#2. visited my cousin and stayed the night at her place and the next day we went for a walk and the weather was beautiful

[apricotluvr]

November 2022

[wutheringcaterpillar]

A Bump In The Night: Part 3

Find part 2 here Summary: Tommy confronts Pol, and comforts you, meanwhile James and Lizzie pay a visit expecting to settle a date.

Warnings: Smut, fingering, p in v, spanking

taglist: @calmingmelody96 @sunflower-tia

Tommy bursted through the door, grabbing everyone’s attention from the living room lounging areas. Finn knew that look, the “Get out or I will force you out look”. The only Shelby that refused to move was Pol, along with the elephant in the room. Smirking she didn’t say a word from her position in the armchair, gracefully sipping the burning cup of tea.

Removing his jacket, he hung the fabric cloth away onto the coat rack, reaching for a cigarette before addressing you.

“Go to your room. Now.” When you tried to respond Tommy held his hand out, silencing any further words you may want to add. Shrugging and crossing your arms tightly around your torso, with hurried footsteps you scurried into your room, slamming the door shut, the walls shaking from the anger behind your strength.

Rolling his eyes, Tommy knew he’d deal with you later, and began to approach his aunt with vindication, and power with every step against the hardwood floor.

“I thought we came to an agreement Pol.” Taking a seat, he crossed one leg over the other, pouring himself a glass of whiskey from the end table.

“I don’t recall, what you’re speaking of my dear, ever infuriating nephew. Go ahead kill Mr. Gold, it’s what you do best after all isn’t it? I pity you Thomas. I knew your mind was fucked, hell all of ours are, but  your sister? I knew you were close but that’d be a line I thought you’d have the common sense not to cross.” Scoffing, he let the burning sensation liqour wash down his throat, twiddling the glass with his hand, thinking wisely before responding.

“Hm.”  Eyebrows creasing together, his lips curled into a soft smile, a smile that spoke with a threat.

“Pol. I’ve always put this family first, the business first have I not?” She nodded subtly, still holding her stance on the opinion of profound disapproval for the relationship, trying to ignore every day the knots curdling in her gut just at the thought of you two together.

“She’s young, and I refuse to be her heartbreak, as should you. She was crying today y’know? The thought of you marrying her off, to Lizzie’s cousin, sending her away from me. She’s comfortable here, and she will lose all sense of trust if you push her out of this house. I won’t allow it. So allow this to sit next to you as a reminder. I know where your son is, I know he’s got some whore knocked up right now. It would be a shame if something were to, I don’t know, happen to them, all at the cost of your disapproval of Y/N and I. So listen, and listen closely.” Pol sat there, her heart sinking like a ship down into the depths of her stomach while a lump formed in her throat from disbelief. Her worried eyes fixated on Tommy. 

“You will not marry her off. She will stay here, in the place that has been her home. You will keep denying of any knowledge that we are anything more than brother and sister. Forget the cut, I have more information than what I need, and you of all people should know, when I have a plan, chaos ensues, wars break loose and I can assure you-“

He stood up from his seat, staring down at your anxious aunt, lips pressed in a firm, cold hard line not stuttering a single word with his menacing tone.

“You do not want to go to war with me. Call off the wedding, or you leave my hands tied with no choice. Your call.” Pol watched as he walked off to the stairs, presumably to your room.

~

Opening the door, he found you face down into the plush pillow, his shirt tucked between your delicate soft hands. He knew this act well, and known it to be the silent treatment that you’d only give him when you’re terribly upset.

“Darling. I don’t think you have anything to worry about. I’ve got it under control and taken care of. You know I’ll always look after you.” There were those soft, wide teary eyes when you tilted your head up. Tommy pursed his lips in pity, always hating see his baby girl saddened, the delicate thing you were. His hand pressed against your teary cheek, caressing your soft skin while he placed a kiss to your temple.

“C’mere.” He pulled you onto his lap, cradling, and holding your shaking body closely to his heart as he felt your nose nuzzle into the crook of his warm neck.

You truly were terrified Pol would send you away, marrying you off to anyone who held the highest bid, like you were just some pawn in a game you weren’t wise enough yet to play.

After a moment of silence and Tommy rubbing your back attempting to soothe you, when he felt your breathing pattern relax and no longer heard sniffles, he presumed it time to discuss what happened at school.

“So, who’s this new friend of yours eh? With me taking care of Pol, I don’t see a need for you to be cordial with him anymore.” Furrowing your eyebrows, struck by his jealousy, you pushed yourself off of his lap, standing directly in front of him with your arms crossed, a discerning scowl painting your face.

“I don’t think that’s very fair, considering you know how I feel about Lizzie, yet you disregard me every time. She likes you, just how James likes me. Maybe a little jealousy, would do you good to realize your not the only man that wishes to be between my legs.” 

“Ah but there’s the difference love. I am the only man that has been between your legs, and if I recall correctly…” Trailing off, his digits ran between your heated thighs, feeling the warmth of your pussy still yearning for another fuck from him. He knew he was quite right when you released a lustful, surprised sigh, eyes nearly fluttering shut.

“You wouldn’t want it any other way.” Tommy focused his calm ocean on yours, noticing you weren’t telling him to stop as he massaged your mound. 

Pulling your panties aside, you hadn’t stopped him from inserting one of his digits deep into your already soaked core, receiving a hum of approval from your brother.

“That’s what I thought, my desperate girl.” Your chest was falling and rising , eyebrows furrowing together trying to hold back from the building pleasure, trying to make that tiny heartbeat in your pussy diminish not wanting to give him any gratification.

His plush lips connected to your neck, marking his territory as he kissed your honey suckle, smooth skin while his fingers continue to work you open.

Giving into him, you fell back onto the mattress, Tommy towering over you, clutching your breast through the tight shirt, having the ability to see your nipples already hardening, wanting to burst from the thin fabric.

His fingers sped up, your nectar merely swimming down your slippery slope as you grinded down against him in an attempt for more friction.

“More- p-please Tommy…” Pulling his fingers out, you whined from the sudden emptiness, ready to throw a fit once more until he pulled you over his lap.

“You know the rules yet you disobeyed them.” Frowning, he pushed you skirt up, displaying yourself over his thick thighs, feeling the cold leather of the buckle of his belt against your side, causing goosebumps to form on your skin.

Perching your ass up, you were biting your lip nervously, embracing for impact.

Shifting slightly, you winced when in reality Tommy was just rolling up his sleeves.

Caressing the delicate skin of your bum, he swiped his hand back before sending it full throttle clashing onto your smooth, unharmed skin.

“Ow!” You screeched out, but the more you squirm, the sharper Tommy hit, more forceful.

Slap after slap he watched your ass bounce, your skin darking to a bruised shade.

“Are you going to talk to boys anymore?”

“No! No! I promise Tommy!” Another smack, your ass cheeks stinging and writhing in pain. Your hands gripped at the sheets while you were on the brink of tears, cheeks heating from the agony.

“Did you learn your lesson?” He took amusement from seeing your desperation for the punishment to be over. 

“Yes! Yes! I swear!” Pushing you off onto your stomach, he removed his pants, sliding those soaked panties to the side, revealing your glistening cherry, dripping like water and eager to be filled.

In a swift motion he was still careful, knowing it’d only been your second time, thrusting slowly inside of your tight walls.

Furrowing your eyebrows, you released a lustful moan from feeling so full. The pain was still present as you adjusted to the large shape of his cock, but the mint scent of his breath by your ear, and the warmth of his skin against your back comforted you, subduing the uncomfortable feeling.

“Taking me cock so well love, so fucking tight you are.” Nibbling on your ear, he pumped slowly in and out of your cavern, allowing your sex to suffocate his shaft. Moaning you moved your bum back, demanding more friction, more movement.

“Eager now, are we?” 

“Fuck me Tommy please, I need you.” The sound of your desperate, delicate voice was enough for him. Quickening his pace, he drilled into your dripping cunt with a such force your ass bounced up and down against his skin, grinding and pushing him further in until he was balls deep inside of your dripping cunt.

His lips connected to the crook of your neck as you moaned sweet despairs into the pillow, an engimatic fire lighting between your thighs while he fucked into you relentlessly.

His hands roamed down your sides, sucking and leaving his marks on your shoulder blades.

All of him was yours, and all of you was his. Skin to skin, each ping of pleasure forming clouds in your heads, thighs becoming weak as he gripped your sides, his cock swiftly pounding up into your cervix. 

“Tommy I-I’m going to-“

“Since you took your punishment so well, I suppose you can cum. Release love.” Without needing any further instruction, you rode his cock with such ferocity and precision, until your walls clenched tight around his thick member, your silver syrup oozing out as your toes curled, your body trembling around your brother. 

At that moment there was a knock on the door startling you both, it was Pol standing in the door way huffing and puffing when her eyes fell on your nude bodies intwined in bed.

“Oh for godsake! I don’t mean to interrupt your rendezvous but James and Lizzie are downstairs. Get yourselves together, they’re requesting to speak to you both.” Slamming the door behind her, Tommy rolled his eyes, holding you close to his heart when he sensed your discomfort of going downstairs. You hated to upset others, and held a strong dislike of confrontation. You knew it’d look odd if you were to stay upstairs, and Tommy would always protect you and keep you away from the line of fire.

Peppering sweet kisses to your cheek, and tickling your sides. He reassured you once again that he had things under control, not to fret.

Coming down the stairs, Lizzie scoffed at the sight of your messy bed head, to which you replied with a hateful sneer. To avoid tensions, Tommy settled his hand on your arm protectively, giving a stare of dominance, demanding obedience or else.

Walking in with a cup of tea, and Pol by his side, James walked in with a kind hearted smile that soon turned upside down once he realized the change of heart by the subtle apologetic look on your face.

“To what do we owe the displeasure? Surely you’ve heard I’ve already found her a more suitable candidate, you understand, eh?” Tommy held his strong position, his determined blue eyes speaking with power and position, ensuring that they were comprehending there was no further room for discussion. 

Lizzie stood there baffled, wanting to prod at who it was. She’s had her suspicions for quite some time. Pol wanted to slap that stupid grin off her nephew’s face, knowing the game he was playing at. James stepped further in the room, disregarding Tommy, and settling in the love seat, folding one leg over another. If Lizzie wasn’t going to ask, he was.

“What is your problem with me Mr. Shelby? I’ve posed no threat to Y/N, I’ve been a kind friend to her. Tell me, did you really find another man, who are you saving her for someone else?” The skepticism in his voice, and the confidence in questioning him made Tommy smirk.

“I don’t like you. I don’t trust you, nor are you good enough for her. As her brother it’s my job to ensure her safety, and approve of who’s to marry her. Why would I trust her with someone who’s bought whores off the street, assaulting them when you believe no one has an eye on you, eh?” 

“Brother or lover?” The room went silent, everyone astounded by the accusation, focusing their eyes on Tommy, waiting for an answer.

Chuckling, he took a seat across from the boy while pouring a glass of whiskey from the sidetable.

The tensions were high, a lump held in your throat from being nervous, all of Birmingham knew what Tommy was capable of. James tried to act as if he wasn’t frightened and intimidated of the middle Shelby, merely locking his jaw to hide the slim quivering of his bottom lip while Pol and Lizzie held their standing positions.

“Quite offending accusations, no? For someone who knows little to nothing about us Shelby’s. I find you intriguing James, you’ve lost the game but still willing to play, why is that?” Tommy spoke with authority and grit, unphased by the boy sitting in front of him. James knowing how introverted, and shy you were took the opportunity, glancing toward you grinning as if he had an upper hand, before he had the chance to take a jab at you, Tommy leaned forward, pointing his finger at James.

“My eyes are over here. She’s not involved in this little conversation. She’s a big girl, can make her own choices and she chose for me to tell you to fuck right off, or I will not hesitate to call my men, and ensure you never return. Don’t believe me? Then tell me how I know so much about you when you’ve only just met my sister today.” Before Lizzie could argue for her nephew, Tommy raised his hand silencing her, reminding her the men were talking and her interjection wasn’t needed.

James was rendered speechless, Pol fuming nearly breaking her glass in her hand when the boy got up without a word, bidding you goodbye and leaving, forcing Lizzie to come with him.

As soon as the door shut you rushed over to Tommy crying joyfully and squeezing his sides.

Pol thought back to Michael, holding her tongue at the risk of his life in Tommy’s hands. She hadn’t even known where Michael was. Shooting daggers at you both, she exited the room calling for Arthur for a family meeting.

[coridotmp3]

thanks for the tag, cori! your wip titles are immaculate. I absolutely must know about 99.3 kiss fm, jason sudeikis must pay, and mickey mouse the matchmaker.

:) thank you darling !!

99.3 KISS FM

This one's a college! bob floyd x reader !! bob, reader (nickname: cherry, pronouns: they/them), and various other daggers work the late shift at their college's radio station!! there's just endless amounts of mutual pining, a dash of miscommunication, and so many song references that only i will understand <3

have a little taste:

As the studio filled with the slow strums of “Trust” by Lucy Dacus, you made sure your mic was off before turning to the blob on the couch across from you. 

“Was that still too wordy? I’m really trying to take Penny’s note about brevity to heart but how else am I supposed to fill time?” 

Bob’s eyes shot up from where they had been focused on his laptop, composing his next setlist for the shift after yours. “I don’t think it was wordy but I think your pacing is more of an issue here. You literally said take a breath, but talked too fast to take one yourself. You’ll sound less like you’re rambling if you just slow down, speak with confidence.”

"If I had realized this job would be so stressful, I never would have begged Penny to let me sign up." You pouted, slumping in the desk chair as much as you could without falling off.

“Cherry, you’re fine! It’s not like the 12 people listening to a college radio station are gonna be concerned with your takes between songs. Not when you have the best song queue out of the whole lineup bar one.”

“If that one is you, I’m gonna smack you upside the head, Bo. I’m not listening to a whole night of The Cars, not again.”

“You love The Cars!”

“Yeah, in moderation! Not when I have to hear “My Best Friend’s Girl” eight times in a row at 2 in the morning!”

“I take back every nice thing I’ve ever said about you, obviously you have no taste.”

jason sudeikis must pay aka the hangster sleeping with other people au

two lonely souls in college agree to lose their virginities to each other, only to spend the next ten years having very strained relationships with sex. When they meet again in a sex addicts support group, Jake and Bradley decide to use their renewed friendship to help each other heal. Maybe, in more ways than one. (and also rhett abbott is there because i needed a scapegoat thank you <3)

something to whet your appetite:

"He came through every few weeks on one of his bull riding tours or to meet with vendors. He never stayed more than a night before he went back to her, and I was left with this profound emptiness in his absence.

I let myself get wrapped up in his world. I deluded myself with these fantasies that one day he would stay. All I wanted was for him to stay. I just wanted to be enough for him, so I broke myself apart into something I thought he would want. There's no telling how much of me I lost pursuing that pipe dream.

"Must have been a pretty good pipe to string you along like this for the past ten years."

"Oh shut up, Bradshaw."

"No, I'm serious! What, is it ten inches? Is it made of gold? Can it vibrate? What about him and his magical two foot long dick had you so spellbound?"

mickey mouse the matchmaker

this one is soooooo very self-indulgent. it's bob x mickey's cousin (x reader for now but that is subject to change). BASICALLY, mickey and bob have been good friends since their OCS training in Rhode Island all those years ago. While they were stationed in Newport, Mickey and Bob would go and visit Mickey's cousin while she was in school in Providence. Bob and the cousin got along like a house on fire, but were both too scared to do anything about it (even though mickey knows they both want to). Fast forward a few years, and she moves out to San Diego where the daggers are now stationed. AND WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT, READER NEEDS A PLACE TO LIVE AND BOB HAS AN EXTRA ROOM !! Mickey's masterplan is all coming together

(there's no excerpt for this one because the whole fic is just various one-liners strung together with a wish and a prayer)

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOUR WIPS DARLING !!!

[thelov3lybookworm]

Heyyyy my babygirlsssss 🥹🥹

I haven't been on tumblr much lately, so I decided to give u all an update on what's been going on and why I've been missing hehe

(Putting it under the cut becos i dont wanna clog up peoples feeds if they dont wanna read it. Also if you dont wanna hear me talk about my family, please block the tag "#ann loves her family •○°♡°○•" and "#ann loves her parents °♡°♡°♡°")

so. Some of you know that I live out of my home country (thank god. Hate that place with every neucleus in every cell in my body)

But, becos most my family lives in home country, I came to visit for 21 days. So I might still be MIA for a couple of weeks now because my cousin brother (from mommys side) is also getting married hehe

The day after we arrived, my cousin brother (not the one getting married. My dads sisters son) was like, "u havent watched films in theaters right" and me and my sister were like, yeah no. So then and there, he was like, lemme take u to watch something. Then the next day, he sat us down and made us watch inside out 1. Then the next morning he took is to watch inside out 2 in the theaters hehe

(It was in 3d btw. And IT 👏WAS👏AMAZING👏. Everyone also kept insisting i was saddness because shes literally me 😭 but i also feel like im anxiety+boredom+embarassnent+saddness 😭)

Then I went to my dad's cousins house and stayed there for one night, went to the beach becos my aunt who lives in America wanted to eat the fast food next to the beach lmao. And I went even though I wasn't feeling well 😭

Next morning, that is yesterday found out i had fever and thats why I felt like shit. 102° I think? Whatever. Received a lil vaccine to get rid of it becos on Tuesday I'm going to the town my grandparents and so, technically me, came from, and having a fever would just not do.

Also, like. My parents were so soft and stuff with me becos I was sick, my aunt was fretting over me and my cousin brother was also like patting me and stuff (which is not normal he usually loves to bully me but hes been acting very nice and im not complaining lmaoo(maybe becos we havent seen each other in almost 2 years))

So. My hair that I grew out so carefully was chopped off by my dad's second cousin 😭 she cut it too short 😒 but eh whatever. Imma be cool becos who cares it ain't that deep

Anyways. IM EXCITED TO MEET MY COUSIN SISTER WHO STUDIES NEAR MY HOME TOWN AND SHELL BE RETURNING WITH US. SHES ALSO THE ONE THAT ALWAYS SHOWS US NEW MOVIES HEHE AND APPARENTLY SHE HAS A LIST OF STUFF SHES GONNA SHOW US SO AAAAAAHHHHHHHH

Anyways, how yall doing bbgs

[shadowqueen402]

Corpse Maren: Undying Love (Chapter 2)

The next day, Aria found herself in the Wedding Reception Hall, helping her parents place white tablecloths onto the long tables that would be used for serving food and drinks. Her good friends, NiGHTS, Balan, Lance, Iben, Jose, Lucy, and Jett were all helping out as well.

NiGHTS and Jett were both hanging up the wedding decorations. Balan and Lance were placing the chairs at each of the round tables for the guests to sit in. Iben, Jose, and Lucy were placing the silverware and dinnerware down on each of the tables.

"I can't believe that you're getting married again!" Lucy exclaimed to Aria. "I know that it's a lot to take in, but you'll finally be getting a new husband soon!"

"Good for them," Jett said with a bitter frown. He crossed his arms, scowling at the thought of Aria and her new husband becoming a couple.

"Jett, I know you're upset with what's happened to you in the past," Jose said. "But please remember that the CEO that Aria will be marrying expects lots of happy guests. We can talk about this later, okay?"

"Fine, mate." Jett nodded.

"Look on the plus side, Jett," NiGHTS said with a smile as they held onto another decoration. "At least neither you nore Aria experienced what I went through."

"What do you mean, NiGHTS?" Aria asked, frowning at the purple jester. Jett just simply crossed his arms, but didn't say another word.

NiGHTS's smile faltered. "Well… It's a rather personal topic that I never told anyone else about… Aside from my two cousins, that is… After we're finished decorating, can you two meet me where we can talk privately?"

"I have some time left," Aria said. "But I can't stay too long. My…fiancè and his sister should be coming soon and my parents want me to meet them."

"Sure, why not?" Jett replied, shrugging his shoulders. "Where would you like us to meet you?"

"How about…at Balan's Theatre?" NiGHTS asked. "The Isle of Tims, to be exact? It will be quiet there, aside from the Tims chirping, that is… Plus, I visit that place whenever I'm free."

"What do you think, Jett?" Aria asked, looking at her friend.

"I've never been to this Isle of Tims, but if that's where you two really want to go, I ain't complainin'." Jett closed his eyes in a semi-relaxed way.

(Later)

After all of the preparations were complete, Aria and Jett left the Weeding Reception Hall and made their way down to the Balan Theatre with NiGHTS. They entered the building and headed inside the Isle of Tims, where the fluffy creatures chirped up and greeted them. Jett raised a brow of interest upon feeling one of the Tims nuzzling his leg.

"So, NiGHTS?" Aria asked. "What did you want to talk to us about?" She picked up Shiro, Balan's white Tim and gently pet him.

NiGHTS sighed and pulled out a photo before showing it to Aria and Jett. In that photo was them posing for a picture with a smile on their face along with Balan, Lance, Owl, and…another being wearing a red striped jester hat. Unlike the others, who were all smiling at the camera, this being didn't pose for the picture at all. Rather, he had his arms crossed and frowned, completely unamused that his picture was being taken. Plus, unlike the others, his icy gaze glanced at NiGHTS and their two cousins.

"Who is that next to you, NiGHTS?" Jett asked, glancing at the being in red.

"This was my twin sibling," NiGHTS revealed, having a saddened look on their face. "His name was Reala and he was a Nightmaren General. He…went missing six months ago and never came back home. The last time I saw him? He was having a heated argument with Wizeman. And the next day, he disappeared. My cousins and I still don't know to this day what had actually happened to him…"

"I'm so sorry to hear that," Aria said to NiGHTS. "Do you know what your sibling and this Wizeman were arguing about?"

"Wizeman is…our father, a very powerful man. And as for your question, it was something about…Reala falling in love with a girl that Wizeman didn't like…" NiGHTS crossed their arms and frowned. "I never saw her again after Reala was gone. I only remember seeing her at one point and it was when Reala brought her to our home just so he could introduce her to us. She was a beautiful young woman, too. But for some reason, Wizeman didn't trust her one bit…"

"I don't wanna make any accusations, but do you believe that the girl may know something about Reala's disappearance?" Jett pointed out. "If we see her, maybe we should ask…"

"Well…" NiGHTS was interrupted by Aria's phone going off. Aria pulled out her cellphone and her eyes widened at what she saw on the screen. "Who was that texting you, Aria?"

"I have to go, you two," Aria said. "My mother just texted me. Caspar and his sister are on their way to my parents' house." She put her phone away and quickly left the Balan Theatre, leaving Jett and NiGHTS behind.

"Caspar…" NiGHTS said before humming deep thought, grabbing Jett's attention. "Why does that name sound so familiar to me?"

Aria and her parents belong to me.

Jett belongs to @jettthespeeddemon

Shiro belongs to @sundove88

[thanakite]

Next week I'm going with my parents for a memorial for my dad's cousin's wife (we spent a decent amount of time with them growing up because we always went to their place for the 4th of July)

My siblings aren't going but like they also didn't go for the memorial for our neighbor who was basically like our grandma growing up, maybe one day they will go for one that isn't immediate family but largely they don't

For this memorial, it is very early in the morning in a city like 2 hours from our home so we are staying in a hotel in a nearby city the night before to make it easier on us

Today my younger sister was essentially giving me shit for being willing to go to this memorial (I don't go on our week long trip to the mountains anymore nor do I really do much that involves going anywhere just in general) when I don't go to their (my sisters live together) apartment like ever

For one she was just giving me shit for going at all and I'm like "This is a person I loved and cared about and who was always kind to me, of course I'm going to her memorial" and for another I haven't been going to their place because not only is it inconveniently far, but also most of the time I go to hang out and they are like dying each other's hair or decide to put on a show that they are halfway through that I've never even seen before which I absolutely hate, so it isn't fun for me to visit them as a whole and it's hard on my body to do so, plus I'm generally either busy or recovering from being busy

All of which my younger sister is aware of because I've discussed it with her before (still keeps happening anyway) and yet she's giving shit for it

Like literally I'm just like, look, if you want to see me and spend time with me you are more than welcome to come here, but as it stands they don't make it a good thing for me to be seeing them and I'm tired of it

I don't understand why they keep guilting me like this and acting all butt hurt when I've continuously told them why I don't enjoy any of this and why me being willing to go and make myself uncomfortable for a memorial for someone I cared about is in any way comparable to me going to their apartment

[broxklynn]

just a little rant, because i need to type this out. my younger cousin is having two friends over for a week - she told us a week prior, so we were surprised, i could change some plans and go back to the city to give them some privacy, but what's done is done and i suppose they wouldn't mind having us upstairs. and let me tell you - they don't mind one bit. for context, the house we have in the countryside is my gran's, she built it and used to live there before moving with my mum to the city and everyone from her side of the family stays there during summer - my mum, my aunt & her husband, my two cousins, my brother, sister and obviously my gran. most of the time, we are not there at the same time, because everyone aside from my cousins has work or higher studies. i sometimes stay in the city, but still the countryside's my main vacation destination, it's very calming and fresh - helps me relax and everything you can imagine.

i decided to stay out of their way for the most part, because there was no use interrupting their shenanigans and all i could offer is my hospitality. i said welcome, hope you have a great stay and stay out of trouble, so you know, the basics. but their behaviour is so surprising to me? when i was younger, whenever i'd drop by my friend's house i'd make sure i wasn't - you know - troubling them in any way shape, or form. i wouldn't trash anything, be kind & respectful, quiet - you know - the bare minimum? because i'm the guest. when i'd stay over or my friends would, we'd make sure we were mindful of everyone in the house. i remember when i invited my friend to drop by my place to have some study sessions on the weekend, and when my gran visited us the second day and she made my friend goffers, she was so kind and even a little embarrassed, which you know, was completely unnecessary, but it was still lovely of her to show gratitude. while my cousin's friends are only a year younger than me (or 2) and their attitude is so different? i clearly didn't expect them to cook their own food or whatever, because they're the guests, but they are so unappreciative of everything?

cooked them dinner, because my gran was picking fruits, no thank you, no anything - they didn't even at it all and then complained they were my gran was picking fruits, they, later on, complained they were hungry - not to me, to my cousin, who then told me about it. i'm one year their senior, they are old enough to make themselves a sandwich? i'm not the best cook, but my spaghetti wasn't uneatable, come on. they're also very loud, and i mean very, very loud. but you know, i decided i'll let it slide, because we are young, it's the day and the summer there's no point in making a scene over teenagers having fun - i had an issue with it, because - as all my family now - i have a diagnosis, which makes me overstimulated very easily, so in order to work or study, i need to avoid unnecessary stimuli - thus, i went to the countryside for some peace and quiet, but at the same time, it's solely my problem and they shouldn't stop having fun, just because it makes me crazy. so i changed my routine, a bit - take meds a bit later and study during the night. you'll never guess who loves to scream around, play music & laugh in the middle of the night. you'll never guess. my sister and & i are very bothered by it. my brother - on the other hand - sleeps like a rock, so once he manages to fall asleep, he doesn't mind. my gran, on the other hand, sleeps downstairs, so she doesn't hear one bit. i honestly told my cousin about this, i didn't want to make a scene, because that would put the girls and her in an awkward position, so i just said if she could make sure they wouldn't be as loud during the nighttime. she apologized. guess what happened the next night. i decided i'd bring it up to her once the girls are away and work around it until then.

changed my entire routine, started studying downstairs - the internet connection sucks, decided to change the subject i was studying and read some books and make notes - can't do, because as my gran said it "i'm occupying girls' space, that's where they eat dinner". yikes, drove a bike to a nearby river, where i could sit and read, but for obvious reasons, the "taking notes" part is quite difficult, also, i have to do it in the morning because i've lent one of the girls my bike. yup. that's the whole entire thing, my cousin asked me if one of the girls could take my bike because she didn't bring one and i said yes because i could always go cycling in the morning. sadly, they ride on their bikes at least once a day, in the afternoon, and after (trying) to pull an all-nighter, it's i have a very small window of time to study before i have to ride back and give them the bike. frankly, i didn't even mind it, because that meant i could study in peace upstairs. but the worst part is, the bike, after 5 days of usage got more dirty than i've ever seen it in 3,5 years of riding it. i used to own an all-terrain bike, so cycling in rough conditions is something i'm familiar with, but my current bike is definitly not right for that and oh my god, i've never seen a bike more dirty, and as i said, i've been to some messy places with my old one. and again, i wouldn't mind it if she at least cleaned it afterward? she just left me with it, like oh my fucking lord. and it's not the end either! they make a huge mess both downstairs; in the kitchen & dining area and in their room. obviously, the room can be excused, because it's their space, but the kitchen? the dining room? they also like to displace things, like the basketball or their clothes. what's going on. they're leaving on friday - until then, i will stay out of their way and try to be as productive as i can, so i haven't wasted this entire week. i will bring it up with my cousin because that's her job to keep her friends in check. i'll also mention this to my auntie and uncle, because if that's how it's going to be, next time i'll simply go back to the city, ong.

i don't want to make girls feel unwelcome, i really don't. but at the same time, i have some crazy-ass friends, who are the loudest and the craziest at the parties, but whenever they stay over and they're NOT ALONE, they are angels. everyone my age (that i know, obviously) has always been so aware of their manners. every time we've organized a party, they could trash the place up like there's no tomorrow and then help to clean it. when they'd stay over, they'd make their food, or at least clean after themselves. or SAY THANK YOU if someone else did it for them. i've met people who can be the meanest person to you, but when they're at someone else's place, they'd at least be respectful. it's so frustrating to see the difference. or am i crazy.

[bluflamingo]

The cats of "Furr-ever Home"

So, the cats in Furr-ever Home are all real cats in my life.

This is Rosie, who's not totally deaf in real life, but doesn't hear much, which really is common in white cats. She's lived with me since 2010, and is my beloved companion animal. When I went to the cattery to find a cat, she was the only indoor only cat there, and was placed for adoption that day after having surgery. They let her out of her cage and she came over to say hi, and she's been my baby ever since.

This is Strawberry, who's just turned 2, and really is a bitey kitten like in the story. She only really nibbles, and only really me, but it's how she shows her love.

I don't have any pictures of Ginger, but she looked like this. She was in her early twenties when I adopted her, after her original owner became too ill to keep her. I only had her for a few weeks before she got ill and had to be put to sleep. I had to go to work at a concert hall right after, and I sat on the back steps while the orchestra practised all day, and cried.

This cat is pretty similar looking to Tripod, who used to visit my parents' back garden, and whom my dad named Tripod as he was missing a back leg. He loved my dad - we'd often find him curled up at my dad's feet in the living room having a nap. He'd put his paws on either side of your neck and give you a cuddle.

The real Thierry wasn't as fluffy, and was more yellow, but just as cute as this kitten. When I was 12, we stayed at this old farmhouse my mum's cousin had in the middle of nowhere in France. The kitten came to visit and hang out in the garden with us all day one day, and I was heartbroken that I couldn't take him back to the UK with us.

And finally, this is a cat that looks like Crowley. I first met Crowley when he was a kitten living next door to my parents, who came to visit. He liked to be picked up and cuddled and was super-friendly, but got less friendly as he got older. Not vicious or anything, just not a big fan of people. It really bugged my dad who loves cats, but Crowley was not interested in being petted.

Except Crowley loves me. Whenever I go to visit, he immediately comes to say hi, jumps in my lap, headbutts me and generally lets me love on him. I was sat outside one night watching lightning, and he came to sit on my lap and have cuddles. He also sits on my parents' doorstep when I'm there, until I go out to say hi and sit with him.

I love my cats, but Crowley makes me feel special, because he doesn't love anyone, but he loves me. I feel like Buck needs a cat who doesn't love anyone, but does love him.

[iamdarkness]

Iris

IRIS

Chapter 2

The Basement Library.

The siege has the royal family busy, while secrets are uncovered and lives are changed.

It took them all night to asses the provisions and make an estimate as to how long they would last. Not once did Henriette mentioned the food inside the library. Bel was sure Alfonse was not lying about it. He was not an imaginative child that she knew and seemed very grown for his age. She made a point of taking trips to visit the kids and on one of them she tried to slip into the library to see if she could find the previously hidden stair but the library was locked altogether.

Bel went back to the pantries where Henriette was still giving orders. She looked tired and had dark circles under her eyes. Bel could go two days without sleep but more than that and her mind would compensate by making everything funny. Luckily it was only her first night without real sleep although she had had more than a week of insomnia.

Henriette did not once mentioned the library and much less the food. It was probably a good idea to let her know about Alfonse going inside if it was that big, just in case he ventured into a dangerous place, but they were so busy with everything else she kept forgetting to do it.

It was until around five in the morning when the night is darkest and the moon had gone down and hours before dawn that she remembered. She noticed Henriette had ordered to take all the medicine to the Great Hall where the huge Ballroom was located close to the entrance and Dining Hall next to the kitchens . She had, had the idea of making the Ballroom a huge infirmary just in case and the food stayed in the Kitchens. With the exception of the perishables and the food that needed to be in the colder place like the pantries.

Henriette had finally sat down on one of the kitchen chairs to write down some notes. Bel had been helping carry some of the sacks of flour and ingredients for the maids and their soldier helpers to start to make bread as soon as possible; when Aleen came with a very flustered Private Gudrun.

  - Lady Andreas? A word if you are not too busy?

  -I’m cool.- Said Bel hitting her black pants and armor to get rid of the flour and dust. The Armor had bee given to her by Alfonse praying she would never have to use it, but knowing it was necessary to have.

  -Are you lifting heavy stuff My Lady?- Asked Aleen knitting her brows at the other people carrying the provisions.

  -Oh! No. I was mostly overseeing the task and getting some of the lighter stuff. Aleen calm down I can’t carry the sacks of flour, but everything is covered in flour down there. -Aleen sobered up at that. Her Lady always forgot she was the mistress and tried to help people out.- SO what’s going on?- Bel said walking out of the kitchens and on towards one of the empty halls to have more privacy. Before talking Aleen eyed the soldier, doubt written on her face.

  - I owe My Lady for my transgression. My loyalty lies with her. Besides I think she should know somethings I witness and heard when I was stationed near the the villages that were attacked. But I also would like to tell her the news fist If I may.

  -Go ahead.- Said Aleen still not trusting hum.

  - I heard the dead are also attacking Embla.

  -Yes that makes sense. Alfonse said they might. If Hel wants revenge; she will get the Emblians too. Queen Thrasir helped King Lif to seal her door.

  -The last news they had was that one of the children heirs to the crown was kidnapped.

  -Kidnapped? Not killed?

  -No My Lady. The Baron cousin to the Empress has a Summer home close to the border and his home was attacked yesterday. There were only a few survivors. They saw the dead take the child. She was nine years of age. They could only save the oldest daughter.

  -That is horrible!

  - That is so messed up! …But why would they kidnap her? To what end? On my Oly ! I can only imagine what her mother is going through!

  -She was killed too My Lady. Only the Baron and his oldest daughter remain and only because he was in the capital I heard.

  -Henriette has not told me anything about it…

  -I thought so.-Said Gudrun. Aleen seemed impressed and gave him an approving nod.

  -My Lady I talked to the staff, but not one wanted to say anything until one of our maids asked them. It seems some of the the staff and many of the people that live in the surrounding villages blame Prince Gustav and Lady Henriette for what is going on. They are not angry per say but apparently they think that their meddling and pocking around where they should not, was the cause of the attacks.

  -How so?

  - Well one of them said something like “ It is just like eight years ago”. And then they all started to give their opinion. The short version of the conversation is that seven years ago Lady Henriette found a study that no one knew was there by mistake. They say the study belonged to the First King himself and his…Summoner? They do not know what that means but they have always heard of a legendary hero that worked with the first king. They heard her talking about it to Prince Gustav. -Aleen made a face of inquiry but Bel had no idea neither.

-Well they also found a book in there supposedly as old as the castle and they used it to do some strange ritual. Apparent Prince Gustav was not very keen on it but they both went into the graveyard and…My Lady… The servants say the grave caretaker saw them enter into the oldest mausoleum. They had the key that supposedly had been lost generations ago! He saw them come out with an artifact that had a strange shape and he had never seen before. White and gold, he described it supposedly.

-Strange shape? Did he not describe it?

-Not that they remember. Well some days later and after some heated arguments Lady Henriette took the artifact one day and took off with only her handmaidens and retainers to some ruins close to here. They say they did not know what she did , but that her ritual must not have worked because she came home very upset.

  -Eight years ago? And in all those years they could not find out what the ruins are for? Did she not talk about this again?

  -The people say the ruins are sacred, and they belong to the hero of legends, but they don’t know what they are used for. They say that at the center lies an statue with the form of a tree with an opening in the middle. They said it is supposed to signify The Tree of Life or something. Another said it was the Tree of the Realms. They say Prince Gustav forbade Lady Henriette to talk about it.

  -That is weird. This reminds me of…nothing I had a dream once about a tree of…keep going.

  -They say that around the same time, they found a hidden door North of here by the villages that were attacked. - Bel nodded to that. It was the same thing Alfonse had told her.-Well apparently even thought Prince Gustav did not like that Lady Henriette had done the ritual without him, none of them stopped their research until some days ago, when they found some hidden stairs that led to a basement library. They do not know more about it because they would not let anyone enter and they closed it yesterday and sealed it off.

  -Hmm…I can see now why the people think they are the cause, but Alfonse told me they were keeping the door safe.

  -And I can confirm it My Lady.- Said Gudrun.

  -What do you know?- Asked Aleen.

  -Well eight years ago I was posted at the village that was …attacked. It was my first assignment. The people would not say much about it at first and the officers only instructions were to watch out for anything strange, including people. Strangers who came for no apparent reason and to watch for any changes at the spot the door was located. It was an easy enough job, my father had secured for me. It is true what Sergeant Guerrer said. My father kept me safe in a place far away from real danger and away from the vises I was so found of in the city. I found out he bought my rank too… but that is another story. After some time I made some good friends in the village and they told me what they knew. - Gudrun’s eyes grew distant and he had a sad expression on his face. Aleen and Bel understood then why the attack had such an impact on him. He had lost people he knew.

-The prince did come looking for the door. The elders knew about it but kept it secret. They passed it down from parents to children and made sure to not talk about it. After the Prince came looking for it and found it and people started talking. It was still not widely known, but I guess they found out somehow.- He made a pause and looked Bel right in her eyes.- You see. The people at the village who were the rightful guardians of the seal knew Hel had followers who wanted to weaken the seal on the door, but the followers did not know where said door was.

-Followers? Seriously?- Said Bel incredulously.

-Yes. The elders warned the officers but they did not believe them and wrote them off as old wife’s tales. It took one attack to let them know it was true. By this time my father had already bought my rank and had me moved closer to home, but I still kept contact with the garrison there and the people. I…I had a sweetheart that wrote to me often.

 -I am sorry. My sincere condolences.-Said Bel understanding his lose.

 -It is fine…I knew we could never be together. Father would never have… but at least she was alive. She was the one who wrote to me about the attack. The guards found a group of people performing a ritual very close to the door. They tried to disperse it but got attacked instead. There were more armed men surrounding the area. If it had not been for the villagers who ran home to warn the rest of the soldiers there would have been more casualties. As it happened they managed to kill one guard, but the damage was already done I suppose. I think they were the ones who weakened the seal. The bastards killed a baby in the ritual.

 -Damn!

 -Son of a bitch!- Exclaimed Aleen.

 -That was two years ago. Since them they had more soldiers in the area. I thought at the time that whatever they had done had not worked, since nothing seemed to happen, but…I see their goal was to weaken the seal enough for Hel to break it herself.

-Fuck...- Said Bel under her breath.

-My Lady?- Asked Gudrun not sure if he had heard her right.

-I said I need some tea for the nerves…-She said seriously. Gudrun looked confused for a second.- So that is how it is…*

-What do you think is hidden in the library?

-Probably knowledge that needed to be protected from the wrong people. In this case probably that Hel sect.

-Who would worship Death? Asked Gudrun who at this point was the one who had suffered the most because of them.

-Well…People that want her protection and blessings I suppose. Many of my people where I come from worship Death as an entity. They call her Santa Muerte or Nina Blanca…- Bel notice their questioning expressions.- Something like Holy Death and Girl in White or something…She is a reflection of an indigenous deity. She is definitely nothing like this witch though…Never mind. The point is there are all kinds of people out there. We have to go back before she notices we are over here talking. Thank you both. Aleen make sure Erland rests. He works too hard and forgets to take breaks. He thinks I don’t remember that.

-Yes my Lady.- Says Aleen smiling.

This information made Bel think twice about telling Henriette what Alfonse had told her. She needed to think about this. She returned to Henriette looking for her. Aleen and Gudrun left to their posts.

-Bel. I was looking for you. Can you oversee the food while I go…- Henriette started but a loud shout cut her sentence off. Some booming noises could be heard in the distance. You could probably mistake them as thunder but they were rhythmic.

-Your Highness!! They are attacking!- A soldier had been sent as a messenger and he had come as fast as he could. Henriette met him at the entrance of the kitchen.

-What are those loud noises?- Asked Henriette.

-There are mages with them blasting the doors and parts of the walls.- Came the baritone voice of Erland from the door. -They are trying to find a weakness on the outer walls, doors and the magic guards we have placed. - What he meant was a spell cast on the walls and doors to guard them off of magic attacks. They did not do much against other physical attacks, but they could at least shield them from arrows too.

-Will they last?- Asked Bel.

-I wish I could tell you they will, but since the residence was going to be vacated, we have just a few mages of our own My Lady.There is only so much they can do in rotation…- Said the soldier.

-It is going to be difficult even then…-Said Erland.

-I can use magic. I can help the mages. Bel have you had no training?

-Mostly sword and just a little of magic. Healing spells , just to help out with injuries…but I can learn, just like I learned the healing.

-Perfect. I will lend you a tome for you to start. Come with me. Keeping up a guard is a lot like healing after all. You are healing the guard you see.- Said Henriette walking fast towards her rooms. The woman was very tall and her longer legs and walking speed almost left Bel behind. Bel was sure it was not done on purpose. Henriette was too preoccupied to notice Bel almost running behind her. Aleen had been the only one to stay by them, but she was tall and had no trouble keeping up.

Henriette led them to her chamber and took one of many books she had inside a safe. She took one of them and gave it to Bel.

-This was meant for Sharena. It belongs to my family and it is safe to use. I believe Sharena is not much found of magic I am afraid. It will serve you well for the time being.

-Thank you. I will take care of it and return it.

Henriette took a look at Bel. The book seemed to shine in her hands and it gave her an idea. She knew…she was sure of this. Bel was the owner of the weapon. It had not been a coincidence that she had performed the ritual with the sacred weapon and Bel had come from another world. The tricky part was giving it to her and not telling her the whole truth.

 She had promised Gustav seven years ago not to say anything, because they were not at war and the Summoner should only be called in dire need. She knew she had made a mistake just because she was curious. She promised Alfonse last time they talked and she had explained to him what they had done. He had asked for her not to tell Bel. She had given her word because she knew it was too late to summon heroes to help with their plight. Besides, she would not know how to explain it and she did not want her dear friend to think it had been her fault they were in this situation. Not only that. She knew “The soul of the Summoner came only at the time of the King” or so it was written. If Bel was the Summoner, then what did this all meant? What had she done? Had she messed with a balance set thousands of years ago? Had she messed the destinies of two souls meant to be together by her mere curiosity? Both Gustav and her knew Gustav was not “ The King” and she did not want to think of their only other option.

- Bel I have…It may be too late to use it properly, but it may serve you where it can not serve others.- Henriette said and started walking to a side door that led to Gustav’s chamber. She opened it and went inside. She came back with something in her hands. It looked like the Wii zapper Bel used to play Resident Evil, with back home. This however was made of metal. Henriette gave it to Bel, who took it with a puzzled expression.

-A gun? I thought there were no guns in Askr. I have never seen one before.

-Gun? Have you seen this before?

- Well, not like it exactly. We have something back home that kind of look like this. They shoot lead projectiles using gun powder.

-That sounds interesting. This is different I am afraid. It does shoot something but it is magic. It acts like a tome in a way. It will not work to strengthen the barriers but you can use it to defend yourself and fight.

-Henriette you are a better mage, why don’t you use it?

-This ‘gun’ is called Breidablik and it chooses its master.- Says Henriette and hands it over to Bel. The second Bel touches it, the gun comes to life. There is a bright light coming from it that blinds the three of them.

- So you were the one. I was sure of it.

-Wow a magic gun! Awesome!

-Remember it is powered by your magic, so you have to be careful when you use it. To be honest…I do not know much about it. I am not the owner so it slept all the time I was doing research, but I suppose it does work the same as a tome.

-I see. Why does it like me and not you?

-It is a very long story and I do not think we have time for that.

-Oh you are right…Damn! I feel like Harry Potter! - Henriette watches her amused.- It’s a novel…Sorry…we should go.

Henriette and Bel went outside to check on the situation and after that Henriette told Bel how to do the guarding spell using the tome. She only took a little time explaining and went to rest for when she was needed to tend to the barrier. Bel stayed a while practicing the spell and watching the other mages working. She later went to choose for the place the guards trained at to try her gun out.

 She thought it would take some working and effort the way the tome worked, but as soon as she squeezed the trigger she found, the gun shout out a beam of light that burst into a bright light and almost destroyed the training dummy.

-Whoa! Awesome. I just need to work a little on my aim.

The sun was coming out when she went to check on the kids and laid down next to Oly, partly on the blanket and partly on the floor.

  About three hours later she was awaken by Gertrude. Henriette was up and was about to go help the mages. Bel found herself on the bed. The kids were up and having a quiet breakfast. Apparently Feraht had moved her from the floor when the kids awoke. She went to kiss the kids good morning and was told she had time to eat. She sat down by Alfonse, since Oly was sitting in the middle of the two other kids. They were eating some scrambled eggs with buttered bread, milk and tea.

-How is everything outside? Are we in danger?- Asked Sharena and her eyes looked worried. Oly looked at Bel and then she looked down and took Sharena’s hand.

-I am sure everything is fine Sharena. Mother is in charge and father is coming soon. You will see.

-Alfonse is right. In a minute I will go and help her out and soon enough your father and Alfonse will come and run those ruffian away.

-What is that you are holding?- Asked Alfonse eyeing the sacred weapon.

-It is a magic gun that took a liking to me for some reason. It shoots some magic blasts. It will come in hand I am sure.- He makes this face like he is trying to remember something.

- I think I have seen it before. Did Mother gave it to you?

-She lent it to me along with this tome. She is going to teach me magic while you guys play. Alfonse I heard you can play my favorite song. Can you teach it to Oly while I’m gone?

-Yes. Uncle Alfonse taught me how to play it. I will teach it to her of course.

-Sharena how are you piano lessons?

-I am doing fine, but I like the lute more.- She giggles. Bel knows playing the lute was a big no no  for Gustav who view it like degenerate’s instrument. After all, all the the nobles and rich people who played it ended as bards walking the kingdom, living the life of hobos by choice. Bel thought it was funny Sharena had broken all their expectation of what a girl should be. First by not liking magic and then by not playing the violin and not liking dresses. The last one was Bel’s fault in Gustav’s eyes too. Bel had said she did not like dresses and felt much more comfortable in pants. Sharena had discovered right after, that indeed she liked pants better too.

If her phone still had charge she was sure Sharena would have loved the sound of electronic bass and guitars.

- You are still playing it?

-Mother let me hide it under my bed if I promised not to play it around people.- Bel started laughing.

-Mami can I learn to play the lute?- Asked Oly.

-Hell yeah…I mean. Sure. As long as you don’t get them in trouble and keep quiet about it.- Said Bel. She had to watch out what she said around the kids, and she usually did, but she was too stressed out and drowsy to keep up with stuff that was not essential. Oly gave an exited “Yay” and kept on eating.

If everything went according to plan, the kids would be distracted with the music and she would have time to practice and help out as well. Bel hated to leave Oly for long periods of time with just the Nanny.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The siege went on for 10 days. They managed to keep the shields up by taking turns enforcing them, but they were all weary by the tenth night. Beside enforcing the shields on the walls, Bel also helped out by blasting the dead who tried to climb the walls or tried to place ladders to climb the walls. There was enough medicine and thanks to the shields there were not many people who needed the infirmary.The food was holding without having to ration it yet, but everyone was tired. Even with the resting periods it was not easy to rest. The constant noises at the walls and the high tensions were enough to keep you up during naps. It was easier for the people inside the mansion. The noise diminished by the size of the house, kept the kids in good spirits, since Bel was sure to keep them busy.

Bel had the help form Alfonse who had more knowledge about the situation and could not be fooled into thinking it was all fine. He knew what Bel was doing and he helped her with the others. In one of those occasion he had asked her if she had told his mother about the food in the library. Bel of course told him the truth. His mother had not mentioned anything about the library and she wanted to keep it a secret that he knew about it, until needed. She asked him however to remember be careful and not enter it again and not take Oly or Sharena inside unless, he was sure there were no dangers inside and was sure to not get lost. Alfonse gave her his word.

Bel was mothering everyone. She made sure Feraht ate and rested as much as Aleen, Erland and even Privet Gudrun who had proven to be of great service. Henriette was more difficult to manage. She kept working even when Bel told her it will not do if she wore herself out. She needed to rest in order to stay sharp, but she did not listen and Bel could see her slipping. Bel thought it had made more impact on Henriette since she had been in a more stressful situation for a longer time while Bel was mostly just worried about Oly and Alfonse, not the fate of the whole Kingdom. She did worry about the people of course but it was not a weight on her shoulder as it was for Henriette.

~*~*~*~*~*~

It was the tenth night and the children were just finishing up the music lessons and were playing and talking. They were sitting in front of a chimney on a blue and gold carpet, around the lute as if it was campfire.

-Brother can you read us a legend from the past?

-Yes! I love them too! My Mami always tells legends from her home and some of them are very scary!

-They are scary legends?- Asked Sharena curious.

-Yes! She told me once that she went to a haunted graveyard in the city she was born in. There were so many stories about the people buried there! There was one of four friends who dared each other to go to the graveyard at night to see who was the bravest.

- She has told me some very scary ones too, but my favorites are how she explains science. I remember she told me once one about how there are very different tales about how the moon was made and then she told me how it was actually made using scientific theories.

- Of course you would like that brother!- Giggles Sharena.- Alfonse does not like scary stories!

-Do you get scared Alfonse?- Asked Oly smiling.

-No. Of course not. I…I just don’t like ghosts.- He says seriously.- I like her stories about heroes better.

-Oh! Has she told you about Samson? He was a very strong man!

-No. I don’t recall her telling me about him.

-Can you tell us the legend Oly?

-Sure! A long time ago on Earth there used to be a group of people that needed a champion, because they were being bullied by other people.

-Why were they being bullied? That is not nice! They should be friends.- Said Sharena.

-Sharena. You are right that people should be friends but you should not interrupt a person when they are telling you a tale. It is rude.- Said Alfonse seriously.

-It’s fine to ask. Don’t worry. Mom said it was because they did not agree on who to worship as God and that people get silly because of that on Earth.

-Oh. That is silly.

-Well one day this man was born and when he grew up, he was very strong and was able to defend the people being bullied and the other people did not like that. One d…- Oly stopped talking when a very loud noise was heard outside. Oly and Alfonse rose to their feet to see what was going on outside through the windows, but Feraht stopped them and told them to stay back. There was another loud noise and this time the walls seemed to tremble, enough that the decorative shield over the chimney fell down with a clatter.

It almost fell on Sharena’s leg and managed to break part of the lute since it was very heavy. Oly who was closer to her tried to help her up, but Sharena got tangled up on her legs and flopped down again. Alfonse who was watching the wall to the outside intently saw the cracks on the that same wall, forming with the force of what he now knew were magic blasts. He turned around to make the other run out of the room, but his yell was drowned by the loud booming sound.

 He saw one of the maids reach out to Sharena to help her stand, but a big piece of the wall hit her on the head. He only had time to almost jump on Oly and shield her and Sharena. He felt a very sharp pain on his left shoulder and heard Oly cry out in pain. He thought she had been reached by the wall stones just like the maid and tried to raise his head to check on her, but found he could not see anything. There was too much dust on the air. He tried calling out to them but there was so much noise they could not hear him. Oly had started crying loudly and she was joined by Sharena, and this told him they were alive at least.

He felt something move under him and saw finally that it was Oly who was on top of Sharena. He tried standing up but there was something heavy preventing him from standing up, but not weighting him down. Still there was not much room for them to move and escape by themselves.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 Bel was reporting to Henriette who was just getting up from her brake that a very loud noise made the windows tremble. They were in Henriette’s chamber which was on the fourth floor. There were sounds of blasting, screaming and shouting outside. The door to her chamber were flung open and a scared looking soldier entered followed by Aleen

-Your Highness! Pardon my intrusion! They have breached the Walls and blasted the doors.- Said the soldier breathless. Bel looked out the window and saw a flow of the dead already making way to the front entrance of the building. The Soldiers in their way were soon overrun and swallowed by the horde. She could see them fighting but there were too many of the dead to hold back.

-Henriette! The library! Order the people to run to the library. Take the medicine and leave the food! I will go get the kids!-Said Bel hurriedly. The Kids were in the first floor.

-The library!? How did you know? We will need food too..

-There is food in the library!I heard that from a very reliable source, the trick will be to seal it behind us!

-Leave that to me. Do what she ordered. Bring the people to the library hurry!! Close the shutters!!- Said Henriette to the soldier. He ran out along with Aleen and Bel; Henriette close behind her.

When they reached the first floor Henriette took off in the direction of the ballroom. The soldier had almost flown down the stairs and was already shouting the orders. The window shutters were being closed to gain time and people were running around everywhere.

-Mam! -A shout came over Bel’s shoulder. Bel looked sideways and saw Gudrun coming fast towards them.- Mam!! There is something coming! Among the dead there someone! The dead part their ranks in their wake! We have to hurry!

-Oh Shoot! It is probably Hel!- Said Bel turning a corner that led to the music hall where the children were studying. They heard the sound of stuff braking and shouting. Among them the children’s.

Aleen flew to the door and kicked it open. Bel entered with the gun up ready to blast. What she saw almost stopped her heart. Feraht was blasting the dead pouring from a hole on the wall. The children were being practically dug up from debris from the fallen wall and broken furniture by one of the maids. Alfonse lay on top of both Sharena and Oly shielding them from the worst of the damage. Another maid lay dead on the floor and Nanny Bertha had her tome out and was helping fight the dead.

The children were standing up when one particularly big undead warrior flung Feraht to the side so fast he hit the back wall and hit his head. Aleen started fighting them off with her spear and Bel blasted the one trying to kill Feraht where he laid unconscious. She heard a shout and saw Sharena run up to her, behind her Alfonse was once again covering up Oly from a dead swordsman about to strike with a decorative shield that was laying on the floor. Bel blasted the risen off of both of them and taking Sharena’s hand ran toward them. Oly had a twisted ankle. It was getting a swollen and purple and Alfonse had blood running from one of his shoulders where a sharp rock had hit him hard enough.

Gudrun who was fighting the dead as well took a moment to see if Feraht was getting up.

-We need to leave!

-Take the children. I will hold them off enough to seal the door and have more time to escape.- Said Nanny Bertha.

The maid came and took Sharena. Bell took Oly and Aleen turned to get Alfonse. They all were too banged up to run fast. Bel turned to see Feraht not getting up fast enough. Gudrun Saw it too and leaned to pick him up. He hoisted him over his shoulder and took his tome as well and ran out to meet them.

They could hear Nanny Bertha blasting her spells. The last thing Bel saw was Nanny Bertha backing slowly down and closing the doors, with her behind it. The realization hit her that she was sealing herself inside to keep the dead away from them. Bel almost stopped but Aleen graved her arm and kept her moving.

-Don’t ruin her sacrifice my Lady. It was the best way to save you all.

Bel said nothing. She kept quiet because she felt that if she said something she would break down crying. There were tears already running down her face. That woman had been a grandmother to her and her child. Oly could not know. She looked down to see her hiding her face in her breasts and crying quietly.

She got a glimpse of Alfonse looking back at the door with eyes flooding with tears. He held on to Aleen and hid his face from her sight.

They managed to get to the library where Henriette was instructing the people pouring in to enter go down the stairs to the basement. The reminding mages were placing shields on the door to be sealed.

-Take the kids downstairs with the servants! We will wait for the rest of the people.- Said Henriette not taking her eyes from the halls across from the library doors. They went down and found a large group of people. The kitchen staff, the grounds caretakers , the healers with some packs on their backs, the rest of the servants and soldiers holding the wounded and a group of kids of various ages. They were all gathered in a tight circle, too scared to venture further inside and too scared to stay too close to the entrance.

-Alfonse? Where would it be best for us to wait for your mother?

Alfonse looked up and seemed to think for a moment.

-There is a place in the next level. It is free of bookshelves and has some desks and tables.- He said getting down from Aleen’s arms.

-Lead the way My Lord.- Said Bel loudly for the others to hear and started walking behind the boy.

-You heard them! We move to the second level. Lord Alfonse is taking us to a safe place.- Aleen said aloud and took hold of an elderly woman who was bleeding from a wound to the head. The people started moving behind Alfonse and Bel. Alfonse walked with slow steady steps. He looked sure of where he was going. Bel took notes of the shelves around her for later reference but felt not necessary since it looked to be a strait walk toward the stair. It did not take them long to reach the stairs. Alfonse looked at Bel and Oly in her arms then at the maid and Sharena who started walking behind Alfonse. The maid whom she later learned her name was Deana; asked if she could help Bel with Oly, but Bel was not ready to part with her daughter and handed her the heavy magic tome.

-I could carry Oly if you want.- Said Alfonse.

-He can! My brother is very strong and he carries me when I twist my ankles when I fall!- Says Sharena smiling at Oly who smiled back with tear stained cheeks. Alfonse looked bashfully at Sharena with a blush.

- Thank you Alfonse. I am sure you are strong enough, but I want to keep her by my side. I am a little scared to be honest.- She said quietly She knew he was hurt and honestly she wondered how he was not complaining about the pain.- You would do me a great favor if you took my hand to steady me while we go down the stairs. It is kind of dark in here. -She said and extended her free hand.

Alfonse nodded and took Bel’s hand. They went down the stairs and stood by the wall nearest the stairs for better view of the upper level. Bel wanted to be alert and spy the people coming down ad asses what they would need. She sat Oly down on a chair that looked comfortable. It was a wonder how nothing looked like it had been sealed in there for who knows how long. There was no dust on the furniture or floor.

Bel took the tome Henriette lent her and tried a Healing spell on Oly’s foot. Alfonse who was standing by her side took Oly’s hand in his to hold it during the process while Sharena stood by her other side watching. When she was finished she asked Alfonse to let her see his back. He tried taking his upper clothes off but winced and stood still. Bel figured he was in a lot of pain and could not manage to do it himself.

-It is OK. Don’t take it off. I will just lift the shirt a little from behind to see.- She said. She moved to obscure the view from Sharena who was watching Alfonse with unshed tears.

She took a look at Alfonse’s shoulder and decided he need a better healer than herself. He looked like he had a broken bone or something; although he could move his arm. There was a long gash and the shoulder and part of the back was already bruising badly. Alfonse winced at the touch of her small and careful fingers.

The Healer came and casted some healing spells and placed some salves on his back and shoulder. She even managed to take his clothes off to bandage him and then helped him put the clothes back on. Bel watched this intently in case she needed to do it herself next time. She told Bel he would be fine and the salve would ease the pain. She also applied it to Oly’s ankle.

-Oly. You are a big girl. Can you stay with Alfonse and Sharena while I go help the healers? There are a lot of people hurting right now. I promise I will be near you, where you can see me.- Oly tried drying her tears with her free hand and nodded.- Good girl! Here sit on the floor and keep you leg from moving too much. OK? Why don’t you tell Sharena one of the tales I have told you? I bet she will like it.- Said Bel picking Oly up and then setting her down by the wall.

-Is Papi coming soon?

-I am sure he is. I can almost bet he is outside fighting to come save us, just like your grandfather and Gustav.

- I am not afraid anymore Mami. Alfonse is here with me and he is very brave!- She said smiling. Bel looked to Alfonse and saw him blush in the dim light of the crystal lanterns.

-He is isn’t he? I am very grateful he is here as well.- Bel kissed Oly on the cheek and whispered to her to thank him properly.

Bel went to help out the healers and organize the people while the Deana stayed with them.

-Alfonse?

-Yes Oly?

-Thank you.- Said Oly and laid her head on his good shoulder.

-You saved us both brother. Thank you.- Said Sharena sitting on his other side. Alfonse was not much for hugging or touching but he took their hands in his and they remained that way for a while.

Sharena did not seemed so afraid after that. She was used to her mother and father not being with them most of the time, so as long as her brother was near, she would be fine. Oly on the other hand was used to her parents being with her more often, but for some reason she felt very safe around Alfonse and so her fear died down a bit. She was safe with Alfonse and Sharena, her mother was near and they were away from the bad people. She just needed her father here to feel completely fine.

-Can you tell us that tale about the ice Princess!? I would love to meet an ice princess. Don’t you Alfonse?!- Asked Sharena excitedly.

-Of course. I read there are people who who live in a place where it is always winter and they are as if made of ice.

-Really Alfonse?

-Brother you are so smart! How do they look like?

- I do not know Sharena. I did not finish reading the book. It is in the library above us.

-Oh. Can you read it to us when we get out of here Alfonse?

-Of course. Meanwhile you can tell us your tale.- He said. Oly smiled up at him and started telling them the tale just like her mother used to tell her. Alfonse listened to her and partly thought about his mother not coming down or his father not coming home. Unlike Sharena he had grown up closer to his parents up until he was four. He still had memories of his father playing with him and his mother taking care of him and Sharena. Sharena had no memories like these to to cherish, nor pains of loss to deal with, but he still loved them and worried about them.

It was almost an hour of them being down there that Henriette came to down followed by more people and what was left of the mages. Her dress was torn in places and burned in others, just like the other mages.

Henriette was met by one of the healers but she declined their ministrations. Bel came to her then to talk.

-Did none of the commanders made it safely inside?

-No. They sent word that they would hold back the dead as much as they could.-Henriette answered shaking her dead.

-You need rest and healing. Come and sit with the children while we take care of it.

-Bel. Hel is leading the attack. The last I heard is that Gustav and the King were fighting to get through to us.

-The King? We are in deep…trouble…How many mages do we have?- For the king himself to risk coming to fight it meant they were in deep shit. For him to risk himself and Gustav his only heir was unthinkable. The question was…If Hel wanted revenge; why attack the castle if the King and crown prince were outside of it fighting? Was it Alfonse and Sharena she wanted too?

-Five all together. Six of them are on the ground floor and enforcing the shields. The other five are ready to enforce the hidden stair entrance if the other fall.

-I see. I have not seen my retainer Erland.

-I know who you mean, but he did not enter the library. I have not seen him, I am sorry.

-Umm…it is fine. I am sure he is fighting outside and will join Alfonse in battle.- Said Bel leading Henriette to where the kids were chatting away. She had to think of how to tell Aleen about it. Of course his absence did not mean certain death, but with their odds as they were it was most probable.

-Oly is like a little light in the darkness is she not?- Asked Henriette. Oly was motioning with her hands while she told them the tale and Sharena was watching her with an open mouth. Even Alfonse had a small smile on his lips.-She takes that from you.

-Thank you. I can say the same about your kids. Alfonse saved the girls from a fallen wall and Oly from a swordsman as well.

-Did he? My sweet boy. I have so many regrets about…but he is turning to be a fine boy.

-He is.Any ways. Sit down for a while and let me go see about a restroom or something and the food.

-Bel? How did you know about the food?- Henriette halts in their walk to ask. Her voice a whisper.

-I’m a psychic.- Says Bel and laughs quietly when she sees Henriette’s eyes widen.- I’m kidding. If I was I would have seen all of this coming…unless I can only be psychic about food…Which wouldn’t surprise me coming from me.- Henriette Smiles at that.- Someone came inside to explore, but don’t worry I already told said person to not venture further alone or with company unless we knew it was safe.

-Oh Askr! It was Alfonse! That boy is just like his father. - She says suddenly realizing the truth.Her eyes closed trying to reign in her emotions.- How far did he go?

-Umm…fourth basement I think. Henriette…please do not scold the boy. He was brave enough to tell me about it for the good of the people even if it meant you would scold him. I am going to ask him to take me to where the food is and find some place to use as a restroom.- Henriette nodded and started walking again.- I will take someone with me so we don’t go by ourselves.

-Worry not. I will not scold him for this. After all the good he has done and the promise he made. I know he will keep it.

Henriette sat down on Sharena’s left and let Bel heal her woulds.After all the healing she had been doing Bel was getting very proficient and more with the salves and ointments. Deana came with some salves and bandages from the healers to put on her burns. All this while Alfonse and Sharena kept close watch. When all was done Henriette raised her arm and hugged Sharena who was closer to her while her hand ran through Alfonse’s hair.

-My children. I am so glad you are safe.- She said and her eyes watered. She winced a little when she stretched to hug them both. Bel turned away. It felt like intruding in such an intimate moment.  Oly looked at them and smiled up at Bel who took a seat by her side and hugged her too, taking care not to move her still swollen ankle.

- I love you little Olive. Your father is coming soon. I can feel it. He will save us like the prince Charming in the fairy tales. You’ll see.

-I know Mami.

-I am going to have to borrow Alfonse Oly. He is the only one who has explored the library enough to find food here and I need him to guide us.

-OK Mommy. I can take care of Sharena and her Mom. Sharena really likes my tales. I bet her Mom does too.

-That’s my brave girl.

Bel waited some moments to get Aleen to sit with her and tell her about Erland. Aleen of course being who she was, already knew he had stayed behind. She was choosing to stay hopeful for the sake of doing was was necessary right now. They talked about going to find the restrooms and the food and Aleen thought it was a great idea. They needed clean water too.

Bel went to get Alfonse who was happy to help and looked almost uncomfortable while being caressed by his mother. Bel thought it a shame he had grown up so fast, but it was going to help him once he became King.

-Alfonse. -Bel started when the were well away from the others. She had asked to take his hand as to not get separated. She was not going to risk him more than needed. Surprisingly he had complied without question and seemed very at ease.- I want to thank you properly.- He looked sideways at her not stopping his walk.- I don’t know what I would do if I…Thank you for saving Oly. I can see why she feels safe around you. I trust you too.

Instead of seeing his usual blush and shy smile Bel witnessed a very furrowed brow and a determined look on his eyes.

-No one will harm them as long as I am alive.

-I thank you for that, but you should also remember to care for yourself. We love you and we don’t want anything to happen to you. OK?

-OK.

It took them more than half an hour to find an actual restroom with running water. By the location they assumed there were restroom in all levels at about the same place. Then they went to see about the food. It all looked as if it was stored that day. It was one thing to store preserves or dry food but everything has a limit of time it can be used. This food looked like it was in some sort of suspended animation or something. There were preserves of all kinds and grain and flour and canisters of wine and cheese. The food look like it took the entire level.

-How did they even managed this? It is better than canned food heh heh!

Neither Aleen or even Alfonse had any knowledge of spell that worked this way. They took as much of the food as Bel and Aleen could carry to try it out and share with the rest of the people. Bel made sure not to let Alfonse carry anything but her gun and only to deter him from trying to carry something heavy. She was worried about his shoulder.

They went back to show the food to Henriette, She had never seen such a powerful spell that could preserve the food so fresh and yet she did not detect any spell on the food itself.

-Oh well I suppose it is the place itself doing it. I was going to ask you if you had ordered to dust the place when you found it. It looks so clean.

- I did not even took notice of that.- Said Henriette looking around.- It is as if the entire place was sleeping. Keeping everything just like it was the day it was sealed.

After they made sure the food was safe to eat they sent some soldiers to get more. Aleen volunteered to take them although it was a strait walk to the next set of stairs. They also told the people where they could find the restroom and the water. On that level.

-When did you find it?- Asked Bel.

-I think it was the day the door to the realm of the Dead was opened.- Answered Henriette thoughtfully.

- So the place awoke just in time…It had an alarm kind of lock.Wow! King Lif was an awesome dude! He prepared for everything! How wise and powerful he sounds! I wish I could meet him!- Exclaimed Bel smiling at the thought. Henriette looked long at her smiling face and then down at Alfonse sitting by Oly and Sharena. He was reading one of the books he had found on a shelf.

~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The hours inside that place seemed endless. There were only the sounds of the wounded people and the crying children. Sharena had the great idea of gathering them all up and keeping them busy. She asked for permission first and then gathered the children next to Oly who could not walk and both of them told them tales and even taught them some of the things they had learned.

Alfonse took to looking at the books near where they were gathered. Bel wanted to join him since she loved to read a lot as well, but she went to help out however she could doing one thing or another. She and Henriette took turns Helping out and being with the kids and taking rests.

There were no noises coming from upstairs and none of the guards and mages who had stayed on the first basement came to report any change. They just came to gather food and say they could hear no sound coming from the outside.

Henriette had no idea of how long they had been here. She did not know if it was the stress of not knowing what was happening outside and worrying about Gustav or this place messing with time but she could not tell the passage of time. She felt exhausted and yet she felt like she had been there for days. She was sitting down by Sharena’s side again watching both her and Alfonse sleeping. Alfonse had taken on sleeping next to Bel and Oly. She could understand it. His left shoulder was still bruised and he could not lay the other way. She could see Bel still awake. She had laid down as well not so long ago.

-Bel.- Asked Henriette in a whisper.

-Mm?

-May I ask a question?

-Go ahead.

-What do you feel for my children? Especially Alfonse.

Bel turned to her questioningly. She wondered what the royal was thinking for such a question to arise. But being in the situation they were in she supposed she was thinking of death. Bel then expected her to be told to care for the children if she was to die.

-Do you want a honest answer Henriette? Even if your feelings get hurt?- Bel asked with a serious expression.

-Yes. Of course.

-Well…If it was not illegal and I did not end up in a dungeon I would kidnap your kids, run away and adopt them as mine. I love them both Henriette. Although it is true I have expressed that I would love to have a son like Alfonse more than once. I could be satisfied if he was my son in law.

-You mean marry him off to Oly?

-I know it is something that is out of my hands and they are family, but a mother wants the best for her kids. I know they are still young but one can dream.

- Of course you would want him close to you…but I am afraid he can not marry Oly.

-I know they are family and all. I was just..

-He is promised to someone already.

-Alfonse? Are you kidding me? Does he know?

-No.

-Please do not tell me it is someone form Embla to “bring peace to the kingdom” or some crap Henriette. You know they do not want peace. They are not exactly the picture of diplomacy.

-No. Of course not. I would never marry any of my children to someone from Embla and much less for any kind of power.

-Then who is it? A noble family asking for favors? I thought arranged marriages were not..

-The last one was more than a hundred years ago. At least for the Royal Family.You are right. I know. Bel I did something terrible and I am trying to amend myself. The woman who will marry my son will love him and care for him. She already does. I am sure her husband will understand.

-Wait what? Are you fucking kidding me Henriette? A married woman? Does this woman want that badly to be Queen? What the FUCK?- Bel said win a loud whisper that carried more than she intended. She was furious. She hopped this better be a joke, but Henriette was not one to joke around and much less with this kind of stuff and let’s face it, marrying one of their children off to someone was such a Gustav move. Some “ What is best for the Kingdom” kind of crap.

-Bel !

-Please tell me you are kidding and what kind of a low life husband would leave her wife to let her marry a CHILD of 10 YEARS OF AGE?

-Bel he is not going to marry her now. He will do so when he becomes of age.

-Great! Let her get older! This is when I will have to hurt your feelings Henriette…but I just know this was Gustav’s idea of “ It is best for the Kingdom.”

-No…If I may be honest it is my idea. You said you wanted what was best for your child and I want that too. Gustav does not know. It was my decision and he will not like it either, but I know Alfonse will be happy. -Bel looked like she was going to argue, but Henriette motioned for her to listen.- I know how it sounds especially to you. I should sound barbaric, but there is a reason vital to his happiness and Bel… I will take it because I know just how much mistakes I have had with him and how much neglect they have suffered because of our devotion to the Kingdom and our studies. I also know things will not change but get worse as time passes. I want him to be happy and she will make him happy and will protect him…the way I see it she will protect him even from herself.

Bel passed a sleeve over her cheeks. There were tears of anger running down her face. She could not see Henriette’s point, but she could do nothing to save the poor boy. It was easy to say she wanted to kidnap him and at this point she probably should too, but where would she go that she could protect him from his mother who was probably out of her mind with so much stress and lack of sleep.

  And that was probably it. Maybe Henriette was delirious and would come to her senses once they got out of this situation. This talk had taken a very different path than she had thought. She was preparing for a “ Please take care of my children if I die.” but it turned into a very different thing.

-Just how much older is she than him? Do I know her?-== Yeah so I can murder her in her sleep.==

-Around ten years older than him and I can not tell you who she is. She does not know about this.

==Oh! I see! GOD! I told her to get some sleep!==

-So you planed it all here?

-I had been thinking about how to fix my mistake…but I just planned it here yes. She has no idea she will marry him. She seeks no power and will probably be very upset at the beginning but…I am VERY sure they will be happy.

==Well If that woman doesn’t know she will have to divorce her husband and marry a kid…well a teenager…Damn I would be more than a little upset too!==

-I see. I just don’t…What is this mistake you keep talking about?- Bel asked trying to get a better grip of just how bad her mental health was.

-I promised not to talk about it. If I could I would do it… but I can’t. It would all be so easy if I could tell you all. I know you would help me do the right thing.

-Then do it! Tell me! For his sake Henriette do it right by him!

- I am doing the best I can….you will understand later. It is late. We better sleep. Bel? Forgive me.

-I…it is not my place to forgive you…

-Promise me if I die, you will take care of my children.

And that was what Bel had been waiting for, not that can of worms Henriette had opened for her.

-I promise you. I will take care of them and love them as my own.

Henriette closed her eyes and hugged her daughter closer to her. Bel looked at the boy sleeping next to her. With tears still running down her face she kissed his head. She was going to have to talk to Alfonse about this if Henriette persisted after this situation was over. She went to have a very restless sleep.

 Henriette looked on in silence as Bel kissed Alfonse’s head then went to lie down by his side.

A/N: The road to Hel is paved with good intentions.

[mynext30years]

So I was able to go to the fair last week. I actually had a great week for the most part. I started going to the fair on Thursday evening to see the first of 2 demolition derbies heald at the fair every year. It was pretty good but the action wasn't super intense until the last 20 minutes when the 9 cylinder cars were on the track.

It went 4 cylinders, 6 cylinders, and then 8 cylinders. I don't know much about cars, but that event taught me that 8 cylinder cars have a lot more power than the other 2 types of cars. I also had the best barbecue food I've ever had that night, I also had a fair fried dough and a large slushie.

The next day, I picked up my mom from the bus station, which is conveniently located right across the street from the fairgrounds. By the time I picked her up, it was 5 pm. So we went to the fair as there was a comedy show we were going to see that started at 7. Thè picture of the stage behind the net is the picture of the comedy show, they had it in our towns Baseball field, and only like 20 people came so it was real intimate, but it was also really hilarious. Plus, he's good at singing. (His name is Mike Bova; Look him up).

Before the comedy show, we caught the mid to end of an acrobat show, which was pretty incredible. The last act was the man with the stars jumper being shot out of a cannon. I got to talk to all of the performers in the acrobat show, and the comedian was really nice and talked one on one with everyone there, including my mom and me. Before we went to the show that night, I took my mom to the bbq place so she could taste how good it was, we also each had a souvenir pepsi cup thats like 40 ounces, but she didn't take hers with her when she left so now I'm stuck with 2.

The next day, Saturday, my mom and I went to the fair, starting at 12. Our plan was to ride the rides all day that day, see the exhibits, eat our favorite fair food, and then go to the last of the 2 demolition derbies. In reality, most of that happened, but there were some deviations in the plan. We did ride all the rides that we were able to age wise, but I had planned to ride each ride at least twice before I left as that is what I usually do at the fair. We did ride the bumper cars 2 times, but my stomach started getting sick after the other rides and eating, so I didn't want to go on any of the other rides more than once. My mom was also pretty tired out and needed her inhaler before we left.

We did have fair food, nothing too crazy, my mom got her first funnel cake, and I tried deep fried oreos, plus we stayed stocked up on waters and we each had a couple slushies again. I don't think we got anything else before we left because we were both feeling a bit full. But she did get me a pack of 10 special pokemon cards and a binder for them; I definitely wasn't expecting that, but I was happy. We had 2 quarters, so we tried my favorite coin pushing game that I like to play at the fair, I didn't want to waste more money on it. I did end up winning a few quarters, but I lost them again.

We also didn't end up going to the demolition derby, by 3:30pm we were feeling faired out and wanted to go back to my place (at least I did; if she wanted to stay or was bummed out about not going to the show, she didn't tell me). We ended up giving our tickets to 2 of my cousins whom we ended up running into before we left.

That was the end of my fair adventure but it was not the end of the visit with my mom, the next morning we took a bus to see my uncle who lives about an hour away and we stayed there until the next evening. It was good to see my birth family again (at least the ones who are the safest for me to be around) but I was also glad to be home with my adoptive mom and youngest brother where I feel most free and comfortable to be myself.

[baconorgames]

Loss

loss has never really effected me like how it does everyone else, loss effects me in the most random ways, hitting me like a freight train on a summers eve when the sun shines through in just the right way and the birds chirp from their safe solid roosts in the trees and the smell of grass swims through the air with the grace of a swan in water. Loss hit me about my Nanny on the day she died, it was unexpected. She’d been diagnosed with cancer about 2 years prior, we’d been visiting lots over those two years, it was one of my favourite times, the way the car smoothly drifted down the country roads and empty motorways in the dead of night like a phantom, i loved evening drives. it was a 3 hour journey to get there which was spent watching the treetops dance and the sunset light glint and sparkle through the leaves as we passed them at high speeds, watching the people mill around the petrol stations as we sped past like ants in ant hills, collecting what they need and then speeding back off. We’d arrive in the dead of night to my cousins house, a place where i felt completely at home, Birmingham never really felt like home. the sea is my home. We’d always go and see her, whether it was at home or the hospital, special dinners and little gatherings, when my eldest cousins finished his gcses we had a special little dinner at a harvester, i still remember the tears that escaped down her cheeks when she realised she wouldnt be here to see the rest of us graduate. she isnt here to see me graduate. When she started being in and out of hospital we knew our days were numbered so we made sure to come down every weekend to see her, to cherish the little time we had left with her. we knew she wouldnt make it until christmas so we planned a little gathering, an early christmas of sorts. so she could see us all together happy and celebrating one last time. she died the night before, peacefully, in her sleep. i remember my mum, my aunt and my uncle bringing me into their bedroom and sitting me down with the rest of my cousins and my brother. the way the air stiffened around us and the looks on their faces told me all i needed to know, the light outside was dim and the sky grey a beautiful pathetic fallacy of how we all felt. it was like the world instantly became dull without her, no colour, no life. i cried for hours, they all left the room one by one. i stayed. there was something comforting about the room, like my acceptance of the situation was somehow morphing itself into her loving arms. Yes, i was sad, i missed and still miss her terribly. the fact im forgetting the sound of her voice or the way her face looked when she handed us home made ham sandwiches in the little plastic orange bowls that i loved so, or the Worzel Gummidge that played on the television as i watched the squirrrels and birds hop around in the garden through the big window that faced out onto it. the picture of her horse Margaret that stood proudly upon the wall and Gus, the border collie they owned who was terribly afraid of anything and would snap at you if you got to close, and little Sandy cat whos still alive now, the gentlest creature youve ever set your eyes on whose favourite spot to sit is in front of the fireplace next to the little family of wooden ducks who stood proudly watching over the house like little soldiers. i miss her.

[kalembasinpoland]

So where are you going?

This is question I get asked most often when I mention our visit to Poland.

I decided to avoid Ukraine for this trip. Even though my Niesmiertelny relatives are generally safe in the countryside of western Ukraine, I figured going into a war-torn country was not the best option. Also, I wanted to visit some places different from ten years ago, and time didn't allow for a side trip to Ukraine. Veronica Niesmiertelna Kowalska, my cousin who lives in the birth town of my great-grandfather Franciszek Niesmiertelny, is still safe. Pray for the Ukrainian people.

For this trip, I decided to repeat some visits, places I visited with Dad such as Kraków, Warsaw, Wieliczka, and Tarnów. I also added some more rigorous mountain hikes that Dad would not have been able to do.

We are starting our journey with a direct flight to Kraków on June 9th. We have three nights there, staying right on the Mały Rynek (small square).

From there we travel south towards the Tatar mountains. One night just across the border in Slovakia: a strategic stay, so we can get up early and drive the 2 km to the parking lot for our hike to Morskie Oko in the mountains.

The next night we are still in Slovakia. However, we are on the banks of the Dunajec river right across from the Trzy Korony (Three Crowns). A jumping off point for a hike up the Three Crowns (weather permitting, of course).

Our accommodations that night are in the former Camoldolese monastery founded in the 14th century.

After that we head to Tarnów, the closest city to the ancestral villages of the Kalemba family. We will visit those villages, including a visit with friends of mine from Michigan who are doing genealogy research in the same parish as me.

Then we head to visit my Puzio cousins who live north of Rzeszów.

Puzio descendants in 2013

After a night in Rzeszów, we head west to visit ancestral towns before we arrive in Zakopane.

Two nights in Zakopane and then head back to Kraków to return the car and take the train to Warsaw. We are staying in Warsaw three nights, with a day trip to Toruń, birthplace of Copernicus. We hope to see our cousin Marzena Niesmiertelna and her family in Warsaw. We return to Chicago on June 23rd.

Do zobaczenia.

[atasteofchocolates]

2022 highlights

So, I used to post a lot. I would like to start posting more again this year as a way to regulate my thoughts.

Why not start with a 2022 recap.

So this year was my first year living away from home. Myself and Bob moved into a lovely new build coach house in chard surrounded by fields and a resaviour. I can now say after a year of living here… this feels like home. Our house, Chard, south Somerset just feels like my new safe space and I must admit, I wasn’t too sure I would ever feel this way when I moved December ‘21.

Weddings! We attended two weddings this year and I attended my first ‘hen du’. I love any excuse to get dressed up and to see Bob looking all smart. And who doesn’t love a wedding.

We got COVID. ‘22 was the year covid finally got me, and it was rough. I have never felt so unwell in my life and get Bob got away with little to no symptoms.

I completed my level 4 in advocacy and jumped ship! I decided to make the move to change to a different advocacy provider, a better paying hybrid working company that is a charity. Thankfully, I completed my level 4 before I made the change and am now a qualified ‘independent mental health advocate’.

I have also completed my Level 2 in counselling. I have no idea if I have passed the course but will hopefully know soon. I turned down the opportunity to complete the level 3 this year as I didn’t want to feel overwhelmed with starting a new job, completing my advocacy training and wanting to come off my anxiety meds.

Speaking of… I came off my anxiety meds. I first went cold turkey… bad idea! I felt sooo unwell and dizzy and disorientated that it made me feel sick and I couldn’t leave my bed. I then decided to go back on them and come off very very gradually. Which seems to have worked!

Some sad news now as unfortunately this is probably one of the biggest things to happen in my family this year, my cousin committed suicide. I cannot believe that I am now grouped in with the families who have lost a loved one to suicide. I didn’t know my cousin very well, my family is too big and I am a lot younger then him. But I loved him anyway. He was family. But my heart broke more for my aunty and other cousin who lost her brother. I could not imagine loosing one of my brothers and my heart shattered for her. The funeral was massive, he was so loved. Over 200 people came so many that a lot had to stand for the service. That day I held my brothers tight and cried the most I had all year.

Some better news, we got a dog. She is called Brandi and she is a year old. I wanted a dog so bad I begged Bob for months was looking online for dogs that needed rehoming and even begged the landlord who surprisingly said yes. I drove us to Birmingham the night before where we stayed in a hotel before driving to Nottingham the next day to pick her up. I adore her.

We got to travel this year. We went to Valencia where I was reunited with Silvia. It was the best holiday I think I’ve ever had. She gave us such a good experience and we got to get to know her younger sister Clara a lot better too. The highlight was on our last night we got to visit her family home where we ate dinner on their terrace with her whole family before taking a walk around her small town outside of the city. It was unreal. We also went to Prague a few weeks ago to see the Christmas markets. It was great to be back after so long and to show Bob a place that meant so much to me. There was snow for the first few days and I got to meet up with Bety after a long time!

Saving the best till last. My niece Ari Mae Bell was born 23/05/2022 in the early hours of the morning. I wish I could put into words how much I adore this baby. But there are no words.

Here’s to 2023!

[syddsatyrn]

Chapter 1⛤ Chapter 2 ⛤Chapter 3⛤ Chapter 4 ⛤Masterlist

⛤Pairing: - Eddie Munson x Metal!FemReader

⛤Warnings: Mentions of death, swearing, smoking, fluff if you squint.

⛤Words: 3.1k

⛤Song: "Heaven" by The Cure

⛤Series Playlist

⛤Summary: With no one left in Hawkins to tend to your little cousin, you step up and rise to the challenge. Time for a new start and a chance to prove to yourself you can be a responsible adult. But Robin left out one little detail, the hot metal head that lives two doors down.

⛤Notes: This series is 18+ Minors scram. I wanted to write something with Max as the readers little cousin. This will be a 3 part series, I hope. I wanna thank @hellfiremunsonn for being my beta reader, you're a legend.

Chapter 1⛤Navigating New Roads

The sun shines through your windshield as you turn the bend, you quickly grab your sunglasses from the center console and put them on. The fresh Indianna air was clean and crisp, nothing like Atlanta. Motley Crue is blaring through the stereo of your Chevrolet El Camino your Dad passed down to you when you graduated. You check the rearview mirror every so often to make sure your U-Haul is still intact. You’ve been driving for 7 hours now, you managed to find a little rundown motel in Glasgow Kentucky last night and was able to get a little bit of sleep.

A large Earthquake hit Hawkins a year ago and your Aunt Susan didn't make it. You and your mom cried and held each other after you heard the news. We knew she was going through hard times after her husband left, Max told me everything. But you’ve always been fond of Susan, she was a sweet lady, all smiles and laughs. It's going to be tough without her bright smile, visits, and homemade baked goods. 

It was then your parents agreed you would move to Indiana and live with your cousin and take care of her. It took some time for you to get your affairs in order so, in the meantime, Max has been staying with the Hendersons. When you told your now ex boyfriend about the move, he literally freaked. He was hysterical and begged you to stay, no matter how many conversations you had explaining why it's the right thing to do. It resulted in a nasty break up that really complicated the moving process. Starting new in Hawkins might just be what you need.

You also missed your baby cousin's freckled face so much. You are both practically sisters rather than cousins. Max was in an accident involving the earthquake that landed her in the hospital for quite some time. She was in a coma and you were absolutely devastated by it. It pains you to think about because you wish you had been there to do something, anything to prevent this. You recall one of Max’s friends was visiting and she suddenly woke up. You remember a girl named El approached you in the waiting room. She told you Max was awake, you hugged her and cried so many tears of relief and happiness. While you were at the hospital, you met a girl named Robin and you both hit it off. She promised you that she would look out for her while you're gone.

Max is still recovering with medications to take and schoolwork to catch up on. She needs a schedule and a guiding hand to get her back on track. Luckily, last time you visited you found an affordable apartment not far from town. The landlord was very kind and cut you a deal after you told him your situation. You have been prepping for this move for months now, saving money, packing, . One of Max’s friends, Robin, works next to a record store. Apparently, she knows the owner really well and dropped your name. You came into the store the next day and filled out the application. It didn't take long for a call to come through at the Henderson household, you got the job and you start the week after you arrive.

Everything seemed to be falling into place. You’re feeling confident about this journey and the sudden change in scenery. Maybe the fresh air might do you some good too. You finally see a sign for a gas station and you pull into the entrance and alongside an open gas pump. Getting out and stretching your arms and legs feels so good, you almost can't feel your butt from sitting for so long. The little bell on the top of the door rings as you enter the station. The attendant looked busy so you walked in and headed straight for the coffee counter. After pouring yourself a cup you walk over to the register and give him cash for gas, coffee, and a pack of “Lucky Strike” filtered cigarettes.

As you are pumping gas you take a sip of the hot bitter liquid and take a deep breath. According to your watch, it's almost 8 am. You should reach Hawkins around noon as long as traffic behaves. You put the nozzle back and quickly hop back in your car. Before you get back on the main road, you slip your sunglasses on, light a cigarette, and turn up the stereo.

“So I'm heading out to the highway

I got nothing to lose at all

I'm gonna do it my way

Take a chance before I fall

A chance before I fall!”

----------⛤

When you pulled into the driveway you could see the redhead through the front bay window. Max quickly rushes out the front door with a curly-haired boy with a bright blue cap. “Y/N you made it!” Max cheers and jumps into your arms. You laugh and hug her tight, she almost knocks you over completely. “Hey kid, I missed you so much!” You say and gently set her down. “Who's your friend?” You ask, pointing at the little dude with a wide smile.

“This is Dustin. He’s alright I guess.” Max playfully punches his shoulder.

“It's nice to meet you, Y/N!” Dustin says and you shake his hand. Dustin takes a good look at your outfit, black torn jeans, leather jacket, Iron Maiden t-shirt that you cut into a crop top.

“I like your Jacket! You should really meet my friend Eddie, I have a feeling you guys would get along.”

“Thanks, little dude. Y’know…Robin said the same thing.” You turn to Max, “alright, Max, let's go get your stuff.”

Max beamed and went back into the house and you giggled and followed them inside. You have a nice chat with Claudia, Dustin's mom. She tells you all about how Max is doing in school, what kind of medications she's taking and for what, and even some of her recent achievements. She still has some trouble with mobility but it has gotten so much better, Claudia says it's because she's young, she bounced right back. Dustin helps Max grab her suitcases and bags and leaves them next to your car. You thanked Claudia a million times for taking such good care of her and gave her a warm hug. Max said her goodbyes as well, even though she’ll be seeing the boy at school very soon.

“I’m going to miss you so much, sweet pea!” Claudia says with a hug and a kiss on Max’s cheek. You both wave goodbye and you help Max into the passenger side of the car. You get in and smile at her real big, “I got you a present.” and Max’s eyes get wide. 

“No way, you didn’t have to get me anything!”

“Yes way, and I wanted to!” You retort and stick your tongue out. You reach behind her seat and struggle a bit but you manage to pull a brand-new skateboard into the front seat and set it on her lap.

“What!? Y/N! This is Amazing!” Max exclaims and turns it over to reveal the colorful rainbow designs on the underside.

“I heard your last one split and two, your Aunt and I put our wallets together and found this at a skate shop in Atlanta.” You explain and she reaches over the center console and hugs you tight.

“This is totally awesome, thank you so much Y/N” She says.

“Alright, alright,” You laugh, “Are you ready to see our new place?” You ask and Max nods. You turn the stereo back to full blast and pull out of the cul de sac. 

----------⛤

You open the front door with your brand-new keys and Max walks inside first. Her backpack slides off her shoulder and onto the floor as she looks around. The living room was attached to the kitchen, with a small hallway leading to two bedrooms and a small bathroom. Robin helped you find some used furniture while you were back in Atlanta. A small couch and a table near the kitchen with two matching chairs. Robin even bought you a phone as a housewarming gift.

“It's not much but it’s ours.” You sigh and Max turns around on her heel.

“I think it’s perfect.” She smiles and you start to head back outside to the car.

“Then it’s settled. Be careful bringing stuff inside, only small things oka–” You barely rounded the corner before you almost collided with a tall figure. You back away quickly, “Shit, I’m so sorry!”

“It’s no big deal, cutie.”

You meet this man's gaze and your heart falls into your stomach. His eyes are like amber pools reflecting the afternoon sunlight. He has long, wavy hair just past his shoulders. He looks like Izzy Stradlin and it's kinda freaking you out. 

Max hears his familiar voice, “Munson?”

“In the flesh.” He smiles. “Hey, Red! I didn't know you were moving here?”

“Yeah! This is my cousin, Y/N.”

“Ohh! So you're the cousin everyone keeps talking about.” He simply smiles. “I’m Eddie, I live two doors down.” He holds his hand out and you shyly take it. He brings your hand up to his lips for a quick kiss. A red tint spreads across your face, you’re stunned, everything about him is irresistible. You almost forgot to breathe, god he's so hot.

“The famous Eddie everyone keeps telling me I need to meet.” You say, trying to regain your composure. Max rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile. She had every intention of setting you two up, she just didn't think it would happen so soon.

“So, are we going to start unloading or are you going to keep staring at him?” Max says, sarcasm in full force.

“Shut up, Max.” You huff as she passes you on her way to the car.

“I should uhh…probably help her.” You say sheepishly.

“Let me know if you need anything, hmm?” He says while lighting a cigarette. “See ya around?”

“Y-yeah, see ya.” You trail off. You feel like you're suddenly under some sort of spell. You took a deep breath and slowly exhaled as you watched him walk away. Black boots, Dio back patch, he was wearing a Metallica T-shirt. The rings on his fingers made you weak, and his lips look so soft.

“Y/N! Hurry up!” Max calls.

“Yeah, yeah I’m comin’! Jeeze!”

Since you were on the ground floor, it made things pretty easy, you were able to move both beds inside by yourself. Max is a trooper and made a huge effort in putting things away. She took frequent breaks and drank lots of water just like you asked. The apartment is starting to look like people actually live here. It's getting late so you ordered a couple of pizzas, cut up the cake and sat across from Max on the floor. You listened to her plans to decorate her bedroom and all her summer adventures. When she mentioned her mom and Billy, her gaze shifted to her hands.

“Hey, Max. I know the wound is still fresh. It's just you and me now. I’ve got your back, you’ve got mine, right?”

“Right.” She agrees with an endearing smile but that smile quickly changes into a mischievous one.

“As long as you don't run away with Eddie and get married!” She mocks and throws a balled-up napkin at your face.

“You are such a brat sometimes!”

----------⛤

The sun peeks through the curtains and you cover your face with a pillow. It feels like forever since you’ve had a good night's sleep. You sigh and roll out of bed, there is no use in going back to sleep when it's so bright in here. You slip on a pair of black shorts under your oversized black t-shirt. You hear a knock at the door, it's 10 am and you’re not expecting anyone. After grabbing a cigarette and a lighter, you groan and shuffle over to the front door. The lock clicks and you swing it open halfway.

To your surprise, it's the hot metal head next door holding two to-go cups of coffee, one in each hand. “Good morning, sweetheart.” His voice was sweet like honey. You realize you look like a hot mess and your face turns bright pink.

“Good morning, Eddie.”

“Figured you might need this after yesterday.” He offers the paper cup and you take it. You take a few steps outside and shut the door behind you, trying not to wake up Max.

You take a sip and all is right in the world. This is exactly what you needed, you haven't bought groceries yet so making coffee this morning wasn't an option. “Thank you, really. You’re my hero.” Eddie flicks his lighter and lights your cigarette for you, a total gentleman. You’re falling for every single one of his tricks but you don't seem to mind. “What are you up to today?”

“Work, but I have a gig tonight at a bar in town.”

“You’re in a band?!”

“Yeah, Corroded Coffin. We play mostly metal, some rock.” He shrugs.

“You are so cool y’know that?”

“Coming from the girl who drives an El Camino like she stole it.”  Eddie cocks his head to the side and leans against the wall next to you. He's so much taller than you, and the closer he leans into your space, the redder your face gets. He smells like weed and cologne, mixed with a hint of copper. 

“Lemme guess, you’re the lead guitarist.”

“How did you know?”

“Lucky guess.” You shrug.

“So…will you come?” His sweet puppy eyes keep throwing you off and you almost get lost in his dark brown pools, coffee-colored. The sun brings out those amber highlights around his iris again.

“I’ll think about it, Munson.” You answer playfully.

“8 pm at ‘The Hideout’ on 12th and Cedar street.” He says with a boyish grin as he walks back to his Black van parked across the way, he almost trips on a curb when he turns around and you giggle. You put your cigarette out and walk back inside, coffee in hand.

Max is lounging on the couch reading a magazine when you enter. “How did you sleep, kid?”

“Good! I was beat.” She snorts, “How's Eddie?”

“He invited me to see his band tonight. I might go.”

“Like a date?” Max snorts and puts her magazine down.

“I don't know if I would call it that.”

“It totally is.” She retorts with that signature ‘up to no good’ grin.

“It totally isn’t.” You say on your way to the bathroom. You shut the door behind you before you can hear Max’s last words.

“Whatever you say.” Max holds back a laugh and returns to her reading.

You exit the bathroom with nothing but a towel wrapped around you and sneak back into your bedroom. You pick out some fresh clothes, black shorts, and a Def Leppard shirt. The outfit goes really well with your black Doc-Martens and a few chains around your wrist and neck. You check your standing mirror and spin around. Satisfied with your outfit, you grab your bag and tell Max you’re going into town.

“Want anything?”

"Cherry Coke and something sweet.” She requests.

“You got it. Love you, back soon.” You shut the door behind you and hop in the car. The engine roars and you carefully back out of the parking lot with the empty U-haul trailer. You blast some Iron Maiden as you drive into town. You have a few errands to run, you need to get groceries, drop off the trailer, and rent a few movies for you and Max to watch.

Everything went smoothly, even grocery shopping wasn't so bad. When you saw the bakery across the street you had to check it out. You found a chocolate cake with buttercream icing and you couldn't resist. You pull into the small parking lot next to “Family Video” and check to make sure your cake is seatbelted and secure in the back seat. The little bell on top of the door rang as you opened it, Robin’s face lit up and she practically flew over the counter.

“Y/N! Yes! You’re here!” She gives you a big hug and you squeeze her back. It’s been so long since you’ve seen her and she hasn't changed a bit.

“Hey, Robin! It’s good to see you!” you cheered. Steve steps out from behind the counter and gives you a little wave.

“This is Steve, I’ve told you about him.” Robin gestures towards her taller colleague.

“Ah yes, the famous Steve Harrington, babysitter extraordinaire.” You tease.

“Yeah, uhh something like that.” Steve was caught off guard, he didn't expect you to look so cool. “It’s nice to meet you, Y/N.”

“Likewise, Max speaks highly of you.”

You chat with them for a bit and update Robin on your progress and how Max is doing. While you're there you pick out a few movies you think Max would enjoy. She likes horror and mystery movies. You settled on “Terror at the Opera”, “The Lost boys” and “Evil Dead”. 

You wave goodbye and exit the store, and enter the record shop right next door. You wave at the shop owner and He greets you with a handshake. He tells you quite a bit about your new job, he gives you a nametag and a set of keys since you’ll be on the closing shift. You take a quick look around and notice the wide selection of tapes and records. Band posters and fliers are plastered all over the walls, there are a couple of record players off to the side for customers to listen before they buy. It’s dimly lit and smells a little like dust. This place is certainly your vibe and you’re looking forward to it.

“Maaaax I’m home!” You call out, grocery bags hanging off your arms while you carefully set the cake on the counter. Max hops up from the couch and starts putting things away.

“Whoa! This cake is huge!” Max comments.

“You said you wanted something sweet. It's a housewarming cake.”

Max chuckles and carefully puts it in the refrigerator. She pulls a can of coke from the bottom shelf and cracks it open. You do the same and you both take a seat on the living room floor facing each other.

“Sooo...are you going to that show tonight?”

“Yeah, I think it'll be fun.”

“Is it okay if I hang out at Mike's place?”

“Yeah, sure! What are you guys gonna do?”

“Play video games, watch a movie, I also wanna try out my new board. Oh! And you know Karen’s got the best junk food.”

“Sounds like fun. I can drop you off before I head to the show.” You offer and Max nods.

[justafairytailofinnocence]

Colonel Brandon x young reader x Severus Snape⚔️👧🦇

Dancing willows✨️

Chapter 3

Synopsis: Colonel Brandon arrives at the Dashwood's when he stumbles upon a young woman who he falls in love with. At a party the young woman meets a mysterious man which peaks her fascination.

Au: this takes place around the regency era and Snape doesn’t go to Hogwarts but still has his past.

Warning: none

A/n: yay chapter 3 is out, this is probably the longest chapter I have ever written. Please comment, like and reblog.

Previous chapters: 1, 2

The sun had risen with a peaceful view over the field, birds flew over the crops as they chirped happily to their flock. All the horses on the trail of the roads trotted along, men carrying cargo and travelers aiming to head to their next destination. Amongst those horses trailed the Colonel, he rode strongly on his horse. The colonel had planned to visit the Dashwood’s for afternoon tea, although it may be far from the true reason. It had been quite the experience since the ball, the Colonel had a marvelous time to say the least. Many men and women from that night had laughed and danced, all their dresses and attire glistened as they waltzed in time with the tune of the music. He had sworn to save his dance for only one woman, a woman he was fascinated with, her appearance at the ball had made his heart skip a beat. Upon seeing the girl, it was like something out of a silly fairy tale one in which involved a dance.

The Colonel had kept hidden a silky ribbon, in which he found from that girl’s book. He had planned to return it, however seeing the fabric of silk laced in his hands made him reminisce of the girl. It would seem he had hardly ever fallen in love with any sort of girl, certainly not after the death of his old beloved.

The Colonel had arrived at the door of the Dashwood’s, he jumped off his horse and took off his hat placing it to his chest. As he was about to knock to on the front door of the cottage, he spotted Elinor reading on the front porch “Miss Dashwood, quite a fine morning isn’t it”. Elinor’s eyes had greeted the Colonel, she placed her book to the side smiling “Indeed, a good morning to you Colonel”.

The Colonel smiled politely; he had offered his arm out for Elinor to stroll with him around the cottage. Elinor placed her arm around the Colonel, the two began to walk around the cottage. “How are your sister’s Elinor, certainly Mrs Dashwood must have her hands full” the Colonel smiled lightly.

Elinor shook her head, her brown hair sat neatly compared to Marianne’s, her eyes showed a kindness that sympathized with many. “They have been quite well; my dear sisters have been quite busy” Elinor relied.

The Colonel smiled, Elinor had been a dear friend to him, since he had arrived at the Dashwood’s, Elinor had shinned Sympathy toward the Colonel.

“Busy you say” he asked.

Elinor nodded “yes quite, our cousin y/n had been staying with us for the summer, you should see all the books she reads”.

The Colonel had stopped in his tracks, his mind began to wonder as he came back to reality. He smiled politely at Elinor “ah indeed, I imagine books are a good source for many young lady’s imaginations to explore”.

The Colonel was quite polite, he had read a great source of books back in the day mostly about battle tactics and the atlas of the world. He was never exactly one for fairytales or fantasies, he thought they were more for children. The only time he had read some of the sort was when he was a child, his mother would read to him in bed. It was quite a hard time back then, he had never really thought about settling down that was until he met a woman, unfortunately she had passed but the thought of her still ran through his mind. The Colonel did hold an attraction of sorts towards Elinor’s younger sister Marianne who resembled his long-lost beloved. The youth of the girl had brought back memories, every time he had tried to grow close with Marianne, she had pushed him away. The Colonel had tried every bit of affection he could offer but the girl held affections toward another man Mr Willoughby. The young lad was certainly much more charming than the old Colonel, he was much more in age range, and he had more desirable features.

“Indeed, however mother wishes for y/n to eventually settle down with a suitor” Elinor couldn’t help but think how alike she was to Marianne in some ways. “She’s too caught up in her own imagination, claiming she wishes to venture into the world and see new things”.

The Colonel had never heard of such a woman, the thought of y/n had made his mind go into a whirl of lust. The young woman had become the object of his attention since the first day, he kept her ribbon as a sign he hoped to see her again. This had felt out of character for such a reserved man, but it had been quite some time since he had been infatuated with another.

“I must ask Elinor, where is y/n, is she around” he asked, it would take another miracle to just catch another glimpse of the fair lady.

“Indeed, she is inside spending time with Margret and Marianne” Elinor smiled; she led the Colonel back toward the cottage.

Meanwhile inside a small room, Marianne sat down on the lounge with a cup of tea in her hands. She watched in amusement as y/n was playing with her younger sister Margret. Marianne had a close relationship with y/n, the two were almost like sisters despite being cousins. Marianne had thought fondly of how adventurous and kind y/n was towards everyone even if they were quite harsh. Marianne sipped her tea as she laughed lightly at y/n’s silly game.

“And then what happened” Margret laughed, “The fiery breath of the beast bellowed out a laugh as the knight prepared to capture the dragon” Y/n held her arms out exaggeratedly, she tried to mimic the voice and body of the dragon. “I shall eat you unless you wish to offer me gold” Y/n spoke lowly, she stepped up on the table. “Y/n careful, mother will get mad if you break it” Marianne spoke with caution.

“It’s only a game Marianne, mother won’t know” Margret reassured her.

Y/n turned grinning as she held her arms out “this dragon shall eat thy knight, you better start running”. Margret laughed as she began to run out of the room playfully, y/n jumped from the table to chase after her. Marianne amusedly stared at y/n “I must say is it those books that have gotten to your head”.

“I mean in what world would a lady want to be a hideous beast that breaths fire” Marianne questioned. “I wouldn’t mind being a winged beast, imagine flying freely and having no one telling you what to do and shooing away pestering humans with a roaring fire” y/n smiled.

Marianne scoffed at how childish y/n was being “yes well I’m sure you would make a fine beast” she laughed. Y/n had placed her scarf around her back, it reenacted like a cape, a cape which served the purpose of being the wings. Y/n had tried to chase Margret through the house, she called out her name but to no avail. “Alright, my sir knight, this dragon has given in, you shall take my gold” Y/n smiled walking along the wooden floor through the hallway. While y/n trailed through, she heard a noise, more like a small “tap” coming from the window outside.

Y/n followed the noise coming from the window through the echoing room of the guest bedroom. To her astoundment she had spotted an owl, an owl carrying a letter within in its beak. Y/n thought she was going mad, although there must’ve been some plausible explanation; the owl could’ve simply stolen a gentleman’s post by mistake. “Excuse me, I believe that’s not your letter” y/n muttered to herself. The owl calmly sat on the windowsill as y/n walked close, “How odd” she thought “How odd, the owl is not flying away in fear”. Y/n calmly reached her hand toward the owl, the letter was a black sheet with a green stamp over the middle with the symbol letter being “S”.

Y/n had grabbed the letter as the owl calmly offered it, y/n examined the letter, it read her name and address. “Is this a jest” she asked the owl, the owl replied in a squawk. Y/n ripped the stamp off as she pulled out the light piece of paper.

“To miss Y/n,

If you recall last night, I have spoken about the position of being my assistant. My apologies If I have vanished with no thought, I couldn’t bring attention to myself or at least the muggles.

I don’t usually offer positions as such; many have annoyed me with their stupidity or don’t understand the consequences. I may know you may not speak highly of me, I’m not exactly one for “class” or so you muggles put it.

I shall not ramble for long as I’m sure my boring words are putting you to sleep.

If you are by the slightest chance interested, I will await you at my abode, the house through the forest.

Yours not sincerely,

Severus Snape”.

Y/n smiled in excitement, she had not forgotten about the night with the man, he had peaked y/n’s fascination since the beginning of last night. She felt the pit of her stomach light up in a fire as she was offered a job. Y/n had wanted something to do that wasn’t just playing the piano or trying to be suited for a man. She wanted freedom, to work, to have a chance at being successful at something. Y/n held the letter to her chest and flopped on the guest bed in excitement, her heart pounded with adoration. The owl must’ve thought how odd this human was for simply seeing a letter.

“Oh, when shall I go, tomorrow no, now, I must go now” Y/n rushed to her feet and scattered to find her things. “Firstly, I must find my books, yes books as they provide the knowledge and then my belongings so I can look professional” y/n was in frantic rush, like she was about to be interviewed for something important. Margret from down the hall observed y/n as she grabbed many things “Y/n where are you going, you’re acting like you’re in a rush to tidy your room before mother finds you”.

Y/n had no time to think, she wore an elegant dress with a scarf that wrapped around her back. “Oh dear Margret, I must be off to-“ y/n had to think for a moment, she couldn’t be seen working as it would be looked down upon. “I’m off to meet with a dear friend, where going for a picnic” y/n quickly thought up “oh a picnic, can I come” Margret chirped up.

“Certainly not, I think you’ll find it far too boring, imagine sitting there with two boring old people talking” y/n smiled, she knelt to Margaret’s eye level. “Here, take this, it’s a book about a princess going on a grand adventure” y/n handed over the book.

Margret smiled as she received y/n’s book “Very well, but promise you’ll bring me something delicious”. Y/n held her pinkie up to Margret’s “Promise” she whispered.

Y/n walked fast, she had to be out the door before her aunt had caught her going off. Y/n had just about left through the door when Elinor called out “Y/n”. Y/n jumped to a stop, she could feel the adrenaline rush all at once “dear lord Elinor, you caused me a fright”. Elinor wandered toward y/n as she raised an eyebrow “y/n, where are you heading at this hour”.

Y/n stuttered for a moment “U-uh”, Elinor was confused on y/n’s manner, she had never acted as such. Y/n smiled as best as she could, she had to try her best to not act suspicious “Elinor, I will explain everything when I come back”. Y/n scampered quickly out through the main area of the house; the front door swung open with ease as y/n began to trail from the front porch to the forest.

The forest was quite far, she had no horse nor carriage to carry her, but y/n wouldn’t mind she needed to keep this on the down low. The dirt road had no carriages nor horses trailing through, y/n quickly walked down the road alone.

In the distance of the trail, the Colonel had caught sight of y/n walking off alone in a forest. It seemed dangerous for a lady to trail off on her own, even down such a dangerous path. The Colonel wasted no time and hopped on his horses saddle. He rode the horse to follow y/n, if something dangerous were to occur then at least he had the authority to stop it. After all no one would dare try anything as he was a high-ranking officer. He wasn’t exactly a knight in shining Armor, he was quite the opposite rather, he acted cold and distant. He intruded at the most inconvenient times, and he only ever talked to Elinor instead of Marianne.

The Colonel trotted along the dirt road, y/n on the other hand was trying to look for some sort of trail or path that could lead her to this house. To y/n’s annoyance all she could see was trees, the letter provided no sign of landmark it could be near nor any sort of map. Y/n tried to focus, to her surprise she could see a faint path, of course that must’ve been the trail to follow “straight to the forest and into a house”. Y/n was about to trail through the forest path when she heard a horse trotting behind her. “Miss y/n, what is your intention of going somewhere alone” the Colonel asked slightly worried. Y/n frightfully jumped; she turned her whole body to face the Colonel sitting on his horse. “Colonel Brandon, forgive me I was attending to go to a picnic” y/n smiled hoping he would go.

The Colonel hopped down from the horse’s saddle, y/n smiled out of politeness but, she hoped he would leave so she could find Snape. “I must be off Colonel, I bid you a good morning and farewell” y/n tried to follow through the trail in the woods. The Colonel instead had an offer “Miss y/n, the woods are quite dangerous for a young lady especially if one were to get lost”.

Y/n smiled politely “I can reassure you Colonel, I’m quite capable of knowing my way”. Y/n tried to give the hint, but it seemed the Colonel had no intention of leaving. “Miss y/n, I can provide you with an adequate travel upon my horse, it would be quite faster” he stood up professionally, he held his hand out. Y/n politely declined the offer, she wanted to seek out this job offer without seeming like her social status would be looked down upon. “Forgive me, but I must truly decline, If I need you, I shall let you know” y/n gently gripped the Colonels hands to reassure him. He glanced into the youthful girl’s eyes; he was caught off guard as the girl smiled. The youthful features had brought back memories of his days with his old beloved Eliza who had passed. Y/n brought out a side to him which he buried for years since the time of his past.

The Colonel was caught in a trance, for a time he had never found anyone that could catch his sight as much as y/n could. The young woman smiled as she let go, the Colonel called “Y/n”. The woman turned to await the Colonels words “if you’re in trouble then please, don’t hesitate to call out, I shall be near if in trouble” he smiled.

Y/n nodded and bid the Colonel farewell; she trailed through the forest to find Snape’s house as he insisted.

The trail through the forest had grown quite long and deary, y/n had to trudge through thick leaves. Y/n was trying to cover her face from all the overgrown twigs and branches curling around the area. While trying to make it through the forest, y/n had accidentally stepped in mud, she sighed in annoyance. This dress was supposed to be her best one but then again, she had plenty of others. It wasn’t all terrible y/n had read about many adventures like this, although the hero would always somehow magically make it out of the woods. Y/n didn’t give up and tried to trudge through the mud like she was some sort of cadet.

Y/n walked further and further down the muddy path until she slipped and fell onto her behind. Y/n used a tree branch in hopes she would be able to get up, at least no one was watching, or it would be quite embarrassing well, so she thought.

“Miss y/n, it appears getting lost Is your favorite activity” a slur of a man had been heard from behind her. “Mr Snape, forgive me I-“ Y/n was cut off “I knew your dim witted brain couldn’t figure out how to trail through the woods”. Y/n got offended “now hang on just a minute sir, you can’t call me dimwitted when you’ve provided me no map”.

Snape raised an eyebrow “ever heard of looking on the back”, y/n grabbed out the piece of paper “there’s nothing even there” she complained.

Snape snatched the piece of paper from y/n’s grasp “right here”, he handed the letter back to y/n. It must’ve seemed like a dream because y/n could’ve sworn it was blank where as now, it was showing a map with a trail to the house through the forest. “Mr Snape, my eyes did not deceive me when I mean there was no map here before” y/n pointed.

“Well, there is now” he said coldly, y/n grumbled at the man’s remark “have you ever heard of kindness or perhaps the word consideration”. “plenty” he slowly replied coldly, y/n grabbed her dress in annoyance as Snape guided her through the mud to the path. “Welcome miss y/n to my home” Snape showed his house, it was quite mattered and certainly not a prince’s boudoir of sorts. “Oh Snape, it’s rather wonderful” y/n had been taught not to be impolite about one’s living matter. “I can tell in your tone you were expecting something more, we can’t all be blessed with nice things miss y/n” Snape replied as he helped y/n through the forest.

“No Mr Snape, it’s exactly what I expected, I’m thankful for what I’m given” y/n smiled sincerely. “I think what you’re offering me is what many ladies would aspire to want, I want to work hard so I can achieve my own succession”. Snape stared at the girl’s bright smile, it was like you could give her a piece of paper and she would still be grateful. Snape’s eyes narrowed “I believe achieving greatness is something to strive for”.

Y/n confidentially walked out of the mud right to the door, she didn’t care about the brown stains on her dress. “So Mr Snape when shall we start” y/n smiled, she clasped her hands together covered in silk gloves.

Snape opened the creaky old door in the woods, laying all over the floor was Jars of an unknown substance and book’s pages were scattered everywhere. What caught y/n’s eye was the cauldron sitting in the middle of the room, boiling from some sort of heat source. It reminded y/n of a witch’s house, y/n was polite of course and didn’t comment on the appearance. “I assume that’s your morning tea” y/n laughed. Snape did not react instead he handed y/n a list “Firstly the rules I instruct must be followed, if you disobey, I shall make you clean this entire house with nothing more than an owl’s feather”.

Y/n looked sincere, surely there was no way that was possible, Snape started to give out the rules to which y/n took seriously. “Firstly, don’t touch anything and secondly don’t snoop anywhere your mind shall question, am I understood” Snape asked.

“Of course, I shall do my best” y/n smiled excitedly; surely the rules aren’t hard to follow. Y/n was given a list of ingredients.

1.      Baneberry

2.      Blowfly

3.      Bat wing

4.      Bezoar

5.      Flubberworm mucus

6.      Frog brain

7.      Horned toad

8.      Horsehair

9.      Nettle

10.  Pearl dust

 Y/n furrowed her eyebrows as if she had was on another planet with a list of unknown words. “What in the world bat wings, frog brain, horned toads, horsehair, FLUBBERWORM MUCUS!?!” Y/n thought. Surely this man can’t be serious, y/n stared flabbergasted at the list as Snape was busy trying to brew something in the cauldron. Y/n gathered herself, if she were to keep her position, she needed to act professional. The first-place y/n started to look was the cabinets, all the labels were written with smudged ink, although the first thing y/n found was a jar of the first item.

1.      Baneberry

2.      Blowfly

3.      Bat wing

4.      Bezoar

5.      Flubberworm mucus

6.      Frog brain

7.      Horned toad

8.      Horsehair

9.      Nettle

10.   Pearl dust

Y/n used a pencil to cross off the first item off the list, she tried to find something she could use to carry all the ingredients in. Y/n one by one slowly started to cross off all the items on the list except for one.

1.      Baneberry

2.      Blowfly

3.      Bat wing

4.      Bezoar

5.      Flubberworm mucus

6.      Frog brain

7.      Horned toad

8.      Horsehair

9.      Nettle

10.  Pearl dust

“Flubberworm mucus” y/n muttered, she needed to find the last ingredient for Mr Snape. y/n had no idea what that even was, let alone she looked through all the Jars with labels including the one on the ground to no avail. Y/n was determined to find it, she wanted to prove to Snape she was capable of being something more, something more than a snoopy dunderhead. Y/n looked above and around to which she was astonished to see the jar right above-.

“Oh, dear heavens” y/n muttered, it was a shelf right above where Snape was. Y/n nodded, she agreed to herself she would get the last ingredient with no trouble. Y/n grabbed a chair from beneath the table and stood up trying to aim herself to where the Flubberworm mucus Jar was. Snape on the other hand was trying to stir using a wooden spoon, it certainly did look like something a witch would use. Y/n wasted no time and tried to use her hands to reach the flubberworm mucus Jar, her dress dangled from below and her silky gloves were covered in mud and dirt. The chair was wobbly and to which y/n had hoped it wouldn’t snap, just as the universe seemed on her side. Y/n’s fingers had touched the Jar “Yes” y/n smiled with glee. The chair from beneath y/n’s feet had begun to topple “Woah!” y/n screamed.

Before y/n reached the bottom of the floor, Snape had pulled out a wand and uttered “Winguardium Leviosa”. Y/n hadn’t crashed but neither was she on the ground “I’m, I’m floating, goodness me I’m floating” y/n spoke bewildered.

Snape had placed his wand back into his cloak “Merlin now look what I’ve done, she’s never going to leave me alone, all she’ll do is bombard me with her nosy questions” he thought. Y/n was let down with a ‘Thud’, “Mr Snape, I was floating” she was still in shock from the incident. “Yes, do you wish to repeat once more” Snape sneered, “How, how did I do that” y/n had to experiment. Y/n tried to jump which didn’t work, perhaps it was something based on emotion “Mr Snape, what I just experienced is something no man has discovered, I should perhaps write this experience”.

Snape furrowed his brows in annoyance as heard the woman’s voice bid him with useless titles. “It shall be called, the floating woman, no wait too ordinary” y/n was thinking hard much to Snape’s annoyance. “I got it, a witch’s tale, it shall be one of new science and discovery” y/n was acting frantic “I, I need a pencil and paper-“.

Snape was fed up with y/n’s assumption “no you stupid muggle, it wasn’t you, I casted the spell”. Y/n’s eyes grew in shock “you, you’re a witch”, Snape shook his head “correction miss y/n, a wizard, a male with magic”. Y/n’s eyes glanced to the wand in Snape’s pocket, it was black she couldn’t presume what exact length it was, but it seemed she was rather taken back by the look. “Is that a wand” y/n had heard of such tales from her story books. Snape concluded her before she would give him a headache with all her questions “Miss y/n, I suggest you read this, it should answer all those endearing questions you have locked away in your mind”.

Y/n didn’t exactly question it, she smiled eagerly grabbing the book from the old melancholy wizard’s hands. “Thank you Mr Snape, this has been such an exciting day” y/n had nearly forgotten the time “oh my goodness, it’s nearly sunset, I should get going before my aunt worries about me”. Y/n curtsied to Snape politely, Y/n nearly scampered out of the home “I expect you back here tomorrow y/n, we shall be looking at brewing potions”.

Y/n smiled widely “of course, you’ve been such marvelous man Mr Snape”, y/n waved quickly before running with the book back to her home cottage. Snape watched as the young woman scampered, the comment y/n made him nearly soften. Snape wouldn’t show much emotion around anyone, he was a mystery that barely the world didn’t bother to uncover. It had been so long since he had company, let alone someone with an odd intellect. Snape walked back inside his crumpled home; he stared out the window as peace now covered the house. He must admit, she wasn’t terrible, he somewhat almost seemed to miss the young girl’s pestering.

Y/n ran back through the forest toward her home, the path Mr Snape had shown her was now easier from when she came in. In the distance through the woods, she spotted her cottage, y/n walked back to her little abode. Upon arriving at the front door Mrs Dashwood frantically grabbed y/n’s shoulders “where were you, goodness you were missing all day, you missed afternoon tea”. Y/n smiled reassuringly “fret not dear aunt, I was merely having a picnic with a dear friend close by”.

Mrs Dashwood nearly gasped from all the dirt and mud covered on y/n’s dress. “My goodness y/n, your dress is covered in filth” Mrs Dashwood observed, “yes indeed, perfectly good explanation for that”. Y/n went inside giggling like some sort of child, Elinor was sitting with Marianne in the lounge when they spotted y/n. Elinor gasped at y/n’s dress “oh my goodness, y/n your dress” she pointed out, “it’s filthy” Marianne commented.

Y/n ignored her cousin’s comments “yes, yes say no more, aunty has already spotted out”. Y/n smiled carrying the book to her room, of course she had planned to have a bath and toss the dirty dress. “Did you not know how mother was worried about you, the Colonel had searched everywhere for you” Elinor questioned “we were all worried you had gotten lost”. Y/n nodded “indeed but rest assured dear Elinor I am safe”.

Marianne glanced at Elinor “y/n, have you no consideration toward how long you were gone”. Y/n replied, “of course I have consideration”.

Y/n held her hands together in a lady like manner “my sincere apologies Elinor, Marianne and to Mrs Dashwood, perhaps I have been a little selfish and should’ve considered telling you”. The two sisters glanced at y/n; Elinor nodded as she replied, “very well but please do tell mother as she worries about you”.

Y/n held Elinor’s hand “You’re like my sisters, I would never want to do anything that would make you worry”. Y/n smiled at Marianne as she looked back with a smile “we know y/n”.

Y/n nodded and started to run upstairs, just as she did the Colonel had entered. Marianne pretended to read just so the Colonel couldn’t bother her “Elinor, Marianne has y/n returned safely”. Elinor softly spoke “indeed but much to the dismay of her dress”. The Colonel asked, “May I know where she is”, Elinor replied “y/n ran to her room however she was carrying some strange, large book”.

The Colonel smiled thanking Elinor; Marianne scoffed at the sight of the old, reserved Brandon. He trailed up the stairs to see if y/n was alright, hopefully there was no sight of her having any broken bones nor even any bruises. The door to y/n’s room was creaked open, the Colonel didn’t intrude. He had planned to ask y/n where she had been, however as he observed y/n and he knows this was un-gentlemanly, but he couldn’t help but notice y/n’s appearance.

Y/n was laid on the bed, her hair was no longer tied and had fallen loosely over her. Y/n’s eyes were scanning the book, her lips perked slightly open as she smiled in fascination. The girl’s legs were dangling up as she crossed them, her night gown had a white silk which hung down. The Colonel was caught in a trance once more, the brightness of the young woman brought something to his eyes. He lifted his hand gently and touched the door, before he did anything else that may make him caught, he stood up professionally and knocked. “Miss y/n, may I ask your permission to speak with you” he heard a book slam shut and footsteps come up to the door “yes, indeed”. Y/n had opened her door “I’m glad your safe and sound, Mrs Dashwood was quite worried about you”.

Y/n smiled softly “indeed, however rest assured I’m safe”, the Colonel had sighed to himself “to be fair I had started to worry myself, I searched everywhere for you”. Y/n nodded “yes, but now you’ve found me bravo”, he replied with caution “miss y/n, I must say I’ve forgot to return something for you”. The Colonel pulled out of his pocket, y/n’s ribbon “if you remember from that day, I had met first met you, I had meant to return it, but I couldn’t find you”.

Y/n smiled thankfully “ah thank you”, the colonel placed the silky charm into y/n’s palm. Y/n held out her hand “here, give me your hand”. He held his palm out in curiosity, y/n rolled up the Colonels sleeve as she tied the ribbon neatly into a bow around his wrist. “Um, well this is” he had never experienced such a practice “take it as my gift Colonel, you may use it as a bookmark” y/n smiled. The Colonel didn’t complain as he politely bowed toward y/n “My dearest y/n, I consider my gratitude toward your gift”.

Y/n smiled and nodded “excellent Mr Brandon, I must be off to bed farewell”, the young woman shut the door as the Colonel stares at the ribbon in confusion. His fingers lingered over the silky bow however he jumped as he heard a voice behind him “Colonel, what are you doing”. Marianne questioned him “Forgive me my dear lady, I should’ve asked permission to come up here, I was checking on y/n to make sure she was all in good health”.

Marianne dismissed him and walked past him “very well however please don’t stay for long, we must be off too bed as I’m sure you must”. The colonel bowed politely as Marianne dismissed him. she was not in the mood to talk with him at this hour. To which he slightly hoped she would be quite grateful he had searched all over to find her cousin.

Elinor had awaited downstairs as the Colonel bid the Dashwood’s farewell, he had planned to return in days’ time. As the Colonel had exited through the front door, he caught sight of the ribbon on his hand. He remembered y/n’s smile and dashing brightness of her warmth; he had recalled touch of her hand wrapping the ribbon around in a bow. She was an extraordinary young lady that he had developed an attraction to, y/n a girl not of this world but far greater than anyone he had ever met.

Y/n laid in bed; she swore the next morning she would go to visit Snape. He offered her something that would change her life, for the better or worse.

Anyways that's all I have for now:

Ta Ta ✨️

[hansolmates]

distance learning (m)

banner done by the beautiful @eerieedits​

summary; after their first hookup, jungkook isn’t so sure whether you’re serious about being exclusive. after all, people say things during sex. jungkook takes it in his own hands to figure out where you stand, and he realizes soon enough that eavesdropping is a bad habit pairing; neighbor!jungkook x (f) reader genre/warnings; fluff, humor, crack, insecure!jk, unresolved sexual tension, stressed!mc, this is really just unnecessary drama bc drama is fun™, sexting, dom kook’s still a meanie in control, posession kink, cock slapping, a blowjob, cockwarming, unprotected, creampie, squirting, (wrap the pickle before u tickle folks) and of course the excessive use of the petname [redacted] w/c; 6.1k a/n; haaaaaa three months later im finally posting pt 2! i figured that no matter how many times i edit/reread at this point i think it’s time to finally let this beast go!!! enjoyyy click here for part 1: remote learning drabbles; 01

if you enjoy this, please considering giving our pasta couple a like n’share💚

It’s been a week since the thing.

The remote-controlled vibrator thing. 

The whole sappy-love-confesion-during-sex thing. 

Jungkook is antsy, tail tucked in, perpetually wondering whether he went too far. You seemed to like it, and Jungkook definitely loved it. It was spicy and dirty and hot, and at the same time Jungkook thought he really made progress in expressing his feelings for you. Not only that, you said you liked him back!

At least, he thought you did. 

“I really said I’d feed her lasagna and cum in the same sentence,” Jungkook bemoans into his pillow, which still lingers faintly of your Redken shampoo. “I’m disgusting. She thinks I’m disgusting.” 

People say things during sex, Jungkook knows that. In the throes of passion and pleasure, people will say anything that comes to their mind, anything that fits the mood. Of course, you’d be tied in and say you like him back. But did you like him back as a friend? As a fuckbuddy? As something more? 

“Fucking text her,” Taehyung is tired of Jungkook’s wallowing, everytime he checks in on the app developer he’s brooding in one of three places. Today’s his bedroom. Taehyung dips under the blankets, and steals Jungkook’s pillow right under his nose.

Jungkook suppresses a whimper, face melding into the blankets. Now that pillow is going to smell like Taehyung.

“Text her what,” Jungkook replies despondently. 

“I don’t know, something along the lines of ‘I wanna follow through with my proposition of feeding you my cum and lasagna—not simultaneously. Wanna go on a date this weekend?’ It’s that simple,” Taehyung gets up in Jungkook’s face, dark eyes forcing him to bore right in. “Want me to do it for you?” 

“Noo, I’m an adult I can—”

“I did it for you.” 

Jungkook nearly knocks into Taehyung’s hard head, sitting up straight when he notices his phone behind his roommate’s back. This is what he gets for sharing passwords. Thankfully, the message is cleaner than Taehyung’s words, and you’ve already replied. 

[1:23] Jungkook: would you like to go out for dinner this weekend? pasta and wine?

[1:25] You: it’s a busy week this week 🥺 raincheck? 

“Was the sex that bad?” Taehyung frowns, reading the message twice. 

“N-no,” Jungkook is sweating. He isn’t sure anymore. 

Taehyung hands Jungkook back his phone, slowly, as if you’ll reply back with a change of your mind. Jungkook is a deflated balloon on his bed, feeling like a bum in his ratty sweater and a dateless weekend. 

“It’s just that,” Taehyung puts a hand on his lip, mulling, “busy people don’t reply that fast. Like even if she wasn’t busy, there’s a fifteen-minute leeway before replying.” 

This silly rule overrides Jungkook’s mind for the rest of the week. 

The gyms have been reopened for months, and Jungkook’s trainer misses him dearly. Jungkook meets with Saeroyi in the morning, eager to get a few jabs in with some fresh equipment. He tries to move on, distract himself with a couple of pumps and a match with Saeroyi. It feels great to sweat it off, but it doesn’t help sway Jungkook’s incessant thoughts. 

The ball is in your court now, Jungkook has nothing to do but wait. Some people are just bad texters, maybe you just happened to have your phone near you when Taehyung sent the message. Maybe you just wanted to cut Jungkook off as quickly as possible so you decided to reply fast and rip the band-aid. 

No, you’re definitely not that cold-hearted. 

Re-entering his apartment complex, his eyes linger towards where your room lies on the first floor. It’s all the way at the end of the hallway, and he’s tempted to just confront you and make sure that what you and him really had is indeed, over. Conversely, you could just really be having a bad week and you genuinely do want a raincheck. 

Jungkook’s eyes trail to his form. Still in his gym clothes, and a little sweaty from the travel time. If he gets caught, he can just tell you he’s doing a cooldown by running across the hallways. Not the first time it’s happened, afterall it led him to you at one point. 

He breaks into a soft jog, making a beeline to your front door. His feet squish against your old welcome mat. You haven’t changed it since Halloween, and he smiles fondly at the black scripted “Boo Y’all” written in script next to a chibi-ghost. 

His heart beats faster as his hand lingers by the door, ready to knock. Deep breaths. Who knows, he could just be overthinking (like usual.) 

“Fuck, Hobi!” 

Jungkook freezes, his knuckles a centimeter away from your door. He backs up as if he’s been burned. His heart has fallen all the way down to his ass, and intends to stay there because now he feels like a damn fool. 

The bed is creaking relentlessly, a rhythmic pattern that has Jungkook’s face crumbling at every spring. Jungkook’s face hovers over the door, his ear brushing against the wood. 

“C’mon, bunny,” the male voice is teasing, “you know you love having me over. It would satisfy both of us if you’d just let it go.” 

Bunny. A cute pet name, for sure. The way it rolls off the stranger’s tongue is natural, as if he’s been saying it for years. But what about being his doll, is that not good enough? 

You’re huffy, taking deep breaths. He doesn’t want to hear anymore. Jungkook has put himself through enough self-wallowing for the week. What if he was just a stepping stone to meeting new people that will satisfy you better? What if you just needed one good orgasm to get your flow back, and Jungkook’s job is done? Sure, there were no strings attached when he proposed to have sex with you, but he thought… 

No more thinking. Jungkook jogs away from the door, even going so far is to jog all the way up to the penthouse. 

He hates this. 

You hate this. 

It’s been five days since Hoseok’s arrival, and you are going bonkers. Why couldn’t he get a hotel or an AirBnB? Because he’s cheap as fuck, that’s why. Your dinky cousin has been clinging to you like a lonely koala, and while you found it cute in the 5th grade, it doesn’t translate well nearly two decades later. 

Every morning is the same. You make a subpar toast and Nutella breakfast, letting Hoseok’s slices go cold as you log in for work. You’ve been clocking in earlier in the hopes to finish the majority of your tasks before Hoseok wakes up, because by then you can barely function. Once he wakes up, he’s relentless, bouncing on the bed and talking your head off while you try to concentrate on whatever your boss is telling you. Whenever he jumps too hard, your cheap mattress causes your laptop to fly, and the only thing you can do is curse him out. Sometimes he plays Disney movies and sings in tandem, choreography and all. 

You know that Hoseok is stressed and this is his outlet, and you don’t have it in you to stop his incessant habits. He’s visiting your area because of a lucrative job offer nearby and the interviews are sporadic, making Hoseok linger in your apartment for hours at a time until he’s summoned for whatever test they want to throw at him. 

Most of the interviews are in the evening, and it’s when you can clock back in and finish your leftover assignments while Hoseok is also working. By the time he returns, you’re dog tired and so is he. 

Every night, you try to move away from Hoseok’s clingy self, as he grapples onto your waist and slings a thigh over your belly. You wish it were someone else sharing the bed with you. 

If you bring Jungkook into the picture however, you’d be burnt for the week. Complete crumbs. It would be too much stimulation for you, having to balance work, Hoseok’s incessant attitude, and putting on a face for Jungkook. Your relationship with the penthouse neighbor is barely budding, hardly watered considering Hoseok’s sudden visit. You cling to the fact that in a couple days you would be giving your undivided attention to Jungkook, most of your priorities out of the way, and most importantly, you’ll have your own room back. 

Maybe you could surprise him by giving him a pasta dinner, just like he proposed. 

Unable to get the thought out of your head, you blindly reach for your phone on the nightstand. It’s late, very late for a workday. The blue screen burns your eyes a bit, but you're determined to at least check up on Jungkook. You can’t take too long, otherwise you won’t be able to sleep and get him out of your head. Dear, unassuming cousin Hoseok is fast asleep next to you, due to the fact it’s nearly midnight. Making sure not to disrupt him, you carefully cup your phone in your hands, putting it on the lowest light setting. 

[11:54] You: hey, hope work hasnt been as draining for u as it’s been for me  ☠️  what’s your opinion on pasta sauces, red or white? 

Jungkook is normally a fast texter, at least from your experience. It’s you that’s the sporadic texter, sometimes taking hours to reply, other times in seconds. It never really mattered until now, however. But it takes five, ten, and finally fifteen minutes before you get a response. 

[12:09] Jungkook: ??? 

You frown, wondering what you said wrong. 

[12:10] You: do you not wanna do pasta anymore? Are you craving something else now?

[12:10] Jungkook: i don’t think it’d work out 

[12:10] You: why? 

[12:11] Jungkook: im sure you know why, bunny. 

Strange. He’s never called you bunny before, and in your opinion you think he’d be the bunny in the relationship—soft and cuddly on the outside, and an absolute horn ball in bed. Is this some sort of weird power play? Is he being passive aggressive on purpose? Whatever this game is, you’re not into it. Grumbling under your breath, you snake out of bed, looking blindly for your slippers in the dark. You’ll be in and out of Jungkook’s apartment in ten minutes. 

Just as your hand brushes the doorknob, your new roommate calls for you. 

“Bunny?” Hoseok calls blearily, and you’re staring straight at his cookie-printed eye mask, “what time is it, where are you going?” 

“Um, out,” you reply shortly, “I forgot I left my laundry in the dryer.” 

“Oh, m’kay. Come back soon, y’know I can’t sleep alone.” 

It’s then you realize. Bunny. Jungkook thinks that Hoseok and you are a thing. He really needs to stop eavesdropping on you. 

You feel your pussy frown. Your cousin is such a cockblock and he doesn’t even know it. Without an answer, you slip through your door and into the first free elevator. As you zing up the floors with the magical 1234 code, you work and rework your hair in and out of its style, wondering if you’ll look more presentable with your hair messy or thrown back. 

As soon as you reach the penthouse, you burst into action. “Jungkook!” you cry, pounding the front door, “it’s a misunderstanding, open up!” 

The door immediately swings open after the first three knocks, and you punch Taehyung in the chest. 

“You look awful,” Kim Taehyung drawls. Taehyung is wearing nothing but a cranberry red silk kimono, and you have to avert your eyes and focus on his face, which is even worse because he’s looking at you like an all-knowing psychic. 

“Gee, thanks,” you try to move past him, but he’s blocking the door. 

“Jungkook’s in a meeting with some foriegn developers,” Taehyung talks with his hands, pretending like he has any idea of the nature of his roommate’s job, “when it’s this late he doesn’t leave his office until morning. Door’s locked.” 

“Well then, can you relay a message?” 

“Depends, is this message going to hurt him further?” 

Oh my goodness, when Taehyung wants to be he is such an enabler. “Tell Jungkook he’s done wallowing. Instead of jumping to conclusions, maybe he should’ve just asked me why we couldn’t go on a date this week.” 

“You could’ve also just told him you have a man on the side.” 

“Ohmygod you two are two iotas of a combined braincell!” you shove your hands in your pocket, hotly scrolling through your phone so you can shove a picture in his face. “This is Jung Hoseok, my cousin who derailed my plans this week by crashing in my too-tiny apartment and forced me to raincheck with Jungkook. He’s a blabbermouth and would tell everyone—my parents, my grandparents, my great-aunts—about Jungkook if he found out I was dating, and I’m not ready for that,” you zoom in on the picture, despite the fact that the screen is practically touching Taehyung’s nose, “and the reason Hoseok calls me bunny is not sexual—you two are fucking gross—I had front tooth problems in elementary school and I had a brace on my two big teeth, it was not pretty.” 

“Ah, bunny.” Taehyung echoes with wide eyes, looking at you as if you’re now the one with sage wisdom, “it all makes sense now.” He gulps, taking in the old photo of a mini-Hoseok and you, yourself frowning to cover your huge braces and Hoseok trying to pull your gums apart with his greasy little fingers. 

Satisfied by Taehyung’s evident squirming, you decide you’re too tired to further this interaction. “Tell the other half of your cell for me, will ya?” You’re already turning away, pressing repeatedly at the elevator button, “I would love to go on a date with him as soon as he gets his head out of his ass.” 

Jungkook is tired, but not tired enough to murder Taehyung and make it look like an accident. 

When he has late meetings, Taehyung is usually quieter around the apartment, and even gets Jungkook a hot meal once he wakes up in the afternoons. Today, Jungkook slept through and through. Normally he’d wake up midway to Taehyung’s television dramas, or the clanging of last night’s dishes but nope, not a peep. 

And today’s hot meal is takeout from Jungkook’s favorite ramen restaurant. That only means one thing—something has gone to shit and Taehyung feels guilty. 

Jungkook sips his tonkotsu impossibly slow, hearing Taehyung’s words—your words from last night—clear as day. Taehyung even describes in detail where the nickname bunny comes from, down to how miserable you looked in the photo with your monstrously metal-bent teeth. Oh, how he wishes he can swaddle you between the blankets, hold you and comfort you while you deal with your family. 

[2:45] Jungkook: doll, im so sorry

[2:45] Jungkook: please, i booked us a weekend at that new spa that just opened downtown. The tickets are flex, so if your cousin doesn’t leave by then week we can always reschedule 

[2:51] Jungkook: baby doll… 

This is far worse than believing you didn’t like him. Now Jungkook is antsy, knowing you deserve all the space in the world because of how silly he was being. You owe him nothing. If he just waited it out until you were ready, he wouldn’t be in this mess. He’s potato-esque throughout the day, thankfully Taehyung gives him space as he watches hours of mindless television. 

You don’t reply until very late into the night. 

[10:10] You: IM ALIVE--barely!! And mr. jeon, you’re not only a triple texter, but an ellipsis texter???? You’re asking for trouble

Jungkook has no shame, immediately texting you back. He can’t help it, he’s smitten. 

[10:12] Jungkook: taehyung explained everything. It’s all his fault. Don’t ask why, it’s his fault. Im so sorry. 

[10:12] You: mm, it’s okay. Just a misunderstanding. I was pretty upset last night, but i’ve been pretty tired this week so my fuse is short. 

[10:14] Jungkook: you should go to sleep now, doll. We’ll have time together after your cousin leaves

[10:14] You: just a couple more minutes. Miss u and your cute face 

[10:16] Jungkook: 

[10:16] Jungkook: will this hold u off until saturday?

Jungkook is a pile of goo. Pink, warm, happy heart-glittered goo. It takes a minute for you to reply, and for that whole minute Jungkook is kicking his legs under the sheets of his bed like an eager five-year old who just gave his crush his Valentine. Maybe it’s taking you so long to reply because you’re trying to send a selfie of your own, running off to the bathroom to take a cute selfie if your cousin is asleep in bed. 

[10:19] You: fuck, i kno that’s supposed to be a cute selfie, but i want you so bad. I want to sit on your face, let your lips glisten with my pussy as i cum all over that pretty face

[10:19] You: i wanna touch myself so badly but fuckin’ hoseok is out here snoring like he’s gon hack a lung. Panties are so wet 🥺🥺 your doll is needy for you, wanna be played with

[10:20] Jungkook: lfjsdl;fkjs;fjsoisfoisljsdfsdklfjsdklf 

He throws his phone across the bed, feeling himself twitch in his red flannel pyjama bottoms. The thought of you so hot and needy when you’re ten floors down has Jungkook absolutely livid. He doesn’t know how he’s going to talk to you, comfort you without missing you like crazy. 

Jungkook thinks back to what he has in his fridge. His contractor sent him a cheese assortment, maybe he can bring it down pretending to be a friendly neighbor. Maybe Hoseok can go to the convenience store to conveniently grab a bottle of wine. He can make both of you cum in five minutes, flat. 

Akin to a dumb, horny teenager, he sighs. He rubs his palm longingly over his member. He’s horny, but he’s also eager to see your face. Talk to you, get reacquainted with your routine and sneak his way into it. He wants to be a part of your life, and he’s hoping you will too. 

[5:02] You: Jungkook, you left me hanging last night

[5:05] Jungkook: baby doll… i wouldnt have been able to handle myself if we continued

[5:06] You: so you decided to dip :( 

[5:06] You: could u play with your doll a lil bit, kook? Hobi left for another interview

[5:08] You: PNG.0901

Jungkook was a fool to believe that you would drop him like that. No, Jungkook can see now that you two are a match made in heaven. You have a bite, never afraid to speak your mind when needed. This translates to a hunger you shamelessly share with Jungkook, both sexual and romantically intimate. He almost wishes he could’ve seen you act like a bitch to Taehyung last night, he can only imagine how sexy you looked telling him off. 

He has the technology to blow up your picture, the one that’s currently having him close his laptop and shove it to the side. He spreads his legs further across his glass desk, trying to find comfort between his tight pants as he absorbs every bit of your skin. 

It’s nothing too risque, but it’s nothing short of sensual. The room is dark, but it’s very clearly a picture of your hand between your thighs. Again, you’re between your wall and bed, squished between your office chair with your legs spread as far as they can go. Your skin is so soft looking, plush as you press two fingers between your damp panties. Adorable. 

[5:12] Jungkook: you know why i never replied last night? Because i was too busy jacking off to your dirty words doll. U really need your mouth washed

[5:12] You: wanna wash it with something else🍆

[5:12] You: please kook, i need something. Hoseok will come home soon and i might rip his head off. Help prevent a murder

Jungkook chuckles, clutching his phone closer to his body. He loves how much you’re opening up to him. Last week feels like so long ago, how you were all flushed and wide-eyed at the proposition of sex. He thinks you two can have a lot of fun getting to know each other, both emotionally and physically. 

[5:15] Jungkook: i was gonna wait until i sent this, but i think my doll needs it. Here’s what i was doing last night

[5:17] Jungkook: MP4.13

He… has a meeting in five minutes. A very important, very serious meeting. Jungkook jacked off enough last night, now it’s your turn. He hopes you like it. It’s not a very long video, barely a twenty-second clip of him fisting his cock. Taehyung was still home at the time, so he had to keep quiet. However, he couldn’t get the image of you out of his head that night, rubbing your thighs together in a cramped mattress as you try to erase the dirty thoughts of him. A murmur of your name, and the image of his precum dripping down his knuckles. You hope it’s enough. 

[5:34] You: u make everything so much easier💜✨

[5:35] You: MP4.234

Two minutes. The video you send is even shorter than his, barely fifteen seconds. You’re in a much more comfortable position, horizontal on the bed. Your shirt is ridden up to the underside of your breasts, one hand clutching your bare breast so hard he can see your cotton plush skin bulging between your fingers. The other hand has your panties shifted to the side, three fingers in your sopping cunt. 

“Mmh—fuck, f-uck Jungkook—” the words are mere breaths, puffs of air as you reach your orgasm. 

His call connects. He nearly drops his phone on the glass.  

“Jungkook!” Andreas from Germany wishes him brightly, “you look great, glowing even!” 

Jungkook blushes, and mutters something about having to go to the bathroom before they start. 

Taehyung makes himself scarce on Saturday. He packs a duffel bag for himself and takes the PlayStation, knowing it’ll be a long weekend at Jimin’s. 

Jungkook is on livewire for the morning. He even express-delivers a pasta roller to his house, and he spends all morning testing out the perfect pasta dough. His black apron is covered in flour, and he can barely comprehend the tutorial that’s teaching him on his flatscreen. 

He’s on autopilot. He hasn’t contacted you since he sent that selfie, and he doesn’t intend to. Jungkook understands why you made yourself scarce in the beginning of the week, preferring to raincheck and pin your relationship for a better time. Jungkook’s brain is overridden with you, swollen with thoughts of you. You would never be able to focus if you kept in contact like you did last night, especially if you can’t get away from Hoseok. 

Absence surely makes the heart grow fonder. 

Slapping his hands against his trousers, he surveys his handiwork. His pasta is appropriately floured and wrung, each handful of fresh dough wrapped in little nests. Off the stove is a bechamel sauce, a base ready to be cooked in whatever kind of pasta dish you want. He thinks the two of you would have fun making your own non-traditional pasta dishes. 

The soft knocks on his front door interrupts his train of thought, and he knows it’s you. 

You stand in front of the door, impossibly small in a large shirt and a plain pair of leggings. At the sight of Jungkook, a smile as warm and sweet as hot chocolate worms its way to your face, and you collapse into his arms. 

He sighs gratefully, sinking into your small body. When he pulls away, he can’t help but frown at your apparent exhaustion. You must’ve come back from something tedious, because sweat dots your brow and your eyes are still puffy and dark. Your chest arches bonelessly into his, hoping to melt in his embrace. 

“Hi,” you say.

“Hey,” he replies. 

“It’s Saturday.” 

“It is Saturday.” 

You rub your nose between the fabric of his button down, “I should’ve been more specific when I wanted to raincheck on you,” you murmur into the white cotton. 

“No, I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions,” Jungkook whispers, even though you’re the only two people on the floor, “I’ll make it better, yeah? I’m going to love you so good tonight, won’t have to lift a finger—” 

You shake your head, looking at him calmly. “Jungkook, it’s been a long week. Hobi got the job, I spent all this morning moving his two-ton speaker set into his new apartment. I don’t want anything gentle. I want you to rail me into next week,” Jungkook chokes on his saliva when you reach to cup his dick through his pants, already sporting a chub, “fuck me breathless. I want—no, I need this.”

Anything for you, but Jungkook isn’t going to let your mouth runneth over that easily. He wants that too, obviously. But again, you’ve made him wait. 

Bending slightly, Jungkook whispers darkly into your ear, “Who said you can decide the rules here, doll?”  he’s been waiting all week to slip back into this persona, one that has you shivering delightfully under his touch. A small, secret smile tucks itself under your lips as you tilt your head down, but Jungkook catches it. It shows you’ve missed it too. He lets your sneaky smile  slide for now, only because he’s missed you so much and you’ve had a long day. 

“If I wanna fuck you rough, I’ll fuck you rough. If I want to edge you until you're sobbing on the corner of the kitchen table, I’ll do it,” Jungkook spits every declaration into your skin, biting at your shoulder so hard you cry deliciously. 

He drags you over to the living room, and he could sing at how easily you follow directions. Both of you have been tied up this week, and some hard sex would definitely ease that frustration, “Knees,” Jungkook commands, and you waste no time sinking to the floor, hands atop your knees. 

You look up through your lashes, eyes big and glassy. His poor girl is tired, and he finds it all the more attractive that you’re willing to push that aside to make eachother feel good. 

“Pretty, pretty,” he chants, pulling down his pants and letting his dick spring free, “suck.” 

You waste no time, and he watches as your eyes dilate over the expanse of his cock, half-hard and ready for your mouth. Your nails dig into your knees as you start with featherlight kisses, finally turning into sloppy smacks as you lick all over his dick. 

Jungkook groans, weaving a hand into your hair to force his dick down your throat. You gag at the sudden intrusion, but it doesn’t stop you from taking it like a champ. Hard, deep thrusts that he’s sure you can feel all the way in your stomach. You gag at each thrust, but don’t let up as your hot tongue wraps him up and licks at the pre-cum. 

“Fuuuuck, doll,” he rips you away, his now hard dick springing away. He’s a little shaky on his knees, but he plants his feet down as he grips his cock, slapping the tip of it across your cheek. It smears your face, glossing your flushed cheeks in a mixture of your saliva and pre-cum. “Are you trying to make me cum first? So sweet, you don’t even care if you cum tonight, hmm? You owe me, making you believe you had another man.” 

This isn’t true, of course. The both of you know it was just miscommunication, but it doesn’t hurt to play it up for pleasure. 

“N-no Kook, I’m yours,” you grapple at his pants, pulling them down so he can get them off completely. 

“Right. You’re. Mine.” With every punctuated word is a light slap to your cheek, and you take it. His cock bounces right off of you, until you finally move your head to suckle at the engorged tip, “I’m keeping you forever, doll. Don’t you know that?” 

Throughout this whole process, you don’t move, other than the minute clawing at your knees. You’re so good to him. Jungkook pulls away and ignores the ache in his member for now, taking off your clothes for himself. It’s like unwrapping a gift, revealing every bit of skin reserved for his viewing. “So sexy,” he remarks once he’s got you bare, pulling you onto the couch. He’s still in his button down shirt, his date night shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbow. However, he lets your hands inch under the stiff fabric, feeling for his taut muscle. 

He guides your aching cunt to his cock, sinking you down. It’s a tight fit, and you both moan at the brush of contact. Despite not being prepped, you’re still slick, and it makes up for it. He doesn’t thrust up or anything, just guides his lips to yours with a threadbare brush of his finger. 

“Kook, d-do you want me to move?” you mumble against his cherry-flavored lip balm. 

“Good dolls don’t move until they’re told,” your eyes widen innocently at the statement, and you crumple against his mouth, at his next words, “cum like this.” 

“Awh shit, please no,” you tear up, burying your head between the crook of his neck, “I can’t wait.” 

“Thought you wanted me to fuck you into next week. You can’t do this one little favor for me?” he’s being so mean, and you hate him for it. Haven’t you earned it? “C’mon baby, I thought you wanted me?” 

It’s silent, save for the soft Italian restaurant music playing from whatever tutorial he’s hooked up to his television. It’s terribly cliche, like you’re in the porno version of a European romance movie. He thinks nothing of it, not when your juices are dripping on his thighs, your skin soft and pliant in his grip. Jungkook drums his fingers against your spine, seemingly uncaring that you’re stuffed deep into your womb. 

On the other hand, it’s the only thing you’re acutely aware of. His thick, warm cock is nestled between your folds, right where it should be. You clench once, twice, thankful that this isn’t some crazed wet dream. States of sleep and consciousness have blurred this week, you’re lucky that you made it all the way up to Jungkook’s apartment. 

You can’t cum like this. You need to bait him. You moan, the sound slow and rumbly against your throat as you weave your fingers through his dark tresses. Moving the strands aside to kiss his cold metal earrings you murmur, “I love this, Kookoo. I’ve wanted you all week, I was going crazy. I kept playing last week in my head over and over. I even put in my little vibrator, hoping you’d pull up the app.” 

Jungkook’s teeth clench, and his grip is borderline painful as it digs into your hips. 

“I haven’t been able to cum all week, and I want to do it all over you,” you husk, playing with the roots of his hair. 

You can feel yourself dripping, wetness lubricating you even further and probably staining his thighs and couch with your arousal. Every second that passes is killer, and the fluttering towards your pussy tighten further as Jungkook’s cock twitches in response. Your pussy continues its ministrations, butterfly-like flaps against his hot member that have you vibrating.

“Mm, oh, I’ll cum for you,” and surprisingly, you might be able to. All this dirty talking has gotten you riled up. Just a little bit more and—

Jungkook shoves you off his cock, forcing you to land on the couch. 

“No!” you cry, wiping your face. Your cheeks are ruddied, and you’re annoyed. The coolness of the autumn air has you feeling chilly, and you want to scream at Jungkook for disrupting your orgasm. You feel empty. 

You’re not annoyed for long however, as Jungkook flips you on your back and gives you what you’ve been craving. 

“You glide right in, don’t ya doll,” the friction is deliciously blazing, his hands pushing you further into the large couch as he takes you from behind. Hot, fast smacks against your ass come from the way his balls bounce back and forth as he pistons his cock in and out. “F-fuck, you’re so good to me. So good, I love having you like this. All pretty and dripping, you really know how to make a guy wait, huh?” 

“Mmph! N-no—hng, but I’m y-yours, Kook,” you garble out, and you’re practically eating the throw pillow you’re propped up on as he slams you further into the cushions, so hard you may fall off, “all yours, honey. N-no more waiting. I want you, want you so badly—ah fuck!” 

“It’s worth it, you’re worth it,” he says over and over, his thrusts becoming sporadic and losing their rhythm once he feels you clenching uncontrollably. He presses his two fingers to your sloppy bud, swirling around the juices eagerly. “C-cum, baby doll. You deserve it, yeah? Cum on this cock, let go.” 

You’re starting to see spots, black and white alike. Finally shying away from his cock you rest on your back, but Jungkook doesn’t stop his fingers from flying across your clit. One look at his face and you’re gone. Pretty brown eyes, overflowing with affection. The feeling is different, and it’s the acute pressure between your stomach and pussy that makes you notice what’s going on with your body. The pressure finally releases, your eyes fluttering shut as you rest your cheek on the cushions. You dissolve, a mess on the couch as white hot liquid ejects from your body, spraying Jungkook’s thighs and cushions. 

“Y-you just,” your lover’s mouth is parted open like a baby kitten, uncaring as to how the dark liquid stains his couch fabric. 

“Squirted?” you answer breathlessly, a melty smile on your lips, “y-yeah.” 

 It sets him off, a button left dormant until now. The thatches of hair that surround his cock are dripping with your mess, a cold reminder that he got you to this high. He doesn’t hesitate to slip his cock back into you, and you gasp at the overstimulation. You try not to focus on how your body is a bundle of lit nerves, only to help Jungkook reach his completion. 

“S-so perfect,” he warbles, pressing kisses to your jaw, chin, lips. Each thrust is deep, thick and heady with emotion. “Mm, I wanna cream this pussy sooo badly—mm, all mine, all wet and warm and so so sweet—” 

He cries out your name, biting into your shoulder as your walls fill further with his hot cream. Your thighs are shaking from sensory overload, and Jungkook has to hold you down and soothe you into a state of reality to cling on. 

Satiated, he nuzzles into your chest, feeling absolutely featherlight. 

“T-thank you,” you say gratefully, when at least three out of your five senses return to your body. Your hands dip down to clutch his cheek, pinching lightly at the warm skin.

“Don’t thank me yet,” Jungkook exhales into your breasts, “d-didn’t even feed you my cum yet.” 

You scoff, pinching his cheek again. You’re aware of his softening cock between your folds, ready to seep the efforts of today’s coupling, but your stomach says otherwise. You crane your neck to make note of the kitchen island, staring curiously at the metal pasta roller and the little nests of carby goodness that decorate the cutting board. 

“Feed me pasta first, please. You have all night to feed me dessert.” 

Jungkook giggles into your stomach, he doesn’t mind feeding you in that order. 

bonus.

“So.” 

“So?” you have cream sauce on your lips, happily slurping on an angel hair. 

“You haven’t told me you liked me back yet,” Jungkook rests his palm in the swell of his cheek, content with watching you eat from where he’s standing on the counter. He leans his upper body across the marble table, muscles rippling against his white shirt. 

“Oh, I did!” you’re affronted, swinging your legs on the high chair, “I totally did last week!” 

“Yeah, well. Can you say it while I’m not inside you?” 

“Okay,” you blink, quirking him with a simple smile, “I like you.” 

“That was anticlimactic,” Jungkook jokes at the brevity of your confession, yet his heart betrays the charm he finds in the three words. 

You scoff, jabbing your fork in the little next of springy noodles. “What do you want to hear? I’ve wanted you since I’ve moved in? I think you’re really handsome when you pace the hallway doing work on your phone? I like the way you cook?” 

“Keep going,” Jungkook sing songs, walking over to hug you from behind.

The stool swings back and forth as he rocks the two of you, softly and slowly so you don’t throw up your dinner. He noses into your neck, inhaling your scent and committing it to your memory. 

“Mm, dessert first,” you insist, twirling around the stool so you can wrap your legs around his waist. “And then I can tell you exactly how much I like you,” your fingers play with the buttons of his shirt, walking the pads of your fingers across his chest. 

Jungkook grins, hands reaching to cup your bottom and bring you to his bedroom. Of course, he’s always willing to satisfy your insatiable appetite.