#being made warm after being frozen to death

[mujhekyamaitosojaaungi]

*freezes to death* w-winter-r i-is bette-r

[malfoys-demigod]

“Wear a jacket, it’s cold outside”

☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★ Logan Howlett x Reader

Summary: Just a quick fluff drabble where the reader’s out admiring the morning snow, but also at the same time not wanting to admit she’s cold and of need of a jacket

A/N: Hi all!! It has been a while since I wrote. Life has been so hectic for me, but ever since I watched Deadpool and Wolverine recently, the love I have for X-men came back and I really loved seeing tons of Wolverine fics pop up!

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:· ·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:· ·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

There was always something magical about the first morning snow at the X Mansion that made Y/N feel like the happiest girl in the world.

There was that feeling of serenity and calm that comes from snowy environments which she loved feeling every winter. It would prompt nostalgic memories: childhood fun, holidays spent yearning for a white Christmas - it just made her happy.

So when the first snow arrived early in the morning, Y/N got up as fast as she could, slipping on her favorite winter boots as she made a dash out to the entrance of the X Mansion, only wearing her long-sleeved pajama top and jogging pants.

There it was.

A fresh blanket of snow, covering the whole landscape of the area, as more snow fell down gracefully from the sky. Y/N was enjoying the sound of silence - watching the snow flutter down like magical confetti, which felt so healing to her.

She watched as the trees were heavy with snow on its tips, smelling damp pine cones from a distance. She never felt so happy.

That was until she took a few steps outward from the driveway with her last step causing her to take a small slip into a soft blanket of snow. She was now laying on wet snow, laughing her ass off from being so reckless out of nowhere all alone. The gleaming snow around her was what made her choose to stay grounded on the floor, expanding her arms and legs as they made snow angel movements.

It was only a matter of time for Y/N to start experiencing the frost bitten feeling around her body, numbing her as she continued staying out in the snow without proper protecting from being frozen. Yet.. she didn’t exactly have plans on going back in to wear protective gear just yet.

Meanwhile back inside the X Mansion, Logan had just woken up from a surprisingly good sleep. He didn’t have any nightmares to fight off this time. He actually woke up peacefully.

He got up, wore his regular leather jacket, fixed himself up quickly, and took a look at his window, seeing white, as he discovered the first snow of the season.

What he then noticed after was Y/N, lying down on the carpet of snow, with a smile on her face. Logan swore he almost felt a smile on himself growing too fast for his liking. He always kept his relationship with Y/N to a friendly-teasing kind of thing going on, but deep down, he always wanted to see if he could have more than that with his colleague.

His face definitely returned to his typical serious form, as he took a closer look at Y/N… with tingling cold finger tips, shivering slightly. He wondered why she wasn’t returning yet inside to warm up, and a level of concern grew in him, picturing her as a poor, frost bitten kitten, who needed help.

He turned around and made his way outside at full speed.

The heavy crunches of the snow under Logan’s feet as he stomped towards her caused Y/N to sit up and turn around.

Logan huffed at the sight of his kitten, looking bitterly cold now as her arms were crossed tightly. “Kid, what the hell are you doing?”

She smiled childishly with pink spots on her cheeks, which Logan discretely found lovable. “Um, enjoying the first snow?”

Logan had a displeased look on his face, definitely due to her reply. “No shit, but ever thought of doing it with extra layers on? You’re gonna freeze yourself to death, bub. You don’t want the kids to wake up on the first day of snow and see their teacher frozen over, do ya?”

Y/N was too amused with the silly, impossible idea of turning into an iced sculpture to even notice the worried look Logan had on his face. “Oh come on, Lo,” she brushed it off, “I’m fine. A little cold won’t hurt me.”

Logan was about to protest until Y/N brought out a small sneeze. She pointed at him her best straight-face, wanting to speak up first after her ‘A little cold won’t hurt me’ statement.

“Shut up, Logan,” she commanded, “That was nothing. I’m fine.”

The secretly smitten man, rolled his eyes, not buying a single thing she said. “Alright, here we go” he said, pulling her up for her to stand on her feet as she whined, “Hey!”

“Wear a jacket, it’s cold outside.” He pleaded after she complained with her frowns.

“But I really just wanted to stay a few minutes longer then I’ll go back in,” she admitted, giving her best ‘Puss-in-Boots adorable eyes’ that made Logan want to fold so damn easily. But he shook his head, removing his favorite leather jacket, that he would never just give to anyone. Her few minutes were definitely not few minutes and he knew that.

“Take it and wear it,” he surrendered.

Y/N lightly gasped, knowing very well that Logan and his leather jacket were famously inseparable. She was too flustered to say anything at the moment, so she took the jacket from him, mumbled a thank you, and started wearing it.

Logan had definitely taken a liking to what he was seeing. She looked so good in his jacket and he was captivated by how adorable she looked, with the jacket looking slightly oversized on her.

Y/N felt her heartbeat move faster when she taken a notice at Logan’s fitted black shirt, outlining the muscles that attracted her since the first day they met. She looked away, looking down at her shoes, hoping her cheeks weren’t pinker than they were earlier.

“You wanna join me for those last few minutes?” She asked teasingly with a small smile on her face. How could he say no to her?

He ‘nonchalantly’ huffed a ‘kay and sat down with her on the ground. She shifted a little closer to him, her head leaning on his shoulder. While her eyes were focused on the snow in front of her falling from a distance, his eyes were on her, wanting to make sure he saw her reaction to when the shoulder she was leaning on moved up, as Logan started wrapping his arm on her, getting them closer than how they were just a second ago.

Logan smirked to himself, seeing how red-faced Y/N was now, still focusing her attention on the snow, as she was avoiding eye contact with Logan, who was now hoping they spend more than a few minutes cozying up together before heading back in.

Maybe after that, he could treat her to hot chocolate, because of course, it was cold and he without a doubt thinks it’s the only nice thing to do afterwards…! *wink*

@snackthatsmilesbackchlldren @iluvloganhowlett (shoutout to you and your amazing fic so far! love seeing your works!)

[fleurre]

HEART SHAKER ⟡ 𝒻. enha

premise ⸝⸝ things you do that make their heart flutter

enha x gn!r ◜ᴗ◝ fluff, est rel .. cw kissing, skinship, reader is described to be shorter than hee ✶ 1331 ’𝓈 : rbs&comments appreciated ! ( DAILY )

LEE HEESEUNG : when you pull him down for a kiss

your eyes widened in shock when heeseung snatched away the bag of snacks you were snacking on. 

“hee, give that back!” you shot him a frown, to which he returned with a victorious smile. 

“that’s for eating the last ramen packet yesterday.” he laughed, lifting the bag high above his head so you couldn’t reach it. you scrunched your nose, giving him a death stare. 

“you’re going to have to try harder than that.” heeseung teased. 

in response, you grabbed the collar of his shirt, pulling him down to eye level. heeseung breathed in sharply in surprise, frozen at the sudden proximity. 

he swallowed, trying to calm the sudden frantic beating of his heart. “this isn’t enough, sweeth—” he was cut off when you crashed your lips against his. his mind went blank, and his hands moved on their own will, wrapping around your waist to pull you closer. 

“you better try harder next time.” you smiled innocently at him when you pulled away from his lips, your snacks now returned to their rightful place in your hands.

PARK JONGSEONG : when you look for him in the crowd

ever since you started dating, jay has noticed a trend. 

no matter where you were, every time he found you from across the room, you would already be looking at him.

sometimes you’d immediately look away, trying to act nonchalant about being caught staring; but other times, you’d stare straight back at him. sometimes, it would be a shy smile adorning your face, your eyes crinkling up into a soft smile. but occasionally, your smile would widen into a smirk, and you might send him a wink, or even a flying kiss.

it took him a while to get used to your silly gestures before he gained the confidence to return them in the middle of a group of people.

but no matter how many times you send him hearts and kisses from across the room, his heart still flutters the same way when you did it the very first time.

and he might never tell you, but it warms his heart to know that you are just as enamoured over him, as he is over you.

SIM JAEYUN : when you tug the hem of his shirt

it was a little habit of yours that he found adorable. 

when the two of you go shopping, you would reach over and give his shirt or sleeve a little tug to get his attention. 

more often than not, you would be too engrossed in what was in front of you to notice that his attention was already on you from the beginning. but he likes to think of it as his little secret, watching when your brows furrow slightly in contemplation, and when your eyes light up in excitement when you find something you like. 

but his all time favourite thing to do is to reach for your hand after you tug at his shirt, intertwining your fingers between his before you could pull away. 

you would always give his hand a gentle squeeze in return, before showing him what you had just found.

“it’s perfect for you.” you said to him.

and he simply nods in agreement, because he’s willing to wear anything, as long as it made you happy.

PARK SUNGHOON : when you hug him in your sleep

“hey sleepyhead.” sunghoon whispered.

it was another busy day for him, and the first rays of sunrise were already peeking through the blinds when he finally cosied up next to you.

he held himself back from pulling you into his arms. he knew that you were a light sleeper, and didn’t want to accidentally wake you up just an hour before your alarm clock went off.

he let out a quiet sigh, finally closing his eyes after a long day, when he suddenly felt your arm slip around his waist.

you moved closer to him, nuzzling your face against his shoulder. your breathing was still steady, as if you had never woken up from your slumber, yet your arms were now holding onto him tightly, your body pressed right next to his. it was as though you had been waiting all night long, until you could finally cuddle up next to him.

sunghoon smiled to himself, letting himself wrap his arms around you and press a kiss to the top of your head.

“i love you.” he murmured.

KIM SUNOO : when you talk about him

this was a thought that never really crossed sunoo’s mind before. 

you were dating him, so of course it was natural for you to talk about him to your friends, even in passing. he never thought that it would be something that could make his heart flutter. 

that was until one afternoon, he spotted you in the cafeteria with your friends.

usually he would be running up to you already, calling out your name and giving you a big hug as a greeting. but today, he decided to sneak up on you to surprise you instead.

“he’s just so sweet and cute,” you gushed to your friends, “i can’t believe how i got so lucky.”

it almost felt like the world had stopped when he heard you. 

it was already enough to make him blush every time you compliment him, and hearing you say the same cheesy things you say to him in private to your friends just made his heart burst into happiness. 

“i think i’m the lucky one here.” he said softly, hugging you from behind and littering your face with kisses.

YANG JUNGWON : when you gift him things

it all started when you gifted him a bouquet of flowers after your second date. he had never expected to be on the receiving end of flowers, and it made him feel so special when you showed up with his favourite flowers.

he took loads of pictures of the bouquet, and tried his best to keep the flowers alive for as long as possible. 

and from that moment onwards, he loved it when you gifted him things.

or rather, he loves to know that he’s always on your mind. 

when you go to the convenience store and spot his favourite drink, you’ll get it for him without a second thought. or when you notice him eyeing something repeatedly, contemplating if he should buy it or not, he’ll find the very same thing on his desk the next day. 

but he loves nothing more than to receive something handmade by you. a birthday card, a scrapbook, or even a little note. whatever it is, no matter how big or small, he would treasure it with his whole heart.

NISHIMURA RIKI : when you hug him and won’t let go

this was one of the moments, when riki was giving you a goodbye hug outside your house, but you just wouldn’t let go of him. he tried to push you away, but the smile on his face was proof enough that he was actually enjoying this. 

“come on, it’s getting late.” he cupped your face in between his hands. 

“i don’t want you to go.” you mumbled with a small pout. 

usually, he would tease you about being clingy, but tonight, all he felt was butterflies stirring in his stomach. he felt heat rush up his neck when you tightened your arms around him, and in an attempt to hide before you could realise he became a blushing mess, he leaned down to kiss you. 

“there, happy?”

you sighed, finally relenting and dropping your arms. riki hated that the very first thing he felt was the lack of your warmth, and how he wanted nothing more than to pull you straight back into his embrace. 

“i’ll see you tomorrow.” he said, his voice soft as he waved at you.

though he wasn’t sure if he said that to reassure you, or if he was really just trying to reassure himself. 

[iggy5055]

Yandere Whitebeard Pirates X Reader Part 1

Summary: after (Y/N)'s older brother is murdered in cold blood she traverses the cold mountains of her island in an attempt to escape, only to be saved by some unsuspecting heros.

Warnings: gun shot, death, pain, trauma, lying, frost bite, start of emotional manipulation

_________________________

The cold bit into my skin as I do my best to remain awake. Despite being raised in such cold climates I found myself being caught unawares and unprepared. Trudging through the cold windy mountains with nothing on my feet. I couldn't feel my toes anymore, my feet starting to turn a nasty blue and black color.

My hair no longer blew in the wind, frozen to my skull along with my tears. I shiver violently as my body tries to warm me up.

Even from the mountain side I could see my village, in flames. With my vision blurry it almost looked like the sun was rising, but I knew I wasn't that lucky.

I try and make it to the other side of my island, hoping that I could find a way off it and away from all the carnage. It was definitely a rude awakening when I was suddenly shaken awake by my older brother, yanking me out of bed and trudging through the snow towards the mountains. With no explanation as to why, but once I was outside, seeing the fresh warm blood melting and staining what was once pristine white snow with cannonballs and bullets flying in any which way I understood why we didn't have time to put on our shoes.

Houses were burning to the ground as families screamed inside trying to find a way out. And for those who had made it out trying to stop the bleeding of loved ones.

Even only being outside for a few moments I could already feel myself shivering in my light sleeping clothes. My brother holding me tightly by my hand as he drags me around as fast as he can. Weaving thought small alleyways and streets trying to avoid whoever was attacking. It had been made clear to me it was pirates, despite living in the new world we didn't fall under any Emperors protection, and we fairly ever saw marines aside from the occasional ship doing to re-supply. If they ended up here they are almost always off course. we were very close to the calm belt and pretty close to the red line, hence we are pretty out of the way.

Being a small winter island in an out of the way corner of the world came with many benefits. We almost never saw pirates, our island wasn't anywhere on the way to the final island so there wasn't a point to coming here, and with the lack of pirates meant a blatant lack of Marines, we were never in danger so it was never needed. At least never needed until now.

Panting heavily from running around our small little village I could hear loud laughing, Suddenly my brother stopped just as we were about to leave an ally causing me to run into his back.

I gasped quietly as I stood behind him. I couldn't clearly make out what I was seeing, but from the sound of pained screams and cruel laughing I figured I didn't really want to know.

I hid my face in my brother's back avoiding whatever he was staring at. I could feel him start to shiver as he slowly crouched down, leading me down with him, but I knew he wasn't shivering from the cold, he was shivering from pure unbridled fear.

"(Y/N), we need to be quiet and we need to be fast. We have to sneak by them and get to the mountains, once we get past them we will be able to find a boat on the other side and run. Do you understand me?"

I quietly nodded into his back, wanting to avoid making any sound.

Slowly while still being crouched down we moved out of the dark alley. Despite the carnage now being clearly in my line of sight, I stare at the wall of the building we were crouching beside. The last thing I wanted to see was the deaths of my friends. The thought brought tears to my eyes.

"We're almost there, just a little more."

I try to quiet my sniffles, even if it is dark. The fires that have been spreading start to illuminate the village as if it were the sun, and the soft crunch of the snow under my feet that seemed louder than ever when we are trying to sneak around and be unnoticed.

"HEY!!!!!"

My brother whipped his head around looking behind up then down at me with panic all over his face and fear in his eyes.

"RUN!!"

We bolt off into the tree that surrounds the mountains, I turn back to look at who was chasing us and for a split second it looked like a girl with long half up hair in some kind of robe, pointing a gun at us.

Just as I turn back around and run with my brother I hear the shot of her pistol.

"ARGGGGGGGGH"

My brother screams as the bullet narrowly misses me and hits his left shoulder blade. He released my hand from his crushing grip as he collapsed on the ground, clutching his shoulder in pain.

I'm about to get down beside him and help before he yanks me in front of him.

"RUN (Y/N), DON'T LOOK BACK JUST RUN!!!!"

Tears pour down my cheeks as I feel my brother's warm blood stain the snow and touch my bare feet, warming them but sending a chill up my spine.

"no, I d-don't want to l-leave you."

My voice was choked with sobs, as I looked past him and saw the shooter calling over more of her crew.

"You need to go. Find the boat on the other side of the and run, don't stop till you find help."

"I can't"

I can't help the hiccups that come out as I beg for him to get up and come with me, to hold on and to run with me.

My heart was beating a mile a minute. I swear it was about to explode.

"Please (Y/N), I can't watch you die, run. Live for me, find peace for me."

His voice crashed as he banged me to run. I could slowly see that light fading from his eyes. The blood poured out of his shoulder like a waterfall, clearly it hit an artery. I sobbed loudly as I clung to him begging him not to leave me and to get up.

"HE'S DOWN, GRAB HER!!!"

I look up to see several of the pirates making their way over to me and my brother, the woman no longer pointing her guns but still holding them. Now she was accompanied by three clearly tall and muscular men, all coming out of the town and making their way over to us.

I looked down at my brother again, seeing his pale skin and his dark lifeless eyes grow cold as ice. I gently kissed his forehead with shaky lips before getting up and running as fast as I could, regardless of my gut reaching sobs and hiccups.

I could hear them chasing after me, yelling and telling me to stop. Once I was in the tree line I started to zig zag through the trees, trying to be as quiet as possible while also avoiding being shot. Once I was a ways up the ridge I looked back to see the flames of my home grow exponentially.

I no longer heard the yells of the pirates chasing me but I didn't want to risk it so I continued up the mountain, cold rocks and ice cutting into my souls. I was clearly making bloody footprints making it easy to follow but if I'm lucky I'll make it to the boats quickly, leaving no more trails to follow.

I continue hiking up the mountain shivering like a scared lamb, all alone with my consciousness beginning to fade. Black spots started to appear in my vision, fading and reappearing. Between my fading vision and the darkness of the woods at the dead of night I could feel myself fading bit by bit.

It couldn't have been more than a minute till I collapsed into the cold snow.

"N-no, I-I can't d-di-e h-here~"

My voice faded into a whisper as I black out unable to move any further. But before I had completely passed out I saw a great brilliant light of blue and gold. Maybe this was the end of me, I could feel my last tear fall, sad I couldn't fulfill my promise to my brother, I guess now I could apologize in person.

—————————————

Consciousness came to me slowly, my body felt numb, like pins and needles had appeared all over my body, my extremities especially. I tried to move, lifting my hand only for it to feel like they were trapped under boulders. I tried to open my eyes, only to shut them just as quickly from the brightness of the room I was in.

I groaned in pain, even just trying to move a little bit hurt. Warm tears moved down my cheeks. Small sobs escaped my horse throat. I felt something small hop up on my bed, I felt what seemed like a small paws brush on my thighs over and over. A quiet whine came from what I now assumed was a small dog.

On one hand I was glad I wasn't dead, but on the other hand I didn't know it was possible to be in this much pain. Through my small sobs I didn't hear the creak of a door opening or the gentle footsteps coming closer to the bed.

It wasn't until I heard the dog on my lap bark and growl a little at the new stranger I even noticed someone was in the room.

"Quit it Stefan."

It wasn't until I felt the bed dip from the man sitting down beside me that I tried to open my eyes to see who was there but it was all still too bright. Soft hiccups left my lips now as I cried and tried to speak to this stranger.

"Shhhh, pretty girl. it's ok."

The man above me gently cooed as he gently ran his fingers through my hair, giving my scalp a light massage. I tried to do what he suggested and took a deep breath, holding it for a second and letting it out again.

"There we go, atta girl~."

After a few more deep breaths I tried to open my eyes again, I did it slowly and kept my eyes squinted, I could make out tan skin and an orange, what I assumed to be a hat, on the man's head.

"Ohh, it's too bright isn't it, here, gimme a sec."

The weight was lifted off the bed and the dog gave another little bark at the man. I heard the sound of shades being drawn and the light shining through my eyelids diminishes.

The man walks over and sits beside me again. I felt his unusually warm hand being pressed to my cheek.

"Lets try opening those lovely eyes again, huh?"

I slowly started to open my eyes again, after a second of adjustment and waiting for my tears to slow I looked up to see a handsome man with a big grin looking down at me. Now that I could see him properly I saw his incredibly toned skin, skin that just so happened to not have a shirt on it. He had a dark red beaded necklace around his neck and an orange hat on top of soft black locks. Looking over to the paws on my legs I saw a little white dog with a crescent moon mustache.

Looking back over to the handsome young man I tried to ask him where I was and what had happened. The last thing I remember was seeing a bright light before passing out in the snow. But when I tried to speak all that came out was sad little whimpers that hurt.

More hot tears fell from my eyes at the pain, I tried to lift my hand up to my throat but it also wouldn't move.

"Ohhh, Shhhhhh sweet girl, it's ok, it's ok. Just breathe, I'm going to go get someone who can help you ok?

I nodded as much as I could as my head fell back onto the pillow as I closed my eyes again, trying to manage with the pain as much as I could. I could hear his footsteps walk out and the quiet latching of the door being shut again as I tried to comprehend what was happening and how I got here in the first place.

As the sobs left my body I faintly heard the dog the man before called Stefan whine a little as he crawled over to my face, licking away my tears for me.

After a few minutes I opened my eyes again when I heard footsteps outside my room before the door began to creak open. The shirtless man came back but this time he wasn't alone. Another man with blonde hair and an open button up shirt and a blue tattoo on his chest, a tattoo that I recognized. When the other man closed the door I saw the large purple tattoo on his back, the mark of Whitebeard. I was with pirates.

I began to thrash around as much as I could, which really wasn't much but it was enough to have Stefan jump off of the bed. My breathing was uneven as I started to hyperventilate as I tried to get up to run away. All I was really able to do was to push the blanket off of me a little before the blonde instructed the other man, who he called Ace to hold me down.

Ace ran over to me moving in behind me so I was leaning against his back as his two strong hands held onto my wrists. Having him move me into a sitting position was less than comfortable but it wasn't as bad as when I finally saw why I was in so much pain.

My fingers, toes and parts of my legs and arms were black and purple, a clear sign of serious frostbite. No wonder I was in so much pain. but what was I expecting? Passing out on a snowy mountain in your PJ's was bound to do some serious damage. Tears continued to fall as I 'thrashed' to get out of his grip.

I knew there was no point, my merger strength was nothing compared to a seasoned pirate, but there was no way I wouldn't try.

"Marco, do something!"

I saw 'Marco' walk over to me with a syringe filled with some kind of liquid, making me try and thrash around even more. As he got closer Ace pinned down one of my arms to the bed. I began shaking my head back and forth, begging them to stop.

"N-no please n-o."

I could nearly get the words out as I begged them not to do anything.

"Shhhhh, Baby Bird. You're ok. we aren't going to hurt you."

I couldn't help my body trembling as he motioned for Ace to hand him my arm.

"Deep breath Firefly, just take some deep breaths with me."

I could feel Ace's chest rise and fall as he took some deep breaths, encouraging me to do the same.

At first I refused, keeping my eyes trained on Marco and the syringe in his hand, waiting for him to stick me with it, wondering what it would do.

But after a minute or two of him staring calmly into my eyes, massaging my wrist with his hand I could help but calm down as Ace helped me breathe.

"There we go, Little Bird~. This is just gonna help you sleep a little so we can fix you up a little more."

Ace began to gently rock me back and forth in his arms as Marco managed my wrist, slowly bringing the syringe closer and closer.

Ace nudged my cheek with his, pushing my head to look away.

"It's ok Firefly, it's just gonna help you nap a little, you'll be up before supper.

—————————————

Waking up a second time was a lot less painful than before, if not a little more panicked, I was able to sit up by myself and when I looked down to see my hands. They were wrapped in bandages that went up most of my arms, the same bandages going up my legs. 

"Good to see ya finally up. Figured the dose Marco gave you wouldn't last too long, you musta just been really tired."

I gasp as I look to my right, seeing a tall man with brown hair, a goatee and wearing chef's clothes with a yellow bandana around his neck.

"The names Thatch, I'm Whitebeard's fourth division commander, I also just so happen to be the cook here on the Moby Dick."

My mouth hung open as I tried to figure something out to say, I couldn't help the trembling as another member of the Whitebeard Pirates sat in front of me. Talking to me as if we were friends. 

I looked down at my hands again, not knowing what to say to him. All I could do was fiddle with the bandages only for a warm hand to engulf both of mine, making me look back up at Thatch.

"Better not, Marco would have my head if I let you take off your bandages. He did his best to heal you but couldn't heal all of it, your frostbite was super extensive especially on your poor little feet. He applied some kind of cream all over the parts he couldn't fix right away before he applied the bandages. It would be best to just let it soak in and let it work it's magic."

He gave me a little wink before I slowly nodded at him, trying to subtly pull my hands away from him. His one hand completely eclipses both of mine but he wouldn't let me go, just giving me a little smirk when I looked back up at him. 

"Come on Buttercup, we better get some food into ya, you can't heal with an empty belly."

Once he mentioned food I realized how hungry I actually was, not just hungry but really thirsty too. I nodded a little, keeping my head down as I tried to swing my legs over the edge of the bed to stand up only for Thatch to let go of my hands wrap his arm around my shoulders and one under my knees. 

I flinched a little as he hosted me into his arms, my back was fine but my legs throbbed with pain. 

He cringed a little at the sound I made when he picked me up.

"Sorry Buttercup, I know it hurts but trust me, having you walk right now would be a hundred times worse."

I begrudgingly nodded my head. As much as I didn't like being carried around if just being picked up hurt, I didn't want to know how much it would hurt to actually walk around. 

Thatch smiled down at me and started to walk to the door, the second he opened it after adjusting me a little I heard barking.

I looked down to see the little dog Stefan jumping up at me, his front paws resting on Thatches legs.

I could feel the rumble of Thatches chest as he laughed at the little dog's antics.

"We had to keep him out of your room because he kept trying to take your bandages off, he really doesn't like them for some reason. But he's been guarding your room ever since we kicked him out."

Thatch walked down the long corridor and up a large flight of stairs. Stefan follows close behind. As he walked up onto the main deck I squinted my eyes. Wherever we were was hot, even as the sun was setting it was still so warm, a sharp contrast from my home island. 

You could see nothing but sea from all angles, no land for miles most likely. The sun looked beautiful, reflecting the sun and the beautiful colors of the sky.

"Hey Firefly! You're awake!"

Ace jumped off the railing of the ship and ran over to us. I flinched back as he came closer and reached his hand out to touch me.

His face flashed with concern, looking over to Thatch.

"What did you expect, Fire Fist."

He rolled his eyes but before he could say anything someone cut him off.

"She's hurt, in a new place and surrounded by new people, slow it down Ace."

Thatch turned slightly and I was just able to see over his shoulder, Marco was walking over to us. 

Ace nodded sheepishly. Marco walked in front of me, hunching over a little so that we were face to face, not giving me a whole lot of breathing room considering his last statement. 

"How are you feeling, Baby Bird? Woozy, dizzy, nauseous?"

I tried to turn my face away, almost nuzzling into Thatches chest but Marco cupped my cheek with his hand, gently forcing me to look at him. He lifted his other hand to my cheek, slowly turning my head side to side ever so slightly. His eyes examined every inch of my face.

He raised his eyebrow a little, waiting for me to respond to his question. Thatch gave me a little nudge, silently encouraging me to answer him.

"I.... I feel f-fine."

My voice was barely above a whisper. Marco tilted his head at me, clearly waiting for me to say more. After a few more seconds of silence Thatch decided to speak up. 

"Come on Marco, like you said, she's scared. I bet she'll feel more talkative once she gets some food in her system."

He signed but nodded, backing up a little, releasing my cheeks from his palms after giving them a stroke with his thumbs.

Thatch smiled down at me as I curled into myself as much as I could while being left and without hurting myself too much. It was uncomfortable being so close to so many dangerous and world renowned pirates. 

Thatch walked over to a pair of double doors, flipped around and pushed them open with his back and walked down a small flight of stars and into a mess hall, but not before shooing Stefan away, saying no dogs were allowed. 

Thatch when through another pair of doors leading to a beautiful kitchen. He walked us over to a countertop, gently setting me down on top of it before he turned and started to cook.

He walked down a pair of stairs, Marco and Ace following close behind once down I took a look around. the mess hall was completely empty. It made sense, with it starting to get dark, everyone would have had dinner by now probably winding down and doing some last minute chores before dark. 

I shivered at the cold counter touched the part of my bare thighs that wasn't covered in bandages. Ace and Marco stepped into the kitchen not too long after us. Ace quickly noticing the goosebumps that had spread all over my skin almost instantly.

"Well that just won't do."

He hopped up onto the counter with me and grabbed my waist, hoisting me to sit on his lap. I yelped loudly, partly in pain and partly in shock making Thatch look over his shoulder from his cooking only to smirk and look back once he knew I was 'safe'. At least in his terms anyway. On my terms on the other hand, this was less than ideal.

I adjusted myself in his lap a little but with his strong arms wrapped tightly around my stomach there wasn't much I could do. He rested his chin on my shoulder lightly. 

He felt warm, almost too warm, as if he had a fever. his body heat began to smother away the cold from the room. After a minute small flames appeared all over his arms. I screamed once I noticed, causing Marco who was leaning against the counter, staring at a clipboard I didn't notice he had and Thatch who was still making me dinner to look over at us. 

Marco was much more sympathetic to my fear. He stepped in front of me, holding my hands that had been trying to shove Ace's arms away from me, bringing my knuckles to his lips despite my harsh yanking. 

As I panic, screaming for him to let me go and trying to get out of his arms before I get burned I could hear Thatch laugh at my poor attempt to get away. I was clearly weaker than him but the injuries and pain from the jerky aggressive movement didn't help my struggle.

I didn't understand what was so funny. One of his cremates had just erupted into flames with me held in a vice grip and he was laughing. If I wasn't so scared right now and badly injured I would try to smack him, pirate or not.

"Shhhhh, baby bird. You're ok. Calm down."

"L-Let me g-go!!!!"

Ace leaned his head up, pressing his lips into my ear and whispering softly. 

"It's ok Firefly, just calm down for a second. Focus on Marcos hands, on my voice."

After another second of panic I calmed down a little, thought it was less me calming down and more me losing what little stamina and energy I still had.

Marco and Ace kept talking to me softly, coaxing me into relaxing as much as they could. 

"See Firefly? It's not burning you. We would never let anything happen to you."

I whimpered softly as they both held me close, keeping me from thrashing around. But at this point I don't think I could even if I wanted to. After a few minutes of Marco coxing me to take some deep breaths, Ace spoke up again.

"Do you know what a Devil Fruit is Firefly?"

I nod stiffly. 

Thatch came to stand beside us. A bowl of warm food in his hands. I stared at it longingly until Marco gripped my chin making me look at him again as Ace continued.

"Tell me what you know?"

After a few more deep breaths it was able to squeak out a reply. 

I could feel Ace nodding, his soft hair brushing my cheek as Marco gave me a smile. 

"They are magical fruits that give whoever eats them powers, but they can't swim anymore."

"Anything else?"

I shake my head. While I knew what devil fruits were I was never interested enough to actually learn anything in detail. and considering their rarity I figured I'd never come in contact with the fruit nonetheless a user.

"Well Baby Bird, there are a lot of different kinds of Devil Fruits. Some give you powers like super strength, some let you turn into animals and some like Ace can control elements, even becoming them if he wanted too.

I look back down at Ace's arms, the little flames still there. 

"I can control the heat of my flames, Firefly. I could use them to burn my enemies, or warm up those I care about."

Ace lifted one of his hands and covered it completely in fire. Marco took one of my hands he was holding and placed it in Aces. Ace linking our fingers together as I panicked before I realized that the flame wasn't burning me. Just warming up my hand.

"See Buttercup, we wouldn't do anything to hurt you."

"Now eat up, you can ask all the questions you want once you are done."

Thatch nudged Marco out of the way, causing him to let go of my remaining hand, replacing them with a warm bowl of soup. Ace still refusing to let go of my other hand.

—————————————

Once I had finished eating, after forcing Ace to let go of my hand so I could pick up the spoon. Thatch had taken the bowl and washed it, Marco taking his previous spot in front of me. I looked up at him. Not knowing what to do next.

He looks down at my arms and legs, before looking back into my eyes. 

"Before anything else I should check on your wounds and change your bandages. It's only been a few hours But I'd rather be safe than sorry."

I nodded at him, keeping my eyes down. As sweet as they all had been to me they were all more than a little intimidating. 

Marco huffed a soft sigh as he picked me up and started walking out of the kitchen much to Ace's displeasure. 

The second I was out of his arms the room seemed even colder than it was before making the goosebumps coming back with a vengeance. Once Marco noticed he leaned down and whispered into my ear.

"We'll also find you some better clothes."

As warm as it was earlier the night came with an uncomfortable chill in the air especially out at sea. I nodded silently and nuzzled into him a little. As scared as I was, being surrounded by unknowns. None of them had really hurt me yet and I didn't really have any option anyway being in the middle of the ocean and what not.

Walking down a bunch of winding corridors we eventually end up in what I assumed was a med bay. It was really big all things considered. Not something I thought would have been on a ship but considering how big the ship was and how many crew members were aboard it made sense. 

Marco set my on a cot closest to what I assumed was his desk. Behind it being several cabinets that lined the entire wall. Some of the doors had locks on them, others didn't. He walked over to one of the cabinet doors and opened it pulling out a small canister and some more bandages. 

He came over and knelt in front of me, taking one of my calves into his hand, looking up at me for permission. After all that had happened he didn't seem like the person to ask permission but I felt a little better knowing he wanted to make sure I was ok with his going any farther.

I nodded after a second. He smiled up at me before looking back to my leg focusing on the task in front of him.

He slowly started to unwind the bandages, letting me see the damage again. I couldn't help but gasp at the sight of my mutilated legs.

He examined my calf for a second before his hands erupted in blur and gold and blue flames making me scream for the umpteenth time today.

Marco looked at me sympathetically. 

"Its ok Baby Bird, I have a devil fruit too. It lets me heal any injury on myself, it lets me heal others but it doesn't work as well."

His voice was low and calm as he explained his abilities to me. 

"It was you."

Marco glanced up at me for a second before focusing on my leg again, humming a question an what I was talking about.

Tears fell down my cheeks onto my thighs Marco stood up immediately once he noticed, taking my cheeks in his hands. 

"What's wrong Baby Bird? What hurts?"

I shook my head as much as his hands would let me.

"On the mountain, before I passed out and when you put me to sleep."

I looked into his eyes, 

"I saw the same flames."

He smiled at me and pressed his forehead to mine.

"Yes Baby Bird, I was the one who found you."

A sob escaped my throat as I tried to compose myself, I needed answers and he was the one who had them.

"W-what happened?"

He sighs again. 

I couldn't help the choked sob that came from me before I was finally able to say anything.

"You're Island had been attacked by Pirates, we had happened to be nearby when we saw flames in the distance. Once we got there it had been too late, the town was in flames with hundreds dead. We were fighting the pirates and looking for any survivors when I saw a trace of blood leading to the mountains, that's where I had found you collapsed in the snow."

"Survivors?"

Marco gave me a solemn look, before shaking his head.

I couldn't stop my tears once he confirmed everyone else was dead.

"A-are you-u su-sure?"

I could barely get the words out through my sobs.

"I'm so sorry Baby Bird."

I collapsed into his arms, feeling him hold me tightly as I sobbed into his chest. Nearly unable to breath through my grief. 

"Don't worry Baby, we aren't going to let anything happen to you."

But little did I know about the horrifying smirk on his face. Or his plans for my future. 

[imaginesmai]

Right around the corner - Azriel (5)

AHHHHH this is the final part and let me tell you I'm SAD. It was so hard to write the ending you all deserve after all this love, so I tried my best. Let me know what you think! Also, you deserve A LOT, so I made it long hehehe. Don't worry, a request about the RATH universe is coming soon! If you want one too, drop it in my inbox!

(1), (2), (3), (4)

Plot: The story of how Azriel fixed what was broken, and how you forgave him.

Warnings: this is sad, but has a happy ending! Also, mental health issues.

No one expected the sidra to froze that year, and against everyone expectation, one day Velaris had woken up to see the riven covered by a silver layer. Children had missed school to skate in the solid surface, parents watching carefully from the edge. Some couples were skating too, holding hands and giggling endlessly.

You had been watching the new scene unfold all morning. And while you usually loved snow and ice as much as any child in town, you were starting to get a little sick of all the noise.

It wasn’t your new employee situation, who had been staring at the river all morning. She had already finished her duties, but always the polite and nice girl, Elain Archeron was keeping you company.

When you spotted for the third time the familiar red-head through the glass and she didn’t say anything, just sighed, you decided you had enough.

“You should tell him to get in before he freezes to death” you commented, still busy with measuring the ingredients.

“Oh, no” Elain blushed and looked away from the window. “No. He’s just… He can wait”

“He can, but doesn’t have to. You and Lucien should head out, rent ice skates and have a fun day. You already finished here” you smiled kindly at her, and before she could reply, you added. “I’m fine, I don’t even like cold weather. And I still need to finish this, which you can’t help me with. So, go”

Elain stared at you with uncertainty, and you tried to look as convinced as possible. Would you have liked her to stay? After all, she was one of the few people you socialized with these days. She had turned in when you opened the bakery again, right after you posted the sign about looking for a new partner.

And even if you had had your doubts when you discovered she was Feyre’s sister and Azriel’s friend, you considered her your own friend.

So, yeah, you would have liked her to stay. Because you were still awfully sad all the time, and her company was one of the few things that made your day better. But you being sad didn’t excuse her missing a wonderful day with her mate.

“It’s not closing time yet” her eyes danced between the glass and you. “He was supposed to wait for me at the house”

“Guess he’s too eager to see you. He’s been dancing around the bakery for a good hour” you chuckled. “Elain, I mean it. Go. Have fun. I’ll see you on Monday”

“Y/N, I promise I don’t mind waiting. It’s not like it will unfreeze”

“And I promise I don’t mind at all. So, go, have fun and tell me about it on Monday” you gripped her hand softly over the counter, nodding to the waiting mal outside. “Come on, go”

Lucien was once more outside the bakery, the only visible part of him his red hair. He was covered in thick layers, but still managed to smile when Elain kissed your cheek and took her coat on the way out.

You didn’t have it in you to watch them be affectionate with each other, so you looked down at your task and decided it would be the last of the day.

It was hard watching all those couples walking hand in hand and remembering the feel of his warm, scarred hand in yours. To hear a man laughing and remember the unexpected laughs you dragged out of him sometimes. Even looking at the river was painful, because you could almost see the ghost of Azriel and you learning how to skate in a frozen lake in the Illyrian mountains a few years ago.

You had seen Azriel around a few times now, walking through your bakery and waving at you through the glass. Two times he had been waiting at the door when it was late at night, silently walking you home from afar without talking. Almost two months had passed by and your feelings were still as messed up as before.

Though you didn’t cry as much as before, and you were starting to get better, you still wondered.

If Azriel getting help would mean your relationship would be fixed, or if it was broken permanently. Deep in your thoughts, and used as you were to Azriel’s shadows, you didn’t notice how they tugged on your apron until the door sounded again.

Elain’s name didn’t leave your lips, because as soon as the door opened, you lost your breath.  As if you had summoned him, Azriel walked through the door, beautiful as ever. He wasn’t in his usual training leather, but winter clothes that fit him as a glove. Instantly, you noticed he had lost weight. His shoulders were slumped and his body didn’t carry the usual grace of an Illyrian warrior.

“Hi”

His scarred hands, that had held you so many times and slaughtered so many enemies, were tucked in his coat’s pockets. You could feel the nervousness through the bond, the hesitance. Too stunned to answer, you only stared at him.

You had known that, eventually, he would talk to you. That you would have to do more than just wave at each other through the glass and stay silent when he sent you details through Elain. But still, you hadn’t expected it.

Unable to move, you only blinked.

“I saw Elain and Lucien heading out” he added, not looking away from you. “It’s a nice day outside”

Azriel hadn’t finished before one of his new shadows scaped his control, sneaking around the counter. The familiar ones, that had been by your side since he left, danced around the new intrusion. It lifted your apron, and crawled up your neck.

The cool feeling was the last of your worries, because no matter how much you willed yourself to say something, you couldn’t even tear your eyes from him.

The bond flickered between the two of you, once more. Knowing that it was one-sided, that he didn’t wear it like you did, made break your trance.

“She’s finished for the day” you explained, sounding way more confident that what you felt.

“It’s a nice day, yeah” he repeated, not giving you time to feel awkward before he continued “I thought that maybe you wanted to take a walk with me. It’s cold, but we could… get coffee. Or chocolate, if you want”

Azriel gave you a half, broken smile. Hearing his voice again made you take ten steps backward.

“I have things to do”

You looked down to your current task, which could be easily discarded. You had left much important things half-done because of him, and you would have done it normally without a second thoughts. But no matter how heartful the conversation at your door had been, you just knew you weren’t ready to have a conversation without getting angry.

You knew you weren’t ready to forgive him.

His new shadow gripped your wrist tightly before disappearing, and you heard Azriel’s doubt. He wanted to say something else, and you wanted too. Still, you fell back to your measuring and ignored the way your vision blurred, how your knees became weak again.

Maybe going back to your duties was the only way not to break down again.

The silence continued for a long minute. You couldn’t not feel his presence, the way his scent filled the bakery and made your stomach turn. Your heart recognized what you needed, what you wanted, and threatened to jump out of your chest.

Before you could regret your words, Azriel opened the door again.

“You’re forgetting the yeast” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

When you looked up again, he only smiled. You opened your mouth to tell him to wait, maybe to fuck off and never come again. You didn’t have time, because Azriel closed the door behind him and he was gone.

The first tear fell against the unformed dough, followed by many more. You wouldn’t be finishing the blueberry cake that afternoon, you realized, as you crunched behind the counter and cried.

-

There was a storm coming, and everyone in Velaris had had the same idea – run to the market, buy everything they needed for a few days, and crowd themselves at home with their loved ones. You were trying to follow the first part of the plan, not having anyone to go home anymore. And if that wasn’t enough reason to drag you down, the crowd was getting intense.

Velaris’ market was a beautiful place, full of shops and nice vendors. But that day, the space felt too small.

You already had a few bags with you, yet there were a few more to go. Wanting to finish as soon as possible, you had ignored the rational part of your brain and had gotten in the middle of the crowd. You had only managed to buy milk and pasta, and still had a long way to go.

After Azriel’s brief appearance, your life had been messier than before. He had come by the bakery at least five times more, always offering you some kind of plan you rejected. Going to the park, for a flight or to a coffee shop. Taking walks, watching the sunset or training together.

You lived now half-prepared to see him walking through your door again, and not having the heart to tell him no. You weren’t sure if that thought frightened or comforted you.

In your haste, you had almost forgotten to buy provisions for the storm, and had found yourself on the worst day to do them. Crowded, loud and suffocating, that was how you would describe the market at that moment.

The fact that most people ran with their children and family wasn’t helpful at all.

Most of the times, it was Azriel who did the last-minute shopping for you. He knew you didn’t like crowds, loud places, that you did best in your bakery where only five people were allowed at a time.

Another shove broke you down from your daydreaming, and you looked back to see a pregnant woman staring with her eyebrows furrowed.

“The line is moving” she spatted, pointing to the small space ahead of you. “If you don’t move with it, you should step out”

“Oh, no” you chuckled softly. You picked up the bags on the ground and took the two small steps that you were supposed to. “Sorry, I just thought I could take a little bit more space. It’s crowded here”

“I don’t mind crowds, so if you want to step back, let me get first. I’m in a hurry”

“Me too” you gave her a polite smile, mindful of her state.

The short distance that separated you from the customer on the front was certainly not enough, and she knew it. Still, she looked at you with disapproval. There were only five more people to go until it was your turn, you could buy your snacks and run to the next stall.

You thought you could ignore the glare at the back of your neck, and you did for a few minutes. Without meaning to, you thought how everything with Azriel was easier. Not only people wouldn’t dare to talk to him like that, but also, he assured you a good meter of distance between you two and the rest of the world with his wings.

The snacks on your hands almost fell when, not even two seconds after the man took three steps forward, you were shoved again.

That time, when you looked back, the woman was accompanied by her mate. His wings covered her from the people behind them.

“You should really step out of the line” she repeated. “You might have all the time in the word, but we are in a hurry”

“Me too. You can’t expect me to be glued to that man” you tried to explain, anxiety coiling in your stomach. “He just moved”

“And you didn’t, which proves my point. Besides, it’s obvious you only have a few things. We have more”

“Which should be enough reason to let me go first, not only because I was here before you” you shrugged, feeling even more uncomfortable when the male huffed a laugh. “Maybe it’s you who shouldn’t have come here today if you can’t wait in a line”

You weren’t a threat for the woman, and you were trying really hard to be polite and prove your point. Besides, being pregnant wasn’t an easy task, and you could tell she was far along. Maybe you should have let her pass, or maybe told her to fuck off.

But before you could argue further, something clicked in the male’s eyes, wide with recognition.

And you would have preferred for him to go full berserk mode on you. Because you recognized that look, you had been receiving them for a while now.

The male elbowed the woman’s side softly, pointing with his chin towards you. You didn’t have time to turn back and avoid the conversation, because he spoke.

“You’re the shadowsinger’s mate” he announced, loud enough to make a few heads turn.

“Oh” the woman finally connected the dots and lunged forward to grab your arm so tight you couldn’t shake her off. “I’m so sorry. I’m sorry, I didn’t recognize you”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry” you pushed your arm back, trying to let go.

While the woman apologized, you couldn’t help but listen to the whispers. The same ones you had heard in your bakery and through the streets. Some of them thrown in your face by rude or nosy customers that didn’t understand the concept of privacy, others by bystanders.

At the end, it was the woman who said it out loud, confirming what everyone in the small circle that had formed at the cue was wondering about. She finally let go of your arm and crossed hers in front of her body.

The look of pity wasn’t as bad as the confirmation.

“He rejected you, right?” it wasn’t a question, not when you didn’t answer and she continued. “We heard you’ve been mated for almost a century and he doesn’t want the bond. Is that true?”

It wasn’t true, but you didn’t have the heart to correct her. Instead, you turned around and used your wing-less privileges to sneak through the crowd. You kept your head down, as if that could stop you from hearing the comments or feeling the stares.

People had come up with an alternative version where Azriel and you had been mated for decades, for centuries. Where you had cheated on him or he had changed you for someone else. You had even heard that he had bonded with another person and had kicked you out of the house, and that you had been the one rejecting the bond.

Each version was farthest from the truth than the last one, but they all hurt the same. The crowd didn’t seem to get thinner no matter how deep you got in the market. Once the people who had heard the conversation were left behind, new people crowded you, worried about the girl panicking and running through the middle of the market.

There were a few occasions where you thought you would fall, where you tripped and almost embarrassed yourself farther. You had almost made it to the back entrance of the market when you finally realized you were tripping no more. There was no longer a crowd around you, nor whispers or hands reaching your way.

It took you another few steps to fully stop and assess the situation. When you looked back to see where the crowd was, you were met with a broad chest inches away from you. Through tearful eyes, you recognized Azriel’s wings tucking you away from people, his mere presence pushing them away.

You met his hazel eyes, full of worry and regret. His hair was longer, covering his brow, but you found comfort in his crooked nose, in his freckles, that you knew so well.

You noticed in his hands your bags that had been left in the stall, a new one with the snacks you were about to buy.

“What – what are you doing here?” you choked out, too grateful for the sudden moment of peace to wonder about anything else.

“I felt you through the bond, a few hours ago. Anxious and…” he stopped himself, his eyes scanning every tear that marked your cheeks. “I was just getting here when it got worse. I heard most of it. I’m –”

“Don’t say you’re sorry” you interrupted him. “It’s not your fault”

Out of the many things that were indeed his fault, people not minding their own business wasn’t his. You were used to him blaming himself for everything, from wars in other courts to people fighting in the street. The response came naturally.

Your nose was cold and runny, your hands frozen in your pockets, and your feet hurt. Besides all of that, you felt all wrong. Because you enjoyed his presence, because what they said, and because you couldn’t help but calm down when he was close.

Azriel didn’t say anything when you took the bags from his hands, thanking him quietly. He didn’t say anything as more people walked away from him, either because of his wings or because they recognized him.

“You don’t like last minute shopping”

It was a pointless observation, but it was better than to comment on how afraid he had been when, just outside the market, he felt the bond snap with urgence. His shadows knew where you were, and that you needed him, but even he had trouble running through crowds. Azriel also couldn’t talk about how mad he had been at everyone in that stall, how his new shadows had turned off every light and almost chocked them to death.

Azriel wanted to say that you were probably cold because you didn’t like your own coats, and most of the times wore one of his. He wanted to hug you, too, to feel you between his arms after what felt like an eternity and promise you that it would end well.

But he couldn’t say anything more than the obvious.

“I had to” you answered.

With a furious fist, frustrated at life, at him and at you, you brushed the tears off your cheeks. You could tell that he wanted to keep talking, and you did too. Since your last encounter, you had come up with more conversations you should have.

You stared at each other for what seemed forever. There were details that you had almost forgotten in your sorrow – like his long lashes, that you teased him about. Or the freckle that snuck up to the corner of his left eye. The way his mouth rose higher from the right, and the small scar on his ear from where Cassian dared him to wear an earring.

Only his face was enchanting enough to help you forget about the day, about the weight of your chest. It was the first closing call from the market, that sounded through the public speakers, that broke you away.

“I should go”

“I should go”

You talked at the same time, and you smiled softly when you pointed to different directions. You didn’t miss how his eyes fell to your mouth, how his own lifted up too.

“I could walk you back” he offered, not tearing his eyes away from your mouth. “If you let me”

You didn’t answer immediately. Those last words, that he had repeated so often lately, almost had you saying yes. You could almost imagine how it would go – him walking by your side, one of his wings behind your back. His elbow brushing yours, and his gaze fixed on you.

Your smile dropped when you remembered the times you had walked just like that, tucked together. The times you had waked by yourself through Velaris with his imprint on you, and the times he had left without a trace of your presence.

Azriel knew the answer before you said it, and his shoulders dropped slightly.

“Sorry”

That time, you decided to turn away before he could. Taking the back exit was a poor choice, knowing it was farther from your house than the main one, but you couldn’t picture yourself walking through the market without Azriel keeping the crowds a step away.

So you turned around, gripped your bags tight and didn’t tear your eyes from the ground during the whole way back.

-

It wasn’t Azriel who found you the time everything changed, but you.

The cold and winter were over, the streets were clean and the sun was out. It was a perfect day to spend outside, and Elain seemed fixed in throwing you out of your own shop. She claimed that the bags under your eyes were as dark as the night, and that your skin was so pale that she couldn’t tell the flour stains apart from it.

“Just for the record, you’re kicking the owner of the bakery out of the bakery” you stated, looking at her once more from the door. “You do realize that shouldn’t happen, right?”

“I’m helping a friend come out of her ghost-like season” she replied, still decorating muffins. “And you do realize that most shops close on Sunday’s, right?”

“Certainly not a bakery” you looked to the empty fountain at her right. “If we do it together, we will – “

“If you touch one single item of this bakery, I’m banning you from the kitchen for a month”

You doubted she meant it, she could. But still, you sighed and turned around to open the door. You weren’t an extrovert, certainly not an outsider. Since you were a child, you liked your kitchen, your house, and your space. And none of those things were outside the door.

But you actually feared what the fae you left behind would do if you turned back. Elain had already hidden your apron so you couldn’t put it on, and had threatened to mismatch the soy milk with normal one.

Giving her a last, tight smile through the glass, you walked towards the center of Velaris.

Not many people were outside that soon on a Sunday morning, but you were glad for her insistence the moment the sun kissed your face. The cold weather was disappearing and you could feel warmth across your cheeks. It was still cold, and it would be for at least another week, but the change in the weather promised a happy spring.

You walked aimlessly around Velaris, stopping to watch the Sidra move every now and then. Your feet carried you through unfamiliar streets, all of them filled with colors and smells. The longer you walked, the healthier you felt. Each step felt like a weight lifted from your chest, and you even smiled to a few usuals you found in the streets.

The main square peeked through the streets. It wasn’t your usual destination, too crowded and not as pretty as other parts of the town. But you still walked through it, feeling at ease and happy.

It had happened before, usually the days before you started your cycle, and you should have known the feeling of ease had nothing to do with the weather or the walk. It had happened and it happened again, just as you rounded a corner to walk in the square.

If, by any chance, Azriel hadn’t noticed you coming, the shadows that tugged him away from where he was standing would have made it obvious.

His eyes widened when he saw you, and you felt that peaceful feeling making its home for the day. There was no sorrow, no sadness, and none of the usual feelings that lately you felt when it came to him.

You cursed yourself stupid when you realized that you cycle was coming, and that every year you were in a mood until Azriel showed up, your hormones demanding your mate.

“Y/N”

Your name fell from your mouth and just by hearing it you noticed something different. It was new, and at the same time, you thought you recognized it somehow. You looked to his empty hands, to the syphons on his shoulders and chest and truth-teller on his side.

It looked like you had interrupted something important to him. But instead of running away from him like the last two times, you took a step closer.

“Are you going on a mission?” you pointed with your chin to his leather, eyes stopping at his chest. There was that thing, that you couldn’t name.

“Just came back. I was…”

Azriel looked to the building he just exited and for a moment, in silence. You had met a bunch of times since the incident in the market, and you had started having longer conversations. About the weather, about your bakery, and even about his family, who you finally knew officially.

Certainly, your relationship had improved, although it wasn’t just fixed yet. When he didn’t answer, you were reminded of all the times he had kept things to himself, either out of fear or doubt.

He seemed to doubt between telling you and keeping it to himself. Any other time, you knew, he would have kept it to himself. He had done it, in the past – when you asked him about his job, or tried to understand his past. Many times where he had evaded the truth or his emotions.

Your mood, that had been in a rush since you left the bakery, fell a little at his silence. He looked torn and you were ready to leave, before he answered.

“This is Madja’s house. I meet her here so we can talk, usually during the week” he looked back at you, watching the surprise of his statement. “But something happened and I needed to talk to her”

“What happened?”

Azriel’s lips were pressed tight, debating on whether he should tell you or not. He wouldn’t have doubted about it a year ago – he wouldn’t tell you, because in his eyes, it would only hurt you more than he already had. But he had learnt new things, and had realized that a relationship was built on trust. And that his fears, his perception of the reality, had broken yours.

He had cut the mission short when he had noticed, though he wasn’t sure he had ever done something like that. Azriel didn’t know what had triggered it, why it happened in the Winter court and not anytime sooner.

Madja, of course, had had an answer ready – an answer that had left him staring at her door for long twenty minutes before you appeared.

“Kallias should have sent something to Rhysand, but he didn’t” he started, not sure why he was traveling so far from the event. “So I went to check. Turns out someone must have taken it and, well, I tried to…”

He trailed off before he could finish, aware of your confusion. You never talked about what he did for Rhysand, in any court. No matter how big or small was the assignment, he didn’t tell you about it.

But that wasn’t what your confusion was about, at least not all of it. You couldn’t possibly notice because you had given it for granted since the beginning, but Azriel did notice. He noticed the change as soon as it happened, and babbled when he explained to Rhysand what he should have been feeling for years.

Had explained to Madja moments ago, who had given him a knowing smile and a proud nod.

“I accepted the bond” he confessed, continuing before you could say anything else. “I don’t know how, or why, but I was there and suddenly I was hit with – with this in my chest, and I don’t know why it wouldn’t happen sooner”

“You accepted the bond” you repeated, looking between his chest and face.

“I don’t know how, or why now. I was, thinking… And it hit me” Azriel smiled sadly, not saying what his thoughts were about – what they had been about since that night. “I didn’t want to tell you, because, this is, you don’t have to do anything now. Me accepting the bond doesn’t change what I did”

Azriel hadn’t meant to tell you, neither to be so vague and ridiculously nervous about it.

It had been a surprise when, in the middle of a conversation, he felt it. He had been thinking about you, because there were flowers and they were pretty against the cold weather, and to him, you were the prettiest thing the Cauldron had made. One moment Kallias had been going through the last movements of the package and the next the high lord was looking at him with raised brows.

Congratulating him for something that should have happened six years ago.

“It’s not that I didn’t want the bond before, Y/N” he continued when you didn’t say anything. “I promise you, I didn’t know how to accept it. I didn’t know that I deserved it”

Azriel had thought, and he still wanted to, that you so pretty that you were meant for someone else. That it was borrowed time, that he didn’t deserve the bond just as he didn’t deserve you. With Madja and Rhys, they had had deep conversations about his mental health, about his version of life where he lived through a glass of pain and rejection.

As he stared at your surprised form, he tried not to let hope leak into his heart. He knew it didn’t fix what was broken, but he hoped it was the first step of a long recovery to win you back.

Only if you could confirm or deny, instead of stare at him.

“Say something” Azriel finally broke, almost begged. “Whatever you want. Just say something”

And you wanted to, because wasn’t that what you had wanted? You had fooled yourself lately thinking about may what ifs. What if he had accepted the bond in the bagging, what if he had told you that he wasn’t fine, that he was broken and needed help.

What if you had helped him and not rushed things when he wasn’t ready. Now, it felt like the Cauldron was giving you that opportunity, only that you didn’t know how to react.

You finally looked away from him and decided to give an experimental tug on the bond, to see if anything had changed.

It had.

“Az”

It was a chuckle, maybe the beginning of a cry. It was anger but also relief because what came back from that tug wasn’t what you usually felt. It was stronger, solid, as if there was a physical string between your bodies that kept you linked.

Usually, it was just an intense feeling that was enough for you. But now that you felt him tugging back, felt him loving you, you couldn’t hold back another laugh. He shoved down through it everything he felt – adoration, love, joy. Many fears that had you stumbling towards him, and pain.

So much pain that your smile dropped. His dropped too, and you felt the bond getting fainter.

“That’s another reason. I didn’t want you to feel… that” Azriel retreated the bond farther. “I have so many fears and pains here that I couldn’t even imagine sharing them with you. And that – “

“You don’t have to feel ashamed” you cut him off, your voice hoarse. “I love you the same”

Words were unnecessary when you hugged his middle and buried yourself in his chest. He curled around you, like he had done so many times.

The channel snapped open again, and you just closed your eyes tightly. It was an endless source of emotions, and it broke you that most of them were bad. There was rejection, from so many people that it felt like an angry, black bull coming your way. Sadness that felt overwhelming and never ending, always coming in waves when Azriel didn’t expect it.

You also felt disgust, and you only held him tighter when you discovered it was self-disgust. Not only at the things that he had done, but also at what had been done to him. The scars on his hands, the shadows around him. He had hated himself for so long he had forgotten how to love.

But then, at the bottom, there was something bright, and that part you realized it was only dedicated to you. There was his family too, but it wasn’t as intense as his love for you. Everything that he lacked during his life, that he yearned for, was tucked where it mattered the most.

“I love you” he whispered against your head, softly. “I love you”

You didn’t answer, just raised your head until you could brush your lips against him. Later, you would have time to blame the cycle, which you wouldn’t get for another two months, or the emotions of the moment. But you knew it was just what you needed, what you both deserved, when you felt him kissing back.

At the beginning, it was just his lips against yours, and it was enough. Your noses brushed each other, you got on your tiptoes and his wing cocooned both of you. His hands only pressed you tighter against his body when you moved your lips against his, brushing the edge of your tongue against his bottom one.

Azriel could barely keep himself straight when you silently asked for permission to open his mouth, which he happily obliged.  

From that moment, it was crashing. The kiss was only a physical proof of your feelings traveling through the mated bond, so wild and intense you couldn’t tell which one was his or yours.

“I’m sorry, darling” he whispered against your lips, giving you no time to reply. “I’m sorry for hurting you, for being a coward. I’m sorry”

“I forgive you. We don’t keep secrets anymore” you managed to say between kisses.

“Never” Azriel answered while leaving kisses on your cheeks and nose.”

“And we’ll talk about our emotions, and feelings. You’ll tell me about your life when I ask”

“Always”

“You won’t close off to me” you pulled his head away and made him look at you.

While you held his face between your hands, Azriel smiled. It was a different smile from the previous ones, from the ones you had seen so far. It was carefree, loving, and yours.

Your thumb brushed the corner of his eye, his upper cheek, the border of his nose.

“I’m here, Azriel. Always. So you don’t have to hide anything from me, or to be ashamed or afraid. I’m here” you closed the distance once more, controlling the kiss by holding onto his face. “Right around the corner”

“Right around the corner” he repeated, dipping his head and sealing all his promises with another kiss.

Want to read more? Check out my side blog @imaginesmaimasterlists, where I keep all the masterlists! Feedback is always appreciated

Right around the corner taglist:

@lesliemurillo @impossibelle @polli05927 @florencemtrash @going-through-shit @minakay @setayeshmohseni @torchbearerkyle @esposadomd @amysangel @kennedy-brooke @originalcrusadetrash @luvmoo @historygeekqueen @marriedtolike18fictionalmen @wallacewillow0773638 @tothestarsandwhateverend @kristalhi @knmendiola @nikt-wazny-y @dream-alittlebiggerdarling @wallacewillow0773638 @clara-geekhime @kalulakunundrum @saltedcoffeescotch @originalcrusadetrash @mel-wcst @ailyr92 @bubybubsters @chickensrock3 @tothestarsandwhateverend @topaz125 @wallacewillow0773638 @just-m-2 @theravenphoenix26 @glitterypirateduck @a-frog-with-a-laptop @justdreamstars

[despacito-uwu16]

IN THE PAST AND IN EVERY LIFETIME

KENJI SATO X READER

|Fluff |Past Life

“And if death do us part, I promise to find you in every lifetime” - Alex Warren

⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺

Your fiance kisses your forehead while he pulls you closer to him. You rested your head on his chest while admiring the small diamond ring that glimmered in the moonlight.

“It’s beautiful”.

“I’m glad you like it. When I saw it at the shop, it made me think of you”.

“It’s perfect”.

He lifts up your chin and plants a warm, soft kiss on your lips as the bells of a near by clock tower signals the start of a new year and a new decade.

“I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you, and if death do us part, I will always look for you in every lifetime”.

“Happy New Years Y/N”…

“Y/N”! Your friend Asami yells at you, snapping you out of your day dream.

“We’re here”. She points to the bookstore.

“Oh sorry”. You apologized as she drags you into the place.

~

As soon as the two of you entered the bookstore, the smell of coffee and new books hit your nostrils. There was an end-of-the-year sale at Asami’s favorite bookstore and she insisted you come along. You took this as an opportunity to find books for your research paper for the psychology PhD program. While the two of you were looking at books, Asami caught you zoning out again.

“Y/N”! She snaps her fingers getting you out of your trance. “I’m here”! You said loudly, getting attention from other bystanders.

“Seriously, what is up with you? Did you pull an all nighter again? Like I get it’s your thesis paper, but you do realize sleep is important right”? Asami says while skimming through a random book.

“No, it’s not about the paper. I keep having this dream for like the past month and it’s been bothering me”. You say while skimming through the bookshelves.

“Oooh do tell”. Asami looks at you with curiosity.

“In the dream, I was with a guy and we were at this park filled with snow, and he proposed to me under a tree”.

“Man, I wish I had a dream about a guy”. Asami shakes her head and laughs.

“Asami, I’m being serious. It’s like, the dream is telling me to remember this guy, but I really don’t”.

“No offense but I think you’re reading way too many psychology books. I think it’s time to switch genres”.

"That's not how psychology works". You deadpan.

“Anyways, I gotta use the bathroom. BRB”. Asami puts down the book she was looking at and takes off, leaving you alone to wonder off.

You were walking around trying to find a book you’ve been wanting to use for your paper. After a few minutes of searching, you spot a large textbook sitting on the top shelf.

"Only one copy left".

You notice a step ladder near the bookshelf and begin to climb it. As soon as you reached the last step of the ladder, you stood on your tippy toes and you reached for the book. After a few attempts, you managed to get your book. But before you could climb back down, the screws of the ladder unscrewed itself, causing the step to break. You fall off and braced for impact, only for a guy to catch you.

“Woah, has anyone ever told you not to climb on faulty ladders? ”. The man puts you down before you could get a better look at him.

“Sorry”. You looked down in embarrassment. The man picks the book you dropped from the floor.

“Here, you should be more careful next time”. His speech slowed down as he made eye contact with you. His arm was frozen in place, the book still in his hand. You look at the man and his features. For some reason, he looks so familiar. It feels like you’ve met him before, but you don’t know where.

“Ummm… thank you”. You grabbed the book from him and began to walk away.

“Y/N”? You turn back to him.

“Yeah”?

“I thought I’d never see you again”. He muttered out loud.

“I’m sorry, do I know you”? You ask, feeling really creeped out.

“Oh”. He clears his throat. “I’m sorry, it’s just, you look like someone I knew from a long time ago”.

“Y/N”! Asami calls out to you. “There you are! I was looking for you! You have got to stop wandering around girl”! Asami notices the guy and looks up and down in disgust. “Shall we head to the register”? She says, slowly dragging you away from the man.

“WAIT”! You and Asami turn back at the man in annoyance.

“I know we just met, but, I want to take you out on a date”. He grabbed a pen from his pocket, took your book and wrote down his number and his name on the first page.

“Text me and we’ll set something up”. He walked away, leaving you stunned.

“Girl, who was that”? Asami asks.

You look down at the page. “I don’t know, but I think i’m about to find out”.

~

You were waiting for the mystery guy to arrive. Of all the days to meet up, he picked New Year’s eve. Despite being really busy, he managed to get a reservation at what is coincidentally your favorite cafe.

From the information you gathered from Asami’s stalker account, the man that saved you from falling on your ass at the book store, was none other than Ken Sato. Turns out he’s a baseball player for the giants, and according to Asami, he is LOADED.

You feel a buzz from your phone. Thinking it was a message from Ken, you opened your phone, only to get a text message from Asami.

“I really hope your date goes well! But if he tries to attempt some serial killer shit, it’s on sight”.

“Asami, you’ve been reading too many horror novels. You should consider switching genres. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine”.

As you send the text message, Kenji runs into the cafe. You wave at him, catching his attention.

“I'm sorry for being late”. Ken sits down. “There was traffic downtown. Another kaiju incident”. He huffs.

“It’s, fine. I’m glad you made it”. You smiled at him.

The waiter took your orders and placed some tea in a white porcelain teapot down, along with two white teacups. He leaves with the menus, leaving you and Ken to bond.

“I’ve always wanted to try this place. This cafe looks cozy”. Ken looks around at the aesthetically pleasing decor.

“The food here is to die for! This is literally my favorite cafe since forever”. You said. Ken nodded.

“From what I’ve read, this place has been open since the 70’s”. He begins to pour some tea into your cup.

“I love how everything is so simple”. You take a sip from your tea. As soon as the hot liquid touches your mouth, it stings your tongue.

“Ahh, hot”! You yelp. Ken chuckles as you pout.

“Something’s never changed”. He chuckles as he shakes his head.

You look at him in bewilderment.

“Sorry," He cleared his throat. "I'm probably creeping you out”. He twiddled his thumbs, looking super stressed out.

“I’m sorry Ken”…

“Kenji. Call me Kenji”. He interrupts.

“Okay, Kenji, have we met before? Because when we met at that bookstore, you said you thought you would never see me again”.

“You really don’t remember me”? Kenji says, his gray eyes looking at you with disappointment.

“Well, the thing is, I think you’re the guy that keeps appearing in my dreams . I thought you were someone I made up, but it turns out you’re real, and you’re sitting right in front of me”.

“Am I supposed to”? You ask

Kenji looks down at his tea, the clumps of sugar that he put in a minute ago beginning to dissolve.

“Umm, nevermind. So, tell me about yourself”.

The conversation lasted for hours. Everything felt so casual between the two of you. Kenji told you how he led the Giants to the championships; despite almost dragging them six feet underground. He had to use simpler terms when describing some of the plays since you weren’t much of a sports fan. On the other hand, you were telling him how you were trying to pursue your PhD in psychology, and how it’s always been your dream to get your doctorate degree. Kenji admired the bright look on your face while you talked about your passion.

While you were having a great time with Kenji, you have a gut feeling that he has something to do with your dreams. He knows something you don’t, and you want to know what he’s hiding.

Eventually, the waiter had to kick you out of the cafe because they were closing early for the holiday. As you two stepped out in the cold, the sun was almost gone, and the sky became darker.

“I don’t really feel like going home yet. Wanna head down to the park with me”? Kenji asks.

“Umm, sure"!

As you walk to the park, Kenji grabs your hand. You look up at him and smile. There was something familiar about this warm feeling, like deja vu. When you reach the park, you can see the patch of snow that stretches down for miles. While walking down the semi-icy path, you keep thinking about Kenji's motives. He's not telling you anything, and couldn't take any more secrets.

“Kenji, can you be honest with me”? You blurt out.

He looks down at you.

“How come you remember me, but I don’t remember you? What are you not telling me”?

Kenji sighs and looks at the ground. You stood there, your arms crossed, waiting for him to answer you.

“This might sound weird. Like out of a novel weird”.

“Try me”.

“Okay, but first, come with me”. Kenji grabs your hand and drags you along.

“Where are we going”? You ask.

“You’ll see”.

You both go deeper into the park, where all the trees divide the park and the streets and where there is no one in sight. The more you both go down the path, the more your anxiety starts to peak.

“Oh my God, what if Asami was right? What if he is an actual serial killer and he planned your demise since your first encounter”?

But a familiar setting caught your eye before you could think of any worst-case scenarios. You were standing in front of a tree covered in snow. The same tree that was in your dream sequence.

“Look familiar”? Kenji asks.

“Actually yeah”. You turn to him. “What are we doing here”? You ask him.

“This was the place where I proposed to you”.

“Proposed to me”?

Your brain clicked as you piece everything together. The repeated dream you had was a memory from the past.

“You’re the guy… you’re the guy from my dreams”. Your eyes widen

“So you do remember”!

“Not exactly”. You shrug.

Kenji takes both of your hands. You look up at him. His soft gaze locked onto you.

“Y/N, you and I were together in our past life”.

You stared at him like a deer in headlines. You’ve read about past lives in an article before, but you didn't think it was real.

“December 31st, 1979”. He starts. “I took you to that cafe, y'know the one we went to today, and then we walked down to this very same park and I proposed to you here”.

You still look at Kenji in shock. You tried to say something, but you couldn't form any sentences.

“I understand it’s a lot to process”. Said Kenji.

“No, no I sort of understand now. Although, I don’t remember anything after that”.

Kenji looks down at the ground. “Six months after the New Year, we were in a car crash. I only suffered a broken leg. But your injuries were too severe. You didn’t survive in surgery”.

“Oh”.

“That day, I promised myself that I would find you again, and when I did, I would never let you go”.

Kenji takes out a small black box. He opens it to reveal a small diamond ring, the same one he proposed with all those years ago.

“Kenji”…

“I know we just met again, and I don’t expect you to remember anything, but you are my soulmate, Y/N. I never want to lose you again". Kenji puts the ring on your finger. The small diamond ring glimmering in the moonlight.

Everything comes flooding back to you. The guy was Kenji. He's real. Everything that happened in your dream is real. Kenji pulls you closer to him. Your lips were inches away from his. He closes the gap between the two of you. Your heart swells as he hugs you tighter. The two of you separate, trying to catch your breath. You admired the ring, reminiscing how beautiful it was, how it felt so right on your ring finger.

“It’s perfect”. You smile.

“I know, but it’s not as perfect as you”. He smiles

You blush. “I can’t believe you waited for me”.

“I did promise you all those years ago, that if death do us part, I will always look for you in every lifetime”.

The bells of a nearby clock tower signaling the start of a new year.

“Happy New Year Y/N”.

“Happy New Year Kenji”.

You kiss Kenji again as the sound of the clock tower bells continue to echo across the park.

⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺

Alex and Kovur’s wedding is everything!!! I want something like that someday!! Also, the bookstore scene was inspired by a Tinder ad with Lana Condor lol.

IMPORTANT A/N: I will be going international for a few weeks so everything might be on hold for a bit. But I have a few things cooking. Also, stay tuned next Friday/Saturday for a little surprise.

As always, Likes, Comments and Reblogs are appreciated and feel free to request anything!

[risuola]

VIII — HOPES AND DREAMS // F. READER x TOBIRAMA SENJU

You had given him the world, he held it in his hands and shed tears of joy for the first time sinc ehe was a child.

contents: fluff — 0,8k words

a/n: i can't tell you how incredibly sorry i am for updating this series so rarely. i genuinely like this series, i love tobirama and i am grateful for each and every one of you who reads this ❥ this chapter is much shorter than the rest, but the one that follows (that's in the writing!) will most likely be longer! that being said, we're heading towards the conclusion of this series, i think.

POLITICALLY LOVELESS || SERIES MASTERLIST

Tobirama didn’t remember when was the day he cried for the last time. Was it at his brother’s burial? No, he didn’t cry back then, he was the strong one for Hashirama. After losing so many family members and seeing so many deaths and spilling so much blood, he thought he’s no longer capable of crying, but ever since he’s met you, you proved him wrong on many things he thought he’s not able to do anymore.

You loved him like no one else, you melted his long-frozen heart and caused it to beat again and it was beating solely for you since the day you first kissed him. He remembered the day as if it was yesterday, when for the first time your lips brushed against his own. It was an accident, he thought, you aimed for his cheek but he turned his head and then the world stopped for a moment. Or so he thought, it sure felt like it. Your lips were soft, warm, plush against his own and he flushed like never before. Like a teenager, but you smiled and kissed him for the second time — on purpose. Because you wanted to. And he wanted that as well. You were a blessing, a true gift and he thought nothing better will happen to him. He thought that the luck reserves have already run out because he’s got all he could’ve ever wished for. You proved him wrong again.

The tears rolled down his face in silence, he was careful not to wake you up — he was careful not to wake up the world you have given him. A baby, his baby, a bundle of joy that rested on his chest, wrapped tightly in a soft blanket, sleeping peacefully in his arms. Unaware of anything or anyone and yet, instinctively leaning into his heartbeat. Tobirama couldn’t believe it was real. Was it even real? It was, it had to be, he could feel it.

The baby was small, too tiny to hold in his large palms and he was scared to hurt it. But the boy was calm, a gentle smile lingering on his pouty mouth and his miniature hand wrapped around the tip of Tobirama’s finger. He was beautiful, with your charm and Senju could’ve sworn he saw a glimpse of your eye color when his son opened his eyes just barely for a second or two. The tiny tuft of pristine white hair stuck out of his little head, already unruly and Tobirama couldn’t help but sob quietly.

You gave him a child. You gave him a son, a life made of you and him. You gave him hope, another reason to love more, to love harder. You gave him another creature to care and protect and he was ready to take on the challenge because just as much he loved you, he already loved the little human in his arms. The puffy cheeks and long eyelashes. The few kilograms of nothing but joy and affection.

“I’ve never seen you cry,” your voice was hushed when it cut through the quiet in the room. Tobirama leaned into you and you reached towards his face, your gentle thumb wiping the tears from his cheeks as you cradled him in your grasp.

“I don’t remember when I cried for the last time,” he confessed, half-whispering his words, careful to not wake the treasure he had on his heart. “How are you feeling?”

“Better.”

Your life was a dream. It truly was and you owed it all to Tobirama. Your husband. The man you love to the very core of your existence, the beautiful soul that opened itself before you and allowed you in. You basked in the caring interiors, in all the gentle touches and desperate kisses. He’s got your blood pump frantically in your veins and your body melt against his warmth; he’s got you smile like you never did before and love like you thought you’ll never do. And now, he’s made you a mother.

“You look beautiful,” he said and you couldn’t help but chuckle. Your heart fluttered in your chest and you knew you probably look tired. You felt tired, exhausted even, but the pain was long gone. The moment you went into labor, one of the best medics from the village joined your side to tend to your health and you couldn’t be more grateful for it.

“Aren’t you the sweetest husband,” you teased and he smiled through the tears that stained his handsome features. “Are those tears of joy?”

“Certainly,” he turned his head slightly to kiss the heel of your hand. “You made the dreams come true, the ones I thought I couldn’t afford to have and I promise you, I vow, that I’ll protect you and our son with all of my might.”

“I know you will, my beloved lord.”

taglist: @garouaddict @bluebreadenthusiast @nelivv @drthymby @humongousdreamlandbear @darlingxoxo15 @gaozorous-rex-blog @hanamisofficialspouse @claireshelby

[ronaldothebestie]

Neon Nightfall | Rúben Dias

Rúben Dias x Singer!reader

* ˚ ✦ Summary: When you discovers that her boyfriend has one of youre songs as an alarm.

Tw: Mentions of previous sex, a normal Saturday morning, you are being a little devil, They both have affectionate names.

Beautiful people are talking (series)

English is not my first language!🤪

* ˚ ✦

"Come on, Ruby, wake up!" The young woman kicks the bed hard, making the big guy on the bed with the sheets only covering the bottom, groan in frustration and roll over on the bed.

It was exactly 6 am, and until a few minutes ago you are super comfortable in the muscular arms of your long-time boyfriend, Rúben Dias, until you woke up with a start to the sound of your own voice coming from the bedside table.

It's your own song , Neon Nightfall, one of the biggest hits of your career, it was in first place on the Billboard hot 100 for a month and a half a few years ago, a single that changed the rhythm every second, an unpredictable song, it was probably That's what made her so good.

In other words, you arrived yesterday, Friday night, after half a year without seeing each other in person, after an intense night and just wanting to sleep until 15h(3pm), but you were prevented from doing so by herself.

On the one hand, it made you extremely happy for him because he liked yours songs to the point of setting them as an alarm, and on the other, it made you prone to teasing Rúben to death.

So you'll do this to your cute boyfriend who was sleeping peacefully, you approached him, who looked like a starfish on the bed, obviously you took a photo with it, you climbed on top of him, sitting on his belly, put yours lips to his ear, coughing a little to avoid the usual morning hoarseness and began to sing in a high tone, enough to wake him up.

As you did so, you immediately felt hands on yours hips and out of nowhere you were underneath Rúben, who let out a sort of scream and breathed heavily into your neck.

You are mortified for a few minutes, feeling the heat rise to your cheeks as you realized that in any dangerous situation Rúben's first reaction, perfect and wonderful boyfriend, father of a beautiful daughter and a fucking hot player he was protecting you and nothing else mattered to him, even if he was naked from head to toe.

You just put your arms on his soft back, hugging him and starting to laugh when Rúben towered over him with sleepy and slightly bored eyes.

"What the fuck, Bunny?" You keep laughing and removed one of your hands just to stroke his messy hair.

"I was just woken up at 6am with Neon Nightfall blasting in my ears, that was less than I could do Ruby~" You just caressed the now red cheeks of the big guy on top of you.

"So you heard... Shit." He smiled and turned his face slightly towards the window that radiated the early morning sun of Manchester City, embarrassed for his girlfriend to discover like this, that all the alarms were the songs of his favorite singer, You, or, just Bunny in his case.

"Now he's all embarrassed? Ruby, this is so cute ❤️, I loved discovering this, even though it could be a more... Like Frozen Time." You smiled affectionately, a little more crazy in love with him than you already are.

Even though they spent half the year apart, he always found a way to surprise you with a gift that always left you with hearts in her eyes.

And with this serious muscular man facade that he gave to everyone, you LOVE this facade seeing him looking so cute, like he was the cutest bear in the world, he was It always made you feel warm inside, it was no wonder that half of your songs were about him.

"This is very sad, to wake up it's better not to hear my girlfriend's sad voice." He grabbed you, sat with you on his lap and leaned against the headboard, feeling your snuggle against him, he just grabbed your waist, dressed only in Rúben's shirt from the previous night.

"Ruby, it's all cute and all, but can you wear something underneath? It's super weird feeling everything down here." You grimaced, avoiding moving as much as possible.

"You didn't complain last night, and my ears hurt, shouting in the morning doesn't help anyone."

"Shouting!? You've got to be kidding! I listened to Neon Nightfall for five whole minutes!" You screamed uselessly and hit his arm.

"Yes, yes, great thing Bun Bun, your voice is beautiful, the most beautiful I know, but you screaming at 6 in the morning is not good for the big guy here."

"This big guy is going to sleep on the couch today."

"Is it my house?"

"I just don't care!"

Bonus:

"Ruby, what do you mean you're going to the gym at 7am on a Saturday!?" You looks indignantly at the outfit all produced just to go train.

"Bunny, a player's job isn't easy."

"But it's Saturday! And who is going to protect me in this giant city for a poor innocent foreigner full of London dreams?"

"Bunny, yesterday you almost ripped out all my hair, ruined my back completely and I almost lost my dick, so we can forget about innocence, it's impossible for you to get lost in this city because you're rich enough to-"

"Enough! There's no need for more humiliation! I understand that I'm nothing.." You just turned your back, looking with your head down at the extremely beautiful floor.

"[Reader]... You're everything to me, okay? Now I'm going leave now, I'm going to try to get there early so we can visit the city. Is that okay?" You felt arms wrap around your waist and a kiss on your cheek and temples, your eyes widened and you are surprised by your boyfriend's rare use of your name.

"Okay Ruby, but don't call me by my name, it's weird coming from you."

"Bunny, Will Canela take good care of you while I'm gone?"

"She always takes care of me all the time."

Rúben just turned you around, kissing your lips tenderly and placing one of her platinum locks behind her ear.

Rúben just turned you around, kissing your lips tenderly and tucking one of your strands of hair behind your ear.

"That is good."

* ˚ ✦

So... I don't know what I'm doing here.

If you're here again and you're confused about the "reader" it's because I decided to change the OC to "reader insertion" with a vote on the blog.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to explore the singing world today, and I'm confused if I'll continue with the original character or "reader", one of these days I'll do a vote.😩

Update: I already took the vote and Reader won.

But more parts of this universe will appear, and it took me a while to publish this chapter with just a few words, as there were several different versions of the same universe and I didn't like any of them, so that was it and we are here.

Thanks for reading, reblogs, feedback and likes are very welcome!!!

© All this shit belongs to @ronaldothebestie on Tumblr, so don't translate, repost, copy in no social media, do not commit plagiarism, It's crime and wtf?

[berriblossom]

Hi can I make a request of Casper from a date with death with a short s/o that’s chubby and a baker and is a otaku and is a tomboy but still likes some cute things tho

I just wanna see some domestic things for Casper

-> This is so much cuteness! Thank you for the ask!

-> What he loves most | Casper x gn!reader! -> Second POV, just fluff!

There were a lot of things Casper had to get used to when he had his newfound freedom from being a reaper of souls. Many of which he happily shared with you.

Whether it was going through old manga that you had stored on your shelves that he read in his free time, or watching old animation films you bought for him to entertain himself with. Some nights if he felt up to it, he'd ask to wear a face mask while watching a new show of yours. He may not understand the concept of "fighting for your honor back " but he'd watch if it makes you happy. Another thing Casper loves while doing this is laying his head on your thighs or tummy. Slowly as you watch the film you'll notice him lean closer and closer to you as the show goes on. Soon enough he's lying on your thighs commenting about the protagonist being too bright or obnoxiously loud. (if you mention anything about being the same way to him, he will deny it and say you get an exception because his sunshine is supposed to be bright and vibrant.) He will also remind you if the show you are watching or catching up on has new episodes, just to remind you and make you smile at the end of a work day.

If you like playing games of any sort, he is down but is competitive and kind of a grandpa.(remember the emoji convo) so be patient with him. He is trying. I see Casper as the type of gamer to play the Sims and never leave the computer, just designing his future with you, your pet, Azrael, and a garden for you. (with a large kitchen and space for baking, with a personal room for you and your novelties and books). Don't let him play a horror game. He either makes fun of it for the overdramatic deaths or he'll challenge it. Either way, the fear factor won't work on him like that(in my opinion) but try and delete the 4 bedroom and 3 bath home on the Sims he made for you, there you will get tears and screams.

Another thing Casper likes is your job. Even though he has mentioned that reapers don't need to eat, sleep, or breathe somehow he is always jumping at the occasion whenever you text him about bringing home any baked goods or pastries from the shop home to him and Azrael. (yes, him too because it is an excuse for you to bring more to share) It doesn't matter what you pick, he'll eat it with an adorable face of joy. He sometimes will come down to the bakery and help if you need it.

While making fun of you for being "below the average mortal height" that he has seen over the years. You can flirt as much as you want to but, Casper will always use his height to his advantage. If you're in the shop and need something from a high shelf or above the fridge? Ask him politely to inflate his ego a little bit and then he will help you. While placing his tease a bit. Looking for something specific but can't seem to find it. He placed it on top of the fridge in "sky jail" because you teased him earlier about liking cream in his mouth. Now you'll never finish the dessert you were making unless you go to find the step stool. (which he has also put in a higher place to piss you off more.)

Cuddling sessions after a tiring day of work are as ethereal as Casper is. Had a hard day at work? Get in the blanket with him, he might be as frigid as a frozen tundra but his cuddles and affectionate squeezes and words of encouragement are just as warm. A customer made you a little upset? Oh, trash needed to go out on Thursday anyway (that's a joke, unless...).

The best learning experience for Casper is when he tries to bake or cook with you, he doesn't know the proper measurements for anything, it's random bullshit and go for him. But he will listen to your instructions. While he is intently measuring the sugar, water, and yeast mixture with full concentration, if you go up to him and give him a kiss or hug him from behind he'll shoo you away and mumble about how he was so kind to be helping you at work. FOR FREE. But after a few minutes, he'll ask for your assistance on a task and will cling to you like glue. Will he get flour in his hair? You'll never know, but he will snipe samples and test batches of anything you'll make. Your coworker's batches? Not so much. Even if it is hot garbage in your opinion he will still eat it up as if he was starved.

All in all, Casper can be a little shit or sweetheart for you. Just bring some extra snacks for him and Azrael for the next few days while he is on that Sims 4 dream home.

[starneteyam]

THE BLAME ★

🖇️ char. Neteyam x fem! reader

🖇️ warn. Mention of death, fluff, very long

🎥 You are a member of the Lyre’oaran clan, a species that live in a tundra environment, closest to Eywa. Your clan is of legends and myths, but after the sky people attacked and forced you out, you urge to find Jake Sully — to save your clan.

A/N Lyre’oare is a clan that I’ve made up! It is a mixture of the words “Frozen” and “Moon”.

You wailed, tears spilling from your eyes as an avatar of the sky people held you by your braid, a knife to your neck, forcing you to watch as your mother was murdered in front of you. “You monster!” You screamed, trying to bare your teeth, but grief winning over and a sob leaving your throat. Colonel Quaritch only chuckled, dropping your mother’s dead body, her body laying against your dead siblings and father. Everybody was dead, the homes your clan has built all burning to the ground. He sheathed his knife, walking closer to you and squatting down to get to your eye level.

“Now, you listen here, missy.” He spat. You could barely hear his voice, overlapped with the sound of your sobs and the burning wood around you. Your heart physically hurt, everything you were spiritually connected with, all dead or burning. Your connection with Eywa was stronger than any other clan in Pandora. “You fly off with your little pet, and you find Jake Sully. Now, you tell him that Colonel Quaritch is coming for him—that he’s next.” He said through gritted teeth, angered by the thought of the man you’ve never heard of. “I do not know who Jake’Suli is.” You spoke the truth, your words barely making it through your cries.

“He’s Toruk Makto.” He said in his American accent, “The leader of the Omiticaya.” Your eyes flickered to his, recognizing the Omiticayans, and he didn’t fail to notice. They were the forest people, a clan that lived below, towards the south in a warm environment. He smiled. “Good, so you know them.”

You let out a shaky breath, closing your eyes and tears gliding down your cheeks. “Please, I beg of you. Let me join my family.” You begged quietly, raising your chin and showing him your neck, hoping he would slice it. He looked around at his military group, before bursting out into laughter like a hyena. “Spare you? Now, I can’t do that. After all, dead men tell no tales.” He stabbed his knife through your right hand, and you screamed in pain. “This wound on your hand can be your proof.”

You rode your ikran, wailing as you rode through the skies. Your heart was in anguish and you had no time to grieve as you flew towards the caves of the Omiticaya. You were covered in the blood of your family, staining your pale blue skin. Lyre’oaran people’s skin color was baby blue, their hair being white to blend in with the snow. After days of flying, you reached the Omiticaya with a heavy heart, your face stone cold.

You let out a cry to let them know of your presence, landing your ikran. Upon seeing you, the Omiticayans hissed, some drawing their weapons, others turning their heads in curiosity. You stepped on the ground, holding your chin up high. “Take me to Jake’Suli, Toruk Makto.” You said, your voice full of authority. The crowd mumbled amongst themselves, and a boy your age emerged from the crowd. “Who are you?” He asked, voice loud and stern, as if he were challenging you. You placed your fingers on your forehead. “Oel ngati kameie.” The tension around you seemed to lessen.

He didn’t do it back, still cautious, and you couldn’t blame him. You were covered in dried blood, and you looked like a Na’vi that had never been seen before. “Please, I beg of you. Take me to Toruk Makto.” You pleaded, your voice caught in your throat as the images flashed your mind. He frowned, and complied. The people watched you with judging eyes as you walked towards the home of Jake Sully.

“Father!” He had said, making your eyes widen. You stood in anticipation as a man, who you assumed was Jake Sully, showed himself. Behind him stood a woman, who you thought was his mate, and his children. Jake’s ears flickered as he looked at you. “What the…” He whispered out, stepping closer. “She arrived unpronounced, and wished to speak to you.” The boy told his father. You let out a shaky breath, looking up at Jake Sully. Who was this man?

“I am the eldest daughter of Olo’eyktan, of the Lyre’oaran clan.” You spoke, glaring up at him as he looked down at you with confusion. You voice was wavering, tears welling your eyes as you tried to contain your anger. ‘This is the man that got my clan killed.’ You thought. “My clan is dead.” You said through gritted teeth, baring your teeth at him. “Lyre’oaran?” He mumbled, and his mate stood forward. “You are the people of the frozen moon?” She said. Your breath hitched, and you nodded.

“My people are dead.” You rephrased, stepping forward. “The Sky People came to our village, and killed everybody. They destroyed our most sacred place, and burned the houses, and killed the people! Because of you!” You yelled, though ending with a sob. Neytiri held her hands in front of her mouth, feeling your pain. You showed your wounded hand. “He is coming, for you.” You balled up your wounded hand into your fist.

“It is all your fault!” You screamed, and he stepped forward, a look of guilt on his face. You hit your fist against his chest. “It is your fault! My people! My home!” You sobbed, anger winning over you as you repeatedly hit his chest. He didn’t fight back, nor did his family stop you. They only watched in sympathy and pity. “My family.” You sobbed, and enveloped you in a hug, and you gave in, feeling warmth for the first time in days. You sobbed in his chest, your cries loud.

As daughter of Olo’eyktan, you were always taught to be noble, elegant, and graceful. You never had an emotional outburst before, but your feelings flowed out of you. “I’m sorry.” Jake apologized in your ear, and you couldn’t help but cry harder. “I’m sorry.”

You sat silently in their home, feeling like an outcast. You sat with your knees against your chest, hugging your legs. “You must eat.” Neytiri said softly, placing a bowl next to you. You ignored her. She sighed. “I understand.” She said. Your ears twitched, signaling that you were listening. “My father was killed by the Sky People. My people, our home tree, our forest — all because of them.” She sneered. You looked at her, slowly loosening. “Jake and my children are all half breeds, but they are one of the people. He helped us win against the devils.” She explained, looking at Jake, who sat across the room, with Tuktirey in his lap.

“Tomorrow, we move. We fly for Metkayina, for our safety. You must come with us.” She urged, and you turned your body towards her. Even you knew that you weren’t safe here. “You are fleeing? Instead of fighting?” You asked, judgement in your voice. She sighed. “For the children, we are fleeing.” You bit your lip, and couldn’t argue. Your parents would have done the same thing, and you knew that. “Then I will come with you.” Neytiri smiled at this. “But before we go, I ask to visit your sacred place — the spirit tree. I must feel Eywa.” She stared at you, silent, as if she were hesitant, then nodded.

“Ey, Neteyam!” She called over, to which the boy who you met first came over. “Take her to the spirit tree.” She ordered, and Neteyam said nothing and nodded. “Come.” He ushered. You stood, following him outside. As he led you towards the ikran, he stayed quiet for a while, before he spoke. “I have never heard of the Lyre’oare clan.” He told you, his voice startling you. You cleared your throat. “We are a clan only spoken in legends and myths, so it is expected.” You said, each word of your heavy and holding meaning.

“We are the clan closest to Eywa; each of us have a personal connection with the great mother. We live where the sun hides behind the moon, so our land is cold. That is why we are called the people of the frozen moon.” You explained, never thinking you would explain yourself to an outsider. Your clan was forbidden to interact with other clans, as your clan’s job was to maintain the balance of Eywa. “I see.” He said quietly, letting your words sink into his heart. Silence followed as you reached your ikrans, and began to set flight.

He didn’t speak after that, so you had decided to make conversation. “Your mother is lovely.” You had said, surprising him. He looked at you with wide eyes. “I can feel her love for Eywa, and her connection.” You looked at him. “And I can feel yours.” You said in a hushed tone. He shyly looked away. Your aura was that of a goddess’, and he couldn’t help but feel nervous around you. Yes, that had to be the reason he was nervous—no other reason.

You arrived at the sacred tree, and you gasped at the beauty of it. Eywa will always win your heart. Almost immediately, the seeds of the spirit tree started floating towards you. You laughed in joy, reaching your hands out to them. Neteyam watched in awe. So this is what being part of the most spiritual clan was like. You stepped towards the tree, brushing your hands against the stems, the nature around you whispering. He followed after you, entranced with curiosity.

You sat at the foot of the tree, on your knees. You reached out and grabbed a stem, sliding it towards yourself as you brought your braid towards the stem. You breathed in through your mouth as you connected and made your bond, before smiling. The grass below you began to illuminate brighter, and Neteyam stepped back. You raised your arms, placing your hands against the bark of the tree. “What the…” He mumbled as he watched the wound on your hand slowly heal. “Shh.” You hushed him.

He did so, watching as your hand was now left with nothing but a scar. You then leaned forward, pressing your forehead against the tree, eyes closed. “I see you, Eywa.” You whispered. You stood up quickly, causing Neteyam to flinch. You unbounded yourself from the spirit tree, and turned to him. “Thank you for bringing me here.” Neteyam couldn’t speak, the words getting caught in his throat. ‘Beautiful.’ He wanted to say.

The next day, you headed out to Awa’atlu with the Suli family, riding with Neteyam as you had to leave your ikran behind. Your ikran was used to colder temperatures, and bringing him to such a warm place like Pandora’s reefs would be too harsh for your ikran. You, on the other hand, would be able to adapt—hopefully. You took note of Kiri, feeling a strong connection of her and Eywa, but you decided not to say anything. She was child of an Avatar and alien. Being mature as a child of Eywa, you made sure not to discriminate, but you couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable around her. She probably noticed.

“You must be careful. The chief’s wife is wise, but strict. She will not be so welcoming.” You told them, and Jake turned to you. “How do you know?” He asked, loud enough for you to hear. You let out a laugh. “I am connected with Eywa, I know everything!” You told him, gripping on tighter to Neteyam. His breath hitched. You ignored it.

“You didn’t know of me, though?” Jake said with obvious conclusion. You stayed silent for a few heartbeats, before speaking again. “I knew of you. I knew of Toruk Makto, and of how you led your people to victory against the Sky People. Though, Eywa did not reveal your name. She does not tell me anybody’s name.” You explained.

“The people of Awa’atlu are strong respecters of my clan, the Lyre’oare. Their spirit tree is under water, and without the cold of the water that is- was maintained by my people, their tree would have not been strong. They respect me and my people, though they’ve never seen us. But I can not say the same for you. They will be cautious of you.” You warned them, your words full of intelligence. “Well, let’s just hope they like us.” Jake mumbled.

You and the Suli family arrived, and you got off first, not afraid. The people crowded you and the family, murmuring amongst themselves. You felt someone touch your tail, and you hissed. You understood their curiosity, but you were one of the Lyre’oaran people, they should respect you. Your ears were rounder, like a polar bear’s, and your skin was much lighter, like ice.

You stood by Neteyam and Lo’ak, watching as two boys walked closer to you, then behind. “Look at their tails!” Rotxo laughed, touching Neteyam’s tail. “How are they supposed to swim?” Added Au’nong, laughing along. You stepped forward towards Au’nong, and he stopped laughing as he looked at you. You scanned him with judging eyes, circling around him. You gently kicked his tail with your foot, then ran your fingers along his arm. “Hey!” He hissed. “You are built for swimming.” You commented the obvious, looking at his arm.

You pushed his arm back to him. “But that is all you are good for.” He bared his teeth at your comment, and before you could bare your teeth back, Neteyam stopped you. “Just be cool, guys.” Said Jake, and you stepped away from Au’nong, showing some class. You were a lady, and that of a higher class. He was nothing but a childish teen. The chief made his presence, and you watched silently as he negotiated with Jake.

Then, his wife, Ronal appeared. She walked between the Suli family slowly, before setting eyes upon you. “You.” She said, head turning to her. “Where do you come from?” She asked, voice deep and strong. You didn’t cower. “I am daughter of Olo’eyktan, of the Lyre’oaran clan.” You said loudly. Some people gasped, some people stepped forward to get a better look at you.

“Why do you come here?” She asked. You huffed through your nose. “My clan is no longer. I am the only survivor. The Sky People have attacked my home. The Suli family and I come here to seek shelter.” You told her sternly, not wavering once. Her stare on you lingered, before she turned away. She touched Kiri’s tail. “Their tails are too thin, and their arms are too small.” She said. She then grabbed Lo’ak’s hand, showing them for everybody to see.

“They are not even real Na’vi!” The crowd gasped. “They have demon blood!” The crowd hissed and mumbled, and Jake sighed. Tuning Ronal and Jake out, you grabbed Neteyam’s hand, his hand flat against yours. He was surprised, and you hummed. “You do not have five fingers.” You said, smiling as you looked up at him. You didn’t know why, but you felt like comforting him. He let out a shaky breath, before clearing his throat. “I- Yeah.” He laughed nervously.

Lo’ak elbowed his side teasingly, and Neteyam only hissed back. You grinned, looking at Neteyam, before looking at his brother. “The daughter of the chief is looking this way.” You whispered. “What?” Lo’ak asked, head snapping up as he looked for Tsireya. “Just kidding.” You and Neteyam laughed, while Lo’ak groaned. “Not funny.”

“Come, follow.” You laughed, urging Neteyam quietly as he ran at after you. It was late at night, and the two of you were sneaking out. Neteyam knew that if his father found out, he would have surely gotten in trouble — but the excitement of it all was something he loved. You reached a dock, sitting down and reaching into the water. “Look.” You swerved your fingers around the water, the water around your hands turning light blue, illuminated. He stared in wonder.

He reached down into the water, doing the same, but the sea didn’t change. He looked at you in confusion. “My body is cold, because I am from a colder place. The water freezes as I touch.” You explained, eyes on him with a wide grin the whole time. He couldn’t help but grin back. “Your body is cold?” He asked. You nodded to confirm, holding your hand out. He hesitated, eyes glancing between you and your hand.

He placed his hand into yours, his larger. You gripped his hand, a chill being sent up your spine from his warmth. He let out a laugh. “You are freezing!” He exclaimed, and you giggled. “And you are warm.” Slowly, you brought his hand up to your face, and he subconsciously cupped it. His smile died down, his breath hitching. You stared up at him with doe eyes, and he almost leaned in, but he furrowed his eyebrows.

“You’re cold.” He mumbled, and your eyelids fluttered. “You are too cold.” He said, finally realizing something was wrong as your eyes fluttered shut, your body limp as you fell into his arms, unconscious. “Shit!” He scooped you up in his arms, your breaths fast and rapid. Your body was not adapting to the warm weather well. You were most likely having a heatstroke. He ran towards his home, hoping to find his father.

“Dad! Dad!” He yelled, Jake immediately standing up and looking at his son with wide eyes. “Something’s- Something is wrong with her.” He said, breaths fast as his eyes scanned her body with fear. “It is too warm here.” Neteyam explained, obvious distress in his tone. Neytiri acted first, ushering him to place her on the floor. “Hurry, call Ronal.” She told Kiri.

“What the hell were you doing, boy?” Asked Jake through gritted teeth, kneeling down next to his son. Neteyam tried to speak through his patterned breaths, obviously panicking. Jake quickly noticed, letting out a sigh before bringing his son’s head to his chest in comfort. “It’s going to be okay, Neteyam. She’ll be fine.”

You awoke the next day with a headache, but feeling much better. You rose up fast, looking around and noticing how you were back home. You looked to your sides, also noting how you were alone. “Neteyam? Lo’ak?” You called, hoping someone would show. You heard scurried footsteps, before you saw Neteyam. He let out a relieved sigh, immediately rushing in front of you and dropping to his kneels, arms wrapped around your neck as he hugged you tightly.

“You are okay.” He whispered, and you hesitantly hugged back, letting out a laugh. “Calm, Neteyam. I only fainted.” You joked, hoping to lighten the mood. Neteyam didn’t agree. He grabbed you by your shoulders, looking at you with stern eyes. “You only fainted? You gave me a heart attack! You are not taking care of yourself!” He said, angry. Your smile faded, and you frowned. You didn’t like that he was upset with you—at all.

“I am sorry, Neteyam. I did not mean to burden you.” You spoke in a hushed tone, your ears flickering back in guilt. His expression relaxed upon seeing yours. He cupped the side of your face so you would look at him. “You never burdened me. I care for you.” He said, his words holding deep meaning and placing a weight on your heart. You leaned into his hand, closing your eyes. “I am-” He cut you off, your eyes snapping open as his lips connected to yours with urgency.

It was a quick, but deep kiss, and you sat dumbfounded. You recollected yourself, breath shaky. “Neteyam.” You whispered, eyes wide. “I see you.” He told you, scooting closer to you as his eyes searched your face. Your confused expression morphed into a joyed one, your hand covering your mouth as a laugh slipped out your throat. “Neteyam!” You jumped on him, wrapping your arms around his neck, the sudden weight knocking you to over, laughter filling the open room.

He laid below you, and you supported yourself off the floor with your elbows, looking into his eyes. “I see you.” You told him back, leaning in for a second kiss.

[akunoniwa]

Knife Prty

AN: gang. I've not published anything in like. Three months. For me, this ""piece"" is more of a way to break the ice of my mind that's since frozen over. Overall, I am very reluctant to write, let alone publish, Astarion for various reasons, but I was listening to Deftones one day and was feeling devious.

Synopsis: In which you hold the memory of your first encounter with him very near and dear... He uses it to his tactical advantage...

Pairing: Astarion x fem!reader/tav

Warnings: MDNI, knife play, most definitely would not recommend fucking or getting fucked with a knife handle, sorry it sounded hot,

WC: ~2.3k

A knife balanced against your neck, a familiar blade, increasingly warm with your heat. It was a grave distraction as it teetered threateningly along the grain of your skin, but you’d made a purposeful mistake of telling Astarion how nice it felt to be not just beneath him, but his dagger. It was objectively dangerous, the feeling wasn’t conveniently replicated, thus it felt… real this way, vital. His hand had an instinctual way of slotting itself between your thighs, the heart of his palm blanketing your blooming clit. Two fingers coaxing slick sweetness and moans from your body that twined around him.

“Is this…” Your hand searched behind you to grab at his right upper thigh, pulling him into your backside, “...What you needed, my love?” His words, shrouded in his misty tone, implored you in tandem with his hand.

He was in too many lovely places at once, your muscles slacking in unison as you both stood bare in the middle of the large bath in the vacant House of Hope. Fresh killers you were, in need of a cleanse in every sense, but something about finally taking out Raphael and his accessories had you both at peculiar odds. Astarion was made to witness your vulnerabilities to Haarlep, and despite knowing you well at this point, he found he was unable to accept that you were actually susceptible to its charm. Even if that weren’t the case, he wasn’t about to say he was basking happily in the image of you being ridden by an incubus who ought to just be Raphael himself. The more he was made to think about it after the fact– fighting beasts to save Hope, slashing down Raphael himself… His mind deviated drunkenly back to your body… You. With someone… Something else. 

He decided he’d have you in that very spot, right in the Hells where his heat in this moment would make even the waters here boil over.

You two haven't really spoken about what happened in the graveyard, perhaps enough had already been said and done. It’d been weeks since, and no matter how paramount it was to you both, in different respects, Cazador had virtually nothing to do with the looming Elder Brain.

But Astarion’s declaration of his new ‘life’, or an amendment of his living death, still prevailed. This revitalization of sorts stood prominently, following him decisively like a shadow he didn’t have. Constant proof of him as him.

The sharpened metal at your throat was an afterthought to you at the time, but a thought nonetheless– one Astarion had hung onto dearly. Ever since you’d told him in a passing moment that you found your first encounter with him haunting your more unsavory moments, he couldn’t rid himself of the reminders.

“Gods, yes…” You shamelessly ground your hips into his beckoning hand, requiring his attention like nothing else. He was, needless to say, extremely turned on by you in any case, but here… Like this, adorned with his blade that had just slain that imbecilic devil, in addition to his enslaver just weeks prior. He could hardly allow his mind to wander trying to understand, but here his knife somehow signified something of untouchable worth. Trust… A morbid reenactment, sure, but how he adored you so, obsessed with how he was able to thrill you in such an asinine way.

You could feel him straining against you, that familiar sensation of his needing you… Though, he enthusiastically opted to see how long he could play with you, guiding your orgasm through the thickets of his teasing maze.

“Sick little love… I can feel you pulsing against my fingers, so fucking hot and wet.” His remark was serpentine and crude, hips rutting his cock ever so slightly between the swells of your perched ass, “How many times have you thought about this…?” He needed to sift through your tainted mind, needed to hear of your hunger, starvation, for him, as much as he tries to pretend he doesn’t love the assurance. Does your mind, too, think of him like he does of you? Remind me… He’d think– You must keep reminding him of how he tears your sanity to such decadent shreds.

His pace slowed only to allow for precision, his middle and ring finger hooked inside you knowingly as he worked at your left shoulder with his tongue.

“Fuck…” Your small, overwhelmed squeak indicated he was doing exactly as he should, rubbing the velvety spot just past the threshold of your cunt that made you shudder in his embrace, “I don’t even know…” He felt your head fall back on his right shoulder in blissful dejection, “It was more than a few.”

“My routine of devouring you isn’t enough, hm?” His fine-pointed fangs indented your skin on cue, not yet drawing blood.

You let out a breathy laugh, “Admittedly… I was nervous about the pain at first, but… You always manage to make such reckless things feel so good…”

“You drive me insane, darling. Utterly insane. Especially when you say deranged things like that…” Still hooked, his fingers sped up with dedicated intent to make you cum, skin sticky with sweat as you were sealed against his front, “A knife to your sweet neck is all it takes to make you drip down my hand?” You made him feel murderous, vulturine… Alive? Your adorable reactions picked at all the right places within him like crows.

You hummed a dizzied whine in time with his firm pace, a rush of everything creating a cyclone deep within your core, “But, you’re holding it…”

“That I am, dear. Watching you fucking lose yourself like this is truly a sight to behold.” The knife pressed its taunts as he fucked into you while you tried to keep steady.

“Don’t stop…”  You couldn’t and didn’t want to fixate on anything else but the pleasure he was giving you, “Please…” Your free hand subconsciously rushed to blanket the one that worked at your beckoning hole, making him gleam beneath your needy touch. His precum began to gradually garnish your backside– Why in the Hells would he stop now?

He need not hide his satisfaction, never with you, a grin causing his words to fray upward with lust, “Pretty, pretty thing… Cum for me.” He sprinkled your shoulder with nipping kisses once more, “ Give it all to me…” He crooned right into your center, his tone broad and smoky.

Hardly needing much past a syllable, your violent shakes when you cum were one of his favorite things to witness, let alone cause. His hand was caught in a vice grip between the tide of your plush thighs as he continued to press into that perfect spot as you came, your moans resonating through his cock. He loved the way your nails dug into the back of his thigh to bring him impossibly close, the other hand around his wrist… Holding onto him for all that you were worth in this moment.

“So divine…” He dragged the knife torturously down your chest, its fine point flicking just barely at your nipples, circling them, “I know how much you like when I tease here…”

You wanted to cry out, every nerve ablaze after your orgasm as you warmed his coated fingers. Instead, you gnawed on another dulled groan in your mouth as the metal tip tickled your areola.

“Let me hear you, darling… There’s no one around.” His voice enveloped your mind like a lecherous fog, words enunciated as they cut into you, “I’d almost say that’s a shame, as I can’t decide if I’d want everyone in all the Hells and beyond to hear your little noises, or have you all to myself.”

“Astarion…” He was breaking you, collecting your pieces, and puzzling your lust-drunk self back together as he pleased.

It seems everyone at camp has been reaching the apex of their struggles at once, especially since reaching Baldur’s Gate– seeing an unwanted face or two is inevitable. It’s been a smothered blur, and to put it more plainly, you and Astarion have not really been afforded time together. It was absurd, fighting almost toe to steel toe beside him, but this was the case day in, day out, everything else had to wait. You’d begun to miss him… You’d tried to brush it off, perhaps it was just you and some arrangement of irrational justifications. His biting quips seemed more distant, even when he held you after a long outing, he felt… Far. And the only reason for this was the non-squirmy affliction you both shared for each other. Of course, he missed you dreadfully. Hence his body currently being superimposed onto yours, an eclipse of raw, splitting desire.

“Give me more… Say it again.” He urged feverishly as your hips still twitched here and there, your movements waking through him.

“Astarion.” You trailed a caressing hand up the arm he latched around your front, just listening to what little was left in your mind. You found the hilt of his dagger gripped in his other hand, guiding it so the fuller would rest on your flattened tongue. Licking a careful stripe towards the tip, he watched in an attentive daze, your projections onto the knife translating to his groin just as you’d hoped.

“Yes, darling…” He finally pulled his fingers from you, experimentally wiping your slick onto the knife. You could feel his smirk radiating beside your cheek as he tugged the blade to his lips. Making sure to secure your eyes, you watched as he tasted your sweet mixed with metallic, making you writhe beneath the image before you.

Swiftly, as he does, he flipped the dagger to lead the rounded pommel down over your stomach, slowly flowing over your pelvis, ultimately pressing down on your clit. He managed to grip it in a way so as to avoid cutting his own hand, running the ball between your swollen folds.

“Mm, I wanna touch you…” You whined pitifully as you writhed, wanting to make him feel as good as he was making you feel, lavish him in pleasure as you’d been ceaselessly imagining.

The moonlight was damn near blinding that night on the overgrown plot of his not-so-restful place… How he pushed you back, fiercely, claiming everything as his own– most importantly, himself. You almost giggle at your spontaneous recollections, how forceful yet tediously careful his movements were as he made it no secret that he’d take you then and there. How his knee swiftly presented you to him, his relentless, passionate kisses…–

“Perhaps I want to be sure that we are on the same page…” The pommel grazed your quivering center, rolling your arousal to a fro, insinuating his intent, “Do you think I enjoyed watching you moan beneath that infernal wretch?”

“I was truly trying to sort out the hammer business… I can’t say I was willingly enthused, he had to charm me just to get me to consider taking my clothes off.”

“It was certainly a… production… But I must be frank, it was not something I ever dreamed of being made to see. How that… Thing nearly made you succumb to its little tricks.” He angled the dagger so as to push it inside you, just a bit, dragging out another melodious moan from you.

He chuckled at this, deciding to drop the matter for the moment, “My filthy darling… You wouldn’t cum around my dagger, would you?” He chided, knowing full well that he’d see to that being the case, “It seems… You just need to be fucked, no matter how.”

The hilt was thick, stretching you generously as its smooth leather pushed further into you. He gripped the guard to avoid splitting his hand, but the risk of a small injury paled in comparison to this, “Maybe there’s something about Avernus, this house… I just feel… Hot,” You debated momentarily, wondering if it’d be more of a burden to speak from what little of your mind remained, “...And I didn’t want to bother you by telling you that I missed you. In any capacity… I’ve missed all of you.” You forced coherence despite him establishing a cyclic rhythm.

He kissed your cheek a few times in response, though found himself quickly perplexed, “Bother me– Darling, never. You’ve… Missed me?”

“It’s been fighting nonstop for weeks, and save for… A few instances, the last few months. All I’ve wanted was to just be able to relax with you, to truly just be.”

“You’re going to tell me this as I’ve buried a dagger handle inside you? You’ve got peculiar timing, my sweet.” His movements subconsciously stilled as he was looking to you for an unknown kind of answer.

“Gods–” You clenched as he kissed your neck this time, allowing his fangs to indent just enough to make themselves known again, “I’m sorry… I guess I could’ve said it any time… I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“No, no, no– love, so could I,” He opted to always shower you with every pet name he could recite, perhaps as a habitual hedge, perhaps to drown you in his doting, “I’ve most certainly missed you, too.” He could feel you attempting to move onto the dagger, sending his body and estranged soul into a frenzy, “So, so much…” He found he just wanted to make you scream, in this particular instance. He’d been rearranging the meaning of intimacy in his mind slowly but steadily alongside you. While harrowing associations would inevitably remain attached to the act, he wanted to overwrite as much of that as he could with images of you. Of true rejoice, pleasure. He swore, his cock twitched upon reminding himself just how good you make him feel, body and beyond.

[kybercvnt]

You Look Cold.

Pairing – Anakin Skywalker x GN!Reader

Summary – You and Anakin are on a Jedi mission to snoop out the Separatists, but what you don't expect is to find the warmth you needed on one of your coldest missions.

Word Count – 1354

Warnings – Angst?, near-death, hypothermia, swearing

A/N – I've been saving this one for a rainy day but now I think is the best time to let it free from my drafts after not posting a story for a whole week.

Perhaps this idea of a stakeout on a dry, frozen planet wasn’t the best. You had been expecting the arrival of a fearsome Dooku and one of his many new Separatist apprentices in the darkness of the night, but what you hadn’t expected was the planet’s drastic change in the temperature. The sun was the one star keeping you warm, and now the bitterness of the cold nipped at your fingertips, and it was only late evening.

You and Anakin had been sent to spy on the Sith Lord atop the ridges of their supposed “secret” base but had not been forewarned at the gradual descent in temperature. No extra layers, no questions, and no preparation for your impromptu visit. Obi-Wan had the fortune of not being able to join you both on your scout and instead had requested to stay back and wait for Anakin’s signal to fly down with their army of clones and attack when they least expected it.

Anakin was diligently keeping a watchful eye at the edge of the cliff face, whilst you were trying to forcefully stretch your robes around your shivering body. You earlier asked Anakin if there was any slim chance you would be able to light a fire to keep yourself from earning yourself purple phalanges, but Anakin persisted it would “expose our location.” Anything for the Jedi Order, you suppose.

Anakin had never shown much affection to you as he considered that you were just another Jedi doing your job in the war. It didn’t bother you that much, he had his priorities, and you had yours. Every Jedi had vowed to put their duties and efforts for the war in front of personal desires. It would have been easy, if you hadn’t had the fattest crush on him.

You wanted to twirl his brown hair around your fingers, rest your body on his firm chest, and simply hold him for a while. You knew Anakin had quirks, he was sensitive and had outbursts at his temperaments. You couldn’t think about your adornment for the knight right now, you could only wish that the rage that boiled inside of was hot enough to keep you warm.

Anakin was fairly larger than you and much better trained. His endurance and size allowed him to feel the cold, but not quiver at the sensation as majorly as you. You knew though, that he couldn’t keep up this facade of being a strong and resistant fighter for much longer. He would soon be in your position and consider putting the mission in jeopardy for a fire.

While he kept a lookout, waiting for the dark leaders to leave the safety of their base, you continued to shudder and rock, wiggling your toes and trying your hardest not to succumb to the cold. Your hood was raised over your head, but the skin on your face had the greatest exposure, and you felt your nose start to leak.

“Still no sign of them.” He told you, but once he turned to face you, he was met with a near-corpse body. You had stopped your jittering, instead, your teeth chattered rapidly. Your cheeks and nose had a colouration that was vastly different from the rest of your skin. You didn’t look him in the eyes because you were too zoned out, staring at the pebbles and rocks of dust.

“You look cold.” He called out to you, but you omitted no movements. He ran up to you in panic, immediately draping your cold form under his robe and forcing you into his body. If it weren’t for the fact your consciousness was slowly leaving you, you might’ve been a little flustered, but now the rosiness on your cheeks was enough to blame on the cold. He pressed your face into his neck, he was surprisingly warm (it must’ve been the rage all along). He didn’t grimace when your wet nose made contact with his dry skin, but he did grimace at the freezing feeling of your skin. The slight warmth he provided gave you enough energy to rasp out a few words.

“No… sh-shit…” He cradled you, and you revelled in his touch. It didn’t stop the tingling in your legs when you tried to move them, and your fingers felt so brittle they might snap off. He quietly shushed you and pulled you onto the earth, you both lying on the ground with him hugging you tightly. This was a feeling you had always wanted, but not in such dire circumstances might they be a little bit romantic.

With your nose still squished against his neck, you could only make out the sound of the rustling of fabric. You weren’t sure what you were hearing, but once warm hands found your own icy ones, you couldn’t help but smile into his neck.

“Fuck, you should’ve said something sooner.” He scolded you. You wanted to laugh, but your body was too void of energy to do anything unless it was minor.

“I didn’t… want to worry… you… The missi…” You were quiet, conserving your energy as best you could.

“Fuck the mission. You’re worth more than some Sith scum.” He barked, and there was that bitter Anakin you knew and loved.

“If I die…” You started.

“You’re not going to die! I won’t let that happen.” He was truly sensitive. He was still a young boy who had lost too many people in his life, thrust into a war and is claimed to be the “chosen one.” You heard that he had too much to handle at such a young age that you didn’t want to press him into telling you more, not wanting to ignite the everlasting spark that might end in a catastrophic cataclysm.

“If I die… I’ve always liked you, Ani… I just wanted you to know.” He didn’t retaliate or say anything in return, he just kept you pressed against him. Until he thought it was long enough and he tilted your head upwards at him slowly. Your half-lidded eyes stared up at him, you didn’t want him to see you this weak. He wouldn’t have thought to see you as weak, and your awaited response was reciprocated in a warm kiss.

Your lips were chapped from the constant heavy and jagged mouth-breathing your lifeless body had defaulted to. When he pulled his lips back from yours, shocked at your icy skin, you gave him no response, at all. Your eyes closed and your breathing softened, you finally succumbed to the cold and blacked out.

You couldn’t tell, but at the same time, Anakin heard faint voices coming from below the cliff. He didn’t dare leave your side, and instead reached for his comms and spoke into it.

“Obi-Wan, they’re out, and please send medical help. Immediately.” It only took half a minute before a dozen ships flew down to meet the Sith Lord. You were quickly brisked away for support, and Anakin was anxious throughout the attack.

You woke up in a Coruscanti medical bay, far warmer than you last remembered. You looked to your side to see a very relieved Anakin standing over you. His eyes were red like he had been crying, he was always such a sensitive boy.

“Thank the stars you’re okay. You scared me back there!” He scolded you once again, unknowing where to direct his frustrations. His clamour made you want to laugh, but you had enough energy that you could actually let out a small chuckle, so you did.

“I’d do it more often… If it meant I got that much attention.” He made a small laugh in return, and you swore you could see a tear glisten down the side of his cheek. He leaned in over you, connecting your lips together.

“You don’t have to risk your life for it.” He breathed over your now warm lips, “just ask.” he whispered and reconnected your lips again once more. You smiled against his lips, your heart flipping in your chest at the realisation that the man you admired for a long time, finally loved you back.

[t3a-tan]

tanner + james for 2?

James still isn't the best at comforting borrowers, but he's trying his best!

Next part

-----

It had been a week since Tanner found himself not stuck in that dark empty place and he was struggling to survive by himself. He was only 10 when he was taken, so he had hardly learned anything about being a borrower; not how to make entrances, not how to borrow food, not even how to make tools.

He had been wandering around the streets, hiding in cracks in the foundation of buildings to stay away from humans and other predators and only moving when the coast was clear. He was exhausted; the only food he had eaten came from the floor, and he had been using a crisps bag to sleep in so he wouldn't freeze.

Often he couldn't sleep at night, too scared that he was back in the dark place— soothed only by the faint glow of street lights in the area. When he did sleep he would have nightmares, and when he would wake up he would hug himself and pretend that it was his sister keeping him warm and safe like she always had.

One day whilst he was getting food he heard a loud bark coming from his left— the sound feeling almost ear-splitting and causing him to lose his balance and fall backwards, dropping the food. He trembled, teary eyes looking up at the giant dog as it approached, sniffing the ground and tail wagging. It barked again and he cried out, covering his ears and scrambling backwards, attempting to crawl underneath the large bin beside him in the alleyway.

He didn't get far before being shoved to the ground again by a snout against his back, the dog playfully nudging him around as Tanner cried and tried to keep his head covered, feeling bruises forming from the unintentionally rough treatment.

“Heel! Hey!”

Tanner's eyes snapped open at the sound of a human voice, breathing heavily and frozen in place despite the fact that the dog had stopped nudging Tanner to look back at the human. It barked again, tail wagging excitedly behind it, tongue hanging out as it panted.

“I swear I heard…” The voice muttered, and Tanner covered his mouth on instinct, hoping and praying that they would just leave and take their dog with them. His hope was dashed when he felt the tremors of human footsteps approaching. Tanner could tell that his body was becoming unstable based on the way his hands had blackened completely and a weird almost weightless feeling was coming over his body.

“Fuck. I thought so..” Tanner tried to will his body to move; to hide away in a place the human couldn't reach him, but he felt stuck. Blackened tears streamed down his face as he kept his head covered, not wanting to look up at his doom.

He heard fabric shifting as the human crouched down, and an echoey whimper escaped his lips when the dog's nose came back to sniff at him.

“Oi— back off, Henry.” The dog was moved away, but the danger was still there, staring down at Tanner. The pressure was overwhelming. “Hey… I'm not going to hurt you. You're a borrower aren't you?”

Tanner felt his entire body tense up hearing that word come from a human's mouth. A human who knew about borrowers was a bad thing— that meant they probably knew about the market. What if they knew Ryker? What if they would take him back..?

“You look like a kid… where are your parents..?” It was the kind of line of questioning Tanner expected. Humans would always try to get more borrowers after all. Still the reminder made him tear up, and he responded by curling into himself more, trying to get his body to actually hide away or move instead of just laying on the ground in such a vulnerable position.

“Th-they're dead…” He whined, keeping his head down. He didn't want to look up. It felt too final… he knew logically that it didn't matter if he looked up or not, but he still felt like looking up and meeting the gaze of the human would be his death sentence.

There was the sound of a sharp inhale of surprise before the voice got louder, sounding much closer all of a sudden.

“Jesus, kid…you're all alone..?” They sounded oddly sympathetic— enough that Tanner finally looked up, meeting their dark brown gaze with his pitch black eyes. The human's breath hitched at the sight, flinching away ever so slightly, which caused Tanner to recoil back, covering his face again.

“Uhh.. you're not a demon that's gonna possess me or something? Or uh… some ghost kid..?” The voice asked in a nervous tone, which made Tanner sniffle.

“I-I… I don't even know what that is…” He responded, scooting back away as he finally regained some more control over his trembling body. He moved back quickly, trying to get underneath the bin only to stop and cover his ears as the dog started barking again.

“Henry! Shh! You're better than this!” The human scolded, his voice almost as loud and grating as the dog's. Luckily, at least, it made the dog go quiet again, with only a whine in protest. Tanner stared up at the human with wide frightened eyes, no longer scooting away, just staring.

“A-are you gonna let him eat me..?” He asked, unable to help himself. He immediately regretted it, remembering that Sammy had told him never to give humans more ideas; if they know what you're afraid of, they know what to do next. Tanner tried to crawl away the moment he registered that, only to jolt away when a giant hand was suddenly placed in his path.

“I can tell you're scared, kid. I don't know what you've been through but…no. The dog isn't going to eat you. Henry is a sweetheart.” The human stated with a sigh as the boy flinched away from his hand as if it was going to snap closed on him at any moment. “Now listen. I can't just leave a kid on the streets in good conscience… I'm gonna take you back to my house and then we can figure out what to do with you after, okay?”

The voice became stern in a way that made Tanner a blood run cold and he immediately began to cry, shaking his head desperately, and trying to run around the hand only for another one to box him in further. Tanner collapsed into a shaking heap on the floor, sobbing into his arms.

“No no no…you can't take me…don't take me… I don't want to do that…” He begged, his voice ragged with panicked breaths. “I'm not a pet…I'm not a pet…”

“Woah! Woah— mate, that's not what I meant..! Hey hey— shhhh…. It's okay..!” The rumbling voice suddenly took on an edge of panic itself, and Tanner could feel the heat radiating from those giant hands as they encroached further upon his protective ball. “Kid, please… I can't just leave you here. I know you're scared, but I'm not a bad guy.”

Tanner shook his head again, closing his eyes tightly and refusing to believe a word of what he said.

He felt a sigh wash over his body and shivered at the thought of how close the human must be. Then suddenly he was scooped up into the calloused palms of the human, unable to do anything but cry out as it happened. His hands pushed weakly at the fingers that began to close around his fragile frame, heart racing in his chest.

“Shhh… Look, I know someone like you. He's a borrower too— and as soon as I get you back to my house you can go with him, okay? I'm not going to keep you so just…try to calm down.” Another finger pressed against Tanner's head, gently mussing up his tangled curly hair.

Despite his panic Tanner couldn't help but think to himself that it felt pleasant to be held again. He hadn't been held or touched or spoke to for months— his only company being his own thoughts. The hand around him felt warm and the cold was quickly seeping out of his body, the tension in his muscles disappearing despite his fear.

The human's words didn't exactly register with him in this state. Tanner was simply resigning himself to whatever fate awaited him, and for now he tried to take comfort in the warm gentle hand that was now carrying him off away from the dark and damp streets he had grown used to, sniffling slightly.

James brought his hand closer to his chest, relieved that the boy was no longer struggling as he cut Henry's walk short in order to head straight home. He walked at a brisk but steady pace, trying to make it as comfortable as possible for the scared child but also wanting to get home as soon as possible.

“You're gonna be okay, kid…”

[vampwritesstuff]

Forgotten Melodies

Chapter 5 - I Fucking Hate Stairs

Pairing - Kim Hongjoong x Fem!Reader

Genre - smau, post college au, non idol au, fluff, angst, ex friends to friends, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, slowburn

Moving back to Seoul after studying abroad in the States, Y/n couldn’t decide if fate wanted to punch her in the gut or give her a warm hug after she finds herself reconnecting with an old group of friends by pure chance. The only thing is, she didn’t leave on good terms with one of them.

a/n Idk how I’ve had the motivation to be writing so much lately but hey, it’s a good thing for you guys because that means more updates, also I was playing Oasis by EXO on repeat while making this chapter, i don’t even stan them but I need that song injected into my veins 😩 also this chapter isn’t proofread so I’m sorry for any mistakes! Hope you enjoy the chapter!!

Hongjoong had stared at the group chat for at least an hour the previous night. Meticulously studying the photo of you and Wooyoung that San had sent of the two of you pillow fighting. You looked a lot more different than he remembered, hell you even acted differently from the way San had described the interaction, but of course he only remembered the eighteen year old version of you. A quiet and soft spoken girl who somehow was unfortunate enough to befriend Wooyoung and be dragged into his crazy antics, and that consequently led to you making friends with San, and eventually the other boys and Hongjoong himself.

Hongjoong dragged a hand over his face while groaning, tapping his foot impatiently as the elevator took him to the floor that Wooyoung and San’s apartment was on. Hongjoong was tired, not only had his recent clients been a total nightmare to deal with but he’d been in a creative slump for any of his personal projects, and the knowledge that you were back in Seoul and had already reconnected with his friends was not helping soothe his already exhausted and anxious mind. Hongjoong knew you hated him, and it made him nervous to think about how you’d react to seeing him again. He felt guilty for how he handled things back in high school, and when he had finally built the courage to apologize to you, he learned that you had packed up and left for America, which stung if he was being honest. But he couldn’t blame you, he knew that you had always wanted to go to an American university.

The ding of the elevator arriving on the 6th floor broke Hongjoong from his thoughts and slowly he began towards his friends’ apartment. He knocked a few times on the door, slightly confused when the door swung open and a frantic Wooyoung cowered behind him and used him as a human shield. “Wooyoung what are you-” Hongjoong’s question was drowned out by the sound of a feminine voice yelling his friend’s name from inside the apartment. “Jung Wooyoung get your ass back here!” Hongjoong looked forward just in time to see you turn the corner of the entryway looking absolutely pissed as you held a hoodie in your hands.

Hongjoong stood frozen, just as you stopped in your tracks when you realized who Wooyoung was hiding behind. Hongjoong was taken aback by how much you truly did change, the picture San had sent in the group chat didn’t do you any justice. Just as he went to speak, you beat him to it, “I’ve gotta go, I have important shit to do.” You announced, which caused Wooyoung to release his death grip on Hongjoong and whine, “But you just got here.”

“I only came by for my hoodie, you already knew I wasn’t staying for long.” You chided him, completely ignoring Hongjoong’s presence. He could tell though that it was taking a lot of self restraint to do so, if the tension in your jaw, crossed arms and balled fists were any indication to your displeasure of Hongjoong being within feet of you. Hongjoong wanted to say something, anything to have you acknowledge him but once he broke himself from his stupor, you were already walking down the hallway, forgoing the convenience of the elevator and taking the stairs.

“Well that was weird, anyway, come on in hyung. You’re here for those packages right? San showed me where they were before he left this morning.” Wooyoung spoke as he pulled Hongjoong into the apartment.

You were pissed. Pissed because how the hell had you forgotten that Hongjoong was still their friend and at some point you would have been face to face with him? Pissed because of the way you couldn’t look him in the eyes, especially when there was so much you wanted to say to him. Years of pent up anger towards him resurfaced the moment you saw him in the doorway of Wooyoung’s apartment.

You stopped in the stairwell for a moment, taking a moment to catch your breath as you had practically sprinted down the stairs in order to get away from Hongjoong as quickly as possible, “I fucking hate stairs,” you grumbled to yourself, as you exited onto a random floor and took the elevator the rest of the way down. You took the time to calm down and refocus, seeing Hongjoong again felt like having a bucket of ice water poured all over you.

Was it childish to have reacted like that and run off? Possibly, but for the time being you could care less. He wasn’t your priority at the moment, and you could simmer in your anger towards him at a later time. You just wanted to go visit your mom and finally get some groceries in your apartment. As much as you loved take out, your wallet and stomach were begging for something else. Grocery shopping and a visit to the hospital would be a great way to get your mind off of things.

Back in Wooyoung’s apartment, Hongjoong was being interrogated by his younger friend. “So you and Y/n seriously never made up?” The black haired male asked, a deadpan expression on his face. “No, Wooyoung, like I said, I never got the chance to set things straight with her.” Hongjoong groaned as he massaged his temple, feeling the beginnings of a headache.

“Well damn, I mean, I know everything that happened was all just a huge misunderstanding between the two of you, but I didn’t think it had affected her so much that she would give you the cold shoulder as soon as she saw you.” Wooyoung said, and Hongjoong just closed his eyes and sighed.

“I get why she’s upset though, from her perspective you didn’t try to salvage your friendship at all and when you did you were too late.” Wooyoung empathized with you, knowing that if he were in the same situation, he’d probably react the same way. Hongjoong hated how his friend was right, Hongjoong’s priorities in high school were skewed and it cost him a valuable friendship with you. He thought he would’ve had more time to apologize.

“Oh! You know what, now that she’s back, you can start trying to mend things with her!” Wooyoung suggested excitedly, “I don’t know if you saw how she reacted to seeing me, Wooyoung, since you were busy cowering behind me, but there is no way in hell she’s going to let me get that close to her again.” Hongjoong rationalized, or maybe he was making excuses. Yeah, he was making excuses because seeing you and how much you changed had thrown him for a loop. He hadn’t seen you since high school and seeing you in Wooyoung and San’s apartment, the polar opposite of what you were like back then, gave him cold feet.

Hongjoong watched as Wooyoung rolled his eyes and pointed at him, “It’s not like you won’t have the rest of us around to support you, hyung. In fact, I’ve now decided that I’m not going to rest until both of you make up and become friends again!” Wooyoung smiled triumphantly, as if he had just come up with the most brilliant idea.

Somehow, Hongjoong felt like this entire thing was going to backfire terribly.

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[ellieluvr420]

Eye for an Eye Pt.5

MASTERLIST (and information about Palestine) Please read!

SYNOPSIS: Your body yearned for the touch of your girlfriend, the warm embrace that calmed your mind but you couldn't give in, the anger you harboured for her at disappearing with her group for three months without any warning, explanation or even a mention of when she would be back stopped you in your tracks any time you got close to giving in. You loved Abby so much but looking at her made you sick, you couldn't push the feelings down no matter how much you craved for things to go back to what they once were. You hadn't planned this but the anguish in those green eyes mirrored yours and sucked you in before you could think twice about the repercussions of your actions. You made your bed when you made the deal with the auburn-haired stranger, eventually you'd have to lie in it.

I want to quickly stress that this is a darker fic and there will be a lot of darker, possibly triggering themes to do with mental health throughout so take that as a warning. I likely won't do warnings for each part because part of this fic for me is that you don't know what's going to happen until you read it so please do not read if you find graphic descriptions of mental illness and topics surrounding that triggering (this includes suicide, be warned). But if you do read, thank you so much, this story is really important to me and I appreciate any interaction whatsoever!

₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧      

“WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?” Her pistol jammed into your chest as she grabbed your hair and yanked it, pulling your head backwards to meet her eyes. The force of it causing you to drop the polaroid on the floor.

“Ellie, I’m sorry.” 

“You’re fucking sorry? You’re sorry you didn’t tell me you’re with the girl who bashed Joel’s head in with a golf club while they made me watch? You’re fucking sorry? Sorry’s not good enough.” She cocked the gun and you didn’t even flinch, you just stayed frozen in your place as you pictured Abby, your sweet Abby, before everything happened and suddenly a switch flipped, you wouldn’t die before she did, you had to keep going. 

“Wait! Ellie, look, I know it’ll be hard to believe me, but I still want to help you. I want her dead just as much as you do.” 

“How do you expect me to believe that?” 

“Because it’s the truth. Yes, I was in love with her, but she broke my heart when she left without telling me, she didn’t care about me, she left me to rot on my own and when she came back she still wouldn’t tell me where she had went, she watched me crumble, become a shell of myself, I didn’t eat, I didn’t sleep and it didn’t change anything for her, she ruined me. Then you told me what she had done and that was it, she wasn’t my Abby anymore, you want to kill her and I want to help, that’s the truth Ellie.” She loosened her grip on your hair and retracted her gun as she took two steps back from you, shaking her head like she was trying to stop your words entering her ears. 

“So- so what, you help me kill her and then you just live happily ever after? You’re full of shit.” 

“No Ellie, I was going to kill her and then kill myself.” The words fell out of your lips before you even had time to process what you were thinking. There was silence between you both, she just stood and stared and you never let your eyes leave the floor as you pinched at the skin on your arm, you’re real, this is real, you’re conscious. 

“W-what, why?” You chuckled at her bewilderment like the answer to her question was the most obvious thing in the world. 

“Because I’m basically dead anyway, I signed my death warrant the second I agreed to help you, they’ll figure it out sooner or later but they won’t find you before you get to them. I accepted my fate when I agreed to help you because I can’t live with her but I can’t live without her so I don’t see myself being able to live like this much longer.” 

“Like what?” 

“My mind is splintered, I keep saying things in my head but different words are coming out of my mouth and I have no idea what I said in place of what I was thinking. I keep blacking out, I’m losing time, one minute I’m walking out of the theatre with you and the next we’re in Hillcrest but I can’t find you because apparently I wandered off without a trace. I don’t even know if you were telling the truth to Jesse when you said I saved you from two clickers on the way there because I have no memory from when we left the theatre to when I found that Wolf. I don’t remember the journey from... the house by the hospital to- to here. I reached for the door handle to leave and instead I was opening the window for us to climb through. Earlier today I imagined that I strangled Abby to death and it felt so real until I snapped back to reality and she was sitting right in front of me. When I passed out as we came in, what happened in my head was that as I got through the window I turned back to see Abby following me in instead of you. She grabbed me and she- I don’t even know what the fuck she did but it felt like I was dying. I’m going fucking insane and there’s nothing I can do to stop it because Abby broke my heart and dragged my soul away from me too. I am nothing, I will never be anything again.” You sobbed, choking on the lump in your throat as you just tried to keep going. “The first time I even felt like I was attached to my body in months was in that fucking house with you Ellie and then it happened all over again and I was screaming and crying but I wasn’t because I was kissing you back and I actually felt real but in my head I was begging for you not to become a monster like me. I can’t breathe, I can’t sleep, I can’t function because the person I trusted with my life is slowly killing me. I’d rather die than keep living like this but she doesn’t get to just move on and forget about me all over again once I’m gone. She has to pay too. I know you’re not telling me everything about why she killed Joel but I don’t care, I want to die and I want to take her with me.” You suck a breath in to try and steady your voice and clear your mind. “I’m sorry for lying, I really am. I shouldn’t have been an asshole about you not telling me about Dina because I’ve done worse but I have no control anymore and I just saw red when you told me about her. I haven’t always been a monster like this I swear, I’m just- I'm too far gone to save. So I was gonna help you kill her and then kill myself. That’s the truth, I swear.” Fuck, why did you say that? Why did you actually just tell her that?

You feel dizzy, out of breath from your monologue. You don't want to look at Ellie, to see her reaction, you know it won't be good, you're surprised she hasn't shot you already, you just let the tears stream down your cheeks as you stare at the floor.

"Why didn't you say anything when I found you in Hillcrest?"

"It was the first time I properly blacked out for a long time, I was scared and I thought you'd think I was mad and shoot me there and then, I can't die until I know she'll be there waiting for me." It was grim, hearing your words, you couldn't imagine what Ellie was thinking.

"What if we kill her and you go back to n- you stop feeling all?-" She cuts herself off, unable to find a phrase to use that seemed appropriate.

"Stop feeling fucking insane?" You both chuckle quietly, it was bittersweet, more bitter than sweet.

"Sorry."

"Don't be, that's what I am, I doubt that'll change but even if it does, it won't change my mind. This is what has to happen, I know it doesn't make sense, to you anyway, but this is it for me, I don't have a future anymore because I can't have one with her. It's pathetic but she was the only thing that brought light into this shitty life and she ripped it away when she left, I'm sick of living in the dark."

"You're the most complicated person I've ever met."

"Could say the same to you."

"What?" She scoffs.

"I know you love Dina, you wouldn't call what happened between us a complication?"

"No, it's not complicated in my mind. It's about the simplest thing I've got going on up there these days." She taps her temple twice, it was your turn to scoff, she had to be joking. There's nothing simple about it, you had promised yourself you'd keep your distance because you couldn't get wrapped up in anything that might alter the course of your plan and that included Ellie... and her girlfriend.

"It won't happen again Ellie." Her face drops from the cheeky smirk that had been playing on her features, her eyes fluttering shut as she nods her head and bites the inside of her cheek.

"Please don't... you know... Come back to Jackson with us. You can start fresh." Her eyes lit up as she finished her sentence, a new sense of hope coursing through her veins that dissipates the second she meets your eyes.

"I can't do that, you know that, besides, you should want me dead for what I've done, why the fuck would you want me to come back with you?"

"I don't know but I can't just leave you here to die. I can't let you go." Quiet falls over you both, you shouldn't have asked her that, you knew the answer would only hurt more. You could never be what she needs, Dina is what she needs. You don't know Dina, but you know she's what's good for Ellie, she's the opposite of you, she's the light where you're the dark. She's the warm when you're the cold. Ellie deserved light and warmth, not cold and dark, that's all you'd ever be and that's all Ellie would ever want, it was sad, crushing but it was reality. You would always be Abby's even in death.

Why the fuck did you kiss her? You're fucking evil for doing this to her.

"When this is all done, go home with Dina and move on, forget about me and everything that happened here."

"I can't do that, you know that." She mimics your words and it stings.

"Ellie, I'm a fucking monster, I'm evil and I'll only dirty you. All I've done, you don't deserve someone like me in your life. I'll only bring you pain and suffering and I'll ruin you and your home. Leave me behind and get out while you can, before it catches up to you, don't get dragged down with me when I eventually go." Silence. She doesn't speak, only furrows her eyebrows as she steps towards you.

"It just happened again." Her reply confused you, it was obvious from your face that you hadn't caught on. "You didn't say anything just then. You just stared at me, not even at me, you stared through me."

"No." You breathed out, your voice wobbling.

"I'm sorry." She sounded sincere, she was, she watched as you disappeared behind your eyes and then reappeared like it was nothing, you were struggling to hold it together in front of her and she knew it.

"FUCK!" You curse out. "See what I mean, I'm barely alive anyway, what fucking difference does it make?"

"All the fucking difference! You're alive, you don't feel it but you're alive, you're here. Being alive in the world we live in is a fucking miracle, you can't just throw it away."

"I'm not just throwing it away Ellie. I can't see another way out of this. Just let me help you finish this and then forget about me. I'm not gonna change my mind so stop fucking trying." You snap, your voice harsh and distant as you look anywhere but her. You couldn't, you knew it would be too hard. Ellie stepped closer pleading with you in her head to just look at her like you'd hear her thoughts but you wouldn't, couldn't look at her and it sent shooting pains through her chest. She still hadn't learnt how to deal with sadness, it had always just turned to anger. The anger she could deal with, she could process to a certain extent, but sadness just lingered in her and caused her body to ache and her mind to become clouded, slightly separating her from the world. You were sad, gut-wrenchingly heartbroken, she saw herself in you and it only fed her delusions more, you would both finish this and you wouldn't feel this way anymore, that was the only possible outcome in her mind. She felt hope, the tiniest shimmer of light in a sea of darkness, almost being drowned out but still there. Though it was hard for the light to compete, her anger at your stubbornness and your lies crashing through her mind. She wanted this to work but she was still so aggrieved by your cold shoulder.

"How can I trust you now?" Her voice was sharp, covering the real feelings bubbling up. She trusted you, even after finding out about your relationship with Abby, she trusted you but she just needed to hear you speak again.

"I have patrol with Manny, I was just gonna kill him then and tell you but if you wanna see for yourself, I'll tell you where we're going to be and when. But if you get caught, it's not on me." She doesn't make a move to speak, only wincing slightly, almost unnoticeably at the coldness of your last statement. You wait and wait but she doesn't reply, she just stares, the look on her face screaming of dissatisfaction. "Look I know it's not Abby but it's only gonna be me and Manny on that patrol so when I come back alone and say he died, I'm gonna get interrogated for hours, it's protocol. I'm putting myself at risk here before I can even get to Abby because I want her to feel the pain of losing all of her friends. If I wasn't serious about all of this, why would I risk killing him in a way that could get me in serious trouble? Yes I want to end it but not until after she's gone, think about it Ellie, I'm doing this because I want to speed up the timeline. I want her dead, please believe me." Even as you beg, you still sound cold, the temperature around you both dropping to the point where there ware goosebumps prickling your skin.

"Fine. Now why don't you run off back to your little girlfriend and let me sleep." Little wasn't exactly the right word but Ellie had lost all control of her mouth, she sounded rough and hateful and she was anything but that towards you, being around you after all you had said was just too much of a reminder of the reality of what's to come and she wasn't ready to face that.

You didn't fight, you didn't have it in you. You just turned on your heel and walked away from her without another glance at the girl's defeated face. The polaroid still laying on the floor where you had been stood, abandoned by you.

tags: @emiliabby @liasxeatt @kawaiibreadbouquet-blog @tphmnv @a-little-bit-of-everybody @chrry1ovr @bready101

[loversatthegreatdivide]

Heavy Lies the Heart - Chapter 5

Masterlist // Continue Reading

Pairing: Benedict Bridgerton x F!OC Word Count: 2k Tropes: mutual pining, fluff, angst with a happy ending, royalty Warnings: death Summary: When two second-borns looking for direction meet by chance, can they find purpose in each other? Or will circumstance keep them apart? A/N: I love writing completely genre romance because I get to be so DRAMATIC about everything. It is extremely entertaining.

Benedict stood frozen as he stared intently at Beatrice. She gazed back, her brows lifted in concern.

"Something wrong brother?" Colin asked. Benedict nearly jumped, having already forgotten he wasn't alone, "Ah, it's the princess that's caught your eye is it? She is quite lovely--but did you not see her at the Danbury ball?"

"N-no; I must have been elsewhere when she arrived," Benedict replied, watching as Beatrice finally turned away.

"It was certainly a surprise; she caused quite the stir you know. I've heard she's staying at Buckingham House, so perhaps we'll see more of her before the season's out?"

Benedict turned to his brother, "Ah--yes, perhaps."

Colin scowled, "Are you sure you're alright? You seem...out of sorts."

Before Benedict could respond, he caught sight of his mother and Francesca as they moved to present themselves to the queen. He watched Beatrice when they approached. She held a brief look of surprise, before relaxing into a warm smile. She exchanged words with them quickly, until another mother-daughter pair hurried along to take their place before the queen.

Benedict took a long sip of his lemonade as the two came to join the brothers, smiles spread across their faces.

"I think we've done well tonight," Violet said confidently, "The princess seemed quite taken with Francesca--we can only hope the queen felt the same."

"What did she say?" Benedict asked quickly. His family looked at him with confusion.

"How unlike you to take such an interest, dear," Violet observed.

"Well, that is" Benedict hesitated, "With Anthony absent this evening, it falls to me to oversee such matters, yes?"

His mother's eyes narrowed, but she didn't push, "Of course,"

"The princess asked me about music," Francesca replied, smiling shyly, "She had heard I played the piano forte and wanted to know my favorite piece. Did you know she plays piano forte and the harp?"

"I...no, I did not know that," Benedict lied. Of course Beatrice had told him as much; she loved music nearly as much as Francesca.

"It is unsurprising that a young woman of her status would be so accomplished," Violet remarked, "though I hadn't expected her to be so...friendly?"

"Friendly?" Colin repeated.

"Well, yes--she was quite kind, and appeared genuinely happy to being speaking with us: dare I say she seemed almost excited about it."

"It certainly makes a stark contrast when paired with her grandmother, does it not?" Eloise, having made her way silently into the group, commented with a smirk.

"Eloise! That is no way to speak about our queen!" Her mother quickly scolded.

"Yes, and you had better hope grandmama doesn't hear you say such things; she can be quite the terror when she feels insulted." Everyone turned in shock to stare as Beatrice smiled back at them, the Bridgertons having been too absorbed in their conversation to notice her approach, "You should see her after she reads Whistledown, she seethes quite fiercely--though I would appreciate you not telling her I said so."

Benedict felt his chest ache as he stared at her; the swirling emotions within him too numerous to count.

His heart was filled with love for her, but he felt confusion at exactly how he should respond to the situation. He was shocked of course, then worried about what it would mean for the two of them going forward. He was angry she had kept something this important from him, but sympathetic as to what she must have been going through, then guilty as he knew how much she must be worried about his reaction. He was reevaluating what it was he thought he wanted, but couldn't come to a satisfying conclusion.

Beatrice stood smiling before him, but she refused to look him in the eye.

Violet visibly paled as she stared at the princess, "Oh, your highness, Eloise didn't mean--"

"It is fine. She is not wrong, after all," Beatrice replied, waving her hand dismissively, "At any rate, I thought perhaps I might gauge you interest in joining me for tea in the near future? I believe Miss Francesca might enjoy seeing the music room at Buckingham House."

"Oh, that would be lovely!" Francesca answered quickly, beaming back at Beatrice.

"We would certainly be honored for the invitation, your highness," Violet added, clearly pleased.

Beatrice nodded "Wonderful! The you should expect an invitation from me soon," she turned to Eloise, "You are welcome as well Miss Eloise; I have heard it said you're fond of reading? The royal library has quite the collection--I believe we have just received a few novels from France that may interest you."

"She has certainly heard quite a bit about us," Colin whispered to his brother. Benedict stayed silent, knowing full well he was the source of all her information.

"That sounds delightful, thank you your highness," Eloise responded awkwardly.

Beatrice smiled, "Lovely, I will certainly be glad to have you." Her eyes moved towards the dance floor, the other guests all whispering as they stared openly at her. A group of young men had formed together as they waited for her to leave the conversation. She looked out as she sighed, "It seems I have been cornered--I did not dance at the last ball, and I believe the crowd has become rather ravenous for me to do something gossip worthy."

When she looked back, her eyes finally met his.

"Yes, the ton is quite fond of its gossip," Violet agreed. They two hardly heard her, their minds abound with thoughts of what would come next.

Benedict had already realized it: This was it.

Now was the time he had to choose: Were they to be relegated to the shadows, forever apart? Was the brief time shared below streetlamps the only time they would ever have? Or was he willing to step out with her where everyone could see? Would he willingly move into view, knowing what that would inevitably mean? It was the choice between a fleeting moment of happiness that would only ever survive in their memory, or the chance--however slim--to attempt making something of these feelings they shared. Was he willing to try to have a real relationship with her, even if it was against all odds? Even with all that would come with it?

As they stared, the others in their company exchanged quick glances. It was clear their was something they had missed, but they couldn't imagine what.

"Then perhaps," Benedict spoke at last, "Her highness would do me the honor of her first dance?" he asked, extending his hand.

The other Bridgertons looked at him in open shock, before all eyes quickly fell to the princess. Beatrice looked just as surprised, but her shoulders quickly relaxed as a relieved smile formed on her face.

"Of course, Mister Bridgerton," she answered, laying her hand gently on his.

---

Beatrice followed along with Benedict as they made their way to the dance floor. She could feel the weight as the eyes of the ton followed their every move, but she hardly cared. In that moment there was only herself and Benedict, her eyes locked with his.

They took their places, standing opposite one another. They took a breath, and the strings ushered in the start of the dance. Soon the floor was awash with the fluid motion of dancing couples.

Benedict and Beatrice were at the center of it all, the other pairs on the floor giving them a wide berth. They stepped lightly toward each other, then back; their gaze uninterrupted as they moved. They stepped once more, before their hands moved up to clasp as Beatrice spun elegantly, dancing a few beats before spinning back. They twisted together, Benedict's right arm placed at the small of her back as he held her hand against her side. The other arm lay against his chest as her opposing hand rested in his. He held her gently as they moved.

"Benedict," Beatrice said softly as her face hovered only inches from his, "I am so terribly sorry, I--"

They broke apart, turning in place before coming back together.

"It is alright Beatrice, I...I understand," he assured her.

They stepped back, their arms moving up as their palms pressed together. They turned together slowly, Beatrice smiled nervously as she glanced down.

"Thank you, truly," she looked back up at him, "And please know I don't expect anything--just because we've been seen together here, it does not mean there has to be anything more, if that is not what you want."

The each spun around, their opposite arms returning up as their hands met once again.

"Beatrice, if more were not my intention, I would not have asked you for a dance," he assured her. Her face flushed.

"I-I see," she replied, a smile forming on her lips.

"Now," he smirked, "Shall we give Whistledown something to write about?" He spun her around as she laughed. Her smile was wide now, a genuine look of happiness on her face as she stared back at him. He smiled too, and it would be clear to anyone watching they were truly enjoying themselves. They no longer cared for the consequences, choosing instead to enjoy the dance to its fullest.

All too soon, their dance was at an end. They came to a stop, and Benedict bowed low in a manner that could very easily have been accused of playfulness. Beatrice held her hand to her mouth as she hid a small laugh.

"Your highness," Benedict smiled as he spoke.

"Mister Bridgerton," she replied with a grin, her head dipping slightly in acknowledgement.

He straighten, the two sharing one more glance before he retreated back to his eagerly awaiting family. Beatrice smiled as she watched him go, before graciously greeting a group of equally eager young men.

---

"What in heavens name was that?" Violet asked as her son approached.

"I haven't the foggiest notion of what you mean mother--it was a dance," he replied innocently, though the smirk on his face suggested anything but.

Eloise scoffed, "That hardly looked like just a dance."

"Yes, and I believe the queen would agree," Colin added, inclining his head in the direction of the dais. Benedict took a quick glance at the queen, before quickly looking away. She was staring directly at him with a look of pure suspicion. That, he would have to worry about later.

"You are all looking far too much into this--anyone would be thrilled to dance with a beautiful princess, would they not?" He commented, grabbing a glass from the nearby drink table.

"Even for one who takes no thrill in dancing under normal circumstances?" Eloise asked knowingly.

"Yes," Benedict answered bluntly, taking a large drink of lemonade.

"It does not seem the princess shares her enthusiasm so equally between partners either" Colin noted with a smile. Benedict turned to look out across the dance floor. Beatrice was dancing with a tall, lanky fellow who spun her around like a rag doll. She kept up her smile, but it was clearly more forced than it had been with her previous partner, "Yet I would hardly describe you as a beautiful princess, so why did she seem so equally thrilled to have you as her partner as you were with her?"

"I am hardly one to know a a young lady's mind," Benedict answered with a calculated level of nonchalance, before gesturing to the dance floor, "And that is hardly proof of anything--would you enjoy being flung about like a dogs chew toy?" Benedict countered.

"You are hardly convincing dear," his mother sighed, "Whatever you're up to Benedict, I only hope you know what you're doing--she is royalty, after all."

Beatrice caught his eye across the ballroom, and for a brief moment the warmth of her smile could be no less real than his own as he stared back.

Frankly he had no idea what he was getting into, but whatever conflicting feelings may still linger in his thoughts, his heart had made its choice.

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Tags: @empressnatsume @sarahskywalker-amidala @may-and-lay @lovelyxjanett @asterizee @g4ns3y @bubblegumcat229