#and my mother bought me clothes that are exclusively a size too small after asking me my sizing in front of the full family on thanksgiving

[futureghost97]

happy holidays

[mostlycompetentwriter]

The Dreamz

Pairing: Fem!Reader x Seo Changbin

Word Count: 2.2K

Warnings: Language, Smut

Genre: Established Relationship

Summary: It’s your first Christmas with your boyfriend, Changbin. You want to make it memorable and surprise him, but maybe it’s Changbin who’s determined to make it unforgettable for you.

A/N: This was written for @clandestine-lixie​‘s Smutmas Collab!!!

You were a sentimental person at heart, and the people closest to you had always entertained your tendencies to take things to the extreme, especially when they involved your firsts.

For example, when you were barely seven-years-old, you were over-the-moon excited for your first dance recital, and you planned well in-advance for the event. You put on a pre-show for your family members exclusively in the living room of your childhood home, and you demanded that everyone dress-up for the occasion (even though it wasn’t required); and after the show, you forced your mother to take you out for dinner where you ate far too many cookies while indulging a very sugary milkshake.

And this tendency for the extreme persisted well into your older age, illuminating some of the finer memories you had of your most special moments. Like moving in with your boyfriend for the first time when you threw an impromptu party that very same evening despite Changbin wanting nothing more than to collapse on the new king-sized mattress in your bedroom. 

 But at this point, the two of you had been living together for close to six months, and since this was your first Christmas together with Changbin in the brand new apartment you had leased together, you were determined to make it memorable.

Too bad Changbin was making things far more difficult than they needed to be, and you would think the man would know the finer details of Christmas tree decorating.

“No, Bin,” you sighed. “You can’t just put all the ornaments in the same area! They have to be spread out.”

Changbin chuckled when you snatched away the adorable BB8 ornament he had been attempting to perch next to the other droid. 

“Maybe you should do it instead,” Changbin suggested, and he was clearly amused at your frazzled attempts to decorate the Christmas tree.

“We should do it together,” you insisted, taking a step back to scrutinize the work you had completed thus far. “It’s important to make our first Christmas memorable.”

“Oh, I can make it memorable,” Changbin said with a cheeky wink, and he sat down behind you on one of the loveseats surrounding the fireplace. “We should start a new tradition,” Changbin continued, and he waited until you had adjusted a few more ornaments in place before giving him your undivided attention.

“What kind of tradition?”

“Let’s open one present tonight, babe,” Changbin said, and he was next to you in a second, reaching for one of the packages from the back. “Unwrap this.”

“Oh?” you huffed, accepting the present from him. “It sounds like you were already planning for this to happen.”

“Well?” Changbin shrugged. “We used to do this when I was a kid, so I thought you might like it...”

You sighed, feeling an insurmountable weakness for Changbin’s pout. “Fine,” you agreed, and you surveyed the pile of presents you had purchased for Changbin conglomerated together. “Open this one,” you said, locating a familiar package.

“You first,” Changbin said, and he pulled you down onto his lap with his present discarded next to him; clearly, this was meant for him to enjoy just as much as you.

“Eager tonight?” you teased him.

“This gives me reason to be,” Changbin said with eyes that were literally sparkling with mischief, and you were careful with the wrapping paper while finding yourself thoroughly amused by Changbin’s excitement.

“What is it, anyway?” you questioned aloud, reaching the small black box that had previously been hidden by the bright red paper. 

“You should find out,” Changbin suggested, even though he was already a step ahead of you in removing the tape holding the edges in place.

“Why are you in such a hurry?” you asked, feigning annoyance as you sorted through the tissue paper, feeling yourself start to frown when your fingertips touched what felt like the most delicate satin that you had ever encountered.

But the texture of the gift wasn’t enough to keep you from over-reacting to the scandalous revelation of what had been waiting inside the gift wrap. “Changbin!” you screeched, tossing aside the lingerie like it had physically burned you.

“Hey!” Changbin protested. “That was expensive!”

“You bought me lingerie!” you hissed, flinching away when he dangled the very tiny pair of black panties in front of your eyes. 

“You’ll look sexy in this,” Changbin purred, and he encouraged you to take it from him. “Will you try it on for me?”

“Try it on?” you repeated, hesitantly accepting the thin piece of fabric that might as well have been nonexistent.

“It’s a matching set,” Changbin said, and he reached over for the strapless bra that happened to be lined with a very delicate lace pattern. “I had a store associate help me find it.”

“You went shopping around a lingerie store with an associate?” you questioned, feeling a spike of unjustified jealousy. “She didn’t model it for you, did she?”

Changbin snorted. “No, my model is right here,” he said, taking your hand to fold the other barely-there piece of intimate fabric into your hand. “Please, baby?”

Had you already pointed out your weakness for his pout?

“Alright,” you agreed, whining at Changbin’s outlandish enthusiasm to see you practically naked in your living room. 

Ten minutes later, you found yourself fidgeting nervously in front of the floor-length mirror in your bedroom, tugging at the straps of Changbin’s gracious gift for you.

“Is it supposed to be this small?” you wondered because the panties barely covered your ass and the lacy top did little to protect your cleavage from practically spilling over the top.

“Y/N!” Changbin sing-songed from the living room. “Are you ready?”

“Give me a second,” you called out, huffing under your breath at the absurdity of the circumstances. “This ‘gift’ of yours isn’t very practical,” you continued once you left the bedroom and made the short walk to the living room where Changbin was waiting.

“Holy shit, Y/N,” Changbin said, and his eyes were already glossed over as they remained glued to your form.

“Hey! It doesn’t even fit right,” you complained, but you could tell the comment wasn’t even registering in Changbin’s lust--addled brain as he looked you over with a dark, studious gaze.

“You’re gorgeous,” Changbin eventually remarked, pulling you closer in spite of your protests.

You found yourself standing in between his thighs, trying not to shiver at the touch of his hands on your waist even though the fire was burning right behind you. “It doesn’t cover much,” you said, resisting the urge to wrap your arms around your torso.

“Exactly,” Changbin exhaled, and you rolled your eyes at the little things that impressed him. “Your tits look amazing.”

“Changbin!” you whined again, but this time he laughed and encouraged you to straddle his lap. “Is this really a gift for me?”

“Of course!” Changbin insisted, even as he maintained the appearance of someone who had just won the lottery, running his hands across your ass and up your waist to cup your breasts. “Come here,” he whispered, urging you to connect your lips with his in a heated kiss that betrayed the extent of the damage that your little show had done to Changbin’s arousal. 

“You’re hard,” you said against the taste of him, rolling your hips against his own just to feel the friction of his clothed erection against your clit.

“Can’t help it,” Changbin said, and he grabbed a fistful of your hair with a growl, pulling you lower so that he could speak directly into your ear. “Bend over the couch for me.”

You whimpered at the request, but you forced your legs to work in an effort to lift yourself from Changbin’s lap. It was hard to focus, feeling more and more wetness gather between your legs at his intense stare following you while you positioned yourself for him. “Like this?” you asked in a hushed tone, resting your hips against the arm of the couch and spreading your legs even further apart.

“Yeah,” Changbin agreed, and you could feel yourself growing excited when you heard his footsteps nearing you, hands rough as they gripped your hips in a vice-like hold. “Such a good girl for me.”

You nodded your head - it was the only thing you could do when Changbin was in this kind of mood. Because his desire for you promised all sorts of erotic temptations, and you could barely contain yourself when he started to roll your panties down your legs, fingertips following a sensual trail that left goosebumps in their wake. His actions were sultry and smooth, but there was a degree of hurried anticipation that had you swallowing hard when two of his fingers found their way inside of your already dripping cunt. 

“Fuck,” Changbin cursed, and you could only agree while cherishing the glide of his fingers against the walls of your pussy, stretching you out for him in just the way you liked. Because it made you feel full and desperate, and you were rolling your hips back against his shallow penetrations, allowing you to do most of the work while he no doubt watched from above with the same dark eyes that had reduced you to a moaning mess. 

“Changbin,” you managed around a groan. “Please fuck me.”

“Can I?” Changbin asked, but you knew the question was meant to tease you - a test to see just how fast you could thrust back on his fingers, crying out when he curled them just right to brush against your sweet spot. “Are you ready for my cock?” 

“Yes!” you sobbed, and Changbin was generous enough to have mercy on you in this pathetic state, pushing down his sweatpants just enough to free his erection, rubbing the tip against your entrance.

“I’m gonna ruin this pussy,” Changbin promised with a rough growl that was followed by the sudden slam of his cock deep inside, and he didn’t bother to wait for you to adjust to his generous girth, pulling back out before settling into a powerful and non-relenting pace that had you already seeing stars.

It was sudden, but generous, and you couldn’t help but think that his cock was made for you, stretching your tender pussy so well, accommodating his length and girth as your walls hugged his erection in a desperate attempt to keep him inside forever. Because it was where he belonged, and you were certain that there was no better situation than the one you found yourself in - splitting in half around Changbin’s cock as he pummeled his hips against your own, bruising your delicate waist and ass with his overzealous touches.

“We’re definitely keeping this set,” Changbin said, ignoring your whimper of pain when he snapped the band of your panties into place, toying with the lace around the edges. 

“Changbin,” you said. “I’m close.”

“Me too, baby,” Changbin said, but it was hard to tell since he hadn’t let up once in his brutal thrusts - like he was determined to reach as far as possible, touching places that he had never felt before, stuffing your pussy full of his cock while grunting with the effort of his movements. 

It was all a masterful trap to reduce you to nothing but tears, and you soon found yourself teetering on the precipice, sensing your orgasm just out of reach, until Changbin maneuvered his hand down between the couch where you both remained connected, flicking his thumb across your clit in a series of measured strokes that lit the flame of arousal threatening to burn you alive from the inside.

You cried out when your orgasm hit, reaching out to support yourself against the cushions while Changbin continued to chase his own high, stimulating you just right while you rode out the waves of pleasure before crashing against the shore - feeling utterly exhausted while he started to move you on his own, and there was a renewed strength as he moved you up and down his cock, faster and faster until you thought you might cum again from the effort.

But then Changbin’s hips stuttered against yours, and you could feel the evidence of his release as it warmed your insides. “Y/N,” Changbin gasped, and you took some personal triumph in the fact that he sounded out of breath, even after visiting the gym that morning. 

“Binnie,” you said with a mischievous smirk, collecting your breath and thoughts while he recovered from behind you. “Are there anymore lingerie sets under our tree?”

You knew it was a dangerous question, capable of setting him off once more, but Changbin merely collected you against his chest with a strong arm around your waist, lips brushing against the side of your neck. “Baby, I can promise you that you won’t be able to walk if I have one more go at this pussy.”

You moaned when his hand reached down to cup your heat over the very thin fabric of your new panties, sending you a very obvious message because Changbin never broke his promises. “Should we call it an early night?” you asked, turning around his arms to connect your lips. “The faster we go to sleep, the sooner it’ll be Christmas.”

“Shower and bed?” Changbin asked, holding you close while brushing his fingers through your hair. 

“Just your average Christmas Eve,” you said, and you could feel his smirk against your lips as he kissed you with the remnants of the passion from your earlier coupling, solidifying the fact that your first Christmas with Changbin was, indeed, nothing short of memorable.

[pterodactylterrace]

Guys Like You Chapter 11

Title: Guys Like You

Chapter:  Chapter 11

Chapter Summary:  I’ll be sure to mark this date down.

Rating: 18+

Warnings: Who would have guessed, I wrote another porn. So that, and tooth rotting fluff because I’m a soft slut.

{Prologue} {Chapter 1} {Chapter 2} {Chapter 3} {Chapter 4} {Chapter 5} {Chapter 6} {Chapter 7} {Chapter 8} {Chapter 9} {Chapter 10}

Henry really had thought of everything when he decided to 'redecorate' his home. Briar was in love with her Paw Patrol bedding and wasted no time in naming all the stuffed animals that now lined the shelf. She fawned over all of the new bedtime story books he had bought and stored in the night stand, quickly picking out her favorites, despite never having been read most of them. She squealed in delight when he turned on the fancy nightlight that projected different images onto the ceiling. He even got a couple spare changes of clothes for the girl.

While Faye loved the idea of him fumbling through the baby girl section, trying to figure out what size Briar wore, Henry confessed to ordering most everything online. He cited COVID as his reason for not going in person, but Faye had a feeling it was because he had no idea what he was doing in the girl's section. He only had two nieces, after all. He was just used to buying for boys instead. His nieces tended to have very specific wants. His brothers or his sisters-in-law told him what they wanted, and he supplied it.

That being said, he did a very good job preparing for a little girl. Faye found herself spending most of her time at his house after the first week. Henry only had a bag of dog food, a couple bowls for Kal and a dog bed at her house. He claimed it was all he needed to be comfortable, but Faye knew otherwise.

On the days they had stayed at his house, Briar almost never let him out of her sight. She loomed across the kitchen when he would try to cook. She stared at him while he read. She lurked while he played video games. Finally Henry invited her to watch him, the little girl all too happy to perch herself on his knee, happily cheering him on despite not knowing what was going on in the game. The few nights they spent back at their own home, Briar demanded to call Henry every night so he knew she was behaving for Mommy.

Henry was even thoughtful enough to clear out a drawer in his bathroom for Faye. She'd lived with a man before, and she always had to fight for her own drawer in the bathroom. She wasn't even asking much. She had a relatively small make up back considering her profession. She only wanted a place to store that, and her feminine necessities. Henry already had those in the drawer for when she needed them. All she had left to do was chuck her spare make up bag, a few hair ties and a brush into her drawer, and she was good to go.

Not to mention, the man had a trash can already in his bathroom. One that he knew existed. Even her father would regularly forget about the trash can in the bathroom growing up. Every Tuesday, he would go through the house and empty each of the smaller bins so he could take all the trash out to the side of the road for trash pick up day. Every Wednesday, her mother would ask him if he got all the trash cans. Every time he would assure that he emptied all of them. Then she would ask about the bathroom and he would stare at her blankly before finally mumbling a small 'oh'.

Finally, Faye reached a point where she couldn't hold it in anymore; her heart was about to explode if she didn't let it out. Henry had just put Briar and Kal off to bed when he found her, a crying mess on the couch. Naturally, his first instinct was to panic. Was she hurt? Did he forget something important? Was it their anniversary? Did they even have one? They've only been involved for a few months, right? Was he ignoring her? Did she feel like he was pushing her aside again? Ultimately, he took his brother's sage like advice that had been freely given at each of his other's brother's weddings.

"Faye, while I don't know exactly what I did wrong, I can see that you are upset, and I am sorry."

"For what?" She sniffled, popping her head up from her knees all to quickly.

"I don't know." Henry admitted, cautiously sitting next to her.

"Henry, I'm not upset. I'm the happiest I've been in a long time." Faye explained, only furthering Henry's confusion.

"Then why are you crying?" He asked slowly, growing more and more uncomfortable by the second. He knew females could be complicated, but how could you be happy and crying at the same time? Those were two opposite emotions, weren't they?

"I'm just really happy." Faye wiped at her eyes, scooting closer to Henry to lean against him.

"That doesn't explain why you are crying..."

"Haven't you ever been so happy you cried?"

"I've been so happy it's brought a tear to my eye, yes. Never full out sobbing like something horrible just happened. I thought I forgot an anniversary or something!"

"We don't have one." Faye pointed out, as Henry wrapped his arm around her shoulder to pull her closer.

"I'm sure we do."

"We never officially agreed to be exclusive or anything."

"Have you been doing things I should be aware of?" Henry asked, raising a brow as he looked down at her.

"No. Have you?"

"Of course not. I was under the impression we've been a thing for a while now. Unlike some people."

"You never said anything! You can't just decide we're a thing without telling me!"

"Well do you want this to be a thing?"

"Well, I wouldn't mind it..."

"Then let's just retro date it. What was a significant even between us? Me meeting Briar?"

"No, we just flirted a lot back then."

"True."

"When you asked me to spend more time here?"

"That's way too recent. We've definitely been involved longer than that. What about that night on the couch? When you started dry humping me during the movie?"

"That was a fun night." Faye sighed wistfully.

"Certainly sticks out to me." Henry agreed.

"Deal. We'll figure out what day that was and that can be our anniversary."

"I need to put it in my phone. If I forget I get the feeling I won't ever hear the end of it."

"Do you even know when my birthday is?" Faye asked suddenly, twisting in his embrace to look up at him."

"That would be another good date to put in my calendar."

"What about Briar's birthday?"

"Ok, that one I know! You invited me over to help make her a cake. And then Briar led me into your room right after you'd finished showering. God, that ass..."

"Focus, Romeo!" Faye giggled, playfully swatting at his shoulder.

"Ugh, not Romeo. Choose a different story, I don't want us to end up dead over a misunderstanding."

"Uhh... I'm drawing a blank. You go first."

"You started it, you go first."

"You know, it's getting kinda late, I should go shower before I get too tired." Faye excused herself, slipping from his grip and scurrying out of his reach before he could snatch her up again.

"You, Miss Warren, are a tease." Henry pouted, flopping himself against the back of the couch.

"I am no such thing." Faye gasped, slowly peeling her shirt up over her head. She let it fall silently to the floor, annoyed when her actions went unnoticed. She was in no mood to be ignored.

This time, she reached behind herself, unhooking her bra and slinging it at him, the supportive garment landing directly on his face. It took Henry a second to realize what was going on, picking it up and straightening it out, his mind quickly connecting the dots once he realized what it was. He was on his feet in an instant, growling as he chased his laughing prey down the hall.

He snatched her up around her waist just before she could reach the door, playfully biting at the junction of her neck. "Got you, you little minx." He growled, pressing a kiss to the mark he had left.

"Well that means you get to lay claim to me." Faye giggled, reaching back to cup the back of his neck, pulling his head down for an awkwardly angled kiss.

"Bedroom." Henry muttered against her lips, blindly reaching for the knob and pushing the door open. He set Faye down, swatting at her ass as she slipped by, eagerly following and locking the door behind themselves. By the time he had yanked his shirt off, Faye had already pushed her sweats and panties down, crawling up the bed and giving him a view he never wanted to forget, her glistening peach peeking out from between her thighs, her ass swaying delightfully as she moved.

"Condom?" Faye asked, settling herself down in the middle of the bed, propped up on her elbows.

"Side table." Henry responded, nodding to the table on his side of the bed as he got to work shedding the rest of his clothing. "They better fucking be in date." He added after a second of thought.

"How long have you had them?" Faye snorted, digging through the drawer until she came up with the foil packet.

"Not a clue. They haven't been seeing much use in the last year or so."

"COVID?"

"Fucking COVID." Henry grumbled, crawling onto the edge of the bed, his eyes slowly drinking her in.  He grabbed her by the ankle, reverently uncrossing her legs, his strong hands kneading into the arch of her foot as he laid gentle kisses along the ink decorating the top of it. "What's this called?" He asked, his fingers brushing across the design.

"Mandala." Faye explained, Henry nodding and pressing a gentle kiss to it and slowly sliding his hands up, crossing over to her other leg to trace his fingers over the owl.

"This is an owl." He stated definitively, pressing another kiss to her artwork. He then slid up more, nudging her arm out of his way to look more closely at the mermaid he had found before, letting his fingers trace over it, causing Faye to giggle and squirm. "And here is a ticklish little mermaid." He teased, kissing across her torso, just beneath her bare breasts, craning his neck and smiling proudly "Ah ha! I thought I saw something over there." He mumbled proudly, pressing a kiss to the small butterfly on that side of her ribcage, eliciting another giggle from the woman trapped below him. "A ticklish little butterfly! Any others around here?" He asked, pressing kisses back across her torso, wrapping his lips around a nipple when she shook her head.

His tongue flicked against the rapidly hardening bud, grabbing onto her arms and pinning them down when she began to squirm more beneath him.

"Now then, I know about this one." He continued, lifting her right hand to kiss at the leaves and vines wrapping around her wrist and thumb. "And you showed me this one." He pressed an almost reverent kiss to the inside of her forearm, gently moving her arms up over her head. "Now, I can think of one more..." He mumbled, sliding a hand beneath Faye's hip and flipping her over onto her stomach all too easily, managing to keep her trapped beneath him the entire time. "And that's back here." His fingers traced along the black and white depiction of a tree, winding along her spine, its branches reaching up to her shoulders.

"Any others I should know about?" He asked, sliding his hand beneath Faye's hips, trailing lower to slide his fingers through the slick heat gathering between her thighs.

"That's all." Faye moaned, grinding down into his probing fingers.

"You do have quite a few, Miss Warren." Henry finally conceded, his hand sliding back just far enough to roll her back onto her back. "But I would consider this a work of art as well." He purred, diving in to kiss and suck at her slick folds shamelessly.

"Oh shit." Faye panted, her back arching at the sudden stimulation. "Fuck, Henry. I want you now."

"Patience, Miss Warren. I'm going to need you nice and relaxed before you try and take me."

"Damnit, Henry!" Faye growled, using her legs to pull his face even closer to her core, effectively silencing him with her pussy for the time being. "I can sink the Titanic with how fucking wet I am. Now."

"So bossy." Henry tutted, using the leverage he had against her to push her knees almost to her chest, eagerly diving back in, licking, sucking and kissing like a starving man at a feast.

"Fuuuuck." Faye groaned, gripping the sheets with one hand, the other trying to grip the hair on the back of his head, only to be met with fuzz. "Damnit all!" She hissed, cupping the back of his head instead to pull him closer. Henry was all to happy to comply with her demands, even slipping two fingers inside her dripping entrance, curling them in search of the sensitive spot he knew was there, grinning triumphantly when she started squirming harder. One part of her wanted to go up into his teasing mouth. The other wanted to go down onto his wandering fingers.

Henry finally took mercy on her, latching onto her bundle of nerves and sucking hard, his tongue flicking over it as his fingers tapped out a rhythm inside of her, easily sending her toppling over the edge, leaving her a panting mess below him.

"I think you're relaxed enough now." He taunted playfully, gently moving to let her lay flat on the bed.

"I want dick." Faye panted, glaring up at him as he attempted to innocently open the condom, shooting what she assumed was meant to be a wink her way.

"What a coincidence, I just so happen to have one right here, wrapped and ready to go."

"Shut up and fuck me." Faye groaned, rolling her eyes at his antics. Of course, he would manage to still be a dork in the middle of having sex.

"Would you like to stay on your back, or do you want to try something else?"

"I don't have the energy to bounce around on your cock right now."

"Alrighty then." He half laughed, nudging her knees apart to make room for himself, caging her in below his body once again. "This might sting a bit." He advised, gripping himself by the base, sliding the head of his cock between her swollen petals. He slowly pressed inside, rocking his way in until the tip of his cock was pressed firmly against her cervix.

"Are you alright?" Henry asked, wincing when her nails dug even harder into his shoulders.

"Yeah." Faye forced out, trying to slow her breathing. "I'm actively being split in half, but yeah."

"I'm sorry." Henry murmured softly, peppering her face with kisses as he began to roll his hips. Not full on thrusting, no. He saved that for when she started to squirm beneath him, trying to get him to press against all the right spots inside her. Then and only then did he rise up onto his knees, holding her up by her hips to pound into her, her nails now scratching at the sheets.

"Fuck, right there!" Faye gasped, her back arching when he brushed against a particularly sensitive area. "Fuck, don't stop, don't stop!" Henry's head fell back at her pleading, loving how she kept begging for more, her pleas devolving until only his name, 'please' and 'more' fell from her lips.

"Come on, cum all over my cock. Let me watch you come undone." Henry encouraged, slamming into her harder until he felt her walls clenching around him, her head thrown back as she begged him to keep going. Henry didn't last long past her orgasm, finishing himself only a few thrusts later.

"We did it." Faye panted as Henry slowly withdrew, careful to tie the condom off and toss it into the bathroom trashcan.

"Did what?" Henry inquired as he crawled back into bed, letting Faye curl into his side and pulling the blanket over both of them.

"We finally had sex."

"I shall be sure to also mark this date on my calendar."

"Dork."

"Yes, but I'm your dork."

Taglist: @Xxxkatxo @Weallhaveadestiny @lunedelorient

[haro-whumps]

Box Boy Meeting Mama

(CW: slavery, dehumanization, creepy + intimate whumper, implied noncon, videorecording, possessive behaviors)

Tag list:  @thatsthewhump @whump-it @ashintheairlikesnow @fairybean101 @finder-of-rings @comfortforthepain @shameless-whumper @that-one-thespian @burtlederp @castielamigos-whump-side-blog @raigash @im-not-rare-im-rarr 

Part 1

“Mama! Mama!” Ren called to the open front door, bouncing down the steps excitedly.

Their mother was a stunningly tall woman, with heavy brown hair that waved like a product model and a solid, masculine build. Her shoulders were broad, her wrists thick, and she had a jawline that could only be drawn using squares. Although her skin was free of wrinkle or blemish, she could never be described as youthful, her presence heavy and sharp in any room she entered. Her color palette was almost exclusively red, with some black and rare gold, and anytime someone told her that a woman of her size shouldn’t wear high heels, she bought herself a taller pair.

“Hello duckling,” she greeted with a bright smile, hugging her child, the only person in the world who would ever describe her as warm or loving.

“Soren!” they called over their shoulder, only half-stepping away from their mother, “Heel! Position 1!”

Soren had been told he’d be meeting Ren’s mama that morning, and had been dressed up for it, wearing what could only be called a toga and gold sandals that stretched up to his knees. He rushed to them and stood with his feet slightly parted, arms at his sides, spine straight.

“Oh there he is,” she said curiously, eyeing him over as though to judge if his presence lived up to the rumors. He stood close to Ren, nervous around the looming woman, with her sharp eyes and strong arms. Ren was his owner, so of course they could do whatever damage they wanted to him, but they knew that to a whumpee, their mama cut a much more intimidating figure. She could do as much damage with a closed fist as Ren might with a belt. Maybe more.

“You’re right, the short hair really isn’t suiting him,” she commented at length, lifting a lock of Soren’s hair, which now skimmed his shoulders. The products were doing their job. She tilted his chin and her eyes lingered on the birthmark. “But you are a cute little thing, aren’t you pet?”

“Thank you, um, m-ma’am?” he said hesitantly, body tense, and Ren giggled.

“Aw,” Ren’s mama said with a knowing click of her tongue. “Did you call my child ‘ma’am’ and get scolded for it?” she asked with a small chuckle shaking her impressive shoulders.

“Uh--um, well,” Soren stammered, which was too cute, so Ren took pity on him and kissed his pretty temple.

“He’s been perfect, lately; hasn’t messed up since, have you angel?”

“No, Exalted,” he said, obviously relieved that Ren had stepped in.

“Oh, Exalted!” Ren’s mama crooned, “I like that, that’s so classy!”

“Thanks!” Ren said cheerfully, beaming up at her. “The other option is ‘Honored One,’ which I think has a similar ring to it.”

“Good choices, good choices,” she agreed. “Well, off to Sunday brunch?”

“Mm!” Ren hummed. They gave Soren a quick kiss to his cheek, petting his hair in a smooth, swift gesture. “Behave yourself while I’m out, Soren. I’ll be back in a few hours.”

“Have, have fun,” Soren said, glancing between them and their mama, timid around her, but that was fine. If Soren wanted to see Ren as the only safe thing in all the world, that was a-okay by them.

They climbed into the passenger seat of their mama’s red luxury car, one of the smaller ones today, and arranged their skirts around their legs. Best part of skirts: Ren looked phenomenal in them and they showed off their calves. Worst part of skirts: maneuvering in them.

“He really is,” Mama murmured as she started the car with her thumbprint, “That’s your sweet little Soren.”

“I know!” Ren said with a laugh, “I can still hardly believe it sometimes!”

“Well, he seems healthy and whole, at least.”

“Mama! Of course he is!”

She snorted and pinched their cheek, eyes still on the road. “I didn’t say I ever thought you wouldn’t take care of him, dumpling. But you know how those whumpee-vendors can get, sometimes. Every couple of months, it seems like there’s some new scandal that everyone just needs to flood the news streams with.”

Ren sighed knowingly, very put upon. “It’s true. I mean, really, you’d think we’d be past the whole ‘Oh hey let’s lose our shit over this’ phase of whumpees, right? They knew the risks when they signed themselves over, and it’s not like they’re actually people anymore.”

Mama hummed. “Do we want to go for cheese and pasta or are we thinking seafood today?”

“I could go for somewhere with refried beans and pork, if you’re up for it,” Ren stated.

“Oo, fancy today.” Mama threw on her turn signal. “Guaca Maya’s always a safe bet.”

“So, did I not, express, to Soren, enough, that I loved him and liked taking care of him when we were younger? Like, why didn’t he come crawling back to me?”

“Duckling,” Mama crooned, like when they were acting just a little unreasonable about how life wasn’t fair.

“It’s been bothering me since I found him, Mama. I would have forgiven him! He had to have known that, right?”

“Honey, sometimes poor people just… behave in strange ways. They’re not rational.” She gave their thigh a sympathetic squeeze. “The more you try to make sense of them, the more frustrated you’ll get.”

Ren sighed and stroked their brow, probably messing up their eyebrows but ah, such was life. “I know, I know. It doesn’t matter, I have him now,” they said, flaring out their fingers.

“And so cute, too; he’s so nervous!”

Ren giggled. “Oh, oh! Once we get seated I’ll show you; remember how I told you I was buying all those cameras?”

“Oh, that’ll be nice,” she said, parking the car. 

They were seated at one of the better tables, the waitress accidentally calling Mama “sir” before she noticed the mixup, and after they’d ordered their food Ren pulled out their phone and tapped through the application, searching for their boy.

“Ha, there he is,” Ren said, holding out the phone screen so Mama could look. “He really likes that balcony.”

“Good thing, too, his freckles are so pretty when they’re dense,” Mama commented, taking the phone in that way the previous generation had, instead of just looking while Ren held it. Soren was seated on a patio chair, plush but waterproof, and was dozing in the late morning sun. 

“I’m glad I got him the two in one sunscreen and lotion,” Ren remarked, staring gleefully down at the screen, chin in their palm. Even though it would be fun to poke and prod at the burns, they thought privately. Such things were not meant to be shared with their mama; she would scold them for casual violence. 

“You’re such a clever kid,” Mama said proudly, handing the phone back, “Always the most prepared out of all your peers, I don’t know where you got it from.”

“Statistically speaking, probably you,” Ren said, and they both laughed. Brunch went by pleasantly, the two of them catching up on the events of the week. Mama knew a good portion of Ren’s week, since they had kept on delightedly texting her throughout, but it was always fun to eat and chat. Mama enjoyed flaunting her wealth as much as Ren did, and tipped equal to the bill, then drove Ren home.

“Same time next week,” she said before they got out of the car, “But not the week after--”

“--because you’ll be overseas, so we’ll have to videochat,” Ren confirmed, leaning across the consol so she could kiss their cheek affectionately.

“You got it. Alright darling, have a good one.”

“Bye Mama!” Ren called brightly as they got out, and returned inside. Brunch with Mama always left them feeling pleased and calm, and knowing that they were returning to Soren left them positively bouncing, skirt flaring out around their knees. They went to the kitchen to put their leftovers in the fridge,

and their mood turned on a dime.

“What are you doing with those scissors!?” they bellowed, crossing the kitchen in an instant, catching him by the wrist so hard he dropped the blades, their nails pressing bleeding crescents into his skin.

“E-Exalted, I--”

“The fuck do you think you’re doing?!” they yelled, slamming that fragile arm into the pantry door, grabbing him by the front of his toga and lifting, furious, spots swarming their vision.

“Nothing! Please!”

“The hell does nothing need scissors for?” they shouted, their face so close to his that spit flew onto it. “Do you seriously think you can just--”

“Thread! There’s a loose thread!” Soren wailed, free hand desperately pressed against Ren’s chest. They stopped, breathing hard, rage still curling in them but paused, just for a moment. Soren hiccupped on his little sobs and shakily moved his hand to point at the strap of his toga. “T-*hic* There’s a l-loose thread, Honored One,” he said, lifting it so they could see. Thin, unnoticed when the clothing was delivered, hardly even visible without someone pointing it out. “I, I was snipping it. I would never hurt you, Exalted, Ren, please, I would never, I’m not a fighter, I wouldn’t hurt you, please,” his fingers curled in the front of their blouse, “please, never, never. I wouldn’t, Honored One, please believe me, I wouldn’t, I wouldn’t.”

Ren released his wrist, their fingers trailing down his skin and leaving bloody marks. They took a deep breath, and let it out, releasing his toga and lifting their hands to his face, cupping his cheeks. “Oh, baby,” they murmured, trying to calm their heartbeat. “Oh Soren,” they said, pressing up against him, his back flush against the pantry door, their face pressed into his hair. His gorgeous hair, that he wasn’t going to cut. He hadn’t even been thinking about it. His first concern was that Ren thought he would hurt them, use the scissors to fight; cutting his hair was so far from his mind it never crossed it. 

They stood there, pressed up against his quietly crying body, for an indeterminate amount of time. They pulled back when they were calm enough, and silently took the thread between their fingers. They leaned down and bit it, snapping it easily, and then kissed Soren’s birthmark.

“Go ahead and clean up the mess you made,” Ren said, glancing at their leftovers, which were now spilled across the kitchen tile. “I’ll go get some disinfectant for your wrist.”

“Thank you,” he said, high and quiet and Ren felt okay enough to smile at him. They kissed his pretty lips, thumbing at the tear tracks, half-dried, and left the kitchen. But not without first grabbing the scissors, taking the blades with them.

Next

[discyours]

I went clothes shopping today which is actually really big for me (I still don’t get out much + this is the first time I aimed to look for clothes that don’t exclusively serve to hide my body). I’m really happy that I went but it was also stressful as all hell. 

The first store I went to I picked up a pair of jeans that I was fairly sure would be the right waist size for me, and a sales associate instantly walked over to tell me that they would be way too big for me. I basically froze and could feel my face getting red from embarrassment while she started picking out jeans several sizes smaller. I just knew that they’d be way too small for me and I was so ashamed knowing that I was about to try these on and put her in the incredibly awkward scenario of having underestimated how fat I am. I felt guilty for tricking her into somehow not realising that I have massive hips. 

I tried them on and they were... too big. The smallest size in the store still left me with a considerable amount of spare room in the waistband. Then I felt really ashamed again because apparently my BDD is worse than I thought and I probably looked like a complete idiot for misjudging my size that badly. I was still strongly considering a pair of jeans that I, in hindsight, only liked because it was baggy enough to hide my hips, but I ended up leaving without buying anything. 

The next store I went to was even more stressful. My mom wanted to go in because she’d bought something there 40 years ago and wanted to see it again, but it was much more upscale than any other store I’d gone to. I initially walked over to the women’s section (they mostly sold jeans and the sections weren’t marked, so I didn’t know) and the woman working there quickly let me know that I was in the wrong section. That’s happened before so I wasn’t too embarrassed, but then she started asking what I was looking for and what she could do to find “this young man” some jeans. 

I got he’d a few times at the previous store but being that blatantly gendered really stresses me out when I’m trying to be okay with not passing. I don’t want to put people in the awkward situation of realising that they were wrong and I always worry that people will be angry with me for not correcting them. I don’t think she did change her mind even after seeing me in god knows how many pairs of overpriced tight jeans, but once I left the store that almost made me... sad? I’m at this weird stage where I’m still incredibly dysphoric and very much want to look male, but also uncomfortably aware that I’ve never tried to deal with my dysphoria without passing. 

The more the idea of reidentifying has been on my mind, the more I’ve started to wonder where the line of not passing would be for me. I’ve become... worried, I guess, that exploring ways of coping with my dysphoria without passing is not even an option for me (without performing femininity that is). I’m about 90% sure that the woman working at the store was a butch lesbian (my mother asked me if I thought she might be a “[lesbian neighbour’s name] type of lady”) and if even she thought I was male then who won’t? This seems like a really strange thing for a trans man to complain about, but I’m just really struggling to deal with not having as much control over how people view me as I thought I did. 

[poker-face-william]

Lanval was ten years old when his father told him that he would be Morgana’s guard instead of taking his father’s seat as Lord of Castle Fleur.

            “It’s not fair!” Lanval whined, stomping his foot hard on the red carpeted floor.

            Lord Forlæ looked up from the parchment on his desk, his eyebrow crooked at his eldest son. “You’re being given an honor far greater than a mere lordship Lanval.”

            “Being some girls guard isn’t an honor.” Lanval grumbled, looking down at his feet as he did. “Just because some old guy…”

            “That’s enough Lanval!” Lord Forlæ snapped. The man’s face twinged, before he sat back, taking a deep breath. He began to speak again, his voice more level, and gentle now. “The Wizard Ambrose entrusted the care of the late King Uther’s daughters to me, and only my eldest son would do for such a grand task.”

             Lanval kicked his feet, still avoiding eye contact with his father. “But, why?” Lanval asked, finally looking up at his father, tears beginning to well in his eyes.

             Lanval’s father stood up, almost running around his desk, and kneeling to hug his son.”shhh, shhhhh. Don’t cry lad, it’ll be alright.”

             “But, but… I just wanted to be like you daddy.” Lanval stuttered, tears streaming down his face now as his father held him tight.

             Lanval’s father pulled him, moving his hand in a circle on his son’s back as his son cried into his shirt.

Lanval was twelve the first time he met Morgana.

            The three sisters arrived on his father’s return from a hunting trip, in the small hours of the morning. Lanval was woken from his sleep by his mother, who had his armor, bow, and sword laid out for him.

             Lady Forlæ served as her son’s squire, as she clad him in armor bearing a crest different from her husbands, made specifically for the protector of the King’s children.

             Heading down the stairs, lanval and his mother made their way to the cellar where Lord Forlæ was waiting with the sisters. The oldest was maybe a year or two older than Lanval, and no taller than him. She was wearing a shabby brown cloak, but bits of a tattered red dress could be seen peeking out from underneath. She was holding in her arms the youngest sister, who couldn’t have been more than three years old. She was wrapped in an oversized cloak of similar cut to her sisters that was far too large for her. The middle child was holding the eldests free hand, and wearing a cloak that looked like it had once been a vibrant red, but had been ruined by hard travel, and had a large brown patch where a whole had been. Poking out from under her hood was long curly black hair, barely touched by the dirt that covered the eldest.

              Despite the vibrant colors of the middle sisters clothes, Lanval couldn’t remove his focus from the purple slitted eyes of the eldest girl. To him, it looked as if a powerful flame was burning in the amethyst discs as she stared at him.

              “Is this him?” The eldest asked, not taking her eyes off of Lanval

              “Yes Princess Morgana,” Lord Forlæ answered, gesturing to Lanval. “This is my son, Lanval Forlæ.”

              Morgana walked up to Lanval, leading her sister with her. “A pleasure to meet you Young Lord Forlæ,” she began, leading her sisters in a curtsy. “My name is Morgana Orkney, this is my sister Morgause, and the sleeping girl in my arms is Elaine.”

             Lanval bowed, keeping his eyes locked on Morgana’s. “The pleasure is mine your royal highnesses,” Lanval began, doing his best to remember his courtesies as they all rose back to standing. “I will give everything I have to protect you and your sisters.”

             “I am certain that you will,” Morgana replied curtly, walking back to Lord Forlæ who was finishing tying down a few crates to a small cart that had been fashioned to be pulled by an individual instead of a beast of burden.

             “You’ll have enough food for about a week, after that you’ll have to rely on hunting,” The man said, looking off into the darkness with a miserable expression on his face. The past year had not been kind to the lord, his blonde hair had gone almost entirely white, and his once bright and alert blue eyes had become sunken and dull. “Stick to streams and rivers if you can, it’ll be a good source of water as well as fish.”

             “I know father,” Lanval said, placing his mostly empty bag next to one of the small crates.

             “I’ve taught you the best I can,” Lanval’s father said, kneeling down so he was eye level with his son. “You’ll do me proud, I know it.” Lanval’s father placed a kiss on top of his sons long golden hair, before rising, his wife quickly filling the void, covering her son in kisses wet from tears.

             “I will see you again mother, I promise,” Lanval said, barely holding back the tears that were starting to fill his eyes. “Until we meet again.”

             Lanval took up the wooden handles of the cart, beginning to walk down the secret tunnel that would normally act as an emergency escape route in case of an invasion, but instead served as an escape for a different family. As they neared the exit, Lanval noticed that the sisters were beginning to lag behind.

             “I’m so sorry, you must be tired,” he realized, stopping the cart. “If you want, you can sleep in the cart, it won’t be too comfortable, but at least that way you’ll be able to rest.

             Morgana seemed like she was about to speak when Her younger sister tugged at her hand. She looked at Morgause, who seemed to whisper something Lanval couldn’t quite make out, then Morgana returned her attention to their new guard. “That would be most appreciated young Ser.” Morgana said, curtsying briefly before leading her sisters to the back of the cart. She tucked Elaine against Lanval’s bag, and then helped Morgause up, who searched for a comfortable position to lay down.

            “You should get some rest your highness,” Lanval urged as Morgana came up beside him.

            “You do not look terribly weak, but you are still just a boy,” Morgan said, grabbing one of the Cart handles. “If we are going until the morrow, you will need help.”

            “Your Highness ple…”

            “Call me Morgana,” she said, moving forward, forcing Lanval to as well. “It will make treating me like a person easier.”

            “Morgana it is then,” Lanval said, smiling at her as they walked out into the forests.

            Morgana starred at the boy for a moment, before smiling back.

Lanval was 14 when he first heard Morgana cry.          

            The small group followed Lanval’s fathers advice, sticking to the rivers as often as the cart would allow. For the first few days they stayed within Lanval’s family wood, making it easy to avoid people. Eventually however, they entered free territory, land under the rule of the Forlæs, but not exclusive to the family.

           The first time they had to go into a village was to sell their cart. They hadn’t gotten much for it, but they were able to barter for a few days worth of food. The farmer they traded with asked about where the adults were, but Morgana explained that they were setting up camp a few miles down the road, and that Lanval was enough protection for the time being. They all agreed then, that they’d make up a cover ahead of time from now on.

           The next time they visited a village was when Lanval’s armor began to grow too tight for him. They managed to find a farrier who was willing to break the steal down for scrap. Lanval requested that he could keep the thin green plate coat of arms that had been small for him when his armor fit, but was quickly becoming closer to a belt buckle size. The ferrier said it wasn’t worth anything to him, not any market for something like that in a village. That didn’t dissuade Lanval however. This money was extra more than anything else.

            They bought clothes for them all with their new found wealth, since even as scrap, Lanval’s armor had more value than most farmers would see in a year. They bought simple brown dresses for Morgause and Elaine, both too big for them, giving them room to grow. Morgana bought herself trousers, and a plain tunic, and Lanval got much the same. Lanval also took this opportunity to restock his arrows, and buy some extra rope, as their supply was beginning to dwindle.

            Almost a week later, Lanval took notice of how Morgause’s changed. She whined and complained about how she missed the pretty dress she had before, and no matter how much Morgana tried to console her, she wouldn’t stop. Lanval did his best to help Morgana by keeping Elaine entertained, but he’d always have to gather food.      

            On the days when they were in a good spot for fishing, he’d take Elaine with him, and even started to teach her how. He’d also take her to check the traps he’d set if they stayed somewhere long enough, being careful to carry her over any hidden triggers. Whenever he went hunting however, which was more often than not, he would have to leave her behind with her sisters, giving Morgana one more thing to worry over.

             It was the night after a particularly rough day, as Lanval was hunting most of it, and had only caught a single rabbit. They had all gone to sleep, their stomachs partially filled by the watery stew. Lanval was tracing the shape of the golden intertwining vines, his fingers bowing out as he reached the two leaves at their end. As his fingers reached the tip of the leaves, he heard a quick, sharp gasp from behind him. As he began to reach for his sword, he heard a muffled sob.

              Lanval played with the idea of going to her side, but thought better of it. Morgana was too proud, she would never admit that she was crying, and would be cross with him if he even suggested she had been. Instead, he concocted a plan.

              The next morning he made a fire to heat up what little stew they had left for breakfast. He then got ready to go for a hunt, saying that he might not be back until dinner time, and to eat some of the vegetables he’d gathered without him once it drew close to noon.

              Though he did fully intend to go hunting for game, his first mark was something different. They were near a larger village, which should’ve had exactly what he was looking for. He spent several hours looking and asking around, until he finally found his target. He spent all the gold that they had remaining, but he had ideas of other ways they could make coin.

              It was already past noon by the time Lanval made his way back to the woods, but the Gods seemed the smile on him this day. Mere minutes after he entered the brush, he discovered a set of buck tracks. He slowly followed them, deeper into the forest, an arrow half knocked in his bow. The sky was beginning to turn red when he saw it, a tall white tail, with antlers as majestic as the branches of the trees. Lanval said a quiet prayer to the goddess of the hunt as he drew his bow, and as he muttered the last word, the buck turned to look at Lanval with its big brown eye as Lanval’s arrow pierced it.

              Lanval slowly lugged the animal back to the camp, which was made easier by the whining coming from it. As he drew closer the camp, the noise suddenly dropped, and when he broke the tree line he saw Morgana, holding the knife they used for cutting the vegetables and skinning fish, Morgause holding her hand over Elaine’s mouth. Morgana relaxes her shoulders when she saw who it was, and Morgause let go of her baby sister, who ran up to Lanval excitedly, hugging his legs as he dropped the buck.

               “Careful kiddo, don’t wanna drop this thing on ya, do you?” Lanval laughed ruffling the little girls black hair.

               “I’m sowy Lanny, I missed ‘ou,” Elaine answered, burying her face in Lanvals pant leg.

               “I’m sorry, but I got something for you,” Lanval answered, separating the little girl from his leg and kneeling down, putting his bag in front of him. The little girl watched attentively as Lanval pulled out a small wooden figure of a hunter, as well as a princess. “Whenever I’m out hunting, you can play with these, okay?”

                “Sank you So much Lanny!” Elaine squealed, throwing her arms around his neck before running over to the fire to begin playing make believe.

                “And for you princess Morgause,” Lanval began, standing up as he pulled out a crimson cloak and handing it to the blonde. “Not as fine as your old dress, but I hope it’s some compensation.”

                Before he could even finish the sentence, Morgause was removing the pin from her old cloak, which she let drop to the forest ground. She rapped the cloak around her shoulders, pinning it closed, so posing with it. “How do I look?”

                “Radiant as ever your royal highness,” Lanval answered with an overly dramatic bow.

                Morgause giggled, running off to join her little sister as Morgana picked the cloak off the ground, shaking off the dry dirt.

                “Thank you,” she said quietly, folding the red cloak as she spoke.

               “It was no problem at all,” Lanval lies, placing his hand on his small belt pouch.

               “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but how much did all this cost?”

               “We still had some coin left after those gifts,” Lanval said before pulling out a small brass broach, with a small, unpolished amethyst encrusted in it. “But this took the rest sadly.”

               Morgana starred at the broach for a while, a rapid series of expressions going across her face. Lanval began to worry that he made the wrong decision when she gently took it from his hand.

               “My step father had a wizard named Merlin,” she began, taking off the cloak she was wearing, and putting on the red one, clasping it with the broach. “I would always study with him instead of my tutors. One time when we were talking about stones, he told me that Amethysts had the power to relieve stress, and negative emotions.”

                “I, I honestly just thought it would look good with your eyes.” Lanval said, rubbing the back of his neck and smiling awkwardly.

                “Well it’s sweet either way,” Morgana said, touching the cloak, that seemed to be too big for her even. “This was his.”

                “The wizard’s?”

                “No, my step father’s,” she said, looking wistfully at the broach before snapping back to reality. “What are we going to do about money? We don’t have much left to trade that’s worth anything to villagers, and going to bigger cities seems like a bad idea.”

                 “Well for starters, I don’t think we’re going to eat this whole deer,” Lanval started, gesturing to the buck. I can sell the half the meat to a butcher, the hide to a tanner, and the village physician should be able to make good use of the antlers. We won’t get as much as we did from my armor, but it should get us by until I find another one.”

                “What if you don’t find one while we are near a village?”

                “Well if the gods are kind, then that won’t happen.”

               “When are the gods ever kind?” Morgana asked turning away from him.

               Lanval wanted to say something to comfort her, but as he reached out his hand to her, he changed his mind, and turned back to the buck to begin field dressing it. “Sometimes.”

Lanval was eighteen the first time he risked his life for Morgana.

               They were nearing the border to Albion, and had made camp a few miles away from the wall.

               “So we have two options here,” Lanval said, unfurling his map next to the fire. “We can either try to scale the wall in between two checkpoints, which should be heavily guarded if news of the war is true. Or, we can take a chance that Lord Oer lets us through.”

              “Cynfarch was close friends with our father in life,” Morgause said, cheerfully. “And Morgana was engaged to his son Uriens

              “Though Lord Oer did not come to our step father’s aid when Gorlois Orkney attacked.” Morgana added, her brow furrowed as she stared at the map. “Though I don’t think scaling the wall is going to be easy either.”

              “So we’re stuck with two gambles,” Lanval said, looking at the tiny towers that marked the checkpoints, noting how close they were to each other. “Either we risk falling from a wall as some mercenary on watch cut our ropes, or hope that the reason Lord Oer didn’t come to your step father’s aid is because his keep was too far away.”

              Morgana starred at the map a while longer before looking over to her sisters. Elaine was nearing her tenth year, and though Morgause was almost Lanval’s age, she was frail and not built for climbing.

             “Let’s take our chances with Lord Oer,” Morgana said finally, looking over to Lanval.

             “Well, we don’t want to wake the Lord do we,” Lanval answered, rolling up the map and standing up. “We want him well rested, that way he’ll be in a better mood, more likely to let us past.”

             “Can you tell me a story Lanny?” Elaine asked, jumping up from her seat by the fire pit.

             “Okay, but you better go to bed right after, okay?” Lanval said, picking the little girl up before plopping down against a tree near the clearing center.

              Lanval began telling a story his mother used to tell him before he went on this journey, a lifetime ago. A story of a brave knight who fell in love with a faerie, and the jealous Queen who tried to come between them. Lanval was beginning to tell the climax of the story when the first arrow flew into the campsite, landing by the fire.

             Lanval quickly threw a blanket over Elaine, rushing over to his bow as Morgause screamed. The second arrow cane then, less than a second after the first, landing in Lanval’s shoulder. He let out a sharp gasp as his hand wrapped around his bow.

             In an instant he had knocked an arrow, and fired into the forest where the arrows had come from. He heard a scream, and another arrow came out of the forest, arched high and not hitting anything but dirt. Taking another shot in the same direction, Lanval heard the clink of steal on steal, as a man clad in black armor, an arrow in his white embedded in his white shield.

            “RUN!” Lanval shouted, dropping his bow and scrambling for his short sword. He stood up, putting himself between the knight and the sisters.

            The opposing knight didn’t give Lanval a chance to fight, throwing his spear at Lanval’s chest, but it still struck him in the shoulder without the arrow.

            Lanval collapsed to the ground, unable to keep fighting through the pain. He didn’t feel it when the black clad knight ripped the spear out of his muscle, tearing flesh and muscle as he did.

           ‘Black Knight…’ Lanval thought between the screaming in his head. He managed to turn himself so he could see the knights back. ‘Does he have a Lord? Is he a Black Knight?’

          As he watched him walk towards Morgana, who was throwing stones and sticks from the fire at him, Lanval was barely able to make out a black inverted v on his white cape, one raven occupying the bottom center, and two on either side of it. The sigil of house Oer.

          Lanval didn’t know how long he was out, but when he awoke, he was in a long dark stone hall, lit only by sparse torches. When he tried to move from his kneeling position, he realized that his arms and legs were chained to the floor, and the stress of pulling against them caused his left shoulder to go numb.

         “So the brave knight awakens!” A mocking voice said. It took a few seconds for Lanval’s eyes to adjust, but once he did, he saw a man a few years older than himself clad in all black besides the crest of house Oer emblazoned on his chest. He was sitting upon a raised dark oak thrown, cushioned with white velvet like material. Below him, was Morgana, wearing an elegant white and black dress, her only jewelry the broach Lanval bought her.

          “Are you alright Lanval?” Morgana asked, an expression akin to terror gracing her face for a moment before she composed herself.

         “I’m not dead yet,” Lanval joked, but the frog in his throat gave him reason to think he might be soon. “Are your sisters safe?”

         “The other Orkney sisters are comfortable in their chambers, no need to worry about them,” the black clad man answered, smirking down at Lanval. “I’d be more worried about yourself if I were you. You killed a king’s knight this evening.”

          “The King is dead,” Lanval answered, his brow furrowing as he looked up at the man.

          “Yes, King Uther died with no heirs, but the four kingdoms of the Angles need a ruler,” he said, standing up from his throne and extending his arms. “None of the other great Lords seized the opportunity, so why not me, Urien Oer of the Rheged. I was Betrothed to the late king’s eldest daughter after all, and now that you’ve returned her to me, I can be again.”

           “I am his step daughter Urien,” Morgana replied, removing her gaze from Lanval for a moment. “Any claim I give you will be contested by the same who would defy you without me.”

          “But it just might win over those who wish to fall in line, but fear to.”

          “And what if I refuse?” Morgana asked, putting a foot on the first step up to the throne.

          “Then I’d kill you, and marry Morgause instead,” Lanval lurched at this, pulling against the chains, but Morgana shot him a concerned yet stern look, that said stop. When Lanval obeyed, the smirk on Uriens face widened into a full smile.

          “Threats will not work on me Urien,”

          “Then perhaps a gift?” He asked, sitting back on his throne, crossing his legs as he smiled down at her. “I’ll pardon your pet of his crimes, maybe even knight him if that pleases you. I’ll even let you take him to your bed, as long as you have a son with black hair, I don’t give a damn about who the father is.”

    ��     “Hold your tongue!” Lanval snapped, glaring up at Urien, who simply smirked in reply before turning his attention back to Morgana, who had kept her gaze square on Uriens face.

          “What shall it be?” He asked, drumming his fingers on his arm rest.

          “He’ll need his crest back,” Morgana answered. “You May be knighting him, but he will be mine, and those leaves are my brand.”

          “Morgana, please don’t…”

          “It’s a deal then,” Urien said, standing from his throne and walking towards Lanval. “Brodwin, bring him his weapons and let him out of his binds.”

The black clad knight from earlier stepped out of the shadows, holding Lanval’s weapons in his left hand. He dropped them in front of Lanval as he bent down and unshackled him with a key he produced from a belt pouch on his hip. “Dat man ye killed was m’ friend,” he whispered in Lanval’s ear before standing and stepping back a few feet.

Lanval looked at his sword, to his bow,then up at the man standing before him, and then to Morgana, who had walked up beside Urien. Lanval grabbed his sword, stood up, and walked over to Morgana before kneeling in front of her, presenting his blade to her. “I pledge my bowand life to you, Princess Morgana.”

      Morgana looked over to Urien, a sly smile dancing on her lips. He nodded, approving Lanval’s appointment.

      “Rise, Ser Lanval,” Morgana said, taking Lanval’s bow and touching the tips to each of his shoulders. “You shall perform your vigil beginning midday on the Morrow once your wound has been properly treated.”

      “I’ll have one of my physicians look at…” Urien began, before Morgana cut him off.

      “I will tend to him myself,” she said as she helped him to his feet. “Please tell my sister the good news.”

      “They shall hear of our betrothal when the break their fast,”

      “That as well, of course,” Morgana replied off handedly as she lead her new knight out of the hall, all his weapons in hand. “We shall be in my chambers if you have need of us.”

       Morgana lead Lanval through the weaving halls of the castle up to the highest tower. They’d have to pause every few minutes so that they both could breath. Lanval tried to use those moments to talk, but Morgana would hush him, saying that he needed to save his strength.

       Once they made it to her chambers, that were large, and well decorated, but absolutely coated in blacks and grays with no room for any color, Morgana slapped Lanval hard across the face.

      “What was that for?!”

      “For being such a stupid, pig headed, brave, idiot!” Morgana replied, beginning to pace the room. “You could have gotten yourself killed.”

      “I promised I’d protect you with my life, I knew the risks.”

      “You were twelve!” Morgana snapped, turning back on him.

      “I’m not twelve anymore.”

      “Don’t remind me,” Morgana said, sitting on her new bed. “I took your childhood from you, it isn’t fair.”

      “You make it sound like you’ve had it easy,” Lanval said, sitting next to Morgana. “I didn’t say anything before, because I know how hard you try to stay strong for us, but when I can’t sleep at night, I hear your crying. Sometimes you’re awake, but usually you’re asleep, dreaming I think. You keep asking your father not to do something.”

     “Stop it,” Morgana said, looking away from Lanval. That’s different, you didn’t cause that, my fathers did, fighting over my mother, and now because of it our country has no king. And now because of you, the person with the best claim to the crown is Urien.”

     “Let’s not worry about that now, I have the beginnings of a plan to get us back on track,” Morgana said, her voice calm again. “Now strip.”

     “What?” Lanval asked as Morgana began unlacing the back of her dress.

     “I need to heal that wound, and it’s easier if the area is visible,” Morgana answered calmly, baring her chest as she pulled the top of her dress to her hips.

     “I guess that makes sense, but why do you need to be naked?” Lanval asked, pointedly keeping his eyes locked with Morgana’s.

     “Because I’m using magic,” Morgana answered, placing her amethyst broach next to Lanval. “Well, what are you waiting for?”

     “I’m sorry, I’m still confused,” Lanval stuttered as he pulled his shirt over his head. “Are you a witch?”

     “No, I’m a Wizard,” Morgana said, placing one hand on Lanval’s wound, and the other on the Amethyst. “A witch or a warlock gain their powers from a god, or daemon, I gained mine through studdy.”

     As she finished the sentence, she began repeating a phrase in a language lanval has never heard before. At first, nothing happened, but then Lanval began to feel an itching sensation at the edge of the wound. The itchiness became more an more intense as time went on, and slowly built to a burning. He grabbed her arm to try and get her off, but when he did, he saw that the torn flesh was moving from his shoulder up her arm. He sat there for the duration, paralyzed in horror as the wound moved across her chest, down her other arm, and then into the Amethyst.

     “There you go, all fixed up,” Morgana said before passing out into Lanval’s arms. He barely had enough time to move her to the bed before he slipped into unconsciousness as well.

Lanval was thirty one when he met the boy he’d call his son.

      Lanval was tending to his flock of sheep, enjoying the peace as he thought of his days as a Knight of the Round Table. As he brought them back into their pin, he noticed a man dressed in chainmail and a red padded hauberk emblazoned with the golden dragon of the Pendragons. In his arms was a small bundle of purple cloth

      “Are you Ser Lanval La Fey?” The man asked as Lanval closed the gate.

      “Never heard that name before,” Lanval replied, walking towards the man. “Though I can get a message to him if you need.”

      The man sighed, looking Lanval up and down? “She said you’d say that. Antonio Lincoln then?”

      “Now that would be me,” Lanval answered, leaning against his crook. “Who’s she, if I’m allowed to ask Ser.”

      “I’m not a knight Ser, but, the King’s sister Morgana,” the man answered.

      “Is that so?” Lanval said, resisting the urge to smile broadly.

      “Yes Ser,” the man said, looking down at his bundle. “She said that the notes would explain everything.”

     The man handed Lanval the bundle, which contained to letters, though Lanval didn’t notice them at first as he was distracted by the infant boy in his arms.

     “Who’s child is this?” Lanval asked, wide eyed. It had only been five months since his banishment, in he was certain that Morgana was not with child when he left.

     “All she’d tell me is his name was Thomas Arthur, and the letters had the rest,” the man said, bowing his head. “I’ll bring you an allowance on the month until you or the King say otherwise Ser.”

     Lanval watched as the man walked back to his horse by the road, his eyes still wide with confusion. The man came back after a moment with a waterskin that had a nipple like cap on it, handing it to Lanval.

     “It’s sheep milk, he’s still not eating real food yet,” the man said, looking down at the child. “I should be off now.”

     “Do you want to say goodbye?” Lanval asked, looking down at the child he was being given. “I need a few minutes to read these letters anyway.”

     “I would like that, yes, thank you,” the man answered, accepting the child back for a moment.

     Lanval took out the note that was labeled with a large 1 in Bedivere’s handwriting. It was all technical things about how much money he’d be receiving to take care of the boy, and a plan for raising and feeding the child. Bedivere did sign off his note with a bit of personal information. ‘I apologize for sentencing you to death due to the existence of a law as foolish as the disallowance of love between a Lady and her Knight, sincerely, Justiciar Bedivere Bedrysant.’

    Lanval chuckled at that, even when Bedivere was sincere, he couldn’t help but being proper. He put down the first letter, and looked at the second one. It was labeled with a large 2 in the swooping elegant handwriting of Morgana.

   The final line was simple, but it brought tears to the former knights eyes. ‘Your’s, now and forever, Morgana La Fey.’

    Eventually Andrew approached, kneeling down next to him. “Are you alright Ser?” He asked, rocking the baby back in forth.

   “Yes, just, tell her I feel the same, would you?” Lanval answered, taking the boy in his arms. “I know it sounds cliché, but this is the happiest day of my life.”

[allthevmff]

Scoobies in Neptune

by lateVMlover

I began writing fanfiction in 2010 due to my obsession with Veronica Mars fanfiction. Many of you may not know that the VM in my handle stands for that show. Although it's not even my top ten favorite show, I LOVED the characters that Rob Thomas created, so I spent years writing several stories only for Veronica Mars. In fact, I've written 1,259,643 words that were solely about Veronica Mars. Then I grew bored and now almost exclusively write Buffy the Vampire Slayer crossovers. However, I've had this idea for a story percolating in the back of mind for a few years now. I've finally put it down on paper.

This story is set after BTVS season 4 and Veronica Mars season 3. It's beginning in the summer after Veronica has left for her summer internship with the FBI. I've altered some key things in the Buffyverse. Faith didn't go evil in season 3, but instead was killed long enough to activate a new slayer. Kennedy is called in her place and makes Sunnydale so unbearable that the gang decides to move away. Neptune is not too far, and Buffy, Willow, and Tara transfer to Hearst while Giles and Faith are guarding the hellmouth in Ohio. Season 4 of BTVS had some serious deviations as Spike isn't a part of the story, and Riley and Buffy were never a couple. This story will not be as plot driven as previous stories. I'm focusing more on the two worlds being thrown together and new connections, friendships, and loves developing.

Disclaimer: Obviously, I do not own either Veronica Mars or BTVS.

I will be moving this story to the crossover page after a bit. It's just been so long since I've written anything for VM that I thought I'd start with it here first. If you are unfamiliar with BTVS this story might not be for you. However, if you know the characters from the show, you should have no trouble following it as it's set entirely in Rob Thomas' Neptune world.

Chapter 1: A Fresh Start

*****Neptune*****

Buffy looked at the small house her mom had bought in Neptune in satisfaction. The one-story dwelling was so much easier to unpack than their other place had been four years ago. The square footage wasn't that different from their old home in Sunnydale, but she did have a bit more space in her room. The third bedroom, however, was on the small size. Happily, they each had their own bathroom, so Buffy had no reason to complain. The large formal dining room that their Sunnydale home had boasted was absent from this house, but it had a large kitchen that their table could fit into as long as they kept the extension out of it. Of course, the main thing the house had was a large basement that she could use to keep up her training.

Her phone rang. "Hey, Will. Are you and Tara unpacked?" she asked. "I'm finally done."

"Not even close," Willow said. "Tara and I found this amazing coffee house by campus called Java Hut, so we're totally distracted. Things are so bright and shiny here, Buffy, so we're not sure what to do."

Buffy laughed. "I know what you mean. Just being away from the hellmouth makes me feel warm and happy," she said.

"Exactly!" Willow agreed. "The reason I called was to tell you that Xander called and said that he got called in for the interview for the maintenance team at Hearst. It's in five days."

"That's great!" Buffy said. "I can't imagine not having our Xander-shaped friend around. What about Anya?"

"Anya doesn't want to leave the hellmouth or her job. Giles made her a partner in the Magic Box before he and Faith left for Ohio," Willow said.

"Doesn't she know she will have to deal with Kennedy if she sticks around?" Buffy asked.

"Well, you know Anya. She'll just tell Kennedy exactly how she feels in that special manner of hers," Willow said in amusement. "Xander did say she threatened to get a vengeance demon friend of hers to hex Kennedy if she tried ordering her around again."

When Kennedy's bullying ways had made Tara cry a month before, a big fight had broken out. Buffy had already planned to relocate shortly after Faith had died and been brought back, thus activating Kennedy the Bitch.

"We can all learn from Anya," Buffy said. Of course, Buffy was action girl. Actions speak louder, and her leaving town said all she needed to say.

"So are we going to the beach this evening?" Willow asked.

"Most definitely," Buffy said. She said goodbye after planning where to meet up and then decided to go shopping for a new swimsuit.

She took a leisure stroll and thought about all the changes that had occurred the past year. After her second month in Sunnydale, Faith had been nearly drained by Mr. Trick. Buffy had thrown Faith over her shoulder and rushed to the hospital, but Faith had flatlined almost immediately. Luckily, they managed to revive and transfuse her. At her mother's instance, Faith had spent a week recovering at their house. The experience had bonded the two slayers like nothing had before. Because Giles had allowed Faith to stay in his spare room, Buffy had been really jealous of Faith. An only child, sharing didn't come easy to Buffy.

However, Kennedy, the new sixteen-year old slayer, coming to town had united the two slayers even more. She was such a stuck-up bitch that the two older slayers just could not work with her. Luckily, Kennedy showed up after graduation and their defeat of the Mayor. For the first time ever, there were three active slayers. Faith and Kennedy had come to blows three times before Giles and Wesley decided that the three of them needed to be spread out across the country. Buffy asked to be allowed to ease out of slaying if Kennedy survived her first year on the hellmouth, so Wesley and Giles had flipped a coin to see who'd get Faith.

Faith and Giles left right after Christmas at the beginning of the new year. That meant that Faith stayed in Sunnydale long enough to seduce Buffy's psychology TA, Riley, and found out he was hiding a very big secret. The military was playing on the hellmouth, and she and Buffy knew it was not a good thing. When Faith discovered they'd chipped a newly returned to town Spike, she'd been pissed—equating it with tying up a dog and leaving it to starve to death. She was going to put him out of his misery and stake him, but Buffy decided sending him to Los Angeles for Angel to deal with was a better option.

A new town was definitely the right way to go for her and her friends.

She was hoping that the new location would work some magic on her love life because Buffy was tired of being single. She'd had the one-night stand with Parker the previous fall and that was it. The very yummy Graham had asked her out, but after discovering his entire fraternity was a front, she couldn't trust him. Now she was ready to have fun or something real. Without the burden of the hellmouth weighing her down, she was free to be a normal college student.

Her mother had decided to leave the dangers of the hellmouth and move to Neptune with Buffy. Willow had been the one to mention Hearst to Buffy. The small liberal arts college was only an hour from Sunnydale, so Buffy could easily get there if Kennedy needed a hand. Willow and Tara had been very eager to leave with Buffy, joining her at Hearst.

Giles won Faith in the coin toss and moved to Ohio with her at the beginning of the year. Although Kennedy had arrived in town with her own Watcher, the woman had been too sensitive to the dark forces radiating from the hellmouth and had asked to be relocated. Her abandonment had worked to make Kennedy even more difficult. Faith, though, was loving being back in a state with real winter as the Boston native really loved the snow Ohio had.

Buffy missed Giles a lot. Although Wesley was better as a Watcher in his second year, she hated that Giles was so far away. Talking on the phone was not the same thing. She and her friends did go to Ohio for Spring Break, though. The hellmouth was much tamer than Sunnydale, but they slayed a few vamps while patrolling with Faith.

She found a shop that looked promising and went in. Neptune had outlet shops scattered around town. The ones close to campus, though, seemed to cater to girls Buffy's age. Luckily, her new house was only five miles from campus. For Buffy, it was merely a nice walk.

"Oh, this is cute!" she said as she grabbed a summer dress. She saw three more and went and tried them on. Her dad allowed her to use her emergency credit card for school clothes, so she didn't feel guilty when she decided to buy all four of them.

Then she went to the swimsuits. A murmuring voice caught her attention, and she looked up. A girl around her age and height was looking at swimsuits with a mulish expression on her face. The attractive brunette had blue tipped hair, which intrigued Buffy as no one back home put colors like that in her hair.

"I don't know why she expects me to waste my hard-earned money on stupid crap," the girl mumbled to herself.

"I take it you don't love clothes shopping?" Buffy asked, giving her a friendly smile.

"I'd rather have a root canal," the girl replied.

"I love shopping," Buffy said.

The girl looked Buffy over and smirked. "You would love shopping," she said.

"I'm taking that as a compliment even though I feel like you didn't mean it as one," Buffy said.

"Sorry," the girl said. "It's just you're wearing one of those cool summer outfits that makes a woman look sexy without effort. Your blonde and beautiful with the long, flowing hair. Are you an 09er?"

Buffy laughed, never having had someone call her beautiful as an insult before. "I don't think so. I'm Buffy. Buffy Summers. I just moved to town," Buffy said.

"Buffy?" the girl said with a smile. "Well, I think you'll fit right in with the 09ers. I'm Cindy Makenzie, but people call me Mac."

"Nice to meet you, Mac," Buffy said. "Do you attend Hearst?"

"I do," Mac said. "Computer science major."

"Oh, my best friend Willow is a computer whiz, too," Buffy said with a bright smile. "She's going to be going to Hearst, too. You might have her in some classes."

"Another girl in the computer science program?" Mac asked, her eyes lighting up.

"Yep. If you're not doing anything later, we're going to the beach behind the campus dorms," Buffy said. "I can introduce you to her and her girlfriend Tara. They are both taking a summer class, so they got into the dorms early."

"Well, I'm leaving in the morning for my family's summer vacation," Mac said. "But I can drop by and meet your friends."

"Oh, so you're buying a new suit for the trip? That's nice. Mine's like two years old," Buffy said. "But in my old town, I seemed to go from one crisis to another and no real beach time."

Mac had to revise her initial impression of the blonde Barbie with the ridiculous name as she was way too friendly to be an 09er. Openly admitting to struggles was also not an 09er trait.

"Where's home?" Mac inquired.

"Well, I was born and raised in Los Angeles, but when my parents split up almost five years ago, I moved to Sunnydale. It's about the size of Neptune but an hour from here," Buffy explained.

"The town with the weird outbreak of laryngitis?" Mac asked, intrigued.

Buffy was surprised she knew that. "Oh, well, yes. The town had a few weird and bad elements," she said.

"I'm not sure Neptune is an improvement," Mac warned. "The 09ers rule it, and there's oodles of corruption."

As no one could ever be more corrupt than the former Mayor of Sunnydale, who turned into a giant snake and ate students at Buffy's high school graduation, she wasn't worried. Of course, she said nothing about that. "What are 09ers?" Buffy asked, frowning. Mac kept saying it like Buffy should know, and she was starting to feel stupid.

"Neptune has two zip codes, 09 and 02. 09 is where the uber wealthy live like the Kanes," she said.

"I take it you're an 02er?" Buffy asked with a grin since she found this zip code division more than a bit silly.

"Yep. Class warfare is very real in this town," Mac said.

"I can't believe it's big enough for two zip codes," Buffy said. "Sunnydale has a USC campus and still only had one zip code."

"That's probably because it wasn't full of elitist snobs that got the city to alter the town charter and give a few neighborhoods their own zip code," Mac said.

"Well, we had a real gang problem in Sunnydale," Buffy said.

"We have that here, but they're not the worst thing," Mac said.

Buffy now had to wonder if Giles was right about Neptune not being hellmouthy. Then again, Los Angeles had no hellmouth, but it had a combination of evil people and dark elements.

The girls finally stopped gossiping and tried on some bathing suits. Buffy decided on a two piece and one cute piece while Mac got a dark blue on piece, not much different than her old black one piece. She refused a red one that Buffy tried to talk her in to buying. Her reluctance reminded Buffy a lot of Willow, so Buffy was quick to like the girl with blue-tipped hair.

Buffy paid for her purchases, and Mac gave Buffy her cell phone number. Mac couldn't believe she didn't have a cell phone.

"Me and technology are unmixy things," Buffy said with a careless shrug. "Willow and Xander, my other best friend, have them, though. If I'm not home, I'm with them normally." Cell phones were superfluous in her line of work. Of course, fighting would be hell on one. Now that she was not really slaying, though, maybe she should get one.

At her confession, Mac gave her a look of horror. "You're a luddite?" she asked.

"Since I know what that word means, no," Buffy said, grinning. "Willow called Giles, our librarian, that once as he called her computer that infernal machine. I can use the computer if I have to, but Will's so much better at it."

"So why bother?" Mac asked in bemusement.

"I'm action girl. I'd rather be running or sparring or fencing," Buffy said.

"You're a jock?" Mac asked in surprise, forced again to reevaluate Buffy.

"I guess you could say that," Buffy said. "But I'm not really into team sports. I did do cheerleading in middle school and ninth grade, but I got bored with it. The cheerleaders at Sunnydale took it way too seriously," she said, thinking of Amy and her mom.

"Hearst does have a track team and a fencing club you might check out," Mac said.

"Okay, I might," Buffy said. Not having monsters to slay was going to leave her with way too much energy. "I'm not really interested in competing, though. I just like things that are physical because I have way too much energy."

Mac grinned, deciding that she liked the girl with the totally airhead name. Clearly, she was no airhead. She might resemble another pixie blonde Mac knew, but Veronica channeled her boundless energy into doing a dozen tasks in twenty-four hours rather than exercise.

"I better head home and prove to my mom that I did buy a new swimsuit," Mac said with a sigh.

"See you later, I hope," Buffy as she walked out the door with Mac.

Mac assumed the woman would head to a car, so she walked toward her own. However, as she pulled out to the road, she noticed Buffy hoofing it, carrying her two bags. Frowning, Mac pointed her green beetle toward Buffy, pulling up alongside her. She rolled down her window and called out, "Buffy, do you need a ride?" she asked.

"Oh, no. I don't live far," Buffy said with an easy smile.

"What's your address?" Mac asked.

When Buffy rattled it off, Mac looked aghast. "That's five miles! You can't walk that far! Get in, and I'll give you a ride," she said.

"It's really no big deal," Buffy said, amused at Mac's look of horror.

"I insist," Mac said firmly. Buffy shrugged and got in the car.

"Well, thanks," she said. "I walked everywhere back home."

"Your friends don't drive?" Mack asked.

"Yes, Willow and Xander have cars," she said. "Sometimes, they'd pick me up. Mom dropped me off for high school, but I always walked home. Then I lived on campus my year at USC Sunnydale. I don't even notice the walking anymore." Five miles was nothing for a slayer.

"You don't have a license?" Mac asked.

"Nope," she said. "Mom says I'm too terrifying behind the wheel and refused to teach me after I dented her car that one time."

"They have professionals that can teach you, you know," Mac said.

"Yea, one day I suppose I'll get one of those," Buffy said with a grin.

Mac laughed and shook her head. "Maybe, this summer I can show you how to drive," she found herself offering. Normally, she'd never make an offer like that to a stranger. But the idea of a woman not being completely independent bothered her.

"My friends will tell you no to that," Buffy said. "Xander and Giles both tried. Giles has taught me lots of things, but he said that the world was safer if I stayed a pedestrian." Of course, she knew it had more to do with her slayer reflexes than anything else.

Mac pulled into Buffy's driveway and looked at the modest sized home—definitely not an 09er. "I just live three blocks from here—well, my parents do. I'm home for the summer but dorming it in the fall," she shared. "I can't believe you walked so far."

"I told you I have lots of energy. It didn't seem that far," Buffy said. I don't get tired like normal people."

"I so can't relate," Mac said dryly.

Buffy laughed. "It looks like my mom is home. Do you want to come in and meet her?" Buffy offered.

"Next time," Mac said. "If I'm going to have time to meet up with you and your friends later. I need to get home."

"Okay," Buffy said. "Thanks a bunch."

She got out of the car, waving to Mac.

Mac grove away, surprised that she made a friend so easily. It took her almost three years to make two friends in high school.

Of course, Mac had no idea how gifted Buffy was at seeing the best in a person and bringing it out for others to see.

As for Buffy, she skipped inside and happily shared with her mom all the details of her encounter with Mac and modeled each outfit.

Joyce happily listened and watched the small fashion show, so happy to see her daughter this way. It'd been years since she had seen Buffy so carefree and excited to be alive. The burdens of being a slayer were gone, and she was free to be young. For the first time in years, she was free to enjoy life to the fullest.

Joyce knew that moving to Neptune with Buffy was the right decision. Life was short, and Joyce didn't want to miss a moment with Buffy. She'd come too closing to losing her daughter too many times.

"I think this move was a good decision," she said to Buffy.

"Absolutely!" Buffy agreed. "A fresh start for all of us."

Buffy believed Neptune would finally be the home Sunnydale never was.

*****Chapter End*****

So what's your thoughts? Veronica will be in this story, but not until the summer is over. I hope you won't miss her too much, but when she returns, there will be fireworks. Reviews are the best. Thanks!

via FanFiction.Net: Veronica Mars, Last Updated http://bit.ly/2IkqBG0 April 8, 2019 at 03:02AM

[lendoco]

The Exclusive Metrological Tokens — Your Exclusive Benefits!

Metrology is really the mother of all sciences! If you ask me why, I will confidently answer: Because! After all, in the modern world it is simply impossible to live without accurate measurements! That’s why I am used to saying to my children: Love metrology like your own mother! Cause it really is!

Without the exact time Mom simply could not get up in the morning and wake you up to school in time, not to mention the fact that people simply could not come to their jobs without being late! And any work would be a mess and chaos... If there were no exact measures of length, how could a worker assemble a car or a tailor sew clothes to size? How to prepare a medicine if you do not know what substances and how much of it to take? And how to pay for your electricity bill if there were no electric meters? Or how to build a house or a bridge if there are no exact drawings and plans, or building materials that withstand the loads? But it cannot be this way — otherwise people would live in caves or dug-outs! And rivers would be crossed only by those who can swim... :-D

Metrology, in simple words, is everywhere where there are any dimensions and measurements. And for their accuracy any measurements need to be controlled from time to time! That is why metrologists are engaged in testing all devices that measure something. This is called calibration (verification) of measuring equipment. And we do not even realize that we meet Metrology every day!

For example, in a small Texas town Mom asked Peter to go to a grocery store for a pound of rice. Actually he was given a small handful. The salesgirl showed him the figure on the scales – exactly 1 pound. Peter had nothing to do but to believe her. When he came back home, his mother-metrologist was surprised that a pound in the store was so small... She went with Peter to the store to have them cinched. It turned out that the store scales had not been calibrated for three years! That fact explains everything!

Another example from Toledo: sisters Anna and Maria bought apartments under each other in a new building. Before buying a wallpaper industrious girl Anna took a tape measure and accurately measured all the walls. Maria thought: "Why should I climb the walls with a tape measure if Anna has already measured them? I'll buy the same amount of wallpapers and everything gonna be OK!" As a result Maria did not have enough wallpaper for each room. It turned out that the builders were to blame for the walls of different heights!

Not to mention that railroad and air transportation, TV-broadcasting and mobile communication, computers and scientific instruments would be impossible without precise measurements and standardization — Metrology is responsible for them.

Now that you understand the significance of Metrology, it's time to move to a project, which is based on it. It is connected with blockchain too. I’m talking about GMP ICO. Global Metrology Project (GMP) is going to run a network of metrological centers all over the world. Their services are in great demand in every country and in every branch of industry. That is why the investments in GMP tokens will pay off quickly.

A scientific platform for generation and implementation of 1,000 advanced projects will be the next step of the GMP project. Innovative clusters and business incubators created under the auspices of the GMP will nurture and develop new scientific projects. The implementation and monetization of new scientific developments will bring good profit. Thus your investment in GMP tokens equals to investments immediately in a thousand projects! The participants of the innovative clusters and business incubators will conduct new ICOs and distribute new tokens among the holders of GMP tokens. That is why the benefits of the latter will increase exponentially.

Everyone knows how important it is to get there in time to catch your luck. These days you are still having a chance to buy GMP tokens. I wish you not to be late with it as it means the security of your future well-being!

Author: Dickinson-Junior

submitted by /u/Dickinson-Junior [link] [comments] The Exclusive Metrological Tokens — Your Exclusive Benefits! published first on http://ift.tt/2lZ6zaq

[boxession]

Last month was my first time reviewing Pink Parcel. I was by no means a newbie to them and I was absolutely elated that following my review the lovely Laura has asked me to do a further 6 months for them! I explain to the man of the house that is like catching a very big fish, he relates (I hope).

This landed on my doorstep very early this month, and I wasted no time at all in telling our members that I had the goodies.

I unboxed this live on our Facebook Group, which has now been uploaded to YouTube, you can view this by pressing play below…

For those unaware of how Pink Parcel works, it is a monthly subscription service that not only includes a box of Beauty, Lifestyle and Food/Drink treats every month; but also the necessary items for when mother nature comes calling.

You can tailor the sanitary items to brand, flow and type (Tampons or Towels) and you also get a handy little discreet bag to carry them around in your handbag.

So What’s In the Box?

Lipcote Lipstick Sealer, Full Size RRP £3.99

Swiss Clinic Cleansing Spray RRP £18

Nail HQ All in One Oil RRP £6.95

The Beauty Crop Glamazon Stick RRP £9

Beautaniq Beauty Radiant Glow Face Mask RRP £4.44

Cuppanut Tea Ginger & Tumeric RRP £4.50 for 15 so worth 30p

Cocoba Truffles approx weight 12g (RRP £6.95 for 200g) so worth 83p

Total Value = £43.51

Sanitary Items I received:

21 Tampax Compak – Lite, Regular, Super & Super Plus Mixture

5 Night time pads

5 Panty Liners

Approx Value £4 altogether

Value of all items = £47.51

Cost of Box = £12.99

Saving of £34.52!!

So lets talk about the items. Firstly the Lipcote… oh my this takes me back to my youth. My mum used this when I was a little girl. I remember the smell! It still smells the same. I wanted to try this out of curiosity as I do love a red lippie. Who doesn’t? I pulled out my favourite bright red Estee Edit and used that followed by the Lipcote. Yes it still tingles; its not too bad actually, I remember it being worse as a child but I likely used it without the lipstick! I wouldn’t have gone out and bought this, but it has its use and I know so many people love this. I still got transfer onto my glass and a willing Mr Wilkes (pucker up!), but I am a Lime Crime lover and that stuff does NOT budge. This is staying in my hoard for now ladies.

The Swiss Clinic Cleansing Spray I haven’t got around to using as I don’t use Makeup Brushes regularly. It is quite expensive which hikes up the price of the box, and it is an unknown brand to me too which is never a bad thing. I am unsure yet as to whether I will use it but I do like the handy size of it. Us girls always need the extra bag space. I imagine this would be great to take on holiday and would last a couple of weeks at least.

The Beauty Crop Glamazon Stick is exactly my kind of product discovery. I currently use a Clinique Chubby Stick Highlighter, but they are quite chunky and not so handbag friendly if you are out and have only a small clutch bag. This one is fab, it is retractable (bonus), and the colour is bang on trend with gold being the in season highlight must have. I am very happy with this. I would love to see more from this brand.

The Nail HQ is probably the item I overlooked the most… I have my nails done every 3 weeks, they are my own nails so I do look after them as best I can. What an excuse for a mini pamper this was. So it has been over 2 weeks and I am due a new polish next Wednesday; but I thought it would be a great idea to test this out by giving them a spruce up pre appointment. I got out the OPI Hand Cream that came in my Blogger Bag that I was given recently at Professional Beauty Northern, and some nail oil I have not yet tested as I tend to buy the CND Solar Oil (it is not cheap).

I am so Impressed, you wouldn’t know that there is 16 days regrowth on these, they look fresh and bright. The Nail HQ dried within minutes and glided on with ease. I will absolutely be buying more of this when I run out, the price is so reasonable too. This is what I love most about Subscription Boxes… finding great items that you wouldn’t ordinarily just buy off the shelf.

The Beautaniq Beauty Sheet Mask – any excuse to get my mask on, I love a sheet mask as do lots of ladies in the BoXession group. This was the first item I tried from the box. It is Korean for a start which is a good sign, they are far better than the UK equivalents. I have tried in the hundreds, and these are always great and cheap too! The one thing I noticed straight away is it was a nice thick almost cloth like material. This means it soaks up more of the serum and it can then be absorbed into your skin.

The remaining serum after 15 (ok maybe 30) minutes, you rub into your skin in a circular motion. This left a tingly feeling which I presume was the plumping effect, it was  bit of a warm sensation. I accidentally got it on my lips and they were tingling too! I would re buy this, I wouldn’t hesitate to. If you haven’t tried Korean Face Masks yet then I urge you to!

Now I mentioned in my last review, I don’t drink Tea. I am a devout Coffee Lover. But I am saving these up for our Michelle who loves her flavoured and herbal teas, so the Cuppanut won’t go to waste.

The Cocoba I wasted no time in devouring. I love these, I am always so sad there is not more included though, but I guess you can’t just fill the box full of Chocolate (wishful thinking). I have asked the man in the house to add these to my Christmas list, lets hope he does not disappoint me.

The cost of Pink Parcel is £12.99 per month, this includes P&P. We have an exclusive discount code which is ‘BoXession2017’ for 20% off!. This makes your first box only £10.39!! BARGAIN!

I received some lovely money off coupons in this months box, 20% off Cocoba … winner!!  I will be using that or should I say the man of the house will be! ha!

My Verdict?

Pink Parcel you have spoiled me rotten, I have had a full on Pamper session out of this box. I can’t believe still that you fit all of these goodies into one tiny box!

The value is amazing, I say this time and time again like a crazy woman to our members. If you don’t use the sanitary products please buy this just for the treats, and donate them! Homeless Hostels and Foodbanks are crying out for items like these, it will give you a warm fuzzy feeling too!

I am itching already to see the December Box, I am literally like a small child … did someone mention the ‘C’ word, we don’t need the big man in a red suit ladies when we get treats like this every month!

Should you want to buy, you should want to buy!… The links are below as always,

Mel x

https://www.pinkparcel.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/pinkparcel/

https://www.instagram.com/pinkparcel/

Twitter: @thepinkparcel

Pink Parcel Review by Mel – November 2017 Last month was my first time reviewing Pink Parcel. I was by no means a newbie to them and I was absolutely elated that following my review the lovely Laura has asked me to do a further 6 months for them!

[cheapshop247]

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The dress I have on in these photos is a size 16, and I could barely breathe.  Lingerie brand launches body positive sizing to empower women “Not only was this annoying because I wanted to buy this dress, but so many women take what size dress they buy to heart. If I was one of these girls (thankfully I’m not) requesting a size 18 dress would seriously devastate me! “When I asked if this dress came in a 18 the store assistant said ‘Ahh yeah you have to go up a couple of sizes with these’. A couple?!? Going up three to four sizes surely should make you realise that you need to seriously sort out sizing!!!” And her post has certainly struck a chord with many other disgruntled H&M shoppers: “I’m not joking when I say that a size 12 dress I bought from H&M fits my 5 year old Daughter!!! Doesn’t fit me of course…” commented one woman. “I’m a size 10 and have to buy 16/18s in H&M!” said another. “I’m ‘too fat’ for this shop because of the sizing… It’s ridiculous and a big problem for influential young girls… It could have awful effects to some girls’ confidence,” pointed out one person. “I cannot buy H&M trousers for this very reason! When a 6/8 in topshop, I’d be lucky to get into a H&M 12!

For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/size-12-woman-hm-sizing-size-16-sort-sout-squeeze-into-dress-female-measurements-a7764511.html

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I think we left shortly after,” adds the 41-year-old from Glasgow. Her mother had no choice but to flee her abuser, but due to the unfit social care system they were plunged into poverty.  Male victims of domestic violence are being failed by the system “We moved to a refuge with virtually nothing. No toys and no clothes. I always remember my mum telling me not to get dirty, as she couldn’t wash my clothes. We had a room and the lock didn’t work. I think my mum had to place furniture in front of the door to keep us safe or at least I remember her moving furniture about a lot.” A shared bathroom with broken lock which she had to guard while her mum quickly had a bath is another of Harvey’s childhood memories. And having to eat her dinner in their small room because there weren’t any cooking facilities. And how unclean their new home was.  “I don’t remember meeting any other kids and it was noisy and scary, especially at night. My mum has seven siblings and growing up I did wonder why we didn’t stay with them or her mum, but I suppose we had to be somewhere where he couldn’t get her, and that would have been the safest place to be.” Harvey isn’t certain how long she lived in the refuge. Eventually, she moved in with her grandmother until her mother married another man, and forged a safe, happy relationship.  Gaslighting and how can it change a victim’s perception of reality “I’m sure I did understand the situation I was in otherwise I’d have forgotten about it by now, as it’s not something that was openly discussed throughout my childhood,” she adds.

For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/women-in-need-win-domestic-abuse-victim-fashion-help-families-violence-home-refuge-a7762931.html

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Filed under: Evening dress, women fashion Tagged: cocktail dresses