#AYE COULDN'T POST YESTERDAY!!!

[akai-anna]

Round 3

Round: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

[motherlvr]

can you write something grumpy!42miles x sunshine!reader? where he’s always kinda mean but cares about her but they end up together

this prompt is so cute tysm for the req!!

Word count: About 1,600

Pairing: Grumpy Earth-42! Miles Morales x Sunshine! f! reader

Summary: The line between just classmates and something more is thin. Miles and You seemed to be walking that line.

Warnings: (begrudgingly) friends to lovers, he's a bit mean, fluff, minimal cursing, classmates to lovers, pure fluff, cannot contain the fluff, reader is a little slow, this is short and cute, spanish grammar is not my strong suit

A/N: if i haven't gotten to your request yet, its still a wip but will be posted soon!

_________

You were boisterously laughing. Obnoxiously, even. The guy’s joke wasn’t even that funny.

Miles called your name out with an aggravated tone,

"Would it kill you to shut up for a second?"

You promptly responded, "Would it kill you to lighten up for once?"

He regrets not skipping this class.

That was partially a lie. In reality, he didn’t care for this class at all. He only came to see you. You were one of the few people who put up with him.

Miles and you always sat together during class. "Unassigned assigned seats", you'd call it. But that’s all you were. Seat partners. That was the way it was, and the way it would stay. And he was fine with that, at least he tried to convince himself.

The next day, the seat next to Miles was empty. It hasn’t been empty since the first day you met.

If you asked Miles how you both met, he’d say you forced your way into his life. However, you’d say that you saw through his “cold guy” facade and he opened up his heart to you. He was a good guy if you had the patience. That was only one of the many things he admired about you. Your optimism.

He saw you across the room. You were sitting with someone else. A guy. What was his name again? Miles couldn't recall. That was how irrelevant he was to Miles.

"Is this seat taken?" Miles looked up to the voice that had spoken, hoping it was somehow you. However, as he glanced up, an unfamiliar face was staring at him.

"Nah." He muttered, not sparing her another look.

She introduced herself and told Miles her name, but he wasn't listening. He was listening to your laugh. How could he not? Your laugh was practically drowning out every other voice in the room. At least, that’s how he perceived it.

You were giggling at whatever the guy next to you said. But this time, he wished it was him making you laugh. That guy didn't deserve to hear you laugh, or see you smile.

He couldn't stand your laugh unless he was the cause of it. Miles didn’t pay attention to the lesson that day. He was occupied staring daggers into your back. Yet you never noticed.

You sat next to Miles the day after, as usual. It was an unspoken agreement, and you had broken it the day prior.

Immediately as you sat down, Miles started interrogating you.

"You left me with some random girl to go flirt with that moron? He's a dick." He scoffed at you, nodding his head towards the guy that you left him for yesterday.

Right, like you're not. You thought. "He's really not, he's a good guy!" You defended him and continued, "Plus, your partner was super smart. She was probably more help than I could’ve been.”

"Ella no es tú. What else can I say, ma?" Miles casually said.

You tried to hide your grin but failed as a smile spread across your face. The corner of his lip curled in a small smirk. If you blinked, you would have missed it.

"I’m sorry for 'leaving you', Miles. But don’t worry, I prefer you over him anyway." You smiled brightly at him. And for a second, his stoic heart gleamed.

"I wasn't worried." He grumbled.

"You sure? I mean, whatever you say.” You grinned amusedly at him.

The rest of the class period followed as usual. But this time, before the bell rang, Miles bottled up his dignity to ask you, "Ay ma, wanna hang out after school?"

You raised a skeptical brow at his unusual behavior, "What, you starting to like me now? I thought you couldn't tolerate me." You probed.

Oblivious to you, he does more than just tolerate you. He was growing fond of your presence. He was starting to miss the sound of your giggle echoing within the room when he wasn’t around you.

But he couldn't find the courage to tell you just yet. Instead, he murmured, "I can tolerate you. Out of most of these people in here, anyway."

"I'm kidding. Yeah, I'm down, Miles." You teased him and agreed.

What you didn't know is that your initial question wasn't very far from the truth.

The school day couldn’t have passed any slower. If you were being honest, you were eagerly anticipating spending more time with Miles out of school.

The final bell of the day rang, and Miles held up to his side of the agreement. He met up with you after school.

Walking side-by-side, you asked, "What've you got planned for us today, Miles? You gonna wine and dine me?" you winked at him.

"Maybe another day, mami." He cracked a slight grin as he responded, fond of your antics.

"I'll hold you to that. I've got a better idea, anyway." You said as you heard a familiar song ringing through the atmosphere.

You yanked Miles by his arm and pulled him, "Look, an ice cream truck! I haven't seen one of those in forever. Let's go!"

A rare smile adorned Miles' face. Not that you saw it. You were too busy chasing after the ice cream truck and dragging him along.

You approached the ice cream truck. The ice cream man greeted you, "Hey guys! What can I get for you today?"

Without missing a beat, you said "Hello! Can I get the Spongebob popsicle please?" with a bright smile.

Miles ordered his right after you. "Coming right up!" The ice cream man said. He shortly returned with both your orders in hand.

As you tried to give the owner cash, Miles lowered your hand gently and said, "Let me pay for you." It was more of a demand as he handed cash to the man.

You couldn't contain the surprise that formed on your face. "Really? Thank you, Miles! You didn't have to do that, y’know." You reached up to him and peppered a kiss on his cheek as a token of gratitude. "Nah, I wanted to." He dismisses it with a shrug.

The man gave you both your ice creams and said, "Have a good day!"

"Young love. A beautiful thing to see." The owner of the truck said as you both walked away.

You both sat on a bench surrounded by a garden of blooming flowers. It was quite scenic for Brooklyn. "Miles, look. He only has one eye!" You chuckled as you showed him your popsicle.

Unbeknownst to you, you had ice cream smeared on your face. He leaned in to wipe the corner of your mouth with his thumb, his gaze lingering on your lips. An almost too-intimate action for people who were just "classmates." But you brushed it off as him being friendly for a change.

"You're a mess, mami." He chuckled, shaking his head at you. You ignored how he made your stomach do flips.

Miles had led you to a rooftop that he frequents. It had an incredible view of the sun, despite all the tall buildings encased around you two.

Miles and you spent the rest of the evening together, basking in the presence of one another. You conversed for hours, only realizing the time when the sun started to set. Comfortable moments of silence were exchanged as you watched the sun disappear from the sky, the moon soon replacing it.

“It’s a full moon, isn’t it just beautiful?” You admired the moon as it shone down on the sullen streets of Brooklyn.

"Yeah, It is." He replied, but he wasn't looking at the moon. If you had just turned your head, you'd realize the true meaning of his words. He hadn't even noticed the moon. His eyes were fixated on you instead. He believed that the moon couldn't even hold a candle to you.

"Why haven't we done this before, Miles? I enjoyed hanging out with you today." You felt harmonious with him for once, laying your head against his shoulder as you studied his face.

"I did too, princesa. Maybe I will just wine and dine you someday." Miles said with a smirk, gazing down into your eyes with a borderline smitten expression.

A lightbulb suddenly enlightened your brain. You mentally banged your head against a wall. How could you be so naive to not realize it sooner?

You broke the tension in the air and raised your head to look into his eyes. "Is this a date? You know, people that are 'just' classmates don't go on dates." You told him cheekily.

Could he not have made it more obvious? He paused for a moment and said, “I don’t want to be just classmates.”

“So you want to be best friends? Great! Me too." You grinned, feigning naivety.

His face immediately dropped as he facepalmed himself. "Dios mío, no. That's not what I meant. Never mind, olvídalo." He said, shaking his head.

You beamed at him and laced your fingers with his. “I’m just messing with you, Miles. I like you too. In case you haven't noticed."

He sighed of relief as he lifted your entwined hands to press a soft kiss to the back of your hand. You stayed in each other's embrace for the rest of the night.

From that day forward, you never broke the unspoken agreement ever again. And Miles never had to worry about you associating with another douche again. Excluding himself.

You walked into class hand-in-hand the next day. The following days, as well. That's the way it was, and that's the way it would stay. And both of you were content with that.

_________

ella no es tú - she's not you

dios mío - my god

olvídalo - forget it

princesa - princess

[thesleepyfable]

~ SWTD: Still Here AU Season 2 Part 16: ~

Tell Us About Tommy:

Who's ready for the London/Hospital Arc next week? Yes, I'm determined to post these last few chapters weekly.

Part 17:

WHAT IS IT? WALKING BLOB SPOTTED

Said the Daily Mail.

MESH OF FLESH

Said the Sun.

MONSTER IN THE HIGHLANDS

Said the Gazette.

It didn't take long, and it wasn't surprising to see a picture of Addair walking through Braemar. Of course, someone took a picture from their window and sent it to the papers. Caz was just thankful it was taken before he got there, and his name wasn't mentioned in the article.

Usually, Caz ignores the paper. He didn't care about what was happening in the world, and he didn't like to read. But he couldn't ignore it today. A sign outside the local corner shop, with their piles of newspapers outside in their containers, caught his attention. Without thinking, Caz purchased the Mail, shuddering at the fact he actually put his money into this rubbish.

By the time he got back to the others, everyone was ready to go. As if he was holding the World Cup, Caz raised the paper for anyone to see and climbed into the truck, now the only passenger on the bench seat.

'Good news, Addair,' he called through the small window. 'You're famous.'

'Alright. Go on,' Addair hummed. He had to be honest. He found it amusing that he was on the front cover of the news. His mum always said he'd make it one day.

Caz turned to the full article on page 3. The trucks began the second half of the journey. Another 5 hours to go.

'The sleepy village of Brearmer, located on the border to the Highlands, has encountered a strange creature on their streets.

Residents said they have woken to what they thought was an earthquake.'

Caz stopped to hold in a laugh. Rennick didn't. '

But was instead greeted by an unknown thing they described as 'a ball of flesh.' Local police explained how they followed and watched the creature leave on its own and into the Highlands, where no sightings have currently been seen since.'

Nice to know they lied for them. Caz scanned a few lines ahead, relieved to not seem him or Roy being mentioned before continuing. '

Others in the community have commented.

'At first, I didn't know what to think. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me,' local shopkeeper Oliver Ferguson told our editor. 'Or it was a smudge on my glasses.' When asked if he was scared, he had this to say.

'I was surprised, of course I was, but when I saw it was just walking, I didn't give it much thought after that.'

The creature might have gone, but it's presense has sparked interest for both locals and holiday makers.'

Caz rolled up the paper and offered it to Addair and Rennick in the back. 'Well, it was only a matter of time before someone saw you lot. You'll be next, Rennick. I can see it now. Giant Head? Giant Brain? Written by Arthur Brittenden.'

'Maybe they'll put me on the next 5 pound coin?' Rennick mused, as he and Addair began to read on the sport.

'Well, keep your head up, aye? Maybe the Queen would like to speak to yous when we reach London.'

'She wouldn't understand a word we were saying.' Caz chuckled and turned his head back to the window until he felt one of Addair's tendrils on his shoulder.

'Was Suze happy to see you?' He asked.

'Very much so,' Caz said.

'Then why didn't you stay?'

'Because someone has to make sure you keep your chainsaw bum in line.'

'What?'

'I heard Cait call you it yesterday.'

'She has a way with words, doesn't she?'

'A little writer in the making.' Then it slowly dawned on the leccy that he knew nothing about Addair's son. He was going all this way to see him, yet apart from a name and a dream, he couldn't pick him out of a crowd. Addair hadn't talked about his boy once. Not even back on Beria. But it was clear he loved him. 'What's Tommy like?'

Addair paused, not knowing if he should answer. He felt his heart skip a beat and then sink at the mention of his son, but it was nice. 'Come on. Give us something,' Caz continued, bringing Addair back to reality.

'I- Tommy's a good boy. Good in school. Likes football. He loves the bike I gave him last year.' Rennick slowly stopped reading and turned his attention to Addair. 'Wants to go into army, or become a rockstar - the next Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath - he hasn't decided yet.' Addair chuckled to himself. 'Reds his favourite colour, but he never wears it. Prefers black. Says it matches his hair more.'

'Should have gotten him an orange uniform,' Caz said.

'Oh, I did.'

'What?'

'What?' Rennick chimed in with a look of shock.

'Yeah, after my first time on Beria, I took an orange uniform to show off. Tommy found it hilarious. I had to wear it all day. Said it didn't match me at all.'

'He'd be correct.'

'Fuck you, McLeary.' But, the tone didn't match his words. Addair even managed a small chuckle, before he fell back into pity. He took the paper looked at his picture.

'Is that really what I look like?'

'Will he recognise me?'

'Course he will. You're his dad.'

'What do I tell him?'

'Tell him you love him.'

'And about what happened?'

'Tommy's old enough to understand, Addair. Just focus on him when we wakes up. He'll be happy to see you. I just want to know how you'll get into the hospital.'

'I think I know how.'

'Well, until then...' Caz opened the glove compartment and pulled out several tapes. 'Pink Floyd or Fleetwood Mac?'

'Neither,' Rennick muttered.

'Okay, how about Sex Pistols?'

'Who?'

'Is there a Who tape?'

'ABBA?'

'NO!' Everyone yelled in protest.

In the end, they listened to T. Rex.

[ijustwanttoreadfanfictionplease]

I'm Disgusting

Hello everyone 👋 this is part of a wip I had for Kakuzu that I wa Ted to post. I'll add onto this by reblogging it later!

MDNI 🔞 (eventual smut, this part is just like background build up)

It wasn't like he wanted to be here. A party full of loud-mouthed intoxicated children who knew nothing but to be a waste of time, energy, and money; which to Kakuzu, you might as well of said the latter part three times.

"AYE, OLD MAN!" Kakuzu's attention was diverted from the table that himself and a few others were sitting at to the worst loud-mouth there was. Hidan. "Why is Jashin's name haven't you gotten FUCKED up yet?"

Hidan albeit immortal had a tendency to drink exorbitant amounts that'd put any other person in their grave. Kakuzu didn't really care usually, but it was still an annoyance.

"Busy." Kakuzu's gruff voice retorted. Sure, going out was fine once in a while; moral booster or whatever for the other members. The cash that they spent though got on Kakuzus nerves the next day always. His red eyes scanned the room as Hidan drabbled on in frustration about Kakuzu needing to loosen up.

This to loosen up? A bar which their leader rented. Patrons which came in for cheap booze. A bunch of fucking kids getting drunker than yesterday but not enough to miss work tommorow. Disgusting. Kakuzu clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Hidan, go fuck yourself."

"OH, don't worry about that. Imma get laid LAID tonight!"

Kakuzu rolled his eyes. Of course Hidan would. Even though the crazy Jashinist tended to end the night in sacrifices he undoubtedly always was able to find some paramore to take to the woods and have...fun with. Kakuzu didn't. Rather, Kakuzu wouldn't. Until he saw y/n.

Y/n, sitting at the bar out of place. If he had to guess y/n wasn't as young as his partner or other business associates (as he told himself the other Akatsuki members were to deal with their shenanigans daily). Y/n was wearing a low cut top and a skirt that wasn't hiked to see your hole so he figured you weren't down to fuck and run but he still couldn't help eyeing y/n.

Maybe it was Hidan still popping off in his ear, maybe it was even the alcohol swelling his pride a little bit, but Kakuzu walked up to y/n now with a mission. For the first time in a while he wanted to fuck someone's brains out.

When he reached y/n he thought for a moment all the different ways he could approach this. Outright and ask if they wanted to fuck. Try to do what Hidan or Deidara do and butter up with fake compliments. Instead, Kakuzu was beaten to the punch.

"What's a handsome man like you doing here?"

[unironicallytes]

WIP WThursday!

I neglected to post yesterday oops lol

Tagged by @dirty-bosmer!!! Tyvm!

No-Pressure tags for @areggo @ulanxxxs @thegrunkiest @orfeoarte @miliabyntite and anyone else who would like to join!

This time I've got some older warm-up sketches and writing. We're talking about Zath's birth family today! Left to right is Gerethiril (Gereth), Ceylievenwel (Venwel), and Zathiril. Gereth is Zath's primary father, Venwel is his mother. Like many other Bosmeri settlements in Valenwood, Mor'iargalthil is culturally polygamous, often resulting in 2+ parents being part of a family. Zath thus has a "Yeug'ta" - which translates roughly to "branch father". He's not pictured or written here, but I wanted to mention him lol. Rinoralas is probably off hunting.

Zath left his home in his late teens/early twenties. His mother is their village's Spinner, and he felt frustrated over not being able to meet expectations to follow in her footsteps. That honor and responsibility passed to second eldest, Tanthralas <- btw this is a relevant note as to why Zath chooses the fake name that he does. In writing his parents, I wanted them to have done their best, but ultimately still just be people with their own baggage and issues.

Below is an excerpt of Gereth returning home after having spoken with their wayward son for the last time.

“Y’haven’t eaten, Venwel?” Gereth asked from the doorway. “Mm? Ne.” Venwel finished her current task quietly, then set the arrow shaft to cool. She straightened up in her seat and popped her neck audibly. “Stuck tae my fletchin’ like a bug in Strangler-sap. Needed it, I think. Didnae feel very hungry, anyhow.” Her voice was lightweight yet sharp, like the very arrows she crafted. Star-like pupils fixed on her mate. “... ... Is he alright?” Gereth swallowed thickly and averted his eyes. He knew Venwel to have a kind heart, loved her for it, but facing her with bad news was never easy. Her gaze was a hawk's focused on hapless prey. And though she could spin tradition into words and words into reality, she could not do the same for feelings rooted within herself. Venwel felt those deeply, showed them often without meaning to, but could rarely sit and speak on them in stillness. She couldn't exactly help it, same as their firstborn couldn't exactly help his own similar manner. It was why those two butted heads so often … and exactly why they were here now. So, Gereth returned his calm gaze to meet with her anxious, expectant one, feeling ashamed for having fled it in the first place. “He’s, uh … he’s taken off, Ven,” he answered softly. “What? What d’ye mean taken off?” Immediately, Venwel stood, eyes flashing in startled worry. Gereth held his up hands and crossed over to her. “S’alright, I’ve talked with him … ” “Wait, taken off where, ursauk, is he leavin’ the mountain–?” “Elden Root, aye. S’okay, Ven–” “So ye just let him run off?? Gereth, ye cannae let him trample o’er ye like that! Y’ffre’s beard–!” “Ven, calm … remember what we talked ‘bout with yer talons?” He was cool with her in a practiced way, one honed over many years together. “Ye’re barin’ ‘em at me without e’en knowin’ yet what happened.” Venwel softened as her mate placed a hand on her shoulder. She took a steadying breath. “Right … sorry, ursauk. I … ” She stopped, sat back down, then gestured for him to continue.

[bengiyo]

Be My Favorite Ep 4 Stray Thoughts

Last week, Kawi learned the limits of his time travel power, and set about trying to right things as best he could. He tried avoiding Pisaeng, and then trying to reconcile Pisaeng with his douche friends, only succeeding in pissing off Pisaeng. He also used his foreknowledge to succeed at the lottery and managed to get enough money to go on a class trip he missed in the past. Also, we got a classic Krist mouth wipe after a kiss; don't think I forgot.

I'm in love with Max. Is he single?

Kob Songsit is a really good actor, and we're honestly lucky we get to see him as often as we do.

What kind of bus lets you consume from glass bottles?

I'm glad we had the discussion about drinking culture in Southeast Asia yesterday.

Oh, Kawi. He's not the one to take this kind of hazing in stride.

I'm glad at least Pear's friend recognizes that Kawi is not okay with these people getting involved in his love life. They don't care about him in a personal way.

I'm with Max and the, "Couldn't be me!" energy.

Finally, a BL character that is trying not to sing.

Honestly, this isn't that intrusive of the seniors so far. Organizing a hangout, and then giving Kawi a chance to be alone with Pear isn't bad.

Ah, nevermind. They're spying. Now it's shit.

Aye Sarunchana is very good at hiding her eyes and posture to convey her discomfort.

Pear turns Kawi down as gently as she can. She acknowledges his feelings, thanks him for the intentions behind them, but lets him know that her intentions are directed elsewhere. She gives him no false hope without being mean.

Oh, Kawi, she has no obligation to tell you who she likes. Now it's even more awkward for everyone.

"Kawi, stop." I do not want Not's meddlesome ass trying to get Kawi laid.

I'm also with Pisaeng. The girl Kawi was dancing with definitely just hit on Pisaeng.

Hey, Kawi isn't wrong here about Pisaeng needing to make things clear with Pear about his feelings. I hope Pisaeng also makes his feelings about Kawi clear so we don't blow another Now Kiss moment.

I feel for Pear. I remember about ten years ago when a guy turned me down and he got so awkward after. I also said something akin to, "I'm not that fragile."

"You call yourself an intellectual. Act like one." COME THROUGH, MS. PEAR!!!! That read was well-deserved, and definitely directed towards the audience as well. I'm often uncomfortable about the way people record each other and turn the lives of their friends, classmates, colleagues, and neighbors into spectacle.

Pisaeng, blurry in the background between Pear and Kawi, was a great shot.

I really like that Kawi didn't jump to the future this time.

Hey, this was a really solid episode. You can definitely feel some of the post-SOTUS energy in this where the casual bullying of a junior is actively called out. I also like that both Pear and Kawi were firmly rejected. It makes total sense that Pear would further befriend Kawi after seeing his affections be abused by his seniors for their amusement.

Was not expecting this show to grab me like this, or for a Jittirain story to involve so much forthright communication. Kongpob's directness and earnestness was the main reason I liked SOTUS and why he still remains one of my favorite characters.

[workingonit-currently]

League of Gentlemen fic 2

This time with a Chinnery fic. (Check out the last fic post for a Ross one)

Promise the Ollie one is coming but for all of you who prefer to read fics on tumblr click 'read more'.

Enjoy my small contributions to the fandom.

Finally, finally, you could hear the vet's car pull up.

You'd called him about half an hour ago because your cat was limping, since then you've been staring out the window at every car that passed by. (Most of which were just Barbara in her hot pink taxi.)

"Hello?" A voice calls as someone you hope is the vet knocks on your door.

"Hello." You respond with as you open the door, smiling as a blond haired man stands there in a sweater and long coat.

It strikes you as weird for a vet to not wear sterile lab clothing but what do you know, vets can wear whatever they want as long as they have a tightly strapped watch.

"Where's the patient then?" He asks as you turn to lead him further into the house, silently thanking him for closing the door behind him.

You eventually lead him to a cat-carrier with your little kitty in.

"This is Miro, he's been limping." You start, opening the cage and scooping him out to present him to the vet that you fail to remember the name of.

"Oh that's not good is it?" He mutters, reaching out for you to place Miro into his arms, cradling the cat so carefully, "What is wrong with you then Miro, aye?"

If he acts this sweetly with all the animals he encounters you can't see why your brother was reluctant for you to contact him. Practically begged you.

"I'm just going to put the kettle on, do you want something?" You ask to pass the time. There's nothing you can do, it's all out of your hands now.

"No thank you." The vet says as he slowly puts the cat down and holds it in place, feeling along it's hips for any kind of crack or break.

.

".....You know, sometimes there is no logic...things just die, sometimes there's nothing you can do. You did everything right and still it goes wrong." Matthew Chinnery murmurs as he rubs you back.

You'd only been gone a couple minutes and poor little Miro had gone in that time, died. You couldn't explain it if you tried but you supposed that's what Mr Chinnery is trying to say.

"I don't know why I'm crying, you're the one who saw Miro die." You confess, trying to pull yourself together and look at the poor vet. Gosh he must feel so useless, an animal dying under his care.

Chinnery offers a small smile at your distraught face as he continues rubbing your back, "I'm used to it."

Reaching out you place a hand on his arm before sighing, "It doesn't make it easier though."

Matthew doesn't say anything to this but you do spend a couple minutes just in the moment before he claps his hands together and rises.

"Well, I best be off, animals need attending to. Call me again if..."

"Miro was my only pet Mr Chinnery but I might see you again. Are you local?" You explain as you both walk to the door.

"Oh yes, I cover the whole of Royston Vasey." He answers with a smile and a nod as you open the door for him and let him go through.

"On your tiny little bike?"

He chuckles at that but doesn't answer as you wave him goodbye before closing the door.

Only then realising you have a dead cat to think about disposing of now.

.

It's only the next day you see the veterinary again, biking past with a lead trapped in his back wheel.

"Chinnery!" You shout half-way through a friendly wave, dropping the bags of shopping you were holding.

It's unfortunate but at least it startles the vet enough for him to screech to a stop, stumbling a bit.

"God, Matthew, your bike." You wheeze, your mind flashing with the worst case scenario. You'd just lost a dear cat yesterday, you're starting to suspect you might be cursed if this dog dies.

Chinnery looks at his bike while still on it before his eyes widen at the dog and lead attached to it.

"Oh dear." He mutters as he unties the dog carefully. You watch on with a minor bit of worry but are thankful, just this once, that there are seemingly no cars in this town driving about.

"I suppose that's why people are starting to give their pet's breakaway buckle collars now..." He muses as he looks up at you, finally having untied the dog from the bike, "Now, do you happen to know who's dog this is?"

You shake your head before cautiously taking the lead Chinnery holds out for you, the man slowly shuffling his bike onto the pavement.

It's a sweet dog, though of no recognizable breed, brown, black and white with a square muzzle and short stubby legs.

"Can you take them for me? I was just on my way to a call-out." Matthew asks as he starts waddling the bike along the pavement, yourself picking up your bags to walk with him, the dog's lead still in your hand.

"...That was troubling."

"Not at all, call-outs are completely normal. I can't be everywhere at once." He admits with a light tone.

"I mean the dog. Imagine if you had ridden all the way to some person's house, the dog would probably be dragging behind you, dead."

The vet nods in agreement before sighing, a hand rubbing his chin as his smile falls.

"..Oh well, I'll be seeing you." He announces before pushing off with his bike, the cheerful look back on his face, leaving you with a random dog and your hands full of shopping.

You watch him go before taking a deep breath in.

"I'm going to call you Alex, after a friend of mine." You state to the dog as you look down at him before restarting your walk home.

"I don't think your near-death was an accident Alex, something strange is going on."

Something strange is going on. You are almost completely sure now. After wandering around, a random dog following you, and asking the people of Vasey, you keep getting similar answers.

"Oh Matthew's wonderful, he did kill *insert any animal here* though."

Could it be that Matthew Chinnery is cursed? Does he secretly hate animals?

Looking down at Alex, the dog, you press down that last thought. Chinnery is too sweet to kill animals on purpose, though training for years as a vet is really not the most efficient way to kill animals, even if he is fooling you.

"Good job Alex." You mutter, processing all you've been told today as your feet lead you home . . "Hmm, doesn't make sense..." You breathe, squinting at your notebook.

"Any clues Alex?" You ask the unhelpful pooch to your right, earning you a long yawn in response.

You haven't got a dog bed, on account of you having not owned a dog before today, so little Alex had had to find a place to sleep on your bed.

"Fair enough pup, fair enough."

It's late for the poor dog and it's late for you. Far too late to be staring at scribbles and drawings that would make very little sense to most awake brains, never-ending your exhausted one.

Rubbing the dog's head before getting up from your position on the bed to prepare for bed, you decide tomorrow you will approach Chinnery anew.

It's fair to say it wasn't an easy sleep. You're not used to the added weight of a dog lying on your legs and more than once you awoke to the sudden impression you were being held down, trapped.

Nevertheless the morning still comes and with a warming breakfast, so does your research on Chinnery.

Your finger trails over the writing on the notebook, the ink deep ingrained to the page.

It's all rubbish, fear-mongering on the supernatural about curses and curses, ailments brought on by psychic energy and blood harvesting.

Still, it's good for getting an idea of what you're dealing with.

"You don't think Matthew fell into a bog as a child, do you?"

Alex the dog doesn't respond, still pacing around the kitchen and sniffing under the cupboards.

"No, me neither."

You run a hand through your hair before sighing, closing your eyes for a minute to clear your head.

"Okay Alex, time to call in the original Alex. Classic Alex."

You reach for your phone before pausing. Stopping yourself as you think.

"No..." You conclude. Why bother original Alex when it's none of your business.

Matthew seems to have operated for years without help, perhaps he doesn't want the curse to end. Perhaps he wouldn't know what to do if it did.

Luckily you don't have to stay too long on those thoughts as your phone rings.

"Hello?"

"Ah! Sorry, is this the right number?"

You pause before answering, locking eyes with Alex.

"Depends Chinnery, did you mean to call me?"

Suspicious that the one person you were thinking about just so happens to call you.

More than that, it's stranger as you have only Alex the dog left as a pet and you don't think there's anything medically wrong with him yet.

"Matthew?"

"Yes?"

"Did you need something?" You slowly ask.

"Yes," He pauses as you imagine time wetting his lips quickly to prepare himself to continue, "Would it be okay to make a house visit after work today?"

You almost ask why but push it away, not wanting to say the wrong thing and spook the poor vet.

Chinnery must have interpreted the silence as reluctance anyway though as he quickly adds, "For the dog. From yesterday. Want to check on him, make sure he's okay after that scare."

"Of course Dr Chinnery. Come around any time this evening, we will be waiting." . . A storm starts after six. Dark and heavy, thrashing against your windows and sending a chill throughout the house.

If you didn't know better you'd think it was atmospheric. You think Chinnery is going to reveal his curse, whatever that might be, and you think the night senses it, putting on the performance fitting of such a reveal.

"Any minute now Alex, it's okay." You comfort the whining dog in your lap. You aren't working, haven't found anything yet, so you've stayed home, faced the storm with your new companion.

"Any minute..."

You hope that's true.

You also hope that's a knock on the door and not the wind hitting it.

Just as you suspected, Mr. Chinnery is standing there in the pouring rain, drenched and staring at you with pleading eyes.

"You look like you've been crying."

It's a simple statement to ease the tension before you step aside, ushering him in and looking out into the wet black one last time, shutting the door.

As you spin around your heart breaks a small fraction. Matthew Chinnery looks lost.

He's standing in your living room, dripping onto the carpet and trying to suppress his shivers. He's still got his large green coat on, though it is undone as always and seemed not to have made a difference with the storm.

"Sit Chinnery, sit." You instruct as you breeze past him and sit on your sofa, watching as he looks down, his mouth forming a small line.

"Matthew." You start, focusing his attention on you and not the sofa behind him, "My furniture has survived worse than a soaking veterinary on it."

Finally Chinnery relents and sits, only cringing slightly as he does so, knowing he's sodden the sofa now.

You nod at him before sitting yourself, carefully inspecting the room for Alex though thankful when you can't find him.

He's hopefully hid somewhere. Smart dog.

"So.." You're unsure how to start, "Animals die around you a lot?"

"Yes...any animals..until you came along.." Chinnery mutters, rubbing his chin again before glancing at you.

"You...you see, it's a...curse." He adds, voice quivering as he looks anywhere but at you.

"Or it's supposed to be!" He clarifies, obviously nervous to admit his family might actually have a curse despite the fact it's the only thing that makes sense of this nonsense.

"You are cursed?"

Slowly but surely he nods, glancing at you.

With a sigh you take out your phone and press call, "Alex, it happened again."

Chinnery looks at you like you're insane while you hum and nod along to the person you've just called.

"No, vet this time. Makes a change doesn't it." You explain as you look at the poor man, giving him your best reassuring smile, "You're going to be okay Chinnery, Alex has been through this before."

"The dog?" He asks, looking at where Alex the dog has entered, staring up at him with curious eyes.

"Okay. I'll bring the lighter." You ignore him before ending the call and focusing on Matthew.

He looks confused, concerned and overall out of his depth. It makes you want to hug him.

"Don't worry veterinary, we'll have you uncursed by tomorrow evening."

Chinnery blinks.

"...And what am I suppose to do until then? I have a full day tomorrow."

You hadn't thought of that. Real life doesn't time-skip and you need him uncursed now. (Or Alex the dog is going to die.)

"Call off sick?"

Matthew looks at you with wide eyes, "Excuse me?"

"Say you've got a rare sickness, can't see any animals or you could pass it on to them and..."

"Kill them. Yes." He nods before sighing, ducking his head into his hands.

You let him stay like that until a few seconds pass without him moving. It starts to get concerning, him sitting hunched over and not saying a word, soaking wet and shivering. 

So you decide to do something.

Standing up from the sofa, barely acknowledging Chinnery's glance at you, you head to the kitchen and put the kettle on.

"How many sugars do you take?"

.

Matthew's a lot better now, with a warm sugary drink in his hands and his coat stripped off.

His top and jumper are still soaked, along with the rest of him, but there's nothing you can do about that.

"Better?"

"Yes, thank you." He hums as he sips the tea, still hunched over.

The storm hasn't relented, still battering down your door and windows, as you realise there's no way in good spirits you can let Matthew head back home tonight in this. Meaning you'll somehow have to convince him to stay with you.

And hopefully change out of his sodden clothes lest he catch pneumonia.

"Well, I should be heading off." Chinnery starts as he places his cup to the side, smiling warmly as he intends to leave you politely and swiftly.

"Oh no Mr Chinnery, I don't think you can leave tonight." You start, quite aware it could sound like you're trapping him here forever.

"Pardon?"

"I mean..." You pause to draw his attention to the storm outside and the sound of heavy rainfall, "In this storm I can't allow you to go home alone. Staying here would be much safer."

He has the common sense to at least think about it, lips pressed together into a line, before answering.

"I can't, I'm not equipped to. I haven't got nightclothes or anything."

"No worries. I steal my brother's clothes all the time and he's around your size, you can have those." You say, dismissing his concern with a little wave.

A second passes again as he considers this before sighing.

"Fine. One night couldn't hurt."

And so, you set him up in your spare bedroom and give him a pile of your brothers clothes before shutting the door.

Breathing out a sigh of relief you walk to your bedroom and are happy to find Alex the dog waiting for you, sleeping.

"What a night Alex."

The dog, of course, doesn't respond, not even stirring from his slumber as you sit next to him and absently stroke his fur.

"One night can't hurt." You mutter to try and reassure yourself, the fear of waking up to Alex being dead tragically or Matthew having left to brave the storm alone, both twisting in your head and making you sick to your stomach.

"I think we might have a problem!" Chinnery calls from his bedroom. It's a welcome distraction from your worries but does mean you sprint to him faster than you would normally.

When you open the door to the spare bedroom you do find Chinnery in a situation.

"I might have misjudged how similar your sizes were."

The vet is half drowning in your brother's clothes as you attempt to hold back your laughter to not awake the dog.

"At least they're not too tight." You offer, approaching Chinnery and carefully try and take his hand, pulling him upright.

When he's standing up it's not too bad, the trouser legs just present a tripping hazard and the top could fall off if he shuffled his arms around but it's not too bad you try and tell yourself.

"Has the storm subsided yet?" He enquires fruitlessly.

"They say it's going to be with us all night."

Carefully you help him to his bed so he doesn't trip, before sitting next to him.

"I mean it Matthew, by tomorrow evening you won't have this curse anymore."

He doesn't respond and when you look at him you see he's just staring at the carpet with glossy eyes.

"Thank you." He manages with a quiet voice that scarcely carries the same image of the happy-go-lucky vet he presents.

"Like I said, I've been through this before." You remind him, waving away the praise. You don't think you deserve it, not until the job's done and Chinnery can rest easy.

"No, I mean thank you. For...believing me."

You huff before leaning against his shoulder.

"You deserve it Matthew, you're a good person."

.

You leave him after that, the image of a veterinarian drowning in pyjamas not quite leaving you yet. It brings a warmth to your chest despite the chill the storm is trying to enforce.

Despite the warmth Chinnery brings, you attempt to push any thought of him down until tomorrow, snuggling in bed with the already sleeping Alex the dog. It's successful until an hour later there's a quiet knock at your door as it slowly creaks open.

Standing there, silhouetted by the hall light, is Chinnery.

His head is bowed and his shoulders slumped as he slowly approaches, unsure if you're awake and unaware you watch him.

"Hello."

The voice that leaves him is barely above a whisper and yet feels so loud in the silent and dark room you almost feel sorry for him.

"Are you awake?" He calls again, approaching further and unaware that you still watch him.

Once he reaches the top of your bed he pauses, taking a moment of quiet contemplation as he seemingly decides something to himself.

"If you are, I can leave. I just...I just wanted to talk.."

As he turns to leave you finally decide to speak up.

"Stay."

It's like a dagger that pierces the heart of the darkness but it does it's job as Chinnery stops his retreat, looking back at you frozen.

"What...What did you want to talk about?" You ask.

He continues to pause before reapproaching, silently asking if he can sit and sitting once you give him a nod.

"Nothing."

You give him a look in the darkness.

"What if...If it fails?"

"What?"

"What if it fails?" He looks at you as he asks this, he really looks at you. It means you can see how his eyes shine as they catch what little light is entering your room, you can see the tears threatening to spill.

"Oh Chinnery." You sigh before bringing him into a hug, your heart dropping as his body sags into the contact.

Gosh, how long, you wonder, has this man been carrying this. It was hard enough for him to admit this evening he thinks he has a curse but what more is he holding in?

His shoulders shake as he buries his head, the tension in him betraying how much he is trying to hold back.

If he was a dam you'd visualise the dam creaking, groaning under all the tension. All the tension he's subjecting himself to just to try and not be heard.

If you strain you can even make out soft whispers of apologise from Matthew in between sniffles and whimpers.

He doesn't deserve this.

You hold him close, willing all his pain away as he struggles to not break down, muscles tense as they fight his sadness.

"You're going to be okay Veterinary"

You keep holding him, brushing his hair until he starts relaxing.

This was not how you thought the night would go but you're not complaining. Not when you have an admirably cute vet hiding against your chest.

.

So, you slept with the vet.

You're rapidly realising that now in the increasing morning light as it shines through your window and on the face of Matthew Chinnery nestled up in your duvet, in your bed.

He looks peaceful like this, the lines on his brow softened and his mouth slightly parted in a silent snore, extremities neatly curled into his balled form.

You suppose it's not the worst thing to have happened and it is explainable, with you two being further tired from Chinnery's breakdown last night, you both slipped right off in the embrace of your bed without a thought for how it might be in the morning.

Making the most of the situation you slip out of bed and downstairs, shushing Alex the dog as you put the kettle on.

Making tea and toast you hum as Alex circles your feet in the morning sun.

"Want to go out, Pup?" You ask him and receive an enthusiastic smile.

At least you think it's an enthusiastic smile as you put a lead on him and change clothes, making sure Chinnery is still sleeping.

Sneaking out of the house before locking the door, you go on a walk with Alex.

The air is wet and silent as it is the early hours but you don't mind. You like the silence as you can hear the paw-patter of Alex and your own crunching of your boot.

You appreciate that it's not warm, it is never warm here. Alex, the real Alex, doesn't like the warm and you suppose, looking down at Alex the dog, he wouldn't appreciate it either.

Shops are opening as you walk past, nodding your head to anybody who catches your eye before being stopped by Alex refusing to move past a certain shop.

"Alex." You warn but he still doesn't move.

Groaning before giving in, you enter the butchers.

Having been here for a short while you hadn’t had the chance to enter the butchers before but now that you do, you see it's very similar to the ones back home. The same counter and set-up of meat, though the butcher is different.

"Hello." You greet to him, regretting not reading the name of the shop outside.

"Hello. Who do we have here?" He greets before crouching down to look at Alex the dog who barks happily at him.

You laugh awkwardly.

"Alex. Sorry, I haven't had him for long, haven't trained him not to bark yet." You explain before holding the lead tighter as the butcher laughs and focuses back on you.

"It's no problem, what do you need?"

You offer a smile before eyeing the meats on display, trying to figure out what you can buy.

It's all neatly labelled but eventually, as you stare and think, all the meats blend in to one pink colour.

"Umm...What would you recommend for the dog?" You eventually look back and enquire of the butcher.

He blinks at you for a moment before looking down at Alex, facial expression not changing from a neutral one.

"Liver I should think." He mutters before grabbing what you assume is liver and bagging it.

You smile before biting your lip and finally asking.

"Do you know the vet, Chinnery?"

The butcher pauses at this, eyes looking you up and down before slowly answering.

"Yes, why?"

The air has suddenly got a little thicker as he stares at you. Was he always this scary or had he suddenly become strangely threatening?

"Oh, he..umm..." You stammer before taking breath and pulling yourself together, "Is he a vegetarian? Do you know?"

His eyes narrow at you, chin rising as he doesn't answer.

You swallow as you hold his gaze, hoping maybe someone else will enter the shop and take the pressure off you. You're not that lucky though. Not even Alex takes pity on you as he continues to stare, clueless at the butcher who is staring you down.

"What do you know of Mr. Chinnery?" He asks slowly, keeping his eyes on you as he reaches down and grabs some meat with his gloved hands.

If you think it's a rude question, you dare not comment.

"Not much, I haven't been here long." You answer somewhat honestly as the butcher huffs and finally breaks eye contact to turn and wrap the meat he's picked up.

You glance down at Alex who is still staring at the butcher, mouth open and tongue lolling out.

The smell you might have thought interesting, of blood and meat, has turned rancid in your nose and yet you can't leave without paying. Even if the butcher is making you squirm, you will not falter.

"A word of advice, if I may?" He starts, turning with a bag and a smile, "If you care for your little pet's well-being, stay away from Chinnery. Strange things happen to animals around here and it's mostly his fault."

You smile back at him, taking the bag before clicking your tongue at Alex to indicate you should go, handing over the money needed before turning and walking to the door.

"Have a nice morning." He calls as you leave.

.

You return to a slightly more musical house than when you left. Chinnery's in the kitchen, cautiously trying to find breakfast, turning to face you as you enter.

He looks awkward but not anything more as you stare at each other, yet you feel the need to break this off quickly.

"Just...stay where you are." You instruct, looking down at Alex before moving away from the kitchen to take the dog to the safety of the bedroom.

"I'm sorry pup, you're going to stay here. I can't risk it."

Alex doesn't understand. Yet Alex stays in the bedroom as you close the door, moving to sit on your bed.

"Everything okay?" Chinnery asks as soon as you get downstairs. He's abandoned his search for breakfast and instead is now focusing on you.

You wave him off, "All good."

You can't tell him you're starting to doubt yourself. You've only known about this curse for less than a day and he's had to experience it his entire professional life, you can't let him know you're afraid.

So you just put the bag on the table and reach inside, surprised there's two packages instead of one. They both look innocent enough but in one there is an unknown meat. A meat packaged by a strange butcher who warned you about the dangers of a seemingly nice enough vet.

Still, you put both away in the fridge and smile at Chinnery as he sits down, a mug of tea in front of him.

"I thought it would be okay to help myself to the teabags," he explains.

It looks like he takes it with only a drop of milk, the liquid being a deeper colour brown than you have.

"You thought correctly. As long as you're a guest here, you can help yourself to anything."

He smiles up at you, ducking his head as he sips his tea.

"You called someone yesterday?"

"Yeah, my friend, Alex."

He pauses at this, looking upwards to the ceiling where Alex the dog is sleeping above him.

"The man you named the dog after?"

You nod, glad he got it in one.

He doesn't say anything after that, humming before going back to sipping his tea. You suppose it will continue like this, waiting with nothing to do for the rest of the day.

.

It's just about to turn the afternoon when you stand waiting at the train station.

Matthew had suggested you bike but you didn't have a bike and Alex, the dog, could do with more walking.

Due to the 'dog' predicament and the fact Chinnery can't interact with an animal butting it in the way of Damocles' sword, the vet had walked a few feet behind and is now standing far away from where you're stood in the station.

You'd glance at him every now and then, just stood there. It's a sad sight but one both of you agreed was for the best.

Luckily you can't continue to take pity on the poor vet as a train arrives at that moment, a cloud of steam you think is highly unnecessary and your friend is here.

You don't blame Chinnery for falling over, at least you assume he's fallen over due to the clanging sound behind you. Alex, the real original Alex, is a little intimidating.

"Alex." You greet with a smile, looking up at him as he scans the station, eyes narrowing at Matthew.

"Hey." He eventually greets back, looking away from the vet and back at you, a softness to him.

"This is also Alex" You introduce the dog as Alex kneels down to greet him.

"And he's the reason we kinda need this sorted."

Pointing with your head in the general back direction seems to do the trick as Alex hums.

He then marches up to Chinnery, you trailing behind and advising him that maybe that's not the best, glancing down at the dog Alex.

Alex, the not-dog, looks at Chinnery for a second, towering over him before asking, "Is this him? The cursed vet?"

You hum before Alex narrows his eyes, Matthew shuffling under the gaze.

"What kind of curse?" He enquires towards the vet but isn't surprised by you answering. He is putting on his best intimidating persona. (Which you do not thank him for. Spooking the poor vet.)

"Blood curse. Kills all animals he interacts with."

"Mhm, tricky one." Alex admits, rubbing his hands together.

Glancing over at Chinnery, you try not to chuckle. He's hunched over a little, almost making himself seem smaller so he can go unnoticed. You assume it's unintentional but you wouldn't fault him for purposefully curling in on himself, Alex does that to a lot of people.

Seeing the predicament the vet is in, you take pity on him.

"Why don't you go and get settled in my house and we'll leave you be?" You suggest to Alex as you pat his arm, smiling and guiding him towards the house.

He looks down at you with a raised brow and a smile, silently asking if this is really what you want to do.

Your refusal to answer tells him exactly what he needs to know as he rolls his eyes, takes the dog and walks to the house.

"Chinnery." You greet as you're once again alone with the vet.

It's amusing, to think you and him had waited all day just for Alex and now he's here, you've dismissed him just to be alone together again.

.

You begin your wander, taking in the town with Chinnery.

"So..." He starts as he falls in pace beside you.

"So." You repeat back to him.

"What is Alex, the real one, going to do?"

You shrug.

"Form a plan. A concrete one."

Chinnery hums as you continue, reaching the main road to the town now. In a couple of minutes there will actually be buildings and shops around you.

"And do you know what that plan might entail? I don't actually know how one goes about breaking a curse..." He admits, a little sheepish as in your peripherals you see he dips his head.

"Hmm.." You mutter before thinking, slowing your pace, "Probably passing the curse on. That's much easier than breaking a curse..."

At this the vet stops dead.

"Pardon?"

You stop just a few steps in front of him, looking back concerned.

"I think he might suggest we pass on the curse instead of break it." You repeat, not worrying yourself about the method of curse removal as you see Matthew's face fall.

Not once in your limited time of knowing him have you seen the face he's wearing right now. It's what you would imagine annoyance on his face to look like. His eyebrows are down, mouth in a tight line as his shoulders tense.

"No."

His eyes are fixed sternly on you.

"Okay."

You lie. You know your plan involves passing on the curse as well. You just agree to keep Matthew happy, let him believe no one else will get hurt.

Someone always has to get hurt though.

.

It turns dark before you return to your house, having wandered the streets for a significant amount of time. Enough time to run out of things to easily discuss.

"Another night in my spare room for you Mr Chinnery."

He huffs at this with a smile but doesn't comment as he holds open the front door for you.

"Lads! Come get dinner and a drink!" Alex, the original, calls through the house as you both enter.

You shrug at Matthew before walking towards the kitchen to greet Alex. He really didn't need to cook dinner but you're not going to complain.

You also see Alex must have gone out to buy drinks because you don't remember having this many alcoholic beverages in your house before he arrived.

"Alex, are you trying to get us drunk?" Chinnery asks, curious rather than judgemental.

He smiles before asking the vet what drink he wants.

"I'll go set up the supernatural movies."

You assume you're watching something supernatural. It fits the theme of this entire undertaking, plus it'll give you an excuse to see if Matthew is squeamish.

.

You're half way through the second movie, you don't know what it's called, when you notice Chinnery's head bobbing.

Perhaps bobbing is not the right word.

It's falling before he jolts himself awake. It's amusing.

"Matthew." You call, nudging his side just to see how awake he is.

It takes a handful of seconds before he realises what happened and turns to you with a goofy smile and half lidded eyes.

He hums as a response.

"Tired?"

He yawns slowly but doesn't respond for a couple more seconds, eventually muttering, "No...Just under stress."

You tut but don't comment, letting him go back to blankly staring at the screen.

He's got a constant grip on his bottle of drink that he sometimes drinks from but the head lolling doesn't stop and you're making your peace with letting him fall asleep down here.

It's by the third movie you take pity on him and inform Alex you'll be dragging the inebriated vet up the stairs.

"Good news, if he falls, you won't have to worry about the curse."

You roll your eyes and hook an arm around Chinnery.

He's pretty tired by the time you get him to bed, the drink making him quite the dead weight.

"And here we go!" You announce as soon as he manages to sit on the bed, shuffling to lie under the covers and get into a sleeping position.

He smiles wide at you before closing his eyes and sighing loudly.

"Good night." He breathes, eyes flicking open before they close again as he shuffles into a different position on the bed, head lying deep back on the pillows under him.

"Good night Matthew." You warmly sigh as you slowly walk away and close the door, leaving it open just enough to look in a crack.

He drifts off soon after, tossing over once and then staying there.

You watch him sleep, duvet slowly rising and falling in the non-existent lighting.

Then you whisper a small apology.

.

You're in a new town, one town over from Vasey.

You're here to pass the curse on and save Chinnery, whether he wants that or not.

It's the middle of the night and there's practically no one around, just you and Alex.

You'd taken the bus. (A less dramatic mode of transport than a car but Alex loves public transport and supporting it so you'd taken the bus.)

The dog Alex was also here as you needed an animal to call a vet and you were not dressing up as a cat again for one of Alex's schemes.

"Are you sure the vet we want is here?" You asks Alex as you hold the dog's lead.

He nods before taking out his phone.

"Five accounts of malpractice, multiple complaints by owners of inappropriate comments and touching. One account of assault."

"And that's just counting the ones who've come forward." You mutter.

If you are going to potentially ruin a person's life, you want them to have ruined it already themselves.

One scared phone call and a few fake tears leads you to the vet's office.

"Hello, oh, I haven't seen you before?" The vet introduces and addresses just you, not addressing your friend, instantly setting off alarm bells.

"Um, yeah, we just came from Vasey." You explain, a little cautious as usually people will address the six foot man before you.

The vet continues to just focus on you as he ahh's, eyes widening.

"I understand." He nods with a tone of amusement, "Didn't want to risk your pet with Dr. Damocles."

You are taken back by this.

"Pardon?"

The vet pauses as he looks you up and down before speaking again.

"The vet in Vasey, Mr. Chinnery, he kills as many animals as he saves." The vet explains simply as if he thinks you might be a bit slow on the uptake.

You bite your tongue at this, thinking there's no use in getting defensive for the sake of Matthew, not when you have a job that will benefit him more than defending his honour right now would ever do.

You don't speak much as the vet continues to inspect the dog Alex. You'd complained about noticing some internal issues with him, something that couldn't be seen easily.

Since Alex technically shouldn't have anything wrong with him, you just wanted to waste as much time as you could.

"You know," The vets starts as you strap yourself in for another unneeded comment.

"It is pretty hard to work with you breathing down my neck...Would you mind stepping away?" They ask, directing their comment towards Alex.

Alex glances at you, exchanging a silent note before nodding and stepping away.

You both know what this is. Why Alex was told to step away but you were not.

Alex is stood away, as recommended by the vet but he is keeping a keen eye on you. You can practically hear the sizzling of the back of the vet's head.

"The dog seems fine." The vet explains as he looks at you, smiling just a little too wide.

"Oh, thanks."

"You know, now we're alone, here's my private card."

You slowly take the card before remembering to force a smile. Your view is painted, due to the aforementioned list of charges against the vet, but right now, they just make your skin crawl naturally.

"Um, thanks. Actually..." You glance behind you to Alex, "Can we go somewhere a little more...private?"

"Oh. What do you have in mind."

The vet falls for it. They are reasonably attractive so you assume they must be use to a little flirting.

You bite your lip before forcing yourself to take the vet's hand, leading them out into the street and looking for some place dark.

You just pray Alex is somewhere close. .

.

"Oh hey." Alex greets behind you as you adjust your gloves again.

"Wha-" A familiar voice starts as you smile and turn.

"Shh, don't make a sound, you'll ruin the atmosphere." You interrupt as you place a hand over the vet's mouth.

You see, in their eyes, them trying to put together what's happening. Last they remember they were in a dark alley, about to force themself on you.

"Alex, look, confused." You laugh as you take your gloved hand away and look at your friend.

He's happily taking a box out of a suitcase but does glance at you with a smirk.

You're currently at your car, the vet tied up and sitting in the boot. You're far enough away from Vasey, though you were worried taking the bus back and driving all the way here would mean the vet would wake up while you were gone. Lucky for us, that didn't happen.

"What do you want?"

"Straight to bargaining." Alex mutters.

"Very nice, but there's nothing you can do to stop this I'm afraid." You inform the vet with a mocking frown. Their confusion and annoyance is quite satisfying.

Matthew told you both the tale of how his family inherited the curse, you just had to get a few drinks into him.

He doesn't half talk when he's emotional.

Cautiously you watch as Alex takes a withered item out of the box, holding it up and slowly approaching the vet.

"What...Is that?"

Despite their question, their eyes don't move from the withered necklace.

How curious, it must have some kind of hypnotic effect on vets. Curious indeed.

"I don't know." Alex starts, bringing it closer still, "Shall we find out?"

He stops in front of the vet, dangling the item so it's just in front of their face.

"Go on. Touch it."

They do as instructed, though since their hands are currently tied up they just bring their face closer to the item to inspect it.

"What is it?" They ask.

You don't have the heart to tell them.

But you do swear that same heart feels lighter the second they touch the item and Alex laughs.

You find yourself joining in, amazed at the ease as the vet looks between you two, confused and snapped out of whatever hypnotic daze the monkey's nuts put them into.

"What the fuck."

You ignore them, you smile at Alex as he puts the item away. You've written a note in the box, something to tell any who find it what it is and what it can do. You know this vet's descendants might be good, might not deserve the curse, so you have made plans.

"What did you do bitch?" The vet demands.

That breaks the atmosphere for you as you turn and glare at them.

You don't get to glare long, a forceful punch knocking the vet out as they fall backwards and Alex rubs his knuckle.

"You didn't have to do that."

"I wanted to."

.

Chinnery wakes up with a hangover. A throbbing in his head as his eyes water. God, he wishes he didn't drink so much.

This is not his home and he doesn't remember going to bed, yet that's the least of what's on his mind as he stumbles down a flight of stairs and into a kitchen.

Water, that's the main thing on his mind, he needs to wash the buzzing out of his mouth. So, obviously, his solution is to stick his head under the sink and turn the tap on.

It's glorious for all the two seconds before the realisation strikes him, in time with the water, that he's drowning himself.

"Having fun?" A voice booms as Chinnery tries to quickly extract his head from the sink and look at the person the voice belongs to.

Alex, the human, is standing at the entryway with his arms crossed, staring with a smile at the vet. He, Chinnery assumes, looks nowhere as bad as the vet looks.

Chinnery wipes what he can of the water, unsuccessfully, off his hair before responding.

"Sorry."

Alex snorts at this, approaching Chinnery as he reaches behind the vet to open a cupboard and grab a glass.

"Don't apologise to me, apologise to the owner of the house. You're dripping all over their wood flooring."

Chinnery looks down at the floor as more droplets fall from his face and onto the waxed flooring. He can't exactly bare the thought of trying to clear any of the water up, if he thinks about anything he might throw up.

"Drink this, it'll help." Alex instructs as he places the glass under the tap and fills it before taking out a packet of something and dropping it in the liquid.

The poor vet watches as the water fizzes before becoming cloudy.

He's not sure he wants to drink that...

He doesn't get a choice though, Alex shoving it in his hands and taking a step back, observing.

Matthew gulps before moving his gaze down to the glass.

After a few sips Matthew has to place his head back in the sink, though thankfully not with the water running this time.

Alex silently rubs his back and takes the glass away. It is hard for the vet, in-between spasms, to guess what the man is thinking as he watches him throw up in a sink.

"We will cure you today." Alex mutters slowly as the heaving comes to its end. It's not much but it's hope.

.

How amusing to have an elaborate plan for today that is completely unnecessary. Matthew is cured, he should have been since the other vet touched a monkey's cock and ball's last night, and yet here you three are dancing to get rid of a curse already gone.

So far you've had him bike once around town, quizzed him on veterinary practices and shown him pictures of animals.

It's not the most scientific but neither is a curse.

"Okay, time-out." Alex announces as Chinnery finishes warming his hands.

You suspect the trial by fire Alex recommended as their last exercise was more to do with him wanting to use the grill he brought than "burn the curse out" as he claims.

You don't let Chinnery know that though, though he could suspect it as you hand him a bottle of water and smile.

This entire day has been to fool the vet, you can't help but feel bad.

Still, there was no other way.

A vet must be cursed.

And Matthew had bared the curse enough for twelve lifetimes.

"How goes the trials?" You ask, having seen them all and yet still enquiring of Matthew.

He hums before answering, his hair a little untidy due to the aforementioned trails.

"Confusing."

"Yeah..." You mutter before taking a sip of your own drink, "But so are curses and magic."

"Who said anything about magic?" He asks, concerned from beside you. The slight upturn in his lip clues you in that he's just teasing though.

Rolling your eyes and slowly walking away, glancing at Alex who is reenergising himself in his own special way, you head towards your loyal dog.

Kneeling down and giving Alex the dog a small cube of liver you whisper to him, "You're doing great pup, you still might be needed."

He doesn't understand, of course he doesn't, but he gladly takes the liver cube.

You could ignore it, but the butcher's words echo in your mind as you stand up. Chinnery could cost you the pup, he could possible cost you more than that.

Is that really a chance you're willing to take?

A strong grip on your shoulder stops your thinking though as you glance up at Alex, the original.

"You okay?"

"Yeah." You nod and watch as he doesn't look convinced.

"I..." You start as he raises a brow, he already can see through you, "I'm heading to town, need supplies for the 'after'. You okay to take care of the vet?"

"Sure."

"Alex." You call as he goes to turn, "Don't torture him."

Alex doesn't respond, giving you the answer you need as you sigh and sneak one last look at Chinnery before he is seemingly tortured by your friend for no purpose other than entertainment. .

No one will know why you went to town, you made sure of that, and no one will know what you did.

Heavy is the head that bares the crown, but heavy is the soul that holds secrets.

....You're not making any sense. You know this. Perhaps this is the reason why you strived so hard to cure the local vet. He seems the most normal person in this silly little village. If you remove his curse, he'll be similar to you when you originally came here. Maybe you were just looking for someone like you, to help you hold on.

.

You return to Alex laughing with Chinnery, a drink in both their hands.

"He is surprisingly fit." Alex comments as you sidle up to him, taking a sip of his drink.

"Well what did you expect, he cycles everywhere."

Alex stares down at you.

The day has carried on, not caring that you still have 'tests' to perform, and so Alex's face, stern and serious, is shaded by the drop in light.

"You did not tell me that."

If you knew any better you'd think you saw a spark of warmth in Alex's eyes at the information. A kindred spirit.

Swiftly the spark is gone as Alex downs his drink and nods to himself. You briefly wonder what his rush is until you see his eyes fixed on your dog.

"Is it really time?" You can't help but ask. You know, logically, you must perform the final test now or the sun will get too low to do it today, but you had hoped this moment would never come.

You keep it a secret from the poor vet, who is still casually sipping his drink, but you still have doubts he is cured.

"It is now or never. I think you will be okay with now rather than never."

So you steel yourself to participate in the last act in the curing of Matthew Chinnery.

.....

"What are they doing?" Chinnery asks as they watch you walk away from them.

Alex doesn't answer. You both have faith the vet will figure it out.

"You could be cured." Alex states to the vet, a small smile on his face as he looks down at him.

Chinnery doesn't want to get his hopes up but he can't help but smile back at the idea.

The sky seems clearer now.

"Okay, final test." You announce, carrying the dog Alex towards the pair.

Matthew steps back as you approach, eyes wide and focused on the small dog.

"Are you...sure?" He says.

He doesn't ask, it's not a question, he's far too scared for it to be a question as he watches the man Alex is named after ruffle the dog's head and prays the animal doesn't approach and suffer a terrible fatal fate.

He can't do this. He can't take the risk. He can't be responsible for another death.

"Matthew?" You call as you finally notice him backing away, eyes fixed on the dog.

"Go reassure him he's cured." Alex instructs with a flick of his head to you as he takes a hold of the dog Alex.

You nod before carefully stepping towards Chinnery.

"It's okay Chinnery, you're cured."

"But...how do you know that?" He asks as he steps back again.

Alex the dog barks at him.

"Matthew."

You hands are up, you approach him, ironically, like a spooked animal.

"I..I..I can't."

"Matthew."

"Not again...not again."

"Please."

"Never again. Never. Please don't make me go through this again."

Finally you reach him, quickly grabbing on to his coat before dragging him against you.

"What if I fail?" He starts, voice trembling as his face is hidden in your shoulder.

"What if you are cured?" You argue back as he sobs.

The situation mirrors the first night he spent with you. Just like then, you stay silent and give him time.

It is only human to fear the unknown but you intend to turn his fear into certainty as you pull away.

"You can do this. Surviving with this curse wasn't easy but you did it. Now, Matthew, it is time to live without the curse."

He can't help but stand still for a minute, his eyes finding the dog as his mind focuses. You understand.

He doesn't speak, for fear of the words giving him time to change his mind as he approaches both Alex's slowly and carefully.

He slows as he gets closer but he does not stop, he can not stop now he has come so far.

And eventually he reaches the dog.

He touches it and smooths its fur. He smiles and waits.

He waits for ten minutes before it becomes fifteen. Until eventually death doesn't come and Alex the dog is thoroughly confused.

With a smile so wide and a heart so light, you could forgive Chinnery for taking a flight of fancy for a moment as he realises what this means for him.

And all because of you.

That's the only way you can explain reasonably why the second it click in the vet's head that he's officially and unequivocally cured, he rushes to you and kisses you.

It's quick and stupid and oh so bright.

The sun couldn't outshine Matthew Chinnery that day.

[piaisabelvargas]

Let's Help this Doggo.

I already posted about the story on my Facebook but I'm going to post it again here.

I posted the first part of the story last September 5, 2024. Here it is:

STORY TIME:

There is a chicken farm/manukan dito sa likod ng bahay namin. They also have dogs na nagbabantay sa mga manok. And there's one dog na nakatali dito sa may dulo ng farm, malapit sa mismong bahay namin. Sa likod ng bahay kami naglalaba kaya lagi kong nakikita yung aso. The dog's current situation is, they never removed him from kung saan siya nakatali. So for the past four days na umuulan at humahangin, nandun lang yung aso, kitang-kita na always siyang basa at giniginaw. Ang malapit lang na pwede niyang masilungan ay isang teepee na pang-manok.

I just couldn't take it. Hindi ko na kinaya na makita yung aso na nahihirapan, ginaw na ginaw at minsan umiiyak na. So yesterday, pinuntahan ko na talaga yung farm at nakiusap sa nagbabantay doon. Yung nakausap ko kahapon, sasabihan niya daw yung isa niyang kasama na ilipat yung aso. But buong hapon kong inoobserbahan kung may gagawin ba sila. Pero wala. Walang naglipat sa kanya. Buong hapon at gabi, nandun pa din yung aso.

Ngayon, umuulan ulit at humahangin, nandun pa din siya. Pinuntahan ko ulit at iba ang nakausap ko. Ganun ulit. Sabi niya, ililipat nila. I'm just crying right now kasi naaawa ako dun sa aso. Babantayan ko ulit, I hope they follow through. Kasi kung hindi, makukulitan sila sa akin.

The more annoying thing is, habang nakikiusap ako, sinasabi ko na naaawa po kasi ako sa aso, parang natatawa pa. Katawa-tawa ba yung pinapakiusap ko sa kanila? Sinabi ko na kapag naman hindi na umuulan o hindi na humahangin, pwede naman nila ulit siya ibalik dun. Yung kahit saglit lang na matuyo siya, mainitan, hindi mabasa. Yung lang naman ang hinihiling ko.

Such cruel people. And it hurts me so much.

SECOND POST:

I posted an update the same day (September 5, 2024). Here it is:

Pinuntahan ulit namin. This is at night na. Nung una parang they try to ignore me nung kumakatok ako dun sa gate. And may kutob na ako na mga nag-iinom yung mga tao na nandoon.

Tapos ang unang kumausap sa akin eh bata. Then nakita ko na papalapit na din yung nakausap ko kaninang hapon. And not surprising, he reeks of alcohol. Pero naalala niya ako and about dun sa pinaki-usap ko kaninang hapon. Sabi niya sa akin, oo daw, ililipat daw nila. Mag-relax daw ako.

Sinabi ko na, baka kasi mamaya eh humangin at umulan nanaman nang malakas. Tapos kasi umiiyak na yung aso. Sabi ko din na, hangga't wala po akong nakikitang nangyayari at nandoon pa din siya, babalik at babalik ako. Sinabi ko din na, kapag wala nang ulan or bagyo, pwede naman siyang ibalik doon. Naaawa lang talaga ako kasi laging basa. Tapos wala pang maayos na nasisilungan yung aso.

My one point din is, okay lang naman na mag stay doon pero sana man lang maayos yung nasisilungan. Bilhan nila ng maganda-gandang cage. Kaso teepee lang ng manok. Hindi ko talaga kaya.

Bukas, titingnan ko ulit. Will keep you updated.

Ito po yung teepee na sinisilungan ng aso. Nababasa pa din po siya lalo na kapag malakas ang ulan at hangin.

THIRD POST:

This is the last update that I posted on the next day (September 6, 2024)

I take Dudley to walks every morning and every night after his meal so I decided that after he does his thing, puntahan ulit namin kasi umiiyak non-stop yung aso and he was very anxious na hindi mapakali. When we got there, may mga tao but it's pretty obvious they were ignoring me. But I guess di na nakatiis kasi hindi ako tumigil mag knock dun sa yero nilang gate and maingay yun.

Dalawang lalaki yung kumausap sa akin. Yung isa (the bigger guy), it looks like siya yung may-ari nung farm/manok. And yung isa, parang bantay lang. Sinabi ko sa kanila na umiiyak yung aso at pumunta na ako nung isang araw at kahapon pero wala pa din nangyayari. Sabi ko, nung isang araw at kahapon, basa siya. Tapos ngayon umiiyak. Tinanong ko kung pinapakain nila. Pinapakain naman daw. Sinabi ko din na baka pwede ninyong i-check kasi umiiyak.

And as I was saying all these, the bigger guy just talks over me saying things like, "Oo, ililipat namin." and "Sige na, okay na" without even listening to what I'm saying because he was talking over me. As he was saying all these things, he also starts to ride his motorcycle and next thing I know, he just left without even looking at me. I had no choice but to talk to the other guy.

I'm sorry (especially to my mama Beth Smv) because I got confrontational after that. I told the other guy that kanina pa umiiyak yung aso then I asked him kung pinapakain ba nila. I asked that because hindi ko man lang nakita kahapon or nung isang araw na may lumapit dun sa aso or may nagbigay sa kanya ng pagkain. Una, tinawanan pa ako. Sabi ko, "katawa-tawa po ba ang pinapakiusap ko sa inyo?" Sabi sa akin, bakit ko daw pinakikialaman, hindi ko naman aso. Sabi ko, kahit hindi ko aso yan, nakikita ko na hindi maganda ang pagtrato, sasabihan ko sila. Sabi niya, pinapakain naman daw nila, nagbiro pa na binibigyan pa nga daw nila ng vitamins ng manok, which is not funny by the way. Sabi ko, paano kapag namatay yung aso, eh di wala silang bantay. Ang sabi sa akin, "Hindi daw mamamatay, malakas yun." What a fucking stupid answer. Then, binanggit ko ulit yung okay lang naman na dun mag-stay ang aso pero sana man lang may maayos na masisilungan. He said, may teepee naman daw siya doon, ayaw daw nung aso sumilong. Nang-gaslight pa. Sabi ko, nababasa pa din po kasi siya kapag doon lang sa teepee at kita naman na hindi komportable ang aso doon. I suggested na, kung hindi man nila kayang ibili ng maganda-gandang cage, kahit magpagawa sila ng mas magandang masisilungan. Alam ba ninyo ang sinabi sa akin? "Eh, paggagastusan pa." At that moment, my head was on fire. I just said, "Hindi ba kayo naaawa sa aso? Ako po kasi ay naaawa kaya ako nandito." Sinabi na lang sa akin na, oo ililipat daw nila. Hindi ko na tinanong kung anong ibig sabihin nila noon kasi pinagsarahan na ako ng gate.

I got very confrontational because they don't have any respect. It's clear na mga bastos. Akala mo kung sino. And if you're not going to talk to me in a respectful manner, I have to talk to you the only way that I can get through you. These are horrible people. I don't care if you have money, I don't care if you have power or authority, I don't care if people chose to suck up to you, you're a fucking horrible person if you mistreat animals like that. But you know, sabungero. What do you expect? They literally breed chickens so that they can fight to death for their lives. Fucking disgusting.

Minsan ayokong i-check yung aso kasi I will cry again. But like I said, I will continue to observe kung may gagawin ba sila or wala. Kasi kung wala pa din, talagang makukulitan sila sa akin. It was obvious that they don't want to deal with me but they're gonna have to deal with me as long as I don't see any changes.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today (September 11, 2024) I am finally writing and posting this on Tumblr 6 days after my first post and hanggang ngayon, wala pa din nangyayari. Also, I never saw them give the doggo some food. Dahil sa minsan hindi ko na mapigilan, binabatuhan ko siya ng kahit anong leftover dito sa amin. Napansin ko din po na may mga bata na nagbabantay din dun sa farm. As of today, my plan is to talk to them and maybe mapaki-usapan na abutan ang aso ng pagkain, ako ang magbibigay.

This is what I learned about the farm:

Ang may-ari daw po nito ay ang isang anak ng dating mayor ng Morong na si Dr. De Leon. Si Patrick daw po. Pero pinapa-rentahan daw po sa current mayor na si Sidney Soriano.

Ang sa akin naman po, hindi ko na kailangan pang malaman kung sino ang in-charge o may-ari o nagre-renta. Napaka-simple lang po ng pakiusap ko. Wala man lang bang kahit isa sa kanila ang may malasakit sa aso? Ang sa akin po, kahit huwag na nilang tanggalin sa tali, huwag na nilang paliguan, ang paki-usap ko lang po ay bigyan ng pagkain at magandang masisilungan, yung hindi po siya mababasa. Mahirap po ba ang pinapaki-usap ko? If you do not respect animals, I will not give you respect. I don't care about your position, I don't care if you have money, I don't care if you have authority, what I care about is the welfare of the dog.

Sa lahat po ng makakabasa nito, humihingi po ako ng tulong na maiparating man lang kay mayor Sidney o sa mga tao na nadito na mai-provide ang simpleng pangangailangan ng aso. Nakausap ko po yung isang co-teacher ko dati, sabi niya na nakakalungkot kapag ganyan. Ang tataba ng mga manok pero yung bantay ng mga manok, pinapabayaan nila. Bigyan man lang ng kaunting konswelo sa pagbabantay.

Sana po ay magkaroon ng aksyon at improvement man lang sa kalagayan ng aso. Maraming salamat po sa pagbabasa!

[cryptidsurveys]

Wednesday, July 10th, 2024.

Have you ever been on a laptop inside a vehicle? I don't think so. I'm very susceptible to motion sickness, so that would not be a good time.

While on the road, do you play any road games? I did when I was younger. We'd play games like slug-bug, the license plate game, I spy, and this random game that me and my sibling made up. You'd basically pronounce words very literally, with long vowel sounds, and the other person would have to guess what they were. A very simple/easy example: Juh-ay-puh-ain = Japan.

Do you have a button up shirt? I have a few.

Has there been a word you thought you were spelling correctly but then you find out that it isn’t? What was the word? I don't think I've had that issue with spelling words, but I have experienced it with pronouncing them. Such is the fate of reading books containing words that people don't use very often in everyday speech. I can't think of a specific one atm, though.

Do you have a garden in your backyard/front yard? We have a neglected, overgrown side garden in the front yard. We also used to have a veggie garden in the back, but I didn't bother with it this year. I've just got too much going on to be able to weed, water, and properly care for it. Maybe next year, if I'm more settled in my routines, have better energy levels, etc.

What color is your water tower in your city/town? I have no idea.

Have you ever picked apples before? No.

Are you scared of semi-trucks? Especially when you’re driving next to one? I wouldn't say I'm scared, but I do try to get ahead of or fall behind them as quickly as I can.

Have you accidentally put lipgloss/lipstick on your teeth before? Yeah.

If you wear chapstick, do you have any special flavors or just the regular kind? It's minty.

Do you think little babies look cute in overalls? Yeah.

Have you ever been to the site www.someecards.com? Wow, that really hits me in the early (or at least earlier) internet nostalgia. Same with all the old memes.

Have you ever tried Crystal Lite? If so, what’s your favorite? Maybe once…? I'm not sure.

Have you ever had a dream that your teeth were falling out? Yeah. I have the "teeth dream" on a fairly regular basis. Maybe once every couple of months or so.

Have you ever went on www.dreammoods.com to interpret your dreams? I don't think I've been to that specific site, but I have looked up certain dream themes before. For instance, I had a weird one recently in which I butchered and ate a snake - or almost ate it, anyway. I got right up to the point where I was about to put it in my mouth, but I couldn't do it. Apparently, according to SunSigns dot com, "Eating a snake in a dream can signify a desire for transformation in your life. You may be feeling stuck in a certain situation or circumstance and are looking for a way out. Eating a snake in a dream can be a sign that you are ready to make a major change in your life and embrace a new outlook." Guess I wasn't ready enough, lmao.

Do you own any pajama bottoms with a design on them? Explain what it is [or you can post a picture up if your heart desires to.] I have some purple plaid flannel ones, but I mostly just wear sweats/track pants.

Do you sometimes wonder how surveys were created in the first place? Was someone just so bored that they decided to ask someone random questions? I don't think I ever gave it much thought…but now I certainly am… Thank you, brave, bored soul.

Do you like eating shrimp? I like popcorn shrimp.

Ever heard of Rochester, NY? Yeah.

Do you have a fence? Yeah. The backyard is fenced in.

Do you have any signs on your bedroom door? I don't.

If you have any pets, do you talk to them in a baby voice? Sometimes. And give them ridiculous nicknames, etc.

Does your head hurt when you cry?: It doesn't tend to hurt when I cry, but often afterward. I made the mistake of crying a little in therapy earlier, just a few tears, and a migraine has been threatening ever since. Like, please no, I just had one yesterday, I don't need this in my life. You see, it's not due to a sense of pride or embarrassment that I try to keep my emotions in check, but because I just don't want to deal with the repercussions of letting them out.

Who was the last person to comfort you?: My therapist.

Are you currently wearing any socks?: I am.

What’s the closest thing to your right hand?: The mouse/keyboard.

When was the last time you made a wish?: I'm not sure.

Have you ever watched a foreign film with English subtitles?: I have.

When was the last time you wore athletic shorts?: I have no idea.

Do you think that in the end, everything will fall into place?: In the end, I'll be dead. So…whatever.

What’s the closest transparent object to you?: My water bottle.

What was the last thing you swallowed?: Coffee.

Do you like mayonnaise?: Yeah.

Anyways… When was the last time you went out in the rain?: I think it was a couple of weeks ago. It was sprinkling on the way to the animal shelter.

Have you ever seen a Tim Burton movie, like Coraline, 9, etc.?: I've seen The Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline.

Do you keep 3D glasses after you’ve left the movie theatre?: Maybe as a kid. I haven't seen any 3D movies in recent years, but I wouldn't keep the glasses.

When was the last time you heard a British accent in person?: I'm not sure.

Who was the last person to unsurprisingly disappoint you?: People unsurprisingly disappoint me all the time. At this point, I would be surprised to be surprisingly disappointed. Or something like that.

Do you know what FTW stands for?: I do.

When was the last time you went bowling?: Not since I was a teen.

Do you like cats?: Yesss. They're my favorite animal.

Do you use aerosol hairspray? It’s bad for the environment, you know…: No.

What was the last food you choked on?: I didn't completely choke, but I had a doughnut the other day and some of the crumbs made me cough. I had to chew and swallow really fast before I coughed 'em all over the place.

Who was the last person you disappointed?: I have no idea.

Do you really miss someone right now?: No.

Do you think anyone can really reach “Nirvana” at some point?: Idk. Maybe they can.

What’s the capital of the state you reside in?: Denver.

What is the last advice you gave someone?: I'm not sure.

Do you ever dip your fingers in wet candle wax?: I have.

Does it annoy you when people are always smiling and happy all the time?: No.

[trashytoastboi]

Good day! I love really your blog. (Especially nsfw 👀🤭) Anyway can I request nsfw scenario Law x shy! fem! S/O? The crew is on the island and going to small town for things. Like S/O is going to market for groceries because she's a cook. Then she two women taking to each other. Women 1" Guess what happened to me~? " Women 2" Oh, tell me! "

1" Yesterday I had a wild night! My man was so rough no more like a animal! " 2" Oh my god! So he has you punished? Hoho. " 1" Indeed and no regrets " Shy fem! S/O has heard it. It sounds very exciting but she's not a troublemaker. Her boyfriend Law, his crew mates and S/O go back to Polar Tang. When she's done with groceries she goes to Law work office. She's was again nervous, like she knows that she's very shy but how rough like a beast will happen, she wonders. When she comes to Laws room she feel her heart racing. When she saw Law she ask it "Ummm Law? If you have time eeeeh, Ye know THE THING but will you do it to me more rough, rough like a beast (not literally). (And no choking, no spanking, no toys, I don't like pain.) I think Law will say if she is sure about it. She's kinda prepared, bit nervous but she say yes. But oh boi, she did not expect that Law do it like, a beast, monster, devil in bed. Ooooh my gawd. And yeah. Take your time.

Heyya! 🍀 thank you so much ^.^ sorry for the long wait on this and hope you enjoy~ (Also this was supposed to be posted hours ago but technology was hating me and it wouldn't post 😑)

(Female Pronouns)

NSFW Scenario: Law x Shy! F! S/O - A Touch of Rough

Warnings: NSFW (Fingering, rough, tabletop)

Word count: 2,001 Words

🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋

🍄Trafalgar Law🍄

"We're docking today. Make sure you get everything you need while we're there." Law stated to the crew while tapping his shoulder with his sword. "Aye captain!" The crew collectively agreed, knowing it might be quite another while before they can enjoy leisurely time like this. Law glanced over the crewmates and found his partner talking to the crew. In the process of trying to compile a list of ingredients that the crew wants. Things that would be needed for the next long while. And anything in particular that they would want. {Name} felt the lingering gaze, turning to see Law who patiently waited for her.

She finalizes the list and hurries over to Law "Is there anything you'd like while I'm out?" {Name} inquires, though feeling happy to see Law smile and plant a kiss on her forehead. "Don't take too long {Name-ya}. If you're back before the crew we can spend some time together." Law whispers before giving her another kiss. {Name's} face burns with embarrassment, knowing what meaning lies behind his words. She nods before scuttling out the door to finish as much shopping as possible. Law chuckles at seeing his partner so bashful and candid.

{Name} walks around the unfamiliar cityscape, trying to navigate from faint remembrance of a previous time they stopped here. Finally stumbling across the market place she refers to the list and to everything she has already gotten. She smiles looking at a small spice stall that has a wide variety of difference spices. Some of which she has never seen before. While perusing the selection, {Name} couldn't help but overhear the conversation of the two women behind her. Discussing something rather intimate. "Can you guess what happened to me?" "Hm? Oh! Tell me"

{Name} wondered as to what the women could have meant and realized that she should not be eavesdropping, but curiosity always got the better of her.

From the corner of her eye she noticed the women leaning in to whisper, just audible enough for {Name} to hear. "I had such a wild night, my man was so rough. He was just like an animal." The woman giggled "So he punished you?" Her friend asked, leaning back. "Indeed and I don't regret it at all."

{Name's} ears were burning... she could not believe the conversation she overheard. Part of her was curious and interested to know what Law would be like if he was a little rougher with her. {Name} already overruled the idea of being punished, knowing that her general nature would not allow her to do anything worth punishing.

{Name} finally makes it back after her grocery shopping. It took a few trips to prevent having too much to carry, and due to that she was already convinced that the crew should have been back by now. Being pleasantly surprised at the fact that the ship was still left quiet and vacant from the other crew members. {Name} packs the groceries away, deciding to look for Law. She was unsure whether or not he went out with the crew or chose to take the chance to catch up with some sleep or studies. "Should probably let him know I'm back." She mutters, looking towards the afternoon sky.

She checks their bedroom first before wandering to his study. The door is closed and she knocks softly as to not wake him, should he be sleeping.

"Come in."

{Name} opens the door, catching a sight of Law sitting back in his chair with his feet on the table. A book in hand as his eye glance up to see who it is. The moment he sees its {Name}, a smile spreads across his lips. "I just wanted to let you know I'm back" she mumbled softly. Law sets his book down and stands, walking over to his partner. His hand strokes her head "Welcome back." Nodding her head and biting her lip anxiously, she is trying to think of the words she wants to say. "L-Law, what you said earlier about spending time together. Did you mean l-like that or...?" She hesitantly asks, not wanting her initial assumption to be one of her own making.

Law raises an eyebrow to her question, while he may have been feigning innocence he was betrayed by the devious look in his eyes. His hand brings her a bit closer to himself. Law presses his lips to hers, a soft and suggestive kiss that lit something in her. "I was hoping for something passionate." His voice was low and filled with lust that {Name} found undeniable. His lips kiss her neck, fingers slide down her back lightly which cause a faint tickle to run up her spine. "Law, today...um, can you--" her voice falters and falls before getting the sentence out, Law looks at his desperately bashful partner who is stammering and struggling to get a sentence across. "What is it love?"

"C-could you maybe, um, be a bit r-rougher today?" {Name} squeaks out, closing her eyes since looking at Law right now will be far too embarrassing. Her heart hammers away in her chest, stressing slightly at what Law could be thinking about. Law is pleasantly surprised that {Name} would make such a request "Are you sure love?" He inquires, awaiting confirmation before making another move. Her head nods shyly, a slight sigh escapes him. "When you act this adorable, you make me want to be a little mean." Law states, running his fingers through her hair.

Law grips her chin, lifting her face to his and kissing her passionately. His tongue slyly slips into her mouth, teasing and playing with her own. Law's arm wraps around her waist and pulls her body into his own, he places his leg between hers. Deeping the kiss when he feels a soft tap on his shoulder. Law pulls away, looking at {Name} with a slight sense of pride. Her eyes were dazed, face flushed and she was left absolutely breathless by his kiss. Law smirks and without warning he lifts her body and sets her atop the desk. "S-Shouldn't we go to the room?" She mumbles. Law smiles looking at her growing increasingly more flustered "Do you have a problem with here?" He replies with a tap on the desk.

She shakes her head, Law leans down to nibble on her ear causing {Name's} body to shiver with anticipation. Law's teeth graze her neck, his finger slides down her neck and chest. Before ripping her shirt open. {Name} is left speechless from the suddenness. Her hand rests on his chest from surprise, he grabs her hand and holds it down with his own. His lips suckle the tender flesh as he bites and kisses her neck and chest.

It was completely different for {Name} usually Law was so sweet and gentle, taking his time and going slow. To have him so forceful, seemingly starved and trying to devour her with his kisses was enough to make {Name} tremble with excitement. She whimpers at the feeling of Law tearing off the rest of her clothes. His fingers stroke her thighs, "Open your legs {Name-ya}" he states with an amused grin at seeing her bashful reaction and shaking her head. He bites her thigh before slipping his hand between them and forcing them open. "L-Law?" {Name} gasps at his forward actions. Usually it was her shyness that caused this and Law used it as an opportunity to tease and tempt her.

{Name} is pulled from her thoughts and gasps at the sudden intrusion of two fingers that stroke in and out at a fast pace. Her hand grabs onto Law's shoulders. Eyes closing shut while trying to hold her voice back. Law can feel her clenching around his fingers, pleased by the fact that she is evidently more sensitive than usual. {Name} bites her lip trying to keep her voice down while Law smiles. Finding the soft moans that escape her lips to be absolutely beautiful. "You're so cute my love" Law whispers, nipping at her ear. {Name} finds herself slipping, her voice grows louder with her mind beginning to go blank. "{Name-ya} I'm feeling very impatient. I can't wait anymore." He states, rutting his hips against {Name}.

{Name} opens her eyes and her breath hitches at the sight of Law. Paired with a chill that ran down her spine. He was flustered, his eyes filled with something akin to a starved beast filled with an insatiable lust. Her eyes follow his hands as they unbuckle his belt. His eyes continuing to follow her reactions. He smirks at seeing her anticipation and barely has enough patience for himself before stripping himself completely of his clothing that was discarded into a heap at his feet. {Name} absent mindedly bites her lip. A nervous tic that now acts as a breaking point for the last of Law's restraint. His lips are on hers in an instant, hungrily. His eyes open to stare into hers as he pushes his cock into her, watching her eyes open wide at the sudden instance of being filled. {Name} lets her head fall back as she enjoys the sensation. Law takes the opportunity to sink his teeth into her neck and leave a large mark.

His hips withdraw and slam harshly back into hers, causing {Name} to moan from the force and slide back onto the table. His hands situate themselves on {Name's} waist to keep her there while he slams into her again. Loving the sound of her cry out from the unexpected and delectable pleasure she is feeling. {Name's} back arches from having Law continously pound into her deeply. There's no time for any thought before Law begins to pick up the pace. The objects on the desk rattle with the force and begin to fall off, crashing to the ground. "Law!" {Name} sputters out, concerned about all the various objects that fall. A soft growl escapes from his throat, teeth clenched and the grunts and groans of his pleasure, Law's hand grabs her face. "Focus on me {Name-ya}" he harshly states with another thrust of his hips. Her moans grow louder, purring with the bombardment of new sensations. Law's hands grip the edge of the table, forcing himself deeper into {Name}. Her high pitched whines catch his ears, noticing her fingernails digging in his back. "Is it too much {Name-ya}?" His voice was ragged, strained and breathless. Hiding her face in his chest {Name} mumbling through her moans "M-more please."

Law grins, more than happy to oblige what she asks for. His body presses down on hers and pins {Name} to the table. Relentlessly pounding into her, he drinks up the sound of her sweet voice that gets caught in her throat. Law rests his head in the crook of her shoulder, feeling a bead of sweat rolling down his face as the table rattles and creaks under them. Law shuts his eyes, enjoying the feeling. He grunts, loving how desperately {Name} is holding onto him and feeling her tighten around him, indicating her impending climax. "Please..." the word weakly escapes her hoarse throat, he feels the need to give her what she asks for. "Just a little more my love" Law kisses her softly, watching how she tries to keep her wits about her. {Name} begins to tremble, Law digs his fingers into her hips, leaving bruises. His harsh thrusts grow erratic and sloppy. Law's teeth sink into her shoulder as he groans from his orgasm, feeling {Name} reaching her own climax at the same time.

The two stay in their position for a few moments, trying to find breath and the energy to move. Law peppers her neck and chest with soft endearing kisses. She purrs in delight, nuzzling into Law and combing her fingers through his hair. He walks on his now shaky legs, holding {Name} before sinking into the seat with her in his lap. His arms lazily wrap around her as she snuggles into him.

[blackdiamondwrites127]

Nightmare

A little follow up one shot to my Hal angst post. Hope y'all like it!

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Catalina woke up in the middle of the night. She sits up and looks around.

Something was wrong.

She could feel it.

She looked beside her and found Jane sleeping peacefully. She allowed herself a small smile at the sight of her wife before focussing back on the task at hand. Carefully, she got out of bed and exited the room quietly so as to not wake up the slumbering silver queen. She stands out in the hallway for a while. Looking at the closed doors of her housemates. Deducting which one was out of place.

Then she noticed it.

The dark yellow door with a large white rabbit painted on it leading to her son's room was opened by a crack.

She goes over to it and knocks lightly. She waited. No answer. She knocks again. A bit louder this time. No answer again. She grabs the knob and gently pushed it open. She then takes a look inside the rabbit themed bedroom.

Empty.

Hal's bed looked recently used. His rabbit patterned blanket thrown back, his favourite rabbit plushie that Jane handmade for him since he was a baby was on the floor and his pink bunny slippers was missing from beside his bed. Catalina frowned and closed the door. She goes over to the bathroom and found it unlocked and empty after knocking and asking if anyone was there. She decides to move to her next destination of her investigation.

"Bugsy's in the kitchen."

The gold queen lets out a startled yelp and turns around to find Mae standing outside her bedroom door. Clad in light blue pj's with cat patterns on it, blue cat slippers on and her curly hair in a mess.

"Ay dios mio. You startled me. How did you...?" Catalina asked.

"He always goes to the kitchen whenever he's feeling down. Probably a nightmare again," Mae said.

"Again?"

The youngest Boleyn-Parr nodded. "I told him yesterday to talk to you or Aunt Jane about his nightmare but it seems that he didn't," she said.

"What was his nightmare even about?"

"It's not my place to tell. It's best that you talk to him."

"Okay. Thank you, Mae. You can go back to bed now," Catalina said.

Mae nodded again before going back in her room. Closing her light blue door shut. The first queen sighed and makes her way downstairs. Sure enough, the kitchen light was on and she could see Hal sitting on one of the barstools and hunched over the island counter. He was clad in his yellow rabbit printed pj's, his feet covered by his favourite pink bunny slippers and his curly brown hair messy and out of his usual bun.

"Mijo?" she called as she approached him.

The young prince sat upright upon hearing his mother's voice call out to him. Catalina could see him do a quick wiping motion to his face followed by hearing him sniffle.

"M-Ma, hey. What are you doing up so late?" he asked in an attempt to act fine but it failed due to his voice shaky and cracking.

"I should be the one asking you that. What's wrong?"

Catalina pulls out the barstool next to his and sat down. She took note of the glass of chocolate milk in his hand and the half empty jug of said chocolate milk next to it.

She distinctly remembers that that specific jug was bought just yesterday.

Drinking chocolate milk is always his go to drink whenever he's upset. And drinking about half a jug of newly bought chocolate milk worried the golden queen.

"I'm fine, ma. Nothing to worry about. I just can't sleep," Hal said. Turning to face her and giving her a forced smile that didn't reach his golden brown eyes.

"Drinking half a jug of newly bought chocolate milk in the middle of the night while crying is something to worry about. Mijo, tell me what's wrong," she said. Gently placing a hand on his shoulder.

His smile dropped from his face and he started to sob. His tears falling down his already tearstained face. Catalina gently pulls him in her arms and lets him cry on her shoulder for awhile. He held on to her tightly as he cried. Letting all his emotions pour out while his mother comfortingly rub circles on his back.

After a while, he pulls away and managed to collect himself.

"Sorry ma..." he said. Catalina gave him a reassuring smile as she wiped his tears away with her thumb.

"It's okay, mijo. Now, Mae mentioned about a nightmare that's been bothering you," she said.

He sighed and finished the last of his glass of chocolate milk. The first queen waited patiently for him to collect himself.

"It started when I decided to do more research on myself," Hal started.

She nodded. Signaling him to go on and that she'll listen. He took a deep breath and continued.

"I...I read some historians theorize about the events happening in history if I had lived up to adulthood. Obvious things like me being king and England staying as a catholic country and all that. But what really struck was the possibility of...father...not divorcing you and separating you and Mary. Leaving you to die alone..."

Catalina held his hand and gently squeezed it reassuringly. She said nothing. Just waiting for him to continue. She knew talking about their past lives is always hard for them.

"...it also made me think of the possibility of...him not marrying five more times and...mum and the others not suffering under his hand."

"Tell me about your nightmare," she said in a calm and quiet voice.

Hal takes a shuddering breath.

"I was...in a dark place. Then a spotlight was on and I saw...I saw a crown floating above my head. Then I felt a heavy weight on my right shoulder. When I looked, I realized...it was father's hand. He was standing next to me. Looming down on me with his heavy hand still on my shoulder. Then I heard a voice declare 'All hail King Henry IX'," he started.

Catalina listened intently to him. Hal continues his recount on his nightmare.

"I started to freak out. Everything was a blur now and I saw myself as king...I saw myself as father...doing the same atrocities he had done because I realized...in a world where I lived to adulthood...in a world where father was prevented in doing his atrocities...I would be the one to execute them instead..."

Hal's hands and voice were shaking by the time he finished and fresh tears welled up in his eyes and fell down his face. Dripping onto the cold tiles of the island counter. The first queen was quiet for awhile. Mulling over her son's words. She snaps out of her stupor when Hal suddenly spoke.

"Ma...do you think...I'm going to end up just like father...?"

She immediately pulls him closer to her.

"No. No you will not. You are Hal. You are MY son. Unless you actively seek out to be just like Henry, which I highly doubt you will, you will not end up like him," she said. Hal sobbed into her shirt as he held on to her tightly.

"B-But...I was named after him...I was born to be the next Henry..."

"Mijo, look at me."

Hal looks up at her. His tearful golden brown eyes meeting her golden ones. Catalina placed her hands on either side of his face and kissed his forehead briefly before looking at him again.

"You may be named Henry but that does not mean you are Henry. You are not a king who marries six times due to his obsession in having a son. You are a young boy with an obsession for rabbits and a passion for the culinary arts. You are Hal. Son of Catherine of Aragon and Jane Seymour. You're my little prince and you will always be my sweet and kind Hal," she said.

Hal gives her a genuine smile this time and she returned it with a smile of her own.

"Gracias mamá. I really needed to hear that," he said. Hugging her again. She kissed the top of his head and holds him closer.

"De nada, mijo. Think you can go back to bed now?"

"Uh...the chocolate milk sort of made me more awake."

Catalina chuckled. "Well then why don't we watch a movie until we both fall asleep?" she suggested.

Hal grins and hops off the barstool. Making his way to the living room to pick a movie. The golden queen smiled and followed her son. Flicking the kitchen light off before joining him on the couch. Zootopia already playing on the T.V.

Hal snuggled next to his mother as they watched his favourite movie for the umpteenth time.

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Jane woke early as usual but what was unusual was the empty space next to her. Sure, Catalina often woke up early as well but she usually stayed in bed for another hour, wanting cuddles from her.

The silver queen gets up and gets dressed for the day. She goes downstairs to find Anna in the living room. Clad in her running clothes, holding a blanket in one hand and her phone in the other.

"Anna what--?"

The red queen cuts her off by shushing her. She then motions for her to come closer to the couch and look.

Jane walks over and couldn't help but gush at the sight that greeted her.

Catalina and Hal sleeping on the couch. The first queen had her arms wrapped protectively around her son and the young prince curled up quite comfortingly against his mother.

Anna takes a picture of the moment before draping the blanket over the slumbering mother and son.

"I found them sleeping here with Zootopia playing on repeat," Anna said.

"Hal probably couldn't sleep last night and Lina went down to keep him company," Jane said.

"Probably. It's best to let them sleep in. I'm off on my run."

"Yeah. Be careful and be back before breakfast."

The fourth queen nods and exits the house to go on her morning run. Jane looked back at her wife and son and smiled lovingly. She planted soft kisses on both of their foreheads before going to the kitchen to start on breakfast.

She didn't notice the empty glass and the half empty jug of chocolate milk still on the island counter.

[thorinthehottotty]

May 15th - Lyn's Writing Event - Thorin

Prompt - mamihlapinatapai

A/N: Part 2 of the Prompt for Beach

Summary: You wake with doubts that your husband truly wanted to consummate your marriage.

Warnings: SMUT, angst

The unfamiliar aspects were a great deal stranger. Like your husband's bare chest beneath your cheek, the harsh curl of his chest hair painfully loud against it. A heavy arm of his looped over and around your waist.

There were some familiar aspects to waking up. Like your husband's snores ringing softly. Unfortunately, the prickle of sweat had also become normal. The storm from yesterday should have lifted the humid heat, but it still hung off the ocean.

Usually he rose before you, but as you adjust a leg, just a hair, you feel the deep ache in your hips, and the swollen, delicious soreness that was nestled between them. It reminded you on just why he was still asleep.

Dwarven lovers. You'd heard they had stamina. You'd heard they were well-endowed. You heard about the satisfaction they brought. The king lived up to everyone of those stereotypes. After the tears on the beach, the confession you'd given him, and the delicate kiss he'd given you, here you were. Unfamiliar in his arms.

It was strange, everytime his breathing changed, you'd hold yours, desperately begging for him not to wake up and tear you from this beautiful dream.

Instead, you thought about the way he touched you last night. The bath you'd shared, like your wedding night where you washed and braided each other's hair awkwardly. Only last night wasn't as awkward.

Instead, water sloshed in the bath as lips drew on lips. You remember the both of you slipping in the tiny tub, reaching desperately for his thick arms and shoulders to grip as your bodies slipped against one another, not quite uniting in the way you craved.

Instead, you just clumsily devoured each other in the water. Grinding and arching against each other. Your nipples hardened at the lapping his tongue gave them in the bath.

And finally his hand had slipped between you both and you nearly slipped under the water at the feeling of his big fingers stretching you to delerium.

A shiver ran through you. Perhaps another bath was in order. But what if the king had changed his mind again? This was supposed to be a political marriage, after all.

But remembering mounting him on the edge of that tub, after the water had gone cold vanished the thought for a moment. His mouth on your throat as you sunk down onto him for the first time.

It pinched, not wanting to fill you immediately. And when you had finally encased him fully, he gave a shuttering gasp and pulled you to his chest. He stroked at your back and thighs as your face pressed into the crook of his neck. He was so large it felt like you would split in two. And he let you rest until you were ready to move, whispering things in Khudzul to you.

That served to both turn you on and sooth you.

And then your hips were rocking and the king was sinking into the the cold water with you. No one cared that most of the desperate movements were sending waves of bath water to the floor, tongues tangling again.

Nothing made you so delirious as in the middle of the night, him waking you up by sliding into you again.

The storm stopped long before either of you had.

When Thorin shifted against you, pulling you tighter, you felt a familiar bulge bump your thigh. Your reaction was immediate, you were throbbing already with want. When he had stilled, you hoped you could sneak away to carefully untangle from him. The doubts of your mind eating you.

You felt as if you'd coerced him and guilt gnawed at your mind like a hungry animal.

You didn't have to detangle yourself from him because a loud, urgent knock sounded, rousing your husband from sleep. His reaction was to roll over you, dragging the sheet up to cover you and bark an order. The door opened and Dwalin was standing there, smirking.

"I know my king is resting from a long night, but promised to be in a meeting at sunrise." Based on the streaking of light, it was past sunrise. Your husband gave a groan, and began dragging himself from the sheets.

"I will be there shortly, Dwalin." Your friend gave you a raunchy grin as he closed the door. It made your heart thump wildly in your chest.

Thorin dragged himself out of bed quickly, reaching for trousers, his hair falling in messy waves. He paused when you shuffled up toward the head board. A look his eyes. A confliction in his face.

"Don't let me keep you longer than I have, Thorin," you murmur, tucking the sheets to your body. He gives a nod but watches you a moment longer. His frown is deepening and he finishes tying his trousers.

He gives a sigh, shaking his head like he's trying to shake thoughts away, and his tunic is being swiped off of the foot of the bed and dragged over himself. "I should tell Dwalin to reschedule the meeting."

"What? Why?" You ask, attempting to sit up but wincing at the soreness that wouldn't let itself be forgotten. Thorin was at your side immediately, hand reaching for your thigh. The heat of his palm sent tingles to the apex of your thighs.

"I should have been more delicate with you yesterday. I'll send for a healer." His eyes fluttered down, guilt and concern filling his gaze. You followed it, glancing down to see the bruises and bites that littered your collar, chest and shoulders.

"That's nothing." You promise, looking to your husband. He sighs deeply and shakes his head. You desperately didn't want him to regret the coupling of last night.

"I still should have-"

You cut him off by quickly leaning forward with flushed cheeks and pressing a quick kiss to his mouth. His expression flutters into something gentler, but still sad.

Carefully, he reaches up and tugs the sheet. You grab for them, startled and embarrassed. "What are you doing?"

"Evaluating your injuries, there is no reason to shy from me." When you didn't relent to him, he set his jaw, frowning. Then he reached for your legs. You squeak when he hooks his hands under your knees and drags you to the edge of the bed. And gently he peels the sheet away as he hovers over you.

Need is flaring through your body as he gazes over you. His eyes glance over the bruises on your hips where he'd gripped you too hard. There was an outline of his teeth on your thigh still that he gently thumbed over. Guilt rose again in his eyes.

And he lowered himself, making you moan softly as his beard and lips brush over the bite. "You shouldn't do that. You have to go," You whimper.

Thorin sighs, drawing back up to see your needy expression. "Aye, my queen." And with a final caress, he parts from you.

Later, when you joined during him to eat at dinner, you received many questioning looks due to the high necked dress you wore, thanks to one of the barrowed hand maidens.

You didn't get to speak to him most of the days, but you didn't miss the longing looks he gave you. They made your heart race.

Mamihlapinatapai.

Dwalin settled beside you as the rest of the nobles left the dining hall. He passed you a friendly smile. "I wondered which one of ya would cave first."

"What do you mean?"

"He's been mad for ya since Rivendell, you know. I think he just needed to know you cared for him too."

"Rivendell? So..." You gulp, "so he feels the same for me?" Dwalin frowned at your words.

"You're his queen. He wouldn't have laid with you last night if you weren't his One, lass."

A thrill went through you. Hope shining in like a ray of sunshine. Perhaps he could be a proper husband. You trusted Dwalin with your life. Maybe it was time to step up your game.

The door creaking open revealed your husband entering. He glanced at you, eyes dipping over your silken robe.

He approached as you stood and made your way toward him. "Y/N," he hums. He watched as you untie the robe, eyes lighting up, then flashing with guilt at the discoloration he'd caused.

"Make love to me, my king." He blinked at you.

"After what I did to you, you still want me to touch you?" You step up and wrap his arms around you.

"It didn't hurt. You didn't hit me. Your intention was pleasure not pain." Gently you reached for his face, and with every ounce of will you could muster you brush some of his hair from his face. "I am so in love with you." His expression flutters and this time you catch the glimpse of hope in you. The king surges his mouth against yours.

"I love you," he murmurs around your lips. The sound of it steals your breath. Yes. And he couldn't stop telling you the rest of the night.

A visual representation of me trying to post yesterday... Thank you, Lyn for letting me post it today instead.

Taglist: @tomisbaeholland @fizzyxcustard @dabisburntnut

[neoarchipelago]

Bridegroom's Oak Tree (John Wick x Reader part one)

AN: so this was a detailed request so there will be two parts to it, here's the first part guys! A bit of a AU here !

Request: "Hi, could you write one where John wick is a mafia lord falling in love at first sight with a teacher who is shy and doesn't know he is a mafia.And recently I read about this tree in Australia which has its own mailbox. People who are single write letters to the tree and anyone can pick any and respond to them. So far the tree is responsible for 100 marriages. So maybe you can write one where John wick, the mafia.. Writes a letter and finds it responded by the teacher. They both remain anonymous. But he falls for her. He is also kind of afraid as to how she might react when she finds out... All that" request by: @cynic-spirit

Word count : 2 306

Warnings: none

_______________________________

Klaus Ackerman was a nice old man. He had worked at the dodauer forst forest for the past 45 years. He knew everything single path and tree that covered the forest. He also had been a guardian of the Bridegroom's oak tree for just as long. He had seen so many young, and old people come to the tree to find love.

The tree's story was after all, a bit like a fairy tale. The name of the tree came from a very old story that everyone knew. The daughter of the head forester and the son of a chocolate maker were in love but her father disapproved. They exchanged letters secretly by leaving them in the whole in the tree trunk. Eventually they ended up getting married under the same tree not long after the father of the maiden had given in.

The beautiful story eventually led people to think that the tree attracted the soulmate of the person who would write a letter and place it in the hole in the tree. Klaus had seen many letters being answered to, people finding their other half, getting married and then coming back to thank the tree with various offerings during their honeymoon. Unfortunately he had also seen many letters still waiting for someone to answer to them. One in particular, from a young man still lingered there waiting for someone to pick it up.

Klaus remembered the man quite clearly. It wasn't particularly the way he looked, standing at the bottom the tree looking up, in his perfectly clean three piece black suit. It's not the way he looked absolutely unshakable with his hair gelled back, his beard tamed and his dark eyes, that made him remember the man even after all those years. It was the way he kindly smiled at him and spoke to him with his raspy yet soft voice.

Klaus had been through a rough time. His only daughter was sick, and the two jobs he was accumulating wasn't enough to pay for all the bills he had. He was a tired man, and the black suit man saw it. John Wick, he had introduced himself. Klaus had politely introduced himself as well. The conversation had gone by effortlessly, the calming aura of the man eventually leading Klaus to tell him the problems he was going through.

Klaus was shocked when the man pulled out a heavy amount of money and offered it to him. He couldn't possibly accept it, no. He would never be able to pay it back. But the man had insisted, claiming he didn't need that money as much as Klaus. Klaus was still reluctant to accept the god given money but Mr Wick had finally found a way for him to accept.

"How about you take the money, and in exchange, I want you to watch over the letter I wrote. I put it in the tree hole, but I'm not from here. I won't be able to know if one day someone answers. I want you to send me the answer if it ever comes, to this address. Give me your word, that until your last day here, you will do that."

Klaus had looked down at the small paper with the address that the man was giving him, and finally accepted breaking down into thankful tears. And so he had been doing exactly that. The man was gone, leaving for New York again. The worn out piece of paper was still in Klaus's pocket. Waiting for the letter in the tree to finally be picked up. But many years had gone by and no one ever seemed to be interested in the small letter, with the blue lettering.

Today was another sunny day, and Klaus had started his afternoon shift. He trailed along his usual path, his old legs not going as fast as he used to. He'd soon have to retire, but the he wished he could fulfill the man's wish.

Finally reaching the Bridegroom's Oak, he noticed not so many people were there today. It was sunny, yet a bit cold, and the wind brushed the trees making them sing. He approached the ladder that reached the hole in the tree and watched as the postman who usually came around at this hour stepped down.  

"Ay, good afternoon Mr Ackermann."

"Good afternoon Nevil. How are things up there?" Klaus asked with a small smile.

"Many letters as usual! But hey! That letter you're always asking about, it's finally gone!"

Klaus blinked. Gone? But it was there yesterday! Shaking off the panic he felt, he smiled at the postman. It had to be picked up, that was the point. Now he only had to wait and see who would come and put her answer into the tree.

Klaus waited near the tree all day. He watched as people passed on by, climbing the ladder and putting their letters into the tree hole. He watched closely every letter being dropped off, trying to find something that would make him recognize Mr Wick's letter.

The evening drawing near, he sighed, looking up at the burning sky as the sun began to set. He tiredly watched people walk on by when his eyes fell on a small letter, in blue lettering, held by a young woman. Klaus jumped up walking towards the lady, who strangely, stood at the bottom of the tree, looking at it.

"Excuse me miss?" Klaus's shaky voice rang.

The young lady turned around, looking at him with her beautiful (e/c) eyes.

"Hello, do you need anything?" She asked in a sweet voice, a kind smile on her lips.

"That letter, did you answer to it?" He asked.

"Oh, yes. I don't really think it'll lead to anything though. I'm not from Germany so. It's a bit of shot in the dark." She said looking down at the Mr wick's letter.

"Where are you from, If I may ask?" Klaus asked.

"From New York. In the United States. I'm here on a small vacation."

Klaus smiled. Maybe the tree was really magic?

"Would you allow me miss?" He asked. Earning a confused look from the lady.

"You see, it is my last day working here. I am old, and getting retired. I have been waiting for a long time for this letter to be answered. It isn't mine, do not fear. It's… a friend's. Would you allow me to put it in the tree? As a last act of duty."

She shyly smiled at him and gave him her letter.

"Of course, it'll be a pleasure. I have to go in anyway, my plane won't be waiting for me and my friends either. Thank you sir."

Klaus took the letter in his hand. A simple folded letter, in black lettering, the handwriting was smooth and perfectly clean. He smiled at the lady as she turned and walked away. Klaus smiled to himself. Finally he could fulfill his word, and retire as well. He had grandchildren to play with, but first, he had a letter to post.

__________

Back in New York, things had changed for John since his trip to Germany. He had become the head of the Mafia here in New York, earning his place at the High table. The baba yaga was a feared man, strict, dangerous and everyone knew it. It had taken him focus, commitment and sheer will so finally be the man he was today. Many years had passed, he wasn't as young as when he put the letter in the tree. He had lived a lonely life, but somehow had gotten used to it.

Today's High table meeting ended, as everyone excused themselves. John stood up and walked out. He didn't like to stay too long near the other members of the High table. He preferred his house. Reaching his car he got in the back seat as his driver greeted him. John greeted him politely and leaned back in his seat. The car started as John sighed. It had been lonely years yes. People he knew had found that perfect love and had now many children running around. He wished he had that kind of happiness as well but perhaps he wasn't made for it.

John looked up at his driver as the car rang, through the Bluetooth of the car. John nodded as the driver looked for approval in the rear view mirror. Answering the call John sighed.

"Yes?" John asked in a deep voice.

"Pardon me Mr Wick, but a letter has arrived for you." The voice rang.

"Alright, and why are you calling for a letter Jack?" John asked slightly annoyed.

"Well it was sent by Klaus Ackermann, and you specifically asked to be informed of any correspondence from this person."

John stared at the car seat in front of him. Had he heard correctly? Did someone answer his letter? After all these years, impossible. Klaus probably sent a letter to tell him he was retiring and no one answered his letter. John shook himself back to reality.

"Put in on my desk, thank you Jack."

With a final 'Yes sir' the call was ended. John looked at out of his window, deep in thoughts. He wasn't expecting anything else at all from Klaus, not after so many years. He felt curious and a bit hopeful, but at the same time stupid for putting such expectations in a letter he wrote so many years ago. He sighed. No point in wrecking his mind now. He'd get home soon enough and see what was the letter all about.

____________

You watched over your class as time passed. Today you had decided to make a simple test, just to make sure your students have been learning correctly your class. It wasn't a big deal and you had warned them there would be one so you were expecting good results.

You had been a teacher in a high school for only 4 years, but you enjoyed it. You were young, and a bit shy, but your students were all nice to you and you were pretty glad of it. New York was a welcoming home to you, but you felt lonely. You recently got home from a travel to Europe where you ended up on a road trip with a friend for the past week, ending up in Germany. Your friends had taken you to the Bridegroom's oak tree, where they had insisted that you take a letter to answer to because Magic would be the solution to  your loneliness.

You had complied, being tired of their jokes, and had picked up a beautiful letter with perfectly handwritten blue lettering. You had read the letter as you visited the city with your friends, not really paying attention to the landscape but getting lost in the paragraphs that seemed to build cities just for you. You were almost pained, knowing that there was little chances that the man who wrote the letter would answer to you. You had written your letter, finding some beautiful paper and a black ink pen, to write a letter as beautiful as the one you had picked.

You had thought about it all afternoon before finally deciding to bring the letter back to the Oak tree. You had stopped to admire the tree, taking a last thought on your action before being approached by a worker of the Forest. You had smiled to the old man and talked to him. Lastly he had asked to take care of your letter and in a last gush of hope and magic you let the old man do his last act of duty.

Falling back into reality you looked around at the classroom. "Five minutes left everyone" you said in a soft voice, earning a few groans.

You smiled softly. You had given up on the idea of your letter ever finding the man who it was destined to. You remembered the words inked in the little letter that now rested in one of your favorite notebooks, the one that never left your side. You sighed. Hope tends to breed eternal misery.

You looked at your watch again. Two minutes left and your day would be over. You had to grade the tests and then you could take a bath and probably order some food. You were waiting just for that. The bell rang you smiled at your students.

"Time's up guys! Please leave your tests on your tables, have a nice evening guys, and Don't forget your homework!"

You earned a 'yes miss' from running students, making you chuckle. You sighed, looking at your now, empty classroom, and stood up to pick up the tests. You hummed a soft tune, as you walked through the rows of seats and tables. A knock on the door made you jump, spinning around.

You blushed at the man who stared at you with dark eyes. He was tall, wearing a black suit. You looked away feeling intimidated by this man, who looked handsome and who had just heard you sing in your small classroom.

"I..hum.. hello…" you tried to say.

"Hello." He answered, smirking at you.

You felt tiny for a second as he walked closer to you, making you realize how tall he really was. You tried to keep eye contact with his beautiful dark eyes, but it only made you even more intimidated.

"May I help you...Sir?" You said in a low voice, but with a smile.

"You can, indeed. After all, you answered to my letter Miss (y/l/n)." He spoke in a deep voice.

You froze. Impossible. You looked down to see the man hold a letter, in black lettering. You shot your head back up drowning in the man's eyes.

"It's you…" you let out in a whisper.

_____

Tags: @thatbemyhouse @magdazwolska

[iamjassmine]

My 2019, in a nutshell.

(I'm really a forgetful person. I am so forgetful I needed to check my 2019 timeline on my facebook because it is more updated than my brain cells)

Well, anyway, I miss you my tumblr. Actually, I've been writing random things here recently but I was posting it privately. haha. Here I am again, being random and nonsense as always, not getting straight to the reason why I am here. hahaha.

Heto na talaga, hahaha.

I have never expected 2019 to be this roller coaster of adventures, emotional and spiritual battles, confusions and frustrations and clarity and calmness. It was a combination of all to be exact. These pictures are not enough to describe how blessed my 2019 was (Dang it tumblr, why you need to limit it to 10 photos only? Why?)..

First with the most awaited wedding everyone was anticipating since I came here in Dubai. Was a wonderful and God-centered ceremony. And those faces of God's children who keep on fighting a good fight of faith, yung mga taong umulan, umaraw, maysakit or wala, may personal na problema or wala ay nagpapatuloy sa presensya ng Panginoon. And an amazing answered prayers for both of our Pastors (alam nyu na yun). We serve ONE GOD, and we will always SERVE ONE GOD. I was blessed to see my Ninang Oning (my Nanay's sister) here in Dubai for a vacation. Sad that she experienced the worst Dessert Safari with a sandstorm, and it was really a bummer since it was my first time as well. I need to go back there again soom. And then it was Prime Medical Center Reef Mall's 2nd year anniversary celebrated with all the staff both in Deira and Reef Mall. Time flies so fast. Seems like yesterday. God really is blessing this company I am in now and may God always look for it at all times. And the HIGHLIGHT of my 2019 was my trip to Georgia with Lara and Arlyn. There I got to see and experience snow, extreme cold (maybe it was just extreme for me). It was really an amazing adventure, I couldn't really explain how simple yet elegant and beautiful Georgia is and their people.....I can't... and the food, my gosh guys, the foods there are cheap but soooooo yummy!!! I could live there I may say. hahaha. But God is so good, He protected us, guided us and covered us during that trip until we reached back here in Dubai. I might go back there but not with the snow anymore (Cause winter clothes are soooo freakin' bulky for the luggage, that weighs more than you're required to bring.) So let me experience Spring then. 😊 Then I got to see my cousin from the Philippines, Ate Karen in the house yooowww. hahaha... And on 2019 Nurses' week, eventhough I most dread this day, I was proud of myself that I got to do things I don't usually do, to sing in front of so many people, let alone the owners of the company were watching as well. Well, I would give myself a tap on the back and say "Wag mo na uulitin yun ah" hahahaha... But still it was a good experience... and guys, ipeflex ko talaga tong mga abnormal kong friends. haha. They are the kind of friends na pag masaya ka pag papasok ka ng work kasi sila ang makakasama mu. The kind of friends na nkakalungkot pag wala sila sa clinic. The kaladkarin friends, isang yaya mo lang, gora agad. The kind of crazy friends you would not exchange for anything. Thank you my kabayan Prime Family and the other piling-pili na ibang nationality, you know who you are guys. Thank you.

And lastly is, my encounter with God.. I had a lot of spiritual battles for the year 2019, it may not be obvious but it was quite.....depressing and frustratings and confusing and whole lot more. But MY GOD IS SOOOOOO GOOOOOODDDDDD, He never let me astray. He guided me all throughout the year and at the end of this post I can still call myself, His daughter. Thank You Lord that You're still letting me sing for Your glory. Thank You Lord for every blessings You're pouring down in my life, my family and my friends as well. My gosh God, how will I ever repay Your goodness towards me?? Thank You Lord for a bountiful and blessed 2019. I have questioned you a lot and You answered me, I have learned a lot as well. Salamat Panginoon sa lahat lahat lahat... and sorry for all the mistakes I have done. Sorry might not be enough but I promise to work out more on my relationship to you. To fall in love with you deeper and deeper.. and thank You for not leaving me alone in times when I really needed a hand when no one's offering, Thank You for just being there for me. I love You po Lord.

Looking forward to 2020, may it blessings, challenges, adventures, failures, disappointments, success...WE'LL ALWAYS AND FOREVER THANKFUL for whatever life may bring us.

GODBLESS US ALL.

To God be all the glory.

[sablelab]

Santa Baby - Chapter 7

Picture source: @TwilightCougar1

N.B. Due to this story being censored and most posts removed from my blog with no URL for recourse to review, I decided to post the chapters without any of @sassylover-stuff’s manip pictures to save any hassle.

DISCLAIMER: This nine part story is a Sam and Caitriona fanfic. This is a complete work of fiction and as such is an entirely fabricated tale created in my imagination.  I do not know the people in my story, nor do I proclaim to know anything about them whatsoever about their status or their life in general.  This is a complete fantasy story concocted from the Christmas song “Santa Baby” which was used as a prompt for my writing.

SYNOPSIS : Sam returns home after a whirlwind Outlander promotional tour to Australia and Japan and catches Caitriona singing in the shower.  She has visions of Sam dressing up as her “Santa Baby” for Christmas and everything that that might entail.   Based on the Christmas song “Santa Baby.” 

This Chapter is suggestive and THANKS  so much for reading my fictional Christmas story. ENJOY!!!

Earlier chapters below:-

Chapter 1 / Chapter 2  /  Chapter 3 (S)

Chapter 4 (S)  /  Chapter 5 (NSFW)  /  Chapter 6 (S) 

CHAPTER 7

 Very Early Christmas Morning...

Caitriona was wide awake. Although she tried, she couldn’t go back to sleep for her mind was going ten for a dozen with the thoughts dancing around in her brain and just one of them had anything to do with the guests that would be arriving today to celebrate Christmas with them in their new home.  Instead, she was mulling over the last couple of days since Sam had returned home from Australia and all that had happened since then.

They’d had a very busy day yesterday doing all those last minute preparations for Christmas Day so that everything would be less stressful when the family arrived for Christmas dinner. The Scots Pine tree was beautifully dressed and all the presents had been wrapped and placed under the tree.  The sliver baubles that Eddie had brought to their bedroom and which Sam had playfully placed on her big toe were now taking pride of place on the branches of their Christmas tree.  Caitriona couldn't help but smile every time she saw those two baubles.  They reminded her of Sam’s association with Cahonas Scotland and their timely reminder to check your partner for testicular cancer.  Sam always asked her to check out his “baws” at this time of the year and looking at those two baubles was a reminder that took on a slightly more personal significance.

Thankfully Eddie had not pulled off as many ornaments as they thought she would which was an added bonus.  Sam had brought her back a special Santa cat toy shaped like a koala and she had amused herself with that until she was tired out and just went to sleep in front of the fire.  Her adorable husband had even kissed her under the mistletoe that she’d placed in the lounge room and every chance he got he managed to manoeuvre her in that direction for another smooch.

“I'm sure that mistletoe should have a sign that says,  Kiss me I'm Irish,” Sam had said  laughing as he teased her and placed yet another toe curling kiss to her lips.

“I’ll put a sign up next year if you like hon.”

“Aye that would be grand … and a kiss a hot Scot one too.”

“Hmmm … Sure babe … I can do that for you.”  

Cait smiled remembering their conversation because that little exchange had resulted in a kiss that very soon got way out of control.  Just the thought of all that kissing and all the things that had ensued since her man had returned from overseas flashed though Caitriona’s brain; however, it was the events of last night that really had her in a dreamy state of sublime happiness. She never dreamed that when she’d asked Sam to be her Santa Baby that he would perform for her in the way that he did.  She was certainly one lucky woman.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Just the thought of her husband in that Santa suit had her heartbeats accelerating.

The words and music of Santa Baby were now firmly entrenched in her brain.  Caitriona began humming softly to herself with the song that just wouldn’t leave her subconscious and she couldn’t stop the smile that graced her lips at her most wonderful partner fulfilling her request with his performance last night.

Come and trim my Christmas tree, With some decorations bought at Tiffany’s, I really do believe in you, Let’s see if you believe in me

Santa Baby

Hurry down the chimney tonight

Oh hurry down the chimney tonight …

Santa baby

So hurry down the chimney tonight,  Hurry down the chimney tonight, Hurry, tonight.

As she lay in a dreamy but joyful haze, Cait couldn’t help the euphoric feelings that suddenly coursed through her body as her thoughts turned to the man who had brought her dreams to life last night. Slowly turning her head, she looked over toward her gorgeous husband who was soundly sleeping.  Sam looked so damn hot when he was sleeping and she couldn’t help but think how utterly adorable, funny and sexy he was.  Christmas Eve had been a night to remember and it was one she would not soon forget.  What had happened before they retired had been everything and more than she had ever expected or ever dreamed possible.  Her eyes filled with love as they caressed his features before resting on his fluttering eyelashes. Sam was smiling in his sleep and perhaps he too was dreaming about what had occurred last night, she thought.  He certainly looked very pleased with himself. Caitriona was sorely tempted to brush his lips with her own, but she knew if she did her love would awaken and she wanted to lose herself in remembrance of the feelings she had experienced with what he’d done for her.

Sam was just magnificent in everything that he did and he was more than true to his spoken words … “Of course … I’ll be anything and everything you want me to be babe.”  

Cait didn’t think that she could ever view Christmas Eve again like the one they had shared last night. Her wonderful, gorgeous, super sexy husband had fulfilled all her Christmas fantasies and then some with his performance that still had her heart racing. When she glanced over towards him again, Sam began gently snoring and Cait smiled beguilingly at her exhausted hubby.  Last night he had given her an early Christmas present to savour for years to come and one she would not easily forget.   Lovingly placing a kiss to his stubbled cheek, Caitriona turned over and lay in bed still thinking of his slow, sexy striptease last night as he had peeled off the red Santa suit piece by piece just for her. At that moment, she couldn’t love him any more than she did already … it was not possible.  

Oh, but she did.  She really did.  

Cait’s face suddenly felt flushed and she raised her hands to her cheeks and felt the telltale warmth of a blush. Placing her hand to her chest she also felt the rhythm of her heartbeats begin to thump while a tingling sensation zigzagged through her body as her thoughts began to wander to the man beside her. She bit her lip to prevent the little moan that bubbled up in her throat. Smiling like the cat that had swallowed all the cream, Caitriona remembered her love’s exuberance to make this little performance for her one she would always commit to memory of what happened on Christmas Eve in their master bedroom. 

Christmas Eve... 

When Sam entered their bedroom decked out in his Santa Suit, Cait couldn’t stop the smile beaming on her face.  Her husband looked glorious and oh, so sexy decked out in his Christmas costume. Caitriona watched as her Santa Claus came towards her as she lay on the bed with such a wicked gleam in his eye that he totally unbalanced her. Her amazing husband was dressed in a crimson red, fur lined jacket already part open and exposing his virile chest which immediately set her heart all a fluttering, a big black belt hung low on his waist and he was wearing black boots and a Santa hat.  Her wide eyes lingered on his body and lazily caressed him once more from top to toe. Her gaze stopped when she saw what was in his hand for Sam was also carrying his mobile phone.  That made her laugh as he never went anywhere without his phone.

“You’ve still got your phone in your hand honey.’’

“I know babe.  I mean to take some pictures … lots of pictures … of you my Cai-tri-ona and then you can do the same for me,” he purred in that sultry voice that had her catch her breath.

“Oh …”

“Starting right now.”  

Sam aimed his phone and snapped away as Cait struck a pose on their bed. “You look so sexy hon laying there in that provocative lingerie that I just want to rip it off your body. I think I could just devour you.”

“Not so fast buster … not until you perform for me Heughan,” she chastised him, a little flustered by what her husband was saying. “Do you think my Santa Baby fantasy will just go away with you dressed like that and nothing more?  I want to see you take it off Sam … all of it off,” were her challenging replies although given the way her husband was looking at her she was feeling anything but at the moment.

Sam merely answered with one of his enigmatic smiles that curled her toes.  It was predatory and menacing, full of innuendo and oh, so intimidating but promising at the same time because he knew that his words rang true. Moving forward towards their bed Sam leaned down and kissed his saucy temptress passionately, locking his lips to his alluring wife’s before he had even removed one piece of clothing. At the touch of his lips … Cait’s knees went to water.  

Just as well I am lying down, she thought, or else I just might collapse on the spot.

Caitriona knew that Sam too had been spellbound by the eager expression on her face and had returned the kiss in kind. Breathless, they severed their caress and her husband gave her such a penetrating look that Cait was very tempted to forget what she had just said.  

With added bravado and in a titillating, sexy voice she ordered, “Take your clothes off Santa.”

Equally seductive, Sam replied, “Say please.”

Caitriona’s eyes traversed her adorable man from head to toe before they rested on his face where a roguish smile bowed his lips.  Sam was enjoying this charade way too much, but then again so was she. Cait lowered her eyes before slowly raising them again as her lips irresistibly mouthed her retort.

“Pl-ease.”

How she had ever found the words to tell Sam to take his Santa clothes off before she herself ripped them off his body … Cait would never know.  God, she had wanted desperately to see him naked and she’d momentarily forgotten that she was watching this sexy man and that her Santa Sam was going to perform for her.  

Sam saw the change in his wife’s demeanour as she lay there watching him. She had anticipated this very moment ever since she’d sung that Christmas song in the shower, but now that her fantasy was about to eventuate she had turned into a provocative temptress. He heard the hitch in her voice as he approached the bed and gave Cait his Cell phone.

“Here honey ... take this.  It might come in handy.”

“For what Sam?”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out babe,” was his enigmatic reply.

“Oh ...” Sam had left his phone by her side no doubt for her to capture the moment that he began to disrobe.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Caitriona watched spellbound as her hub’s first movements were hasty and jerky as he began to tear the outfit from his body. She had to tell him to slow down.

“No … Slowly Sam … I mean my Santa Baby. Perform for me,” was her husky instruction.

Oh boy.  Where did those words come from? Cait thought.

Sam merely grinned at his wife. He was just testing the waters to see how she would react to a quick striptease.  Ah, very predictable Mrs Heughan. When she told him to go slowly, he knew that his tactics had worked. With a widening grin, Sam held her gaze with a piercing, smouldering look that had Caitriona squirming in anticipation of his next move.  Placing his hands onto his chest where the Santa jacket lay open, Sam sensually ran them down and over his chest before slowly edging his fingers over his washboard stomach and letting them lie pointing down towards his groin. Assiduously watching her husband’s every move, Caitriona bit her lip. Hawk eyed Heughan saw the sign of his wife’s flushed cheeks and face as her eyes were glued to what his hands were doing. Her Santa Baby gave her a smile and cheekily raised an eyebrow which always sent a thrill dancing down her spine. 

Although she was in awe of his tactics, she aimed his phone and took a picture while she still had a little rational thought remaining, for who knew how her body would react once he began to remove the Santa suit.

Enthralled by the affect his actions were having on his wife, Sam started to really get into the swing of things. He was enjoying himself immensely particularly knowing that his gorgeous lady was slowly unravelling before his eyes.  She was so sexy and he was intoxicated by her.

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

However, as he performed for her, little did Cait know that her husband was also feeling slightly unhinged too as he watched her lay on the bed watching him.

Sam could barely breathe as he looked at his desirable wife lying on her stomach, nonchalantly watching him and waiting for him to remove the Santa suit they had purchased earlier in the day.  At first he’d felt a little silly but when he saw Cait’s eyes light up when he’d come out of the bathroom, he’d puffed out his chest a little more.  They had never really tried any kind of role playing before and this was a first for them both. Sam couldn’t take his eyes off of his wife but it was the tell-tale look in her eye that was nearly his undoing.  He felt like ripping off the Santa suit as quickly as possible and forgetting about doing a slow reveal. Caitriona looked like an enthralling temptress lying there in her sexy lingerie and it was having a profound effect on his body’s reaction to his divine wife. He could just imagine running his fingers along the lacy briefs that hugged her delectable derrière before unhooking her bra and freeing the breasts that filled his hands like ripe peaches.

The come hither look in Cait’s eyes as she lazily scanned her husband from top to toe was turning him on something fierce and Sam wasn’t sure if he could go through with this little show before he totally lost it.  It was the little know-it-all smile on her lips that finally sealed the deal. If this was the last thing he ever did for his Cait before he expired then he was going to make it the best striptease she had ever seen or would ever likely to see again.  He was going to give her the performance of a lifetime.  After all he was a method actor and if he couldn’t demonstrate a stellar routine for the woman he loved then he was not worth his weight in gold.

Sam could see that his love was breathing a little hesitantly; he on the other hand was having trouble even getting oxygen into his lungs.  This woman took his breath away and just the slightest glance could wield him unconscious with longing. Caitriona Heughan was one sensual woman, beautiful, charming, charismatic, sexy as hell, endearing, smart, and adorable in all ways possible.   She was his reason for living, she gave his life meaning and seeing her lying on the bed and the way she was looking at him made him  just want to make love to her as if there was no tomorrow.  

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

Caitriona looked back over towards where her husband lay sleeping.

She had known that he would be good at this little charade but not as good as he was last night. Perform!  Wow, and what a performance it was.  Cait had been spellbound by Sam’s suggestive, tantalizing striptease and could still feel the awkwardness of his initial movements at performing.  However, he soon got into the swing of things until she watched him peeling his Santa suit more provocatively from his body. Her eyes had locked on his performance as he held her look with one of his own.

As her thoughts of last night danced like sugar plums in her head, Caitriona could feel her groin quiver at just the memory of Sam and his movements and those erotic looks he sent flying her way.  

When he moved towards the bed during his performance she was captivated by the sight of her husband’s bare, naked chest.  

Sam loved teasing her and he was relentless in giving his wife more than what she had bargained for when she’d asked him to be her Santa Baby.  He loved seeing her off kilter, however, as he stood by their bed Caitriona took full advantage of the situation and reached out her soft hands and placed them to his strong chest.  Placing her palms to his ribs she stroked them erotically over his rib cage. In response, Sam sucked in his chest unable to exhale as he felt his wife’s wonderful touch anoint him. Cait’s eyes sought his, and he saw the mischief registered there. Smiling he placed his own hands over hers and pressed them firmly to his vibrant skin. 

“Continue Sam,” she commanded dropping her hands and indicating that she wanted more.

“As you wish.”

And he did.

Turning his back to the bed Sam lowered the Santa jacket off one shoulder and gave Cait a smouldering, knowing look over his shoulder as he let the jacket fall down his arm and let it hang half off his torso. Turning back to face her he slowly removed the other sleeve stopping every so often to blow her a kiss as more and more skin was tantalisingly revealed to her eyes. Caitriona licked her lips as her Santa Baby was soon standing in front of her with a totally naked chest with rippling muscles so toned and perfect that it made her hitch her breath. Without severing her gaze Cait barely managed to hold up the phone to snap another picture.  Sam raised a little eyebrow when he heard her laboured breathing and merely flexed his muscles in reply.  Caitriona was practically swooning on the covers as her husband continued to torture her with his striptease.

Removing his Santa jacket exposing his ripped muscles of his chest had nearly been her undoing.  Her husband was such a conjurer, but at that time Sam had no idea how much his performance had affected her libido, or perhaps it was too many avocados that she’d consumed in the guacamole they’d shared last night with festive season’s drinks.  Either way she was mesmerized by the way her hubby had licked his lips, sucking his bottom lip into his mouth in a provocative pose that had her off balance. Oh, my god … how she had wanted him at that very moment.  She’d wanted to be the aggressor and suck those lips into her own and devour them until he begged for mercy.  

Yet she had lain on their bed in the master bedroom watching, just watching him turn her on and inside out.  

Just thinking about it now was making Cait shiver in remembrance of what he did next.

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

Caitriona was so sexually aroused and excited that it had taken all of her willpower not to rip those clothes off before Sam had a chance to remove them for her.  Her eyes had followed his every move, every gesture of his hands … every removal of another piece of the Santa suit until she was an intoxicated woman … high on the drug he was providing. Her eyes never left Sam’s face.  She couldn’t look away even if she wanted to … but she did close her eyes for a mere second or two before opening them to find her Santa Baby staring her down with mischief and intent radiating from his piercing look.

Sam’s tantalising come hither movements had woven a spell around her.  She was a goner.  Totally enthralled and turned on by her husband’s performance, Caitriona was drawn to him like a moth to a flame, like their cat Eddie to her food.  She was ravenous with longing but nonchalantly teased him with her next remark.

“Is that all you’ve got Heughan.  Surely you can do better.”

The words nearly caught in Cait’s throat when she uttered them, but Sam was far from finished.  His eyes held hers prisoner as he took up her gauntlet. Impressed by his wife’s challenge, he provocatively lowered his hands to the belt buckle of his Santa trousers. Hurriedly releasing the metal hold of the big, black Santa belt, Sam slipped it off and threw it to the floor. Following the path of his fingers Caitriona watched intensively then lowered her eyes to the package in his trousers beginning to show signs of hardening.

“Hmm … Santa Baby?”

“Yes?”

“Take them off.”

A raised eyebrow was Sam’s mute yet roguish reply, his eyes twinkling with mischief at his wife’s brazen request. His fingers inched into the material of the trousers and he tantalising lowered the red fabric down a little but with excruciating slowness. A simultaneous raspy sigh escaped from both of their lips as he did so. Caitriona’s gaze quickly returned to Sam’s, then lowered again as his beautiful hands inserted themselves into the material pushing the trousers down, lower … and lower … until he revealed a cheeky peek of the skin on his hip and buttock.

Quickly kicking off the big black boots, the Santa trousers soon fell to the ground in the blink of an eye and pooled at his feet.  Santa Sam was naked … gloriously … magnificently naked except for the quirky Santa hat he still wore on his head. As he’d shirked out of the Santa trousers, Sam moved toward his wife like a predator stalking its prey.

“Oh my … Santa … Baby.”

Feeling a great satisfaction at her breathy response to his nakedness Sam moved closer to where his wife lay only to find that Caitriona had already risen from the bed and was now walking toward him like a beautiful apparition. His wife’s beauty overwhelmed him; she made his heart swell with love and his little performance had certainly been a lot of fun. Sam gazed at his love and he knew that Cait’s heart was beating as erratically in her chest as was his. He felt his body hardening in response to her soft garbled utterance of his name.

“Oh … Sam.”

Before she had even noticed that he was now breathing the same air space as her, a hoarse breath escaped from Cait’s lips. Catching the look in her husband’s eye she sighed as he stretched out his arms towards her.

“You were wonderful. Thank you”  

Early Christmas Morning...

She never tired of looking at her husband and Cait cast another glance his way as she lay beside him in their huge, big bed. She could still feel the exquisite touch of her man’s lips and moaning softly touched her own lips with her fingertips. Sam certainly had had her in a spin last night and what happened next was the straw that broke the camel’s back.  

All her Christmases had finally come at last.

It was impulsive of her, but she was drawn to this wonderful man like a fly to a spider’s web. She had got up from their bed and rushed into his outstretched arms.  She had felt Sam’s body hardening in response to her soft garbled utterance of his name and praise for being such a good sport and performing for her as Santa Baby.  He had enclosed her in his arms and she’d hugged him to her so fiercely that her feelings overwhelmed her. Sam had brazenly kissed her devouring her lips as her fine-looking husband had lifted her up and carried her back to their bed.

Cait recalled shuddering at the touch of his skin and the feel of her husband’s body pressed to her own as they fell to the bed kissing passionately. She also remembered licking Sam’s stomach … the taste of his skin was delicious, like ambrosia to her senses.

 It was a spontaneous thing to do but it came naturally to her and when he shuddered as her teeth bit his skin she knew there would be more teasing tonight. After several forays of stimulation Sam pulled her up his chest then Santa Baby was kissing her senseless. She’d wrapped her legs around his strong hips capturing him as close to her as possible. She knew that Sam wanted to ravish her as well, but he held back wanting to savour this night as long as possible. Looking into her love’s eyes had nearly paralysed her when she saw the utter longing registered in eyes that saw into the very depths of her soul.  Then her love had kissed her some more and her head had spun.

Their kisses were an explosive joining of lips. They couldn't stop … they could never stop. They had both wanted to make up for the lost fourteen days, so they deepened their kisses until each moaned the other’s name in supplication.

Christmas Eve had surpassed all of her expectations and her wonderful husband had given her a present to treasure.  Leaning over, Caitriona kissed her sleeping giant and snuggled into his warmth. Placing her arm across his body she nestled into her husband’s side and was soon fast asleep again.

Christmas Morning

As Sam sat on the bed waiting for his wife to wake he couldn’t help but notice that she was smiling in her sleep. This beautiful, ethereal woman never ceased to amaze him and just watching her in repose filled him with such happiness.  She usually smiled like that when she was dreaming about them and after last night he was not at all surprised if that was indeed what she was dreaming about. Sam watched his love intently, grinning and thinking that on this Christmas morning he had a lot to be thankful for.  Seeing that her foot was poking out from beneath the covers, he couldn’t resist the temptation to tickle her foot and use this method to wake her up, so very gently he began to stroke the sole of her foot with his fingertips. Her toes twitched against his ministrations and she finally began to rouse.

“That tickles Sam,” Cait murmured turning onto her back and looking into the benevolent eyes of the man she loved

“Good morning … my sleepy headed wife.”

“Morning … husband. I didn’t hear you get up.”

Leaning across the bed, Sam placed a tender kiss to Caitriona’s enticing lips. ”It was so very difficult to leave your side but I needed to get your present before you woke.”

“Merry Christmas darling. Thank you for last night,” she replied holding his face tenderly in her palms and gazing into his eyes. “I love you.”

“The pleasure was all mine … I would do anything for you because I love you too.  Merry Christmas babe.”

Sam brought the hand that was hiding behind his back forward and holding out his palm presented a beautifully wrapped gift box to his wife. Caitriona’s eyes went from his smiling face to the present in his hand, then back to his face.  Her face was beaming with childish delight at the gift Sam had presented to her and she immediately sat up in bed her eyes shining with excitement at discovering what he had bought her for Christmas.

With reverent anticipation Cait took the offered gift and eagerly began to unwrap the present and ever so carefully she lifted the lid off the box. Sam watched as his love bit her lip as she slowly revealed a beautiful velvet box from inside the larger gift box.  Cait looked back towards Sam waiting for tacit approval to open it and see what was inside.  She was nervous but so excited that her hand was shaking and very slowly she lifted the lid. Caitriona gasped in astonishment at seeing the most beautiful pair of opal earrings surrounded by diamonds that she had ever seen.  They were gorgeous and when the light hit them the precious gemstone glittered with a mirage of colours that was dazzling.

Cait’s eyes began to well with tears as her fingertips delicately touched the gemstones.

“Oh, honey they are so beautiful.  I love them.”

Sam leaned in and kissed his wife’s forehead and gently brushed away her tears with his thumb. “I’m so glad my love. I saw them in Australia and knew immediately that they reminded me of you. You shine bright like a diamond but nothing compares to the radiance of the essence of you my darling. That is what the opals said to me. You are iridescence personified, my beautiful gorgeous wife.”

“I love you Sam … so very, very much.”

Leaning up to him she placed the box on the bed and with both hands captured his face in her hands. Her lips snared his in a tender kiss and Sam gathered Caitriona’s body in closer to reciprocate.

“Thank you my darling,” she whispered against his mouth, gently biting his bottom lip sensually. Her lips glided up his chin, anointing Sam’s jaw before her tongue erotically swirled against his ear. “I have a present for you too …” Caitriona pulled back and held her husband’s gaze.

“So is my present under the tree babe?”

“There are many presents under the tree for you Sam, but this one is extra special.”

“Oh, that sounds exciting.  Where is it honey?”

“Under the bed.”

“Under the bed?”

“Yes … can you get it out for me please?”

Crouching down Sam peered under the bed and pulled out a very large box beautifully wrapped that Caitriona had put there earlier without his knowledge. He placed the box on the bed and sat down on the mattress preparing to open it and see what his wife had given him for Christmas. He smiled at Cait and she returned his smile with an excited but enigmatic grin that made her eyes sparkle. Inside the box he found several different sized presents all lovingly wrapped with tags on them in numbered order and a game of Scrabble crossword that Caitriona had specially made with the lettered pieces to complete the words. Placing the game on the lid of the box, he looked at the instructions and read the first question.

“Fill in the blanks with the appropriate tiles. When did we first meet? …That’s an easy one Cait … at your audition.”

“Correct.”

Sam placed the tiles over the word.

“In what month were we married?  … I’ll never forget that day honey … it was the best day of my life.”

Caitriona smiled at her husband as he once again placed the Scrabble tiles over the missing word.

“How many days were you away from your wife this Christmas? … Arrgh, fourteen days too many is the answer to that question babe, and it felt like forever.”

Cait merely grinned as her husband continued to complete the game she had made.

“What happy event will happen by this time next year?

“Ah, that’s an easy one ... I’ll be Santa Baby again.”

“Oh yes, I like the sound of that hon ... but no ... that’s not right. The answer to this question can be found when you open your presents.”

Sam looked up at Caitriona with a perplexed look on his face at the riddle she had presented him and placing the game on the bed, he opened the lid of the box once more to see which present he should open first. The first gift was a pair of mugs with the words Grandma and Grandpa.

“Ha ! Ha! That’s hilarious babe.  You know I feel like a grandpa some days after a long day shooting and we will be grandparents on Outlander next year. Is that Frankenstein and his bride? Ha!  Ha!  That’s us. I love them. Thank you my darling.”

Sam leaned over and gave Caitriona a kiss and picked up the next gift. It was a card with a poem and a picture of something … he didn’t quite know.

“What in the Dickens’s name is that a picture of Cait?” Sam asked searching her face for a clue to this mysterious picture.

She merely smiled at him and said, “Perhaps if you open the next present it will make more sense.”

Sam unwrapped the small rectangular present and when he saw the writing on the box, he was struck dumb. Inside he found the result of a pregnancy test. He looked at his wife who was now smiling from ear to ear with his discovery.  Cait’s eyes misted over with tears of joy as she saw the look of bewilderment turn to excited understanding at what her present meant in her husband’s eyes.  Sam’s eyes began to well with tears as he ripped the paper off the last two presents, to find a t-shirt with Baby Daddy printed on it and a pair of baby booties.

“Oh honey.”

Tenderly taking Sam’s hand Cait placed it gently on her stomach. Tears of joy rolled down her cheeks as she glanced at her husband. He too was crying but his smile was radiant. He was beaming.

“We’re going to have a baby Sam. There will be three of us for Christmas next year.”

Sam kissed his love, hugged her and kissed her again, laughing and smiling and crying tears of happiness all at the same time.

“I love you Caitriona so very, very much … This is the best Christmas present you could ever have given me … given us.”

Resting his head on Cait’s abdomen Sam cradled his wife’s stomach in his hands, then  with such reverence and gentleness he kissed the child they had created with love.

“Hello mo leannan … this is your father talking. I canna wait to meet you.”

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ end Chapter 7/9 More in two day’s time. 

[m00nagegaydream]

ahhh, don't post ay spoliers, cause i can't watch spider no way home until it comes out on blu-ray and Redbox get's it. that's why i've watched shang-chi so late and that's why im watching venom this weekend, because venom came out yesterday on redbox. im glad you liked single all the way, i love it too it was so sweet, i literally cried at the end. also, congrats to marvel for giving us an aroace yelena. (theory: miles morales might be in nwh?? what do u think) anyways, bye! -liz

Please I couldn't watch anything cuz of exams :"). And the plan is cancelled. We can't watch nwh. But I'll still try and don't worry, I won't spoil it!!!