#input binding

[cielosuerte]

tbh i dont think my dysphoria's ever been as intense as it has being on hrt mostly bc now it feels like "i dont look like a guy" has the scary component of "the hrt isnt doing anything" now. like before it was like well duh im not on t. but now i am and nothing's ever happened. i've been misgendered more on hrt than when i wasn't on it. it's really frustrating because i think my brain looks for the logical why and it goes well. i'm too curvy to look like a guy no matter what i do. which is a great way to feel. is this like complete defeatism almost of i'm always going to look like this & i probably can't get top surgery because i'm too big for it to do anything. like man i'm never gonna look like a guy huh. well that sucks lmao

[lokh]

its gregory apartment

[fanaroff]

DP x DC: Downed Danny Prompt

The Justice League are enlisted/hired by the GIW to capture and contain a dangerous ecto-entity. With the media blackout of Amity Park, the JL only have Constance’s input on these types of creatures. Since dangerous beings of the Infinite Realms, ones with intent on destruction, are the ones known to leave the Realms, the JL believe the GIW and begin to work with them on a plan.

The GIW have a ghost contained as bait. A big white creature covered in fur and ice, not unlike descriptions of yeti. It growls and howls at anyone that happens to come near or make eye contact. It speaks in what seems to be a mix of Esperanto and static. What is understood from it tends to be along the lines of “destroy you if you-“ before whatever is said is lost to ear-splitting static.

The creature is all claws and danger and does little to make the JL think that the entity they are after is not a villain. It only makes it seem more likely.

With a trap set far north, above any human civilization that could get caught in the crossfire, and following the tracking path the entity seems to be taking (following the bait), they wait to enact their plan. Drs. Jack and Maddie Fenton work with them to create the weapons and containment unit that can burst on with the press of a button.

When the entity appears, the JL do not expect it to look like a child. At least, not this much. All lanky limbs and awkward posture, it almost seems the perfect image of a teenager. Until one notices… the uncanniness. Bright, wild, green eyes that reminds Batman of one of his sons. Untamed white hair that drifts without a breeze. Claws. Fangs. It’s not human.

It barks something that strange screeching mixed language at them. It’s angry and has spotted the bait. It says the same thing, this time it’s hands light up green. Demanding. Its stance changes. It’s looking for a fight.

The yeti says something back that seems to only anger the entity further. Its fangs seems to grow longer, nails sharper, eyes brighter, and it aims a hand in the general direction of those present, outside of the yeti.

This is “Phantom.” The ecto-entity the GIW have been after for its destruction on the living plane for years. The one that seems hundreds of years old with pottery and paintings and crafts backing up the claim. It needs to be stopped. So the JL don’t hesitate.

The skill sets of ghosts were explained early on, so each member is ready with a Fenton-made weapon. Phantom’s eyes only harden when they aim them towards him.

Rather than immediately fight, like they assumed it would do, it flies straight towards the yeti. And suddenly, it’s falling.

None of the JL took the shot, but one of the Fenton’s (bundled in ghost proof arctic gear and holding the strongest hitting weapons), did.

Phantom goes down, hard.

The yeti flips out, growling and pulling at the exit chains that bind it. It’s making horrible, gut wrenching sounds and pulling towards the downed ghost until the binds break and it’s leaping towards it. The GIW slam on the ghost shield containment unit and the two are trapped together.

It’s only when the yeti is making mournful cries, holding a small shape as close as it can, green spilling and staining the white, white snow does the JL think that maybe, just maybe, they fucked up. That they should have done more research rather than blindly trust a group that convinced them that they only have humanity’s best interest.

*Feel free to use or add to it. I may make a full detailed one-shot of it soon too

[corroded-hellfire]

I just need pre-relationship AYW!Eddie all pent up and feral for Reader. I need him whimpering when he touches himself after Reader leaves for the evening. I need him trying to picture anyone else besides his kids’ babysitter but he keeps picturing Reader.

Your wish is my command! 😘

Warnings: male masturbation, smut, p in v, unprotected (wrap it up), older!eddie, babysitter!reader, the longing is real

Words: 2.4k

[As You Wish masterlist]

“Go to sleep now,” you grumble playfully, ruffling Luke’s curls as he smiles up at you from his bed.

“One more story?” Luke asks, though his voice betrays how sleepy he already is.

“Come on, buddy,” Eddie says from the doorway. “She’s been nice enough to stay for dinner and read you two bedtime stories already.”

A smile that steals Eddie’s breath grows on your lips as you turn to look at your boss.

“You make it sound like such a hardship,” you quip.

“I don’t think your union allows for overtime,” Eddie replies.

You let out a soft giggle and Eddie feels his insides begin to melt. It’s catastrophically unfair, the effect you have on him. Not in his whole life has Eddie met someone who so effortlessly turns him on and makes his heart race. As impossible as it is to ignore the feelings, Eddie tries not to linger on them for a few reasons. One, you’re a complete pipe dream. There is no way you, beautiful, intelligent, compassionate, and hilarious you would ever see a man over a decade older than you in the same light that he sees you. Two, and which he admits is arguably the bigger reason, is that he’s married. Sure, it hasn’t been a real marriage in…God knows how long. But it’s still a legally binding marriage that he hasn’t even attempted to separate from. Not for lack of want, though. It’s hard to see a point when it would cause the breakup of his boys’ family, and for what? So Eddie could be all alone in some smaller unfamiliar home that he struggles to afford on his own while caring for his sons, only getting to see them half the time he does now? No. He basically is doing it all alone right now, with the lack of input from Brittany, but at least Luke and Ryan are in the home they know and the two combined household incomes can give them a pretty good life.

Unfortunately, all the logic in the world can’t cure Eddie’s addiction to you.

“Close your eyes, sleepyhead.” You stand up from the edge of the four-year-old’s bed and lean over to press a kiss to his forehead.

The way you bend down towards the boy gives Eddie a spectacular view of your ass. He’s forced to dig his nails into the palms of his hands to suppress the groan that so desperately wants to escape. As much as he internally chides himself, Eddie can’t tear his eyes away either. He gets so few chances to just look at you, that he can’t bring himself to cut this precious time short.

“Night night,” Luke says through a yawn.

“Night, pal,” Eddie says.

You boop your index finger against the little boy’s nose before standing up straight and heading in Eddie’s direction. The two of you exit into the hallway and Eddie closes the door almost all the way–leaving it open just a crack to allow some of the hallway light in.

The two of you are silent as you walk to the living room, both silently dreading that it’s time to part for the evening. You swipe your bag up from the couch and slip it onto your shoulder.

“I guess I’ll, uh, see you tomorrow,” you say, reluctantly taking steps toward the front door.

“Thanks for staying longer than you had to,” Eddie says, walking you to the door like always. He feels like he should add the words “for the boys” to the end of his sentence, but he can’t bring himself to. As much as the boys adore you, Eddie knows he is without a doubt the happiest one that you stayed for dinner and until bedtime.

“It was fun,” you tell him. “I always have fun here.”

“Always?” Eddie teases, raising his eyebrows. “Can I remind you that you said that the next time Luke has a meltdown?”

“Sure,” you reply with a chuckle.

The electricity in the air threatens to spark at any moment as Eddie reaches around you to open the front door.

“Drive careful, sweetheart,” he says.

“No,” you tease with a playful smirk. “I’m going to drive recklessly. Run all the red lights.”

“Don’t give me reason to worry,” Eddie mumbles, knocking his shoulder against yours.

“Aww,” you coo. “You worry about me?”

Heat rises to Eddie’s cheeks and he desperately wills it to move back down his body.

“Alright, smart ass.” Eddie wrinkles his nose up and pretends to shove you out the door.

With a laugh, you playfully stumble down the walkway a few steps, acting as if his push was that strong.

“Oh, fine!” you lament over-dramatically. “I’ll be a good girl! Bye, Eddie.”

A good girl. Suddenly, Eddie wishes that heat and blood would stay in his face instead of rushing to his groin like it currently is.

“Bye, sweetheart.”

The moment you’re safely in your car and Eddie hears the engine start, he closes the front door and groans in time with the locking mechanism clicking into place.

“This just feels cruel,” he mumbles to himself as he rests his forehead against the cool wood of the door. He lets himself stand there until he hears your car rumble down the road and off into the night.

It takes a Herculean effort to push himself up and head deeper into the house. Out of habit, Eddie glances at the clock on the wall to see if Brittany will be home soon or not. It’s useless though—there’s never a set time she comes home. Who knows where she is or what she’s doing? Or who she’s doing. The pseudo-schedule the household used to follow has fallen by the wayside, so Eddie mentally tells himself to ignore it altogether. Easier said than done, of course.

When Eddie steps into the hallway it’s silent. No sounds of Luke sneaking out of bed to play with his toys or Ryan fumbling for his flashlight to read beneath his covers. Heaving a sigh, Eddie decides he might as well take care of the situation in his pants.

Despite Brittany not being home, Eddie locks the bedroom door behind him. Luke has also started the bad habit of opening any and every door without knocking first. So, better to be safe than sorry.

“Okay, think of someone else,” Eddie says to himself as he rids himself of his clothes. “Anyone else. Not her.”

It shouldn’t be hard to think of another woman to get himself off. Hell, for the entirety of Eddie’s teenage years, he could��ve jacked it to almost any woman and it would be great. Now he can’t seem to get this one specific, unattainable woman out of his mind.

He shucks the last of his clothes off and lays down on his bed, wracking his brain for someone who can get the job done. Julia Roberts? Nah. Jennifer Aniston? No. Cindy Crawford? Nope. Nicole Kidman? Maybe….no. Aunt Viv from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? The first, not the second one. Still no.

“Fuck,” Eddie groans, letting his eyes fall closed as he wraps his hand around his semi-hard shaft. He licks over his lips and tries to let himself relax. The only way Eddie is going to be able to take care of this problem is to think about you and he knows it. He also knows he needs to hurry up if he wants to finish before Brittany comes home.

The mere thought of the woman who sleeps next to him at night has him softening slightly in his hand. A snort of laughter comes out, Eddie finding that humorous. Objectively, Brittany is beautiful, but knowing the rot and decay that lays just beneath the surface ruins any attractiveness Eddie could ever find in her anymore. Even though he already knows what will happen, Eddie immediately switches his thoughts over to you to see the effect. It’s instant. His cock comes to life at the very thought of your name.

No shit, Eddie thinks to himself as he opens his legs a little wider. Because she’s literally a fucking goddess. God, those eyes. Eddie’s hand grips himself a little tighter and moves down towards the base.

“Say you’re a good girl again, baby,” Eddie mumbles under his breath. Fuck, he can’t believe he was lucky enough to hear those words come from your lips. Jesus, he can hardly imagine being lucky enough to come home to you at the end of the day. Walking in the door after work and seeing you is already what he looks forward to all day, he can’t fathom how he would feel if you greeted him with a kiss and stayed there with him and the boys all night. And once the boys go to bed it’s time for some fun.

“Please.”

The word tumbles from Eddie’s lips but he’s not entirely sure what he’s asking for. You to be there with him? You to be by his side always? You to be here, naked, with your hand around him instead of his own?

Okay, Eddie thinks, shifting to make himself more comfortable. There we go, think about coming home to her.

He begins to slowly stroke his cock up and down.

Eddie imagines walking through the front door and kicking his boots off. Your voice hums sweetly from the kitchen and it brings a smile to his face.

“What smells so good, huh?” he asks as he strolls into the room.

The sight he’s greeted by is almost enough to bring him to his knees. You stand at the counter, facing him, an apron on and a bowl full of cake batter held in your hands.

“Welcome home,” you say.

Dark brown eyes follow your every move as you slowly dip your forefinger into the batter and pop it into your mouth. Eddie finds himself holding his breath as you slide your finger out from between your plush pink lips at a torturous pace.

As if the first time wasn’t enough, you dip your finger back in, but instead of putting it in your mouth this time, you point your finger up and stick your tongue out to lick every speck of vanilla batter off of it.

“Oh, fuck me,” Eddie moans.

With a soft laugh, you set the bowl down and look up at Eddie through your thick eyelashes.

“Funny. I was going to say that to you.”

A rough growl reverberates from Eddie’s chest as he moves forward to grab you by the hips. It’s only once he has his hands on you that he realizes not only are you wearing the apron—you’re wearing only the apron.

“God damn, baby,” he mutters. Calloused hands slide back just slightly and come into contact with your bare ass. He drops his head forward to rest against yours with a helpless whine.

You giggle, tilting your head up to brush your nose against his.

“I like the sounds you make,” you tell him, voice thick with lust.

Before he responds, Eddie presses a few gentle kisses along your bare shoulder and up the side of your throat.

“I want to hear your noises, too.”

“Hmm,” you hum. “I don’t think that’ll be very hard to manage.” You reach up with your left hand and tug on the tied apron string resting on the nape of your neck. The front of the apron falls down, leaving your entire torso exposed to Eddie.

A guttural groan meets your ears as strong hands grab you by the waist and help you up onto the counter. Immediately, you spread your legs and Eddie stands between them, the two of you fighting with the apron to get it all the way off you.

Eddie tosses it over his shoulder as you wrap your legs around his waist, pulling the two of your bodies as close as possible.

“Eddie,” you whine, reaching up to bury your fingers in his unruly curls.

“What baby?” His breath brushes against your lips, sending a pleasant shiver down your spine.

“Need you.” Using your grip on his hair, you pull Eddie’s face down to crash against yours.

Mouths meet, lips dancing, tongues exploring, and teeth clashing. Strong yet gentle fingertips dig into your skin, yearning to hold you as tight as humanly possible. Nothing is close enough.

Eddie pulls back just enough to playfully nip at your bottom lip.

“Being such a good girl for me,” he rasps.

A smile tugs at the corners of your mouth as you run your nose along the edge of Eddie’s jawline.

“Wanna be so good for you. Wanna feel you, Eddie. Pretty please?”

A smug smirk grows on Eddie’s face as he reaches between your two bodies to unzip his navy blue coveralls. You shove the material down his hips as Eddie whips his white undershirt off over his head.

“Ready for me, princess?”

Eddie lines himself up with your entrance, glancing up at your face as he waits for your approval.

“God, yes!” You nod emphatically, wiggling your hips in an attempt to get him inside of you faster.

Eddie grins at your eagerness, putting both of you out of your misery as he pushes inside.

“Fuck,” he groans.

“Oh!” You whimper, clinging to Eddie’s shoulders.

The sweet little noises spilling from your lips only encourage Eddie. He pulls almost all the way out before thrusting back into your tight wet heat. It feels as close to euphoria as Eddie’s ever felt. He wants to spend forever between your legs, but it feels far too good to last long.

“Feels so good,” you whine.

“Yeah, baby?” Eddie asks. “Like when I…oh, fuck.”

Eddie doesn’t have time to imagine what he’d say next before hot cum starts to pour over his fist.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he mumbles as his orgasm works its way through his body. His hand keeps going, milking his cock for everything that it’s worth.

Once he’s well and truly spent, Eddie lets his boneless body sink into the mattress. His arm flings over the side of the bed and his fingertips brush against his t-shirt laying on the floor. Blindly, he picks it up and wipes his coated hand off before wiping the cum off his abdomen, legs, and anywhere else it went.

“Holy shit,” Eddie sighs. His head falls to the side and his eyes slip closed. A goofy smile comes to his face as his mind returns to you. “Fuck, I’m so gone for her.”

[issybee06]

Look but don’t-

Rex Splode x reader

He needs more fics, it’s a crime there aren’t a lot.

I can hear this image it’s so bad…

🔞

Warning!: smut! Wrap it before you tap it!

…………………….…………………….…………………….………….

“I hate him.”

Mark gave a sheepish smile, lowering his controller into his lap. He watched as you glared at the Guardians of the Globe group chat, at Rex’s stupid input on the last mission and his opinion on how everyone did.

“He’s not even the leader…pisses me off.” You hissed, groaning and tossing your phone on the bed. Dramatically, to also fell onto the bed with a loud groan.

“I just don’t get it! Why the fuck would Robot-” “Rudy.” “-Rudy! Thank you, put this mother fucker on the team!”

Mark pats your back awkwardly, “There pat there pat…I know you hate him, and yeah! I’m not the biggest fan of him either, but he is a pretty great hero.”

You glare at him, sitting up, “his personality sucks, that means he sucks, the “two negatives make a positive” just doesn’t work for this one.”

Mark went to open his mouth, but the sound of your phone buzzing cuts him off. You groan, rolling to grab it, “guess bestie bindings gotta wait, powerpuff, we are being summoned.”

He nods quickly, standing up and in a flash of blue black and yellow he was changed.

Show off

………………………..………………………..…………………………

“Ow…”

The Mauler twins just had to ruin the one day off you guys have had in months, deciding it was a great idea to steal some suped up tech and drag you away from beating Mark at his high score.

You were ducking for cover behind some rubble, hiding from the spray of bullets from one of the Twins. Mark and Eve were taking care of the other one, Rae and Duplikate were getting civilians to safety, monster girl and Rudy were trying to fucking disabled a BOMB and immortal…

Yeah fuck him.

“You okay, hot stuff?”

Fuck me.

Of course this annoying ass redhead was flirting on the job, fucks everything with a pulse this guy. And where THE FUCK has he been??? He’s supposed to be your partner in this mission and he’s been GONE the WHOLE TIME!

“Can you not for like 5 seconds and HELP?!” You yell, getting up from the rumble and jumping back into the fight. He laughs, pulling one of his batons out to turn into an explosive.

“Babe I am helping.” He chuckled, chucking the baton over the gunfire of one of the aromatics the twins stole. There’s a loud “BOOM!” And it rocks the warehouse, the sound causing your ears to ring painfully.

“Fuck.”

He laughed, peaking over the rubble, “see! I helped, I win.”

You glared at him, peaking over the rubble as well and lo and behold one of the twins was no more. He lay on the ground, half his side blown off.

Your jaw twitched in irritation.

“Where have you been? I’ve been fighting BY MYSELF for hours!”

He scoffed, rolling the shoulder of his throwing arm, “relax baby cakes, I had other shit to do involved with this mess.”

You were going to strangle him.

“Really? Cause I seriously doubt that there was something more important than HELPING YOUR TEAMMATE-“

BAM!

Your eyes widen and Rex looks like he might die on the spot. You both turn your heads slowly to the mangled Mauler, gun raised shakily with smoke coming out the barrel. His eyes roll back before subcoming to his injuries and dying.

You swallowed, hand reaching down to your side as you feel the gun shot wound.

Rex stares and winces, “that’s not my fault-”

“OMG ITS SO YOUR FAULT!”

………………………..………………………..…………………………

You winced, the pull of the stitches fixing the hole in your side did not need to remind you you were alive every time you moved. You sighed, throwing another punch at the punching bag.

“Hey sexy.”

Shoot me in the head next time.

You glare at him when he walks in, hands clenching, “why are you here?”

He scoffs, hand over his heart like you had just said the most offensive shit to him, “I live here, Mama, same as you.”

“Yeah, no shit, but why are you here? Hm? In the kitchen at-” you looked down at your phone and frown, “-2 in the morning.”

“I can ask you the same thing.” He smirked, reaching over to take the bottle of beer off the bench and pop the cap off, taking a swig.

Fuck.

You hated him, you reminded yourself as you watched the way his Adam apple bobbed under his tanned skin. His ginger hair loose, his clothes relaxed and comfortable, those stupid fuck boy grey sweatpants-

You flick your eyes up to him as he sighs, wiping his mouth.

“How’s the side?”

You lean back into the punching bag, biting the insult that it was his fault you got shot…but you’d rather not get into another screaming match with him.

“It could be worse, I’m lucky it’s a graze.”

He hums, leaning on the wall opposite to you. He takes another swig, “Robot fix you up well?”

You shrug, “I’m not bleeding anymore…”

He chuckled lightly, raising the bottle to cheers to your health. A twitch in your lips turns to a small smile, damn him.

He takes another swig, “well…your fault for not checking if he was out or not.”

Andddd the moments ruined.

“Excuse me?” Your brows furrowed and he shrugs.

“Yeah, you should have been more prepared, that’s why you got shot-“

“I got shot because someone was distracting me!”

He smirks, one brow quirked up, “I distract you?”

Your mouth clamps shut, glaring at him. He smirks, never breaking eye contact as he licks his lips.

This bitch.

You roll your eyes, pulling the knuckle tape off and walking away, “I’m not playing with you Rex.”

“Oh come on sugar tits-“ sugar tits? “-I’m sorry, okay? Is that what you wanna hear? An im Sorry?”

You spun on your heel, glaring at him, “no! Because I know you don’t fucking mean it! You think this is all a big game! This isn’t college where you can not show up and then try to sleep with everyone!”

He scoffs, playful attitude gone, “hey, I saved your fucking life, instead of yelling at me you should be THANKING MY ASS!”

“THANKING YOU?! ARE YOU JOKING?! ALL THIS IS YOUR FAULT!”

His jaw tightens, his hands clench. He’s vibrating with anger as he looks away, a small “Tsk” sound coming from under his breath.

“You’re a real piece of fucking work (Y/n).”

You glare, walking up to him and grabbing his the collar of his shirt, “fuck you Rex.”

He glares, grabbing the wrist of the hand holding him hostage, “I won’t bring my standards so low as to fuck you.”

His words bite but his look, cheeks warming under his tanned skin, those half lidded green eyes, how his hot breath fanned against your face.

Oh.

Oh.

You smirked, “are you…get off from us fighting?”

He stiffens, cheeks redder than his hair as the grip on your wrist tightens, “n-no. No, no of course not.”

You bite your lip as you smile, “I think you’re a liar Rex…a really, really, bad liar…”

His breath stutters, and he swallows audibly. You could have sworn there was a whine under his breath…

“Rex…do you have a crush on me…?” You chuckled, moving closer. His eyes go wide, breathing shallow. It was almost comical, the fuck boy stuttering and blushing like an untouched virgin after being degraded-ohhhh.

“Do you…like being degraded? Is that something you enjoy, Rex?” You whispered as your lips began to burst his ear and he moans.

“F-Fuck you…such a damn bitch all the time.” He mumbled out, and he pulled away. He glared at you and your smirking face.

“What? Can’t handle teasing? All talk, hm?” You taught, laughing as you approached him.

He stands his ground, nostrils flaring as you moved into his space again and pressed your forehead to his.

“…you’re a fucking brat, Rex…” you mumbled, “you think you’re so much better than everyone else…like rules don’t apply to you…”

Idea…

You smirk, “you think you can follow my rules…?”

He shivers, mumbling something under his breath. You raised a brow, “what? Can’t talk? It’s usually impossible to shut you up…”

You reach up, fingernails lightly grazing the veins of his arms and causing his hands to twitch, “…yes.”

“Yes what, Rex?” You smiled, lips ghosting under his jaw and he whispered a curse, “I-i can listen…fuck…just don’t…don’t go.”

Sweet mother of-

You bite down on his neck lightly, and he whimpers such a pretty noise you were so thankful you had restraint or this boy would be putty by now.

“Rule number 1…no touching-“ he opens his mouth to protest but a sharp glare from you shuts him up, “-no touching, or I stop and I never do this again. That fair?”

He nods, “okay…? I…I won’t touch you, just please do something-AH!”

Your hand brushes his front, and his hands shake as they hover over your body. You trace him over the fabric of his sweatpants and fuck…he’s not wearing anything under.

Love bites and hickies begin to paint his neck and collar bone, his moans and pleas music to your ears as you begin to palm him slightly.

“Maybe you’re just a fucking slut…or maybe you’re just a touch starved asshole…who knows?” You mused, grasping him and causing him to gasp in pleasure.

“(Y/n)…please, baby, I’m begging you…I-i need you so bad, please please please-“

You giggled, pulling back from his neck to peak his lips, making him sigh softly. When you pull away he chafes your lips, eyes lusty.

“Remember…don’t touch.”

You move down his body, kissing over his shirt as you moved into down south of his body, his eyes never leaving you.

“Y-you’re so pretty-“

You look up at him from your kneeled position, licking your lips as his breath becomes quicker in anticipation.

“…you okay with this?”

Consent is key everyone.

He sobs his answer, fucking done with your tearing, “YES! Holy shit (Y/n) please!”

You laugh, leaning forward to pull the tie of the sweatpants undone with your teeth and he almost cums just from the sight of you like this. He thinks you’re so beautiful…even if you despise him.

You reach up, tugging at his waistband until his pretty cock slaps against his tummy and stains the shirt with precum. You lick your lips, “hold the end of your shirt up with your teeth.”

He quickly grabbed the hem of his shirt with his teeth, holding it up and out of the way. This exposed even more of his muscular torso, the defined lines of his abs and the strong V leading down to his cock. The sight of you eyeing his member so hungrily only served to make him throb harder, a bead of precum dripping from the tip.

He squirmed impatiently, fighting the urge to buck his hips up to meet your hand. He could only imagine how incredible it would feel to have your fingers wrapped around his aching shaft, stroking him until he couldn't take any more.

You slowly trease him, pointer finger gliding and tracing the underside of his cock, memorizing each vein.

“So pretty Rex…”

You lick your lips, smiling as his cock jerked and pulsed beneath your touch, the skin incredibly hot and silky. Rex was leaking steadily now, a stream of precum drooling down to pool on his heavy balls. The musky scent of his arousal filled the air between you as his muffled whimper came up from his throat and he fought the urge to just slam you head onto him already.

He wasn’t used to not being in control, this was killing him. You were killing him.

You giggled, taking him fully in one hand and stroking him at a painfully slow pace. The other hand rested under his heavy balls, cupping them softly. You reach up, kitten licking the tip clean.

Rex let out a choked cry, his back arching as your hand finally wrapped around his aching cock. The sudden heat and pressure was overwhelming, and his eyes rolled back slightly as you began to stroke him with an agonizingly slow pace. He could feel every ridge and vein of his thick shaft sliding against your palm, the silky skin flushed and pulsing with need.

He moaned softy, sound muffled by the shirt gage in his mouth that was beginning to get drenched with drool. His world dissolved into a bright lights and colors as he felt your little pink tongue lapping at the swollen head of his dick. The slick muscle swirled around his leaking slit, lapping up the copious precum that had gathered there.

He was gone the moment you fully took him in your mouth, shuttering as your moaned vibrations sent his brain spinning. He reached up, tweaking one of his sensitive nipples while the other hand fisted his own hair.

Rex could feel the head of his dick kissing the back of your throat with each downward motion, your nose pressing against his pelvis and his dark curls. The sensation of being fully sheathed in your mouth, surrounded by the slick, silky walls of your throat, was pure bliss. He had never felt so overwhelmed with sensation in his life.

His shirt dropped from his mouth and he caught it in his hand, whining, “b-baby, please…c-can I touch you? I-I know you said no but I-I can’t-“

You pull off with a pop, a string of saliva and precum mix dangling from your bottom lip.

“You wanna touch me…?”

He nods, tears of frustration building up, “yes! Fuck yes are you crazy! Please!”

“…since you said pleas-“

He didn’t even give you time to finish your sentence, hand once in his hair tangling in yours and slamming your mouth back on him.

“F-fuck…if I knew…knew you were like this? God. I-I would have pursued you earlier…you’re so good…so beautiful…fuck…” he gasped his praises out, bucking and whimpering as you took all of him.

“I-I always thought you mmm you were hot…I j-just thought you were Marks girl.” He laughs to himself, shuttering, “heh you’re not though…if you are you would be here…with me.”

Your hands grasped his thighs, nails pressed into the meat of his thick thighs. Tears began to well up as oxygen began to run low, spit drowning you as he tightens his grip in your hair.

“C-can we do this again…? Please? I-I don’t think I can-AH-can give you up yet! S-say you’ll stay, ugh-say it?”

You don’t get a chance, his hips hammering your mouth before his muscles tense up and his thighs pulse. He cums hard, thick sticky ribbons shooting the back of your throat as you choke on him. You swallow, gasping as he pulls you off.

He stares at you, eyes blow with lust. He looks like he’s seeing you for the first time and it makes your stomach flip.

Fuck…you might not hate Rex Sloan.

[bitterrfruit]

[he's in a meeting]

A quick horny ramble about your boss failing to control himself. here's [part 2] for you horny, horny freaks (affectionate) Executive John Price x EA f!Reader 18+ mdni - ~1k words

Does that pen taste good? 

It’s the sixth time you’ve stuck it in your mouth in the last minute. 

John watches you through the shimmering glass of the conference room, his spinning leather seat perfectly situated; he can see you where you sit at your desk through the gap in the corridor, just the right angle to see you cross one of your nylon-sheathed legs over the other. Watches the sling-back of your kitten heel slip loose as you buck your foot, wiggling it in boredom, kicking the leg of your desk with the pointed toe. 

You lavish that pen. He’s almost jealous of it. Your gentle teeth bite down on the clicker, he sees you run it back and forth in strokes over your bottom lip. Glossy with balm and spit, the soft pink flesh of your lip pillows out around where you push the plastic in. 

He adjusts himself in his seat, leaning back to stretch out the tension knotting in his abdominals. Turns his head back towards the conference table at regular intervals to ensure he appears appropriately attentive, avoiding comment from his fellow executives that he looks distracted. 

They drone on about the merger, about surplus, about transition plans and communication bottlenecks. They’ll ask him for his input as their senior, he’ll make a noncommittal comment and defer to somebody else to elaborate. 

And he’ll look back at you. 

You lean over your desk and the waistband of your pencil skirt cuts into the arch of your spine, the grey pinstripe material strains over the mouthwatering swell of your ass. The seams look weak. Wouldn’t take much to tear it apart.  

Fuck, he wants to tear it to shreds. 

He’d have to, the fabric is too firm, too tight to be rucked up to your hips; no, he’d grab it by the hem and rip it apart by the stitches. He’d roll down your stockings, peel them from your legs, and use them to bind together your winsome hands. He’d hold your little head against the wood veneer of your desk, he’d knock over the jar that holds all of your pens with the force in his thrusts as he stuffs you full. 

He can hear you mewling in your sweetly surprised voice; Please, Mr Price. That hurts, Mr Price. Harder, Mr Price. 

Gritting teeth, he hopes his colleagues pay no mind to the bulging veins that throb in his temples. To the tendons in the back of his hands wrenching under his skin as they clench into fists. He bounces his knee, some effort at somatic distraction, to keep the blood flowing anywhere else but his cock. 

He knew hiring you was a terrible idea. He saw you waiting outside his office before your interview, and immediately knew it would be cruel of him to subject you to being his subordinate. You were impish and clever during that interview, took everything he threw at you and sucked on it thoughtfully, presented it back to him as hard candy. 

When you left with that saunter, so confident you had gotten the job - he decided then and there that he couldn’t have you as his executive assistant. Because in that short thirty minutes you had invaded every crevice of his mind, you lingered on his tongue long after you left. It took every synapse of his brain to forcibly prevent his body from enacting what it so ravenously wanted to, from tearing you out of your seat and breaking you in half over his desk. 

But, to his dismay, the decision had been taken from his grip. He offered one positive statement about you, and that was that - human resources declared your resume the strongest, your attitude the keenest, and you were hired without much fanfare. 

He insisted your desk be far from his, out of sight and mind; but even still, every morning, he could smell your perfume where it lingered by the coffee machine, could hear your cloying giggles from across the expansive office. 

He had scolded you, once, dragged you into his office in sight of all of your murmuring colleagues. He told you that you were too distractible, too easily turned away from your tasks by things more interesting. He said that if you didn’t like doing what you were told, then this wasn’t the place for you. 

But, no, you simply gave him a sweet and eager smile. This is the place for me, Mr Price. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. 

His cock turned to steel at your desperate apology, at your sycophantic enthusiasm - and that was the last time he scolded you. 

If he were a better man, he would have fucked his fist in a cubicle to the image of you, shot ropes of his pent-up come into some single ply toilet paper and flushed it away, over and done with. 

But he has let it build, has let the pressure mount within his welded seams such that he threatens to erupt like a steam boiler. 

Your tongue juts out only slightly, you lick the tip of your painted finger to help you turn the page of the folder you sift through, and your lip catches in your teeth. 

“‘Scuse me for a minute,” is all he says, it comes out of his throat ragged and strained, and he pushes himself up from the conference table. 

Follow a few murmurs of either dispute or acceptance - they fall on deaf ears, as he shoves open the swinging glass door and marches down the short corridor. 

The footsteps of his leather oxfords are loud despite being muted by the dense, flat carpet - they alert you to his approach, and you tug the wet pen from your lips when you swivel around to look at him. 

You squeak, already fearing admonishment, “Mr-”

“A word,” he grunts, a succinct order, gesturing with a hand for you to follow him. 

Letting out his tie just a bit, he bites down hard on nothing. 

“Oh - yes, of course,” you oblige with a stammer, pushing yourself to stand and smoothing out the creases in your little skirt with flat palms. “Am I in trouble?”

Huffing impatiently, eyes dark, he gives you a single and rigid nod.

“You might be.”

[sunflowerscottie]

also shout out for never ever fully including Finch in a fic because I, too, wish he’d peaced out at literally any point in the show

shout out to @asleepinawell for having so many good Person of Interest fics. Truly feeding my Shoot obsession.

[hellothisisangle]

This idea came from someone asking me about V’s internal organs and gastro/intestinal workings. I delved into a bit of bio/mechanical research that might make sense in the Cyberpunk world. Follow the jump below!

↓

SomaTek specializes in manufacturing synthetic organs designed to transcend our organic limitations.

SomaTek GastroPro™
In a world ravaged by toxic food chains, tainted water supplies, and unreliable agriculture, the GastroPro™ synthetic stomach- amply nicknamed “the iron gut”- is a feat of mechanical organ replacement. Capable of digesting virtually any hazardous or non-nutritive substance without harm, while mimicking and surpassing the core functions of a natural biological system.

The GastroPro™ environment utilizes a stabilized industrial-grade acidic solution (SomaTek’s trademarked confidential blend of fluorinated superacids exceeds the hydrochloric acid and pepsin present in an organic stomach) that is non-corrosive to internal components due to reactive smart hydrogel linings. This acid bath breaks down everything: from your home cooked dinner, to food past its expiration, to actual garbage- designed to adapt to a full range of ingested toxicity. After processing, the liquified matter proceeds to a secondary chamber which is programmed with enzymatic nano filters to separate and neutralize indigestible items versus actual processable materials. *Note that the GastroPro™ is incapable of operating in isolation. The following organic systems are required to be enhanced or replaced:

Esophagus (GastroLine™) is equipped with reinforced smart hydrogel lining to withstand both caustic substances and abrasive matter. Peristaltic actuators move matter regardless of shape or size, while micro-blade emulsifiers begin compacting particularly dense or fibrous materials. Anti-reflux valves prevent acid from backing up.

Liver, Pancreas, Gall Bladder (GastroTox™ Subsystem) further supports the GastroPro™ by processing even rarer or complex toxins, capable of converting them into an array of energy for the body dependent on specific inputs. For example: chemical, electrical, first and second generation biofuel, etc. (Optional but highly recommended)

Intestines & Appendix (GastroTract™) serves as the primary absorption and release unit. Lined with nutrient-binding nanites to extract usable calories, vitamins, minerals, or chemicals. Absorption channels direct these throughout the body via embedded villi structures to the bloodstream and lymphatic system. In users with further modifications, waste may be redirected to a bypass port location of their choosing. The most popular choice being via a urinary tract.

Oral Cavity (OraPro™ Subsystem) is a customizable sum of parts that further supports the GastroPro™ with an artificial tongue embedded with gustatory receptors, reinforced cheek/gum lining, and teeth strong as chrome. (Optional but highly recommended)

Brain Chemistry (CraveShard™) the neural implant designed to be installed into the cyberdeck to simulate, regulate, or even suppress cravings. (Optional but highly recommended) The user may override urges based on their schedule and preferences, as well as control serotonin and dopamine feedback. The implant works harmoniously with receptors built into the GastroPro™ to recognize the identity of consumed materials. It can even reproduce the effects caused by ingested alcohol, hallucinogenics, opioids, narcotics, etc.

Advantages over natural digestion include immunity to internal poisoning, pathogens, parasites, and contaminants. Zero indigestion, zero allergic reaction. Accelerated enzyme breakdown. And multi-source nutrition: users can derive sustenance from otherwise indigestible materials.

Please be aware the GastroPro™ is not without its complications. Over-reliance can result in malabsorption issues if the user abuses the capabilities of the GastroPro™. Care should be taken to continuously ingest products with beneficial properties. In the event of nutrient deficits, the user’s deck will receive periodic warnings regarding nutritional supplementation to prevent systemic decline. Psychosomatic disorders may also emerge as a result of losing sensory pleasure of consumption (“digestion dissonance'”- disconnect with satiety) if the recommended OraPro™ Subsystem and CraveShard™ are not installed.

Regular care encompasses monthly detox flushes, filter replacements, nanite reseeding, and pH rebalancing treatments. All of which can be accomplished via a doctor licensed to administer Somatek devices.

[2222bad]

YUMMY

[michael surprises you with his new haircut] | 900+ words

WARNINGS: fem!reader , the man is a TEASE! & this look should’ve been illegal

[1995]

he wanted the haircut to be a surprise. he didn’t tell you anything. no clues, no input from you, nothing. the only thing he let slip was the day and time karen was supposed to arrive in santa barbra. he wouldn’t even let you near the guest house when she got there, clippers and suitcase in toe. he made you swear to stay put until he came to get you, which you reluctantly sealed with a contractually binding kiss of trust. still, you speared at the thought of squeezing some hint out of karen. maybe faking that you’d like a touch up and just so happened to be free the same day, what time would you be done with michael? could i just come wait for him? but, eventually, you thought better than to pry against his wishes and simply tried to ignore the antsy feeling that grew larger in you with each passing minute. fine, you relented, the man can have secrets. just this once!

up in your bedroom, you gather a few contents from your purse in your palm, receipts and loose change from the day before namely, before being suddenly swept into darkness by michael’s sneaking hands.

“guess who,” he sings, an obvious grin laced on his mouth, pulled from ear to ear.

you hadn’t even noticed how tight your hand was on your blouse as you recovered from the sudden thrill. you release your vice grip, breaking into an excited smile. the delicious sweetness of after-spray, evidence of a fresh cut, wafted easefully into your nose. “hmmm…my handsome husband i’ve waited oh so patiently for, i hope?”

“could be…”

“well, may i please see him already? my ride will be here soon.”

“yes,” he grants with a delighted hum, “but when i let go, you have to keep your eyes closed.”

“fine.” you tilt your head back with a playful groan. you weren’t confident in how much longer you could hold up this dam of anticipation.

you fix your body to stand completely still as his hands leave your face. your lip flies between your teeth as your excitement brews quicker.

“okay,” michael says carefully, “turn around—don’t peek!”

“i’m not, baby!” you insist with a frustrated shake of your arms. you turn around, eyes closed to him, squinting with exaggeration. “see?”

you hear him chuckle in front of you and you twinkle your fingers at your sides, a wishful expression. “okay. you can look now.”

gently your eyes flutter open to the blurry figure stood in front of you, quickly adjusting to the view of his body. comfy in his white shirt and jeans, clean shaven, face aglow and beautiful as always. then his hair; subtle curls tipped over from his head and paused their reach at his brow, framing his statuesque features like an open curtain. he’d cut and shaved all along the back and over the sides, leaving layers of black curls frayed prettily around his head. he looked…older. confident, matured, but princely. your knees betray you and buckle under the sight of him. your face shifts from excitement to pure, primal thirst, pupils blown incredibly. like you want to scale him on all fours. like you want to eat him. you want to eat his whole day. you make a note to give karen a personal tip.

“do you like it?” he bites into his bashful smile, his hair dangling to the floor. how could he not know how torturously beautiful he was?

you’re speechless, your mouth agape. your whole body feels like putty, your heart at primal speed. before long, the dam breaks.

“why do you do this to me?” you whine helplessly, swiping your eager palms out at him and dragging them down his chest.

“do what?” he laughs, catching you in his arms.

“you knew i had my meeting today!” you pout up at him, fighting, with great power, the urge to just trap him under you right then and there and gnaw at him like a toothless cub.

he lets out another laugh, which, to you, felt full of pity, wrapping your body in his embrace. “well,” he toys with a devious smile, “now you know how it feels!”

“know how what feels?” you slip your hands beneath his t-shirt with a possessive grip on his waist earning a ticklish smile to match his scrunching nose.

“how it feels when…you know…like in the morning when you walk out of the shower smelling so good with all your lotions on and i have to go work.”

you stare at him, bemused. “i don’t see how that’s remotely fair.”

he smirks at that, leaning down to kiss you. a drooping strand brushes against your eyelash and forehead, nearly binding you within your lover’s trance. “i’ll make it up to you later…”

“oh, you’re gonna do much more than that,” you bid, returning his kiss with mock weakness at the same time your pager buzzes in your bag. your car was at the gate. “and you—“ he plants another unreturned kiss on your lips, “—better not let anybody see you—“ he kisses your cheek, the crux of your jaw, “—you stay right here in this room until i get back—“ you whine impatiently as he lands another one on your neck, “—bye. i love you.”

he lets you slip out of his grip, but not before he presses a firm, promising kiss to your lips that leaves you, almost, utterly dazed. you swipe your stuff into your arms, turning to look back at him, your hand curling up as if to strangle him.

“i mean it, michael! you’re not leaving this room!”

“i look that good, huh?” he teases, arms folded in triumph as he watches you tromp away. you only scoff, the sound of your heels moving like a rolling thunder through the neverland palace.

-

for you, lovely one :) thank you!!! @cinnamoncunt

[ooooo-mcyt]

Scott craves control, but genuinely, I feel like that's generally in terms of personal agency and stability, not other people or uncontrollable circumstances?

Scott is flexible. He's good at being calm and course correcting when things go wrong, he's good at working around the input of other people, I honestly feel like he's very accepting of the idea that he can't control the hand the world deals to him or how other people act. Scott is a lot of things, but rigid has never been one of them. Scott wouldn't be half as good at survival or social networking if he wasn't so willing to let go of his plans and let himself adjust to things beyond his control.

Which isn't to say Scott doesn't take charge of situations. He has strong opinions and the confidence to voice this. Often Scott takes on a leadership role by default. But again, he's flexible, he frequently steps aside and lets other people do their thing when they want to, and he'll often swallow his pride pretty quickly and concede arguments to his teammates if they want something he doesn't. Scott is a natural leader, but he's also adaptable, calm, and collaborative, I really don't see much aspect of forcible control regarding forces outside himself.

But Scott does have a thing about control in terms of control over himself. Of course he does. Scott bases a lot of his identity around his abilities of rationality, calm, and adaptability. He can handle unexpected obstacles, disagreements, and changes of plans, because he can move around the problem. Being caged is different.

Handed a curse and told he has to hurt an ally, that there is no choice, no way out, no way to just let it wash over him or move around it, only one choice, a choice that isn't his.

Being literally tied to someone, shackle from his wrist to theirs, told there's no way to break the binding or slip out of it, that part of him is partially someone else's now and he doesn't get to say no.

Dying, just the concept of death, and especially violent death, being chased down and slaughtered, utterly helpless, his life in someone else's hands entirely, nothing he can do to stop it.

Scott rejects the Boogeyman Curse, and Scott rejects the Soulmate Bond, and Scott consistently tries to have control over how he dies.

Scott's issue with "control" isn't a stubborn attempt to control things outside himself, it's a thing about personal agency and bodily autonomy, a desperate revulsion to the concept of his body, his mind, his soul, his life, not belonging to him, of having other people impose their will onto him, of having his choice stolen from him with no way out.

[hattersrabbit]

Hello! Idk if the request is open but I have some idea if you'd like to write, Liu Kang x goddess! Reader? While Liu Kang protects the earth, the reader protects the galaxy and barely visit earth to the point that she forgot that she haven't visit Liu Kang for more than just 1 year :D

(I'm sorry for the bad English) 💔💔💔

FOR EVERMORE

liu kang x reader | sfw

CW! female reader, romantic leaning, distant relationship, light angst but fluff galore

Summary! In events of the Mortal Kombat in Outworld you visit Earth. Only then do you realize just how much you’ve missed out, especially with Liu Kang, who’s missed you dearly

thank you for the request!

From your peak as a Omni Present being you saw everything. From where you were you could see that the age of Mortal Kombat was to begin.

Unfortunately from here you could never view it close. Your job was to watch over and not really interact.

However, still you made contact with them.

Across every timeline you were alone, and then he created a new universe; Liu Kang. The man was the guardian of Earth Realm.

He showed you knew things, and even let you create how the world was shaped.

You’re existence of goddess that has lived since ancient times and watching over everything he allowed your input.

Then throughout that time of building a universe you became close. Something more brewed in your hearts, and suddenly a bind between god and goodness was made.

Unfortunately duty calls so you took your place as the galaxy’s protector while he protected his humans, his friends.

Only then had you realized you missed him a lot. And was looking for some excitement. As a goddess of the galaxy you were lonely. So down you went to earth, to Earth Realm.

Arriving in a gown yet also fit for fighting. Looking like a true goddess amongst all the recruits.

People looking at you.

Four you recognized making with Liu Kang. Johnny Cage, ever the flirt. You enjoyed sculpting him.

Kenshi Takahashi, for he was a sad case. Perhaps the loss of his eyes would be lessened.

Raiden, a god previously that you had quite a good relationship with. It killed you that you were held back from helping and not losing his godhood.

Unfortunately things like that happened and couldn’t be taken back. Kronika warped it so that you couldn’t help.

You were glad someone like Liu Kang was Lord of this world. Glad he allowed you to help and hope something like that would never become again.

Then Kung Lao; the poor thing. You wondered just how sad Liu Kang felt every time he looked at him. It wasn’t his best friend but it was.

“Who’s that hot babe?”

“Johnny!”

You giggled hearing the exchange between Johnny and Kenshi. Kung Lao and Raiden stood still watching in awe.

“She’s like a goddess.” Kung Lao sung dumbfounded.

“Indeed I am, Kung Lao.” You patted his shoulder. His face erupted in red seeing you were in front of him right now.

“You know him?” Raiden asked. Kenshi and Johnny now looking at you with just as wide eyes.

“I know all of your. Goddess of the Universe and Galaxy, [ ] at your service.” You giggled seeing their expressions. It’s not everyday you meet a god with such powerful abilities.

Your name was loudly expressed from somewhere else. Turning you saw Liu Kang looking at you.

“Hello my love. Long time no see?” A wave you gave him. “Continue as you were.” You bowed to the students and up to Liu Kang.

He took her hand and pulled you away into the temple, away from everyone that could possibly see you.

“You’re here.” Liu Kang whispered when he turned to you. His hands holding yours increasingly tight. As if you’d go away if he let go.

“Liu Kang? What’s wrong? I’m not going anywhere?”

So easy of you. As a goddess of the universe you were able to read people extremely well. Liu Kang sighed with a soft smile.

“My dear I’m trying to relish this time with you. I’m afraid that it’ll be a long time before I see you ever again.” Sadness was true in your voice.

In confusion you tilt your head. “Huh?”

His brows went up at your reaction. That sadness was mixed with admiration. “Silly you. Your sense of time is different from mine, isn’t it?”

“All that time alone in the universe rolls differently than here.”

Then everything clicked for you.

Hesitantly you asked; “How long has it been since you last saw me?” Your head going down slightly and looking up at him. Your own hands tightening on his.

“About 50 years my dear.”

You gasped. “I’m sorry.”

He kissed your worries away. “You have nothing to be sorry for. Your job is very important, and your sense of time is different too.”

You looked at him with hopeful eyes, “You mean it?”

“Yes, my love.” Liu Kang pulled you into a hug. Your robes and gown flowing like waterfall against his own clothing. Skin against skin that hadn’t touched for years.

“I’ll try to visit more.” You promised, determined.

“Yes, but don’t ignore your work.” Liu Kang said amused.

“I won’t!” You said quite proudly.

You two never did remove from the embrace right now. Forever trying to partake in this moment. Savor it until its fullest because again, when would he see you again. When would you see him again.

Only time could tell and right now this moment mattered.

[purplephloxpress]

Another year, another Fanfiction Writers Appreciation Day!!!! If you are a writer of fanfic, please know just how appreciated you are!! Fandom would be such a different space without your creativity and labors of love. 💜

Holidays are all about making traditions, and the bookbinding friends with @renegadeguild once again came together to bind copies of fics for their authors as a show of our appreciation. This year I had the absolute joy of binding Emergency Help Wanted by the wonderful @piyo-13 and even got to collaborate with her on some of the design elements! It's a Modern AU Jiang Cheng/Lan Xichen fic that starts with a "help wanted" ad.

EMERGENCY HELP WANTED

I lied when I got my job. I told them I had a kid so I could leave early from work to pick him up from daycare, take him to doctor's appointments, and occasionally miss a day when he's sick. Long story short, I'm in too deep. I didn't think it through. Looking to rent a kid for bring your child to work day. Must be a boy ages four to six, longish dark hair, likes soccer. Must also be artistic as the macaroni noodle paintings I made seem a little advanced for his age. Also, I will pay extra for someone willing to play the role of husband when dropping him off. He's a prosecuting attorney who often brings his work home. Message me for further details. Serious inquiries only.

Ok. So. I may have gone a little feral with this one. Online "help wanted" ad spiraled into loading wheel scene dividers, spiraled into fake Google search result headers, spiraled into FULLY committing to those authentic looking text messages. In full color. (There are so many. I typeset in MS Word. It was SO worth it, but god what a struggle at some points.) And don't forget the "recent searches" title page! Or the computer cutout on the cover! (It's bluescreening, just like Lan Xichen through this entire fic!) Also that cover/title page image that I just kept adding details to. (It's supposed to be Lan Xichen's desk, so it simply didn't feel right until it had sticky notes on the computer, #1 dad on the mug, scissors and measuring tape, scribbles on the sticky notes) Did I have a ton of fun designing this one? Perhaps. Couldn't say. Maybe just a tad. (This is a lie I had an ABSOLUTE BLAST!)

Historically, I've waited until I finish at least the typeset before reaching out to the author, but not so with this one! I got the idea for the fake google search results from Piyo's authors notes, teasing the contents of the next chapter. But! Those didn't start until about chapter 4! So I reached out and asked if we could collaborate and I'm forever glad I did! Not only does this have teasers for each chapter, I also got to bounce design ideas off of her, including what shade of blue and purple for the text messages. Because my friends, that is a serious matter and changed SEVERAL times throughout the process.

Also shoutout to all my Renegade friends who gave input and encouragement over the past year while I worked on this (what endpages to use? how to make this shade of green perfectly Nie Huaisang? how do we feel about this text message design? or how about this one?) - I love you all dearly and appreciate you so much for putting up with my nonsense at all times.

Binding details below the cut!

Fandom: The Untamed/Mo Dao Zu Shi

Pairing: Jiang Cheng | Jiang Wanyin / Lan Huan | Lan Xichen

Bookcloth: Aqua/Purple Dubletta from Colophon Book Arts

Endpapers: Craft Consortium Ink Drops - Ocean pack

Textblock paper: short grain cream from Church Paper

Titling: We R Memory Keepers foil quill

Endbands: leather cording core, DMC embroidery floss for the bands

Body Font: EB Garamond

Title Font: Berlin Sans FB

Text Messages: Roboto

Additional fonts: Times New Roman, Kunstler Script, Magis Authentic

Title page image from Rawpixel and designed in Canva

Various computer graphics from The Noun Project

Tumblr insists on eating and doubling text in this section at its own whim, so if there's something missing that you're curious about, feel free to DM me an ask!

[o-craven-canto]

From Cameron D. E. et al. (2014), A brief history of synthetic biology: a selection of simple machines that can be built inside living organisms by using gene expression and regulation as parts.

For the sake of illustration, the purpose of all these machines is to start the expression of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), which does exactly what the name suggests.

(Note: italics are used for the name of genes, and not for the proteins they encode. The gene GFP encodes the protein GFP.)

Toggle switch. Two genes, lacI and cI, repress each other's transcription (repression is represented by the T-shaped end of a line, an transcription by the bent arrow), so that exactly one of each can be expressed at any given time. This occurs because the expression of each gene is a repressor protein that binds to the control region of the other, making transcription impossible. Since GFP is consecutive to cI, the former is only expressed together with the latter. The enzyme called IPTG deactivates the repressor lacI, starting the transcription of cI and therefore GFP: the fluorescence switches on, and lacI remains inactive because cI is repressing it. If heat is applied, then cI is deactivated: lacI is expressed, lacI deactivates cI, and the fluorescence switches off.

Purpose: gene expression that can be cleanly switched on and off by simple inputs.

Repressilator. A circuit in which lacI represses cI, cI represses tetR, and tetR represses both lacI and GFP. In each cell, a signal of repression travels through the whole circuit: the repression of tetR allows the expression of lacI, which represses cI, which reactivates tetR, and vice versa. The expression of GFP, and therefore the cell fluorescence, fluctuates over time in a regular cycle.

Purpose: gene expression that cycles over time.

Autoregulatory circuit. The gene tetR, concatenated to GFP, represses its own expression. Whenever too much tetR and GFP are produced, the expression regulates itself down, so that in a large population there is much less variation in fluorescence: all cells converge to a moderate value. (remember?)

Purpose: gene expression that is kept moderated in a population of cells.

Modular riboregulator. Control acting later in gene expression: not on DNA -> RNA transcription, but on RNA -> protein translation. Transcribed GFP is connected to a sequence that inhibits translation by folding over and preventing the ribosome from attaching to the RNA. A separated activator RNA binds to this sequence and prevents it from preventing translation.

Purpose: a second tier of control over gene expression.

Two-input AND gate. Logic gates with genes! Expression of GFP requires a promoter encoded in T7, which in turn is only expressed in the presence of arabinose. However, the promoter only works if it's modified by by RNA produced by supO, which is only expressed in the presence of salicylate. Therefore, GFP is only produced if both arabinose and salicylate are present at the same time.

Purpose: protein synthesis that only occurs if multiple conditions are verified.

Multicellular pattern formation. This one is meant to be used in large cell populations. The gene luxI in the "sender cell" encodes an enzyme that produces AHL, a signal molecule. This molecule may bind to LuxR receptors in the "receiver cells". LuxR binding AHL activates the expression of cI, which stops the expression of lacI, which stops the expression of GFP. However, lacI can also be directly activated by binding AHL, so that only an intermediate concentration of AHL results in producing the fluorescent protein. By adjusting the sensitivity of LuxR, GFP and RFP can be produced selectively at different concentrations of AHL, and therefore at different distances from the sender cell.

Purpose: spatial control of gene expression.

Relaxation oscillator. Similar in concept and purpose to the repressilator, but the cycle it creates is more stable and regular. araC activates GFP, lacI, and itself; lacI represses GFP, araC, and itself.

Recombinase-based logic. GFP is flanked by sequences that can be inverted by the recombinase enzymes Rec1 and Rec2 (Rec1 inverts whatever is between the blue boxes, and Rec2 what's between the orange boxes, respectively). Arranging the markers around GFP in different ways allows the construction of different logic gates. In the case of the AND gate, the transcription in the blue region is going in the wrong direction, and GFP is also backward; both recombinases must be active for GFP to be expressed. In the case of the OR gate, transcription begins in both the blue and the orange region, but goes in the wrong direction in both; it's sufficient for either to be inverted by one recombinase to express GFP. In the case of the NOR gate, transcription already proceeds well, as long as both recombinases are absent.

Purpose: construction of arbitrarly logical circuits; very precise conditional control of gene expression.

Edge-detection circuit. A modification of the quorum-sensing system used for the multicellular pattern. The cell colony is exposed to light, half-covered by an opaque mask. Cells in the dark express the luxI gene, producing the AHL signal, as well as cI; the sensor that activates the expression of these two genes turns off in the light. The gene lacZ leads to the production of a black pigment; it is activated by LuxR (the receptor of AHL), and repressed by cI. Therefore, the black pigment is only produced in cells exposed to light (no expression of cI) which are adjacent cells in the dark (low-sensitivity LuxR receiving AHL from neighbors).

Purpose: mark edges between areas with different conditions.

[demonic0angel]

Celestial Bodies AU (part 3/?)

(Part one, part two, part four, part five, part six, part seven. Also on AO3)

Dick took a deep breath before he exhaled. He dialed up the number and was quiet as it rang. When it finally beeped, he greeted, “Hello, Bruce.”

“… Dick.”

“I’m taking Jason for a trip.”

“Okay.” A pause. “Where?”

“To see the cluster.”

He could almost hear Bruce grit his teeth, knowing that he distrusted the little galaxy even more after Dick had made a deal with one of the stars, binding them together. Bruce also especially hated them because even after more than half a decade, he still could not understand the mystery behind the cluster.

But Bruce was apparently desperate to talk to Dick again, since he sucked it up and allowed it. It was Dick and Jason’s first outing, and he seemed oddly happy to let Dick take away his adopted brother into space.

When Jason had heard about it, he was excited.

“Wait, I’m seriously going to space? I get to see the cluster too??”

“Yes,” Dick huffed. “We’re going in a few days.”

“Do I need to wear the uniform? I don’t, right? Isn’t the ship safe?”

“You don’t need to. Nobody but us and people with high authority can come to the station.”

“Sweet!”

Dick chuckled and teased, “You’re so excited.”

“And you aren’t? Well, I guess that energy levels can start dropping when you’re getting old,” Jason said with casual brutality.

Dick gasped. “What! I’m not old!”

“Your age doesn’t have the ‘teen’ in it anymore. Face it, Dickwing, you’re old.”

Dick’s jaw dropped, gobsmacked.

Was it possible to be this sassy at such a young age?! He wasn’t this snarky either when he was this young, right?!

“Y’know what? Let’s cancel the whole thing. I refuse to take this disrespect!”

Jason immediately began whining. “Wait, no! I’m sorry!”

They joked about it, planned some more, and then the day came where Dick drove into the Batcave, ready to pick up his… brother to hang out.

“Ready to go, Little Wing?”

Jason bounced on his heels. “Yep! We’re going to see space, right?”

Dick smiled and nodded. Bruce slinked into the Batcave just as the two of them were climbing into the teleportation tubes.

“B!” Jason called. “We’re going!”

“… okay. Be safe.” Bruce was quiet for a moment, as Dick was inputting the code for the space station that bordered the cluster his star was in. Then he added, “Both of you.”

Dick glanced up, gave a curt nod, and then looked back down again. Jason shifted awkwardly next to him as the silence ensued.

As Dick finished, Jason waved goodbye again and pulled on his elbow for him to do the same. Dick sighed and also waved goodbye.

“Bye, B!” Jason called, before the teleportation started and away they went.

They landed in the dock and Dick immediately checked up on Jason, who stumbled from the unexpected landing.

“How was it? Teleportation is neat, isn’t it?”

"By neat, you mean nauseating?" Jason snarked. He looked vaguely green, but quickly got himself back under control and then bounced back to being all smiles. "We're going to see your star, right?"

"And all of the other stars and planets too," Dick said. "Are you excited?"

"Yep! I can't wait to see what they look like! What are they like? Are they nice?"

Dick smiled at the thought of his star, who had been his sounding board, his (metaphorical) shoulder to cry on, his anchor when he had been adrift after losing his right to become Robin.

"Very nice. You've read the report on them, right?"

Jason nodded seriously. He recited what he remembered, "This star cluster consists of mainly planets and stars that used to be humans before being changed by an unknown entity called "Clockwork". This "Clockwork" person has a relationship or power involving time. The four stars in the middle of the cluster, who anchor it and are the center, consider Clockwork to be their protector and family. The four stars in the middle are royalty, are all related as siblings, and are also dead children."

At the last description, Dick winced and went, "Yeesh, I don't remember that part being said like that in the report."

Jason shrugged. "I’m paraphrasing."

Dick gave a small laugh and shook his head. Jason was surprisingly more fun than he had remembered. Usually, he remembered him being gloomy and bratty, as well as hot-tempered. Dick had not liked him at all, especially because Bruce had been a hypocritical asshole who had fired him for being a child and then turned around just to adopt another one and slap the name Robin on him.

(Sometimes, he wondered why Bruce hadn’t adopted him too.)

Dick was quiet as he led Jason towards the command room.

Once inside, Jason gave a loud gasp as he immediately flew forward to look out the glass.

“Is that—?”

“Yep.” Dick couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm. He followed Jason at a more subdued pace and came up to the glass window. “This is the Phantom Cluster. It used to be considered a galaxy, but we discovered that a lot of the other stars and planets around it aren’t sentient, so we don’t consider them a part of the cluster. The star system in the middle pulled them in.”

“Whoa. How many sentient planets do they have?” He tilted his head this way and that in order to see more.

“Hmmm, somewhere around 3 dozen? But only those two talk to us and they’re considered part of the King’s “court”,” Dick said as he pointed towards the two planets that orbited the four cosmic bodies.

Jason stared at them with interest, eyes darting back and forth between all of the astronomical objects in view, the planets, the stars, the star corpses, the asteroids. As he stared in silence, he shivered and Dick took note of that, seeing that it wasn’t something that came from the cold.

He understood it.

These stars were once breathing, living, walking humans like they were. Children, too.

Now they floated in the empty void of space, silent beyond the radio waves they emitted, unfeeling beyond what emotions they had after transformation, existing beyond what was given to them in order to stay “alive”.

Sometimes, it was difficult to think of them as once human, when they were everything but that without the memories.

They gave off such a strong sense of otherness that it was almost frightening.

Jason pointed to the one with clouds covering its surface. “Is that… water vapor clouds?”

Dick grinned. “Yeah. That planet can hold life, but we haven’t touched down yet. It’s considered rude and they get angry.”

Jason smiled. “Cool.”

Dick pointed at his star. “That star is mine.”

“Wow,” Jason breathed in awe and pride swelled in Dick’s chest at the sound of his amazement. He gazed at his brightly glowing star with thinly veiled satisfaction.

Yes, it was a star now.

His star, who was once a black hole, had collapsed on itself on the day that he had shed his Robin identity and tried to find his own independence.

He remembered it so clearly.

——

“Uncle Clark! What do you mean my star is gone?!” Dick shrieked. He pressed his phone against his shoulder for easy movement as he started his car and began to drive desperately back to the Batcave, where the teleportation tube there would be able to take him straight to the station that watched over that strange, little galaxy.

He felt tears in his eyes as he drove like a madman past traffic and honking cars.

Only a few days ago, he had basically been fired from his lifelong job and passion after getting injured from fighting the Joker and he had only left the Manor today, and now he had to crawl back because his star was dying.

Dammit, dammit, dammit.

Why wasn’t anything going right?

It was just too much. Dick scrubbed the tears from his eyes and continued to bark on the phone, “Superman! What is happening?!”

“I don’t know,” Superman said. “Your star just stopped spinning a few days ago, and at first, I didn’t think it was a big deal because the rest of the cluster was still singing. But today, it started… shrinking.”

“Shrinking?! Tell me what’s going on!” His stomach felt like it was going through a wringer. He was almost sick with worry and exhaustion.

He had no one else now. Alfred was with Bruce, and Bruce had abandoned him. He couldn’t depend on other heroes like some charity case, and all he had left was his star…

Please… please let it be nothing.

“I don’t know. It’s shrinking and it’s stopped sucking in gas and matter a while ago too. This happened at least a week ago.”

Could nothing go right?!

Dick smacked the steering wheel of his car in rage, making it honk and the car in front of him to surge forward.

He raced back to the Manor and through the secret entrance to the Batcave. When Bruce came down to see what was happening, Dick had already gone through the teleportation tube and stuck a sticky note on the computer to tell him what was going on before he left.

For a moment, he thought Bruce could chase him, but he didn’t. Dick was left alone as he teleported to the space station.

When he landed on flat ground, he immediately took off towards the command room, where Superman was floating and staring out the window with confusion.

“Robin!” Superman called, and then he winced.

Dick felt his stomach twist into knots from the shame as he realized that his favorite superhero knew he was fired.

“You know,” he said tonelessly.

Superman grimaced and nodded. “I’m sorry. Batman shouldn’t have done that.”

“Yes. He shouldn’t have.”

Superman rubbed the back of his neck and then he gestured to the window, “There’s your black hole. I’m not sure why, but he started changing a week or two ago. I think it was around the time you got… uh, benched.”

It was both endearing and infuriating how Superman sugarcoated things to avoid hurting him.

It made Dick feel even more ashamed as he grit his teeth and realized that his star was being punished for his actions.

Dick laid his eyes on the cluster outside the window and felt his heart break. Like him, his star looked weak and small. Like it was stripped of its layers (his role, his mother’s nickname for him, his last piece of his family), it looked dull and small. It didn’t move as much as before either.

“My star?” Dick asked, his voice cracking as he came closer to the glass.

His star did not respond, still and silent. The song of the stars was quieter than usual too. It sounded sad and sorrowful, filled with melancholy and loss.

Dick felt tears in his eyes again.

Fuck. He hadn’t wanted to cry.

It was just inevitable. He and his star were connected in more ways than one. The two of them were bonded, two halves of a whole, two parts of a relationship, like milk and cereal, and peanut butter and jelly.

Okay, actually, he was just being melodramatic.

But the truth remained: Dick loved his star. He loved his star like he loved Bruce, like he loved Kory, like he loved his parents, like he loved Alfred, like he loved Barbara. His star was his family and he hated just how the both of them looked weary and worn out in this moment.

He remembered his childhood, where he would slip onto the manor’s roof and talk to his star, who would glitter and sparkle in the smoky sky of Gotham. He had loved it, had loved how he could see his star in the night sky, and how he responded back in the ways only a star could.

It sucked that his condition reflected back on his star.

It was unfair how Dick’s suffering and unhappiness appeared on his star too.

“R—… Dick, are you alright?”

Dick wiped his eyes with his sleeve. “I’ll be fine. Can I… Can I stay here for a little while? Just a couple of days.”

Superman looked sympathetic and it killed Dick inside to see the pity on his face.

“Of course. Whatever you need. There’s more than enough food and water in the station…. Do you want me to talk to Bruce?”

“No.” His voice came back sharp. Superman winced and Dick wanted to feel apologetic, but he couldn’t help but be angry at the thought of his foster father.

“No need. I’ll be okay here, thanks.”

Superman then nodded slowly and left, leaving Dick alone in the command room.

His black hole hummed in the background, spinning slowly. Its dark light shone on him as it spun, but Dick could only feel cold.

That was to be expected when in a room across from three dead stars and a baby star, but the cold was inside of Dick as well, penetrating his bones and making his stomach feel like lead.

He felt sick. And tired. And exhausted. And pissed as hell.

He stayed in that command room for days. Sometimes, he just sat there and watched the stars move, as his black hole turned dimmer and dimmer until its event horizon could barely be seen.

Was it dying?

Robin was now gone, so did that mean that his star would be gone too?

The King quietly reassured him that it was not true, but Dick worried regardless.

When he wasn’t looking out the window in a daze, he was researching about job offers and career paths. He was still barely in school, and he needed to look onward after being kicked out of being Robin.

Occasionally, Superman would come by and talk to him.

“So what are you planning to do?” He asked one day.

Dick had been writing down a list of ideas for his future and he looked up then. “I… I’m not entirely sure.”

“That’s okay,” Superman reassured him. “You’ll find your path one day. And I know you’ll be great at it. You were always shining brightly, just like a star, I trust that you’ll find your way again.”

He grinned then and Dick returned the look.

“… I want to be a hero again.”

Superman hummed. “Well… not a bad idea. Are you sure? You know the danger of it.”

“I know,” Dick said, determined. “That’s why I want to continue doing what I love. Being a hero helped me in more ways than one. It helped me and it helped others. I want to continue doing good.”

Was it just him or was his star shining brighter?

Dick was distracted by Superman’s next words.

“I see. What are your plans? Are you going to go back to Batman?”

“I think… I think I’m going to go to Bludhaven. I’m going to become my own hero.” He smiled, as the plan solidified in his mind. He was already 18, he could transfer his college credits to another university and finish his education. He would find a job, an apartment of his own, he would finally be independent!

He didn’t need Batman. He was his partner, but if Batman wanted to treat him like a kid, then Dick would show him that he wasn’t. He was smarter, stronger, wiser, and braver than Bruce realized.

He didn’t need him. (Even if it hurt.)

The singing grew louder, then. Just barely noticeable, like the stars were excited but wanted to be quiet so the surprise wouldn’t be let out.

Superman smiled. “That sounds like a great plan. What do you think you’re going to be called?”

He had thought about growing out of Robin before, but since he was forced out of his role like cutting off a child from their mother’s milk, he had thought about it extensively since then.

He gazed at Superman, thinking of the legends he used to tell him when he was young.

“… I think… I want to be named Nightwing.”

Just as his words came out of his mouth, there was a loud bang that echoed from space, and then an explosion that rocked the ship. Metal screeched from the movement and everything turned white. Superman immediately flew at him, covering him with his own body as the spacecraft rocked and creaked ominously from the explosion. Dick was pressed against the floor and his eyes clenched shut as he unconsciously covered his ears from the loud impact of whatever exploded outside his window.

Once the heat dissipated and the ringing of his ears stopped, Dick realized what had happened.

Dick cried out, “No!” and pushed Superman off of him as he stared out the window.

But it wasn’t what he had expected.

He had expected to see devastation, planets blown apart, stars torn in two, nebula clouds drifting from stars going supernova, black holes gone with evaporation.

Instead, he saw a new star.

His black hole had disappeared and in its place, was a bright glowing blue star, hot and enormous, second to no one but his sister, the quasar. His star cooed once, “My Nightwing,” suddenly making everything connect within his mind.

Dick’s jaw dropped as then song burst from the radio.

And in it, something new.

Before, the singing had sounded like that of a group of children from a church choir. It was haunting and beautiful, but light and delicate. It was a song of loneliness and melancholy sung by a group of children who were cursed to become astronomical objects and be alone with only each other in the sky.

But now, there was a new voice.

No, it wasn’t new.

It had grown up.

His star had a distinctly bass and masculine voice, one of a grown man with a deep, almost velvety quality to it. Surprisingly, it melded well with the other voices and they all sang with the sound of new hope and new beginnings, a sign of the new times and change.

Tears came to Dick’s eyes again. It poured down his cheeks and he couldn’t help but smile and laugh as his entire body unclenched from the relief.

Of course.

How had he not realized?

His star wasn’t dying. It was growing up too. The stars had mentioned rebirth before, having been turned from stars into planets into stars again and then into black holes or neutron stars or more protostars.

Dick had been growing up with his star. His star was a child when they made a deal, just like him, and the two of them had grown up together. With the curse, it was the only way his star could find any semblance of becoming himself again. Now that Dick had shed his childish identity as Batman’s partner of Robin into a newer role, his star would also do the same.

“Dick?” Superman asked hesitantly. “Are you alright?”

Dick gave him a wobbly smile that probably didn’t reassure him by the worried look on his face. “Yeah. I’m just fine.”

With his star by his side, Dick would enter a new chapter of his life. He wouldn’t hesitate any longer.

He had finally grown out of the nest, ready to take flight with new wings. Now all he had to do was jump and spread them for a new journey.

——

“Uhhh… what’s that black hole doing?”

Dick snapped out of his thoughts at Jason’s words and looked up. Outside the window, while his star was still alongside his siblings, the quasar was spinning rapidly, flares bursting outwards and lights sparking from the collision of dust and gas.

“… no clue.” She kind of looked like she was showing off.

The singing on the radio grew louder.

They both watched as the quasar continued its little show as the communicator crackled noisily.

The radio hummed, the song slowing down to a halt before then it spoke.

“Hello,” a thousand voices echoed.

Dick pulled his gaze away from the window to look at the monitor.

The chatter of the stars grew more excited as the quasar continued to spin crazily. The King was at the forefront of the speaking stars, who said, “How do you do?”

“… we’re well, thank you for asking.”

Another voice quickly interrupted the neutron star, calling sweetly, “Robin.”

Dick froze, feeling a strong sense of déjà vu. It was all too familiar of a scene. A scene that had occurred to him only 7 years ago.

Jason looked at Dick for answers, but when he was too dumbfounded to speak, Jason answered quietly, “Yes?”

“… do you want to help me?”

Dick and Jason stared at each other.

“Should I?” Jason asked him and Dick hesitated.

He had never felt like being the human host for a star was a burden. In fact, it held no repercussions for him, since all he had to do was grow and live and his star would follow. Frankly, it was almost a completely one-sided deal since Dick got all of the rewards.

His mouth felt dry. When they had mentioned Robins before, was it a sign that if Batman had more children and more Robins, they would all become a host for his galaxy?

“…. It’s your choice, Little Wing.”

Jason nodded slowly, and asked, “Who are you?”

“In front of you,” the voice called and the quasar gave a small spin with a burst of light from her accretion disk. Her jet pulsed and Jason oohed at the sight of it.

“Dick, who’s that one again?”

“That’s the quasar,” Dick said. “She’s the big sister of the cluster.”

Jason smiled, silent for a moment as he watched the quasar move before he answered her, “How can I help you?”

“Make a deal with me.”

“What do I get out of it?” Jason asked, as Dick put a hand on his shoulder to reassure him.

“I’ll watch over you. Protect you when I can… I’ll be yours.”

Jason smiled toothily. “But I don’t wanna be owned by something.”

There was sudden silence, only the crackling of static and the same sound of ocean waves filling the air. Dick eyed Jason with wide eyes, trying to telepathically sending him question marks for his vague refusal when there was seriously no downside.

Then finally, “You won’t be owned by me.” The quasar sounded hesitant and a little sullen, almost offended.

Jason tilted his head. “Okay. Then I’ll make a deal with you. You don’t own me, but we’ll belong to each other, ‘kay?”

There was silence again as the quasar thought about it. Then, sounding more pleased and extremely adoring, the answer came out in a quiet hushed and awed, “Okay.”

The quasar seemed shocked by Jason’s handling of the situation, who dared to even negotiate the terms of what they were to each other. Dick watched, slightly impressed as the quasar seemed even more endeared than before.

Jason said, “Deal!” before he put his hand on the glass and several flares came from the quasar.

Gas and dust rubbed against each other in an impressive show of lights and fireworks before one of the flares popped and then a piercing light came rushing towards them. Dick gripped Jason’s shoulder tighter before the light burst through the window and then into Jason’s hand, up his arm, and then his cheek before it then settled.

Jason gasped, bending over slightly as his hand came up to cradle his face as Dick rushed to catch him.

“Little Wing! Are you okay? Oh, I’m so sorry, I didn’t think it’d be this bad! It wasn’t the last time!”

“I’m okay, Dickwing! Seriously!” Jason batted away his hand and then looked up at his reflection through the glass. “Whoa.”

On the left side of his face, below his eye and on his cheekbones, lines began to appear with bright bursts of black, bloody orange, and a turquoise blue. The same four pointed star as Dick’s appeared, its lines long and pointed. As the ink began to settle, Jason smiled, satisfied as he stroked the newly formed tattoo before he called out into the communicator, “Thanks!”

The stars were all celebrating around the quasar, a more cheerful and happy tune as they sang and spun.

“No, thank you, my dear Robin,” the quasar responded happily through the singing and cheering.

Jason beamed. Dick, however, frowned, as he reached down to press a thumb against the tattoo and said, “Isn’t the mark too obvious?”

“Didn’t you say that you could hide it before? You just have to teach me!” Jason said, with a raised eyebrow, as if daring him to refuse. However, the smile on his face wouldn’t die, and he looked overjoyed.

Noticing Dick gazing at him, Jason grinned.

Huh, how had he not noticed that Jason had dimples?

“Thanks for bringing me here, Dickwing!” Jason said with a wide grin. “I can’t believe I have my own star!”

Dick couldn’t help but smile too, and said, “No problem. Take care of her well.”

“I will! I definitely will!”

As Dick looked up out the window and observed his own star, who was spinning happily in circles around his newly bonded sister, he couldn’t help but marvel at the turn of events.

Who knew that this Robin would also acquire the protection of a star?

Man, Bruce was going to freak.

|||||||||||||||||||

BRUCE. I WANTED YOU TO BE A GOOD FATHER. WHY IS IT THAT EVERY TIME I RESEARCH CANON EVENTS, YOU’RE ALWAYS FUCKING THINGS UP. YOU’RE RUINING MY WHOLESOME SPACE THEMED SERIES, BRUCE.

Why did this turn into a coming-of-age story lmaooo but I’m lowkey happy with it tho

The distinction between “you not owning me, but I’m yours” is important (kinda). It’s more of a “we belong to each other” rather than Dick and Dan’s “you’re mine” thing going on. Also, yes, the placement of the tattoos is on purpose. I switch between it/he pronouns for Dan (and the other celestial objects) bc it’s just easier and I feel like sometimes, it’s needed to show that they are not human.

Also, as per everyone’s request, there will be no shipping involved :) there will be a bit of qpr and codependency, but I love those, so it would’ve been included anyways.

Dan has completed his transformation from a black hole into a blue giant! Blue giants are very hot, big, and rather short-lived because they burn out quickly. Specifically, Dan is a giant star with a spectral class of B0Ib and a magnitude of -0.02 (which means he’s one of the bigger giant stars, his color is blue, and he is somewhat able to be seen from Earth).

Irl, it’s pretty inaccurate to real stars and black holes, bc black holes cannot collapse on itself (it’s literally a collapsed star, it cannot collapse further) and usually will only evaporate and disappear through Hawking radiation (which takes so long that all stars and star corpses will disappear before black holes will be gone). However, stars can recycle old material from dead stars to grow and that’s what happens here. Clockwork comes by every once in a while to check up on his babies and dump some nebula into the galaxy before he disappears again.

The other stars’ new identities will be revealed soon and I’ll also explore Sam and Tucker’s planet statuses as the series continues. Thank you for reading!

Next up, a certain Robin suffers 😈 (not clickbait).

[daniiwrites]

Ties That Bind - Chapter 1

Pairing: Aaron Pierre and OC, Jade Laurent

Warnings: Minors DNI. Language.

Summary: One night stand gone wrong.

Rebuilding my tag list, so please let me know if you'd like to be added.

Chapter 1: Surprise

Her whole world boiled down to a tiny pink plus sign. Jade Laurent stared at the pregnancy test her in her hand, feeling like everything was collapsing around her. She couldn't be pregnant. Not now. Not like this. She leaned heavily against her bathroom counter, running a hand through her thick hair. 

"Fuck."

Her cell phone vibrated on the counter and she sighed when she saw that it was her father, the absolute last person she wanted to talk to right now. She grabbed the phone and muted the call. Jade took a look at herself in the mirror, trying her hardest not to freak out. Thanks to her career as an ad executive, she made great money and could afford to give a baby everything it would ever need or want. But she didn't want to do this alone... that had never been her plan. But clearly plans were out the window now. She'd been told at 25 that she would most likely never conceive naturally. So she'd frozen some of her eggs in the hopes that one day, she'd meet the right man and they'd be able to try artificial insemination. But this baby, the result of a one night stand with a devastatingly beautiful man, was nothing less than a miracle. Jade sighed, covering her face with her hands. They hadn't exchanged numbers at any time before or after their night of passion, so she'd have to reach out to the friend who'd invited her to the party where she'd met him. 

"Jade? Josh is asking for you."

Jade wiped her damp cheek and tucked the test away in her purse. She'd deal with this later. The face that stared back at her in the mirror looked shaken, not the confident Jade she was used to seeing. Her deep brown skin lacked its usual glow.

"I'll be right out, Chloe!"

She schooled her face and ran her fingers through her dark hair, fluffing the soft curls to perfection. Time to get back to boss mode. Her face was almost doll like and the makeup she wore delicately emphasized her best feature, her big brown eyes framed with thick black lashes. She blotted her lips one quick time and stepped out of her private bathroom, smiling when she saw her assistant Chloe waiting to accompany her. 

"Everything ok?"

"I'm fine. Still fighting that cold, that's all."

Chloe handed Jade her MacBook and the two women headed towards the conference room. This was going to be their second pitch meeting for a new fitness supplement product. They'd finalized everything except their celebrity endorsements. The ad agency she worked for recently partnered with DC Comics, so Jade was expecting a handful of actors for the commercial and accompanying ad campaign. She pasted a smile on her face as she made her way into the conference room, greeting a few of her coworkers as she slid into an empty seat.

Honestly, she zoned the majority of the meeting out, offering input only when it was directly asked of her. Her mind was on a million other things, most importantly, the baby in her belly. Jade cleared her throat when they began going over the men they wanted for the ad campaign. She felt the breath leave her body when HIS face appeared on the large screen in front of her. They'd chosen a still from Rebel Ridge and his blue-green gaze seemed to stripped her bare through the screen. She hadn't been prepared for the reminder of just how incredibly beautiful the father of her child was. Aaron Pierre, or just Aaron as he'd introduced himself to her that night, seemed to stare into her soul from the screen and she cleared her throat, glancing away. 

"This guy is my pick. I mean just look at him. Women love him. And men hate him because they want to be him. If he weren't an actor, I could totally see him being a male model. People would eat up anything he sold," Josh said, a smirk on his face when he saw quite a few people in the room nodding in agreement. 

"I think it's between him and Jason Ritter. Ritter does have a more mainstream appeal."

Josh scoffed as he glanced over at one of his co-workers.

"What? Because he's white? He's no more mainstream that Aaron. Trust me, I've done my research on this guy. He went viral because of a damn dance down a hallway. This is the guy. Bring them both in for a screen test, but I guarantee that the bosses are going to want to go with this guy. Jade, what do you think?"

Jade cleared her throat as she found the attention on her again.

"I agree with Josh. I read over this guy's background and he's one of the top guys as far as who people are talking about right now. Rebel Ridge really put him on the map, especially with the female demographic. Considering this supplement is marketed to both men and women, I think he's our best bet. But by all means, bring them both in for screen tests and we can let the bosses decide. I can reach out and see if we can get them in here next week."

"Sounds great."

The meeting ended and Jade headed back to her office with Chloe at her side.

"Those two are hooooooot. Can I please come to the shoot?"

Jade chuckled as she glanced over at the younger woman. Honestly, she couldn't blame her one bit. Both men were deliciously attractive. 

"Of course you can come, Chloe. We're gonna need the help. Just don't drool where anyone can see you," she said with a soft laugh. "Can you take care of sending out the screen test info to their people?"

"You got it. When do you want them here?"

"If possible, I'd like to see if they're available at the end of next week. I want to get the ball rolling on this as soon as possible."

Chloe nodded as she quickly took notes.

"Crew?"

"I'll call Javi and see if he's free for the test shoots. He knows how I work."

"Which guy do you want for the campaign?"

Jade pursed her lips as she thought about what she was going to say, not wanting Chloe to look too far into her answer.

"Jason seems like a sweetheart and all, but... you know I like them big. Plus there's that accent. I'd buy anything that man tried to sell me. My vote is for Aaron."

Chloe snickered as she glanced over at her boss.

"I agree. Something about those eyes of his. He looks like... like a real man, you know?"

"Oh, I know. Trust me. I'm going to go grab a coffee. You want anything?"

"Umm... one of those cookie things please?"

"Ok, I'll be right back," she said as she handed her laptop to Chloe.

Jade was in desperate need of some fresh air. She took a deep breath as she pushed the building's heavy glass doors open and stepped out into the sunlight. Her mind was moving in a million directions all at once, still struggling to process the news of her pregnancy. She still had no idea how she was going to tell Aaron. What if he didn't want a baby? What if he asked her to get an abortion? She didn't even know if he lived in Los Angeles. Jade was more than open to co-parenting this baby, but what happened if he lived eight hours away? Or across the country. She pulled the heavy Starbucks door open and headed inside, ordering her usual latte and her assistant's cookie. As she waited for her drink, her mind drifted back to that incredible night. Mind blowing didn't even begin to describe how good in bed the man was. He was an astonishingly giving lover, making her orgasm over and over before he was even completely naked. And once she'd managed to get him stripped out of the expensive suit he'd been wearing, his body had become her own private playground. He was just so damn big, muscle on muscle, and strong enough to do whatever he'd wanted to do to her. After they'd made love, he didn't leave. He held her in his arms, cradling her close as they fell asleep together. Jade had never felt safer or more content than she had that night in his arms. 

And she'd left him before sunrise. 

Snuck out like she was ashamed of the incredible passion she'd shared with a man she'd only known for a few hours. 

Jade shook her head as she thought about the cowardly way she'd ended their one night stand. True be told, she was more than a little ashamed. He hadn't even had to work every hard to get into her panties. For a woman like Jade, one who prided herself on being a little hard to get for the average man, it was a bit of a blow to her ego the way she'd so easily succumbed to the handsome Brit. She'd tried to rationalize with herself that she deserved to cut loose sometimes. It had been forever since she'd had sex before him. And hell, she'd never had sex that good in her entire life. She hadn't even left the man her number. He had no way to contact her, even if he'd wanted to. Maybe this pregnancy was a punishment for the way she'd treated him after. Jade already knew that when she first reached out to him, there was a good chance that he would't be too receptive to anything she had to say. But she also knew that she had to swallow her pride and call him. He deserved to know about his child. She headed back up to the office with coffee and treats in tow. Once she made it back upstairs, Chloe greeted her with the news that she'd booked both test shoots for the following Thursday. That gave her less than a week to gather the nerve to come face to face with Aaron Pierre. 

-

It was the day of the test shoots and Jade couldn't shake the nausea that had been in the pit of her belly all damn day. It was going to the first time she was seeing Aaron in almost two months and she was absolutely terrified. Both actors were due to arrive shortly and Jade was trying desperately to quell the terror in her belly. She was wearing her favorite peach colored shirt and a skirt that clung nicely to her softly rounded hips. After checking to make sure that her makeup was perfect, she took a deep breath and walked out of the bathroom. It was just her luck that he was standing out in the hallway, waiting to go into the small studio space. He hadn't seen her just yet and she took a moment to just drink his broad shouldered form in. Aaron Pierre was a truly incredible specimen. He had to be at least a solid 225 and was the kind of man who would always made her feel incredibly safe. He must have sensed her behind him and turned to face her. Jade's breath quickened and she felt her nipples peak. Damn... the father of her child was one beautiful man. His skin was the richest shade of caramel brown and all she could focus on was the memory of the way his sweat tasted on her tongue. Goddamn hormones!

"Jade."

Damn. Even the way he said her name was sexy.

"Aaron... it's good to see you."

"Is it?"

Jade frowned, glancing away. She deserved that one. 

"I had that coming."

"I heard you recommended me for this."

She glanced back up at him, nodding slowly.

"I did. Thought you'd be great for our campaign."

"That the only reason?" 

His green eyes held her captive, a mix of anger and passion swirling in their depths. Seeing her again did something to him, set him off kilter in a way he wasn't used to. As he glared down at her, the scent of her perfume, a mix of vanilla, bergamot and amber, drifted up to him. Images of her writhing beneath him, her fiery dark eyes meeting his as she took every fat inch of him inside her came to mind and he could feel his traitorous dick swelling in his pants. Aaron vividly remembered every single moment of their night together and it often replayed like the world's cruelest sex tape in his mind.

"No. That wasn't the only reason. I needed to see you again."

"Oh, so you can leave me alone in a hotel room again?"

"Aaron... I'm sorry," she whispered, glancing around before looking up at him. "I've never-"

"You know what? Save it. Spare me the 'never done the one night stand' line."

"I'm not lying," she hissed.

His dark eyes narrowed on her gorgeous face before he leaned down and whispered in her ear.

"I hope it was worth it, Jade. Cause no one is ever going to fuck you like I did."

The words hit her like a blow to the gut and she watched as he turned on his heel and stalked back towards set. Jade glanced around, making sure no one was paying attention to their interaction. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, trying to mentally prepared to deal with this shoot. Today was going to be a hell of a day. She took a couple of deep, calming breaths before steeling herself. As she stepped on set, her eyes were immediately drawn to where Aaron was standing on his mark. He was talking with her camera guy, Javi, about what they were going to shoot next. The whole purpose of test shoots like this was to see how someone looked on camera and to see if their charisma translated through the screen. She focused her eyes on the monitors, noticing right away how good he looked on camera. Too damn good. Her eyes eagerly drink in his tall, broad shouldered form. Her teeth worried her lush bottom lip as she remembered the way his full lips kissed over every part of her body, those massive hands of his holding her down and making her take all of him. 

"Fuck..."

"What'd you say, Jade?"

Jade cleared her throat, glancing over at her assistant.

"Oh, nothing. Just thinking out loud."

"That is one fine ass man."

Jade snickered softly when she looked over and saw the look on Chloe's face.

"And he looks great on camera. I know they're gonna want to go with him."

Both women focused their attention on Aaron as they ran through a few more poses. Jade tucked a thick chunk of dark hair behind her ear as she walked closer to the action. She fanned herself with the folded script that she had in her hand, suddenly feeling the heat from all of the lights on set. Aaron glanced up, making eye contact with her and holding the stare. Those incredible eyes of his held her captive and she was frozen in place. The corner of his mouth turned up in a cocky smirk as he let his eyes drift down to her breasts before back up to meet her gaze. The man knew exactly what he was doing to her. She looked away, blinking rapidly as she felt a bout of dizziness overwhelm her. Panic gripped her body in a cold fist and she raised her gaze back to Aaron's, seeing the way his cocky smirk quickly changed into a look of worry. Him rushing towards her was the last thing she saw before everything went black.

Seeing Jade go from rosy cheeked and turned on to watching her body sway unsteadily had Aaron's heart clenching in his chest. He made it to her just in time to keep her head from hitting the hard floor and he cradled her limp body in his arms. Aaron quickly checked her pulse, relieved to find it strong and steady. The young woman he'd seen standing at Jade's side knelt next to them, panic written all over her face. 

"Oh my god! Is she ok?"

"She didn't hit her head and her pulse is strong. Has she ever fainted before?" Aaron asked.

"Not that I know of," Chloe murmured, biting her bottom lip. "Jade doesn't get sick...We should take her to the hospital. But she'll kill me if I cause a scene with an ambulance and it turns out that she's fine."

"My truck's out back. I can drive her."

Chloe glanced up at the handsome Brit for a moment before giving him a quick nod. Better safe than sorry. 

"Let's go."

Jade's head lolled against his powerful chest as he carried her slight body out to his truck. As much as his ego was bruised after she'd abandoned him in his hotel room, that didn't mean a thing to his traitorous heart. He gently laid her in the backseat, resting her head against Chloe's lap. Her assistant gently brushed her hair out of her face, letting Aaron know that their relationship went a bit deeper than just work. After programming the nearest hospital into the SUV's GPS, they were on their way to the emergency room. He glanced in the rearview mirror, frowning when he noticed that Jade hadn't stirred at all and her beautiful dark skin looked clammy. They pulled up to the emergency entrance of the hospital and Aaron carefully gathered the unconscious woman in his arms, her head heavy on his chest as he carried her inside. 

"She collapsed a few minutes ago," he said urgently to the nurse who rushed over to them.

"Does she have a history of fainting?"

"No," Chloe said with a shake of her head. "But she did get sick at work a few days ago."

The nurse nodded, motioning for Aaron and Chloe to follow her. They were led to a curtained off area and Aaron gently laid Jade's limp body on the bed. He held her hand in his, his forehead creased with worry. Her color was slowly coming back, but she hadn't stirred much since she'd fainted. A doctor walked in, immediately going to prop her legs up and check her blood pressure.

"How long ago did she faint?" The doctor asked, his gaze flicking between Aaron and Chloe.

"Maybe 5 minutes or so. Why hasn't she woken up yet?"

"That's what we're working on," he murmured, asking a nurse to set her up with an IV.

Jade stirred, a little frown appearing between her dark eyebrows. She groaned softly before her eyes fluttered, wincing against the harsh florescent lights.

"Where am I?"

"You're at Cedars-Sinai, Miss. Can you tell me how you're feeling?"

Her eyes flicked down to her hand, which was still being held tight in Aaron's big paw. She met his worried gaze before looking away.

"I-I... I feel a little woozy."

"Alright. I'm going to run some tests on you and we're gonna get you right as rain."

Jade nodded and she swallowed softly. The doctor quickly drew her blood, leaving her along in the observation room with Aaron and Chloe. When they ran blood tests on her, they'd discover her pregnancy. She needed Aaron to hear it from her before he overheard it from them. 

"Um... Chloe, can we have a minute alone please?"

"Of course," Chloe murmured. "I'll be outside. I'll cancel your 3 o'clock."

Aaron's cat-like green eyes met hers, his stare a bit unnerving. 

"I need to talk to you."

Jade braced herself against the bed, trying to push herself into a sitting position. Aaron tucked a pillow behind her before dragging a small chair over and cramming his big body into it. He leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his massive thighs as he looked over at her. 

"Are you sick?" He asked softly. "Is that why you left the way you did?"

"I left because I was ashamed," she murmured, her dark eyes focused on the pulse in his throat. "I really never have done anything like that before. I...I was scared you'd think less of me in the morning. I thought I'd save myself the embarrassment and just leave before you could kick me out of your room."

"Jade, I don't think any less of you because of what we both chose to do that night."

"You don't?" she whispered before meeting his gaze again. 

"Of course not. You're a beautiful woman... I had to shoot my shot with you. I was more than ready to earn you."

She scoffed softly.

"Looks like you don't have to worry about that. Didn't make you work hard to get me at all."

Aaron shook his head as he reached out, taking her small hand in his. His thumb rubbed back and forth across her satin soft skin.

"Stop that. Let me earn you this time. Let me do what I'd planned to do that morning. I wanted to take you out to breakfast... get to know the pretty girl with the most beautiful brown eyes I've ever seen."

"Aaron..."

"Why are you so hesitant?"

"Because... there's something I need to tell you. I didn't- I never thought something like this could happen to me. I was told a long time ago that it would be damn near impossible."

"Jade-"

"I'm pregnant. It's yours."

Jade felt all the air go out of her body with a big whoosh. Her eyes flicked to his face, immediately clocking the shock etched into his handsome features. His big hand tightened on hers and his green gaze dropped to her belly.

"I found out last week. I didn't know how to contact you and then you just fell into my lap like this. I swear... Aaron, I didn't think this was possible for me."

"What do you mean "didn't think this was possible?""

"I was told that a natural pregnancy wasn't in the cards for me. I guess you've got magical sperm or something." She let out a small, slightly hysterical laugh. Her heart felt like it was about to pound out of her chest.

Aaron reached out, gently cradling her cheek with his free hand and Jade couldn't help the way her eyes closed and she tilted her face into his touch. There was something so calming, so grounding about his touch.

"So... what do you want to do, Jade?"

"What do you mean "what do I wanna do"? This is the both of us."

"This isn't how I expected to be welcoming my first child. But... we did this together. If you wanna do this, I'm going to do it with you."

"How do you know I'm gonna be a good mom?"

"How do either of us know what kind of parents we're gonna be? All we can do is learn together. I meant what I said, Jade. If you want to have this baby... I take care of my responsibilities. I'll be here for you, however you need."

When her teary gaze met his, something tugged at his heart and the instinct to protect her was overwhelming. Aaron stood, gently pulling her into his arms. He softly stroked her hair, murmuring to her when she began to sob, her entire body shaking as she cried. His fingertips gently rubbed her scalp, his large hand cradling the back of her head.

"I-I'm so scared, Aaron."

"Shhh... It's ok, sweetheart. It's gonna be ok. You're not alone."

Aaron was quickly realizing that her tears were like kryptonite to him. Hearing the news that he was going to be a father was like a gut punch to him. It had felt like all the air was taken out of the room in that moment and all he could think about was her, big and pregnant with his baby in her belly. That thought unleashed something in him, something dark and fiery. She was pregnant. With his baby. Their baby. He was going to be a dad... Timing wise, this was absolutely the worst time in his career for something like this to be happening. His film Mufasa had just premiered and his PR team had been carefully crafting his image, hoping to set him up as one of Hollywood's next top leading men. For the sake of optics, it was best he appear to be a carefree bachelor. But this baby would be here in less than a year. Everything would change. Everything would HAVE to change. His parents had raised him to be a man who took care of his responsibilities and he wasn't about to disappoint them now. And she didn't get into this situation by herself. He wasn't about to let her deal with the consequences alone. Her sobs quieted down into soft sniffles. She sighed when Aaron pressed a tender kiss to her temple before pulling back to get a look at her.

"Do you want to keep the baby?"

Her eyes searched his face for a moment before nodding mutely.

"I've always wanted to be a mom. I feel... I feel like this baby is a blessing. I mean, I'm on birth control. We used condoms. And despite all that, it still happened... You really wanna be there?"

"I do. And I meant what I said earlier. I would love the opportunity to get to know you, to earn you. I guess now we just just have an added incentive, huh?"

"We definitely do..."

The way he gently cradled her face in his massive hands made her feel like a princess. Her long dark lashes fluttered shut when he leaned and and pressed his lips against hers. Her heartbeat thudded in her chest as he kissed her like she was something precious, his tongue tracing along the seam of her lips, asking to be let inside. Her moans went straight to his dick and he grunted against her full lips. Jade was hands down the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen and now he was irrevocably tied to her for the rest of his life. It was a heady sensation. A knock at the door had them breaking apart. Aaron retained his hold on her small hand as the doctor entered the room.

"So we got the results of your tests back and... Ms. Laurent, are you aware that you're pregnant?"

Jade's eyes flicked over to Aaron and he squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"I just found out last week."

"Is everything ok with the baby?" Aaron asked.

The doctor nodded, his eyes back down on her paperwork.

"Fainting isn't uncommon in early pregnancy. All your bloodwork came back just fine. You are dehydrated though, so I'm going to have you finish off this IV and then I'll get you a script for prenatal vitamins. You should make an appointment with your OB-GYN as soon as possible just to know exactly how far along you are. Congratulations... gonna be a beautiful baby."

Aaron took note of the way her pretty brown skin flushed and had to agree with the doctor. Their baby was going to be absolutely perfect.

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[and-claudia]

Bound by Winter (Spencer Agnew x fem! Reader) Prologue

Warnings: angst, arranged marriage

A/n: check out some of the easter eggs I have left in the story and comment if you find them (even the obvious ones like the characters)

Taglist Sign Up (Read Carefully)

Bound by Winter Masterlist

header made by yours truly

The parchment trembled in my hands, though I’d like to think it was the wind coming off the bay that made it shake. The seal was unmistakable—black wax, pressed with the crescent-winged owl of House Agnew. Cold just to look at. My name was written below it, spelled perfectly. Like they’d known it all along.

My feet carried me without much input from my brain, and I found Father in the observatory. He was staring out at the sea as if it might answer him. It never did. That was my place. 

“You knew,” I said. “Didn’t you?” Although my voice was quiet, it cut through the air like a knife. 

He didn’t turn around. Just nodded, slowly. His hair looked more silver than gold in the firelight.

“There’s war coming, daughter,” he said, voice low. “And it won’t be fought with swords alone.”

The words hung between us like a noose. War. The kind that cracked kingdoms open and left bastards like me to be swept into its bloody tide.

“So, I’m to be married,” I said, letting the taste of it sour on my tongue. “To Spencer Agnew. Of Caerwatch.” 

At that, my Father finally turned. His eyes were red-rimmed, not from crying—I’d never seen Rhett McLaughlin weep—but from sleeplessness, from drinking too much of the smoked plum wine he saved for council nights.

“Virelia is splitting,” he said. “The East is sharpening its axes. The throne is weaker than it admits. We need the North. And the North won’t move without a binding reason.”

“So you’re offering me like a damned mare,” I snapped. “For peace.”

“For your people,” he corrected, harsher than I expected. “For Seastar Hold. For your name.”

My name. The one he gave me. The one I had held so dear to my heart, knowing he gave it to me when he could have easily left me in the brothel to be raised along with the other bastards. But no. He chose to take me in. To give me the honor of bearing his name. And now, I’d have to give that up.

I looked past him, out to the horizon. The clouds were purple—sunset bruised. In a week’s time, the torches would be lit, the courtyard filled with laughter and smoke and shouting. It would be time for our annual Fall Feast. The one he and Uncle Link threw every year with their strange fire-breathers and spiced meads and indecent songs. They called it a tradition—Mythical Evening.

I’d never missed one in all my life.

“Will I be here for the Feast at least?” I asked, already knowing and dreading the answer.

He didn’t answer right away.

“The marriage is set for the fortnight,” he said. “They ride to claim you in three days.”

So no. I would not be here for the Feast. I would not drink the amber firewine. I would not sit beside my Uncle Link while he made rhymes too filthy for a lady’s ears. I would not laugh until my ribs hurt, or dance with barefoot servants in the kitchen after midnight.

I would be on the road. Bound for frost. For a stranger. For a husband.

For a war.

“So, I am to go alone then as well?” I asked. 

Silence once again. 

“I’ve never even been to the north. All I’ve ever known is Seastar Hold and Brightmere Keep. I’ve never left the Mythic Reach… And now I am to go out alone?” I said, panicked at what the future may hold. 

“You won’t be alone, Lord Agnew has assured that he has sent his best men to bring you back with them to Caerwatch Keep. You will be well protected, I made sure of it.” My father said, in an attempt to soothe my worries. 

“His best men? When war is looming over us all? I doubt that. And what, my betrothed didn’t have the decency to accompany them to steal his bride away from her home?” 

“Yn,” My father sighed, clearly exasperated, “They are not stealing you away from your home.” 

“It feels like they are…” I said sadly. 

“I’ll send the handmaidens to your chambers to help you pack… I hope to see you at dinner. Your Uncle is riding here as fast as he can to see you before you leave.” My father said, dismissing me without actually doing so. 

I left the observatory with tears stinging behind my eyes, but I refused to let them fall in public. I saved those for my pillow late at night. When I got to my room, I found my most trusted handmaiden, Emily, there. 

“What’s wrong?” She asked upon seeing me. 

I said nothing, just handed her the parchment I had been handed earlier by Maester Chase. 

“Are you fucking serious?” She asked, never one to be afraid to use colorful language in the presence of her lady. 

“Yup. Spencer fucking Agnew… his reputation is horrible. I’ve heard he’s not even the true heir to Caerwatch.” I said, opening my wardrobe and browsing which dresses I should take, not that any of them were remotely close to being able to keep me warm so far north. 

“Yn, do I need to point out the obvious here?” Emily asked. 

I went to speak but realized she was right, I was being a hypocrite, being a bastard myself, “That’s not what I meant… I mean, you’ve heard the rumors. Some say he was raised by crows and ghosts, that’s why he’s so different.” 

“Yn, they’re an old house, they have lore like that in all the old houses. Though his reputation in court is… lacking.” Emily said, preparing my trunk for me. 

“I know. Did you hear about how apparently the Crown once tried to summon Spencer to the capital, and he declined? Who does that? I mean, short of lying on your deathbed, I don't believe you refuse the crown without consequences, and yet he did. He acts as if he’s above politics. And yet he’s knowledgeable in them. I can only assume he is also knowledgeable in a battle, a house doesn’t live this long without passing on past battle wisdom.” I said. 

“I did hear that. I also heard that he has the eyes of a hawk, but the motivation of a house cat. He sees everything but doesn’t care enough to do anything about much. And when he does do something, it's usually a battle of wits that he never seems to lose.” Emily said. 

“That’s honestly what worries me. I don’t expect him to love me, but at very least I would like for us to grow to care for each other… but how could I expect someone who yawns at the thought of being challenged to a duel? He doesn’t care about anything.” 

“Well,” Emily began as she folded the few dresses I had laid out, “it could be worse; he could be known for his temper.” 

“Is that worse? His sarcasm alone is just as dangerous as wrath, honestly. I’ve heard he says just enough to start fires, but then walks away before they catch. In some ways, that’s far more dangerous who brings the fire already raging in his wake.” I said. 

However, before Emily could say anything, there was a knock on the door. 

“Who is it?” I called out. 

“It’s just me, here to see my favorite niece!” I heard my uncle call through the door. 

I smiled as I stood and rushed to the door, thankful for the brief distraction. 

“I’m your only niece, Uncle Link.” I said with a laugh as he wrapped me in a hug. 

“I brought something for you. I’ll have it brought up to your chambers during dinner.” He said, offering me his arm to escort me to dinner. Since it was just my uncle visiting, there was no need to use the grand hall for the dinner, so we’d be dining in the smaller dining room. 

“Emily, go ahead and eat dinner yourself. Meet me back here when you’re done.” I dismissed her before leaving with my uncle. 

“So, what did you get me?” I asked curiously. 

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” He teased, “Well, before I tell you, please don’t be cross with your father or me… I have known about your marriage arrangement for as long as he has.” 

He paused to gauge my reaction, but I kept my face neutral as I nodded for him to continue. 

“I was not sure when it would be, but I knew it would be soon. So I had your favorite dress maker in Brightmere make something for you. It was hard to get her hands on just the right fabric, but she’s made you a beautiful wedding gown. I asked her to keep some semblance of home in it, the bottom is embroidered with your father’s sigil as well as your future husband's.” He explained. 

“It’s an odd mix. Ocean waves and snow owls.” I commented. 

Link nodded, “Yes, but sometimes the oddest pairing makes for the most beautiful in due time.” 

I sighed, “Did my father ask you to say that?” 

My father and I tended to butt heads. I’ve always been told that although I am the spitting image of my late mother, I had inherited my father’s temper, and perhaps even then some. The two of us cared for and loved one another fiercely, but when the two of us disagreed, gods help those caught in the crossfire. My uncle and I, however, were the complete opposite. He was softer than my father, more sensitive. He was the one to articulate what my father was feeling when he was too stubborn and coarse to say. 

He shook his head, though. 

“No, I truly believe it. You know, your aunt and I didn’t know each other until a week before we were wed. Would you believe that by looking at us now, all these years later?” He asked. 

I shook my head, “No, you look at her like she hung the moon and stars just for you… But you two came from the same place. You’re both from the west… Spencer and I couldn’t be more opposites. I'm from the western shores of Virelia, where the sun shines for nine months out of the year and even in the colder months you’d be hard prest to call it cold. Even now, with autumn beginning, the heat still flows through the halls. I was raised in the sun and salt. Spencer is from the northernmost part of Virelia. It snows more than it doesn’t up there. I doubt they go a day without wearing fur-lined cloaks. He was raised in shadows and ice… I don’t see how the two of us will get along…” 

“Just give it time.” He said gently just as we arrived in the small dining hall where my father was already sat waiting for us. 

I took my usual seat beside where he sat at the head of the table, and my uncle sat across from me. 

“I had the kitchens make your favorite.” My father said once we were settled. 

“Thank you.” 

I noticed the air was stiff, and not just from the lingering heat of the day. This wasn’t going to be one of the dinners where I got to smile and laugh at stories my father and uncle told of their times before children. No, this dinner was much more solemn. 

“We need to discuss your marriage a bit more.” My father began, “You understand what a queen's purpose to her king is, right?” 

“Yes… But-” 

“What is it?” He cut me off. 

“To provide him with children. Specifically, male children to be his heirs.” I said. 

He nodded slowly.

“House Agnew is not like us. They’re an old house- a respected house, especially by their people. You remember your history lessons of the major house of Virelia -how House Agnew was once a kingdom itself?” 

“Yes, it was before the Crownfire War, before the Shattering of the Watch. I believe one of the books says, ‘They broke the Owl's Eye, and the North wept.’ Now only Caerwatch remains.” I said, remembering the history books my father would read to me as a child. 

“That’s right. Although they are not on their throne any longer, their people still view the Lord and Lady Angew as a king and his queen. So, when you marry Spencer, once he becomes the Lord of Caerwatch, you will become his queen.” My father explained. 

“Oh, I’m sure the people of Frostspire will love to see a southern bastard as the Lady Queen Agnew,” I said sarcastically as I reached for the flagon of wine between the three of us. 

My father sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as I poured my wine, admittedly more than what would be deemed proper for a lady at dinner. 

“They may not love you, but they will respect you.” My father said. 

I sighed, taking a sip of the deep red liquid. 

“Fine. But why do you bring up heirs? I mean, I knew that would be part of getting married, I didn’t think you would have to point that out to me.” I said. 

“Well, because I have no male heirs. I had planned to name you as my heir, allow you to have some say in who you married, but the threat of war has forced me to change those plans… I am too old to be marrying and trying for a male heir, so I am temporarily going to name your cousin, Charles, as my heir… that is, until you have two sons. The first would obviously be named Spencer’s heir, then the second I would name as mine. If something were to happen to me, Charles would be acting Lord of Seastar Hold until your second son came of age.” My father explained. 

“Oh. So, now you really are selling me off like a brood mare.” I snipped. 

“Damn it, Yn! Please don’t make this any harder than it needs to be. Do you think I want to send you off? Do you think I am reveling in the fact that my baby girl, the last memory I have of the woman I loved and was too afraid to wed, is locked away in the north? Do you really think I am happy about this arrangement?” He finally snapped, and I swear this is the closest I had ever seen my father to crying. 

“You’re father is right, Yn. No one is particularly happy with this arrangement. That’s no secret. However, having an open mind about it may help you see the good it could bring. And… if nothing else comes of it, and you can’t bring yourself to love him and he can’t do the same for you, then do your duty as his queen and pour your love into the children he gives you.” My uncle said gently. 

I nodded, knowing he was right. The rest of dinner continued quietly. Once he was finished, my father excused himself from the table and disappeared. 

“Your father loves you, you know that, right?” 

“Yes, of course I do.” “I wasn’t supposed to share this with you, but another reason he sending you to marry Spencer is for your protection. Our houses are new, our names are not ancient like others in the realm. We have a target on our backs. Especially your father, who aided so much in the last war. There is talk that the first attack will be here, on Seastar Hold. If you stayed here, you’re life would be at risk. Your father also doesn’t have the men. Don’t get me wrong, the fishing villages along the coast are fiercely loyal to him, but they’re not real fighters. Next to the royal guard, House Agnew has the largest army, nearly 15 to one of the next largest. Your father needed this arrangement to protect you and Seastar Hold. I know it’s not ideal, and I know it’s hard to see it this way, but he did it for you.” My uncle explained gently. 

“I guess I never considered something like that… I’ll try to go into it open-minded, but you’ve heard the rumors about Spencer Agnew… he’s a silver-tongued lord to be with, seemingly always better things to do. I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t sound like someone particularly marriage material.” I said, slouching back in my chair in such a way that if she’d been present, Septa Stevie surely would’ve scolded me. 

“I know someone else who’s quite silver-tongued themselves.” My uncle said, sipping his own glass of wine. 

I smirked at his comment.

“And as for the rumors,” He said, leaning forward, setting his goblet down, “They’re rumors. Court gossip. You won’t know what he is truly like until you meet him.” 

I nodded, “You’re right.” I conceded. 

“I often am.” He said, leaning back, arms crossed clearly proud of himself for getting through to me. 

I shook my head in amusement before excusing myself and heading back to my chambers. Just as he had said, the wedding dress was hanging in my room. I was utterly speechless when I saw it. It was the perfect shade of deep, storm-silver silk, like the color of thunderclouds gathering at sea. The bodice had the softest dove-gray velvet that I recognized as Brightmere velvet that had been used on previous dresses my uncle had made for me. The velvet was stitched in a subtle wave pattern, making me smile to myself. The neckline was off the shoulder and trimmed in a delicate lace. I could tell there was a train on the dress as well, not anything crazy, but definitely one that would drag slightly behind me. The bottom of the dress was absolutely beautiful. My uncle had already told me about the embroidery, but I was blown away seeing it in person. The two sigils of my father and future husband were woven together in a looping, mirrored design: wave and wing, sun and moon, stitched in an endless knot. Where the wave crests, the owl takes flight. Where the moon wanes, the sun rises. 

“Do you like it?” 

My uncle’s voice caught me off guard as I spun around to see him and my father standing in the corridor outside my door. 

“It’s stunning… I- I don’t know what to say.” I said, truly at a loss for words. 

“Why don’t you try it on so we can have one of the tailors here make any alterations needed?” My father said, standing with his hands behind his back. I nodded, “Give me just a moment.” I stepped forward after Emily, who had been standing off to the side, entered my room and pushed the door closed. 

“Yn, this thing is gorgeous. If Spencer doesn’t fall for you once he sees you in this, Seven Hells, if he doesn’t, I just might.” She said, helping me out of the dress I was currently wearing. 

I laughed at her words. She carefully took the dress off the hanger and helped me into it. It was a lot warmer than I was expecting it to be. It was definitely a style I wasn’t used to. I was more accustomed to sleeveless, light, flowy dresses, which were a stark contrast to the long-sleeved, thicker, more structured dress I was now wearing. Once she finished, I did a once-over of myself in the mirror before nodding for her to let my uncle and father in. 

“So?” I asked. 

“It looks perfect.” My uncle said, and my father nodded. 

I looked at him and waited for him to say something, anything. Nothing. 

“Did you see the bottom? It has our sigil on it.” I said, kicking my foot forward to show the detail better. 

Once again, he nodded. 

Then, after a few beats of silence, he spoke, voice cracking as he clearly fought back tears. 

“You look beautiful, Yn.” 

Link caught Emily’s attention and nodded to the door before turning to leave with her following behind, pulling the door behind her. 

“I um… I have something for you.” He said, finally bringing his hands from behind his back. 

In his hands was a clearly handmade twined circlet of pearl and sea-glass. The pearls and class were all white, save for one pearl, in the front that was the most beautiful seafoam green I had ever seen. Having grown up playing in the tidepools on the shore, I was no stranger to pearls. I knew one of that color and size was rare to find. In fact, it was the second one I had ever seen, the first being set in a ring on my father's finger. 

“It’s a McLaughlin tradition to make their daughters a headpiece for their wedding… I know it’s not fancy, but I did my best-” 

“It’s perfect. I love it. Will help put it on to see it with the dress?” I asked, cutting him off. 

“Of course.” He said, lifting it up and carefully fixing it on my head. 

It sat perfectly, the seafoam colored pearl was on beautiful display in front.

“Thank you.” I said, catching his eye in the mirror, “Where did you get the green one? They’re so rare.” 

“When I found this one,” He held up his hand showing the matching one in his ring, “It actually continued two green ones. One larger one, one smaller.” 

I noticed then that the one on his ring was actually bigger than the one that sat upon my head now. 

“I kept the smaller one for this reason. I wanted you to wear it on your wedding day. Though I had always envisioned you getting married here. It still will keep us connected.” 

At that, I turned away from the mirror and threw my arms around him tightly. He didn’t hesitate to hug me back just as tightly. We stayed in our embrace for a few moments before he lessened his grip and placed a kiss on the top of my head. 

“I’ll go get Emily so she can help you out of this. I’ll have a special crate and jewelry box to transport them in before you leave.” He said, pulling away completely. 

“Thank you, I love you, Father.” 

“I love you, too, dear.” He said before walking out. 

As Emily came back in, I began to think that maybe this arrangement might not be so horrible. Just maybe. 

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