#krishna x oc

[krsnaradhika]

Dropping an edit on my wip cuz why not-

This is the imagined cast ༎ຶ⁠‿⁠༎ຶ and—

this - Krishāvyayam is the link to the book.

Warning : This is the first draft only. As revised versions get updated, you'll get to read better content in the novel.

[ramayantika]

Ch-4: Meeting the Bride

// Krishna fics masterlist //

The wedding celebrations were over and all the esteemed guests were preparing to leave for their respective kingdoms except a choice few guests who were close to Krishna stayed back, including Aarnika who was specifically requested to stay for a few more days to meet the new bride. 

The Vidharban princess looked more angelic even closer and as blessed as she was with good looks, the princess's soft demeanor and kind heart won Aarnika's heart too. 

"It must be adventurous and a little liberating, isn't it Rajkumari? You get to rule an entire city on your own terms," Rukmini said. 

Aarnika smiled and thought about her father's punishment that had given her this indepent ruleship to her and said, "I agree, princess. I am glad that my people support me and help me handle things there. I am glad to find a place in their heart, and though it's a small city, my city is growing which makes me proud." She held Rukmini's hand. "Do come to Kanakgarh sometime. We would love to have you and your family, besides," she winked, "my city will be the talk of Aryavarta if the royal family of Dwaraka arrives."

Rukmini laughed and nodded, "The queen of Kanakgarh must not request us, and certainly not her friend now. I will definitely ask Krishna and plan a visit there soon." Pretending to whisper, she continued, "You are anyway a wild topic in Aryavarta. A woman single handedly running a kingdom is unheard of."

"It's a small city, Rukmini, not a kingdom."

"I believe, a kingdom doesn't have to be large to house too many provinces and grandeur. A small place with the right ruler, for whom people have immense love in their hearts to help their land prosper is a kingdom." Rukmini patted Aarnika's shoulder. "I have been talking to you since the past two days, and the time we have spent together is enough for me to know that you are and will be a great ruler, no matter how large or small the province is."

The princess's words made Aarnika beam with pride and happiness. Nobody in her family except her mother had acknowledged her abilities and talents. Hearing Rukmini after spending only a brief amount of time was an achievement for her.

"And in what deep conversation have you pulled my dear wife into, sakhi?" asked a honeyed voice.

"Nothing much. The princess was bestowing some generous compliments over my rulership over Kanakgarh," said Aarnika.

Krishna passed a bright smile and sat beside Rukmini who blushed when surrounded by him. "You give yourself too less credit, Aarnika. The feats you have managed are a wonder. You paved the way for women to be a part of the workforce. Trade and businesses are flourishing. I think it will rival your capital city in the next few years."

A bubbly Subhadra in orange garments twirled and entered the chamber, saying, "But won't Aarnika didi be married off? How will she keep developing her city then? Would her husband allow her?" She held her ear and looked at Aarnika. "Sorry, I overheard you all."

Aarnika gently pulled Subhadra's nose. "My choti sakhi, don't worry about that. I am not marrying for a very long time so I am going to keep developing my city."

"But didi, do you have someone in mind whom you want to marry?"

Krishna cleared his throat and said, "Subhadre, it is not appropriate to ask such questions. She is older than you."

Pouting, the little darling of Dwaraka looked at Krishna and finally at Aarnika. Her eyes lit up with brightness and said, "Well, you can always count on me. I might help fix an alliance."

Krishna pulled Subhadra's ear, making her wince, saying, "You never listen to me, do you?"

"As if you listen to Balaram dau?"

Rukmini laughed and commented, "Now Subhadra won. Fair and square."

Warmth seeped into Aarnika's heart as she watched the siblings and Rukmini interact. If only her household could have been like them – full of love, fun and friendly banter.

***

"I wish you stayed with us for some more time didi," muttered a sad Subhadra hugging Aarnika. "Especially with me."

Aarnika ruffled the young princess's head and patted her cheek. "You know that my doors will always be open for you. If you are ever bored of Dwaraka, my city would provide you a wonderful retreat."

Revati too had come to see off Aarnika. Both of them did not get much time with each other due to the wedding work and other queenly duties the former had to carry, but she had found time to bid farewell to Krishna's special guest. In three days, the princess of Mahishaka had charmed her way into the hearts of the family of Dwaraka. Her simplicity and humble personality was endearing to all. 

"Do visit Dwarka again, princess. You spent time with Rukmini and our dearest Subhadra, but not with me. I shall hold it against you," Revati said, as she hugged Aarnika. 

Aarnika's heart was full. She climbed into her palanquin and replied, "The Queen must not be crossed. I shall come back soon and I believe you all must too."

"As for me, I will keep writing letters sakhi. You must be updated with Dwarka's latest gossip." Aarnika chuckled and nodded at Krishna. "Yes, your highness, I shall await the latest gossip in your letters."

"Take care, Aarnika."

The princess looked up at Krishna for one last time. His eyes as gentle as the moon, looked into hers and a friendly smile curved its way on his lips causing her to smile too. A slight pang in her chest, and a lone tear burning in the corner of her eye, Aarnika whispered, "You too, Krishna."

He left his hand from the palanquin and waved at her. Following him was Subhadra who had already begun to shed tears and waved frantically at Aarnika as if her didi sakhi would immediately stop and return back. 

The ever so graceful Rukmini hugged Subhadra and waved at Aarnika who bowed and covered her palanquin with curtains. Each step took her away from the land of her beloved, but she was happy to find new friends in Subhadra and Rukmini. 

Who knows when this alliance would play a role in her future? 

By the end of the first prahar, her entourage had reached the beautiful green hills on the borders of Dwaraka which made Aarnika feel nostalgic about the moment she had first arrived here and witnessed their majestic beauty. 

The morning sun fell on a slope of one of the hills, illuminating that section. The trees on the hill gently swayed with the soft sea breeze and its leaves shone bright under the rays of Surya. The sea breeze allowed its into the palanquin and gently blew over Aarnika's face. She closed her eyes and imagined the sea waters of Dwarka. She hadn't found time to visit the sea shore. 

The gentle sea breeze slowly lulled her eyes to sleep with fun filled memories of the wedding and new companions until she would find herself back home in her palace, devoid of those friendships. Aarnika loved Kanakgarh and her people. She also had some of her trusted handmaidens who would swear their lives on her, but she also yearned for such loving friendships in her lives, for people to be with her and not only in curved letters of a letter on paper. 

Maybe someday I wouldn't be this alone. 

*** **** ****** *** ** **** **** *** ***** **** ****

This was a filler chapter because I wanted to wrap up the wedding so we can get back to aarnika's work life in her city, Kanakgarh.

Also do read and tell me how it was I wrote it after a long time so maybe it won't be that good but I would still love your reblogs and comments.

Have a good day! 🌸💕

Taglist: @ma-douce-souffrance @ishoulnotbehere @inexhaustible-sources-of-magic @krishna-priyatama @morally-gayy @bambioleo @jessbeinme15 @arachneofthoughts @reallythoughtfulwizard @kaal-naagin (if I have missed anyone or if anybody would want to be a part of the taglist, do tell me in the comments or send an ask. I might have forgotten some too because the list was saved in my old phone which I don't have right now)

[casualstarowl]

more Havik and Krish 💘 !!

Found some cool poses while scrolling through Pinterest and I was sooo curious what if it I drew these two. And well here’s the final product after a few days of wondering if this is worth doing a finished look 💀

(Encontré unas poses geniales en el Pinterest y tenía tanta curiosidad qué pasaría si dibujara estos dos. Y bueno, aquí está el producto final después de unos días de preguntarse si vale la pena hacer un dibujo final 💀)

[ryxmix]

FOR ALL YOU MAHABHARAT FANS/ WITCH LOVERS/ ASTROLOGY BITCHES/ PEOPLE WHO FOUND THE ZODIAC ACADEMY'S ACADEMY COOL (not the characters) / MYTHOLOGY LOVERS, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU:

The Story of the Zodiacs!

It's a story which me my friends are working on our shared ao3 account, thetrio_writes, and I would love for you all to come and see the first chapter and give us tips and tell us what you want to see!

It's still in the making, but it's a fic I definitely plan on completing since it will be something i share with my hostages friends.

it's not much of adventure or things like that, just a lot of romance, fluff, magic, and laughter! + mythical beasts too!

it's a college setting with three main characters based on the three of au and is heavily concentrated on hindu mythology with greek, norse, egyptian, and roman mythology (the reasons the others aren't given will be explained in ch 2!)

we'll try to make it as diverse as we can while it still fits the plot!

oh, and we have polyamorous characters, aroace characters, and obviously, indian characters!

Updates will be slow for now since we're a bit busy but you can expect more after the 6th or 7th of this month!

I hope everyone who sees this at least takes a peek at it and chooses to reblog it too!

[allari-ammayi]

Butta Bomma

𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

A. Bahubali x Reader x B. Deva

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬➜

When bookworm Y/n reluctantly succumbs to her friends' movie night and watches "Bahubali," she discovers a newfound empathy for the much-despised Bhallaladeva, igniting an unexpected connection between their souls. Following the loss of her grandmother, Y/n inherits a mysterious red amulet that transports her to an unimaginable world. Her assigned mission: to alter the destinies of her beloved character. In the heart of Mahismati, Y/n's undercover adventures bring her closer to the royal brothers, determined to reshape their fates for the better. As bonds deepen, romance blooms and Y/n faces a dilemma: will their feelings jeopardize her mission? Will it even matter in the end?

𝐓.𝐖➜

This story contains themes of death and bereavement, violence, toxic relationships, emotional turmoil, travelling worlds, ¿isekai?, romantic conflicts, identity crisis, moral dilemmas, possible sexual content in later chapters, themes of betrayal, political intrigue, power struggles, intense emotional situations, and complex moral decisions, exploration of familial and romantic relationships, warfare, injury, and graphic violence. Let me know if I missed any!

𝐀𝐫𝐜 ⌗𝟏

𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐞➜

The Interesting Perspective

The New World

The Angel Lady

The Harsh Interrogation

The Monkey Woman

The Snarky Prince

The Etiquette Lessons

The Language Barrier

The Political Genius

The Culinary Adventurer

The Mahismati Festival

𝐀𝐫𝐜 ⌗𝟐

𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐞 ⌗𝟏➜

The Scripted Starting

The Dancing Beauty

The Affectionate Prince

The Gruesome Battle

The Vitory Horror

𝐀𝐫𝐜 ⌗𝟑

𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐞 ⌗𝟐➜

The Dangerous Thoughts

The Kuntala Quest

The Royal Gardens

The Deciding Day

𝐀𝐫𝐜 ⌗𝟒

𝐁𝐚𝐡𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐢'𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞➜

The Kuntala Journey

The Charming Princess

The Kuntala Palace

The Dreamer Boy

The Hunting Party

The Krishna Pooja

The Marriage Proposal

The Silent Attack

The Lady’s Choice

𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠➜

The Rejoiced Couple

The Wedding Night

The Jealous Banishment

The Back-Stabber

The Final Sob

The Honoured Dead

𝐁𝐚𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠➜

The Stubborn Prince

The Jealous Husband

The Painful Coronation

The Run-Away Wife

The Reunited Lovers

The Old Beginnings

𝐀𝐫𝐜 ⌗𝟓

𝐁𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐚'𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞➜

The Library Roaming

The Compensating Gifts

The Hidden Portrait

The Risky Plan

The Portrait Showing

The Insistent Girl

The False Confession

The Impulsive Promise

The King’s Confession

𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠➜

The Defeated King

The Heart Problems

The Exiled Duo

The Discontent Girl

The Confidential News

The Sweet Embrace

𝐁𝐚𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠➜

The Impressive Queen

The Romantic King

The Revealed Secret

The Destroyed Amulet

The Two-Faced Liar

The Tragic End

𝐓𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭➜ @vellipo-mellaga, @cleaningfairylevi, @bhalare-vichitram, @ghal-ghal, @bitchy-bi-trash, @vijayasena, @sakhiiiii, @celestesinsight《If you wish to be part of the taglist, please let me know in the replies!》

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞➜

This story contains elements of fantasy, adventure, and emotional depth, but be aware of potential triggers, including violence, grief, and complex relationships. Reader discretion is advised.

Does anyone want an OC version if they're not interested in y/n?

[kneelingshadowsalome]

Man-Sized

6/9 We Appreciate Power

Pairing: Simon ‘Ghost’ Riley x F!OC

Tags: Explicit content, +18 audiences only. Smut, romantic angst, fluff. An unapologetic LOVE STORY. Sexual tension, mutual pining, banter, flirting, developing relationship, strangers to lovers. Simon Riley has a dark past (partly inspired by Modern Warfare 2: Ghost comics).

CW/TW: References to PTSD, depression, past torture and abuse in later chapters.

Summary: A uni student who pole dances at a strip club to pay her rent encounters a mysterious giant of a soldier seemingly incapable of falling in love.

If one thing was sure with Simon, it was that he was never quite what he seemed.

It turned out that he was in a relationship for the first time since his twenties. He had a whole bunch of protocols, one of them being that he didn't date, didn't do relationships, didn't get attached. He said it was the usual approach in his line of work, but she didn't quite buy it. Other personnel and some of his teammates had partners, even children. She dared to believe that Simon was breaking his rules for her.

Simon was far more invested in people's lives than he would ever have cared to admit. But even if he appeared to harbor a tendency to protect those who could not do it for themselves, he didn't treat her like she was a helpless damsel. She was sure he would, after The Incident and especially after The Revelation, aka trauma dump. But it only felt like he had gotten more evidence of her toughness, her survival skills.

The more she learned about his past, the more she began to realize that he had a soft spot for the weak and suffering. He made no big deal out of it, but in her eyes, he was a hero for having saved his brother from drug addiction and beating his father close to death for everything he had done. Even the Puranic stories knew that demons needed to be punished, not forgiven; it was their only chance for redemption. To her, Simon was Krishna wrestling down Asuras who tormented innocents. He used his father's curse of anger for good.

And he didn't make her decisions for her. She wondered if things with her were much like with Soap: Simon let them both fuck around while he did the backup from a distance.

And another thing was that you never had a dull moment with Simon. Because one lazy Saturday morning, a week before Christmas, a ghost appeared in her hallway.

"Jesus Christ…!"

She had just brushed her teeth, but when she opened the bathroom door she was met with a huge masked man standing only a few feet away, just in front of her front door.

All the remnants of sleep vanished instantly. Her heart stopped beating for a moment, then slammed against her ribs as she saw the faded skull print on the black balaclava.

"Fuck." Her hand had shot to her chest, and she was sure every hair in her body was standing on end. But of course Simon only found the whole situation entertaining.

"Haven't heard that in a while."

He was dressed differently this time, introducing her to the professional soldier who was, even without the load of war gear, intimidating. She knew that he was a tall man, tall and broad, but now he seemed to shrink the entire hallway. The black cargo pants, waterproof jacket, padded, fingerless gloves and military boots could only be described as tactical — he was drenched in black on black on black, but it didn't make him look any smaller, quite the contrary. The dark brown eyes stared at her from under the skull balaclava with brazen mischief. When she finally caught up with her breath, she began to wonder how on earth Simon had even got here.

"Someone might think you're breaking in."

"Technically, I am."

She peeked at the front door behind him and was ready to scold him for breaking the lock, but there was no sign of any vandalism on it whatsoever. How the hell did this man do all this shit?

"Did someone see you?"

He crossed his hands over his chest like he had just been insulted.

"What do you think."

In a normal situation – if there was a thing called normal with Simon – she would be dangling from his neck by now. But he looked so impressive, so imposing and foreign, that she was suddenly shy.

"Ugh… Why do you have to be so, so…"

His eyes narrowed into a smile as she tried to search for the words.

"So you."

"You wanted to learn how to shoot."

Well, the last time they had spoken on the phone, she had asked him to teach her, but he had refused, saying that she would have to go to a range and receive tuition there like the rest of the folk. But it appeared his ego had gotten the best of him.

Because why else would he appear here like this, looking like a kidnapper, burglar and a commando guy, if it weren't to show off and get another reaction out of her?

"Now? It's raining."

The weather outside wasn't exactly inhibiting. It was just another London day where you couldn't tell if it was misty or rainy. And as if he had heard her thoughts, Simon raised his eyebrow and gave her a look that said Are you fucking kidding me?

"You got two minutes to get changed."

It was a command, and her eyes widened from him just ordering her around. Then she got back to her senses and simply obeyed. While combing through her bedroom closets, she figured Simon was being generous for her sake. Two whole minutes…

December this year was far from a winter wonderland: the weeks had been warm, rainy, and grey. But it was still wintertime, the kind of cold and wet that pushed through layers of clothing. She picked the most durable outdoor clothing she owned, paired it with her only merino base layer, then decided to change her underwear too. Into something more lush, something she had bought just for his sake. Just in case things got heated on the way back home or before they went to have a shower together...

As soon as she rushed back and had gotten her shoes on, he picked her up in a fireman's carry and headed to the door.

"Someone might get the wrong idea," she laughed at the pure audacity of this man as she watched his feet swallow the tiled path that led to the street.

"I can live with that."

"Simon, seriously. Someone might call the police."

"That would certainly be interesting."

She was hauled to a colossal car with darkened windows and tires the size of a mini horse — some kind of a preposterous off-road land cruiser she could never in her life afford. If this was his own car or if it was leased through work, she couldn't tell, but it was precisely like Simon: dark, robust and fierce.

He drove safely enough though; calm and collected, like he was driving a family car to a shopping mall. It was such a delightful little detail that she briefly thought that Simon would make a good father.

After about a 40-minute drive off the city, they reached some abandoned gravel pit in the middle of nowhere. The weather had stayed much the same, but the cold she felt came from finding herself in a completely unfamiliar setting.

She waited demurely as he opened the trunk, unloaded a few gun cases, and then picked up a black tactical vest with pouches filled with ammo. She watched with her mouth dry as he swung it on, adjusted the straps, and looked even more massive with that thing. She was given a set of eye and hearing protection, and then the first case was clicked open. It held some sort of rifle.

"I thought we would use a handgun?"

"Not before you've practiced with long barrels."

Practiced…? Just how hard could pistol shooting be?

He gave the gun to her and told her to get used to its weight. She didn't know whether the safety was on or off or if the gun was even loaded, but she pointed it to the ground as Simon went to set up targets a rather long distance away. She ended up strolling around with her shoulders tense, holding the gun like it was an explosive that could go off any minute.

This was just fucking crazy and she felt like a fool… and Simon was marching back, looking like a whole goddamn war movie.

He took the gun from her, adjusted the sight, and showed her how the bolt action worked. She only now saw that the chamber was empty – of course he wouldn't leave her unattended with a loaded firearm – then watched how he grabbed a magazine that looked like a little box and pushed it in the stock with seasoned motions.

"This is a Browning X-Bolt rifle. Good for hunting both deer and people."

She fought the urge to roll her eyes at such hillbilly talk. Simon put the hearing protection on, which was a sign for her to cover her ears as well. He fired only one round to see if everything worked correctly, then gave the gun back to her.

"Remember to squeeze the trigger. Don't yank or pull it."

He then adjusted her stance, which she had briefly tried to imitate from him. He came behind her, and the gun was raised and tucked against her shoulder like she was a child who had to be shown everything by hand. And she guessed she could be compared to an infant when it came to these things.

It was a whole other ordeal to try and memorize everything he said when the hard ridges of his gear pressed against her as he showed her how to hold the rifle. And it certainly wasn't an accident for him to pack his crotch against her too. They hadn't even kissed yet, let alone reveled in the usual, steamy sex that occurred the moment they met after weeks of pining on the phone. He was like the devil himself, pouring that dark, raspy velvet in her ear and knowing perfectly well that he left her aching after every single call. Long distance relationship was a sweet, sweet hell.

"Is that a knife in your pocket?"

She could barely detect the slight tensing of his core as she said it. The shoulders caved in just a little, the hand that was snaked over hers tightened its grip only marginally… So she raised the stakes.

"Or another long barrel?"

"Concentrate."

"It's pretty hard to concentrate with a barrel up my arse."

There was a short silence, and she bit her lip — Simon never let her have the last word, not to talk of teasing him like this without being punished. The hearing protection was lifted just enough for her to catch what he whispered in her ear.

"Should've fucked you before we came 'ere."

Her pussy clenched at that, quite involuntarily, but the dark honey combined with that gruff purr while he was pressed against her was simply too much.

"You would've been all nice 'n' quiet."

Well, it was now obvious that further punishment would ensue after the shooting lesson. Her nipples grew taut, and not from the cold. He gently put the hearing protection back on before taking a few steps back, his warmth leaving her like a cloak she had been deprived of.

She took a deep breath to level her head, then slid her finger on the trigger and braced herself for the kick. It was enough to mess up her aim, but the second time was easier now that she knew what was coming. After the third round, Simon came to show her how to change the empty mag.

"That's it. Good girl."

"For God's sake, Simon, you're not helping."

The third magazine she changed herself, with shaky hands, because shooting had turned out to be both thrilling and nerveracking.

Next up was a submachine gun, during which point she was literally sweating. Everything looked nasty and technical, and she felt like she didn't know shit about anything.

"Ok, now this one you gotta keep steady, or else you'll find yourself shooting at the sky."

He adjusted the grip of her left hand so that instead of cradling the gun in her palm, she bore her thumb over the rail for better control.

"How do I keep it steady?"

"With muscles. I know you got some."

The first few spurts were full of shy stress, but she got used to the feel of it after a while. The first magazine was empty just when she started to have fun. He came to change it, and she did another round, during which Simon gave her curt advice — "don't let the gun control you," "lean into it a bit," "elbows in line," and so on. It was absolutely ridiculous how the clink of bullets on the ground could make her feel like she was Rambo or something. After the third mag, Simon deemed it done, and she almost felt sad to be departed from the gun.

"That went well."

"Yeah. I like this one," she agreed while looking at the black steel like she had just made a new friend.

"You little maniac," he said while giving her an approving once-over. The sexual tension was electrifying, the smell of acrid gunsmoke made her feel exceptionally wild, and she started to understand why people were attracted to these things. She had thought that anyone could fire a gun, but she was wrong. It required practice like any other activity, it demanded both patience and strength.

Some of the expended cartridges had melted the polyester of her jacket in a few spots, one had even burned a tiny hole in the fabric. Simon noticed her surprise as he took the gun to return it to the car.

"Yeah… Burns real nice when they catch some skin. We call them brass kisses."

After the SMG was back in the case, Simon lit a cigarette, and she felt even more timid. Seeing him in this kind of setting, hauling guns around, lifting that mask to have a smoke, dressed like he was going to some special operation, suddenly reversed months of acquaintance. She was out of her element while he was 100 % in it, and the aspects that had made her fall for him were turned up not by a notch but by a stretch.

"Now we get to the pistol. And this ain't no toy. You really gotta pay attention to your form." The cigarette hung from his lips while he emptied the gun, then took a drag like it was just his second nature to fire some shots while having a smoke. The magazine was changed by the same hand that held the empty one like he had done this a thousand times before. Probably because he had.

She would never have thought that this was what she was really into. She had spent years searching for a soulmate in future professors or decent guys who were safe and dull. All of that evaporated into thin air like the smoke from his tobacco.

It felt almost shameful that she found such a stereotypically masculine man not only intriguing but so attractive that she felt weak in the knees. To gawk at the display of muscle and war and dirt and get wet from the smell of gunpowder and his sweat as he came close to show her how the guns worked… It felt like a betrayal. She had always looked down on these people because she had simply thought that wars were stupid and anyone who wanted to be part of such violence was stupid.

But Simon wasn't stupid or simple; he wasn't a jackass with distorted views of honor and ethics. In fact, he was one of the most intelligent, morally sound people she had met. Perhaps a little gloomy and with a twisted sense of humour, but those things only added to his depth. Simon wasn't cannon fodder, nor was he a gun-crazy, trigger-happy recruit who had made reality of most boys' fantasy life. He was a relic of something essentially, fiercely masculine, a man in a world full of boys.

He came to give her another crash course on how to line the sights, take off the slack from the trigger before firing, how to square her stance toward the target. It also seemed that she was gripping every weapon wrong. Whether it was a limp wrist or the wrong spot for grip, he saw it and corrected her on it.

And after firing a few rounds, she understood why they had started with rifles. The pistol shooting was an absolute shitshow. Aiming that small but feisty piece required an extremely delicate yet stern hand.

"See what I mean?" Simon changed another mag for her, and she tried to hide her sulking.

"Yeah. Why would anyone want to use these things?"

"Easier to carry and disguise."

After the second mag was empty, he told her he had been mean and that beginners usually started pistol shooting from 7 yards away. The target she had hit only a handful of times was more than 20 yards away.

"Got one more beauty," he said, went to the car, and came back with a monster. It looked heavy, even in his hands, and for a moment she thought they were about to shoot with a machine gun in the middle of serene countryside.

"What the hell is that…"

"I saved the best for last."

It turned out to be a large caliber rifle with a scope, typically used by snipers — only, this one was larger and more powerful from the usual military use. The silencer at the end of the barrel only increased the outrageous appearance of the weapon.

"Don't look so glum. This should be easy."

She got a nice little setup that included a poly tarp and a tripod for the gun. Shooting prone with a mounted gun gave her the much-needed support, and the scope made her feel that even a person with a Bachelor's degree could do this shit. The recoil didn't scare her this time; she even liked the feel of it when it got absorbed into her body.

"Lookin' good."

And the commentary from the back made her realize that the absorbing thing no doubt meant that more than just her accuracy was on point.

"I'm sure it does," she said mainly to herself while silently happy about Simon unmistakably checking her ass out. The sniper setup was so much fun overall that she asked for extra mags. He only had two, and the session was soon over, and her cheeks were red from both joy and the brisk morning air.

Simon came to crouch beside her, and she turned on the tarpaulin to give him a smile that must've told him just how happy she was. He smiled back with his eyes, which now held a hungry glimmer in them. Yup, he had definitely checked that ass out.

"That's it," he said while removing the protective gear for her.

"Can I join your team now?"

"Sure. You'll make a great mascot."

She fake punched him for that, and he caught her wrist while laughing at her sad tries to pose a threat to someone like him while lying on her back. The next punch was not that playful, even if she was laughing too. It soon turned into a whole wrestling contest until he finally climbed to mount her.

She figured he had bested her and relaxed under the straddle of his thighs, but the greedy look in his eyes only increased.

"C'mon. Fight back a little."

She guessed this was just another need to show off, but she felt reckless enough to indulge him. She caught him slightly off guard by diving an arm around his neck while doing a hip bridge that almost bucked him off to the side, but he quickly drove his other foot to the ground to prevent himself from being toppled.

"You've done Jiu Jitsu?"

"Beginners course, 5 years ago," she answered to the mild surprise in his voice, then tried to push herself out from under him with an escape from the mount that usually worked… at least in a training situation with other beginners. But Simon countered it easily, and she soon found herself being seized in a chokehold from behind while trying to break.

He took her back down with him, even wrapped his legs around hers, performing a perfect rear naked choke on her. She should've known that Simon was adept in martial arts as well.

She was staring at the sky while clutching the steel muscle that forced her to lay her head beside his. It was a pure instinct to reach for his forearm to pull it off, even if he was holding her in place rather than doing an actual choke.

"You're always far more fun than you let on," he whispered in her ear, so close that the fabric pressed on her skin and sent tingles down her spine.

"Glad to be of entertainment even here," she said while trying to maneuver herself out of the choke, to no avail. That bastard even let go with his other hand, quite capable of holding her in place with just one arm while the other began to travel down.

She froze from the heady realization that Simon hadn't spread the tarp just for shooting purposes. It had been laid there for some other action entirely.

The hand forced its way under the waistband of her pants and swept over her underwear, cupped her with no fanfare, just to inspect the state she was in.

"Of course you're wet." The voice was dark, amused, and slightly out of breath as his legs forced her thighs further apart still.

"Of course you're a cock," she said while trying to suppress a moan. Her muscles were already sore, but she didn't want to go back to a warm house, a hot shower, and a soft bed afterward. She wanted him to continue whatever this… exploration was developing into.

He stroked her through the thin fabric she had deliberately chosen to wear today under the all but erotic outdoor apparel, and knew he could feel just how wet she was. All the fight left her, her legs relaxed into the spread they were forced into, and her hips ground against that hand, utterly wanton and shameless. She assumed it was her way of tapping out.

"Fuck…" she cussed the second time today as her head laid back to rest on his shoulder.

"Just say the words and I will."

"I already did."

"Nah… you gotta say it." The grip on her throat tightened a little while he swept a thumb right over the spot that was crying for attention, and her eyes squeezed shut just from the sheer frustration this man aroused in her.

"Please. Just..."

"Yes luv?"

God, he was annoying...

"Fuck me," she submitted like she always did.

"With pleasure." He rolled them both to the side, and she was quite literally manhandled to lie down on her back. She dutifully helped him remove her pants and noticed she wasn't the only one having trouble with restraint. She had never seen a man so enthusiastic about getting her clothes off.

But when he was met with the high-waisted lingerie composed of strings and sheer black lace instead of the plain black knickers she usually wore, there was a pause.

"Fuckin' hell…"

And she could understand the allure of it now: there was something enticing, dizzying, about pale skin covered in nothing but a few thin threads and see-through mesh. Especially when contrasted with a giant male encumbered with magazines of cold metal and dressed in black, rough ripstop. She knew he carried not one, but two knives this time: one on the back of his vest and another strapped to his thigh.

"Don't destroy them, ok?"

He was still looking at the dainty little thing like it was the most fascinating sight he had ever seen. And to think that she had almost left them at the store because it felt foolish and corny to wear something like this just for him to take off.

"Simon? Please."

The dark stare flew briefly to her eyes before darting back to the ridiculous thing that, in her opinion, didn't deserve to be called clothing.

"Since you asked so nicely."

The lace looked even more pitiful in contrast to those reinforced half finger shooting gloves as he reached to take the garment off. The whole scene must've looked like a threatening situation rather than the passionate encounter of two lovers: a giant soldier opening his pants to get his cock out and adjust himself between the legs of a half-naked woman. If anyone from school saw what she was up to this weekend, they would've probably fainted.

And how on earth could it only feel better every single time he slid in?

He did it sluggishly — it was his bravura: to torture her and watch how she gasped and tightened around him. He turned the most basic things into a fantasy, made a simple missionary feel like a holy event.

"Now that's a hungry cunt," he commented with a barely restrained groan. She nearly told him to just shut up for once…but didn't because as always, that talk only made her clamp around him more fiercely.

"Try concentrating on missions with this tight lil' fit on your mind…"

At that, she was speechless, but her fingers curled around the shoulder straps of that stupid tactical vest he wore, the contents of it pressing against her uncomfortably as he slowly filled her. He so rarely rushed, even when the air was filled with so much intensity that there could've been sparks flying from their contact. It was aggravating how patiently he could slide in and out while they were both trembling, while whole worlds were shattering from the insane passion at work here.

Her thighs were already quivering from the stretch and mutual tension and the knowledge that they were doing this in broad daylight under a dull, gray sky, on a tarp that smelled of storage room, gasoline, and lifeless plastic. But even that was nothing compared to the masked man above her. She couldn't feel skin except for the part inside her and the pelvis that brushed her as she so willingly opened up for him after they had fired guns like they were some bloodthirsty, lunatic couple.

And Simon was breaking records every time they met. She felt cold, alive, and so happy that those three words were so close to slipping out this time that it brought her to tears. And he just kept making love to her in this disturbed setting where the sniper rifle was still lying beside them with the safety off, wearing that unbelievable skull print mask that made her want to scream because it was so cringey and hot at the same time.

"Simon," she started, not knowing what she wanted when she already had everything she could ever wish for.

"What can I get ya?" He murmured to her neck, the warm breath hitting her skin through the mask and providing some alleviation to the December cold. The plastic sheet made scrunchy sounds beneath them as he continued to shag her while she was having another breakdown from the love she felt for this man.

"I- Just… a little faster," her whisper rose as a mist in the air as she tried to come up with something other than I love you. He chuffed against her neck in amusement but granted her request, and a few tears escaped.

She was crying while everything was already soaked. The foggy morning and her pussy were equally as wet for Simon to have a nice, refreshing Saturday filled with all the things he enjoyed the most. Her whole body ached, both from the cold and the love.

She nuzzled her way under that mask and finally met precious skin, salty and heavy with the scent she now associated with all things Simon and safety. She kissed his neck like an idol at first, then with more passion, like she was starving for the whole essence of him. He messed up the rhythm of his thrusts for a brief moment, just from that subtle touch of hot breath and wet tongue. And then there came a swallow and a pained sound — almost like a hushed, uneasy sob.

He was suddenly speechless too, there were no commentaries on how good she felt or how well she took him or even that good girl talk. Simon was fucking her on mute for the first time ever, only sighing and grunting as he went. He wouldn't even look at her. But it felt even more sensual, their most sensual fuck yet – that everything just trembled and shuddered and shifted like continental plates.

The build-up was far from hasty and desperate. It grew inside her, layer upon layer of swelling heat and devotion until her whole body went tense. The shaking stopped — but he wouldn't; he completed the job the same way he did everything in life. Confident, meticulous, unwavering.

When she came, he still wouldn't say anything, only hummed against her with a satisfied rumble. It was stupid, how she felt more like a goddess on that tarp than on the bed they usually did this. It felt idiotic how she felt like a goddess at all... But there was no other word really, to describe the sensation of total elevation and surrender that followed from being filled with a man like him. He was supposed to be a simple grunt and turned out to be everything but. He was full of magic, an embodiment of otherworldly power. It made her cry and left her legs shaking.

He allowed himself some mercy only after she had had her pleasure, and the sex became feverish. She dared to roll the mask up just enough to find his lips, and he allowed it, answering her kiss almost violently.

"Fuck I've missed you," he panted in her mouth like it was a confession torn from him by torture, and before she could say anything, he crammed his mouth on hers again. He never showed affection straightforward, and the sudden frankness pierced her heart like a javelin, far heavier than his actual mass bearing down on her.

The love fluttered inside her chest like a painful secret as he prevented her from returning the closeness that bordered on unbearable. He eventually came with a few hearty thrusts and broke the kiss, and the liquified stare behind those half-lidded eyes was a whole nebula of sore adoration. If this was anyone else, she would've deemed that look vulnerable.

He was perfect, and this day was perfect, and she felt a sinking, sweet fear in her stomach from getting everything she wanted and then some more – because it could never, ever last, not in her world of experience. This was simply too good to be true.

His head hung heavy beside hers, then came to rest on the crook between her shoulder and neck like he was in need of a short, cuddly moment. While valiantly supporting himself on his elbows even after the climax, his weight still managed to steal most of the air from her lungs. The magazines, albeit softened by the pouches of that vest, dug into her skin even more painfully. But she didn't care — she even wrapped her legs around him, as far as they would go, to prevent him from ever leaving her. And he didn't withdraw for a good long while. Lately, he wanted to stay inside her for as long as possible, and it was another thing that sent her to the brink of tears.

"That was…" she broke the mist of silence with words and felt him sigh.

"Yeah."

Her hand was halfway under that mask, and she could feel his hot sweat under her palm, the cold British fog licking her fingers. If she would ever catch Alzheimer's when she grew old, this was the memory she would fear losing the most.

"You're one hell of a man, Simon."

"I like you too, Sarah," he chuckled, but she could hear it… The word 'like' had started out as something else, and he corrected it just before it curved to love. The heavy accent made it roll off his tongue like it was just his usual manner of speaking, but it was there.

And if that wasn't evidence enough, he was abruptly tense, having realized he had almost made a mistake. And why would it be a mistake? Because it would've been mortifying to be the first to say it?

She looked at the heavy sky above them and smiled. Insufferable man… he was bold and fearless and hardy but turned into a stubbornly proud man with these kinds of things.

She opened her mouth to be the one with more balls, but he got off her, and the moment was lost somewhere in the folds of that tarp. Her cowboy looked at her with warm, sleepy eyes.

"You look like shit."

In his language, and said with such overly puffed up affection, it meant gorgeous, or magnificent, or beautiful. She could hear in his voice that he was inwardly beaming — like he was looking at a mess he was proud to have wrecked.

"Gotta clean you up when we get back," he chimed, no doubt eager about getting to run his hands all over her slick soapy body after first making a dirty mess of her.

"Enjoying this a little too much, don't you think?"

"Not nearly enough. Put some clothes on before I attack you again."

He was gentleman enough to help her back into her clothed and shoes, laughing when dressing her turned into yet another contest and they nearly stumbled on the tarp all over again. The elegant material of her freshly bought underwear didn't stand a chance against the cum that seeped out of her in a sudden rush. She was definitely in need of a shower.

The trip back was mostly filled with a satisfied silence as a few rays of sun broke from the clouds to shine through the windscreen. It was still early, the day had just begun. They would probably spend the rest of it, hopefully, the whole weekend, at her place — doing good food and sharing silly stories from work and school, sleeping late and misbehaving like two hormone driven teenagers.

"I got you something," Simon spoke when they were nearing the city, offering some sort of a short bladed knife. It had a t-shaped handle, and she intuitively wrapped her fingers around it so that the blade was protruding from between her knuckles as she drew it from the hard nylon fiber sheath.

"Looks… vile," she said while apparently holding it right since Simon didn't correct her on it.

"Push dagger. Very handy in close combat. Would ease my nerves to know you have it when you're, ah…"

"At work?"

"Especially there."

She felt like a psycho when a smile crept up her face from handling such a cruel-looking knife supposedly meant for punching people in the gut or neck.

"Is this legal?"

"Not in the UK."

"Right." Her nerves would not be eased by the knowledge that she was carrying an illegal weapon with her. But she already knew there was no two ways about it. How many times had she walked home from the club in an anxious sweat? And when did all that dread become normal? His gift was actually delightful.

"I can leave you that Glock too. Just keep it somewhere out of sight until we get you a license. It's for emergencies."

She thought about commenting on using it accidentally on a certain guy who had broken into her house this very morning, but then again, she knew she couldn't kill a man like Simon in a million years.

"Sure. Thanks."

Other guys had bought her books and manicures as a gift, taken her to the movies. Someone had even bought her a large TV as a birthday present. Mainly to watch football from it himself.

But Simon… Simon gave her a vicious looking knife and a pistol to protect herself with and fucked her under the sky after teaching her how to shoot with different firearms.

"Look at you all smiles," he observed her with remnants of sultry smoke still coating his voice. She realized she was watching the road with a silly grin on her face.

"You had fun today?"

He tried to appear distant and thick-skinned, but ended up taking care of her safety, went to great lengths to find out what she liked, and always made sure she was pleased. If she had known who she was dealing with from the start, she would've been more polite. But then again, it appeared her nerve was what had caught his interest in the first place.

"Yeah. And I got a lot of presents... Guess I have been a good girl after all."

"Hm. That you have."

The sun shone so brightly that she had to squint her eyes. It was the perfect moment for giving him a gift as well.

"I got something for you too." She reached for the gift that wasn't even wrapped, because she hadn't planned it to go this way, but it was of no importance right now.

Simon remained as solid as always, but the pale eyelashes fluttered in the bright morning light when he saw that she was holding the key to her apartment between them.

"So you don't have to break in."

It wasn't much, it wasn't a massage or a gift card or anything like that. He didn't exactly need it. But it was symbolic, and he accepted it with a solemn, courteous nod that meant more to her than any appreciative words or overly expressed gratitude. He was speechless for the second time today, meaning that his feelings had gotten the best of him.

[bourbonboredom]

A Reason To Believe Chapter 11

Being an undercover officer is a perilous job and Flip Zimmerman knows this far too well. He keeps his romantic life limited to one-night stands, never letting anyone get too close. That all starts to change when he meets a vivacious Jewish woman named Elle just as he’s about to take on a seriously dangerous undercover job; infiltrating the KKK. Elle and his undercover work make him question things he’d never thought to before and challenge him to see the world, and himself, in a whole new light.

A Flip x OC Fic

Word Count: 3,817

Warnings: none

It's been a long time since I rock and rolled

It's been a long time since I did the Stroll

Oh let me get it back let me get it back

Let me get it back baby where I come from

(x)

The shrill ring of an alarm clock awoke the couple on Sunday morning. Elle's hand shot out from under the covers, frantically trying to turn it off. After a few seconds of fumbling and silent cursing, the alarm ceased it's screeching. Peaceful silence filled the small bedroom of her apartment, and for a moment he thought of just drifting back off.

He was persuaded out of this thought as he felt a pair of lips press to his neck and a few stray curls tickling his cheek.

"Time to get up," Her voice was full of sleep.

"But it's so warm here," He responded, wrapping his arms around her naked waist.

"I know, I wanna stay too, but we've got work to do," She laughed as he nuzzled his nose with hers.

"We could hold class here, I could teach you a few things while still under the covers," He teased, his calloused hands running further down her body.

"Babe," She half-scolded him, biting back a laugh as his beard tickled her neck as he kissed her.

"I know," He sighed dramatically, letting her break from his hold. The two crawled out of bed, their bodies tensing when greeted with the chilly morning air.

She walked to the bathroom while he retrieved a pair of sweatpants from his bag. He was unfolding them when he felt a sharp smack across his rear. He turned to see her smiling up at him, toothbrush in her mouth.

"Can you blame me?" She asked.

He answered by grabbing a handful of hers before giving her a light smack.

"Brush your teeth, dear," He smiled back. She rolled her eyes but retreated back to the bathroom.

He finished getting dressed, a grey t-shirt from his boot camp days and a pair of sneakers that didn't get much use other than working out in the minuscule station gym.

He switched places with Elle, brushing his teeth and slashing some water on his hair while she got dressed.

He met her in the kitchen, where she was pulling out a frying pan and a carton of eggs. She was wearing a blue tracksuit and a N.O.W. New York chapter t-shirt with a pair of converse.

"Scrambled or Over Easy?" She called to him.

"Over Easy," He answers, grabbing the orange juice from the fridge and throwing a few slices of bread into the toaster.

He retrieved the morning paper from the hallway while she turned on the radio. The voice of Carole King drifted from the speakers and filled the kitchen as she cracked the eggs into the pan.

He retrieved the newly toasted bread and set it on the table. He grabbed some plates from the cabinet and held them out so Elle could scoop the eggs on to them. They sat at the table together, her feet in his lap.

He read from the morning paper as they ate, with her adding commentary every once in a while.

"Election Day is coming up, they seem to be writing about it like Nixon was already re-elected,” He shared, absentmindedly moving the egg around in his plate.

"Ugh, I hope not. He's kept us in this war for too long," She scoffed.

"He's been pulling troops out though, it sounds like he is ending it soon,"

"This close to Election Day?" She raised an eyebrow at him. "We'll see what he does after the 8th,"

"So you're for McGovern then?" He asked, putting the paper down so he could finish eating.

"I mean I was hoping Chisholm was gonna be the democratic candidate but McGovern seems pretty strong too," She explained. "Chisholm was an assemblywoman in New York City, did some great stuff there. And it would have been cool to see a black woman as president,"

"Do you think America would be ready for that?" He asked.

"Probably not, but times are changing. I hope to see at least one in my lifetime," She finished her orange juice and poured another glass. "In the meantime, McGovern would end the war, he's been against it since the beginning. No offense to you of course,"

"None taken. I went because it seemed expected of me. Military family and all. And I probably would have been drafted if I'd waited," He explained. "I was 18, didn't really know what was going on, just that I was going to help those in need,"

"And once you were there?" She asked. He realized that he'd never really talked about his service with her before. He could see now the contained curiosity in her face, like she'd been wanting to ask but was unsure of his to brooch the topic.

"I didn't really know why we were there. We didn't seem to be doing much. I barely saw any action. We mostly were in the jungle, keeping watch and being bored. Probably one of the reasons why we came back so quickly,"

"I heard much different stories in college. Not that I don't believe you, but protesters always made it seem like you guys were slaughtering innocent people everyday,"

"I didn't experience that in my time, but I've heard other stories from other people. Some just won't talk about it at all, they freeze up. I don't think anyone really wants to stay though,"

"So you don't think we should be there?" She asked. He paused, thinking about it.

"I don't know if my opinion matters. They aren't going to pull out of Vietnam just because I have an opinion,"

"I think it matters. You were in the thick of it, your opinion probably matters the most. You fought in a highly controversial war that's still going on, and came home to a very divided country. There's protests and media coverage, it's almost impossible to not have an opinion at this point," She stated.

He ran his hands over her feet in his lap. He knew she had strong opinions, he appreciated it. But he didn't himself. He pushed any thoughts of being in Vietnam out of his head, didn't want to think about it. She was making him consider it.

"As I said, I'm not sure if what we're doing over there is helping. Nixon says he's pulling out troops, which is probably for the best. We could be using that money back home,"

"Yeah I think so too," She said quietly. He went back to eating and she poked him with one of her feet a moment later.

"Hey," She called. He looked back up at her. "Thanks for talking to me about your service, I know it must have been hard. And you know that I love you no matter what, right?"

"Yeah," He smiled, tickling the bottom of her foot, making her squeak. "And I love you even if you’re going to protests and making my job harder,"

"Peace and love man," She put up the V symbol with her fingers.

"Just don't run off and become a Hare Krishna. You can't pull off bald," He gets up and kisses her forehead. They both laugh.

"It's almost nine, do you want to start heading over?" She asked him, clearing the table after they were done eating.

"Yeah, let's go," He agreed, helping her set the plates into the sink. He'd volunteered to do dishes later.

They got into his car and drove towards the station. The streets were quiet, with most of the shops being closed for the day.

"Everyone must be in church," She noted, staring out the window as they drove.

"Yeah, it's pretty quiet out here on Sunday mornings," He noted.

"It was like that in Indiana too," She said, "New York was never quiet. Someone was always out and about. And I lived in a pretty diverse neighborhood so we had a lot of different religions around,"

"They do say it's the city that never sleeps," He mused.

"Something always seemed to be going on. Buffalo too, to a lesser extent. That’s were I wen to college upstate,” After a beat of silence she switched topics.

“I took a self defense class when I was home on break once. There was a studio offering a women-only class uptown,"

"Did you ever wind up needing to use them?"

"No, I was pretty fortunate that way. And at home I was always with my brother or friends so no one really bothered me,"

"So you gotta be a little rusty then. I want you to show me what you learned when we get inside," He instructed. "I want to see what I'm working with,"

"I think you've seen what you're working with," She teased, running a hand up his thigh as they pulled into the precinct parking lot.

"You really are trouble," He sighed, cutting the engine and ignoring the pressure building. "Save that for later, we got work to do,"

"You love it," She whispered, pulling him into a kiss by the collar of his jacket. She leaned over the seat to reach him better. Her hands wandered down his chest before settling near the fly of his jeans. Before she could go any further he ran his hand over the polyester covering her ass and gave her a quick smack.

"That's enough," He murmured, his voice pitching low enough to send vibrations through his chest. "Let's get inside, we've got a lot to cover,"

She smiled at him and touched her nose to his before climbing out the passengers side. They walked quickly into the station, getting out of the frigid morning air. The buzz of the fluorescent lights hummed above them as they walked down the deserted halls. Flip explained that the station wasn't as busy on Sunday's, especially first thing in the morning. A lot of the guys were at church or home with their families. Who was left was mostly newbies scattered between the office and patrol duty.

He led her to a room near the back of the station, holding the door open for her before flicking on the light. It was a mid-sized room with a few mats on the floor and a punching bag hanging in the corner.

"It's not much, but it's useful to brush up on stuff from time to time," He explains.

The musty smell of the room hits his nose and he tries to ignore it. They throw their coats by the door and walk to the center of the room.

"So what's first, coach?" Elle asked, pulling her curls out of her face with a hair tie. They settled in a loose bun at the nape of her neck, remaining as unruly as always.

"First, tell me what you know," He stood in front of her, hands on his hips.

"Well, its mostly ju jitsu," She explained. "It was a lot of using other people's strength to your advantage. Like if someone is trying to punch you you can use that arm to launch yourself away from them,"

"How so?" He was genuinely curious, he hadn't heard of this technique.

"Put your arm out like you're coming at me," She instructed, her body positioning itself for action.

He stood there, unsure of how much force he should use. He didn't want to accidentally hurt her.

"You can just do a slowed down punch if that helps," She offered.

He complied, throwing a gentle punch her way, just far enough away that his fist wouldn't connect. She grabbed his extended wrist with her left hand and put her right hand under his armpit, using his force to propel herself past him. He hadn't fully registered that she was behind him when he felt a nudge on the back of his knees.

"From here I could get a good head start on running away, or I could attack you. Maybe knock out your knees, or kick you in the balls, something that would throw you off," She explained, moving back in front of him while she let her fingers trail across his waist.

"That's good," He praises. Elle was a small woman, she was decently strong but still on the easier side to overpower. She would have a lot better chance to get out of a situation by doing moves like that.

"What else you got?"

"I can fuck up your wrist if you grab me,"

He chuckled, not out of disbelief, but because he loved how she would talk. She had a mouth that would've rivaled anyone in his platoon, but she was much prettier.

"Just grab you?" He asked.

"Yeah, get a good fistful of my shirt, and you don't need to be gentle. I won't be," She winked at him.

He took a breath and stepped toward her, fisting his large hand in the cotton of her t-shirt, right by the collar. She grabbed his wrist and dug it further into her chest at an angle, causing a sharp pain to run up his arm. He let out a surprised grunt and tried to use his other hand to push her away.

"That's enough Elle," He gritted out, and she let go of his arm. He shook it out, letting the pain dull before inspecting his wrist. "What did you do? That fuckin hurt,"

"I compressed your wrist," She explained. "Here, I'll do a slowed down version, I won't hurt you this time,"

He cautiously offered his hand again, which she balled up back into a fist at her collar.

"What I did is I bent your wrist so your palm was against me, and then trapped your hand in my armpit at that angle so you can't move. I then bent your elbow and used my hands at the back of your elbow to drive your wrist into me as I drive my weight down. If I kept going, I could probably break your wrist. Or at least do some damage to the tendons," She broke down the steps for him, moving in slow motion to demonstrate where her hands were going.

He watched in silence and, as promised, she didn't put the pressure on his wrist. When she was done explaining, he let go of her shirt, allowing her to smooth it out.

"That's pretty clever," He told her. "Maybe I'll teach those to the guys. You can never be too safe,"

"You could bring me to the office one day, I could kick everyone's ass," She grinned at him.

"You just might, detectives spend a lot of time behind desks. We could use the exercise," He admitted. "Could I show you some stuff now?"

"Sure, tell me what you know," She crossed her arms and waited for his instruction.

"Do you know how to throw a punch?" He asked.

"I can punch," She said simply.

"But can you throw a punch effectively, there's a difference," He started to explain. "Here, punch me in the chest,"

"You sure?" She seemed unsure of his request.

"Right here," He patted his right pectoral. "Hit me as hard as you can, it's okay,"

She took a breath, focusing on the spot his hand just touched. She bounced back and forth on her toes for a moment, one leg in front of the other. She wound up her right arm, drawing it back before quickly propelling it into his chest.

He let out a small grunt, she let out a louder one. It hurt a little, but her technique was sloppy. She shook her hand as she took it back, her knuckles red from impact.

"That was a good start, but the way you hold your hand is slowing you down and could hurt you more than your target," He took her hand in his, manipulating her fingers.

"Curl all your fingers in like this, it'll protect your joints because they're tucked away. You see how no finger sticks out more than another?" He pulled his hands back so she could see before he continued. "Next, don't tuck in your thumb like you did before , keep it under your knuckles out of the way. But don't hold it there too tight, you could fuck up your wrist on impact,”

"Now, when you're throwing your punch, keep it fluid. Anything too jerky or tight isn't as effective. Now you take your first two fingers and push those further forward. They're stronger, they'll lead the punch," he showed her with his hand how to bring the index and middle finger ever slightly forward in the first. She mimicked his movement.

"Now I want you to hit me again, but this time, as soon as you connect, bring your arm back to your body. It keeps you out of my reach, and it's easier for you to strike me again if needed," He patted the same part of his chest as before.

She nodded and got into position, she took a moment to flex her muscles in her arms, getting them ready. She threw the punch quickly, it landing with much more force than before. He braced himself by throwing a foot back, and she brought her arm back as quickly as it shot out. It hurt that time, the technique giving her more force.

"Better. Much better," He complimented, voice slightly strained.

"Are you okay?" She asked, her facial expression shifting to one of worry.

"I'm fine, it's supposed to hurt. Next time you throw one of those, go for the throat or the nose. It'll hurt a lot more,"

"Can do coach," She nodded. "Have you got anything else?"

They ran though a few more basic techniques. He had her throw some kicks at the punching bag, and teaching her to break out of a tackle. The latter eventually turned into a tickle fight, with Flip running his fingers under her shirt and along her waist until she was gasping from laughter.

"Flip! Quit it! I give up!" She yelled breathlessly, both of them laughing until it hurt their stomachs.

They barely heard the door to the gym open until a voice broke them out of their play fight.

"Well what do we have here?" An excited voice inquired.

Flip looked up to see officer Landers towering over the two of them, a sly smile covering his greasy face.

"Zimmerman, are you smuggling girls into the precinct? I hope you brought enough to share with the class,"

"She's allowed to be here, I'm teaching her self defense," He stated firmly, he was in no mood for the officers shit. And was definitely not in the mood to share.

"If thats what self defense classes look like, I might have to sign up for one. Are you free for another session after this?" Landers asked Elle, who looked ready for murder.

"If you don't mind being a punching bag," She shot back, her voice barely holding back any venom.

"Don't you have anywhere else to be?" Flip asked his coworker.

"Mmmm not at the moment, just got off shift. Maybe I'll stick around and watch the lesson," He leered.

"I think we were just finishing up, actually," Elle removed herself from under him, brushing past Landers to retrieve her jacket.

"Oh I won't be any bother sweetheart. I'll wait my turn," Landers called after her.

He got up soon after, following her lead, his coworker trailing behind. He threw on his jacket, catching up to Elle and putting a hand around her waist protectively. Landers called a few more things after them that they pretended they couldn't hear. He quickly got tired and went off in the other direction laughing to himself.

"Is it illegal to assault an officer if he's a creep?" She asked him, letting him continue to hold her as they walked.

"Yeah, unfortunately. Don't mind him, he's mostly harmless," He told her.

"Mostly? You know what? Forget it, I don't want to know, it'll just make me angry," She shook her head.

"So do you feel like you'll be able to do something like what I taught you if you were in trouble?" He asked.

"Yeah, that was helpful. Thanks babe," She looped an arm around him as well. She opened her mouth as if she were to say more but then closed it. They walked in silence to the car, climbing and settling in.

“Where to now?” He asked. “Home to practice under the covers?”

“You’re insatiable,” She swatted at him, grinning from ear to ear. “Maybe the diner first? That workout got me pretty hungry,”

“Diner it is,” He smiled.

He turned on the engine and pulled out of the Lot, taking the route through town. He turned the radio on and let her fiddle with the dial to find a station. She finally settled on a song with screeching guitars and thundering drums.

"Oh I love this one!" She exclaimed, turning it up.

"What is this?" He asked, slightly jarred by the loud music so early in the day. It was only noon after all.

"Led Zeppelin, you haven't heard of them yet?" She asked. He shook his head and she laughed. "Do you live under a rock?"

"You've seen where I live, thank you very much," He sasses. "I didn't take you for the rock and roll type,"

"I don't think I have a type with music, I just like it all," She says. "My brother was just telling me the other day that he's getting into Led Zeppelin, he saw them in concert a few months ago with some friends. Said it was the most fun he's ever had,"

"Are you sure he hasn't gone deaf since? I bet those guitars are no joke in person,"

"You're just an old man," She teased. "He's doing fine, for the most part. A week ago he was at the bar with a friend and the police raided it. It was a gay bar, and the police aren't too friendly with the patrons there,"

“Is he—” Flip began to ask.

“Yeah. Alex is gay, not that my family knows. I only found out by accident really, ran into him and his ‘friend’ one night,”

He sat listening, knowing he couldn't offer much to the conversation.

"He's of age, and knows he should be able to have a drink where's he's comfortable. He refused to leave and an officer punched him and dragged him outside with the friend. And it's not like he can report it to the police, because it's the NYPD who assaulted him in the first place. He had to tell mom and dad that he got it from a mugging and now they dont want him going out anymore,"

"Is he okay?" He asks, not knowing what else to ask. He felt ashamed that someone would do that, someone who he shared a job with.

"He's fine, just pissed. Like, so many of these gay kids are coming to the city because it's like a safe haven for them. Gets them out of their white picket fence suburbs. But they still can't really be themselves. My brother isn't hurting anyone with how he's living his life, and yet he can't even get a beer without being assaulted," She was getting angry, her voice raising as she continued to speak.

"I don't even want to think about what would happen if he lives in a town like this, with an active KKK chapter. Gay and Jewish? What kind of life would that be for him here? Part of me wants to tell him to just come live with me, get a break from our parents, but the other part knows he wouldn't be any better off here,"

“You sound like you miss him,” Flip noted.

“I do. But I’m not gonna have the money to go back home for a while. I spent a lot on the move here, even after selling all my furniture and getting cheap stuff here I’m still struggling to get my savings in order. It’s gonna be a while before I can see him in person again,”

“You’ll get there, I’m sure he understands,” He took a hand off the wheel to rub her shoulder in assurance. “I could teach him how to shoot a gun or something, if he ever comes out here,”

“Phillip Zimmerman don’t you dare,” Elle laughed at the thought. “The last thing I need is my baby brother running around the city with that knowledge. I think my mother would faint,”

“I think you’ve done far more that would make your mother faint. Does Mrs. Blum know about your long list of rebellion?”

“What mama doesn’t know won’t hurt her,” Her lips twisted into a sly smile.

“You’re trouble,” He murmured lovingly as they pulled into the parking lot of the diner.

“I’m your trouble,” She shot back as the two of them climbed out of the car.

She reached for his hand as they walked toward the chrome plated building, he gladly took hers.

“My trouble” He thought to himself with a smile. “Absolutely worth it,”

—————-

NOTES

Did you know that jiu jitsu was used by first wave feminists as a self defense technique? And that self-defense classes became more popular with women in the 1970s and 1980s? With Elle being a N.O.W. member, I would assume she’d take at least a class or two.

The 1972 presidential election was fascinating for a number of reasons. Nixon using the war as a way to get reelected, the beginning of the watergate scandal, McGovern’s vice presidential candidate having to drop out because of a mental health scandal. It was a whole mess!

The American Psychiatric Association didn’t remove homosexuality from it’s list of psychiatric disorders until 1973. The Rainbow flag won’t be created for another 6 years.

Taglist: @ladygrey03​ @tinydancer40

[ashestoashcraft]

100 Iron Artist Characters

I’ve 99% completed the list of 100 OCs that I will be illustrating for an iron artist challenge I’m undertaking. All TH profiles and/or gallery posts will be linked here to their character names as illustrations in Iron Artist are complete. All the OCs will belong to myself with the exception of 13 out of the 100 of which my fiance either created or shares with me.

The reason the list is 99% done and not 100% is because there are a few characters yet to be listed. Unlisted Characters are (a) my fiance’s characters; the listed ones are official, but the rest are undecided currently and (b) surprise Pokemon in Renee and Dr. Rin’s parties, which will be announced later, likely as I draw them.

I won’t be necessarily drawing everything on this list in order, not everyone will have a TH profile yet, and I may even change the list a little bit as time goes on (though I’m going to make an effort not to).

KEY: Crossed Off = Even though it’s redundant, I’m just crossing off all the characters that I’ve already drawn for the Iron Artist challenge. (IA#) = Iron Artist and the chronological order number in which I completed the illustration. (TH) = Toyhouse profile for that character, in case you want to get to know them a little better and/or see other potential illustrations. (WIP) = I haven’t yet completed the Iron Artist piece for this character, but I have some WIP work to give curious birds a little sneak peek.

CHARACTER LIST

Ashcraft Starborne (IA1) (TH)

Carrot Top

Itzel

Korkarea

Quon

Aziz

My Fiance’s Top 13 Charas

Sariel Ray Silver

Orphelia Luna Silver

Xenon Havok Garden

Akitla

Jet

The rest are to be decided. Possibilities include:

Valentine, Harland, & Vivian Bronze

Gabriel, Scarlet, & Sterling Silver

Olin & Kaikane

Merfolk

Orphelia’s friends

Goofy Hell

Seraphim

Ivan

Cain Rivers

Weak: DOaP

Azazel Redfield Sharpe (WIP)

Asmodeous Sharpe

Ji Ah

Malcolm Christian X

Titus Lucius DeKatch

Lucius Gordan Ramsay

Heidi

Monique Tara Shae

Aster

Yuugure

Yuu’s bf

Renee DeKatch

Reckless

Dr. Rin Osamu (IA3)

Renee’s Mom

Renee’s Dad

Renee’s Big Brother

Krishna

Krishna’s gf

Doki Doki Yakitate

Hoshimi Chi Akumu

Avila Akumu (IA2) (TH)

Noelani

Aurora

Flamingo

Haruto

Haruko

Kud Tue [KT] (and his band:)

> Ja Kyung [Jack]

> Hwan Ki [Kiki]

> Chi Hae [Khaos]

> Sayeo [Sunny]

> Jun

Pokemon Teams

Reckless’s Pokemon Pack

> Void (Shiny Umbreon)

> Fear (Haunter)

> Willow (Fearow)

> Lace (Aron)

> Fang (Mightyena)

> Talon (Houndoom)

Renee DeKatch’s Pokemon Party (6 undecided Pokemon)

Dr. Rin Osamu’s Pokemon Party (6 undecided Pokemon)

Tarot Cards & OCs

The Fool Male

The Fool Female

The Lovers Male

The Lovers Female

The World Male

The World Female 

King of Swords

Queen of Swords

Knight of Swords

Page of Swords

Ace of Swords

2 of Swords

3 of Swords

4 of Swords

5 of Swords

6 of Swords

7 of Swords

8 of Swords

9 of Swords

10 of Swords

King of Wands

Queen of Wands

5 of Wands

6 of Wands

King of Cups

Queen of Cups

King of Coins

Queen of Coins

[ao3feed-snape]

Stars Of Darkness || R.J. Lupin

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/3sXVFyJ

by Azure301

Words: 2491, Chapters: 2/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Major Character Death

Categories: F/M

Characters: Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, Cordelia Nott, Lily Evans Potter, Regulus Black, Theodore Nott, Anirudh Krishna, Severus Snape, Marlene McKinnon, Dorcas Meadowes

Additional Tags: jily, dorlene, Remus lupin x oc - Freeform, Sirius Black x OC - Freeform

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/3sXVFyJ

[ramayantika]

Rajkumari Aarnika mb Dwarkadheesh Krishna mb

। Prologue।

“Sakhi, never in my life did I think that I would advise you this, but,” The newly crowned queen of Ratnagarh, Vedashree, gently rubbed her best friend's shoulder, “you have to take some action now. Nobody can save your future, but you, Aarnika.”

“What should I do? Is there any way out? My father has surrounded the chamber with guards, and my brother is guarding my every move, Veda.” Aarnika, the princess of Mahishaka cried to her best friend, worrying about a future she had nightmares of.

Vedashree opened the windows of her friend's chamber and looked out. Ten guards were stationed on the corridors. The maids were busy decorating the pillars for the princess's wedding to the prince of Vidarbha.

The young queen and the princess had been very close friends since childhood, and Vedashree knew her way around Aarnika's palace, for she frequently visited and stayed with the princess.

She turned back to her friend who was sniffling and furiously wiping her tears every second. Aarnika's face had lost its pallor. She was dressed in the best of silks and shining jewels, but she no longer looked like the divine beauty she was. She looked like a withered flower.

Vedashree could not see her friend in such a pity state. Aarnika had already lost her heart to someone else and was wholeheartedly devoted to him. How could she marry some other man again? How could she marry a man who had once angered and insulted the man she loved?

She picked an empty scroll, grabbed a quill and an inkpot, and placed them in front of Aarnika. “If you run away alone, you will be found easily. I could take you with me, but your brother might declare a war on my kingdom. Take this quill and write a letter to Dwarkadheesh. You may not have your desired love story, but you have a better future with him. Your brother won't be able to declare a war on Dwaraka. You will be safe with him, I know. Run away with him.”

It was better to be one of his queens than live in a loveless marriage with a man whose life's purpose was to seek revenge from the Lord of Dwaraka. All her life, the Mahishaka princess had to live under the ways dictated by her father and brother.

Run away.

No. She would rebel against them for herself, for her life. She would not live like her mother.

Grabbing the squill from Vedashree's fingers, she dipped it into the ink-pot.

To the Lord of Dwaraka

»»————> ◌◌◌◌◌◌ <————««

I could not find a title for this so chose very basic one like Vivah Bandhan which sounds like Ekta Kapoor's show I think but maaf kar do and also for this chutku prologue.

Tagging the tumblr gopis: @ma-douce-souffrance @jessbeinme15 @fantasticchaosdaze (also the one who requested this fic) @lil-stark @manwalaage @itsfookingloosah @pothosinpots @inexhaustible-sources-of-magic @riiddhhiii @phoenix666stuff @pokemon-master-elita @saanjh-sakhi @arachneofthoughts

[ramayantika]

Fic Masterlist

Ch-3: The beloved's wedding bells

Aarnika's exile made her feel grateful about the ample amount of freedom she had with herself. Only her mother cared about her whereabouts, and she never minded where her daughter went or who she was meeting. The queen trusted her daughter to behave responsibly, so apart from her motherly concern about her daughter's well-being, she was okay with whatever Aarnika did in the Kanakgarh palace. She had no problems with Aarnika going to Dwarka to attend Krishna's wedding, and had only asked her to be careful so that nobody from Mahishaka could know about her presence in Dwarka.

The palace originally belonged to the king's sister who died an untimely death after the birth of her firstborn. Since then, the palace was taken care of by some servants and caretakers until Aarnika arrived.

The Kanakgarh palace was splendid. Constructed out of sandstone, its walls and pillars well decorated with beautiful designs and sculptures that enthralled guests and other visitors. Aarnika's arrival had caused some buzz in the small city and after some time the locals had befriended the princess and would often send some of their handmade crafts or fruits from their own lands to her. As she lived alone, after managing the city affairs regarding trade and security, she would be found strolling in the city lanes talking to her people or would play with the kids. Sometimes, she also helped to solve minute disputes which made people like her even more.

The women liked to call Aarnika as Rani Aarnika, but she would politely ask them not to call her as their queen, but they never listened and in the end, she had to agree to let them call her their queen. Somewhere inside her heart it made her feel happy and proud that these people had accepted her so easily and loved her so much.

"How much distance do we still have to cover?" Aarnika asked one of the palanquin bearers.

"Half a prahar, my princess. I suggest you to to sleep inside and we will wake you up when we reach the entrance."

Shaking her head, she replied, "How can I sleep when all of you are tirelessly walking? I had told you that I would use the horse and then board the palanquin when we enter the city. Nobody listens to me."

The palanquin bearer, a strong burly man smiled and answered, "Our princess must have the finest entrance. Besides, the sun would be too harsh on your skin. We will let you use the horse in an hour after the afternoon sun redues its glaze."

She could address her broken heart in private after coming back from the wedding. Without wasting any time, Aarnika had packed some of her possessions to visit Dwarka and attend Krishna's wedding while also harbouring a secret desire to meet his bride, Rukmini too see what kind of lady she was.

Aarnika was absentmindedly tracing over the scroll. She had carried it with her and had already read it a hundred times, with each count, her heart felt heavy with the pain of losing out on a loved one. What was worse was that she could never tell him about her affections. Perhaps, her heart would have felt a little more lighter if she could tell her feelings about him instead of sulking in her one sided love story.

But do we always get the things we desire for?

After getting bored with her musings about the future and about the wedding, she decided to clear her head and heart by looking out at the view outside her palanquin. Nimble fingers well groomed and adorned with alta and jewelled rings parted the shiny curtains of the palanquin. Aarnika's eyes were greeted with a majestic view of a green landscape of hills, forests, fields and small lakes.

The afternoon sun had reduced its glare and was peacefully resting by a hilltop. The green hills lead their shadows to fall on the road. She could see some men walking near the hill, carrying wood and axes. Some women dressed in sarees upto their knees were carrying wood on their heads with one hand and the other hand held their children tightly.

She closed her eyes for a brief moment after admiring the scenery around her. It felt peaceful. The pleasant sight had also calmed her heart. Being a princess, she had understood from a very young age that this lifestyle would entail meeting other royals and eminent dignitaries. As a young teen, she was always chaperoned with her mother when meeting officials or other important guests.

A small smile graced her lips as her mind drifted to the time when she had begun living alone in the Kanakgarh palace. An eminent scholar was to visit the princess and she was freaking out as the days neared to his arrival. Luckily, she had received him well and had also learnt a lot from him along with the heavy discussion and debate they had over various topics. From then on, her confidence had increased to talk and handle people on her own, but it still did not drive away her jitters whenever she had to meet someone new.

And for someone, she had romantic feelings for, coupled with meeting the person at their wedding after so long, the jitters had increased.

She closed her eyes and mumbled, "Devi Parvati, please let me not do or say anything stupid there."

With her eyes closed in prayer and the gentle winds that were now blowing, it took no time for the princess to fall asleep. Her mind began showing Krishna in her dreams and all her fantasies she had about the charming young man, but in the end, just like all beautiful dreams have to end abruptly with someone waking you up, the princess was not spared either.

"We have reached, rajkumari ji."

She hurriedly opened her eyes and rubbed her face. Peering slightly outside her palanquin, to see Dwaraka, all her drowsiness vanished in a jiffy as the golden city stood in front of her in all its glory.

It was said that the city was far more beautiful than Indra's swarga. Large golden palaces, its walls and pillars decorated with coloured stones to light up at night. The archways were decorated with precious stones, making them gleam all day and night. With the wedding preparations, the city appeared to have decked up like a new bride. The markets, the city squares, homes, each place was buzzing with activity.

People of Dwaraka were quite fashionable it seemed. Aarnika observed how so many wore the most expensive of fabrics, even the children. Men and women equally wore a lot of jewellery. Camps were placed in the entire city to allow arrangements for musicians and performers for the soon to be wed couple.

"Rajkumari, I think it would be better that you use the palanquin. Look at how grand everything is! Your arrival too must be memorable," Sukanya said, as her eyes twinkled at all the grandeur of Dwaraka.

Aarnika smiled and asked the palanquin to be put down. Motioning for her horse, she said, "Which is why, I believe I must ride a horse. I don't think any lady would choose a horse to enter with all these heavy sarees and jewels. Besides, I also want to see the palace closely." Maybe also see Krishna once?

The servants relented and let her use the horse. The path to the entrance too was beautiful decorated with colourful flags and banners. On the side of the road, stalls were installed to serve refreshments for guests who were coming from far away palaces.

The horse trotted to the entrance gate and Aarnika who otherwise was completely taken by the decor and beauty of the city had suddenly began to feel nervous once again. So many people were going to be there. Princessee, princes, kings, queens and other high ranking officials. She was here alone with neither friend nor family.

I should have used the palanquin…

She saw a young girl dressed in a shimmery golden blouse and skirt, a loosely draped purple dupatta over the shoulder, standing at the gate with some servants who were scurrying around with flowers and seals. Krishna had sent a seal to Aarnika too which would function as some sort of identification for the important guests.

Aarnika fetched the seal from Sukanya and rode to the gate. The girl dressed in gold smiled at her and asked one of the soldiers to examine the sea. "You have come alone, princess, it seems."

Shrugging, Aarnika replied, "Oh yes, I couldn't get my family to come with me. Also, I am glad to have some alone time here. My parents won't go looking around for suitable matches, so I can breathe."

The girl laughed, her dupatta stealthily slid down her shoulder which she hastily picked up. "I feel you. I am quite young, but I too have some older ladies pestering me to look at some princes of my age who have come here to make an alliance. Nice to meet you, princess, I am Subhadra."

The princess gasped. "Krishna's youngest sister, aren't you? I am so sorry, I couldn't recognize you earlier though I did think that you must be someone from the Dwarakan royal family – my god, I should have known you."

Subhadra was the most pampered child in the family. The brother duo, Krishna and Balaram doted on their sister and so did the elders. As a child, her chubby cheeks and sweet talk won over every person who met her. The fifteen year old princess looked no less beautiful and Aarnika was sure that once she would reach adulthood, her beauty would be talked about in the entire Aryavarta.

Brown doe eyes looked at Aarnika, an adorable pout on her pink lotus petal like lips. "Earth to you, princess. May I have your name too? I might be around you in the wedding to save myself from the ladies."

"I am Aarnika from Mahi-"

"It's you?! Kanha bhaiya told me about you. Salutations to Shiva, I finally got the opportunity to meet you. Did you know I had to annoy Kanha bhaiya so much just to get to know your name like come on… your brother is writing letters to someone so late at night after such a busy schedule, with a beautiful smile on his lips when anybody else would just want to collapse on the bed. You definitely would want to know who it is.

"And by chance, I found out that he was writing to some princess. I thought he was writing to his lover or something, and believe me, I had even asked him. Do you know what did he say?"

Aarnika's heart was beating too fast. She was sure that no way did Krishna hold any romantic affection for her, but she did want to know what he said about her.

"Pray, tell me, what did he say?"

"Subhadrey, you cannot know everything. You need to let fate take its own course too. Things are going to unfurl themselves on their own." Subhadra kept a finger under her chin and glanced at the sky. "My theory is that Kanha bhaiya can know the future. He always has this knowing smile on his face, as if he knows all the secrets of the Universe."

Aarnika looked down to the ground and smiled at the chattering girl whose attention had suddenly moved towards a figure clad in a red and green garment, their feet walking hurriedly outside.

"Bhratashree, if you are trying to meet your bride, I will let you, but if you are caught, it's not on me."

The person lifted the veil from their face and it was none other than Krishna. Wearing a red blouse and a green skirt, a green dupatta partially covering the head, he turned around and grimaced, saying, "Ever the keen eyes, isn't it Subhadrey? Wait a moment," He turned his eyes towards Aarnika, "You have finally arrived! I am glad you could make it to the wedding."

Aarnika's happiness knew no bounds. She was finally seeing him again after four long years. For her, these four years were akin to four births. She had noticed that the young lord had grown more handsome. Blushing, she replied, "How could I not come, Krishna? Besides, I always try to be with my friends in their good times and bad times while totally ignoring the fact that I have only two dear friends in my circle."

Subhadra feigned a mock gasp and sadly looked at Aarnika. "You don't count me as your third then."

Laughing heartily, Aarnika shook her head. "Okay, dearest princess, you are my third friend. Happy?"

A small smile played on Krishna's lips, his eyes twinkling with the knowledge of a future only known to him as he looked at his sister and Aarnika. The latter felt his eyes on her and shyly gazed at him when he said, "Subhadrey, take care of Aarnika. She is my special guest. Now allow me to leave to meet my bride in secret. Goodbye!"

Aarnika gulped and nodded at him, painfully aware that he would never be able to be hers, the last sentence had pierced her heart once again. Huffing, she asked Subhadra, "Well, where am I supposed to go now?"

"Oh my, I totally forgot about it. Come with me, I don't think anybody else is going to come now for a while and even if they do, the guards and some of the servants will take care of it. I will personally escort you to your chamber."

**** *** **** ***** ***** **** **** *** ***

The bride and bridegroom looked as if Vishnu and Lakshmi themselves had descended on earth to marry each other again. The guests showered praise and admiration at the couple. Some even compared their wedding to that of the Gods while some commented that the grandeur had surpassed the level of the residents of Swarga loka.

Subhadra, apart from running around near the mandapam, tagged along with Aarnika to escape from the royal ladies who were hell bent to secure Dwarka's lovely princess for their sons. Aarnika, being the demure and reserved one, stood at one side, looking at the rituals and smiling at Subhadra. Sometimes, her eyes drifted towards Krishna.

He lovingly looked at his bride, Rajkumari Rukmini, the princess of Vidarbha. Rukmini looked resplendent in her bridal attire. Aarnika had no doubt that Krishna would fall in love with her at first sight. Sometimes the couple would sneakily look at each other, and Rukmini would blush when Krishna met her gaze.

"I never told you how these two are getting married right? Rukmini bhabhi asked bhaiya to abduct her. Pretty brave, don't you think?" Aarnika was too lost in her own world of heartbrokenness to hear Subhadra.

"Didi? Are you alright?"

That broke Aarnika out of her gloomy state. "Huh – what? Were you saying something? I am sorry – probably the journey has made me feel tired so early on."

Frowning slightly, Subhadra cautiously looked at her. Aarnika's eyes had reddened at the corners slightly, her fair cheeks too bore some red shade.

"Are you crying? Did I upset you?" Subhadra touched Aarnika's arm gently. Her touch caused Aarnika to shed some more tears that had pooled near the corner of her eyes.

Tear laden blue eyes looked up at the gentle eyes of Subhadra. It had been so long since someone had asked her that question. It had been so long since someone had touched her with so much tenderness. All these years, as a child, Aarnika would go to her mother for comfort after hearing relentless insults or scoldings by her father. Growing up into a woman, she realized that she was on her own. She could not see her mother's pitiful look at her each time her father demeaned her in front of everyone.

Thus, she decided that she would stand upright with an iron back, take every insult, every bitter word against her on her flesh and her heart and bring herself to achieve something great. She would build herself with the strength which her mother wasn't able to provide.

But the quest for greatness has never been an easy path. It's filled with hardships, failures, tears and loneliness. Only, hope makes the heart survive through days of toil and turmoil and sometimes the company of loved ones make days easy to breeze by.

Talking to Krishna fetched great solace to Aarnika's heart. Sometimes she wondered if it was love for him or was it her desperate wish masked in the form of love to have someone in her life who would care for her, someone who looked at her with admiration and saw what she was capable of.

Someday, perhaps, someday soon, the princess too would find her people, but not today. Subhadra was still young and was someone she had just met today to tell her about her life. And one must not be too sad at a wedding.

Smiling through her teary eyes, she replied, "Nothing, princess. Watching your brother's wedding made me teary eyed. If at all I get married, I would need someone to look at me the same way, he is looking at the princess."

"You are lying to me, didi. These are tears of hidden pain you nurse inside your heart. I am not that young to not understand this." Subhadra passed her a comforting smile. "If you need someone to listen, you can always look for me."

Aarnika blinked and shook her head at her, saying, "How are you kids talking like grown ups huh?"

****** *** *** **** **** *** **** *** *** *****

We met Subhadra. Okay we need to move away from sad parts now so I will write some happy chapters soon until the great grief appears in her life again.

I would love to be pen friends with him (Krishna) lol and something tells me that Subhadra and Aarnika are going to have a great bond (story badhane hetu dosti plot)

Aaj ke liye itna hi ab kal phir milte hai (more like agle chapter dusre yug mein par thik hai)

Tagging the sakhis: @jessbeinme15 @ma-douce-souffrance @just-another-godless-god @merapehlapyaarwaapasaagaya @reallythoughtfulwizard @pothosinpots @pokemon-master-elita @riiddhhiii @phoenix666stuff

[ramayantika]

Braj ki Holi [Ch-1]

MASTERLIST

Vrindavan Cottage was a nice place to stay for young travellers like us. The entire area housed duplex buildings with two to three rooms, depending on the booking and the number of members. There were two rooms on the ground floor with two double beds, and the third room lay upstairs with a single bed. They even had a small backyard laid with a table to have evening snacks or breakfast. The rooms were neat and well-maintained. Did I mention we had free wi-fi?

It was our second day in Vrindavan. I was wide awake in my room with my alarm ringing with a melodious flute tune from my favourite TV serial, ‘Mahabharat.’ Yeah, I could have slept in till 8 am or 9, but I was in Vrindavan, so I got up early to bask in the soothing early morning of this divine place where tales of mischief and friendship, good over evil, young innocent love and duties are still sung and celebrated in the narrow lanes of this town.

I walked to the backyard and sat on the chair, and closed my eyes. Removing my rubber band, I brushed my hair with the help of my fingers and laid it on the back of my chair. Krishna’s flute composition rang in my ears, and unknowingly, I smiled at the memory. This morning would have been more perfect if he were here to play his melodious music on his flute. It would have been the two of us, the light blue six am sky with clouds lined up in a large mesh-like structure and a gentle morning breeze. Ethereal!

Krishna had texted me yesterday evening asking which hotel were we staying at. His siblings and Arjun were staying at their relative’s house in Vrindavan, which was only an hour's drive from here. My heart skipped a beat when he told me that he was planning to come here soon.

Today was Ekadashi where Phoolan Holi would be celebrated at the Banke Bihari temple in the evening. This event lasted for twenty to thirty minutes, where the temple priests would shower flower petals on the devotees assembled instead of the usual gulaal. The three of us were excited to experience this flowery Holi celebration. The temple was half an hour away from Vrindavan Cottage. Our parents had already hired a driver to take us around Vrindavan.

My cousins were sleeping soundly in their rooms, giving their bodies rest and saving their energy for today’s trip. Before attending Phoolan Holi, we had decided to visit Prem Mandir, Madan Mohan temple, Shri Gopinath Ji temple and Katyayani Peeth. We would start at 9 am after breakfast and visit the temples. Somewhere in the middle, we would have our lunch at a local eatery and then go to Banke Bihari in the evening and come back to our hotel.

After sitting in the backyard for around fifteen minutes, I decided to take a stroll around the cottage premises. It was only seven in the morning, and not a soul was in sight except some cleaners. There was a small temple nearby, and I could hear a few Hare Krishna chants which sounded soothing to my ears. More than the voice of the singers, it was the name that soothed me the most, making me feel fuzzy on the inside. Surely God Krishna would forgive me for remembering my Krishna from the train? Well, God Krishna is cool, so he won’t mind me.

The entire campus was divided by a wide road with cottages on either side. There was a small park too for kids and a pond with lilies. I went to the park and sat on a swing when my phone buzzed in my pocket.

Who is calling me so early in the morning? I wondered.

Fetching my phone from my pocket, I glanced at the screen, which instantly made me smile. It was Krishna! Instantly I smoothened my hair and patted my face before accepting his call.

‘Hi! Sorry to disturb you so early in the morning.” What the hell! How does his voice sound so melodious this early?

Ignoring my questions about his voice, I answered cheerfully, “First of all, a very good morning to you flute player. And no, you did not disturb me because I was already awake half an hour ago.”

He chuckled and paused for five seconds before saying, “Yesterday, all of us were tired, so we did not call you guys up about meeting again. Since you are staying for a week here in Vrindavan and Mathura, and this is my native place, I thought if you all would come with us and celebrate Holi.”

Well, that did sound nice. Wait a minute! Not nice, this was exciting. We wouldn’t need a guide to visit other temples, and with Krishna, we could participate with the locals in the festival. Our parents had asked us to not mingle too much in the crowd in case we got lost or worse abducted, but with Krishna, we could go safely.

“I don’t think my cousins will object to the plan. But how do we go about it?”

Even though I could not see him, I could imagine his million-dollar smile and hear his excitement as he answered, “I have it all sorted. Dau, Subhadra, Arjun and I were planning about this the entire night. Subhadra was so excited that she was about to video call you at 3 am to discuss. Anyway, leave that part, we should focus on the important task. Today is Ekadashi, so you all enjoy the Phoolan Holi. Tomorrow we all will come and pick you up at nine in the morning and go to Gokul for Chhadi Maar Holi. I am sure Ranvit would like it because he missed Barsana and Nandgaon’s Lathmaar Holi. And that’s enough information for the first part of Brajbhoomi’s grand Holi celebration. You all just be ready by nine tomorrow. Also, we asked Subhadra to not disclose anything else to you guys, so no help or hints from her side, too.” He paused again for ten seconds. “And no, we certainly aren’t plotting to murder you all.”

I couldn’t contain my laughter. “Oh, damn! I thought you wanted to kill me and dispose of my body.”

“Now, let us not talk about murder in the morning. But, yeah, we all have planned some fun stuff for you guys. So, see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, bye-bye!” I cut the call and placed my phone inside my pocket. Smiling to myself, I went inside our cottage to wake my cousins up and tell them about this plan.

Krishna had told me about his childhood in Brajbhoomi. He was born here and spent his early childhood here, after which he had to move to Gujarat. He still maintained contact with some of his childhood friends, and this was the first time he was visiting this place after seven years. He even told me about his childhood best friend, Radha, who lived nearby his house when they were young, and he often annoyed her with his pranks and mischief. He was excited to meet her in person after so many years and was keen to make me meet her too if we got a chance, which I was sure we would.

I hopped my way back to the cottage and pushed Bhumi’s room door open. She never locks her room while sleeping, fearing that she won’t be able to open the door quickly in case a ghost lands inside her room. I poked her shoulder and gently shook her.

She frowned and turned to the other side. “Sssh don’t disturb.”

“I have news from Krishna, sister.” I knew this would wake her 

up in an instant.

And she did wake up. She jerked from her sleep and sat up. “Oh my God! Really? What did he say? Are you two-”

I swatted her arm and told her about our trip which Krishna had planned. After hearing the entire conversation, her sleepy face appeared all charged up with energy. “And now you both will get to talk so much. Holi is also quite romantic, isn’t it? You both can put colours on each. Nervous hands touching each other’s face and maybe-’

I closed my ears and ran out while Bhumi sat on the bed, curled up in her bedsheet, laughing, “You may run away from my thoughts but don’t forget to thank me when this turns true.”

“Shut up and get ready, Bhumi!” I yelled and ran to Ranvit’s room to wake him up.

***

We were heading towards Banke Bihari after a heavy lunch at an amazing restaurant. It would still take an hour to reach the temple and Bhumi had dozed off in the car after lunch, leaving me and Ranvit to talk about the other temples we visited during the daytime.

“Which temple did you like the most?” Ranvit asked me, adjusting his shoulder slightly as Bhumi used his shoulder as a pillow.

“Prem Mandir!” I exclaimed. “I was amazed at the construction and the beauty of the temple. It looked like a palace to me, more than a temple.”

Prem Mandir was indeed the most beautiful of all the temples we visited today. It was a new temple, not an ancient one like the others, but the area and the ambience were suffused with love and devotion just like the meaning of the name of the temple. The temple courtyard was a large area for the visitors to smoothly enter and exit or rest for a while. To the right was the temple complex, and on the left were various panels, showing various events and stories about Radha Krishna. The guide told us that evening was the best time to come here when the entire building would appear colourful accompanied by musical fountain shows. But, we had gone there during the day which had less crowd so we were still able to enjoy the beauty of the temple as well as pray to the deities.

“True! The other temples were great, but Prem Mandir was something else. Marble structures look so beautiful,” said Ranvit. “But I like how in the other temples, we saw the murtis, they had this traditional look which we see in folk art. Well, folk art was inspired by traditional imagery of the deities though. But, you see, even though Prem Mandir was exquisite with the panels and construction style and of course, the beautiful murtis but the other ones had this local touch, as if they were of our own. I don’t know how to explain that feeling — something like being closer to them, maybe?”

Ranvit loved Indian folk art and was planning to take a class once he would be done with school. He did take drawing classes and even still continues them, but Indian folk art attracts him the most. In the temples, especially at Madan Mohan and at the Radha Gopinath Mandir, he kept staring at the idol. I agreed with his point, too. And ancient temples have their own magic, timeless and enchanting.

A huge jerk interrupted our conversation and woke Bhumi from her afternoon nap in the car. There was a speed breaker which our driver uncle had missed hence the jerk. “Don’t worry! It’s all good,” he said and continued driving. “The temple is just ten minutes away now.”

“Oh, then I have ten more minutes to sleep.” Bhumi dozed off again, but this time chose my shoulders as her pillow.

Ranvit chuckled and moved his gaze towards the window. “By the way, have you informed maasi we are going with Krishna tomorrow? I haven’t informed mummy yet.”

Shit! I did not. “Should we tell them? What if they tell us no for safety reasons? They would be right, but Krishna and all aren’t fishy people but — let’s not tell our parents so soon. Tomorrow anyway they will call us so we can tell them on our way and lie that we are out with some school friends who coincidentally were at the same hotel with their families. What do you say?”

“Let’s do that only. Thankfully, none of them is on Instagram to check with whom we are going. But, do you know I am very excited about this. This is an opportunity of a lifetime and feels like a Bollywood movie you know.” Ranvit turned his head towards me and tapped on the windowpane. “Meeting new people on a train and them making travel plans with you after spending one night with them. Filmy right?”

I smiled. “Yeah, it is. When we will be old, we can boast in front of our kids that we went on a trip with people we met on a train and had a blast. We would be so cool in front of them.”

“Bacha party aagya Banke Bihari,” announced the driver. Bhumi woke up with a jerk and rubbed her eyes and squinted at the temple. It was 3.45 pm with the afternoon sun entering our windows and falling directly over our faces, especially Bhumi’s.

Bhumi wiped her face with those wet wipes she always carries with her while Ranvit and I stepped out of the car and stretched our arms. Bhumi checked her phone and said, “Ah! I have 70% battery left. I will get so many pictures now.”

Ranvit shook his head, saying, “Oh yes, you are our budding influencer. You have to get photos.”

Bhumi scoffed and walked ahead. “Whatever! You have fifty followers because I click your photos. Now come fast.”

The temple gates were already open to allow devotees to come inside. We even spotted a couple of foreigners with their cameras and tripods. The priests were standing near the idol with large baskets full of flowers. In the corridors leading to the inner veranda, many devotees and priests stood with flowers in their fists. Within five minutes, the main area of the temple had a huge crowd. Each person held their breaths in anticipation to witness the glorious flower Holi event.

The clock struck four, and loud cheers reverberated inside the temple. The priests and the temple staff began showering flowers over us and some volunteers were busy distributing fistfuls of flowers to the devotees.

Bhumi closed her eyes and smiled at the flowers falling over her and quickly grabbed her phone to click photographs. We too got some flowers to play Hol, and after throwing the petals in the air, we slowly moved towards the side where the gathering was less.

Bhumi eagerly showed some of her photographs to Ranvit and me and kept her phone inside. Soon gulaal was thrown in the air and everything appeared colourful. Pink, violet, blue red- these colours dominated our surroundings. I clicked a few photos and videos to share them on my Instagram and with my parents.

“That was splendid!” exclaimed Ranvit. Being a painter, his eyes took in the different shades of flowers and gulaal over the people and the idol. “Damn! I will paint this scene.”

“I wonder what Holi would look like here. This is just Ekadashi and look how beautiful everything appears,” I said.

A girl crossed my field of vision. She was wearing a pastel pink blouse and skirt and a matching dupatta around her neck. The crowd instantly circled her. Children were running around her skirt and throwing flowers at her. Some of the elders blessed her and gently applied a teeka over her forehead with gulaal. She smiled at them and bowed to them with a namaste and walked to the deities and bowed to them. The priests allowed her to apply some gulaal to the Krishna murti.

“Who is that girl?” asked Ranvit. Bhumi’s eyes moved towards her and looked at her curiously. “Maybe some VIP I think,” said Bhumi.

The girl looked around my age. Even though she was dressed very simply, she looked angelic. She had tied her hair in a small bun with a gajra. Silver bangles dangled on her left wrist.

“She is quite pretty though, don’t you think?” Bhumi nudged my elbow and whispered.

I nodded at her and moved my eyes away from her lest she find the three of us staring at her. I barely managed to look at her side profile, but she looked like a sculpture come alive.

After the event, we were served prasadams and some sweets. As we made to the exit, we touched the last step of the temple in reverence and folded our hands when I heard a female voice calling out, “Radhika jaldi aana kitna time lagayegi.”

And the temple beauty graced my eyes. She was Radhika and the female voice I heard was standing a little far from us and I guessed that perhaps the other girl was Radhika’s friend.

Bhumi was the first person to go and approach Radhika, being the extroverted person she was. She tapped on her shoulder, making Radhika turn back granting me full access to look at her face. And I must say, beautiful was an understatement. I didn’t know, but she reminded me of Krishna suddenly at that moment.

“You are really pretty,” said Bhumi, with a smile. I dropped my gaze down and pretended to wear my shoes by fussing with the lace. Even I wanted to tell her that, but I had no heart like Bhumi to go straight and approach her.

“Thank you so much. You are?” Radhika said in a sweet voice, and it again reminded me of Krishna.

“I am Bhumi, a tourist here to experience Holi in Brajbhoomi.”

"Oh, I see. Nice to meet you Bhumi. Hope you have a wonderful stay here and have a wonderful Holi.”

I discreetly tried to look at Radhika again. Do you know what happened next? Her eyes quickly darted towards mine, and she passed me a knowing smile as if she knew me. Since she had already acknowledged my presence, I could no longer stay there and pretend to tie my laces for the hundredth time. I waved at her.

She nodded at me and looked at Bhumi. “I need to go back home. May our paths meet again.” She turned back to the exit. Adjusting her dupatta, she looked back for a second, directly at me. I smiled at her in return as goosebumps rose on my skin.

Why was she reminding me of Krishna so much?

***

Taglist: @manwalaage @itsfookingloosah @redirection04 @mrs-tomato-head @lil-stark @yourslove @reallythoughtfulwizard @riiddhhiii (I suggest you to read the previous chapters from the first part and then proceed with this one)

(I need to make a masterlist)

[casualstarowl]

more Havik and Krish!! 💕💕

Like always I posted this on my Insta, but I drew a little more Krishna this time, cause I love her and drawing these two together is soooo 💕 anyways ft her shadow (she uses her shadow(s) for combat) and ft Darrius and Quan Chi (she hates him and Havik knows that)

(Como siempre, está en mi Instagram, pero esta vez dibujé un poco más de Krishna, porque la amo y dibujar a estos dos es taaaan 💕 de todos modos presenta su sombra (ella usa su sombras para el combate) y Darrius y Quan Chi (ella odia a Quan Chi y Havik lo sabe)

[casualstarowl]

krishvik krishvik KRISHVIK 💘💞💘💞

This has been in my files for quite a while now that it was supposed to be for the potential 250 DTIYS raffle but I had to share. I couldn’t wait I love how these came out jejdkkdkd

Also!! I have a Twitter now! I’m very active on there mostly so I’ll be posting regularly when I can!! (same user @ casualstarowl ) 💕

[casualstarowl]

Krishna, Havik and Darrius !! 💞

I have two days off from work this week so decided to take the day to clean my apartment and do a little multitasking (completing requests, finishing up some WIPs, and some silly doodles) So of course I decided to draw these three, I always headcanon them as a trio and going through some mischief in Seido and Outworld 💀

(Tengo dos días libres del trabajo esta semana, y decidí tomarme el día para limpiar mi apartamento y hacer un poco de multitarea (completar solicitudes, terminar algunos WIP y algunos dibujitos tontos) Por supuesto, decidí dibujar estos tres, siempre pensaba a ellos como un trío y pasando por algunas travesuras en Seido y Outworld 💀)

[krsnaradhika]

Sempiternal : Krishāvyayam.

———————————

To me, you are the only sempiternal. You are my serenity and my restlessness at once. My serendipity and magic. You are so beautiful- the man of my poetries.

I am fortunate to have you, my beloved. I shall await you in our paradise, in the arcade that shall await us someday. I love you. I love you. I'll always love you.

She slipped from his grasp like sand from between taut fists. The universe was here to steal her from him again, like it did everytime. There's nothing too novel to his bruise, yet nothing seemed as agonizing as it was.

He was swarmed in the aphrodisiacs his mind deluded him with, the visions of a whimsical damsel, the waters called to him. Between shivering hands and sweat glazed skin of swarth, he caught hold of the stallion’s harness and raced through the grass mist, smelling of earth petrichor and orphic sandalwood. The rumbling rain’s messengers, phantoms of brontides and frosty zephyrs were adding to the desperation that was in him, bleeding for a mallacht that was hers and he grew restless in. Oh if the intoxication of being human wasn't getting to his lovelorn heart.

Krishna’s stalwart gaze traversed nowhere from where a distant flame crackled, an enchantress with bows and arrows lurking in the shadows of the Ashoka trees, she was the goddess of the night. Through misty grass and biting cold of the dusk, he ceased where she planted roses of dalisay. “Mohini,” he said, and the princess with her giggling and flustering handmaidens buzzing around met his eyes in surprise, “I need you to come with me.”

“Are you well Kanha? You shouldn't be out at this hour, Panchala’s hair has grown cruel in these winters and you haven't even taken a shawl-”

“Not now about it, please,” he heaved, a hand yet engaged to prod the spotless horse that carried the almighty while the other ached to hold her in it. Shri’s eyebrows of a bow’s image met at their juncture and she maundered through the hay and flowers like the moon escaped from thundering clouds. “Come with me.”

“Sakhi, let Pita Maharaja and Jyeshtha Bhagini know that I shall be back shortly. Worry less, I'm going to be safe,” she crooned to the companion with goodwill who looked positively her way. The grin and sororal ways were saying it all.

She didn't ask where. She didn't have to know. There's no shame in love and no bindings when it comes to him. Strangely enough no questions and clawing monsters came to her thoughts when he did. There was never any interrogation attached to him. And so like the abhisarika heroine of an ancient aesthetic dance she put her arm in his and Kanha pulled her up, settling her ahead of him as the carrier of hope neighed in delight. The ivory quadruped did not need any coaxing for then it raced ahead to the paths of teal forests and elysian esoteric, the hero of the era and the princess of the flares clasped in each other.

“I need you to trust me”

“I know, I do. What is it, you do not seem serene?”

Her rising and falling bosom and curly ringlets cascading to her cheeks, the bit chapped lips and intoxicating eyes were adding to the beauty that was the nightfall. Kanha wondered where the moon was at first but then an epiphany came that it was sitting in his embrace all along, tidying the folds of his yellow brocade silks while blushing in divine lotuses. “I need you to tell me something. Something has to be confirmed. Do I scare you?”

“Never. The future does, yes. But the past that has been shared with you and this present that blocks all other thoughts can never. I want to see this pristine beauty that you are, ever in milks and honey and thus- thus you heed to my pleas. Let go of being so headstrong, the gods and these deceiving stars have never been kind to me.

I've thought this through. I have only ever been yours, but I don't want the moon to be stained crimson from my faults. Accept my apologies for being so brusque that time my love, I was n-not-”

She gasped when the horse halted to crystalline blue showers and breathtaking verdant cliffs. Simultaneously the moon appeared from behind the clouds as the frogs croaked hopping into stagnant green waters, cuckoos cooed yet and the papiha called for his lover. The azure of her lehenga camouflaged with her beloved's sapphire skin and he descended to grace the arrow arum flowers with the genial touch of his fingers, blowing where the dandelions swayed. The butterflies in Kamalnayani's core danced to the tunes of his flute and she was wide-eyed at the romance this picturesque vista was, longing for a love that she had presumed to be star-crossed.

“Kanha, this- this place. It's stunning and I'm not in my senses anymore-”

“If you say no, I will leave with my family and return only when you let me be yours. If yes, I'll take you to an utopia where I don't pledge a stormless sea but an unsinking boat. For the final time, it's your call and nobody is compelling you. Listen to what your heart of heart has to say, and let me know. I respect you as a person before my love for you.”

Enough with the suffocations, please.

Madhusudana had long forsaken the vibrant headgear and the extravagant crowns the moment he had decided to let go of his apprehension and then he charged out of his chambers in haste. The peacock feathers of Hari were glued to her opal bracelets and his hair now fell to his shoulders, unbounded and unruly, and he ran a hand through them to push away the cool droplets soaking them. Kanakangi, the woman of gold as the world called her, was starstruck and in catharsis yet again. The universe was notorious for their agape love.

“I promise you and the universe, O damsel of faultless spirits, that the curse inflicted upon your stars is mine too. The last blood moon that paints the future grotesque, was from a crime committed by the both of us in a birth you do not remember.”

Kamalnayani staggered a step as beads decked her honey eyes, blood coming to her mouth. She wished to run into his arms and run away from the last destined wound that fate would bring to her at the same time. She was weaker with every plea of his and whatever came ahead, would ruin the both of you. But not to destruction, never to destruction.

“Abandoning every uncertainty and fear, every dharma and conflict that plagues your conscience, put faith in me that I'll not let everything flow away like the queen taken away. Every curse that is yours and so mine too, for I cannot escape from the labyrinth of your soul and everything that you are, Svaha’s heiress to her grit.”

Kanha let one of his knees buckle in as he fell to the tawny soil with a thud, a thousand years flashing before his burning ethereal vision as she swallowed the pain that was his too. She hurt him and yet he was here. She knew she would do it again, so stained with ignorance. [When will you learn to be only yours, Chittachora? When will you go alone for the country that awaits you, the Bharatavarsha that laments in wars undeclared? Do you not deem me able to carry this curse alone, even if the punishment is of the both of us?]

[Let me have it too, Mohini. Let me have my share too but don't drain me of life by your fear of the togetherness of the both of us and disrespect the goddess you are by your detestation for your ownself. Do not take away the love in your veins that is for me. Let me be the fortunate one, let me have your heart like you've robbed me off mine.]

“Will you be my wife?”

I promise you, I will not go anywhere. There's no curse, no blessing, no hex that I won't shatter for you. I will never leave your side, I can never.

He was an art. The brawn biceps of his straining in the emotions that conquered him whole, the lips of his colored lilac at their commissure as they flaunted a blush pink shade, he was the kalopsia she wished to revel in. He was an art. He awaited the heartbreaking atelier.

She tasted salt on her mouth and sobbed because he did too, almost. She shook and trembled while hearing him so in her consciousness, ever known to his quintessence. As the stygian took over, the moon and the stars eager to let these sweethearts unite with fervor, Mohini caved into the trance that he bestowed upon her, burying her face in his neck, “Yes, yes, yes!”