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#in the absence of having to appeal to a family that continues to
cainware · 2 years
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I want Jason refusing to help the batfamily. Jason, who's picked up what little bit is left of his life after coming to the understanding that the love and care of most of the bats is entirely conditional, and moved away from Gotham to fully start healing. He doesn't have to contact them, and not having to appeal to their grandiose sense of morality makes his healing so much easier. It's messy still, but he finds that he's happy when he's away from the bats.
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Visenya became one of the most powerful and influential women in Westeros history as well as a prominent and controversial figure during the civil war best known as the Dance of the Dragons.
The child was anointed by holy oils seven days after her birth at the Sept-by-the-Sea in Runesport. Queen Alysanne, who held the child during the ceremony is noted for having remarking that ‘the girl has all of Viserra’s beauty, but Alyssa’s temper’ to which the King is said to have answered ‘Gods be good’.
As Princess Visenya grew, her parents continued to battle, using the young girl as a pawn in their conflict, with both parents appealing to the King and Queen to take their side on occasion. From the age of five, the Princess time was split between living in the Vale with her mother, and King’s Landing with her father alternating seasons.
Her education appears to have been strict and somewhat old-fashioned, thus, in addition to her studies, Grand Maester Runciter notes in his journals, she was taught spinning and weaving and had an innate talent for weaving intricate tapestry. Prince Daemon was proud of her horsemanship. And her tutors at the time usually described Princess Visenya as an extroverted, lively, highly intelligent, and strong-willed girl.
Because of her outstanding intellect, and his blunt favoritism, King Jaehaerys named Princess Visenya as his cupbearer in the Year 96AL. She often was allowed to discuss the classics, philosophy, and the affairs of state with ambassadors and envoys visiting the court of Jaehaerys. Moreover, she was personally acquainted with the painters, musicians, writers, and scholars who lived in and around the royal court.
Princess Visenya was considered one of the best educated women of her generation.
Matches for Princess Visenya started being discussed by the Small Council, brought up by the Lord Hand and the Master of Ships. The Sealord of Braavos and a Triarch from Volantis were debated as way to break an alliance against the Triarchy of Lys, Myr and Tyrosh. Thought Visenya was heiress to the largest fortress in the Vale and to the Ladyship of Runestone, it was argued that as she was a Princess of the Realm, the matter of her marriage was a prerogative of the King, both the Master of Law and the Grand Master agreed that such line of thought might anger the Vale, as the Princess was highly regarded by her people and her second cousin, the Lady Jeyne Arryn. Lord Corlys then suggested his own son, four years her junior, most likely to tie another dragonrider to his house. His Grace put down all talks of marriage for his niece, agreeing that such was the right of his brother and good sister to choose her match.
For the celebration of his niece's fifteenth nameday, the king ordered seven days of celebrations, with a tournament and grand feasts. The Queen's absence was noticed, excused as Her Grace was in the early stages of her final pregnancy, and Visenya was allowed to sit in the seat usually reserved for the consort; she was crowned Queen of Love and Beauty by the Dornish Ser Eldric Dayne, the Star in the Morning. More salacious tales propagated by the fool Mushroom tells of the princess shamelessly sitting on her uncle's lap during the final feast.
Since the Princess's return to court in the spring of 104 AL, it is reported that Viserys and his niece have become very close, spending hours each day in each other's company. Many accounts of the time made by the Maesters in the Red Keep have not survived and House Targaryen has never allowed historians access to the personal diaries of sovereigns and family members.
After the death of Queen Aemma Arryn in the Year 105 AL, Princess Visenya, aged 15, became the 2nd wife and Queen Consort of her uncle, King Viserys I Targaryen in a secret ceremony in Dragonstone. It was a scandal at the time, as not only the King’s new marriage was announced a moon after the late queen’s passing in childbed, but it had also been rumored for some time that Viserys and Visenya had been lovers.
Over the matter of his marriage to his niece Viserys claimed that the marriage was in the public interest and ordered a grand celebration for the occasion of his new queen's coronation, to happen after the end of mourning period for Prince Baelon. Visenya was the first Queen Consort crowned in a separate ceremony from the reigning King. During the occasion the apparent advanced state of the queen's pregnancy caused a new wave of rumors that Visenya had been the King's mistress while the queen was still alive and that their child was conceived out of wedlock.
In their two decades of marriage, Visenya and Viserys had fourteen children, all survived into adulthood, something that the maesters attribute to the queen’s ‘modern’ management of the nursery. Visenya’s role as a mother was glorified throughout the realm, the young queen’s obvious fertility was seen by the smallfolk and nobles alike as a bless from the seven that are one, and with the birth of her twin girls, Princess Viserra and Princess Rhaelys, coins were issued, portraying her as the mother, an allegory that would repeat itself many times for the remaining of her husband’s and son’s reign.
Some historians have contended that to some extent she deserved her negative reputation propagated by her stepdaughter following the death of King Viserys I, despite the inaccuracies of the claims that she was sexually disreputable or regarding the legitimacy of her children, other criticisms of her were valid: she was ambitious, proud, obstinate, and masked her cunning behind a sweet-toned voice and flawless manners.
Princess Rhaenyra described her as a woman of reckless extravagance and wantonness, whom the King nonetheless loved passionately and faithfully. Despite rumors on her sons legitimacy spread by the princess’s party, all of Visenya’s sons resembled Viserys.
Although it was far from normal at the time, Viserys I would often ask Visenya for her advice on various subjects because of his respect for her good judgment. She became a formidable figure with far-reaching influence during this time. According to some sources, her influence was such that Queen Visenya effectively ran the government alongside the Hand of the King. As Queen Consort, she immediately started to work and put her own trusted people in ever higher positions to strengthen herself and her sons through them.
Visenya acted as her first husband’s regent after his health decline, sat in her eldest son’s war table following Viserys’s death in the Year 129 AL, and acted as King Aegon’s and King Aerys’s advisor until her natural death of old age in the Year 183AL.
In her youth, Visenya was celebrated as ‘the most beautiful creature in the world’ and that there was ‘nothing lacking in her that the most beautiful girl should have’. Ser Alyn tof Hull would reflect later in her lifetime that regarding her appearance ‘there were few women who could compete with the Queen in her prime’.
Visenya was fiercely independent, a trait she shared with her mother. Mellos described her as having ambitions to match her pedigree. However, Archmaester Gyldayn notes that Visenya was fully aware that a woman in Westeros could not hold power in her own right. Instead, Visenya orchestrated the rise of her sons.
ISSUE
By her first husband, King Viserys I Targaryen she nine sons and five daughters:
Prince Aegon Targaryen………………….....106AL |Vermithor
Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen……………….106AL |Sunfyre
Prince Baelor Targaryen……………………..107AL |Aegarax (the Cannibal)
Princess Viserra Targaryen…………….…..109AL |Silverwing
Princess Rhaelys Targaryen…………………109AL |Dreamfyre
Prince Aemond Targaryen………………......111AL |Vhagar
Princess Alyssa Targaryen……………………113AL |*
Prince Daeron Targaryen…………………....114AL |Tessarion
Princess Elaena Targaryen………….….…...115AL |Qēloxes
Prince Maegon Targaryen……………….…...117AL |Meraxes (the Green Queen)
Prince Rhaegar Targaryen……………….…...120AL |Stormbreaker
Prince Aenar Targaryen……………….…........122AL |Snowdancer
Princess Daenys Targaryen…………….....….124AL |Dawn
Prince Gaemon Targaryen………….………....125AL |Nightfury
*For plot purpose it’s not being revealed until the moment Alyssa claims it.
As it must be already obvious, Visenya did not allowed cradle eggs for her eldest children—nor the youngest for the matter—there is some genius in her method: she’s not deluding herself or trying to cover the sun with her hand, she knows a war is coming, she knew it from the start, from the moment Aegon was born and wasn’t named heir, so she did what she could to protect them. While Rhaenyra needed those cradle eggs to hatch to give her sons legitimacy, Visenya knew that in a fight the largest dragon is likely to come out on top.
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fandomtrumpshate · 1 year
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FTH 2023 Wrap-Up
Boy has it been a year, guys.
This seemed like the year when anything that could go wrong did, from covid to family emergencies to work obligations to software bugs. We're so grateful to you all for your patience and for coming back year after year to remind us why we do this.
Historically, non-election years have usually seen slumps in both our number of auctions and our donation totals. But this year? You guys blew us away yet again.
We had just as many auctions as last year, which is amazing. But even beyond that: our donation total —just 10% lower than last year's massive record— is 150% higher than our third best year, making it a very close second.
So are you ready for this year's grand total?
This year
thanks to all of you
FTH raised...
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$47,361.75!
Which brings our seven-year total to
$239,507.86
Thank you so much to our 616 creators who offered 800+ auctions in over 400 different fandoms and subfandoms, and to everyone who bid! Also a special shoutout to our record 17 crafters who raised over $2500 of this - three times as much as any of our previous craft bazaars!
Your returning mods (@porcupine-girl, @captainbunnicula, @tiltedsyllogism, @anyawen, and @renjunbabygirl) would also like to give our heartfelt thanks to this year's two additions to the mod team, @trickybonmot (who has been a mod before but was returning after several-year absence) and @a-still-small-vox (who is brand new to this whole thing). Given everything that went down this year, the auction literally could not have happened without them. They've been ridiculously awesome.
Creators, be sure you contact your bidders by April 1, and bidders, on your end please respond to their communication by April 15!
Once the fanwork is posted, let us know via our form (can you believe six creators have already finished??) and if you're posting it on AO3 be sure to add it to the Fandom Trumps Hate 2023 collection. If you're writing a fic for FTH and need help from our Regiment of Fan Laborers, email us!
As always, we hope that for at least some people, your involvement in FTH will lead to continued action throughout the year. Sign up for our organizations' email lists, check out their volunteer opportunities, and help boost their signals on social media!
And if you'd like to run your own fanworks auction for a good cause, we can help get you started! Contact us at fandomtrumpshate at gmail.com and we can send you our auction playbook, as well as answer any questions you have about our process.
Your mods are going to be going into post-auction hibernation mode (or, for most of us, post-auction deal-with-all-this-other-stuff mode) for a little while. So if you email us, don't panic if we don't get back to you immediately! We will start actively monitoring the inbox again by April 15 at the latest.
Here is a quick snapshot of the donations to individual organizations - see below the cut for all of the totals!
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We hope to see you all again next year!
Amounts raised for each of our individual orgs:
TLDEF $8,594.5 (18.15%) DigDeep/Navajo Water Project $7,037 (14.86%) Rainbow Railroad $5,970 (12.61%) Sherlock’s Homes Foundation $3,169.5 (6.69%) Life After Hate $3,069.75 (6.48%) Never Again Action $3,062.75 (6.46%) Citizens’ Climate Education $2,235 (4.72%) Xerces $2,103 (4.44%) Razom $2,101 (4.43%) Violence Policy Center $1327 (2.80%) NNtEDV $1,157.75 (2.44%) The Appeal $935 (1.97%) Other organizations (that aren’t abortion funds) $1,151 (2.43%)
All abortion funds $5,468.50 (11.54%) Indigenous Women Rising $2,073 (4.43%) other abortion funds $1,184.50 (2.50%) Abortion Fund of Ohio $963 (2.03%) KY Health Justice Network $634 (1.34%) New Orleans Abortion Fund $349 (.74%) Buckle Bunnies $240 (.51%)
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floweringfics · 1 year
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Hey! could I get the prompt 21 "Having your lover list everything they're insecure about, and responding with gentle caresses, kisses, and compliments about those areas" with Daemon x fem!reader, please?
Hey, thanks for the request! As usual there's plenty of unnecessary back story (this is about 1000 words long) but I promise I do get to the point eventually, also I'm afraid it gets a bit smutty, I'm (half) sorry but I hope you like it!
Warnings: smutty elements (so 18+), female reader, language, discussion of scars and Aegon being the little shit he is
...
A feast for Viserys’ name day had drawn you and your husband back to King’s Landing. It was very rare now that you visited the Red Keep, but the King was keen for you attend this celebration, ever set on mending the widening rift between the two branches of his family. So, despite your misgivings about returning to court, you encouraged Daemon to accept the invitation.
The feast was as lavish as you had expected. While musicians played, the many guests were served roasted boar, Arbor wine, Southern fruits, honey cakes, and delicacies flavoured with rare spices from the Free Cities. Once the food was eaten and speeches had been given, Viserys grew tired and retired to bed early, leaving the younger members of court to enjoy drinking and dancing. However, as the hour grew late you suggested to Daemon that it might be best to leave the celebration before it devolved into utter debauchery under the influence Prince Aegon.
Alone again in the safety of your rooms, Daemon unlaces the back of your dress and loosens the clasps of his own tunic while you babble to him about every piece of court gossip you had missed in your long absence. Normally, he would cut in with a comment or joke at the expense of your highborn peers, but you notice he’s gone quiet. He’s paused in front of a tall mirror, the shirt he’s just removed still in one hand while the other touches the burned skin that covers his right side.
“Is something troubling you?” you ask.
“My scars…” he replies, seemingly lost in thought.
“I’ve never thought they bothered you before- do they hurt? Should we ask a Maester what might be done for the pain?”
His mouth twitches briefly into a smile, “there’s no need for that, it’s not pain that troubles me. Have you ever thought them…unsightly?”
“Never,” you say moving to join him in front of the mirror. “What’s given you that idea?”
“Nothing, I was only considering that I might not be as appealing to you as I was when we met. I’m not as young, after all.”
“Nor am I, Daemon.”
“Well age obviously hasn’t made you any less desirable.”
A realisation dawns on you. “Is all this because of Aegon?” His irritated sigh tells you all you need to know.
The Prince’s eyes had been on you for most of the night. Out of courtesy you granted him one dance, most of which he spent making crude comments and lecherously gazing at your body. As he watched the boy whisper in your ear, Daemon was on the brink of intervening before he was intercepted by one of the Lannister twins- he didn’t care enough to remember which. He missed seeing you draw back in disgust, sending Aegon skulking away like a scolded puppy. It was shortly afterwards that you had asked to retire.
“You could have your pick of any young man here, all of them were watching you,” Daemon says bitterly, “perhaps you would prefer a lover less marked by the ravages of his past.”
“I wouldn’t want any of them, precisely because they have done nothing to earn such marks,” you protest. “What is a warrior without scars, my love? They speak of a hundred victories won before your nephew had spoken his first word, even before he was born.”
Gently stroking his neck and collarbone, you caress the burn scars wrought by a flaming arrow that had struck him in the Stepstones. Your fingers continue to trace the evidence of battle left on his body- straight lines left by the slashes of swords, a twisted patch of skin over his ribs where another arrow had hit him, and the remains of a jagged injury to his arm where his shield had splintered during a joust. He watches you bend to press a kiss to each one. Finally, you lift his hand to your mouth to kiss a silver scar on his palm, gained when he fell from a tree as a boy and as much a part of his history as the battle wounds.
Straightening to rest your chin on his shoulder, you meet his gaze in the mirror, “I loved you before you had many of these scars and love you still, even more because of them, not in spite of them. They are a part of you, as is your past. You should be proud of both.”
His chin has lifted a little, some of his familiar Targaryen arrogance returning to his expression.
“Now stop moping,” you scold him playfully, kissing his cheek, “I have need of the mirror.”
Daemon climbs into bed and watches you undress from where he reclines against the pillows. “I will be glad when we are away from these people again,” you sigh, “we made the right choice in keeping away from court I think.” He hums in agreement.
 “When you were dancing, what exactly did my nephew say to you?” he asks after a moment.
“That hardly matters now,” you answer evasively, removing pins from your hair and unwinding the decorative braids.
“I’d like to know,” he presses, watching you carefully.
You meet his eyes again in the mirror. “He said…if I wanted to remember what it was like to be with a man young enough to get it up, I would know where to find him. I replied that a young man might be able to get it up, but they usually lack the experience to know what to do with it.”
A laugh bursts from Daemon. “Foul boy- I would have struck him if he weren’t a prince,” you declare, throwing your final hair pin onto the dresser.
“I’m sure you would, my fierce wife…fucking brat, at least he’s bold, I’ll give him that.”
“I don’t want to talk about him anymore.” Now only in your shift and with your hair unbound, you make your way to the bed, swinging a leg over Daemon to straddle his thighs. “I don’t want to talk at all.”
He grasps your hips and rolls you underneath him. “If you’re loud enough,” he says between kisses, “perhaps we can show the boy how an old man fucks his wife.”
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legacygirlingreen · 9 months
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“Christmas with the Sallow Family” Chapter 7 - Birthdays and Hogmanay // Sebastian Sallow x Reader
Authors note: I’m back! This is the last chapter of part 2 so I wanted to go out with a bang! Hope everyone enjoys! Thanks again to everyone who continues to read and comment 💚
Shoutout to the awesome @aiyariaart for the screenshot of seb in a kilt, seriously go check out their page! Also shout out to the awesome @hyunrikim for her suggestions along the way (particularly with some canon ideas for Sebastian’s birthday gift!)
Warnings: NSFW content, male receiving. MINORS DO NOT ENGAGE 18+
Word count: 12,500 +
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The days between Yule time and Hogmanay were filled with little in the way of eventful excitement, however Sebastian felt more at peace than he had in a while. Their steady rhythm of waking up next to each other, even after nights filled with talking and less of being physical, brought him much more happiness than he thought possible.
When December 31st finally reared its somewhat bittersweet head, he tried to suppress his mixed feelings on his and Anne’s birthday. Part of him was so grateful knowing that Anne had made it a fully year now after being cursed. But the reminder that exactly one year prior, was the origins of such a plague, was proving difficult to manage. Top it off with his usual amount of sadness at his parent’s absence, and the typical uncertainty that often accompanied the yearly reset, he had much to be sad, angry and worried about.
However, despite this he found himself awaking the morning of his 17th birthday with a smile. He awoke finding his love nestled along his chest, her hair fanned out across her back and shoulders. Her lips were slightly parted, leaving the softest puffs of air when she exhaled along his right pectoral. The tiniest amount of moisture had collected there as she slept and he couldn’t help but smile at the thoughts of her so comfortable while laying on him, that she had actually drooled in her slumber. He adored watching the way her long eyelashes would flutter ever so often as she dreamed in the sanctity of his arms. He would never tell her, but he often found that some of the times she looked the most beautiful was when she was asleep.
She reminded him of the story his mother read to him when he was a young boy, about the beautiful princess whom was cursed to sleep for one hundred years until she was awoken by a kiss from a prince. And while a part of him recognized she truly was beautiful while asleep, he himself felt more like the princess in that fairytale. This wonderful witch had come into his life, rescuing him from going down a dark road with her love and affections. She was inspiring him to grow up, to be a better man, to repair his broken relationship with his guardian, and to actually see hope in the future. The way she fought, the way she stood tall against the evils he had come to know, and show him the care he’d so been lacking… she seemed more like a hero, than he ever could fathom himself capable of being.
While she continued her slumber he took to drawing unconscious patterns along her semi exposed back. She had taken to only wearing a thin silk slip each night when she laid next to him, no longer awkward about shifting close to his naked chest now that their initial shyness in the matter had long been dissolved over the course of the few days since he’d been exposed to her. He would not deny that the selfish and uncontrollable parts within him continued to have a large pit of desire to see her come undone again, however with the peace they had created over the last few days, he felt no immediate rush. Receiving word from her family helped, making their future seem obtainable. Expediting such whims now were in some ways were loosing their appeal, as he continued to want to make such an occasion special for her.
When the curtain cautiously shifted, and Anne’s mischievous face stuck through he barely glanced up, unable to look away from the girl resting on him. As Anne quietly came closer to the pair, standing near the foot of the bed she glanced down upon the girl who was still deep in slumber, watching her brother reverently brushed loose strands of hair off her face.
“I was hoping to steal you away for some one on one time, but I can come back later. I just thought I would slip out while Ominis was still asleep.” She spoke as softly as possible as to not wake the girl.
Sebastian looked up at his other half’s hopeful face and nodded, recognizing that need his sister had for him on this day. She too understood its conflicting nature.
“I shall join you in a moment” he spoke and she nodded, sliding back out of the privacy he shared with y/n.
Ever so carefully he attempted to shuffle out from under her, hoping to slip out without waking her. Given how much she had pressed into him while asleep that was impossible, and just as he removed her head halfway from his chest her eyes cracked open with confusion.
The girl went to inquire where he was going but he quickly shut her questioning down with a gentle brush of his lips against her forehead, carefully lowering her head onto the pillows.
“Shh, I am going for a walk with Anne, I shall return soon. Go back to sleep.” He said threading his fingers through her messy locks, helping lift the covers to her chin as she snuggled back down into the warmth of the bed without him. Sleep quickly overtook her again, as he rose to replace his sweater and pull on his trousers. It didn’t take him long to lace his worn boots before sliding an arm into his long coat and grabbing his scarf off the trunk in the corner. Walking towards the entrance he rejoined Anne in the living space as they made their way outside.
“You are quite sweet on her, always doting these days” Anne spoke playfully once they made it outside in the cool air of the early morning.
“Should I not be?” He responded in a similar tone, happy that Anne’s cheerful personality had slowly been returning slowly with the introduction of the witch they spoke of.
“I am not saying it is a bad thing, simply an observation.” Anne said, pulling the tartan blanket she had grabbed from the living space tighter around her small frame.
“Does it make you uncomfortable?” He asked, worried he may have neglected to consider how his Twin, or even Ominis was at their more open shows of affection as of late.
“Of course not. I am happy to know you are happy. Although…” she started to speak then trailed off as they came close to the shoreline near the town square.
Sebastian turned to her as she stopped, arm reaching out to grab his in support as she stifled a quiet sob. He had grown so used to her pain in the last year, it surprised him somewhat at how he almost didn’t flinch before carefully holding her up and to his chest as she shook.
Bringing a calloused hand up over the top of her head he softly brushed it over her crown repeatedly as the other held her firmly along her back. While her bouts of pain had become less frequent over the past weeks, when they did strike they were often more intense than they had previously been. With no end in sight, he recalled the small stone bench just up the path, slightly bending to lift his sisters body in an effort find her some sense of comfort while she cried out in pain.
Before long he took to sitting on the worn stone, keeping her legs thrown over his lap while he held her through the tremors that wracked her body, slowly rocking her body and quietly saying things like “its alright” and “I’ve got you”. Until now he hadn’t noticed truly how much they had grown apart in size since summer. He knew she was loosing muscle mass and some of her childish fat, but he had grown taller and stronger in the months apart. In many ways he was blossoming into a man, and here she remained more like a child in his arms, instead of his twin, born only moments before himself.
Eventually Anne stopped shaking, pulling her sullen face from the comfort of his chest and looked up at him with the remnants of tears on her cheeks. He softly brushed them away with the back of his right hand, the others rubbing comfortingly up her back, helping as she tried to even out her breathing. There was no need for thank you’s, as they had grown accustom to her curse, and more recently his witch had encouraged him to focus on making Anne comfortable while she focused more on finding a cure. In moments like these he is glad he listened.
“She is rubbing off on you” Anne said after collecting herself.
“I suppose so.” He said, looking out as the waves slowly crashed along the sandy shore.
“You two remind me of mother and father. The way you are so soft with her, and the way you both tease one another.” Anne spoke while toying with the fringe of her blanket.
Neither of them knew how to respond, both seemingly lost in their own trance of grief over the loss of their parents and how that had impacted how they had grown.
“I asked her father for permission to marry her once we are both of age.” Sebastian finally broke the silence, ignoring her wide eyes as he continued to watch the sunrise.
“Have you received word yet or..?”
“He wrote back. Christmas Day actually.”
“That’s right Teddy did smash into the window. You and Solomon were acting strange all night. That makes much more sense now that I think of it… What did he say?” She eyed her brother curiously as he finally tore his gaze back to her.
“Well… while there’s much to arrange on the financial side of things… muggles apparently handle these matters more logistically and with legal council… that played a partial role into why I felt the need to ask now, as they take at least a year to plan, often longer… that aside, he did grant me permission to make such a proposition.”
“Sebastian you’re… you’re really serious about this aren’t you?” Anne spoke, unsure how to respond.
“I am. I’ve never been more sure of something in my life.” He said trying to reassure his sister once again that this was a decision he was making on his own, without her push from their conversation on Christmas Eve.
“How did you know?” She asked, quite vaguely.
“Know what?” He asked slightly confused as to what she could be referring to.
“That you loved her? That you were in love?” Anne spoke looking down at her hands. While he was unsure whether she was inquiring to quell her curious mind on his behalf or out of the need for answers into romance for her girlish whims he would never know. He still thought for a moment before giving her an honest answer.
“I am not sure there ever was an isolated moment, more-so a culmination of them. At the start of term during the feast I wasn’t feeling quite myself I suppose. It felt wrong to start term off without you there. I thought for certain you would’ve been back at school before the start of 5th year, so that day wasn’t filled with much happiness. I am sure Ominis could practically feel me sulking, that’s most likely the reason he forced Imelda between us. Then we started hearing whispers of Professor Fig and a new student being attacked by a dragon on the carriage ride from London, and I will admit it peaked my interest.
It wasn’t until the very end of the evening when the headmaster joined a very shaken up Professor Fig at the entrance that I actually started paying attention. Everyone was whispering, wondering about the new student and curious how they had survived. It wasn’t long before the door burst open again and she came in, trailing after Black with dirt and ash smudged all over her face, leaves in her disheveled hair and a dried gash in her eyebrow. She looked like she’d been beaten around quite a bit yet, as she followed him up to the front she had this… wonderstruck look in her eyes. Like she had to take in everything all at once. There was no ounce of fear, just excitement and curiosity.
She looked so beautiful sitting up at the front, smiling as she spoke with the sorting hat as if they were old friends. Violet was sitting next to Imelda, going on about how she looked horribly disheveled but I found myself almost begging Merlin to put her in our house. I was almost shocked when it said Slytherin. The way in which her face absolutely ignited into happiness when her hogwarts robes turned green… I shall never forget that. She got held back by professor Weasley at the feast, I imagine to make sure she was okay, but I waited in the common room until the prefects made me go to my dorm room that night. If they hadn’t threatened to wait outside my room I would’ve snuck back down. All night I laid there awake, trying to think of what I was going to say when I spoke to her that next morning. That feeling like I had lacewing flies in my stomach started there I suppose.
When I finally did get up the next morning I was so nervous I grabbed a tome to read by the fire to calm alleviate that feeling. Ironically enough she interrupted me, and in my panic I was somewhat rude to her. Luckily not horribly so, less I imagine I would’ve ruined my chances entirely, but from the second I looked directly into her eyes next to the fireplace… I suppose a small part of me knew then and there. Like all the air left my lungs in that moment and the world was just her beautiful face looking up at mine. Her face softened so much while she looked at me. Despite the forming scar in her eyebrow from the dragon attack, and the tiredness under her eyes, I couldn’t help but feel that she was the most wonderful creature I’d ever seen.
Sure I was impressed it when she beat me in Hecat’s duel, and adored how she joined me at crossed wands. I was blown away when she took down that troll in Hogsmeade with those special abilities of hers. That night we snuck into the restricted section, when I risked possible expulsion for her sake, knowing I was likely not getting in again to check for tomes on your behalf… I think that’s another moment I knew I had grown to care. How couldn’t I? She had sought me out for help. She trusted me with her secrets. She had these wonderful powers yet deemed me worthy of being a sidekick on such an endeavor.
It wasn’t long after that I surprised even myself and shared with her the Undercroft. Merlin, Ominis was so cross with me for allowing her to know of it, but I couldn’t help myself. I wanted her to know everything there was to know about me. All my secrets. All my favorite things. All the things I despise. Then she surprised me one day while we were down there looking through some tome she found while exploring about curse breaking. She touched me, so softly, so innocently, simply trying to put my hair back in place after I had made a mess of it. I guess that’s when I knew I wanted to do things properly. It wasn’t just some whim or passing fancy, but something I wanted to do the right way. If she was willing to fix my messes, even absent-minded, how could I not feel so indebted to the universe for that?
The day she visited Feldcroft for the first time, I was so nervous I hardly slept the night before. When I sent her the owl asking her to join, I asked some of the older boys in the house how they were able to win over the affections of women, and most of them had poor advice yet I found myself thinking perhaps looking the part would help. I am sure you are aware I never cared much for my appearance before, but Ominis can attest that morning felt… different. I think I wasted nearly an hour on my hair and I still couldn’t figure it out. Merlin, Imelda gave me such grief knowing exactly the lengths I was going trying to make a good impression.
Yet when she met me over on the lookout tower near the town circle, hair blowing in the wind, soft and delicate in the golden morning light. Everything sort of melted away. She always tended to look unkemp, hair pulled back but escaping its plait. Clothes disrupted from constantly exploring. Merlin, even her mismatched clothes from the adventures she would go on, finding helpful gear. Occasionally she would return to school sporting a new bruise or cut along her face or hands, even debris in her hair. She hardly seemed to care of her appearance, much like I did. However that morning I could see that she was trying to make a good impression the same as I.
Seeing her here, with you, being so gentle with your condition yet loving all the same, especially while not knowing you beyond your relation to me. That meant a great deal. After Solomon made us leave we spent the rest of the day in the Undercroft together. I told her stories about us growing up, and our parents. But that day she showed me she cared for you. She cared for our parents legacy. She cared for me. When I got embarrassingly emotional at some point she held me the way mum used to, stroking my hair, and I suppose that’s when I knew without a doubt. It may have been an inappropriate show of emotion, yet to not feel stifled for a moment with her… that feeling of being free… that’s what love is to me. Everything after that moment has merely solidified and confirmed my thoughts on the matter.”
Anne was quiet while he spoke, explaining the way he had fallen for the girl in her absence. A part of her felt saddened, knowing she wasn’t around for a majority of the events he spoke. When he arrived with the mysterious girl she’d heard of so much in his letters, she knew he was infatuated with the new student. It wasn’t hard to see why: the girl was beautiful in her own way. A little rough around the edges, slightly more tom boy in nature, mildly eccentric, yet still hauntingly beautiful in her demeanor. However from the moment Anne saw them together, there was already an unspoken affection and respect between them. Anne could see it in their eyes, the way they lingered on each other when the other was seemingly unaware. The way they often blushed in the others presence. How her brother smiled more than he had in years. She merely accepted that he was already in love despite the lack of time they’d known each other.
“She told me she wants her children to have my brown eyes someday, Anne.” He quietly spoke, awestruck still by the admission she had given him that night they spoke of their desires for the future.
“Well, I certainly hope you both wait a bit to make me an Auntie” she said, cutting through the weight of their conversation and he laughed with her.
“I am truly happy for you Sebastian. Do you know how or when you plan to ask her?” She continued.
“When we return to school I may see if Sirona knows of any shops around Hogsmeade that could use an extra hand so I can put away some money for a ring. I know we have our inheritance, and I am unsure exactly what a normal muggle dowry is, but I would like to work with my own two hands to be able to buy a ring for her. I have been wracking my brain for the last few nights trying to think of how I would like to ask, but its -“
“Overwhelming?” Anne questioned.
“Very. I want it to be special. I can’t imagine doing it in a dusty place like the undercroft, and while the room of requirement has become a special spot for us, that doesn’t seem quite up to par either.”
“You’ll figure it out I am certain.” She said while patting his arm comfortingly.
“So you and Ominis… when exactly? Or has that been under my nose this whole time and I have been blissfully unaware?” He said, attempting to shift the conversation onto her instead.
“Ominis said he’s always felt, something, for me. I recon much like you said, you aren’t sure exactly when things shifted but sometime this past summer when he got more comfortable offering a comforting hand, or when you both returned to school and he started writing every day I realized I missed him, and more than as a friend. I realized as time went on he had grown more and more handsome. Before long he stopped feeling like “Ominis Gaunt, our dear friend and boy who partakes in mischief of all varieties” and more like “My dear Ominis, who’s smile brings butterflies to my stomach and makes my heart soar like a hippogriff in flight”.
“He’s a good man. My best friend. I know he won’t hurt you. That’s truly all I could ask for.” Sebastian admitted, still slightly uncomfortable at how it mentally shifted some of his childhood memories with the two, but he was growing to see the situation as more normal with time. The two of them seemed more reserved in their affection, perhaps due to Ominis’s aversion to touch that was instilled in him so young.
“It doesn’t upset you?” She asked
“Why would it? I love you both. He’s always been a brother to me. You two together… just makes that more a reality. Ever since he has been in our lives he has been more Sallow than Gaunt.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Of course. Do you two plan on telling Solomon or…?” He was slightly concerned that his Uncle may not take so kindly, especially knowing the boy had been left alone with Anne on numerous occasions thinking it not to be a concern, only to realize that Ominis may not have been the gentleman he was thought to be.
“Yes. Ominis has already informed his family he will not be returning home for his brothers wedding in the spring, equally negating his duties to his own arrangement in the process. The final bridge to be burned so to speak. Informing Solomon… that is what I wanted to speak with you about.” She said, looking down.
“You are worried he won’t react well.” Sebastian knew it was a gamble, respecting her apprehension.
“I am just concerned that he will assume Ominis had done something indecent or taken advantage of me in some manner when he has been an absolute saint in that regard. Ominis believes he should be the one to tell Solomon, alone, man to man. I told him that I think it should come from me. It is concerning knowing he can fully prevent us from seeing or speaking to one another should he take things the wrong way. You know how Solomon can get, especially thinking of what happened with mum and dad.” Anne trailed off, thinking back to how cruel their uncle reacted to Sebastian wanting to remain by y/n’s side while she was injured.
“Why don’t you confront it together. Let Ominis take the lead, offer the chance to speak privately, but go at it a united front. I would offer to be there, but seeing as Solomon and I are just now getting back on decent terms, it may not be the best idea. I can wait close by should you need the assistance, proving nothing dubious has occurred. Shockingly he respects Ominis a great deal, choosing to leave behind wealth and dark magic to be here… I don’t imagine he would be incredibly upset at the prospect of having him around long term.” Sebastian tried to reassure her the best he could, knowing that the path they were on would be quite difficult to navigate.
“I suppose you raise some valid points. I shall discuss it with Ominis. Perhaps doing so on a day that is supposed to be happy will encourage our Uncle to keep a level head about the matter.” Anne agreed with his sentiments.
The pair watched the sun rise fully over the ocean, soft spray kissing their faces. It had been a while since they had enjoyed a moment alone, especially since their Uncle refused to leave Anne in his company knowing how insistent he had gotten over a cure. To be in their own world again without the worry bearing down was a level of peace and calm they needed during a time of such chaos.
“What do you think mother and father would say of the both of them?” Anne asked, her slender fingers toying with his pinky much like she did when they were younger.
“Well despite how much father liked to joke, I have a strong feeling he still would have given any man who attempted to get within the near proximity of you a difficult time. I don’t believe Ominis would be immune to that. Dad was very protective of you, instilled it in me as well. I do think they would have liked his dry, sardonic sense of humor. I know they would have taken him in with open arms after what happened with his family. I could imagine him easily a part of the late evenings we all read together. You know they weren’t afraid of dark magic, merely sought to understand from afar to protect us. They would have been a safe haven for him in that way.” Sebastian paused, curling his long pinkie around his Twin’s unsure how to start in regards to his chosen partner. Luckily Anne picked up where he left off.
“Mother would have been so incredibly fascinated by her. I imagine she would have asked a million questions and then some of what it was like to grow up in the muggle world. She would have adored those plaits she can do. I am sure they both would have been curious about her affinity for ancient magic. Father would probably tease you about how convenient it would be to have a woman of the same house. I could see the both of them offering to tutor her given the years she missed at Hogwarts. I think they both would enjoy watching her play quidditch if she’s nearly as good on a broom as you suggest. She is so incredibly kind how could they not welcome her? Father might feel the need to reprimand you to avoid an unwanted catastrophe… but I know if she could melt Solomon’s frozen heart, they would have loved her.”
“I miss them.” He said somberly as he pulled his hand from hers, drawing her closer to his side.
“As do I. Sometimes I feel as if they aren’t truly gone, instead smiling in the space next to us. Like a gentle breeze gripping my shoulder or tousling my hair.” She said laying her head on his shoulder, deeply breathing in the sea air.
“Sometimes when I look in the mirror I see father looking back at me and it is jarring, yet comforting to know that a part of him lives on.” Sebastian admitted aloud the sentiment so often spoken to him, even that he thought to himself, but was scared to voice.
“When you returned home recently the resemblance was almost uncanny, especially to those photographs of their wedding.” Anne said recalling the photo atop the hillside photo of their parents, weeks away from graduation in dress attire. Their fathers dark kilt contrasting their mothers simple white gown, showcasing her slightly round belly protruding from behind flowers. The way they beamed to one another while softly dancing in the enchanted photograph.
“I suppose wearing a kilt tonight for Hogmanay will be even more uncanny.” He said, racking a hand through his untamed and now windswept hair.
“Terribly so I am afraid.” She responded with a laugh.
“We should head back. I imagine they are quite bored without us.” He said, rising with her from the stone.
“Y/n perhaps… I know for a fact Ominis is still dead asleep.” She said with a laugh.
“It always amazed me how he could fall asleep anywhere and without a moments notice.” Sebastian said with a chuckle, recalling all the unique spots about the castle he had discovered his friend in the midst of a cat nap. Perhaps it was easier to fall asleep if your world existed in darkness all the time.
Without warning Anne threw her arms around his middle, pulling him close and tight. “Happy birthday Sebastian” she said into his jacket.
“Happy birthday Anne”.
***** ***** *****
She was laying in the conjured bath when he arrived back from his walk with Anne. Hair pulled atop her head, being held by her wand, while soap unfortunately covered her body from the shoulders down. Smiling at her cheekily he stepped towards her, slowly shedding his outer layers to join.
“I was just thinking how wonderful it would be to take a bath to warm up.” He told her as she rolled her eyes.
“Well that’s unfortunate considering the water is now quite cold so perhaps you should rethink your plan.” She responded as she lifted her eyes to take in his broad and unclothed shoulders as he ripped the sweater off his head. He eyed the steam still coming off the top of the water mischievously.
“Luckily that is an easy fix” he quipped, gripping his wand ready to prove his point.
“I don’t recall giving you permission to join me Mr. Sallow. It is still highly improper for you to be in here, let alone next to me while nude.” He could tell from her tone she wasn’t serious, only playing with him, but he continued to humor her narrative.
“Well, could perhaps it being my birthday a worthy enough exception for you to break your rules of propriety? There is nothing else I truly want more, than to enjoy what time I have with you.” He lowered his head, glancing at her through his lashes while his lips twisted into a small pout.
“Is that all you’ve got?” She laughed at his attempts to get a concession.
“I am wounded M’lady. You dare reject such a fine gentleman’s proposition after you have teased him as such. On a day of such wonderful celebration no less” he stripped himself of his pants, still leaving on his breeches while he stepped closer, leaning over the barrel of the wooden tub, putting his weight onto his forearms.
“You are lucky I adore you.” She let out with fake annoyance, moving over to make room for him.
Even without an audience he felt the need to lift his fist in victory, smile upon his face, before bowing to a nonexistent crowd as if he had won a crossed wands duel. With his prideful display she splashed him slightly with water before laughing.
“And that ladies and gentlemen is how it is done” he spoke as he lowered himself into the spot she had created for him.
“How what exactly is done?” She questioned.
“That is how one fine, incredibly capable, not to mention talented, young gentleman would be so lucky to find himself nude next to such a beautiful woman as yourself”
At first she thought perhaps he was joking, considering he was speaking so highly of himself, but the more he continued she realized he was being at the very least, mildly serious. Rolling her eyes she turned away from him temporarily reaching for the soap.
She gestured for him to occupy the space in front of her as she had done so previously when they bathed together and he happily did so, water sloshing over the edges slightly and onto the floor. Carefully she brought her palms to cup water, draping it over his back and shoulders to wet the skin that stuck out above the waterline. He sighed as the water she had lied about being cold covered his aching muscles. Time in feldcroft with Anne was always nice, but took much out of him physically with all of Solomon’s chores.
He couldn’t help the groan that escaped his throat as she brought her hands up to massage the tension away from his shoulders with a firm pressure. He could feel the way her thumbs were moving in circles in the space under his shoulder blades that he could never properly reach himself enough to get the pain to go away.
Neither of them spoke as she worked on relieving the months of pain he had build up in his body from both physical labor, but also too many nights leaning over a book desperately searching for answers. As she did so she couldn’t help but admire all the freckles that spilled down from his cheeks onto the top half of his body. She adored the way they almost sparkled with the iridescent soap lathered across his skin.
He had already closed his eyes and felt himself somewhat nodding off as she tipped his head back to resting along her chest to wash his hair. Her fingers worked a more potent magic than the kind she wielded, along his scalp as she continued to aid him in relaxing in the water’s warmth. He let out a moan as her fingers worked gently along the tender spot he always got in his neck underneath where his hair touched the back of his collar from his poor posture.
The way she caressed and allowed her fingers to purposefully move about his body had distracted him to the point he hadn’t realized she had scooted closer, lazily wrapping her legs around his waist from behind. Her calves laid across his knees and his hands were slightly skimming them subconsciously.
Eventually once she had rinsed the last of the soap from his skin and all the suds from his dark hair she carefully laid his weight back into her body more, holding him up slightly as his rear touched her womanhood under the water. She held the bar of soap out in front of his chest, motioning for him to take it to finish washing his lower half as she traced unintelligible patterns on his chest.
Sebastian brought his knees up one at a time to work on his legs before carefully undoing the tie on the front of his undergarment and realizing he was sporting a decent boner under the water. He had intended to simply wash his member from within the confines of the fabric quickly, but when nimble fingers plucked the bar of soap back from him he lost the ability to breathe.
Ever so carefully she finished loosening the string protecting the rest of his modesty with one hand while the other started dragging the material from around his hips the best she could while they sat. His eyes immediately flew open at the recognition of what she was doing as he glanced over his shoulder to see the concentrated and determined look she sported. Bringing one of his hands over hers he briefly paused her action.
“You don’t have to…. I don’t expect… I appreciate…” he kept starting off sentences, struggling to find the right words to say. On the one hand he did not want her to feel an obligation to please him physically. She didn’t owe him anything, and if he was honest just feeling her take care of him as she already had was more than enough. However, the other half of his brain was actively screaming at him to let her do as she pleased.
Bringing her eyes up from his shoulder to meet his sideways gaze she continued to move her fingers slowly from under his hand. A small smile worked itself onto her face as she spoke out with a sultry gaze “Someone became of age today… what better way to show my undying respect…”
Sebastian went to speak, his mouth opening but the syllables dying on his tongue as she pulled his hand aside by grabbing his wrist in her other hand, setting it down on his thigh.
She brought her lips close to his ear, gently nibbling his earlobe before continuing “let me show you how much I adore the man you are…”
Sebastian gave in. Lifting his bum enough she could work the fabric completely off his body, he returned to the same position, loving the way he could feel her hardening nipples along the skin of his back. Tentatively she wrapped a hand around his fully hardened manhood, simply holding it without moving.
“I have to be honest, I have no idea what I am doing… however if you show me how to please you, I would be more than happy to help…” she continued the soft assault of kisses down his neck to the top of his back, gently nipping the skin.
Sebastian brought his right hand back up, adjusting her fingers so they more gracefully and comfortably wrapped around his cock, before laying his hand atop hers. Once he got her hand into the same position he did when he was alone, pleasuring himself, he carefully squeezed down a tad, encouraging her to do the same.
At first she was too gentle, so he applied a tad more pressure to her hand. She over compensated a bit too much, gripping too hard and he let out a slight hiss. She attempted to retract her hand, fear of having hurt him but he stopped her.
“It’s okay, just a bit gentler…” he said and she followed his instructions. Sebastian couldn’t help but think how incredible it felt to have someone else’s hands on him instead of his own. Being more careful this time, he mimed the movement he often practiced on himself, with her hand between himself and his cock.
“Just sort of…” he trailed off, demonstrating a single pump of her hand up and then back down before letting her try so on her own. She was a little clumsy with the movement at first, but slowly build a steady enough pace as he leaned his head back, resting it on her shoulder. All the while she slowly pumped his cock with her hand, mindful of the pressure and way he had placed her fingers.
“How does that feel?” She asked once again taking his earlobe in between her soft lips all the while continuing the motion he’d shown her.
“Amazing… you’re doing perfect sweetheart…” he mumbled out somewhere between the sighs leaving his mouth. At one point she got curious, her index finger moving over his slit. The initial contact shocked him, making her return to the original position he’d put her in. Before long he was softly thrusting upwards into her ministrations, losing himself in how good it felt to have her bring him pleasure.
Without warning she slowed, and he turned around to look at her, worried the whole situation had become too much. That he should’ve been more appropriate and stopped her. However the look in her eyes told a different story. While the sultry look from before was gone, replaced with curiosity, and innocence, he wondered what it was she could be thinking. Despite the hopeful look in her features, she retracted her hand.
“Sebastian… could you possibly… can I see you?” She asked, timidness entering her voice. She so shyly brought herself to looking up at his stark red face, as he nodded. He was unsure why he liked the thoughts of showing himself, all of himself, to her. Perhaps it was because she ask so sweetly or some inherent primal desire within him to proudly display himself for her. Either way… it fueled his desires knowing she wanted it as much as he did. Unceremoniously he rose up on his knees, hand reaching out to somewhat cover himself as he turned around to face her.
Finally coming face to face with an appendage she had only seen in crude drawings or felt pressed against her while they laid was daunting at first. Being so foreign from her own feminine body was startling. While she had heard maidens in her village speak of what men were like, and the fact she had felt it already under the water, she wasn’t fully prepared for the site.
He slowly brought his hand back to his side, allowing her to take her time examining him. At first her bashful nature forced her eyes to reside at his navel, seeing the way sparse dark hair started right below his bellybutton, growing in density as it went down. It shouldn’t have been a shock that, much like the rest of him, as he was covered in such a lovely shade of chestnut brown curls. However to be a breath away from a small bush of said curls, that were situated at the base of his manhood was enough to let her shudder out.
His often mixed complexion of olive undertones and blush overtones extended down below the belt. Carefully lifting her hand back up to wrap around his member, she used her index finger to graze the tip of his most sensitive skin all the while he gazed down at her. Despite the feeling of the thunder of desire pounding somewhere behind his ears, he couldn’t help but fall in love with the sight before him. Here she was, reverently and innocently gazing upon him, on a day where he finally would be considered in the eyes of wizard law an adult. Her curiosity, desire to please, admiration, care, love and feminine divine energy all converged in this moment, for him.
If she had stopped even now, he still would’ve been elated. Yet, with a small shake of her head, coming back to reality, she once again gripped his cock in her hands and began stroking him.
Sebastian had to fight to keep himself upright and on his knees as she did so. While she may not have physically done it as well as he often did himself, the fact that it was her hands, and her eyes bringing him closer to the edge was more alluring than well rehearsed movements and figments of his imagination. As he climbed higher and higher he almost neglected to consider a crucial detail, however as he got to the precipice of committing to his pleasure he remembered to be mindful of his manors.
“I.. oh.. darling” he choked out with a sob, barely catching the proud smile that etched its way onto her face.
“Yes dear?” She said so, large eyes looking up at his with a return of that sultry tone.
“You are aware of what happens when a man…” he once again trailed off as she brought her other hand up to caress his sack.
“Is consumed by his desire?” She asked with a quirked eyebrow and he could only find it in him to aggressively nod, hands coming down to the sides of the tub, gripping tightly to hold himself together.
“Mess” he all but wheezed out, unable to form a coherent sentence as his mind was slipping.
“Then it’s a good thing we are already in the bath my Love… is that your way of saying… that you are close to coming undone?” She asked and he once again nodded, aggressively pulling his bottom lip under top row of teeth to keep from making loud sounds. Quickly shoving down the intensity of the feelings he had brewing under the surface, he was able to voice one last completed thought on her behalf,
“Where… I don’t want to make a mess of you” he wasn’t sure even if she had a suggestion if he’d be able to make it a reality in time as he could feel himself already leaking along her hand.
“I don’t mind a little mess every now and again” she spoke fiercely as their eyes crossed and he knew that he was done for.
“Love you -“ he said as he looked down in just enough time to help her angle is cock down preventing his cum from winding up in her hair or on her beautiful face. Despite his brutish desires to do so, he cared enough for her to no soil her soft cheeks or sweet smile with his body’s release. Instead he watched as it landed along her neck, sliding down her collar bones as her eyes widened in shock.
While she seemed prepared for the act through the words she spoke, the sudden sensation made her jolt up, torso rising from the water. Sebastian watched as his cum continued sliding down her bare chest, between the valley of her breasts, before finally falling into the water below her. Grunting out he continued to thrust into his hand and hers while watching as the last of his cum situated itself against her beautiful curves.
Shakily and out of breath he sunk back down, as he tried to regain his mental state from the pits of desire he’d fallen into. She watched him as he did so. His chest rising and falling, eyes screwed shut, face and body flushed, eyebrows turned in the similar manor he got when he was confused, lips parted. He looked stunning in the soft glow of the morning light while his body rode the aftershocks of his pleasure.
It wasn’t long before he looked at her again. Gone was the confidence as she shifted, almost scared to reach for the soap to clean herself. Sitting across from him he could see how absolutely vulnerable she looked, and while he didn’t believe she regretted her actions, he understood that these adult declarations of affection could be frightening.
Sensing her hesitation and shyness in the matter he leaned forward, quickly cupping her cheek with his clean hand and bringing her lips to meet his. His sudden movement made her slip unceremoniously into his waiting arms as her soiled chest pressed against his while their lips moved together. Quietly groaning into the kiss before pulling back despite the mild protest she had in her eyes.
Sebastian pushed the stray lock that had fallen from her crude bun and tucked it behind her ear, once again cradling her face as he asked her “that wasn’t too much was it? I didn’t..”
He wasn’t fully sure what he was asking but he knew that despite their improper acts he could still be respectful to her by making sure she was alright with what they had done.
“I have no regrets…” she said, deeply staring into his eyes as her hands wrapped around his waist, holding them together. “I admit… I enjoyed watching you experiencing euphoria” she spoke quietly as she softly scratched the skin of his lower back with her fingernails.
“I can say the same for you” he told her, his thumb tracing over her cheekbone. He brought his lips down to hers once more, for a slow kiss before finally pulling away.
“Let me clean you up Love… least I can do” he said grabbing the soap with a toothy grin.
“Are you in a rush to get out of here? My, my what have you done with my mischievous Sebastian?” She joked, allowing him to start rubbing the bar over her skin.
“I won’t lie… I am really looking forward to eating my weight in Tablet” he spoke candidly about his desire to consume excessive amounts of his favorite sweet, that he only got once a year.
“Eat too much and you’ll go soft” she joked, bringing a hand up to stroke his belly playfully as she imagined with a slightly more soft frame in contrast to his current muscular one.
“Trust me with you around, I will hardly ever be soft.”
***** ****** ******
“I am amazed at how quickly you’re able to do that” she said watching as Anne carefully wound the tartan material around her body with skill hands.
Not long after Sebastian and her found themselves dried off and in their plain clothes Anne sent Ominis to collect her brother in order to get them all dressed for the days festivities. Ominis grumped out something about how difficult wrapping a great kilt was and needing Sebastian’s assistance, so he bid her a gentle kiss upon her knuckles goodbye before exiting to join their blond friend.
It wasn’t long before Anne emerged rifling through a trunk and tossing out a mass of tartan fabric to the boys before collecting her own. Anne quickly set out, pulling the tailored skirt in their family’s pale green and blue plaid up her legs and tucking in her white blouse. It wasn’t long before she set out to wrap the shawl around her shoulders that matched.
“Does everyone wear that for the celebration?” She asked Anne, amazed at how the simple fabric looked elegant once the look was complete.
“Most of them yes. Ominis May not be Scottish but he participates with a less tailored kilt than my uncle and brother” Anne explained running a bruh through her knotted hair.
“And the colors are those varied or..?”
“Family’s usually have a very specific pattern and color that go back to the original clans. Our family’s is blue and green, others in the hamlet you’ll see are reds, yellows, purples, and all kinds of colors.” Anne offered the information as she continued on her hair.
“Should I wear the green dress to match you all?” She inquired, wondering what would be the most fitting for the day.
Anne ross, walking back to the trunk and collecting more material of the same print before walking over towards her. “This was our mothers earasaid, I thought you could wear it today. You’ll need to change into her underskirt to have underneath it, and I can help you with the rest but… would you?”
The sickly girl looked hopeful, asking her to outfit herself in the clothes of the twins departed mother. It felt like the highest honor but she still remained unsure how Sebastian would feel.
“While I am honored, will that not upset Sebastian if I were to wear this?” She asked, fingers delicately tracing over the material.
“Hardly. I imagine seeing you admits the rest of us wearing the Sallow family plaid will bring him great joy” Anne told her, hoping to convey the importance of such garments on days like today.
“Alright. Would you like me to help with your hair Anne? Plait it?” She asked, setting the fabric back on the bed as the sallow girl nodded.
“That would be lovely, thank you. Let us get you dressed first. All you need to do is change into this plain skirt and I shall start hand pleating this. Then I can help wrap it around you.”
The process was simpler than she thought as Anne managed to get the material ready moments after she stepped into the pale green skirt and tucked in her white blouse. It wasn’t long before Anne was walking around her, pulling the long wool material to drape effortlessly off her body, tightening it over her shoulders with a simple silver pin in the front.
“If you get too hot you may remove the pin and let it hang down more like an overskirt” Anne demonstrated by removing it, then replacing the way she had originally fitted the fabric.
She felt warm and comfortable bound in the plaid, as the chill of December was spilling in from the out doors. Stepping back to admire her work Anne nodded before sitting down on the bed to allow the other girl the chance to braid her brown locks.
The witch got to work, carefully twisting the girls hair into several smaller braids around her head. Once she was satisfied with them, she began to take them and wrap them around the length of Anne’s head like a crown, similar to the way the milk maids back home would wear theirs. As she went she pulled a few strands out to look more feminine and soft.
Looking over she found her wand, conjuring some small babies breathe flowers before weaving them into Anne’s hair. When she finished the girl squealed, delighted with the results.
Carefully she replicated part of the process on her own hair by the feeling of touch alone. She was used to doing her hair without the assistance of a mirror so she set out to braiding two small sections along the front of her hair before pulling them back, adding left over flowers to her hair before deciding leave the rest hanging down.
The two girls spent time making sure to give each other a few lingering touch ups to their appearance, attempting to look as perfect as possible before linking arms and strolling through the tents flap.
Through the other side they could hear Sebastian and Ominis arguing as they got ready.
“Hold still Ominis.” Sebastian said through gritted teeth as the girls eyed each other with a fit of giggles upon hearing their struggle.
“You are doing something wrong.” Ominis insisted
“How would you even know, you can’t see it!”
“I can feel a breeze where the wind ought not blow Sebastian!” Ominis yelled back in response as the girls giggles turned to full blown laughter
“Do you need help in here Sebastian?” Anne called out as their laughter died down
“No!” Both boys shouted as the girls decided to allow them privacy and step out into the morning air.
It had significantly warmed since Anne and Sebastian took their stroll, but still remained brisk.
“Might I speak freely for a moment?” The sick girl asked
“Of course Anne” she responded as they made their way through the village, watching as witches and wizards used their wands to set up for the days festivities.
“I am so thankful that Sebastian found you. I was.. quite worried when he returned to hogwarts this year. The way he was this summer, snapping at everyone, obsessively reading books, neglecting my uncles warning towards the dark arts. I feared… I feared we would loose him to a great deal of evil magic in his search to find me a cure. Knowing that he was to be alone with the exception of Ominis concerned me a great deal. When he returned home after only one week at school my uncle almost sent him back immediately fearing he’d be talking about a fix for this curse… but he didn’t. He immediately started going on and on about some witch who started as a 5th year who got sorted into Slytherin. How you knocked him on his arse in Hecat’s class. About the troll attack in Hogsmeade. For the first time in months he spoke to me not as his sickly sister, but as he used to.”
“Anne… I had no idea”
“I am sure in many ways this curse has changed me. But this curse also has changed my brother. You seem to be the only thing that is bringing him back. I understand that a cure may not be possible for this curse, but in many ways you’ve cured my brothers mind. You’ve brought him peace. You’ve brought him affection. I am thankful for that. I know Sebastian cares deeply for you, but I wish to share that I also care for you as well. From the kindness you’ve shown our family, the nurturing nature you have, it’s been so wonderful having you here. I hope one day I can have you as my sister.”
The girl didn’t fully know how to respond to the Sallow’s kind words. She was always scared that Anne may not take kindly to another woman becoming important in his life, but she seemed to have fully embraced her as family. Turning she carefully brought Anne into her arms in a hug, thankful for the candor spilling out. Thankful she’d found a loving family contrary to her obligations and duties and formality of the one back home.
“I would like that too Anne. I promise I will do all that I can to protect you from this curse, and protect your brother from going down a dark path.”
“Thank you. Truly.” Anne responded as the girls parted. As they did so, Solomon joined from where he’d been assisting in building the the structure for the bone fire taking place in the evening.
“Don’t you two look lovely? Where are your brother and Gaunt?” Solomon asked looking around for his nephew and the other boy.
“Probably still preening. Last I heard Ominis was fighting the kilt with Sebastian like a stray barn cat being forced into a sweater.” Anne responded with a laugh.
“Anne why don’t you both go wait in the house, since we’ll celebrate your birthday before we join festivities. We are almost done here and I shall rejoin soon” he suggested as they decided to take his advice.
Once inside Anne was delighted to see Solomon had set up a small amount of decorations for the Twins birthday, with 2 boxes of differing colors on the table next to food.
Reaching around to the small pouched shed attached to her hip, y/n took out two similarly wrapped packages placing the one for Anne next to the burgundy box knowing it was the girls favorite color. Repeating the same she placed the smaller wrapped parcel next to the brown one wrapped with black twine for Sebastian.
As she did so Anne gasped taking her hands “you did not have to get us anything”
“Of course I did.. you both are adults in the eyes of the ministry” she said sheepishly turning on her heels as she heard Ominis and Sebastian’s muffled voices and saw their blurred figures walk past the kitchen window.
Anne pulled her into her side as she said “truly your kindness knows no bounds”.
The door opened and Ominis stepped through, wand in the air as he tried to find Anne’s silhouette in the room. As he did Anne separated from her to walk over and stand near the blind boy. Straightening out the tops of the great kilt, adjusting the messy pleats her brother had managed carefully before collecting his empty hand is hers.
“You look very handsome Omi” as she rose to her tip toes, pressing a kiss into the porcelain skin of his cheek.
Watching as their friend turned pink at the open display of affection she couldn’t help but chuckle as he used his hands to feel around her handiwork on Anne’s hair.
The pair were so wholesome that she almost hadn’t noticed the way Sebastian stood off to the side, eyes widened and not blinking. Motionless he watched as she stepped closer apprehensively, brushing a palm over the plaid.
“I hope you don’t mind, Anne said I shou-“ she started speaking but was quickly silenced with a small yelp as his mouth claimed hers hungrily.
When Sebastian stepped through the door seeing her wearing his mothers old earasaid he truly became enthralled knowing she had allowed herself to be wrapped in his family’s tartan. In a way it was like she was accepting his family as hers. That alone made him feel more possessive than he should’ve given his twin and their friend were only a few feet away.
His hands were tightly wrapped around her small waist and against the side of her neck as he pulled her closer into him, her hands still resting on his biceps from the shock of his movements as his mouth continued to nip at hers with a more brutal force than he intended. Sliding his tongue into her mouth he kept going, no intension of stopping. Just as she was relaxing into his embrace a loud shout caused them to break apart, Sebastian accidentally biting her lip as they did so.
“WHAT IN MERLINS NAME IS GOING ON IN HERE?!” Solomon’s voice boomed throughout the house and Sebastian quickly whipped around expecting to see his uncle standing directly behind him. Instead he was surprised to see Anne in Ominis’s arms, his hand on her cheek as Solomon’s hand pressed down on the boys shoulder, effectively separating the pair.
“Uncle Solomon-“ Anne started but was stopped
“Not a word Annabel.” He spoke out scarily calmly as he drug Ominis to the center of the room before turning his attention towards Sebastian.
“Don’t think you’re weaseling your way out of this either.” He said dragging Sebastian off in a similar manor while the girls sought out the sides of the room together.
Both young men looked down ashamedly as the older man started to berate them.
“I expected this sort of behavior out of Sebastian, but Gaunt? I trusted you entirely. I’d left you alone in my home with my niece believing you to be a gentleman, so imagine my surprise to finding you both entangled in one another. How long has this been going on? How long have you been making a fool of me?” He spoke, shaking the boy by his shoulders as he pointed at Anne.
“Please Uncle Solomon, we planned to tell you this very afternoon. I promise. Any advancements have been made on my part, not Ominis’s. He has remained a gentleman.” Anne pleaded, hoping to convince her uncle of their situation.
“Gaunt is a man. He is responsible for keeping your whims, as his own, in check.” Solomon spoke.
“If I may-“ Sebastian cut in, trying to ease the tension but that only caused Solomon to turn to his nephew quickly.
“YOU may not. Especially considering the display of your tongue down her throat mere moments ago.” Solomon said, pointing at the other girl in the house. Sebastian nodded lowering his head.
“I will not have you being taken advantage of Anne, especially given your situation.” He said frustratingly tugging on his shirts cuffs as he released both boys.
“Ominis is not taking -“ Anne started but was once more interrupted
“You are not well enough to make those decisions!” He shot back, turning his anger to the girl.
“I am well enough to know that I desire to die having know what it was like to have loved, to have been loved! Do I not deserve that?” She all but shouted, voice firmly rising to meet her uncles tone.
Everyone stood there in shock, letting her words ring out as silence overtook them all.
Solomon sighed, fingers probing his temples and he looked around at the 4 teenagers all in various states of embarrassment, sorrow, and fear.
“Sebastian please refrain from displaying such affections to Miss y/l/n. I understand you care for each other a great deal, but you are not wed yet. Even if you were, I do not wish to watch them displayed in my home. Am I clear?” He said turning towards his nephew. Sebastian simply nodded, suddenly finding his shoes quite fascinating as he escaped his uncles wrath.
“Anne I am upset you felt the need to hide this- whatever it is - from me. I expect you both to keep whatever whims at bay until we come to some sort of arrangement.” He told his niece who slowly nodded as well.
“I understand you all to be adults or nearly adults, however there are rules you must abide by in my home and in general. Ominis I apologize for my outburst. I know my niece and nephew are usually the ones orchestrating such mischief, however do not let me catch you with your mouth on Anne again. You may hold her hand, you may escort her around, you may hold her close within reason, but I will not allow that level of affection to publicly to be shown again. Do I make myself clear?”
“Very sir. I apologize.” Ominis said shakily as Solomon finally turned towards her.
“Do know, I will not be afraid to castrate that boy if he lays another hand on you that openly again. I will not have little Sallows running around any time soon nor allow people to call you a harlot because of his actions.” He told her, alluding to the fact Sebastian and her were crossing lines and while she couldn’t deny that he was right, a small part of her also felt it not his business. Given the twins were old enough technically he wasn’t required to be their guardian. She nodded.
“So we are all in agreement. I will have no more of what I just witnessed. I understand you all to be at a part of your lives where it is difficult to… keep your hands to yourself, but please refrain from going too far or doing so with others around. I am not a fool. I know you all have probably entertained more in privacy… I just do not want Anne with child in her state nor having to return Miss y/n to her family unwed in the same situation. Now, can we all move on and pretend as if that did not occur?” He spoke putting the situation to rest as everyone agreed, taking a quiet seat at the table.
Solomon left the 4 temporarily, wandering out back to the storage they kept in the back yard, promptly returning to toss a book on the table before wandering into the kitchen to collect the rest of breakfast.
Sebastian grabbed the tome, reading the cover as the others curiously eyed him. Over his shoulder his witch could make out the words “A wizards guide to preventing procreation: An Abstinence Approach with practical knowledge” before she turned as bright red as he did. Sebastian quickly tucked the book into his jackets enchanted pocket for later.
Reaching under the table he intertwined his fingers with hers as they both watched the beginning of the Twin’s birthday festivities.
***** ***** ******
Anne happily skipped around in the bonnet she was gifted, with dirclaw feathers woven in for additional protective capabilities. Sebastian had yet to open any of the gifts laid before him, instead enjoying his sisters happy expressions.
“Are you going to see what you have Sebastian?” His twin questioned as she rejoined her seat at the table and he shrugged reaching for the one with his name written in the beautiful calligraphy of his witches handwriting.
As he felt around inside the box he lifted a silky feeling material from the confines. As he did so he saw the silver shimmer in the light. Confused he stood, letting it fall to the floor as its odd patterns shifted. It took him a moment before he realized what he was holding.
“There’s no way! This must’ve cost you a fortune!” He said draping the cloak over the back of his chair, lifting her in the air with a quiet squeak. He laughed as he spun her around until he caught Solomon’s warning eyes and set her back down.
“What is it?” Ominis asked curious without his sight.
Sebastian lifted it back up, wrapping the fabric around his body as he disappeared. Anne’s shocked face spoke volumes as her brother dropped the cloak once again.
“How on Merlin’s earth did you find a cloak of invisibility?” Solomon asked her
“I made it actually… Mr Moon cornered an actual demiguise and sent me to collect it. I returned it back to a safe location where I’ve been taking care of it. Eventually I saved enough hair to weave into fabric with Deek’s help.” She spoke as if the task was normal, but everyone else was left stunned.
“Well that’s… here Sebastian, I’m not really topping that am I?” Ominis questioned, handing him a new wand handle exactly like his current one to replace the worn wood.
“This is incredible. Thank you.” Sebastian said, once again dragging her into his side. Never could he have imagined to be in the possession of such a high value item. Invisibility cloaks were deeply sought after and expensive. If she hadn’t made it herself he debated selling it to purchase a ring for her, but given the hassle she’d gone through to craft such an item, he knew he’d never part with it.
Setting it back in the box he turned towards the brown paper wrapped package, opening it to find several documents as well as several pouches of galleons.
“That’s a decent enough portion of your inheritance to do with as you please”.
Solomon spoke with a knowing tone and Sebastian nodded, carefully tipping one of the pieces of parchment away from the girl next to him. Seeing what was detailed on the page he promptly returned it to the box to look at later. Realizing his uncle had laid enough research in to land in the surrounding area, as well as a ring maker up on the coast, made him happier than he realized. Knowing his uncle took time to make it easier for him was shocking to say the least.
Setting the lid back on the box he pushed it onto the center of his he table to resume their eating. He didn’t notice the way the woman next to him eyed the box curiously, wondering what all the pages of notes around the top could be, but she did briefly see the words “metal worker”, deciding to let the information go until later.
***** ***** *****
Bellies full, faces flushed from whiskey, and the cold Scottish air all met them with a welcome greeting as they danced around the fire with the rest of the hamlet. The Hogmanay celebrations had been underway since noon and everyone was happily taking part.
As the music faded away and everyone cheered, several men began work on finishing the preparation for the firework display. Sebastian stepped back, watching as Anne and his witch spoke together with hushed whispers before looking over at him by the firelight. The girl’s eyes looked up and down his figure hungrily as he raised an eyebrow.
Ominis had left a while ago to properly apologize to his uncle and from the way they were laughing now all seemed forgiven.
The girl made her wait to him, however as she did so, her foot caught a cobblestone and she fell forward with a laugh. He skillfully caught her, holding her upright as he adjusted the tartan around her shoulders from where it had fallen when she tripped.
“Careful now, don’t want you falling over me darling” he quipped
“Are you concerned about me looking up your kilt?” She asked, referring to the time he may have not-so-accidentally fell during one of their outings to get a glimpse up the skirt she had to borrow from Nerida after her trousers were ruined.
“Not in the slightest. If you wanna look I certainly won’t stop you.” He replied smugly, puffing his chest out as he brushed a small spec of lint off his jackets lapel.
“You are an utter delinquent. And a proud one at that” she laughed
“I make no attempts to hide who I am darling. I also do not deny how wonderful you look in Sallow green and blue” he said, lifting his hand to ask for hers. She relented, giving him her hand as he carefully spun her under his arm before caressing her knuckles with his thumb.
“Stunning.” He replied matter of factly , before looking back at the fire.
“I’m really going to miss Feldcroft” she said as they watched the hamlet dance and sing in celebration of the new year.
“We won’t be gone long. And we can visit any time you like” he tried to console her sad thoughts.
“Good. This place feels like home.” She said looking back at him as he smiled. Carefully making sure Solomon was distracted he pressed a quick kiss to her cheek before drawing her close.
“I’m glad you feel that way. I’d like to make this our home someday” he spoke with honestly.
“I’d like that very much.” She confirmed and pushed herself closer into his side as they saw the bright colors take to the sky.
He hummed out as she rested her head along his chest, both enjoying the artful display. Slowly he started loosing track of time. Having been awake for a long time, feeling content with a lovely woman in his arms and scotch in his belly he started to almost doze off standing up.
“Sebastian” he heard his uncles voice and he opened his eyes. Looking down he saw his uncles outstretched hands with an unopened bottle of scotch, some coal and a galleon.
“Why don’t you do it this year?“ Solomon said and he felt himself nodding, retrieving the items from his hand. He had never been allowed to take part in the tradition, his uncle doing it every year.
“Come along Lass, he’ll join us in a moment” Solomon said escorting the girl back inside as he stood watching as other men or the hamlet waited outside their doors. Grabbing his father’s golden pocket watch that was fastened to his coat he brought it out, watching as the time ticked closer to midnight.
He looked at the top seeing a portrait of his mother when she was much younger, before the twins were born. She looked radiant with her long dark hair waving in the breeze and her smile stretched wide. He heard cheers around him as several other wizards finally crossed their thresholds and he tucked the watch back inside before opening the door.
“Did anyone request a tall, dark haired, devilish handsome man?” Sebastian called out as he stepped through the door before shutting it behind him. As he did so he almost got teary eyed seeing the sight before him. His best friend standing next to his sister, their fingers wrapped together. His uncle holding out an empty glass, demanding a pour. And lastly in the middle of them all stood the love of his life.
Her smile radiated so brightly seeing him take part in a tradition explained to her only moments before. His mothers tartan wrapped around her frame, while she looked so beautiful in the fire light of their hearth. Seeing all his loved ones together and in one place, on a day so sacred to his family moved him. He couldn’t wait for more years as this one had been.
And as he brought the gifts inside, setting them down he could only thing of how utterly blessed he was that she had allowed him to bring her home for a Christmas with the Sallows.
To be continued in part 3….
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courtofthrones · 9 months
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Pairing: Eris Vanserra x reader
Summary: What happens when two people who are the opposite ends of a thread of fate try to get the other end of the thread to burn knowing they would burn too. Because he was the throne but she will see the throne burn.
A/N: Feedback appreciated
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STAGE VI: BENEATH THE SKIN
"Where do you want me to put this my lady?"
"You can just leave it in my room Lyna."
After finally having some well deserved rest in the past few days, you watched the sentries and some of the Autumn princes spar with each other on the training grounds with a relaxed posture from your balcony. Though you couldn't help but notice the absence of your soon to be husband in the group. Well you couldn't be mad about it because being away from his smug but annoyingly attractive face and his infuriating behaviour these past few days have certainly made your day quite peaceful.
The morning atmosphere was bright but held its usual chill in the air.
Future Lady of the Autumn Court. It wasn't as though you hated it . Once it was all you had dreamt of . To marry and become a Lady who could work for her subjects. But over time and tribulations that little girl turned bitter from having her loving family torn apart. And marrying for political alliances into a family who could never get rid of the blood stains on their hands, did not sit right with you.
"Forgive me my lady but the Lady Aelia has asked you to join her for afternoon tea in her solar." Lyna spoke softly behind you in order to preserve the tranquility surrounding you.
"Is my mother going to be there Lyna?"
"No my lady her grace has only asked for your presence."
For the last few days the lady of autumn court, Lady Aelia Vanserra has extended her gracious invite to you and your mother to join her and other ladies of the court.
And unsurprisingly your mother has managed to turn every single conversation towards boasting about your pending nuptials in front the other ladies in waiting so may the mother forgive you if you wish to avoid her because of it. But it seems like Lady Aelia shares the same thought as you.
"Accompany me will you Lyna."
---
Making an exit from your room you followed Lyna into the open hallway. True to all its praises The Forest House was a sight to behold in the golden hues of the afternoon sunlight. Golden carpets made from the finest of materials lined the pathway.
As your nose took in the smell of sandalwood and burning wood, your eyes found themselves observing the numerous paintings nailed to the gilded walls. There between the paintings of life and death lay a family portrait of the High Family dating back to about 500 years.
You could gather that the painting was to commemorate the birth of the exiled prince of the court - Lucien Vanserra held by his mother with the High Lord sitting beside her. Behind him stood Eris Vanserra , your betrothed with a rehearsed smile on his face. Regal and youthful. Despite the appealing faces of the rest of the princes surrounding the High couple , your eyes found themselves incapable of straying from the captivating allure of your soon to be husband.
Your husband. You forced yourself to tear your eyes away at the thought. You turned to look for Lyna and continue your journey to your afternoon plans but had found yourself alone in a secluded part of the palace. Having been left behind as you admired the portraits, you took your steps forward.
"Is this what we are now?"
A hushed voice halted you in your path as you strained your ears to listen to the seemingly secret conversation wishing to gather any information that could be beneficial for your use.
"It does not have to be if you give me some time and space to set things right." came in reply by a deep positively masculine voice.
"Set things right? You mean give you time so that you can walk away towards the altar with Lady Tarsa of all people."
You knew that the other houses held no fondness for you but there was no reason why any of them should speak of you in such a manner.
"What would you have me do Alena? Run away with you ? Is that what you think is proper?"
At that you gasped, if it was Lady Alena Velon behind those walls then you had a pretty good guess who the male in question was.
"Would it be so bad to get away from all of this with me?"
"All of this? You mean my entire life ? Everything that I have endured for my end goal?"
At that a sob escaped her throat .
"Eris then what would you have me do? Stand by as you take that female with the traitor's blood as your wife?"
"Alena please don't cry it breaks my heart to see you like this. I wish I could do something about the engagement but father has all but declared his surety on the matter. I am sorry. I am sorry for the pain I have caused you. For what it's worth I would have loved to have you as my wife but this is something that is out of my control."
You scoffed at that. How lovely being painted as the wicked villain in their tragic love story. Typical.
As you leaned your head into the corner to catch a glimpse of their faces , you saw Eris lean in to capture her lips in a searing kiss as Alena leaned into his touch. Their kiss was fierce and loud as if they were about to go off to war. As if nothing mattered but them.
You were shocked and horrified at their lack of discretion. Disrespectful halfwits. Not a single thought about what could happen if they got caught in this compromising position.
You had to escape . But in your haste of wanting to get away as far as possible your hands bashed into a sculpture and knocked over a sculpture by the wall. You scrambled to prevent it from falling but the damage had already been done.
As you turned you saw Lady Alena and Eris looking at you as if all their nightmares had come true. But before anyone could utter a single word, Eris rushed towards you and dragged you into an empty room by the end of the hallway.
You snatched your arm free but before you could afford the luxury of putting some distance between your bodies, he pressed your back against the wall with his strong muscles. He was breathing heavily as he came to rest his arms beside both sides of your head. A cold and calculating expression staring back at you with his warm body pressing onto you.
He opened and closed his mouth a few times as if unable to settle upon the words he wanted to speak. But it didn't matter because his stupid excuses held no value for you.
"If you dare speak of what you saw- "
"Mother above. Spare me with your nonsense. Though I must applaud your audacity to treat me this way even after l hold your deepest secret to my heart." you spat out vexed by his actions.
"So what? Are you going to rat me out princess?" He gritted out , his composure slipping out of his control as he pressed himself closer to your body.
You were shaking in your knees but you could not afford showing your weak hand to Eris. You will never show him your weakness.
"I won't rat you out as you put it because I know it would only delight you having the engagement broken without you having to lift a finger."
Your body trembled as you tried to keep your anger at bay. You could feel your sharp nails digging crescents into your palms. Maintaining a calm countenance had always come to you as easily as breathing but something in Eris just managed to make you volatile.
" But you are so unfair my darling betrothed. I know this is not a love match but I at least expected you to keep your illicit affairs under wraps and not flaunt them in broad daylight. Well I suppose you need to have half a brain for that." you continued with a sharp grin adorning your face in order to not expose your true nervousness.
"Whatever could you mean ?" You watched as a vein twitched on his forehead. He was furious but had somehow managed to hold himself back.
You could barely gulp with how dry your throat had become. But with all the strength you could find in your voice you whispered out.
"What I mean to say your grace is that when I do bed another male I would not be as foolish as you to have my clandestine meetings out in the open for all to see."
You had no knowledge about how your faces had migrated closer to each other during the heat of the moment. Despite Eris' body heat pressing onto you due to the proximity a shiver slithered down your spine and with a hairsbreadth between your lips he whispered
"Is that a threat Tarsa?"
"No, it's a promise Vanserra."
You watched as fire stirred beneath his gaze as if trying to breach his carefully crafted mask. You watched as his gaze moved towards your lips. You watched as his lips-
"My lady I have been looking for- Oh forgive me my lord I did not know i was intruding."
It would have shocked you less if someone doused you with a bucket of ice water than Lyna's intrusion. He flinched away from you as if he would burn merely by touching you.
"Pardon me my lady I will be in the hallway if you need me."
"No, let us go."
You needed to escape. Escape before you did something that you would truly come to regret.
Grabbing Lyna's hand you rushed out of the room without even sparing a single glance at Eris.
----
"Does something bother you y/n?"
A shudder fluttered to the tips of your body as Lady Aelia's question pulled you away from thoughts of closed rooms and smoke and honey lined red hairs.
"It is nothing that should worry you your grace I was merely lost in thoughts about my wedding preparations." you somehow managed to utter with performative excitement coating your voice.
"Oh yes how are they coming along. I actually invited you to tea today to ask if there was anything you needed help with."
Her hand flexed as she lifted the cup to her lips.
"You are too kind your grace."
The Lady Aelia of Autumn screamed of elegance and royalty. Through your life you had met her only a handful of times but everytime she managed to leave you starstruck with her beauty. Many saw her as this quiet and submissive wife but with a bit of closer inspection you saw a woman hardened by the years she lived as Beron Vanserra's wife and lady of the court. With her regal beauty and resilient nature she truly was the Lady of the court.
"Oh none of that you can refer to me as your mother y/n. " Over the chirping of birds, she chuckled softly.
"So have you and Eris managed to have some time to know each other?"
The sudden question regarding the root of all your musings stunned into silence and the ever so quick eye of the Lady of Autumn managed to pick up on it.
"Y/n I can tell this marriage is not your first choice and I see questions in your eyes so trust me when I say that I know how painful this is." she continued her dulcet voice managing to lull you into a sense of security.
"So you must speak your mind."
You put your cup down as you sat up straight to stare into her eyes.
" I am afraid that is a luxury that I cannot afford mother. Sitting here with you had already managed to seal my mouth shut."
If your words managed to put her off she did not show it.
"We can pretend that all is good but it would not erase the decades of bad blood within our houses. It cannot undo all the sufferings we had to endure and it cannot restore my family back. So I hope you do not find me brazen when I say that I cannot fathom why I have to enter into a marriage with a family that brought the doom upon us."
Lady Aelia eyes sparkled at your words.
"Tell me something dear do you think your brother was right in his actions?"
Your jaw dropped for a moment. Was this some sort of trial? To test your loyalty to the throne. But her countenance held no animosity rather only plain curiosity.
So with all the courage you could muster you simply replied, "I believe he did the right thing."
"And I believe so too little dove."
You forgot yourself for a moment with her words.
"But I also believe we had no choice in our actions too. He saw something wrong and opposed the throne but it also caused unrest in the people in a sensitive time and we as the high family had to put an end to it. So believe me when I say this y/n you could do so much for the people if you are in power than what you do when you are a rebel."
You knew that she held no love for the High Lord. You were not deaf to the whispers regarding Lucien Vanserra and his parentage. But one thing stuck with you.
"Do you think of me being capable of revolting against the court?"
At that she smiled. Razor sharp. And you saw the true strength and cunning beneath her slip out a little.
" I think you are the poster child of a rebel. You certainly have the motive and fire for it but do you know what makes you different little dove?"
She paused a moment as if letting you agonize over the words.
"You also have what it takes to be a Queen."
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crystallizedtwilight · 10 months
Note
Redfinch timeline?
below the cut!
Albert moves into the Manhattan lodging house at 12 years old to help his family with money after his mother dies. His father and two brothers own a very small home which he still visits for dinners now and then.
Finch runs away from home an abusive home at age 12. He survives by pickpocketing until age 15 when he is recruited by Jack Kelly to become a newsie.
Albert meets Finch for the first time when Finch moves in to the Manhattan lodging house. Albert is unimpressed, Finch inwardly thinks he’s cute.
They're neutral for a year, no strong feelings from either party. Both are 16.
Over the next year, they actually begin to become friends. Finch starts calling Albert "Red" which Albert secretly likes, and he especially enjoys how Finch always seems to know just what to say to cheer him up. Finch thinks Albert is fun and enjoys his company. They're 17.
By the next year, at 18, they're close enough to start talking about more personal things, such as how Finch's homeless days still impact him sometimes. And Albert starts talking to Finch about more personal things--such as the fact that there is someone in the lodging house who Albert has been desperately in love with since the day they met (Racetrack), and every day it breaks his heart that his feelings are unreturned.
When Albert complains that he's never been kissed, Finch offers to be his first experience.
Albert enjoys it. The idea of being wanted by someone is appealing to him, even if it's not who he wants. They enter a fwb arrangement and Albert is extremely clear that this is strictly physical. Finch is genuinely fine with the terms and just happy to spend time with him. Though, even being fully aware that Albert has no romantic feelings for him, Finch still makes him work for it a bit, to avoid Al's tsundere ass acting like he was doing Finch a favor instead of acknowledging the truth that they both want this.
Albert uses Finch and Finch doesn't mind being used. Not just for physical comfort, but he's also happy to be emotional comfort for Albert as well when he's having a particularly down day. They continue this way for 6 months.
THE STRIKE HAPPENS
Albert and Finch make it through the stress of the strike but are both too preoccupied to seek each other out too much during this time.
Three weeks after winning the strike, and after Jack leaves, the worst happens: Racetrack moves to Brooklyn. It's terrible enough for Albert that Race is leaving, but it's even worse that Race is leaving to move in with his boyfriend, Spot. Albert sobs the entire day and night, then seeks Finch out to be held once he's fully exhausted.
Over the next week Al is inconsolable, miserable, and unfairly snappy to Finch. Finch respectfully gives him space.
Their relationship slowly resumes. The absence of Ractrack in the house seems to help Albert not to dwell on what he doesn't have, but appreciate what he does. After 2-3 more months it occurs to Albert that he feels the weight of being apart from Finch grow larger than the weight of being apart from Race by the day. Until suddenly, he's not missing Race anymore, but he does desperately wish to hold Finch once their workday is done.
When Albert thought about who had always been there for him to share in all his sadness and laughs and firsts, who made sure he always had a source of comfort, who made him feel like maybe love was something he was allowed to have after all…Albert fell hard.
Looking back, Finch had always seems to fit so perfectly into his life. Effortlessly fitting into every moment Al would allow him to be there, never asking anything and yet giving Al everything. Al can't believe he never seemed to notice how the perfect person for him had always been right there. And now, all Albert wanted to be was by his side. More than anything in the world.
And Finch, well, Finch had always loved Albert from the start of their relationship. And now that he was finally allowed to tell him, he would, and did, just as much as Al told him them same.
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theawkwardterrier · 3 months
Text
2023 fic roundup
MCU
Year by Year
Academic Antagonism, Scholastic Strife
Working Women
Have Yourself a Scheming Little Christmas
Outlander
Unexpected Gifts**
Pure Heart, Clean Hands*
Bake On
Bad Roommates; or, Stocking on the Door*
The Envy of Care*
Better Broken Hearts Than Broken Bodies**
The Intimidation Game**
Nature and Nurture*
What We Have, What We Keep*
First Gifts**
What We Have, What We Lose**
Reflections*
On the Road (Too Far, Too Long)*
A Particular Habit*
In Care Of*
Awakenings*
Not Alone**
Four Thoughts During a Separation*
In the Act**
After the War Is Over (Will There Be Any Home Sweet Home?)
Never Leaves You**
Polyglot Pride*
Bits and Pieces**
Sword and Shield*
Make History*
Soon, the Sight of You*
Baby Proof*
S5 Series, cont.*
Slow, Someday Sisters*
No Matter How Far*
Roots and Wings
Over Matter*
Small Joys*
Future Tense*
Healing Hearts*
Enough? Enough*
Connections*
Comes Around*
All Illuminated*
Genesis*
Dialogues*
One Last Time*
Fathering*
Side by Steadfast Side*
In His Multitudes*
By Heart*
Living Up*
Beyond Keepsakes*
Are and Become*
Marching On*
Family Means*
Far and Ahead*
Forever in Peace*
As Houses*
All Tied Up**
Hope’s Smallest Seeds*
Only in Dreams*
Parenting and Partnership**
All the Ways Home
Home and Away*
Vine and Fig Tree*
Familial Peas**
In the Light and the Shadows*
Gifts*
In the Operating Room*
All the Shattered Pieces*
Moments of Thanksgiving*
Anchors in Absence*
Relation**
Let the Circle Be Unbroken*
Morning Moments**
A Reception**
A Slow-Motion Storytime*
Particular Prescriptions*
Always Been Forever*
* drabble
** Laird’s Room ‘verse
1. Looking back, did you write more fic than you thought you would this year, less, or about what you’d predicted?:
As I continue my journey to not caring about this stuff: who knows?! What I will say is that I wouldn't have necessarily predicted that I wouldn't participate in certain fandom events that I traditionally have over the years, but that my list is super lengthy because I have kept up with my weekly drabbles and I've also transitioned to doing more chapter fic than I have in the past.
2. What pairing/genre/fandom did you write that you would never have predicted in January?:
No real surprises this year, but I did do quite a variety of drabble POVs rather than sticking to my single ship, plus it might be somewhat unexpected to see that I wrote kid!Natasha + kid!Sharon Carter dual POV.
3. What’s your own favorite story of the year? Not the most popular, but the one that makes you happiest?
Muscle Memory was technically still posting in this year, and I'm super proud of a lot of that story, but I also have quite a fondness for a lot of the character work and family/feelsy moments in All the Ways Home.
4. Did you take any writing risks this year? What did you learn from them?
Posting Roots and Wings!! I think that what I learned is that I'm allowed to just post what's interesting to me and what I want without thinking about reception, but also and perhaps contradictorily that sometimes the things that I like and want to experiment with will also appeal to people.
5. Do you have any fanfic or profic goals for the New Year?
Finish and post the Great Depression fic
Keep up with my Wednesday 100 drabbles
See if it feels good to go back to some additional fandom events or to start working with some new fandoms/ships - generally use what feels positive to me as the gauge for what I should do rather than expectations or the desire for recognition in some way
6. From my past year of writing, what was…
Story Most Underappreciated by the Universe:
There are easy reasons and explanations for this (it's short and really recent and potentially a little weird) but probably Have Yourself a Scheming Little Christmas.
Most Fun:
Academic Antagonism, Scholastic Strife! I still don't know that the trope super works in the way that I played it, but I like it anyway.
Most Disappointing:
I don't know that there's one that really fits here for this year, but maybe Roots and Wings specifically because the pacing is slightly off - I couldn't find anything to sort of fill in to balance the slower beginning with a slower ending rather than montaging the second half.
Most Sexy:
Oof, maybe I'm just tired, but I don't know that I had any super great sexy scenes this year?
Hardest to Write:
Lol, all of them? My depression hit super hard midyear and made it really difficult to focus and connect enough to complete All the Ways Home.
Most Unintentionally Telling:
The fact that I'm focusing so much on parenthood, specifically fatherhood, and family moments is definitely saying...something. Do even I know what it is? No guarantee!
Choice Lines:
Haha, I have no idea this year. I love my stuff but also it would be a bit out of hand to try to quote many of them. If you have favorites, I'd love to hear them!
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Text
Less Said, the Better
Killian frowned down at his phone. “Everything alright?” His brother asked.
He put his phone down and scratched behind his ear. “Aye. Emma was asking if she could bring Walsh next weekend.” Killian paused. His brother was the closest thing to a father he ever had. He found himself going on. “I don’t think he’s right for her. She’s too bloody quiet since she started dating that wanker.”
“Of course you don’t like them together.” Liam leaned back in the booth. “It might help to actually have a conversation with the lass.”
“What are you talking about?” He scowled at his brother’s smug expression. “That’s what I’m talking about. She doesn’t talk anymore.”
“Little brother, Emma’s never been the chatty one. I haven’t noticed a difference. I’m not saying he’s good for her, but have you thought perhaps your objection is jealousy?”
“Why would I be jealous of Swan?” He rolled his eyes just as she would have done. “And it’s younger brother.”
Liam shook his head and sipped his coffee. “Tell her to bring him. If there’s anything concerning, best we witness it and then talk to the lass.”
Killian scowled and texted his best friend. He felt ill at the idea of spending a day on the water with Emma and her boyfriend. Liam - well all their friends - thought he should tell Emma how he felt already. He knew her better than anyone, better than she knew herself some days, if he were to start talking about how he loved her, she would want to know why. Why hadn’t he told her a year ago or 10 years ago, why had he waited until she was in a relationship to tell her. If she was happy with the flying monkey, he would bite his tongue.
But he knew something was off because she wasn’t bloody talking to him.
When he got to the house for dinner that night, he was disappointed by Emma’s absence. Friday nights were usually family dinner nights for their friends. She’d stood on that front porch three months ago and told him It’s a new relationship, Killian. I need to give it a chance before I throw him into shark infested water. He really hated the silence. He missed fighting and making her laugh.
The fact that he’d been in love with her from the day they’d met wasn’t the issue.
“What’s wrong?” Elsa asked as everyone settled at the table. How was everyone so complacent about the empty chair beside him?
“Emma wants to bring Walsh next weekend.” Liam smirked at his fiancée.
“I worry about her.” Elsa began. Killian snapped his head up to revel in validation. “Walsh doesn’t really seem her type at all.”
“Exactly!” Relief flooded his veins. “She’s not talking. It’s weird.”
“That’s just how Emma texts. You know her, gifs, memes and emojis.” She said with and arched eyebrow. “Isn’t that how she texts you?”
He felt his ears burn. “Aye, but it’s not…” he let out a harsh breath. “That’s not how she used to text me.”
“She’s never been one for idle conversations.” Elsa waved her hand.
He frowned and Liam made a face. “No group chat.” Liam groaned. “She threatened to lock my phone in Davey Jones’ locker the last time I forgot.”
The following weekend, Emma sat on the deck beside Walsh. Killian felt his eye twitch as he watched the two silently flirt. Mary Margaret patted his shoulder and David chuckled at him. It wasn’t until Walsh took his shirt off that his brother continued to give him that look.
The look that said he should ask his best friend out already.
“Relax, Killian.” Elsa said in a soft voice. “She’s not acting off. And I get it now.” She shrugged.
“Get what?” Killian felt as if he’d entered the twilight zone.
“What she sees in him.” She blushed.
“I know, right?” Mary Margaret giggled. “He wears that suit and he has all the appeal..” Mags cleared her throat when David raised an eyebrow.
“A wet dish rag.” Elsa finished. “But take off that shirt and hot damn.”
Killian glared at his brother. It wasn’t as if either of them were out of shape. Was that really called for? As they gathered for lunch, Walsh started discussing his antiques shop and some of the finds he had. As he watched Emma’s smile dim, realization washed over him.
“Oh. I get it now.” He didn’t mean to say it out loud. Emma’s green eyes bored into him as she tried to decipher his meaning. Instead of answering, he waved her off.
Once they docked, Walsh left and Emma helped clean the galley. Killian leaned against the stairs for a second. “Care to enlighten the class, Jones?”
He scratched behind his ear. “I, uh, I’ve been racking my brain trying to understand why you changed. I figured it out.” She threw him a challenging glare and it gave him the courage to lean into her space. “You’re bored. Her eyes flashed and he stepped closer. “He opens his mouth and you lose interest. So you stop talking.”
“This is how I talk, Killian.” She whispered.
“No,” Killian sighed and reached up to brush her hair from her cheek. “It’s not how you talk to me, love. I miss you. I miss hearing you laugh and watching you roll your eyes at me when you think I’m ridiculous.”
“I need to go home.” Her eyes were wide and it felt like she wasn’t sure of her words.
“Want me to drive you?” He smiled sadly. “You’re still my best friend, Swan. Can’t have you driving tired.”
“Okay.”
Killian parked the car in front of Emma’s building. He hated the silence in the car. Most of the silences with Emma were comfortable, but tonight there was too much to say. “I don’t need an answer, but what if there was someone out there who cared about you? Who wanted to tell you everything and listen to every story you have and make you laugh as often as possible? What if there was a man who already loves you out there?”
“Then maybe he should stop dating bimbos and talk to me when I’m not in a relationship.” She replied.
~~~~~
Killian sat back on the deck of the Jolly Roger and Emma joined him a moment later. She tucked herself between his legs as they watched the sunset. He brushed a kiss to her shoulder still warm from the sun and wrapped his arms around her waist holding her back against his chest.
“Is this what you needed, love?” He murmured behind her ear. “Can I ask you something?”
“You just did.” She teased.
Killian tickled her and tightened his hold when she squirmed. “Smart ass.” He nipped at her ear. “When you were with the flying monkey, I told Liam you weren’t talking and he didn’t believe me.”
“That’s not a question.” She paused and shifted to face him. “I knew I couldn’t flirt with you and be in a relationship with someone else.”
“You stopped talking to me.” He whispered. “I don’t think I could handle a world where you don’t talk to me.”
She shrugged. “I don’t talk to anyone.”
Killian brushed a thumb along her jaw. “What makes me different?”
“You’re my person.” She said lightly. “You were the one who got past the walls.”
He brushed a kiss to her forehead. “I like you walls.” Killian murmured. “I like being the one to scale them.”
Tag!
@kmomof4 @teamhook @xarandomdreamx @tiganasummertree @earanemith @ilovemesomekillianjones @jonesfandomfanatic @caught-in-the-filter
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melis-writes · 1 year
Note
Can you please write more of the Sonny x Victoria affair au? Oh that could be an entire sub-series of Moth to Flame 🔥
AN ENTIRE SUB-SERIES… 💀💀 With the hot demand of more and more Sonny x Victoria (or should I say with the official ship name Victonny, hehe) THAT’S STARTING TO LOOK LIKE THE CASE…!! We never really did see the continuation AND end of that little affair in New York did we? Well, now everyone’s curiousity shall be sated!! 🥵😅
You were stunned the very moment you felt Sonny’s hand squeezing over your thigh nor did you have any time to process your brother-in-law moving closer towards your lips but nothing could have prepared you for the surprise kiss.
Sonny leaned in swiftly; his kiss wasn’t experimental or shy, it was greedy and bold. He tasted your lips, he didn’t just kiss them and it was an invitation for more amongst other things; a hint Sonny wanted you to understand, take and mutually return with the same insistent passion.
Sonny’s confidence spoke for itself in more ways beyond the physical. He’s always known he has charm, sex appeal and that he’s attractive enough to seduce and gain more than enough attention but Sonny’s not stupid either.
Sonny knows you’re married to his youngest brother and madly in love with Michael in every way possible—no exceptions. Sonny knows what he can and can’t have and how he get what he wants; it would be impossible and make no sense for the time being to have an actual romantic relationship blossom between the two of you but that has nothing to do with a sexual relationship.
Despite being married to Sandra with four children, Sonny never gave up on his womanizing antics nor did he plan to either but for you… Sonny would happily give up having sex with his own wife forever if it meant he could have you every now and then.
Not that it mattered anyway if Sandra whined and complained about the size of Sonny’s “monster cock” as she would call it, because Sonny would cheat on his whether or not she was aware and “okay” with it.
If it isn’t the fact that Sonny has a frenzied sex drive and high libido at any given moment, it’s the fact that having mistresses, secret affairs here and there and simply put—cheating on your wife—has been normalized enough within the “family business” culture.
It’s what separates Michael from his eldest brother; Michael’s never been interested in mistresses, prostitutes, having more than woman on his arm. He’s completely and utterly loyal to you and you alone, despite your absence and however long it may take but Sonny’s always bent the rules and is more than willing to set new ones altogether just for you.
You would have never guessed until you felt Sonny’s warm lips crushing over yours that you’re just Sonny’s type—all that he wants and more.
Vito noticed his son’s wandering eyes when you were first engaged to Michael and was very swift to scold and lecture his son about leaving you alone or not trying anything “stupid” with you, but Sonny always believed there’d be a time and place. He’d take any risk with you any day, gladly.
Sonny knew if he kept his dirty, horny fantasies about you mere fantasies, he wouldn’t have to worry about Michael quite literally killing him or being caught in any other form of deep shit either.
You love Sonny as a brother-in-law and can’t even recall a period of time where the two of you didn’t get along with one another. He never failed to make your laugh, cheer you up and offer advice here and there—not to mention he was a playful uncle who loved spending time with the twins.
Any sort of love or attraction beyond that was simply non-existent. Sure, you found Sonny attractive but not like that. The Corleone family practically ran on good looks, and you only had a warm, platonic love with your brother-in-law.
The idea of touching, kissing, and even getting to fuck his brother’s wife, of all people, sexually excites Sonny. He knows he can get away with it, and it’ll be a dirty little secret between the two of you, but what he anticipates after that is seeing you more and more often in private. After all, how can Sonny just get one taste of you?
‘The things I’d do to her if she let me—if she wanted me to.’ All you need to do is return the kiss and give Sonny the green light for him to seize the opportunity. He can’t resist you at all to begin with nor does he want to, but all he wants right now is for you to wonder what it would be like to fuck another Corleone brother.
Michael would raise hell even if he heard Sonny kissed your cheek, but the thought of “what Michael doesn’t know won’t hurt him” is so heavily engrained in Sonny’s mind that nothing can stop him from wanting to seduce you now.
‘Fuck the repercussions. Fuck the risks. I want her so fucking bad.’ Sonny’s attraction to you knows no bounds and has been as long-lasting as he can remember.
Sonny doesn’t care what’s right, what’s wrong or what’s forbidden—all of that blurs now that he’s alone with you with the opportunity to get a taste of his brother’s wife.
The hunger and longing in Sonny’s kiss doesn’t end until he pulls away from you. “I want you so bad, Vic.”
“Sonny—” Eyes wide from shock, you place your hands over his shoulders—unsure of what to do, say or even react to next.
Sonny licks off his lips, tasting you off his mouth like a sweet nectar as he slides his hands up your thighs and pulls your body underneath him on the couch. “I know you’re my brother’s wife, Vic, and I’m not gonna change that but if you just let me, if you want me—”
Sonny kisses you again feverishly. Your face flushes scarlet from embarrassment and surprise, not to mention your heart pounding in your chest as if it’ll burst any moment from all the unexpected feelings rushing to you at once.
“S-Sonny, Sonny—” You breathe out, cupping his face with both of your hands to look him directly in the eyes. “Sonny, no… I can’t do that to Michael—you can’t do this to Sandra.”
“Sandra lets me, baby.” Sonny smirks back at you lazily, “but you know that already, don’t you?”
“I—” Your muscles tense as you feel something hard and warm beginning to press up against your inner thigh.
“Only if you want, sweetheart.” Sonny winks, placing one hand over his leather belt. “You know it can be just between the two of us and stay that way.”
“Oh my God.” You find yourself murmuring out loud at the size of Sonny’s bulging erection tenting up in his trousers.
“That’s right, baby.” Sonny chuckles, pleased by your response as he presses his forehead against yours—waiting for a clear answer.
It’s been days since you’ve last been intimate with Michael and you’d be lying to yourself if you said you weren’t especially sexually frustrated having grown used to Michael’s touch and affection night after night.
Now practically touch starved with desire rising inside of you like a steady flame, here you are approached with an enticing offer that makes you question all you know and want.
“I can’t do that to Michael, Sonny.” You shake your head at him in refusal.
“Alright, darlin’. No worries.” Sonny chuckles, pulling away from you. “I get it.”
“You never told me…” Your voice trails off, “I never knew…”
“Surprised?” Sonny grins, taking your hand and raising it up to his mouth before kissing the back of it. “If only you knew, sweetheart. This’ll give you something to think about, huh? In case you change your mind.” Sonny locks eyes with you, redacting his thoughts of “and you will, believe me.”.
“I’m thinking about how Michael would kill us both.” You frown at Sonny, watching him approach the staircase. “How we’re both married.”
“And how exactly would Michael find out, sweetheart?” Sonny crosses his arms, leaning against the railing. “You’re here and where is he? It’s his loss if you ask me and you know…” Sonny gazes at you, “you know my offer still stands, baby. Always.”
Blushing furiously, you watch as Sonny grins to himself and heads upstairs towards the guest bedroom he’s staying in.
Even if your ultimate decision is a “no” regardless, Sonny can get off to the idea alone that you’ll be squirming just at the thought of everything he’s confessed to you—something he’s wanted to do for many years now.
When Sonny gets back into the guest room, he leaves the door slightly ajar before undressing down to a pair of brown slacks and a white beater shirt.
Downstairs and still on the couch, you lay down and stare up at the ceiling of your estate—clutching a pillow to your stomach and barely sure you even know what you’re doing away from Michael in New York in the first place.
Sonny turns on a late-night television program and plops down on his bed, getting comfortable with two pillows behind his head as he’s ready for a night of relaxation waiting for his erection to soften.
Five more minutes pass before you slowly sit up, setting the pillow down and rising to your feet. You cross your arms and look up the staircase, knowing the twins are fast asleep in their rooms down the hall.
Sighing softly, you begin to walk up the stairs—keeping your footsteps soft not to disturb anyone.
Only Sonny can hear you approaching and your presence instantly pulls his attention as he moves to sit up on the edge of the bed, waiting for you to get into the hallway.
You squint your eyes, unable to see much from the darkness of the hallway with only a small, dim light remaining midway through.
Still feeling your skin hot from a sudden rush of arousal, you stop in front of you and Michael’s bedroom door, just about to put your hand on the doorknob.
Sonny quietly slips out of his guest room—his eyes accustomed to the dark from keeping the lights off in his room as he walks out into the hallway.
You press your lips down, taking a soft deep breath as you close your eyes. You can sense Sonny approaching you from behind—having memorized the sound of his footsteps let alone his cologne lingering in the air.
You purposefully stay still, no longer able to fight the urge inside of you to give into this man. You can push open your bedroom door, walk in and go to bed pretending none of this ever happened, or you can continue to stay there, waiting for Sonny as you already are.
A wry smirk crosses Sonny’s face as he notices your muscles relaxing as he approaches you from behind. Maybe you’re too shy to admit it, but your body language gives it all away to him which he’ll only use to confirm again later.
You feel Sonny’s hands wrap around your waist from behind lovingly as he presses his chest up against your back—letting you feel his erection.
“Sonny…” You whisper breathily, noticing his hands rest gently over your barely-there baby bump.
“I know,” Sonny pushes a curtain of your hair aside from your shoulder, kissing the side of your neck. “And I can be gentle too, baby.”
The same numbing, desiring, deep passion washes over you as it did when Sonny surprised you with his kiss; blurring any concept of right and wrong, getting caught or not.
You lean your head back against Sonny’s shoulder, relaxing within his embrace. “The twins are asleep.”
“I know what you mean.” A playful smirk crosses over Sonny’s lips as he leans down to scoop you up into his arms bridal-style. “I’ve heard you before.” Sonny refers to your moaning and just how loud you can get in bed.
Your eyes widen at Sonny’s remark as you immediately turn your face away, humiliated. “Ugh, please tell me you’re joking.”
“Nothing to be ashamed of,” Sonny chuckles, noticing how you refuse to look him in the eye out of shyness as he leads you back to his room. “All I’m sayin’ is that I’d love to hear it again, on my terms.” Sonny uses his ankle to shut the bedroom door behind him, gently letting you down. “This is an interesting way of saying ‘yes’.”
“Don’t tease me.” You blush, moving towards the foot of the bed.
Chuckling quietly to himself, Sonny walks over to the nightstand by the bed and turns on the lamp before approaching the television to lower the volume down enough so that any other sounds coming from the bedroom won’t be heard, but that the television won’t wake the twins either.
As Sonny turns back to look at you, he’s pleasantly surprised to see you no longer in your satin nightrobe but in a matching pair of white lacy undergarments.
Sonny grazes his teeth over his bottom lip, all the more aroused by the way his bedroom light illuminates the shape of your breasts and the curve of your hips.
Sonny’s not going to waste his time reminding you that this’ll be a dirty little secret, a one time affair or reassure you Michael won’t find out about anything; you’re here, undressing and you’ve already accepted as much.
Michael is no longer on your mind at all in this room, only Santino Corleone is.
“Fuck, you’re gorgeous.” Sonny mutters, approaching the bed. “So fucking beautiful.”
You blush, noticing how Sonny’s eyes greedily dart up and down every inch of your body in admiration and lust. Instead of giving him an answer, you crawl up on the bed—giving Sonny a perfect view of your ass.
Sonny’s quick to throw off his beater shirt and slacks—left only in his briefs as he places both hands over your ass cheeks, giving them a firm rub. “Fuck, yes. You’re perfect, baby…”
“Mm…” You groan quietly, keeping the side of your face pressed up against the bed.
“I’m not letting anything keep me away from you tonight.” Sonny pulls your panties down your ass slowly, feeling his cock twitch at the sight of the fabric sticking to your pussy before being pulled off from just how wet you’ve gotten.
You shiver from Sonny’s touch, spreading your legs open enough for Sonny to slide your panties off of your ankles and let them drop to the floor.
Sonny unhooks your bra next, carelessly tossing it down to the floor next to your panties. “Yeah, I don’t think I’m ever going to get enough of you, baby.”
“Gonna make it a habit?” You tease back, relaxing on the bed and flipping over onto yourback.
“I’d make it my religion.” Sonny smirks, running his hands up and down your body. “If I’m gonna get a taste of you tonight baby, I want a taste everywhere. Every hole.” Sonny lets his cock spring free from his briefs, causing your eyes to widen again at the sight of his thick, ten inches.
‘Oh my God.’ Your pussy practically has a heartbeat of its own from throbbing just at the sight of Sonny’s cock. “That’ll…fit?”
“We can make it fit.” Sonny runs his thumb down your bottom lip, tilting your chin up to face him. “You’re a good girl—I know you’re dying just to take it inside of you, but…”
“But…?” Your breath hitches as Sonny’s hands begin to squeeze at both of your breasts—his fingers playing with your hardened, tender nipples.
“I want to get you nice and ready for me.” Sonny kisses inbetween your breasts before giving a sloppy, wet kiss to both of your nipples. “And believe me baby, I’m gonna enjoy all of this.”
“Oh!” A moan escapes your lips as you let your hands tangle in Sonny’s curls, watching him begin to worship your entire body.
Sonny hungrily sucks and flicks his tongue against your nipple—focusing on one breast at a time while letting his free hand rub your inner thighs and slowly spread your legs.
Growing more and more aroused by the minute by the passionate, needy foreplay, you can barely keep your eyes fully open—lost in a haze of ecstasy.
Sonny caresses your hips, admiring the curve to your body and planting hot kisses anywhere he can but careful enough not to leave any marks.
Your breasts glisten with Sonny’s spit as he pops your right nipple out of his mouth, then trailing his entire tongue from the center of your torso down your stomach and to your pelvis.
Whimpering and squirming about on the bedsheets, you don’t even need Sonny to spread your legs open—you already lift them up  next to your head as far as you can stretch.
“Perfect fucking pussy.” Sonny breathes hotly over your sensitized clit, tapping his thick shaft over your pussy. “Fuck, fuck, fuck. I wanna bury my fuckin’ face in here forever.”
“Ohhhh, yes!” You cry out in pleasure as Sonny does just that, shoving his face into your pussy and hungrily lapping up your wetness.
“Oh, o-oh, OH! OHHH!” You tug on Sonny’s hair roughly, breathing heavily as you watch him suckle and lick your clit as if he was devouring his last meal.
From the way your pussy contracts against Sonny’s mouth, he can easily tell when you’re close to orgasm.
From the way your thighs quiver against him, Sonny presses tongue the entire width of his tongue against your clit, cupping his hands underneath your ass and raising your hips a bit before he moves his tongue down to your asshole.
You clasp a hand over your mouth to stifle your filthy moans as Sonny pulls back only to let a wad of spit land over your asshole. “Every hole, baby. I’m fucking every one of your holes tonight.”
“Oh G-God, oh my God—” You moan shakily, feeling Sonny equally share his tongue over your clit and your ass as your pussy juices trickle down your inner thighs, onto Sonny’s tongue and soak into the bedsheets.
“Gonna fill you so good, baby.” Sonny breathes heavily, pulling back to position the tip of his cock to the entrance of your pussy. “You tell me how much more you want—how much you can take.”
“Do it…” You whimper, spreading open your pussy lips with both hands and waiting for Sonny.
Sonny licks his lips—his chin still dripping with a mixture of his spit and your pussy’s wetness as he slowly pushes the tip of his cock inside of you.
“O-Oooh,” you immediately feel the thickness of his girth stretching you—a completely different feeling altogether.
“Want me to cum inside you, baby?” Sonny smirks, hovering above your body as he presses in two inches.
“Y-yes,” you admit eagerly without second thought, watching as Sonny’s cock continues to impale you.
The thickness of Sonny’s girth let alone the veins on his cock provide stimulation as is when entering into your pussy, stretching you wider than you’re used to. “Never gonna be fucked this good again, baby… I’ll guarantee you that.”
“O-ooh…” You’re not even aware of the little moans coming out of your mouth here and there as Sonny continues to push inside of you; your vaginal muscles relaxing to accommodate his massive length.
“So fucking hot watching you take in my cock like that… Yeah…” Sonny breathes, pushing in seven inches now and noticing your expression twisted in pleasure about to hit your limit with eight inches. “Oh, so that’s what you’re used to, huh?”
“More… More.” You whine, grabbing at Sonny’s hips. “Give me more—I want every inch. Every inch…”
“Every inch like a good girl…” The tip of Sonny’s cock brushes up against your G-spot as he pushes in almost nine inches but stops, noticing an immediate orgasm on your behalf.
“Oh, God!” You shriek out in pleasure as your thighs shake uncontrollably against Sonny’s waist from the sudden touch to your G-Spot.
Sonny’s eyes widen to see your pussy contract against his cock, soaking it from the inside. Grinning, he pulls out the nine inches deep he was in and eagerly lowers his head to catch a few spurts of your squirt in his mouth.
“Ahhh, ah fuck, fuck—” You pant, taken back from the fact you squirt to begin with.
“Mmmm, now that’s how I like it, baby.” Sonny swallows, letting the rest drip off his chin. “My cock makes you squirt like that huh?”
“I—I—” Unable to form a coherent sentence, you whine loudly, only feeling your pussy throb even more. “Just fuck me, fuck me, fuck me, please, fuck—OOOH!”
“Oh my God, yes!” You tilt your head back against the bed with a loud moan as Sonny angles his hips downward and thrusts all ten inches inside of you until his hips meet with yours.
Sonny inhales sharply, squeezing your thighs as he lets out a low groan. “So fucking good… Such a tight, wet pussy.”
Enthralled by Sonny’s cock, you hold on tightly to your ankles, ensuring your legs remain up by the sides of your head to fuck you in a perfect missionary position to hit your G-spot every time.
The fact you’re cheating on Michael and having sex with another man—let alone his older brother—isn’t on your mind nor does it threaten you with guilt.
Instead, you’re obsessed with watching Sonny rock your body against the bed—thrusting ruthlessly and keeping a steady, quick and rough rhythm inside of you.
Sonny can barely hold back his moans either, and the bedroom is filled with the sloppy sounds of your gushing pussy and Sonny’s hips slapping against yours back and forth.
Watching Sonny’s cock slide in and out of you completely, ensuring you feel every single inch each time is nothing but euphoric bliss.
With each time Sonny pops his cock out of you entirely, you giggle breathily as you squirt again and again in orgasm—making a mess for the both of you that Sonny can’t get enough of.
If it was up to Sonny, he would fuck you until dawn and then some more. He’d cancel his own plans, show up whereever he needed to be much later than usual if it meant he could fuck you again and again throughout the day.
Like the sweetest most forbidden fruit to him, Sonny’s had sex with dozens and dozens of women but you’re his favourite and his best; never again will he want to be inside another pussy or on top of another woman, including his wife.
“Y-YES!” It takes every ounce of strength inside of you not to scream out from the sensations Sonny draws out of you by ramming his cock against your G-spot.
From the multiple times you squirt and your own pussy’s aroused lubrication mixing with Sonny’s precum, your pussy is a sopping wet mess and it allows Sonny’s cock to easily thrust all ten inches inside of you again and again.
When Sonny cums inside of your pussy for the first time, you squeal at the sensation of a hot, thick load of cum pumping into your pussy.
Sonny doesn’t pull out to admire the mess but is quick to pull you on top of him instead, furfilling one of Sonny’s favourite fantasies of watching you ride his cock on top of him.
“F-fuck me, fuck me Sonny, fuck me—” You pant out, pushing your hips up and down as you bounce on Sonny’s cock.
“That’s right—c’mon, take it. Take it like that, you fuckin’ slut. Put every inch inside of that heavenly pussy of yours.” Sonny grips a hand over your throat, speaking to you in a low tone.
You nod back shakily, watching and whining as the cum inside of you oozes down onto Sonny’s shaft and is back inside of you again with each thrust.
You’ve already lost track of how many orgasms you’ve had, stopping count after four. You feel your pussy hum against Sonny’s cock as you approach another orgasm yet again, obsessed with the way Sonny fucks the ever-living life out of you by the minute.
Again, neither of you choose to or even want to take a break after Sonny cums in your pussy for the second time.
Instead, Sonny grabs a fistful of your hair and presses your face down against the pillows, fucking you in doggy style next with your stomach against the bed but your hips and ass slightly raised upward.
“S-so good, so fucking good—” Sonny spanks your ass again and again, watching your skin redden as he fucks you like a ragdoll against the mattress.
Throughout the entire sloppy, sex session in the past twenty minutes, Sonny let his fingers do the magic on both your pussy and your ass.
Using his own precum, cum and your squirt and spit, Sonny rubs and smears as much lubrication over your asshole as possible until your ass is stretched to accommodate two of his fingers in easily.
Sonny has the perfect view of your ass and continues fingering you to prepare you for anal next as hips cause the back of your thighs to glow pink from how hard and fast his thrusts come into contact with your pussy.
Tears stream down your cheeks from being fucked so good into a blissful state that you’ve already begun to drool against the pillow from moaning over it so much.
“Gonna make every hole mine tonight, baby.” Sonny dips his fingers in and out of you to get you comfortable.
“Fuck me,” you whimper, moving your hands back and spreading open your ass for him. “I can’t fucking take it anymore—fuck me!”
Chuckling, Sonny times his next orgasm perfectly. His hips snap into yours one last time as he cums for the third time but pulls out halfway through, cumming over your asshole and fingering his cum back inside of you.
“Oh!” You squeeze your eyes shut, pressing your ass up against Sonny’s cock.
With your holes begging to be filled, you muffle out a scream against the back of your hand when Sonny’s thick cock penetrates your ass—not in pain but from the extreme pleasure of his girth brushing up against your vaginal walls.
“I know you’ve done this before,” Sonny smirks, smacking your ass again. “More eager than patient… Dirty girl.”
Coupled with Sonny’s fingers rubbing over your soaked clit now hypersensitive from back to back orgasms, your pussy continues to contract and squirt out more cum—your own and Sonny’s inside of you from the way Sonny fucks your ass.
‘She’s the sweetest fuckin’ thing I’ve ever had…’ Sonny grunts, thrusting even harder inside of you to fill each and every one of his dirtiest fantasies.
From all of the natural lubrication and cum from both of your bodies, Sonny’s cock practically slips in and out of your ass.
Right when Sonny’s about to reach his fourth orgasm, he grabs both of your breasts harshly and pulls you up so your back presses against his chest.
While keeping his head on your shoulder and your breasts squeezed harshly in his hands, Sonny continues slamming in and out of your ass and doesn’t relent either once he begins to cum.
Squealing and squirming from the pleasure, you squirt over the palm of Sonny’s free hand working over your clit and feel Sonny’s cum thrusted back and forth in your ass as he comes to a halt.
Catching your breath, you collapse down onto the bed as Sonny pulls out of you, watching your ass and pussy oozing out thick loads of his cum.
“Sonny…” You clutch onto the bedsheets, peeking up at him as you attempt to calm your  breathing rate.
Sonny plops down on his side next to you, raising your thigh up with his hand before making eye contact with you. “I’m yours just as  much as you’re mine tonight.”
Still recovering from the aftermath of your orgasm, you inch your hips closer and take Sonny’s still erect cock in your hand.
You look your brother-in-law in the eye knowing that once the ridicule and guilt hits back home that you’ll never be able to look into Michael’s eyes the same way you used to.
This time, instead of looking at Sonny with shock that he kissed you, you gaze at him while spreading open your own pussy and pushing his cock inside of you yet again.
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Disappearance of Trevor Deely
Trevor Deely was born on 15 August 1978. Deely was due to go to a Christmas party that was scheduled for Thursday 7 December 2000. After drinks in Copper Face Jacks and the Hilton Hotel, the party moved to Buck Whaley's nightclub on Lower Leeson Street. Deely left Buck Whaley's at about 3:25 am. He started walking in the direction of his apartment in the Renoir complex, on Serpentine Avenue in Ballsbridge. There was a heavy storm that night with gusts as high as 60 or 70 mph, and there was also a taxi strike. About ten minutes after leaving the nightclub, Deely arrived at his office, and was let in after calling security. While in his office Deely made a cup of tea and spoke to a colleague, Karl Pender, who was working the night shift. He also checked his emails and made a note of things he needed to do in work the following morning. He left the office at 4:03 am, taking an umbrella with him, and continued in the direction of Ballsbridge. 
Around this time he rang a friend of his in Naas and left a voicemail. His friend described the message as saying "‘Hi, Glen, I’ve missed you there. Just on my way home, all going good, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.’ Or words to that very close effect.” His friend deleted the message, not regarding it as significant and investigators never sought to retrieve it. CCTV footage shows that a man dressed in black was waiting outside the gates of the bank for approximately half an hour before Deely arrived. When Deely arrived, they had a brief conversation. Two minutes after Deely entered the bank, two more men arrived at the gate. While they have since been cleared as colleagues of Deely, the man in black remains a person of interest. By the time Deely left the bank, this man was no longer waiting outside. At 4:14 am CCTV footage shows Deely walking past what was then the AIB bank on the corner of Baggot Street Bridge and Haddington Road in the direction of his flat. About thirty seconds later a man dressed in black passed by the AIB bank. Gardaí said that they believe this is the same man who spoke to Deely outside his office. This man has never come forward to Gardaí, despite numerous appeals over many years since the disappearance. 
Deely's absence from work the following morning was not seen as a cause for concern as it had been a late night. Additionally, his flatmates were away that weekend so they did not know he was missing either. Only when Deely failed to show up the following Monday were alarm bells raised. His work informed his family. After ascertaining that nobody had spoken to Deely that weekend, they reported him as a missing person.
Over the following days Deely's family and friends put up hundreds of posters, handed out thousands of leaflets and went from house to house and business to business inquiring if people had seen him. His friends were able to obtain the CCTV footage used in the investigation. Det. Sgt Michael Fitzgerald, who worked on the case from the beginning said “I’ve never worked on a case where the family were so proactive.” The delay between Deely being last seen and reported as missing meant that vital time was lost.
The Garda sub-aqua team searched the river Dodder and the Grand Canal but did not find anything. They were unable to drain the Grand Canal Basin as it would affect the structural integrity of the surrounding buildings. Deely's sister, Michele, said that she rang his phone a few times the weekend he went missing and she believes that it rang out. According to Dr. Philip Perry, a senior research fellow in the radio and optical communications laboratory at Dublin City University, a phone in 2000 would have gone dead within seconds of falling into the water. However, Michele said she is not 100% sure that it did actually ring.
Two Gardaí travelled to Alaska to speak to the girl who Deely had gone over to see before his disappearance. Deely's sisters also travelled to Alaska separately for the same purpose. The trips did not produce any leads.
Deely's whereabouts remain unknown and the case continues to spark interest. 
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ficklecat · 6 months
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Personal History & Relationship: Phineas and Emmanuel
LONG POST AHEAD
CW: mention of deportation, depression/suicide, parental death, abuse, codependency
Oh. These two… 😌
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Finn and Manny (or as Finn calls him, “E,”) have known each other since boyhood. Their fathers - Patrick and Diego - become great friends when Patrick offered to assist Diego regarding an appeal of a deportation decision. It had left the Domingo family fractured, with Manny’s mother and brother in Guatemala, but the boys quickly bonded over the shared absence of a mother (Heather Morgan died of meningitis very shortly after she gave birth) and the bond between their fathers.
As time went on Manny and Finn became inseparable, spending nearly every day together, having endless sleepovers, going to the same pre-school, developing a closeness that was beyond friendship or even a sibling bond. However, what truly solidified that bond came with a cost.
Patrick Morgan suffered from untreated major depression for most of his life. He was a fretful man with regard to his perceived stature and tended to overwork his image at the expense of his mental health. After his wife passed he threw himself into his practice and relied heavily on distraction over coping and facing his depression. Diego urged him when they worked together on his wife’s case to seek help, tried to help him find hope in things like his career and his son, who idolised him, but after a particularly difficult case that resulted in the harsh sentencing of an 18 year old girl, Patrick’s depression took his life, leaving and 8 year old Phineas to discover his body in the garage. His first call was not to the police, but to Diego.
Patrick left no note, but had an extensive, ironclad will in an effort to ensure Finn was not solely left to the system as best he could; he also left Finn a sizeable trust that he could inherit when he was 18, as well as every asset of the Morgan estate. While the state determined how to meet the stipulations while also placing Finn in a foster home (the Morgans had no next of kin), Finn lived with Diego and Manny, but the gleeful kid they knew had been replaced with a timid, anxious, easily emotional and increasingly frightened and angry young boy. During this time Diego decided he had to do right by his friend, and began the process of applying to adopt Finn. But by this time, the state had found him a home. Diego’s application was denied faster than most.
Despite moving around and Finn’s increasingly difficult childhood, the boys’ bond did not waver. They still went to the same school, had play dates and sleepovers whenever possible, and grew up alongside each other even though they no longer lived together or saw each other every day. Continuously, Finn would seek out Manny’s constancy and reassurance, growing to depend on his presence as the only thing that was stable, safe, and consistent in his life. As he grew up isolated, skittish, and abandoned, he watched as Manny grew to be confident and loving, happy, and warm, and Finn was drawn to him like a moth to lamplight. Manny, in turn, ached to see his beloved companion have a better life, and never hesitated to provide a shining light to him in darkness.
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At age 15, Finn was moved to a group home for teen boys after surviving three years in an abusive foster home with 3 other boys. The group home was not far from the Domingo’s home, and throughout high school, their bond began to form and shape into the eventual love and romance they have now, though at the time it was much more tumultuous and intense. Being close to Manny again meant Finn could cling hard and immediately, grasping at the potency of safety after many years of it being uncertain or even outright absent in his life. Diego did his best, coaxing the boy just like he did with his friend to seek help and find hope, but Finn only dug in his heels. Manny, sensitive and passionate, and a growing advocate with a strong sense of justice, began to become extremely protective of Finn. The two were often seen to their classmates as a dangerous duo - Manny being the calm, deceptively cheerful yet ferocious protector, and Phineas, the erratic, vicious, short-tempered outcast under his wing. Finn was a firecracker, muted at first yet prone to being explosive and emotional, getting into fights and snapping at authority figures, while Manny would clean up his mess behind, apologising, excusing, sheltering Finn from the consequences as best he could.
It was difficult, codependent, and becoming toxic. But eventually, things began to simmer and smooth.
By college, Phineas and Emmanuel began to understand their bond with better insight. Finn, with the help of his father’s paralegal-turned-civil attorney Casey, gained independence upon receiving his inheritance and became determined to separate himself from the dismal statistics of young people in his situation. He fought his way into school and found his own place, managed his money with Casey’s help and liquidated acquired assets to ensure that if he couldn’t achieve a future he could at least afford one. With his basic needs finally met and moving towards stable, Finn was able to finally discover what brought him joy and comfort, what made him feel safe and even happy, and it boiled down to two things: books, and Emmanuel.
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They fell into a deeply passionate and loving romance after that, attending the same university and discovering each other as well as themselves in a new light. Finn was still obsessive and erratic at times, but Manny’s stability became a balm more than a bandage. He attempted to push Finn just as his father did to better himself, but his primary focus was on providing love and stability, which Finn returned with whimsical romantic gestures and a heartfelt, poetic infatuation for him. With this new relationship dynamic finally slotting into place for them, Finn and Manny began to understand their hearts and minds with a more intimate depth, and by the time they each approached graduation, they were inseparable once more.
Eventually Finn came to understand that Manny was more than a boyfriend or a best friend, but rather, a life partner. They settled neatly into the unshakable fact that they would always love and be loved by each other, in every iteration of themselves. But Finn began to see too through this that there was more love in him to give, an insatiable amount, long since muted and pushed down by the traumas he’d endured, aching to be freed. His proclivity for being over-emotional therefore manifested in potent highs of neediness and clinginess, which could make Manny feel stifled or even worried, as he felt ever being unavailable meant jeopardising their relationship or his well being. Finn still had a lot of unresolved pain and hurt, and his attachment style exemplified this. Manny felt he couldn’t give Finn all he needed as a partner no matter how in love they were, no matter how much they needed each other. And Finn, despite himself, began to feel the same.
But they needed each other. Unquestionably. So after two years together, they decided to try and open their relationship to allow for a third partner - one they could mutually be involved with or one that Finn would be with exclusively - to help them ease the pressure and allow a flourish of intimacy and trust between them. It was a mutual decision, despite a little fear and apprehension on both ends, but ultimately the desire to give each other what they needed to be happy (Phineas an outlet for his attachment without overwhelming one person, and Manny some space to breathe while knowing the one he loved was still being cared for) led them to falling even more in love with each other, even though they had not yet found a partner to suit this need. The knowledge of their unwavering connection and the promise of allowing their love to grow was enough.
And then Finn met Violet.
Emmanuel often says that to watch someone you love, loving someone else, is a profound gift. To see them alight with joy and happiness, allowing them to glow in their own affections is exhilarating and inspiring, and it makes him fall and fall and fall in love over and again with Phineas, each time he glows in the light of his or Violet’s love. And in turn, Phineas gives him that love ten and twenty fold, his still healing heart now held in the strong and tender hands of both Manny and Violet, helping collect the pieces and put them back in place, or fill the empty spots with each of their own.
It’s unconventional and at times may appear complicated, or even disingenuous to those who don’t know better, but to them, it’s enough, and it’s as perfect as it can be.
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dorothydalmati1 · 7 months
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Obscure Animation Subject #43: Sazae-san
Originally posted on Twitter on April 3, 2023.
So, um… this is actually the longest-running animated series of all time! Don’t believe me, please read.
Based on the 1946-1974 gag manga by Machiko Hasegawa, the show is produced by Eiken (formerly TCJ until 1972) and airs on Fuji TV.
It premiered on the network on October 5, 1969, with a timeslot of Sundays at 6:30 PM, with each episode containing 3 7-minute segments, and it continues airing to this day. The show holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running animated television series in 2013.
The show is about Sazae, a very liberated woman, with many of the early plotlines revolving around Sazae bossing around her husband, to the consternation of her neighbors, who believed that a man should be the head of his household. Later, Sazae became a feminist.
Not in the modern American style, and was involved in many comical situations regarding her affiliation with her local women's lib group. Despite the topical nature of the series, the core of the stories revolved around a large family dynamic, presented in a lighthearted fashion.
In current culture, the popular Sazae-san anime is frequently viewed as a nostalgic representation of traditional Japanese society, since it represents a simpler time before many of the changes brought by modern technology. Its social themes are evocative of a nostalgic era.
And its a no-brainer that the show lasted this long for how much of a nostalgic feel it has. Usually, the stories are based on the ones in the manga like most anime, but due to the limited number of strips, a new anime-original story is created every few years.
In addition, the unique culture and events in a typical Japanese household, including the four seasons, will always be reflected in the story.
At the start of the anime, it was a slapstick comedy, but within a year it had become more slice-of-life. However, its still comedic.
For this reason, it is often described as a "national anime" in Japan and is regarded as a symbol of "universality" and "permanence". Whenever there is a change, there is always a great deal of media coverage, and the anime retains a strong influence on the public.
In recent years, due to the influence of its unchanging style, it is sometimes criticized as "anachronistic" or "this anime depicts the 20th century," such as the absence of smartphones and convenience stores in the work even though the period setting is the present day.
In response to this comment, the staff said, "The appeal of this anime is that it depicts scenes of everyday life and universal relationships that can be found in any family. Therefore, we have no plans in the future to incorporate events or items that would change them."
However, some of the phenomena, such as smoking and corporal punishment, which have come to be considered inappropriate due to changing times, have been removed or otherwise addressed. The anime is not well known outside of Japan, as it has never been developed globally.
However, in 2019, the producers stated in a conversation that they hope to be able to expand globally in the future. Otherwise, due to wishes and right-holders, most of the show is considered lost media with only a small percentage of episodes have surfaced online.
As of 2023, only Midori Katō, who plays Sazae, has never been changed. Katō was recognized by Guinness World Records in 2019 as the "Longest career as a voice actor for the same character of an animated TV series". Very impressive that she’s been voicing for so long.
The opening is an introduction to the places that Sazae has traveled and visited throughout Japan since 1974. This video changes every three months. This has come to be viewed by cities as a "cost-effective means of promoting tourism" and Sazae is proud of promoting.
From the start of the series until October 1991, Sazae ended each episode by tossing a bean or rice cake in the air and catching it in her mouth. It was replaced after doctors raised concerns that children may try to imitate Sazae and potentially choke on food.
Since November 1991, after the closing credits and the next episode previews, each show has ended with a janken match between Sazae and the viewers at home, in which Sazae holds up a sign representing one of the appropriate hand gestures. This made the closings more fun.
The anime series was originally sponsored solely by Toshiba. Later, in 1998, the program expanded to other sponsors, but the unity between Toshiba and Sazae-san remained strong. So when Toshiba withdrew its sponsorship due to poor management, it was big news.
Sazae-san was the last animated television series to use traditional cel animation, although as of April 2009, the opening credits were digital. The series finally switched to digital ink-and-paint animation in 2015. The opening and ending themes are by Yuko Uno.
There have been two hiatuses: the first, for about a month beginning in February 1975, due to the 1970s energy crisis; the second, for about a month beginning in May 2020, due to COVID-19. Programming during these periods was handled by rebroadcasting past productions.
In Japan, there is a term called "Sazae-san syndrome" (サザエさん症候群, Sazae-san shōkōgun), which refers to a depressed mood on Sunday night after an episode has finished on television, reminding people that the weekend is coming to an end, mainly children who hate school.
Regardless if it has done good or bad, Sazae-san is one most historical and important animated shows ever created, and it developed a cult following internationally. While most episodes are lost, the ones found give us an insight to the show and how popular it’s become in Japan.
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alisterfm · 1 year
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                                𝖎𝖓𝖙𝖗𝖔𝖉𝖚𝖈𝖎𝖓𝖌... 𝖆𝖑𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖗𝖔𝖘𝖎𝖊𝖗
NAME: alister james rosier
NICKNAMES: aster, 
AGE:twenty three
GENDER IDENTITY:cis-male
PRONOUNS:he/him
SEXUALITY: fluid
BIRTHDAY: march 22
STAR SIGN: aries
WAND: yew, phoenix core, 12 1/2″ long, supple flexibility 
PATRONUS: goshawk
BLOOD STATUS: pureblood
SPECIALISING: magical artifacts
EXTRACURRICULARS: care of magical creatures, wizard chess, swim team
HOUSE: slytherin
ALMA MATER: thriudreiks
HEIGHT: 6′2″
HAIR: brown
EYES: blue
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I. It’s an usually cold night in spring, midwives gather in a bedroom chamber to welcome the first born that will continue the sacred line. He doesn’t cry, worry lingers in his mothers eyes; when assurances comes, the worry fades. The cold follows from infancy to childhood, chilling him to his core until it settles in his bones. Expectations weigh him down, the Rosier name a sacred 28 and there’s a way things must be done. He has to excel with no exception, the purest blood they said but when skin is cut it still bleeds red.
II. His father is ice, strict and stern and unforgiving. His mother is warmth, gentle and loving and safe. Childhood is a mix of both, heavy words soothed over by forgiving arms. He’s brought up the way a boy of his status should be, though his fathers words about status and blood go ignored. They mean nothing to a curious boy more focused in the stories in his books than the one’s of his ancestor’s past.
III. It’s unexpected, his mother’s leaving, though a surprise to none except his father. Their marriage was never the fairy tale picture, a marriage of duty and a stranger of love. She held on to her son with a iron grip but in the end she had to put her happiness first, freedom was granted but he’d been the price. On the day she left, he received his letter. The years that followed were void of warmth and in its absence grew resentment. His father remained unchanged, his focus still on the legacy of their name and Aster’s place in it. He was sent away to school, a place with others just like him, told to not just be better but the best and anything else would not be accepted.
IV. Thiudreiks is paradise, a moment of peace away from home and he shows his thanks by living up to the expectations wanted from him. He makes a home in a found family of his own choosing, some familiar from childhood days and others new and with nothing in common, a select group of friends that he offers his loyalties to. He does as he’s told until at 18 he sheds the weight from his shoulders. He peruses a higher education for him, Aurelius, finally time for himself and away from any expectations. 
tidbits
despite being pureblood and holding the rosier name, aster doesn’t really care about blood status. it’s partly due to his family’s obsession with it
slytherins tend to get a bad rep for being the worst but aster isn’t very cruel, he’s cold and doesn’t offer a friendly hand but he also won’t go out of his way for cruelness. that requires time and effort and there are better things to do
when it comes to relationships he’s very flaky. he’ll be the perfect boyfriend for a brief moment then might lose interest or get bored and calls it quits. 
the idea of having to share a bedroom with 3 others does not appeal to him at all, because of this he chooses to stay off campus and lives in hogsmead. he’ll walk or fly in to class every day. often his flat is a gathering place for his friends
he doesnt shy away from trouble, he likes to keep things spicy from time to time
i’m open to pretty much any plot with him!! feel free to reach out to me if i don’t reach out to first!!
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Masked Dream
─── ・ 。゚☆: *.☽ .* :☆゚. ───
Felix oneshot
Genre: royalty, dream, romance, fiction, au
Warnings: angsty af
Words: 1,603
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When the mask comes off, the night ends. When the mask comes off, the thrill of a chase ends. When the mask comes off, the deepest desires within your heart also ends. When the mask comes off, you are forced to wake up from the dream your mind escapes to---and everything ends.
A ball was held that evening in your palace. A ritual ball, one made yearly to keep your place as the Queen, high and unmatched. A royal ball that was always exquisitely and delicately designed each year to impress those of status and keep the routine.
With your heart elsewhere, endlessly searching the crowd for a familiar face, it was difficult to enjoy the night. Recently, your entire world has changed because of someone else. They made your sight more clear, your heart more filled, and your mind more open to the continuous routines of royalty. Now, yearly balls like this have no appeal to you anymore. Though, it was freshened up with the help of wearing masks in addition to new music.
He was nowhere to be seen in the ballroom. His ideas had stood ground and became real, with many stories of what his home was like and the differences in lifestyle. The music he had played for you, claiming it was something he learned from his home, was now ringing in your ears and catching your attention. It was not music your people were accustomed to, but it seemed to bring them all joy nonetheless. The stories he had told of different dancing styles that were now being enjoyed amongst your guests created laughter. They accepted change very easily when it came to him.
Your heart felt so broken knowing why it was he didn't attend your masquerade party. You recall him mentioning many times before how much he missed his home. How he yearned to be with the people he loved, his family and friends, and how he at least owed them an explanation for his absence. You had tried to convince him to stay, to write letters or visit on occasion, but he told you it wouldn't work. That his life was different. No matter how hard you had tried to understand, you couldn't quite grasp the concept of his world being so different to that extent.
No, you didn't want to understand.
Wherever he was from, whoever he was, you didn't want to know the truth. If anyone had questioned his origin, his status, or anything about him at all, you were the first to defend him. To hide it all. And now that your life has changed so much because of him, you feel even more empty than you did before he came. He wasn't even there to witness his effect on your world and your people. The people you wanted him to rule as well.
Your eyes suddenly met his in the crowd. Although he was masked, a dark black intricate design covering most of his face, you could recognize him anywhere. Surprised, you lent to the edge of your seat to catch a better glimpse. He stood still, watching you as well. As you go to move to stand from your throne, he slips back into the crowd and swiftly glides last everyone.
The rush of adrenaline fills your body as you quickly grasp your gown into your hands and race down the stairs. No one noticed your presence as you squeezed past the dancing couples and followed the same path he did. Out the balcony doors you went, the cold wind biting harshly at your exposed arms. However, you pushed through to run into the garden, not looking behind once.
Felix was sitting on the bench when you rounded high bushes, cautiously walking towards him. His mask now pushes his dark, long hair back and out of his eyes. He turns to meet your eyes again, but this time sharing a smile with you. He pats the space beside him, encouraging you to sit as well.
"What are you doing back here?" Is all you could manage to say. You felt shocked to see him at all, especially after the goodbyes he gave you the day prior. But you had hoped he would show, and that's why you were so desperately searching the crowd for his familiar eyes of fire. The flame that never died.
Felix turns his legs toward you and reaches a hand to your own, placing his on top. "My dearest love," he speaks softly. His left hand moves to caress the side of your face. "I don't have much time to say goodbye."
"We said our goodbyes before," you sadly mention. How could you forget? Your heart was aching because of that. "Why must you hurt me again?"
Felix smiles bitterly. "This goodbye is not the same. I have some unfinished feelings I would love to regret if I don't fulfill them now."
You grip his right hand tightly between your own and lean into the palm on your cheek. "Whatever you request of me, I will make happen like all the others you have requested before. Say it. Your word is my command, my darling, and if this be your last request I would only be able to listen."
Felix plays with the ends of your hair that was not tucked into the style your maids twisted it into. He took a deep breath before removing himself from you completely to stand. He outreaches his hand to you again before pulling you close into his chest.
"If I must make this request, I will do so after a dance. Dance with me, my love. While the music is faint, let us dance the way my home does. The way I have taught you."
And so you did. His hand wraps around your waist, pulling you even closer, and guides your hands around his neck. You began to sway gently as the intimate position forced your breath from your lungs. Oh, how you wished to stay like this forever.
Your fingers slip into his black hair, pulling on the ends softly. Your eyes look into his own, feeling as if you had to read his thoughts for them to be known. He didn't speak as he continued to sway, just smiling softly at you. It was like every other problem had washed away with him in your arms.
All too soon, the song ended. Stepping away, you both bow to one another as a courtesy from your home. Even more so than before, you could feel your heart beating harshly against your chest. You began to count the beats to ensure they were regular. You didn't look at Felix this time.
"My Queen," he whispers. He reaches to remove the purple mask from your eyes, gently placing it on the bench. "There are so many things I must explain, like who I am and where I come from. But for now, I am only able to tell you this."
You grasp his forearms to keep him from pulling away. "You don't have to tell me anything-!"
He shook his head. "No, darling, I must. It is for the best that I do so now while you are happy within my grasp." He tucks a tendril from the side of your face behind your ear. Gently. Softly. Tenderly. "I want you to know that everything we have felt together has been real. My love for you, my actions, my words, have all been true. Real. But I'm afraid, that is not the case for you."
Suddenly, Felix's voice was cracking. The tears began to well up in his eyes as he gazed so lovingly at you. You couldn't breathe. "I don't understand," you quietly tell him. "I have always been true to you. I have always been honest with my love for you."
Nodding, he breathes out, "I know. And I will always remember you for that. But I have realized now the truth that I have been missing. It is not I who is from another world, but you. You are not real. You are a figment of my own imagination, and will be gone when I go back."
You were startled from his confession. The tears pour down his cheeks like a river stream. His grip on your wrist tightens as you move to take a step back. Your mouth was dry when you attempted to speak again. You couldn't bring yourself to say anything.
"I am so sorry," he cried out.
You wanted to reassured him. You wanted to wipe away those fretful tears and try to convince him to stay with you regardless. To never go back again, now that he was still here. But his words rang in your mind.
It didn't make sense.
"Felix," you try to call his name after a moment. "Please, I don't understand what you are trying to say to me. Are you leaving me? Why must you cry so terribly? Your tears are breaking my heart."
"How I wish you were real," he whispers. He didn't look at you, head hung low and eyes to the ground. "I should have known this was my fault."
When Felix opened his eyes again, you were gone. His eyes met the inner walls of his apartment instead, and his heart dropped to the pit of his stomach. The feeling of your body against his was still vividly there, and he wrapped his own arms around his chest, almost as if to savor it. The tears were still falling, the only real part that followed him back from the dream.
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Brazil Aid is not Bolsa Família. Know why it is bad for the population
When it comes to tackling poverty and extreme poverty, money – despite being one of the main elements – is not enough
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When Auxílio Brasil (Brazil Aid Program) was created in August 2021, it brought the end of the world-renowned Programa Bolsa Família (Family Grant Program). Without studies to support this decision or even discussions with civil society, the trajectory of one of the largest conditional cash transfer programs ended abruptly. Family Grant was created in 2003, during Lula’s first year as president. It was intended to tackle poverty and hunger while being provided and supported by a robust social network that assisted workers living in poverty and extreme poverty. 
Supported by a set of social policies, such as the enhancement of the minimum wage, stimulus to family farming, new jobs, and health and education policies, Family Grant was a program that presented expressive and remarkable results in the history of Brazilian democratic experiences.
To mention a few of these achievements, in 2014, Brazil left the Hunger Map, which meant that less than 5 percent of the population was suffering from hunger. The kid's nutritional monitoring and vaccination happened consistently, and education networks worked collaboratively with the program’s management to ensure school attendance.
With Family Grant, the public language changed. We started talking openly about social work, hunger, and poverty as urgent social issues that can only be solved with the State’s action guided by democratic management. 
Therefore, society’s participation in the federal government’s assistance programs was expanded. Social workers, researchers, representatives of social movements, and different sectors of society were called to speak up and improve Family Grant. 
In the wake of Emergency Aid, Brazil Aid promoted a strong appeal and propaganda around the amount of the installments to be paid to the families. Let's make this clear: money is important, and enough money for people to live with a minimum of dignity is a right. However, when we are talking about tackling poverty and extreme poverty, although money is one of the main elements, it is not sufficient. We all need to have access to health and education services. We need to be able to buy healthy and enough food, and access medicines and vaccination campaigns. Access to job opportunities, professional qualifications, and school teaching are rights.
With the end of a successful social program, it was to be expected that a better one would be implemented, one that would expand social assistance coverage, medical care, access to education, and healthy food. 
However, that was not what happened – and we are in a worse situation. Today, the failure of the program can be seen in the growing number of people experiencing hunger – currently, 33.1 million people –, in CRAS's dwindling capacity to assist due to underfunding of the social protection network, and the absence of forms of follow-up in health and education.
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