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wonwussy · 2 years

Text

Day Of

pairing; kwon soonyoung x female reader

genre; smut/humor/maybe slight fluff

notes/warnings; use of pet name; ties; stupid humor; drinking; oral (f receiving); jeonghan and joshua make an appearance; jihoon is teased; this is part of the snowventeen for svthub collab

word count; 1940

December 1: Tie Month Begins

Soonyoung smirks as you round the bed, your eyes fixed on him. He resists letting out a groan of pleasure, his wrists twisting in the silk tie bind that has his hands up against the headboard, as he watches you for your next move. “What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?”

You shrug one shoulder as you climb onto the bed, swinging a leg over his waist as you straddle his naked body with your own. “Wondering if I should tie your feet to the bed too,” you tease, slowly dragging another silk tie across his nipples. You smirk as you notice them pebble from the sensation.

He rolls his hips up against you, causing you to tip forward slightly. He hums in thought as you brace yourself against his chest with your hands, another smirk tugging at his lips. “You think you could?” he challenges.

You narrow your eyes at him, before arching your back and leaning to grab his ankles behind you. “Oh, I am sure I can,” you reply as you tighten your knees into his sides.

His eyes are glued to your chest, which is pushed out because of your position, and he licks his lips. “Fuck, babe. If you’re going to look like that while holding them, you don’t need to tie them.”

You let out a quiet laugh at his worlds, grinding your hips against him. “Oh yeah?” You sit up straight again and trail the tie down his abs.

He nods and pulls in a slow breath. “Yeah.”

You glance down at the tie and raise your eyebrows. “Hm. Then I’ll have to find another use for this,” you say as you lean over to press your lips to his.

He traces your bottom lip as you kiss with his tongue, a soft moan spilling from him as you pull back. “Fuck. I love National Tie Month,” he mutters with a grin.

You slowly push the tie into his mouth, winking at him as you whisper back, “me too,” before you lean back again.

—---------------------------------------------------------------

December 7: Letter Writing Day

You bite your lip as you sign your name at the bottom of the paper, letting out a breath you didn’t know you were holding. Setting the pen aside as you read over your words, you can only hope that Soonyoung likes it. You didn’t write him letters often, or rather at all, but today was a special occasion.

“Are you home?”

You perk up with a smile when you hear his voice, nodding a little at his question, before you realize he can’t see you. “Kitchen island,” you call back, hastily folding and shoving the letter into an envelope.

It only takes a brief moment before he appears in the kitchen, a curious look on his face. “What are you doing in here?” He pauses when he sees the envelope, tipping his head to the side. “What’s that?”

You drop your gaze to the counter and smile, holding it out to him. “Well, since today is Letter Writing Day…” you trail off with a small shrug.

He looks bemused as he takes it from you, turning it over in his hands. “A letter? What’s it say?”

You roll your eyes as you stand, shaking your head a little at him. “You have to open it and read it yourself. You can read, can’t you?” you joke as you head out of the kitchen.

Soonyoung pouts as you leave the kitchen, tugging the folded paper out of the envelope. He scans the page, his brows furrowing as he reads it. “Dear Soonyoung, I hate your stinking guts. You make me vomit. You’re scu– hey! What is this? Get back here, you brat!” he yells as you giggle in the next room.

—-------------------------------------------------

December 16: Ugly Sweater Day

You peek in through the window of the dance studio, grinning instantly when you see Soonyoung finishing up his rehearsal. You pause with your hand on the door, however, when you see what he is wearing. And how he is dripping with more sweat than usual. Why was he…?

You push the door open as he finishes his final steps, quirking an eyebrow as he switches the music off. “Hey,” you greet, motioning to his sweater. “Why are you wearing that? You’re soaked with sweat!”

“Ugly sweater day!” he answers between his pants, grinning brightly at you. “I had to dress for the occasion.”

You roll your eyes at him as he starts to gather his things. “You didn’t have to wear it for rehearsal, you know. You have so many other hours in the day to wear it,” you point out with a half laugh.

He shrugs one shoulder as he chugs his water, before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Yeah, but where’s the fun in that? Plus, I would have lost out on precious celebrating time.” He starts for the door as he slings his bag across his chest, reaching for your hand. “Ready?”

You just roll your eyes and laugh, tangling your fingers with his. “Yeah. Come on. I’m starving.”

—————————————————

December 18: Answer the Phone Like Buddy the Elf Day

“Buddy the Elf. What’s your favorite color?”

“What?”

You giggle at Soonyoung’s reply through the phone speaker. “What’s your favorite color?”

There’s a pause from the other side, followed by a sigh, and you can picture him shaking his head. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Aw, come on!”

————————————————-

December 25: Joshua Day

This year, you and Soonyoung are hosting the annual Christmas get-together for everyone, and your apartment is bustling with all your friends. However, there is only one person the pair of you have your eyes on. You grab Soonyoung’s arm and drag him towards Joshua, who was standing near the Christmas tree talking with Jeonghan. “Joshua!” you yell as you cross the room, causing him to glance up with a questioning look.

You both come to a stop in front of him and grin, looking more mischievous than innocent, to which Joshua narrows his eyes. “What?” he asks, the corner of his mouth lifting in an amused smirk.

“Do you know what day it is?” Soonyoung asks, before taking a sip of his drink.

“Christmas?”

You roll your eyes and smack Jeonghan’s chest with the back of your hand, scoffing quietly. “His name is Joshua, and he doesn’t even know what day it is. Can you believe that?” you mutter as Jeonghan rubs his chest, confusion on his face.

Joshua glances between you and Soonyoung, growing more suspicious by the moment. “Is it not Christmas?”

You sigh and reach up to tug the Santa hat off of Joshua’s head, immediately replacing it with a cheap plastic princess crown with a gaudy pink heart jewel in the middle. You grin brightly at the sight, the crown sitting almost lopsided as it is too small for his head, and nod approvingly. “Happy Joshua Day.”

Jeonghan instantly breaks into laughter at the crown and Joshua’s expression, with you and Soonyoung looking satisfied and pleased with yourselves. “What?” Joshua asks, reaching up to take the crown off. “What are you talking about?”

Soonyoung smacks Joshua’s hand to stop him, laughing along with Jeonghan. “It’s Joshua Day. And Christmas. But, we thought Joshua day was more important, since we know a Joshua. You.”

“Just be glad that’s the day. Jihoon wasn’t too happy when we wished him a happy short person day,” you say with a shrug.

This causes Jeonghan to laugh even harder, and Joshua just rolls his eyes at the pair of you. “You two really are perfect for each other,” he mumbles under his breath, though he shoots you a fond look.

You lean up to kiss his cheek lightly, before grabbing Soonyoung’s hand so you two can make another lap around the room together.

Joshua sighs as he watches you two wander off, before glancing at Jeonghan. “What are you laughing at?”

Jeonghan shakes his head and lifts his cup to take a drink. “Nothing, your highness.”

—----------------------------------------------------------------------

December 31: Champagne Day

You let out a quiet hiss as champagne hits your skin, slowly trailing down between your breasts. It doesn’t get very far as Soonyoung’s tongue laps it up as you arch your back up to him, your head falling onto your pillows. “Soonyoung,” you breathe as you tangle one hand into his hair.

He hums against your skin, his lips moving up to your neck as a quiet moan slips past your lips. “You want a drink, kitten?” he asks with a smirk, lifting his eyes to you.

“No. I just want you,” you whisper, smoothing your foot down the back of his leg.

He chuckles lowly and pulls back, reaching for the bottle of champagne on the nightstand. “You’ll get me, don’t worry.” He takes a pull from the bottle, swallowing a little as he leans down to kiss you.

Your tongues find each other immediately, and you can taste the sparkling wine in his mouth. You wrap your leg around him and pull him closer to you, desperate for more of him. One hand tangled in his hair, the other clutching his bicep as the kiss continues.

He finally breaks away, both of you heaving for breath, and grins down at you. “Fuck the champagne. I could drink you all night,” he murmurs as he kisses across your jaw.

You’d roll your eyes at such a cheesy line if you weren’t half drunk already, on him and the champagne, so you let out a half laugh. “I mean, you can have both.”

He reaches for the bottle again and slides down the bed, licking his lips as his eyes fix on your pussy. “You’re a genius,” he teases with a wink.

Your eyes go wide as he tips the bottle and a little liquid splashes on you, quickly followed by his mouth. “Oh, fuck,” you mutter as he circles your clit with his tongue. “The bu- bubbles kind of tickle.”

He only pulls back enough to pour more champagne on you, before lapping it up as he teases your folds with his free hand. “Oh, kitten, you taste even better,” he moans against you.

You gasp as his tongue pokes into you, and you can’t help but grind your hips against his face. “Fuck, Soonyoung. More.”

He doesn’t say anything as he obliges your request. This time he doesn’t leave you as he blindly pours the last shot of the drink onto you, before letting the bottle fall to the floor so he can grab your thigh.

You squeeze your eyes shut as he works two fingers into you, curling them up against your g-spot that causes you to moan loudly. The sound of his mouth, fingers, and your whines fill the room as he messily eats you out, quickly bringing you towards the edge. “Please… more…”

He sucks your clit as he adds a third finger, slowly working them in and out of your hole. He can feel you clench down on his fingers as your orgasm hits you, and grins against your cunt as you ride it out. He doesn’t make a move to separate from you as you come down, only moaning as your fingers tug his hair gently because of the overstimulation.

“Too much. Shit,” you whine, pushing him away from you.

He finally slides his fingers out of you and lifts his head, grinning up at you from between your legs. “Should I get another bottle?”

You can’t help the laugh that escapes you, shaking your head as you reach for him. “No, just fuck me instead.”

#svthub #hoshi smut #soonyoung smut #seventeen smut #svt smut

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stuckybingo · 7 months

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It is time to Resurrect Stucky!

Reclists Part 5

Back in December, the call was put out for fans to create a Stucky Renaissance on Tumblr. We at Stucky Bingo are all about our two favorite centenarians and participants for this event helped to create a series of reclists for all of our fellow Stucky enthusiasts to enjoy.

This reclist is dedicated to Multi-Chaptered Fanfics and Series. Those long reads you save for the long flights and spend all night reading while telling yourself "just one more chapter" all while keeping it safe to read at work.

James Barnes: The Underworld's Best Friend by PerplexinglyParadoxialPerson, WinterSabbath (Teen, 31k) “I get called in every time these things happen.” James motioned to the room. “Then I offer my expertise.” Steve blinked. “Do these things happen often or something?” “Well, not to this magnitude, no.” At the blank look the team gave him, James shrugged. “Usually it’s a vampire forgetting they can’t prey on humans anymore. Or a banshee causing trouble in California. The occasional fairy goes on a chocolate-stealing spree and it’s my job to give them a stern talking to. That kinda stuff.” “Excuse me?” Tony held up a hand. “What the fuck?” In which Steve meets James Barnes—SHIELD’s consultant for all things supernatural—and discovers that there is a much bigger world waiting to be explored, and the man who introduces him to this world is a lot more charming than Steve expected.

Without You Here, We Are A Worse Version Of Who We’ve Been by endlesstwanted, Estelior (Teen, 10.9k) Bucky has to plan how to do his physical therapy when, by chance, he finds therapist and gym owner Steve’s videos on YouTube. Located two blocks away and encouraged by his roommate, Bucky goes and meets Steve, gets the help he didn’t know he needed, and a couple of things more in the way.

if I'm going to get back to you someday by napricot (Teen, 46k) “What’s the plural for a group of Steves?” asks Natasha, and it’s weirdly comforting that the question has a hint of whimsical hysteria to it. Good, Bucky’s not the only one who’s not dealing well with all of this. “A clusterfuck,” he says. “A clusterfuck of Steves.” Despite how little sense his life has made since he got on a battlefield to fight a bunch of aliens, Bucky's pretty sure he knows exactly what's happened when a much older Steve appears after the mission to return the Infinity Stones: he left Bucky behind to get his much deserved happily ever after in the past. Only then another Steve shows up, and another. And Bucky realizes he still hasn't got any idea what's going on.What he does have is a whole lot of Steves, a fraught relationship with his own Steve, and tentative plans to leave. But the more Bucky talks to all these different versions of Steve, the more he begins to wonder if leaving really is what's best for him and his Steve, or if there's a way to make something new out of their long friendship.

Forgive Me If You Remember by Judeyjude (Teen, 53k, Warnings: Canonical Character Death, The Deaths Are Temporary) When they finally tumbled into bed, Bucky straddled Steve and said, “Just because we danced, doesn’t mean you can die.” Steve pulled Bucky down and kissed him slowly. “Never,” he whispered in Bucky’s ear. Part 1: In which Bucky yells at a National Icon, grieves the aftermath of the world losing half its population, and somehow falls in love along the way. Part 2: When time rewinds five years, everything Bucky had ever wanted suddenly becomes true—to have his family back. The price paid? Worldwide memory loss.

No Such Men Return by glasscaskets (Teen, 52k, Warnings: Period Typical Attitudes, Non-Consentual Body Modification, Body Horror, PTSD, Implied Torture) When he is thirteen, Bucky Barnes decides he has to learn to fight to protect the people he loves. This singular mission never really stops. OR: Filling in the gaps of three Captain America movies and the life and times of James Buchanan Barnes and the first and best thing he ever loved: Steve Rogers.

take my hand (take my whole life too) by SgtGraves, spinawren (Teen, 36k) HYDRA may have been revealed and taken down in the span of a few hours, but the repercussions are far more extensive. Steve Rogers, now ex-SHIELD agent, expects to be feeling them in his life for years. What he didn't expect was for them to reach into him and change the most fundamental thing he thought he knew about himself - that he doesn't have a soulmate.

Stop Trolling Me! by GoodbyeBlues (Teen, 21k) When the dust had settled and James was collecting his $10 winnings to the congratulations of the other Bingo patrons, Steve not included, Steve vowed that next week he would not be pulled into the sexy vortex of this Bingo playing bad boy. If Steve never saw James, darling of the Bingo hall, Russian sex God, and ruthless troll collector again, he would be fine. Just fine. ... A.K.A Oblivious Steve is very bad at having an arch-enemy. (Particularly because he confuses 'dating' with 'acts of war.')

Faith, Trust, and Pixie Venom by ReformedTsundere (Teen, 19k) Steve Rogers has a secret. By day, he's a scrawny illustrator with bad lungs who can barely get up the rickety stairs to his apartment. By night, he's known as Captain, a mage of extraordinary power and a fighter for justice.

Beyond the Yellow Book Road by crinklefries (Teen, 30k) Before he was Captain America, he was Steve Rogers, knobby kneed and wild-eyed, with scrapes on his knuckles and a book in his hands. In 1942, he leaves for war and eventually crashes the Valkyrie. That's only the beginning of his story. In 2011, Steve's body is dragged from ice off the coast of Greenland. In 2015, he meets a bookstore clerk. This is what happens when a superhero loses his way home and the only way back is through the Yellow Book Road.

This Feeling We Carry In Our Souls by jinlinli (Teen, 26k, Warnings: Panic Attacks) Bucky hasn’t seen his own soul mark in seven years, not since a doctor sawed off his left arm to save his life. So it’s a little bit of a shock when he walks into Stark Tower and sees at least a dozen people with his soul mark proudly emblazoned on their skin. And that’s how Bucky finds out he’s soulmates with Captain fucking America.

Infinite Coffee and Protection Detail by owlet (Teen, Series, 264k, Warnings: PTSD, Panic Attacks, Dissociation) The mission resets abruptly, from objective: kill to objective: protect

Workplace Hazards by AggressiveWhenStartled (Teen, Series, 33k) Today, Peter was honest-to-god going to see Captain America himself up close, in person, and not from a rooftop or tiny crevice like a creepy stalker fanboy. Even better, he was going to watch Steve Rogers make history by soldiering his beleaguered way through the most intensely awkward and honestly ridiculous press conference in the history of ever-- jaw thrust out and spine ramrod straight. Trying hard to be polite and respectful in the face of adversity. While a bunch of assholes with cameras and microphones shouted at him about Iron Man’s adolescent dick.

#stucky #resurrect stucky day #stucky bingo #stucky fanfic #fanfic #sfw fanfic #multi chap fic #stucky series

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theonlyheracless · 2 years

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Winter Waltz

Notes :

Hello !! This is my first time writing a fic so i'm sorry if it's not up to standards </3 While reading the Winter Wonderland prompt list this idea came to mind and I just couldn't NOT write it down. So I gave writing a shot ! Constructive criticism or suggestions to help me improve are 100% welcomed 🤍

【 FILE INFO 】:

⋘ 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎... ⋙

➣ Slight (It isn’t slight, im so sorry) ooc Dottore

➣ Dottore x gn!reader

「PROMPTS」 # 16, 23, 25

「WORD COUNT」: 647

「EVENT」: Winter Wonderland by @dustofthedailylife

↯ CW: none

It has been a while since Dottore has visited you, usually, he would be out and about executing orders from the Tsaritsa, or attending fatui meetings. Leaving his schedule packed. It was finally the month of December and you decided, why not give him a surprise visit in Snezhnaya? Christmas was coming and you wanted to spend it with Dottore, it would be your first Christmas together. Surely even the Fatui gets holiday breaks too right?

You finally stepped out onto the docks of Sneznhaya, it was a sight to behold, the land covered in a blanket of white. You clearly underestimated the temperature, this being the first time you went into the nation, it seems like you didn't have enough layers on you. You clearly lacked preparation.

Oh, oh you clearly lacked necessary preparation. Dottore has never told you the location of his lab, he never felt like he had to tell you, because he expected to be taking you to Sneznhaya. He never expected you to go on a surprise visit.

Gears started turning in your head, how am I going to make it to the lab? Will I be able to survive in this cold? Maybe if I look around for a bit I can run into a Fatui member and ask them where his lab is? Scratch that, I don't even think they know me.

“Name.” Your thought process was interrupted by a voice, a very familiar voice. You look took a glance behind you to confirm if you were hearing things or if he really was there. He is there, Dottore, in the flesh, standing and staring at you, arms crossed with a questioning look on his face.

“How?.. ” you stared back at him in bewilderment. Dottore sighs and started explaining something regarding his clones, right his clones... You couldn't catch the rest of his explanations, it was starting to get unbearably freezing. You felt something draped over your shoulders, it was a long white coat with black fur, it was the coat Dottore was wearing. "You're cold, take it. We don't want you dying during your first visit do we?" He chuckled as he started walking in a direction, the direction to his lab you assumed.

This was the very first time you were seeing actual snow, you saw them on the pictures Dottore would include when he sends mails to you, but you never saw them with your own two eyes. Not too far off into the distance you could see a frozen lake. Dottore notices your attention is focused elsewhere and looks at the direction your attention was focused to.

"Do you wanna go to the lake?" He asks. You weren't sure if you were disrupting his schedule, what if he had meetings to be in right now? Dottore, sensing your worries grabs your hand and makes a detour towards the frozen lake.

"Everyone should dance amidst the falling snowflakes at least once in their lives." He hummed offering you support while he leads you to step onto the iced lake. It was hard to get a hold of yourself at first, almost landing on your butt a couple of times if it wasn't for Dottore holding your hand.

You skated and slid across the surface of the lake, admiring the colorless landscape. Compared to you who is constantly almost in the verge of slipping every second, Dottore skid gracefully, it almost even seemed like a dance. Before you knew it, Dottore was holding you by your waist and hand, inviting you for an enthralling dance of waltz, on this grandiose stage of ice.

Pulling you in, one last time to end off the dance. "You're definitely the only person I would do this for." He murmurs, head on your shoulder, arms wrapping you in the warmest embrace. One warm enough, to brave the glacial winds of Shneznhaya.

#dust winter wonderland #🤍 : genshin files #🤍 : fic files #dottore #dottore x reader #dottore genshin impact #il dottore #zandik #dottore x you #dottore x gn reader #Genshin #genshin impact #dottore genshin

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khoicesbyk · 5 months

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The Royal Romance.

Forevermore.

A/N: this is the next chapter in the journey of my OTP. Follow along for the fun.

Rated: Mature (at times can and will be Explicit. I'll be sure to change the rating when and if that happens). | Contains sexual content and strong language. (You know? The usual. Y'all should be used to this from me by now 😁) | Bolded and/or italicized words are conversations and thoughts of the characters. | Main Characters: King Marquise Rys (LI) and Queen Shanelle Miller-Rys (MC) | All Characters and names: (except MC and original characters created by me and/or other authors [their characters have been mentioned and/or used in the story with their permission] ) are property of Pixelberry.

Current Word Count: 8,600 words. (may be slightly more or may be slightly less. Look, I stop counting after editing and re-editing and driving myself insane. 🤷🏾‍♀️)

If you’d like to be added to my tag list. Just reblog or DM me and I will gladly add you! 😁😘

This series is rated Mature and/or Explicit. It is NOT reading material that is safe for those under 18. Reader discretion is STRONGLY advised!

Missing a chapter or want to read a chapter again? I got you covered! Click ——> Here!

Tag List: @choicesficwriterscreations

Sorry this is wayyyyy late! I thought I had uploaded it last month. Oh well! 🤦🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️

Chapter 5.) Joy Of Winter.

It's December in Cordonia. And many in the kingdom were abuzz for the annual Cordonia Winter Festival. It has become somewhat of a national pride and many were ready to celebrate. None more than Marquise. He loves the event and the fact that it has become his wife's newest pastime brings him joy.

December wasn't just the month of the Winter Festival. It was also the month of his graduation. He was to finally graduate with a Doctorate in Psychology. He was excited and couldn't wait to go to Boston. But first, before he could celebrate he had business to attend to.

It was a few weeks removed since his mother-in-law had gotten into a physical altercation with Countess Alicia. With many of the nobles beginning to take Lady Alicia's side and wanting Shantel to be removed from her post. But Marquise knew better. And after the security footage of the fight was released, he had both ladies meet him in his office to discuss and remedy the issue.

"Good morning to you both. Thank you for joining me. Please have a seat." he said to them both.

"Thank you for having us, Your Majesty," Shantel replied.

"Yes. Thank you." Alicia agreed.

"You're both very welcome. Now that you both are here, we can get down to business. Apparently, you two have an issue that needs to be resolved. Now."

Alicia huffed.

"There wouldn't be an issue, Your Majesty, if someone here had remembered her place."

Shantel rolled her eyes.

"If by 'remembered her place' you mean that I should've remembered that I am a Duchess and you're not, then yes you're right I should have, and by doing so I should've had you thrown out of the palace."

"You have no authority there!" Alicia sneered.

"No, I don't. But my husband, perhaps you know him, his name is Prince Damien Miller, he does. And so does my daughter. The Queen. After all, it is HER palace. Not yours. And certainly not your step-sister's." Shantel shot back.

"Your husband is a coward and idiot!" Alicia seethed.

"If by that you mean he chose better and by that I mean he chose me and not a bottom feeder like you. Then yeah you're so right he is."

Alicia's face contorted with disgust.

"Why you no good god awful Jezebel!" Alicia snapped at Shantel.

"You're still mad that he didn't want you then and still doesn't want you now!" Shantel spat back at her.

"Why you–" Alicia started to say before Marquise cut her off, "That is enough! Have some decorum! You're both grandmothers for God's sake."

Shantel raised an eyebrow.

"You know what? You're right, Your Majesty. We should know better. Especially me. After all, my sweet granddaughter is the Crown Heir. I have an example to set for her. I wouldn't want her to see me act like this."

Alicia scoffed.

"This is why you are not and never will be worthy of your so-called title and station as Duchess. You think because you slept with Damien that you belong among us. You are nothing but a commoner. A low-brow American commoner at that."

"Correction: you slept with him. And according to him, you were never really that good. Unlike you, I married him. I love him. Something you have always been incapable of doing."

"Ladies!" Marquise warned.

"I don't even know why I'm even here. We both know you'll do nothing but side with this sad excuse of a noble." Alicia said to Marquise.

Marquise took a deep breath and straightened his spine.

"You're here because whether you like Shantel or not, whether you like the fact she is married to Damien or not, she is still an active member of The Royal Family. And you decided to put your hands on her. Knowing that it's against the law to do so." Marquise said to Alicia.

"She started it!" Alicia protested.

Shantel rolled her eyes.

"Countess, with all due respect, I have seen the security footage and heard the accompanying audio as well. You antagonized her after she, my father-in-law, and Commander Devereaux were situated and settled into their rooms and when she snapped at you for your rudeness during dinner, you threw a drink in her face. Which ended quite badly for you."

Alicia rolled her eyes and Marquise raised an eyebrow at her.

"Did you just roll your eyes at me, Countess?" he asked.

"Of course not. I'm not a heathen. Unlike some people." she replied while gesturing to Shantel.

"I'm not so sure your actual husband, Earl Amos, would agree." Shantel shot back at her.

"Ladies! Last. Chance." Marquise warned.

The two women glared at each other but said nothing.

"Now this issue between you two needs to be put to rest permanently. You are both nobles of very high society, given you both have close proximity to King Dominic and Shantel has close proximity to myself and my wife."

"So just what are you proposing, Your Majesty?" Alicia asked.

"After speaking with both of your husbands I let them decide what the best course of action is to take," Marquise replies.

"And what did they decide?" Shantel asks.

"Your husbands decided that you two are going to work together." Marquise replies.

They were stunned.

"What?!" Shantel asks.

"Excuse me?!" Alicia asked.

"Allow me to explain, because Shantel is the Education Minister, she needs a second in command. That's where you come in Alicia. Because as of this moment, per your husband's request, you are no longer Head Of Staff at the palace in Cloutier."

Alicia blinked.

"What do you mean by his request?!" Alicia asks.

"What I mean is Earl Amos requested you be fired from your position as Head Of Staff for embarrassing and potentially jeopardizing his house, social standing, and name. And I will honor his request. Effective immediately. Instead, you will serve as Shantel's second in command. Consider it fair and well...karmic punishment."

Their jaws dropped.

"So you're saying that I have to work for that?!" Alicia asked, gesturing at Shantel who rolled her eyes.

"Yes. This was the solution both men came up with and as King, I signed off on it." Marquise replied.

"Unbelievable. I can not believe that no good coward would turn on me!"

Shantel shook her head.

"Next time pick on someone who can't fight. You know, like your step-sister?" Shantel quipped.

Marquise turned his attention to his mother-in-law.

"As for you madam, you said it best. Your granddaughter is the Crown Heir. And it is up to you to set the greatest example for her. And as her father and your King, I expect you to act like it. Now as far as Alicia working for you is concerned, I expect you to be a fair leader. Is that clear?" Marquise asks.

"Of course. She's not the first combative person I've dealt with in a workplace and she won't be the last."

Alicia scoffed.

"This is humiliating! I shouldn't have to work with her!"

"Not work with her Countess. Work under her. She is officially your boss. But as she has just assured me, she will be fair. And I expect that you will be compliant."

"And if I'm not? What then? You forget I'm protected by my brother-in-law." Alicia asked.

"First of all, his detail does not extend to you. And hasn't extended to you since he lost power. And secondly, I could just forgo the solution and go with Damien's original idea," Marquise replies.

"What idea?" Alicia asks.

"That I strip you of your title and lands. That was Damien's original idea. The only reason he didn't push harder for it is because of your grandchildren. He as well as your husband didn't think it would be fair for them to have to lose what's rightfully theirs because you want to be a 60-going-5-year-old." Marquise replied.

Shantel snickered quietly.

"It's no wonder why many of the nobles don't respect you, Your Majesty. You let worms like her get away with murder, while you punish their betters for no reason." Alicia sneered at him.

"Oh, I definitely have a reason. It's called I'm the King and this is my kingdom! Now if you're that unhappy with how I rule and run things, you are free to live anywhere you'd like. Just know that it won't be here in Cordonia."

Alicia huffed.

"Are we done?" Alicia asked.

"Get out of my office!" Marquise hissed at her.

Alicia got up and stormed out. Slamming his office door.

"Well, that was fun," Shantel said.

Marquise raised an eyebrow at her, causing her to shake her head.

"I'll be fine, son."

"I know. But I meant it when I told her that you would be fair. Do not make me look like a liar."

"I would never do that to you. You know this. I know how hard you work to balance everything."

"Good."

"You know she's going to run and tell the first noble she comes across that you have been unfair to her right?" Shantel asked.

"I'm betting on it. But I've been in power long enough to know how to deal with these wealthy idiots." he replies.

"What if she tries to gather enough support to oust you and my daughter?" she asks.

"Unless she can somehow convince the 5 heads of the Great Houses of Cordonia to support her cause, I doubt it. Also, Countess Madeleine, Duchess Kiara, Duke Bertrand, Duchess Olivia, and Duke Landon pledged their support to the crown when Khari was born and reaffirmed that pledge when my boys were born."

"Madeleine took over for her mother?" Shantel asks.

"Mmhmm. Duchess Adelaide has kidney cancer on top of having Cirrhosis." Marquise replied.

"Oh my God!" Shantel said with a gasp.

"Her health struggles haven't been made public yet, but due to her rapidly declining health, she quietly passed the duties as Head Of House over to her daughter when the boys were six months old."

"Is it terminal?" Shantel asks.

"That I don't know. I do know that Adelaide is on the donor list. I also don't know how high up the list she is." Marquise replies.

"Does my daughter know?"

"Yes. We went to see the Duchess a few weeks ago."

"How can Madeleine be Head Of House if her mother is still a Duchess?"

"Her health. If a Head Of House ever falls gravely ill, they can pass their duties on to their heir. Maddy won't officially be Duchess of Fydelia until her mother officially passes."

Shantel nodded.

Just then there was a loud commotion outside of Marquise's office door.

"What in the world?" Shantel asks.

That's when Earl Amos Barbaroux came in with Countess Alicia hot on his heels.

"May I help you?" Marquise asked.

"Yes, yes you can. You can tell my so-called husband that the deal he made with Damien is off!"

The Earl rolled his eyes.

"Please my King, I apologize for intruding into your office. But my wife is being unreasonable."

Alicia whirled around on him.

"Unreasonable?! You are trying to dehumanize me by forcing me to work for someone who is way beneath my station!" Alicia yelled at her husband.

"You don't have a station!" he yelled back at her. "I have a station!"

Shantel and Marquise looked at each other as Earl Amos took a deep breath.

"If it wasn't for me, you'd still be the same noble whore, that your parents passed around, family to family, until they found mine, specifically they found my father, and begged him to match us together!"

This left the King and his mother-in-law speechless.

"You—" Alicia started to say before her husband cut her off, "I have had to put up with you and your constant disrespect and condescendence for decades. And now is when I put my foot down!"

"Enough! Whatever the issue is or issues are between you two, will not and can not be solved by you two having a shouting match in my office. So if you two don't mind." Marquise said to both of them while gesturing to his office door, "Thank you."

Earl Amos nodded.

"Yes, you're right Your Majesty. I apologize for my behavior towards you and Duchess Shantel." he replied to Marquise before addressing Shantel, " and speaking of you Duchess, I would also like to extend my sincerest apologies for my wife and her unbecoming and unscrupulous behavior towards you all these years. I have never been more ashamed or embarrassed."

Shantel nodded.

"Thank you for your apology, Sir."

Earl Amos gave her a small smile and nod before turning his attention back to his wife.

"His Majesty asked us both to leave his office. So let's go," he said calmly to her.

Alicia crossed her arms as she glared at him.

"I am not going anywhere with you! You no good traitor!" Alicia sneered at her husband.

"Well, you're certainly not going to be staying in my office all day so you and Earl Amos can both take your leave."

Alica scoffed at Marquise.

"Countess, I will NOT repeat myself," Marquise warned her.

Alicia huffed and began to turn on her heel. But not before saying one last thing to her husband.

"I should've had Edward kill you when I had the chance!"

The Earl scoffed.

"Well, now you can't. And until our youngest three children have finished their studies and are off to university, I am stuck living with a shrew of a wife better known as you."

Alicia stood there with her mouth open as she watched her husband walk out. Then followed behind him not too long after.

"Well that was certainly eventful," Shantel said to Marquise.

Marquise only shook his head.

"Too eventful."

"What happened to them?" Shantel asks, "From all I ever heard he's been nothing but good to her."

"He has. But she's never been any good to him."

"But why? What has he done that she hates him so much?"

Marquise looked at his door for a moment.

"Off the record? The three youngest children he mentioned...aren't biologically his."

"What?!" Shantel asked.

"Their biological father was a man Alicia had been having an affair with for years. He worked on her and Amos's estate staff. And rather than risk the scandal of divorce, he's raised them as his own." Marquise replies.

"Do you think their children know he's not their biological father?" Shantel asked.

"I doubt it. I don't think he wants them to know."

Shantel nodded.

"I can understand why. It would break his heart. Where is their biological father?"

Marquise exhaled slowly.

"You don't know this but your brother-in-law had him executed when the man threatened to go public about his and Alicia's affair."

"You're joking!"

Marquise shook his head no.

"Nope. And Edward made sure to have this man erased from all public records. And he even told Amos that he was to raise the children as his own until they became of age."

"Edward, had every trace of him erased?"

"Yes. You forget he had A LOT of unchecked power then. No one would have been stupid enough to question him. It took me a while but I did find the man's name."

"What was it?"

"His name was Yohan. But that's all I have been able to recover about him."

"Surely the man had a family."

Marquise exhaled slowly.

"If he did, they were silenced by either execution or exile."

Shantel shook her head.

"So is that all nobles do? Cheat on each other and drink themselves to death?" she asked.

"No. They also brag about their insane wealth and power while thinking it rivals mine."

"And we both know your power is unmatched."

"Exactly. So now that all that ugliness is over, how about I treat you to lunch?" Marquise asked.

"I would love to have lunch with you son-in-love."

"Perfect!"

Later that night Marquise had caught Shanelle up on his very colorful morning.

"Alicia was cheating on Earl Amos?"

"Yes. For years. And she was able to get away with it."

"How?"

"She knew he could never challenge her because all she had to do was run to either Edward or Genevieve and she'd be safe. So he knew it was safer to keep quiet."

"Yikes!"

"Yeah."

Shanelle took a sip of her wine.

"Now are you sure this Alicia woman working under my mom is a good idea?"

"Absolutely. I trust your mother, I especially trust in her judgment. I also trust that Alicia will remember that she has more to lose than gain if she defies the decision that was reached."

Shanelle nodded.

"Now onto more exciting things. Like your graduation next week."

Marquise snickered.

"I am so excited. I can't wait."

"Same! We've been waiting for it and now it's here. How do you really feel?" she asked.

"Honestly, I'm relieved. It's been a long journey. But it's been worth it. And now by this time next week, I will have my degree in my hands. And then we and the kingdom will celebrate our favorite kingdom pastime."

"I know I'm so excited. I love seeing the palace and the orchard all decorated. And it'll be the first Winter Festival that the boys will be able to participate in."

"They were at the one last year."

"They were with Nina all day. She kidnapped our boys."

"Not that you minded my Queen."

"True."

"But you're right. They will have a blast."

"And of course, there's my favorite: the annual snowball fight."

Marquise raised an eyebrow at his wife.

"What do you have planned for this year, my love?"

"Battle of the sexes!"

"You mean I get to throw a snowball at you?"

"No. It means you will finally be dethroned as the defending snowball fight champion."

Marquise snickered.

"May the best team win my Goddess."

"I know I will."

Marquise rolled his eyes good-naturedly.

Over the next few days, the couple spent time together before His Majesty had to get ready for his solo trip to the States. While he was excited to go, his children weren't. They had never been away from their dad for that long. So the Princess came up with a great idea for her and her brothers. They would go with him without him knowing. She pulled out one of her Daddy's biggest suitcases and did her checklist.

"Okay, boys! We have our snacks, our juice, and our chocolate milk! Now do you have your blankies?" Khari asked her brothers. Both boys held up their blankies.

"And you have your touchdown bears?"

The boys held up their bears.

"Alright! Let's hop in!"

All three climbed into the suitcase and shut it.

"Okay, boys! We gotta be quiet so Daddy doesn't know! So shhh!" she whispered to her giggling brothers. Who tried their hardest to quiet down so they wouldn't get caught. Sadly they were caught when their parents couldn't find them and looked all over the palace for them. But they discovered the suitcase they were hiding in.

"Babe?" Shanelle asked over her shoulder.

"Yeah?" Marquise replied.

"Is this one of your suitcases?"

Marquise looked at it.

"Yeah, but I never packed this one."

"Then why is it closed?"

Marquise went to open it when he heard familiar giggling. He shook his head and started to chuckle.

"What's so funny?" Shanelle asked.

"I just figured out why we haven't been able to find the children."

"What do you mean?"

"Take a listen."

Shanelle leaned in and heard the same giggling.

"No, they didn't."

"Yes, they did."

Shanelle shook her head with a smile.

"Let's play along."

Shanelle nodded.

"There's my suitcase! I've been looking all over for it!"

"Good, I'm glad you found it. Now you and my dad can go on your trip."

"Yup now let me just zip it up."

The giggling intensified when he zipped up the suitcase.

"Say, my love, have you seen the children?" he asks.

"No, I can't say that I have," she replied.

"Oh well! I'm sure we'll see them before I leave."

Marquise picked up the suitcase and carried it down with the children giggling inside and him and Shanelle snickering the whole time. When they got to the main hall where Shanelle's parents were waiting they heard the giggling.

"What in the world is going on?" Damien asks.

Shanelle told them and asked them to play along.

"Well, Your Highness. I believe we're ready to leave." Marquise said to Damien.

"Yes, my King. It seems that we are ready. It's just I haven't seen the kids. Shantel and I looked everywhere for them."

"Y'know that's funny! Their mother and I were just saying the same thing."

"Where could those kids be?" Shantel asked.

Shanelle just shook her head laughing softly. That's when Margo walked up.

"Are you ready to leave my King?" she asked Marquise.

"Yes. We will be leaving shortly. Do me a favor. Take a listen to the suitcase."

Margo took a listen and heard her grandchildren giggling.

"Why are they in the suitcase?" Margo asked.

"Because apparently, they think they're going with me. So we're playing along." Marquise whispered.

Margo nodded.

"Mama, since you're here have you seen the children?" Marquise asked.

"No, I haven't. I thought they were with you and their mother." Margo replies.

"No. No one has seen them. Damien and I can't leave without saying goodbye to them. Oh well! Let me take my suitcase and Damien and I can take our leave."

"That's an unusually large suitcase, my son. What do you have in it?" Margo asked.

"You know I don't remember what I packed in it. Let me check."

Marquise opened the suitcase and there were his children and their giggling.

"There you are! What are the three of you doing in my suitcase?" Marquise asks.

"We don't want you to leave so we're going with you Daddy," Khari replied.

His heart exploded as he helped them out of the suitcase and sat down with them.

"My love you know you and your brothers can't go with me."

"But!" Khari pouted.

Marquise put a gentle finger to her lips.

"My love. I love you and I love Zyon and I love Kylo. But you three are too young to go with me."

"But we don't want you to go Daddy."

"I know you don't. I won't be gone long."

He hated seeing the looks on their little faces.

"I'll see you three Thursday."

"It's not the same Daddy," Khari said, shaking her head sadly.

"Dada..." Zyon whined.

Marquise took a deep breath.

"If it's one thing you three know how to do perfectly, it's tugging at Daddy's heartstrings."

He gathered the three of him in his arms.

"I love you. I love each of you. I don't like to leave you but sometimes Daddy has to. But I promise I will never ever be gone for very long."

Marquise looked at his children and smiled before clearing his throat and singing softly.

"Come now my sweet babies please don't cry. Let's wipe those tears from your eyes. Let's see those smiles so they brighten up the day. Always remember no matter what, Daddy is never too far away."

He held his children close before Kylo looked up at him then went and grabbed his blankie.

"Blankie!" he said as he held it up to his father.

"You want me to take it with me?" Marquise asked.

Kylo's only answer was a smile.

"Thank you, my love. I will take great care of it."

Zyon followed suit by giving his father his touchdown bear.

"My! I'm being spoiled today. Thank you."

He held his two boys close to his chest.

"My two sweet loves. I love you both more than I could ever tell you. I will see you both soon. I won't be gone for long."

He kissed them both on their foreheads before sending them to their mother and turning his attention to his daughter.

"Come here, my love."

Khari stood in front of her father with a sad look on her face.

"Are you mad at me Daddy?" she asked.

"Never. You are allowed to feel whatever it is you feel. I could never fault you for that." he replied.

"So I'm not in trouble?"

"No. You and your brothers kinda gave yourselves away when you first started giggling. We couldn't help but play along."

"You knew that we were in the suitcase the whole time?"

"Yes, my sweet one. We did. Your mother and I couldn't help but play along."

"Oh..." Khari said dejectedly.

Marquise tilted his head before gently tilting her chin up.

"You have no idea how much I adore you. I adore the way you love your little brothers. I know why you feel the way you do. I used to feel that way whenever my mother had to leave for a short period."

"Really?" she asked.

"Yes. When I was 8 years old, Mother had to go on a leaders fellowship to Namibia for three months and I missed her terribly. Every day I would ask everyone on her staff when she was coming back."

"You did?" Khari asks.

"Ohh yes. Every single day until your grandmother returned." Margo replied.

Khari giggled.

"My point is I know what it feels like. I know you don't want me to go but I have to. It will only be for a few days."

Khari looked down at the ground. He pulled her close to him.

"Do you know what happens next Saturday?" he asked her.

"Your graduation?" she replies.

"Yes. Do you know why I'm excited about it?"

"Because you worked really hard for it?"

"Yes. But that's not why I'm excited about it."

"Then why Daddy?"

"Because you and your brothers will be walking across the stage with me when I get my degree."

Khari perked up.

"We will?"

"Yes. I asked if it would be okay and the committee I spoke to agreed."

Khari nodded.

"Look at me, my love."

Khari looked up at her dad.

"I will only be gone for a few days. I know you're sad but we'll be together again on Thursday."

"You promise Daddy?"

"I swear it on my heart, my life, and my soul. I will never be away from your side for too long."

Khari chewed her bottom lip and then nodded.

"Okay."

Marquise wrapped his daughter in a loving hug as he stood up.

"I love you, I adore you. My sweet beautiful Princess."

Khari gave him a big kiss on the cheek.

"I love you too Daddy. I'm sorry we tried to trick you."

"No need to apologize, my love. Now go to your mother. Okay?"

Khari nodded.

"I will call you and your brothers tonight okay?"

"Pinky promise?" she asked, holding up her pinky.

"Pinky promise," he replied, hooking his pinky to hers.

With a soft kiss on her forehead from her father Khari was at her mother's side. Marquise stood up and looked to his father-in-law.

"Your Highness, NOW we can leave."

"Of course," Damien replied with a small chuckle.

With final goodbyes to their loved ones. Marquise and Damien were soon on their way to the airstrip. Once in the air Marquise silently became curious about his children's plan to go with him.

"Something on your mind son?" Damien asked.

"Just wondering where Khari got the idea to pack herself and the boys in a suitcase," Marquise replies.

Damien chuckled.

"From me. It's an old story that I told her when she asked me if her mother had ever gotten into big trouble as a child."

"What do you mean?" Marquise asked.

"Shanelle was 4 years old when she didn't want me to leave on a trip home. So she packed herself into my suitcase and fell asleep."

Marquise snorted.

"And I nearly missed my flight because Shantel and I couldn't find her." Damien replied.

Marquise nodded with a smile.

"I guess she thought she'd succeed where her mother failed." Damien quipped.

"She would have if she and the boys weren't giggling so much."

Damien simply nodded with a smile.

His Majesty and Prince Damien's US trip began when they touched down in Tennessee. There they were taken across the state line into Kentucky, where they visited His Majesty's Bourbon Distillery. They toured the facility and even got to taste the special holiday blend. As well as touring the four adjacent horse farms. That's where His Majesty got the idea for the name of the distillery. Terre de Chevaux. Which means Land Of Horses.

That night he called to check in with his children.

"Hello, my little ones! I miss you so much."

"We miss you too Daddy. How is your trip?" Khari asked while holding the phone so her brothers could see.

"It's been fun. I toured the distillery and the horse farms around it and do you know what I found out?" Marquise replied.

Khari shook her head no.

"I met some of the horses. And I learned their names."

"What are their names?"

"One is named Esther after my grandmother. Another is named Victor after my uncle. And the last one is named Ellie."

"Like Grandmother?"

"Exactly my love."

"Wow! Will we get to meet them, Daddy?"

"I hope so."

"Where do you go next Daddy?"

"I will go to the capitol in Washington D.C. tomorrow, where I will get to speak to Congress, and then your grandfather and I will be in Boston. Where I will see you three Thursday."

"We can't wait! Right boys?" Khari asked her brothers who were trying to take the phone from her.

"It's time for bed my loves."

"Okay, Daddy. We'll talk to you tomorrow."

"I love you all. So much."

"We love you too! Right boys?"

Later after putting their children to bed, Shanelle had a quiet conversation with her husband.

"Finally! They're all down for the count."

Marquise snickered.

"I miss you. You know that right?"

"Yeah, I know. I miss you too, handsome. But like you told the kids we'll see each other Thursday."

"Indeed we will. It's amazing that we've been to Boston twice in one year."

"I know you should go play the numbers while you're in the States."

Marquise snorted.

"Yeah sure I will."

Shanelle let out a small yawn that she failed to hide.

"Go to bed, my Queen. I'll text you in the morning."

"Alright. Goodnight Handsome."

"Goodnight my Goddess."

"I love you."

"I love you too Shanelle."

After blowing her husband a small kiss, Shanelle went to bed. The next morning, His Majesty touched down in Washington D.C. to re-sign the Cordon-America Act of 1985. After signing the act Marquise got the chance to speak to Congress. Something he only ever dreamed about.

"Good Morning everyone! My what a dream come true this is for me. I actually get to speak to Congress as a whole. If only my Poli Sci professor could see me now."

In his nearly 45-minute speech, Marquise highlighted the importance of the act and the continuation of the shared goal between his kingdom and America. A free, safe, and fair world for all to live in. After his speech, he and Damien toured The Library Of Congress, where he saw the original Declaration of Independence. Once the tour ended, they traveled to the Maryland National Cemetery so Damien could lay flowers at his in-law's graves.

"I haven't been here in a few years. It's good to see them." Damien said as he laid the flowers on each grave.

"Thank you for bringing me here. Shanelle talks about them all the time. Especially your former mother-in-law."

Damien snickered.

"Yes. Mom is where Shanelle gets her personality from. That Jamaican fire runs through my daughter's veins."

"And mine," Marquise added.

The two shared a chuckle. After a short flight that evening, His Majesty found himself back home in Boston and getting ready for his graduation. The next day, his wife, children, mother, and mother-in-law arrived from Cordonia. And he couldn't wait to hold his babies again.

"I've missed you three so much," he said as he hugged them.

"We've missed you too Daddy! How has your trip been?" Khari asks.

"It's been good but it's better now that you three are here. And just like I promised you, we're together again. And you and your brothers can explore the house." Marquise replied as he led his family into the living room. "But before that, I believe I have a few items to return."

He pulled out Kylo's blanket and Zyon's bear.

"I believe that these belong to the two of you."

Later that night after a big dinner and getting his children off to sleep. His Majesty went to check on his mother who was just settling into her bed.

"Are you alright Mama?"

"Yes, my love. I'm fine. I am perfectly happy."

"Happy eh?"

"Yes of course my son. By this time Saturday, you'll have your Doctorate in hand. And will be able to display it in your office back home."

Marquise chuckled.

"It means the world that you're here with me."

"It means the world to be here. To represent our kingdom and our family."

"It's funny. I look around this room and I can't help but miss Papa. I wish he could be here."

Margo took his hands in hers and looked at him with a warm smile.

"I know you do, my son. The last time I was here was with him when you earned your bachelor's degree. He would be thrilled to see you earn your Ph.D. As a matter of fact, the whole flight he would've had the children in stitches and excited about your graduation. But it's just Papa that you miss is it?"

Marquise took a deep breath.

"No. My heart aches for her. I miss her. I wish she could be here as well."

"She is here my love. She's so incredibly proud of the man you have become. She would be filled with such pride at all you have accomplished in your life. And so would Papa. They look down from heaven with smiles as bright as the sun and as wide as a Cheshire Cat."

Marquise shook his head with a smile before kissing her forehead softly.

"Thank you, Mama. You always know what I need."

She kissed his cheek.

"I'm your mother. I will always know what you need."

"Get your rest, Mama. I'll see you in the morning."

Margo smiled at him as he left the room and returned to the master bedroom where his wife was. He climbed into bed with her and wrapped himself around her.

"My big ass baby."

"I've missed you."

"I've missed you too but you are way too heavy. Now get off of me."

Tried as she might, but Shanelle could not get him off of her.

"Marquise...I...can't...breathe! Get off me!"

He finally let her go.

"Big ass creep!" she said as she caught her breath.

"Your big ass creep. Thank you."

"Yeah, yeah."

She snuggled into him.

"How are you feeling?" she asks.

"Relieved. It'll all be over soon. All the hours of study and presentation and research will have all paid off."

"Mmmhmm. And soon you will officially be a Doctor and a King."

Marquise snorted.

"Very funny."

"You love me."

"Indeed I do. I will say I can't wait to see our children walk the stage with me."

Shanelle shook her head with a smile.

"Their little cap and gowns came the day after you left. So Khari has been teaching the boys how to walk the stage."

"Please tell me you got it on video."

Shanelle handed him her phone.

"See for yourself, Your Majesty."

Marquise watched as his daughter tried to teach her brothers how to walk a graduation stage in hilarious fashion.

"Well...she tried."

"Yup. They are cute though."

"Very," he said with a small smile.

As he lay in bed with his wife, Marquise became contemplative.

"Penny for your thoughts?" she asks.

"My thoughts are worth more than all the literal gold in our vault. But since it's you, sure," he replied.

"What's really on your mind? Is it your mother?" she asks.

Marquise sighed.

"Yes. I can't help but wish she was here. I can't help but want her to be here. I want to see her celebrate with you, Margo, and your parents. And I want to see her standing behind our children. Cheering them on." he paused to clear his throat, "You would think that after 26 years my heart would have healed itself by now. But it hasn't. That void in my heart is still there. That need to see her, to be around her, to be able to hold her hand or hug her is still there. I just hope to God that I've made her proud."

"I know it is. And I know in my heart that you have made her proud. Everything that you've accomplished in and with your life has made her proud. This is just another accolade to add to the list of things that she's proud of you for."

He kissed her forehead softly.

"Thank you, my love."

"It's what I'm here for."

He smiled at her as he held her close.

That Saturday was the big day for His Majesty. After getting dressed himself, he hilariously got his children dressed in their caps and gowns. With both boys being so enamored with their caps. Once everyone was ready it was time to head to the university. Once they arrived Marquise took a very deep breath for this was it. Everything he'd worked for had led up to this very moment. And it was a moment that didn't disappoint.

He finally got to do the one thing he had been dying to do. Walk the graduation stage. But what made it even more special was his children walking with him. He was proud as they stole the show. Afterward, he found himself in his mother's arms.

"I am so proud of you, my love. So proud! You've done it, my boy! You've really done it!" Margo said proudly.

"Thank you. I'm still in shock but I am so thankful to have you here. By my side, to celebrate with me."

"My love, there is nowhere on this earth that I'd rather be. I got to watch you achieve yet another one of your dreams."

Marquise closed his eyes and laid his forehead against hers.

"Look at me, son."

He looked at her.

"I wholeheartedly believe that Eleanor is jumping for joy right now. She is elated that her son is not only a King but he's also now a Doctor. You are her greatest dream come true. Her smile is as bright as the sky and as wide as a canyon. And so is Papa. You know he is in heaven just bragging about his boy doing it yet again. Telling every angel he comes across that his son has become a Doctor."

He pulled her close.

"Thank you. For every single thing. I would not be where I am, I would not be the man I am, without you. Please don't ever forget that."

"I never have and I never will my son. Now go celebrate my love. Go on."

Later that night after hours of celebrating with his family. He spent time with the one he loves most, his wife. They were nestled together on the couch in the living room.

"I'm so proud of you. You know that right?" she asks.

He placed a sweet kiss on the palm of her left hand.

"I know. You've been one of my biggest cheerleaders throughout all of this. When I wanted to stop or give up you told me to keep going. Or else you'd slug me." he replies.

Shanelle snorted.

"Mission accomplished."

Shanelle took a look around the room.

"Our story began right here. In this house. On this couch because someone's big ass pulled his hamstring racing a bunch of teenagers."

He punched her.

"Ow!"

"That's what you get!"

"Jerk!" she hissed.

"Chicken, shrimp, or goat?" he asked.

"You're lucky I love you."

"I really am. Because at the time we got engaged, there was a part of me that feared you would've turned me down."

Shanelle took a deep breath.

"Please don't hate me for this."

"For what?" he asked.

"There was a part of me that wanted to tell you no. A HUGE part. I wanted to run away from you and not look back." she replied.

"Why didn't you?" he asks.

"Because I love you. That's why. I couldn't let you go even when my brain was screaming for me to do so. You showed me what true love is. You made a promise that you have never broken. You promised to love, protect, and nurture my heart and my love. And you have constantly and consistently kept that promise." she replies.

"And I always will. If you don't believe anything else from me, you can believe that."

Shanelle smiled at him as they continued to enjoy a quiet moment together. Once back in Cordonia, planning for the Winter Festival kicked into high gear. Crews worked overtime making sure every detail was perfect and to Shanelle's exact specifications. All the while Marquise had plans of his own.

With the palace being as big as it is, there is a lot of unused and mostly dead space on certain floors. So he decided to have three floors converted. One into a personal bowling alley. Another into a massive indoor ball pit and playground for his children. The final floor is the one he's most excited about, that floor will be an indoor laser tag arena. And it has to be tested out to make sure it's safe and ready for the barrage of kids and adults who will want to play. Because it will be open to his family and the staff and their families.

That Friday before the Winter Festival, Their Majesties hosted their family, both immediate and extended at the palace residence. While the children were having a time running around playing, Marquise pulled Logan aside.

"Come with me," Marquise said to Logan.

"Where we going?" he asks.

"It's a surprise. Trust me you'll like it." Marquise replied.

"Nope! You know I don't like surprises unless I'm in on them. So where are we going?" Logan asks.

"I'll show you when we get there," Marquise replied through clenched teeth.

"Ohhhh...okay Uncle Scar."

"Shut up and move Simba."

Marquise led Logan to an elevator and used a keycard to enter.

"Well, this is spooky..."

"Get in the elevator Logan."

Logan shot him a suspicious look before he and Marquise got into the elevator.

"Okay. I'm in the elevator. Now what?" Logan asks.

"Now we go down to the basement," Marquise replied.

"To your dungeon?" Logan asks.

"No. That's on the other side of the palace. And you'd have no access to that. But this is something else." Marquise replies.

They rode the elevator down and got off when it dinged. Once out of the elevator, they walked down a hall to a door with a keypad.

"What's behind the door?" Logan asks.

Rather than answer, Marquise smirked and then slid his keycard to open the door. When the door opened, Logan's jaw dropped.

"Welcome to my newest toy."

"What is it?" Logan asked.

"This is my brand new laser tag arena," Marquise replied.

"Laser...tag...arena?!"

"That's what I said."

"Dude! When the hell did you have time to do all of this?" Logan asks.

"Construction started back in May. And was completed after the boy's birthday. But it's still not quite ready yet." Marquise replies.

"What do you mean?" Logan asked.

"It hasn't been tested...yet," Marquise replies.

That's when Logan's grin widened.

"And who's going to be brave enough to test it out, sire?"

"Why we are, my good man!"

"Man! Let's go!"

The two suited up and spent a few hours laughing and having a good time in the arena. When they left both were buzzing.

"That was amazing. Thank you for sharing it with me. Even though you cheated half the time."

Marquise snorted.

"You're welcome. And thank you for coming. I'm glad you had a good time."

"I can't wait to tell my wife about it."

"As long as you don't tell the children. I want it to be a surprise for them."

"My lips are sealed, Your Highness."

When they got to the common area, their wives were enjoying a glass of wine.

"And just where have you two been the past few hours?" Shanelle asked them.

"Out." They both reply.

The wives looked at each other.

"Uh-huh. You two went to check out Marquise's laser tag arena, didn't you?" Bronwyn asks.

The men's jaws dropped.

"How do you know?!" they asked.

Bronwyn answered by pointing to Shanelle.

"How do YOU know?!" they asked.

Shanelle shrugged.

"I might've accidentally stumbled upon the construction site one day."

"You mean you were being nosy?" Marquise asks.

"It is my job to be," Shanelle replied.

Marquise groaned.

"Relax. Your kid doesn't know. I haven't told her."

Marquise visibly relaxed.

"I can't keep nothing from you, can I?" Marquise asked.

"Nope. Now move it, you two. We have a Winter Festival to get ready for tomorrow." Shanelle replied.

The next day was the day of the Cordonian Winter Festival. All of Shanelle's hard work and planning had finally come to fruition. Many enjoyed a plethora of winter activities. Including snowmobiles. Which Marquise, Logan, Branden, and Brayden took full advantage of.

"Alright, Brayden. We got a big job."

"What's that?" he asked.

"We gotta beat your dad and brother in the race," Marquise replied.

"Yeah yeah! Go super fast!"

"And do you know what we win when we win?" Marquise asked his nephew.

"What uncle?"

"Bragging rights my boy! Bragging rights!"

"Yay!"

"So ready...set..."

"VRRRROOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM!"

"And we're off!"

While the dads and the boys enjoyed the snowmobiles, Shanelle took the girls ice skating out on the frozen pond.

After riding around on snowmobiles it was time for the main event, the annual snowball fight. That both royals were determined to win.

"Any last words before I take your title, Your Majesty?" Shanelle asked her husband.

"Keep dreaming woman!" Marquise replied with a smirk.

"I am so going to enjoy this!"

"You enjoy losing?...how very odd."

Once the trash talk was done, the whistle was blown and the fight was on. It was a battle of giggling proportions. With trying to take out one another.

"Will you hold still?!" Shanelle shouted at her husband.

"Why? So you can hit me?!" he replied.

"Yes!"

"No!"

The snowball fight was epic and ended in a draw. Which was a delight to all who participated, watched, and cheered. Before the event was over His Majesty decided to try his hand at axe throwing with Sam and a very animatedly drunk Logan.

"Uh, Logan?" Sam asks.

"Yeah?" Logan replied.

"How many of those have you had?" Marquise asked, pointing to the pint in Logan's hand.

"Including this one?" he replied before downing the rest of the pint, "eight."

Sam and Marquise looked at each other.

"You've had eight pints of Skullcracker Ale? Are you nuts? That stuff is powerful!" Marquise asked.

"Yeah, I know. Who knew you Europeans could make a strong ale?" Logan replied before grabbing an ax, "Now let's really have some fun!"

"Oh Dear God..." Marquise groaned.

"If he hits either one of us..." Sam warned.

"Noted."

Sam and Marquise stood way back and watched Logan toss the axe and wildly miss his first target.

"Missed it by an inch. Let me try again."

Logan tried again with Sam and Marquise looking on.

"How long are you going to let this go on?" Sam asks.

"Until either he runs out of steam or they run out of axes," Marquise replied.

"Which one is more likely to happen?" Sam asks.

"They run out of axes," Marquise replies.

"So we're gonna be here a while?" Sam asks.

"Yup so settle in my friend," Marquise replies.

Later that night after the Winter Festival had concluded, His Majesty told his wife what had happened at the ax throwing booth.

"Logan had how many pints?" Shanelle asks.

"You heard me. He had eight pints of Skullcracker Ale." Marquise replied.

"How did you let him drink that many pints?"

"First of all, I didn't let him do anything. He was already halfway through his eighth one when I got there. And second, saying you're great friends with the King will get you anything in this kingdom. Including eight pints of Skullcracker Ale. Especially when the limit is four pints."

Shanelle groaned.

"That hangover is about to be epic."

"Oh yeah. He's gonna be feeling it for days. But thank goodness there's a hangover cure."

"I can only handle three pints of Skullcracker Ale. I don't know how Logan managed to drink eight of them."

"Because he has an iron liver?"

Shanelle snorted.

"That's for sure."

"And how are you, my love? What was the final tally?" he asks.

"I'm good. I'm exhausted. Today was so much fun. And the money raised during the silent auction was enough to fund the Children's Fund. All in all, it was a great day. People had fun and that's all I care about. It's why I do this every year."

"I know and you do a brilliant job at this if I do say so myself."

"Careful Your Majesty. Your personal bias is showing."

"So? I'm allowed to brag about and celebrate my beautiful wife's accomplishments all I like. Thank you very much."

"Fine. Just one question."

"Hmm?"

"What are we doing for Christmas?" she asks.

"How about somewhere tropical?" he replies.

"Works for me!"

"I shall make our Christmas arrangements post haste."

"Yay!"

Just then there was an urgent knock at their bedroom door.

"Who in the world is that?" she asks.

"I'll go find out," he replied.

When he got up and answered the door, there was an attendant on the other side.

"Yes?" he asked as he stepped outside.

"Apologies for the disturbance this late Your Majesty but there is news out of Earl Amos's house." the attendant replies.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Earl Amos Barbaroux is dead." the attendant replied.

"What?!"

"He was stabbed to death in his office."

"What?! By who?"

"Lady Alicia, sire. From what I have been told they got into an argument and she stabbed him in the chest with a letter opener. Repeatedly."

"Where is she now?"

"An arrest warrant was issued for her but she's taken refuge at the old palace but that's all I know at the moment."

Marquise groaned.

"Great...thank you for informing me. Please keep me informed of any further details."

"At once sire."

When Marquise entered the bedroom, he had an annoyed look on his face.

"What's that look for?" Shanelle asks.

"Earl Amos is dead," he replied.

"Lady Alicia's husband?"

"Yes. She stabbed him to death."

"What?! Why?"

"I don't know yet. But I will find out. Just not right now."

"What happens to his estate in the meantime?"

"It goes to their oldest daughter."

"Do you know where she is now?"

"Hiding out at your palace to avoid arrest but that's as far as I've gotten."

"She won't be there for long. I'll put the call in to have her removed from the property. I will NOT be sheltering her."

"You're not. Her step-sister is."

"I don't care about her step-sister. Genevieve can kiss my whole ass. Alicia's gone as early as tomorrow morning."

Marquise smirked.

"So says the Queen."

"So shall it be."

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sing-in-me-oh-muse · 4 months

Text

Writer Highlight from Writers Sanctuary

Each month on Writers Sanctuary, a Discord server that nurtures writers of all kinds, highlights a writer and asks them questions about their writing process. This month's writer is Chai_ki!

@Chai_ki

Ao3 Profile: Chai_ki

Works:

Fervor Lullaby was fun to write and it honestly just flowed. I think that’s why I like it so much.

Can I Take Your Last Name was my first attempt at humor and I had a ton of fun writing it.

The Cadence of Leaves was my first multi-chapter fic and even though I haven’t posted in a while, I’m on track to finish it!

What is your writing process? How do you approach a fic or original work? (e.g. Are you a Pantser? Plotter? Do you focus on dialogue before description? etc.)

Pantser, now there's a great term! I would have to say that I am definitely more of a pantser but occasionally will try to plot. Most of the time I just write as things come and hope it all flows well. 😅A lot of my ideas come from music. I usually can imagine a scene in my head during a song and then that scene grows (if I'm lucky). Original works have been hard as I have a tendency to want to over-explain things and feel like I can't get the characters back stories across well enough. That's one of the reasons I love fan fiction, those reading already know the characters so I can just dive right into the story.

What was your first story and why did you finally decide to write?

Ooo this is hard. My first ever story was one about cats I think. It was in 1st or 2nd grade. I've had random other stories since then. My first Miraculous fic was titled "Affinity" and I first posted it on Amino. It's one I would like to rewrite (and finish) at some point, but I have a few other projects to finish first. I have always loved to write and as stated in answer 1, I struggle with over-explaining my characters. I fell in love with Miraculous and then found out there was this entire community of writers and realized I had found my version of heaven. That was in 2018 and since then writing for the fandom has been one of my most relaxing hobbies.

Where is your favorite place/time/conditions to write?

This one is easy, mostly. I can honestly write just about anywhere - so long as I don't have other responsibilities to attend to in the moment. I prefer to have music playing, usually it's songs that have inspired my current work, but I can write without it as well. So long as the ideas are flowing, I'm able to write!

What is your favorite pairing, platonic or romantic, and why?

Fandom specific would be the love square. I honestly can't really say why, I just know I adore them. I think a part of it is because I see bits of myself in each character, both in cannon and fanon. I also love the dynamic between Alya and Marinette. Alya reminds me of my best friend of 25 years in so many ways and I find I end up writing from personal experience with them. In terms of anything other than my own writing, I enjoy a variety of parings and ships and enjoy seeing how other creators bring them to life. (Not fandom specific I have a few parings that I'd consider an OTP, but that would make this answer way too long. 🤣)

Do you have any thematic elements you’re interested in or that consistently show up in your writing?

To be honest, I haven't thought much about themes in my writing. I suppose my main theme is cutesy love stories, friends being there for each other. Stuff like that. I'd love to get good at writing adventure or humor, but I'm not sure I'm there yet. I do have a WIP that is an adventure story. The prompt is a Goonies/National Treasure AU I was given in the MWG for December's event. I'm struggling with it, but I also enjoy the challenge. One of my favorite tropes is friends to lovers and I feel like I use that in every story I've posted so far.

How do you deal with writer's block?

Music. Just about everything comes back to music for me. Sometimes I get disheartened if I'm stuck but I've found that listening to music, be it a new song, band or old favorite always sparks something creative.

What do you do if you have too many ideas?

I feel as though that's a normal state of living for me. 😅At any given moment some idea for something is floating around in my mind. (Along with a constant radio of song.) If one idea really sparks an interest I will hyper fixate on it, otherwise they live in my head, rent free. Truthfully, I should be noting them down somewhere...

You said that Fervor Lullaby (which is adorable) was fun and easy to write because it "just flowed." How long did writing the one shot take in that flow tate, and have you ever been able to get back into it for any other pieces?

Thank you! 🥺 Fervor Lullaby took about 3 hours in total to write. I saw the prompt and the ideas just kept coming. Ironically this story didn't have a song to spark it though I found a very fitting one to go with it once it was done. Sadly, I haven't been able to get back that fast of a flow since then and IRL stuff has limited my writing time significantly over the last 6-ish months. I hope to get back into writing more now that things have slowed down a bit. Seeing other creators is always inspiring and I am grateful for the Miraculous community!

---

Join Writers Sanctuary today and sign up to be highlighted on Tumblr and the server!

#writing #on writing #fanfic #fanfiction #discord #writers sanctuary #sanctuary #i wrote this #highlight: chai_ki

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jinxwrites · 2 months

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Sayaka Shinohara

“I want 'em back, I want 'em back

The minds we had, the minds we had

It's not enough to feel the lack

I want 'em back, I want 'em back, I want 'em

You're the only friend I need (you're the only friend I need)

Sharing beds like little kids (sharing beds like little kids)

And laughing 'til our ribs get tough (laughing 'til our ribs get tough)

But that will never be enough (but that will never be enough)” - “Ribs” by Lorde

Fandom: My Hero Academia (MHA)

Name: Sayaka Shinohara

Alias: None

Nickname: Say

Age: 24

Birthday: December 18th

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Sex: Female

Gender: Female

Pronouns: She/Her

Sexual/Romantic Orientation: Heterosexual

Nationality: Japanese

Languages: Japanese and English

Species: Human

Blood Type: A-

Occupation: Medical Assistant

Alive or Dead?: Alive

Health: Suffers from anxiety, depression, and PTSD

Skin Color: Fair

Hair Color: Light pink

Hair Style: Long hair with hair pieces framing her face, normally pulled back into a ponytail

Eye Color: Teal

Teeth: Teeth are straight, off-white

Tattoos: On right wrist

Scars: Self-harm scars on wrists

Piercings: Ears are pierced

Height: 5’6” (167 cm)

Weight: 132 lbs

Body Type:

Hourglass figure

Mesomorph

Thicker thighs

B-cup breasts

Pretty thin

Long legs

General Clothing Style/Aesthetic:

Lots of pink or light colors

Dresses, crop tops, floral-patterned jeans, chokers, and heels

She wears pink eyeshadow with a little white in the inner corners of her eyes, sharp, winged eyeliner, and lipgloss with a little blush on her cheekbones

Likes to wear lingerie as well

Dresses in clothes that show off her figure and make her feel good about herself

Weapons: None

Personality:

Sayaka can be playful and flirty, often teasing her partners. Though, she was more innocent and less confident when she was younger.

She’s pretty confident in her sexuality and enjoys making her partners feel good.

She’s been a people pleaser since childhood, unable to say no to things even if she wanted to. This leaves her vulnerable to being taken advantage of.

She’s described as kind, selfless, and a little naive in her younger years.

She’s also pretty social. She was quite popular in high school.

She’s intelligent, graduating with a pretty high GPA to get into medical school. She’s developed anxiety over the years from the pressure she was under to make good use of her healing quirk, mostly from her parents.

During her marriage with Ryuji, she lost a lot of her confidence. He made her develop a lot of insecurities, breaking her down mentally so she was easier to control.

Sayaka went through a period of her life where she was very depressed and self destructive, picking up the habit of smoking, self harming, sleeping with strangers after separating from Ryuji, and drinking alcohol. Towards the finalization of her divorce, she attempted suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills.

Emotionally and physically needy. Loves affection and reassurance. She likes to be taken care of.

Likes:

Going out to drink, dance, socialize, and flirt

Taking care of her partners’ emotional and physical needs

Cuddling, kissing, sex, making out, and any form of affection or attention from her partners

She likes plushies. She has quite a few squishmallows on her bed.

Dislikes:

Being degraded or made to feel inferior in any way

Silence because of her anxiety

Being reminded of her ex-husband and their past marriage

Hobbies:

Going out

Reading

Listening to music

Watching shows, usually on her laptop in bed

Habits: Smokes and drink alcohol

Quirk: First Aid

Able to speed up the healing process of wounds using pulses of her energy sent out from her fingertips and transferred through touch.

The more serious the wound, the more energy it takes. She can’t heal anything major without draining a lot of her own energy.

Can pass out from overuse, sleeps to recharge. If she passes out from overusing it, she will have to sleep for about thirteen hours or longer.

Cannot heal herself, only others.

A side effect of her quirk is a lingering numbness like an anesthetic.

Skills: Can perform first aid outside of her quirk and suture wounds.

Goals: Finish medical school with a Bachelor's Degree and become a full-time nurse

Insecurities: Hates her scars and regrets “ruining” herself

Fears: Losing Toya again

Introverted or Extroverted?: Extroverted

Optimistic or Pessimistic?: Pessimistic

Favorite Color: Pink

Favorite Food: Ramen with chopped green onion and a fried egg, preferably beef ramen.

Significant Other: Toya Todoroki (Dabi)

Friends:

Toya Todoroki (Dabi)

Fuyumi Todoroki

Kimiko (Bartender)

Enemies:

Ryuji Nagasaki

Keigo Takami (Hawks)

Parents:

Mother: Saika Shinohara

Father: Kazuko Shinohara

Siblings: None

Childhood:

Sayaka and Toya Todoroki met when they were both six years old. They sat near each other in class, and Toya had tried to climb a tree to impress her before he fell, hurting himself. Sayaka healed him with her quirk, and they became very close friends throughout their childhood. Sayaka’s family often let Toya stay with them while he was having problems at home. The two of them often played together and had sleepovers. When they were eight years old, they made a pinky promise to get married when they grew up, so they would always be together. Sayaka was unaware of the abuse Toya was going through as a child because he hid it from her. When she saw the burns and asked what was wrong, Toya pushed her away. When Toya was thirteen, he had an accident with his quirk and “died’. Sayaka grieved him for years, having a panic attack at his funeral. Even though he was “dead”, she always hoped he was still out there.

Adolescence:

As a teen, Sayaka was under a lot of pressure from her parents to do well in school, so she could get into a good school and make good use of her healing quirk on the frontlines. As a result of this and experiencing the loss of Toya, she was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and depression at fifteen after her parents found out she was harming herself. She received treatment with medication and therapy. She grieved Toya’s loss for years, secretly hoping he was still out there because his body was never found.

Adulthood:

Sayaka graduated high school with a high GPA, getting into medical school and earning her Associate’s Degree in Nursing. At twenty two, she meets an upcoming Pro Hero named Ryuji Nagasaki who stops a guy from harassing her at a bar while she was out drinking with her friends. The two of them clicked and started dating fairly quickly. After a year, Sayaka and Ryuji got engaged before she moved into his apartment. Their relationship was a little rocky after getting married.They started to argue because Ryuji wanted children, but Sayaka wanted to focus on her career and was taking birth control. Ryuji became very controlling of Sayaka, telling her who she could spend time with and wear. He often gaslit her, making her think all of the problems in their marriage were because of her. He got upset at the lack of intimacy, often pressuring her to comply and lashing out when she rejected him. He became aggressive and violent throughout their marriage, throwing objects at the walls and physically abusing Sayaka as well as emotionally and verbally. Sayaka hid the abuse out of fear due to him being a Pro Hero who could ruin her reputation and the fact he was the source of income while she was only working part-time and attending medical school. She became depressed, turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms to distract herself from the reality of her situation. During this period, Ryuji was having an affair with a coworker of his. After learning Ryuji’s mistress was pregnant, Sayaka and Ryuji had a fight that resulted in her hitting him back and being choked. She attempted suicide by trying to overdose on sleeping pills that night only to be brought to the hospital by Ryuji. They got divorced after her attempt, Ryuji threatening her not to tell anyone about the abuse or he’d ruin her life. She kept quiet about it, accepting a large sum of money to keep quiet. She moves into her own apartment, coping with her trauma with drinking, sex with strangers, and smoking.

She finds Toya in a bar, not recognizing him at first because of the scars and the fact he’s technically been dead for twelve years. She recognizes him as Dabi, and ends up going home with him after spilling her secrets to him at the bar, thinking he was going to be another hookup. After revealing himself as her long-lost friend, she became emotional and expressed anger and resentment for leaving her behind. Regardless, she still loved him.

Dabi kills Ryuji Nagasaki by beating him severely and setting fire to his apartment building.

Criminal Record: None, but she is considered an accomplice due to being involved with a villain and the League of Villains

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syrena-del-mar · 3 months

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4, 7, 17, 26, 32, 33, 45, 54, 69 🩷 (You don't have to answer all of these. I'm just a nosy girlie 🙈)

Hiya Soph! No worries, I'm also a nosy girlie so I totally get it 😂 Also a warning, I definitely got a lil too passionate on question 54. I just love the holidays.

4. Favorite Chore

I really love folding as long as I'm on top of it and I haven't had a weeks worth of wash piled up. Something about freshly dried/warm clothes makes it really enjoyable.

7. Any groceries that you've been getting into lately?

So much ginger and turmeric. I bit the bullet and finally just got myself a new full-scale blender/juicer to get rid of my old nutribullet, so now I'm able to make smoothies with ginger without it leaving unblended pieces.

17. What's a movie that you saw recently that you really liked?

A Million Miles Away. I have always liked to support Mexican-American work, and so many scenes here felt like they had been pulled from my own life. Also, teachers always get a lot of flack in the media for being uninspired and uninterested in their students, but I loved that they showed how so much of his success could be tracked to teachers who cared for and inspired him.

26. Would you rather sit on the porch drinking sweet tea or sit by the lake drinking beers?

How about sweet tea by the lake? Jk. But really, I would definitely prefer to sit on the porch drinking sweet tea. I have a relatively low-grade alcohol allergy that causes some beers to break me out in hives that don't go away for days. The itching is insane and I never want to go through it again lol

32. How do you take your morning coffee/tea?

I have a concoction I've been making every morning since I found it last December. 10 oz. of coffee 2 oz. of fat-free milk. 1 pump honey 1 pump sugar-free pistachio syrup Some cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove to your liking. Tastes like the winter holidays in a cup, really delicious and I still haven't gotten tired of it. I'm definitely not a black coffee and one sugar-type of girl LOL

33. What's something you collect?

Pens. I have an insane amount of pens, it's so hard to find a good one that doesn't bleed, skip, or smudge. So I collect like crazy. Also, before the boycott, Starbucks cups.

45. What's something you wish you had more time for?

Travelling. During the pandemic, I was traveling everywhere and anywhere. I would take day trips to the central coast of California or even to neighboring states. When I wasn't working and I would take some time off, I was going to several national parks here in the U.S. Sometimes drive 15-16 hours to get to them.

Now that I've finished my doctorate and I'm in my field of choice... I'm working and studying for my licensing exams. I usually don't leave the office after sunset.

54. Do you decorate your house for holidays? Which ones?

I decorate for Dia de los Muertos/Halloween, but, I'm a crazy Christmas decorator. I go all out inside my apartment. There's not an area where it doesn't look like Santa hasn't thrown up all over. November 1st, everything comes out of storage, though honestly, if I had a particularly rough year, it's sometimes already out by mid-October.

Now, outside decorations? We have a family tradition where my sisters and I go to my parent's place after work every day for close to three weeks, starting mid-November, and we decorate the hell out of the family home. Last year, we put up close to 40k lights with music. We still haven't invested or figured out if we will ever do the expensive light controller box that syncs with lights, but we do build a lot of our decorations. This year we're going to be adding close to another 15k of lights between everything that all 6 of us bought at the sales after Christmas.

Funnily, if it were up to my dad, he would have stopped putting Christmas lights since 10 years ago when we all left. Unfortunately for him, my sisters and I haven't let him. Now he has a grandchild, so the decorating won't stop for some time.

69. What are you looking forward to next week?

I'm heading out to the Grand Canyon next Thursday for the first time in five years. I only have two days off, so it'll be a quick trip, but it's so nice to roadtrip again.

Ask meme for people in their 30s

#ask game #steph rambles #syrena-del-mar #ask box #asked and answered #lol ironically im in my late 20s but i def live like in my 30s

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cobrakatharsis · 2 years

Text

ck secret santa 2022!!

my @cksecretsanta22 gift for @secondclassfangirl !! some lawrusso fluff for ya featuring domesticity, baking, johnny having a healthy sprinkling of emotional issues about the holidays, and the euphoria of suddenly realising you have a family. i hope you like it!! 🤍

ao3 mirror

Johnny hates winter.

He’s lived in the Valley his whole life, sure, so winter isn’t much - a mild chill, putting on a slightly thicker jacket or just being a little cold in one of his usuals - but it’s the principle of it.

Daniel always complains about winter too, but it’s Cali winters he hates. He talks about winter on the East coast constantly, about snow and real thick jackets and numb fingers and runny red noses. He’s got countless stories from his first sixteen years, about swiping plastic trays from the cafeteria at school to go sledding in big groups, or how he used to always get in trouble for throwing snowballs too hard at his cousins, or all the stuff he used to do with his parents and later just his mom. His stories from since he moved are less dense, but still very much there, recounting every holiday season he’s spent back in New Jersey - always visiting, with so many damn family members to visit - and so many traditions to uphold. Holiday traditions.

They’re abstract to Johnny.

His Decembers have really always just been another month.

Sid’s house was always decorated December 1st, all tinsel anywhere tinsel could be put and pinecones and green and red and the huge awful fireplace in the drawing room being the center of attention. A huge obnoxious wreath on the door and a decked-out tree even bigger than the man himself. At least one big stupid dinner with all of Sid’s big stupid friends. Johnny got presents on Christmas morning before he was sort of told to clear off and play with his new stuff so Sid and Laura could be alone for the day, but none of it ever felt like routine or tradition. It felt like stuff that just happened. Like being in a play in elementary school, being told what scene was next between each one because they were all dumb kids who couldn’t actually be trusted to know or remember. He was just going where he was supposed to be, no real idea or care what was coming next.

His holidays have always been like that since, although perhaps a little closer to the ones he’d shared with his mother, pre-Sid. No tree, no decorations, no dinners. Just observing the holidays through the actions of others in decorated shop windows and stuff being sold that they couldn’t afford. A treat, perhaps, on December 25th, as the one real mark of a “special” time of year, but ultimately letting it pass by like something on the other side of a window.

With Daniel and all of his traditions, such a thing is impossible.

Johnny wakes up on the 1st of December, some time nearer noon than Daniel seems to know how to get, to a scent he doesn’t recognise filling the pleasantly warm house. Venturing to the kitchen, half-asleep in his boxers and a threadbare t-shirt, reveals it as cookies - trays and trays of them, little roundish sugar cookie looking things doused in white icing and Christmas-coloured sprinkles.

“Christmas cookies,” Daniel clarifies, briefly glancing up and smiling when he notices Johnny stood watching. “They’re Italian.”

Johnny hums and approaches, swipes one up from the tray nearest him and eats it immediately. It’s…almond-y, soft like cake, still kinda warm. It’s good.

“Yeah?” he asks, still chewing. “What makes ‘em Italian?”

Maybe it’s the effect of the Christmas season that Daniel doesn’t admonish him - doesn’t even give him A Look - for his thievery. Or maybe he’s just finally used to it, but either way he simply keeps attending to the tray of cookies he’s still icing with a steady, experienced hand.

“The same thing that ties anyone and anything to a nationality.”

Johnny hums, wrinkling his nose briefly in consideration as he watches Daniel work. “Can’t be Italian if they were made in America.”

“I was made in America, Johnny.”

“Yeah, but—what, these cookies got a bloodline?”

Daniel laughs then - that beautiful, sincere laugh like Johnny amuses him now instead of just pissing him off, though Johnny’s sure he still does that plenty - and shakes his head.

“Just come help me ice these.”

Obediently, Johnny walks over, but wrinkles his nose again when he’s handed the weird, unwieldy plastic bag full of icing that tries to flip right out of his grasp and promptly explodes a glob of icing onto the counter when he grips it hard to compensate.

“I’ve never iced cookies before,” he decides to admit before he fucks it up entirely. Daniel’s putting his oven gloves on with his back to Johnny - the cute red tartan pair Amanda got him.

“What, you never helped your mom when you were a kid?” he asks, distracted.

“My mom didn’t bake, LaRusso.”

Any other time, Johnny’s sure that sentence and bitter tone would earn him one of those godawful looks from Daniel, and follow-up questions. Daniel’s always trying to learn more about Johnny’s childhood where he can, but as it is he’s thoroughly engaged getting yet another tray of cookies out of the oven and safely onto the overcrowded counter.

“Jesus. Are you baking for the whole of California?” Johnny asks, grateful for the out. Daniel grits his teeth in playful bashfulness.

“No, just half of New Jersey. I’m sending these to family,” he says, gesturing to a few of the completed trays. “…And the kids are all getting some. And Amanda, Chozen, Jessica…”

Johnny huffs a laugh as a smile grows on Daniel’s face. “Yeah, alright, my mistake.”

Daniel leans over and shoves Johnny in the shoulder to direct him back to the tray of uniced cookies in front of him. “Look, I’m not seein’ much icing goin’ on over there. You gotta do it before they get too cool or—“

“Okay, okay!”

They don’t turn out good. Johnny’s icing is a disaster, all lumpy and uneven, some drowned and some barely grazed - and his sprinkle application goes about as well, but when he says he’s done Daniel comes over and looks at them and smiles like the sun, all eye crinkles and dimples, and suddenly Johnny forgets about everything his childhood was filled with instead of baking as Daniel kisses him hard on the cheek.

They keep a few of that batch, shared between the two of them and eaten right there in the kitchen by the counter, stood all close together and giggling like they’re doing something sneaky. Daniel insists they’re not as good as the ones he used to make with his Ma, even promises that he’ll ask Lucille to send some so that Johnny can have some “real” ones, but Johnny tells him honestly that they’re good. Daniel credits Johnny’s icing and decorating technique with making them special, so the rest of that batch - “our batch”, Daniel calls them - are divvied up into cute, expensive glass tupperware containers - with matching lids! - to go to Amanda, Sam, Anthony, Robby, and Miguel.

Their family, Johnny realises. They made cookies for their family.

“I’ve never done that before,” he mumbles.

“Done what?” Daniel asks, clicking the lid into place on Sam’s container. It’s pink, with little flowers on it, like a little girl’s lunchbox. Miguel’s and Robby’s, piled on the side, have blue splotches of paint and little cartoon lions respectively. Amanda and Anthony’s are next up - leaves and cartoon game controllers. Johnny remembers buying them all, some time soon after he and Daniel had moved in together. Picking which one from the store’s selection fit each person.

“I don’t know,” Johnny says, suddenly a little overwhelmed by the big feeling taking root in his chest. “I was talkin’ about the cookies again, but…All of this.”

It doesn’t really make sense. Too disjointed to really be a thought, but Daniel looks up at Johnny like he understands. Bumps their shoulders together.

“I’ll take more of your firsts,” he says. Johnny snorts.

“I was being wholesome for once!”

“You were, you were,” Daniel grins, “But I mean it. We’ll do more stuff. Got the whole of December to go.” He neatly clicks the lid onto Anthony’s box of cookies and piles it on top of Sam’s. “We go ice skating on the second Saturday.”

“Never done that either.”

“It’s a learning curve.”

“Always is.”

Daniel smiles. Amanda’s box joins the pile atop Anthony’s, and finally Daniel’s hands settle on Johnny’s waist, thumbs running gently back and forth over the worn fabric of his t-shirt. “I’ll teach you,” he promises. “And then when we go next year, you’ll be a pro.”

And for the first time in his life, Johnny’s looking forward to the rest of the holidays. Looking forward to next year’s.

“You’re helping me bake next year too.”

“That mean I have to get up early?”

“Yes.”

“Ugh.”

Johnny can’t wait.

#cksecretsanta22 #lawrusso #daniel larusso #johnny lawrence #elijah writes #i’m sorry this took a lil while to get out but i really hope it’s okay!!

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dizzymuses · 1 year

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🌦 « han so hee. cis woman. she/her. 30. » was that NARI SHIN walking through the doors of amorelux ? i heard they just moved in to apartment 502 from OTTAWA and work as a/an tattoo artist. they seem daring & adaptable but don’t get on their bad side ! they can be evasive & callous which makes sense since they’re a SAGITTARIUS. you know they’re home when you see a flash of nimble fingers detangling unbrushed hair, books carelessly scattered but never in a bookshelf, a permanently ignored notification for unread messages, memories hung up in frames.

hello, my loves !! i’m daisy, she/her, 25 and from the CET timezones which is sort of sucky most of the time when it comes to rp rip. i just started a full time intership so i’m a little bit busy these days but i should be around in the evenings and weekends for the most part. anyway, finally i can introduce u to my daughter nari, who is a brand new baby and still very much a work in progress but i hope you’ll love her nonetheless ! i would be delighted to plot w y’alls undoubtedly v sexc muses so if you’d like to do this pls react to this w a like !

basics.

name: shin nari.

nicknames: idk u could make smth up ig.

gender: cis woman

pronouns: she/her.

age: 30.

date of birth: december 17th 1991.

place of birth: busan, sk.

hometown: ottawa, canada.

nationality: canadian

ethnicity: korean.

education: high school degree.

occupation: tattoo artist, studio owner.

orientation: bisexual, biromantic.

about. (tw: depression mention)

nari was born the second of what should end up being three shin siblings, in busan. they were what you might call the perfect family, her dad being a pediatric surgeon and her mom a nurse working at the same hospital as he did. they were also a very traditional family, so while nari’s mother would often take care of them and things around the house, her father would usually come home late. he would walk up to her mother’s seat on the table, put his arms around her and kiss her on the cheek before sitting down and asking everybody about their days. in nari’s memory he’d always looked like he was carrying the world on his shoulders, endlessly tired but also truly heroic. her mother would always tell them that dad couldn’t be around much because he was saving other children’s lives and how he was making sure other mom’s wouldn’t have to miss their babies. so truly, how could nari view him as anything but that: a perfect hero.

she often asked him for stories of his work, listening with wide eyes as he’d speak on the different children and their issues. he was good at explaining things, even as a six year old she could understand just about everything. most of all she understood one thing, it’s important to help others, especially those weaker than yourself. and just like that, she became obsessed with taking care of others. while her older sister was technically two years her senior, it would still be nari kicking the boy who had pulled one of her braids hard enough to make her cry. she’d also take care of her little brother, trying to help him with his homework and reading stories to him every night. in many ways she tried her best to be a hero to others, just how she knew her father was.

of course things would have to take a turn for the worse at some point though and for nari that turn came when she was twelve. after scoring a perfect a on one of her maths tests, she was so proud, she wanted to show her father straight away and so she left the bus at the clinic, knowing her father was currently working. however, wandering around the department, she couldn’t find him anywhere and the nurses didn’t know where he went either. disappointed, she was just about to leave, when she saw her father through the creak of an almost fully closed door. walking closer, she took a careful look inside, unsure about the noises escaping the room. when she saw the half-dressed woman with her arms around her dad’s broad shoulders, they suddenly looked a whole lot less like the dependable shoulders of a hero. stepping back, she almost couldn’t believe what she had seen.

not knowing what to do, certain she’d destroy her entire family’s lives if she spoke about this big secret, nari didn’t say anything. she didn’t say anything for another three months, though her mother was wondering why nari suddenly didn’t seem as eager to spend time with her father anymore. but who would want to spend time with someone like him, why had she ever wanted to be like that man. it took those three months until her mother found out herself. a scenario that looking back had always been likely, considering they worked at the same hospita. nari’s mother found out and nari found out when only days later her mother told her and her siblings that they were going to spend some time at their grandparent’s without dad. her grandparents that had moved to canada a long time ago, therefore being little more than strangers to her and her siblings. there were tears in her mother’s eyes, she clearly didn’t want to tell her children about their father’s ill behavior but nari knew and she knew her mom knew now as well.

things were not the same afterwards, not only was their entire family uprooted and relocated into another country, their family wasn’t the same either. their move to canada meant her mother started working in her grandparent’s little korean restaurant, which soon became somewhat of a homebase to nari herself, who would spend most of her afternoon’s there doing homework and drawing endless little doodles into her notes. maybe it was a silent show of support, considering the fact that due to her mother’s relucatance to tell the children, her siblings still didn’t know why they had moved without their dad. with every month that passed, every indicator that their stay was going to be a permanent one, her siblings grew more and more upset with their mother. while nari didn’t understand why her mother would choose to protect her father like this, she kept her mouth shut. she figured her grandparents would have to know about this, figured three adults should be able to make a sensible decision about this.

however, as the years passed, nothing about this solution seemed to work out well. they were struggling. the restaurant clearly wasn’t able to really support the lives of six people but her mother had fallen into depression, making it hard for her to take on any other job. they were making ends meet but very barely and neither nari nor her siblings were used to it. tensions were building at an almost daily level, with her siblings, especially her older sister, raining down their frustrations onto her mother while nari would fight her tooth and nails to defend her. her mother might not be perfect, these days it often felt like she wasn’t even really truly there, but the fault for all their misery clearly was her father’s and his alone. one day, the fighting got so bad she just yelled it out. yelled out that their father was a rotten bastard who had cheated on their mother. silence followed her words and only as she looked up she saw her mother had walked into the kitchen, looking at nari in disbelieve. apparently she still hadn’t put it together. hadn’t known nari was aware of what had happened all along.

following all this, none of them ever got as close again as they had been before. her elder sister resented nari and her mother for not telling them earlier, her mother was a ghost of who she had once been and nari? she distanced herself a lot from her family, realizing the weight this entire situation had put on her ever since she had seen the awful scene. the only one she was still genuinely close to was her younger brother, whom she shared her anger about her father with. now in the second half of her teens, she mostly spent her time with friends from school, hanging around in skater parks or breaking into public pools at night. quickly she realized she liked those things that made her heart beat faster and her mind forget about just about anything else. on the other hand, she spent even more of her time drawing, having long since realized it was the only thing she truly wanted to do. she was doing pretty good at school and maybe, just maybe if her life had been different she could have gone on to become an art student.

instead, fresh out of college she started as an apprentice at a tattoo parlor. this plan had arisen after, in a drunken bout of horrible ideas, nari had once tattooed a couple of her friends and it had come out halfway decent considering her drunken state and the bad equipment. she had liked this, leaving her art on somebody else’s body. one of her friends also had a cousin, who had a friend, who was a tattoo artist and so she started her apprenticeship at the parlor that friend worked at. not too long after she got her license, finally getting to fully move out and get her own apartment. while she felt a bit bad about leaving her struggling mother behind, she knew in the end there was nothing more she could do for her. if her mom was to become better, she’d have to want that herself. not long after she moved out, her younger brother basically moved into her place. it was about the time that he graduated high school, which nari heavily supported him in. she knew he had an interest in studying and so she pushed him to try his best and even ended up paying most of his tuition out of her pocket.

meanwhile, over the years, nari became better and better at what she was doing at her job. she had a decent following on social media as well, admiring her work and soon people would travel across the country to get tattooed by her. alongside that came more artistic freedom, as she started denying certain design requests and instead introducing more of her own ideas to clients. at 28 she had saved enough money to open up her first own parlor, which was a hit right from the start, considering the reputation she had build for herself. by now, she was a household name in the scene, known mostly for her creative designs and shading abilities. now she only tattooed her own designs onto other people’s bodies, taking rough suggestions but mostly demanding her artistic freedom. as an artist, this felt like her final step towards freedom after years and years of tattooing butterflies and inspirational quotes. she could finally do her own thing, finally truly be an artist in her own right. only just now, nari moved to seattle to open her second parlor, this time in the us. she doesn’t quite know why she went here to take care of this herself, but on the other hand she had never been one to turn down an adventure.

tl;dr (bc lord knows this turned out way too long)

nari was born in south korea, she is the middle child of three. her family seemed all perfect and what not until nari caught her dad cheating, followed by her mother finding out as well not too soon after. not wanting to tell her children but determined to leave her husband behind, nari’s mother moved them to their grandparents in canada. after that her mom became somewhat depressed and they were struggling financially as well. her sibling were very mad at their mom, while nari tried to be by her side. one day she tells the others and they all further distance themselves from one another, aside from nari and her little brother. after school nari took on an apprenticeship as a tattoo artist (bc she once drunkenly tattoed her friends and it wasn’t half bad) and now she is a worldwide known name in the field. she is opening her second parlor in seattle now, which is why she moved here.

this got way too long and now i just wanna go sleep but like i’ll try to proof read etc as well as write some wc and whatnot tomorrow or so. ill also put out a plotting call then but u can react to this as well. mwuah !! <3 i hope it is a halfway decent read hskjdf

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memphisfaith · 2 years

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Hearts of Lust: Chapter 45

Pairing Kim Namjoon X Reader

Genre: Collage!AU, Smut

Word Count: 4.3K

Warning: Cursing, mentions of smut, smut, consumption of alcohol, mentions of violence, violence, crack personality disorders, Chaotic energy, mental break downs, panic attacks.

Summary: College is any young adult's prime years, at least that's what Lee (y/n) and Kim Namjoon thought. The two are infamous for two reasons, by two very different crowds. Among the professors they are picture perfect students with perfect scores, attendance, and image. However, among the student body they're the very essence of lust with amazing bodies, sex appeal, and skill. The two, although strikingly similar, butt heads quite a bit with competitions of everything from grades to who can get a person to drop their pants the fastest. With the two of them ready to conquer the school year it's all a matter of Go Big or Home.

November came and let’s just say I was done putting off my final painting, So much in fact I finished it in the first two weeks. It took me some time, I stayed up late mixing paint and drinking coffee. It was hard for me to function properly during those weeks but I dare say it almost looks better than the previous painting. It took forever to get the translucent look of the water since this painting is pictured below the water instead of the top like the other two. The water is calm and at the bottom of the smooth sandy sea floor is the ship in the two previous paintings. It's beaten and has a few holes in it but it looks just as pretty. The sea water around it is littered with small patches of seaweed and schools of fish. But what really catches your eye is the full shadowed mermaid swimming her way over to the ship.

The painting is simplistic but scenereanic, simple colors but they’re mixed so well. I spent more time mixing the paint for this rather than the actual painting, well next to blending the colors at least... Hopefully it's enough to pass for nationals, but for now I need to focus on midterms. Thankfully I finished the paintings before December, but I wasted the first two weeks into November to finish a painting that should have been done the month before. Classes are easy to get through but hard to keep up in, especially if you're stressing which is what I am doing right now.

Usually I make whole study guides for each class but since I had a painting to finish I haven’t started making them. Not to mention my notes from the two weeks I spent painting aren’t as detailed as I need them to be. So now I have to go back and re-read the lessons to detail my notes before I can even think of putting them into the study guide. I also agreed to help Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook get ready for midterms. I usually make them color coordinated notes and mini study guides too, so that only adds to my list of things to do. After the original two weeks I only had one to catch up and re-organize before they let us out on fall break, which I will spend doing school work rather than hanging out with friends like I usually would.

As of right now, my desk at home is filled with nothing but paper as well as my trash can of failed drafts. My hand is cramping from all the writing and the endless coffee only does so much for my energy now. I scan down the paper in my hands as I walk to the kitchen to get myself yet another cup of coffee. It's the sixth draft of the english study guide for today.This morning I started with making the English study guide for the three Makanes. It took four of the six drafts to make it acceptable. So far in the paper, I made three grammar errors and the transition from one subject to the next doesn’t connect properly.

I poured my coffee into my mug, Taehyung made me when he dragged the group to a pottery class. None of us were really any good at it, we almost got kicked out when Namjoon accidentally bumped a stand making a few pieces fall and someone started a clay fight. I'm pretty sure it was Jimin but, then again anyone there could have done it and I would have not been surprised. I finish off what's all left in the pot and put my sugar and creamer into the cup. I stir it a few times before I slowly make my way back to my room. I just made it to the staircase when I heard the front door swing open, “LEE (Y/N)!” a voice I can safely say is Jin. I stand in place until he comes stomping around the corner.

“THERE YOU ARE!” He snaps, “What the hell do you think you're doing? Did you just suddenly forget that we have Thanksgiving to prepare for?” He sneers. My eyes widen and the coffee in my hand slips from my hand. “Oh shit” I gasped as I held my head in my hands. “Woah hey! Look, it's okay!” Jin panics, “I’m sorry Oppa, I’ve been behind in school and I’ve been trying to get back on track.” I whisper. I hear him sigh, “You're being ridiculous (y/n), you're ahead of the entire class. Even Namjoon is struggling to keep up with your panicked frantic studying.” Jin scoffs crossing his arms.

“Now I want you to go up stairs, take a shower, get dressed, and get your ass back down here so I can drag you back to my place so you can finally help me get ready for thanksgiving dinner,” Jin instructs sternly. “Yes, Oppa.” I mumble before trudging up stairs. I do exactly as he instructs and by the time I come back down Jin had cleaned up my spilled coffee and was waiting for me on the couch.

Jin led me out to the car and started to take us to his and Joons place, but he stopped to grab us a quick bite to eat. When we finally did reach his house it was empty, “I kicked Joon out so I could get you to focus properly.” Jin answered my unspoken question. I shot him an offended look but then I realized it was probably the best thing to do. “That's fair.” I mumble, kicking off my shoes and pulling off my coat. I follow Jin to the kitchen and wash my hands as he puts on some music.

Jin and I spend the afternoon prepping for thanksgiving. Since our families are never in town or out right doesn’t want to see us we have our own. Jin and I usually do the cooking, sometimes someone will come over a little early to help. But ever since Namjoon dropped the turkey one year he hasn’t been allowed in the kitchen since, and Jungkook cries trying to chop onions so we thought it was best if he stayed with Jimin to set the table. Yoongi or Hoseok usually help us in the kitchen, but Hoseok is too excitable and will do something wrong while Yoongi takes forever to get one task done. In the end it's alway me and Jin making dinner.

Jin and I start prepping the day before so we get everything done in time, I stay the night and we start cooking early the next morning. Jin and I start with main dishes, then sides, but we have our personal dishes we make for thanksgiving. We usually wait for the day of to make them, but I’m going to go ahead and make mine. I make three different cheesecakes for thanksgiving. I make a strawberry, cherry, and chocolate cheesecake and by the time the day ends they’re all gone.

I stay up later to finish them as Jin goes to bed, I put the last cake into the freezer before shuffling to Jin’s room. I usually sleep in the guest room but I just want the company. I haven’t left my house in almost four weeks. I push open the door and Jin lifts his head from his pillow with sleep still smothered onto his face. He doesn’t say anything, just scoots over and lifts the blanket. I shuffle closer and crawl into bed with him. He lets the blacket fall over me and loosely wraps an arm around me. I shuffle closer to him and settle close to his body soaking up the heat he gave off.

It was quiet for a while, I’m not sure how long but it felt like a long time. I glanced up at Jin's face, he’s handsome, and he knew it. But the way his face rests makes him look enchanting in a gentle way like watching the sun set slowly. “Jin Oppa?” I whisper softly, he hums in response, eyes still closed. I didn’t reply, just continued to watch him, Jin’s eyes slowly open. “What is it (y/n)?” He whispers, I bit my lip unsure why I questioned him in the first place. “If your going to ask me to fuck you, you can forget it.” He mumbles closing his eyes again. “I wasn’t.” I reply in a soft voice, “Are you okay?” he asks as his eyes open back up. “Yeah, I just miss the company.” I whisper, I see him relax and sink further into the bed.

“Then stop holding yourself up in your house,” Jin murmurs, “We miss you too you know.” He continues. “I love you guys,” I whisper, my voice cracking slightly as I feel hot, stressed tears escape my eyes. Jin doesn’t say anything as he pulls me closer, “It’s okay (y/n), It’ll be okay.” He mutters, running his hand up and down my back. I silently cry on Jin until it almost hurts, “We love you too.” Jin whispers as my breathing evens. I didn’t respond, just laid there, I don’t even remember closing my eyes as I woke up the next morning.

When morning came I woke up with a headache, but I still got up and helped Jin start cooking. We had four pots on the stove and three different things in the oven when Namjoon showed up with shin. They came in with donuts and coffee, true heroes. I hug Shin tightly and complement her cute sweater dress. Although she’s a bit embarrassed when I tell her at least half of us will show up in pajamas.

Shin offers to help once Jin and I have a donut and make our way back to the kitchen. My some grace of God Shin is great in the kitchen making the process faster. The rest of the boys start arriving as soon as the turkey goes in the oven, which is usually the last thing we cook.

Jin and I actually get to join the games before dinner while we wait, but we take turns checking on the turkey like we usually do. It’s just past two in the afternoon when the turkey finishes. Jungkook and Jimin set the table making room for one more plate so Shin could join.

As soon as the table is set all three of us carry the food to the table. Jin carries the turkey out last. I smile proudly as I see all the hungry faces. “Alright, who’s turn is it?” Jin asks. Ever since we started thanksgiving together we took turns cutting the turkey. Jin cut it our first year, Yoongi cut it the second, Hoseok, cuts it the third. “It's Namjoon’s and (y/n)’s” Yoongi answers. Namjoon and I were born the same year, so we have to share a turn.

“I swear to god if you drop the turkey I will gut you with this knife,” I threaten as I use the turkey knife to poak the air around him. Namjoon flenches and nods raising the turkey fork as protection.

Namjoon holds down the turkey as I cut portions into it, directing him every so often. After we cut the Turkey we started dishing out portions. I ran back to the kitchen to get the wine as everyone filled their plates. When I came back I smiled at Namjoon who made my plate for me.

I pour wine glass by glass until everyone has some. I then placed the wine on the table and sat in my spot at the table. Jin being the oldest gets to sit at the head of the table and I, being the oldest girl, or used to be the only girl, sat at the other end. Plus we both slaved over it all so that factored in too.

Jin stood from his seat and raised his glass. “Finally a year without something going wrong!” Jin sighs, tipping his head back dramatically. Jin sat down and Yoongi stood up and raised his glass, “To us, the family that sold their dignity to the devil for good looks,” He chimes before sitting. Hoseok stood up next, “ To us, because no one will ever be as entertained by us than us.” He grins before sitting down. Namjoon stood tall with a big dimpled grin, “To us, to my friends: shine you crazy perverted, alcoholic, weirdos.” He cheers before sitting down.

I stood from my seat and raised my glass, “To us, The poisoned youth,” I toasted before sitting back down. Jimin stood next, “To us, the family that we choose ourselves.” He cheers before sitting. Taehyung stood next, “To us, the group of parents that will embarrass our kids at every school function because of our fuckry.” He grins largely. Jungkook stood as soon as he sat down, “To us, because if you attack one of us you attack all of us.” He grins. Shin looked at her glass then over at me, I nodded at her to go.

“To us,” She squeaks, “The kind of people who I don’t understand their specific kind of crazy, but I admire their commitment to it.” she continues. Her statement caused a large grin to form on my face. “CHEERS!” I scream, the phrase is repeated by the group before we take a sip of wine. However, I’m one of the few who just downs it in one go. Including Yoongi, Jimin, and Jungkook.

The food is devoward, and I watch in humor as Jungkook downs his third glass of wine. “Psst, Shin.” He whispers loudly, a stupid but drunk smile on his face. “Don’t tell noona, but I think you're better in bed.” He giggles. I smirk on the edge of my glass as I watch Shin roll her eyes, “Thank you Jungkook, but I’m sure that's because you never actually fucked Unnie.” She replied.

“You're welcome,” He grins, too drunk to process her statement. “Hey (y/n)!” Jin called from the other end of the table, “Yes Jin?” I laugh at his overly excited face. “I finally figured out why no one but you finds my cheesy jokes and puns funny!” He exclaimed. I smile widely, I always liked Jin’s dad jokes. They are genuinely funny to me, much to the annoyance of the group of friends we had. Sometimes if Jin told a really good one he could pull a laugh from Hobi and a chuckle from Namjoon, but everyone else found them overly cheesy.

“And why is that?” I grin, fully prepared to egg him on. “They’re all laugh-tose intolerant.” He grins, Laughter bubbles up from my throat as I lean back in my chair to brace myself. A few groans fell from the men around us but a giggle fell from Shin’s lips. I grin even wider, “You all must not have a good sense of humor! Shin laughed!” I chide at the rest of the table.

Jin turned to Shin with a large smile, “I tell a lot of dad jokes but I don’t have kids. I guess I’m a faux pa.” He laughs loudly with his signature loud windshield laugh. Shin giggled harder as I covered my mouth so I wasn’t too loud. Once I managed to smother them a little I took a long ‘sip’ of my wine.

“Hey (y/n)?” Jin questions, I hum over the edge of my glass. “What did the grape say when he was crushed.” He asked, I shrugged as I started drinking the last of my drink. “Nothing, he just let out a little wine.” He grinned. I choked on what was left of my actual wine laughing. My reaction causes the table to erupt in laughter as I bang my fist against the table trying to breath.

“What did a drunk woman say to a man at the bar?” He asked once I calmed down, “What?” I giggled breathlessly. “Alcohol-you later.” He grins, I throw my whole body back to my chair as I laugh. My gut twisted at how hard I was laughing, “Okay! Okay! No more! My body can only take so much!” I laugh.

“One more! I’ve been saving this for you!” He grinned, “What happens to an artist when she has trouble finding inspiration?” He asks. “I swear if this is another french girl joke I’ll pee myself.” I sigh, “She draws a blank.” He finished. I laugh so hard I curl up into my seat.

“You guys are like...the worst.” Namjoon sighs, I grin over at him. “But we’re still friends.” I tease, “Friendship is so weird.” Taehyung pouts. He looks half asleep but he bolts up with vigor. “Like you just pick out random humans and say ‘Yes. I choose these. These are the humans I want to go on adventures with,’ “ he rants waving his hands.

“You say that like you aren’t human taetae.” I giggle, “AM I?” He questioned with wide eyes and raised eyebrows. “What if I’m not? What does that make me?” He gasps as he throws his hands up to chest feeling himself as he goes through his identity crisis. “I dunno an alien?” I shrug, It looked like I struck a bell as his face morphed into realization.

“Am I an Alien Noona?” He whispers harshly, eyeing the rest of the table as they watched with amused eyes. I lean forward, “Maybe. So let's not let anyone find out.” I whispered as I gave a mockingly serious face. He ate it right up though as he nodded and quietly leaned back in his seat looking guilty as hell.

The entire table snickers at Tae but he’s too drunk to actually notice. “Lee (y/n) everyone, the only person that could scare the devil himself!,” Hobi jokes, “I wouldn’t say that,” I giggle. “The devil and I get along just fine. Don’t we Namjoon.” I grin, Namjoon shot me a glare before giving me the finger.

“Don’t be so crass, We are at a family gathering!” I playfully scolded. “Oh yeah, because family’s fuck each other.” Namjoon chides. “Okay first of all we only do that on occasion but last time I checked the last time I fucked anyone at this table was when Jungkook had his birthday party!” I sneer. “Second of all, me and you both know this entire group isn’t officially labeled as anything. We’re a fuckfest of labels and I happen to like it that way because who needs labels anyway!” I snap glaring at him.

“And thirdly, as far as I’m concerned the only and last person I will probobly ever fuck at this tabled again is Taehyung because he pretty much guaranteed himself using his birthday command to have his turn with me!” I finished.

“DAMN STRAIGHT! I WANT MY FUCKING TURN!” Tae Shouts slamming his hands on the table. “THE FUCKING BABY OF ALL PEOPLE GOT TO HAVE HER! I WANT MY TURN!” He whines pointing at the dubbed baby who was nodding off until Taehyung aggressively pointes in his direction. The actions caused him to jump and sit straight in his seat looking around as if he’s missed something.

“Okay we get it! You're horny for your noona! We get it!” Yoongi sighs. Taehyung groans and slumps in his chair. “She’s right about one thing though,” Jimin chimes, “I like how we don’t have a label. Labels can be damned.” He smiles before sipping on his drink. “Fucking cheers!” I praise raising my glass in Jimin’s direction, he smirks and does the same before we both knock back our drinks.

“Hobi! Truth or Dare?” I question boldly, Hobi bolts at the opportunity. “Dare!” He answers, I smirk and raise my empty glass. “I dare you to get me another drink!” I chime, He groans before getting up. “I’m game! (y/n) truth or dare?” Namjoon pounces. “Truth,” I sneer.

“When we were at the aquarium what was your secret?” He questions, “Sensory, covered up their eyes so all they could do was feel what I was doing to them. Made them a sobbing mess after our teasing.” I recall. Namjoon nods his head enlightened.

Hobi comes back with my drink, I kiss his cheek when he leans down to put on the table. “Thank you Hobi.” I purr, causing him to chuckle. I wasn't that drunk but I definitely felt it.

“Shin truth or Dare?” Hobi asks, Shin jumped and looked at him. “Truth,” She said uncertainly, Hoseok smiles brightly. “What is your all time favorite position?” He asks, I roll my eyes at the question. Shin has a hard thinking look on her face, I guess it's because of the alcohol. “The one that has a leg out...but sometimes it's like way up in the air.” She slightly slurs as she draws out the word ‘way’. “I think I know what you're talking about.” Hobi giggles patting her head as he walks back to his seat. “My turn right?” she questions looking over at me and I nod.

“Ooh okay!” She giggles, clapping her hands excitedly. “Unnie! Truth or Dare!” She giggles bouncing in her seat. The table watches us amused. “Dare,” I challenge leaning forward in her directions daringly.

She pouts, clearly hoping I would go for truth. But her face lights up as if she’s had the best idea in her life, “I dare you to love me forever!” She demands slapping her hands on the table for good measure. Laughter broke out around the table, “Sure thing honey.” I agreed easily, she seemed overly pleased with herself as I did so.

“My turn!” Jimin sings, “Jin Truth or Dare?” He questions eagerly. “Dare!” He slurs, “I dare you…” We didn’t hear the rest of it as he whispers in Jin's ear. Jin eagerly agreed though, to whatever the sneaky gremlin planned. “Taehyung Truth or Dare?” Jin questions, “Truth,” the sleepy boy answers.

“Are you an Alien?” Jin asks, Tae shot up so fast it made me dizzy. It seemed to have made him dizzy too as he stumbled slightly. Jungkook who was asleep beside him wines at yet another disturbance sourcing from him. “I...I don’t even...NOONA!” He whines, as laughter fills the room. “No Taehyung you're not an Alien.” I aid.

Jimin whines at my answer, “Why’d you ruin it (y/n)?” He pouts as I can vaguely see him kick his feet under the table. “Was that your dare?” I scoff, “To get Jin of all people, to ask if Tae was an Alien?” I continue. “What's that supposed to mean?” Jin butts in, “yes it was, bite me.” Jimin snaps. “If I bit you, you’d cum in your pants horny bitch.” I jeer, “I have no shame in admitting that’s true.” Jimin chimes sticking his nose up as I roll my eyes.

“Next!” I call, ready to pass this subject. “Jimin Truth or Dare?” Taehyung asks spitefully, oh boy. “Dare,” he challenged, “I dare you to show up to midterms naked!” He sneers. A laugh ripped through me faster than I had time to mentally process. Jimin is visibly stunned, “Wait! Wait! Tae, that's not the rules! No one is allowed to do anything naked. He has to wear -something-” I stress through not only my laughter but the entire room’s. Taehyung sighs dramatically, “Fine” He wines. “I dare you to show up to midterms in nothing but your mom’s silky robe from Japan.” He revised.

More laughter filled the room as Jimin groaned. “Jungkook, your turn. Get up.” Tae nudged a once again sleeping Jungkook. The boy in question whined loudly, almost painfully. “Someone! Anyone! Just take me to bed!” He continues to wine. “Well I think that's our cue to wrap up dinner.” I laugh, “Jin and I will take him to bed.” I smiled walking over to the pouting boy who held out grabby hands once he heard my statement.

“But he has to help clean up!” Jimin chides, “Save some dishes for him, I’ll make sure he does them tomorrow.” Jin spoke up as he rose from his chair. Another rule for Thanksgiving: Whoever doesn’t cook has to clean up. I pull Jungkook from his chair but grunt when he lays all his weight on me.

Jin helps me drag him all the way to the guest bedroom, Jin throws him on the bed and I pull off his shoes before we leave him there. I yawn once I make it back to the group who are cleaning up. “I call dibs on sleeping with Jin tonight!” I call to them.

“Shin if you're staying I’m sure me and Jin can squeeze you in with us.”I smile, “And what about the rest of us?” Jimin calls. “I don’t know! You're grown up, figure it out!” I call back.

With that the three of us make our way to Jin’s room, blissful that we don’t have to deal with drunk clean up. I steal a T-shirt from Jin before I help Shin into one of his PJ sets. Jin changed into a T-shirt and sweatpants before he climbed into bed on the left side, I claimed the right as Shin snuggled into the middle.

All of shift until we’re comfortable, which ended up with Jin throwing an arm over shin which left it resting on my rib cage, My leg is wedged betweens shin’s resting up against Jin’s leg, and Shin’s back is pushed into Jin’s chest but her arms are wrapped around me.

All three of us fell asleep shortly after getting comfortable and I don’t think we even realized it until the next morning, So I say it's safe to say this has been one of our most successful thanksgivings so far.

<---- Prev // Masterlist // Next ---->

#kim namjoon x y/n #kim namjoon x you #kim namjoon x reader #ot7 x reader #ot7 #kim seokjin #min yoongi #jung hoseok #kim namjoon #park jimin #kim taehyung #jeon jungkook

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itsnicholasmc · 2 years

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Competitions, Comebacks, and a Coronation: 5 Things to be excited about in 2023

Deciding that two years of dragging ourselves through a pandemic wasn’t enough, the year 2022 said: "Hold my beer" and gave us the war in Ukraine, a cost of living crisis, more strikes than my ten-pin bowling game will ever see, and of course, the tragic death of Queen Elizabeth II.

We did get to enjoy the Lionesses brought football home at least. However, it is easy to feel cynical in times like these, but don’t despair.

Let's challenge the doom and gloom of the world with five things we should be excited about in 2023.

1. Peter Kay’s Tour Continues. After his emotional return to the stage in early December of 2022, the creator and star of Phoenix Nights and Carpool, will continue his tour of the UK. He will begin the New year at Liverpool M&S Bank Arena before visiting other cities, including Glasgow, Belfast, London, and many more.

Although tickets have been difficult to buy, do not fret, maybe you can get tickets for his shows in the Year 3000. I’m sure Busted mentioned it in their 2002 hit.

2. Eurovision comes to Liverpool. Sam Ryder’s Spaceman saw the UK finish in its best position since 1998 (Imaani - Where are you?). The UK finish second for a record 16th time, losing out to Ukraine. The winners usually host the following year’s events, but with the current war in Ukraine, the UK has been honored to host in 2023. Enter Liverpool. After putting forward a strong bid, Liverpool, the home of The Beatles was selected as the city to host the event in May.

Allez Allez Allez for the UK Entry?

3. King Charles III Coronation In September 2022 the UK was in national mourning after the death of Queen Elizabeth !!, thus bringing her glorious reign, which spanned over seven decades, to an end. This means King Charles has taken the reins and his coronation, with Camilla as Queen Consort, will take place in early May at Westminster Abbey.

Just remember to sing God Save the King from now on.

4. The Lionesses Take on the World. The Euro'scame home in 2022 when the Lionesses defeated Germany i nthe final, 2-1. Goals from Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly sealed the result. Legends were made in the Euro's, particularly Sports Personality of the Year winner: Beth Mead.

This time, Lionesses will travel down under for the Fifa World Cup with the hope and faith of the country behind them. Sarina Weigman remains unbeaten as England Head Coach since taking over the role in September 2021.

Can she continue her global dominance in July and bring the World Cup home? This is a definite must-watch in 2023.

5. The Doctor is… Who? Okay, this one could just be me geeking out, but David Tennant is reprising his role as Doctor Who for three episodes in November before handing over to Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa.

Russell T. Davies, the man who brought Doctor Who back onto our screens in 2005 before leaving in 2010 will also return as the show runner and we are all buzzing with anticipation. Since his departure we have seen two show-runners (Steve Moffat and Chris Chibnall) and three Doctors (Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, and Jodie Whittaker).

Whatever your thoughts on their performances save them for a Reddit or Twitter thread, there will be no conflict here.

And there you have it, five things to be excited about in 2023. Are you happy with the list? Did I miss something? Did I add something I shouldn’t have? Let me know in the comments below.

Oh… and have an amazing year.

#eurovision #eurovision 2023 #doctor who #david tennant #russell t davies #lionesses #fifaworldcup #2023 #newyear #peter kay #womens football #beth mead #king charles 3rd #coronation

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arndtezra · 2 years

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NaNoWriMo Diaries: Day 01

Today has been a slow day for writing fiction for me. For writing in general. I don't think I'm in a slump; my writing's just slow, is all. Sometimes, I get frustrated with myself for not churning out thousands of words like many of my peers. Don't get me wrong, having a sense of community is what keeps me going with writing year-round. There's just this special kind of personal hell I create for myself when National Novel Writing Month hits.

Yes, I could've told myself not to participate this year since it usually leaves me in a slump emotionally and mentally. But... but I really, really want to get this draft of Lost Gods, the first book in my grimdark fantasy series, done by the end of November---end of December at the latest. I've been working on this WIP for over a decade and it finally feels like it's time. Time to bring it closer to publication. (Plus, I've already bought a darkly delicious premade cover for the first book, so there. It's happening.) I want this with everything in my five-foot-four frame, so it's going to happen, dammit.

That is if NaNo doesn't eat me alive this year like it always does.

Anyway, I won't leave you all empty-handed so here. Have a snippet of a poem fresh off my keyboard (that is in no way related to my main project, but I digress).

ALT TEXT: "There's blood on my hands,/dripping down my arms as I hold my palms up to the sky./I beg of thee, O Lord, to spare this mortal creature from the depths of depravity./It is cloying and seductive and I don't know if I can fight its call."

#nano 2022 #nanowrimo #lost gods #writings #my writing #fiction #literature #writers #writers on tumblr #poets on tumblr #writing #writers block #creative writing #writblr #writer things #nanowrimodiaries

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kinetic-elaboration · 10 months

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December 8: Holiday Parties

As expected, I basically worked the first half of the day and then the rest was a wash of parties and procrastination. The library holiday party was nice. I usually experience a degree of anxiety about the gift-giving part, but this time was better, mostly because I was distracted through a lot of it, not in a bad way.

My gifts were very well-received by A, which was a relief, and also heartening because I did sort of get them at the last minute. I went with the safe option of the exact book title she asked for and then also a small notebook that seemed her style, and I was correct, she really, really liked it. And a card with a roller skating flamingo, also On Brand. My gift-giver, K, gave me an excuse to buy more jewelry (gift card to the jewelry place I like) and finally the last of my new Olav translations. A complete set entirely paid for by the library staff, how nice. Now I'm obsessed with them again.

L made snowmen jars as sort of party-favor things. I immediately broke the nose on mine (while trying to evangelize about the Olav books lmao) but gorilla glue saved the day. I think he'll be okay.

The food was sort of disappointing, I won't lie, but that was probably my fault for ordering the wrong thing.

In the later afternoon, a few of us stopped by the staff holiday party. It was...not very impressive. It was supposed to be National Lampoon themed, which a lot of people...judged I think because they either don't really know what the movies are and think they're bad, or don't want to admit that they're not (some people have no taste...! I like Christmas Vacation and the original and I shall not pretend I don't.). But nevertheless even people who side-eyed it were still eyeing it.

Ultimately I'd call it amateur hour though. I did go early and there weren't a lot of people, which might have been part of it--but a lot of people had left the building already because it was being held Friday at 4 and like... I came for 15 minutes just to see, but I leave at 4:30 and I won't stay late for a work event. I mean you've already taken enough hours from my week. So the low turnout was probably a function of the timing is what I'm saying.

But even beyond that... in the pre-Covid years, the event was a simple but classy affair. Lots of finger foods, quality drinks, fairy lights, and I think it started at 3. Then in 2021 they took us to an amusement park and a new bar was set. Nothing will ever match that but at least last year, though it was disappointing by comparison, it was decently put together. This was like... they put in an Eiffel Tower but didn't have room for it so it was only partway up. There were little jokey references to the movies (squirrel in a tree, jelly of the month bonus, inflatable turkey) but they were stretched out kind of randomly and just... all felt small. It felt small and random. I feel so mean saying that. I do think they tried. And I was much more sympathetic to this concept that a lot of people were. But it just sort of....made me sad.

I've been zoning out since I got home because I just can't deal with this level of people and activity. Now it's late though and I need to actually sleep. Especially if I want to actually get things done this weekend.

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khoicesbyk · 6 months

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The Royal Romance.

Forevermore.

A/N: this is the next chapter in the journey of my OTP. Follow along for the fun.

Rated: Mature (at times can and will be Explicit. I'll be sure to change the rating when and if that happens). | May contain sexual content and strong language. (You know? The usual. Y'all should be used to this from me by now 😁) | Bolded and/or italicized words are conversations and thoughts of the characters. | Main Characters: King Marquise Rys (LI) and Queen Shanelle Miller-Rys (MC) | All Characters and names: (except MC and original characters created by me and/or other authors [their characters have been mentioned and/or used in the story with their permission] ) are property of Pixelberry.

Current Word Count: 8,640 words. (may be slightly more or may be slightly less. Look, I stop counting after editing and re-editing and driving myself insane. 🤷🏾‍♀️)

If you’d like to be added to my tag list. Just reblog or dm me and I will gladly add you! 😁😘

This series is rated Mature and/or Explicit. It is NOT reading material that is safe for those under 18. Reader discretion is STRONGLY advised!

Missing a chapter or want to read a chapter again? I got you covered! Click ——> Here!

Tag List: @choicesficwriterscreations

Chapter 5.) Joy Of Winter.

It was a few weeks removed since his mother-in-law had gotten into a physical altercation with Countess Alicia. With many of the nobles beginning to take Lady Alicia’s side and wanting Shantel to be removed from her post. But Marquise knew better. And after the security footage of the fight was released, he had both ladies meet him in his office to discuss and remedy the issue.

“Good morning to you both. Thank you for joining me. Please have a seat.” he said to them both.

“Thank you for having us, Your Majesty,” Shantel replied.

“Yes. Thank you.” Alicia agreed.

“You’re both very welcome. Now that you both are here, we can get down to business. Apparently, you two have an issue that needs to be resolved. Now.”

Alicia huffed.

“There wouldn't be an issue, Your Majesty, if someone here had remembered her place.”

Shantel rolled my eyes.

“If by ‘remembered her place’ you mean that I should've remembered that I am a Duchess and you’re not, then yes you’re right I should have, and by doing so I should’ve had you thrown out of the palace.”

“You have no authority there!” Alicia sneered.

“No, I don't. But my husband, perhaps you know him, his name is Prince Damien Miller, he does. And so does my daughter. The Queen. After all, it is HER palace. Not yours. And certainly not your step-sister’s.” Shantel shot back.

“Your husband is a coward and idiot!” Alicia seethed.

“If by that you mean he chose better and by that I mean he chose me and not a bottom feeder like you. Then yeah you're so right he is.”

Alicia’s face contorted with disgust.

“Why you no good god awful Jezebel!” Alicia snapped at Shantel.

“You're still mad that he didn't want you then and still doesn't want you now!” Shantel spat back at her.

“Why you–” Alicia started to say before Marquise cut her off, “That is enough! Have some decorum! You’re both grandmothers for God's sake.”

Shantel raised an eyebrow.

“You know what? You're right, Your Majesty. We should know better. Especially me. After all, my sweet granddaughter is the Crown Heir. I have an example to set for her. I wouldn't want her to see me act like this.”

Alicia scoffed.

“This is why you are not and never will be worthy of your so-called title and station as Duchess. You think because you slept with Damien that you belong among us. You are nothing but a commoner. A low-brow American commoner at that.”

“Correction: you slept with him. And according to him, you were never really that good. Unlike you, I married him. I love him. Something you have always been incapable of doing.”

“Ladies!” Marquise warned.

“I don’t even know why I’m even here. We both know you'll do nothing but side with this sad excuse of a noble.” Alicia said to Marquise.

Marquise took a deep breath and straightened his spine.

“You're here because whether you like Shantel or not, whether you like the fact she is married to Damien or not, she is still an active member of The Royal Family. And you decided to put your hands on her. Knowing that it's against the law to do so.” Marquise said to Alicia.

“She started it!” Alicia protested.

Shantel rolled her eyes.

“Countess, with all due respect, I have seen the security footage and heard the accompanying audio as well. You antagonized her after she, my father-in-law, and Commander Devereaux were situated and settled into their rooms and when she snapped at you for your rudeness during dinner, you threw a drink in her face. Which ended quite badly for you.”

Alicia rolled her eyes and Marquise raised an eyebrow at her.

“Did you just roll your eyes at me, Countess?” he asked.

“Of course not. I'm not a heathen. Unlike some people.” she replied while gesturing to Shantel.

“I'm not so sure your actual husband, Earl Amos, would agree.” Shantel shot back at her.

“Ladies! Last. Chance.” Marquise warned.

The two women glared at each other but said nothing.

“Now this issue between you two needs to be put to rest permanently. You are both nobles of very high society, given you both have close proximity to King Dominic and Shantel has close proximity to myself and my wife.”

“So just what are you proposing, Your Majesty?” Alicia asked.

“After speaking with both of your husbands I let them decide what the best course of action is to take,” Marquise replies.

“And what did they decide?” Shantel asks.

“Your husbands decided that you two are going to work together.” Marquise replies.

They were stunned.

“What?!” Shantel asks.

“Excuse me?!” Alicia asked.

“Allow me to explain, because Shantel is the Education Minister, she needs a second in command. That's where you come in Alicia. Because as of this moment, per your husband's request, you are no longer Head Of Staff at the palace in Cloutier.”

Alicia blinked.

“What do you mean by his request?!” Alicia asks.

“What I mean is Earl Amos requested you be fired from your position as Head Of Staff for embarrassing and potentially jeopardizing his house, social standing, and name. And I will honor his request. Effective immediately. Instead, you will serve as Shantel’s second in command. Consider it fair and well…karmic punishment.”

Their jaws dropped.

“So you’re saying that I have to work for that?!” Alicia asked, gesturing at Shantel who rolled her eyes.

“Yes. This was the solution both men came up with and as King, I signed off on it.” Marquise replied.

“Unbelievable. I can not believe that no good coward would turn on me!”

Shantel shook her head.

“Next time pick on someone who can't fight. You know, like your step-sister?” Shantel quipped.

Marquise turned his attention to his mother-in-law.

“As for you madam, you said it best. Your granddaughter is the Crown Heir. And it is up to you to set the greatest example for her. And as her father and your King, I expect you to act like it. Now as far as Alicia working for you is concerned, I expect you to be a fair leader. Is that clear?” Marquise asks.

“Of course. She's not the first combative person I've dealt with in a workplace and she won't be the last.”

Alicia scoffed.

“This is humiliating! I shouldn't have to work with her!”

“Not work with her Countess. Work under her. She is officially your boss. But as she has just assured me, she will be fair. And I expect that you will be compliant.”

“And if I’m not? What then? You forget I’m protected by my brother-in-law.” Alicia asked.

“First of all, his detail does not extend to you. And hasn't extended to you since he lost power. And secondly, I could just forgo the solution and go with Damien’s original idea,” Marquise replies.

“What idea?” Alicia asks.

“That I strip you of your title and lands. That was Damien’s original idea. The only reason he didn't push harder for it is because of your grandchildren. He as well as your husband didn't think it would be fair for them to have to lose what's rightfully theirs because you want to be a 60-going-5-year-old.” Marquise replied.

Shantel snickered quietly.

“It's no wonder why many of the nobles don't respect you, Your Majesty. You let worms like her get away with murder, while you punish their betters for no reason.” Alicia sneered at him.

“Oh, I definitely have a reason. It's called I'm the King and this is my kingdom! Now if you’re that unhappy with how I rule and run things, you are free to live anywhere you'd like. Just know that it won't be here in Cordonia.”

Alicia huffed.

“Are we done?” Alicia asked.

“Get out of my office!” Marquise hissed at her.

Alicia got up and stormed out. Slamming his office door.

“Well, that was fun,” Shantel said.

Marquise raised an eyebrow at her, causing her to shake her head.

“I'll be fine, son.”

“I know. But I meant it when I told her that you would be fair. Do not make me look like a liar.”

“I would never do that to you. You know this. I know how hard you work to balance everything.”

“Good.”

“You know she's going to run and tell the first noble she comes across that you have been unfair to her right?” Shantel asked.

“I'm betting on it. But I've been in power long enough to know how to deal with these wealthy idiots.” he replies.

“What if she tries to gather enough support to oust you and my daughter?” she asks.

“Unless she can somehow convince the 5 heads of the Great Houses of Cordonia to support her cause, I doubt it. Also, Countess Madeleine, Duchess Kiara, Duke Bertrand, Duchess Olivia, and Duke Landon pledged their support to the crown when Khari was born and reaffirmed that pledge when my boys were born.”

“Madeleine took over for her mother?” Shantel asks.

“Mmhmm. Duchess Adelaide has kidney cancer on top of having Cirrhosis.” Marquise replied.

“Oh my God!” Shantel said with a gasp.

“Her health struggles haven't been made public yet, but due to her rapidly declining health, she quietly passed the duties as Head Of House over to her daughter when the boys were six months old.”

“Is it terminal?” Shantel asks.

“That I don't know. I do know that Adelaide is on the donor list. I also don't know how high up the list she is.” Marquise replies.

“Does my daughter know?”

“Yes. We went to see the Duchess a few weeks ago.”

“How can Madeleine be Head Of House if her mother is still a Duchess?”

“Her health. If a Head Of House ever falls gravely ill, they can pass their duties on to their heir. Maddy won't officially be Duchess of Fydelia until her mother officially passes.”

Shantel nodded.

Just then there was a loud commotion outside of Marquise’s office door.

“What in the world?” Shantel asks.

That's when Earl Amos Barbaroux came in with Countess Alicia hot on his heels.

“May I help you?” Marquise asked.

“Yes, yes you can. You can tell my so-called husband that the deal he made with Damien is off!”

The Earl rolled his eyes.

“Please my King, I apologize for intruding into your office. But my wife is being unreasonable.”

Alicia whirled around on him.

“Unreasonable?! You are trying to dehumanize me by forcing me to work for someone who is way beneath my station!” Alicia yelled at her husband.

“You don't have a station!” he yelled back at her. “I have a station!”

Shantel and Marquise looked at each other as Earl Amos took a deep breath.

“If it wasn't for me, you'd still be the same noble whore, that your parents passed around, family to family, until they found mine, specifically they found my father, and begged him to match us together!”

This left the King and his mother-in-law speechless.

“You—” Alicia started to say before her husband cut her off, “I have had to put up with you and your constant disrespect and condescendence for decades. And now is when I put my foot down!”

“Enough! Whatever the issue is or issues are between you two, will not and can not be solved by you two having a shouting match in my office. So if you two don't mind.” Marquise said to both of them while gesturing to his office door, “Thank you.”

Earl Amos nodded.

“Yes, you’re right Your Majesty. I apologize for my behavior towards you and Duchess Shantel.” he replied to Marquise before addressing Shantel, “ and speaking of you Duchess, I would also like to extend my sincerest apologies for my wife and her unbecoming and unscrupulous behavior towards you all these years. I have never been more ashamed or embarrassed.”

Shantel nodded.

“Thank you for your apology, Sir.”

Earl Amos gave her a small smile and nod before turning his attention back to his wife.

“His Majesty asked us both to leave his office. So let's go,” he said calmly to her.

Alicia crossed her arms as she glared at him.

“I am not going anywhere with you! You no good traitor!” Alicia sneered at her husband.

“Well, you’re certainly not going to be staying in my office all day so you and Earl Amos can both take your leave.”

Alica scoffed at Marquise.

“Countess, I will NOT repeat myself,” Marquise warned her.

Alicia huffed and began to turn on her heel. But not before saying one last thing to her husband.

“I should've had Edward kill you when I had the chance!”

The Earl scoffed.

“Well, now you can't. And until our youngest three children have finished their studies and are off to university, I am stuck living with a shrew of a wife better known as you.”

Alicia stood there with her mouth open as she watched her husband walk out. Then followed behind him not too long after.

“Well that was certainly eventful,” Shantel said to Marquise.

Marquise only shook his head.

“Too eventful.”

“What happened to them?” Shantel asks, “From all I ever heard he's been nothing but good to her.”

“He has. But she's never been any good to him.”

“But why? What has he done that she hates him so much?”

Marquise looked at his door for a moment.

“Off the record? The three youngest children he mentioned…aren't biologically his.”

“What?!” Shantel asked.

“Their biological father was a man Alicia had been having an affair with for years. He worked on her and Amos’s estate staff. And rather than risk the scandal of divorce, he's raised them as his own.” Marquise replies.

“Do you think their children know he's not their biological father?” Shantel asked.

“I doubt it. I don’t think he wants them to know.”

Shantel nodded.

“I can understand why. It would break his heart. Where is their biological father?”

Marquise exhaled slowly.

“You don't know this but your brother-in-law had him executed when the man threatened to go public about his and Alicia’s affair.”

“You're joking!”

Marquise shook his head no.

“Nope. And Edward made sure to have this man erased from all public records. And he even told Amos that he was to raise the children as his own until they became of age.”

“Edward, had every trace of him erased?”

“Yes. You forget he had A LOT of unchecked power then. No one would have questioned him then. It took me a while but I did find the man’s name.”

“What was it?”

“His name was Yohan. But that's all I have been able to recover about him.”

“Surely the man had a family.”

Marquise exhaled slowly.

“If he did, they were silenced by either execution or exile.”

Shantel shook her head.

“So is that all nobles do? Cheat on each other and drink themselves to death?” she asked.

“No. They also brag about their insane wealth and power while thinking it rivals mine.”

“And we both know your power is unmatched.”

“Exactly. So now that all that ugliness is over, how about I treat you to lunch?” Marquise asked.

“I would love to have lunch with you son-in-love.”

“Perfect!”

Later that night Marquise had caught Shanelle up on his very colorful morning.

“Alicia was cheating on Earl Amos?”

“Yes. For years. And she was able to get away with it.”

“How?”

“She knew he could never challenge her because all she had to do was run to either Edward or Genevieve and she'd be safe. So he knew it was safer to keep quiet.”

“Yikes!”

“Yeah.”

Shanelle took a sip of her wine.

“Now are you sure this Alicia woman working under my mom is a good idea?”

“Absolutely. I trust your mother, I especially trust in her judgment. I also trust that Alicia will remember that she has more to lose than gain if she defies the decision that was reached.”

Shanelle nodded.

“Now onto more exciting things. Like your graduation next week.”

Marquise snickered.

“I am so excited. I can't wait.”

“Same! We've been waiting for it and now it's here. How do you really feel?” she asked.

“Honestly, I’m relieved. It's been a long journey. But it's been worth it. And now by this time next week, I will have my degree in my hands. And then we and the kingdom will celebrate our favorite kingdom pastime.”

“I know I’m so excited. I love seeing the palace and the orchard all decorated. And it'll be the first Winter Festival that the boys will be able to participate in.”

“They were at the one last year.”

“They were with Nina all day. She kidnapped our boys.”

“Not that you minded my Queen.”

“True.”

“But you’re right. They will have a blast.”

“And of course, there's my favorite: the annual snowball fight.”

Marquise raised an eyebrow at his wife.

“What do you have planned for this year, my love?”

“Battle of the sexes!”

“You mean I get to throw a snowball at you?”

“No. It means you will finally be dethroned as the defending snowball fight champion.”

Marquise snickered.

“May the best team win my Goddess.”

“I know I will.”

Marquise rolled his eyes good-naturedly.

“Okay, boys! We have our snacks, our juice, and our chocolate milk! Now do you have your blankies?” Khari asked her brothers. Both boys held up their blankies.

“And you have your touchdown bears?”

The boys held up their bears.

“Alright! Let's hop in!”

All three climbed into the suitcase and shut it.

“Okay, boys! We gotta be quiet so Daddy doesn't know! So shhh!” she whispered to her giggling brothers. Who tried their hardest to quiet down so they wouldn't get caught. Sadly they were caught when their parents couldn't find them and looked all over the palace for them. But they discovered the suitcase they were hiding in.

“Babe?” Shanelle asked over her shoulder.

“Yeah?” Marquise replied.

“Is this one of your suitcases?”

Marquise looked at it.

“Yeah, but I never packed this one.”

“Then why is it closed?”

Marquise went to open it when he heard familiar giggling. He shook his head and started to chuckle.

“What's so funny?” Shanelle asked.

“I just figured out why we haven't been able to find the children.”

“What do you mean?”

“Take a listen.”

Shanelle leaned in and heard the same giggling.

“No, they didn't.”

“Yes, they did.”

Shanelle shook her head with a smile.

“Let's play along.”

Shanelle nodded.

“There's my suitcase! I've been looking all over for it!”

“Good, I'm glad you found it. Now you and my dad can go on your trip.”

“Yup now let me just zip it up.”

The giggling intensified when he zipped up the suitcase.

“Say, my love, have you seen the children?” he asks.

“No, I can't say that I have,” she replied.

“Oh well! I'm sure we'll see them before I leave.”

Marquise picked up the suitcase and carried it down with the children giggling inside and him and Shanelle snickering the whole time. When they got to the main hall where Shanelle’s parents were waiting they heard the giggling.

“What in the world is going on?” Damien asks.

Shanelle told them and asked them to play along.

“Well, Your Highness. I believe we're ready to leave.” Marquise said to Damien.

“Yes, my King. It seems that we are ready. It's just I haven't seen the kids. Shantel and I looked everywhere for them.”

“Y’know that's funny! Their mother and I were just saying the same thing.”

“Where could those kids be?” Shantel asked.

Shanelle just shook her head laughing softly. That's when Margo walked up.

“Are you ready to leave my King?” she asked Marquise.

“Yes. We will be leaving shortly. Do me a favor. Take a listen to the suitcase.”

Margo took a listen and heard her grandchildren giggling.

“Why are they in the suitcase?” Margo asked.

“Because apparently, they think they're going with me. So we're playing along.” Marquise whispered.

Margo nodded.

“Mama, since you’re here have you seen the children?” Marquise asked.

“No, I haven't. I thought they were with you and their mother.” Margo replies.

“No. No one has seen them. Damien and I can't leave without saying goodbye to them. Oh well! Let me take my suitcase and Damien and I can take our leave.”

“That's an unusually large suitcase, my son. What do you have in it?” Margo asked.

“You know I don't remember what I packed in it. Let me check.”

Marquise opened the suitcase and there were his children and their giggling.

“There you are! What are the three of you doing in my suitcase?” Marquise asks.

“We don't want you to leave so we're going with you Daddy,” Khari replied.

His heart exploded as he helped them out of the suitcase and sat down with them.

“My love you know you and your brothers can't go with me.”

“But!” Khari pouted.

Marquise put a gentle finger to her lips.

“My love. I love you and I love Zyon and I love Kylo. But you three are too young to go with me.”

“But we don't want you to go Daddy.”

“I know you don't. I won't be gone long.”

He hated seeing the looks on their little faces.

“I'll see you three Thursday.”

“It's not the same Daddy,” Khari said, shaking her head sadly.

“Dada…” Zyon whined.

Marquise took a deep breath.

“If it's one thing you three know how to do perfectly, it's tugging at Daddy’s heartstrings.”

He gathered the three of him in his arms.

“I love you. I love each of you. I don't like to leave you but sometimes Daddy has to. But I promise I will never ever be gone for very long.”

Marquise looked at his children and smiled before clearing his throat and singing softly.

“Come now my sweet babies please don't cry. Let's wipe those tears from your eyes. Let's see those smiles so they brighten up the day. Always remember no matter what, Daddy is never too far away.”

He held his children close before Kylo looked up at him then went and grabbed his blankie.

“Blankie!” he said as he held it up to his father.

“You want me to take it with me?” Marquise asked.

Kylo’s only answer was a smile.

“Thank you, my love. I will take great care of it.”

Zyon followed suit by giving his father his touchdown bear.

“My! I'm being spoiled today. Thank you.”

He held his two boys close to his chest.

“My two sweet loves. I love you both more than I could ever tell you. I will see you both soon. I won't be gone for long.”

He kissed them both on their foreheads before sending them to their mother and turning his attention to his daughter.

“Come here, my love.”

Khari stood in front of her father with a sad look on her face.

“Are you mad at me Daddy?” she asked.

“Never. You are allowed to feel whatever it is you feel. I could never fault you for that.” he replied.

“So I’m not in trouble?”

“No. You and your brothers kinda gave yourselves away when you first started giggling. We couldn't help but play along.”

“You knew that we were in the suitcase the whole time?”

“Yes, my sweet one. We did. Your mother and I couldn't help but play along.”

“Oh…” Khari said dejectedly.

Marquise tilted his head before gently tilting her chin up.

“You have no idea how much I adore you. I adore the way you love your little brothers. I know why you feel the way you do. I used to feel that way whenever my mother had to leave for a short period.”

“Really?” she asked.

“Yes. When I was 8 years old, Mother had to go on a leaders fellowship to Namibia for three months and I missed her terribly. Every day I would ask everyone on her staff when she was coming back.”

“You did?” Khari asks.

“Ohh yes. Every single day until your grandmother returned.” Margo replied.

Khari giggled.

“My point is I know what it feels like. I know you don't want me to go but I have to. It will only be for a few days.”

Khari looked down at the ground. He pulled her close to him.

“Do you know what happens next Saturday?” he asked her.

“Your graduation?” she replies.

“Yes. Do you know why I’m excited about it?”

“Because you worked really hard for it?”

“Yes. But that's not why I’m excited about it.”

“Then why Daddy?”

“Because you and your brothers will be walking across the stage with me when I get my degree.”

Khari perked up.

“We will?”

“Yes. I asked if it would be okay and the committee I spoke to agreed.”

Khari nodded.

“Look at me, my love.”

Khari looked up at her dad.

“I will only be gone for a few days. I know you’re sad but we’ll be together again on Thursday.”

“You promise Daddy?”

“I swear it on my heart, my life, and my soul. I will never be away from your side for too long.”

Khari chewed her bottom lip and then nodded.

“Okay.”

Marquise wrapped his daughter in a loving hug as he stood up.

“I love you, I adore you. My sweet beautiful Princess.”

Khari gave him a big kiss on the cheek.

“I love you too Daddy. I'm sorry we tried to trick you.”

“No need to apologize, my love. Now go to your mother. Okay?”

Khari nodded.

“I will call you and your brothers tonight okay?”

“Pinky promise?” she asked, holding up her pinky.

“Pinky promise,” he replied, hooking his pinky to hers.

With a soft kiss on her forehead from her father Khari was at her mother’s side. Marquise stood up and looked to his father-in-law.

“Your Highness, NOW we can leave.”

“Of course,” Damien replied with a small chuckle.

With final goodbyes to their loved ones. Marquise and Damien were soon on their way to the airstrip. Once in the air Marquise silently became curious about his children’s plan to go with him.

“Something on your mind son?” Damien asked.

“Just wondering where Khari got the idea to pack herself and the boys in a suitcase,” Marquise replies.

Damien chuckled.

“From me. It's an old story that I told her when she asked me if her mother had ever gotten into big trouble as a child.”

“What do you mean?” Marquise asked.

“Shanelle was 4 years old when she didn't want me to leave on a trip home. So she packed herself into my suitcase and fell asleep.”

Marquise snorted.

“And I nearly missed my flight because Shantel and I couldn't find her.” Damien replied.

Marquise nodded with a smile.

“I guess she thought she’d succeed where her mother failed.” Damien quipped.

“She would have if she and the boys weren't giggling so much.”

Damien simply nodded with a smile.

His Majesty and Prince Damien’s US trip began when they touched down in Tennessee. There they were taken across the state line into Kentucky, where they visited His Majesty’s Bourbon Distillery. They toured the facility and even got to taste the special holiday blend. As well as touring the four adjacent horse farms. That's where His Majesty got the idea for the name of the distillery. Terre de Chevaux. Which means Land Of Horses.

That night he called to check in with his children.

“Hello, my little ones! I miss you so much.”

“We miss you too Daddy. How is your trip?” Khari asked while holding the phone so her brothers could see.

“It's been fun. I toured the distillery and the horse farms around it and do you know what I found out?” Marquise replied.

Khari shook her head no.

“I met some of the horses. And I learned their names.”

“What are their names?”

“One is named Esther after my grandmother. Another is named Victor after my uncle. And the last one is named Ellie.”

“Like Grandmother?”

“Exactly my love.”

“Wow! Will we get to meet them, Daddy?”

“I hope so.”

“Where do you go next Daddy?”

“I will go to the capitol in Washington D.C. tomorrow, where I will get to speak to Congress, and then your grandfather and I will be in Boston. Where I will see you three Thursday.”

“We can't wait! Right boys?” Khari asked her brothers who were trying to take the phone from her.

“It's time for bed my loves.”

“Okay, Daddy. We’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“I love you all. So much.”

“We love you too! Right boys?”

Later after putting their children to bed, Shanelle had a quiet conversation with her husband.

“Finally! They're all down for the count.”

Marquise snickered.

“I miss you. You know that right?”

“Yeah, I know. I miss you too, handsome. But like you told the kids we’ll see each other Thursday.”

“Indeed we will. It's amazing that we’ve been to Boston twice in one year.”

“I know you should go play the numbers while you’re in the States.”

Marquise snorted.

“Yeah sure I will.”

Shanelle let out a small yawn that she failed to hide.

“Go to bed, my Queen. I'll text you in the morning.”

“Alright. Goodnight Handsome.”

“Goodnight my Goddess.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too Shanelle.”

“Good Morning everyone! My what a dream come true this is for me. I actually get to speak to Congress as a whole. If only my Poli Sci professor could see me now.”

“I haven't been here in a few years. It's good to see them.” Damien said as he laid the flowers on each grave.

“Thank you for bringing me here. Shanelle talks about them all the time. Especially your former mother-in-law.”

Damien snickered.

“Yes. Mom is where Shanelle gets her personality from. That Jamaican fire runs through my daughter's veins.”

“And mine,” Marquise added.

“I've missed you three so much,” he said as he hugged them.

“We've missed you too Daddy! How has your trip been?” Khari asks.

“It's been good but it's better now that you three are here. And just like I promised you, we’re together again. And you and your brothers can explore the house.” Marquise replied as he led his family into the living room. “But before that, I believe I have a few items to return.”

He pulled out Kylo’s blanket and Zyon’s bear.

“I believe that these belong to the two of you.”

Later that night after a big dinner and getting his children off to sleep. His Majesty went to check on his mother who was just settling into her bed.

“Are you alright Mama?”

“Yes, my love. I'm fine. I am perfectly happy.”

“Happy eh?”

“Yes of course my son. By this time Saturday, you'll have your Doctorate in hand. And will be able to display it in your office back home.”

Marquise chuckled.

“It means the world that you’re here with me.”

“It means the world to be here. To represent our kingdom and our family.”

“It's funny. I look around this room and I can't help but miss Papa. I wish he could be here.”

Margo took his hands in hers and looked at him with a warm smile.

“I know you do, my son. The last time I was here was with him when you earned your bachelor's degree. He would be thrilled to see you earn your Ph.D. As a matter of fact, the whole flight he would've had the children in stitches and excited about your graduation. But it's just Papa that you miss is it?”

Marquise took a deep breath.

“No. My heart aches for her. I miss her. I wish she could be here as well.”

“She is here my love. She's so incredibly proud of the man you have become. She would be filled with such pride at all you have accomplished in your life. And so would Papa. They look down from heaven with smiles as bright as the sun and as wide as a Cheshire Cat.”

Marquise shook his head with a smile before kissing her forehead softly.

“Thank you, Mama. You always know what I need.”

She kissed his cheek.

“I'm your mother. I will always know what you need.”

“Get your rest, Mama. I'll see you in the morning.”

Margo smiled at him as he left the room and returned to the master bedroom where his wife was. He climbed into bed with her and wrapped himself around her.

“My big ass baby.”

“I've missed you.”

“I've missed you too but you are way too heavy. Now get off of me.”

Tried as she might, but Shanelle could not get him off of her.

“Marquise…I…can’t…breathe! Get off me!”

He finally let her go.

“Big ass creep!” she said as she caught her breath.

“Your big ass creep. Thank you.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

She snuggled into him.

“How are you feeling?” she asks.

“Relieved. It'll all be over soon. All the hours of study and presentation and research will have all paid off.”

“Mmmhmm. And soon you will officially be a Doctor and a King.”

Marquise snorted.

“Very funny.”

“You love me.”

“Indeed I do. I will say I can't wait to see our children walk the stage with me.”

Shanelle shook her head with a smile.

“Their little cap and gowns came the day after you left. So Khari has been teaching the boys how to walk the stage.”

“Please tell me you got it on video.”

Shanelle handed him her phone.

“See for yourself, Your Majesty.”

Marquise watched as his daughter tried to teach her brothers how to walk a graduation stage in hilarious fashion.

“Well…she tried.”

“Yup. They are cute though.”

“Very,” he said with a small smile.

As he lay in bed with his wife, Marquise became contemplative.

“Penny for your thoughts?” she asks.

“My thoughts are worth more than all the literal gold in our vault. But since it's you, sure,” he replied.

“What's really on your mind? Is it your mother?” she asks.

Marquise sighed.

“Yes. I can't help but wish she was here. I can't help but want her to be here. I want to see her celebrate with you, Margo, and your parents. And I want to see her standing behind our children. Cheering them on.” he paused to clear his throat, “You would think that after 26 years my heart would have healed itself by now. But it hasn't. That void in my heart is still there. That need to see her, to be around her, to be able to hold her hand or hug her is still there. I just hope to God that I've made her proud.”

“I know it is. And I know in my heart that you have made her proud. Everything that you've accomplished in and with your life has made her proud. This is just another accolade to add to the list of things that she's proud of you for.”

He kissed her forehead softly.

“Thank you, my love.”

“It's what I’m here for.”

He smiled at her as he held her close.

“I am so proud of you, my love. So proud! You've done it, my boy! You've really done it!” Margo said proudly.

“Thank you. I'm still in shock but I am so thankful to have you here. By my side, to celebrate with me.”

“My love, there is nowhere on this earth that I’d rather be. I got to watch you achieve yet another one of your dreams.”

Marquise closed his eyes and laid his forehead against hers.

“Look at me, son.”

He looked at her.

“I wholeheartedly believe that Eleanor is jumping for joy right now. She is elated that her son is not only a King but he's also now a Doctor. You are her greatest dream come true. Her smile is as bright as the sky and as wide as a canyon. And so is Papa. You know he is in heaven just bragging about his boy doing it yet again. Telling every angel he comes across that his son has become a Doctor.”

He pulled her close.

“Thank you. For every single thing. I would not be where I am, I would not be the man I am, without you. Please don't ever forget that.”

“I never have and I never will my son. Now go celebrate my love. Go on.”

Later that night after hours of celebrating with his family. He spent time with the one he loves most, his wife. They were nestled together on the couch in the living room.

“I'm so proud of you. You know that right?” she asks.

He placed a sweet kiss on the palm of her left hand.

“I know. You've been one of my biggest cheerleaders throughout all of this. When I wanted to stop or give up you told me to keep going. Or else you'd slug me.” he replies.

Shanelle snorted.

“Mission accomplished.”

Shanelle took a look around the room.

“Our story began right here. In this house. On this couch because someone’s big ass pulled his hamstring racing a bunch of teenagers.”

He punched her.

“Ow!”

“That's what you get!”

“Jerk!” she hissed.

“Chicken, shrimp, or goat?” he asked.

“You're lucky I love you.”

“I really am. Because at the time we got engaged, there was a part of me that feared you would've turned me down.”

Shanelle took a deep breath.

“Please don't hate me for this.”

“For what?” he asked.

“There was a part of me that wanted to tell you no. A HUGE part. I wanted to run away from you and not look back.” she replied.

“Why didn't you?” he asks.

“Because I love you. That's why. I couldn't let you go even when my brain was screaming for me to do so. You showed me what true love is. You made a promise that you have never broken. You promised to love, protect, and nurture my heart and my love. And you have constantly and consistently kept that promise.” she replies.

“And I always will. If you don't believe anything else from me, you can believe that.”

Shanelle smiled at him as they continued to enjoy a quiet moment together. Once back in Cordonia, planning for the Winter Festival kicked into high gear. Crews worked overtime making sure every detail was perfect and to Shanelle’s exact specifications. All the while Marquise had plans of his own.

“Come with me,” Marquise said to Logan.

“Where we going?” he asks.

“It's a surprise. Trust me you'll like it.” Marquise replied.

“Nope! You know I don't like surprises unless I’m in on them. So where are we going?” Logan asks.

“I'll show you when we get there,” Marquise replied through clenched teeth.

“Ohhhh…okay Uncle Scar.”

“Shut up and move Simba.”

Marquise led Logan to an elevator and used a keycard to enter.

“Well, this is spooky…”

“Get in the elevator Logan.”

Logan shot him a suspicious look before he and Marquise got into the elevator.

“Okay. I'm in the elevator. Now what?” Logan asks.

“Now we go down to the basement,” Marquise replied.

“To your dungeon?” Logan asks.

“No. That's on the other side of the palace. And you'd have no access to that. But this is something else.” Marquise replies.

They rode the elevator down and got off when it dinged. Once out of the elevator, they walked down a hall to a door with a keypad.

“What's behind the door?” Logan asks.

Rather than answer, Marquise smirked and then slid his keycard to open the door. When the door opened, Logan’s jaw dropped.

“Welcome to my newest toy.”

“What is it?” Logan asked.

“This is my brand new laser tag arena,” Marquise replied.

“Laser…tag…arena?!”

“That's what I said.”

“Dude! When the hell did you have time to do all of this?” Logan asks.

“Construction started back in May. And was completed after the boy's birthday. But it's still not quite ready yet.” Marquise replies.

“What do you mean?” Logan asked.

“It hasn't been tested…yet,” Marquise replies.

That's when Logan’s grin widened.

“And who's going to be brave enough to test it out, sire?”

“Why we are, my good man!”

“Man! Let's go!”

The two suited up and spent a few hours laughing and having a good time in the arena. When they left both were buzzing.

“That was amazing. Thank you for sharing it with me. Even though you cheated half the time.”

Marquise snorted.

“You're welcome. And thank you for coming. I'm glad you had a good time.”

“I can't wait to tell my wife about it.”

“As long as you don't tell the children. I want it to be a surprise for them.”

“My lips are sealed, Your Highness.”

When they got to the common area, their wives were enjoying a glass of wine.

“And just where have you two been the past few hours?” Shanelle asked them.

“Out.” They both reply.

The wives looked at each other.

“Uh-huh. You two went to check out Marquise’s laser tag arena, didn't you?” Bronwyn asks.

The men's jaws dropped.

“How do you know?!” they asked.

Bronwyn answered by pointing to Shanelle.

“How do YOU know?!” they asked.

Shanelle shrugged.

“I might've accidentally stumbled upon the construction site one day.”

“You mean you were being nosy?” Marquise asks.

“It is my job to be,” Shanelle replied.

Marquise groaned.

“Relax. Your kid doesn't know. I haven't told her.”

Marquise visibly relaxed.

“I can't keep nothing from you, can I?” Marquise asked.

“Nope. Now move it, you two. We have a Winter Festival to get ready for tomorrow.” Shanelle replied.

“Alright, Brayden. We got a big job.”

“What's that?” he asked.

“We gotta beat your dad and brother in the race,” Marquise replied.

“Yeah yeah! Go super fast!”

“And do you know what we win when we win?” Marquise asked his nephew.

“What uncle?”

“Bragging rights my boy! Bragging rights!”

“Yay!”

“So ready…set…”

“VRRRROOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM!”

“And we're off!”

While the dads and the boys enjoyed the snowmobiles, Shanelle took the girls ice skating out on the frozen pond.

After riding around on snowmobiles it was time for the main event, the annual snowball fight. That both royals were determined to win.

“Any last words before I take your title, Your Majesty?” Shanelle asked her husband.

“Keep dreaming woman!” Marquise replied with a smirk.

“I am so going to enjoy this!”

“You enjoy losing?…how very odd.”

Once the trash talk was done, the whistle was blown and the fight was on. It was a battle of giggling proportions. With trying to take out one another.

“Will you hold still?!” Shanelle shouted at her husband.

“Why? So you can hit me?!” he replied.

“Yes!”

“No!”

“Uh, Logan?” Sam asks.

“Yeah?” Logan replied.

“How many of those have you had?” Marquise asked, pointing to the pint in Logan’s hand.

“Including this one?” he replied before downing the rest of the pint, “eight.”

Sam and Marquise looked at each other.

“You've had eight pints of Skullcracker Ale? Are you nuts? That stuff is powerful!” Marquise asked.

“Yeah, I know. Who knew you Europeans could make a strong ale?” Logan replied before grabbing an ax, “Now let's really have some fun!”

“Oh Dear God…” Marquise groaned.

“If he hits either one of us…” Sam warned.

“Noted.”

Sam and Marquise stood way back and watched Logan toss the axe and wildly miss his first target.

“Missed it by an inch. Let me try again.”

Logan tried again with Sam and Marquise looking on.

“How long are you going to let this go on?” Sam asks.

“Until either he runs out of steam or they run out of axes,” Marquise replied.

“Which one is more likely to happen?” Sam asks.

“They run out of axes,” Marquise replies.

“So we're gonna be here a while?” Sam asks.

“Yup so settle in my friend,” Marquise replies.

Later that night after the Winter Festival had concluded, His Majesty told his wife what had happened at the ax throwing booth.

“Logan had how many pints?” Shanelle asks.

“You heard me. He had eight pints of Skullcracker Ale.” Marquise replied.

“How did you let him drink that many pints?”

“First of all, I didn't let him do anything. He was already halfway through his eighth one when I got there. And second, saying you’re great friends with the King will get you anything in this kingdom. Including eight pints of Skullcracker Ale. Especially when the limit is four pints.”

Shanelle groaned.

“That hangover is about to be epic.”

“Oh yeah. He's gonna be feeling it for days. But thank goodness there's a hangover cure.”

“I can only handle three pints of Skullcracker Ale. I don’t know how Logan managed to drink eight of them.”

“Because he has an iron liver?”

Shanelle snorted.

“That's for sure.”

“And how are you, my love? What was the final tally?” he asks.

“I'm good. I'm exhausted. Today was so much fun. And the money raised during the silent auction was enough to fund the Children's Fund. All in all, it was a great day. People had fun and that's all I care about. It's why I do this every year.”

“I know and you do a brilliant job at this if I do say so myself.”

“Careful Your Majesty. Your personal bias is showing.”

“So? I'm allowed to brag about and celebrate my beautiful wife’s accomplishments all I like. Thank you very much.”

“Fine. Just one question.”

“Hmm?”

“What are we doing for Christmas?” she asks.

“How about somewhere tropical?” he replies.

“Works for me!”

“I shall make our Christmas arrangements post haste.”

“Yay!”

Just then there was an urgent knock at their bedroom door.

“Who in the world is that?” she asks.

“I'll go find out,” he replied.

When he got up and answered the door, there was an attendant on the other side.

“Yes?” he asked as he stepped outside.

“Apologies for the disturbance this late Your Majesty but there is news out of Earl Amos’s house.” the attendant replies.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Earl Amos Barbaroux is dead.” the attendant replied.

“What?!”

“He was stabbed to death in his office.”

“What?! By who?”

“Lady Alicia, sire. From what I have been told they got into an argument and she stabbed him in the chest with a letter opener. Repeatedly.”

“Where is she now?”

“An arrest warrant was issued for her but she's taken refuge at the old palace but that's all I know at the moment.”

Marquise groaned.

“Great…thank you for informing me. Please keep me informed of any further details.”

“At once sire.”

When Marquise entered the bedroom, he had an annoyed look on his face.

“What's that look for?” Shanelle asks.

“Earl Amos is dead,” he replied.

“Lady Alicia’s husband?”

“Yes. She stabbed him to death.”

“What?! Why?”

“I don't know yet. But I will find out. Just not right now.”

“What happens to his estate in the meantime?”

“It goes to their oldest daughter.”

“Do you know where she is now?”

“Hiding out at your palace to avoid arrest but that's as far as I've gotten.”

“She won't be there for long. I'll put the call in to have her removed from the property. I will NOT be sheltering her.”

“You're not. Her step-sister is.”

“I don't care about her step-sister. Genevieve can kiss my whole ass. Alicia’s gone as early as tomorrow morning.”

Marquise smirked.

“So says the Queen.”

“So shall it be.”

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