#OTP: Brothers in Arms

[theoriginalladya]

The Long Walk Home - fanfiction

Title: The Long Walk Home

Summary: The fleets are assembled, the battle has been fought. Only one decision is left to be made and only Commander Caleb Shepard can make it.

Relationship: Caleb Shepard/Kaidan Alenko

Characters: Caleb Shepard, Kaidan Alenko

Tags: Destroy Ending, Endgame Choices, Angst, Angst and Feels, Blood and Injury, Canon-Typical Violence, Irish Shepard, To End a War and Save a Galaxy, Slightly Canon Divergent, Near Death Experience

Rating: M

Setting: End of the Reaper War, Citadel

Excerpt:

What’s the term Garrus uses? 

Ruthless calculus.  Sacrifice a billion lives here to save ten billion over there. 

The turians might know and accept it from birth, but it isn’t a completely foreign concept to him, not at this stage of the game. 

Still, the numbers are staggering, mind blowing.  It isn’t an easy decision. 

Shepard, I would risk non-functionality…

He winces, the familiar voice an echo in his head.  She’s there, in his mind’s eye, both as infiltration unit and ship.  She’s one and the same to him, she always will be.

A grimace, a groan, a sharply drawn breath as he struggles to move a foot forward.

He doesn’t want to disappoint her, not now, but what else can he do?

EDI, Tá brón orm…

Read Full Story Here || Read Series Here

I've had this idea for Caleb's last moments of the war for a long time. I wrote this up a while back - can't recall when, exactly - but today I was looking at it and Imagine Dragons' song Bleeding Out came on and suddenly editing happened. Be warned - you may want a box of tissues at hand. I've already gone through one.

Also note: This is a lead in to Caleb's post-war stories! I hope to start posting some of them soon!

[hhnguyen]

life of a traitor

I’m really sorry if this one seemed a bit messy, because I was trying to convey the feelings from multiple POV’s at the same time instead of just one. ps. i will drown in the Lo’ak x Tsireya ship. My OTP for life. 

♢ Pairing: Dad!Jake Sully x Oldest daughter!Reader, Lo’ak x Tsireya, Dad!Jake Sully x Lo’ak

♢ Word count: 4k 

♢ Genre: angst, family comfort - Warnings: cursing, Jake being a bad dad for once but we still love him 

⌲ Description: “You have shamed this family.” Words hurt and they sting. Yet you make sure your dad gets to feel that very pain in the wake of Lo’ak’s return. 

M A S T E R L I S T

“The Sully boy has been found!”

“The oldest is with him! They’re both back!”

You were holding your breath, you realized, as the village got closer. The lit-up lanterns that seemed like mere specks of stars in the night from a distance not long ago now seemingly looming over you with intimidation for what was to come. Both of you were perched on the backs of the Metkayina warrior's mounts that had spotted the two swimming back into the reefs after sending the tulkun off. 

And with Atanzaw flying above your heads, shining in the dark with his bioluminescent marks, it was an easy spotting as an uproar had started. 

Your brother reached the dock first, thanking the one who helped as you followed up shortly after doing the same. 

As if as one, both yours and Lo’ak’s gaze locked onto Ao’nung standing at the very front beside his parents. He was silent, though you didn’t know if that was due to the aftermath of his scolding or guilt for nearly killing your brother.

For his sake, it better had been the latter. 

You merely stood back as Lo’ak was ready to pounce on the boy himself until your dad quickly intervened with raised hands of peace, and you could not stop the disappointed roll of your eyes. 

“Hey…” Jake was trying to make eye contact with him, but sensing how his youngest son was too busy death glaring at the Olo’eyktan’s heir it was a futile try. “Let’s have a look at you.”

“He’s fine, he’s fine. Just a few scratches,” your dad declared, obviously nervous and trying to appear calm. 

“Define fine,” you muttered, not bothering to be too discreet and catching both the eyes of Tonowari and Jake. 

Your mother was next, as she threw herself down on the lower ledge and grabbed Lo’ak by his shoulders, nails probably digging in uncomfortably for a short moment. There was clear distress for her child on her face, but also the aggravation of him getting into trouble again. A very familiar combination when it came to your baby brother, admittedly. 

You still made sure to be closer to him as you stepped up, shoulders just barely brushing your dad’s arm in passing and hovering a mere few inches behind. A silent shield to be used if needed. 

“I pray for the strength that I will not rip the eyeballs out of my youngest son!” She growled with a frustrated grab at his face - Lo’ak did nothing but lean away, face stone cold in all the chaos. 

His indifference was worrying you as you reached out to subtly hook your little pinky around his own. An action that only the two of you and Kiri could do with your extra fingers. His body didn’t reveal anything besides the slight twitch at the touch, but he didn’t pull away, and you took it as a good sign. 

For now. 

“No. My son knows better than to take him outside of the reef,” Tonowari pushed Ao’nung down to his knees by the back of his neck, a sight that gave you immense satisfaction as your lips curled up into a small smirk. “The blame is his.”

Your father was trying his best to de-escalate the situation, you knew that. And although you had a lot to say, things were going smoothly at this point, so they were held back. 

“Okay, let’s go,” Jake accepted it, urging Lo’ak to get a move on and you started to follow until the next words made you freeze in shock. 

“No. This is not Ao’nung’s fault. This was my idea.”

What the fuck was he doing?

Stupid, stupid boy!

Your heart was starting to pump, the disbelief at that flat-out lie from Lo’ak not making it any better. And you made sure to voice it. 

“Lo’ak!” Your hiss was hardly low in volume, or gentle in its approach. It was a harsh, aggressive sound that made several people look as you grabbed your youngest brother’s arm and pulled him to you. “What do you think you’re doing?!” 

You were pretty sure your nails were digging into his skin much more painfully than your mom’s did. 

But as the idiot that he was, he wrenched away from you and continued on as if you hadn’t spoken. “Ao’nung tried to talk me out of it. Really.”

Lie, lie, lies!

The word thundered in your head as you pinched your eyes shut with a rigid sigh. Your parents had so clearly lost their patience as your dad went up first, your mom grabbing Lo’ak either in anger or confusion. “Lo’ak!”

You weren’t sure of anything, to be honest. 

“I’m sorry,” he finally finished. 

“Come on,” Jake’s voice was sternly laced with exhaustion as you both followed him.  “I got this one.”

How many times hadn’t you heard that sentence? 

There was a tense moment of silence as your family walked away, but Tuk was absent you noticed. Which was a good thing in itself, supposedly. She didn’t need to see this ugly side of your family so young - there were certain moments for learning, whereas others would just create minimal trauma. Just like now. 

“Dad, you told me to make friends with these kids, that was what I was trying to do-”

“I don’t want to hear it.” 

You cautiously straightened up at the apparent held-back anger and glanced at your mom, hoping she might help to diffuse the situation. But her glare was still firmly settled on Lo’ak, as you licked your lips anxiously. 

This situation was not reached its peak yet, the comprehension of the current mood washing over you. 

“Dad…”

“You brought shame to this family.”

It felt like the air had been sucked out of your lungs and stones beings violently shoved in their stead, eyes widening at the horrible words your dad…no, Jake Sully just blatantly said to your brother. 

Because this was not the dad that you knew. 

How could he? 

Saying such words when Lo’ak was already struggling with himself. 

Couldn’t they see that? 

It was so clear, your confusion nearly befuddled you enough, but not quite.

Because your anger was there. Simmering, boiling - ready to erupt at any moment - because this wasn’t fair.

Your baby brother was being so strong. 

Oh, how his expression squeezed your heart almost painfully. The way his shoulders just only drooped before straightening back up and fists clenching as his cold mask slipped back over the hurt that had been there only for a single second. 

“Can I go now?”

Don’t go. Please, don’t go. 

“Any more trouble I’ll tie a knot in your tail, you read me?”

Stop.

“Yes sir.”

Just fucking stop.  

With a flick of his eyes, your dad dismissed Lo’ak like he was one of his soldiers, and as you tried to reach out for him, your baby brother ignored you with a visible lean away. 

An action that hurt you more than you realized until now. 

“Where were you?” Your mom spoke for the first time, turning to Neteyam. 

Someone that had nothing to do with this whole fiasco. 

“Yeah, what happened to keep an eye on your brother?” 

You spoke before he could. “Where were you?”

Both of your parents turned to look, identical frowns on their faces as they stared you down at your tone. But you would not budge at their intimidation. 

“Excuse me?”

“How could you?” 

“Y/N this is not the time for one of your tirades again.”

The disbelieving laugh that you let out was so out of character that even Kiri’s eyes widened warily. 

Your sister was someone who often silently observed those around you. And she knew that at this point there was no going back. You were clearly losing it. 

“Y/N…” Your mom noticed the same, sensing the seams of your sensibility started to fray at the edges as you and Jake were locked in a stare-down. 

You grinned widely, all teeth on show as your arms spread to the side. “You know what? Thank you for suggesting that dad! I would love to actually!”

Tirades were your favorite part time after all. 

His eyes narrowed dangerously, a finger hovering in the air as Jake hissed in a breath before muttering out harshly - his eyes flickering to the curious audience gathering at your volume. “Watch yourself, young lady.” 

“Why?” Your reply was all but spat out. “Are you embarrassed? Ashamed perhaps?”

“Y/N, you do not speak to your father like that!” Your mom’s voice snapped up, gaze hard with a hint of surprise which you assumed was due to your attitude. 

Admittedly a side that you had never shown before. Or at least managed to hold back in tense moments. 

“Why the hell not?!” your words were met by the gasps of Kiri and Neteyam at the audacity, but they were easily ignored as you whirled to look at your father. 

He had his lips peeled back in a mid-snarl, his animalistic side coming out to warn you of the hierarchy in this family.

“You always speak to us like that! Whenever your emotions are too much to handle and you lash out at us. You say it’s our fault all disguised under your excuse of being a worried parent!”

“Lo’ak is fourteen, dad!” Making sure you had his attention you stepped closer. “Four-teen. He’s fourteen and already thinks he’s a fucking failure - and do you wanna know why that is?” there was no pause in your words as you threw them at his face. “Because of you.”

“You do not get to talk to me this way, Y/N,” Jake was clenching his jaw to the point he was sure his teeth would shatter. “I am your father-”

“-what father tells their child they’re ashamed of them?” You offered him a bitter smile. “The one I know sure as hell doesn’t.”

“Your brother made his choice. These are the consequences that follow-” your dad was having a hard time holding back with the way his voice raised mid-sentence before forcefully stopping himself and releasing a breath. “-that follow along with his actions. I am trying to teach him a lesson.”

“Did you ask him?”

“What?”

“Did. You. Ask. Him?”

Jake sighed in frustration, his hands coming up to grasp at empty air. “What are you talking about?” 

“Did you even bother to ask your son whose fault this really was?” you weren’t interested in hearing his answer. “Do you even know your son? Because I do, and do you wanna know why again? Because I damn well pay attention!”

The laugh coming out of your dad made chills appear on your skin, but you were already far too deep in to turn back. Things were already fucked up, then why not cross the line a little more. 

“Okay then, you little smartass. Are you telling me I don’t care about my own kid?”

He thought he had you there.

 “Caring and knowing are two very different things.” This time you were the one who had him. Shutting down his own retort. 

“You say you love us. You say you care for us. But also that we worry you, and that we disappoint you. Fine - that’s fine dad. But you don’t get to say that we have shamed you.”

For once during this entire duration, you hesitated. 

Your next words were waiting on the tip of your tongue, heavy and loaded - something you didn’t want to say, but a part of you needed to let them out. To let your dad, or even Jake Sully, the former marine soldier hear them to his face from someone close to him.

To feel the same stabbing pain that Lo’ak most certainly did earlier. 

Your aggressive protectiveness came victorious. 

So you let them loose. 

“You don’t get to say that; because we’re not the ones who betrayed an entire race to be where we are.”

Jake stumbled back in shock as if those very words had shot him right in the chest and he couldn’t stop them. Stop the truth that they were covered in. 

It was like a pin dropped in the heavy silence that followed between the loose circle your family stood in. Your mother for the first time in her life since giving birth to you hissed in protectiveness over her mate - at her own daughter - your brother sprung to your side and twisted you away with a snarl of your name, in warning, not scolding. Whereas Kiri remained still, eerie gaze never leaving you.

However, you weren’t done. 

“Hurts doesn’t it?” your voice croaked as Jake’s eyes slowly raised to meet yours. “Words.”

You left without saying anything else.

+

Warm. Gentle. Comforting and so loving.

Tsireya’s hold on his hands was always a welcoming feeling. 

Her touch seemed to ground him more than he sometimes realized. A feeling that was unfamiliar to him mostly, and one that always reminded him of you. 

But right now, with the two of them sitting on a boulder on the edge of a patchy space of grass and gazing out into the star covered night together, it was a touch that calmed the stabbing hurt from earlier and made the night all more bearable. 

Lo’ak had no idea how many hours that passed since the chaos that had ensued after returning with you. His hearing basically stopped working after his dad’s true feelings had slapped him in the face with their words - that stung more than an actual slap would have. 

He would have rather taken that slap. 

“Are you okay?” Tsireya’s voice was soft and light, so sweet in its tone that he couldn’t even stop the small smile on his face after the tumultuous day. 

“I will be,” he admitted honestly. He would always be somewhat okay after a few days, that was the truth. 

The real question was if he would ever heal from it. That one he wasn’t so sure about. 

Lo’ak might not have been mistreated or even abused by his family. A minimum that was expected for a happy life. Because in a certain perspective, he was fortunate in the life that he did have. 

Two caring, protective parents. 

Four loving siblings. 

A grandmother for Tsahik. 

And a home. Kind off. 

Then why didn’t he feel fortunate?

“You can always rely on me, you know that right?” 

Eywa. How beautiful her large eyes looked staring up at him from her place, where her head was previously leaned on his shoulder. 

They were sparkling, he swore. The aquamarine color of them stood out even more in the darkness surrounding them. The bioluminescent lights of nature surrounding them made her all the more ethereal in his gaze.

So large and so loving and caring in the way they always looked at him. 

And not for the first time, Lo’ak found his own gaze wavering - flickering down lower on her face and to her lips, which were adorably pulled down in a slightly concerned pout for him. 

They might be young, just fourteen-year-old kids still growing. But he wasn’t stupid or ignorant at his age. He was well versed in romantic feelings and commitment to your partners, and how to cherish each other if the right one ever did appear. 

And his dad made good on his promise to teach them all about teenage hormones and urges, and how to control them in a respectful manner. To know when it was too early to start exploring what he wanted or not. 

Lo’ak wanted to kiss her. He knew that. It wasn’t a secret. 

But it was too early. And in the aftermath of his falling out with his parents, it seemed too…raw. 

He didn’t want to use someone he was growing to care more for each day as a way of making himself feel better. 

And Tsireya deserved better, being the kindhearted person she was. And he wasn’t quite there to give it to her yet. 

But one day, he hoped he would be. 

“Thank you,” was all he managed to say in reply offering a small tug of his lips as she stared at him for a moment longer before turning away, the clear tell of redness on the tip of her ears as she realized their proximity for the first time. 

He didn’t see a reason to tease her about it, not wanting to break the serenity that they were currently in. It was somewhat possible to block everything that happened. 

He did say somewhat. 

The rustling of bushes becoming louder made both of them straighten up and turn back, only to see Jake coming closer in a slow yet determined stride. 

Lo’ak felt his heart starting to beat faster, a sudden change from the steady calm it had managed to find in the last couple of hours. 

The reality was catching up to him again at the appearance of his father. 

Tsireya turned to look at him with her concerned wide eyes again, he didn’t manage to answer her before his dad had reached them - but Lo’ak didn’t expect to notice the nervous fiddle of his hands as Jake stopped only a few feet away. 

“Hey kids-” his pause was out of character. “Do you mind if I speak to my son a bit, Tsireya?”

As if Lo’ak couldn’t fall for the girl more than he already did. Because instead of letting the presence of his father and Toruk Makto completely intimidate her, she turned to him first; Silently asking if he wanted her to leave. 

Jake seemed to be surprised himself, although pleasantly so. He has been so used to everyone outside of his family doing most things at his beck and call, both as a clan leader and war hero. He had clearly underestimated the relationship between the two young teens in front of him. 

Tsireya stood to leave quickly at the assuring nod of Lo’ak, before parting with a polite smile in Jake’s direction and going back to the village with one last look over her shoulder. 

There was a moment of complete stillness before Jake came and sat down on the space previously occupied next to Lo’ak. The boy didn’t even bother to acknowledge his father, simply staring out at the lapping water, shoulders hunched over. 

His two braids on the side of his face felt like the only shield to cover him as he let them hang, avoiding eye contact firmly. 

Jake let out a heavy sigh, having already expected the cold behavior of his youngest son. 

He didn’t blame him either. 

He had acted like a grade-A asshole, with the biggest A to exist in the universe. And towards his own child too. 

Jake Sully has never claimed parenthood to be easy in any way. It was a hard, taxing journey that he obviously was still trying to learn from. It was a road that never stopped no matter how old his kids got. He would always be a father, but he’s admittedly been a shit one as of late. 

And that wasn’t only according to you. 

Your words had hurt. Like a damn punch to his face. Or ten. 

That was true - Neytiri knew it too. And that made him think and regret. If those words stung him as they did, how much had he hurt his own kid by saying something he didn’t even mean?

Not really at least. 

Jake had been angry at the moment. Pissed off, to be honest. But it was also the overwhelming worry of his kid’s disappearance that made him act out. But it was no excuse for anything he had said.

You were still avoiding him. Well, ignoring is more like it. Which was even worse. Besides your siblings, you were actively shutting out the presence of both him and Neytiri despite their tries in the last few hours to speak. 

Kiri was the one to voice out your thoughts. “She won’t speak unless Lo’ak forgives you first.”

Was it strange that Jake was still proud of you? You owned the same pride he did as a young marine and his first moments on Pandora. 

An unyielding pride that often got him in trouble. 

But for you, it was a pride that protected your siblings even against your own parents. 

“You know, sometimes I think you deserve a better dad.”

Lo’ak didn’t reply, but the shift in his body assured Jake that he was paying attention. 

“I never wanted kids. Never even thought of having them until I met your mother. The world was already shitty enough as it was, so I didn’t see a point in bringing new life into it. And after my injury, that thought cemented.”

“Well, I’m sorry for ending up being your kid,” his low mutter was an inner thought not ever planning to see the light of day. Especially in front of the man himself. But he couldn’t stop himself. 

Jake let out a shuddering breath, finally realizing how deep this…trauma his youngest son was experiencing. And you had been right again; it was all his fault. 

“No, no Lo’ak,” moving closer, his son didn’t resist as he gently grabbed the back of his nape to push their foreheads together. 

Despite his bitter words, his body still relaxed at the comforting feeling. Because it was obvious - even after everything, he still loved his dad. Still craved the comforts of his protective touches, and his overpowering hugs that were rare but much needed whenever offered. 

“I’m sorry, son,” Jake whispered, eyes clenched shut and voice wavering with tears. “I have not been the father you needed since the war started, I know that now. I will try to improve, and I can’t promise I won’t fuck up further in the coming days, but I will never not love you.”

“Dad…”

Lo’ak wanted to cry. 

And in the protective embrace of his dad, he did. He let those long held tears flow loose, dripping down his cheeks and starting to obscure his vision as his breath started to heave at the force of it all. 

“What I said wasn’t true. I am proud of the man you’re starting to grow into, and you have never shamed this family. I am the one who should be ashamed, never you.” 

“I-I am sorry-”

“Stop saying sorry,” Jake demanded pulling his son closer. “Your sister was right. My burdens should not fall on your shoulders. You’re still young and deserve to be a child, not a soldier. So I am sorry.”

Pressing his lips against the crown on his youngest boy’s head, Jake only held him as his silent tears turned into soft sobs. All the pain and hurt that he had bottled up because of him, finally being lifted off his young shoulders that should have never been born them to begin with. 

“Will you ever forgive your old man of his faults?” His dad asked after several minutes he finished crying, his deep voice hoarse with nerves. 

Lo’ak had no idea how long his meltdown lasted, only letting out everything in the presence of his dad without restraint until he had no more tears left. It could have been five minutes or ten. Who knew at this point? 

“You’re my dad…” he had whispered in return. “I will always forgive you.”

There was a thankful smile on Jake’s face, wrinkles crinkling in the corners of his wet eyes. “Then you’re a far better person than I have ever been. Thank you.”

He swallowed, and for the first time in a while, his next words had never been more genuine than at this moment. 

“I love you, dad.”

There was a firm, warm squeeze around his body at hearing that. 

“God, I love you too, kiddo. So much you don’t even know.”

Maybe he’d been mistaken after all. 

Lo’ak doubted this would be the end of their turmoils because life came with them. It was just how it was; parents get angry at their kids, siblings get angry at each other and vice versa. 

It was expected, but at least from now on he would be assured of his parents’ love for him, and their presence would be constant and there whenever he would need them despite their own faults as people.

Updates will unfortunately be a bit slow moving forward. My 3rd semester has started and I’ve started to prepare for my MA thesis + 4 classes, so my days are packed 🥲

taglist:

@nao-cchi @eywas-heir @ssc7514 @spicycloudsalad @calums-betch @httpjiikook @ricecakeslove @fanboyluvr @iwaslikeblah   @the-wandering-pan-ace @avatarloversblog @eternallyvenus @enchantinggoateefox @arianapntn @heydemonsitsme @slyvixen1029​ @promiseofeywa @love13tter @directioner5life @bambisposts-blogs @melllinaa  @sugarmummystuff6 @lovekeeho @marit332 @hai-kbai @missroro @lola2004sworld @kage-yaa​

[valsnonsense]

It's them the boys my love's the lights if my life the yees to my haws my oTP-

I can't even begin to explain why I love them for me they just WORK-

John has been alone for so long, stewing in his regrets and failures as an older brother. He needs a gentle figure in his life to assure him that he matters and that he deserves love because despite all the mistakes he's made he's working to change

Trollex doesn't have much screen time, but he strikes me as a kind, gentle, and loving. He's open to the inclusion of other genres of Trolls, and strives to be a better King because of it.

In my personal headcanons, Trollex doesn't have a good relationship with his family because of how willing he is to let other Trolls in their kingdom. So he's lived most of his life trying to apease someone who was never gonna give him a chance, unless he went back to their old ways.

But when he meets John, someone who is unabashedly himself, he falls hard. And John falls right back, falling into the arms of this gentle giant who's more than willing to tell him how much he's loved over and over again.

These two are cheesy as hell and can often be found with their foreheads pressed together, whispering sweet nothings to one another.

They found each other late in life, but by god they're gonna make the most of it.

I could go on for hours about these two and frankly I already have so imma cut it off here and just say these two are without a doubt my OTP and I can't stop thinking about them-

[bunny-lou]

Tankhun, oscar winning director

I'm a little buzzed so enjoy this lovely prompt that's running around my head.

So Prapai and Phayu have had such a difficult time dating as the youngest sons in the mafia. Potential partners are scared off by their reputation, their family name, the constant danger that they're in. Or, if someone can see past all that, their fathers/uncles end up ruining it by over interrogating and invasive questions and hostile suspicion.

And Tankhun's heart just breaks. He's witnessed so many amazing love stories on television - and some even in real life! From all of his fantasy couples and OTPs to watching his brothers fall in love with two sweet boys, he simply can NOT have it that his two nephews fall in love. (Yes, two nephews, because any child of Pete's will be spoilt the minute Tankhun walks in the room.)

He just has to come up with a scheme like on television for Phayu and Prapai to have the love story Tankhun deserves to see they deserve to have. Tankhun will be just like a director - he'll write the story and cast the parts and maybe even win an oscar in the end.

First, he has to cast the story, he has to find perfect matches for his nephews. Prapai needs someone who won't let him always get what he wants, someone who has even the potential to be okay with a life as dark as they lead. Phayu needs someone outgoing to bring him out more, someone who won't cower at his overbearing personality. Arm compiles a list of young bachelors and bachelorettes (though he's not sure how the find would react to having a woman marry in) in Bangkok, ones with no connection to rival families, ones that would not be easily persuaded to betray, ones who just may be worthy of holding the hearts of his nephews.

The list is decently long, so then they start to be pickier - only ones that were cute, ones that would look good in future family photos, ones who had nice hands that could maybe carry a family ring one day. It takes a while, but Tankhun divides his time evenly between watching his dramas and creating this drama.

Second, Tankhun has to write a rough draft. He takes a few from the list that he knows wouldn't work and tries some rough ideas out. Phayu is immediately put off by the pretty girl who spills her coffee on him and Prapai doesn't look twice at their cute waitress on their monthly family dinners. There is promise in the boy who stages a minor bicycle accident in front of Phayu and the girl who stumbles into Prapai at the library. Tankhun is working out kinks as fast as he can, writing what he can with the multiple possibilities until -

Third, he has to find a location. And there are a couple of pretty boys and girls from their list that could reasonably bump into either boy - some who work at the local café down the street from Prapai's office or some who have friends who take their cars to Phayu - but there are a few students from Phayu's university who are actually on their list and it's perfect, so many options - tutors, academic rivals, study group partners, meeting at a college party - and Tankhun considers each candidate thoroughly - one girl is voted off when they see her obnoxious Instragram posts, one boy is tossed to the side when they found a history of him filing noise complaints o his neighbors. Nark.

They scour social medias, past report cards, contact very confused neighbors and employers for references until Tankhun has his perfect two. A young man for Prapai and a young man for Phayu.

Tankhun writes the cutest first meet that he can for both - Rain's car will get a flat tire at the same time Phayu will be leaving the compound to head home. Though he could wait until they meet at a university event, but that's plain and predictable and Phayu will note have a boring love story. Tankhun watches from the bushes - well, he's watching on his phone from his bedroom as Arm and Pol film it through the bushes - Phayu is far too chivalrous to not offer to help, just like Tankhun knew! He is charmingly confident and impressive as he works on the car and Tankhun can see the moment Rain is swept off his feet.

Tankhun is pulling the strings for everything - he pays an actor to mention the street race in front of Rain and Sky (because Tankun is already very protective of his future nephew in law and there will be no need for his piece of shit ex to be involved), the guards working the race are instructed to chase Rain and Sky into Phayu and Prapai. It continues on as awkwardly forcing segues with Phayu about this article he read on how to support someone with ADHD or with Prapai about how to be a safe space for people you love. Arm and Pol are there to film all the meetings Tankhun has planned out so Tankhun can keep up with his favorite romcom starring this nephews.

But it's not enough, Tankhun has to experience this first hand, so he just happens to leave a magazine open on a page advertising a car show in Phayu's room at the same time he works up the nerve to go outside the compound - it still happens, but not all the time - and Tankhun had no idea car shows could be so fun, everything is so shiny and sparkly and -

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh, my favorite nephew! I came to...buy your uncle Porsche a new bike, of course! Who is this cutie hanging off your arm?"

It's Rain, twenty years old from Korea, only child of two parents married in 1998, an architecture major with a 2.76 GPA, blood type A+, no troubles with the law besides a speeding ticket last year, speaks four languages.

But Tankhun doesn't say any of that out loud. He already approves of Rain, already loves him, and he's going to be the favorite uncle and Tankhun chokes up when he realizes he's the first member of the family to meet their newest member.

And he plans the same thing with Sky - a few weeks later to recharge from going outside - mentioning in front of Sky a new restaurant to offer egg stew (because Tankhun paid them to put it on the menu). He waltzes in as Prapai and Sky get their food and prepare to eat.

"Oh, my favorite nephew! I'm here...to try their new egg stew of course! I saw you and your friend here already ordered some, how is it, scooch over so I can sit with you, move, move."

Tankhun gives Sky his most charming smile and he's already planning Sky's outfit for their Christmas card this year. As he sits there getting to gush over Prapai and Sky, Tankhun chokes up again as he realizes he's a guest star in his favorite show now. He's been a guest star twice.

And he knows how the family can be, so Tankhun keeps orchestrating more meet ups with the rest of the family so that his two new in-laws can grow to accept their quirky family. He takes Chay out and they run into Rain at the library, he takes Pete to bump into Sky at the mall, he takes Kinn to visit Phayu at the garage while Rain is visiting, he invites Kim to find Sky at a cafe by the school because Kim has known about Rain and Sky the whole time. Little shit. Someone should talk to him about how many secrets he's keeping from the family.

I don't know where this is going because I'm a little inebriated, but like, Tankhun plotting out the PhayuRain and PraSki romance because he loves his dramas, but also because he wants to make sure his nephews fall in love with good people and ensure no one hurts them. He uses his decades of knowledge about dramas and on screen romances to create the best love story he can.

[the-fandom-is-now-my-life]

Over tea

Tea can either bring people together to enjoy it or start senseless fights. How interesting

Wc: ~900

Your liking of tea has always been one of the few things known about you by the public. Other than your face or name, nothing much was known.

A perfect blank page for anyone to dream about any scenario they want.

" I just know it! One of the secretaries spoke as she stirred her coffee " great sage YN and mister al-haitham MUST be an item! Totally confirmed" She blushed lightly, imagining one of the steamy book cover that she managed to buy in Inazuma

The rest of the group looks at her attentively, this is one of their common lunch talks. Paperwork, unreasonable workers, talking shit about their boss and gossip about their favorite pair

" Oh?" The golden eyes of one of the boys open wide as does his mouth, letting out a bit of food " how are you so sure even?"

" Hear this'' she leans towards the table as if she was about to tell a top secret " al-haitham was on his desk, as usual right?" The rest of the group looked at her with total attention, breaths hitched "I had to deliver a letter but when I was about to enter I saw the great sage next to al-haitham so obviously I didn't enter. I didn't want to ruin my OTP's moment-"

" You just wanted to eavesdrop but sure "

" Shush! So I stood by listening and they were really like ' oh, haitham, you should take a break from work for a moment. We could go to my office and drink some tea' all while being very touchy feely and al-haitham kinda smiles knowingly before going so I had to leave the letter in the door -"

" Ehem!" One of the matra touches her shoulder, quickly dimming the environment " care to repeat that?"

Jumping from her chair she looks wide-eyed at the matra followed by two other matras " I swear I didn't mean to eavesdrop it was only an acc-"

The blond one steps ahead crossing his arms ready to fight " that is the problem! The problem is lying blatantly about possible affairs from the great sage! Everyone knows great sage and cyno are in love

" Obviously! And you said you stood by the door? Then how would you have known they were touchy feely and if he smiled or not! Only lies!"

The oldest steps in, trying to calm the other two down, seemingly he is their senior " you two only came because you wanted to warn them about lying about a public figure. Either way, young lass, do you know how severe lying about this is?"

Grasping the fabric around her chest she stands her ground, facing against the supposed 'boss' " I might have exaggerated with the touching part but the great sage WAS inside mister Al-haitham's office and they DID offer him to drink tea at their private office".

The blond one jumps in place, an offended look on his face " even then! How would you ever think they would fall in love with such a straight faced dull man!"

Sara gasps looking at him " straight faced! That is flavorful coming from you! You mean to say Cyno, the general mahatma is more expressive than mister al-haitham! I'm so sorry but that is plainly untrue!"

" I have only seen your so beloved 'misteir il-haithim" frown! I know you low level workers don't know how hard the sages' work is they need someone reliable and comforting like Cyno!"

The other matra chimes in rising reasons why Cyno is better than al-haitham, to each of them his coworker nods, while their superior looks somewhat embarrassed " Cyno has a whole personality outside of his job! He likes card games, he is protective of his friends, reliable, funny!"

Tte oldest gives a broken smile " O-Oh well maybe that one…"

" UP FOR DISCUSSION! But either way the great sage YN always laughs at his jokes!"

" Huh?!

"As cynos unofficial big brothers we have to help him get his happiness! He only relaxes when the great sage YN is around. I will not allow you bunch to sully it with senseless rumors"

" Yeah, plus Cyno spent three weeks next to the great sage! Obviously there should be something there"

The chubby and meek girl stands up " Well most of that time was spent believing the sage was a criminal! I wouldn't date anyone who thought that of me!"

The lanky matra gets closer, visibility mad by the vein in his neck " Cyno was only doing his job!"

" And?! I don't think my trust could easily be built if his first impression of me was that of a criminal!"

Looking down the window you look at the busy streets beaming with light and sound " I'm happy everything is as calm as usual" you say softly as you lean against your lover's chest, faintly smelling the white tea from his mug and his mouth. You wonder, would his lips taste like white tea?

He nods before resting his head on your own, closing his eyes and wrapping his arms around you as if he was about to sleep with a teddy bear

No longer caring about making hypotheses, you give him a quick kiss, lingering around his face to notice any reaction. Looking carefully you see his lips turn the slightest upwards and his pale hair hiding the sprinkle in his eyes. Leaning down he gives a light kiss on your cheek

He tastes like tea, a lightly orange blossom taste lingering on the tip of your tongue. How much will the taste change if you add raspberries? Or maybe Jazmine? You will have to check then, surely your handsome lover wouldn't refuse any affection under the alibi of sharing a cup of tea

[almacambiondaughterofsaleos]

It Was Mistake Making Stolas Not A Fallen Angel And Paiman His Father

I am going to say this plainly it has bugged me how young Vivziepop made Stolas, especially in the real world he’s been know for hundreds of years so depending on whatever the heck those hell years translates to he’s way younger than what is originally depicted. Seriously, they did this to give him a way of first meeting Blitzo and make it into some childhood friends turned lovers which in my opinion becomes even more contrived way to make them the otp. I prefer the idea that maybe due to his long age and the fact that has to deal with the fact he had to endure the consequences of being the losing side of a conflict. It could have been fun to see him just give up on idealism until meeting Blitzo especially if he felt trapped in an obliged marriage that first started in heaven and now he has to deal with her in an eternity in hell. It could have been better than just sad bird forced by so many cliches. 

Also making Paimon his father was a mistake in my book, especially not depicting him as the fabulous twink he was in his original illustrations. I also again think it should have him and the Ars Goetia be brother in spirits like it seems to be with the 7 Sins. It would make things less confusing how all this hierarchy works.  Also I would prefer seeing him as a brother in arms who was androgynous and a extreme Lucifer loyalist who often sings his praises. Seriously, I do think Vivziepop wasted him just being his father and not implying he like Stolas were fallen angels who have known each other since heaven. And again it could give more perspective on what heaven is like and how they could miss it or maybe deny they are in a worse place. 

[keldae]

Soft OTP Prompts: person B: ‘i never expected it to be you’ person A softly smiling: ‘me neither’

Devi had always loved the stars. As a child, she would frequently climb onto the roofs of buildings in the Lower City at night and lay on the tiles, gazing up at the night sky and dreaming of being far away from Baldur’s Gate. On reflection, she supposed, one of the few upsides of her entire misadventure with being abducted by mindflayers (besides meeting the love of her life and her best friends) was being able to see the stars even clearer in the wilderness than she could in the city.

In the darkness now, she picked her way down an alley in the Lower City, holding Gale’s hand as she led him to a ladder that she had seen earlier in the day. Her half-Elf heritage gave her the benefit of being able to see clearly in the dark; as a human, Gale didn’t have that advantage. And honestly, Devi had to admit, it was nice to be needed by her strong, talented wizard for such a mundane thing as guidance down an alley in the middle of the night, having stolen him away from camp while their companions settled in for the evening.

Finding the ladder, she guided Gale’s hands to the wooden beams, then quickly scrambled up the rungs, hearing the wizard follow her at a slightly slower pace. On this level of the building they had climbed, she could see another ladder that would take her to the highest peak of the roof; once Gale had caught up with her, she led him over to the second ladder and climbed up to the highest level of the building. Short of scaling one of the guard towers on the wall between the Upper and Lower Cities, this was one of the highest points they could reach in Baldur’s Gate.

And the view of the night sky was well worth picking their way down a messy alley. Devi laid down as Gale conjured up a blanket to protect them from the roof tiles, sensing the wizard reclining beside her. “I told you that you get the best view from here,” she softly said with a little grin that he would hear in her voice. “It’s almost as beautiful as that illusion you showed me the other night.”

Gale hummed in agreement as he slipped his arm under Devi’s neck. “Magnificent,” he murmured, gazing up at the stars stretched out over the black void of the night sky. “They look so close, one could almost reach out and touch them.” As if to demonstrate his point, he stretched his free hand out, waving at the stars. 

Devi smiled and curled up into Gale’s side, resting her hand on his chest. He sighed in contentment, and for a moment, silence reigned before he spoke again. “While I was secluded in my tower, I spent many nights gazing at the stars – as beautiful as the gods, but equally as cold and distant, and as ungiving of answers or guidance.”

“Mmmm.” Devi’s fingers started tracing a pattern over the orb marking on Gale’s chest, just under his shirt. “When I was a child, I used to spend almost every night on a rooftop somewhere, wherever I could see the stars and pretend I was somewhere other than here. Sometimes my brother would come with me, but after he… he left, I just came out on my own, less and less, until I all but gave up on looking at them.” She shrugged slightly. “The stars are beautiful, but they’re like the gods – aloof and distant and not helpful for much.”

“People who navigate by starlight on the seas or in the wilderness would argue their uselessness,” Gale softly corrected with a slight chuckle. The arm that wasn’t wrapped around Devi’s shoulders came up to cross his body so his fingers could caress her cheek. “And they’re most beautiful when they’re reflected in your eyes, my love. You have a beauty and warmth that no star – or goddess – could ever touch.”

Devi smiled and caught Gale’s hand in hers, turning it so she could kiss his palm. “You would be the expert in such things,” she murmured. “My wise, talented, eloquent wizard.” She kissed his hand again, then softly laughed. “You know that almost nobody would have ever imagined us together, if they’d seen us a year ago? Me, a feisty, uneducated, rebellious thief with no thought or care for the Weave and even less regard for the gods…”

“And me, the brooding, washed-up wizard who believed his talents were wasted and that all he was good for was a lesson in folly and pride, and who believed that he would never find true love in any of the realms.” Gale leaned in to kiss Devi’s forehead, his lips lingering on her skin. “If I had been told a year ago that I would find the love of my life in a short-tempered Baldurian pickpocket with a fondness for daggers and a deeply buried heart of gold, and compassion enough to make up for all that the gods lack, I would have laughed in the face of whoever told me that.”

“And if I’d been told that I would fall in love with a wizard from Waterdeep who prioritised books and his tressym, and who had loved a goddess before meeting me, and who encouraged the best parts of me that I had learned to hide away from the world, I, uh… probably would have stabbed whoever said that.” Devi smiled as Gale snorted a laugh, then shifted slightly so she could drape her leg over his thigh, as close to him as she could get. “I expected my future to include whoever I could sleep with or scam to get ahead and get out of the Lower City, or for that future to end with being stabbed in a back alley.” She let go of his hand so she could trace his face with her fingertips. “I never expected that future to be you.”

In the starlight, she could see Gale’s eyes soften – and he waxed poetic about how her eyes reflected the beauty of the stars, without thought of his own! “Me neither,” he murmured, his hand rising to trace the tip of her pointed ear before caressing through her hair. “But fate has a way of laughing at the best predictions that people can make. I’m eternally grateful that life gave me you, even if its way of giving you to me… left a little something to be desired.”

Devi softly laughed. “You mean not every great love story in Faerûn starts with an illithid abduction and mindflayer tadpoles being shoved into the heads of the lovers in question?”

Gale chuckled. “Love, I believe our story is entirely unique in that regard. I, for one, still can’t believe that you saw a washed-up fool of a wizard, trapped in his own portal, with a tadpole in his brain and a magical bomb in his chest that was killing him, and fell in love with him. If I wasn’t so grateful for you, I would question your standards.”

“My standards?” Devi grinned. “You got pulled out of your portal and landed on top of a grouchy half-Elf thief who also had a tadpole in her head and was mad as all hells about it, and then ten minutes later almost got into a knife fight with another mindflayer victim who happened to be a vampire, as we later discovered. My standards are perfectly fine!”

That made Gale laugh out loud, a moment before he clapped a hand over his mouth to muffle the sounds of his amusement. He stayed quiet for a moment until he was satisfied that he hadn’t disturbed anyone else, then looked at Devi with a smile. “Gods, I love you,” he said, caressing her cheek again. “Short temper, kleptomaniac tendencies, proficient blasphemies, and all.”

“I love you too, my cocky, mildly arrogant wizard.” Devi grinned at Gale’s chuckle and stretched up to kiss him. It was easy to lose herself in his touches as he kissed her back, seemingly trying to convey through his kisses how much he loved her – it was a sensation that made her weak at the knees and wanting him still more than she already had before. She swore she fell more in love with Gale every day that she was around him.

“Only mildly arrogant?” Gale softly asked when they finally pulled apart for air. He chuckled against her lips. “You both humble me and boost my ego, my darling. You make me feel like I can be ordinary Gale Dekarios with you and you won’t judge me poorly; and yet, the way you praise me makes me feel like I could take on the gods themselves.”

“I didn’t fall in love with the legendary Wizard of Waterdeep,” Devi said, smiling as she kissed him again. “I fell in love with the kind-hearted man who read books to me and snuggled me to sleep every night when I was having bad dreams, who just so happened to be incredibly adept with the Weave.” She breathed a soft laugh against his lips as she kissed him once again. “Although the offer to throat-punch Mystra still stands, after I finish killing Shar for what she and her followers did to Shadowheart.”

“The gods should tremble before you, and your temper, and your fierce desire to protect and avenge those you love,” Gale murmured, a fond smile on his lips. “First, we destroy the Absolute, and then we find a way to kill Shar, and then you can punch Mystra. After that, if you haven’t decided to go after any more gods, I’m taking you home with me to Waterdeep and giving you the life of peace that you deserve.”

“Any life with you is one that I want,” Devi breathed out as Gale leaned in to kiss her. “Whatever happens, I want to be by your side.”

“And I want to be with you, from now until the stars fade from the heavens.” Gale kissed her again, slowly and thoroughly. “I will not suffer anything or anyone to take you from me, my heart. I am yours, as you are mine.”

Devi smiled at his words, feeling her eyes burn with repressed tears of love for this man. “I love you, Gale Dekarios,” she whispered around another kiss.

“And I love you, Deviali Nulys.” Gale pulled back from their kisses just enough to gaze into Devi’s eyes; the stars overhead made his own eyes shine like he was among them. “My beautiful, perfect, compassionate little thief. How did I become so fortunate as to be here with you?”

“I spirited you away from camp when nobody else was looking and brought you up here?” Devi giggled as Gale rolled his eyes, an affectionate, if slightly exasperated, huff coming from him.

“You know what I meant, you brat.” Gale chuckled and leaned in for another kiss, his teeth just nipping at Devi’s lower lip and making her moan softly. He grunted as she gently nudged him onto his back, then straddled him, knees on either side of his hips and her hands just sliding under the hem of his shirt. “Is this what you want?” he breathed out as he pulled back for air. “Right here, on this rooftop?”

“I want you,” Devi murmured. “Under the stars, with nobody to see or hear us besides the gods themselves.”

In the starlight, she saw Gale’s smile in the same breath that she felt his hands slide up under her tunic, palms warm on her bare skin. “Then you shall have me, in any way that you wish,” he whispered as he pulled her back down to him. “I love you.”

“And I love you,” Devi breathed out, easily losing herself in the pleasure of Gale’s kisses and touches and whispered words of love into her pointed ears.

[tessa-liam]

Smoke and Mirrors

11 –The Lantern Festival

Book: The Royal Romance Finale AU

Series Premise: Hidden in the shadows, poised to challenge the status quo are enemies of the state. The loyalties and honesty of family and friends will be tested. ‘Keep your friends close, your enemies closer’.

Smoke and Mirrors Masterlist

Main Pairing: Liam Rys x F!MC Riley Brooks-Rys, OTP ‘LiRi’

2nd Pairings: Leo Rys x Amalas, Drake Walker x F!OC Delaney Leigh, Olivia Nevrakis x M!OC Alex Cossoy

*Most characters belong to Pixelberry Studios

*Not Beta’d, please excuse all errors

Rating: M🔞*Series Warnings:  NSFW material, sexual innuendo, adult language/swearing/drinking/gun violence. Not recommended for anyone under 18 years of age.

Category: Alternate Universe/on-going series/angst/fluff

Words: 2476

Smoke and Mirrors

The Lantern Festival - 11

Chapter Summary: The Cordonian Royal Family join in the celebrations for the annual Valtorian Lantern Festival.

Music Inspiration: Feels Like Home, Diana Krall, Bryan Adams

A/N1: My submission for @choicesflashfics Week #61, Prompt 1, "You're my favorite."➡️"Favorite what?"➡️"Everything." and Week #60, Prompt 1, “I wouldn’t change a thing about you.”

Valtorian Estate, Cordonia

King Liam leisurely descended the opulent grand staircase after carrying his sleeping daughter to her room; Princess Eleanor was exhausted from the day’s events and fell asleep watching the countless number of lanterns floating gently carrying the hopes and dreams of the people into the night sky. He paused at the foot of the staircase and looked up to see Riley, starting to step down to follow him.

Inside his soul, he felt complete. He has everything that he had always wanted and dreamed of. Three beautiful, healthy children, a prosperous and peaceful kingdom, and the woman of his dreams by his side. His radiant queen.

Smiling, Riley called down, “wait for me, your Majesty.” Riley had just finished breast feeding their son, Stefan, and when he fell sound asleep along with his brother, William, she softly closed their nursery door to join Liam as they prepared to go outside the estate to give the closing remarks to the awaiting press.

The annual Lantern Festival had another successful run in Valtoria, being a much-loved festive favorite in Cordonia. The closing ceremonies to conclude the celebrations now awaited the King and Queen.

Liam chuckled as he held out his hand to her and when she took it, he gently pulled her into his embrace, kissing her cheek, his voice husky, but gentle as he replied,

"I would never leave without my Queen."

"Ah, yes, but you can't go anywhere without saying goodbye to those you love." Riley coyly responded.

"You're my favorite." Liam snickered.

"Favorite what?" Riley saucily replied.

He raised a brow and smirked. My "everything."

Smiling, Liam challenged, "who says?"

"This one." Riley giggled as she pressed a kiss to his jaw.

"Mmmm." Liam hummed, wrapping his arms around her, his hands sliding down to her bottom.

"Liam!"

"You know we can't do that here," she whispered, though her lips trailed kisses down his neck.

"It wouldn't be the first time..." He murmured back, his breath tickling her ear.

"I'm sure there are reporters watching the estate now, waiting for you."

Liam let out a small growl and reluctantly released his wife. She laughed, knowing full well how much Liam hated having his alone time with her cut short.

She took his hand in hers, and he laced their fingers together as they exited the estate and headed towards the podium and the awaiting press.

"Good evening. Thank you, all, for coming. Tonight was a great success, thanks to all of your efforts and that of our staff. We're honored to have you with us to celebrate a tradition that spans generations and is the highlight of Valtorian tradition. It warms my heart to see so many people come out and show their support. So, thank you all. And now, if you'll excuse me, I will see you next year. Enjoy the rest of the festival and please be safe on your journeys home. Have a good night."

The crowd clapped and cheered, and then started to disperse. Riley waved as she walked off the podium with Liam by her side.

"That was nice." Riley grinned.

"What was, love?"

"The way you spoke to the reporters. It was a little different from what you would normally say."

"Was it now?" Liam questioned.

Riley nodded and smiled knowingly.

"Maybe because I am just trying to get through this as soon as possible. So, I can have some quality alone time with my beautiful wife." He replied, his hand slipping onto the small of her back and moving downward, squeezing her bottom gently.

Riley gasped and bit her lip.

"Behave, my king. We're not alone yet."

"I can't wait."

After saying their goodbyes to the remaining lingering nobles, they hurried back inside the estate and up to their bedroom, where Liam immediately began removing his jacket and tie.

Riley giggled and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Eager, aren't we, Liam?"

He turned, his shirt partially unbuttoned, revealing his toned chest, and stared at her with such heat in his eyes.

"Only for you, my Queen. Now come over here, so I can kiss you properly."

She stood and stepped over to him. As soon as she was within arm's reach, Liam grabbed her waist and pulled her into him. He captured her mouth with his, and their tongues danced as they kissed deeply. Liam's hand quickly unzipped her gown, with his fingers brushing her warm skin. Riley moaned and pulled away, smiling.

"You're so beautiful." he said softly, his hand caressing her face, his thumb grazing her cheek.

She blushed and turned her head, kissing his palm.

"You're charming, my King."

"I love when you call me that."

"Then you shall always hear it, my King."

"I'll never get tired of it."

"Nor will I." Riley softly responded.

“I wouldn’t change a thing about you.”

"Let's continue this in the bath, shall we?" Liam wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Absolutely."

Riley grinned as they both stripped their formal wear and then walked hand in hand into the bathroom, which had a huge bathtub that was more like a hot tub. Liam set the water to the right temperature and added some soothing bath salts. As the water filled, they kissed and touched each other. Liam's fingers skimmed her back, and he pulled her closer, his erection pressed against her stomach. Riley reached between them, wrapped her hand around his engorged member and stroked him, his moans vibrating her lips as he continued to kiss her.

They parted for air, and Liam lifted Riley, placing her on the counter. He slid his hands down her thighs and pulled her knees apart. When his fingers found her center, he grinned and began circling her clit, teasing her.

"Oh god..." She moaned, her legs spreading, granting him better access.

"You're so wet, Riley..."

"And it's all for you, my King.

Liam, I need you …" she breathed in and closed her eyes. “Please …"

"Fuck... I cannot wait any longer..."

"Then don't."

Liam grabbed her ass and lifted her into the tub. The water was the perfect temperature, and the soothing jets relaxed her muscles. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and Liam positioned himself, pushing inside her, making her gasp and throw her head back.

"God, Riley..."

He started a steady pace, and his fingers found her clit again, circling her bud in time with his thrusts.

"Liam... Oh my god..."

"That's it, my Queen. Moan for me. Tell me how good I feel inside you."

"So... good. Fuck, Liam!" She screamed.

Her fingers raked his shoulders, and her walls clenched around him, her orgasm hitting her. He groaned and sped up, his thrusts harder and deeper.

"Liam... Yes..."

"Riley..."

Liam captured her mouth in a kiss, his tongue slipping between her lips. Riley moaned and pulled him closer, her nails digging into his skin.

When his orgasm came, he groaned and buried his face in the crook of her neck. They held each other until their breathing returned to normal.

Liam withdrew and moved back, settling against the edge of the tub.

"That was amazing," Riley said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"It always is." He winked.

Riley rolled her eyes. "Cheeky."

Liam laughed, and she joined in.

After washing and drying off, Riley put on her silky pajamas and slipped into bed, Liam joining her. She snuggled close, resting her head on his chest, his arm wrapped around her shoulders, and his fingers caressed her skin.

"I have an idea.... now that our boys are here...". Liam paused as Riley propped up beside him to look into his eyes.

"I want to start a new Christmas tradition."

"What's that?"

"I'd like us to spend the week before Christmas at the Royal Blackspine Mountain Lodge, just the five of us. The boys will be old enough to enjoy the snow and sledding, and I know Ellie loves it there. What do you say?"

"I think that's a great idea. It would be nice for us to have some family time without any interruptions. But what about Leo and our friends?"

"They are more than welcome to join us. They are our extended family, and I would love to have them with us."

"You know, that sounds wonderful, Liam. I'm glad you suggested it. Maybe we could have the staff prepare a feast and a Christmas party for everyone. I will talk to Maxwell about it. You know how he is with the party planning."

Liam chuckled and leaned over, kissing her temple. "Yes, he does love his parties."

"That he does."

They laughed and then lay in silence for a few minutes.

"We should get some sleep. The twins will be awake before we know it." Riley yawned.

"Did you see their eyes when Ellie let go of the lantern off the balcony?"

"It was the sweetest thing. She loves her brothers so much. I'm glad she doesn't resent them for stealing our attention."

"Ellie is the sweetest child. She is always putting others first and is so compassionate and loving. She's a great big sister."

"She's growing up so fast." Liam sighed.

"Yes, she is. Soon she'll be a teenager, then a young woman."

"Oh, no, don't remind me." Liam shook his head, chuckling.

"She'll always be our little girl, no matter how old she gets."

"I hope you're right." Liam tittered.

"I'm always right."

"I wouldn't go that far." Liam guffawed.

Riley gasped, feigning offence, and poked his ribs.

"I'm joking, love. Of course, you are right. And you're always sexy."

"And you're always cheeky."

"But you love me."

"With all my heart, always."

Liam pressed a tender kiss to her lips. "I love you too."

"Goodnight, my king."               

"Goodnight, my queen."

***

The next morning, Riley was awakened by her cell phone ringing.

Maxwell is calling in response to the party planning text for the Christmas party that Liam had sent the night before.

She answered the phone. "Good morning, Max."

"Little blosom! My favorite Queen. How are you, my friend? It's so nice to hear from you. How's life at Valtoria treating you?" maxwell rambled.

"Life is great. Liam and I are looking forward to spending Christmas at the Lodge this year. It'll be our first Christmas with the twins, and we wanted to make it special. That's why we reached out to you. We're thinking of having a big party and inviting all our friends. Would you like to plan the event?"

Maxwell didn't hesitate with his response. "Oh, oh, absolutely!, Riley. I'm all over this. Can you give me some more deets!?, like what you're looking for and how many guests? We need to make this the biggest and best party of the season."

" I knew you were the right person to ask," Riley snickered.

"That's what we were hoping for. Here's what I have in mind...."

After Riley ended the call, Liam reached over, wrapping his arm around her waist pulling her back to his chest. "Who were you talking to?" He whispered, his lips grazing her ear.

"Just Maxwell, he's excited to help plan the Christmas party."

The sound of the twins crying sounded on the monitor.

"And that's my cue to feed the twins."

Liam sat up and stretched. "I'll come with you. Ellie is probably awake, too. I'll make us some breakfast while you get the boys ready. Sound good?"

"That sounds wonderful, my love."

They climbed out of bed, and Riley threw on her robe and slippers while Liam got dressed. Then, they headed out the door and down the hallway towards the nursery, where their children were waiting.

***

After heating the griddle for pancakes, Liam took a sip of his coffee.

Suddenly, the calmness of the moment was disrupted by a subtle vibration against Liam’s thigh. Reaching for his phone, it was lit up with a call from Leo. His brows furrowed in concern, immediately answering the call.

“Leo? What’s up?” Liam’s voice held a sense of urgency, worried that something unexpected had occurred in the Capital.

Thanks for reading 🤗⚘️🫶

📌All fics & edits: @ao719 @txemrn @queenmiarys @sfb123 @twinkleallnight @alj4890 @differenttyphoonwerewolf @harleybeaumont @busywoman @karahalloway @kingliam2019 @imjusthereforliam @lovingchoices14 @kyra75 @tinkie1973 @emkay512 @malblk21 @kristinamae093 @charlotteg234

📌TRR/TRH/TRF Liam & Riley: @irisk12 @walkerdrakewalker @thesvnsins @jared2612

📌Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @choicesflashfics

[romeoandjulietyouwish]

Hi! I hope I'm not too late for the OTP prompts ^_^

May I ask for number 13: “I won't let any danger even touch us.” please?

The man Percy has become, Cassandra almost doesn't recognize. She has never seen her brother as soft, kind, or gentle. He was always brash and stubborn and he still is. But he's different. He's always spoken deliberately but now the words are kinder, especially to her and even more to Vex.

The shock Cassandra feels when she sees the way her brother looks at Vex is unmatched. He looks so damn soft, as though he would give up everything he has just for a moment of her attention.

And gods, he gets even worse when the baby is born.

Cassandra sits on the edge of Vex's bed, looking down at the brand new baby. Vesper, she's been told, is wrapped in a soft purple blanket, sleeping softly.

Vex leans into Percy's side, a small smile on her face as she holds her daughter, watching Cassandra's face. "What do you think, darling? Do you want to hold her?"

Cassandra quickly shakes her head, "I'm alright, thank you. She's just...very small."

Percy chuckles, "She's only a few hours old, of course she's small."

Vex rolls her eyes at Percy and sits up slowly, "Darling, please take your daughter so I can stretch my arms."

"Gladly," Percy says, easily scooping Vesper into his arms and slowly standing up. Cassandra's eyes follow her brother as he rocks his newborn daughter.

She doesn't even hear what Vex is saying to her as she's too distracted by what Percy says to Vesper softly in Celestial, "I won't let any danger even touch you or your mother, I promise."

The words are spoken with such conviction and heart that it touches Cassandra deeply in her heart. She never thought she'd feel pride for her brother, and yet here she is, so incredibly proud of him and the man he's become.

[goforth-ladymidnight]

A Second Chance

Pairing: Tamlin x Lucien

Rating: M for mature themes and strong language

Ch. 1/5(?)

Word Count: 3.9k

Summary: There is a reason that Tamlin disappeared from Lucien's life seven years ago. Lucien just doesn't know what it is. They were more than college roommates; they were best friends. Now, a chance encounter in a bookstore leaves both of them wondering if they can pick up where they left off. A new year is right around the corner, but there is no wiping Tamlin's slate clean. Featuring Jurian and Vassa in supporting roles, this is not a story of redemption, but of finding love—and forgiveness—in the most unlikely of places. A Modern ACOTAR Holiday AU.

✨✨✨For @praetorqueenreyna ✨✨✨

It's here! It's here! It's finally here! (Emphasis on finally.) Even though this took a lot longer than I intended, it's also a lot longer, too. This is the first chapter out of five (I think), and I hope to have the rest done by New Year's. Featuring your OTP Tamcien, as requested, as well as a little bit of Jassa because, as you'll soon see, they needed to be in this story. :) I hope you like it! I had an absolute blast writing it.

@acotargiftexchange

Read on AO3 as part of the 2023 Gift Exchange Collection or read on below the cut:

“Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer,” crooned a male voice in the sound system above their heads, a slower, mellower version of the jolly holiday song that matched the easygoing vibe in The Reading Nook Bookstore.

Lucien absentmindedly hummed along as he browsed the themed display tables, passing over the fantasy and romance books in favor of something more to his mother’s taste. As he read the synopsis of the latest Poppy Seedcake Mystery, a cozy murder mystery series themed around baked goods, he couldn’t help but smirk.

“What do you think of this,” he asked Vassa, who was perusing the political thriller section nearby. When she glanced up, he held up the cover and continued jokingly, “Should I get this for my mom? It’s all about murdering your husband and how to get away with it.”

Vassa’s bright blue eyes flicked to the cover. “Rat poison,” she said simply, before returning her attention to the thick novel in her hands.

Lucien’s brows furrowed as he turned the cover over. He traced the title with his finger as he read to her, “No, it says: A Raisin to Kill… Wait. What do you mean: ‘Rat Poison’?”

“How to murder your husband and get away with it,” she repeated in her richly lyrical Scythian accent. “Rat poison. In coffee. Tea is too weak to disguise the taste.”

Lucien swore and ducked his shoulders as a couple of curious shoppers glanced up from their magazines nearby. Redfaced, he set the mystery book down and remarked, “I forgot how literal you are sometimes.”

Vassa looked at him quizzically. “Is that not what you wanted to give your mother for Christmas?”

“Not if it can used as evidence in a murder trial,” he quipped, then shook off the chill rippling down his arms. “Maybe I’ll just buy her a fruit basket.”

“Rat poison works well in the juices of fruit, too,” she said brightly.

Lucien chuckled nervously and ran a hand over his long red hair. “I’ll take your word for it.” He wanted his bastard father dead just as much as the rest of his brothers, but he wasn’t keen on being considered a suspect in Beron Vanserra’s death. “Where did you learn about that, um—” he cleared his throat, “—advice, anyway?”

“My mother. It is said my grandfather was a—how you say—good-for-nothing rat bastard.” Lucien’s eyebrows shot up as she continued, “So, my grandmother, she takes care of him. Rat poison.”

He realized his mouth had fallen open, so he closed it. Loosening the knot of the wool scarf around his neck, he remarked, “Scythian housewives don’t mess around, do they?”

Vassa smiled sweetly and added her book to a steadily growing pile with a heavy, meaningful thump. “Rat poison makes no mess. Not like stab wounds.”

Lucien let out a nervous chuckle. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

“I will,” she trilled, then her smile vanished as she caught sight of something behind him. “Do you know a man with light hair in dark clothes?” she asked in a low voice. “He is—how you say—checking me out.”

Lucien chuckled. “Lucky you,” he quipped, returning his gaze to the Murder Mystery display, then he froze. “Wait.” Had one of the customers overheard them and called the police? Shit. Wait. Don’t panic. “What does he look like?”

She shrugged with her mouth. “Big. Strong.”

Shit. Shit. Shit. With a wincing smile, he looked over his shoulder, trying to think of a way to explain that he and his foreign friend were only joking, when he realized he recognized the man. He straightened and turned to face the man directly. “Tam?”

With a shy chuckle, Tamlin stepped closer, tucking a book under his arm as he said, “Hey, Lu. I thought that was you.”

Lucien shook his head and let out an amazed laugh, then spread his arms wide and drew Tamlin into a sudden hug. It was as brief as it was awkward, but he couldn’t help himself. After a congenial back thump, Lucien released him and stepped back. “How long has it been, man?”

“Long time,” Tamlin replied with a tight smile, his cheeks slightly flushed. “At least…”

“Seven years,” they said in unison.

“Seven years,” Tamlin repeated, nodding slowly. “What have you been, um—” He glanced at Vassa, then shoved his hands in his pockets and amended, “How have you been?”

“Good,” Lucien said quickly. “Really good. Um.” He cleared his throat and gestured to the redhead at his side. “Before I forget. Tam, this is my friend, Vassa. Vassa, this is Tamlin.”

She twiddled her fingers in a polite wave.

He looked to Tamlin and continued, “She and I met when I traveled to Scythia for that foreign exchange program back in college. Remember?”

“Oh… right,” Tamlin said, nodding slowly, then gestured at her with his pocketed hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Vassa smiled and repeated a similar greeting in Scythian.

“She’s just visiting,” Lucien explained, “but she’s thinking of moving here after the holidays.”

“Congratulations,” Tamlin said politely, and Vassa dipped her head in acknowledgment.

“What about you, man?” Lucien asked him, thumping him on the shoulder. “Where have you been hiding yourself? I haven’t seen you since junior year.”

Tamlin shrugged dismissively. “Oh, you know. Around.”

When it was clear he wasn’t going to elaborate, Lucien turned to Vassa and remarked, “Tam has the greenest thumb of anyone I know. Someone left a dying, um, plant in our dorm, and Tam nursed it back to health.”

At Vassa’s blank look, Tamlin explained, “He means weed.”

Lucien added jokingly, “The whole floor called us the High Lords.”

Tamlin turned red and chuckled. “Oh, god. The High Lords. I had forgotten about that.”

Lucien grinned. “Yeah. Weren’t there six of us? You, me, Kallias, Tarquin, Rhys—”

Tamlin’s easy smile stiffened. “Oh. Yeah.”

Lucien was about to ask what that look meant, when he noticed Vassa’s confused frown. “Oh, sorry,” he told her. “I meant to explain: Weed is something you smoke to get high. Um, feel good. We were in Room 420… You know. Dumb kid stuff.”

Vassa continued to frown. “He has green thumb?”

Both Tamlin and Lucien let out embarrassed chuckles.

Before Lucien could think of a better Scythian translation, Tamlin pulled his hand out of his pocket and gave her a thumbs-up. “He just means I’m good with my hands,” he said with a smile.

“You should have heard him play in the orchestra,” Lucien added eagerly. “He could make a grown man cry with his violin.” Vassa smiled at that. Music was something she appreciated, and understood; no translation necessary. He asked Tamlin, “Do you still play?”

Tamlin winced and rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh, no. Not really.”

“Oh.”

Before he could think of a better question, Tamlin cleared his throat and said, “Well, it was good seeing you again. I don’t often run into anyone from the old days, so—”

“Oh, yeah?” Lucien said, trying to keep him a little longer. “Maybe we can have lunch some time. I don’t want to keep you from your Christmas shopping.” He nodded at the book tucked under his old friend’s arm. It had a bright yellow spine that contrasted nicely with the dark hunter green of his jacket, so it was difficult to ignore. It was difficult to think of what else to say.

“Job hunting for…” Vassa said slowly, tilting her head as she read the spine, and Lucien suddenly realized why Tamlin had been hiding the book under his arm.

“For a friend,” Tamlin said hastily, his face turning as red as Lucien’s felt. He jerked his thumb at the checkout line and said, “I’m on my lunch break, so…”

Not wanting to end their chance meeting on a sour note, Lucien asked him, “So, when do you get off work? Five?”

Tamlin’s throat bobbed. “Something like that.”

Lucien nodded at Vassa and said, “We’re having dinner at eight o’clock tonight, and we’d love for you to join us.”

“After, we have tickets to Swan Lake,” Vassa added.

“Vassa’s never been, so…” Lucien tried to explain, but Tamlin winced and held up his hand.

“I don’t want to intrude.”

“Not at all,” Lucien insisted. “We’ll just get another ticket.”

Tamlin looked skeptical. “To Swan Lake? In December?”

“You know the Vanserras are big patrons of the arts. I’ll name-drop.”

“I don’t know,” Tamlin said slowly. “Two’s company, three’s a crowd…”

“You can be bringing someone else, too, yes?” Vassa offered.

“Are you seeing anyone?” Lucien asked.

Tamlin’s brows furrowed. “You mean… like a date?”

“Yeah,” Lucien squeaked, then cleared his throat. “Um, yeah, a date.” He gestured between them. “You can bring someone, I’ll bring Vassa, and then nobody will feel left out. What do you say?”

Tamlin quirked his mouth to one side, thinking it over. After a long pause, he sighed. “I do have a friend…”

“Perfect.” Lucien jumped at the chance. “Let’s meet up for drinks at The Sour Lemon Bar at seven, then we’ll have dinner and go to the theater afterwards.”

When Tamlin still hesitated, Lucien added, “My treat.”

Tamlin winced. “I can’t let you do that—”

“Sure you can!” Lucien insisted, thumping him on the arm. “It’s all going on the Vanserra expense account, anyway. A very merry Fuck You to my father, just in time for Christmas.”

Tamlin dropped his gaze to the ground, chuckling deeply. When he looked up again, the tight lines in his face had eased, and his smile finally reached his eyes. “You haven’t changed a bit, you know that?”

Lucien grinned. “Does that mean you’ll come?”

Tamlin sighed again, but he nodded. “It’s a date.” He blushed. “I-I mean, with you a-and Vassa.” He cleared his throat. “Seven, you said?”

Lucien’s scarf felt strangely tight as he agreed, “At The Sour Lemon Bar. Do you need an address?”

“No, I’m sure I’ll find it,” Tamlin said, edging toward the checkout stand. “See you, Lu. Nice to meet you, um, Vassa.”

Vassa nodded, and Lucien raised his hand in farewell as he watched his long-lost friend make his way to the front of the store.

“He seems nice,” Vassa remarked.

“Yeah,” Lucien murmured, watching as Tamlin took out a worn-looking leather wallet from the back of his belted jeans. The hunter green bomber jacket looked warm enough, but it was December, and they were expecting snow later. He wasn’t even wearing a hat, but his sunlight blond hair reached his shoulders and covered his ears, so maybe he didn’t need one. Tamlin’s hair had been much shorter back in the day, just curling under his ears and tickling the back of his neck when the two of them were in school, an act of defiance against his military father, Tamlin had said.

The long hair suited him, but unlike Lucien’s own shoulder-length strands, it seemed less like a stylistic choice and more like he hadn’t seen a barber in a while. It was like he hadn’t seen anyone in a while.

As Tamlin left the store without looking back, the bell above the door jingled, and a new song began to play: “Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin’…”

It was almost funny, but Lucien could only sigh. Something had happened to his old friend, but he couldn’t begin to guess what it was. With a start, he realized he hadn’t given Tamlin his contact information. He could only hope that his old friend would show up like he promised, and then he could find out what had happened to break his spirit.

* * *

Tamlin slid into the front seat of his friend’s black SUV with a heavy sigh. The soiled interior smelled like an ashtray and stale french fries, but at least it was warm.

Jurian, sitting in the driver’s seat with his mini-binoculars glued to the front of his face, asked, “Find anything good?”

Tamlin sighed again and rubbed his hands against the vent’s steady flow of welcome heat. “Yeah.”

Jurian lowered the binoculars at last and looked at him. “And?”

“And she was in there, all right? She was Christmas shopping, like normal people do at this time of year.”

Jurian smirked. “Oh, like you?” He glanced down at the paper bag resting on the middle seat. “What’s that?”

“It’s nothing—Hey!”

Jurian had the bag torn open before he could snatch it back, and he scoffed. “Job Hunting for Dummies?” He snorted. “Looking for another job, dummy?”

Face burning, Tamlin snatched the book and the bag back. “Shut up. I had to buy something, all right? It was the first thing I grabbed. She saw me.”

“Shit. She saw you?” Jurian grimaced and ran a hand over his salt-and-pepper stubble. “Did she mark you?”

“No,” Tamlin muttered, wrapping the torn brown paper edges over the top of the book before shoving it under his seat.

“Good. The last thing we need is to lose our payday. Christmas is coming up, and the fat man is bringing a big fat check if we play this right.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Tamlin muttered, shoving his hands under his armpits.

Jurian snorted. “Don’t sound so excited. It’s not every day that a job like this drops in our laps. Cheating spouses is our bread and butter, but runaway princesses?” He put his fingers to his lips and kissed them. “Filet mignon.”

Tamlin let out a resigned sigh. “If you like filet mignon.”

Jurian smirked. “I don’t mind second helpings.” Tamlin shot him a look, but Jurian suddenly straightened up and snapped his fingers at something outside. “Hey-hey-hey. There she is. Grab the camera.”

As Tamlin reluctantly reached into the backseat, Jurian lifted the binoculars and squinted through them.

“Huh. Koschei didn’t mention she had a brother.”

Tamlin straightened up in the passenger seat as he slung the camera strap around his neck. “She doesn’t.”

Jurian lowered the binoculars with a confused squint. “Then who’s the twink?”

“He’s not a twink—” Tamlin bit back a growl as Jurian raised his dark, bushy brows at him. He took a deep breath and calmly explained, “His name is Lucien Vanserra. You’ve probably heard of his family.”

“Vanserra? As in Daddy is the head of the entire Autumn Corporation?” When Tamlin nodded, Jurian let out a low, appreciative whistle and resumed his binocular view. “That explains the nice threads. No wonder Princess is hanging around him.”

Tamlin’s cheeks flushed with a muttered, “Yeah,” then lifted the camera and looked down the telescopic lens. The two redheads were chatting amiably outside the bookstore, blissfully unaware that they were being watched by some sleazy private eye and his equally sleazy but unwilling cameraman. At least it paid the rent. Some of the time.

It was just a few lousy pictures. Proof that Vassa was living in Prythian. That was all. But still, as Tamlin zoomed in on Lucien’s smiling face, as he laughed at something Vassa said, his perfect teeth bright against the tawny beige of his skin, his finger hovered—and hesitated—over the shutter button.

“Problem?” Jurian asked.

“Smudge on the lens,” Tamlin muttered, lowering the camera. As he dug around in the camera case for a cleaning cloth, Jurian swore.

“You didn’t think to check it before we left?”

“It’s this damn vehicle,” Tamlin snapped. “Maybe if you cleaned it once in a while—”

“Hey. Don’t blame me for your screw-up—”

“I didn’t want to take this job in the first place!”

“Oh, now you tell me. Anything else you want to confess, or should I find a priest for that?!”

They were still arguing when Tamlin saw red.

“Shit.” He ducked down in the passenger seat as Lucien stepped off the sidewalk and crossed the street in front of the SUV, alone.

Jurian sat back in his seat and barked a laugh when Tamlin finally lifted his head to peek over the dashboard. “Hey, dumbass. Tinted windows, remember?”

“Shut up,” Tamlin muttered, straightening up, then winced as he examined the lens, which had been bumped loose from the lens mount. He hoped it wasn’t broken. Repairs like that weren’t cheap.

Jurian sat up in the driver’s seat and squinted, then smacked his hand against the steering wheel. “Dammit. She’s gone.”

He shifted the SUV into gear, then floored the gas and pulled into the street. As they drove, scanning the slushy streets, Jurian ran a hand through his already unruly dark hair. “Fuck. Where are we supposed to look for her now?”

As Tamlin lowered the two pieces of the camera to his lap, he cleared his throat. “Funny you should mention that…”

Jurian cocked an eyebrow as Tamlin explained what had happened inside the bookstore. “A date?” He could barely keep his eyes on the road. “Are you fucking serious?”

“It’s not a date,” Tamlin retorted. “We’re just old friends catching up, that’s all.”

“You and pretty boy, maybe, but what am I supposed to do? I’m supposed to be undercover. We’re supposed to be undercover, dipshit.”

“I’m not going to blow our cover,” Tamlin growled through gritted teeth. “And you don’t have to come.”

Jurian huffed in frustration and slammed on the brakes, narrowly missing the car in front of him as it idled at a stoplight. “Great,” he huffed again, smacking the steering wheel. “This is just great.” He grumbled something about this being the worst time to give up smoking—even though it had been three years—then he pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Look. I’m sorry, kid. I know this isn’t your dream job. I wouldn’t ask you to do this if I wasn’t desperate. My vision isn’t what it used to be, and Mr. Hybern is breathing down my neck, and…”

Tamlin’s fingers traced the edges of the busted lens mount, and he sighed. “I know.”

“I’ll make it up to you. We’ll skip the filet mignon and get one of those—” He snapped his fingers. “—what do you call ‘em—hide-a-beds. God knows we need a new couch anyway.”

Tamlin thought of the way the sorry sofa sagged under his weight and the way it was six inches too short no matter which way he laid on it.

“You know what? I’ll even pretend to be whatever you want on this date—not-a-date,” he amended when Tamlin shot him a warning look, “if you’ll help me with this last job. Deal?”

It still meant lying to Lucien, but was leaving out the worst part of the last seven years even a lie in the first place? The traffic light ahead of them turned green, but the SUV continued to idle.

“Well?”

Tamlin sighed again. “Deal.”

“Atta boy,” Jurian said warmly, then flipped off the cars honking behind him. “I know it’s green, you morons.”

Tamlin sank back against the passenger seat as the SUV sped up to join the thick of downtown traffic, strangely calm while Jurian swore at all the holiday shoppers during the most fuckin’ wonderful time of the year.

Even though Tamlin would have preferred to leave Jurian—and Vassa—out of it, he was almost looking forward to that evening. It had been so long since he had looked forward to anything… It wasn’t even about the food and the entertainment. God only knew how long it had been since he had had enjoyed anything half that nice. The Sour Lemon Bar alone was on the ritzier side of town, after all… It was about the company.

A slight smile touched his mouth as he thought back to that chance meeting with his old friend and former roommate. Jurian was decent enough to give him a place to stay when the whole world went to hell, but… From the first day they met at college, he and Lucien just clicked. They could talk about everything and nothing. It was more than being best friends. They were true kindred spirits.

They were each the youngest in their respective families, with strict, overbearing fathers who couldn’t be bothered to show up for important things like recitals or graduation, but who were also obsessed with image and obedience.

Tamlin still didn’t know how Lucien’s mom put up with it, but his own mother had passed away when he was sixteen. She had been there for every school concert, every violin recital, smiling proudly despite undergoing brutal cancer treatments. All the while his own father couldn’t be bothered to show up.

“Only queers and sissies play the fiddle,” his father had sneered.

Real men play football. Real men win wrestling tournaments. Real men take one for the team, the way his brothers did. They called him selfish for making their mother go to his concerts when she should have been home resting. They ignored her insistence that she really wanted to go, but at least they didn’t stop her.

Even at her weakest, she continued to show up, holding a single rose to throw on the stage after each performance, ‘the way they did it in the movies’. He used to be embarrassed about it, but he secretly dried them out and kept every single one… At least until his father found the box after her death and threw them all out.

Tamlin then chose to honor her memory by working his ass off and getting a music scholarship to one of the most prestigious universities in Prythian instead of going into the military like his father wanted. He had paid for it, too, in more ways than one. He hadn’t spoken to his father and two older brothers for ten years, and he didn’t plan on starting now. Jurian’s foul mouth and fouler apartment were preferable to the abuse and neglect he had endured at the hands of his so-called family. And then to run into Lucien again after all this time…

Maybe this was finally the end of some terrible bad luck streak. Some god-awful curse. Seven years bad luck, and all that. It seemed pointless to hope, and yet… Lucien had actually been happy to see him. He had hugged him. Tamlin finally understood what it meant to be touch-starved, and he realized he was ravenous. As much as he had protested, how could he say no to another taste?

Since the camera needed repairs anyway, there was no reason he couldn’t sit back and enjoy himself for a single evening. Jurian could keep an eye on Vassa while he and Lucien reminisced about the good ol’ days…

As the nicer buildings of downtown gave way to small, old-fashioned houses and even older apartment buildings on the edge of town where he and Jurian lived, Tamlin let out a disgruntled sigh. Who was he kidding?

There was no fooling Lucien. His friend had always had the uncanny ability to see right through him. If he somehow managed to bullshit his way through the evening and pretend that everything was sunshine and roses, there was no getting around the fact that he still had a job to do. Some shadowy figure called Mr. Koschei wanted those photos of Vassa by Christmas.

Tamlin wanted to believe that the pictures meant nothing more than a paycheck, but three months’ worth of rent was a lot to ask for a few lousy headshots, no matter how badly they needed it. He certainly didn’t want to see her get hurt, or Lucien, either, for that matter, but he didn’t see any way around it.

He hated himself even more now for getting involved, and for agreeing to Jurian’s proposal. But Jurian couldn’t do it without his help, or his camera.

The most wonderful time of the year, indeed.

[jgyapologism]

send a ship ask game xiyao chengyao and chengxian

oooh another one thank u!!

xiyao

my otp tbh. i mean, i wrote an entire fic series about an alternate universe where jgy lives, just so i could keep them together. i think that answers that question lmao. but no, like, you don't understand. these two are such a tragedy: they love each other so deeply, yet are kept apart by duty and circumstance, and lxc is someone who jgy is probably the most honest with - but he still withholds - and him withholding from lxc is the one thing that lxc cannot forgive. so when guanyin temple happens, and lxc finds out the truth, he feels betrayed and rejected and like everything between them was a lie and god, he thought that he knew jgy better than anyone else. he thought he was the exception. but jgy can't afford exceptions. can't afford to let anyone too close. experience has taught him to keep people within arm's distance but no closer than that and lxc had thought he was the exception but he wasn't. except that he was - in jgy's eyes - because jgy had never allowed himself to hope for love, to be loved, before lxc.

lxc wanted to know jgy - even the monster bits - but jgy thought he had to wear a mask in order to be loved by him. but lxc just wanted him, darkness and all.

chengyao

ohoho i mean, i love the concept of chengyao as like "two men who are bad at emotions are thrown together by force to help raise this child together" and i just, like to think that over the years, jc had grown to respect - maybe even admire - jgy for his resilience and persistence. b/c those are two traits that jc values highly - and he knows what it means to be resilient and persistent and to build something from scratch. so he admires jgy, and jgy grows to admire jc too, because he sees the way jc had rebuilt his sect from the ground up and how he holds his own against other sect leaders and - there might be a little bit of jealousy there.

so they respect one another, and they have this kid they have to raise together, so they do their best. and maybe jc thinks jl likes jgy better, so there's some hidden resentment, and maybe jgy thinks jc is too harsh on jl, so there's judgment. and they never see eye to eye, but they do their best - for jl.

but then guanyin temple happens and jgy puts the garrote around jl's neck - his own nephew - and jc loses every ounce of respect he has for jgy. even if all of his other atrocities didn't seal his fate - him using the garrote on jl did it for him.

but man. before all that - these two raising jl together?? peak comedy. 100/10 never getting over it. they are a small, broken family but jc and jgy are both tenacious as hell and like hell they're gonna let this boy suffer like they did. that's why jl is so spoiled rotten - b/c jgy and jc just can't stand to see him suffer.

chengxian

oh anon. you just opened the floodgates. what can i say about chengxian, the twin prides, the two brothers who have always been at odds, yet refusing to let each other go?

chengxian is the most tragic ship in the entire show. we watch jc and wwx grow up together. we see their brotherhood and their friendship. we see how loyal and dedicated and fond they are of one another. but we also see the cracks and fissures between them: the way jfm dotes on wwx and the parallel hatred yzy has for wwx; the way jc always felt responsible for wwx; the fact that jc may have been wwx's superior in title but everyone who saw them knew wwx was smarter and stronger ; and the resentment that dug its way inside jc's chest and made him bitter.

but jc had always thought - believed - that wwx would choose him over everything else - except maybe jyl - and he clung to their brotherhood like a lifeline. he thought wwx was his ride or die.

but then the wen's destroy the jiang sect. they kill jc's parents. and jc blames wwx for everything - but still, even then, he sacrifices himself to save wwx, and they tear out jc's core (and wwx saves him too late and sacrifices his own core to save jc but jc doesn't know this until years later and its too late and everything is festered and ugly between them) and the wen's throw wwx into the burial mounds and he thinks wwx is dead and that it was all for nothing.

wwx goes to the burial mounds - and that, that changes things entirely. it changes wwx, b/c now he's coreless and weak and he's had to survive.

and then they meet again - after jc spends months with someone he hates just looking for his brother, clinging to some shred of hope that he's still alive - and wwx is different. but they still try to act like everything is the same; that nothing has changed. except that everything has.

and then wwx chooses the wens. he chooses the wens - the very same sect who murdered their family - over jc. over family. and something inside jc finally breaks.

he gives up on wwx. gives up on their brotherhood. meanwhile wwx has been begging him to let him go this entire time. and he thinks wwx doesn't care when it's the farthest thing from it, because all wwx wants is for jc to rebuild his sect, and being associated with wwx will only destroy them.

but, these two are Class A noncommunicators. they sacrifice everything for each other time and time again, without any thought to what the other one wants, and if not for wn, wwx would have died holding onto the core secret (edit: hell, he fucking DID in his first life); just like jc will probably die without ever telling wwx that he was the one who distracted the wen guards. that he was the domino that led to all the broken things between them.

this...has gotten impossibly long. but i'll end with this: jc and wwx will never stop loving each other. beneath all of the layers of resentment and bitterness and hatred, there is brotherhood and love and care.

they may be too broken to be fixed in their entirety, but a broken vase can still be glued back together.

[theoriginalladya]

WIP Whenever

I haven't had much going on with any of my boys of late as my brain has been hijacked by a couple of original fic ideas, but I went to sleep last night with the following snippet in mind and I managed to get it down on a page more or less how I imagined it. Proof that Caleb and Kaidan are still kicking around inside my head, despite work, Real Life, and original fic ideas! <3

Setting: 2168/9-ish, post Reaper War, on their honeymoon, Santorini, Greece, Earth

~~~

A mug in each hand, Caleb slips out onto the back patio and pads his way barefoot across the space.  Even now, and despite still recovering from his injuries, he manages to keep silent, and though he isn’t looking at Caleb, a smile of welcome slides across Kaidan’s face. 

Caleb laughs to himself. There are some benefits to having biotics, after all.

As he nears, Kaidan inhales deeply and sets aside the pad of paper and pencil he’d been using, but not before Caleb catches a glimpse of lines and shape.  Another smile, this time his own, as he recognizes the scene beginning to form on the page; a lone figure (himself) staring intently at some ancient Greek ruins. 

Kaidan’s brow rises.  “Something amusing you, mo shearc?”

Shivering in appreciation, Caleb hands over one of the mugs. Mo shearc.  Caleb knows Kaidan loves him – he shows it all the time and in so many ways – but hearing him say it and in Irish no less… 

Caleb’s smile broadens into a full-fledged grin.  “Let’s just call it art appreciation, mo ghrá, and leave it at that.”

Kaidan's laughter - deep and rumbly and warm - fills the air around them as he shifts on the chaise lounge to make room. Caleb straddles the chair to sit behind him.  “You didn’t have to stop, you know.”

Kaidan huffs softly as he takes a sip of his coffee.  The smile that spreads across his lips assures Caleb he got it just the way Kaidan likes it, and that's a relief.  This isn't like back in their Alliance days together, sharing a quick cup of liquid tar to keep awake during a watch shift or to help ground themselves after a rough mission. This...is something more meaningful, more important.

After so much of his life spent actively avoiding the kind of closeness that leads to long-term relationships, Caleb is still learning how to express himself through little things like this. 

Kaidan exchanges his mug for the pencil and pad, leaning back against Caleb’s chest to keep them close.  “Didn’t want to mess it up,” he replies as he flips back open to the page he'd been working on.

The cream colored page is a mass of lines and shapes, just hints of features starting to clarify. Hints of shadow to define the blocks of stone and a few seemingly stray lines barely darkening the paper that are blades of grass. With one arm wrapped around Kaidan's waist, Caleb rests his chin on his husband's shoulder and watches the magic unfold.

He still remembers the day, purely by accident, that he discovered Kaidan's talent for capturing the world around him. The shock at not only realizing Kaidan had kept it such a secret from even his closest friends, but that he was so skilled. Amazement. Astonishment. Utter delight. In those early years after they first met, Caleb had thought of Kaidan's biotics as 'magic' - space magic, Kaidan had joked - but his ability to take a scene and use precise strokes of a pencil to make it real, well, that was magic in its own right.

As he watches now, their visit to the ancient Greek ruins earlier that afternoon takes shape right before Caleb's eyes. Down to the squirrel scampering along the stone rubble. He can almost hear it chittering in his ear...

With a soft sigh, Caleb squeezes just enough to share the emotion, yet careful not to jar Kaidan's arm. “You never cease to amaze me, mo ghrá.”

Kaidan snorts, but his grin returns. “Isn’t that my line?”

“Not tonight.”  Caleb brushes his lips along the side of Kaidan’s neck. "Tonight it's my turn."

[totallynoteggos]

Sector V and siblings reaction to Teen! Sister dating Chad Dickson

Nigel Uno

Absolutely flabbergasted

He tries to convince you that Chad is a bad person

(also lest just say for the sake of this fic your part of the teens next door to)

You, of course, refuse and deny, you knew he was faking.

They fight for your attention.

He also stalks you on dates

This mf would have you chipped and miced when you go on a date with him.

They fight for your attention

Like you'll have a date planned with Chad then Nigel convinces his parents to go out and have you babysit him.

Then Chad, being petty asf, proceeds to tell you it's fine and that you'll just have a movie night at your place.

With Nigel there.

Who has to watch his sister swoon for a “traitor”

And gods forbid he kisses you

Nigel would tell your parents in a heartbeat

He would also call Chad your lap dog for being a good boyfriend💀

Overall, they're both petty little slimeballs who love you but will be at each other's throats the second you're not looking.

-10/10 sibling to have when dating Chad💀💀

Hoagie and Tommy Gilligan

...

Why..

He LITERALLY held your youngest brother hostage

Anyway- Hoagie is shocked, Tommy is confused

Tommy hated him until Chad gives him food or smth

So now those two are on neutral ground

As for Hogaie, he's suspicious

But he sees how happy you two are together and can't help but admit that Chad is a good boyfriend

He still keeps an eye on him

Hell put a tracker or smth on you so that he knows your safe

He also enforces a “no closed door” rule when Chad is in your room 💀

The type of brother that if Chad said to bring you back at 9:00 would scold you for being late at 9:02

Neither could care less abt y'all kissing

Just don't do it in front of them

Tommy could care less he just cares abt the free food

Overall they both are chill as long as Chad doesn't screw up

7/10 siblings to have when dating Chad

Kuki and Mushi Sanban

SHIP

THEY DONT CARE IF HES A TRAITOR THEY STILL SHIP YOU

Most positive reaction

Yk when your older sibling brings home a friend and a younger sibling gets a crush??

Ye that's Mushi

But other than that

They give him ideas for dates

They'll tell him your favorite food, place, color, Etc.

They 100% call you two “love birds” or smth like that

They would also stalk you on dates

And if Chad kisses you in front of them???

Instant fangirling

If you think their stalking you just kiss Chad and you will hear the most high-frequency screams you will ever hear

They just ship you two so hard😔😔

They will also threaten anyone who dares to try and break their OTP

Overall 10/10 siblings to have when dating Chad.

Wallabee and Joey Beetles

Joey's chill since yk

He's an infant

But WALLY

MAN ALMOST FAINTED WHEN HE FOUND OUT

Does. Not. Like. Him

Won't let you two be alone at all💀

He would quite literally take your door away if he had too

He also would third wheel on dates JUST to ruin the mood

And If you two kiss??

He becomes the most dramatic mf

He says he's gonna puke (he actually did once💀)

Definitely does the “six feet” rule

Even if you two are on the battlefield💀

Just imagine you and your friends giving that villain speech

And Chad has an arm wrapped around your waist with his hand on your hip or smth like that

Man would deadass stop whoever's giving the speech by shouting

“OI! HANDS OFF MA SISTER YOU TEEN TRAITOR”

This little boy is way too protective💀

Overall they both love you but Wally ain't gonna let you smooch a traitor

9/10 or Joey 0/10 for Wally

Abigail and Cree Lincoln

Chill

Cree thinks it's a little weird that your dating her friend but still ships

And since Abby knows that he's in Teens next door she ships it

Don't mean they won't threaten him

100% gives him date ideas

They will both beat whoever is trying to ruin the relationship

Both would help Chad impress you

Wether it be him leading a mission all by himself or surprising you with flowers or chocolates

Only ones who let you two be together alone

if they walk in on you two kissing neither will NEVER hear the end of it

“Woah! Slow down now, I don’t wanna be a aunt this young”

“Yesh! And I thought mom and dad were romantic”

“So……when’s the baby coming”

“Y’all better use protection”

The last two totally weren’t from Cree

They both let you two live your own lives

They won’t stalk you on dates but they do ask you how it was

Was it romantic, was he sweet, did he pay, where did he take you, etc.

Overall nice siblings to have when dating Chad

8/10

[eirist]

As It Was

Disclaimer: One Piece (and its characters) belongs to Eiichiro Oda-sensei.

Reminder: I have no beta-reader. Any grammatical and spelling errors are solely mine.

Warning: OOC possible. One shot.

Rating: T (A bit suggestive but tolerable still)

Note: AU. I am currently in love with the song As It Was (Prep’s version) and had it on repeat. You know that certain instance when you’re listening to it and suddenly a random scene for your OTP will just playout from out of nowhere. That’s what happened here.

I know it’s late. But this is a Happy Valentine’s ZoNa piece and my supposed entry to the ZoNami jukebox event in here.

And yes, this is a companion fic to The Cat Burglar one-shot (#30 in the Little Bits and Pieces collection). Enjoy!

Summary: She couldn’t pinpoint when was that exact moment when something between them shifted. All she knows is that it’s not the same as it was.

Nami quietly watched the scene outside from the tinted window of the car as it sped past the crowded street. The weather was a bit cold tonight, yet she was surprised to see a lot of people still loitering about enough to cause a slight traffic.

She chewed at her bottom lip—a bad habit really, whenever she feels edgy—and folded her arms on her chest, creasing the front of her coat at the movement.

“We’ll be there in a few minutes Nami-senpai.” The driver, Bartolomeo, politely informed her. They were on their way to her apartment and he must’ve sense her impatience… or saw it from the car’s rear view mirror.

“It’s alright,” Nami smiled at him. Usopp had told her before that he was in-training to become a low-rank official hence the chauffeuring them around stint. “Don’t worry about it.” She wasn’t that much in a hurry to be honest. She got nowhere to be tonight of all nights.

Her gaze riveted back outside, silently observing the people hurrying to and fro while holding flower bouquets and gifts in heart-decorated wrappers with big red bows around them.

It was Valentine’s night. And here she was, braving the traffic so she could get home after sneaking out of the party at the Mugiwara estate to spend the rest of the night soaking in a nice, warm, bubble bath with lighted candles around her and glass of expensive red wine in one hand.

Normally, she loves attending those parties and spent time there mingling and rubbing elbows with the rich, flirting with handsome, gullible guests and steal a thing or two from them before the party ends… but tonight she was not in the mood.

Maybe because a lot of guests there tonight have dates and she unfortunately and accidentally ran across some pairs cozying it up in some of the vacant rooms like five times already.

The mansion has numerous rooms! Why the hell did she keep stumbling into one that was already occupied by dry humping people?

She decided to just call it a night. Honestly, she can’t take seeing one more pair in a state of undress. She doesn’t want to barge into another quickie session or she’ll start charging them for using the rooms in the first place.

Besides, what’s with all those horny people? She didn’t see any oysters were served for dinner earlier.

Unless their gluttonous boss was able to get his hands on them… or if someone intercepted it on their way out of the kitchen…

Wasn’t Sanji-kun in charge of the food tonight?

Nami rolled her eyes when it clicked into place.

Thank her lucky stars Bartolomeo was around, ready to drive anyone anywhere at a moment’s notice. When Luffy motioned for his top men to go upstairs for a private meeting, she decided to high-tail it out of there.

Speaking of that…

“Hey Bart,” she called out to the Mohawk hair-styled man. “Got any idea how long that meeting’s gonna be?”

“Uh…” Bartolomeo scratched his cheek, looking apologetic as he glanced at Nami from the rear view mirror. “Apologies, Nami-senpai. I’m not sure about that.”

“Oh. Alright.”

“But it looks like it’s gonna take longer than usual,” he continued on. “I heard Luffy-senpai’s brother arrived earlier.”

Nami settled back on the seat, thinking. “If that’s the case, then it’s gonna take some time.” She pondered more for a moment. “Hey can you swing by Baratie first? I want to get something to go.”

“No problem, Nami-senpai,” Bartolomeo nodded. “You want me to call first so they can get it ready?”

“I’ll do it,” Nami pulled her phone out of her purse and dialled the exclusive number for the restaurant Sanji-kun had given her.

If she’s going to spend tonight of all nights alone, she might as well splurge for herself right?

A haggard-sounding chef answered her call. She reached inside her purse for her lipstick while she was enumerating her requests. Her fingers snagged an unfamiliar object and she pulled it out to look at it.

Nami stared at it for a long time. When the call ended, she already made the decision on how to best enjoy herself tonight.

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

The scenery outside the window changed as the car made a smooth turn to the right and began an uphill climb. They had left Baratie about fifteen minutes ago and was now driving along a rather lonely road with thick trees bordering both of its sides.

There wasn’t any lamp post on the area and only the head lights of the car illuminated what was ahead.

But Nami wasn’t afraid. Not a bit. The road was private that was why no one was allowed to use it. A few minutes passed and a black, large gate loomed before them.

“Nami-senpai,” Bartolomeo called her name to get her attention. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

Nami grinned at him. “Yeah, don’t worry. I’ll make sure you’re off the hook.”

“But…”

“Just trust on this me alright?”

Bartolomeo looked hesitant but Nami only motioned for him to continue ahead.

He nodded weakly, just as the gates opened for them. He drove the car inside and in a few more minutes, he was circling the driveway and pulling to a stop in front of a dark house.  

He stepped out of the car in a flash to open the door for Nami and assist her in getting out.

“Thank you,” she winked at him. “And don’t worry I’ll handle it,” she assured him with a pat on his shoulder.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay here Nami-senpai?” Bartolomeo asked again in an uncertain tone. He swallowed a lump in his throat. If something happens to her, Luffy-senpai and the others would make sure he wouldn’t die a peaceful death.

“Yup,” Nami nodded as she scanned the house in front of her while Bartolomeo waited nervously beside her with the paper bag from Baratie and the bouquet of flowers the wonderful head chef Zeff had given her.

She slipped out the keys she found in her purse earlier and she could swear Bartolomeo’s eyes widened as looked at her.

“Y-you got the keys to this house?”

She winked at him again and brought her forefinger to her lips, a sign to keep his mouth shut about it. Nami motioned for him to hand her the food and the flowers before heading towards the front door.

“Just try not to rat me out ok?” She reminded him before slipping the key inside the lock. 

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

The temperature outside seemed to drop some more as the night wore on. The tall, thick trees surrounding the vicinity didn’t help with that at all… they only made it colder.

But Nami seemed oblivious to it as she turned the key. Either it was tolerable or she doesn’t mind because of the coat she was wearing. There was a clicking sound as the key unlocked the door and she pushed it open.

What idiot still uses only one lock for their front door when keypad locks are a thing now?

Not that any of those will stop her. She can pick a lock and override a keypad as easy as one, two, three.

She stepped inside the foyer, just as Bartolomeo pulled out of the driveway to head back to the mansion-slash-headquarters in the Mugiwara estate.

Nami flicked a switch to her right and the whole floor was immediately bathed in warm white lights.

“I’m home!” She announced in a sing-song voice to no one in particular. She snickered at that. She knows the house is empty… save for her. With one hand, she was able to shrug off her coat and left it on the couch.

Nami caught sight of her reflection in one of the mirrors lining the wall that was separating the living room and the dining/kitchen area. She had to admit, she looks dazzling tonight in her sparkling gown. Too bad no one will be able appreciate it.

Her high heels made click-clacking sounds against the marbled floor as she made her way to the other part of the house. She set the paper bag and the flowers down on the kitchen counter top and looked around.

It was really a gorgeous house and it was a shame it was not being appreciated enough.

She had seen enough of it to fall in love with it. With high ceilings and glass walls, it had a great view of the outside especially at night time where you can see the city lights.

And you can also see the Mugiwara estate from there. Which is no surprise at all because the area where she is now, belongs to them.

The house was smack in the middle of thick trees, giving it enough privacy. And it didn’t matter if all the lights were on because it can’t be seen from the outside. You won’t even know it is there.

It was a perfect hideaway place.

Nico Robin told her that it was Franky who designed and built it. That’s why everything inside and outside was set to perfection.

She unwrapped the bouquet Zeff has given her so she can replace the almost withering flowers in the vase on the middle of the dining table. She’s going to make the most of her stay here, so that means everything has to look good.

Nami discarded the flowers in the trash and proceeded to set the dining table with the exquisitely made, hand-crafted plates she was sure Sanji-kun was the one who was responsible for.

Come to think of it. This house has something from everyone from Luffy’s core group. She’s sure the flowers from earlier were Robin’s flower garden.

She moved purposely for the next few minutes: setting the table, selecting an expensive red wine from the wine collection, pouring some in her glass before proceeding to arrange scented candles in strategic locations and dimming the lights to give the place a more subdued ambience.

Everything was perfect.

Then she left the kitchen—one hand holding her wine glass while the other clutched the bottle—and she went upstairs. She casually strode towards the empty bedroom and headed straight to her main objective.

Because hands down, this place has the best bathroom, the best bathtub, along with the best view for a relaxing bubble bath. It would honestly put any expensive hotel to shame. 

All thanks to Franky.

She raised her wine glass in salute to her comrade before downing it and proceeding to prepare a luxurious bubble bath for herself.

A few more minutes and a blissfully content Nami was submerged in the large tub, wine in hand, eyes closed while a soft music played from the bath’s hidden speakers as the calming scent of the candles she lighted wafted in the air.

It feels like she was being lulled to sleep. It was so soothing. She could honestly live like this for the rest of her life.

At times like these, she can’t help but think that working for the Mugiwara family was one of the best decisions she ever made.

How long had she been with them? Two years? Two years since that green-haired man walked into her bar and whisked her away in a world more dangerous than before.

She had honestly thought that was the end of the line for her. But surprisingly—and thankfully—it was her excellent skills at thieving and treasure hunting that saved her.

And when they found out that she’s also a genius cartographer. That sealed the deal.

When she was brought in the presence of the Mugiwara family’s head… to say she was shocked was an understatement. He wasn’t what she was expecting. Nor what she heard through the grapevine. Especially when Monkey D. Luffy made an offer to her to join the ranks of those working directly under him.

After all, it was a waste to not to put all of her skills and knowledge to good use.

She made a choice to join him.

And she loved every minute of it.

Though there was a price to pay… she had to let go of her bar, as joining him would definitely place her in a tight spot with the other families who usually frequents the place. It would definitely make her a target and put her in more danger.

It broke her heart to shut it down. The bar was something constant in her life. It was her safe place despite how crude and violent her customers were. But she understood that sacrifices need to be made if it will bring her closer to her dream. And if she played her cards right, she might reopen it again in the future.

“Why are you here?”

Nami’s eyes shot open at that voice. Deep and cold as ice. It send shivers up and down the spine and not in the most pleasant way. She had seen men tremble at the sound of it. Seen enemies almost shit their pants when they hear it.

But…

Nami pouted at the intrusion. She moved her head slightly towards the bathroom doorway and her eyes settled at the tall, green-haired man who seemed to appear out of nowhere. She inwardly cursed at how stealthy Roronoa Zoro can be. She didn’t even hear a car pulling up the driveway.

She just threw him a smirk, batted her eyelashes at him and purred, “Welcome home baby.”

Zoro just scoffed at her attempt to tease him. She grinned as she settled back in her bath and watched him marched inside, removing the cuff links from his shirt and dropping them haphazardly on the sink countertop.

Nami rolled her eyes at his carelessness. She’s pretty sure he’ll be losing them in the next few days. Just like all the cufflinks that came before them.

“Why are you back so soon?” She wondered out loud when he started to pace around the room, shedding articles of his clothing like a snake and leaving them on the tiled floor.

He had the gall to snort at her question. “It’s my house.”

Nami puffed her cheeks at that. “So? Shouldn’t you still be at the meeting?”

One steely eye narrowed at her as he began to pull at his tie. “Shouldn’t you be anywhere but here? This is called intruding you know.”

The orange-haired woman only chuckled at that. She shifted from her relaxed position, resting both of her arms at the tub edge so she can watch him idiotically try to choke himself with his tie.  

“Hmmm… I wouldn’t call that intruding if I have your keys.” She declared in a cheeky tone.

Zoro stopped fumbling with his tie and glared at her. “Why do you have my keys?”

She sighed exasperatedly, leaning her head on one arm. “Because you are an idiot?”

“I’m not an idiot!” He immediately retorted and Nami threw her head back to laugh at his expense.

“Only idiots leave their keys anywhere for others to grab.” She threw a smirk his way and he frowned at her.

“I’m pretty sure you nicked that from me.”

“Oh,” Nami feigned surprise at his accusation. “Me? Steal something from Roronoa Zoro’s person? Hmmm… you flatter me.” She winked at him.

It is fun seeing this usually unrattled man get flustered whenever he’s up against her in a war of the words. Working for Luffy made her realize that Zoro wasn’t all that he seems.

He wasn’t all ruthless, uncaring and cold. That was reserve for their enemies. And also, for the newcomers who still have to gain his trust. Kami knows how long it took for her to acquire it. And it wasn’t that easy. How many times did her life had to be on the line and he had to save her ass before she was finally able to crack his supposedly impenetrable shell?

Too many to count.

But once she did, once he was able to look at her without that distrust in his eye... his company had been nothing but pleasant and rather enjoyable much to her surprise.

Especially when she realize how easy it was to take him down a peg or two.

“Stop fumbling with that, you’ll end up choking yourself to death,” she lost her patience when he still—for the life of her—cannot figure out how untie his tie. “Come here and let me!”

Zoro just glared at her. Again. He’s really unamused at how she’s getting too comfortable with bossing him around.

Nami, likewise, glared back. Oh he doesn’t scare her anymore like when she first met him. He had used up all that privilege in one go.

“Do not make me stand from here and pull you by that tie!”

Grudgingly he obeyed her, moving closer and leaning down so she can help him.

“That wasn’t so hard was it?” Nami narrowed her eyes at him as she worked on the knot around his neck. The silver tie looked so sleek on him. Too bad it can also be the cause of his death.

“How can you have difficulties with something as simple as this when you can maim anyone without even looking their way!” She complained when she was done. He muttered something under his breath. She wasn’t sure if it was gratitude or an expletive.

He pulled the tie away from his neck and grumpily threw it on the sink.

Nami eyed the innocent article of clothing that was now officially the bane of Zoro’s existence.

That cool persona of his was just really a front. Away from the frontlines, he was a downright bumbling… idiot.

“Need any help taking off your other garments?” Nami innocently offered. Now she wasn’t really sure if he can unbutton his shirt without turning it into a sort of battle royale.

His face colored and he spat out a really loud ‘no’.

Nami sniggered. “Come on Zoro. We are way past modesty here. See? You’re already undressing yourself right here while I’m taking a bath baby.”

“Stop calling me that!”

She burst out laughing at his outburst.

“You witch!”

“Yeah I know. Can it Zoro.” Her shoulders were still shaking as she tried to dwindle down her laughter. Boy, he was really making her night.

“Why are you still here?” Zoro was practically snarling his question at her. He’s probably had enough embarrassment for the night, care of her.

“Be nice Zoro,” she hummed as she settled back again on tub, lifting a feet up and playing with the bubble foam. She glanced at him and he was now leaning back at the sink, glowering at her. “And here I stopped by Baratie on my way here to get you a steak.”

“A steak?”

“Uh… steaks?” She corrected when he sounded dissatisfied.

He folded his arms over his chest and asked crankily. “Why?”

“Nothing much. I figured I needed to bribe you so I can use your bathtub.”

“You’re already in it.” Zoro pointed out.

“True,” Nami agreed. “Thought the meeting’s gonna take long enough for me to slipped out of here without you knowing and just leave you something as a thank you.”

“Didn’t take that long,” Zoro grunted and he reached beside him to pull open the smartly hidden cabinet which stored liquor bottles. He grabbed a glass and poured himself a drink from a bottle he just randomly grabbed. “Besides, Bartolomeo ratted you out.”

“Tch! I knew he would,” Nami said, playing with the bubbly foam in front of her. “He’s more scared of you than me.”

“Hnnn…”

“Don’t be too hard on him. It’s not his fault you lost your keys.”

Zoro was halfway into bringing his glass to his mouth to drink. “I’m not. And I told him I know you filched it.”

Nami smiled haughtily at him. “Maybe you should stop leaving it carelessly anywhere?”

“Tch.”

“Can I have my me time now Zoro?” She shot him her signature pleading look that never fails to make any man a putty in her hands… well except Zoro. “I promise I’ll get out of your hair as soon as I’m done.”

Zoro scrutinized her from the rim of the glass he’s drinking. Then he sighed.

“Fine. Do whatever you want.”

She blew him a kiss. “Thank you! Feel free to enjoy the steaks I brought. They are inside the paper bag. I already set the table for you in case you want to eat like you’re out on a date tonight.”

“It’s not a date if you’re alone.” Zoro grunted.

“Oh?” Nami intoned as a Cheshire cat grin lit her face. "Want me to call for someone to accompany you?” She offered in sickeningly, sweet tone.

Zoro pinned her with an icy glare.

“Or do you want me to accompany you?”

Zoro was silent for a moment, observing her. Then he set his glass down on the sink countertop and folded his arms over his chest.

“And what will that cost me?"

Nami leaned against the tub again so she can look at him straight in the eye, resting her arms against the tub’s edge. This time her grin is more mischievous than ever. And so is the look in her brown eyes.

"Diamonds from Jozu Island.” She answered without missing a beat.

The green-haired man stared down at her with a serious expression on his face. He looked like he was contemplating. Then he pushed off the sink and moved to approach her.

Nami was absolutely beaming as she gazed up at him.

It was just a joke. She just wanted to see him lose it at her inane request. It just feels sooo good to tease him. She wasn't even sure anyone can when she first met him because he was so... expressionless.

"Consider it done."

She stared at him incredulously. Her jaw dropped open from astonishment at his answer.

"Eeeh?!"

"You want it. You'll get it."

That was all he said before he leaned down and captured her lips with his.

Stunned she maybe at what he said, she was still able to return his kiss eagerly. To be honest, she had been craving for it, for him, all night.

She was searching for him back at the party all night with the intention of pulling him in one of the deserted rooms. But certain responsibilities had prevented her from doing so. She then decided to just head back to her apartment and call it a night.

When she realized she had his house keys… she changed her plans. It was a long shot since Luffy’s meetings are notoriously long. She had little hope that Zoro will come home tonight.

But thank her lucky stars…

She couldn’t pinpoint when was that exact moment when something between them shifted.

All she knows is that it’s not the same as it was.

He only need to ask her and she would gladly join him for a late night dinner downstairs, even without those diamonds. She didn’t fix it just for one after all.

His fingers tangled along her wet hair and she vaguely felt him almost lifting her out of tub with the way he pulled her closer to him as he kissed her deeper. She fervently opened her mouth for him, so she can taste the alcohol he just had—still on his tongue—and him again and again.

When he pulled away, Nami can see familiar heat behind his grey eye as he looked at her intently. She was still pressed against him. The front of his black shirt was now wet.

“Been wanting to do that all night.” He drawled before planting a soft peck on her lips. “Join me downstairs?”

Nami grinned. “Hmm… why don’t you join me here first?” She suggested, licking her lips as she traced his with her thumb. “You can either you take your clothes off or I will step out of this tub and make a mess on the bathroom floor.”

Zoro answered her with a smirk as he started unbuttoning his shirt.

She moved away from him so she can watch him undress and admire every inch of his insanely toned body.

When he joined her in the tub, she was immediately in his arms.

“I still want those diamonds Zoro,” she whispered to remind him.

Zoro stared at her amusedly before giving her that half-smile she immediately fell in love with the very first time she saw it.

“I know.”

Her laugh was cut off by his lips pressing into hers again.

[bradshawsbaby]

Movie night for Mr. & Mrs. Bradshaw?

The Bradshaws are watching While You Were Sleeping because I just rewatched it tonight and gosh, I love that movie! 😆

No matter how many times you watched this movie, you couldn’t help but cry at this same part every time.

Curled up underneath your favorite fuzzy blanket, with your head resting on Bradley’s shoulder, you found yourself sniffling softly as Lucy asked Jack if he could give her any reason why she shouldn’t marry his brother. The tears started flowing freely at Jack’s sad little, “I can’t,” as they always did.

Your husband turned his head immediately at the sound of your soft blubbering. His arm, which had been draped behind you on the couch, came to wrap around your shoulders. “Aw, honey, you’re not crying again, are you?” he asked, the tiniest hint of an amused smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “You’ve seen this movie like a hundred times! You know it has a happy ending,” he teased playfully, thumbing away a few of your tears.

It had been your idea to watch While You Were Sleeping for your movie night tonight, which Bradley had graciously agreed to despite having watched it with you many times. He was used to the waterworks at this point.

“I know,” you whimpered, lifting your head and wiping at yours eyes. “But it’s just so sad! They love each other, but they can’t admit it! And now she thinks he doesn’t care about her, but he does! He got her the Florence snow globe!” you babbled. This scene always made you so emotional.

“I know, honey. I know,” Bradley chuckled, brushing your hair back from your face and stroking your cheek with the calloused pad of his thumb. “It’ll all work out in the end though,” he told you, winking. “You’ll see.”

You laughed a little bit at that, knowing it was silly to cry over a romantic comedy you’d seen enough times to quote from memory. Bradley never seemed to mind, however. He always just smiled and held you a little tighter and reminded you that everything was going to be okay. That was one of the countless small things he did that made you love him all the more.

Snuggling into his side, you reached for the popcorn as the two of you continued to watch the last bit of the movie. By the end, you were grinning from ear to ear as Lucy and Jack shared a romantic kiss, while Bradley was grinning down at you, enchanted as always by how happy this movie made you.

“See? I told you they got a happy ending,” he joked, pressing a tender kiss to the top of your head.

“Hmm, guess I should have listened,” you teased in return, wrapping an arm around his middle and curling up even more snugly against his side as he traced slow circles on your upper arm with one finger. “You know,” you added, tilting your head to look up at him, “something new actually did strike me while we were watching the movie this time.”

“Oh, yeah?” Bradley asked curiously, raising an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

“Have you ever noticed that Bob looks a lot like Bill Pullman?”

Bradley was quiet for a moment, glancing at the TV screen and contemplating.

“Eh, I don’t see it.”

November OTP Writing Prompts

[kingwuko]

30

34

60

56

38

25

21

1

for the oc thing

i know its a lot i liked all the questions

AAAAHHH you wanted all of them here you go!!!

30. Your OTP gets to pick out each other's outfits; what is each wearing?

Y'all know Wu is getting Mako some pricey luxurious suit. Custom tailored. The works. Idk anything about fashion so I have no clue what it would actually look like but just. Super nice ya know. I think Mako would like Wu in something more casual and comfortable. I go back and forth on Mako's fashion sense, he's definitely got the cool guy casual look down in books 1 and 3 but that fucking crop top coat in season 2 lmao. I think he'd pick something straightforward and simple and functional for Wu and maybe it will have something fashionably questionable about it lol

34. Who's more likely to tell a dirty joke or story to make the other blush?

Wu. I know I hc Mako as being chill with his sexuality but Wu would just say something SO outlandish, I feel like, it might get Mako flustered, choke on a drink, etc

60. Who pulls the other closer when they’re sleeping?

Oh Mako definitely. He grew up sleeping on the streets with his brother he is attuned sleeping with another body, it's definitely an unconscious thing to make sure Wu is still there and safe.

56. What do they do turn the other on/put them in the mood?

I love my hc that Wu massages Mako's arm and I think it Does Things to Mako because he's not used to being doted on. And this might seem silly but I think Mako is showoff-y with his muscles for Wu. a little flexing and a wink is probably all it takes to get Wu going.

38. Who is more sexually experimental? Who's more vanilla?

This based COMPLETELY on the backstories I've crafted for them in Secret. so take it with a grain of salt. Mako is up for anything. Wu is more hesitant. I have reasons for this but the tldr is Mako grew up without shame regarding sex and Wu grew up with A LOT of shame. So it's not that he's vanilla exactly it's just hesitancy.

25. Do they have any hobbies they share?

Sure, they both like to read! They don't like to read the same things, but they'll be that old married couple sitting up with their reading glasses reading silently in bed before they go to sleep.

21. Who would get into a fight to defend the other's honor? Who tends to the other's wounds?

OK I know we're thinking 'Mako's the fighter here, he's the one who would get in a fight, right?' WRONG Mako will fight to defend Wu from physical danger but if we are talking defending the other's honor it's Wu. If someone insults Mako, Wu is ready to throw smoothies hands. And Wu doesn't know anything about first aid. He'd fuss over Mako if he's injured but he couldn't actually tend to his wounds. Mako knows all that first aid stuff he would take care of any injury Wu sustained.

Who would end a heated argument by defending their actions with ‘because I love you!’ ?

I think it's Wu that's basically canon anyway 'mako you know I love you' was right before a disagreement. I'm sure he'd end with an I love you if it was relevant too