#even though there was only like... 4 of them...

[bestanimal]

Round 3 - Actinopterygii - Cypriniformes

(Sources - 1, 2, 3, 4)

Order: Cypriniformes

Common Name: no common name for the whole order

Families: 23 - Gyrinocheilidae (“algae eaters”), Catostomidae (“suckers”), Botiidae (“pointface loaches”), Vaillantellidae (“long-fin loaches”), Cobitidae (“true loaches”), Barbuccidae (“scooter loaches”), Gastromyzontidae (“hillstream loaches”), Serpenticobitidae (“serpent loaches”), Balitoridae (also “hillstream loaches”), Ellopostomatidae (“square-head loaches”), Nemacheilidae (“stone loaches”), Paedocyprididae (“tiny carps”), Psilorhynchidae (“mountain carps”), Cyprinidae (“carps”, “minnows”, “barbs”, and “barbels”), Sundadanionidae (“tiny danios”), Danionidae (“troutbarbs”, “rasborines”, “danionines”, and “flying barbs”), Leptobarbidae (“cigar barbs”), Xenocyprididae (“East Asian minnows” or “sharpbellies”), Tincidae (“Tench”), Acheilognathidae (“bitterlings”), Gobionidae (“freshwater gudgeons”), Tanichthyidae (“mountain minnows”), and Leuciscidae (“true minnows”)

Anatomy: thick body; one dorsal fin; lack teeth in the mouth, but have convergent structures called pharyngeal teeth in the throat, which grind against a chewing pad on the base of the skull; most are equipped with barbels to help them locate food at night or in murky conditions

Diet: algae, plankton, plants, insects, snails, worms, small fish

Habitat/Range: Worldwide; most species are strictly freshwater, but some are found in brackish water, and at least one species is found in saltwater, though brackish and marine species swim upstream into rivers to spawn

Evolved in: Late Cretaceous

Propaganda under the cut:

The Bigmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) can reach an age of up to 127 years, making it the oldest known freshwater teleost fish.

The Indonesian Superdwarf Fish (Paedocypris progenetica) is one of smallest known species of fish in the world. The smallest mature female measured 7.9 mm (0.31 in) and the largest known individual was 10.3 mm (0.41 in).

The critically endangered Giant Barb (Catlocarpio siamensis) (image 1) is the largest species of Cyprinid, with an unconfirmed maximum length of 3 m (9.8 ft) and weight up to 300 kg (660 lb).

The Pacific Redfin (Pseudaspius brandtii) is the only Cypriniform known to inhabit salt water, and is found from the Siberian Pacific Coast through coastal Japan.

At least three loach families contain blind, troglomorphic species adapted to life in caves.

The Tench (Tinca tinca) has very small scales, which are deeply embedded in a thick skin, making it as slippery as an eel. Folklore has it that this slime cured any sick fish that rubbed against it, and from this belief arose the another common name: Doctor Fish.

The Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) is declining and even rated vulnerable in some of its native habitat, though introduced populations have become invasive in other environments worldwide, and it is considered one of the world’s most destructive invasive species.

The bitterlings of subfamily Acheilognathinae are notable for depositing their eggs in bivalve molluscs, where the young develop until able to fend for themselves.

The herbivorous Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is both cultivated for food and for aquatic weed control, and has been introduced into many areas to control undesirable aquatic vegetation. In China it is known as one of the "Four Great Domestic Fish".

The Thicktail Chub (Gila crassicauda), a type of minnow, was once the most common freshwater fish found in California. The chub was a favored food of the indigenous peoples of Clear Lake and the Central Valley, before it became heavily exploited by colonist commercial fishermen supplying the San Francisco market. Most of its habitat was also destroyed by the drainage of sloughs and marshes, dam-building, and water diversion for irrigation. The last known Thicktail Chub was caught on April 16, 1957. Just 70 years after being considered the most common freshwater fish in California, not a single living individual existed.

The critically endangered Red-tailed Black Shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolo) (image 4) is popular in the home aquarium trade, but may in fact be extinct in its native habitat of Thailand.

Almost all domesticated fish belong to the Cypriniformes, and include the Koi (Cyprinus rubrofuscus var. koi or nishikigoi) (see gif above), Goldfish (Carassius auratus), and Zebrafish (Danio rerio), which have all been bred to display a variety of colors, patterns, fin types, and even body shapes.

The Zebrafish is one of the most important vertebrate model organisms in biological and biochemical studies, being used in many kinds of experiments. During early development, the zebrafish has a nearly transparent body, so it is ideal for studying developmental biology. It is also used for the elucidation of biochemical signaling pathways.

I have 6 Black Ruby Barbs (Pethia nigrofasciata) whomst I love with all my heart, and they turn deep purple and get the zoomies when they’re excited (usually when I feed them in the morning, when I come home from work, and after I clean the tank).

(source)

[chiya-eltanin]

hm. dont usually put my own two cents for theories but somethings been kind of annoying me recently so yeah. ralsei thoughts.

i really dont like the idea that ralsei is a specific object. especially not with newer stuff from chapters 3 and 4.

For starters, most people that try to figure out what ralsei is in the real world are basing it off of this appearance

however, I feel like there's plenty of evidence to point to this not being his real form, right? People have already pointed out that his original shadowed form isn't fully consistent. It's possibly the most obvious when you compare his singing animations in both forms. His hat form makes what was later 'revealed' to be his ears look more like hair?,

Ears don't really split the same way that hair does, and theres other examples of hatsei having this kind of spikyness to his 'ears' that hatless ralsei doesnt have.

even the fangamer plush makes his ears spiky!!

its a pretty major part of how hatsei looks, and its certainly been talked about before. And then comes chapter 3+4. And we have plenty of evidence that ralsei is a shapeshifter, and I have seen literally nobody talk about it????? huh?????

Oh, and the hat casting a shadow on him makes no fucking sense because he goes onto wear SEVERAL hats in chapter 3 and he's normal????

also I know its like. A funny bit, but HE TURNS INTO A HORSE

WHY THE FUCK WOULD KRIS'S HEADBAND TURN INTO A HORSE???? WHY WOULD A GREEN CRAYON TURN INTO A HORSE???? WHY CAN HE DO THIS????? THIS ISNT A COSTUME THATS NOT HOW THEY WORK????? WHERE WOULD HIS BODY GO.

not to mention that changing shapes was literally his ability in the legend of tenna game???? he plays it off like 'oh every character has abilities i can turn into a box' but he can also turn into a dog? since ralsei was the only one who read the manual it very well could be an ability given to him since the real Ralsei is also a shapeshifter.

It would also explain why ralsei draws himself in his hat form

thats closer to what his natural form is. Dont have any screenshots on hand right now, but he's got two lines in chapter four (if you leave him lying on the ground for too long, and right before they find the first fountain) about how much longer he can 'keep this body for' that make it very obvious that he's only using a form that looks cuter to appeal to us. Him being a shapeshifter would also explain things like

His face being a deliberately made abstraction would also make this interaction make a lot more sense. Pre chapter three, I assumed Ralsei based his face on Asriel to either try appealing to Kris or as fanservice for the player/red soul, however, now that we've slowly started learning more about Ralsei, it's beginning to seem more like Ralsei just wants to have a face and more distinct appearance, like the lightners do. However, because of how dark worlds work, he can only base it off of what already exists, with that already existing 'model' being Asriel, although with modifications to make himself cuter— pink horns and eyes, and his usual glasses. It's why Kris is always quick to point out differences between them, and why Ralsei is embarrassed at being told that they look similar, he didn't have a choice other than be based off something that already exists.

Alright, so Ralsei is a shapeshifter. He still has to have some equivalent in the Light World though, since that's how Dark Worlds work. He was literally about to tell Susie what he was before getting interrupted, and Toby Fox is deliberately dancing around the topic.

However, I think the answer is actually pretty obvious. Ralsei is a being of 'pure darkness', which is why he can exist in any Dark World, unlike Lancer and Rouxls, who need to be objects that 'belong' in their respective worlds. His form is made up by the original dark fountain, and he describes himself as a 'Prince of the Dark'. Characters in the Dark World know about what happens to and around their real world equivalents, but Ralsei in particular seems to be especially aware of all of Susie and Kris's actions and movements. He doesn't need to be brought in by Kris like Lancer and Rouxls do, and he always appears in the Dark World a few moments after Susie and Kris do, while somehow almost always having pretty intimate knowledge of how the world came to be. Ralsei is also the most adamant on being depended on by Lightners, even more than people like Tenna. He talks about how a Darkners role is to be used by Lightners and to make them happy, and his character development in Chapter 3 especially goes into how he wants to be needed and how he's afraid he's slowly developing his own personality, and why he believes darkners shouldn't do that.

So, taking all of that into account, I feel like the most obvious answer for what Ralsei is is a shadow.

He's a literal prince of the dark. It explains why he can shapeshift, since shadows can be made to look like anything— I'm specifically thinking of things like shadow puppets, and why when he gets knocked out he seems to literally disappear, returning to the shadows. A shadow is also the most dependant on light, shadows literally cannot exist without light, or they'll just be darkness. It even explains his empty room.

His insistence that his only role is to help the Lightners, the way that people can never find anything notable about him (asking swatch for specials his suggestion for Ralsei is based purely on how he dresses and Queen literally forgets to get him a cage), and his ability to be in any dark world (since there's literally nowhere without shadows) all seem to point towards Ralsei being a shadow.

Ralsei being a shadow also means he's literally with you in the dark, could probably straight up not exist if the world was plunged into darkness, and also makes him a weaker version of a titan (explaining the 'prince' title. not quite king, but noble nontheless).

[yamumsyadadd]

the end of the road

The start of a new series :) alexia Putellas x Leah Williamson!ex wife. Other writings about it here: 4 times

When you were thirteen you thought you met the love of your life, but now at twenty-six you realised you were wrong. 

Leah had always been the pretty, popular girl. When you immigrated to Melton Kaynes in 2013 with your papa, you were intimidated by her. Her natural blonde hair and blue eyes made everyone fawn over her. Everyone but you. Though that would quickly change. 

After an assignment threw the two of you together, she wanted to be around you. You didn’t think you were anything special, your ordinary brown hair, brown eyes and Spanish skin but to Leah, you were the most beautiful person she’d ever seen. 

There was something about your demeanour that drew her in. Maybe it was the fact that you didn’t care what people thought about you, or the way you helped others in class when they didn’t understand. She wasn’t sure, but she was ready to risk everything for you. 

Leah would follow you around like a puppy begging for a crumb of food. She wanted your attention, for you to see her. Truthfully you did see her but you weren’t confident in your own sexuality, so why would you be confident in hers? 

Slowly, your walls around her came down. You had a lot more in common than you realised. Her parents were divorced and so were yours. The only difference was who you lived with. Your mami had stayed behind in Spain, continuing on with the group homes and foster care foundation she had started. Your papa opted to move back to England and extend the foundation to more European countries. 

It was a random Tuesday when you first kissed Leah. She was rambling on about some football thing she disagreed with and you couldn’t help it. After the initial confusion Leah kissed back. It didn’t even get to the end of the day before she asked you to be her girlfriend, you were slightly hesitant, but said yes nonetheless. 

You tried to hide the relationship from both your parents. Your mami was the one that caught it first, secretly telling your papa not to freak out if and when you decided to share the news. It took a few months before you felt confident and comfortable enough to share it with them. 

Since their divorce, they remained friends. Real friends, there was no huge fight or cheating that caused it, they simply just grew apart and no longer loved each other in that way. As all three of you sat around the dinner table in Barcelona, you started to cry. The overwhelming feeling that your parents would be disappointed, angry or even resentful.

“Querida, what’s wrong?” Your mami was alarmed, one minute you were all laughing then you burst into tears. 

“I’m in love with Leah. She’s my girlfriend, I’m a lesbian.” It came out in a mumbled mess. “Please don’t be mad.” You quickly added once you realised neither of your parents were talking. 

“Pumpkin, we know.” Your papa smiled at you. 

“You do?” 

“Of course. Why do you think you have to keep your bedroom door open when she’s over? Or that she has to sleep in the guest room for sleepovers?” Oh. You never thought about that. 

“Why would we be mad?” 

“I don’t know. I guess because I won’t give you grandkids?” 

“You can have a baby another way. I’m sure if and when the time comes, you will give us the most perfect grandchildren.” Your mami wiped your tears. She was wrong though. 

As the years progressed, so did your relationship with Leah. Throughout the final two years of highschool you were an anchor to each other. When your mami was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was there. 

When your mami died eighteen months later, she was there. Holding you on the hospital floor as you sobbed so hard you made yourself sick. The entire time Leah was by your side, refusing to leave, letting you cry into her until you passed out. 

At twenty, Leah proposed in the country side of England. Without hesitation you tackled her to the ground repeatedly saying yes. You were going to marry the woman of your dreams. 

It felt like a dream, telling your friends and family, throwing an engagement party, having everyone congratulate you. Never in a million years did you expect for this to happen. 

Thanks to the inheritance you received from your mami, you were able to buy a house big enough for you and Leah, maybe a few kids down the line. It wasn’t the biggest or fanciest house, but it was yours. It felt and smelt like home. 

After being engaged for two years, you had set a date. The wedding was everything you and Leah had dreamed of. Her teammates from throughout the years, high school friends and your family from Spain were all in attendance. There wasn’t an ounce of doubt in either of your minds. 

After the reception, you and Leah were able to sneak away for a few quiet moments. 

“You look so beautiful.” She said as she wrapped her arms around your waist. 

“So do you. I love you.” Your hand ran along her jaw as you took in the way she looked. Wanting to savour this moment forever. 

“I want to have a baby.” You were slightly taken aback with her serious tone but agreed straight away. 

Almost as soon as the honeymoon was over, the fertility treatments started. It didn’t take long, your second try, and you were pregnant. The pregnancy was a dream, you had limited morning sickness and no stretch marks. You and Leah were in heaven. But then the world shut down.

The COVID-19 restrictions awoke something inside of you. The feeling of missing your home country, the people who helped run the foundation and your mamis best friend, Marisol. You longed to go back to Spain, but with Leah’s football career kicking off you knew it wasn’t a possibility. 

The birth of your first child, a boy called Oscar, was something so magical and beautiful. You laboured at home with Leah for as long as you could, she was there doing whatever she could. Getting ice, massaging your lower back, swaying with you. You name it, Leah did it. 

After 49 hours, Oscar came into the world screaming incredibly loudly. As soon as he was put on your chest, both you and Leah burst into tears. 

Oscar was a dream baby. For a while it was just the three of you. While it was completely exhausting, it was worth it. You and Leah had created the most perfect little boy. You were happy with the life you created but you still longed to return home. 

It was harder to run the foundation from England then you anticipated. Marisol was taking care of the Spanish part of it, your dad looking after Germany and Switzerland. The UK was on you. Everything would go perfectly and then, in a blink of an eye, things would fall apart. 

Cracks started to appear in your marriage too. Leah was in the prime of her life, travelling all over for football, but you were stuck. Oscar was in nursery throughout the day when you worked but you couldn’t help but feel empty. 

Leah was coming home later, sometimes close to midnight. The sex had dwindled to maybe once a fortnight if you were lucky. You were the one that did everything. The laundry, house cleaning, paid all the bills, took Oscar to swimming and little kickers, read his bed night stories. It was as if you were a single parent. 

Then you noticed the signs. The change of the her phone password, no more flaunting you on social media, inviting you to team events. She made it seem like she was single. 

Oscar was only fourteen months old. You could see the future you hoped for disappear in a flash. Amanda, Leah’s mum, had taken Oscar for the night. It was supposed to be your date night. 

But as you sat there in the couch, heels thrown off near the door, dress started to feel constrictive, you realised that Leah wasn’t coming home. 

It was well past midnight when Leah came in. smelling like alcohol and someone else’s perfume. 

“Where have you been?” You asked, anger evident in your voice. 

“Out with mum.” She couldn’t even lie properly. 

“That’s a lie.” You said as you stood up, “your mum has Oscar. He’s been there since 3pm.” You watched her reaction. You walked closer to her, wanting her to know how serious you were, “I don’t care who she is. If you keep seeing her, we are done. Oscar and I will go back to Spain.” 

“Babe-“

“No.” You put your hand up to stop her, “it’s us or her. You decide.” 

She chose your family. You never asked who the girl was, you suspected, but it was never confirmed. You made her go to therapy, then for you both to go to marriage counselling. You worked hard to regain trust and Leah proved to you again why you loved her. 

It took six months but then stupidly you agreed to a second baby. For the first two trimesters Leah was there. Helping more with Oscar, doing house work, taking you out on dates and being the loving wife you knew she was. 

As you were nearing your final month of pregnancy, things were getting harder. Leah was barely around, the love you once shared seemed to be a distance memory. Most nights you cried yourself to sleep, hand in your belly as you did so. 

You needed help, Leah would have excuse after excuse so you hired a nanny. Isobel was from Spain too, spending the year studying in London. She was perfect, you were able to speak your mother language to her, Oscar picked it up quickly too. 

It was a relief. To have the help with Oscar and household chores. You got to focus on the last few days of work before you went on maternity leave. The due date of your daughter was approaching fast, as was Christmas. 

The Christmas market was a favourite of yours. The light snow dusted the ground, the smell of cinnamon and hot chocolate filled the air. Oscar looked so cute in his winter suit with his gloves and hat, and there was Leah. Looking as beautiful as you remembered. 

You felt giddy like a children when she told you she’d be joining the two of you tonight. This would probably be your last outing as a family of three. By the time you were at home in bed, your cheeks hurt from smiling so much. You were incredibly happy that your family was slowly coming back together. 

It didn’t last long though. On December 21st, you sat at home on the couch. Oscar was already in bed asleep and the time was nearing 8.30pm. All day you had been having slight contractions, but the sharp pain that ripped across your stomach was nothing you’d ever felt before. 

Something was very wrong. 

You tried ringing Leah. Over and over again. But each time she declined the call. You texted and she left you on read. The final text message you sent that she did reply to broke your heart. 

You: somethings wrong Leah. I’m bleeding and the pain is horrible. 

Leah: what do you want me to do about it?”

You: I need to go to the hospital. Oscar is asleep. 

Leah: call an uber or something. Idk. 

The anger you felt was very quickly replaced with fear. Your two and a half year old son was sleeping upstairs, your wife was being a bitch and there was no other option than to call for an ambulance. 

So that’s what you did. First you rang Amanda, Leah’s mum, then you rang an ambulance. As you potted around the loungeroom, blood was dropping onto the floor. You knew it needed to be cleaned before Oscar woke up otherwise he would freak out. 

Thankfully, Amanda arrived quickly and so did the ambulance. 

“Leah’s not coming. Please stay with Oscar.” You begged her as they loaded you up. Something flashed across Amanda’s face, probably anger and disappointment in her daughter but at that moment all you could focus on was your own daughter. 

Somewhere along the way you rang your dad and Marisol begging them to come as fast as they could. They tried but ultimately you gave birth to your beautiful daughter alone, at 4.44am. 

You were exhausted and didn’t even bother looking at your phone, missing the millions of instagram notifications until it was too late. 

Marisol was the first to get to the hospital, meeting your daughter, Amelia, a mere 45 minutes after she was born. She told you how proud she was of you, how you did such a good job and you couldn’t help but cry. 

Since your mami had died, Marisol took over that role. She was your mamis best friend, your godmother, one of the best people you knew. After a few hours and minimal sleep, you decided to message Leah. Letting her know that her daughter had been born. 

Before you could though you were overwhelmed with the amount of notifications on your phone. As you clicked on one, it lead you to the comments section of an instagram post. 

A post that contained your wife and a teammate. Kissing. At the same Christmas markets you took your son to a few days prior. You couldn’t stop the sob that came out of your mouth. Both your dad and Marisol stopping what that were doing immediately.

“What’s wrong!” 

“Is something hurting?” 

“Leah-“ was all you were able to get out, shoving your phone into Marisol’s hand. Their hearts broke for you, less than 10 hours after giving birth you found out your wife was cheating on you. 

It started to make sense. The distance, the late nights and early mornings, the way she separated herself. It made you nauseous. Was she cheating when she begged for a second kid? Did she fuck someone in the house you lived in together? In your bed? 

Before you had the chance to completely spiral, Oscar ran into the room. Excited to meet his baby sister and see his mama. There was a look of anger on Jacob’s face when he walked in and saw Leah still wasn’t there. 

For an hour they kept up appearances but then you politely asked everyone but Amanda to leave. 

“Leah cheated on me. I don’t know details, and I don’t want to know details but I want all of her stuff out of my house by the time I’m home.” 

Amanda was confused so you took the liberty to show her the photos. Confusion turned into anger. She called her own family to organise the removal of Leah’s belongings, your dad took the chance to call a locksmith. 

If or when Leah decided to return to the family home she would find all of the locks changed and her belongings at her mother’s. 

You were good in a crisis. Level headed and calm, always the first point of call when something went wrong with the foundation and this was no different. The crisis was now your life and you had to fix it. 

Christmas was a good distraction, Leah had attempted to reach out, to promise it was a mistake, a one time thing. but the wound had been created and she couldn’t fix it now. 

Over new years Oscar struggled. You all did. thankfully your dad and Marisol hung around for as long as they could. 

Leah had only met Amelia twice. By the second time she didn’t seem interested at all. As if this baby was just a burden to her. Amanda visited often, as did Jacob. One night you decided to break the news to them. Oscar was already passed out in bed and Amelia was asleep in the bassinet. 

“I’m moving back to Spain. The kids will obviously be coming too. I’m selling the house.”

“What about Leah?” Amanda asked. 

“She can see the kids whenever she likes. I won’t keep them from her. However in the last week she hasn’t reached out at all.”

“That’s it? You’re giving up?” Jacob asked, raising his voice. 

“There’s nothing to give up on Jake. She cheated, she ruined this family. Not me. I gave birth alone, I have been raising our son alone.” 

“Have you told her?” 

“I tried. She left my message on read. I sent in the divorce papers, I don’t want any money from her, I don’t want to fight over this but I will if I have to.” 

Amanda let a few tears slip before she spoke up, “you deserve better.��� 

“Mum!”

“No jacob she does. Leah broke this family, Leah left her wife alone to give birth, she went out to a public place and snogged a teammate. You can love your sister but this, this is her fault. Y/n, I will support you through this. You’re a wonderful mother, both those kids are incredibly lucky to have you.” You cried as she hugged you goodbye, the chapter was closing and while it is what you wanted, you felt incredibly heartbroken. 

Leah fought the divorce. It was ugly and it was messy. The prenup prevented either of you from getting each other’s money, you would keep the house. The judge agreed that sole custody would reside with you for the mean time and in a year it would be revisited. 

The alienation started almost immediately. Leah would tell Oscar it was you that broke up the family, that you were taking him away from her. Never once did you correct her, there was no way you wanted to mess up his toddler mind more than it already was. 

Spain was a breath of fresh air. You had reached out to Isobel, explaining most of what had happened and said if she was to find herself in Barcelona anytime soon, you’d happily hire her again. 

Oscar settled into his new daycare easily, at home he wasn’t so settled. You tried to be understanding, but it was so incredibly hard. Your marriage was over, your soon to be ex wife was alienating your son, the friends you shared with her slowly stopped reaching out. 

Once your maternity leave ended, you threw yourself into the foundation. Wanting to make it grow, fix everything you could. 

The idea of a compound came to you in the middle of the night. Amelia was teething and as you sat there comforting her you thought about all the teen parents doing the best they could. Fostering teenagers wasn’t something many people did, so foster a teenager who had a baby was even more limited. 

You drew up a rough plan, something to discuss with Marisol later in the day. It consisted of an apartment style complex, 6 or 7 houses, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments with one on the end for a caregiver. 

When you bought the idea up with Marisol and Miriam, the manager of the under 10s portfolio, they were on board immediately. It wouldn’t be easy to pull off but you were sure you could do it. 

While you threw yourself into work to get over the heartbreak, Leah threw herself into the beds of other women. No matter how hard to tried to avoid it, there was pictures and comments plastered on the internet. 

Oscars behaviour was getting worse. After every phone call, every quick visit, he would come back rude and mean. You knew he was struggling but you also knew that he couldn’t talk to people like that. Leah refused to help, she claimed he was the perfect child for her and this was all your fault. 

As the months pushed on, you worked tirelessly to began this project and when it started, you couldn’t help but shed some happy tears. All the extra hours you put in once the kids were asleep was finally going to pay off. 

When Leah tore her ACL you were conflicted. On one hand you were sad she wouldn’t be able to captain her team in the World Cup, but on the other hand she would be able to be move present in your children’s lives. 

Her relationship with the now five month old Amelia, was practically nonexistent. You weren’t breastfeeding, finding that it was causing you more stress than it was worth. When offered to have her over night, Leah would straight up refuse. It was getting to a point that was concerning to you. At no point did you want your daughter to grow up feeling less Love from her own mother. 

Oscar’s third birthday was fast approaching. Leah, who had done her knee, wouldn’t be attending the pre-world cup camps. Her family and yours would come together in Spain and celebrate him. As much as it hurt seeing her and her family, you had to swallow your own feelings to put Oscar first. 

He loved every second of it, all the attention, the food, the love. It had been a while since he had been that happy. As the day came to a close, Jacob and Oscar were outside on the trampoline, Marisol and Amanda were pottering around tidying up and you had just put Amelia to sleep when Leah came up behind you. 

“I miss you.” She whispered, learning up against the door frame. 

“Leah-“

“No I do. I know I fucked up but I want to fix it. I love you, only you.” She looked at you like you hung the moon, as much as you still loved Leah, you couldn’t do that to yourself. 

“I can’t Leah. You cheated on me, left me to have a baby alone. I know you’re sad and scared and whatever but I’m not the person to find comfort in. I’m sorry.” You tried to push past but she grabbed on your arm. In an instant her mouth was on yours, kissing you. 

For a moment you let yourself melt into it. Forgetting what it was like to be kissed by here but then you realised what was happening and pushed her off. “Leah no.” It’s all you could muster before you headed back outside to collect Oscar. 

After that night, something in Leah switched. She started to be more cruel, not just to you but everyone around. 

You tried to co parent with her, but ultimately you had to take her back to court and get help. From that point on, all communication went through a parenting app. The lawyers and court could read it all and see what was being said. 

The worst part of it all was watching the fallout on social media. Leah’s fans were coming for your throat. Everything was your fault, it didn’t matter that she cheated, that she ruined your family. To them, their favourite captain could so no wrong. 

things changed when you met alexia. You were scared, nervous but mostly excited.

[vibrantpuppeteer]

Okay, spoilers below this point, but We strongly think that both Dess Knight and Carol Knight truthers are probably wrong. Yeah. We're team Asgore Knight.

Okay, but think of who the Knight went after first in chapter 3. Toriel. The Knight...went after Toriel. And in Chapter 4? We get confirmation that Asgore has a Black Shard as well. Think about it, though. The three symbols on the shelter door are a police badge, a pine tree, and the Delta Rune. And unlike in Undertale, the Delta Rune isn't really a symbol worn by royalty. It has religious significance as shown by the church scenes with multiple characters wearing outfits bearing it. So why would the Knight go after Toriel first if there wasn't something more personal to it? If it wasn't some last-ditch effort? Who has been making attempts to get just a little of Toriel's attention since chapter 1? Asgore. Yeah, he's probably the Knight.

Yeah, there are some weak points to our side too. How could Asgore (or whoever the Knight really is) completely change his appearance inside dark worlds when the most drastic change to Lightener physiology we've seen this far has been on Kris and even that is just a bit of color changing. Maybe it's a property of the Knight's weapon? It does shift from a more bat-shaped weapon to more sword shaped in the first encounter, so everything we've seen so far could be just a trick of the shadows. Hmm... Is it even possible to go darker than darker than dark? We've seen that the attempt to create a dark world inside a dark world creates Titans, but what if there's something that could basically cover the wearer's body in shadow without summoning Titans? After all, consider what happens if you win -- the Knight starts to go static-y, as that's not their natural form but just an effect to hide it. Like a hologram losing its form after taking damage. (A hologram made of darkness and shadows? It should be called an umbragram then.) Combine that and how the Knight seems to not only go easy on Kris, but even "knights" them in a hitless run? Yeah, it could be Dess. However, even though we know Kris is working with Carol, We highly doubt the two of them have that close of a bond. Asgore, however?Asgore would absolutely want Kris on his side.

Well, if all goes according to plan, we'll all know soon enough, as Chapter 5 is due out next year provided there aren't any delays.

I feel like the Deltarune fandom is setting itself up for a fall because there's no way Dess is going to be as cool as the fanart is making her our to be.

[whatifitis]

♡ to build a home - LN 4 ♡

Summary: You're beginning to build a life with Lando. One of the steps you were excited for the most was building a home with him. So when it's time to finally start furnishing the house... let's just say we're glad everyone got to keep their fingers.

WC: 950

CW: fluff, two idiots in love trying to use their shared braincell..., not proofread

-=+=-

It’s finally time! A chapter in your life you were waiting for for so long. Not just building a life with your favorite person, but building a home with them too. You and Lando recently bought a home together and were excited to finally decorate it after having renovated it yourselves. 

The two of you (mainly just you) spent ages on pinterest and various furniture websites, trying to put together an aesthetically pleasing home that could also make the environment feel homey and warm, something Lando had lived without for so long, well, at least until you joined his life. From the day you’d met, his life suddenly seemed brighter and warmer, like he’d been living in a plain, grey world prior. 

After some conflicts and adjustments to the mood board, you both had settled on some furniture that you both loved. Some things were ordered to the house while the others were picked up in the store by you and Lando. Lando, of course, insisted on helping because 1. It could be some nice bonding time since he’s away a lot and 2. He’s a “Big strong man” who can help you carry everything… In other words, he was afraid another man would come to your rescue and steal you away. But that would never happen. 

As you awaited everything you’d ordered, your home still only held a mattress, Lando’s gaming set up and boxes that were filled with various objects. One of those boxes held your collection of books. Your collection grew through the years as you got older, the collection expanding a lot quicker since you and Lan had started dating. Everytime he traveled without you, he would stop by a bookstore and get you a book. Whether it be a special edition of a book or just something he thought you’d like, he always came back with one to add to your collection. 

“Baby.” Lando called to you, jumping onto the mattress where you laid. 

“Baby.” you reply. 

“I was thinking-”

Sitting up fast and gasping, “You can do that?”

Lando’s jaw dropped, “Rude?! You know what? Nevermind.” begins to stand up to walk away, hiding a smile. 

“No! Come on, baby. I was joking. Tell me what you were thinking.” you say, pulling his arm so that he falls over top of you on the bed. 

“Fine. Only cause I love you so much.” the man says, receiving several kisses from you that scatter his face. 

“I love you too. Now, tell me.”

“Do you wanna go to ikea? I know we ordered most of the furniture or we’re going to some stores in person but we need to get some bookshelves for your books. We can get to building them today and putting away the books.” he says, moving to stand, “That way we can clear a few boxes and we’ll have more room for activities.” he says as he pranced around the room, twirling in the air as if he was a dancer. 

You laugh at the show before you, being eternally grateful for his existence and the chaos he brings with him, “That sounds amazing, Lan. We can go now. That way we’re not up late trying to put together the bookshelves.” 

“How hard can putting together bookshelves be?”

-=+=-

Lando and you took the opportunity to enjoy the day to the fullest. The sun was out so you guys drove with the windows down, blasting some Taylor Swift and singing your hearts out to each other. 

Although the drive was fun, the same can’t be said for the adventure in Ikea… The two of you got lost for 5 hours inside of the Ikea. And don’t ask how, cause not even God knows how the two of you got lost, though it might have to do with the fact that you guys share a brain cell…

Eventually, with the help of an Ikea employee, the two of you made it out to the other side, half tempted to kiss the ground once you saw the sun again. 

-=+=-

Finally, after a stop at Mcdonalds for some dinner, the two of you were safe and sound at home, cutting open the boxes that contained the pieces of wood to build the bookshelves. As Lando was unboxing the pieces, he began throwing things about, not paying any mind to what was going where. 

“Lan, calm down. We’re gonna lose the instructions if you keep doing that.” 

“Pish posh. Who needs instructions for bookshelves? It’s easy. I built that desk myself with no instructions.” he says, pointing to the desk that holds his gaming set up… the most basic table to have ever existed. 

You put your hands on your hips as you exhale loudly, “Lan, that table has 5 pieces total…”

“And? I still did it. Ya know why? Cause I’m super smart and super strong. I don’t need the instructions… Now… where do we start…?” he says as he rests his hands on his hips, squinting as the mess of screws and panels of wood he scattered on the floor. 

-=+=-

Building a bookshelf was NOT as easy and Lando claimed it would be. Not only were the instructions missing, but Lando kept insisting he didn’t need them. You tried to help him but it felt as if the pieces kept moving on their own. You felt like the boys in the Maze Runner, trying to figure out the pattern of the maze changes every night. 

It’s been two hours since anyones spoken… so it startles you when he breaks the silence, “How… is the bookshelf… inside out…?”

“It’s 9pm… and we still haven’t finished the first bookshelf… we have 6 more to build…”

“FUCK”

[for-those-who-wait]

The stained glass windows of the Owl House I love you you're so cool looking

*All analyses are pretty fast and loose, mostly just spitballing and taking notes

Episode 4: Episode in which the Titan deems Luz worthy enough (and enters the right situation) to learn the light spell. Could be due to her empathizing with King and putting someone else’s feelings before her own and showing that despite her naivety, she has a good heart and is capable of growth.

Shows that Eda is unlikely to share things that bother her with even the person who has lived with her for several years (King), though it's likely because he's just a kid and she didn't want to burden him with knowledge of her curse.

When the glyph first appears on the phone screen, King asks Luz what she’s looking at, so perhaps this first appearance of the light glyph is something that only she can see. Perhaps the Titan gave her this spell as a way to give Luz further ability to prove herself worthy of the other glyphs. It also feels significant that the first spell given to her is the one spell that Philip lacked before they met in the time pool episode. Presumably this is to show that Luz is Belos’ natural foil, and that she is worthy of the trust needed to have the light spell (which had resulted in Belos’ attainment of the Collector, which would destroy the Isles) that Philip never obtained from the Titan on his own. Also can't remember how Philip found the glyphs back then in the first place, maybe the Titan gave them to him with good intentions but only realized after that it had been a mistake and this was a person who would seek to hurt other people. Or Philip just yoinked them off of someone

[d1xonss]

hiii i’m a new reader of urs but let me just say i loveeeee ur work anyway i have a request if you’re taking any.. i neeeed a lil angsty fluffy moment of daryl x reader finding each other again after everything that happened with terminus and the whole prison debacle. just a lil idea i got while reading one of your works!! thank you!!

Finding You

✧ Pairing : Daryl Dixon x Reader

✧ Era : Season 4

✧ Pronouns : she/her

✧ Genre : Angst

✧ Word Count : 1.5k

AN ~ @kcundercover4 Hi angel, thank you for the request and the very kind words. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get to writing this, I've been in a bit of a funk when it came to creating new ideas. But rest assured, I'm slowly but surely getting back into the swing of things. I hope you enjoy! xoxox

When the prison fell, there was nothing left. Nothing but crumbling cement, dented fences, and whatever rotting bodies the dead decided to leave behind. The fire that was set took care of the rest, burning down the place you had once felt comfortable enough to call home. In an instant, everything was gone. And the ones from the community who made it out alive, had nearly nothing left to show for it.

Daryl felt nothing. No sadness, no hint of anger, just…nothing. It was a strange feeling that settled in his chest, a kind of emptiness he hadn’t felt in a very long time. A feeling that couldn’t be described. The best way he himself could picture it was like he was on some kind of drug, one that could numb his limbs and his mind, leaving him feeling oddly tired. Like he didn’t have the energy to get up and keep moving. Although he managed to escape with Beth who wanted nothing more than to get up and go, to try and find their people that she was certain were out there, he couldn’t.

He didn’t see much of a point in caring anymore. Whether everyone else really had managed to escape the brutal chaos, or they bit the bullet, it didn’t matter. Neither of them would catch a glimpse of their family ever again. And he’d much rather swallow down the tough pill now rather than hold out hope, only to be even more devastated in the end. He wouldn’t find Rick, or Carol, or…you.

That was a whole other pill he had yet to get down.

Daryl wasn’t one for openly expressing how he felt, but those who knew him well, knew his feelings ran deep. And the things he felt for you…he could hardly put them into words. It was like his whole life he had never known love until you suddenly walked into it, always looking at him in a way that made him feel truly seen. He didn’t have to say much for you to know what he was thinking. He didn’t have to hide his eyes behind his hair in fear you would see a flicker of vulnerability. He didn’t have to put up a front that he was fine…because deep down he knew that you could see when he wasn’t. He loved you. But now as he sat here alone and clueless, not knowing what had happened to you, it was slowly tearing him apart.

Throughout the following days, Daryl wasn’t too keen on talking. He wasn’t much for eating either. Just a dead man walking. The only thing going through his mind was surviving to see another day and to protect the only person he seemed to have left. But the most painful part of it all was every time he looked at Beth, he saw you. Her kindness resembled your own, along with the light she held behind her eyes that could only be described as hope. The same kind of hope you always possessed. It was somewhat of a bittersweet feeling that was for certain, finding himself to be pathetic that he missed you so terribly, he was starting to pick apart someone else in hopes it would somehow bring him back to you. It wasn’t fair; none of it was.

Though just when Beth began to find a crack in Daryl’s armor, getting him to finally begin to bring down his walls…he lost her too. He wasn’t even sure how it happened. One minute they were escaping the small herd of walkers that had somehow gotten into the funeral home, and the next he was watching some car speed down the road with her inside. Driving further and further away with no kind of indication of where they were going or what they planned to do with her. The familiar feeling of grief wasn’t lost on him, but that didn’t make it any less painful. The only way he was able to see it, was that he failed to save someone else. And when he attempted to find her, he only ran into more trouble.

There were the claimers, a group of men that turned out to not be men at all. Instead they were disgusting monsters that just preyed on fear. Then there was Terminus, a seemingly bright light at the end of the tunnel that led him back to his family, only to be revealed they were cannibals. Leading them like lambs to the slaughter. 

By the end of it all the group was exhausted and defeated, having to literally fight for their lives to make it out of there and now watching it burn to the ground as an end result. Carol’s unexpected arrival had saved them all. But what came next, no one could’ve predicted. The woman led them back to a small cabin hidden within the trees, only for the door to open to reveal Tyreese holding Judith securely in his arms. Both Rick and Sasha took off in a sprint when they recognized their loved ones, reuniting with them in hugs and tears whilst the rest stood back and watched.

But the wind was suddenly knocked out of Daryl when he caught sight of who stepped out of the cabin next, the harsh blow was enough to nearly bring him down to his knees. It was you.

Your eyes widened greatly when you spotted him from across the way, seeing him safe and unharmed despite the horrible things you heard about the community they walked into. You had been worried to the point of feeling nauseous ever since Carol had left to save them, but now seeing that he was alive, the relief that washed over you was unimaginable.

With a breath you immediately began to rush over to where he stood, watching as he stayed frozen in place and just stared. As if he were scared to move, or even attempt to touch you in fear that you would vanish into thin air the moment he accepted this moment was real. He couldn’t deny the sudden racing of his heart as you got closer and closer, the anticipation almost beginning to be too much for him to handle. And then you touched him, tentatively brushing the hair away from his forehead as you had done a thousand times before. The familiar need to see his eyes.

That’s what ultimately caused him to crumble.

His body all but melted at the feel of your soft fingertips dancing against his rough skin, a shuttering and emotional breath leaving his lips as he leaned his head down to bury his face into the crook of your neck. Making himself smaller. Your hand instantly moved up to cradle the back of his head, keeping him steady while he practically leaned his whole body weight onto you. His legs suddenly felt like jelly, like he could no longer support himself and needed you to help with the heavy burden he carried. Every emotion he had kept buried deep down was now unleashed all at once.

You felt his hands come up to hesitantly hold onto your waist, his fingers curling around the fabric of your clothes in a way to somehow keep him grounded. His breathing grew more ragged as he kept his face tucked away and hidden from view, his nose brushing along your pulse to feel you were alive, to breathe you in. The emptiness he felt was unexpectedly being replaced with a sudden ache, but it wasn’t unwelcomed. It was a reminder of the longing and sadness he had felt all those weeks you were apart, the utter heartbreak he wouldn’t dare let anyone see.

His lips pressed a kiss against your skin, the action being so soft and delicate like he feared of leaving even the tiniest mark on you. He couldn’t even imagine what you must’ve gone through on your own, and he wanted to make it known that he wasn’t planning on letting anything hurt you again. A silent vow only you would be able to receive. 

After a few moments of holding him you gently pulled back ever so slightly to really look at him, your heart sinking when you noticed the black eye and scrapes along his face. But those hardly mattered to him, not really. Not when the only pain he could focus on was losing you.

“Are you okay?” you asked quietly, your tone no louder than a whisper.

When he heard you speak he could hardly find the strength to respond. Your soft spoken voice that he was convinced he would only hear in his dreams, now seemed to echo throughout his mind. Soothed his weary soul. His eyes glistened with tears as he simply looked at you, his lip quivering as he desperately tried to hold back the intense emotions he was feeling. As for your question, all he could do was nod his head. His real answer being far too complicated for even him to process. 

He saw the sadness etched on your face before you wrapped your arms tightly around him again, not willing to let go so easily this time. And it was clear the both of you found what you had been desperately missing.

~ Thanks for reading!

[britcision]

By the way friends, since I am being reminded that summer is here and therefore so is the heat, here are some reminders for you lot too!

1) active cooling, like an AC, does require you to remove heat and vent it somewhere else.

Nothing that does not vent hot air outside is going to provide active cooling, like magically making your whole room immediately colder

Never believe an ad that tells you you can instantly cool your space without a visible heat vent to outside they are lying

2) passive cooling absolutely does not. It’s slower, has a smaller radius, and is in general less effective, but also requires less energy

Things like filling all your sinks/bath tubs with cold water (or ice water for preference) will provide passive cooling

(You may have heard the term “heat sink” if you’re a computer nerd. Basically, same thing - you put the heat in your cold thing, your cold thing heats up, everything else cools down)

Depending on your humidity, you can do a lot of passive cooling with water - there’s a reason it’s our natural default, but it does require humidity less than 80-90%

(Because you need the water to be able to evaporate and leave)

Ice is, of course, king; if you have a freezer, make as much as you can ahead of the heat wave and keep it in water-tight containers for refreezing

If you don’t have a freezer, hotels have ice machines usually right by the elevators. Clearly you have a very good friend you need to drop off a charger for in the nearest inattentive hotel. Bring big pockets. For the charger.

Also, freeze dish cloths or small towels if you can, by lightly dampening and applying ice. This kicks ass for heatstroke on the back of the neck, so do at least 2 to have one refreezing while you use the other

3) if you sweatin’, you need electrolytes. This is why we’re told they’re specifically for work outs, but the truth is they are for sweat, because you lose salt and shit when you sweat

Get that hydralyte, whatever, and if you can’t immediately get your hands on proper official electrolytes, toss a salt packet like they have at fast food restaurants in your water

Normal water ain’t gonna cut it when you’re a sweaty spaghetti you must be seasoned

If you touch your tongue to the salt and it is wicked delicious, you are probably dehydrated. Add an extra salt packet or two

4) defy purity culture and spread your legs

For real

You lose a lot of heat through your grundle, and keeping your legs closed will trap that heat in your body. Open up and feel the cooling

Also applicable for arms etc be a starfish

5) do not fucking use your oven. Don’t.

Big hot appliance makes big hot home. If you can only possibly cook via oven, do it at night when it’s coldest and you can maybe get some cooler air by opening windows

Use the bbq outside, the microwave, the stove top, the air fryer, anything but your goddamn oven, but honestly? Maybe eat cold food. You will be cooled down

Charcuterie boards comeback round 2?

6) basements are OP, and anywhere you can lie on cold cement kicks ass until all your joints get fucked on by the hard cement

Pretty good for keeping water cold though. Stick it on basement floor

7) hydrate or die-drate

Seriously, we talked about electrolytes and shit, but I mean it. Drink more than you usually would, even if that means smuggling extra water bottles to your local drinking fountains and fill em

If your pee is orange you are dehydrated as hell

You can also eat wet bitches like watermelons to rehydrate yourself, slorp up the juice and if anyone complains tell them it is vital for your health

8) shade! Bring your umbrella, bring Big Hat, fuck the sun it is the enemy you wanna have something between yourself and it while you rest

Sunscreen also good but you do not want your head in the sun for long periods because sunstroke is a bitch and will sneak up on your ass

9) furries I am sorry this one is for you you NEED a fan in the fursuit and you NEED to take it off if you get tired or wanna nap

NEVER fall asleep in your fursuit in the summer, ALWAYS be prepared to get outta it in a hurry, and bring triple water or have a planned water stop

Inflatable folks too you are wearing a dinosaur or a pikachu not fur but that is still a goddamn closed environment and will also cook you

Manual fan, electrical fan, water bottles, ice packs are required for safe summer fun and probably also a shirt inside so you can go into ice cream store

10) con goers, save yourselves $15 and go to a dollar store or local equivalent and buy a cheap folding fan before the con

Bring it to dealers or panels or just out for the day you can buy fans at the con usually but they are marked up because they know you need it

[partylikemajima]

Mending Hearts - Chapter 5

Annie was done playing games. Warnings: Smut (Soft Smut 👀)

Chapter 1 /Chapter 2 / Chapter 3 / Chapter 4

Elijah arrived earlier than planned. It was still an hour and a half until they had to depart for Club Juke. He had knocked when she was in the middle of applying her lipstick that blended well with the tone of her lips, creating a cross between a mauve and brown finish. She applied gloss on top, letting him wait for a minute more before rushing to the door, holding her night gown together with one hand and opening the door.

He stood dressed in a white shirt with black pinstripe waistcoast and slacks. A long black jacket covered up most of his outfit, but it made him look even more striking than usual.  He had a large grey-ish sheet hung over his shoulder, covering up whatever was inside and an arm of his holding it to him, bouqet of flowers in his free hand. The bouqet was a mix of Magnolias and 'Blue My Mind' Evolvulus.

Beautiful. All of it in front of her.

She saw a hint of nervousness in his eyes when he met hers. His eyes flickered over her, catching details he found distracting until he spoke.

"I know I'm early" His expression apologetic. "But I had to drop off something" He tapped the bundle over his shoulder.

She smiled to him, checking the flowers with a hand and stood to the side. "That being?" She asked, pointing to it as he walked in and she followed behind.

"Its a surprise for you" He layed it down over the couch. "Can't open it till tomorrow"

"Elijah" She had her hands on her hips, desperate to know, forgetting she didn't tie her night gown and it started slipping open from the bottom. She only had her underwear on. She quickly caught it mid-way and wrapped it up, tieing it.

But he caught the slip up.

He looked away as he did, but she saw the hint of a smile.

The back of her mind whispered to her, that she didn't want him to look away so quickly, even though the action of her gown was not planned.

"You coming over tomorrow to watch me open that?" She crossed her arms.

"Sure am" He walked up to her and held the flowers out. "For you, you look beautiful"

She was smiling again, checking the flowers up close, hands caressing a few before taking the bouqet out his hands. She smelled the aroma and looked to him. "Thank you~" She kept her eyes on him until she fully turned away and searched for a vase to place them in. "You look handsome yourself, I still need to get dressed"

"I'll wait" He made himself comfortable on the couch, legs spread wide and leaning forward onto his knees. He was examining a dress she had laid on the table that she was patching up, one of her casual dresses.

"By the time I'm ready, we'll still have so much time till we have to leave" She finished arranging the flowers in the vase and stood by the doorway to her bedroom. "Why you so early?" She asked and he raised his head to look at her. Didn't respond. "You planning something?" She angled a brow but he closed his eyes and shook his head a little and opened them.

She lingered a second more and then went inside to change.

The thought was strange to her, to change clothes not within his view. When he was away, she dreamed of him, and was too consumed with hurt to think. And time now made them like this, as if he was a stranger.

He wasn't a stranger. Far from it. He was her other half, but changing in front of him was strange now.

God she needed this to go away. The strangeness, the barriers, the game they had going. Wanted to just...give in to her heart.

She wore a long dark blue silk dress that sinched at the waist, framing her hourglass body down to her ankles. The straps thinner than her other evening dresses, the low scoop neckline accentuating her chest. She spayed her perfume at her pulse points and ran her hands down her dress, checking everything was in place.

Exiting the bedroom, she found Smoke standing by the window with his back to her, head low like he was checking whatever was in his hands. The creak of the door had alerted him and he moved towards her first without looking at her, his head lifting up straight the second. He nearly tripped with how his feet halted when he laid his eyes on her.

This is what she wanted from him, desperately needed.

She watched his adam's apple bob when he gulped and one of his hands curl into a tight fist by his side. His eyes took all of her in and reached to her own. His feet moved again and brought him closer to her.

She wanted him whole.

His next words were not what she wanted to hear.

"You know Stack's planning on proposing to Mary?"

"What?"

He shrugged his shoulders, looking away from her and reached into the inside pocket of his jacket. "Yeah, said he'll fight that cracker he made marry her, got the rings and everything" He took out a small, white square box. "Wanted me to ask you how they looked" He still wasn't looking at her as he flipped open the lid of the box, the contents inside facing him.

That's why Elias didn't want her to come with him to the damn town.

Fuck him.

Her eyes twitched as she kept silent.

Fuck Elijah too.

"Can you check?" He finally met her gaze again, eyes soft.

She slowly held out her hand to take the box. "I'm gonna murder your brother" She mumbled. And him.

He placed it in her palm and she rotated it, other hand ready to inspect it.

The rings were stunning. Simple, which surprised Annie, not Stack's taste. Not Mary's. She thought it was maybe due to them not being able to be around in public together. Her finger smoothed over the gold rings that had flowers engraved over them as a pattern.

She couldn't lie, they were beautiful.

She huffed, annoyed at having to admit it and put her feelings, of Smoke not reading the situation he had just ruined, aside.

"They're perfect" She handed it back to him.

"What about the engraving inside?" He said quietly.

It took all of her power to not snap the box shut and push it to him. Bringing the rings back in view, she carefully pulled out one of the rings and tilted it to see what was written inside.

And she thought she saw wrong. Her eyes focused on the engraving. Like she forgot how to read.

'Annie René Moore - Wife of Elijah Moore' with the date of their wedding, was engraved inside the ring she held between her fingers.

Slowly, she fitted the ring back into the empty space on the cushion in the box and took out the other one, reading it.

'Elijah Moore - Husband of Annie René Moore', with the same date.

She sucked in a quick breath at reading the second one, placed it back into the cushion with her heart racing and looked at him.

His eyes were set with determination, and love.

"I didn't lie, just didn't admit to being the reason you lost this" He held her missing ring from two weeks ago between his thumb and index finger. "And Stack is planning to marry Mary, I just don't know how serious he is about it" He placed her casual ring back into his pants pocket.

Her hands started to shake, holding the white box with both hands.

His hands supported underneath hers to stop it. "I know you shaked down Stack for a gun, which was great to hear, but he was rushing to help me make these" He glanced to the rings and she did too.

"We had a lot of gold coming back down to the Delta, and I wanted to use some of it to make 'em. Which I did but we got stopped by crackers on the way who we didn't want to waste our arsenal in the truck on, so some of the gold we gave up" His voice was quieter, as he kept her gaze. "Thought I had enough but got word it was a little short, so Stack offered the chain to melt down" One of his hands left hers to reach into his jacket pocket again and pulled out another box, black this time. He flipped it open with his thumb and displayed matching bracelets. "Used the rest of the chain to make a gift for us"

Annie forgot how to breathe. Her eyes started to sting.

Her breathing kick-started again finally, heavy on her chest.

This is the most he's talked in the span of a few minutes and every word hit her heart and bloomed into a garden within her.

He laid the black box down onto the side table by the couch and supported her hands again, thumb grazing her knuckles.

She bit her bottom lip and looked at the rings again. She was done with the game.

"Can you, uh...." She gulped to stop her voice shaking. She moved her hand and he moved his away. Taking out the ring engraved with her name inside it, she held it to him. "Put it on me?"

His eyes widened and he responded at once, holding her left hand in one, and his other hand slowly sliding the ring over her finger that, years ago, used to don the first set of rings they had worn until it eventually rusted. The gold ring fitted just right, he rotated it slightly to check the fitting and tilted her hand down to get a good look.

"Do you like it?" He asked.

She almost laughed at the sight, emotions building up in her she would burst. Her brows lifted in the middle, her lips parted, breathing unsteady. She brought her lips together and in between her teeth, biting down, small sounds squeaking at the back of her throat. She slowly nodded and the tears overflowed down her face. "Eli-jah...." She sniffed.

He shook his head, eyes full of panic with his hands cupping her face and thumbs wiping her tears as delicately as he could, probably worried about ruining her makeup. Makeup be damned. The tears wouldn't stop, like they were clearing out the emotions she stored for a long time. Love was overflowing too.

"Baby I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry?" He tilted her head up and back. "Maybe they'll stop if you keep your head like this" He chuckled quietly and a laugh bubbled out of her through the tears. "Annie, I...." He leaned closer, looking in her eyes again. He was always just that inch taller than her. "Even if you don't take me back I'll be here every day until the world decides to take me, not gonna leave ever again on my own accord"

She caressed his left hand on her face, removed it from her and held it, turning it to face the back of his hand upwards. "Elijah" She sniffed again and placed the white box down next to the black one, taking out his ring. She watched him glance from her face to his hand as she slid the ring over his ring finger and checked it in a similar manner as he did. "I took you back when I told you to report to my workplace the next morning. I just needed to know what was in your head before I started letting you back in fully" The tears came to a stop and she rubbed the top of his hand. "You fool, what was you gonna do if I didn't take the rings?"

A smile cracked on his face. "Was gonna keep 'em as a memento"

She smacked his chest lightly, smiling from ear to ear. "Well consider this official" The hand on his chest moved down a little, lingering. "You're mine"

She felt his chest rise from the quick breath he took at her words, holding her hand to his chest.

"Say it again" His voice low.

Her fingertips under his hand pushed into his jacket. "You're mi-"

He cut her off by his hands cupping her face again, bringing her lips to his in one fell swoop. His lips captured her own in a short, but tender kiss and she nearly collapsed then and there.

He pulled back slightly, eyes finding her gaze and they shared a breath, communicating silently before he kissed her again and her eyes fluttered closed.

Her hands ran up his chest, around to the back of his neck and held him there. The second kiss more firm, needy, kissing her with mixed hesitance and increasing desperation that she responded with herself. They were re-learning each other.

One hand moved down to hold her where her neck met her shoulder, his other angling her face to kiss her deeper, slower, his lips savouring hers.

Her nails scratched the nape of his neck lightly and he groaned against her lips at the touch. He parted with short breaths, her own breathing laboured and his thumb traced her lower lip, tugging it down. "Not enough" His voice rumbling. "I need more"

His thumb let go of her lip and replaced it with his mouth again, taking in her bottom lip, licked across it and she attempted to keep back the moan that sounded in her throat, lips parting and he took the opportunity to delve into her mouth. When his tongue tasted her own, she moaned into his mouth and her knees buckled. She gripped the collar at the back of his jacket and his hand on her shoulder snaked around her waist, hoisting her up to his body as he continued pulling moans out of her, tasting to his heart's content.

Her grip on his collar tightened as she found her footing and held the side of his face with one hand to take over, explore what she was wanting for years to feel of him again. He let her, one hand navigating down and held her hip, his right running along her forearm. She brought his bottom lip between her teeth and nipped at it, causing a strained moan from him, soothing the pain with a lick and his head tipped back with a heavy exhale. "Not enough for me too" She purred, bringing him back to her lips. "Need more"

She truly couldn't get enough, the ache in her body for him increasing by the second, the longer his mouth tasted her, licked her. His teeth returned the favor of biting her bottom lip and her hips jolted in his hold, his laugh a deep hum. His right hand ghosted over the side of her breast and met his other at the back of her waist, lowering down her towards her ass - until a chime rang from somewhere on his body. Sounds like his pocket watch.

She pulled back as he chased her lips and paused, looking down on him with his brows furrowed, his breathing trying to catch up with him. She was struggling too, the ache in her body swam south to between her legs and began igniting a warmth that missed him too.

"It's uh...." She breathed out, hands running down his arms and one of them hooked onto his watch, bringing it to her and saw it was time to leave for Club Juke. "Cause we have to leave" She managed to say, his hands were still near the top of her ass, pressing into the flesh.

Smoke's whole body stiffened for several seconds and then he stood upright, hands moving slowly up her back, down her arms and held her hands. "Damn fucking juke" His voice close to a snarl at the mere thought of his establishment. He peppered her hands with kisses, like he was trying to ignore his responsibilities and not go which made her giggle.

"I'm coming with you, remember?" She reminded him. "Once I fix my makeup, I must look like a mess"

He stopped the kisses. "You don't"

She raised her brow and tilted back to glance at herself in the small mirror on the wall. Her eye makeup had run down her cheeks and her lipstick was smudged. She shot him a look, her hands remaining hostage in his. "You lied this time"

"I like any look on you Annie, your lips especially cause it was me who did that" He tried to kiss her hands again but she wiggled them out of his hold, kissing her teeth.

"I can't go like this, give me five minutes" She ran off to her bedroom to sit in front of her vanity and fix the disaster. Heart pounding and squeezing her thighs together to subside the ache.

She heard his footsteps approach and he leaned on the door frame, eyes peeking inside the room they used to share with wonder. "You taking the makeup with you?"

"No?" She fixed the running makeup and worked on her lips again.

"You should"

She turned to him, applying the gloss. Realising his lips were stained with her gloss.

"You gon' need it"

<<<<<<>>>>>>

They stepped into the lively juke, loud music and bustling bodies filled the place. As soon as they did though, two men appeared in front of Smoke with worried expressions.

"Smoke you gotta sort this shit out" One of them held his hat in his hands.

"Money ain't adding up and Stack is furious, trying to light someone on fire" The other man held the top of his head.

Annie felt her husband's arm tense, the one encircling the back of her waist. She glanced to him and his eyes were sharp.

The two turned to Annie and nodded their heads. "Miss Annie"

"Mrs Moore" She corrected them, holding her and Smoke's hands up together to display the rings.

The two apologised in unison and nodded their heads again. "Mrs Moore" they corrected themselves.

Smoke sighed, bringing a hand down his face, paused over his mouth temporarily and dropped it. He turned to her and held her face, placing a kiss to her forehead. "I'll find you soon" He grumbled and left her, moving through the crowd with the two men.

He was acting cute. He wouldn't call it that, but this was one of the many sides Annie knew of him.

Annie moved through the crowd herself, finding Mary and Grace talking near the stage. As soon as she got near them, Grace screamed and slapped a hand over her mouth with one hand, and grabbed her left hand with her other. "Annie?! Explain!" She held her left hand up to Mary who also screamed with joy.

Annie just laughed, lost for words as they checked out the ring on her finger and hugged her.

After an hour or so, Annie was behind the bar helping Pearline with serving the drinks when Grace shouted from the kitchen area that they were out of drinks on her end. Annie offered to collect more from the back of the Juke, sifting through the crowd.

Grace had shouted again to suggest that Bo could leave the gambling room to get it but Annie shouted back saying 'Nobody has time for that!' She waved away Grace and saw her turn away - when a hand grabbed Annie's forearm and pulled hard and fast in another direction.

She whipped her head to the offending hand as her body dragged with it into a cupboard and was caught into a knowing embrace.

"You got a little time for me?" Elijah shut the door, holding the side of her face to meet his gaze, lowering to hold her hips with both hands.

She was already huffing from the rush of him bringing her in there, smile on her lips and her hands held his face "Yes"

She was on him in a second, desperation filled to the brim her teeth nicked his. But it was all the same for him too, his hands gripping her hard, wandering her body as they kissed feverently in the cupboard with the loud music of the juke thumping at the door.

She mumbled at his lips to check the lock and he hummed, she heard a click and his hands groped her ass. It was happening fast, their lost time present with the way their kissing turned messy, breaths hot on their skin.

Her hands resting on his chest, she leaned into him when his kisses trailed across her jaw and down her neck, pressing her chest into him and his hand flatened on her upper back to help her. His back hit the wall behind and his lips left her neck with a pop. "Fuck, Annie..." His eyes raked over her, down into her neckline and struggled to rise back up.

She took charge properly, compared to the last time and kissed up his neck, hands aiding her conquest and his own began bunching up the back of her dress. Her legs feeling weak in the anticipation but she needed to taste more of him. She reached his ear and one of her hands grabbed hold of the hardening buldge in his slacks. He moaned when her thumb ran over the print of his dick and smoothed up his chest to his throat, holding him there with light pressure. He reacted the same way as he did the past. Excitement shocking through her body, she spoke creole into his ear, just above a whisper "Your body didn't forget me"

His breath hitched, gap between his lips and eyes closed. Got him. She licked the outer shell of his ear and teased the edge with her teeth which garnered another groan from him.

And much more.

His hand raced up her forearm and grabbed around the wrist attached to her hand on his throat, turning his head and captured her lips in a searing kiss. Her hand let go from the intensity, heat pooling to her core from his body manourvering her backwards and her back hit the wall this time.

"Gotta check if yours remembers me" He mumbled into her skin just below her ear, sucking at her pulse point next and her hands grasped over his shoulders, chest rising and falling fast and her pants started to get louder. He dipped his head down, both hands groping the sides of her breasts over her dress and pushed them together, as his tongue licked a long stripe up the middle and finished with an open mouth kiss, his groan vibrating through her.

"How-" She panted, nails scratching over his clothes and fumbled with the buttons weakly when his hands began bunching up her dress again at her front. "How long you been wanting to do that?"

He sucked on the soft skin above her breasts, hard enough to leave a mark but soothing it with his tongue. "Since seven years ago" His voice muffled from his mission to mark her. He gathered her silk dress into his left hand, his right gliding up her thigh, fingertips pressing in to feel her without a barrier and his lips moving back onto hers. "Got a lot more I've been desperate to do to you" He confessed to her lips and his hand on her thigh tugged down her underwear. "Will you let me?" His eyes pleaded.

"Of course" She answered, breathless, opening her legs to give him access and his hand massaged over her core with added pressure and cupped her, palm pressing over her clit and she struggled to breath, a moan escaping her, lips grazing his ear. Every touch of his was setting her on fire. "E-Elijah..." She called for him and he answered, sliding a finger past her folds and felt him smile at the side of her neck.

"Need to get you soaking baby" His breathing faster, voice rough. "Need your body to remember it all" His finger teased slowly, up and down her folds, gathering her wetness, touching barely anywhere yet and she was about to scream for him to stop teasing when a knock was heard at the door.

"Smoke? You in there?" Stack's voice sounded from the other side of the door and both of the two lovebirds froze in place.

"Got someone here you need to meet" He sounded extra polite, unusual, comparing to his normal sly self.

Annie heard Smoke cuss multiple times under his breath, forehead resting on her shoulder, finger still past her folds. She resisted the urge to squeeze her thighs, trapping his hand there as they both needed to get themselves together and deal with whatever Stack was talking about. "Maybe its important" She held the back of his head.

"Motherfucker won't let me breathe" He lifted his head, listening to what his brother was saying.

"Ain't got all night Smoke, the man here is very kind, taking time out his night to visit us" Stack's ever so sweet voice agitating Smoke further.

"Lets pretend we getting stock, so whoever it is won't get the wrong impression" She rubbed the back of his neck.

"I handle this quick and be right back to you" He slipped his hand out her underwear, lifting it back in position and dropped her dress. Watched her swallow a gasp as he did and started quickly grabbing random things off the shelf next to them, handing her a couple of things. He did a once over on them and opened the cupboard door.

"Hey brother!" Stack brought Smoke in for a hug and his eyes widened seeing Annie behind him. He stood back and held Smoke by his shoulder. "This man right here knows a lot about the lumber industry, offered to help us get in with the big wigs" Stack had his arm out to the man who held out his right hand, offering a handshake to Smoke. Annie peered to the side to see more of what was happening and saw Smoke put out his left hand for the handshake, and after a second, the other man switched hands and shook hands with Smoke.

Stack glanced to Annie, and then down to the two shaking hands and a smirk spread across his face.

"My brother's normally a right handed man" Stack informed the other man and Smoke shoved the things he was carrying into Stack's chest and starting walking with the other man, sliding his right hand into his pants pocket.

<<<<<<>>>>>>

Smoke didn't finish shit.

The lumber advisor talked off his ear for the rest of the night. The advice he was giving was highly beneficial to the twins plan, giving options on gaining a foothold in this industry to sustain the night life of the juke.

But Smoke didn't want to care. Scribbling in the ledger of figures the advisor gave as estimates and noting down contacts to pursue.

Annie's etheral expressions at the front of his mind, keeping his dick so hard in his pants he had to shove it under the waistband of his slacks and belt to hide it at one point in the night. It settled but he was in danger again, thumb pushing the top of the pencil in his hand when his lips were recalling how soft her skin was, begging to kiss her all over. They moved too fast. While he enjoyed every second, he wanted to explore every inch of her again, take his time.

"You alright?" The advisor asked when the pencil snapped in two.

Hell fucking no.

Smoke stood abruptly, checking his watch. Just about closing time.

"We can discuss the rest tomorrow" He flipped the ledger closed.

"Uh- yeah sure, I ain't free tomorrow but I can do-"

"Fine with me" Smoke interrupted, waving the man to follow him out the room. He looked surprised but didn't question it, hurrying out after him and Smoke locked the door. 

He searched for his wife on the main floor, hands moving people out of his way who were heading for the exit as the juke cleared, he did so as smoothly as he could but his heart was beating at his chest, his spatial awareness lessening. He bumped into Stack and he shook his hand on instinct, patting his brother's back but his eyes were distracted. Where the hell is she?

"I'm taking the truck with Mary back to ours, guessing that's cool with you?" His laugh loud. "Annie's waiting for you at the car, me and Cornbread'll lock up"

Smoke's head snapped over his shoulder and saw her leaning against their car, holding a box of candy, lost in thought. So damn pretty.

He gave a curt nod to him, gripped his shoulder and then rushed to her, grabbing his jacket off the coat rack on the way.

She lifted her head and watched him move towards her, smile on her face when he draped the coat over her shoulders and planted a kiss on her forehead. "We gotta get home baby" He rushed out, his hands on his hips checking their surroundings and his chest fighting to breath at his thoughts screaming at him to take her then and there. Her giggle music to his ears when he got her into the car and hopped over the driver side door into the seat. His right hand securing a hold on her thigh over her dress and her thighs trapped it in between. He never prayed often, but he begged God to get them home safely, and quickly.

He knew she was quiet on the journey back due to her own needs, controlling herself to not distract him from the road but her hands massaged the hand on her, checking his newer scars and she hummed.

He needed to be in her.

They mentioned mundane things about the juke, she took longer to answer as they got closer to home and his grip tightened when they pulled up alongside the house, under the large trees that obscured the car from prying eyes.

Smoke wasn't sure they'll make it to the bedroom.

...

...

They didn't make it into the house.

<<<<<<>>>>>>

Annie's hands fidgeted with the candy box, nails digging into the wood to wait patiently as he parked.

Elijah set the handbrake and looked to her, reaching over to grab the box for her but she dropped it, forget the box, said box clattering to her feet and her hands grabbed his face and kissed him over and over, his hand holding the side of her face and she tasted him again, tongue delving deep and a high pitched noise from her mixed in with a deep rumble from him.

"Annie, we-" He pulled back to say something but she refused to listen, hands pulling his body closer over the gears and wrapped her arms over his shoulders, lost in him. He tried again, more successful this time with a puff of air as a chuckle and looked around them. "Woman we ain't even in the house"

"I don't care, protection all around the yard" She fumbled with the button on his collar, got to feel more, their kisses messier between the talking.

He hummed at that, hands petting her curves down her body and he broke the kiss. She kissed down his neck, sucking where she desired and a mix between a laugh and groan sounded from him. "Don't gotta tell me twice" He mumbled, leaning forward until his head was over her shoulder and his hands hooked under her ass and one of her thighs. "Got nothing to worry about then" he said before she yelped at him lifting her up to him, the strength she forgot he had, and brought her over to his side. Her feet catching over the gear temporarily and her hands clutching the back of his head and shoulders.

He settled her down on top of him, her legs straddling his thighs, and her hands on his chest, dress bunched up just under her behind.

"Better like this" He breathed out, hands kneading up the sides of her thighs and around her ass. "My dreams never did you justice" His eyes drank her in, lips parted, just, watching.

Her core ached, sliding closer to him a little and her hands undid his waistcost, which he shrugged out of, returning his hands to her waist. "Mine either" She whispered, undoing the first three buttons of his shirt and touching his skin being exposed as she went.

He adjusted underneath her, bringing her hips closer and grunted. "Just rip it open"

She slipped her fingers in the gaps of the shirt and tugged apart, giggling when it didn't give and his head tilted back, groaning in frustration. He met her gaze again with resolve, his hands holding over her own and pulled them apart with a stonger force and the buttons popped off, shirt opening and Annie was 99% sure a button flew into her low neckline and disappeared. She laughed whole heartedly at the spectacle, hands around the base of his neck trying to control herself when his grip on her hips roughly closed the gap from his, grinding her core over his hard buldge and her laugh turned into a gasp.

"Ha-ah...." She sighed into the sensation, the friction deliciously sending shock waves over her and the dampness of her underwear probably starting to seep into his slacks.

"Fuck..." He groaned again with another pass of her hips over his and his mouth latched onto her neck, nipping the skin.

She pushed him back gently to the seat again, telling him to wait, which he did, and her hands felt his chest, moving the shirt off him and her fingers lingered over a healed bullet wound on his left shoulder that she hadn't had the opportunity to add to her mapped memory of him. "When'd you get this?" She asked.

"Last year" He said, searching under her dress and pushing it higher up her body. "Stupid shit" He reached her stomach, skin to skin he caressed her there when she dipped her head to place a kiss over the bullet wound.

"Ain't stupid" She muttered, kissing his lips too. "So reckless, Elijah" Trailing her hands down his chest, nails scratching lightly and he hummed lowly in the kiss.

When one of his hands left her stomach and rolled her left breast into his palm, squeezing the weight of it, thumb pressing over her nipple until it hardened, she broke the kiss to tip her head back.

"Like that?" His teeth tugged at it through her dress and she slapped a hand on his chest.

"Y-yes, don't tease" She shifted in his hold, trying to quell the throbbing in her core and ended up pushing away from him.

"Where you going?" The inflection in his voice soft, he wasn't really asking. Chased her anyways, moving the strap of her dress off her shoulder, freeing her bare breast to the night air and licked her nipple. She started to whine, his mouth a heady thing, driving her crazy. "I know now why I didn't get any of those candies" The hand lower on her body pulled at the hem of her underwear. "Got mine right here"

"Rip i-it" She asked him in a rushed breath, and the hungry look in his eyes, one brow twitching, maybe checking if he misheard her, she said it again. "Tear it Elijah"

The tearing sound of her underwear and the roughness at which he did, made her gasp again. He yanked down the piece still attached around one of her thighs, brought it to her knee and raced back up the inside of her thigh, slipping two thick fingers past her folds, massaging and pinching her clit with just the right amount of pressure that he seemed to remember the way she liked and she began to pant.

"How much they cost?"

Asking a dumb question.

She couldn't place the figure in her mind, he asked it so calmly she thought she had to get the right answer but his fingers worked their magic, sliding deeper within her pussy and his thumb joined in on keeping the pressure around her clit. "I- Mhm-!" She bit back a moan when his two fingers teased her entrance, barely entering her. "M-more costly tha-n others"

"I'll buy you more" His hand higher up freed her other breast, giving the same treatment he had given the first, hot mouth licking the peak. "I'll buy you everything" He mumbled, mouth full of her.

"Stop teasing, please" She jerked her hips forward to bring his fingers deeper, to no avail. "Elijah just-" She started to beg but his fingers pushed inside and she moaned loudly, ignoring the thought of if anyone could hear her.

"Missed hearing you say my name like this" His mouth left her breast and focused on sliding his fingers in and out of her at a steady pace, every push making her thighs shake, attempting to close them but blocked by his body. Her hips chased it, a hand of hers finding her breast and pinched the nipple, eyes locking onto his, and his pupil blown eyes watching her, sent her over the edge.

Her orgasm washed over her, soaking his hand that didn't stop its movements, taking her through her high as she came down from it.

It wasn't enough, Annie believed she wouldn't be satiated for a long time.

He planted soft kisses on her skin as she regained control of herself. The heat still so hot between her legs when he slipped his hand out, checking his soaked hand with a smirk.

"I need you" She called to him, his head rising up to look at her and she reached for his belt, seizing his lips with hers. They locked eyes as she unbuckled his belt, unzipping his slacks and palmed his dick through his boxers that sprung free. "I need all of you" she confessed to him.

His breath caught, chest puffed out and his eyes rolled back when her hand held him without the fabric in the way. "Annie..." He hissed.

"You always had me Annie" He breathed heavy, his hands pulling her to him by under her thighs, nails in her skin. He watched her pump him, her thumb rubbing across the tip with the pressure she remembered he liked and his body had a tremble. "All of me" He whispered, biting hard on his bottom lip with a deep grunt when she gathered her slick and coated his dick with it.

He lifted her to lean on her knees and she lined herself with him, pausing to look at him and sank down. It was almost silent, both of them panting, sharing breaths as she shifted her hips to accomodate his dick filling her up. He massaged her hips and lower back, keeping her right up to him. His dick made for her.

She nodded fast and he moved her higher up him before sinking himself back inside her.

He started a steady, slow pace, their moans melding together, his dick hitting the right spot inside her. Her nails scratched over his shoulders at every movement, making sure he never leaves.

"D-on't le-ave" She whispered, thrusts choking her words.

He shuffled in the seat, angling himself to meet her half way, one arm securing around her and the other supporting over the top of the car door.

"Never Again" His thrusts picking up speed and she worried she'd lose her voice from how high pitched she was moaning.

Her head tipping back, gasping for breath.

"My wife" He grunted, and she gazed down upon him. He gazed upon her with half lidded eyes and lips parted. "So fucking pretty"

Oh, lord.

"Tryna kill me" She barely managed to say when he shifted again, releasing the car door to switch with his other arm supporting her, free hand finding her clit and circled it in time with the thrusts and she screamed. "Elijah!"

Her second orgasm electrified her body, definitely soaking his lower abdomen and part of the seat. Her thighs shook, her right hand searching for his left one and found it holding her thigh, intertwining her fingers with his and they continued rocking against each other through her orgasm until he squeezed her hand tight and reached his own climax, groaning into the crook of her neck.

She held him tight to her, arms wrapped around his shoulders and stroking the back of his head, steadying her breathing. He did the same, arms wrapped around her waist, his chest heaving against hers and breathing warm on her neck. He kissed her gently on her skin once his breathing steadied and moved back to look at her in the eyes, a smile growing on him, teeth on display.

She glanced down and checked between them, seeing how damp it became all over them, and the seat. "Gonna have to clean that" She laughed quietly.

"Gon' have to clean the whole house once we're done" He sneaked a kiss to her lips.

~~~~~~~~

Man i finally broke out my laptop for this, was uploading it on my mobile and it was STRESS. HOPE THIS WAS GOOD. I like soft smut, smut with a whole lot of feelings 👀💗ALSO I THINK IM WRITING A CHAPTER 6 i got the idea when i was writing this and idk how i made it 6 chapters again, i ended up the same thing like my fic 'More than a day' 😂but ANYWAYS HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAYYYYY, hope this made you laugh if anything! Smoke making Annie laugh out her clothes. Only way it should be.

Tagging (by request): @margepimpson @brownskincheyenne @lizbehave @bigjh @hdfen2474 @theegyal @katezy2x @shamansha @lsc72 @prettygirl2800 @freelandgoddess @itstayleigh @thefutereemmywinner @jasssdee1 @puffmamaa @try-again-bissh @sunshinerepublic @koveragewithkiera

I was listening to Hold On by The Internet a whole lot and @koveragewithkiera recommended Let Me In by Tanerélle which helps tonsss

[geeky-nightphilosopher]

Things I wholeheartedly believe about the Wayne Kids and why I believe them:

1. The Wayne kids at gala's naturally migrate to Lois and Clark first, even before Gotham reporters. No, it's not because Clark is/was the first person outside of the family that Bruce truly trusts - it's because even though Lois and Clark does everything to get to the bottom of the story, the truth to the story, they are nice and not looking for money or gossip. And the kids can be themselves.

2. (I made this before, but I want to repeat it.) Handwriting. Each kid knows how to forge every single person they knows handwriting. (All of them.) It's their superpower. It makes Bruce crazy and it's easy to prank people... and helpful sometimes.

3. Despite their turbulent relationship with Bruce, they are loyal to Bruce and Alfred. And each other. Not only is it because they are family, but because when it comes down to it, Bruce and Alfred have always been on their side.

4. Jason owns several bookstores. Some book stores are like libraries where they can check books out, some you have to spend actual money at to read them. It doends on what side of town you live in. It's too help youth get back into reading.

5. Tim, Jason, and Damian play D&D together. I don't actually have a reason for this, but I believe it. Sometimes, they rope Jon, Kon, Roy, Wally, and several others to play. Not Dick though. Dick- somehow - always cheats.

6. Dick and Duke's favorite chickflick movies are; She's The Man and the Devil Wears Parada. Steph's favorite is Legally Blonde 1&2. Cass likes Miss Congeniality. Jason's and Tim's favorite is any Hallmark Movie. And Damian thinks they're all insufferable.

7. Damian goes to the park to feed ducks and secretly has a duck army. He also feeds stray cats.

8. Selena loves all the kids. But Dick will always be her favorite because he helped soften Bruce and help give him some humanity and light back.

9. Duke once stopped a school shooter. As Duke, not Signal. I don't have a reason for this. He just did. I feel it in my blood.

10. Jason and Cass sometimes keep an eye on Gotham Academy, where Duke and Damian are. They'll watch from roof tops. Jason will say it's because he's looking for drug dealers, but secretly, ever since the school shooter scared, he's been worried about his brothers. Cass does it because she saw one of the teachers at a Gala once, and the teacher made her feel uncomfortable.

11. (Another post I made, but still.) The only people allowed to make fun of Dick and Damian's accents are those those who are in the family and are close friends of the family. Anyone outside that group gets pummeled or worse. One time, a minor Leaguer made a joke about Nightwing's accent, and it took Batman and Superman to get Jason off the them.

12. Anytime an article comes out ranking the Wayne boys' hottest list- Steph always doodles on their picture and Snaps them with things like; "Ew, since when did you have a stache?," or "Lol, you look like Clark."

13. Cass will join one of her brother's teams occasionally. And when she does, the only ones that interact with her outside her brother's are the ones closest to them. Tim's team of Young Justice hides when she comes.

14. Steph, Duke, Damian, and Jason are the athletes in the family. Cass, Dick, and Tim don't care much, but will play despite being athletic themselves.

15. Bruce has a swimming pool and hot tub. Can he ever use it? No.

16. Selena and Talia have fought against each other. Somehow, they are evenly matched.

17. Diana, Harley, Lois, Dinah, Ivy, and Selena will have girl days. Sometimes, they'll allow Steph, Barbra, and Cass with them. The boys are jealous.

18. As an April Fools joke, one year, Wally and Barbra convinced Dick they were dating. It put him in shock for three days.

19. Jason won't admit it, but Tim and Dick are evenly matched on favorite brothers. Duke's favorite is Jason, Damian's favorite is Dick. Dick loves them all equally and Tim's favorite is Duke.

20. Alfred has multiple scrapbooks for each of his grandkids and son.

[prism-forgone]

gahhh i theorized about this years ago - about them purposefully stripping their room of anything identifiable just so that they can keep some part of them theirs. they strike me as, in general a pretty closed-off, private person. with how others talk about them, especially noelle; she doesn't even know if they like her, even though it's incredibly clear from how they act that they harbor a lot of care for her

i think another clue to kris purposefully keeping away parts of them away from us could be the fact we have no access to their knife, even though it's clear they have it on them at all times (thank you chapter 4 for confirming this for me). it's not in the weapon slot or singled out in their items. and, speaking of, the 'ball of junk' is also a very 'none of your business' teen way to describe stuff you've got in pockets to a being that can just peer into them

i think they were already pretty shy and kept to themself more often than not, and having an interdimensional being watching and directing your every move and making you act unlike you to everyone you know must be not only scary from an existential angle but also just plain mortifying

I wonder if Kris purposefully "emptied" their room, just so that the SOUL wouldn't find out about the things they care about. Just to prevent us being too aware of their life, of their likes, so they couldn't be used against them.

Like. We didn't even know that Kris liked playing piano and was GOOD at it, until we asked around town and confirmed it in their room in cyberworld. Because when we DID find out we started forcing them to play the piano, and they kept refusing. We knew about pianos, so Kris started thinking about them, in Ch4 we had a CHOICE to make Kris say "I'll never play piano again" and, depending on the route, they try to stop us from saying it.

It's so dangerous to let a being like us know about Kris themself - we'll weaponize it against them immediately - oh, Kris likes someone? We'll talk to them immediately. Oh, Noelle and Kris were close once? Well...

Being known is being vulnerable. And by learning more about Kris we learn more about the ways we can make them miserable - intentionally or not.

And this is something that Kris and Carol share - Carol keeps everything important at her home, where nothing can harm it, can harm HER. She controls everything, just so she can't be made vulnerable and suffer because of it. But Kris? Kris doesn't have a luxury of privacy. The demon is inside of them, so they have to build a facade of emptiness, just so they can function long enough for The Plan (tm) to work.

[stolenbuckets]

    ⋆⭒˚.⋆ PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA !  

   ❪ AKA12 ❫   ──   FANFIC.

track   ✷   on a cruise vacation, kimi antonelli crosses paths with the same girl over and over again during lunch or dinner time ─ a girl who always has two slices of pineapple pizza on her plate. only on the 4th day of the 2 weeks vacation, he decides to approach her about her horrible pizza taste.

tags   ✷   strong language. fluff, social media & imessages. strangers to friends to ?. cruise vacation buddies. kimi is a little pathetic & stupid, but that's ok 'cause he's in love. don't witch hunt me for messing up the ships layout. i don't travel msc. i am not planning on doing. i refuse to care about them.

disclaimers   ✷   au. f1!kimi on vacation x reader (she/her pronouns used / no mention of yn). sets in summer of 2025. cruise ship: msc world america. writer is not fluent in english.

august note   ✷   as cruise vacation maker (who's also on cruise again ahh!!) i wanted to write a oneshot like that for months now 😭 so here it is. also, it's kinda rushed towards the end cause i dunno what the word limit on tumblr is 😔. yes i know i promised this one already in april, but i had always planned to post it around my own cruise vacation to like get in the vibe for it 🥲 here it is now !! not proof read at all !! i was in a rush so sorry !!

❪   MASTERLIST   ╱   INFO POST   ❫

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     KIMI ANTONELLI had begun to count all the times he came across a specific, eye catching Girl around his Age while on Cruise Vacation ─ and it had only been 4 Days since he and his Family stepped onto the Ocean Giant, cruising and exploring the Waters and Culture of North America.

He had fun ─ sure, it has been 4 Days so far yet, and ever since the sail away in the Port of Miami, not much had occurred so far apart from a relaxing Day 2 on Sea, the first Destination, Puerto Plata, where he and his Family left the swimming Hotel to explore the City, grouped with a few other Guests, and now the 4th Day in San Juan.

The F1 Driver decided against joining his Parents and younger Sister to explore the Destination ─ he wanted to use the Hours he had alone on the Ship with exploring Corners and Edges he hadn't been able to see yet; he had seen a lot of the Ship's Layout on the Lines' Website, yet couldn't fully believe the SportsPlex would feature Bumper Cars, or that the Ship had it's own Ice Cream Bar on lower Decks. He already saw the Cliffhanger Swing, or the Waterpark on the Sun Deck ─ and to say he wasn't fully blown away would be a lie; even if he hasn't explored it fully yet, having only watched over his younger Sister having fun in the Park Resort during Sea Day.

Kimi's first Stop was at the Ship's own Theater Place ─ even though he wasn't able to get inside due the strict Schedules, he could take a peek inside and spot a large Room which looked rich and attractive, perfectly fitting into the Vibe of the Cruise Ship.

After that, the young F1 Prodigy found himself walking through the lower Decks, through some of the Buffet Restaurants which were still closed until Lunch time ─ empty, the Ship felt almost frighting; if it wasn't for the rich and attractive Interior of it. He only knew the Buffet Restaurants when they were filled up and busy from Entrance to the last Table ─ when every Guest squeeze through Crowds to get their Breakfast; the early Hours were the only time his Family would visit the Buffet Restaurants, Dinner being eaten in À la carte Restaurants, and Lunch mostly pulled the Antonelli Family to Grab and Go Miles on the Top Decks. He was the only one who'd pay a Visit in the Buffet afterwards due the amount, or less of, Meal you'd get in the specialized Restaurants on board.

By the end of his Explorations, Kimi ended on the Sun Deck, strolling around like a lost Puppy ─ apart from a few Lounges and Restaurants, he had seen most of the Ship by now; and also met a few People who recognized him as F1 Prodigy, Mercedes Driver Kimi Antonelli, and therefore asked for Pictures or his Autograph.

He walked along the Railing, Head turned to the Side as his Eyes scanned the solid Ground from the Ocean Giant ─ a couple of Groups occasionally walking off the Ship, or back onto it, the piercing Noises of the City and Port echoing through his Ears. As he lazily carried himself, he wondered when his Parents and Sister would be back ─ he knew they'd sail off by 11 PM and currently it wasn't a Minute later than 12:30 PM, yet he couldn't help but wonder if he had to grab Lunch alone today.

The F1 Driver was too deep in Thoughts about his stupid concerns, not noticing that despite half the Guests being on solid Ground to explore and adventure, there were still a bunch of People left on the Ship ─ he noticed when he felt someone's Shoulder bumping against his own, followed by a sounded Noise hitting the Ground underneath.

His Head snapped straight forward, Eyes widened as he looked at the Person he just bumped into ─ he felt his Heart starting to pace, a little scared he'd might get one for the History Book by the Person for being so carelessly. However, his concerns were vanished and replaced by surprise when he met the Appearance of the Person in front of him ─ she looked similar, too similar even; he could swear to have seen her among over six thousand Guests.

He shook his Head, Eyes going down before he mirrored the Action with his Body, kneeling to grab the Cup of Ice Cream the Girl had dropped after bumping against him, "I'm sorry! I should've looked where I'm going!" he quickly apologized, picking the Cup up, even when it left one of the three Ice Cream Scoops on the Ground ─ his Posture straightened again, sheepishly looking at the Girl as he held the Cup of Ice Cream out to her. "Sorry. . . the Ice Cream looked good." he repeated another Apology.

Surprisingly, the Girl just shrugged her Shoulders with a pleasant Expression ─ she didn't seem mad or frustrated, though neither she carried a happy and joyful look, "Don't worry ─ it was for free, anyway." she replied to his Apology, a light Accent coming through her Voice ─ Kimi noticed it, however couldn't really tell where she could possibly be from. "Do you have Tissues, though? I wouldn't wanna give the Staff any more work." she added, her Eyes downed at the Scoop of Ice Cream which slowly melted away.

The Italian understood the Message, pulling out a Package of Tissues from his Shorts, "Oh yeah, I do." he nodded as he pulled one white Tissue out, kneeling back down to clean up the mess on the Ground ─ she was right; the Staff really didn't need more work to do than they already have with over six thousand People on Vacation who are probably much more carelessly than Kimi was.

He used a couple of Tissues to wipe off as much Ice Cream as possible before he straightened up again, squeezing the dirty Tissues with a small Smile on his Lips, "Sorry again ─ usually im not that carelessly. . . I think." he meant, not meaning to be unintentionally funny ─ yet, the Girl's Lips left a chuckle as her Hand made a waving Gesture, proving no bad blood between the Strangers for a Incident like that.

"It's forgiven and forgotten." she gave back, giving him her best Smile. "Just, watch out ─ next time you might fall off the Ship!" she continued, humored as she made her way past the brunet curly Head, leaving this one standing laughing at the Image of this happening.

"Yeah, I guess that wouldn't be nice!" he called after her, amused, his Words being answered by her laughing and her Hand lifting to give him a short Wave.

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     AT 2PM, Kimi found himself all alone walking through the Ship towards the Entrance of one of the Buffet Restaurants ─ his Father had informed him they'd be eating Lunch on Ground together with a few other Guests from Italy and their Kids they befriended while exploring San Juan. He had switched his Clothes off to something more attire (a black Tee Shirt without print) before he went down a few Decks to check out a Restaurant which he hoped wouldn't be all too run by the maybe one to two thousand Guests still on board.

Among a Group of British Guests who were blocking the way to the Restaurant while making Pictures of the Ships Interior, the Italian squeezed himself through, popping out at the Sanitizer in front of the Restaurant ─ he peeked inside, noticing not many People walking around with Plates, or already sitting on Tables with Food and something to drink. So after, sanitizing his Hands to prevent any kind of Virus to storm the Ship in the next few Days, he went inside, walking past the Buffets ─ the cold and warm, the Meat and Veggies, Dessert and Fruits.

Half the Restaurant was empty which resulted in Kimi following the Tactic of first getting his Food and then searching for a Place to eat ─ he spotted a couple of Things he'd like to try, some of them being almost already completely out of stock; which is exactly why he grabbed a Plate before a Table.

Once he got everything he wanted to try out, he squeezed himself once again through everyone else ─ compared to most Guests, Kimi seemed pretty short, only standing a few Centimeters above 170 tall while he could swear most others here were above 180.

Once squeezed through, he stood in front of the Entrance to the Tables ─ his Eyes flew around, spotting a tons of Tables for more than two People; which was unfortunate because a small Table which just fitted two People across each other was what he needed. He had great Manners, knowing that taking a Table with more Seats would probably rob a Family of four later on a Opportunity to eat Lunch ─ (he was surprised by himself for how far ahead he thought).

His Eyes scanned the Area for a few Moments before he noticed an empty two chaired Table by the End of the Space, right next to the Windows with a great View onto the Port ─ he let his Eyes wander around for a bit longer before he started to walk towards that specific Table.

A few Steps later, he stopped in his Tracks after his Eyes caught a too familiar look ─ eventually, they narrowed slightly, focusing on a specific Person on a Table with a specific Taste of Pizza on her neat white Plate in front of her.

He recognized the Girl ─ not only as the, what he decided to call her due not knowing her actual Name, the Pineapple Girl, but also as the Girl he had bumped into a Hour or so ago; (and dumped her Ice Cream to the Ground). He stood there for a few Moments, memorizing her Features, watching as she bite into the Slice of Pineapple Pizza ─ what may formed a small Grimace on his Face for a few Seconds before he shook himself and followed his impulsive and idiotic Thoughts.

"Hey! Is that Seat free?" his overenthusiastic Voice questioned as he took a Step next to her two chaired Table ─ he didn't know what gotten into him to just walk up to a Stranger and ask her that; now she will think he's a creep who stalks her, he was sure of that.

And to seem as peaceful as possible, the Italian formed a crooked Smile on his Lips, probably looking even crazier right now ─ but well, the Damage was done now so he couldn't rewind it even if he wanted.

The Girl looked up once her Ears had been graced with a familiar sound ─ and as she recognized the brunet curly Head Boy, a genuine Smile had already started to spread on her Lips. A nod of her Head followed, "Oh yeah! Take a Seat, no Problem!" she responded, pointing with her Hand towards the left free Seat at the Table for two, inviting him to join her for Lunch. "My Family's not here anyway ─ exploring the Town." she added as her Eyes watched the Boy, and how he carefully pulled the Chair out, placing his Plate of Lunch down while make it himself comfortable in the wooden Chair.

"Oh yeah? So are mine, to be honest." Kimi told her as he slide a little closer to the Edge of the Table. His Eyes went over to her Plate again, eyeing the Pineapple Pizza with a look of hidden disgust ─ he didn't want to outburst about it in the middle of an Restaurant; but deep down he already cursed and cried in Italian. "So . . . you like Pineapple Pizza?" he decided to start bringing it slowly up ─ he thought of Pineapple Pizza as Disgrace to actual Pizza; all those different Flavors, Pepperoni, just Cheese, Fungi and so many more.

And she chose Pineapple.

The Girl opposite of him nodded, the Smile remaining on her Lips, "Oh definitely!" she confirmed his ugliest Fears ─ a small unnoticeable Shiver even going through Kimi's System at her joyful Tone. "I mean, I also like a typical Pepperoni Pizza, or Tuna ─ but Pineapple is my Go To!" she added, making Things a little bit harder for the Italian ─ he didn't exaggerated, or well he actually did, but it just shot a Arrow through his Heart hearing someone as beautiful as her, praise something as disgusting as a Pineapple Pizza. It was a shame.

"Oh, that's . . . that's . . . yeah." he meant to start, but failed with his stutters ─ he wanted to lie so badly, but assumed that his Italian Accent would be a dead giveaway to his truest Opinion about Pineapple on Pizza. He sighed. "I'm so sorry, but why? Why Pineapple?" he just needed to know ─ he wanted to understand why someone would voluntarily eat this.

Instead of being offended, just what Kimi expected her Reaction to be, the Girl started to laugh ─ and wow, her laugh blew the Italian away; the full and brightness of her Smile in addition with the sound that echoed through his Ears. It was to die for ─ or at least to try more often to make her laugh, "I was expecting you to ask that!" she told him, her full laughters dying slowly down again. "And to answer it shortly: I just really love the Taste of Pineapple on Pizza."

"No! Please no!" Kimi exclaimed as quietly as possible, trying to sound soul deep offended by her Statement ─ when in Reality, he couldn't help the Smile that formed on his Lips. His Mind was occupied with the Fact of how easy it was to talk to her ─ she was basically still a Stranger, yet he sat here and joked and laughed around with her. "You don't understand how much that hurt my Italian Heart!" he added, holding his Hand over his Chest in simulated pain.

She started to laugh again, trying to hide the Plate of Pineapple Pizza with her Hands, "I'm so sorry for paining your poor Italian Heart!" she played along, watching as the curly Head leaned back in his Chair, joining in on her laughters. "How about I make it good to you? We could grab Ice Cream tomorrow!" she suggested to him, her Head titling to her Shoulder as she waited for his response.

Kimi needed a Moment ─ it caught him off guard how quickly this silly idiotic Conversation turned into her genuinely suggesting a kind Gesture; grabbing Ice Cream together? Well, not that he didn't mind ─ now that he actually wasted a Thought about it, he would've asked her out as Payback eventually, too; just that he actually had a Reason to do so, the Thought of her poor Ice Cream wasted like that by a Bump of his Shoulder lingering still in his Head.

But finally, his Head gave a confirming nod to her, "I mean, why not? But under a Provision ─ I'm paying for our Ice Cream." he offered, or well, he had actually already decided ─ it was just fair in his Eyes; even though she told him the Ice Cream from pervious was for free, he still insisted on paying for her.

"But I suggested it─"

"Doesn't matter ─ it's a Payback for earlier!" he had immediately cut her off, giving her a genuine Smile. "I still feel bad about bumping your Ice Cream to the Ground ─ even if it's less guilt now because you're a Pineapple Pizza Lover." he continued, snickering as he aw her very visible Eye Roller after the small Joke he added.

"Fine." she agreed, nodding her Head at him. "But I hope you know how expensive a single Scoop of Ice Cream is already." she continued, watching Kimi's Face turning from a smiley and happy one into a confused frown.

"No, I actually don't . . ." he admitted, looking down to his Plate, conflicted whether he should ask or not ─ right now, he was doing just fine imagining the Ice Cream to be not over $2. "And I'm too scared to ask now."

She smiled, amused, "You'll see."

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     "FIVE DOLLARS for a single Scoop of Ice Cream?!" Kimi let a pained Exclaim out as the Display showed the Prices of his and her's Ice Cream Cone ─ his deep brown Eyes almost popped out when he saw the final sum; $20.75 for four Scoops of Ice Cream without whipped Cream, Sprinkles or any other fancy Charms.

"Told you." she bumped his Shoulder slightly, amused by how slowly and pained he put his Board Card onto the Scanner to pay for their Dessert. Kimi felt like being robbed of his entire Wealth, looking down at his own Ice Cream Cone with a bittersweet Taste ─ it looked no different to Ice Cream on solid Ground; so why the hell do they charge five Dollars for a single Scoop on here?!

"Why is it so expensive?" he eventually asked as they walked their way out of the Ice Cream Bar, bringing the Ice Cream up to his Mouth. "I mean . . . it does taste good, but five Dollars? That's a lot." he added, melting the Vanilla Ice Cream with the Tip of his Tongue.

"We're on a Cruise Ship, Kimi." she responded, suckling on her own Ice Cream. "Everything is, at least, two Dollars more expensive than on solid Ground ─ I dunno why, but my Parents said it's normal on Cruise Ships due some Ocean Law." she continued, shrugging her Shoulders as Kimi raised both his Eyebrows.

"Ocean Law? So Poseidon decided to make Ice Cream so expensive?" he joked, trying to get her to laugh again ─ something about her laughing whenever he said or did something funny made his Heart flutter. And he managed ─ she started to laugh, loud enough to pull the Attention from a few others around them.

"You know what? I think that sounds just right!" she meant, bumping his Shoulder a little. Kimi started to chuckle along, bumping her Shoulder back as they walked along the Promenade District of the Ship ─ a dry slide, a Coffee Shop and a few more Things that blew the Italian's Mind completely away; how? How does all that fit on a swimming mega sized Boat?

He sighed and looked back at her and her Ice Cream Cone, "I'm surprised you didn't choose Pineapple Ice Cream." he decided to tease her a little, succeeding when she rolled her Eyes and lightly punched him. He started to snicker, hiding his Face behind his Ice Cream. "But they also didn't have Pineapple Ice Cream so . . . are you occasionally also eating Strawberry on Pizza?" he continued, eyeing her Strawberry Ice Cream. He was handed another light punch against his Shoulder which caused another snicker to roll from his Lips.

"You're an Idiot." she insulted him, jokingly. "I doubt that something like that even exists ─ I mean, who would eat Strawberry Pizza? That sounds disgusting." she grimaced at the Thought of a crispy Pizza with Strawberry spread over the Tomato Sauce and Cheese.

Kimi thought about another teasing Remark, mentally, before he looked back at her with a cheeky Grin, "Probably the same People that think Pineapple can and should be put on Pizza."

"Oh come on!" she groaned, attempting to push her Ice Cream against the Tip of his Nose ─ Kimi leaned away, quickly, pretending to bump his Ice Cream against her Nose as Payback. The two Teenagers giggled, carelessly goofing around without noticing the Glances they received from some of the elder Passengers on Board ─ who all, apparently, didn't have to see two young Souls playing around, living their Life. Kimi ditched her Attempts to bump the Strawberry red Gelato against his Nose while he managed to land a hit, the Vanilla Cream bumping against the Tip of her Nose.

After a few Minutes, the two slowly stopped to goof around and pull Attention to them ─ instead, they walked through the lower Decks of the Ship, talking about their Lives, occasionally pointing at something they couldn't believe to fit on a Cruise Ship; they enjoyed spending time together, even if they had only known each other for roughly 24 Hours.

The time flew fast, soon enough Kimi's Phone started to buzz with a Message from the Family Groupchat ─ his Mother texted him, asking where he is and if he could finally come back to their Room. He sighed, letting the Phone slide back into his Pocket, "I have to go ─ my Mama wants me to come back to our Room." he told her, pouting a little bit; he wished to have spent a bit more time together with her, getting to know her even better.

"Then you should probably get going," she responded. "How about we'll hangout tomorrow again? Or maybe we go down together? You could ask your Parents and I'm gonna ask mine!" she suggested, looking at him with a tad of hope in her Eyes ─ Kimi thought about it, his Eyes widened; this wasn't a bad Idea. If his Parents wanted to explore the Destination again, he could ask if they'd be fine to do it together with her Family.

He nodded, eventually, "I will ─ let's meet at . . . Esagono Restaurant for Breakfast tomorrow, okay?" he added, giving her a Smile. "I'd recognize you even between hundreds of Guests." Kimi had no Idea where those Words suddenly came from ─ he had no clue why he said that; did it sound smooth? Kind of. But he was still embarrassed that he even loudly admitted that ─ it wasn't wrong; he'd definitely recognize her, even among Crowds.

She just nodded with a bright Smile ( and a weird Feeling inside her Stomach which she couldn't pin point what it was ), "See you at Breakfast."

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    KIMI'S PARENTS were happy to see their Son thriving the past few Days on Vacation ─ in Comparison to his laziness on the first Sea Day, or how bored and tired he looked while exploring Puerto Plata, Kimi was looking a lot more energetic every time they got to see their Teenage Son; which was surprisingly not often anymore. Two Sea Days after another, the brunet curly Head had spent with her, further exploring the Ship, getting Ice Cream at the Ice Cream Bar as Apology for bumping hers out of her Hand in San Juan, or paying a Visit to the SportsPlex and watching a bunch of Kids driving Bumper Cars into each other ─ when she eventually managed to get Kimi to try it, too, for once; and they ended up in a fit of laughters instead of fulfilling the Cars Purpose of bumping against each other.

Eventually, Kimi introduced her to his Family which led to her introduced her Family to him and his ─ and the two Families coming together for every Breakfast and Dinner time from then on; while their Parents happily chatted about everything they did so far, their younger Siblings slowly becoming Friends, the two Teenagers got to know each other a lot more, too. He told her about his F1 Career, she told him about her Studies ─ he shared his Hobbies and some Stories from Friends with her, she did the same before they'd both catch themselves laughing a little too loud.

Time flew ─ their Families, including them, enjoyed the Bahamas and eventually a last Sea Day before they'd return to Miami for the Ship to gather new Passengers; Kimi caught himself worried that she might be one to check out after eight Days, but was lucky when she had appeared next to him on the Sun Deck, watching other Guests checking out, walking off the Gangway back into their Reality.

"Hey, are you and your Family going down in Costa Maya?" he asked as they watched a Family of five leaving the Ship behind ─ his Eyes went over to her for a Moment, watching her neutral, almost bored Expression as her Eyes laid down the Ocean Giant.

She shrugged her Shoulders in response, sighing, "I don't know ─ but you know my Parents by now." she meant, a lazy Smile forming on her Lips as a chuckle left his Lips ─ he nodded, in fact knowing her Parents by now; as much as she knew his.

"'Are we paying for the Ship, or the Destinations?'" the Italian imitated their Quartet of Parents, laughing heartedly ─ she joined him, not paying Attention to the few weird looks they got from the elder Passengers who laid on their Leans, sun tanking or taking a Nap.

"The Ship's huge ─ personally, I could spend 14 Days just on Water." she said, nodding her Head as she pushed herself off the Railing ─ Kimi mirrored her Actions, pushing himself off before they started to walk towards the Rear of Ship, passing a few Staff Members and Guests. "We should try the Skate Course in Costa Maya!" she added, excitedly.

"Why not tomorrow?" he asked her, confused.

"Tomorrow we're on Sea therefore it'll be full of People." she gave back, having a solid Point ─ with over six thousand Passengers, a bunch of them probably shared the same Idea of spending a Day on Sea with skating and having fun. "We should do it on Monday when everyone's busy exploring Costa Maya."

Kimi hummed, pretending to think about it ─ he already knew he'd agree to her Offer; after all, this sounded in his Ears (and delusional Mind) lowkey like a Date. . . but maybe he was really just starting to imagine Things after the past captivating Days with her together.

"Okay ─ let's go rollerskating on Monday!"

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     "WHAT ARE you doing?" she asked, bursting out in laughters as she watched the curly Head almost dropping to the polished Floor, barely holding up by ending up doing a 360° on the Spot before he stopped, frozen like a Deer in Headlights. Kimi sheepishly chuckled as he tried to slide over to the Railing, not even rolling his rented Rollerskates as he just hoped to grab the Railing before he'd completely clown out in front of the most beautiful and funniest Girl he has ever met ─ even though he loved the sound of her laughing or even just chuckles, he didn't necessarily wanted to fool around in between a couple of other Passengers, especially since the Chances were high that a few of them knew him.

"I didn't know it was this hard!" he gave back, Hands holding onto the Railing with a almost rough Grip ─ he was still slipping a little bit, shaking in his Legs as he remained in a constant State of fear; he really didn't think it'd be that hard, maybe a little bit, but not harder than driving an F1 Car! He looked over his Shoulder to her, seeing how she skate on the Spot, back and forth, with ease ─ so he really was making a Fool of himself in front of her? Great. Just great.

"Like that, you'll never manage a Lap." she said, rolling over to him, leaning forward against the metal Railing ─ she had a soft Smile on her Lips as she let her Eyes go between his Face and his Hands, mentally making her Mind up on just taking his Hands in hers to help him do at least one Round. "Come on, give me your Hands!" her Hands were stuck out for him to take as she spoke.

Kimi's Eyes widened a little bit, surprised as he started to stutter a "ah" over and over again ─ he chose to not respond, instead lifting one Hand after another to grab after her Hands; and God, they were so soft, the opposite of his sweaty palms. He felt his Head heating up as he held her Hands, slowly and carefully being led away from the Railing by her, back onto the actual Skate Course. He didn't even dare to look at her, his Eyes remaining like a deadlock on the Floor, watching his shaky Knees and his Feet doing whatever they wanted to do.

"It works better if you don't look and just do." her Voice was soft, but the Italian registered them nevertheless, even over the screams and laughters of the other People around them ─ he didn't understand, or well, actually he did; he fell hard, love at first sight might be true, after all. Because he could hardly imagine ever moving on from this Vacation, and her.

"Really? I feel like I'd just fall again if I don't watch my Feet." he replied, awkwardly chuckling as he almost slipped off his Feet, again. His Body could handle 5 to 8 Gs in one of the fastest Machineries in the World, but refused to stand and roll on Rollerskates. "This is harder than driving an F1 Car."

"I doubt that." she chuckled, amused ─ her Hands were still clutching his, pulling him closer to her so he'd sped a little bit up; if only he'd stop looking down, he might actually he able to skate a little more freely. "Come on, Kimi. Don't think, just do."

His Eyes actually went up to her after that, a Eyebrow raised, "Did you just quote Maverick from Top Gun?" he asked, knowingly ─ she proudly nodded, one of her Hands letting off his as she noticed his Legs becoming more stable on the Rolls. Kimi didn't even notice yet, his Focus too caught up with her ─ he could look into her Face forever; into her Eyes and the contagious Smile on her Lips. She was so effortlessly beautiful, it almost pained his Heart that they'd probably never see each other again after this Vacation.

"Look at you!" her cheery Voice pulled him out of his Trance, his Mind coming up with the Fact that she has now entirely let off his Hands, and he actually kept himself up without shaky Legs and Instability ─ he looked down for a short Moment before he snapped back up to her, his Smile growing a little more proud; he did it, he managed to not fool himself out, for once!

"I did it!" he exclaimed, happily, as he followed her on the Skate Lane. His Smile widened a tad as he saw her excited Expression, the way her Hands clapped like a proud Mom that just witnessed her Child's first Steps.

"What did I say? It's easier when you don't look at your Feet!" he nodded at her Words, following her, his Hands still a little shaky and unsure hanging in the Air ─ but he was skating, without falling or rolling off. He was holding himself until he wasn't ─ but who would've expected a little Kid to drop their Board Card right on the Course, right in Kimi's Skate Line which almost ( almost !! ) knocked him entirely over if it wasn't for the most perfect Girl in front of him. Her Hands reached out for his again, grabbing onto them like they were fighting for their Lives, pulling him a tad too far forward ─ Kimi almost lost control, but eventually he collapsed onto her, dragging her with him to the Floor.

God, this was embarrassing, he wished to vanish into thin Air ─ but instead he landed with half his Body on her, their Legs tangled, her Hands suddenly on his Waist while his propped himself up so he wouldn't fall entirely onto her. Silence between them followed ─ Kimi just looked at her as his Face slowly turned a dangerous shade of red; maybe out of shyness, but mostly out of Embarrassment.

The first of many "I'm so sorry!" nearly left his Lips when she suddenly started to laugh, throwing her Head back while her Eyes squinted ─ unlike him, she found this Situation hilarious; them laying on the Floor, tangled together while others skated around them, simply refusing to care or help the two Teenagers up. The red Shade of his Face grew deeper as she started to laugh underneath him, his own Lips forming a small Smile. He memorized her, watching her laugh in awe ─ he never in his entire Life had felt with a Girl the way he felt around her. It was like he was in a real life Romcom Movie.

Eventually, they slowly got up from the Floor again ─ she helped him, holding his Hands as Kimi tried to remain still on the Rollerskates. "I think, Rollerskating isn't for me." he concluded, sheepishly chuckling as they slowly skated back to the Railing, leaving the Course again ─ it was close to Lunch Time, anyway; and Kimi's Stomach started to roar some unpleasant sounds.

"You did alright, though ─ promise, it wasn't as bad as it probably felt for you." she responded, stepping out of the Rollerskate Track. "I've seen People do worse ─ like my Dad, who knocked over a small Kid once." she told her new Friend. The Italian didn't know whether he should ask for the full Story or if he should leave it at that ─ but from the tiny Information he got, he was convinced enough that it could be worse than his Performance.

"Maybe I manage one day." Kimi replied, making his way slowly over to a Bench to sit down and get the Skates off his Feet ─ he watched her as she sat down next to him, starting to untie the rented Rollerskates. "Should we Burgers? Or maybe Hotdogs?" he asked her, starting to undo his Skates as well ─ she hummed, nodding I'm Agreement to his Suggestion about Lunch; who needs fancy Food anyway when you cam eat a customized Hotdog? She wouldn't say No ─ especially not to the curly Head Boy she had just met a few Days ago, but was already utterly enchanted by.

"A Hotdog Lunch Date with you sounds great." Kimi would've fainted right on the Spot if this was a Cartoon Movie ─ in Reality, he just blinked at her, his Face growing entirely red again; he just got rid of the embarrassing shade in his Face, and it only took one Sentence from her and boom! His Face was drowned in Ferrari red again.

"O-Oh yeah!" he stuttered in response ─ why did he stutter?! Oh my, he was acting like a Teenager with a Crush!

. . . Actually, he was exactly that ─ a Teenager with a Crush. Head over Heels, in love with a Girl he only knew because of her outrageous Pizza taste, or the lack of.

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     KIMI WENT into the Cruise Vacation with not much Expectations for the Summer Break ─ apart from the little few Facts he has been caught from his Parents about the newest MSC Ship, he went into his Vacation with nothing much on his Mind. He didn't expect the Ship to be that big, include so much to attract Kids and Teenagers of all Ages, Restaurants with Food he hasn't ever seen on solid Ground, and so much more.

And now, thirteen Days later, he'd pack his Suitcases and Bags with bittersweet Taste on his Tongue ─ oh, and a Crush on a Girl that caused this bittersweet Taste because he still has not asked for her Number. No matter how much he swallowed, or tried to die down the Feeling, eventually his Mind drifted back to the last Day on his Summer Vacation ─ the last few Hours he would have with her, the Breakfast with her and her Family, laughters surrounding their Table in the Restaurant before they'd waved Goodbyes and most likely never see each other again.

His Parents noticed how absent their Son had been on the second to last Day ─ they noticed how he dreaded to pack his Suitcases and Bags, not because he didn't want to leave this Ship, but because he was frustrated with himself for being such a Loser; they knew he was yet to ask her for her Number.

But it reached a Point where his Parents couldn't just watch anymore and mentally be amused by his Behavior ─ the way he held the Teddy Bear Plush with Cruise Captain's Uniform, a Gift from her when they were exploring the Shopping Mile on the second last Sea Day, and letting the most Room filling and saddened sigh out ever. His Parents felt bad for him ─ still a tiny bit amused.

Some might say he'd overreact ─ eventually, his Parents probably exchanged Numbers with her Parents, right? Just that he blurred that Fact out, his entire Focus being on the Fact that not even Ollie was able to help him come up with a smooth way to ask a Girl for her Number WITHOUT making it seem like he's a Creep.

But no matter how much he dreaded the final Day, Miami eventually arrived again and with that also the end of the Cruise.

He stood leaned against the Railing of the Ship on the highest Deck, Backpack settled on back and Shoulders as he just waited for his Parents to be done with whatever they claimed to need to do before leaving the Ship ─ his little Sister went with them, leaving Kimi on his own for a last few Minutes before they'd checkout and drive to the Airport to fly back to Italy.

His Eyes flew over the City of Miami ─ or at least that what you could see from a Cruise Ship that was docked to it's own Terminal in PortMiami. He was deep in Thoughts, still thinking about his missed Opportunity to ask her for her Number ─ he assumed her to have already left the Ship after they finished Breakfast together, the endless Goodbyes and see you again"s of their Parents before their ways parted.

"Kimi!" a familiar Voice echoed through his Ears, the exclaimed sound voicing from a fair Distance to his current Position ─ his Head snapped around, Eyes being as wide opened as they could when he saw her jogging towards him. She wore her Backpack on Shoulders, a Baseball Cap on top of her Head and had as well a smaller Toten Bag slung around her Body ─ she looked equally ready to leave the Ship.

"Hey." the Italian turned away from the Railing, facing towards her as she came to a stop, a little bit out of breath as she held herself up on her Knees. "Did you run through 18 Decks up?" he asked, snickering slightly.

She shook her Head, straightening her Posture a little bit to look at him, "No, I did not ─ not 18 Decks, but probably 6 or 7." she gave back, leaning sideways against the Railing. "But it was worth it."

The curly Head hummed, raising an Eyebrow, "And why? Did you forget something?" he asked her, mirroring her Actions to lean a little bit against the Ship's Railing.

She chuckled a little, shaking her Head, "Not how you probably mean it, but I did forget something!" she told him, her Hand vanishing in the Pockets of her Pants to search for something. While she tried to grasp the something inside her Pocket, Kimi just looked confused at her, not being able to tell what she seemingly forgot before leaving the Ship ─ what probably had something to do with him, too; unless she wouldn't have come to him, right?

He wished it to be a piece of Paper with her Number on it ─ but he didn't allow himself to believe that this was it. But it would make the most Sense ─ her Family was supposed to check out, she forgot something and run up the Decks to him so she can give him his Number. He noticed how Romcomish that sounded ─ but so did the past eleven Days he spent with her.

"There it is!" she announced, pulling something folded out of her Pocket ─ for a second, Kimi allowed himself to dream and hope; but this was pretty quick smashed down when his Eyes caught the $20 Bill in her Hand. "For the Ice Cream you gave out in San Juan." she told him with a small Smile.

He looked confused, his Eyes switching between her Face and the $20 Bill in her Hand, "But I told you it's a Payback for bumping your Ice Cream to the Ground? You don't need to pay me back . . ." he eventually said back to her, shaking his Head slightly ─ it was amusing, how he has only known her for eleven Days and yet could say "that's so her" about the current Situation.

"Okay, but this is . . . a Payback for making you see me eat Pineapple Pizza! she replied, nodding her Head, proudly. Her Words caused a small Smile to form on his Lips, his Hand slowly lifting to just take the $20 Bill ─ he knew arguing wouldn't lead to anything here, so he voluntarily gave in; even if he'd much rather wanted her to keep the Money.

He took the Money Bill from her, squeezing it in his Fist as his Smile turned bittersweet ─ maybe this wasn't even a "goodbye", but rather a "see you again"; nevertheless, he actually did not want to leave this Cruise Ship. Even if they'd stay in Contact, she lived Hours away from him and with their Schedules, her starting College soon while he's almost every Week away for Races all around the World, he doubt he'd actually be able to meet up with her more than once all two Months, if even.

Maybe they were meant to be just Friends for the Summer ─ like in every cliché bittersweet Novel where two People just got a Summer to spend before their ways would forever part.

"So. . ." she started, shifting on her Feet from left to right, Hands folded behind her back. "See you again?" she asked, titling her Head a little bit as she watched his Reaction. Kimi parted his Lips to say something, but stayed quiet ─ in response, he just nodded his Head.

"See you again, yeah." he confirmed, quietly. He turned around, leaning further against the Railing when he felt her stepping a little bit closer to him ─ yet, before he could say anything, she pressed her Lips against his right Cheek, a soft Kiss being left on his Skin, and a tingling Feeling spread through his entire Body.

He was frozen, not having expected her to give him a Kiss as Farewell ─ despite the frozen Muscles, his Mind went insane, his Body Heat shooting up within a Second. For him, it felt like the Kiss on the Cheek lasted Minutes ─ he was drunk of the Feeling from her soft Lips against his clean Skin. In Reality, the Cheek Kiss lasted strong eight Seconds before she pulled away again, stumbling backwards.

"My Family's waiting for me," she started, slowly turning around on her Heel. "I'll see you again, Kimi!" were her last Words before she fully turned around, jogging away before he could say anything in response. He was left standing there, still a little caught by the Kiss on the Cheek.

It took him a Minute or so until he'd snap back into Reality ─ mostly due his younger Sister nudging his Arm slightly with a giggle. He turned his Head around, seeing his Parents walking their way towards him and his Sister, "We're done ─ we can check out!" his Father informed him, patting his Son's Shoulder before continuing to head towards the Doors which lead back inside the Cruise Ship.

Kimi nodded, watching his Family walking ahead before he slowly began to follow them ─ he unclenched his Fist as they stood in the Staircase, unwrapping the $20 Bill to put it into the Pocket of his Shorts instead.

But he stopped as he had it unwrapped ─ in the middle of the Stairs down to Deck fifteen, he stood looking with wide Eyes onto the supposed $20 Bill in his Fingers; though, it wasn't a $20 Bill. It wasn't a Bill, at all.

It was a Piece of Paper with the Design of a $20 Bill ─ and something delicate written on the white Side of it.

It didn't necessarily take a Genius to figure out what was written on the opposite of the Paper.

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final august note   ✷   i had sososo much fun writing this ahh!!! i have a lot of done/half finished oneshots in my drafts, but this one is my favorite by far ! 🥹 also yeah this lowkey sucks, but the idea eats and that's all that matters to me (i'ill proofread and edit it eventually anyway so).

for anyone that thinks it's unrealistic to make friends so quick, you definitely haven't been on a cruise vacation before 😭😭 it goes so fast and easy, mainly because you know it's only for a few days anyway so fuck it.

PINEAPPLE ICE CREAM    coming soon.

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©    STOLENBUCKETS 2025    ╱    All Rights Reserved. Do not Copy Or Both Sides Of Your Pillow Will Forever Be Warm.

[animasola86]

🚩 FORCED: 04

You wake up to a new scene, and new participants. Things escalate rather quickly, and there's nothing you can do about it.

a morally gray man!your new master ✖️ female!reader

WARNING: This is a DARK FANTASY EROTICA! Beware of the following tags: Dead dove: do not eat! Explicit sexual content! Noncon! Master/servant dynamic! Bad BDSM etiquette! Bondage. Collaring. Fingering. Vaginal fisting. Forced orgasms. Foursome (F/F/F/M). Anal play. Vaginal sex. Rough anal sex. Creampie. (🚩Please do not read/engage if any of these tags are triggering to you!)

WORDS: 3.3k 🚩 READ ON AO3!

A/N: Remember, this is dark and self-indulgent and hopefully fucked-up in a sexy way? You decide! You also decide who you want the male character to be as he is very vague, and I invite you to fill in the blanks and call him however you like (hence the fandom tags, he could be anyone, make him your blorbo!). Our Reader character is also vague, her only attributes are hair long enough to braid and female genitalia.

For more information, check the Author's Notes on chapter 1.

Chapter 2+3 🔻 Chapter 4 🔺 Chapter 5+6

You hated waking up by now. Because it always meant there was something new to torture you, even though it also meant the end of the last scene. And somehow it was a relief when you found yourself just lying on a soft surface, with nothing poking out of you and nothing holding you down either. No gag, no vibrator. Just your sore body and your dizzy mind.

Inhaling deeply, you raised a hand and wiped at your face. You felt clean, your hair was still a little wet. Had you been washed? Looking around, your question was answered by the sight of two other girls, naked with their hair in braids, wearing thick leather collars, their vacant eyes trained on you as they stood at the edge of your bed. They stirred when you sat up in shock and confusion, shaking their heads. You frowned, too stunned to protest when one of them pulled you off the bed and onto your feet, while the other stepped behind you and grabbed your wrists.

They were too fast, and you could barely fight it when you felt your arms being folded behind your back, so tight your hands curled around your elbows, before you felt them being secured with a soft rope. You rolled your shoulders slightly, but couldn't move, staring at the girls in mild betrayal, too overwhelmed to use your voice properly. They didn't say a word either, just maneuvered you to a chair in the corner, made you sit down, before one of them started braiding your hair, while the other approached you with a collar in her open palms, presented to you like a crown.

“No,” you whimpered soundlessly, your throat hurting, your voice meek and feeble. It didn't stop you from trying to get your point across. “Please don't...”

A harsh “Tsk” cut through your noises of distress, and you looked up sharply, seeing the man standing behind the girl holding the collar. He was so tall and intimidating, his dark suit such a stark contrast to all the exposed skin around him.

“I'll take it from here, pet,” he said, putting his hand on the shoulder of the slowly bowing girl before he moved her aside with a little shove. He took the collar and proceeded to fasten it around your neck, despite your whimpers and fruitless struggling attempts. He stared at you darkly, freezing you with his gaze, and you stared back, breathing hard, trying to relax as he pulled the wide collar tight around your throat, slipping belt after belt into its loop until it sat snug around your neck, feeling stiff and very restricting. Then he turned it so the metal hoop was at the front.

He hooked his finger into it and pulled you forward, and you stumbled off the chair, choking a little, unable to find your balance without being able to use your arms. The girl behind you followed, quickly finishing your braid, and when it was done, you could see a little pink ribbon fixed to the end in a beautiful bow. You frowned. The other girls had similar ribbons, just in different colors, all pastels, yellow and blue. The man stood between the naked girls with a satisfied smile on his handsome face.

His hand found your cheek, gently patting it. “Welcome to the flock, doll,” he said and leaned in to press his lips to yours. You blinked in confusion, heat crashing into your face. “Your training went very well. I believe you are ready to serve me properly now. Don't you think so, pets?” he addressed the other girls, and they nodded eagerly, bowing their heads, not saying a word.

You frowned deeper. He seemed to read your mind. “Don't expect a peep from them, I had their vocal chords removed. Makes for better access into their little throats, you know?” he said with a demeaning smirk, rubbing along one of their collared necks.

Your eyes widened in growing shock and disgust. “Don't worry, you will keep yours for now. I do enjoy your little noises,” he said and winked at you. Your stomach dropped, and you pressed your lips into a tight line, trying to ease your rapid breathing. What the hell had you gotten yourself into here?

To make matters worse, the man then started to undress in front of you. After shrugging his suit jacket off (that one of the girls carried to a nearby chair), he unbuttoned his white shirt, his dark eyes on you.

“Well, shall we begin?” he whispered, and before you could do anything, you felt the girls leading you back to the bed, pulling you onto it, holding you in their unrelenting grips.

Your fingers were tingling in their tight ties, the pressure of your own weight on your arms only adding to the sensation. You stared at the girls in turn before looking back at the man, who had stripped down completely and was now crawling onto the bed towards you, his erection bobbing menacingly between his legs.

You opened your mouth to protest, but then you felt two small fingers slipping between your lips, while another hand moved down between your thighs, first spreading your legs, then your labia, while the man bowed down to inspect your cunt. You squirmed uncomfortably, whined against the hand holding you, struggled fruitlessly with your arms bound, a strange warmth flooding your limbs, gathering low in your stomach.

“Looking good,” he hummed, his fingers prodding at your clenching hole. “Eager, aren't you?”

You were not, you didn't want to be, but surrounded by naked bodies, still tormented by your past experiences, you felt arousal dripping down your skin. Flooded with shame, you averted your eyes, whining quietly.

The fingers in your mouth pushed in and out slowly, meditatively, while the man knelt between your open legs, tilting his head. “Prepare her for me, pet,” he addressed the girl who had her hands on your folds. She nodded, the yellow bow on the end of her braid dancing on her shoulder, before she moved a little and positioned herself next to your hip, her hand rubbing up and down your mound, small fingers pressing gently between your puffy lips.

The girl behind you wrapped an arm around your chest, her free hand fondling your bare breasts, and you turned your head to her, meeting a loaded gaze. The mute girl, this one wearing a blue ribbon on her braid, smiled shyly at you as she kept groping your soft flesh, fingers teasing your quickly hardening nipple.

“Already having fun, bird?” the man asked, and you noticed he addressed the girl smiling at you. Bird. The other was Pet. You were Doll. Blue, yellow, pink. The only distinctions. Your new role.

Bird nodded softly, lowering her eyes, pinching your pert bud as she kept moving her fingers in and out of your mouth, your breaths quickening slightly. You frowned deeply, thoroughly confused by this whole scene. You'd never been intimate with another girl before, but this felt strangely nice. She wasn't as rough as the man had been.

Pet, however, wasn't as gentle. The hand of the other girl was gripping your sex now, fingers digging between your folds, fingertips teasing into your entrance. She shifted on her knees, moving closer to where the man was kneeling, and he scooted back a little, allowing her better access to your cunt. And while she worked her fingers into your clenching hole, you felt the man gripping your ankles, holding you down as your legs started to kick out involuntarily.

A muffled gasp escaped you when you felt and saw how the girl with the yellow bow slipped three fingers into you, her delicate hand small enough to make it easy to penetrate you. It still felt like a lot, and you groaned against the fingers in your mouth. Bird's lips were on your temple, and if she could, she would probably have shushed you.

You kept struggling under the ministrations of the girls, fruitlessly jerking your legs against the strong hands on them. Your eyes were wide, but your vision blurry with tears. It got only worse when you noticed more pressure between your legs, and when you tried to focus on what was happening there, you saw that Pet had worked her entire hand into your pulsing pussy and was now slowly moving it in and out, her wrist catching on your tense muscles.

Moans and whimpers slipped past the probing fingers, and when you arched your back into the girl behind you, those fingers slipped deeper, prodding the back of your throat, and you gagged around them, the jerk crashing through your body making your hips stutter, causing Pet's hand to move in further – and you felt how she spread her fingers inside you, stretching you, finding space where none should be.

You howled, spit dripping down your chin, your whole body convulsing badly as the hand in your cunt moved faster, deeper, pressed into your soft flesh, nudged all those special spots. You could swear you saw a little bulge on your belly where she quite literally rearranged your guts with her fist. It was the strangest sensation, so invasive, so filling, so weirdly stimulating.

Bird's fingers kept their relentless assault on your throat, making you gag again and again until you were too exhausted to gag some more, your stomach tense and hurting (fluttering under the assault from within), your insides positively on fire now, but it was when you felt a rough thumb pressing on your swollen clit, that you lost it completely.

Eyes rolling back, body going stiff before it started spasming hard, thighs twitching, toes curling, every muscle contracting as you clenched hard around the hand in your convulsing cunt. You screamed soundlessly, breathlessly, against the fingers stuck in your throat, pressed your chest into the hand groping your tit, bucked your hips against the prodding thumb. A million lights exploded all around you, and you felt yourself floating, carried away by the waves of pleasure threatening to drown you. Nothing mattered anymore.

Was it over? Finally? It felt like it...

But then you could breathe again, and the hand slipped from inside your tight channel, the thumb was gone, your body slowly coming down from the most intense orgasm you might have ever experienced. Tears streamed down your face, silent sobs fell from your hurting throat, your legs twitching in the aftershocks of your high.

You were moved, not that you noticed much, turned onto your stomach, chest pressed into the bed, your hips pulled up. The girls changed places, the blue ribbon appeared next to your face, wet hands rubbing over your shoulders, kneading the tense muscles, the other girl rubbing the same soothing circles over your butt cheeks.

“Get the plug ready, bird,” the man said behind you, and you groaned quietly, cheek pressed into a soft pillow, your eyelids heavy with exhaustion. You felt delicate fingers moving into the cleft between your cheeks, one fingertip teasing your puckered hole. Something cold and wet was squirted onto your skin, then gently massaged into you until your muscles relaxed enough to let a finger in, then two, maybe even three, you couldn't be sure.

There was a pressure against your tight hole when the fingers retreated, something solid and cold, and you grunted loudly when it was pushed in with one swift nudge, filling you out while that tight ring of muscles closed around its smaller neck. A croaked yelp escaped you when a hand came down hard on your soft flesh, spanking your cheeks once, twice, until your skin burned and you could only whimper helplessly.

The same hand, warm from the assault, curled around your bound arms, lifted you as if you were just a package one could carry around, and you were moved once more, ending up on your side. Delicate fingers held your shoulders and your hip, before a rougher hand grabbed your leg and pulled it up, opening you up for penetration. Your eyes were unfocused, but you noticed shapes around you, the girls consoling you, rubbing your breasts and your back, one teased the plug in your ass.

There was no attention to your pussy or your clit until you felt the spongy tip of the man's cock nudging between your puffy lips. You let out a gurgled wail when he pushed into you, stretching you even more than the hand had done before, and he pressed deeper without mercy, fast short snaps of his hips until he bottomed out, your leg pressed against his hard chest. He held onto it as he started rutting into you, and you whimpered with every deep thrust, your sore muscles protesting, your whole body fighting against the intrusion.

Soft lips brushed against your chest, hands twisting your torso back a little until you lay heavy on your restrained arms, before not one but two mouths closed around your breasts, one eager tongue on each stiff nipple, sucking hard on your sensitive flesh, and you moaned deeply. It was simply too much. With the man pounding into your abused hole, your muscles clenching lazily around him now, the plug in your butt nudging from the other side, adding more pressure, and the girls on your tits, you felt yourself slipping, eyes rolling back, mouth hanging open, ecstasy etched onto your tired features.

You could have let go then, feeling content, but it was as if the people around you could see the way you gave in, as they changed their paces rapidly. The man's thrusts got rougher, quicker, deep stabs straight against your bruised cervix, while you could feel teeth teasing and nibbling and actually biting your skin, working bruises into it, marks that sent jolts of electricity through your system. You moaned louder, arching your back, hips stuttering, and before you knew it, you came hard around the man's cock, your juices spraying out of you without restraint as you cried out and spasmed, unable to ground yourself, held down and in place by the girls suckling on your tender breasts.

“Tsk,” made the man, his voice rough and hoarse from exertion. He kept pounding into you, even more brutal now, prolonging the feeling of pure bliss until it turned into pain again. “Did you just come without permission? Doll, that's not how this works.”

Through your haze you felt confusion. He never told you to come before, always let your body take over, how were you supposed to hold that in when he kept bullying all your sensitive spots? When the girls kept stimulating you with their eager mouths suctioned to your nipples like leeches? You grunted in dismay, biting your lip hard enough to draw blood, your stomach tense as he pushed you closer to the edge all over again. There was no way you could stop the orgasm from spilling over you.

And you needed it. Among all the things he forced upon you, from the anal hook to the fucking machine, to this, you needed to feel good, otherwise you would break and never return, you just knew it. And you didn't want to break, become a soulless slave bending to her master's will, let him do whatever to you, no. And you fought, jerked your hips against his, met his motions, and he only rutted into you faster, harder, deeper, grunting and growling above you, his hands tight around your leg, leaving bruises.

But before you could reach the desired high, he suddenly pulled out, and you groaned in pain at the sudden loss. The girls drew back too, leaving your chest covered in hickeys and bite marks and saliva. You looked up at the man towering over you, who was panting slightly, shoulders tight, tall and intimidating, before he grabbed your hips and manhandled you onto your stomach again. You yelped, and even more so when he ripped the plug out of your puckered hole, the sudden stretch to it burning badly, sending a new batch of hot tears into your eyes.

You were prone on the bed, his big hand on your folded arms pressing you into the soft mattress. The girls were gone, the loss of their added stimulation ripping a hole into your stomach. A whine escaped you as he sat down on your thighs, holding you in place with his weight, before you felt his hands kneading your tender ass cheeks, groping and pulling, opening you up, until his hard, hot cock pressed against your sphincter, bullying it to give way. The friction was horrible, you knew he went in raw, there was no preparation, no lube except your own juices, the stretch of the plug long forgotten by your tense muscles.

A scream ripped from your throat when he rolled his hips into you in one swift thrust, forcing his way deeper into your ass until all of him was inside of you. All you could do was sob, unable to move, unable to find any other kind of relief, the orgasm that had been so close long deflated inside you, fizzled away and overridden by nothing but burning pain.

He shifted on top of you, putting more weight onto your small body, and you were glad about the soft bed, the bounce of the mattress, but it wasn't enough to alleviate the scorching sensation when he started moving within you. Somehow this position was worse than when he had taken your ass on the bench that hadn't been as forgiving, but the way he moved, with your legs closed and your muscles extra tight, it hurt so bad. He seemed to carve his way into your body, invading a passage that shouldn't be open to him, and yet he took it, pushed and pulled, hips slamming against your cushioned but bruised rear, in and out, always as deep as possible with his balls slapping against your quivering thighs.

But he wasn't rocking your body, instead he kept it still and in place, his hands on your hips, pressing down hard, not allowing you to move to get the slightest of friction to your clit. You were immobile on the bed as he pounded into your ass, chasing his own orgasm that seemed to be on the far horizon. It went on and on, in and out, deep and hard, stab after stab against tense muscles that clenched harder with every brutal plunge.

You were whimpering quietly, your voice too strained to produce any louder noises, while tears clouded your vision. Teetering on the edge, but not of pleasure, you succumbed to his assault, hoping to become numb to it soon, but no such luck. Your senses were kept alert, either by a slight change of angle, or a switch to a slower pace, or when he moved his hands along your body, from gripping your hips to curling his fingers around your shoulders, or grabbing your nape and pressing you into the pillow.

The bed bounced and creaked under the strain of his big body squishing yours, of his cock forcing its way into you over and over again, and you felt your mind swimming, a strange kind of vertigo crashing through your senses. You felt sick, nauseous, that constant plunge into your guts a horrible sensation, and when you thought you'd have to throw up as your stomach tensed, he was digging his fingers into the soft flesh of your hips and stilled deep inside you, before he grunted and groaned as he emptied himself into your abused depths.

You felt the hot ropes of cum painting your insides, filling you up, you could almost taste it, or maybe it was just bile and the memory of his spend in your throat, you couldn't be sure. Your head was throbbing and spinning, your eyelids heavy but somehow you weren't able to close them, stared ahead blankly, drool pooling beneath your cheek on the pillow. Your body was trembling, cold shivers crashing through you when he moved back, slipping out of you, and your hole gaped and clenched hopelessly, his warm seed seeping out in thick globs.

Exhaustion washed over you, like a dark sheet covering your soiled body, hiding you from the abusive world (and people) around you.

Chapter 2+3 🔻 Chapter 4 🔺 Chapter 5+6

End notes: I realize our guy sounds a bit cultish here ("welcome to the flock"), but I promise you this is not a cult, he's just a fucked-up man, a collector if you will. More "plot" is coming soon!

New chapter every Saturday at around 9pm CEST!

Thank you for braving this depravity reading!

MASTERLIST 🔻 AO3 🔻 ORIGINAL WORKS

[waifuoftomonori]

Ooh, boy, how are we defining innocent?

(Regardless of which definition we use, the answer is probably no for Tomonori, but in some cases it's a stronger "no" than others, and in none of them is he absolutely "corrupt". Canon Tomonori is a virgin, but his behavior and some of his dialogue make it clear that he's definitely thought about sex and possesses less-than-chaste desire for Shiki. He's kinky, even if most of the kinks aren't framed sexually. He kills people to protect Shiki, but he gets their consent. He kills Doman nonconsensually, but Doman indisputably deserves it. He stabs his best friend as part of his plan, but he knows Akifusa won't die. He lies and steals and goes on a villain monologue, all for Shiki's sake.)

Of my polycule, the only character I can confidently call innocent in most senses of the word is Akifusa. Even his crush on Shiki has this chivalric undertone, where it's not sexualized and more about the idea of fighting for her even though (in his mind) there's no chance of an actual romantic relationship, and in fact a relationship would be entirely improper.

Akifusa does attempt to leave the castle on an assassination mission because Doman convinces him that it's the only way to save Shiki, but in the end, even in his own route (in which he reaches the Palace and enters the room with sword drawn), he doesn't actually complete the act. (He might have if he hadn't realized the person he was about to kill was actually the Emperor, but I guess we'll never know.) Nor does he kill anyone for the remainder of his route, not even the bad guys. (The Void don't count, they're the mindless reanimated souls of dead people.)

One could make a case for Shiki being innocent, but she doesn't see herself that way for the majority of any of her routes (I'm gonna go out on a limb and say this is probably true even for the routes I haven't played). Overcoming that guilt is a major part of her character arc, so I don't feel right brushing it off. As for sex stuff, well... it's not overt, but in Tomonori's route, when he initially refuses to consume her blood to keep the Sword sealed / his sanity intact, her solution is to suck it into her own mouth and then kiss him. Multiple times. Presumably deep kisses, so she can make sure he swallows. And the whole time she's thinking about how much she loves him and doesn't want him to die.

Also, when he pins her down and straddles her waist while he's possessed by the Sword, her first thought is "maybe being killed by Tomonori isn't such a bad way to go".

Also also, this may not count because she is married to Akifusa here, but in Aki's sequel, when he rolls on top of her at night and she doesn't realize he's asleep, she thinks something like "I've heard about couples doing this, and I'm a little nervous, but if it's with Akifusa I'm all right with it" and starts to tell him as much. Only for him to mumble, "Princess, I wuff you" or something similar that I remember being an instant mood-killer (albeit adorable), and then she realizes he's unconscious and laughs it off.

Shinra... I think his case can be summarized with "no, but he's more innocent than 4/5 of the other love interests". (Kiryu doesn't exist in my mind. I haven't forgiven Voltage Inc. for killing Shinra's route and swapping in some rando and expecting me to be satisfied.) ...Okay, maybe 3/5. I haven't played any of Chikage's route, and he's not a blatant perv, but I have no clue what goes on in his head.

Every poll on this blog is about fictional characters only. This request was sent to us and we made a poll in response to it. Send any Blorbo-related question you want to our inbox and we’ll make a poll on which people can vote with their own Blorbos in minds

[interact-if]

Pride Month Feature #2: Suevi

Game: Suevi (Play here)

Synopsis: Suevi is about finding love and surviving in Ancient Rome... as a Germanic slave.

Tags: romance, historical fiction, low fantasy, dark

Author: Bellamy

Hi! My name is Bellamy, I’m in my mid 30s, neurodivergent, pansexual and nonbinary. My pronouns are ey/em (alternatively they/them is totally fine). IRL I’m not out and I live in Eastern Germany, originally I’m from Southwestern Germany. English is my second language.

2. Can you tell me a bit about what you’re working on right now and your journey into interactive fiction? What inspired the game/story you’re currently writing?

The IF I currently work on is called ‘Suevi’, and it’s a story set in/around 14 CE. The MC is of Germanic origin and gets enslaved. They get bought by a rich, influential Roman patrician family and have to face the struggle of being thrown into a completely different culture, that has a language they don’t know, and they’re at the very bottom of the food chain.

My journey into interactive fiction is actually relatively short. Suevi is the first IF I’m writing, and the first major project that I write. Before I started on Suevi, I hadn’t written anything bigger since my school days, I haven’t done any creative writing at all actually. And even though Suevi is only a prologue and the first chapter now, it is already the largest project I have ever written.

I remembered ‘Choose your own Adventure’ books from my childhood, and I loved them back then already. I love RPGs, and had played visual novels before, but somehow only found out about interactive fiction around half a year before I started my own IF. I fell head over heels for the interactive format.

My story is inspired by different aspects: My brother is a big history nerd and is very interested in Germanic tribes throughout history. I grew up in an area where different tribes that are said to have been Suevi settled in, and I was able to visit remains of the Roman Limes wall and different related museums in the past. A big inspiration was also the IF Defiled Hearts: The Barbarian by Haley Mattos, an amazingly written IF that I can only recommend. I wanted to give back to the IF community, and that’s what ultimately started the project.

Read on for the full interview!

3. What are some of the most rewarding or challenging aspects of writing Interactive Fiction for you?

The most rewarding aspect is definitely the feedback. It’s great to see that people enjoy my story and care enough to let me know, or give me constructive criticism to help me improve my story.

4. What does your writing process look like? Any rituals or habits? Any tips, tricks, philosophies or approaches that have worked very well for you?

It helps a lot to have one designated area dedicated to writing/working. Also, be comfortable—wear comfortable clothes, put on some music that helps to immerse you into your story if you want, maybe have a few snacks nearby and a beverage of your liking.

5. What’s the one thing you’re really proud of that you’ve written so far?

I’m not that far into writing the story just yet, but I’m rather proud of the intimate fling scenes I’ve written in chapter 1. It was a first for me, and at the beginning I really struggled to find the right words, but I know it’ll become easier with time.

6. Do you have favourite interactive fiction games, characters, scenes or authors that you’d like to recommend?

Too many! There are lots of great authors out there that deserve some spotlight, but I fear I don’t have enough time and space to name all of them. I already mentioned Defiled Hearts: The Barbarian (@defiledheartblog on tumblr), which has a very similar theme to my own IF. An amazing IF with a nonbinary RO and a trans RO is Blood Moon by Barbara Truelove (@barbwritesstuff on tumblr). A WIP IF that is completely underrated imo is Party of Four (@partyof4game on tumblr), which has an asexual RO and a nonbinary RO. Zo, the author of Party of Four, is also ace! Lastly, an author that I really look up to is C.C. Hill (@when-life-gives-you-lemons-if on tumblr). She is amazing, I love her writing, she’s incredibly inclusive and a pleasure to interact with.

7. If you were to say one thing to your readers, other authors, and/or the interactive fiction community: what would it be?

To readers: Please be kind to others. Lately there has been a massive wave of hate and harassment in the community, and it drives away kind and talented people who just want to share the stories they write. Support the works and authors you want to see more of. If you like an IF, send the author a nice message. It makes us smile and gives us the energy to continue writing.

To authors: Be kind to yourself. Take breaks. If you don't take breaks, your writing probably will be subpar, because you need a break sometimes, and you will have to fix everything you write after you actually do end up taking a break. It will also save you from feeling burnt out from writing. Don’t forget to hydrate. Only write a story if it makes you happy. You don’t owe it to anybody to continue writing a story you are fed up with; and if you don’t enjoy your own story, it will show.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Hello! I'm sorry if this topic was already discussed there (and if so, please feel free to ignore my message), but I was thinking of who would be the best judges of character in TWST cast. Perhaps they are characters such as Jade, Rook, Jamil and maybeee Lilia (? I'm not completely sure, because neither I'm really familiar with his backstory, nor did I finish chapter 7 lol). Who else do you think might be good at such things? I would love to read your detailed opinion on the matter or even mini headcanons maybe, if you find it interesting enough of course! Have a nice day, and I hope everything above sounds understandable, I'm not from an English-speaking country ^^

I think the best judges of character in the Twst cast are Leona and Rook. Yup, the class 3-A boys.

Leona is the character that most frequently calls it like it is, even when all others overlook what is hiding in plain sight. He sensed Jamil’s malicious intent towards Kalim in Jamil’s School Uniform vignette WAY before the events of book 4. “Do your eyes always glare like that, too? [Kalim] is green as grass. I can't imagine what he's thinkin', hangin' out with a schemer like you all the time. He just doesn't get that any one of these nights could be his last, huh?” Leona is also the one who instantly clocks the simulation Ruggie and Kalim in book 6 are fakes (even though Jamil goes along with the fakes). Leona is even able to understand every person’s skills and strengths even when he has spent less than 3 days with them. This is the case for the residents of Halloween Town (shown in his Nightmare Suit vignettes). He rarely ever misses. The only exceptions I can think of him flubbing is when he theorizes that Cater and Trey are more nefarious than they actually are in book 7 (and even then, this occurs in the context of dreams, which are vague and extremely difficult to interpret). Still, Leona is able to pull a crazy number of accurate reads and super quickly too.

Rook somehow has the superhuman ability to know everything about a person just through observation??? (That’s honestly an incredible but frightening feat 😭) It’s this ability that I believe leads him to influencing Vil’s audition picks in book 5; Rook saw the potential and the goodness in Adeuce and the Scarabia duo, thinking they would be positive influences for Vil’s increasingly desperate and dark thoughts. He also detected that Vil was spiraling just from a look and stopped him from poisoning his rival. Even so, Rook isn’t infallible either. He was not able to discern Lilia’s true age until explicitly told about it. Additionally, Rook mistakes Jade as being willing to do the same as he to help everyone in Ghost Marriage but seems to accurately read Jade as suspicious in Jade’s Dorm Uniform vignettes.

To address some of the other characters proposed in the ask: I do not personally consider Jamil, Jade, or Lilia to be exceptional at judging character. At best, they’re decent at it but still don’t hold a candle to like… Leona (whom I consider to be the strongest in this regard).

I would call Jamil more suspicious of others than being able to accurately judge them. Yes, he is able to notice something was wrong about Vil’s behavior in book 5 and acted accordingly to address it, but I would argue this was more out of mindfulness than telling right away that Vil felt intense jealousy. After all, Jamil is only doing this after spending a month living and training with Vil; would Jamil have been able to read Vil as well as he did, had he not spent this time in close proximity with Vil? I don’t think so. In most instances, Jamil is on his guard around others, and he is frequently shown to underestimate others or to think lowly of them regardless of their actual abilities. This is explicitly pointed out in book 6 during his trek with Leona; Jamil doesn’t recognize Kalim’s strength is his emotional intelligence (instead, Jamil focuses on Kalim’s naïveté and inability to look after himself) and Leona has to point this out to him. Jamil also implies Leona is spoiled and lazy rather than recognize his true character.

Now, Jade—I can understand why people would think Jade is good at judging others. It’s just a trait that comes naturally with his tropes and character archetype. However, I don’t recall any instances in which Jade was able to automatically clock what type of person he was dealing with. I think we assume he does, but in canon he is shown to spend time and effort researching his peers to learn about their weaknesses (see: his Ceremonial Robes vignettes). He does not instantly know a person, he has to work to achieve this, and having to work to achieve things is a recurring theme in his background. (Jade has to push himself to walk, frequently experiments with cooking, practiced being as polite as his mother, etc.) I also want to point out that he, like the rest of the Octatrio, did not seem to find Jamil suspicious until Yuu reported strange happenings to them in book 4. This does not indicate any foresight on Jade’s part.

Lilia starts off suspicious of humans (due to his experiences as a general in a 100 years’ war between humans and fae). That was about… 400 years ago? But he also spends the next several decades traveling and experiencing the anti-fae sentiment humans have. Lilia has literally been run out of communities and had stuff thrown at him because of this. However, when the attitude towards fae starts to shift to something more open-minded, Lilia is still hesitant to accept the shelter and food from a kind elderly human couple. He doesn’t register their kind intentions right away. I’d also like to point out that Lilia doesn’t accept us into his fold because he thinks or knows we are good in spite of being humans; he’s just letting us tag along because he wants to stay true to his word.

Over time, Lilia’s beliefs seemed to have changed. In modern day, he’s much more chill but I still wouldn’t call him a good judge of character. He demonstrates a bias for anyone he knows personally (claiming Malleus would make a better king than Leona, explaining to peers that Sebek and Malleus are hard to get along with but mean well deep down, etc.) but can can still judge them incorrectly. For example, Lilia fails to realize that Malleus would react as violently as he did in book 7 and doesn’t accept that Diasomnia could love and care for him for the longest time. Lilia is wise and wishes for peace between the races, so he generally has good will towards others. This good will can easily be conflated with judging that others are good people when, in reality, it is more akin to offering the benefit of the doubt.