#lucy tries to write

[lucy-sky]

Friends and Benefits (Julian Kaye x f!Reader)

"You’ve never had that many friends, especially straight male ones. But somehow with Julian it was so easy. In a way, everyone in the escort business are actors and actresses. You play roles, depending on your client needs and requests, and at some point you get so used to it that you keep on playing even after the client leaves. With Julian, for the first time in ages you suddenly felt like yourself. He didn’t try to hit on you, and it was fine - you weren’t sure you needed a relationship at the time. You just genuinely liked each other, had a lot in common, and enjoyed each other’s company. There was a pinch of flirting between the two of you, but nothing more than that, and the both of you were okay with it."

This was supposed to an innocent night at your place, you and Julian just drinking, talking and chilling. A suddenly revealed fact about you leads to an offer that's gonna make the night way spicier.

Prompt: “Keep your eyes open, look at me, baby.” with Julian Kaye?

Warnings: the reader is in the escort buisiness as well as Julian; obviously smut

Words: 2 829; AO3 link

A/N: This is written for @bernthirst-events Naughty or Nice Prompt Fest 2023, and it's probably not great because I got super rusty. Last time i wrote something more than 1K words was on January 14th. So I apologize in advance :')

“Wait, wait, wait. No way. You serious?”

“Uh-huh,” you nod, taking a deep drag of the cigarette Julian just handed you.

“Not even once?”

“Nope. Okay, well… There were a couple of times I was close, you know, like… Really fucking close. But that’s it, believe it or not.”

When a couple of colleagues who also happen to be good friends meet up, what do they usually talk about? Right. Of course they talk about work. You and Julian are no exception, even considering your job. 

You met Julian Kaye about a year ago. At first you noticed each other at some fancy event you both attended with clients. You didn’t even need to ask him about his job, as well as he didn’t need to ask you either. People like you just know. For a while you kept seeing him here and there, he recognized you as well, but you didn’t really have a chance to talk. And then, on your night-off, you went out with the girls and saw him at the bar. Since he didn’t seem to be at work, you decided to finally come say hi. You ended up talking until closing hour.

You’ve never had that many friends, especially straight male ones. But somehow with Julian it was so easy. In a way, everyone in the escort business are actors and actresses. You play roles, depending on your client needs and requests, and at some point you get so used to it that you keep on playing even after the client leaves. With Julian, for the first time in ages you suddenly felt like yourself. He didn’t try to hit on you, and it was fine - you weren’t sure you needed a relationship at the time. You just genuinely liked each other, had a lot in common, and enjoyed each other’s company. There was a pinch of flirting between the two of you, but nothing more than that, and the both of you were okay with it.

Since then, no matter how busy you are, you and Julian try to meet up at least once a month. Sometimes you go to the bar or a party, but tonight you’re not really in the mood for a crowd, so you invited him to your apartment. Sitting on rocking chairs on your balcony (you bought them in a thrift store, and Julian likes to make fun of you having these rocking chairs like an old lady, but you know he loves them as much as you do), you drink wine, smoke, watch the city lights and talk.

As always, it started with funny stories about work. Julian told you about that time he almost got bitten by his client’s angry chihuahua, and you told him how a couple of weeks ago you had to hide from an unexpectedly arrived wife in a closet like in a bad anecdote. And as always, the more you drink, the more intimate your conversation gets. At some point you start to share your clients’ and your turn ons and offs, and you complain that most men get really turned on when the woman orgasms, and at the same time they’re totally unable to actually make her come.

“It’s ugh… They don’t even try! I mean… I can’t name any guy who made me come, to be completely honest.”

You said it just casually, but this sudden confession surprised Julian more than you expected.

“No way.”

“Oh yes way,” you laugh. “But like… You know I didn’t have any serious relationships. When I had my first boyfriend we were too young, and then… Kinda complicated considering the business, am I right? So it’s been a while since I had sex without being paid. And when you do that for work… Tell me how many of your clients actually cared for your pleasure, huh?”

“Yeah, guess you’re right,” Julian nods with a slightly bitter chuckle.

“I don’t blame them though. They pay for our service to please themselves. To be selfish. Desired. To not be judged. They don’t have to impress us, it’s just an easy way to feel the greatest and the hottest lover ever. So yeah, it’s not my fault I don’t come with them,” you take one more drag of your cigarette. “Although… You know, actually that’s something about me as well…”

“Nah, come on, there’s nothing wrong about you, sweetheart, it’s-”

“I didn’t say there’s something wrong about me, J,” you cut him off. “The thing is, when I work I always have to be in control. It’s like uh… It’s like a show, you know. Like I’m on stage, so I just can’t relax and lose it, you know what I mean?”

“I do, yeah.”

“So like… It is what it is,” you shrug. “Not a big deal. There’s plenty of ways I can please myself when I need to. And as for work… At least I know my show’s a damn good one,” you smirk.

“No doubts about that,” he returns a smile.

The conversation fades for a few moments, while Julian refills the glasses. You already feel tipsy, not too much, just relaxed and pleasantly warm despite the night air getting a bit chilly.

“You know,” Julian suddenly says, “Some of my clients tell me they keep seeing me because they’re tired of pretending. Husbands can’t make them feel good, and don’t really care ‘bout that, but I do.”

“Yeah, yeah. The sex is not exciting any more, so the husband calls me, and the wife calls you, and everyone is happy,” you chuckle. “It’s way easier than doing something about the relationship after all. Funny that they mostly think they’re doing it secretly, but everyone knows anyways.”

“One of them told me she already thought she couldn’t enjoy sex any more,” he continues, faint smirk on his lips.

“Oh, so now you’re showing off, Mister Sexy!” you laugh, giving him a light punch on the shoulder.

“I mean… It is what it is,” he shrugs with that adorable boyish laugh of his.

“I know you’re good, J,” you say it more seriously than expected.

“Yeah, uh… You know what, y/n… I just thought of something…”

“Yes?” you glance at him curiously.

“Pretty sure I could make you come for real.”

“What?” you almost choke on your wine, “Is that like… An offer?”

“Maybe.”

You notice that slight change in his voice and the way he looks at you. Somehow it gives you a strange tingle. You feel your cheeks warm up.

“You serious? And uh… Why’d you wanna do this? ‘Cause I already told you it’s not a big deal, so if you feel pity for me or something-”

“No, that’s not it, it-it’s just,” he stumbles a little, “When you said it’s been a while since you had sex without being paid… It’s been a while for me as well, and… You know what, forget it,” Julian shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair with an awkward smile. “Guess I’m just drunk already.”

“Actually I don’t mind.”

You surprise yourself when these words tumble from your lips. Guess you’re drunk too, but there’s definitely a sort of chemistry between the two of you that could work. You’ve always found Julian attractive, and the way he looks at you makes you think it’s mutual. Maybe you’ll regret this in the morning, but right now the idea of having casual sex with Julian Kaye doesn’t seem all that bad.

“Really?” Julian stares at you, his dark eyes scanning your expression. “You wanna?..”

“Yeah,” you breathe out.

He doesn’t say anything, just gets up off his chair, approaches and kneels next to you. He looks into your eyes for a few moments before bringing his hand to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. Then he reaches your hand and gets up, urging you to get on your feet as well. His fingers gently caress your cheek and the side of your neck before he leans in. He doesn’t capture your lips right away, it’s just a light touch of his nose against yours, a chaste press of lips, a soft lick of his tongue asking for invitation. You part your lips and the kiss is deep and unhurried. It tastes like wine and cigarettes but it’s so blissfully sweet your head is spinning. When did you have a kiss like that last time? Or maybe you’ve never had… Well, he’s a professional after all. It makes you think of something.

“Julian,” you whisper when your lips part, his hand on the back of your neck, foreheads pressed together as you catch a breath.

“Yeah?”

“I have one condition, okay? Let’s try to just be ourselves tonight. Otherwise… What’s the point of all that, am I right?”

“Okay,” his voice is a little husky, and you find it pretty hot.

“Okay,” you reach to get your glass from the table, bring it to your lips and drink down the remains of the wine in one big sip.

“Let’s get inside.”

“You know… You’re actually the first person I invited to this bed,” you murmur in between the kisses. Your clothes are already discarded, except for the underwear, and Julian’s deft fingers are already reaching to unclasp your bra.

“Really, am I?”

“Mhm.”

“That’s quite an honor,” he kisses along your jawline and down the side of your neck. “You smell nice.”

“That body lotion’s my favorite.”

“Like almond cookies,” he bites on your skin gently, careful not to leave the marks. You appreciate that. Sighing with pleasure you let your fingers run through his thick hair, as Julian slowly keeps kissing his way down your body. You must be crazy or too drunk, and maybe you’re on your way to ruin your friendship, but it feels too good to stop. The way he pinches your nipple between his fingers makes you shiver. You shift uncomfortably as the heat rises up in your core. A part of you wants to tell him you need more. Another part wants it to last longer. He continues his descent. Leaves a trail of kisses between your beasts and further down. He licks the skin of your lower belly, right above the waistband of your panties, fingers brushing the inside of your thighs. You still have your panties on, but you feel like you know where it’s going.

“Uhh… J?”

“Yeah?” he glances at you from between your thighs.

“Look… I’m pretty sure you can make me come with your tongue in no time. That’s too easy, man. I wanna come on your cock.”

“Yeah, I’ll make you come on my cock, darlin’, I promise you that,” he chuckles. “Just need to warm you up, you mind that?”

“Alright, do your magic.”

“That’s what I wanna hear,” he smiles, pulling down your underwear. You’re now completely naked, exposed for him, and maybe he’s not the love of your life and not even your boyfriend, but it feels way more intimate than with any client you’ve ever had. Even though there were times a client wanted to go down on you.

“Relax, okay, sweetheart? Will you do that for me?”

That’s it, that’s the difference. A client would never talk to you like that. He would never be that tender. Julian is incredibly good at that. Not that you had any doubts though. He kisses and licks and hums against you as if he’s tasting something absolutely delicious. Your soft moans become louder, fingers tug on his hair as you writhe. And then he adds his fingers to the mix, and your toes curl. 

“J, I… I’m gonna…”

“Shhh, I know, I know, baby,” he whispers soothingly, withdrawing his fingers, dripping with your arousal. “C’mere.”

He moves back up your body and kisses your mouth deeply, to which you eagerly respond.

“You’re enjoying yourself, do you? Making a mess out of me?” you pant as you pull back for air.

“I am, actually,” he admits, brushing your hair away from your heated face. “‘Cause you’re a beautiful mess, you should’ve seen yourself.”

He kisses you again, and you can’t wait any longer. Your hand skims down his belly and under the waistband of his boxers. Oh, you love the sound he makes when you start to slowly pump his length.

“You think we’re warm enough already?” you tease.

“Condoms?”

“Upper drawer.”

It’s impressive how fast Julian manages to get rid of his underpants, find the condom, tear its wrapper with his teeth and put it on with just a bit of assistance from your side. He’s pretty thick, and you can feel it as he slowly pushes inside you. It feels good, especially after all the foreplay.

“You good?” Julian asks as he bottoms out.

“Yeah. You?”

“I’m great,” he smiles and leans in to kiss you again before gently rocking his hips. He’s still unhurried, as if he wants you to get used to it. You suddenly think how nice it would’ve been if your very first sex was like that, not the mess you had with your first partner. Julian Kaye can really make a woman feel special. Although you know he wasn’t always such a talented lover. Everyone has their awkward moments. Everyone has moments they wish they could forget, especially when it comes to your job. It is what it is. There’s no point in regretting it. 

Julian doesn’t let you think about it for too long, he’s busy kissing your neck, breath hot against your skin as he gradually picks up speed. It still doesn’t feel like enough for you to come, but after a few thrusts he urges you to bend your knees a bit more and lift up your legs, and the sudden change of angle almost makes your eyes roll as he hits exactly the right spot.

“That good?” he whispers on your ear when you dig your nails in his shoulders, every thrust causing you to arch your back.

“Mmm… Keep going,” you manage to mumble. Your mind is clouded, walls already fluttering around his length, and it’s getting more and more intense with each snap of his hips. Julian is getting close as well, you can tell from the way he breathes, the noises he makes, his moves getting slightly more erratic. He nips on the crease of your neck and you don’t even care about any possible marks any longer. He’s a hot mess; he’s panting as he presses his forehead against yours and his hand finds its way between your bodies

“Look at me, sweetheart, c’mon. I know you’re close.”

He’s right - you feel like you’re getting close to something completely mind-shattering. With his fingers on your clit and his cock buried so deep within you, hitting what feels like all the sweet spots at once you’re balancing right on the edge.

“Oh fuck, J!..” you moan, throwing your head back.

“Keep your eyes on me, look at me, baby,” he urges you, gripping the back of your neck. “That’s it, just let yourself go, come for me. I know you can.”

You obey, meeting that intense gaze of his dark brown eyes, and finally, as if in response, your body finally gives in. The climax hits you with such a force you think you’re about to pass out. You gush beneath him, gasping and moaning, your walls pulsing and spasming around his length. Through the haze of your bliss you hear Julian’s low grunt as he climaxes too, shuddering against your body. He nuzzles into the crook of your neck, and for a while you just stay like that, holding each other, sweaty and breathless, getting down from your high and still shivering from the aftershocks.

“Hey,” you smile and let your shaky fingers run through his damp hair as he lifts his head to look you in the eye. “That was… Wow.”

“Yeah,” he hums and pecks on your lips.

“I have to return the favor next time.”

“What?” he laughs in surprise. “Nah, sweetheart. You don’t owe me nothing, no favors done.”

“Yeah, but… Come on, J. There must be something you want but don’t get much. Like… How often do you get a blowjob? Or a really nice massage? I’m quite good at that, actually.”

“Okay. You got me at massage.”

“You won’t regret it,” you smirk and lean in to kiss his lips and the bridge of his nose. His thumb caresses your cheekbone, and that soft look in his eyes makes your heart shrink with sudden tenderness towards him. It scares you a little, because it’s so new. You’re not quite sure what to do about it.

“Julian?”

“Mm?”

“We… didn’t just fuck up our friendship, did we?..”

“Course not,” he reassures, pressing a kiss on your forehead. 

“Guess we’re more like friends with benefits now though.”

“I’m fine with that if you are,” he shrugs.

“Okay,” you sigh with relief. “You wanna stay the night?”

“I’d like that.”

Thanks for reading!

No pressure tags: @darlingshane @anna-hawk @munsonownsmyass @itwasthereaminuteago @slavic-empress

[melverie]

Sometimes I'm doing well, and then other times Lucifer's level 35 intimacy phone call in Nightbringer suddenly comes back to mind, and I am once again reminded how Lucifer is so utterly desperate to connect with Satan in any way. It doesn't even have to be meaningful; just having his brother despise him a tiny bit less than before would already be more than enough

And when they finally do make the tiniest, most insignficant amount of progress imaginable, Lucifer is so overjoyed about it that he ends up celebrating with a horn of Demonus......or two, maybe three... Might as well finish the bottle. Let's open another one! And another, and another, and another! We've got to celebrate tonight, after all! Hm? No, he isn't drunk MC, what a stupid question to even ask. Here, he'll drink some more just to prove it! Then after that--!

And all that because he and Satan managed to hold a conversation for a minute longer than usual

[faintedlcve]

hi babes! may I request theo + party 💋

party | theo nott ☆

yes you may mwah <3 ive also never written headcanons before so i prolly got it wrong lmao i was also supposed to post this yesterday but i have shit memory :((

• theo HATES parties, but he still goes when you ask him to bc he'd do anything for you (and soft spot)

• "another party? what's the point of these parties?" he'd question shocked at you telling him (and practically forcing him) to come to the 3rd party of the week with you.

• "the point is to loosen up and have fun theo! come on, dont be boring!"

• "okay fine, but this is the last time" he'd lie.

• another reason he'd go to parties is because you'd look absolutely stunning + he'd get to see you more.

• and it makes you happy.

• he always makes sure to tell you how good you look.

• he drinks at the party but only 1 or 2 bc he needs to be sober enough to take care of you if you get too drunk.

• if you get too drunk he takes you up to your dorm and tucks you in.

• if he sees someone trying to flirt with you/take advantage of you when your wasted he drags you away.

• he's probably the 'mom' of the group when it comes to parties.

• he usually just stays in the corner of the room away from the dancing floor.

• as much as he wants to leave, he never does if you're still there bc he takes care of you.

• he's even more overprotective than he usually is at parties bc he knows the dangers.

• whenever you have more than a set amount of drink he usually tries to stop you so you don't have a hangover the next day and bc if he doesn't he'd never hear the end of it.

• "theo" you'd whine "why didn't you stop me from having all those drinks"

• he'd sigh and shake his head.

• "i tried to"

[happilychee]

thinking about aromantic lucy

I saw a terf saying aspec people aren't actually queer so fuck them here's aromantic lucy heartfilia

cw: a few mentions of internalized arophobia

lucy who doesn't know that the word love exists until she reads it in one of the few fairytale books in her father's extensive library. lucy who doesn't quite get the kissing and the physicality and the fiery proclamations, but thinks that it's an okay price to pay for someone to be so passionate for her. to choose her and care about her, like her mother did before she passed.

lucy, who's eight years old and crying after another argument with her father, who summons aquarius and asks "do you love me?" aquarius feels her blood pressure rise, but seeing the broken look in her wielder's watery eyes, she decides to drop the snark. "I do, kid." "does that mean you wanna kiss me?" aquarius almost smacks lucy over the head.

lucy who doesn't quite understand the difference between how she cares for her spirits and how she felt about her mom. lucy who cares deeply for everyone who's important to her, who thinks that aquarius could just as easily be her knight in shining armor as the storybook prince. lucy who reads romance books because she wants someone like that in her life. lucy who's never had any friends besides aquarius. lucy who thinks it must be nice to have someone choose you, care about you, protect you. lucy decides that that's what love is.

lucy who's old enough to know she doesn't like her father. lucy who's so confused when she hates him but still cares about him. lucy who's old enough to run away from home but too young, too young.

lucy who joins fairy tail and has no idea what to expect. lucy who's startled by her new friends' openness and easy acceptance of her. lucy who blushes when natsu throws an arm around her, who feels warm and fuzzy when gray guides her by the small of her back, who has a lopsided grin on her face when erza links arms with her as they walk. lucy who suddenly thinks that she's in love with three people at once and panics (her storybooks never mentioned that!!).

lucy who turns to who she can confidently call her best friend, levy mcgarden, for help. levy sits her down with a cup of hot chocolate and cookies. they talk for hours about sexuality and attraction; lucy sleeps over that night. the word that sticks out the most in her mind is aromantic.

lucy who gets drunk at a party and gets a little too close to cana, and suddenly they're in cana's apartment, making out like there's no tomorrow. lucy who feels guilt creep up in the morning because she knows cana and gray and loke have something going, and she might've just ruined it. lucy who tears up when cana laughs because she's so, so confused. cana's expression morphs into concern and she wipes away her friend's tears, warm skin on skin. cana who tells lucy that what she does with gray and what she does with loke doesn't restrict her from what she does with other people. "we talked about it, I promise." cana reassures her. then, leaning in with a sexy smirk on her face, she whispers, "besides, they're probably jealous I took you home first~" the rush of heat is enough to make lucy's mind go blank with joy.

lucy who shyly asks cana about her relationships and learns so much she feels like her head is going to explode. lucy who has a crisis about her storybooks and her ideal romances. she's never going to have that, she realizes. it feels like someone's scooped out her chest.

lucy whose feelings ebb and flow like the tide. she's not used to this. being so... different. her storybooks are scattered across the floor, thrown in an angry fit. her door is locked, but her window isn't, and that's how natsu gets in. "you okay, luce? we haven’t seen you in a while."

the dam breaks. lucy sobs in natsu's arms, and all she can think is that this is the exact type of hurt/comfort scene she loves in her stories. she wishes she were normal, so she could love normally, so she could love natsu the normal way and be done with it. she doesn't realize she's talking out loud.

natsu cups her face, onyx eyes boring into chocolate ones. he squishes her cheeks together, the way he does when he thinks she's overthinking something. and then, natsu breaks through her entire crisis with three little words.

"does it matter?" he furrows his brow. "you're lucy, and I'm natsu, and I care about you." "but- I don't feel romantic attraction-" natsu huffs, frustrated that lucy's not getting something that's apparently obvious to him. "luce. I care about you, and I trust you, and I want to take care of you and protect you. who cares about anything else?" lucy blinks once, twice, and then she's sobbing again. natsu panics, because he knows he can be blunt and dismissive sometimes, but lucy barrels into him, clutching onto his scarf tightly.

"you care about me?" she whispers in a child's voice. that's more important to her than anything. romantic, platonic, the gray area in between, none of it matters as long as natsu cares.

natsu tightens his grip, wondering who he has to pummel for making his girl feel that way. "course I care about you, dummy. I'd burn down the world for you. and so would erza and gray and cana and everyone else."

lucy who has a really hard time moping when natsu's there every step of the way, trying to cheer her up. erza and gray show up, too, and it's hard to stay sad when she's being tickled by erza while gray cooks dinner and kicks natsu out of her kitchenette.

lucy who feels the hollow fill with something warm and gooey when erza gives her a hug, confessing that she often has trouble figuring out how she feels about anything. lucy laughs when erza tells her about the shenanigans that have happened when she doesn't pick up on someone flirting with her but gray and natsu do. she feels all fuzzy when gray leans against her, telling her that he feels the same way. his hand plays with hers, and she thinks it's nice how well they slot together.

lucy realizes when natsu falls asleep in her lap, arms wrapped protectively around her waist. lucy realizes when gray falls asleep at her side, erza tucked to his chest. lucy realizes that her friends make her feel like she's on top of the world, and she doesn't need a fairytale prince when she's got fairy tail.

[darethshirl]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Fallout (TV 2024) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Cooper Howard | The Ghoul/Lucy MacLean Characters: Cooper Howard | The Ghoul, Lucy MacLean Additional Tags: Humor, Light Angst, Character Study, Bickering, Team Bonding, Crying, Guilt, Late Night Conversations, Daddy Issues, daughter issues, Season 1 Finale Spoilers, cooper howard being a dick, This Is Not Going To Go The Way You Think, not as shippy as i would have liked but i Tried Summary:

Whatever gland was responsible for empathy had long since dried up in Cooper’s heart. He watched Lucy cry, his hand unconsciously petting the dog back and forth, back and forth.

“Come now, sweetheart,” he drawled after a while, “no man is worth your tears.” He picked at his teeth with his free hand, his nail prising out a sliver of charred meat. “Plus, you’re wasting water.”

—

Lucy and the Ghoul negotiate the dynamics of their new alliance. Post season 1 finale.

[allbridgesburn]

fic: all your wasteland flowers [chapter v]

the ballad of songbirds and snakes; lucy gray baird/coriolanus snow; R, 5/?

Freedom. 

For the last few years, freedom has been nothing but a fantastical concept to her, a dream far outside her reach. A child’s tale, the kind she tells Mallory before bed.

But it is close now, so close. Almost at the tips of her fingers. Foolishly enough, Lucy Gray begins to hope again.

-

or: Lucy Gray Baird survives Coriolanus Snow. However, she's not the only one. [post-canon]

read @ ao3

[ajlockwood]

I love how stroud created a sort of tied ending for the books and symbolised the development of lockwood and lucy’s relationship through necklaces. each one of them is a physical representation of the feelings blossoming between them, and since neither of them is emotionally able to put these feelings into words, I wrote a very tiresome 1700-word essay about that

[WARNING: major spoilers for all five books + the netflix show]

the first necklace is annie ward’s, in the screaming staircase. it’s a locket, a materialisation of a tumultuous love between two people, a toxic passion that leads to tragedy. extreme jealousy led to the loved one’s death. this necklace is a kind of presage of what’s to come in the next books, because from the moment lucy meets annie, she feels a sort of connection to her – that beautiful metaphorical image of lucy and annie underwater in the show speaks for itself – and this will also be reflected on her own romantic story.

this quote was a foreshadowing all along, but we only realise that much further. stroud suggested the importance of the necklaces given as gifts throughout the story – and their romantic meaning that should not be overlooked. (plus keep in mind george’s implication that lucy doesn’t know anything about love. it’s important, I promise).

[in the netflix show, this connection between annie’s relationship with fairfax and lucy’s with lockwood is foreseen when lucy relives annie’s last moments. she begins to caress a conflicted lockwood as if he were her lover, and this moment made it even clearer that even though both relationships were very different, they are correspondent. plus, the locket was replaced by a ring, and they also added a ring on lockwood’s finger. coincidence? I think not. but keep reading, I’ll elaborate on that later.]

the second necklace is a gift from lockwood to lucy in the whispering skull, and is the first one directly connected to their relationship. this necklace is made of silver, meaning purity, healing, patience, perseverance, balance, peace. the diamond too is a symbol of purity, commitment and faithfulness. in short, this is the first material implication that a healthy and easy affection is growing between them. even if it’s for the sake of a case, they’re going to a party, and all is well.

however, here I remind of george’s quote about lucy not knowing anything about love – though I wouldn’t say she’s ignorant, but more like unaware of it. lockwood is also unaware of it. the whole point of locklyle being so good is that they’re unaware of their affection’s depth for 70% of the story even though it’s so OBVIOUS. they’re young, and they work too much – lockwood’s life had been his job until then –, so much that what could have been a lovely moment with his gift is quickly dismissed in the book because they have a mission. so they don’t really have the time and mental health to dwell on it. we don’t have lockwood’s pov in the books (shoutout to mr stroud), and lucy knows she feels something for lockwood but denies it – though later we find that she preferred to keep wearing the necklace full-time.

[the show also made a really important addition by showing lockwood entering jessica’s room to fetch the necklace, an indication that his love for lucy is making him have to face his trauma. and the moment when he gives lucy the necklace was much more meaningful: it was right after lucy had told him for the first time about norrie. he wanted to tell her about jessica as well, but he hesitates – he says, “it belonged to… someone I was very close to.” he wants to open up to her, although he’s still not ready to do so. jessica’s door being opened by the end of the book/season is obviously a metaphor for the door to his inner self, and just when he is ready to at least try leaving a crack for lucy to enter, stroud wrote the next book.]

the hollow boy is where everything begins to falter. lucy still wears the necklace – as skull points out right at the beginning – and she even uses it to save them during a mission, but it’s the last time we see it. in fact, the very last time it’s mentioned is a scene where lucy is watching lockwood fondly; she touches her necklace out of reflex, and then he makes the decision that (as he will think later) ruined it all: to hire a new agent.

holly’s arrival is conflictuous for various reasons, notably MISCOMMUNICATION and JEALOUSY. remember what I said about annie’s necklace being a presage? yes, the prophecy is fulfilled! these two aspects almost led to lockwood and lucy’s ruin. however, in the end it wasn’t jealously that made them part, but very ironically it was their love. the “come off it, lucy, you know I’d die for you” was one more of lockwood’s not-so-subtle occasional demonstrations of how much he cared about her, but given the context, lucy was scared. because for the first time she realised lockwood really was committed to her, in his own way. the silver necklace was forgotten: their affection (which had been easy before) became heavy on lucy’s heart and conscience. she didn’t want his commitment like that. so she left, hoping that it would make it go away – and with that, leaving a hole in lockwood’s heart.

the creeping shadow tells us that their departure made it worse for both. and amusingly, even though this is one of the books with most deepening on locklyle, it’s the only one without a single quote from any necklace. why? because they’re confused. everything to them is nebulous and indistinct regarding the other. for the first time they’re beginning to acknowledge the fact they love each other, as they feel the effects of it directly on their skin, but they simply don’t have a proper conversation so they don’t know what the other is really thinking. lucy missed lockwood and co more than she would care to admit; she wanted to keep in touch with them, even if she was away for a good cause, but lockwood didn't make himself reachable in a way that wouldn't suggest his wish of her backing down from her decision. he fortified his walls again and became obsessed with a plan of getting her back no matter what, and only then he’d think of how he could earn her affection. I like to think that lockwood only realised he truly loved lucy in her absence; I imagine him lying awake at dawn repassing every conversation, every moment (especially the argument at the cafe); wondering when did it all begin to crumble and when was it he got so inattentive to her, sinking into new cases to run away from these feelings and to ironically have an illusion of self-control (add that to his trauma and consequent perspective that everyone he’s ever loved is taken from him). and somehow lucy is even more oblivious than him, so this moment is one of confusion and maybe even self-discovery for them. as a rule I wouldn’t gift someone a piece of jewelry meaning “hey so I’m a mess rn I kinda like u but idk? anyways lol let’s go to work”, therefore the lack of promises or anything like it. but when lucy comes back – and lockwood reaches the goal he had been planning all winter for – they are not the same anymore. their feelings didn’t change: they matured into something they still cannot name, but a lot more tangible than before.

at last comes the empty grave. after everything they’ve been through (see literally going to hell and back), though they haven’t officialy settled what they are to each other now, it’s clear to both of them that they’re not only coworkers, or simply friends. the shared trauma made them even closer than they were before, as lucy states here:

and this same shared trauma made lucy – with her self-consciousness and all that – doubt even more if lockwood truly loved her, or if it was something else. it’s fair; they hadn’t been on good terms for a while, he suddenly appeared on her doorstep again and then they nearly died together, now all of the sudden they couldn’t be apart?

of course their relationship would never be the same again, but all this situation just reinforced whatever affection they already had before. for once, lockwood was finally allowing himself a few moments of vulnerability around lucy (like when he showed her his family’s grave, or in that scene of quiet solace when he allows her to sit beside him in the library and he shares his theory about who killed his parents); but as stroud himself has said, “lockwood is a nightmare”, he never talks openly about his feelings.

so what does he do to declare that his love is true, tangible, eternal and devotional?

he gives her a necklace. again.

but this time, the act carries much more depth than before with the silver necklace, of which we don’t know much about in the books. because while that one was a reminder of someone dear to him, this one has its own story, a story that really touches lockwood inside. it represents his parents’ love, seen by him and his sister as an example since their childhoods. his father gave it to his mother as a symbol of his undying devotion. gold represents happiness, peace, stability – something lockwood and lucy did not have by the time he first tried to give her the necklace, since portland row was about to be attacked (and that’s why they were interrupted by kipps), while the last part of the book (paradoxically called “the beginning”) was the perfect moment to do so. the sapphire summarises everything lockwood wants to say out loud, but never does: it brings serenity and peace of mind, symbolises truth, restoration of balance, celestial hope, holiness and connection to the heavens.

this is lockwood's conception of the apex of love, and he is sharing it with lucy because she is the one that completes him, that makes his days have a meaning, the one with whom he wants to spend the rest of his life with. after five books, he is certain she is the one for him – and has always been. even when they didn’t know so.

and even after all this, lockwood doesn’t say it out loud, for fear of being rejected again. this moment is too important for him (he’s even put on his new coat I mean, honestly, just for a stroll?? he wanted to look good for her), and he didn’t want to ruin it. he hesitates, leaves the necklace there for lucy to find. rather than force her hand or try to influence her, as he had done before, he gives her a free choice. she can go for that stroll with him if she wants. she can also not go, if that’s what she wishes. if she wants the necklace, if she accepts him and his love, it will be her choice. he’s practically on his knees, begging her to say yes and accept him; he needs her, but he doesn’t want to impose himself on her: he wants her to choose him voluntarily. the necklace is a silent question. a proposal. and even though it took lucy the whole book, the whole series to realise that this love was real and mutual, she is ready. it’s not with hesitation that she says yes to him twice.

[and remember lockwood’s ring? the books begin and end with a necklace – tied ending! – and my theory is that the show might intend to do so as well. it all started with a ring and it will end with one, but a ring is a lot more clearer to read through the lens of romance. as of now, the show is constantly focusing on subtle hand touches – pride and prejudice fans howling –, which I found a rather suggestive detail, and at some point by the end, he will take it off his finger and put it into hers, an explicit exchange of vows, and my heart that has survived of only crumbs from jonathan until now found this change brilliant.]

so yeah, this is just one of the hundred reasons why I consider locklyle to be one of the deepest relationships ever written. good night, listeners, good night

[vickyvicarious]

some scattered lucy thoughts from today...

Town is very pleasant just now, and we go a good deal to picture-galleries and for walks and rides in the park. As to the tall, curly-haired man, I suppose it was the one who was with me at the last Pop.

Aside from the 'oh this is all so boring' joke, this list of activities definitely points to Lucy being a very active person. Later on she also talks about other things she likes to do which support this. I think Lucy is a bubbly and outgoing/active person who usually has a lot of energy.

He has a curious habit of looking one straight in the face, as if trying to read one's thoughts. He tries this on very much with me, but I flatter myself he has got a tough nut to crack. I know that from my glass. Do you ever try to read your own face? I do, and I can tell you it is not a bad study, and gives you more trouble than you can well fancy if you have never tried it.

@dathen has a great more heartwrenching take on this line which I just reblogged, but in a more lighthearted direction I just love the image of Lucy making faces at herself in the mirror. I want so badly to see someone make cute art of it.

I do not, as you know, take sufficient interest in dress to be able to describe the new fashions. Dress is a bore. That is slang again, but never mind; Arthur says that every day.

Lucy doesn't care much about fashion. I kind of wonder if her mother cares more and always tries to ensure Lucy is in the latest fashions or whatever, and it's something she's lightheartedly complained about with Mina before. It feels like a familiar reference.

Also, Lucy seems like the type of person to have fun being caught up in new interests that people she likes enjoy. She finds it really fun to imitate Arthur's slang, and gets kinda proud about the idea of being an interesting psychological study, and that sort of thing. She is probably a really good listener. (And now I'm picturing Mina excitedly infodumping to Lucy as they walk along holding hands, Lucy listening with great interest. 10/10 date.)

But oh, Mina, I love him; I love him; I love him! There, that does me good. I wish I were with you, dear, sitting by the fire undressing, as we used to sit; and I would try to tell you what I feel. I do not know how I am writing this even to you. I am afraid to stop, or I should tear up the letter, and I don't want to stop, for I do so want to tell you all.

I have some thoughts about Lucy and speaking freely. I didn't notice how much emphasis is put on it, but when you're thinking about it specifically in those lines there is a lot going on here. It isn't just Mina who wants to be with Lucy where they can talk freely. Lucy feels the same. The way she starts the letter very politely avoidant about how much Arthur matters to her is probably much closer to how she speaks to most people about him, or even most things. She talks about trying to tell Mina how she felt, about not knowing how she's even saying all this, that she should stop, that she doesn't want to, she's writing this in a quick burst of emotion/courage. And sure, it could just be the overwhelming newness of her romantic feelings, but I think Lucy has a tendency to hide how she really feels if it would rock the boat or upset/worry people - regardless of the situation. You know, she acts like she is fine and happy even if she doesn't feel that way. And (vague hinted spoilers) the ability to speak freely specifically is something that has later relevance for both women, so I find it really interesting to see aspects of it in both their first letters.

I also think it's part of why she likes Arthur speaking slang (and later on another man speaking a different sort of slang) so much. It's more relaxed and individual and gives her a little thrill to deviate from more polite and proper scripts. It isn't something she does on her own, but if someone else initiates it's easier to join them. Or at the very least to enjoy listening to.

[tokkias]

Hihi! I would love to see you write Lucy talking to Natsu about him leaving on that one-year training (seeing Natsu comforting Lucy ugh they're just so aa </3) anyway I really enjoy reading your fics, keep up the good work!!

hi there anon! thank you for the request! this ended up being a sort of fix-it fic for chapter 419, so i hope you enjoy!

-

349 days. That was how long it had been since Natsu and Happy had walked out of her life, and 348 since the disbandment of Fairy Tail. She had kept count, with red dashes marking each passing day on her calendar, until she made it to 365, when he promised he would come back to her.

Every day she hoped that his resolve would break early, that he would come home to her, find her in Crocus, and whisk her away on an adventure as though no time had passed.

It was day 349 when Lucy finally found that her dreams had come to fruition, in a blazing inferno that set both the arena and her heart alight.

It had all happened so fast that she hadn’t even had time to process what had happened until she found herself tangled within her sheets, with no company but the moonlight that peeked in through the curtains. Everything was falling into place, exactly as she had hoped, with Natsu by her side, but she couldn't stop the horrible dull thud that pounded in her chest. The more she dwelled on it, the more it began to hurt, not just emotionally but physically. Her chest began to tighten, and she could only equate the feeling to what she thought could only be a heart attack. The preoccupation with the agonising pain that she was feeling deep within her chest prevented her from holding back the sobs that began to wrack her body. When they began, the floodgates burst right open, and there was nothing she could do to stop them. They began as little more than quiet gasps for air but quickly transitioned into howling cries as a full year of emotion and heartbreak washed all over her at once.

"Huh, Lucy?" The sound of her sobs drowned out the creak of the bedroom door as Natsu made his way in, lured by the gut-wrenching sound of his partner, crying herself to sleep. "Lucy… Are you—what’s going on? Are you okay?" He frantically asked, but he was met with nothing more than her continued cries as she clutched at her bedsheets.

Things had been so good up until now. He had found Lucy by chance, earlier than planned; they had jumped back into it as though no time had passed, and she seemed so happy. So why? Why was she wailing alone in her bed, as though it were the end of the world? What had gone wrong? She looked terrible. Tear tracks stained her cheeks, and her face was painted with the most pained expression he had seen on her. This wasn’t what he had imagined their reunion would be like.

Gently, he sat on the edge of her bed and pushed her hair out of her face, revealing her red and puffy eyes. What the hell was he supposed to do? Lucy was someone he believed truly deserved the world; she brought so much light and joy to everyone around her, and she reminded him of all the good there was left in the world. Seeing her like this made his heart ache.

"C’mon Lucy, talk to me. What’s going on?"

Lucy's words came out before she had the chance to even think about them, burning her throat as she retched her grievances.

"Y-you just- you left me, Natsu, and you didn’t even have the decency to say goodbye, and I-" she paused, gasping for breath between her words and sobs, "and I was so lonely, I didn’t have anyone! Because it was Aquarius, and then you, and then the rest of the guild, and then I was all alone. I didn’t- I didn’t know what to do with myself, and the only person I wanted to talk about it with was you, but you weren’t there."

The rest she had found from her tears didn’t last long, and soon she found herself succumbing to them once more. Just earlier today, she had seemed like she had it all figured out, because of course she would; she was Lucy. She was the strongest and smartest person he knew; if anyone could have made it through this unscathed, it was going to be her. Before he could open his mouth to speak, Lucy spoke up again.

"But now you’re here, and I’m- hic I’m so happy, but I want to hate you for what you did, but I can’t because you’re my best friend."

Her words hit him like a knife through his chest, leaving him feeling as if she had just clawed her way through his insides, and ripped apart his heart. How was he so naïve to think that she hadn’t been hurting this whole time? For the first time, Natsu was at a loss for words.

With her face buried in her hands, Lucy let out a heart wrenching wail, and all Natsu could do was pull her into his arms. Her arms had made their way around his torso, holding him tightly, as if he might try to leave her (he wouldn’t, never again, not after seeing her like this), her nails digging into his back slightly, but he couldn’t bring himself to be upset about it. One hand found itself on the back of her head, tangled within her hair, holding her close to his chest, while the other rubbed circles into her back, in some meek attempt to make her feel better. What a fucking asshole he was, but here she was, looking to him for comfort, even after he was the one who hurt her in the first place.

"That was pretty selfish of me, huh?" He murmured, his voice uncharacteristically soft, as if his voice was any louder, she might simply shatter to pieces in his arms.

"Yeah, it was."

Part of him hoped that she would put up a fight, tell him that it was okay, that she understood, and that she would forgive him. The realistic part of him knew that she didn’t have to forgive him, because yeah, he was a selfish, stupid idiot for leaving her, even if it was for the right reasons. He knew that from the very moment he left that note behind. She deserved so much better than that, but he also knew that if he had told her in person, he would have caved to her pleas to stay. How could he not? He was absolutely smitten with Lucy; he would do absolutely anything for her. He would set the entire world ablaze if it meant that he could see her smile, but instead he had gone and fucked it all up, and now she was here, crying in his arms.

And, fuck, it hurt so bad knowing that she was hurting because of what he did.

"I’m sorry."

"I know."

"I won’t do it again."

"You better not."

Her tears seemed to have subsided for now, and the two lingered in silence for a moment, still holding onto each other, as if fate were to tear them apart once more. His chin rested atop her head and he could smell her shampoo, the scent fresh; used within the past day or two; the same strawberry and vanilla that he had picked out for her before everything had gone south. He had missed that. Missed her. More than he could ever hope to express. He squeezed his arms around her tighter, and she responded in turn.

It was just them again.

Natsu & Lucy.

Lucy & Natsu.

The inseparable duo.

With her back at his side, Natsu had new resolve, and this time, he wouldn’t let her go.

[astrangergivingthestrangewelcome]

Quincey, passing the time in the Afterlife: See it's really easy to survive being killed by plot all your have to do is be really unforgettable but relatively underdeveloped so people want to write for you + then have your death have no real narrative function so it's ridiculously easy to just make you be alive. It's all threesomes and mutual orgasms from there, and that's a cowboy tip.

Lucy, who has understandably become a hater: Well some of us aren't allowed to know what sex is despite being called a slut. No one is writing porn for Murray Mysteries me.

Renfield: actually I've found that your death can have narrative weight, but as long as it doesn't fuel the motivations of the other characters the Tumblr weirdos will find some way to make it work

Lucy: I didn't get to choose whether or not my death served a narrative and emotional function!!!

Captain + Crew of the Demeter: It could be worse. When your death motivates other characters at least they're thinking of you. When your death is for the character development of someone else you are entirely expendable.

Mr. Swales, who has stopped being a hater: Honestly, it was just nice to get to be included.

[lucy-sky]

His Safest Place (Frank Castle x Reader drabble)

So I’m kinda stuck with my Julian Kaye fic atm, but I found this little something about sleepy cuddles with Frank among my drafts and decided to post because why not.

Warnings: mild sexual content (cock warming & lazy morning sex)

Words: 871

AO3 link if you prefer reading there

You wake up when the bed creaks softly under his weight as he settles behind you and lets out a deep sigh that tickles the back of your neck. You didn’t expect him to come over tonight, yet you were secretly hoping for it.

“Frank.”

“Yeah,” his voice is gruff as he nuzzles into your shoulder, arms snaking to wrap around you and pull you closer against his chest.

“What time is it?” you murmur sleepily, unable to open your eyes just yet.

“Late.”

“I thought so.”

You rub your eyes and lazily turn to face him. Frank immediately repositions himself, and now you’re on your back with him on top of you.

“Hey,” he smiles crookedly when he meets your gaze.

“You’re hurt,” you frown, bringing your hand to his face, fingers tracing a fresh bruise on his cheek and down to a cut on his bottom lip.

“T’s just a scratch.”

“Yeah, right.”

It’s always just a scratch, even if he gets home with a broken nose or ribs, or a bullet wound. Tonight, however, his bruises really don’t seem all that bad. He looks exhausted though. And a little more clingy than he usually is. Not that you mind it.

“What happened this time?” you still ask, and he lets out another sigh.

“Shh… Let’s talk ‘bout it in the morning, okay?” he mutters, burying his face in the crook of your neck and inhaling your scent. “Just… Too tired for talkin’.”

“Okay,” you agree easily, wrapping your arms around his solid frame and pressing a kiss against his temple. The weight of Frank’s body on top of you feels so good. He’s nice and warm from the shower, and there’s a faint lingering smell of your apple and cinnamon scented shower gel which makes you smile. Since you gave Frank the keys from your apartment and he started spending more time here, you suggested buying something more appropriate just for him, but he refused, because you liked this scent and it reminded him of you. You still think it’s one of the sweetest things a man has ever told you.

You’re about to drift off again, basking in the feeling of Frank all around you, like you’re in some kind of a bubble. Absentmindedly, you stroke his back, tight muscles relaxing under your touch, yet he’s still a little tense, you can feel it. His hands sneak underneath the large t-shirt you sleep in, and you squirm a bit at the brush of calloused fingers under your ribs.

“Sorry I woke you up… I uh… Didn’t wanna-”

“C’mon, Frankie. You did want to wake me up,” you giggle sleepily. “Admit it.”

“Okay. Maybe,” he chuckles, and his lips press against the delicate skin of your neck. It’s a strange sensation when your mind’s still hazy with sleep, but your body reacts to his caress.

“Could you take this off for me, sweetheart?” he asks, slowly pushing the shirt further up your body.

“You said you’re tired, no?”

“Yeah, I am. Just wanna feel you.”

Even though his voice is quiet, thereʼs such unmistakable need in his tone it makes something spark within your core. You obey, tugging the shirt off over your head and tossing it away, shiver as the cool air hits your bare skin, but Frank is quick to warm you up. His lips are back on your neck, trailing up to reach your jawline, and then he cups your cheek and kisses you deeply, humming into your mouth, his tongue moving slowly against your own, savoring the sensation. There’s the slight metal taste of blood from the scrape on his lip, but you don’t care. This closeness and his need for you is overwhelming. At moments like this you know that no matter what risky things he’s into, you’re happy to be his escape, his cure, his home. His safest place.

Eventually you let him pull down your underwear. His cock’s half hard but it’s enough to slip inside you with a gentle roll of his hips.

“That’s it, sweetheart, that’s it, you feel s-so good… Can I just… Just stay like this for a while, okay?..” He mumbles against your skin as he kisses along your jaw and behind your ear, your lips and your closed eyelids.

“Course, baby. You can stay as long as you want.”

It’s a whole new level of intimacy to fall asleep like that. To feel him everywhere, around you and inside you. His scent, his touch, his body heat. His heart beats steadily next to yours as your chests press together.

In a few hours you wake up to a swell of his morning erection between your tender walls, and you make love slowly, lazily, whispering words of love and praise into each other’s skin, breathing each other in, moaning each other’s names as you fall apart.

“Now that’s what a good morning is, huh?” Frank drawls as he rolls on his back, pulling you against his chest and pressing a kiss on the top of your head. The bruise on his face looks worse in the light of the day, but nevertheless he’s the most beautiful man you’ve ever seen, especially when he smiles like that.

Thank you for reading!

[emotionalcadaver]

I continue to be amazed at how I have literally indicated in every way I know how that Love Me Where I'm Most Ruined contains polyamory, and yet I STILL have people coming at me, getting mad at me over the story featuring polyamory.

[firstdegreefangirl]

There's no way it's done by next week, but by GOD I will finish this Christmas fic if it's actually the thing that kills me

[kaleidoscope1967eyes]

lucy horse lore please!!!

LUCY HORSE LORE!!!! This is a CORE memory!!

It all started back when I was seven, going on a trip with my family to Colorado--more specifically, Rocky Mountain National Park--for the first time. This was when I really was getting big in my horse girl phase, so when I learned that there was a horseback riding facility, I insisted that we all went. My older sister, mom, and I all went on a trail ride together, and we were each assigned horses. My horse was Scarlett: a dark bay-colored mare, my guess a Quarter Horse mix. She was instantly so calm and so kind, and really easy for child me to ride. The whole trail was absolutely beautiful, magical, even, and I was literally in heaven. After an hour, the ride was over, and I had to get off; I gave her a hug and a few kisses, and reluctantly left. I thought about her for the rest of the trip and even cried in the airport because I didn't want to leave her behind.

Now, fast forward a year, and we're going back to the same place again. Of course, I insist on going back to the horseback riding place, and my family goes again to placate me. Little did I know, they called ahead of time to request that I ride Scarlett again, and I had the happiest surprise of my life: my favorite horse in the entire world. They let me do a longer ride this time, around two hours, and if you know anything about horseback riding, you know that you kind of spiritually commune with the horse in the process (kind of like when a Na'vi does tsaheylu with a direhorse in Avatar). So, once again I was in heaven, and once again it was cut off too soon for my liking.

Since I was old enough to walk her back to the barn, they let me; we could let go of the reigns halfway there because the horses knew to walk back to where they needed to be. I reluctantly did so, and she walked, and then she stopped. She craned her neck around to look at me. And then she came back. She let me pet her--crying, obviously--for a few minutes, until a handler came over to lead her back to the barn (she wasn't in trouble, they just had to keep the place organized). "She really likes you," the handler told me.

There you have it: my most magical memory ever. I am the horse whisperer.

[why-am-i-here-someone-save-me]

Lost

Something was missing.

You knew this for certain.

Yet you could not identify what it was.

Your breathing was unsteady as you tried to clear your messy thoughts. Everything hurt. Your body hurt, your head hurt, you could swear even your heart was breaking down in pain. A voice is speaking, but the words are strange and jumbled, seemingly fading in and out at random. You want to scream, yet not a sound escaped your throat. The voice is suddenly louder, even though the words it says remain indecipherable to you. You feel your head moved upwards slightly, before something is held to your lips. In too much pain to protest, you open your mouth, instinctively swallowing as a bitter tasting liquid passes your lips. The pain slowly begins to lessen, sharp stabbing sensations fading to dull throbs, before at last diminishing to naught more than a leftover ache. A wave of exhaustion passes through you, and you willingly submit to the calls of the unconscious world.

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

If you listen hard enough, will you be able to hear it’s call?

Would you still feel complete?

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

The dreams that greet your mind are vivid, almost too vivid. They seem so real that you aren’t even sure that you’re asleep…

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

“[Name]? How have you been in my absence? I trust things have not be too chaotic?” The voice of your dear friend came from over your shoulder, and you quickly whirled around to face him with a smile. “Albedo! Welcome back! I’m surprised to see you back from Dragonspine so soon!” The chief alchemist returns your smile with a small one of his own, making an internal note to attempt to recreate this sight in his sketchbook when he gets the chance. “Is that so? Well, I suppose I do usually spend a longer time there than I have this time… Ah, that reminds me, part of the reason I have returned so early is that I was hoping to request your assistance with a few matters.” Confusion shows in your eyes. He wanted your help? You were hardly an alchemist, let alone skilled enough at research to be of much use to him. “M-Me? Are you sure? N-Not that I wouldn’t want to help you! It’s just that, well, wouldn’t Sucrose or Tiemaeus be a better choice?” The blonde smiles softly at you, and you feel your hesitance melt away at his words. “I had considered asking them initially, however, after a bit of deliberation, I came to the conclusion that the one with the most suitable skill set for the matter is you. And of course, there is also the fact that I quite enjoy your company.” Your heart swells a little in response to his words. “W-Well, alright then. I’d be happy to help.”

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

Why did you agree?

Why did you trust him?

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

You slowly begin to awaken, a low groan of pain escaping you. A pair of footsteps rapidly nears you, stopping at your side. A hand takes your wrist, checking your pulse. The sigh that follows the action seems to be one of concern rather than frustration however. You feel a pinprick of pain on your shoulder before you begin to go numb, succumbing to the embrace of sleep yet again.

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

Where is it?

Where did it go?

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

Trekking through the snow of Dragonspine always ended up being far more tiring than you prepare for. Even with the thick clothes you’ve put on, the biting chill of the mountain freezes you to the core. By the time you step put in Albedo’s camp, you can’t stop your teeth from chattering. The alchemist glances up from his work, pausing when he sees your condition. He quickly makes his way over to you and brings you further away from the chilly entrance. As you sit by the fire, the warmth of it begins to reach you, and your shivering stops. “[Name], why did you climb up here so soon? We agreed to meet at the adventurer’s camp near the mountain base this evening. You could have gotten hurt.” If it weren’t for the concern in his voice, you would’ve huffed indignantly, likely responding back that you were far from helpless. Even still, you know you’d only be wasting your breath. No matter how many times he sees you battle, or how much he sees you use your Vision’s power, Albedo continues to see you as someone that is unable to protect themselves. You know it’s simply because he cared, but it didn’t make things any less frustrating. Albedo seems to understand your expression and drops the subject, opting instead to inform you of what he needed your aid with in the first place. When you hear him, you are left stunned for a moment. Surely you must have misheard right? Yet after asking him to repeat his request, he provides the exact same answer. “You want to study… my Vision?” The man nods, as serious as ever. “I mean, I suppose that’s okay. Just please be careful with it.” And just like that you’d handed the glowing gem to the alchemist, missing the dark light that shone in his eyes for a moment. He had smiled warmly and thanked you, asking you to stay in the meantime. You had agreed, having no intention of going back down the mountain without your Vision to defend yourself.

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

You have to find it.

Where is it? Where is it? Where is it where is it where is it-

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

The crackling of the fire and the soft sound of flipping pages and scrawling writing quickly lured you to sleep. In this moment, you were happy. The warm company of a dear friend and the coziness of the campfire left you feeling blissful.

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

You would not see the way that the alchemist paused and looked towards you to ensure you were truly unconscious.

You would not see the way his eyes gleamed dangerously in the firelight, or how possessive his gaze was as he studied your form.

You would not see him pick up your Vision, nor would you see the look of resentment on his face as he glared at it.

You would not see as the manifestation of your dreams and ambitions was shattered in his grip.

But you would feel it.

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

You wake with a gasp, eyes wide and frightened, a cold sweat enveloping you as your heart raced. You slowly begin to steady your breathing, panic subsiding as the dream, no, the nightmare, began to fade away into your subconscious. You look around, seeing a man seated nearby, seemingly having been sketching. He turns towards you and smiles, undeterred by your confused expression. Your heartbeat slows to normal at the gesture, foggy remnants of half recalls memories being pushed back into the recesses of your mind.

“It’s good to see you awake [Name]. You seem a bit disoriented.”

“Hm? What do you mean ‘who am I?’”

“Well, I suppose if it’s for you, I don’t mind repeating things.”

“I am Albedo, Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius, and you [Name], are my betrothed.”

Taglist is very smol at the moment but nonetheless, @nicebonescomrade here you go friendo! Let me know if you want to be tagged for future fics!

I’m currently taking character requests! Feel free to send one in for me!

[hoediaz]

cause i'm tired of sleeping alone

14k | buddie | rated t | ao3

Buck goes on dates now. Not often, and never with the same girl twice in a row, but he goes on dates. And the thing is — the thing is, Eddie can’t be mad about that, because he goes on dates too. - or, five (ish) times eddie and buck go on dates with other people, and one time they go on a date with each other

“What kind of stupid fucking bitch just stops in the middle of a green light?”

The bumper of a white Honda is crumpled like paper, the hood of the vivid red BMW that hit it in even worse shape. The Honda driver, a small blonde woman, wrestles her way out of Ravi’s grip to hover over the BMW driver’s stretcher, her hands fluttering, nervous, as blood drips from a laceration that slits through her eyebrow.

“I am so sorry,” the blonde says, her voice thick with tears.

“What the fuck is your problem?” the BMW driver snaps, making like she might jump to her feet before Hen and Chimney press her shoulders down.

“There was a bird!” the blonde cries.

Eddie pauses with a reddened cotton pad hovering over her eyebrow. “You stopped in the middle of the road because of a bird?”

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