#i'm getting close to the three-year mark and from my observations that tends to be where your changes do still happen...

[666writingcafe]

Leviathan

General Content Warning: nsfw of the smut variety, kinda out of character Levi

Specific Content Tags: cursing, slight dirty talk, making out, demon tail sex

Author's Note: the actual smut occurs under the line of three ۞

When buying a collectible item, you want to buy at least two: one to display, and one for personal use.

The bottle of Gold Hellfire Newt Syrup that Mammon stole was to be my display, since it was in pristine condition, whereas the other one has a slight scratch on it.

Needless to say, I'm pissed. And incredibly horny, but mostly pissed. I'm not used to feeling this way, and it's a bit frightening. Don't get me wrong, I get urges from time to time, but it's usually from watching or reading something erotic. Until now, I've not wanted to pound into something--or someone--in order to relieve tension.

A knock on the door startles me from my search for something to watch.

"Password," I reply out of instinct.

"Seriously, Levi?!" Shit. It's MC. "How am I supposed to know what your current password is?"

"You're right." With that, MC opens the door and steps inside. Seeing them away from everyone makes me feel like I'm going to melt at any moment.

"Stop right there!" I instruct once the door's closed again. "Don't move! Not another step closer!" The mix of arousal and anger intensifies inside me upon seeing the marks my brothers left on their skin.

"Do you want to be feeling this way for the next two hundred years? I'll probably be dead by then, and you'll be out of luck." As much as I hate to admit it, they got me there. It's not like I'll allow Solomon to make a pact with me any time soon.

"Look, I don't want to lose control of myself and make an unwarranted move on you!" No response from MC as my brain begins spiraling. "What if I start acting like Asmo, all lewd and taken over by lust? I don't want to hurt you, MC. You're one of the only friends I have!"

"And as your friend, it is my duty to help you whenever you're in trouble." They're quoting Henry. They're quoting Henry.

"What are you going to have me do?" The words come out in a whisper. I know that the quickest way to get over this is to have MC give me an order, but that could mean anything. A wicked smile develops on MC's lips.

"My request is simple: tell me what you want to do to me, and then do it."

۞۞۞

The wave of emotions that overcome me after hearing the order initially prevent me from moving. There are so many things that I've imagined that I've kept from MC until now, and I don't want to reveal something that would have them leave me in disgust.

The anticipating look in MC's eyes forces me to settle on an idea, one that I've had for a while.

"The door isn't stable enough." I don't realize the thought's slipped out of my mouth until MC steps away from it, amused.

"Where would you like for me to be?" I glance over at the only bare wall in my room, the one that faces my computer desks. Taking the hint, MC walks over to that side of the room. They then turn to face me, waiting for my next move.

"I'd like to pin you up against the wall," I state softly. The second half of MC's order makes me walk quickly towards them. MC's back and my hand hit the wall at the same time.

"I didn't realize you were quite so tall," MC observes, looking up at me.

"That's because I tend to slouch." I allow myself a moment for my heartbeat to slow down a bit. Yes, there was that one time where we made out, but that happened in the heat of an argument. This, on the other hand, is quite deliberate, and it's making me nervous.

"When you're ready, would you like to kiss me?" Okay, now MC's not playing fair.

"Yes." I lean my head down and do just that. The simple kiss quickly progresses to something more intense, and soon we're wrapped around each other, passionately making out.

It's not until I feel MC grab my horns that I notice that I've shifted forms. However, this works to my advantage.

I stop kissing MC and take a step back, allowing them a moment to catch their breath.

"Take your clothes off." There's a part of me that's surprised that I stated that as a command, but at this point I'm too needy to really care how I sound. Once MC's completely bare, I explain,

"I've had this recurring dream that I make you cum with my tail." MC's eyes appear to light up in response to my statement. I didn't realize they would be into that sort of thing.

"Of course, I don't shove it in all at once."

"That would be painful," MC replies.

"Exactly. First, I allow my tail to trail along your body so that you can get used to how it feels." MC shivers as my tail moves and hits sensitive spots.

"Then, I have the tip tease you for a bit before it enters inside you." Their breaths become shallower, and they lean their head back as they close their eyes.

"Have you done this before, Levi?" MC asks.

"I tried to once."

"What happened?"

"As soon as I suggested it, they slapped me across the face and ran away."

"What a bitch."

"I realize that now."

"You should have realized it then. They didn't deserve to have you make them feel this good." MC gasps when my tail enters them. I give it a few inches before sliding out again, and soon my rhythm is set.

"I've been missing you ever since you left," I tell MC. "Every single day."

"Even though...I'm a normie?" Their voice is a little shaky, but I suppose that's to be expected.

"You're not, though. You're my Henry."

[rowanhawthorne22]

Progress Update 01 - Character Introductions

This is progress update 01 for my novel. I'm writing it for my master's classes at SNHU. To date, I have an intro, the first chapter, and half of the second chapter. I'm writing this blog to keep my shit in order and my brain on track and free of thoughts. Additionally, earning a following pre-publication seems like it would be useful, so I'll just be transparent about that. I'm not trying to live off my writing, but I do want an agent and a good editor. So I can't just publish my work and pray to god that people read it, I've gotta put in a little leg work.

With that in mind, the main focus of this blog is to talk about my progress with the novel and contextualize the writing process against the publication process. I have no specific plans for publication now, but as they develop I'll detail them here.

Let's get into the novel. The idea for The Stars have Always Beckoned Us is relatively simple. Ernest, a scholar at Solas Realt in a fictional Boston Victorian inspired city, feels the rush of discovery and love for magic. He wants to make a contribution to the field of Astronomy, which in this universe is a combination of arcane magic and science. Spells are created by invoking the names of certain planets and channeling their power. Ernest intends to find a new planet which he can harness the power of, and then cast a spell to observe farther and more closely than anyone before. He intends to leave a mark on the field and establish his name.

I wanted to use the name Ernest Ebreitas, but I'm not sure if it's appropriate or even legal to bite Bloodborne like that. Of course, the game is a huge part of the inspiration for the book, but that doesn't mean I can just copy it, I think. I mean it's only a name and a reference, I'm not like stealing the intellectual property of the game, or is just the name considered IP? It's a question an editor would know the answer to.

Ernest is determined. He's a little snobbish about the Academy; he doesn't have a lot of friends (two, to be exact, and one of them lives far away) and he doesn't make any effort to be social. All of his time is poured into his research and his classes. Ernest doesn't really understand the concept of "getting his hands dirty" because things sort of naturally fall into his lap. He's not exactly a genius, but things kind of tend to go right for him. This ease of access for him makes him look down a bit on his classmates. He can't understand why everyone else seems to be struggling and failing when it all comes so easily to him.

The first few chapters I want to spend setting up the academy and Ernest's interactions with it. Chapter 1 has Ernest arriving back at the academy after summer break to find that the headmaster still has not returned. He's been missing for three years now after a mysterious happening at his tower. Here we are also introduced to the interim headmaster, Alder Stately, and the mysterious new Professor Marwyn.

Chapter 2 introduces us to Ernest's friend Viola Tillman and Ernest's observatory space. It's not really his, but he has picked up enough of a reputation at the academy that most people just sort of leave it for Ernest. This chapter will be used to introduce some of the basics of the magic system as well. We'll see Ernest doing some Astronomy(TM).

In the next few chapters, I want to spend some time establishing the school and the magic system. The big problem will be hooking the audience - I need to drop some clues as to Elrick's (the headmaster) whereabouts. I think I will have Ernest overhearing chatter or have Viola drop some gossip, or something. Eventually, Ernest will demand to see the headmaster, and Elrick will reveal himself as having been mostly fine over the past three years. He's just been desperately trying to find out more about what happened to him - which was, of course, contact from an Old God residing deep in the center of a black hole. Elrick was given an inadvertent gift. Just as the planets are great sources of arcane power for the scholars of Solas Realt, this Old God was drawn on for power accidentally. This resulted in Elrick experiencing the first instance of blood magic ever recorded.

So, once Ernest and Elrick get in contact, they both make efforts to understand and control this new magic. It will go poorly for Elrick and he will be transformed into the primary villain of the novel. Somehow. This is subject to change.

Anyway, more blog posts forthcoming. I'll try to stick to a roughly weekly upload schedule so that I can continue to organize my thoughts and think through the structure of the novel.

I need feedback. If you, by chance, find this post, read the whole thing, and decide you want to rip me a new one and call my ideas stupid, I completely encourage you to do so. I need everything.

[uncanny-tranny]

One thing I really enjoy about transition is when the changes in hormones slow down...

It feels like I am a house settling, shifting ever-so-slightly, and becoming one with this new foundation.

I don't have a "typical" body, but so do the other guys in my family. I look like them now. I've been told I looked like my father when he was a teenager, and I feel as though I am in the mentality I need to be in.

So many people are excited when they get all these new changes all at once, and then they might become disappointed when their second puberty starts to slow down, but I find I am the opposite. I am so much more at peace than I was before, and that's saying something when I was at peace a month into my changes.

[dallasareapagans]

Litha

Litha

Litha - Summer Solstice – Midsummer - June 20th – 22nd (in the Northern Hemisphere) or December 20th – 22rd (in the Southern Hemisphere) :This is the longest day of the year and the shortest night. The sun is at its zenith and is at its highest power magically. This is the time of the Sun Godin all His glory. A time for celebration of passions and success. Re-dedication to the Goddessand Godcan be done at this time. It is the time when the Sun casts three rays and lights the world. For Wiccans and many Pagans, this is the time when the Oak King(the Rebirth of the Godor Divine Child) is overcome by the Holly King(Death Aspect). The Earth's powers are at its peak at this time.

Historically, Summer Solsticehas been observed all over the world in virtually every culture. The Greeks, Romans, Norse, Celts, Aztecs and Jews all celebrated the longest day of the year. It has been celebrated as a fire festival or a solar festival or both, though there were also sometimes a water element to the observances. So, though there were usually bonfires, there were often pilgrimages to sacred wells or bodies of water also. Many of the people of the different cultures did circle dances around the bonfires.

It is said that the Druids of ancient times gathered sacred herbs on this day, and many Pagans in these modern times will often harvest plants for use in magic, healing and cooking. It is also considered to be a good time to commune with the fae or faerie people.

The word solstice comes from the Latin: sol for "sun," and stitium meaning "to stand still." To the ancients, it may very well seem that the sun stood still in the sky this day. They very often prayed to various sun gods or goddesses on this day. Also, in many cultures the sun and fire are important aspects in their celebrations. At Stonehenge and other similar stone circles all over the world, the giant stones mark off the various Solar positions including the Summer Solstice.  

Early pagans depended on the land in their area to provide them with their food, unlike many of us today who eat foods from all over the world, not just what is raised in the area that we live in. Most of the ancients' holidays centered around the planting, growth and harvest cycles of the plants that they depended on for their food. Thus, they prayed to their various gods and goddesses for plentiful harvests.

This day marked the end of the planting season and the beginning of the earliest of the harvests, so, it was a time of great celebration and seen as an excuse to rest from the never-ending work of growing and finding food. It allowed them a time to catch their breath and enjoy the fruits of their labors before returning to the needs of their survival.

Historically, Summer Solsticecelebrations took different forms in different cultures. Flowers, herbs and growing plants were often a part of the celebration as well as the sun and fire. In ancient Greece, this was the time when it was thought that the Titan Prometheuswas said to have given the gift of fire to human beings, thus humans were able to create a civilized society. The Greek year began on the first new moon after the Summer Solstice. In ancient Rome, Summer Solsticewas considered sacred to Juno. Juno,the wife of Jupiter, is the goddess of women, childbirth and marriage, which is why June is the month, which was named after her by the way, has always been the favorite month for weddings. The Full Moon in June is known as the Honey Moon (sound familiar) and many people get married during this time. Who hasn't heard that the best time of the year to get married is June, on or close to Midsummer.  

In ancient China, the Summer Solsticewas considered to be a Yen (female) holiday, with its counterpart being Winter Solstice(male). The celebrations were for fertility and the renewal of the earth. Offerings were burnt to carry their prayers up to the heavens.  

There has been much debate amongst Pagans and Wiccans as to whether or not the ancients celebrated the Solar festivals (the solstices and equinoxes). However, there are scholarly evidence that says that they did. But Gerald Gardner suggested that these festivals were actually imported from the Middle East at a later time.

The word Lithais thought to come from the Saxons which is thought to come from their word for the month of June, meaning "light" or "moon". The Germanic tribes celebrated the sun's triumphant rise with huge bonfires. In Finland, the Summer Solsticewas a joyous occasion because of the light after the long darkness and was called Juhannus. The Vikings held meetings at Summer Solsticeto deal with legal matters and resolve disagreements. They also built huge bonfires and made pilgrimages to sacred healing wells. In Iceland, some of these traditions are still observed.

Of the Celts and Druids, much of what we know is secondhand as most of what they wrote down was destroyed by the early Christian church. But it is believed that the Druids celebrated Summer Solsticeas the marriage of heaven and earth. They harvested sacred herbs, such as mistletoe berries, which they later used for healing and magic. (By the way, never ingest mistletoe leaves or berries. They are poisonous.) They burned oak, which was their sacred tree, on Summer Solstice. The ancient Celts were thought to use the light and energy of the sun of the Summer Solsticeto banish demons and evil spirits. They too lit bonfires on this day. Couples would jump the flames (not recommended) for luck and to determine how high the crops would grow.

The Goddessat this time is in her Motheraspect, pregnant with child. The Godis generally seen as being at the peak of His virility and power. But as the sun sets on the Summer SolsticeHe begins to fade and later dies on Samhain.

Godsof this Sabbatare : Apollo, Horus, Atenand Lugh. Goddessesof this Sabbatare: Hestia, Juno, Sulis Minerva, Amaterasuand Sunnaor Sol.  

For modern Pagans, this is a great time for picnics and barbecues; swimming and taking hikes in the woods are also great activities. Invite your friends and family to join you. Let the children stay up late and celebrate the coming night with sparklers.

Very powerful magic can be done on this day. Lithais practically the classic time to perform magics of all kinds. This is a time of high male energy. Healing, love magic and protections are especially suitable. This Sabbatis often focused on fertility, abundance, prosperity, success, community, hope, divination and good fortune to reflect the enthusiastic growth going on around the area of the celebrations.

Bonfires tend to be very popular for Litharituals at night, but not everyone can have a large bonfire in their area. You could however use a table top brazier or even a fire safe pot like your cauldron. Even a large candle can be used. Just remember to observe fire safety for your area. Decorate your altar with solar symbols, fresh flowers, in-season summer produce and crops that maybe you've grown yourself or that is grown locally. It is best to celebrate outside for this Sabbatif you possibly can.

This is a great time to recharge your ritual tools and your dedicated ritual space if you have one. Hold a drum circle and/or perform the spiral dance as part of your ritual. Remember your neighbors and those in your community and donate time to service to them. Don't forget to spend time with your family. I'm sure there are plenty of activities you can do with them. Start a new line of study within your Pagan path. Meditation is also something that is recommended. Meditate on darkness and light that is in your life and in the world.

Leaping the ritual fire (though not recommended) if you're celebrating outside, for purification, renewed energy and luck for the coming year, is traditional. An alternative to this is to run between two bonfires or to run around the one bonfire. Father’s Dayfalls close to Lithaso a ritual honoring the men in your lives is also appropriate. Rituals celebrating the Sun and the Godis also good at this time.

There are many things you can do with your children for Litha. Find outdoor activities you can do with your children or grandchildren. Nature walks are great at this time. Introducing and sharing the wonderful world of nature with them is a great way to celebrate family. Now is a great time to show them the plants they helped plant earlier in the spring. Doing family friendly rituals is something else you can do with them. Introduce the Four Quarters and Elements to them in a fun way that they can understand and relate to. Point out things in their own back yard that represent the Four Elements and Quarters. And of course, you can find some outdoor crafts for them, like making a sundial and then teaching them how to use it to tell the time. Gathering flowers to make a centerpiece for the table is also something that many children will enjoy.

It is a good time to do things for the environment, like planting trees, recycling, etc. You can also exchange magical gifts at this time. Visiting sacred wells and springs are also suggested and quite popular for Litha.

A spell you can do for Lithais to make a small cloth pouch (though a paper one will also work) filled with herbs for your purpose and intention. Mentally pour all your troubles, problems, pain, sorrows and illnesses, if any, into this petition as you construct it. Tie it shut (fold paper into a small square) with a red string. Place it on the altar to burn it during the ritual.  

Also, the ashes from theLithabonfire can be carried as an amulet for protection. You can either put the ashes into a pouch or mix them with some clay and shaped to be worn or carried.  

Divination is often performed to see who the person would marry and when. Young women and girls tend to be especially curious as to when and who they would marry.

For your altar, candles are a favorite and quite appropriate for this Sabbat. Use some kind of Solar symbol like a circle or a disk. The oak tree is sacred to the Druids and Celts so you might consider putting something of the oak tree on your altar like and oak wand or leaf or acorn. For your altar cloth choose something with the colors of the Sun or even with Suns on it.

Red, maize yellow, orange or gold are the colors for this Sabbat.Fresh fruits and vegetables are standard fare for Litha. This is also a time to commune with field and forest sprites and fairies. Lithaherbs are mugwart, vervain, rose, chamomile, lily, oak, lavender, ivy, yarrow, fern, elder, wild thyme, daisy, sandalwood, frankincense and carnation.

Incense for Litha

3 parts Frankincense

2 parts Benzoin

1 part Dragon's Blood

1 part Thyme

1 part Rosemary

1 pinch Vervain or Catnip

Use for LithaRituals or at that time of year to attune with the season and the Sabbat.

[probably-lucifer]

Scenes I've written to fics I'm trying to write

Draco stood there next to his mother, both covered in dirt, grime, and blood. He was still in mild shock at bring hugged by The Moldy Egg, could you blame him? It was then however that he would find out that life doesn't wait for the shock factor to fade, she doesn't give a singular flying fuck in any honest observation. So when he notices his mother trying to gain eye contact he's really not as surprised as he should be when his mother uses her legillmens to say what she does. It does surprise him though, that he's being given a choice, to be given a chance to do what he, in proper hindsight, really should have done ages ago. Probably would have if they didn't have mother, but alas, they did, and he didn't. At least, not before. It wouldn't be hard to put the wand where Harry can see it, and get to it. As a matter of fact, if you were to ask Draco Lucius Malfoy he would very honestly tell you that if you where to hold this wand where Harry could see it Harry could leisurely stroll past The Moldy Egg and make polite small talk he could still get the wand in time because in all honesty there is nobody more prone to bragging without having anything to even brag about then The Moldy Egg. It's actually a bit of a running joke between the not entirely terrible death eaters, who funny enough, are none here by choice this war around. Perhaps though this is what will surprise you, his mother, Narcissa Malfoy has broken a vow, and unless that creature that is... 'Still ranting oh my Morgana x Merlin!' unless it, because it has certainly lost even that way of identification, if the fact that he never went to the bathroom or even around it is anything to go by. 'I wonder why anyone would- wait wrong thought process. To help the guy who is obviously going to win, or not to help. Hmm, well that's a hard one. Ah look Harry's dramatics would make Salazar Slytherin himself proud. Godric to if I'm honest.' Harry isn't as surprised as he should be when he notices me, matter of fact when I shout his name it seems he already knows my plans. When he catches the wand there is a barely noticeable smile, probably meant for reassurance, but it's entirely to soft to be such. The Moldy Egg is in shock when I sit on the ground and watch as my friend that I'd been very secretly, and quietly reporting to for his sanity, shows the, or nearly the wizarding world that Tom Marvalo Riddle Jr. is just that. A name, and a man. When it's done, when he's probably, hopefully, dead I stand up, get closer, and poke him with my boot. "I hope no one is surprised you did it, honestly it should be expected by now. Should've been expected in 4th year really." I say to the calm, yet powerful presence behind me. I can always feel Harry's magic when he's near, must be a result of our "loving" relationship previous to That Night at The Manor when this all really began. "Fair enough, do you know any hiding spots Remus won't find us in, I think the four of us should have a nice, long sleep. And you're still unnaturally comfortable for such a pointy git. Hey where's Pansy, I heard she actually used her acting for good." I point to the girl who is leaning into a Luna, Ginny, and Neville pile on like she's passed out. Come to think of it she might have. Their problem. When we start walking back into the castle she's already began repairing herself, and me and Hermione are not at all surprised, because we read. 'I mean Harry got an excuse, sort of, but Ron doesn't, he should read more, I bet I can challenge him to it.' Honestly it's in the first chapter of Hogwarts A History. Regardless of my musings I lead Harry to the room we got trapped in for an hour last year that was probably the actual turning point just before school let out. Harry nods when he gets it, and hisses out "Open" in parsletongue, probably one of the only words I know, and that's only because it's obvious, and he told me. It'll be nearly three days before we wake up longer then it takes to eat, and use the bathroom, and by then we've all been given nutrition potions by madam Pomfrey, and strict instructions to rest by McGonagall, which means our families know we're fine. Fred and George dropped off clothes as the only ones they told about the room, Pansy and Blaise have brought me my dragon chess set, the only ones I trusted with the location of our safe place. It became as such after That Night at The Manor, he sent me a recording of him hissing open and I started furnishing the rooms past just the library's entrance. If anyone is surprised Salazar created several hidden rooms, some that you don't even need parsletongue for, they're not that intelligent. We've all been laying around in a bed roughly the size of a dormitory for days on end, exhausted, though I tend to wonder why I'm so tired, i barely did anything I'm sure of it. Harry and Ron say it's just what happens after saving the day, and it's best not to question it. Me and Harry don't talk about the barriers put on him by Dumbledore, nor that they were broken by the currently comatose Severus Snape, nor do we bring up my father locking away my veela instincts this summer. We just lay in bed, and rest, and make random observations that one would think means we're high. We're not. Trust me I'd know. Once three days pass, we take turns showering, and then I run the bath, big enough to be a pool, and add the infinite bubbles specifically designed for intersex bathing, or in our case splashing, I've teamed up with Hermione to charm the bubbles to hide "those bits" so we can relax and splash each other, we've done so good even underwater they stick. When we're done making a mess we get dressed, and I send for Crabbe, and Goyle. Goyle, gentle soul he is, is so happy to see me he nearly squeezes me to death, I'm not surprised, I missed him too. They're not the most intelligent, or cunning, or ambitious really, but they're still some very close friends of mine, we did after all grow up together. "How was the infirmary then?" Ron asked slight awkwardness to it, not surprising all things considered. Crabbe was as oblivious as always as he said "The only difference is the amount of people there, the headmistress wants you in her office by the way." Things from there went by easily, me and Harry got married with a one month difference, him to Ginevra (if I can't call her the Weaslette then I've got to annoy her somehow), me too Astoria. He had two kids before I had my first, which he quickly followed by a third, James and Lily were certainly the devil incarnate. Remus on the other hand was an angel. I sometimes wonder if that's literal. Him and Scorpious grew up together, and finally attended Hogwarts together (though me and Harry nearly wanted them sent off to Beauxbaton, Durmstang is just to military minded for them. Now James Sirius Potter on the other hand, let's just say his mother is the only reason Harry was convinced not to send him there.) which means the only child left for us to spoil new exactly how to milk it. Lily Luna Potter will rule Slytherin mark my words. Even I spoil the girl. Life was good as a curse breaker for me, and an auror for Harry, we ended up working together very often, though it does take a toll. It wasn't until after we'd been divorced by the girls "It's nothing personal love, we're just better as friends is all." and Harry had been told to quit his job a month after we moved in to our condo that McGonagall came to us with a proposition. We'd work at Hogwarts Harry as the DA professor, and me as the ancient runes professor. It wasn't difficult for either of us to say yes, though it was surprising that I'd end up as Head of Ravenclaw considering I was only there for a year, more surprising that Harry ended up Head of Slytherin actually. Our sons all blanched at seeing us in class their first day (James bought charmed beans from a fellow classmate and long story short they all spent the first weekend speaking various animal sounds, though Remus and Scorpious were fine talking to each other in Snake tongue, Harry said it was about whether there was a way to make it permanent without taking away the ability to speak in human tongue. The student who made it was incredibly enough the offspring of Greg, his nack for potions makes him very popular, Greg's son Henry is a very brilliant Hufflepuff, and me and Harry are determined to introduce him to Severus, the man needs an apprentice whether he admits it or not.) It was magnificent. A few years passed, Harry and I were enjoying our jobs, but we'd come to embrace our summer break with love.

[wching]

(Baby), It's Our Destiny

Hope wakes up in the middle of the night, jolting up from her bed, sweating and shaking from her nightmare. Images of her mother, her father's sullen face, dying screams and explosions starts to fade away the moment she opens her eyes but the memories seemed permanently ingrained in a part of her brain, occasionally haunting her dreams. 

She draws her knees up to her chest and buries her face into her arms, shaking away the remnants of the nightmare. She hates being in a situation like this, where she feels out of control, vulnerable and exposed. She lifts her head up and falls back on her pillow with a thud, hoping to fall asleep but failing. Suddenly, everything feels wrong, the bed's too warm and the room's too quiet. 

She lets out a frustrated sigh, and kicks off the covers, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. The base of her feet touches the cool hardwood floor, making her relax a little and she heads to the bathroom. She stands in front of the basin and takes off her sweat-ridden tank top, leans over and proceeds to wash her face. She looks at the mirror, her soul words capturing her attention for a while. The small cursive words were etched at the lower edge of her left ribcage, standing out starkly against her pale skin, like a tattoo. 

It had appeared when she was twelve years old and she still remembers the tolerable burning pain as it engraved on her skin. Her mother had told her about it vaguely when she was a child, but she had got further explanation from her aunt Peggy. For some reason, everyone is blessed with the first words of their soul mate. The soul mark could range from a single word to a long sentence, just like hers. 

'Hello? Who are you? Have you been standing there watching me sleep this whole time?' 

The words fascinated her twelve year old self. What does it mean? It's hard imagining herself watching a stranger sleep. How will the scenario turn out, she questions. Also, it isn't guaranteed that you would find your special one or spend the rest of your life with your intended soul mate, like aunt Peggy. She had found hers but he had perished in the war and she had lived a long, fulfilling life with another partner, who wasn't her soul mate. 

As such, she doesn't know if it's a blessing or a curse, to have your soul mate's words scribbled on a part of your body. As Hope grew older, she became less fixated on it as she was more occupied equipping herself in becoming a superhero. She's had flings and relationships, nothing long-term, but none of them had uttered those words. Truth to be told, she couldn't care less about it. 

Simply because Hope doesn't believe in soul mates. 

One day, she happens to come across a news flash on television about a modern day Robin Hood and she catches a glimpse of the man and her soul words start to burn slightly. It piques her curiosity but the image of the man disappears before she could see his name.

She forgets all about it until she crosses path with a criminal, an ex-criminal to be precise, who had broke into her father's house and stole the Ant-Man suit. And now, she's standing in front of him, eyes darting to and fro from her phone to him, watching and observing. She thinks her father is out of his mind to recruit this stranger for the mission. Hope already despises him the moment she sets her eyes on him. 

Scott wakes up with a jerk. He takes in the unfamiliar surroundings, yesterday's event flashing through his mind. He doesn't know where he is and his eyes bug out as his gaze falls on a women in a sleek business suit with a no-nonsense hairdo standing at the foot end of the bed, typing away on her phone. 

"Hello? Who are you? Have you been standing there watching me sleep this whole time?", his eyebrows knit into a frown as he looks at her cautiously and uncertainly. 

It stuns her for a fleeting moment when the words escape from his mouth, but she's highly trained in keeping a poker face so she doesn't reveal her emotions. Her soul words begin to burn and she flashes back to the time when it happened three years ago. It can't be. She panics, her mind searching in a frenzy for a response and it ends up with a single word. 

"Yes.", she replies austerely. 

Scott Lang is her soul mate. 

This is not happening. 

She keeps her distance, tolerating him at first, for the sake of the greater good. She tries her best not to fall in love with him but she can't help but gets drawn to him like a magnet. Over the course of time, she gathers that he's intelligent but he tends to sway towards the idiot meter at times. She doesn't know if he does it on purpose or he is really clueless. Still, he makes her laugh most of the time, and she considers it a rare feat. He's peeling off her layers of armour, and she's not resisting it. 

... 

'Yes'

Scott glances at his soul word scribbled below his right collarbone as he puts on his wedding suit. He's about to get married to Maggie, the love of his life, he thinks, but she's not his soul mate. He knows because he doesn't spot her soul word on any part of her body. Another thing about the soul word is it's only visible to your soul mate. Still, he's going to marry her anyway because he trusts his feelings more than his soul word. He's the type of person who rationalises with his heart rather than his brain. 

He remembers the first time when his soul word was revealed to him and he thinks it's the most dull word one could ever have. Yes? What does it even mean? Anyone could say 'yes'. Lucky me, he thinks. Still, he doesn't let it get to him and tries to be positive about it. Later on, he accepts his soul word as a response word and always gets a little tad too excited whenever a girl replies with the word 'yes' but realises that his first words weren't the other party's soul mark. It's disappointing at times, but he falls in love eventually with Maggie, even though he knows they're not intended to be. 

He receives the divorce papers when he's in prison and he doesn't blame her really. The best thing that came out from his marriage? His daughter, Cassie. He can't deny he's a little heartbroken about it but he thinks it's for the best, their love had been long gone and he wonders if it's because he and Maggie aren't soul mates. Scott thinks he's never going to find love again but oh boy, was he dead wrong when he meets Hope Van Dyne, who's the complete opposite of him and it all started with the word 'yes'. 

... 

"Yes.", she replies austerely. 

The word hits him like a wave, shocking him and his mouth falls open. He feels a stinging burn at his soul mark and he realises immediately, that she's his soul mate. He cannot believe his eyes. He doesn't blurt it out to her, surprisingly, and keeps it a secret because he can't make out where the hell he is now. 

First impression she gives him, he figures she's an Ice Queen, but she warms up to him eventually after pouring her heart out to him. He learns that she's smart, kind and deadly (in martial arts). 'Float like a butterfly, sting like a wasp.' He quotes whenever they spar together and despite almost always landing on the floor or in between her thighs, he doesn't complain. She's graceful and she's strong and he thinks she's amazing. He falls in love with her, not because he knows she's his soul mate, but simply because it happened. 

... 

"We --need --t-to --be quiet.", Hope gasps in between moans as Scott peppers a trail of kisses down her neck, nipping a sweet spot, sending shivers down her spine. 

"Why? You're afraid we'll get caught?", he gives her a cheeky lopsided grin. They're entangled together, standing in front of her childhood bedroom. She can't believe she's sneaking around and making out with him again, like teenagers, in her father's house. 

"We did get caught.", she gives him an impressive eye roll. She still hasn't forgiven him for leaving her alone, embarrassed, when her father had caught them red-handed, kissing. 

"Forgive me for wanting to kiss the girl of my dreams after almost not making it back.", he's gazing at her tenderly, but he sounds too cocky about it. 

"I'm the girl of your dreams huh.", she reiterates his words, and despite scrunching up her nose in annoyance, the corners of her mouth curves into a smile subconsciously. God, what has gotten into her. He's blown her brain into splinters. 

He grins widely, and responds with crashing his lips into hers. She kisses him back, not shying away, wrapping her arms around his neck. A familiar warmth starts to pool at his lower abdomen and she climbs onto him, her thighs straddling his hips, while he supports her with ease. They break apart, both hungry for air, and their eyes meet, and it makes her giggle because he's making her feel fireworks and she hasn't felt this way for a very long time. Her head falls on his shoulder as she continues to bubble over with laughter and she's looking so adorable it makes him laugh too.

He twists the door knob, kicks the door open, and moves toward the bed hastily. He gently places her down and just as he gets his one knee onto the mattress, she points to the door that's left ajar behind him. "You're supposed to close the door, silly.", Hope smirks at his eagerness. 

"Wouldn't want Hank catching us this time.", Scott tilts his head with a knowing smile plastering on his face. He hops to the door, closes it and locks it for preventive measure. When he turns around, he sees that she's on her knees on the bed and she's already taken off her blouse. His eyes widen as he traces her beautiful and delicate outline, and he spots, unmistakably, his handwriting at the lower edge of her left ribcage. 

His breath hitches because they're meant to be. 

He wants to spend the rest of his life with her. 

He's never been so sure of it. 

"What is it?", she observes that his face had went blank.  

"Hope, you're my...you're my soul mate.", he manages at last, almost afraid to say it just in case he scares her off, but he tells her anyway. He's not going to hold it back, not this time. 

She looks away, shakes her head and laughs. "You're an idiot Scott." 

His eyes doesn't leave hers as he walks to the bed, and then he's down on all fours on the mattress, moving towards her. 

"I was wondering when will you ever tell me about it, considering you're such a dork." She lets him cup her cheeks with his large hands, while he stares at her endearingly and intensely. He doesn't say a word but catches her lips with his instead, hoping to convey all of his emotions that words could not describe in their kiss.

She can't help but smile because she's finally embracing it, embracing their destiny.