frayedattheendings

[frayedattheendings]

"Tsk tsk, I should have known, only around for the money." William's gaze is fixed upon Rory's eyes, hungrily staring at his friend. His hips couldn't help but push slightly into the bartender's hand, chasing the warmth of Rory's hand. Falling for the bait but gladly so, it was often a game of wits between them, seeing who fell first. If it meant the night could end with the beast taking a bite of the livestock, then William could chalk up attending the night as being a success. "Why don't you come over to this side of the bar, earn a tip."

"No need," Rory says, stepping up and sliding his hand into Will's front pocket for his wallet. He pretends to have a hard time finding it, moving the pocket around so he can brush Will's crotch, teasing him.

Then he pulls it out and instead of going for his idea, he starts flicking through his cash. It's just too fun messing with Will.

[frayedattheendings]

"Oh, come on, man. You don't have to worry about that with me. We're bros." William gives Rory a reassuring nudge. His hands clinging to the other man's clothes, unwittingly tugging at them. A habit he was sure was from the former shepherd remembering their fun from their homeland. Although, William felt his shepherd self stir in excitement in the chaos they've experienced together. A soft kiss is pressed against the young wolf's cheek to reassure Rory once again. "If it helps, I'm down for some old fashioned punishments." He winks.

Rory... Red laughs.

"That's not it, you fucker. Just... not as classy as you could be for this, I suppose."

He cups the back of Will neck looking into his eyes.

"Wow, we were bitches to each other," he says with a laugh.

[frayedattheendings]

"I was talking more of the drink, but uh.. I suppose you're right. Heh." William chuckles lightly as his eyebrows raise in intrigue. William hadn't known much about his neighbors, only the amount he's been able to dredge up about in the town paper. Gwyn himself seemed like an enigma. And if there was a pay check big enough, William was sure he would have found enough dirty laundry to get people to mistake it for a jock fetish. "Yeah, boss gave me the day off though. I kinda like taking photos for myself too."

"You know, I know a couple of places nearby where the noise won't be a problem. Not even a block away." William offers, smiling sheepishly in hopes the other man would agree in an impromptu roll in the hay. Knowing the ritzy types that lived here, William didn't put past the D'Charmonts of having stables with noise canceling paddocks.

The taste of whiskey hummed on Gwyn's tongue as he sipped at it. He had had half a mind not to even attend, but in the end something pulled him there. He was content in his little cabin at the edge of town, but he figured a night of socializing wouldn't hurt. Plus there was free booze, and perhaps he could find a little fun here and there. Gwyn was not a total wet blanket, he knew how to let loose a little when he wanted to.

So why wasn't he now? A line creased between his eyes behind his leather mask. It was simple, nothing flashy. He'd sewn it himself so it gave a rustic sort of air.

He was about to push away from the bar when he heard the photographer speak next to him. He'd been shirking around his gaze, not keen to have his photo taken. "The mix? Like the music?" Gwyn raised an eyebrow. "It's shit." Gwyn answered, taking a sip from the glass in his hand. "Hurts my ears. But...it drowns out the bullshit." The man shrugged, shoulders raising. Green eyes glanced over at the other man. "You with the paper of something?"

[frayedattheendings]

"A bit of both."

"I suppose it's like sweets. The flavor doesn't just come from the sugar, sometimes it the nougat or the cocoa. Hell, sometimes whole ass fruit helps with more natural flavors of some candies. And that's not even including pastries into the conversation... What were we talking about again? Oh, right, I guess it's just what my recipe entails."

"Something stiff and simple." William chimes at Faroald's question, a smile of amusement tugged at the corner of his mouth. He looks down at the amber liquid within his glass, the faint reflection of himself inside it. He hadn't thought about why the taste had been so comforting to him. Sure, sweet things and other concoctions weren't off-putting to the younger man's tastes, but the smokey flavor of scotch seemed to draw out a homely sense out of William each time he drank it. It was a peculiar sense each time William tried to dig deep into the reason. Seemed like every chance he got to dig a little further into his past, anybody's past for that matter, a bizarre uneasiness seemed to run across his spine. It clutched across the base of William's spine, shaking him like a dog until he spat it out.

And just as William would feel as though the reflection in his glass was staring back at him, the eerie sense of being watched and the brush of it's eye line glided across the nape of William's neck. His hands jerked suddenly, William's beloved glass of whiskey flying out of his hands and landing across his trousers. "Damn it!"

"Sorry about that, looks like my night isn't meant to include a nice scotch." He pouts to himself. "Hope about yourself? Bright and colorful sugary drinks, do you consider yourself a young soul?"

people's palettes were different and there was always a reason behind it. which intrigued faroald. he wanted to know what made them tick. why they went for certain things above others. when he heard that the man, who sounded younger than most, liked them a bit more mature than one thing did enter his mind. either he had some form of parental issues or he felt like he had to grow up fast. a lot of responsibility thrusted upon him in his youth? neglectful parents? trauma that aged him?

so he did end up smiling, just a smidge, at the comment. mainly because the young man had just made it onto his list of people that he was going to have to figure out. "are you an old soul or do you just like things that are bitter?" while faroald could relate to the old part, he couldn't to the bitterness. as he took a drink of his sweet cocktail, he realized he would have missed this too much. the blind baker only liked rough taste when it came to lemon zest or something meant to prolong the pastries. so he set his glass back down and his face was pointed towards the direction of the voice. picturing him in his head.

"some would say it enhances it, but that's in the eye of the beholder. do you know people who like spicy meals just enjoy pain?" one of his favorite fun facts in this new world. "it seems to be going well. enjoying the breeze the ocean brings. how about yourself?"

[frayedattheendings]

"You're one to talk. What? Did the Abercrombie reject you for being too pretty?" William groans, lifting himself up from the cold bed in his prison cell. Sitting up, the younger man stretches his arms up, the simple t-shirt he was wearing during his apparent arrest rising as William did so. Yawning as William tried to piece together exactly how he managed to end up infamous small town prison: Shawshank, Connecticut; formerly town of Pellar before the fun people moved in.

"Your guess is as good as mine." William begins to say, blinking his eyes up at the handsome sheriff.

"Last thing I remember was meeting a source for a potential story, got some drinks and woke up here." William squints, the florescence shining on the young man's sore eyes as if they were getting paid by the kilowatt. "You know if they were that concerned, they would have left a couple donuts for me."

He leans towards Florian, somehow William was still able to wear a smug look across his face despite a drop of coffee in his system. "I actually have a neat trick I can show you with a couple donuts." A hint of mischief shines in William's eyes as he brings a hand to the bars of the cell. "Probably should try it now before my morning wood goes away."

BEFORE  THE  BREAKING  OF  THE  CURSE     …        pellar's  town  police  station.

“     and  he's  finally  awake.     ”                 florian  greets  them  with  a  smile,  walking  into  their  office's  ‘jail  room’  where  their  small,  single  cell  was  currently  occupied.  it's  been  a  minute  now  since  the  last  time  someone  was  detained  there,  so  much  so  that  it  felt  surreal  that  this  place  seemed  like  a  proper  police  office.  though  whether  this  person  is  actually  a  criminal  or  just  another  drunk  citizen  that  needed  a  place  to  crash  on  …  well,  he's  the  one  that  has  to  get  to  the  bottom  of  that,  right? 

“     good  morning  to  you,  sleeping  beauty.     ”      he  continues,  as  pulls  up  a  chair  right  next  to  the  bars,  trying  his  best  to  look  authoritative  but  still  friendly.      “     you  got  my  guys  worried  last  night,  i  heard.  do  you  remember  anything  about  that?     ”

open for everyone ! @talednewsletter.

[frayedattheendings]

thank you prada :)

[frayedattheendings]

THE MORNING AFTER PROMPTS. a collection of memes derived from the morning after trope, for roleplaying purposes. feel free to edit as you see fit. do not steal (18+). send (reverse) along with any action prompts to swap the assigned roles.

i'm surprised that you stayed.

would you believe me if i said that i don't normally do this?

last night was incredible. i especially liked it when you did the thing.

how long have you been awake?

don't move. i'm comfortable.

what would you say to some breakfast?

i should really go.

i like waking up next to you.

you know, i could go another round. or three.

you look cute first thing in the morning.

i don't think i'm gonna be able to walk today.

what time is it?

i don't think i caught your name.

stop moving.

you talk in your sleep.

you have to leave, right now.

how did my shirt get there?

i'm trying so hard not to kiss you right now.

shut up, i'm trying to sleep.

your feet are cold.

i was worried last night had been a dream.

wanna order food and spoon for a while?

i thought you'd left.

come back to bed.

i didn't want to disturb you.

your phone was ringing.

last night didn't mean anything. you know that, right?

i've been waiting so long for this.

i love you.

kiss. for sender's muse to waken receiver's muse up with a kiss.

spoon. for sender's muse to pull receiver's muse flush against them, spooning them.

breakfast. for sender's muse to bring receiver's muse breakfast in bed.

morning. for our muses to have sleepy, morning sex.

shower. for our muses to shower together.

bathe. for our muses to bathe together.

kitchen. for our muses to prepare breakfast together.

trace. for sender's muse to trace the marks they left on receiver's body.

watch. for sender's muse to just silently watch the receiver's muse as they sleep.

display. for sender's muse to watch as receiver's muse begins to get dressed.

pin. for sender's muse to stop the receiver's muse from leaving the bed.

mouth. for sender's muse to initiate sleepy oral sex on receiver's muse.

[frayedattheendings]

⋆｡‧˚ʚ💋ɞ˚‧｡⋆ 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐦𝐞. 𝐧𝐨𝐰. (VERY USFT!!!!) 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 - send ‘reverse’ for the sender and receiver to swap. adjust wording as needed!

[ grind ] sender straddles receiver’s lap and starts grinding against them, slow and intentional

[ whisper ] sender leans in and whispers exactly what they want to do to receiver in excruciating detail

[ wristgrab ] in the middle of a heated moment, sender pins receiver’s wrists above their head

[ needy ] sender pulls receiver into their lap, desperate and breathless, kissing them like it’s not enough

[ tease ] sender drags their lips and tongue down the length of receiver’s stomach, but stops just before going lower

[ undone ] sender undresses receiver one piece of clothing at a time, dragging it out with loaded glances

[ taste ] sender drops to their knees and starts kissing up the inside of receiver’s thighs

[ lapfull ] sender drags receiver onto their lap in the middle of a conversation, their hands already wandering

[ control ] sender takes full control, guiding receiver’s hands, body, and every motion

[ tug ] sender grips receiver’s hair and yanks their head back to kiss them roughly

[ choke ] sender wraps a hand lightly around receiver’s throat while their lips are barely apart

[ lipbite ] sender bites down on receiver’s bottom lip while grinding against them

[ praise ] in the middle of it all, sender whispers praise between every movement "just like that," "you're doing so good," "don’t stop"

[ beg ] sender makes receiver beg for it

[ mouthy ] sender licks into receiver’s mouth mid-kiss, messy and aggressive

[ suck ] sender sucks a mark into receiver’s neck, possessive and without shame

[ edge ] sender brings receiver right to the brink, over and over, refusing to let them finish

[ wrecked ] sender has one goal: to leave receiver trembling and ruined beneath them

[ needy grind ] clothes still on, sender grinds against receiver until they’re both panting, desperate for more

[ between ] sender slips a hand between receiver’s thighs while whispering, “you’ve been wanting this, haven’t you?”

[ ride ] sender pushes receiver down and climbs on top, holding eye contact the entire time

[ spit ] sender leans over and lets spit drip into receiver’s mouth before kissing them hard

[ mess ] clothes scattered, sheets ruined, bodies tangled—sender and receiver didn’t hold back

[ slow ] sender draws everything out. every stroke, every breath, every motion unbearably slow

[ possessive ] sender fucks receiver like they’re trying to make sure no one else ever will

[ overstim ] sender keeps going even after receiver's already shaking from release

[ grip ] sender grabs receiver by the hips, holding them in place while taking full control

[ hot & heavy ] sender and receiver go at it somewhere they absolutely shouldn’t

[ control freak ] sender lets receiver think they're in charge… until they flip the roles mid-way

[ lips everywhere ] sender kisses every part of receiver’s body.

[ breathless ] sender doesn’t let up until receiver is clawing at their back, gasping for air

[ all night ] sender makes sure receiver doesn’t sleep... again, and again, and again

[ tongue ] sender slides their tongue along receiver’s skin, taking their time tasting every inch

[ dark corner ] they don’t make it home! sender drags receiver into a shadowed corner and gets to work

[ eye contact ] sender holds eye contact the entire time they’re going down on receiver

[ mirror ] sender takes receiver in front of the mirror so they can both watch

𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞

❝ i want to hear every sound you make. don’t hold back. ❞

❝ get on your knees—now. ❞

❝ you’re not leaving this bed until i say so. ❞

❝ look at you. all mine and dripping for it. ❞

❝ you said 'just one more time' last time, remember? ❞

❝ keep quiet, or they’ll hear. ❞

❝ is this what you wanted? me, like this, ruining you? ❞

❝ you’re shaking—already? we’ve barely started. ❞

❝ i haven’t even touched you yet, and you're already begging. ❞

❝ be good for me and spread your legs. ❞

❝ don’t you dare finish until i tell you to. ❞

❝ you’re going to be the death of me, but i’ll die happy. ❞

❝ say it. say you need me. say it louder. ❞

❝ i could do this all night. want to test me? ❞

❝ if you want more, use your words. ❞

❝ you look so pretty when you beg. ❞

❝ you’re not shy now, are you? ❞

❝ take it. like that. good. ❞

❝ tell me where you want my mouth. ❞

❝ don’t bite your lip—moan. i want to hear it. ❞

[frayedattheendings]

[frayedattheendings]

Walking past the swathes of masked people, William felt like he was drowning. Little glimpses of his past in the homeland trickling across his mind like a cool stream upon a river bed of stones. Seeping through the smallest of cracks deeper into the recesses of William's mind. Reflections of himself and his actions shining back at him through the glimmer of rhinestones of the crowd's masks that pass him by. William had his suspicions. A numbing presence in the back of his mind, clawing for escape. A constant mist around his core being that he couldn't get a solid grasp around it.

They crashed into the young shepherd's mind like a relentless wave against the shores of sand, weathering away the stony peaks that had once taken place there. Crashing into William like the crowd of guests crashing into his body, making their exit from the venue as his memories made their exit from the magical barrier in his mind, filling the numb parts inside himself until he was once again full and awake.

William managed to maneuver himself out of the crowd of people. He wasn't supposed to be there anyway. He wasn't supposed to be there. William leaned against the bar, his gaze peering up at the set of stunning eyes. The smirk joined with them earned a raised an eyebrow towards the gentleman they belonged to. "I was expecting this to get screwy before, but this is beyond my expectations."

@frayedattheendings

As   the   memories   rushed   through   Morgan's   head,   he   couldn't   help   the   way   his   heart   clenched   with   anger   and   spite.   And   perhaps   a   little   need   for   vengeance.   The   memories   of   both   lives   of   his   danced   before   him.   Arthur's   rise   to   kinghood   while   Morgan   was   constantly   just   seen   as   the   bastard   child   of   the   queen,   Arthur   and   his   family's   hatred   of   magic   and   the   things   that   Morgan   held   so   dear   to   himself,   Morgan's   deeds   and   manipulation   and   determination   to   covet   the   throne   for   himself.   But   there   was   still   a   bit   of   love   for   her   half-brother.   Healing   him   at   times   when   need   be,   because   he   was   his   to   kill.   No   one   else's.   And   now   in   this   universe?   His   apothecary   thrived.   People   coming   to   him   for   his   potions,   even   if   most   people   thought   they   were   fake. 

Even   without   his   memories   and   in   a   different   universe,   Morgan's   aptitude   for   magic   and   potions   had   persevered.   Still,   Morgan   was   less   than   thrilled   that   he   had   been   duped   and   manipulated   into   such   a   mundane   life.   So   even   while   he   attended   this…Celebration…He   made   sure   to   keep   his   guard   up.   One   might   not   know   how   others   will   react. 

“Well   things   definitely   have   gotten   quite   a   bit   more   interesting,   huh?”   He   asked   with   a   smirk   on   his   lips.

[frayedattheendings]

A cheeky grin from the photographer's lips continued to grow as William heard Hansel's protests. It wasn't his intention to have the hunk of a man accosting him out of a tree. Not that William had any complaints, the view of the older man from above wasn't bad. If William was as agile as he was mouthy, he could have snapped a decent photo of the man's tempting figure. Framing the pair of Hansel's clothed pecs would fair better results when the sun was higher in the sky. He'd have to put a pin on the personal project and settle for following Hansel's orders off the tree sans concussion.

"I was actually trying to take a decent dick pic." He chuckles, landing at the base of the tree before walking towards the handsome man. "Hard to find a decent background, you know." William winks at his direction. "Maybe I should get one of you instead?"

ONE  WEEK  BEFORE  THE  PARTY     …        the  charmont  estate. 

“     you  know,  i  don't  think  kit  will  be  happy  to  see  you  spying  on  them,  with  camera  no  less.     "                 hansel  says  as  he  passes  by  the  old  tree  beside  the  charmont  estate,  where  a  pair  of  legs  and  hands  holding  a  camera  doesn't  usually  poke  out. 

when  he  first  came  to  pellar's  town  years  ago,  one  of  the  many  places  he  went  to  first  was  the  rocky  coast  on  the  bottom  of  the  charmont's  estate,  where  an  old  abandoned  house  boat  sits  quietly  on  the  waves.  it  was  the  last  location  where  gretel  was  found  and  the  main  reason  why  he  even  came  here  in  the  first  place.  originally,  it's  empty  and  rotting  walls  brought  sadness  to  him  …  but  years  later,  it  has  become  one  of  the  places  where  he  finds  peace. 

“     come  on  down,  william.     ”      he  says  again,  wanting  to  get  the  other  man's  attention.      “     you  can't  be  risking  your  camera  or  your  life  for  some  pictures.     ”

closed starter for @frayedattheendings.

[frayedattheendings]

William took a glance at the man seated beside him. His brown eyes watching the mixture of liquor and what looked like something syrupy dancing within the other man's glass. The vibrant color appeared almost as sweet as the man himself, both William wouldn't mind taking a sip from. Drinking him in as the atmosphere around them seemed to do the same, drenching them in color and sound. The band was playing and the drinks looked tempting, as did the men drinking them.

"I like them a bit more mature for my liking." William had his interest piqued and scooted himself closer towards Faroald. The young reporter's hand raises, a signal for the barkeep to bring him a scotch. It was a drink his boss would gift him every couple of anniversaries for the paper. It was a taste he hadn't expected, but the young rookie grew to appreciate the sophisticated notes of whiskey. Giving a nod in thanks as the drink is placed in front of him, William looks at the glass and the amber contents inside. He gives the glass a gentle roll in between his palms before drinking the equivalent of drinking the contents of a perfume bottle.

"Sometimes that means skimping on some sweetness, but it doesn't take away from the flavor." He grins, his elbow props itself up against the bar, looking at Faroald's direction in curiosity. "How's your night going?"

people lining up for pictures. drinking like there was going to be no tomorrow. faroald had already spotted some folk saying that they were going to take a dip in the water. didn't they know that the tides only got stronger at night? idiots. he was surrounded by idiots. yet on the outside, he didn't make any of his distaste known. he had baked a couple of the treats that were passed to the night. marketed as a favor, but also he just wanted people to know that he was a good baker. even if he didn't have his eyesight. like the art of baking, dealing with people just involved different ingredients. charm, confidence, and listening to what they were actually saying.

even when he heard someone talking to him, he gave it a moment to make sure that they were actually asking him something. it was harming to his reputation if he would reply and wasn't the intended audience. when he heard no one's feet shuffling around him or anyone's voice respond, he turned slightly towards where the voice came from. "it is, but everyone has different taste. what type of flavors do you like?" his own drink was rather sweet, but he preferred it that way. some liked theirs on the bitter side. masochists he called them.

[frayedattheendings]

William's eyebrows raised in confusion and a vague sense of danger at hearing the trailing sing song cadence voice of the man besides him. They landed against William's ears, a hint of arousal couldn't help to have been garnered from the stranger's words. William wasn't much for brain teasers, especially ones that didn't include any pictures or diagrams. He turns toward the other man, a cautious curiosity guiding him to inquire further with the man's ramblings. "It's that good, is it?"

"Why don't I get you a refill in that case, maybe I should get one as well. We can both get disoriented together." William chuckles softly, signaling to the barkeep for a couple of drinks. "How are you liking the masquerade?"

"goo0oo0oood?" 𓁹‿𓁹 such a subjective term, the word stretches across his smile, as if tasting it. he's perched on the bar back to the wall, one leg dangling down. half-expecting eugene to tell him to get down but also not giving a care in the world to it. "'good' is such a… subjective ingredient, wouldn't you agree? the mix, I assure you, is perfectly mixed. whether it settles the stomach or turns the world upside down depends entirely on one's appetite for such things. some find it quite… enlighteningly disorienting. others, simply disorienting. it all depends on which way you're looking, doesn't it?" eyeing the stranger, pulling the dangling leg back onto the bar. lit cigarette rests between them and between index and middle, as he tucks his knees up.

[frayedattheendings]

"Easy, Red. It's a little soon to want to see me naked, don't you think?" William begins to say, soft chuckles tickling against Red's neck. Reacting a bit excitedly to his own words, William's hands grab on tighter to the other man's frame. Familiar, a bit more clothed than what his memories have provided.

Nevertheless, William held Red close, his face sinking into the warmth of their embrace, settling against the crook of Red's neck. William let the warmth of the other boy sinking into himself, a warmth he hadn't known he'd miss but was desperate to hold towards himself and never let go. "First minute back with our memories and you already want me to break the decency laws of this town."

Rory blinks and takes in the face. A face he's familiar with in both sets of memories that are crashing through him.

"Will," he says almost breathless. "Will."

He gives into the hug easily, wrapping his arms tight around his friend. Frenemy? Rival with benefits?

He takes a deep inhale and Will's scent washes through him. It's not the shepherd boy that Red loves, but it's still somehow him. Natural, cocky, summer.

"What is going on?" He pulls his head back, still holding onto Will. Then he looks down. "What are you wearing?"

[frayedattheendings]

"You're gonna have to fish it out of my pants if you want it."

The words fly out smoothly before William could be bothered to think of what to say. Adjusting the mask, velvety and clean like the herding animal it was meant to depict, William's smile stretched from underneath. Watched by the other man's eyes, William stared back as he was sure of who they'd belong to.

"I should probably get behind the bar for you to get it, yeah?" William offers, eyes traveling across the bar tender's body and the fabric that draped itself oh so nicely around him.

Rory's waiting on a drink (technically behind his grandpa's back but he's of age so who gives a shit?) from the slow ass bartender. He immediately recognizes Will's voice and smirks under his wolf mask.

"Sure," he says without turning yet, "but I don't think your fake ID will get you something, kiddo."

He turns and leans back against the bar, his suit hugging his body in the right places while his mask makes him look like a predator who wants to eat the guy alive.

[frayedattheendings]

TOM HOLLAND Prada Paradigme (2025)

[frayedattheendings]

THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLF as WILLIAM BRYSON