#wecome to interact

[mimssides]

On Fractions and Sprites

Word Count: 7'500

On AO3: Link

As the Master of Summer, it was Virility’s duty to create plenty of anything and everything mankind could think of.

And a few millennia ago, that hadn’t been a challenge for Virility. Then again, a few millennia ago, Mechanics hadn’t been a thing yet.

An old feud between the Sprites' and Fractions' Masters escalates, when the Sprite of Springs and the Fraction of Alloys wish to become friends.

But really, what was Roman to do but protect his family? What was he to do when wicked Preservation showed up and endangered the few joys his existence still offered?

In retrospect, probably anything but what he ended up doing.

As the Master of Summer, it was Virility’s duty to create plenty of anything and everything mankind could think of. It was his duty to summon enough for all living beings to nourish and flourish enough to collect a bountiful harvest of grains, greens and fruit, find abounds of firewood and game to cure its meat and wear its pelts for the ever-awaiting winter.

It was his duty to carry on strong and lift their spirits with sunny days and warm rain showers to warm and wet their soil. It was his duty to be boisterous and loud, yet also caring and protective. Caring about the growth of his creations and protective of their well-being.

And a few millennia ago, that hadn’t been a challenge for Virility. Then again, a few millennia ago Mechanics hadn’t been a thing yet. She hadn’t been there to poison the soils with pollution with new inventions, destroyed fields, forests and swamps for so called factories, polluted the skies with gasses and smoke fogging up the air and destroying the layers that protected them from the sun’s harsh light.

But now it was so.

Now Virility was fighting for his existence.

His Mistress, Master of Winter, his beloved Decay watched him fade and strain, she tried to calm his mind and speak sweet with him. It didn’t do much, as she herself felt the burden Mechanics had brought over them; Snow and frost couldn’t last long enough to kill overeager pests or bring the well needed respite all greenery needed.

The other masters of seasons didn’t fare any better: Origin, Master of Spring, and Whimsy, Master of Autumn, battled with their shortening seasons. The blossoms weakened, the sprouts sick with disease or drowning in too wet soil, some animals dying due to too little food or too little space to live in.

All the Masters and their courts were fighting against Mechanics and her daunting offspring.

Virility being at the forefront with his disgust and reminded all of his own to never forget-

***

“Mechanics and her dishonest minions cannot be trusted!” Roman recited forcefully.

His passion wasn’t met with the enthusiasm, he thought it rightfully deserved. Virgil, Child of Whimsy, Sprite of Fog and Darkness, rolled its eyes and dropped its head in Remus’ lap.

Remus, Roman’s twin sister, daughter of Decay, Sprite of Rot and the north Winds, blew a raspberry at him and childishly cackled when Roman began to pout.

“We know what your father says,” Patton joined in meekly, “but I promise you, he is not like that! If you just met him, you’d know that.”

Patton, the oldest of all four Sprites, had always been the kindest and most trusting of them, despite experience and history teaching them to not be. Then again, as child of Origin, Sprite of Springs and the Sound of Cracking Ice, they were bound to be of a more fragile and delicate nature.

Which was why Roman tried to be patient. He tried to make sure Patton understood, how it was impossible for them to be friends with someone like Alloy. It was a Fraction (what a ridiculous name to call the child of a Master, why could Mechanics not simply go with Sprites like everyone else?) from Mechanics, and unlike most of the other children of Masters, had a physical body. In his case it was completely made out bronze, shining in a strange orange-y red in the sunlight.

And yes, Roman had seen it before, and it did look rather pretty, but it didn’t change the fact that he was a child of Mechanics. The very thing that was killing off all of them.

So once more Roman tried to reason with his friend, “Dearest Patton, your belief that there is good in anything and everything in all honour, but it cannot lay within anything touched by Her. She’s poisoning everything and this abomination cannot be different than Her. It must have influen-”

“Logan is not manipulating me.”

Remus’ hands stopped carding through Virgil’s hair. Virgil flinched and hugged its upper arms. Roman gulped at the coolness in Patton’s eyes as they rose their voice to speak again.

“Logan, which is his name, and you will use it from now on, is curious, understanding, and has no interest in nature to decay in the way it does now. Virility is wrong to keep us separated and stop us from working together, just because he cannot manage to speak with someone whose power are grander than his.”

“Uh, Pat-” Virgil murmured but couldn’t say anymore as Patton went on.

“All of this will lead to our demise if we don’t adjust and speak with those who he deemed to be our enemy before we ever actually spoke to them. And I say you will agree with me when you meet him, because unlike your father, you have a sensible head on your shoulders and a compassionate heart in your chest.”

Silence lay over the group. Birds were chirping and the sweet smell of honey lay in the air of the glade the four Sprites had met on this sultry summer day.

Never before had Patton put their foot down in such a manner. They rarely spoke up against anyone for that matter, so hearing them speak with such conviction was pulling at Roman’s chest. Damned be his own flimsy nature, he couldn’t budge this time.

“Speaking of Virility in such a manner could be dooming if he had heard you, Pat,” Roman tried to appeal to them. “Let’s just step back and think about this-”

“I think we should meet the tin can!” Remus happily announced.

Virgil snorted, suddenly relaxed once more, and Patton beamed from one ear to the other.

“Oh Remus! You really think so?” they asked hopefully.

Naturally Remus cackled and wiggled their shoulders, shaking herself and Virgil in her arms loudly proclaiming, “Of course! Any chance to fuck over big Daddy V is a chance worth taking! Let’s go live a little!”

“Your sense of self-preservation is shit, Emu,” Virgil huffed but grinned fondly as Remus pulled it up on its feet.

Staring at his friends, Roman couldn’t believe what he was just hearing. They couldn’t be serious to truly consider going against Virility’s word, could they?

“You can’t be serious!” Roman shouted.

“Sure am,” Remus smiled and flicked her twin’s head. “Now, let’s get going!”

“Absolutely not! This is a death sentence! It is idiotic and irresponsible! I am not going to meet up with any of Mechanics’ Minions!”

Roman went with them to meet up with Mechanics’ Minions.

***

They were at some sort of “cottage” at the border of a “city”, which Logan had built to retreat from its usual duty. The place looked very bland and boring, and Roman was not ogling the intricate clothes with colourful patterns and diverse textures, sitting nicely folded next to a “laundry basket”.

He was not happy to be here. He was so not happy with it, that he refused to say more to Logan than introducing himself civilly and giving him a curt but solid handshake. And he also didn’t pay attention at all to how intently and curiously the Fraction watched Patton when they spoke. Or how he seemed to suddenly fumble with his words whenever Patton made a pun and despite the seeming confusion and light discomfort it caused the metallic fiend, it never outright told Patton to stop.

Roman also tried to ignore how polite Logan was when Virgil looked confounded by a weird new word Logan used and patiently explained it to it several times until it understood. Or also how he wasn’t put off at all by Remus sudden and seemingly unconnected strings of thoughts she sometimes just yelled out.

Roman-

Roman really tried to ignore it. But in his core, he knew Patton was right. He knew that Logan wasn’t what his father had made the Fractions and Mechanics out to be. And maybe there was a way to explain it to Virility at a later point in time. Maybe when they had gathered more information, collected enough points to show him that there might be a future for all of them united then-

“Such a secure and secret hiding spot? I expected more of you, little sib.”

Roman’s head flew around. In the door of the cottage stood a lean figure, long silver hair, underneath a dark brown pinched hat, snow white skin and glowing yellow eyes, the left one with a green sheen and a red slit pupil. They wore a mustard yellow turtleneck sweater, black pegged trousers, dark brown Chelsea boots, mustard yellow gloves and a long dark brown coat with a yellow and light brown plait pattern of it.

The air around them all grew a few degrees hotter and Roman slapped his hand over his chest at the sight of this breathtaking newcomer.

“Oh, Janus,” Logan said casually as if not the most beautiful being had just entered the room, “I had not expected you.”

“Naturally you did not,” Janus(?) sighed conveniently ignoring everybody except Logan, “you did forget to invite me. Simply a minor faux-pas which I will graciously forgive you. Now-” they turned and finally looked at the little collection of Sprites all over the room - “with what nonsense have those vermin filled your little head with?”

Virgil growled. Roman made a step towards Janus(?) as Patton stammered, “He- We are trying to talk and mend our parents’ differences. It is clear that there are some misconceptions going around and we can-”

“Misconceptions?” Janus(?) hissed and began to stalk towards Patton. “Your lot is cursing and disrespecting us at every step. As if it was our responsibility to keep humanity in check, humble and halt them! If anything, you got yourself into this mess by letting them advance this much and create us to be stronger than you ever were.”

Finally, the other shoe had dropped. Finally, Roman realized who it was that was standing next to damned Alloy.

Dreaded and feared. First of all Fractions. Overseeing the destruction of end of nature with nonchalant indifference.

“What an utter displeasure it is to finally meet you, Preservation,” Roman spat and stood in front of his family.

The beautiful cunning eyes of Janus, child of Mechanics, Fraction of Preservation darted on him. For a second they remained still before they scowled their dainty lips.

“And who would you be?”

Lightning struck. Rain began to pour and everyone except for Roman flinched. Remus grabbed both Patton and Virgil’s hands, pulling them away from her brother’s decent into blind wrath.

“DO NOT DARE MOCK ME, Fraction! DARE NOT IMPLY, I, SON OF VIRILITY, SPRITE OF PASSION AND THE SOUTH WINDS, AM BENEATH SUCH SOULESS BOLT AS YOURSELF!”

Thunder halled from the sky and Virgil quickly looked outside, while Remus started cursing franticly under her breath.

“No, no, no! This is bad, this is bad,” Patton murmured and watched Roman step closer to Janus.

The Fraction’s eyes were wide as Roman approached but soon they schooled their look and squared their chest.

“No reason for yelling, darling,” they said mockingly calm. “We can all hear from far and wide how fragile your and your father’s egos are.”

“How daRE-”

“With the audacity of the fitter and smarter, little Sprite.”

Roman didn’t like violence. Roman didn’t like the short fuse and hot temper he had inherited form his father. He didn’t like to act on anger and bad impulse. He knew that his mother was right and following those feelings would never serve him well.

Yet that knowledge didn’t stop him in that moment to make the worst possible choice there was.

Lighting struck the house, aimed at Preservation. Yet the nature of lightning bolts was fickle, and not entirely under Roman’s control.

It did strike Preservation. But it even more so struck Alloy.

Never in his life, Roman would forget the way Patton screamed behind him. Never in his life he would forget the mortified look on Janus as he stared at their sibling falling bluntly to the floor without a fuss.

Then there was a tug on his core. He knew the heat, the humidity, the power. He whirled around and saw the other Sprites being pulled as well.

There was a yank. With clapping force Roman was pulled out of mortal realm into their home.

Shouts and yells were all that rang in his ears. Pain and weakness coursed through his bones. A slap to his face and a punch to his gut.

In front of his eye though, he saw the worst image of all.

Two eyes filled with hatred and disgust, one yellow, the other a milky white with a slit pupil.

***

Mother Mechanics needn’t dote and fret over them. Janus had told her a million times, that she needn’t treat them differently than any other. If anything, she should be more worried about Logan; after all, the poor thing had been hit way worse with that darn lighting five moons ago, than they had.

But he has healed and recovered fully already, offspring of mine. You still are in need of adjustment after that filthy fit of temper Virility’s spawn showed towards you that unfortune day.

Janus grumbled and pettily kicked a stone down the path through the City Park. They hated that in the end Mother was right. They hated that they still bumped into things because they couldn’t get used to their new restricted vision.

But even more they hated who had done it to them. Sprite of Passion and South Winds. What a laughingstock. They couldn’t believe that it was such a feeble thing that had managed to do such damage to their form.

Grunting Janus was about to decide to cut their walk short and go back home when they heard a soft song not too far away from them.

There was no denying that Fractions were curious (or noisy, if one preferred) to a fault. Janus was no exception to the rule and quietly followed the faint voice. Possibly it wasn’t the smartest approach to just walk up to an unknown sound without anyone else knowing that Janus was here, but Janus was convinced that they were able to deal with whatever they’d find. After all, they were the Fraction of Preservation, they were meant to outlast danger at any capacity.

The closer Janus got, the more captivating the sound became. There was something gentle and lulling to the tone. Something eternal and transcending. A full voice, a tenor, no, an alto, or just between both? They noticed a few birds flocking in the bushes and in few trees besides the path as the voice grew stronger.

Carefully they stepped off the path and quietly followed the song, as birds and insects and maybe even flowers pointed towards the place where the voice was coming from within the underbrush. And with the raised volume, the clarity of the words increased and finally Janus could hear what was actually sung.

They halted. They recognized the language. It was old and choppy, but it was the language of the long bygone people, hunters and gatherers who had lived in these lands about twelve thousand years ago. The words were simple, thanking for a successful game and bountiful forests and fields to find berries and herbs in. It was repeated over and over again, meant to be sung by many, possibly even sang over each other, in canon.

But now carried by a single voice Janus found the song rather saddening.

Then between the branches, huddled against a moos overgrown tree trunk between bare brushes, sat the tragic singer.

Brown skin, black hair with white strands at the sides, eyes half closed, as their chipped lips opened and closed relentlessly repeating the song over and over again. They seemed thin, only wrapped in what looked like an white sheet which was simply thrown around them.

Janus stared. The figure didn’t even react. Looking around them, Janus couldn’t find any trace of the figure to have moved away from their spot recently. It was getting close to freezing temperatures over nights and this person just sat here in a sheet singing to the nothingness of the empty City Park brushes.

How much Janus despite the concept of currency and homelessness. How much they hated the fact that humans had found it necessary for people to build a community so strong that they could be supporting all and every one of themselves but chose to make a transaction out of it.

How much they despised themselves for loving and wanting to help them still.

“Don’t fret,” Janus spoke softly.

The figure fret and jerked back. Their eyes flew open.

They were red.

The red of rubies, poppies and wild strawberries. The red of Virility. The red of the Sprite who had tried to kill him.

Janus was Preservation. They ought to know which fights to pick. This shouldn’t be one of them.

Their hand flew out in front of them and the fabric around Passion’s body tightened. He yapped for air, thrashed for half a second but then slumped barely making another noise. He didn’t even attempt to speak.

Janus realized then that Passion hadn’t appeared mortal as a trick; he was mortal. And right now Janus would be able to do anything to him that they could dream of. Pay him back for what he had dared to do to them and their sibling.

Janus stepped closer, ignoring all the animals growing quiet and crouched down to the slumped Sprite. With a cold smirk they reached for Passion’s chin and lifted it to force him to look at them. Satisfied he found anger, remorse, and deliciously even shame in the lowly creature’s eyes and their eyes narrowed in pleasure.

“Strange, isn’t it?” Janus mocked. “Even the strong can’t seem to escape the claws of fate, can they?”

Passion tried to spit. He failed. His mouth was too dry and the hand underneath his chin kept his mouth closed. But closed it didn’t remain.

“Str-range,” he stammered spite glimmering in his eyes, “how fate only is called by name when it comes to your enemies’ demise and not when you fail yourself, isn’t it?”

Janus didn’t feel bad for slapping him. He didn’t feel bad for turning around after that and leaving Passion sitting in the dirt like the pebble he was. He didn’t feel bad for the pained whimper he could hear as Passion toppled face down in the dirt.

***

Fractions were curious to a fault. Again, Janus was, sadly, no exception to this.

It had been a week since they had found the Sprite in the park. Well, former Sprite. And this confrontation wouldn’t leave them anymore. No, the longer they thought about it, the more bizarre the situation got.

A Sprite could only turn mortal if a more powerful Sprite or their Master would strip them of their powers. And as much as they hated to say it, Roman was one of the mightiest in Virility’s Court. It was possible that only Virility himself would be able to do so, and there was no explanation for why he would do such a thing. Roman had acted in his wishes, he had fought them and defended their fellow Sprites.

Why would someone do this to him? So naturally, only to satisfy their curiosity, not to calm racing heart thinking about the insect bites and bruises which had seemed infected, they went back.

This time though they went with a back-up plan; Logan was informed that they were in the mortal realm, in this City Park even and they would meet up with him later in the evening. Yes, this time Janus would be prepared to face the disgusting Sprite.

Automatically their feet carried them down the familiar path. With ease they retract their steps soon spotting where they needed to get off and into the underbrush. Again some wild life flocked around the area but it was quieter this time. No singing was to be heard either.

Janus listened closer. They couldn’t hear any sign of the Sprite. Had he left? Had his family collected him? Or had someone else found him and-

Janus shook their head. They weren’t allowed to have thoughts that dared to worry about such a foolish being. If Roman was gone, he was gone. And that was that.

In their thoughts they hadn’t noticed that they just had stepped into the tiny clearing of brushes. Only when a leaf was blown on their shoes that hadn’t been moved by the wind they saw what was in front of them.

Roman hadn’t gone. Roman hadn’t moved an inch. Roman was still laying face down on the ground, his arms motionlessly at his side and his shallow breath blowing the leaves on the ground back and forth.

It was a tragic pathetic sight. So pathetic it stopped Janus thoughts and kept him from making any mean remarks.

A muscle in Roman’s back twitched and Janus unfroze. They couldn’t deny their nature any longer, they needed to do something. Swiftly they crouched down and gently waved their hand close to Roman’s face.

“Yellow.”

Janus blinked.

“...hello?” they responded in confusion.

For some reason the Sprite chuckled and tried to turn his head towards Janus, but failed. But while his body failed, his voice returned and Janus could hear him clear his throat and speak again.

“Yellow like daffodils, marsh marigolds and dandelions,” the Sprite said softly. “Yellow like joy and happiness and bells.”

The Sprite’s voice was trailing away and Janus got on their knees. Carefully they touched his shoulder and began to slowly roll him on his back.

“Bells?” they asked to distract him just when they managed to get him on his side.

The distraction was not needed as his eyes drooped close. A dreamy smile lay on his lips. Conciousness broke onto his face for a few seconds and a drowsy answer spilled out.

“Mhm... bells... bells... bells ring.”

“Yes darling,” it rolled over Janus’ lips without their say, “bells ring.”

At the sound of their words, Roman shook and shivered.

“Ring so ... prettily.”

Surprised Janus tilted their head to the side. And then Roman managed to open his eyes long enough to throw a gaze at them. Deep red eyes pulled at them, drank them in with heat and yearning.

“Prettily like you.”

Conveniently for Janus and Roman, this was the moment where the latter decided to faint and give Janus enough time to calm their fast beating heart and their burning face.

***

Janus had brought the Sprite into an apartment they had conveniently just acquired that day. It did have his ups to have a few siblings around who are well-connected in human society and had come to some money.

Once they arrived at the building, they first planned to just let Roman rest in the guest room’s bed. Then they noted how Roman’s feet left a dirty trail on the carpet and how filthy overall the Sprite was. And thus they changed plans, dragged him to the bathroom, undressed him and let in bath.

Gently they picked him up under his arm pits and slowly submerged his feet, then legs, then... his lower regions, until Roman was in the water up to his chest. He must have been truly exhausted as he didn’t wake up at any step of the process.

With all the care in the world, Janus scrubbed Roman clean from months old dust, musk, sweat and possibly even moss that had somehow grown inbetween the Sprite’s fingers. Janus decided to not think about how that was even possible. They had grown wise enough over the years to never question what lay in the realm of possibility for a mortal.

Trying to put those thoughts away, Janus summoned his extra metaphysical arms and held Roman’s body upright over the water as he went on to gently bend his legs to get some feeling back in the Sprites legs.

All in all, Janus spent more than an hour with the unconscious man in the bathroom, washing, disinfecting, shampooing and rinsing him off again and again until finally the smell of decay and moss stopped hanging in the air. Only then, Janus finally could move onwards and lay Roman into the bed in the guest bedroom.

An hour after they had put him there, they went to check on him. He hadn’t moved an inch but was breathing (no, Janus didn’t haste to the other side of the room to check if his chest was rising at all). Of course, he needed more time to heal and rest. The state Janus had found him in had been abysmal, and a little bath and shower wouldn’t magically change that.

Janus began to feed him a sip of tea five hours after they had lain him to bed. In fact, every three hours after they got to him and made him drink a little sip. Maybe they imagined it but whenever they came back to check on him, he looked a little less pale, the greyness of his skin ebbing away each time. They also fed him medication against the infectious insect bites and moved Roman’s arms and legs gently to animated the blood circulation.

Never before had Janus lived through such long four days. And yet when it ended they weren’t remotely prepared for it.

***

Roman was in pain. His legs, his arms, his chest, his torso, his fingers and toes, his mouth, his core hurt.

But it hurt less than the last moment he remembered. He wasn’t sure what the last moment he remembered was but he was certain that it had been much worse then than it was now. In fact, while everything still felt so immensely heavy, something in him did feel somewhat more agile. He tried to flex his hands.

Shocked his eyes flew open as his body obeyed him for the first time in however long he had been stuck like this. Frantically he tried to sit up with all his sudden returning might. Sadly the might which had returned wasn't all that much yet and he only managed to sadly flop back on his bed.

Heaving breaths fought over his lips and he forced himself to calm down to not alarm whatever, whoever had brought him here. It took a few moments before his body acted as he expected and then he once more decided to attempt to sit up.

What a fascinating ordeal it was to tense and relax his muscles in his back, arms and core just so he managed to sit up. Such a complicated ordeal for such a simple movement. Then again how simple was it really? As Roman adjusted himself and felt the stiffness and pain in his spine, he remembered how many parts that were working within him to keep this body functioning. A single movement needed the collaboration of thousands of different impulses sent back and forth between his brain and whatever parts that needed to moved, relaxed or tensed. Or held in place. Even that needed so many thoughts, that it could barely be comprehensible for the human mind.

But for Roman it was comprehensible. For Roman it was very comprehensible and for a few long moments it rendered him motionless. It rendered him motionless to know that so many beings with such complex systems could be wiped away in the next few centuries to come. It rendered him motionless that some of them would still be fighting for a little good in the world even when all hope would be lost.

And then his mortal body reminded him that he now had bodily needs that needed to be addressed. And rather soon at that. Face heating up he tried to figure out what customs humans had nowadays concerning those functions. His mind cooperated and he remembered the concept of “restrooms”. Hopefully he would find one soon and not anger whoever had brought him here with breaking the social cues of human decency.

Slowly he pushed himself upright and made his way off the bed. It took a few tries until he managed to hieve his legs off the bed, align them correctly and stand still on them. With wobbly steps he agonizingly slowly made his way to the door of the room he was in.

Later on Roman would admit that he should have thought more thoroughly about his course of actions. He should have tried to recall that the last sapient being he had seen, had been the Fraction that had caused his downfall. He also should have realized that human decency also valued not being naked in a strangers house.

But when he opened that door out of his room and stepped into the living room where Janus was standing with a bowl of water in his hands and now blatantly staring at him, none of that had remotely crossed his mind.

His grasped for air for a second. The Fraction moved and he tumbled backwards, his hand just managing to grab the door frame before he would have fallen down. Dizziness filled his mind and dark spots clouded his vision.

The Fraction came closer and closer and Roman didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know what to do. So he cowered down to his knees and hid his head underneath his arms. Because his legs were to weak to run, his mind to jumble to hold himself in a conversation much less an argument.

Yes, making himself small like this truly was the only thing he could to to protect himself.

“One might think you expect me to be as wrathful as yourself, little Sprite,” Janus said from above Roman and he flinched.

“There, there stop that. To my own surprise I have very little interest in punishing you. Or torturing you, for that matter. So now hush and stand up. We will get you dressed and fed next. After that we can decide what there is left to do. Nod if you understand and agree. If not, speak up.”

“I agree, Fraction.”

Roman’s heart did a flip and he dared to lift his eyes up to meet Janus’. They seemed curious. Somewhat taken aback by the sincerity and respect Roman’s voice had been coated with. Roman too had been surprised by it. More so when he found out what his next words would be.

“I- I might need assistance to get back up. And would humbly request to be shown where the “restroom” is?”

***

Confused, but warm and more comfortable than in a long time, Roman was engulfed in black fleece “sweatpants”, very fluffy red socks and a yellow “sweatshirt” while being sat on Janus’ “couch”. All of the clothing items seemed a little loose on him, which was somewhat confusing, since Janus was approximatly the same height and build as him, if not a bit slimmer.

Then again, Roman didn’t dare to complain about smelling the chamomile and sea breeze scent and the softness of the fabrics he had been wrapped in. He suspected that he would start crying if any of it was taken away. Instead he watched Janus hurry around in the open kitchen, preparing one thing or another.

They looked so human in every step they made, Roman realized. The way they opened and closed drawers, the way how they held things as if they had some significant weight, it fascinated him to see. It fascinated him that they had taken him here. That they had cared for him. That they looked so breathtaking doing anything.

Quickly Roman shook his head. These thoughts must have been summoned by the fact that Janus had been so careful and helpful in every way they had been able to since he had woken up. Surely it was Janus consideration and inexplicable kindness that had caused such thoughts. And maybe the fact that he seemed much more quiet than the time they had met each other before.

Janus had yet to speak with him about what happened or where they had even found him. Really, they hadn’t spoken at all except for those first few sentences minutes prior. It left Roman feeling uneasy and he couldn’t help himself but tense when Janus walked over to him with a bowl of steaming soup in their hands.

They set it down in front of him, also putting down a fork and took the seat across from him on the other side of the table on a low stool. Roman pursed his lips and looked at soup, his stomach suddenly rumbling as he smelled what had been put in front of him. He leaned forward to reach for the food, when his Master’s words rang through his head and he looked up.

Janus was watching him. The trace of smile had been on their face when Roman first had looked up and was ringing all the wrong alarm bells in Roman’s head.

“Why are you-”

And still. Roman had seen it. He had seen it for the past hundred years. For the past millennia.

Weakly he lowered his shoulders and met Janus’ eyes properly.

“Thank you.”

Roman’s hands shook and he clasped them together to get himself back under control.

Letting out a long breath he gathered his nerves and said, “I shouldn’t question you. You have been kind to me. The reason for it does not matter as your mercy is showing more understanding and greatness than I have shown in all our previous meeting. So I thank you for showing me and teaching me this lesson.”

As Roman had spoken, Janus leaned back and crossed their arms. Their expression neutral and their walls still on sharp alert, they didn’t seem to be impressed by Roman’s word.

“It was not I, who did this to you,” they said eventually, gaze flickering over a bruise on Roman’s face, “and we both know as much. Yet I will say, my own behaviour when we first met, wasn’t the best. Now, that I showed you some decency and respect, you proved to have those yourself. Unlike your brutish father, I must remark.”

Roman couldn’t help but gasp. And then he snorted in disbelief.

“What confidence you have to speak like this of the Master of Summer, of Virility himself. I cannot imagine ever saying such a thing to him,” Roman replied morosefully.

***

“Why not? Do you Sprites never converse with your Masters about their flaws and ideas?” Janus asks and watches Roman’s face shift.

Really the Sprite’s face paled and fell at an almost comedic speed. Ashamed Roman looked away, his arms defensively slung crossed over his chest.

And then Janus understood.

“Virility did this to you?”

Slowly Roman raised his gaze to look at them. Janus hadn’t said it as a question but the Sprite still nodded as a confirmation.

Janus knew that they lost control of their expressions, that their anger and disgust clearly telegraphed on their face. But in face of such an atrocity they couldn’t stop it. They couldn’t believe someone would do this to their own offspring.

“I can’t believe someone would do this to their own offspring! Why did he- What was he thinking? Why would he do such a thing to you?” Janus demanded to know.

“It is my punishment,” Roman said as if it was the most logical thing to say.

“For what? For hurting someone he told you to hurt?”

“No, he never told me to hurt you or your sibling. It- I assume it was because I lost my temper. It is not dignified to act in such a way.”

The room was silent for a long time. It got interrupted by Roman’s grumbling stomach. Janus told him to eat; They would return to this conversation at another time. Roman didn’t quite seem to trust it but took the bowl of soup when Janus encouraged him to do so a second time.

For sure it was a sight to behold to watch a being who was possibly thousand times older than Janus was themselves (and they carried a few millennia on their back as well) try their soup. Over the unnatural way of how he grabbed a spoon, how he uncertainly eyed it as he filled it with soup to how he led it to his mouth and took his first spoon. A light appeared in his eyes, his whole body tensed with excitement and then relaxed with such a might, Janus could almost see him loose all his worries from before.

That relief and clear excitement didn’t stop after the first spoonful of soup. Really, Janus could see that Roman’s enthusiasm only seemed to be heightening with every new spoon. So much so that the poor thing had tears in his eyes when he finished his soup.

“You can have more if you like. Just eat slowly to not make yourself sick, darling,” Janus softly told him and got another bowl of soup when Roman nodded enthusiastically.

When Roman eventually finished his food, Janus took his bowl to the dishwasher to clean it. Roman followed to the kitchen, looking at the different devices in quiet curiosity. Really the longer Janus watched the more endearing it became.

It didn’t take long until he first asked who had designed those apparatuses and after laughing at the word choice, Janus went on a lengthy explanation about all the different components that went into all of the kitchen devices and that none of them would have been possible to exist in the way and shape they did if not thousands of people had worked together to engineer, test and redesign tiny parts of them.

Roman kept asking questions after that. More and more he wished to know and it grew late at night when Janus finally reminded him that his mortal body needed rest.

The next morning he stood up and asked what technique the humans had invented to weave these clothes. Janus decided to take him shopping. In the afternoon, he brought him to the local library. For the next week, every morning Roman requested to go back and Janus never found the heart to tell him no and so they brought him there again and again.

Eventually, Janus needed to attend to their duties and they asked Roman if it was allright for him to be alone for a bit. While the Sprite seemed somewhat unhappy with their question, he answered that it naturally was allright for them to leave. He still asked if they knew when they would return, and Janus reassured him that they would be back in two days.

Somewhat dejected Roman agreed that that was quite allright and Janus left him on his own devices.

***

Never in their life had Janus known how long two days could be. Yes, they had been preoccupied with work, yes, every single one of their siblings and their best friends apparently just needed to speak with them about any possible nonsense, so time should be moving quickly. But it didn’t. For some strange reason time didn’t seem to want to move forward and it was truly starting to get to his nerves.

What a joy it was, when they finally had been able to set their work aside for the time being and return to their apartment in the human world. They almost felt giddy stepping into the elevator leading up to the 11th floor. Now they could see the front door and maybe, just maybe their steps were a little more enthusiastic than they needed to be as they went up to door and fished the key out of their pocket.

Opening the door and simultaneously stepping inside Janus called, “I’m back! You better behaved yourself when I was gone!”

No response. A chill ran down Janus’ spine and they quickly hurried further into the flat.

“Oh hello! I didn’t hear you coming-” Roman greeted stepping into the hallway.

The moment he saw Janus’ expression his words stopped and he knitted his eye brows together in question.

Carefully Roman approached and asked, “Is something wrong? Do you need to leave for longer. You don’t need to worry I can get by. It’s-”

“You never told me why Virility did this to you.”

Roman stepped back. He seemed taken aback. But not as surprised as he could have. In the end he must have known that Janus hadn’t forgotten. That Janus still was questioning why a Master like him had thrown one of his strongest and most capable Sprites away.

A sigh hung filled the air and Roman nodded dejectedly. He waved for Janus to follow him into the living room. The table had been set for the two of them and Janus could smell the something from the kitchen. It didn’t even seem to be burnt.

“Go sit, I’ll just turn off the stove and put everything away for later. If you want to eat after everything, that is,” Roman added quickly before he left for the kitchen and fumbled around with a few things.

After that the returned and settled down on the couch seat next to Janus. Now Janus noted, how Roman had dressed himself; He was wearing a white shirt, all properly buttoned and tucked into rather nice wide legged pants in a deep maroon. Added to the shirt was a red west with a subtle brown and gold chequered pattern. He had really tried to dress himself up for Janus.

“Just ripping the bandaid off, as the humans say,” Roman mildly joked, his eyes creasing around the edges in that adorable way, and looked down into his lap. “Master Virility saw it fit for me to be stripped of my abilities and rights after I have acted wrathfully without his approval. Nothing I do should ever happen without his approval I have learnt over the long span of my life.”

For a long moment just sat and thought about what they had just heard.

“So you want me to believe,” Janus summarized coldly, “that your Master took everything you are from you because of a single action of disobedience? That is how petty this Master has been to you?”

“Yes, I suspect so.”

“What do you mean, you ‘suspect’ so? He must have told you why he did this, did he not?”

Roman gritted his teeth and shook his head, “He did not, no. He turned me into this right after he had pulled me and the others away from the human realm. There was no explanation or hesitation shown by him.”

Baffled stared at Roman.

“You- He- That is-”

“That is what I should have expected and what I deserved.”

There is finality in Roman’s words.

“Not because my Master is right to demand perfect obedience from me, but because my behaviour towards your brother and you was unacceptable. He, Logan, he means well. He was trying very hard to be friendly with all of us. He and Patton saw a path to unify our divided people. And I could have tried to aid in that attempt by talking civilly with you when you came in.”

The sudden knowledge and experiences from all those ten of thousands of millennia this Sprite must have, resurfaced now wit full force. For much longer than a human would have stilled Roman remained silent before he met Janus eyes again.

“I deserve this. And I shouldn’t burden you wi-”

“You have no right do decide if I think of you as a burden or not!”

Janus couldn’t retain himself any longer. Vigorously they hopped of the couch and grabbed Roman by the arm. Intensely they looked in his eyes, their left hand darting up to his cheek and holding onto him for their dear life.

“You will respect, that I, Janus, Child of Mechanics, Fraction of Preservation, have chosen to keep you. That I have seen you and declared you to be worthy to remain within me and my realm.”

Their heart pounded so fast. Why was it pounding so fast? Why did Roman’s cheek feel so hot all of a sudden.

“In fact,” Janus added in their wild speech, “I will make sure that once your powers are restored, we will make sure that what our fellow Fractions and Sprites have started will come to fruition. We will unite the Masters and we will see victory come to us.”

Roman’s hands lay on Janus’ sides. His pupils had dilated. His eye lashes fluttered beautifully when he closed them as Janus leaned into the kiss.

“I took your eye,” Roman whimpred into Janus neck as their touches grew more intimate.

“I still have one to see out off, my darling,” Janus huffed into Roman’s ear. “And there is a bit of charm in a disfigured face, isn’t there?”

The suppressed whine was answer enough to Janus. It was their promise that things would be okay in the end.

Entranced in each others arms, the tension around them ebbed away. The uncertainty, the confusion and second guessing finally came to their much needed end. Even though so much was still uncertain, at least now they knew they would have each other.

[chemicalfox]

No because if, when they animate the time skip, they actually have hinata shout “I’m here!” in the BJ vs AD game and all his friends in the audience shout back “Wecome home!” and we actually get to see and hear that interaction I will sob

[uralternativecarer]

🕸 WECOME TO THE BAT CAVE

🕷️☾ emo flip w/ little lean, this is my caregiving acc

🕷️☾ im 16 so please don’t interact if you are 20+

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🕷️☾ any petnames are fine, as long as they r masculine or neutral

(im uncomfortable with daddy so please don't use it /srs)

🕷️☾ my little blog -> @maxslilspace

🕷️☾ im neurodivergent + queer

🕸 BLOG INFO

☆ This blog is my idea for a caregiver blog, i recently discovered i'm a flip so my skills might not be perfect. Im also a permaregressor so im rarely in a cg headspace, so posts on here arent going to be as often.

☆ I like posts and follow others from @dgafmax as it is my main blog

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[kenscorvette]

Greetings! Wecome to the blog! I go by the name Toshi ( he/him ) this blog will feature my gameplay experiences and contents based off Barbie and Ken's aesthetics.

🦩 I hope to find interactive mutuals that i can be friends with!

[whatsapparchiving]

Empowering Corporate Success with WeCom: Enhancing Communications Through Call Monitoring and Recording

In the contemporary business landscape, the role of effective communication cannot be overstated. The introduction of cutting-edge solutions like WeCom call monitoring and recording marks a transformative phase in how businesses conduct operations, enabling an uplift in communication practices, process efficiency, and overall organizational productivity.

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Moreover, the implementation of WeCom call recording significantly bolsters the integrity and clarity of both internal and external communications. Having a reliable archive of recorded calls provides a dependable reference for project management and addressing legal concerns, ensuring that essential communications are preserved and readily accessible. This precise approach to documentation aids in synchronizing team efforts, reducing the potential for miscommunication, and promoting a cohesive strategy towards meeting organizational objectives.

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Ultimately, integrating WeCom call monitoring and recording into business operations can dramatically transform corporate communication, tackling critical aspects like team development, communication accuracy, and operational refinement. Businesses embracing this sophisticated communication technology can look forward to a path of accelerated growth and enhanced operational prowess.

For more information about WeCom Call recording come and visit our website : https://www.telemessage.com/

[karamatsu]

i think you got it wrong..... blmatsu is a matsu x some male ( bl :b ), if u don't want some brothers shippers to interact u need to use dni matsuCEST >>>

trust me when i say this…no person who ships just the normal stuff like yanaichi or karabita or atsutodo associates themselves w the term “blm*tsu” lol its heavily and mostly associated w the mtscst shippers even then most incst shippers still read “blmtsu dni” and know theyre not wecome here so the message still gets across

[the-social-recluse]

MDZS link masterpost

Novel: JJWXC (official release) | Luoxia - CN raws (revised edition, complete) | CN paperback, vol. 1 currently sold out/TW paperback, special edition reprint (uncensored, 4 volumes - up to ch.122), TW paperback of the extra volume containing the rest of the chapters: book only/Collector’s Edition | Official English release

Audio drama: MissEvan - S1, S2, S3 (buying guide) | English translation by SuibianSubs (main story and extras complete, apart from some S2 and S3 FTs)/Revision by Treasure Chest Subs Audio drama, JP version (joint production by MaoEr FM and its new branch for JP localisations, MiMi FM): MiMi FM smartphone app (install guide)/MissEvan - S1 (first cour, second cour), S2 (first cour, second cour), S3 (first cour, second cour) | English translation by 3PASubs (S1 and S2 complete, currently translated to S3E2)

Audiobook: Ximalaya - CN edition (complete). Note: if you are on mobile, after installing the app please revoke location access to avoid geo-block.

Manhua: Taobao - paperback, limited edition vol.1 (TW reprint of vol.1) | Kuaikanmanhua [interactive edition on Tencent Film - open through the mobile app] | WeComics [expect WeTV’s quality] | Official English release Manga: CMOA

Donghua: Tencent Video | WeTV English (S1: E1-15, S2: E16-23, S3: E24-35) [Subs’ quality is questionable] | S1 and S2 fansubs done by GuodongSubs, S3 fansubs done by Treasure Chest Subs JP dubbing of the donghua: Tencent Video (S1 and S2 only) | Blu-rays Chibi shorts aka Q version: Tencent Video | WeTV English | English fansubs by Rabbit Mantou Subs (complete)

Live action: Tencent Video | WeTV English (WeTV’s exclusive - CQL Special Edition)/Rakuten VIKI [subs are not ideal either way]/Netflix (depends on your region) | English fansubs by SuibianSubs (complete)/Detailed episode comparisons between original CQL and Special Edition by 3PASubs CQL movies: iQiyi - The Living Dead, Fatal Journey | iQiyi International (only through the smartphone app). Note: both versions come with decent subs

All streaming platforms require subscriptions for full access at best quality available (although most CQL and donghua content has also been uploaded to Tencent’s YouTube for free), while everything translated by the SuibianSubs, Treasure Chest Subs and 3PASubs groups is only accessible through their respective Discord channels. Please support the official channels first!

[rachiesratirementhome]

Important Notice! #Tankerbell has #backbuttons which now means a bare minimum of 3 boops at each interaction. You are wecome. #AdminAlly Check out some of our favourites! @theunusualpetvets @alison_ratwise @therescuecollective #RachiesRatirementHome #thisiswhyifoster #thisislove #mylittleloves #mylittleratbags #shenanigans #cutiepatooties #fostering #fosterbabies #ratrescue #rescuebabies https://www.instagram.com/p/B_lNL0lnmFq/?igshid=xyu8rv8ywvyq

[royallyprincesslilly]

Title: Love, Maybe? {31}

Chris Evans X Reader OFC Vixen Giovanni

Warning: Cursing, Plot, Slow, Smoldering, Torturous Burn 😊, Slight angst 

Word Count: 4K

Summary: After a night of drunkenness you wake up next to warm, hot as hell body, a migraine and no memory of the night before. When you come to realize that the hot body belongs to none other than Hollywood’s golden boy Chris Evans you freak out. As events unfold you become even more panicked to find out you got married in your drunken haze. What else is there to do but get it annulled, right? Before walking away, you share one more night of molten kisses and passion. Three years later you are still living with the repercussions of your brash decisions, but the surprises don’t stop there. The past has a way of coming back and have you questioning is this fate that you’ve been running from, hell could it have been love, maybe?

Note: Italic texts is an inner Vixen thought. Bold Italic texts is an inner Chris thought.

**Slightly Edited/Proofread**

***Interactive***

Thank you guys for reading!!!! If you enjoyed this please LIKE, COMMENT, REBLOG. 😊 ❤️  ❤️ ❤️

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 31: Amends

-Chris-

“Then you drizzle some of the chocolate sauce over the top, like this.” He raised the bottle into the air and squeezed some of the sauce out in an elaborate way. Ella giggled as he did it.

  “Chawket, yayy.”

  “Oh you like chocolate, so let’s add just a little more.” He squeezed a little more before putting the bottle down. “Then, we put some of our melted marshmallows right on top like so.” An extra dollop of the marshmallow plopped on top, and as it did he gave it a sound effect. “Pwak.” Ella laughed again and leaned closer to the plate and stared at his creation with wide eyes.

  “Now we add the candy. What candy do you want? We have recess, M&Ms with peanuts because without is just plain chocolate; we also have some coconut shavings and jelly beans. You choose.”

  Ella pointed to the recess and the M&Ms without peanuts. “I no wike eanut.”

“No?” She shook her head enthusiastically to showcase her absolute disdain for the nut. He smiled. “Got it.” he took up the bowl of peanut M&Ms and tossed it into the garbage, bowl, and all. “Who needs em’.” She smiled again, and he sprinkled a few plain M&Ms and diced up recess on top.

  Once he was finished, he slid the plate in front of her and watched her. “Ta-da and just like that we have breakfast!”

  Ella squealed and excitedly clapped her hands. “Weckfast, weckfast!”

  “Try it. This is my first time making one of these for someone.” He handed held out her toddler knife and fork, but she bypassed it using her hands to grab a piece of the first half of the treat. Without missing a beat, she buried her face into the mountain of sugary delights and instantly moaned while her eyeballs crossed. He couldn’t help it and let out a hearty laugh; his hand latched across his chest as he heaved trying to catch his breath. When Ella pulled back everything below her nose was smeared with chocolate, marshmallow, and pieces of candy.

  “I wike it!” Her shout was loud enough to wake the entire house, and that’s what made it even funnier.

  “Oo twy da-da.”

  He took a piece off the plate and followed her lead by biting into it. He moaned and nodded his head in agreement. “It’s still as good as I remember.” Ella nodded as she continued eating.

  As he ate, he just watched her. He was still in the marvel stage. Everything she did he sat in awe at. Every word out her mouth he smiled at, every look she gave him just put him further and further under her control. He was entirely in love with this little girl, and it happened as quickly as it did with her mother. At the thought of you the memory of last night came flooding back to him along with every ounce of desire he felt for you.

  He listened to her chatter and answered as much as he could. She jumped from topic to topic; first it was a bird she saw in the yard, then the tv show she’d just watched, then her excitement about her birthday, then parties, princesses, unicorns, and mermaids. It was incredible how intelligent she was. After thirty minutes she was on a clear sugar high as she danced around on the top of the island still completely covered in chocolate and marshmallow.

  “Oh my goodness, what in the world is going on here?” You walked into the kitchen, still dressed in your pajamas. Just like that, his mind flew back to the night before. Your eyes were wide as you took in the state of the kitchen. His eyes were concealed as he took in the state of you. You were beautiful then, but now you had more dangerous curves and an even more sinfully seductive presence. He didn’t know if it was intentional or if it was just you.

  “Mama! Mama! Wook, weckfast!” Your smile was so bright then you looked to the plate still on the island, and your eyes bugged out.

  “Oh I see, chocolate for breakfast.” Your eyes landed on him and looked away from you and down to the plate.

  “Twy it, twy it!”

  You approached the island, and Ella sunk down to you. She grasped your cheeks and planted a kiss on your lips. “Mmm, yummy thank you.” Ella nodded and used your chest as a bracing point to stand leaving her tiny chocolate handprints on your shirt. You looked down and nodded. “Ah, double thank you Kristella.”

  “Wecome!” You scoffed and looked at the plate.

  “What is this?”

  “Da-Da do it.”

  “Oh, did he? What exactly did da-da do, or think he did?”

  He opened his mouth at the subtle jab. “Oh, you have sugar-coated insults, huh?

  You smiled and nodded then pointed to the handprints on your shirt. “Yeah, I have a lot of sugar.”

  “You sure do.”

  “I will have you know that I don’t think I did something. I actually did. This is what my mother made for me every year the day before my birthday for breakfast.” You nodded and examined his handiwork.

  “Twy it mama. I wike it,” Ella said with a giggle. You took up a piece off the plate and examined it further.

  “What is it exactly?”

  “Marshmallow French Toast, with warm spiced chocolate sauce and, roughly diced gourmet peanut butter cups and multicolored Mars & Maurri confection cacao treats,” he responded in his best pretentious voice. Ella laughed loudly at him, and you couldn’t not smile though you tried.

  “Cute Evans, very cute.”

  “I try.” You smiled and took a bite of the French toast. He was interested in what you thought as the professional. Slowly you chewed as he and Ella sat on the edge of suspense, watching you for any indication to your thoughts about it.

  “Well?”

  Again, you smiled, then nodded. “I wike it.” He threw his hands in the air and shouted, Ella joined in as well. He stood and started doing the single ladies dance around you and the kitchen. You laughed, and it became louder as Ella did her best to imitate it as well. Ella was pretty good at it though.

  “Dace mama, dace.”

  “Yes, dance mama, dance.” From all the peer pressure, you began doing the same dance showing him how it’s done.

  Soon the three of you were just dancing around the kitchen to no music whatsoever like complete idiots. Nothing felt awkward or forced. It was as if what happened last night didn’t change the context of your relationship. Whatever the hell that context was.

  “Wife, you idiot! Wife is the context of your relationship.”

  He looked between you and Ella, and he didn’t care one bit how he looked. This was what life was about. This is what his life was about—what it should have been about all along — you and Ella. You looked at him and smiled widely, it was the best smile he’d seen, and it made his stomach flutter.

  “That’s new.”

  Your mother walked into the kitchen and took one look around and laughed as well. “Maw-Maw, look, dace pawty.” She smiled and nodded.

  “I can see that. you’re showing mama and da-da your dance moves?” She nodded.

  “Paw-Paw and I were going to take a walk. Wanna come sugar?” Ella nodded again and held her arms out to her grandmother, who looked at her hands and scowled. “Oh, not today child, not today. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

  You lifted Ella off the island and put her onto the floor. As soon as you did, she bolted from the room. Your mother looked at the two of you and smiled then walked out the kitchen humming. He didn’t know why but he felt as if there was some sort of hint in the way she looked at him just before she disappeared. You hopped onto the island and finished the French toast.

  “Seriously, it’s not bad. It will definitely give you diabetes if you eat this for breakfast every day, but tasty.”

  “It was only a once a year thing. I thought why not make it a tradition with her—if that’s cool with--.”

  “Definitely. She seemed to love it. She loves chocolate, and marshmallows, you hit it out of the park.” He smiled and took the last piece of French toast, leaned against the island beside you and ate. Still the silence didn’t become weird.

  “Did you get good sleep?” You took a deep breath and sighed out, then nodded with a small smile on your lips--lips he’d had dreams about all night, those dreams were anything but innocent.

  “Yeah. I don’t know when the last time was I slept past ten. Ella usually wakes me up with the sun.”

  “Yeah, I saw her when I was on my way to my room. It must have been seven.” You nodded and licked your fingers of the chocolate and marshmallow. He saw a bit of it at the corner of your mouth, and without thinking, he brought his thumb out to swipe it away. Your eyes fell to his hand as he did it and then slowly rose up to his face. His eyes were focused on your lips and then moved up to your hypnotizing brown eyes.

  “I’m—sorry you had a—a little—something.” It was as if the words couldn’t form, and all he could think about was your lips. He’d tasted them on three occasions now. He hadn’t had his fill. He wanted to taste more.

  “I shouldn’t have—it was--.”

  “Fine,” you whispered. He was a little surprised.

  For a brief second, he recognized something in your eyes. It was something that spoke to him, something that reached out to him taunting him to come a little closer, go a little further.  He trailed his thumb across your bottom lip, and the look returned, only this time it lasted for longer than a second. You didn’t move, or say “no,” you allowed it. His fingers were on fire, and that fire was quickly racing through his body. He could feel just where that heat was settling. He stood straighter, and his body moved on its own toward your lips. He needed to kiss you.

  When your lips were mere centimeters apart, he felt your hands at his waist. The heat from them made him want so much more. He inched forward, and the first touch of your lips made him pause, but just for a moment before he pressed his to yours and took control. He nearly lost his shit right then; it had been so long. He’d dreamt of you for years, been haunted by your memories, then last night he’d come so close but still so far. As if it was as natural as breathing, his lips knew what to do. They knew how to claim yours, knew just the right amount of pressure to apply. He knew how you needed to be kissed.

  In a matter of seconds, the kiss changed from slow and exploratory to intense and passion filled. His body came to life, and it wasn't the only thing to come alive. Your lips danced together as if they’d been doing it every day for the last three years. He recognized the breathlessness, recognized the tingle on his lips, the chill that resided at his spine, and the blazing heat that filled his gut. It had never been like this with anyone else—just you.

  His tongue gently teased yours before it curled around his fighting him for control. A soft whimper escaped you. He stepped around coming between your thighs and cupped your jaws all to kiss you better. Your hand was now resting on his abdomen just at his belly button, you balled the fabric of his ribbed tank and groaned. Then he felt your fingertips press into him before you pulled back from his mouth. You rested your forehead against his and panted heavily.

  “Oh my--,” you began.

  “God,” he finished.” He was just as breathless as you. He brought his lips back to yours and pecked them once, then twice, and as he was leaning in for a third, your fingers served as a wall to separate yours form his. He looked at you, but your eyes were still closed.

  “We—we—have to—shouldn’t.” Your words were staggered, whispered, then you shook your head slightly as you opened your eyes. They were glazed over and looked almost cloudy. “We can’t,” you continued.

  Your lips were saying no, but everything else was saying yes. Your other hand still on his abs, your heaving chest, your hazed eyes. “Right?” You were asking him.

  “In what world do I have the strength?”

  He kissed you again, you didn’t move, or pull away, your legs hooked around him and pulled him closer. He delved his tongue into your mouth again and moaned onto you. His moan triggered your moan and a sea of emotions and need in him. He gripped the flesh of your thighs and pulled you to him. Your moan turned into a groan and he wondered if you’d felt his need for you, felt his hardness. You tore your lips from his and threw your head back.

  “Shit!”

  “Vixen--.”

  “We—we should—stop,” you whispered on a panted breath. He almost missed it.

  “Yeah. We should,” he added. You nodded but your legs remained hooked around him keeping him right where he was. When your lips pressed back to his you took control of the kiss. You grabbed his face and nibbled his bottom lip. He groaned and the feel of you sucking and teasing his bottom lip fed that fire in him so much that his hand latched onto your breast and palmed it. You began rolling your hips on him in a frenzy. He could feel the heat from your core and it drove him crazy. He pinched your nipple and you gasped loudly pulling your lips from his.

  “Fuck—Chris we--,”

  “Absolutely can’t. We should stop,” he finished while his lips kissed and sucked your neck. He latched his mouth onto the part of your neck he remembered drove you wild. As he did you bucked your hips against him.

  “Vixen!” The shout of your name had you both pulling apart so fast, you’d think you were kids instead of grown adults. He turned his back and walked to the stove just as your father walked in.

  “Hey uh—ehm. Hey dad.” He looked between you and Chris’s back once then shook his head.

  “Your mother is asking about Ella’s bath mermaid?”

  “Yeah, I’ll go help her with that. Thanks dad.” He could hear your feet as you walked out of the kitchen.

  When he turned your father was still standing there. “Good morning, sir.”

  “Good morning. I hear your breakfast was a big hit with the little boss.” He smiled and nodded.

  “You’re doing a fine job son, an outstanding job stepping up. Keep it up.” He began walking out of the kitchen then he turned back. “Oh, about the other boss, remember Rome wasn’t built in a day. It was a long strenuous, complex, infuriating task. It wasn’t for the faint of heart, or the weak.” He gave him a small salute then walked off leaving him standing there to contemplate his words and to rehash everything that just happened.

  One thing was for certain, he was now filled with even more desire than ever and just as many rising fears, and insecurities.

   -Vixen-

“Fuck, Fuck, Fuck, Fuck! You just had to kiss him huh. You just had to! Your colossal fuck up last night wasn’t enough, you just had to do it again. Not only did you do it again, but if your dad hadn’t walked in you would have fucked him, right there on the kitchen counter. What is wrong with you?”

  You’d chastised yourself throughout your shower, and then as you dressed and now sitting in front of your mirror doing your hair, you chastised yourself again. You could still feel his lips and taste him. The chocolate and other sweets were a good mask, but you could still taste him. Your mouth recognized him; it was a taste that you’d missed. You didn’t even know you missed it until you got a taste of it again. God he tasted good. You wanted him as badly as you’d ever wanted him—maybe more. Last night’s accidental kiss nearly turned into sex against the wall of your daughter’s bedroom. Today’s on top of the kitchen counter with your family walking around the house. You couldn’t believe how close you’d come.

  You took a deep breath and slowly let it out. You didn’t know if now that you’d had a taste if you’d be able to keep away.

  “Why do I have to keep away? Why don’t I just give in?”

  Groaning, you took a few breaths.

  “Because if I give in even once, I may not ever be able to pull myself out again.”

  Staring at your reflection in the mirror, you did your best to keep the tears in. You barely pulled yourself together three years ago. It was the hardest thing to forget him and everything you’d felt especially with his child growing inside of you. Every day you prayed his face would fade; every day you prayed that Ella didn’t look a thing like him when she was born. Every day you wanted him there, then Ella was born with his eyes and those eyes didn’t change, didn’t turn a different color, they remained his. Then one day, you were able to flip a switch, one day, you turned into this woman.

  “I’m still in love with him.” You said it as a whisper, afraid the walls had ears and would repeat it. You could no longer deny it, no longer pretend with yourself. Everything you felt in those kisses was the evidence. You closed your eyes and took some time to pull yourself together.

  When you walked back downstairs, you heard voices as you turned the corner to the family room. Sitting on the couches were all of the older Evans siblings. You stopped in your tracks as all eyes fell to you. “Sorry, I didn’t know—I’ll go.” You quickly turned to walk out.

  “We came to see you, Vixen,” Shanna informed.  You stopped and clenched your jaw. You weren’t sure you wanted to stay or listen to anything they had to say so you kept your back to them.

  “I know we’re probably the last people you want to see or talk to, mainly Carly,” Scott added.

  “Nice touch Scott, what a way to have each other’s back, remember that oath?” Scott scoffed at Carly’s comment.

  “Please, just five minutes,” Shanna finished. You sighed. You could see Ella outside in the front, dancing around and playing with Nexus and Dodger.

  “Whatever you want, Vixen, if you’re not down for it; I’ll kick them out,” Chris began. You smiled because you could imagine it for some reason.  Turning around you made sure to wipe the smile off your face.

  “Okay.” You walked into the room.

  “I’ll wait outside,” Chris began.

  “No, you can stay.” He nodded and walked away to one of the windows creating distance between him and his siblings.

  “Okay, I’ll go first because I was the one who was the most despicable,” Carly stated. She stepped forward with a remorseful look on her face. “I’m deeply sorry for my behavior and actions toward you yesterday. Not only were they uncalled for but they were unfair and downright rude. I was rude.”

  You studied her and examined her body language as well as facial expressions. She looked as if she were being truthful, even sounded as if she regretted it. You wondered if she truly meant it or if she were trying to smooth things over to remain in her brother’s good grace.

  You looked to Chris whose eyes were just on you. You picked up a slight eyebrow raise and the tightness of his lips; then, he gave a soft grin. He believed her; you could tell.

  “I’m sorry. I got so gung-ho on the fact that you lied to Chris and hid his child that I didn’t see anything else. I didn’t take into consideration to look elsewhere like your words or actions since.

  “We’re sorry also. We could have handled yesterday a lot better than we did. We’re all equally ashamed that we hurt you. We didn’t mean to,” Shanna finished.

  You looked down and sighed again. You didn’t want to make this bigger. It wasn’t worth it. Everyone in this room had a part to play, but you wanted to move forward. This entire thing felt like a toxic cloud hanging over you, and you hated it.

  “Look, I know how tempers can flare in a situation like this. I know how each of you are feeling or felt. I can empathize with each of you. Honestly, I’m sorry. I’m sorry about my actions and the situation I don’t want to keep duking this out with any of you. I want to move on. I want to move forward, and it would be great if you all could move forward with me.”

  “And me. I’ve moved forward from anything in the past. I told you all that. I meant it,” Chris furthered

  “Yes, we want to move forward,” Carly spoke up. You looked at all of them. They were nodding in unison.

  “Good, I’m sure Ella would love to know her aunts and uncle.” All three of them smiled, but it was Shanna and Scott who came forward to hug you. You were so shocked you remained there.

  “Wow. Okay.”

  “Thank you,” Carly finished. You nodded.

  “She’s outside if you want to see her. I have a party to finish planning.” They nodded and walked to the door, leaving you and Chris alone yet again.

  “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “You didn’t have to do that, hell you probably shouldn’t have. You had every right to--.”

  “What hold a grudge? No, I’m tired of doing that. I am so tired.” You sat in one of the chairs and rubbed your forehead. “I held a grudge against you for twelve months. Twelve long months, until one day, three months after Ella was born, she was crying her head off because of an ear infection, and I snapped out of it. I don’t know how or why, but I did. Grudges don’t do anything for me.”

  “Why did you hold a grudge against me?” You took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

  “It’s not important. It’s in the past, and we’re moving forward. Remember?”

  Chris stared at you as if he were trying to decipher what you weren’t saying.

  “Vixen--,” Chris began before he was cut off by the sound of his cell phone ringing. He groaned, excused himself, and took the call leaving you sitting there.

  “Got a call from the venue just now, they said everything is shaping up good and suggested a walkthrough for tomorrow morning,” Nexus informed. You nodded.

  “Got it, thanks, Nex.” She nodded and sat on the arm of the chair you sat in.

  “Wanna talk about it?” You looked out the window to see Ella standing in the middle of a sea of Evans, and she was showing off one of the toys Chris gave her. They all looked so happy being around her. It was heartwarming.

  “I’m good. Everything is falling into place.” Nexus nodded.

  “It is. Funny, you should sound happy about that, sound less stressed, more relaxed.” You nodded in agreement.

  “The thing is, you don’t. You sound the opposite of happy, the opposite of relaxed, you sound and even look more stressed and unhappier than ever. Now I wonder what else still has yet to fall into place.” You looked at Nexus, but her face betrayed nothing.

  “Fortune favors the bold, my beautiful, talented and sexy sister. The bold. It laughs at the meek.” With that she stood and walked out the room, leaving you to sit there, alone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

***If you want to be tagged please SEND AN ASK SO IT WILL BE EASIER FOR ME TO KEEP TRACK OF. Thank you for reading!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TagList:

@sarahboseman  @heyauntieeee @airis-paris14 @thiccdaddy-mbaku @wakandas-vibranium @wakanda-inspired @theunsweetenedtruth @ashanti-notthesinger @reignsxjackson @halfrican-heat @ambthegamer @simplyyamberr  @muse-of-mbaku @sisterwifeudaku @mejustme06  @ilcb7 @leahnicole1219  @destinio1 @maliadestiny @drsunshine97 @blowmymbackout @purplehairgawdess @thehuntoyobun @wakandamama @wakandawinning @profilia @zxddy-panther @h-challa @babygirlofwakanda @misswakanda2018 @ororowrites@hutchj @myfavemarvelfanfics @lavitabella87 @afraiddreamingandloving @autumn242 @purple-apricots @skysynclair19 @hersheyskissesss-blog @blue-ishx @90sinspiredgirl @tchallaswife @tchallamakesmeh0lla @turn-thy-paige @blackchickfics @blackpantherismyish @inlovewithmakeupcomicsanimelove @naturally-bri @flawlesslybeautiful14 @qweentbh@lunaerly @theoutereffect@twilight-sapphire-lover @pupyluv247 @stark-red19 @cockyboysandsugarism@maverickabull @madbadsiren @aykanna @myaw731 @ruruly20 @mixedmelanin @brittyevans @bezzywazhere@laketaj24  @soulsparker @theresnomoregoodones @syreanne@loveandcigarillos @heyauntieeee @heybriheyyy @wakanda-bcth @uhlxis  @maliadestiny @dadinhas-heat @yaachtynoboat711@geeksareunique @bultalongthewayside @ajspencer1892 @captiansaveasmut @imaginewhoever @terrablaze514 @starsshines-blog @scrumptiouslytenaciouscrusade@darkandlovely94   @sithlordslut @wavyyc @naturalistamisslyn @nigarachi15 @madamslayyy @blackandfair @kreolemami @mylastnameisthe-fish @kaykay0829@chaneajoyyy @tequilajay27 @blacklotus-of-the-black-kingdom @slimmiyagi @im5ftbutmythroat66 @jaeee-http@madhatterhelsing @sunflowerpsalms @wakanda-shit-is-that @deliciousstreetkidcroissant @jecourt @vebner37 @disneysdarlingdiva @melaninmarvel @alanastormborn@dolphinpink310 @yourwonderbelle  @ohleucothea @queentearra @bitchbetterhavemydinner @fentybabyy @kaykay4454fan @priya212 @kitkit1690 @chrismarcs @beautycomesindifferentformsworld @blackpantherimagines @ovohanna24 @sweetpeachjones @kslo000   @nubian-queen18 @omgsuperstarg  @airis-paris14 @sisterwifeudaku   @mejustme06 @ilcb7 @leahnicole1219 @destinio1 @drsunshine97  @blue-ishx @inlovewithmakeupcomicsanimelove @prettyprincessushio @treeondrea  @ursapharoh05  @blackpinup22 @kaytauru @big3gocandykahn @kissingpineapples @wildaboutchrisevans   @fitfineandstayingalive @misspooh @michele-onel @gorjiss @blacklotus-of-the-black-kingdom @muva-milaje @limbo-limbo-limbo @awkwardlyabstract @blxck-brxndie  @meeky-imagines @inlovewith3 @metalarmlover @mellowjellow6 @scrumptiouslytenaciouscrusade @thatrandomhetaliachick @missdeerstalker15 @ursapharoh05 @treeondrea @ovohanna24 @marvelheaux @romanceoftheeveryday @mufasathatniggatho @cltex84 @sweetbearcolorgarden @msincognito67 @mosagram @lunaerly @mar-ta-3 @ljstraightnochaser @lewatigress @akimi-youngblood @bekahdean87 @jasmindaughteroftheworld @cocooned-butterfly @emoniclark22 @chereedrop619 @theblulife @niggarachi15 @drsunshine97 @msincognito67 @missdeerstalker15 @wakandamama  @avenger-marvel-fan @arieljamiyla @vibranium-soul @monae-boss @queenxchallaxkillamonger@amirra88 @jaeee-http @omg-itsnadi @fonville-designs @sydneebleu @cherrystainedlipsbaby @behindthesehazeleyes27 @areubeingserved  @kelbabyblue @academic-glowup  @patzammit @yourwonderbelle @pennywisesmistress @squeackygee @noramushrooms @titty-teetee @ab-baybay @kreolemami @impossiblegiantrebelbasketball @dangerouslovefanfic @heladoom @renesmeeharelds @zaddysqueen7 @alyxkbrl @hello-therree @taylorveebee @a-dizzle777 @deidrashouseofpain @coldmuffinbanditshoe @evemej  @chaselovinggert @ben-wyxtt @designerwriterchic​ @chrisgalore​ @jennmurawski13​ @rynabarnesrogers​ @yunggyeezyy​ @kemkem101​ @dearkyrainez @minton131​

[narutorpcpositivity]

Everyone who I have talked to has been so nice and wecoming!! And I haven’t even had this blog for very long at all really. I WANT TO GIVE A BIG THANK YOU TO SHORP FOR TALKING TO ME, and basically inspiring me to want to jump into the Naruto Fandom because of their Kankuro which is amazing and I love him!!

I also want to give a pretty big thank you to the muns of @of-smoke-and-deer, @sabakv, @shadcwd, @karukv, @inumbratte, @oneesands, @variantia, @blackgreed, @vestiallus, @galgenballade, @lavafed and @kageheir !

They’ve either answered any questions I had, said something nice, and/or interacted with me a bit thus far (and I have some replies/asks for some of them, at least at this point)!

I also just want to thank EVERYONE SO MUCH WHO’S BEEN INTERESTED IN THIS SOFT SAND BOY (and my mean my followers as well as those, of course!) I’m surprised that I’ve taken to him as much as I have, but I think part of that reason is because I’ve been doodling him, and he makes me happy basically!!

I have a lot of thoughts and I want to interact with everyone I’m mutuals with (once more, non mutuals can still come into my inbox to send questions!) I’m not sure what else I want to say here so I’ll just end it here thanks!!! Sorry if I missed anyone orz.

[welcome-home-busnax-au]

==PINNED POST PLEASE READ==

Hello neighbor! Welcome to the official blog of the newly made Welcome Home Bugsnax AU! Created by me, of course! (As well as my LoveBug AU)

Tags:

#ILOVEYOU virus au

#ily au

#lovebug au

#wecome home bugnsax au

#my post

Rules:

No NSFW

PEDOS DO NOT INTERACT

No hate of any kind please! If I see any, I will not hesitate to block you.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask! It it’s a private matter, feel free to DM me!!

Sorry if this is a bit short! I probably add more stuff to this later on! Thanks for reading!

[a-very-tired-raven]

I didn't realize how much of my personality you picked up from our interactions, dude awwwww

Hshshs you takin' to me?? you're wecome i guess lmao??

[tinytownoregonrp]

SEEKING MUSES FROM EVANGELION!

Asuka Langley Soryu

Misato Katsuragi

Rei Ayanami

Ryoji Kaji

&& many more!

Wecome to Tiny Town, Oregon-- an interesting town with a misleading name. A home to everyone from the unwitting humans who believe there are no things that go bump in the night to the demon blooded creatures who may see them as a meal. But as unordinary as the population may seem, the townspeople seem happy. Peaceful. Curious. And what is even more curious is the chat app that seems to pop up on half the populations cellphones, allowing them interaction with the most unlikely company.

This town only seems to draw in the strangest of sorts. It’s an ever growing town-- but the word tiny never was meant to describe the size of the city... There’s a reason for everything-- for the application that may have appeared on your phone, for the mysterious area called the Weald, for all the odd things that seem to happen. There’s a reason you came and a reason you don’t want to leave. Everyone has secrets…And in this town, it seems someone is always watching. Don’t bother looking over your shoulder and don’t bother trying to delete Tiny Town Chat. In this town, there’s nothing you can really escape from… but maybe you can try to find some peace.

Tiny Town, Oregon is an 18+ Multifandom Discord Roleplay Server. We are a multifandom modern fantasy group with a growing lore to incorporate humans and heroes, demons and angels, wizards and warlocks, and more!

To learn more,  just check out our FULL DOCUMENT with rules / cast / blacklist OR hop into our SERVER WAITING ROOM to start checking out our lore-- inclusive of species, laws, and notable NPCs in the world!

SERVER INFO DOC || JOIN (Apply in Server)

[dreamlandteaparty]

((Now that I’ve settled things up I guess it’s time to promote this blog :)

Wecome to “Dream Land Tea Party”, a 7D aesthetic, ask and rp blog about Sneezy and Sleepy’s adventures in Dream Land!

Please read the “About/Q&A” for more info, and feel free to ask and interact :D!))

[whatsapparchiving]

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence: A New Era for WeCom Call Monitoring

The meteoric rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies has ushered in a new dimension in the realm of digital communication and collaborations. As part of these advancements, WeCom call monitoring has transformed significantly, leveraging the profound capabilities of AI to optimize business communications.

The integration of AI into 'WeCom call monitoring' primarily impacts the call analysis and quality assurance dimensions. With AI, every call can be reviewed, not just a small subset, setting new standards for quality control. AI algorithms can analyse call patterns, conversation quality, and sentiment analysis, offering granular insights into the communication strata of an organization.

AI's ability for text-to-speech and speech-to-text conversion adds another feather to the cap of 'WeCom call monitoring'. This attribute aids in generating transcripts of the calls, making it easy to search and analyze call content later. Additionally, it creates an opportunity to harness AI for identifying keywords, trends, and actionable insights within these conversations.

Tied closely to 'WeCom call monitoring', is the WeCom call recording feature powered up by AI. Unlike traditional call recordings which mainly serve as an archive, AI-enhanced 'WeCom call recording' can hold value beyond just storage. AI can predict customer behavior, ensure compliance, and even guide strategies for future interactions.

In conclusion, the advent of AI in 'WeCom call monitoring' and 'WeCom call recording' is revolutionizing the way businesses interact and process their communication data. What was primarily used for monitoring and recording purposes, presently offers a goldmine of insights. As AI continues to evolve, we can only anticipate the rise of more refined call monitoring and recording functions on WeCom and other similar platforms, providing businesses with unprecedented control and understanding of their communication landscapes.

For more information about WeCom Call Recording come and visit our website : https://www.telemessage.com/

[arisanareads]

Ahh! I’m so excited that @wecomics_en has brought #Spiritpact to English readers!

I watched the Japanese Adaptation of #LingQi / #SoulContract / Spiritpact on @crunchyroll last weekend. Binged both seasons in 2 days.

It was really slow to start off with but I think that doing that helped strengthen the bond between the main characters. I really enjoy the humor that #Pingzi presents and find that I prefer the #manhua version over the animation as the interactions seem more authentic rather than rushed. The series ended with a both a fulfilling end but also left it open for the viewers which is what made me decide to dive into the manhua to read more.

I’m looking forward to seeing #wecomics catch up to Tencent or even a physical release *hinthint*

#currentlyreading https://www.instagram.com/p/B6QE5-8HmO1/?igshid=km6f519n5fn2