#deadly voice part 33

[scribs-dibs]

Japanese Denim

spoilers for 2.1 (aventurine's real name), gn reader, soft aventurine hours <33

wc; 944

You don't miss the breath that blows over your face, relief lifting the weight off of his chest. It's you. He's safe. He can slumber for just a moment longer.

Sunlight is unfamiliar with the planes of his face. It dances across it; gold tracing the curves of his jaw, running playfully in and out of the dip and curve of his nose, contrasting the shadows of his bottom lip. It highlights his lashes, blonde and long and casting dainty streaks on top of his cheek bones. Aventurine —no, Kakavasha— is beautiful even in sleep. He feels ethereal beside you, blurred along the edges, you are just barely able to believe him to be tangible, with the way the morning clouds part to shine down upon him. But he's real, and the both of you no longer reside in the opalescent bubbles of Penacony. You're home. He’s home.

There's a strand of hair that coils over the dip of his cheek. Slowly, like approaching a stray, your hand moves to tuck it behind his ear.

His eyes flicker open before you're halfway there.

Kakavasha is a light sleeper. There isn't time for long rests, what with danger shadowing his every step, coiling around his lungs in the form of fear, deadly memories taking the form of nightmares every time he dares to drift off. You mourn the loss of his comfortable sleep, an apology hot on the tip of your tongue, searing it the longer it stays tucked behind your lips, but his eyes flutter shut again before you get the chance. The embers disperse.

You don't miss the breath that blows over your face, relief lifting the weight off of his chest. It's you. He's safe. He can slumber for just a moment longer.

You cross the remainder of the distance between you, fingers brushing over the fullness of his cheek. There is magic in his returned affections, his bare palms holding you there against him, honeyed skin nuzzling into you. He kisses the heel of your palm, sweet and simple, like it's the easiest thing in the world.

“...Good morning,” his voice is weighed down by his drowsiness, nearly gravely from disuse. You realize that this is the latest he's slept in months, without the buzz of his phone interrupting what little time he lends himself to the vulnerability of rest. His words slur together, a change to the steady, calculated speech he uses normally— at the poker table, at the IPC Headquarters, at all times. Like this, though, exposed and sleepy, he's a bit more upfront. A bit less guarded.

“...‘S so earlyyyy…”

And a lot more whiny.

You've become acquainted with Kakavasha’s greed by now. It is his twin, his shadow, mimicking his every movement and curling around him like smoke ; all-consuming and burning through his flesh. So you aren't surprised when the beast bares its fangs, arms entangling around your middle and holding. It's fair— the pair of you are accustomed to loss, to the feeling of holding someone for the last time before the feeling of them fades away like a faraway memory, your own hands move down to hold him, too. For a sweet, blissful moment it is just the two of you. Your breathing rises and falls in tandem with his, blonde locks tickling the crook of your neck and greedy, greedy hands shifting at your back to tug you even closer. There is a void in Kakavasha’s chest, one that yearned for so long —an open wound— for someone to hold onto, completely and freely, only to have its wants go unanswered. But you are here now, wrapped up tight in his arms, peacefully. He'll be damned if he lets go now.

You sigh, and it blows past his ear, “Clingy today, huh?”

How could he not be? When the gods spited him, when everyone in sight turned his back on him, you still stood firmly at his side, unrelenting. You are more than he will ever deserve, but selfishly he still holds you.

Kakavasha stretches, cat-like, and you can see an expanse of pale skin when the silk of his nightshirt shifts with the movement. He settles right back against you, your legs entangled thoroughly.

“You're comfortable. It's nowhere near my fault.”

To make a point, Kakavasha pulls you impossibly closer. He even makes a point to huff, as if offended you even asked.

“Right, right,” your hand is absentmindedly twirling the ends of his hair with your pointer finger— you don't remember when it got there, but doing it feels so natural you don't question it for another second.

“Unfortunately, I’ll have to cut this time short. I need to get up—”

“Why?”

He says it so quickly you can see he even surprises himself —eyes wide and mouth agape— but he recovers, clearing his throat:

“What's the rush? We have a day off for once, remember?”

He’s pouting. He tries to hide it under the weight of his glare, but his bottom lip, chapped from a deep slumber, betrays him. Kakavasha does not beg, and you are the last person to ever get him to try, after all he’s been through, but his bright eyes seem to plead with you.

“Right,” you agree, nodding simply, “But one of us needs to make breakfast,” you see it, the way his brows furrow further and he opens his mouth to protest immediately, “No, it cannot wait. I’m hungry.”

At that, he scoffs.

“Fine.”

Kakavasha swings his legs over the plush of your mattress, getting up in one smooth motion. You don’t have time to ponder what he’s doing– his hand latches onto your arm and pulls you up with him. Your face breaks into a smile– he cannot bear to part with you for even a moment.

“If you insist, we’ll do it together.”

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

rbs w/ comments appreciated !!! ty for reading <33

[berryz-writes]

Jealousy

PART 2

Azriel x reader

Summary: Your forced to spend the weekend with Azriel the bane of your existence but little do you realize he doesn't completely hate you

Nfjznxsfdzfdxj this took a while my other WIP’s were distracting me. also ignore any mistakes, enjoy lovelies <33

part 1

It was torture. Downright torture. Pretending like last night hadn't happened was wreaking havoc on my brain. I didn't know how to forget about it. I couldn't.

The memory of Azriel pulling me closer, his face resting in the crook of my neck, the way his gentle hands rested on my waist, his legs tangled with mine pulling me impossibly closer. Gods I was going to go crazy.

Everywhere it went it seemed his reminders were there. The dagger I was using in training was the one Azriel had given me last solstice when mine had been snatched by an Attor. The laces on my boots were from his because apparently mine weren’t sturdy enough. 

“Where do you get your shoes from? These are awful quality” He asked, crouching down in front of me and taking his laces out to adjust them into my boots, all the while muttering about how I could have tripped and hurt myself. 

The coffee the cabin had made this morning on my command was made with a hint of cinnamon. Something Azriel had recommended to make the taste better. He was everywhere I went and it was driving me crazy.

He hadn't even mentioned last night once. Didn't even give me some sort of hint that he remembered or that it actually meant something to him. We had continued the day as if everything was normal, his biting remarks more constant and grating.

***

"We're going back on Monday" Azriel called out to me unwrapping the white gauze from his knuckles. I pulled out my dagger (yes the same one Azriel had gifted me) from the target piece of wood and frowned. Two days later? "Why aren't we going today?"

Azriel didn't look at me, instead he put his daggers in his belt making sure each one was in the proper position before replying "If I've said it there's probably a reason why. Do you have to ask questions every time?"

My frown deepened as I surveyed him from this distance. He had his wings folded together and his expression was foul as if a personal wrong had been done against him. So what if he was in a mood? Didn't mean he had to be so rude.

"I'm not going to follow your orders blindly. Tell me" I moved closer to him and stopped in front of him, the biting cold of the village hitting me now that I had stopped training. I waited for him to explain why we were spending any longer in a place like this. I yearned for the liveliness and warmth of Velaris. The golden sun beating down on me while I sat on the balcony and sipped on something cold.

We had been gone for one night and I know I was being dramatic but Azriel not giving me answers just annoyed the shit out of me even more.

He continued arranging his daggers and straightening his siphons until he deemed them perfect. Finally looking up to meet my eyes I could tell there was something wrong before he even opened his mouth. 

"There's a storm coming. It's not safe to fly tonight" His voice was controlled, as if he were trying to hide his emotions, his eyes not making direct contact with me.

I let out a scoff "And what? Winnowing doesn't exist anymore?" I knew the way I said it would rile him up. Yes I could have phrased it nicely but the way he was acting he didn't deserve it.

Eyes narrowing and his jaw clenching Azriel took a step closer to me. And then another until he was just inches away from me. His warmth radiated to me, my head having to tilt up slightly so I could look at his gorgeous face properly.

His voice was soft, the deadly stillness with which he stood unnerving me. "Velaris's shields have been compromised. Rhys is doing all he can from anyone finding out and if we break that balance. If we winnow in then that means the shield breaks." He scanned my features as if waiting for me to reply "Do you want the safety of all those people in jeopardy because of you?" His voice was quiet now, his breath blowing over me as he spoke.

A million thoughts invaded my mind as I thought of what he had stated. How had Velaris been compromised? And by who? And what was Rhys doing? I wondered if everyone back home was alright.

I took a deep breath trying not to get angry and understand the situation we were in “How long are we stuck here for?” 

It was Azriel’s turn to take a deep breath as if he knew the answer wouldn’t be one I wanted. “Minimum two more days''

Two whole days. I was going to go insane here. Either I would die from arguing with the brainless Illyrians or from hypothermia. A sudden blast of cold air hit me, reminding me of where I was stuck and who it was with. Sighing, I shook away my thoughts. I was being ungrateful. Azriel wasn’t so bad. And who knew what everyone else was going through. I opened my mouth to ask exactly that when he cut in “Everyone's fine. If it was serious we would have been called back for help whether the storm was brewing or not”

I nodded my head, the knot in my stomach loosening. As long as everyone was fine. Azriel nodded his head to the path that led to the cabin we were now sharing “You should go. I need to inform Keller of our prolonged stay”

I took it as his way of dismissing me and not wanting to talk to me. Turning around and starting down the frosted path, the warmth that engulfed me from Azriel's body evaporated completely, my footsteps quickening to reach the cabin. Slamming the cabin door shut I took out my hair tie and sat on the bed anger and disappointment flowing through me. The fire immediately started, the crackling sound the only noise in the wooden house. 

He was ignoring what had happened yesterday. He was being insufferable. He hadn’t even asked me, talked to me, mentioned it to me even once. I shifted through each word we had shared this morning and none of them consisted of him acknowledging last night. 

Azriel didn’t even tell me he wanted to forget last night, instead he let my imagination run wild on thinking if he regretted it or not. 

Maybe I was the over dramatic one. We hadn’t had sex, we hadn’t even kissed. But it felt like there was something else when he pulled me closer except for mutual dislike. 

Flopping back onto the soft bed I decided thinking of other things would do me some good. Anything other than Azriel at this point. 

Sitting up again and rifling through the side table drawers I finally found a slightly inky pen and a scrunched up piece of paper.

Hi Feyre, I heard what happened with the shield. I just wanted to check in and make sure everyone was fine. Give lots of kisses to Nyx from me. 

Ending the note with my name I vanished it away hoping Feyre would reply with some good news. In the time that I had done that Azriel walked in, flipping a dagger in his hand, his shadows moving slowly across his wings. I rolled my eyes at his arrogance and refused to start a conversation with him. If he could ignore what happened yesterday and act like it didn’t matter then so could I. I wasn’t going to act like an attention whore. No way. 

“What do you want to eat?” Was what he asked, settling into the armchair opposite me. I refused to look at him and instead let my eyes travel to the window where the sun was setting. 

“I’m not hungry” I finally replied when I could tell from his relentless gaze that he would not look away, his hazel eyes fixated on my every move, my every breath. 

A scoff escaped him and I turned to look at him, my eyes narrowed. Moving further back on to the bed I kicked off my boots and sat cross legged. 

“You’re always hungry at this time, don’t lie to me” Azriel stated. Raising an eyebrow and waiting for me to contradict him. I couldn’t. I was being annoying and difficult on purpose. Of course I was hungry. I hadn’t eaten since this morning.

Running a hand through his hair Azriel stood up and moved over to the small kitchen on the other side of the cabin. The cupboards contained any and every ingredient. I watched as he pulled out a different variety of ingredients and with the way he was looking at each one closely he didn’t know where to start. 

“Move. I’ll do it” I announced, getting off the bed and sliding across the floorboard to the mini kitchen. Azriel leaned sideways on the countertop, a slight smirk on his face as he watched me look at each ingredient. 

“What are you going to make?” He asked, clearly amused by something. Picking up the can of tomatoes I put them to the right, making a useful and bin category. 

“It doesn’t matter what I make, we both know you’re going to eat it” I replied, my eyebrows furrowed from concentration and the slight annoyance I held toward him. A sigh escaped his perfect lips as he folded his wings back 

“Why are you angry at me?”

I didn’t look at him, instead filled the metal pan with water and used my magic to heat it up. Once the bubbles had risen to the surface I added the raw pasta with a pinch of salt. 

“Y/n” His voice was sharp. Demanding. “Look at me” 

Finally turning to look at him my heart stopped beating for a good minute. Gods he was……he was something else. His warm eyes raked over my expression as if trying to find the reason for my annoyance, his lips looking as inviting as ever.

“What?” My voice didn’t come out as strong as I wanted to, instead it came out quiet and breathless. 

“What have I done wrong?” Azriel’s voice was softer than I expected, reminding me of last night. 

I decided to take the leap. I had had enough of evading the truth “You’re acting like last night didn’t happen. You’re ignoring me” 

Rather than an annoying smirk or a laugh coming from Azriel his eyebrows furrowed “I didn’t want you to feel like I expected something of you. And gods knows I can’t ignore you y/n. You’re perfect”

I let out an exasperated sigh, the steam from the boiling water making it warmer than it was before “I thought you wanted to forget about it. I’m not inside your brain Azriel”

Anger was there in his eyes but it vanished as soon as he saw my hurt expression “I’ve wanted you for so long. Every time I look at you I'm reminded that you aren’t mine. Every time you smile my heart beats faster and I don’t even know why” I swallowed at his words. What he was saying. 

He had liked me this whole time and I hadn't even realized. We were both as ignorant as each other. It was now or never.

“Make me yours then Azriel” I whispered back, waiting to see what he would say. His hands tilted my chin up and his lips met mine in the softest kiss possible. Moving his hands to my waist he lifted me up and sat me on the counter, slotting himself between my legs. Automatically my hands went to his curly hair, pulling him impossibly closer. 

The world had something against me I thought as the note I had sent Feyre arrived next to me. Azriel moved slightly back, giving me space to breathe. I didn't want that space but I didn’t say anything. I picked up the note and read it out loud, confusion increasing.

Hi y/n, 

Nyx says he misses you lots and wants you to come back. Everyone’s alright here, same as when you left. 

I’m not sure what you mean by the shield though? Is everything alright?

Putting the note down I slid off the marble top and looked at Azriel, hoping for answers. 

“Does Feyre not know about-” 

He cut me off, his hand against my mouth, startling me. His body pressed against mine, my back against the kitchen counter. 

“I lied. I wanted to stay with you for as long as possible. I would ask for your forgiveness but I’m not sorry for what I’ve done” His eyes twinkled with amusement, his deep voice washing over me. It took me a while to understand what he was actually saying, his proximity short circuiting my brain. He removed his hand waiting for me to reply. 

“Anything else you’ve lied about Shadowsinger?” I finally asked, my words coming out quietly.

His head dipped to my neck, his lips pressing small kisses on my collarbone and making his way up to my jaw. 

“I broke the cabin. I also fucked up that guy who called you a whore. Other than that…I’m an honest male” He murmured. My breath hitched as he attacked my skin, clearly wanting to leave a mark there. His hands had me caged, with no escape and I didn’t have it in me to be mad at him for lying. Yes he had broken the cabin. But if he hadn’t we wouldn’t have spent the night together and I would have never realized that Azriel harboured feelings for me. He had also gone out of his way to defend me when he didn’t need to.

I wanted to kiss him rather than shout at him for his confession. 

“I say we skip to dessert” Azriel whispered, his eyes full of desire, finally looking at me. My heart skipped a beat at his words but I swallowed and shook away my want for him. 

“Dessert is for after” I pushed against his chest to let me go but he held my wrists firmly “Promise I get dessert?”

I pretended to think about it, tilting my head “Hmm we’ll see”

Azriel’s eyes darkened but he let me go, my stomach tightening at the way he looked at me. I wanted him so bad. So god damn bad. But now that I had told him to wait I couldn’t go back on my words. Not to mention Azriel was probably already thinking of ways to make me beg for him.

I wouldn’t mind that of course.

MASTERLIST

[diaryofaprettyprincess]

hi sweetie! <3 i was wondering if i can request some fluff (maybe with a smut in the end it’s up to you) with ghost and innocent!girly!reader where ghost got all overprotective over her when some guy is harassing her and she got really scared and anxious? feel free to ignore if you don’t feel like writing this! have a wonderful day, sweetheart ₊‧°𐐪♡𐑂°‧₊

hi angel!! i hope you enjoy! <3 i didn’t add smut at the end it kinda got more serious i hope that’s okay!!! <33

(sorry if this is bad i wrote it in class KANDK)

(unmasked! ghost)

(this is kinda an au! type of thing so most everything is completely inaccurate to COD)

warnings: blood, slight violence, reader is shorter than ghost, reader is lifted up by ghost, innocent!reader, slightly dark!ghost, possessiveness, size difference (i pinned ghost as 6’6 hehe woops), tattooed!ghost (U WILL NEVER STOP ME)

‎♡₊˚ 🦢・₊✧

ghost has always been overprotective of you, ever since the day you two met—not just when u guys started dating.

his hands always find their place on ur body, making it known to everybody you were his and only his-and he was yours and wholly only yours.

so when u two went out with price and the rest of the team to a busy bar out in the city, ghost’s hands never once left your body.

even when u two were sat next to each other at the booth, his bulky arm stayed draped over ur shoulder, ur hand fiddling with his big tattooed one as he gave dirty looks to any man that dared to look in your direction.

everything was going smoothly until your small voice made his ears perk— “gotta go to the bathroom, be right back..”

you began to part from ghost’s grasp before he caught ur small hand in his. “do ya need me to go with ya?”

u giggled, blushing slightly. “simon, i don’t need ur help going pee!—ill be right back.”

ghost wasn’t always one for extreme PDA, but he could see the hungry looks of the men at the bar staring at you. and he didn’t like that. not one bit. before u could escape, he adjusted his grip on ur hand to on ur forearm, pulling u towards him as he kissed u possessively.

he heard ur small, surprised yelp as his soft —but bitten lips moved over yours, his tongue beginning to slip into ur silky mouth before u pulled away—face burning of shyness as soap and price looked away, a small smile playing on their lips out of amusement from ur embarrassment and ghost’s act possessiveness.

“love you.” simons gruff voice spoke; a slightly smug smirk playing on his pink lips.

“i love you too.” you spoke quietly biting ur lower lip as butterflies fluttered in ur tummy.

simon watched as u walked away, ur short skirt swaying as u stepped through the crowd.

“obsessed much?” soap chuckled, and price laughed with him.

“yes.” ghost replied shortly, taking a sip of his whiskey and setting it next to your strawberry daiquiri, cool water droplets beading off of ur drink.

three minutes passed and ghost started to feel unease settling in his gut.

turns out, his gut was right to feel that nagging way.

“stop!” through the music and loud chatter of people, he could hear your small voice shout. his heart dropped, and he immediately peeled through the crowd, his height making it easy for him to see over everyone’s head.

a thin man with blonde hair groped at ur body from outside the restroom door of the bar.

“jus-“ the man laughed sickeningly, grabbing ur breast as u tried to squirm away from him, tears streaming down your face. “stop movin’, baby, just wanna feel you.. bet ur nice and tight.” he smacked ur butt, cries escaping ur throat as u tried to gasp for simon’s name but nothing came out of your mouth as u shut ur eyes tightly. maybe this was a dream—maybe the man would go away—just maybe.

ghost’s body filled with an unimaginable amount of rage, and from the corner of the room, konig (who was drinking and leaning against a wall chatting up an older woman), confusedly looked at simon as the wall blocked his view of you.

he knew that deadly look in his friend’s eyes when he saw it.

shit.

loud thunks of simon’s combat boots pounded on the ground as he ripped the disgusting man off of you, his height towering over the man.

he could see the way you cried, eyes shut and whimpering as you choked on your sobs.

“hey!” the man shouted, right before ghost smacked his head into the wall; ghost’s fists colliding with the man’s face.

anger crawled throughout his body as he almost went on autopilot, the man’s face bloody and battered as simon repeatedly punched him.

punch, punch, punch—

“ghost!” price barked, trying to pry simon off of the man. “ he’s done, ghost. enough!”

your eyes peeled open as you cried, gasping as you saw the mess of a face of the man that assaulted you. his nose crooked as it took konig, price, soap, and gaz to pull simon off of the limp man.

the bar was quiet besides the music and ur little cries. blood splotched simon’s knuckles as he breathed heavily.

the man on the ground groaned, and simon almost broke through the grasp of his team behind him before the cloud of anger subsided when he heard your small, “s-simon.”

stepping on the man’s leg, simon’s large, bruised hands cupped your face, your eyes glossy with tears.

“cmon.” he spoke gruffly, holding you against him as you both made your way out of the bar to the back alley where it was quiet.

“i-“ you choked on a sob as ghost pulled you to him, his large frame dwarfing yours as he shushed you, kissing the top of your head.

“no one’s gonna hurt you like that again. i would’ve killed him—“ his accent was thick as his grip on you tightened. he took a deep breath.

you sniffled into his warm chest, ur arms wrapped around him tightly.

“are you okay?” he asked after a moment of listening to your small weeping cries.

you nodded. “‘m okay now, just scary ‘s all..” you hiccuped, and simon easily picked you up to be closer to you. you nestled your face into his neck, his large hand rubbing along your back.

“i should’ve been there.” he spoke quietly.

you sniffled, pulling away from his neck to look at him. “you didn’t know, ‘s okay.”

simon didn’t say anything, he just adjusted you in his grip and wiped the tears from your face gently with his calloused thumb.

you kissed his lips gently, giggling when he sucked on your lower lip tenderly.

simon’s body warmed at the sound.

he always knew immediately when he met you that he would kill for you.

and this night just proved that further.

he would do anything for you.

anything.

[gh0stswh0re]

simon "ghost" riley x virgin reader, pt1

warnings: loss of virginity, alcohol usage, implied f! masturbation, imagined public humiliation, inappropriate relationship with a superior, soap throws up in the corner, author definitely had some better moments but it izzz what it izzz, word count: 2,2k

a/n: happy to announce i finished all five fics, this just happened to be the first one i edited, so enjoy <33 posting two parts cuz i like literarily edging y'all

...

you have no idea how it even started – you were just talking, chatting, killing some time. sure, his fingers brushed against yours as he poured you another drink, sweet and savory with a musky scent, and you nearly dropped the glass. "not holding your liquor so well now, are you, dove?" he chuckled at your efforts of hiding the playful tone of blushy red that painted your cheeks, as he placed the bottle down. sure, soft warmth gathered around his irises, as his eyes bore into yours and you smiled, locking the gaze - your hand quickly covering your lips, hiding the grin that crept by the corners of them. "don't-" he remarked, "you look gorgeous". sure, he shot up a deadly glance at soap when he walked over, inviting the lieutenant to join the group of men drinking at the bar top – he spoke over you, his voice clumsy and slurred. "sergeant-" it was a firm warning, simon's voice low and hoarse, the unwelcoming tone a total opposite of how he spoke with you not even a minute prior. despite being clearly intoxicated, johnny wasn't tone deaf – he stuttered a quick response, alongside an annoyed muffle of "whatever, lt." sure, he moved even closer to you, as you started speaking again – picking the conversation back up as if you were never rudely interrupted. patches of goosebumps threatened to cover the surface of your forearm as he placed his hand against it – fingertips mischievously dancing on the skin. sure, your cheeks burned red as a shy stutter appeared in your voice – messing with the flow of your sentences – and you realized the new sniper tactic you made up with price isn't the hottest topic of the evening.

but it still happened all so fast – the next few words dying in the back of your throat, as his lips brushed against yours, tentatively, the dizzying taste of the harsh liquor spreading throughout your mouth as he dipped his hot tongue inside – slipping past your lips, completely silencing you. his hands were on you in a moment, fingers entangled in your hair – tilting your head to the side, allowing him to deepen the kiss, as you were grabbing handfuls of his jacket.

he nudged his nose against yours, as he pulled back – his lungs burning, begging for oxygen, but you lured him right back into your touch – nobody's ever kissed you like this before and you craved it. sure, you got your moment of butterflies and shy whispers of ''are you sure?'', anxious hands stilled by either side, with lots of teeth bumping – your own perfect low-budget teen movie moment, the one you'd giggle with your friends about – but this, this was different – both sacred and profane, nasty and primal. it weakened your knees, and made your hands tremble, as you tasted the intimacy of the shared breath – it also lit up a desire deep within your core, arousal pooling down your stomach, tingling inside your already dripping cunt – a feeling you weren't yet familiar with. it silenced all the unpleasant noises of the stinky bar – the shitty music, the offbeat singing, the cynical laugh of every idiot that tried his hardest to impress, that fucker soap puking in the corner.

for a moment – just for a split, short moment some sense got to you, and the realization hit – the admiration for your lieutenant, your superior, grew into dark, perverted lust and it was now set on the display for everyone to see. vulnerability spread through your body, as adrenaline mixed with desire ran through your veins – you already felt so naked and just urged him to get out already.

his height is undoubtedly a textbook definition of an advantage – it's intimidating, fear-inducing, leaving his opponents quivering as lumps bob in their throats and fear seeps through their bones. and now, as he holds you in his arms, with your legs closed around his waist, as he slams a door open without ever needing to drop you down on the floor – he feels utter pride in his strength.

oh, and how he simply adores the way he towers over your fragile, petite frame – nearly scared of breaking you in two, as he presses himself against you, physically kicking the air out of your chest and swallowing your guttural cries - his calloused hand gently applies pressure, toying with your cunt through your soaked panties, his fingertips endowed with curiosity – embarrassment is eating away at you, as the lewd, wet noises of skin-on-skin fill the room, your cries echoing off the thin walls – 50/50 there's going to be a noise complaint waiting for you at the front desk in the morning.

he never stops his merciless assault, except for when he gently tugs on your bottom lip, sucking on the red, swollen flesh. "simon-" he hums into the kiss, a needy hand grabbing at your chest, cupping your breasts through the thin fabric of your button-up shirt, his fingers ghosting over your hardened nipples; electric waves of pleasure shooting down your spine as you arch your back into his touch. "sim-" his movements grow faster, quicker, and more desperate each second, as his impatience grows – he's forced his entire hand in your underwear, his palm laying flat against your wet folds as two of his thick digits tease the slit, making you clench over nothingness.

placing both hands on his chest, you slightly pushed him away as you whispered his name – he backed off immediately as if the touch of your skin stung his hand. "shit, i-" he started apologizing, his heart sank deep in his chest – has he misread the situation? has he just forced himself onto you? has he-

placing your right hand on his cheek, fingertips brushing over the skin, caressing it. "simon, i haven't done this before" your unsure voice did nothing to hide the anxiety which filled your mind, as every word barely left your lips – making the entire sentence sound like a question. "what? fucked in a hotel room? it ain't even that dirty, you fancy th-" gods, he was oblivious and you were just about to die – having to admit that you were, in fact, a virgin – never touched or fucked by a man. "no, simon, i haven't done this-" you shut your eyes closed, so tightly you saw white stars sparking in the blackness of your vision, a hand covering your expression of embarrassment, and humiliation – you were just about to get down and dirty with your lieutenant, after months of delicious teasing and endlessly torturous flirting and now was your time to confess? to a man - towering above you, completely shielding you from the outside world – whose hand was glistening wet from your sweet arousal – a pathetic proof of how your cunt clenched around him, taking him in despite him barely inserting the very tips of his fingers. he just wanted to get drunk and nasty, blow off some steam, fuck somebody's brains out and pretend like it never happened in the morning- shit, you could already hear the rumors awaiting you back at the base – "you heard what happened?" "yeah, she fucked lieutenant riley" "no no, not just that-" – that was, of course, if you were to remain in the position – if you were to find a good enough excuse or a decent piece of proof as to why the rumors aren't true – you are a good soldier, fit for the army, and above all aware that having inappropriate relations with your superiors is, well, not appropriate.

"oh-" his response hung in the air, which became heavy and your lungs might have just collapsed under the pressure – but it, at least, brought you back to reality, breaking your train of thought that threatened to derail, killing all the passengers onboard. "oh"

he'd sat you on his lap, one hand resting on the curve of your hip as the other laid flat against your naked chest, fingers carefully kneading the soft flesh – by this point, he already undressed you – carefully, slowly as he studied your expressions with each movement he made; as he popped two buttons of your shirt open, instructing you to do the next one as his sharp gaze pierced through you. as he buckled his hips forward, readjusting his position into a more comfortable one, completely ignoring the growing bulge inside his pants – right now, all that mattered was the pretty girl in front of him, and how she unknowingly rolled her perfect little ass against him, driving him rabid with anticipation. fuck, he'd tell you how long he's been waiting for this, but he's utterly scared he'd make a fool of himself – it would come out cheesy and cliche, no matter how hard he'd try or how many times he'd repeat the dialogue in his head – maybe it would clear your head up, make you realize he's undeserving of this, of you; you'd get up, picking your clothes up and taking them with you, leaving him alone – the taste of you lingering inside his mouth, his heart aching and his dick twitching. he'd dread the idea of waking up the next morning – the monstrous hangover hitting him, wrecking his insides as pain crushed his temples – the worst part? - having to make himself presentable, half–decent for all the eyes that'd stare at him, as whispers shared between bitter mouths and curious ears – "ya heard what happened?" "yeah, he tried to fuck the new girl – heard he couldn't even get it up"

"c'mon, be a good girl 'n show me what you want me t' do" his ridiculously big, and ridiculously intimidating hand was sprawled across your chest – feeling your heartbeat on the tips of his fingers he knew you were anxious – a bit eager too, perhaps? he took your right hand, placing it on the top of his. he quickly looked you up and down – peculiar eyes urging you to move.

which you did – slowly gliding his palm down your stomach, his unmoving fingers fondling your flushed skin – suddenly, you chuckled – bubbly, brightly, all those nice things that make him melt on the inside – you are ticklish? what a pleasant surprise – one he'll certainly make a mental note of. you kept moving lower and lower, uncertainty and hesitation growing visible the closer you got to your –

"such a good fucking slut already" he blurted the words out, his ability to think clearly has long been gone - his brain function reduced down to nothing but shortcuts. feeling the words in your cunt long before your mind would process them, you felt the wetness dripping down your thigh, pooling onto his pants.

you'd yelp at the sudden contact of his index fingers grazing your clit – "you liked that, birdie?" you nodded, silently agreeing as you steadied yourself by placing your hands on his shoulders. repeating the movement, he placed his thumb flat against the swollen, warm numb, dragging out small, slow circles – strangled cries emmited from your vocal cords, as pleasure bloomed deep inside your abdomen, and pure, ecstatic bliss ripped through your core. "feels nice, huh?'' he cooed, watching you take your bottom lip between your teeth – threatening to burst a blood vessel – right before he gripped at your waist, risking to bruise the delicate skin.

it didn't take long for you to cum – barely a minute, surely it couldn't be two. of course, you had touched yourself before – many nights while on duty, mostly thinking of him – how big his frame was as he stood behind your back, carefully examining each step of you putting your gun back together – how firm his voice was, making his orders loud and clear for everyone to hear. how he always stood his ground – even if it meant getting shot at, even if it meant taking a smoke bomb directly in his face – there was hardly anything he wouldn't do to keep his men, and you, safe. you knew, in the depths of your heart and soul, that you weren't supposed to feel that way, but on nights like those; it was hard to keep your thoughts from racing. though, you'd barely dare to softly whisper his name as the orgasm washed over you, let alone dream your lieutenant, the man in the command of your squad, would ever be the one to take your virginity.

yet here you were – cheeks flushed red, chest heavy as you panted for air, a thin layer of sweat glimmering on your forehead, your body collapsed - turned into mush, your muscles stiff as you felt your heartbeat pulsating in every part of your body. mostly feeling pissed that nobody ever told you that being tired could feel this damn good – that this is what you've been craving each and every one of those nights – that the way your fingers fit inside your pussy was simply pitiful compared to his – leaving you undone, and aching in seconds.

sitting up straight, your hands would start to roam – starvingly grabbing at his erection. "getting eager, are we?" he'd taunt you and you'd nod, silently agreeing. you'd slowly slip away from his touch, down onto your knees, gently pushing his thighs apart. he'd lay his back, exhaling with a low, breathy groan, as you worked on the zipper. "i ain't having you doing this, not the first time" he'd stop you, tightly grabbing your wrist.

[lovelyladyabsinthewrites]

Pairing(s):Edward Cullen x Wolf!Reader, Jacob Black x Witch!OC

Warnings: this will be the second to last chapter of this series, some spanish (i know a little but thanks to being extremely white washed i still had to go to google translate 🙃), really sorry this took so long :(, i'll try to get the last part out in a timely manner but no promises

Words: 3842

Part 1  Part 2  Part 3  Part 4  Part 5  Part 6  Part 7 Part 8  Part 9  Part 10  Part 11  Part 12  Part 13  Part 14  Part 15  Part 16  Part 17  Part 18  Part 19  Part 20  Part 21  Part 22  Part 23   Part 24  Part 25  Part 26  Part 27  Part 28 Part 29  Part 30  Part 31  Part 32  Part 33 Part 34 Part 35 Part 36 Part 37 Part 38

Screams coming from Sam's home has your paws picking up speed and Evita's hands tightening in your fur so that she could hold on. The others were at your heels, uneasiness clouding the pack telepathy and only thinking of the worse. Surely, today couldn't get any worse, right?

Once in the backyard, no one cares that you three wolves are stark naked. Evita didn't bat an eye having grown accustomed to the pack's frequent nudity.

Nearly ripping the backdoor off it's hinges, all of you crowd into the kitchen and rush through to the living room where Bella and Nadege are screaming, but not in pain in horror. Their outburst is one of pure delight when you catch the sight of a perfectly made ward clutched in Bella's hand.

Tension flees from you and you too pull Evita forward as both of you squeal in delight.

"You did it!!" Sliding onto your knees in front of her, you beckon for Bella to show you the ward. Evita's curls bounce with excitement as she says something in Spanish to Nadege.

Bella's eyes are large and there's the telltale sign of glossy tears that are on the brink of following over her bottom lashes. You'd never seen her smile that wide. Her hands are trembling when she hands it over to you for inspection.

"All the wards are finished." Evita gleefully announces to the others in the room that had gone unnoticed in the moment.

Seth, gleaming over Nadege's shoulder, rises to his full height to address Jacob. "Sam?"

Difficult to pull his attention away from Bella's ward, he reluctantly looks up at Seth and Emily who lingered near the hallway. "He'll be at the Cullens for a while. They have Irina there under some sort of sleeping spell."

You catch the younger wolves grumble about missing it but one silencing glare from Leah, they settle down and merely fold their arms. Quil and Embry, sitting next to them, are grateful that it's not them for once on the receiving end of Leah's deadly gaze.

"We need to disperse these wards as soon as possible." Evita says while searching through her backpack for a rolled up piece of printer paper. Inked on it was a map of the Forks-LaPush area. "They don't have to be placed at these exact coordinates. Just as long as they're in the general area."

"I'll go get the other wards." Emily nods and retreats to the bedroom she shared with Sam, deemed the most secure place in the house.

Back and laying out the rest of the wards on the coffee table, there's the question of dividing the pack into groups to scatter them in their appropriate locations.

And much to your shock, their eyes all turned to you.

It takes you a moment to realize everyone was staring at you. You were still congratulating Bella while the others spoke.

When you find their attention solely on you, it causes your face to warm. "What?"

"Well. . . since the older members of the pack are at the Cullens. . ." Jacob takes the lead since no one else was saying anything. "And you and Sam have been spending a lot more time together-"

"You're the closest thing to an alpha we have at the moment." Leah finishes for Jacob since he appeared to be struggling with an explanation.

Nadege and Evita possess toothy grins as they glance from you to your packmates.

"Me?" Voice squeaking, you feel your palms grow clammy.

Embry's warm eyes happens to calm your nerves as he gives you an encouraging grin. "Well, alpha?"

Taking a deep breath, you nod your head. "Okay."

Ideally you'd want to wait for the sky to darken a little more to better hide the massive wolves moving through the woods (and even having to cross a few public streets) to get to their given pinpoints.

You and Evita stay behind as you watch the other duos disappear in the weaving web of the forest trees. Brady and Embry to one direction, Quil and Colin, Seth and Leah; the only pairing you questioned slightly was Bella and Jacob. Perhaps they could use this time to make up as well (not like you were one to talk. you had yet to even mention what happened to him). Nadege would take the last one and shift to her bird body. She much preferred an aerial view opposed to you and your packmates navigating by scent and memory.

Phasing back to your superior wolf form, Evita easily swings herself onto your back. Her fingers slightly pull at your fur as she makes sure to get a good grip. The first time she'd been a passenger on you, she'd fallen without much help staying on you. Learning her lesson, she now used your fur as handlebars, being as gentle as she could while also affirming that she would not be flying off.

You and Evita would be the group to go the furthest out. You'd have to travel to the border of where Forks meets the Elk Creek Conservation Area. Doing your best to keep away from the public eye and keeping to the wilderness.

Trying not to stumble, you realize you're impatient to get this whole thing over and done with. No more of the black overbearing cloud that were the Volturi looming over your heads. Irina was subdued. Victoria was long gone. The Volturi were your only obstacle left. And then. . .

You might be able to have a chance to finally breathe and enjoy your budding relationship with Edward. Live a life of a young lady in love. Was that too much to ask for?

Awkward was not quite the word Jacob would have chosen. Tense, perhaps cringe inducing were the more appropriate terms. Instead of shapeshifting like the rest of his pack, he chose to use his motorcycle and have Bella on the back of his seat. Her hands cling onto the front of his shirt from behind. Jacob had noticed the lack of strength as she gripped onto the fabric. He'd overheard from Dieufel how using magic could drain one's energy. Especially those who are just beginning in the practice. Making that ward must have taken a lot out of her.

Irina had destroyed much of his garage including his beloved Volkswagen. But his motorbike survived.

They drove in silence to the northern most part of Forks.

Actually, not complete silence. Thanks to the slight auditory enhancement he possessed with his human body, Jacob could hear the rapid fluttering of the cardiac muscle that resides in her chest. Swore he could even feel it too against his back as Bella clung to him.

While he felt incensed for what (y/n) had down in spilling the beans, he knew he'd omitted the truth to Bella and ultimately was the cause for her hurt feelings. He'd wanted to apologize before hoping onto his bike, but time was crucial more than ever.

"This should be good enough." Jacob says once the engine of his bike is silenced.

Bella pulls off her helmet and puts it in the spot behind Jacob. She looks around at the barren area where they'd stopped at. Nadege instructed her that all Bella was required to do now was simply dig a small hole and bury the ward. The witch doubted the Volturi would even be aware of what the ward was if they came across it. Better safe than sorry.

From the small backpack, Bella grabs the two necessary items for their mission: the ward and a small handheld spade.

She couldn't mess this up.

She wouldn't mess this up.

Her fingers have a stranglehold on the items in each of her hands. Jacob watches her curiously while scanning his eyes around their surroundings every so often.

Dirt flies as she makes a hole deep enough to properly cradle the stone smooth ward. Covering it back up, she flattens the earth back into proper alignment to not draw attention to what is buried underneath.

"Done." Her smile is hopeful when she walks back to Jacob. Her helmet is almost on her head before Jacob interrupts her.

"Wait, Bella. . ."

Hesitantly, Bella lowers her arms along with the helmet and arches a slim brow up.

"I'm sorry about what happened the last time we hung out. I'm sorry about a lot of things, actually. I should have at least told you about the imprinting. But, I was in denial about it. I didn't want it to be on someone I didn't know. I always hoped that you would somehow be my imprintee." Jacob chews on his bottom lip. "You didn't deserve that though. You're my friend. Probably one of my best friends but don't tell the others."

"I just wished you would've let me be there for you like you've always been there for me, Jake. I can't imagine what you were going through all that time. Didn't understand why you were acting like an-"

"Asshole?"

"Yes."

Both laugh.

"I forgive you." Bella says with a smile still on her face. "How are you feeling about the imprinting now? Still in denial?"

That has his expression sobering up. "Can't really deny it anymore. Plus I feel better knowing that Leah's imprinted on that Dieufel dude."

"Wait- really?"

Jacob nods. "Yup. Neither Dieufel or Evita know about it. Sam instructed the pack not to let the witches know of the imprinting until after this ordeal with the Voltur is finished with."

Their gaze lingers back to their buried treasure. Bella encouragingly tells him "Well, that day may be sooner than you thought. If she's worth the wait, which I think she is, then you just have to bear through it."

Bella holds his hand. it wasn't even that long ago where this kind of contact would have him getting butterflies in his stomach. Now though he sees her as a sister.

That's when he sees the exhaustion on her face. "You tired?"

"Magic, as I am now learning, is a lot more energy draining than I imagined." With the weariness was contentment though. She glowed thinking of all that cramming paid off. "This makes me feel like i can right some of the mistakes that have come from my involvement with Edward"

"Want me to drop you off on the way back?" Offers Jacob.

She declines. "No. I want to see this thing through."

"Quit moping." Leah scolds him through pack telepathy.

The skin of Seth's muzzle furls into an ugly snarl that shows his front teeth. "I'm NOT moping. Why didn't you tell me you imprinted? I wouldn't have judged you for it or anything! I'm your brother-"

She turns to snap her jaws at him. The pouch that hung around her thick neck swings from the sharp movement. There lay their ward that they are to bury. "I didn't want ANYONE to know. I wished it had never happened!"

Seth flinches away, ears flattening against his head and tail moving between his legs.

Taking her temper down a few notches when she feels the hurt radiating from him, Leah internally sighs. She shouldn't be picking fights, especially not with the pack. Enough fighting will be ahead. There shouldn't be any interpersonal fighting within the pack.

She loved her brother and since losing their father, she didn't want to lose anyone else in her small family.

They begin walking again though Leah noticed Seth was further behind.

"I was scared, Seth. I'm sorry. I didn't know what to do. I panicked. . ." Hating admitting that she felt fear, Seth acknowledged her apology as genuine.

Quiet passes for a few minutes until Leah could feel Seth beside her once more; his paws emitting gentle pitter patters over small twigs and crunchy leaves. "No. . . it's alright. . . from (y/n) and Jacob. . . imprinting doesn't seem like a good thing."

"Hopefully when you imprint it won't be as complicated." Leah adds with a small lilt to her thoughts that makes it sound like she's smiling.

Doubt crept in. He hadn't seen anyone positively impacted by their imprinting thus far. Even Sam and Emily started on a rocky start. Imprinting became something terrifying to the younger wolves. He'd spoken with Brady and Colin, neither happy or looking forward to finding their soulmate. In fact they continuously hoped that it would never happen to them. Being a wolf was hard enough.

To change the subject, Seth goes about finding an appropriate dig spot when they reach their destination. His long claws are useful pulling up dirt.

Leah's back in her human skin, pulling at the chord around her neck to open the pouch. She holds the stone in her hand. Warm to the touch. Waiting for Seth to finish, her attention is completely enraptured by the small rock that would ultimately save so many lives. They were putting all their faith in this thing.

She heaves a heavy sigh, placing the stone into the ground, murmuring a silent pray she wasn't sure anyone would hear.

"Do you think anyone else from the pack will imprint soon?" Brady once again asks Embry and he has to refrain from groaning. The leather pouch strung around his neck bobs as he merely shakes his head to emote his ire. "I wish I had imprinted on Nadege. She's so hot."

If he were in his human body, Embry certainly would have rolled his eyes. "Focus Brady. This is important and we can't fuck it up."

The younger wolf whines. "I know it's important. I just want to lighten the mood. Everything has been so. . . life or death lately."

Embry felt for Brady. He really did. Poor kid was the youngest in the pack. Not even fifteen yet. Brady wasn't allowed to act like a kid his age normally will thanks to this whole werewolf shit.

Reading his thoughts, Brady flicks an ash brown furred ear. "I'd rather be a wolf then some boring teenager."

"You think that for now." It had been all fun and games for Embry too until (y/n) imprinted on Edward.

Thoughts are interrupted by the loud screeching of a bird from overhead. Brady's body lowers to the ground, lips parted in a snarl as his eyes shoot upwards. Embry too digs his nails into the ground, preparing for any kind of air assault that may come their way. This bird didn't sound like any they'd encountered in the wild before.

Familiar colored feathers flurry around in a storm when a giant falcon dives to the ground. Nadege is flushed, panic striking her eyes. "Bury the ward and get out of here. I just saw two cloaked figures traveling down the mountainside. They must be your Volturi."

She returns to her hawk form, allowing the boys to pick up speed and hurry up all while shooting the message down the pack telepathy.

"Stay calm you guys." They can hear Leah's voice. "Just get it down and get out of there. Like Nadege said."

"Evita said once the last ward is in place, the entire thing will activate." (y/n) says. Since Embry has known the girl since childhood, he picked up on the nervous tremor of her thoughts. She was rightfully worried about them encountering members of the Volturi so soon. "We've already buried our's. Evita got a text from Bella that they've buried their's as well."

"Our's is buried too." Quil replies.

Nadege follows them from the sky, partially leading them to the area they were supposed to be in.

"Maybe if Brady hadn't been mooning over Nadege-"

"Shut up Colin!"

"Both of you shut up!" Leah and (y/n) command in unison.

Phasing, Embry yanks open the pouch hastily while Brady starts to dig a hole with his giant paws.

Another ear splitting cry from the treetops, cutting through the forest. Nadege. The Volturi were even closer, uncomfortably so. Her bird body lands on a branch, sharp talons piercing the bark for support. Feathers ruffled in agitation.

Kicking dirt back into the hole, Embry successfully grins. "Done!" He pivots to Brady. "Lets get the hell out of here!"

Brady wasn't looking at Embry though. Frozen to the spot and fur spiked up, slowly his snout furls into a snarl. Nadege releases a high-pitched whistle, sharp and penetrating scream.

"So, these are the wolves Irina told us about."

Without his heightened wolf sense, their scent had passed by him. Embry feels sweat prickling at the nape of his neck despite the chill in the air.

"Turn around, boy."

A throaty growl rumbles from Brady who dared to take a step closer to Embry. Embry simply tried to shoot him a look that hopefully read 'stay where you are' or 'don't move'.

He does so, knowing the rest of the pack was on their way. And that the wards were in position. To test it, all the Volturi had to do was try and pass over it to get to Embry and Brady.

Embry holds his breath, staring into two pairs of blood red eyes. Eery and reminding Embry of the newborns they'd faced off with two weeks prior.

One of them chuckles. "He's nothing but a mere child. The other also seems like just a pup himself."

They creep closer and Embry has to resist glancing down at the ground at the fresh pile of dirt that hid the ward. Instead he waits while his heart is ramming against sternum, threatening to break free from it's confines. These two. . . they felt different from the newborns he'd faced off against.

"Where are the others in your pack?" The taller of the two cock their head to the side. His foot steps over the threshold, a few inches away from Embry. Immediately there's a sizzling sound before the Volturi guard shoots back as if electrically shocked. He hisses in pain, scarlet eyes glaring at Embry. His companion eyes him questioningly before Nadege swoops from her perch and in another flurry of feathers switches back to her human form to protectively stand next to Embry.

He hisses "A witch. More unnatural creatures."

Recovering from his pain, the other one bares his teeth. "Aro will be pleased to know about this. He'll enjoy wiping all of you off the face of the earth."

"I'd like to see him try." Nadege fiercely barks back. Her height matched that of the taller Volturi member. She was a commanding beauty who wouldn't back down. Not when it meant the lives of those she had befriended. "You Volturi are ignorant of the world around you. If you truly aim to rid the world of other beings like us, you'll never achieve it."

That statement outrages the vampires.

Not more than the thundering of large paws that makes the earth tremble. Back up had finally arrived.

A horde of snapping jaws and snarling faces. Bella is seated atop of Jacob's russet brown wolf while Evita is atop of (y/n)'s back. The human girls glare at the ruby eyed vampires. Bella recalling their identities with a scowl.

"Miss Swan."

"Demetri." Her pale lips spit out. Fingers curl tighter into Jacob's fur.

Demetri's companion hisses. "Traitor. You have gone back on your word."

"The situation has changed."

Edward, flanked by a newly returned Carlisle and Jasper, emerge from the trees on the side of the Volturi guards.

"Explain this heresy." Demetri turns to them while Felix keeps his wicked gaze on the wolves. "Why have you allied yourselves with these beasts? Not telling the Volturi of their existence would be considered the highest of crimes."

"Like Edward said, the situation has changed. They helped us fight Victoria's newborn army. They are not the werewolves which the Volturi exterminated throughout Europe centuries ago." Carlisle simply explains with that calm demeanor of his. Perhaps Jasper was using his ability on their side to soothe the tempers of Demetri and Felix as the rigidness of their posture slackened.

"One of those wolves just so happens to be my mate too." Edward proudly announces which only sends disgust through Demetri and Felix.

Felix laughs bitterly "So you traded in a human for a mongrel?"

The wolves growl in indignation for their packmate. (y/n) simply flicks an ear, uncaring for what they thought.

"Easy there." warned Carlisle. "Right now you're trespassing on their territory. I would change the tone if I were you. If you'll just follow us back to our house-"

"What and talk it over a nice cup of tea?" Demetri lightly mocked. "No, this can't be resolved that simply."

"Demetri, please-"

"You've aligned yourself with these savage animals. Not just them, but mortals who possess the powers of a supernatural. They have no place in our world."

"Que hombre tan tanto. (What a stupid man)"

Evita's eyes round at the two newcomers entering the forest. A fearful tremor in her voice. "Mama?"

As if taking a leisure forest stroll, Alice and an older woman stand side by side. Alice looking so petite and pale compared to her companion whose dark, wild curls had strands of silver that would catch on the light. A burgundy shawl is wrapped around her shoulders, covering the cream colored blouse she wore.

Evita's mother scowls at her daughter on the other side of the ward's protective embrace. "Evita, estas en un gran problema. ¿Aquí es donde has estado? (Evita, you're in big trouble. This is where you've been?)" Her eyes, while being the same lovely color as Evita's, had the tell tale signs of aging. Also much like Evita when the pack first met her, there's that tangy scent of magic that wafts through the air that clung to the older woman.

At the slight threatening tone in her voice, Evita pales.

Switching from Spanish to English, Annalisse huffs and turns to address Demetri and Felix. "You two feel like big men? Threatening children?" They open their mouths like their about to protest, but Annalisse silences them with a slash of her hand. Whether that was due to magic or just her intimidating air would be a mystery. Either way it did the trick.

Almost comedic how they shrank away from her as she struts straight up to them despite Alice and the other three Cullen males trying to stop her. This woman was fearless and had the pack staring at her in admiration. Witches were made of much stronger stuff than the regular human. Even Nadege almost leapt into action once the Volturi duo arrived.

"If you want war, the only losers in it would be the Volturi. Only a handful of your kind possess special abilities. Unlike us. You think immortality will save you? That your massive coven will be enough? You're outnumbered even now."

A few quiet seconds pass, Demetri and Felix exchanged glances, a hint of uncertainty flickering in their eyes. They were used to asserting dominance, but this woman exuded a power they hadn't anticipated. Reluctantly, Demetri spoke up, his tone begrudging. "Carlisle, show the way."

Please let me know what you guys would like to see in the final chapter :) I'm interested to hear how you want things to end.

TAGLIST: @saltedcoffeescotch​  , @dangerouslittlefairy​ , @burn-crash-rqmance​ , @casedoina , @avadakadabra93 , @daryldixonstorm , @blue-aconite​ , @xanniestired666 , @esposadomd​, @godinho11​ , @alexizodd​ , @melaninsugarbaby​ , @lyeatoalinatoheaven , @ronwownsme​ , @itsmytimetoodream​ , @afro-hispwriter​ , @mutandis-extremis993 , @hxgemxscles​ , @nightly-polaris​ , @corrodedcoffin-slut , @ellesalazar​ , @itgetzweird08​ , @crybabyatthediscooffandoms​ , @sassyandclassyx​ , @scarlet2007​ , @theroyalbrownbarbie​ , @jennyamanda8​ , @stevenandmarcslove​ , @biancaindaeyo​ , @loversjoy​ , @turningtoclown​ , @vixorell​ , @xxthackerybinxxx , @daredevilonmyheels​ , @dumbbitch-juicee​ , @southern-bell-give-hell , @nat-the-gemini , @imdoingathingmom​ , @emmettcullenswife , @yoong1c0re , @daddykylokenobi​ , @minjix​ , @magical-spit​ , @krismdavis​ , @arin-swear-rose

[lousypotatoes]

Can we please get Loona x Male Sinner Reader? Thanks for your time!

Oh boy, I'm not the best at writing for male readers, but I'll do my best!! Hope you like it <33

Song Recommendation:

Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Goulding

Part 2

The Intern - Loona x Male Reader

"I swear, I'm gonna shoot myself if Blitz has me get him one more cup of fucking coffee," you grumbled, setting down the plastic cup full of the hot liquid.

"Well, that's what an intern does, Y/N," Moxxie said. "They run errands, get coffee, get lun-"

"I get the point, Mox," you mumbled, running your fingers through your H/C hair. "Did you guys need anything?"

"Nah, we're good," Millie said. "Thanks Y/N!"

"Mhmmm,"

"Y/N!!! WHERE'S MY FUCKING COFFEE?!"

"I'm coming! I'm coming!" you cried out, grabbing the coffee cup, starting to walk towards Blitzo's office.

"You better get in there," Loona joked. "You don't wanna see him without his coffee."

You turned your head, hoping to hide the blush creeping up on your face. "He's not that scary,"

At that moment, Blitzo came out of his office, looking very tired and very angry.

He looked scary.

"Y/N, if you don't give me my coffee right now," he said in a deadly calm voice. "I will rip your dick off and shove it down your throat and out of your ass you FUCKING CUNT LICKING BITCH!!!

You looked over at Loona, smirking at you because she was right.

"Sorry Blitz," you muttered, handing him the coffee cup. "Here's your coffee sir,"

He swiped the coffee cup from your hand and chugged the whole thing.

"Ah! Now that's much better!" Blitzo said, stretching out his limbs, throwing the empty coffee cup at your head. "Now go get me some booze."

"What kind would you like, sir?" you grumbled.

"I don't fucking know, anything to get me drunk off my ass," he said, walking back into is office. "It's a get drunk off my ass kinda day."

"Right away Blitz," you mumbled as he slammed his office door.

"You want me to come with you?" Loona asked.

"Oh-uh" you stuttered. "Only if you want,"

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

"What's Earth like?" Loona said suddenly, as the two of you walked back to I.M.P headquarters.

"A lot better than Hell, that's for sure," you chuckled, swinging the bag filled with beer.

"How did you die?" she asked.

"What's with all the questions, Loona," you joked. "I was driving home drunk one night and t-boned someone."

"Damn," Loona said. "That sucks, I'm sorry."

"It's whatever,"

There was an awkward silence for a moment.

"Why did you decided to intern at I.M.P?"

You had to think about it for a moment.

"I guess I wanted to learn to protect myself against the exterminators," you said. "And what better way to learn than from assassins."

Loona stayed quiet.

"I don't know if I'm gonna stay an intern, though," you said, rubbing your bicep. "I might just check in to that redemption hotel."

"Well if you do," Loona began. "We'll stay in contact, right?"

"Yeah, of course,"

You and Loona awkwardly smiled at each other. Blush creeping onto both of your faces.

"Hey, you wanna get a bite to eat?" Loona asked, pointing to a fast-food place across the street.

"Sure," you said.

"Blitz would throw a fucking hissy fit if he found we were hanging out,"

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

"YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU SAW MY LOONY AND THAT HPV HAVING PRICK LEAVE TOGETHER AND YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT?!?!"

"I-I didn't think anything of it sir-"

"IF THOSE TWO END UP PLAYING TONSIL TENNIS, I SWEAR TO GOD MOX, I WILL FUCK YOU AND YOUR WIFE SO FUCKING HARD THAT YOUR DAD WILL FEEL IT IN HIS MOBSTER BOSS BALLS!!!!"

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

I haven't written for Helluva Boss before, so I hope it's good lol. I also need to rewatch the series. Hopefully we get a new episode soon lmao.

Remember to drink lots of water and stay safe <33

xoxo, Izzy

[hwatermelons]

ateez ⋆ one day at a time

⋆ 24 hours of drabbles with ateez. they are not connected to each other! ⋆ 1.2k words ⋆ bf!ateez x gn!reader ⋆ tooth-rotting fluff, a little angst (hongjoong, yeosang) ⋆ warnings: slightly suggestive (wooyoung) ⋆ a/n: lowkey wrote yeosang's based on what i'd want someone to do for me;; help

╭──────────────────────────.★..─╮

[3:07 a.m. <snooze - agust d>]

mingi jolts upright, looking around frantically, trying to determine if he’s still stuck in the nightmare. his eyes fall on your warm figure snoring lightly next to him, and his gaze immediately softens. he sighs in relief, knowing that at least you're safe in real life. as he lets himself lay back down, he gently puts an arm around you and snuggles up to you from behind, never intending to let you go again.

⋆ "don't ever scare me like that again, my angel." ⋆

[7:24 a.m. <ateez - aurora>]

san pulls you in for more cuddles, burying his face in your chest. you would've gladly stayed there for the next few hours, but there was a slight problem: you were deadly ticklish. you try to pull away unsuccessfully a couple times but eventually give in, not in any small part because of how calming his morning voice is. he could say anything with that voice and you'd give him whatever he asked for, even if it meant painfully stifling your laughter until he was satisfied.

⋆ "let's sleep in," he mumbles, "the world can wait a little longer to see your beautiful face today." ⋆

[8:52 a.m. <ateez - if without you>]

seonghwa is making you both breakfast. when you awoke, you half expected to still be wrapped in his arms where you fell asleep last night, the two of you further enveloped in a blanket burrito against the cold. instead, the smell of the eggs cooking draws you into the kitchen, still half asleep. there, you see him expertly cracking the next egg into the pan with one hand. he smiles somewhat boastfully as he sees you come in, staring in disbelief at the perfectly halved eggshell.

⋆ “it was a trick my mother taught me. i can show you, if you’d like.” ⋆

[1:02 p.m. <ateez - light>]

you and yunho are out on a lunch date, taking a walk in the dog park and enjoying the breezy day after having some slightly overpriced yet delicious gourmet sandwiches at the family-owned cafe down the street. as you sip your iced tea taken to-go from the restaurant, you notice that every dog seems to want to approach yunho. he smiles back at you sheepishly, he can't help that they all seem to like him (and you can't blame them, either.) you both stop to pet all of them and eventually end up laying in the grass under the shade of a tree, breathing in the scent of freshly turned earth and contemplating the addition of a new family member:

⋆ "should we get a dog ourselves next time?" ⋆

[3:33 p.m. <christopher - bad>]

wooyoung took you shopping at the mall, and he just came out of the fitting room for the sixth time with a new outfit. it doesn't bother you, since you had just changed into your fourth in the room next to him a couple minutes ago. you and him both insist on only buying entire outfits at a time, never settling for a single good piece that didn't go with the rest of the clothes you had. just as you're about to suggest how that jacket would be much better on him in red than in black, he suddenly pulls you into his stall and closes the door without warning, a shit-eating grin on his face.

⋆ "how do i look, babe?" ⋆

[4:17 p.m. <hongjoong - draw and draw>]

you decided to follow hongjoong into the studio today. he'd promised to take you on a tour recently, and you were curious about the place where he spent so many of his waking (and what should've been his sleeping) hours. you both have an insightful conversation with the edenary team about what it's like to be a professional producer, since writing and producing music had once been a hobby of yours and you were familiar with some of the equipment and techniques, impressing hongjoong. he knew you'd made a couple songs but didn't really know how much you were interested in this. also, he hadn't pushed you about those songs because he was afraid they might be too personal to you. he knew from firsthand experience how making music could be a deeply emotional experience, and that those songs were the result of many nights spent aching alone in your room years ago. but after your studio date, he decides to take a risk:

⋆ "you know, i would love to hear some of your old songs, if you're willing to show me." ⋆

[10:22 p.m. <mr. kitty - after dark>]

you had noticed yeosang looking a little overwhelmed at today's fanmeet. his professional smile had seemed to be fixed on his face and he had hardly spoken a word once they got out. and when you asked him if he wanted to go to the usual place, his only answer was a nod. the skate park is completely empty at this time, and you watch in awe as yeosang pulls tricks that make it seem like he's flying against the backdrop of stars. out here, he seems to release all his worries to the cool night breeze, his concentration fully on his feet, the rises and dips in the concrete, and the board he's trusting his life to between them. unnoticed, you slip away to the fried chicken shop a couple blocks from the park, knowing the owners will greet you with a meaningful smile as you and yeosang had come here countless times before. tonight, however, the restaurant is packed with students enjoying some fast food for a weeknight dinner, and you want to save yeosang the trouble. when he sees you returning with the chicken, the corners of his mouth immediately pull upward and he almost looks like he's holding back tears. he holds it inside, but he wants to thank you for everything, for noticing how he felt today, for offering to come to the skate park with him, for knowing what he needed without him having to ask, because you know he would never want to put anything on your shoulders. but you don't need all of those words to understand, so he doesn't say all of that, because you already know. and for that, he will forever be grateful.

⋆ "thank you." ⋆

[11:17 pm <ateez - one day at a time>]

the night has just begun at the coin karaoke you brought jongho to, and you're smiling ear to ear as he shows to you with each passing moment that this was the perfect place to bring him for valentine's day. singing was your absolute favorite thing in the world, and even though you couldn't hit the high notes as flawlessly as he did, you're both on top of the world as you belt out the lyrics to everything from ballads to musicals to rock. you already know all the rap parts to the songs you both chose by heart, and have a lot of fun almost outrapping top names in the industry. jongho teaches you the dance moves to some classic girl group songs, and you giggling at him only motivates him to dance even harder. around 2 a.m., you both end the night on a beautiful, familiar melody:

⋆ " when it's overwhelming, hold on tight i'll be here, don't forget it, cause in life, sometimes you need a helping hand, you'll be alright, just take it slow, one day at a time." ⋆

╰─..★.──────────────────────────╯

⋆ likes/reblogs appreciated ⋆ do not repost ⋆

[miguelswifey04]

Hii!! I live ur fiction sm and I was wondering if we could have a Miguel x Fem Reader who is Badass like him and usually cool and collected and maybe sometimes quiet and shy? But when she is pissed she is really scary like one day on a mission she full on pulls a miguel and miles situation (NOT CRAWLING ON ALL FOURS THO LMAO)

And she starts fighting ruthlessly and miguel is super proud but kinda scared bc he's worried she is gonna kill someone. Ty for ur time hope this isn't too much! ❤

it’s not too much, don’t worry my love <33 love this idea a lot :)

miguel o’hara x badass fem! spider! reader

miguel always admired your calm and collected nature. your ability to remain level-headed during missions was something he truly respected. but there was another side to you that he had witnessed only a few times—a side that unleashed a fierce and ruthless fighter.

one day, as the two of you embarked on a mission together, something triggered you, igniting a fire within. your usually reserved demeanor transformed, and miguel couldn't help but be in awe of the intensity emanating from you.

as you fought, your movements became fluid, each strike precise and calculated. your eyes blazed with a raw determination, and the once calm and collected facade was shattered. you unleashed your full power, not holding back an ounce of your strength.

miguel watched with a mix of awe and concern. he had never seen you so ferocious, so unyielding. your actions mirrored his own, the spirit of a true fighter coursing through your veins. as your blows landed with deadly accuracy, miguel couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry. while he was proud of your strength, a part of him feared the potential consequences of your ruthlessness.

the battle raged on, and with each passing moment, the intensity grew. miguel could see the fear in the eyes of your opponents, a primal realization that they were facing a force far greater than they had anticipated. but amidst that fear, there was also a glimmer of admiration for your power.

finally, the chaos subsided, and you stood amidst the defeated enemies, your chest heaving with exertion. miguel approached you cautiously, his eyes reflecting a mixture of pride and trepidation. “wow…," he said, his voice laced with a mixture of awe and concern. "that was…intense. you were incredible out there. but i have to admit, i’m a little worried about the level of ferocity you displayed. you seemed ready to go all the way."

you took a deep breath, your gaze fixated on the ground. "i’m sorry, miguel. i just…i couldn't contain myself. something inside of me snapped," you admitted, your voice tinged with a hint of regret. miguel placed a comforting hand on your shoulder, his touch grounding you. "i understand. we all have those moments. but remember, there's a line we shouldn't cross. we fight to protect, not to cause unnecessary harm."

you nodded, appreciating his words of wisdom. "you’re right, miguel. i’ll be more mindful next time. it’s just that sometimes, the rage inside me becomes overwhelming. i need to learn to control it better." he smiled gently, his love for you evident in his eyes. "we’ll work on it together. i know you have incredible strength, and i believe in your ability to channel it for the greater good. just remember, you don't have to fight alone. we’re a team, and we'll face any challenge together, no matter what."

with that, miguel pulled you into a warm embrace, reaffirming the unbreakable bond between you. as you held each other, you found solace in the fact that even in moments of darkness and rage, love and support would always guide you back to the path of balance and compassion.

tags 🏷️!! @kairiscorner @astro1bloom @obi-mom-kenobi @emiemiemiii @sabcandoit @meeom

[pjoxreader]

Hii!! Omg I literally love your writing so much!

I was wondering if I could request some platonic headcanons for Percy, Will, and Annabeth? Maybe where Reader is their sibling and she leaves camp to go home to her mortal parent, but ends up having to run away cause said parent is a horrible person and Reader has to call their sibling from a payphone for help?

I really hope that's coherent, feel free to ignore, and make sure you take care of yourself!!<33

Sibling Reader Calls For Help

((I'm so glad you love my writing! Everyone has been so kind it's heartwarming. I'm glad I got to join this fandom even if I'm late!))

Percy Jackson 

-Percy takes being your sibling very seriously, even if it is just through your father. He’s very protective over you so he ensures you’re ready to head back to the real world when it was time. He takes a nervous breath helping you get your backpack filled with questing supplies, as if you were heading out on a deadly quest and not just to visit your mom.

-”Always look both ways when crossing the road and remember, I’m just a call away.” Percy was heading back to visit his mom too and you can’t help but laugh at his worrying. “I’ll be alright Percy, If I can fight monsters I can handle my mom.” you promise, You honestly believed that too at the time.

-Percy smiles fondly at that and ruffles your hair. “I don’t doubt it.” he says. You really thought you could handle your mom. You honestly thought you stood a chance to her after all of your training, but when it came to it and you were at her doorway you froze. 

-She started screaming at you, yelling that you were a demon child and that you’d get her killed by some monster. You knew she was drunk but still her words hurt. What hurt worse was the bottle she threw at you that shattered over your eye. -You have to stumble down the street as blood drips down over your eye, no one even bothering to help you. Your mind races to the worst possible option, did you lose your eye? Through the tears in your good eyes you see a pain phone punching in the numbers you slide against it, trying to take shaky breaths to keep yourself calm. -Percy picks up on the second ring thankfully. “Hello?” there's a tense silence as he hears you crying. “I… My mom she…” you manage to choke out between tears. “Where are you?” Percy demands his voice darkening right away. You tell him where he was and in less than ten minutes he drives across New York which was a feat in itself. He picks you up with a sad smile not caring that you were a bit too old to be carried around. “It’s ok. I’ve got you.” he soothes but under that smile you knew Percy was seething in anger. You were just glad to have Percy… He was more of your family than your mom ever could be. 

Will Solace

-Will was a great big brother, he knew when to give you space and when you needed help. Right now he could tell you were nervous so he gently rubs your back with a gentle and kind smile. “It’ll be alright. You have my number.” he reassures you. -”R-Right…” You say softly but you were still nervous. Sure you could face down monsters but trying to face down your mother..? That was a different story. Will seems to notice your hesitance and places his cowboy hat on your head with a proud grin when he sees your surprised face.

-”For good luck. That hat has been with me through a lot, so take good care of it.” You can’t help but tear up giving Will a tight hug, making him laugh. Part of you wish you had never left after that…

-It was supposed to be a good luck charm… So… So why did you feel so unlucky? You had tears in your eyes as you made your way down the street. Your mom had dumped you on the side of the road in a muddy puddle and drove off without you. 

-You were holding Will’s hat close to your chest, feeling guilty for having coated it in mud. But that’s when you see it. A payphone. You make your way in digging through your jeans for loose change and make the call. It takes a few seconds that feel like forever but Will picks up. “Hello?” he asks. “I… I… Your hat I’m… Sorry I didn’t mean…” you couldn’t help but sob when he picks up all the emotions you bottled up pouring out. -Will was there in minutes, it turns out he wasn’t far from where you were. He frowns sadly, hugging you close “hey, hey, It’s ok.” he soothes you gently, rubbing your back and smiles sadly. “You’re not hurt?” he asks worriedly. You sob and offer him his hat back “I’m sorry…” he laughs sadly at that, placing the muddy hat onto his head with a little grin. “It’s alright, A little mud never hurt no one!” he lets his thick Texas accent slip out with that and you can’t help but laugh a little. Will always knew how to cheer you up. 

Annabeth Chase

-Annabeth had a hard time getting along with her siblings when she was younger, she felt unwanted and that her family didn’t care for her. But then she got older and met you, she felt an instant connection as if you were her real sibling. Which, you weren’t but she acted like it.

-She could tell you had a lot of potential and so she worked with you to help train you for the real world. For fighting all the monsters and sometimes even worse, the people. She takes a breath helping adjust the straps of your backpack. “Are you sure you can do this?” she asks hesitantly, seeing the determination in your eyes she couldn’t help but think back to how you were exactly like her when she was younger.

-”I’m sure. I can do this Annabeth.” you promise. She smiles softly at that and nods. “If you need anything, and I mean anything just give me a call.” She says gently, making you laugh; she was like a worried mom. “I will, I will.” you say giving her a wave with a grin as you run off. You wish she was your mom. Or at least your full sibling. Because you had never felt more alone than in that moment. There at your childhood home was a sold sign, Your family had moved on without you.

-You had wandered the streets for a while, working through your own thoughts unsure of what to do next but that’s when you saw it. An old payphone. You dig through your backpack and pull out the coins that you had there and punch in Annabeth’s numbers with shaky hands trying to keep your composure. You were a child of Athena, you were supposed to be better than this. 

-But as you wait for Annabeth to pick up you couldn’t stop the tears that start to stream down your face. “Annabeth… T-They… They moved on without me… They left me… And didn’t even leave a note.” as you speak you break into sobs as you're forced to realize what had happened too. “Where are you?” Annabeth demands sternly. Before you knew it she was right outside the payphone and pulled you into a hug.

-You sob into her as you cling to her in a hug. Annabeth just soothingly rubs your back letting you cry into her shoulder. It hurt her to see you like this, it was all too familiar to her. To be abandoned by your family… But… but she wasn’t going to let you go through the things she did. Not anymore. She’d be there for you and protect you. She’d do a better job than Luke. She swore that to herself right there and then as she held you close.

~Masterlist & Rules~

Like my writing? Please consider sending me a Ko-fi! ☕

[rvlsdlcrx]

PRAYERS 【＃001.】－HLS.

ATSV x Child！Reader

ㅤㅤ(Some comedy to warm yall up in the next😋)

【＃000.】 ＜－Chapter one

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ【TW!! Usage of vulgar/foul language, acts of violence, choking and cringe yet realistic events. Please proceed with tender caution for young audiences, thank you.】

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Reminders; This will have parts so be patient, it'll be worth it I promise you<33 enjoooyy

English IS my first language, but I've spent majority of my life speaking my native language, so pardon my punctuation, grammar, spelling and error.

Reader is 12 years old so don't even think about it.

Constant editing btw😭

Btw please checkout my playlist I made for the reader and some ocs that'll be shown in the near future

PLYSLST!!! (I'm not good at making playlist sorry😭)

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ✧. ┊ 𝚁𝙸𝚅𝙾𝙻𝚄𝚂 𝙳𝙴 𝙻𝙰 𝙲𝚁𝙾𝙸𝚇

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤWRITTEN BY ©𝙍𝙑𝙇𝙎𝘿𝙇𝘾𝙍𝙓

【＃001.】 －HLS.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ𝙍𝙑𝙇𝙎𝘿𝙇𝘾𝙍𝙓。

－The heavy gravity that pulled you somewhere unknown made you confused, maybe even somewhere beyond confusion. You hated the way how you're experiencing this, you were raised in a fucking laboratory for God's sake, a laboratory where everything horrible to you was explained, and the idea of confusion scares you. 

You realise you've been on your head for too long, you have to curse the philosophical, existential crisis coping mechanism that constantly makes you airheaded. You looked at your surroundings to see a white void filled with… holes? You looked under your feet and noticed you were floating in 0 gravity. Your mind immediately jumps to conclusions.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ"I'm in space!?" You yelled, and surely, your voice didn't echo inside the void. As far as you know－or you know you did, a void where 0 gravity exists, possibilities there will be no oxygen. Uh oh…

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ"Feeling breathless?" A tone asked you, appearing from a black hole beside you. You questioned… Why, where, what, when and how are you present in this space. And looking at the questioning figure beside you, yeah… He didn't have a face.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ"Creepy." You said nonchalantly to the 'person' who was popping out of the hole. When you've stated your opinion to him, he took this as an offence as he gasped then placed his hand on his chest. 

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ"Excuse me!? It wasn't my fault I turned out like this!" He yelled with him floating－yeah… floating－right in front of you, getting out of that black hole where he was previously. The sight of it? You found it rather disturbing, he was a completely white man. Like literally white, no face or ears, he was naked but his parts which were kept private weren't weren't there? You looked at him suspiciously and observed him, which he found more offending as he spoke to break the awkward silence.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ"Hey- Kid? Checking people out is rude." The white… man..? Yeah no, let's not call him a man just because he's similar to one. So it's safe to say that he's an individual. He was there snapping his fingers at you to get your attention, you ABSOLUTELY know that you're looking at him with visible judgement. But who is he to say you're checking him out? You almost laughed at his accusations as you spoke.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ"Checking you out? Please, I'm not even interested in… an abomination such as you." Did you have regrets saying that? No, did you have shame? Not at all either. Your cocky attitude may or may not mare him pissed off as he's on his way towards you, you suddenly felt that black hole appear behind you as he looked－is possible－immediately grabb ed your neck. His grip was tight but something made you feel like you're suffocating.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ"You're just like him…" His tone definitely reeked frustration and realization. Hearing upon his statement made you confused, which again made you hate it so you groaned in frustration. Heck, you absolutely don't have a mind what was going on, and your annoyed confusion leads you to deadly curiosity. You raised your brow at him while you asked with that deadly curiosity that lingered your mindless brain.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ"What the heck do you even mean－"

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ"You know exactly what I mean." You were cut off by him with an intimidating voice, and you were sure without a single doubt. It definitely sounds like him. Shivers travelled down your spine frantically, and this worried you a lot. You're unable to stare at him, but he was able to look at you despite not having eyes to see. But you know that he's looking at you. 

Your eyelids widened at that realization, your senses reacted in such a way that made you feel a piercing pain on your head. You hissed at sudden pain and the highly sensitive reaction your senses told you. You were immediately pushed into the black hole with that guy's fingers wrapping around your throat, you grabbed his wrist as you furrowed your gaze at him. It was a hard glare of growing hatred. 

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ"Who are you anyways!?" And his response was a chuckle. A chuckle of growing confidence. This attitude somewhat made you disgusted at him with his cockiness.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ"I am the Spot." He introduced, you could've sworn the name he called himself was already a circus itself－if not a circus then an industry of a god damn joke. 

With his dumb introduction, your back immediately met the hard concrete ground－surprisingly-! It didn't hurt, you sighed with vivid relief. But now… You found yourself in an unfamiliar place, it was dimly lit with the only source of light being a deep purple ambience. You grunted and so did he. You stood up and facing him with furrowed eyes, he looked at you as he made some holes appear behind him and some surrounding you. You clicked your tongue in response as you said.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ"Portals, huh?" A hand was placed on your hip as you asked with a little smirk, Spot then charged at you while he answered in agreement. His attack was too easy to read as you jumped above him and landed with your back facing his. In a blink of an eye, you webbed him to grab him by the back of his neck as you whispered.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ"You better get me home… Spot." You commanded. This made Spot laugh at you, and sure as hell this made you annoyed as your father. The pressure and embarrassment you felt randomly when he did this to you made you return the choke with a deadly grip. You furrowed your brows as you repeated.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ"I said… Take me back home, Spot." Again you said, and the only response to you was sending you to another hole and appearing in an apartment. Your grip was still with him, but what you did was to send a kick on his throat and slide yourself backwards to distance yourself from this abomination.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ"Oh no… I won't do that." Spot answered with him getting up from your attack, running up to you again with a slow pace. Looking at him trying to run and show an intimidating visual by laughing, you just know－what he's doing is highly embarrassing. He was running towards you like a coward, you couldn't help but slap your palm to your face and rub it downwards until grabbing your lips and groaned with embarrassment and annoyance for this grown ass adult.

Honestly－"What the fuck." Is your response, just when he's so close to you. He slipped to his own own hole－or portal, whatever the fuck you even call it－as he screamed with a cut off. 

You only looked at where he fell and stood there awkwardly, trying to collect what happened this day. Confused as you were, you shifted your position to look at the apartment you're in. You then let out a confused yet doomed－

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ"Fucking-"

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤEND OF CHAPTER.

－✧..:*☆ 「TAG SECTION!!」

For my bb: @otaku-degenarate <3333 here u go(*˘︶˘*).。.:*♡

[fishsticksloser]

aloha friendo!! first off, I hope you're doing well & encouraging ya to stay hydrated and laugh a lot!! <33 to start off, I love love looooove your writing! so, I was wonderin if I could send in a request! 👉🏼👈🏼😄

can I request headcanons for a platonic/sibling fat-tailed gecko reader 🦎 who's also selectively mute? i'm curious to see how the dynamic would be between the tortugas 🐢 and a different species sibbie. I think it'd be sweet! :'))

they're a deadly opponent in battle - as they all are pfft - but otherwise sweet and soft off the field! however, biiiig middle child energy (right above Mikey in age ;D) also, despite being a selective mute, they have a reeeaaally beautiful singing voice when they do speak up (verbally)? 🌸

in advance, of course, you don't have to do this if it's not in your interest! (⁠☞⁠ ⁠ಠ⁠_⁠ಠ⁠)⁠☞ your health & comfort comes first always. remember that.

but if you do choose to consider it I'd highly appreciate it!! sibling readers have a special place in my heart 🤲🏼🤍

be breezy, beautiful! cheers! ☕

[swishes cape and steals away with a flourish!🌷]

Fat-Tailed Gecko!Reader

RotTMNT + gn!reader

Warnings: Platonic fluff, gecko facts (mostly African Fat-Tailed Gecko), also pretty short

A/N: I'm gonna split this up, so this will just be the Fat-Tailed Gecko part and I'll make a separate part for the selective mute part, it was just a lot to get my head around together so... divide an conquer. I hope you stay safe and healthy, thank you so much!

Previous  |  Next

Being a Fat-Tailed Gecko, you have to stay pretty warm, warmer than your brothers

They prefer anything from 60-75 degrees (because their half human most turtles prefer 70-80), while you prefer 70-85 (fat-tailed geckos prefer 80-90, but you're a mutant)

This means you wear layers upon layers during winter, Leo says you look like a marshmallow during winter

When you were younger, the boys often worried and went a little crazy when you didn't eat, especially when your tail slimmed out during that time

It took Splinter making a google search to cheer the boys up that you weren't starving

This actually became very handy when helping Donnie in his lab

One day while you guys were fighting some bad guys, someone grabbed your tail and it fell off

The guy screamed, you screamed, everyone screamed

You'd never done that before

Thank God for google... But your tail was rounder and had a different pattern than before, not that you really minded.

Your detachable tail became pretty useful, though you hate losing your tail

You're manly carnivorous due to your gecko genes, the boys being complete omnivores made dinner hard sometimes

Unlike most gecko species you lack adhesive lamellae - or the sticky pads geckos typically have

You found that out the hard way when Leo and Mikey learned that geckos have that and took you topside to see if you could do it

You were later informed via Donnie via google search that your species was one of few that didn't possess that ability

You are slow, slow moving that is

Especially during the day as your original state was just a gecko, you're nocturnal

You also have a bunk bed as you prefer to be off the ground, another gecko thing

Shedding season is also pretty rough

The boys using water to help, you don't like water and have to be in a steam room

Thank Donnie for that

[mybiasisexo]

drabble 33 and 55 with junmyeon! thank u 🫶🏻

Deserve 🪑

Genre: angst | stripper!au Pairing: Suho x f.Reader Length: 1.4k Warnings: language

a/n: idk why but ive been wanting to write stripper aus. this is one of at least 2 we will see ig lol 😛

DRABBLE GAME | MASTERLIST

You had just gotten done with your big number when you were stopped by the owner of the strip club you danced at. Mr. Zhang, as he preferred to go by, pulled you to the side and explained that a customer was requesting a private dance from you. It was unsurprising, you were a high demand dancer, the best one there. The thing was, you hated private dances. There was something about the act that just felt so…dehumanizing.

You only danced for big spenders, and even then, it wasn’t for very long. You wanted to get out of that small stale room as soon as possible.

Mr. Zhang worded it in a way that left little for rejection. Telling more than asking. So, you followed him to The Red Rooms. It was pretty much a row of closets that held only a chair in the middle, speakers that played your music too loud to keep conversation at a minimum, and dim lighting to keep an air of sultriness.

“Play nice,” Mr. Zhang muttered before opening the door for you. Taking a deep breath, you plastered a seductive grin on your face and slowly entered the room.

There a man sat. He wore an obviously expensive black suit, with dark hair long enough to brush against his broad shoulders. You stopped right before his slightly spread legs, running your hands up your naked torso as you twisted your hips from side to side. You never looked at your clients faces while in here, feeling it was too intimate, so you just took in his firm frame, only lifting your gaze to his chin or forehead.

Leaning down, you ran your hands up his thighs, jiggling your ass as you put your tits in his face.

He gasped and you paused at the sound. That voice sounded familiar.

Pulling back slightly, you broke your rule of avoiding eye contact to squint past the dim lighting, taking in your client’s face.

“Ju—Junmyeon?” You asked. Startled, you stood straight up, breaking the physical contact.

The man before you scratched the back of his head awkwardly. “Hi….”

Your name left his lips and you cringed. “That’s not my name here.”

“Right. Goddess,” he corrected himself, shaking his head.

“What are you doing here?” You asked, ready to bolt. Money be damned. Kim Junmyeon was your ex. Well, you weren’t sure that was the right term for what he was to you. He was a deadly handsome man with power and a prestige you couldn’t even begin to fathom. Somehow, he grew an interest towards you after you waited his table a year ago. He was way too good for you. You were poor, making ends meet by working multiple jobs, the strip club the highest paying of them all. It became too obvious that you were on opposite sides of the money spectrum, and you were sure that was what drew him to you to begin with. The gap between you both was far too wide for your liking, so you broke things off.

That was months ago. You had blocked his number and refused any payment he attempted to send to you, because of course he was somewhat of a sugar daddy.

When he didn’t answer your question, you tried a different one. “How did you know I worked here?”

You had kept this part of your life a secret from everyone in your life. Nobody knew about this job. You made sure of it.

“I have my ways,” was his ominous answer. You lifted an eyebrow, wondering if you should be scared of that or not.

He stared up at you in awe. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

You swallowed thickly. It wasn’t easy cutting this man off, not with those angelic features.

He dared reaching for you, cupping your bare hip. “I missed you.”

You scoffed, but it was shaky. “Please, Myeon. I doubt you even noticed I was gone.”

He frowned. “What would make you think that?”

You shook your head. “I’m not important. I could never live up to your standards. Could never be the girl you wear on your arm to show off to your friends and colleagues. We’re too different. I’m not a part of your world.”

He took in the room you’re in. “Because this is your world?”

It wasn’t said with malice or disgust, and that threw you off. Honestly, he sounded sad for you, but not with pity. It was as if he understood what you were saying. He understood that you could never be the person he needed, and that was what made him sad.

He sighed, still rubbing circles onto your warm flesh. “You know I don’t care about any of that.”

“You should.”

He huffed out a laugh at that. “Is that why you left?”

You nodded. He ran the hand that was touching you down his face, and sunk into his chair. “So, you’re saying you ran away for my benefit?”

“I didn’t runaway—”

“You did.” And he sounded pissed about it.

“Why does it matter?” You asked. “We weren’t serious.”

“No. But I….” He was back to giving you eye contact. Kim Junmyeon loved eye contact. It always made you nervous and jittery. Still, you met his stare, noticed the hurt you caused him swim in those round orbs of his. “I wanted to be. I thought we could be.”

“You could never love the real me, Myeon,” you whispered brokenly. “Look where we are. You can love someone like me?”

It was Junmyeon’s turn to swallow thickly. You could see how badly he wanted to tell you that he could. You could see the affection still in his gaze, the look that always made you feel beautiful—even here in this dingy strip club.

“We could pretend.”

His words made you blink down at him.

He pulled you more into him, between his spread legs, and left a lingering kiss onto your pierced belly button. “At least for the next ten minutes. Could we pretend that we’re in love?”

“Junmyeon….”

He gazed up at you, resting his chin on your stomach. His hands go to your thighs, holding you close to him. “We can’t be what we want to be. You’re right about that. So, let’s pretend. Show me what it would be like for us to be together.”

You caressed his face, tears prickling your eyes. It hit you then, that you both wanted this to work so badly, but knew that it couldn’t.

“Okay.”

You hated private dances. Stripping itself wasn’t so bad, but when you were in these rooms, that’s when it really hit you that you were selling your body. But right now, with the man you wanted to love sitting before you, you hated it for a different reason.

Deep within your soul, you knew this was going to be the last time you saw him. He was going to let you go. So, you were going to do as he asked.

You were going to show him how much you loved him. And, no, it wasn’t pretend. You could never pretend. No matter how much you tried.

You pushed him back into his seat, plopping into his lap. He hissed, but you didn’t give him time before you merged his face with yours. It’s messy. All tongue. You moaned at the contact, missing it more than you’d admit. He held on tight to your hips, forcing you to grind against him. 

“I love you,” you confessed against his lips, shaking with want.

“I love you too,” he replied between desperate kisses. “I wish things could be different.”

You didn’t even realize you were crying until you could taste the saltiness on your tongue. Didn’t realize you were shaking violently until he held you tightly against his comforting body.

Too soon the door opened.

Mr. Zhang paused when he saw the two of you wrapped around each other, breathing each other’s breathes as you collected yourselves.

“It’s… time?”

He was very confused and that was understandable. Your current position was definitely against the rules.

Junmyeon kissed you one last time, and rubbed your arm consolingly. “You have my number if you ever change your mind.”

Reluctantly, you climbed off of him. Straightening what little you had on. You cleared your throat and nodded, acknowledging you heard him.

Without looking back, you left the room, ignoring the questioning look Mr. Zhang threw your way.

This was for the best, you told yourself. Junmyeon deserved more than what you could give him. He deserved a princess.

Little did you know that to him, you were a Goddess.

[missuswalker]

hiii how are you ???

um scott tenoram fic pretty please 🙏

maybe like reader has a childhood crush and would always suck up to him as kids which he dismisses. but they decide to move on in highschool and he gets jealous?

thank you 😭

hihihi!! i love this idea so much!! i didn't know how you wanted this to end, but i left room for a part two in case a different ending is preferred <33

daisies || scott tenorman x fem reader

✮ summary: when finally entering your senior year of high school, scott realizes he totally fumbled you in middle school ✮ warnings: none

"Watch it," I mumble, feeling someone's shoulder collide with mine, looking down at who had bumped into me. Holy shit. "Y/n?" She looks up at me with a look of confusion, before realization settles over her face. "Oh, Scott, hi," she says in that same sweet voice from when we were kids.

This could not possibly be the little dork that used to bring me daisies all the time. "Hi... what's up?" I ask, feeling like someone had just punched me in the stomach. She was so... beautiful. "Not much," She says, a thick awkward tension settling between us.

I nod, my eyes catching a brunette boy appearing behind her. I narrow my eyes, wondering if what I was thinking was really true. Could this be a boyfriend? Maybe just a friend? I couldn't find it in me to understand why I cared.

"Oh, babe, this is Scott, he was a childhood, uh, acquaintance," She says, wrapping her arms around the boy's arm. "Yo. I'm Jack." He says, giving a nod.

Right off the bat, I knew I hated this kid. Something bubbled inside me, an agitation taking over my previous shocked feeling. "Hey." I answer coldly, turning back to look at Y/n.

"See you around," I mumble, quickly turning to get as far away from them as possible. Something about seeing her after all these years drove me crazy. I'd payed her no mind back in middle school, and now, here she was, suddenly just showing up.

I couldn't get her out of my head. The thought of her wrapping her arms around that stupid jock made my blood boil. Why do I care? I went the whole day never having a thought that wasn't about her.

Something about the way she talked to me felt like she still cared. That she was still hurt from my disinterest from back then. It made my head spin. Sitting in my car, I watch as her and her boyfriend walked out of the building, heading to what I assumed was his car.

That should be me. I couldn't help but think it. Should it really be though? Did I really even deserve to be thinking like that? A feeling of guilt washed over me, realizing I could've had that all those years ago when she brought me those daisies.

a/n: i'm so bad at writing for scott and it's like 2 am and i didn't proofread at all 🤭 i'm pretty sure i have some deadly illness too (kidding, but i'm actually about to die) (it's because i don't sleep)

[marypsue]

30, 33?

[from this meme]

30. Describe a fic that almost happened, but then it didn’t.

Oh, there've been a few. I'm going to give this airtime, however, to one I actually wrote the first part of but never shared, back when I was writing fic for the CW's Supernatural. The premise was that, at some unspecified point during the first three seasons, through a series of hilarious and only occasionally deadly mishaps, Dean Winchester catches the attention of the goddess Diana and gets zapped into a female body. Conceptually, I had a lot of stuff I liked going on - the cover for Diana's hunt was an MLM! they were turning abusive men into deer and hunting them for sport! her 'temple' was part of a golf course! - but I genuinely just don't know enough of the show's Lore, and so the explanation for getting to the premise never quite gelled for me. There were several smaller casefics I had planned under the larger arc of the story, and I only ever finished the first. (Which is too bad, because the second one had a killer mascot, a robot-programming Nice Guy, and a cursed sorority in it, and I was really excited about how it was all going to shake out.)

(And yes, it was going to get weird and complicated about gender and Dean's many, many issues surrounding it. It wasn't entirely an excuse to imagine young Jensen Ackles as actually a beautiful butch lesbian. Not entirely.)

33. Give your writing a compliment.

Personally, I think I do a good job of giving characters distinct voices and personalities, and letting them have perspectives on each other that are also distinct from each other and informed by what they actually know about each other.

And I think my fics are very atmospheric. (Yes, I do reread my own stuff sometimes. That author writes all my favourite tropes and shares exactly my sense of humour.)

[little-tyrant-gortash]

Oathbreaker

Pairing: fem!Tav x Enver Gortash, fem!Tav/Astarion

Tags: Emotional Manipulation, Manipulation, Manipulative Relationship, Paladin Tav (Baldur's Gate), Vaginal Sex, Penis In Vagina Sex, Drunk Sex, Unrequited Love, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Scars, Blood and Injury, Injury, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Pregnancy, Unplanned Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Torture, Psychological Torture, Implied/Referenced Torture

Word count: 3,023

Ao3 here.

Chapter 1.

Chapter 2.

Chapter 3.

Chapter 4.

Chapter 5.

Chapter 6.

Chapter 7.

Chapter 8.

Chapter 9.

Chapter 10.

Chapter 11.

Chapter 12.

Chapter 13.

Chapter 14.

Chapter 15.

Chapter 16.

Chapter 17.

Chapter 18.

Chapter 19.

Chapter 20.

Chapter 21.

Chapter 22.

Chapter 23.

Chapter 24.

Chapter 25.

Chapter 26.

Chapter 27.

Chapter 28.

Chapter 29.

Chapter 30.

Chapter 31.

Chapter 32.

Chapter 33. ⬇

Chapter 34.

Chapter 33: If Only

"Ketheric's and Orin's stones stay with me."

She didn't even know what she expected. Because what was he, if not a cruel strategist – a deadly snake, waiting for the best moment to strike?

A few seconds passed in absolute silence; her heart was beating in her ears, and she could've sworn that the hilt under her palm burned even hotter. Then, Gortash laughed.

"As they should", he agreed. "I was merely testing you."

Tav's eyes widened in disbelief. Her very first thought were just two words: you motherfucker.

And then her anger dissolved, her hand slipped off the pommel of her weapon, and tears flooded her eyes. Now the frustrations, the emotions, everything came crashing down on her shoulders. Gortash waved the Banites and the Steel Watcher off, and they left without saying so much as a word.

"This should be an alliance of peers", Enver continued. "You've got a backbone, and the makings of a leader."

"And do you have a backbone?!" Tav's voice sounded a tad higher than usual. She felt sick again. "Are you insane?! I honestly thought you would kill me!!"

He didn't look bothered at all. Even if her words twisted his heart up in a knot. She still didn't trust him... but in her shoes, he probably would've done the same. They were both aware that their alliance would last so long until Lord Bane decided otherwise. Gortash just hoped it wouldn't happen anytime soon.

"Are you angry? So was I, when I saw that you disappeared without a word."

His equally rising temper didn't help hers at all.

"I am my own woman, I go wherever and whenever I please!"

"And judging by the two bloody stones, I know full well where you went! Can you even imagine the worst case scenario that could've happened to you?! After we've seen what she'd done to a Bhaalspawn?!"

"I'm fine! I haven't suffered a scratch!"

"You just said you bled for both stones! So when did you lie to me? Right now, or five minutes earlier?!"

Tav blushed, up to the tips of her ears.

"Stop changing the subject! What made you think that pulling this stunt on me would be any good for me?!"

"And what made you think that going against Orin without letting me know first was a good idea?!"

The relief that she didn't need to actually fight him, coupled with the anger she felt that he had the guts to test her boiled over inside of her. Tav looked enraged – and if Gortash wasn't mad himself, he would've said that she was beautiful when she was angry.

"Fuck you!" She spat, then spun on her heels and started to walk away.

"Oh no", he snapped, then jumped after her and grabbed her arm to turn her back to face him. "You're not leaving again. Do you have any idea how worried I was? That I'd find you dead, or worse?!"

"I wasn't alone!" Tav snapped right back, trying to get her arm out of his hold, without success. "Unhand me or I swear I'll shove my boot right up y-"

"No, you will listen to me", he growled, pulling her closer to himself. She struggled, but only for the first two steps, because the aura he radiated in that moment almost… pulled her in. Her breathing quickened and she gave in to his authority; a part of her very much wishing to obey his every damned whim. She hated the effect he had on her, for a moment. "I am responsible for you, especially in your state. So the next time you're going on a suicide mission, tell me, so I can at least assign a few trusted soldiers to help you."

"You have no right to meddle in my affairs!" She tried to yank her hand away, but his firm hand was holding her in a steel grip.

"I will be your husband, I have every right to meddle in your affairs."

"You're not my husband yet!"

Gods, how she wanted him to be! She turned her head away as she realised she really wouldn't get her arm away from his grip, so she decided she'd defiantly stare at the stuffed bear he had in there.

"We can get through the ceremony any second, just say the word."

He noticed it. She hated how he seemingly noticed everything. It must've been the curse of being as intelligent as he was. His free hand reached up to grab her chin to turn her head back, and even though she let him do that, she still stared behind him, into the space of the vast hall.

"I can't lose you", he admitted quietly. "If I lose you, I'll lose my mind. Do you know what that means?"

Tav merely rolled her eyes.

"You needn't be so angry about this. I was with people I trusted."

"Really?" Gortash's hold on her chin tightened. Her eyes found his, and he was staring down at her inquisitively. He'd test her again, he decided. "Who were there with you?"

"Karlach", Tav replied without even blinking or thinking.

"Reliable and strong. And?"

"Lae'zel."

"Fearless githyanki. Who else?"

"Shadowheart."

"Cleric, in case you get injured. Good. Anyone else?"

Tav's lashes fluttered as she hesitated. If she told him now that Astarion was there, he'd be mad again; especially after what he'd learned from the vampire in the sewers. If she lied, he probably would know - but she really didn't want him to know the truth. It'd only create more problems for both of them.

"Just them."

Gortash was aware that if she was lying to him this easily, he'd need to keep a closer watch on her. He spun her around, making her gasp for air as he literally made her dance across the space, then he pushed her up and against the wall beside the statue.

"Stop lying to me", he ordered as coldly as he could, which was hard, especially how his own body reacted to her as he pinned her to the wall. She squirmed in his hold. Deliberately rubbing her thighs against his front. His eyes darkened even further; her sudden, cheeky smile said it all. She was doing it on a purpose. She wanted to distract him. "Tav", he growled her name, his tone dangerously low.

"What?" She tried to summon her most innocent expression.

"Tell me the truth."

"I've told you everything you wanted to know."

Gortash pressed his lips together, annoyed, then he slipped his knee between her thighs. Tav blushed deeper as he rubbed at her core.

"Say. It."

"I have nothing to sa-ah-"

"Are you sure?"

"Enver-"

"My, my, my, you're running so hot, Tav. Wouldn't it be easier to be honest with me?"

She knew she could've said stop, and she was aware that he would, but the truth was, she missed him and very much enjoyed his little game. After all that happened… seeing Orin in that terrible form… life just seemed too dangerous and too short not to enjoy herself at least a little.

"Astarion was with us, too", she sighed at last, making him raise a brow.

"See? It wasn't that hard to admit, was it?"

"Enver please-", she whined when he started to pull his knee away. "Don't stop-"

"Don't stop?" He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his voice way softer than before. "Do you think that girls who sneak out and then lie to me deserve to ask me not to stop?"

The noise she made caused him to chuckle quietly.

"Please?" She whined.

"Hmm", Gortash raised a brow, then leaned close to her ear and whispered,"beg."

"You monster!" Her gasp made him chuckle in her ear. "I'm begging you, please!"

"See? You can be a good girl for me. You can follow simple instructions."

"Enver!"

Smirking, he moved his knee back where she wanted it. He took his time teasing her, allowing her to reach the peak she wanted so desperately, then held her close, kissing the side of her neck as she was playing with his ebony locks at the back of his head as her heartbeat slowed to it's normal rhythm.

"I didn't want to upset you", she murmured tiredly. "I know that you know that I have... history... with Astarion..."

"I still prefer honesty from you", Gortash whispered in her ear, knowing full well what he'd need to say to get in her mind with it. "No matter how much it hurts."

Tav cupped his face and pulled him away from herself to look in his eyes.

"It hurts? Why?" When he didn't answer her questions, just looked away, she stroked his cheeks with her thumbs. "It matters not with whom I'm travelling with. I am yours."

Surprised how easily that went down, he glanced in her eyes with a hint of doubt. But she meant it. He could read her well, and he saw that she truly meant it. What a foolish thing to do - to bind oneself to the Chosen of Bane! A part of him wanted to push her away. A part of him wanted her to be terrified of him, a part of him wanted her to run away and never look back... but another part of him craved this. That part of him wanted to know that he had her, body and mind and soul. That part of him wanted to keep her close and never ever let her go.

She would be his downfall, he knew.

"Say it again", he whispered, even more quiet than earlier, resting his forehead against hers.

"I am yours." Tav half smiled, suspecting that him, as a Banite, would enjoy hearing this. It was part of her plan to soften the harshness of the facts. But, at the same time, she meant it. Every inch of her wanted to be near him; her thoughts always resumed thinking about him. There was very little she could do. "Now", she murmured with a little smile, "can we go to bed?"

"Was that your plan all along? To get in my bed?" Gortash almost snorted as he pulled away from her a little, and his reaction made her laugh.

"In my defense, you have a really comfy bed."

"I didn't know you were this cunning, my dear."

She looked proud at his praise.

"I can feel how needy you are, Your Grace~ you wouldn't be able to focus if your pants are this tight, would you?"

He couldn't help it, he had to indulge her. After all, she was right. He really couldn't focus. Only later, in his private chambers, lying in his bed with her, did dread fill him as he remembered Bane's warning. His god would tolerate him enjoy himself for so long. He had work to do.

And yet… and yet…

"What are you thinking about?"

Tav was curled up on her side just beside him, her arms wrapped loosely around his left, gold clad arm, one of her legs rested across both of his. He was staring at the ceiling, but saw nothing. He didn't even know what he should say.

"My future."

Tav pushed herself up on her right elbow, then shifted closer to him and gently stroked the ebony locks out of his forehead and eyes. Her touches were so gentle, so soft… he'd never felt more wretched in his entire life.

If only, if only, if only…

"Do I really have a place in it?"

Tav's feather light touches on his forehead left him with a lump in his throat. He was thinking about another time, when he had a similar train of thoughts in mind, and then, they had a similar conversation. In his heart, the doubt. The fear.

"I want to be a better man for you."

"I don't want you to change because of me."

"But I want to."

"Are you saying this because you think I want to hear this?"

"No. I say it because I mean it."

"Does that mean that you're thinking about leaving Bane?"

"I can't do that."

Enver turned his head to look her in the eyes. He'd done horrible things, at least, from her point of view; from his, those were necessary steps of his much bigger plan. He couldn't look at a mass of people and not think of them as cattle. But then... she saw individuals. She saw good in them. She saw hope.

And he wasn't an exception. She'd already told him that she saw hope in him, when no one else would. She gave him a chance, when no one else would.

That thought alone was enough to start his destruction.

It got him thinking, often, late into the night. What if...? The question presented itself thousands of times by now during the day, too; he'd caught himself giving out orders to hang a group of people, then wondered how Tav might feel about it. He had to stop wondering, if he wanted to keep his head upon his shoulders. Or... if he couldn't stop wondering... if she truly corrupted his mind, and would, in turn, make him too soft for Bane's liking... he had to prepare. Both himself, and her.

"What's on your mind?" Tav murmured when he didn't reply.

A heartbeat.

"I'm going to die."

Well, this certainly wasn't the answer she was waiting for. Gortash watched in silence as she furrowed her brows, and he could identify each and every emotion on her face. Confusion, doubt, anger. Then, the defiance. He loved that look on her face; especially now that it was him who was at stake. It gave away so, so much about how she truly felt about him, and it made everything that much worse. Her kisses, touches were one thing, those could be faked. But the way she cared? Her emotions, written on her face at the thought what would happen if he was gone? Nobody in his life showed this emotion towards him. And it broke him just a little bit further.

"Not before your time", she declared.

"Way before my time", Gortash corrected her.

"Seriously?" Tav pulled her hand away and sat up. The afternoon sunlight drew a line across his chest as she moved out of its way. "I've got two stones as you wanted, we're just one step away from your plans to come to fruition, and we have a future together- you say this now- seriously?!"

"Tav", he pushed himself up to sit, then cupped her face. "I don't want to upset you, alright? I'm just thinking that if… if it comes to that…"

"Comes to what?!"

She sounded so upset that he felt bad for bringing this up now. Closing his eyes, he rested his forehead against hers.

"Listen to me, alright? Don't say anything, just listen." He waited for a few seconds, and when she remained silent, he continued, "I'm assuming that you're aware that if I stray too far from Bane, there'll be consequences. And when those consequences are crashing down on me… I want you to leave me to my fate."

"How can you even ask such a thing?!" Tav pulled her head away, her eyes full of tears by now. "If you go, I go."

Gortash gave an emotionless laugh. The mere idea hurt so much more than she could possibly imagine.

"You're definitely not coming after me. Not there."

"Where?"

"Bane's domain." He paused for a moment, and looked away. "If I anger him... if I fail... I'll..." Gortash paused, shaking his head. "No, it can't happen. Not to you."

"Why, what would happen to you there?"

"Eternal torment?" He asked back, a little smile on his face as he glanced at her. His eyes looked so, so tired. "For failing?"

"I really do wish you'd picked less of an asshole of a god to follow", she sighed, shaking her head.

"I've tried", he murmured, "nobody else answered."

Tav felt like that perhaps, at least in this regard, he had something in common with Astarion. But to think that Astarion's prayers weren't answered even by Bane...

Knowing the consequences of what she was about to tell him didn't bring her any joy. But the game changed drastically as soon as she learned that they were expecting little ones - not even one, but two. For their safety - and their father's -, she had to make heavy decisions. After a massive amount of adventure behind her, this was the hardest decision so far. Urging Enver to please his god, in order to live, knowing that it would bring the death and torment of many. But, at the end of the day... they were mortals, and mortals did what they had to protect their own.

"Alright, you know, what? Do what you must. Don't fail him. You're already his Chosen, right? Be the really best he ever had."

There it was again. The stirring within. Every word she said made him want to worship her instead. He wished he'd met her sooner; he wished he knew what was it like to be loved so unconditionally, all those decades ago. He'd be a different man, now.

"What if I can't?"

Tav looked confused at first. He knew she didn't understand the inner turmoil she caused, but he didn't want to tell her, because it'd make her feel guilty.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there", she cupped his face and planted a kiss on his forehead. "We can do this. Together. And we'll figure out the details as we proceed."

A content sigh left him at that. Perhaps that was for the best, at least for now. Not knowing. There were, though, something he knew. And he had to share it with her. She had to know.

"I know you don't like it, but... let me say it", he whispered.

Tav closed her eyes with a sigh. She knew she wouldn't escape this.

"Alright. Say it."

"I love you."

She smiled at how genuine he sounded. Wrapping him in a hug, she kissed the top of his head.

"I love you, too."

[grumpygreenwitch]

The Fairy and the Prince #31 + #32 + #33 + #34

Part 1 - Part 2 - Parts 3 & 4 - Part 5 - Part 6, 7 & 8 - Part 9 & 10 - Part 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 - Part 17, 18, & 19 - Part 20, 21 & 22 - Part 23, 24, 25 & 26 - Part 27, 28, 29 & 30 - Part 31, 32, 33 & 34 - Part 35, 36 & 37 - Part 38, 39, 40 & 41 - Part 42 & 43 - Part 44 & 45 - Part 46 & 47 - Part 48, 49, 50 & 51 - Part, 52, 53 & 54 - Part 55 & 56 - Part 57, 58, 59 & 60 - Part 61, 62, 63, 64 & 65 - Part 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 & 72

So, uh, this gets a bit violent. As it’s bound to do when a redcap is involved. I’ve added a coupla tags I think would help, but let me know if I should do something differently.

Adam jerked awake from a fragile drowse when he heard his friends coming, Needle's low and rasping voice a pleased and pleasant growl in counterpoint to Linden's songbird cadence. He smiled in appreciation and climbed hastily down from the tree. "Linden, Needle!"

They rushed over to him. "Adam!" Linden cried out gladly, launching at him to hug him. He clung to them, to their friend, to their scent, sweet and familiar, to their deceptive strength, to their endless love. "Adam, what's wrong," Linden whispered, feeling the young prince all but crush them in his hug.

Adam pulled away. "Needlemaw," he said, his voice gone formal. "Could I have a word with you in private, please?"

Something flickered in the warm morning breeze between them all, and the redcap went very still. Her first instinct had been to rise and snarl in challenge; who was this mortal yearling to command her? Then she'd remembered that Adam claimed no crown, refused it even. That he didn't know he already wore one, gold and shining around his heart, earned by the strength of his character and the immensity of his honor. He was calling on that power at that moment, and he didn't even know he was doing it.

The redcap felt suddenly and profoundly uneasy. "It must be alone?" she asked.

Adam laced his fingers through Linden's, his grip almost painful, and the young sapling felt him trembling like a tree before a storm. "It must."

"I'll go see if Boul's awake," Linden breathed out. Something terrible was about to happen, the trees were all but weeping. But their faith in Adam was endless. "I'll try not to be long." They dashed away, fleet like a deer and nearly as panicky as one.

They faced one another, the deadly fairy maid and the young prince, and Adam swallowed painfully.

"Ye might as well spit out the poison before it burns up yer tongue, Adam."

"I don't want to," he admitted in a desperate plea. "It will hurt you and I don't want to."

Needlemaw froze; in all their years together she really had come to believe Adam could surprise her no further, and yet there they were, in that sunny clearing on that early summer morning, and the Prince-That-Wasn't would rather swallow whatever cruelty he was carrying around his heart rather than wound her with it. Three steps brought her to him and she hugged him tightly, felt him shake as he clung to her. "I'll not have it," she told him. "I'll not have that muchness of ye kill ye, Adam, not ever, not never-everty-ever, not for me, not for anyone. Out with it. Let me deal with me hurts." She pulled away and smiled her deadly smile. "If'n it should wound, well, I've friends here to help me with it, aye?"

He nodded and rubbed angrily at his face. "Gods, look at me, you'd think I'm a baby," he scoffed at himself, angrily fighting to keep from crying.

With sudden, heartbreaking and proud insight, Needlemaw realized he'd learned courage from her, of all possible sources in his life. "Adam."

He swallowed with an effort.

And he told her everything.

***

Needlemaw ran wailing from him.

Linden and Boul found him sitting on a root from the old linden tree, his hands tangled over his head, rocking back and forth. He clung to Linden, struggling to breathe, and Boul wrapped himself around them both, crooning the low lullaby of stone and earth, even as Linden brushed their hands through Adam's hair and assured him that they were together, they were there with him, he was not alone, he was safe. Linden had no idea how to bring their friend back to safety from this ledge, and the awareness of their impotence brought to fire the whites and blues and silvers of their shattered eyes. All they could do was hold Adam close. In the end, it seemed to be enough.

The story tumbled out of the young prince a second time. By the time he was done he was ashen and exhausted, sprawled boneless on the linden root, his head on Linden's lap.

"So it's what we thought," Linden declared somberly. "And a little bit worse in the bargain."

"Linden, could she protect him?"

"No."

Adam asked a far deadlier question. "Could you?"

"Ynoes."

"Linden."

"It doesn't matter, you don't want to be a king, so who cares? You're fine, you're safe all on your own. You shouldn't need me, you shouldn't need anyone. You'll be fine."

For the first time, Adam realized that Linden was saying the words as if speaking them out loud would make them true. "She'll hate me now."

"Needle? Never. They're not the sort that hates, her kind." Linden leaned down and Adam felt a cool brush against his forehead, and again against his cheek. By the time he realized what had happened Linden was moving away. "Boul, take him to the palace, to the fountain. I'm going to go find the Culli-maid, she'll know what to do from there."

"Needle?" the young troll asked worriedly as he scooped up the young prince, who found himself too exhausted to move or protest or fight.

"We can't help her right now," Linden admitted. "I wish we could, but we can't help her if she won't let us. I think it's best if we wait on her to sort herself out."

"Linden -"

Boul rumbled in wordless concern about his small family. Linden leaned up on their tiptoes to bump their forehead against the troll's. "Thank you, Boul. It's just hard sometimes, loving a mortal. She'll be alright."

"Linden!"

But Boul was moving then, deceptively fast for something with such seemingly stumpy legs, and Adam had been wrung of the last of his strength. Looking up as the sun shone through the green boughs of the woods, he faded away into welcome darkness, never to remember those kisses and those words as more than a dim dream, impossible to grasp.

***

Needlemaw found Adam cleaning stalls in the royal stables three days later. Normally a punishment duty, Adam often traded other princes for the job; he found it soothing to his mind and freeing to his body, hard and mindless work. That day he was so lost in his thoughts as he threw manure into the wheelbarrow that he entirely missed the equine population growing restive and nervous until one warhorse somewhere cried out a challenge.

"Adam."

"Needle!"

If she'd had any doubt that the Prince-That-Wasn't had bled to tell her cruel truths, which she hadn't, the redcap knew she would have lost them all when Adam came flying out of the pen he'd been cleaning, his eyes hopeful and wounded both. She opened her arms and he flew into them, and she realized, with some chagrin, that he was quickly getting to be nearly as tall as she. "Och, ye and the muchness of ye. Ye cannae carry the sorrows of the whole world on yuir shoulders, Adam. They're broad, they're not that broad."

"Maybe," he admitted, pulling away. "But I'd carry all of yours if I could, Needle."

"I know," she said simply. "I wonder sometimes whose blessing ye are, Adam, because by rights ye must be someone's." She tipped her head. "Let's talk outside, before yon beasties panic enough to break all their leggy-leggies at once."

He followed her dutifully and they sat on the fence around the jousting yard. "I'm sorry," Adam said at last as the silence grew between them.

"Dinnae be," the redcap replied. "Dinnae ever be sorry to offer the truth, Adam. More, when ye try so hard to offer it kindly. Each one is precious; together they're priceless."

"I hurt you."

"The truth hurt me. Ye? Never."

"Feels like the same," he muttered.

"'Tis not, and ye ken that. Leave the stubborn to Linden, now."

"What will you do now?"

Needlemaw blew out a long, very long breath, her tongue touching the tip of her sharp nose. "That, I'm still shaping in me head," she admitted. "I've got the bit at the end, and I've got a bit in the middle, but I need to be speaking with Linden about it, too. I wanted to find ye first. I thought ye might be hurting, and I didnae want that." She touched her fingers to her mouth, and brushed them against Adam's heart. "In truth, I only know one thing for sure, Adam. As much as yui've done for me, I have to ask a biggish favor, and it is a favor. With all the dues that come with it."

Adam ducked his head. "Can I do it as an apology? Not for telling you, but for hurting you? Because I did. I did hurt you, and for all the world I wish I hadn't, Needle."

She dragged in another deep breath. "Someone must have taught ye our rules, Adam, there's days I think ye know them better than half I could name on my side of the woods. Aye. That is fair and right. A favor for the hurt." She offered her hand formally.

Adam rubbed his hand clean on his pants and on his shirt, much to her quiet amusement, and shook.

"Ye got a letter from home, earlier this year. Asking ye to visit for a few days."

"I did." Adam sounded dubious.

Needlemaw's smile was a drawn blade. "Go visit."

The young prince licked his lips, nodded slowly, and trotted away.

Linden didn't wait for an invitation. When Needlemaw found them, looking for bits of white sparkling rock in a small muddy spring Boul had conjured for them from the ground, they flew at her with a glad cry. "Needlemaw!"

"Ooof!" The fairy maid took the impact and hugged her charge, the first true Danu-sidhe born in over three thousand years. "I think yui've forgotten to hate me."

"I forgot that forever ago," Linden replied. "Are you sad? Can I fix it?"

"I'm not sad... Well, I am, a little. I'm other things more. And yes, it can be fixed, and 'twill be fixed. But I'll be needing yuir help and one more to boot."

"Adam will - "

"It cannae be Adam," Needle explained. "I've sent him away. What's to come cannae fall at his feet."

"Oh," Linden merely nodded in understanding, then frowned minutely. "For long?"

Needlemaw chuckled. "No, I wouldnae do that to either of ye. No, a week. That's the tradition, from what I ken."

"Then who?"

Needle drew and held a deep breath. "I need the Culli-maid's help."

***

It didn't take long for Adam to organize. For this trip, with a standing invitation, he needed only to go to Master Leminy. The Master of Scions had grown into a habit of tightening up every time someone came into his offices, every time expecting the worst of news. His relief when Adam explained what he wanted was both visible and nearly solid.

That didn't mean the young prince had his way with it. Nearly one entire bag in the sturdy pack pony he was given was homework. Never one to give such labor to someone else, Adam was still used to having Beli as a study partner, but his friend had begged leave to stay muttering something about 'royal stipends' and 'robbed blind' and talking about getting a personal ledger as if he were making dire threats. Against who, Adam didn't even dare guess, but he was perfectly fine taking Dane instead, and likely a great deal safer. As before, Adam's strapping companion found himself equipped for the trip from the castoffs of too many dead princes; unlike Beli, he actually took all of it to the priests of the Tree-Father and the Night-Mother, and paid them for their blessings. Adam helped him carry a great deal of it, shaking his head to silence Dane when he tried to apologize for the delay.

It still took nearly three days to get ready. For the first time Adam met Dane's mother, a short and plump maid at the palace with flour on her apron and a white and messy bun on her head. The courtesy with which he greeted her flustered both mother and son. He had given his scarce goodbyes and was about to mount up when he found a familiar, unwelcomed face on the palace steps.

"William."

"Adam," the older prince said stiffly, and the silence stretched out unkindly between them. "I've not made time to see you after you came back. I'm sorry."

"Think nothing of it," Adam replied automatically; William's absence had never been the problem.

William replied just as instinctively, as if their learned manners were easier than the hidden truths they both carried and shared unspoken. "You did me a courtesy I should have remembered." He drew a deep breath and stared at the Royal Gardens, the slow-sweeping blades of the water-mill, the distant dark smudge of the royal woods  behind it. "Is everything alright? With... her, I mean?"

"It was when I last spoke to her," Adam replied truthfully. Everything had been fine between him and Needlemaw. "Why, is something wrong? Er, between you?" He hesitated minutely. "Ugh, it feels like intruding, asking something like that."

"No, no, it's fine, really. You're her friend. It's just." William looked at him. "It's been six days since I saw her. She's never away that long, unless it's winter, and I just thought, I wanted, I didn't know..." His voice trailed off. Adam could only guess that William was coming to terms with how little he actually did know about his fairy maid. "She's alright, then?"

"William, she's..." Adam sifted through his mental fingers everything he knew about Needlemaw, trying to finding some truth he could offer without betraying her confidence, because the only other option was to leap at William and punch him until he learned respect, and that just wasn't feasible. It would have been profoundly satisfying, but William wasn't his to claim. "She's been rising in importance among her people," he admitted at last.

"Oh? I didn't know that."

Of course not, Adam thought. You'd probably think it sickening to see her threading knucklebones into her cap. "She has her own obligations, William. I'm sure she's told you about that."

"Oh. Oh!" William caught his forehead on a hand. "Oh, I'm a right git, I didn't even think of that." He sighed, his concern swiftly turning to vexation. "So she's alright, then, just caught up on things."

Adam felt any vestige of concern over the older prince die on the spot. He'd never really been worried about Needle; he'd just been fretting about the absence of his shield. "I'm sure she'll make time for you soon, William," he declared. "But I do have to..."

"Oh, right, sorry, of course. Ah, safe trip, and all that." William stepped back and nodded, awkward once again.

Adam turned his back on him, mounted his horse, and rode away without a single glance back.

William did his best to curb his impatience. It was greatly motivated, he knew, by the fact that he'd crossed what every prince knew was the unspoken line between the safety of childhood and the danger of adulthood, and he'd made no other preparations to protect himself beyond courting the fairy maid. He figured divine providence had brought her to him, those few years ago; why tempt fate for two birds when there's one already in your hand?

He went about his life, trying not to feel threadbare and betrayed, and wondering how he might make her apologize to him for abandoning him so. Even a whirl around the jousting yard didn't improve his mood, but finding the letter waiting for him on his writing desk after he came out of his bath certainly did.

It was faintly perfumed, though he couldn't recognize the smell. Something lemony, like tea, or candies. The writing was elegant and lady-like, and his brows climbed up at the sight of it, having never seen his lady-love write, always scoffing at the thought of it as a skill. The apologies were many and elegant, and he allowed himself to be mollified somewhat. And she asked, ever so prettily, to see him. Just for a little while, if that was all they could manage, just for a breath, so she'd know he was safe. She would be waiting, the letter told him, in the wild garden that stood in the ruins of an old gamekeeper's cottage, a building of stone and moss-eaten timbers that was a favored haunt of theirs whenever the weather forced them to seek a roof. One of the cottage walls had caved in and the shutters were long gone, but the garden walls stood strong, and the slate roof still persisted. Mostly.

He dressed with care and practiced his most somber and severe and disappointed looks in his mirror. But William never allowed himself to go so far as to forget he needed the fairy maid. She was his safety, his shield, the only chance he'd left himself to win an impossible crown. His family had no wealth, they scarce had their title, and their blood tie to the Dowager was slim and suspect. For William, the choices were to go back home and languish in hollow honors until he could wed a bride well below his station but with a fat purse, or to survive the trial of the Folk in the Woods.

And that deep streak of cowardice Needlemaw had so clearly seen in him told the prince, without an ounce of compassion, that he would never live through it.

He picked up a small ribbon, a simple thing with a silver clasp, and made haste to the meeting. The bottom of the sun was touching the horizon when he reached the cottage, the early summer air full of golden motes and the deep, rich scents of a hundred wildflowers. He eschewed the iron gate, long gone to rust and impossible to move, and climbed over the wall where a tangle of ivy provided a very useful ladder. Landing inside he roused a cloud of ladybugs and a few errant butterflies, chivvying them aside with gentleness he'd only ever exercised because of the fairy maid. "Needle!"

He moved cautiously through paths they had trod together before, where the stepping stones were barely visible anymore. The warmth was invigorating, the scent in the breeze familiar and yet not, and he felt deeply happy just to smell it, just to be alive on that beautiful summer day, with every flower around him in bloom like a blessing given. "Needle?"

"Over here, William," she called out.

He turned and made his way to where the well had once stood. The brush opened up into a clearing here, where the stones had been put down with more care, set into sand and clay. "Needle?"

She rose and came around the well, and William lost his breath.

She was beautiful.

The fairy maid was tall, as tall as William if not more, but he'd long accepted that as something that couldn't be changed. But instead of boy's trousers or a peasant's woolen skirt, instead of a plain linen blouse saggy and threadbare, she wore an exquisite gown of lavender satin with plum-colored embroidery and cream lace. It tightened around a waist that William could have held with both his hands with perhaps a knuckle to spare, dainty and delicate.

The ugly, smelly russet cap was gone, and the wild mess of her crimson curls had been tamed back under a beautiful set of green enameled combs and a broad gold hair clasp set with black and red gemstones. Her eyes were rich and gold on her narrow, sharp face, but the most subtle touch of make-up softened the thin, angular lines to something sweet and demure. There was a faint touch of pink on her lips that made them a plush invitation. There was a delicate choker around her neck, like the branches of a tree, inset with white and delicate flowers made of some jewel William couldn't recognize.

A wiser man would have run then.

William merely stepped forward, drunk in the summer-rich air. He'd had his blessings from the Tree-Father's priest. He believed, in his heart of hearts, that Needle could not enthrall him. Needlemaw fully accepted that. She was using not a whit of her power.

The garden was Linden's. The wall was Boul's. And the exquisite beauty the redcap had become was entirely Culli's work.

"Needle, oh, look at you. Is this for me?" he breathed out in wonder.

"All for you," she admitted, letting him come to her, speaking very carefully, soft and meek like a mouse. It had taken her hours, and she'd never be able to repay the patience the Culli-maid had shown her in teaching her. "Did you think I was not listening, all those times you asked to see me thus?"

"I didn't think you cared." William reached her at last. He reached out to run his fingertips over the exquisitely bright crimson of her hair. "I didn't think you loved me enough," he said. For just a moment, a single heartbeat, he thought he smelled charnel, spilled blood, torn flesh.

Needlemaw tipped her head slightly. "Ah, William." The rich golden light of the setting summer sun caught on the jewels in her hair clasp.

The prince forgot everything else. She wasn't just powerful, she was beautiful, she was wealthy, she was everything he needed to become king. He slid his hand down to cradle that delicate, fine-boned cheek in the cup of his hand. "Look at you. You do love me."

Needlemaw's eyes closed under that warm, mortal touch. They were a drug, mortals were, but she was lucky: she'd had years to learn what true love was, from her mortal younger brother, from her wild and free and more-fey-than-most ward, from her littlest troll brother. She'd had ample time to see what honor looked like, what loyalty felt like, what goodness tasted like. She set her hand lightly over William's. Her eyes opened and she stared very calmly at this stupid mortal thing that thought she was to be used and unraveled like an undyed cap. "My William," she said. "My loving you isn't the problem; you not loving me is."

She gripped his hand, whipped around, and bit two of his fingers off.

William howled and staggered back, and she let him go. While he'd been busy looking at her the walls around them had risen to impossible heights. While he'd been enjoying the sight of what he thought he'd earned, the garden had shifted all around them, and other than knowing where the well was because he could still see it, he could tell nothing of direction or escape.

Needle rolled the fingers thoughtfully in her mouth and spat something into her dainty hand, holding it up to the light. It was William's signet ring, still holding part of one finger in its hoop.

The prince lunged for his dagger, belatedly remembering that he didn't carry it, he carried no weapons - steel and iron weren't nearly as valuable to him as the protection of his fairy-maid. "You bitch," he sobbed, and lunged at her anyways with his bare fists.

Needlemaw backhanded him with her free hand and he nearly flew half the length of the not inconsiderable garden, crashing down in a breathless, bloody, bruised heap, still scrabbling to turn around; he was terrified to face her but even more of losing sight of her. He needn't have bothered. The redcap prowled after him; she sank black talons into the bodice of the dress and ripped it off, revealing beneath it the threadbare shirt and man's breeches, the leather girdle full of the buttons she'd claimed from her kills. She ripped off the comb  and her hair turned into a wild mass, falling over her face, but not fast enough to hide the immense, gashing wound of her maw, filled with needle-like teeth, or the cadmium-yellow of her alien, inhuman, predatory eyes, full of rage and hunger. She spat on the comb; Boul's magic on it broke and it turned in her hand into the russet cap with the threaded knucklebones, and she shoved it in place with a jaunty little pat.

William tried to flee. She leapt and caught him by the back of the neck, lifting him up until his kicking feet were a good arm's length off the ground. She shook him roughly, and he clawed at her with his good hand and the crippled one, smearing his blood all over her.

Her long black tongue came out and licked at the smears, and her smile curled and curled and curled. "I'm told," she told him casually, "that yui're never to be parted from this wee trinket." She held up the signet ring; her tongue lashed out and took the last bit of William's finger from it, and it disappeared with a sickening crunch inside her mouth. "So I'll let yuir family have it because, more the fool me, I really did love ye, William, sweet, stupid William. Just so they'll know what's become of ye."

"Please," he pleaded, weeping and breathless. "Please!"

"Ah, there it is," she purred. "Now if'n only yui'd been a coward when it would've been helpful to the both of us."

"Please, I love you."

"Oh, do ye now. Cross yuir heart?"

"Yes!"

She brought him down until he could make out the yellow of her eyes through the crimson of her curls, until he could smell his blood on her breath. "Let's find out for surety-sure, then," she said cheerfully, and sank her free hand into his chest.

The signet ring was found, along with a single knucklebone, carefully placed dead center of the jousting ring when the first class of the day came by that morning. Needlemaw didn't mind parting with it. She had plenty other knucklebones to stitch into her cap, and William had not been a particularly fearsome kill to merit the honor.