help me?” he said and handed over the canvas.

She took it gingerly to avoid smearing the wet paint. “It looks as though the face is giving trouble.”

Steve nodded. “Especially the eyes. I want them closed for the Eros theme but with the pose he comes off looking like a corpse.”

“Which,” she said with a huff of laughter, “not the look you’re going for?”

“Absolutely not,” he agreed.

“Steve...” Joyce said gently. “You do know that the myths and stories idea is just a guideline? You don’t have to stick to a theme if you don’t want to.”

Steve’s eyes went wide. “Oh. Um...really?”

Joyce laughed. “Yes, Steve. Try it with his eyes open and I think you’ll find it will be fine.”

He let out a sigh of relief. “Yeah. Okay. Thanks, Mrs Byers.” He gathered up his painting and walked to the door.

“Hey Steve?” Joyce called out. “Why do you call me Mrs Byers? Almost everyone else calls me Joyce, except the really young students.”

Steve flashed her a bright smile. “It’s what I called you when I was babysitting Will. It’s a hard habit to break.”

She tilted her head to the side and then nodded. “Fair enough. Bye, Steve.”

“Bye, Mrs Byers.” He winked at her and walked off.

*

Eddie was waiting by his van having a cigarette when he spotted someone coming his direction.

“Shit!” he looked to see if he could just hop in the van and get away, but the other guy was too quick.

“Eddie? Is that you?” the far too cheerful voice cried.

Eddie closed his eyes and flicked his cigarette to the ground, grinding it beneath his boot. He opened his eyes and sneered. “Well, well if it isn’t Nick Mantrell. Did you get arrested?”

Nick was a tall man with light brown hair and deep blue eyes. His smile was as crooked as his personality.

“Daddy got me off,” Nick said with a smile that was supposed to be winning but Eddie had long since found to be smarmy.

Eddie rolled his eyes. “Of course he did. But then, Martin Mantrell always did have more money than sense.”

Nick’s mask dropped and his face became a dark and sinister thing. “You keep my daddy’s name out of your dirty mouth.”

Eddie huffed out a chuckle. “Man, I thought you liked my dirty mouth.”

And suddenly the mask was back up. “You know I do, baby.”

Eddie rolled his eyes. “What do you want, Nick?”

Nike grinned. “I just wanted to catch up. See what you were up to these days. It been so long since I saw you, baby.” He got close to Eddie and ran his hand down his arm.

“I’m doing fine,” Eddie said through gritted teeth. “The band’s got an agent now and we just finished recording a demo that they’re going to shop around.”

Nick looked pityingly at him. “Oh that so sweet. And you’re sure he’s a real agent?”

Eddie frowned. He knew that’s how Nick would get under his skin. He hated how it almost worked again. “Pretty damn sure. His other clients include The Kestrels and Lonnie Hunter.”

Nick’s eyes went wide. “Those are some pretty big names, baby. I’m sure it’ll all work out.”

Eddie shoulders slumped. “Why are you here man? At the school I mean.”

Nick smiled smugly. “I’m here getting my degree in business. Daddy’s going make me VP once I graduate.” He batted his eyelashes at him. “What are you doing here? I thought higher education was against the Munson doctrine.”

Eddie shifted uncomfortably under Nick’s gaze. “I’m doing a favor for a family friend. I’m the live model for her art class this year.”

Nick licked his lips suggestively. “Too bad it’s too late to take the class. Maybe I can convince Daddy to let me audit it for the last few weeks. You always did look your best right before I fucked you.”

Eddie began to squirm. “I don’t think you can do that.”

Nick leaned further into Eddie’s space. “I think you’ll find I can do a lot of things with a little bit of persuasion and a lot of money.”

Eddie’s face burned with humiliation and shame. He just wanted to go home.

A warm arm slid around his waist and soft chuckle breathed in his ear.

“Hey, Sunshine!” Steve greeted cheerfully. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting. I hope you weren’t waiting to long.”

Nick reared back as if he’d been stung. “Who’s this then, baby?”

Eddie leaned into Steve’s side.

Steve cocked his head to the side and gave Nick his best mean girl smile. “Your worst nightmare unless you toddle off like a good boy.”

Nick sneered. “You always were a slut, Eddie. You would spread your legs for anyone with a good body and a playful smile.”

Steve eyed Nick up. “Honey, you aren’t my type and what Sunshine and I do is none of your business. Now shoo, before I get mad. And honey, the hulk’s a pussy cat in comparison.”

Nick turned on his heel and stormed off.

Steve sighed in relief. “Thank god that worked. I’m really bad at fighting and I would so fucking lose if we got in a fist fight.”

Eddie started giggling. And Steve flashed him a smile.

“You okay, now?”

Eddie nodded. “Yeah, thanks for that. That slimy piece of worm-ridden filth is my ex-boyfriend. Met him when I was still young and stupid. It wasn’t until after the third time he cheated on me that I walked away.”

Steve bumped their shoulders together. “I’m sorry he was harassing you. Guys like that are what give gay men a bad name.”

“Yeah,” Eddie agreed. “How did you manage to insinuate that we were together without out right lying?”

Steve frowned for a second. “Oh, the double talk?” Eddie nodded. “I learned it at the bar. It’s a customer service thing. Make them think that I promised them something when I really didn’t.”

Eddie laughed. “That’s amazing.”

“You still up for that coffee or do you want to go home?” Steve asked.

He leaned into Steve’s embrace further. “I just want to go home.”

“I’ll follow you to make sure you get home okay,” Steve said, gently removing his arm from Eddie’s waist. “Do you want me to keep up company until I have to go to work or would you rather be alone?”

Eddie immediately mourned the lost of Steve’s warmth. “Would you stay?”

Steve nodded. “Of course. I’ll meet you there okay?”

Eddie nodded back. Steve gave his arm a squeeze and then walked away.

Eddie watched him go, the warmth from Steve’s body making itself home in his chest.

Yup, he was so fucked.

*

Eddie led Steve up to his apartment feeling a tad nervous. It had been awhile since he brought anyone back to his place. And yes he knew it wasn’t like that, but his heart and his libido were screaming at him to change that in their favor.

He unlocked the door and let Steve go in first, fearing his reaction.

“Oh, wow,” Steve murmured. “This place is amazing. I have the same fucking floor plan you do and yet yours looks more homey and lived in then mine.”

Eddie cocked his head to the side. “Yeah, how’s that?”

He closed the door behind them.

“Robin and I both had parents that decorated our rooms for us,” Steve explained, “so when we went off on our own we didn’t have any real idea of how to make it ours. So it looks like a catelogue.”

Eddie pursed his lips and looked up. “Yeah, no. I can totally see that.”

Steve laughed.

“You want something to drink?” Eddie called from the kitchen.

“Just water is fine,” he replied. “But aren’t I here to take care of you?”

Eddie’s cheeks were red when he came out with a glass of water for Steve and a beer for him. “If you wanted to take care of me, big boy, we should have gone to your place.”

Steve grinned. “It’s not to late. I live two seconds away.”

Eddie grinned back. “Nah, it’s cool. I’m more comfortable here.”

Steve raised his glass, “Here’s to shitty exes coming back in our lives when we least expect it!”

Eddie chuckled. “Here’s that!” He raised his can and took a long drink.

“So how are things going on the finding fame and fortune front?” Steve asked after a moment or two of silence.

Eddie just shook his head. “I mean we finished the demo and our agent is going around to all the major labels starting with the ones closest to home and branching out. But it still feels like a pipe dream, you know?”

Steve cocked his head to the side thoughtfully. “Is that what the slimy ex said? That it was just a pipe dream?”

Eddie huffed out a bitter laugh. “Yes, but he just pegged an old insecurity that I’ve had for awhile.”

“Nothing quite like having someone opening old wounds for fun,” Steve said.

Eddie nodded. “Yeah. I had just heard of bands getting record deals right out of the gate by preforming at the Queen’s Crown...and I–”

Steve set his water down and scooted closer to him, to place his hand on his knee. “You guys should have gotten the deal. I don’t know why the agent was the only one that saw your potential...but seriously, Eds, you killed it that night.”

Eddie looked up at him through his eyelashes. “You really think so?”

“Yeah,” Steve agreed. “And not just because the new song was about me.” He winked at him.

Eddie burst out laughing. “So is the Jester and the King, you egomaniac.”

Steve winced. “Ouch! I’m assuming you wrote that one after I hit you?”

“Sure did, baby doll,” Eddie said with a grin. “And then after we talked I couldn’t leave it like that, so I wrote Thorns and Thistles.”

“It was beautiful,” Steve said, his expression soft and fond.

“I’ve been writing other songs for if they decided to give us the record deal,” Eddie said. “You want to hear some of them?”

Steve lit up. He looked at his watch and crumpled. “Shit. It’s almost time for me to go to work.”

Eddie deflated too. “Oh. That’s okay. Some other time.”

Steve got a wicked gleam in his eye. “You know...the new bartender hasn’t had an opportunity to tend with Opal yet...”

Eddie’s head shot up in shock. “Just what are you saying there, Stevie?”

“Well...” Steve continued. “Diamond has been saying I’ve been working too hard lately and that I should take more time to myself...”

Eddie’s eyes got the same wicked gleam, “Is Steve Harrington suggesting playing hooky for little ol’ me?”

Steve just grinned and pulled out his phone. He shot off two quick text messages. The replies came just as fast as he sent them. Both Robin and Diamond applauding his decision.

“Now, I’m all yours,” he said setting his phone aside and giving Eddie his undivided attention.

“How? Why?” Eddie stammered.

Steve’s face softened. “Look, I’ve earned some good will with Diamond after the incident with Nancy and I don’t mind using it to spend more time with you.” He put his hand back on Eddie’s knee. “Plus Crystal, the new bartender has to get use to running the whole night, he’s been there two weeks with me he needs to get used to working with Opal, because that’s who he’s going to be working with.”

“Chrissy,” Eddie corrected. “Call her Chrissy.”

Steve’s face brightened. “Chrissy then.”

Eddie hurried up to grab his electric guitar and sat back down. “This is one is called Flying Higher.”

Steve settled back into the cushions of Eddie’s sofa to listen.

Part 14  Part 15  Part 16  Part 17 Epilogue

Tag List: @artiststarme @allbymyselfexceptformycactus @spectrum-spectre @estrellami-1 @swimmingbirdrunningrock @gregre369 @itsall-taken @m-owo-n @zerokrox-blog @runyousillydetective @grimmfitzz @wonderland-girl143-blog @sapphirecobalt-1 @scheodingers-muppet @victor-thee-corvid @apricottree @bookbinderbitch @sleepyboosstuff @biatcgh @pixiefallingupthestairs @grtwdsmwhr @thepainisspicy @carlyv @eboyawstenn @bisexualdisastersworld @bidisastersworld @abstractnaturaldisaster @evix-syne666 @nerdsconquerall @lololol-1234 @goodolefashionedloverboi @chaoticlovingdreamer @a-little-unsteddie @val-from-lawrence @i-must-potato @elluminis @tailsfromthecrypt @danili666 @plyerice27 @alittlegreyfish  @n0-1-important @no-upper-limit-to-stupidity @maya-custodios-dionach @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @heaven428 @thedragonsaunt @ceaselessly-watching @imfinereallyy

[myaoiboy]

Can you try explain what you mean about Ocelot looking like a drag king in mgsv? I feel like your boyfriend in that I just. Don't see it? I'm trying to understand why Ocelot would even have that applied when he's always been just A Guy™

Okay so I'm going to try to do this without getting into Grad-Level 5D Queer Theory Media Criticism, but I also fully realize that in doing that, a lot of this is going to sound very much like I'm saying "Source: Just Trust Me Bro".

(anon i am SO sorry that you happen to be the first person to directly adress me about gender in MGS)

I also wanna be straight up front here and say that I'm not trying to imply that Ocelot is anything other than a guy, he's just also a guy who's playing a million roles (this is important) and lying to damn near everyone, including himself. He has some of the worst identity issues I've ever seen in a character, and that comes to a head in 4 where he literally isn't even *Ocelot* until the final moments of his life. So yes, for the sake of not writing War and Peace, I'm going to assume Ocelot is "just a guy" and come at this from a pure queer theory/media analysis standpoint, not a headcanon one.

So first it's really important to point out the order in which we see Ocelot through the series. In the timeline, the last time we see Ocelot before V is 3 (or PO which I haven't played due to its placement in canon-limbo, but Ocelot looks basically the same). So we see him go from A to B here.

I am going to say something potentially controversial: even before saw V ocelot, I thought 3 Ocelot looked like he was wearing drag *queen* makeup. I don't know whether it's intentional, or an attempt to circumvent the lower poly models and lower definition textures of the PS2, but the first image looks like someone who is going for a highly exaggerated, feminine cheek contour. Here's a few drag queens who, imo, do a very similar contour look:

Whether the color filter or the texturing of the PS2 or something else, the MGS3 version of Ocelot also has a look of mascara and frosted lipgloss (frosted lips being much more popular at the time of MGS3's original release than today, but alas).

So from that I was already very much primed to look for femininity in Ocelot's whole vibe. It was actually kind of jarring how much more rugged he is in V than in any of the previous games, to the extent that it sent up alarm bells in my head that something was going on.

I don't remember the moment that I went "hey, wait a minute," but it was certainly pretty early on. As someone who's been on tumblr a hella long time and remembers when we used to swap passing tips, the specific combination of facial features remind me of a very specific genre of "ftm makeup tutorials" that were also pretty contemporarily popular on tumblr. A very quick summary being mascara on the eyelashes and specific peach fuzz to give the impression of a squarer jaw and having more facial hair, as well as specific contouring to give a "masculine cheekbone." Most of these tips basically came directly from drag king makeup.

Gonna include some drag kings as well, some things to notice include the tendency towards using stubble as contouring and vice versa, the shaping of cheek contouring, and the tendency to accentuate mustache and sideburns.

I'm pretty bad at wording descriptions of hair and makeup so you'll have to forgive me for not going ham on explaining the similarities bc now we actually get to the interesting part which is: so fucking what? If this is true, if you take my word for it, what does it say about the text? If I want to make this argument to someone else, what can I say that will convince them that, even if it's not *intentional,* it's a valid and meaningful view of his character?

Like, you can make a character based on anything you want, but why does it matter whether Ocelot is based on drag either direction?

Ocelot's "drag"iness is multipurpose. One: he's queer. Like, I grant that he never comes out and says "I love 'Big "Naked 'John' Snake" Boss'" but we get a hell of a lot more confirmation that he's gay than we get straight confirmation for a lot of presumed-straight characters. I feel comfortable saying he's canon queer.

Two: it's a visual metaphor for being a double/triple agent. While he's literally performing several roles (KGB/GRU/CIA, or MSF/Real BB/US, or US/Patriots/BB, or anything in between), he's also visually playing two (or more) gender roles, a feminine man, a mannish woman, something neither or in-between. The implication of drag specifically is pretending to be something that he isn't (which he literally always is, holy shit, again, does he even know who he realiy is?).

And before anyone says "Well, if it's so important to his character, why did they wait until 3 to start doing it?" They didn't!!

This is THE most classically masculine that Ocelot ever looks. But there's still precious polygons invested into giving him long hair and a flowing coat. Working with sprites and low-poly models means having to very carefully select traits that you want to display on your character, and Ocelot's go into making him a cringefail cowboy.

The fact that he's a cowboy in itself is also pretty important to the whole gender/sexuality situation. I mean, Brokeback Mountain might not have been out yet, but the male-to-female ratio in the west meant a lot of men cozied up together on the frontier. Hell, hankey code comes from cowboy culture, with men wearing certain colors to announce who would take the "man" or "woman" role while square dancing.

I could go a lot into gender and how it works on a social/societal level in general and why that matters, but OOPS I have been writing this for a WHILE.

I was actually going to go a lot more into queer theory and gender in MGS in general but ngl, I could write a whole doctoral thesis on gender and how different characters perform or subvert gender. Because holy shit when you start peeling back the very thin macho facade of Kojima's work to do a feminist reading of it, boy howdy do you get. A whole lot to talk about. (ask me about death stranding sometime i dare you)

Basically what I'm trying to get across is that Ocelot has a lot of roles that he's playing and NOT playing, and more than a few of those are gender roles, which is very much visually symbolic of his character.

I am so sorry anon I have been thinking about him nonstop for a full year </3 I hope at least the first part of this answered your question about what features I see that scream drag to me.

[farahtissaiamyloves]

Heyyo! Any Farah x reader in the works? Could I ask… for a angsty hurt/comfort… I don’t know what else baha sorry. If not all good, I love your Writing🤭 <3

Thanks a lot for the request!!! It's my first request for a Farah/reader fic and that makes it special ❤️. I started writing this as an angsty/comfort but I thought that it would be better if it got a taste of sweetness. Anyway, enjoy! This ended up being mysteriously 2222 words.

First, your dress and eyeliner (your eyeliner is blue):

Change of heart

Farah's head snapped at your direction for what felt like the millionth time that evening.

You were gorgeous.

You were wearing an elegant, pretty, navy blue dress. Your h/c hair was braided like a crown with some glitter on it.

But your makeup was the best thing on you. If Farah was the best at hair styles, you were the queen of makeup.

With blue matching eye liner, a brown lipstick and extra long ( probably fake ) eyelashes, you were smiling and navigating through the party with remarkable ease.

" I know that we have had this conversation again. And again. And again. But she fancies you, you fancy her, so go get her. " Suddenly a man's voice was heard.

Farah was pulled away from her roaming thoughts by her best friend who had been glaring at her while sipping some of his whiskey.

" And for the millionth time, she is too young for me. " Came Farah's irritated response.

Saul raised an eyebrow. " 10 years are not too young. "

Farah gulped some of her champagne. " Make them 15. "

Saul made a dismissive gesture. " What's 10 and what's 15. Age is just a useless number. The girl likes you and you like her back. Stop torturing her - and yourself - and finally get in her pants. "

Farah glanced sharply at him at the mention of your pants. " She was my student. "

Saul smirked at her. " We were soldiers back then, not professors. "

The headmistress sighed shaking her head. " It doesn't matter. I had her in some of my classes. "

Saul prepared to reply but he stopped as nothing he and his fairy's eyes were glued on you.

A man, a tiny businessman, decided to join your conversation with the queen and some other important people by brushing his hand slightly on your waist before standing next to you.

You didn't pay much attention to him, your rank, blood status and reputation were surpassing his for miles.

But Farah boiled. Anger, jealousy and temptation rising in her blood in a crazy and most importantly sudden turmoil.

" Are you alright, Fa ? You seem like you made a mistake. " Saul mocked her and then laughed at the glance she threw at his direction.

" Shut up. " Farah told him off looking daggers at the stupidly courageous businessman.

He must have said something funny because everybody laughed. Including you.

Farah's blood boiled.

The man leaned to you and whispered something in your ear making you flush.

And that was the last straw for Farah.

Farah turned on her heels and rushed outside. Out of Alfea's courtyard, out of the party she was supposed to host.

The woman couldn't bare it anymore.

Saul's eyes grew wide as he watched Farah run outside.

Fuck, with Farah gone the party was his responsibility from now on.

The specialist thought about it for a moment.

He then rushed to Ben. " Quickly, it's happening. "

Ben, who was sitting on the back of the party drinking his wine with a tiny Terra asleep in his arms, gave him a confused look. " What's happening ? "

The headmaster sat down next to him. " If we send Y/N to Farah, Farah will probably confess. "

Ben's eyes widened. " Yes. Yes. Let's go fetch her. " He wrapped his hands around the toddler as he stood on his feet.

Both friends walked to your group. 

" Good evening. Hope you are enjoying our humble party. " Saul, the new host, gave everybody especially Luna and except you (of course) a fake smile.

You raised an eyebrow. Where's Farah ?

" It's been lovely, headmaster Silva. May I ask where's the headmistress ? " That same businessman replied faster than Luna who had opened her mouth to do just that.

Luna shot him a reprimanding glance but didn't comment further, instead she refocused on Saul waiting for his answer.

" May I ask you a question. What's your name again ? " Saul frowned at him.

You took a sip from your whiskey. That one would be interesting.

" David Vandin, professor. Excuse me for not introducing myself earlier. " The man next to you made an apologetic gesture.

Saul didn't pay any further attention to him, instead he turned to you.

" Y/N. Could you help me to put Farah to sleep while Saul searched for Sam and Sky ? " Ben asked you.

You didn't hesitate to nod in agreement. " Of course. "

You said goodbye to everyone before you politely excused yourself and left the hall with your two friends.

" What do you want ? " You inquired knowing very well that they lied.

" Farah left earlier than expected. " Ben stated as the three of you turned down an other corridor. 

You were moving toward Ben's quarters to put Terra into sleep.

At the mention of Farah you were fully aware of what's to follow next. " Listen guys, even if I am very very greatful for your help, I'm not sure whether it's worth it or not. "

Saul and Ben both abruptly stopped walking and turned to face you. " I mean... even thought we had a flirt... an intense one... she doesn't want to... ya know. Share something more with me. "

Saul sighed and stepped closer to you. He got hold of both your arms locking eye contact with you. " I know that she hasn't shown to you how much she wants you. But both I and Ben have seen it. "

" Yeah. You are such a good, smart and funny person, Y/N. We would be honored to consider you family. And believe me, we already do that. " Ben added standing next to Saul.

You teared up. " Really ? " You questioned, tears running down your cheeks.

Both men nodded smiling at you and you all shared a hug; careful not to crash Terra who was still sleeping peacefully in her father's arms.

" Thank you so much, guys. " You told them when you pulled apart.

Saul winked at you. " Always here whenever you need us. "

Ben titled his head to the side. " Yes. But right now you must search for Farah. She mustn't be too far. "

And with a last smile and goodnights, you all went your respective ways.

꧁☾︎❥︎☽︎꧂

You didn't need much time to find her.

Farah was sat on a bench outside the castle.

Your heart clenched when you saw her figure trembling from both the cold and the tears in her eyes.

You silently sat next to her; surprised that she didn't see or feel you. So, you silently took off your coat and wrapped it around her.

You felt her freeze for a second before turning to look at you.

Farah frowned noticing that you weren't wearing something warmer (like your coat) with such a cold weather.

She tried to pull away to let you wear it because she didn't want you to be cold or catch a cold but you kept it in place.

" Stop it. You need it more than me; it's so cold, Y/N ! " Farah finally spoke with a hoarse voice.

You shook your head. " I'm an air fairy, Farah. Weather doesn't affect me. But it affects you. "

The older woman sighed knowing that she couldn't go against your argument. You had the power to manipulate air, you could control both your temperature and the temperature of the air around you.

Farah had no choice but to nod and agree with you.

Silence followed.

Uncomfortable silence.

Thick silence.

Silence that Farah didn't even dare to break.

" Are you okay ? " You asked her. Hadn't she been crying after all ?

" Don't worry about me. I'm fine. " Farah dismissed that conversation immediately.

You sneaked closer to her and wrapped your hand around her.

Farah's breath hitched. Oh god, she loved your touch.

You pulled Farah against you. Her head placed on your shoulder as you embraced her.

After having contact with your warm skin did Farah realize that she had still been trembling due to the cold air.

Finding both warmth and comfort in your arms, the headmistress of the most prominent magical academy in the six Realms snuggled closer.

You stayed like that for a while until you couldn't do it anymore.

It was now or never.

" I like you. " You blurted out before you could stop yourself.

However, for your great surprise, Farah just sighed.

SHE JUST SIGHED.

You pulled away to look at her.

Farah's eyes were closed and she didn't shift away from you, instead she moved closer.

You frowned. What was happening ?

" I... I know. " Farah mumbled weakly.

You stared at her for a second before suddenly standing up.

Farah's eyes snapped open and the still sat woman looked up at you.

Farah glared at you with hurt and confusion.

You crossed your hands in front of your chest. " First of all, that's serious. You can't half sleep or whatever when we have this conversation. Secondly, I don't want you to due from cold, so we are going inside. "

Farah nodded. You were right. Of course, it was serious. It was your lives you were talking about.

Still sleepy and cold, Farah raised her hand for you to take it. You did it and helped her up.

The woman gave you a smile as you led her inside. You turned through a corridor with her office as destination but Farah stopped you.

The headmistress who was slowly recovering inquired. " Would feel comfortable if we had this conversation in my chambers ? I feel like it would be more private there. "

Your eyes shone.

Farah Dowling. The woman you fancied. Was openly inviting you to her quarters.

Farah saw that glimmer of hope in your eyes.

Oh god, she felt the same.

However, after what happened today, Farah had made her decision.

She couldn't stand watching you being approached by other people.

She wanted to claim you.

Make you hers.

She wanted to take you in her arms and keep you there for the rest of eternity.

You let Farah lead you in her private rooms. Farah who was becoming more energetic and alerted with the passage of each second.

Farah's eyes shone greyish blue for a second when the two of you reached a wooden door.

The door opened and Farah motioned you to enter.

You did as told but before you get a glimpse of how Farah's quarters looked like, the said woman pinned you on the door; closing it in the process.

The woman's eyes shone again resulting on the sound of the door locking behind you.

Farah's hands held yours above your head while her mouth lowered to leave some kisses on your neck.

You sighed finally getting to feel her lips on your skin.

Farah's head stayed there, resting on your shoulder as the woman contemplated.

" What's wrong ? " You snapped unable to keep your composure.

Farah stepped back allowing you your space. Oh no.

She didn't bring you here only to kick you out saying that she changed her mind, did she ?

" Listen, the age gap we share is bigger than the normal ones. " The headmistress started.

You sighed in defeat and leaned against the door. You didn't like what was to follow.

" But you are a fellow adult and mature enough to comprehend the importance of a serious relationship. So, I would like to take you on a date. " Farah inhaled and waited for your response.

Your eyes widened.

Did she just back down from sex to ask you out ?

Well, even though you wouldn't mind starting your relationship with sex, you found it really sweet of her.

" Yes, Farah, of course. But why so suddenly this change of heart ? Why now ? " You questioned narrowing your eyes to show her your confusion.

Farah looked at the side quickly. " Nothing spectacular... Just being a tiny more courageous due to the alcohol. "

You raised an eyebrow. Was she lying ? " Unconvincing. "

" It's the tru- " Farah insisted.

" Was it because of that idiot ? " You cut her off realizing that she had probably been jealous.

Farah's eyes widened.

Yes, it was.

Congratulations, David.

You smiled triumphantly. " Gonna send him flowers as a thank you, then. Care to include you as well ? "

Farah placed her hands on her hips. She was burning. " No. You. Are. Not. "

" Yes. I. Am. " You paused after each word to piss her off.

She rolled her eyes in defeat giving you permission to do whatever you wanted, like she always had.

" You can stay here for the night, if you'd like. " Farah suggested.

You smirked. " If that's the question in which you demand my permission, then I shall inform your majesty that my legs will always be open for her magnitude. " 

She closed her eyes.

You would be the death of her.

[ikeromantic]

Entwined, Ch. 5

Part 5 of a multipart series. Mai has been reborn in the modern age after a full life in the Sengoku. The warlords as spirit animals find her again after 500 years of searching for her soul. This chapter contains some heavier topics including attempted sexual assault, misogyny, and sexual harrassment. Approx. 3700 words.

Part 1

Previous: Chapter 4

Mai woke early and packed all of the costumes for fitting into clothing bags. She felt surprisingly good after spending the previous day down with a headache. The events of the day prior were foggy to her though. There couldn’t have really been a smart squirrel handing her medicine. Though she did not doubt Mitsuhide had come by. The soup in her refrigerator and the medicine in the kitchen were proof he had.

His motivations were a mystery to her. Mitsuhide made it clear he thought of her as a coworker. Why would he do all of this? Mai thought about it as she walked over to a cafe to grab breakfast. He was so strange. Teasing one moment, and incredibly sweet the next. If she was being honest with herself, she -

“You.”

The voice was as cold and crisp as frost on a winter morning. 

Mai looked up, startled from her thoughts. There was a man in her path on the sidewalk. He was standing too close for comfort, and staring at her face as if he were studying it. As if that wasn’t awkward enough, the guy was probably - no, scratch that - definitely the prettiest man she’d ever seen. He had porcelain skin that practically glowed, a cupid’s bow mouth with lips the perfect rose-petal shade, long, delicate eyelashes, hair like spun gold, and his eyes - they were each a different shade. One was as blue as a clear sky, the other was emerald green. 

“I - ummm, do I know you?” She blinked, trying to find her big-girl words. It was hard to think in the face of so much pretty. He looked too gorgeous to be real and her brain was just not getting past that and into acting-like-an-intelligent-human mode. 

He reached out and grabbed her hand, pressing two fingers to her wrist. “Your heartrate is elevated.” He glanced behind him. “Sasuke, you told me she was recovered.”

Another man stepped out from behind the glamorous guy. This one was more normal, enough that Mai was able to take a regular breath anyway. He had glasses and a slight smile on his serious face. “Kenshin, it’s impolite to grab hold of women you don’t know.” 

The pretty one - Kenshin - released her wrist. “I am Kenshin. You are Mai, correct?”

“Yes?” She pulled her hand back and took a step away from him. 

“Good. I know you from -”

Sasuke, interrupted. “From your work, of course. My boss wasn’t expecting to see you this morning but we are both so happy we ran into you.” 

None of that sounded remotely convincing to Mai. Still, in case it was even remotely true, she couldn’t be rude. “I see. Well, good to meet you. I’m not in office today, but if you like,” she pulled a business card from her purse, “my contact information is here.”

Kenshin took the card, his lips twisting for a moment into a grimace. “I’m afraid I’ve frightened you again.” He sighed, something softening in his gaze. “I . . . apologize. Thank you for the information. I will meet with you another time.” 

Mai felt instantly terrible for making him feel bad, which was ridiculous of course! He’d accosted her on the way to breakfast but . . . there was a sadness about him that she could not miss, and it called to the gentleness in her. “It’s ok. I’m a little grumpy today. I’m not scared of you - just surprised.” She smiled. 

He froze for a heartbeat, his eyes narrowing. And then, he smiled back. It was a slight, tender curling upwards at the corners of his mouth. Barely there, and yet it changed his whole expression. “Always so kind,” he said in a voice so quiet that Mai was certain she wasn’t meant to hear. Then he brushed past her, striding away as if in a hurry.

Sasuke stayed where he was a moment longer. “I’m glad to see you’re feeling well today.” 

“How do you know I wasn’t well before?”

He scrubbed a hand through his hair. “I uh, know Akechi. He mentioned you. To me and my boss.” His grin was sheepish, though the rest of his expression did not shift. “Sorry. I didn’t even introduce myself properly. I am Sasuke Sarutobi, and the man you just met is my boss, Kenshin Uesugi.”

Mai frowned. “And you’re friends with Mitsuhide?”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Sasuke scuffed his foot. “But we know him. And he mentions you frequently, so I feel like I know you too. It probably is pretty weird to meet people who know about you when you don’t remem-ah - know them at all.” 

“It’s a little unsettling,” she agreed. “But you seem nice. Kenshin too, though he’s a little intense.”

Sasuke laughed. “He is. I’m glad you aren’t too offended. I’d hate to get on your bad side.”

Mai found herself laughing too. There was something about Sasuke that eased her mind. He felt like an old friend, though they’d only just met. For some reason, he made her think of storms. And stars. And . . . “Ninja?”

“What?” His expression went completely blank. 

She flushed, embarrassed at speaking a thought aloud. “N-nothing. I don’t know why that popped out. Ninja.” She laughed weakly, trying to think of some excuse that would make sense.

He shrugged. “Well, I do love the real history of ninjas. Maybe you just picked up on my secret obsession.” He blinked at her. Not a normal just-wetting-your-eye blink. It was an awkward, intentional, double-eye wink that made him look like he didn’t quite have control of his face. 

Mai wasn’t sure what that was about so she politely said nothing about it. “Haha, maybe? Just a guess. You have that, erm, look? The ninja look?” Which was complete nonsense. He was wearing a mid-grade business suit, one with a flattering cut, neatly fitted to his athletic frame, but the fabric was nothing special. Not even real wool . . . and - Mai cut off her seamstress-brain as she realized he was talking and she was just standing there grinning like an idiot.

“. . . so you aren’t completely wrong. But mostly I just fetch coffee, take notes, and stop my boss from going homicidal.”

“Ahahaha yeah . . . umm . . . by the way, I think he’s getting away from you. Is that ok?” She glanced back to see that Kenshin was completely gone from view.

Sasuke’s brows lifted slightly. “Oh no. I’ve got to go. But it was great seeing you. Really great.” And then he was gone. 

Mai felt strange as she continued to the cafe. She’d met so many odd people the last few weeks. People that were so comfortable to be around, as if they were already friends. There was a sense of pressure in her head as she mulled the familiarity of these strangers. Images and feelings surfaced just enough for her to be aware of them, and then were gone. 

She sat down with her chocolate croissant and coffee, barely tasting either as she pursued those . . . memories? Imagination? The worst was Mitsuhide. When she was around him, her emotions responded to him as if he were an old, precious friend. Or more. She felt vulnerable. Excited. Happy. 

Then Hideyoshi. He made her feel safe. Comforted. As if she knew she could ask him for anything and he’d do it. Which reminded her . . . she needed to text him. She pulled out her phone and sent him a quick hello. He replied so fast she wondered if he’d been in his messages already. 

‘Was thinking about you just now,” he wrote. ‘Want to go for a bike ride with me Saturday?’

She grinned at her phone. It was just like him to ask her out before she had a chance to ask him. ‘Sure. Where are we going?’

He sent her the information for a lakefront park not too far from her neighborhood. It was close enough to just ride a bike from her flat. More thoughtfulness from Hideyoshi. He really was great. 

With breakfast done, she went arranged a ride to the theater and went back to pick up the costumes. It was still early but she wanted to get there and have time to take all the outfits from their bags, smooth the fabric, and do a check for any issues like weak seams or misaligned patterning. 

Hopefully the fittings would go well and then she could focus on the remaining ‘special’ outfits for specific scenes. Tamamo had to look her best, afterall. 

Mai rang the doorbell at the theater but noone opened the door. After a second ring and five more minutes of waiting, she tested the handle and found it unlocked. The facility staff were probably there cleaning, and might have headphones on. Or someone was in the office ignoring her. Or . . . as she entered, she heard music coming down the hall that led to backstage. 

It got louder the closer she got to the dressing room, loud enough that it was kind of unpleasant. She struggled up the steps with her arms full of clothing bags. Whoever was rocking out back here would need to turn it down a bit while she got set up, she thought. 

She shoved the door open with her hip and then stopped, frozen in place. Mai couldn’t understand what she was looking at for a moment. There was Mr. Keiki. And there was an actress. He had a grip on her wrists and was leaning over her, though she was trying to pull away. 

Mai’s body moved before she finished thinking about what she was going to do. The costume bags fell to the floor and she grabbed up a prop sword. It was made of aluminum and brass and didn’t weigh much, but Keiki noticed when she slammed it against the side of his head. “Stop!”

He let go of the actress to grab for Mai. “You!”

She smacked him again, side-stepping his swipe.

The actress picked up a ceramic pot and threw it at him. Her teeth were bared in an angry snarl, cheeks smeared with dripping mascara, her hair wild. She looked feral and furious.

Mr, Keiki ran. Right past Mai and out the door. 

Mai set down the sword just in time for the actress to fling herself into Mai’s arms. 

“Oh. Oh my god. Thank you. I thought . . . I thought he was going to . . .” Her snarl had dissolved into sobbing.

“Are you ok?” Mai hugged her, though she didn’t even know her name. 

The actress nodded. “He - he didn’t - he tried but - but you came and - oh my god. I can’t believe he . . . I didn’t think he would - would really -”

Mai let her cry it out, patting her back gently until she calmed down enough to sit. “What happened?”

“He invited me for a private audition. I thought he wanted to give me a role but . . . he just wanted . . . he said if I -” She was starting to tear up again.

“I’m going to call the police, alright? We can’t let him get away with this.” Mai went to the pile of dropped bags and pulled out her purse. 

The actress waved her hands. “No! Don’t! Please. There��s no point. It’ll just mean no one will work with me.”

“Are you crazy? We can’t just . . .” Mai stopped, thinking about what the actress said. She was right of course. This wasn’t the first time Keiki would be accused. There had been a scandal less than a year ago. The woman involved disappeared and Keiki was still here, still in charge.

“It’s fine.” The girl wiped her face with her hands. “I’ll just make sure I’m not - not alone with him.” She gave Mai a tremulous smile. “Thank you for coming when you did. And for helping.”

Mai nodded. “I’m glad I came when I did. My name is Mai, by the way.”

“Sachie.” The actress stood up. “I should probably go. I want to get home. Clean up. Figure out . . . what to do next.”

“Alright. Here.” Mai handed her a card, jotting her personal number down. “If you want to talk, call me ok? And if you change your mind, I’d be willing to be your witness too.”

She took the card and tucked it away. “Thank you. Again.” Then she left.

Mai felt emotionally drained after all that, and still uncertain. She couldn’t stand the idea that Keiki would get away with this, but she couldn’t file a report if Sachie wasn’t willing. It was infuriating and depressing all at once. She hated that it was like this for women. That some guy with money could just - just -

“You look like you’re about to bite the head off a flower, little mouse.” Mitsuhide’s smooth as silk voice cut through her anger like cool water through coals. 

She turned from where she was hanging and prepping the costumes. “Sorry. It’s been a - a rough day.” 

Mitsuhide nodded, then frowned. “You have mascara stains on your shirt. And your sleeve is damp.” He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he inspected her more closely. “What happened?”

“I really don’t want to talk about it. I need to focus on the fitting. Besides, it doesn’t involve you.” Mai couldn’t imagine how Mitsuhide would react or if he’d even care. Sachie’s situation wasn’t unique, and he was an employee of the theater too. It would be hard for him to go against Keiki. Better to just leave it alone for now.

“I’ll leave it alone for now,” he said, echoing her thoughts as if he could read her mind. “But you will tell me about it later.” He touched her sleeve lightly, tracing the tear-stains. “Even if it doesn’t involve me, I can’t let my favorite seamstress carry a heavy burden all alone.”

She sighed. “Ok. Sure. But first, let’s get through the fitting and then I’ll think about it.”

The fitting went as well as could be expected. A few of the actors would need some hemming done or sleeves refitted, but not many. And despite herself, Mai was able to focus on the job and not on her worries. By the time everything wrapped up and the last actor left, she was almost relaxed. At least, until Mitsuhide fixed her with his gleaming eyes. 

“That went well, little mouse. Now. You will tell me why you were in such a state when I arrived.” 

“It’s not really my story to tell but . . . maybe you can give me some ideas. I guess. I just, I don’t know what to do.” Mai laid it out for him. What she’d heard before this, what she saw, and Sachie’s request. 

Mitsuhide listened quietly, sitting on a crate across from her while she spoke. He was silent when she finished, his expression distant. 

“So. What do you think? I can’t just let Mr. Keiki get away with this! He’ll keep doing it. Harassing girls, making our lives miserable.”

“Sachie is right though. There are a lot of men like him. Too wealthy and powerful to file a report on. Even in this era, money has a louder voice than justice.”

Mai frowned. “That’s it? That’s what you have to say?” She crossed her arms. “What if it was me? What if he grabbed me and held me down and forced himself on me? Then what? You’d shrug and say, oh, sorry Mai. Nothing we can do?” She felt like she might cry with frustration.

Mitsuhide grabbed her hand, squeezing it tightly. “I’d kill him.” 

The way he said it, the easy certainty of it, sent a chill through Mai. Guys made all kinds of boasts about how they would do this or that to protect a friend or a sibling, and there was a sort of . . . almost guilty undertone. Like that’s what they would wish to do, but they knew it wouldn’t really come to it. Not so with Mitsuhide. His tone was nonchalant, his expression the same as if he’d promised to pick up lunch. 

He saw the way she looked at him and turned his head to look away. “Sorry, little one. I’m not a gentleman. I forget how kindhearted you are. But it’s true. I would kill him. And he would deserve it.”

She sighed, letting out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding in. “Yeah. Well. You aren’t wrong. But I still don’t know what to do.”

Mitsuhide was silent for a few breaths, then he faced her again, his lips curved in a sharp smile. “I have an idea. It will take a little time, and you’ll need to stay away from the theater.”

“Okay?” Mai lifted an eyebrow, curious.

“Don’t worry, little one. I’ll come visit while you’re banished.” He touched her cheek gently. 

“Pffft. I’m not worried about that,” she snapped, trying to hide how his light touch made her heart race. “I need some time to work on the sizing adjustments anyway.”

“Good. Because I don’t want you caught up in anything. And I don’t want to have to kill him. That’s much harder to get away with in this century.”

She laughed at his ridiculous phrasing. “In any century, Mitsuhide. Any we lived in anyway.”

He grinned. “Of course. Now . . . let me take you home. After hearing all that, I don’t like the idea of you getting in a car with a stranger.”

“Ummm, I hate to break it to you, but I can handle myself.”

“I know. But I’d rather you not need to.” His finger caressed the line of her jaw. “I knew a girl just like you a long time ago. She faced down a daim- a very wealthy business man and was almost assaulted. The pain it caused her hurt me to see, even though she handled herself just fine. I would prefer you not experience such a thing again.”

Mai leaned into his touch without noticing she was doing it. “Mm, well I never have so it’s not again. Not really. I am careful. Except -”She paused, considering him, sitting so close, touching her in a way that was really more intimate than a co-worker ever should. “Except with you, I guess.”

He smiled at her and there was a terrible vulnerability to it, one that sent images cascading through her mind. Yoshiaki, and Kyubei. Those names . . . who were they and why would that come to mind now? Why could she remember him holding her as she cried into his chest? That had never happened. Yet she could recall the feel of his muscles beneath the fabric, the smell of him, the light circles he’d made with his hands on her back as he comforted her.

“Mai, are you ok?” Mitsuhide’s smile was gone, replaced with worry. 

“Hm? Yeah. Yeah. I was just . . . you know how sometimes one thing reminds you of something else? Something that isn’t really real but . . . you know. Like a - a movie or something?” That had to be it. Her tired, emotionally drained brain was smooshing together some ex-boyfriend and movies and maybe a book she’d read. “Crazy, right?”

He tilted his head, studying her expression. “If you say so, little mouse. What were you thinking of?”

“Yoshiaki? I don’t know where I heard that name. And Kyubei.” She gave a tired laugh. “My brain is really fried.” There was no way she was going to tell him she remembered crying on him. Or that he smelled like crushed herbs and gunpowder. Nope. No way.

Mitsuhide didn’t laugh or even smile. His brows rose in surprise. “Yoshiaki?” He took her face in his hands, getting so close she thought he was going to kiss her. “Did you remember something?”

“N-no! I don’t, I don’t think so.” She tried to draw back but couldn’t move much. “Would you let me go?”

“I know when you are lying, little one.”

Mai sighed. “Fine! I remember crying on someone. And smelling gunpowder and - and some kind of spicy herbal smell.” There was no way he would know she meant him with such a vague reference. “Just random, right? I mean, what does gunpowder even smell like? Probably not rotten eggs and hot metal.” 

“That is exactly the smell.” His gaze was intense, like molten gold. Bright as sunrise, hot as a summer day. He let go of her and sat back. His hands were shaking as he clasped them in his lap. “A ridiculous thing to lie about.”

“Well, it’s kind of a weird thing to recall right now.” His reaction mystified her as much as those strange thoughts did. Maybe this was what it meant to have a nervous breakdown. 

Mitsuhide stood, his teasing, cynical smile back in place. “We should probably get you home. Or your office? Whatever you prefer.”

“The office. I think I’ll get some work done on the resizing before dinner. Tomorrow will be packed with wedding appointments so . . . yeah.” Mai smiled up at him, trying to banish the awkwardness. “And hey . . . thanks for offering to help with Keiki. I wish I knew what you were up to, but for some reason, I kinda trust you know what you’re doing.” 

“I appreciate your confidence.” His smile widened. “I know just how to deal with men like him. I am only sorry I didn’t decide to go ahead with it sooner.”

“You know I’m dying from curiosity, right?”

Mitsuhide chuckled dryly. “You’ll find out soon enough. I promise. Now, which of these bags should I carry out for you?”

“These and that one there and -” She remembered quite suddenly something she wanted to ask. “Hey, who the hell are Sasuke and Kenshin anyway? They said they knew you.”

He went still for a moment and then shook his head. “I do know them, yes.”

Mai put a hand on her hips. “And? Where do you know them from? Are they crazy weirdos I should watch out for? How well do you know them? Come on! You can’t just give me half an answer.”

“A long time ago through . . . work. Maybe. And as well as I can.” He grinned at her. “Good enough?”

“You are infuriating. Seriously.” She hefted the last of the costume bags and her purse. “I’ll just have to find out for myself, I guess. If that Kenshin guy calls me.” Then, in a stroke of pure evil she added, “I hope he does. He was really gorgeous. Like idol-level.” 

There was a slight tightening of Mitsuhide’s jaw before he replied. “He is a lady-killer. But I’m not worried, little mouse. I’m afraid I already know what you like, and he’s not your type.”

“What? Mitsuhide! You don’t even - hey! Where are you going? You can’t just say that and walk off!” But he could and he did and Mai chased after him with her questions. He was obviously teasing. Right?

Next: Chapter 6

[benarirose]

꧁Hijo de La Luna Príncipe꧂

Author's note: This little story here is also on Ao3, My account is Benari_Rose there. It's inspired by Haggard's (or Mecano's) song Hijo de La Luna. I would appreciate it so much if you leave comments on here or there. Thank you (⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥

Tw: Just a little bit of violence, there's no blood included in this so don't worry. But usage of knife is mentioned.

𝕬 𝖋𝖔𝖔𝖑 𝖜𝖍𝖔 𝖉𝖔𝖊𝖘 𝖓𝖔𝖙 𝖚𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖗𝖙𝖘𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖆 𝖑𝖊𝖌𝖊𝖓𝖉

𝕿𝖊𝖑𝖑𝖘 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖆 𝕲𝖞𝖕𝖘𝖞 𝖂𝖔𝖒𝖆𝖓 𝖕𝖑𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖊𝖉 𝖙𝖔 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕲𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖂𝖎𝖟𝖆𝖗𝖉 𝕸𝖔𝖔𝖓 𝕻𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖈𝖊...

 The woman standing in front of him was crying silently. Yet her sobs echoed through the halls of Prince Cygnus' castle. He slowly raised his hand to take a peek at the woman by lifting the veil covering his face.

 𝕾𝖍𝖊 𝖜𝖆𝖘 𝖈𝖗𝖞𝖎𝖓𝖌, 𝖆𝖘𝖐𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖜𝖍𝖊𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖘𝖆𝖞 𝖈𝖆𝖒𝖊, 𝖙𝖔 𝖒𝖆𝖗𝖗𝖞 𝖆 𝖒𝖆𝖓 𝖘𝖍𝖊 𝖑𝖔𝖛𝖊𝖉 𝖔𝖍 𝖘𝖔 𝖒𝖚𝖈𝖍

He smiled, masking his confusion. Why wouldn't she wish this from the Venus Prince Ambrose? His task was to tie two lovers together, to bless their relationship and family with his spells. So why would she ask this to himself instead of his brother? He didn't know but the woman in front of him was in pain, in need of love, in need of validation.

So he parted his lips and said:

 "𝖄𝖔𝖚 𝖜𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝖍𝖆𝖛𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖒𝖆𝖓 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖑𝖔𝖛𝖊. 𝕭𝖚𝖙..."

He paused. He didn't know what to ask in return. Then an idea came up to him. He had always wanted to be a parent, to bring an heir to his kingdom. But his infertility never allowed him. He loved children of his kingdom like they were his own. Their laughter, joy, innocence and goofy little chats eased his stress and forget all his problems while spending time with them. 

Men who didn't deserve to be a parent became fathers while he couldn't. It felt unfair to him. Yet he didn't make any noise about it. But now he didn't need to biologically have a kid to be a parent. So he adjusted his posture in his throne and...

 𝕱𝖗𝖔𝖒 𝖆𝖇𝖔𝖛𝖊, 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖕𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖈𝖊 𝖘𝖕𝖔𝖐𝖊:

"𝕴𝖓 𝖗𝖊𝖙𝖚𝖗𝖓, 𝕴 𝖜𝖆𝖓𝖙 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖙𝖔 𝖌𝖎𝖛𝖊 𝖒𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖋𝖎𝖗𝖘𝖙 𝖈𝖍𝖎𝖑𝖉 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖍𝖆𝖛𝖊 𝖋𝖗𝖔𝖒 𝖍𝖎𝖒. 𝕬𝖑𝖆𝖘, 𝖎𝖋 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖎𝖒𝖒𝖔𝖑𝖆𝖙𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗 𝖘𝖔𝖓, 𝖎𝖓 𝖔𝖗𝖉𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖔 𝖓𝖔𝖙 𝖇𝖊 𝖆𝖑𝖔𝖓𝖊, 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖜𝖔𝖚𝖑𝖉 𝖑𝖔𝖛𝖊 𝖎𝖙 𝖑𝖎𝖙𝖙𝖑𝖊"

 It was kind of cruel of Cygnus wanting this in return. He knew a mother's sorrow of losing their firstborn pretty well. But his desperation put pressure on hus conscience. In which, he will regret sooner or later. 

The woman raised her head and swiped her bangs from her forehead as she blinked. That's when he felt his chest ache. It felt like his ribcage had turned on him and started suffocating his lungs and heart. He didn't see her face at first due to his veil, but now it was crystal clear that she was beautiful. Her skin was smooth and a vibrant brown. Long and curly eyelashes which matched her dark curly hair. A slender figure with chubby curves which were adorned and garnished with accessories and jewels.

He was always told not to judge a book by it's cover, which he agreed to this mindset with his heart and mind. But for some reason he was mesmerized by a lady who was a foreigner to magic.

Her breath hitched as she tried to speak. "I-is there n-no oth-other way?.." she asked in a very quiet voice that even Cygnus could barely hear. He winced silently, he was already regretting his decision, but there was no turning back now. 

"I'm afraid yes fair mortal lady... Casting a love spell is not something I practiced with my magic. So casting it would require something important in return." He said as he lowered his gaze to the ground. The woman thought for a moment. Her eyes fixed on the prince, she spoke "Will you take good care of my baby, your Highness? If I ever get parted from my child, I'd want it to be in good hands..."

Cygnus nodded. "Yes, indeed. I promise your child will be taken good care of. You can rest assured." A sigh of relief left the woman's lips and she clasped her hands together. "Thank you, your highness. It hurts me so but if what you're saying is true, then I accept." And with that, Cygnus rose from his throne and descended from the staircase which lead to his pedestal like crown. 

"Well, then..." He said as he gently placed his palm on her head, magic glowing from under his hand with a gorgeous blue hue. He was close to her enough that his shining silvery locks brushed her shoulder. Which she couldn't help but gaze up in awe. After the glow faded, he pulled his hand back. "Now then, our deal is sealed. You can go now, I'll come to check up on you from time to time. But before you go, can I learn what your name is miss?" 

"Nataliya. And thank you again, your highness. It will never be enough no matter how much I thank you."

"No, I thank you for your sacrifice, Nataliya... Now go." He said as he turned his back, flowing his cape with the wind he made.

Nataliya rose up from her knees and guided out of the castle by the guardians. Cygnus watched her as she left. Feeling the sense of growing guilt like he did something wrong. 

 𝕸𝖔𝖔𝖓 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖜𝖆𝖓𝖙 𝖙𝖔 𝖇𝖊 𝖆 𝖋𝖆𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗

𝖄𝖊𝖙, 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖈𝖆𝖓'𝖙 𝖋𝖎𝖓𝖉 𝖆 𝖑𝖔𝖛𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖜𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝖒𝖆𝖐𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖆 𝖒𝖆𝖓

𝕿𝖊𝖑𝖑 𝖒𝖊 𝕾𝖎𝖑𝖛𝖊𝖗𝖞 𝕸𝖔𝖔𝖓

𝖂𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖉𝖔 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖎𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖓𝖉 𝖙𝖔 𝖉𝖔 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍 𝖆 𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖆𝖑 𝖈𝖍𝖎𝖑𝖉?

𝕬𝖍𝖍-𝖆𝖍-𝖆𝖍-𝖆𝖍-𝖆𝖍𝖍-𝖆𝖍-𝖆𝖍-𝖆𝖍𝖍...

𝕾𝖔𝖓 𝖔𝖋 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕸𝖔𝖔𝖓 𝕻𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖈𝖊

 Months passed since Nataliya had made a deal with Cygnus. Just like he promised, she was able to gain the affection of the man she loved. Soon after, they got married and got tied to eachother at the wedding night. Cygnus watched them afar, observing their joy and laughter. He couldn't help but feel jealous from the deepest pits of his heart. That man was loving her only because of his spell. That man... He had no ounce of mercy, kindness or humbleness. He was full of hatred, vengeance and anger.

After a while, he learned that Nataliya was eight months pregnant and close to giving birth soon. He smiled at the information and chose to visit her more often. Sometimes he draws invisible protection signs on her house's door. Sometimes he controls them from afar while reading a book. One month later, she gave birth to a beautiful son. But there was an issue...

𝕱𝖗𝖔𝖒 𝖆 𝖈𝖎𝖓𝖓𝖆𝖒𝖔𝖓 𝖋𝖆𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗, 𝖆 𝖈𝖍𝖎𝖑𝖉 𝖜𝖆𝖘 𝖇𝖔𝖗𝖓

𝖂𝖍𝖎𝖙𝖊 𝖆𝖘 𝖆𝖓 𝖊𝖗𝖒𝖎𝖓𝖊'𝖘 𝖇𝖆𝖈𝖐

𝖂𝖎𝖙𝖍 𝖌𝖗𝖆𝖞 𝖊𝖞𝖊𝖘, 𝖎𝖓𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖆𝖉 𝖔𝖋 𝖔𝖑𝖎𝖛𝖊

𝕬𝖓 𝖆𝖑𝖇𝖎𝖓𝖔 𝖒𝖔𝖔𝖓 𝖈𝖍𝖎𝖑𝖉...

"𝕯𝖆𝖒𝖓 𝖍𝖎𝖘 𝖎𝖒𝖆𝖌𝖊! 𝕿𝖍𝖎𝖘 𝖘𝖔𝖓 𝖇𝖊𝖑𝖔𝖓𝖌𝖘 𝖙𝖔 𝖆 𝖈𝖑𝖔𝖜𝖓 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕴 𝖜𝖔𝖓'𝖙 𝖐𝖊𝖊𝖕 𝖖𝖚𝖎𝖊𝖙 𝖆𝖇𝖔𝖚𝖙 𝖎𝖙."

 Nataliya was shocked against her husband's shameful assumption, let alone behavior. She never had cheated, nor seen another man. Sure, it was kind of surprising how her son was white as snow but this might be Prince Cygnus' magic's appearance. She needs to explain this to her husband before he misunderstands further. 

Unfortunately, it was too late. People around them started to question and gossip. One of them being gross slanders as it was about a pale skinned man (who was Cygnus) visiting Nataliya's house when her husband wasn't there. It was partly true since Cygnus did visit her but not in the way people had assumed

Days and days passed by and and her husband's hidden wrath started to be increasingly evident. Everytime Nataliya tried to explain what happened, the words of people lurked around and got worse each time. It went as far as people gossiped about Nataliya being a promiscuous woman while calling her husband a cuck for letting this happen 

Until one day, he couldn't take it anymore. It didn't matter if she was telling the truth and the baby was his. She 'dirtied' his name and put him in 'shame'

 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖒𝖆𝖓 𝖇𝖊𝖑𝖎𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖍𝖎𝖒𝖘𝖊𝖑𝖋 𝖉𝖎𝖘𝖍𝖔𝖓𝖔𝖗𝖊𝖉

𝕳𝖊 𝖜𝖊𝖓𝖙 𝖙𝖔 𝖍𝖎𝖘 𝖜𝖎𝖋𝖊, 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍 𝖆 𝖐𝖓𝖎𝖋𝖊 𝖎𝖓 𝖍𝖆𝖓𝖉:

"𝖂𝖍𝖔𝖘𝖊 𝖘𝖔𝖓 𝖎𝖘 𝖍𝖊? 𝖄𝖔𝖚'𝖛𝖊 𝖉𝖊𝖋𝖎𝖓𝖎𝖙𝖊𝖑𝖞 𝖉𝖊𝖈𝖎𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖉 𝖒𝖊."

𝕬𝖓𝖉 𝖍𝖊 𝖜𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖉 𝖍𝖊𝖗 𝖆𝖑𝖒𝖔𝖘𝖙 𝖙𝖔 𝖉𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖍

𝕭𝖚𝖙 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖓𝖐𝖋𝖚𝖑𝖑𝖞 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕸𝖔𝖔𝖓 𝕻𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖈𝖊 𝖜𝖆𝖘 𝖔𝖇𝖘𝖊𝖗𝖛𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖋𝖗𝖔𝖒 𝖆𝖇𝖔𝖛𝖊

𝖂𝖍𝖊𝖓 𝖍𝖊 𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖉 𝖆 𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖒 𝖍𝖊 𝖘𝖙𝖗𝖚𝖈𝖐 𝖉𝖔𝖜𝖓

 Almost in a second, the man hit a wall with his back as he was pushed by an undeniably powerful force. The man grunted in pain as he tried to collect his senses. As his blurry vision cleared, his blood drained from his face immediately. The Moon Prince, one of the ten royal siblings of the kingdom, was frowning down on him

"Relentless..." He muttered out. "I tied you two together because she loved you. And as in return, I wanted her firstborn which she had from YOU!" He said the last word loudly, which echoed and ringed in the man's ears.

The baby was really his. He tilted his head downwards in shame as he realized his terrible crime. "You did not marry her only because you loved her, but because you trusted her. How dare you believe such foul slanders about herself when she denies them? How dare you hurt her for something she didn't even commit?" Cygnus didn't want the man to flee so he knocked him out by casting a sleep spell. He then turned to Nataliya who was wounded on her stomach. Cygnus kneeled next to her as he tended her wounds with his healing. 

"I should've known better..." He began his sentence with a hint of sorrow in his voice. "I'm deeply sorry for my foolish mistake. Not every relationships born from love form fruits of peace. You may still love him, but he tried to kill you. So going back to him would earn you nothing but harm." Nataliya slowly turned her head to him and watched his magic cure her wounds. 

"I won't go back to him. He didn't believe me when I was telling the truth. He can burn in hell for all I care. I really thought he loved me, but the only thing he cared about was his name..." She said as her brows furrowed. Betrayal, was the thing she felt. "But, why?" She asked to Cygnus.

"Hm?' he hummed back in return, so Nataliya continued. "Why didn't your spell work, your highness? Is it because he was the wrong man?"

"No... The spell did work. But it wasn't strong enough to pacify his anger or hatred. Even the strongest love spells can't clear the heart of evil." He answered her question calmly. "But, there's also a question I'd like to ask: Why did you come to me to make your wish instead of my brother Ambrose? He's the wizard of love and beauty after all."

Nataliya forced herself to sit up, grunting as her newly closed wounds stretched. Cygnus held her back to steady herself while telling her to be careful. 

"I actually did..." She said as she exhaled. "When I proposed my wish to him, he gladly accepted at first. But when he got to know my... 'husband', he told me he can't. He didn't tell me why, he just dismissed me by saying 'I don't feel any connection between you two. I'm so sorry to tell you this but for my spell to work, your strings should at least be close to eachother. So I can tie them up.' I didn't understand at first. Wondered why he couldn't just make our strings get close. I was blinded by love so much that I didn't see that he was protecting me subtly. So I went to you..."

"Which resulted in this." Cygnus said as he completed her sentence. Then a sound of a baby crying was heard from the back. Nataliya rose up from the ground slowly and went back into her home. She took her baby son into her arms and caressed his head gently.

"Sshh... It's ok, mama's not hurt. Everything's ok..." She whispered into his ear. Then she got out of her home to see Cygnus sitting and watching the stars above. "Your highness?" Cygnus turned his head to Nataliya. "Yes?" He answered as he stood up. "I know, my marriage didn't last like I wanted, but..."

Her eyes teared up as she patted her now calmed down son's back. Cygnus immediately understood what she was trying to say and raised his hand to stop her. 

"No. I've made my decision. No mother deserves to lose their child. Especially right after they lost their loved one. I'm sorry, I was desperate to be a parent at the time. It was a cruel mistake. Your son will stay with you. Please, do take care Miss Nataliya..."

He said as he turned his back. Nataliya gasped and hold the Prince's arm. "Wait!" She blurted out without thinking. "I uhh... I still believe you deserve to be by his side, your highness. He... Carries your image. He is the one who awakened me to realize the man I married isn't the one I loved, and you're the one who saved me from him. If there's a man who deserves to be a father the most, it's you." 

Cynus' eyes sparkled as he looked at Nataliya. He was too stunned that he forgot how to speak. As he looked over to the baby then Nataliya, his cheeks grew a pinkish hue. Cygnus smiled as he took the little boy in his arms and watched as the little boy's eyes wander around to focus on him. He then started giggling and clapping his hands clumsily. Reaching over to Cygnus' face as the little boy laughed in joy. Cygnus' smile grew wider and kissed the little boy's forehead.

"Does he have a name?" He asked, looking over to Nataliya. "Crescent" she answered. "I named him Crescent. The one which grows to be a full moon, like you." She smiled as she watched her son playing and pulling the Prince's hair. "How beautiful. Welcome to Earth, Crescent. Auntie Lunafreya (Cygnus' twin sister, the Earth Princess) will love you... Ow! Slow down there buddy, that's my hair!" He said as he winced in slight pain, but laughed anyway.

He turned his figure to Nataliya fully. "Nataliya. I want you to come with me to my castle. That way I can take care and check on you two more easily. But, if you want yo stay here, I won't say no to that. The choice is yours." He said with a bright look on his face. Nataliya blinked in surprise.

"I... That was a little sudden, your highness I-"

"Call me Cygnus" 

"What?"

"You don't have to speak to me formally. You can speak with me comfortably, Nataliya." Cygnus said as his breathing got faster. He wasn't going to force her, no. But he really wanted to spend more time with her. To get to know her better. 

"I-I accept your offer my Pr- I mean Cygnus..." She said as she got shy all of a sudden. It looked cute to Cygnus, honestly. He smiled warmly and walked towards her side while Baby Crescent was in his arms. "Let us go then." He said and with his hand movements, a blue circle formed on air and opened a portal to their new 'home'...

 𝕬𝖓𝖉 𝖔𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖓𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙𝖘 𝖜𝖍𝖊𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊 𝖎𝖘 𝖆 𝖋𝖚𝖑𝖑 𝖒𝖔𝖔𝖓

𝕿𝖍𝖊𝖓 𝖎𝖙'𝖘 𝖇𝖊𝖈𝖆𝖚𝖘𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖈𝖍𝖎𝖑𝖉 𝖎𝖘 𝖘𝖑𝖊𝖊𝖕𝖎𝖓𝖌

𝕬𝖓𝖉 𝖎𝖋 𝖍𝖊 𝖜𝖊𝖊𝖕𝖘, 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖒𝖔𝖔𝖓 𝖜𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝖜𝖆𝖓𝖊 𝖙𝖔 𝖒𝖆𝖐𝖊 𝖆 𝖈𝖗𝖆𝖉𝖑𝖊

𝕬𝖓𝖉 𝖎𝖋 𝖍𝖊 𝖜𝖊𝖊𝖕𝖘, 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖒𝖔𝖔𝖓 𝖜𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝖜𝖆𝖓𝖊 𝖙𝖔 𝖒𝖆𝖐𝖊 𝖆 𝖈𝖗𝖆𝖉𝖑𝖊...

-𝐸𝑛𝑑 <3

[pileofmush]

hiiiiiiii, mushyyyyyyyyyy 🤩 just droppin my lil blurb in your ask box, but don't rush !! get to it whenever ya have the time 😁

btw, i'd like male matches (that sounds so weird...dude matches ? man matches ? men matches ?) from one piece + jjk/hq ✨

- i'm 5'8, athletic but thicc build, brown eyes + curly black hair w long natural eyelashes + a cute nose (so i've been told hehe)

- i'm naturally intimidating but once i open my mouth people can't take me seriously until i show em i'm serious, which usually comes in the form of anger or intimidation.

- i'm usually a jokester/chill person who doesn't try to dwell too much on things. i also get a little deep + philosophical if im in the mood, but v rarely. i can be a bit chaotic most of the time + i often am not able to tell when i should stop cracking jokes/being silly 🤭 but my friends are always good about telling me it's time to get serious !!

- i'd do anything for my friends + family, am extremely loyal.

- when i'm w others, i'm usually the life of the party !! i'm always cracking jokes or saying/doing stupid shit. but i also enjoy my alone time + i'm just as silly when i'm by myself !! (i talk to myself when i'm alone is that weirddd)

- hobbies include working out, sitting out in the sun, taking care of my plants (to the best of my abilities, i managed to kill all of my patio plants at the same exact time), being anywhere near the water/beach, cooking, + studying because im in med school !!

muchas gracia, miel 💕

𝖒𝖆𝖙𝖈𝖍𝖚𝖕 𝖙𝖗𝖆𝖉𝖊 𝖜/ @bokutosbiceps

✧༺♥༻∞

alicia, my love! i hope you enjoy your matchups! i thought long and hard about them. i'm sure you'll be able to tell what kind of ship dynamics i prefer, teehee.

╰┈➤ okay! from one piece, i ship you with zoro!

* ˚ ♥ okay, now hear me out. i don't think i've ever heard you mention his name before, but let me tell you something, let me tell you something! you two? would make a power couple.

* ˚ ♥ from an outside perspective, think pretty princess and her guard dog. people would already find you a little intimidating, mainly because you have a mature air about you and seem assured of yourself. definitely not one to take bs, and people can tell.

* ˚ ♥ but after one look at zoro, who likes to stand right behind you and smirk, probably with a hand in your back pocket or an index finger linked around your belt loop-- it becomes clear that you are not to be fucked with.

* ˚ ♥ despite the scary guard dog persona, zoro definitely lets you fight your own battles. he's standing on the sidelines with a proud grin. whether you're staring someone down or beating some marine's ass, he's glad to witness every instance. finds it incredibly sexy that you're so capable and confident. ...let anyone touch you, though, and it's a different story. consider their ass dead. zoro would handle it.

* ˚ ♥ first impressions are discarded quickly once it becomes clear that you two are just a pair of goobers. for the purposes of this ship, i am restoring zoro's funnybone. yes, i can do that. zoro can be silly. and you, mi amor, definitely bring it out of him. and it's so. so. cute. make a joke about anyone, anyone (besides chopper), and he'll bark out a laugh so loud the birds fly away.

* ˚ ♥ but of course, he's not free from your jokes, either. he pretends to be annoyed by your quips and teasings. grumbles that you're 'disrupting his nap' when you're sitting by his side on the deck, laughing up a storm at his expense. but should you try to leave, his arms'll latch around you quick, pulling you into him.

* ˚ ♥ naps in the sun. often. you bring your study material when you spot him lying on the deck, basking in a sunspot. you always study for as long as you can until you fall asleep, too.

* ˚ ♥ you also work out together! it's cathartic, really. whether you're doing cardio, yoga, or lifting weights, zoro pushes you. he makes a great spotter. and when you get tired, zoro lets you sit cross-legged on his back while he does push-ups. you guys have really insightful conversations like that, actually. you chatting about whatever's on your mind, and zoro grunting out replies in between his pants.

* ˚ ♥ you both appreciate those moments, working out together in the crow's nest. for a few reasons. zoro appreciates that it's an enclosed space, away from the rest of your peeping crewmates. he especially appreciates the look of you in your tight work-out clothes, breathing heavily and dripping with sweat ;)

but really, zoro appreciates everything about you.

✧༺♥༻∞

moving on to your next matchup! and the matchup i love the most, actually. i just think it's cute >.<

╰┈➤ from jujustu kaisen, i ship you with nanami!

* ˚ ♥ i can't lie, i am quite happy with this pairing. you might be thinking right now that this ship will have a similar dynamic to you and zoro, but i get completely different vibes from you and mr. nanami kento.

* ˚ ♥ in this ship, i'm thinking the dynamic would be tired x the one good thing in the world. in other words, nanami x you. i like the idea of you being a nonsorcerer. we all know that nanami craves normalcy. screw the bakery girl, you give him that. you, who he probably found studying at a coffee shop or something. hastily scribbling vocabulary terms on flashcards, sipping on a lukewarm cup of coffee.

* ˚ ♥ the doorbell jingles as nanami walks in and your gaze wanders to the door, where the broad blond stands. and you can't see his eyes behind his weird ass glasses, but you're pretty sure they're pinned on you. you look away as he orders whatever he came in for, but then a few minutes pass and an employee plops a muffin in front of you, canting their head at the blond. he bought you a muffin. and it's a sweet, simple gesture that means a lot to you, because you're a broke college student and really shouldn't be spending money on coffee in the first place.

* ˚ ♥ and, as the poets say, the rest is history. i think nanami is at first fascinated by you, maybe even a little envious, because you're a strong, beautiful woman with aspirations and struggles unrelated to fighting curses. learning about you is like peering through a locked window, imagining what life could be like without his burdens.

* ˚ ♥ that fascination steadily turns to admiration. because you intend to spend the rest of your life doing what you can to save people, or help people, or make life a little easier for others, and it genuinely stuns him. it's a different flavor from the jaded outlook of jujutsu sorcerers, who fight curses not because they want to, but because they have to.

* ˚ ♥ your relationship with nanami would be the definition of domestic bliss. oh, you crack your jokes and probably tease him as well, but nanami only ever hums in assent. occasionally deadpans a response he knows will fluster you. he likes listening to you talk, listening to you laugh. it brightens up his lifeless apartment.

* ˚ ♥ your schedule is busy, as you're in med school and all, but that just makes every moment you share with nanami sweeter. he treasures every second he gets to share with you. gets somehow even more stringent about his work hours, because a minute working overtime is a minute he spends away from you.

* ˚ ♥ when your schedules align, the two of you cook together. and it's always a wholesome, efficient affair. the food always comes out delicious, meals switching between nanami's fancies and your own preferences. it's the perfect blend of creativity, warmth, and mundanity, and cooking together definitely becomes a love language between the two of you.

* ˚ ♥ dining together is also a treat. your savory, homecooked meals usually paired with free-flowing conversation and a hearty glass of wine. afterwards, nanami always insists you take home the leftovers, and well, you can't really deny him, can you?

* ˚ ♥ you're over at nanami's so often that you start to leave some of your belongings there. one day you knock on his door with a big smile, arms full of greenery. it's some of your plants, you explain, 'to brighten up the place!' but it's more than that, and you both know it. it's the promise of a future shared—together. nanami ends up taking better care of the plants than you do, but hey. it's all part of your charm! ^-^

and nanami is incredibly charmed by you.

✧༺♥༻∞

[greypetrel]

Hello! ✨ n.3 for Raina? 👀

Hello there! 💜✨

Some gay panic for you, served on a silver plate and with a side of karaoke, hope you'll enjoy. :3

Tis the prompt list

And this is footage of Raina singing.

Everyone’s a critic.

3. one muse purposefully rests against the other and falls asleep

“Just another song, Corff, come on!” Raina pleaded, doing her best impression of a cute, cheeky girl. She puffed up her chest under a loose white shirt, batted her eyelashes with a coy smile, head daintly reclined toward the side that was propped on the counter. “Pretty please?” She also asked, in a sweet voice.

Corff, from the other side of the counter, was utterly unimpressed with such a dedicated effort from her part. He kept on wiping a tankard with a cloth that could have been cleaner, looking at the rogue with a sour look. He took his time to reply, waiting for Hawke to get the message on her own, before realizing that it was a battle of wills and the fereldan wasn’t in a relenting mood, telling it himself.

“No, Hawke. That’s enough for today.”

“But it’s barely midnight!”

“Yes, and you know how many people already walked out because someone let a drunk seagull with a throatache sing?”

“Now, that’s preposterous, I-”

“Ten.”

“-sound way better than a sick seagull, and-”

“Ten, Hawke.”

“-if you just allowed sweet Lilibeth to play just one short, little-”

“Not counting the group that peeked in, heard you and ran back out.”

“-song, I could show you that you’re wrong!”

The two stopped talking over each other and stood there on the opposite sides of the counter. The evening was quiet and without the usual revelry, that was true. It was also true that amongst the many talents of Raina Hawke, singing wasn’t definitely one of those, as much as she tried to ignore the harsh truth. The first evening Corff and Lilibeth had started the “Sing along” endeavour, they thought it would have brought more people to buy more drinks to quench their thirst after intoning the words as the minstrel played. What they didn’t think was that Hawke jumped to the occasion like a cat would jump on a fresh fish, monopolized the minstrel… And couldn’t catch a note to save her life. Or hold one. No matter how much she tried, how much heart she put in every single lyric. And she really put a lot of it.

So, Corff was done for tonight, and couldn’t be swayed. Hawke was notoriously headstrong, and a person you can’t say no to. But Corff’s poor ears had bled enough that evening to make his head even stronger. The bartender stood his ground.

“No, Hawke.”

He declared, with a voice that would have frozen a rage demon on the spot and an air of finality, turning around and leaving the woman alone to grumble and scoff, offended. She stormed there for a while, thrashing and openly protesting the audacity of the man, and how Kirkwall was a free city, and the Hanged Man certainly not the corrupted kingdom of a tyrant forcing a minstrel to stop playing for the night. As the barman kept on pointedly ignoring all and every protest, she eventually desisted and pushed herself far from the counter, returning to the room.

Organizing a coup and convincing Lilibeth to stay where she was and just play another song to her wasn’t an option: the minstrel had been quick to pack her lute and was now making a beeline for the exit door, leaving the place as she waved Corff good night.

Left scorned and with nothing left to do, there was nothing left to her than just returning to the table the group had occupied and spend the rest of the evening in better company.

Somehow, seeing how most people had already decided to head back home. Her traitor of a brother included, leaving Merrill and Varric on their own at the table, still full of tankards -hers still empty, other not- and an abandoned deck of cards. Which posed… A problem.

Raina considered just bidding goodbye and heading home too, but in the case this was finally the evening Garrett and Fenris decided to put an end of long, painful months of looking at each other with longing in their eyes -when the other wasn’t looking- and low-key flirting with the other as if no one noticed… If this was the evening, and it could as well have been, as the elf usually walked with the siblings up to Hightown, well. Raina didn’t particularly wanted to be there. Her room and Garrett’s shared a wall that was surprisingly thin, for such a posh manor, and she wasn’t that close with neither her brother or her friend.

Had Isabela been there, it wouldn’t have been half bad, but now…

… Now she was left with the stupid crush she shouldn’t be having, and a supposedly best friend who chose to sit on the single chair at the head of the table, and not on the bench.

She could have chosen to sit on the bench opposite of Merrill. But her beer was by her side, and it would have just appeared rude not to sit close to her all of a sudden, wouldn’t it? It surely wasn’t because she wanted to get close to Merrill too.

No. She had… Something going on with Bela.

Something with no strings attached, but something that has been going on for months and… Well.

Before she could think better, Raina was sitting on the bench on her spot, beside the elf, with an annoyed grunt and crossing her arms at her chest, slouching down the plank so her back rested against the stone wall and her legs could spread under the table.

“Hark hark, there’s at least one person in Kirkwall that can say no to Raina Hawke!” Varric exclaimed, raising his tankard in a cheer.

Merrill laughed as the dwarf drank to the news, slouching a little forward with her back and smiling at Hawke. Who absolutely, didn’t feel anything particular at it. Oh no. She was very normal about it, and she pouted more in reply, pitifully.

“Not even a last song?” The elf asked.

“Everyone’s a critic.” She sighed dramatically, full of wounded pride.

“Don’t tell me, the reviews for my last book were all unbelievable.”

“My dearest husband, apple of my eyes, love of my life...” Raina scoffed. “…There is a stark difference in our predicaments. As I’m sure I remember, those reviews were all enthusiastic, praising your prose and the vividness of your characters, the depth of the love story and so on and so forth. Don’t compare the sirens singing of your glory with my current unmotivated misery.”

“Have you read the book? It was trash on fire navigating down a river of mud!”

 “Nobody told you that you write like a drunk seagull with a throatache!”

Merrill burst into laughters at that, and Raina would have turned to protest that there was really nothing funny in being compared by a trash bird who screamed in sardonic laughs, hadn’t the elf leaned down in the emotion of it to lean over her shoulder, casually surrecting herself with a delicate hand. She lost, totally against her will, every single word in her brain.

“I-I’m sorry, Hawke-” Merrill managed to say, still giggling. “But I just imagined you as a big, fluffy seagull hopping around with a dagger in each wing…”

Raina laughed, mechanically. “Y-yeah, that was… Funny, yes. You’re right.”

“I don’t know, Daisy, I would suggest her to change her surname. Seagulle, wouldn’t it be funny too?”

Turning towards the dwarf, Raina found him smirking at her with a knowing expression she really wanted to punch away. She liked Varric as another brother, he was her best friend. But she hated him when he smirked like that, like he knew herself better than she did. Which was probably true, if she had to be honest, but she didn’t like the reminder. She glared at him at the best of her abilities. And without being that much tipsy, it was quite the stare.

“Oh, I don’t know.” Merrill continued, yawning aloud with a hand over her mouth. “It’s quite dissonant and too long, we should find her a nickname… No, I quite like Hawke, it’s more fitting for her. Direct and effective and pretty. Hawke. Hawke. Isn’t it nice. Hawke.”

The elf turned the word some times in her mouth, modulating the tone and the intonation. It was pretty evident that she was tired, from the way she blinked her eyes and drawled a little her syllables. And yet when Raina asked if she wanted her to walk her home, the elf huffed and refused, shaking her head and pouting.

“No, you’re both still there and have still some beer left to drink! I don’t want to ruing the evening…”

“You’re not, Daisy, the tavern is half empty anyway. We could live with a match of Wicked Grace less. Hawke particularly, we don’t want her to lose her money as well as her dignity.”

“Hey!”

“You can play! Please, do play, don’t mind me, I’ll just keep you company and nap a little!” Merrill insisted. “Wake me up when you’re about to leave? It’s quiet.”

The other two looked at each other and shrugged, Varric starting to shuffle the cards with the practiced, fluid gestures of a person who is used to the task. Raina sat up a little more, not leaving the wall as a makeshift back rest, but enough to see the table and the cards above it better. At her left, Merrill yawned loudly, sighing right after. Don’t think she’s too close don’t think she’s too close don’t think-

“Hawke?”

Hawke, who absolutely wasn’t thinking how close Merrill exactly was, was startled a little at her name, turning to listen right after as if nothing happened. “Yes?”

“Do you mind if I-”

“I don’t.”

If she could have made herself little to jump into her beer and drown, she would have. As it was, Varric snorted a laugh, badly covered with his hand, and Merrill giggled, a big smile that lit her face.

“You didn’t even let me finish!”

“Ah, I… Well, wasn’t it funny. Ahah. I was joking.” She wasn’t. “What is it?”

“Can I rest my head on your shoulder? Do I bother you if you’re playing?”

Raina’s brain just zeroed at the idea of some unprompted physical contact. It wasn’t all that intimate, but it has been weeks since she first came to realise that the mage was, indeed, very sweet with her, and she was very pretty, thin lips that curled in smiles most often -the corners of her mouth curled always down, tho, she noticed- and long fingers that were always delicate. She should say no and stop her brain from having even more ideas she shouldn’t be having. People just loved one person at a time, and her situation was complicated enough without adding another element to the equation. She should say no. She was just missing Isabela who was out of town helping a former friend with a heist she wasn’t invited to. She was just feeling lonely. That was it. She should say no and-

“Yes.” She heard herself saying. “Sure, go on. Lean on good old Hawke, half the city does it anyway, you’re more than welcomed to my shoulder.”

Varric snorted again, badly hiding his amusement at the whole exchange. Merrill -thanks to Andraste, the Maker, her Creators, whatever superior power there was up above- ignored him completely save for a twitch of her lips, and giggled at her, smiling shily up at her. Surely the faint pink that painted her cheeks was Raina’s imagination. Surely there was that.

“Oh well so… If you’re ok…”

“I am, get comfy.”

She turned to the game before looking at the other more could bring about some more blushing, as she felt she was already doing. She just got a little comfier and stable on her sitting, and sweeped her cards from the table, spreading them before her to think of what to play first.

She felt Merrill’s head laying on her shoulder, barely perched upon the boney end and wiggling a little as she found a comfy position. Her hand slipped in the crook of her elbow, and their arms touched, laying one beside the other. It was nothing intimate, nothing untoward. And yet, there was more contact they ever had before, and it felt special, in a way it maybe shouldn’t be. With Isabela, it was always Raina to lean on the other, after all, and being on the other side… It wasn’t half bad.

Merrill sighed, her frame becoming heavier and heavier as sleep slowly crept upon the elf.

Hawke lost every single penny she had on her, and for once she didn’t mind one bit.

[iknaenmal]

tell me about ur new hyperfixation babe

YES THANK YOU OH MY GOD

OKAY. OKAY LETS SEE

theres. well theres this baby who is satans son. and theres also crowley everyone say hi crowley. okay so theres also two demons and actually you know what ill talk about crowley and aziraphale sorry i have been thinkijg about them nonstop for the past four days.

OKAY LETS SEE. (this time for real) crowley and aziraphale have been best friends for like. 6000 years i think? well. more like "best friends" with quotation marks idk if you get what i mean. like uhh off the top of my head i can remember two scenarios. one time aziraphale was. i dont remember where probably england ig. and he said ohh id love to eat some crepes!!!! and he went to paris bc apparently the only good crepes are made there. i think i should also mention that the french revolution was happening then. and so aziraphale went there all dapper and . well french people were decapitating members of nobility and they thought aziraphale looked a lot like an aristocrat. so they caught him and were going to decapitate him but then crowley appeared and saved him. i just mainly thought the crepes thing was funny tbh

AND THEN THE OTHER THING I REMEMBER. well there was a church. and. okay there were a lot of things happening there lets see. i honestlt dont remember exactly what was happening there but umm. aziraphale was hired by some guys to get all the prophetic books he could find including the. the nice and accurate prophecies of agnes nutter which he couldnt find. so turns out those two guys were actually umm. members of a mafia iirc? probably not but something like that. and they well they threatened to kill him for some reason. but aziraphale had been working with some random woman who came to help him. but turns out the woman was also a member of the midnight crew mafia and threatened to kill him as well. oh how the turn tables. BUT suddenly crowley appeared and was walking in quite a goofy manner bc the uhh. christian power of the church burned his feet or something. so well he introduced to the mafia guys and then he said oh yeah btw theres a missile coming right here and the guys were like wtf are you talking about they were gonna throw it somewhere else and oh rhis is confusing let me use quotation marks. so crowley said "yeah it would be very unlucky if it was thrown here. wink wink" and they were like "ummm i dont think what youre saying is true" and crowley said "ok i dont really care. also if the missile was thrown here my good friend aziraphale and i would die as well isnt that fun. we would need a miracle to survive to that. wink wink" so suddenly there was a missile and it exploded but crowley and aziraphale survived. bc of a miracle. probably bc aziraphale is an angel and can do that kinda stuff. and aziraphale is v thankful of that but then remembers the books which were rly important bc they were the first editions of those books. and crowley pulled out the suitcase the books were in from under a boulder and gave it to aziraphale. romantic music starts as aziraphale watches crowley walk away. flutters my eyelashes and i let out a dreamy sigh

Ok im gonna cut it here bc this is rly long but i think its pretty clear that im normal about them. completely normal