#jilly replies

[faejilly]

@sarasa-cat replied to your [post]:

Ever since I played SDV for the first time just a little over a year ago (why it took me that long, i do not know), I have been itching to write fanfic for farmer/Sebastian. All I have right now is a lot of scattered headcanon and maybe a few scenes here and there because I don't know what time is anymore. Where did 2024 go?

Sebastian finding comfort and quiet joy sitting by the window in the farmer's house is just <3 <3 <3. What are your thoughts on the whole mess in his family and the reasons why he feels ignored? (as for me, my mind tends to go for the darkest ideas b/c DRAMA)

The other thing I really like about Sebastian being very quietly happier is that he doesn't change either, like, he's still got insomnia, he still needs days away from people (even you), but he explicitly tells you when he's got days like that so you know that's why he's not there, or whatever.

IT'S JUST SO GOOD

But anyways. Rambling!

The first fic thing with Sebastian is obviously you're meeting him when he's feeling exactly like you did at your terrible corporate job (and he also hates terrible corporate jobs, go us) in that he doesn't know where he wants to go but he needs to not be here

so there's this connection in that you get it, but then also this immediate disconnection, because how can you get involved with someone and make it harder for him to get out when he so desperately needs it?

As to why he needs out?

There are a lot of possibles there. I find it interesting that it's pretty clear no one (even his friends) respect his boundaries: everyone feels free to just walk into his room, they interrupt him when he's actually working, which means it's gotta be even worse when he just needs solitude to help balance himself (no wonder he hides away so often, he's just trying to carve out any space at all)

There's a recurring theme with the LI characters who grew up in Pelican Town regarding still living at home with their parents, and respect that may or may not be owed in both directions in that situation, but it's also really clear that, in this specific time and place, none of them have anywhere else to go, and I'm not sure any of their parents take that at all seriously.

Sebastian is the only one of that group who seems to be trying to work and save up enough to change that! And yet his mother doesn't treat him any more like an adult than any of the rest of them get.

Also, for all that the game is very hand-wavey in regards time and ages and etc. it's clear he's not supposed to be all that much older than Maru, which means he and Demetrius have known each other for most of his life.

And yet, Demetrius never once mentions Sebastian in dialogue but talks about Maru quite a bit. (There's even a note on the wiki to that effect in his trivia section.) They clearly have no connection, which is unfortunate enough as adults and pretty close to tragic for whatever age Sebastian was when Robin and Demetrius got married.

As part and parcel of the same thing, he and Maru never hang out together in any of either of their schedules, and only stand near each other at holidays when it's clearly a family holiday, and they're with Robin & Demetrius too. They both have a line or two referencing each other, and they do specify half-sister/half-brother, which as someone with only half siblings that is uh, not how that normally works for most of us.

Maru's got a line about wishing they were closer and that she wanted to have a brother but Sebastian never acted like one.

If you get married, Sebastian's got a line where he assumes she's happy he's gone, and if you have kids he's got one hoping they get along better than he and Maru did.

They have very different views of their relationship, is what I'm saying here.

And for all Sebastian is willing to assume he was the difficult one, they were both children, it's not up to them to treat each other equally, it's up to their parents to treat them equally, and it seems really obvious they didn't.

(Was there something there with Sebastian's father, beyond just a simple previous relationship that didn't work out? Tragic or abusive or just low-grade general shittiness? Because it seems like everyone swung too hard in the other direction, avoiding thinking about or mentioning him For Reasons™️ that are now completely opaque and just help Sebastian clearly be othered.)

Which gets me to my next question, which is: how long has he lived in the basement without windows which he clearly hates? Why didn't his carpenter mother just build another room above ground? She expands your house in ludicrous directions, and even if we ignore that as video game mechanics, she's clearly capable of full sized construction not just furniture or repair or whatever.

And yet.

He's still in the basement without windows while Demetrius gets a lab (does a lab really need to be above ground with windows more than a bedroom? do you know legally most places you can't list a basement room as a spare bedroom unless it has windows?)

And Maru gets a room with its own little yard for her experiments so she's got both more fresh air and potential privacy than anyone else in the family.

And all I can really come to as a conclusion there is that Demetrius has never seen Sebastian as his step-son, and that influenced how he and Maru grew up, and Robin didn't do anything about it; whether she ever tried or not, she's not even trying anymore by the time we meet them.

So Sebastian legit needed to get out of there, and I feel bad when I'm playing different farmers that I don't get to help him do that, more so than I do with the rest of them when they're not romanced. (Probably why I keep coming back to his? Also the frogs and general fondness for odd little critters is SO ADORABLE I am eternally smitten.)

[moonstruckme]

jilly x reader where the reader gets hypothermia

cw: symptoms of mild hypothermia, (implied?) freezing water, non-sexual nudity

poly!Jily x fem!reader ♡ 1.2k words

James half carries you back to the cabin. This is partly because you’re shivering too hard to walk as quickly as you’d like, and partly because your legs simply won’t move the way you tell them to. Your wet lashes feel heavy with the ice crystals you imagine forming on them. 

He passes you off to Lily while he unlocks the front door. She rubs one hand uselessly over your arm through your soaked coat, using the other to unstick a frigid piece of hair from your face. 

They both help you inside. Set you down on the couch, and James makes a sound close to a laugh when you protest about getting wet on his mother’s cushions. 

“Start a fire, please?” Lily is all business, panic making her stern. Or maybe not stern so much as resolved. Her features are set, green eyes alternating between worried and determined, but her hands are characteristically gentle as they unzip your coat and pull you out of it one arm at a time. 

“Love?” 

You realize she’s been talking to you. “Hm?” 

Delicate brows pinch in either concern or relief. “How do you feel, sweetheart?” 

“Oh. Um.” Your chittering makes your words come out jolting and stilted. “Cold.” 

“Tired?” she asks. You put your arms up when she motions for you to, letting her lift your jumper over your head. The thought that you’re the only one getting undressed between your partners doesn’t occur to you; you only know that Lily seems urgent, and you trust her. 

“Ye—yeah.” 

“I think we have an electric blanket around here somewhere,” says James. He’s poking at a log in the fireplace, trying to provoke a bigger flame. “Get her closer to here, love.” 

“I’m still trying to get her out of her wet clothes. Can you help me?” 

James helps you to stand so Lily can tug your trousers off. They stick to your legs but crinkle oddly, stiff with ice. James kisses your temple and murmurs something you can’t quite make out. You feel guilty for ruining what was meant to be a fun afternoon of ice skating on the pond near James’ family cabin. You’ve never heard Lily shout like she did when the ice broke beneath you. 

They wrap you up in an electric blanket and put your hair up in a towel to get it off your neck, and you let James massage warmth into your fingers while Lily makes something warm for you to drink. 

“Jamie,” she calls from the kitchen, “do you all keep a thermometer here?” 

“Um, I’m not sure,” replies James. “If we did, it’d be in one of the drawers in the bathroom.” 

You hear your girlfriend whizz off in that direction. 

“How are you, angel?” James presses a couple of firm, warm kisses to your face, squeezing your hands. “Do you still feel tired?” 

“A little,” you admit. Your shivering has lessened, though. “Is it okay that we left our skates by the pond?” 

“What?” He gives a little laugh. “Yeah, it’s fine. That’s not really the top concern right now, you know?” 

You frown. It’s supposed to snow again tonight. “I don’t want them to get buried…” 

“I’ll go get them later,” James reassures you. He kisses your nose. “Don’t worry about that, lovebug. Just try to get warm, okay?” 

“I sort of feel like you guys are doing all the work for me.” 

James’ laughs as Lily comes to sit beside you. 

“Here, can you keep this in your mouth for me, please?” You nod, but when she slips the thermometer under your tongue she evidently makes a last-minute call to hold it herself instead. Lily’s thumb drags heavily over your cheek. You notice her bottom lip looks colored and bitten. 

“I think I’m okay…” you try to tell her, but stop when she shushes you gently. 

“That’s good, lovely, but don’t talk with this in your mouth.” She gives you a terse smile. 

James transfers both of your hands to one of his, using the other to squeeze her elbow consolingly. Both of your partners watch you intently as you wait. 

When Lily deems it's been long enough and looks at the thermometer, her posture slumps with relief. 

“Oh, it’s—that’s not so bad.” 

James grins, reading over her shoulder. “It must be coming up,” he says confidently. 

You offer your girlfriend a smile. “I told you, I think I’m fine.” 

Lily makes a soft, strangled sound, eyebrows pinching in the moment before she throws her arms around you. You see some of your own surprise reflected in James’ expression as you catch her, bringing her into the heated dome of your electric blanket with you.

“I didn’t know…I was really scared,” she confesses tearily, squeezing you around your neck. 

You rub her back in an attempt to reassure her. Behind her, James is doing the same. He gets his arms around the both of you, holding your shoulders through the blanket. 

“It’s alright,” he says. “We must be doing something right, yeah? Or she wouldn’t be getting better so quickly.” 

Lily exhales a shaky breath. “I am never, ever going ice skating again.” 

“Yes, you are,” you tell her fondly. 

“No. And you shouldn’t either! In fact, I hope our skates do get buried, and neither of you can ever find them.” 

You make a sound of protest, but James speaks over you, “Alright, lovely. We can let nature roll the dice tonight, if that’s what you want.” 

“But James—” 

“Angel, you weren’t witness to your own blue lips,” he tells you, rubbing your shoulder pacifyingly. “I think we’re permitted a bit of overreaction right now. I say bury the skates.” 

You give a little laugh. “You’re both taking this too far. We don’t have to use them, but there’s no reason to leave perfectly good skates out there in the snow.” 

“Mm, let’s say we return to that debate when you’re no longer shivering.” 

You all sit there for a while, holding each other while the fire crackles and warmth seeps into your fingertips. Lily’s hands are actually quite cold around your neck, but you refuse to tell her lest she spring away from you. When the kettle starts to whistle, she sniffs and pulls away anyways, wiping under her eyes. 

“I’ve got it,” says James, standing with a kiss to each of your heads. “What are we having?” 

“Hot chocolate.” She takes a breath, collecting herself. “She needs something with sugar. Thanks, Jamie.” 

You smile at her. “You’re so brilliant. How do you know that?” 

Lily’s lips tilt slightly in response. “I read it somewhere.” 

“So brilliant,” you repeat, kissing her softly on the lips. They’re noticeably warmer than yours, but you feel much more yourself than you had when you first got back to the cabin. “Thanks for helping me.” 

She makes a scoffing sort of noise. It doesn’t sound terribly derisive when it’s bent by fondness like this. Lily touches the backs of her fingers to your cheek, caressing. “You don’t have to thank us. Either of us,” she says. The tears have cleared from her eyes, leaving a raw caring in their wake. “We love you. A lot.” 

Your heart feels more than sufficiently warmed as you close the gap between you again. “I love you a lot, too.”

[gothiccharmschool]

Today’s advice from your Goth Auntie

Stop slouching, drink some water, take your meds.

Not everyone will like you. That’s fine and nothing to fret about.

The Cursed Object has retreated behind a bookcase and is replying “no” to everything.

❤️ Auntie Jilli

[desertdollranch]

Look who showed up here this week!

It's Riley, best friend of the iconic Jilly Bing.

Jilly Bing was created by a mother who wanted her Asian American daughter to see herself in he dolls she played with. She remembered being a child herself and having a hard time finding dolls that looked like her, and didn't want her daughter Jillian to feel the same sense of being excluded and forgotten. Recently, Riley was introduced to represent children of mixed Asian and Caucasian heritage.

Riley is 14 inches tall, with rooted brown hair, painted eyes, and freckles. She arrived with her adorable plush sidekick Chilly Cheeks, who looks just like Riley's favorite snack, shaved ice with sprinkles on top. That flavor combination always horrifies her dad, but Riley just replies, "my mix, my way", which is exactly the unhinged energy my doll collection needs.

Chilly Cheeks is reversible and becomes a red bucket hat to shade Riley's face when she's playing outside, but when she is feeling silly, he can also be used as a hat.

Some more about Riley and Jilly Bing.

She did get to check out the WellieWisher playhouse and try on Camille's clothes. They fit perfectly. Their body sizes and proportions are very similar, but Riley's vinyl is a bit more squishy and flexible.

[pitchsidestories]

Nothing's New II Jill Roord x Reader

masterlist I word count: 2216

warnings: mentioning of ACL injuries, hurt, comfort

a/n: as always this is just fiction. Your feedback is always appreciated, based off this request.

When the diagnosis arrived, you were horrified. The three bad letters no football player ever wants to hear. An ACL rupture. The same injury you sustained just a few weeks ago.

Since you already had your surgery done and were no longer on crutches, you took it upon yourself to take care of your injured girlfriend like she did for you. You set a tea cup down on the coffee table in your living room and gave Jill another pillow so she could be as comfortable as possible as she rested her knee on the sofa.

“Okay, are you comfy and ready, Jill?“, you asked gently. Jill just nodded once; “Yes…“ Carefully, you sat down next to her and took her phone in your hand. You started scrolling through all the unread messages she had gotten since the diagnosis. Touched by all the kind words, you started to smile as you read the first few messages to her; “Alright, Viv says you got this.“

“Of course, she did…“, Jill sighed, hinting at the fact that her team mate in the dutch national team was already back playing. “And she’ll be there when you need to talk or just want to have a good cry.“, you continued in hopes that this would cheer your girlfriend up. Jill just pressed her lips together to a straight line; “Thats’s sweet.“ “I agree. Do you want a break or hear from another person who reached out?“

To your surprise, she nodded in your direction for you to continue; “No, keep going.“ “Shanice wants to remind you that she’ll be always there for you and you’re going to win this battle. And she ended on that she loves you, Jilly.“, you read the next post. Finally, a smile tugged on the corners of her mouth; “That’s so Shanice.“

“Agreed. On the photo she has a camera in her hand. I guess it’s worth to remember that the next months are still worth capturing in photos. The beautiful and the ugly.“, you gently reminded her. Jill shrugged, not excited to talk about her hobby; “We’ll see about that.“ You reached out, placing a hand on top of your girlfriends; “At least you said something similar to me… almost a month ago.“

The dutch football player locked eyes with you and admitted; “Sorry, I was underestimating how different it feels when it actually happens to yourself.“ “It’s okay, really. I just wish you didn’t have to go through it as well.“, you replied unhappily.

Softly, Jill rubbed circles on the back of your hand with her thumb; “At least we’re going through it together I guess.“ “That’s true.“, you agreed, while your girlfriend took the phone from you with her other hand. Placing it next to her, she decided; “I think that’s enough for now.“

“Okay.”, you agreed quietly. The forward placed a soft kiss on the top of your head: ”Thanks.” “You’re welcome.”, you mumbled leaning against her upper body as she wrapped her arms around you, trying to comfort you both.

She took a deep breath before trying to articulate how the messages affected her:” It was sweet of them but..”  “But it’s all too much at the moment, right?”, you ended her sentence in an understanding tone. Exasperated Jill went through her hair with her free hand: “ I don’t like to be pitied.” “Did you pity me?”, you asked her cautiously.

Looking down at her fingers the Dutch woman admitted:” A bit.” “See?”, you looked up to her, her looking so miserable made your heart break again. Slowly she tried to explain herself: “I mean it’s like the injury that every female football player is scared of.”

These words ignited a fire in your stomach which made you jump off the sofa:” Yes, and still, no one seems to care about that!” “The players and the fans care.”, your girlfriend disagreed. Her response didn’t seem to calm you down it only made you more furious with what was currently happening:” That’s nice but it doesn’t stop them from happening, right? Don’t misunderstand me, the support from their side is great but it needs to be more researched when it has been in the past!”  

“You’re expecting too much. We’ve just won the fans over for our sport. Until medical departments and brands will acknowledge it, it might take a long time.”, your girlfriend reminded you.  “And so many things have changed since we started playing football professionally for club and country.”  “Yes, in good and in bad ways.”, Jill commented cooly.

Hearing that you couldn’t help to remark bitterly:” True like with the club world cup? Is it something we really needed? More games and less downtime? We see it even the men do their ACLs more recently and that might be because they play too much aswell.” “It’s because they try to commercialize everything. FIFA and UEFA only care about the money they can make with us.”, the blonde scoffed.

In frustration you shook your head:” But we’re humans not machines!” “Looks like they think differently.”, Jill pointed out cynical. More hopeful you continued:” But the protest is rising so maybe things will change for the better.” “Doesn’t help us right now anyway.”, the forward whispered, an amused smile was playing on her lips.

Irritated you observed that change in her face:” Exactly why are you smiling now?” “It’s just how can be such a small person be so full of rage?”, she shrugged with her shoulders. Promptly you protested:” I’m not small.” “Yes, you’re.”, Jill teased you, the grin on her face deepened by your immediate reaction.  

Pouting you replied:” No, you’re just tall.” “I’m not that tall.”, the fellow football player answered while thinking about her height compared to Bunny’s. Her remark made you roll your eyes:” Sure, love.”

“Not my fault that you’re tiny.“, Jill shrugged, unimpressed. You shook your head with a slight smile; “Rude. But whatever makes you smile I guess.“ “Doesn’t matter anyway. We both tore our ACLs independent of our heights.“, your girlfriend commented with a nod towards your knee.

You suddenly remembered a text message you got earlier that day and swiftly changed the topic; “Alex asked earlier today if we want to travel with the team to the Tottenham game. What do you think?“ Jill took a few seconds to contemplate your suggestion, before slowly nodding: “We could at least support the girls, right?“ “Yes, definitely.“, you agreed, trying to keep the excitement out of your voice. “Yeah, we’ll go.“, Jill said decidedly. You smiled; “Alright. I’ll tell Alex tomorrow.”

Just a few days later, you both were seated in Tottenhams stadium on Brisbane Road. Right before their warm-up, your teammates came over to say hello. Alex Greenwood pulled you both into a quick hug; “Hi girls.“ “Hello, Al.“, you smiled warmly at your captain. “How are my left and right ACLs?“, she grinned, pointing towards Jills knee brace.

“We’re okay. Weirdly, that little one is not as furious in front of her team mates like she was before.“, she replied with a laugh. Alex raised her perfectly done eyebrows; “Oh, was she?“ You grimaced; “Please, Jilly!“ Your girlfriend deliberately ignored you and continued; “She was really upset about the situation surrounding ACLs.“ “It’s understandable though…“, Leila Ouahabi joined the conversation. “Thanks, Leila.“, you smiled.

With curiosity, Alex turned back towards you; “Have you thought about using that anger for something?“ “Actually, I did. I’m going to do an interview about it next week.“, you admitted, your cheeks blushing slightly. Your girlfriend shrugged next to you; “Couldn’t stop her from doing that.“ “That actually sounds like a good idea.“, Kerstin Casparij agreed enthusiastically.

Esme also chimed in with her soft voice; “I agree. The more players say something, the more likely things are going to change.“ “Yes, Leah talked to the Telegraph not long ago… the more voices, the better.“, Lauren Hemp added. Laura Coombs tried to lighten up the mood by ellbowing Lauren in the side; “I’m surprised that you even remember that I sent you that article.“ “They are mean to me, y/n…“,

Lauren pouted with big innocent eyes. “No, Coombsy is actually proud of you, Hempo.“, you tried to mediate the dispute. Laura laughed; “I am!“ “Oh, okay.“, Hempo said, still looking warily at her team mate. “It’s an important topic and we have to stick together.“, Laura concluded. You nodded; “Exactly.“ Your conversation was interrupted by Alex clapping her hands; “But now we’ve got to play, girls.“ “Good luck, girls. We’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines.“, you called after them as the group of football player started to disperse.

Gratefully Lauren turned around to look at you: Thanks.” “We’ll win this for you guys.”, Kerstin promised you and Jill. Cheerfully Esme added: “Oh yes.” “Just go play.”, your girlfriend chuckled. In her captain mode Alex wrapped her arms around the two younger players: “Okay, that’s enough girls, you should listen to Jilly.” “Yes, mum.”, Lauren rolled her eyes.

The game started and as you and the tall blonde took your seats your heart sank at the sight of your teammates playing:” I missed them.” “The girls?”, she asked with a sad feeling. You could sense that she went through the same mixed feeling watching the match unfold in front of your eyes. Quietly you replied:“Yes.” “I know they’re the sweetest.”, Jill admitted.

Hearing her saying that you began to ramble: “They are. I’m glad you joined City in the summer even though I know you wanted to go to Barcelona.” “I mean everyone wants to play for the best club, right? But I’m not sure I would have felt as loved there as I do here.”, the forward said seriously.  Her fingers and yours were intertwining, making you both feel grounded, as you recalled: “True. Lucy and Keira love it there..” “Yes, but I love it here.”, the Dutch woman reassured you pulling you back into the moment.

When your team scored in the ninth minute you started cheering loudly:” Oh my god, they scored!” “Yes, girls.”, Jill clapped happily. Apologetically you bit your lip: “Bunny will score another one. I’m sure of it. Sorry, I didn’t want to.” “It’s okay.”, she told you, rubbing your back to keep you warm and calm.

Manchester City was dominating the game when they scored the next goal in the second half, you couldn’t help to be moved at what was happening on the pitch: “Look what Hempo is doing.” “Where is she going? Oh my god. That’s so cute.”, Jill exclaimed. Meanwhile Lauren was holding up a Roord jersey making sure they were thinking of her.

After the match the blonde forward was hugging your girlfriend:” Jill? Have you seen it?” “Hempo, you stood right in front of us, of course I saw it.”, amused the Dutch woman shook her head. With a bright grin on her face Leila put an arm around her friend:” Yeah but I get you Hempo, one can never be sure when Jill is with her girlfriend like is she looking at her or at the pitch. One can never be sure.”

“Oh, shut up, that’s not true. I’m always looking at the pitch.”,  Jill answered blushing. Immediately Esme was there to defend Laurens statement:”No, it’s true!”   “You’re both right but Jill do you want to take a picture with us celebrating the win?”, Alex changed the topic. Smiling Jill agreed to it: “Sure, why not?” “That turned out perfect.”, Leila beamed looking at the photo they made together.  Hempo chirmed:” Best team ever.” “Come on girls time to catch the bus back home.”, Alex reminded you all.

During the drive home you were cuddled up with your girlfriend watching the Arsenal game against Liverpool when Vivianne scored you couldn’t help but to jump up celebrating it:” Viv’s goal was amazing.” “Careful.”, worried Jill pulled you back to your seat. Your cheeks turned red:” Sorry, I was just so happy for her.” “It’s okay but you still got to be careful.”, she replied softly wrapping her arms around you. Into the warmth of her you whispered:”I’m good.” Before you slowly fell asleep.

Cheekily grinning Lauren asked:”Esme, do you have that on camera?” “I do.”, the blonde defender laughed.  Curiously Jill turned around to face the two younger teammates:” Were you filming her reaction to Viv’s goal?” “Yes.”, Esme confessed. Smirking the forward wanted to know from them: “Can you send it to me I’d love to send it to Viv?” “Already done.”, Lauren waved it off.

With that answer the Dutch lifted an eyebrow up: “Seriously?” “You’re welcome.”, the English defender giggled.  “Thanks, I guess.”  Innocently her fellow England teammate:” Can we take a photo of her sleeping?” “No. I don’t trust you to not post it.”, Jill decided.  Leila couldn’t help but to tease her:” You’re so overprotective of her.”

“Oh come on, guys.”, your girlfriend sighed frustrated. Quickly the Spanish defender continued:” We’re just joking, you two are cute.” “Will you let her sleep now then?”, hopeful Jill glanced at your teammates. In a low voice Esme gave in: “Okay, fine. Sleep well, y/n.”

Nothing new was the rise of ACL injuries but you’d never get tired of the warmth and love the mancity girls had for eachother.

[yallthemwitches]

more jealous snape fics? the one where he used legilimency is GOLDD. for some reason i’m a big fan of pov snape fics only if the fic is pro jilly and anti snilly bc JILLY FOREVER ‼️‼️

Hi Anon! I'm glad you liked Legitimens! I took a break from writing Snape/ jily angst (torture?) because I did a lot of them early on and felt like I needed to give it a rest for a bit. If you are interested in a longer fic, Catch the Wind has a good bit of Snape interacting with jily though it is not in his POV ( Chapter 16 notably has some jealous Snape though NSFW so discretion advised)

But! Here's a little ficlet of Snape finding out about jily in 7th for you (Rated T )--felt good to go back to my roots. I hope this satiates the jealous snape desire!

Of all people, he heard it from Bellatrix. 

“You seem to be rather cheery despite the new developments about your mudblood plaything…”

Severus looked up to find the source of the voice draped over the couch, smiling like a predator who had caught a meal in its teeth. 

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” he replied, keeping his eyes down as to not give her the satisfaction of his attention.

“Oh, don’t be like that Severus,” she purred, twisting a bit of her frazzled hair around her wand, “You know who I’m talking about…the Evans bitch—the one you’ve had a hard on for since–”

“I know who you are referring to,” Snape spat out, not able to contain his disdain for being taunted, “But of the developments you so clearly want me to be privy to, I don’t care.”

Bellatrix’s eyes lowered to slits, taking her time to let his curiosity set in before letting out a dramatic sigh. 

“Fine. Just thought you’d be a little more charged up seeing that lil’ Miss Evans is taking her Head's duties with Potter to very literal levels.”

His head shot up, his ability to remain cool abandoned. Something resembling bile gurgled at the bottom of his stomach. 

“Stop taking the piss. Having to write patrols and be Dumbledore’s lapdogs is hardly interesting gossip.”

She grinned wider, teeth gleaming in a way that reminded him of some distant muggle cartoon of a creature disappearing behind a malevolent smile. 

“If that’s so, then why did I just see dear ‘ickle Evans with Potter's tongue down her throat on the way over here?”

It was instinctual. His body rose off the floor, letting the book drop with a loud thud as he bounded towards the door. It’s not possible. She’s lying.  Behind him, he could hear Bellatrix and Mucliber’s cackles intermingle into one taunting buzzing sound. 

“Aw, poor Severus. Don’t worry, I’m sure when the Dark Lord gets hold of her, you can have your fill too,” Mulciber called out. 

Bellatrix shrieked in laughter. “I just hope Potter has enough sense to protect his bloodline and only fuck her in the—-”

The door shut, muffling the loud of their howling laughs. 

~

Bellatrix had not been lying. 

She lounged against the giant beech tree with her legs outstretched in front of her, shoes kicked off. It was a place that he had seen her so often throughout the years��a place that she loved to go and study or discuss potions ideas in the years past, but any good memory was quickly shattered by the image of her now. She was not alone. 

Potter lay draped over her, body sandwiched between parted legs and arms encircling her waist with his head resting on her stomach.His glasses had been abandoned at their side and Lily’s finger passed idly over the curves of his face, tracing the outline of his cheek and jaw while he closed his eyes to the sensation. Finger drifting over his lips, Potter caught the hand to hold it against him, giving it a small nip which made Lily cry out a playful shriek. 

Severus moved closer, wondering if he was seeing some kind of mirage—a horrible vision that he would wake up from shortly. Potter looked up from her lap and said something in a hushed tone and Lily’s head fell back in a laugh, red hair cascading down her back and shoulder. Clearly feeling triumphant in his quest to amuse her, he pulled up enough to catch her giggles with his lips; once, twice, three times before the kisses lost their autonomy to fervent mouths twisting together. 

The sensation to wretch bubbled inside of him and he keeled over. Potter and Lily. POTTER and Lily. He knew one day he would eventually have to give her up—Merlin knew she had told him as much the day she ended their friendship back in fifth. But nothing could have prepared him—no divination master could have ever predicted that Lily would fall into such a blatant and heinous trap. 

He shuffled backwards, trying to move quietly despite the couple being too preoccupied in what their mouths and hands were doing to even notice someone on the outskirts of their vision. Turning the corner back into the corridor, he leaned against the cold stone of the archway, a pain of slashed skin and organs tugging at his chest. For the first time, possibly in his entire adolescent life, he wept.

[xoxorealitygalore]

Bout U

Charlotte Flair x OC

Summary: She finds herself torn between a domineering family, industry pressures and her love for her girlfriend who also has a daughter.

Juliana Halle “Jilly” Knight (born June 20, 1994) is an American track and field athlete specializing in 100, 200 meter sprint and 400-meter hurdles. She's a four-time Olympic gold medalist. She has a daughter Renni Knight via using a sperm donor.

jillyknight 10m

Ashley had always been the kind of person who prided herself on being in control. Whether it was in the wrestling ring, where she dominated the women's division with her athleticism and fierce determination, or in her personal life, where she had been the perfect wife to her three husbands, at least, she thought she had been.

But now, after her divorce had been finalized in October, she was left to pick up the pieces of a life she hadn’t expected to lead at thirty-eight. January 6th had started like any other day: cold, gray, and dreary, but everything changed when she found herself standing in the produce aisle of her local grocery store.

It was a small, simple thing that had grabbed her attention: the last cabbage on the shelf. Ashley had reached out for it, only to see someone else’s hand at the same moment. She glanced up and stared into the most striking green eyes she had ever seen, so sharp, vivid, and alive.

The woman was light brown, her skin radiant in the fluorescent lights of the store, with a soft smile playing on her lips. Her child, a little girl with dark curly hair, was sitting in the shopping cart, reaching out with chubby hands for the cabbage too.

For a moment, Ashley hesitated. She didn’t need the cabbage, after all. She stepped back and let the woman take it.

“Thank you,” the woman said, her voice soft but confident.

“No problem,” Ashley replied, smiling in return. She watched as the woman walked away, the little girl happily waving her arms in the air as they moved down the aisle.

But it wasn’t the end of the encounter.

As Ashley moved to the dairy section, she spotted the same woman again, this time glancing at the eggs with an intense focus, as if contemplating which dozen to pick. The little girl was now reaching for a carton of milk, giggling as if she had all the time in the world.

They exchanged a look, and before Ashley knew it, a laugh bubbled up from deep inside her.

“What is this, some sort of cosmic grocery store meet-cute?” Ashley muttered to herself, her smile wide as she shook her head.

Again, they crossed paths, then again in the frozen foods aisle, and again near the checkout lanes. Each time, they would laugh a little, say a few words, and move on with their shopping. By the time they had passed each other for the fifth time, Ashley found herself genuinely looking forward to running into the woman again. She was just so… easy to talk to.

At last, in the cereal aisle, Ashley couldn’t help herself. She walked up to her.

“Okay, I have to ask—what’s your name?” Ashley said, trying to keep her voice casual.

The woman looked up, startled for a second before relaxing into a smile. “I’m Juliana.”

Ashley grinned. “Nice to meet you, Juliana. And who’s this little cutie?” She glanced at the child in the cart, who was now happily holding a box of Cheerios like it was the most precious thing in the world.

The little girl giggled, her brown eyes sparkling with mischief. “Renni!”

Ashley’s heart melted. She couldn’t help but smile back at Renni. “Nice to meet you both,” she said warmly.

“Nice to meet you too,” Juliana replied, her smile lingering longer than usual.

There was something magnetic about her, something that made Ashley’s heart flutter in a way she hadn’t experienced in a long time. She wasn’t sure why, but it felt like more than just a fleeting encounter at the grocery store.

A week later, Ashley found herself back in the same grocery store, and to her surprise, she saw Juliana and Renni again. They were near the checkout, loading their items onto the conveyor belt. Ashley hesitated for a moment, wondering if it was too forward, but the pull was too strong to ignore.

“Hey, it’s you again,” Ashley said with a smile.

Juliana looked up, her green eyes widening in recognition. “Hey! How are you?”

“I’m good. How about you?” Ashley asked, her gaze flickering to Renni, who was now standing beside the cart, bouncing up and down.

“We’re doing great. Just, you know, surviving the grocery store,” Juliana said, laughing softly.

“I feel that,” Ashley said with a chuckle. “Hey, listen, would you want to grab coffee sometime? I feel like we keep bumping into each other for a reason.”

Juliana looked at her, a moment of hesitation passing before she smiled. “Sure, why not?”

Ashley gave her a slightly sheepish grin. “I’m Ashley, by the way,” she added, as if the woman hadn’t already known.

“Right, I remember. You’re kind of hard to forget,” Juliana replied, her voice teasing yet sincere.

They exchanged numbers, and before long, coffee turned into dinner, and dinner turned into weekend hikes, workouts, long phone calls, and eventually, a quiet, almost surreal realization: they were more than just friends.

By February, Ashley had come to terms with what was unfolding between them. Juliana, with her smooth confidence and easy smile, had worked her way into Ashley’s life in a way that felt so natural, so unforced. She had been there for Ashley in ways her ex-husbands had never been, supporting her as she worked through the emotional wreckage of her divorce and showing her a different side of herself.

Ashley had always been the one doing the giving in relationships. With Juliana, it was different. She felt seen, heard, and loved in a way that made her wonder how she had ever lived without this kind of partnership.

And Juliana, for her part, had never expected to be in a relationship with someone like Ashley, either. She had been with both men and women in the past, but there was something about Ashley, something that made her feel safe, cherished, and completely at ease with herself. It didn’t matter to Juliana that Ashley was just beginning to explore her feelings for women; she loved her anyway, exactly as she was.

They had kept their relationship quiet at first. After all, Ashley was a WWE superstar, and anything that deviated from her carefully crafted public image could raise questions. But by April, they were ready to share a little more of themselves with the world. And Ashley had a plan.

“Hey, Renni,” Ashley said with a grin, kneeling to meet the little girl in the hotel lobby of their Las Vegas resort.

Renni ran straight for her, her little legs carrying her faster than Ashley expected. “Ashash!” she squealed, launching herself into Ashley’s arms.

“Hey, Nini,” Ashley said, picking up the two-year-old and hugging her tightly. She could feel Juliana’s eyes on her as she joined them, smiling fondly at the scene.

“Hey,” Juliana said softly as she walked up, the bellboy behind her with their luggage. The sight of them, together, felt so right to Ashley. It was as if all the pieces of her life had finally fallen into place.

“I’m so excited for this weekend,” Ashley said, leading them to the elevator. “We’ve got a lot of fun things planned, including the Hall of Fame ceremony tonight. But the best part? You’re gonna get to see me fight for the WWE Women’s Championship tomorrow night.”

Juliana smiled, her eyes lighting up. “I’m so proud of you, Ashley. I’m sure you’re going to kill it.”

“Thanks,” Ashley said with a laugh, feeling a warmth spread through her chest at Juliana’s words. “But we’re not just here for my match. We’ve got a whole weekend of adventures ahead.”

Renni giggled from Ashley’s arms, clearly excited as she chattered away about dresses.

“We match dresses,” Renni said proudly.

Ashley laughed. “That’s right. You’re going to look so cute.”

They made their way to the suite, where Juliana admired the view of the strip from the window. Renni was already at the glass, pressing her face against it in awe of the neon lights.

“So, they’re hosting a Great WrestleMania Easter Egg Hunt in the garden later,” Ashley said. “I was thinking we could take Renni. Is that alright?”

“Of course,” Juliana said with a smile. “Wouldn’t that be fun, Nini?”

Renni looked back at her mom, her face lighting up with a smile. “Fun!”

That afternoon, in the garden, they walked among Ashley’s co-workers, their children, and blooming flowers. Ashley, Juliana, Pyper (Ashley’s niece), and Renni all joined in the hunt, dressed in matching outfits and basking in the joy of the moment.

Ashley had never imagined that a simple grocery store trip would lead to this, the warmth of a new relationship, the bond with Renni, and the sense of contentment she had been craving for so long.

Sometimes, it really did feel like the universe had a funny way of bringing people together.

And Ashley knew, as she watched Juliana laugh with Renni at the egg hunt, that this was just the beginning of something truly special.

jillyknight 30m

The night before WrestleMania 41, the atmosphere backstage at the arena was electric. The buzz of excitement from the WWE crew, superstars, and staff was palpable. The air felt thick with anticipation, as if the very walls of the venue were vibrating with the energy of what was to come.

Juliana, a four-time Olympic gold medalist in track and field, wasn’t used to this kind of environment. She was no stranger to the roar of crowds, the spotlight, or the spotlight of competition. But this was different. She wasn’t here as an athlete. She was here as the girlfriend of Ashley, also known as Charlotte Flair, one of the most dominant superstars in WWE history.

As she stood backstage with Renni, her two-year-old daughter, in her arms, and Pyper, Ashley’s teenage niece, by her side, Juliana felt the weight of the moment. Her first real taste of the WWE universe had been when Ashley had invited her to Royal Rumble for the first time back in February. But this was different. This was the heart of it all. WrestleMania.

The arena was alive with a mixture of nerves and excitement. The air was thick with anticipation, and it felt as though the city of Las Vegas itself was waiting to explode with the spectacle that was to come. Juliana had learned quickly that WWE wasn’t just a show. It was an experience, a living, breathing entity that pulsed through every inch of the arena, every moment, every match. She had watched Ashley give interviews leading up to this, dropping subtle hints about her evolving relationship with Juliana. Though they had kept things low-key, they both knew that WrestleMania Weekend was the perfect time to step out into the world with their connection.

Tonight was a special night, one that didn’t involve any matches for Ashley. Instead, it was about history, about honoring the legends who had paved the way for those currently fighting in the ring. As the night went on, the plan was to attend the WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony, a highlight of WrestleMania Weekend.

For Juliana, the evening would be a reminder of how far her life had come in just a few short months. From a chance meeting in the grocery store to now, standing backstage at the grandest spectacle in sports entertainment. And, more importantly, she was doing it with Ashley and her family, bonding, laughing, and learning to navigate the world of WWE together.

Backstage, the atmosphere was buzzing with activity. Pyper, a tall, slender girl with long blonde hair, was talking excitedly with some of the WWE staff, eagerly soaking in the backstage environment. Renni, on the other hand, was more focused on playing with a toy car she’d found in one of the bags Ashley had packed. She was in her own little world, making revving noises as she zoomed the toy car across the floor.

Juliana smiled at the sight. Renni had quickly become the light of her life, her daughter’s contagious energy and joy always managing to brighten even the darkest of days. And now, seeing her interact with Ashley’s family, her niece Pyper in particular made Juliana feel at home in a way she hadn’t expected.

Juliana adjusted Renni in her arms, giving the toddler a soft kiss on the cheek.

“Hey, sweet girl,” she whispered. “Are you excited for the Hall of Fame ceremony tonight?”

Renni, her little face lighting up with a wide grin, babbled something incoherent in response before pointing toward the door where Ashley would soon be walking through. “Ashash!” she said, excitedly.

Juliana looked up just in time to see Ashley striding through the hallway, her tall frame cutting a confident figure as she made her way toward them. Her platinum blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders, her impeccable posture and powerful aura making her stand out even in a sea of wrestlers. As she walked up to Juliana, her smile was immediate, warm, and familiar.

“You look beautiful tonight,” Juliana said, her voice soft but full of admiration.

Ashley’s lips curved into a smirk. “I look beautiful every night, but I appreciate it, babe,” she teased, leaning down to kiss Renni’s forehead. “How’s my little one doing?”

Renni giggled, reaching up to hug Ashley’s neck. “Ashash!” she repeated with a smile.

Ashley chuckled, squeezing her daughter. “You’re adorable, Nini,” she cooed, pressing a kiss to Renni’s cheek.

Juliana watched the two of them with a soft smile, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. It was moments like these, when she saw Ashley interact with Renni, that made her heart swell. Ashley was so natural with her daughter. There was no tension, no awkwardness. It was as if she had always been a part of their little family, even though their relationship had only truly blossomed over the last few months.

After the quick exchange, Ashley turned to Juliana. “You ready for tonight? The Hall of Fame ceremony should be fun. A lot of legends getting inducted. And of course, we’ll get to see some of the superstars of the past.”

Juliana nodded, trying to keep her nerves in check. “Yeah, it’s a little surreal to be here, but I’m looking forward to it. It’s all so big, you know?”

Ashley smiled knowingly. “Yeah, I get it. It’s like stepping into a whole different world. But it’s a good one.”

They walked together toward the entrance to the Hall of Fame ceremony, Pyper following them closely. As they entered the main event area, Juliana could feel the energy shift. The room was filled with WWE legends and current superstars, their names whispered among fans and newcomers alike. Juliana felt like she was entering a space where history was made, where the legends of the past were immortalized, and the next generation would carry on their legacy.

Renni squirmed in Juliana’s arms, eager to be let down. She quickly set her down, and Renni darted toward a group of young children who were playing in a corner, their parents talking and laughing nearby. Pyper gave Juliana a reassuring smile before joining the other kids. It was as if the family was quickly falling into a rhythm here, familiarizing themselves with the pace of this world, with this larger-than-life spectacle.

As they found their seats for the Hall of Fame ceremony, Juliana could feel the weight of the moment sink in. This was not just a show. This was a part of history. The legends of the WWE universe were about to take their place in the Hall of Fame, and here she was, a part of it.

The ceremony started, and Juliana found herself captivated by the speeches. Each inductee shared stories of their journey, the struggles, the triumphs, the sacrifices. She marveled at the history being made in that very room, and as the night went on, she couldn’t help but think about how much her own life had changed over the past few months.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Ashley leaned over and whispered, “So, what do you think? Pretty amazing, huh?”

Juliana turned to her, her green eyes lighting up with excitement. “It’s incredible,” she replied. “I can’t believe I’m actually here, a part of all of this.”

Ashley smiled softly, her hand subtly brushing against Juliana’s. “You’re a part of it all now, babe. No turning back.”

The ceremony went on, and eventually, it was time for them to leave. Juliana, feeling the adrenaline of the night and the overwhelming sense of history in the air, was ready to retreat to the comfort of the hotel and rest. Tomorrow was the big day, the first night of WrestleMania, where Ashley would compete for the WWE Women’s Championship.

As they made their way through the backstage area, Juliana felt a wave of emotion rush over her. This wasn’t just a trip to Las Vegas. This wasn’t just about being with Ashley or experiencing the spectacle of WWE. This was about new beginnings. This was about family, about building something new and powerful, about stepping into a new chapter of her life.

When they got back to the hotel, after Renni had been put to bed and Pyper was texting friends, Juliana and Ashley found themselves alone in the suite. The lights of the Las Vegas strip shimmered outside the window, casting a soft glow across the room.

“Tomorrow’s going to be huge,” Ashley said, her voice filled with a mixture of excitement and focus.

Juliana nodded. “I know you’ll do great. But tonight was special.”

Ashley smiled, her eyes soft as she crossed the room to Juliana’s side. She gently cupped her face, leaning down to kiss her. “I’m glad you’re here with me.”

And as they embraced, the world outside seemed to disappear. It wasn’t about the lights, the cameras, or the history. It was about the quiet moments they shared, the love they had found, and the future they were building together.

Tomorrow, the world would be watching. But for now, it was just the two of them, standing at the edge of something new, something beautiful, something neither of them had expected but both had come to crave.

And that was enough.

jillyknight 1h

The roar of the crowd at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas was deafening. It was WrestleMania night, and the entire arena pulsed with excitement and energy. The lights were bright, the music booming, and every corner of the stadium was packed to the brim with fans who had traveled from all over the world to witness the spectacle that was WWE’s grandest event.

Juliana sat in the family section, a soft smile playing on her lips as she watched the crowd around her. She was surrounded by Pyper, who had her eyes glued to the ring, and Renni, who was perched in her lap. Despite her young age, Renni’s excitement mirrored the energy in the arena. She was clapping her hands, bouncing up and down in Juliana’s lap with every cheer from the audience.

It was a rare moment of calm for Juliana, who had been caught in the whirlwind of WrestleMania activities all weekend. Between meeting other wrestlers, participating in press events, and watching Ashley prepare for tonight’s match, it was hard to keep up with the pace. But now, sitting here with Renni and Pyper, Juliana could feel the weight of the moment settle over her. This wasn’t just another event. This was Ashley’s moment, a culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance in the ring. Tonight, Ashley was challenging for the WWE Women’s Championship.

And it was the match everyone had been waiting for: Ashley versus Tiffany Stratton, the current reigning champion.

Juliana was nervous, but not for Ashley. She knew her girlfriend, her partner in this journey, was ready for this moment. It wasn’t the first time Ashley had stepped into the ring at a high-profile event, but this was different. This was WrestleMania. This was the night in WWE, and for Ashley, it was the chance to finally claim the championship that had eluded her for so long.

Pyper leaned forward in her seat, eyes wide with intensity. “This is it. Aunt Ashley is going to win tonight. I can feel it.”

Juliana smiled, her gaze never leaving the ring. “I think so too,” she replied softly, though the uncertainty in her voice mirrored the nerves that gnawed at her stomach. She hadn’t gotten used to the anxiety that came with watching Ashley fight in the ring, especially when the stakes were this high.

Renni, still too young to understand the nuances of professional wrestling, was completely captivated by the colorful lights, the music, and the cheers of the crowd. She let out an excited squeal as the arena lights dimmed, signaling that the match was about to begin.

The titantron came to life, and the unmistakable sound of Ashley’s entrance music echoed through the arena. The crowd erupted in cheers as the spotlight focused on Ashley, standing at the top of the ramp with a confident smirk on her face. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders, her custom ring gear sparkling under the lights, and her presence alone was enough to send a thrill through the crowd.

“Here she comes,” Juliana said, squeezing Renni’s little hand as she bounced in her lap.

Ashley made her way down the ramp with Pyper close behind, giving high-fives to the fans at ringside as she made her way toward the squared circle. The sheer energy in the arena was electrifying, and it was clear that Ashley had a connection with the fans. She wasn’t just a WWE superstar, she was Charlotte Flair, a name synonymous with excellence and history.

When Ashley climbed into the ring, she raised her arms in the air, soaking in the adoration of the fans, her eyes scanning the crowd before she locked eyes with Juliana in the family section. There was an unspoken exchange between them, a silent promise that no matter what happened, they were in this together. It was the kind of connection that transcended words.

Then, Tiffany Stratton’s entrance music hit, and the atmosphere shifted. The current champion had held onto the Women’s Championship with determination, and tonight, she was set to defend it against Ashley in one of the biggest matches of her career.

As Stratton made her entrance, Juliana couldn’t help but admire her confidence. Tiffany carried herself with the kind of confidence that only a champion could, strutting down the ramp with an air of superiority that matched her persona. She didn’t seem intimidated by the crowd or Ashley. In fact, she looked almost too confident. But Juliana knew that Ashley was the one who had the experience, the skill, and the heart to go the distance.

The match began with both women circling each other, sizing each other up. Ashley’s focus was unwavering, her eyes locked on Tiffany. The two women exchanged quick holds and counters, a testament to their technical prowess. It was clear from the start that this would be a back-and-forth contest, each woman pushing the other to her limits.

Juliana’s heart raced as Ashley landed a huge sitout powerbomb on Tiffany, the impact of the move reverberating through the arena. The crowd roared in approval as Ashley went for the cover. One, two—Tiffany kicked out just in time. The nearfall sent a wave of tension through the family section, and Juliana squeezed Renni tighter in her lap, her breath shallow with anticipation.

“That was so close,” Pyper said, her voice barely audible over the crowd.

Juliana nodded, her gaze never leaving the action. “She’s got this. She’s so close.”

The match continued at a breakneck pace. Tiffany attempted the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but Ashley was quick to counter, rolling Tiffany up for another nearfall. The crowd gasped, the tension building with every nearfall. The atmosphere in the arena felt electric, as if the crowd could sense that the end of the match was drawing near.

Ashley climbed to the top rope, setting up for one of her signature moves: the top-rope Natural Selection. She launched herself off the turnbuckle, delivering the move with precision, but once again, Tiffany kicked out just in time. Juliana’s heart skipped a beat, her pulse pounding in her ears as the momentum continued to swing back and forth.

“You’ve got this, Ashley,” Juliana whispered to herself, her fingers tightening around the railing in front of her. She was losing herself in the moment, every second of the match felt like it was happening in slow motion.

As the match neared its climax, Ashley charged at Tiffany, looking for the spear that would clinch her victory. She charged forward, but Tiffany was ready. At the last moment, Tiffany dodged, and Ashley crashed hard into the turnbuckle. The crowd let out a collective gasp as Tiffany quickly took advantage, performing a rolling senton onto Ashley, followed by a perfect Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the pin.

One, two, three.

The bell rang, and Tiffany was announced as the winner, retaining the WWE Women’s Championship.

The crowd’s reaction was mixed, some fans were elated, others disappointed. Juliana sat frozen in her seat, watching as Ashley slowly stirred, disappointment and exhaustion written across her face. She had fought so hard. It had been a battle, a war, and in the end, it wasn’t enough.

Pyper let out a soft sigh next to her. “She was so close. So close.”

Juliana nodded, her eyes still on Ashley as she rolled out of the ring, her expression grim but composed. She had lost, but it didn’t matter. Juliana knew that Ashley had given everything she had. And as she stood up, her heart swelled with pride.

“That was amazing, wasn’t it, Nini?” Juliana said, leaning down to Renni, who had been clapping along with the crowd throughout the match.

Renni looked up at her with wide eyes. “Ashash?”

“Yes, sweetheart. That was Ashley. She fought like a champion,” Juliana said, smiling softly as she kissed her daughter’s forehead.

Pyper leaned over, her voice low. “She’ll get it next time, right? I mean, she’s Ashley Fliehr. No one can stop her.”

Juliana smiled at her niece, her heart swelling with love for both her and Ashley. “You’re right. This isn’t the end. It’s just another step toward something bigger.”

The family watched as Ashley made her way backstage, her head held high despite the loss. There was no shame in losing, not when you fought with everything you had. And Juliana knew that Ashley would come back stronger. She always did.

As the lights dimmed and the next match began, Juliana took a deep breath and stood up, helping Renni out of her seat. “Let’s go find Ashley. She’s going to need us tonight.”

And with that, Juliana, Renni, and Pyper made their way backstage, their hearts full of pride for the woman who had just poured everything into the ring. Ashley had come so close, and although tonight wasn’t her night, Juliana knew that this was only the beginning. There would be more championships, more victories, and, most importantly, more memories made together.

After all, the journey was far from over.

[telliusisgay]

Does anyone else have like… catchphrases for their Tellius units when they do a crit attack? I guess it can apply to other FE games, too I just have only played Tellius games so far lol. Anyway, here are some of mine, please add yours in the tags or replies if you have some!

Zihark- Zihark the herald angel sings!

Tibarn- Critical Daddy!

Mia- Mama Mia that’s a spicy meatball!

Ike- Do the twirl!

Soren- Soren over California (Also, Radiant Baby)

Jill- They fell for the Jill bait (lmao or the less sus one, Jilly Bean)

Rolf- SpongeRolf me boy!

Boyd- SpongeBoyd me bob!

Marcia- Get cheesed on!

Haar- Hardee hardee haar

Titania- I am Titaaaaaniiiiiaaaa (sung like Titanium by David Guetta and Sia)

[turneradora]

Here is a new press article concerning "Rivals", with the new pic of Aidan as Declan O'Hara !

Thanks to Emma Jones for the written version 🙏🥰 ❤️🌹

EXCLUSIVE The secrets of autumn's biggest bonkbuster Rivals: Why Emily Atack ended up giggling through the sex scenes... and Jilly Cooper's inspiration for the real-life Rupert Campbell-Black

By Sarah Oliver For Weekend Magazine

Published: 06:52 EDT, 4 October 2024 | Updated: 06:54 EDT, 4 October 2024

Hard as it may be to imagine anyone eclipsing the sex appeal of Ross Poldark by being darker, sexier and even better with horses, someone has. Yes, ladies of Great Britain, Rupert Campbell-Black has landed straight from the pages of Jilly Cooper’s 1988 bonkbuster Rivals on your screens here in 2024, and you are all in trouble. A lot of trouble.

Rupert gives the best riding britches and bronzed biceps since Aidan Turner was seen scything topless. He’s hot hot hot, joining the Mile High Club on Concorde and serving up a scorcher playing naked tennis in the sun. Even dressed as Santa come Christmas, he’s the gift that keeps on giving.

So hat tip here to Alex Hassell, whose swarthy looks and CV as a serious Royal Shakespeare Company actor (he was garlanded for his Henry V) don’t immediately suggest him to play a blond-haired, blue-eyed, tabloid headline-hogging love rat. ‘I was slightly concerned at first,’ says Jilly, ‘because my Rupert in the book is blond and blue-eyed, and Alex is very dark-eyed and olive-skinned. But he’s such a good actor.’

From the moment he strides out of the loo having had supersonic sex (he makes Mach 1 at the same time as the plane) with the Daily Scorpion journalist ghosting his memoirs, Alex Hassell owns RCB, as Jilly fans call him. ‘I always believe in laying one’s ghost,’ he sighs as he swaggers back down the aisle, and the millions of women who grew up fancying the rotter know they’re in safe hands.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for Alex though. ‘Some days I’d be quite intimidated because the scene would describe Rupert walking into a room and everybody stops and looks at him and swoons,’ he says. ‘I was nervous about that, but everyone was told to act as if I was Harry Styles, and then my day turned into a wonderful day.’ So what does he think of Rupert? ‘While he is in many ways a s***, he’s not a bad man.’

Rivals is a riot and a romp, faithful to the book but with some sinuous updating to make what was the ultimate 80s tale of wealth, power and corporate backstabbing more nuanced. It is shagtastically good fun and if you’re old enough to have properly enjoyed the 80s, you’ll be drowning in nostalgia for those brash, optimistic champagne-fuelled years.

There are chaps in pinstripes and scarlet braces; women in power suits with root perms and earrings the size of a bin lid. Desk toys have an un-ironic place on boardroom tables and chintz runs amok in the English country house. Everyone is somewhere between slightly tight and completely plastered a lot of the time and can get up to mischief without being found out by their phone. The soundtrack alone will make you cry with longing.

‘We do it lovingly, but as the series goes on we address feminism, racism, sexuality, homophobia and snobbery,’ says showrunner Dominic Treadwell-Collins, who sees Jilly Cooper as a social commentator on a par with Austen or Dickens. ‘Rivals is a raucous party that gets darker. We keep our moments of joy, but the party gets a bit more warped.’

That’s not to say this new Disney+ eight-parter is any less fruity than the book. ‘If you had that copy you borrowed from your friend and it fell open at various pages – we’ve done all those bits,’ he acknowledges.

That classic Cooper sauce is still in there too. ‘How long do you spend on a cock?’ one guest asks Lady Monica Baddingham at a pheasant shoot. ‘Well, generally speaking, I can finish one off in 15 minutes or less, but my hands aren’t as quick as they used to be,’ she replies.

Or when TV technicians prep Rupert for his interview with TV journalist Declan O’Hara (played by Aidan Turner, yes, he of the topless scything). ‘The make-up artist is going to touch you up,’ they tell him. ‘I’d love her to,’ says RCB, ‘but I’m just about to appear on national television.’

There’s lashings of this since we are back in the (imagined) county of Rutshire, deep in the (real) Cotswolds, the setting for Jilly Cooper’s multi-million-selling Rutshire Chronicles series of novels. Riders, the first book, introduced Rupert as he chased Olympic showjumping gold. In Rivals, the second, Rutshire’s commercial TV station Corinium is up for franchise renewal and RCB is again at the heart of the action. ‘In bedroom and boardroom,’ promises Jilly, ‘the fight to capture the Cotswold Crown is on.’

Lord Tony Baddingham is Corinium’s boss. He’s on Concorde too, locking horns with Rupert, now a rising star in the Thatcher government, two of the ‘rivals’ of the title. He is played, with just the right amount of aristo-executive villainy, by David Tennant, persuaded to take the role by his wife, Georgia, also an actor and a huge Jilly Cooper fan.

‘I had my research fellow, who I live with, who could tell me anything I needed to know,’ laughs David, adding his casting caused a frisson at the school gate. ‘It’s a certain generation of women who go a bit giddy at the thought this has become a TV show. I just hope we can meet everybody’s fantasies…’

Well, if those fantasies include seeing Aidan Turner’s bare bottom you can tick that one off the list though he is, unusually for Rutshire, bedding his own wife at the time, rather than someone else’s. Declan O’Hara is Lord Baddingham’s star hire, married to fiery Maud, a man-hungry former actress.

Maud is played by Victoria Smurfit who really, really wanted the role and went full ‘Rutshire’ to get it. ‘I made this big decision where I thought, “Go big or go home.” It was December: freezing cold, ice on the ground, snow coming down through London. And when I arrived at the audition space, I had my coat on, and I walked in to meet the team who were in hats and gloves because it was even cold in the studio. I said, “Hello, I am Maud. You’re all dressed for London in December and – I threw my coat off and had this flimsy dress on underneath – I’m dressed for summer in the Cotswolds, darling!” Going home was quite chilly, I’m not going to lie, but it was worth it.’

In Rivals she specialises in making an entrance: do enjoy the scene with the camel.

As for Aidan Turner, with an absolute whopper of a moustache, Day-Glo yellow socks and a battered old Mini Cooper, he’s more workaholic dad than sex god. ‘That car, it’s got four gears but only three work,’ he groans. ‘The floor has holes in it. I think we maxed at 42mph. It was like driving a go-kart.’

Like all the actors, he knows his Mini isn’t the only bit of Rivals that could have looked clapped out in 2024, if not for the clever screenwriting. ‘I think we’re saying, “These are examples of the problematic behaviour that was acceptable at the time,”’ he reflects. ‘Some of it still does exist, but a lot has changed. It’s interesting to watch a show like ours and think, “We’re still doing that, maybe we should have left it in the 80s.”’

That said, ‘people having sex’, as David Tennant gleefully points out, ‘is timeless’ and all the characters are still aboard a classic Jilly Cooper sexual carousel. Baddingham is having an affair with his brilliant American TV producer Cameron Cook (now a black character), and Rupert is fending off Maud while falling in love with the eldest O’Hara daughter Taggie (played by Sex Education’s Bella Maclean), who’s only 20.

Electronics mogul Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer) and his wife Valerie are the nouveau riche trying to crampon their way up to social acceptance, but Freddie has feelings for novelist Lizzie, whose husband is Corinium’s ghastly news anchor James Vereker. Then there’s disgraced deputy PM Paul Stratton, newly married to his mistress Sarah (Emily Atack), who we first meet playing naked tennis with Rupert.

It’s a legendary Rivals scene (inspired by the tennis court at Jilly’s own house in the Cotswolds) where the tennis ball isn’t the only thing bouncing over the net. ‘The tennis scene was probably one of my favourites,’ says Emily. ‘It was a beautiful sunny day and I’d been exercising, I’d been – I wouldn’t say dieting, I love wine and pasta too much – but I’d been doing my sit-ups and my squats, and I was ready to do this naked scene!’

So it really is Love All, even among Rutshire’s lusty teenagers, for whom ‘I’ve got some Malibu upstairs’ is still a winning pick-up line. And this only takes us to the mid-point of the series: there are four further episodes and a lot more bed-hopping and dastardly boardroom behaviour to come.

It’s hard to overstate the scale, complexity and gleaming polish of the show, with its ensemble cast and Cotswold locations crammed with pale gold mansions, buttercups, bluebells and red phone boxes. (You might recognise 16th-century Chavenage House near Tetbury, which becomes the O’Haras’ home, The Priory, because that too was in Poldark.) There are sweaty horses, bounding hounds and huntsmen in their pinks.

Dinner parties start with pheasant and finish with pavlova, and guests disco dance until it’s time for a Survivors Breakfast. Picnics are enjoyed out the back of a Land Rover – green, what else – and Rupert Campbell-Black is secretly so lonely he shares his bath with his favourite black Labrador, Beaver.

The original book was 720 pages long and they’ve done it proud. Some days, according to Alex Hassell, there were 42 main characters on set at the same time, making it, he thinks, the biggest film unit in Europe.

Vintage Ungaro and Laura Ashley were sourced for the women, 80s-style suits handmade for the men. A safe had to be brought in to stash the 80s watches which are now worth an eye-watering amount. Someone’s mum knitted a bunch of pre-divorce Diana jumpers, Nafessa Williams, who plays Cameron Cook, modelled her ponytail on Sade’s and Danny Dyer drew on his own experience of snobbery as he, a working-class untrained actor, fought to break into theatre.

Emily Atack took to watching reruns of Top Of The Pops in which her own mother, the actress and singer Kate Robbins, appeared, by way of research. Everyone is wearing Wayfarers. Cadbury’s Fruit And Nut still comes in paper and gold foil while Wham!, Roxy Music, ABC and The Communards are on the radio. You can virtually smell the Elnett extra strong hold hairspray, the Drakkar Noir aftershave and the garlic chicken vol au vents warming through in an Aga somewhere.

Like the rest of the cast, Nafessa Williams knew what she was getting into with her sex scenes (Cameron has relationships with first Lord Baddingham and then Rupert). ‘I mean, we all knew what we were coming to do, so there were no surprises. I think it’s a matter of making sure you’re comfortable with each other and you’re listening and asking questions: is it OK to do this? Is it not OK to do that? It is a dance, so you essentially have to practise that dance before going on the dance floor.’

Plus, because Rivals is a bonkbuster – a label which has both supporters and critics among the cast – there was safety in numbers, as Emily Atack explains. ‘When we were doing all these scenes, we flocked to each other to talk about it, and support each other and really big each other up and we laughed about it. They were such a huge part of our bonding as a cast and as friends. It really interested me to see what nudity does to human beings – we were all like giggling teenagers, hugging each other, high-fiving each other, going, “Oh my God! Yes! You did it!”’

That said, they were all rigorously policed by not one but two intimacy co-ordinators, something which would not have happened had Rivals been turned into telly closer to the time the book came out. The intimacy team placed a partially deflated fitness ball between some of the actors so they could rock and create rhythm while having a physical barrier. Others were encouraged to use a tap-in tap-out psychological technique, clapping their hands before a take to signal to themselves they were in character, and then clapping at the call of ‘Cut’ to signal they’re themselves again. ‘We’ve been equal opportunities with sex,’ says Dominic Treadwell-Collins. ‘You will see an awful lot of willies.’

It was the only way to film the lovely, unbridled sort of sex synonymous with Jilly Cooper and the author, now a venerable 87 years old, is characteristically relaxed and happy about the outcome. ‘I trusted Dominic like mad,’ she says, ‘I knew it would be all right!’

A superstar writer since the 60s, made a DBE for services to literature and charity in this year’s New Year Honours, she wasn’t at all bothered when one of the actors, Lara Peake who plays Corinium PA Daysee, failed to recognise her at a read-through. ‘She came over and said, “Oh, you’re the lovely Daysee,”’ Lara recalls. ‘I said, “Yeah, I’m so excited. Who are you playing?” She was like, “No, darling, I’m Jilly…”’

‘Rivals is my favourite novel,’ confirms the author ahead of the series dropping later this month, ‘because I love the characters so much. Even the most ruthless display moments of vulnerability and the shyest show courage and integrity as true love blossoms.’

But can you believe it, RCB almost wasn’t in the book. ‘Originally, I intended to leave out Rupert, my hellraising hero, because in Riders he was cruel both to women and his horses,’ says Jilly. ‘But I missed his glamour and humour.’ She belatedly wrote him back in as a lead, reinforcing his place as one of the most lustworthy men in British fiction.

She says she loves the ‘ruthless glamour’ Alex Hassell brings to her creation, while admiring the greater vulnerability and tenderness the Rivals writers’ room has imagined for RCB today.

His casting has been the subject of heated debate everywhere from Mumsnet to The Tack Room, the online chat area of Horse & Hound. The actor almost withdrew from the first audition because he couldn’t see himself making everyone swoon but, by golly!, to borrow a Jilly Cooperism, he does. So much so he was sad when the shoot was over. ‘No one was looking at me like I’m the most sexy man on the planet any more,’ he says. ‘It was tough.’

Anyway, if you’d like to watch him make your screen melt, are old enough to remember the 80s, or young enough to think it must have been cool to be there, then clear eight hours in your diary because you won’t be able to stop watching Rivals.

But start early or you’ll be late to bed, and that would never do, not in Jilly Cooper’s world.

All episodes of Rivals are exclusively on Disney+ from 18 October.

[dingochef]

Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x You (OFC)

Warnings: Swearing, Smut (MDNI 18+ Only), Stalking, P in V, oral (female and male receiving), Semi-public sex, light spanking, light bondage, blindfolds, shitty parents, nightmares, 

Summary: You're pretty sure you know the question and the answer, just not when it's going to get asked and how.

Masterlist

Series Masterlist 

Chapter 17

Word Count: 4.0k

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For the next couple of days after Rooster and Lydia's wedding you're on alert, as though Jake could propose at any minute based on his comments at the wedding. He wasn't exactly subtle.

Jake is immensely creative and no doubt has a plan,and your imagination runs wild with possibilities. Not that you're nervous or would say no, you just want to feel prepared and ready. He of course picks up on your mental state and has a little fun with it.

First, you and Jake meet up for dinner at the tapas place where you had your first date after work one night. Which would be a very reasonable place to propose. You were almost sure he was going to do it when he walked back to the table and in between you taking a sip of wine and looking back at him he had gotten down on one knee and was….tying his shoe. When you coughed on your wine, Jake looked up at you with a raised eyebrow and gave you that signature smirk. 

Then the day after that you came home and were greeted by the homey smell of Italian food.

"Ooh, what's cooking?" you asked. Jake kissed you on the cheek and answers,

"Special family recipe."

You raised your eyebrow, certain that he was making Nonna’s special marriage sauce. With great flourish, he pulled the lid off the pot and said,

"Yes, Aunt Jilly's meatballs." 

He tried to look totally innocent and just laughed at what must have been the irritated look on your face.

The next evening as you're about to leave to go grab a drink, he called you into the bedroom,

"El, I've got a question for you." 

At this point you thought, 

"Finally".

When you walked in he held two polos up,

"Which shirt do you think goes better with these pants?" he asked, eyes sparkling with mischief.

He didn't even try to play it off as anything other than teasing.

"The blue one," you leaned over to whisper to him, "If you're trying to drive me crazy in a not good way, you're succeeding."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he replied, literally batting his eyelashes at you

He relented for the next few days, thankfully before you smothered him in his sleep or asked him to marry you first.

When you get home from work, you notice something on the front door as you approach. There is a red ribbon hanging from the door with a paper airplane at the end. On the wing, there is Jake's neat handwriting simply stating, "Open Me."

You carefully unfold the airplane and read the text inside:

Where we had our first kiss. 

The memory of that first kiss after he walked you home from the Padres game and dinner flashes through your brain, a warm feeling forming in your chest. 

As you open the door there is a photo of Jake and you at a Padres game hanging inside. Looking at the house there is red ribbon everywhere. It looks like one of those laser security grids people have to weave through to steal a diamond. The ribbon zigs and zags to the coat hooks, and then under and over the end table, up to the mantle piece and then under all the cushions of the couch. You find the second paper airplane on the couch. When you unfold it, you read:

Where I made you come for the first time.

You blush thinking of that moment from your first night together and where your underwear ended up after that. Eager to see where all this leads, you think you know, you chase the ribbon as it continues on the floor and up the wall over picture frames and into the guest room. The ribbon is simply shaped into a heart on the floor, it exits the room and heads towards the bedroom. You have to duck and step over ribbons a couple of times to get through the bedroom door. A picture of you and Jake from the vintage air show from early in your relationship, a selfie in front of a B-17, is hanging from the door frame.

You chase the ribbon around the bedroom, sliding under the bed at one point. There is another airplane sitting on your bed. You unfold it:

Where we made love and said I love you for the first time.

On the bed next to the paper airplane is a photo from Texas of you kissing Jake on the cheek as he's laughing. The memory brings a smile to your face.

The ribbon snakes out of the bedroom and surprisingly into the bathroom. The next airplane makes you laugh out loud, the sound echoing off the hard walls of the bathroom, because of course this would be a core memory Jake keeps in his brain. The airplane reads:

Where you gave me a blowjob for the first time (in the porn shower.)

He has hand drawn a winking face under the message. You pick up the trail of the ribbon and it winds its way out of the bathroom and over to the end of the couch. The paper airplane is sitting on top of a pillow next to a picture of you and Jake with your arms wrapped around each other on the front porch of the house. Unfolded the paper reads:

Where you asked me to move in with you.

The ribbon continues on in a circuitous route around the living room going under the armchair. Picturing Jake snaking the ribbon all around our house makes you laugh. The ribbon trails into the kitchen and briefly makes a stop in the fridge where there is a bottle of champagne and a container of what you assume to be Nonna's Bolognese sauce. The ribbon goes through a few cabinets and then into a pot on the stove. You make sure the stove is off and then you pull the lid off.

This airplane reads:

Where I made Nonna's special Bolognese for you.

There is a picture of Jake, you, and Nonna from Thanksgiving all laughing as the picture is snapped sitting in front of a canister next to the stove. Jake stands behind you and Nonna, towering over with his arms wrapped around you two.

The ribbon loops a few times around objects in the kitchen and under the dining table and through the chairs till it is finally tied in a bow at the door handle to the patio.

One last plane is tucked into the door jamb. You've figured out where this is heading and your heart starts to beat faster as a flood of giddiness overwhelms you. You race to unfold the last paper airplane.

It reads:

Where I asked you to marry me and you said yes.

Your heart is fluttering as you open the door as fast as possible and step out to the patio.

Jake is kneeling on one knee on the patio holding up a small open black box. He uses his free hand to wave you over. When you are close enough he takes your hand.

You look down into his impossibly green eyes and see his trademark confidence on display. He is very sure of what's about to happen and so are you.

After what feels like minutes to your rapidly beating heart he finally speaks,

"Every day I'm with you is a treasure and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Elsa Samantha Matthews, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife and partner in life?"

You're of course crying by this point and it takes you a second to squeak out,

"Yes, of course."

Jake leaps to his feet and sweeps you up in his arms for a deep kiss. He pulls back and rests his forehead against yours,

"You said yes."

"I did. You were very sure that I'd say yes, some might call that cocky," you tease.

Jake laughs, 

"Sometimes you just know, that's confidence. I also think it's a question you don't ask unless you know the answer."

You just kiss him back in reply. Jake remembers he's holding a box he reaches down for your left hand and pulls it between you.

"Here let me put this on my fiancee," he says as he slides the ring up your finger. You hold your hand out so you can look closely at the ring. It's a simple platinum band with a group of diamonds in different sizes arranged asymmetrically, arranged around the largest stone. It's unique and perfect.

"I like the sound of that. Jake, this is beautiful. It reminds me of a constellation of stars."

"Yeah? That's what I thought when I saw it," Jake replies. You can tell he's pleased you like the ring.

"I recruited Lydia for some help, you don't wear a ton of jewelry so I needed a little guidance on picking a style."

You lean over to kiss him,

"That's sweet, what advice did she give you?"

He chuckles, 

"Don't buy her something over the top and gaudy, find something with a silver metal and unique," you nod your head in agreement, he continues, "I texted so many pictures to her picking out stuff, finally found this one at a goldsmith in La Jolla. When I sent it to Lydia I just got a 'Nailed It' back from her."

Jake keeps talking, 

"I thought a lot about different stones, diamonds can sometimes feel a little overdone. But the more I thought about it I thought a diamond would fit you really well."

"How so?" You're curious what he's going to say.

"I just kept thinking of a phrase I'd heard before. The brightest diamonds are formed under the most pressure. You've become this amazing person despite all things that were forced to deal with and overcome to live your life like you wanted to, the pressure, so to speak."

Another tear rolls down your cheek and you place your hands on each side of Jake's face, 

"You are an amazing person and I'm really touched you put so much thought into asking me to marry you. You are a wonderful, caring, and loving man, Jake Seresin,and I am over the moon that I get the privilege to be your wife."

He wraps his arms around your waist,

"My wife, El. That sounds so good," he barely gets it out before he is kissing you with his full passion. Jake pulls you closer so your hips are aligned and as close as possible. His hands start to slide under your shirt on the soft skin of your back.

He starts walking you backwards into the house towards the bedroom. You feel something at your back and start to laugh, 

"Jake, the ribbons," you get a muffled response from where he is likely sucking a hickey at the base of your neck. "They're still all over."

He remembers and laughs as he pulls away to squeeze through, helping you  slide through the matrix of ribbons.

You make it through the web of ribbon and are standing in the middle of the bedroom unable to stop kissing and separate long enough to get off your clothing. You are pulling at the bottom of his uniform shirt when you finally break apart enough to pull your clothes off.

Once you and him are finally stripped bare, he takes your hand and kisses it just above the ring. Jake lays down and pulls you down to him. His face is wide open with love and his panty dropper smile.

You lightly push him on his chest and lean over to kiss him. Jake's hands cradle your head.

As you part for air, Jake says, 

"We're getting married."

You can't help the smile that is plastered to your face,

"Yes, we are. Right now I want to be ravished by my fiance." 

You slide your hand down to his cock, already hard and wanting. Jake starts at the contact when you wrap your fingers around him.

"The metal on the ring, feels different," he manages to breathe out. He sits up on his elbows and looks down to where you are stroking him at a slow pace.

"Not going to lie, you holding my cock with my ring on your hand is really hot," Jake says before collapsing on the bed. You go to open your mouth and before you can say anything, he has wrapped his arms around you and rolled you so that he is on top. He gives you an intense kiss and then kisses his way down your body.

"I want to taste my fiancee and feel her come on my face. Sound good, fiancee?" he asks, smirk firmly in place when all you can do is dumbly nod. All the blood in your body having left your brain the instant he parted your folds with his finger. You feel his huff of a laugh right before he engulfs your clit with his mouth, his finger pushing inside you, a second one joining moments later. Your hands snap to his head threading through his hair. You look down relishing the sight of Jake pleasuring you and you notice the ring picking up stray rays of sunlight in the room.

Jake's pace is increasing in time with your moans, the tightness building inside you,

"So close, so good, Jake," you pant out.

He adds a third finger and curls his fingers up and hits a spot that triggers your climax. Your legs clamp around his head as the wave rushes over you, incoherent moans falling from your lips. When you come back to earth, Jake is kneeling by your waist, looking at you with a look of utter adoration.

"God, El, you're so beautiful," he says softly. His hand smoothing the planes of your stomach up to your face. You take his hand and kiss the palm and pull him up to you. 

"I need you inside me, fiance," is the best you can come up with with your post orgasm brain. Jake obliges and gently parts your legs and guides himself into you. His pace is gentle and rhythmic, he keeps his face close to yours, his breath ghosting across your cheek.

Your brain finally formulates something resembling a thought.

"Jake, I love you so much. I get to be your wife," you whisper as you move against each other. He kisses you deeply before leaning back enough to slide a hand to where you are joined and begins to rub your already sensitive clit. You clench around him after the first touch, pulling a deep moan from him.

It doesn't take long for you to shatter again, this time looking into Jake's eyes as he follows you with his release inside you. You stay joined as the aftershocks roll through.

He rolls off to the side of you and pulls you into his arms, kissing the top of your head as you settle your head on his chest.

When your breathing slows to normal, Jake takes your left hand into his threading your fingers together.

"You look really good wearing only that ring," he jokes.

"I think it might get a little cold," you kiss his chest,

"So, how do you want to tell people? You want to stay in our own little bubble for a while or do you want to shout it from the rooftops?"

Jake laughs, 

"I feel like shouting it to the whole world, but we can probably do better with a few video calls."

"Well, we could probably put some clothing on, make the phone calls a little less awkward,"  you tease. Your stomach growls, and Jake responds,

"We should also eat something, I've got some of Nonna's sauce in the fridge. Let's boil up some pasta and throw a salad together while we celebrate our engagement."

You slip out of bed and pull Jake with you. You get dressed, slightly nicer than what you usually put on for just hanging around the house knowing you're going to be on video. Very carefully you pull the ribbons down to be able to walk through the house, you're left with a big heap of ribbon that you leave in the office.

"How much ribbon did you use?" you ask, impressed by the pile.

"Five or six 150 yard rolls? I've got a few more in the closet. Not sure what to do with it all," he answers.

"Maybe we could use it in our wedding?" You notice how Jake's smile broadens when I say 'our wedding'.

Jake whips up dinner in record time as you get some champagne flutes out and uncork the champagne. You pour each of you a glass and you toast.

"To a lifetime of love, happiness, and great sex," Jake says without a hint of irony, making you almost spit out your drink laughing.

"I'm not sure that's the wedding toast to use, but you've got time to figure out something more appropriate."

"Speaking of that, what's your vision for the wedding? I'm curious." Jake asks as you eat.

You ponder for a minute, 

"Probably on the smaller side, ceremony outdoors, fun reception, nothing too stuffy, mostly. I haven't thought of a lot of details, just the overall feeling of it. You?"

"Similar, although probably more people, my mom's side of the family is at least 40 people if you include kids. Speaking of which, do you want it to be an adults only wedding or have kids attend?"

"Definitely kids, I'm not giving up my opportunity to see you dance with Ellie and Gigi. That would be so damn cute."

Jake looks relieved, 

"That's good, the best weddings I've been to have been the big Italian ones with all generations attending."

You've finished eating; Jake takes the plates and loads them into the dishwasher as you put away the leftovers.

"So, who do we want to call first?” you ask Jake.

Without a second of hesitation, Jake says, 

"Nonna, I promised her she'd be the first to know when we got engaged and you do not break a promise to an Italian," his voice sounds particularly serious, "Especially an Italian grandmother, I'm pretty sure she's still angry at my great aunt Susan for taking her ice cream when she was a kid."

You laugh at the idea of Nonna being angry at Jake for anything. Jake takes a photo of your hand and texts it to Nonna, with the message 

"Video call when you can."

"Your grandmother texts?" you ask.

Jake just laughs, 

"She has a Twitter account, that's how up to date she is."

Seconds later Nonna's name pops up on the screen, Jake accepts the call and you are greeted by Nonna's smiling face.

"Hello Jakey and Elsa, I take it you have news to tell me?"

Jake and you respond over each other as you hold up your hand, 

"We're engaged!"

Nonna beams with happiness,

"Congratulations, I'm so happy for you two, so in love, it's wonderful."

She points at the phone presumably at Jake, 

"I told you the sauce would work, Jake, another happy marriage to add to the list."

There's a muffled voice off camera, "Ma, who are you talking to?"

You recognize Aunt Nancy as she dips her head into the frame. You're still holding your hand up and she laser sights on the ring.

"That mean what I think it means?" she asks.

Jake responds, 

"Yes, Elsa has made me the happiest man on earth and said yes to being my wife."

"Oh, that's so sweet kiddo, I knew it wouldn't be long the way you two were at Thanksgiving," Nancy replies, the joy apparent on her face.

Jake interjects before anyone can say anything else, 

"We'll let you go, we're going to call Mom and Dad. Don't spoil the surprise, I know you two."

Nancy and Nonna look a little sheepish and you laugh.

"Let's call your parents before we get scooped by your Aunt and Nonna," Jake nods his head in agreement. Jake dispenses with the text and goes straight to the video call.

Sharon picks up and you see she's at home in the kitchen,

She is her usually chipper self, 

"Hey Jake, hi Elsa, what's up?"

"Anyone else there with you?" Jake asks.

"Oh yeah, the whole gang's here," she swivels the phone around and we can see Mike, Alicia, the girls, and Tom sitting at the kitchen table. She turns the camera back,

"Good, less phone calls tonight. You can tell Ellie and Gigi that they will soon have an Aunt Elsa," he's smirking knowing it will take them a little bit to figure it out.

Ellie's voice shouts over everyone else, 

"They're getting married, he did put a ring on it!”

You hold your hand up, 

"Yup, we're engaged!"

There is a roar of congratulations and "oh my gods" and then the phone is quickly whisked away from Sharon and you see Ellie's face briefly before it lands on Mike and Alicia smooshed together.

"Congrats!" Alicia offers, Mike just says, in older brother fashion, "Finally."

Jake sticks his tongue out at his brother.

"We've got a few more people to call, so we'll let you go. Mom, I'll call you tomorrow," Jake wraps up the call.

"Let me text Lanie," you don't want to disrupt her if she's in the middle of a tattoo. You text a picture of your hand and the ring.

You don't have to wait long, a video call come through and you can see Lanie smiling,

"Finally! So happy for you and Jake, aww, I get a bro in law now, awesome. Just what I've always wanted."

"Aww, I get a pesky little sister now, just like I've always wanted. I'd give you a high five right now, but that's a little hard through the phone," Jake jokes.

Lanie's head is pushed to the side and joined by one with blue eyes and blond hair.

"Hi, I'm Sophia. Congrats, ooh I like your ring," she says as she jumps into the conversation. Lanie raises an eyebrow and taps her temple like she's storing some information for later.

"Thanks, nice to meet you, at least through video," you let her know.

"I've heard so much about you guys, looks like we'll be heading your way for a wedding," Sophia has sat down next to Lanie and thrown her arm around her.

Lanie jumps into the conversation, "Sorry to let you go so early, but we have a dinner reservation to get to. I'll call you tomorrow, Elsa. Congrats on making my sister an honest woman, Jake. Bye!"

Jake and you are laughing as Lanie hangs up.

"El, not to be a downer on this joyous occasion, but do you want to tell your parents?" Jake asks tentatively, his hands interlacing with yours.

You think for a moment, 

"I should, it might be a wake-up call for my mom, and at least my dad should know. I just don't want to talk to her right now."

You pause and think of the best way to contact them, 

"I'm going to go the easy way out of this and just text them. That way I can control the communication."

"That sounds good, your terms." Jake has moved to rubbing a soothing circle on your back. You lean over to kiss him before you write the text.

Group Chat: 'Rents

You: Jake and I are engaged. More details to follow.

You hit send and let the tension zip away with the electrons sending the text to Michigan.

"That's done, what next?" you ask Jake, " I figure we'll tell Rooster and Lydia tomorrow when we meet them for dinner."

"Lydia is going to freak out, she's been texting me daily to man up and do it finally," he lets out a long sigh,

"As for the rest of the evening, I've got a few ideas of activities I would like to explore with my fiancee.”Jake is wearing a devilish grin that brings a smile to your face.

Elsa's Ring

Chapter 19

@kmc1989

@starswholistenanddreamsanswered

@mamachasesmayhem

@callmemana  

@dempy

@hangmanscoming  

@lanie-k 

@callsign-viper  

@senjoritanana  

@djs8891

@atarmychick007

@memoriesat30

@midnightmagpiemama

@mygyn

[faejilly]

@foodsies4me replied to "WIP Folder Game"

I want to know everything about narwhal 2

So a billionty years ago this was a prompt meme request (I got two separate narwhals, thus the number) for "keep coming back to the same place" (#1 turned into a 3k word pre-canon one-shot about Esther Sinclair again; she is my premiere blorbo atm, in case anyone hadn't noticed)

This one is however a Malec Epilogue Fic about Magnus dealing with the Institute and Alec's position and where he should maybe fit within that? Weirdly, so far, it's mostly Jace & Magnus talking while watching Alec sparring with a slew of random Shadowhunters (who are actually the OCs from my bb!bau agent fics, but that is entirely irrelevant beyond the fact that it amuses me).

“I know I am biased,” Magnus begins a few minutes later, pausing while Jace snorts at him in not unjustified derision. “But he’s very good at this, isn’t he?”

“Which this?” Jace glances at him sideways, just enough of a smile on his face to warn Magnus that he’s going to be difficult. “Getting sweaty so you can ogle him? He does seem to have prioritized that.”

[doublejango]

A text from Jillian appears of Blitz’ screen.

Hey BB. I heard ya met my son, Phel.

Be careful talking to him. He isn’t too understanding on that business between you and the prince.

He’s a sweetheart, just a bit of a black N white thinker.

💖Jillian F.

@copaceticjillybean

Jilly had her own notifiction-tone on his phone, so when Blitz heard it, he immediately lit up with a smile. As he read, though, he raised his eyebrows. Phel was her son? Adopted? Huh! Jilly really was one of the best damn Sinners in Hell!

>>Thanks 4 the heads up Jilly >> I appreciate you >>If he can't be civil though whatever happens is on him

Maybe that last one wasn't exactly the kindest reply, Blitz thought, but it was the truth. He wasn't going to bow and scrape to anyone, especially someone incapable of seeing beyond "me have status, you have none," which was what it sounded like Jilly was warning him about. If this guy decided to become a problem? So would Blitz.

The imp's days of even pretending to respect anyone higher than him had ended the day Andrealphus almost got him killed, and there was no coming back from that--

Nor should there be.

[thehazbins]

OOC // We are home and settled back in slightly, we did end up going to the shop today, tomorrow we've straight up said no we're sleeping. So I'll miss one of the last few days of the shop being open. But I'll be there for the last three. So tomorrow I am sleeping. Tonight I might try to work on replies, I'm actually feeling in a better headspace so I might utilize that while I can.

So for who I owe I believe it is:

copaceticjillybean (Lux @Jilly)

girlishgiggle (Rosie @ Mimzy)

sinfuldxgenerates (Lux @ Emily)

sharp-shooter-no-more-moxxie (Rosie @ Moxxie)

outofradios (Rosie @ Alastor)

hez-the-fallen (Rosie @ Hez)

hez-the-fallen (Lux @ Hez)

keeperofquestions (Thea @ Phel)

keeperofquestions (Lux @ Phel)

countlessrealities (Lilith @ Vaggie)

mages-pandoras-box (Velvette @ Charlie)

mages-pandoras-box (Lux @ Stolas)

rocxyoulikeahurricane (Eve @ Adam)

hells-greatestdad (Lilith @ Lucifer)

hells-greatestdad (Lilith @ Lucifer)

[embellishedbookworm]

@feeling-horsey replied to your post “i mean, i said i'd be back, but i'm sleepy. not...”:

You should get some sleep Jilly

​you're not wrong, but tumblr being this active now is really nice.

[z0mbieb0ybyersblog]

and it feels like the start of a movie I've seen before before

“But it's not real and you don't exist and I can't recall the last time I was kissed. It hits me in the car and it feels like the end of a movie I've seen before.."

pairing: James Potter x Regulus Black, James Potter x Lily Evans, minor Dorlene (if you squint)

warnings: Fluff, Angst, Major Character Death, semi non canon character replies

word count: 1.5k

ao3 tags: Angst, Fluff and Angst, Sad Ending, Modern Era, Endgame James Potter/Lily Evans Potter, Minor James Potter/Lily Evans Potter, Alternate Universe Muggle, Minor Sirius Black/Remus Lupin, Minor Marlene McKinnon/Dorcas Meadowes

summary:

basically Jegulus starter with Jilly endgame, based off cellings by Lizzy McAlpine!!

originally posted on ao3

It was a lovely night; everyone was over at Marlene and Dorcas' place for a game night, and everyone was having so much fun well, besides Regulus, who couldn't pull his eyes off James and Lily; Regulus wouldn't say it, but he had a thing for James, and when he heard James liked Lily he couldn't help but feel jealous.

Regulus' jealousy soon brought him sadness. Once Sirius found Regulus in a drunken state crying, and when Sirius asked his brother what the matter was, Regulus sobbed James' name and ranted how he was stupid for ever falling for James. That same night Sirius spent his time caring for his brother because he knew how he felt because he had gone through something similar. Regulus doesn't like to bring up his crush on his brother's friend, but Sirius knew it was still there and would be for a long time.

"I might head home soon.." Regulus told the group, who were now playing their third round of uno, because Peter kept winning each game. "Aw, Reggie, one more game?" Mary whined, causing Regulus to send daggers at her because the use of the nickname he always hated.

"Can't. I have to open tomorrow," Regulus explained, and Sirius got hit with a sudden idea, "Shit, Reg, I said I would give you a ride, right?" Sirius asked

"Yeah, it's fine. You don't have to-"

"No, it's not fine, um, James! You said you have to leave soon, right?" Sirius asked, turning to his friend. "Yep, right after this game, and.." James said, placing down his last card. "I just won it." James laughed as Marlene groaned. 

"Great! You think you can bring my brother home?" Sirius asked, and Regulus gave him a death glare as he realized what he was planning. "Um, sure, Regulus; you ready to go now?" James asked, walking to the door to put his shoes on.

"Yeah.."

"Great! Let's go."

 

--

 

It was a quiet ride to Regulus' apartment; Regulus was afraid if James said anything, he would want to throw himself at him. 

"Regulus.." James spoke.

"Yeah?" Regulus asked as they arrived at his apartment.

"I have to confess something.." James paused " Im.. I'm in love with you," James explained softly as he turned to face Regulus, who sat there stunned. "No- No, you don't.. James, you're in love with Lily-" Regulus spoke but was cut short as James softly touched his cheek. "Regulus, I haven't been in love with Lily for a long time, and I've loved you for a while now, actually probably longer than I've loved anyone else-" James explains as Regulus cuts him off by kissing him. The kiss was sweet; it felt like something Regulus had longed for a long time.

"James, I feel the same way.." Regulus says as he pulls back a bit to catch his breath.

James smiles as he kisses Regulus again.

 

--

 

PING

Regulus groaned as he picks up his phone from the side table beside his bed. His phone read six o'clock; he saw a few notifications from Pandora and a new message from Sirius.

 

Sirius 06:00am

I'm guessing you got home safe.

 

Regulus 06:01am

Shut up.

Sirius 06:00am

What? I can't see if my little brother got home safe?

Regulus 06:03am

Your stupid plan worked, by the way.

 

Sirius 06:03am

WHAT?! 

Are you being serious right now?

 

Sirius 06:04am

Regulus, look at your damn phone

 

Sirius 06:05am

I'm going to strangle you, I swear to god

REGULUS!

I'm going to literally kill you.

 

Regulus 06:06am

Yes, I'm being serious.

Sirius 06:06am

OH MY GOD! 

You should tell me everything

wait don't

actually do

Regulus 06:07am

Im good.

Sirius 06:07am

AHH

Well, just tell me, what did he do? Did he spend the night or something?

 

Regulus 06:09am

No, he didn't spend the night.

 

Sirius 06:09am

THEN WHAT HAPPENED??

 

Regulus 06:10am

I have to get ready for work. Call me later.

 

Sirius 06:10am

Ugh fine

 

Regulus wasn't lying when he said James didn't spend the night. After James' confession and their make-out session, James explained how he loved Regulus and will always love Regulus, and Regulus swooned over every word. The same night James asked if Regulus would be his boyfriend, and Regulus happily accepted.

 

--

 

Now, it had been a little over a year since the two had got together, and everyone was so happy and excited for them. Sirius was the most ecstatic for them; hell, it was his plan that got them together in the end.  When Regulus told James about Sirius' plan and how it worked, James couldn't help but laugh because James told Sirius beforehand about his crush on Regulus and figured that helped Sirius make the plan. 

"Hey, is it okay if I leave a bit early today," James asked his boss, who was sorting out stuff in her office.

"Why are you rushing to leave us today, James? You have a date?" His boss joked. "Yeah, I do have a date. I'm meeting my boyfriend for dinner," James explained. "Well then, yes, you can leave a bit early. Not much happing here today cause of the storm. I hope this rain doesn't ruin your date."

"Nah, it won't. Well, if I'm free to go, I'm going to head out now, have a goodnight, Sue." James said as he gathered his things to leave.

 

James 06:37pm

Hey love, I just got off work, and Im heading to the restaurant now!

 

Regulus 06:37pm

Okay. Im stuck in traffic right now, so I might be a little late. 

 

James 06:39pm

K ill just get the table while I wait for you

 

James 06:56pm

Okay, I just got the table!

 

James 07:10pm

Hey love just checking in and seeing how close you are

 

James 07:10pm

Regulus?

Hey, are you okay?

Regulus?

 

James 07:24pm

Okay I'm really starting to get worried please reply

Love?

Babe?

Hello?

Regulus?

 

James had his full attention on his phone, praying everything was okay and hoping Regulus would walk through the door at that very moment; nothing would grab his focus until he heard the television from over the bar.

"Breaking News, multiple crew on the scene work their hardest to pull a car out of the river after it hydroplanes off the highway."

"excuse me, can you please turn it up," James asks as he approaches the bar, "sure," The bartender replies.

"They have successfully removed the car from the river, and the crew is now bringing the driver to the hospital as I speak." James' heart stops when he realizes it was Regulus’ car, or a car that looked like his; in seconds, James runs out of the restaurant to get into his car and speeds to the hospital, praying to whoever would listen that Regulus was not dead. 

 As James got to the hospital, he felt his heart pumping with adrenaline; it felt like it could beat out of his chest. "Uh- The person on the news.. is he here? Is he alive?" James asked the person at the front. "Um.." The front desk worker checked her computer. "Yes, he just got here.. but sir-" She started but was cut off by James' pleas. "No, don't, don't say it,"

 "Sir, he didn't make it... He passed away on the way to the hospital." She explained; James covered his mouth as his eyes became glossy.

 "James?" a voice spoke from behind him; when James turned around, he saw Sirius and Remus standing there. They had just arrived. "James, is he here? Is my brother here?" Sirius asked, and James could not speak as he looked at Sirius.

 "James.. is my brother alive.." Sirius asked as his voice trembled, and all James could do was hug Sirius, and Sirius knew what this meant; it meant his little brother was gone. 

Sirius began to sob as James held him tighter.

 

--

 

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP-

James groaned as he reached the side table beside his bed to turn off his phone alarm.

It had been two years since Regulus drownd, and everything was so different. There would be days when Sirius would reach for his phone to call his brother but then remember he couldn't; everyone mourned Regulus, especially James. For the longest time, he believed it was his fault Regulus died; he was the reason Regulus was on the highway that night so it must be his fault.

His friend would always remind him it wasn't his fault, but deep down, he believed it was. "mm, what time is it?" Lily asked as she rolled over to her side, softly putting an arm on James' chest. "five thirty, I have to get ready for work, but you should go back to sleep," James explained softly as Lily yawned. "Alright, have a good day at work, love," Lily said, falling back asleep. "Thanks, dear..' He said, getting up and kissing her on the head.

He started dating Lily only a few months ago; it took James a long time before he could fall in love again, he honestly felt guilty because he told Regulus he had only loved him, but here he is now, dating Lily...

[fakebatmanfan]

To celebrate making it to 50 followers, I have decided to add a letter replying system to the list of things I'll write. Thank you very much for all your support so far, you all really mean a lot to me <3

Rules for Letters

I write for any of the characters I primarily write for, as listed on my rules for requests.

While I do allow NSFW content to be written, please keep in mind there is a real person reading and replying to these (me, Jilly!).

Keep in mind this is going to be published publicly, too.

No images or gifs.

As with my normal writing, please keep things period accurate and avoid mentioning things that did not exist within the year whatever media came out in.

Please write and structure letter asks as you would an actual letter. I understand if English isn't your first language, but please avoid using, for example, "u" instead of "you".

How to Format a Letter Ask

Context: What is your relationship to the character you're writing to? Where are they? Who are you? Why are you writing? Etc, etc.

Appearance: What does the letter look like? What's your penmanship like? Are there any unusual marks on the letter? Anything attached? Etc, etc.

The Letter Itself:

To my dearest (character),

Contents of the letter, bla bla bla...

With love, from your precious gumdrop.

(Please note that all letter asks which fail to follow these rules will be deleted. Thank you.)