#I love this tiny baldwin

[theoutlawfaleena]

my niche historical interests and intriguing movie watching habits have led me to add another masked meow meow to my library

i fear i've rlly gone off the deep end this time besties

[tiltedsyllogism]

Ground Crew for the WIP Meme?

(in re this fic ask meme)

This one is literally the first FAM fic I ever started writing (which would have been probably late October of '22) and it's a S1-era Karen-PoV fic about her very intense attachment to Tracy (romantic/sexual? unclear!!) and how Tracy's trajectory through NASA both puts their relationship under strain and focalizes a lot of the discontents that Karen is feeling in her own life but cannot yet come close to naming.

I've got almost 7k words on this one, and I do have something of an arc sketched out -- it's not yet fully satisfying, but I'm 99% sure this one will get finished eventually!

Excerpt below the cut. Karen and Ed have just gotten home after a celebratory dinner at the Slaytons' in honor of Tracy getting her silver pin.

-----

“I mean,” Karen said slowly, “what did you think about. You know.” She waved one hand uselessly in the dark. “This whole thing. The women astronauts.”

Ed folded his arms. Karen could hear him smiling in the dark. “You mean Tracy.”

“I mean all of them,” Karen said sharply. 

“Well, Tracy’s one hell of a pilot,” he said. “Not quite on the level with Molly or Ellen, but she’s a steady flyer, and she’s worked hard.”

Karen stared out at the lawn. The grass needed cutting, badly. Ed should have done something about it days ago. Karen should have noticed and asked him. Not that he wasn’t perfectly capable of noticing himself.

She folded her arms.

“You’ve worked pretty hard too,” she said. “Getting them ready. It’s cost you plenty of your own training time.”

“Eh, don’t worry about me,” Ed said, shaking his head. “I could do those sims in my sleep at this point.”

“I certainly hope so,” Karen replied. “I don’t think it was very responsible of Deke, asking you to take on all that risk.”

“Deke knew I could handle it. Getting shorted on sim time, I mean,” he added. “Though you know what.” Ed leaned back and tipped his head up – as if he was trying to look at the stars through the roof of the car. “For all the bitching and moaning I did about it along the way… it actually feels pretty good to see them make it through. See them succeed. Y’know? Knowing I was a part of that.”

It was too much, suddenly. Karen had spent the whole evening pretending to be happy: for Tracy, for Deke, for poor Gordo. And suddenly, she was done.

“Well I’m glad you can look on the bright side, at least,” she snapped, opening the car door.

[incorrect-koh-posts]

Hi, somehow in 2022 that I know the existence of KOH and this lovely man here T_T, and so starved. Here is my art of B4 to boost my love for the fandom ^^.

Welcome to the party! He is wonderful, thank you! ❤

[eatmeandbirthmeagain]

headcanons of Baldwin during his wife's pregnancy (if that's even possible lmao) and raising their child together 😭💗

☆ Headcanons: King Baldwin x Reader - Pregnancy And Raising A Child ☆

☆ Headcanons ☆

A/N: Hello Anon, thank you for this beautiful request. I usally do one fic a day but headcanons are so fun to write! As always, this is based on the film Kingdom Of Heaven, not the real historical figures. Enjoy!

TW: Leprosy, Birth

This man would be so incredibly sweet to you all throughout your pregnancy.

He would do anything to ensure your absolute comfort.

Baldwin is completely indebted and grateful to you for carrying his child, he sees simple tasks as the least he can do.

You tell him constantly that fussing over you is not good for his health but he does not care. He would wear himself into the ground for you and that's just what he does.

When you go into labor, he stays by your side the entire time, never once leaving for any reason other than to fetch you something.

When the baby is born, he falls in love for a second time. Once with you and once with the tiny life he holds in his arms. Nothing else matters at that moment, only you and your child.

YOU chose to create life with HIM. His happiness is unmatched. The only other time he has felt this happy in his life was on your wedding day.

That night, he insists that the baby’s crib remains in the royal chambers, just so he can keep a close eye his little family.

He would not mind if it was a boy or a girl. He would love them both equally but differently.

Baldwin would treat his daughter like an absolute princess. He would go to any extent to protect her and keep her safe. He would treasure her and present her with an abundance of gifts just to see her smile.

He would love his son just as much. He would be overjoyed at the idea of teaching his son how to ride a horse, battle with swords and how to play chess.

Something tells me that he would be more than happy to teach his daughter all of those things as well if she asked.

Above all, he would be terrified of giving his disease to his children or you. That is is absolute worst fear.

Occasionally you would wake up in the night to find him crying after a nightmare about that exact thing.

As much as he wants to wrap his baby up in his arms and protect him/her, he knows that it's far too risky. And this breaks his heart.

You do your best to reassure him that as long as the two of you are careful about it, then it will be okay. He is still nervous, but he always is.

Even after years of marriage he is still afraid of giving you his illness.

Overall, the love he holds for his family is entirely unmatched. He places you and the child over all of his royal duties, no matter what <3

[seaswallovvme]

You are the one I’d come looking for. Over and over and over again

A/N: I am SO sorry for this but I can’t believe I’ve never seen a fanfic like this so I took it upon myself to write it. No beta reading or editing. We die like..nevermind

TW: angst, hurt and comfort, leprosy? No one is dying!!

People had thought her foolish for longer than she could think.

A pretty, young maiden from a good house, wealthy parents with political influence others could only dream of and yet she had chosen to marry a leper.

The king of Jerusalem was well known around nobility for more than just that of course, having won the battle of Montgisard against the Arabs at such young age seemed like a miracle from God above.

Even before that she had been by his side and it was not the fortunes, glory or status that had interested her which would no doubt be beneficial side effects of being married to him.

No young woman in her right mind would have willingly accepted the hand of a man doomed and she could hardly blame them.

Her parents had approved of the marriage as their hands were bound, depending on trade offers and the generosity of the holy land for their own existence.

Even then, when the letter from the court of Jerusalem had arrived they had been worried about the future of their darling girl.

Everyone had been, even nobility from far away and the news of King Baldwins marriage had spread quickly and then the whispering began.

She had never been bothered by the likes of them, faithful to her new husband who treated her with utmost care, she had everything she could have ever asked for and more.

He was a good man, gentle and wise for his age and he was grateful she had accepted his hand in marriage, he would have been a fool to not treat her well.

To him it was more than a political match propagating his strength to the outside kingdoms and his own.

To him this young woman was home, acceptance and love.

Despite all this their marriage was a slightly unusual one.

They had never been able to kiss nor were they able to consummate the marriage in a way deemed proper, the king refusing to risk contagion and his physicians agreed with him.

Despite all this she had never minded the lack of physicality in their marriage all that much.

She cared about him in a way that was beyond desires of the flesh, what they shared came close to holiness.

They talked a lot, shared poems and stories when she would caress his bandaged hands.

She would spend the late evenings in their shared chambers, after a tremendous amount of convincing, finally applying ointments to his sore, blistered skin to help it slow the spreading.

She would caress his bare back with fingers gentle as if she feared he would disappear into thin air, like a vision or a daydream, is she dared touching him too firmly.

In their eyes those sacred moments were almost enough but of course even the fate of the most pure could be harsh more often than not.

It started with a pale rash on her side, right over her ribs.

At first she had been sure it had come from spending too much time in the stables, perhaps she had been bitten by an insect.

Then one night when she had just finished brushing her hair before going to bed she noticed the tingling numbness in her fingers and feet.

It started slowly, like tiny ants crawling over her skin, not painful but the recognition was and she could feel her heart drop.

Though it wasn’t herself she feared for.

Baldwin let his best physicians be called to their shared chambers immediately.

After the three men had taken a look at her, whispering in a foreign language with their eyes drooped with worry and told them how deeply sorry they were the young king wished for his instant death.

He had always had a hard time being kind to himself, never to others but the wave of agony that rolled over him threatened to swallow him whole, burning like a demonic fury.

Her own eyes brimmed with tears and she sat up after the physicians had left, so frightened for her husband who was now sitting on the edge of the bed, his masked face buried in his hands with his shoulders trembling.

There was no use denying that she had caught the disease.

It was only a matter of time, she is playing with fire, others had whispered behind her back when they thought she wasn’t listening.

“Baldwin..” crawling up on the bed right behind him she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

The gesture that had comforted him even in his worst moments now seemed to shatter his heart even more so.

“I have been so foolish..my beautiful, beautiful angel” he whispered, his voice dying in his throat and when he raised his head his eyes were flooded with tears.

He was trembling as he spoke and she was frightened as he nearly seemed mad with grief.

“You should have never come here..I should have never asked anyone, you, to put themselves in danger for my foolishness. If the Lord wants to punish me so be it but why would he wish to punish you of all people? When it was I who was selfish?”

She only noticed that she too was crying when she tasted the salt on her lips, wiping it with shaking fingers.

“Do not say such things..you are not selfish, nor foolish. It was I who made the decision to accept the offer to marry you with the pain and dangers that I was warned of. And I swear to you that even now I do not regret our vows, a single day or night we spent together”

Reaching out for him he cupped his cheek, a pained smile gracing her features in the soft candle light of his chambers.

“Please do not blame yourself my love. I am not scared of my fate but I am scared of losing you, whether it be to grief or shame. I beg of you, don’t leave me now”

There had never been a moment where Baldwin had to fight against contempt for himself as in this very moment.

He disdained himself for causing her to share his fate when he should have been the one to be level headed, keeping a distance for her own safety when in reality he was the one searching for her warmth like a frightened little boy.

Now there was no use avoiding her, he recognised with bitterness seeping like pus from an open wound.

Now it was too late, the die had been cast but all words of comfort, an apology he could have offered her seemed to be worthless now and he knew this sweet, innocent girl would not hear it.

How wonderfully stubborn she could be sometimes, with too much love to give and headstrong to a point where it was almost unbecoming for a woman but he wouldn’t have it any differently.

“Come now” she murmured, shuffling on the bed to slip underneath the covers.

The silken sheets were cool against her skin and a part of her wondered for how long she would be able to feel them at all.

She pulled him in as she did every night since they had exchanged their vows, his head resting against her shoulder and she caressed his soft hair soothingly.

“The promise of God is not that He will never give us more weight than we want to carry. The promise of God is that He will never put more on us than we can bear.”

Her voice was so soft as she spoke, without a tremor and she was not scared anymore.

Not for herself nor for him, not when God was watching over them, not when her love for him burned stronger than ever and she could feel his heart beating, so alive and warm in his chest.

“Let us not waste the precious time we have..not a second”

This was something the young king could not disagree with and how eager he was for her comfort if that meant to comfort her.

Now he had to be strong for her sake when she needed him now more than ever before, and she was right.

The promise of God is that He will never put more on us than we can bear, no matter how heavy the burden can be in the darkest times.

He shuddered when he felt her gentle fingers sliding the silver mask off his face as she had done many times before but something about it now felt different.

His eyes were wide, still glossy and red, his face scarred severely but she could only see the man she loved more than anyone or anything.

They looked at each other for what felt like hours, the fingers of one hand entwined, the other on each others cheek, stroking over skin, gently brushing a strand of hair behind one’s ear.

She was the one to lean in first and to him the feeling of her soft lips on his, for the first time ever felt like he was being reborn.

The kiss was clumsy with inexperience but it could not have been more raw and honest.

She kissed him like she didn’t care about his disfigured lips and he kissed her like it was the last thing he would ever do.

Both of them kissed like they had been starving for this and now there was nothing left to lose and by the end of the kiss both of them were crying.

A soft sob rose in his chest, fading into a huffed out laugh and he seemed drunk with fondness for her.

She only smiled, wiping his tears as he wiped hers before leaning in again to kiss her warm, soft lips once more with more urgency this time, in disbelief that he would get to experience something like this after all.

Something that made him feel less alone, more like any normal young man instead.

A wave of warmth flooded him when he felt a small, soft hand slip underneath his nightgown, resting on his bare stomach and when he pulled away from the kiss, his cheeks flushed he recognised the desire in her eyes.

Honest and playful as she was and despite his nervously racing heart he gave her the most timid nod.

There was no fear within either of them now, uncertainty perhaps and pain surely, worry about what the future might bring but they had each other after all.

Each other and a life time left to love, however long that might be.

[iiseult]

Hello, I was wondering what the life of the female reader would be like when King Baldwin was not a leper. I mean, what would their life be like together as a married couple?

𝐵𝒶𝓁𝒹𝓌𝒾𝓃 𝐼𝒱 𝐻𝑒𝒶𝒹𝒸𝒶𝓃𝑜𝓃𝓈: 𝒩𝑜𝓃-𝓁𝑒𝓅𝓇𝑜𝓊𝓈 𝐸𝒹𝒾𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃

CWs → fluff, smut, probable historical inaccuracies, she/her pronouns, afab reader, mentions of religion, childbirth

Note: I know this took like over a month to get to, but in my defense I was working on completing the first arc of my multichapter Baldwin x reader fic. Also, if anyone’s interested, I started posting an alternate version of that on ao3 that’s in third person and from the perspective of a girl named Semele. As far as actual writing goes I think it’s much better quality simply because I don’t have to do all that corny second person bullshit or use the words “Y/N.” That’s a real pain in my ass. Anyway! 

Wordcount: 852

King Baldwin’s standards are high. He is a gorgeous young man with the world at his fingertips and he wants a woman, not a girl, to explore it with him. 

She must be good. She does not need to be rich or noble, but she needs to be selfless and kind and bold. And he needs someone who can match him in intellect so he doesn’t get bored. 

His hair frames his face in charming golden waves that fall to about his chin. His eyes are a deep cerulean, lined by long lashes, and his lips are pink and shapely, if a bit on the thin side. The nose is strong and straight, the jaw is square and sharp, the cheekbones are high and structured, and the skin covering it all is smooth and healthy. A light smattering of tiny freckles paint his nose and cheeks. His body is strong, with substantial broad shoulders, and what muscle he has is subtle but genuine. 

Sometimes his movements are awkward, a little different from other well-bred boys his age, and perhaps that’s what makes him so appealing. So mysterious. And, by the way, he certainly is appealing. 

Every woman that lays eyes on him, and even some that have never had that honor and know of him only from word of mouth, want him. Every woman thinks she can somehow be good enough for him. Of course, maybe one in one thousand of them actually is. 

When a lady finally catches his eye, it would be for her wit or her bravery. Perhaps she would beat him in a game of chess, or speak out against what she thinks is wrong. The more cruelty in her smile, the more attractive she becomes. 

When he proposes, it’s very romantic, very personal, and above all, very private. Though he surely makes the experience memorable for his future wife, he doesn’t do anything over-the-top. It does not involve other people, and perhaps it doesn’t even take place at a particular spot. The most important part of the proposal, after all, is the words he is speaking, the vow he is making. He puts his silver tongue to good use, so that saying no isn’t even an option anymore. How could she possibly turn him down? 

 He can’t wait to get his hands on her. The wedding night is something he has long been looking forward to, knowing that it would be worth it to wait for the right woman, and of course, it exceeds his expectations. How could he have guessed how soft, how supple her flesh would feel beneath him? How sweet and yielding? There was nothing that could have prepared him for the feeling of warmth that wholly enveloped him the first time they made love. It was something that could never be recreated by his own hand. It could only ever occur by the soft hand, or the cruel, relentless lips of his young wife. 

His body is young and robust, as is hers, and they are both brimming with passion and want. The first month of the marriage is spent mostly alone together, trapped in an endless cycle of tiring each other out, sleeping, waking, and doing the whole damned thing all over again. It would take no time at all for the seed to be planted in her fertile womb and a baby to begin to grow. 

Seeing his wife pregnant would only make him fall in love with her more, if such a thing were even possible. Now she is carrying a little miracle inside her, and to him, the world around her positively glows. He is, in a word, infatuated. So proud. He takes her into town and practically parades her around, the curve of her swollen belly growing more and more obvious under the fabric of her gown. Isn’t she beautiful, he would say to Raymond, and to Sybilla, and to anyone else who was unlucky enough to engage him in conversation. 

During the birth, he stayed by her side. He was the one to wipe the sweat from her forehead with damp towels, to hold her hand and cry softly from seeing her in such pain. He loves her so much, and he was going to love that baby, too. He was going to positively spoil it. That is, if it didn’t kill her! He cries more than she does during the birth, and though he does everything he can to ease her pain and help the midwife speed along the process, mostly he can do nothing but stand around and wring his hands and look helplessly at his love, his eyes swimming with wild fear and affection and awe. She’s so strong, how is she doing it? 

Once the baby is born, though the sheets of her bed are soiled with various fluids, he lays down next to his wife and holds her in his arms and she holds their baby in her arms, and they all sleep, a perfect family. The baby is going to look just like her, he thinks, and he will love it. 

[somethingstrangeishere]

TW: leprosy

Baldwin IV with his mommy 🥺

She tries to cheer up her precious boy by doing something sweet for him.

"No, my dear, those bandages don't make you any worse! Please stop putting yourself down for how you look...Look, I made a bow for you! You're cute. I love you, Baldwin."

***

I don't know if you've ever had similar thoughts...I just felt like speaking up. Honestly, it's very hard to put my thoughts and convey what I'm feeling (I'm not a writer and also not a native English speaker), and to be completely honest, as I think about it, my heart hurts and my eyes water. So if you read this - thank you, and sorry for taking up your time. If not - well, I've eased my soul one way or another by speaking out.

***

My heart melts at the thought of a warm, understanding and trusting relationship between parents and children, and I also love the dynamics of family relationships. In this context, mother/son. I don't know, and no one knows anymore, about the relationship Baldwin had with his mother, whether they were close, but I'm not relying on historical reference, but on my interpretation and feelings.

For a good loving mother, her child is the best, the most precious, the most loved and desired. But life does not always turn to you and your child in a good way. Some people are unlucky - whether you are a king or a peasant, a sinner or a saint - fate does not care.

How does a mother feel when her son is mortally ill? Put yourself in her shoes. Just try it.

***

You hold your newborn baby in your arms. Here it is, your little bundle of joy, so tiny, so adorable... You want to give him all the best, now your whole world is him, your little angel!

Your son is growing up, taking his first steps, saying his first words. You dream about his future, you love him so much...

Time passes, you live in love and care for him. And you hope that it will always be like this - or as long as possible...

...Now forget about it.

Suddenly you are hit with devastating news - your son has leprosy. It knocks you off your feet, it chokes you, it tramples you into the ground, tears your heart to pieces. At that moment, as soon as you find out, you see nothing in front of you and hear nothing. Your mind is empty, and there is only one thought of your son, your treasure. Doomed, cursed. If there really is a God, why did he let this happen? Why your child? They say leprosy is a curse from God. Why curse an innocent child?!

Pain, despair, anguish. You want to weep, You want to grab your son, hold him close and never let go. You realise he's doomed. But he doesn't realise it yet.

As time goes on, his health gets worse. Your baby does not understand what is happening to him - he is scared, he is confused, he is waiting for your support and comfort. You smile at him, you give him everything you can - but inside your heart is pounding and tearing as if it were breaking your ribs. Every night you're choked with tears. Your son is your flesh and blood, you gave him life, you brought him into this world, you condemned him to this existence...

Time passes, you do your best, but it seems as if God himself has turned away from you. You pray to all the saints, you beg the Virgin Mary - she is a mother too, she must hear, she cannot fail to understand! But nothing changes.

Your son is growing up, and every year his condition gets worse. His skin is covered with leprosy spots. His eyesight is getting worse. He's always tired, he can't live without the help of doctors and medicines. He's rotting alive. People look askance. People judge. People see a monster. All you see is your angel. Every day you swear to love and care for him, swear you won't leave him...

***

A young 16 years old boy wins a battle. How proud you are of him! How weak his body is, but how strong his spirit. But he too has his moments of vulnerability...

...Especially when he fully realises he doesn't have long to live. He seems to accept it - or pretend to accept it...

How do you feel?

How a mother might feel when she realises that she may see her son die? Bury the one she brought into this world. To live to see that moment is something she doesn't want to do.

Thank you if you read to the end! I'm crying right now😭

[sunnycanvas]

Baldwin seducing his shy fem physician

Warning: mentions of lactation kink, overstimulation and oral (giving and receiving)

"Come forward" king Baldwin IV who called you gently was sitting on his desk writing."I am glad to meet (F/N) 's daughter. He was there when other physicians were trying to find out about my disease.It was he not the other physicians who was able to tell that, I am a leper".

You watched as the king got up from his desk and stood motionless staring at you.You stood motionless looking at his mask as well and Baldwin IV got quite too.

The awkward silence was finally broken by Baldwin IV. "Come sit, I heard that you are the best physician in whole Christendom". Baldwin IV soon say in his bed and began to take off his mask. He soon motioned you to come sit next to him. You carefully put your box you were carrying next to bed. You took out glass and poured poppy milk and put it near bed. You took out one more drink and motioned the king to drink. The king quietly drank it. You went back to box and realised that you accidentally gave the king, aphrodisiacs. The one for your other female client who requested it from you. As her husband was cheating on her. Before you could stop the king it was too late he already started drinking it.Y ou got extremely scared and not wanting to face warth you pretended to be normal.

The king stopped for a while and lifted the glass of milk again to drink but accidentally poured on your chest. You were wearing a white gown. Now because of milk your chest was visible. Your gown desperately stuck to clung to your chest like second skin. Your cheeks flushed in display in exposure of your modesty. "I am sorry. My hand accidentally slipped". You knew that was a lie. "Let me chean it off you". He soon began licking off milk from your cleavage. You moaned. Despite being chaste he was quite good. He soon moved down to your chest and began licking there. He licked the valley of your chest and soon moved to your breast. He kept nibbling and sucking and if searching for your nipple. He soon found it and began harshly sucking it. You moaned at this sensation. It felt like you wer breast feeding the king. He sucked so harsh that your nipple began to hurt. He soon moved to another nipple and began same procedure. You couldn't stop yourself anymore and moaned. You soon covered your mouth in embarrassment but Baldwin IV was having none of that "Let it out. Let me hear you moan". You ended up moaning your King Baldwin IV's name begging to show you mercy. Baldwin IV gave one last tiny lick to your nipple before leaving it

"My apologies, now I think you should continue". Baldwin IV didn't even wait for your response and began stripping. You felt sexual arousal after seeing the king's chest. He was muscular. There were scars but they were all beautiful. Just to show how brave he was fighting his diesease. You start working on his bare upper torso washing and dipping it with medicine. "Apply it with your hand" he commanded and you got the opportunity to touch his body. You happily ran down your hands from chest to his stomach. You loved how he twitched under your touch. You could feel his breath getting rapid and his body flushing red under your touch. You ran your finger tips lower near his cock. He arched at sensation and you chuckled. Baldwin IV glared at you and said "Don't tease". However his gaze was much more passionate than he wanted it to be. You playfully squished his chest and also played with his nipples. Baldwin IV moaned at sensation. "Get on top of bed, it will help you" you did as you were told. It felt like you were straddling the king. You look at king for permission which he gave. You stripped him off his pants and began applying medicine. You soon bend down and started applying it on his calves. Baldwin IV chuckled at how naive you were being. You didn't realise how close you were to his cock. Baldwin IV thought of being mischievous and gently rubbed his cock on top of your lips. You gasped and Baldwin IV accidentally put his cock inside your mouth. You moaned feeling his cock inside your mouth and you started sucking and went deeper. Baldwin IV moaned feeling your tongue."Ah! (Y/N)! So good" You took him more deeper and hallowed your cheeks. Your nose which was buried in his blonde pubic hair made it difficult for you to breath. You moved away to finally get air, when you suddenly noticed his sensitive vein in his cock. You smiled mischievously and started kissing his vein from top to bottom and playfully nibbled it. You could hear Baldwin IV groan and you smile in response.You went back to his cock and started sucking head of his cock harshly as revenge. Baldwin IV moaned repeating your name like it's some sort of prayer and finally released inside you. He soon threw you on top of bed and began stripping you.

"You are so beautiful" he moaned looking at your naked body. He spread your legs and put his finger inside your pussy. You moaned at the sensation of his cold finger. His thumb especially played with the nub inside your pussy and slightly pinched it. You whimpered in slight pain and he bent down and kissed it in slight apology. "It seems like some of the milk reached down as well. Hence, I need to clean it as an apology" .He soon began licking your pussy. You moaned and the sensation of his fast and aggressive tongue licking you all over you pussy. He soon found your hole and put his tongue inside it and licking it aggressively. You couldn't hold yourself anymore. Without giving him warning you cummed on his face. Baldwin IV soon stood up a little and looked at you with seductive eyes. Not without breaking eye contact he took some of your cum left from your pussy and licked it from his fingers He soon angled his cock near your hole. Without waiting he pushed inside you. You gasped at sensation and bit of blood came out. "Virgin, don't worry I am too which is why I can't control myself. He kept thrusting inside you. You could feels his balls slapping your pussy. You could feel yourself getting closer. "I am going to cu-" before you could finish your statement you came. The king didn't, so he kept thrusting inside you. You cried in overstimulation and in whimpered voice said "No, more!"until the king cum as well. You soon fell asleep

Baldwin IV cradled you in his arms, he didn't know what happened to him but he certainly wasn't regretting. Judging by your action you enjoyed as well, "Gaurds" Baldwin IV commanded and gaurds came rushing inside. They were shocked to see a nude woman covered with blacket cradled on king's arm asleep. "Make sure to call priest tomorrow, and tell him to prepare for my wedding" The gaurds left in hurry still in shock.

Baldwin IV kissed your temple and whispered. "Since I have taken your virginity, it's only fair that I marry you and make you my queen as consolation"

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🌈 Queer Books Coming Out in August 2024 🌈

🌈 Good afternoon, my bookish bats! Here are a FEW of the stunning, diverse queer books you can add to your TBR before the year is over. Happy reading!

[ Text list below ⤵ ]

❓What was the last queer book you read?

[ Release dates may have changed. ]

❤️ Failure to Comply - Sarah Cavar 🧡 I Spit On Your Celluloid - Heidi Honeycutt 💛 You're Embarrassing Yourself - Desiree Akhavan 💚 Death of the Hero - Briona Johnson 💙 Between Dragons and Their Wrath - Devin Madson 💜 The Crimson Crown - Heather Walter ❤️ Sacrificial Animals - Kailee Pedersen 🧡 Oath of Fire - K. Arsenault Rivera 💛 The Palace of Eros - Caro De Robertis 💙 This Ravenous Fate - Hayley Dennings 💜 Mistress of Lies - K.M. Enright 🌈 Wolf Bite - T.J. Nichols

❤️ In the Valley, A Shadow - Samantha Tano 🧡 Follow My Lead - Adrian J. Smith 💛 The Last Woman I Kissed - Venetia Di Pierro 💚 Full Shift - Jennifer Dugan & Kristen Seaton 💙 Hers for the Weekend - Helena Greer 💜 Come Out, Come Out - Natalie C. Parker ❤️ Rules for Ghosting - Shelly Jay Shore 🧡 How to Leave the House - Nathan Newman 💛 Plot Twist - Carmen Sereno 💙 On the Far Side of a Crescendo - Kalyn Hazel 💜 Tiny Oblivions and Mutual Self Destructions - Maxwell I. Gold 🌈 Daylan and the River of Secrets - Edd Tello

❤️ The Italy Letters - Vi Khi Nao 🧡 The Gender Binary Is a Big Lie - Lee Wind 💚 The House Where Death Lives - Alex Brown 💙 Ash's Cabin - Jen Wang 💜 The Avian Hourglass - Lindsey Drager ❤️ The Heart Wants - Krystina Rivers 🧡 A Grand Love - Janna Barkin 💛 You Can't Go Home Again - Jeanette Bears 💜 Libertad - Bessie Flores Zaldivar 🌈 Her Golden Coast - Anat Deracine

❤️ Mighty Millie Novak - Elizabeth Holden 💛 Rise and Divine - Lana Harper 💚 Dying for You - L Flowers 💙 I'll Have What He's Having - Adib Khorram 💜 Changing Her Tune - Amanda Kabak ❤️ Monogamy? In this Economy? - Laura Boyle 🧡 The Rainbow Age of Television - Sayna Maci Warner 💛 Medusa of the Roses - Navid Sinaki 💙 Confounding Oaths - Alexis Hall 💜 Idol Lives - K.T. Salvo 🌈 Brother's Keeper - Quinn Cameron

❤️ Key Lime Sky - Al Hess 🧡 Crushing It - Erin Becker 💛 The Husky and His White Cat Shizun - Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou 💚 Not for the Faint of Heart - Lex Croucher 💙 Tasting Temptation - JJ Arias 💜 Ami - S. Jae-Jones ❤️ You're the Problem, It's You - Emma R. Alban 🧡 Cubs & Campfires - Dylan Drakes 💛 The Dark We Know - Wen-yi Lee 💙 Practical Rules for Cursed Witches - Kayla Cottingham 💜 Riyati Rebirth - Kalani Shimizu 🌈 The Brujos of Borderland High - Gume Laurel III

❤️ A Bánh Mì for Two - Trinity Nguyen 🧡 Dance of the Starlit Sea - Kiana Krystle 💛 Scattered Snows, to the North - Carl Phillips 💚 Beyond a World Apart - Caitlin Myers 💙 Don't Let It Break Your Heart - Maggie Horne 💜 Nothing Heals Me Like You Do - Harper Bliss ❤️ How It All Ends - Emma Hunsinger 🧡 How Do I Sexy? - Mx. Nillin Lore 💛 The Palace of Eros - Caro De Robertis 💙 Prince of the Palisades - Julian Winters 💜 Better Left Buried - Mary E. Roach 🌈 Back to Back - Jo Fletcher

❤️ DITCHLAPSE / [REALLY AFRAID] - Tommy Wyatt 🧡 The Love Archives: Bonus Scenes & Excerpts for Palestine - Various 💛 Guardian: Zhen Hun - Ying Priest 💚 The Sunforge - Sascha Stronach 💙 Queering Reproductive Justice - Candace Bond-Theriault 💜 Gender Explained - Diane Ehrensaft & Michelle Jurkiewicz ❤️ The Unlikely Pair - Jax Calder 🧡 In Universes - Emet North 💛 We Love the Nightlife - Rachel Koller Croft 💙 Lessons from Cruising - Martin Goodman 💜 Wild Ginger in the Rhubarb - Eule Grey 🌈 Not My Circus - Delicia Niami

❤️ Asunder - Kerstin Hall 🧡 The Phoenix Keeper - S.A. MacLean 💛 Encounters with James Baldwin - Various 💚 Verity's Game - Jennifer Giacalone 💙 Hunt Me! I Crave the Chase - Fae Quin 💜 The Audacity Omnibus - Carmen Loup ❤️ Haunted to Death - Frank Anthony Polito 🧡 Blood Orange - Paige Grunewald 💛 The Bad Things We Did - Chris Archeske 💙 Dark Restraint - Katee Robert 💜 Worth the Wait - Kenna White 🌈 The Maid and the Crocodile - Jordan Ifueko

❤️ Loving Corrections - Adrienne Maree Brown 🧡 The Last Witch in Edinburgh - Marielle Thompson 💛 The Duchess of Kokora - Nikhil Prabala 💚 The Scales of Seduction - Rien Gray 💙 Survival Is a Promise - Alexis Pauline Gumbs 💜 Loka - S.B. Divya ❤️ The Every Body Book of Consent - Rachel E Simon 🧡 Southern Lights - Liz Arncliffe 💛 Then Things Went Dark - Bea Fitzgerald 💙 Death at Morning House - Maureen Johnson 💜 The Last Doorbell - William Parker 🌈 The Pairing - Casey McQuiston

[hometoursandotherstuff]

OMG, you're not gonna believe this one. It's a 1920 elegant southern farmhouse style home in Savannah, Georgia and the local realtor's write-up says that the local house flippers, "Cotton Coastal Homes, poured their heart and soul into restoring this 104 year old home to its original beauty with modern functionality located in sought-after Baldwin Park." 4bds, 3ba, $739,900. Okay, you look at this reno and you tell me.

I don't even know what happened here. It couldn't have been one open space like this, it had to have been 2 rooms w/a center hall.

Anyway, everything, coffered ceiling, beautiful fancy beams, glass shelving, and walls, are covered in battleship gray semi-gloss. (Or, is it straight-up gloss?) What must have been a lovely traditional fireplace is a flat sheet of white, and is that a black faux firebox? I'm getting so agitated looking at this.

From that weird little dining area, you walk into the stark white sitting room.

So, wait, that's the dining room? You have to cross the hall and go down 3 steps from the kitchen?

Yes, that is indeed the only dining space. Here's the new kitchen. Who reworked this floorplan? Oh, wait, it gets better. Apparently, you go up 3 steps, cross the hallway, and down 3 steps.

The guest powder room is tiny, but tasteful.

A small hall off the kitchen.

Goes to this small room.

I'm so confused. Then, there's this shower room. I like the sink counter, though.

Upstairs the farmhouse moldings have been painted a dove gray and there's another bath at the top of the stairs.

Boring, but the sink cabinet isn't bad.

The primary bedroom fireplace still has molding, but the same stark surround as the downstairs fireplace.

Boring bedrooms 2 & 3.

There's a side entrance to the yard.

5,401 sq. ft. lot

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/506-Maupas-Ave-Savannah-GA-31401/14165591_zpid/?

[jakeperalta]

2024 books 📚 (be my friend on storygraph! / also this is my book account on instagram!)

giovanni's room - james baldwin (☆☆☆☆)

let the light pour in: morning poems - lemn sissay (☆☆☆½)

the anthropocene reviewed - john green (☆☆☆☆☆)

lessons in chemistry - bonnie garmus (☆☆☆)

wearing my mother's heart - sophia thakur (☆☆☆)

othello - william shakespeare (☆☆☆)

tiny beautiful things - cheryl strayed (☆☆☆☆½)

the death of ivan ilych - leo tolstoy (☆☆☆)

how not to be a boy - robert webb (☆☆☆☆)

the fellowship of the ring - j.r.r. tolkien (☆☆☆☆½)

the satsuma complex - bob mortimer (☆☆☆)

the two towers - j.r.r. tolkien (☆☆☆☆☆)

sapiens: a brief history of humankind - yuval noah harari (☆☆☆)

the return of the king - j.r.r. tolkien (☆☆☆☆☆)

funny story - emily henry (☆☆☆☆½)

the island - victoria hislop (☆☆☆☆)

everything I never told you - celeste ng (☆☆☆☆☆)

wish you were here - jodi picoult (☆☆☆½)

tales from the café - toshikazu kawaguchi (☆☆☆)

forever, interrupted - taylor jenkins reid (☆☆☆☆)

all about love: new visions - bell hook (☆☆☆)

unwell women - elinor cleghorn (☆☆☆☆☆)

seven days in june - tia williams (☆☆☆☆)

breasts and eggs - mieko kawakami (☆☆☆☆)

project hail mary - andy weir (☆☆☆☆☆)

lysistrata - aristophanes (☆☆☆)

the sense of an ending - julian barnes (☆☆☆☆)

dog songs - mary oliver (☆☆☆☆½)

carrie soto is back - taylor jenkins reid (☆☆☆☆☆)

you are here - david nicholls (☆☆☆☆)

the mysterious affair at styles - agatha christie (☆☆☆☆)

the murder on the links - agatha christie (☆☆☆½)

[girljeremystrong]

i’ve been reading a lot of essays recently and i was wondering if you have any that you’ve really enjoyed? i love digging through your book recs and you would love to know your thoughts<3

hiiiii <3 okay so first of all i admit i don't read a lot of essays! but here are some collections that i read and loved:

miami + slouching towards bethlehem + south and west + let me tell you what i mean by joan didion are all really good. joan didion's style is unique and reading her writing never gets boring. love all about these.

intimations by zadie smith is a little tiny collection of essays she wrote during the pandemic and the various quarantines, and i think zadie smith is a brilliant writer and i really enjoyed this.

what white people can do next by emma dabiri because i am a white person who wants to be better and this little book is filled with very well written and interesting essays.

the fire next time by james baldwin technically consists of two "letters" about racism and how americans (and all people) need to react to it and deal with it.

carry by toni jensen is a sort of memoir sort of collection of essays about her life as an indigenous woman in america and about race and police brutality and gun violence.

we are never meeting in real life + wow no thank you + quietly hostile by samantha irby are collections of very funny essays about her life and pop culture and they're light hearted and great.

little weirds by jenniy slate which has whimsical little essays as well as stories, i think she has a really delicate way of telling her point of view (really looking forward to her second book coming out later this year!)

minor feelings by cathy park hong is a very interesting and important collection of essays slash memoir about race and her experience as an asian american.

the collected schizophrenias by esmé weijun wang i first picked up because there's history of schizophrenia in my family and this book absolutely allowed me to see the issue from a very different perspective. it's very interesting and offers a unique point of view on chronic illness and mental health.

calypso + me talk pretty one day by david sedaris were very entertaining to me. sorry i like david sedaris! i really do think he's funny!

these precious days by ann patchett is a gorgeous collection of essays about writing and books and life and death by another one of my favorite authors. i think this one is so great.

genuinely though i would love it if you told me some of your favorites because i think i need to be reading more!!! hope you can find something you like among these and i hope you're having a great day!!!!!! 💖

[eatmeandbirthmeagain]

i think Baldwin would love cats because they are great companions and they are calm and match his energy, they are very cuddly and love to be with people (well my cats do at least) Could you please do one where his wife (the reader) surprises him on his birthday with a kitten and he’s just so excited? 😊😊❤️❤️

♡ Just For You - King Baldwin x Reader ♡

♡ Fluff ♡

A/N: Hello Anon! Thank you for this adorable request. I 100% agree that Baldwin would love cats It just seems right yk? I hope this is what you had in mind! As always this is based on the flm Kingdom Of Heaven not the real historical figures. Enjoy!

It was early morning and the first rays of sunlight had begun to stream through the windows of the royal chambers, slowly rousing the king from a deep sleep.

Baldwin opened his eyes just enough to see that it was morning before promptly closing them again.

He yawned and stretched his stiff muscles, reaching over an arm to pull his wife closer. However, Baldwin found the space beside him empty. 

“Y/n?” he mumbled, opening his eyes again.

Just as he began to grow concerned of her whereabouts, the doors to the bed chambers opened slowly.

“Baldwin my love, it's time to get up!” the queen called out softly.

The king smiled and beckoned his wife to come sit by him, not quite ready to leave the comfort of their warm bed.

“Happy birthday darling” y/n said as she sat down, it was then that Baldwin noticed that she held something behind her back.

“Thank you angel” he replied, still a little groggy after just waking up.

Y/n bent down and kissed her husband on the forehead, his eye briefly falling closed again as he relished in the touch of her soft lips.

“I have a surprise for you!” the queen said, a small grin forming on her face.

Baldwin’s curiosity peaked at her statement, his eyes opening a little wider than they previously were.

“Oh is that so?” he chuckled, sitting up against the headboard of the bed.

“I hope you like it” y/n said as she handed him the large box that she was holding behind her back.

Baldwin's anticipation turned to excitement at the site of it. He felt like a child again, opening presents on his birthday like this.

“Thank you darling, I’m sure I will love whatever it-” the king stopped mid sentence as he removed the lid of the box to see a pair of green eyes staring back at him.

A tiny white kitten.

Baldwin’s eyes widened at the site before him, a large grin soon spreading across his face.

“Y/n! You have outdone yourself!” he said in disbelief, still staring at the small bundle of fur that looked back at him, it's eyes wide with curiosity.

Y/n chuckled at his reaction.

“Oh she is adorable! What's her name? Does she have one or can I name her? Oh please say I can name her” Baldwin rambled in excitement as he scooped the tiny kitten up in his arms.

It purred happily as soon as it was in his embrace.

Y/n watched as her strong and calculated husband cooed over this tiny kitten, gently petting its soft fur.

“I think I will name her Daisy. Don't you think that's a fitting name darling?” Baldwin said, the large grin never once leaving his face.

“It's a perfect name” y/n agreed, taking a minnute to admire how adorable he looked. She wished that she could freeze an image of this moment to keep forever.

Perfect moments like this were common but every time, y/n wished that she could keep an image of every single one. Just to remember them exactly as they had happened and never forget a detail. 

[expirisims]

A Charmed Life

I'm switching households for the season, so I finally took the opportunity to move the Baldwins from the tiny "lucky" apartment! Looks like the local press is here to see them off to greener pastures!

Summer also means time to send kiddos from split households to their non-custodial parents for the season, so they don't lose touch. I dropped into the different households before moving onto our next household to make sure they had all the cribs etc. they needed. Reggie's place is a mess as per usual.

Here we are! It's time to play the Gillis household and catch up with Andrae, Precious and their children! They have done quite well for themselves as you can see.

Daniella aged into a child and practicing that side eye! She must have taken some lessons from Harold, LOL! She looks so much like Andrae!

Precious was off to work! I just love watching my sims in their cars, through their windows, etc. ...I promise I'm not a creeper!

Look at that! I know a lot of people don't like to miss things when they're in other households while playing rotationally, but I kind of love it! It makes it feel so much more real to me that my sims will develop hobbies and skills on their own. It always gives me something fun to read in my notifications.

Andrae has spent his whole day off in his pjs...I won't judge, LOL!

Umm...Daniella sank into the ground to do her homework and then turned completely invisible. Looks like it's time for a reset!

Andrae's ready for some baby cuddles with Feisal and Daniella is ready for some computer games.

All's quiet in the house. Shana and Feisal are both asleep, Andrae is catching up on the news and Daniella is finishing up her gaming session. Maybe she's heading to bed too.

Or to paint autonomously! Like I said, they all have their own hobbies and skills!

Good job Shayne! Now if you can just keep it that way!

I kept hearing voices outside and went to investigate. There was a protest about squids(!?) at the park right next door!

Precious took over toddler duties when she got home.

Andrae got in one last snack and finished a round of dishes.

And what would a round in Redwood Harbor be without ANOTHER alien abduction!

That's right Shana, I'd hide too!

[radiowallet]

Eyes Open - Chapter 5

Pairing: Marcus Moreno x Amy Oliver (ofc) Summary: Marcus takes a shot in the dark. WC: 2.1K Warnings: 18+ MDNI Canon-typical violence, talk of police work, slow burn, yearning, idiots friends to lovers, financial stressors, second chance romance, workplace romance (sort of), older love interest, single parents, DID I MENTION THE YEARNING?

Series Masterlist II Main Masterlist II Marcus Moreno Masterlist

Cross-Posted to AO3

Part 4 >>> Part 6

For any new writing follow @radiowallet-writes and turn on notifications.

----

It is the most unproductive morning Marcus has had since perhaps the days leading up to Missy’s birth. It’s a similar feeling, that low thrum of anxiety as he waited for the inevitable call that would change his life forever. Granted, this is on a much much smaller scale but the fact remains. How could he possibly focus on anything while he waits for his phone to ring? 

He’s a ball of nerves, pacing to and fro across his office floor, the pattern practically worn into the hardwood beneath his feet. With each pass by his desk, he sips from his fourth cup of coffee, lukewarm at best, the caffeine doing little for his nerves or his fatigue. 

He and Miracle Guy had watched through narrowed eyes and muffled breaths until, finally, their suspicions were confirmed. Miracle had made one final play to convince Marcus to let him fly down there and take care of the situation himself, but he held firm, sticking to his guns and calling in the tip to the station.

“We need these men to give up the guy in charge. The threat of them speaking up could be enough to lure their boss out of wherever it is they’re hiding.”

In the end, Miracle Guy agreed, but not before he took a few shots at the failure of police work and overcrowded prison systems. Marcus was usually the first to wield that particular battle cry, but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t use a broken system to his advantage every now and again. They stuck around just long enough to watch Chief Baldwin shove each suspect into the back of a squad car before finally parting ways with a slap on the back and a tired smile passed between the two heroes.

Marcus had gone home just long enough to catch a few hours of stolen sleep in a bed that after so many years alone was just now starting to feel too big. When his alarm went off he groaned loud and long before dragging himself into a scalding hot shower, letting the steady beat of the water pressure pound into his lower back. Hot coffee and a silent drive to the office did little to quiet his anxieties, and he knew he’d be on edge until he heard from Amy. 

And it was only partly to do with local police work. 

He’s considering his fifth cup of coffee when his phone rings, the sound sharp where it buzzes across his desk. He doesn’t bother crossing the room, instead calling the tiny piece of aluminum to him with the raise of his hand, relief like butterflies fluttering alongside the beat of his heart when he sees AMY flashing across the screen. He answers with shaky hands, his voice catching at the base of his throat, a smile carving out a home on his lips. 

“Hey, Ames.”

“Hey! I’m so sorry I didn’t call until now. It’s been a zoo over here. Some big arrests were made late last night.”

“Oh, that’s okay,” he hums, noting the pitch to her voice is genuinely higher, but between her lines he can read the truth.

“Yeah. Apparently, a tip was called in about a moving van in a suspicious part of town late last night.” 

In the background, Marcus can hear the distinct flurry of a busy precinct. The shout of officers, the ringing of telephones, someone calling Amy’s name again and again. He swallows around the lump in his throat as the guilt starts to creep up the back of his neck.

“Shit. Are you…are you too busy to talk?”

“Well, there’s a ton of evidence to categorize so that’s been keeping me busy. Plus two of the three arrests have priors big enough that they’re being moved upstate. The other made bail.”

Marcus doesn’t say a word, but fear creeps in to join his guilt.

“Yeah, it’s all pretty boring stuff. I’m so busy with all this paperwork. I probably won’t be done processing the three of them until around 12. If…if you still wanted to talk, that is?”

“Yes! Yes, of course,” he answers quickly, refusing to be bothered by how desperate it sounds to his own ears. “…But before that?” Marcus asks, testing out the waters of what she’s trying to convey.

“Just a lot of paperwork and rubber stamping shit while those guys sit in empty interrogation rooms. Derek isn’t even here to help. Off getting ready for a press conference.” 

“Well, what if I brought you some coffee? Real coffee,” he offers, his smile hopeful despite the charade. 

He swears when she answers back he can hear the same shade of hope. 

“I’d like that.”

——

Amy was only half exaggerating for Marcus’s benefit. The arrests made in the middle of the night had consumed her day, most of which was spent chasing down arrest records and recording each piece of evidence. That’s where she was supposed to be now, sifting through the heavy boxes dumped unceremoniously in the evidence locker. 

Part of her was looking forward to the distraction from the nervous flutter in her heart. 

That same part that was anxiously watching the door for the familiar sight of broad shoulders and an easy smile. 

Marcus’s texts from the night prior had become a matter of contention. She read them through once, twice, then a third time, the butterflies rising and sinking with each pass. Finally, when it was apparent nothing new could be gleaned from the two simple messages, she gave up, turning off the last of the lights and falling into the twin bed tucked into the corner alcove of her living room. 

It was the ring of her cell phone and not her alarm that woke her the next day, Derek’s voice tired but thrumming, a disarming energy he only seemed to have when something big was going down. When she walked into the precinct an hour earlier than usual, a report was thrust into her hands and she spotted one detail almost immediately. A tip that snowballed the three arrests called in late last night.

Right around when Marcus had texted her about giving him a call.

The pieces were starting to click into place after that, the text messages that had her heart flipping took on a new context. She barely had time to laugh at herself before she dove headfirst into her work, the stack of papers on her desk rivaled only by the number of times her name was called. By 9 she was nearly cross-eyed, going in for her third cup of coffee, the taste all together too bitter but still delicious. She took a moment to drink it, willing her heartbeat to slow to something manageable before picking up her phone and cradling it between her ear and shoulder, dialing Marcus’s number with practiced ease.

He had been anxious on the phone, his voice nearly an octave higher, and Amy swore she could hear the smile in his voice when he suggested bringing her coffee. It’s not an offer Marcus makes regularly, the two of them always content to drink from the pot that sits just behind her desk, no matter the number of faces he pulls after every sip. Still, she hates how she wonders if his offer, in all its kind sincerity, was still part of their lie.

There isn’t much time to dwell on any of it. She spots the broad shape of Marcus Moreno’s shoulders pushing through double doors at the front of the building and breaking her train of thought. Amy curses again, this time out loud, her breath catching in her throat at the sight of him, her defenses falling by the wayside when she sees his smile. 

They lock eyes briefly and she smiles, ducking her head to scribble across a post-it note. The message is vague at best, but she’s confident Marcus will understand, and with one more smile sent in his direction she turns away.

——

There are exactly three coffee shops between Heroics headquarters and the 98th precinct. Two chains that serve fine if not overpriced coffee, the menu always reflecting some sort of fad– cold foam, olive oil espresso, pistachio sugar. Things Marcus had no desire to try let alone figure out how to order. 

The third option was small, tucked between a used bookstore and a pawn shop. No sign on the door except for the little plastic one reading OPEN, the rest of the window filled with art; large paintings in bright vibrant colors, smaller self-portraits done in shades of gray, pieces of metal and glass fused together and catching in the sunlight. He had found it by accident one day, stepping inside the doorway to take a phone call and catching the scent of freshly baked pastries.

He had immediately brought Amy a cup, and the two of them had quickly decided the coffee (and the muffin he had brought for them to split) were perfect. It never grew past that, the two of them falling back to Amy’s truly horrendous brew the very next time Marcus stopped by. And even through his grimace, he somehow found himself preferring it.

But he remembered clearly how her eyes had slipped shut, a soft hum, almost like a purr, parting her lips and a deep sort of contentment filling out her features. It would be impossible to forget.

He has that exact order in his hands now, and after catching Amy’s eye, he makes his way to her empty desk, keeping note of the direction she’s moving in, out of the corner of his eye. Waiting for him amongst her clutter is a Post-it note, a number scribbled in the bottom left corner in black pen.

3

And just below that, easily mistaken for a forgotten doodle – a small heart.

Heat blooms in his cheeks, matching the affection pooling in his heart. He exchanges the coffee cups and paper bag for the Post-It, tucking it into his pocket before turning and following in the direction Amy had headed. She’s waiting for him down on the third floor, the low-lit basement enough to conceal the smiles they trade. 

“Hey,” she breathes, and Marcus is quick to match it, his own greeting falling out of him in a hush. He doesn’t hesitate, stepping into her space, close enough to smell her perfume, clean and sweet and mixing perfectly with the notes of coffee on her breath.

She tilts her chin, just enough to look him in the eye, searching for the answer to a question she hasn’t asked. Her bottom lip catches between her teeth, and before he can stop himself, he’s reaching up as if to smooth her bite away. He’s hopeless, wondering what it would feel like to let the pad of his thumb drag slowly across the plush pink of her lip. They stay that way for a beat longer, a far more awkward version of their almost kiss, before finally they’re both laughing, bodies falling forward to muffle the sound. 

It feels like enough for them to find their footing, the ground of their friendship solid again beneath their feet. She feels familiar and settled, a comfort in his arms that reminds Marcus that whatever this couldn’t possibly be a mistake. Not as long as Amy kept laughing just like this. 

“Okay,” she starts, her cheeks red and her smile wide, fingers finding the bend of his elbow. “I’ve been dragging my feet on processing these guys. Derek’s already had his go at them and he should be out until this afternoon.”

“How much time can you buy me?”

“The two that are going upstate won’t be moved until 4 at the earliest, but there’s no telling with the one who made bail. Someone claiming to be his girlfriend has been blowing up our phone lines.”

“You think she’s lying about who she is?”

“I don’t think he’s the one she’s worried about.”

Amy squeezes his arm again, the palm of her hand dragging down to hold his. She shakes her head, as if to push one singular thought away, worry creasing across her brow. Marcus nods and then, taking a cue from her own gentle touch, he squeezes at her hip, just once, before stepping away. 

“I’ll start with him then.”

“Last room on the left. The door is locked.”

She doesn’t offer him a key. She knows he won’t need it. 

“I’ll be up at my desk waiting for you to get back from the bathroom?” 

“You’d think I’d remember to go before heading over here by now,” he jokes, delighting at the way she mockingly rolls her eyes. She turns away but Marcus can’t help himself, stopping her just as she’s about to press her foot into the bottom step, calling her name out into the dark. 

“Hey, Amy?”

“Yeah?”

“What are your plans for tonight?”

——

A/N: This story continues to just be so much fun to write. I hope all of you who are reading are having just as much fun as I am. Thank you, endlessly, for reading!

[aurianavaloria]

Enseigne - The Sword of King Baldwin IV

============================================

Finally, here's a little finished something for the KoH fandom - a total redesign of the sword of Baldwin IV.

Don't get me wrong - I love the swords in Kingdom of Heaven, but they are a tiny bit historically inaccurate due to their extended hilts. So, taking inspiration from both history and the film, I've overhauled Baldwin's weapon to be one slightly more in line to what I envision a 12th-century King of Jerusalem possessing.

The overall design is that of an Oakeshott XII-type sword. I do realize that this category tends to be a catch-all for swords that don't quite fit into X, Xa, XI, or even XIIIb, but it does seem appropriate for a late 12th-century warrior who would have had access to cutting edge (har har) technology and would have also needed the versatility of a weapon that could both slice and thrust with ease.

The blade is pattern-welded (you might have to zoom in to see it). Whether or not it is true Damascus steel is up to your own imagination; it is evident that the Franks would have also practiced their own pattern-welding techniques at the time. The shortened fuller bears the inscription "Virtus, Fides, Voluntas", which is Latin for "Virtue, Faith, Will" - appropriate, imo, for a chivalric king of the Holy Land.

As for the rest of the sword, I've replaced the almost cartoonish "roses" on the crossguard with more fanciful etching, but that's a matter of personal taste. I've also removed them from the pommel. The grip, instead of being cord-wrapped, is bone/ivory with gilt blue enamel detailing.

And what's a weapon of a legendary king without a name? My personal choice is Enseigne, which, according to the Old Norman dictionary, can mean everything from "sign" or "prophecy" to "paragon" and "exemplar", and even "war cry", depending on the context. A rather flexible definition that has multiple implications.

Anyway, I hope you like it as much as I liked designing it!