#the orbs of displeasure. orbs of frustration

[a-boca-do-inferno]

medicine (caesar x human!reader)

summary: The ape colony is short on painkillers for humans, except Caesar learned a lot in his time living with them. Lucky for you.

warnings: period mention, interspecies (mild)smut

words: 1.9k

notes: lol yeah another one... im just enjoying it while i can ok. my vacation ends next month 💀 boa leitura!

It couldn’t be later than midnight. You hissed as your cramps only got harsher and harsher. In the cold everything became much worse, and this time was no different. You curled up towards Maurice to try and borrow some warmth from his fur, yet it felt helpless; your body shook like a leaf, and the pain in your womb was ridiculous.

Noticing your distress, Maurice wakes up from his sleep and signs with a worried expression, “I call Caesar?”

You shake your head even before he can say his name. The ape king had more important matters to attend to than your stupid human cramps. On top of it all, it was his resting moment now. You wouldn’t bother him with this. “No. Let him sleep.”

“Herbs?”

“Doesn’t work.” You grunt in frustration, signing with a frown. “I’m fine. By morning it will get better. It’s just the cold.”

“Winter start now.” Maurice argues, still with his gentleness in every word. You only nod in response and he insists, pointing towards Caesar’s tent. “Talk tomorrow. He can help. Lived with humans… before.”

Your eyes fell on the king sleeping a few feet away from you. Could Maurice really have a point? Perhaps Caesar indeed knew some trick to help with period cramps. You did hear he was brought up with human parents, which meant he must’ve had a woman around—you never touched on the subject out of respect, since you two weren’t close. Exchanging a last look with the orangutan, you displayed another short nod. A wave of pain reached your abdomen again and you sighed quietly, burying yourself in ginger fur, despite it being fruitless at that point.

The next day, the colony was awake as soon as the sun was out. It was a rare morning with sunlight and you thanked heavens mentally, appreciating the heat, even if mild, radiating from the star above. The pain had subdued considerably and you took the opportunity to help with supper. Sometimes you helped Maurice in school, but being on your feet proved to make matters worse those days.

You settled around the fire with the girls who tended to cooking. As you were in the middle of grilling fish, a hand touched your shoulder and you turned to face Caesar beating a tight expression. You stood up immediately to greet him, showing your respect for the king. You tried your best to look obedient to his power, as you were well aware of their history with humans, and his reaction was always the same—a dismissive hand gesture, green eyes softening gradually. However, his gaze remained serious now, and you gulped in anticipation.

“Cramps?” Caesar points to your stomach, his gravelly voice a low sound.

Your cheeks heat up and you want to roll your eyes, but refrain from doing so. Maurice and his gigantic mouth. You had hoped he’d forgotten about last night’s talk. Gesturing sheepishly, you stare at the floor. “It’s fine. The sun helps.” You motion upwards to prove your point.

Caesar glances at the pink sky and notices the big star almost fading in the horizon, then back at you. Your inability to keep eye contact with him didn’t go unnoticed, either, making him narrow his green orbs. The muscles in his jaw jump, and he grumbles, his face unimpressed, “sun not here at night.”

“I know, but...”

“But?” He challenges, raising a brow. The king crossed his arms over his chest, a gesture that made him even more menacing. You were used to his imposing presence—the tall and muscular build, the scars on his body, the permanent look of seriousness—yet there were few things more intimidating than seeing Caesar like this, with his displeasure directed at you.

You take a deep breath, trying your best to sound convincing even though you felt like a child being reprimanded. “But I have Maurice to…”

“Maurice... ratted you out. Like humans… say.” Caesar cuts you off with a hint of amusement, in contrast with his dry voice. Carefully, he takes your shirt in his large hands, lifting the fabric to expose your belly without so much as a request for permission; not that he needed it, anyway. His calloused fingers made goose bumps on your skin while navigating your soft form. He lets go of you and signs sharply. “Need medicine. Can’t stay like this.”

You furrow your brows. “They don’t work, Caesar, but it’s okay. It’s just a couple of days. It’ll go away.”

He stops for a moment, contemplating your protests. His gaze flicks to your eyes, acute and intense, making you shrink under his scrutiny. “Not okay. Pain… too much.” Surely the ape would never let you be writhing in pain every night, no matter if it was but a week. With a final huff, Caesar then orders, “you stay with me tonight.”

“But I...” At the look he shoots you, you know there’s no more arguing. The king has spoken. With a defeated sigh, you nod and watch him step away on his hind legs, towering over the others. You mutter under your breath, “God, I miss democracy.” 

As the day went on, you did your best to ignore the annoying throb in your abdomen, knowing you'd be glared at by Caesar if he caught you grimacing again. A low hum of crickets began to fill the night air as the apes settled down around the fire. The hour grew late and the campsite gradually became quiet, the crackling bonfire the only source of light and life. 

You were eating fish alongside Maurice and Rocket, laughing at something the ginger spoke about the kids in school today. On the other side of the circle, green eyes kept vigilant over you with no subtlety at all. You couldn’t help but feel your cheeks burning at the attention. Caesar finished his meal, glancing towards you through the darkness as you remained by the fire after everyone was gone. He slowly made his way over, his massive figure casting a shadow as he approached you. 

With some lightheartedness he signs, extending a hand, “time to rest.” Your eyes follow his gestures and you take his palm. He guides you toward his tent in considerable silence before closing the curtain-like branches draped over the entrance, hooting faintly as he points to his nest. “Lie down.”

You obey him, your breathing slowly increasing its pace. You clasp your hands over your stomach anxiously, intertwining your fingers. “What are you gonna do?”

Caesar scans over you for a moment, noting the tension in your demeanour. “Massage.” He grunts, moving to sit next to you, his muscles rippling with his every movement. The ape pries apart your hands, replacing them with his own much larger ones, his palms settling on your abdomen similar to how he did earlier. He eyes your reactions closely. “May… I?”

You didn’t respond with words, silently granting Caesar permission to go on with his idea. Hooting again, a sound that almost felt like he was trying to soothe your nerves, his rough skin made contact with your tender one, brushing and squeezing it in fairly skilful ways. In spite of the awkwardness of the situation, you found yourself relaxing under his ministrations, your eyelids fluttering shut from time to time. The ape didn’t say much as he worked, green orbs fixated on your expressions while continuing to move his hands in small circles over your womb area. His face was nearly unreadable, the usual stoic frown now replaced by a look of concentration.   

The ape kept going, a low grumble escaping him every now and then as he tried to maintain the pressure at a certain point to make the pain dissipate. You had no idea when it shifted in nature, yet all of a sudden, his movements seemed a lot more sensual than anything. Your interior was only getting hotter by the minute, accompanied by the clear flush on your face. It’s the hormones. It’s the hormones. It’s the hormones. Your attempts at making yourself believe in those affirmations were unsuccessful, pathetic at best; and it all came down crumbling when the quietest moan left your throat, causing Caesar to freeze and stop with the massage.

You stare at him with widened eyes, embarrassment and fear encapsulated in your features, and you immediately sit up and sign in desperation, your tone just as urgent, “I’m… I’m sorry, Caesar, please. It was just…”

A dark look passed over Caesar’s face as he watched you stumble on yourself with apologies. Without a word, his stare dropped to your body once more, the fingers in your abdomen applying more pressure against the flesh, feeling the heat as you reacted to his touch. He could smell your scent changing and a guttural sound escaped his lips as his green eyes glanced at you unblinking, his hand slowly drifting down your womb and stopping on your pelvis deliberately. 

You inhaled sharply, in surprise and excitement, the realisation hitting you like a brick. The ape curled his digits and resumed the massage, his nostrils flaring as he huffed, clearly aroused. Your faces stood inches apart, his hot, heavy breath against you blowing your hair lightly. You put your arm around his neck and he grunted in appreciation, his expression softening at the way you whimpered in pleasure, begging for more. His fingers rubbed circles on your clit through your clothes in a steady rhythm, causing you to bury your face in his furry neck, gasping.

“I’m gonna…”

Caesar heaved in your ear encouragingly and it was the final straw. You came against his hand, squeezing your thighs in reflex whilst he kept massaging your heat through your orgasm. The ape king continued to look at you eagerly and you tried to get out of his grasp, ashamed of what just transpired. He swallowed thickly, holding onto your forearm to prevent you from scooting away, and pressed your foreheads together.

He hooted, grabbing your palm and taking it to his leg. Your gaze followed his movement and you noticed how excited he was, too. Your mind was hazy from your high just a few seconds ago, then it dawned on you that he felt as aroused as you by what happened. It wasn’t just you and your period hormones. It never even crossed your mind that it was possible for him to desire you this way. You cupped his cheeks as your heads stayed pressed to one another, closing your eyes, his scent intoxicating your system.

Caesar nuzzled your cheek, inhaling the sweet smell of you in as much as he could, making sure to memorise each and every inch of your scent under his touch. He ran his hand to place it on the nape of your neck, guiding your body towards his, until you were sitting on his lap, straddling his massive frame. The action brought your chest flush with his, a low rumble escaping him when your curves brushed his bare skin. He found the crook of your shoulder, his tongue trailing a path over the sensitive area, making you shiver. The king huffed again, his free hand sliding up your leg to grip a handful of your flesh, pulling you closer—his grip kept you in place, letting him claim you in any way he wanted.

“Cold?” He hums, still nuzzling you.

The sensation causes you to blush deeper, caressing his chin. “Not anymore.”

“Cramp?” Caesar rasps inquisitively, placing a warm palm on your belly again.

You snort and shake your head. “No. Your medicine worked... Thanks.”

You can swear there’s a smirk on his lips as he nods once, holding your hips protectively. “Good.” He presses you closer to him and huffs, and you understand it right away. Your doctor’s appointment wasn’t over yet, it seemed.

[importantglittersuit]

Prisms of Parallels

An Invincible Multiverse chronicle

A Mark Grayson x Oc storyline

In the vast existence of the Multiverse, there are infinite possibilities, infinite outcomes. For each one there are events or people that change the course of each universe. This is one of them.

[Dimension:Unknown]

[Beachside territory] [location:unknown] [Date:unknown]

The soft caress of ocean waves lap against gold color sand. 

Winds create a gentle breeze to the pleasing climate.

Sitting in the sand, a young couple, husband and wife, sit alongside each other.

A new life swaddled in soft cotton, cooing curiously at the world around them, content in their arms.

A song falling from their lips was would only forever be hers.

Hers for life.

~

What is life in the eyes of the expanse that is the  universe? 

Fragility? 

Borrowed moments?

Truth?

A lie?

Such questions should not be on the mind of someone so young.

To be asking such questions at a funeral was both inappropriately appropriate and appropriately inappropriate. 

She wished her grandfather lived forever but that would not happen.

At least he left her with one that that would be immortal.

Wrapped up in blessing to her by incantations.

~

Change is not always linear.

It can be daunting or thrilling.

Never easy.

“I want to stay.”

Her parents exchanged a worried glance. She had voiced her displeasure and would not back down without a fight.

Yet it was necessary to have this change.

She refused to look at them, tears of frustration in her eyes.

“I want to stay home.”

“Home, is where we make it, little one.”

“No! Home is here! This is our home!”

She ran to her small room, upset, determined not to stay.

Her father found her hiding under a blanket as he hummed her song.

She peered from her shield of blankets, watching as he held a small floating orb of water, shaping it to any animal she loved.

Once she leaned against him did he say,” Home is where we make it, where you are, where your heart is.”

“But....it makes me sad.”

“It will not be forever. You are my little fighter. My little lobo. I believe in you. Can you believe in yourself?”

“....I can try.”

~

Change is not fun.

Is what she decided.

What she thought for days.

Being in a new place she doesn’t  know is not fun.

Not having friends is not fun. 

Being teased is not fun.

She glared at the seat in front of her on the school bus. Others were laughing too loudly or being too annoying. All day long they were like that.

She wanted to be apart of it cause it sounded fun.

At lunch, she liked to sit near the trees, listen to the wind, look at the birds and squirrels.

This made her strange to the other children.

A soft broken warble caught her attention; a baby bird had fallen out of its nest, injured. Scrambling to its aid, holding it in her hands; its small frail body covered in scrapes.

She looked around making sure no one was near before taking her water bottle, pouring water over the small hatchling.

The drops stopped falling before they hit the ground, reversed, before curling around the little bird. The liquid glowing until the bird chirped, fully healed.

She pet its head smiling.

~

Her love for animals turned to be the icebreaker between her and her classmates. 

It was exciting to share the love of animals with them making them reciprocate their joy of being with her.

She also loved people, abeit to a degree but loved them nonetheless.

Which is why she wanted to help.

Her parents did not share her enthusiasm however.

Definitely not when she asked her mother to craft her a suit that would adapt to her abilities seamlessly.

��Why don’t you support me?”

“Because it is dangerous!

“There are many people with powers helping people everyday!,” she argued.

“They can mean well all they want but will not mean well for you at the end! Not who they really work for!”

She blinked confused as her father held her shoulders:”You  want to help, that is noble, you want to protect that is who you are. But they do not see the way you do. Here and in many places they make the choice between being good people or saving people. They have no rules between the two only that you can’t be both.”

“Then I will make my own rules.”

Her father gritted his teeth as her mother sighed, looking for incantation book:”you can make your own but the difficulty is following them.”

~

Sighing, she let the agents drive past once again while hiding in an alley.

They were stubbornly persistent, she would give them that.

Yet, she could evade them however long they pleased until understood she was not interested in the slightest.

She looked around about to shift back when her mind sensed an energy spike manifesting.

She was quicker shifting her hand into sharp diamond aimed at this new presence.

Said presence blinked:”I just purchased this suit.”

His only response to his words was her narrowing her eyes at him. Well what he assumed were her eyes. Her liquid form simply gave her silhouette but no distinguishable features for him to identify her.

In simple terms, her identity was hidden and obscured from him.

He continued:”we’ve been watching you, fighting I mean. You do good work, make sure civilians are safe from harm. You don’t make too much of a mess but that’s usually unavoidable. We assume you mean no harm.”

She didn’t assure him of anything.

Opening his jacket, he pulled out a card:” Cecil Steadmen, I work with the GDA. I’d like to make you an offer.”

Lowering the arm that was diamond before returning it to liquid, she took the card, letting it swish around in the water.

This Cecil raised a brow:” Not a talker, that’s fine. Can I at least have your name?”

He was surprised when she simply disappeared into thin air.

Even despite calling his team to track her movements, how could they track the wind?

In all seriousness, how could they when she became the wind before materializing back into herself a good ways away.

Holding her side she winced, definitely sore, no open wound though as always but the strength training has been helping as of late.

Tapping the concrete wall, flexing her hand over the smooth surface did it open itself, the small compartment hiding her belongings, including her phone.

A lot of missed messages from her cousins.

They were waiting for her to start dinner.

~

It was helpful that most of her family knew of her abilities; each member had at least one themselves just not to the strength nor degree she had hers.

It was both a blessing and a curse as they say.

Luckily they were all past the age of it being their defining attribute as well as a means of envy.

They had other things to worry about.

For instance, today’s priority was lunch.

She was offered by one of the cousins to help pick up some burgers.

As they drove, her older cousin chuckled hearing their phones ping with message nonstop on what to get.

Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, her cousin couldn’t help but snicker:” cheer up. Today is Saturday. And Saturdays at BurgerMart are always fun.”

“Getting hamburgers on a Saturday during lunch rush is fun?”

“It’s fun because every Saturday there’s a cute cashier working. He’s not my type but nice to look at. I think he might be your type.”

Rolling her eyes again, she went inside to order the  burgers for everyone. Naturally it was a long line for the lunch rush.

When it was finally her turn, she realized her cousin wasn’t lying that the cashier boy was cute.

Perhaps she was staring too long because he looked up from the register to double take before coughing.

He stuttered:” wel-hmm! Welcome to BurgerMart! May I take your order?”

She tried her best to not smirk as his ears grew pink.

Looking at her phone then back at him, she couldn’t help it.

“Hmmm may you tell me which combo meal includes your phone number?”

It took him a moment to register what she said, his face turning scarlet when he did.

He stuttered for a few moments before squeaking:”I - I take my break in....ten minutes..”

“Then I guess I’m waiting ten minutes.”

He couldn’t function properly while taking the food order.

And once he was on his break, he couldn’t help but rub his neck, face still flushed.

As she put his information in her phone she asked:”Do you prefer Markus or Mark?”

“I actually prefer my middle name Sebastian.”

“Noted.”

“And you?”

She hummed placed a finger on his chest:”For now you can call me Loba. It means wolf in Spanish. It’s a nickname.”

He stuttered again as she walked away, not being able to tear his gaze from her. Once she was gone, he immediately called his best friend.

“Will! You won’t believe what just happened!”

His coworkers gave him a side eye.

“He’s not going to shut up about this for days, let alone today.”

“Kill me now.”

Their manager snapped at them to get back to work making them scramble yet one questioned:”what kind of nickname is wolf?

The other grabbed the mop:”I don’t know. Maybe it means something. Like something deeper.”

“I guess you’re right.”

They began to clean and mop, ignoring the tv playing in the background showing a hero that switched between water and solid diamond. Nameless yet strong.

[Dimension: Located]

A/N-My first go at a story, chapter total unknown as of yet. Always appreciate constructive criticism and advice as well as comment interactions or questions. Thank you.

[exquisiteserotonin]

Ternion

Word count: 3.3K

Pairing: Young Mr. Ben SNL(as a TA, Grad Assistant)xFemale ReaderxProfessor Jonathan Levy Scenes From a Marriage

Rating: E! For explicit (18+ only, MDNI)

Warnings: Threesome, Power Imbalance, Brat Taming, Oral Sex (F! Receiving), somewhat degrading actions

Summary: Your friend and fellow graduate assistant Ben asks you to come over to his place for help with another task that your overbearing advising professor, Jonathan Levy, has dumped on the both of you.

A/N: I don’t typically subscribe to the whole professor student thing, but this was begging to be written and I hope this means I am out of my funk and my damn season of writer’s block is over. I hope you enjoy and as always reblog, comment, engage! I would love to hear from you!

And to my sluts thank you as always for giving me your magic! @magpiepillsjunior @magpiepills @youandmeand5bucks @legendary-pink-dot @pink-whiskey-woman @redhotkitchen @arcanefox207 @for-a-longlongtime

Ternion

Ternion: a group of three, a triad; a section of a paper of book containing three double leaves or twelve pages

Your eyes were beginning to glaze over as you stared at your laptop screen. It was another long afternoon of compiling participant demographics and data from your advising professor’s study in your closet of an office. You closed your laptop a little harder than you should have as you began to pack up for the day. The parking lot behind your building was nearly empty, most students having left for the day. As you drove home, you had visions of cozying up on the couch with your blanket, drinking an adult beverage, and binge watching your favorite tv show.

You were only a few miles from your house, when the infotainment screen in your car flashed with a familiar contact: Ben, your office mate and fellow graduate assistant. Deliberation coursed through the pads of your fingertips and against your better judgment you answered.

“Hey Ben, what’s up?”

“Hey,” his voice echoed with a hesitancy, “Professor Levy asked me a for a favor and I—“

“Are you serious, Ben?” You groaned in exasperation. “This is such bullshit. ”

“I know, I know—I hate to ask but would you come over and help me out?”

Say no. Say no. Say no, your brain said on repeat. Desperation wafted from his hushed voice in a way that immediately unlocked your kindness. You just knew he was pouting, running his hands through his chocolate brown hair while somehow making his already big eyes even bigger, like glassy orbs of whiskey on ice: against your silent protests that he NOT be so easy to say yes to. But aside from that he was also the kind of colleague who’d help you out in a pinch…and too damn attractive for his own good. It certainly made having him as your office mate interesting and frustrating at times.

You gripped the steering wheel before announcing your decision.

“Well, I was legitimately on my way home,” you replied with a deliberately loud sigh. “But yeah, sure.”

It was a bitch move, you knew, but you needed your displeasure to be known. A small part of you felt bad about being so vocal with your frustration. It wasn’t Ben’s fault, but he needed to know the inconvenience of it all. You would not be at your professor’s beck and call. Especially on a goddamn Friday night.

“Just give me some time to head over,” you huffed and added, “I can’t be over there in a snap like Professor Levy would want.

“Hey now,” Ben spoke in a firm whisper that somehow still held a hint of kindness despite your bite, “don’t shoot the messenger.”

You turned the car around and headed to Ben’s house. You found parking on the street and walked up the stairs to the door of his small Brownstone. You pushed the doorbell and found yourself brushing your hands through your waves and cautiously smelling yourself.

Passable. You thought to yourself.

Then he answered the door, emerging in a snug navy blue v-neck and loose gray sweatpants slung low on his narrow hips. A hint of skin teased you between the hem of his shirt and the elastic of his pants. They held onto his hips for dear life with nothing but the insurance of a haphazardly tied drawstring. You nearly whimpered at the sight of him.

What a fucking tease. Get a hold yourself, woman.

You breezed through his door without a word, trying to quell your craving and channel it to the frustration you felt with your advising professor. This was his fault anyway.

“Um…hello to you, too,” he greeted.

Your hands were placed firmly on your hips when you turned back to face him. One of his brows was cocked at you, already waiting for another snarky response. You couldn’t help but pout back at him. He knew you too well.

“Just like him to not give you a weekend off,” you huffed.

“You don‘t even know what I‘m going to ask you,” his voice was low and sterner than you had ever heard before. “I‘m starting to think you like a little fight.“

The way his eyes bore into you was so deep, it was nearly a glare. He held his chin up in the slightest way, arrogant enough that it demanded your attention to his strong neck. It wasn’t long before you felt tiny sparks of electricity traveling over every inch of skin of your body. It didn’t help that he stood with his hips pushed forward in the most arrogant and un-Ben-like way.

“Wow, if only you could give a little bit of that attitude back to Professor Levy,” you said with some bite and unconstrained breathiness.

Conveying the facade of confidence was important. Especially in situations like this.

Ben stepped forward, his shirt and sweatpants clinging against his body in exactly the right way.

“You’re only proving me right,” he purred, now only inches from you.

Do not moan. Do not moan. Do not moan.

“Just give her what we know she needs, Ben,” you heard a polished voice command from the shadows of another room.

A different kind of heat crept over your face and neck after hearing the familiar voice.

What were the chances?

You looked towards the shadows to see Professor Levy swaggering towards you. He pushed forward a few steps, placing his hands in his trousers pockets before leaning against the wall to watch you. His eyes were low and piercing and he licked his lips that rested beneath his salt and pepper beard.

“Of course he’s here,” it came out as the repressed moan you were fighting against.

Professor Levy nodded towards Ben in acknowledgment of some kind of unspoken agreement. Faster than you could think or speak, Ben pulled your body tightly against his, grinding against you as he pressed his lips to yours in a hungry and greedy kiss.

You didn’t expect for Ben’s lips to feel as soft as they did. They were even softer when he parted yours with a firm lick of his tongue. The heat rose within you as his large hands wrapped around your waist, finding your skin beneath your shirt as he pressed your bodies even closer together. With every move he demanded you feel every twitch of his cock for you.

“W—wait!” You gasped, pushing him from you.

Your eyes moved from Ben to Professor Levy, a strange mix of unbridled desire and anxiousness stirring in the lowest part of your stomach. Ben’s thick fingers managed to keep a possessive grip on your hips that you didn’t brush away, despite the way your brain was spinning in want of answers.

“What the fuck are you doing?” You demanded of both of them.

The two men shared another knowing look that stoked the flame of your frustration. Professor Levy raised an eyebrow before removing his glasses and wiping them on a cloth he pulled from his shirt pocket. You couldn’t help but keep your eyes on him as he strutted towards you, his fingers weaving through the gunmetal ringlets of his hair. You rolled your eyes with disdain for his insufferable ways of working, but found yourself burning from your center with intrigue at what those fingers might be able to work on you.

“Always with the snark,” your professor directed the words towards Ben who responded with a shrug and a smirk.

“You will not talk about me like I’m not in the room,” you paused, turning to him and holding your eyes directly to his, “Jonathan.”

He one more large stride forward until he, too, was inches from you.

“I think you mean professor,” he commanded, continuing to advance on you until you backed into Ben.

A moan escaped you as Ben stood like a wall behind you. With your chest heaving up and down, Professor Levy brushed a strand of hair from your face with his long, lithe fingers. Yet they didn‘t stop there. The heat continued to rise from the three of you as the professor‘s hand journeyed down the curve of your body until they met Ben‘s at your hip. They shared a look of longing before turning that desire towards you. And in the strangest turn of events, the professor’s lips were on yours with his tongue paying adoration to your pouty lower lip.

Unable to contain the desire that trembled within, you let out a long, loud whimper as Professor Levy gently trapped your lower lip with his teeth. You already thought the feeling of Ben’s throbbing cock at your lower back was enough to drive you mad, but somehow you knew you were going to be pushed to your limit the moment Professor Levy took your hand to his pants until he pushed your palm to feel him twitch with desire for you.

The part of your brain that held your common sense screamed at you, demanding you not give him the satisfaction. But every other part of it, along with every part of your body, beckoned you to give in. The feeling of Ben’s massive hand moving to the front of your waist was followed by his thick fingers inching towards the front of your jeans. You couldn’t help but pant as you felt his hot breath brush the back of your neck.

“You can’t tell me that this isn’t better than the fight you put up,” Ben’s voice came to your ear in a low growl.

He wasn’t wrong. But ever true to yourself, you bit your lip and replied with a little extra spice, “I think that remains to be seen.”

Your words made Ben snap his hips forward against you with a gravelly moan. Within Professor Levy’s mahogany eyes you could see from his heavy-lidded stare the desire the two men held for each other while searching for their reason to include you.

Professor Levy lifted your chin with a push of two strong fingers, silently ordering you to look squarely into his bespectacled eyes before he spoke, “You definitely need to be taught a lesson.”

You found yourself following him to Ben’s large leather couch, with Ben close behind you, his fingers intertwined in yours. Professor Levy took his place first like a king warming his throne. He smirked as he taunted you by unbuttoning his shirt. He manipulated each button with skillful fingers until he slipped it off and let it fall to the living room floor. He spread his legs wide as he sat, smoothing his hands over the soft fabric of pants that covered his strong thighs.

Ben nibbled playfully at your neck and then your ear with desperate and needy breaths. His warm hands slowly slid beneath your shirt, moving upwards until he massaged your breasts with paws massive enough that they made them feel small. Before you could even think your shirt was gone followed by your bra.

Professor Levy beckoned you to him as he rubbed his thighs, “Come sit here…now.”

This time, you submitted without a fight, feeling the way your skin nearly melted into his as you let your back rest against his chest. His beard tickled the skin of your ear as he licked at the bottom of it. His supple fingertips reached under your arms until they found the altar of your nipples. You rolled back against him as he tortuously began to caress, flick, and pinch them even slower and more skillfully than he had with the buttons of his shirt.

“Ben,” your professor called to your colleague, friend…inevitable lover, “come here.”

You dragged your nails along the waist of his low slung sweatpants while he lifted his shirt over his head. You kept your fingers just above his waistband while he leaned over the couch towards you and your professor. It was mesmerizing to watch how these two beautiful men looked at each other with such intimacy and longing as you lay between them. Your professor took a hand from your nipples and brought it possessively to the back of Ben’s neck, pulling his face to his before licking his bottom lip and pressing onto his mouth for a slow, sensuous kiss.

“Fuck.”

There were no other words you had that could possibly convey the carnal state of desire you had fallen into. Hungrily, you pulled at the drawstrings of Ben’s sweatpants before reaching your hand to the waistband. In a lightning fast move, your professor pulled it away, squeezing your fingers between his.

“Tsk, tsk, not without my express permission,” Professor Levy scolded in a low, buttery whisper.

Slowly, Ben positioned himself at your legs, his hands caressing your waist until he began rubbing your professor’s thighs with you. Professor Levy grabbed Ben’s hand and squeezed it before lowering his eyes to him.

He spoke with unwavering confidence coating every word as he gave Ben a command that sent shivers spiraling outward from your wet center.

“Taste her.”

The wanton darkness that overcame Ben’s eyes and the smirk that curled the corner of his upper lip coaxed your heart and your pussy to throb even more than you anticipated. Your professor’s demand spurred Ben to pull off your jeans and underwear even faster than you could put any thoughts together. You sat naked between the two men in so many more ways than you’d imagined you ever would be. Through your dizzying thoughts, Ben placed a firm grip on your legs pressing them a part.

Any words you thought you could form in your head only came out in quick, pulsing gasps. An unbridled heat spread all over your body as you felt Ben’s broad fingers handle your outer lips until they began to line themselves up at your slit.

“Jonathan, she’s so fucking wet,” his voice was hushed and his breath was so hot against your pussy.

Professor Levy’s response came out in a guttural moan that met your body by way of hands continuing to work on your nipples. The theme of surprise continued as your professor and Ben played off one another in ways that only happened when two people knew each other beyond words. Ben’s nose pressed into your mound as he licked a slow, deep stripe up your center.

“Oh my god,” You cried, finding your professor’s hand with a desperate grasp as Ben began working on your pussy with slow, luxurious and hungry swirls until he moved into a varied and unexpected pace that had you shaking, writhing, and bucking against his every move. Each time his tongue worked on you, he pushed you to the very edge of ecstasy over and over and over again.

He moved his worship to your clit and pressed his face and tongue deeper into you, eliciting a cry from you that filled the room, “Jesus, Ben, fuck oh my—Professor!!”

You pressed one hand through Ben’s waves and gripped Professor Levy’s thigh while riding your high.

“Ben, tell me what she tastes like.”

He lifted his face from your center, lips and chin dripping with your spend.

“Like heaven.”

Ben looked up at you, his eyes glassy with passion and also shining with the gleam of a man hungry for more. The sight of him caused you to whimper. You had never studied his face this way before even though you shared a small space together almost daily. The broad bridge of his nose sloped downward and he breathed you in with a playful smirk before adorning your outer lips with a delicate kiss. You thread your fingers through the disheveled locks of his hair, smiling back at him until your lips opened once more as he teased you with more caresses of his fingers.

“He’s good isn’t he?” Professor Levy growled into your ear.

Your brain was spinning, your body shaking in anticipation of what was to come next. Professor Levy reached an arm over your body, maneuvering his hand towards your neck and without missing a beat, Ben pressed his mouth onto you again sucking at your lips before he dipped his tongue into you again. He continued to venerate every fold with abandon, moaning with each taste he had of you like it were the best meal he’d ever had. You didn’t think it could get any better, especially with the pressure of your professor’s hand at your neck matching the intensity of each manipulation of Ben’s tongue.

And then…

One…two of his broad fingers reached into you, curling into your tight wet pussy while his tongue paid particular devotion to your clit.

“Ah, oh my god, fuck!” You came crying, writhing, and losing any more words the tighter your professor’s grip became.

Ben’s voice vibrated against you with a low, carnal laugh as you felt the slick sensation spill from your center onto the leather beneath you. He then pressed his hands lightly at your lower belly, causing you to shudder with even more aftershocks from your orgasm. You worked through catching your breath and looked down at him. The face he greeted you with as you caressed his wavy locks was that of a bold and satisfied man who knew he could do that to you again.

Ben rose up from the floor and leaned forward until his face was close to yours. You relaxed and leaned your head back against your professor’s as he eased his hold at your neck. In an unexpected moment of tenderness, Professor Levy threaded his fingers between yours.

Ben’s eyes shined as he looked toward you and then your professor. The simultaneously tender and sensual intimacy they shared was amplified in this quiet moment. It felt so private that you were almost embarrassed by having witnessed it.

“Wanna have a taste?” Ben asked as he pressed his thumb still damp from you to Professor Levy’s bottom lip.

Your professor took it, sucking at the tip savoring the taste of you on Ben’s skin. Heavy-lidded with lust, Professor Levy let go of Ben’s thumb and then licked his lips.

“Mmm, sweet,” he murmured with a seductive and low rumble coming from the back of his throat.

Ben stood up and lifted his chin with a proud smirk. He walked to what you assumed was his bedroom and then turned around to lean against the doorway. The way he leaned his elbow above him and his other hand resting at his hip demanded you pay attention to his defined torso. The waistband of his sweatpants sat so low that your eyes had no choice but to travel down the peppering of brown hair that led to the thick treasure you were becoming so desperate for.

A light squeeze of your thighs by your professor was your signal to stand. He walked around you and used his eyes to study every curve of your body. A light touch of his fingers beneath your chin had you breathing hard again as his gaze now demanded that you give him your own. The breath from his mouth danced upon your lips. Yet instead of taking you in for a kiss, he turned from you with his hands in his pockets. You stood naked before both men watching you, waiting for you, bodies reaching for you from a doorway to a room and to a deed that you could never really come back from.

And the decision was clear. There was no way in hell you could turn back now.

You stepped forward. The old, hardwood floors creaked beneath your feet.

“Wait,” Professor Levy called out.

You closed your eyes with a sharp intake of breath and you stopped as he had demanded. Your breath quivered as you waited for what they had in store for you.

He shared another look with Ben, his eyes lowering and the brown of them becoming devilish and dark.

“Get on your knees and crawl.”

[sketchedboba]

"A Green Queen" AU

Chapter IX

TW: Character Death

Bowser hobbled down the stairwell with Kamek trailing at his left side. His patience was low with the Prince, he'd been away from the castle longer than he expected and wanted to finish the preparations for Luigi's coronation. He hurried down the chamber and once the two had reached the bottom of the stairs were perplexed but what they could see.

Most of the hall was pitch black with a flickering blue flame coming from the end of it. Kamek nervously waved his wand to provide some light, but was stopped by Bowser's tail. The King had noticed, very briefly, in the light of the torch, but more importantly the Prince's expression.

Soulless and cold.

Khufo's low-lid sea stained eyes peered into the cell as he muttered something to himself. Something that Bowser couldn't quite hear.

"Keep an eye on that boy.." Bowser started walking forward, "I was told that there were intruders?"

The Prince's expression remained, which prompted him to ask again.

"O-Oh, yes!", He smiled. The light reentered Khufo's eyes, he glanced at the slightly lit King. "One of them looked like your husband, so I just thought maybe you'd like to take care of him yourself."

"What?! Kamek!"

"Yes, sire."

Kamek waved his wand again and shot a small orb of light into the final cell. In it, a shaken up Yoshi was curled up around a small cloaked individual wearing a dry bones mask.

"Bring them forward."

Kamek did as such, his magic dragged the body towards the bars. The sudden jolt caused the hood of the midnight cloak to flail back, revealing dark brown bangs. His face still covered by the crackled bones.

Bowser let out a low growl of displeasure as he recognized the human.

"What are you doing here!? Don't you have any shame in going back on what was agreed on?! Couldn't even wait a week to see you damn brother, huh?!"

No response.

Khufo watched as Bowser's frustration grew with each question. Kamek glanced over and noticed the grin on the Prince's face.

"What is wrong with-"

"You know... I was surprised when it was rumored you got tricked into marrying that... Thing.", Khufo began.

He stood up and gestured for Kamek to place the husk of Mario back to the yoshi.

Kamek looked up at Bowser, who nodded, which reassured him to do so. As he placed Mario down, the yoshi snuggled him in again, shaking.

"You always seemed to fail getting the Princess after all your efforts... It must've been hard to have to do what you did alone." He sighed staring directly at Mario. "Yet you married to one of the brothers, against your will. Ironic, isn't it?", Khufo noted. Slowly he stood up, his eyes flashed a slight purple tint once the amulet shook against his fur.

"What are you implying?!", Bowser growled. "No one said our love would be an easy one. She merely tricked me to get my attention.. Now I get to see her every month without the hassle."

Khufo grinned, "I mean no insult, your highness. I'm simply suggesting a better...solution.". Small streams of violet magic sifted through the sides of the amulet. The flow of it gathered into Khufo's eyes and as they did, the skull concealing Mario's head lifted it. Mario now glared at the Prince with the same purplish tint.

Kamek glanced at the cell then back at Khufo and flinched once he noticed.

"You have both brothers here now. One has let his guard down around you and the other...", his eyes trailed to Mario. "The other seems to be tired."

"Your offer is... tempting, but I-I'm married to-"

Khufo bit his lip furiously, his feathers ruffled and his tail began a low swish above the floor.

"Oh please, you and I know that's simply formalities... You've never had a problem taking what's yours. You don't have to use that excuse.", Khufo chuckled. "Oh great King Koopa, what you want is in your claws and all you have to do is grasp it. Mario has left the Mushroom Kingdom defenseless."

Kamek looked up at Bowser and his eyes narrowed seeing the King actually considering it. "S-Sire.. if I may."

Bowser nodded, his gaze never shifting from the cell.

"Would it really be YOUR win if you hadn't actually successfully defeated Mario yourself? W-We would be breaking your honor..."

"Honor?...", Bowser repeated. He desperately wanted to do so, it was what he built his entire life around.

'It has never been this easy..'

"What are you asking for in return?"

Khufo blinked in surprise, "Nothing, I simply want to see an ally of mine get what he wants. I know my father would've wanted this."

Kamek chimed in, "Your father wouldn't have done THIS. "

Khufo rolled his eyes, "He was a bit too tenderhearted..".

Bowser sighed, "Fine."

"Your Highness?!"

"Excellent!"

"I'm taking what's mine, Kamek. The children need a mother and... I've been patient.."

Luigi blinked his eyes open to a dimly lit room. He yawned and rubbed his eyes, looking around for the bathroom. He felt his forehead as he sat up and smiled a bit not feeling a surging headache.

He swung the cover off of himself and got off the bed. Once his foot touched the floor, he hissed a bit from the cold stone, but pressed on.

Despite the cold, his heart felt warmth remembering how gently Bowser had cared for him. He was still surprised that he'd listened, but was a bit more at ease with seeing the effort Bowser was going through to control his temper.

He searched, as good as his eyes could see, for the bathroom, but it seemed as if there wasn't any in his room. He gulped as his attention turned towards the large doors, knowing he'd have to leave to find one.

Opening them, he stepped out into the hall once the coast was clear and slowly made his way down them. He heard the rumbling of some clouds nearby and shook as a flash of lightning flooded the hallways.

'This feels familiar...'

He chuckled a bit, trying to shake the feeling, and keep his spirits up.

With every step, he carefully looked around, almost fearful of what would jump out at him. As he got closer to the end of a hall, he noticed the rain pouring out onto the palace. Leaves were fluttering, dancing in the wind and lightning shot quickly in the distance shortly after the thunder boomed.

A large silhouette appeared, silently at the other end of the hall.

Luigi turned around and flinched, but his fear faded once he saw the familiar face.

"Bowser!", He beamed. "O-Oh, um. I couldn't find a bathroom and I wanted to check out the storm happening outside. I didn't mean to leave.. W-Well I did, but I meant if it seems like I did then, then I didn't? Hehe..."

Bowser rumbled lowly, his brows furrowed and his eyes were closed as he fought his conscience.

His claw reached behind his back, pulling something off of his shell. He took up the item and tossed it towards Luigi.

The body tumbled and flailed before landing at Luigi's feet.

"Mario..?"

Horror shot through his body as he looked up at Bowser. His knees fell to the ground as he scrambled towards his brother's body and pulled his head to his chest.

"Please, please wake up! What have you-"

He didn't even see Bowser move, yet his claw was somehow covering his lips.

Bowser lowered his jaw down to Luigi's ear, so much so that he could feel the shakiness in his breath once he spoke. "We need to go. The Prince isn't as sane as you thought. He wants me to-"

The King paused as he looked down only to be met with Luigi's rage. His eyes glowed with fury.

With the tears that built in his eyes, Luigi he bit down on Bowser's claw to free his mouth.

"ARGH! LOOK-", he began as he rubbed the bitten finger. "You can yell at me all you want later, but we need to-"

Another flash of light and adherent rumble interrupted him.

"Bowser~ My father's DEAR friend. You've finally caught him."

The thunder rumbled again, however the strikes were inched closer. The time between each rumble shortened.

"You have them where you want them, so do it. Kill them!", Khufo cackled.

Luigi panicked as his attention turned to Bowser whose back was turned to him.

"......What? What is he talking about? You just told me he-"

"You'll get the Princess, a strong, united kingdom. Nothing would ever stand in your way again once they're gone. Isn't that what you planned!", Khufo continued.

Bowser stood still and avoided Luigi's eyes, the moment Luigi noticed his hesitation he started to breathe heavily, angrily.

'He... he's really going to do it..'

'I WARNED YOU'

'No...'

Luigi hoisted his brother up onto his back quickly and took a deep breath before he challenged all his energy to his hands to hold his brother steady.

The thunder rumbled...

And the lightning....

Daisy blinked her eyes open, a light ringing present in her head as she felt the light pattern of rain hitting her face.

The yoshi licked her cheek before it turned its attention towards the large hole at the side of the palace. Bits of the stone and sand solidified to glass and char. As she stood up, another rumble knocked her off balance causing her to hold onto the yoshi's saddle.

Peering out, a stray purple light shot from floors above them and into the palace fountain below. A shrill roar echoed into the sky followed by a crackle of lightning, and the patterned stomping feet of troops heading towards the destruction.

As she made her way to the edge, she could see the dismay of the Koopa Troopa below. A few dropped their spears, while others kneeled in fear and sorrow. She'd never seen them cry before.

She climbed onto the yoshi and as they floated down to some rubble to hide, as she looked over to the pile of debris, she covered her mouth.

Kamek stepped forward behind Luigi, whose eyes still glowed with a soft, conflicted fury. Below them was Bowser's sprawled body.

It laid under some rubble and as Daisy looked closer she could see pieces of his shell fragmented further below in the sand and stone. It almost looked like it was green glass created from the sand.

Spotty went over to join the troops and as they saw the mess, they gasped.

The soldiers exchanged looks at one another and before they could say anything, Spotty yelled out in the rain. "ALL HAIL, QUEEN LUIGI!"

It echoed in the rain for a bit and the troops repeated their words once before a light hum fell on the army.

The soldiers began to bow and chanted:

"Ashes and Stone. Ashes and Stone. For today, a King has fallen."

They began to take up the body, still chanting after they removed some rubble and picked up as many shell pieces as they could find.

"The Stone was sturdy, but the Sun scorched his scales and now his Ashes remain dormant."

A few soldiers cried as the collected what they could. A few more were called over to get the body to the ship and help slow the bleeding.

"His enemies shall tremble in the roar of his name, one carved in the Stone and one that is sung from the Ashes of his grave."

Luigi watched as they carried him off, his hands clenched tightly to his brother's shorts as he trembled.

Kamek looked taken aback, "Your majes-... Your Highness, w-we should regroup.. the ship is ready to depart..."

"ASHES AND STONE, ASHES AND STONE. FOR TODAY KING BOWSER HAS RISEN!"

Luigi turned to Kamek slowly and tiredly, "Ok..".

He looked down at the remaining troops, who were waiting for his verdict. Spotty smiled proudly as they waited.

"I-I...", He began. "I...."

'I can't do this.'

Kamek saw his distress and stepped up beside him, "Don't worry, I'm right here.."

Luigi nodded solemnly. "Tonight, Bowser has...", He choked up. "His condition is dire. I know, I-I'm not the ruler you wanted... Nor am I half as much of a leader as he..was... But from here on out, I stand before you as your Queen. Whether the King chose me or not, I will make sure his legacy...li.."

Luigi couldn't keep the tears in, they streamed down his face in anguish.

'That idiot...'

The Koopas kneeled down and began to hum lowly, but in unison, as they grieved with their Queen.

Kamek hummed the melody, and placed a claw on Luigi's shoulder.

"Ashes and Stone. Those are the two things the Koopa have built their morals on. With Ashes, they provide life to the Darklands and despite how dim they look are a sign that the land that was scorched is healing. The Stone can hold those ashes.. it is strong, it is sturdy... Even with its cracks, as long as there are many, no fortress is easily broken."

Luigi took a minute to collect himself. All he could utter were a few words.

"I'm so sorry... I'm so...so sorry..", he cried.

Luigi had passed by the infirmary once or twice but was denied access inside by the healers

As he walked down the hall, a ring of guards followed him around, keeping pace with his every step.

"We'll be arriving to the Mushroom Kingdom shortly, your highness."

"......Alright."

"Your brother has recovered well, but hasn't spoken a word to the healers or his aid."

"I don't expect him to...Where is Kamek?"

"He is waiting for your approval at the airships. He wants to go with some Shy guys to tell the children the news-"

Luigi paused. "He..". Luigi hurried to the docking levels and saw Kamek orchestrating a ship to leave. "You can't!"

Kamek looked at him, sorrow filled his eyes. "We've discussed this.."

"And I still say we shouldn't! Not until I-"

Kamek turned to the guards and motioned for everyone to leave.

As the door shut behind them, he took off his glasses to reveal tears that swelled in his eyes.

"It wasn't your fault, but we can't keep it from them forever."

"I need more time, please!"

"Your Highness, the news will spread once the Empire regains its forces and we'll be vulnerable.", He cried. "I understand you need time, but with every second we don't regroup and tighten our ranks, the more we-"

Luigi took his claw and held it tight, "Please... I need just a day.."

Kamek sighed then turned towards the balcony. "Yes, your highness.."

Luigi beamed slightly and gave Kamek a tight hug. ".... I want them to know... I really do, but I don't even know where to begin with telling them about ALL of it."

Kamek patted his back, "I know...". He moved slowly out of the hug and cleared his throat. "Now, do you remember what he said to you?"

Luigi nodded, "The Prince wasn't who we thought...?"

Kamek smiled nervously letting out a heartbroken chuckle, "He was never the best with words. I guess that was my fault in the end.. And then what happened?"

"The Prince showed up and said that my brother and I were supposed to be killed.. by him. I couldn't think straight after that... I didn't mean... Every time I thought he was better... If I had listened to him, he wouldn't be-"

"The King knew it wouldn't be something you'd take lightly." Kamek sighed, "He wasn't going to go through with it.. He told the Prince that it would be entertaining to see your reaction to your brother's..."state" and took him to get him out of the cell. Once we made our way out of the prisons, he ordered me to get the troops and ship ready for a swift departure."

Luigi blinked, "So then I wrongfully kil-..."

Kamek looked at him, "No, no... You didn't, your highness please.. j-just let me finish."

Luigi nodded as he choked back tears, his eyes still swollen from the previous night.

"He was going to collect you quietly from your bed, since he presumed you'd still be asleep. It was supposed to be a quick getaway, so we could figure out later what to do about the Prince.... predicament.", He said. "I had noticed something wasn't right after watching the lightning's patterns shift from sporadic to uniformed. It seemed like something... Or...someone, was charging each strike to aim towards the palace. Before I could stop it with my own spell, seeing as it was getting closer to your room, it struck... I-I thought it was the Prince, but his powers, at least from what I know about his father's... Never harnessed electrical assistance."

Luigi looked at his hands, "I...I thought."

'No...'

Bowser turned as he saw a shot of magic heading towards Luigi and quickly took the hit with his shell. Khufo laughed, "Really?! After having the odds in your favor?! You still want him? Do you realize the opportunity you're missing out on! SHE'LL be yours! You'll finally be happy!"

Bowser ignored his jeering and pressured remarks. He moved Luigi from his chest only to see his eyes filled with tears. He ignored it and yelled "YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE! HE-"

"WHAT IS HE TALKING ABOUT?!"

"I SAID I'LL EXPLAIN AFTER-"

"NO, YOU CAN'T KEEP DOING SAYING SHIT AND JUST EXPECT ME TO JUST-

"Look I'm SORRY, ok?! I know it's a lot to believe in me right now but I PROMISE, this time I need you to leave!"

Luigi stepped back from him as his eyes gleaned, another flash of lightning crackled, "No. Were NOT doing this again. I'M not doing this again! BOWSER MY BROTHER IS DYING AND YOU WANT ME TO TRUST YOU?!"

Another flash erupted, closer than the last.

Khufo grinned from their bickering. He clawed opened his amulet, the aloe vera emblem wilted entirely on the brassy coating. The magic festered into his body as he unsheathed his claws. His fur prickled and relished the powerful feeling that coarse through his veins. It began to glow a luminescent violet, pulsing with his heartbeat, a distorted cackle left his lips as his hypnotic eyes focused on the three in front of him.

"You silly turtle."

Bowser heard the laughter and frantically glanced back at the Prince before he looked towards the sky then back at Luigi. He knew that the small plumber wouldn't listen to reason, as upsetting as his chest knew it was, his conscience cleared as the rumbling started slowly above them.

"Luigi... Please, calm down.".

As he started to explain, Luigi couldn't hear the words that came next. It was too much for him to take in.

All he could register and replay was that Bowser had flung his paralyzed brother at his feet, mocked and schemed against him with the Prince and to finish it off he had the gall to stand before him and give a half assed apology.

'How could he stand in front of him pleading for him to understand.'

The final strike of lightning flashed as fast as his last thought. All of its charged branches struck the side of the palace as Luigi was about to yell.

In the same second, the Prince lifted up and shot his body forward towards the two, aiming for Luigi, but collided with Bowser as stood in front of him again, taking the full force of the attack.

Right through the Koopa's body.

With the last of his strength, Bowser pushed Luigi and his brother to the side as the wall collapsed above him.

Once the smoke had cleared, Luigi sat there stunned, right next to Mario's shivering body.

Kamek gave a weak smile, "I can see his passing is weighing on you, I know you didn't mean to strike him, but....", he paused.

'Tell him the truth.'

"We will drop your brother off at the Mushroom Kingdom like you asked... but we will need you to say your goodbyes.."

"What?.. But I thought I wouldn't..."

"You're not the first queen to have their husband killed.. accidentally or not. The powers you have were out of control and you weren't aware of them. Junior is still too young to rule and as much as I would like for Roy to be appointed, he isn't of royal blood.", Kamek took a deep breath. "You are now our Queen..."

'TELL HIM!'

Luigi's eyes widened as he tried to take in the information, "..I-I need to check on my brother..".

'Coward...'

As he rushed out of the balcony, he was met with the ring of guards that began to follow him closely.

His head spun as the events rolled around in his mind and he needed to distract himself and clear them out. Just for a moment.

Kamek shook his head then looked out at the stars and started to hum in grief.

[solas-backpack-mug]

Pray for me, oh children, pray for what I've done

warning: depiction of the aftermath of a suicide

High Priestess Asaria felt different somehow. Smaller, quieter. She averted eye contact, not out of superiority to everyone else here, but out of fear, it seemed.

She's been like that ever since she returned from the trial of the Witch of Creitum. To think that the High Priestess had second thoughts about having brought about the end of her own sister, although traitorous, but still flesh and blood - prepostrous and blasphemous. As a fairly new initiate, Oreios was in no place to throw such accusations.

Yet it seemed so logical. He couldn't help but watch her leave the chamber once she passed him.

Oreios had dripped some candlewax on the cover of a beautiful Eothasian prayer book yesterday. The High Priestess had ordered him to clean it up. No humiliation. No punishment. Not even a scornful look.

----------------------------------------------------

He found himself worrying for her, strangely enough.

Oreios felt hot-sharp anxiety at the back of his head.

"Go to the High Priestess' chamber and inform her of my request."

"Priest Hephalon, I am but an initiate. I cannot invade the High Priestess' private quarters and give her orders" he said in a rushed panic. Unwise words despite a wise choice.

"You are but an initiate. And my subordinate. Do as I ask. Summon the High Priestess" Hephalon's voice was stern, borderline vicious.

"Yes, Priest."

Oreios scurried away.

Oreios hurried through the corridors of the temple. He stopped at the door to the High Priestess' private chamber. Only high ranking Eothasians were allowed to knock on this door, and even they were often met with her displeasure.

Hephalon wouldn't risk the High Priestess chastising him for a reason as fickle as wanting her advice with the preparations for the mass next dawn celebrating the fall of the heretics. He must have noticed it too. Her changed demeanor, the air of uncertainty that surrounded her.

Perhaps since something is apparently wrong, she won't mind it that much, he hoped.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

No response.

He waited a minute, two minutes. Once courage steadied his mind, he attempted opening the door. Bold move.

Locked.

"Priest Hephalon?" Oreios announced his presence. "The High Priestess didn't answer the door."

----------------------------------------------------

"Where is she, then?" his previous frustration seemed to have subtly molded into worry.

"I do not know."

"No one knows, is the problem. No one has seen her all day, and there is so much work to do for tomorrow" Hephalon furrowed his brow, thinking. "We shall enter her chamber. Forcefully, if we have to."

Oreios nearly gasped in shock at the idea.

"But Priest, doing that this strictly forbidden!"

"I'm aware. But since she is nowhere to be found and no one seems to have seen her leave the temple, logic dictates that she is probably in there. Something might have happened to her. Not checking on her would be shirking our duties."

Hephalon looked at the magnificent stained glass window depicting the cycle of rebirth.

"May the light of Eothas bless her."

----------------------------------------------------

The door stood unchanged, still locked, a mystery on the other side. Hephalon had knocked several times. No response, just like before.

Just like when Oreios had visited this place, there was no answer. He noticed Hephalon's ears twitching nervously.

"High Prestess! Are you in there?" anxiety crept into the Priest's voice. "Is everything alright?"

Some time passed, in complete silence. Eventually Hephalon handed a crowbar to Oreios. The initiate wedged it between the door and its frame. A moment later the door gave in and opened with a loud crack.

The priest pushed the door, slowly and carefully. The inside of the chamber was pitch black. Hephalon muttered a quick prayer to Eothas and a glowing orb appeared in his hand, basking the room in soft light.

----------------------------------------------------

There was so much blood.

"Bright Eothas" whispered Hephalon, his hands trembling.

The High Priestess' body laid on an ornate bed, sheets soaked in crimson, long dried. A deep cut marked each of her wrists.

Oreios had thought it possible that something might have happened to the High Priestess but he hadn't imagined this.

Polished silver mirror, thrown on the floor. Ceremonial robes, singed and crumpled up right next to it. The air around them smelled faintly of smoke. That unique gold Eothasian pendant the High Priestess always wore, bent in half.

A dagger, covered in dried blood.

Finding a bit of tranquility among the disturbance in his mind, Oreios pieced together everything he saw. That fleeting thought he had when he last saw the High Priestess, that blasphemous idea - it was true.

High Priestess Asaria's faith had broken.

----------------------------------------------------

The tragic news travelled faster than either of them expected. Not longer than three days after their discovery, the Grandmaster himself arrived to the Temple.

The mass had been cancelled. The beggars were fed, as was the custom, but celebration would have to wait until after mourning was over. Everyone in the temple had been informed of the High Priestess' death, though Hephalon and Oreios had decided to keep the details to themselves, for now.

Hephalon, as a higher ranking member of the temple, was invited to speak with him first. After what felt like an eternity, Oreios was asked to enter the chamber. He expected to see Hephalon there but the priest was nowhere in sight.

"Tell me, how does a priest and an initiate find themselves in the High Priestess' chamber?" The Grandmaster's gaze was deeply uncomfortable, nearly painful. His demand to constantly keep eye contact made it all the worse.

It was a great honor to speak to Thaos ix Arkannon himself, the Chosen of Woedica, and yet Oreios couldn't help but feel uneasy at his incessant questioning. Question after question, he became increasingly convinced that it was not only an investigation into the High Priestess' tragic death but also an interrogation against him.

"We had to do something. No one had seen her all day, despite the fact that she was needed. No one had seen her leave either. She didn't answer the door when we knocked. Priest Hephalon was concerned that something was wrong. He asked me to forcefully open the door.

The Grandmaster furrowed his brow, considering his words "So you admit to breaking into High Priestess Asaria's private chamber?

"I... no! I mean... yes, but we had good intentions, we only wanted to help. I would have never done that if I didn't believe the High Priestess could have been in danger. I had to do something."

"So you keep saying. Do you think High Priestess Asaria was strong enough to bend her pendant?"

The bizarre question made Oreios even more uneasy than before. "I... maybe? I don't know."

"Have you ever seen her bend metal?"

"I don't... think I have."

"You are quite physically strong, aren't you? You managed to force that door open." The implication chilled the blood in Oreios' veins. Thaos continued after several excruciating seconds. "What do you think happened to her?"

"I... I don't think it's my place to speak of such things."

"I want to hear your opinion regardless." It was a trap, and Oreios knew it. Nevertheless, the Grandmaster wouldn't accept refusal as an answer. He had no choice but to tell him what he thought.

"Well... She had been acting strange since she got back from the trial of the Witch of Creitum. It was like all confidence had left her. Then the locked door and her wounds... I uh... I think she may have killed herself."

The Grandmaster stayed silent, staring him down, waiting for more. Oreios gave in.

"The pendant and robe... it seemed like she had forsaken Eothas and couldn't bear it."

A fleeting emotion crossed the Grandmaster's face. Satisfaction?

"You forcefully entered the High Priestess' chamber and now you are accusing her of heresy, suggesting she put trust in the lies of the Witch of Creitum. A new initiate, saying such bold things - quite suspicious, don't you think? It's a wonder how Iovara and her people survived as long as they did. Hephalon told me everything, after some encouragement. You didn't think you could lie to me, did you?"

Oreios' heart started racing, a hundred thoughts crossing his mind at once. Was his life over?

"...WHAT?! We didn't kill her!"

"I never said you did. An yet here you are, defending yourself anyway."

"Grandmaster, I swear, my devotion to Eothas is true! I would never act against the High Priestess!" Oreios pleaded, though it was no use at all.

"Spare me your words, traitor."

Oreios was tied, blindfolded, and gagged. Even that couldn't muffle all the sound of his wailing. He knew exactly what happened to those accused of heresy. He'd seen the trials and executions, many of them conducted by High Priestess Asaria.

----------------------------------------------------

How could he have ended up in this situation, innocent but accused? How could the Chosen of the goddess of law do this?

How many more had been falsely punished?

When Oreios was thrown onto a cart, he heard a faint, muffled yelp. He recognized the voice. Hephalon. As the cart began moving, Oreios started feeling around with his tied hands, searching. Eventually he found Hephalon's furry hands and squeezed them.

Hephalon squeezed back.

In his last moments Oreios was glad there was no trial. Only lake water, only sinking deeper and deeper, to erase any trace of the two men who found out something that could shake people's faith in the gods.

A small fish noticed a bit of green growth in the distance. Hunger led it to an unfamiliar structure, full of strange holes and angles. It nibbled at the algae growing from the surface of the formation.

----------------------------------------------------

Another structure like it, but smaller, a little further away. Good hiding spots, the fish thought.

It would be a long time before the two skulls broke down and became a part of the lake and its creatures. For now, they remained. A memory of a scheme much grander than any of their current inhabitants could possibly comprehend.

Another body, in another place, perfectly embalmed, laying in a perfect gold sarcophagus. Saint Asaria, Eothasian patron of warriors of a righteous cause. Holy martyr brutally murdered by what remained of the heretics who followed the teachings of the Witch of Creitum.

sincere thanks to @adozentothedawn for allowing me to adopt the martyr saint idea. your fic is SO GOOD

Regrettably for herself, the Grandmaster, and the Queen of Gods, she wasn't done. Not yet.

[ilanorgratvol]

Rough tempest they will raise - Part 10

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7

Part 8 Part 9

After several days of preparation, the group was finally ready to head out for reconnaissance at the Moon Towers. The idea of continuing to pose as followers of the Absolute to infiltrate deeper into the cult was as brilliant as it was insane and dangerous. But, in the absence of other alternatives, the group of misfortuned comrades decided to stick with this plan.

Talia was descending from the second floor, adjusting her vest, when Gale came up to meet her and lightly touched her hand:

"Not today."

"What nonsense. Everyone is going - I am too," - Talia continued to lace up her vest, which she usually wore over her shirt.

"As useful as your skills might be to us, you can't go. Let's just say, it takes a certain quality, not widely available these days, to pass as one of their own in this twisted place," - he grimaced, bringing a finger to his temple, - "Besides, you're needed here. After what happened with Isobel, someone needs to stay here in case Thorm tries to kidnap her again. And I don't know anyone better suited for that role than you."

"Don't start, Gale! Why not just tell the truth, that you simply don't want me underfoot," - Talia snapped, throwing her backpack on the floor, realizing that arguing was pointless.

"I'm no saint. I have many sins to my name, but lying is not one of them," - the wizard frowned, -  "And speaking of the truth, when were you going to tell me that your deal with Elminster was called off?"

Talia's expression shifted from anger to surprise, and then to a sullen acknowledgment: 

"You're well-informed, aren't you?" - she retorted, her tone tinged with bitterness.

Gale's eyes softened slightly: 

"I'm just being logical. The orb is stable, albeit temporarily, which makes your part of the deal quite literally unachievable."

Talia sighed, her frustration fading into resignation. She hadn't planned on telling the wizard about how her last conversation with Elminster had ended. This agreement was the only thing that stopped her in Gale's eyes from leaving their group and returning to the search for her brother, and admitting that there was something bigger behind it was not in her plans. Not now, when the wizard couldn’t take his eyes off that omnipresent redhead, whose voice sliced through the tavern's silence each evening, attempting to lift the spirits of the residing harpists and tieflings.

“You know full well that the Absolute threatens not only these lands. Whatever or whoever is behind all this clearly aims not just to settle in the towers and rule these lands. Something big is brewing...,” - Talia tried to change the subject, - "If it plans to destroy the world as I know it, it's in my interest to ensure this group of weirdos does everything correctly."

The wizard nodded slightly in response, thoughtfully, as if expecting a different answer, then concluded:

“Do as I ask, please.”

Talia glanced away in displeasure for a moment, then looked at Gale and nodded, sighing:

"Fine. But if you dare follow Mystra’s order and blow yourself up while I’m not around, I’ll fetch you from the afterlife and the wrath of your goddess will seem like a blessing to you."

He just smirked slightly: 

"Don’t worry. If it comes to that, I’ll make sure you’re holding my hand..."

"Promises, promises," - Talia waved dismissively, - "Go on. Your skills, such as they are, wizard, are needed elsewhere."

“Oh... So that’s what you think of me...,” - Gale placed his hand on his heart.

"You said it yourself, only the truth," - Talia smiled as she saw him and the rest of the group leave the tavern.

Thus began the agonizing days of waiting for news. Each time they returned from the towers to rest at the tavern, bringing a new batch of information about the Absolute and the events unfolding around them, the faces of the companions reflected less confidence in their abilities and more despair. No longer were there evenings spent at the bar with mutual jests and conversations. Each night, exhausted, they returned to the light of Selûne’s blessing, only to disperse to their rooms and collapse onto their beds, hoping to fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Gale grew darker and more melancholic by the day. He increasingly preferred to shut himself in his room, alone with his thoughts, or to spend time on the shore of the lake near the tavern, where no one could disturb him. It seemed the inevitability of his fate had finally fully caught up with him, and the wizard, however initially glad he had been for the company after a year confined in his tower, could find solace only in bitter solitude, away from sympathetic glances and Tav’s dwindling attempts to persuade him otherwise.

The fate of the abducted tieflings also remained unknown, and each evening Rolan watched the group returning from the towers in hope, only to quickly return to the false comfort found at the bottom of a bottle.

But finally, one evening, everything changed. Talia was sitting on the balcony, keeping company to Isobel, when a bright flash streaked across the sky toward the towers, momentarily illuminating the cursed sky.

“It can’t be a star or a meteor…” - Talia frowned, rising from her chair.

“I thought for a second…” - Isobel peered into the sky, hoping to see the flash again. Then she returned to maintaining the protective shield, sighing, - “It must be an echo of one of your friends’ spells. Nothing more…”

“I doubt it…” - Talia leaned on the balcony railing, gazing into the sky and the lake’s surface below. For a while, her eyes saw nothing but the all-consuming cursed darkness that had become familiar, but then…

“Are those… boats?” - Talia noticed people approaching the tavern’s dock. The lanterns and torches had been prudently extinguished, so they could only be seen when they were very close to the pier.

Talia left Isobel’s room and dashed down the stairs just as the tavern's back doors swung open, and through them entered a small group of very weary, worn, but happy tieflings. Talia involuntarily smiled, noticing Cal and Lia among them. She was about to rush down the stairs to greet them but stopped herself just in time, noticing Rolan, who coldly welcomed the twins. It seemed like only a second before their greeting escalated into an argument and then, just as quickly, the argument turned into warm embraces.

Following the tieflings, the rest of the companions entered through the tavern door. Talia’s eyes followed Gale, who, without raising his eyes, walked through the animated crowd to the opposite exit of the tavern, heading to his usual place of solitude by the lake. Talia quietly followed him, trying not to reveal her presence.

She found him near the shore, on a secluded meadow hidden by dense foliage and overgrown with grass. He sat on a small blanket, leaning back on his hands, his gaze fixed on the sky, where, to Talia’s surprise, a aurora borelias of clearly magical origin stretched across the sky.

She quietly emerged from her hiding spot and approached the wizard: 

"Good job." 

He jerked slightly in surprise, turning toward the voice: 

"Oh, this... it's my little project, while I'm still capable of something..." 

"That flash in the sky - was that your doing too?" - Talia sat down next to him. 

"That was merely the daughter of Selûne, whom Shadowheart freed today from centuries of bondage. My magic had nothing to do with it." 

"Oh, just that..." - the sorceress smirked, glancing at the wizard and eliciting a light chuckle in response. 

"Wizards and their egos..." - Gale shrugged, trying to keep his composure.

Talia smiled, shifting her gaze back to the sky:

"Did you do this for Tav?"

"Just a little gesture to show the feelings of an old lonely wizard. The curse is still present of course - just veiled and at arm’s length for now. Not a trick I can repeat often…" - he sighed heavily, leaning his arms on his knees before him, slightly hunched as if hiding from the outside world. He nervously fiddled with his fingers, - "But clearly she's one who's more interested in quantity than quality..."

"Halsin, right?" - the sorceress sympathetically placed her hand on his shoulder, barely concealing the warm feeling spreading through her chest.

"Bloody Halsin!" - the wizard irritably jumped to his feet, clenching his fists.

"What can I say..." - the sorceress followed him, barely holding back a smile, - "the elf can certainly boast big... ears." - a light chuckle escaped her mouth nonetheless.

Gale paced a little, visibly trying to shake off his irritation:

"I suppose everyone has their... talents," - he said, half-heartedly trying to find humor in his own discomfort.

"Seriously, how are you feeling?"

"Lost, humiliated, lonely..." - he cast a glance at the sky and gave a bitter smile, - "Nothing I haven't been familiar with before."

He pondered for a second, then continued:

"This may be my last night alive. I wanted it to be under a canopy of beauty and wonder..." - his look was filled again with that bitter irony about himself and what awaited him at the end.

The sorceress grabbed his hand, forcing him to turn towards her and look at her. She irrationally hoped that somehow the wizard might change his mind, but it seemed the more time he spent alone with his thoughts, the deeper he convinced himself of the inevitability of his fate, ordained by his goddess:

"Is this truly what you want?! To die for the promise of Mystra's forgiveness?"

"Babe or crone, coward or hero, death is assured. Mystra's forgiveness is not. If you knew the end was near, would you not want to ensure it had meaning?"

Talia scoffed, releasing his hand:

"Of course! In fighting against what seems invincible. In trying to overcome what seems insurmountable. What meaning are you trying to find in your own death?! You will find nothing but oblivion!" - Her voice slightly broke at the end, betraying her emotions.

He reached forward, seeking her hand again:

"I don't want to argue and fight today," - he took her hand in his, stepping closer, - "I wasn't expecting company tonight, but yours is welcome. Most welcome, to be honest."

"Gale, we need to discuss this while..."

"Shh..." - the wizard stopped her mid-sentence, - "All you need to do tonight is allow me to thank you for what you've done for me."

"I didn't..."

"Tally..."

The sorceress paused for a moment, realizing how he had addressed her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, nodding:

"Fine. What do you have in mind?"

"For tonight, forget the Absolute, the quests, and the curses. Let’s just be two souls enjoying the ephemeral beauty of a world that still has wonders to show us," - Gale said, gently releasing her hand and stepping back, now smiling, - "I don't have much to offer, given our circumstances, nothing but my mind. But I dare hope, that will be enough," - he began slowly moving his hands, preparing to cast a spell, - "I want you to close your eyes. Can you do that for me?"

Talia crossed her arms skeptically: 

"What are you planning to do?"

Gale slightly smiled, not stopping his hand movements: 

"I had hoped I'd earned your trust, given all we've been through together, but since that's the case... I want to give you one evening. A place where you were once happy. Where your heart and soul once found peace and tranquility."

"An illusion?" - Talia frowned.

Gale nodded reluctantly: 

"Basically, yes. But please... indulge me in my reverence, for once."

Talia closed her eyes uncertainly: 

“To create such an illusion, you need a reference that I cannot provide. I don’t know when I was happy enough for it to have imprinted itself so strongly in my memory.”

He didn’t respond immediately. Talia heard the faint rustle of steps on grass, and then his warm breath on her face and gentle fingers on her temples: 

“What do you take me for, a third-year student?” - Talia was about to open her eyes, but he stopped her, - “Stay still, relax. Our minds are a whirlpool of thoughts and feelings, often too complex for us to untangle ourselves. But someone who knows where to look…”

Talia felt a familiar tingling on her skin - the Weave enveloped them like a giant cotton blanket, creating an impenetrable shell around them. She stood motionless, enjoying his steady breath on her cheek.

“This is... unexpected,” - the wizard finally spoke again. His hands returned to their usual position along his body.

Talia slowly opened her eyes. They were standing in the middle of his library. The setting sun, as before, penetrated through the windows and the open balcony, illuminating the room with warm light. Books and scrolls were scattered around exactly as they had left them before leaving the tower. On the desk, there were two mugs of hot coffee, as if they had just been carefully prepared.

“I thought you said this was supposed to be my favorite place, not yours,” - Talia frowned, though she couldn’t help but notice the detailed accuracy of the illusion he had created. Everything felt real - the smells, the sensations, the feelings…

“It is. Yours. I’m sure of it,” - Gale approached the table, gently running his fingers over it as if greeting an old friend, then turned back to her, smiling softly, - “You don't need to explain anything. Just enjoy another warm evening alone with books and their misfortunate master. I like to believe that this, even if just for a fleeting moment, made you happy.”

"Gale, I..." - Talia didn't know what to say. Not because she didn't know how to wrap her feelings and emotions into words, but because she couldn't comprehend what she was feeling at that moment at all. 

"Your coffee," - the wizard extended one of the cups to her. 

The sorceress gratefully took it into her hands and took a sip. God, it seemed like it had been so long, almost as if it were another lifetime. Could it be that this old library, this sharp coffee, this damned scent of the sea ingrained in the walls, and him - the wizard with an immeasurably huge ego and an equally large heart - was what had filled her life with meaning for the first time in many years?

Gale, seemingly lost in his thoughts, walked out to the balcony. He leaned slightly on the railing, peering into the distance at the illusory sea where similarly illusory ships disappeared into the sunset. The sun reflected in his brown eyes, turning them almost golden. His hair fluttered slightly in the wind.

Talia approached him, gazing into his face, trying to discern what he was feeling. The wizard sighed heavily and melancholically, not taking his eyes off the horizon:

"I used to think that the main purpose, the meaning of life, was to strive for perfection, for greatness… for power..." - he turned his gaze to the sorceress, - "You've made me think otherwise."

“I wouldn’t say that perfection and greatness are bad things...” - Talia tilted her head thoughtfully.

“You know what I mean.”

“Of course, I know...” - She set her cup down on the table and then firmly took his hand, joining him in gazing out at the horizon.

The wizard squeezed her hand in return, remaining silent. They stood together in silence for a while, each lost in their thoughts, the gentle breeze tugging at their clothes. The fading light painted the sky in shades of orange and purple, the illusionary sea below reflecting the dramatic colors…

[mtnprof]

udilven pokedex 1-3: grass starter line.

Name: Poncharm (from pond + charm.) Title: The Shy Prince Pokemon Genders: Male / Female Typing: Grass Abilities: Overgrow / Flower Gift Physical Description: A small, quadrupedal frog-like Pokemon that has leaves around its face like a royal collar and a vine-like pattern on its body. It has a flower bud atop its head like the jewel of a diadem, and holds a golden ball against its chest like a child unwilling to share its toy. It tends to show an expression of displeasure or anxiety. It has a primarily green color palette, with the flower and vine patterns on its body being yellow to match the gold of the orb it carries. Dex Entry: Poncharm are a rare sight in the region, owing to the decreasing temperature of the overall area where it once resided. Stories of the origins of Poncharm draw back to a legend that a prince in the region once treated an ancient Fairy poorly, breaking the well-known rules of hospitality. In response, the Fairy turned him into the first Poncharm and the Pokemon began appearing around the region afterwards. They are very shy Pokemon, but are known to bond fiercely to trainers who push them to step out of their shells. If a Poncharm shares the golden orb it carries with its trainer, it has grown to truly trust them.

-----------------

Name: Croakable (from croak + fable.) Title: The Lost Prince Pokemon Genders: Male / Female Typing: Grass / Fairy Abilities: Overgrow / Flower Gift Physical Description: A semi-bipedal frog-like Pokemon that has leaves around its face like a royal collar, as well as a leaf-like capelet. The flowers on its brow have started to bloom, giving it a more elaborate circlet, and vine-like patterns across its body. The golden orb it held as a Poncharm is larger, and it holds it in one hand at a time while wearing a bored expression. The color palette remains the same, though the green is of a slightly darker shade. Dex Entry: Croakable are imperious, fussy Pokemon, having grown up from the very shy Poncharm into a reserved, but prideful creature. It has a tendency to argue with other Pokemon, who find it silly when it is trying to give them orders like it's in charge. This leads to Croakable being a bit spoiled and frustrated, though having a deep bond with its trainer can alleviate some of these feelings. The golden orb it carries glows faintly in the presence of those it cares for, showing its true feelings even when it tries to come off as aloof.

-----------------

Name: Froschking (from frosch, the german word for frog + king.) Title: The Proud King Pokemon Genders: Male / Female Typing: Grass / Fairy Abilities: Overgrow / Flower Gift

Physical Description: A bipedal frog-like Pokemon that has a collar of leaves around its neck and a long, leaf-like cape at its back. The buds on its brow have fully bloomed into a crown of flowers, and the vine-like pattern on its body have become the same shade of golden-yellow as the flowers and the orb it carries. The orb is a center of power for it and it holds it proudly in its hands. The anxious or bored expression has been replaced with one of serene contentment, having found a place it belongs.

Dex Entry: Finally a proper royal, Froschking are considered benevolent rulers of the territories they sought as Croakable, and they treat these glades as one would a court in a kingdom. Places that are home to these Pokemon bloom exquisitely bright flora, and as such they are often sought after by rich trainers to invigorate their home gardens in order to appear more vibrant than before. However, Froschking will never obey a trainer will ill-intentions and as such, are hard to train for these particular people.

[defat1]

You look to the Elytron Elemental, then back to the young adventurer. You're an ancient dragon, a creature of the Dungeon, a being beyond pity or remorse or death. The Dungeon wants tribute, paid in blood and mana, and you can feel even its dark influence shuddering in incredulity at the sight.

All throughout the depths of the Dungeon's deepest floor, those creatues capable of thought are asking themselves two questions: How did this human get this far, and what do we do with him now?

The Dungeon advises you directly, a dizzying act that makes you snort in irritation. The adventurer did not arrive by the previous floors. He has no mana to speak of. His gear is worth more than his life-force is, and even that is common trash the Dungeon would hide on its highest floors to lure humans into the profession of looting dungeons.

And yet, the Elytron Elemental has yet to land a blow on the adventurer. It questions you again, asking for guidance, and you tell it to try its second phase area attack. A waste of good mana, but the human is wasting mana every second the fight drags on.

It obeys without question, gathering the elements together on its back before detonating each orb in five successive waves. A devastating attack that had felled many an adventurer over the centuries-

The boy does the unthinkable, and shelters directly beneath the miniboss. Worse, the way he slides underneath it causes his cheap sword to kick up and wedge itself into an armor plate, and as the orbs detonate, each drives the dull steel deeper into the heart of the beetle, drenching the fumbling boy in hemolymph.

You and the Dungeon watch in disbelief as the Elytron Elemental is dealt a telling blow, and almost miss what happens next.

The goop-covered human narrowly avoids being crushed, but his cape catches on the sword and rips it sideways and out of the wound, worsening the injury and causing the great beetle's dominant limb to fall limp. The Elytron doggedly clambers to its feet, ignoring the wound and pursuing the prey. The boy attempts to run, but trips over his own cape just as the gigantic adamantine insect tries to retaliate with a wind-elemental dash.

There is a rumble in the stone of the Dungeon as the miniboss rams itself into a pillar, followed by another as the impact breaks a stalactite from the ceiling of the chamber to spear the Elytron Elemental through. The beetle dies in ignominy as the entire Final Floor listens in silence, the frustration of the Dungeon becoming palpable in the air. Reluctantly, it spawns the loot chest as normal, but you can feel its displeasure like the distant rumblings of a wild thunderstorm in your mind.

You snort in dismissal. The boy may have gotten lucky, but even with the high-end loot he's just gained, you are far too powerful to be vanquished by some mana-less whelp with a sharp stick. You are a dragon, no mere summoned creature, and the Dungeon would do well to remember that.

An hour later...

Chuck cautiously nudges the dragon's head with his shattered sword, making sure it was really dead.

"Geez, one hell of a tutorial, huh? Guess it beats being roadkill, at least." He steps back from the corpse, still radiating heat from the explosive fireball it had accidentally swallowed.

"And that goddess thought I was being a moron, putting all my stats in luck. That Demon King's never gonna know what hit them."

You are the end boss of a dungeon. You watch as your midboss fights a scrawny warrior with a 5 copper sword and a cape that says "adventurer in training." As the warrior attacks your minion with sad, pathetic strikes, it looks to you in a desperate plea for guidance.

[abitscripturient]

Writecamp: Day 11

The rules are as follows: choose a prompt (or as many of them as you like) from the list, write something and share your creation with the rest of writeblr, and share the game with others, because as we all know writing is a gift and it deserves to be shared!

@agirlandherquill

Prompts used:

"If I do this... What do I get in return?"

A masquerade ball

Word Count: 733

The swishing of dresses twirling along the tiled floor was defeaning despite the orchestra playing in the open and opulent ballroom. Arms lifted and spun feminine bodies in an intricate dance that someone could only learn by being led. Fortunately, I had a skilled dance partner. One with really nice slicked back copper hair and charming green eyes. Fearghal smirked, those eyes of his glimmering beneath the silver and black mask he had over them.

"You look stunning, Emeri. I knew that black ballgown would suit you well."

"That's Miss Clayton to you. I don't know you like that." I reminded him, looking away from him despite the smell of his cologne making me want to throw out my standards. What was it with men and cologne? Camilo's was the same and I nearly wanted to sigh in frustration. Fearghal's fingers tightened against my side, making me turn my head slightly to meet his eyes.

"Such fire. Your father chose well in giving you up." He stated, putting a finger under my chin to make me look up at him.

"I'm not for sale or to be owned. You're mistaken." I snipped, not holding back on showing my displeasure through my gaze.

Fearghal moved me backwards, lifting his arm to twirl me around before bringing me flush against him again. We swayed around the many couples and I tried my best to not embarass myself by stepping on his toes or backing up into other people. Fearghal tsked, his eyes giving slight pity even though his smile was full of jest.

"Such disappointment in your eyes, beautiful. We must fix that."

Seeing a possible out of this situation, I look up at him again, the lace of my own mask touching against my eyelashes. "Look, can't you just let me go? I won't return to Camilo. I'll go home and live my life. I don't want to live like this."

"How do you feel like you'll live?" Fearghal asked, cocking his head, his right hand drifting lower towards my ass.

I grab it bringing it back up to my back, whispering out. "I dunno! But being given back and forth as if I'm some hot commodity wasn't on my bucket list. I don't want to be married to any of you and I don't want to be used as a fucking broodmare! I want to live my life happily with my friends. That's all."

Fearghal slightly frowns before bringing our dancing to a stop. My heart pounds, wondering what he's thinking before I add, "Please..."

"What do I get?"

I blink. "What?"

Fearghal is now serious and he repeats, "If I do this... release you...what do I get in return, Miss Emeri Clayton?"

I should have known this wasn't going to be easy. Gangsters never just let things happen. Nothing is free. I straighten my back, knowing that what he would require would most likely be sexual. As if he read my mind, he states, "I'm sure you realize that you don't get something for nothing."

"I'm aware. I'm not having sex with you, Fearghal." I say, deciding to forgo his title as he did mine.

His emerald orbs flash hearing that and twirling me around again he starts, "That's unfortunate, Emeri..." I then gasp out as he yanks me towards him, lifting up my right thigh to hook around his waist. I pant at our proximity and then feel my body going backwards into a slow dip, his right hand supporting my back. His left hand takes that moment to drift a trail between my breasts with his warm fingers rendering me speechless.

It was only a few seconds but it felt longer and before I knew it I was upright again, looking into his eyes. Staring down at me, he continued, "I feel like you would enjoy it, álainn."

I don't doubt it and I'm vaguely aware of him moving me to hook arms together. We're starting to move off of the dance floor. Seeing my confusion, he says with a shrug. "Since you have stated that you wont' give me what I want, then you will have to wait like a good girl until you do have something of interest for me. Or until Alsina decides to make his next move.:

Both choices didn't seem good for me but I kept quiet as we left the swaying dresses and soothing music.

[eyeless-smiles]

MAGIC ANON PHOBIA: EYES!!!

"Oh come ON!" The Nightmare sneers with vicious displeasure as it shoves its shades into its blond locks and rubs a palm across his chittering maws. Trying to fend off the seething confusion twisting within its core and subsequently being outwardly expressed by how his maws chew at their own tongues in apprehension.

Trying to stop his maws from chattering only earns him a vicious bite to his palm. Cursing with agitation and yanking his hand away to instead knock back the source of his mouths confused frustrations in the first place.

Two gorey orbs tumble from the table and roll across the floor. Almost striking the boot of their previous owner slumped heavily in a chair. A previous owner the Corinthian had seduced and cornered with expertise. The hunt had gone so smoothly. Even removing his eyes had been a cinch.

Then, inexplicably, the severed orbs in his palms fucking horrified him. The thought of eating them made his maws gag and chatter with rising despair. The mere act of looking at them forced his teeth to gnaw on their tongues.

Tagging: M!A Eyephobia

[wiinestories]

The thought of ending up with any of the suitors present repulsed her. Christine knew her father appreciated and valued the union between houses, but she wouldn’t be wed off to a man just to pursue some tactical gain in case a war unfolded. Her heart ached at the idea of being used as a pawn, her future dictated by political strategy rather than personal desire. Christine’s eyes scanned the hall, filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses, but she felt detached from the festivities. She longed for a partner who would see her for who she was, not for the power she represented. The suitors before her seemed more interested in what they could gain from the union than in getting to know her. Her blood was quite strong and it held so much significance that everyone across the realm knew her children would be powerful, just like her family. They possessed a gift that made them unique.

Her blue orbs lifted to meet her uncle’s, her gaze filled with a mixture of frustration and resignation. When he requested a dance with her, she felt a flicker of relief, even as her father's refusal to address her discomfort gnawed at her. Just as she was about to voice her displeasure, Lorcan's firm yet gentle grip enveloped her hand. He led her to the center of the hall, guiding her away from her seat and the suitors she found so distasteful. As they moved, the room seemed to fall away, leaving just the two of them in a momentary reprieve from the burdens of courtly expectations. The music swelled around them, and Christine found herself grateful for her uncle’s intervention. His presence was a welcome distraction, a balm to her frayed nerves.

Lorcan’s touch was steady and reassuring, his eyes holding a promise of understanding that she desperately needed. As they began to dance, the tension in her shoulders eased slightly, and she allowed herself to be swept up in the rhythm of the music and the warmth of his gaze. For a few precious moments, she could forget the suitors and the weight of her impending responsibilities, losing herself in the simple pleasure of the dance and the comfort of her uncle's presence. Her hand rested on his shoulder, the other holding his own hand.

She listened to his words while their foreheads pressed against one another, soon such closeness would break with her head leaning back and her eyes widening at his proposal. He wanted to marry her. While it had been a practice in their family, the thought of having him as a husband would make the realm react negatively, and even her father would be against the thought of his brother and his daughter in marriage. “No, I —“ She stopped. She had to. Christine wasn’t rejecting him, but the thought of what could happen if the union came into fruition frightened her. “Lorcan, uncle. Do you realise my father, your own flesh and blood, will be strongly against it?”

She stopped dancing to focus solemnly on him, on his words, his confession about love. Christine felt safe with him, that was for sure, and she would undoubted accept him, but there were concern. “I wouldn’t wish to expose you to anything that could unfold if that happened, because many things are at stake with me choosing a suitor,” Alliances that could benefit them and the people, for example. Christine glanced briefly towards her father that was distracted, then back to Lorcan. “Are you certain that you wish to marry me? Are you aware it’a not just a temporary thought?”

He looked at his niece with some sympathy to be placed upon a pedalstal like sjhe was; to be entertained by men who where likely unworthy of keeping her happy both in mind and in body. “You can always count on me for honesty. I speak my mind with no regrets either” he teased, watching her as she brushed a hair behind her ear and blushed with her shyness in front of him. It mad her adoringly sweet that he wished to see her like this more often; shy for him. Though he could teach her confidence she needed too. “Christine, you have yet to rule the realm as your father is still with us but when you  do, you will only need to be honest to yourself and hold confidence. I expect that if I were heir that it would be a weight taken off your shoulders as it could have - but the court values you. Just as you father values you to sit on the throne. I will bere if you need me - for anything if it pleases you” He promises.

“As for men, I don’t speak for all as I think they are men unworthy of you but I promise if you want to find a suitor of your own able to hold his urge. You might find one nearer than you think” he said, leaving her with the thought in hopes to brighten her moods. Lorcan smiled, her drop of a smile worried him but he knew it would be only brief as she would have time to come to terms and may find her suitor at the feast. Her young mind was already a determined one. If only she could see what confidence that he saw in her. She had much to offer the realm.

Lorcan gave her a look as she left; reminding hismelf to to on watch for her during the feast. He would not have her worried for her mind while he was about. If he was able to soothe her he would and be her steadfast man beside her.

When he was ready to join he donned a simple outfit for the court. It was not as regal as his king brother but he was dressed fittingly enough to join the feast in the halls. It was filled with many others from the realms, sons and daughters of other kings of the lands. He flashe his smile as he greeted the others, joining his brother and sat on the side veary near to his neice that he could overhear her with such displeasure. He could see his dear brother frusrated with is only heir and daughter in such an act but he found it quite adoringly in character.

He stood, taking his drink of wine before he approached his niece with a bow. “I wish to come forward to ask for a dance. If you will humour me” Lorcan gently prodded in jest of her words and straightened his back with a smile. He hoped to relieve the tension between father and daughter. Without waiting for her answer he took her hand and lead her to the centre to begin a dance with his niece, his head bowed to touch hers and smiled.

“I overhead you with your father” he began, whispering softly to her, “Marriage is a duty. A duty that one honours well. It may be a scarce thought but you are a woman who will rise to it well and learn with a good partner, I for one, would be most honourable as your husband if you wished. your father cannot force your hand and nor will I but - consider I offer myself both on bended knee as your commander and your consort” he offered, glancing at her father as he spoke distractedly with another before he turned his eyes back on her.

“I think I have loved you as soon as my eyes have seen you. If you wish it, ask. I will love you as you are.”

[lonely-lost-soul]

Under the Floorboards (Pt. VII)

(Technoblade X Reader) Pt. I, Pt. II, Pt. III, Pt. IIII, Pt. V, Pt. VI, Pt. VII

     Your eyes cracked open as soon as the sunlight spilled into the room, your eyebrows furrowed together and a hiss of pain spilled from your lips. You brought your arm in front of your face to block out the sun, Technoblade should've closed the curtains the asshole. As you pulled your hand away from your face you couldn't help but pause, a delicate golden band with a blue diamond sat on your ring finger. You sat up in surprise, immediately buckling in on yourself pain radiating through your abdomen. You licked your cracked lips before uttering a simple,

     "Ah fuck."

Something stirred next to the bedside, you turned your head in the direction of the sound, Technoblade was draped over the side of the bed. His hair was a rat's nest, sticking up at odd angles and ends, frizzing out in all directions. Drool was stuck to the bottom of his chin, his hands gripped the sheets tightly, his eyes screwed shut. He looked upset like he was having a bad dream. Looking around the room briefly, you noticed his robe and crown were hung up in the closet, food was left half-eaten on the vanity. How long had you been out? Trying to make as little noise as possible you slowly peered out the window, outside you saw a little shack built into the mountain. You must've been out a while if Technoblade is letting someone ruin his real estate value like that. Blinking in surprise you saw Ranboo emerge from underneath a hole, a smile spread across your lips as he paused and looked up at the window. You gave a small wave, his mouth appeared and his jaw dropped, he began to wave back enthusiastically before charging through the snow towards your home in a sprint. You knew you only had a few moments before the lanky boy burst up into the room, you carded your fingers softly through Technoblade's hair, you've never seen him in such a dead sleep. Normally, your stirring and movements would've woken him up minutes ago. Maybe Phil give him something to knock him out? That's a very likely answer.

     "Bubba's..." You cooed tenderly kissing his forehead, "Time to wake up." You felt him shift, his face scrunching up uncomfortably as his eyes blinked open. Dark bags were prominent as he grumbled in displeasure until his eyes focused completely on you, he sat up swiftly and grabbed your face. "Ow, gentler please."

    "You're awake." His voice quivered as he began stroking your face and cheeks, "You're actually okay." You tilted your head to the side in concern, his usual stern eyes filling with tears, "I thought you were dead." Technoblade held you close burying his face into your chest, his nails digging into your back. All you did was rub his shoulders and let him hold you like you were porcelain glass. "You were out for a week, Phil helped me tend to your wounds." He said after a few moments of silence, "NEVER do that to me again."

    "I can't make any promises but I don't plan on it." You smiled as he pulled away from you, his eyes still red from reluctant tears. Techno leaned forward to press a passionate kiss to your lips, his hands cupped your cheeks as he kissed you like it was his last moments with you. You saw fireworks erupt in your vision and you visibly melted into it, pressure you didn't know you had was suddenly lifted off your shoulders.

     "Oh my god. I'm-I'm sorry." Ranboo sputtered, throwing open the door and tossing his hands over his eyes frantically. Techno practically threw you across the room, the only thing keeping you from falling over was his tail that had wrapped around your waist during your kissing session. His entire face was bright red,

    "Kid what the heck." He groaned, "Knock please."

     "Sorry I was just excited, I saw she was awake from the window." Ranboo rubbed the back of his neck, as he looked at the two of you.

     "Aw, were you worried about me?" A smile came across your face as the boy blushed furiously under your gaze, one cheek was bright red and the other was a bright green just like his eyes. He hesitantly bobbed his head in a nod and a soft, motherly look spread across your face. Technoblade saw the look you gave the teenager of the corner of his eye and his heart turned to mush in a matter of seconds, these kids were gonna be the death of you. "I'm sorry to have worried you, but look I'm a-ok now!" A smile spread across Ranboo's lips as he walked further into the room,

     "Well, that's a relief." He sat cross-legged on the floor smiling up at both of you, Technoblade sighed and ruffled his hair. His eyes widened looking up at the blade, little stars seemed to dance in his heterochromatic orbs.

    "Thanks for looking out for her. I'm sure Phil told you but you saved her life, I owe you one. I don't take that lightly." Technoblade nodded at him with a serious look on his features as he took his hand off of Ranboo's head. Ranboo looked shell shocked at the genuine honesty of your boyfriend, "Now never mention this to anybody or I'll kill you." The look of awe on his face fell immediately and it turned into a sheepish smile, his shoulders slumping forward.

    "There it is," Ranboo sighed. You couldn't help but let out a joyous laugh at the interaction, both men turned to look at you and grinned at one another, they were both happy to see you laughing.

    "So when did you move in with us?" You asked Ranboo with a hum gently stroking the top of Technoblades head once again. He had to bite his lip to keep from letting out a happy sigh, he hadn't felt your hand in his hair in so long could you really blame him? Ranboo looked thoughtful for a moment his eyebrows furrowing, he rubbed his claws together like he was searching for the answer.

    "Sorry I- oh! The day after you all blew up L'manberg again Phil came to me and asked if I had a place to stay. I obviously didn't have a place to stay anymore." He gave an awkward laugh, "So here I am."

     "Well, we are certainly happy to have you with us. Right Techno?"

    "Ehhh," You glared at him sharply and he held up his hands. "He's gotta prove himself first Princess you can't blame me for being on edge."

    "Eh, that's fair. Still, I'm just happy to be here." Ranboo beamed brightly unfazed by Technoblade's hesitance, something told him that Technoblade really didn't mind him living on his property. "Oh, I'll contact Phil and let him know you're alright! He'll probably want to know about your condition, yeah that's what I'll do."

Reaching out you took Ranboo's hand as he went to stand, he looked a little surprised as he stared at you. "You ever need anything, please don't hesitate to talk to me, I know that what happened was traumatizing. So please, I'm here for you if you need me." His ears seemed to press back against his head, his eyes widened considerably.

     "Thank you." He practically yelled pulling away from you to scurry out the door, he was completely and utterly flustered by your kind words. It reminded you so much of Technoblade when you first met him you couldn't help but smirk at him. He raised an eyebrow at you a frown gracing his features,

    "What?"

     "He acts exactly like you. He's going to fit in great here." Technoblalde looked at you like you had three heads,

     "Ya know, I can't believe I ever missed hearing your voice."

    "Oh fuck you." You gently cupped his chin and kissed the corner of his mouth, "I loved and missed you too you big lug." Technoblade closed his eyes and smiled adoringly at your gentle caresses, "So..." You whispered softly in his ear, "what's with the ring?" He tensed in your hold and you felt his forehead hit your shoulder.

    "An...an engagement ring." He admitted quietly, your eyes lit up and a smile spread across your lips. You hummed in response and began to pet his hair soothingly,

    "I thought a certain pig said that we'd only get married if I didn't get hurt."

     "Yeah well whoever that was sounds super cringe. Imagine basing a marriage on something like that. Men am I right?" It got a giggle out of you and he pulled away to flash you a smile, his large hand cupped your cheek and you snuggled into it.

You nodded your head, "Can't live with them clearly. Since all they do is lie." Technoblade nodded with a straight face, "but in all seriousness this for real? Cause like I'm totally gonna make out with you if it is."

     "Oh, it's super for real then."

    "Stop I'm being serious!" You whacked him lightly in the chest,

     "It's for real," His face lost its teasing smirk as you both locked eyes. "I'm head over heels for you (Y/N). You make me so happy, you're the only one in my life who makes me feel...feel normal," You watched his eyebrows furrow, "I knew I loved you and I knew that you were it for me." Technoblade sighed and leaned back picking up your hand and interlocking it with his own. You couldn't help but notice the golden band on his left hand, it mirrored your feminine ring perfectly. "When you were dying, or when I thought you were dying all I could think about was that we never got married. That we couldn't blow more governments up together or go on adventures. So yes, it's for real, I want to marry you officially if you want a small wedding we can do that if you don't want a wedding at all I don't care. I just wanna be yours forever."

Your heart fluttered in your chest and butterflies flew around in your stomach. As brutally honest as he always was he was more than a little emotionally stunted, you knew this was hard for him. You leaned forward and kissed him, it was long and passionate, you felt his fingers curl around your hair. As you pulled away you felt him try to chase your lips with a frustrated whine,

    "I wanna be yours forever Techno. You're everything I ever wanted in life, I've never been happier than when I'm by your side. All my life I've been a wanderer, going from place to place, never really having a home. You gave me the one thing no one has and it's exactly that, a home. Plus, you're so feral which is so hot." You added just to watch his face scrunch up and you felt him push you down against the pillows.

    "You ruined the moment. I changed my mind, the wedding is off." He huffed with no real feeling behind the words, "you should rest."

    "I've been resting. Help me get up I wanna go outside." You scoffed with an eye roll swinging your legs over the side of the bed. You noticed your ankle was wrapped in a tight bandage, you frowned wincing as you tried to put pressure on it. "Fuck, how long am I going to have to wear this?"

     "At least a month is what Phil said, we need to make sure there is no lingering damage. Can't have my anarchist wife not be able to cause trouble with me."

     "Oh? I'm still allowed to cause trouble with you?"

     "Obviously. Especially since I'm getting you a totem of undying just to cover all my bases." Technoblade stood up helping you to your feet, "you're doing great Princess, let's see if we can make it out front." You gave him a tentative smile as the both of you slowly made your way down the ladders and outside. You never thought you'd miss the cold winter weather stinging your cheeks but here you were. "Cold?"

    "Only a little." You smiled up at him and felt his cloak drape around your shoulders, he must've grabbed it before you left the room. You buried your face into the pure white fluff at the top and closed your eyes, it smelled like Technoblade and that brought you comfort. He usually smelled like gunpowder, shampoo, and cedarwood, it was by far your favorite smell. Technoblade's hand wrapped around your waist and pulled you flush against him. The both of you just stood there enjoying the flurries of snow as they fell down around you, his thumb gently brushing against your hip bone.

After a while of peaceful silence, Technoblade seemed to grow restless his gentle brushing turned into inconsistent taping, eventually, he pulled you in front of him only to begin to sway with you in your arms. "You getting bored?" You looked up at him and reached to cup his cheek in your hand, he hummed pleasantly at the contact.

     "A little."

     "Aw, my poor baby," You cooed and he grumbled under his breath at the sarcastic tone your voice took. "Kidding, don't get pouty I'm messing with you, if you want I can read to you? Or do your hair cause it's...a mess."

     "You mean you aren't head over heels in love with this unwashed rat's nest?"

     "Unwashed." Your nose scrunched you and he smirked wickedly, "I know that look. Don't you fucking dare-" You let out a shriek as Technoblade began to rub his head against your cheek, making his hair fall over your shoulders. "TECHNO! TECHNOBLADE YOU ASSHOLE STOP IT RIGHT NOW!"

     "What? I'm being loveable and soft. Is this not what you want?" He purred holding you tighter against him as you wiggled in his arms trying to break free of his vice-like grip.

You growled at him, "NO! You dick!" Technoblade could only snicker at your dismay but pulled away from you per your request.

    "I'll go shower," He pulled away to scratch at his head "want me to set you up by the fireplace? I'll meet you there when you're done?"

    "As long as you shower I'll do whatever," You huffed and he snickered picking you up to carry you inside the house. "Stinky pigman," His face shifted into the said creature and he poked you with his nose. You rolled your eyes as he sat you down on a chair, reaching up you scratched his snout, he made a dulcet sound before pecking the side of your head. The fire popped and crackled as the heat warmed your frozen cheeks. Snowflakes melted in your hair making you shiver from the brief chill they let off, closing your eyes you took in a deep breath of air.

Married, you couldn't believe you were actually getting married...to the man of your dreams no less. You held up your hand in front of you and traced the delicate details on the band, you felt at peace, this wedding needed to happen as soon as possible. You barely wanted to waste any more time, god knows what could happen in the next coming months, who was going to come and try to kill the both of you again. You'd have to mention it to Technoblade when he came back to see if he was okay with basically eloping. You stretched like a cat snuggling into the cushions, you'd have to get a dress though because you're not showing up to your own wedding in Netherite armor. Floorboards creaked above your head signaling Technoblade was out of the shower and getting ready to come to greet you downstairs.

You turned away from the sound, your lips pressing into a thin line as you let out a shaky breath. Tommy had been discovered under the floorboards of this very house after the rough start you had bonded with the rambunctious teen and wanted to keep him safe. Obviously, everyone knew how that ended, a part of you hoped you weren't projecting that lost care onto Ranboo. It wouldn't be fair to Ranboo if you treated him like another Tommy, the child you wish you could've helped.

Twirling your fingers around your (h/c) hair you only delve deeper into those thoughts. You wanted to help Ranboo, you wanted to help all the kids, the trauma they all have gone through had to be tremendous. Ranboo living on the property was a start, away from the crater of a failed country and anyone who would want to hurt him. You were going to protect him, this wasn't going to end up like Tommy's betrayal, you'd make sure of it.

TINK

Technoblade would probably call you insane if you mentioned this plan to him, but then again he was never one to feel pity or sympathy for those he didn't consider family. Even so, you hoped this boy would open up to you and consider you a parental figure in his life. Hopefully, Technobalde would warm up to him as well, you both all could be a little family.

TINK

Okay...maybe that was jumping the gun. You barely know him, for all you know he could secretly be helping Dream as a double agent or something. Okay, (Y/N) now you ARE being insane that's absurd.

TINK, TINK

What the FUCK was that sound. You turned to the window and could only make out a little smiley face in the corner of the glass, for some reason unease settled in your stomach. Where did that come from?

    "Princess?" His sonorous voice filled the room crashing over you like a wave of clarity amongst the ever-growing fog of your mind.

You jolted in your seat before turning towards your fiance, "Hi bubbas."

    "Hallo," Technoblade was shirtless his scars on full display as well as his muscles. One was way more important than the other to you, you can guess which one. His pajama pants sat loosely on his hips as he wandered over to sit in front of you, his head resting between your thighs. You had to hold back a giggle at the pleased look on his features, his hands came up, giving them a soft squeeze.

     "You having fun?"

Yes. OBVIOUSLY. You could crush our head with those thighs, so yes. So soft. We need to stay here forever.

     "They're okay," He replied casually as your fingers carded through his pink hair. "I definitely don't want you to try crushing a watermelon."

     "Oh my god." Your shoulders began to shake and you placed your forehead on top of his own, he only smiled softly. Your laughter was sweet and made him think of a small little bell chiming in the air.

     "You're gonna braid my hair now right?"

     "Obviously."

    "Thank you, Princess."

You were a little taken aback by his genuine tone, there was no hint of sarcasm or his usual teasing voice.

You love him more than all the stars in the sky.

He looked up at you with his big red eyes, as you began massaging his scalp. He let out a throaty moan, his eyes fluttering closed at the feeling of your blunt nails on his scalp. "Jesus Princess, you're a goddess."

     "As long as you never say I rival Aphrodite you can call me a goddess all you want." He laughed and nodded his head,

     "You have yourself a deal."

     "I can't wait to marry you as soon as possible."

     "You're really obsessed with me huh? You a fangirl? That's a little creepy not gonna lie."

     "Oh, I'm your BIGGEST fan. I live in your house and sleep in your bed."

    "Cringe," You rolled your eyes dramatically but pecked his lips stroking his cheek with your thumb.

    "Seriously though, can it happen as soon as we can."

    "How do three days from now sound? Just so we can plan properly and gather some things we need- if you want a like actually wedding." You nodded eagerly,

     "Yes, please. That's all I need."

    "Then it's settled."

The smile on your face was all he needed to know he made the right decision not only in marrying you but rushing the wedding,...three days. Oh shit, he was gonna be a husband in three days. The voices in his head collective said one phrase,

We're fucked.

~~~

Hi guys! Thanks for all the love for my story! Have fun with this chapter, a Karlnapity x reader might be in the works next. Not that this story is over, after all there’s still a wedding to attend. 

ALSO please go read my friend quackity-love-bot’s new fic! Here’s the link: https://quackity-love-bot.tumblr.com/post/642241693382557696/skyfall

Enjoy ;)

[shenanigans-and-imagines]

Strange x reader drabble where they're arguing about something and being sassy, strange gets proven wrong and he has to take a moment to realize he's really into the reader when they're smug and confident?

A/N: I'm actually going to take this opportunity to write for an OC I've been playing around with in my head for the past week. Hope that's okay.

Strange and Cassandra moved carefully among the rocks, keeping their heads low while never losing track of the giant five tailed feline guarding the entrance.

"I think I can stun it," Strange whispered.

Cassandra shook her head. "Trust me, you don't want to do that."

"It's a Zheng, it's not impervious."

"It also won't attacked unless provoked. What we need to do--"

"We are not going to do anything," Strange insisted. "You are going to keep your head down while I take care of this."

"Oh I'm sorry, who died and put you in charge?"

"The Ancient One."

She raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Uh huh, and how long have you been practicing magic."

He pressed his lips together, sensing a trap, but not knowing how to avoid it.

"Three years," he confessed. "And I am the Sorcerer Supreme."

She held up a finger. "You were Sorcerer Supreme. Now you're just a novice with an ego."

"Did I miss when you were studying at Kamar-Taj?"

"You missed me at your book club because I had been practicing actual magic since I was twelve."

"Reading tarot cards."

"At least I don't have to cheat by using the time stone, which you don't have any more."

"So why do you need me?" he countered.

"I don't know yet," she ground out, clearly frustrated by her own vision. "But if we follow your lead the answer will be cat food."

Strange let out a huff, realizing there was absolutely no arguing with the woman. "Just stay here."

Cassandra made a noise of protest unable to grab Strange in time before he stepped out into the open.

The beast turned it's head, it's giant eyes suddenly fixed on him. He didn't even give it time to bare it's teeth before pushing the spell forward, encompassing it in orange light. It stumbled against the weight, it's eyes blinking open and closed.

A satisfied smile tugged at his lips. Maybe this would finally shut her up. But before he could relish in his victory, the Zheng shook it's head, scratching at its face before straightening up to it's full height. Furious yellow eyes found Strange matched with long white fangs.

Shit.

Strange dove out of the way, feeling the wind of the Zheng pounce breeze past. He hard on his shoulder, hissing in pain and the Zheng turned, poised for another attack.

The cloak pulled him back, forcing him to his feet and out of reach.

The distance gave him only a moment to come up with some other plan.

The Zheng lowered it's ears hissing its displeasure.

"Hey!"

A rock hurled through the air, hitting the beast in the back of the head. It whirled towards the attack and Strange could see Cassandra standing straight, her staff in hand.

"We're not here to hurt you," she said.

The Zheng seemed to scoff and Strange had to wonder if it could understand her.

She raised her staff. The orb on the end shone a bright white light, illuminating the cave.

Strange shielded his eyes, but could just make out Cassandra stepping closer. He watched as the Zheng gazed into the light, following it until both were a safe distance away.

Cassandra let go of the staff, allowing it balance in place as the light dimmed.

The Zheng's aggressive expression faded, as it seemed to consider her with cautious eyes.

She bowed respectfully, never breaking eye contact as she held out her hand.

The beast then lowered its head, pressing its nose against her palm.

Cassandra then looked to Strange, nodding him over.

He approached carefully, not wanting to break whatever spell she had placed on the creature.

As soon as he was close enough, the Zheng raised its head. Its eyes narrowed, but held none of the murderous intent as before.

He copied Cassandra's motions, bowing and offering his hand.

As soon as its fur touched his skin, he felt it. Images flash across his mind; med school, the accident, Karma Taj, Thanos, Wong, Christine, Cassandra, Ellie, all piling one after another for an eternity and a moment.

Almost as soon as it had begun, it stopped, yanking Strange back into the present as the Zheng pulled away.

He stared in wonder as the great cat rested back on its hunches. With a turn of its head and flick of its take, the great stone doors and the edge of the cavern opened.

Strange felt compelled to say something, but soon enough Cassandra had grabbed his arm and pulled him through the doorway.

Only when the stone sealed shut behind them did Strange feel like he could speak.

"How did you know that would work?"

She shrugged. "No bones."

Strange looked at her confused. She rolled her eyes.

"There were no bones outside the entrance. If we were meant to fight it, we would have seen a lot more evidence of carnage. Besides, this is a place of knowledge, it's only fitting that someone seeking knowledge and not power is allowed to enter."

She glanced at him, her lips forming into a smug smile at his bewilderment.

"You read too many books Strange. Now I believe you owe me a few words; namely, you, were, and right."

He stared at her, unsure whether to be annoyed or astounded.

"C'mon, it's important to be humble," she insisted.

He let out a defeated sigh. "You were right."

"Ah, sweet bliss."

She strode forward, casually resting her staff behind her neck.

For a moment, he watched her go a smile forming on his lips. She really was proving to be so much more.

[local-ground-apple]

n a u g h t y

can be treated as second part of I detest you so much, Mr. Schoenheit  aka the making out session

tagging: @twstpasta​ it’s not exactly the concept I told you about, but it’s gonna happen in next part, however Vil is in fur

warnings: it gets spicy and a bit smutty

n a u g h t y

You pretend not to, but your eyes tremble So close yet so far from giving you the signal and keep teasing you, desperate eyes and gestures, it’s so obvious It feels thrilling for some reason

,,My, my, don’t you look stunning Mr. Schoenheit?”

Vil turned on his heel at your cheerful voice, yet he knew you were far from being polite. He clicked his tongue eyeing your form. You were dressed in snow white suit, which adorned your body perfectly. Your gaze was icy, contrasting with broad and gentle smile on your lips. Meanwhile, he wore a seemingly simple black suit, yet elaborate fur loosely hanging from his shoulders was completing the whole outfit. 

,,What a shame, Mrs. S/N, I’m afraid we match. Didn’t you say something about that “atrocious suits of mine”. Yet you wore a similar one?”

His seemingly hurt tone was dripping with malice, as he slowly approached you. Vil raised an eyebrow, expecting you to nervously come up with any sort of excuse, yet he was mistaken once again. Your hand gently ghosted over the soft fur, almost making Vil flinch, yet since the paparazzi were still here. He shifted, his form hiding you and your actions from unwanted sight.

,,What can I say, great minds think alike. Besides, I wanted to show you that I look more attractive than you in suit, Mr. Schoenheit”

Vil refrained from letting an exasperated sigh left his lips. You both were observed by way too many people attending the same fashion event as you two. You sighed deeply, crossing your arms on your chest. 

,,Actually I got an offer and I can see that you got one as well”

You stated, pointing at white-black fur, perfectly complimenting Vil’s pale skin. Your words made him frowned for a mere second, before a smile crept on his lips. Was he really doomed to be promoting the same brand as you?

,,Oh really? I’m surprised you hadn’t received a fur then. Perhaps it’s not the same offer”

You could sense that he was conflicted. Crossing his fingers that he wouldn’t have to meet you on countless photoshoots and listen to your vicious remarks, but also hoping you two would spend more time. 

,,Oh, I left it in the car”

 You stated casually, shrugging.

,,And I didn’t want to make you look worse compared to me since it’s the same fur.”

,,I hate you”

,,There’s someone starring on your right, I would kindly smile to me if I were you”

You whispered, as you brought your lips to glass of champagne. Vil refrained from letting an exasperated sigh, as his lips twitched in fake yet pleasant smile. You slightly leaned in, lowering your voice.

,,You’d look better with nothing underneath this fur”

“Stop creating unnecessary sexual tension”

Vil huffed irritated. You noticed how his cheeks flushed for a mere second, before they returned to pale white again. He leaned in, as if he was reaching for a macaroon which was behind you. His hot breath gently tickled your skin, as his hand “accidentally” ghosted over your hip. Your smile never faltered, yet your heart skipped a beat from the close proximity.

,,Well, I wonder whether you will be that vocal, when I will see whether you look better without this atrocious suit of yours”

Vil mocked your previous words, making you let out a barely audible “tsk”. His lips brushed against your earlobe, sending a shiver down your spine. He pulled away with a soft smile, which in no way reflected the sultry tone he had just used. Vil gracefully bit the macaroon, while you giggled as if he told you a joke, catching a flying glimpse of some unwanted camera.

,,My, my, I thought you hated me”

,,Well, I can show you how much I detest you in backstage”

You raised your eyebrow at the sudden offer. Vil wasn’t usually the one to take such risk, especially in the middle of the party. 

,,I would love to see what’s underneath that your fur of, yet I’m afraid my escort is looking for me. Besides, Mr. Schoenheit, we’re talking a bit more than we should”

You gave him the knowing look, while your gloved fingers gently twirled the glass in your hands. Vil raised an eyebrow, rather surprised that you hadn’t come alone. 

“Your escort?”

,,Did you really expect me to appear here without a company? I’m not as miserable as you”

You stated and Vil resisted the urge to roll his eyes and pin you to the nearest wall. He wondered whether malicious words would be slipping through your lips sugarcoated with a gentle smile, that was supposed to satisfy hungry eyes of sensation-seekers.

,,Well, if I recall correctly, you rejected my invitation”

“Oh no, no, Mr. Schoenheit. I wanted to come here with you, point out your imperfections and steal your fur, yet since I’m filming drama with Neige, I’m afraid my manager had to turn down your invitation. He says we look rather cute together”

You shrugged, while Vil gripped his glass tighter, that he was afraid he may break it. 

Neige? Out of all bloody people, it had to be Neige. 

Vil scoffed mentally. He failed to hide his irritation and disgust for a brief moment, making you chuckle at his distressed expression which was quickly masked by disinterest. Yet, you could clearly see that violet orbs were burning with jealousy and malice. 

You and Neige looked cute together? 

I beg you pardon, thought Vil as quickly scanned your body once again. You two had already look like a couple with practically matching suits, making some people question whether you were models for Crewel’s newest fashion line.

The breathe was lost in your throat, when Vil roughly pushed you to the wall. You stumbled a bit, your hands clutching the cuffs of his impeccable, black shirt, pulling him closer. 

,,How much time we have?”

You whispered, as Vil already slid your jacket to your elbows.  One of his hands was fiddling a button of your shirt and the other one was ghosting over your belt in almost teasing matter. Your fingers gently twirled his tie, as Vil eyed you clearly hesitating what to do.

,,Around fifteen minutes before the show, ten before Neige starts looking for you”

Your hands gently run up and down Vil’s arms, gently trying to slip the fur out of his shoulders, yet he stopped your movement. He shook his head.

,,I don’t think you deserved it, darling”

He cooed mockingly, as you only pouted hearing his words. Vil let go of your hands, biting on one of the fingers of his glove. He brought his hand close to your mouth. You smirked, before biting down and swiftly taking it off, leaving a crimson smear of your lipstick.

Vil clicked his tongue in displeasure.

,,Unbutton yourself”

You rolled your eyes, yet your gloved hands quickly unbuttoned first few buttons, while Vil’s hand gently traced over your curves, sending a shiver down your spine. You could feel his gaze resting on your chest. His lips gently pressed down on your skin, ghosting over it. You stayed surprisingly silent. Your hands resting on Vil’s soft fur, not wanting to tug on his styled hair. He raised his head, giving you questioning look. 

 ,,You’re not going to offend me?”

,,Who would have thought you would be into humiliation, Mr. Schoenheit?”

,,I’m not”

Vil’s lips hovered over yours, barely parted as he pushed your legs further apart with his knee. One of his hands gently traced a circles over your thigh, gradually going up. What a shame you didn’t wear a dress. Truly.

His fingers gripped your chin, before soft lips pressed against yours. Vil bit your lower lip, making you gasp in surprise. Your hands clutched his fur, pulling him closer, pressing your chest to his. Vil’s cold hand slowly went lower, teasingly brushing against your chest, ghosting over outline of your underwear, before it softly slipped inside.

You bit your lip, practically drawing blood, as you concentrated on not letting any moan slip through your lips. His fingers gently rubbed the silky material, teasingly brushing over the outline of underwear. Vil’s lips left a trail of wet kisses on your collarbone. His teeth bit down on one spot, nibbling and sucking, sure to leave a reddish mark which could be visible through your white shirt. His fingers mercilessly pressed against your clit, tracing circles on your skin, making you throw your head back against the cold surface.

,,Hmmm, maybe now I should point out what’s wrong with your outfit, Mrs. S/N?”

Vil whispered in sultry tone, slightly biting on your earlobe, while you were left breathless from the sensation.

,,I loathe you, Mr. Schoenheit”

You spit out, as the wide grin spread across Vil’s face. He let out a barely audible chuckle, as his fingers pressed harder, making you gasp. Your lips parted and you failed to bit down on your hand, as a moan slipped through your mouth. Vil smirked, as you gripped his fur, pulling him even closer. Your hips pressed against his desperately searching for any fraction.

,,Just…just hurry up”

You whispered, as your gloved fingers gripped his chin, harshly pressing your lips against his in heated kiss. You could feel Vil smirking, gently parting his lips, allowing you to take full control. He pulled away, leaving you breathless and panting, chest heaving up and down. He licked his previous marks on your collarbone, while movement of his fingers never ceased. Yet before you could feel the pleasure slowly spreading thoughout your whole body, Vil mercilessly pulled away. 

Your eyes widen and you grabbed his arm, desperately clinging on it, when the sensation from his touch was slowly fading. You could see his grin behind your glossy eyes, yet you needed him. 

,,W-wait! Vil, you can’t just-“

,,We wouldn’t want to get that pretty suit of yours dirty, beside we don’t have much time yet. Unless you beg, darling”

“Fuck you, Mr. Schoenheit”

You mumbled, clearly frustrated, as you quickly buttoned your shirt and began straightening up your slightly creased jacket. You let out an exasperated sigh, as you promised yourself not to speak a word or spare a glance at the man standing in front of you.

Vil’s lips ghosted over yours, before his finger gently applied the lipstick on you. You opened your mouth to say vicious remark, yet a sultry tone sending shivers down your spine, was faster than you.

,,My, my~~~What naughty puppies, are you!  But I must acknowledge that you look splendid in my furs~~”

[supernovafeather]

A Liar Hawk (18+)

Duke Leto Atreides x F!Reader

Warnings : smut, nudity, explicit sexual content, blowjob, no penetration, sub!Leto (in the smut part), mutual pining, enemy to lovers. From Leto's POV. Public humiliation.

- - - - -

A man of power is supposed to remain calm under any circumstances. A pillar for his people. A guide. Especially as an Atreides, an Atreides of his age and experience. There are many ways of showing his grip on what is surrounding him. But he is not supposed to give away the moments he doesn't - can't - focus properly. Why ? Because they're not meant to exist. He is nothing but strength, raw power and authority. The other thing that shouldn't exist - what a joke - is this primitive desire for you.

Leto doesn't know how to react exactly to your presence by his sides every day. During meetings, during training sessions, during speeches. Weeks and months keep going by, and his frustration keeps increasing, his heart pounding and burning his flesh as you read your report out loud under everyone's gazes. How respectful they are with you, living around you without feeling this deaf hatred engulfing their nerves. They don't even feel this pain in their pants after trying to fight back their dumb arousal for dozens of minutes. And you ? Oh you, you talk and talk and talk, letting words rolling out of your so pretty mouth, the tip of your tongue darting every now and then to wet your dry lips. You are sitting straight on your chair, holding the documents and sometimes looking up at the men around you with a serious and even cold face. Your uniform hiding your body entirely is the stupidest thing to ever got his jealousy. Leto knows he is sending deathly glares at you but he doesn't care. You've been avoiding his eyes for several days now, since his temper tantrums against you got unbearable.

He straightens his stance a bit, opening his thighs just the slightest under the table, clenching his jaws at the friction of his crotch against the fabric. He keeps glaring at you, piercing through your skull as you keep talking and talking and talking, his hands hurt so much as he clasps them so hard on the table in an attempt to keep his shaky muscles under control. And you talk, and talk and talk. Military strategy, geography, logistics. He has to keep you around this table but...

"And what is your problem with the initial plan ?"

If a voice can whip the atmosphere so hard that the atoms get cut in half, then it's his. Leto genuinely didn't mean to sound so aggressive, yet he doesn't feel guilty as everyone tenses up at his interruption, some eyes now glaring down at the table. The closest advisors and even Paul, his son sitting by his right, frown without saying anything. They disapprove his behavior yet don't dare to tell anything.

You ? Oh you... your cold orbs are still staring at your documents. Blind though. They don't see any word on it, he knows it. He feels this panicked tension in your muscles followed by this surprising bravery of yours as you slowly look up at him, your face unreadable. As cold as the ice from the planets so far away from Arrakis. Resentment. Please hate him. Please, he wants it. Disrespect him in front of everyone. Just once. So he can fire you.

"I can understand your displeasure at my words my Lord," you say unbelievably politely and calmly. "But I can't adapt our strategy to the current context if we don't modify some aspects."

"And what tells you that everything will work properly ?" He asks with such a venomous voice that you lower your gaze for a second before coming back at his, blinking a few times. "The last time it failed miserably due to your incompetence and due to the one of some others. What can make you think this will work ?"

The silence is deafening in the room. Leto can feel his own heart beating too fast for his liking as he witnesses abandon in your body language. You refuse to look at him now. Your shoulders are no longer so tensed. This is not this feeling of guilt that should make him soften in his pants. Not this horribly cold grasp on his guts. He should feel detached. But he doesn't, his face only hardening and digging his features even more. He is shaking with rage.

The answer to his question never comes out of your lips. You shut down completely. Mute and like deaf to his miserable attempts to upset you afterwards. He tries weakly though, before simply ignoring you.

He hates himself. He hates the way he reacts around you. He hates not controlling himself. He should instead of blaming you every time. He has to do it. He is wrong on everything and knows it. It can't be the mere result of sexual frustration. It can't be. Leto Atreides, losing his temper against a war advisor who is only doing her job. How pathetic of him.

"I was wrong."

These three words come out of his mouth as he passes by you in an empty hallway the same day, late in the evening, almost at night. He crossed your path without intending to and this icy grasp around his guts when you jumped out of your skin... it pushed him to talk to you.

"My Lord ?" You ask hesitantly, frowning in confusion and your face giving your distrust away.

"I was wrong in my actions. We will stick to your plan. It's a pertinent one."

A temporary lack of bravery and dignity is certainly the reason of him leaving you speechless in this hallway. He doesn't even let you time to answer anything. Under his stiffened stance and cold face no one can see, his heart is pounding too hard.

The following days are strange. You ignore each other as much as possible. As always eyes are set on the both of you, waiting for the moment the hawk will pierce through the rabbit's neck skin. This doesn't happen. He snaps at you once and not quite as hard as usually. After two weeks, danger is close. Really close. Communication is a bit easier, yes. Now entire sentences can be exchanged in a civilized way. The way you look at him changes. From resentment and fear... to respectful and curious. Oh yes, you are curious. Did you really think he wouldn't notice these side-glances here and there ? Please. He knows better. You must be curious about his sudden change. Was it by professional interest ? Under his advisors' pressure ? Did he get tired ? Maybe your mind wandered elsewhere, into something more... private. His hopes may be sour, but his dreams remain sweet when it comes to you.

"May I help you ?" He even says politely as you walk up to him as he is about to follow his men out of the room after the meeting.

"Not really my Lord." You answer quietly as you make sure no one else remains with the both of you. "I just wanted to thank you."

These eyes trying to access his soul will be the death of him. Distrust is still present. But curiosity is more visible. He simply nods, his frowning being more an habit than an actual sign of annoyance.

"You're welcome. This was good for no one. I hope to find a way to componsate my lack of judgement."

This enjoyable sensation runs through his veins as you relax a bit more, some softness even appearing in your eyes. He should be this open more often, he thinks. This makes him feel more in peace with himself.

"There is no reason for you to do such a thing my Lord, I'm just grateful we can finally work together again."

"This pleasure is mine," he replies with a small grin, spying on the changes on your features. "Please accept my sincere excuses. You deserve them fully."

It is the first time he talks explicitly about excuses, and it is the very first time as well your smile looks so spontaneous. It even make your eyes slightly... bright. Captivating in a different way than usual. Their warmth gets more attractive than their interesting coldness.

"I accept, my Lord. This is behind us now. Let's turn the page, this chapter is over."

"Indeed."

"But... is there a reason that made you... think twice about all of this ?"

"Guilt."

One word - his own honest word - offers him this soft gaze. And what about this grateful smile ? You shouldn't be smiling at this, he behaved like a vulgar soldier.

"Thanks for admitting it my Lord."

And your voice shouldn't be this soft neither. It shouldn't be this enjoyable to his ear. It sounds different from some dreams he would easily forget. This time it's something engraved in his memory. Something he cherished enough not to be able to hide it in his gaze, attracting your pupils, turning the tension into something thicker.

"We should go now, they must be waiting for us." Says Leto as he gestures the door to you with a motion of his hand.

It doesn't disappear. It only increases. This dynamic gets stronger and stronger. Now complicit gazes are exchanged. Sometimes polite nodding. He swears he felt your uniform grazing his bare hand as you walked past him once. Even though it doesn't slow down his sex drive at all - it is actually even worse than before - he appreciates it. It's not this impulsive pulsion of control over you. It's playful, letting you have a better life, seeing you happier.

This discrete grazing of his hand happens again but this time he got ready for this, grabbing your wrist. You stay still, by his side and facing the opposite direction. His fingers pressed against your veins feel this pounding heart. You just got trapped.

"Actions can speak as loudly as words." He whispers as he turns his head to you, his eyes traveling on your profile. "The problem is that sometimes we don't know which words to put on action. Tell me more."

Is there anything else to add to this gaze you send him ? The kind of eyes making his answer in the same way. And this little smirk of yours ? Indeed his lips have to find yours. Not yet. Not yet. Patience.

But yours find his, eager, yet so delicate. Shy ? Intimidated ? Please, you want it. Then show what you've got, he thinks. Show him everything as the kiss deepens. Show him how you want to make it. Make your pleasure clear as he leaves marks on your throat. Look at his eyes when he undresses you. Take your time as you sink onto your knees, humming around his cock as you make him lose control. Torture him. Oh please torture him. You deserve this revenge. Keep sucking on h down there, keep kissing his thighs, keep nibbling his belly then chest. Go up, before riding him in his bed. Keep rubbing his cock with your soaked folds, watching him from above with these clouded eyes. You like when you rub your clit against his hardness, don't you ? He is not inside you. You just rub and rub and rub. Faster. So fast that even if he gave you total control he grabs your ass with authority, keeping you still as he raises an eyebrow at you. But you like it. He almost came, you see it in his eyes, in the way he whimpered and begged and sighed. You take your time. You kiss his forehead as your hips resume their delightful torture.

It feels peaceful to finally surrender once for all, your lips kissing his chest lazily as he strokes your hair. No need to hide secrets as sweet words are exchanged, forehead against forehead.

- - - -

Thanks for reading, please comment and reblog if you liked it ! 😊

[helenazbmrskai]

title ‹ Christmas bribery ›

pairing ‹ soldier!seokjin x oc ›

genre ‹ Christmas/holiday au, strangers to lovers, fluff, angst but barely there ›

summary ‹ This is the first time you can’t go home and celebrate Christmas with your family so your mom makes sure you don’t spend the holidays alone happy to learn that Seokjin, your mother’s best friend’s son is taking his annual leave near the 22nd of December from Military services. This story is about the biggest Christmas bribery of the century. ›

warnings ‹ swear words here and there, bad puns? ›

word count ‹ 6.2k ›

notes. I’m here to deliver a light read to set the mood for the holidays and I hope all of you will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the process of writing it. In this Christmas collab, I had the chance to meet with these amazing people so I’m sharing this story as a gift and as a thank you!

this is part of the Christmas fic collab that was suggested by @kooala​ please check out the masterpost and enjoy every story we share! 

”You did what?!” I feel dizzy due to the sudden movement of my body jerking up in a sitting position, crisscrossing my legs under me as my hand holds up the phone to my right ear a little bit more pressingly after hearing the breaking news. That she tells me with a singing tone sounding so excited but I can’t seem to share her sentiments as the bewilderment decorating my voice is in sharp contrast with the silence that settled on the cosy apartment like a thick feather-filled duvet. Nibbling on my thin lips I locate the single gingerbread scented candle on my desk still illuminating the interior of my messy bedroom the flames licking up the walls and disappearing near the ceiling, creating pretty shapes and lights over the dull paint, it helps me regain my composure before I realise that mom is not yet finished talking.

”Well he needed a place to stay and busses won’t go out because of the upcoming storm his apartment is in Daegu and I’m sure he’ll be tired from the flight.” Flicking on the lights I take in the sight, clothes piled up on the chair’s armrest whilst dirty plates littering every usable surface, fuck, if my room looks like a pigsty I don’t want to imagine how the other rooms are looking right now.

I was so immersed in doing great on my finals that I don’t think I cleaned the space up for a while.

I should start doing my laundry so I have something to wear as I already look to be out of clean t-shirts inspecting the pile of unwashed jeans and other garments, momentarily embarrassed to see I’m also out of room to place new dirty clothes on top of all these.

”What are you implying mother?” Pursing my lips, I honestly start to lose her train of thoughts as her rant goes on and my eyes wander over the state my apartment is in after stressful weeks but knowing her ways she’ll start with building on my conscience until she realises that I’m no longer an unsuspecting five-year-old girl and she’ll pull out the big guns and dust off her bribing skills.

Whatever her plan is, she always makes me go accordingly no matter how much I try to resist or protest and I feel a knot form in my throat at that. If this is about my non-existent dating life again that she called me to discuss in the dread of the night, I swear I’m gonna flip a table or something.

”You remember Sunha’s eldest son?” Answering back with a question as she often likes to do, doesn’t throw me off balance as it used to.

I’m long ago accustomed to getting her ways to twist the conversation to her favour so I’m ready to fire back my reply in the same form matching her up. ”How is your best friend’s son has to do with any of this?” Utterly confused by the mention, that must lace my tone since she lets a lightsome laugh bubble up in her chest I can picture her dimples are showing in full display because of it.

”Did you even pay attention to a word I said?” She sounds more amused than accusing, letting me know that she actually doesn’t mind how my head gets airy sometimes, her playfulness earns a groan from my side of the line, it’s getting pretty late and I have not enough brain cells left for her mind games.

”Spit it out, mom. You know I love you but I had a rough week so spare me of your wicked schemes.” I breathe out the words orbs closing involuntarily as I rest my head against the door frame. Where was I going anyway?

Maybe I should go for a hot chocolate before bed.

It’ll be weird not seeing my family for the holidays but I don’t want my mom to worry about me so I made sure to be extra cheerful all the time when she called only ignored her attempts of reaching me like one or two times as I had to study for two last exams and now that I can finally relax the exhaustion seems to catch up to me. I’m fine being on my own, making food and seasonal sweets while I watch tv without any interruptions, sounds like an excellent plan for Christmas, not caring how loud my music is or how bad my singing voice is under the shower.

No family means sweet alone time awaits, no one will tell me to go to sleep and I didn’t need to worry what kind of a present I should purchase at least for a little while.

”Do you remember Seokjin or not Y/N? This conversation will last longer if you don’t cooperate with me.” I can practically see her eye roll directed at me in front of my eyes despite she’s twenty miles away from here, wishful thinking on my part that she’ll let this conversation go if I ask her to stop beating around the bush.

”I don’t know. Maybe?” A fragment of my memory is triggered by hearing his name, and a scenario appears out of nowhere that was a few years ago in Sunha’s second marriage ceremony as I stand in a pastel lavender dress.

Mother was otherworldly happy for Sunha that day she dragged me with her as she chatted away mixing with the guests until we settled down to our table - when the cake cutting took place - that consisted of the bride and groom themselves and close family members like Sunha’s sons and his significant other’s daughter and, of course, my mother and I was present too.

I remember sitting down and just looking ahead aimlessly when I locked gazes with a handsome man his posture was immaculate and he seemed happy for his mother but couldn’t hide how restlessly he fidgetted in his seat, his eyes couldn’t settle watching only one thing, he even looked skittish as he jumped in his seat when the girl sitting on his left tried to catch his attention. Our eye contact lasted less than five seconds and his presence remained for thirty minutes at most as he apologised to her mother and everyone at the table since he had some urgent affairs to attend to.

I probably looked shocked for the reason that mom whispered the words into my ear when he left so suddenly to make sense of things. ”That’s Jin, her eldest son he serves in the army he probably couldn’t get a full day off because of his duties.” After humming in an understanding gesture I fixed my gaze onto the cake slice in front of me.

I remember that man clearly but with purpose, I don’t elaborate further than that, so she doesn’t have the compromitting piece of information to latch onto and make it a bigger issue. She would be elated to know I do remember Kim Seokjin, well, he’s hard to forget in the first place, he smiled only once as his mother hugged him at the table and even if it lasted for less than a second the expression was captivating. Howbeit if she tells me that she organised a date with him I’m going to slam my head to the closest hard surface I can tell. He’s so out of league and dating someone with such a dangerous profession at that, it’s not going to work, doesn’t matter how much I find him attractive and charming.

”It doesn’t matter I guess. You two could get to know each other eventually as he’ll stay at your apartment.” She drops the bomb before disconnecting the call, she doesn’t even wait for my protests this time around. A groan leaves my lips while I look around the house promptly throwing my phone to land on my bed in the means of letting out some of my frustration. I need to get going and make this house presentable again, that hot chocolate needs to wait I guess.

 from: unknown number

[7.22 AM] Hi it’s Seokjin. My plane will take off at 9ish can you send me your address?

 Grabbing my phone from the kitchen counter I open the message from the unknown number the device almost slips through my fingertips as I rake my eyes over the content hesitant about how to reply I turn to my friend who so generously offered her help to tidy up my living space a little before my unrequested guest arrives. With a broom in her hand, she looks back at my weird facial expression.

”What is it? It’s him?” Gaun asks abandoning her cleaning tools to read the message as well peaking over my shoulder in order to do that. ”He sounds so uptight even in text. Brr.” She shakes her shoulders in simple displeasure that earns an eye roll from me, it’s not that he’ll send hearts when our encounter was years ago for like five seconds. Honestly, I’m surprised that mom and Sunha were able to talk him into this in the first place.

”He’s a soldier Gaun and on the contrary, we don’t know each other he has no reason to be friendly.” Gnawing on my lower lip I click on the message to reply, typing a few lines before I deleted it and rewrote it before hitting send.

 [7.34 AM] Hey of course. Call me if you don’t find your way.

[7.34 AM] *google map link attached*

 from: Seokjin

[7.35 AM] I will thank you

 ”Let’s hurry up we don’t have that much time.” I place the phone back on the counter resuming my cleaning and Gaun starts to swipe the floor where she left off all the while I can hear the washing machine work in the distance.

 I could feel my heartbeat in the pit of my stomach when the doorbell finally rang and at the other side of the door, there’s Kim Seokjin in all of his glory, that handsome soldier I got a sneak peek at his mother’s wedding wearing a formal suit and tie combo that he pulled of so nicely. I wipe my hands with a towel leaving the leftover plates in the sink as I rush to open the door for him.

”Hi.” I greet him with a friendly smile plastered on my face, I have to tilt my chin upwards to meet his eyes, he’s even taller than I remembered and he’s wearing his military uniform. My hold on the doorknob tightens how unfairly handsome he is with his hair parted in both sides leaving his forehead uncovered his uniform is well fitted and compliments the curves of his waist and thighs the cherry on top is his platform jet black boots that matches with the colour of his hair that I love so much.

A well trained German Sheppard sits near his foot with his tongue out as soon as I crouch down to pet him so focused on the animal that I almost don’t catch Seokjin’s timid ’hello’ in return, the dog’s tail starts to wag furiously seeing my face at his eye level he throws me off balance as he marches forward for more pets.

”I’m sorry he’s not normally like this.” The handsome boy offers a hand to help me up with a sheepish look, I accept the extended hand with a faint blush ignoring the pain that shoots up to my ass because of the impact with the floor. His hand is bigger than mine as it gets fully enveloped in his warm ones.

”Mom didn’t tell me you have a dog,” I chuckle lightly as I pet the dog’s head one last time unsure what to do with my hand that he no longer holds. ”I mean, she didn’t tell me much just told me you’ll come today.” His unique laugh sounded nice ringing in my ears, it made me smile up at him as he playfully shook his head. It’s weird how relaxed I feel around his presence when I was shaking with nerves just moments prior, and I’m still not entirely comfortable with him but his whole aura has a calming effect on my body. I don’t think I’ve ever met with someone that makes me feel so at ease when it’s basically our first meeting.

”Yeah, well, I think we both got played by our mothers.” I have to agree on that one with him. Realising that we’re still standing in front of my entrance I beckon him to come inside stepping out of the way so he could easily slide his luggage beside him his dog’s paws leave imprints on the clean floor but I don’t mind it as he looks so excited about everything inside sniffing and exploring while Jin tries to make him behave scratching his neck when his dog doesn’t seem to listen to a single word.

”Sorry he’s making a mess.” Seokjin apologises seeing the muddy paw marks after connecting our eyes for a few seconds he follows the steps into the kitchen. ”No Cookie that’s not food for you.” The young soldier immediately runs after his companion when he tries to steal the cinnamon rolls from the kitchen counter and I can’t help but laugh at the sight as he scolds the dog.

This is going to be an interesting holiday season I can already tell.

 ”I can’t believe this fucking jar.” I contemplate to smash it against the counter after spouting several curse words when a hand landed on mine directly on the jar’s lid, I feel Cookie’s fur brush against my exposed leg having enough evidence to know who’s this arm belongs to and I turn around in a moment of weakness. Jin’s hair rests on the top of his head in a messy style sweat dampening the ends.

”Need some help?” His eyes hold a childlike glow in them as he brushes his fingers against mine replacing my digits with his and the lid pops easily in his hands.

I can’t say this display of physical strength doesn’t make him even more attractive in my eyes I barely pay attention to the fact that he stands so close I can feel his chest meet mine as we breathe handing back the opened strawberry jam.

”Thanks.” I hastily turn to avoid his gaze even though that doesn’t offer much advantage as he leans closer pushing his chest against the line of my back watching as my hands spread the jam over the walnut biscuits.

”Want a taste?” Feeling bolder than usual I face him again holding up a finished treat to his mouth, Jin makes a surprised sound in the back of his throat but parts his lips obediently letting me slip the food between his teeth.

”I’ll leave as a stuffed chicken if you keep feeding me these delicious treats.” Despite the indication, he doesn’t seem against the food I offer as he tries to steal one more from the plate but I pull his hand away curling my fingers around his wrist.

”Let me finish before you devour my hard work you pig.” I roll my eyes watching his childlike antics, he seems to take pleasure in riling me up from time to time. It’s been two days since he and his companion Cookie arrived and things just worked out smoothly Jin is a nice person with horrendous jokes but he does help out a lot around the apartment he even fixed my broken ladder so we can decorate the Christmas tree that he insisted we need to purchase when I told him I was not going to go all out and celebrate this year. After all, I was supposed to be here on my own.

He’s so used to training at headquarters that he leaves every morning to run for an hour before he comes back all sweaty and satisfied finding me eating my breakfast or drinking my coffee it doesn’t matter what’s in my hands he always needs to get the last bites from it. He’s really not good for my heart.

”Since you’re doing the sweets how about I make us lunch today?” Jin asks excitedly resting his head on top of mine gently careful not to put too much weight on me, my heart speeds up at the sweet gesture not trusting my words so I nod instead. One of these days I can’t wrap my head around his intentions, he looks so nonchalant as he does things like resting his head on me or patting my knee when we watch tv together with Cookie curled around us on the couch.

”I can’t work like this.” I use the excuse to separate our bodies, is it just me or the kitchen is getting hotter by every passing second, or it’s just my cheeks heating up due to his body moulding perfectly with mine. It doesn’t help either that I remember he’s sweaty under his shirt after his daily exercise smelling nice when he probably shouldn’t have. I busy my hands to glue the biscuits together with the jam moving slightly to the side a little further from Jin’s warm body, he doesn’t say anything else as he decides to leave the kitchen Cookie stays for the sake of finishing his meal before going on a quest to find his owner leaving me behind with my thoughts.

I wrap things up quickly after that, placing the treats in the middle so Cookie can’t reach it and clean up the jam stains before retreating to my room.

It’s a pleasant surprise to check my phone and see that my mom tried to reach me an hour ago, she’s up uncharacteristically early. Too curious to find out what she wants I dial her number without a second thought, it’s been three days that she called and that time she told me Jin will stay at my place until he has to go back to the army. Whenever I think about that a frown seems to climb its way up to my expression I got used to seeing him around the house that I tend to forget he won’t be around when the new year comes and it’s scary to think about how attached I feel to him or rather how lonely I’ll feel once this is all over. He’s a busy man in general and serving under the Military’s name means he can’t be here when I need him, it would be as painful in the long run as a long-distance relationship would be. Not that I assume he’s interested in me that way.

”Hey mom sorry I didn’t hear your call. Is everything alright?” I press my phone to my left ear, closing the door behind with the help of my foot before sitting down at the edge of my bed. Seokjin’s low hum and the sound of pots and pans indicate that he started soon after I left the kitchen, it’s early to start lunch already but Jin is always restless like that.

He needs to find things to do or fix because he gets bored easily, he told me that when I picked up on his punctuality that he always has to move like a clockwork at the base he developed a habit of making use of himself and he needs to constantly do things to keep his restless energy at bay so he can sleep well at night.

He wakes up exactly at six in the morning every day even without setting up his alarm. I think it’s endearing when he thumps his foot absentmindedly even if he’s watching a movie he’s interested in, legs spread wide in a comfortable position on the sofa, his body just never relaxes completely.

”Yes dear I called early to say Merry Christmas to my baby!” I giggle in response hearing her excitement conveyed through her voice. ”I hope you enjoy your Christmas present.” Her tone turned suggestive and my laughter died down, heat rose to my cheeks and my thoughts spiralled to Seokjin’s direction.

”What’s that supposed to mean?” I glance at the door listening for the noises to make sure Jin can’t hear my flustered tone, he’s still in the kitchen and that helps me relax a little until my mom’s knowing hum filled the silence in the conversation.

”Are you getting on well with Jin right? He’s a real sweetheart so treat him nice ok?” Can’t help but all the more agree with her, he’s very considerate and funny, I think he’s the one who’s treating me nice even though I supposed to be the host, he helps out a lot and good company to be around. He sometimes misplaces my things like moving plates to a higher shelf when he knows I can’t reach it there without his help and he cracks terrible jokes that I secretly like very much and Cookie is the apple of my eye already, I think he listens to me more than he listens to Jin at this point (there might be a tiny connection that I often give him special treats during his owner's absence) and I found it hilarious as he sulks on the couch calling his dog a ’traitor’ when he decides to rest his head on my lap instead of Seokjin’s.

Little things like that make me like Seokjin more and more with each passing day.

”I’m treating him just fine mom he said he gained weight since his arrival blaming it on me, don’t worry and enjoy the holidays with dad, after all, it’s the first time that you two could celebrate with just him after so long.”

”Will do darling. I hope you’ll have a wonderful time as well I know that finals were stressing you out so I hope that you are able to relax now.” We deemed the conversation finished after wishing each other happy holidays again and for once I feel like I can mean my words as I feel relaxed around a certain someone.

”Want to place the star on top?” Jin shoved the decoration piece in front of my face whilst I placed food on the coffee table to feast upon as we watch classic Christmas movies until we can’t keep our eyes open since it’s the first day of Christmas.

”I’m not stepping on that ladder you fixed, it looks like a death trap.” Eyeing all the nails and patches on the poor thing.

”If it can hold my weight so can yours.” Jin states the facts, placing the star into my opened palm with a mischievous grin. ”I’ll hold you so don’t be a baby and decorate with me, it’s not as fun doing it alone.” That pout, dangerous and he knows that I can’t possibly say no to that when he asks me so nicely with that adorable full lips of his.

”If I fall I’m dragging you with me, just saying.” I keep our eye contact to get my point across with a meaningless glare, the corners of my lips twitch to morph into a smile hearing his happy chuckles using that moment to turn to the ladder taking the first step up the stair the scent of Jin’s aftershave hit my sensitive nose feeling his hands curve around my hip squeezing my sides to reassure me he’s here to catch me. I can blame my wobbly legs because of the shaky ladder or on my fear of high places but I can’t fool myself that the delicate shake that overpowers my body is because of the excitement I feel as I daydream about his hands on different parts of my body. It feels nice to be held by him.

”Hold on for deer life then.” A fond smile appears on my face hearing him laugh on the pun he just told me, forget my inner turmoil in the meantime placing the star to add the last piece before we declare it’s complete.

I almost can’t mask the look of disappointment I feel when he lets me go once my feet are planted on the ground the star placed on top.

”Told you it’s safe. I’m here to keep you in one piece, sugar.” His hand landing on the top of my head, caressing my hair for the time length of two outdrawn strokes before he lets his fingers fall beside his body to prop around his hips observing the tree with so much excitement that he failed to see my blush due to the pet name that probably just slipped out without any meaning behind it.

”No Cookie it’s not yours love.” I catch him before he can bite a big chunk out of our late night dinner as we’re not paying attention, it created an opportunity for him that he would’ve been foolish to disregard.

”Cheeky pretty thing just like his owner, huh?” It slips out as I pet Cookie’s head kneading the soft short furs around his ears that he knocks our heads together in beaming excitement because of the affection.

”Cookie really likes you Y/N.” The affectionate gaze he looks at me with knocks the air out of my lungs, it sounded like for a split second that he means he likes me too. Wishful thinking I remind myself before looking away clearing my throat to get things started plopping down onto the couch with a big huff leaving my lips.

”I’m starving, get your fat ass over here so we can watch Grinch.” I beam at him acting like his previous comment doesn’t hit hard as I pull my plate closer taking a bite out of the grilled chicken.

”How rude-olf of you!” He fakes his crocodile tears but as his ass hits the fluffy blanket nearly ripping my hot cocoa out of my hands it doesn’t seem like he’s feeling an ounce of hurt over my words. It’s silent for a while as we bash under the Christmas lights our faces illuminated by the tv munching on our food and sweets laid out before us Cookie resting on the rug near our feet.

”It’s been a while since I had such a nice Christmas.” Jin sighs burrowing his face onto my shoulder I can feel his breath fan over my skin the movie is long forgotten as I let his words sink in. Tired to fight the urge I tilt my head to rest it against his the moment appears to be too intimate for strangers let alone friends. ”You smell nice too.” I feel his nose around my neckline turning further into me as he inhales the scent of my hair, maybe it’s because it’s getting late but I let the feelings wash over me.

”Did you drink from my mother’s ’secret Santa’ labelled punch or something? I told you she’s a witch when it comes to alcoholic beverages.” I laugh lightheartedly and Jin follows suit hitting my left thigh when his laugh makes me laugh harder that results in my stomach twisting in pain from all the giggling even so as he starts to tickle me to take his revenge. He manhandles me with ease as he pins my wrists with one hand over my head ticking my torso with the other straddling my hip so he can restrict my squirming under him.

”You’re stronger! That’s not fair Jin.” I whine under his crushing weight, cheeks flushed from the exercise and his close proximity an innocent smile lits up his entire face as he regards me under his form, the Christmas lights are illuminated in his dark orbs creating a pretty image of him. Hair sticking to every questionable direction full lips stretched to house his angelic smile warm radiating from his body so close to mine.

I wish this moment could last forever.

”What are you thinking about?” Tilting his head in question he looks into my eyes with a fierce expression, I gulp not knowing to say the truth or come up with something on the spot. I decided it’s time for the truth.

”That I..” My sentence gets interrupted by Cookie’s barking I haven’t realised that he around the time we were occupied left his spot and watched us with curious eyes. He licked both of our faces as soon as he had the attention and Jin got up from the couch to pet him as Cookie nudged him with his nose to show him his empty bowl.

Maybe it’s a sign that I shouldn’t. Right. What was I thinking? Seokjin is never home he serves the country all the time, married to his work to the extent that he has no time left for himself, he doesn’t have the capacity to form a serious relationship with me and he’s probably not looking for love either.

It’s for the best that we separate after the new year.

 I formed a plan after almost confessing my love for him to avoid any other scenarios like this in the future, to be honest, I hated it but there’s no other way for me to get over him quickly even if my heart told me I should enjoy my little time left with him I choose to ignore his attempts at spending quality time with me.

If he asked for a movie night I told him I was busy or tired I took my meals to my room telling him that I need to pick up my studying schedule for the next semester, I had the most ridiculous reasons and I’m sure he figured me out after the second time I dismissed our plans and I can’t say seeing him hurt over my words and futile attempts at lying doesn’t felt like I was stabbed with a dozen knives into my heart.

I should have stopped myself before I got too deep because now I’m hurting both of us even if he’s only mourning for a lost friend.

A scratching noise interrupted the flow of my thoughts I tiptoe all the way to the door looking around before my eyes land on a restless Cookie. He reminds me so much of his owner but he normally stays with Jin I wonder what is he doing here scratching on my door. Is he out perhaps?

”What’s wrong? You seem sad.” I crouch to his level so I can caress his fur and his tail begin to wag instantly when I pull back Cookie grabs my sleeve with his teeth careful not to hurt me before he pulls me out of my room. I try to regain my footing but he pulls me harder until my door shuts behind my back.

”Cookie. What’s up with you suddenly?” I ask him even if I know there’s no reply to wait for I observe his body language before realisation lit up in my round orbs. ”You want me to follow you somewhere sweetheart?” Hearing that he let go suddenly making me lose my balance and collide with the floor cushioning the hit with my butt just like the first time I met him when he nearly run me over with excitement. He tumps his foot as he walks away hardly leaving enough time to catch up to him. He sits down in front of Seokjin’s door, or precisely the guest room he occupies for a short period I remind myself. My eyes soften after noticing it’s his way of showing that he doesn’t want us to part in bad terms. He’s smart.

I take in a deep breath mulling over if I should talk to Jin but looking at Cookie’s hopeful eyes I can’t possibly turn around and ignore this anymore. Jin deserves a better explanation than just accepting the fact one day I ghosted him.

I raise my hand to knock on his door when I hear his voice, he’s talking to someone over the phone since I didn’t hear the front door opening or closing that would mean we have a guest and I don’t think he would invite someone here without discussing it with me, no matter if we are in speaking terms or not.

”I don’t know what happened. I thought we are good but then the next day she didn’t want to do anything with me. I’m confused.” Is he talking about me? To whom? I know eavesdropping is bad but I can’t make my body pull away from the door as I listen intently. I don’t hear what the person from the other side says only Jin’s answers that I’m able to make out as I press my ear to the smooth surface.

”Of course I tried talking to her mom! What if I said or did something that made her hate me? I don’t want to leave like this, we had so much fun. I don’t want it to end this way.” Jin groaned frustratedly while listening to his mom, hearing his voice so worried and tense talking to his loved one about me that knows me very well, I feel ten times worse for ignoring him without giving him an honest explanation.

”I like her mom, but maybe it’s already too late.”

Retreating to my room in sheer panic when he cuts the line to afraid to be caught to rationalise the words I overheard. He likes me too.

All this time I thought that my feelings are not reciprocated whilst in reality I’m just a big coward, I hid behind the fabricated words that his profession is something that doesn’t sit well with me and he has no time to have a girlfriend, but I never tried asking what he wanted. If he wanted to give us a chance or not.

These thoughts plagued my mind until I fall asleep that night, however, tomorrow will be something different.

”Good morning.” I greet Seokjin as he walks out with only his sweatpants on eyes puffy from sleep, he’s so startled by my voice that he jumps at least five centimetres above the ground and the chuckle I let out witnessing his fright confuses him more.

”Uh, good morning.” He replies, at last, passing my form to pull out a mug probably for his morning coffee but I have his fill in my hand while mine is placed on the counter next to my hip. ”The ghost of Christmas visited you last night or something?” Jin watches my form suspiciously but accepting the steaming cup of coffee with a soft ’thanks’ rolling off of his tongue.

”Something like that. Can we talk?” I meet his gaze shyly picking up on my nervous habit as I nibble on my lower lip his eyes soften up.

”Yeah, let’s sit.” He prompts and I nod following his figure to the dining table where we sit on the opposite sides of it. We drink our beverages in peace for a few minutes before I lick my lips nervously opening my mouth to talk.

”I like having you here Jin. This Christmas with you was wonderful even your bad puns are surprisingly funny.” The man in front of me giggles at that, hearing that I had fun with him dismissed some of his insecurities and he looks more relaxed sitting before me sipping on his drink occasionally, waiting.

”I’m sorry for ignoring you it was very childish of me and you deserve an explanation. If I’m being honest you scare me.” His eyebrows shoot up at the mention and I’m eager to make things clear. I don’t want him to take my words literally. ”Or maybe it’s me. I don’t know. But what I do know is that I like you a lot. It scares me because you’re a soldier and you’re never home and I would be so worried wondering about if you are safe.”

”Even if I say all of that I couldn’t make myself to unlike you because you’re funny bad pun or not, caring and affectionate and too good for this world...I just really like you.”

Shying away from his intense stare I choose to observe the rim of my mug watching the dark liquid swirl in my cup when a finger tapped on my chin to look up. The brightest smile adorned Jin’s face that is so close our noses almost touch.

”I normally hate to say that our moms were right all along but right now I’m just glad that they made us spend this Christmas together.” Seokjin’s forehead knocks against mine as we laugh, nodding subtly to avoid more damage as my smile spreads wider I notice how Jin’s eye keeps looking between my eyes and lips and I can’t wait for him to finally reduce the short distance closing my eyes to fully appreciate his finger caressing my jaw, cupping my face letting our breaths entangle for a short second before I get to taste the coffee on his lips.