#This all got out of hand in the best way

[clickerflight]

Clove: Part 22 - Good Host, Good Guest

So.... after that last part I realized this story is going to be longer than intended, but I still have a plan so we're all good. Also, here's benny living out our intrusive thoughts. Touch the puppy

Masterlist - Part 21

Content: vampire whumpee, fae whumpers, intimate whumper, brain washing, charming, hidden injury

............................................

Benny walked down the hall, limping a little as he went. He dearly loved his wife, but she could always be a bit rough when she was excited, and the wounds he received from her didn’t heal quickly. Maybe he should talk to her about it? Just ask her to be a little more gentle with him? A headache made Benny stumble, leaning on the wall till it passed. 

What was he thinking about? It probably didn’t matter. All that mattered was talking to Ephraim. He had been relieved to hear his sire had made it back in one piece yesterday and Benny was determined to get in Ephraim’s good books today. 

Benny skirted around a group of fae that had gathered in the hall in front of the guest room and passed through the door quietly. 

“Lucky,” one fae said, annoyed as he did so. “I want to look at the new pets.”

That meant Ephraim told everyone to stay out of the room. As fae they had to obey so as to not break the rules of hospitality, but Benny was under no such contract. 

He closed the door softly and looked around. There were remnants of dinner on the table, ragged clothing strewn about on the floor, and the door to the bedroom was cracked open. 

Benny pushed it open to see his sire asleep, one arm over a werewolf. 

“I’ll be,” Benny breathed, using a phrase from his days as a human, dropping his posh fae accent in awe. He had never even imagined a werewolf this adorable. The little guy was snuggled into Ephraim, the softest golden hair falling into his face, soft golden tail curled over his stomach. Living in the fae courts had taught Benny the worth of pets, and while Benny had at first been something special because of his good looks, charismatic nature, and double fangs, this wolf was something else entirely. 

“Ephraim is going to have a hard time keeping you,” Benny breathed, brushing a hand over the tail to see if it was as soft as it looked. 

It was. 

Ephraim’s hand on his throat was decidedly not. 

Benny scratched at Ephraim’s hand as the vampire pinned him to the wall, fangs bared as the werewolf woke, wide eyed and even more adorable than before. 

Ephraim seemed to register Benny and loosened his hold on Benny’s throat so he could speak. “What do you want?” Ephraim growled, and Benny’s heart broke at the accusatory tone in his sire’s voice. 

“Just here to wake you,” he said, his voice only slightly raspy as his new accent filtered back in. “I don’t remember you being so jumpy, old man.”

“And I remember you having manners,” Ephraim snarled. “Do not touch him.”

Benny nodded. “Understood.”

Ephraim released Benny, turning to check on the pup who was curled under the blankets, one wide golden eye peering out fearfully. 

Benny took the moment to adjust his clothing as Ephraim murmured to the child. 

The werewolf pup extricated himself slowly from the blankets, revealing himself to be dressed in overly large garments from the wardrobe. Benny made a mental note to find something suitable for the pup. He deserved clothing that did his hair and fur justice. 

“Benjamin, this is G-”

“Hyrum.”

Benny caught the look of surprise on Ephraim’s face. Hyrum stared at Benny with distrust and some small amount of fear. 

“Hyrum,” Ephraim echoed. “Hyrum, this is Benny.”

Benny bowed, making sure to use his most charming smile on Hyrum. “It is very good to meet you, sweetheart.”

“Hyrum.”

“Hyrum,” Benjamin echoed in return. “Now, we should find you both suitable outfits for breakfast. My wife is calling together the high members of the court to discuss what happened yesterday and to outline that you are both guests here, so-”

“No,” Ephraim replied, moving to put some of the fallen blankets back on the bed. “We’re going home.”

Benny frowned. His head hurt. “Home? But this is home.”

Ephraim shot Benny a truly dirty look and Benny recoiled. “O-Okay. But you really should come to breakfast first, Ephraim. The Monarch expects it.”

Ephraim didn’t heed the weight of Benny’s words as he continued to tidy up and gather some things from around the room. 

“Ephraim.”

“We are not going,” Ephraim said, refusing to look at Benny. 

Benny felt something in his stomach he hadn’t felt in a long time. Fear. 

You’ve felt fear. You just can’t remember. Last night-

A sudden spike of pain in his head left him without the developing thought. 

“Ephraim, you don’t understand. The Monarch expects it. You commanded the fae to stay out of the room, yes?”

Ephraim hesitated, sensing the power in Benny’s words this time. He turned and nodded silently. 

“It is a part of the pact that keeps you safe. The fae are good Hosts, so they honor your wishes,” Benny explained. “But to keep the pact intact and to remain protected as a guest, you must be a good Guest in return. Which means you get dressed and meet with the Monarch and eat breakfast with the court. It is customary for guests to stay for at least three days as well. There are other customs, but I can explain them after breakfast.”

“And after the three days?” Ephraim asked, eyes narrowing. 

“You can go ‘home’ if you still want to,” Benny replied with a little shrug. “Or find a place in the court.”

“And if we break the pact?” Ephraim asked warily. 

Benny pouted a little. Why did Ephraim mistrust him? Was he still mad about not getting a message from Benny? Who held a grudge past a few hours? He supposed the fae didn’t, but he couldn’t remember what was customary for humans and vampires and the like. “Well, you will be in their power, obviously. You will be a pet to one of the fae in the court.”

Ephraim’s already pale face paled farther, looking down at Hyrum, who grabbed onto his arm, staring at Benny with just as much fear. 

“But that’s okay,” Benny reassured them. “If you make it through the three days then you can just become a part of the court. That is nice, isn’t it?”

“Going home is better,” Hyrum replied. 

Home this, home that. They were really set, huh. Benny couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so set on something. 

“Okay, fine,” he said, trying not to sound too dismissive. “Come with me, then. We’ll see if there’s anything in my wardrobe that would work for you two.”

Ephraim still watched Benny suspiciously, but put an arm around Hyrum and nodded. 

They followed Benny out, the fae crowding around them with interest. 

“Are these the guests?”

“Oh they’re just darling!”

“Is that a pup? Look at his hair!”

“And his fur. Oh sweet child. If only he weren’t so scratched up. Come here, puppy, don’t you want someone to make you feel better?”

Ephraim bared his fangs at the speaker, but that only got more tittering. “Oh how precious!”

“He only has one fang! How unique! He reminds me of dear Benny here when he was new.”

“Oh, yes. I‘m glad he has a longer leash now. He’s always such a pleasure to see.”

“Benny, show us your teeth, come on dear.”

Benny smiled at the fae, double sets of fangs showing making some of the fae almost swoon.

Ephraim was careful to keep Hyrum close as the fae crowded in. When he spotted a sneaky hand trying to stroke Hyrum’s fur Ephraim snarled again. “Don’t touch him.”

The fae withdrew her hand, pouting and Benjamin quickly said, “I’m sorry, Keena. He’s just overwhelmed. Would you let us through?”

The fae all complained but backed up to let them through. Benny smiled and thanked them all before ushering Ephraim and Hyrum down the hall. 

“They don’t mean any harm.”

“I don’t care,” Ephraim replied, feeling Hyrum trembling against his side. This was all too much after the day they had before. 

Conversation quickly died after that as Benny opened a door for them, letting them into his bedroom. His wardrobe was strange and confusing and Ephraim didn’t like any of it, but he picked something he hated the least, and refused to wear the cape. 

“Come on,” Benny whined. “You should wear it! The fae love seeing us in capes.”

“Us?” Ephraim asked sharply. “Vampires? As far as I’ve seen, they tend to prefer us dead.”

That quieted Benny, and he didn’t say anything as he offered outfits for Hyrum to choose from. Hyrum chose one in the same muted colors Ephraim went for rather than the blacks or the bright colors Benny offered. Benny was somewhat disappointed, but didn’t say anything for fear of incurring Ephraim’s ire again as he led them out to the banquet hall. 

They were seated near to the head of the table, just in time for the Queen to arrive. She walked smoothly over the mirrored floors, antlered head held high. She smiled at Benny and came to stand at the head of the table. 

Benny practically melted when he saw his wife, smiling back. There was a twinge in his injured leg when he saw her, but he deliberately ignored it. 

Silence fell over the table as the Queen stood there. She looked over them all and nodded. “It is well,” she announced. “It is time to eat and welcome our new guests. May I have your names please?”

“You cannot have our names,” Ephraim replied, coolly but politely. “You are allowed to call us Ephraim and Hyrum.”

The Queen nodded. “These are our good Guests, just as we are good Hosts.”

Sharp eyes turned at that, hungry and almost feral. Ephraim had a bad feeling a challenge had been laid down. 

“Now, it is time to eat!”

Part 23

Clove Taglist: @wolfeyedwitch @the-blind-one-speaks @whumpsday @extrabitterbrain @inkkswhumpandstuff

@honeycollectswhump @whump-blog-reblogs @pigeonwhumps @mj-or-say10 @percy-frayer

@currentlyinthesprial @scoundrelwithboba @whumps-and-bumps

[gardensofthemoon]

Jiang Cheng is so. Is just so. He’s WWX’s shidi. His Sect Leader. His brother. His not-brother. His best friend. His enemy. His executioner. His most important person. His chance at forgiveness. His childhood sweetheart. His estranged acquaintance. His wife. His ex-wife. His home. Always, always his.

[figofswords]

i know ive made myself the #1 izutsumi stan in the eyes of all of my friends and probably some of you online people but what if i became a mithrun stan. there is something about him that compels me. i just want to *clenches fist* put him on the drying rack. lovingly stick him into a tupperware for later. make him into. a broth of some sort. do you understand

[possamble]

I'm not allowed to be on social media for more than two seconds today but I just wanted to say that Laios will absolutely have his own reaction to all this as someone who would die for Falin but has also imprinted on Marcille as his Emotional Support Comphet White Girl Not-Girlfriend along the way

[dungeons-and-dragon-age]

"It's just you now. Take care of mother."

i have the normal amount of emotions about them (lying) <3

[softesttangerines]

As someone who LOVES a good old time travel au, and after seeing amazing fanart of kid!Mihawk i have to let it out!!

I just wanna read a time travel fic where baby Mihawk wakes up and finds himself in the world of adult Mihawk and he's like wtf is going on?

And word goes around that a kid that looks exactly like Hawkeyes and carries the same cross knife as him is roaming around this island and rumors say it's the son he abandoned to fend for himself.

And so, marines and every pirates he ever wronged come after him for revenge and the little guy is just thinking why is everyone trying to get me? While doing his best with his cross dagger to rid of them.

And Shanks, good ol' shanks could have sworn that if his old rival had an 9years old, he would know about it (also he refuses to let the bitter taste in his heart take over unless his own eyes see) so he's skeptical about the whole thing and that's the only thing that gets him to leave his hideout in a reclused ghost island waiting for whatever is his big plan to take place.

News say Red Shanks is on the move after being mia for a few years and everyone got their panties in a twist, what could have raised the emperor from the dead.

He follows from island to island because apparently the young boy knows how to avoid the marines and pirates coming after him.

Till one night, on their stop at some bar on an island that wasn't really on the plan, he sees the boy. Just outside the bar in an alley, where he went to empty his guts from the booze overfilling his body, there stood bloody faced, cross dagger in one hand, a tiny version of his old rival with a bounty hunter's body at his feet.

The boy furrows his eyebrows even more at the new arrival and strikes another pose in case the new guy tries something funny. But Shanks, drunk ass Shanks, who knows his rival by heart is a 100% sure the little guy is in fact his rival for whatever magical reason, there he stands in front of him in the form of an 9years old and Shanks giggles at that -to which the child takes great offense- and just say "hey kid, i'm a friend of your dad's, want me to take you to him?"

[pebblezone]

[hella1975]

all hate to tiktok for taking 'having a space to more openly and actively talk about different cultures' to mean 'cultures are NOT to be shared and we must be vigilantly defensive of our cultures for fear of appropriation, a word that can be applied to any multicultural interaction'. like of course cultural appropriation is a very real problem but ive seen with the access to global multicultural conversation that tiktok provides it's made people TERRIFIED to even interact with cultures other than their own for fear of 'doing it wrong'. like at some point you have to acknowledge that in the real world of the great outdoors, the majority of people are eager to SHARE their cultures. yes there are ignorant questions and biases but also... how do you think those things get unlearnt? i dont understand how deciding that multiculturalism is an elephant in the room instead of a normal thing that should just be talked about and lived with is supposed to benefit anyone? and kids on tiktok are CONVINCED that it's a time bomb of a conversation to have and therefore must be avoided at all costs but like. people generally LOVE their home and their culture and are PROUD of it and want to share it. how have we made it so that showing genuine interest and a desire to understand something so integral to a person's identity is now feared and borderline demonised?

[spaghett-onaplate]

depression is really weird actually wdym i spent 2.5 years of my life in bed

[astro-b-o-y-d]

How pissed do you think Shermie was when he found out about what really happened with Stan and Ford???

[urlocalwhumper]

here's more, sorry i'm obsessed lol

rayan belongs to @sowhumpshaped (even though he's never referred to by name here LMFAO)

nana loved everything about her new home.

it wasn't as big as her previous master's, but that hardly mattered to her at all. she wasn't allowed in most of that house anyways. but here, her new master had told her she could go wherever she wanted, just to knock first if the door was closed.

her new collar and tag jingled slightly as she wandered around, carefully exploring. their quick trip to the pet store had been scary and stressful for her - so many other pets and people, so many sounds and smells and eye-grabbing colors - but master had gently insisted on buying her a new collar, especially once he saw how raw and chafed her neck was under the too-tight leather.

her new collar was lime green and made of polyester, and sat around her neck loosely enough to not chafe, but tight enough to not come off. her new tag was shaped like a bone, with her name on the front and her master's name and phone number on the back. even something as small as that made her feel warm inside. her old master had never bothered putting any contact information on her tag, claiming that if she somehow got away, he wouldn't want her back anyways.

as both an apology for the ordeal and a reward for being such a good girl, master took her to pick out a new toy once they'd gotten her collar. she'd been a little overwhelmed at first, faced with an entire aisle of possible selections. she'd never had a toy before. but master assured her that she had all the time in the world to decide, and after a few minutes of pacing back and forth through the aisle, she returned to his side with a stuffed frog between her teeth. it was soft but firm, well-stuffed, and she liked the green.

"nana!" master called from another room, snapping her back to the present. "would you come here please?"

she obeyed, following the sound of his voice into the apartment's single bedroom. there, she found him kneeling and adjusting... something, she couldn't quite tell yet, over in the corner of the room.

"surprise!" he said happily, moving out of the way. in the corner of his bedroom, he'd rigged up a sheet to form a little canopy, and beneath the little sheet-tent was a soft, plush looking pet bed, with an equally as soft looking blanket draped over one half, and her stuffed frog sitting on the other. "it's your bed!"

she blinked, awestruck. her bed? this was all for her? she gingerly stepped forward, until she was close enough to climb into the bed, curling up with her frog in her arms and pulling the blanket over herself. peering out through the gap in the tent, her back to the wall and surrounded by a cocoon of warmth and softness, she felt her nose starting to burn and her single eye filling with tears.

she'd never felt so safe and loved before, and found herself overwhelmed by the onslaught of emotion. this is what she'd needed, all her life, this is all she'd ever wanted.

"do you like it?" master asked, peeking into the tent. he seemed saddened, but not surprised to see her crying. "oh, sweetheart," he soothed, "it's okay. no one's ever gonna hurt you again. it's only gonna be pets and treats and toys and soft beds from here on out, okay?"

his kind words only made her cry harder, but she eagerly nuzzled into his hand when he moved to pet her hair, hoping to convey the depth of the love and gratitude she already felt. she might have been weeping, but her tail was wagging so hard it had started to audibly thump against the wall behind her.

the two of them just sat there for a while while she cried, and master didn't stop petting or reassuring her for a single moment until she finally settled down, snuggling further into her soft bed as it finally hit her just how drained she was from the day's events.

"oh!" master suddenly exclaimed. "you must be hungry, it's almost dinnertime." he moved to get up and gave her one more parting scratch behind the ear. "i'm gonna go cook, you just settle in some more. or you can take a nap if you want, you look tired." he smiled. "i'll wake you up when it's time to eat, okay?"

nana simply nodded, huffing contently and burying her face into the soft fabric of her stuffed frog. she distantly registered master pulling her blanket more securely around her, before she was out like a light.

--

bonus

nana's frog:

[arts-i-enjoy]

AHHHHHH

[thegreenleavesofspring]

.

[brother-emperors]

Allow me, if you will, a moment to go absolutely rabid over your blog and everything that goes on here. I’ve always loved history but the USA hardly likes teaching anything that isn’t American History. I’ve forgotten how much I love WORLD history, specifically the rise and fall of empires.

I’ve been smothering myself in your posts and I love it ALL. JC, Pompey, Crassus, Sulla, Octavian, Antony, Cassius, and Brutus. Wow what a mood. You don’t miss on your references or your modern AU’s and I’m over here like- I’m trying to buy whatever web comic you put out, book you write, etc.

Also, if you’d be so kind to list some material with like themes to start breaking into these topics. Preferably materials in English or translated materials.

HELL YEAH LET'S GO

if you really want to start on the ground floor for breaking into something, I'd recommend my personal favorite approach which is picking the figure that's most interesting to you, reading through plutarch's biography on them (free! online! in english!) and then putting their name through a jstor search and reading whatever sounds fun.

other than that, the primary theme I've been wandering around in lately, so these are the materials I've been really enjoyed related to that:

The Deaths of the Republic: Imagery of the Body Politic in Ciceronian Rome, Brian Walters

The Game of Death in Ancient Rome: Arena Sport and Political Suicide, Paul Plass

Ideology in Cold Blood: A Reading of Lucan's Civil War, Shadi Bartsch

Statius and Virgil: The Thebaid and the Reinterpretation of the Aeneid, Randall T. Ganiban

Rome, Blood & Power, Gareth C Sampson

I also have a comparatives tag where I play connect the dots with texts that made my brain go brrr

[toytulini]

i may not be able to open posts from my notes or messages or get more context on posts via looking at the notes, but at least i can make fucked up coffee properly now

[caterpillarinacave]

So you choose not to step through the door, after all why mess with nonsense when you're already in nonsense? You check the items in your pockets, your phone you shut off to conserve power, the dog tag, key and top clink together but offer no help, and when you fiddle with the walkie-talkie you manage to get it to turn on, excitedly you call out to the void but only static responds, which is disappointing but predictable, so you put the items away and hunker down for the night, looking at the sky you can see that the stars seem strange, though you're no expert, and the moon seems to have a second smaller moon near it which looks pretty cool but is a stark reminder of how not on your own world your predicament has landed you.

In the morning you begin looking through the nearby bushes and plant life taking note of anything strange, you notice the berries you had been picking before you stepped through the door are also growing around here, they look and taste the same, and some other plants seem pretty similar to the forest from before as well, although the further away from the door you go the more unfamiliar plants you come across (of course that may just be your lack of familiarity with plants) and the few animals you have noticed are bizarre in a way that you can't explain, like the people from town, they seem almost perfectly familiar, just a little off and the noises they make have you thinking they wouldn't be able to communicate with their counterparts either, brushing aside another branch you come across a strange funnel made of metal which you pocket and what looks to be a regular whistle, you wipe it down and blow but hear nothing aside from the air going through, you consider it is either broken or maybe a dog whistle, as you go to put it away you hear something big running in your direction, before you can decide how to react a large creature storms out of the bushes and stops in the clearing before you, it's huge as a horse with paws and sharp teeth it licks as it looks around and spots you, it shakes its head again reminding you of a horse, then steps closer before turning and staring expectantly, you get the feeling it's waiting on you, impatiently, and you realize it seems to expect you to get on its back. Do you get on?

Yes.