#he had like so many opportunities to kiss me and never did. surely he CANNOT like me now

[smoothoperador]

i miss the days when no one cared about me it's so annoying having this many guys in your dms

[cosmicstarlatte]

Your work is AMAZING! I hope you're proud of yourself! 💕

I was wondering if you could write how the brothers would react to finding out you're insecure about your body/ looks? I feel like Lucifer and Beel would be so so sweet to MC 🥰

Have a wonderful rest of your day and stay safe!

Thank you!!! 🥺 Sorry for the wait friend, I nervously kept rewriting this for a while 😆♡

MC Feeling Insecure (Obey Me!)

"The truth is...I've always been insecure about my body and how I look." You say, confiding in your favorite demon one day.

»Characters: Demon Bros

»Tags: GN Reader, Fluff/Some Humor, Bulleted Style, Levi being down bad in his weird sweet way, Satan with the rizz™️

»Notes: I use beautiful+gorgeous+darling so if that bothers you then you should probably skip this!

Lucifer:

"You like to give me headaches." (Affectionate)

He just thought you knew how beautiful you are, he was surprised

The avatar of pride was going to teach you a lesson, it's what he does best after all

"We'll work through it together. I'll show you what I love about you."

And show you he did; he kissed every part of you that he loved- which was everything

He would tell you how great you looked, even in front of others

He took pride in that; it comes in many forms you see

He gave you daily affirmations and was patient with you on your bad days

One day he held your face gently and made you look at him: "I've been around for centuries and have had the opportunity to see all the realms...and I'd never met someone as beautiful as you." ♡♡♡

Mammon:

"Huh?"

He got real quiet...he was mildly annoyed

Actually, he started getting a little mad

How could you not see how perfect you are!?

Fine! Tch!

He took both your hands and looked at you intensely, knowing his face was burning

"Listen here-!"

"YoureTheMostBeautifulBeingInAllTheRealms!"

"You'rePerfection! ICantKeepMyEyesOffYou!"

Although his face was burning, he hoped in his heart that you understood how beautiful you are, it hurt him to think you thought otherwise

From then on he made an effort everyday (he hoped it helped) to tell you something he liked about you in his own Mammon way

Usually via text bc in person was too much for the tsundere sometimes

(1) New text from Mammon: Look all I'm sayin' is I know beautiful treasure when I see it, got it?

Levi:

"Ehh!?!"

He was not having it!

He thinks you're the most perfect thing ever!

The most precious thing to have ever graced his disgustingly bleak life!

He felt a little bad at his outburst, he didn't mean to disregard your feelings

He knows a thing or two about insecurities after all

But he just cannot have you thinking that way and wanted to help you if he can!

The demon otaku pulled out a ready made powerpoint on why you're the absolutely perfect 3D partner

"L-look... all in all...you're beautiful! And I'll do a-anything I can to help you see that!"

He made it a point to worship you every day no matter how nervous he was

Yes he started a fan club, yes everyone else joined

Even Henry and Cerberus were a part of it

Satan:

"Hm. To think, I didn't expect someone as gorgeous as you would actually give me the time of day."

Tbh he also understands insecurities with one's self

He didn't know you also suffered through the same; and he wasn't going to let you go through it alone

"For what it's worth, I think you're absolute perfection." He said placing a kiss on your forehead

Brought out some self help books and the two of you went through them together

He would leave you daily positive handwritten notes

That didn't stop him from telling you how gorgeous you are in person though

Asmo:

"What!? I think you're absolutely gorgeous...Do you want to talk more about it?"

He was familiar with insecurities too, unbeknownst to...nearly everyone, so he sure as hell wasn't going to let you go through this alone!

He lent an ear and reassured you that you were so perfect and that you'll see it one day like so many others do

"Do you know how many demons and monsters we have to chase off everyday!?" "What!?" "Nevermind! But darling you are downright gorgeous down to your soul!"

Your personal hype man

Started hyping you up every morning before RAD...eventually everyone started joining in, even Lucifer

Beel:

"You're perfect the way you are?"

This big guy was confused, he didn't mean to sound rude or anything to your feelings

He just wasn't prepared for your confession

He thought you were divine; if he didn't know any better he'd think you were from the celestial realm

No matter-- he was going to help you see your beauty one way or another

He hugged you tightly, "Thank you for trusting me"

He held your hand as the two of you talked and he tried to reassure you the best he could

He covered you in kisses and, if you were okay with it, gave extra attention to the parts you hated

"You're delicious in so many ways. You're really beautiful."

Looked up ways to make you feel better and made you a jar with little daily affirmation notes ♡

Like everyone else, also told you personally everyday how beautiful you are

Belphie:

"...That's dumb."

Okay, even he thought that came out a little harsher than intended...leave it to him to be blunt

"I mean, I literally dream about you and when I'm awake you're better than any dream. You're beautiful."

He hugged you in hopes of making you feel better

"Look I'm not good at these things but I'll remind you everyday how amazingly gorgeous you are, alright?"

If you happen to nap/sleep together, he will whisper sweet stuff into your ear

"I'll keep saying these things until you believe it. And continue to, even after you realize it yourself."

⬦You might also like: You ARE The Father︱Giving Him Flowers︱Only You (Lucifer) ︱Radiant (Beel)

[mrsfrecklesmarauders]

The flower chain necklace

Remus saw the little sparkling chain hanging in front of him and he immediately knew this was a bad idea.

"I cannot do it" he shook his head.

"You said it you would!"

"This is a beautiful chain! You should give it to her yourself"

It was a breathtaking necklace. With a beautiful flower chain. It looked expensive. Way out of Remus's budget. And knowing James, it probably had some precious metals somewhere.

Lily's seventeenth birthday was approaching. Remus really liked the girl. She was his best female friend. And he already got her a nice book he thought she might enjoy. Nothing fancy.

Now James, the golden boy, had come and shown Remus what he got for Lily. It was the kind of gift that would take any girl's breath away. It certainly had taken Remus's breath away. But when he commented on how amazing it was, James said: "Glad you like it. Because you're giving this to her for me". Remus had choked on his saliva.

"Again, why don't you give it to her yourself?" Remus asked "It would surely add some points with her. You might have her snogging you by the end of the night"

James laughed as he got a little red.

"If it would be that simple with her, I would definitely do it, Moony" he sighed "But she hates me. And if I give this to her, she won't accept it"

Remus twisted his mouth. Ever since he had met James, he had been head over heels for Lily. And since Remus got close to her, he promised the boy to help him with her.

Remus was the only one who listened to James mumble about Lily or told him things he'd been learning about Lily during the time he spent with her.

"I picked this with my mum over Christmas break..."

"You've got this since Christmas?" How adorable was that?

"Yeah" James rubbed his neck in embarrassment "I didn't know how to give it to her. But her birthday seems like a better occasion to do it..." then he looked at Remus "I mean, for you, her best friend to give it to her"

"James..."

"Please Moony" Oh God, James was pouting "I spent a lot of money on this..."

Of course he did.

"I know she will like it and wear it but not coming from me" James added "But she will, coming from you!"

Remus was noticing James had long eyelashes as he batted them at him.

"She will never believe I have the money to buy something like this" Remus replied.

"You're a smart boy, Moony" James said "Make something up"

"But....I....."

"Pleeeaseee Mooonyyy!!"

As James begged with his hands, Remus thought he and Sirius were too similar in many things.

"I really think you should do it yourself..."

"Moooons!!" James chanted

"You have the best opportunity to win her heart!" Remus used the same tone.

"I just want her to see her happy face when she receives the necklace" James sighed "I just want to see her happy"

Remus smiled. If Lily knew this James, the amazing person he actually was, a true gentleman, Remus was sure she would fall for him. Lily was waiting for her prince charming when he was right there.

God, both of them were so stubborn.

"So, Remus? Are you my mate or not?" James added raising an eyebrow "A Marauder should help his fellow Marauder in anything!"

That made Remus laugh. Ever since he arrived to this school and met the boys, he wanted to belong with them. Be a true Marauder. And even if they treated Remus as such, he knew they had more history. Sometimes he was an intruder. So making James happy with this was tempting.

Remus wanted James to like him. He was so cool. Remus understood why Sirius was obsessed with him.

Remus took a deep breath. James was still pouting and moving his eyelashes that looked bigger behind those glasses. And damn, James was handsome and he had a very convincing face.

"Fine..." Remus said.

But he couldn't continue for James was already attacking him with a tight hug that was leaving him out of breath and several kisses on his forehead and cheek that made Remus blush for some reason.

"Thank you...." Kiss "Thank you...." kiss "Moony!" kiss, kiss "I knew you were a good friend" Wet kiss that made Remus push him away and wipe his cheek "Sirius is right! You are amazing!!"

Remus blushed even more to hear that compliment from Sirius.

Remus giggled happily.

"I still think you should give this to Lily yourself, though..."

James sighed "Blah blah blah... You are my friend, Remus. Not my conscious"

Remus nodded in defeat "Fine"

"And Remus" James put an arm around his neck, pulling him closer "Not a word of this to anyone..." he sounded dead serious when he said it "Not even to Sirius. For as long as it concerns you, you are the one that got this necklace for Lily... Okay?" he even put a finger on his chest "You'll take this to your grave"

Remus was a bit overwhelmed of how secretive and serious this all sounded. He thought he was screwed, wasn't he?

"Yeah ok..."

He received another wet kiss on the cheek and that was the way their pact was sealed.

The day of Lily's birthday party, the necklace box was burning inside his pocket. And James's gaze was burning his back anywhere he went.

Lily was beautiful as always. She was dancing with Luke Gardener, a bloke Lily had told him she potentially fancied. Remus observed them dancing and thought how wrong they fitted and how well she would look with James.

But James was dancing with another random girl Sirius had introduced him.

If Remus was allowed to tell both of them a lot of things he knew, they would surely be together. Remus was a coward. He cared about both of them. But he wasn't that confident or intelligent to make a plan. Plus he believed they had to realize it for themselves. Scheming something would only bring them apart.

Remus sighed as he finished his drink.

"Moony!! Why the long face?"

As James had begged, Remus hadn't told a soul about their pact. He actually forgot until that morning when James gave him the box. But Sirius didn't know. Remus understood why James didn't trust his best friend with that secret. Sirius had been trying nonstop to set James up with random girls. According to Sirius, James was young, handsome, funny and athletic, (true), and he didn't deserve to be pining after the same girl. Even more if Lily was insulting him all the time.

Sirius wasn't a romantic. And having a huge crush on someone like that was a bloody nightmare.

"Aren't you enjoying The Ginger's party?"

"Oh Sirius, you know how much I am the life of parties" Remus answered sarcastically which made Sirius laugh "Just give five more minutes and I'll be on the center of the floor"

"I'll take that as a promise" Sirius winked "Seems like the birthday girl is having fun"

Remus followed Sirius’s gaze to see Gardener's large hands on Lily's waist. She looked red as her hair and kind of embarrassed as she put her arms on his shoulder. She even smiled.

Remus immediately turned to look at James who seemed sad, eyes on Lily and not even on the girl dancing her butt out in front of him.

"Don't worry, Moony" Sirius added, looking at his expression "James will be fine with Crazy-Tongue Danielle"

"Crazy-Tongue?" Remus raised an eyebrow.

"Rumor has it she does wonders" Sirius smirked "Not that I know" he added as Remus frowned unconsciously "I decided to leave her to Prongsie"

"So generous of you" Remus tutted "He's into Lily, though"

"His obsession will go away when he travels in a waters of free pussy"

Remus groaned in disgust "You're so disgusting sometimes, Pads"

Sirius was laughing.

"And it is not just obsession what James feels... Trust me"

He wanted to tell Sirius about the great gesture that his best friend was doing for the girl of his dreams. But unfortunately he couldn't.

"Life is not like those romantic books you adore to read, Moons"

Of course, the boy Remus fancied would never do something like that for him. Maybe for anyone. Remus knew he was capable of loving. He just chose to act like a dick sometimes.

To prove Sirius’s words, another song started playing that made every girl scream. And this song was not romantic. It was about sex, women's bodies and other horrible stuff that made Remus want to puke.

It was upbeat and mostly every girl went crazy with their slut dancing. Remus was about to offer Sirius to go and smoke somewhere, when they saw Alecto Carrow opening her way to the center of the dance floor. All eyes turned to her because she was pretty and a really good dancer. Even Sirius was looking... Even Sirius was looking.

Alecto noticed Sirius and she walked directly towards him and began dancing right in front of him. Remus didn't understand where did she get that confidence.

She even laughed when she tripped and dropped to the floor with a loud gasp.

Sirius bent over her.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?" he asked.

"Better now that my own angel came to my rescue"

Sirius smiled. His cheeks slightly red.

"Oh God! Al, are you okay?"

Now Alecto's friends were all over her, trying to get out of the floor.

"Did she hit her head?"

"Is she breathing?"

"She probably needs CPR"

"Maybe Sirius can do the honors" Alecto answered with a smile. Sirius blushed again.

"She is just bloody drunk" Dorcas snapped with patience "Come on, babe. Let's take you to the dorm"

"Maybe Sirius can be a gentleman and make sure she gets there alright" Alice said with a tiny smile "Looks like she hit her head"

"Don't worry... She is that stupid"

Remus almost laughed to Marlene's comment. He realized that there was a little group of people who were watching the scene. Lily included.

"And no matter what you do, darling, your style is always awful" Alecto replied.

Marlene clenched her teeth when she noticed Dorcas and immediately blushed.

"Come on, Al" Sirius spoke to everyone's surprise "I'll take you to your dorm"

Not only Alecto seemed surprised, but her friends as well, and even Remus. He was used to see Sirius with girls. But that didn't mean he felt as if his heart was being stepped on everytime.

"Oh, such a gentleman" Alecto seemed like she was beaming as Sirius grabbed her hand and dragged her away.

Remus saw Marlene rolling her eyes and he was tempted to do the same.

"Sirius strikes again" Mary commented, making Remus have an unpleasant twist inside his stomach.

As the party resumed to its normality, Remus was feeling worse and worse.

"Moony! Did you do it?"

"Ha?" Remus turned to James trying to blink his pain away.

"Did you give her my present?" he asked "I mean, YOUR present"

Remus took a moment to remember what was James referring to.

"No"

"What happened?"

"Didn't you see how Alecto fell to the floor?"

James raised an eyebrow.

"Sirius took her to her room" It was even more painful to say it.

"Cheeky bastard" James laughed. "She's been into him for ages"

Remus pretended to snort but it sounded like a wounded kitten.

"Where were you anyway?"

"Crazy-tongue Danielle took me to the loo"

Remus wasn't surprised.

"Just a quick snog" James explained as he rubbed his hair in embarrassment.

"Nice" What was Remus supposed to say?

"Anyway, it's almost midnight"

"So?"

"So?" James asked "Lily's official birthday! Go and give her the present!"

Remus was going to protest but James pointed behind him.

"Look she is going for a drink" he exclaimed "Do it when the vulture of Gardener is not around... And make sure I get to see her face"

"Want me to prepare dinner for you as well?" Remus snapped back.

"I already ate" James shrugged not understanding the joke. Then pushed Remus from his shoulders "Just go!! Nooow!"

Remus was practically pushed towards Lily. The rest of the way he made it himself.

Remus sighed. He was really doing this.

Lily, was not drinking alcohol but she was gulping a large glass of water as if she wanted to forget about her problems.

"Hey gorgeous"

Lily almost choked with her drink.

"Remus!!" she smiled widely "God! I am so glad to see you!"

She said it as she side glanced at Luke. It looked as if he wanted to approach but wasn't sure now that Remus was near Lily.

Remus laughed "We saw each other like 40 minutes ago when I told you Happy Birthday"

"Yeah, right" Now Lily was giving a slight smile to Luke.

"Everything alright?"

"Yeah?"

Remus just looked at her.

Lily closed her eyes and shook her head.

"I don't know, Remus" Lily bit her lip "Luke tried to kiss me just now!"

"Oh!"

"It wasn't even in a romantic song or anything. He tried to grab my waist and kissed me right there! I mean I know that he is a boy and everything but it just seems kind of awful to have the first kiss with him like that. I mean we are not even dating. We've bumped into each other a few times and had a good time but now he wants to kiss me? First kisses are supposed to happen in a magical way or at least in a more romantic song.... God! Now I don't know what to do! Thank God Alecto fell then I just ran to drink some water. I'm not sure if I want to kiss him just yet, Remus"

It was a lot for Remus to process. But Remus understood Lily pretty well. She was a romantic through and through. Not like the horny teenagers around. She deserved that magical first kiss.

"I see" he smiled "Do you fancy Luke?"

Lily bit her lower lip "I don't know, I think I do. He is handsome and fit. I saw him without a shirt exercising on P. E. the other day and..."

"Lily!!"

Lily blushed "It was Mary's idea"

Remus laughed.

"Do you think I should just kiss him?"

"No!" Remus exclaimed, then cleared his throat "I mean... No if you don't want to."

Lily twisted her mouth.

"I know our generation is rotten with meaningless drunk snogging at parties" Remus said thinking about Sirius snogging Alecto in her dorm, but decided to shake that thought away "But you are not like that, Lily. You want romance. You want a meaningfull kiss that seems straight out of a novel"

Lily blushed "Yeah I do"

"Maybe get to know Luke a little bit better before snogging him?"

Lily nodded "Right"

"Plus, it is your birthday. You can do whatever you want" Remus shrugged.

Lily let out a little laugh.

"Remus, you are so wise"

Remus felt the excitement of showing her the present now but also the guilt of lying to her. She deserved someone as romantic and detailed as James. Someone who would sweep her off her feet all the time. Especially on her birthday.

"I have a present for you"

Remus had promised though. In the corner of his eye, he saw James taking secret glances at them.

Lily looked surprised "I thought you already gave me that book?"

Remus sighed "This is an extra"

His hand literally shook as he reached the box. He showed it to Lily. She swallowed.

"Happy Birthday, Lily"

Lily grabbed the box between her hands with care. As she opened it, she gasped so loud that several people turned to look.

"Holy Shit!!"

"You don't like it?" Remus asked nervously.

Lily stared at him with disbelieve "Remus! This is beautiful!!"

She was beaming as the chain hanged from her fingers. Her green eyes shone with glow.

But then she shook her head and gave it to Remus.

"I cannot accept it"

"What? Why?"

"Remus, it looks expensive" There it was "How much money did you spend on me? Oh my God!" she covered her mouth "Why would you spend such money on me?"

"I didn't spend much" Remus said quickly "I didn't spend money at all" he added when Lily gave her a concerned look.

"I only spent on the book. This was.... This was... Free..."

Remus's eyes flickered towards James. He wasn't even trying to be subtle. He was pendant on them. He even sent that Danielle girl from before away.

Luckily Lily couldn't see him.

"Just the book was fine" Lily sighed, then she gasped again "What do you mean free??" she put her hands on her hips in a motherly way "Remus Lupin, did you steal this?"

Remus should be offended. But it was obvious by the way he was different from all these posh kids that he had no money. Even Lily who had a scholarship had more money than him.

"What?? No!! I..." He was going to kill James Potter "I didn't..." Quickly Remus think fast... "It was my mother's"

Using his dead mother was low. But nothing else came into his mind.

That surprised Lily even more. She placed the necklace on Remus's hands.

"Remus, I cannot accept this"

She didn't sound angry anymore. Just sad.

"Lily, please accept it" Remus was losing patience.

"If it is from your mum, you shouldn't be giving it to me. It is something special to give to some girlfriend, even your future wife. Your bloody daughter!!"

Remus took a deep breath "It's fine." he cracked a laugh "I don't think I would ever get married" Worse having children.

Lily was still shaking her head.

Remus took a glance at James. He seemed nervous.

"Lily, look..." Remus took his hands on his, the necklace hanging from them.

He looked into the girl's eyes "You are not just my friend... You are a very special person to me. I never got along with girls until I met you. They kind of scared me" he snorted "But then I met you and with you it was easy. I know I've known you for just months but I think we have a special connection. You are amazing and wonderful. I think we are both practically the same. We were meant to know each other and be friends. In every universe. And I really wanted to show you how much you mean to me.... " he swallowed "By giving you this small present"

It was true everything Remus said. It was what crossed his mind when he thought about Lily. Remus kind of sucked at making friends. But with Lily it felt like it had been meant to be. Remus really liked her. He had gotten attached to her in a short time.

"Plus, I am sure my mum would've loved you. And she would have been pleased with you having her necklace"

Lily had tears in her eyes. Remus was a bit overwhelmed as well. He was such a liar.

"I want to give this to you" Remus added "Please accept it"

Lily wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him in for a hug. She was a hugger like James.

"I really like you, Remus" Lily said "You are a very special friend to me"

When they broke apart, Lily had a weird expression on her face. She was looking at Remus with longing and hope. She even bit her lip and played with her hair in the way girls used to do when they flirted. Remus tried to ignore it.

"Want me to put it on for you?"

Lily blinked in reaction "Oh, yeah"

She gave Remus the necklace. He could see a beautiful smile on her face as she turned and raised her hair. Remus smelled her sweet perfume as he put it on.

James was smiling at him. He had his thumps up.

When Remus was done, Lily turned and gave Remus another hug.

"I love it, Remus" she said "I'll never take it off"

James would be pleased.

"Great" Remus pushed her away.

She looked as if she was enchanted. He didn't take her eyes away from Remus.

"I am going to pee" he said.

"Okay"

Lily watched him walk away until her eyes set on her new necklace with a satisfactory smile.

Remus got out of there as soon as he could. He walked towards a smiley James.

"Did you see her face, Moony?" he asked "She loved it!"

"Great! Don't blame me when she falls in love with me instead"

As James laughed, Remus thought about the nightmare that it would be.

"No offense, mate. But you are like her brother"

Remus made a face.

"I can go back and tell her the truth" Remus smiled "She doesn't see you as her brother"

James's smile disappeared.

"Thank you very much, Moony" James said as he kissed his cheek "Next meal at Hogsmeade is on me. You are a golden friend, Remus"

As James walked away, happily, Remus smiled because it had been satisfying to help James out. Although he would have done things differently.

Maybe this could drag the two boys closer. And Remus didn't think there was something more cool than that.

[alexanderlightweight]

hello! I'm glad you're feeling better and I'm so happy to have all these new works and updates to read.

If you have any more ideas for it, I'd love to see more from the "claimed by fire" fic

Hey thanks anon, I loved writing claimed by fire, I’m happy to add more.

—

Magnus is just weaving the last web of the cruelly tight secrecy geas, when the magic monitoring Alexander goes off.

He finishes with a flare of magic that is inconsiderate for its victims' pain. The geas sets into the souls of all who have learned of Magnus’ treasure and Magnus portals away as soon as it clicks into place.

Alexander’s eyes are already open when he gets there. His hand is stretched out, like he’s been reaching for Magnus across the bed.

And Magnus wasn’t there.

Magnus grabs his hand, holding it tightly as he presses kisses to each knuckle and then sets his teeth to worry a mark on Alec’s wrist.

Alexander untenses, relief in his face but something dark in his eyes.

“What’s wrong, darling? What do you need?”

“You left. I could feel it, could feel you even asleep. And suddenly you were gone, your warmth, your magic, your hands.” Alexander’s eyes are gleaming with tears and his lip trembles, “you left me here.”

Magnus knows that new bonds are fragile but this is so new to him. He didn’t realize how delicate the balance is.

“Then I won’t make that mistake again, sayang. When I leave from now on, you’ll go with me.” Because while Magnus cannot bear the thought of Alexander in danger, he too feels the chasm opening between them when they part.

He had thought he was only hurting himself with his actions, he never imagined Alexander would feel that same ache when so deeply asleep.

“Good.” Alexander says, a pout on his mouth as he curls closer to Magnus, a moth seeking a flame. “But you still left.”

“Ah,” Magnus has to hide a smile and schools his face into a serious look. “I did. How should I make it up to you, Alexander?”

Alec can’t hide his pleased smirk, or the hungry gleam of his eyes as he presses his cheek to Magnus’ thigh and rubs against him. Magnus has to swallow, his mouth suddenly dry.

His soulmate is a little minx.

Magnus is thrilled.

“Kisses.” Alec finally tells him, “you weren’t here to kiss me awake. You should fix that.”

And Magnus is helpless to do anything but obey.

—

Alexander almost falls asleep after they finish, but the moment Magnus starts to leave he’s awake. Alert and aware, all the dazed pleasure gone and replaced by a glower.

“I’m merely moving to my office,” Magnus tells him. He’s helpless with how endearing he finds Alexander’s grumpiness.

Alec huffs and then gets up, his muscles shivering as he forces them into motion. Magnus isn’t sure if he’s still unsteady from pleasure; or a life lacking luxury and safety.

“Then I’ll rest in there.” Alec says, voice sulky like this should have something Magnus thought of.

And it might have been, if Magnus weren’t still adjusting to having someone who wants him. Every piece of him and every moment with him.

He can’t help it. He scoops Alexander into his arms, his soulmate yelping from surprise. Alec settles into his hold immediately after, hooking his arms smugly around Magnus’ neck.

He looks incredibly pleased and —while Magnus will never do his soulmate the disservice of comparing him to any of Magnus’ ex lovers— Magnus can’t help but notice that Alexander’s quiet joy from something so simple, eclipses Camille’s awe at the many extravagant and rare presents Magnus gifted her with.

Magnus laughs and kisses Alec’s nose, sitting in his armchair with Alexander snugly in his lap.

“Alright, then. I’ll take the opportunity to tell you about my dearest companions, Catarina and Ragnor. Oh, and I should explain a bit of the Council of Elders, they’re a bit important.”

—

Magnus portals them into the waiting room of the Labyrinth, confident in his and Alexander’s appearance and timely arrival.

There are quite a few warlocks present and Alec looks over them curiously, wondering which are Magnus’ friends and if any are enemies.

“Oh! What’s this? Magnus brought someone to the Labyrinth?” A warlock calls out, chortling as he waves at them. “That’s a first since Camille.”

“Whose Camille?” Alec asks and a different person laughs obnoxiously, as if he’s said a grand joke.

“Only one of Magnus’ worst attempts at a relationship.” The man guffaws; oblivious to the sudden and fierce rage on Magnus’ face and the cold mask sliding over Alec’s. “She broke his heart so many times, I’m surprised he still has one to share.”

There’s silence beyond the laughter as several people wince, not realizing how bad a mistake has been made, but knowing that one has been.

Alec gives the speaker a viciously withering look and walks out of the room, his foot violently connecting with the man’s chair and sending him still laughing to the floor.

Magnus follows him, but Alec doesn’t stop.

“Darling, I think you are misunderstanding something.” Is said behind him, fingers brush his sleeve and Alec viciously jerks his arm away.

There are tears in his eyes and his heart hurts.

Like it did before he met Magnus.

He’s spent so long waiting for Magnus, that it never occurred to him Magnus wouldn’t wait as well.

It’s stupid.

He tells himself bitterly as he ignores Magnus’ voice and the calls of his name. The stairs he finds are coiling and massive and he runs up them without regard for his muscles or his lungs.

He wants to break everything, including himself.

Magnus has been alive for eight hundred years. Of course he wouldn’t wait. But Alec thought that even if he had sex elsewhere that he’d guard his heart.

How could he let someone break his heart —multiple times at that— before Alec even had a chance to love him.

Is there even any room for Alec, or is his heart too wary and scarred for Alec to have any place there?

Alec doesn’t realize the worry of being not enough —he’s never enough— is sending him spiraling until he’s out of breath. He’s choking on his own pain and panic and then he’s being viciously knocked into a wall.

He fights for a half a second before he recognizes Magnus and then he snarls to hide his sobs.

—

Alexander runs and Magnus follows, furious at himself and his peers as he runs.

Someone else will explain to both Evander and Dominic the colossal mister they just made, and Magnus prays to Lilith that Dominic at least will avoid an in person apology. Because depending on how this conversation goes —and it’s not looking good considering Alec’s still running— Magnus may require his death as the apology.

Everyone was supposed to know that Magnus was bringing his soulmate. A sacred connection he’s been blessed with after centuries of waiting. And instead, he and his incredibly new soulmate were smacked in the face with Magnus’ deepest regrets.

Camille.

It broke something in Magnus, to hear her foul name pass Alexander’s lips. And now, to have Alec fleeing him, avoiding —flinching— from Magnus’ touch.

It’s devastating.

So when Alexander climbs the stairs, Magnus chases, until Alec starts to shake, nearly falling but still running. And then Magnus boosts himself with magic and slams his boy into the walls of the Labyrinth.

“Do not run from me.” Magnus snarls, body pinning Alexander's struggling frame to the wall. His hands cup Alec’s face so he can’t look away. “Do not ever run from me again, Alexander.” And then, with Alec’s tear filled, tortured gaze meeting his own, he presses his lips to the corner of Alexander’s lips and murmurs, “my Alexander, do you really think I would ever let you go?”

Alexander huffs and scoffs at him, trying to pretend there aren’t tears rolling down his cheeks or that half the reason he can’t breathe is because he’s holding back sobs.

Magnus licks away his tears and presses kisses to Alexander’s face, ignoring how he tries to shy away.

“What will it take, sayang? What do I need to do to rid you of this feeling? You’re hurting so much, my heart.”

Alexander shudders against him and his hands are like vices from where they clamp to Magnus’ waist.

“If you say I’m your heart, then your heart is mine. But you let her hurt your heart, Magnus.” Alexander finally says, devastating in his sorrow. “Your heart is mine, she should have never touched it.”

And Magnus, Magnus knows it’s wrong to enjoy this, but Alexander’s pain and possessive anger is so sweetly intoxicating.

“You’re right, angel.” Magnus concedes gently and presses a little closer, using magic to cushion Alexander’s back. “I should have been more patient, but I was younger then. Too angry with the world for denying me you, that I looked for comfort elsewhere. Sometimes,” and Magnus sighs and admits, “sometimes anywhere. I wasn’t kind to my heart, sayang, but—“ and Magnus catches Alexander’s chin and forces their gaze to meet.

“I will never, ever let anyone touch the heart you have given me. I will bathe the world in the blood of anyone who tries to take you from me. I will not suffer another to hurt you, to touch you, perhaps even to talk to you.” Magnus says idly; his thumb presses to Alexander’s plush mouth. “I would destroy the very foundations of this world, to make you happy. And I will collapse entire realms to keep you safe. If you must, judge my lack of self-care, Alexander, but you must Webber doubt my devotion or adoration of you.”

He kisses Alec before he can respond. Tangles their tongues and licks in deeply, chasing away his panic with pleasure. Alexander whimpers against him, bites Magnus’ tongue until it bleeds and then suckles the blood away like that simple little nip was him doling out punishment.

It’s so very charming.

“Magnus.” A calm, soothing voice interrupts them and magic flares in a shield about him. It recognizes the other presence and allows it to approach and Magnus finally pulls away from the temptation of Alexander's lips to greet Catarina.

He’s pulled back into another, deeper kiss before he has to forcibly gentle Alexander and keep him still.

“Darling, I’ll give you as many kisses as you want, but catch your breath first.” Magnus promises, and then he forgets his own words to kiss Alexander thrice more before actually pulling himself away.

Cat is watching him with an indulgent smirk but her eyes are both watchful and sad. It makes sense that she was summoned to fetch them. She and Ragnor are the only two who can approach him while he’s like this.

The only two he would allow to approach Alexander during this.

Alexander looks warily at Cat over Magnus’ shoulder and Magnus kisses his cheek absently.

“It’s alright, sayang. This is Catarina.” And Alexander immediately relaxes, knowing from the quick stories Magnus told how important Ragnor and Catarina are to him. “Cat, you’ve come to soothe the savage beast, I see?”

Cat scoffs at his words and shakes her head, they both know that if Magnus was actually feral, she would have joined him in his battles.

“The Elders would like to welcome you and your soulmate, and apologize for the poor hospitality our people have shown.”

She gives Alexander a welcoming nod, but keeps her attention on Magnus.

Alexander scoffs and burrows closer to Magnus. Cat raises a brow questioningly and when Magnus mouths ‘Camille’ at her, Cat’s aura flickers with her protective anger. No previous relationships should ever be mentioned lightly around a newly found soulbond and to bring up Camille, it could have created a tragedy.

Magnus settles a little, knowing that Cat will take care of things until Magnus can get to them.

“If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you both to the Council.” Cat says and turns, offering her back and walking back down the long stairs. Alec follows only when Magnus guides him, arm around his waist.

Magnus is half tempted to throw Alexander over his shoulder and carry him down. Instead he activated his personal maze array. They get to the Elders in a quarter of the time Magnus spent chasing Alexander with the array active. And Alexander stares in curiosity as doors appear before them, Magnus smiles at his quiet awe and waves his hand in a grand flourish. Cat laughs at his antics before she opens the doors and says:

“Welcome, Magnus and Alec. To the Council of Elders.”

[7thpuzzlepiece]

An anxious night (Grayson x reader)

It's my first published work ever so please be indulgent, and give me advices !

pairing : Grayson x reader

synopsis : life has been tough lately, finals, anxiety, reader needs some comfort from their boyfriend

tags: comfy relationship, anxiety, academic pressure, self-doubt, comfort, kissing, hugging, very fluffy

wc: 2,2k

Grayson and I have been dating for over a year. He makes me feel safe, more at peace with myself, and always finds the right words for me to feel at ease. I also like to think that I allow him to have a safe place, where he can be himself, and where he can talk about things bothering him. But lately, we didn’t have many opportunities to meet. The two of us who hardly spend more than three days without seeing each other had not been able to meet for over a week. He is always busy with his work by the foundation, but these days as the end of the year is near, and the yearly budget is to be agreed upon, he is just never coming home.

I, myself, have been dealing with graduation projects as I am in my last year of university. I was stressed, overwhelmed, and I have been spiraling negative thoughts. I know that Grayson is just busy, but couldn’t he be losing interest in me? Indeed, why is Grayson who is so much better than me, older, wiser, more likable than I am, dating me? He told me multiple times how much he liked me, but did I really deserve his love? Am I such a bad person that I tricked him into liking me?

Today is Saturday and I need to finish up my homework. Anyway, I could not get myself to do anything else, yet I could not focus on anything. And most of all, I could not contact Grayson, because I would for sure bother him, and be a hassle to deal with for him as he is busy, and has better things to do than comfort me once again. But honestly, I just want to have some time off, for me, or to spend happier times with him, and our friends (his brothers, Avery, Max, Libby).

It had been a while since I had such thoughts. However, lately, I do and it is a bit hard to breathe again. As I was starting to get too anxious, I put on the same songs I am used to listening to make myself a bit less stressed, a bit less in my head, a bit more me. As I was listening to them, cuddled in a blanket, with nothing but fairy lights turned on in my bed, he knocked on my door. Usually, he doesn’t come before announcing himself, especially not when it is a bit late, like today, and he is supposed to be at the foundation. However, I know the way Grayson knocks on the door, and it cannot not be him. I don’t have the energy to stand up, unlock the door, and let him in, so I just send him a message saying to come in, that the door is open.

He opens the door, takes off his shoes, and enters my room.“Sweetheart”, he says, “I already told you to not let the door open, especially when it’s this late, and don’t tell me you knew I was coming, I left the foundation less than 10 minutes ago”. He was about to go on and remind me of how dangerous strangers can be but he saw me and heard the music I was listening to, and he knew. Knew that what I needed was not reminders about security, about my protection, but his protection, and his comfort. He puts his bag on the floor by the door and removes his suit vest. He quickly kisses the top of my head, and heads out to the kitchen. As I thought he would cuddle me, and comfort me, I am a bit disappointed that all he think about is having dinner, but as he just said it, he is off work and must be hungry. Trying to not cry, I cuddle further in the blanket and turn my back to the door.

I then hear him step in my room and doesn’t dodge at all, not thinking he needs me to be more welcoming after he left me like this. He leaves something like a plate on my desk and comes to me. He seems a bit disconcerted to see me not giving him any attention. He slowly sits next to me on my bed, and puts his hand on my left elbow, while I am still facing the wall.

“Baby, we haven’t seen each other for over a week, couldn’t I have looked at your face ?”, seeing I don’t answer, he doesn’t force me to face him, and manages to get one of his hands behind my back to back hug me, his head resting on my shoulder. He hums to the song playing, and I listen to his voice, feeling comforted. As I unconsciously unwind my tensed muscles, he loosens up his embrace and makes me face him. He looks at me with worries and love in his eyes, his beautiful silver eyes, and doesn’t force me to talk but hugs me once again, this time facing me, with my head around his neck. I was trying not to break apart and fall in tears, but I couldn’t keep my tears for me anymore, and let them flow. He feels them falling on his skin and tighten our hug, making me as close to him as possible. He moves us a little bit in an almost lying down position and draws circles on my back to comfort me.

I didn’t realize it but I must have fallen asleep while he hugged me. When I wake up, I don’t see Grayson anywhere, and as I am not wide awake yet, I panic and stand up to look for him in the living room, to find him facing the window, looking at the night cityscape. Standing tall, wearing his tie-less suit shirt slightly opened with his hair a bit entangled. As he hears noises, he turns around, and I don’t give him any time before hugging him as strongly as I can, trying to absorb all of him, everything about him I missed during last week. I hug him like I never hugged anyone, like I never hugged him, doing my best to enlace him and bring him as close to me as I can. I don’t feel time passing by, I don’t know how long I hug him, all I know is that I feel all of his care and love within the embrace he gives me back. Slowly, even if I am still holding him close to me, he untangles our arms and pats the top of my head, playing with my hair. Grayson is for sure one of the only people I enjoy head pats from without any kind of contraction or uneasiness. He brings his second hand near my cheek and makes me look at him, and I loosen a bit my arms. He tenderly kisses me, just reminding me once again of all of the love he has for me and how important we are. When our lips parted, I looked at him and let my head fall again on his chest. One of his arms slides behind my back, while the other is wrapped around my knees, and he suddenly carries me bridal style. As expected, it is even more comfortable than our previous embrace, and while I let myself get more relaxed in his arms, muscled up through swimming, he brings us back to my room and lays me on my bed. He then goes back to the plate that he earlier left on my desk, and brings it to me. It isn’t a meal for him as I expected it to be earlier, but sliced fruits, some cookies, and a cup of (now not so hot) hot chocolate.

" I doubted you would have eaten anything nor anything you liked so, I got some food ready before we cuddled and were restrained in our movements ".

I feel so dumb, so mean, after doubting him, after not trusting him enough to know he would never do anything selfish while I needed him. Grayson would never do so, he loves me, and he cares for me. Tears began to pill up in my eyes, and as the first one rolled down my cheek, he wiped it.

" Please don’t blame yourself, I know you’re scared of hurting me, but you’re not at all, I just want to help you go through anything, even if it means that sometimes you will misunderstand what I do. Next time, I will let you know in advance where I go, I am sorry I didn’t… And, if you don’t want to it’s fine, but had you like to talk about what’s bothering you? "

I look down and don’t dare to look at him.

" I am so sorry, I know you are always so good to me, and trying so hard for me to be able to talk about everything I have on my mind, and I am just so dumb and so mean toward you."

"Hey Sweetheart, what are you saying, no you are not. And even if you were you are allowed to make mistakes "

“But not mistakes that hurt you, you would never do so and I just keep on being the worst girlfriend you could wish for "

“Sweetheart, I am sorry but you ought to stop talking that way about the person I love the most in the world. I, Grayson Hawthorne, would never be attracted to anyone like the person you are describing. This is not you. You told me multiple times how to learn to make mistakes, that even Grayson can make mistakes, so why could you not? All I could wish for is for you to see yourself through my eyes. You are the most beautiful and lovely human being in the world. The only person I want in my world” he looks at me intensely, with his eyes shining, almost crying, shaking, trying to make me understand his care, his love.

“Grayson…" my voice broke, “I…”, I stared at his face, his cutting-edge jawline, his sharp gaze always so soft when he is looking at me. I get lost in his silver eyes, so deeply, so softly, never wanting to come back to reality, never wanting to leave him. He encourages me with a soft smile, cupping my jaw in his left hand. And I tell him about it all, I tell him about everything on my mind, my worries, my constant fear of missing out, of not being enough for me, for him…

“I will never leave you for such a long time again, I swear, I will be here by your side every single day, every minute of your life, always."

“But Grayson, we have such different schedules, and are not even living in the same house, let alone meeting every single day."

“Shall I remind you that you will be done with undergraduate studies in less than two weeks? I know what are your abilities, and we already discussed with Avery that I cannot manage the foundation by myself, we could…” he looks up to me, with expectation in his eyes “We could maybe manage it together? I know that your law major can be of great help, and you are so willing to help everyone out, and…” he looks almost shy, boyish, adorable, “I wish we could do it together”. “And also, Avery is currently working on the expansion of my wing at Hawthorne House, we could maybe, move in? If you want to of course”

“Grayson, it is everything I could wish for, I want to do this with you, I love you.”

We hug tenderly and eat the remaining fruits, and cookies before lying together in my bed, all cuddled and comfy against one another. Knowing we will never, ever be apart again.

[doctorofmagic]

I know this wasn't the point of the Wanda post but I feel like this should be said: Introducing things from the movies into the comics is not always a bad thing like how Blade wasn't half vampire until after the film trilogy and everything that happened with comic 616 Nick Fury. But I could be wrong and those are actually terrible examples.

I agree with you! I don't think adaptations and new concepts are bad, but it really depends on every circumstance.

Cloud!Galactus will forever haunt the second FF movie. Let alone that *points at Victor von Doom as a whole*

On the other hand, some concepts are super welcome, like what they did with the Eternals, making most of their personalities waaaay more interesting (I suppose my only exception is Sersi. Comics!Sersi is/was so full of sass and I missed that. But Ikaris? Makkari? Druig? *chef's kiss*)

Nick Fury, imo, is a very unique concept because he only exists thanks to the Ultimates artist who used Samuel L. Jackson for his design. The actor saw that and wanted to be part of the MCU, which turned him into a very popular character, leading Ult!Fury to the 616, while 616!Fury is currently *whatever happened to him in Slott's FF run idrc* (correct me if I'm wrong on this, I read that info a long time ago)

Oh, and I can't say much about Blade because I'm just starting to read his chronology. But I think it's cool that he's a daywalker, as far as I know.

In short, it's okay if the movies introduce something cool to the character.

But back to Wanda... (and I know you didn't mention her, this is just me ranting, so please feel free to ignore that part, I'm just seizing this opportunity)

Nothing about her MCU characterization added good things to her comic book version. She was whitewashed, worked for Hydra, had a terrible storyline about grief and mental health (tipically stereotyped and twice as problematic since she's a woman) and finally had the "woman goes crazy with power" trope. She was never able to control her powers (as seen in Civil War) and let her emotions warp reality to fit her fantasies while being manipulated by both people and her own emotions (again, women are often called overly emotional, and I'm not excusing Bendis here because he did the same in comics). She became a villain during HoM and the times she was possessed by Chthon, but she was never meant to be *THAT* scary and evil. There's altruism in her essence (this is why the narrative of killing a teenager is just so off to me).

Wanda is a brown romani woman who was often persecuted due to her ethnicity, religion and skin color, as well as her mutant genes. And yes, the many reboots that tried to erase her identity. Even in modern day, she still has to deal with ill-intended writers who ignored the implications of her character as a hero of color and the double effort she has to perform in order to be accepted as an Avenger, (former) mutant and overall hero. Not only that, the fans have to BEG to artists to make sure she isn't whitewashed, while 0ls3n stans will mock and diminish those who ask for representation.

This is why it's so problematic for Wanda to be like that. Her entire characterization is made to please a toxic fanbase and use her as a symbol to promote their racism (as seen on my previous post).

In short, they don't like Wanda. They just idolize 0ls3n because she's white and plays a derranged woman filled with power. And that's kinda enough for them.

Don't get me wrong, I do love my fair share of female villains (I'm literally in 300 different fandoms). But Wanda was not meant to be that, especially knowing that there are so few female heroes of color on screen (it gets even worse when we only count phase 1, 2 and 3).

In any case, my point is, fans cannot accept the influence of MCU!Wanda to be translated to comics because it's erasure of her identity and plain racism. The new team is working very hard to portray a woman of color as she was supposed to be ever since her roma heritage was established in comics, and it's infuriating that people will turn a blind eye to all that.

Like, this kind of shit keeps happening over and over.

Even when Wanda is a brown woman like she's supposed to be, they still find a way to erase her through 0ls3n's whiteness. This is not different from those derranged people who pick white actors and photoshop them over Black Panther's characters (I've seen one just yesterday).

Sure many minorities were poorly portrayed back then, often depicting problematic characterizations, but here's an excellent case of how comic books allow room for growth (I was talking about HP and JK but it also fits this post)

Agatha was just the last bit of bad influence from that accursed TV show. She was deaged, which is absurdly ageist. There are so many few elderly and middle-aged women in the Marvel universe. There's less now because women can't be old (ask me about the anons that stated Charlize was too old to play Clea and watch me burn in rage).

Anyways, I wanted to make this about Wanda again because it's not just a case of bad adaptation. It's a political statement -- and a bad one. And I don't want ANY OF THAT in a media that is so political and means so much to minorities. I feel like it's important for us to talk about this ALWAYS. So yeah. I don't know how to end this post. Representation matters. Thank you for coming to my ted talk.

[rudystree]

season 3 was actually my favorite season! everything about it was just really good. the pogues finally getting the gold. it was so amazing.

ward and big john dying?! that was shocking, but i kinda saw it coming. when we started to hear john b's narration of the situation and the camera shows ward, dead, and he says something to the affect of the villains becoming heros. in that moment, i didn't know if i still hated ward or if i kinda liked him for sacrificing his own life for sarah.

idk how to feel about big john though. he tried getting john b to keep secrets from the pogues even though they had every right to know what was going on. that lead to sarah and john b getting into a fight, which lead to sarah kissing topper, sarah telling jb and then finally jb beating up topper and now he's getting charged w it. the charges don't matter eventually, but still. it caused sm problems within the story.

popecleo was so freaking cute. i loved it sm. i just loved their chemistry. carlacia and jd did an amazing job on portraying it. seeing cleo comfort pope when he was about to shoot rafe was just so pure!! i really cannot wait to see how their relationship is in season 4.

jiara this season!! i actually never chose sides between the jjpope/jiara war, but jiara was actually so good. seeing something develop in season 1 that was completely unintentional to season 3, the characters getting together just shows how much the fandom's voice was being heard.

i don't really know why the writers keep planning sarah to go back to topper after fights she has with john b. it's just so unnecessary and not even shocking atp. there was many more other situations they could've done instead of sarah getting w topper.

jj's storyline w luke! i hate how they just forgot about that in mid season 2 and didn't care to look back at it. it was just completely unfair how they would do that to jj. i wanted the writers to dive deeper into jj's personal life and see the root causes to all of it.

anyways, i would love to hear your thoughts about season 3!!

omg i LOVE this review!!! tysm 🫶🏻

i tried to condense all my big thoughts in an earlier post because i actually agree with legit everything you wrote here. 🌟

ward had an interesting arc this season. i liked what they did with him. in the teaser / trailer i was super pissed that they were still trusting him with stuff (and yeah…it was dumb) but he did show redeeming qualities somehow. big john actually made him look like a better father 💀 i’m glad he’s dead now and i like the way he went with a little dignity left.

i also never chose sides in the jiara / jjpope stuff. i only became a jiara shipper once i knew it would be canon for sure. and it was beautiful. i gotta say, i did miss jjpope scenes, platonically. it was sweet that they included their little talk about kie. but i needed a lot more. popecleo was so so cute and i would’ve liked a second lil bro talk about it. they also missed such a major opportunity with sarah and jj staying together — those two have so much to talk about, whether it’s kie/john b or the fact that they’re both parentless and homeless. but instead they wasted time driving her back to topper..again. it was a real shame.

every setback however was kind of redeemed by the fact that jj was looking like a whole 3 course meal ajshskshsk 😩 like …he ALWAYS looks good. but his S3 looks just had me floored the whole time. and the badass energy? that man is so damn fine. and to think ppl spent so much time worrying and complaining about his hair, body, etc during filming. if any plot line bothered me i just think about how gorgeous he is and i’m okay again lmao.

now if we didn’t know that a S4 is coming i would’ve thought for sure this was the series finale. i am NOT a fan of the time jump. but now i’m just very intrigued as to how they are gonna keep the story going. and with a bit of luck S4 will be jj-centric and feature some much needed stories on his background 🤞🏻

[dhampiravidi]

❛ i need to come. please, i'll do anything. ❜ (Cass to Caleb)

Because of his natural aptitude for magic and his near-perfect grades, the Order of Paladins had offered him an apprenticeship. Although he was sad to leave his town behind, he felt grateful for the opportunity, which his mother pushed him to take. His knight, Sir Harold, was one of the king's Chosen, the elite group who guarded the castle and the royals of Amenth. That was how Caleb Danvers met Princess Cassia of Keller. They were the same age, and they first spoke to each other when they were both perusing the country's famous library. It was hardly five minutes before they became friends.

By the time Caleb turned eighteen, he'd been knighted by Cassia's father, the kind King Aidan. In fact, the king appointed Sir Caleb to be the princess's royal bodyguard, who was supposed to follow her just about everywhere (except when she was indecent, of course).

That was why Caleb was with Cassia when she attempted to go out her bedroom window, which sat in the high Western Tower.

"Cassia! What the hell are you doing?" he cried, hand ready to catch her with a spell. He didn't expect to see tears in her eyes when she turned to face him. "Cass...what's wrong?"

"You know of the talks my parents have had with Voltumnia?" The crown had been brokering a major trade agreement with the kingdom to the north. It was an important endeavor because Keller had nearly exhausted its supply of adamantium, a magical metal used to make weapons and construction materials.

"Of course. Did they not end a few days ago?"

"They did. And I am the first trade they will make." Caleb's eyes widened--surely her parents hadn't agreed for her to be put to work as a maid or something worse? "I am to marry the king of that other country the moment I arrive." He felt his heart drop down to the floor. The candle flames flickered, subtly affected by his sudden sadness.

"...they wouldn't do that. Your father would never agree--"

"But he HAS!" the princess screamed, hot, angry tears rushing down her cheeks. Caleb went and pulled her off of the ledge, and realized she had both a satchel and a long length of rope, made from tied-together sheets and dresses.

"You were planning to run, not...to jump." He sighed. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Caleb...you cannot come with me."

"I always come with you."

"You cannot. It is not your orders." He grit his teeth.

"I always come with you. To your cousins' birthday banquet in Newport. To the pub you sneak out to every time you want mead. To the observatory each Friday," Caleb muttered, emotions swirling and burning in his chest. "Your father's first command to me was to swear my life to you. To you, and no one else. I am yours, Cassia! Did you think I would let you climb from your window alone?!"

She merely sniffled. In his frustration, he'd gotten closer into her space than he ever had--more than was appropriate for a person of her status and his station. He might have apologized and stepped away, had she not had pink cheeks and wandering eyes.

So he kissed her, softly pressing his lips to hers once before he drew away. A stray tear tried to run down her cheek, and he captured it with his thumb. She darted forward, kissing him again, and the two fought like that, trading quick kisses back and forth until they were panting.

"You love me..." Cassia whispered.

"Was there ever any doubt?" he replied, smiling. He had dreamt of them together so many times, but the reality was so much better. "So: off we go. I will climb down first, to ensure the rope is secured. Then--" She stopped him with a finger to his lips.

"Once they raise the alarm to look for us, everyone in the kingdom will be an obstacle. There's no chance this will work. If we are caught, you would be reassigned. We would never see each other again. If I marry..."

"No. I won't see you hurt. Why is your father allowing this?" It was no secret that the king and queen were estranged, unhappy with their marriage. Some said the queen even had a lover. It was also no secret that the king loved his daughter more than all of the riches he owned.

"We have no choice. We need Voltumnia's aid, and they want an heir...as much as I dislike this, hate this...maybe I must go through with the wedding after all. My parents have no other children, no other choice." Caleb opened his mouth in shock, then closed it, mouth set in a grim line. He simply nodded once, bowed, and then moved to leave. "Wait! Caleb...wait."

"Yes, Princess?" he managed.

"...I ask as...your friend. I...I ask for you to...be my first." They were both still at first. And then, he turned, sad eyes meeting her own. "It's not an order."

"I know. I just...I wish I could be your last. Your only." He had had his first already (a few times actually), with a blonde girl named Sarah before he'd been knighted. It was common in their land for young people to sleep with those who they never married. But young noblewomen were kept chaste, in fear that doing otherwise would make issues of inheritance more likely.

The armor that the Chosen wore was lighter than the armor a regular knight and/or cavalry soldier would wear. It was hoped that the Chosen would always be fast enough to stop any attack made on the life of a royal. So, they wore a combination of plate armor, leather, and cloth that came together in a fairly sleek design. This was what Caleb stripped off in haste, until he was down to his shirt and underwear. He was careful not to let his armor hit the ground too hard, because he didn't want the guards outside questioning anything...

And then he surged forward, pulling his princess into a passionate kiss. They moved like a river against stone, always flowing, always adapting to each other, until they broke apart, panting again. He was hard and she was feeling feverish in her dress, which hadn't yet been exchanged for a nightgown.

"Please--" Minutes later, they were naked together on her bed. There were no sheets, just pillows and furs trapped inside a smooth mattress, but they asked for nothing else. She shyly glanced at his decently muscular form, having never seen him outside of his armor. And he was almost overwhelmed by her soft skin and softer curves. He kissed down her neck to the valley between her breasts, then over her stomach and on the inside of each thigh. "Good God, Caleb--!" He gently shushed her.

"Have you ever touched yourself?"

"Y-yes, of course."

"Do it for me, now." Slowly, bashfully, she did, fingers ghosting over her stomach and breasts until she was rubbing her nipples and groaning, thighs desperately looking for friction. He stroked himself twice, long and slow, eyes locked on how her pretty painted lips twitched and curved. Without warning, he touched her where she was wet, earning himself a whimper that he encouraged as he teased her clit. His thumb drew circles, and she tried to move against his hand.

"Pl-please," she whined, not sure what to do next. He kissed her again, more and more until she was distracted enough for him to sink his finger inside her. Caleb heard her sob against him, and he immediately stopped everything, pulling her into a hug.

"Shh, shh, I've got you..."

"No...Caleb, I'm not glass. I want this," Cassia told him, sniffling a little. He looked at her for a long time. Then he kissed her forehead and slid his finger inside her again, gently thrusting in and out, slow until she weakly nodded for him to go faster. They did the same when he used two and then three fingers to get her ready, and by then, the princess was frustrated. "I want you in me, now--" He tried not to, but he slammed into her, filling her perfectly in one go. She barely had time to cover her mouth when she cried out.

Caleb closed his eyes tightly, loving how warm and tight and wanting she was. His hands were stuck to her hips, and he'd rested his head next to hers, struggling to control himself. She was still his best friend. He didn't want to hurt her, but the way her cunt was fluttering around him, and she was whispering his name like a zealous prayer--

He pulled out some and thrust in again, slower than before. That way, he could start a safe rhythm with her, one she quickly learned and appreciated.

"More." He gave her that, faster and harder, and suddenly her nails were lightly scraping across Caleb's back. He wanted nothing more to serve her, to make her happier and more satisfied than anyone else could. Caleb kept fucking his princess, his queen, and his heart until his name became wild, unintelligible cries that she was muffling with her hand. At that point, she was rocking against him, still playing with herself in the hope that she'd reach the thing her body was racing towards.

He took her hand away from her mouth, curious to know if she had anything to s--❛ i need to cum. Please, I'll do anything. ❜

Caleb nearly came himself at that. "Just where did you learn about that word?" Cassia blushed.

"The maids talk. And they let me read a romance." His eyes darkened. His cock was as hard as it was going to get. He started up again, then stopped, pulling out completely. "What--" Caleb lied down beside her.

"Ride me. You should enjoy it, I think." And he did. Some might've considered it profane, the way he watched her breasts bounce as her lovely voice hit new heights, the way he came right after she did and held her hips down so she kept moaning. But no one would doubt how much he loved her as he carried her to her tub, giving her a warm bath before he tucked her into bed.

They escaped the palace in the wee hours of the morning, and they enjoyed the sunrise by making love again, free from the confines of their old kingdom.

[camuslittlesister]

Summer of Smut 2023 - 4

This was technically intended for the prompt for the 26th but then my body decided to punish me for the fact my otome husbandos cannot get me pregnant sooo I adapted it.

Almost Lover

Prompt Sneaking out of a pool party Otome Brothers Conflict  Ship Tsubaki x female OC (ok, I’ll admit it, this is a poorly disguided self-insert 🥹 as if I could get away with this specific brand of a n g s t in front of my friends. She isn’t named tho) Warning It spoils a circumstance between Azusa and Tsubaki (it takes place in a hypothetical future at the end of the summer after Azusa’s route) and something about Hikaru. Also, if you played Olympia Soirée, this is your TW, f l a s h b a c k s. Well, one. Still, it was our collective trauma of 2021.

Well, I'd never want to see you unhappy I thought you'd want the same for me Goodbye, my almost lover Goodbye, my hopeless dream

- A Fine Frenzy

Her moans sounded like she was far more into it than I was. I looked back down at her, her long hair a mess on the pillow, a different colour than Ema’s and, yet, it was hard for me to truly see her. I could feel her hands tightening around my arms when I thrusted, her hips moving to meet the hit, all her muscles tensing and releasing when it counted. How many lovers had she had to be this good? And, yet…I just couldn’t help but think that I would have rather felt Ema’s inexperienced first love instead.

I didn’t feel guilty, although maybe I should’ve. She came to this hotel after I drunkenly told her all about how Azusa always takes everything I want from me. I wonder why. I’m sure she doesn’t lack any opportunities with guys. I was so distracted by my thoughts I was finding it hard to come. She smiled at me. It was a soft smile, the kind Masaomi has for his patients. Dammit, now I truly have gone and killed the mood. I was so angry with myself I went at it even harder. 

Well, at least  she likes it. Unless she is faking it. No, she isn’t, surely? It’d be too hard to fake those spasms. Well, whatever. She pushed me over the edge at last and I rolled over by her side. She didn’t try to make shallow conversation. I just stared at the ceiling for a while. She got out of bed and headed for the table, her beautiful figure almost ethereal in the moonlight. For a moment I wished I had met her at any other time but this. She deserved more than the half-assed fuck I gave her. 

She returned to bed with a bag of gummies with a kawaii character or other and offered me some. “Thank you ⭐️” I tried to be my usual cheerful self, she didn’t buy it.“You’re really mad at your brother, huh? I’m so sorry…I hope you feel a bit lighter now. Your smile lights up the room, but it’d be even more beautiful if genuine…” “Why do you think I’m mad at Azusa?” “You went really hard at it, like a raging bull, and you had no reason to be that angry at my vagina…” I did not reply. I took another gummy from the bag and lowered my head on her shoulder like I always did on Azusa’s. 

*

“So that’s the infamous Azusa?” she was looking around the garden trying to piece together my family.  “No, that’s Natsume. Azusa has dark hair and glasses. Do you not read magazines?” “I buy them if you’re in them?!” “So you should know what Azusa looks like!”  “He’s your twin, he looks like you but not as good. As does that guy”“Yeah. We’re triplets…fine, I forgive you” I stole a kiss and took her hand, finally walking out into the garden and making our presence known. 

We may have walked two steps when the menace that are two of my older brothers descended on us: Hikaru and Kaname, one teasing me about how fast I moved on from being in love with Ema like everyone else, and the other pointing out that with a girlfriend as pretty as mine it was understandable, what wasn’t is what she saw in me.  I pouted: “Hey, that girl’s magazine voted me the hottest seiyuu this year” everyone laughed, even Ukyo nearby chuckled behind his hand, trying to hide. 

“The real question is how she puts up with his personality” I could have recognised that voice among thousands speaking at once.“Azusaaaaaaa ⭐️” I turned around and hugged him. “How does it feel being the mistress?” Hikaru asked my girlfriend.“It’s fine. The doujinshi sell like hot cakes…” she was joking…right?Kaname did not miss a beat: “If you ever need to offload your pain, I’m a good listener…” 

I turned their way, my arms still around my twin, glaring. Azusa smiled gently: “You must be the girl nobody believed was real. Thank you for taking good care of my brother, he’s a lot of trouble but please continue to take care of him” Why is she not denying the accusation? I’m no trouble.  “Is Ema not with you?” I asked Azusa. It was the first time in a long time that we were all in the same place at once, as I had left Sunrise Residence to move in with my now girlfriend when they first got together. 

“She’s playing in the pool with Wataru” he replied. There was some awkwardness between us for a moment. I had never really addressed that I had moved out because of them even though he and I had been joined at the hip for most of our lives.  My girlfriend noticed, as perceptive as ever, and changed the topic: “Won’t you introduce me to everyone else?”  “Okay ⭐️” I finally disentangled myself from Azusa and took her around to my other brothers, and my mother and Rintaro-san who had, by then, arrived. Mother gave me a knowing look, before dropping a metaphorical iced bucket on my head: “I’m so glad to have a second daughter to dress up.”

My girlfriend looked at me with questioning eyes and I tried to change the subject. It was true that we lived together, even with all the risks involved for me if the tabloids found out, and that I never took a girl home to meet everyone, but our circumstances were more complicated, and our relationship far shorter than everyone thought. 

“Oh, if it isn’t the first daughter” Mother’s attention shifted to Ema, who had now joined us too. I felt my hand being squeezed as I forced my brightest smile and turned towards the girl who had broken my heart. I could overhear my mother talk about how beautiful it would be if we had a double wedding. I tried to block her out of my mind, as Ema was as sweet as ever, complimenting my girlfriend over being as beautiful and glamourous as Hikaru. Ema was right, I thought, as I watched her gracefully accept the compliment. She was unlike other girls I had ever met. 

“Tsubaki, will you show me to the bathroom please? I need to powder my nose…” Ema tried to volunteer, but I made the excuse of needing to go too so that I would be the one. As soon as we were out of sight in front of the bathroom, she hugged me: “I’m so proud of you”“What for?” “How you handled seeing the girl that broke your heart and the brother who helped her do it…it’s painful to see someone you love with someone else, and have to act like you’re happy for them when maybe on some level you are but your feelings are more complicated than that…”

I looked at her, her eyes earnest. Did she think I was still in love with Ema? “It’s true. It was so painful seeing Kaname and Hikaru flock to you like that” I replied. She looked surprised. I kissed her, opening the door behind her and walking us into the bathroom: “Did you actually need to go?” I asked her, not thinking through what I had just done.“No, I wanted to speak to you in private…” 

“Good” I smiled, and locked the door. I lowered my voice to one of my acting voices, the one I used for ikémen, or as she called it my seme voice: “You need teaching a lesson. You mistakenly believe I am still in love with Ema no matter how many times I do this to you…” I kissed her, pulling her skirt up to her waist and realising she was wearing a one piece swimsuit. Of course. I used one hand to move it to the side, so I could use the other one to tease her.

She leaned back against the cabinets, relaxing at my touch. I knelt down in front of her. Gosh, I wish it was a bikini so I could pull it down…I had to hold the swimsuit out of the way instead of using both hands to play with her. I let my tongue reach as far as it would go, playing with her for a while, before inserting my fingers while my lips and tongue focused on the outside. She was a lot quieter than usual, which somehow made it even hotter. It didn’t take long before she had to use her hand to muffle her climax. I stood back up and hugged her, returning to my normal voice: “I think we should get married…”

She looked at me like I was absolutely insane.  “I want to prove to you that my love is real.” Ever since I had fallen in love with her, I had stopped having sex with her. If anything happened, like it just did, it would just be me treating her like the princess she is, as if trying to atone for how badly I used her and hurt her at first. “Okay ⭐️” she replied, clearly making an impression of me “I will consider your proposal for real. But for now” she turned around in my arms “stop it with this whole thinking just of me out of guilt”

I didn’t know how to react at the fact she knew. She didn’t like sex from behind all that much, so that told me she really wanted me, even with how we got together all wrong. I prepared myself and slid inside her, careful not to hurt her even though I had been so rough to her and she had still stuck by me.  “I love you” she said, as I pushed the whole length. I realised that I had proposed to her without ever telling her I loved her! “And I love you” I replied, bending over her back so I could reach her face to kiss her. It had been so long since I had been with her fully that it was the shortest I had ever lasted, but I didn’t care. The smile I saw in the mirror told me I would have a lifetime to please this woman. 

I make no apologies about the stars. I bet that you read all the lines in Tsubaki's voice because of it

CC:  @voltage-vixen 🖤 @xxsycamore​ 🖤

[therenlover]

One Last Night In Madripoor (An 18+ Helmut Zemo/Reader Oneshot)

Synopsis: Baron Helmut Zemo is a lonely, wanted man looking for some fun, you’re a piss-poor bounty hunter in search of a connection before leaving your life of crime behind, and fate has brought you together at a party the likes of which has never been seen before. You only have one night left in Madripoor, so why not take a chance?

Tags: Smut, SoftDom!Zemo, Hook Up, Semi-Public Sex, Drinking, Safe Sex, Explicit Consent, First Meeting, Wall Sex, Blow Jobs, Cunnilingus

Rating: 18+

Warnings: Swearing, Explicit Sexual Content

Word Count: 4200~

This fic has been crossposted under the same title to my AO3!

---------

Madripoor was a place like nothing you had ever seen.

It wasn’t that the sights were anything special. You could find seedy criminal underbellies lined with neon where the streets ran red with blood anywhere if you looked hard enough. Even the ocean view didn’t do much to set it apart from any other place visually. No, Madripoor’s scenery and architecture weren’t what kept your eyes wide with wonder whenever you found yourself wandering through the winding back-alleys without a purpose. It was the people that kept you around.

Thieves, pirates, and miscreants had been taking shelter at the docks since before anyone there could remember. It was a city borne of the underbelly of society, the people nobody sees, but you saw them. You saw them every day when you stood in the main market waiting for an easy bounty. There were faces everywhere; big and small, tall and short, scarred and flawless. No two people in the streets of Madripoor were ever exactly alike. If you needed to remember someone, their unique face was right there waiting in your mind.

After living on the island for almost 6 months, most people were already cataloged neatly in your mind as friend or foe. This man, though, he was new. He was different.

The night was still young. There was some trouble at the Princess Bar that ended with Selby dead and a few murderers loose in the streets with a price on their heads, but you steered clear. Going after the killers meant going up against hundreds if not thousands of trained bounty hunters and assassins and no amount of money was worth dying over now, not while you were so close to freedom. Instead of chasing your doom, you decided to head to your room, get dressed up, and head out to wherever the music was loudest in search of a place to forget about your problems for the night. The thudding sounds of poorly DJ-ed club remixes led you to Leonardo’s Place. That’s where you found him.

You were two drinks in and sticking close to the wall when he stumbled into your line of sight. What initially caught your eye was his dancing. He couldn’t move for shit. What kept your attention, though, was his face.

There was transience to him, like at any moment someone could bump into him and he would disappear without a trace at their touch. Despite that he was gaudy. Everything about his clothing screamed wealth and fine taste from the thread count of his obnoxious purple turtleneck to the shine on his boots. He was strange, a walking contradiction, and one who had never had the pleasure of gracing your presence or screwing you over in the past. In the simplest of terms, he intrigued you. With nothing left to lose you downed the last of your cocktail and made your way to the gap in the crowd where the stranger had staked his claim. It was game time.

“You come here alone?” You asked. Your voice was barely a whisper above the heavy thrumming of the music.

He gave you a long look up and down before answering as if he were trying to size you up. Something about having his gaze linger on your body made your heartbeat soar. “I’m not looking for company,” His accented tone was gruff but left a sliver of room for reconsideration. You took the chance. What could go wrong?

With as much tact and grace as you could muster you let yourself slip a little closer to him. “What, do I look too expensive for you?” you teased, before backing off with a grin, “Thanks for the compliment, but I’m not here for that. My job is a little more… dangerous.” As you danced, the hem of your dress rode up your thigh just enough to reveal the knife holster in your garter belt. It pleased you greatly to see this handsome stranger do a double-take; that meant he was looking at your upper thigh in the first place. “I just liked what I saw in you… do you like what you see in me?”

Somehow, your little joke had endeared him to you, however minutely. Instead of brushing you off the man paused his jerky dancing for a moment to really take you in. Then, he caved. “Would you like a drink?” He asked.

You smirked. “Who would I be if I turned down a free drink from a handsome stranger,”

He met you in the middle as he offered you his hand. “I never promised it would be free,”

So, the two of you found yourselves at the bar, bodies leaned into each other and away from the rest of the sweltering crowd as the bartender slid you your order. The stranger was drinking a brandy straight while you opted for a sidecar. It was enough alcohol that you were starting to feel pretty buzzed, but you still felt in full control of yourself. You took a long sip before speaking. “So, what should I call you?”

It took him a moment to respond but once he did, he seemed sure of himself. “You can call me Helmut, but Baron is fine as well,”

You cocked up an eyebrow. “Is that a nickname?”

“More of a title,”

He took a drink as you gawked. “Like royalty?”

“Not like. I am,”

Your cheeks flushed. The rational part of your mind was so stunned by the ease with which Helmut lied that it seemed to short circuit completely, leaving you very puzzled and more than a little intrigued. “Well, pardon me, Mr. Baron. What’s royalty like you doing in a place like this?”

“There are plenty of reasons a man like me would have business here. A woman as beautiful as you, though… not so much,” he waved his hand in loose gestures as he spoke, “Why risk your life and beauty for this? A life living in the underground where you cannot so much as dream of seeing the stars?”

You finished your drink in one large swig. It burned down your throat but you relished in the pain. “Not all of us are lucky enough to be born in a place where we can see the stars. Funny enough, though, I’m just about to get out,”

“Is that right?”

“I finally saved up enough money from small jobs to buy my way out from under the Power Broker’s thumb,” Something about the way Helmut smiled at you made you feel safe. It was like you could tell him your worst, darkest secrets and not feel an ounce of fear or guilt. “I’m nothing special here, a small-time bounty hunter, and I kept it that way for a reason. I’m not valuable and I don’t know much. If I just pay my dues and keep the money coming until I can get their claws out of my back, I should be free to leave with a freighter tomorrow morning,”

Helmut was quick to respond. “Ah, travel by freighter. It’s terribly dangerous to be a stowaway, you know? Impossible to predict quite what the seas will be like,”

“Well, that’s just a risk I’ll have to take to get out of here and stop… what was it that you said I was doing? Risking my life and beauty?”

The two of you chuckled as Helmut took one last drink to empty his glass. Then, the conversation stilled. Around you people were alive, gyrating to the music as their pulses thumped to the beat, but it was like they weren’t even there. Instead, your whole being was focused on the strange man in front of you who had stolen away your sensibilities with his cool tone and thick accent. He made you feel alive. No, more than alive. Every color was brighter, every sound was sharper, every sip of your drink was crisper. He was a once-in-a-lifetime man, and this was a once-in-a-lifetime night. Oh, to hell with it!

“I like you, Baron,” you purred, pressing yourself close to him. His breath hitched the moment you touched him. He acted as if it had been a very long time since he was last touched like that. “And I think you like me too. In fact, I think you like me enough that we should take this conversation somewhere a little more private. What do you say?”

He didn’t respond. Instead, his gloved hand made its way around your wrist, and in a moment’s time, he was pulling you across the crowded dance floor towards a small, secluded hallway. You assumed that meant yes.

The instant you made it to the shelter of the shadows Helmut was on you like a man starved. One of his hands was quick to explore the skin just above the hem of your dress as the other pressed against the wall, caging you in and holding you as a more than willing hostage to his affections. He didn’t kiss your face, and you weren’t complaining about that, but he did put his mouth to good use sucking a dark bruise into your collarbone. His ministrations only stopped when a high, keening sound escaped your lips.

“You like that, don’t you, meine kleine schlampe?” he growled through gritted teeth. Something about his tone turned your already weak legs to jelly. The second you went limp in his grip, though, he pulled back. Straightening himself out, he offered you a steadying arm. You took it without hesitation. “I’m terribly sorry to be so rude. I assure you that I am not usually the type of man to hook up with someone on a whim, I’ve simply been… indisposed for many years and haven’t had many opportunities for pleasure, especially not with a woman as beautiful as you,”

His compliment was enough to have you blushing like a schoolgirl. You had killed more people than you could reasonably count, and probably fucked even more, but something about the way Helmut looked and sounded and acted made you feel almost innocent to his advances. He was a drug and you needed to get your fix before he disappeared forever.

“Does that mean you think I’m special?” You asked, all doe eyes with an innocent smile. Helmut ate it right up.

“Yes, schatzi. Very special,”

You hitched a leg up, letting your heel dig into his expensive dress pants and drag him closer to you once again. “First your little slut and now your little treasure? Which one is it, Helmut?”

“And so smart,”

“Move, Baron!”

At your insistence, Helmut was on you once again, leaving a trail of hot, wet kisses down your neck as he fiddled with his gloves, yanking them off and shoving them in his back pocket before he continued. “So demanding,” he chided, and yet he continued to lavish you with affection, his hand climbing higher and higher up your thigh. Your back was pressed flush to the wall now, and you were painfully aware of just how warm Helmut was. He smelled like a rich man’s cologne and yet his skin tasted of cheap soap when you leaned in to give him a bruise of his own.

“You love it,” you replied. He let out a husky laugh.

“I suppose I do,” he chuckled, and then his fingers brushed over your core. Your knees buckled. Helmut kept you upright with his body as he continued to taunt you through your underwear, but he seemed more confident now, almost cocky. “My needy schatzi, have you no patience?”

Your response was breathless; a confession.

“Not with you,”

Something about your words lit a fire in Helmut’s eyes. In an instant he had your leg hiked up while he ground his hardened length against your clothed wetness. Your mind went blank. He felt big. A mindless whimper fell from your lips.

“How do you want me?” Helmut asked. As he spoke he ran a light finger down your elevated thigh. You offered up another whimper. “I’ll need you to use your words and tell me what you want or I can’t give it to you,” His tone had you wet enough that you worried you were dripping.

With a gulp, you managed to fumble out the words. “I’ll blow you first if you promise to fuck me,”

That had him grinning like a wolf. “Perhaps you are my little schlampe, so eager to get down on your knees for me…” And you were. Even on shaky legs, you found yourself happily falling to your knees as the Baron fumbled with his fly. It was only then that you found yourself gazing down the hall towards the cacophony of lights and sounds and people maybe 20 feet away from your hiding place in the shadows. As if he could sense your discomfort, Helmut paused. “Are you alright?”

You nodded quickly. “I just forgot we were out in the open for a second,”

“Do you want to stop? If the location is the problem, I would gladly pause so we can find a new hideaway,” he stopped short, looking down and meeting your heavily lidded gaze, “or perhaps the idea of putting on a show excites you?” Your heart jumped out of your chest. Helmut noticed. “Well, if my little schlampe is so keen on putting on a show, she should get a move on,”

That was your cue to get to work. In a swift motion, you finished unzipping his fly and shifted his boxers, letting his lovely cock spring free. It was a pleasant penis and far as they went, average in length but thick with a leaking purple tip at half-mast. Just looking at it made you clamp your legs together.

Slowly, you gave a tentative lick up the underside of his length. He felt heavy on your tongue in the best of ways. Helmut jerked upward, a man possessed. You couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s been a long time, huh?”

“Less talking, more working little schlam-” you cut Helmut off quickly by taking most of his length into his mouth. That seemed to shut him up. His wolf-like grin had dissolved into a slack-jawed mess the second you started to suck him off. Oh, this was going to be fun.

For the most part, the Baron let you set the pace, bobbing your head and taking as much of his length as you comfortably could, but after a short while his hands were buried in your hair as he fought the urge to buck into your throat, hard. With a particularly rough snap of his hips, Helmut pulled away.

“You are an angel from heaven, schatzi,” he groaned, pulling himself slowly from your mouth as you got your first good deep breath in a while, “but a deal is a deal, and it wouldn’t be quite fair if I got to have all the fun, now would it?” Your breath hitched in your throat. Finally time for the main event.

Helmut was surprisingly gentle with you as he offered you a hand and helped you back up, only pausing to wipe a line of dribble off your chin with his thumb. With anyone else, it would have felt wholly humiliating but with Helmut… well, it did things to you you would rather not admit. You quirked up an eyebrow, though, when he got on his knees in turn, mirroring your past position. “What are you doing, Baron?”

“I simply assumed my sweet schatzi would enjoy a reward for taking my cock so well,” his words had you biting your lip as your cheeks flushed, “now be a good girl and take what I give you. I want to hear those pretty noises you made earlier,” With that, his face disappeared under your skirt. He pulled down your panties and… snickered?

“What now?” you groaned, squirming as his hot breath hit your exposed nub.

“You’re sopping wet,” he replied. Out of habit, you moved to shut your legs but found Helmut’s large hand was holding them open. “I do enjoy being sandwiched between your thighs, but you shouldn’t hide yourself from me. Take your pleasure. You’ve earned it,” That was when he began his assault on your folds.

You had been with plenty of partners over the years, all with varying proficiencies when it came to giving pleasure, but no one had ever made you feel quite as good as Helmut did while you gripped his hair and rode his face with reckless abandon. He always hit just the right spot, alternating between sucking on your sensitive clit and running his rough tongue in sloppy circles against it. In no time flat your pleasure was building toward’s its peak as your knees trembled.

“Helmut,” you squeaked, “Helmut I’m gonna cuuuUUOH!”

You were suddenly thrown over the edge of pleasure as the Baron worked you open with his fingers, pressing that spot inside of you just right. It was a revelation. Nothing would ever compare to him and you hadn’t even fucked yet. Once you had regained some semblance of stability he emerged from his place between your thighs, face slick with your juices, wearing the expression of a cat that got the cream.

“You make such lovely sounds for me, schatzi,” Helmut groaned, rising from his place at your feet and reaching into his pocket. While he fumbled for a condom you took the time to actually remove your panties, lifting one shaky leg at a time before balling them up and tossing them on the ground. You could grab them later. Or not! In all honesty, your ruined undies were the last thing on your mind as your watched Helmut roll the condom onto his proud cock, pumping himself a few times. “Now, are you sure you want this?”

You had never felt more sober in your whole life despite the drinks you’d downed earlier.

“God, yes,”

“Wonderful,”

He caged you into his body once again, lining himself up on your slick folds, and then with a pronounced bite against your collarbone, he was entering you. It wasn’t painful or uncomfortable, you just felt full, like a missing piece of your body had been completed. For the first few thrusts, you were too blissed out to really take note of anything around you, but once you tuned back into the world of the living you realized Helmut was talking. Well, babbling was more like it. He seemed to simply be speaking his stream of consciousness into your ear as he pistoned in and out of you like a madman. There was a jilted rhythm to it, but the abnormality kept you on your toes.

“I won’t be letting you go any time soon, schatzi, and definitely not on some dank freighter like a rat from the gutters. No, you will travel with me. Once I help my friends and slip away from the front lines I can take you anywhere your little heart desires. Paris, Vienna, Australia… Mein Gott, what a sweet cunt,”

Any sane woman, after hearing his sex-drunken musings, would have run. They would have heard the wild ramblings of a madman and left after their little fling was done to never see him again. It was only rational. He didn’t even know your real name. Sane women didn’t run away with strangers claiming to be barons they hooked up with in a seedy club selling stolen Van Goghs in a hub of the criminal underworld.

The only thing was, though, that you weren’t a sane woman.

You were a killer, a child left in the streets to live or die who had scraped themselves together and dragged themselves towards life. So what if the idea of some rich mysterious benefactor with a good dick coming in to save the day sounded fantastic? It was fantastic. Like your own personal version of Pretty Woman. Even if he wasn’t as rich as he claimed to be, being poor and getting dicked down by him was better than being poor and alone.

For just a moment, and with no regrets, you let yourself get lost in the fantasy and just let go.

It was as if Helmut could sense a difference.

“Are you close, little schlampe?” He gasped, letting his thrusts take on a faster staccato rhythm.

You could do little more than moan and nod as he pounded you into the wall. That seemed to be enough for him to get the message, though.

“What a good girl,” he purred. His mouth was so close to your ear, his hot breath tickling the sensitive flesh with each heaving breath he took. As he chased his own climax, he brought a hand between your bodies and rubbed tight, wet circles around your clit. It was already sensitive, your body was only barely recovering from your first orgasm, and yet something about the overstimulation was thrilling, like racing towards an impossible dream. With a shout, you came for the second time, melting into Baron Helmut’s arms as he quickly followed.

The two of you stayed there, slumped against the cool wall and still connected by your dripping sexes, for a few moments, breathing heavy. Surprisingly, you were the first to speak.

“Wow,” you breathed, letting a soft laugh escape your lips.

Helmut returned the sentiment. “You were wonderful,” In a strange moment of intimacy, he pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead, but then he pulled out, tying off the full condom and tossing it to the ground as he tucked himself back into his boxers and zipped up his fly.

“Are you just gonna leave that there?” you made a gesture towards his litter.

“They have janitors,”

A burbling laugh escaped from your lips. “That they do,”

Back in the main room of the party, the crowd had only grown larger as the night progressed. Nobody had seen you, nor had they noticed your cries as they danced and drank and made merry under the neon lights. You were, for all intents and purposes, invisible at Helmut’s side. Within and without. There was something exhilarating about knowing he was the only one that truly saw you in a room packed with hundreds. It was like something out of a twisted fairytale.

“So…” you broached the subject gently while you pulled down your dress to protect your modesty, “Did you mean what you said back there about Paris and Vienna, or…”

“Oh, you heard that?”

You snickered. “It was pretty hard not to with you breathing in my ear,”

“I apologize,” he leaned against the wall beside you, shoulder to shoulder in the darkness, “but yes, I meant what I said. I-”

Suddenly, from down the hall, a booming voice interrupted your moment.

“There you are!”

“Goddamnit, Zemo, I thought we told you to stay low not hire an escort,”

There, at the mouth of the hallway, stood two massive men. They were obviously displeased, and though their faces were obscured by the lights you could tell you weren’t the one they were after.

They called him Zemo… where had you heard that name before?

Helmut stepped away from the wall with a shrug. “At least I didn’t cause a scene by forgetting to put my phone on silent,”

The larger of the two men stayed where he was, while the other walked to meet the Baron in the middle.

“I swear to God, man, you’ve gotten ten times more insufferable since I learned you were rich.

The Baron shrugged. “It comes with the territory,”

“But you don’t have to be such a jackass about it,”

You felt it was a good time to chime in.

“Thank you so much for that, Helmut, but I think I should give you guys some privacy,” you said, straightening out your dress and walking deeper into the hallway. There had to be an exit somewhere…

“Wait!” When you turned, you found Helmut rushing to meet you. The men in the background looked shocked and almost smug. “Save your money. Meet me out at the airstrip tomorrow afternoon if you feel like seeing me again. If not, know that the Power Broker doesn’t let go of assets cheap, and you just slept with a man with a million dollar bounty, so buying your freedom isn’t an option. If you want to go without me, you’ll have to hitch a ride on a cargo ship but not as a stowaway. Working for your keep is the best way to stay under the radar. Nobody can touch you once you’r-”

You cut him off by pressing a finger to his lips. “I’ll see you at your private jet, Baron,”

He smirked. “So you will,” With as much gusto as a man could muster, he returned to his companions but not before offering one last goodbye. “Farewell, schatzi, until tomorrow,”

As you leaned up against the wall once more, you watched them go with a twinkle in your eye.

“Who was that?”

“None of your business, James,”

“Guys, what the hell did I just step on?”

“I believe that was my used rubber,”

“ZEMO!”

-------

a/n: I hope you enjoyed the filth! I haven’t written for Zemo before, even though I’ve loved him for years, but he’s definitely going into my main rotation now. If you have any ideas, send them my way! I’d love to fill the void, because there just aren’t very many Zemo x reader fics out there. If you enjoyed this, maybe reblog or leave a comment! I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thanks again!

Please do not post my works to any other sites, thanks! <3

[uramichislefttiddie]

Life Lessons With Uramichi Oniisan Alphabet

||Contains: Uramichi Omota + Iketeru Daga||

||Warnings: NSFW||

Reminder! Please don’t comment anything that implies your age, I cannot stop who reads this unfortunately but I can at the very least give out a warning that this contains nsfw content.⚠️

please forgive me I could not stop laughing whilst writing this, I had to skip specific words because it did not sound right to me and my childish behaviour😭

Uramichi Omota:

A: Aftercare (how they treat you afterwards)

If anything all this man will want to do is try and get a good nights rest even if it means only a couple hours of sleep. He will make sure however you are cleaned up and are alright before he deals with himself. He’d never leave you to care for yourself, he always makes sure he cares for you first. He’s very touch starved meaning he makes sure he gets cuddles and kisses before you both drift off into a slumber!

B: Body (his fav part of his body and yours)

His favourite body part on himself most likely would be his muscles specifically his toned arms, I mean he’s a former gymnast so what can you expect? On you his favourite part would be either ass or thighs, the reason mainly being it’s something he can rest on, or another reason being he loves to mark your thighs up not caring if anyone can see, also he just genuinely likes groping your ass however he’ll only do that in privacy, he’d rather not have the risk of someone having just witnessed him groping your ass in public. In make out sessions always expect his hands to be roaming either along your thighs or ass there’s no other option it could be.

C: Cum (well I’m pretty sure you can gather what I mean)

Majority of the time he will make sure to not cum inside you meaning hell either do it over your face or body, however once in awhile if you allow him he will not pass up the opportunity to cum inside you. When I say once in awhile, Uramichi will try and make it near enough every time that you allow him to cum inside, he just loves the idea of having the risk you could end up with having his children. (Russian roulette type beat/j) and a plus to him is that if he can cum in you it means less cleaning to do.

D: Dirty Secret (a secret of theirs that they haven’t told)

Now I get a strong sense that this man really wants to try bondage with ropes especially, wether it be you that’s tied up or him he doesn’t care either way he really wants to try it. But he doesn’t want to scare you off by asking so he still hasn’t mentioned it and he doesn’t want you to start making fun off him about it💀 however you’ve had an inkling for awhile that he’s got something about being tied up.

E: Experiance (Do they know what they’re doing?)

Now he may be 31 years of age but this man has never gone past kissing someone before he met you. You were his first and oh boy he had no clue what he was doing, mainly because he was nervous and couldn’t comprehend what was truly happening. He has watched his fair share of porn etc but when it came down to actually doing it himself he mind had become fog. Overtime though he’s come to learn what you like best and least and has took that into account and now it’s as if he’s been doing it for years.

F: Favourite Position (which he prefers to do)

Now he’ll most likely switch between a mating press or doggy style. The reasoning for mating press is it allows him to be more face to face to you and he can see your face during it which turns him on even more. And let’s be real he more than likely has a breeding kink. So mating press + breeding kink = heaven to him. Now the reason for doggy style is because he loves having your bare ass slam against him and watching it jiggle when he slaps it. He also loves leaving marks on your hips meaning doggy style makes that all the easier.

G: Goofy (do they laugh or are they the serious type)

Uramichi is probably the type of be serious, he might laugh there and than every so often if something a bit funny happens but overall he’s pretty much serious and that’s just him.

H: Hairy (shave? Unshaven?)

Unshaven, however he will trim it if you ask him to, but seeing as he’s 31 I think he couldn’t care less about body hair as it’s normal and he just sees it as a waste of time to have to repeatedly shave.

I: Intamicy (how they’re like in bed)

80% of the time he will be rough, releasing out all the pent up anger and frustration, but he still makes sure your ok. Although there will be them days where he just wants to be more romantic than rough and his whole demeanour will have flipped upside down and he’ll be acting all lovey dovey. Plus most definitely a switch.

J: Jack Off (Do they? Or not?)

Nah, not really, if he’s in that type of mood and your not with him he’ll either wait or come meet you wherever you are so he can get relief.

K: Kink (What kinks they have)

Gagging, Breeding, Bondage, Dacryphilia, cockwarming

L: Length (how big they are)

He’s more girthy than long, he’s probably about 6 inches which is a good length all in all.

M: Motivation (what gets them going)

When you start whining at him for attention or if you raise your voice at him because oh boy that really does set off something in him when you raise your voice.

N: No (something they will not do)

Knife play or anything that could seriously harm you even by accidental.

O: Oral (which they prefer)

He prefers giving than receiving but once in awhile he’d just want you to be the one giving it to him and making him fall under your touch.

P: Pace (how fast they go)

He’s not necessarily fast but rather hard. By that I mean he will go full force into you where both yours skins slap against each other and where he will grunt a lot which oh boy is hot.

Q: Quicke (do they do them?)

Surprisingly he does them a lot seeing as he has work 6 days a week which really only leaves him with one day where it can just be you and him all day. So either he’ll do one in the morning or at night but it depends if he’s feeling too tired after work.

R: Risk (are they one for taking a risk?)

Now he’ll hate someone interrupting so he always makes sure you both do it where the chances of getting interrupted are reduced drastically, plus it’d be very embarrassing for someone to walk in. Usahara now always make sure to knock before making his grand entrance into his apartment. The risk of you getting pregnant kinda excites him in a way so you gotta watch out with this man.

S: Stamina (how many rounds can they go for)

On an average he can last around 2-3 rounds but on a very good day it feels like it’s never ending, he just needs that motivation if you get me.

T: Toys (do they use them)

No. He’s never really been into them and they’ve never sparked his interest.

U: Unfair (are they fair)

He’s quite fair to be honest, he makes sure you both equally get what you both want but there can be times he can be a tease when he’s in one of them type of moods.

V: Volume (how loud they are)

Majority of the time he lets out grunts rather than moans, he gets embarrassed if he moans however after the time you told him you like it when does he doesn’t hold back anymore but like I said most of the time he grunts and breathes heavily.

X: X-ray (what they’re like under there)

Like I said, more girthy than long.

Y: Yearning (how high is their sex drive)

It’s shockingly quite high, although it may not show when he’s near you expect him to be quite touchy most of the time waiting for you to get the signal. In simple terms he’s quite the horn dog.

Z: Zzz (how fast they go to sleep afterwards)

I’ll say it straight. He goes to sleep incredibly fast, but he won’t before he makes sure your cleaned up and settled down!

Iketeru Daga

A: Aftercare (how they treat you afterwards)

This boy will give you the best aftercare ever. You hungry? Ok he’ll go make something for you. You want to go for a drive? Ok he’ll take you for a drive. You want a shower/bath? Ok he’ll go prepare you one. You understand me now. He will double check your ok and cleaned up as best as possible. Will always make sure you’ve gone to the toilet afterwards and have had some water. Will fall asleep with you in his arms always whilst reading to you.

B: Body (his fav part of his body and yours)

His favourite part of his body will be his hands, not only because they’re pleasing to the eye but because he knows his long fingers can make you come undone very quickly and easily and that gives him somewhat of a boost. His favourite part of your body to him will be your lips, he loves the feeling of them when he kisses you or when your kissing him anywhere (😏 /j)

C: Cum (well I’m pretty sure you can gather what I mean)

He loves seeing his cum dripping down your face, the way it leaves a shine along your face just looks so pretty to him. So he prefers to cum over your face or in your mouth to where he can see it dripping down yourself. Don’t get me wrong he’d love to cum in you but he’s responsible and would rather wait until you both want a child so he doesn’t need to worry about getting you pregnant.

D: Dirty Secret (a secret of theirs that they haven’t told)

He likes to be choked. Awhile back you had no clue until you accidentally did and that’s when the game got even more interesting. He really just overall loves seeing you in charge.

E: Experiance (Do they know what they’re doing?)

He’s had a few girlfriends in the past but never gone as far as to do more than make out with them, he’s always said he’d save it for the when the right person comes along and he knows it the right person. But he very much does know what he’s doing, he knows how to make you feel good, he’s done plenty of research.

F: Favourite Position (which he prefers to do)

Reverse cowgirl. He absolutely loves you riding him and if it means reverse cowgirl it allows him to smack your ass and fondle it, also allows him to easily guide you with your hips. Damn he goes berserk when your in this position I tell you.

G: Goofy (do they laugh or are they the serious type)

Do I even need to say? Of course he’s going to be goofy, the man laughs at dick jokes. However once he starts laughing that’s it, he won’t be able to stop for awhile, it’s honestly become uncontrollable.

H: Hairy (shave? Unshaven?)

Honestly, he leaves it down to you and what you prefer, he doesn’t mind if you prefer shaven or not either way he’ll go with what you like.

I: Intamicy (how they’re like in bed)

Probably the slow but long stroke type of guy. He loves the way you start to become impatient and fidgety. He loves the look in your eyes when he’s facing you.

J: Jack Off (Do they? Or not?)

He only will if he hasn’t seen you for a few days or hasn’t been able to do anything with you. He prefers doing it with you actually.

K: Kink (What kinks they have)

Choking, Food Play, Cockwarming, Spit, Praise

L: Length (how big they are)

Longer than girthy, he reaches about 7.5 inches, he can definitely reach the high spots.

M: Motivation (what gets them going)

When you start to praise him, especially with “good boy” that will get him going almost immediately, it just switches something on in his mind so very quickly.

N: No (something they will not do)

He’s willing to try most things as long as you feel safe and he feels safe and you both know to be careful and know how far to go with everything.

O: Oral (which they prefer)

He prefers receiving than giving, he just loves being able to watch you go down on him and struggle. But when you want some he will be more than happy to give.

P: Pace (how fast they go)

Life I previously said, he’s the type of guy that goes slow but he makes sure he’s hitting all the right spots that you like and that gets you going.

Q: Quicke (do they do them?)

He prefers to not have them but if it comes down to it and you really want one he will do so, but don’t expect it to become a regular thing.

R: Risk (are they one for taking a risk?)

Oh he’s scarred many peoples eyes and mind because he simply “forgot” to lock the door and close the curtains/blinds. Poor Uramichi as if he hadn’t enough going on. He doesn’t really want to risk getting you pregnant though, so he will use a condom.

S: Stamina (how many rounds can they go for)

He can go for a straight 3 or more rounds, it normally stops when it’s you that can’t take anymore not the other way round, he always waits until you’ve had your pleasure before he’ll stop.

T: Toys (do they use them)

Now he’d never admit it, but before you two started being sexual he had quite the few toys. He most likely had a flashlight, tenga egg and a cock ring for example. Them type of ones.

U: Unfair (are they fair)

He’s the fairest of them all, he’d make sure your getting what you need and than sort himself out, he’s never once been unfair to you.

V: Volume (how loud they are)

Now…this mans a full on moaner and he has no shame about it. He honestly has that type of pretty moan too, where he whimpers at the same time and he will not look away either. Oh and if your the one sucking him off, be prepared because he can’t hold back at all, it’s honestly like heaven to him.

X: X-ray (what they’re like under there)

As already said he’s quite long compared to others, he reaches about 7.5 inches.

Y: Yearning (how high is their sex drive)

Probably around average but if you get him going well-

Z: Zzz (how fast they go to sleep afterwards)

Will not go to sleep no matter what before you, it always has to be you that falls asleep first before he can fall into a slumber. He always wants to know your safe. And plus if you’ve fallen asleep he will clean you up if you haven’t already, and will leave some water and paracetamol next to you for when you wake up and if he leaves before you in the morning or wakes up before you he’ll always leave a little note next to you too.

[persephonescottage]

PONY | 16.

Pairing: Billy RussoxFem!Reader

Summary: Maybe there won’t be a bridesmaid’s speech after all.

Warning: References to sexual situations, swearing, obsessive thoughts. Although this chapter might not include it, this fic will include stalking, somnophilia, CNC (between two consenting adults), knife play, age gap, dub con, Stockholm syndrome, gaslighting and other triggers I will include as we go along, please only read if you’re 18+. If any of this warnings trigger you please don’t read.

A/N: So I had to cut this one chapter into two cause it was SO LONG but I will be posting the next (part 2 of this) tonight (which is about 1 am California time so… tomorrow?) anywayyyyyyssss yeah bye.

How hard can it be, just call and ask.

Call and ask.

Or call and hang up like you’re thirteen and you have a crush on your neighbor again.

Your mind is a mess as you walk home after the fitting with Gianna. Three hours of sitting between rolls and rolls of rose and mint colored tulle and taffeta gave you time to think. 

So what if asking a man to be your date wasn’t lady like? So what if you had let a man whom you’ve never seen before have your body on a silver platter? 

You couldn’t shake him out of your head and it was undeniable, and no one had touched you like that in your life, not that you had many opportunities. But God knows Barrett was clueless.

And what if it worked out?

Sure you’d have to censor Gianna’s bridesmaid speech and lie when people ask how you two met on anniversary parties but what if?

What if?

The questions echoed in your head as you reached your building door. Should you just rip it off like a band aid? It was five thirty, would he be out of work? Did he work a nine to five? You had no idea, you knew nothing about this man.

You open your apartment door to find the kitchen light on and the well known pink dessert box on the counter and you sigh relieved. It felt familiar now, domestic, homely. throwing your keys and purse on the side table you enter locking behind you as you step inside your cool place.

Tonight’s cupcake is a white and blue stripped one with a red bow on it to match the one on your hair and you smile slightly. 

You won’t eat it tonight but it’s still very pretty. 

Why does he have to be so cute? You decide you’ll take a warm shower and get in some cozy pajamas before you call him because the apartment is freezing and not because you got cold feet (literally) and lost the nerve to ask him to the gala but when you reach your bedroom you’re met with a big red box.

It’s sitting on your bed and it’s a regal velvet finish with gold leaf stamping on top that you cannot understand. It looks foreign, Japanese you believe, and you’re confused. 

Should you call him before you open it? 

Apparently no since your hands fly to the sides of it, it’s huge and your fingertips stroke the soft texture of it before sliding the top off. The inside is a sea of satin and metallic appliqués and you’re almost afraid your hands can stain it but in the middle of it there’s a rose and a note. 

The rose is dark burgundy, almost black and you take it in your hands, it’s got thorns still, you’re careful to put in on the bedside table before you grab the note to read the red ink.

“How beautiful she was when she let me kiss her. XO. B.”

You leave the note on the duvet and pull the fabric out of the box, a ribbed cream corset top, small puff sleeves, yards and yards of fabric that form a skirt covered in metallic threads and fanned glittering decorations, they look like constellations.

It’s a ball gown.

What did this mean?

Was it an invitation?

You pick up your phone immediately, your shower could wait. You dial the number that you know by heart now and put it on speaker phone, suddenly the fifty degrees in your apartment feel like eighty and you put your hair up in a ponytail as you make your way to the kitchen.

It rings a few times and you’re afraid he might have disconnected it this time, you’re afraid of the anxiety attack that might kick in when some random person picks up and tells you they just got this new line and you’re back at square one but on the fifth ring you hear him out of breath and in the middle of what sound like city sounds.

“Hey sweetheart, sorry almost missed you.” He sounds simple, like a boyfriend and you get butterflies in your stomach, not sure if good or bad.

“Hey, you were at my house.” You say quickly opening the door to your fridge and taking out the vodka bottle you keep there.

“Sure was, did you like your gift? Did you get the quote? I mean of course you got the quote! I was afraid you wouldn’t get it but you’re smart and you read The Phantom.”

“Yeah, I read Phantom and the dress is beautiful thank you.” You say quickly as you take a shot.

“Well? Did it fit?”

“I haven’t tried it on.” 

“Well go on, the party is tomorrow-“

“Does this mean you’re taking me to the gala?”

There’s a silence on the other side of the line and you wait patiently listening to the honking and rumbling of motors and traffic on his side, his breathing is steady but he sounds unsure as if he wants to say something he knows you wont understand.

“No.” His tone is ice cold now and all signs of the boyfriend you thought you had minutes ago are gone.

“Why not?” You take another shot before he answers knowing well you wont like the answer.

“That’s not what we agreed on.”

You’re silent this time and you feel it all come crashing down, it’ll never end, there will never be a bridesmaid speech or an anniversary party. All there’ll ever be is this and as lonely as you are it’s not enough.

“I don’t remember making any agreements with you.”

“Look, I’m not your little boyfriend babe, that’s not what this is.”

“Then what is it? Am I supposed to sit here alone like an art piece for you to observe in a museum from far away? Am I supposed to be alone forever because you won’t be with me but you won’t let me be with anyone else?”

“Are you drinking again Pony?”

“Why do you care? You’re not my little boyfriend!” You’re yelling now and you’re sure your neighbors can hear.

“Lower your voice with me little girl.”

“Or what? You will leave a threatening cupcake? I don’t see how, I don’t have any food allergies or anything!”

“I’m warning you Pony, I’ve been too soft with you lately.”

“No, I have been too soft with you lately, in fact I should call my guard and let him know you where here, goodnight Birdy. Oh and by the way, I already have a dress and it’s custom made!”

“Don’t be ridiculous baby.”

‘I’m not your baby!” You yell again.

“God, you’ll look so pretty after I tape that bratty mouth shut. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Yeah from outside my house and preferably in cop’s handcuffs.”

You hang up immediately and take a sip directly from the bottle, you’re sure you cut him off mid sentence and you’re sure this won’t be the end of it, but the vodka has gotten to your head and maybe now it’s time for that shower you should’ve gotten a while ago.

Tag list: @bxtchopolis | @wheresthesunshinesblog | @adriennebarnes | @restingbitchsblog | @sm2324 |@fruityfucker | @ruleroftides | @lilacs-lavender | @dragon-of-winterfell | @virginsvicide | | @spear-bearing-bi-witch | @iiirhiane-g | @simpforbuckyb | @snowkestrel | @fific7

[myrandomfandomramblings]

In Which The Team Finds Out About The Chenford Kiss - a Fanfic

The game had started off innocently enough. A few quick Never Have I Ever’s to pass the time while they all waited for Grey to return from his meeting with the higher ups and fill them in. It was all going smoothly until:

“Never have I ever kissed a fellow cop?” Angela says. 

She’s looking at Nyla, and Lucy wonders if Angela too had sensed a spark between Nyla and her UC partner and decided this game was the perfect opportunity to investigate. This thought is short lived however when Lucy realizes she has to raise her hand and in doing so will attract the attention from the group. She knows they’ll have questions she’d rather avoid but because she was the one to insist follow-up questions be allowed she’ll have no choice but to answer them. Sure enough everybody’s attention immediately turns to her, unsurprising considering the only other people with their hands up are Tim and Nolan and Tim’s relationship with Isabel and Nolan’s with Jessica Russo are well known.

“Who’s the lucky guy?” Angela asks in a teasing tone. 

Lucy can feel the blush spreading across her cheeks as she averts her eyes and indicates the men on either side of her with her thumbs. 

A collective gasp and a series of “what’s and really’s” from the group quickly follows.

“I have so many questions,” Angela finally says, a large grin on her face. 

To Lucy’s relief, she starts by asking about Nolan. Lucy easily explains their relationship at the academy and how they called it off soon after starting at Mid-Wilshire and although both Nyla and Angela seem equal parts confused and entertained they don’t push it.

Then they ask about Tim.

“It was just once and it wasn’t even a real kiss,” Lucy quickly defends, “we just had to practice so the first time wouldn’t be when we were undercover.”

“Undercover as Dim and Juicy?” Angela clarifies and Lucy nods. “We knew we might need to sell the whole couple thing, you know if someone was suspicious.” 

By the time she finishes Angela’s cackling and Nyla has the biggest smirk on her face, only Nolan has the decency to keep a straight face.

“You’re telling me that you thought that you might have to kiss… at a drug deal?” Nyla asks emphasizing the last words as she raises an eyebrow. “That a drug dealer might ask you to kiss to prove you’re a couple?”

“Well, when you say it like that,” Lucy starts to relent but is cut off by Tim.

“It could happen,” he says defensively.

“And did it happen?” Nyla counters.

“Obviously not,” Angela laughs, “if it had the whole op would have been blown. There is no way these two could kiss and keep it together enough to not raise suspicions.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Tim questions sharply.

“You tell me?” Angela teases, raising her eyebrow, “What happened after you kissed? Did you return to normal conversation, carry on with what you were doing before?”

Tim open and closes his mouth a few times, but only incoherent sounds come out.

Nevertheless, Lucy finds she pretty much knows what he’s trying to say: that they had, or that they would have if Tamara hadn’t walked in and surprised them. He might even be trying to ask if Tamara had said something to Angela and if this whole game had been a set up. 

But she knows the truth. It’s playing in her mind on repeat. Them standing at opposite ends of the couch as Tim flounder’s for items he didn’t bring. Flustered goodbyes of “Good work tonight”, and “Great work as well.” as he rushed to leave.

“Isn’t that why UC’s do so much prep work prior to going undercover, so that everything goes smoothly during the actual op.” Tim finally says.

“I mean, yes,” Harper offers, “but I cannot emphasize enough how much kissing is not part of the preparation for ANY UC op,” she finishes, smirk growing wider as she fixes the two of them with a knowing look.

“What are you trying to imply?” Tim retorts.

“Probably, that you were just looking for an excuse to kiss eachother,” comes a voice from behind them.

The group turns to see Smitty standing in the doorway but before any of them can respond he continues.

“Grey wants to see you all in the briefing room, he said it’s urgent.” 

With that Smitty leaves and their little group begins to disperse as they follow him out of the room. And as they do so Lucy’s consumed with thoughts about that kiss.

Now it seems a little ridiculous, but at the time it had made logical sense. It had nothing to do with her wanting to kiss him. Had it? Then again she hadn’t been the one to suggest it, he had. And if that thought ignited a spark of hope deep in Lucy’s chest, well, now wasn’t the time to think about it.

[audreydoeskaren]

do you know Chinese symbolism for homosexuality?

tw homophobia, pedophilia

Hi again, for gay men there are a couple really well known ones but I’m not sure if they were real or fabricated, because all the articles describing them always cite the same couple sources from Antiquity... I tried to verify them but the only articles that didn’t copy and paste from the same source came across as extremely homophobic, so I decided to give up. The most common and reliable one is probably 断袖 or “cut sleeve”, which I mentioned in a previous ask. I would like to use this opportunity to talk about some tangential but more important topics regarding homosexuality in China though.

As a followup to my previous ask where I said I'd look through some Ming and Qing novels to see how homosexuality was perceived at the time, the conclusion I (unfortunately) came to was that homophobia was very much alive and well in Chinese literature and society. A lot of people like to argue that gay people fared pretty well in China historically by either pointing to emperors who were or were rumored to be gay or time periods where gay sex was prevalent as a form of consumption. This is extremely shallow and also kind of Orientalist in my opinion, these arguments always go for the emperors and do not take nuance into consideration or dive into wider societal discourses on homosexuality in imperial China. If you research homosexuality in Europe by only looking at royalty, you’ll find plenty of homosexual behavior too, does that mean gay people had it very easy in Europe historically?? Not to mention that they usually don’t differentiate between dynasties, let alone centuries or decades, even though public opinion on homosexuality in China (or anywhere in the world tbh) could change very quickly. This is also sort of Orientalist, assuming “imperial China” to be a never changing entity with a never changing stance on homosexuality. Since I know nothing prior to the Ming Dynasty I’ll share some of my random findings on homosexuality and homophobia in the Ming, Qing and 20th century.

Gayness as disease

Nowadays the symbol of the cut sleeve is just a benign historical allusion but historically it seems that it was used in a negative and condemning sense, implying that people thought of homosexuality as a disease or deviation from the norm. The common phrase used for the cut sleeve is "断袖之癖", usually translated as "the passion of the cut sleeve" nowadays, but the meaning of the word 癖 here leans more toward "fetish", "obsession" or "hobby" with pathological connotations. I thought maybe this word had a different, nuanced meaning historically but it seems that it was used to describe what it means :(( The only silver lining is probably that with the progression of language it isn’t offensive anymore.

In a lot of popular novels from the Ming and Qing, homosexuality was depicted as a "perversion" and a decadent lifestyle that plagues morality, and gay characters were often either killed or straightened out by the end of the story. An example of this is the story 黄九郎 Huang Jiulang from the series 聊斋志异 Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio by 蒲松龄 Pu Songling written in the 17th century. In this story, one of the protagonists was gay; he died after confessing his love to the other guy in a very fast paced bury your gays arc which somehow reminded me of the Supernatural finale, and reincarnated as a straight man because of his piety. Thanks I hate it. Pu uses the symbol of the cut sleeve to refer to the protagonist, presumably in a negative manner.

Gayness as power/status symbol

Another thing was that historically in China a lot of people confused homosexuality with pedophilia. This is a global thing, but its presence in China is often overlooked. This could be seen in the popularity of another term for homosexuality, "娈童", meaning something similar to "pederasty". I read somewhere that since the late Ming, pederasty was considered a type of tasteful consumption for high society, along with things like fashion, food, music and art. This was not equivalent to the "cut sleeve" or homosexuality as we know it nowadays, which refers to a personal sexual orientation, pederasty historically often refers to an imbalanced power dynamic where a wealthy, privileged man takes advantage of a young boy as a leisurely activity. It’s more to show off that someone in a position of privilege and wealth has the power to procure sexual objects, gender and age don’t matter much in this regard. I cannot help but cringe violently whenever someone brings up pederasty as proof of China’s historical “openness” toward gay people. Talk to me again when in this time and place you could marry someone of your sex (not a minor) and be considered a respectable couple instead of two jerks with a degenerate fetish (not saying that gay people have to marry, it’s just that the ability to do so is an important indicator of equality imo). Pedophilia and homosexuality are not one and the same good heavens.

I hypothesize that the reason why Chinese society was historically homophobic despite having no religious condemnation of homosexual individuals was the idea that having many concubines and male children was a status symbol for men. Women of marriageable age were seen more or less as commodities and male children could supposedly "continue the bloodline" 传香火 and were vessels for passing down prestige, so having them were of utmost importance to a privileged man. Being just gay or lesbian, however, meant that you didn't perform the "man strong working woman weak making babies" heteronormative family prototype, and was thus prone to criticism. When gay men didn’t have children they “couldn’t continue their bloodline” and were emasculated, when gay women didn’t have children they failed to “fulfill their duties as a woman” and were shamed.

It kind of makes sense considering how being bisexual was never a problem in comparison, especially for men. If you were a rich guy who had both male and female partners, you would still have children and concubines both male and female so nobody gives a shit. Emperor Zhengde of the Ming (reign 1505-21) was presumably bisexual and had both male and female lovers, nobody had a bone to pick with that; he famously liked to fuck around but those who criticized him did so for his debauchery instead of focusing on the gender of his partners.  This is different to homophobia in Europe where same sex attraction was considered evil and immoral in and of itself because of religious reasons, in China it was rather the other practical implications of homosexuality (not having children or a family) that attracted hate.

By the way can we just take a moment to talk about bi erasure in Chinese history. From all accounts of Emperor Zhengde I’ve read he comes across as extremely bisexual, but a lot of people try to make him a gay icon? I mean, he liked women too.

One interesting homophobic angle in ye olde China which I find kind of funny was straight women who wanted to climb the social ladder by marrying rich men talking shit about them after figuring out they were gay lmao. Historically, there were not so many work opportunities for women, so the easiest way to improve social standing was to marry a rich and powerful guy. Not saying that women didn't work, they did but their upward social mobility was restricted because they couldn't enter the imperial examination system which was how men became rich and powerful. This angle is relatively benign and kind of helps illustrate that historical Chinese homophobia was indeed fueled by classism and patriarchy.

Gayness as crime

I used to think that there were no anti-sodomy statutes in China (laws prohibiting sex between gay men), but it turns out that there was one decree in the Jiajing era (1521-67) and one in 1740, and private gay sex was not actually decriminalized until 1957. Same sex marriage is still not legal in China at time of writing. I couldn’t find detailed information on what these laws entailed or how they were enforced, but they’re enough to prove that homosexuality in China was legally punishable from the 16th century onward. On top of that, even when there was no law prohibiting private sex acts between people of the same sex, displays of gay affection such as kissing or holding hands could still be legally punished under “public indecency” or “hooliganism”, which was frequently what happened in the 20th century. 

[afictionalwhore]

SDV Bachelors’ Love Languages (hc) and a little bit of kinks

Who said they were never going to do headcanons again? Not me!

Why? Because I’m addicted to Stardew. Also finding pictures of these men to make good headers is difficult. I just gave up.

Some of these are NFSW!

───────･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.─────────

Shane: Acts of Service and Physical Touch

Shane is worried that you’re going to think he thinks you can’t handle yourself when he tries to make your life as easy and comfortable as possible. This isn’t true at all. He thinks that you work incredibly hard and wants to be there for you to take the break you deserve.

He likes to wake up early to help you with the animals like how he did on his aunt’s ranch. The stability and routine of it is comforting to him because it’s life with you.

If you’re not up and watering crops by the time he’s done with the animals, he’ll make breakfast for you

He loves making you breakfast in bed, typically an omelette made with fresh milk and eggs. He’ll do hashbrowns too if you have potatoes in stock/ready to harvest.

A service switch. His biggest turn on is getting you off, so he wants to make sure you’ve cum several times before he starts working on himself. If there’s anything new you want to try, just talk to him. He’ll try anything once if he thinks it’ll make you happy. He usually doms, but if you want to be on top, don’t hesitate to ask; he’ll gladly let you.

───────･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.─────────

Sebastian: Quality Time and Physical Touch

Isn’t really one for showing affection in any way until he really is sure that his feelings are reciprocated. Once he’s sure of how you feel, this man is nothing short of romantic.

While dating or before, just when he realizes he’s starting to fall, he tells you to come visit anytime. He likes when you’re just there. This carried over into married life.

Sebastian is still a loner and an introvert. He wants to spend time with you but he feels smothered if the two of you are always doing something together. He wants to be in the same area as you and loves sitting with you and reading his comics while you scroll through your phone. Before you were married, he loved when you’d visit while he was working, even if all you did was take a nap on his couch after mining all morning.

He’s not one for PDA, but will hold your hand at festivals if you really want to. When you’re at home, or in his room before you’re married, this man will absolutely cling to you. He wants to snuggle during movie nights. He falls asleep spooning you. He wants to hold you and watch while you cook dinner. He wants to lay in your lap and have you play with his hair.

A little bit of words of affirmation, but this is because he’s not sure how to show how he feels and wants to make sure you know. He also wants to be reassured of how you feel and hearing it is nice.

Body worship. Seb loves every part of you. While he may not be very vocal about it, he’s not gonna leave any part of you unloved, smothering you with kisses and soft whispered praises. Seb loves going down on you and making you feel good.

He’s a bit of a masochist. He loves when you’re rough with him. Pulling his hair and scratching his back. He also has a sadistic streak though, if he gets the okay from you. He enjoys pulling your hair and edging you until you’re crying for him.

Seb is also probably into bdsm because of the level of trust. There’s a lot of things he wants to try and he’s excited to finally have someone he trusts enough to try it with. Fully trusting someone is very important to him. Once he had the okay from you, nothing is off the table. This man wants to try everything from bondage to choking to knife play.

───────･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.─────────

Elliot: Words of Affirmation and Physical Touch

This man is a writer, so there is no shortage of love notes in your lunchbox/tacklebox/backpack.

You’re his muse. You inspire all his writings. Even if a poem looks like it’s about the sea or some other part of nature, it’s really about you.

Elliot is really going for that Jane Austen type feeling of romance. Leaning into that, Elliot loves dancing with you in your home.

Hearing how you feel is very important to Elliot. He likes to start the day with a kiss and hearing “I love you!”

Pet names! Elliot is going to call you “honey”, “sweetheart”, “cherie”, “darling”. He’ll call you his turtle if he thought he could make it romantic.

Elliot finds warmth in your touch and he’s obviously going to tell you this in the most poetic way possibly.

Elliot is one to mindlessly trace patterns over your skin as the two of you are cuddling and he loves having his hair played with.

Praise. Kink. He’s going to shower you in praises. He’s going to call you his good girl/boy. He’s gonna tell you that you’re taking him oh so well. “You’re doing great baby, just like that.”

Elliot is also going to smother you in kisses. Elliot’s kisses are very passionate, as is sex with him. Elliot prefers heavy passionate love making.

The praise kink goes both ways. He loves when you tell him how good he feels and beg him not to stop, right. “You’re so good, daddy,” will make this man feral.

───────･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.─────────

Harvey: Acts of Service and Quality Time

Harvey is very busy as the only doctor in town, so his time is incredibly precious to him. That being said, any time spent with you means the world to Harvey.

Harvey loves trying to help make your life easier. He also appreciates when you do little things for him, like pack a lunch for him to take to the office.

Harvey is very awkward, so words and touch don’t mean a lot to him. He’ll tell you how he feels if he wants you

Role play. I’ve had so many people tell me this one and ya know. I cannot disagree. Harvey absolutely goes nuts when you call him “captain” and when you bought that flight attendant outfit.

He’s also not above going down to his office after hours and “curing your hysteria.”

───────･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.─────────

Alex: Words of Affirmation and Acts of Service

Like Alex always needs to hear about how he’s gonna be a great sports star, he always needs to hear that you love him.

But Alex is also going to tell you every day how much he loves you, how much you mean to him.

You never have to worry about what to wear because Alex thinks you look beautiful in everything and let’s you know it.

Alex isn’t really one for touching. With his past, he’s probably adverse to touch at first, but will eventually relax into your touch.

While it may have started out with him having to prove his masculinity, Alex found that he genuinely enjoys doing things for you. He’s learning how to fix things and do farm work to make your life easier.

Alex is the least kinkiest here. If you ask to try something new, he’ll probably just be like “a new position?” Not that he wouldn’t be excited to try a new position.

I think he could also be convinced to do some light bondage.

───────･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.─────────

Sam: Physical Touch and Gift Giving

Sam is very touchy-feely from the get go. He’s not afraid of PDA at all. He wants his arm around you at all times. He’s stealing kisses at every opportunity.

Sam wants to be all over you. If you’re sitting, Sam will somehow find his way into your lap. He’s like a puppy. If he fits, he sits; if he don’t fit, he will make himself fit.

Sam doesn’t necessarily go out and buy you gifts. Instead, he gives you flowers he picked and things like that.

Sam would absolutely get you matching stuffed animals he won at a festival.

Sam would also write songs for you! He’s just so excited that he runs straight for you, guitar in hand, and starts playing.

Sam, like Alex, probably isn’t as kinky as the others. Sam probably likes to tease and spank, but with Sam, sex is definitely goofy. It’s a great time when you’re both laughing.

[anaveragebibliophile]

All For Him

Young!Legolas x Thranduil x Wife!Reader 

Summary: Lord Elrond comes to Mirkwood to ask a favor of his oldest friend, Thranduil. However, the stoic, unyielding king isn’t as willing to follow through on the request because of the danger it will put his family in. 

Honestly, when you stumbled into your husband’s study that morning, you didn’t expect to feel so puzzled and flabbergasted. You didn’t anticipate Thran’s summons to be anything more than a request for information about Legolas (which you were happy to provide), a question regarding supper, or an idea for date night. So the last person you expected to see was Lord Elrond, the ruler of Rivendell, arguing with his trusted confidant and friend of many eons near the balcony. 

“Thran, what’s going on? Is everything alright?” you queried as you stepped into the room, incisors biting into your lower lip. 

“Queen (y/n), what a pleasant surprise,” Lord Elrond replied, consequently ending the argument, as he walked over to take your wrist and place a chaste, respectful kiss on the back of your hand. “My sincerest apologies for not seeking you out sooner.” 

“That’s quite alright, Elrond. You know that. I too wish I had known you were here earlier, but I unfortunately got sidelined. We took a short walk in the gardens this morning, all three of us, when Legolas ended up tripping on a very small rock. Thranduil and I tried to utilize the open--and what we thought was a safe--space as a way for him to grow more comfortable walking without our help. That strategy worked well for us. Until today. None of us had seen the ant-sized pebble roll over his tiny heel, making him lose his balance and unknowingly place his hand on a grounded bee’s stinger to stabilize himself.” 

“My goodness! How is he doing?”

“As well as can be expected. As he got himself up, he whimpered a little bit which isn’t normally like him. Even if he takes a tumble, he’ll usually still maintain his normal demeanor--sweet, timid, and smiley. But once we saw his palm start to swell up, we knew something was wrong. Thran rushed him to the healer, who was more than willing to keep an eye on him. Ever since then, he’s been given herbs to reduce the swelling and irritation at the site of the wound as well as water to keep him hydrated. Thank you for asking.”

Once you finished sharing that traumatizing experience, you looked over to your husband, whose face was devoid of color. Out of the two of you, he had been the most panicked over Legolas’ well-being. ‘Is he breathing?’ he’d asked. ‘What if he has a reaction to the toxins?’ he’d wondered. ‘What if we didn’t get him to the healer’s quarters in time?’ he’d said, voice cracking under all the emotions. Unfortunately, the man is an aggressive worrier who feels the most stress when he’s involved in a situation that’s completely out of his control. His son inadvertently getting stung by a bee? Yeah, definitely an event that drove your husband up a wall. 

“He’s doing fine, Thran. He and I cuddled in his rocking chair for about twenty minutes before he fell asleep. Before that though, he did want me to tell you that he loves you,” I said, trying to soothe him as best as I could given the circumstances. 

Even though Legolas is still quite young and not fluent in Sindarin yet, he does have a few sentences that he likes to use every now and again. His favorite though is ‘gi melin’, the Sindarian version of ‘I love you’. Anytime he’s reunited with you or Thran, he’ll smile so wide (with his one tooth showing itself off) and almost shout the words out (as if you won’t hear him clearly without that extra pizzaz). Both you and your husband agree that it’s probably the sweetest thing your little leaf has ever done (and Legolas is the epitome of sweet). 

“I love him too. More than life. Which is why I cannot allow Sauron’s ring and its company to enter Mirkwood. I am sorry, Elrond, but my answer is final. You will not be able to change my mind on the subject,” your husband said. 

“Sauron’s ring? So young Frodo is alive then, is he not? I heard about your daughter saving him from the hands of the Nazgûl but wasn’t sure of its veracity,” you mentioned.  

“Yes. He is recovered and wishes to continue on the quest to destroy the ring at Mount Doom. However, we are trying to avoid the company’s traveling in the open at night and are looking for places for them to seek refuge. I am trying to convince Thranduil to offer his kingdom, but it seems that that has been more difficult than I originally presumed. He fears for your safety and Legolas’ too much.” 

Speaking of Legolas, a soft knock on the door soon presented you with the little leaf in the arms of his nanny, Elva. 

“Legolas, darling, what are you doing up so early?” I asked, my lips perking up into a small grin. 

“Ada, Nana!” he blubbered, pointing to us. “Gi melin, gi melin, gi melin.”

“I apologize, Your Majesties. As you can see, the prince woke up a bit early from his nap. All of the maids attempted to keep him occupied in his chambers, but it was no use. He only wanted to see his nostairi (parents),” Elva explained. 

“That is quite alright, Elva. I have not seen enough of him today. Thank you for bringing him to us,” your husband responded, moving over as Legolas reached out for him, and, once in his arms, began snuggling into his chest. “Hello, iôn nîn. I hope you slept well.”

“How’s his hand, Thran?” 

Your husband took your question as an opportunity to lightly pull Legolas’ right arm out from where it was hiding in front of his stomach. “It is still a tad swollen but not too severe.” 

You let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good to hear.” 

“Nana, gi melin,” your son whispered behind your husband’s robes. 

“Oh, my sweet boy,” you responded, lightly running your fingers through his hair and down his back. 

Watching the interaction ensue, Thranduil softly smiled down at the two loves of his life. The first one--his wife--who taught him the beauty behind exuding kindness, positivity, and light. The one who guided him back to the meaning of life. And the second one--his son--who embodies all the genuine goodness that his wife bestowed upon him in their early years together. He’ll never know how he got so lucky, but that unknown answer will never prevent him from being grateful. 

“Ada, gi melin,” your son quietly hummed as he lifted himself up to kiss Thran’s cheek. 

“Iôn nîn, gi melin as well. Very much.”

But then the unthinkable happened. Your little leaf turned his body away from Thranduil to look at Elrond. “Gi melin!” he shouted, a smile creeping up his face (with his lone tooth on display). 

“Well, I cannot say I am not shocked,” the lord responded, just as confounded as the rest of the group. Although Legolas was a very empathetic elfling, the reality was that he only shared that sentence with two people: his parents. So his sharing that sentiment with another-- a person he doesn’t spend every day with, let alone see once a month--was very odd, yet exciting in its own way. In your mind, maybe this was a sign that he was feeling more comfortable around his parents’ trusted friends. Maybe he saw the camaraderie in the room and felt soothed by it. Maybe he was no longer experiencing such debilitating episodes of timidity.   

“It appears he has taken a strong liking to you, Elrond,” you responded. “And now that you know the depth of his affections, are you truly going to permit an evil, dark presence permeating Mirkwood’s halls?”

He pondered that question in no time at all before saying, “No. I will not be the one to put this child at risk. Perhaps Frodo and his company can stay a few extra days at Rivendell. It really is not a problem.” 

At that declaration, you and Thranduil humbly nodded (hiding your smiles as best you could because this was a serious matter after all). “Thank you, my friend. Your concern for our son is much appreciated and will never be forgotten.”

“I know you would have done the same for me had I been in your shoes. Legolas deserves to be safe and comforted in his own kingdom without his parents having to worry about whether the ring will wreak havoc and harm him in the process. Besides, I want to return to Mirkwood in a few months’ time and still be on his list of love.” And everyone, including Legolas, giggled at that.