#literally because at first she's like 'sleeping helps when you're sick sleep as long as you can <3'

[liebelesbe]

also my moms sympathy vanishes so quickly when I'm sick lol. for the first few days it's like 'awww my poor baby is there anything I can do for you?' and then that immediately flips over to 'stop sleeping for so long. go for a walk. 😑'.

[willalove75]

Alcina's New Maid Pt. 23 Lady Dimitrescu x Reader

Summary: You and Alcina spend a cozy morning in bed before going to pay the prisoner a visit.

Warnings: 18+ minors DNI.

Tags: some smut, dash of sub!alci and a little soft!dom reader

Notes: Part 23!

I am SO sorry this has taken LITERALLY over a month for me to finish!! But I think I have a pretty valid excuse, for those of you who didn't see my latest update - I'm pregnant!! And it's a boy! The first trimester was ROUGH, I wasn't vomiting but I was so sick. I'm 17 weeks and am feeling much, much better! (Aside from hip/lower back pain, according to the old wives tales that's common when pregnant with boys lolz) anyway I'm hoping to update much more regularly now that I'm finally feeling better!

Click here for the rest of the series

The morning sunlight filters in through the window, gently waking you from your slumber. The feeling of a heavy arm draped across your stomach let you know that Alcina was still in bed with you. Turning over to face her, you come across a sight you don't see very often - if you've seen it at all. Alcina asleep on her stomach, one arm under her pillow under her head and the other keeping you close. Her usual pristine and perfect curls are sprawled out across the pillowcase with a few rogue strands hanging down into her face.

She looks so peaceful, if not for her size you would think she was human in this moment. Your eyes dance across her sleeping features. Her skin, riddled with scars and marks that she covers up with makeup, her over-plucked eyebrows that she also corrects with makeup are on full display. You notice how long and dark her natural eyelashes are as they rest on the tops of her cheeks. Her full pink lips, the laugh lines that rest at the corners of her mouth, everything about her is so beautiful.

You delicately tuck a strand of hair hanging in her face behind her ear, hoping you don't wake her up. But of course, Alcina is one of the lightest sleepers you've ever met - honestly you're surprised that turning in her arms didn't wake her.

Her eyes flutter open and beautiful gold irises look back at you.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up."

"Don't be, I am surprised I fell back asleep."

"Did you get up at all last night?"

"No," she says, shaking her head and pulling you in closer. "I laid here all night with you in my arms. I considered getting some work done but I couldn't bring myself to let you go."

Alcina nuzzles into your hair, taking a deep inhale and exhaling with a content sigh.

It wasn't until her hand rested against your bare back did you realize you were still naked from the events of the night before. You tuck yourself under her chin, trying to get as close as possible. Alcina kisses the top of your head and holds you against her chest. An audible purr rumbles through her as she buries her nose into your hair.

You can feel her purrs vibrate through your body and you can't help but lightly chuckle.

"What are you laughing at?" She asks, nuzzling into you more.

"Nothing, it just seems like both you and the dragon are enjoying yourselves this morning."

Alcina huffs into your hair and shakes her head.

"I suppose we are. It does seem to enjoy your company." She mumbles.

"I have a feeling I am going to enjoy her company as well. As long as she doesn't try to kill me again." You joke.

Alcina pulls away and narrows her eyes at you. You can see the hurt in her eyes, the regret she stills holds onto from that day.

"That is not something to joke about." She says with a deadly serious edge to her voice.

"I'm sorry. I only joked about it because I've been able to move past it. I don't want you to keep blaming yourself for what happened."

"I will because it was my fault."

Bringing your hand to cup her face, you brush your thumb across her skin.

"It was Miranda's fault, not yours. And I am going to remind you of that every day for the rest of my life if I have to, Alcina. I love you. I forgive you. I want you to forgive yourself."

Alcina closes her eyes with a sigh. She places her hand over yours and presses it into her skin. When her eyes open again they're glassy with unshed tears. Alcina opens and closes her mouth a few times, trying to find the words to respond with.

Instead of waiting for her response you lean in and press your lips into hers. Her golden eyes flutter shut and she kisses you back. The kiss turns from one of understanding to one of passion. Your tongue grazes her bottom lip and she parts them, allowing you in. The hand she had against yours on her cheek moves behind you before she rolls onto her back, pulling you on top.

As the kiss intensifies you bite down on Alcina's bottom lip and tug at it. A moan escapes from her and you bring your lips back to hers to swallow it. Your hands travel down her neck, past her shoulders to the tops of her breasts. She arches into your touch and you take as much of her massive breasts into your hands as you can - the only thing separating you from her skin is the thin fabric of her nightgown. Another moan slips past her lips into yours when you begin to massage her breasts. Taking her nipples between your fingers, she whimpers into your mouth causing to you moan in response when you roll them.

Last night she worshipped you, now you get to return the favor.

Releasing her breasts from your grip you grab the thin straps of her nightgown and pull them down. Alcina slides her arms out and you pull the silk down to her waist. She groans when your hands find her breasts once more and you start kissing down her jaw towards her neck.

She threads her fingers through your hair as she guides your kisses further down her body. As eager as the both of you are, you still want to take your time to try and kiss every inch of skin you can so you fight against Alcina's pushing a little. She groans at your silent protest and you respond by nipping at her collarbone, causing her to take a sharp inhale. Of course the mark immediately disappears but you're pretty sure you got your point across when you feel her grip loosen.

You kiss across her other collarbone before slowly making your way down towards her sternum and between her breasts. Her nipples harden in your hands and your own patience begins to wear thin. In one swift motion you pull away from between her breasts and take one of her hardened peaks into your mouth. Alcina's groan quickly turns into a moan as you circle your tongue around it and suck. Just before it becomes too sensitive you release her nipple with a pop and latch onto the other one, repeating your ministrations.

Moans pass through Alcina's lips as you suck on her. She certainly wasn't expecting this to happen this morning but now that you've started, she might go crazy if you stopped.

The silk of her nightgown is soft under your touch as you run your hands down her stomach. As you reach her hips you gather the fabric and begin to bunch it up before releasing her other nipple from between your lips.

Alcina's legs fall open and her hand rests on the top of your shoulder. Looking up at her you take in the sight before you. A true goddess, with her head thrown back into the pillow, her usual perfect and pristine curls splayed across the pillowcase. Her eyes are closed and her lips parted in anticipation for you to reach your next destination. She gently pushes down on your shoulder, giving you a not-subtle hint to where she wants you to go next.

Sliding between her legs, you leave open mouthed kisses on the exposed skin of her stomach as you make your way down. You place one last kiss above the band of her underwear before getting settled. Taking in the sight in front of you you see the large wet patch in the middle of her lacy underwear. Reaching out, you run your fingers up and down the wet spot, causing Alcina's breath to hitch with a groan.

Her hips begin to gently roll against your touch. Placing a kiss on the inside of her thigh, you rest your hand on top of her mound and let your thumb circle her already swollen clit. She lets out the softest whine that causes you to smile into the skin of her thigh as you continue to pepper it with light kisses.

It surprises you how sensitive she is until you realize how long it's probably been since her last release. Jealousy begins to set in when you realize the last person to touch her was that maid. The last person to unravel Alcina was that maid. Right then and there you make the decision to make sure no one will ever be able make her feel as good as you can. It becomes your mission to make sure no one else's touch but your own will ever be able to unravel her again.

Abruptly, you pull your hand away and she lets out a groan of frustration. Before she can protest any further you grab each side of her underwear and practically yank them down her long legs, throwing them aside.

You kiss your way back up the inside of her thighs before settling between her legs once more. Looking up at Alcina you see that her eyes are squeezed shut but you want her to see you pleasure her. You want her to see that it's you driving her into bliss.

"Alcina," you say as you plant kisses into her soft, muscular thighs. "look at me."

Alcina hears your request but can't bring herself to open her eyes. Last time she did it crushed her that it wasn't you between her legs. She's terrified that if she looks it won't be you there. So she shakes her head "no".

Nipping the inside of her thigh, she whimpers.

"Look at me." Again, she shakes her head no. "Alcina, my love, look at me."

The smell of her arousal is intoxicating, it's so tempting for you to say "fuck it" and feast on her as she's spread out before you, but you stay strong.

"My love," you say as you kiss the inside of her thigh again. "look at me, please."

Alcina rolls her hips towards your mouth but you do your best to push them back down, and much to your surprise you're able to - she doesn't put up much of a fight.

"I want you to look at me Alcina. Look at me."

The throbbing between her legs begins to surpass the fear she has. After taking a shaky inhale, she opens her eyes and looks down at you as she props herself up on her elbows. The air in her lungs stalls when she sees that it's you between her legs. Relief washes over her and she melts into the mattress as her body relaxes.

A smile pulls at the corner of your lips as your eyes meet her golden ones. You see the look of relief, of passion burning in them. There's almost a look of desperation, a silent plea for you to continue.

"Good job." You say. A wave of arousal courses through Alcina, she definitely wasn't expecting you to praise her and she definitely wasn't expecting the praise to turn her on even more. "Now keep your eyes on me. Can you do that?"

Alcina silently nods her head "yes" and you lower your mouth down to her. You lick a broad strip up her dripping slit, just barely brushing over her clit. Her moans fill your ears as you moan from her taste on your tongue.

Looking back up at her, you notice her eyes are closed and her head is thrown back. You nip at the inside of her thigh to get her attention and her head snaps back towards you.

"Eyes on me." You say.

Alcina goes to protest but before she can utter a word you dive back in and the words die on her tongue. Anything she was about to say was replaced by a string of soft curses and moans. Your eyes flick up to make sure she's still looking at you and you see her golden irises staring back. You smile into her and swipe your tongue over her clit before capturing it between your lips.

A large hand grips the back of your head and Alcina cries out as you lick and suck on her throbbing clit. Every time you check to make sure she's still looking at you, you see her eyes trained on you.

Doubling down on your efforts you flick your tongue over her clit faster as it throbs between your lips. Alcina's legs begin to shake and just as they start to tighten around your head, just before she's about to fall into bliss, you pull away.

Her fingers holding onto the hair on the back of your head tighten almost painfully as she cries out at the loss. Looking back up at her, her eyes are glowing with frustration and she growls at you.

"Shh," you say, kissing the inside of her thigh. "let me take care of you. Trust me my love." The grip on the back of your head loosens and her eyes soften. "Good, keep looking at me."

She nods her head and you lick up her slit once more before bringing three of your fingers to her entrance. After you coat them in her arousal, you part her lips and slowly push in. Alcina moans above you as you push your fingers in and pull them out before pushing them back in once more. You repeat this motion a few times before thrusting down to your knuckles. She lets out a moan when you start fall into a rhythm and curl your fingers into her velvety walls. Three fingers may feel good for her but you know it's not enough so after a few more thrusts and curls you add a fourth finger.

Alcina moans grow louder and you feel her clench down around you as you continue to thrust and curl your fingers. With her eyes still focused on you, she begins to rock her hips to the pace you've set.

"Oh, draga." She moans.

"Am I making you feel good my love?"

"Yes." She says with an exhale.

"Can you take more of me? Do you want me to fill you baby?" You ask as you thrust hard into her and curl your fingers.

"Yes!" She cries. "Please my love, give me more!"

Folding your thumb across your palm, you slide your whole hand into her and you feel her walls stretch around you. Alcina lets out a filthy moan yet her eyes never leave you.

"Good job, I know how much you love feeling me fill you. I know you missed this, didn't you?" You ask as you pick up the pace.

"Yes! I missed you inside of me, I missed you so much draga mea!"

Your thrusts become faster and harder as you feel her walls flutter around you. The tips of your fingers feel that spongy spot deep inside and you push further into it before your fingers curl. Alcina lets out a scream as you start to pound against that spot.

"Oh fuck, draga! Right there!" She cries as her hips rock harder against your hand.

"Right here?" You ask as you curl against that spot again and she cries out as she stares down at you. She couldn't pull her eyes away from you even if she wanted to in this moment. "No one knows you like I do, isn't that right? No one else knows exactly what spot to hit to make you see stars, do they?" You ask as you continue to fuck her.

Unable to form words, Alcina shakes her head "no" as more moans leave her lips.

"That little maid could never fuck you the way I do, could she?" Alcina's mouth hangs open and she shakes her head "no" again. "Answer me." You say before swiping your tongue over her clit.

Alcina's hips buck into you and she cries out.

"No! She could never fuck me the way you do! No one could ever fuck me the way you do!"

"Good girl." You say before latching onto her clit and sucking on it.

Alcina's moans and cries grow louder and you feel her walls beginning to clench around your hand. She's getting close but you want to drag it out as long as you possibly can.

"Not yet." You say before flicking your tongue over her clit again.

She lets out a frustrated groan and throws her head back.

"Uh-uh, look at me." She rolls her head forward and her half-lidded eyes lock onto yours. You can see in her eyes how close she is. "Not yet baby, not yet."

Alcina whimpers as she tries to hold off her orgasm. You push her further and further, her legs begin to shake around your head as she does her best to stop from falling over the edge.

"Almost, not yet." You mumble into her.

"Please." She whimpers. "Please my love."

Your eyes snap up to hers and you see the desperation in her eyes, a complete submission you've never seen before. The look in her eyes spurs you on as you thrust faster and suck harder on her clit.

"Draga, I - I can't -"

"Cum for me baby."

Alcina's body trembles and you can see the explosion behind her eyes before they roll into the back of her head as she lets out a scream. She clenches tightly around your hand as you continue to fuck her through her orgasm. Her clit throbs wildly in your mouth and you flatten your tongue against it as she bucks against you, letting her use your mouth as she rides it out.

Her cries soften and her walls start to relax. You swipe over her clit once more with your tongue - causing her to whine - before pulling your soaked hand from her. Alcina's chest rapidly rises and falls as she continues to come down from her high, trying to catch her breath. Aftershocks cause her hips and legs to twitch around you.

Crawling up next to her, Alcina opens her eyes and looks deeply into yours. Before you can say anything she pulls you into her and kisses you with an explosive passion.

When your lips part she buries her face into the side of your neck as the last of the aftershocks course through her. You run your fingers through her hair and kiss her head as she holds you tight.

Alcina has never relented control like that before with you. Even when you were pleasuring her in the past she was always in control. You wonder if she's ever let someone else take control before. Maybe before she got the cadou, but you're almost certain that she's never let someone else have control after.

She pulls away and looks into your eyes. You notice how watery they are and you cup her cheek and smile at her.

"Thank you." She says softly, holding back her tears.

"Of course. I love you."

"I love you, draga mea."

When your lips meet you feel a warmth flood your body. There's no hunger or desperation in the kiss, just pure love. She kisses you slowly for some time before your lips finally part. Alcina rests her forehead against yours and holds you tight.

"I love you so much. I am never letting you go ever again." She whispers.

"Good. Because I never want to let you go." You say back.

The two of you bask in the afterglow for a while longer, just holding each other in your arms while exchanging soft, slow kisses. It's moments like these with her that are your absolute favorite. Moments where the rest of the world disappears and it's just the two of you cuddled under the duvet. Your fingers trace her larger ones, in awe of how much bigger her hands are than yours. How soft her skin is, how strong they are. For the first time you really get a good look at the tips of her fingers and her fingernails. It fascinates you that her near perfect manicure can become such dangerous, beautiful claws in an instant.

"Does it hurt?" You ask.

"No. It was rather uncomfortable at first but I grew used to it over time."

"Was it hard to control?"

"I wouldn't say it was hard, but it did take some getting used to in the beginning. There were plenty of instances where a poor maid was in the wrong place at the wrong time and she was accidentally sliced to ribbons."

"What happened?"

"They were more difficult to control when I was in fits of anger - which happened often back then. They seemed to have a mind of their own."

"Like a defense mechanism?"

"In a way, yes. So if I wasn't careful about my movements or how close I was to someone when I was angry, well, lets just say it didn't often end well."

"How long did it take you to control them?"

"Not very long, a few years perhaps. Although still to this day I can feel them itching to come out when I'm upset or angry, but I have much better control now than I did then."

"Do you file them?"

"Every so often, yes. But the wear and tear of my everyday work naturally wears them down so they're not as sharp."

"Is this the shortest they go without you having to trim them?"

"You are so full of questions this morning." She says with a smile as a light blush dusts your cheeks. Alcina kisses the side of your head before answering. "This is their natural length, but when necessary I can retract them further. It can be uncomfortable but it's worth it so I don't injure my partner during certain... activities." She says with a smirk.

You thread your fingers through hers and cuddle into Alcina with a giggle. Alcina nuzzles into you and kisses you on the head before letting out a sigh.

"Nooo." You whine, knowing what her sigh meant.

"I know draga, but we've been in bed all morning. I have a long list of things that need to be done today, including speaking with our prisoner."

Grumbling into her shoulder, Alcina lets out a laugh before pulling you close and kissing you one more time before throwing the covers off of the two of you.

You try with all of your might to hold Alcina down but she quickly overpowers you and flips you onto your back. She clicks her tongue at you as she leans down.

"Valiant effort my darling, but unfortunately you do not have the strength to overpower me just yet." Your bottom lip pushes out into a pout and she clicks her tongue at you again. "Oh, what's the matter my love? There is no pouting after such a wonderful morning." She says before leaning down and placing a chaste kiss on your lips.

Alcina sits up and gets out of bed, not before tapping you on the thigh, prompting you to get out of bed as well.

"Come now draga, we have many things to do today."

The two of you get dressed and make your way down to the dining room for breakfast. During your meal Alcina goes over what she has to do today with the girls and discusses what she wants to happen with the prisoner.

"After breakfast we will pay him a little visit. Draga, if you would like to join us you are more than welcome to, but you are under no obligation."

"I would like to come, but I can stay out of sight. I just want to see if he tells you everything."

"What do you mean by that?" Cassandra asks.

"Y/n here went and visited our prisoner yesterday."

"You went into the dungeon alone?!" Bela asks.

"And you didn't die??" Cassandra asks.

"Why would you do that?!" Daniela yells.

"Girls, that's enough. We already spoke about it last night. There is no need for you to interrogate her about it, but I appreciate your concern for her wellbeing." Alcina says before turning back towards you. "Draga you are more than welcome to stay within earshot if you would like and if you want to make an appearance you may do so."

"I just don't want to see him get hurt."

"We will make sure you are escorted out of the dungeon before any of that takes place."

"Thank you." You say with a smile.

"Of course, my love."

The rest of the meal flies by and as the time to go down to the dungeon gets closer, you slowly begin to lose your appetite.

The girls finish their meals and Alcina swirls the rest of her wine in her glass before downing it in one gulp.

"Alright girls, I believe it's time to go visit the prisoner."

"I can't wait to take a bite out of him." Cassandra says with hungry eyes.

"And you say I'm always hungry." Daniela mumbles.

"Because you are! You insatiable beast!" Cassandra snaps back.

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Girls. Enough. I need you to either take this seriously or you will not participate. Do you understand?" Alcina says with a stern look.

"Yes mother." They reply in unison.

"Ready, draga?" Alcina asks, reaching her hand out towards you.

You nod your head and take her hand in yours.

"As ready as I'll ever be, I guess."

"Then let us go."

Alcina leads you from the dining room towards the dungeon door. The closer you get the harder you feel your heart pounding in your chest. Bela, Cassandra and Daniela swarm down the stairs in a fit of excited giggles and Alcina stops at the top of the steps before kneeling down to your height.

"Are you sure you want to come, my love? I don't want you to feel pressured to be there."

"I know, but I want to. I have to. I just need to know-" you take a deep breath and Alcina nods at you, not needing you to finish your response. She knows why you feel like you need to come, that you need to see for yourself if he was as innocent as you thought he was - as you wanted him to be.

Alcina looks deeply into your eyes before pulling you in for a kiss. Immediately, your body relaxes into her touch and you smile into her. When your lips part Alcina stands back up and takes your hand in hers. She guides you through the dungeon door and you know there's no turning back now. You can only hope he tells them the truth - the whole truth. Not only does his fate hang in the balance, but so does the remainder of hope you've been clinging to.

"Well, here goes nothing." You say to yourself as you take the final steps towards the cell.

[7-wonders]

Hi! What do you think how Dream would react to Reader who's pregnant with his child?

(BTW, I love your writing and your Morpheus!)

I have...many thoughts about this, and I'll start by saying that first off, I don't know how Endless pregnancy works, like if it needs to be intentional or if accidents happen. After all, Desire slept with Unity and got her pregnant while she was sleeping (which is very icky since she couldn't consent outside of whatever perfect dream life Desire was making her live). For the purpose of this, though, we'll say that accidents can happen, because I feel like Morpheus is still so scarred after everything that happened with Orpheus that he would be worried about having another child.

TWs for pregnancy, AFAB!reader, and copious amounts of sweetness. You've been warned.

You're panicking, for one

After all, you're not even married! You're still "courting," as Morpheus calls it

Though you try to remain composed when you tell him, you almost immediately start crying

Morpheus is so, so scared, but you look even more scared, and you're also the one who's carrying the child, so he pushes aside his own fear to comfort you

Even beneath his own fear, though, he finds himself overjoyed

He had loved being a father, even though, as Orpheus got older, he found he wasn't very good at it

Morpheus wants another chance, he realizes; he wants to be better

Knowing what he wants though, he keeps it to himself and tells you that he'll support you in whatever choice you make

(but is thrilled when you decide to keep the baby)

Immediately tries to propose to you, but you turn him down

Not because you don't love him and don't plan on marrying him, but because you refuse to be someone who gets married only so that they don't have a child out of wedlock

After the baby's born, you assure Morpheus, he can propose again

Doesn't understand why you insist on seeing human doctors when he has healers renowned across every realm at his disposal

Still, he accompanies you to your first ultrasound and quickly finds himself perturbed by the odd devices that are laid out and being used

When the technician finally locates your womb with the ultrasound wand, and the screen goes from nothing to suddenly having that distinct fetus form on it, Morpheus understands. Where else would you get an experience like this?

He cries when he hears the baby's heartbeat fill the room

Hates that you suffer from morning sickness, because there's absolutely nothing that he can do about it

So he helps in the ways that he can: holding your hair back if it's long enough to need to be held, making sure you stay hydrated, and trying to force you to eat whenever you think you can stomach it

Convinces you to finally move to the Dreaming, though you mourn your independent life in the Waking

But in the Waking you're not just pregnant, you're pregnant and alone

Just one of those things is hard. But both? That feels almost impossible, especially when you have a partner waiting for you

Though you love being in the same realm with Morpheus all the time now, you do have plans to have a part-time home in the Waking after the baby is born

Even though they'll technically be a prince/princess, you want them to have normal childhood experiences—school and soccer (or whatever sport/activity they'd like to do) and walks to the park or the public library

Speaking of the realm, it seems as though every denizen knows and is thrilled that there's going to be a baby soon

You try and go on walks daily, whether alone or with Morpheus, and practically every dream creature you pass smiles or asks you how you're feeling

He looks so proud whenever he's witness to it

(Don't even get me started on Lucienne and Matthew)

Having cravings is way better when the Dreamlord is your baby daddy

You're in tears because you so badly want a random meal that you saw once in a TV show? Morpheus is pulling it from the showrunner's dreams for you

He will do literally anything to make you happy and make this pregnancy as easy on you as possible

The mood swings suck because you know that you're being mean or irrational, but Morpheus takes it all in stride and indulges you instead of fighting back, something that you really want him to do

Thinks you are the most beautiful being alive, even when you get self-conscious as your body starts to change

Though he's always loved you in a way that's all-consuming and passionate, now, that love is almost worshipful now

How could he not worship you? You're carrying his child, you're growing life within you. He's so thankful to you, and this gift that you're giving him.

Morpheus has never been particularly tactile, but now, he almost always has a hand on you/your belly

Like, when you first get a baby bump, dude is obsessed

He can't tear his eyes away from the sight

Even though you're in the Dreaming, you still have to sleep, a lot more now that you're pregnant

When you're sleeping (or when Morpheus thinks you're asleep), he'll press his lips to your stomach and talk to the baby

He tells them how wanted they are, all of the things that he can't wait to show them, to teach them

He tells them of their brother, of his talent for music and the songs he would sing, of his heart, full of endless love for everyone. He tells them how much their brother would have loved to be a brother. He promises, to both of his children, that he'll learn from his mistakes

It never fails to make you tear up when you're only pretending, and you almost feel a little guilty intruding on these sacred chats

As your pregnancy progresses, Morpheus can practically sense when you're uncomfortable almost before you realize it

He's more than happy to step behind you, place both his hands under your belly, and lift to relieve you of the pressure for a little bit

It's a trick he's rather proud of, and one he picked up from some pregnancy book (which he will not admit to reading even though you saw a stack of them next to his designated chair in the library)

For a couple of weeks, he disappears for at least two hours every day

Even Lucienne refuses to tell you where he is (that at least lets you know that it's nothing bad, because Lucienne would tell you if it was)

He brings you to a nursery that he created, with as much love and care as he does with all his creations, for your child

It's so sweet and has everything you could need, from a comfy rocking chair in the corner with a window bathing soft light onto it to a bookshelf (predictable) with all sorts of children's stories from throughout time and cultures and realms

The best part is the ceiling—the galaxy of his throne room, which you love so much, has been extended here, for your child to lose themself in

(It's stunning, but you both know that the baby will likely sleep in your shared room for a while; neither of you can bear the thought of being parted from your child for even a few hours)

It cannot be stressed enough just how excited Morpheus is to have a baby with you, and I could go on for another 50 bullet points about the subject

[youunravelme]

hiiii congrats 🥳 so amazing!! you’re amazing!! love seeing you on my dash/notifs and especially your fics!! they’re amazing

only if you have time, but could you do “I saved a piece for you.” with mat <3

i know we don't really talk, BUT ILYSM! your writing always brings a smile to my face!!

this got out of hand, but here ya go!

mat knew you were a hopeless romantic, it was one of the reasons he fell in love with you. the way you sobbed when watching the end of 27 dresses despite it being a very upbeat and happy ending or the way you squealed and thanked him a million times every time he so much as came home with a bouquet of flowers.

you made it easy for him to be a good boyfriend, your very reactions to his love made him only want to love you even more.

"babe?" he walked through the front door, ready to be accosted by your warm hug.

but it never came.

mat furrowed his brows and walked further into your apartment. he found you standing in your bedroom, throwing the clothes you packed across the room while you cried.

"baby, what's wrong?" mat hurried across the room to pull you into his arms but you shrieked and pulled away.

"stay away!" you cried. "i'm sick."

mat stopped, even though he wanted nothing more than to hold you, but not at the risk of upsetting you even further. "talk to me, how can i help you? what's going on?"

you collapsed face first into bed and sobbed. "stupid martha came to work when she was sick and got me sick. so i can't go to the wedding with you, mat. i'm sorry."

mat was quick to sit down next to you and start rubbing your back. "it's okay, i'll just tell ethan we can't make it and--"

you sat up immediately. "no! you're going mathew barzal."

"i can't just leave you here."

you set him with a hard look. "you can and will. i'll get a friend to help me, but you need to be with ethan on his big day." you cried a little more. "just promise me you'll eat some cake, diet be damned."

mat rolled his eyes but a smile was playing on his lips. "it's just cake, babe."

you scoffed. "no, wedding cake is the best cake because it tastes like love and promises and commitment and cherishing the one you adore." if you didn't look so serious, mat would've laughed at how stopped up you sounded.

"okay, if you say so," he conceded.

"i'm glad you see it my way." you paused. "you know what this means, right? me being sick?" mat shook his head. "you can't sleep in here tonight."

he scoffed and pulled you into his chest before placing kisses up and down your neck. "like hell i am, i'm sleeping in our bed with you."

you eventually acquiesced that night, but not without establishing a pillow wall between the two of you (which mat discarded quickly after you fell asleep.

the next morning, he let you sleep while he gathered his things and headed for the airport, leaving his entire heart back in new york.

ethan was the one who picked him up from the airport, and he immediately asked where you were. when mat explained the situation, his friend seemed a bit bummed, more so for mat than anyone else.

"god, i couldn't imagine leaving my fiance at home while i was in another country."

mat blinked. "you do that literally all season long."

but ethan shrugged him off.

when the day of the wedding came, mat's hands felt empty. usually, at the other weddings you'd attended together, you were attached at the hip. mat had a hand on you at all times. though, if he was being fair, his physical touch was not exclusive to weddings and parties.

he couldn't help but think of you in every decoration, every song that was played. he could picture you now wearing the dress you picked out for that very occasion. he could see you walking down the aisle towards him wearing the ring that was currently sitting in his bedside table drawer.

after his speech, mat stepped outside and dialed your number. it rang three times before you picked up.

"mat?" god he loved the sound of your voice.

"hey baby, how're you feeling?"

"i'm fine, have you eaten the cake? how did lenasia look? was she gorgeous? i bet she was beautiful."

he laughed into the phone. "you sound like you're feeling better."

"a little, i miss you though."

"i'll be home tomorrow, i promise. and then we can enjoy the rest of the off season together. how does that sound?"

"sounds like heaven."

the wedding continued on, with mat sneaking a slice of cake to take home to you. he partied, but hated you weren't there to dance to some cheesy ed sheeran love song. he laughed at jokes, but wondered what you would've found funny. he watched ethan and his wife dance together and couldn't help himself from messing with his ring finger on his left hand, wondering what it would feel like to feel cold metal there.

"you okay, barzy?" ethan must've stepped away from the dance floor while mat was zoning out.

he smiled. "never better."

"but you miss her," ethan supplied.

"but i miss her." mat shrugged. "i'll see her tomorrow though."

"is she feeling any better?"

mat nodded. "she's fine now, hates that she missed it."

"it happens," ethan said. "besides, i'm sure we'll see her when you two get married." mat flushed. "that's still the plan right? next month?"

"next month."

ethan smiled and slapped his friend in the shoulder. "best decision you'll ever make."

mat flew home the next day. he politely took a few photos with fans, but for the most part sprinted out of the airport just to get home to you.

he couldn't drive fast enough. couldn't get enough green lights. the elevator up to your penthouse felt too slow.

but it was worth it when he opened the door and saw you wearing his sweatshirt (that had mysteriously gone missing two weeks ago) watching yet another rom com.

he didn't even say hello. didn't greet you. he just sat his bag down and pulled out some tupperware and held it out to you.

"i saved a piece for you," he said.

your eyes watered until you jumped off the couch and into his arms. "i love you i love you i love you!" you exclaimed before taking the cake from him and diving into it. you moaned at the rich flavors before smiling at him. "this is so fucking good. isn't wedding cake the best?"

mat shrugged. "their cake was decent, but i bet ours will be better."

[sunny-mercya]

Sounds like a Melody – Rewind

Apollo x Male Reader

Fandom -> Percy Jackson Series

Requested by -> @r0sep3tal

Masterlist | Part 2 | Related OS | Song

Give me more tragedy, more harmony and fantasy, my dear

Set it alight, we're head over heels in love

In the darkest hour of Greece's history, when the rotten torture—from Pandora's Box—of sickness, death, despair and destruction rolled through the lands—which mankind wouldn't be able to remember at all, although the evidence being buried deep for the decades of the future—and where doom had being sealed the fates of humanity—there was a minimal ray of sunshine, peeking through the gloomy skies above.

Apollo had been forbidden by Lord Zeus, his own father, to descend down onto earth and giving his help and blessing to the humans—which looked so pitifully and utterly gracelessly, that there certainly was a truth about their bound destiny of doom.

Even so, Apollo did his best to abide by Zeus rules—or at least tried to—but something, someone, seemed to call out to him—a pull of lulling towards the below down of Greece and Apollo just got a little bit too curious.

When Apollo got down from Mount Olympus, in a moment where Zeus—like a scold little boy or more like, fearful husband—tried to appease Hera—after she found out that her dear Husband cheated again—and being unobservant towards his duty of watching over the other gods and goddesses—Apollo looked, in the eyes of humans, like a literal ray of Sunshine touching—like a kiss—the very ground of earth.

Apollo didn't need to roam around and through the lands of Greece too long—ignoring the longing and pleading eyes, infected with pain and suffering despair of tormenting sadness, from pitiful humans—finding the source of such tingly nerve pulling rather quickly.

~~~

There you lay—it's you, Demosonos and Son of Nxy, you're the source of it. Apollo hesitated, aware of what you're capable of—knowing from first hand experience, more like watching from afar, how monstrous strong and dangerous you were—in his steps, bow slowly drawn and ready to shoot an arrow through your skull. He didn't though.

Slowly Apollo comes near to you, observant wary as he's a warrior and son of Zeus after all. Though he soon came to realise, that you—besides of who you are or once supposed to be as Zeus's marks of banning, were clear like the stars in the night sky, scarring your skin—weren't a fearsome threat after all. Not anymore at least.

How you laid there, barely—nonexistent—conscious, spasming and withering in pain and gasping for breath, whimpering in between and newborn like cries escaping your blood smeared lips—you're even more pitiful to watch than the humans.

The young god—definitely a child of Zeus, that glint of superiority in his eyes was a trademark all of Zeus children had—looks down on you, with his ocean blue eyes and for moment within your misery of pain, you're lost in his beauty of sun kissed skin and golden locks of hair—but then, with his soft lips—so kissable—he calls you, simply and blunt, pitiful.

You scrunched up your face the best you could, wanting to show this arrogant god just how angry and strong you are. You couldn't, haven't the strength anymore left in you and all you wanted to do was sleep.

Maybe he was right and you're truly are pitiful, worthless even. You're Demosonos—son of Nxy—and couldn't even beat Zeus like Mother, she had such high hopes of exceptions, had asked you to do. Disappointment.

You're Demosonos—son of Nxy—and........who are you again? What's your name? Do you even have one?

Apollo wasn't sure why—or maybe he does know, because when it comes to fates and upon destiny, the inner core of the person always knows—he picked you up and brought you to his own realm of clouds, but he did—fully aware of the upcoming thundering rumbling.

Till the day of trial would come—and it does come as Zeus wouldn't let such disobedience pass so easily—Apollo took care of you—treating your wounds, feeding you ambrosia till you couldn't stomach it anymore and overall letting you heal and recover.

Through that time and process of healing, Apollo got to know you more and the pull of fate and tightened more around his heart.

~~~

»How dare you to not only disobey me, but to also grant that shameful excuse of vile monstrosity your protection?!« Zeus voice hollered through the Olympian Senate—voice rich with brewing crackling thundering anger.

Apollo didn't flinched this time, when his father had raised his voice and directed his anger at him. This time Apollo stood his ground, tall and confidently.

»Don't you dare to speak ill of [Name] as if he's nothing but a creature! Not only did I grant him protection but I also vowed it to him as [Name] is my destined partner, the mighty stars themselves said so, for eternity!« Apollo too, could raise his voice in anger just like his father

»Mighty Lord and Father of the Olymp, if I may speak as I have perhaps a–« you begun, but Zeus cut you off with his own voice.

»You vile creature dare to speak in the grace of mine?! I will–«

»Father! Let him speak or I will make it happen that the nights are endless!«

A chaos of voices and discussions broke out. In the end they all do came to an agreement.

Zeus, pleased with the idea—still disgruntled about it, that even though he would rather kill or bann you into something akin to death, but couldn't as it is prophetic fate from the stars of stars themselves and that means, Zeus couldn't do anything about it—that he has you now in his control, had given his blessing to his son.

The agreement was; you pledging endless—for eternity and beyond—loyalty to Zeus and in times of war you're the guard dog—personal demon per se—of the Olymp.

To fully archive this, there had been not only a binding wedding ceremony—to Apollo of course and a pledge of blood vow to Ares, because if you went out of control or go against Zeus, it would be Ares himself who has to kill you—but you were also gifted a new name and personality—[Name], minor god of Tranquility and slumber.

Your old powers are still inside you and could only be released with Zeus permission or in a moment of desperat need—immediately danger for example.

~~~

Give me more tragedy, more harmony and fantasy, my dear

The ringing of your laughter, it sounds like a melody

[heavenlycloud]

sharing a bed: le sserafim x 6th member fem! reader

warnings: crying, swearing, nightmares

when you and your members found out that you were going to be going to the states for a tour you all were stoked. american fans had been begging for nearly a year and finally there were tour dates for an american leg of a world tour. the first stop was new york which yunjin in particular was looking forward to since it'd been almost two years since she'd seen her family in person. originally the plan was for her to sleep at her family's house then you all meet back up as a group two days later for the first stage rehearsals. that being said you and the other girls were planning to just stay in a hotel, two to a room then someone gets a solo room. however, when one of yunjin's family members got sick, plans changed and she couldn't go home for risk of also catching the illness. all of which resulted in you having to share a room with one of your members. the only issue is you have a MASSIVE crush on your now roommate, and you two have to share a bed for the next two days....

sakura

you laid stiff as a board in the queen sized hotel bed, nearly falling off the edge because you wanted that much space between the two of you

beneath the covers you were sweating and hoping that she couldn't feel you shaking beside her

but she could because you were shaking like a wet chihuahua arms length away from her

it was already nearing two in the morning and both of you needed sleep but the jet lag was absolutely no help

you held onto the blankets in an absolute death grip, hoping that you wouldn't move closer to her in your sleep

jokes on you because you did in fact move- so much so that you woke up face to face with sakura

your lips were almost touching which jumpscared you awake, causing you to fall off the bed and take ALL the sheets and blankets with you

sakura was woken up by this and didn't add to your nerves when she told you, "come back up here. i want to feel you near me again."

chaewon

you put up a wall of pillows between the two of you with the shitty excuse of 'so we have equal room'

chaewon literally didn't care if the pillows were there or not so she found it strange that you insisted on keeping them there

she turned to ask you a question and was met face to face with this giant feather stuffed pillow

the pillow wall not only seperated the two of you but also made it hard to hear one another talk

so you were literally sitting there nearly shouting to one another when you knew you had to be quiet because eunchae and kazuha were sleeping next door

*whisper yelling* "what did you say?!" "huh?!" "i said what did you- *loudly* y/n this is so stupid."

chaewon ended up getting annoyed that the pillows were in her way so she threw them aside

you decided that everything would be fine as long as you lay back to her

that fell through when you woke up to her spooning you from behind which sent your heartrate through the roof before you could open both eyes fully in the morning

yunjin

the two of you had never shared a bed before for this specific reason

you weren't really sure if it was the melatonin gummy your manager made you all eat that caused you to be calmer than normal but you weren't blushing and kicking your feet at every glimpse you got of her for once

not sure who's bright idea it was but the hotel a/c unit was on full blast with no way of turning it down lower

you and yunjin were laying in bed freezing cold but you were NOT about to make the first move for 'im cold ur cold' cuddles

yunjin offered multiple times and you refused

*sniff* '"y/n, you can come closer if you're cold" "no i'm good" "you sure?" "mhm" "okay"

and then fifteen minutes passed and yunjin swore if she heard you sniffle one more time she was going to literally punch you in the nose- "for the love of god. y/n come here."

and that's how you ended up hugging each other like two people freezing to death in the arctic

it would have been cute if yunjin didn't kick in her sleep

you woke up with bumps and bruises on your legs and bags under your eyes because you didn't sleep well...but she did

"wow i slept great last night didn't you?" and you're just standing there with one eye open, a bedhead, and a limp.

kazuha

the two of you were up late and you were just listening to everything kazuha wanted to say

your japanese was spotty but you did your best to follow because you wanted to make sure that she knew you were listening, and you wanted her to know her voice was always heard

she would finish talking about one thing and skip to the next until she ran out of things to say and that weird silence hangs over the two of you

"are you ready to sleep now?" "yeah, goodnight."

you're not sure how long you're sleeping before you stir awake to kazuha moving around next to you

suddenly she's breathing harder and wakes up with a scream that thankfully nobody else heard in the rooms around you both

your hands are already on her back and you're soothing softly, "it's okay, it's okay. zuha it's just me, it's just me. just breathe...you're with me, it's just us. just you and me, me and you."

when she's calm again you lay back down you feel her hand slowly slip into yours

no words exchanged, there's no need. just the feeling of you both knowing that you're there for one another.

[evilwickedme]

"you're worth it." and/or "you need sleep for jayroy maybe?

(i can't remember if you actually like that ship so if you don't feel free to pick your own)

I absolutely LOVE JayRoy and have written multiple fics for them anyway it's one am let's see what comes out

on ao3

unglued, thanks to you

It's been a long couple of days.

Everyone Roy knows is out of the state right now, for so many different and yet equally good reasons, so he hasn't had anyone available to babysit in days. Then Lian caught this bug that's been going around, and she's spent the last three days throwing up anything she's eaten, while Roy desperately tries to keep her hydrated, staying up all night with her as she shivers. His heart aches for his little girl, but he can't do anything about it except wait for it to pass. As if that stress wasn't enough, he hasn't had a steady job in a couple of months, and last he checked he was almost out of money for rent, let alone groceries or medicine or a paid sitter. And he can't even take any job offers he's getting, because he can't just leave Lian behind while half his family is MIA, some of them literally. Hell, he'd have joined them in the search if it weren't for... Everything else.

He's worried about his family, and he's worried about Lian, and he's just tired. He's so, so tired. Still, he can't help it - when Jason calls, he picks up.

"Hey," he says.

Jason must pick up on the exhaustion in his voice, because instead of hello he opens with, "Jesus Christ, when's the last time you slept?"

Roy takes offense to that. Considering the circumstances, he's been getting plenty of sleep. "I'll have you know I got to take a two hour nap just this afternoon," he says indignantly.

"Uh-huh," Jason says, "and last night?"

"Why are you calling, Jason?" Roy says tiredly.

"I'm in Star right now," Jason answers, letting the matter drop. "Connecting flight got canceled so I pivoted. Can I crash at yours?"

Roy hesitates. "It's not that you're not welcome," Roy says, searching for the right words. "I just - " it's just awful right now, and Roy's a mess, and the apartment's a mess, and Jason probably doesn't want to deal with a sick first grader anyway. "Listen, the place is kind of a mess right now, you'd probably be better off just finding a hotel to stay at. Use Bruce's money to stay at somewhere fancy. You'd sleep better, trust me."

Jason hums to himself, like he does sometimes when he's thinking. "How's Lian, Roy?"

Roy closes his eyes. "She's down for a nap right now," he says, then admits, "but she's been sick all week."

"And hasn't Oliver been able to help? Or any of your goddamn brood?"

Like Jason has any room to talk, with all these Bats flying around nowadays. When Roy was a kid, it was just Bruce and Dick, and eventually Babs. Now every time Roy blinks, there's a new kid wearing the bat on their chest. "They're all out of town at the moment."

Jason just sighs. "I'll be there in fifteen minutes," he says, then hangs up.

Motherfucker.

Well, Jason knows what he's getting himself into.

~~~

True to his word, a quarter of an hour later Roy hears Jason's spare keys unlock his front door. "In here," he calls out from the kitchen, where he's washing some long overdue dishes. Once it was clear that Jason would be staying with them no matter what, Roy did the minor service of taking all the disgusting shit off the couch.

"Hey," Jason says, dropping his bag, which clattered conspicuously. "I thought you said Lian was napping?"

"She's out like a light, actually," Roy says. "I'm hoping she'll actually sleep through the night tonight. Would make for a nice change."

Jason stays silent for a while, and the back of Roy's head prickles, but he keeps washing the dishes until, suddenly, Jason's hand is on his arm, startling him into stillness.

"C'mon," Jason says. "I can do this."

"They're my dishes," Roy objects.

"You need sleep," Jason says. "Your kid's sick, I get it. But I can keep an eye on her for a few hours. Go, get some rest. If only so I don't have to look at those fucking bags under your eyes. You look terrible."

"Jay," Roy sighs.

"I'll fucking carry you to bed if I have to," Jason threatens mildly.

Roy looks at him, then looks back at the running water, then shoots a longing look at the door to his bedroom. He really does want - need, desperately need - some rest. And Lian likes Jason. And Roy really, really doesn't want to be doing the dishes right now.

"Okay," he says. Then, after a pause, "Thank you, Jaybird."

"Anytime," Jason says gruffly. He hipchecks Roy, who relents, raising his hands in surrender and walking to his bedroom. "Seeya in six hours."

"Four," Roy counters.

"Eight," Jason corrects.

Roy rolls his eyes before closing his door. He sets his alarm for three hours, and falls asleep as soon as he closes his eyes.

~~~

Roy opens his eyes suddenly, momentarily disoriented. There's sunlight coming through the window - he's still in his jeans - he crashed last night - Jason came over last night - didn't he set an alarm?

Honestly, Roy wouldn't put it past Jay to sneak into his room and turn the alarm off, but maybe he just slept through it. Either way, it's too late now.

He feels so heavy, but still he forces himself to get up. He needs to check up on Lian, maybe clean up a little if she's still out, make some food out of whatever's still left in the pantry.

He's going over his to-do list in his mind as he steps out into the living room, and he does a double take.

The place is spotless. All the dishes are gone, the dirty clothes are in the laundry hamper by the laundry machine that stands close to the kitchen because there's no room for it in this tiny apartment else, and assorted electronics are piled up on the now clear surface of the little table they sometimes use to eat. The floor has been swept, too, with the dust bunnies Roy has become resigned to live with all cleared out.

There's no sign of Lian, but Jason is humming in the kitchen, so Roy joins him, leaning against the wall as he watches Jay slice vegetables that were definitely not in Roy's kitchen last night.

"You let me sleep in," Roy accuses.

Jason snorts. "Yeah, obviously. You needed the sleep, man. You probably haven't looked in the mirror in four days, but you looked miserable, trust me." He glances up at Roy, then back down to the cucumber under his knife. "You look, uh, much better now. Could probably use a shower."

"Fuck you," Roy says amicably. "Where's this come from?"

"I had some groceries delivered this morning," Jason answers casually. "I put the order in after I finished the dishes, then started cleaning up while I stayed up. Lian woke up eventually, so I made sure she got some fluids and gave her the meds on the counter - I'm assuming those were her meds, she was a little out of it and couldn't confirm it for me, but she seemed better after, so I figured, yeah."

"Yeah, those were the right meds," Roy says. "Thanks, again."

"Anytime," Jason says. He's now slicing a large red tomato. The juices spurt a little onto Jason's hand, who grimaces for a second before continuing.

"No, seriously," Roy says earnestly. "You were just looking for a place to crash. You didn't need to do any of this. I just - cleaning this place up must have taken you all night."

"Well," Jason says. "Consider it payback for all the times you saved my ass. And for letting me crash here."

Roy's heart pounds in his chest, and he looks around the kitchen. "Can I help?"

Jason waves at him dismissively. "I'm almost done here anyway," he says. "Go, wash up, or check on your daughter, or just sit down for five goddamn minutes."

Roy huffed, unable to stop himself from laughing. And then he did just that. Took a brisk shower, then checked up on Lian - sleeping again, and her bucket was empty, which was good - and then he rejoined Jason, just in time for him to hand him a plate, full to the brim with a cheese omelette, buttered toast, and a chopped salad.

"This looks amazing, Jaybird," Roy says honestly, and he could swear he sees Jason's ears turn a little red.

"Eat your damn breakfast," is all he says.

Roy puts the plate down on the table and takes Jason's hand. His eyes snap up to his face, and he looks - confused.

Roy rubs a thumb over Jason's palm. The texture is complicated, scarred and calloused, but he likes it. It's not unlike his own. "Thanks," Roy says again.

"You don't need to keep saying it," Jason says.

"Yeah, I do," Roy says. "And I'll keep saying it til you take me seriously."

"Yeah, well," Jason says. "You're worth it."

[ughgoaway]

the sick dad matty blurb omfg ACE i’m literally unwell at the thought of mopey messy hair matty falling asleep in ur lap and being so flustered at u seeing him like that- brb fucking crying

also speaking of which genuinely insane timing how you always post smth after i’ve had a very long shift i swear theyre really the one thing i look forward to the most after work 😭😭 uninterrupted horizontal time with ur blurbs it’s true it literally is my fav thing-

also perhaps an extension of sick dad! matty but i just can’t shake the idea of teacher reader being worried about him still and asking annie about it at school the next day and annie just randomly drops a bombshell in the way kids do and says smth like ‘oh daddys so much better today! he’s all smiley and said that you chased the bad coughing monster away for him- can you come do that every time? daddy’s never had anyone do that before’ and it just b r e a ks teacher reader completely pls anyways crying throwing up

(- bff anon also has the can’t shut up disease i fear 😭）

OMG, IM GLAD YOU LIKED IT BFF!!! I just need to look after this man.

like imagine he eventually wakes up and its like 9pm at that point so you're like "okay let's get you to bed" and he's all sad and pouty and says "only if you stay over with me" but he's still half asleep and doesn't quite process what he said for a good few seconds...

wide-eyed, he tries to backtrack, "wait- I'm so sorry I didn't mean it like that! obviously, we haven't slept together yet, but- NO, NOT LIKE 'SLEPT TOGETHER' SLEPT TOGETHER!!! I MEANT LIKE JUST SLEEPING!!! ohmygod-"

you're like "no that sounds nice, let's go upstairs," and matty is silently freaking out bc you're gonna be in his bed. with him. sleeping. he's thought about this scenario 1000 times, and none of them included him being dealthy ill and not having nice sheets on the bed first.

(more rambles below the cut as always)

you get matty to brush his teeth and get ready for bed, even rubbing some moisturiser on him (he just sits there with a dopey grin as you apply)

he always thought you'd be on his chest or he'd be spooning you, but he ends up with his face buried between your boobs and he's out within 10 mins.

oh and the morning after... so much potential...

I must have spidey senses for when you're at work bff!!! the fact that my blurbs make you so happy you look forward to them??? brb vomiting???? that is so kind. horizontal time on tumblr is my fav too, its unmatched.

OH, LITTLE ANNIE TALKING ABOUT HIM PLEASEEEEEE-

I can see her spending the night at hanns bc matty doesn't want her to get ill and doesn't trust George or Ross to keep her overnight.

"Do you even know what 5 year olds eat??"

"bro, why dont you trust us???"

"Yeah... like mushed carrots and shit right. "

you put the kids to work colouring something but secretly call Annie over yo your desk, "hi Annie! I just wanted to ask how your daddy is today, I know he's been a bit poorly"

"...please take her Adam"

she immediately lights up and starts chattering away, "Oh, daddy said he's feeling much better today. he even made me my toast this morning, and he was all smiley the whole time!!! he said you made him all better and played nurse!! can you do that every time he's poorly? he's much happier when you are his nurse than when he goes to the doctors"

obviously, internally you're like "ohmygod he really likes me, and I made him feel better. oh, he couldn't stop smiling, and annie noticed because he was so happy and -"

but externally, you play it cool like, "Oh, that's great, sweetheart! I'm sure next time he's poorly, you can help him feel better too"

Annie is like, "Oh!! I hope he's poorly again soon, I wanna play doctors with you!!!"

you try not to laugh at her wishing her dad ill and just send her back to her desk, but the grin doesn't leave your face all day. thinking about the fact you made matty giddy makes you just as giddy as him.

the next day a bouquet of flowers show up at your door with a note,

"dear nurse y/n,

thank you for coming to look after me even after I cancelled our date. whilst I am slightly mortified you saw me looking like that, I'm more grateful for your help. you made being sick worth it. Spending any time with you is always worth it.

love, matty x

ps, I hope the next time you stay in my bed, I'm substantially less sick, and we're both wearing substantially less clothes ;)"

[deadbydangit]

With a reader who gets sick often.

Deathslinger, Plauge, Doctor, Yun-Jin, Adam, Jake

Deathslinger/ Caleb Quinn

Oh boy, again?

Let's get you to bed.

He'll try to make you soup, but he's going to burn it.

He's an inventor, not a chef. He'll get distracted by something and forget he's cooking.

He's trying his best, he really is.

He can handle simple tasks: water, blankets, medicine.

He'll stay by your side working on his gun. Watching as you fall asleep.

Before living in the realm, Caleb would ignore any sickness. Can't show weakness.

But you, damn it. You bring out the soft side of him.

And he loves you for it

He doesn't love when he gets whatever you had.

But that means you have to take care of him.

He will complain about having to stay in bed.

But he loves the extra attention.

Plague/ Adris

Well, you're in good company.

You can't really complain about being sick when Adris is, quite literally, always sick.

But this means she can snuggle with you more.

Without fear of you getting sick, she can actually be closer to you. Because, you know, you're already sick.

Still, she'll want to take care of you.

Soup? You've got it.

Medicine? It will be more of the traditional kind, but it's still medicine.

You've always been so sweet about taking care of her; she wants to repay kindness.

That means she is probably going to borderline smother you.

But it's all out of a place of love.

Doctor/Herman Carter

Don't let the whole doctor title fool you.

Sure, Herman may be highly intelligent and know exactly the remedies needed.

In terms of the caring part? He's going to need a lot of work.

He's a busy man with lots to do: experiments to run, research to record, people to dissect.

He really doesn't have the time to sit down and take care of you.

Yeah, you may be sick. But you're a functioning adult. It can't be THAT bad. Right?

He'll get you anything you need, even before you ask. It's like he's reading your mind.

He won't admit it, but you being sick constantly really concerns him.

He's currently researching the best vitamins to keep you healthy. Always making sure you eat and get plenty of sleep.

He knows what he's doing, please just listen to him so he doesn't have to go through this again.

Yun-Jin Lee

First off, eww. Get away from her. Like, gross.

You're sick and you want a hug?

No way.

You're an adult, take care of yourself.

Yun-Jin already had to take care of over dramatic pop star divas.

Plus, she doesn't want to get sick. Common sense.

She's going to leave you to your own device.

That's not to say she's not going to care for you.

She'll bring you what you ask, but immediately leave the area so as to not get herself ill.

She's good at the whole manager thing, not so much the whole taking care of the person part.

She really is worried, she just doesn't know how to show it.

Now hurry up and get better so she can give you a hug.

Adam Francis

Now this man knows what he's doing.

This genius has already researched all the ways to make you healthy again.

But, unlike Herman, Adam actually has a caring side.

He's going to bring you whatever you want, and then some.

Well, as long as it will benefit your health- no unhealthy foods, no soda, staying in bed.

Sure, he's going to make you do things you don't want to do: take really gross medicines, sit in an area with hot steam to sweat everything out.

He does all this because he loves you.

He loves you so much that he's willing to take the chance of getting sick himself, just to help you.

You'll be better in no time.

Jake Park

Oh jeez.

Could you stop getting sick?

That's what he wants to say, but he knows it isn't your fault.

In times like this, he is very awkward.

Like Caleb, when Jake is sick, he just ignores it.

But you aren't him.

He'd go to the others for advice and help.

He'd work with Claudette to find some medical plants to aid in your recovery.

Bill might have some ideas.

He might even ask Blight if he has any suggestions.

It's sweet, it really is. Just don't talk about it too much later. He gets really embarrassed.

[kxmikomrade]

JJK Characters with a Venti!reader

Characters: Itadori Yuji, Fushiguro Megumi, Kugisaki Nobara, Gojo Satoru Genre: FLuff, Crack, Can be read as romantic or platonic (completely platonic on Gojo's) Gn!reader Pronouns: Y/P [Your Pronouns] Type: Headcanon Warnings: I think just a bit of swearing Waiter's Notes: I wanted to try out a new twist, feel free to drop by and order if you like it! ^^ Author's Notes: Back to my jjk phase, and i noticed how there werent much 'character!reader's here and i really enjoy those so i just took it into my own hands. My reqs are always open!

•Oh my Archons

•i cant with you two neither can Megumi tbh

•You're like two kids on a play date or smth

•He mostly doesnt understand your songs/poems so you're gonna have to dumb it down

•Tho he does like the sound of it

•He thinks your curse technique is the coolest thing ever like he has sparkles in his eyes every time you use it

•The way you control wind and make things fly is just so fascinating

•Please use ur anemo shit to make him fly. Bby has been dreaming of flying ever since he could eat weird solid food

•Sukuna would be so annoyed by you, and Yuji uses it to his advantage LMAO

•Though Sukuna prob knows who you are from a thousand years ago and just stays quiet about it because Yuji would definitely also use it against him

•Man, give this guy a break, he already has to deal with Gojo and the one braincell duo

•He would describe you as loud or annoying but he actually tolerates you just because you can be calming sometimes

•He likes listening to your poems or songs, helps him sleep

•You go knocking on his window at 2am in the morning to sing him a song when he cant sleep 💀

•How you know about it? no idea. You just reply with ''The wind told me''

•Yeah he definitely needs sleep

•Same thing with Inumaki, Megumi doesnt sincerely respect you because of your antics. But he does admire you for your skill

•Esp the way you hold the bow and use attacks with no unnecessary movements

•He overall just likes your company if u just keep ur damn mouth shut unless ur gonna sing

•To be quite honest with you, i think that she would think of you as a dumb potato aswell

•But she likes your beauty lets be real

•LIKE- YOU'RE SO GENDER

•SO?? WHY?? WOULDNT?? SHE?? TAKE YOU??? ON SHOPPING SPREES????

•I'd like to think that you both get along well

•ESPECIALLY IF U COMPLIMENT HER

•THEN HER FASHION SENSE

•THEN FOR THE CHERRY ON TOP, WRITE A POEM ABOUT HER

•Shes your aggressive best friend now

•Ready to kick your ass and to kick ass for you.

•Someone insults your hairstyle? No problem, theyre already hammered to the wall

•Gonna perform a song? your makeup is done, go slay it!!

•Oh my Archons part 2

•He was very amused when he found out your cursed technique could manipulate wind

•Listen listen, you're probably his favorite student with how much u side along his pranks and goofiness

•NANAMI, MEGUMI AND IJICHI ARE SO DONE WITH YALL LMFAOO

•u basically took 20 years off their lifespan

•Like during winter, Gojo could dunk cold water on poor Megumi's head and u would send wind in his way 💀💀

•Is he considering murder? yes, definitely

•Gojo isnt even worried about you because you tend to use long ranged attacks and even if it comes down to short range, you're ready to beat your opponent up and summon your badass Black hole and start shooting them with your arrows that they end up being a porcupine

•IMAGINE HOW SICK IT WOULD BE IF YOU COMBINED THE BLACK HOLE WITH GOJO'S HALLOW PURPLE

•He occasionally brings candied apples for you when he comes back from missions

•smh favoritism

•He would get SO smug when u write a song/poem about him

•He brags to everyone and anyone about it 24/7, they first thought it was cute, now its getting so annoying

•IF you're like 1000+ years old like Venti then expect this man to go *insert surprised pikachu* when he finds out

•I honestly have no idea what his reaction would be if he finds out you're a literal god 💀

(626 words)

[cherienymphe]

My sister has a married (separated but they’re still pretending they’re together for the kids) man over and she’s gone an fucking waited for us all to go to sleep and she’s in the living room with him. It’s the second time she’s done this.

I want to cry. I know that sounds so ducking stupid because it’s none of my business but I literally haven’t sat on my sofa for months because of when she has him over the first time. I don’t want to sit on a sofa where they probably fucked. And like, I get up at the middle of the night for cereal most nights but I literally can’t now because they’re down there.

All I wanted to do is sleep but I can’t because there’s a man in my house who I’ve only met ONCE. It’s genuinely making me want to go and sleep in a hotel. I want to leave. I was trying to be a cockblocker and I was in the kitchen for ages pretending I couldn’t sleep, and she was just there watching me, texting him and laughing. (I know that’s bad, but tbf I was thirsty)

He’s a fucking scumbag (I pretend I find him okay but reality I fucking hate him). I know I need to work on myself because this is probably jealousy or some shit. Like I know this isn’t healthy for me. It’s not like any of what I’m typing right now my sister knows. She thinks I either 1. don’t know, or 2. that i’m fine with it.

She’s 35. She hasn’t got kids or a husband and I understand he’s the first person to be obsessed with her for years, but he’s already done the kids and marriage thing for 12 years so… Is he really looking for that again? I doubt it. I just don’t like that he’s making her wait, like you’re either with your wife or you’re not.

But at the end of the day it is NONE of my business. It’s just making me feel sick right now and I was planning on having a nice sleep but I have this problem where I literally cannot fall asleep when there’s other people in my house.

I know I sound deranged but she’s my only reason for living some days and when she’s ignoring me to text him constantly it’s literally so fucking soul sucking. I should probably move out but leaving my mom and my sister together is just recipe for trouble and if I moved out my mother would literally be homeless because she can’t pay for rent on her own. I’m the youngest (20) and always wanted to travel but I’m scared of leaving because I’m scared of coming back and being alone for the rest of my life. I don’t want my family to break apart.

Anyways, my GAWD that’s long. I’ll leave this here if you want to read it. I know you’re not a therapist lol so you don’t have to reply. Just had to rant because I haven’t got anyone to talk to. Okay, I’m going to either read gothic fiction or watch Buffy to distract me 💜

Hey I don't think you're wrong to be bothered by some strange man being in your house at all hours of the night. I get that everyone's family is different, but I wasn't raised in an environment like that so I too would be bothered. Yes, she has just as much right to the space as anyone else, but it's not solely her house. You have a right to feel comfortable too.

As for your sister, you have to let her make her own decisions/mistakes. While I personally don't think it's wrong for separated couples to see other people, it's almost always a recipe for mess when no one has officially filed for divorce. Are the chances pretty great that he and his wife will reconcile and leave your sister in the dust or maybe even a dirty little secret? Yeah probably but that's her problem not yours lol. Especially since she's way old enough to not be so dumb.

As for you...babes you're 20! I understand the pressure to make sure your family is alright, but you're telling me that if you leave and live your life, your fuckass 35 y/o sister can't keep the bills paid and help your mom out? At 20 y/o, I just don't think that's your responsibility. That's supposed to come when you're older and borderline decrepit and you have to help your mom to the bathroom in her old age 😭

I won't flat out tell you what to do bc it's your life and you're the one who has to live with your decisions but if I was in your shoes...ain't no way

[vminizzle]

SERIES || My destiny

Chapter 8: lie

pairing : taehyung x f.reader

genre : angst?, fluff?

warnings : none I guess, maybe jimin just teasing his best friend, frustrated!yoongi

words count : 1.5k

A/N : hello, boring chapter here, sorry. I was a bit tired but I wanted to continue a bit. Hopefully the next chapters will be interesting. REMINDER : POOR ENGLISH. - have a nice sunday guys love y’all - sunny

FEEDBACKS ARE WELCOMED

SERIES MASTERLIST

Weeks had passed and your morning sickness was long forgotten.

It happened that sometimes you felt a bit dizzy but nothing too serious. The doctor reassured you saying it was totally normal.

You were in your first trimester, about 10-11 weeks already. It's been around three months since you're pregnant.

Time was going so fast to you. Your little belly started really showing up, anxiety making its presence about what people could think of you.

Yoongi and you went shopping these last two weeks, to buy more oversized clothes to cover your body a bit more.

"in a month and a half my exams start." you reminded Yoongi.

"I know but don't worry too much about it. Everything's gonna be fine." he took your hand gently in his.

[ YOONGI’S OFFICE ]

"yoongi." someone called from the other side of the office’s door.

"go away." your brother groaned irritated.

The doors swam open abruptly, revealing a quiet Jimin making Yoongi frowned.

The usually smiling boy glanced quickly over at your sleeping figure on the couch, a thin blanket covering you.

"we need to talk." he approached Yoongi.

"sit. talk. and go work. But if you're gonna talk about what you did this weekend just get out, I don't have time for that." he said firmly.

He put his pen down on his desk waiting for Jimin to speak.

"It's about y/n." he muttered.

"ok listen." Yoongi started softly.

"you know, I really appreciate you Jimin. You’re my friend, literally a brother to me. And she also really appreciates you, but I don't think she feels the same way-"

"what the heck are you talking about bro? It's not that. she's like a sister for me. I, personally, don't feel something like that for her, don't worry about that."

"oh sorry, go on then." he gestured for him to continue.

"what's with her these days? She's different." Jimin trailed out feeling sad.

"She's kinda distant with us. She only stays with you. it's like she's avoiding us. Did we do something? Did I do something? I kinda, you know, I miss her. She's my friend and I'm worried." Jimin sighed deeply.

"oh, hm, well she's just really stressed these days. Her exams are coming soon so yea, she's busy too. Sometimes I help her learn, that's why she's always with me and she ends up sleeping there, like you can see, because of how tired she is."

Jimin stared at his friend, not trusting his words.

He knew something was off, but what?

And why his friend had to lie? It's definitely important and he has to find out. He wanted to be there for them if they needed.

He hummed standing up from his seat as he walked to the doors without a words making Yoongi throw his head back in frustration.

"fuck it."

[ 2 hours later ]

"wake up woman, it's time to go home."

Yoongi lightly shook your tired body making you groaned. You opened your eyes, seeing your brother with his bag ready to leave.

"did I sleep that much?" you sighed as you stretch your sore muscles.

"yea you lazy potato." Yoongi said poking your cheek before helping you standing up from the couch and collect your belongings.

You were walking to the elevator alone when you bumped with someone.

"oh I'm sorry! are you ok? oh y/n? are you alone?" the tall man looked down at your tired form.

"it's ok, it was my fault I wasn't looking where I was going, and no I'm waiting for Yoongi, he forgot something in his office." you talked playing with your fingers.

Taehyung noticed your nervousness as he put his hand on your shoulder gently.

"don't be nervous around me please." he said softly making you look up at him, your cheeks warming up.

"I’m-"

"y/n, I'm here." you saw your brother approaching you.

"oh Tae you're still here?"

"yes I just finished, I'm heading home." he pressed the button to open the elevator's doors, gesturing you and his friend to enter first.

"y/n, you seem exhausted do you want some water to freshen up? I have a bottle of water in my bag." the gentleman offered but you shook your head smiling shyly.

"it's ok t-thank you, I'm not really thirsty, I'm just sleepy. But thank you again." Taehyung smiled before nodding.

You cursed yourself for stuttering.

Yoongi observed you, why do you seemed .. embarrassed?

no, not embarrassed. nervous? shy?

He couldn't point a finger on it but your behavior seemed different from earlier. He let it slid as he yawned loudly startling you and Taehyung.

"Be careful on your way home guys." Taehyung waved as he walked to his car.

"You too." Yoongi said putting his arm around your shoulder guiding you to his car.

   [ TAEHYUNG'S HOUSE ]

Jimin sipped on his cold beer before talking.

"man, this dude is so annoying. he literally sent me a novel. If only I didn't open his e-mail. now I've to read it before friday." the boy complained to his best friend whom was lost in his thoughts.

Like usual, Jimin would come over at Taehyung’s for no specific and valid reasons. Most of the time, he came to complain about his life or either spend time drinking with Taehyung to "relax".

"and this morning this jerk stole my coffee, I just want to break his fingers one by one." Jimin put his beer on the coffee table exasperated as he let his head rest on the back of the couch.

"Taehyung are you listening to me?"

Jimin looked over at his friend looking into the void.

"ah yea yea sorry."

"what are you thinking about?" his best friend crossed his legs staring at him.

"no one." he looked at Jimin's empty can.

"so you're thinking about someone-"

"your can is empty, I'm gonna take more from the fridge quickly." the man stood up abruptly walking to his kitchen.

Giving the beer to his short friend, the tall man let his body dropped on his sofa.

"you think I forgot you huh? so tell me who you were thinking about!" Jimin insisted excited.

"argh, Jimin i was just thinking about work."

"nah man you said "no one", so you were definitely thinking about someone!"

"my father."

"so you're telling me you're blushing while thinking of your dad." Jimin said playfully making his friend sighed heavily.

"sooooo???" he leaned toward Taehyung.

"no one." he groaned.

"It's y/n, isn't it?" 

Jimin smirked at the heavy silence, his friend's cheeks turning a deep red as his grip on the beer's can tightened.

"I was so fucking sure!" Jimin laughed loudly.

"you love her, don't you?"  he smiled widely at his flustered friend.

"stop saying non-sense J-"

"non-sense my ass! I've seen the way you look at her. The day you met for the first time you were literally drooling on the table. And when you dropped your water on me, it's because she looked at you hmm?" Jimin bit his lips trying to maintain his excitement.

Taehyung huffed as he threw a pillow at the overexcited boy.

"aw my best friend is in love!" Jimin sang happily.

"yah stop! In love .. is way too much." Taehyung gulped his drink frustrated.

"maybe, I say maybe... I find her pretty cute."

"anddddddd??" Jimin smiled widely.

"She's just .. interesting. I admire her. That's it." he finally admitted putting the empty can on the floor.

Jimin sat closer to him and pat his shoulder.

"she's someone really nice, so I understand why you fell for her." he said softly.

"you'd look good together not gonna lie." Taehyung slapped his hand away.

"shut up."

They continued eating their noodles until Jimin spoke again.

"what are you gonna do?"

"nothing."

"why?"

"yoongi." he continued, munching his food.

"what about him? He's not gonna be the one cuddling you." Jimin teased wiggling his eyebrows.

"Jimin I'm warning you!"

"you scared of him? You shouldn't, he'll understand."

"but it's not only that. It's her. what if she doesn't feel the same?" Taehyung nibbled on his bottom lip nervously.

"let's find out then." Jimin laid down on the couch comfortably grabbing the remote to turn the tv on.

"what do you mean?"

"let's finish the drama we started, shall we?"

                       [ MIN'S RESIDENCE ]

"Yoongi, are you ok?" you asked worried as you approached the tired man.

"yes, I’m fine don’t worry." he forced a smile.

You handed him a glass of water as you sat next to him. He thanked you, gulping the cold liquid.

"you can’t lie." you mumbled making Yoongi scoff.

"tell me what happened, please. If you don’t want me to worry about you." you pursed your lips expectantly making your brother groan.

"gosh you’re stubborn huh." he let a breathy laugh escaped from his mouth.

"got it from you dear brother." you grinned.

"Jimin came earlier in my office when you were sleeping and he asked about you." he started making you furrow your eyebrows getting curious.

"what did he asked?"

"he was wondering why you’re so distant with them. he’s thinking he probably did something but I denied and told him you were just tired and stressed because of your exams." Yoongi sighed heavily, closing his eyes as he rest his head back.

"do you think he believed you?" he bit on your lip feeling unsure about all that.

"Yea I think he did." he shrugged.

"you bad at lying so I’m kinda worried now. What if he discover what’s going on?" you gulped.

"hey no. don’t worry. we will find a way to avoid that hm." he took your hand in his gently reassuring you.

—

A/N : sorry i know this part seemed boring. I’ll try to write something better for the next part. Love y’all .

Please let me know if you want to be removed / added to the taglist.

TAGLIST : @shescharlie @heyjiminnie @starstruckfangirls @bxcndd @0funsite0 @boredban @kungsoonie @bluekim2130 @borahaexoxo

[unofficialadamtaurus]

First of all CONGRATS for finishing! It could not have been easy (I say as I remember all the times you were sore, bruised, and/or sick while trying to write a chapter LIKE BRUH), especially when each and every chapter is god tier. Seriously homie, you’re amazing!!

But FOR REAL WTF?? these dudes keep working after having infiltrated a massive fucking whale, stopped a Grimm invasion, got exploded to bits, and fought an immortal milf? Babes pls get some. Idk. SLEEP.

Naw but i really do love to see it. Also especially love to see how much they support each other through it 🥹 honestly the highlight of the chapter for me.

GOD like this moment when all of RWBY hug is HNNNNGSOZHBEHAOXH

Blake and Weiss joined the hug by some unspoken signal. Ruby melted into their embrace like so many petals and Blake's heart melted with her. "I missed you guys."

THEY ARE FAMILY OKAY AND I JUST GXHWIYZBXOYWNJ

Ruby is being particularly adorable too (the carrots line killed me 💀) but also like GURL YOU ARE LITERALLY BLIND RN STAY IN BED??

Yang nodded. "We'll get through it. Speaking of getting through things…can we talk?"

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Yang shuddered at her touch. Their lips brushed when Blake continued: "Let's skip that part this time."

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

THOSE TWO ARE SO *frantic arm gestures* YKNOW??? Im happy they got a happy ending because yeah I doubted it for sec okay 😩

LMAO at the reoccurring Oscar interruption but wait FUCK THE KID IS FUCKING DYING?? UGH god I didn’t expect the Oscar and Ozpin thing to hurt as much as it did. Ozpin deserves good things too dammit whyyy 😭😭

GODDAMN Adam and Blake conversations are always so top tier is2g. There’s something I love so much about this conversation brooo. Blake’s resolve and care towards him just 🥹 UGH. her unwavering stares? Easily expressed gratitude? Instant forgiveness (nothing to really forgive cuz like corruption feels like shit and pretty violating and traumatizing tbh fr but she does it anyway to help him feel better ANDANDAND—)? THE LETTER???

OWHXISOWHXNIWOEUDNCKEIHWKFIW I JUST LOVE IT WHEN SOMEONE CARES ABOUT HIM AND HE FEELS IT OKAY

And FUCK I love this part

He swallowed and looked away, unsure how to respond to that. He didn't want to say "You're welcome," because they weren't, and this was never going to happen again. Even if, in some small corner of his heart, the knowledge that he'd helped to save the world like some kind of fantasy hero radiated a gentle heat that would warm him for a long time to come.

YOU DIDNT HAVE TO GO THAT HARD HOMIE IM ALREADY CRYIN 😭

Also LIVING for Neo and Adam team up. Neo’s expressive mannerisms are genuinely so fun to read UGH it’s PERFECT. And the “Don’t stay too long” for Qrow OAISBXOIENWOWIDN

He clipped Blush to his belt and let the spark flare unhindered.

Homie when I tell that IM FUCKING LIVING FOR THISS

"'Part of starting over is saying goodbye. You were first; now it's my turn. If you want to, you'll see me again.

"'Goodbye, Blake.'"

OWJDNEOWHNDDIJENEIDNXIEUWNDIFUENEIDIXJNWO IM EMOTIONAL

wait omfg I think I forgot to mention to Jaune 💀 I don’t hate him I swear The way his semblance and aura are practically working against each other is a REALLY interesting and nice touch, and i don’t think ive ever seen it applied like this. And I love his “i went from nothing to nothing line” and how he’s just so glad he was able to save somebody. 🥹 it captured that part of his character so well and tbh the same goes for all the others (me @ ruby rn is going “bitch is you BLIND”). It’s a really neat touch to the chapter!!

I can't tell if you've read the epilogue yet, but either way I am injecting every keysmash in this message directly into my veins. Your reviews were one of the things I most looked forward to when writing a new chapter - I was excited to see which lines you'd specifically comment on. You're probably at least 20% of the reason this story got finished at all lol.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for never failing to bring a smile to my face when commenting 😊

[leyleythecannibal]

Ch. 2 | A Day Outside School [OC]

*Rose wakes up to her alarm blaring in the morning. She turns it off and turns around in her bed to see Ruby peacefully sleeping. She looks at her face and runs her hand through her sister's hair, wishing she could do this forever. She catches herself and sits up. Despite not wanting to, she gently wakes up her sister*

Ruby: Mhh... Just five more minutes please...

Rose: Come on, just get up.

Ruby: I don't wanna go. I just wanna lay in your bed all day. Can't I just call in sick for today..?

Rose: So you'll leave me alone the whole day?

Ruby: Mmm... Maybe...

Rose: Come on, if you get up, we can hold hands on the way.

Ruby: Really? Okay okay! I'm up!

Rose: Thanks, sis.

*Ruby sits up and hugs her sister. Rose kisses the tip of her nose and hugs her back*

Rose: Morning sleepyhead.

Ruby: Good morning, Rose.

Rose: Not really, I couldn't sleep well because you wouldn't stop squeezing me in your sleep. I'm not letting you sleep in my bed again, go sleep on your own.

Ruby: Sorry, sorry! I promise I won't do it again! Please don't kick me out...

Rose: Okay fine, maybe I won't, I'll have to think about it. Now let's get up. And also put on some pants, please. How do you not get sick sleeping in your underwear?

*They get up, change out of their pajamas together and Ruby goes to the bathroom to do her hair and makeup. When Rose is ready, she goes to check up on her sister and sees her almost done*

Rose: Are you gonna wear your lenses again?

Ruby: Yeah, as always. Why?

Rose: It's just... What's wrong with your pink eyes, do you not like them?

Ruby: No no, I do, and they really suit you well. I just want us to be kinda differentiable, you know?

Rose: Our hairs are already different, you don't need to have green eyes too. And plus, I really like your eyes.

Ruby: I know, but it's also kinda cliché, isn't it? My name is literally Ruby.

Rose: Well my name is Rose, do you think that's also bad? Come on, please don't wear them today...

*They look at each other in silence for a bit before she takes off her green lenses. Rose walks towards her sister and holds her hands*

Rose: You know I don't mean anything hurtful, right? I love you...

Ruby: I know, sis, don't worry. I love you too... Now let's go before we're late.

*They take their bags and leave the house holding hands*

**AFTER SCHOOL**

*Ruby gets in the house first and throws herself on the living room couch. Rose comes in after her, carrying both of their bags*

Rose: Oh please don't bother helping!

Ruby: Well I already wasn't, but if you say so~

Rose: Ugh, you're so annoying sometimes. I'll cook something, what do you want?

Ruby: Nothing, just cook for yourself.

Rose: Right... Sure...

*Rose goes in the kitchen to make lunch. After a while, Ruby gets bored and goes to see what she's doing. She approaches her and hugs her from behind, resting her head on Rose's shoulder*

Rose: Hi there.

Ruby: Just checking in on you.

Rose: You secretly want some food, don't you?

Ruby: As hard as it is to resist your cooking, no.

Rose: Well, suit yourself. You can play with my Switch if you're bored.

Ruby: Thanks, sis. You really are the best.

*Rose turns her head and kisses her before she leaves the kitchen. When she finishes cooking, she sits next to Ruby on the floor between the couch and the short coffee table to watch her game*

Rose: Whatcha doin'?

Ruby: Just Zelda.

Rose: You still haven't finished it?

Ruby: Nah, I don't play too often.

*Rose silently eats her food while watching her play. Then she takes some of the food on her fork, blows on it and brings it to Ruby's lips*

Rose: Open up.

Ruby: Oh no, I won't--

Rose: I said open. Please.

Ruby: But...

Rose: Are you really gonna refuse your sister trying to feed you? Please Ruby, it's been long enough.

*Ruby looks at her sister's worrying eyes and sighs. She takes the bite and Rose cleans the corner of her mouth with her finger and smiles. Ruby puts down the Switch and moves closer to her. Rose hugs her with one arm and feeds her with the other. She takes a bite, and feeds her a bite until they finish the plate*

Rose: You like it?

Ruby: I do, but you made me break my diet.

Rose: Ruby just... Please look at yourself. *Lifts her shirt* Look at how skinny you are. This isn't healthy.

Ruby: ...I guess you're right... I'm sorry for making you worried. But why did you decide to make me eat today, and not any sooner?

Rose: I was just going to leave you be to be honest. But when you came to the kitchen and kissed me... I didn't know starvation had a taste until today... I don't think that disturbing taste will ever leave my mind.

*Ruby tears up and hugs her, planting her face in Rose's shoulder, apologizing over and over until Rose grabs her by the shoulders and pulls her away to look in her eyes*

Rose: You don't have to apologize, Ruby. All I ask from you, is to never make me taste that horrid taste again. Can you do that for me?

*Ruby smiles while crying and nodes, causing Rose to pull her in, kiss her forehead and hug her. Ruby hugs her back and silently sobs on her shoulder as Rose runs her hand through her sister's hair while whispering in her hear that it's okay*

Rose: There, there. Don't get me wrong please, I love you and will always love you however you are, I'm not mad, I'm just worried about your health.

Ruby: I know, sis, I know. I'm sorry...

Rose: Shh, it's alright. Let's go watch a movie to get your mind off this.

*They go put on a movie and they snuggle on the couch. As they're watching the movie, they both slowly drift into sleep*

[britneyshakespearess]

Acts of Desperation

5/5

When I picked up this book, I was not expecting what I got—in the best way. I left this book quite literally feeling ill. The kind of ill where you're suddenly reminded of some terrible experience you had, the feelings it conjured heretofore impossible to articulate fully, like an open scrape that you're too scared to pour disinfectant on because you know its going to burn like hell and it already hurts more than enough. And, in many ways (and I do mean many ways, over and over and over) that's exactly what Acts of Desperation does. Megan Nolan manages to describe and make coherent dozens of small and large experiences that feel isolating to everyone in them, but are all too common, particularly for women, for anyone at the mercy of the social dynamics that condition them to contort themselves physically and emotionally for the approval of men. This sounds like ground that's been covered before, and much of it has, but Nolan, decked out in a hazmat suit of wisdom and self reflection, ventures into the Chernobyl of modern feminism. As Nina Renata Aron wrote for the Los Angeles Times (conveniently blurbed on the back of my copy of the book), "what Acts of Desperation illuminates best is the chasm, sadly still enormous, between feminist politics and personal predicaments of love, sex, and romance." I would go even further—Nolan lays bare the impulses that we, as feminists, raised under the girlbossified banner of early aughts strong womanhood, try our best to pretend we don't have, never dwelling on them too long, certainly never voicing them aloud. I didn't feel sick after finishing this book because it punched me in the gut; I felt sick after finishing this book because it punched me in the gut over and over for 279 pages. I got my ass handed to me (emotionally) by this book.

The summary on the back cover sounds like a sort of Ottessa-Moshfegh-does-Fatal-Attraction thing (which, to be fair, is something I was clearly still interested in reading) which isn't an apt comparison, or it is insomuch as both Acts of Desperation and Fatal Attraction deal with female obsession—but that's where the similarities end. Our narrator isn't physically violent, nor does she rampage through the lives of others to sow fear and regret. No, she points all of her physical and emotional violence inward, martyring herself at the alter of love. In the first few pages of the book she explains,

Being with other people was, to me, the feeling of being realised. This was why I wanted to be in love. In love, you don't need the minute-to-minute physical presence of the beloved to realise you. Love itself sustains and validates the rotten moments you would otherwise be wasting while you practise being a person, pacing back and forth in your shitty apartment, holding off till seven to open the wine. Being in love blesses you with a sort of grace. A friend once told me he imagined his father or God watching him while he works, to help force productivity. Being in love was like that to me, a shield, a higher purpose, a promise to something outside of yourself. (10)

Over the course of Acts of Desperation, we watch our narrator self-flagellate with the obsessive goal of making an unavailable man love her. She isolates herself from friends and family, cooks and cleans, cuts herself, apologizes for nonexistent slights on her knees, starves, lies to him/herself/everyone, shapes herself around what this man wants, ignoring his obvious fixation on and strange relationship with his ex wife, all to earn his love. He doesn't ask her for any of this, but she knows it's all necessary, and it is. The problem I imagine many might have with this story is the obvious question: why him? Why at all? He is beautiful, but there are plenty of beautiful men. She has no real issues with getting men to want to sleep with her—but that's just part of the problem. She is mired in the toxic sludge of her own shame, the deep self-knowledge that she is not whole, not good or worthy. And so, she acts as both sculptor and Galatea, to borrow from The Metamorphoses, chiseling away at herself to carve out the ideal woman for Ciaran, who could never love her as she is, just as she cannot love herself. She doesn't feel worthy of trying to make herself whole and lovable for her own sake, she can only struggle to do so for someone who she sees as worthy of that labor.

I saw myself in the pages of Acts of Desperation in a way that probably would've gutted me at a different time in my life. I have been so infatuated with a man that I've changed myself without even realizing, I've felt the (un)holy calling of self improvement in the name of love, thinking it selfless, when in fact it's just sad. I have spent countless hours of my adult life sitting in anxiety over a man who I couldn't fathom voicing my needs to. Needs that I understood intellectually as being entirely reasonable, but which I had convinced myself were not under my specific set of circumstances. All of this is hard to admit now, to myself, let alone anyone else, and was impossible to speak of when it was happening. My own shame and embarrassment over my behavior, the female disempowerment I was wreaking on myself so at odds with my politics and my advice for anyone else, so strong that I couldn't look at what I was doing and name it, admit to it. Acts of Desperation names these things, examines them, and makes its readers bear with it through its painful work. It is not an emotionally easy read, but it is also compulsively readable, and that too is part of Nolan's brilliance.

Nolan names other experiences that so many of us try to keep tucked in the shadows of our minds, the gray areas that muddle consent into something too complicated for either party to want to grapple with, the things we think and say about other women as soon as we feel justified, the momentary glitter of any man's attention in the right moment, our ability to objectify men right back and call it justified, the at times crippling desire to be loved and our inability to take seriously the loves of others that we already have.

Acts of Desperation may have punched me in the gut, but that pain was also a catharsis. So many of the experiences and feelings Nolan explores in the book are so ugly that we feel isolated when we experience them, are too afraid of judgment to speak aloud so that we remain permanently isolated in them. Reading this book is both the disinfectant on the wound and the soothing rush of cold air after the burn. Through the ugliness, Nolan pulls us out of our isolation and lessens our shame. If we can empathize for her narrator, we can empathize with ourselves.

[twinsloveco]

I never wanted him to see me naked after I was with you

I never wanted him in the God damn room..

I literally fucking fought almost crying begging plz ALONE WHILE YOU JUST SAT THERE COLD AND GIGGLED A BIT AND WOULDNT HELP and you said he can come in cuz YOU felt bad then I felt bad ..ugh ITS MY ROOM I SAID NO?? WHY IF YOU LOVE ME YOUD LET HIM PUSH PAST ME AND HURT ME NIT EVEN ASK IF IM OKAY it hurt.

But at least when I asked if we can at least make sure im hidden and we are under the blanket you did that.. you guarded me.

You glared at the door when we thought someone was gonna come in on us doing stuff and u made sure I was hidden and it was closed and your face said you fucking try anything on my lucifer I'll start a riot...

🥺❤️‍🔥👉👈... that stays in my mind slot.

[But so does you kissing him and saying I love you baby you asking first right infront of me and everyone saying I'm just your friend shattered something in me idk I'll ever get back.. with the excuse oh so long and bd it's normal it's not.. my sister doesn't call her bd baby.. I dropped that shit instantly once I moved on from my ex of 6plus years... but I went with it.. I should have argued more tbh]

When I went away to cry it's because I seen you posted that you don't need my crying rn and it was me crying cuz you said we will be separated again for a bit and you'll be sad .. broke my heart .. so I went to hide my tears from u so you wouldn't be bothered and u couldn't be bothered to come to me ..Adam said he did he brought the flowers .. that u didn't care and didn't want to come find me.

I walked in with you naked infront of him and it felt like yall almost wouldn't unlock the door ... I felt abandoned alone excluded made a joke of as you all kept running off laughing together leave me behind even my sister asked and tahtz when it hit me and she said they ain't your real friends bro... well she also wasn't a very real sister either soo.. 🤷

I heard you say Lus gonna be so mad when he finds out what we did hehe oops..

And something snapped in me I heard a voice say: they fucked !! Fuck it!!! Fuck love fuck it all!!! Grr .. I cried myself to sleep a bit.

[I realize now Adam's souls voice in my head a LOT to fuck with me ugh...]

She's the one who told me you were likely cheating with one the two exes and that their the ones you're holding out for and I'm like no no he says it isn't like that they stay seperate and stuff just friends like me and adam... Adam sent me a ss where he said otherwise..that your relationship was good and you cuddle every night .. ouch...

I seen on my birthday you and him posting baby flirting saying you never loved anyone else that way ever and never will or something like that ..more ouch ... so that's where you went as I cried alone on my b day? I just wanted a damn hour even with you..

You didn't realize I fell asleep with your chat open with the phone close to my heart to feel closer to you , crying myself asleep waiting all day.. you didn't realize how shit is small hit by small hit add up for me...

I hid so much of my pain for you .. I was like no I need to put him and his needs first...

I couldn't contain it though.. the visions of seeing and feeling you having sex with someone else for months before proven irl I was always sick and hurting deep dark pulling heart pain sinking in my stomach in silence .. choosing to believe in you at all costs I never would have even allowed cheating or poly for anyone else but I was so willing to grow past that ego thing and just love you as you wanted to be ... I just wanted no one else but myselfes. I run to self love when I feel I have no one else my dude...

That..

I saw a life together marriage and house and 1 kid.. and the animals.. Adam gone in his own place and me only interacting with him when you allowed it as a friend at arms length.... we went over and gamed with him one time.. but other than that he was out.

I was gonna help him get a car and move out and me get financially independent and secure again so he had no more hold over me

Oops that upset you too sighs... I'm sorry.