#A Conversation With Aunt Willow | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

cupidssorbet · 2 years ago

Text

"What a cowboy.”

Cowboy/Vaquero Miguel x Ranch-Hand? Reader.(Beautiful art above is by Katromz on tiktok and insta!)

Summary: Miguel ends up trying to befriend his longtime friend and employers niece however maybe befriend isn't quite the word.

Includes: AFAB reader but no specified pronouns/race/looks nothing, flirting/teasing, Nicerish AU Miguel, caught masturbating, Oral M & F, recieving praise, mentions of the word 'cunt/pussy', P in V, as well as not much use of name more nicknames.

P.S Vaquero and Cowboy are the same words for those who don't know, a friend requested this so I delivered! Please pardon any terribly translated Spanish I am still learning and had only few help from a friend of mine! This was a request so thank you to my friend!

Word count: 7766.(it's a long one babes.)

By cupid.

Begin.

You’d been sent out for the summer to help your uncle at his ranch, you didn’t mind too much it’d be giving you more to do than usual. He was happy to have you since most his ranch-hands called out or would be busy trying to fill in the empty spots left by others. So when he heard his favorite niece would be dropping in to help out he was more than delighted.

It was a long, long car ride to his ranch and by the time you had arrived the sun was high in the sky and it was sweltering. You hopped out of your dad’s truck with a smile on your face, your cousin’s Poppy & Nana coming to greet you with enthusiasm, quickly taking your bags. “Look at you two, it feels like it’s been forever since we’ve hung out together!” You say as you nudge Nana’s arm, she laughs a bit as the three of you trudge up the dirt driveway up to the main house.

Poppy opens the door for you as soon as you head inside you hear a squeal from your Aunt Maria, who immediately runs over to scoop you up into a hug. “Sweetheart it has been too long!” She says excitedly as she practically squeezes the air outta you. “I missed ya too aunty but please..please let me go I can’t breathe-!” You manage out as she lets you go, “Oh my! Sorry ‘bout that sugar! It’s just been so long!�� She says pinching your cheek a little. “Now, Girls go show her to her room alright? Get all cozy, Jack said he wasn’t gonna have you start work till tomorrow when he can give you the lowdown of everythin’ new.” She said shooing you three up the stairs.

You followed the girls up the stairs as they talked away, you weren’t really invested in the conversation as you looked at all the old pictures that were hung up on the walls. All those old memories made you smile, you were out of it until Poppy pulled you back into reality with a tug on the arm, albeit a hard tug, “You alright there?” She asked, raising a brow at you as nana opened the door to the room, you blinked and flashed her a smile. “Yeah just got a little out of it, this heat whew it is-” “Why don’t we head to the lake!” Nana says with a bright smile as she sets your bags on your bed, cutting you off.

“Oh I don’t know what if your dad needs me here or help with anything I’m not just here to leisure about.” You say as they both sigh dramatically, “C’mon you heard mama, papa’s not gonna need you till tomorrow!” Poppy says crossing her arms, eventually you sigh giving into them and their antics. Excitedly they leave you to get ready telling you to meet them downstairs when done. Once you are ready to go with a little bag that has sunscreen and such inside you hurry downstairs the two girls waiting for you.

You can’t help but grin with their contagious smiles, “Ma! We’re heading to the lake!” Nana calls out to her, “Be safe girls! Be back by sundown too ya hear?” She calls from the kitchen and you all respond with unanimous ‘Yes ma’am!’ before hurrying out the door giggling like a bunch of school girls as you anticipate the cool water of the lake.

It was a bit of a trek until you reached it, shoving branches aside and walking through bushes hoping none of them were poison ivy or poison at all. Once nana pushed a thick willow branch aside you sighed happily, the blue water shining under the high sun. The three of you quickly hurried to the shore finding a nice spot to lay your things.

As you and nana carefully laid things out poppy quickly ditched her shorts she wore over her swimsuit bottoms and ran into the cool water with a loud cheer. She then decided to splash the two of you, causing you to get a cheeky grin. “Oh that’s how it’s gonna be huh?” You asked playfully as you ditched your own shoes and bottoms before running into the water yourself.

The cool embrace of the lake on your warm skin made you feel completely relaxed, until you remembered your motive to run in here in the first place. The time at the lake started with games and running off the rock ledge that overlooked the lake to jump in. Splashing one another or Watching as someone did something dumb for what felt like the 100th time in those hours.

By the time the sun started to settle down in the sky you were resting on your towel as the girls continued to play in the waters. Drifting off into your own daydreams, sunglasses shielding your eyes from the fleeting rays, until you were startled awake by squeal. You assumed something had happened, so you quickly sat up pushing your sunglasses to sit on your head. “What? What happened?” you asked worried, until you saw them giggling over something or more rather..someone.

You let a slight huff at the fact they had you all worried for nothing, you however curiously followed their eyes. Wondering what could’ve caused them to squeal to begin with. Down a good way from your spots on the bank was a man, a rather handsome man you had to admit. Poppy however caught your staring and with a cheeky smile sat beside you, “Ooo! Do I sense a crush perhaps?” She said with a shit eating grin.

Waving her off you stopped staring at the mystery man, “Oh please, You think everything is a crush or love related.” you said, trying to dismiss her packing your stuff away as the sun started to set. Nana was quick to hurry outta the water spotting you and your packing, quickly just tossing her stuff in her bag as you & poppy shook your heads at her mess of a bag now.

All of you hurried back dodging branches and plants until you were on an open stretch the house coming into view, “So..” you started, earning their attention again. “Who was that guy?” you asked, keeping your gaze ahead. You heard the stifled giggles and such from them before nana caught up to you, “He is papa’s right hand man, quite the looker isn’t he?” she teased with a smile. “I suppose,” you said as you walked up the porch steps hearing their squeals and giggles. “But don’t go tellin’ anyone, I barely know that man.” you said sternly pointing at the two of them and they quickly stopped their giggling nodding as you headed inside.

Heading inside your aunt had prepared some dinner for when everyone got back, and as hungry as you were you decided to go and get a shower. Not before your uncle was quick to scoop you up in a hug much to your protest before you fake made a disgusted face before he ruffled up your hair as you headed up the stairs getting a warm shower and some dryer clothes.

After dinner and what not you were sitting upstairs with Poppy & Nana and one or two of the herding dogs, flicking through movies trying to find something to watch. Seeing as none of you could agree on anything it eventually came down to just getting some sleep, the hours at the lake tiring you out and your aunt & uncle calling out a goodnight to you three had reminded you that you’d be out helping in the morning so sleep was a good option.

༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶

The birds started chirping and the sun began to peek through the blinds, once it hit your eyes you groaned and began to open your eyes with a squint bringing a hand up to block the bright rays from practically blinding you. Sitting up blinking the sleep from your eyes you took note that it was just you and nana in the room, nana being fast asleep still.

You decided it’d be a good time to wake up and get ready so you could start helping your uncle out, you quickly brushed your hair to look less like you just got up and then you grabbed an outfit from your suitcase that would best suit the chores you’d be doing and the hot summer heat. You quickly made your way downstairs some of the dogs following you, “Mornin’ Sugar!” Aunt Maria called to her as she flipped some pancakes. “Morning Aunt Maria, Where’d poppy run off to?” you asked, snatching up a piece of bacon from the plate on the counter sharing some with the dogs.

“Oh she ran into town to fetch some more seeds for the garden, Jack told me we had extras but I know we didn’t, speakin’ of which since your most likely heading out that way mind giving those breakfast burritos on the counter the boys.” She asked using her spatula to motion to the cloth covered basket. You nodded, finishing the bacon off and grabbing the basket heading out the back door and off the porch to the main farm area and barn.

It wasn’t a long walk by any means, just one that felt long with how the sun sat so high and beating down on you, you spotted your uncle's truck out front of the barn. All the workers either sitting in the bed of the truck or leaning against it, you hurried over with a smile on your face as your uncle spotted you tipping his hat back slightly, a smile coming to his face.

“Hey there sweetheart, whatcha got?” he asked as he got up off the side of the truck walking over. “Aunty asked me to bring these breakfast burritos for you boys.” you said and they all hooted and hollered hurrying off the truck to grab one for themselves making you just laugh and shake your head. “Thank you for that darlin’ , right you all know my niece don’t you?” He asked, raising a brow as a few murmured yes’s and no’s were heard.

“Well you do now,” he said as he motioned to you, moving aside as you gave them all a wave of ‘hello’ then you spotted him, the man from the lake the other day. You didn’t realize you were staring until he made eye contact with you. A rather cheeky smile gracing his lips.

Once they were all done with their burritos the real work began. “Alright, Think you can work on feedin’ all the animals first then we can start on herdin’ the pasture ones back alright?” Your uncle asked and you nodded, “I’m on it!” you said with a smile. “How bout I send someone with ya, we’ve got a few new ones that might need some introduction, How about..Miguel!” your uncle said, clapping his hands together.

You were picking up one of the feed bags off the truck bed when a rather tall and muscular man walked up with a slight smile on his face, “Looks like I’m helpin’ you today sweetheart.” Miguel said, and oh god Miguel was the man from the lake. This realization almost had you dropping the feed bag before you quickly readjusted your hold on the bag. He only chuckled, slightly tilting his head and the brim of his hat up, giving you an even better look at his face, “Come on don’t go fallin’ for me already.' ' he teased at you.

Huffing you adjusted your grip on the bag turning on your heel with a little scoff, “You wish, I would never I barely know you.” You said as you began walking, utter bullshit, you couldn’t lie that his face, his eyes, his damn voice had you enthralled. He only let out a hearty chuckle following you carrying a bag or two of his own, “Then why not get to know me?” He suggested, shaking his head as you sped up your walking speed.

When you finally reached the animals you breathed a sigh of relief, quickly hurrying over to say ‘hello’ to all of them forgetting about Miguel following after you, he stood off to the side as he opened some of the bags watching as you excitedly said ‘hello’ to the ones you knew, all calling them by name then excitedly gasping at the ones you didn't know.

He had to admit he found it amusing, cute even at the way you greeted them all. He had to, he just had to, he cleared his throat which brought you back to your little situation causing you to huff almost and it only made him chuckle as he pushed a feed bag, ready and open your way. You grabbed the bag, opened the pen door and made your way inside without him, starting to fill up all the feeding spots walking about.

Miguel thought this would be a good time to start a conversation, “So, Why do ya keep ignoring me?” he asked and you just hummed in response, “I’m not.” You denied, “Ah-Ah just now you almost did.” He said looking at you, that stupid look on his face had you smiling slightly and rolling your eyes. Trying to look away before he caught it, but oh he caught it. “Hey! I saw that, I made a breakthrough!” He says motioning around to a nonexistent crowd almost proud of himself causing you to shake your head with a slight smile.

You two finished up the feeding chores with relative ease, the tension simply melting away as you two actually got to talking with one another actually getting to know more like he suggested, then you started saddling up some of the horses so they could head out to check for any lost or still loose cattle or sheep. You finished tightening one of the straps, patting the nose of the horse, a smile on your face when it responded with a big sloppy lick to your hand. “Alright, Are we ready to get a move on?” he asked as he took the reins from your hand. “Yep, All saddled up.” you said with a little salute.

“Thank you sugar, how bout you go feed the calves while we’re gone if you're up for it?” your uncle asked, hoping on the horse. “I can’t say no to feeding the calves,” you said with a smile. With a few waves and goodbyes you went off in search of the bottles that had the formula for the calves that were rescued and didn’t exactly take to any cow the ranch had. You grabbed the bucket of bottles and took a seat in the stable stall with one of the babies. Taking the bottle out, the little thing came running and it made you laugh.

You held the bottle up for it and at first it went well until it didn’t somehow, something had gotten on the shirt underneath your overalls and that was not sitting well on your skin with heat in the air. So you thought, hey they wouldn’t be back for maybe an hour or two at most so you unclipped the clips of your overalls and took the shirt off letting it rest on the table that had all the tools and such then you clipped your overalls back up and when right back to taking care of the calves.

To you only 30 maybe 40 minutes had gone by so you still weren’t too worried about putting that shirt back on or heading back to the house as you happily wandered the stable saying ‘hello’ to the horses that stayed behind. Blissfully unaware that Miguel had headed back to grab the hat he had forgotten, quickly making his way inside of the stable. Stopping his tracks quietly when he spotted you petting one of the horses and it seemed innocent enough until his eyes seemed to wander lower..to the point where he noticed you were not wearing a shirt under your overalls. And not wanting to make you uncomfortable or wanting to make anything else happen he just gave up grabbing his hat and left as quietly as possible.

When you had assumed they’d be coming back you went and got the shirt off the workbench and put it back on quickly as the cowboys came into view. You put on a smile and looked ahead as they made their way over and started hopping their horses all saying their ‘hellos’ and such but Miguel just completely ignored you, was he not going on about you ignoring despite barely knowing him earlier? What a hypocrite.

You just shrugged it off, what would it matter really, you said a quick ‘hello’ to your uncle as you checked the time, you had promised you’d spend the last few hours before the sun actually set at the lake with the girls and you had to depart to get ready. Simply brushing off Miguel ignoring you, you went back to the main house to change and once you were done you headed off however little did you know you’d spend your time alone at the lake..well for a little bit at least.

You relaxed on the bank for a little bit taking in the sun's rays after applying sunscreen of course, waiting thinking maybe they’d got busy or something. So you went from enjoying the water to resting on the shore to reading the book you brought until you exhaled a bit annoyed. You got up, gathered your things, slipped your shorts back on and made your way back to the main house in a slight huff.

When you opened the door your aunt seemed to pick up on your bad mood, “What’s the matter pumpkin?” she asked as she dried her hands with the towel. “The girls told me to meet them at the lake and then they just didn’t come!” you said with arm motions. She seemed to shake her head and sigh, “Well if your looking to pick a bone with them they might’ve gone down to the guest house to deliver the fruit like I asked, the one where the cowboys are stayin’.” She said, giving you a little nod. You thanked her begrudgingly before starting your way to the guest house, saying hello to the cowboys you saw as you headed by whether they were lugging hay or simply just passing by.

You got to the guest house and opened the front door, it was rather empty, and you didn’t hear any giggling, not even a hint of your cousin’s voices, you raised your brow carefully making your way down the hallway. You continued until you saw a door slightly creaked open, you neared it hoping maybe your cousin’s were just fooling around here and that you could drag them back. But that idea quickly evaporated as you neared closer you heard..grunts? At first you thought it was one of pain but when you got a view of what was behind the just barely opened door you quickly realized it was not one of pain rather of pleasure.

There Miguel laid on presumably his bed, legs spread slightly, cowboy hat resting lazily over his head, pants just barely down his thighs as his head moved up his hard erection..precum leaking from the red angry tip. You couldn’t help but stare, biting back the gasps with a hand over your mouth. His teeth sucking his bottom lip back slightly exposing his sharp canines that had you feeling some kind of way, but oh boy it just got better as soon as you mindlessly dropped your hand from your mouth he muttered out your name, “Dios... Ni siquiera sé cómo me hiciste esto..(God... I don't even know how you did this to me.)” He murmured out in Spanish as he hissed when he glided his thumb over the leaking slit.

Miguel was lost in his own thoughts, his mind flitting back to when he saw you in the stable in nothing but your shoes and overalls. He groaned out as he moved his hand up, he knew it was wrong and dirty not just for the fact that he was just getting to know you but the fact he wished it was your hands and not his then he was snapped back to reality by a noise..

You gasped and your gasp got his attention causing you to quickly hide behind the wall before he could spot you, when you heard him moving off the bed you were quick to run as quietly down the hallway. Your feet carried you quickly as you hurried out of the guest house not wanting to get caught in the slightest.

Your heart felt like it was in your ears, your cheeks felt hot, hell your whole body felt hot. You hurried quick and fast to the main house, your feet just carrying you inside as you gave a quick ‘hello’ to your Aunt before going to your room flopping onto your bed. Burying your head into your pillow and just screaming muffling it.

God..he was thinking about YOU? That had your heart feeling like it was going to burst out of your chest, you rolled onto your back as you stared at the ceiling that moment replaying in your head causing you to subconsciously rub your thighs together before you brought your hands up to smack your cheeks, mentally cursing yourself for feeling this way.

Huffing you sat up on the bed grabbing your journal you brought with you, “God..Was he really thinking about me? But why,” you murmured as you flipped out the journal trying to write it out of your mind at least so you could push it off and act as if normal. By the time you finished you were called down for dinner and you just inhaled and exhaled pushing it to the back of your mind shoving the Journal under your pillow and heading down.

༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶

By the time dinner was done you and poppy were helping with the dishes as a few of the cowboys stopped by to drop off some stuff and there he was again, you quickly looked away as he spotted you offering you a sweet smile and tilt of his hat. You only just ignored him continuing your conversation with poppy and working on the dishes.

When you finished you quickly dried your hands not wanting to stick around for very long you couldn’t even fathom why seeing him again got you so much more worked up than it should. “I’m headin’ to bed really tired, Night everyone!” you called quickly as you hurried up the stairs to your bedroom causing Miguel and a few others to raise a brow before just brushing it off to turn to their own things.

You inhaled sharply and exhaled laying onto your bed, your hands traveling gingerly down your stomach to the hem of your pj shorts. Your fingers slipping past the hem of the shorts to your panty clad cunt, exhaling slightly as your fingers brushed over your cunt that slight pressure you added caused your body to melt slightly into your pillows. Your mind clouding with thoughts of him, before the sound of someone coming upstairs snapped you back to reality.

You quickly pulled away from your shorts and grabbed a random book from the nightstand to act as if you were reading. Poppy and Nana came bursting in with a movie for the three of you to watch and you all but sighed happily as it was something to completely take your mind off it.

The movie was put in and the lights were turned off getting all cozy in your beds and watching the movie until you all but fell asleep..

༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶

For the next few days you did your best to keep your distance from Miguel but your hard-headedness to stay away from him only had him more intrigued and always earned a laugh from him because you always denied his questions whenever he asked one and you denied his help just to make it easier, but it seemed to fail every now and again considering your help to your uncle’s work and with him always having the cowboys with him you only ever saw him everyday..

The next morning came and you decided you’d just avoid Miguel completely and only interact if you just HAD to interact with him thinking that it would be best especially because of the way you made him feel and with the way he had you feeling even if you were just getting to know him better.

Today you dawned a nice summer dress as you were going to help your Aunt in the garden to keep a distance between you and him. You put on a sun hat and followed your Aunt out to the garden to work on the precious marigolds she had planted that were getting swallowed by the pesky weeds.

Dropping down onto your knees and getting to work right away you heard a clatter of tools causing your head to whip around to where it came from, and god fucking dammit you swore nothing was on your side this week, it was miguel, tool belt beside him and a few fence posts as he shot you an apologetic smile. “Sorry bout’ that didn’t mean to startle you act like I’m not here.” you only hummed in response, turning your attention back to the flowers.

Digging into the dirt yanking weed after weed out as the sun began to rise high into the sky above, causing you to start to sweat under the hot rays. You huffed sitting back on your heels as you dusted your hands off of dirt with the exception of some stuck under your nails. Miguel heard your little huff and his eyes happened to wander your way, gazing unapologetically up your figure, your flushed face and slightly pouted lips catching his attention.

He cleared his throat slightly, turning his attention back to the fence, “You doin’ alright Miss?” he asked, tipping his hat back slightly. You just hummed in response earning a small frown from him, “What?” you asked, raising a brow. “How come you keep ignorin’ me, I thought we were making progress?” he said as he looked at you.

“Well, You started it when you came back from the stable that day and completely ignored me.” you shot back as you crossed your arms, “I did not I was just busy,” he said more matter of factly. The way he seemed so hurt by your antics had you feeling bad almost, you eventually sighed dropping your arms to your side. “Alright fine I have been but I ain’t telling you why, BUT I will make a better effort to stop ignoring you I suppose.” You said and you watched as his face brightened slightly.

“Well I think I’d be the happiest cowboy around,” He said with that stupid smile, “You're so weird.” You stated, shaking your head and turning your attention back to the weeds. He only laughed and went right back to his job, that’s what sparked the two of you talking again, you knew deep down you weren’t gonna be able to ignore him even if you tried because that really only made things awkward so you decided it would be best to try and be his friend.

༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶

That is how you spent some of your days, getting to know him and then spilling your feelings to your little diary and then going right back at being friendly, well one fateful day you made the mistake of leaving your diary not entirely under your pillow.

You were helping Miguel lug some hay to the truck and you exhaled, noticing the way your skin was getting a little red, “Damn, Hey Miguel could you go to my room and grab my sunscreen for me? I’ll finish loading up the hay if you do.” You said giving him a little smile and he sighed with a laugh. “Alright alright I’ll go fetch it, Where would I find it?” He asked stopping in his tracks.

“On the nightstand!” You called back as you grabbed another bale, he nodded giving you a little salute before setting off. He headed inside offering a polite ‘hello’ to your aunt before going upstairs finding your room and heading inside. Originally he was just here to grab the sunscreen and go but a little book peeking out from behind your pillow had him curious.

He stopped for a moment before he eventually caved and carefully picked it up in his hands, just a peek, it wouldn’t hurt really. Just a peek turned into reading some pages and skipping others, that was until he stumbled upon some of the more..explicit pages and they seemed to be about him. God he felt his pride swell, the way you thought about him and looked at him.

“Well damn little lady..” Miguel murmured with a slight smile on his face before he shut the journal, having now learned about your developing crush on him and the way you thought about him. He grabbed the sunscreen and headed back down and out with a curt tip of his hat.

You noticed when he was walking back he had a little beat to his steps causing you to smile and raise a brow as you took the sunscreen from him. “What’s got you so happy go lucky?” you asked as you applied some on your face and arms and he just hummed in response. “Eh no particular thing, can’t a man just be happy hm?” He teased you and you playfully swatted at his arm. Once you were all good with the sunscreen you two got back to work, all the moving and feeding and more moving of stuff had you both out till the sun was settling near the mountain tops.

“Hm, Looks like we should start headin’ back Miguel.” You said looking at the way the sun was settling, “Ah right, can’t believe the day slipped away from us that damn quick.” He said as he adjusted his hat to sit back on his head slightly, you couldn’t help but admire his features slightly before snapping yourself out of it. “Miguel, I was wondering if you, I mean if you and any of the cowboys would like to come down to the main house for a lunch of sorts,” Miguel smiled coyly at your little invitation, “Oh? You're inviting little ol’ me huh?” he said his smile went from coy to smug and you rolled your eyes playfully.

“You wish, I’m doing it as a request from my aunt.” You said lying through your teeth, no you were wholeheartedly inviting Miguel, using your aunt as an excuse so he didn’t see right through you. However that was long gone really, he already saw right through you, you and your dirty little thoughts with the way you looked at him and what he learned from your diary. He dramatically put a hand over his heart, “I am truly honored sugar,” he joked causing you to roll your eyes again starting your way back to the main house.

His smile never leaving his face,”See ya tomorrow sweetheart,” he laughed as you turned away from him quickly heading back to the main house to wash up for dinner, he knew damn well what he was going to do tomorrow to get you alone and he couldn’t wait.

༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶

He spent his day counting down the minutes till he could meet you for lunch well you and your family really, when he saw how the time neared closer he had gone back to the guest house to freshen up opting for a nicely pressed shirt, one of his nice belts, and some jeans that he knew you thought looked damn good on him. Grabbing his hat swiftly and the sunflowers he got just for today.

Making sure he didn’t look too eager he toned down his steps and his excitement, knocking on the front door adjusting his grip on the flowers. He heard you call out ‘I got it!’ before your footsteps followed, opening the door you were the picture of summer. Wearing a nice little sundress, hair more loose and free, and a smile creeping its way onto your face. “Howdy little miss.” He said his southern drawl coming out more has he held the flowers out to you.

You accepted them gratefully, “Miguel you really didn’t have to-” “I wanted to sugar, there’s a difference.” He hummed as he walked inside with you greeting your aunt and uncle with his usual polite demeanor and then greeting your cousins with that smile of his. You couldn’t help but grin, going and finding a vase for the flowers. “He’s a real nice boy ain’t he?” your aunt asked, having noticed your grin.

Still subconsciously smiling as you filled the vase with water you shrugged, “Yeah I suppose he is.” She just laughed a bit as she brought the food and drinks to the table with you following behind her setting the beautiful sunflowers as the centerpiece. Calling everyone to the table for lunch, you settled into your seat, Miguel sitting in the seat beside you which was across from your uncle so they could continue whatever conversation they were having.

You all served yourselves and then conversations began, it felt like most lunches with the addition of Miguel, little did you know what he was planning. He knew how the herding dogs were so when your aunt went to grab the pitcher of juice he sneakily tossed a piece of food underneath the table causing all of them to make a run for the food bumping your aunt’s chair, the pitcher of juice ended up splashing all over your sundress causing you to squeal and jump up.

You quickly excused yourself to hurry up stairs to remove the splotches of color that had begun to seep into the fabric more and more. Miguel excused himself as well, saying he had a call to take and it was rather important. Your family thought nothing of it, just hoping you’d be alright. He headed up the stairs with ease as he heard the sink start to run. Inside you had grabbed a cloth and began to rub at the stains without much thought.

Then a knock sounded and you sighed thinking it was your Aunt or cousins you opened it, it was Miguel. “Ah- I’m sorry I’m tryin’ to-” Miguel cut you off, “Don’t worry sweetheart, I know how to get pesky stains out especially ones that ruin such a nice dress.” You blinked the nickname felt less innocent for some reason especially with the way he was looking at you.

You cleared your throat allowing him to come in and shut the door as he kneeled down digging through the cabinets, “Ah here we are,” He said holding some bleach, “This oughta help somewhat.” He hummed as he dabbed a cloth with some leaning forward looking at you for your permission. You nodded slowly and he brought the cloth to one of the stains, wiping gently. His touch so gentle and soft had your stomach erupting in butterflies.

You felt your arousal grow slightly from his little touches and ministrations and the way he always looked to you with those eyes as a way of asking. You couldn’t help but stare at him, analyzing his features and then a chuckle erupted from his chest causing you to snap back to the situation. “Darlin’ If you keep staring at me that way I might just have to do what your little diary says.” the mention of your diary as your cheeks flushing red and your heart speeding up more than it was before. “I beg your pardon?” was all you could manage out.

He chuckled, setting the cloth aside and moving closer, “I didn’t wanna tell you this sugar but I’ve read your little journal and all the thoughts you think bout me.” He whispered softly against your ear causing you to shudder slightly. “Miguel I can explain-” You started, “Shh, Shh no need sweetheart, I know exactly what you need.” He said softly as he leaned closer, his lips hovering just away from yours. “Question is, do you really want this?” He asked wanting to really make sure this wasn’t some wet dream or that it wasn’t you who felt this way. You swallowed hard as you exhaled shakily, nodding, “Words sugar.” He said softly against your lips. “Yes Miguel, Please.” You pleaded slightly and he chuckled, shaking his head. “Goodness little miss your going to be the death of me.” He teased before your lips met.

It started out soft and sweet then grew into something more passionate and rough as his hands rested on your hips, his thumbs tracing patterns on the cloth that covered them. You pulled away for air, your breathing coming out in small pants and huffs. “Look at you..Kiss bitten lips all needy for me.” Miguel said with a slight smug smirk, “I’m not needy.” You shot back at him with a small huff.

His hand went from your hips to your thigh working up to your panty covered clit, a gasp eliciting from your throat. “Not so needy huh?” he teases as he rubs a thumb over your covered clit groaning at the way your arousal has made your panties wet. “Not-Not needy at all,” You managed out as a whine followed your words when his hand moved away.

“Then maybe I shouldn’t,” He started before you sighed, “Please Miguel..” You murmured, earning a smile from him, “Please what?” he said, pushing you on. “I need you.” you whined out earning a satisfactory chuckle, his hands found your waist and he hoisted you up to sit on the counters of the bathroom. His lips immediately find your inner thigh, sucking marks into the soft skin.

His hands wander as you let out small gasps and cries trying to be quiet, as you beg for him, as you beg TO him. God he never really thought his little idea would work but here he was buried in between your thighs, what a dream. His lips inched closer and closer to where you wanted him, he gently pulled your panties down and off. Then he licked a slow stripe up your folds eliciting a moan from you causing you to cover your mouth.

You could practically feel the smile he had on his face, he began eating you out like you were the last meal he’d ever eat. His tongue working your leaking hole then focusing directly on your clit. Humming gently when his lips wrapped around the sensitive bud causing a guttural noise to slip past your hand. His pace is unforgivable with the way he’s eating you.

He acts like he's a starved man eating the most delicious food alive and he just can’t stop, one hand keeping your thighs apart and the other massaging the soft supple skin. The way he alternates between tongue fucking you then sucking at your clit has your head in the cloud feeling like your on cloud nine.

Without warning he shoves two fingers in causing you to gasp at the surprise feeling, his fingers working slowly but surely in a soft pace to give you time until you're practically begging for more and he gives you more. His fingers curl in the right spots as he pumps his fingers in and out of you sloppily kissing and licking at your clit.

All the stimulation has your head reeling as a knot forms in your stomach, he doesn’t stop, he makes direct eye contact with you with that smug smile on his face as the knot snaps. Your velvety walls spasming around his fingers as you orgasm, your eyes shut tight as he laps up all of it slowly letting you down from your high as you exhale sharply when he removes his fingers.

His hands come to make quick work of his belt and jeans bringing his boxers and jeans just low enough for his painfully hard cock to spring out. You can’t help but stare as he works it slightly, your mouth practically hanging open at the sight of it, precum beading at the tip as he works it slightly lining his head up with your entrance.

He looks to you for another affirmation and you nod looking up at him with those pleading eyes again and he can’t say no to you. He nudges his head in before plunging in full force eliciting a loud moan from your lips and groans from his with how tight you are around him. “God..So tight, such a good girl I swear.” he murmurs as he begins thrusting into your cunt, the praise causing your pussy to flutter around him. He acknowledged this with a little smirk.

“You like that huh? You like being my good girl,” He huffs out earning a whine from you, he lands a small slap to your ass causing a yelp to fall from your lips. “I asked you a question.” He said gruffly his change in attitude had your stomach feeling butterflies. “Yes, Yes s’good Miguel!” You cried out as his pace became relentless. His smirk remained at the way you reacted to all of this. His hands have a grip on your hips that’ll most definitely bruise without a doubt.

His face finds itself in the crevice of your neck placing soft kisses and words of praise into your ear, your mind practically melts from all of this as he fucks you with such a pace, the sound of skin slapping and your muffled whines and cries becoming evident as he continues on. Your legs come to wrap around his back slightly as he pulls his face away to watch where you two connect. “Tan condenadamente apretada, tan buena para mí.(So damn tight, so good for me.)” He managed out as your walls fluttered around him, having a vice on his cock.

“That feel good? Hm?” he asked knowing damn well your practically fucked dumb at this point, nodding your eyes fluttering open as he comes to rhythmic pace that’s hitting all the right spots for you. He continues to praise you and kiss up your neck leaving marks occasionally just because he can. With the way your walls clench around him he can tell your close, his free hand comes down to rub circles on your clit making you gasp and your head loll back onto the mirror behind you.”So damn needy for me..Taking all you can get.” he chuckled out.

“I’m not needy,” you managed out best you could as you took his hat from him, He shook his head at your hard-headedness “Eres tan terco…(You are so stubborn..)” He huffed out with a chuckle, quickly taking his hat back from you as you shot him a mischievous smile even in your mind melted state. Rolling your hips eliciting a groan from the cowboy who tossed his head back, his hat covering his face.

He hums slightly, leaning down to plant kisses on your collarbone and shoulder, “That’s how you wanna play huh?” he murmurs into your skin, his pace picking up almost knocking the air out of you, the lewd noises that spill from your lips spur him on, and that familiar knot tightens in your stomach, then the coil snaps and your cunts warm walls restrict around him and he can’t help but groan before he quickly pulls out before he can cum. Causing a small whine from you at the loss of feeling full.

“You wanna play games then we can play games sugar.” He says as he brings you off the counter onto your knees, you swallow thickly as you gently kitten lick the tip of his cock, soft and slowly. Teasing him with it, earning low groans and even slight whines from him. You don’t get very far with your tricky endeavors before he bucks his hips slightly causing you to gag around it. “Sorry bout that darlin’ just can’t help myself.” he says with a slight smile.

You start a steady pace, your hands resting on his thighs as you bob your head back and forth, your nose touching the tip of his pelvis before you pull off of him just to tease him again. He groans out before laughing slightly, his hand coming to find itself behind your head. “God you are just a little tease ain’tcha.” he says before thrusting into your mouth, causing you to gag slightly and pat his thighs. Tears welling in your eyes.

“Shh shh, it’s alright just relax.” He says softly and you try to, finding a steady breathing pace through your nose and relaxing your throat slightly. He begins face fucking your practically, drool coming to spill from the side of your mouth and nose tickling his pelvis as the hums you produced in response to his praises elicited groans and huffs from him.

His pace was rhythmic until it became erratic, his breathing becoming more uneven, “Don’t think I’m gonna last any longer.” Miguel huffs out as his pace becomes more needy. You hum around him and he groans, begging you to do that again and you oblige, humming around his length gagging slightly. The sensations send him over the edge after a few more thrusts his cum spurts down your throat causing you to swallow out of reflex, he slowly pulls out a string of spit connecting him to your kiss bitten drool covered lips. God the sight of alone could have had him going again he leaned forward wiping a thumb over your lip to wipe the drool away as you swallowed.

He planted a small kiss on your temple, “You're just perfect darlin’.” He praises making you smile slightly as he helped you stand up, a hand resting on your hips. “Maybe we should head back down, Wouldn’t want your family to worry too much.” you hummed in response, “I’m gonna change first, you go on down.” you said softly planting a kiss to his cheek as you carefully exited the bathroom to go back to the room.

Could this be the start of something real with this cowboy?

Fin.

#miguel o'hara #miguel o’hara x reader #miguel o’hara smut #atsv miguel #cupidssorbettlibrary #miguel ohara #miguel spiderverse #cowboymiguel #cowboy

1K notes · View notes

mdhwrites · 1 year ago

Note

You said the arcs of certain characters in TOH have an 'Us vs. Them mentality.' I take it that's because, as you say, the narrative pins the bad qualities of certain characters on separate parties (e.g. "Amity's flaws are only because of her mom"), but would you care to elaborate further on said mentality and how it sticks out to you in TOH?

So shockingly, not really. It plays into it but I am actually inherently talking about the same sort of mentality that Belos perpetuates but back onto Luz. After all, if you look at the main cast by even mid season 2 we have a problem forming. Eda: Has lost her criminal edge, has no personal interests, is defined by being nice in a way befitting Luz's worldview. Momma Eda.

Amity: No longer is studious and hard working but instead focuses more on her girlfriend and her nerdy interests. Is also now just nice. Was only shown genuine care by Luz, instead of just trying to fulfill her nerdy desires, once she finds out Amity is into Azura.

Lilith: Has turned into a nerd and given up on any ambitions that had led to her previous actions, becoming a nice cool aunt. Only now has Luz tried to form any relationship with her (admittedly, she didn't get many chances before now).

Hunter: Has only been being given kindness because he has shown a capacity for kindness that Luz only really started showing him, beyond not wanting him to die, once he showed he had a nerdy interest in wild magic.

Gus: Was a nerd from go and always nice, even if he could be slightly selfish.

Willow: By mid S2, is essentially out of the show for the past half season, has never had a strong personality and is just nice. Yes, she'll start her jock stuff soon... And never have a real conversation with Luz again, at least not until S3 maybe? So a full season where Luz and Willow, after Willow might have stopped being nerdy/an outcast, where Luz doesn't have an interest in her anymore.

And uh, just as a reminder to S3, Hunter gains a scifi interest post redemption and Luz explicitly listens to NOTHING her mother says to her during her big speech in For the Future until she reveals herself to be a secret nerd. At that point, suddenly Luz dials in.

For TOH, a show supposedly about the individual and self expression, characters either lose their personality and/or gain the personality that matches LUZ. There is less character variety in interests and personalities than even 90s cartoons much of the time by the end of TOH because these characters all lose so much of themselves fitting in with the good guys, especially the redeemed ones.

This is where your argument for this does come into play. I'll frame it as the fandom likes to with Amity: "She didn't have Luz in her life yet."

Amity is only a bitch while she is hanging out with the wrong crowd. Socialites, those with ambition and jocks. The Luz enters her life and despite the fact that the ONE time Luz ever calls Amity out for being a bitch being when Amity is being a bully to King and clearly trying to get a rise out of Luz, making that moment meaningless, that simple fact starts warping Amity. Starts making her turn back to her good, nerdy side. And because this is such an inherently good thing, there is no difficulty in doing this. She needs no motivation, no calling out, nothing. She just needs to desire to be like Luz/liked by Luz. She can discard her entire friend group and do things that should get her disowned with how evil Odalia is and face zero consequences because... I guess that's the power of becoming a nerd.

You are beyond reproach. You can only do good. Same goes for Hunter. Despite YEARS of potential propaganda and the like, Luz just getting into his life and admittedly jabbing at Belos/him a little, is all it takes for him to embrace the inherent goodness, displayed by his nerdiness about wild magic, and start becoming a better person. For this, he loses his home but that is only seen as a positive because indeed, he got away from those hostile influences that made him a bad person. He could now be a good person because he no longer had those influences and could embrace Luz's way of life.

With the show's themes, why is this the case? Shouldn't their base personalities be allowed to exist? Shouldn't a wide range of ideologies and the like be allowed since that is a part of self expression? Instead, when people don't like Luz, they are disapproved by Luz and either need to get the fuck out or conform.

And this is all without getting into how she becomes Jesus in the last episode...

None of this is intentional but if someone told me that the show felt hostile to them because they didn't consider themselves a nerd or because they tried to get somewhere in life, I wouldn't blame them. The show has a weirdly narrow belief in who is a good person. Who is allowed to exist in the main cast, a problem that cascades issues into a lot of its themes. I mean, this is the first show I've ever had to ask if character arcs are actually hurting the themes of the show because of this, a blog I sadly couldn't refind.

There is admittedly an element of this where I might not have thought about it without the fandom. Most people I know who are multi-fandom still agree that TOH is aggressive against others, even for a fandom. That it lashes out and blames others for its problems. Almost like a *gestures at the thesis*

And that doesn't help make any of this be less uncomfortable unfortunately. See you next tale.

======+++++======

I have a public Discord for any and all who want to join!

I also have an Amazon page for all of my original works in various forms of character focused romances from cute, teenage romance to erotica series of my past. I have an Ao3 for my fanfiction projects as well if that catches your fancy instead. If you want to hang out with me, I stream from time to time and love to chat with chat.

A Twitter you can follow too

And a Kofi if you like what I do and want to help out with the fact that disability doesn’t pay much.

#the owl house criticism #toh critical

96 notes · View notes

littlemarianah · 1 year ago

Note

Who is Katniss's favorite child and who is Peeta's favorite child?

haha this is a funny one .

I don't think either of them prefers one child over the other. but there is definitely a difference in dynamics between them.

Katniss and Rye are definitely hunting partners. Rye is very good at shooting arrows and Katniss recognizes this talent. She teaches him everything her father taught her. And Rye is a very shy teenager, the silence of the forest is the only place he talks about things with his mother. Which make them more close.

Katniss and Willow are too similar. The girl has a sharp tongue and can be very provocative at times. But what causes the biggest fights is Wiilow's stubbornness. When they disagree about something it can end with slamming doors and some time without talking to each other. Still, Katniss understands her better than anyone. Willow is the daughter with the greatest curiosity about the past and who has the longest conversations about her aunt Prim and her grandfather with Katniss.

Peeta and Rye: Peeta asks his son too many questions. His open way of discussing feelings bother Rye, who is very reserved about anything. They are better together when they are doing things which requires less conversation. Rye is very good at most crafts so it's great at making bread, also painting and wood carving. And it's also always Peeta who helps Rye get out of his comfort zone and overcome some fears. Like public speaking or fear of heights.

Peeta and Willow are compatible. They always talk to each other. Silly and funny things, but also a lot of matters from the past that Peeta doesn't usually bring up much. Willow has a talent for listening to others. When they argue about something it's how Willow should be a little more reasonable with her mother and how Katniss probably has a reason for saying what she's saying. Peeta, who decides to give the the book of plants to Willow when she grows up a little, he believes that she is ready. He sees a lot of potential in Willow and tries his best to help her deal with her anger in the most constructive way. He always says how similar Willow and Katniss are.

#ask me anything #ask #the hunger games #thg #katniss everdeen #peeta mellark #everlark #fanfic #headcanon #epilogue #willow mellark #rye mellark #Mellark family

71 notes · View notes

totallovestrucksimp · 11 months ago

Note

Marian x Larry fic request: Stolen moments. This/these can be at any point in their relationship (secret courting, public courting, engagement, etc) and any kind of moment (knowing glance, grazing hand, a kiss, etc).

Please and thank you!

This is like, five fics rolled in one, so sorry that it took so long. I hope you enjoy!

Four times Larry and Marian stole moments (And the one time they were caught)

The garden

The first time Marian and Larry managed to sneak away from their respective parties was during an outdoor charity event. While Marian was happy to support the Red Cross, she was really looking forward to seeing Larry Russell again.

After their fleeting moment by the Van Rhijn door after the opera, they agreed to court. However, with Marian having just broken off her engagement with Dashell and her Aunts disapproval of the Russell family, the two lovers agreed to keep silent of their relationship for the time being. That didn’t stop them from seeking each other out at every event they went to.

“Mr Russell! Mrs Russell! How are you?”

Aurora Fane calls out from Marians group.

This time, Marians taken with a group of the Fanes, Oscar, and her aunt Ada. Larry’s group contained his parents, his sister, and Mr Mcaliaster.

“We’re doing splendidly, thank you. We were just about to check out the new memorial they put up recently. My husband and I weren’t there when Mr Montgomery gave his party.” Bertha says.

“Oh yes, we were just heading over there ourselves, would you like us to accompany you?”

The two women lose themselves in conversation as both groups head to the memorial. Larry’s double backs to walk in-pace with Marian.

“Will you follow me somewhere? There’s something I want to show you.”

“But what about the others? Won’t they catch on?”

“They’re all too busy to notice that we’re gone. It will only take a moment, I promise.”

Marian takes one look back at the groups. Surely one moment can’t hurt.

Larry takes her hand and leads her to a hidden pathway away from the party. From there they walk between some bushes to find themselves under a beautiful willow tree swaying in the wind.

“My hat flew away in the wind the other day. It managed to fly all the way into the bushes, and I managed to find this place from there. I thought you might like it.” Larry confesses, enjoying the look of wonder on Marians face.

“It’s beautiful! It looks like something right out of a Lewis Carroll novel!” She turns around, taking everything in. “This would be a beautiful place for a picnic.”

“Ah, yes, but for that we would need a chaperone, and…I’d rather like keeping this place between us.” He takes her hand.

“Perhaps one day then.” She giggles.

One day he thinks, smiling at the implication.

Marian takes a look out to the party. “We really should go back now, we’ve already been gone long enough.” She sighs.

“If anyone asks, you can just say you hurt your ankle and needed a rest and that I didn’t wish to leave you alone.” Larry suggests.

“You’re very sweet.” She gives him a peck on the cheek. “Thank you for showing me this.”

Taking Mr Russell’s arm, they walk back to the party.

***

The opera

Larry doesn’t really know why he thought that going to the opera would be an occasional thing. When his mother got a box at the Metropolitan opera, he assumed that she would spend most of her time entertaining other people in it, not just her family. But of course, she always means to show off her bachelor son and debutant daughter to every rich, high standing family there. Sometimes he just wants to tell his mother about their relationship just so she’ll stop taking him to these things.

But it isn’t all bad, sometimes it presents itself as an opportunity. At one of their last excursions Marian mentioned wanting to see a new upcoming opera called Manon that aired in Paris back in January. When his mother told him that it was being brought to the Met, it seemed like fate. He’ll never forget the look on her face when he offered her his mothers box, hands in his, eyes burning brightly. He vowed right then and there to make her as happy as she was right then for the rest of his life.

The problem was that they would now have several eyes on them at all times, leaving very small chances of any possible romantic gestures. They were granted a small mercy when Bertha allowed them to sit right next to each other.

“I’m very excited to see this, I’ve heard such great things about it.” Marian says to Mrs Russell.

“I’m happy to give you the opportunity to see it. Larry, make sure Mrs Brook has everything she needs during intermissions.”

“Of course. mother.”

She smiles as she goes to talk to her daughter, leaving the two of them to their seats.

“Would you like a glass of water or anything beforehand?”

“No thank you. I just want you beside me.” She whispers in a lowered voice, careful to not be overheard.

As the opera starts Larry takes his seat next to Marian. As the lights darken and music begins, Larry silently wishes he could ask what she thinks of the play, or the actors, of the music or the settings, but he knows hashes too engrossed with the story to talk to him right now. So he silently settles with waiting until intermission.

That’s until he feels the tingle of Miss brooks fingers subtlety lace in between his. He eyes don’t leave the stage, but he sees a small smile on her lips as if to say: thank you.

Small mercies indeed.

***

At Mamie Fishes.

A common place to meet other high-society members are at parties. And who else knows how to throw a party like Mamie Fish? She throws together extravagant parties and events on what feels like an almost weekly basis. Inconvenient before, but now becoming a blessing for Larry and Marian.

This time, the couple no longer have to stick to their confined groups, but can flow freely throughout the room (which conveniently flowed right to each other.)

At one of these particular parties Mamie decided that they should all play a game of go fish. A rather juvenile game, but Marian wouldn’t complain if it meant that she could talk to Larry, even if it’s from across a table.

The two were set in a group of four, the other two being Miss Caroline Astor and a man whose name Marian could not remember. Talking to Miss Astor was easy enough, her unbearable mother and her restrictive aunt gave them lots to complain about. The real trouble was with the man. Drunk, arrogant, and would not be out of place alongside Edward Morgan. He was almost manageable when Caroline was in the game, where the three of them could smooth out any awkward interaction. But when Miss Astor was out, Mr-Augustion?Agrertion? Something like that- turned his drunken affection all to Miss Brook, something that annoyed Larry greatly.

“Got any…any fives, Mrs Astor?”

“Once again, go fish, and once again, I am Miss Brook, not Mrs Astor.” Marian says, visibly uncomfortable.

“Do you have any fives?” Larry asks the man quickly.

“Good heaven, you are a card shark, Mr Brushell.” He bemoans and hands over three cards.

Larry lays the set face down on the table. “Your turn, Marian.”

“Do you have any Aces, Mr Russell?”

“Go fish”

“Do you have any…suitors, Marian?” The man slurs, putting an elbow on the table.

Larry takes this opportunity to take a look at the drunken man’s cards. This earns him an odd look from across the table.

“Do you have any fives, sir?” Larry asks.

He Griggs and slides the cards across the table. Larry keeps asking for card after card until the man is empty handed.

“Good game, Mr…um, you played well.”

The man walks off, confused and looking for another drink.

“That was a dirty trick Larry.” Marian scolds, but she can’t help but crack a smile.

“Gives me more time to talk to you alone.” Besides, it wasn’t the only trick up my sleeve.” He flips over one of the hands he placed face down, revealing it to consist of three fives and one four.

“Larry! Have you been cheating this whole time?” She asks in disbelief.

“Only to get him to leave.” He places the four cards back into his deck. “Now the real game can begin.”

“You must promise to play fair with me, or I may never trust you with a deck again.” She smiles.

“I will always treat you fairly, Marian.” She says almost offhandedly, but it still makes her heart skip a little.

“Got any 9s?”

“Go fish.”

***

During class

Marian was not having a good day today. She woke up late, which annoyed her immensely, got belittled by her aunt Agnes as she was going out the door, got splashed by a carriage, and is now on the verge of being very late to a charity meeting. Worst of all, she had forgotten to pick flowers for todays painting class. While that can be remedied by switching out the flowers for a fruit basket or a small portrait to copy, flowers were her favorite because of how many different colors and details the students could paint.

As she attempts to hail down a cab, she is spotted by Mr Larry Russell leaving his house. “Mr Brook! How are you?”

“In a bit of a rush, I’m afraid.” She motions to her held our hand. “I’m late for a charity meeting, and on top of that I had a very stressful morning.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, anything I can do to help?”

“I’m afraid not, but it’s kind of you to ask. I just need to hurry to the Astor house and find something for my students to paint in class today. Ah, Here we go.” Finally a cab rides up to Marian.

“I hope the rest of your day is much better than start.” Larry tells her through the cab window.

As he watches her ride away, a thought starts brewing in his head…

***

After a long, long meeting, Marian finally makes it to the school in the Nick of time. She only has about five minutes before her students show up. She sets up the canvases, lays out the paint, sets up the flow- the flowers! She panics, forgetting that she didn’t have time to get any earlier. And I don’t have any time to prepare anything else! She quickly wonders if she could use the food from her lunch before she turns around and face plants into a bouquet of Lilly’s.

Upon inspection, the bouquet seems to be filled with Lillys, bluebells, and daffodils. Upon closer inspection, it appears to be held by Mr Larry Russell, who is standing in the doorway of her classroom.

“Larry? What are you doing here? Are-are these for me?” She asks, flustered.

“They’re for your class. I remember you said that you needed something for your students to paint, so I brought these. I hope they’re okay?”

“They’re more than ok, they’re beautiful!” She blooms, placing them in a nearby vase. “And you’re a complete lifesaver too. I had nothing for the students to draw until you came. Thank you!”

Larry beams with pride under her praise. “Is there anything else I can help with?”

“I believe this is it, but you best get out of here before-“

But she never finishes that thought, as a group of chattering young girls suddenly burst through the door. The moment they see Mrs Brook with a man, they quiet.

“Mrs Brook? Who is this?” One of them asks.

“This is-“ she starts, trying not to stumble over her words. One wrong sentence and her whole class could get the wrong idea.

“I’m Larry Russell, a friend of Mrs Brook. I came by to bring you guys flowers to paint today.” He tells them earnestly, motioning to the flowers behind them.

A few of them whisper and several of them giggle. One of the girls up front speaks up. “Nice to meet you, Mr Russell.” She says with a knowing smirk.

Marian decides to stop this before more rumors turn up. “I’m going to go see Mr Russell out. Why don’t you start setting out your materials and studying the flowers?” She walks out of the room as Larry follows.

“That you for that, but now I’m afraid we’ll be the talk of the town for the rest of the day.” She says once they’re far enough from the door.

“It’s a good thing gossip columns don’t take the words of fourteen year olds.”

“We hope.” She whispers jokingly.

He takes her hand and kisses it quickly before any passing students or teachers can see. “ I know you need to get back to class, you don’t have to see me off, I can manage.”

“Thank you Larry. I’ll see you tomorrow night at Mr Mcalasters ball?”

“Definitely, I’ll be there.” He smiles to her as he leaves.

***

Mr Mcalasters ball

Mr Mcalasters ballroom was bigger and grander than any ballroom Marian has ever seen. No less than three sparking chandeliers overshadowed the room casting long shadows over anyone who stood near them.

While Marian couldn’t give Larry her first dance, she gladly gave him her second, sweeping across the ballroom without a care in the world. Once the music stopped and the dance was over, she didn’t want to leave.

“Do you think there’s somewhere we can go to talk?” Marian says low in his ear.

“I think I saw an abandoned hallway that looked pretty discreet on my way in here. Seems like it’s worth a try.”

Without causing too much attraction, they manage to make their way to the hallway.

“It should be a bit before anyone goes looking.” Larry comments.

They spent some time making small talk and observing the art of the house. However, Marian could tell something was on Larry’s mind.

“Is there something bothering you? You seem off.”

“Actually, there is something I want to talk to you about.”

“Sounds ominous, but I’m listening.”

“Marian…I think we should tell people about us.”

“Larry…”

“I know we weren’t sure before, but it’s been three months since you broke off your engagement, and I’m…I’m tired of these fleeting moments. I want the world to know what you mean to me.”

“And what do I mean to you?”

“That I love you.”

There, he’s finally said it. The feeling that has been bubbling in his heart since the moment he’s met Marian has finally been put into words. They take a moment to process this feeling.

“And you mean the world to me.” She replies, taking her hand in his. “Aunt Agnes will put up such a fight.”

“Then we will have to be equal to it. I don’t want to be like Mr Raikes. I want her approval before we go forward. The first step of that is being honest with her. She may make a stink, but we’ll fight it together.”

She smiles and kisses him. “Always together.”

They stand there in a long embrace, letting the world melt away as they cling to each other.

“Larry, Mother wants me to-oh!”

The pair split apart in fear as Gladys walks in on them.

The three of them stay locked in a silent stare off, none of them the winner.

“Mother wanted me to see where you went.” Gladys says quickly, eyes still not leaving theirs. “H-how long has this been going on?!”

“Since the opera war ended?” Larry admits sheepishly.

“That long? I never suspected anything! What does mother think? Does she know?”

“Not yet, we wanted to keep it a secret for a bit longer. You won’t tell anyone, will you?”

“No, I’m happy for you! But if you want to keep it a secret you might try someplace more discreet.” She motions to the not-so-discreet surroundings. “And I think father might already suspect you two.” She takes her brothers arm to lead him back to the ballroom. “I would tell them soon, mother won’t like knowing that you’ve courted someone behind her back. Good luck, Mrs Brook.”

Marian waits a few moments for following them to not look suspicious. Once she’s back in, she still looks around to find Larry. She sees him talking to his mother, who is seeming lecturing him about disappearing during parties. Their eyes meet, the moment only being caught by Gladys.

Soon.

*** Got a Larry x Marian Gilded Age fic request? Submit it here!

#the gilded age #marian x Larry #fic request #Marian brooks #larry russell #gladys russell

20 notes · View notes

lolly-in-a-strange-land · 2 months ago

Text

aequoreal

Ch.3

The thought of having a boyfriend made Fae feel floaty. She’d kept it to herself though. She didn’t have Facebook and her Instagram was private. She didn’t have many friends at college that she could tell so it would be a secret, just for her and her alone. The only person she did want to tell was her sister, Willow.

Willow was strong and confident. At 27, she handled everything life threw at her with grace and a resilience that Fae could only dream of. She would see her sister this weekend when she went to the usual Sunday dinner with her family. Her mom would invite her aunt Marla, Azalea and Jacob. Uncle Paul was away. At Wrestlemania with Joe. Her boyfriend.

Although she missed him, they texted everyday. He’d text her first thing in the morning and she’d reply as soon as she woke up. The conversations would go on throughout the day and then he’d phone her at some point, and she’d inevitably giggle and blush her way through a conversation.

He’d been away a week now and she’d stayed up late last night to watch the first night of Wrestlemania, proudly watching on as her boyfriend teamed up with The Rock, who she had heard of from his films, to fight Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes, who she had not heard of. As such, she was tired on Sunday morning and spent a good portion of the morning still in bed.

She’d have to get up though. Her mom hated lateness and she desperately wanted to talk to Willow. Seeing her older sister was a highlight and they could sneak up to her childhood bedroom, with Azalea and have a girl chat. She got up and checked her phone, smiling when saw a text from Joe.

‘Good morning, beautiful. Sleep well?’

She smiled more, blushing as she stood in the middle of her dorm, trying to think of what to say. Eventually she figured something out.

‘Yeah, I did. Proud that you won last night.’

‘All part of the plan, baby girl.’

She giggled at the text back. She knew it was scripted. She’d heard her uncle talk about it and hint heavily at plotlines, mostly to taunt Jacob who would ask for spoilers. Uncle Paul would tap his nose and chuckle. She sighed. She knew this would likely be something of the norm in their relationship, He’d be away a lot and she’d be waiting, but she wanted this, wanted him. She felt unexpectedly vulnerable now, stripped down, like her body was covered in paper cuts.

‘I miss you.’

She sent the text before she could overthink it. Tone was hard to convey through text and she wished she could convey how much she did miss him. How difficult it felt that they’d been together for 3 weeks, but hadn’t seen each other since the day at the beach. That felt like a lifetime ago. He’d be back next week, but April would go by quickly and he’d be away again at the beginning of May for the start of SummerSlam. Her phone vibrated and she looked at it.

‘I miss you too, Fae. I think about you every second of every day. I’ll ring you later.’

Fae read the message a couple more times. He thought about her and the vulnerable feelings were replaced by warmth and lightness. She replied one last time before she went to shower and dress.

‘I’d really like to hear your voice. Video call, maybe?’

She longed to see him too because watching him through her laptop screen wasn’t the same as actually talking to him. She headed to the bathrooms with her towel and toiletries. Her phone vibrated again and she looked at it.

‘Would never say no to seeing your pretty face, baby girl.’

Fae blushed and set her phone down again. She stripped down and headed into the shower.

The conversations were very flirty on Joe’s end. He seemed to realise it made her giggle and blush and went out of his way to flirt with her. Fae washed herself and closed her eyes as she washed her hair. Seeing him last night on tv had made a dull ache form in her lower tummy.

He’d looked amazing, tawny skin shiny, and she figured he’d been wearing some kind of oil. Whatever it was highlighted everything, every muscle in high definition. His hair was down, long and wet, like he’d climbed out a swim wear catalogue. It was sinful and made the dull ache almost like a heartbeat.

She quickly turned the water cold once she’d washed her hair. It made her teeth chatter and her skin prickle, but it was a distraction. She left the shower and dried off. She put her robe on and padded back to her dorm room. It was quiet in the halls. Most of her dorm mates were asleep, having spent the night out last night.

Fae walked into her dorm and changed into fresh clothing. She picked out a modest dress.

Once dressed, she grabbed her purse and phone, heading out of the dorms into the morning light. She got the bus to her parent’s house and arrived at half eleven. The door was opened by her mom. Wendy smiled at her youngest daughter.

“Hello, sweetheart.” Wendy said, hugging her daughter.

“Hey mom, am I the first here?” She asked.

“No, your aunt and Azalea are here with Jake. Your sister decided not to come.” Wendy said, stepping aside and letting Fae in.

This was disappointing. She’d wanted to speak to Willow and to find out she wasn’t here was a let down.

“How come?” Fae asked.

“Your sister is being too sensitive again.” Her mom said, walking back towards the kitchen.

Translation; Willow had taken offence to something Wendy had said, likely something that Wendy had initiated, and Willow had decided not to come. Before she slipped into the lounge to greet her aunt, dad and cousins, Fae texted Willow.

‘Mom said you decided not to come?’

Fae waited and the speech bubble appeared, indicating Willow was typing. Fae could hear the sound of her mom in the kitchen. Finally Willow replied.

‘Wanted to bring my new gf for dinner. Mom called her slurs. Not putting up with that shit.’

Fae smiled at that. Her sister had found a girlfriend. She couldn’t wait to meet her. She’d known Willow was queer since they were younger as Willow had confided in Fae, judging her younger sister as the only person she could talk to within the family home.

‘Congrats, can I come round and see you? I want to hear about her.’

Fae sent the text and slipped off her sneakers, heading to the lounge. Her dad was in his recliner, watching football. He looked over when Fae walked in.

“Cuddlebug, good morning.” He smiled.

“Hey dad.” Fae walked over, hugging her dad.

“Your mom’s making cake for dessert.” He said.

Fae nodded. Cake meant something different to Wendy Heyman. To the rest of them, cake meant the cakes her uncle made. Paul enjoyed food and it wasn’t just his slow cooker pork covered in BBQ sauce that everyone liked, it was the cakes he made. Particularly, the blackforest sponge cake. Three chocolate sponge layers with cherry jelly with morello cherries.

Her mom viewed cakes as another opportunity to be healthy and the results were not always tasty.

“What flavor is it?” Fae asked.

“Prunes are involved.” Jamie replied.

Fae winced. It was times like this she missed her uncle. She headed outside to the yard. The pool was shimmering under the morning sun, light bouncing off the surface. Marla was on the lounger, wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

“Cuddlebug.” Marla smiled, getting up and walking over, hugging Fae.

She hugged her aunt back. Jacob was here too, sitting across the way on his phone. He raised a hand in a wave.

“Hi, aunt Marla,” Fae smiled. “Hey Jake, you ok?”

“Fuckin’ prunes, Fae.” Her cousin lamented.

“Your mom’s been baking again.” Marla sighed, sitting down again.

“Yeah, I heard.” Fae said, sitting down.

“I offered to bring something, but she said no,” Marla said. “Willow didn’t show up. I texted her, offered to sneak her back some leftovers.”

Fae smiled at that. Footsteps creaked on the decking as Azalea walked out, neatening up her skirt and cropped t-shirt.

“Cuz.” Azalea beamed, walking over and hugging Fae.

Fae leaned into the hug and Azalea seated herself, keen to sneakily talk guys. At least, Fae could discuss stuff with Azalea.

“I miss him.” Fae said, and Azalea leaned closer.

“Dad’s due back on Wednesday next week. I assume that’s when Joe will be back too.” Azalea said.

“Yeah, he will be. I just miss him.” Fae replied.

“It feels like that in the first stages of a relationship.” Marla said.

“You mean you don’t miss dad anymore?” Azalea asked.

“No, I miss your dad. I just mean, it feels more intense in the beginning. It gets easier and makes the times you’re together all the more special.” Marla said.

“Yeah, I especially miss dad when prune cake is what’s for dessert.” Jacob chimed in.

“Your father can bake a mean cake.” Marla laughed.

“So, when will you be seeing Joe after he comes back?” Azalea asked.

“I dunno. I don’t want to crowd him. He deserves time to relax and not be bothered by anyone.” Fae said.

“You’re not just anyone, cuddlebug,” Marla said. “He’ll want to see you. Count on it.”

Fae smiled at that. The timer went off inside and it signalled that dinner was ready. They all got up and headed inside. The table was filled with bowls of food; cauliflower, carrots, mashed potatoes, roasted parsnips. Her mother had roasted chicken and it was something she did well.

They settled down to eat. The conversation was muted and distilled, nothing more than the passing of food and salt if needed.

“Fayette, I spoke to Adrian’s mother when I saw her at Kroger’s the other day.” Wendy said.

“Adrian?” Fae said, and her mind drifted back. The only Adrian she knew was Adrian Becker. They’d been in AP calculus together. He was nice. “Adrian Becker.”

“Yes, he’s a lovely, young man. I gave his mother your number to pass along to him.” Wendy said, cutting her chicken.

“I guess it’d be cool to catch up.” Fae said, shrugging.

Whilst he was nice, Adrian was also boring. He liked very tedious things, like chess and birdwatching. During high school, their classmates had nicknamed him Beaky and Fae had always felt a little bad for him.

“Wasn’t he nicknamed Beaky, or something?” Jacob asked, and Azalea snorted.

“Regardless of nicknames, he’s a lovely boy,” Wendy said. “You could do worse, Fae.”

Ah, now it made sense. Her mother wanted to set up a date between her and Adrian. Fae paused, staring down at her food, suddenly feeling a little sick.

“I don’t really want to go on a date with him, mom.” Fae said.

“And why on earth not?” Wendy asked.

“I already have a boyfriend.” Fae said.

She saw her aunt smile at that. Azalea was grinning too. Her dad glanced at her mom. Wendy lowered her cutlery.

“That wrestler is not your boyfriend, Fayette.” Her mother hissed.

“He asked me three weeks ago and I said yes.” Fae replied.

“He wants one thing from you, Fayette. One thing. And once, you’ve given it, he’ll leave.” Wendy snapped.

The table descended into silence as everyone stopped eating to listen. Fae’s lips parted. This was a secret fear. A small part of her mind that festered when she had time to overthink told her that Joe didn’t actually like her, that he thought she was stupid and annoying, that she was as plain as she believed herself to be. She set her own cutlery down.

“Is it so hard to believe he actually likes me?” Fae asked.

“He is a man using a young girl.” Wendy said.

“I’m a grown woman.” Fae said.

“You are a child masquerading as a woman, Fayette,” Wendy said, glaring at her daughter. “If you want to delude yourself then don’t let me stop you.”

Her dad reached out and tried to appease her mother, but she shrugged him off. Fae felt her aunt Marla touch her hand, but it felt like she was having an out of body experience. She got up and walked out before anything else could be said. Fae walked the rest of the way home. Once inside her dorm room, she slid down to the floor and rested her head on her knees, crying.

She had hours left to wait for a call from Joe. She’d have to settle for watching him on tv and then waiting for that phone call. It’d be nearly midnight when he called, like last night. Still, she would wait despite the torrent of emotions running through her.

She ignored the messages from her mom because all they were was more vitriol. She’d text her aunt and Azalea back tomorrow when she felt more emotionally ready. Instead, she went to a nearby Walmart and bought ice cream, cheetos and a pizza. She had barely eaten anything at the family meal.

She had three pizza slices and saved the rest. At 6pm, she changed into her pajamas. The last hour dragged and finally at 7pm, the second night of Wrestlemania began. She ate ice cream whilst she watched and fell asleep at one point. Finally around twenty to ten, the match she’d been waiting for started and she got to see her boyfriend. This just made her miss him more.

The match lasted around 35 minutes and although he lost, she was happy for a glimpse of him.

The show ended and she laid there in the dark. At eleven, her phone started ringing and she scooped it up. He was ringing her earlier tonight and the electric rush of joy made her almost forget the day. She answered and was even more pleased to see it was a face time call.

“Hey, there’s my girl,” Roman smiled. “Whatchu up to?”

“Hey, not much. I watched the match. You lost.” She giggled.

“Judgmental much.” He teased.

“I was just messing with you.” She said, sitting up properly.

“Tryin’ to wound my already fragile ego, baby girl.” He said.

“You’re silly.” Fae said, smiling.

“Is that my niece?” Paul’s voice filtered in. “Don’t be stingy, let me say hello.”

“The wiseman would like to say hello.” Roman said, tilting the phone.

Fae waved at her uncle. Paul waved back. He was holding a drink in one hand and a mini quiche in the other.

“Where are you?” Fae asked.

“Afterparty.” Roman said, angling the phone away.

“That sounds so fun.” Fae said.

She couldn’t bring herself to be a downer. She swallowed thickly and glanced down at her discarded ice cream container. She’d managed to demolish an entire tub of Ben and Jerry’s somehow.

“Fae, you ok?” He asked.

“Yeah,” She replied, and she heard the visible tremor in her own voice. “I just miss you.”

“I’m gonna get some air,” He said to Paul, standing up and heading towards the glass doors, weaving through his colleagues until he was outside to look back at the phone. “You’ve been crying. Talk to me, please.”

Fae’s eyes darted around and he could see the panic in her eyes, the fear that she was being a downer and ruining something.

“I had a fight with my mom.” She whispered eventually.

“Take you time, tell me what happened?” He asked, sitting down.

“She tried to set me up with a guy I went to high school with,” She said, and Roman felt himself bristle at that. The sting of jealousy was an ugly emotion, but the thought of her with someone else bought those emotions out. Still Fae kept talking. “I-i told her I didn’t want to date a guy from high school because I already had a boyfriend.”

He couldn’t help but smile at that. The reminder that he was hers and she was his made the jealousy dissipate a bit.

“So, what’s your mom’s idea of the perfect guy for you, baby girl?” He asked.

“His name is Adrian Becker. He was in chess club and he liked bird watching.” Fae said.

“Bird watching. I could use a new hobby.” He said.

She managed a smile at that, but her expression shifted as she started to succumb to the emotions that had been building since earlier.

“She said you’re only with me for one thing.” Fae said, and she looked at the screen again, hazel eyes shining. His lips parted. He could see every emotion and the depth of them as they played out across her delicate features.

“You know that’s not true, Fae.” He said.

“I know. It just hurt that she’d say it,” She admitted. “And a part of me was a little scared.

“I get that,” He murmured. “This relationship is at your pace, Fae.”

“And if I’m scared and want to go super slow?” She asked.

“Then I will wait for as long as it takes you to be ready for me, baby girl.” He replied.

The sincerity in his eyes made her smile. He’d wait for her, that didn’t sound like the actions of someone after one thing especially if waiting for that one thing could last a while. But what about the other side of the coin, if she said she was ready.

“And if I say, I’m totally ready now?” She asked.

Roman’s dark eyes lingered on her through the screen before flicking away and looking around the outdoor seating area. Across the way, he could see Seth and Becky talking. They weren’t paying attention to him, both embroiled in their own conversation, ever the happy couple. Becky’s Irish accent carried though, but as long as they weren’t paying attention to him. He glanced at the phone screen again.

“Then I get to do all the things I’ve imagined doin’ to you, Fae.” He said.

“What?!” She blurted out, clearly not expecting that answer.

“You are the main star of every jack off session, baby girl,” He smirked. “And lemme tell you, I’ve got an active imagination.”

She blushed and her eyes widened at the implication. Her head ducked down as she became embarrassed and he laughed at her stunned expression.

“Stop making me blush so much.” She whined.

“Gon’ press that hot, little body against mine and fuck you until you walk with a limp, baby girl.” He smirked again.

Her cheeks flared red again and she whined loudly, expressing both embarrassment and a really cute giddiness.

“Quit it.” She insisted, laughing.

“Not when you make this so easy, Fayette.” Roman said, drawing out her name.

It had the effect of her looking away and pressing her small hand to her face to try and hide the blush.

“I should be able to say something that makes you blush.” She said, pouting.

“Do your worst. You’ll just make yourself blush more.” He said.

“Fine, I thought about you in the shower.” She said.

“Really? Get yourself nice and wet for me?” He said

Her expression shifted again and she narrowed her eyes and he could see the cogs in her mind turning as she thought.

“This is not fair.” She said, trying to hide her face.

He paused and glanced up as Becky and Seth started walking past. She watched him greet them as they passed. The guy leaned over, patting his shoulder and saying something. The tension dissipated and she was almost sad about it.

“They’re your colleagues?” She asked.

It was an interesting question, but he guessed they were despite the job they all did.

“Yeah, Colby and Becky.” He replied.

“Is that their real names?” She asked, like they were spies in disguise.

“I think Becky’s full name is Rebecca,” He chuckled. “But Colby goes by Seth.”

“Oh, the guy from the first night, the one you beat?” She asked.

“Yeah, that’s the guy. We’re friends outside the ring, have been for a while.” He replied.

“That’s cute that you’re all friends.” She smiled.

She shifted and laid down on the bed, face buried against the pillow. He smiled at that. She looked so cute. He’d missed her as much as she’d missed him. His gaze drifted to the space over her shoulder where there was an empty spot on her double bed. The want to lay behind her and hold her close rose unbidden again.

“You gettin’ tired, baby girl?” Roman asked.

“Just a little.” She replied.

“Want me to let you go?” He asked, not wanting to hang up, not wanting to socialise unless she was with him.

“Not really, but I guess.” She whispered, and a few stray tears leaked from her eyes, soaking the pillow.

“Next Wednesday, I’ll be home and I need to see you, Fae.” He murmured.

“I don’t want to bother you if you’re tired.” She said.

“I don’t give a fuck if I’m tired,” He replied. “I’ll pick you up once you finish college. We’ll go back to mine.”

She smiled sleepily at that. Her features were fuzzy from the proximity but every pixel of her was beautiful.

“Ok, I’d really like that.” She said, softly.

“I would too, baby girl,” He said. “I’ll let you go. Sweet dreams.”

“Sweet dreams, Joe.” She whispered.

The call ended and he stared at the screen, dragging a hand through his hair. Inside, his colleagues were celebrating and socialising, but he wanted it all to be over.

Fae, meanwhile, watched the call end. She set her phone down and closed her eyes again, drifting into the bliss of sleep

#roman reigns fic #roman reigns #wwe smackdown #wwe raw #aequoreal

6 notes · View notes

maadilin · 11 months ago

Text

this has been done to death but here are my opinions on katniss and peeta as parents and what the victors/their friends were like around them

peeta- peeta, obviously, would make sure to give the kids a childhood he never had. he would spoil them but also make sure they learnt things, and he would be really patient and sweet with them. he would almost never raise his voice, and only be stern when he had to. he'd teach willow how to bake, rye how to make art, and both how to do camouflage.

katniss- i feel like katniss would be a mixed bag, she'd be sweet and caring, but also a bit strict, and would be stricter compared to peeta. i feel like she'd, in a way, see prim in her kids and she would make sure that they knew their aunt primrose was a wonderful girl. i also feel like she'd be a bit of a troublemaker with them sometimes, and if they got in trouble for something stupid she'd defend them. she'd teach willow archery and how to shoot, and teach rye how to hunt, and taught them both plant identification.

haymitch- haymitch would try to appear presentable and sober around the kids, but sometimes he'd fail. the kids would find him hilarious, not understanding everything, and it'd make him crack a smile. he's not good at showing affection but the kids would still love him anyway.

effie- effie would be very bubbly and kind to them, and they'd match eachother's energy. they would all play dress up and the kids would try on effie's wigs.

johanna- johanna would loosen up around them, and she'd be like the cool aunt. when the kids got into trouble, she'd talk to them but secretly give them a fist bump if she thinks the kids did the right thing. she and katniss would be really close, and she'd be a frequent babysitter. she loves the kids.

annie- annie would be very sweet and would engage them in conversations, and bring her son over at times. (my hc for his name is either teddy or fin.)

i feel like katniss and peeta would be very affectionate, always, acting like they were 17, 18, 19, even when they were in their mid 20s- early 30s. katniss would always be really anxious about them and be a bit overprotective, but peeta would always calm her down. he'd be protective of them too, but i feel katniss would be more like that than peeta.

#the hunger games #thg #katniss everdeen #peeta mellark #everlark #katniss #jennifer lawrence #josh hutcherson #everlark parents #katniss mellark #mellark #everdeen #rye mellark #willow mellark #johanna mason #katniss and peeta parents #follow and like for more thg content :)

24 notes · View notes

inlovewithregencyera · 1 year ago

Text

Henford, July 4th 1818

The Coach carrying the party of 3 to Henford from Granningham arrived in Henford within 20 minutes. The Duchess had been right, it would rain.

Sarah purposefully asked if she could have a seat to herself, as she 'didn't like being confined in a tight space.' In reality, she had just wanted Aurelia to sit beside Frederick so she would be at ease somewhat.

Frederick and Aurelia of course did not say anything to one another for the majority of the ride. Frederick was intimidated by Aurelia's beauty so up close. He found it hard to look her in the eyes without blushing so he chose to look out of the window. But God was she beautiful. Frederick's face bore the timeless elegance of a classical sculpture, chiseled by the hands of God himself. As he gazed out of the window, the play of shadows accentuated the noble lines of his profile, which Aurelia couldn't help admiring. She stole glances at him, completely marveling at the artistry of his face.

Some things remained the same. This had been the first coach ride they had shared since 1816. To assure her that he was of course not cross at her for not engaging in conversation he nudged her hip with his elbow softly and poised his arm in the hopes of her hand in extension. He quickly got his wish. It seemed that all his worries fell off his shoulders and nothing mattered anymore now that he got to feel the touch of the Lady he had once loved so affectionately in 1816. He still did love her, she had her suspicions of this, but no confirmation. Why else would he return?

Sarah had trouble hiding her grin from this gesture, but she quickly fixed her face and averted her gaze to the passing willows.

Frederick: Your-your other siblings. Are they in good health?

Aurelia: Most excellent health. Thank you.

It was at this moment he realized he regretted asking her that. He was too close to her and became quickly lost in her eyes, not even hearing her response to the question. All he wanted to do was kiss her, but he knew he couldn't, not just yet.

Frederick: Lily, I-

Aurelia: Freddie, please- we can't-don't look at me like that.

Frederick: So your affections have changed since-

Aurelia realized she had let herself get lost in this moment between them, completely forgetting about what happened in 1816. For a moment she let herself be that once 18-year-old girl Frederick had loved for a moment, but she wasn't the same anymore. Or so she thought. She didn't deserve him and his kind affections, she had always told herself he was too good for her. She quickly snapped back into reality.

Aurelia was naturally shy, and Frederick made her nervous. He knew he made her nervous, but he didn't try to. When she sat up and let go of his arm, he was a little hurt but to hear her call him Freddie like she once had was enough. He knew she still cared for him by using that name, that was all he needed. What happened that last night they spent together in 1816? Did she mean what she said? Perhaps he would ask her later.

Sarah: M'lady, m'lord, we've arrived!

And so they had arrived at Elmsworth House. The estate of the wealthy and genteel Mr. Peregrine Ramsbury and his wife Lady Helena, Aurelia’s paternal aunt.

Helena: Oh my sweet girl! How I've missed you so, I haven't seen you since May!

Aurelia: Oh Aunt Helena! How I've missed you too.

Helena: My God, I don't believe my eyes. Frederick Worthington is that you?

Frederick: Yes, Lady Helena, it is me. I've recently just returned from Orleans.

Helena: Ah, yes capital! Oh, and you're all soaked! I shall have my servants run the three of you hot baths!

Frederick: I can't stay for long Lady Helena, I plan to see my mama.

Helena: Oh not in this weather you won't! I won't allow it, you'll have to call on your mother in the morning, I shall write to her that I've forced you to stay with us. She'll understand.

Aurelia: Well surely he doesn't want to keep his mama waiting-

Helena: Good lord, girl! What has gotten into you?! It's a miracle you're not having bits of congestion from that perilous storm! You both will stay with us until this storm passes over. Ashley and Patience have just arrived last night so they can be of good company. Martha is here as well!

Frederick: I thank you, Lady Helena, you're very kind. But I do fear I've extended my welcome if everyone is not happy with me-

Helena: Aurelia is just talking nonsense! She needs a nice bath to calm her poor nerves. The same nerves which haven't been right since 1816! Oh and her poor maid is shivering! *shouts* AGATHA, TELL BETSY AND THOMAS TO HELP YOU RUN THREE BATHS!

*2 hours later*

Sarah: Oh m'lady you smell lovelier than before! I'm sure Lord Worthington will notice too-

Aurelia: Oh Sarah you tease me. We've all just gotten baths, I'm sure he won't notice. But you too smell lovely!

Sarah: M'lady I believe he notices everything of your being! The way he looks at you- and forgive me if I'm speaking out of terms, but his eyes are still yearning for you. I was in that carriage with the both of you too.

Aurelia: Yes, yes you were. I'd like it if you kept everything that happened on that ride between us.

Sarah: Oh of course m'lady! I shan't tell a soul. Alright, you're good to go downstairs, I'm going to take your traveling dress to my bedroom window and let it dry for tomorrow.

Frederick: Lily?...

Aurelia: ....

Frederick: Will you please look at me?

Aurelia: Nothing happened in that carriage, therefore there is no need for us to talk. Please refrain from calling me Lily-

Frederick: Well Lady Aurelia, I'll have you know I don't want to talk about the carriage. I want to talk about August 2nd.

Aurelia: Well I don't.

Frederick: Dearest, why are you like this. Please tell me what I've done to you in the span of two hours?

Aurelia: *loudly whispering* IT'S NOT ABOUT WHAT YOU'VE DONE IN TWO HOURS! IT'S ABOUT WHAT YOU DID AFTER AUGUST 2ND!

Frederick: What I did after August 2nd? Last I recall it was your actions on August 2nd that prompted me to leave. YOU rejected my proposal. So forgive me if the pain was so unbearable that I had to retreat to a different country as I couldn't bear seeing your face again or worse, seeing you fall for another man. But know, even if you hurt me I still loved you. In fact I still lo-

Aurelia: Don't say it. Not today. Not now. You went away to forget me, how can you still say that? And for your information, I regretted the word no immediately after it left my throat. Seeing your face that night caused me a great deal of pain and I still think of how you looked constantly.

Frederick: So you felt sorry because I cried? Your words were firm, do not pity me if I shed tears.

Aurelia: I did not pity you for the shedding of your tears. I pitied myself because I did want to marry you. But you deserve a good woman-

Frederick: YOU are a good woman and the ONLY woman I can see myself called upon to marry. Believe me, there is no one else who I'd rather bear my children or grow old with other than you. And you must know I went away not to forget you but in an attempt to get over my love for you. Not a day went by where I didn't think of you. I realized how stupid I was and that I would not forget you or get over you. What we had was special so yes, I lo-

Aurelia: I beg you not to say that.

Frederick: Why not?

Aurelia: Your words are dangerous and have a great effect on my mind. I too thought I had gotten over you but-

Frederick: So you still love me?

Aurelia: ...

Frederick: You can say it.

Aurelia: No....I can't. You'll go and leave again and I'm left all melancholic once more.

Frederick: *laughing* My dearest girl, I assure you I'm not going anywhere without you by my side.

#sims 4 regency #ts4 regency #regency sims 4 #sims 4 historical #simblr #sims 4 regency era #vintage sims #sims 4 #regency ts4 #TCOTD #ts4 simblr

37 notes · View notes

nightingale2004 · 7 months ago

Text

The Hunger Games Next Gen post- mockingjay: Finnick x Annie vers

Finnick Jr. Ocean Cresta Odair

Faceclaim: Walker Scobell

Finnick is the one and only son of Annie Cresta and her late husband Finnick Odair

He is also the Godson of Johanna Mason

Finnick lives in District 4 with his mom

He prefers to be called Finn, Nick, or Nicky

Before Finn was born, Annie was grieving her husband, and a big part of her didn't want to have her child without her husband Finnick by her side.

After Katniss's mom came to District 4 and became medical personnel, both Mrs. Everdeen and Annie connected over the lost of their husband's

Mrs. Everdeen saw a lot of herself in Annie, so she made sure to help her not become the mother she was to Katniss and Prim. So they would meet up and talk even after Finn was born

Finn is a complete mommas's boy

He looks a lot like his father with a bit of his mother in him

Like his father, he loves the sea and finds a sense of peace just sitting close to the water when he's on the beach

After Finn was born, Johanna was not a part of his life due to putting herself in self isolation and exile in District 7. It took Annie a lot (i do mean a LOT) of convincing on her part to get Johanna to be near her son

At first, Johanna wanted absolutely nothing to do with Annie or Finn, but after a week or two of staying near them, she caved and decided to stay

Johanna would deny it completely, but the first time, she laid eyes on Finn and held him in her arms she was immediately a goner, and new from that moment on, she wpuld do everything in her power to protect Finnick's wife and his son

Annie wasn't always the perfect mother, but she always made up for it, and Johanna was there to help out along with Mrs. Everdeen

Both Annie and Finn would walk on the beach together almost every day

Knows how to make a fishhook and a fishnet like a pro

Loves swimming and surfing

His mom taught him how to make seashell jewelry and decor, and now he does it all the time and is really creative with it. He always makes seashell crowns, bracelets, and clips

He was given his father's Trident by Beetee on his birthday after it was recovered the ruins of the old Panem. Finn trains with it all the time.

He taught Willow, River, and Rue how to swim in the ocean.

Calls Johanna "Aunt Jojo" and sees her as the coolest aunt in the world

When Peeta and Katniss first saw him, they were immediately taken aback on how much he looked like his father.

When they showed Annie, Finn, and Johanna the memory book and Finn saw his father, Katniss, felt incredible guilt and sadness. She also felt responsible for Finnick passing away, and Annie not having her husband or his son not even getting to know his own father

Annie noticed this along with Johanna, and they both, Peeta included, talked with her, and Annie told her that she never blamed Katniss or was even angry at her. Annie, Johanna, and Katniss then began reconnecting and even grew a strong bond with each other

Johanna also took a liking to the Everdeen children and taught them basic combat skills to defend themselves. She also became an aunty figure to them

Finn sees Willow and River like siblings in everything but blood

Finn made Willow a bracelet made out of a seashell and rope from the fishnets, which she still wears to this day, and he made River a starfish necklace he made from a sand dollar one time

He is called Nicky by Johanna, Willow, and River, but his mother calls him Finn

Katniss and Peeta would tell him about his dad if he asked, including Johanna and Annie

Whenever Finn goes to the beach by himself, he will sit in the water and start talking to his father as if he was having a conversation with his dad and he would talk about literally anything, his thoughts, his day, his feelings, and even update him about the family and friends he makes

Finn, similar to his father, is a bit of a peacock. He loves attention, and he's very popular at school, but he considers Willow and River his true friends

When Finn would visit District 12 and Willow would teach him things like hunting, tracking, and climbing trees, he got most of the stuff down, but he can't climb a tree to save his life and always ends up falling but he improves little by little

He is a fisherman extraordinare. Every time he goes fishing or hunting, he always catches plenty of fish whether by net, hook, or the end of his Trident

He knows a lot of sea shantys

During the time of raising Finn with Johanna's help, she started becoming interested in psychology and soon became a psychologist to help others who have been through trauma whether It's from the war, the games, or just anything throughout their life. And she's really good at it too

Mrs. Everdeen became Finn's doctor, and she checks on him monthly

Finn acts like an older brother to Willow and River and always brags that he was born first

🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱

Forrest Axl Hawthorne

Faceclaim: Zackary Arthur

Forrest is the first son and oldest child of Gale Hawthorne and the older brother to his sister Sienna Katnip Hawthorne

Forrest was originally born and raised in District 2 along with his sister

A few years after Gale lived in District 2, he kept order and peace in the districts in the new justice system. Eventually, he made his way up in the ranks and became a governor. During that time, he met a woman and got married and had kids, but she died due to illness when Forrest was 8 and Sienna was 5

Forrest and his family moved to District 12 two years later.

Forrest wasn't all too happy about the move. He loved his life in District 2 and all the friends he made their. Sienna was the only person who was happy about the move.

When Forrest started school at district 12, he was afraid he wasn't going to make any friends until Willow introduced herself, and they became friends shortly after

When it was known to both parental parties that Willow and Forrest were friends, both Katniss and Peeta were cautious and worried about their daughter, while Gale was surprised and a happy at the turn of events but a bit jealous of Katniss and her marriage with Peeta, but quickly shut that feeling down

Katniss, Peeta, and Gale had a talk together about the friendship of their children. Katniss still didn't forgive him about Prim, and Gale understood. Peeta was ok with the friendship between Willow and Forrest because he knows that his daughter can take care of herself and will not hesitate to smack Forrest new ways to next week if he did anything stupid. It was Forrest Peeta was worried about

Katniss knew Peeta had a point, and if she were to ask anyone else, they would say the same thing, but that didn't stop the worry. But Katniss knew Willow liked Forrest, so for the sake of her daughters happiness, she would allow the friendship to continue, but she still wouldn't forgive Gale, which was something they both could live with. (She was also surprised that Gale would name his daughter after her nickname)

Forrest found both Katniss and Peeta incredibly intimidating and scary when he first met them officially

Forrest finds River adorable

Whenever Willow and Forrest hang out, they mostly just go walking in the woods. Forrest was incredibly impressed with her skills on the bow and arrow along with hunting. He begged Willow to teach him, which was hilarious (might I add)

Forrest's weapon of choice when they both do target practice was a crossbow which he was already experienced in since his dad taught how to handle weapons at a young age

When Finn and Forrest first met, they didn't like each other, but they both liked Willow, so they tried to get along, which ended with a bond of friendly competition

Sienna and River hang out a lot since they both are younger than their older siblings, and they both get along incredibly well

Every year, the surviving Victors of the Hunger Games would reunite in 12 and would have a day together where they all hang out, share stories, drink, dance, celebrate, and mourn

During that time, Willow, Forrest, and Finnick would look after River, Sienna, and Rue would be together and hang out all together (Willow was in charge, of course)

After Forrest gets off from school, he would normally pick up his sister and head home, and they both wait for their dad to be done with work, which would take all day.

But now, after Forrest gets off school, he will walk with Willow, pick up their siblings, and Katniss and peeta would meet them, and Forrest and Sienna would spend the whole day with the Everdeen family until their dad was off work

Forrest knows how to cook, and now he recently knows how to bake thanks to Peeta

Gale is a good father, but he is extremely busy, and it takes up his whole day with his kids, but he still makes an effort

Katniss and Peeta treat Forrest and Sienna as if they were their own until Gale comes to pick them up

Unlike his father, Forrest has more sympathy for human life

Forrest takes care of Sienna, especially after their mom died

Forrest feels closer to the Everdeens than his own father

Katniss and Peeta have brought this to Gale's attention, and he tries to clear his schedule more, but a governors job is never done

Forrest and Sienna spend more time at the Everdeen house than their own home

Forrest, Willow, and Finn see each other as a powerful trio

10 notes · View notes

holdenxhq · 11 days ago

Text

Sophia Monroe — Character Biography

At 26, Sophia Monroe is the kind of person everyone in Holden knows — or at least thinks they know.

The girl with the easy smile who always waved to the crossing guard, helped carry groceries for Mrs. Langley down the street, and remembered to check in on her coworkers when flu season hit. Sophia wasn’t flashy. She didn’t seek attention. But somehow, her absence hits harder than anyone would have expected.

Sophia works at Holden Public Library, a quiet job she loves more than she admits. Her coworkers adored her for how reliable she was: Sophia always picked up extra shifts, stayed late to clean up after events, and left handwritten thank-you notes for volunteers. Sophia lives alone in a small upstairs apartment above an antique store, a space filled with houseplants, secondhand books, and soft light. On weekends, you could usually find her at the farmer’s market, browsing the stalls with a canvas bag slung over one shoulder, or volunteering at the local animal rescue.

Sophia comes from a large, tangled family — the kind where birthday parties fill entire backyards and no one can quite map the branches of who’s related to who without a long explanation. She’s the second oldest of four children.

Two sisters — one older, fiercely protective, with whom Sophia sometimes butts heads; one younger, a bit wild, always chasing the next adventure.

A younger brother — quiet, thoughtful, and often the one Sophia confided in when family tensions ran high.

Her parents divorced when she was a teenager, and between remarriages, step-siblings, and half-siblings, there’s no shortage of cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents scattered through Holden and nearby towns. Despite the fractured branches, Sophia worked hard to stay connected to everyone — the peacemaker at family gatherings, the one who remembered to send birthday cards, the one who always showed up. Because of this her disappearance has hit her family members hard.

That’s what made it so strange when she vanished. No note. No sign of struggle in her apartment. Her phone left on the nightstand, wallet on the kitchen counter, keys missing — as if she stepped out for a moment and simply didn’t come back.

At first, people assume she’s visiting family — maybe her aunt who lives on the outskirts of town, or a cousin she’s especially close to. But when none of them have seen or heard from her, the unease begins to spread.

Clues & Loose Threads

Her car is found parked near the edge of Willow Creek Trail, where she sometimes hiked to clear her head — but she hadn’t mentioned any plans to go.

A coworker remembers Sophia seemed distracted the day before she disappeared, pausing mid-sentence during conversations, as if something was weighing on her.

Her younger brother recalls a late-night phone call a few days earlier. She’d asked him, in an unusually serious voice, “Do you ever feel like you’re being watched?”

In her apartment, a postcard from an unfamiliar address sits tucked into a book — unsigned, but postmarked from out of state.

Connections to Explore

Parents & stepparents — some closer than others, some with their own secrets.

Siblings — each with a different relationship to Sophia and to each other.

Aunts, uncles, cousins — some still local, others who left Holden behind.

Coworkers — those at the library who knew her day-to-day routine.

Neighbors — including the elderly shop owner who rents her the apartment and might have seen or heard something.

Old friends / past relationships — connections Sophia stayed close to, and others she quietly drifted from.

#appless rp #town rp #mature rp #mumu rp #appless rpg #small town rp #city rp #relaxed rp #tumblr rp #sandbox rp

2 notes · View notes

banabiohazard · 5 months ago

Text

(Not four hearts, Monika & Natsuki, coming out, fluff, fantasies,)

(Although this is not four hearts au and I will be characterizing the dokis differently, mainly Monika, I will still be using elements I made up for four hearts such as Monika being raised by her Aunt Willow, Yuri being trans or Natsuki's father being locked away.)

Natsuki had struggled with her sexuality for a very long time, the thoughts she dealt with regarding girls had always confused her deeply for as long as she could remember. But somewhere around the beginning of high school she had come to terms with the fact that she was at least bi. That was a while ago at this point, she would be graduating next year and was fully aware that she was a lesbian, she hadn't come out to anyone of course for fear of judgment or word making it's way to her father. But now that he had been incarcerated for his abuse and she knew of her mom's feelings towards queer people being far more relaxed from conversations about politics and news she overheard, that fear was far lesser.

Today would be the day that she would release this constantly building pressure that she was lying about herself. She was going to come out, only to her closest friends, those she trusted most to test the waters, the literature club. Her thoughts were interrupted by a single clap of hands.

"Okay everyone! I'd like to start us off with a book recommendation, something I've been enjoying personally-"

Monika began her opening statement to the literature club, it was no longer held at school due to them never finding their fifth member to make it an official club. That didn't stop Monika's determination, she simply moved the club meetings to her back porch. Natsuki listened intently as the others shared their poems, running what she would say through her mind. And when her turn came Monika turned to her, "Natsuki?" She prompted, She took a long breath to still her nerves before she responded. "I actually don't have a poem to share, but I do have something to say from the heart if it's all the same to you guys." Monika cocked an eyebrow but nodded and moved aside so Natsuki could take her place.

"Ooooo!"

Sayori cooed with interest as Natsuki got up. She looked nervously at the small crowd, Monika, who had taken her seat, smiled wide as she stared forward with full attention. Sayori fidgeted impatiently with her hands and Yuri watched with a similar intensity as Monika while she twirled a strand of her hair through two fingers. "I want to start by saying how much I care about you all." She could already feel her face growing hot, she was far from used to showing her feelings openly, she was still more comfortable channeling it all into bugging her friends or getting on people's nerves to express her affection. "The uh, the last year or so has been the best of my life, knowing you all has made me very happy and I am very grateful. I hope this doesn't ruin everything or change how you look at me."

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes tight, "I like girls. I'm a lesbian." The following moments felt like hours before she flinched at the feeling of arms wrapping around her, when she opened her eyes she was looking out at Yuri and Monika over Sayori's shoulder. "That doesn't change a thing Nat. We love you no matter what." Sayori said as she squeezed her friend tight. Natsuki raised her arms and returned the hug, she let her eyes close again, the words rang in her ears and made tears try to well up. "Are you sure..?" She asked, and Yuri's voice responded,

"You are always safe with us, if you ever, uh, need someone to talk to who understands queerness I'm always here."

Her voice was far stronger than usual, determined to be reassuring. "The literature club is a safe place." Monika added, "You've been my best friend since we were little. I'd never drop you over something like that." Sayori dripped the final drop into the river that broke the dam. Natsuki squeezed her friend tight as the tears flowed, repeating "Thank you" between gasps.

When she had calmed down and Sayori released her she spoke again, "I appreciate you all." She said as she wiped her eyes on her sleeve, Monika placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, "I'm proud of you. That took a lot of courage." Natsuki smiled as she took her seat next to Sayori. "Okay everyone," Monika started again. "I'd say that meeting went well! Since emotions are running high I'm sure, I think we should end it a little early, feel free to stick around to do any homework for tomorrow, my home is your home!" And with a smile and a wave she retreated through the screen door and inside. Sayori turned to Natsuki and cleared her throat, "So, you don't gotta tell if you don't wanna, but can I ask how long you've known?"

"No it's okay, I've known the labels since I was like twelve but I've known women activate my monkey brain pretty much forever." She responded, Sayori laughed despite trying not to, "Monkey brain." She mumbled between laughs, Natsuki smirked at the reaction. After about an hour Natsuki had finished her homework and helped Sayori with some of hers, Monika had come back out a few times to offer lemonade or snacks or just talk. As Natsuki left with a wave to her friends she was happy, her friends accepting her made her think that maybe things would be okay. The walk from Monika's house to hers was long but she made it just before sundown. As she unlocked the door she let her backpack fall slack off her shoulders, she set it down inside and took her shoes off, "Mama! Are you up?" She called out to no answer, she sighed through her nose and unbuttoned her school blazer as she walked to her room.

After she had gotten changed into her night clothes and brushed her teeth she flopped down on her bed, cringing at the loud creaking. This had been a good day, she closed her eyes and ran through it in her mind, 'I'm proud of you, that took a lot of courage.' Monika's words hung repeating in her mind, they made her stomach drop, why was it doing that? Her thoughts wandered to her friend's face in that moment, she was pretty, Natsuki already knew that, she'd always thought Monika had a pleasant lip shape and her freckles, light and hardly noticeable as they were, complimented her eyes. But in this moment she wasn't seeing the Monika in her mind as pretty, she wasn't beautiful. Stop. Why was she thinking this, she'd never thought about Monika this way, she'd thought about the club president's body once or twice, she was conventionally attractive. But never like this.

This was not okay, she tossed and turned as her mind ran wild. Monika was the top of the food chain, she was one of the smartest and most popular girls in school, far out of Natsuki's league, she couldn't think about her like this. But she always put so much effort to connect with her, she played her piano when she was not confident in her skills yet, she read a few mangas every month so they could have common ground to talk about at the club. Natsuki felt her face getting hot. "Oh god.." She whispered to herself.

THIS IS A TEASER FOR THE FIRST CHAPTER OF FIREWORKS, TO CONTINUE PLEASE FOLLOW THE AO3 LINK BELOW!

#fireworks ddlc #doki doki literature club #ddlc fanfic #ddlc natsuki #ddlc monika #monika x natsuki #natsuki x monika #monisuki #ao3 fanfic #fanfic #fan fiction

3 notes · View notes

strangetowntales · 1 year ago

Text

The city wasn't called Strangetown for nothing: strange things indeed happened, and Ophelia knew it well. She had been living in that town since her parents died in a tragic and absurd domestic accident, after which she was placed under the legal guardianship of her aunt, Olive. Until that moment, Ophelia didn't really know her. Sure, she had heard about her at times, but rarely and not entirely positively. She only knew that Olive was her mother Willow's sister, and she lived alone in a small town in the middle of the desert. Aunt Olive made sporadic appearances, only on occasions conventionally deemed important in the family's life, such as obligatory celebrations and birthdays. On those occasions, the home phone would ring, and the two sisters would have a brief conversation, sometimes involving little Ophelia. Olive had no other nephews. Ophelia would have never imagined that one day she would live in her elderly aunt's house alongside her and her parents, the latter in the form of bodies buried in the old cemetery of which Olive was the caretaker. The house itself resembled a mausoleum, with stone walls and imposing marble columns standing out on the facade. Over time, Ophelia had grown accustomed to that gloomy atmosphere, but sometimes she thought that perhaps living on the grounds of a graveyard with an old outcast eyed suspiciously by the town's longtime residents had made her paranoid... a paranoia she could confuse with a kind of sensitivity. There were certain evenings, when the sky was painted with the intense colors of the sunset, and the desert wind blew, lifting clouds of dust. She would sit on the steps in the shade of the porch, appearing so small amidst the supporting columns. In front of her were the gravestones of her parents and others who had died long ago, to the point where inscriptions with the coordinates of their lives were fading. Some tombstones didn't even have a name. Ophelia looked at the sky above them, and it almost seemed to her that it was bleeding, that the air was electric. The wind was screaming something, and the sky vibrated with an unsettling beauty. She felt infused with a kind of anticipation, at times almost anxiety, as if something was about to happen in that strange city—a city so insignificant that it didn't even appear on all maps.

The images were created with Bing Ai after I unsuccesfully tried to take ingame screenshots. My computer just couldn't do it and neither could I. I got the idea of using Bing Ai from this post.

#the sims 2 #sims 2 strangetown #sims 2 simblr #sims 2 premades #strangetown #olive specter #ophelia specter #specter family #bing ai

11 notes · View notes

missmoodring · 1 year ago

Text

Act 1 Chapter 2 Part 2.1

Magnolia Promenade – Sunday, January 7th, 2024

Miles away, the Satos also enjoyed their first family dinner. Of course, Mr. Sato was nowhere to be seen, a common occurrence in this family. Instead, two other people joined their meal.

After a troubling conversation with her husband, Ken, Marlene looked forward to spending this night with her family. She wasn’t ready to start this ‘intensive investigation’ into her family’s past but she understood it was necessary step to uncover who was stalking them. But before that fiasco, Marlene forged a smile and raised her glass.

“Tonight let’s celebrate my handsome nephew, Kion, and his return to Willow Creek. I understand that a redirection in life may be unsettling but Kion returns a new man with a new girlfriend and child. I think the growth of his family and subsequently, the growth of our own, is quite beautiful! Welcome home!” Marlene toasted.

“I can drink to that!” Kion said with glee while the family took a polite sip of the aged red wine.

“Where is that girlfriend of yours?” Ken Jr asked. Out of everyone here, KJ was the most excited to have his favorite (and only) cousin back.

“She’ll be here any moment. She got caught up at work.” Kion answered and chased his answer with another sip of wine. Marlene couldn’t help but to catch her sister’s eye. She heard a few things about the new girlfriend.

“You guys are gonna love her! Right mom?” Kion asked.

“Right,” Sabrina answered and then quickly washed her lie down with another sip of wine.

“I’m sure we will. Everyone was so accepting when I starting bringing Natalia around. No worries, champ.” KJ said in an attempt to comfort his cousin. Although that was true, Marlene shared a similar uneasiness about Natalia that Sabrina had for Kion’s new girlfriend.

To Marlene, Natalia was nothing special. Sure, she was cute but that was it. She wasn’t witty, charming, or intelligent. She was just …bland. Eventually, Marlene learned to accept that her son had settled for a dough faced girl who was nothing special. Just a girl.

At the far side of the table sat Evelyn Sato. She was still taking in the presence of everyone gathered together. She had spent years away from her family so the reintroduction of “family dinners” was tough. In the last few weeks of being home, Evelyn had mastered adding meaningless commentary to every conversation to mask her disinterest in whatever her family blabbed about. Weddings, grandchildren, business ideas, vacations… None of it interested her.

She twirled her nearly full glass of wine. Just one glass tonight should be alright, right?

“Ev,” it was Aunt Sabrina who broke Evelyn out of her thoughts. “What’s it like working with your dad?”

Evelyn released a deep exhale which only made Sabrina laugh. Sabrina was well aware that her brother-in-law was an uptight asshole in and out of the office, but she didn’t think it would only take a few days for the daddy-daughter duo to bump heads.

“If you’re looking for work, you’re always welcome at Fox and Associates.” Sabrina offered.

Being a lawyer was Evelyn’s long lost dream. She always imagined herself in court fighting for innocent people like Aunty Brina did. It wasn’t until Evelyn got to college that she got a taste of being an actual criminal defense lawyer. She definitely couldn’t imagine herself doing this for the rest of her life. But for a couple hours a day, just to get away from her father, she would definitely reconsider.

“Evelyn wouldn’t hate it that much if she actually cared.” Ken interjected.

For the next few ten minutes, the siblings argued over how boring the makeup of a computer chip actually could be.

“Baby!” The voice silenced the siblings as a woman walked up to the table and kissed Kion’s cheek.

“Hi everyone, I’m Cheyenne,” the woman introduced herself as she sat down at the table.

The family warmly greeted her back. Well, mostly everyone.

Kion introduced everyone at the table to Cheyenne. Immediately, Cheyenne took a liking to the other outsider, Natalia.

“How did you two meet?” Cheyenne asked.

“Oh, the typical way. Social Bunny. He ‘accidentally’ sent me a friend request and then ‘accidentally’ liked all my pictures and posts. Then he sent me a message saying he thought he knew me and we just started talking all the time. How about you guys?” KJ snickered as Natalia retold the story.

“At a club.”

“He saw me first”

“but I approached him first”

“we danced together”

“and the rest is history”

Beginning \ Previous\ Next \ Directory

#ts4 #the sims 4 #simblr #the sims #ts4 story #s4 story #simslit #simlit #sts #sweeter than sin #marlene sato #sabrina fox #kion fox #cheyenne gonzalez #kenjr #evelyn sato #natalia busch

7 notes · View notes

auroranoctuaarts · 7 months ago

Text

Another of VerySpecificChaosFox's OCs

I had been trying to do a Serious Drawing:tm: of Willow and Crystal (OCs by @veryspecificchaosfox ) when I got caught up in conversation with them about how some of my characters would choose to draw Willow as opposed to myself. In an attempt to recreate how I imagine my character Luwei's art style might look like, I came up with this doodle of Willow. If I don't get caught up with a mound of papers and homework to do, hopefully I'll finish that Serious Drawing of Willow and Crystal. On another note, making this post far longer than it needs to be, I really love Willow because she's the epitome of That One Aunt, as she's this super scary lady if you're on the wrong side of a civil war, or an evil prison wardon, but if you're just her nephew? Her and Crystal are the most bestest aunts ever. I wonder if they have the low-back vowel mergers. Cot and Caught, anyone?

#digital art #oc art #digital illustration #oc artwork #art

3 notes · View notes

harryforvogue · 1 year ago

Text

Part Two | Chapter Eleven: Summer Rain

Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

July 1919

Harry spends most of his time in the library in his aunt and uncle's house, hovering over the selection of books, mainly the ones that have been translated in recent years. They've been checked out or bought at the bookstore I visited, but the library the family has in their own home is a few of the most recent ones, from last year. As I watch him hunch over the shelf and run his fingers over the spines of the book curiously, I see a glimmer of the man from England who I married.

His long legs carry him over between shelves, one hand tucked into his pocket, a crease between his eyebrows as he reads each title, making a face of interest or distaste, and then continues on, either tucking the book under his arm or focusing on a separate selection altogether. The books don't have covers, and I can't tell which he's found to be the most interesting until he comes to sit on the couch opposite of me and open the book, showing the gleam of the metallic title.

If I pressed about it now, he'd vehemently argue against it, but Harry once loved romance novels and would send them to me, or buy us both a pair so we could read together. He used to enjoy listening to me read them out loud, the sun in his face as he laid his head on my thigh under that same willow tree in the park down the street from his house, a slightly smile on his face when I lowered or increased my voice to impersonate the tone of the narrator or speaker. He'd turn his head into my stomach and nuzzle his face, throwing an absent arm behind my back to make sure my spine wasn't aching from sitting on the ground against the tree roots after hours.

We'd return home slightly more tan than before, only realizing when Harry would remove his rings at night before sneaking to my room at night, the pale skin under contrasting with the now slightly browned skin. After laying together, I'd run my fingers over the smooth skin, pressing my fingers against his to measure and play with his digits. It would be similar to a fresh breath of air after being confined in a prison for so long, laying on his chest and listening to the gentle hum of his heartbeat as his breathing shallow and he fell asleep.

Harry looks up at me, frowning. "What?"

I blink, my eyes dry and aching. "Sorry. I was just...thinking."

Harry closes his book and pushes it off his lap, crossing his ankles.

We've been at Geraldine and Jared's for five days now and since our argumentative discussion, I've caught him glancing down at my ring finger as often as he tries to hold a conversation with me.

His eyes wander as we speak, from my face to my hands, to his lap and anywhere else except my eyes, back tightened uncomfortably to the point where I want to reach over and hold his hand to tell him that it's alright and that he doesn't need to push himself this much.

Harry's said something that I haven't caught while thinking to myself, and I blink again, saying, "What was that?"

"I said," Harry repeats slowly, running his fingers over the smooth cover of his book. "What were you thinking of?"

"Oh." My ears feel slightly hot. "How you used to make me read to you in London."

His expression changes to a look of surprise. "Right," he says, almost dreamily. "I remember that. Seems like ages ago."

It seems like ages to him, but for me it was just yesterday. I would pause in between sentence to gaze down at him, admiring his beauty from his straight eyebrows to the dark wisps of his curls that refuse to fall in line with his partition, the freckles that I suspected only came out in the summer even though I didn't know how he looked in the winter. His head felt heavy in my lap, my legs already gone to sleep. I'd drop a hand into his hair and run my fingers clumsily through the strands, pulling a little too roughly when met with resistance from his curls.

Harry notices my discomfort, so he frowns down at the brown book beside him. "I'd ask you to read this book out loud, but I'm afraid it's not a very fun read."

"What's it about? Something boring and history related?"

He looks offended. "The 1909 New York City Labor Strikes."

"Is that what interests you?"

"Presently, yes."

"Couldn't find anything more...light?"

"None that I wanted," he says, leaning back. "Why? Do you want to read it out loud?"

"No," I answer. "But if you wish to recommend it to me once you're done, I'll be here."

Harry nods. "Will do."

He looks down at his book, but doesn't open it, drumming his fingers over it. He presses his tongue into his cheek and then drops his shoulders, glancing up at me again. I meet his eyes over my book and look at him, waiting for his voice.

"Your accent," he says, frowning. "You're losing it a bit."

I smile teasingly. "Do I sound American?"

"Yes."

"Does that bother you?"

He looks conflicted, biting his cheek. "Yes and no. While I prefer it American, I can't help but miss the accent." He looks away, his neck flushed. "It is you, after all."

"So why do you prefer it to be more American?" I clear my throat and bring back my natural accent. "I've found that since my accent is so hard to understand, I need to speak more American. More harsh, I guess. L'anglaise est très ridicule."

He frowns at the sound of my voice. "Annaliese," he says slowly, "if I tell you something, will you promise not to probe me about it? I can't discuss it in detail. No matter how ridiculous it sounds."

I pause, suddenly both intrigued and worried. "Sure," I say, despite my habit of poking around until I know everything.

Harry takes a deep breath and says, still slowly, "When you speak to me in French, or how you did just now, speak with your accent, it brings back the most awful memories of when I was in France."

Struck with confusion at his confession, I put my book down and raise my eyebrows. "I can't control that."

He hastily holds his hands up in defense. "I know. That's why I didn't want to tell you. It's the worst thing for a husband to say to his wife, but...in an effort to be more communicative and open as we discussed previously, I figured you should know."

"So what should I do?" I say before I can stop myself. "What do you want me to do about that?"

How many times have I triggered his memory with my voice, with my French that leaks into my speech without realizing? I bite down on my thumb.

"It's not your fault. I'm not asking you to stop talking altogether. I just, well, I just hope you're not upset about me saying I prefer one accent over the other." He ducks his head timidly, and drops his gaze to the floor.

"That's not what I'm upset about. I'm not upset, actually. Just concerned. I don't want to hurt you, but I can't control this. And I don't know some words in English, so I need to say them in..."

Harry cuts me off, shaking his head. "Wait, no no. Stop for a second. I didn't say you had to stop bloody talking or anything. You can do whatever you want. It's just--well-- it's quite difficult to be around you, given your accent and the French and all." His tone is harsher suddenly, his eyes turning away.

This certainly doesn't help minimize my concern, my own eyes widening to their capacity. "Christ. It's hard to be around me for this reason?"

"Well." Harry looks uncomfortable. "Not only this reason."

"Oh good God. What other reason?"

He backpedals quickly, shaking his head. "It's not a long list. Just small things like--" He stops. "It's nothing."

"Like me talking?"

"Well," he repeats, anxiously sitting back, crossing his legs. "I can't help that, Annaliese. You can understand that, can't you? Be reasonable."

"You want me to be reasonable? I am. Please tell me how to fix it."

"I don't think you can fix it." The tips of his ears are slightly pink as he flushes with a bit of irritation. "You can't help it just like I can't help it."

"I want you to be comfortable, so I think we should think about how to work on this. I can try my best to not speak French, but it may slip out. The accent, though, I can't do anything about. You know I'm ready to work on us, Harry. Tell me what else bothers you that I do."

There's a tense silence before Harry speaks again. "It's hard for me to be around you for a number of reasons, Annaliese, and this is a more reasonable one."

I'm trying my hardest not to sound upset, but he reads my face well. "Tell me the other reasons why you can't be around me."

Harry pauses for a minute, his eyes turning distant. "No."

I stay quiet trying to figure out my next words. This conversation is never one I thought I'd have with Harry. To me, I don't believe I'm being overbearing. I have moments where I get too upset with Harry and it translates to irritation, but for the most part, I believe that my suggesting we have a conversation is not something a married couple should be struggling with.

Like Harry, I have my own fears. The thought of Harry leaving me for reasons he can't tell me flashes through my head. Pain prickles at my throat when it tightens.

"What do we do about this vacation, Harry? If being with me is so..."

He meets my eyes for a brief moment before looking away at the bookshelves. "I invited you because you're my wife and you need to be here with me."

"Your wife?" I repeat, the uncomfortable feeling creeping over my body again like it did the night of our previous argument. "You can't stand me. You can't even look at me."

His head tilts back in my direction, but his eyes don't meet mine.. "That's not what I said at all."

"I don't understand anything you're saying then." I swallow, waiting for him to look at me and explain what he thinks of our relationship. "You said it would be okay if I wanted to leave you just a few days ago. And now you're telling me you brought me with you because I'm your wife and you need me to be here. Harry, I don't think you know what you want."

He doesn't say anything to disagree.

"I think for the sake of this marriage, we need to figure out our next step. And if it won't be done in a conversation together, then maybe you need time on your own to consider our situation right now. I have never wanted to hurt you or make you uncomfortable. If it's something you want me to stop doing, you know I'll agree to it. We've stopped sleeping together or in the same room. We rarely talk. We're doing everything your way, so please just figure out what you want and let me know. I know what I want and I think it's time you know what you want."

Harry doesn't answer again. I put my books down on my seat and slowly rise, fixing my clothes.

"I'm ready to talk about it whenever you'd like. I'll give you all the time in the world, Harry. And all the space because I love you and want you to be okay. But not talking to me at all or telling me what you want me to change about the way we're currently living isn't fair to me."

Slowly, I stride to the door of the library and exit. Harry's normally the one to walk away from a conversation, but the thought of making him uncomfortable with my presence makes my skin itch with something I can't describe: a mixture of helplessness and disappointment.

***

After leaving the house, I head into town, unaware of the dark skies as I keep my gaze down on my boots while I walk.

Harry's words echo in my head over and over. It's hard for him. It's unbearable. I am unbearable to him.

The burn in my thigh happens when I begin the uphill climb, the checkered pavement disappearing into the asphalt on the road. This is when I realize I've walked past the town square and the shop I intended on visiting. It's a surprise at first, but when I look back to see the house barely visible, the urge to continue until the house is over the hill becomes powerful.

The sun disappears behind the clouds, and it becomes apparent, I realize as I walk, that I will be getting drenched by the cold summer rain within the next few minutes. Unable to do anything but embrace it with my lack of umbrella or durable hat, I walk slower. The air smells fresh and cleaner the more distance I put between the residential area and I.

The field I find myself on is already quite soggy, the heels of my boots sinking into the mud the further I venture. I wonder why Grace hasn't decided to take me to this particular field as it's larger and extends over more acres than the other one. It's not littered with trees and crunching branches either, green and fading brown prevalent. It's all I can see as I hold a hand up to peer over the land more closely. There's not a single person around me, the sound of traffic now deafened, and the sights breathtaking and so very country.

I inhale deeply and look up at the sky with my eyes closed as soon as the rain begins to pour, catching me off guard. The scent is salty, but the wind is still warm. It's quite comforting, a distinction from the otherwise scorching heat I've become accustomed to. The cold rain soothes any sun burns I may have.

The memory of summers in France back with my parents takes me violently. Nearly every year, it would rain on my birthday. It became a tradition to admire the rain and then run in it, dancing and laughing with my friends. The rain would be the same temperature as it is right now, but more enjoyable.

It hits me suddenly that I miss my parents. They have never been helpful, but simply telling them about what's happening to Harry would help me. After all, being in a foreign country makes you realize how lonely one can be when nobody around them is familiar.

The drizzle eventually turns into a heavier pour, and my shivering increases.

It's time to go back home, I decide, pulling my coat tighter against my body, beginning the walk back. The wetter ground pulls me by the heels of my boots into the earth, however, with determined strides, I refuse to let myself slide into the mud. That would be quite the sight, waddling back into the clean house completely dirty.

A part of me, though, wants to lay down in the soft mud and seek sanctuary.

The rain continues harder as I shuffle back into town, thoroughly drenched now. The cold has settled in and I cannot walk without stopping for a few moments just to tremble. The hat on my head droops with the weight of the water, causing the droplets at the brim to slide down the back of my neck and into my shirt. I feel every drop on my spine, and no amount of wiping will help as the back of my shirt is wet and cold on my skin already.

By the time I'm back home, I can barely feel my fingers, and I raise my hand to forcefully knock on the wood door. It takes a few moments until the door swings open to reveal Aunt Geraldine. Her eyes widen immediately and she gasps, tugging me in quickly, locking the door behind me.

"Annaliese!" She helps the shoes off my feet and then shuffles me to the carpet in the foyer to avoid any more cold from the hardwood floor. "Summer rain," she mutters. "How awful. Nothing a hot bath can't fix, though. Not to worry."

"It's quite alright." I whisper, teeth chattering. "Did it to myself." I send her a smile. "I knew it was going to rain. It's okay."

As she guides me to the staircase, Harry's departing from the library, and he catches my trembling frame. He tosses the books he's holding onto the nearest table and reaches forward, grabbing my elbow.

"Christ's sake," he says, a twinge of surprise in his voice. "Why didn't you come back sooner? I told you this morning that it was going to start raining soon and we shouldn't go to town."

I shake his hand off my elbow and turn my body away, climbing the stairs slowly. "It's okay. I knew it was going to rain."

Harry ignores me, climbing the stairs behind. "You're going to catch a cold. Why didn't you come back earlier if you knew?"

"Didn't think it would be so heavy."

Once I get to my room, I step in and expect Geraldine to accompany me, but when I turn, it's only Harry and he shuts the door behind him. When he's upset, his face is flushed and his eyes dangerously bright.

"You shouldn't have walked away from me. We don't do that," Harry says, making me sit on the bed. "When have we ever done that? You tell me to never run away, but look at you. You're no better than me."

Taking a deep breath, I remind myself that he is just mad and doesn't mean what he's saying. I try not to take it to heart, but when he says that I'm no better than him, it makes me realize just how negatively he thinks of himself.

"I'm okay," I repeat. "I'm just gonna take a bath."

Harry disappears from my view. I hear the water rushing into the tub, Harry hissing as he touches the hot water. He returns with another towel and drapes it over my hair, rubbing my scalp with it.

"Were you so angry that you felt the need to run from me? Fuck's sake, Annaliese. You don't think things through at all sometimes."

"Harry," I say. "I'm okay. Calm down. I didn't run from you. Just took a walk."

From the way he makes a frustrated sound from the back of his throat, I know I'm in for it.

"You had no reason to leave the house. I have been so fucking honest, Annaliese." He crouches down in front of me and finally keeps eye contact with me. "I have been honest with you since the day that I came back. I told you that night at the station that things will be different and I will be unable to help them, alright? How many times have I told you that? You haven't changed a bit, you know? Still as stubborn as always."

I let the words settle in before answering quietly. "That makes two of us."

"What?"

"You're just as stubborn as I am." I look down at my wedding ring, twisting it gently. "God, Harry. What do you want me to do? Apologize? I will. I'm sorry. For what, I'm not sure because you don't want to tell me."

"Understand," he says, exasperated. "Just try to think of what I'm going through."

"I can't though," I say, shaking my head some more. "I don't know what you're going through. Maybe I'd understand better but... Maybe I'm being selfish trying to force you to do things you don't want, but that's not how it is in my eyes."

"And how is it in your eyes?" He's rubbing his forehead tensely, glancing at the ceiling.

"I'm thinking baby steps could help you. Help you heal."

"I don't need to heal, Annaliese. I've told you that."

"What do you need then, Harry?" I exclaim, crossing my arms. Water drips from my hair onto him. "Because I can't figure it out so please spell it out for me."

Harry and gazes at me quietly for a minute. "Time," he finally says softly. "I just need time. I need to forget about it and then everything else will follow."

"You think you're just going to wake up one day and forget all about it like it was some sort of dream? Christ's sake, Harry, you still think about how your childhood was!" I'm hitting nerves, but it's to prove my point. "You still think about your father when you dream! You think I wouldn't notice the way you cry out when you used to sleep next to me? How can you still think of something that happened 10 years ago and then expect to stop thinking about something that happened not even a year ago!"

He puts his face in his hands and exhales, shoulders dropping. "What," he whispers, "do you suggest I do then?" His puts his forehead against the mattress besides my knee.

I raise a hand and hover it over the back of his neck, ready to massage the tension away. Hesitating at the last moment, I pause and draw my hand back to my lap.

"I want to help you," I tell him honestly. He picks his head up and looks at me, his eyes filled with tears. The sight breaks me. He bites the inside of his lip and doesn't bother to wipe away a tear dripping down his cheek and onto his lap.

"I get that," he whispers. "But please don't push me. I can't control my emotions when you push me, and you..." He takes a shaky breath. "I can't lose control of my emotions with you. I can with anyone else, but not you."

"Maybe we can start slow. But you have to tell me what bothers you about me. I can change for you."

"Don't want you to change. I am the one who needs to change."

"Harry, we're back at square one then."

"It's not like everything about you bothers me. I want to be close to you, but I know I can't be. I shouldn't be. You're so warm. You're my wife. I want to be with you, but I'm not... I'm not good right now. And I don't want to ruin you because you're so good." Harry's eyes well with tears again, his chest struggling to take a breath. "This is making no sense. It's not making sense to me either," he whispers, shaking his head desperately. "God. You're right. I don't know what I want."

"I know," I answer softly, hand twitching to touch him again. I gently raise my hand and hold it over his face, not quite touching. More tears slide down and I realize this is what he means by not letting his emotions get out of control. The tears show no sign of stopping.

Harry understands my intentions and darts his eyes from my hand to my face, unsure. Slowly, he tilts his head closer and lets the back of my fingers catch the remainder of his tears from his cheek. His eyes flutter shut as a smile passes over my face. I don't want to try my luck, so once the tears are eradicated, I remove my hand and his eyes open.

"I'm sorry Annaliese. I want to be better. I'm sorry for getting angry at you. That was ridiculous of me. And for everything I said in the library. It's not you. It's still me."

"I think it's both of us," I whisper sincerely. "You're going to be okay. I'm going to make sure of that. And if not," I shrug my shoulders, "well, then we're just going to try harder."

Harry stands up and sits besides me. His long body stretches, the ends of his shirt riding up to show beautiful pale skin, unmarked and soft. A slight trail of hair is visible for half a second. "You're not going to give up on me, are you?"

I can't help but laugh, standing up to head to the bathroom. He immediately stands as well to help me. "No, I am not."

There's a slight knock on the door, a hesitant one, and when Harry calls the person to come in, Jared sticks his head in and nods his head to us.

"Dinner will be ready soon. Will, er, the Styles's, be joining us?"

Harry nods, standing up, fixing his shirt. "Yes," he says, somewhat confidently, glancing at me for approval. "We'll be there in a bit."

13 notes · View notes

sensei-venus · 2 years ago

Text

Rise Of The Viper- (2/?)

(Unedited) (Reader Insert, Oc’s Aunt Lizz & Aunt Katie, Mentions of Death, Mention Car Accidents, Oc’s off-camera deaths.) (I'm too lazy to add a banner for these fics so far, maybe next chapter.😋) (#hate that these chapters are 3,000 words long but it looks way shorter in this format.)

The following week was a complete nightmare for the Token women.

After the short trip to the hospital to retrieve Aunt Katie's personal effects, things just got harder. Once again they where searching for a cheap hotel room. With some luck they found a sketchy half-run-down motel to stay at for a few days. Aunt Lizz hoped that they could set up a nice funeral and worry about the legal matters later.

It wasn't like Aunt Lizz wanted to rush things by any means. It was just all the stress getting to her all at once that made her get a bit fidgety. Her fingers picked at the dry lent still left on the motel blankets. There was a small shake in her hands. Her mind was still racing even after two days. With the death of Katie, she was the only one left. All of her siblings her gone now leaving her alone. Reader's mother, Lizz, and Katie's other sister had died a few years back from cancer.

Something none of them even thought about before it happened. It developed so fast over a matter of months until her ultimate death

That left Reader under her care, Katie was too scared of raising a child and babied her career more anyway. The occasional call or text had been enough for Lizz. She had loved her sister so much but also respected her wishes to stay neutral in the situation.

Katie had never been able to get over the breath of their beloved little sister.

But now Lizz didn't know if she would ever be able to get over Katie's.

The next few days were spent in and out of lawyers' offices and a local funeral home. Arranging the funeral and memorial service for the women. Lizz and Reader spent hours going through the paperwork and calling people. Sitting down and talking with the funeral director and Katie's lawyer. Everything had to be written down to a T for things to go smoothly. Once all the kinks were worked out things started to go more quickly, and the ball started to move.

The following day the paper obituary was made and made public. A small script was published describing her life.

"Katie Lee Token, 42, passed away on Friday xx/x/20xx in a car accident. Doctors say she suffered from a fatal head injury on the scene, where she was pronounced dead. Katie was a local real estate mogul who had been working in the area for almost twenty years. She was described as headstrong, prideful and kind women by her family and friends. She is survived by her last living sister Lizz and her niece Reader. Her funeral will be held next Saturday where she will be laid to rest at Willow Creek Cemetery."

The obituary itself was very short and sweet something that Katie would be happy about. She was never one for over-the-top dramatics, to say the least.

Aunt Lizz never talked about Aunt Katie that much. She admitted to loving her sister but nothing more, she never talked about her much. The reader knows they talked on the phone sometimes. It was always when she was out of the room but Reader could hear her talking all the phone. It was always short conversations, talking about how they were doing, and how life was going. They were always brief conversations that left the room feeling empty and almost void. Reader never pushed to question why their relationship seemed so strained. She always heard that their relationship was strong back when they were kids but clearly, something happened to make them no longer able to have a full conversation together.

Reader watched as Aunt Lizz finished signing some paperwork on the motel bed before throwing it on the night stand. A hand covered her face as she let out a loud sigh and rolled over to face the wall.

The next few days were going to be hell and she just knew it.

————————————————————

The funeral was held in the late afternoon that following Saturday.

The heat of the day was slowly starting to fizzle out. It still left the air humid and damp and Reader could feel the sweat on her neck. She lightly dabbed at her forehead in a small attempt to keep the droplets at bay. They threatened to roll down her hairline at any minute. Her eyes glanced up at the dark oak casket. It sat atop the perfectly dug hole, waiting to be lowered into the ground. Behind it was a large photo of Aunt Katie from one of her real estate headshots. She stood tall and proud in the photo with her bright white teeth. Her smile was big but not so pretentious that it gave off a bad look.

It screams "I know that I do a good job".

The words of the pastor were all a blur to Reader as she just stared at the picture. Nothing of what he said mattered to her anyway. She couldn't tell if what he was saying about her aunt was true or not. She had barely known the woman in her final days. They had only met once after her parents died and then never again showed up and that was years ago. Any memories they might have had were long since erased from her mind. Some would say that's sad but Reader couldn't give a real opinion on it.

Readers' eyes followed the casket as it was lowered into the ground slowly. A creaking sound and a loud thud was heard as it hit the earth. Aunt Lizz sniffled a little as she walked over and tossed a flower into the open grave. Reader stood next to her and watched it drop into the closed casket. She threw her own flower down and watched it join the other one. One last year dripped down her soft cheek before they silently walked away. Feet crunched over the grass as they walked back to their tiny car.

The drive back to the funeral home was silent.

The wake was nice once they settled into the funeral home lobby. A little more than a dozen or so people showed up to pay their respects and say their goodbyes. They signed the funeral book before giving some kind words to Lizz and Reader. Most of them seemed shocked to see the two. Some of the people who showed up explained that Katie never talked about her family much. Even the people who claimed to be her close friends said they didn't know she had family left. It wasn't a huge shock but it did hurt a bit.

It was almost like she never talked about any of her family at all to these people.

It was almost as if once she moved to California she cut all ties including her family away.

She completely started her life over for no real reason.

"You know she did love you Reader in her own weird way. I just think she didn't know how to say it." Lizz said quietly as they sat on one of the couches in the lobby. Her eyes never drew away from the small crowd of people that showed up. Her eyes almost seemed to be looking though all of them. Never try to focus on one face. Their shoulders bummed together a little. Reader looked down at her hands.

"I guess... I didn't really know her. Whenever I think about her it's a blank. I don't even remember talking to her."

"I can imagine, you were what, seven or eight the last time you saw her?"

"Mom's funeral I believe was the last time we talked. So yeah, around eight I think."

There was a long pause that was covered by the sound of mumbling conversations. Most of the people who had come seemed to know one another to a certain extent. Some of them had introduced themselves as friends from her real estate work, most of them agents like she was. They had worked with her or knew about her from the local home communities.

"You would have liked her. You remind me of her just a little bit you know." a small smile spread over her lips. But the sadness in her eyes didn't flatten at the statement.

Before Reader could think about asking her what she meant there was a loud cough on the other side of the room. Everyone started to quiet down as a man in a nicely tailored suit stepped into the room. He was tall and older, hair starting to gray and slicked down. His bright gray suit clashed with the dreary colors of the lobby. Making him stick out like a sour thumb in the room of dark grays and blacks.

"If everyone would please- I am Mr.Wilton the lawyer of the late Katie Token. If anyone who was sent a formal latter to attend Katie's will reading could please follow me, I would like to start the reading of her will." his voice was deep, and he motioned to a room behind him just off the side of the lobby.

Lizzy slowly stood up while also taking Reader's hand in hers. Pulling her towards the room gently. Reader notices that only two other people followed them into the room. A young woman with long loosely curled blond hair, she was short and fit. She had on a simple modest gray dress with a small black coat. Her makeup was done in a more basic natural style as well, not too dark or too bright for the occasion. The other person was a man who was only slightly older. He was dressed in a basic black suit and tie. Short black hair that was styled to the side. His jaw was tightly set as he followed them all in.

The door to the room closed with a light snap behind them. Looking around she found they were all in a small office, a few random bookshelves against the back wall with a desk in front of it. A few chairs were placed around said desk. They all quickly filed into the seats, Reader sitting next to her aunt while the other two sat on their opposite sides. Mr.Wilton walked around the desk and sat in a plush office chair, bringing up a suitcase from under the desk it opened it with a flick of the wrist. He pulled out a large folder that was filled to the brim with papers. Setting it down he flipped through a few of them until he found the one he was looking for.

"We are here to discuss and read my late client's last will and testimony. As you may have guessed all four of you were written into her will in some way and I am here to distribute and explain everything that is written into her will." everyone nodded. With a small cough, he started to read the paper in his hands out loud.

"I, the will of Katie Ann Token was written and notarized on xx /xx/20xx. This will was written to help divide my assets, estate and all of my belonging. My good friend and Lawyer Thomas T. Wilton is authorized to read this office will at the time of my death immediately after my funeral. The following is all of my instructions on how my earthly things should be distributed, in my own words."

There was a short pause.

"To my closet colleague, Maggie Porter, though we may have had our rough patches I still admire your work ethic. You are a strong woman and it was a privilege to go neck and neck with you in the housing market, I wish you look in your career journey. With that I leave you all of my old and new files. All of my open housing files will be left to you along with all of my contacts. I would hope this would help you in the long road." Maggie gave a small nod, a genuine smile plaster on her lips. A folder was passed to her.

"To Mason Franklin, my best friend and bar buddy, we spent many nights at the bar together. I could never give you anything that matches the time we spent together, your words and wisdom to rich for anything I could ever offer. I leave to you the old Lincoln I always talked about, it's in a storage locker at the edge of the city. I also instructed Mr.Wilton to pay off your bar tab. I would hope that the next time you go, you will order a drink for me." Mr.Wilton slid over two pairs of keys, one to a storage locker and a set of old car keys. He slowly took them to the desk, his face void of emotion. He shoved them into his pocket without a second thought and sat quietly.

"The next part of this will concern only my remaining living family, Lizz M. Token and Reader Token. Everyone else is free to leave." Wilton peaked over the paper to look at the two strangers. Looking at one another the two quickly got up and left the room.

With only the three of them remaining in the room Mr.Wilton went on reading.

"To my only living sister Katie, I leave you one of my savings accounts, the number being 2035, in this account there will be a large unspecified balance. It should be greater than $300,000 at the time of this will being written. I also leave to you a box of letters and documents pertaining to our childhood. I have too many words and too little time in this will to relay my feelings to you. Please read the letters in said box that Wilton will gift you. Known that I have and always will love my big sister." tears filled Lizz's eyes.

"Last but not least to my only niece Reader, I leave all of my remaining savings accounts and checking account. I leave all of my possessions too you as well. I also gift you my home in The Hills and my lake house located on the far south side of town."

Lizz and Reader's jaws dropped at his words.

"There is only one condition. You may only keep both houses and properties if you continue going to school and graduate, at the time of this will being written you are still in high school. You must also live in the main house for at least a year, if you decline to stay in the house you will forfeit both estates. If you decide to stay in the home, all taxes and expenses will be paid for until you turn twenty-five." Reader could only blink. Her tongue was too tied up to even get a word out.

She basically had no ties to this woman besides the fact they were blood-related. And now on her death bed, she was giving her basically everything she had? Who does that?

Aunt Lizz spoke up somehow "She is still in high school, I can promise you Mr.Wilton that she will keep going to school and graduate. We can stay in the house too for a year as well." her voice was teetering on manic. This was a once-in-a-lifetime situation and both of them knew it. If they took this weird deal, this borderline crazy inheritance, both of them could be set for life.

There was no way they could say no.

"Well good then because that's all she wrote. Here is the paperwork along with all the sets of keys given in the letter. My number is in the file if you need me. Nothing at both properties have been touched or disturbed since Katie's death. I would like to say that I and sorry for your loss, Katie was a nice woman and great friend of mine.." Mr.Wilton said with a heavy heart as he passed them a large stack of papers and two sets of house keys. Lizz took the files from the desk without even looking at them. She gave him a smile before helping the still-shocked Reader get up from her chair. Her lips moved but nothing came out.

They both walked out of the office without a word to anyone. They passed a small group that was still walking the lobby. They paid them no mind as they scurried out of the funeral home. Lizz basically shoved the girl into her car before she could even understand what was going on. She jumped into the driver's side and slammed the door. They just sat there in the locked car for a good minute. Taking in the information dump that just happened.

Reader gulped out "This is actually insane." she slowly blinked while looking at the empty road.

Aunt Lizz scoffed " Insane? More like bat shit crazy. We went in there with less than a few hundred bucks to our names and now we have- I don't even know how much to our names. Do you understand what this means?" she almost

crackled. She threw her head back into the seat and laughed.

Reader slowly felt herself start to laugh. She couldn't tell what she was feeling at that moment but what ever it was made her start laughing out loud.

"No more traveling and less tournaments?"

"No more hotels and intent ramen!"

They both busted out giggling, the first time in months that they actually felt happy enough to laugh genuinely. For the first time in days, they felt good enough to take a moment to breathe. Not too terrified to think of what tomorrow could bring.

"So this means we are staying in California then?" Reader let out a small but happy sigh. Her eyes drifted over to her aunt. Lizz hummed as she slowly started to calm down from her short high. Lizz slapped the wheel of the car saying in a excited tone.

"Yep, it seems like we are. That attitude about beaches better magical disappear, because I am definitely hitting some later this month. You better be ready."

#cobra kai #cobra kai blog #cobra kai ask blog #cobra kai headcanons #cobra kai imagine #cobra kai fanfiction #chubby reader #chubby!reader #cobra kai x chubby reader #cobra kai x reader #cobra kai x plus size reader #karate champion!reader

7 notes · View notes