#claude rains my beloved

[luigisvampirebae]

I see no difference

[dxmoness]

SPEAK NOW | MULTI-MANHWA

note — for Jami once again. SURPRISE FIC!!!

characters — gallahan lombardi, claude de alger obelia, rezef hill, ijekiel alpheus

pronouns — she/her, this will be reader instead of Jami herself like the other two fics so hopefully it's enjoyable to everyone!

—“THE WATER'S ROUGH, BUT THIS LOVE IS OURS.”

→ G. LOMBARDI

Gallahan Lombardi had been the man she had wedded a year ago and until now he hadn't failed to make her feel loved. Always so positive Gallahan made sure she felt so good about everything she did. If Name felt bad, Gallahan was there to tell her otherwise. Now in all this negativity things got worse when she found herself in a heap of untruths planted by other nobles. Her mentally drained at it and she tried hiding it from her husband. "Name?" Gallahan's voice was gentle and sweet as her body was engulfed in a warm embrace. "Is something wrong?" He whispered kindly as his eyes gleam with concern for her. After all she hadn't been herself. She broke down in tears as she told him everything. "It's okay." he whispered, kissing her forehead. "You'll be okay." He smiles and then the day ended with her in his comforting arms.

—“THIS WAS THE VERY FIRST PAGE, NOT WHERE THE STORYLINE ENDS.”

→ C. DE ALGER OBELIA.

Claude de Alger Obelia was a cold hearted man. Especially after the death of his beloved Diana. But, this cold demeanor seemed to shrink when he met her. Name was just a maid that was captured from another nation. The people who had did the human trafficking behind her way here was arrested and she was brought to the Ruby Castle to be a maid there. But, days came by as a surprise to the young female as the emperor himself seemed to enjoy her company. He knew it was wrong, but who cares? He was emperor and no one was bossing him around thus they got close. But, one thing leads to another as Name falls for a man that wasn't him, which brings him in pain. At their wedding, he came forward. "I object to this !marriage." Words that brought the guests confusion and surprise. Even he didn't know where this was coming from, but he didn't want her to marry someone else. Name seems to brighten up as she walks towards him. An objection by the emperor made her feel something. "Why?" Her question was asked after they left the place of the wedding's display. "Because I love you, and I can't lose you now." His voice grew warm at least Name thought so as he leaned closer. His lips against hers.

— “DROP EVERYTHING NOW, MEET ME IN THE POURING RAIN.”

→ I. ALPHEUS

Name was the princess' sister. When Athanasia made her choice to be with Lucas, Name was there for Ijekiel. And let's just say he had fallen for her slowly. Her smiles and things she did to comfort him of his heartbreak. "Good morning, Ijekiel." Name says with a smile as she greets him warmly. "Good morning, Your Highness." He kisses her gloved hand delicately. His eyes meet hers, a certain emotion in them that she couldn't quite get. "Do you need anything?" She asks kindly. She asks this because he never comes unless she invited him. "I just...needed to hear your voice." His face flushed as Name just laughs, a good way of laughing. Her eyes gleam with delight as she hugs him. "Okay."

— “I HAD TIME MY LIFE FIGHTING DRAGONS WITH YOU!”

→ R. HILL

Rezef Hill didn't like anyone except his sister. This was extremely noticeable as he rejected every single match his father brought his way. But, he had a secret. He was in love with his sister's lady in waiting, Name. Every time he saw her, something unfamiliar comes to his feelings. It's as if she was driving him mad. He hid it very while in his cold expressions towards her, but it was hard even for him. With every move towards he felt less himself as he fought the feelings away. That was until Name got close to Raffaelo Kidrey, as how he sees it. He grew more determined to get her than ever as he practically made up excuses to see her face everyday. "Are you alright, Your Highness?" Name asks, confused as he called yet again for the second time today. His cheeks seemed tinted as he nods. "Okay then..."

tagging, @sxnful-sins / @sxnful-rage , @salvatvre , @orlic1a , @yevene , @roseadleyn

[mothreign]

head empty. only acid phantom my beloved.

claude rains is so pretty guys. need him.

[peterlorrefanpage]

Mad Love / Phantom of the Opera crossover

Peter Lorre & Frances Drake - Mad Love studio promo (1935).

It's images like this that bring what I call my latent Phantom of the Opera desires to the forefront.

I mean, look at this. Look at his utter absorption as he drinks in the face of his beloved, at his regard palpable even in the poise of his chin, in his lowered eyelids:

Unhf.

It's because of Mad Love and tons of other things that Peter would have been fabulous as the Phantom of the Opera (just as he was in a different way as the Phantom of the Ballet). He'd have used similar elements, I just know it - the obsessiveness, the fractured personality, the masterfulness. He would have made PotO his own.

And after all, Claude Rains did it without singing (I do love Claude Rains).

Now, Peter could carry quite a nice tune. See The Verdict, and even the deliberately-goofy Was Frauen Traumen. But since it's already been established that singing on the Phantom's part isn't strictly necessary, even if we do mingle up movie and musical versions...

...and we already know Peter looks divine behind a keyboard, a la Three Strangers (1946)...

...and even when he's more menacing in All Through the Night (1942). I get that he's standing up from the piano at this moment, but still...

Now.

Imagine him as Erik, the lonely Hades of his own subterranean kingdom beneath the opera house, surrounded by all the lush and profane trappings he'd acquired over the long years. It's a home and a mausoleum in one, built to last out the rest of his days with everything he needs but nothing he wants.

Jaded and dejected, he sometimes feels his heart thudding so strongly it fills his ears like a tell-tale, ticking down the hours to the death he half-longs for. Time, there's too much time no matter how he squanders it, spending hours reinforcing the horrible stories that surround him like the wings of the stage.

Bah. Parlor tricks; amateur work. It's all too easy. He who had made audiences convulse and froth with horror, he who had designed masteries of diabolical architecture for petty gods on earth! What is an off-key shriek from a chorus girl or a whites-of-the-eyes bluster from a manager to that?

It's only when someone comes too close to his home, his security, his intactness, that his heart starts beating a vibration off the true, igniting his darker, more infernal urges...

Yet when he's with his music, tempering and mastering (though he knows he's a mere student of this, this cosmic glory) the pure energy that he hears with his eyes, feels with his skin - sound masquerading as air, as life - when he's more himself than at any other time - there's a small, stubborn, ridiculously hopeful part of him that glimmers up a foolish little wish that someone could sense and feel and know the humanity left in him.

For someone to see him, really see him, away from the shadows, away from the shroud, unshielded in unfiltered daylight.

And not leave him.

Such a hope is somehow the most damning of all. Yet he can't seem to obliterate it.

And then, one day, there - ! Above in the opera house! Something new has come: A budding voice, tremulous, pure.

A voice that brings the light right down to him through the corridors and casements, shafts and stairwells, along the crooked passageway second from the left, around the dust-covered boxes spilled out into the hallway from the broken-hasped door, down alongside the subterranean lake, through his doorways and walkways and archways, down to where he sits on his throne of an organ bench, hands frozen in mid-air, transfixed, overcome.

A voice without affectation. Without guile. Without, perhaps, much timbre or assurance.

But with, somehow, comprehension. Knowledge of suffering, of heartache, of the foibles of humankind. In fact--

Ah. There it is, a glissando of shade like a dark lantern closing, like the edge of an eclipse. He somehow knew it would be there.

How can such light coexist with this shadow?

He must behold its source. He must. Just a glimpse, that's all, surely he can have that. Just to see the face and form that voice comes from, just to fill his eyes and spirit.

And then to creep back to his cold hell of a home, there to feast on the image and the sound, knowing that the corporeal is not for such as him.

...but then, he thinks, as his hands twist his composition paper, crackling dry like mummified bones, why couldn't it be?

####

[stars-and-loops]

I'm going to bed. Chew on this in my absence.

Rain poured on the woods in a seemingly endless torrential downpour. H'aanit had often spoken of how wet early autumn was in the Woodlands but Castti did not believe it until she saw it herself. She doubted the rains of Osterra could match storms she had seen atop mount Liphia, but she was wrong to assume less of the Woodlands.

"Castti!" a lovely, truly concerned voice called out.

Castti turned on the log she sat upon, a soft smile adorning her lips at the sight of her beloved.

"Aren thee alright?" H'aanit took off her fur and placed it upon Castti's shoulders, "Comen, or thou willst acquiren some ailment."

"The rain's nice."

"Truly?"

"Yes."

Perhaps H'aanit thought she was delirious. Castti hadn't enjoyed even the sight of gathering clouds in months, what changed? As they returned to S'warkii, the rain only continued. Each blink of her eyes seemed to last an hour. Castti tripped as she began to slip into a deep slumber.

"Oh Dreafendi, why do thee push thyself to thy limits?" H'aanit sighed.

She took Castti in her arms, wondering why she had once more deprived herself of sleep. So often would Castti reprimand her for hunting late into the night but wouldn't even acknowledge that she had herself had hardly slept in days.

It was a mystery how long she slept. The last thing she remembered was the pouring rain and now she was in bed at home. A fire crackled in the hearth and Linde purred nearby. Still, a sound more pleasant reached Castti's ears. H'aanit hummed and sang as she cooked.

Castti did not dare move, she only listened as H'aanit sang an old folk song that she hardly understood. The language of the Woodlands was one Castti struggled to learn, but she tried nonetheless. Anything for H'aanit.

"Leave some crops behind, the paupers and the birds must also eat," was just about all Castti caught.

"A little late for a harvest song," she said.

H'aanit's rhythmic stirring slowed to a stop, "Thou art awake."

She was by Castti's side in an instant, pressing a gentle hand to her forehead.

"Fever."

"You're getting good at identifying illnesses, I could retire soon, you're good enough to replace me," Castti giggled.

"Now ist not a time for antics, I am worried for thee."

"... I promise, I'm fine."

H'aanit returned to the kitchen, setting plates out on the table. She helped Castti stand, careful to hold her when they sat.

Castti could hardly keep her eyes open as she ate. Each bite was amazing, but she was still so drowsy. The stew had been so lovingly made by someone who only wanted to see her happy and healthy.

"I wanted to asken something of thee."

"Go ahead."

"Thou detesten the rain, but stayed outside for hours. Why ist that?"

She paused and sat silent longer than she cared to admit. She wandered out into that rain because all she could think of was Trousseau. Lovely memories of teaching him about medicine and watching as he cared for Sally and Temm had returned to here.

A part of her regretted how she killed him. He was only a grieving man who was in way over his head. Had someone asked what was wrong, it was possible he would still be alive and it was possible he could be a wonderful apothecary.

But another part of her knew it wasn't her fault for inaction either. Claude was a manipulative monster and Trousseau would stop at nothing his father, even just once. It didn't matter what Castti did, his life would still come to a bitter end atop Timberain castle.

H'aanit cradled her in her arms, humming as she rocked back and forth.

"I miss Trousseau," Castti murmured.

"I know, dear. But resten now, the rain hath hurt thee."

CASTTI AND THE RAIN. H'AANIT CARING ABOUT HER. JUST. ALL OF THIS. AAIUFHHHHHHGGHH PIE YOUR WRITINF IS ALWAYS SO GOOD WHAT THE HECK!!!!!!

[thealmightyemprex]

FAvorite Movie Rambles :The Phantom of the Opera

So lets go into a movie that has recently joined my favorites list ,a film that I thought was OK the first time.....And now I adore it ,having seen it 6 or 8 times

This 1943 film tells the tale of Erique Claudin (Claude Rains ) ,a violinist who has spent every penny he has to anonymously aid a young opera singer named Christine (Susanna Foster ),when due to a tragic mix up Erique goes mad and is horribly scarred ,but sseeks to aid Christine by any means necessary

OK so this is my favorite version of Phantom of the Opera......Hardcore Phantom fans are scratching their heads .See Phantom is a beloved story ,adapted multiple times,though its stage adaptation as a beloved musical might be the most iconic version .I have not read the book but I have seen many of the film versions and the 25th Anniversary filmed version of the Musical .In the grand scheme of Phantom adaptations, this one is not talked about a lot , its also a very loose telling of the tale,with some odd changes ....So why do I love it ?

Well It's so unique for its time period.See ,especially at this time at Universal,Horror films were B Pictures,black and white ,very moody.....Which this isnt...This is an A picture !! Universal wanted to make this movie stand out .SO instead of black in white,this film is in gorgeous technicolor and the production values make this a stunning film to look at . The film has a feel of a musical but with a killer in it ,which I think gives the movie a feel of all its own

Also the movie not only feels like musical,it kind of is one ,as there are many Opera scenes.Now I get how that can be a turn off ,I mean with Phantom of the Opera ya want more Phantom then Opera......But I actually love the way the film emphasizes the power of music both in its score but also in its story . I adore the sweet lullaby that links Claudin to Christine (I'll get to why later ).I also like how the movie opens with an opera,and while watching the performance we are introduced to most of the key characters in the story,what their deal is,all without dialogue .Yeah some of the opera scenes go on a bit too long ,but I cant complain about the gorgeous singing of Susanna Foster and Nelson Eddie

The films director is Arthur Lubin ,noted for his comedy films,so he brings a sense of humor to the film,which I appreciate .Theres a great running gag involving the Stage Managers paranoia over a ghost haunting the Opera House , and the always blustery J Edward Bromberg hams it up wonderfully hammy as the owner of the theater .However surprisingly the best comedy is actually the love triangle scenes .Now in most versions the love triangle is a big part ,between The Phantom ,Christine and Raoul ,the lovestruck young noble ,however with the changes to the Phantoms character (Get to that later ) ,that is not the love triangle I am talking about. So in this film there are TWO suitors: We of course have Raoul ,now a cop instead of a noble .....But we also have Anatole,the star baritone ! Funny enough Anatole is kind of more the Raoul character then Raoul is ,being the hero ,planning to catch the Phantom and he is styled to resemble Norman Kerry's Raoul from the 1925 film .Playing Anatole is singer and actor Nelson Eddie (Disney fans will know him as the Whale Who Sang At The Met ) while Raoul is played by character actor Edgar Barrier ,and both deliver great performance .SEriously the best humor in the film comes from them trying to one up each other ,they have great chemistry and I like the arc they go through together

The strongest aspect of the film is its Christine and its Phantom .Christine is played by Susanna Foster.....And she is my absolute favorite Christine ..I love her chemistry with her two love interests,she sings gorgeously ,she has a bit more agency then most Christines,and I like her reaction to the Phantom which I can only describe as someone stuck with an unhinged person and trying their best to talk them down .This Christine is a woman torn between her love for two men but also her ADORATION of music(And I love the end of the film for the decision she makes )

Christines adoration of music plays into the overhaul of the Phantoms and Christines relationship. In most versions its pretty standard Stalker with a crush thing.....But While the film brings that up as a possible motive for Claudin,the film also firmly puts its foot down that isnt what is going on.Now originally the film was going to protray Claudin as Christines long lost father buuuuuuuut given the usual Phantom and Christine relationship,Universal feared that might come across a bit incestious .So whats Claudins deal then ?Well my interpertation is that all Claudan has is music .He has no friends ,no family,only music ,and he sees a kinship in Christine ,who has that same passion as well as being from the same part of France as he is ,and this is shown in the lullaby they both know .His obsession is mainly around music ,letting her be the best she can be ,and he perhaps sees her as the daughter he never had

Now lets talk about the Phantom himself played by Claude Rains....Cause he is a very diffrent Phantom,but I adore this take .This version of Erik,or Erique as he is named in this film is not the manipulative almost supervillain most versions depict but a far more sympathetic antagonist,who before he goes mad is a very nice older man who just loves music who has lost his ability to play the violin ,spent every penny he has to aid Christine before his dive into madness and murder.....That said the movie establishes subtley that he is unhinged ,he is still obsessed with and kind of wierd with Christine and once he fears his music is stolen he jumps to murder pretty darn quickley . What I like about him is while he is tragic.....He's still creepy,he is a murderer stalking a woman . Claude Rains was a king of playing villains,and for being masked a lot of the movie you need an actor with a grand voice and you dont get a voice more grand in the 40's then Claude Rains .I think he really captures how insane he is,one of my favorite moments is near the end and you see this mad look as he gleefully plays his concerto .And yet Rains captures the sadness of the character .I also like his costume ,especially his mask ,it miught be my favorite Phantom mask .Also the chandalier fall is a staple of the story,,,,,And this has the best one ,being a tense scene of the Phantom sawing with a hacksaw.

I love this movie ,its a pers0onal favorite of mine,if you havent seen it check it out

@angelixgutz @the-blue-fairie @themousefromfantasyland @metropolitan-mutant-of-ark @filmcityworld1 @amalthea9 @princesssarisa @ariel-seagull-wings

[ashton-slashton]

Watching Notorious and ough.... Claude Rains my beloved...... the OG "funny little man typecast as a villain"

[koro-is-caffeinated]

If yoa had to narrow it down, what are your top 5 villains in any form of media? 👀👀

I told you I'd get around to this!! Let's start the beatdown!!

5. Noximillian the Clockmaker from Wakfu. I love his voice, animation, and design. His story is rich and fits really well into the overall story. Not to mention I WANT HIS GENDER. Nox, my beloved.

4. The Headless Horseman!! Specifically the Tim Burton version. The whole thing with him emerging from the tangle of roots in that massive tree is just so badass. I'm not fond of how witchcraft is represented in that movie but I give credit where it's due for that magnificent and iconic character

Even though really the stepmother is the true villain, really, it's not what the movie is known for.

3. The Riddler. I like the more grounded and gritty 2022 version best. He's a truly twisted, skrunkly little guy. Need I say more? Paul Dano did an excellent job playing that dubious dude. I love his mind games. I even learned his cipher alphabet.

2. Mr. Hyde/Dr. Jekyll. 1800's sci-fi evil doctor with a wretched appearance? Count me in! I do love literature of that era and not once have I been disappointed by an iteration of the character. It has inspired a good number of my stories, you see? And not to mention how many times I read that book as a child. Hundreds of times, probably. Nostalgia factor!

1. The Invisible Man from the 1933 classic. HE. IS. SO. COOL. His story, his voice, the symbolism, NOT TO MENTION HIS APPEARANCE!! I adore him so much. I want his vibe so bad. Did you know that his laugh is what inspired the Joker laugh? Also, his actor Claude Rains is hot. He's hot. The effects for the time were incredible, not gonna lie. Black was a color that could be filmed over again on silver screen rolls, so to achieve the invisible effect, he wore a full black velvet morphsuit of sorts. Can you imagine those people back then, seeing that groundbreaking effect on the cinema screen for the first time? What a riot!

Honorable mentions: Hannibal Lector, Doc Ock, and my very own oc No. 3, that bastard.

[luigisvampirebae]

Phantom of the Opera is now my current hyperfixation (as evidenced by my three fan cast polls; yes, Gael García Bernal remains my Erik).

So, I'm looking for some recommendations for movies and/or books like The Phantom of the Opera 👻🌹

In the meantime, here's a gif of Claude Rains as Erique Claudin 💕

[classic80sand90smovieloves2]

claude rains my beloved! i watched him in the invisible man recently and awooga

I gotta get around to watching that too! I'm 80% sure I've got requests for it on my old hollywood blog.

[saint-siren]

A Pearl/Geyser

“I fell in love with a war, nobody told me it ended”/“you’re my number one — so I’ll keep turning down the hands that beckon me to come”

A self indulgent fic about stealing some poor dead woman’s man helping Claude grieve the loss of his beloved.

Sorta based on the songs A pearl and Geyser by Mitski, listen to them if you haven’t. It’s not necessary for the story, they’re just good songs.

Content warnings: NSFW

fem!reader

Claude’s own feelings for Diana were rather clear. They were intense and all consuming. They were reckless. They were all that existed, painful or pleasant. Wanted or unwanted, helpful or unhelpful. Whether it morphed into hatred and pain didn’t matter, his love for her was fate. It was a curse, a punishment for the blood he’d spilled — no, for having been born at all.

But there is no such thing as fate.

Meeting you proved that. You were not the kind of woman who could be ignored. When you first came to the palace, when you first reached his eyes, he didn’t want to observe you; yet he ended up taking in every single detail. You were graceful, but not in the way a dancer is. You reminded him of a fairy, possessing a quiet grace, as if you didn’t want to be seen by the wrong people. In stories, fairies would hide from all but the pure of heart. A silly folktale like that came to mind when saw you moving as though walking on air itself, cradled in a canopy of flower petals.

Your eyes were bright, sparkling with great curiosity in the world but they were also guarded, part of you was hidden. You made yourself very hard to know. Claude had only been able to notice from watching you for a long while that your default expression, a soft smile, eyes wide and innocent was a front. A look meant to placate others. A mask definitely but not necessarily a shield. Another thing Claude noticed, was your ability to give others what they needed. When you found someone, upset or in need of certain words, you always found them. You always gave them what they needed. When you said the words they longed to hear, it was never an act or performance detached from yourself. It was made purely from your own life’s experience, your own hard earned musing, grief and painful conclusions. It was the closest thing to the true you he’d ever seen when he secretly listened to you soothe someone with a tale of your own thoughts. Your face softened, you wore no mask. Sometimes he could hear the genuine sadness in your voice.

If Diana was like the warm and bright sun, you were the moon, mysterious and alluring. And all too captivating.

You were very intelligent, more than once had your calm advice saved many people their heads. When the answers didn’t come easily, you could work out different options for hours before carefully coming to the right one. The way you looked, deep in concentration, made something in Claude’s heart soften…He didn’t like it. He was inside a sticky jar of honey, sinking deeper, drowning in sweetness, slowly crystallizing. And yet all he could do was live in awe of its saccharine taste, not sparing any concern to his head going under, his lungs filling with honey.

You lived as though in awe of what a beautiful world we inhabited. You stopped and looked up at the sky several times a day, you basked in rain, wind and snow joyfully like a child. ‘How idiotic.’ he thought. But still, he watched you every single time and scolded you when you got sick. You took it in stride every time, smile at his insults as if you could see through them.

You accepted him for what he was. Even when he killed, your gaze never changed. Never flickered with fear. You never thought of him as a monster or tyrant or even ‘his majesty’, just simply “Claude.” You never thought of him in terms of saints or sinners, to you he was only a man. He found it hard to believe at first. He tested you. He showed you how dark of a person he could be but took it all in and accepted it. You had no defense or claim that would make him innocent, you simply accepted all of what made him. If part of Claude was evil and immoral, then that’s what it was.

You…you felt ephemeral. Too intelligent, too innocent, too accepting to exist in this world. Too good to be real. He feared that you would leave this world one day, abandon him for the beautiful place that must be your real home. Nothing gold can stay. Everything he cherishes will vanish simply because love cannot belong to someone like him. He should have known better. Should have known that loving you would be enough to make you leave. His only fear now was that you would cease to exist. What made him all the more anxious was your behavior. You always looked at beautiful things in a certain way, a desperate way as though you might not be able to see them again even if they were common things like the sunrise and sunset. You looked like you were trying to take as much beauty with you as you could. And yet, he knew that you also accepted the temporary nature of your own existence. It made him angry. He didn’t even have you yet and still he was going to lose you. You had no will to stay. He tried not to care, to write you off as insignificant so that it wouldn’t hurt when or if you left.

But after you fell in love with him, you started to look at Claude this way too. It was a bittersweet feeling. He was one of the beautiful things you were desperate not to lose.

He had been cruel at first, hoping to ward off his own feelings for you, trying to protect what little sanity he had left. But how could he not love you? How could he not come to accept your love? He could he refrain from kissing and touching you?

He had thought that he and Diana were fate, that Diana was the one and only love he’d ever have, the one. He was wrong. There was no fate. He knew that now, because if there was, it would have led him directly to you. He was angry at her, he hated her for putting him through so much. She was reckless, selfish. But you could only hate someone that much if you had loved them first. His love for her had been born out of years of pain, loneliness. He never knew love until he had her and perhaps then he could have loved anyone who had wanted to truly love him in return. He wanted to forget Diana only because her death brought so much pain. Her death felt like intentional abandonment. The death that he had refused to speak about for so long was now a deep ache muted by his new capacity for affection. He still remembered what you’d told him “When I’m in pain over something, I turn it over in my mind until doesn’t hurt anymore — until I can accept it.” Maybe that was what he had done with Diana. He hadn’t truly accepted nor forgiven Diana until he met you.

He would keep his love Diana inside him because of how it had scarred him but his love had changed, naturally. His love for her was like a pearl, something born out of suffering and the pain he had experienced thus far. Her love had if only temporarily, filled a hole in him, it gave him something he had lacked since he was a child. It was an ulcer born of all the pain endured in his life, in the form of a beautiful souvenir.

His love for you was like his garden, lush, ever-growing, evergreen and carefully tended to. He was still afraid to lose you, desperate to keep you, even more so than he was with Diana. Your presence was precious.

"Say it" He said against your slightly sweaty skin. You were writhing under him, Claude holding your twitching hips. He had stilled just short of your peak, denying you an orgasm. You gasped for air, barely able to even think, let alone process what he'd just said. He rutted sharply into you, drawing out a desperate moan. "Say it" He repeated. His voice was firm but not commanding, it was more like...he needed you to say it, he was asking for it. And you, even in your desperate haze of arousal, were more than willing to give it to him.

"I-I'm yours" You hiccupped. Claude, pleased, showed you that arrogant and sexy half smile and began to thrust again. Your clit throbbed as you brought his hand down to it, silently begging him to rub you. He obliged you, moving his expert fingers deftly over your sensitive clit. He loved to see that face you made, eyes rolling into your head and mouth opened. You always wanted him to touch you there while he was inside you but it was always too much for you to handle. You always cried out in both pleasure and pain. 'This greedy woman...Did I tease her too much?' He thought, smiling wider.

He loved to touch you. It made him feel so close to you, so close you could never simply disappear from him. Cognitively, he knew you were real and yet it was always slightly surprising for him to touch your soft skin and remind himself that you were human. Not fairy, angel, spirit, nor imagination. You were real.

"Claude!" is all you managed to call out. You didn't even know why you whined his name, maybe you had just wanted to hear his voice in respond. "Y/N" He simply replied in a breathless but calm voice meant to soothe. His hair was in his eyes, his body was lightly covered in sweat. He thrusts lost their rhythm, becoming sloppy and harsh. His expression was no longer composed, his teeth were gritted as he built up to his own released. The sound of your tortured moans, the way you gripped his arm as he played with your swollen clit, the tears in your eyes, they were all just too much. Along with the feel of your warmth and smell of your skin which, even while you were sweaty, was so arousing.

He sped up, rutting into you harder. The room was filled with the vulgar noises of him inside your wet cunt. With each thrust, you felt more of your wetness dripping on to him. The beautiful moans finally slipping from his lips made you happy even if you could hardly focus on anything besides your own impending orgasm. Your pretty lips parted slightly and your brow furrowed. Claude let out a short laugh. He knew what you wanted. He leaned in to kiss you, slipping his tongue into your mouth. You sometimes liked to have something in your mouth as you came, you wondered if you were developing an oral fixation.

You came just before Claude, moaning and whining into his mouth. The orgasm was almost painful, overwhelming, you wanted to scream but instead you held tightly onto Claude as you rode out your release. Feeling you squeeze and tighten around him, pulsating as you came, felt divine for him. His breathing was harsh. He twitched inside of you and shuddered as he finally spilled into you with a low groan, looking down at the lewd sight of you. Your clothes were half undone to expose your breasts, panties off, skin glowing slightly, lips slightly swollen, eyes half closed and glassy.

How beautiful you were. You whined a bit as he pulled out of you. Ah, he wanted to stay inside but he knew you needed to rest. Your eyes fluttered closed and Claude leaned to kiss them. He smiled softly at your exhausted face. "I love you, Claude" You said, suddenly. "I know" he said, they weren't easy words to say for him. They never had been. What he felt for you wasn't love anymore. How convenient it would be if all of his emotions and thoughts about you could be categorized and generalized with the word "love." No, what he felt was surely not what others meant when they said love. This wasn't what he felt for Diana. This wasn't simply love. It was exponentially more powerful but also much more painful, something desperate and impossibly sweet.

You opened your eyes again. Again...again you were looking at him with the same expression. That of one trying to drink in the last bit of light from a beautiful sunset. Of one trying not to forget. Somehow, it soothed his heart a bit, in a bittersweet way. You were afraid to lose him too. Not having a word for this feeling somehow made it feel exclusive. This feeling was only for the two of you. He could never really leave you and you would never truly leave him. The feeling that connected and likened you, made sure that neither of you would ever truly leave the other; whether or not you were worlds apart.

[arcadia-city-stories-if]

Ros as songs from folklore by taylor?

Ok so I did NOT think this was gonna work lol. I'd heard a couple of songs before but I've never been into Taylor Swift so I was skeptical that I'd be able to answer this one, but I do love it when y'all set me homework so I went off for a listen and... actually they kinda work lol.

I can't say for what or why, not all of them would relate directly to the romance route with MC. but they all have at least one song that I was all 'ohh shit that's actually kinda cool' about.

So!

Murphy - Exile

All this time I never learned to read your mind (Never learned to read my mind) I couldn't turn things around (You never turned things around) 'Cause you never gave a warning sign (I gave so many signs) So many signs, so many signs You didn't even see the signs

I think I've seen this film before And I didn't like the ending You're not my homeland anymore So what am I defending now? You were my town Now I'm in exile, seein' you out I think I've seen this film before So I'm leavin' out the side door

Shae - Peace

And you know that I'd swing with you for the fences Sit with you in the trenches Give you my wild, give you a child Give you the silence that only comes when two people understand each other

But there's robbers to the east, clowns to the west I'd give you my sunshine, give you my best But the rain is always gonna come if you're standing with me

But I'm a fire, and I'll keep your brittle heart warm If your cascade ocean wave blues come All these people think love's for show But I would die for you in secret The devil's in the details, but you got a friend in me Would it be enough if I could never give you peace?

Callie - Mirrorball

I want you to know I'm a mirrorball I'll show you every version of yourself tonight I'll get you out on the floor Shimmering beautiful And when I break it's in a million pieces

Hush When no one is around, my dear You'll find me on my tallest tiptoes Spinning in my highest heels, love Shining just for you

I'm still a believer but I don't know why I've never been a natural All I do is try, try, try I'm still on that trapeze I'm still trying everything To keep you looking at me

Toni - Cardigan

But I knew you Dancin' in your Levi's Drunk under a streetlight, I I knew you Hand under my sweatshirt Baby, kiss it better, I

And when I felt like I was an old cardigan Under someone's bed You put me on and said I was your favorite

But I knew you'd linger like a tattoo kiss I knew you'd haunt all of my what-ifs The smell of smoke would hang around this long 'Cause I knew everything when I was young I knew I'd curse you for the longest time

Chasin' shadows in the grocery line I knew you'd miss me once the thrill expired And you'd be standin' in my front porch light And I knew you'd come back to me.

Claude/Claudia - Lakes

Is it romantic how all my elegies eulogize me? I'm not cut out for all these cynical clones These hunters with cell phones

I want auroras and sad prose I want to watch wisteria grow right over my bare feet 'Cause I haven't moved in years And I want you right here A red rose grew up out of ice frozen ground With no one around to tweet it While I bathe in cliffside pools With my calamitous love and insurmountable grief

Take me to the lakes where all the poets went to die I don't belong, and my beloved, neither do you Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry I'm setting off, but not without my muse No, not without you

[lesbiancolumbo]

Claude Rains and/or Tony Curtis

claude rains: it honestly might have been casablanca, but it’s hard to pinpoint since this guy was in everything. i have two memories associated with him - one is sweet and it’s of my wife showing me casablanca for the first time and how much i loved it, and him, and her. we’d been dating for like a year? it was very sweet. the other memory is cursed and it’s when my dear friend emily whom i HATE sent me a fic written about claude rains on LIVEJOURNAL and i recorded myself reading the sexy bits until i literally could not continue onwards. it was horrible. i do not have the videos, and i do not have the fic.

tony curtis: oh, a man whom i have zero thoughts about. the first film i saw him in was some like it hot - and now buckle up - but those who know me well (they found this all very funny) will remember that i....... did not..... like..... tony curtis..... not even a little..... or at all...... like! genuinely i thought his storyline in SLIH was awful, his acting was bad. in my defense i was a teenager and had just gotten into jack lemmon so i had a bias. anyways. i have literally too many memories associated with this man, and all of them are unhinged because i don’t know how to be normal about bernard. he is beloved by me.

[revasser-destiny]

Hello I am your lovely positive Mun anon! This is for you mun! I dare you to show which muns you love like friends or family! You can list as many people you love but for every one person you list, you must say what you feel about that mun.

@idv-ask-azrael ❥ You always make me smile and laugh with Azzy, or just with your amazing personality! I know I always worry you when I consume sweets (pls forgive me, mama), but I do love you very much as a mother figure. You're just the sweetest cupcake I met so far, and I hope everything goes well for you. Ily! ♡

@theunconcernedembalmer ❥Another mama figure I love and cherish. Her artsyle is a lovely dreamscape to escape into when you want to indulge in the world of her muses! She is very kind and smart (dont you dare say no, or give me the no u card), and I look up to her like a butterfly shaped cloud in the sky. Also CLLLLLLAUUUUDDDDEEEEE AAAAAAAAAAA

@ask-idv-embalmer ❥Papasop is a beautiful ray of stardust at night, who listens to you and tries to make you laugh. I love them very much, and I would give them a homemade cake in shape of a heart. Their art is like looking at a colorful meadow of personalities and gold itself in my opinion! They also know my weakness for dad jokes so that's bonus there ♡

@cezlovesart ❥SISTER! I really love Cezzu to the point she is family to me. If I could, I would happily give her my munies and cookies without hesitation. 100% would cuddle and boop this precious angel of a sibling ♡

@idv-mike-morton ❥CLOWN MUMMMMMMM! I remember the day I made a mistake and became your child. I still don't regret it, haha! You are the funniest and loveliest person I met so far, a goddess in my eyes if I may be honest. You always know how to make me laugh and smile, even make the days seem brighter than before. I hope everything goes well for you, and if not, I'll be praying that it'll get better! ♡

@ask-the-idv-magus IZUMUMMMM! She is the chaotically beautiful gf of my clown mum, and I cherish her like the sun (no pun intended) itself. She also knows how to make me laugh, and I enjoy talking with her about aus and story ideas in vc. I compare her to the gentle rain in spring, soothing and understanding, but also very beautiful and sweet as the flowers curl up in wonder.

@seer-is-here ❥Fellow Detective StalkerGay, aka Gayboi Starboi. She is the gayest owl person I know, and she's really funny that I tend to giggle a lot, especially in rank. Jaff is an uplifting angel to me, and she's so kind that often I cry.

@identityvarchives ❥We may have just met, but let me tell you are such a beautiful diamond in the gallery of AUs and storytelling. I look up to you a lot, but I also wish the best to come your way, Alice. Ily! ♡

@http-idv ❥Same with the lovely Alice here, I also look up to you as an inspiration. You're such a gorgeous emerald in the meadow of writing scenarios, and telling the story of your muse. Much love! ♡

@ask-prospector-v ❥BROSIS! *inhales* YOU ARE SUCH A PRECIOUS GREMLIN TWIN THAT I WOULD SACRIFICE EVERYTHING I HAVE SO YOU CAN BE SMILING AND HABBY! YOU MAKE ME LAUGH AND GO UWU, GOD ILY SO MUCH! QAQ♡

@flowwerpot ❥You always take my kokoro with your Flower AU, and for that, I love you. In all seriousness, their Flower AU is like a beautifully made cake decorated as the blossoming dawn. They're just the sweetest person I've met, and I am honored to even be called their child. Flower mama is OP ♡

@nootnotno ❥NOOT, ILY SO MUCH THAT I WANNA CUDDLE WITH YOU ALL DAY, NO HOMO! You're such a solicitous angel, and I'm so happy to have met you in my life. Thank you for being my friend, and I hope you continue being such a sweetheart penguin! ♡

@ask-victor-grantzcampbell ❥Kira Kuro is just,,,, an angel sent from the heavens and I cherish them plenty. Their artstyle and storytelling with Victor has me intrigued and wanting for more. They're such a sweetheart that I wonder sometimes that if meeting them was a wonderful dream.

@ask-thepuppeteer-idv ❥D,,,DIA! She has taken my kokoro many times as well, but I love her very much that I let it happen. Dia is a darling to have around, and an amazing friend to talk with. She makes me smile with her presence and ocs, even if I do cry when angst comes over at times (SOBBING NOISES). I would 100% hold her hand and call her the Queen of Beautiful Dahlias ♡

@idv-lunar-shine ❥Hello, may I hug the mun and the muses (if I can without dying) please? The AU with Alice and Lucie is a wondrous gem to view over and over again that it makes me cry often. The dark parts mixed with light moments is a beautiful bouquet to be shared with people who are interested, and I feel blessed being one of them. If I could, I would love to give yumi a gift but sadly like always, Im a shy birb

@theincessantmercenary ❥First off, I like to mention that I didn't expect a Naib to come in my inbox and make me cry two rivers for an hour. Second, Lucie is a delightful rose in spring and no one can change my mind whatsoever. Their version of Naib is an engaging performance to watch alongside with Alice's Eli and yumi's lunar shrine (how do i mention everyone without breaking the keyboard), and I can't wait to see more. Also Marpesia is precious and I will die for her, thanks for coming to my TedTalk 😔

@ask-idv-conartist ❥A beautiful person with an amazing muse and artstyle. Their introduction is just perfection, and I often reread it because holy shit, it's just exceptionally good. I love the amount of work and care put into Charlie (100% would smooch on forehead, and hold hands with), his story

@ask-cesarandamelia-idvoc ❥Okami is a talented person whose muses are on my must protecc list. They're just the most amiable person I know, and they deserve much love for their creativity. They've also made me cry because of their art and writing to which I say please give me back my heart pls

@ask-magnetboi-nortnort ❥Have I mention that your Norton is the funniest bastard I have ever met so far? Now you know how much I love your blog, interpretation of Norton, and lovely you! Please don't hesitate to take a break once, and take care of yourself! Love you, Cousin Nyeli! ♡

@stitchedstatic ❥Mama Static is an affable rose in the meadow, and I love her very much! Her storytelling is a wonderful experience as more pieces are revealed from the characters. I'm not just talking about Alec and Nikola (you can obviously infer that I love the two), it's also her reverse characters and Clarity that make me go doki doki about everything. Mama Static, I would give you all of my donut cakes without hesitation and carry you to victory ♡

@ask-idvgardener ❥Mama Gwitchy is a wonderful mama, and I love their protrayal of dear Gardener. I would protect them with all of my life because they deserve the best. 100% would smile at just their presence alone ♡

@idv-missionary ❥Hi, Mama Fluff! I would like to tell you that you are the most loveliest morning glory I have ever met, and I wish that happiness will come your way when you need it. Love you! ♡

@ask-vampire-hunter-naib ❥Woosh come back from the war, jk. I love your interpretation of a vampire hunter Naib (including the others as well~)! Makes me want to care him, but also punch him at the same time fhdhdhdh. Please know that you are a beloved jewel in my heart, and I hope that everything blooms better for you! ♡

@ask-chloenair ❥Briar, we need to talk about how importantly beautiful you are. The representation of your muses is beautifully done, and their backstories makes me want to do a chef kiss every time. Your artstyle is just the perfect dessert to go along with the main dish, and I honestly can't wait for more of your story to come soon. I love you, Briar! ♡

@asimplecherry ❥Ah yes, the Angst Demon. Queen of said subject herself. My inspiration for darker writings and art itself. She is also a singing queen, and that opinion cannot be changed. Her muses are blast to have around, especially gremlin Emma who thonks people in the face. I just love Cherry's work so far, and I pray that everything goes well for her.

@idv-askclaudedesaulnier ❥Number one criminal who has stolen my kokoro so many times I've lost count. Their version of Claude is a darker, yet mystifying fairytale - which I fell in love with and thus my love for Claude began. Their artstyle is a mesmerizing star at night that carries on a different story in each of their blogs. And Bee, you are the most marvelous person I met so far, and I love you for being you. Take care of yourself, okay? Love you ♡

@peachy-teacakes ❥Dal here is my wise big sister who can also be dumb at the same time. Doesn't stop me from loving her because of her golden heart. Did I mention that she's a very beautiful being on this planet to the point that I believe she is a Queen? 😔♡

@ask-sculptor ❥My egg sister who apparently thinks that Wick is a, um.... not going to continue that because I know a couple will be screaming soon after i post this (XD). Winter is a beloved snowflake (no pun intended) and she is chaotically funny at the same time. Charlie Gayboi is my tol big bro, and you cant change my mind. ♡

@hatsirsir ❥BIG BROTHER! CAN I JUST SAY I APPRECIATE YOUR EXISTENCE EVERYDAY BECAUSE YOU ARE THE SWEETEST AND MOST CONSIDERATE PERSON I HAVE EVER MET! I CANT DIE FOR YOU, BUT I WILL HAPPILY COMPLIMENT WITHOUT HESITATION! YOU MAKE ME SMILE AND CRY HAPPY TEARS EVERYDAY WITH YOUR LOVING COMMENTS! YOUR CHARACTERS MAKE ME SOFT (except for obvious rats) AND PUT ME IN A CUDDLY MOOD. ILY HAT QAQ! ♡

[ashton-slashton]

Tag Nine people you want to get to know better!

Favorite Color: Forest green. I like to tell myself other colors are my favorites, but it's definitely forest green. I used to have these forest green ballerina flats that absolutely ruined my feet, but I adored them.

Currently Reading: Wise Blood. I've watched the movie about a million times, and now I'm slowly but surely getting through the book at Brad Dourif's behest (he asked if I'd read it, I said yes, it was a lie because I didn't want to disappoint him). I dunno, I think he musta looked at me and known that if I liked that sorta thing, I musta had a connection with it.

Last Song Album: God Bless Tiny Tim by Tiny Tim (favorite song is Strawberry Tea).

Last Series: Angelyne. Hamish Linklater in 70s disco outfits my beloved 🕺🏻

Last Movie: Battle Of The Worlds (great plot, bad execution, Claude Rains gets to be a grumpy old man in a hammock).

Sweet, Spicy, or Savory: Oh, that's a tough one. How about all three? I like foods that have all three, like sushi and the like.

Currently Working On: Oh, a lot of things, all on hold atm because I'm couch surfing while my new apartment is being renovated. I want to work on an autobiography, a collection of short stories about growing up in rural TN. I'm making another rosary soon, and repairing another. I'm hoping to make some art again... like I said, a lot of things!

Thanks to @theboarsbride for tagging me!

Idk if I'll have nine to tag, but I'm tagging: @captain-athos @charismat1c-megafauna @sketchass @the-games-up-scarlett @the0verboss @transhorrors @psygull