#i also think like secret surprise children from a man’s past is one of the worst plot choices writers make

[justsomeguycore]

luke danes has never done anything wrong ever in her life

[die-pink-maus]

📖 Mein Tutor 📖

❤︎ Darawing Credits: @shkretart ❤︎

Synopsis: Reader makes a New Year’s resolution to be more productive, finding herself fascinated with language, she decides to hire an in person tutor to give her the run down on Deutsch. However, turns out that learning German isn’t the only thing on readers mind…or her tutor, König’s 🤭

TW: 18+, MDNI, heavy smut, fluff fluff fluff, MDom, age gap relationship (26/41), dirty talk, female pronouns used, fingering, p in v, eye contact during seggs, size kink, female reader, vanilla seggs

AN: This is a ✨one shot✨ all the goods are here and there aren’t any additional parts. I would say this is a “medium” burn lol, there’s quite a bit of background and dialogue before we get into ITTTT. I’m learning German at the moment and my tutor is really cute, so it made me think hmm…😂 Also, I do tend to write König as a softer character, so this won't be for you if you don't like fluff, but I'm going to try my hand at a more domineering version of him soon. I hope you guys like it!

Word Count: 5,412

❤︎Like & Reblogs Are Greatly Appreciated!❤︎

Enjoy! 💋

I’ve never really been one for New Year’s resolutions, but considering how chaotic my life was last year, I figured setting a goal or two for myself would probably do me some good. I’d been searching for new and productive ways to spend my free time for a while now, and discovered that I really enjoy learning new languages. Language has always been incredibly fascinating, but I never realized just how fascinating it could truly be until now. He’s retired, ex military, and practically everything about him is unknown, down to his name as he only goes by his former callsign which is König. He’s shrouded in mystery with just the right amount of danger — everything from the way he caries himself to the black ski mask he wears during our lessons is telling of his obscure and likely troublesome past. But behind this large secretive wall appears to be an overall happy man, one who chooses to spend his free time teaching people such as myself how to speak in his native tongue — German. He’s an incredible teacher, he’s taught me more than I ever thought was possible in two months. He makes our lessons enjoyable and fun, I’m almost always ready for our next lesson the minute one ends.  I practically count down the days of each week, patiently awaiting 7pm on Friday nights when he graces my front door, barely able to walk through the door frame without bumping his head due to his unbelievably tall and brawny stature. I think about him more than I’d like to admit. The sweet praises that escape his lips at the end of each lesson, how the wrinkles around his stunning blue eyes crinkle up when he listens to me say a new word he’s taught me — I assume he’s smiling considering I can’t see anything other than his eyes. “Very good, schatz.” He says as he gives me a playful round of applause. There’s something about him that draws me in. I don’t really know what he looks like, but from what I can see, he’s perfect. Probably the tallest man I’ve ever laid eyes on, a muscular physique that never goes unnoticed even in loose fitting clothing, it’s damn near impossible for my mind not to wander off. I know he’s much older than me, and for all I know he could have an entire family with a wife and children. Considering how sweet he is, it wouldn’t be surprising at all.   I’m not too sure if German is considered a language of love by many, or anyone at all, but he has a way of making it sound so sexy. I’m damn near hypnotized by the rough and rugged tone that coats each word he speaks. Even in English, his accent is absolutely endearing, it takes everything in me to keep my composure as my core heats and arousal slowly begins to glaze the soft pink cotton of my panties. 

Our lesson is almost over for the evening, but I’m feeling a little bold…another thing I promised myself this year is that I won’t allow fear to control my life. I doubt I ever cross his mind. He probably doesn’t look at me or think of me in all the many ways I do with him given our age difference, but I’m old enough to know what I want. Tonight’s the night I start making it clear that I’m interested, and if it’s not reciprocated, at least I tried. He began packing away his notebook and heading towards the foyer when my eye caught a glimpse of a vintage bottle of red wine I’d bought earlier in the week. “Um,” I began hesitantly, my mind sorting through ways in which I could make him stay a little longer. I walked over to the kitchen counter and grabbed the bottle of wine, along with two glasses from the cupboard above. “Any plans for this evening? I was thinking…maybe you’d like to have a glass of wine with me?” I blushed. The look in his eyes was reminiscent of a deer in headlights. Figures he’d be caught off guard, considering we’d never spent time together outside of our lessons. “Well, I don’t have any plans at all,” he laughed, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck, the wrinkles around his dazzling blue eyes crinkling up. “Are you sure there isn’t anyone else you’d rather share that with? Looks like an expensive bottle, don’t think your boyfriend would appreciate you sharing this with the strange masked Austrian man who comes by to teach you German once a week.”

“Well, who said I had a boyfriend?” I giggled, my cheeks ablaze from slight embarrassment at his assumption. “I just assumed that a beautiful young woman such as yourself…” He began as we held each other’s gaze. “So is that a yes or no?” I smirked.

“Alright, wine it is.” He said hesitantly as he removed his boots. “I’ll invoice you for the extra time later.” He teased. We both took a seat on my sofa “Prost!” I smiled after I poured us both a glass, and raised my glass with him. “Sehr gut, Schatz!” He praised before raising the edge of his mask up to his nose and taking a sip. This is more of him than I’ve ever been able to see. His jaw line is strong and chiseled, peppered with an even layer of stubble. “Alright, you have to tell me,” I began. “Why do you wear the mask?”

He paused for a moment, thinking of an answer to a question he probably gets quite frequently. “There are quite a few reasons…” he sighed. “The military has and always will be a large part of my life, I suppose there’s some comfort in it for me. Maybe I just feel a little exposed without it because I’ve worn one almost every day of my life since I was a teenager.” He laughed. “Also, there’s the matter of safety…”

“Why would you need your mask for safety?”

He sighed, “It’s complicated, but there are situations you can sometimes get yourself into that cause you to make enemies out of people you wouldn’t really want to make enemies with.” He said. It hadn’t really occurred to me until just now that he’s more than likely had a hand in ending someone else’s life. It sounds silly, because he was in the military so I should have just assumed, but aside from the mask and his large, intimidating body, it’s kinda hard to picture him as some ruthless assassin. All of our interactions thus far have been so pleasant, and he’s never been anything other than a gentleman, there’s a part of me that wonders… “Are you okay?” I asked, a pang of immediate regret stirring within me as soon as the words left my lips. I guess I just can’t imagine having to do the things he probably had to do. I don’t think I’d be okay, I don’t know how I could cope with taking another life, or watching the life of someone else get taken. He cocked his head to the side, eyes slightly squinted as he let out a brief chuckle. “You know,” he began. “I don’t think anyone’s ever asked me that before…” he trailed off. “I would say…I wasn’t always okay, it was very hard in the beginning, but over time I’ve learned to be okay.” He beamed, a softness gleaming in his eyes, almost as if he was glad I asked. “I’m happy to hear that” I smiled. 

I’d like to think I was able to gain his trust that night, something I know is probably a challenging task for many others. Since then, we’ve made it somewhat of a tradition to share a bottle of wine after each of our lessons. Sometimes he even cooks dinner and chefs up a few of his favourite Austrian dishes. Nothing makes me melt more than seeing how overjoyed he is that I’ve enjoyed something he made. Another two months have gone by, and it’s safe to say that he and I have been growing…closer, but be has yet to make an actual move. The ball is now in his court, so let’s see what he does with it. It's Saturday and I'm bored as hell. We spoke earlier and since we both aren’t doing anything, we decided maybe it would be a good idea to do something together, so I invited him over. This would be the first time we’d be spending time together where a lesson hasn’t taken place beforehand, so as excited as I am, I’m also feeling quite nervous. I made a small plater of appetizers for us to snack on while we do whatever it is we’re gonna be doing. Ultimately there’s no set plan, so I’m thinking we’ll probably end up watching a movie or two. My doorbell rang a few minutes later, and there he was holding a 6 pack of German beer and an extra large pizza. “You told me you enjoy pizza last time, so I figured I’d bring some for us to share.” He smiled. 

“Great choice.” I giggled as I moved aside so he could come in. “I did half meat lovers, and half extra cheese with pineapples.” He said as he opened the box to display the pizza, the look in his eyes hinting at how proud he was for remembering the toppings I like. “Very simple order, but it’s something very few can seem to get right,” I laughed as he placed the pizza on the counter top. “Thank you, König.” I said as I wrapped my arms around his torso. He’s huge so a proper hug just doesn’t work, but no hug in this world compares to a König hug. Those big muscular arms wrapped around me, engulfing me into his strong chest. He always smell amazing, like fragrant musky oud and aftershave. “Natürlich, Schatz.“ he whispers as his hand roams over the back of my head, fingers gently playing in my hair. I could stay in his arms forever, I’ve genuinely never felt safer than I do right here. We haven’t really had a moment quite as intimate as this one. We’ve hugged many times before, but not like this. We pulled away and smiled at each other. I cleared my throat before heading over to my kitchen to grab plates and napkins. "So how has your day been so far?" He asked a he took a took a seat at the breakfast bar. "Honestly, it's been pretty boring thus far, I'm counting on you to entertain me" I teased.

"And how do you expect me to do that?" He smirked.

"That's your job to figure out, not mine." I winked.

"Alright, what's you opinion on horror movies?"

"Love 'em!"

"Paranormal or slasher?"

"Hmm, haven't watched a slasher in a while..." I said as I took a seat on the stool beside him, grabbing a slice of my half of the pizza.

"Okay, I'm gonna count down, we're both gonna say a slasher on three and then go from there."

"Alright."

"Eins, Zwei, Drei..."

"Saw marathon." We both said before proceeding to burst into laugher. "Well that was easy," He laughed. "Never would've pegged you for a Saw type of woman though."

"Hey...ya girl's got good taste alright?" I laughed as I took a bite of my slice. We moved everything to the couch and setup Netflix. Luckily for us, Netflix happens to have all of the saw movies available for streaming. I took a seat on the couch after figuring everything out with the TV. "Why are you so far away?" He asked. I sat frozen for a moment, not sure what to do, the blood rushing to my cheeks as I face him. One of his arms rested gently behind the couch, signalling for me to come closer. I smiled bashfully before sliding closer to him, his large robust arm swinging around me and nuzzling me into his side. I gently placed my hand on his chest, before looking up at him. He looked down at me, the wrinkles around his eyes doing that thing I love so much to give away that he's smiling. He gently rubbed my arm, lifting his mask up to his nose, as he placed his finger underneath my chin. He leaned in close, gently rubbing his nose against mine. "May I kiss you, Schatz?" He whispered.

"Ja." I breathed.

"Sehr gut..." He smiled, taking note of my Deutsch response, as he closed the gap between our lips, enrapturing me in a kiss so deep my body turned to jello. His tongue entered my mouth, taking the kiss to new heights. It was dripping with passion, riddled with fervour and yearning. It was hot. Sensual and inviting, I was practically speechless when he pulled away, a string of spit connecting our swollen lips from the brief make out session a few seconds prior. He pulled me back into his chest, gently placing a kiss on the top of my head. Seems like he’s doing something with that ball after all.

By the time we’d finished watching the movies, it was nearly 2am. We were both slowly beginning to doze off before König took notice of the time. “Schiße,” he groaned as he rubbed his eyes. “When did it get so late?”

“No idea.” I yawned as I gently rose from his chest. Ugh he’s so comfy, I really didn’t want to get up, but I didn’t want to push things too far along by suggesting that he spend the night, no matter how badly I wanted to, and fuck did I want to. That one kiss alone was more than enough to have me practically dripping through my panties and down my thighs. He’s such a phenomenal kisser. For a good hour throughout the first movie, I pretty much had to fight myself to keep my mind off of imagining those lips of his covering my entire body in wet gentle kisses. Feeling them enclosed around my nipples, sucking and nipping at them with his teeth while his large calloused hands roam about my body. Picturing him between my legs, his sweet, rough tongue lapping over my swollen nub and dipping between my folds, blue eyes piercing my gaze as he watches me writhe in pleasure beneath him. I would let him have me all over the house, on every piece of furniture, every corner and crevice, I want to be able to look anywhere in here and remember how hard he fucked me…but I don’t want to come off too eager. We got up from the couch and headed towards the front foyer. “I had a great time tonight.” I blushed. “I’d love to maybe do it again sometime.”

“I agree,” he said. “But maybe, only if you’d like to, I could take you out for dinner somewhere nice?”

“Yes,” I said a little two quickly. “I would love to.”

“What about after our next lesson this week?”

“That works for me.”

“Perfect.” He said as he finished putting on his shoes. “I’ll see you then, Schatz. Guten Nacht” he said, gently pulling me in for a tight embrace, placing a kiss on the top of my head. “Let me know when you make it in.” I said.

“Roger.” He smiled, playfully saluting me as he headed out the front door. 

Sundays are what I like to call Self Care Days. I’ll normally do a full deep clean of the entire house, engage in some intensive skincare, play my favourite music, drink my favourite wine and eat my favourite foods. It wasn’t until I was finished washing off my clay face mask that I realized I was missing the wine and food. I quickly slipped into a pair of black leggings and a white hoodie, then grabbed my car keys and headed out to the grocery store a few minutes away to grab a bottle of Chardonnay and a few ingredients I’m missing to make lasagna. The supermarket is relatively empty today, which is quite surprising considering it’s a Sunday, but I have zero complaints. I definitely prefer it this way, there’s less anxiety surrounding finding the things you need as you can simply take your time. After grabbing my favourite jar of tomato sauce, ricotta cheese and big bottle of Chardonnay, I began walking off towards to the cash register. As I mindlessly drifted through the aisle towards the cashier, I caught a glimpse of someone familiar. My eyes trailed over the produce section of the grocery store and I saw him — König…but he wasn’t alone. Beside him, a beautiful statuesque blonde, gently rubbing his arm as a little boy around maybe around 3 or 4 years old sat nestled between his arm and chest. My heart practically sank and fell right out of my body and I froze dead in my tracks. No, nothing is set in stone between he and I, but what the hell is going on? Why spend any time at all with me outside of our lessons? Why kiss me the way he did or ask me out to dinner? It’s not like we sit and talk about German for hours over multiple glasses of wine, watch movies on opposite ends of my couch in complete silence, or conjugate verbs while he cooks me Käsespätzle. I’m no fool, I see the way he looks at me…but if he’s married, I want absolutely nothing to do with him. Once I’d gotten over the initial shock of what I’d seen, I was enraged. I decided the next course of action was going to be absolute pettiness. I began heading over in his direction, a gigantic phoney grin plastered across my face as I approach him and his family. “Oh wow, König!” I exclaimed. “Had no idea you and your family also shopped here too.” I said through nearly gritted teeth. “Yes, I’m surprised I haven’t run into you here before.” He smiled, seemingly oblivious to being caught. “I’m one of König’s students, nice to meet you.” I smiled as I turned to the blonde.

“Karina, likewise.” She smiled.

“She’s my Friday evening student, she’s progressing quite well!” He laughed. 

“Ahhh…I’ve heard quite a bit about you actually.” She smirked. 

“I’m sure you have…well I just wanted to come over and say hello. Take care” I said before I walked over to self checkout. As angry as I am, more than anything else, I feel foolish. Of course he has an entire family, and of course she’s beautiful. Good thing I grabbed the big bottle of wine today. The first thing I did when I got home, aside from pour myself a glass of wine, was cancel the rest of my lessons with König before blocking his number all together. I feel so disgusting and betrayed. Why wouldn’t he tell me about her? Was he hoping I’d be interested in being some sort of mistress? Considering this is something that was initiated by me on the basis of “I’m gonna get what I want this year”, this is a little embarrassing.

The thunderstorm brewing outside was the perfect addition to this mess of an evening. About 3 glasses of Chardonnay and 3 slices of pizza later, I still can’t get over seeing him with them. I just feel so stupid. I genuinely thought this could have been the beginning of something…special. As mad as I am, I cannot get over how amazing he looked with that baby in his arms. Considering how patient he is with me during our lessons, I just know he’s probably the most amazing father, but I have to just try to move on I guess. I got up to pour myself another glass of wine when my doorbell rang. Very strange seeing as it’s 10pm and I’m not expecting a visit from anyone other than a brutal hangover, but I’m not expecting that till tomorrow morning. I opened my phone to check my Ring camera before going towards the door. It’s him. What the hell is he doing here? Was today not enough? I walked over to the door, taking a very deep breath before proceeding to open. He’s soaking wet from head to toe. His white, crew next t-shirt sticking to his body, revealing a clearly defined chest and sculpted abs. “What are you doing here?” I asked. 

“You cancelled your lessons…and then I tried calling you and never got through. I thought maybe something happened to you.” He said.

“Really? König, please, spare me the pity party.”

“What? What are you talking about? What pity party?”

“Wasn’t it enough for me to have to see you with her? And then you act as if it’s not weird as hell for me to be interacting with your wife.” I spat. He stared at me for a moment before doing something I never thought he would do. He pulled his mask up and over his head. I stared at him, dumbfounded. I drank him in, assessing all of his features — he’s beautiful. He has a buzz cut, which is different than what I’d always pictured, and a scar the slits through his eyebrow that looks…pretty damn good if I’m being honest. His expression grew soft, mildly amused as he watched me stare at his maskless face. “Schatz,” he said. “That is my sister, Karina, and her 4 year old son Markus.” He laughed. 

“Fuck…” I cursed under my breath. 

“Can I come in please?” He asked. I nodded as I moved aside to let him through the front door. I really don’t know what’s worse, me assuming that the similarly large blonde hair blue eyed Austrian woman standing beside him was his wife, or the outburst I just had. I would crawl under a rock and live there for the rest of my life if I could, because I genuinely cannot handle the embarrassment. I walked over to the linen closet to grab him a towel to dry off. “Thank you,” he said as he put the towel to his face. “Now, what’s all of this about me having a wife?” He asked, smirking knowingly as he clearly already knows the answer. I’m not at all ready to have this conversation, but here goes. “I guess when I saw all three of you, I just assumed that was your wife and child.” I sighed. Looking back, especially now that I’ve seen his face, I definitely see the resemblance between him and Karina. “We’ve been spending a lot of time together after lessons…that kiss last night…I thought there was something between us.” I blushed.

He stepped closer to me. “Of course there is, I asked you out for a reason.” He laughed in mild disbelief. “But I do have a hard time understanding why you would be interested in me…You are so beautiful, too beautiful, but I’m so much older than you and all the things I’ve done —“

“König, I don’t care about any of that. All I care about is how I feel when I’m with you.”

He smiled as he raised his hand up to my face, cupping my cheek in his palm. My heart began to race at the sensation of his touch. “Why do you think she said she’s heard a lot about you?” He laughed. “I help her out with my nephew while her husband is deployed. Admittedly, you are all I can ever seem to think or talk about these days. I am happiest when I’m with you.” I never thought I’d hear him say these things, but God does it feel so good to hear. He leaned down and I leaned upward to close the gap between our lips. I never understood what people meant before when they said they felt a spark when they kissed someone, that is until he first kissed me. I never want it to end, but I also want more and I can tell he does too. He picks me up, effortlessly walking us both over to the kitchen before placing me on the countertop, his kiss growing hungrier and hungrier by the second. My hands sauntered about his torso through his damp shirt. He pulls away briefly to take it off before returning to my lips. I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him in closer between my thighs. A small moan escapes my lips as I feel his hardened length push up against my pussy through his grey sweatpants. Fuck, looks like he’s big all around. My pussy weeps at the thought of him splitting me in half with his big stiff rod. His hands slip beneath my oversized shirt, softly massaging and caressing my tits as we continue to kiss, his hips slowly grinding against my sopping wet heat through my panties. Christ. I could cum right here. The motion of his hips alone is enough to send me spiralling out into a fit of intense pleasure. I can’t wait to feel him fill me up, and see the look on his face as he slips into the slick mess he’s created. He begins to roll and pinch my nipples between his fingers as his lips move towards my jawline, slow soft kisses trailing down my neck as I whimper and moan, my sensitive nipples growing harder beneath his touch. I pull my shirt up over my head, allowing his lips access to my exposed chest. His lips continue to trail downward towards my breasts, taking one of my nipples into his mouth, while his hand continues to massage the other. “Oh, König…” I moan quietly as my head falls back, goosebumps slowly decorating my entire body as he takes his time catering to my nipples. “Your body is incredible,” he breathed as he came back up to meet my lips. “I love the way it reacts to me…” he said lowly, his hand trailing along my side until it reaches the hem of my panties. “Oh…I wanna taste you.” he whispered in my ear. I placed both feet on the countertop and leaned back onto my elbows, slowly sliding my panties off and down my legs, flicking them off to the side in one swift little kick. He fell to his knees, spreading my legs apart to admire my sticky wet folds. “Schiße, Schatz…” he moaned as he looked up at me, placing gentle kisses along my inner thighs. “I’m going to make you feel things you’ve never felt before.” He smirked as he planted slow purposeful kisses against my heat. He nuzzled his face between my folds, his tongue lapping gently at the arousal pouring from my tight cunt. “Ohhh…” I moaned out, my hand resting on his head as he picked up the pace, my clit throbbing uncontrollably as his tongue ferociously flicks against it. “Fuck, König…God, you’re gonna make me cum.” I whimpered, legs beginning to shake as his hands held on tight to my thighs, fingers digging into my plush flesh as I squirmed beneath his lips and tongue. He began sucking my clit while his tongue continued to flick against my swollen nub, my orgasm building as I watched him indulge in me, enjoying and savouring every ounce of my sweet juices. He came up for air, licking his lips as he took in every inch of my naked body. “I could eat your pussy all day, Schatz. Fuck, you taste even better than you look.” He praised.

“Now I want you to cum for me.” He said, slowly sliding two of his fingers inside me, his thumb rubbing swift circles against my clit. My back arches up off the counter as the room fills with the loud, obscene noises of me growing closer to succumbing to my orgasm.

He leans over me, fingers curling upward and into that delightful spongy spot inside me. He kisses me slowly as I cum all over his fingers, bringing them to his lips to lick them clean. “Sehr Gut.” He smirks as he pulls away, my eyes immediately drawn to the large bulge in his sweatpants. He pulls them, along with his boxers, down, revealing his long, hard, uncut cock. Fuck…he might actually split me in two. He’s gotta be at least 9-10 inches with a fair amount of girth, and a thick vein that embellishes the side of his length. I sat up as he placed his hands on my hips. “Are you sure about this, Schatz? I don’t wanna hurt you…you’re so tight.” He said.

“Yes, I’m sure.” I said, gently taking his hardness in my hand, slowly stroking him as I held his gaze. “I want you, König.” I breathed as I positioned his thick leaky tip at my entrance. “I’ll be gentle.” He breathed against my lips before kissing me , slowly pushing forward. I leaned back onto my hands to allow him more room to go deeper, his hands resting on the counter on either side of me. “König,” I gasped as he went deeper, slowly thrusting in more of himself little by little. “Am I hurting you?” He asked, expression awash with concern as he takes a brief pause. “No. I want more,” I moaned. “I want it all.”

He smiled, “Gutes Mädchen.” He said, holding my gaze as he continued to push into me, my eyes widening at the delicious feel of his fullness. “Fuck.” I moaned. 

“Mmm, look at you…” he smirked. “Schiße, you take me so fucking well.” He breathed, watching his fat cock slip in and out of me, letting out a guttural moan as he bottoms out. “Mein Got, you’re so fucking tight.” He said as his thrusts began to pick up pace. “So…big…” I moaned as he thrusted harder, eyes glued to mine, basking in my aroused expression as he continued to fuck me. “Harder.” I panted.

“You sure you can handle it, Schatz?” He asked.

“Yes. Please” I begged. He stood up, gently pulling me towards the edge of the countertop, placing my legs in the air, and wrapping one of his arms around both of my thighs before slamming into me repeatedly. “Oh my God.” I cried out, his thick tip kissing the sweet gummy edge of my cervix over and over. “This is what you wanted, ja?” He taunted.

“Y-yes.” I moaned, barely able to speak.

“Aw, what’s the matter, Schatz? Thought you could handle this?” He smirked, watching as my pussy gushes around this cock, dripping down it’s base. His free hand moved towards my clit, his thumb continuing with those hypnotizing circles as he mercilessly pounds my cunt, his face and chest glistening with sweat. I can feel myself about to come undone. “You are so beautiful.” He whispered. I’ve never been fucked this hard before, or taken anything nearly as big as him. I am completely overwhelmed with pleasure in the best way, and the look and his face let’s me know the feeling is mutual. I damn near explode all over his cock, coating majority of his length in my creaminess. He pulled out, I could tell his orgasm was about to follow mine. I climbed off of the counter top and got on my knees, licking my slick off of his shaft before wrapping my lips around the head of his cock. He grabbed hold of my hair and I began sliding my lips up and down his shaft. “Fuck…” he whimpered. “I’m gonna cum.” He moaned. I picked up the pace, sucking him vigorously. I continued until he couldn’t hold back anymore, shooting ropes of his hot, sticky cum down my throat. I held his gaze as I swallowed. “Fuck….” He exhaled, trying to catch his breath as I rose to my feet. He pulled me into him, kissing me hard as we both came down from our high. “That was incredible.” He smiled, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “It was.” I blushed. “I’m sorry about earlier.”

He laughed. “There’s nothing to apologize for, Schatz, especially not after that.”

“Would you like to spend the night?” I asked sheepishly.

“I would love to.” He smiled as he gave me a kiss on the cheek, before scooping me up into his arms bridal style. “Let’s go take a shower, Ja?”

“Lead the way!” I laughed as he headed towards the stairs.

[findingnemosworld]

𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐮𝐩 - 𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐤 𝐬𝐳𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐬𝐳𝐥𝐚𝐢 𝐟𝐭. 𝐱𝐚𝐛𝐢 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨

・𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲: 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬

( 𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐗𝐚𝐛𝐢 𝐢𝐬 𝐋𝐅𝐂 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐨’𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐊 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐛𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲 𝐗𝐚𝐛𝐢 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐨𝐦 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐛𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲 𝐗𝐚𝐛𝐢’𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫/𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐤 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐗𝐚𝐛𝐢 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲’𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠. )

𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐬𝐦𝐮𝐭 ( 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐤, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭'𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐲 )

𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞: 𝐢 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐳𝐲 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞, 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐮𝐲𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐢 𝐝𝐨

( I think any dad will love this man, I mean come on )

( if you ask me though, xabi owns my heart in the end )

Y/N wasn't a stranger to the city of Liverpool as since she was a child, she'd attended all of her father's matches in Anfield as well as visit him whenever time had allowed seeing as he and her mother had been separated long before she was born with Xabi moving on to marry Nagore who'd treated Y/N the same way she treats her three other children, Jon, Anne and Emma. And since traveling the world as a renowned artist, Y/N decided to surprise her father who'd taken on the new role of becoming Liverpool's manager.

What she didn't expect however, was to have her heart stolen in the process.

She never really considered the prospect of dating anyone until she met him, her father's newest player, Dominik Szoboszlai.

It had been nearly a year since she arrived back to Liverpool, Y/N divided her time between spending it with her mother and then with her father and his family, and today she'd made the decision to accompany him to training under the guise of wanting to spend more time with her father, which part of the reason why she was currently seated near the railing while the players were deep into their drills, one in particular would steal glances her way, sending secret smiles that she reciprocated as well.

During the lunch break, Dominik had caught sight of her walking past the canteen which prompted him to excuse himself then walk out much to the confusion of Trent and Alexis who exchanged a look as they saw him leave in a hurry.

Y/N was on her way to see her father when out of no where, she was tugged into one of the storage rooms, before she can even make sense of things, the small light is switched on and she is met with Dominik's charming smile. " I missed you " he grunts before nuzzling his face in her neck to pepper kisses against her skin before latching on her pulse point. " Your father isn't making it easy on me "

" Aitatxo is a perfectionist, you are after all his successor " Y/N reminds him through soft whimpers. " He wants you to be the best player on the pitch "

He chuckles against her neck before looking up to her face, " Do you think he'll like me if he finds out I made his daughter cum on my tongue twice yesterday? "

The laugh that erupted from her mouth quickly transforms into a moan, " He's going to kill you, but we have to tell him eventually "

Xabi, as soft spoken, kind and polite as he is, he's also very protective and it stems to her and her half siblings, she recalls how irked he was when Anne had started dating but Nagore was able to calm him and talk him into accepting that his girl is all grown up, she can only imagine how he'd feel when he realizes his oldest daughter is dating one of his players.

" Do you think we should tell him soon? " Dominik wonders in between pressing kisses to her jaw.

A soft sigh escapes her lips, her arms wrapping around his neck. " I'm going to have to talk to Nagore so she can help me, because if I tell him first, chances are ... you may not get a debut soon " she said before a strangled moan escapes her lips, " Fuck, you can't leave a mark cause they'll see it "

Dominik groans, " I can't help it, I told you, I missed you "

" We'll see each later tonight, like I said. I'm going to chat with Nagore first before telling him " She reminds him.

" Hopefully he can accept, cause I'm not planning on losing you " Dominik sighs then pecks her lips.

" You won't " She kisses him with a smile.

___

Later that evening, Y/N had stopped by Xabi's home to have dinner with the family, while Nagore was occupied with making dinner - Y/N decided that this was the perfect chance to tell her, " Hey Nagore " she said with a soft voice.

" Yes " Nagore responds with a smile, " What's the matter sweetheart? "

" I may ... or may not have found a boyfriend " Y/N blurts out.

Nagore's eyes widened before a wide smile adorns her lips, " Really? that's amazing, who's the lucky guy "

Y/N chews on her bottom lip, before glancing at the doorway then back at Nagore who looks at her with a confused expression, she inhales then exhales, " It's one of the Liverpool players " she blurts out.

Nagore's expression shifts into that of surprise, " Oh? " she echoed before adding, " Does he know? " she refers to Xabi.

Y/N shakes her head with a sheepish smile, " It's why I came to you first, If I tell him, he might bench the guy "

" Hm " Nagore húm then nods before asking, " Who is it? "

" You know Dominik? the new player that just came in " Y/N said.

Nagore giggles before jokingly remarking, " Oh my ... so a midfielder like your father "

" Yeah " Y/N chuckles, " He's so sweet to me Nagore, he's like the cutest, most affectionate person I have met but knowing Aitatxo, he might react worst then when he found out Anne was dating "

Nagore squeezes Y/N's hand, " He loves you, and I'm sure he'll come around, tell you what ... why don't you invite Dominik over here? and I'll work it out with your father ok " she smiles.

Y/N sighs then smiles before embracing Nagore, " Thank you, for everything honestly, you didn't have to yet you've always been there "

" You don't need to thank me, you're just my baby the same way your siblings are " Nagore caressed her cheek.

" What are my favorite girls talking about? "

Nagore and Y/N turn around to see Xabi standing at the doorway of the kitchen, Y/N smiles. " Aitatxo, don't say that ... we all know Emma is your favorite girl " she said with a jocular tone.

Xabi chuckles, walking over to his oldest daughter. " You're all my favorite " he pressed a kiss to her head before walking over to Nagore to kiss her. " Dinner smells good "

" It does " Nagore beams before patting his shoulder, " Go on and set the table, Y/N would you do me a favor and call the kids in? "

" Of course " Y/N smiles then exits the kitchen.

Nagore turns to her husband, " Nire bihotza " she said. " Tomorrow we're going to have a special guest over for dinner "

Xabi raises a brow, " A special guest? who? "

Nagore smiles, " someone Y/N just told me about, it's best if I keep it hidden for now, because according to her, it's a surprise "

" That doesn't sound comforting " Xabi mutters.

" Relax, I just wanted to tell you because Y/N said it's important that we meet this person " Nagore said, " Promise me you'll keep an open mind, and not freak out "

" When have I ever freaked out? " Xabi asks incredulously.

Nagore tilts her head to give him a deadpan look, to which Xabi rolled his eyes. " Ok maybe I freaked out when Anne introduced her boyfriend but whoever this person is, I'll try to be calm "

" Good " Nagore smiles, pecking his cheek. " That's your oldest girl, so I trust that you'll keep an open mind "

" I will try " Xabi nods.

_

Later on that very night, Dominik was tidying up his home when the doorbell rang; he strides up to the front door to open it, beaming when he saw Y/N standing there with an overnight bag, " There she is, my sweet baba " he tugs her inside by her waist then shuts the door with his hand before slamming her back against it to slam his lips onto hers, deepening the kiss when she let out a soft moan, " I hope dinner went well " he murmurs against her lips.

" It did, Nagore said we're invited tomorrow night for dinner " She whispers, wrapping her arms around his neck then her legs around his torso when he hoisted her up, " So you better get ready "

" I will be " He chuckles before smirking, " In the meantime, I'm ready for something else " he whispers.

" Oh yeah " She giggles then bites her lip, " Why don't you take me to the bedroom and show me? "

" I thought you'd never ask " Dominik nearly sprinted to his bedroom, keeping a tight hold on her in his embrace.

They struggle at first with undressing one another as his lips gravitated towards her exposed neck, alternating between kisses and biting on with his teeth to create markings, " If by any chance " he begins with a soft tone, skillfully helping her to remove her bra and panties, " Your father decides to bench me the entire season, you promise to keep me warm at night baba? "

She was about to respond when his lips moved down to tease her nipples causing a moan to escape her lips, her digits thread through his hair. " I'll talk to him if I have to, but for now, let's stop talking about my father and focus on the task at hand " she lifts up his face so he can look at her, " You fucking me senseless "

" Jesus baba " He groans, rubbing his cock on her thigh. " The mouth you have, such a naughty girl "

" Only for you " She half giggles, half moans when he teased her slick pussy with the tip of his cock. " Fuck Dom " she whines.

" You like that? " He cooed, redirecting his attention to her neck while his free hand toyed with her breasts. " You like it when I'm buried inside of you "

" You know I do " She moans, " Please, ... Fuck, please push it in "

He complies, both of them gasping when he thrusted his cock effortlessly inside of her pussy. " Baba " he moans, " Your pussy was made for me "

" Oh yes ... " She whimpers, her walls clenching around his cock which incited a grunt from him, " Please move Domi, I want to feel you " she sighs, tugging him close by his chain to give him a sloppy kiss that he happily reciprocates.

" I got you baba " He cooed, cradling her face in his hands as he leisurely began to thrust in and out of her pussy. " You take my cock so well baba, you feel me don't you? you can how good it is inside of your slick pussy "

" Yes " She gasps, " Yes ... right there " she moans, " Fuck "

His thrusts grew quicker and sloppy when he felt her walls envelop him further, " Baba, Shit " he moans, his eyelids shut tightly. " You're taking me all the way in, such a good girl "

" Dom " She gasped, the sensation growing far too overwhelming when he peppered her neck with kisses. " Fuck, right there ... "

" Are you going to cum? I can feel it baba " He encouraged her by rubbing his thumb over her clit. " Come on baba, cum for me, come on " he cooed.

The knot in her lower abdomen explodes, her eyes blurring from the pleasure, her muscles spasming as she rides out her orgasm, " Oh Dom " she cries, " it feels so good "

" I know " He cooed, kissing her cheek. " I know, I'm going to cum too and I want to cum inside your mouth, you think can let me do that "

She nods a bit too quickly which elicited a chuckle from him, he pulls out then lies on his back, his head against the pillow to observe her as she effortlessly wraps her petite hand over his slick cock then wraps her lips around the tip, causing him to sink his head back and groan, " Fuck baba, just like that " he strokes her head as she bops her head up and down while her hand stroked what her mouth couldn't reach.

While he loved to bury his head between her legs, there was something so sinfully beautiful about the way she took care of his cock, " Right there princess, right there ... I'm almost close - AH FUCK " he cries, his cock twitching inside of her mouth before he spilled ropes of cum into her mouth, " Fuck, take all of it like the good girl you are, that's right "

A little while later, they were all cleaned up and he tucked her in his embrace. " Baba, are you sure your father will be ok with us? " he asks with a soft voice.

" I don't know, but what I do know is that I want this, and he'll have to accept it eventually " She whispers before pressing a kiss to his chest.

______________________________________________________________

The following evening,

Dominik parks his car in front of Xabi's house, a bundle of nerves settling in his abdomen - he'd always been calm when it came to football and anything related to football yet this was different, he was prepared for the worst case scenario seeing as his coach also happened to be the father of his girlfriend, his thoughts raced a million miles in one minute.

" Domi, you'll be fine. I texted Nagore, she said she's got a back up plan if he goes angry " Y/N assures him.

" I just don't want him to think I'm using you, or him for that matter " Dominik sighs.

" He won't ... besides I'm not a little girl, so he'll accept us, whether he likes it not " She says.

The pair step out of the car, then walk up to the front door, Y/N rings the doorbell and whispers, " Relax " she smiled at him.

Dominik nods, " Ok "

A few minutes later, the door opens and Nagore smiles widely. " Hi sweetheart " she pulls Y/N into an embrace then Dominik before ushering them in. " It's nice to meet you Dominik "

" You two ma'am " Dominik nods.

" Oh no, call me Nagore please " Nagore laughs, " Come on, Xabier is in the living room "

She leads the pair to the living room, " Honey, look who's here "

Xabi stood up with a smile which quickly transformed into a look of confusion when he noticed Dominik, standing there and holding his daughter's hand. " Y/N? " he asks.

" Aita, lasai " Y/N began before smiling, " You already know who Dominik is, but ... what you don't know is that, he and I have been dating for a while now, two and a half months to be exact "

Xabi's eyes widen, " Oh, ... " he turns to Nagore who shoots him a look to warn him, he composes himself. " And when exactly did this happen? "

" When I visited you during the preseason? we got to know each other and ... well " Y/N giggles, " Here we are "

Dominik smiles tentatively, silently hoping that Xabi doesn't rip him a lecture during training. " I really care about her sir "

Xabi nods silently, " Aha "

" Dinner is almost ready, so Y/N ... why don't you help me set the dining table hm? " Nagore smiles, she leans closer to her husband to whisper. " Don't kill him, he really likes her " she pecks his cheek then takes Y/N to the kitchen.

Xabi waited until the two of them were out before he turns to Dominik who seemed obviously on edge, awaiting to be lectured or worse, yelled at. " So? "

" Sir, it wasn't in my intention but she really captured my heart " Dominik admits, " And I know, that I'm still new to the team but I admire you, and the legacy that you have here, as well as the plans you have to bring Liverpool back to the top, so I want you to know that my intentions with Y/N are pure "

Xabi remained silent, to have his daughter dating one of his players wasn't in the cards and he certainly wasn't expecting it - however he knew his daughter was old enough to make her own decisions, it didn't stop him from saying, " You know she's my oldest right? " he asks.

" Yes " Dominik nods.

" And you know that when it comes to her, I will literally do anything to protect her from harm " He said.

" Absolutely " Dominik echoes. " I'm fully aware "

" She's my oldest but she's still my baby, and while this will take time for me to accept, you need to remember that just because you two are together, doesn't mean I'll play favorites with you, you're just like any other player on the team " He states, " However, if you break her heart, I will guarantee that you won't see the pitch for a very long time you understand "

Dominik nods, " I give you my word, she means the world to me and I will hurt myself before hurting her "

Xabi smiles, " Good " he pats Dominik's back. " Come on, let's head to the dining room "

The dinner went off as smoothly as it can be, Xabi had ensured that Dominik felt relaxed which elated Y/N to see her boyfriend and father getting along quickly over the common denominator they have which is football, while she and Nagore exchanged soft smiles, before Nagore leaned over to whisper. " He's just as excited as your father "

" I know, I'm glad nothing went wrong " Y/N said with a relieved sigh.

" He probably threatened him while we set up the table " Nagore giggles.

" I have no doubt, but as long as he knows that me and him dating won't affect his position, I hope that they manage to remain friendly with one another " Y/N said.

" Don't worry, they will " Nagore assures her.

After dinner, Xabi asked Y/N to speak in the balcony while Dominik offered to help clean up the table with Nagore.

" Y/N, I know that things between us were rocky at first when you were a child but I want you to know that I love you, I care about you a lot " He begins.

" I know that you do Aita " Y/N smiles, " Dominik makes me happy, when I first got to know him, I saw a lot of your traits in him which is why I was so drawn to him, he's kind, nurturing and so sweet to me "

Xabi smiles, " I'm glad to hear that, I want you to be happy always "

" I am " Y/N embraces him.

" Now that it's all out in the open, does that mean you'll be visiting the training center for him? " Xabi asks with a playful tone.

" No, I'm going to be a professional and lessen my visits but as long as you promise not to be too hard on him " Y/N said.

" I'm the coach Y/N, it's my job to discipline them " Xabi laughs, " I want you to promise me that if he messes up, you'll tell me ok "

" I promise " Y/N nods before adding with a smile, " I love you Aita "

" I love you too sweetheart " Xabi smiles then chuckles " I can't believe my little girl is all grown up "

" I'll always be your little girl Aita " Y/N smiles. " Even if I'm with someone else "

" He better treat you right " Xabi states.

" I believe in him " Y/N said before the pair enter back into the house.

[jamilelucato]

The Blackest of Greens [part two]

pairing: [y/n] Targaryen x Aemond Targaryen

summary: after days apart, the couple met in the middle of the night

a/n: okay so the reader here, unfortunately, takes a more consistent body form (?). I'm sorry for it but it had to happen.

a/n 2: again, this is not a properly smut fic, but this second part mentions sexual stuff way more than the first; so heads up?

PART ONE HERE

PS: part three? it will happen!

@sustisama

She was waiting for him, sitting on the edge of the balcony, bathed only in moonlight. The silver hair, the mark of her lineage, framed her face as it swayed in the wind.

Every detail of the night sky pleased her, from the stars to the barely visible layer of cloud, but the beauty also held a secret: where was Aemond, who promised to see her on the third night in the little abandoned and forgotten castle of Dragonstone?

Soon she would have to return to the main castle, for someone would miss her. Jacaerys would be busy with Queen Rhaenyra’s affairs — the eldest son indeed was very attached to the crown’s engagements — but Lucerys could be roaming the halls. Some guard recently sworn to the right side of the line could notice that the newest Crown Princess was not resting in her room.

However, nothing could be done, not in the dead of night, while she was away from her mother’s castle and away from her husband. So [y/n] would just have to wait, as much as she hated it. She had to give Aemond a chance.

Still, no dragon in the sky.

She was past the worry stage; she was just furious. Where was the one promised to her at King’s Landing?

“[y/n]?” echoed the whisper inside the abandoned castle.

She shivered at the voice that always whispered her name between hugs in a warm bed. Of course, the scenario was a little different, but the internal heat caused was the same.

“Up here, Aemond,” she replied, allowing herself to speak louder, knowing they wouldn’t be heard.

From where she was sitting, [y/n] could see the official castle perfectly, and for now, they were free of any conflict, as it seemed that the inhabitants were already falling into their nightly routines.

“Why did you take so long?” she asked as soon as he reached the balcony.

The unexpected wind that hit them before Aemond could respond didn’t scare the young man, but it did send the girl princess goosebumps.

Aemond was quick to offer her his coat; after half a second, when she considered denying it out of politeness, she accepted it. The princess wore a long-sleeved dress, and her legs were well covered, but her cleavage was more daring than appropriate for an open, high space like the one the couple found themselves in.

“I apologize if I took so long, [y/n]. I couldn’t come flying, so… I had to come by boat.”

She was no longer sitting on the railing, so she leaned her hands over the edge and looked down where the sea broke in freezing waves.

"I don’t see ships down there."

Aemond grinned mischievously. “Boat, princess. I came paddling.”

“You came… came… paddling?” she repeated, in disbelief, “From King’s Landing to here?”

“Well, no. My sister brought me with a boat on the back of Dreamfyre close by, and then I came rowing, yes,” he explained to her, carrying a particular pride. “I couldn’t come with Vhagar; We would be recognized for miles.”

“Your sister brought you willingly? Is she an ally of my mother?” asked the princess, surprised to find solidarity in an inhospitable place.

“Helaena is no one’s ally but her children and her embroidery. She thinks she did our precious love story a favour.”

Aemond didn’t look at her, not even after telling her of his sister’s hopes. [y/n], on the other hand, couldn’t take her eyes off her husband, impressed by his ability to appear unfazed. Was it a talent earned to survive Alicent’s authority, or was it just in Aemond’s nature to be categorical?

“Oh, what a precious love story indeed…“ she grumbled, looking up at the sky too.

The one-eyed prince took advantage of the fact that he wasn’t being watched to look at his wife, and he suddenly glimpsed their first night together as a couple.

The wedding night had been strange, to say the least, for Aemond. They were married inside the castle, with all the rituals and the presence of the entire Targaryen family and the younger Velaryon girls. Afterwards, all together, they celebrated a beautiful feast. The union of uncle and niece was nothing compared to the marriage of Rhaenyra and Laenor, and this was highlighted by the king himself, who, in those last hours of his life, smiled at his granddaughter.

“I’m glad to see you smile,” said the old man, although he didn’t know that [y/n] smiled for her brothers and mother, not for the wedding. “I know you will make Aemond happy too. He…” the king coughed, “my boy is not joyful. Even before… the eye, he was already like that. Frowning, angry. Distrustful of the world.”

“Do you suppose I will be able to cure it?” she asked.

Viserys exhaled air. “Perhaps not. But you can help him remember, remember that he has more to live than doing so with a grudge. Like Aemma did to me.”

Before the granddaughter could protest, saying something about being unable to bring light to the darkness, the king already had other daydreams.

“Rhaenyra’s wedding—the one I was invited to, at least—gave me a lot of headaches. And I wasn’t pleased. But I am tonight,” he said, louder this time for the entire table to hear.

Daemon pretended he didn’t hear the part about wedding invitations.

“My family united as one, now more than ever. Seeing you happy and celebrating as my children, grandchildren and relatives and not like the heirs, princes and princesses that you are makes me happy and warm. Thank you for giving me this simple ceremony, Aemond, [y/n]. And, of course, to their mothers who had an afternoon to organize everything. A toast!”

The night of celebration didn’t go on long after the toast. The king had to leave, and the others no longer had as much affinity as they would have liked to continue there in happiness.

[y/n] searched for Aemond in the rising faces of the family. Her mother squeezed [y/n]’s hand one last time and left; her stepfather barely spared her a glance. Jace was the last one with her, just half a minute longer than her mother, but it made a difference for the princess.

[y/n] had been Jacaerys’ betrothed once. She wondered what her life would have been if the mother hadn’t cared that her son was still a minor and had married them off as soon as the promise was made. She would have avoided marrying Aemond, that was certain, but would she have been happy?

She loved her brother but wasn’t sure she loved him the way he wanted.

Not that it meant she loved her uncle. She barely knew him. What little she knew, she wasn’t delighted.

Aemond sipped the last of his wine slowly, one hand on the glass and the other on the wooden chair he’d once sat in. He stared at the family members leaving, one by one, until not even Otto Hightower was there. She noticed that her groom was making a face, but she couldn’t decide if it was good or bad.

Bad for her, she concluded. The seconds passed slower than the hours.

And then his gaze stopped tracking the door and found her anxious one. She felt her heart skip a beat.

Nobody said anything, but [y/] hated quietness. “I suppose we should go.”

Aemond left his glass on the table. “Go to where?”

She gulped.

“To your chambers, my prince.”

“When you arrived, you called me uncle. Is it over?” his question unnerved her. She wasn't expecting this.

“I suppose, us being husband and wife now, the addressed pronoun has stopped being appropriate,” she replied, thinking about it. She had called him uncle on that occasion because her mother insisted on forcing a friendship between the sides of the family, and the way to start was with the names.

But now he… Well, he was still her uncle, blood of her blood and all.

“Are you religious, [y/n]?”

She wasn’t and told him so. However, the conversation felt wrong. What did he want with all that? Wasn’t it easier to take her right away, mark her as his wife and make them more than official?

She wasn’t edgy, not indeed. She knew about sex and everything that went with it. She was still a virgin, but she wasn’t stupid, and she’d already been kissed —Jace had been her first, but other Dragonstone boys, servants and sons, had already touched her, one way or another.

There were also her maids, creative in their stories, even the sexual ones. She was told it would and could forever hurt, for arranged marriages were usually composed of husbands who only wanted to do their duty and did not want to love their wives.

Of course, at the time, she thought she would marry her brother, and there was no doubt that she would be valued and treasured.

With Aemond, however, everything was still being determined. She imagined he wouldn’t love her nor be patient—not that night, not the next. But as he surveyed her about casualties — “why aren’t you religious, niece?”, “do you support your mother’s current marriage?”, “How did you feel during the ceremony?” and so many others—she began to hope that perhaps he would respect her.

It was so silly of her to think that! He was the uncle who hated her brothers, especially Lucerys, because of the eye and who probably despised her just as much for being a bastard heiress. So [y/n] was Targaryen, but not Velaryon. The silver hair left no room for bickering, but other attributes about her gave away the secret.

She was fed up, in the sense that no Targaryen ever had been. Her mother, perhaps, came close to her after so many births, as her body did not always fully recover, but even so… [y/n] had the form of Harwin Strong in her, and a fool was the one who denied it.

She just didn’t understand why Aemond could hate her for it. She was a bastard, but she was as Targaryen as Aegon and Aemond put together.

She took advantage of him showering her with questions to reverse roles. “Why do you insist on highlighting the possibility that my brothers and I are bastards? Do you hate us for this potential?”

The mood that had just been calm and pleasant suddenly froze.

She had used the word “possibility” because soon as she was a child, she had learned never to assume her true paternity. But Aemond had understood her perfectly, so that shouldn’t be why he was silent.

Internally nibbling his cheeks, Aemond replied. “I don’t hate you,’ he said, almost inaudibly. “Perhaps I hate Lucerys for what he did to me, not for the blood.”

“He was a child,” [y/n] interrupted, trying to defend her brother, though he ignored her and went on.

“I think I will come to hate Jacaerys if he continues to regard you as a banquet stolen from him. But that only time will tell,” he said, speaking quietly as if he were telling her how many socks he has in his drawer.

“Although I hate have been forced to marry, you are mine now. Neither the gods nor your brother will take you from me,” he continued. “You are my wife, so no, I don’t loathe you. How could I?”

She didn’t know what to say after hearing his declaration. Of course, he’d avoided the main question, but he’d done it magnificently. She was bewitched.

She didn’t know she could feel this way, not with him.

She got to her feet, just as he still was, and faced him. “I am your wife. But I still need to know if it hurts you that I might not be legitimate.”

He looked at her equally. “No. I do not care,” he said as he walked closer to her. “Your first blood is Targaryen,” then he ran his fingers through the length of her hair. “Your hair is as silver as mine. That’s all I need.”

She tilted her head slightly, seeming to be confused. Everything he needs for what?

“It shall assure that my heirs will be as royal as they could be.”

[y/n] gulped once more. He was saying those things with such confidence she had to wonder if perhaps that was once before the wedding vows that he imagined marrying her. But that couldn’t be, right?

Aemond, for the first time, smiled at her. It was a smile more sly than benevolent, but it was the first she saw, and that was enough.

“I believe that we can leave the room with that said.”

She looked down at hand he held out to her. Then, biting her bottom lip, [y/n] let him lead her out of there and toward his chambers.

They walked side by side and arm in arm, adjoining elbows, through the corridors until they reached the main wing and then the floor of the King’s sons.

Rhaenyra was using the same room she had grown up in during her visit, with the difference that she now shared it with her spouse. Aemond was about to do the same.

Before the young prince could be drunk with the memories of their first time actually together as one, [y/n]’s voice called out to him.

“Aemond,” she sounded sweet, “how did your brother take it?”

He didn’t answer, because it felt like betraying his family.

But the thing was that [y/n] was his family now.

“He didn’t want it,” sighed the younger brother of King Aegon II, “but when he saw how proud Mama was... I think he’ll find some joy in being a King.”

After the couple’s fight over [y/n]’s participation in the coronation, it was agreed that the princess would leave on her dragon but that her husband would attend, playing the role of faithful brother.

They were playing a dangerous game, but the game of thrones has no other way of being, [y/n] thought.

The one-eyed prince, however, was playing an even worse game. In his mind, he wasn’t in favour of Rhaenyra Targaryen’s coronation, nor was he in favour of seeing his crazy, boozy brother with the crown.

He believed the throne was his and if he had to play the game of thrones alone, then so be it. He’d help Rhaenyra get accepted, but he’d kill the cunt as soon as possible. And finally, he would kill his wife.

Staring at her, Aemond wondered if she knew. If she even suspected.

It didn’t seem the case; he saw in her only the facade of a woman but the soul of a girl. It was the same one he’d seen when he’d first slept with her. Her body, her shape… [y/n] had a lot to distribute. But she was as naive as his sister.

“It will be dark times,” she said, nibbling her lip.

He didn’t have time to agree as she continued to speak. “We will have to be smart. It was wise of you to point out your dragon; I’d forgotten Vhagar’s size. But, we need a better, more effective method of communication.”

“Pigeons?” suggested Aemond, but even he didn’t seem sure.

“No… I don’t think it would work; we could be tracked,” she replied. “I suppose we’ll have to take the hardship on our own. We will have meetings, but sporadically. Then you will tell me everything, and I will give you advice on sabotaging your mother and preventing things from my side.”

“And I stand there like a court jester, drooling over my brother’s egg?” Aemond grunted, staring into the darkness of the night. “No… You… You’ll have to come with me.’

“What?”

“You’ll have to come with me, [y/n]. Officially as my hostage, but I’ll leave you in my room in peace,” he explained, but ended the phrase smirking, making it clear that “at peace” included some not-so-peaceful things.

“Aemond, it doesn’t seem ideal to me.”

“Oh, why?”

“A kidnapping of the Crown Princess? That would be reason enough for my mother to declare war,” elaborated the girl. “Even though we are married, my brothers are not fools. They will know that I did not agree.”

“But you think we should let Aegon be the first to miss.”

“Yes,” she agreed with Aemond. “But my kidnapping shouldn’t be the first mistake. It is futile and ineffective.”

“You only say that because you will be the victim. You know it’s not ineffective, not in the long run,” Aemond disagreed patiently. “This tactic would give a white flag to retaliation from your mother, which for her victory must be done soon.”

“For now, I’ll advise Mom to look for allies,” she sighed. “It’s impersonal and it works.”

“For now?” he echoed her words. “So you haven’t ruled out kidnapping?”

“Whether I like it or not, I can be more useful inside the green nest than here,” she admitted. “That’s when we’ll see each other again, by the way.”

“I just have to wait for a mistake. Of the blacks?” he wanted to be inside the architecture of his wife’s brain and to know how she considered and discarded so many possibilities per second.

“From either side.”

Nodding, Aemond backed away from his wife and the balcony's edge. He had no idea how long he’d been there, but the prospect of rowing home was exhausting.

On some distant island, his sister was waiting for him, luckily. But still, it was a lot of seas to navigate.

“Are you leaving now?” she asked before he turned away from her.

“Yes,” he replied, swallowing hard. But, then, the wind became present again, leaving its wake in a frightening noise that echoed through the castle’s ruins.

She started to take off her coat. “Your fur,” she said, drawing his attention to the lap of her chest, now bare and completely ruffled.

He took a long, quick step toward her.

“Stay with it,” he pleaded. “Everything that’s mine is yours, at least by law,” he added playfully.

“But I’ll be in my warm room soon enough,” she protested, still holding out his coat towards him. Then, with just a turn of face, she fronted the night and the sea. “You still have a long way to go.”

He came even closer as he agreed to take the coat back. Their hands barely touched, but it was enough for a jolt of electricity to ripple through them both, and she returned her gaze to his face.

Having already seen him without the eyepatch, [y/n] was no longer afraid of what he might hide there. In fact, she would have enjoyed looking at him that way one last time, to remember him for the days to come until they could meet again.

“No, I…” she asked him, but Aemond was disagreeing. “You better remember me like this.”

She smiled without showing her teeth in that innocent, pure way that Aemond had only found in her. “I like your single eye. And I like the blue stone.”

Tightening his lips, Aemond gripped his fur tightly with one hand and with the other, he pulled back the eye patch.

They spent a full minute just staring. The wind waved [y/n]’s hair, which was only half up. Aemond’s hair, curiously, was also tied in the same way, but it didn’t have her lightness, so it didn’t sway as intensely.

It was the first time they really saw each other.

Aemond thought that when he had taken her virginity and seen her lying in his bed, a frail lady, he had then come to know her fully. But it was his mistake. He was just getting to know her.

She, too, had been mistaken. The husband’s moments of pleasure were very close to the scene that was unfolding — when he cummed, he actually became more natural, relaxed and undoubtedly alluring. However, facing him in the dead of night, accompanied only by the wind, was when she finally began to realize who she had married.

But truth be told, she wouldn’t figure it all out until a few days later.

He closed the space between them, to their surprise and kissed her desperately. Then, like a hungry man, Aemond drank from her lips and savoured her taste.

Maybe he didn’t love the wife given to him by his father, but he was grateful that she was such a…whole woman, at least for everything he felt he needed in a partner.

He wanted more. He wanted to lean her against a wall and make her shiver until she begged him to leave her on the floor. He wanted and would have delighted in fulfilling such a fantasy, but he knew he shouldn’t.

There wasn’t time.

With her, he wanted to take all the time in the world. Deflowering her was an entire dawn’s task, which he only stopped with the sunrise because he wanted to leave her alone, although the princess had assured him that she could persist. And she lasted, from the next sunset until the next sunrise, and they would have fucked each other much more, had time allowed.

But time was something the couple would always lack.

They didn’t have time to get to know each other, they didn’t have time for courtship. They didn’t even have a full honeymoon.

Besides, Aemond feared making her pregnant, for now, more than ever, was not the time.

When he pulled away, [y/n] felt weak. He was still holding her, one hand on her waist and the other gripping her elbow, but she felt wobbly.

She tried to recover before he noticed it.

The hand he pressed to her waist also shielded her, for between his firm grip was the fur coat, and when he finally released her, she too felt the cold.

“I have to go,” he said, noticing her frown.

“Yes, I’ve presumed so,” she whispered, her voice cracking.

She hated this power his touch had over her. She hated being the deer for the kill. She was a dragon, had dragon blood, and was the dragon’s rightful heir. But next to Aemond, she was just water, and she vaporized whenever his fire hit her.

Composing herself, she hugged her chest and watched him walk away.

Aemond hadn’t noticed the effect he had on [y/n]. Of course, he was a man who knew his manly influence, and to some extent, he could feel her desire for him. However, he was utterly blind to her frailty. He could only see and feel a dragon when he kissed and touched her. He felt like he was touching fire. She didn’t hurt him — he was a Targaryen — but her fire marked him, and he judged that perhaps, just perhaps, he was more hers than she was his.

He walked away, hugged by his coat, and as he began to row, he was more confident than before: he would have to kill her.

[adracat]

G-Witch episode 12 thoughts

Well, that was a wild ride. I think we all know the big moment that everyone is talking about but before we sprint to the finish in angst-ville, let's enjoy the relatively lighter bits-- just joking there aren't any.

Seeing the witches go all out with their permit scoring really highlights how unique Aerial and Suletta are. Still, Sophie is able to beat the GUND-format antidote by sheer force of will. And unlike Suletta it takes a huge toll. This fight was incredibly one-sided on behalf of DoF which I think we all suspected. Witches aren't feared for nothing.

In the middle of all this chaos, Miorine is shielded from debris by Delling. His talk to her and mention of Mio's mother was enlightening. They way he speaks of her makes me wonder if she was a soldier too, possibly killed by a Gundam? Whatever the truth, it's unmistakable how much he cares for Mio's well-being. He might have a shit way of showing it in a non-deadly situation, but it's better than Fail Mother of the year, Prospera.

Before we open that masked can of worms, here's a brief mention to Nika. We see her save herself and the rest of Earth House by signaling to Norea's gundam. Lucky for her, she was recognized as an ally of the 'Prince'. Not so luckily, her little morse code session was seen. Oops.

I'd like to see her collusion and secrets come to light early in the next cour. She's a good egg, just trapped between her past ties on earth and the friends she made at military school. Will it end terribly? I'm anxious to find out.

Pour one out for Bob by the way. I won't mourn Jeturk, but it's scarred his son for life. Imagine changing to become a better man all because someone was nice to you, but whoops. Patricide. That's a twist I didn't forsee but it piques my intrigue. Will Bob return to Guel with a massive revenge scheme as CEO of Jeturk industries?

But speaking of parents and children...

Posting this entire scene because I wanted to showcase, beginning to end, how informative this is for what follows next. We have Suletta fearful for her life, shocked by seeing her mother kill. She's completely shaken, yet calms once Prospera repeats the philosophy we've been hearing the whole show. The light shines upon Prospera as she offers her hand, appearing angelic in spite of the killing. You can see the moment Suletta internalizes this. Killing for those you love is just; fighting gains you two, running would mean losing someone. She moves forward and pilots Aerial as Prospera demands. It's a subtle manipulation, and from Suletta's wide-eyed stare (similar to another episode where she's desperate to believe her mother) she accepts this new reality.

Small aside, I like this brief confirmation Aerial can communicate detailed things to Suletta despite only appearing as lights and a whale-like sound to us. Very interesting.

Now onto the penultimate scene.

Messed up and shocking as this is, I found it completely in character. I don't think she's snapped or anything like that, merely accepted her mother is right and killing for another person to survive is an acceptable trade. Her unnatural cheer in this scene is unnerving, but I read this as her desperately trying to keep herself and Miorine calm; she's acting the same as always to downplay the gruesome reality.

So she does what she has always done and mimics Prospera, positioning herself in the same way. All the while she's oblivious to how horrifying her behavior comes across. Yet it doesn't escape us, nor poor Mio. I would not be surprised if Prospera used that phrase as a means of conditioning Suletta to do what she asks.

From groom to murderer in the span of one episode and cour 😔 Suletta now persona non grata. It's cruel to leave us here until April but also brilliant ngl. I can't wait to see how our fav couple navigates this conflict. All is fair in love and war.

I do love this shot though, bookends are my weakness.

[kurocatsstuff]

11:24 ★ : what’s the point in this life?

genre : fluff, angst (?)

note : scaramouche x reader > ^ < ,, haven’t worked on a fanfic in like.. three months 😨 story taking place a few years after Scaramouche joined the Fatui :3 (please reblog, it would help)

You took pleasure in seeing people laugh or genuinely being happy and enjoying life and the phenomenon called love. You worked as a clown on the outskirts of Inazuma, a nation known for horrible storms and lightning.

You, yourself took in the common fears of little children and personality. Which made you perfect for the “kids” side of the striped tent in which you worked in. When a storm struck you would gasp or yelp in unison with the kids and wait as they huddled up close to your, looking at you as the “bigger kid” or the “adult” in the situation.

Your fears and personality were relatable with little kids which made you a big hit once you had joined the show as a clown, yet you’d like to consider yourself a jester since you referred to the kids as royalty.

Months gone by as you worked there, you were envious of the kids playing as your childhood was deprived of love and decency.. but we’ll get into your past later..

—

The puppet sighed irritated by the Doctor’s words, the thought was ridiculous. Visiting some distant circus to people laughing and kids pushing and shoving, if someone were ever to shove him aside like he was nothing, whether on accident or not. He would immediately kill everyone there.

“I have better things to do than see some dimwits waste their time making kids laugh only to get decent pay. I’d almost feel sorry if I didn’t have better things to do.” The puppet scowls, his eyebrows furrowing. Scaramouche glanced at Dottore with annoyance, turning his head back to the paper works he was originally working on.

The Doctor chuckled before chucking one circus ticket his way, after he so he clapped his hands together, rubbing it against each other wiping the non-existent dust off his gloves. “I think you’ll enjoy the pity show, it’ll be amusing watching someone desperate to make a fool out of themselves.”

In response the Harbinger working with a pen retorts irritated. “I don’t have the time for this type of thing! It’s irrelevant to me, I don’t like crowds anyway either. Why would you think I would go to that shit place willingly?!” He slams his pen to the desk, grabbing the ticket ready to rip it—yet he stopped for a second. “Why do you even have this in the first place?” He stared agitated yet confused at the blue haired man, of course it isn’t of many surprise that the man would try to pull off something like this.

“What happens if I were to tell you that one of the surviving residents of Tatarasuna were to work there?” The man grinned at the seated Harbingers reaction.. with eyes widened he looked down at the ticket then at Dottore with disbelief. “You really expect me to believe that?!” He snapped, bad memories being dug up from the depths of his mind and it being rubbed in his fair face. “Ah, yes. I’m sure of this, a reminder of the past still lingers alive.”

His past was supposed to be burned in ashes all of it.. oh well, it’s only one mortal. Not worth death. “..who cares.. how do you know this?” Scaramouche eyed Dottore suspiciously. “That’s a secret for now..”

—✦ 12:35

notes: BITCH I DONT WANNA CONTINUE THIS SHIT😭😭😭😨😨🙏🙏🙏😔😔 I wanna go to sleep now, also putting a poll for voting, this considered part 1 ig … 😭💀 GO FAMOUS MY CUTE LITTLE WORDS

[muddshadow]

find the word —

words courtesy of @isherwoodj and @akindofmagictoo <3 tagging you back and also @faelanvance @pinespittinink @baroquesse @revenancy @the-void-writes @calicoy and anyone else who feels like it <3 to you i bestow the words ASH, ACHE, CLEAR, COLD.

RAISE // bloodhounds

...she’d been considering a possibility, one that emerged this past year with the slow, solemn recognition that accompanied all dreadful truths, and one that had been sufficiently judged with rejection, reluctance, and compromises. It’s not what I think. It couldn’t be that. It must be something similar. But Neve was raised to untangle puzzles, and how could she ignore the thousand knotted strings that wove together Rowan? She couldn’t. Not when she watched him share stories across the dinner table, not when they surrendered low-toned secrets around a fire-pit or a dawn-crested balcony or in the silent embrace of the pilot’s deck, and certainly not now, as she plucked through the tattered wires of his detached prosthetic. Rowan told a great many truths, and all of them were shadows. Pieces missing, unmentioned, momentous.

Rowan spoke suddenly. “What're you thinking?”

TALL // bloodhounds

Tulan smiled, and it was almost warm. “Look how you’ve grown, Nevelyn.”

When tears burned in her eyes, it felt wrong and overwhelming, and Neve retreated back into her arms. She still didn’t know what to think, but she felt, felt, felt, the bittersweet weight of old memories and a stolen future, the drawn-and-quartered quandary of a man devoted to violence who had loved her like a daughter.

“I never thought you’d end up so tall. That surprised me.”

It hurt to be present, but she had nowhere else to be. Meeting Tulan’s gaze still proved too challenging, so Neve stared at the table and wrangled her thoughts into words.

LOW // the inherited haunting of trystan song

“The universe fucking hates me today,” I say, mostly to myself.

Magdalena still graces me with an answer. “Don’t be rude, Trystan.” She wears a yellow dress and sunhat, coiled hair a black cloud beneath it. A cigarette fits between her fingers, nails perfectly manicured and nighttime blue. They’re always a different color. She bores quickly. I’m hoping I can bore her out of a conversation, since I already have a catastrophe planned.

Magdalena lowers her designer sunglasses and glimpses me over. “You look terrible.”

ROYAL // the inherited haunting of trystan song

“Is that a soda in there?”

“No. It’s a high nutrient fruit juice, made with–”

“Great. Hand it to me.”

He does without looking and continues sifting through the fridge drawers. I don’t catch any of his unintelligible mutters. I don’t try to. I’m already knocking back my first shot of Crown Royal and get straight to work on the second and third. Chasing it with high nutrient fruit juice isn’t as satisfying as Dr. Pepper, but it does make it interesting.

OVER // twice-dead scavengers

The evening before the triplets left, House Finch held a grand celebration. All twenty-seven Finches attended; not counting the married-in spouses and step children, who were never counted, and not counting Tatum, whose presence was no longer expected or desired anywhere near the Finch doorstep. Only special occasions brought the entire esteemed and estranged family together at one table. A special occasion to pry for information, confront old rivalries, and to discreetly glimpse over Grandmother Ruvilka and assess if she was anywhere closer to death.

Tonight, the conclusion didn’t waver from the previous decades. Grandmother remained at the head of the table and deathless.

RUGGED // twice-dead scavengers

Bright pain erupted in her shoulder, scathing and rendering her blind. Geneviere dreaded losing her other arm, released a short, husky shriek at the thought, but the knife was a quick dart and not a rugged hacking. The phantom tore the blade free of her trapezius. Geneviere collapsed forward. Blood wept down her arm, mixing with sweat and ink.

Several strides away, the mist collected into the distinctive shape of a person, hunched on their heels and watching her, this time with a voice.

“You’re the weakest,” the phantom said, tone hushed like dawn and roiled deep by storm, “because the others don’t care about you.”

“Ouch,” Geneviere mumbled. Mostly because of the stab wound.

[breaniebree]

Third Times the Charm Sneak Peek

Chapter 2 -- The One Where Ron Gets A Shovel

Ron felt bad leaving Harry, but he knew that despite the circumstances of what was going on, he and Harry were only A1s, which meant that they weren’t capable of being partners on any investigations.  They needed someone higher up to help guide them and Ron had to admit, Eric Baxter was a great substitute.  The man was smart and funny.  Not to mention that he’d already taught Ron a lot more than he’d expected. 

When they left Sussex, Ron was only mildly surprised to see them arrive in Londonderry.  He followed Baxter through the main entrance of the Magical Intelligence Agency and into the Secret Intelligence Unit on the second floor otherwise known as the SIU.  They walked past a few desks in the bullpen before Baxter turned left and headed towards a smaller bullpen in the back where Ron recognized Sebastian Kane sitting with a tiny Korean woman who Ron remembered seeing at the Auror’s birthday party in the summer.

Sebastian’s eyebrow rose.  “Baxter, Ron, come to visit?”

“Unfortunately no,” Baxter said, making himself comfortable in one of the chairs.  “We need to track someone down.”

“Aw, and you need us because we’re better than you?”  the woman teased.

Ron snorted and her smile widened.

“I speak the truth, Red.”  She extended her hand.  “Auror Yeona Jin, but everyone calls me Auror J.”

“Ron Weasley.”

“He’s my A1 partner,” Baxter said.  “Fresh from the academy and doing well.  As to doing our job, I’d track this bitch down myself if it was within my bloody jurisdiction.”

Sebastian tilted his head.  “What do you need?”

“Druella Rosier Black,” Baxter said.  “Weasley?”

Ron cleared his throat.  “She’s um, the Lady Falmouth, technically.  She took off in ’93 to avoid the war and is now thought to be on a Mediterranean cruise somewhere.  We need her back in England so that she can answer some questions about her home in Sussex.”

Jin nodded.  “We can do that.  Any known family?

“She’s the last Rosier living,” Ron continued.  “Her brother Enzo and his wife, Alma were killed in the first war along with his son, Ezekiel.  Ezekiel had two children, Evan who was killed by Alastor Moody while resisting arrest in ’81 and his sister Aster who married Thaddeus Nott and was killed in ’84 in a claimed potions accident by her husband.  Black’s husband, Cygnus, died in ’92 of scrofungulus.  They had three daughters: Bellatrix Black Lestrange, Andromeda Black Tonks, and Narcissa Black Malfoy.  Bellatrix is the only daughter still alive.”

Jin wrinkled her nose.  “It’s always the insane ones who stick around.  Any information on her cruise?”

“No, but her grandson will know more, Draco Malfoy.”

Sebastian’s eyebrow rose slightly at the name.  “All right.  Give us twenty-four hours.  We’ll bring her back to England for questioning.”

“Thanks,” Baxter said.  “We think that she was letting known Death Eaters live in her home as recently as this morning.  Lestrange, Crouch, and Brambilla are at the top of our most wanted list.  If they have outside help, we need to know about it.”

“Agreed,” Sebastian said.  “We’ll bring her in.”

When they left, Ron snuck a look over at his partner.  “Bringing in the MIA was a good idea.”

Baxter’s lips curved.  “I’m full of those.  Atwell will tell you that I’m also full of shit, but don’t listen to her.”

Ron chuckled.  “Noted.”

“The Magical Intelligence Agency works on an international level,” Baxter explained.  “They are the Aurors we need to help us track criminals who leave the country.  They have jurisdiction in every country in the world and this means that they can do things that we aren’t able to, like go to the bloody Mediterranean Sea and try to find this witch.”

“Which leaves us where exactly?”  Ron asked.

Baxter stretched his arms up over his head.  “Let’s head back to Godric’s Hollow, Weasley.  There’s something about that graveyard that’s been bothering me.  I want to reinterview the witnesses who claim that they saw Brambilla there last week.  We’re missing something, Weasley, and until we find it, I think Zacarias is going to stay just out of our reach.”

That was what Ron was afraid of.

[chidoroki]

182 Days of TPN - Day 98

Chapter 98: “Starting Sound”

I like how the first couple pages fake us out by thinking the enemy is about to attack Emma & everyone else when they actually end up raiding an dummy shelter. Very thankful to James for setting up so many empty ones because this keeps Peter’s men occupied for almost two years trying to find the right one.

Y’all know you can sleep in a bit longer since you’re not bound by the GF schedule anymore, right?? Old habits die hard I guess.

Props to Ray, Pepe and whomever else normally helps in the kitchen because that is definitely a lot of mouths to feed all at one time. Also love how intermingled the tables are between GF & GP children, like it doesn’t matter where they came from, they’re all one big family.

I adore seeing them adjust to the shelter life and all the different tasks the kids take on. I’m mighty fond of seeing Oliver wear the shelter jacket & turtleneck as well! Wish we got to see that look on him more often, same with Nigel without his usual hat. But there’s no way Paula could still be recovering a month and a half later! Hell, she’s shown sitting at the tables during breakfast just fine! Ahh whatever, still cute that Zack continues to check up on her. GP trio owns a special place in my heart.

With Dominic learning how to hunt from Yuugo, I guess it isn’t totally farfetched that season two had him pick up archery so quickly. I do remember that Rossi learns morse code eventually, but I was unaware he tries to learn some medical stuff alongside Theo? At least, I’m assuming that’s what going on considering Anna & Zack are there too.

Ah.. back during ch92 I wondered why the GF kids never picked up on Adam reciting Norman’s number when they returned to the shelter, but I guess the big guy just switched it up and started repeating Emma’s ID nonstop instead. Makes sense as to why Violet seems a bit confused about it, not because she doesn’t remember Emma’s number but if that’s the same number Adam was saying the whole time back at GP.

I haven’t looked for fics in a hot minute, but I remember there were always tons about RE in the shelter library and not enough (or any) about the secret room and I gotta wonder why. Clearly they’re down below often enough during the past seven days if that GV kid knows where they are.

Well, Sonya’s correct about the first part since it’s revealed earlier this chapter that Peter killed off a handful of supporters back in 2031. Also, love how one of the tiny, surprised faces kinda looks like the drawing Shirai typical uses.

Still a more complex way to locate the secret room than how season two had it be “hidden” behind a simple, very noticable door labeled “pen.”

I despise this man so damn much.. absolutely hate him and his stupid fingers tapping away endlessly. I still dunno if this is just a random thing he does or if it’s actually morse. Can’t confirm it with season two either since the anime did one thing right and cut him out.

Speaking of morse code, I love how Emma quickly hands the phone over to Ray once she recognizes it. Sure she’s skilled enough to decipher it, but hearing morse is much different than seeing it, and there’s no way she wants to miss a single detail after waiting a whole week to hear back from the supporters, so she tosses the phone to Ray since she believes he will catch everything more efficiently than she could. And he does.

Now, I may be a total idiot, but for the life of me, I can’t remember who this hooded person might be? With it currently being March 2046, it can’t be James since he died sometime around September 2031 (if ch73 is anything to go by) and it ain’t Norman since he’s still trapped at Lambda until 2047. Perhaps Peter missed a supporter hiding amongst the Ratri clan and this is some random person but I dunno. Oh, unless this is just Smee..? I mean, the cloak he’s wearing is pretty much the same one Norman uses later on, so he could easily acquire it when they’re both at Lambda. That could be it. Hopefully.

Favorite panel/moment:

I HAVE DEARLY MISSED MY BOY CHRIS!! (& yes I noticed Gillian’s tiny head pat to Thoma. See! I knew they would get along well!)

[discount-shades]

🎂😳👶🌡️💧🧨💍

Again some of these will be for multiple fics.

🎂 Birthday: Contract Spouse Every year on Pips birthday Jake would arrange a huge cake to be sent to her house. Sami and Pip would end up inviting people over multiple nights in a row just to have cake. The first birthday he was there to eat it with her he was genuinely shocked by how many slices of cake there were. He didn’t realise how much cake he was buying.

😳 Confessing: or never Confessing. Sleepy Baby

The first time Jake met Grace was when Kisses got wine drunk at a bar and fell asleep and Grace called Jake to take her home. Jake drove Grace home as well because he wasn’t going to leave her there alone. The both of them knew Kisses past and agreed to never tell Kisses because it would stress her out. Secretly both thought the other was really good for Kisses. They exchanged numbers and Jake has secretly had Grace to help him out so he could surprise Kisses many times over the years. They are a secret alliance in league to make sure Kisses is happy.

👶 family: this one I have a lot of thoughts.

Sleepy Baby: Jake and Kisses end up having 3 kids the oldest boy it turns out is a pretty good athlete. He is also the stereotypical responsible and polite oldest.

The second is also a boy and is the most sarcastic of all the children. Kisses has to talk with him after the kindergarten teacher mentions all the back talk in week 2.

When they finally have a girl they think she will be a little angel after their fairly rough and tumble boys. They are wrong. Their youngest can’t be stopped. She climbed the fridge before she was 2 to get the cookies out of the cupboard above the fridge. She is always hanging from the bleachers at her brothers sports games. She is 80% sass and attitude at home but a perfect little angel in school and it drives Kisses crazy that teachers always sing her praises. She is the one who follows Jake into the Military. She becomes a Marine to piss him off.

Contract Spouse: Jake and Pip have a lot of trauma. They decide not to have kids and adopt senior dogs and cats from shelters. At 38 Pip accidentally gets pregnant and they decide to keep it. By this point Pip is doing pretty well in her career so as soon as he is able to retire Jake does and becomes a stay at home dad. Their daughter is ‘Perfectly Average’ according to Jake and luckily got her mother’s kindness.

Dead or Alive: Sugar had a botched abortion when she was working in the brothel that left her unable to have kids. When a local couple died with no knowledge of who to contact back east various families offered to take one or two of the kids left behind. When the sleazy saloon owner offers to give the 15yo daughter a job Jake says all six siblings will come to live with him and Sugar. Sugar is pretty shocked when Jake comes home with all the kids after he went to a meeting in town but she opens her heart to the broken family. They never become mom and dad but they are the children’s parents.

🌡️ Sick: Sleepy Baby Jake gets man colds. He is worse than the kids. He does however dote on Kisses when she is even feeling a little under the weather so she tolerates his man colds with much eye rolling.

💧 sad: Contract Spouse Pip cries uncontrollably every time one of their pets dies. Jake suggests they maybe get a puppy or a kitten but Pip will not hear of it. She wants the old dogs and cats in the shelters to live out their final years in peace so she is willing to have her heart broken again and again.

🧨 unexpected: Dead or Alive Jake ends up a sheriffs deputy in the town they eventually settle in. The sheriff doesn’t ask too many questions. Jake is good with a gun and has never broken a law in the area so the sheriff gives him the benefit of doubt. If wanted posters occasionally go missing he doesn’t question it.

💍 marriage: Contract Spouse Jake and pip never end up renewing their vows. They kept trying to plan a renewal but over and over agin it just feels like they are trying to get a do over that invalidates all the love they had for each other before they admitted it to each other. They settle for a huge 10 year anniversary party.

[yunoteru4ever]

Having finished Dusk Maiden I’m really doubling down on the hanako-kun parallels I’m really curious when you get around to watching whether the main trio will remind you as much of Teiichi, Yuuko and Kirie only genderbent as they did to me.

I just tore through Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun's first season this week and am starting in on the After-school Hanako-kun shorts now. And I can definitely see what you mean about the three main leads sharing similar types!

But first, Full Disclosure: I actually thought Hanako-kun was going to be about KIDS. Like... pre-teen kids. The classic "Hanako-san" story is usually portrayed as involving a girl between 10-13 years old, and the characters in Hanako-kun just look so much like children at first glance, y'know? So I was definitely surprised to watch the show and learn they're in high school! Turns out it's just a cutesy design choice. :P

Nene here is 15 years old. But if you told me you thought she was 8? I'd believe you.

ANYWAY. I want to take a moment to talk about where I see the similarities and differences.

Similarities:

To start with: Both stories focus on a group of teeenage characters investigating and/or combatting ghostly school mysteries that're usually framed as the "Seven Wonders of the School." (Every Japanese school has to have its Seven Wonders, y'know. :P I've lost track of how many times the "Seven Wonders of the School" trope has appeared in manga/anime/visual novels/etc that I've consumed... ) There's also the fact that, tonally, both stories also bounce between comedic group interactions and the creepy horror aspects of what the characters are facing.

But you were particularly honing in on the character similarities! And I agree that that's the area that makes them most reminiscient of each other. It's worth noting that Dusk Maiden of Amnesia has a quartet of primary players, whereas Hanako-kun only has three. However, if we exclude DMoA's Momoe (who I'd argue is the least important of the Dusk Maiden quartet), then both stories contain the following three chararacter "types" among their main characters:

Dim-Bulb "Every(wo)man" Lead Protagonist (many in-universe members of the opposite sex will crush on this character over the course of the series... for whatever reason)

Mischievious Ghost with a Secret Past (a.k.a. the actual reason we're watching/reading this thing, CLEARLY)

Exorcist from a Spiritual Family Line (they show recurring skepticism about the ghost's seemingly benign nature, repeatedly threatening to exorcise him/her even as they gradually come to befriend him/her)

It's that last one that's particularly interesting to me. If you're going to do a story about a ghost lurking in a school and his/her connection to a living student attending that schoool, it's easy to imagine those first two types/tropes coming to mind quite quickly and naturally. The third one is a little more of a stretch, though. It's not impossible for it to be a case of "independent invention," but... it does make me wonder if the authorial team called "AidaIro" was directly influenced by the work of team "Maybe" on DMoA.

Differences:

Ultimately, though, I think both stories are different enough from one another to make them stand uniquely in my mind.

— The most obvious distinction is that Dusk Maiden is very much focused on the love story between a ghost and a human — I'd argue that's one of its primary appeals! Meanwhile, Hanako-kun is sometimes billed a "romantic comedy," but I don't know where the romance is supposed to be. :P Honestly, the first episode of the anime made me think (with horror), "Oh god, they're now CURSED to fall in love! Free will is dead!" but uh... I do know that by the first 75 chapters of the manga, they still haven't shown any signs of being into each other? So 1) If anything is happening between Nene and Hanako, it is a SLOW-ass burn and 2) If they ever DO get together, I hope they manage to sever this whole forced-bond thing first so it can feel more legit :P

— That's another thing: Dusk Maiden is a complete story right now in both its versions/formats! Meanwhile, Hanako-kun is still DEEPLY ongoing. The manga has no end in sight, and although the anime JUST got a second season announcement, it didn't even come with a vague release window.

— Out of the three shared "character types" I mentioned above, the "Dim-Bulb Protagonist" is probably the most distinct character between the two stories. DMoA's Teiichi is more of an innocent — the open-minded and pure-hearted type who just wears his heart on his sleeve. He's pretty chill but kind of unmemorable, yet somehow attracts his own mini-harem? Luckily, he's 100% committed to his ghost waifu. TBHK's Nene Yashiro is, by contrast, a borderline genki girl who is super boy-crazy and regularly on the verge of a mental spiral. (Actually, I think Nene acts more like Momoe than she does Teiichi... ?) But when our story starts, Nene is already bolder/braver and more ready to take action than either Teiichi OR Momoe are for the majority of DMoA. She... ALSO attracts her own mini-harem, but she's too self-conscious about her legs to even notice.

— Also: Whereas Dusk Maiden goes MUCH darker with its horror aspects than Hanako-kun ever would, Hanako-kun also features far more of your typical shōnen action elements than you'll ever find in Dusk Maiden.

.............you get the idea.

I do enjoy Hanako-kun! I especially grew to appreciate its cuter character designs; they make it imposible for us to wind up with those borderline-ecchi moments that DMoA sometimes has, and I consider that a good thing. :P However, I ultimately still prefer DMoA because of that central relationship... naturally.

[talesofsonicasura]

A King's Musings

A warrior king thinks about his peculiar guests and the face of the person who brought them.

Part of the Past/Present/Future Trio! Best to check that out first, especially the comments and reblogs, or else you'll just be super confused.

Damas would admit that Jak will never fail to surprise and worry him. The young man alongside his smaller companion had been gone for two weeks ever since they snuck into the Monk's Temple. It wasn't no lie that a good chunk of his Spargus citizens than just their king were a bit worried.

Jak and Daxter peculiar dynamic helped ease the tension from the serious matters outside the walls. It's hard to not be amused by youths getting into ridiculous but mostly harmless antics. Something that felt needed when the problems at hand aren't the usually ones for his people. These were much larger and dangerous matters that even his unaware citizens can sense.

Then not even an hour into the night did the Spargan King received a message from his most trusted friend, Sig. Jak and Daxter had been found but they weren't alone. Two other boys were with them, one who had a lethal allergic reaction to sunlight. It was enough extra motivation for Damas to come over alongside an escort and get the four youths back to Spargus before sunrise.

The King was about to arrange separate rooms for the other two boys but they all insisted on staying with the "Demolition Duo". It wasn't hard to notice the kindredship between them. One of sworn brothers ready to burn the world to ashes for each other.

"I figured I would find you wandering the halls again." Damas turned away from his thoughts to look at an approaching Sig. Although he couldn't help but raise a brow at the bits of feathers stuck haphazardly on the man's armor. "Old habits die hard my friend. Let me guess, a pillow fight?"

The man playfully rolled his only organic eye at his king's query. "Blue Cherry has one hell of a swing. Knocked the air outta me real good than just make a pillow explode. I can only imagine taking a hit from him as a full grown adult." James Lake Jr or "Jim" being the young man's preference.

A half human/half 'troll' who shared a very similar situation to Jak. Sadly he couldn't change back to what he once was from how it been phrased. The boy could easily be mistaken for being part Lurker if he didn't have that smooth stone hide and horns. Maybe a subspecies?

Jim was sixteen but dwarfed Damas by a foot if you weren't counting the horns. It isn't hard to see what his sworn brother meant as the boy still had some growing to do. They were lucky Kleiver hadn't thrown out his old PJs when he was a teenager. Between the four, Jim is more outspoken and approachable.

"An agreed sentiment as the young man has no doubt seen his fair share of the battlefield if he shares Jak's predicament. Though I bet it was Link who started their little fight." Damas' smile could barely conceal the heartache that stung his soul.

The world of a warrior wasn't a kind one. Every man and woman will face their own unspeakable horrors as war is bound to find them at some point. The eyes that a 10 year child should never be cursed to have. Link was painfully close in personality to his lost son, Mar.

An innocent youth with a knack for getting into mischief and prefers to use sign language than his voice. Sadly Link's innocence had also been robbed in the same way his fellow brothers lost theirs. By men like the Green Eco Sage who believes children should hold the weight of the world on their shoulders.

"Little Cherry is as clever as his aim. He already knew the right trajectory and timing to throw so he could hit my face before I even opened the door. Jak got himself some competition when the boy's old enough to pick up a gun."

Damas snorted at the image of his friend being met with a pillow to the face. There were already some rumors about Link being the King's secret love child amongst his guards. "I'm glad to know they're making themselves comfortable already. Hopefully the boys don't decide to throw another pillow fight in their new room."

"So when you are going to start working on those adoption papers? Just know that you have to do shared custody for Jim cause his mother might beat you with a broom if otherwise." Sig chuckles at the pointed look from Damas.

He knew his sworn brother's fatherly instincts when it came to lost children like the four boys. Damas is family man at heart and he always wanted to give Mar siblings. When his son disappeared, it wasn't hard to notice the sorrow in the man's eyes.

It hurt to find Damas sitting on Mar's bed with his son's favorite Crocadog plush in hand. No updates on the lost boy for over a year just made it worse. There been a few leads but they were muddle before absolute silence once Kor was dead. Although some reports were linked to two particular boys who slowly been healing Damas' heartache.

There was something about the Demolition Duo, especially Jak, that resonated with the King of Spargus. A very familiar bond that neither parties could identify but can definitely feel. Kinda like... Both men hadn't noticed they had stop in front of Jak's room. Unlike 20 minutes ago, it was quite silent.

Damas and Sig looked at each before the latter silently open the door. The room had been overtaken by feathers that once made their home in the pile of torn pillow cases at the farthest corner. Jak and Link's items were closer to the bed especially the youngest peculiar "Fierce Deity" mask which sat on an intact pillow.

It wasn't difficult to find the room's occupants. All four boys were all fast asleep, huddled together in a slightly awkward cuddle pile. Jim was behind everyone as his head rested on Jak's chest alongside Link and arms held the two smaller blondes. The youngest boy nestled himself against the oldest with a firm grip almost if to make sure he won't disappear.

Jak was in the center of the two whilst Daxter laid behind his head, curled up like a feline. A very rare sight to behold as the duo still had issues when it came to sleeping. Haven City hadn't been so kind to their health from the constant mission reports Sig gotten ahold of during his stay.

The heartwarming scene felt very familiar to Damas, too familiar. Soft peaceful expression on Jak's face as his body was held in the safety of his brothers. Just like...

Realization hit Damas harder than a gun handle to the teeth. "Sig, get me every report involving Jak's stay in Haven. I'll be in my private studies as there's something I need to check. The answers we been seeking about Mar's disappearance is much closer than we thought."

Sig quietly headed off while the king look back at the sleeping youth, specifically Jak. The image of a little greenish blonde child surrounded by blankets as he held a plush crocadog to his chest paint the king's mind. "Please let me be right."

The door closed without a sound as darkness gently blanket the room once more.

And that's it. I'm a sucker for Dadmas just like Fierce Dadity so I couldn't resist. Figured I give Jim a break from the madness he's been subjected to on my main blog. Still on a Trollhunters kick so it'll taking longer to get other stuff done.

Life has also been insane as curveballs keep coming. I'm currently working on the next chapter for Of Bug Cults and Living Stone while proofreading my older works. Until next time folks, I'll see you back at the crossroads between Spargus, Arcadia and Hyrule!

@radioactivepeasant @hermitdrabbles56

[layanasstories]

Please bare with me on this part... I tried and tried, but this is the best I could do.. 😩😖

Oblivion

THIRTEEN

"With you to Duskwood?" he blinks and frowns a little in surprise "Sure. But why do you want to go there?". I looked up from my hands, my red cheeks had subsided. "You don't mind?" I ask him. "No of course not." he replies with still the same look "Why would I be against that?". "Because I promised you, I wouldn't go." confused by my own answer, I fell silent.

"If that is what you have read, that was years ago. When it was still dangerous for you to go there." he tried to reassure me. "That's the thing, I haven't read our texts yet" my eyes widen "Does that mean-" I don't dare to finish my sentence, afraid I'll jinx my improvement. We both remain silent and look at each other. Then it's Jake who breaks the silence. "If you want to go to Duskwood with me, we will." there's a smile on his face, with those damn dimples. "I will have to book the train tickets, pack my bags and make a plan." I think out loud. "Why train tickets?" he asks me. "Because I don't drive a car. I once got my driver's license, but never renewed it because I took those pills." I answer him like it's the most normal thing. "And why should you drive?" was his next question, with emphasis on the you. "Oh, can you drive?" I ask naively. He sighs "Yes, I can. But I don't drive a car. So if you're ready for an adventure, I'd be happy to take you with me on the back of my motorcycle, if you are up for it".

How does this man manage to get more and more attractive with every sentence he says. AAAH!! A motorcycle!! YES!!

"Oh that sounds like fun, yes. I'm up for that." I keep as calm as I possible can "But shouldn't you first arrange something with your work before you can leave? Because I do". "There are things you don't know about me, even from before the 'incident', so let me put it this way. I have plenty of reasons why I don't have to." a mysterious smirk appeared. "Fine, keep your secrets" I shake my head and wave it away with my hand. "And I have to find something for JJ and Rickie." I continue planning out loud "How about we go the day after tomorrow?" I look up to him. "I can go, when you can go," he smiles.

It was around one when he left, which gave me plenty of time to write my resignation letter, print it out and go to work. At half past three I reached my work building, in the metro I had already called HR that I would come by and why. When I had arrived at the front of the building I paused for a moment, looked it up and down and took the a moment to reflect. As far as I could remember I wasn't impulsive or reckless in my decisions, I always had a routine, I always planned ahead, I didn't do spontaneous things. However, I am doing that now for the most part. I would never just quit my job, now I do. Not completely reckless of course, I know that I have more than enough money in my savings. A digit with five zeros behind it should be enough for a long time. That's what you get if you never go on vacation or do things other than sitting at home. Which also means I can easily bridge the notice period of my contract with my free hours that I still have to take. And as for my cats, I had asked Andy if he was willing take them in, and he said yes. We've talked enough in our coffee breaks that he wants pets for his kids. After my visit to HR, I went to Andy. We had agreed that tomorrow, on Saturday his day off, I would bring the cats. Then I went back home. Saturday passed quickly. I had said goodbye to JJ and Rickie, and after seeing the super happy and cheerful faces of Andy's children as they each took a cat in their arms, I knew I had made the right choice. Then I went shopping. I had asked Jake what I needed to travel on a motorcycle. And after I bought all the stuff I needed, I got something to eat for the evening.

I look forward to our journey. We have to cross the whole country to finally get to Duskwood. That's why I went to bed early, I want to be well rested.

[the-void-writes]

[ INVITE ] : sender asks receiver into a private room with nobody else present.

[ PIN ] : sender pins receiver against a wall.

@bloodlessheirbyjacques 😳😏

Buddy, I got really excited when you combined these ones 😈 And my mind immediately went to Jasio, so thank you 💖

Warning: Suggestive

Freaks of Preston - Salvation

Jason tapped his fingers against his metal knee, barely listening to Vesely’s speech to the new interns, who stood nervously at the end of the testing room. After years of working for him, Jason had grown tired of his theatrics and his “we are the superior species” spiel. He was delusional, to be sure, but he had graciously given Jason a third chance at life, after he had ruined his second in Preston.

But he had found his path towards redemption, helping these incredible children adapt to their powers, caring for them and loving them the way their parents had refused to. He had friends again, and most surprising of all, he had found love again. The love of a man who saw past his mistakes and his sins, to the sad soul underneath it all. He saw that part of Jason, because it was also a part of himself.

“Mister Rhodes, sir.”

Jason didn’t have to turn his head. Even at his softest tone, Rio had an unmistakable voice, deep and smooth with a hint of the accent that he tried to hide from his peers. He leaned close to Jason’s ear, and in the lab’s fluorescent lighting, his brown-and-gray eyes glowed like stars.

“You’re needed in the medical center.”

For a moment, Jason’s heart sank. “The children?”

“They’re fine, sir. Avery just wants to go over the next procedure with you.”

He released his breath and nodded. “Thank you, I’ll leave right now.”

Jason waved briefly to Vesely, who didn’t stop his speech, but nodded at him with a slight smile. The sight made his skin crawl, for reasons that Jason couldn’t entirely explain. He hurried out of the lab, still feeling Vesely’s eyes on him.

Rio escorted Jason to the monorail system, with his head held high and his shoulders level, just as he was trained. They both stayed quiet until they stopped running into scientists in the hallway. When they were completely alone, Rio groaned and dropped his shoulders.

“Jesus, I’m too old to keep doing that.”

“You poor thing,” Jason said. “I can lend you my cane anytime you want, you know.”

“Hey, I’m not that old.”

Jason scoffed and crossed his arms. “I’m sorry, am I too old for you, Manuel?”

Rio snickered. “I don’t know, let me count the gray in your hair real quick.”

Jason slapped his arm, but his irritation was clearly for show, given how he smiled and linked their hands together as they walked.

“I’m sorry for calling you Rhodes, by the way,” Rio said. “Just a precaution.”

“It’s fine, Rio—” Jason smirked. “—though I’ve never heard you call me ‘sir’ before. I have to say, I kind of enjoyed it.”

Rio choked on his own breath. “Jay— Don’t mess with me like that.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He trailed a single finger down Rio’s chest, and he could have sworn that he heard the soldier growl softly. His stare made Jason weak in his already-unbalanced knees.

“Alright, you.”

Jason giggled as Rio pulled him through several hallways until they reached their special spot; a long-abandoned lab that no one bothered to check on since the radiation leak. The lab was clear now, but no one wanted to go in and repair it, so it was left to collect dust, until Rio started pulling Jason away for secret meetings.

Rio locked the door, grabbed Jason by the hips, and pushed him against the wall. He pulled the collar of Jason’s sweater down to kiss his neck, biting at the exposed skin like it was his last meal on earth. Jason struggled to think straight as he melted against the wall.

“Rio— What about Avery’s procedure?”

Rio grinned at him. “What procedure? Avery’s not even in the office right now.”

Jason dropped his jaw and laughed into his hand. “You— Why?“

“You think I need a reason to steal you from Gabe?”

“Fair point, love.”

He relaxed as Rio kissed his neck again, the hair of his beard tickling his skin slightly. The soldier made small noises of frustration as he tried to pull Jason’s collar lower.

“Why do you hide your neck so much?” Rio asked.

“Mostly for moments like this,” Jason said. “You tend to leave marks.”

“Right.” Rio chuckled. “Sometimes, I really want people to see it. I want them to know that you chose me.”

Jason held his face. “Don’t worry, love. We have all the time in the world to show them.”

A hint of sadness lingered in Rio’s eyes, but it cleared up when Rio gave him a proper kiss. His hand ran under Jason’s shirt and up to his chest, where his heart pounded softly against the soldier’s palm. Jason smiled, feeling all of the day’s stresses wash away, and he caressed Rio’s head to pull him closer.

“Thank you, love. This is so much better than another round of Gabe’s incessant droning.”

Rio hummed. “I love when you say fancy shit like that.”

Jason laughed. “Read a book, then.”

“Books don’t come with your voice.”

He tried to hide his warm cheeks. Rio pulled his hand away and kissed it, turning it over to kiss his palm and his wrist, all the way up his arm to his neck again. Moments like these were what convinced Jason that he was on the right path. If he could find this kind of passion from someone, even after his transgressions, then he wasn’t past salvation yet.

As Rio pressed his warm, rough lips against his skin, Jason grabbed his hips and pulled him closer. Rio’s muffled chuckle against his neck made him shiver.

“Use your words, angel,” Rio said. “Tell me what you want.”

Jason stroked his cheek. “You’re the one who asked for me. What do you want?”

The gentleness of his hand made Rio sigh loudly, overcome with comfort and desire.

“I just want you, doll. Every last bit of you.”

Jason smiled and kissed his cheek. “You have me, love. I’m all yours.”

[kamreadsandrecs]

Title: The Orchid Affair (Pink Carnation #8) Author: Lauren Willig Content/Trigger Warnings: police brutality (on- and off-page), torture (off-page), kidnapping, parental death (in character’s past), spousal death (in character’s past), murder, period-accurate misogyny Summary (from author’s website): Laura Grey, a veteran governess, joins the Selwick Spy School expecting to find elaborate disguises and thrilling exploits in service to the spy known as the Pink Carnation. She hardly expects her first assignment to be serving as governess for the children of Andre Jaouen, right-hand man to Bonaparte’s minister of police. Jaouen and his arch rival, Gaston Delaroche, are investigating a suspected Royalist plot to unseat Bonaparte, and Laura’s mission is to report any suspicious findings. At first the job is as lively as Latin textbooks and knitting, but Laura begins to notice strange behavior from Jaouen—secret meetings and odd comings and goings. As Laura edges closer to her employer, she makes a shocking discovery and is surprised to learn that she has far more in common with Jaouen than she originally thought. Buy Here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-orchid-affair-a-pink-carnation-novel-lauren-willig/11109359 Spoiler-Free Review: So first off, just to get this off my chest: I dislike the cover design for this series that started with this particular novel. I liked the previous painterly covers, so this shift to photographs of people is something I’m not happy with. Anyway, disgruntlement over the cover aside, the plot of this book is very much in keeping with the increased stakes as laid down in Blood Lily, even though the central plot point is about royalists looking to unseat Bonaparte. It’s not as much of a departure from the Bonaparte-focused plots of previous books: there really were plots by royalists to unseat Bonaparte and restore the House of Bourbon. But the focus on the royalists opens up a focus on something that was glossed over during Pink Carnation: the republican ideals that led up to the French Revolution, and the dissolution of those dreams as the Revolution devolved into the Terror. It’s a look (albeit briefly) at how revolutions founded on the best of ideals can fall apart if extremists get their hands on power and begin running the show. Definitely something to think about given all the things that are happening IRL right now. As for the romance, I really appreciated how Laura was on the older side of things compared to the previous female protagonists. As someone who’s already a full decade out of her twenties, it was nice to read about someone a bit closer to my age find romance, even under such dangerous circumstances as the one that Laura was in. I also liked how Andre was characterized as a widower with two young children in this one: aligns with the idea of him and Laura being protagonists who have seen more of the world, and therefore deal with it differently compared to the younger protagonists of the previous novels - except for Lord Vaughn, but Vaughn is characterized specifically as an older rake, without the same kinds of concerns and responsibilities as Andre. This book also goes back to the two-timelines structure that was left out of Book 7 (Mischief of the Mistletoe), and to avoid giving out spoilers, I will say that things have gotten a mite more interesting after Eloise got together with Colin in Book 5 (Temptation of the Night Jasmine) and there’s family drama going on in Selwick’s family after the things that happen in this book. It’s still not as interesting as the romance happening in the 1800s, but at least it’s picked up some. Overall, this was a pretty good inclusion to the series - though I admit I’m feeling a bit fatigued and may read something else now just to break things up a bit. Rating: four orchids

[hexdsl]

The opening line: Stranger in a Strange Land

I love this novel, I think its one of Robert A Heinlein's finest offerings. I have wrote about it in great depth in the past, but were only here to talk about the first line today.

"Once upon a time when the world was young there was a Martian named Smith."

Once upon a time is a classic opening for many a good fairy-tale. It is the author telling the audience explicitly that he does not for a moment think that the events outlined will ever become real. This is a science fiction book but also a fairy-tale in the sense that it is to be impossible and fantastical, not to be taken as a literal offering in the same way that the more dry science fiction of the time was presented.

Most writers of this time wanted to be taken as science-fact, as a vision of something true and honest. In this work we are being told from the first line that this is a fairy-tale and not at all like other things.

As with all fairy-tales this may instead offer us a lesson about life or a warning for a generation. Fairy-tales are teacher for children.

We go into this book not blind but knowing that it's science fiction. I assume most readers know the genre of the book they are about to read. In this case it's set in the future and even so we are told that its set "when the world was young" which makes the traditional opening of a children's tale suddenly mean even more, the child in this case is Earth, as a Human of Earth, the readers is the child who must listen to the fairly tale and gleam is meaning.

"There was a Martian" yes, the lead, the focus and the drama of this story is the Martian. We know know this is a story of a Martian and now we are introduced to him, he is front loaded. No secret and no reveal, the Martian is here on page one, line one.

"...named Smith" Literally a name that is as mundane an common as a name can be. This is a grounded Human name. This Martian is one of us. He is no more alien than you or I. Though he is a Martian. What could his mean?

He is a Martian we have been told this explicitly. But he is also simply 'Smith'. How can he be a mundane man like we know, but also be a Martian?

This sets up the message of this implied fairy tale. What is it to be a human, what is it to be a martian and are the two so different?

I am not surprised that a book about language, soul and belonging starts off with such a line, a line that is nothing at first but the more it is considered the more it unravels.

The world really is still young.