#AND THEY WERE BONDMATES!

[dira333]

Bonded - part 2

Spock x reader

“How is it?” McCoy asks when you walk into med-bay.

“How is what?” You ask back while crossing the distance towards the replicator, requesting two cups of coffee.

“Having a bond with that green-blooded hobgoblin.”

“It’s been a day, okay?” You quip and hand him one of the cups, “So far we haven’t killed each other.”

McCoy grins at that and takes a sip.

“You acting like you hate him won’t fool me, dear. You’re pretty obvious about your feelings.”

You groan and step aside, hoping that will end the conversation. It doesn’t.

“Date night?” McCoy asks two days later when you step out of your office after having gone through all your paperwork - or more accurately, PADD-work. You rub your lips together self-consciously, aware of the color of the lipstick you rarely use.

“What does it matter?” You ask back, hiding your anxiety behind a cool facade. Not that it works, McCoy sees straight through you.

“Nothing. Have fun.” He grins while saying so and you roll your eyes at him and step out of med-bay.

It doesn’t take you long to realize that date night with Spock usually means the choice between two things: Meditate with him or play chess with him.

You usually opt for chess as it gives you the opportunity to talk while doing so, but you’re rather bad at chess so you’re mostly quiet as you try not to lose too badly.

It takes you two weeks or four date nights until you’re tired of it. But how do you tell him that without offending him?

You don’t want him to realize it by reading your feelings through the bond and keep calm as much as possible until you’re tired of that too and drop in the seat in front of McCoy’s desk with a groan.

“What?”

“How do I tell him that I hate chess?”

“By using your mouth, for example?”

You roll your eyes at him. “I would have done that if it was easy. For someone so intent on nosing around in my matters you could have better advice.”

“You want better advice?” McCoy puts down your PADD and looks at you, “Do you think you two are still bonded because you are a shy wallflower that says yes to everything he likes and does? If he wanted something like that, he could have found plenty of those on Vulcan or elsewhere.”

You stare at him wordlessly for a few seconds before you push yourself out of your seat.

“This must be the worst version of ‘Be yourself!’ I’ve ever heard,” you tell him as you walk out his office.

“I hope so!” He calls after you as you leave.

“You are early,” Spock tells you as you step into his ready room.

“Well yeah,” you say, “I like spending time with you.”

He looks up at you, eyebrow raised in question.

“You have something to say?”

“Yes. I hate chess.”

Spock stops short and you take a breath.

“Well, I don’t exactly hate it, you know, but I’m really bad at it, but I figured we could still talk while playing chess whereas meditating seems just plain impossible to me.”

“What do you propose then?”

“There are so many things to choose from. Watch a movie, listen to music we like, make music even or just, I don’t know, talk like we did that first time. And that’s just the innocent part of my ideas.”

He quirks the left side of his mouth upwards until it positively looks like he’s smiling and you grin back at him.

“I’m open to all of your ideas,” he says and you nod.

“Well, how about you show me what we can do with that bond thing anyway?”

You feel a tingling sensation at the back of your head where the connection rests and close your eyes involuntarily as pictures, sounds and feelings trickle in.

You can see yourself talking on a conference, can hear Spock talk to Captain Kirk how you would be a viable addition to the team and feel his eagerness to talk to you when you first step onto the Enterprise.

Your eyes snap open as you realize what he’s trying to show you and the connection stills.

“I am very interested in what you might have to tell,” Spock tells you softly and gestures towards the couch for you to take a seat.

-months later -

It feels different to date when you’re bonded.

It feels different to be bonded.

You are not just yourself anymore and everytime you say or do or feel something, you are reminded of that.

When Ensign Kreger vomits all over your shoes you can feel Spock’s annoyance pricking you right at the back of your skull. It makes it harder to stay calm.

It also makes it harder to stay friends with Dr. McCoy because you can literarily feel Spock’s feelings whenever the CMO makes you laugh. Not that Spock would acknowledge himself having feelings at all, anyway.

“Stop that,” you tell him one morning as soon as you’ve made it to your quarters after an exhausting Gamma shift. You’re sprawled out on the bed and Spock is standing in the doorway, face passive, but annoyance ringing loud and clear through your bond.

“I merely wish you would take better care of yourself,” he states and you grunt.

“Liar.”

“Vulcans do not lie,” Spock claims and steps forward to pull your shoes from your feet.

“But you keep information to yourself. You are annoyed by the fact that I’ve managed to have fun with Dr. McCoy.”

He stops what he’s doing and it’s getting harder for you to stay awake.

“That is true,” he finally confesses, “I admit that the logic of your friendship with the CMO appeals to me in a way I do not particularly like.”

“What?” You turn your head to look at him. “What logic?”

“Doctor McCoy has similar interests, a similar sense of humor and he is fully human. You fit together.”

You snort. “But he does not make my heart jump whenever I see him. Something you should know because we are bondmates.”

“That is a feeling and therefore purely illogical.”

“Illogical or not, I love you.” You tell him, your tongue made loose by exhaustion.

He leans forward to press his lips to your temple.

“I love you too,” he mumbles softly against your skin as you slowly but surely lose your fight and fall asleep.

A relationship is always hard work.

Sure, the bond helps you understand what the other is feeling and it makes many things easier, but not all.

The bond intensifies feelings, the positive ones and the negative ones as well.

You feel twice as happy when you’re happy with Spock, but you also feel twice as angry when he’s angry with you. Or when you’re angry with him. The lines blur until the source of the feelings are no longer clear.

“You could just tell me what she’s telling you,” You snap as you pull out a new uniform from your cupboard.

“I did. She informed me about the progress of the new vaccine.”

“And why did she giggle then?” You throw him a look, annoyance coursing through you, “Don’t tell me vaccines have turned into some new joke nowadays. Or is it just the French way to look serious?”

“Are you jealous?” He asks back, too calm for your liking, “Of Dr. Lefebvre?”

“She never talks to me, okay?” You tell him, huffing out in anger, “And when she does she speaks French which she knows I don’t understand and now she’s talking to my boyfriend, all giggly and smiley and I’m sorry if that makes me feel anxious, okay?”

“I do not think smiley and giggly are terms that-”

“Spock!” You interrupt him, “I don’t want a grammar lesson! I want you to tell me that no French Doctor could ever take you from me because you don’t like French or something like that.”

You wave your hands in the air, trying to capture what you’re feeling as if Spock didn’t already feel that through the bond.

“Dr. Lefebvre thinks we are married,” he says instead and you gape at him.

“What? Why?”

“Because we are close, we’ve been dating for almost two years. I told her we aren’t and she was giggling because she mentioned something about getting down on one knee and found it amusing that I did not get the reference.”

You lean your head against the door of your cupboard.

“Humans go down on one knee when they propose,” you explain to him and he nods in understanding. “That makes sense. Vulcans sing when they propose. Or hold a speech, whatever feels more natural to them.”

“Do you want to?”

“What? Sing? Hold a speech?”

You smile at him trying to copy your humor and shake your head.

“Get married.”

“Oh… well, we are bonded. In Vulcan terms, we are already engaged.”

You laugh at that and step over to where he’s standing, waiting for you to get ready.

“Take my hand, Spock.” You can feel your heart picking up speed, your brain trying to get you to rethink what you’re doing, but you’re not one to rethink yourself.

“Why?” But Spock is.

“I’m trying to ask you to marry me, so take my damned hand!”

He pulls a face at you but takes your hand and watches you with curious eyes as you go down on one knee. It’s difficult in the uniform you’re wearing, but possible.

“Will you, Spock, do me the honor of becoming my husband as soon as we make it to the next starbase?”

Spock crinkles his nose. “Our next stop is on Delta Vega, which is an ice desert void of any civilization. If you do not want to get wed by the poor man working the starbase, I’d advise waiting for a more suitable place.”

You groan.

“Would you marry me then on the next starbase we are both happy with?”

He sends you a strong feeling of happiness through the bond instead of answering and you laugh and jump up to wrap your arms around him.

“And now, the custom of kissing my fiancé,” you joke with a smile before leaning in.

He meets your lips with his own and you can feel an emotion through the bond, taking over your mind.

It’s happiness in its purest form.

It’s love.

[marc--chilton]

(mgv) OAUUGHHH lawrence and adam rooming together out of the hospital because it's made VERY CLEAR that they need each other close and safe after the trap. like @lucradiss said, they had to be moved into the same room because even after the smell of blood and shit and fear were cleaned off of them, their distress scent -- raw and unfiltered "NEED, COME BACK, DON'T LEAVE, WHERE ARE YOU, NEED YOU" -- was palpable enough to send their respective floors into a state of unease. and adam's being evicted, and tensions are high between lawrence and alison right now, so....

their new place doesn't scream "doctor's salary" but it's not a shithole either. one floor, too. at first they're in separate rooms but..... lawrence hasn't slept alone in years, and not having adam as close as possible still gives him some unease (if he can't see him how can he be sure he ever came back for him, got him out of there, let him live). he doesn't even get a chance to wheel by adam's room before the man himself is slipping into his. "keep seein' shit in the shadows. think i gotta take the door off my closet."

lawrence grants him half his bed easily. he also learns fairly quickly that adam is a funny sleeper. he burrows and squirms relentlessly in his sleep until he's nearly sideways with his head on lawrence's ribs. one time he woke up to adam sprawled bonelessly across his middle, slightly crushing him but mostly just endearing himself to lawrence.

the point of no return for Feeling Something More for adam was when diana stayed for the weekend. they hit it off well in the hospital already, so he wasn't worried about that. no, it was simply how much adam worried about making her feel safe there, because it might be her dad's place, but her dad has a roommate now and they didn't meet under fantastic circumstances. he doesn't want her to see him like zep, like some stranger in a home that isn't his.

(it is his home, though.)

he's trying so hard for this eight year old who's been through some shit, he wants her to like him, to be okay with him being there, and it chokes lawrence up if he thinks about it too hard. it feels a lot like a binding point between his old life and his new one. he loves them. he loves him.

diana learns what a 'pup pile' is that night. she has no siblings to pile up with, so she never got to learn, which just Isn't Right in adam's eyes. so that night adam stuffs them into their bed with the pillows and blankets from his old room they'll convert to be diana's, says, "three's not much a pile, but we'll work with what we got, right?" and hustles them into something comfortable, twined and piled on each other.

and if lawrence cries a few happy tears that night, well, he's allowed some by now, isn't he?

[ladykailitha]

Not All That Glitters is Gold Part 11

The second one for today. Steve and Eddie have an actual conversation about their wants and needs from the relationship.

Pt 1 Pt 2 Pt 3 Pt 4 Pt 5 Pt 6 Pt 7 Pt 8 Pt 9 Pt 10

@mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @redfreckledwolf @emly03 @itsall-taken

****

Eddie laughed when Steve explained the reason for the flowers that night over drinks. “Do you really think your parents will leave you alone now?”

Steve shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. But they’ll fuck off for awhile at least. And honestly you can’t buy that kind of peace.”

He smiled. “Damn straight. My own dear ole dad came out of the woodwork when Corroded Coffin hit it big. Tried to take credit for teaching me to play guitar.”

Steve leaned forward, chin on his fist. “I’m guessing that’s nowhere near what actually happened?”

“Oh hell no,” Eddie scoffed. “He taught me how to hotwire cars, blend into crowds to get away from cops, and how to lie through your teeth so convincingly that no one could tell. But you want to know who did teach me how to play? My Uncle Wayne. The man who took me in when the cops finally caught up with the rat bastard.”

Steve sighed wistfully. “God, what I would have given to have an Uncle Wayne. But sadly, when the test came back as infertile all they could think about was how to ‘recoup the loss of having an omega for a son’.”

Eddie’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head. “Are you fucking with me?”

“I wish I was,” Steve said mournfully, shaking his head. “Most of the men on my dad’s side of the family were alphas and if they weren’t then they were omegas pumping out babies like a machine.”

Eddie winced and took Steve’s free hand in his. “I’m sorry, baby. That’s got have been so hard.”

Steve squeezed Eddie’s hand with a sigh. “The disappointment was so palpable in that doctor’s office you could cut it with a knife.” He shook his head. “They even refused further testing, even though my great-great grandmother on my mother’s side was a golden omega.”

“Really?” Eddie said, his eyebrows shooting up. “Damn. Those are super rare.”

Steve nodded. “I have two friends with red hair and that’s more common than a golden omega.”

“But if they were so desperate for money why didn’t they test for it?” he asked gently.

Steve shrugged. “My dad is a skinflint. The cost of the test outweighed the gamble on my chance of being ultra-fertile instead.”

“Damn just think you could have had your choice of any alpha in the country,” Eddie teased, “if they had and you turned out to be one.”

Steve shook his head, wrapping Eddie’s hand in both of his. “Nah, I prefer it this way, I have a job I love, a best friend I couldn’t live without and you. If I had been a golden omega, my parents would have made me chose from the crustiest, conservative assholes they could find.”

Eddied ducked his head and blushed to the roots of his hair. “So I’m assuming the label sent you a copy of the interview today?” he asked shyly.

Steve nodded. “Of course. You were so cute.”

“So call me stupid,” he said clearing his throat, “but I didn’t know escorts were allowed partners. I looked it up, a couple even have bonds. Like how the fuck does that work?”

Steve laughed bright and clear and Eddie went to remove his hand from his, but Steve held on tight.

“I wasn’t laughing at you, babe,” Steve soothed. “I was laughing because Robin thought that you weren’t aware and told me to clear it up with you. That was the main reason for drinks tonight.”

Eddie blinked at him owlishly. “Wait, really?”

“Of course,” Steve said. “But to answer your question about how omegas with bondmates can still be escorts, you forget that a lot of what we do isn’t about sex. Everyone associates escorts with sex, but that’s just a common misconception. Sometimes people just want the attention of a kind omega with no strings attached.” He kissed Eddie’s knuckles gently. “And then there are the ones that want a ‘cheating’ scenario without the drama of actually cheating.”

Eddie frowned. “So how does that work?”

“They want to have sex with a bonded omega,” Steve explained. “But without having to worry that there would an actual alpha gunning for them.”

“And their alpha doesn’t care they’re having sex with other alphas?” Eddie asked, tilting his head to the side, his eyes gentle and curious, not judging.

Steve shook his head. “Nope. Things can change, of course. A famous Starcourt escort Mia Sanchez retired last year because her alpha asked her to. But they had been bonded for fifteen years before retirement.”

“Huh.”

That filled Eddie with a warmth he didn’t know he was missing until that moment. He licked his bottom lip slowly.

“And if I wanted to properly court you,” he asked easily, “what would you say to that?”

Steve grinned back at him. “I’d say yes.”

Eddie leapt from his seat and came around the table to kiss him firmly on the lips.

Steve laughed, breaking the kiss, but Eddie didn’t mind. He couldn’t be happier.

“So you don’t want me to chose between you and my job, then?” Steve asked, referring to their contract.

Eddie shook his head. “If there was a way that you could be happy with both, darlin’, that was choice I was always going to make.”

“What about the Grammy’s and your rut?” Steve asked, concerned. He felt bad, but he still wanted to get paid for those things. He didn’t want to suddenly have Eddie expect them for free now that they were courting.

“Don’t worry, Stevie,” Eddie murmured into his omega’s ear. “The contract will still be for those things, we just won’t have a fake break up of our fake relationship after my rut.”

Steve’s lip wobbled. “Would it be a real break up of a real relationship?” he asked softly.

Eddie pulled him in for a big hug. “Not for all the gold in all the world. Okay?”

He let out a shuddering breath. “I’m okay with that.”

Eddie kissed him again before going back to sit down in his chair. “So for the Grammy’s I looked over those two outfits you sent me for suggestion on what you should wear.”

Steve smiled, grateful for the change of topic to something safer and more comfortable for him. “Yeah, which one did you prefer? I mean, I have closet full of amazing clothes and if nothing suits your fancy...” he half shrugged, “it gives me chance to go shopping.”

Eddie laughed. “No, no. I loved them both. Though taking you shopping has it’s appeal...” He shook his head. “I’m getting off the track here. I want you to wear the mini to the awards and the pant suit to the Vanity Fair after party.”

Steve’s mouth formed an ‘O’ and he grinned. “That is a fantastic idea. I love it.”

“I thought you’d like that,” Eddie said with a grin. “Do you get to wear much stuff that’s just for you or do you have to be ‘Starcourt Escort’ twenty four seven?”

Steve shrugged. “It’s a bit half and half if I’m honest. I don’t have to be dressed to the nines all the time...”

“But if you don’t,” Eddie said with a growl, “all the tabloids say that you’re ‘letting yourself go’?”

Steve blushed and nodded.

“What would you want to wear if you weren’t ‘escort Steve’?” Eddie asked, motioning to the waiter that they needed another round.

“It’s stupid,” he said, tucking his chin tightly to his chest. “I’m a fashion plate. That’s what I’m supposed to be.”

Eddie clicked his tongue and wagged his finger. “None of that. I won’t let anyone talk shit about my boyfriend, not even himself.”

That surprised a laugh out of him. “I like the polos, Henley’s, and chinos look. Lame I know.”

Eddie’s eyebrows shot up. That was not the answer he had expected at all. He thought it would have been sweat pants and baggy sweaters.

“It’s not lame if it makes you feel good about yourself,” he insisted.

Another couple of bottles of beer arrived and Steve grabbed one. He just held it in his hands. He let out a long sigh.

“You know how we can roleplay situations for clients?”

Eddie nodded. They had done the meet-cute in a bar roleplay just last night.

“There’s one you won’t find on my list,” he continued. “At least not anymore.”

Eddie could feel the tension build between them. Whatever this was about was fucking hard for Steve to talk about.

“Sometimes busy executives and business owners like to have a scenario where they come home to a cute little omega housewife. If it’s a female omega, think the 1950s type. Dresses and high heels.”

And suddenly what Steve was talking about hit Eddie like a fist to the solar plexus. Male omegas would be in the polos and chinos. But the roleplay had tainted Steve’s love for those kinds of clothes and it made Eddie furious.

“And if you’re seen out and about wearing them,” he guessed, “people think you’re doing the roleplay, don’t they?”

Steve flushed in shame. He nodded once.

“Shit, sweetheart,” he murmured. “Are you sure you like this job?”

Steve’s head snapped up. “Yes! The good far out weighs the bad. Like ruts without an omega can actually fuck up an alpha body. Like completely wreck it to hell. So I get to go in and help these alphas that don’t have an omega they can trust and help them through one of the worst weeks of their year and that it happens multiple times, anywhere from three to five depending on their age. Yes, I’m trained to be charming and great in bed, but that? That’s what makes everything worth while.”

He was panting at the end of his rant, eyes wild, hands clutching Eddie’s fiercely.

Eddie chuckled. “All right, darlin’. I didn’t mean to offend.”

Steve ducked his head and Eddie gently lifted it back up with two fingers. “I like that you’re passionate about what you love, honey. It makes you sparkle.”

Steve looked down at his watch and cursed. “I’ve got to go.” He looked back up at him. “But I’ll see you on Friday?”

Eddie grinned. “It’s a date, sweetheart.”

Steve hopped off his seat and walked away.

Eddie shook his head and murmured, “Hate to see you leave, but damn do I love to watch you go.”

Steve ass looked amazing in whatever the guy wore. But now Eddie understood his need for hyper-masculinity. Even when he was wearing that golden dress, it highlighted his flat chest and broad thighs.

People made assumptions about who Steve was based on what he was wearing at all times and if he was even the slightest bit not what people expected he got hell for it.

In a lot of ways, Steve’s every move was even more scrutinized than Eddie’s and he was the frontman of a very famous metal band. He couldn’t imagine living the way Steve did. But despite all the hang ups and downsides, Steve was happy and you really couldn’t buy that.

He paid the tab and walked out onto the pavement. He lit up a cigarette and took a long drag. He let out the smoke slowly and flicked away the ash.

Eddie was content with his lot in life for the first time since he moved in with his uncle, Wayne. Wayne was always supportive of whatever Eddie wanted to do in life and was happy to hear about Steve.

And even happier when Eddie had called him this afternoon to tell him Stevie might agree to date without all the hoopla of the agency. Everything Eddie did, Wayne was sure to hear about it first.

Wayne was home. No matter the distance. Something Eddie never thought he’d find out here in California.

Stevie was quickly becoming home for him. He never thought he would want to mate, not after seeing how horrible his parents acted. But now?

Now he couldn’t wait to start courting the most beautiful omega in the world.

Eddie took another drag of his cigarette and then flicked it away. He hailed a cab and gave directions for home.

He couldn’t wait to show Steve off on live television. And maybe just maybe win a Grammy or two.

****

Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17

Tag List: @spectrum-spectre @estrellami-1 @zerokrox-blog @swimmingbirdrunningrock @gregre369 ​@a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @chaoticlovingdreamer @messrs-weasley @goodolefashionedloverboi @maya-custodios-dionach @val-from-lawrence @i-must-potato @danili666 @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog @justforthedead89 @bookworm0690 @bookbinderbitch @yikes-a-bee @littlewildflowerkitten @vecnuthy @scheodingers-muppet @y4r3luv @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @genderless-spoon @anne-bennett-cosplayer @awkwardgravity1 @irregular-child @nburkhardt @apomaro-mellow @yellowdevilkitten @eyehartart @mangoinacan13 @demolvr @ellietheasexylibrarian @rememberthatiloveyou @slowandsteddie @r0binscript @alyelf @melodymeddler @mogami13 @annabanannabeth

[i-like-big-robots]

Post-war Megop but let's make it horny.

So, Megatron and Optimus sometimes have one offs time to time, usually when everybody else is busy so no one suspects that their leaders are fragging the daylights outta eachother. This continues and it turns softer, Megatron isn't as rough as before but will go all out when Optimus begs for it, when he wants to be treated like a whore. (This results in longer aftercare but neither minds)

At some point Optimus starts to feel off, his spark and chassis feel hot, he feels naseuos randomly, and his libido dries up and revives whenever. Of course he decides to ignore it because he doesn't want to disturb Ratchet since he's busy adjusting on the new cybertron. During a meeting however, he starts to get restless, he tries to ignore the ache between his legs but his valve just keeps sending pulses of pleasure through him whenever his thighs rub together. His proccesor is filled with thoughts of being pounded and..oh, he can't help but imaging being speared on Megatron's spike in front of everyone else, it surely would make the scene. Optimus's patience wears thin and he decides to comm his partner, Megatron opens it and let's out a small gasp at how descriptive Optimus was being, Soundwave asks him what's wrong and he waves off his concern. He takes a deep breath and from across the table he can see the most lust filled expression on his Prime.

:.Not now Optimus.: Megatron sends back, his spark is pounding in its casing and he tries his damn best to not shove him on the floor and take him right then and there.

:.But don't you want to mark me, make them see how much of a slut I am for you.: Optimus responds, and that was the last straw for Megatron. The rest of the occupants picked up on the tension and before they knew it the ex-warlord was pinning Optimus to the floor. With a growl he bit his neck making him in turn let out the most exquisite moan he's ever heard.

Shouts were heard as Optimus opened his panel and Megatron slid into his entrance with ease, the sounds of metal on metal reverberated through the room, Ultra Magnus, Soundwave, and Prowl exited it as they started to get louder. Jazz, Shockwave, and Ratchet stared, wether in disbelief or in arousal, it didn't matter. All that mattered was that Optimus was getting bred in front of them and Megatron felt pleased with himself. His valve spasmed around his spike and he sobbed as Megatron continued to thrust into him, every node was lit up and he whimpered as he felt his anterior node get brutally rubbed. It felt like hours to him but before he knew it Megatron was filling him up with his transfluid, some leaked out onto the floor below and a breathy sigh left him when he felt that thick length soften and exit him.

"Well what a show, damn, that was hot as pit." Jazz said with a smile. Ratchet looked downright horrified when they finished and dragged himself outta the room. "I need a drink", was heard when he left. "Interesting." Was all that Shockwave muttered as he wrote one last thing on his datapad and followed after Ratchet. "Take care of him!" Jazz exclaimed while he ran out to tell Prowl what he saw.

Optimus groggily stared up at him, his valve still clenching weakly and leaking so much transfluid and lubricant not even Megatron was sure how it all didn't somehow make his plating bulge.

"Are you alright?

"Yeeess.." Optimus slurred out before passing out in Megatron's arms.

______________________________________________

Turns out the reason for Optimus' sudden interface drive was caused by the little sparks he was carrying. Ratchet berated and lectured him but he couldn't care less, his thoughts drifted to his now official bondmate.

He had many requests for him to fulfill when he became all round and heavy with their kin.

[android-and-ale]

Headcanon du jour: What if most Vulcan’s aren’t massively bigoted space racists?

The majority Vulcans we’ve met have essentially been Vulcan Royalty. You know, the institution which, here on Earth, is notorious for being bigoted, backwards, and inbred. 

Tuvok and T’Lynn aren’t like that. 

But then, they’re not direct descendants of Surak, son of a galactically famous ambassador, born and raised in the capital city of Shi’Khar, heirs to a massive estate on the homeworld, and educated in schools where admission to the elite Vulcan Science Academy is taken for granted. 

Spock is the adult Vulcan equivalent of Prince Archie, if Harry hadn’t left The Institution.

Of COURSE we get flashbacks of Vulcan kids bullying Spock! The Learning Center is equivalent to the sort of British Boarding School where they sent King Charles. These places are meant to break kids. They’re all about exclusivity and maintaining the elite status quo. After all, maintaining tradition is only logical, and holy shit do Vulcans love their rituals - even if those rituals include hardcore school bullying. 

Look at how the British royal family and media treat Meghan Markle. Now look at how all the Vulcans in Spock’s orbit treat Amanda Grayson. If Amanda had married a nice Vulcan biologist somewhere out in the colonies no one would have cared, but no, she married the single most high profile Vulcan Royalty of his generation. Plenty of Vulcans were no doubt jealous she snatched up that prize of a bondmate, then masked it as criticizing his choice for being “illogical in the extreme.” 

I like to think that most Vulcans are just out there living their best IDIC lives. 

Meanwhile, the S’chn T’gai family is out there living by Royalty Rules in everything they do. 

Mutiny? Pshaw. Our great grandmother T’Pau knows a guy who knows a guy who will make the paperwork disappear. Stealing a ship? Well, the family could buy it outright, but that would be gauche. Starting a cult? Sybok is a direct descendant of Surak himself. Who better to lead a revolution?

[traeumenvonbuechern]

🐉 Dragon Books To Read If You Liked "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yarros 🐉

The dragon romantasy "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yarros has taken over the bookish community, so I wanted to give you some recommendations on what to read after you finished it.

Dragonfall by L.R. Lam

Long ago, humans betrayed dragons, stealing their magic and banishing them to a dying world. Centuries later, their descendants worship dragons as gods. But the 'gods' remember, and they do not forgive. Since they were orphaned, Arcady has scraped a living thieving on the streets of Vatra, dreaming of life among the nobility - and revenge. When the chance arises to steal a powerful artefact from the bones of the Plaguebringer, the most hated person in Lumet history, they jump at it, for its magic holds the key to their dreams. But the spell has unintended consequences, and drags Everen - the last male dragon, who was once foretold to save his kind - into the human world. Trapped, and disguised as a human, Everen soon realises that the key to his destiny, and to regaining his true power, lies in Arcady. All he needs to do is convince one little thief to bond with him completely - body, mind, and soul - and then kill them . . . Yet the closer the two become, the greater the risk both their worlds will shatter.

To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose

A young Indigenous woman enters a colonizer-run dragon academy—and quickly finds herself at odds with the “approved” way of doing things—in the first book of this brilliant new fantasy series. The remote island of Masquapaug has not seen a dragon in many generations—until fifteen-year-old Anequs finds a dragon’s egg and bonds with its hatchling. Her people are delighted, for all remember the tales of the days when dragons lived among them and danced away the storms of autumn, enabling the people to thrive. To them, Anequs is revered as Nampeshiweisit—a person in a unique relationship with a dragon. Unfortunately for Anequs, the Anglish conquerors of her land have different opinions. They have a very specific idea of how a dragon should be raised, and who should be doing the raising—and Anequs does not meet any of their requirements. Only with great reluctance do they allow Anequs to enroll in a proper Anglish dragon school on the mainland. If she cannot succeed there, her dragon will be killed. For a girl with no formal schooling, a non-Anglish upbringing, and a very different understanding of the history of her land, challenges abound—both socially and academically. But Anequs is smart, determined, and resolved to learn what she needs to help her dragon, even if it means teaching herself. The one thing she refuses to do, however, is become the meek Anglish miss that everyone expects. Anequs and her dragon may be coming of age, but they’re also coming to power, and that brings an important realization: the world needs changing—and they might just be the ones to do it.

She Who Earned Her Wings by Vaela Denarr & Micah Iannandrea

One does not learn to fly without taking a leap. And one has to fall to be caught. Nomi is a young druid finally taking the chance to spread her wings and leave her home. To see the world and discover its magic, beauty… and maybe love. Calia is a dragon on the hunt for angels, trying to square an old debt. That, and to get Laura, her desired bondmate, to finally return to her side, where she belongs. Nomi immediately catches the eye of the powerful dragons. Calia entices her with honeyed words and a skillful tongue. On the other hand, Laura, much smaller but equally intimidating, takes it upon herself to protect her. Despite the warnings, Nomi can’t help being drawn to Calia's charm, her power, her fangs… and the hidden gentleness in her eyes. She promises danger where Laura promises safety, and Nomi is torn between the two. Luckily there is a convenient cult out for the dragons’ heads, providing Nomi with ample distraction and at least one dragon egg to steal, hatch, and raise by herself. Perfectly normal things for a young transgender druid to get involved in! In the clutches of dragons, battling dark forces from beyond the stars, Nomi faces the questions of who she is and who she wants to be. Whether she deserves the love offered to her, and what it truly takes to earn her wings...

[theshadowrealmitself]

Human who enjoys fake outs (like how people expect peanut brittle containers to hold fake snakes, so they start putting actual peanut brittle into the containers) and it always seems like their Vulcan partner is unaware of what’s happening

Like they’ll get visitors and the visitors will pick up a container that says “completely non-suspicious peanuts, contains no snakes,” and they’ll slowly open it to find…peanuts, and they’ll go “oh. I was expecting snakes.” and the Vulcan responds with “I thought that label was illogical, but I understand now why my partner thought it was needed, I assure you there are no snakes in that container.” while their Human partner is just. dying of laughter and hiding it terribly by standing behind their partner

And it should be obvious, right?? That the Human is putting weird labels on stuff to make people think that there’s something wrong with the items, but even with the Human always giggling into their partner to uselessly hide their laughter from people, their partner just always responds with “I see now why we needed to specify that the drinks were not poisoned on its label, my bondmate foresaw that you would think they were poisoned”, like aren’t Vulcans touch telepaths, shouldn’t you know when they’re laughing against you that your partner is pranking your visitors??

Everyone finds out later on that it’s actually the Vulcan who makes the labels and puts them on everything to make their partner laugh, and then feigning ignorance to make them laugh even harder

[allwaswell16]

A fic rec of One Direction a/b/o fics that have nesting as requested in this ask. If you enjoy the fics, please leave kudos and comments for the writers! You can find my other fic recs here. Happy reading!

—Harry/Louis—

🪹 You've Got A Higher Power, You're Once In Any Lifetime by BoosBabycakes / @boosbabycakes28

(E, 113k, slow burn) In a society full of prejudices, finding a family and being accepted, also seemed like an unrealistic utopia. Louis sets out to do what no other of his kind ever has before and in doing so, he finds love, friendship and more about himself than he thought he would.

🪹 Little by Little by nonsensedarling / @absoloutenonsense

(E, 65k, omega/omega) Harry Styles is an omega who works at the London Planetarium, has lived in the same flat for ages, and is happy enough on his own. When he gets home from his first (horrible) attempt at dating in years, a new pregnant neighbor knocks on his door after smelling his cooking.

🪹 Sometimes You Just Know by @2tiedships2

(M, 33k, exes to lovers) the one where Harry and Louis don’t believe in soulmates… until they do.

🪹 never been a fan of change, but we’re still the same by fearsparks / @onlythebravest

(T, 27k, friends to lovers) Harry and Louis have relied on each other for over two years now, always turning to each other every time they need anything from touch to pheromones. But after Harry's omega unexpectedly causes him to drop in the pub, their relationship is no longer the same.

🪹 Empty Nest by @littleroverlouis

(E, 16k, established relationship) pregnant Omega Harry is stressed about a nest

🪹 Nest To You by @neondiamond

(T, 14k, fluff) Ten different nests Harry builds throughout his relationship with Louis.

🪹 Anything that feels good by bluegreenish / @greenblueish

(E, 13k, established relationship) the one where alpha Harry gifts Louis nesting supplies, but the omega doesn’t nest.

🪹 When Tomorrow Comes by jacaranda_bloom / @jacaranda-bloom

(E, 11k, uni) the one where Louis is an Omega who has been keeping himself pure for his Alpha, Harry is a traditional Alpha focusing on his studies while he waits to find his bondmate, and Niall is a sneaky bastard who keeps borrowing Louis’ clothes and never returning them.

🪹 Midnight by @kingsofeverything

(E, 10k, fwb) All Harry’d wanted to do was be a good neighbor. Now, here he is, half a year later, balls deep and four months into a no strings attached, sex only situation with the Omega of his dreams.

🪹 Waiting by @allwaswell16

(E, 10k, friends to lovers) Louis Tomlinson was Harry’s omega, of this Harry had always been sure. Unfortunately for Harry, Louis seemed to think they were just best friends. The six weeks that Harry has to live with Louis were going to be rough.

🪹 Can We Start Believing by xogucciblue

(E, 8k, friends to lovers) Harry keeps stealing pieces of Louis' clothes to make his nest. Louis keeps letting him.

🪹 All at once, this is enough by @lunarheslwt

(G, 7k, friends to lovers) Harry, overcome with burn out, wants to nest but he has never nested before, doesn’t know how to. Louis, his best friend, is only happy to help him make a nest and be there for him.

🪹 Court Wine by @enchantedlandcoffee , red_panda28 / @red-pandaaa

(T, 7k, friends to lovers) after a misunderstanding during a scrabble game, Alpha Louis starts courting Omega Harry without the latter being aware of it.

🪹 All I Do the Whole Day Through by @lululawrence

(NR, 6k, roommates) There was a nest on Harry’s bed. But why was Harry using Louis’ clothes and items that probably smelled like him in his nest?

🪹 I Want You to Linger by @insightfulinsomniac

(E, 6k, friends to lovers) A friends-to-lovers fic in which oblivious alpha Louis courts his best friend, nests with the gifts he gets him, and is faced with the reality that sometimes telling someone you love them doesn’t go to plan (but turns out better in the end anyway).

🪹 Like air to the fire I need you to breathe by CuckooTrooke / @larrydoinglaundry

(E, 5k, established relationship) Harry is in preheat and Louis is nervous about his upcoming heat, fearing that he might not be able to fulfill his mate's needs.

🪹 Get Nesting & Soft Knots by ishiplouis / @pocketsunshineharry

(G, 5k, youtuber) AU where Omega Louis who runs a nesting materials Youtube channel meets Alpha Harry who knits his own blankets

🪹 Tastes like Strawberries by @sadaveniren

(E, 4k, uni) Louis texts Harry by mistake. It works out

🪹 Simply the Nest (Better Than All the Rest) by @homosociallyyours

(G, 2k, nesting store) It's been a few months since Louis moved to a new town, and he still hasn't managed to get his nest to feel as comforting as he'd like it to.

🪹 Do Not Falter (There's a Star Ahead) by LadyLondonderry / @londonfoginacup

(NR, 2k, birthday) The present he never knew he wanted - in the form of an omega from his past - might just make this his most memorable Christmas.

—Rare Pairs—

🪹 a little tenderness by @disgruntledkittenface

(NR, 10k, Niall/Harry) Touch deprivation makes a lot of sense now that Harry thinks about it. Niall seems generally unwell; he appears to be weak, his skin is pallid and his lips look chapped, and his breathing is ragged.

🪹 If you let me be your man by lightswoodmagic / @lightwoodsmagic

(E, 5k, Zayn/Liam) Zayn can't help but trail after someone's scent when he starts his heat in the middle of their history exam. The man offers to help Zayn get home safely when he literally runs into him, but Zayn mistakenly thinks it's an offer to help with his heat.

[kaiju-krew]

I was reading about your HCs for the reproduction of the Godzilla species and it's very interesting for parthenogenesis. But does this mean they also work like lions? Example if theoretically Godzilla were to produce an egg and Ghidorah destroys it, would it put Godzilla into another reproduction cycle?

not necessarily, at least that's not what i'd personally envision for em 0: i think they're quite doting parents so losing a clutch or pups would be very distressing, so it would be a while before they'd opt into creating a new clutch sorta thing

i do think they'd be capable of errrrrrrr 'storage' aka they can hold off on fertilizing their embryos until the conditions are right. but even after losing a clutch they could probably create a new one from the same Stored Goods without breeding again or creating a partho clutch. so if a gojiran lost their bondmate & clutch they could very well lay a few new clutches that are still their bondmate's offspring as well.

i know some reptiles are capable of this, i used to breed snakes and people posted somewhat frequently about females dropping babies that genetically were clearly from a male they'd been bred to like, 3 years previously x) so i think it's a neat idea to play with

[animalhumanemn]

I met Cheezit within my first few months of starting as an Adoption Specialist at Animal Humane Society. I immediately had a bond with him and he helped reawaken my childhood love for rabbits, but I wasn't ready for the commitment and he was adopted. One year later, he was returned to AHS to the Woodbury adoption center. He was adopted immediately.

Then, a day or two later the new adopter returned him to the Coon Rapids adoption center. I had been wanting to adopt a rabbit for a while and when Cheezit came back, I knew I had to take him home. It felt like fate after all this time! I started petting him in the cage at AHS and when I stopped he pulled my hand back to pet him and there was no going back. Cheezit did not have the easiest life up until this point. His first owner tried to bond him with another rabbit but they ended up fighting. In a different home, his bondmate was killed by a dog. I also learned that one of his previous owners had some trouble affording food. When I first took him home he seemed interested in socializing but also had some serious trouble with cage guarding and a catlike proclivity towards getting overstimulated and biting without warning. It took months but over time I gained his trust and now I can touch anything in his area and touch any part of his body without him getting upset. He has come such a long way and I am so incredibly proud of him! I had Cheezit solo for about a year; due to his past experiences with other rabbits, I was wary about trying to bond him. However, he was incredibly social and I felt that if I found him the right partner he would benefit from having a friend when I couldn't provide quality one-on-one time. I spoke with a member of the AHS Behavior team and spent weeks watching and waiting for the right bunny to take home. She came to the Woodbury shelter as a stray and she was in rough shape! She had a cuterebra larva beneath her ear, missing/broken toenails, healing neck wounds, matted fur, fleas, and even an abscess in her uterus. However, she was a trooper and didn't even suffer from the common rabbit side effect of GI stasis after her spay. She was also very calm, social, and sweet, which I felt would be the perfect fit to calm down Cheezit's sassy spitfire attitude. I named her Nimble Ceratina, a beautiful species of black bee, and naturally nicknamed her "Bee." Introducing them was nerve-wracking but within a couple of weeks, they were able to get past their disagreements and live together full time. Now they spend their days hanging out and cuddling when they're not getting scritches or eating (arguably the only things they love more than each other). Cheezy and Beezy light up every day with their affection and antics. Even when they're annoying little rascals I'm so grateful to have met them and I look forward to providing them with love and joy for the rest of their lives.

— Anna

[witchofthesouls]

Are divorces a thing in cybertronian culture? Like, spark bonding is basically marriage but more extreme in the sense that their literal souls are being bound together, but can it be broken? If it is but very rare I’d imagine that their version of divorce is seen as very shocking (possibly even seen as blasphemy to some religious bots) to others.

Because of the variety of relationships on Cybertron, which can be different between city-states and caste, there are several kinds of marriages that are accepted throughout the planet.

Conjunx Endura is the legal process of it. It's mainly based on the Acts of Affirmation and other additional regional concessions.

Because Iacon is the birthplace of Functionism, the city-state requires the pair to register as "Primary" and "Secondary" Conjunxes. By their mandates, it's the party with the higher caste that becomes the Primary Conjunx. If both are from the same caste, then the one with more wealth and/or political acumen.

Polyhex, unlike her sister-cities, mainly relies on legal paperwork to declare their statuses. This is due to their highly unstable terrain and loosely connected towns and villages. While still a passionate and artistic culture, it created a cold, very pragmatic mindset when it comes to relationships. Their courts that involve family matters can be viciously ugly for different reasons.

Legal spouses have the option to split and go separate ways.

Mecha can have multiple Conjunxes.

Bonded by spark marriages are a whole other shebang. While highly romantic with many spiritual and religious connotations, it's a permanent thing until death... with the surviving party following their bondmate soon after.

Despite what the media depicts, a deep connection isn't formed with a single passionate, yet shallow press. That could yield a sparklet but not a solid bond.

It's mainly due to the highly coveted Resonants status. It's where two (or more) sparks are ridiculously compatible with each other to the point the separate sparks immediately latch into a deep connection, overwhelming the respective mecha's wishes.

Bondmates have the unique ability to ping each other's general location. It isn't a specific set of coordinates, but they can get a pull to a direction, no matter the distance and suppression tools.

Highly-tuned and well-established bondmates would have the capability to 'feel' each other's emotional states.

Throughout Cybertron's history, many parties have taken advantage of spark marriages, both for personal and political gain, such as two warring parties reconciling with two high party members spark-bonding.

The most (in)famous pair are Megatronus and Solus. While the most widespread tale is their tragic romance that ended with Megatronus killing Solus, there are tales and myths of them taking more lovers, separate and together.

Because of the highly risky nature and uncomfortable level of raw intimacy, this extreme kind of political marriage usually has witnesses to the initial martial bed. Both to verify the authenticity and to mitigate any potential assassination or murder-suicide during the orns-long bonding sessions. (The closest equivalent would be a secluded month-long honeymoon and consummation ceremony. Traditionally witnessed by a senior priest and medic team to vet it and to use their considerable combined strength if necessary...)

There had been tales of survivors, but that usually included the necessity of another intimate sparkbond to stabilize them.

Vos and Praxian do have records of survivors within triads and trines. Researchers of the city-states have proposed that the trine bonds allowed the backlash to be shared with two others. The immense stress would be painful yet not fatal, provided the two members were alive.

Seekerkin cities have a specific relationship status for successful heat-induced couplings.

Much to Vos, Praxus, and Polyhex's annoyance and bemusement, other city-states reclassify this kind of status as a "marriage" as they gave up trying to figure this out in addition to Seekerkin's convoluted social structures and kinship-ties.

Heat-couplings have protected statuses in regards to sharing medical information, finances, and can define custody between the carrier's and sire(s)' flocks.

An 'annulment' can happen should the sparklet(s) fizzle out before dropping down.

[transbookoftheday]

🐉 Trans Dragon Books 🐉

One does not learn to fly without taking a leap. And one has to fall to be caught. Nomi is a young druid finally taking the chance to spread her wings and leave her home. To see the world and discover its magic, beauty… and maybe love. Calia is a dragon on the hunt for angels, trying to square an old debt. That, and to get Laura, her desired bondmate, to finally return to her side, where she belongs. Nomi immediately catches the eye of the powerful dragons. Calia entices her with honeyed words and a skillful tongue. On the other hand, Laura, much smaller but equally intimidating, takes it upon herself to protect her. Despite the warnings, Nomi can’t help being drawn to Calia's charm, her power, her fangs… and the hidden gentleness in her eyes. She promises danger where Laura promises safety, and Nomi is torn between the two. Luckily there is a convenient cult out for the dragons’ heads, providing Nomi with ample distraction and at least one dragon egg to steal, hatch, and raise by herself. Perfectly normal things for a young transgender druid to get involved in! In the clutches of dragons, battling dark forces from beyond the stars, Nomi faces the questions of who she is and who she wants to be. Whether she deserves the love offered to her, and what it truly takes to earn her wings...

Revisit the enchanting world of Tea Dragons with an all-new companion story to the two-time Eisner Award-winning graphic novel The Tea Dragon Society, now in paperback! Rinn has grown up with the Tea Dragons that inhabit their village, but stumbling across a real dragon turns out to be a different matter entirely! Aedhan is a young dragon who was appointed to protect the village but fell asleep in the forest eighty years ago. With the aid of Rinn’s adventuring uncle Erik and his partner Hesekiel, they investigate the mystery of his enchanted sleep… but Rinn’s real challenge is to help Aedhan come to terms with feeling that he cannot get back the time he has lost. Critically acclaimed graphic novelist K. O'Neill delivers another charming, gentle fantasy story about finding your purpose, and the community that helps you along the way.

Long ago, humans betrayed dragons, stealing their magic and banishing them to a dying world. Centuries later, their descendants worship dragons as gods. But the 'gods' remember, and they do not forgive. Since they were orphaned, Arcady has scraped a living thieving on the streets of Vatra, dreaming of life among the nobility - and revenge. When the chance arises to steal a powerful artefact from the bones of the Plaguebringer, the most hated person in Lumet history, they jump at it, for its magic holds the key to their dreams. But the spell has unintended consequences, and drags Everen - the last male dragon, who was once foretold to save his kind - into the human world. Trapped, and disguised as a human, Everen soon realises that the key to his destiny, and to regaining his true power, lies in Arcady. All he needs to do is convince one little thief to bond with him completely - body, mind, and soul - and then kill them . . . Yet the closer the two become, the greater the risk both their worlds will shatter.

[mychlapci]

Also had thoughts about that mer au and I'm kinda giddy bc a fandom I was into in 2019 had a v similar concept so now I'm borrowing to offer:

The mermechs shouldn't be breeding as fast as they should. In their natural habitat, it's probably every few years they pair up to mate or feel truly comfortable to settle down with clutches or pups. Now they're in an environment that's closed off from predators and most rivals, have consistent food access medical attention and clueless and too terrified caretakers. It's a perfect storm for a breeding frenzy.

Mers that feed their pups ending up with larger, saggier tits, valves are ruined by the so frequent breeding and birthing and sense of self preservation goes out the window. Probably a few start fucking each other's spike sheaths since the valves are no longer right. Maybe the staff have to start fully separating even bonded sets for their own safety, as well as having to do medical repairs on sheaths and slits. But of course the mers can't go cold turkey, so the staff have to get all sorts of things to stuff and distract the mers.

And not everyone is a saint, so it doesn't take long to find out how viable a land and mer mech are for producing offspring

oh holy shit now that’s interesting. Mers suddenly breeding rapidly in facility tanks and research aquariums because they’re constantly fed, safe, and no one bothers them in there...

A mer getting so over-excited to breed that they shove their spike into their partner’s loose valve the moment the last of their pups is out, filling their stretched, worn gestation tank again. Then again, and again, and again. 

A mer that had been bred so much that they’re too fat to swim properly, and they can only drag themself alongside the floor of the tank, their constantly swollen array bruising itself against the rocks and pebbles as they struggle to get to where the food is. In the ocean this wouldn’t be possible, they’d have to keep at least part of their agility to hunt for food and escape danger, but here? In a pretty, filtered tank? What’s stopping them from having more pups? (y'know, maybe at first most facilities didn’t mind the breeding… some, perhaps at the start most of them, would sell the pups and make bank. The mers were kept blissfully unaware, believing their young were sent off to grow up in the wide ocean, as is custom)

hrghhh a mer fucking their partner’s spike sheath because their valve is completely ruined, turned inside out and completely loose after years of endless birthing and breeding. The staff has to constantly repair their merformers because they end up completely used and abused after a while. After repairs all the bondmates have to be separated even though it seems to be taking a toll on their mental wellbeing. But the moment they reconnect them, they attempt to breed again and by now they should have really learnt their lesson, but… instinct wins. Safety, an abundance of food, their beloved partners… it just activates the drive to breed within them automatically. They can't help it. Even if it hurts after a while.

Most facilities now have to figure out how to release their mers back into the wild without fucking the whole ecosystem up.

[ladykailitha]

Not All That Glitters is Gold Part 10

The first of two today. This one is super long because apparently I haven't been able to end chapters lately.

Did you really think that I would have these two idiots break up? Nahhhhh.

The Corroded Coffin boys are cute. Steve and Eddie are straight up out of a Jane Austen adaption (iykyk). And Steve's mom is awful.

Pt 1 Pt 2 Pt 3 Pt 4 Pt 5 Pt 6 Pt 7 Pt 8 Pt 9

@mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @redfreckledwolf @emly03 @itsall-taken

****

They lingered in front of Steve’s car. Xavier and Robin, waiting for him to get in and be whisked away. The light was muted as the first rays of light scattered over the horizon.

Their hands were clasped together close to their chests.

“Thanks for last night,” Steve murmured. “It was wonderful.”

Eddie smiled, his dimples making an appearance, adding sparkle to his warm brown eyes.

“I had a great time,” he said softly. “When can I see you again?”

Steve’s cheeks colored pink, matching the incoming sunrise behind them. “Friday?”

“At seven?” he asked, and Steve nodded. “I’ll pick you up.”

Steve shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut. “You can’t.”

“Another thing for your protection?” Eddie asked gently. He untangled one of his hands and rubbed Steve’s cheek with his finger.

“Yeah,” he said, his breath stuttering on the word. “I’ll see what I can do, but most likely we’ll have to meet somewhere again.”

Eddie kissed Steve tenderly. “It’s all right, Stevie. I’d do anything to keep you safe. I’ll message you later with all the details, okay?”

Steve’s fluttered open and he nodded.

Eddie opened the door for him and Steve slid into the back with a sigh.

He watched as Steve’s car pulled away from the curb and away from the pavement.

He let out a shuddering sigh. God, he was already half in love with this beautiful man.

He didn’t think he could handle the heartbreak that would no doubt ensue when they had their public break up.

The plan was supposed to be that after the rut, Eddie would get jealous of other alphas being with Steve, making him chose between Eddie and his job.

And when Steve picked his job, Eddie would hide out in the studio and pump out an entire album.

But after one night, Eddie didn’t want that. He didn’t want to break up with Steve at all. He also didn’t want Steve to chose between him and his job. He just wanted Steve to be happy.

With both.

****

“Either you are the best actor in the world and you are completely wasted as an escort,” Robin said dryly, “or you’ve got the hots for Rockstar McLeather Pants.”

Steve swatted at her. “Don’t call him that.”

Her eyes went wide. “Holy shit. When was the last time you had a crush on a client?”

Steve chewed his lip. “Aiden Davies about three years ago?”

She nodded. Aiden was a Welsh actor who had been in the States because that’s where his ex-bondmate and daughter was. He had had partners and such, but he always paid for Steve to service his ruts. Steve had developed an attachment to him and had been utterly gutted when Aiden had suddenly moved back to Wales to do charity work there. Two months after the move, Polish starlet Olga Steinburg was seen on his arm at some event.

Everyone knew that she was going to be his new bondmate and it was proven correct a year later when he married and bonded her. They had a pup now and another on the way.

“Right,” she said after a moment of thought. “And how are we feeling about this one?”

Steve threw his head back onto the seat. “God...it’s worse, I think.”

“Because you have to pretend to be his boyfriend for the next three months?” She took his hand and gave it a squeeze.

Steve basked in the warmth of her support.

“There’s that,” he agreed. He straightened up and turned toward her. “But there’s also the fact that I got the crush on him before the whole fake dating thing.”

“That’s fair,” she said. “We can call it off, Steve. You don’t have to continue this if it’s going to hurt you in the long run.”

He shook his head. “Let me talk to him about it and see where he wants this to go.”

“You thinking he might feel the same about you?” Robin asked, licking her lips slowly.

Steve bit his lip. “There were some moments last night that certainly tended that way. Things said last night in the hotel room that no one could see or hear.”

“And thereby not performative?” she asked, nudging his knee with her hand.

He nodded. “Tell me I’m seeing things, that I’m delusional.”

She let out a long sigh. “Tell me what happened last night and we’ll see.”

So he did. He told her about the sex, the talk about what it means to be a Starcourt escort, the warmth of his arms around him all night long.

Robin shook her head. “Sounds to me like he might have misunderstood something vital.”

Steve cocked his head to the side. “What’s that?”

“That he doesn’t have to hire you to date him,” she said softly.

His eyes went wide. “So what you’re saying is that he thinks in order to spend time with me he has to pay for it, when escorts have had partners in the past. As long as they don’t mind their omega being with other people management has never cared.”

“That’s it in a nutshell, babe.”

Steve grinned. He knew exactly how to go about this.

They pulled up to Steve’s building and he got out.

“First stop,” he said with a grin. “A shower and then Operation: Woo Eddie is going in full speed.”

Robin laughed. “That’s right, you go get your man.”

****

Steve got out of the shower and checked his personal phone first. And sure enough, Robin had come through and did her little magic.

Next he checked client phone and again it was perfect. Eddie had messaged him with a place to meet for dinner.

Steve bit his lip excitedly. He called him.

“Hey, sweetheart,” Eddie murmured sleepily. “Miss me already, Stevie?”

He hummed his agreement. “Always.”

“Yeah?” Eddie asked, his voice clearer as that seemed to wake him up.

“Yeah,” Steve agreed. “It’s not every night I get swept off my feet by a gallant alpha such as yourself.”

“I hate that no one’s been treating you right, baby,” Eddie murmured. “I know it’s just a job and you probably have been trained to not get attached or whatever, but the fact that no one treated you like the gem you are really pisses me off.”

Steve giggled. “That’s what I’ve got you for, right?”

Eddie huffed out a laugh. “Yeah, baby. That’s what I’m for.”

They talked for a bit more until Eddie had to get ready for an interview.

“Bye, honey,” Eddie murmured gently.

“Bye, Eds,” Steve murmured back.

Once off the phone, Steve held his phone to his chest and kicked his feet, giggling.

He jumped when his personal phone rang. He looked at thing like it had grown a head. No one who knew his personal number would call him, they would text. He wandered over to it and picked it up.

He gulped when he saw the number.

Shit.

“Mom!” he greeted with false cheer. “To what do I owe this pleasure!”

Money was the most likely candidate.

“Steven,” she chided, “that is no way to greet your mother. I raised you better than that.”

Ah.

So it wasn’t money. Dad was cheating on her. Again.

“I can greet you however I want, Mother,” he reminded her. “I’m a top paid escort whose cherry popping gave you and dad the million dollars you needed to start that little business of yours.”

Steve could feel her seething on the other end of the line. “Speaking of dear ole dad, who’s his floozy of the month this time? An up and coming actress, a ‘model’ aka porn star, or his secretary again?”

“You get your whorish behavior from him, no doubt,” she hissed. “I should have tossed in the convent and thrown away the key, you useless bitch.”

Steve laughed. “Like Dad would have let you, the money grubbing bastard that he is.”

Again he could feel her seething on the other end.

“So how may I direct your call?” he asked after the silence had stretched a little too long.

“I know you get up to all sorts of sex acts with anyone who has the coin,” she hissed. “But you were seen coming out a hotel early this morning with some rockstar.” She said the last word like she’d smelled something foul.

“He’s my boyfriend,” Steve said with a grin. At least for the next three months, and if he had his way for the next ever.

“He is no such thing, Steven,” she sneered. “I raised you better than to lie to me.”

He scoffed. “Nope,” he said with confidence, “he actually is. We met at that fund raising gala last weekend and really hit off. He was sweet and charming and I was sexy and seductive. So we met up for drinks last night and then drinks turned into the most mind blowing sex imaginable.”

Click.

He threw back his head and laughed. Then he immediately messaged Robin about how well the dating Eddie thing was already going for him.

“Geez,” Robin hissed, immediately calling him to gossip. “If I had known all it took to get your parents to leave you alone was for you date some rockstar, I would have set up a fake dating thing years ago.”

“I know, right?” Steve said with a giggle. “I don’t know how they think they still have control over me. They stopped having any say in what I do when my virginity was auctioned off like some Grecian urn.”

Robin giggled back. “Yeah...they really are stupid. When Eddie’s out of his interview you should thank him.”

Steve laugh was bright and clear as a bell. “Oh even better!” He told her his plan and she agreed.

He hung up with a happy sigh of relief. Today really was a good day.

****

Eddie couldn’t stop think about how Steve had called him as soon as he could. The way they had talked as long as Eddie could before he had to go.

Jeff hit him on the back of the head the third time he missed the interviewer’s questions.

Eddie ducked his head and blushed.

“Someone’s a bit distracted today,” the interviewer teased. “That anything thing to with the man you were papped with this morning?”

He shoved his hair in front of his face to further hide his embarrassment. The record label had actually paid the paparazzo to be there at that time. A little tip that Eddie Munson had met someone in the hotel bar and taken them up to his hotel room.

Big news that.

Gareth rolled his eyes. “Yeah, Ed here has been tits over tail for this omega he met at our charity gala.”

Eddie lifted his head, affronted. “Fuck you! I have not!”

“Yeah, sure,” Brian snorted. “As if he wasn’t the reason you were almost late today.”

“I was on time!” Eddie hissed.

Jeff rolled his eyes. “Dude, like barely. Like your car pulled up just as the clock ticked over to 2pm.”

“That was pretty cool.”

The other band members dogpiled him and he went under with a muted “Oof!”

There was some wrestling but they finally Eddie was let up. He ran his fingers through his hair and straightened his clothes.

“Whew,” he said with a grin.

“So since you’re not up to answering questions about your music,” the interviewer teased, “tell us about this omega you can’t live without.”

Eddie shared a look with all the bandmembers. They all nodded and he licked his lips.

The “reveal” was supposed to take place after their second date, but it didn’t matter when it was announced. Only that it was.

“Oh god,” Eddie said, running his hands over his face. “He’s a Starcourt escort and the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

The interviewer’s eyebrows went up. “Wait, seriously?”

“Yeah,” Gareth said. “He was there to escort some senator or something like that.”

“And it was love at first sight?” the interviewer asked with a note of amusement.

“Sorta,” Eddie admitted. “He had these diamonds in his hair and one had fallen out. I spotted it and gave it back to him. He was just so sweet and kind. So kind that it felt inevitable falling for him.”

“Aww...”

Jeff gagged. “Like they were making goo goo eyes at each other all night and it was revolting how cute they were together.”

“So we convinced him to shoot his shot, you know,” Brian said. “At the worst he would say he couldn’t because he was an escort, but...”

“He said yes?” the interviewer asked, leaning forward. “Holy shit, dude you impressed a Starcourt escort.” He leaned back. “Unless it was some low level newbie?”

Eddie barked out a laugh. “That would be something wouldn’t it? But no, not a low level newbie.”

“Come on,” the interviewer pressed. “You have to at least give us a hint.”

“He said he was one of Starcourt’s top ten earners,” Eddie said with a cough.

The interviewer was pulling up his phone and going through them. “Let’s see, four of them have partners. Of the remaining six, two are twice your age and ultra-conservative, not the type to go to a metal band’s charity gala. Of the four in the age group, I doubt it’s either Tommy Hagan or Darius Knightley as they don’t seem your style.”

Eddie had turned bright red. He hadn’t realized that escort could have partners. And while he felt a little stupid for not realizing that. But he wouldn’t have had the opportunity to rescue Steve last night if they hadn’t been roleplaying and fuck that.

“So that leaves Rhys Hughes or Steve Harrington,” the interviewer concluded. He tapped his finger on his lips as he waited Eddie out.

Sure enough the wait was too much for Eddie’s ADHD riddled brain and he blurted out, “Steve Harrington!”

The other members of the band rolled their eyes.

“They are absolutely gooey together,” Brian confirmed. “Christ that papped photo this morning looked like something out a Jane Austen movie adaption, man.”

Eddie shoved Brian’s shoulder. “It did not!”

“No, no,” Jeff said. “I think I see it too.” He pulled up his phone and went scrolling. He turned his phone to Eddie.

Eddie squinted at the image and then looked up at him shock. “Yeah, okay. We’re gooey as fuck.”

“You going to bring him with you as your date to the Grammy’s?” the interviewer asked.

“That’s the plan,” Eddie confirmed. “He’s going to be my good luck charm. I can just feel it.”

The interview finally got back on the topic of music and they exited the room to find Benny waiting for them.

“I talked to the record label,” he said in lieu of greeting, “they actually love the spontaneity of you blurting Steve’s name out on air. Makes it seem more real.”

Eddie nodded. He figured that would be the case.

Benny shoved a box at him. “These are for you.”

Eddie frowned at the long white box a moment before opening it. Inside were the most gorgeous red roses he’d ever seen. They were almost black at the tips.

He read the card and burst out laughing.

Jeff leaned over to read it. “What does it say?”

“Eds–

Thank you for being the best parent repellent a boy could ask for.

Let’s meet for drinks tonight at 9pm at the hotel La Rose so I can tell you all about it.

Your Stevie”

“Oohh,” Gareth said, “someone’s got a date tonight.”

Eddie had a feeling. A wonderful, amazing, delighted feeling that Steve wanted more than just pretend. And holy hell, did that do something to his insides.

He got out his phone and hurriedly typed out a message.

-Thanks for the flowers, love. And I’ll see you tonight. xx

Gareth rolled his eyes. “You two are going to be a fucking nightmare, aren’t you?”

Eddie looked up at his friends and grinned. “Oh, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”

****

Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17

Tag List: @spectrum-spectre @estrellami-1 @zerokrox-blog @swimmingbirdrunningrock @gregre369 ​@a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @chaoticlovingdreamer @messrs-weasley @goodolefashionedloverboi @maya-custodios-dionach @val-from-lawrence @i-must-potato @danili666 @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog @justforthedead89 @bookworm0690 @bookbinderbitch @yikes-a-bee @littlewildflowerkitten @vecnuthy @scheodingers-muppet @y4r3luv @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @genderless-spoon @anne-bennett-cosplayer @awkwardgravity1 @irregular-child @nburkhardt @apomaro-mellow @yellowdevilkitten @eyehartart @mangoinacan13 @demolvr @ellietheasexylibrarian @rememberthatiloveyou @slowandsteddie @r0binscript @alyelf @melodymeddler @mogami13 @annabanannabeth

[t4tozier]

May I be of service to you on your dad bod richie quest?

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21977446

https://archiveofourown.org/works/26650783

https://archiveofourown.org/works/26514844

https://archiveofourown.org/works/26700664

https://archiveofourown.org/works/26659630

https://archiveofourown.org/works/29446968

https://archiveofourown.org/works/23372842

https://archiveofourown.org/works/29978004

https://archiveofourown.org/works/29436249

https://archiveofourown.org/works/29512068

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30842042

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25073770

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24374677

lmk if you want some more :)

stfu brb sobbing screaming biting thank you sooooo much this is perfect

i will update this as i read through the list! started are my faves :)

burn baby burn - explicit, 2/2, firefighter eddie tops absolute mess richie, written by the same person who wrote the absolute masterpiece predicament bondage

⭐️ joining up the pieces (together making one) - explicit oneshot, semi-canon compliant, bondmates and telepathy, bottom richie/top eddie, very soft and sappy and sweet

⭐️ you talk too much - mature, oneshot, married reddie, eddie pov, being deeply horny, deeply in love, and deeply possessive of his husband, no porn but lots of fun foreplay and beautiful prose! this one goes into the most detail about richie’s body so far i think

lay all your love on me - gen, oneshot, post-canon, eddie just wants deep pressure therapy from richie

at his fingertips - explicit, oneshot, post-canon, reddie roommates who wrestle with each other way too much for middle-aged men

pale pink with hearts - explicit, oneshot, richie pov, bottom richie wearing lingerie

touch me with a kiss, feel me on your lips - explicit, oneshot, semi-canon compliant (eddie didn’t marry myra), confessions of love leading to sex (no penetration)

clear blue waters - explicit, oneshot but part of a loosely connected series, post-canon and amputee eddie <3 character study

under calico skies - explicit, oneshot, richie pov, insecurities, richie just wants to be wooed, valentine’s day

lessons learned - explicit, oneshot, richie pov, miscommunication, love confessions *must be logged into ao3 to read*

⭐️ that’s what you get for waking up in vegas - mature, 3/3, eddie pov, getting drunk and married in vegas, eddie/bev friendship. technically part of a series but it was last updated in 2021 and there isn’t another work :( so the work itself is finished but the story isn’t

⭐️ early in the morning - teen, oneshot, eddie pov, eddie being gushy over how much he loves richie. i always love in these fics where eddie is attracted to richie because of the reminder of his masculinity, bc it’s something that confirms and validates his sexuality, while also just being attracted to him because it’s richie

⭐️ i see love shine - explicit, oneshot but second in a series so i recommend reading the other one first for maximum context and feels, richie pov, bottom richie, post-canon

thank you so much for all of these recs, anon!! not all of them went into detail about richie’s body as much as i crave but they were all fun and sweet and well-written so i appreciate you introducing me to new writers!!

[clericofshadows]

VIKRAM T'LARA ASARI MATRIARCH, PHYSICIAN BONDMATE TO ADRIAN SHEPARD AND UNCLE OF REGIS SHEPARD Rendered in Blender v3.3 Eevee, Map Source (X)

Vikram finally has a canon sculpt and they are looking good! They are part of my Regis Shepard canon, which can be found here in my writing masterpost.

some extra sculpt details, they were sculpted from Morinth's head as a base, using Samara's textures along with newly a baked skin tone and markings.