#'look at our little predator! she's so precious!'

[dragonsandwolvesohmy]

I had a dream and I had to share it with you all because it was... something else. (Aka the dream where Obi-Wan keeps the 212th)

So Obi-Wan (who was gender fluid or something because one minute it'd be cannon Obi and next it'd be Fem!Obi and sometimes neither, it was just a whole thing) basically laid claim on the 212th.

Order 66 never happened, Obi slaughtered Palps, blah blah blah. Here's the point: The senate refused to give the clones rights and recognized them as more than property. There was arguments about who could claim them as their property, namely the Long Necks saying since they made them, they own them, and other senators claiming that since they should have ownership of x number of troops for y reason or other bullshit.

Then Obi-Wan shows up and the convo basically goes like this: (I'll spare you all the legal jargon that comes from having studied parts of law)

'Since you refuse to give them rights, the 212th belongs to me.'

Whannnaaa whannaa- a bunch of legalese and subtle threats and insults, basically amounting to 'And how do you figure that?'

'Well, since the GAR was created for, and paid for by, the Jedi, and I found them, They belong to me. Finders Keepers, Loosers Weepers. Also, possession is 9/ 10ths of the law, they're mine, cry about it. Also, they've been - (meaning scars, tattoos, etc. changed since shipping out)

Cue legalese and bullshit that ends with Obi-Wan having legal possession of not just the 212th, but the whole Vode, including those just decanted on Kamino.

Cue the 212th wondering how the hell they're all going to fit into the temple, especially around Obi-Wan's rooms. Then Obi-Wan, in true dream logic, has a door in his room that opens to a whole ass hall that has tons of benches for them to use when putting on/taking off their armor, bunk beds, and a bunch of storage drawer-type things with little stickers and markers and whatnot for them to decorate/personalize to store their things, plus a welcome package including a special blanket, a stuffy, the decoration things, etc.

Mind you this is a temporary situation.

Meanwhile, Obi-Wan is technically 'kicked out' of the Jedi Order because he technically has a bunch of people as possessions/attachments to his 212th. In reality, they've taken Obi off active missions, as settling the Vode and figuring out what to do with their literal thousands of people is a long-term mission.

Obi-Wan ends up winning a planet in Sebbac by the skin of teeth (purposefully making it seem like he just barely won) knowing full well the person he's playing often bets the planet. Because the planet is a hellscape. No one wants to inhabit it, there are no native peoples, just flora/fauna because it's 60% water and the 40% land of it has massive storm seasons that threaten to kill anyone who settles there and has ruined attempts to settle before. But Obi knows if there's anyone who can thrive on the planet, it's the stubborn Vode and their banthashit-crazy Jedis. (Because Koon ain't leaving his Wolf Pack, no sir. Those are his kiddos.)

Also, the whole Vode is absolutely in love with Obi-Wan, who's making calf eyes at Cody half the time. Cody has gotten a Very Large Stick to beat off his vode from his general after they saved them from mass decommissioning waiting for them with the long necks. 'recycling bio mass' their shebs.

(Waxer and Boil adopt an Add. Fox gets a tooka. or five. and Rex finally gets a fucking vacation. (he likes fishing. (the 'fishies' are twice his size, will swallow a vode whole, and need to be physically fought into submission)))

(Also, also, Obi-Wan installs a council of Alpha batch, and they all simp for Obi-Wan so hard. Cody has beaten them with his Stick. Multiple Times. And tried to feed 17 to the 'fishies'.)

[erwinsvow]

the frustration shy reader must feel bc she’s freaky… no doubt about it, but rafe is like she’s too precious and innocent for that

no srsly.. he thinks shes so fragile because she took some time to adjust to being intimate w him but its like no she was just a shy virgin and rafe is so overwhelming but like when she gets comfortable... its a whole diff story !

"c'mon, kid, hasn't even been an hour," rafe groans, while you crawl into his lap again. you sit right on his dick, moving the way that you know will get you dicked down within the next ten minutes. or at least you thought it would.

rafe's huge hands come to your hips, lifting you up and off, tumbling onto the bedspace next to him.

"m'not a dildo, kid. give it a rest, it's fuckin' tired."

"i bet i can wake it up," you giggle, hand snaking back onto rafe's chest and trailing down. he grabs your wrist.

"what the fuck. are-are you not satisifed. is that what this is?"

"i never said that," you say with a sincere shake of your head and one of your concerned looks. "oh, am i not supposed to want it more? is that bad?"

rafe's not sure what he's gonna do with you.

"no, baby, it's not bad. it's healthy." you look relieved, chest heaving slower while you sink into your side of the bed.

he thinks that's the end of the conversation, but it comes up again a few days later, when he picks you up and takes you out for icecream on the pier. you lick your cone, watching the sunset while rafe stares at you, when ropes from someone's boat catches your eye.

"that rope looks strong," you comment, with another swipe of your tongue. rafe's about to start a lecture on boats when you cut him off, piping in again. "i bet if you tied me up with that i couldn't even move. it would probably leave scars. right?" you glance up from the rope to look at your boyfriend.

"huh?"

"the rope. if you tied it around my wrists and ankles. it would probably leave a mark. and hurt. you think we can take that rope or should we buy our own?"

he stares at you, not sure if you're joking.

"no, no one's tying you up with rope. what the fuck?"

"ugh. rafe?"

"yeah? kid?"

"you want some?" you offer, handing him the ice cream cone.

the next time he's heard enough. he's driving through the woods, a creepy backroad that led him to barry's, where he'd taken you with him since it was late at night. there's no lights, just the moon and the trees.

you stare out the window, he thinks you're tired from the day's activities.

"what're you thinkin' about, kid?"

"i bet if you let me loose in these woods you wouldn't be able to find me." he's a little confused, but sometimes you say odd shit so he goes along with it.

"yeah, that's what getting lost means."

"no, silly, not lost. if you let me run so you could chase me." you crane your neck, looking out the window at the expanse of the forest.

"to... find you?"

"duh, rafe. how else could we have sex in the woods if you don't find me. that's the whole point, you have to chase me. like a predator animal. i wonder if there's bears in these woods."

"are you jokin'?" you turn to look at him, with that same confused expression, sweet and confused.

"no? why?" he slams on the brakes, pulling over.

"get real, kid. you want me to chase you through the forest and fuck you, what, against a tree?"

"no, rafe," you start sincerely, looking concerned. "not against a tree, wouldn't that hurt? maybe on the grass. it just depends how far i get, until you find me, i guess. it looks like just trees here."

he stares at you, and then back at his hands on the wheel.

"rafe?"

"yes?"

"so are we gonna do it today, or..?"

[artists-ally]

{Only Me and the Devil Know} Reader x Azriel

Picture credit

So. I have no real explanation for this other than I was ready this AMAZING fic and it sparked an idea. That’s it. That all I can say. I’m already blushing. Blow up my inbox, comments, and dm's with your thoughts! Enjoy <3 Title from this song. (Ps. Thank you for all the support on the teaser????? You guys are insane I love you all so much)

Word Count: 12,169 (HOLY SHIT)

Warnings: SMUT. like seriously, this is nasty. Pre-established relationship and consent, CNC, dom/sub, role play (predator and prey), pet names (dove!reader and master!Azriel), breath play, overstimulation and forced orgasms, bondage, spanking, oral (m&f), breeding kink, degrading, humiliation, masochism, stalking, biting, minor blood.

Summary: Azriel has had this fantasy of you that he's been terrified to ask you to partake in. After explaining and agreeing, fear and desire blur together in a terrifying game of predator vs. prey.

Tagging: @librafairy @needylilgal022 @bunnymallowo

~~~~~

The tip of the sun caressed my skin through the window, gently waking me from whatever dream I had been having. My shoulder ached from having slept on it a little weird, and my eyes were bleary. 

I wandered to the kitchen that overlooked the hills, boiling some water for some tea. When I looked around the room, I felt this sense of pride for how far I’ve come in this little city. Everything was as it should be. 

After breakfast, I changed for the day. The familiar worn in overalls slipped on, tucking the ends into my boots. I threw on a long sleeve shirt, the beginning of fall nipping through the window. While it was nice to have a change of seasons, it made me sad to have to say goodbye to some of the flowers and vegetation of the summer. 

I packed a lunch and headed out, locking the door behind me. The walk this early in the morning was always therapeutic; chirping birds and herd of deer along the edges of the forest across the meadow. The dirt and stones crunched under my feet as I walked down the self-forged path to my shop on the corner.

I pulled the sign from my little alley and set it up to display the new deals and sales. On my door was a folded piece of paper with my name in some of the most incredible font I’ve ever seen. 

“Oh my sweet little dove, you look so precious in that outfit of yours. With your hair braided down your head. You don’t even know my name and yet I scream yours every night. Don’t worry, I already know everything about you.”

My heart dropped. I whirled around and looked down the street. The sun hadn’t even come up yet, so maybe whoever left it was still out there. No one. No one was around besides me. The breeze rustles my wind chimes, making it feel even more eerie. 

What the fuck?

I read it over again, not recognizing the handwriting. I quickly unlock the door and lock it behind me. I quietly step through the shop, checking if there’s anyone inside. Maybe I shouldn’t have locked myself in here.

No one was inside, and I blew a sigh of relief. With my head on a constant swivel, I went about my day, checking every corner of every room I went in. A friend of mine, Cece, stopped by in the afternoon. She clearly noticed the wariness in my eyes.

“Someone just left it on your door? Yn, why don’t you report it?” She asked, disgust written in her eyebrows as she looked at it again and again. 

“Well, who would I report it to?” I shrugged. 

“Hmm, let me think. Oh, I don’t know, maybe our High Lord?” I rolled my eyes at her sarcasm. “Yn, it’s not safe! Someone is obviously stalking you.”

“I’m fine.” I lied. I was a wreck. A complete boneless, nervous wreck. Cece knew. 

“Yn-”

“I can handle myself,” I shook my head. “If I need to, I have a dagger under the cash register.”

“Yeah because that’ll stop a full grown male,” she rolled her eyes. “I’m just worried, Yn. I don’t wanna have anything happen to you. Especially when we can prevent it.”

“I will be alright, don’t worry about me,” I waved off. “If I feel unsafe I’ll let you know. And Damien is right next door, surely he’ll be able to help if something goes wrong.”

With a sharp inhale, and an obvious disagreeing tone, she left it alone. I didn’t feel unsafe here, and it was the middle of the day. Who would attack someone in the middle of the day? In public nonetheless. 

____

There wasn’t a note on the door the next day, thank the Cauldron, and I began planning for the town’s annual solstice celebration. It was still a few months away, but I had to preserve some flowers for the winter in order to make holiday arrangements. 

I designed and sketched wreaths, garlands and some other things to be put into production. Having to hand make all of them was a pain, and I usually hired some more help to get things done a lot faster. 

It was a rare slow day, and I enjoyed the peace and quiet. I watered and swept, wiping down tables and shelves. I couldn’t shake this feeling no matter how hard I tried. I felt like I was being watched. And there was this chill in the air. Inside my shop, which always remained in the seventies for the plants. 

But it was cold. I checked the thermostat, and it was still where it needed to be. Why did it feel so fucking cold?

Maybe It was just me, and I was getting a little sick. 

Whatever it was, it followed me all the way home. I knew my eyes were playing tricks on me. I kept seeing things in the shadows move, but whenever I got closer, nothing was there. Yup, definitely being paranoid now. 

The next morning was the same; no note, but this agonizing feeling that I was being watched no matter where I was. I was still cold and could do nothing to warm up. I helped an older female find something for her granddaughter who had a music recital tonight. When I looked across the counter at her, there was nothing but my counter– and the flowers and her purse. But I dropped one of the coins and I bent to pick it up. 

There was a note on the counter. With my name. In the same handwriting as before. 

My throat closed, fingers tingling with panic. I quickly helped the lady along and stared at the piece of paper. Where the fuck did it come from. It was literally there in a second. What the actually fuck is going on?

“My dove, you know it’s rude to not write back. I don’t take kindly to indecency. But you won’t be able to avoid me forever. Rest up, dove. You’ll need it.”

Need it for what? My heart thundered against my ribs. Surely I should report this, but… but I didn’t want to. I don’t know why I didn’t want to, but I didn’t. It was probably just some kid trying to scare me. I kept telling myself that, but it hardly worked when I left, constantly checking over my shoulder. 

I needed to head down the street to grab something for dinner. On the corner of the road was a group of people chatting loudly, a couple walking in front of me. There were people around. Good. 

The Serpentine Supply was the only grocery store open this late. I made my way through the isles and plucked whatever looked good off the shelves. I could surely make… something with all of this. 

When I headed out, there was no group on the corner. No couple walking in front of me. No crickets or last minute birds tucking themselves in for the night. 

A silhouette was the only thing I saw. Tall, so tall, and muscular. A creeping shadow behind the figure, and as it moved, it revealed wings. So enormous they touched the ground despite his height. 

I could almost recognize the face, but it looked vague. Like I had seen it before, but couldn’t recall where. Surely I’d remember a face that beautiful. Clearly High Fae. He shouldered off the wall, eyes set on me. I fled, almost dropping my bag, bolting in the opposite direction towards my home.

I heaved as I fell against the inside of my door. Curling my legs up, I listened for footsteps until I remembered the male had wings. Wings. 

Fear coursed through me and I went to the safe under the cabinet in my room. I twisted the dial and plucked the dagger in my palm. I couldn’t breathe, let alone eat, so I sat at my kitchen table and waited to see if he would try to follow me in.

It could’ve just been a random male, I told myself. And it was probably more likely. 

But what if that was- no. I can’t terrorize myself like that. This is all coincidental and I’m blowing all of this out of proportion. There is no reason someone would want to hurt me. But then again sometimes you don’t have to do something to have people want you-

Nope. Not going there. 

_____

With basket in tow, I walked up the hillside to my personal field. Rows of still-in-season flowers greeted me as I rounded the crest. I lifted up my skirt and bent down, plucking the last of the summer blooms to be stored for the winter. 

I was so happy when I discovered the preservation technique last Solstice so everyone could enjoy these beautiful flowers year round. I laid them all in the same direction, careful to not destroy the delicate petals. 

It was actually a nice day, and the sun was warm despite a cooler breeze. The sundress I had put on was one I’ve worn a thousand times, the hemp dulled and frayed from years of wear and play in the dirt picking flowers and gardening. It was lightweight and easy to maneuver in. My feet were bare. No real need for shoes out here. I liked feeling the dirt between my toes anyway, shoes just got in the way and made my feet sweat. 

I picked up a dahlia and laid it in the basket, reaching for another before I shrieked. 

A dark tendril of something circled around it, through the petals and drenching it in darkness. I launched back away from it, hands breaking my fall. 

“My dove, don’t you look pretty today,” a voice crept down my spine. I had only then realized I backed up into something solid. I scrambled, staring up at the figure. I had to shield my eyes from the sun, but a winged silhouette blocked it a second later.

Oh shit.

My brain fogged and words were long forgotten.

“It’s okay, dove. Don’t be afraid,” he spoke. His mouth curled into a feline smile when he took a step towards me, and I scooted back. He clicked his tongue disapprovingly. “Oh, my pretty prey, don’t you see? You can’t run. You’re all alone out here, aren’t you?”

I shouldn’t answer, I can’t let him know that I’m all alone.

“N-No,” I stuttered, breathless and boneless. “No, I am not alone.”

“Don’t lie to me,” his tone sent a ripple down my back. “Even if you weren’t alone, there’d be nothing anyone could do.”

Fear prowled through me, and I think he could sense that. I anchored myself to the ground, prepared to bolt at any second and try to put as much distance as I could. Would it be useless? Probably. Would I go down with a fight? Absolutely. I’d kick and scream and-

“It’s so adorable to watch you think you have a chance,” he tilted his head, bending down over me. I took in those wings, that sharp jaw and even sharper eyes. His skin was flushed with a fine layer of sweat, and he smelled like an inferno. 

My core tightened. My fingers and toes were numb with dread. 

“Such a shame. A pretty thing like you shouldn’t ever be left alone. Someone could just come right up to you and take you as their own.” “I told you I’m not alone,” I bit out. 

He chuckled. Void of any real amusement and full of predatory hunger. “It’s okay, dove. I only want to take you for a little while, show you all the things that delicate body does to me. Only when I am satisfied will I give you back.”

A sob shuddered through me as he gripped my chin, forcing me to look at him. “P-Please don’t- please don’t hurt me-”

“Oh, I will. But it will feel so good for you. You’re going to cry. And beg. And scream. All for me. You’ll realize that no other male will be able to make you feel the things I can make you.” His voice was of the smoothest silk, but the words were so wrong. So repulsing. It certainly didn’t help when he looked so striking. 

I swallowed, nothing going down. I shook with nothing but fear when his hand traveled down my chin, to my neck. He gripped, not cutting off air, but firm enough I knew I was fucked. I couldn’t move, I was paralyzed by his eyes. 

This was it. This was going to happen. 

I have to try and run. I have to try. I looked up and down his body, at his midsection crouched over my legs. I kicked up as hard as I could, sending him to the ground with a groan. I scrambled, as fast as I could, to my suddenly limp feet and ran. I sprinted into the woods, not daring to look back to see if he was following. I knew he was following.

My chest burned with the need for oxygen. I zig-zaged through the trees, stepping on branches and sharp stones. When I screamed, nothing came out. My voice was dead in my throat and I couldn’t scream. It felt like I was in a nightmare. Where all laws of physics are wiped away for the sake of terror.

How far I ran I didn’t know, but I couldn’t see my meadow from wherever I was. Who knew what was in these woods? I slowed my pace a little to catch my breath. I walked– more like jogging– through the thick brush. Thorns and bugs tore up my arms and legs. 

Great. Now the sun was going down. Normally a Velaris sunset would put a beaming smile on my face. Right now? It only filled me with worry. 

The soles of my feet were cut and filled with dirt. My trembling had slowed, but every new snap of a twig had it tumbling back into me. I kept my gaze on the vegetation in front of me, careful not to step on too many branches. The last thing I needed was to send a ripple of sound to what/whoever was after me.

I smacked face first into a tree. So hard my vision danced away from me. The back of my head hit the forest floor and I groaned, hugging it close to my chest. As I rolled onto my shoulder, I was forced onto my stomach. My voice filled me when I saw the scarred hand, belonging to the male I thought I left in the field. 

“Where are you going, my prey? You think you can outrun a predator like me? Aww, my dove. You should know I love the chase, to see the fear in your eyes. Fear is one of our most primal instincts, fleeing only makes me want to hunt.” 

He was heavy on top of me, hand fisting in my hair to force me up. I tried to fight against it, but I couldn’t move. 

“Run again and I will have no choice but to hurt you. Though I bet you’d beg me to keep going.”

In a second, that same tendril-like shadow surrounded us. It filled every pore of my skin, every hole in my body. I felt like I was suffocating. That I was choking and couldn’t do anything to clear the obstruction. My eyes watered and I shrieked in my head. 

As fast as it was there, it was gone. I sucked in breaths, coughing up the saliva that was trapped in my throat. When I opened my eyes, I had no idea where I was. The cold, smooth concrete under my palms and knees was no indicator. There was no light except a singular bulb overhead. There was a table in the middle bound with leather, and a wall lined with different weapons and tools.

“Have no fear, dove. I won’t be using all of them on you today,” the voice echoed, and I spun around, trying to find it. He was nowhere and everywhere at the same time. Panicking, I ran towards one wall, hoping to find a door. I pounded at it with everything I had, nothing giving away.

It was solid stone.

“Please let me go, I promise I won’t tell anyone about this,” I pleaded, sinking into the farthest corner. “Please I won’t-”

“I know you won’t, my dove,” the male emerged from the shadows. “But I don’t care.” Tears rolled down my cheeks. “I don’t want this. Please, sir-”

“Master.” his voice boomed into the room. “Call me anything other than master and there will be consequences.”

I cowered against the wall, legs tucked up under myself. Maybe if I appease him then… “Please master I-”

“Would you look at that,” he grinned. A feral grin with a promise to bring pain. “My dove knows how to take orders. So good to know you have a desire deep down to please and cooperate.”

“I don’t want this.”

“I know you don’t, and that’s what makes me want you more, dove,” he knelt down in front of me again, tucking away some of the hairs in my face. Under any other circumstance, I’d find the movement comforting, reassuring maybe. This? This was haunting. Make-your-stomach-blanche haunting. 

“What do you want from me?” I asked, daring a look in his green eyes. In another setting, I’d find them beautiful. But not this one. 

“I’ve already told you. I will return you when I am satisfied,” the male flashed his white teeth. “Get up.”

He yanked me by my bicep and hurtled me out of the corner. My feet stumbled and he kept me upright, dragging me to the table. My lower back aches when I crash into it, but the table didn’t move. I gripped the edge for dear life while my eyes stayed locked on my captor. 

My heart begged me to find safety. But there wasn’t a door, not a window in this chamber. 

“Where am I?”

“Far from anything, if that’s what you’re asking. I’ll take care of you, my dove. I won’t be kind, but I don’t want to kill you.”

Was it comforting? Sort of. Not really. No, it wasn’t comforting in any way. This male, this winged male, was going to do whatever he wanted. I’m at his mercy. His to play with, to decide what to do with, and I had no say in the process or the outcome. 

He turned to face me after looking at the wall of tools and things. “Oh dove, why didn’t you say you were needy?”

I blinked at him, shifting on my feet. “I’m not needy. I just want to be let go.”

“You think I can’t smell the sweet scent between those legs of yours?” His gaze darkened, traveling up and down my trembling body. “I bet if I touched you you’d arch into me, wouldn’t you? You're all messy and ready for me, aren’t you?”

I shook my head, biting my lip. His massive hand wrapped around my throat, pulling me inches from his face. He ducked his head down, planting a kiss right below my ear. I shivered. No no no no no this was not about to happen. 

His teeth nipped my ear and he exhaled, sending uninvited goosebumps across my arms and legs. 

“Despite your best efforts,” he whispered, breath skimming me ignited skin. “You are arching into me. You want me to touch you, don’t you?”

I couldn’t move my head with his grip, which only tightened when I didn’t come up with a response quick enough. “No, no I don’t want you to touch me.”

“Pity,” he said. “Your body says otherwise. Even though I frighten you, have you at my will, you find it thrilling, little dove. Aww, see? You’re so hungry for my touch, my mouth, that you can’t even stay still. I know my dove needs it, she’s such a slut already and I haven’t even done anything.”

Impossible. It was impossible not to writhe at his words. Heat flooded my body in a moment. No, don’t want this. This is wrong. This is so fucking wrong.

He let out a cruel laugh, the vibrations prickling my skin. He manipulated my head where he wanted, pressing his mouth up my neck, across my collarbones. My eyes lulled shut, unintentionally letting my head fall back. 

“Good girl, my dove.”

I gasped as his teeth grazed right where my vein pulsed under my skin. His hand roughly grabbed my hips and lifted me onto the table. They forced my knees apart and he stepped into the space. I whimpered.

“So vocal,” his voice was criminally sleek. “Be as loud as you want dove, no one can hear you scream.”

Again, not comforting.

“W-What are you going to do to me?” My voice bobbled, especially when he pulled off my body and stared at me. 

“Ask me one more time and I will make you regret it.” There was no room for negotiation in his voice. “But, since you are such a curious little whore, I guess we can get started.”

The world whirled around me as he forced me chest down. I hung over the edge, blood rushing to my face. His hands grabbed the neckline of my dress and ripped it down the zipper. The bitterness of the dark room chilled me to my core. 

A single one of his fingers felt its way down my spine. I kicked out, wiggling away from his fine touch. That finger left my back and came down hard on my ass. A scream tore through my body. The sting boomed across my skin, definitely leaving a raised welt in the shape of his hand. 

“Keep still.” He ordered. I panted with the force of that smack. “I mean it dove, I don’t want to hurt you… too bad anyway.”

I tried to hold still as his hands explored my body. They were firm which helped. I could predict the patterns of his hands and the tension slowly slipped from my body. I relaxed a shoulder down to the table, then let my legs dangle. 

“See? You’re already growing accustomed to my touch. Such a good little girl, my dove. I will reward you, you can keep pretending you don’t crave me as much as I crave you.” 

My body was betraying me. I have this type of reaction. It was wrong. On so many levels.

But my goodness was he a stunning male. 

Why I relaxed as he lifted the hem of my skirt up, I couldn’t ever say. But I was more embarrassed when he cooed at me, a soft, almost sweet noise coming from deep in his chest. 

“Aww,” he sighed. “Nothing under this? All prepped and ready for me, dove? I should have known how much of a whore you’d be for more. So kind of you to make it so easy for me to use you. To have my unwavering way.”

“Master I- please don’t do this to me-”

“And would you look at that?” He palmed my ass apart. “You are a soaking wet mess. I am two for two, I wonder what else I am right about. I think you’ll like it when I touch you, so much you’ll come apart just after a few strokes. I think I can get you to cum on my cock as many times as I want, until you’re an incoherent, slobbering mess. What do you think, dove? If you agree I’ll make you feel sooo good.”

I was quivering. Fuck, he had been right. And I felt so ashamed about it. Nothing about this should be arousing, and yet, he was completely right. Cauldron boil me for this.

I nodded. Despite all the bells and whistles telling me to fight and keep going. I nodded. 

“I knew you’d come around,” I could hear the sinister smile in his voice. “Get up, dove.”

Slowly, I lowered my feet to the ground and turned to face him. He reached around me and pressed a switch on the table. It began to move, angling itself on a slant. A panel came out at the bottom and the male flipped it up. “Step.”

Uh oh. 

With a wary look at him, I stepped onto the small metal platform barely big enough to place my feet on. I face him, the dress barely clinging to my body. He grabbed one of my wrists and forced it over my head. A cuff of leather latched around it. 

When I tried to yank it away, his free hand wound around my throat, cutting off all oxygen. I gargled, going slack in his grip. 

“I told you if you tried to get away, I’d have to hurt you,” he shook his head. “My prey hasn’t learned her lesson.”

My eyes widened as he grabbed something off the wall behind me. The second he rounded to where I could see him, my heart blazed in my chest. There was a small sword in his hand and he spined it between his fingers aimlessly. 

With two light-blurring moves of his arm, he cut off the sleeves to my dress and it pooled around my feet. I don’t know when I closed my eyes, but then they were open, staring down at my now naked body. “Defy my order again and I’ll cut you, do you understand?” I nodded vigorously. 

I still had one hand free, and I used it to try and cover myself. The male watched me twist and turn under his stare. 

“Looks like I still have something to take care of,” he looked at the hand that was shielding the space between my thighs. Within a minute, he had gained control of my hand and I was tied up. Completely naked and exposed to him. “Much better.”

I didn’t know what to do. Didn’t know what to say. So I stayed quiet. I just watched his every move. 

“What to do with you first,” he tapped his chin. “I should punish you for trying to get away from me again. But I think I just want to play with you a little bit more.”

He pressed another button, and the table tilted back so it wasn’t such a steep incline. My arms were already feeling strained as I tugged at the cuffs around my wrists. Most of my weight fell on my back, but gods my arms ached already. 

This was it. Nothing I can do to stop this. Fear and dread and every other emotion bubbled up and out, sobs wracking through my chest. 

“Don’t be afraid my dove,” his voice was anything but soothing as he dragged his fingers down my cheek. “I will make you feel so many good things. See? I only want to ruin you for anyone other than me. That’s it, my prey.”

His hand pinned my leg to the table, basically covering the entire thigh with his hand. He was so big. From his hands to his wings, even his shoulders were massive and otherworldly. A finger brushed up the crease of my hip, dipping into the mess on my skin. I jolted when he slid that finger between the tops of my thighs. 

It was so light, so gentle in comparison to how he’s been. With a shaky breath, my eyes fluttered shut as I let him touch me. 

“So soft, dove,” he praised. “Let's see how you taste. I hope it’s as sweet as those flowers of yours smell.” He let his tongue curl out and around the pad of his middle finger, eyes locked on mine. With a hum of approval, he grinned. “My dear dove, you taste so wonderful. I am going to undo you so many times so I can taste you over and over again. You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Yeah I know you do. Don’t worry, I will make you, whether you want to or not.”

Chills spread down my back and I arched off the table when he stuck two fingers inside me. It didn’t hurt, but it didn’t feel great. Not until his thumb brushed over my clit, making me jump viscously. 

“Tell me what you want, dove.” 

I had to calm the inferno in my mind before I could speak. “Just- please…”

“Please what? Use those words of yours, slut. Or are you already too fucked out to form sentences?” That wicked mouth of his didn’t make it any easier.

“I want… more,” it came out a whisper. So tentative and meek I wasn’t sure if I had said it out loud. 

“You want more, my prey?” I nodded. He let out a soul crippling laugh. “Just remember, you asked for this.”

His fingers picked up, and his mouth latched onto my breast. Teeth bit into the skin, and I knew it was the first mark of many to come. There was nothing to do except take what he was giving me. And right now, it didn’t feel bad. Pleasure ripped through with another brush of his thumb and my core tightened. 

Sweat pricked my skin, my hair itching the back of my neck. I was so hyper aware of everything going on with my body it was impossible to focus on anything else other than that it started to feel good. Fuck. I was giving in. I need to resist. This was- this was wrong. And yet I was… I was enjoying it? He had to have drugged me or- or cast some sort of spell to make me react to his touch. I couldn’t find any of this desirable, could I?

“Would you like to cum, dove?” He stilled his hands, but my hips kept moving. “Are you that desperate? That you’re fucking yourself on my fingers?”

I stopped immediately. My mouth gaped open and closed for a response, but nothing came. 

Two heartbeats later he shoved his fingers in so deep I pulled on the chains so hard I began to lift myself away from his touch. He pinned my thigh back to the table and circled my clit, drawing noises from me I so desperately wanted to keep inside. 

There wasn’t anything I could do to convince him that I was repulsed by this. Because he and I both knew that I was into it. Problematically into all of this. I didn’t want to admit it to myself. I couldn’t let that little bit of control I needed to ground me. What control did I actually have? I had no power. Nothing to hold over him. 

I was tied. To a table. In a room without a door. Cauldron knows where I am. Of course I had no power here. 

But it… it filled me with fear. This primal fear, just like he said. And I couldn’t stop him from doing whatever he wanted. And that was… that was…

Pleasure ripped through me, forcing me to arch off the table and scream out. I hadn’t given my body permission to lean into this. Fuck fuck fuck. It felt so good, his fingers pushing me further down that fine line between reality and euphoria. 

“My dove, that was quick,” his eyes were full of hunger. And so were mine. “I knew you would come around. I knew a slut like you would give into those animalistic behaviors at some point. Now the rest of this will be seamless. All you have to do is stay there and let me fuck you until you go dumb with it.”

My legs were shaking, my pussy clenching on nothing as he ripped them from my body. I might have moaned. Just maybe. 

The male hit the button again and my legs flew down to help support my weight. I had to press on my toes to take some of the pressure off my wrists; pins and needles shot down my fingers and arms from the lack of blood. 

“What do you say, dove? Should I make you cum again? Yeah, I think I’m going to.”

He knelt to the floor and grabbed the back of my calf. I watched, still heaving from my first orgasm. He let it fall over his shoulder, doing the same with the other. Was he going to- oooh gods….

The first pass of his tongue sent my head rolling back, eyes with it. I bucked my hips into his face, meeting his carnal stare. He grinned, chin glistening with my mess. He looked… fuck he looked good. All those sharp, cunning features between my legs. My mind melted and all my morals went with it. 

Here I was: chained to a table with a sadistic, obsessive male, and I was loving the sight of him between my legs. What the fuck is wrong with me? I didn’t have time to answer my own question as content filled me. He lapped over every inch of my entrance and didn’t let up. 

“Gods… fuck- forgive me,” I whimpered out, feeling this overwhelming sensation begin to break apart my seams. I gasped, then screamed. His teeth latched onto the inside of my thigh. He bit me. Hard. Forceful enough to bring tears up and forceful enough to make me bleed. 

“Now if any other male tries to take you, they’ll see my bite and know that if they don’t get out they’re going to be in a world of pain,” he muttered, brushing away the drops of blood with his hand. He resumed the flicks of his tongue, not letting up when I began to see stars.

“Ple-Please,” I shout, arching off the inclined surface and clamping my legs around his head. In a second, I was pinned to the table, his nails digging into the skin of my thighs. A brutal hand came down right over the bite, and I screamed. Fuck that hurt. “Ah- stop.”

“Why? Does it hurt, my prey? It’s fucking supposed to. Now shut the fuck up and take it. Stop acting like you don’t love this.” 

I cried out, his tongue darting up and down my core. My stomach tightened in that familiar way, but I couldn’t give him the satisfaction of another release. I had given him what he wanted, wasn’t that enough?

“Stop holding back.” Another claw of his nails at the backs of my thighs. “Cum now or I will make the next one far less enjoyable.”

I obeyed. I didn’t have a choice. My body just did it. I yelped, straining against the bindings so hard I knew they’d cut my wrists. With my hips pinned under his powerful hold, I twitched and writhed and shook with the force of my second orgasm. I couldn’t stop shaking. Couldn’t stop whining and begging him to stop licking me. 

The male didn’t let up and tears fell out of my lashes. I sobbed. Sobbed. It was too much, too much pressure and pleasure it hurt. It stung. It burned and added to the ever growing pins and needles in my arms. They were numb, and couldn’t keep me up anymore. 

My body flops fully against the table as he keeps a firm grip on me. 

“M-Master please stop-” I begged, “please I need a break.”

Alas, he pulled his head away from my throbbing pussy. The sight of him was… Cauldron spare me. His hair was a tangled mess, and his eyes were full of his pupils. Black, affectionless pits in his face. He looked exactly as he said he was, a predator. A true, hungry, wild predator. 

And I had made him that way. 

“I’m far from done, my dove,” he rose to his full height, tilting the table all the way back. Relief flooded my arms. “I think you’re ready for something else.”

He came around to my head and I watched him, upside down, the light hurting my eyes. He shed the belt around his waist and let it fall to the floor with a loud ‘clang’. His scarred hand put the button through its slit and I could see the outline of him through his pants. 

Holy Mother send me a blessing.

“Yeah, you’re gonna be able to fit it.” “No,” I shook my head. “No that will not fit in my-”

“Well, it’s going to. Open wide, pretty dove. Fuck… look at you. All spread out for me, pink and flush. You look so mouthwatering. So perfect for me to ruin and bruise.”

With another click of a button, the cuffs above my head began to move down. The blood rushed back and I sighed out. They were now at my sides. When I dared a look back up, the male had dropped his pants. Mother fucking- that is not going to-

“Open,” He demanded, palming my jaw. I was in too much shock at the sheer size to really hear it. A slap struck me in the face, and I jolted to the side. “Now. Make me ask again and see what I will do with this.”

My jaw unhinged and he slipped in. I choked, bending my legs to try and gain some leverage. Cool streaks slithered up my feet and around my ankles. they yanked, the force of it pulling me off his cock, and I looked down at the tendrils of shadow curled around my skin. 

“What the fuck-” I shouted until I couldn’t breathe anymore. The male had come around the front of my head and slammed a hand against my throat. The pressure built up in my face, and I coughed, choking on what little air I had left. His eyes were narrow, a snarl on his lips. 

After a few moments, the stars were back, and the room dimmed. Heart pounding. I was right there, so close to losing consciousness when air rushed back into my lungs. I thought I was going to throw up with how hard I was breathing. 

He grabbed my hair and forced me down, shoving his cock back into my throat. All the way. I gagged. I was fully stretched out on the table as he rocked his hips into me. He was tall enough that the table wasn’t a hindrance. 

“I told you dove, bad things happen when you disobey me.”

He almost put me unconscious. My head was foggy, and my vision was still laced with stars. I had no other choice but to take what he was doing. Just like he said I would.

When I closed my eyes, I let my throat relax. He praised me, sinking in further and further. Every other thrust I got a breath. He pulled out once and let the tip of his cock trace around my lips so I could catch a breath. Instead of waiting for him to decide when I was done, I stuck my tongue out in acceptance. 

“My prey is learning so quickly,” he stroked a massive hair down my throat, pressing in. I could feel it prod against the surface of my skin, right where his hand was. “I bet you can feel that, huh? How far down I am?” A quick clench of his digits sent fear rolling back through my body. I couldn’t breathe again- “Shh, I won’t let you suffocate on my cock. There are far too many things we still have left to do. Just relax- that’s it. Look at you! Such a pretty whore, already wrung out on my cock. And I haven’t even been inside you.”

I swallowed around him when he removed his hand. That earned me a deep, rumbling sound from his chest. In the past couple minutes, his voice had dimmed to nothing but a growl. Like he was turning into an animal.

It was so thrilling. 

With every snap of his hips, my whole body rocked with it. Wetness pooled onto the table and I could feel it smear against my skin. He reached down and pulled at my nipple, sending shocks all through my body. “Yeah you can take more. I want you a whimpering mess, you still have a ways to go, don’t you dove?” I nodded my head as best I could. “That’s what I thought.”

His hips snapped into my face, cock stabbing my throat. It was so painful, and my lungs burned for a full breath again. Nothing about the way he was forcing it in told me he was going to let me have one. It could’ve been minutes or hours that he fucked my throat. I wouldn’t have the slightest chance of talking in the morning. And part of me didn’t mind that thought. Or the thought of seeing his marks across my skin. 

I moaned around him. I watched his head draw back, and heard what that had done to him. “Do that again, don’t stop.”

An endless supply of them tumbled out of me and around him. His hips stuttered for a second. Both of his hands palmed the side of my head, bringing it to meet his motions. One-two-three-four-five more later and he shoved all the way in, blocking my airway entirely. Long ropes of cum shot down my throat, forcing me to swallow. Some came back up into my nose. 

When he pulled out, I nearly hurled. The taste wasn’t bad, but the need for air was. I gulped it down, eyes unable to keep themselves open. I could barely feel the cuffs loosen from my writs. I was a limp pile of used limbs. Exactly what he wanted.

I felt like I was in the clouds. 

The next thing I knew was I was on the ground and the freezing concrete woke me up. My hands and knees stung and shook. I felt weightless and like I was a ton at the same time. I couldn’t keep myself up, arms giving out as I went face first into the floor.

All I could hear behind me was the male rugged breathing. Two agonizing slaps were planted on my ass. A garbled scream tore through the air as he did it again. And again. It eventually became so painful I couldn’t feel it. My chest was flat against the ground. 

“I am gonna fuck you,” he told me. “And I am going to hurt you so fucking good. You’re gonna scream and cry until you can’t. I’m gonna fill you all the way up, too. So much it’ll drip out of you for the next hour.”

The tip of his cock swirled through the mess between my legs. “Please, master. Fill me up.”

“That’s it dove,” he pushed in, inch by inch. “Fuck that feels good. I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist me. You’re all mine. All fucking mine to use and breed and fuck whenever I want.”

If I had been anywhere other than wherever I was, people would surely be breaking down my door to rescue me. But I would shew them away and beg for him to continue. He was right. Fuck he felt good inside me. I don’t know how he fits. But then he kept going. And he kept pushing. 

“Look at you, taking my cock like it’s nothing. You look so fucking pretty, my little dove. Fuck yourself on it. Fuck me like the useless, hopeless little creature you are. Maybe if you do a good job, your predator will let you go so he can hunt you again.”

My body was his at that moment. It wasn’t my own to begin with. He had full command over me. And I was happy to let him. I rocked back on my knees, my aching nipples brushing against the floor every time I did. 

The noises were obscene; from our breathless pleas to his cock slipping in and out of my thoroughly soaked pussy… it was the most sinful symphony I had ever heard. 

With earnest I rocked into him until he took over. One hand fisted in my hair and he yanked me up. I couldn’t be bothered to use my arms to help, I let him do all the work. His other hand brushed to where we were connected and over my clit. 

I had already come twice, I didn’t know if I could a third. But he was going to make me, whether I wanted to or not. Just. like. He. Said. 

The sound of our bodies echoed off the walls around us. He cursed deep in his chest while I had the breath fucked out of me. I had to catch myself when he threw my head down so I wouldn’t smack my nose off the stone. He hauled my ass into the pocket of his hips and hovered over me, forcing his body to align with mine. 

His now bare chest was flat against my back, hard muscle contracting as he angled his pelvis into mine over and over. It was a brutal, erotic pace. His promise rang in my head: all fucking mine to use and breed and fuck whenever I want.

“Yeah take it you fucking whore. Take what your master is giving you,” his voice was distant in my ears. His nails scraped groves in the skin of my back, and I let go. I screamed. the tears came and didn't stop. All those emotions– fear, dread, desire– making their way to the surface and erupting as I came again. For a third time. “Fuck, my dove. Again? Gods you are such a slut for my cock. You love this. Being used by me. You’re fucking nothing without my cock to fuck. You were born for me to fuck this tight cunt of yours. To breed.”

I don’t know if my orgasm ever stopped or if they just kept rolling over into the next. 

“My pretty cunt to use. Mine. All fucking mine, isn’t it? Say it dove, who does this body belong to?”

“Y-You, master,” I strangled out through cries and breaths. “It’s all yours, my master.”

His hands crashed down on my shoulders and pinned me to the floor so I wouldn’t move. I wouldn’t move even if I could. And I don’t. I want to stay right here, head far away from all my daily responsibilities as he pounds into me. 

My master’s hips were ruthless. Every pump of his body into mine set my skin on fire. I had never felt pleasure, or pain, quite like this before. I’d never be the same again. He forced me to change to him. And I couldn’t ever change back. There was nothing I could do to stop him from breeding me. And I didn’t want to stop him. 

“F-Fuck, my dove. I’m gonna breed you. Fuck it so deep inside you’ll never have a chance. Ready?”

“Yes yes yes yes yes,” I was incoherent. “Please, master. Fuck me so goooood.”

The noise that came out of him should have terrified me. But it didn’t. He let out a snarl so deep it rattled my bones, rattled the table and the floor with the force of it. I could feel his release inside me, but his hips never slowed. The nails on his fingers caught my skin and ripped it. I’m sure it’ll look like I was attacked by a wild animal in the morning. In a way I was. 

He was feral, snarling and snapping behind me. It was either sweat or saliva that dripped onto my back. 

It went on for a little longer, and then he forced his cock farther than it had pierced a new part of me that I hadn’t ever felt before. I couldn’t tell up from down, right from wrong in the next several minutes as he fucked into me, pushing and pushing and pushing as much of himself as he could into me. I went completely limp and he landed on top of me. 

His warm body was shaking above mine, sweat soaking into my skin. 

Neither of us spoke, neither of us moved. 

When he stirred, he pulled out, making me feel impossibly empty while he rolled me on my back. Then it was back in, and I sighed contently. 

“Would you look at that,” his voice cracked slightly. “My pretty dove has entered a true in between state. You can’t decide what to feel, can you?” The male's hand gripped my chin, forcing me to look at him. I could barrel keep my eyes open anymore, and he let out the cruelest sound I’ve ever heard. “Such a worthless prey. You can’t even speak you're so enthralled with me. What a sight to see.” It didn’t even occur to me that we had never kissed until this instant. His lips were warm and hurried as they claimed mine. I melted into it, especially when he curled his tongue over mine. He moved his hips steadily as he did, drawing in and out a few times before he stayed put. 

I was so many things– ruined above all of them. I didn’t know if I would walk again, if I’d be able to see a dahlia in the garden and not be instantly transported back to these memories. 

Here I was, spent and limp, still at his mercy. And despite the moral side of me, begging me to be disgusted and horrified… I wasn’t. And I wasn’t guilty about it either. I should be, absolutely should be mortified by this whole thing. Yet I wanted- no, I needed it to keep going. To be taken at any point and whisked away from life to be played with. To be hunted. 

It would be a secret I’d take to the grave. Not anything I’d tell anyone. I would keep this between me and the fucking devil. No one else could know how much I craved to be stripped of my rights and dignity. 

I was moved, despite my protests, and hauled over a shoulder. That same suffocating shadow filled me once more and then the stars said hello. With what little energy I had left, I lifted my head off his shoulder and peered around. My meadow greeted me. The bugs and all there too. 

The male slid me off his body and laid me down in the grass. I had also become dressed at some point, my dress put back together. 

“You are free for now, my little prey. But I will find you again, and I will hunt you down no matter where you run to.”

I nodded up at him, a delightful smile on my lips. With a breeze from the crisp autumn air, he was gone, one with the shadows again. I laid there for a moment, not really having a ton of memories of what just happened. All I knew was that I had this ache in my body that filled me with satisfaction.

____

The stars twinkled above me as I pushed to a sitting position, waiting for a while for my mate to come get me. With a mighty beat of his wings, he landed in front of me, that feral look in his eyes gone since we left that underground room. 

“Let’s get you home, my love,” he smiled sweetly, sweat still curling the ends of his hair. I reached my hands up and he gently pulled me to my feet. “I love you so much, Yn. So so much. It was perfect.”

“I know,” I smiled up at him. “I was pretty good.”

“Are you hurting?” I gave him a look that said ‘yes, you idiot, of course I’m hurting’. “Okay yeah stupid question. Let’s go clean you up and then we can soak in the tub and go to bed. I’m sorry if I-” “Shh,” I curled right into his chest when he lifted me up, kissing the side of his neck. “I didn’t safeword, did I?” “Well, no but that doesn’t mean-”

“Yes it does. I may have been under, I may have been afraid, but I was aware. It was everything I could’ve imagined.”

“You’re sure?” he asked again.

I nodded, slurring my words with sleep. “ ‘mm sure. Can we go home now?” “Of course. You are everything I could ever ask for. Thank you for doing that with me.”

“You’re very welcome,” I chuckled.

~~~~~~

[This is just a little bit of background building and the initial conversation between the reader and Azriel about the roleplay. I didn't add it in the beginning because I thought it might break the illusion. Feel free to read or not!]

Azriel had parts of him he was ashamed of. Things he’s done in the past that he is most certainly not proud of, but have become a vital part to who is and why he is that way. There’s nothing that can change those parts of him, not even his mate.

When the two of you first met, it was a thing of the universe. Completely unintentional. You had been delivering a bouquet of flowers from your shop in Velaris; they were the finest ghost orchids and water lilies grown in the Court. A simple pen error on your note card sent you to two houses over from the one that was supposed to receive them.

When you knocked on the door, your heart began to strike faster in your chest. It was an odd feeling to say the least. The door opened and a male answered the door. He had black hair and had the most captivating eyes you’ve ever seen. His voice was like silk when it hit your ears.

“Can I help you?” He asked, folding his arms across his sculpted chest. He was dressed down; a simple shirt and combat pants and boots. 

It took a moment for you to conjure up a response. “I have a delivery. For… Sherion?”

“They live two houses to the left.”

“Oh,” you sighed out, looking back at your card. Surely you had written down the right address, or maybe they accidentally gave you the wrong house number? The row of houses stretched far around the bend of the street, it wasn’t the most impossible thing. “Well, sorry to bother you. Thank you for your help, sir.”

“Azriel,” he introduced, stretching out his hand. 

“Yn,” you replied, offering the male a smile before you stepped down onto the sidewalk. “Enjoy your day!”

Azriel had no idea why he answered the door. Him and his High Lord were in the middle of a very important Court discussion and before the words were even out of Rhysand’s mouth, he was up and moving to answer it. 

And there you were. Standing right in front of him. This small, utterly defenseless faerie, compared to him. You looked so wonderful. That was the only word he could think of: wonderful. You looked enjoyable to be around and comforting. There was a calm to your aura that instantly soothed the roar of the shadows in his ears. 

You looked like everything he wasn’t. You were smooth and soft and unburdened by the weight of your past. Azriel was exactly that. Burdened. Solid. A bastard born Illyrian who had grown up in the cruelest way. Nothing about him was loving. Sure he loved and protected his brothers and the rest of his Court, but he hasn’t ever had one soul all to himself. To love and cherish and spoil with the part of him he didn’t let anyone see. But if he could ask you to give him a chance, he wouldn’t ever take it for granted. 

How he managed to keep his cool, he’ll never know, but as soon as the door shut, he leaned against it, fingertips filled with static as he closed his eyes. He knew that feeling. The one he had with Mor all those years ago, with Elain. But now it was crystal clear. The other ones had been clouded by hundreds of years of rejection. Not this. 

It had taken him a few days to find you, which wasn’t hard. He told Cassian first, who more or less shouted it across the room for Rhysand to hear. The both of them encouraged him to speak with you, to get a better idea if there was any type of bond at all on your end. 

Azriel couldn’t tell when he met you, he brain was too busy being turned to mush by your beauty and grace.

But, eventually, he wandered into your shop at the end of the business sector of Velaris. It was cute, and had your scent all over it mixed in with the calming presence of fresh flowers and other plants. 

The door opened with a chime and he stepped in. The first thing that happened when he shut the door was he knocked over a pot behind it. It shattered on the floor, and he let out a curse.

“Shit,” Azriel whirled around, wings clattering into some windchimes hanging in the window. They fell, thankfully they didn’t break, but they did make a jarring noise. “Cauldron boil me.”

“What is going on?” Your voice rang over the chaos at the front of the store, and when you appeared, your eyes settled on Azriel, and he looked around at the mess he made. 

“I am so sorry, Yn. I didn’t see the pot behind the door and then these things,” Azriel sneered at the windchimes, “came down with it all. It’s a disaster, please, let me help clean it up.”

He watched you look from the pot, to the chimes, to the dirt on his wings. You laughed, so hard you clutched your stomach as you looked at the wary Illyrian.

“It’s okay, sir. It’s not a big deal. I have about a thousand pots in the back that are just laying around.”

“Then let me pay for it, and any of the chimes that I broke,” he tried to smooth his face into anything other than bitter self-resentment, but he probably did a poor job. 

“Nonsense, it was an accident. And I guess I could make my shop a little more accessible to those with wings. It’s not every day that we have Illyrians here.”

The fact that you were willing to rearrange things in your store to accommodate him made his heart swell. Surely there was a blush to his tan skin when he rubbed the back of his neck. 

Azriel couldn’t help but notice the clay smothering your hands, bits and pieces stuck on your face and in your hair. You wore working overalls and a long sleeve striped shirt. The ends of your pants were cuffed and your boots were laced all the way up. 

He thought you looked adorable. Utterly adorable and he just wanted to cherish you. 

You had similar thoughts about Azriel. That he was devastatingly handsome and outrageously gorgeous. Tall, dark hair, and lighter colored eyes. They were a perfectly crafted shade of hazel. The Mother took her time with this one.

You cleared your throat, trying not to blush at your obvious staring. “Is there something I can help you find?”

It took him a second to shake his thoughts together, “Yes, I did come here to buy flowers. Not to destroy your property.”

You couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of you. “What are you looking for?”

“In all honesty I am not really sure. I’m trying to make a gesture, of sorts.”

“I see,” you nodded, looking over your shoulder. “Roses are always romantic, but a little over done in my opinion. There’s always succulents too, everybody always forgets about those guys. They make lovely gifts, are low maintenance, and more difficult to kill.”

“Interesting,” Azriel nodded along. “What about these?”

“These are wild bouquets. They are grown in the Hills, just field flowers but they look stunning all put together. A lot of them are imports from other Courts, brought here long before Prythian was Prythian. They grow freely in the plains and farmland.”

“Do they all have their own names or are they all just classified as wildflowers?” Azriel couldn’t have given a less of a fuck about what they were classified as, he just enjoyed hearing you talk about something you were obviously passionate about. 

You looked at him like a normal person, not at the scars on his hands or the wings over his shoulders. He wasn’t sure what to think of it all. You didn’t fear him, which was odd enough, and you didn’t avert your eyes. It was like you didn’t know who he was, which was going to be hard to believe. But if, by some miracle, you didn’t, he would be grateful. So so grateful. 

“Yeah, these are lavender, baby breath, candy fruit, blue flax… whatever is blooming is picked and wrapped up. These are just seasonal, there aren’t too many flowers that bloom wildly in Velaris outside of spring and summer, and even then it’s difficult to grow without a greenhouse.”

“I see, I see,” the Illyrian said, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I’ll grab one of those then. And one of those succulents you were talking about.”

With a clap of your hands, you snatched up a fuller set of wildflowers and set them on the counter by the register. On a shelf beside a display of pots and vases, you looked around before finding a great candidate. It was in a lovely array of echeveria in a triangular prism. 

“Will that be all?” You asked, typing in the total and showing him. 

“Yes,” he nodded once, handing you a palm-full of coins. “Please keep the change.”

“But- I don’t understand, this is twice the amount of the total cost?”

“I broke one of your lovely pots, it’s the least I can do.”

“You know I could rehydrate that, throw it again and make the exact same one in less than an hour, right?”

Azriel blinked. “Then consider it a shop donation.”

You looked from the change in your hand, to the man in front of you, back to the change. “I won’t be able to get you to take this back, will I?”

“No,” Azriel smirked, taking the flowers and succulent off the counter. “Thank you for your kindness, Yn.”

“Yours as well, Azriel.”

______

When it came time to close down the shop, you hauled in the signs outside advertising the sale for the day. You wiped the counters and swept the floors, fixing a few things on the chimes that got knocked over earlier. As you locked up, there was a rush of air behind you, making you jump.

“Mother above!” you shouted, clutching your chest when Azriel stood behind you. “What are you doing here?”

Azriel didn’t say anything as he tucked in his wings, extending the bouquet he bought just hours ago to you.

“Oh, did you need to exchange them? I can run back inside and get you a new one if-”

“They’re for you, Yn,” he said. “I was hoping to catch you as you were leaving to ask if you’d like to come have dinner with me?”

With a sparkle in his eye, a smirk on his lips, it was pretty hard to say no. Not that you wanted to say no anyway. It was pretty obvious that both of you were attracted to each other, in more ways than one. You were worried that it had been one sided. 

And that was how it all started. One silly little typo of an address led you to the most devoted, selfless, and understanding male you could’ve asked for. Azriel could do it all. It took a while to get to that place, but it happened. It took a while to gain his full trust, but once you did, there wasn’t an area of his life you didn’t know about and admire.

He was so brave. So tenacious and powerful. Not to mention all of the other lovely physical aspects you learned about. Every aspect of your relationship was stunning. So rich and enjoyable. Every day was truly a new adventure with Azriel and the rest of his family; not to mention how awesome everyone else had been. Well, mostly everyone. Nesta and Amren were a little hard to crack, but Cassian, Feyra, and Rhysand quickly became some of the most important people in your life. 

As time went on, more and more things were revealed between the two of you. The mating bond clicked and it was like taking a first breath all over again. It was over stimulating, in an unexplainably pleasant way. 

Being able to feel, to hear everything the other was thinking was an experience you wouldn’t ever grow tired of having. 

Azriel was tender, as tender as he knew how to be with you. He did a lot of learning from you on how you wanted to be loved, and vice versa. Azriel was complicated, but that didn’t make him unlovable by any means. It only made you love him more, just so he knew that he could be. 

He wasn’t pushy about getting you into his bed, but you certainly didn’t mind taking that leap at one of the first hints. If his beauty was an indicator of just how thorough he was, boy were you in for a rude awakening. 

He was flawless between your legs. So calculated and willing to give. But you quickly learned there were other sides to him you wanted to explore. 

It started slowly, calling him ‘sir’ here and there to get a rise out of him. Which only leads to him asking you to try new things with him. You had always been a ‘why not try everything once’ kind of person. Extending beyond the bedroom. Azriel never pressured you to do something you didn’t want to, and there was almost nothing that he suggested that you rejected. 

From a little bit of bondage to taking you in other areas of the House, it started slow, and then progressively got more and more intense. More real domination and exploration. The list of things that turned you on was growing rapidly thanks to him.

One day, while the two of you were sitting in your home, it was clear there was something on his mind. 

____

READER POV

I watched as Azriel adjusted himself in his chair for the fifth time in ten minutes. He was squirming and outright fidgeting. 

“Okay, what is going on with you? I’ve never seen you like this before.” I paused my flower arrangement and sat down in front of him. 

Azriel wouldn’t meet my eyes. 

“Love, what is it?”

He let out a sigh, deep and heavy and full of something he clearly didn’t want to speak about. “I was just thinking… It's nothing important. I don’t want to ask it of you anyway.”

“Why not?” I furrowed my brows. “You know there isn’t anything you could say to me that would make me cower.”

“That’s exactly what I want.” Your breath caught in your throat. Azriel shook his head, folding his arms across his chest. “I’ve had this- this fantasy of you for a long time and it is something so dark and outright dangerous that I’ve been afraid to ask.”

A chill spread down my spine when he looked at me. Those eyes meant trouble; whenever we roleplayed, he got this look, this look, when I disobeyed him. It could’ve crumbled anyone to their knees. But me? It lonely lit me on fire. 

“Azriel, tell me.” 

“I can’t.”

“Yes, you can. You know I will not judge you,” I stressed, swinging a leg over his lap, laying my hands over his shoulders. “I promise.”

His hands found my thighs, which he rubbed to soothe himself. He took in a deep breath before he spoke. 

“Do you remember when we went to Summer? After the wedding?”

That was totally not what I was preparing for. “Yes? Of course I do.”

“Well, when Tarquin let us into those fields, and you were just picking flowers… I couldn’t help but think about how delicate you looked. You looked so peaceful and alone and I couldn’t stop thinking about how vulnerable you were. How easy you would be to overpower with your back turned. You’d be defenseless and- gods I sound ridiculous.”

“No, no you don’t. Keep going.” “Yn it doesn’t get better,” Azriel clenched his jaw. “I shouldn’t have these thoughts and I know it’s wrong-” “There is nothing wrong with having a fantasy and expressing it to me.”

His eyes were wide, lips parted. Azriel’s grip tightened on your hips. “I wanted to do nothing but force you to take me. To just- completely control you and have my way with you. You looked so innocent and perfect in the sundress and I wanted to ruin it. Ruin you. All over again. But with this animalistic part of me that I’ve never met. And then I just kept thinking about chasing you. Hunting you down and capturing you and tying you up. Fucking you senseless and forcing you to take whatever I wanted to do to you.”

I stared at him. And stared at him again. Fucking fuck… Azriel wanted to hunt me? To do things that most certainly shouldn’t have me writhing against him. He was already hard just talking about doing it. And I definitely shouldn’t have found it so hot. 

He was right, it was a little sick and fucked up, but it was such a thrilling idea. 

Azriel had this presence about him. Everyone he passed on the street was afraid of him. He drank it in. He loved when people were afraid of him. Well, everyone except me. He couldn’t stand the sight of seeing me scared, or at least I thought. 

Images flashed in my mind: of running through the woods, unable to escape him as he chased me. Hunger written all over his face. Azriel effortlessly overpowering me. Forcing me to his hands…

“Oh, I see,” he startled me out of my daydream. Shit, I must’ve sent those images down the bond. “My little dove enjoys that thought, doesn’t she?”

“I don’t dislike it, if that’s what you mean,” I rasped, looking at him through half-hooded eyes. 

“You want me to hunt you, don’t you?”

I shouldn’t nod. I really fucking shouldn’t. But he already had me under his spell, and I could not say no. The idea was so tempting, so profound and beyond anything we’ve ever done that I couldn’t think of anything more exhilarating. It would be terrifying, he would be terrifying, but there would be this primal fear coursing through me… secretly wanting all of it. 

“Say it.”

“I want it, Az.”

“Want what?” He grabbed my chin, forcing my lips apart. “You have to say it, dove.”

My chest rose and fell quickly, already feeling that power of his in my blood. Through the bond. “I want you to hunt me. To capture me.”

Azriel's eyes physically changed colors in that moment. They went dark. Very dark. He bared his teeth, nostrils flaring as he moved his hand to my throat. “I am going to vanish and you are not going to be able to see me coming. I am going to hunt you like the pretty little dove that you are and there isn’t anything you can do to stop it. You can run, you can pray to whatever you believe in, but no one will be around to save you when I come for you.”

I nodded, eyes fixed on his lips. “How- how should I prepare?” Azriel let out a dark laugh, pulling me right to his face. “Oh, my pretty little dove, you won’t be able to. It’ll be so unpredictable that you won’t know what's happening. I’ll even make the bond go dark. There will be nothing loving about what I am going to do to you.”

_______

My hand had already found its way between my thighs on the first night. Thoughts wild with what's to come. Of course I know it’s just Azriel, but I know that it’s not going to feel like Azriel. To look or sound like him. He was going to hunt. Me. And I was going to let him.

[ixylle-d-from-the-stars]

“You forget”

Okay but consider, aliens thinking humans are only surviving on our death world because of our machines since we don’t really have any natural advantages? Eg we don’t have tusks, fur, or anything else that aliens might think one needs so they make fun of humans. but that one alien who has gotten stranded on death worlds or even on some places of earth, and know we don’t technically need advantages or machines... (this is just me explaining things needlessly probably over explaining. its completely self indulgent bc i find humans funky and like explaining things :D)) The bar is loud, different species mingling, laughing, trading stories. In the back of the loud, hot as hell bar is a large group of Pilgrophams, huge, thick skinned species with bald heads and tusks, laughing, sloshing yalagran in their cups (also known as beer across many species) A few other species are there, a Swelvie, lean and muscular, with long talons and sharp carnivores teeth, and a long demon arrow tail. 3 or 4 Grublirgs, squat things with scales and powerful jaws, hands, and even harder fists, small spikes all across their back. “See thats where your wron’ Nakatachie, the humans could never survive without their precious little machines. photon blasters and what was it... bombs?” The Pilgropham laughs, sounding guttural. The group around him laughs as well, but not one lone being, squashed in the corner. A Frilgrettin, one of the smaller extraterrestrials, but, they have claws and poisons that could kill most species instantly. “They are deathworlders Potoki, don’t be fooled by their soft flesh” the Frilgrettin looks up at Potoki, the snide Pilgropham it seems, face serious. “Aren’t we all little Frilly? Where are their tusks? Their scale or fur or talons, hell, where are their poison tails?” The ogre like being says, thinking he made a point. The frilgrettin, called Brouve, chuckles. “Humans, do not need those things to survive.” “And how would you know?” Someone chimes in from the crowd of listeners. Brouve chuckles again. “I got stranded on XT-fl-1, 9th galaxy, with a pair. I would know” Some of the species around Brouve hoot, but most scoff. “Impossible. A human of all species would not be able to survive an 1 classified planet, much less one in the ninth galaxy.” The one named Potoki says, not buying it. Brouve raises an eyebrow at him, lifting his tail to reveal several poison glands missing. Further up his body, is covered in burn and cold scars from the 1-class planet. “Then I must be a ghost because I sure as void would be dead without those humans” More scoffs and outright laughs. Potoki, who seems to be some sort of leader of the group, being the biggest, goes to speak again but Brouve raises one of his appendages. “Now, you, are going to voided listen, because I’m about to tell you some shit that apparently, is not only common knowledge, but easily practised and conditioned on the humans Planet” The beings around him scoff, but its clear Brouve have their attention. Potoki crosses their arms. Brouve stretches the silence, thinking back to the 4 cyclings, or weeks as the human had said they spent on that hell of a planet. “first off, you must know humans have... other senses. Not only the semi standard of sight, hearing, touch, tasting and smelling.” “Humans, have several more obscure senses from what I could tell.” “She called it, her danger sense, watching sense, weather sense, and... common sense. We will get back to the rest later but first...” “A human’s danger sense, is the ability to sense danger, to an extent. For example, The human knew of predators near by simply by something she said was a ‘gut feeling’, which apparently humans fall back onto this feeling quite a lot, using it for most of their non-physical senses” Brouve took a swig of his beer, relishing in the way the large group had simply gone quiet to listen to him. “There were apex predator, ones even my venom could not take down- mind you, I’m not able to take humans down with it either. Their ‘immune system’ stops me from causing them any biological harm that way- and the human would simply know when it wasn’t safe. Jade would get up in the middle of the night, rushing us away for no identifyable reason, Mark- that was the other one’s name by the way- agreed, even if all she had done was mutter a few words in their native language, claiming something was coming when nothing had even changed. Neither were never wrong however, not when hideous, blackened, dangers creatures would stroll through our camp the other human had set up in the span of a day, maybe two.” Brouve took another swig of his drink jaw clenching. “They saved my life you know, mid attack. Humans are fast. Very fast. They simply outran the creatures and dangers after us” Brouve blinks the flashes of danger from their eyes, trying not to get sucked into the dark memories.  After a minute or so, before they lost the people’s interest, they started speaking again. “And a watchers sense, as mark called it. It’s kinda like the danger sense, just slightly varying.” “Humans can detect when something is watching them, from afar, or close by, hidden or not. Apparently,  yet again, they can ‘feel your eyes on them’ and even sometimes identify semi exactly where the stare was coming from.” Potoki scoffed, but they were about the only one, and it sounded forced. Like they believed Brouve but didn’t want it to seem that way. Acidic venom stung Brouve’s eyes, the flashes coming back more intensely, fear boiling his cold blood, and her wipes away the tears, determined no tto cry in front of everyone here in a packed bar “And- and weather sense.” “Their bodies physically react to changes in atmosphere, alerting them of weather changes and if it could potentially be dangerous” “A squeezing in their knee, sudden and certain sensations or pains, anything, sometimes changing depending on humans” Wide eyes filled with awe and admiration filled everyone’s faces, even Potoki seemed in amazement now. Although quickly burying it with a facade of skepticism. “Eh, you seem to know a lot, sure you didn’t just pick that up as some folklore, maybe a little white lying here and there?” The ogre jabbed. “I was on planet  XT-fl-1 for 4 cycles, with virtually nothing to do other than survive. We traded stories and they answered my questions, and jsut because your planet was mostly domesticated and you probably grew up in a nice 9th-class planet, doesn’t mean you can take away from humans. if you don’t believe me you can void off” Brouve stood up, walking away, some following, some staying as Potoki went green in the face but tried to laugh it off. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Alr what do you guys think :D guve me suggestions ideas and hc’s to write about as well plsss-

[thaliathewriter]

Skinny dipping with neteyam? 🫠

(Neteyam x Reader)

warnings: nudity, major fluff, kinda roasted Jake a bit

ngl I kinda ate with this one, I'm sorry if you were expecting a smuttier imagine, I don't really do those cause I feel like I don't write them well, but overall I hope you all enjoy :)

"Hey, pretty girl..... Baby? Are you still up?"

You heard boyfriends voice through the transmitter he gave you.

(Flashback)

'Teyam baby, I don't need this sky people tech' you said to Neteyam who was holding the foreign object in his hand.

'Princess they're for emergencies, I just want to know when my girl is in danger, or if you need help' Neteyam gave you a small pout.

'Emergencies? Teyam, you barely let me out of your sight, I'm with you almost every minute of the day, not that I'm complaining' you joked with your boyfriend, but by the look in his eyes you could tell he was serious.

'I know, but this will just give me more relief knowing I'm just one push of a button away, just please Princess, I wanna know your safe all the time.' he begged while holding yours hands and giving you the biggest puppy eyes.

'This better not look ugly on me' you said while rolling your eyes.

Neteyam gave you the biggest smile, he grabbed your face to give you a kiss on the forehead 'Nothing could ever look ugly on you my love, your the most beautiful creature Ewya has ever put on this planet' he said before settling behind you to set up the transmitter, and when he was finished putting it on you, he littered your neck and shoulders with kisses.

(end of flashback)

"Teyam?" you said while rubbing the drowsiness from your eyes.

"Teyam, what's wrong are you injured?"

His chuckle reached your ear "Precious, I'm fine, just wanted to talk to my girl."

You shook your head at his actions "Thought this was used for emergencies?"

"Oh this is an emergency."

"Oh? What does the mighty warrior need?" you joked with him.

"You. I miss you." his voice filled with need.

"Oh really." you question him.

"Yes" he replied.

"That would be impossible Teyam." you said with a smile.

"How come, baby?" he sarcastically asked.

"Because I just saw you an hour ago." you explained with a little giggle.

"Well how can you blame me when I have a heaven sent girlfriend." you could tell he was smiling by the way he spoke.

Oh Ewya how much you loved your Neteyam.

"Meet me at our spot my love" he wasn't really asking.

"Teyam, its so late, and don't you have to train with your father in the morning?" you tried to reason with him.

'Princess, I can't sleep without you, and I would much rather spend my morning with you than my father and his stinky dreadlocks' he finished with a chuckle.

It didn't stink it was just a stupid joke you and him kept to yourselves.

You had to hold back your giggles "Okay, okay you win. See you in 5." you told him while getting up from your mat.

"See you Princess, love you." he finished

When you got to yours and Neteyam's spot he was already there, he was sat infront of the pond gazing at the water fall that was up a few feet ahead. He looked beautiful in the moonlight, little white freckles littered his back, and his unique dark blue lines ran down his back.

You snuck up behind him and threw your arms around his shoulders while burying your face in his neck, mimicking a predator

"Gotcha" you whispered into his ears

"There she is" he said while moving you onto his lap

He connected your lips together, the was filled with passion and love "I missed you" he said into he kiss making you smile, you pulled back after placing one more kiss to his lips "Yeah, I missed you too." you confessed while pressing your foreheads together.

"It's kind of warm tonight." he said. You chuckled "You brought me out here late at night, to our secret spot just to talk about the weather." you joked with him.

He chuckled while moving some hair out of your face "Well if my beautiful girlfriend would have let me finished she would have known that I think we could use a late night swim." he suggested with a smirk.

You raised a finger to your mouth acted as if you were thinking about it "Hmmmm, I think that's a great idea." both of you got up heading to the pond.

But you just remembered you were wearing your new clothes your mother gave them to you, you didn't want to get them wet or ruined.

You came to a stop. Neteyam looked behind him to see you not making anymore advances, he frowned at this "Yawne, what's wrong baby?" he asked while coming up to you. "Ah Tey', my mother just made me these today" you said while referring to your clothes "I can't get them ruined, she worked so hard on them" you said with a frown.

He nodded understandingly, he thought about it for a moment, he was kind of hesitant to say it at first not wanting to pressure you.

"Okay, Princess this is just a suggestion but maybe you could go nude?" he tried to say it as lightly as possible, sounding a bit nervous.

"Oh my Ewya Neteyam you are such a perv." you said as a joke but was trying to sound as serious as possible to make him fall for it.

"Princess no no no no no. I didn't mean it like that I just don't want you to get your beautiful clothes wet and ruined baby, im sorry we don't even need to swim anymore, I'm sorry bab-" you cut off his nervous rant with a kiss.

You smiled before saying "You're so cute when your nervous, Tey'. " and giggled very loudly.

He rolled his eyes before resting his forehead on yours "Oh Ewya, what am I gonna do with you." he sighed while bringing up one of his hands to hold your face.

"We can swim" you said with a smile

"Yeah, yeah we can, are you sure you want to go nude baby? I totally understand if you don't." he said in the softest tone.

"I'm sure, just uhh.. don't judge me, okay?" you asked in a slightly nervous tone.

"Precious, I'd never judge you. You are the most beautiful creature I've ever laid my eyes on, but your beauty isn't even the best part of you" he pointed to your heart "this, this right here is the reason I love you, nothing and no one could ever change that. not even Ewya herself." he spoke with the love and care in his eyes.

"I love you so much Tey'." you said while leaning into his embrace

"I love you so much more my sweet girl."

When you pulled away you started to get nervous again, and he could sense it. And another idea popped up in his head.

"Hey, how about I go nude with you?" he asked

You looked at him with wide eyes

"A-are you sure Tey'? You don't have to." you told him.

He smiled at you "I'd do anything to make you feel better, we can do this together. I'll go first, and if you want me to stop you just say so, okay?" he told you, and you nodded in response.

He moved away from you a bit

You could sense he was nervous to so you turned your back to him.

In Na'vi culture they use rarely anything to cover up, leaving a lot to the imagination, but private parts were still private and you both respected that privacy.

He smiled at your actions and was reminded why he was in love with you. You heard his loincloth fall to the ground with a thud.

"Could you do it for me?" you asked him still facing away

He came up behind you placing his hands on your hips "I'd do anything for you" he answered.

He slowly untied your loincloth and neck piece wanting to give you as much time possible to say stop if you wanted.

Both clothing were off and he discarded them onto a safe place where they wouldn't get dirty.

He came up behind you again rubbing both of his hands up and down your waist "Okay pretty girl, I'm ready whenever you are." he said while kissing your shoulder.

Suddenly you felt bold, this was Neteyam you reminded yourself, your Neteyam, your boyfriend, and future mate. There was nothing to hide from him, he was your forever and you were his.

Your turned around, displaying your bare body to him, both of you were admiring each other until you finally found your words.

"I'm ready Tey'." you spoke with confidence. Neteyam smiled down at you, he brought up one of his hands to hold your face and connected your lips.

"You are. *kiss* the most *kiss* beautiful creature *kiss* Ewya has ever *kiss* created" he finished by kissing your shoulders.

"You remind me everyday, but I beg to differ there's something more beautiful and he's standing right in front of me." you placed a kiss on his jaw.

"Now lets go swim it's starting to get cold out here" you said while tugging on his hands.

Its safe to say that the rest of the night was filled with laughter, playfulness, and romantic gestures. You both fell asleep together on the mossy ground cuddled up in each other embrace.

And yes Neteyam did get in trouble for not showing up for his training in the morning, and you felt horrible, but Neteyam was there to remind you that you were worth more than any scolding he got from his stinky father.

[actuallyevilgay]

The Apathy (Part 4)

Astarion x Male Reader/Tav

DNI if you are a minor. Dead dove don’t eat. Please read my about before replying. Content: Astarion x Male tav, this is post epilogue.

Summary: Astarion learns the details about Tav's encounter with the guards. Tav continues to work at Jilvy's tavern, trying really hard. Reminders: Astarion is the vampire ascendant, Tav is not a heroic figure. Contains headcanons for several characters, contains headcanons for illithid brain alteration but not evolving. Tav uses daggers and magic. Astarion is an Arcane Trickster Rogue. I created several npcs. Some Neverwinter lore is mentioned but might not be lore friendly. Content Warnings: Tav suffering from depression / ptsd, self-neglect. A/N: Read part 3 here. Current Part may be a bit shorter? Idk, been busy. If this updates slow, blame the holidays. If it updates often, it's because I have nothing else to do haha.

.......

‘’Three warm drinks, for our guests.’’ The watchshield guardswoman who previously announced a crime in the city square was now leading Astarion and his Bodyguards through a very prestigious looking building.

‘’He is on bedrest currently, unfortunately you’ll have to wait until he wakes.’’ She bowed her head to the disguised vampires, trusting that they were a band of adventurers eager to put their feet in the criminal case.

Astarion looked to Vand and Ty, who stood their ground for a moment as he sat down on a couch. Vand, who was the quiet one.. Remaining put. He stretched his legs and cracked his shoulders before resting his hands on his hips. Ty on the other hand was eager to keep up his excited Adventurer persona, plopping down on the couch next to Astarion Childishly.

‘’A warm drink sounds great, don’t you think so, boss?’’ He turned to Astarion who grinned. ‘’I Can’t wait, my body is aching for some precious warmth.’’ He wasn’t lying, he was speaking a simple truth. As their bodies did not produce warmth, the winter could be a little too distasteful for vampires, even the vampire ascendant himself.

There are several ways for vampires to gain some body warmth.. Linger around a heartfire, fight, travel around magma.. Friction through physical contact.. Or drinking blood from a living being. Whether it was thinking or unthinking. A warm beer or a hot drink could do the trick too, or sunlight immunity during the spring and summer.

‘’What’s a walking corpse to do in the winter?’’ Astarion jokes as they received their drinks. ‘’Dunno, freeze to death even more?’’ Ty joked back. There’s an awkward chuckle among the guards, even though they didn’t catch on that their guests were vampires. It was much more likely that it reminded them of the time neverwinter was partially overrun by undead. Something with a necromancer and curse.

The rivers around this place supposedly never froze, so long as the water was connected to the volcano in the distance. Natural hot springs existed nearby. Neverwinter did not mean neversnow necessarily. What’s a winter without snow if not a secondary fall?

Once the hot liquid got through his throat, Astarion cleared his breath when the guardswoman returned. ‘’He’s awake enough to answer your questions, though I doubt he’d say anything new.’’ The woman looked unsure, yet for the vampire lord nothing was certain. Any tidbit of clue towards Tav’s whereabouts was worth wringing out of these folks. To him, they were simply just walking vermin with heartbeats. He, a predator. And If the world feels threatened by your existence, who do you really trust? Certainly any adventurer eager to come through the door.. Or Blades for hire. What a simple world, ripe for the taking.

And as he had for quite a while now, through doors he walked with ease.

The guardsman didn’t seem as badly injured as the rest of the guards described him to be. Bandages covered the area of his stab wound, there were bruises… The most exceptional and noteworthy thing about his state was the bandage wrapped around his head. A concussion? Hmm. Hopefully this conversation would not be a headache.

Vand and Ty made their move to position themselves near the door of the infirmary room. Trying to seem less suspicious, Ty pretended to distract Vand with a blade trick.

‘’Don’t mind my friends, I’ve come here to ask about your attacker. There’s some things I need to know to track him down easier.’’ Astarion remained focussed.

The guardsman nodded. ‘’Forgive me, I may speak.. Slowly. He dropped a roof on my head.’’

‘’A roof you say?’’

‘’Yes, I was simply.. Renting a room. He broke in- and- …lunged at me with a hideous dagger!’’

‘’How did he drop a roof on you?’’

‘’How? I don’t.. Uh- There was a flash. Purple.. Pink? Light. Before I knew it he was gone as I was.. bleeding out under the rubble..’’

The guardsman proceeds to cough up some blood. ‘’Did a number on me.. Bastard.’’

The feeling this guard was giving him felt ominous, it was becoming more and more difficult to keep the friendly facade. ‘’Are you being fully honest with me?’’ Astarion’s disguised eyes looked at him with more intensity every second.

‘’Yes.’’

Astarion leaned forward, his voice became malicious. ‘’You don’t understand. You need to speak the truth. Tell me your real thoughts.’’ A charm spell flowed out through the spoken words, and before the guard could notice, it started taking effect.

‘’Some homeless trash.. Thought he looked like easy pickings- A monster. Blasted through the roof after- Ugh..’’

‘’After what?’’

‘’After I..’’ As the guard spoke in detail of what he attempted that night, Astarion’s cold blood boiled in fury. He was about to choke him.. Then- rationale calmed him down. He came here for information, so Killing had to wait. Just for a little bit.

‘’Describe him.’’

The guard’s description that followed was vague, it almost did not sound like Tav, until the following words fell from this pig’s lips. ‘’He looked dull, almost like a doll.’’ Once more the memory of Tav’s departure crawled back into Astarion’s head. He was about to crack. Oh no, no.. He was going to cave this pig’s skull in.

‘’Where did you store his weapon?’’ 

‘’It’s in the evidence collection chest, head guard’s quarters. Keeps discarded trinkets.. Like trophies.’’ With that answer given, Astarion gave a nod to his spawn. Ty immediately put on a joyful smirk, ‘’Enjoy your time, Master.’’ before going out the door and casting an invisibility spell on himself.

The charm spell put on the guard started to slowly wane, making the guard come to his senses. ‘’What the.. What are you- I did nothing wrong! What did you do to me?’’ Once more, he began throwing a coughing fit.

Astarion giggled, then chuckled, then laughed at the man. ‘’Oh, oh, oh. No.. No this won’t do.’’ His disguise self spell began to drop while he cracked his knuckles. He did some hand stretches to loosen up the building tension in his wrists.

‘’I’ve made a vow to punish every moron who dares to put their hands on the very few little things I genuinely care about.’’  A deep breath.. He put a foot on the bedrest.

‘’And,’’ With the click of his fingers, a knife of ice formed in his hand. ‘’I’ve not done anything to you yet.’’ He pointed it towards the man’s crotch.

The guard winced in response, realising what was about to happen to him. ‘’Hmm.. I can’t play with you here though.. Pity.’’ Astarion clicked his teeth, erasing the ice knife. ‘’What to do.. What to do..’’

A pause.

‘’How quickly do they bury their dead in neverwinter? You might make a fine freezing corpse..’’

……

Did you think that was a nice, cozy little niche tavern? Well. It did have a rush hour. Jilvy wasn’t joking around when she put out a sign bringing her book club back. It invited customers to buy and read a specific book from a store next door, discussing its chapters openly in the tavern.

Customers still had to pay for their drinks and snacks, but for book club days especially, the amount of snacks and drinks required would pile up.. Not just that- Book club days had special menu items that would only be brought out to customers visiting that day.

You were sure you’re sweaty, even if the heat was not unwelcome. Despite Jilvy’s best efforts, you were prone to getting cold easily. Bad circulation and neglect does that to a body.

‘’Tav, Tav-’’ Jilvy tried to get your attention as you were rushing to get through the dishes.

‘’Tav- Please take a break. Thank you, but you really should lie down.’’ Her concerned voice hovered over you, putting the rapid wiping of plates to a halt. She climbed onto the counter so she could touch your forehead and take your temperature. 

‘’You really should lie down in your bed, dear.’’

‘’Are you sure..? It’s a busy night.. I can handle myself.’’ A partial lie. You could certainly continue on, but handling yourself like that was going to end with a fainting spell sooner or later. While you finally could eat the correct amount of food to sustain yourself, your body wasn’t used to it anymore, leaving you with limited energy and bad constitution.

In truth, you wanted to keep working to keep your mind off the visions. Sleeping was something you could not do peacefully, at all.

Every Time you went to bed, it was a risk. You’d rather hide under the covers than sleep under them. 

‘’Yes! If you’re ill, that is not good for business.’’

‘’It’s just a cold.. Let me clean a few more plates at least.’’ Your response was met with Jilvy’s motherly glare. When she looked like this, all you could think of was ‘’No but’s, and that’s that.’’ Because she never actually said the words. You just knew what it meant.

In defeat, you put the sponge and towels down, hanging your head. 

‘’It’s not going to make me feel better.’’ You mumbled, moving past her.

You could swear Jilvy’s eyes burned into your back, but not with anger, only heartfelt worry.

A part of you felt a loathing for it, being pitied? Or being cared for?

No.. It was more like guilt. The stares of the tavern clients were more exhausting than Jilvy’s mothering banter ever would be. Jilvy cared about you, she definitely did. The customers might view you differently. You were just a face behind the counter, never striking conversations unless talked to. You were Jilvy’s little project to them. Something to whisper about.

When Gale, the wizard that came here a few days ago.. Started frequenting, you wondered why. He took a lot of time in preparing these insane presentations for the book club, making himself popular and driving more customers to return for the hours.

How long do Wizard holidays last? He certainly enjoyed his vacation. The troublesome encounter from his first arrival never made another appearance.

Gale never talked to you, he just glanced with a strange familiar expression whenever you handed him his drinks and snacks. There were times he wanted to try and make conversation, only to withhold whatever he was going to say to you.

Maybe he just thought you were attractive? Perhaps the friend he was trying to find liked book clubs, and staying here would have them wind up sooner or later.

As you head to the backroom and walk up the stairs towards the living area, you hear faint shuffling coming from a storage closet. A rat? 

On tippy toes, you quietly walk over to open the closet. Nothing ordinary with it- yet a whisk of wind went past you, blurring your vision briefly.

‘’What the-’’ You could’ve sworn you heard footsteps just now..  No, it had to be the snow outside. The loud hail clattering against the window summoned all sorts of paranoia the night before. Like visions of blades clattering against each other, or a mere bristling of unsettling winds. A shiver ran down your spine as a result.

Your strength definitely did not last today either, Jilvy was right as she always was.. The faint feeling of an upcoming headache overtook you. The building around you trembled from a quake only you were experiencing.

Weakly, you manage to make it over to your bed, eyeing the wardrobe in front of it, which was half open.

Certainly you tidied it up earlier? The wind must’ve crept in through the walls somehow. You always close the doors behind you. You can’t stand it otherwise.

As sleep forces its way through your heavy body, another shiver runs down your spine.

If the paranoia from the visions you experienced hadn’t troubled you many nights before, you’d be sure someone was watching you right now.

[melmedardasworld]

A Forbidden Secret II

Part II of A Forbidden Secret

Klaus stilled at Bonnie's revelation. Her words echoed through his ears. Klaus's expression shifted from confusion to shock. "That's impossible," he whispered. Klaus narrowed his eyes, instantly searching for traces of deceit in Bonnie's eyes. He found no such thing in her irises that never left wavered. His callous demeanor resurfaced, and his voice lowered an octave. "Vampires cannot procreate."

Bonnie chewed on her lower lip. The weight of his comment bore down on her as she expected. But now that she shared the truth, the twisting unease in Bonnie's stomach abated. The moving skin around her eyes settled. Bonnie's voice was soft and her words reasonable. "Vampires, yes, but you're not just a vampire," she emphasized. "You're a werewolf, Klaus, which makes all the difference. For some reason, Nature allowed this."

Klaus remained silent, processing the information. His eyes dropped to her stomach. The itch in the depths of his chest was too alien. Klaus kept quiet for so long that it unnerved Bonnie. The comforting weight of his large hand on her leg disappeared. No doubt, many thoughts raced through his mind. A complicated look briefly flashed along his face while Klaus struggled to process the news. But Bonnie's heart dropped when that struggle fell flat and became an unreadable mask. "You're pregnant with my children." Klaus slowly got up, and his piercing blue gaze swept over Bonnie. The scrutiny sends chills over her spine. "Do you expect me to believe such rubbish?"

Bonnie's eyes widened, but she quickly concealed the hurt from Klaus's accusing tone. "I'm not lying!" she exclaimed, standing up. Bonnie ignored the heat pooling on her face. "You're the only one I've been with."

Klaus moved towards her like a viper, causing Bonnie to flinch. He loomed over her frame like a predator stalking its prey. The muscle in his jaw feathered as he spoke. "Forgive me my skepticism, love, but you'd have better luck tricking me if you told me my parents clawed back from the depths of hell with the devil himself."

Bonnie processed the accusation in Klaus's words before her brows knitted together. "Wait. You- you think I'm here to one-up you?" She balled her hands into fists and copied his frosty expression.

"You show up unannounced in my city, knock at my door, lure my brother away with your cousin, and then spin this ridiculous tale." Klaus sneered, "this facade is disappointing and unnecessary, little witch." The words leaving his mouth left behind an acrid taste in his mouth. "There is no need to resort to silly fibs. It's not our first time working together. We can even agree not to mix business with pleasure this time."

Bonnie's frustration boiled over. "You really think I would go through all this, use children, out of everything, to mess with you?!" Saying it out loud sounded ridiculous. "Whether you accept it or not, I'm pregnant, Klaus. They're ours." Bonnie touched her stomach. Klaus pursed his lips at the motion, and his face twitched when vivid green irises flashed to stark gold. "You know what?" Bonnie answered her rhetorical question as if the truth had finally revealed itself. "Believe what you want. I came back because you deserved to know. Now you do." The last bit of hope vanished as Klaus looked at her as if she were a stranger. Bonnie didn't have any expectations about how things had ended. She was the one who suddenly that night without a word. Still, Bonnie stupidly believed this news would mean something more, not because of how unexpected their relationship turned. Bonnie convinced herself these precious gifts would matter more than anything.

"You came what you needed to do, Bon." The muscles in her face fell slack until her expression softened. Bonnie gently rubbed her stomach. Maybe it was her imagination, but the warm stirring in her abdomen was comforting. "You two are the only things that matter. I'll protect you, I promise." With that conviction, Bonnie squared her shoulders and pushed aside her negative emotions. Her lips curved into a genuine smile that triggered a frown from Klaus. "Goodbye, Klaus."

Klaus tensed, his gaze flitting over Bonnie's relaxing face. His exterior softened momentarily, but it was too late. Bonnie had already turned and headed for the entrance. Klaus ignored the beckon inside him, the primal part of his existence clawing under his flesh to break through and make the biggest mistake ever.

☽🔮☾

"Explain to me again, Niklaus," Elijah pinched the bridge of his nose and squeezed the question through his teeth. "Why you would allow the mother of your unborn children to just up and leave."

"You're more insane for even entertaining this ridiculous farce." Klaus poured a glass of bourbon for himself and raised it to his lips, taking a long sip.

"It is no farce, brother," Elijah retorted, his voice firm. "It is a chance. The Bennetts value family as much as they do honesty. They wouldn't have come all this way to lie, not about something this extraordinary. You cannot ignore this."

Klaus slammed his glass on the table, causing the amber liquid to slosh over the sides. "You've been bewitched by Lucy again, I see. Don't you ever learn?"

Elijah sighed, shaking his head. "This is no spell. Cease holding onto your anger and hurt and open yourself to see this is a chance."

"What're you babbling about?" Klaus's eyes narrowed, his lips thinning into a hard line. The vigor with which Elijah talked about his unborn children aggravated Klaus. "They are not... not mine," the 'rational' side of his being thought. Yet it was the instinct tearing through that doubt. The vampire warred with the wolf, who seemed to have already won the internal battle of will. Still, Klaus had lived as a vampire for centuries longer than he walked this earth as a werewolf.

Elijah witnessed his brother's conflict playing out on his face. Klaus's True Hybrid face rose to the surface. His icy blue eyes flickered to a golden hue, and his breathing grew shallow and erratic. For a moment, Elijah was convinced Klaus's wolf had come victorious. He drew close and reached out to touch his shoulder. "This is a chance to start over and regain what we've lost, Niklaus. I will help and stand by you, brother, as I swore to you 1000 years ago."

Klaus moved his head. His yellow-hued glower slowly diminished after Elijah's noble soliloquy. Klaus raised his chin, and his vampire took control. "I've taken back my home and reclaimed my empire. No one dares to challenge me and quake with fear at the sound of my name. I have everything I need," He coldly spat. Klaus stood tall and stared into Elijah's eyes. "What can these children possibly offer me? Is it more power?"

"Family is power, Niklaus." Elijah tried to dispel his brother's paranoia. "I am not asking to forget or forgive what transpired between you and Bonnie," he said calmly. "But let it not influence your ego momentarily and think of these children. They deserve better than what was given to us by our parents. Do not follow their example. Remember how they came to despise and ruined us." Elijah remained firm. For some reason, the lack of light in his dark eyes made Klaus's skin crawl. This time, Elijah wasn't going to let it go. "These children are a gift. They are all that you have ever wanted. All that we have ever wanted. A family." Elijah offered Klaus comfort.

☽🔮☾

Lucy hit the brakes in a split second, and the car came to a screeching halt. Bonnie, who stared out her window, suddenly lurched forward from the sudden force. Frantically she clenched her seatbelt and cradled her stomach. Bonnie barely had time to register what had happened.

"Have you lost your damn mind!?" Lucy screeched from the driver's seat.

Bonnie raised her head to see Klaus standing in the middle of the road, his face stern as he approached the car. "We need to talk," he said, looking directly at the mother-to-be.

"I think we said all there is to each other," Bonnie answered in a clipped voice.

Klaus marched purposely to the passenger side and waited. He stared down at Bonnie through the window. Bonnie glowered at him. A mixture of anxiety and anger simmered through her, together with something more potent - a flicker of hope. Eventually, Bonnie took a deep breath, unclasped her seatbelt, and exited the car. She crossed her arms as if she had prepared beforehand to protect herself from Klaus's careless mouth.

Klaus spoke first, his voice surprisingly soft, "I allowed my anger to take charge."

Bonnie arched her brows. "Why the sudden change of heart?" She didn't know what to expect from him. Bonnie wouldn't entertain a dysfunctional relationship between them at the expense of her children—co-parenting or not.

Klaus glanced at Bonnie's stomach, his expression softening. "I felt them calling me when I touched you," he whispered. "I still do."

[patronsaintofteachercrushes]

3/7

get ready, it’s a long one. and it’s probably not what any of you want to hear. sorry for any mistakes, i’m too lazy and upset right now to fix them.

truthfully ? i’m not sure what’s going on. i did what i said i would, talk to him whenever possible. but today was just different. H was all up on this other girl in my class and i just couldn’t take it. i wanted to command all his attention onto me but i just couldn’t, he wouldn’t let me sway him.

i hate him in times like this, because he knows how to resist. he knows how to say no, when things get to be too much. he knows how to react and that’s something i can never be comparable to. he’s so much better than me at everything and i know it just comes with being his age and me being my age but it’s driving me absolutely crazy. the age difference really never bothers me, it’s something that i enjoy like i’ve wrote on here before, but its this. i cannot catch up to him no matter how desperately i try to. he knows so much that i don’t, he knows about the things that really matter.

on days like this it’s hard to remain hopeful. he said something today that absolutely obliterated my fantasy. it made me remember he’s never going to actually love me and something about that was particularly devastating today. (it hurts every day of course, the constant feeling that i am wasting precious time with him, that our relationship exists mostly in my head, that i am just one out of the 100+ students he sees everyday.) and foolishly, i cried. i cried in class. in front of him. and i couldn’t stop. i would try to take a deep breath and work myself down but i couldn’t. each time i’d inhale and hold it in my chest, the silence there would sneak up on me and the tears would rip down my face again. and to make it all worse, he saw. he saw me sitting there, losing control over all the things i had been working so hard to keep a hold on, and he watched me. he saw the wetness glisten on my face with the sunlight coming through the window in front of me, and continued his conversation with that girl. i’m not exactly sure looking back now what would’ve been worse, him asking me why i was so distraught (because i would’ve had to lie and have the truth splayed all over my face) or him to just ignore me.

i’m really at a loss now about it though, and i know i’ve said that a million times before. but this might be the biggest loss i’ve taken so far. and for that girl, it all seems so effortless. everything i do around him is done with the utmost intent. i cannot breathe without thinking of how i might be appearing towards him. i know a couple of people who have crushes on their teachers now, but their crushes in comparison to mine are extremely different. theirs still feel fun and innocent, meanwhile mine feels like a black mold consuming every inch of my soul. there’s something evil growing in my rib cage and spreading everywhere. its hard to explain, but i feel like maybe i’m a bad person. i know somewhere deep down, this girl isn’t in love with H like i am, i know she thinks nothing of their interactions besides maybe a mild likeness. and that’s not me at all.

when you look at just the facts of H and i’s relationship, it sounds horrible. a 51 year old man and a 16 year old girl. a teacher and his student. a girl lusting over a married man. and i know that to everyone else outside of this perfect circle i’ve created for myself sees me as a victim. but i don’t feel that way about myself at all, in fact i feel much more closely aligned with the perpetrator. the villain. the predator. the possibility of H not returning my feelings towards him even a little bit is so grand that really i would be the one in the wrong. i mean i’m fucking losing my goddamn mind over here and all he’s doing is being nice to a misguided young girl.

and yet, despite my overwhelming self awareness, i’m delusional enough to hold onto that tiny piece of hope that maybe just maybe there’s more than he’s letting on. i suppose that’s all i have to do now. keep hoping. either that or i give up entirely. but i’m naive (if not selfish) enough to cling to that sliver of a chance. so here i am.

when i got home and looked in the mirror, i had distinct streaks of tears on my cheeks, it felt like a big damning slap.

[yuliyaana]

— THE ANIMATION AND ARTSTYLE USED FOR THE VISUALS

The amazing use of both 2D and 3D elements mixes perfectly with the animation and the art style and it really reminds me of the animation of Into the Spider-Verse. Everything’s an eye candy and wallpaper-worthy. The vibrant colors and the lighting?? The visuals and the background art, they're just so GORGEOUS! Like you can see those little paint brush strokes on some parts of the film. You know the movie’s gonna be good when they apply this kind of style. This movie is an absolute masterpiece. *chef’s kiss*

— THE WORLD BUILDING

OKAAAAY I WILL NEVER GET OVER WITH THE WORLD BUILDING ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY WENT TO THE DARK FOREST— it’s just so hilarious when Puss and Kitty got depressing and dangerous path/terrains while Perrito got the easiest path because he’s a carefree and cheerful pure-hearted therapy dog who sees the positivity in life (despite his sad “funny story” like he said) and it really shows that whoever possesses the Star Map judges the character of those who holds it.

— CHARACTER DESIGN

Can we talk about Goldilocks’ character design? I really, really love how they designed her— like every details of her design reflects the way she got raised by her bear family. You see those mismatched earrings? They resemble Mama Bears different earrings. Her necklaces? Baby Bear also got a chain necklace. And the faint scar she got on her left eyebrow later on? Now it resembles Papa Bear’s scar on his left eye. Okay I love this her golden blonde hair so much. It really fits her name ESPECIALLY her two huge buns resemble like bear ears! Her outfit got dirtied in the dark forest making it look brown, like her family's brown fur plus she got those little fangs omg. She's so cute but she can also kill you. TvT

Jack Horner, okay this chaotic huge man got pink hair and chubby cheeks. He’s got the perks alright? Hear me out, his pink tie resembles an icing piping cream pastry and he got those small printed pies on his purple vest. He BIG.

And finally, this big bad lobo himself and his name is DEATH, like literally. He’s the Grim Reaper of Shrek Universe. His design freaking SLAPS! Oh man, this brooding wolf deadass got the hardest drip for me ngl. The black poncho fits him perfectly for a grim reaper like him. The fact that his eyes always stand out making him look even more intimidating and menacing. We all know that the universal look of Grim Reaper is a skeleton in a long black cloak with his scythe while DreamWorks made Death as a wolf with his signature dual-sickles (likely as a reference for Grim Reaper’s Scythe), for me it’s an interesting detail because his main target was Puss in Boots coming to punish him for recklessly wasting away his past eight lives mainly because he’s a cat, and wolves are known for being a natural predator. Not to mention, he was always there whenever Puss dies. He was so patient enough to finally get to his prey. Another interesting detail of him is the dark part of his fur in his face, donning a skull-like shape because he’s literally the Grim Reaper. Overall, he’s 12/10 for me and my most favorite antagonist so far.

— THE LESSONS BEHIND PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH

Sometimes whenever we wish for something that we want, we didn’t realize that thing we were wishing for was already there all along.

Puss himself already learnt his lesson to value his remaining ninth life at the end of the movie because every ounce of moment in our lives are precious and we need to appreciate them fully. We will never know when our time comes. As Perrito said to Puss, having one life in enough.

Sacrificing your personal needs to save someone you truly love and care about. Like how Goldilocks ditched the Wishing Map when she was one way of granting her wish and instead, she helped saving Baby from disappearing to the Star Wall.

...and they lived happily ever after.

[major-toast]

7 Words // cw: blood, murder // minors dni

This one is for my beloved @panchashire

I know it's not the streamer AU, but I hope it's worth your precious time regardless <3

Hunting - it's an ancient thrill. Without it our ancestors would have starved, our civilisations sentenced to fail. Humans are predators, after all; vile and cruel. Hunting - it is the foundation of our very being. Why keep to a life of rules and manners, if it so against our nature? Why not embrace the killers we are built to be?

Barty believes playing by the rules of righteousness and good-natured morality is part of society's decline. It is boring, bleak. He? He is born to hunt.

And - fuck - is he good at it.

Laughing, he crashes into the corner of the hallway, his broken arm throbbing in pain at the impact. Still, he laughs. What is a little pain if the outcome is so rewarding?

"You cannot escape from me forever, Alice", he mocks, following it with another manical giggle. "I'll get you sooner rather than later!"

Alice doesn't even turn around, stumbling along the hallway as fast as her feet can carry her. Of course, it's not enough. It will never be. No matter how fast they run, Barty is always faster.

They always try so hard.

Adorable, really.

In a frantic attempt to ward him off, to bring distance between them as Barty slowly walks after her, the knife held firmly in hand, she pushes over a small side table. Clinking and crashing, the vase on top falls to the ground, the shards falling all over the carpeted floor. Casually, Barty steps over them, taking all the time in the world.

"Oh, thank god!" Alice exclaims in shrill panic, falling into Evan's arms, who just appeared at one of the doors. Raising his brows in surprise, he wraps his arms around her small and shivering figure, the blood on her hands leaving pretty stains on his clothes.

"What's wrong, Al?" he asks calmly.

"He's- he's trying to kill me! Evan! Evan- He already killed Frank! Please, you have to help me! Please..."

Barty smiles, twirling the knife in his hand before wiping some of the sweat off his forehead with this same wrist. It ends with even more blood smeared all over his face. Can't she see she just walked right into a trap?

"He's not going to help you", Barty coos. "You're lost, Alice. You hear me? Lost as all of you petty souls have been."

"Evan, please", Alice begs, tears streaming down her face as she tugs at his hoodie. "He's insane..."

Evan, whose eyes had been on Barty the entire time, finally looks down on her. Suddenly, the bored expression receives a devious glint.

"Who tells you I am not?" he simply remarks, his lips twisting into a cruel smile.

"W-what?"

Before Alice knows what's happening to her, Evan slides out a knife of his own. Wrapping the arm now around her neck, he turns her around, holding her in a tight headlock. Barty grins devilishly as her widened eyes meet his own.

"Rosie is not as innocent as he might look", he comments, stepping closer and closer. "But the innocence makes for a good alibi, I have to give him that."

"Shut up, Crouch. You had your fun."

Fair enough, Barty thinks.

Huffing, he takes a small bow. "After you, Mr Rosier."

Rolling his eyes - if a little fondly - Evan raises the knife to Alice's throat. He doesn't blink once as the smooth metal glides through skin and flesh. Doesn't even wince. Whenever Evan kills, he does so with no empathy, no remorse. Barty believes it's the hottest thing to ever witness.

With the gurgling sound of someone choking on their own blood, life leaves the delicate frame that once has been Alice Longbottom. Barty watches pleased as the light dims inside her eyes, how the blood stains the floor and the gorgeous dark tone of Evan's skin. Licking his lips, he cannot wait to taste the blood now clinging to it.

As the body slumps to the ground, Barty slams into him.

Breathing heavily and crazed with desire, he presses Evan into the door long closed. Evan doesn't hesitate to tear into his clothes.

"Ever made out on top of a corpse, angel?" Barty pants into his mouth, biting his lower lips and tasting his tongue and teeth over and over again.

Evan smiles into it, gripping the back of his head.

"Something tells me I am about to find out"

[writefinch]

These Girls (M/f, piss, coercion, oral)

The TikTok washout kneeling in front of me still thinks this is her show. She thinks she's using me, tricking me with her womanly charms. I can see it in her eyes, the way she puckers up her big fucking Billie Ellish mouth, there's a little nugget of pride in there 'cause she thinks she's about to trade a gram of top for a whole brick of clout.

She's so wrapped up in her fantasies of seduction that she doesn't notice me pinching the base of my half-hard cock, probably thinks I'm an old guy who can barely get it up. I'll fuck those delusions out of her skull later, for now her lips engulf my shaft and her tongue caresses the tip. She's practiced at this, I've seen her Onlyfans, sitting in front of her webcam with a ten inch dildo, playing her own throat like a slide whistle.

Her eyes though, oh, she's had training, this is a girl with some classical acting chops. She's practiced this expression in the mirror. She's not looking at me like she's sucking cock, she's looking at me like she's doing me a favor. Her mouth says 'slurp sluck gluck glug' but her eyes say 'this goes against our policy sir but I've talked to my supervisor on your behalf and he's agreed to make an exception on this occasion'.

I like these girls with a little less confidence.

I stop pinching my cock and release all the built-up bladder pressure in a torrent. Call me an asshole, call me a predator, really I'm just a prankster. It doesn't matter how cool and collected a girl is, there's no dignified response to an unexpected firehose blast of piss. She does not care for it.

Her eyes bulge, her cheeks bulge, the force of the spray pushes my dick out of her mouth where it whips around pressure-washing the makeup right off her face, she's spitting and sputtering and beatboxing, it's hilarious! I pinch it shut again, give her a second to breath, and when she collects herself enough to say 'what the *fuck*' I nail her right in the mouth with another spray; serves her right for cursing.

I wave it in her face and tell her she's not done here yet. She says no, says she wants to leave, acting like it wasn't her idea to get on her knees and take my dick in her mouth, nothing I haven't seen before. I think she's expecting me to bully her, remind her that she still needs me to sign my name on the dotted line, threaten her yet-to-materialize career, but I don't. I threaten her friend, the one who was kind enough to get this appointment on her behalf, threaten to professionally obliterate her for wasting my time like this.

Then I offer to sign the papers.

She puts her mouth back to work, cowed, on the edge of tears. I'd saved the last trickle-spurts for this moment, just for the satisfaction of getting my piss in her stomach. If she'd come in here with a little more grace and humility I'd let her suck the tip while I stroke off but since she came in acting like she was hot shit I make her work for it. I cum with her nose buried in my pubes and wipe my cock clean in her hair.

I put my dick away and press the signed papers into her hand. I tell her she's got a promising career ahead of her, and point out the nice little signing bonus I added on, just for her.

She nods and thanks me like she'd forgotten I'd just used her as a toilet, but her face tells the story: puffy and red from my salty piss, lips bruised, makeup streaking down her cheeks and neck, all that confidence and quiet dignity completely fucking obliterated, and it wasn't coming back.

That's the problem with these girls. They don't know how precious dignity is.

[gretavanlace]

// heya I was horny and wrote this out lmao. Wanted to send bc maybe you’d like it! Cw: voice kink, size kink/difference implied by allusion to a slender body, slight daddy kink but nothing crazy, slight d/s elements. I’m not a fic writer, if you end up liking this and want to write a full thing, I would love to see what you could come up with. Love your stuff!

—

Thinking about how I have such a big voice kink and Josh knowing that I love when his voice gets deep and gravelly, quiet in my ear just me to hear. He knows that I love it when he whispers, so I have to listen.

Thinking about being away from him, for whatever reason, and trying so hard to get off bc I’m bored but can never finish because it’s not him. Thinking about calling him, just to hear his voice but being too embarrassed to admit my situation. Josh picking up on it, but leaving it alone because he got another call.

Think about reuniting, and him being pleasantly physical right away. Strong arms wrapped around me, big hands on my small torso, soft lips brushing against my pulse point, neck, teeth nipping at my jaw, collarbone and toying with an earlobe. His voice is husky, just the way I like it, as he mumbles how happy he is to see me. His body basically glued to mine, I can feel by the closeness alone. Overwhelmed by lust and excitement, I do my best to make my way back to our room. He takes my bag in one hand and grips my wrist in his other, directing me there himself.

Setting the bag aside, he sits down on the bed and stares me down, a smirk playing at his lips. After he takes in my blushing cheeks, my fidgeting fingers and the constant biting on my lips, he can see how flustered he’s made me. This makes him lick his lips like a predator assessing prey and pat his thigh assertively. I tremble as I situate my body over his, his toned thighs offering a generous place to perch my slender hips. He slots both of his large hands on each side of my slim waist, chuckling at how little space is seen between each of his thumbs. “I love how I can just grab you here, doll. So easy to play with,” he says quietly, making me whimper softly. When Josh uses this natural tone of voice with me, he understands how submissive it truly makes me—much different from the usual bantering that someone would call a “brat” would offer.

He has complete control.

He leans forward, one hand slowly inching up, as his hand cups my jaw delicately before kissing my cheek. “When you called me yesterday, were you aroused?” Nothing leaves me except a gasp and a buck of my hips, causing a dark chuckle to brush past his lips.

“How could you tell?” I whisper out, my speech staggered as it sounds as if I’m struggling for air when in reality, I am overwhelmed by lust and already yearning for that cock-drunk feeling. “Silly, predictable girl. I could tell as soon as I picked up.”

I whimper again, as he pulls his head back, gripping my chin a bit firmer as I gaze pitifully into my lover’s eyes—beautiful brown that as darkened significantly by how aroused he’s found himself. “I’m sorry,” I breathe out, the words tinged with what could be labeled as a moan, or moreso a cry. A pathetic sound.

“What are you going to do?” I ask, my voice pitched higher than usual. His expressions changes, his face looking at me with faux-care. “Little girl, you need to speak up for me.”

I try again, words shakier. The smirk returns. “Babydoll, I’m going to help my horny little girl, because she obviously can’t help herself.” A pitiful moan passes my lips at his condescending tone and he juts his bottom lip out in a mock-pout. “Yeah, is that what my baby wants? Is that what daddy’s good girl needs, just some big, strong hands to take care of her?”

“Yes, daddy!” I all but squeak in need and desperation.

“Look at my baby tremble, so precious,” he sounds in awe. I feel Josh’s hand that was on my waist trail down to grasp my hip tightly. “Now, I know you’re just so needy that you’d do anything, but-“ another whine leaves me, as I can’t fathom being denied any longer. A swift crack to my thigh causes my eyes to open. The man I love is glaring at me, his dark eyes offering a silent warning of ‘be good’. I am nothing if not one to oblige him.

“My one rule is: you must listen to every word I say. Can you do that for Daddy, doll?”

I love it when you guys send me yummy blurbs. Each one is like a little unexpected present! xoxo

[enchanted1waters]

you owe me pt3

Self control for motley Crue was non existent, but when the new offer came up from how much loving publicity was brought by these music videos...it brought on a whole new realm.

So here we are, The boys dressed in leather, spikes, hairspray, eyeliner, heels, and more bondage than usual. They were all joking and throwing around fake rocks when I walked in, they immediately heard the tapping of heels, chains, my legs covered with a million type of fishnet and bondage. My hair teased, a mask like thing above my eyebrows,. Mind you I haven't been able to get ready for the past 20 minutes between hearing one of the boys and my bandmates FUCKING. So I just decided to be happy for whoever sounded like they loved life, and try to tune out the moans and groans. Before you say 'Scarlett you just need to get laid' I already get laid, whether its a girl or boy in my bed, I can't stop getting the hungry eyes of Lee and Sixx out of my rocking head.

As the band's eyes devoured every atom of my body, they were tuned back to reality when the director yelled to take our positions, Katey and Doc smiling as I rolled my eyes and pushed the boys aside. I hadn't been really informed much other than my poor babies, trace and Becks had to be in a cage with a lot of other girls. Almost naked, in the like if the same get up I had on.

But first I had to watch my girls climb over rocks and look around like they were waiting for something to swoop down and eat them. That's when the boys suddenly appeared putting on a show with delicious kinky outfits, hair looked too easy to pull, lips begging to be bitten and- ehm uh torches.. in their hands. I watched as the girls looked shocked into the camera and frantically fell in a huddle with frequent hand movements.

If it weren't for me seeing the girls behind the scenes I would've thought the women were actually scared. They did a great job, it was precious to watch Mick act like a lion behind Trace. They were adorable. Nikki and Tommy and even Vince were hard not find attractive during their predator like behavior. I was trying not to laugh as Tommy picked up Becca, this has to be literally down 5 times over because Becks wouldn't stop hitting Tommy everytime he picked her up and spun her. Tommy is not a Tommy fan for some reason. It was quite funny to watch this happen over and over though. The boys eventually cornered the girls into the cage and put their torches up around it.

The next to film was the band live and holy fuck were they so good it hurt. I had to smoke a cigarette to just barely distract me as Vince's rasp curled through the hair, Tommy railing the drums, flicking his head, and Nikki's hands as they curled so well it made the bass moan. Or maybe that was me internally. Either way I had to cross my legs during this.

Trace absolutely swooned as Mick shredded. Teasing eachother we laughed. The boys eventually started making their way to the girls, a little too enticing. Who was I kidding I was glad I wasn't in the cage, would've made me thing too much entirely about the other night.

Then it was my turn.

*The Boys' pov*

Nikki got completely lost in the music we all did every time we started playing a single chord. though all of our eyes kept darting to off scene, our main girls gazing at us like dinner. Eventually later after wrapped up the band scene, That's when the amazing effects started, the storm like wind, the hot chicks acting as prey. And then suddenly this huge rock started to break and there we saw Viper. I might as well get on my knees and beg for her poison me, hit me, kick me, kill me, anything she pleases. Cause holy fuck every muscle in my body twitches when I saw her. She had this badass shield too. Fuckkkk.

She seemed to be having fun as she looked at us like a villan in a comic, suddenly springing to action and flying sparks from her wrist thingy.

When we were on break the director pulled us and Scarlett over explaining that after she opens the gates for the girls, Vince will follow her into a tunnel. That's when jealousy brewed in Tommy and Nikki's stomach. Vince was a quicky type guy, didn't ever savor or devour shit long enough to let a girl enjoy, he just did it long enough for himself. I didn't give a shit who and how he fucked. Just not Scar. She was different, she deserved different. Not saying me and Tommy haven't been through half the population, just saying she deserves better than a smash and dash. It wasn't her worth.

*Viper's pov*

Next thing I knew after that little game plan huddle of Vince sending me a wink which I rolled my eyes so hard at, I could've sworn I checked out my own ass.

This led to me strutting down a stone tunnel, peering off to the side, a corner. Getting pinned, the camera following Vince who quickly found me and laid his hand on my cheek. Caressing me with a strangely gentle manner. His leg suddenly between my thighs, his hungry eyes and his toned arm pinning me against the wall, before I swatted his hand away after acting as if I was into it. I quicky walked away, swaying my hips as I disappeared in the fog. Him left untouched.

I then was out into another smoke filled room, my eyes scanning as if I had x-ray vision. That's when I heard loud boots behind me, I swiftly turned around to be met with a List filled Tommy, he was towering over me, just as I turned around to run the other direction I was met with a equally starving SIXX. My heart pounded at my chest, and shorts. My reproductive system was practically screaming. Corned by the literal terror twins. I shouldn't have felt the way I did, like such desirable prey. I quickly backed up between the two, trying to keep my thoughts straight, attempting to not cause this video to turn into a famous porno.

My fight or flight chose flirt, I instantly looked eyes with the boys, Nikki's hand on my shoulder lighting my body up like leather on a hot day. Causing my neck be thrown back, back arched, putting on a show. I suddenly felt Tommy's hand carefully holding the back of my head as if he thought I could break by how filthy my movement was. Then as soon as the tension split the air, I moved fastly running.

The next couple of hours was filled with the band playing way too well. The girls and I teasing each other, me watching some extras attempt and some successful in sleeping with Vince. Nikki and Tommy seeming to be spaced out everytime the girls touched or flirted with them. Which I was interesting to watch. Then it came time for me to stand in the four boys which took 30 minutes for something so fricking easy to do, because they wouldn't stop making each other laughing saying they felt like justice league, or talking about running a train or just the most stupid joke coming out one or the others mouth.

Eventually, we did get that music video done, leading to a huge fandom of shipping and asking for us to collab in more stuff. Yet we only had one more music video to film before they were scheduled for four. Which I didn't know what it was, and just so ya don't get too lost every second I've explained of my sad, feral, rocking life so far this chapter has only been a FUCKING week. So this particular Friday night after wrapping up looks that kill, none of us changed and just went straight to a club with a bar, who had tons of people recognizing us. Tommy and SIxx had both offered for me to ride on the back of their bikes to which I declined in respect of any hope I had left of self control.

That was until I got buzzed, and had a conversation that flipped a switch, so let me take you to the moment we walked in the club. My senses were automatically filled with cologne, perfume, sweat, sex, smoke of all kinds, hairspray, alcohol, heat, bright lights, wood, bodies everywhere, loud rock from Acdc to Metallica to the beatles. I found myself sitting on a stool when Tommy and Nikki sat on either side of me. Vince finding a 3rd woman for the night, (he has literally given up on any chance with Scarlett because of how whipped the two mullet wearing GAURD dogs are, constantly threatening him to stay away. Even Mick warning him to not mess with her.)

I raised an eyebrow as I gently rolled my tongue over the straw to my licker. "May I help you boys?" I smirked showing my wrist metal, "any damsels in distress?" Tommy quickly put his hand over his head and went faint, "UGHHH poor me, suffocating-lack of air- needed." He put out a hand throwing it towards me and gasping as me and Nikki lost it. "Musy have kiss- to...besavedddd!" He said smoothly as he began to choke on air.

I stood up and licked my lips, "Nikki kiss the choking man while I'm gone, gonna go dance a little, maybe I'll feel like baby sitting when I get back." I said with a wink before finding Grace and Becks in the floor. We all moved together as 'my kind of lover' came on the speaker, we slowly fell in a line. "Ya know, clearly were into to threesomes, but not romantically and from what I've heard from Mick this is the longest they've gone from hookups. I mean the man literally voted most sleazy has even rejected the hot model on set. Literally. Shunned her from his dressing room. Mick is saying you broke em. They both apparently made the new song with lyrics referencing you."

I scoffed and rolled my eyes, "Yeah cause, Nikki and Tommy The literal FUCKING terror twins can have romantic feelings." At that Becca grabs my hips and slams me back against her. Talking in my ear, "admit it, you're scared. You're scared they're gonna get bored. Boys like that don't write songs and skip models for a single night with you. They don't interrogate every person you know or have even spoken to ever just to try to see or talk to you again. I think you should face your fears. You're Scarlett fucking viper, you look at fear and punch it in the face after commenting how small its dick is. Don't let two boys in high heels stop that streak. If it doesn't work out or if they hurt you me, Mick, Trace and our fans will quite literally kill them. Break a fang, bitch." She said before pushing me away harshly.

With that godly advice in mind, I walked back over to the Bar, seeing a woman with teased hair and a sweet ass between my men. Did I just- nope definitely didn't anyways. I felt anger boil, I quickly walked over and leaned forward pushing past the girl who was squeezing Tommy's arm while touching Nikki's hand. Talking about how if they're good in concert they must be good in bed. She scoffed at my ignorance to her existence as I nudged her shile I grabbed my drink. She furned around and looked at me as I drank the entire pint while raising an eyebrow at her as she had the most hateful look on her face.

She started to talk, I cut her off with a finger in her face gesturing to the bartender, "one second needy, hey excuse me sir, yes can I get a bloody Mary? Great thanks." Then I looked back at the girl and rested my empty glass in Tommy's hand. Him automatically taking it as he watched the bitch at work. Nikki slyly smirking. Them giving each other glances as if they were speaking a secret language. The more I was around them the more I could understand.

That's when I tuned back into the girl rambling about how she was here first and how I was so rude blah blah. I then thanked and grabbed the bloody Mary from the bartender as she continued her lecture. I casually sippedon the drink, toying around with the little umbrella. "Are you even listening to me?" She said crossing her arms. I then looked up at her wife eyed. "Hm?" She then growled, "I SAID BACK OFF BITCH."

That's when shit went silent at her pitchy tone as it echoed through the crowd. I felt those bubbles in my blood start to boil. I knew I had issues, ive been to a doctor about them, them starting when I was a child. stuffing a rock up a kids nose after he snapped my friends barbie in half. Knocking another kid out my age when I was 13 with a log I picked up after he called my cousin a racial slur. Those were the only justified timesbof my adolescence. Most being caused by passive aggressiveness or just teens being teens. Men being men. Either way I always ended up with bloody knuckles or handcuffs on.

Either way, my body at some point had shut down, vision going black. Seeing only red, only acting on instinct.

*The boys' pov*

We have seen a lot of girl fights. Consisting of mud, bikinis, nip slips, moans. We've also seen the kind that happens with a slap or pulled hair. Rarely did we see a punch thrown, that was until we met our walking goddess. What an entertaining strangely arousing sight to see Viper's tongue poke in her cheek, which I've noticed happens before she gets violent. Then the girl said something even more insulting, if I'm being honest, I didn't listen to anything she says, just Her. Lord have mercy on my soul when this woman walks in the room. Next thing I knew my badass lil rocker chick poured her bloody Mary on the girls white shirt. This caused hollers from every direction including Trace telling her to beat her ass.

The girl then went to slap Scarlett and Scarlett caught her hand and looked her in the eye with most devilish smile as she right hooked her, when that didn't stop the girl from trying to scratch her with her bright pink nails, Scar grabbed the girls head and hit in on the bar. When the girl didn't get back up, groaning with a now broken nose, hurt hand, and bruised cheekbone. It was silent when me and Tommy started high fiving each other, Trace and Mick screaming fuck yeah, Vince then finally made it to the front of the crowd and was cursing at how inconvenient his timing was. "ITS ALREADY OVEE?!? I JUST GOT MY PANTS ON." He said with the roll of his eye as the guy was still shirtless. Apparently ran from a hookup after he was told there was a fight.

*Scarlett's pov*

I then snapped back into it as I felt my something wet and warm drip from my hands. I knew that feeling all too well, I looked down to see the girl who had just been in my face insulting me now on the floor groaning. "Oh shit, are you okay?" I said reaching out to her to help her up and she flinched telling me to back the fuck off. I then looked backed at the boys, "I'm gonna need another shot." I said before the boys showered me in affection I didn't deserve for beating up a chick. Didn't make me feel good. It made me feel out of my body when I blacked out like that. I was scared of myself. That's when I could tell the boys noticed. Their consistent jokes became less as their eyebrows furrowed at me as I nursed my drink.

I then felt a hand on my back, rubbing circles. Tommy's. He asked the bartender for a wet rag. Then began rubbing the blood off of my knuckles. The other large hand from the side brushing a strand of my hair behind my ear. I forced myself to make eyecontact with Nikki. My eyes threatened a gloss. He immediately looked at me like I've never seen. When he spoke it was as if I would shatter if he wasn't gentle, his voice slightly cracking at the empathy he seemed to feel for the first time in his entire lifetime. His large hand slightly rubbing it's thumb on the side of my face which I couldn't help but melt into, cracking my walls down.

"Hey.. hey hey, Scar. It's okay, you want me to take you home?." He asked clearly not meaning suggestively. I looked at Tommy as he delicately rubbed the stain off my skin. "Both of you?" They looked at each other and shrugged, "if that's what ya want, we aren't gonna come in or anything so it doesn't matter."

I then sat up and suddenly regain my sea legs, my charm switching back on. I looked between the two of them, "and what if I wanted you two to come in? I mean I could just be soooo lonely." I watched as their eyes transitioned from soft and caring to lustful. Their eyes quite literally burning into mine, Nikki crossed his arms and looked at Tommy, "It wouldn't be right to leave her alone all night, all the bad tears she could shed." Tommy then smirked at me, "yeah, it wouldn't be gentleman like to not give her some good tears in replace."

I then hopped off the stool, "chivalry isn't dead." I said causing them to laugh. I then walked out swaying my hips. I turned around to look at the boys, "who wants to give me a ride?" They both raised their hands and laughed as they pushed each other. "I'll let T-bone have the second ride, c'mon sugar. I'll give ya a fun ride, for now anyways." He said as he swung his leather clothed leg over the black metal made Bike.

[rockislandadultreads]

Book Recommendations: National Pet Day

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sōsuke Natsukawa

Bookish high school student Rintaro Natsuki is about to close the secondhand bookstore he inherited from his beloved bookworm grandfather. Then, a talking cat appears with an unusual request. The feline asks for--or rather, demands--the teenager's help in saving books with him. The world is full of lonely books left unread and unloved, and the cat and Rintaro must liberate them from their neglectful owners.

Their mission sends this odd couple on an amazing journey, where they enter different mazes to set books free. Through their travels, the cat and Rintaro meet a man who leaves his books to perish on a bookshelf, an unwitting book torturer who cuts the pages of books into snippets to help people speed read, and a publishing drone who only wants to create bestsellers. Their adventures culminate in one final, unforgettable challenge--the last maze that awaits leads Rintaro down a realm only the bravest dare enter...

Brood by Jackie Polzin

Over the course of a single year, our nameless narrator heroically tries to keep her small brood of four chickens alive despite the seemingly endless challenges that caring for another creature entails. From the forty-below nights of a brutal Minnesota winter to a sweltering summer which brings a surprise tornado, she battles predators, bad luck, and the uncertainty of a future that may not look anything like the one she always imagined.

Intimate and startlingly original, this slender novel is filled with wisdom, sorrow and joy. As the year unfolds, we come to know the small band of loved ones who comprise the narrator's circumscribed life at this moment. Her mother, a flinty former home-ec teacher who may have to take over the chickens; her best friend, a real estate agent with a burgeoning family of her own; and her husband whose own coping mechanisms for dealing with the miscarriage that haunts his wife are more than a little unfathomable to her.

It Started with a Dog by Julia London

All Harper Thompson wants for Christmas is the huge promotion she's worked so hard for—which she should get, as long as her launch of the hip new coffeehouse, Deja Brew, goes according to plan. Jonah Rogers is trying to save his family's coffee shop, Lucky Star, from going out of business, which will be tough with the brand-new Deja Brew opening across the street.

When Jonah and Harper meet for the first time after accidentally swapping phones, their chemistry is as electric as a strand of Christmas lights. He's a tall, handsome, compassionate hunk of engineer, and she's an entrepreneur whose zest for life is very sexy. They love all the same things, like scary movies, greasy food—and most of all, dogs. It's a match made in heaven...until Jonah finds out that Harper's the one about to put him out of business.

Only one coffee shop likely can survive, and a competition of one-upmanship ensues in a battle of the brews. The paws really come out when the local rescue shelter has a fundraiser where local businesses foster dogs, and patrons vote with their dollars for their favorite pup. Harper takes in an adorable old bulldog on behalf of Deja Brew, while Jonah fosters a perky three-legged dachshund for Lucky Star. As the excitement builds for who will be crowned King Mutt and king of the coffee hill, Harper and Jonah must decide if their connection was all steam or if they are the perfect blend.

This is the second volume of the “Lucky Dog” series. 

Other People’s Pets by R.L. Maizes

La La’s world stops being whole when her mother, who never wanted a child, abandons her twice. First, when La La falls through thin ice on a skating trip, and again when the accusations of “unfit mother” feel too close to true. Left alone with her father—a locksmith by trade, and a thief in reality—La La is denied a regular life. She becomes her father’s accomplice, calming the watchdog while he strips families of their most precious belongings.

When her father’s luck runs out and he is arrested for burglary, everything La La has painstakingly built unravels. In her fourth year of veterinary school, she is forced to drop out, leaving school to pay for her father’s legal fees the only way she knows how—robbing homes once again.

As an animal empath, she rationalizes her theft by focusing on houses with pets whose maladies only she can sense and caring for them before leaving with the family’s valuables. The news reports a puzzled police force—searching for a thief who left behind medicine for the dog, water for the parrot, or food for the hamster.

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

We take journeys to explore exotic new places and to return to the comforts of home, to visit old acquaintances and to make new friends. But the most important journey is the one that shows us how to follow our hearts...

An instant international bestseller and indie bestseller, The Travelling Cat Chronicles has charmed readers around the world. With simple yet descriptive prose, this novel gives voice to Nana the cat and his owner, Satoru, as they take to the road on a journey with no other purpose than to visit three of Satoru's longtime friends. Or so Nana is led to believe...

With his crooked tail—a sign of good fortune—and adventurous spirit, Nana is the perfect companion for the man who took him in as a stray. And as they travel in a silver van across Japan, with its ever-changing scenery and seasons, they will learn the true meaning of courage and gratitude, of loyalty and love.

[pyotan]

A Combination of Things

Little is allowed in terms of possession so there is little that needs to be packed.. One of the few items needing to be stowed away with her is her maiden uniform.. it’s a display of dedication to her Lord Umesaki, robes blessed by him and the red in it dyed by his own blood. Or so they say.

Nonetheless, Norika could care less about spreading the word of her Lord or showing loyalty, she could care less to expand their community and His word.

And yet she is careful in her folding of the hefty fabric, ensuring that there can be no wrinkles in the way she packs it. She hums to herself in excitement for the trip to come for it’s to be tomorrow morning~

But her delighted mood is easily ruined into something more bitter for her brother simply won’t stop staring at her. To an outsider of the situation, it’d look like he’s judging her folding. But in reality, he simply is not happy with her departure that’s to come.

“Kouta, stop staring.” Norika grumbles, her back turned to him but she can feel those dull eyes burning into her.

“My Blessed sister Norika leaves tomorrow and you wish for me to turn away? This is the last sight I have of you.”

“You’re making it weird.” A huff. She wishes she could be sympathetic or understanding, but his reasons for wanting her to stay isn’t just because of brotherly care; he truly believes that no one should leave Lord Umesaki’s grounds.

“It’s already weird that you’re allowed to leave. I think me staring to take in these last moments together won’t make it worse.”

“You sound like a parent when you’re the younger one..” A roll of the eyes as she eases her holy cloth into it’s bag with absolute care.. as if it were the most precious thing to her when it’s absolutely not.

“I simply know that you won’t be returning.”

A laugh for it can’t be helped. Such a thought feels ridiculous. “Hahh what?

“Temptation will take you.”

“Oh, there it is..” She huffs. She does /not/ want to hear this, not now. “Please don’t begin to tell me--

“You, in particular, are weak in the heart and soul,” an interruption, he seems to care not what his sister wants once he is allowed to converse. “Whatever tempts you there will prevent your return home.”

“Lord Umesaki seems to think otherwise for He wouldn’t allow me on this holy trip if He’d believed I weren’t returning.” Norika knows she’d be better to just keep her words to herself, that anything she says will fall on deaf horns but nonetheless.. she wishes to try to stand her ground.

For while she does not wish to return, she must for her brother’s sake for this trip is not only for herself but for him as well. She hopes that her experiences to come will somehow encourage him to join her in an escape of the community, that he will hear her stories and feel safe about leaving the isle at the very least..

“I’ve enjoyed our times together, my dear sister.”

“Ugh!” His immediate dismissal of her words, of her assurance.. it annoys her! “And we will have many more when I return, my dear brother.” She mocks his choice of words and its clear in the tone she uses, mirroring his.

Kouta simply sighs. “And while I believe it will be the downfall of you, I do hope you have fun. That you find the joy in which I know you seek.”

A scoff. “Who knows? Maybe when I come back and tell you all about the fun I’ve had, it will encourage you to do the same.”

“One can only hope that you will return. Nonetheless, do be careful. You are as weak as prey and there will be no one to protect you when a predator strikes.”

“A predator..” Norika tries to hold back a laugh in the midst of her frustrations.. “I really.. hate that everyone calls outsiders that.”

“But it is an accurate term.” A sigh.. “Nonetheless.. I have said enough—”

“And had enough of your stare to last the moons I’ll be gone?” Norika rolls her eyes as she finally turns to face Kouta, arms crossing. “Leave already.”

And she means it. His presence is depressing at times, a reminder that maybe she can’t change things after all. And she doesn’t wish to have her determination deterred when it’s already so little. No one knows it, but it really won’t take much to keep her from going. She is terrified, after all. It’s an entirely different land and language, the small and only world she’s known will be forcibly expanded upon.

If it weren’t for the glass seastar weighing down in the secret pocket of her skirt, she’s certain she wouldn’t be leaving in the first place.

“I will be praying for you. May you always be in the protective embrace of our Lord Umesaki.”

“I don’t need protection.” Norika retorts.. but Kouta says nothing more and simply takes his leave..

as he departs, she reaches to the secret and gives the hard shape a squeeze, a reminder to herself to not give in when she hasn’t even started. ‘I’ll make you see there’s more than this, Kouta.’

[only-lonely-lovers]

09.03.2022

notes: bath times again!

Bird is あ / Avvy is つ

あ：suppose the boys died in 1969… so their house would've had something predating this. but its just interesting to have markers i also assume having a bougie house just means it would be less likely to be a convenient modern solution?

つ：its true, i wonder… i HOPE they have a sexy wooden bathroom with the cedar tub mmmm really baste together smell so good

あ：That is what i hope it feels like it'd be so appropriate…

つ：something this sexy……

あ：I want to think the western aesthetics just arent that available yet beyond more easy-to-acquire furniture like tables

つ：hot…. envision

あ：we're getting lamps to look like an english house and couches but not like renovating whole rooms God i want it 5 yo boys enjoying they tub time

つ：if a bath tub was would i would want to chew on its edge i already like to put my mouth on the edges

あ：Leaving indentations with your fangus

つ：when i am gone. then you will

あ：😭

つ：touch my little indentations. you shoudl not have yelled at me for doing it

あ：Why did i. ruin our precious few shared bath times Sadly puts my mouth over it

つ：your teeth sink into the indents perfectly as we are twins

あ：Starts crying

つ：and…. scene

あ：Start a new scene. bring my brother back. please

つ：ok. ok. I will come back

あ：Get in the tub with me N Now

つ：RUNS

あ：This translates to amane being like. insistent and tugging on tsukasa's shirt we just had dinner i want a nice warm bath!!!

つ：okay. I'm home and you're fretting about how its probably been a while… since i had a nice cleam. mom is also fretful about it all godknows where i've been siome have called it hell…

あ：Me thinking you were like lost in the woods living under a stump Trapped in a cave somewhere

つ：in a stranger's house at BEST 4 towns over somehow

あ：… I really do like imagining like, having a competition with mom over fretting, like, no, IM… help… nyuhh… I've got this

つ：and maybe mom lets you. because you are best friends and she knows you missed him and had no comprehension or brain to cope with any of it

you are filling the big deep tub… mom is nearby but letting you do what you want. admiring how responsible and sweet you are… I too am admiring this… you think a thought and go to run to get toys. but then you flinch-- turning back to me a foot away -- and grab my hand and take me with you to the toyroom to grab a few things for us to have. i must have missed toys while i was gone… OUR toys

I didn't, because I had all manner of toys, but you don't know this, and, I watch you gather them rather than the toys i look at your hand in mine, how you didn't leave the bathroom without me

あ：The thought really descends onto me. Toys, toys of course… I haven't really been touching them myself… Well, it's inconsistent, really, sometimes I need to remember what we played together, I need to think about how we'll get to again… but most days, it was too hard to even look at them. Too painful, too listless on my own, can't think of games for only myself. It felt so impossible to think about. Heart is beating with anxious excitement now, at all the things we can do again together, runs through the mind like a neverending list. So many things…

All that moping… it's behind me… US… We have so much to do…! Squeeze your hand.

つ：its interesting… to think about toys with someone else. I won't have to talk for them

seeing you move them in your hands is startling. wow. its like magic. to see anything move that I'm not touching myself

you'll drag me back to the bathroom. when i run with armfuls of toys, i drop them the whole way until only half are left in my arms by the time i get to the bathroom you don't drop any

あ：[playfully wiggles one in your face]

つ：yytruuuuuu aaaoo looks like youre performing a magic trick i think how easily agog i am makes you both feel successful, and also, sad

あ：It's so easy isn't it, it always is… You're too quickly bright-eyed and hypnotized seeming. I have to worry about you. Ah, your nature… [pets.]

つ：did i have so little going on while lost, that a toy in my face is amazing? makes you cringe

あ：Determined to make up for every second… The hot water will help!!

つ：we'll help each other rinse off int he shower first… you dump the toys into the tub, but move to the nozzle… maybe, make me sit down on the lil stool

あ：Must be responsible It's better for me to be the one to fiddle with this stuff though, i'd rather you just sit ahmm… maybe a moment where i'm surprised to be emotional seeing your hair wet… it's just the feeling of seeing something familiar again, after so long stare…

つ：waterlogged. it feels weird-- I haven't thought about, any of this, stuff. wasn't necessary. it feels weird. watching water droplets sink down my skin, feel them. warm… hot! .a…. giggle

あ：[stare.]

つ：IT'S SO HOT…!! ATSUI

holds paws in front of mouth to laugh. collects water in my palms then throws it up over us both, getting you wet a lil its amazing to watch it pool in my hands!!!

あ：A bit dumbfounded, lagging. My turn, I guess, to feel easily hypnotized…. tilts head

つ：TILTS HEAD BACK OPENS MOUTH FILLS MOUTH WITH WATER

あ：Ouh

つ：GURGLES

あ：ME TOO i do it too

つ：spews it out like fountain

we get into a loop of filling our moufs and spitting it out because you are doing it too i do not want to stop

あ：it's nice to have some mindless fun, easy fun… i'm eager to think less. would rather be physical shakes head all around like a doggie

つ：gawksssssss

あ：For the most part… I can't be-!! so embarrassed, about seeming silly….

つ：I'm like. bath now? and you are like. Y--- NO wait we didnt wash you at ALL….. there was no soap we got distracted. i forgot that components of washing are

あ：Scrubby scrubby now… serious [stern] [plants a hand on you]

つ：get into that hair. get that back. be so scrubby. it tickles and im wiggle a lot and make it hard

あ：mutter mutter…. but hold my tongue. no, I can be good big brother… I won't complain. [just really keeping a hand at your back/shoulder]