#lady of second chances

[gale-gentlepenguin]

ML AU idea: Lady of Second Chances (Season 1)

-I covered origins, so I figured I might as well cover how the season goes with a basically fully realized Ladybug.

-Ladybug started making charms early on.

-So Marinette is several times more mature and experienced than her previous self.

-It’s mainly just Marinette Preventing akuma when possible

-Stormy weather happens because nothing Marinette could do to stop that. So that episode is basically the same.

-Marinette has to remind herself that chat noir is still new to the hero thing.

-Lady Wifi still happens but Marinette debates telling Alya earlier or not after.

-Evillustrator happens with almost no changes. Except that Marinette’s plan worked with some slight tweaks. And it ended on the boat. Chloe did manage to get Sabrina back on her side though since Marinette was focusing on her plan.

-Chat noir asked for a reward for doing well guarding Marinette. Ladybug humored him with a pat on the head.

-Dark Cupid happens but because Marinette stepped in and stopped Kim from getting embarrassed. She made sure to ask who the girl was. Alya and Marinette managed to talk Kim out of it. He ended up getting sad because of it. Kim does realize Marinette and Alya were right. So that’s a positive. And ladybug wastes no time because she knows she has to kiss chat noir. (She may have been over enthusiastic)

-Copy cat doesn’t happen because Marinette made an effort not to leave a message. Saying she will try again another time. So she showed up at the statue unveiling and Chat noir didn’t get jealous, Theo got his autograph and everything was chill. No jelly kitty and no copy cat.

-Bubbler happens, but Marinette made 2 gifts. Because she remembered that the scarf will be mistaken as a gift from his father. So she made sure to keep that part the same way. But prepared a Different gift, this time with her name signed and stitched in. Marinette also made sure it matched the scarf, but not in an obvious way. Adrien loved the gift, thanking Marinette. Alya asked how she knew Adrien would not realize the scarf gift was from her. “I forgot to sign it” Alya jokes that she’s psychic

-Chronogirl/Timebreaker doesn’t happen because Marinette says She will hold the watch. Knowing how breaking it would be bad. So that’s prevented.

-Rogercop, Mr.Pigeon, The Pharoah, The Mime, pixalator and Guitar villain are all the same. Since Marinette couldn’t prevent them from happening.

-princess fragrance: Marinette had to help Tikki so it happened. Marinette did her best not to just hug Fu after seeing him. She knew it wasn’t the right time. So she kept her mouth shut.

-Reflekta Marinette could have prevented but she knows how the later pictures helped Juleka so she lets it play out the same way.

-the episode Kung food happens but Marinette’s uncle isn’t akumatized. So Marinette knows she’s struggling but she tells Alya she will ask Adrien for help. Alya is proud of her for taking the step. Adrien is more than happy to help and since Marinette isn’t surprised this time, she is better prepared (plus over the previous timeline she had been working more on her mandarin, so that helped) Chloe gets akumatized and become “The Critic” but she gets her butt whooped.

-Darkblade happens but Marinette warns her mom in advance about Sabrina. So Sabrina can’t even get into the house and returns in failure. Also Marinette is more bold in her campaign (Sabrina voted for her in secret)

-Animan happens, Marinette ENSURED everything happened the same way so Alya and Nino ended up together.

-Horrificator happened, but this time Marinette and Adrien did kiss. Since Marinette locked the door so Chloe didn’t ruin the shot. (Marinette forgot that this day resulted in horrificator. As she was distracted.

-So Gamer doesn’t happen, Marinette sees the tournament they were doing and asks if she could play since she liked the game. She smoked Adrien and Max. The class suggests she competes but she declines, but would be happy to give them pointers. Which Max and Adrien agree. (While max is a bit grumpy about losing he is still gonna compete so he’s not akumatizable) and Marinette coaches then both at her place. Max and Adrien both being polite and accepting of the treats. It’s not as romantic as Marinette would have liked but Adrien and her do get a few moments. Max and Adrien win the tournament, and they give the trophy to Marinette who coached them.

-Simon says happens but with 50% more ladrien.

-Antibug doesn’t happen because Marinette remembered not to snap at her. And encouraged her to make amends with Sabrina. Since at this time Chloe looked up to ladybug.

-Volpina. So Marinette remembers what happened when she confronted Lila the first time. But she also needs to make photo copies of the book. So Marinette takes a different approach.

-Marinette runs into them at the library. As the Class rep she has a right to introduce herself to a new student. Lila has to smile and pretend like she isn’t getting C-blocked by Marinette. Adrien talking highly of Marinette also pisses Lila off.

-Tikki snuck the book and Lila ended up without it. Also because of Marinette’s interruption, there was no after school park date. Lila was annoyed.

-Marinette quickly got pictures of everything in the book and before school ended, gave the book back to Adrien. Saying she found it by his chair and was wondering if it was his.

-Relieved, Adrien thanked Marinette for finding the book, he didn’t realize it was missing. He headed back home.

-Marinette now had everything she needed and headed to Fu’s place.

-Lila decides to try again with Adrien later but no akumatization.

-Marinette is excited to meet Fu for real.

-Adrien does find himself thinking about Marinette a LOT more after the movie kiss (which technically was their first kiss now). But ladybug is also more flirty with chat noir (and with Adrien) so Boy may be a bit more conflicted

[beaulesbian]

THE TERROR (2018) S01E03 "The Ladder"

There'll be nothing. You hear? Nothing lives there. Nothing grows. You'll eat your shoes again. You'll eat worse.

[mother-rhoyne]

Arys Oakheart was courteous, and would talk to her cordially. Once he even objected when Joffrey commanded him to hit her. He did hit her in the end, but not hard as Ser Meryn or Ser Boros might have, and at least he had argued.

Sansa I - ACOK

It still shamed Ser Arys to remember all the times he'd struck that poor Stark girl at the boy's command. When Tyrion had chosen him to go with Myrcella to Dorne, he lit a candle to the Warrior in thanks.

The Soiled Knight - AFFC

[alittlelessalone]

Idk if anyone has done this before, but I had a fun idea for a MDZS fix it fix AU.

So imagine if when Mo Xuanyu attempts the sacrificial ritual, something goes wrong and he’s instead sent back in time (maybe to when he first as a child unknowingly met Wei Wuxian or something). But at any rate, he’s now a small child again with no core, no power, and no idea what to do.

And so he decides to turn to the only person he thinks could maybe help him, the one who reminded him of the ritual, Nie Huaisang. Except Nie Huaisang didn’t go back in time too, so he’s just a nervous teenager who wants to spend his time enjoying art and slacking off. And he probably wouldn’t believe this weird kid, except the kid knows things about his brother and can predict his death.

So now we have small child Mo Xuanyu with the limited future knowledge he managed to glean given his circumstances and terrified teenager Nie Huaisang as the only ones who can stop the pain of the future and save the world from tragedy.

I imagine so many shenanigans would ensue along the way, but in the end, I believe in them!

Oh! And maybe Mo Xuanyu’s mom could end up being the loving parental figure the Nie Brothers need to help them in moments of stress and fighting. I’m just picturing an adorable found family of Nie Huaisang, Nie Mingjue, Mo Xuanyu, and Second Lady Mo and it’s adorable and I support it! No romance or anything. Just wholesome family vibes!

[fromtheseventhhell]

Seeing people clutch pearls over Arya having killed people is so funny cause the list is literally rapist, murderer, torturer, criminal, some combination of the bunch...and all people who Arya has personally witnessed, or directly heard about, committing these acts. Like, contrary to popular belief, she is not just a mindless killing machine.

[constantvariations]

Okay so, I like that Professor Rumpel is both Rumpelstiltskin and the miller's daughter-turned-queen, and that her weapon invokes the spindlewheel from the tale, but the guessing of the name is so utterly lazy that I could chew glass

Spoilers for Before the Dawn btw

It literally comes out of nowhere. There is no buildup to the mystery of Professor Rumpel's name; she just randomly says at the start of the fight that if Fox, Neptune, or Yatsuhashi can guess her name that she'll let them go chase the Crown

It would have been so easy, too! Just have it be Rumpel's game whenever the students want something. Late to class and don't want extra homework as punishment? Guess her name and you're free. Got caught getting handsy in an inconvenient spot? Guess her name and she'll let you off with a warning. Hell, have some of the staff lean into it for comedy and comradery

This would naturally set up why Rumpel would offer an easy out to the fight and establish how steep a demand that is for our heroes. If no one's guessed her name in the many years she's been at Shade, what hope do they have of figuring it out in the next five minutes?

But, no. We get zero setup and the payoff doesn't even land! They guess her name and Rumpel attacks Neptune anyway. Right in front of the whole school, including Headmaster Theodore! In what world does that make sense? I get that she's desperate, but it feels contrived so Yastuhashi can do his thing and accidentally break the mind control

These books honestly read like a first draft of a story that really could've been something if more time and attention had been given. Rwby in a nutshell, eh?

[fruityfroggy]

🧠and📖for both characters, perhaps? :3c

YAYYY I’m officially in the game :Dc

Okay, put on your reading hats, here goes nothing

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lady Clef:

🧠: What was their original character concept? Do they have any specific theming?

Lady Clef was originally just going to be a flirtatious nightclub singer (I was going for that flirty r1999 woman vibe, iykyk). But after a while, I decided to base her off of the femme fatale trope in film noir, with a bit of a twist (kinda like a Bonney situation). So now, she’s a cunning yet alluring nightclub and lounge singer with questionable intentions. But she always gets away with all the mind games she plays with her obsessed “minions”. Though some do mysteriously disappear without a trace……

📖: What would an event/story featuring them be like?

It’s a good thing I’ve actually been thinking about this for a while already! But basically, I was thinking an event based on the film noir genre (similar to 1.2 essentially), since it ties in her theming.

The event is called “Quilted Shadows, Golden Guile” (yes I named it) and the storyline focuses on the layers of deception that can form in the social circles of wealthy/high class people in order for personal goals to be achieved. Lady Clef is seen as the main antagonist of the event, when she’s actually a victim of the true villain too (she’s still not a good person though). Oh and spoilers: Tennant makes a cameo (cuz double the toxic yuri, double the fun)

Since Lady Clef is one of the event 6 stars, she has a character story game called “Smoke and Mirrors”, which is kind of her villain origin story, and a meaningful choices mini game where you try to gain fondness from the right people at a fancy social gathering as Lady Clef. Special cameo characters have special effects too! (Special characters are: Tennant, Centurion, and Ringmaster (the second event 6 star, I just didn’t feel like fleshing him out))

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Verdigris:

🧠: What was their original character concept? Do they have any specific theming?

Oh when I tell you I struggled when creating her. She was kind of a mess of different parts for a while, and I couldn’t figure out how her personality should be (all I could think of was “calm”, as a contrast to a canon character). But I eventually landed on the concept of a steampunk inventor who builds and creates new prosthetic/mechanical limbs for people. Her arcanum can create a special plant fiber that she incorporates into her inventions for elasticity and strength to the mechanical joints. Verdigris has also created these blobby critters called Dendrogues out of the same plant fiber to cure her loneliness.

📖: What would an event/story featuring them be like?

Even though I’ve pondered about this for Verdigris as well, I do have less of a clear concept when it comes to this one. The thought process is that she’s part of a story chapter since I had the thought of a specific angst between her and a childhood friend of hers where the “Storm” needs to be involved.

ANYWAYS, I was thinking maybe the storyline revolves around something to do with the arcanum in the woods near her home? The woods that bring back memories, better left in the depths of brambles. Yet an odd sense of comfort and serenity is felt by Verdigris here.

Though it might make more sense for it to have something to do with a historical event. Idk, I’ll think on that, cuz I don’t have any coherent enough ideas for it yet (there will be yuri tho, that’s all I know for sure).

[xhanisai]

one thing i've realised that i haven't explored enough of is story ideas where marinette loses her humanity bit by bit because becoming ladybug has jaded her.

i wanna write her with a tunnel vision so extreme, it makes you wonder if the hero of paris is truly on the side of humanity

[averlym]

For the prompt thing can you do lina and jane w no.8?

If that's fine w you ofc

(for context: prompt post can be found here)

i was unsure which no.8 you meant so i did,, all three,, anyways here is your very belated request, thanks for sending it in!

[mwagneto]

my lady jane was really cute.... the main romance was clearly not made for me i do NOT care about that but the premise is really cool and i'm always a sucker for anything that's both history and fantasy so yayy delicious

[gale-gentlepenguin]

ML AU idea: Lady of Second Chances

-Another clash with Monarch but this time he tried to use Second chance but it was cataclysmed by Chat noir. The burst of energy shot out and hit Ladybug!

Ladybug wakes up without her powers, As Marinette. A day before her first day of school.

Marinette realizes everything has been reset to just before she got her powers!

-She wonders if she’s the only one that remembers. Does Chat noir? Does Monarch?

-She is starting with a blank slate. All that Hardwork gone… or was it?

-Marinette realizes that all her experience is still with her! She knows a lot of what’s going to happen. She can change things for the better! This is her Second chance!

[neriyon]

Finally took a look at ast changes and my opinion on it can be summoned up with "fuck this shit".

[vikingmagic33]

Part 3/3 is ready for this wonderful Helion/Lady of Autumn fic started by @thehaemanthus and @hlizr50

As a preson who writes mostly Gwynriel, I've had a wonderful time meeting new writers and flexing my sklls for some of the smaller and delightful ACOTAR ships. Thank you to @azrielshadowssing for organizing ACOTAR Writing Circle 3. Here is the link to the entire collection of amazing fics. ACOTAR Writing Circle 3 Masterlist.

Someday, Today | Helion x LoA

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 are also on AO3. For those of you who are all caught up, the NSFW text of my contribution for Part 3 is below.

The feel of his warm mouth on hers was more intoxicating to her senses than the single flute of champagne she’d allowed herself at the gala. Cora hadn’t been kissed in longer than she cared to admit, even quietly to herself. Beron had never been one for kissing and she hadn’t even thought about dating since the divorce.

People had assumed that seven kids meant a healthy, amorous marriage, but that had never been her life. Socialites at the club used to titter behind their hands and wiggle suggestive brows, ‘Beron just can’t keep his hands off you.’ No. He could not. Only a handful ever saw past his smooth words to notice his too-tight grip on her upper arm or his disapproving glare at some invented misstep she’d pay for when they were alone. He was always looking for reasons to prove that she belonged to him.

When she dared to sit on a committee with some handsome donor, she paid. If she spoke to another man at a fundraiser, no matter how briefly, she paid. If one of the boy’s many coaches, tutors, or even the few male members of Beron’s household staff chose to approach her, she was the one who paid.

Beron was insane. She hadn’t seen it at first. It started so slowly that she could hardly notice or object. His devotion shifted until stifling. His protection contorted to control. His manipulation was so thorough that she hadn’t even been surprised by the first slap. She thought she might even deserve it. Either way, he didn’t have the time or the inclination to try to kiss her. When he had, it was all pressure and teeth and filled with anger until it hurt. It was meant to hurt. With Beron everything was meant to hurt.

Perhaps that was why she’d risked a night with Helion those years ago. She was tired. She was lonely and sad. She needed something to cling to that was beautiful and her own. Helion had been hers. They’d been young and stupid, but they had loved one another, she was sure of that. As he kissed her, she could recall how tenuous her hold had been years ago. She knew that unless she found something beautiful to believe in she would die. She would die and leave her children alone with a monster.

She could never think of harming herself, but Beron would break something inside her irrevocably, eventually. It hadn’t been honorable, but it saved her nonetheless.

Where Beron was lean and handsome but hard, cold, and sharp, Helion was muscular, warm, and rolling. He managed to hold his massive body in a way that promised care and tenderness. He was power, but all promise with no threat. He was a heat that fed and never burned.

Beron used sex to demean her. That part had been a shock that Cora hadn’t been ready to learn. Helion had broken her heart with indecision and fear, but when they’d been together he was sensuality that only cherished and worshiped. She’d seen him four years ago and she’d known that she needed him. She’d needed him to remind her of that tenderness like she needed air.

That one night had kept her alive for years. She’d felt his tenderness take root inside her and she’d known that Beron had not broken her yet and he could never claim her again. Her proof had quickened and squirmed. Then she’d birthed it into the world in pain and hope and defiance.

His warmth surrounded her again. She craned her neck to kiss him and felt her back stretch up along the wall. He pressed harder and they tumbled away from the bedroom and her sleeping boys.

They made it down the hall, their backs gliding along outdated wallpaper and nearly toppling the tiny thrift store table she’d painstakingly restored. It held her keys, her mail, a whistle, and her mace.

“Shhh.” She giggled, reaching out to right the table before the noise clattered down the hall. She relished in the sound and the proof that she could still laugh. “And don’t you dare break my table. I like this one.”

“God, I’ve missed you.” He breathed. “I was such a fool, Cora.” She loved the sound of his voice. She loved the way he pressed her against the wall.

Thankfully, her boys were deep sleepers. But, what was her plan exactly? Helion pulled her leg up over his hip and she arched into the feel instinctively. She wanted him and that fact alone floored her. She’d been on autopilot for years, decades really. She’d locked that part of her personality away. She’d hidden her need and her desire from everyone, but mostly from herself. She could be that and live, but that was before. Feeling him against her, holding her up against the wall with his strength and his promise, she let the locked box dissolve and she welcomed that freedom with a moan.

She slid her leg down his thigh to stand again against him but on her own weight. Helion spun her around. They loved this position in college. It was feisty and raw. He pressed his cock against her ass, as one massive hand clamped down on the delicate curve where her neck met her shoulder. Her whole body froze, frigid with horror and slick with shame.

Cora was frozen in his arms. He felt that immediately. “Cora?” He whispered her name and released his grip on her neck and her hip. His hands remained on her, but they were soft and waiting.

“Don’t.” It was a grunt, not a world. “Please,” Cora begged. “Just not like that. I can’t,” She tried to continue, but her voice was rough and strained. “I mean… I could try.”

“No.” He cut off her words. She didn’t need to explain. She didn’t need to beg, and she certainly didn’t need to try. Whatever that meant. “Hey, babe. It's okay. I’m sorry. We don’t have to do anything. You know that, don’t you?”

“I don't want it to ruin this.” She hissed and finally turned to face him. “To ruin us. I can try.”

“Cora, stop,” Helion spoke more firmly than he’d intended and he caught her wince. “I don’t want you to try. Whatever we do tonight or in the future, I want you to love it.” Helion tilted her chin up so he could see her eyes. He kissed her again softly, once on the cheek, then her nose, then her lips. “Show me what you want. What sounds fun to you, Cora? You were very turned on a minute ago.” She blushed at his words. “Don’t try to deny it.” He teased.

“Very.” Her breathiness held no shame or embarrassment and they both relaxed at the sound.

“Okay.” He kissed her again. “Let's start there.”

“Let's.'' She pressed her face up into his next kiss. Then she kissed him hesitantly, but he could tell she was back. She was her and she wanted him.

Cora felt it stir again. It was just like the last time. She let her eyes drift closed and her body melted into this warmth. She felt whole and safe and sexy. She saw herself then and she was a woman, not a wife owned and not a mother doting. That woman wanted him and that woman would take him. Cara thanked her doctor for her IUD and giggled again.

“What's so funny?” Helion kissed a little spot on her ear. She smiled, remembering that it had been a favorite of his.

“I just told you that you’re a father.” It still felt a bit heady to admit it out loud. “And that my life has been a horror.” She refused to turn away from his knowing gaze. “And you still want me, just like we were teenagers out after curfew.”

He didn’t move, but his face sobered a bit. “We can sit and talk. We will eventually need to make a plan about Lucien.” He started to pull away, but she grabbed his wrist and held it somewhere near her hip. “But honestly, Cora, I just want to touch you right now. I want to feel you. I want to be close and show you that it doesn't have to be bad or hurt. I see a strong woman, a mother doing the best she can for her boys, but I also see a sexy coed who turned my head and drove me fucking wild. Whoever you want to be, I want her in every possible way.” His intensity was potent.

“I don’t know what or who I am yet, not really.” She paused. “but I want you, Helion. I’ve always wanted you.”

“Show me.” He begged and she liked the sound. She could feel his muscles bunch under her hands. He was holding back. He was waiting for her to lead him. She was in charge and her world tilted a bit on its axis. It tilted toward happiness and possibility.

Cora reached up and unclasped her pearl studded earrings and dropped them into the dish on the tiny table beside her. Helion collapsed back against the opposite wall and moaned slightly, entranced by the sight of her starting to undress. The sound startled her. Shit.

“Wait here.” Cora dashed down the hall to the kitchen. She’d just seen that stupid thing in the junk drawer and had been meaning to drop it in the donation bin at work. Thankfully, she’d been too distracted at the time. “Aha!!” Cora fished out an old baby monitor and punked it on the counter to keep rummaging for a cord, handset, and hopefully a fresh set of batteries. All of which she found quickly. She thanked the powers that be, who apparently wanted Cora to get laid.

She crept back into the boys' room. She’d never used it in that room, but after seven kids she knew the exact spot to angle the camera. Once back in the kitchen, Helion was nibbling on her ear, as she bent over the counter fumbling with the pack of spare batteries for the handset. She felt him rub his hands over her body and pull her flush against his erection. He was kissing her ear and her neck and it was nothing like the sensation that had froze her lust before. This was all heat and pleasure. She finally got the batteries in. An image sparked to life on the device, just as a screech of feedback cracked the air.

“Shit.” She huffed as they both froze. Her house was so small and the monitor was only a few feet away. She turned it off,

“Did we wake them?” Helion whispered through a nibble. She listened. Nothing.

“No.” Cora tugged him down the hall toward the front door. “Let's go.”

“Go where Cora?” He asked, but she noted he was still following her. He always would.

“To your car.” Cora turned and kissed him again as she pushed him out her front door. “Now, dammit.”

“Whatever you say.” He purred and she knew it was true.

Helion would stop the second she was uncomfortable. He’d pivot perfectly if she changed her mind. He was truly confident and open and he’d never needed to prove his worth on her flesh. His type of love seeped into her marrow and steeled the strength that had always been there.

He watched Cora pull open the passenger side door to the buttery leather backseat of his new Jaguar. It was impractical and selfish, but he drove it rarely to compensate for the conspicuous luxury.

“Get the fuck in here.” She hissed at him with want and suddenly he was twenty years old again and horny as fuck. His body pumped every spare drop of blood down into his throbbing cock. Damn. She’d always had that effect on him. Thankfully, she seemed willing to help him with his condition. Though the feeling of her freezing in his hands still lingered in his mind. What had that fucker done to her?

If only he’d been ready all those years ago, maybe he could have spared her. He’d traveled the world and built his empire and fucked anyone he wanted. That had been his plan and he’d been happy. Then he'd seen her and held Lucien in his arms and all he could think was that he’d missed the first three years of his son’s life. Then he’d heard about Beron and all he could think was that he could have saved her from it. Every one of those boys could be his. She’d have never had to endure all that she’d shared.

His hand clenched on the door handle. He wanted to rip it from its hinges. He wanted to find Beron and unleash the same level of harm that he’d shoveled onto Cora for all those years. He wanted to feel Beron freeze in terror and watch his eyes go round and furtive, looking for an escape. He wanted to watch the bright color in his face shift to a haunted pallor. He wanted him to be afraid of any movement.

Helion grit his teeth. He felt the energy in his body changing for a fight instead of for a fuck and that just could not be born. Cora was the one who deserved his undivided attention. By some miracle, she still wanted him and he wouldn’t let her feel any of his menace or his rage. He’d find a way to ruin Beron later. That fact was clear. He would ruin that man, but he would never become the monster that he hunted. He could be vicious, but he was way more creative and Beron wouldn’t see him coming.

He silently vowed that he would commit his life to Cora. They would both learn what it was to have love and respect. The boys would see what it meant to be your best for your family. They would see what was to cherish and to love. He would be the example for them that Beron never could be.

But that was for later. Beron and the boys would be something to sort out later. Standing at that car door, Helion would worship, fuck, and tease that woman in a way that was only for them.

He hunched down and slid onto the seat. He’d never been in the backseat of his own car before and it was weird to see it all from back there. He turned in the dark to Cora. The windows were tinted. The lights of a passing car barely registered on her cheek, but it illuminated her smile and he melted.

“Come here.” She demanded and Helion complied.

He’d always been drawn to her. He’d had many lovers over the years but nothing compared to touching Cora. He needed her. He needed to taste her and to be inside her. He prayed that was what she had planned.

He watched as Cora reached under her gown. Her shoes sparked from the floorboard. She was still in her dress from the gala and he watched as she slid her panties off. They were not lace. They didn’t match her gown as he’d been imagining earlier in the night. He wasn’t ashamed to admit that to himself. They were hot pink and clearly made more for the gym and never intended to go under a designer dress. It was dark and he reached for them, but she batted his hand away. He could have sworn they had tiny barbells in the pattern. For a thong, they had a shocking amount of fabric and probably came up to her waist. She blushed and started to speak, but he’d never seen anything hotter. She was a grown woman owning her sexuality and her body and she was what it meant to be sexy without even trying.

Helion took in the sight of her. This woman’s body had created seven people. He noticed a few stray marks of those miracles etched into her physical strength. His gaze snagged on a few scars. There was still the one from when they first tried rollerblading at the waterfront. She’d needed twelve stitches just above her knee. He ran his thumb over it and they both laughed. His laugh died on his lips though as he saw the others. Beron’s evil had stayed on her skin in a few raised welts and tiny jagged snarls. But Beron was her monster and she had conquered him. The scars were part of her and she was beautiful.

He devoured her mouth in seconds. His hand gripped one luscious thigh as he dragged her leg across his lap. She turned to face him as he notched her knee into the leather, pressed into the curve of his waist. She moaned and lowered her weight onto his straining lap. Then she giggled at his sigh.

Another passing car cast light across her beautiful face and that time she ducked into his neck with a slightly nervous laugh. His hands slid down to her ass and he rolled up against her core suggestively.

“What do you want, Cora.” He breathed, but it was begging.

“Want?” Her voice was a raspy snarl that he hadn’t heard all night, that he hadn’t heard in years. “We are well past want, Helion. What I need is for you to fuck me. Show me what I’ve been missing. Make me remember.” He had been begging, but she was commanding and he was game.

“Fuck.” Helion muttered as he reached down to his waistband.

She rode him slowly dragging her dress further up around her waist. She arched back and draped one pale arm out over the headrest of the front passenger seat. Her shoulders settled in the space between the seats and everything he’d ever wanted was on full display before him.

Helion was frantic. He unzipped his pants and lifted slightly to drag them down over the muscles of his thighs. She hissed at the sight of his length.

“Oh.” Cora breathed and licked her lips “I’m starting to remember already.”

Many women were intimated by his size. It was a blessing and a curse and had ruined more than one night of passion in his life, but never with Cora. It was like she’d been built just for him. As though she could hear his thoughts, she lifted up onto him.

“Go slow, babe. Don’t rush it.” He warned her. He didn’t want to hurt her. He never wanted to hurt her. It wasn’t really fair to expect that they would just fall back into their old patterns as though no time had passed. She leaned forward again. This time dragging her core over his naked cock. She was wet.

“Don’t tell me what to do, Hel.” She nipped at his ear.

There she was. She was the fiery woman he’d fallen in love with so many years ago and never managed to find a way to fall out. She reached between them and wrapped her long cool fingers around his throbbing length. She swiped her entrance a couple of times with the tip and he nearly came. Then slowly she pressed down hungrily until she was perfectly flush with his body and his cock was buried deep inside her.

He ground his teeth to keep from screaming. There was a real chance that he’d alert the whole neighborhood to the fact that two grown-ass adults were fucking the backseat like horny teenagers. A light snore came from the monitor on the seat and Helion nearly laughed, until she started to move. Just a slight roll of her hips at first. It wasn’t timid, but testing. She was adjusting, feeling.

“Oh god.” She moaned.

“Is it coming back to you now, Cora?” Helion teased.

“I never really forgot.” She breathed the words and his chest tightened.

She gripped the front of his shirt with her right hand and he squeezed her ass. He expected to pull her closer, to feel her face against his neck, but Cora held the tension in her arm. She hooked the tops of her feet into the inside creases of his knees and pulled his thighs apart as she leaned further back and sunk even deeper around him.

Then she started to move with more authority and he held his gaze in the darkness. She was claiming something with each movement. Was it him? Perhaps, but also so much more. She was claiming and she was giving. She rode him harder. There was no fucking way he was going to last. Not with all his emotions so close to the surface, not with the weight of every single revelation she’d offered him that night, and not with the years he’d spent pining for this amazing woman.

“Yes.” She huffed. “Right there.” She grunted.

He had to admit that loved the position. He loved the view of her small breasts bouncing slightly under the silk of her dress and the way her eyes blazed and her lips parted on the animalistic sound. He needed her to come. He needed her to know that it was about her. He needed to know that she would let him take care of her. His hand slid up her thigh. He splayed his fingers around her hip and dug deep into the flesh as his thumb found her clit.

“Come for me, Cora,” He begged. “Let me get you off. Let me give you that.” Please. He thought the word but managed not to say it.

She was taking her own pleasure on his body. That much was clear and he loved to see it, but he wanted her to let him give something too. He wouldn't manipulate her, especially in the bedroom or even in the backseat of a car. He’d have to be careful with her though. There would be so many triggers after so many years of abuse, but he was honored to navigate them. He wouldn’t trust anyone else with her ever again, except for her.

A few strokes of his thumb and her forehead settled against his own and her mouth opened in a silent scream. He felt her walls clamp down around his cock and her movements were jerky and erratic. She managed those few small squeaks that he remembered so well. Her eyes were closed but he felt her breath on his face and felt her attention on every bit of his body and soul. He would never walk away again. He would never again fail to be the man she needed.

The sound of their breaths filled the space and then she smiled a lazy sated smile only inches from his face. She kissed the tip of his nose as she lifted herself slowly along his length. Both his hands grabbed her hips and he looked down to watch his glistening cock disappear inside her warmth and then reappear covered in her release and chilled by the air. He shuddered. Cora was fucking perfect.

She built the rhythm that he craved and she devoured him with a ferocity that had his body threatening to finish with an embarrassing quickness. A few more thrusts and he clamped his hands on her hips to keep her still as he spilled deep inside her. He opened his eyes and she was watching him closely. There was a nervousness creeping back into her gaze.

“What happens now?” She asked quietly, but not shyly.

“Now, you should consider going back inside that house. Maybe kiss your boys. I do suggest a shower though, you reek of sex, my love.” She swatted him on the shoulder.

“You don’t get to judge. You’re the reason I smell this way,” She smiled. “Plus you’re no better.”

“True, but I don’t have anybody to hide it from.” He said it casually, but his tone carried the weight he wasn’t saying. She nodded once with a satisfied smile. His message had been received.

“The boys wouldn’t understand anyway.”

“Unless Eris comes home again.” He hadn’t meant to mention the boy. His rudeness from earlier still prickled. She started to apologize for him but stopped.

“He’s just a senior in high school.” She said with a tone that told him that she recognized her foolishness. He cut her a glance of knowing eyes. She just rubbed her hands over her face. “I can’t deal with that right now. Can we not talk about that tonight? Can we not talk about Eris?”

“Yes, anything you want.” He purred. “But I want you to go inside and kiss the boys, shower, and I want you to fall asleep knowing something for sure: I'm ready, Cora. I’m not some green boy anymore.” She raised her eyebrow and glanced around the car. “Fine. Backseat shenanigans aside. I’m a grown man and I’m not afraid. I’m a father and I plan to do everything in my power to be that every day for you, for them, and for myself. I won’t squander this chance.”

“I should tell you.” She paused and he slid from her body with a hiss. “I can’t have more.”

“More? What do you mean?”

“Kids.” Cora rushed ahead. “The doctor said it could be dangerous for me.”

“Should we have waited?” His heart raced in panic. He’d only just vowed to protect her. “Did we just put you at risk?”

“Oh no. It's fine. It's taken care of.”

“You’ve had surgery?” He was relieved. That was probably the safest solution for her. Her face went stony.

“Beron golfed with my doctor. Beron wouldn’t allow it. Kids were his… well. Nevermind.” She shook her head. “I went to Planned Parenthood. I got an IUD. No record for him to find.” She locked gazes with Helion, needing him to understand. “He’d have beaten me if he’d suspected.” She paused again. “He’d have killed me if he’d known.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“I send a little bit of each check to them and a few other charities for women.” Her voice softened. “I’m not telling you this for sympathy, but you should know that I cannot give you more children. I wouldn’t even if I could. I’m done.”

He grabbed her in his arms and she sighed. It was easy to let whispered promises fall from his lips into her ear and against the skin of her neck. He tried to stay in the moment with her. He knew that his drive home would be full of moments spent relishing the scent of her on his skin and the memory of her pleasure seizing and rippling around him.

He’d also be hatching a plan. The seeds of which had already taken root. He’d need to use someone good. He needed someone he could trust and who was subtle enough to pull it off without any blowback on him, but most importantly on Cora or the boys. Thankfully, money was no issue. He could afford the best. Shit. He could afford The Shadowsinger. He was just the man to bring Beron to his knees and to know how to leave him there long enough to break him.

Beron had his chance to be a good man and to be a good father to those boys, but he’d been nothing but just poison. He’d manipulated his money and his power to harm those he could have loved most. Never again.

“I don’t need more kids, Cora. All I need is you.” He kissed her once on the cheek. “Plus…” He laughed. “We already have seven, my love. I think we are good on the kid front.”

She pulled back and studied his face. “You mean that don’t you.” It wasn’t a question.

“I do. Now get some sleep and I’ll be back to take you all to breakfast.” He smiled back. “I plan on wooing you, Cora. In the full light of day. Are you ready for that?”

“I guess we will find out.” Cara giggled and beam back at him.

“I guess we will, my love.”

[pinnithin]

had to explain to my new psychiatrist that the reason i have an unlocked unregistered loaded firearm in my home is not at all for suicidal reasons and i was just raised in missouri

[monstersmutpeddler]

Entranced by the Basilisks: A Love Bathhouse Monster Romance (Monstrous Matches)

By: Lillian Lark

Monster Scale

Level 03: More Monster Than Man (Physically)

They can look primarily human, half snake, or full serpent.

My Overall Rating For The Book

"I Bought The Ebook or Will Read On Kindle Unlimited"

This was a fun book, and I enjoyed it a ton! I really do love the world that Lillian Lark has made here.

Overly Simplified Summary

Honestly, the logline here summarizes this book very well: A human who opened the wrong magical book, her stern boss, and his “friend” who says he can help…

Keep reading for ‘This Book Has Everything’ and possible Trigger Warnings.

This Book Series Has Everything

[x] Love interest and/or main character is hiding something

[x] Plot first smut second

[x] Second chance relationship

For the two male leads, technically.

[x] Reverse Harem or Poly

[x] Dude got an interesting dick

[x] Love interest has to fight hard to win the love interests heart

[x] Main character and love interest talk about their problems or tragic pasts and heal together

[x] Open communication

[x] The couple has equal power in the relationship

[x] Friends to lovers

[x] Lead has a superpower of some kind

[x] Kinky af sex

[x] Happy Ending Guaranteed

[x] The lady is the monster

Here’s a link/buy the book!

Trigger Warnings

[x] Loss of a loved one

[cruelprincae]