everythingheard

[everythingheard]

Joshua's body fairly burned with the anticipation of Marcelo's each sound and movement. The fervor buzzing just beneath his skin was almost unbearable, yet he craved it. Although the other man's gasp against his arousal might have otherwise prompted a grin to his face, his gaze ( the intensity of it mounting with every beat of his heart ) was fixated too fiercely on those dark eyes for anything else. Then, Marcelo's voice spilled into the night between them: ' Anything you want, güerito, it's all yours. ' Fuck — a fresh wave of heat coursed through his veins as his teeth caught his bottom lip, dragging until it pulled free. However, Joshua's jaw slackened at what followed. ' ...I am '. The red dusting his cheekbones deepened until he knew it was staining his skin, the result of a feeling that was more than mere flusterment.

It was irrevocable and absolute and terrifying. It was everything.

Distracted now by those two words resounding in his mind, the sudden warmth of Marcelo's tongue brushing over the head of his aching length sent his back arching off the ground. Had anything ever felt this damn good? Burying both of his hands in Marcelo's hair, Joshua couldn't resist pulling on the dark strands, hard, while the vaquero's perfect mouth took him in inch by inch. That grip was perhaps the only reason he managed to refrain from bucking his hips in an impatient eagerness for more. Despite his further efforts to ground himself in the interim, the press of Marcelo's tongue along the underside of his cock had his breaths coming in quick yet even succession. But that hum! Although it was soft, the quiet resonance wrenched a deep moan past Joshua's lips, punctuated by the press of his heels into the grass.

It wasn't until a second later, when Marcelo's eyes lifted to his countenance, that he even attempted to speak ( his cadence rough and broken by sharp inhales ). "Good, 'cause what I want's you." Joshua's nails raked along Marcelo's scalp before his fingers resumed their prior grasp amid soft hair. "You're mine." For a beat, his next words felt trapped in his throat, weighted down by the years he swore to himself that he would never say them to anyone. He knew they were true — true as the setting sun and the moon rising to take its place. But it was better if he was the only one who understood that. While he was fond of his dalliances with danger, to utter those words was a disparate sort of peril that he had long believed would destroy him.

Yet they should belong to Marcelo; they did.

When they came, it was in a raspy whisper no less threaded with conviction. " — 'N I'm yours."

Marcelo rode out that brief squirm of Joshua's hips, treasuring the gasp that came with it. He wanted to nuzzle and kiss and nip at the other man's thighs until they looked saddle-burned. Maybe next time. Hopefully at least one of many next times.

He did glimpse what looked like the threat of tears in green eyes - or, was that just the moonlight? - but didn't remark on it. Marcelo simply took it for what it was, or at least what he liked to think of it as: a little show of trust, the deep and sincere kind too often dangerous for men like them. But it wasn't dangerous here, between each other, now or ever. He wouldn't allow it to be.

Instead, Marcelo focused on Joshua's sounds and touches. The fingers raking through his hair dragged just firm enough to close his eyes for a single, savoring blink. His head angled as knuckles skimmed down to his neck - and it was Marcelo's turn for a soft gasp, against that tempting length, at the graze over the tender mark Joshua gave him earlier.

Every urgent word from Joshua slid hot and sweet through Marcelo's veins to curl a bit tighter in his groin. Just imagining tonight ending with an array of loving bites and scratches across his body from mouth and hands, undeniable proof of how much Joshua wanted him... Madre Dios. For now, the sheer need behind that throaty groan of his name drew an end to Marcelo's teasing.

"Anything you want, güerito, it's all yours." Half a moment's pause, to gather nerve for his emphasis. "...I am." Swiping his tongue broadly over the flushed head of Joshua's cock, Marcelo let it drag down the underside as he slowly took each inch into his mouth. His eyes were closed at first while he let slip a quiet low hum, lost in the sensation, but then lashes parted for his dark gaze to flick up toward Joshua's face.

[everythingheard]

Eoin Macken 🌟 (source: newzcard)

[everythingheard]

@riiese said: Ingvar's hands, scarred and weathered, but gentle and with the warmth of a closeby hearth, are cupped, and in it, a human — a human who should have just quite literally fallen to great peril. Luckily for Bernie, however, a — no, the — giant had been there to catch him, and break his fall. And his eyes, great and green and mirrors to an emerald-hued world, looked him over carefully, their heavy brows low with concern; from his beard there came a voice deep as the ocean, soft-volumed as small waves lapping against the shore on a bright day, "Are you... being all-right?"

Something's in that forest.

The allegations were often spoken of in the same vein as purported sightings of dogmen or lizard people: just a local tale. Bernie was aware of them ( obviously ), yet they had always remained in the periphery. With so much shit within tangible grasp to uncover, folklore that made for exciting stories around a campfire wasn't at the top of his priority list.

At least, it hadn't been. But when you receive an email from an anonymous burner account claiming that there had been strange activity in those very woods the past few nights — ? Well, that legend jumped right from ' waiting in the wings ' to ' headliner. ' Of course, the tip could be part of a set-up ( he was good at stepping on toes and asking too many questions, always had been ), yet if he didn't take these risks, who would?

Although the communication probably hadn't been a trap, Bernie found himself in one all the same. Entering the densely wooded trees after dark? Yep. Stumbling upon two men dressed in black suits ( never good ) also where they shouldn't be? Check. Even if he had only managed to catch snippets of their conversation while sequestered in a patch of bushes, that didn't negate the fact that what he did hear sounded suspicious. As the men in black had turned to leave, they started in his direction; just great. Determined not to be discovered, Bernie had hastily made his way further from his prior hiding place —

And right to the edge of a steep ravine, complete with sharp rocks at the bottom, jutting out from the earth like jagged teeth. Difficult to make out even under the moonlight, he felt his footing give way before he had realized what was happening: he was about to plummet to his death. However, the realization only had time to flash through his mind for the briefest of moments when something caught his fall.

Something's in those woods.

Huge green eyes stared down at Bernie from a scarred face, the deep voice a softer tone than he ever would have guessed it might be. Damn right there was something in these woods. And what, or who, it was had him in their grasp, for better or for worse.

His pulse was hammering so loudly that he could ear it in his ears, but he managed to catch the query posited to him. "I — " Words failed him as his jaw slackened. Breathe. Breathe! "Yeah?" Bernie didn't intend to phrase it as a question, but it escaped his lips with the inflection regardless. This whoever had saved his life, which he could only infer meant they didn't want to kill him. "You've been here. In the woods. All this time." Halting, but at least he managed to speak at all.

[everythingheard]

BILBO and FRODO BAGGINS

✧ He had no close friends, until some of his younger cousins began to grow up. The eldest of these, and Bilbo’s favourite, was young Frodo Baggins… Bilbo and Frodo happened to have the same birthday, September 22nd. ‘You had better come and live here, Frodo my lad,’ said Bilbo one day; ‘and then we can celebrate our birthday-parties comfortably together.’

✧ He lived alone, as Bilbo had done; but he had a good many friends, especially among the younger hobbits… Frodo went tramping over the Shire with them; but more often he wandered by himself… Merry and Pippin suspected that he visited the Elves at times, as Bilbo had done.

✧ As he was speaking a great desire to follow Bilbo flamed up in his heart – to follow Bilbo, and even perhaps to find him again. It was so strong that it overcame his fear: he could almost have run out there and then down the road without his hat, as Bilbo had done on a similar morning long ago.

✧ ‘You were very fond of Bilbo were you not?’ he asked. ‘Yes,’ answered Frodo. ‘I would rather see him than all the towers and palaces in the world.’

[everythingheard]

Briefly, Brand's gaze flickered down to the light touch of their shoulders before returning to the fae's face. Had he truly accrued enough trust to be privy to whatever weighed so heavily?

' It's all that I have left of my… ' Although he rather understood the hesitancy that followed ( and what he presumed was the decision not to divulge anything further ), there was a disappointed twinge in his chest all the same. Perhaps someday Brand would be allowed the chance to reach a little deeper, to see the closely held facets that were too important to speak about.

And then — ' My father. ' Although his eyes widened slightly at the admission, he remained still. He instead watched his companion's hands and face, and the emotion that was unmistakable in both. However, an unanticipated ache rose in Brand's chest at the sight of what he could only surmise were tears in the other man's gaze before they were swiftly brushed away. Part of him wanted to draw his thumb beneath one of those eyes himself, yet he felt that knew better than to do so without explicit permission.

A beat passed before he let his own hands move to answer. "I understand why it means so much to you. I think, when you lose someone — " Another, marginally longer pause. " — keeping what you shared with them close to you means some part of them is still there." Shifting ever-so slightly, he permitted their shoulders to press together a little more firmly; easy enough to move away from, but there if it was wanted. "Tell me about your favorite memory of him, or what your favorite part of the story was when he read it."

The fae chewed at his lip as he pondered the human's words. He had a point, but he had no clue just how much the words meant to him. Did he like the story? Sure. Could he relate to Peter and his loneliness? Yes. But those weren't the main reasons he kept coming back to it.

Amin slouched down a little, their shoulders touching the faintest bit. "It is far more than the story." His lips pressed together again. "It's all that I have left of my..." He paused, debating on if he should say. The idea of giving anyone any sort of information always gave him pause, but he already knew, even without telling him, that Brand knew just how important it was. "My father."

"I still hear all the voices he used for one character or another- When I was young." It had been well over one hundred years since he'd lost him. Everything else was so fuzzy. He had to cling to something. Anything. Repetition kept the memory in tact.

A small amount of a thick, slightly yellow liquid threatened to spill from the corner of his eyes, but he quickly wiped it away, hoping Brand wouldn't have noticed, despite the literal stain of yellow colored liquid that stained his hands as he absorbed it back into his skin.

[everythingheard]

There it was again: another blush coloring Alexsandr's skin beneath all those freckles. Because of Zeb. Did hearing him say the nickname truly mean so much? Warmth fairly rippled through his body as faint pink continued clinging to Alexsandr's cheeks, followed by a widening smile that even reached his friend's eyes — and with that, he swore he had his answer. Yeah, it does. The realization struck Zeb with a sort of wonder, his gaze softening to an almost mortifying degree, yet he couldn't help it; he was taken aback, however, to find that he didn't care. Not about this. Not with Alexsandr. In fact, he was certain that he would repeat the moniker a million times if it always garnered him this reaction ( a billion times ).

It was, easily, among his most preferred of all the expressions he had witnessed upon Alexsandr's face thus far. Not too long ago, the way concentration settled along the man's features had sent the corner of his mouth lilting upwards, and he hadn't even been sure why. More recently, there was the little grin that rose to those lips when he spoke with Alexsandr in a way he didn't with anyone else. And that look Zeb had glanced up to see earlier? That one had already shot high up there. This right in front of him, though — it felt as if someone was squeezing his heart too tightly in his chest just to look at it.

However, with the marginal curling of Alexsandr's hand in his fur, his next intake of breath was subtly sharper. Every single one of Zeb's nerve-endings seemed to alight and gather at the site of that simple movement, just as they had when the man's fingers spread slightly upon first coming to rest on the back of his neck. Such small ministrations, probably not even intentional — why did it have to make him react like this? Stupid. But that internal lambasting didn't renege the instantaneous urge to press into it now, or to pull Alexsandr nearer because this suddenly wasn't close enough; it was like the hot flare of a spark that promised to burn.

At the unexpected reply of gratitude, his surprise broke through the haze. With a quiet exhale, the hand Zeb rested on the back Alexsandr's neck slid up to ruffle fondly through blond hair ( so soft beneath his touch that he almost left it there ). "What're you thanking me for, huh?"

The green of Zeb's eyes reminded Alexsandr, in turn, of a hardy plant his mother had kept in their kitchen's sunbox. She'd gotten the seed from her father, she said, and it came from the same place as their samovar and his favorite bedtime stories. He'd asked, and learned that place was gone; neither of his parents would, or could, tell him its name. Yet there was the plant, and the stories, and his mother's strong tea. There was Zeb's eyes, another home just as green and persevering.

Those eyes flicked down to his mouth, for only a moment. Stars, though he knew it was only his wishful thinking, the dream of that glance preceding a kiss seized Alexsandr's throat until he swallowed hard. There were other ways to show his affection without giving away the true depth of it. There had to be; his fear of Zeb's disgust would loom too large otherwise.

When Alexsandr offered the nickname, he watched the other search his face. He didn't know what Zeb was looking for, but knew that only sincerity and a dash of hope would be found. "Of course." It was special, even moreso than it'd been before his Academy enrollment. That was precisely why he trusted Zeb with it.

Hearing it in his dearest friend's rumbling timbre brought out another tinge of pink high on freckled cheeks. Warmth spread in Alexsandr's chest, fingers curling subtly on the back of Zeb's neck, as his smile broadened enough to pinch the corners of his eyes a little. It sounded even better than he'd imagined. "...Thank you, Garazeb."

[everythingheard]

enzo + thirst trap | requested

[everythingheard]

Pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose, Bruce's gaze continued to follow the streams of data filling the screen in front of him. He wanted to finish refining his methods of detecting gamma radiation before the end of the day; after utilizing it to locate the Tesseract prior to the Battle New York, he wasn't satisfied leaving it at that. What other objects of such power might emit even trace amounts of gamma radiation? And wouldn't it be better to know what and where they were? He was inclined to believe so.

Tony had seemed to agree and encouraged the little project, though Bruce wondered if that enthusiasm was actually born from a desire to keep him busy. As it was, while things had recently struck him as ' off ' with his friend, he allowed himself to be distracted. He had never been adept at convincing anyone to open up, particularly when he wasn't apt to return the favor.

Perhaps the current exception to that rule was Aiden. Her powers were just as fettered to emotion as Bruce's connection to Hulk was, a factor he didn't share with the other Avengers. Oh, Tony could try to compare it to the Arc Reactor, but it wasn't the same and he was certain they both knew that. With her, the initial bond of comradery over the precarious line they walked between control and losing it had given way to an easy sort of understanding between them that he had long ago conjectured he would never experience again.

As Bruce swiped at the large display screen ( a far cry from any tech he had access to during all those years on the run from Ross ), he was startled from his concentration by the sudden appearance of Julio in the lab's doorway. ' It's Aiden. She's…she's having a breakdown. I don't know what happened but her powers are going crazy. '

"Where?" Even as he asked, his glasses were already left discarded on the desk while rapid steps carried him to the door. Following close on Julio's heels, they rushed through the corridors and towards the training room. The closer they drew, the more sounds began to echo through the hallway — of heavy objects slamming against the walls, of anguished screams. Anyone in the vicinity had either already fled, or lingered uncertainly outside the doorway. Upon reaching the threshold, Bruce glanced to Julio. "Get them out of here." The last thing Aiden needed was an audience, even if their intentions were good.

Then, with a deep intake of breath, he stepped inside the training room — and immediately dodged a piece of equipment as it hurtled past. "Aiden!" He could feel his pulse start to spike, though he forced it back down with a sharp inhale. "Even when you can't control your emotions, you can control your body. Just breathe."

@everythingheard

Aiden had been trying to keep up with her whitelighter duties, despite how busy she was with everything. Helping out at the Avengers tower with any building problem they had was not an easy task. she knew she needed to get a better grip on her schedule. Though she also knew that her charges were at times stubborn to admit that they needed help. something she was trying to work with them to overcome. it was never a bad thing to ask for help after all.

Bruce was a big help in trying to keep her calm when she became frazzled about something. After they had met, it seemed like they became each other's support to make sure their anger stayed even. She was beyond grateful for him and helping her stay focused. That was why she had no problem with helping where she could at the tower. It gave everyone one less thing to worry about.

She had been working on fixing the electrical in the training room when she felt this sense of doom lingering over her. Then she could hear someone frantically call out her name. She had dropped her tools and orbed herself to where she was being called. To her horror, she came across two of her charges in aftermath of a battle. She had immediately went to their side, only to realize that she was too late.

To matter how many times she tried to heal them, her powers were not doing a thing. their body was way beyond healing and when she had to tell the other, her heart broke even more hearing them scream. Aiden tried her best to comfort them but all they did was push her away. She wasn't sure if the other meant the words she spoke next.

"What is the point of you being able to heal? if you can't save them...it makes what you do pointless."

Those words stung harder than she cared to admit. She should have sensed that something was wrong. That someone was in danger. All she could do was mutter her apologies before orbing away. She went back to the training room, tears rolling down her face. She could feel her powers tingling as her emotions were in a jumble mess.

Julio, her close friend and coworker, who had came in to check on her tried to ask what was wrong. All she could do was scream, causing different equipment to fly. He ran to where he last saw Bruce. He was out of breath, trying to speak as quickly as he could.

"It's Aiden. she's...she's having a breakdown. I don't know what happened but her powers are going crazy."

[everythingheard]

Despite the levity in Joshua's expression, Teddy's bore little of it. Instead, it was softly sincere, rife with a misplaced gentleness that ought to be given to someone better than him. It was, perhaps, the thread of hope within the other man's voice that threatened to undo him; for better or worse, he couldn't say. After all, hope was such a fragile thing to place in his hands, callous and accustomed to roughness as they were ( good for a finger on the trigger, to fan the cards he was dealt, to hold a bottle like it came as naturally as breathing ).

As the ghost of a kiss grazed along Joshua's lips while Teddy spoke, it only spurred a heated desire to press closer to the sweetness that lingered still on his tongue. Ah, he hadn't drank anywhere near enough tonight to drive off the dreams lurking in wait for when he closed his eyes, yet he craved the taste of only one thing — and he wouldn't find it behind the bar. Although some part of him might regret that later, he was too fixated on right now to care, especially with that promise of, ' we don't gotta stay quiet ' echoing in his ears.

"You gonna be loud for me, Teddy?" Joshua's eyebrows lifted in tandem with the corner of his mouth. Turning the heady sound of muffled moans into a noise incapable of being held back — if he thought on it much longer, he was liable to do something stupid before they were even out of earshot. However, the humor quietly ebbed from his face as turned over the rest of Teddy's words. "Never been inside your house before." What was it like? Joshua could sure as hell picture a guess in his mind, though Teddy had already surprised him more than once that evening; still, he felt rather certain.

As it was, no one would question his companion offering him a place sleep ( not that many Rose Creek residents had been eager to open their doors to him and the others before the battle — and he knew why ).

"I'll stay with ya." Tipping his chin forward slightly, he grazed a kiss against Teddy's lips before giving the bottom one a nip. "And I'll show ya." A short exhale escaped him. "Rather not stay at the hotel, anyway. I've already spent long enough lookin' at those walls."

That hum from Faraday also affected Teddy's own resolve, gnawing at it with the temptation of going further and testing the limits of what these shadows could hide. How desperately he wished not to care about his neighbors' acceptance, to at last express all the want he was so used to bottling up.

It was the gambler's reply, in turn, which distracted Teddy. The thoughtful repetition of the question, like it was worth considering - and hopefully not that it hadn't been on Faraday's mind. An inhale snagged in his throat once more, as soft as that brush of lips on his neck. Teddy tipped his head back to welcome the contact, and couldn't help a little smile when more kisses followed. The way they built in urgency and desire, how they opened against his skin... He was thinking more of indulgence than gentility, though he wouldn't be opposed to the latter if it meant Faraday drew this out longer. Anything to have as much of the night together as sleep would allow.

Teddy bit his lower lip to muffle himself, as both hands were too busy clinging onto Faraday. Just that one graze of teeth lit up his nerves like a shower of sparks. 'A lot of things'... And good Lord, Teddy wanted all of them. He let slip a quiet fragment of a moan from the back of his throat at that firmer nip to his neck. More, harder - the unspoken pleas, or demands, or both, burned low in his gut. What a thrill just to imagine having to hide a few hickeys with his collar and kerchief in the morning.

Taking a deeper, shaky breath to steady himself when Faraday's mouth and hand retreated, Teddy was glad to see the other man at least didn't move too far. He wanted to hold on a few moments more, while he skimmed his lips against the gambler's just before the latter spoke. Teddy already had an offer in mind, even before that smirking addition. He was too caught up in the compassion of the sentiment to banter back, answering with utter earnestness and a clear glimmer of hope. "Then come stay the night. My house ain't too far; just enough that we don't gotta stay quiet." Another brushing tease of a kiss. "I wanna know what all you'd do."

Sure, the hotel was closer, but still way too public for comfort. Whatever they got up to, Teddy didn't want to be scared the whole time.

[everythingheard]

still. after all of it. mostly, i want to be kind

[everythingheard]

canon questionare.

questions best asked for those who portray canon characters, and for those who’d like to get to know the author behind said canons better.

What made you pick up this character?

How did you get into this franchise/fandom?

What’s the best thing about the show/series/books/comics/etc.?

What’s the worst thing about the show/series/books/comics/etc.?

What’s the best thing about the fandom?

What’s the worst thing about the fandom?

What’s the best thing about the canon you are writing?

What’s the worst thing about the canon you are writing?

Have you tweaked the character from canon? If so, what did you tweak?

Would you say that your portrayal is canon divergent or not? 

Are there some things you dislike about how the show/series/etc. portray the character you have picked up? If so, what?

What would you say is the most unique trait about your character?

Are there any other characters from the franchise you’d like to play?

Are there some characters from the franchise you can’t stand? 

What are your thoughts on the canon ships for the character, if any?

What is your personal ship bias for your canon character?

Are there any ships you can’t stand, why?

How long have you been writing the character?

Should people get into the franchise your writing from, yes or no?

If you could sum up your character with one sentence, what would it be?

Which song do you feel describes your character the most and why?

[everythingheard]

PROMPTS FROM THE MANDALORIAN - "THE RESCUE" *  assorted dialogue, adjust as necessary

are you a jedi?

he doesn't want to go with you.

he wants your permission.

go on. that's who you belong with.

i'll see you again. i promise.

may the force be with you.

you gotta be kidding me.

you're a disgrace to your armor.

this armor belonged to my father.

i've heard your voice thousands of times.

i thought you were dead.

i am so glad to see you.

i had heard many rumors.

i think we all know, after a valiant stand, everyone in this room will be dead but me.

great. we're saved.

don't be afraid.

we don't need these two.

let's get out of here.

i didn't know sidekicks were allowed to talk.

easy there, little one.

mesmerizing, isn't it?

a friendly piece of advice: assume that i know everything.

where is this going?

i'm not there.

i imagine they've killed everyone on the bridge.

they are beginning to panic.

do you know why?

you keep it.

you will leave my ship immediately and we will go our separate ways.

drop your weapon.

no no, you listen to me.

you wanna know what else i saw?

you think you're funny?

drop your blaster.

last chance.

why don't you kill him now and take it?

it belongs to you.

it must be won in battle.

it doesn't work that way.

come on, just take it.

it's time to go. don't be afraid.

copy that.

get the hell out of there.

i'll put on a good show.

don't worry about me.

just be careful out there.

we will help you.

fair enough.

help me, and you can have whatever you want.

you're sparing my life? well, this should be interesting.

i need your help.

are you sure you don't need any help?

i think that did it.

why did they stop?

open the doors.

we split into two parties.

we'll meet at the bridge.

we're being boarded.

what's going on? who are they?

enough! both of you!

all clear.

i need him alive.

oh great. an objective opinion.

let him speak.

i don't have a death wish, do you?

i'm not with him. we can work something out.

[everythingheard]

DRAMATIC & PROTECTIVE RELATIONSHIP PROMPTS *  for the ones who want to keep you safe from harm

get behind me.

go inside and lock the door and don't come out until i say so.

are you all right? where are you hurt?

over my dead body.

i promised them i'd keep you safe.

i sleep better when you're next to me.

are you serious? i'm not letting you risk your life.

don't go. it's safer here.

i should have been here. this is my fault.

here. take this gun. don't pull the trigger unless it's absolutely necessary.

they told me to watch you.

i won't let anyone lay a hand on you.

stay close to me.

i'm not worth saving. please.

can you stay? just for a little while? it would help.

it's too dangerous out there.

i thought i'd lost you.

can you hear me? hello? where are you?

they're all afraid of me.

they told me you'd be trouble. clearly that was an understatement.

one of us has to make it out of here.

is that a bruise?

get back. get back right now.

did they touch you?

i already lost you once. i'm not going to lose you again.

a few more steps. we're nearly there. i've got you.

where does it hurt? let me see.

oh my god, you're covered in blood.

i love you, but you have to go.

climb on my back. i'll carry you.

i wish you'd stay.

i slept here all night. i couldn't leave you.

stay with me. i can keep you safe.

no. i've made my decision. you're staying here.

holy shit. are you okay? what the hell happened?

we have to get inside right now.

quick! hide! in here!

if they know you're with me, they'll leave you alone.

if they attack again, we'll be ready.

this never should have happened.

i want you to run, okay? run and don't look back.

you're all right. you're safe. it's over.

i'll feel better once you're out of this.

i don't have nightmares when you're here.

where have you been? i've been calling you all night.

your phone went straight to voicemail. what's going on?

i don't want anything to happen to you.

i can't stand the thought of losing you.

i won't let them touch you.

when we met, i promised myself i'd keep you safe.

where'd they go? i'll give them a piece of my mind.

here. squeeze my hand if it hurts.

i'll lay beside you.

no. it's non-negotiable. you're staying here.

i don't want you to die, okay?

listen to me! i know what i'm doing!

i can't lose you again!

do you hear me? i love you! i've always loved you.

i've got you. i'm right here.

can i stay? i'll take the couch.

tell them you're with me.

you can make it. i believe in you.

are you kidding me? who decided this?

here, i'll pick you up.

get back in the car. i'll handle this.

if anyone can do it, it's you.

let me carry you to safety.

i don't do well when you're away.

[everythingheard]

✱˚｡⋆ ↪ 𝐀 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐒 .    (  a collection of  action prompts.   feel free to reverse roles as desired. this prompt will be updated.  )

[ REDWOOD ] sender lashes out at receiver when it isn't their fault.

[ WILLOW ] sender embraces receiver in a moment of extreme distress.

[ PINE ] sender fervently resists receiver's attempts to comfort / care for them.

[ BIRCH ] sender finally ends a tense argument by reaching out to apologize.

[ POPLAR ] sender mentors receiver through learning a new skill.

[ PALM ] sender and receiver avoid / ignore the stresses of real life together.

[ ELM ] sender lends receiver aid in a time of urgent need.

[ MAGNOLIA ] sender, believed to be dead, arrives at receiver's door.

[ DOGWOOD ] sender gifts receiver a token of good luck / protection.

[ MULBERRY ] sender and receiver take a long walk through nature together.

[ HAZELNUT ] sender begrudgingly patches up receiver's wounds.

[ CAMPHOR ] sender suddenly pushes receiver out of danger's path.

[ CASHEW ] when they're finally alone, sender invites receiver to dance.

[ LAVENDER ] sender lays their head in receiver's lap and closes their eyes.

[ BEECH ] it comes to light that sender has betrayed receiver.

[ HIBISCUS ] sender invites receiver to go traveling with them.

[ HICKORY ] sender pushes receiver to admit that they need them.

[ MAPLE ] sender shakes receiver's shoulders, begging them to wake up.

[ CHERRY BLOSSOM ] sender revels in receiver's beauty, stunned.

[ JOSHUA ] sender offers receiver a safe place to hide / crash .

[ ASH ] sender and receiver become reacquainted after many years.

[ FIG ] sender, knowing receiver is hungry, pressures them to eat.

[ YEW ] sender beckons for receiver to join them in the water.

[ CYPRESS ] sender shamelessly flirts with receiver.

[ LINDEN ] sender cares for receiver, who took a hit to protect them.

[everythingheard]

🐝  *  ―  𝑺𝑷𝑰𝑹𝑰𝑻𝑬𝑫 𝑨𝑾𝑨𝒀 𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑬 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑺.

❛  we'll just have to make do.  ❜ ❛  come on, it'll be fun.  ❜ ❛  wait, where are we going?  ❜ ❛  you can't be here. go now!  ❜ ❛  it's just a dream, a stupid dream.  ❜ ❛  don't be afraid. i'm a friend.  ❜ ❛  i can't stand up. what should i do?  ❜ ❛  now listen, i'l tell you what to do. if you stay here, they'll find you. i'll distract them while you get away.  ❜ ❛  you have no choice if you want to survive here ... and save your parents, too.  ❜ ❛  why do i need a weakling like you?  ❜ ❛  trembling, aren't you? still, i'm impressed you made it this far.  ❜ ❛  what a pain. you're gonna pay for this.  ❜ ❛  keep your wits about you. if you need anything, ask me.  ❜ ❛  hey, are you okay? don't fall apart on me.  ❜ ❛  listen to me. i'll promise i'll save you.  ❜ ❛  what did you expect after all that rain?  ❜ ❛  i'm gonna get there someday. i'll get out of here for sure.  ❜ ❛  i was just coming to wake you up, look!  ❜ ❛  what should i do? he'll die!  ❜ ❛  what's so funny? wipe off that smile.  ❜ ❛  don't do anything stupid until i get down there.  ❜ ❛  you see, someone i really care about is badly hurt. i've got to go right now.  ❜ ❛  this is our little secret. if you tell anyone ... i'll do the same to you.  ❜ ❛  what are you going to do? he needs help.  ❜ ❛  becoming a sorcerer's apprentice is dangerous business.  ❜ ❛  well, getting there is one thing. getting back's the problem.  ❜ ❛  [name], i promise i'll be back. please don't die.  ❜ ❛  don't you understand? it's love.  ❜ ❛  what took you so long? this is a total disaster!  ❜ ❛  what do you want? you can tell me.  ❜ ❛  what, you're still alive?  ❜ ❛  you still don't see it? she's played a trick on you.  ❜ ❛  since when do you talk that way?  ❜ ❛  you held this, and nothing happened to you?  ❜ ❛  i'd like to help you, but there's nothing i can do. it's one of our rules here.  ❜ ❛  but can't you even give me a hint?  ❜ ❛  everything that happens stays inside you ... even if you can't remember it.  ❜ ❛  see? you have a talent for this.  ❜ ❛  [name], i no longer blame you for what you did. but be sure to protect this girl.  ❜ ❛  will we meet again somewhere?  ❜

[everythingheard]

Ah, she hadn't been here long at all. Although she didn't divulge the details of what she found most different between her prior life in Spain and her new residence in England, it was hardly perplexing to discern. From what she expounded upon of her home, an adjustment to a new culture was compounded by a change in expectation now that she was viewed as the Duke's daughter; a position that offered privilege as well as comfort, yet only from behind the gilded bars of a cage wrought from the suppositions of what a woman ought to be and what she was worth. Vlad wondered if she would trade it if she could. If so, what might she be willing to trade it for? Would she answer honestly should he ask?

Such musings were momentarily waved aside as she instead questioned him. "My homeland is Romania. Wallachia, to be precise. I took up residence in Transylvania for a time, but it grew stale and it struck me to leave it behind." Dull was what it had become; Vlad was no longer certain if he had always been predisposed to grow bored easily or if it was one of the trappings of immortality. "I've acquired the Carfax manor house not far from here. Apparently, it's sat empty for quite a while 'til now. It rather reminds me of my castle in Transylvania — so, I suppose some part of me doesn't wish to forget where I've come from completely, even for a little while."

Where he had come from. There were moments where he mulled over what that meant to him, and how he was forever tied to the land where he had consumed the blood that turned him into who he was now. Whatever the woman before Vlad was, were her ties to home rooted in more than emotion? The curiosity was beginning to gnaw at him with an alarming intensity. Well, he knew how he might procure an answer, whether she was personally aware of the truth or not: her blood would tell him. For a fleeting second, Vlad envisaged the taste of it on his tongue, her soft skin beneath his lips, her arms twined around him —

Stop.

The fantasy winked out of his mind as swiftly as it had arrived. He couldn't indulge such intimations, not here. To distract himself once more, Vlad refocused on her earlier comments. "For my part, I'm truly sorry to hear of your loss. To lose someone you love is the greatest imaginable pain. It changes you irrevocably."

Jayn nodded seriously when he said he'd needed time away, because she could tell that his excursion was the result of a traumatic experience. Maybe, if her mother hadn't sent her to England with her dying breath, she herself would've wanted to leave Spain anyway. Maybe being constantly reminded of her mother would've only hurt her--but she'd never know. Jayn continued to listen to the Count, curious to hear what he'd seen & done. His accent was impressive, for someone who (as far as she knew) hadn't grown up around Spaniards. It was also nice to know that he didn't look down on people simply because he spoke a different language & had a different culture. "I didn't realize that the opera was so popular everywhere," Jayn admitted, smiling. She & her family hadn't the money to go to the opera; they had a music player at home, so they really didn't mind. The more Jayn heard about the mysterious event, though, the more she wanted to attend a performance. She'd ask her father if the family could get tickets to see something within the month.

For the brief moment she spent worrying about dancing, Jayn allowed the Count to lead. She had enough natural rhythm to follow & pretend to be able to dance.

She smiled again when he spoke Spanish. "It's been a few months now. This is my 1st season, but I'm 25...I was born in the middle-class in España, where I helped my grandparents & mother run their apothecary...then my mother died. She sent me to live with my father here, the Duke of Gotham. So now I must...grow to accept the ways of the Ton," Jayn said with a small sigh. "May I know where you are from? Are you simply traveling or do you live here?" Whether he became her friend or something more, she was happy to learn more about the man. He seemed kind, not to mention witty & attractive. He was the kind of company she wanted to keep. Hopefully, he wasn't put off by her age or sex--she'd noticed that men & women always tended to stay apart while socializing, unless a man & a woman were interested in courting each other. She wondered if Count Dracula had asked her to dance because she'd seemed lonely, or because he was interested in her.

[everythingheard]

The sigh against his skin sent a shudder coursing through Joshua's body despite the warm night. Did Marcelo even understand that each breath the vaquero took was suddenly the new most valuable thing in the world to him? And, dammit, watching that already affectionate expression soften again at his words only coaxed the trace of another shiver down his spine. Twining his fingers even further into dark hair, Joshua's nails scratched against Marcelo's scalp. ' Nunca fuiste arruinado, güero. ' Never — something or other, he wasn't sure. What he was certain of, however, was that there was a lack of piqued trepidation over the possibility that the sentiment was anything other than a match to the tenderness displayed across Marcelo's handsome face.

Never had Joshua believed he might trust someone this much. Why would he, when even the smallest amounts were shattered so easily? He knew better, he had learned better. At least, until Marcelo.

When the lips that had whispered in the dusk pressed amid the curls at Joshua's groin, any attempt not to immediately lift his hips in eager response was dashed at the drag of stubble along his inner thigh; it was an entirely unfamiliar sensation, yet one that prompted a pleased gasp to escape him. Although his heartbeat was already racing as Marcelo spread his legs a little further, the translation that followed sent it pounding ever harder in his chest. ' You are never ruined in my eyes. ' Fervent emotion crashed over him in fresh waves that he would have been afraid might pull him under ( his throat tightening, the prickling behind his eyelids that he had only just managed to quash moments prior ), except for the grounding kiss Marcelo brushed beneath the desperate head of his aching cock. It was maddeningly gentle, but it still wrung forth another groan.

' I'm happy to show that, as many times as you like. Can I? ' Jittery energy flourished beneath Joshua's skin as he stroked a palm through Marcelo's hair. "'Course you can," he murmured. "Want you to." Although a further warmth flushed his countenance, he tipped his chin slightly higher as his knuckles dropped to graze along the side of Marcelo's neck and over the ruddy bruise he had left there. Hell, just looking at that single mark ( and the thought of adding more ) stoked a heat low in Joshua's stomach. Compounded by the sight and feel of Marcelo's lips brushing against his erection, he couldn't help but grasp at the other man's shoulder.

"Show me." His voice was twisted into a moan. "Then lemme feel you, 'n taste you, 'n mark you up so you're always thinkin' 'bout me." Vaguely aware that every desire was spilling in swift succession from his tongue as it came, Joshua couldn't seem to care past the burning need for his beloved friend — until a name was the only sound he could ground out from amid the flaring sparks coalescing in his veins. "Marcelo."

Glances showed him Joshua's head tipping back, and the way moonlight lined those intoxicating lips. A soft hum was muffled against the other's skin, and Marcelo's eyes closed to navigate by feel in lavishing Joshua at an indulgent pace. Ravenous want burned hot in his veins, but seemed to chew at its own urgency. He craved so much, yet he wanted it to take all night - or at least, as long as they could withstand.

His eyes opened again to glance up, grin brushing near his favorite gambler's navel. Needy desperation suited Joshua's voice, so well that it made Marcelo want to take extra time.

A few more kisses wandered toward the other man's arousal, until Marcelo paused at the tug on his hair. His faintly vocal sigh skated over soft skin and a few pubic curls; his lashes did indeed flutter once more, a smaller smile at the corners of his mouth. Even if it hadn't been intended to make him look, how could Marcelo do otherwise, to bask in the sight of Joshua as much as any touch?

'Never wanted anyone like I want you.' They were on the same page there. Part of what had scared Marcelo into silence about his feelings for Joshua was the idea of a night like this only happening once - or worse, being brushed off as a mistake the next morning. He didn't want to drink his nerves away first, didn't want to wake alone beside an empty pillow, didn't want to keep soothing the ache with cold practicality. He yearned for this, for them, every part and in every way. There's no one he trusted more to watch his back, no one he wanted more to kiss it afterward. He would spit at fate a third time, declare that this one was his, that even gentle death would have to take them both if it wanted either.

For now, it was understanding that added a bit more tenderness to Marcelo's gaze. "Nunca fuiste arruinado, güero," he assured in a whisper. He kissed amid the hair of Joshua's groin, stubble skimming an inner thigh while his hands coaxed the other's legs further apart. Marcelo didn't take long to consider whether to translate. "You are never ruined in my eyes. I'm happy to show that, as many times as you like." Parted lips pressed, almost delicately, to one side of Joshua's length, just below the flushed head. "Can I?"