#my inner child did love the return of red like roses

[normalest-of-knees]

Did they really..... do absolutely nothing with the fact that Jaune "had" to kill Penny?.....

I thought maybe they could pull something out at the end somehow; maybe have Penny be the one to help Ruby through her rough time as well as the tree lady

Though then again with all the Summer build up I'm not surprised

But I'm.... both flabbergasted and defeated that we went through this entire Volume without ever actually addressing Jaune killing Penny.

Back after Volume 8, so many people were like "So they HAVE to address this, right? Oh man how is Ruby gonna react to this??" And many were speculating and wondering

Apparently she won't, is the answer. We don't even know if Blake & Yang know either. They just never actually talk about or react if they do know

And I'm wondering.... why? Why did they tease about the Penny angst and then it amount to nothing in the end? Why did Ruby have to pass out while Weiss talked about the subject, and then never gets to talk about it afterwards? Why did she get to find the sword (that shouldn't even exist, mind you), give it up, then when it's thrown away she just leave it at that?

I know the answer is random angst and Jaune angst, but still.

Penny deserved so much better, and so did we. The audience deserved to be treated better and respected, but we got... this.

I wished they had picked between wanting to push the Summer stuff or the Penny stuff, since they clearly couldn't do both. And what we got of each was so... nothing

[forcebewitht]

May I have a Headcanon of the dorm leaders where reader, who is able to travel from their world to Twisted wonderland and back takes them to Disneyland and their reaction to seeing the Disney villains and going on my favorite ride "It's a small world" please?

Twisted Wonderland: Dorm Leaders X MC!Reader- Disneyland

(I genuinely had never heard of that one ride before, I had to look it up KDNEJWJEJ it looks cute for you, Sakurakudo! Non-gender specific again! Hope you enjoy this, thanks for the ask~💕)

🌹Riddle Rosehearts🌹

Oh, he was totally against the entire idea at first

Do you know all of the responsibilities he has? The dorm would probably catch on fire if he wasn't there for a single day!

However, you soon were able to talk him into it. Gosh, why did you have to be so cute, little rose...

His attitude totally changed as soon as he was actually there, however

It was like his inner child was finally awoken again

He wound up smiling so hard the entire time, his cheeks were hurting

Totally pulling you left and right in the park with the cutest little half skips in his joy

He sucked at the park games, but when you spotted a special little plushie you really wanted, he genuinely would not stop until he won the prize for you (Oh lord, RIP your wallets-)

He lit up in a smile when he finally won (ohmygod so bright)-

It was then that you told him you had a favorite ride- of course he'll go on it with you. Because you're so cu- ahem. Because he has a responsibility as a dorm leader attending this event with you. Yeah. That's it.

You two soon went on the ride, "It's A Small World", and Riddle kept an arm around you the whole time

He didn't know a lot about it, but he loved learning about it with you, your beautiful face smiling all the while

"Oh, rose! I'm so glad you wanted me to come with you- e-eh?! Why am I...turning red? I'm n-not turning red-! Focus on the r-ride, okay? We will be studying all night when we return, I hope you...know that."

🦁Leona Kingscholar 🦁

You had to trick him. No, I mean- you genuinely had to trick him into going

You wound up having to make a portal and say that you found the perfect new napping spot for the lion prince

He was already suspicious, but he wouldn't mind about a new spot- especially if that meant Ruggie couldn't wake him up

Then, he hears and smells everything all at once. Music, steaming food, singing, cheering- CHILDREN?!?!?!

Oh, he was annnggrryyyy. He just- slowly turned and glared at you. If he had heat vision or something- woooo

Of course, you just smiled sheepishly and tried pulling on his arm

At first, he was just "Uh uh, no, you're taking me back"

Buuuttttt you know how Leona is. So, you may or may not have mentioned that he literally was the only genuine prince there- so he was technically above everybody else there

That got him to smirk. Hehe. Dumb herbivores.

But he couldn't stop the children from tryna surround him- he straight up growled at them, but they thought it was cool, so-

You wound up having to have your arm around his the whole time, like you were flaunting him and he was flaunting you.

That made it better. A little.

You know that scene in Despicable Me where Gru blows up the one game stand because the guy was mocking Agnes for not winning?

Yeah, that happened, but with you instead.

He sanded the whole stand, simply snatching the prize you wanted and handed it over, parading away with the biggest smirk on his face at the fear of the rude stand-owner-

Once you pulled him on "It's A Small World"? He just- sat the whole time with his arms folded. That singing and those kids were driving him insane- it didn't matter how happy you looked. (Okay, maybe it did just a little. Don't get a big head about it, herbivore)

"Herbivore...listen to me and listen well. You try and pull a stunt like this again? You better be prepared for the repercussions. Be thankful I have to go nap off all that insane noise and won't punish you right now. Huh? What's with that look? Hehehe~"

🐙Azul Ashengrotto 🐙

Oya? You wish to go to an amusement park with him? How...interesting.

Tell him more.

Once he learns of the potential business investments with such a large, overcharging company- of course he'll go!

(After all, he can steal their tactics and bring them home! And he can spend the day with you! It's a win-win~)

Azul seems to be observing everything around him as he holds your hand

So much all at once...such a perfect business tactic to gain the attention of all who pass by.

Sooner or later, he notices a little boy who most in your world would deem....of a heavier fit than most. He seemed to be crying- did someone steal a prize he won? Where were his parents?

Azul...saw a bit of his old self in the boy. So, he tugged you with him, over to the boy. He soon began to suavely strike up a conversation. Ah, his suspicion was correct

The bullies were swiftly tracked down thanks to a spell of Azul's. Let's just say- they were some poor, unfortunate souls that day.

You then pulled him on the final ride of the day- "It's A Small World". He seemed...maybe indifferent to the whole ride? He either stared at the mechanics or caught a glimpse of your face- just to look away whenever you glanced at him

"Oh, angelfish~! Thank you for bringing me along with you, today. I learned quite a lot. Hmm? What's this expression on my face? Don't worry, darling, hehehe~!"

☀️Kalim Al-Asim ☀️

A PARK?!? WITH HIM?!??! YES YES YES-

Jamil is totally against the whole thing, do you know how many people could try to assassinate him out there? (Himself included if he could-)

You eventually mentioned that no one would know Kalim there- so no one would try to attack him specifically

Jamil had to give in, eventually. You were more intelligent than you let on the surface, you could handle it (and what, other than you, was really lost if you didn't-)

Kalim was basically like the little kids- just a bundle of sunshine, even more than normal

Totally won a whole handful of prizes for you on accident

You eventually pulled him onto "It's A Small World" and he clapped his hands and tried singing along- which was cute since he didn't know the lyrics, obviously-

"Ahaha! I had SOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun with you today, my jewel! Thanks for inviting me! Was that last ride your favorite? You were smiling so bright! It's cute, I loved it! Can we come here again, please? Pleeeaaaseeeeee???"

🪞Vil Schoenheit🪞

You had to trick him, too.

"I found a good place for some self pictures for you to outshine Neige!!!" You said

"You'll be so beautiful in this space!" You said

He had a reaction similar to Leona at first-

But that was when the kids spotted him. You eventually were overrun by the number of small children that were either running up to him or staring or waving with bright smiles

They thought he was a Disney Princess

He looked at the kids and then looked at you. Back to the kids. Back to you. That's when the smile blossomed onto his handsome face

One kid was hauled onto Vil's shoulders as he held the hands of the others, now walking with them and you throughout the park, their shocked parents all following behind

It was like he was a different person. He wound up winning multiple games for the kids and an even larger handful for you, that smile never seeming to leave him

He eventually got all the kids onto the ride "It's A Small World" and sat in the front with you. Ew, okay, all he could see was Neige on this ride- expect him to squeeze your hand the whole time so as not to snap

You eventually snapped the pictures he wanted with your camera- and boy, was he the fairest one of all there

"How clever and underhanded of you, sweet potato...don't expect me to be so sweet to you next time around. Don't pull a stunt like that again- hmm? Why am I smiling like this? I had fun, you silly goose, I never said I didn't~!"

💀Idia Shroud💀

Two words. Hell. No

ARE YOU CRAZY?!? MILLIONS OF PEOPLE?!?! ALL IN ONE PLACE?!?!? UH UH, NO WAY

You and Ortho wound up talking to him for two hours. Yep. Two. Hours.

Ortho helped more than you did in convincing, really- Ortho saying he would be the happiest boy in the world if his big brother won him at least one prize (cheeky little thing-)

Poor Idia. He was going to die today.

He wore a hood the whole time, helped him not to panic as much

Just keep your eyes on the ground, win the prize, get out. This was a side quest-

You held his hand and that's when he melted

Okayyyyy finneee, he'll go here...he'll...do that. Just keep holding his hand-

He totally wound up flexing his intelligence on the games ("EHEHEHEHEHE" intensifies-)

Whole pile of prizes. He liked the two little demons that reminded him of the Lord Of The Underworld's minions. Totally gonna put those in his room.

The prize was won, but then you pulled him onto a ride. Eh?!?! What was this...a love simulation game? Wait- WAS THIS A DATE?!?!?

This wound up distracting him. Like, a lot. He didn't even realize he was on the ride, then-

"Y-you're mentally unwell, skullie...able to be around all these normies all the time. Seriously, this is what you do for fun? H-huh? What do you mean, I'm turning pink??? Did I have fun?? Uhh....y-no. I mean- EH?!?! WAS THIS A DATE?!"

🐉Malleus Draconia🐉

All you had to do was explain what everything was and he was in.

Spending time and having fun with his firefly? Yep. He was in. No doubts

Children loved him. He was so tall, so cool!

A little blonde girl donned in a soft pink caught his eye the most. She seemed to be alone. She was soon hauled onto his head, resting on his horns and went along with you two the whole time

The three of you went from game to game, ride to ride. Eventually, you had found her parents- they had lost her a few hours ago. Many thanks were given

Malleus felt....happy. No one was looking at him like he was a monster, they were looking at him in blissful awe. It felt....nice.

That's why his head rested against yours on your favorite, final ride, his emerald eyes trained on your face

It was then that you caught on that the sun had been shining all day- not a cloud in sight. He really was happy with you.

"My firefly...thank you for today. I enjoyed myself. Thank you for being....nevermind. Hmm? What did I mean? Don't worry about it, Child Of Man. Enjoy the ride. We will have a gift for your smaller companion when we get back."

~End~

[arizona2004]

Who the Real Wolves Are. part 5

Azriel x reader

word count:

warnings: Smut

When I wake in the morning, I turn to find Azriel still sleeping next to me. It’s early enough to still be dark out; even Cassian is sleeping at this hour. I notice I’m wearing one of Azriel’s shirts that are far too big for me and smile. Scooting closer to him, I drape an arm and leg over his body, soaking in his warmth, and fall back asleep.

When I wake again, he isn’t beside me, but the bed is still warm, and I can hear the water running in the bathroom. The water turns off, and a slight splashing sounds as Azriel climbs into the tub. Suddenly heat pools between my legs at the thought of Azriel naked only a few feet away. I close my legs, rubbing my thighs together, and don’t let myself think about the idea I got as I quickly stand and walk into the bathroom. Azriel looks up, and just as quickly as the confidence had come, it disappears. But I’m already in here, the closed-door at my back. 

“Good morning,” Az says, morning voice still gravelly.

 It makes my core heat, and I know he knows as he suddenly sniffs the air between us, “Can I join you,” I take a few steps forward. He doesn’t say anything, so I slip out of my panties. “I won’t look. Promise,” I say, stepping into the tub. As I lower myself into the water, I slowly lift the shirt so that it doesn’t touch the water. His eyes never leave mine, though. Just as my ribs hit the water, I slip one arm from the shirt and use it to cover my breasts as I pull it the rest of the way off and throw it to the side.

We’re seated across from one another. Azriel with his legs out in front of him, feet on either side of my butt. And me with my knees pulled up to my chest, forearms resting across them. He still hasn’t said anything. I bite my lip nervously, regretting this when he says, “don’t do that.”

I look back at him, confused, “do what?”

“Bite your lip like that.”

Azriel’s pov

As inconspicuously as possible, I move my hands to cover my groin. Not because I’m embarrassed, I just don’t need her seeing how easily she made me hard. My cock is aching to feel her and has ever since she walked into this bathroom smelling the way she did. Wanting. It’s not as bad as last night, though. I love you, she had said. As if anything could have made me harder. The second the words left her lips, my heart stopped beating, and blood rushed to my cock. When I turned around, though, she was already asleep. And now here she is naked in the bath across from me, biting her lip. If only it were my teeth tugging that lip. 

One of her legs gently pushed away from her body and ran along my own leg, “you seem tense. If you want I could give you a massage. She pushed up to her knees and moved closer to me. Before she could get too much closer, I stood as fast as I could and grabbed the towel from the rack, wrapping it around my waist.

“You probably shouldn’t. I have to work, so I’ll see you later.”

Y/N pov

He just left. Maybe he doesn’t want to have sex with me. Maybe he isn’t aroused by me. I honestly hoped that was it because that was better than him running away because of what I said last night. It was better than him not loving me.

*

The rest of the morning Azriel studiously avoids me, and when we end up in the same room he avoids my gaze. Quickly anxious thoughts fill my mind. My stomach churns, and for the rest of the day, I feel as though I need to empty my stomach. When I end up in Feyre’s painting room with Mor draped on a lounge talking about a female she bedded last night, I can’t help but blurt out my inner thoughts.

“Azriel doesn’t want to have sex with me,” I cringe. The words come out quickly and louder than I intended. “Or he might not be in love with me at all. I don’t really know; I told him I love him, but-” I ramble until Mor cuts me off.

“You told him you love him?” By now, Feyre’s put her brush down, and both females are facing me. “Did he say it back?”

I start shaking my head slowly, “I fell asleep.”

“You haven’t talked to him?” Feyre asks.

“I tried to do something this morning. I don’t know. I just joined him in the tub, hoping we could do something, ya know? But he left pretty quickly, and he hasn’t mentioned lat night.”

Mor and Feyre glance at one another, “Just talk to him,” Feyre suggests.

“Yeah. be really upfront about it.”

*

I didn’t even need to finish my sentence before Feyre agreed to fly me up to the house of wind. She left me on the balcony with instructions to the training room before returning to her painting. I paced the halls before I even got the courage to go to the training rooms. When I did, though, I was more confident than I wished I’d been. I walked straight in and shouted, “Do you love me?”  as soon as I met Azriel's eyes across the room. 

A slight cough sounded to my left. I turned to see Cassian, but a second later, he and Rhys shuffled out of the room. My cheeks turned red, and Azriel moved to stand. He looked a little startled when I asked, but now his expression was carefully blank. 

“If you don’t, that's okay. I just can’t stand not knowing,” I mumble, looking down.

He lifts my chin with a finger and looks straight into my eyes, “how could you ever think I didn’t love you?” he says, “I’ve always loved you.”

My heart like it skips 3 beats, “Always?”

“Always. Well, since I met you anyways.”

“Oh.” 

“Oh?”

“I just don’t understand. You love me. But you don’t want to have sex with me,” I said questioningly. 

He releases a huff of laughter, “Is that what this is about? This morning?”

“You’ve been avoiding me since last night.”

“Last night? You mean when you drunkenly told me you love me and passed about before I could even turn around?”

Another blush rises to my cheeks, “I didn’t feel drunk when I said it. And just because I was doesn’t mean I didn’t mean it.”

A grin spreads across his cheeks, “so you love me then?”

“Of course I love you, Az. But you still haven’t told me why you don’t want to have sex with me.”

Somehow his grin widens even more, “You were grieving, and last night you were also drunk, then this morning I wasn’t sure you still weren’t, and I wasn’t sure you loved me. I wanted to wait until you loved me. But none of that is any reason not to have sex now.”

I redden more, taking a step back, “not here,” I whisper out.

“No?”

This really isn’t how I imagined it would be. Not here.”

“But a bathroom at 7 am is how you imagined it?” he smirks.

“That was different,” he raises his eyebrows in question, “I just had an urge then.”

His eyes sparkled with delight at that, “And right now you don't have the feral urge to pounce on me?” he asks with that insufferable smirk.

I let my eyes glance over his sweaty muscled body for only a second before backing away, resisting the urge to let him take me now, “I’ll see you at dinner tonight,” I open the door at my back now, “and then I hope to see a lot more of you after that,” I step out the door, leaving it slightly jarred behind me. 

His laughter sounds as I walk back down the hall, “smooth,” I hear him say in the distance. 

*

After Rhys drops me off at the River house, I head straight inside and up to the bedroom. I spend the better part of the afternoon bathing in lavender and doing my hair. When I dress, I slip on some of the blue lacey underthings Feyre made me buy before stepping into a short white dress. I paint my face with some light makeup and walk downstairs. Dinner isn’t ready, so I walk into the sitting room where Rhys is watching Nyx. Carefully, I sit on the floor to play with him. Minutes later, when Azriel walks in, Nyx is in my lap, squishing my cheeks together. Azriel stops in the doorway, looking at me, “what,” I ask.

“Nothing. You just look really beautiful, is all,” he says, before panicking slightly and adding in a rush, “not that you don’t always look beautiful. Because you do.”

I laugh quietly, turning back to Nyx, babbling in my lap. “Dinner’s ready,” Feyre calls from the dining room. I lift Nyx up to Rhys, letting him flip the giggling child over his shoulder to dangle down behind his back.

Azriel helps me to my feet and walks by my side into the dining room. As soon as the food was served, Azriel placed a hand on my thigh, running a finger in circles. I sipped wine, trying to ignore him, but slowly the circles rose, and Azriel's fingers were above the hem of my dress. When he did finally stop, it was only to spread his palm over my thighs and squeeze, slipping his fingers between them, inching them apart. I tried bearing the teasing, but when Azriel’s fingers grazed my clit I had to snap my legs shut and pry his fingers away. 

He kept to himself for the remainder of dinner, thankfully. But as soon as the plates were clearing away, he found any and every excuse to touch me. He hardly said anything, only shooting me devious smirks. After a few more minutes, we quietly excused ourselves, but I’m sure everyone knew what was going on anyways. 

As soon as we turned out of view of the others, Azriel turned me around and started kissing me as he walked us to the bedroom. His lips were soft, and his tongue was harsh as he kissed me. Pushing me against the door, he fumbled for the handle. When the door was finally pushed open, his hands instead found my hips, and his lips started kissing down my neck as he pushed me back against the door, letting it slam shut. 

Azriel's hands started sliding from my hips back toward my hips, but then he stopped, pulling back altogether, “If you’re not ready, that’s okay. We don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to,” he said.

“Oh, I definitely want to,” I reply, pushing him back onto the bed. A look of shock passes over his face, but he lets me climb on top of him. I sit on his thighs, leaning my hands on his chest to run his shirt up. It takes a moment to maneuver it around his wings, but once it's off, I run hands over his abs. Not wanting to leave even a little but untouched. He groans slightly, as I run a finger over one of his nipples. I smirk and lean forward to place a kiss on the peaked nipple. He groans louder now. It’s a deep low noise, and it is wonderful, “I take it back,” I say, looking up to him. 

“What?” he asks, confused. 

“I take back what I said about your laugh being the most beautiful noise I’ve ever heard. That noise. That’s the most beautiful noise I’ve ever heard.

His lips find mine again, and I’m swept away into oblivion. Gripping my thighs, Azriel pulls me up to it on his lower abdomen. His hands find their way to my ass and squeeze gently. I spend many minutes kissing his neck, marking him wherever I can. Then he starts pulling me further up his body, and I gasp as I’m pulled to sit directly above his face. Azriel just gives me a wicked grin before disappearing below my dress.

He drags a finger over my slit before pulling the fabric of my patines gently to the side. His tongue darts out to lick between my folds. I start collapsing forward and have to grip the headboard just to keep myself up. Azriel chuckles below me, and my legs start shaking, and I let a moan out at the feeling it sends to my core. He sucks my clit into his mouth and works magic with his tongue. I feel myself climbing toward an edge I’ve only ever found with my fingers and clench around nothing. Just as I’m about to release, however, Azriel pulls back. Then suddenly, he’s pushing me down his body and flipping us over and, in the blink of an eye, I’m laying where he had just been, and he’s kneeling above me, face wet with my juices.

“You taste absolutely divine,” he says, voice low. Then his hands are under my dress, and he’s dragging it up and over my head. After tossing it to the ground, he turns back to me, and his eyes darken as he finally gets a look at me in the lingerie. He traces the lace over my breasts before pulling a strap down slightly to suck a nipple into his mouth. I moan loud, wrapping my legs around his waist. 

His lips move up to my neck. He kisses roughly and bites gently. I’m a moaning mess beneath him, begging for more. “Please, Azriel. I need you,” I whine. 

Pulling back, finally, he removes the bra and starts tugging the panties down my legs. My legs lift straight into the air as he pulls them off my ankles, but instead of letting my legs fall, he pulls them to his shoulders. Looking me in the eyes, he starts unbuckling his pants. That’s where my gaze rests until he says, “If you wanna stop. At any point at all. Just say so, and I’ll stop. Promise.” I nod in response, still looking at his eyes when he pulls his pants and underwear down in one swift motion. 

He leans forward, pushing my legs to my chest as he pulls his pants off his legs. He lets my right leg fall from his shoulder and wrap around his waist instead, but still holds my other leg. My hands roam his chest, and my lips press to his, silently asking him to continue. I lick the seam of his lips, and a second later, his tongue darts from his mouth into mine. 

He presses meg closer to my chest and lines his cock up with my entrance. Nudging at my wetness, he groans and begins pushing in. Finally, I look down at the massive size of him. There’s no way that’ll fit, I think, but Azriel continues and slowly pushes into me.

My head falls back against the pillows, and I whimper. “Fuck! You’re wet,” Az groans. He continues pushing his cock into me and lowers my other leg to lean forward all the way. I clench my walls around him as he enters entirely. We both moan at the tight feeling. Azriel rests his hands on either side of my head and pulls out slightly before pushing himself back in. Tears stream down my face, but after a few more minutes of his gentle thrusts, the pain has practically gone, and all that is left is pleasure. 

I grip his shoulders and press my face into his neck, “faster Azriel. Please, faster,” I moan. Az obliges immediately and picks up the pace. He grips my hips and roughly thrust in and out. It only takes a minute before I cum around his cock, a screaming moan escaping my throat. Seconds later, Azriel follows, looking into my eyes he cums in me, moaning, “y/n.”

A moment later, he’s pulling out and watching his sticky white cum pool out of me. He bites his lip, obviously getting aroused by the sight, before standing and walking to the bathroom. He returns with a warm cloth in his hand and cleans the both of us up. 

When he’s done and laying by my side, he pulls me close, “are you going to say something,” he asks, “or just lay here silently, making me wonder if you hated it.”

I laugh slightly, tucking myself into the side of his body, “I definitely didn’t hate it. It was wonderful, Az. Thank you.”

“Happy to oblige,” he murmurs, kissing the top of my head just before we both fall asleep.

The next part will be the last and is just a list of headcanons I have for their future together. I didn’t want to make this story a long one

[smallrainclouds]

Found out Hypno has a wife and uhh got an urge.

Arrange marriage!Au with reader.

Quick note thou I did use wife as a term in this and the reader is female using she/they.

No beta.

Part one.

You saw him once before.

You were young still, round cheeks and small. Just another child in a garden with your sisters.

Roses and lillies in everlasting bloom, and ivy covered the walls under a bright blue sky.

But you were only one who seem to notice the noise inside.

Quietly as you could, you left the book you brought with you on the grass. You only looked back to make sure none of your sisters noticed.

You hid next to the bushes, waited for a chance to peek in the window.

"It would be good for our relationship." Your mother's voice difted out. "I know with Hades and my husband, that it... Been hard."

"Yes, of course." Another voice, one you didn't recognize, said quietly.

"and I just know y/n would be a perfect fit for Hypnos."

You blinked. Who were these people? What was your mother talking about?

You were normally more careful and poilte. So badly wanting your family's approval but you couldn't resist looking anymore. You got on your knees and peeked inside.

There was your mother and another woman. Where your mother glowed with a inner golden hue, this women looked like she was bathed in moonlight.

Darkly beautiful to your mother's sunlight.

"Hey you might want to go back to your sisters." A voice whispered behind you.

You covered your mouth as you spun around to face an complete stranger.

He was couched down, hidden as just you were. He was taller then you even when couched.

He smiled, his white curls moved with his head tilt.

"They won't be pleased if they knew they were being spyed on."

You stared, he didn't look like any god you seen before. He was much paler and his eyes...

"Is there someone there?" Your mother's voice with just bearly hidden rage and you could hear her steps get closer to the window.

"Go. Now. I'll cover for you." He pushed you away gently.

You took off, not even this strange god could keep you near your mother when she get like this.

Later, when the skies had sipped into twilight, you returned.

The god was gone. You didn't know if you felt relieve or guilt or something else unknown.

You looked downward and gasped. You crawled in the grass to get a closer look.

Poppies. Deep red and in full bloom. It was just a handful but you picked them anyway.

The next day when alone in the morning light, you carefully pressed each one in your book.

🌙💤💤🌙

You stared into the mirror, feeling lightheaded. And trapped, so so trapped. You didn't want this.

You blinked, and it felt like an stranger was staring back.

You never looked like this before. There was always so much to do, you didn't bother often to do your hair or makeup. A quick bun and you were on your way.

But you were an adult now and one to be married.

One of your sister had sat you down and carefully applied make up as the others fussed with your hair. Weaving dozen of small flowers into your hair as they gushed over you.

You looked beautiful.

And you wanted to weep.

This was one of the last times you will ever have with your sisters and you didn't want to ruin it by crying.

Why even after everything you done your parents are sending you away from family? You tried to be a good daughter and this is how they repay the favor you thought bitterly.

Send away from everything you ever known to marry some god in the underworld.

When the dress arrived, you breathed a sigh of relief.

Thankfully the dress your mother had chosen was simple and easy to move around in. It was lovely, a soft silver with purple ropes.

You hated it.

🌙💤💤🌙

The whole area was blanket with snow. And it was lovely in its stillness. You resist the urge to hug yourself for warmth.

But even with the beauty, you could sense how close you were to the underworld.

It just you and your parents.

And your husbands to be family.

You stared. There was two of them, a mother and her son.

Something nagged at you, deep and forgotten. Have you seen them before?

But before you could remember, your father took you by your arm, gently hooking them together.

It was time.

🌙💤💤🌙

Your husband's name is Hypnos, God of sleep.

And he was... Not quite what you expected.

You stepped into the bedchamber, feeling very small and alone.

He followed behind, pushed the door closed and stood next to it.

The silent was heavy as you stared at each other.

You took the time to look at him, to really look. He was handsome in an unusual way, so different from the heroes and gods you knew.

You couldn't help but wondered what he thought about you.

He cleared his throat, "Ah, well. It would seem we're both uncomfortable." He said cheerfully. He beamed and you all could do a was a small smile.

He nodded, almost to himself.

"I know this wasn't your plans, right?" He waved his hands around. " The underworld, the dead or me for that matter."

You bit your lips nervously, "No, it wasn't. You will have to forgive me if I seem... Unsure of myself."

"Nothing to forgive." Hypnos said. "I wanted to give you your own bedchamber so you have space for yourself. Mine is right across from you."

"Oh thank you-" You felt a knot in your chest loosen, he haven't tried anything and you wouldn't have to do your duites as a wife. Not tonight as least.

He waved your words away.

"Of course, just let know if you need anything. I will give you an tour tomorrow." He smiled again as he opened your door and guilded out.

Soon as the door was shut, you went to your bed and fell down on the covers. You looked at the bedchamber, so different and darker than anything you had at home.

Tears rolled down cheeks even before you was aware of them.

You pulled a pillow close and hugged it tightly. You wished you were with your sisters and not here in this place.

You quietly weep for your old life, and for yourself. Just for tonight.

Tomorrow, you will begin your new life.

💤🌙🌙💤

*Hypnos's pov*

His wife was breathtaking. Unlike anything he seen before. And they very much did not want to be here.

Hypnos floated around his bedchambers, he had quickly taken off his own wedding outfit and switch to his normal wear. He ran his hands though his hair, he was at a lost what to do.

Thanks goodness for Hades' only advice to him, of giving them their own bedchamber. It gave him space to think, otherwise he might had said something foolish.

Hypnos tugged at his hair again, upset at his own cluelessness.

He sighed, how did such a beautiful being ended up here with him? Her family were fools if the best they thought Y/N could do was him. There should had been suitors ready to fight Hypnos just for looking at Y/N

Hypnos took a slip of nector.

They may never be truly husband and wife in the normal sense but he will do everything he could to at least make this bearable for her.

If nothing else, they could be friends one day.

[umiarumi]

fucking three houses | prologue/claude von riegan

afab she/her reader, originally posted on my ao3, myukyu <3

Twirling my sword, an excited grin fell upon my face as I jogged alongside Dorte and Marianne. "Hah! Marie, ya think I can keep up your old steed's pace?" I asked excitedly, huffing slightly. The academy had really buffed your stamina, shit, enough to keep up with a damn horse.

"Oh, (Y/N)! I-um, don't strain yourself since we have nearly reached the monastery." She hesitantly called out, brow furrowing. I laughed it off, nodding as I slowed my pace to meet Raphael jogging, carrying a very unamused Lysithea.

"What's up, you two?" I asked, grinning. The behemoth of a man beamed back, motioning his head to the pouting smaller girl in his arms.

"Lysithea here was starting to struggle, so as a good big bro- I mean, uh, friend! As a good friend, I'm helping keep up!" He cheered, laughing.

"I'll remind you, you thoughtless fool, I am not a child! I am quite the opposite, now." Lysithea barked out at Raphael, folding her arms.

I chuckled, shaking my head. I missed these guys, and once we make it to the monastery... well, teach better have kept his promise and not died on us. ~~~~ ~~~~ PROLOGUE END ~~~~ ~~~~ "Ahh... now this one is gonna fill the spot, thanks, prof!" You cheered, excitedly flicking your eyes between your delicious meal of Beast Meat and your slightly concerned professor.

"That smell... it's amazing! My fav, in fact. Do you like it too?" Claude nodded with you, looking to Byleth out of curiousity. Easygoing, huh?

"I like it."

Usually, you'd laugh at your teacher's blunt speech, yet that meat was begging you to devour it and hey- who are you to deny its wishes? Being back at the monastery with your class and teacher as much as you'd loved being back in your home country, you had a soft spot for the Golden Deer. But five years had changed the lot of you, various glowups being noticed, by the way. Yet, Claude caught your attention the most. Which, being honest, wasn't out of the norm, hell, for anyone!

As you tore through your meat, you caught your former classmate stifling a chuckle at your pure ferocity.

"Oi! Got thomething to thay," You quickly swallowed. "What's so funny!?" You annoyedly accused, slamming a hand on the table. He let out a laugh, shaking his head.

"Easy tiger! You just looked awfully cute with your cheeks stuffed."

You felt your cheeks darken, clicking your tongue as you went back to your meal. "Smooth, dickhead..." You mumbled as your teacher let out a sigh at the two of youse antics. As you all continue to eat, a comfortable silence fell upon your trio.

"That aside, I am glad to see you also returning. I heard from Lorenz that you had disappeared for a while." Your teacher finally spoke, looking to you. Your eyebrows rose in surprise as you let a crooked grin creep up your face.

"Funny you say that. How about yourself, five years asleep! Did any lucky gal or guy come to give you that awakening kiss~" You cooed, switching the topic onto him. You had no idea what you could say without getting yourself and Claude in an unknown amount of trouble.

He raised a brow at your dodging of the question but ultimately let it go. "I did not get kissed, no."

Claude piped up from his suspicious silence, leaning in to pester teach. "Ya sure? You were pretty popular back at the academy!" You snickered after this comment, nodding to egg him on.

"I believe we've finished the meal. I shall see the two of you later." He promptly stood up with his plate and cutlery, returning them to the kitchen before strutting off in his usual stern demeanour.

"Aw, we scared him off!" You jokingly whined, leaning onto Claude. Teasing your no-nonsense teacher was great since he's as clueless as Seteth with three times the patience.

"How will we ever apologise?" Claude moaned alongside you, resting his head on yours melodramatically. You tittered together before recovering and bringing your dirty dishes to the kitchen. Leaving the dining hall, you two walked in silence.

You walked with no aim for a while until Claude stopped. You turned to him, intrigued. Tilting your head, you asked him a question.

"Something up?"

He smiled softly, shaking his head.

"Nah, but I would like to ask you some things." He said, and the lack of a comedic tone set off a minor alarm in your brain. You were no stranger to his inquisitive nature, having known him for a good portion of your life. Yet, you had a feeling this related to before. Even Claude wasn't aware of your whereabouts.

"Sure thing, here?" You asked, folding your arms defensively.

"No... let's go somewhere more private." He said, walking off. You jumped, quickly following him.

~~~~

Following Claude up the spiralling stairs of the Goddess tower was quick, that you could confirm. Nearly stumbling over your steps as he transcended so damn fast, you couldn't even call out for him to slow the hell down.

As you finally made it to the top, avoiding the rubble which had gathered after the battle at the monastery, you had leant against the wall, quickly regaining your breath. Yet as soon as you blinked, Claude seemed to have moved from the centre of the room to a few inches away from your face.

"C-Claude! What the hell...?" You jumped, backing fully up against the cold, stone wall. Feeling the cool stones against your back, you shivered as your former leader stared at you.

"Answer teach's question for me, friend? Where were you while we were stopping the whole damn alliance from being chipped away by the Empire?" He asked, frustrated. He took a step towards you.

You gulped, shaking your head as your eyes darted around the tower, looking everywhere but him.

"That's not the answer I was looking for, (Y/N)."

Your breath hitched as he grabbed your chin to look you in the eyes. His voice lowered, a conflicted emotion on his face. A crooked grin tugged at his lips and yet his brows were furrowed, annoyed.

||Translation: فاک - Fuck||

"I-I was in Almyra!" You yelped, quickly realising what you said as you cursed under your breath, "فاک..." You hissed, embarrassed.

"First, you avoid our questions..." Claude listed, cruelly running his thumb across your lip. Your heart skipped a beat, your eyes finally set on his figure.

"Second, you leave us... breaking our promise," He continued, striking your heart where it hurts.

You bit your lip, eyeing him as he let his hand drop to your shoulder. He pushed you further against the wall. You shivered, yet not from the freezing stone this time.

"I-I... even you said you had no attachment to Fodlan! I thought you wouldn't..." You trailed off, searching for an excuse.

"Everyone thought you died! I thought you died! And yet..." His voice rose, yet less out of anger. He finally brought his face to your extremely red own.

"Where was I? Oh yeah, finally..." You stiffened, knowing what he was going to bring up.

"Leaving me hanging."

Before you all reunited, you had made a short trip into Fodlan to grasp the situation. Yet, your undercover mission soon became an open one as a fateful night in Derdriu occurred.

~~~~

It was a warm evening the night you had made it into the lively streets of the city. Even after the effects of war, the city still seemed to bustle. Unassumedly passing by citizens happily talking, you looked for any Knights of Seiros stationed nearby or even members of the Leicester military. Noticing a particular armoured woman, you tapped her shoulder.

She turned, giving you a pleasant smile. "Do you need anything, ma'am?"

You nodded, playing with the sides of your bodice. "I live a while from the military posts, so could you please tell me... um, how is the war going?" Embarrassed, she laughed softly before explaining.

However, you were unaware of a keen eye watching you. The familiar bobbing of unruly hair, gleaning of sun-kissed skin tied in with a confident stance clued Claude onto just who it was he saw. He waited patiently behind market stalls, keeping an eye on you as you bid the woman goodbye. And oh-so luckily for him, you headed his way.

You passed by him, oblivious to the archer's presence. A sudden hand on your shoulder caused you to jolt, your hand reaching to the hilt of your sword. Whipping around, your eyes soon met the green ones of a certain Alliance leader.

"C-Claude!?" You shrieked, hand still cautiously resting on your sword, unsure if he would take well to your sudden appearance.

"So you decided to show up, huh?" He remarked, and if you knew him any less you'd think that easygoing smile meant he was happy. But that smile never reached his eyes.

Yet, despite his obvious inner conflict, you expelled a breath as he pulled you into a hug. You soon wrapped your arms around him. It had been four years since you left after Edelgard and her forces attacked. You felt his grip loosen as he rose a hand to your chin, that oh-so teasing thumb brushing against your lip.

"May I?" He muttered, and in response, you leant into him, lips locking. What started innocently quickly grew messy and needy, your lips growing red.

As you pulled back, you felt the hard pressure as your fronts brushed together. You blushed before turning your head away.

"I'm sorry Claude, I have to go." You muttered solemnly, pulling yourself together.

"Wait, what? Showing up randomly after four years and then blue-balling me?" He teased yet yearningly reached out his hand.

"I promise, I will return and finish what I started!" You called out, running off into the night.

~~~~

Your face grew hot at the memory. Shuffling nervously, you looked into his eyes.

"Then, will you finish what we started, miss?" He asked, running a hand across your face.

Inhaling, you nodded and answered him. "Yes... please."

With your consent, he pushed himself against you, lips squishing as he brought you upon his own. He soon ran his tongue along your bottom lip, asking for permission.

You parted them quickly, his tongue invading your mouth as your tongue danced with his. He began to unclasp your armour as you shifted to help them come off easier.

Before you knew it, you had both shed to your undergarments, all knowledge of this being an open area quickly leaving your mind.

His hands reached behind your back to fiddle with your bra for a few moments, soon letting it fall to the cold, stone ground. His eyes fell to your breasts, your nipples perk from a mix of the cold air in the Goddess Tower and the heat of the situation.

Quickly, his hands began to fondle and grope your tits, your hand slapping on your mouth as to not alert any patrolling guards.

"These really are great. Your armour disguises you, a good thing that is since you'd probably take a few hits otherwise." He commented cheekily, observing your tightly shut eyes and fluttering breaths.

God, he'd tease you even now!?

One of the hands dropped from your breast, the other continuing to squeeze and roll it like wet clay. The forgotten breast soon regained heat as the scruffy head of the brunette quickly moved to suckle on your aching nipple, causing you to let out a quick yelp.

"How cute." He mumbled into your tit, the vibrations sending a delicious shiver up your spine. Whilst you were focused on the pleasure at your chest, your throbbing cunt soon found a welcoming hand cupping it through your underwear.

"Soaked! Were you wanting this all along? Hah! Pretty slutty for an Almyran warrior." He cooed, fingers running against your clothed slit.

"A-ah... fuck you!" You hissed, deciding on paying back the offer. Your free hand reached down to cup his hidden boner, hand rubbing slowly.

"Ffffuck... fine, you want to do it right here, against this wall sweetheart?" He asked, grinning.

You nodded brashly, slipping out of your drenched underwear. He too shed his remaining clothes and your lips locked in a short kiss before he pulled away.

Grabbing onto your thighs, he lifted you as you hooked your legs around him. Pushing you against the wall, he angled his dick at your pussy. Rubbing slowly, teasingly. The two of you groaned, as finally, he stuck his dick in your needy cunt.

You gasped, feeling it stretch you out, slowly, inch by inch. Bottoming out, the two of you stilled for a moment, catching your breaths. Once you adjusted, signalling him with a nod, he pulled out to the tip, before slamming back in. You moaned unabashedly, eyes fluttering open to see Claude's face scrunch up.

He looked up to you coyly, smirking. "Do you want all of the monastery to find us? Would you like them to see you like this?" Your breath hitched.

"Sweating, being fucked against a wall by your former leader? After five long years, you decide to help." He hissed, continuing to thrust as you gasped with each thrust.

The fulfilling feeling of Claude's dick rubbing against your inner walls gradually inched you to your orgasm, the added brushing of fronts stimulating your clit.

"I could get used to this, you'll really help the war efforts this way. Those poor, exhausted knights who you could've helped. A nice cocksleeve like you, you'll do more by getting fucked than you have the past years." He grunted, venting his frustrations.

Yet, despite all the guilt you should've felt, it only made the aching buzz of your clit all the more stronger.

Your cunt spasmed with each thrust, the routine rubbing and brushing working you towards your end as you felt Claude's dick shudder every time he bottomed out.

"Maybe you could motivate Ignatz? He'd be shy though, but a girl so open like you would be perfect for that." He mumbled, watching your face darken.

"Or Raphael? He could use you as training. You'd be spent by the time he was even finishing, yet a slut like you would be okay with that, right?"

His dick continued to twitch in your pussy, your walls clamping around his cock like a vice. Fluttering as you were so close to your end.

"Shit... even Lorenz... he could use you as practice for his- ngh, noble duties!" He choked out a laugh, breath stuttering.

"But I think I like you best as my little runaway slut, yeah? You fit so well on my cock!" He emphasised the last word with a sharp thrust, your walls clamping shut on his cock, your head hitting the wall as you moaned in ecstasy.

He quickly pulled out, dick spurting ropes of cum on your chest and stomach. As you both caught your breath, you caught Claude smiling at you.

"It's good to have you back, my friend."

[sassycassie-s-writing]

Darker Shadows

By: SassyShoulderAngel319

Fandom/Character(s): A Court of Thorns and Roses Series/Azriel

Rating: PG-11/T-

Original Idea: Nothing in particular. Finished the first 4 books. Dunno if I can stand Nesta long enough to read ACOSF, so I wrote this with no information from ACOSF. Have fun.

Notes: (Masterlist)(By Character)(About Me) Whaaaaa...? I break my ongoing hiatus for this? Yep. I did. I hope a few more one-shots join this one, but I am making no promises. This one just came to me for about an hour so surprise! Happy August.

^^^^^ 

“Darker Shadows”

Azriel said nothing as he slipped through the door to our apartment, quiet and soft as the shadows surrounding him. I watched from the sitting room adjacent to the foyer. He must have known I was there—the shadows must have informed him—but he didn’t so much as look at me. Just rested his forehead on the door and sighed.

“Long day?” I asked.

He blinked his eyes open and turned. “Incredibly,” he replied.

I patted the sofa next to me, indicating he come sit.

Azriel’s shadows seemed to grow more numerous around him as he crossed to me. I realized why as his leathers thumped to the floor in his wake, leaving him in a light undershirt and undershorts.

No matter how long we lived together, he was always so modest.

Part of me wondered if it was more insecurity than modesty; but I would never invade his privacy that much to ask. He’d tell me when he was comfortable.

He hit the sofa cushion next to me hard. His wings barely missed getting caught behind him. Ever the precise, too. One arm and one wing wrapped over my shoulders. He was warm, even if his underclothes were cold from his sweat. I snuggled into his side. We both stared at the fire for a while.

“Did you eat up at the House?” I asked.

The shadows shrouding him retreated a little, going back to their usual shades. He glanced at me with those sharp hazel eyes before returning his gaze to the fire. “Yes. Rhys and Feyre were hosting a dinner for the Palace governors. A private celebration of rebuilding the city so quickly before the grand, public celebration in three days.”

I snorted. “Bet they loved that,” I said sarcastically. Among the family, it was well-known that Rhys and Feyre both hated formal parties and dinners with a fiery passion.

A glimmer of amusement joined the reflection of the flames in Azriel’s eyes. “Oh, they slipped out an hour in. I heard them in the library… having fun amongst the stacks. I left them to it and didn’t interrupt.”

I couldn’t stop the laughter that burst from my throat, but clamped it down hard to not disturb the neighbors.

Azriel held me tighter. “Would have been more enjoyable if you were there,” he said. His voice was soft, almost as though he didn’t actually want to admit it.

Reaching up, I cupped the side of his face. “Sorry I couldn’t go. I’d have liked to have been there.” I gestured to my wrapped leg. “I just don’t think I could handle a party today. If Rhysand had decided to host it three days from now with the rest of the celebrations, I would have been able to make it.” I made a face. “Sorry I missed it.”

“It’s alright. I understand.”

I reached around his wing to the end table, picking up my glass and handing it to him. He downed the rest and handed it back to me. I chuckled and set the glass on the coffee table instead.

After shuddering at the freezing chill of the water from my glass, Azriel turned to me. “How’s the pain?”

I shrugged. “Better than it was,” I said.

“At least you’re healing quickly.”

“Mmhmm.”

“How did you spend your night?”

I waved a vague hand to the small pile of books on the coffee table. “Just decided to read a little.”

“A little?” Azriel quoted. “You read five novels in four hours.”

“Oh, no. I didn’t finish them all. When I got bored I’d switch between them.”

“None of them holding your attention?”

“Not like they used to. Not since—”

The War with Hybern. Azriel knew. We all broke in some way over the course of it. I hadn’t had the attention span I used to since.

Azriel smiled at me. “Bathe, then bed?”

“Sounds great,” I replied.

He scooped me into his lap and stood up. I yelped at the sensation. My bad leg dangled looser than my good leg. My yelp earned me a twitched smile from my spymaster.

He carried me into the bathing room and sat me on the edge of the tub before turning it on. As it began to warm up and fill, he helped me unwrap my splint and undress. I returned the favor as best I could.

We bathed quickly and then got in our sleep clothes after drying off. After carrying me to bed, Azriel poked the point of my ear. “Goodnight,” he said softly.

I smiled, never able to contain my affection. “Sleep well,” I replied.

He doused the faelights and climbed under the covers.

We snuggled against each other. One of his wings draped over the both of us, keeping us warmer than the covers could. That warmth, his scent… it helped lull me to sleep. I could fall fast asleep on stone if Azriel was beside me.

—

Azriel watched his own scarred hand brush her nightshirt away from the skin of her back, revealing two sharp scars and an elaborate tattoo. Another rare Illyrian/High Fae hybrid, she’d been born with wings. Unlike Rhys, who could summon and desummon his wings at will, hers had been permanent.

Until her High Fae mother ordered her wings removed when she was still a child. Barely more than a toddler.

Azriel hadn’t met her until Rhys disappeared Under the Mountain. She’d been fifty-seven-years-old at the time. He’d seen her in the Rainbow, in one of the pottery studios, on a hot summer day. Her clothing revealed her back. The deep, disgustingly neat scars that made it clear how her wings had been taken from her, and the deep blue-black ink covering most of the exposed skin. She’d told him once she got it to both hide and show off the scars. When he’d asked why, she’d simply replied, “I’m stronger than the people who tried to hurt me.”

She hadn’t told him it was her mother—who’d wanted her to be a normal High Fae—for another decade.

He hadn’t been in love with her at the time. But during those fifty years everyone was stuck in Velaris, they became good friends. Azriel found her company much more peaceful than the other members of the Inner Circle. He loved them all—his family—but there was no harm, or shame, in being around someone who was quiet.

Then, a human girl broke Tamlin’s curse and Amarantha was dead. The High Lords and the members of their courts were released from Under the Mountain. And Rhys came home. And Azriel was both busier and freer than ever to spend time with his new friend.

He’d been so quietly pining for Morrigan for so long that, at first, he hadn’t realized the subject of his affections had changed.

During that final battle, when Prythian’s forces were spread so thin and even every reinforcement that came didn’t seem to make a dent… she’d taken a hit. A bad slash across the lower back.

And Azriel had seen red. His powers had already been mostly used up, his Siphons dim, and his wings badly injured.

But he’d gone to rescue her anyway.

His wings had screamed at him the entire flight back to a healer’s tent and then back to the battle. But during those moments, as she bled in his arms, he knew his feelings had transcended just friendship. “If we get out of this alive,” he’d said, “I’d like to treat you to dinner.”

She’d hummed, her side vibrating against his torso. “Mmm… dinner sounds nice. Afterwards, I can buy dessert.”

“We’ll see,” Azriel had said, smiling.

After they’d both healed and returned to Velaris, they’d done just that.

They’d been together ever since.

Azriel smiled at the memories.

—

“You’re staring,” I said quietly. His staring and touching had woken me.

“You’re incredible,” Azriel replied. “Have I told you that?”

“Today? No. This week? Many times.”

A soft chuckle. “So long as you know it.”

I rolled over so I was facing him. With his wing bent over both of us, I felt like I was in a sheet fort.

His eyes harbored a small glint in the half-light. I stared at him. “What is it?” His question was gentle.

I shrugged, feeling my scars pulling on my skin. “You’re so beautiful.”

“Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you,” he said.

“Charmer,” I teased.

That earned me a chuckle. Though his smile dropped after a moment. “Does it bother you?” He asked.

“What?”

“That you can’t fly?”

My humor disappeared. The phantom wings I still felt sometimes shivered in the back of my mind. “Sort of,” I replied. “I’d only barely taught myself how when Mother forced me to get them removed. It’s hard to miss what I didn’t really know. But I remember the wind over my scalp. My entire body fighting desperately to keep me aloft. I loved it. But now… now I get to fly with you and remember what it felt like. It’s not quite the same, but it’s enough for me.”

Azriel kissed my forehead. “Sorry I woke you,” he said.

“It’s okay. Any extra time I get to spend with you is worth it,” I replied with a smile.

[ninacarstairss]

Alastair and Thomas sat on the opposite familiar sofa to the one Thomas's parents, Sophie and Gideon Lightwood, did.

His mother smiled pleasantly at Alastair. "Mr. Carstairs, lovely to see you."

Alastair nodded stiffly at her. It wasn't out of indifference but out of nervousness. "Mr. and Mrs. Lightwood."

"It's always a pleasure to invite the younglings to a cup of tea," Gideon said and fixed his gaze on Thomas and Alastair. He chuckled. "It's not as common, though, to get invited by them. Who could imagine they still remember us old pals."

Sophie laughed with him, and Thomas allowed himself to smirk at his father. It was starting well. "As if you wouldn't make us feed on bread and water if we didn't have manners toward the elderly."

"Elders, eh?"

They battered like this for some time. Alastair slowly put himself in the conversation as well, and Thomas felt him relax slightly next to him. It's a good sign.

After half an hour of chit-chat and scones (much to his father's dismay) Thomas cleared his throat. "In fact, Mama, Papa, I called you for a reason."

"There's always a reason," Gideon murmured with a fond roll of his eyes. Alastair trained again, even more than before. He seemed like he wanted to say something but didn't.

"Yes?" Sophie asked, and put her restored cup of tea on the table.

"I didn't invite Alastair for no reason. The thing is," he lingered there a moment to catch Alastair's eyes, and something almost made him stop by the look on his face. Worry, almost shame. Was he afraid Thomas wouldn't say it?

"I like Alastair." He didn't see why to keep it in. "In a way that is more than friends, you see."

A long moment ensued. None of the young wanted to break it, almost afraid of the result.

"Damn it!" Gideon called out, startling them all. "I owe Will 10 Stirling."

"What?" Thomas stuttered and moved his big hand in front of him like it wasn't real.

"We bet when you would announce your intentions with Alastair here," he smiled in encouragement at the brown boy. In return, Alastair looked like a deer caught in an automobile's lights.

"You did what?" Thoams demanded, horrified.

"We are glad to accept you to our family, young Alastair," Sophie said gently, ignoring her son's indignant huff. Alastair turned his face away from then."I hope you would take good care of our Tom."

"Mama," Thomas objected, blushing. He looked at him as he returned to look at them and panicked. Alastair's eyes shined, and not of happiness.

"I cannot," Alastair stood up and took a bit of distance. "I cannot stand in front of you and act as if I deserve your kindness. I do not. I should- I shouldn't be here."

"Don't leave." Thomas hurried to say. He couldn't do it, now, without explaining a tad bit.

Alastair held his face regal and flat. The only sign of his inner storm was the fact a tear started to roll down his cheek. Another soon followed. "Mr. Lightwood, I cannot be here and face you and act as if I didn't wrong you, as if I didn't say an unbearable thing. Rumors. Words about you and your son. I- What I said brought you great pain and tears. Your son told me. How can I face you and accept your kindness?"

"Alastair-" Thomas rose to his feet as well.

"Don't you see? I don't deserve to be with your son, Mr. Lightwood. Someone as good as him shouldn't be with someone as - as stained as I."

Alastair didn't look at any of them. "I must go now." His voice was thick and somewhat small. "I cannot see a way you don't hate me, or at least want to hate me as Thomas did. I will go. My accomplishments for the tea."

He started toward the door, but he wasn't the only one. "Gideon flew as fast as the wind and seized onto Alastair's forearm. Alastair gave him a shocked look.

"When I was young, I had done horrid things. Things I'm not proud of. Things I wish I could take back. But I can't." Gideon leveled Alastair with a gentle gaze. "What I could do is change. To move past my mistakes and try and make better decisions, be a better man. I was not much younger than you when I learned the wrong of my ways. I changed. I see you did too."

"Do not let the past define the future, Alastair Carstairs." Sophie intervened "Those - rumors, you say. They hurt us. We cannot pretend they didn't. But the person you were there when you spread them, is not the one I see in front of me now. Your heart is kind, Dear. Allow it to receive kindness as well."

Alastair was shaking, and drops of tears stained his cheeks. "I-"

"Does he make you happy?" Asked Sophie. It was directed at Thomas.

Not a bit of hesitation. "Very."

"And you?" Sophie turned to Alastair. "Does my son makes you happy?"

"More than everything else."

Thomas didn't care his parents were there. He enveloped Alastair in a firm hug, leading them to the sofa again. He backed away just slightly, to plant a kiss on his cheek.

"And it wasn't only you, right?"

"It was still wrong."

"It was," agreed Gideon. "But you weren't the only one who was unkind. We handled more serious things than a child trying to emulate adults."

"We will not prevent our son's happiness because of the past. We want to see what the future behold."

A faint thank you left Alastair's lips. The grip Thomas held on Alastair tightened.

"Thank you," Thomas said as well. He shared a glance with Alastair. His eyes were red but still beautiful and enchanting. And love blossomed inside them.

"Nothing to be thankful for. We just choose love, is all."

Anoni I’m slightly sobbing right now. This fic is amazing.

That’s exactly how I want this conversation to go, exactly how I imagined it all along. First of all gideon betting on this with will cracked me up and it’s definitely something they would do 😂 after the scene with the mortal sword in coi I’m fairly sure they constantly bet over stuff just for fun (and gideon apparently loses all the time lol)

And alastair feeling unworthy of their kindness and love is definitely what I imagine whenever I think of this scenario. Alastair always feels he is to be blamed for eternity but if someone can understand that feeling is exactly gideon. I can’t wait for alastair to have someone like him in his life, gideon would love him just as much as his friends did when he was trying to be a better man.

Thank you for sharing this fic nonnie, I really loved it so much and I’m starved for this kind of content 🥺

[sailorfailures]

I fell in love with these postcards from the Girl’s Night Out popup cafe the moment I saw them! I knew I had to get my hands on them, and the lovely @blaze-rocket was able to help that happen.

I cannot get over how perfect these postcards are. To me, this is what Sailor Moon is; a testament to the little moments from the series that made us fall in love with the characters, especially how their personal preferences were reflected in their fashion choices. In a world of merch where it’s easy to just slap a random crescent moon on something pink and say “look, it’s Usagi,” the designer responsible for these graphics went the extra mile to take imagery from the show itself that needles its way deep into our nostalgia-cortexes.

How many references do you recognise? Quiz yourself against this comprehensive (image-heavy) list! 👇

The inners’ postcards all reference the eye-catching sign for Game Center Crown, the iconic arcade where Motoki Furuhata worked and the gang would all congregate to play games and share information.

Starting in R they switched to hanging out at Fruits Parlor Crown, a cafe attached to the arcade staffed by Motoki’s sister Unazuki, which the Inners’ postcards all also reference. They would often get brightly-coloured drinks there, but the drinks pictured on these postcards seem to specifically line up with the real drinks available at the Girls Night Out popup cafe.

Sailors Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto’s postcards all reference “Café Étrangère,” which was the name of the cafe they were seen dining at in the Sailor Moon S movie. Even the logo is replicated faithfully from a scene only a few seconds long.

All the girls’ clothes are hanging on coat hangers shaped like Luna/Artemis/Diana.

Ami / Sailor Mercury’s references:

Ami’s casual outfit is an unusual choice since she only wore it a handful of times over the entire series, and half the times she wore it, it was given a different colour scheme with a green jacket instead of the yellow version pictured here.

Her “mini data computer” is her most iconic tool/weapon/accessory, revealed in episode 009, directly after her introduction.

The pink package is how Usagi and the other girls wrapped up her transformation stick and communicator watch as Ami’s going-away present in episode 062.

The ice cream may be a reference to the same episode, as she shared a cone with Chibi-Usa before she left, and returned to the store to protect her friends from the Droid Nihpasu.

The flash cards are a method Ami commonly used to help her study, and are particularly similar to the ones shown in the SuperS short “Ami’s First Love”.

Rei / Sailor Mars’s References:

Rei wore her casual outfit fairly frequently, starting and most notably in the beginning of the Sailor Moon R movie.

The small red o-mamori charm is from Hikawa Shrine, seen frequently but introduced in episode 010.

The paper ofuda ward was used frequently by Rei to fight evil, even before she could transform, but most notably in the attack sequence for “Akuryou, Taisan” (“Foul Spirit, Begone”).

To my knowledge the purple bag isn’t a specific reference, but Rei did throw a similar purse at a Cardian as a makeshift weapon in episode 048 before she got her Guardian memories back.

The gift-wrapped shopping boxes are the exact same ones as carried by Rei in the Sailor Moon Sailor Stars opening sequence before she trips and falls, right down to the patterns on the paper...

... which in itself may be a reference/callback to Rei’s tendency to make Yuuichirou carry her shopping (maybe so she doesn’t trip).

The phoenix-shaped pendant is a reference to episode 183; it’s made of glazed ceramic, crafted by Rei’s cousin Kengo Ibuki, given to her as a child after she convinced him not to smash it even though he his pottery a “failure”.

Makoto / Sailor Jupiter’s References:

Makoto didn’t start wearing her casual outfit until around S, but she wore it frequently after that, especially as she became more confident wearing “feminine” clothing. They even remembered her iconic gold wrist watch worn over her sleeve!

Her uniquely decorated bento bag debuted in episode 026, her introductory episode, along with the rounded green cutlery. The pouch has been featured a few more times since and its design is a mainstay in almost every Sailor Moon canon.

The teal hairtie and the rose-shaped earrings are two of Makoto’s iconic accessories, some of the only non-magical fashion accessories in the entire series to stay the same whether the character is transformed or not (the other being Minako’s infamous red bow). Her earrings also served a dual purpose as makeshift projectile weapons in episode 025.

The blue book is 月夜の天馬 (Tsukiyo no Tenma, “The Moonlit Pegasus”), a novel which was written by Tomoko Takase and introduced in epsode 134. Makoto knew Tomoko from her old middle school, before she transferred, and was the first one to read her first draft after retrieving it from bullies. She encouraged Tomoko to try and get it published. Makoto meets with her again and helps her overcome her writer’s block to finish her sequel, 天馬幻想 (Tenma Gensou, “Pegasus Fantasy”).

Minako / Sailor Venus’s References:

This is one of Minako’s most-worn casual outfits, especially if you consider the additional outfits based off it. Despite its prevalence, she didn’t start wearing it until the beginning of S.

Minako’s red hair ribbon is her most iconic accessory, but did you know why she started wearing it? The Codename: Sailor V prequel manga explains that she started wearing the ribbon instead of her usual red hairtie on the suggestion of her “first crush” Higashi. But when he turns out to be an enemy in disguise, she decides she looks good with a ribbon anyway, and keeps wearing it for her own benefit.

The red mask is a reference to Minako’s role as Sailor V before joining the team as Sailor Venus. Sailor V was known as a mysterious vigilante superhero and a fictional video game character as early as episode 001, but in episode 033 Minako revealed herself to the rest of the Sailor Team, dramatically removing her mask one final time.

Minako was known to be a skilled volleyball player, especially in the manga, and it was especially relevant in episode 100 where she had to delicately return the serve of an energy sphere containing the Pure Heart of her old volleyball crush, Asai.

The sign with Minako’s name can be seen hanging off the front of her bedroom door in episode 192.

[Manga scan courtesy of Miss Dream.]

Usagi / Sailor Moon’s References:

Usagi wore this outfit in the Sailor Moon R movie, making it a memorable choice. Although the movie aired roughly midway through R, Usagi didn’t start to wear this outfit casually again until the S season.

Usagi is shown eating a lot of food, especially sweets, but she seems to have a particular fondness for crepes, snacking on them in several different episodes.

In episode 143 we can see that Usagi is very technologically trendy - for the times. She’s carrying that blue-and-pink pager which she and Mamoru use to contact each other by way of goroawase, that is, deciphering messages based on the different pronunciations of numbers, a precursor to modern texting. Mamoru pages her the numbers 84 51, which could be read as hachi yon go ichi; reading only the first syllables, and substituting go for the related sound ko, Usagi would interpret the message as hayo koi, which sounds a bit like “come quick” - she’s late for their date. Oops!

By the way, pagers were often called “pocket bells” (pokeberu) in Japan, and became so rapidly popular they even found their way into the lyrics of Rashiku Ikimasho, the ending song for the SuperS season; 「泣きたい時には ポケベルならしてよんで、戦士の休息」 [Nakitai toki ni wa POKEBELL narashite yonde, senshi no kyuusoku] “If you feel like crying, send a page thru the Pocket Bell, take a break from [being a] Guardian”

Chibi-Usa / Sailor Chibi Moon’s References:

Chibi-Usa doesn’t technically have a school uniform, but her casual clothes are often styled after sailor suits as a reflection of both her idolisation of the figure of “Sailor Moon” and of her desire to be seen as older and more mature than she appears. She changes “uniforms” every season, and this pinafore outfit is the version she wears in SuperS. She wore the other outfit in the SuperS premiere episode.

The handgun is from episode 060, Chibi-Usa’s introduction to the series and arguably one of the most iconic absurdist scenes in all of Sailor Moon. The gun itself is actually a toy, probably a transformation of the Luna-P sphere, which Chibi-Usa uses to try and threaten Usagi into giving her the Legendary Silver Crystal. When she “shoots” Usagi, the bullet is revealed to be nothing but a suction-cup flower, also pictured. (By the way, if you were wondering, Chibi-Usa’s fake gun is based on a real Colt M1911A1.) She transforms the Luna-P into a toy gun to shoot Sailor Moon again in the Sailor Moon R movie, this time as a way to motivate Usagi to fight.

The Luna-P sphere was a mysterious gadget Chibi-Usa kept with her for the duration of R and parts of S. It’s unknown where it came from, but it could be assumed to have been created from advanced 30th century technology. It was a combination toy and tool which could transform itself into a variety of objects, formulas, and even weapons, though none were shown to be particularly powerful. It could also be used to communicate with Sailor Pluto at the Time-Space Door. When Chibi-Usa was manipulated into becoming Wicked Lady in episode 085, the Luna-P sphere also transformed into an “evil” and much more dangerous version.

The Space-Time Key was a special tool given to her by Sailor Pluto that allowed her to travel between the past and the future, though it was difficult for her to wield effectively.

The sunhat was given to Chibi-Usa by Ikuko, so she treasured it greatly. In episode 112 it got blown away and was retrieved by Hotaru Tomoe, which allowed her to meet Chibi-Usa and marked the beginning of their close friendship.

The blue-and-red package was a gift containing two manga books (”Drop Drop” vol. 1 & 2 by Ukon Katakuri) which Chibi-Usa intended to give to her new friend Hotaru in episode 113.

In episode 127, Chibi-Usa returned home to the future, and the girls all made her some going-away gifts. Ami made her a floppy disk (lol) to help her study, Rei made her a casette tape (double lol) of her music, Makoto packed her a lunch, and Minako made her a photo album of their time together. Usagi hand-sewed Chibi-Usa the rabbit-shaped backpack using a real outfit she used to love when she was a child.

Michiru / Sailor Neptune’s References:

This is a somewhat unusual choice for Michiru’s casual outfit, as she only wore it for two episodes, and that’s only because they made up a two-part story. But perhaps because the episodes were so pivotal - with Haruka and Michiru almost learning Usagi’s true identity - the outfit itself became more memorable.

Not only do they include Michiru’s violin, but they included the lemon she bounced off the instrument as she played to show off her skills in episode 093.

The teacup, teaspoon and saucer are the same set Michiru was seen drinking from at Fruits Parlor Crown in episode 094.

Michiru and Haruka both reference episode 095, where they had to enter a “true love” contest as part of their investigation. The contestants were asked to find their partner’s hand in an anonymous lineup, and Haruka was able to identify Michiru’s hand immediately.

Michiru used Haruka as a model for an illustration in her green sketchbook in episode 106.

Michiru’s Talisman is the Deep Aqua Mirror, revealed in episode 110 and used in her attack Submarine Reflection. She could also use it to receive prophetic visions. Visually, it was based on real-life art nouveau hand mirrors, and symbolically represented the mirror from the Three Sacred Treasures.

Haruka / Sailor Uranus’s References:

Conversely, Haruka wore this outfit a lot. Maybe more than she should’ve.

The teacup and saucer is the same set Haruka was seen drinking from at Fruits Parlor Crown in episode 094.

Haruka’s postcard also references the lovers contest in episode 095 (see above).

The purple scarf is from episode 096; Haruka was wearing it as a necktie when she almost ran into Makoto on her motorcycle. Haruka used the scarf to bandage Makoto’s road rash, which she returned later, though now smitten.

Not only is Haruka’s motorcycle included, they also referenced (one of) her car(s), the 1968 Toyota 2000GT.

Haruka’s Talisman is the Space Sword, revealed in episode 110 and used in her attack Space Sword Blaster. Symbolically it represented the sword from the Three Sacred Treasures.

Setsuna / Sailor Pluto’s References:

Setsuna didn’t have a school uniform, since she wasn’t a student, so she got to double-up on her casual outfits. Her mauve outfit is her most recognisable, wearing it so often it may as well have been her uniform. In fact, she was rarely seen wearing anything else until Sailor Stars, where she started experimenting with other outfits, including the Time Lord-esque suit on the right.

The potted plant is a Tellun, the energy-draining plant created by Tellu in episode 121. Setsuna was investigating it when it attempted to attack her, but she was protected by her Talisman, the Garnet Orb (also pictured, representing the jewel in the Three Sacred Treasures). She then went on to destroy the remaining Tellun plants and defeat Tellu with the help of Sailor Moon, Sailor Chibi Moon, and Tuxedo Mask.

The teacup and saucer are the same set Setsuna is seen drinking from at Cafe Etranger in the Sailor Moon S movie.

In episode 182, the girls are discussing the mysterious arrival of Chibi Chibi while eating ice cream on a hot summer’s day. Setsuna appears out of nowhere to confirm their suspicions... carrying that popsicle of her own.

Hotaru / Sailor Saturn’s References:

Hotaru tended to wear the same thing, mostly all-black, but she did occasionally adventure into rich colours like this bottle green two-piece outfit and iconic raspberry beret.

The sunhat belonged to Chibi-Usa; it symbolises the beginning of their friendship, when Hotaru caught it after it blew away in episode 112.

Chibi-Usa gave Hotaru the rabbit backpack in episode 116, using it to pass a note inviting her on a picnic.

Hotaru collects lamps, and the two referenced here are seen in her bedroom, which she keeps dimly lit to manage her pain.

The window might seem random, but it was random in the series, too - it’s one of the curtained window which looks out from Hotaru’s bedroom, and when a Daimon experiment goes terribly wrong in episode 118 and transforms her house into a Bamboozled-like inter-dimensional maze, one window overlooks a vast ocean while the other overlooks a strange jungle.

Hotaru’s weapon as Sailor Saturn is the Silence Glaive. It’s said that she possesses enough power to destroy the world with a single drop of her scythe.

That’s it! You made it! How many references did YOU know? 🌙

[giorno-plays-piano]

Creatures in the dark Part 3

Pairing: witch!Steve x Reader

Warning: yandere, obsession, kidnapping, dubcon.

Words: 2116.

Summary: A monster dressed in human flesh was waiting for you in the woods.

Part 1

Part 2

P.S. Kinda not sure about this one, but I hope you're going to enjoy it!

_________

"Come on, love, you know you've lost." Steve murmured against your lips, kissing you again as he caressed your back with his palm. "You have to keep your promise."

"No, I don't! You cheated!" You groaned and tried to evade his kisses, cursing yourself for carelessly using all the blackberries you gathered in the forest yesterday.

"Just a little bit." As he pressed one more kiss to your chin, the boy casted a bonding spell, and the blue light slowly wrapped around your body, making it glow softly. "You know your enemies aren't going to play fair. If you really want to be a strong witch, you have to remember it."

He shut you with a kiss, eagerly swirling his little wet tongue in your mouth and moaning when you gripped his horns again - although it often brought him some pain, he just loved it when you clenched them in your hands, kissing you even more ardently.

"You hurt me." You said with irritation, your knees still burning from your fall.

"Then hurt me in return." His feverish whisper made you tremble with need as you kissed the boy willingly, slowly grinding your hips against his and watching him blush and moan. You'd lie if you said you didn't enjoy that sense of control you had over him as you were on top of Steve, guiding him with your hands on his antlers. "Yes, just like that, ahh... You're so good to me, love."

Since you were unable to move away from him because of the spell, you thought you could indulge yourself a bit more and forced the boy to keep his head higher, kissing his pretty pink cheeks. He let out a soft sigh, his hands on your back and hips as he gently touched you, pressing kisses to your face.

Well, technically, you did lost him in that fight after Steve taught you how to summon the wind, despite him using a few tricks to outpower you. You lost all the blackberries trying to get to him, and now there wasn't much you could do to push him away. Thankfully, the boy wasn't trying to really hurt you, and you were still taken aback by his peculiar behavior.

"Sometimes I think it's all a dream, and I'm afraid when I wake up, you won't be here." Steve whispered to you and moaned lightly when you grinded your hips against his cock.

"You know I can't run from you." You grumbled and bit down in his lower lip softly, drawing a symbol on his forehead with you ash-covered fingers. "Why are you scared, anyway?"

"You don't know how it is," he said quietly, averting his eyes, "when all you do is wandering in the dark. No one to talk to, no one to touch, no one to share your concerns with, no one to ask advice from. You are all alone in the whole world, and no one cares if you're alive or not."

You stilled on top of him, watching his face and furrowing your brows. Steve looked pitiful. But why, dear Gods, would you pity the monster who kidnapped you from people you loved so you would wander the woods with him?

"You can conceal your form. Why not to go to the people and pretend you're one of them?" You asked, your tone icy.

"Because I'm Yeev's son." Steve gave you a weak smile as you stared at him, hard. "I can't leave the forest for more than a few days. Don't think I didn't try, my mother had paid with her life trying to bring me back to people."

You fell silent, thinking whether he lied to you or told you the truth. You didn't know much about Steve's past as he was never eager to talk about it, but you knew his mother escaped Yeev when his son was a child, still. Since he was alone for a long time, you suspected something had happened to her.

"Kiss me." He demanded harshly, and you immediately attached your lips to his, following his command and cursing the magic he used silently. This time Steve was almost trying to eat your mouth with his, sucking and biting, his hands on you as he started stripping you of your clothes impatiently.

You let out a groan, pushing his chest, but the more you struggled, the closer bonding spell was bringing you to him. Soon you could feel the cold air on your skin as your lower part was completely naked, covered only by the skirt of your dress. Steve growled when he pushed his already hard cock past your dripping folds, entering your cunt gently but then losing his patience and slamming his hips, thrusting into your core painfully as you moaned.

"Steve, it hurts, it hurts!" You pleaded when you felt the tip pressing into your cervix.

"I'm sorry, love." His voice was low when he bit his lips, shivering from pleasure and trying to withhold from moving, giving you time to adjust. "It feels so good inside you, ahh... Sweetheart, bite me."

You leaned closer, brushing your nose against the boy's neck and sucking his skin, touching it with your teeth carefully as the dark spot bloomed on his neck beneath your lips. You couldn't bring yourself to hurt him badly, and Steve growled, squeezing his eyes shut as he caressed your ass under the skirt. He was painfully hard, basking in the warmth of your soft body, but stayed still to give you time to adjust. You were too good. You couldn't harm him despite all the hate you threw his way earlier.

"I don't care how much you're going to hate me." He whispered against your lips hot from kisses, feeling your soaked walls clenching him like a vice. "But I won't let you leave. You can hate me, hurt me, but you're gonna stay here, with me. Do you understand?"

You moaned on top of him, gripping his antlers again to stabilize yourself on top of him, his back pressed to the huge oak tree.

"This is not right, S-steve." You said feverishly, bucking your hips as the pain ceased.

"It's not." He agreed, kissing you on the lips briefly. "But if you're going to feel better hurting me, then do it. I can take it. I'll take anything."

You moved up a little on his cock, gasping when the boy slammed his hips into yours impatiently, gripping your thighs and picking up the pace. Although he took your virginity not so long ago and it was still painful to have him all inside, it felt damn good when Steve was taking you like that now, hitting that spongy spot that made you mewl on top of him. Slamming that little monster beneath you against the tree with your arms on his antlers, you tried taking initiative yourself, massaging your walls with his cock shamelessly. Steve moaned openly at that, his cheeks red with embarrassment and need, saliva glistening on his pouty lips.

"Yes." He whispered, closing his eyes, a sickly sweet smile on his face. "I'll keep you close. Like t-that, ah. You're mine, my girl, m-mine. Ah!"

You moaned simultaneously with him when he hit your cervix with the leaking tip of his cock again, and suddenly the boy moved over, pressing your back to the ground and getting between your legs as he thrusted harder, touching that spot again and again until you were starting to see stars.

"My girl." He growled lowly above you, something animalistic, possessive in his gaze. "Mine alone."

He grinded his pelvis against your clit roughly, making you squirm beneath him as Steve pounded into you, speeding up. You felt his cock twitching inside, ready to fill you up to the brim. The symbol on his forehead started to glow warmly, and you threw your hands around his skinny angular shoulders, bringing him closer, feeling his hot breath on your skin as you moaned his name. When Steve's hand found your clit, your inner muscles contracted around his cock so hard you screamed, your voice echoing in the forest as you cummed hard, nearly delirious from the intense pleasure. The monster boy above you groaned,  chasing his own orgasm and finishing soon after you, his knuckles turning white as he nearly fell down on top of you, pressing his fists into the ground.

You were slowly coming from your high, your body going colder as you shivered on the ground, barely covered by the grass. Steve was near, getting his breath back when you snuggled closer to him, seeking warmth.

"I'm cold. Do something." You whispered as you hid your face in the crook of his neck. Now he felt so small, feeble. You felt the urge to cuddle with him, throwing your arms around his back.

Turning his head and looking at you with such naked love and affection, Steve left a kiss on your head, saying something in a language you had never heard before. Immediately you felt the heat rising beneath you as if the grass were turning into a warm bed, and you whispered a quiet thank you, relaxing against his body.

"Next time we're going to do it in bed, Steve." You exhaled tiredly, keeping your eyes closed. "Maybe I can't run from you, but you will have to become more civilized."

"And if I say I like being a beast rather than a man?" The boy smirked and then moaned right when you yanked his antler down. "Yes, yes, I'll get you a bed! A whole house!"

"Good." You murmured and brushed your soft lips against his cheek, moving your hand down to gently massage his head where the antlers were growing, making him tremble with delight. "If you want me to be yours, you will have to listen to what I say."

Grinning widely at you at you like a kid, Steve gave you a peck on your cheek and got up with a groan, giving you a hand to help you stand up. As you rose from the ground, brushing the dirt off your dress and gathering what Steve had left on the grass in haste, you sighed, watching the boy try to erase the symbol from his forehead.

"Love, you don't have to do this every time you lay down with me." He pouted as he came closer, asking you to wipe the ash off his skin silently. "I assure you, I can control myself. I won't harm you."

Rubbing his forehead with your thumb, you rolled your eyes, "My thighs still hurt, you know?"

"Then I can put some balm on them-"

"And jump on me in the process. Honestly, I have never thought such an innocent-looking boy like you can do all those... filthy things." You grumbled as he laughed at your words, picking up his lantern from a stump and watching you clean yourself and dress. "Arghh, I'm tired. Let's find a place for a halt before it gets too dark, monster boy."

He smiled, lowering his uncomfortably adoring look and taking your hand in his, leading you somewhere further into the woods from the clearing, his lantern lighting the path. It took you a couple of fights to prove you were worthy of defending yourself, but once you followed him on his way to the forest Steve wasn't trying to hurt you. Instead, he started teaching you magic as the power the Plague had given you was growing. You realized you had a good chance of outpowering him one day.

"Will you like me more if I become more civilized?" He suddenly asked you, picking up a few blackberries from a bush on his way and handing them to you. Furrowing your brows, you expected it to be some trick, but nothing happened as you hid them in a pocket of your dress.

"Maybe." You said honestly, looking at his deceptively feeble body. "I don't know how much human you are since you're the son of an evil spirit, but as long as you try to be good, I promise to stay with you willingly."

"I will try! I promise!" He snapped his head so fast his antlers trembled a litlle. "I'll build you a house and make you a soft bed. I promise I won't put spells on humans unless they hurt you or me."

Smiling to yourself, you rubbed his hand with your thumb as you kept walking forward, a few blackberries in your pocket. You knew the path you were taking wasn't easy, but maybe it was worth a try. It was certainly better than hurting each other all the time, wasn't it?

THE END

___________

Tags: @finleyjayne @alexakeyloveloki   ​@helenaeisenhower @villanellevi @hurricanerin ​@void-hoechlin @abyssaint @heeeyitskay @chris-evans-indian-fanfic @navegandoaciegas @rosalynshields @lovelydarkdaydream

[cassandra-moon]

You’ve come back

Adara stared up at her ceiling with tears streaming down her face and onto the sheets. Today marked a full year since he left, now where was a different story. She honestly didn’t know, he just went into town and never came out, and when she went to look for him, either nobody knew or they’d refused to tell her anything. If that wasn’t enough, she found out she was pregnant only a month after his disappearance. Now here she was, finally in a place of refuge where she and her baby daughter can rest peacefully, but her life was not complete nor peaceful.

There was always that, feeling in the back of her mind that wouldn’t leave her alone. Every night she’d lay awake, left alone with nothing but the deafening silence and her thoughts and the many questions that plagued her mind. Did I do something for him to leave? Does he still love me? Did he ever love me? Inhaling deeply, Adara rose from her, her long black hair fell to her back, wiping the tears from her tanned face, made sure her baby was secured in the crib, and left. As she walked into the garden, she looked up towards the skies and prayed to the gods, begging them for some sort of sign that her beloved was out there, somewhere, looking for her. As she pried, she couldn’t help but cry because she knew that no matter how much she prayed, deep down in her heart she knew he didn’t care.

Clenching her hands into fists and grinding her teeth she spoke, “I really should hate you. I want to hate you, but I can’t.” She collapsed onto her knees and cried. No matter what, she couldn’t bring herself to hate him. Memories of the two of them invaded her mind as she tried.

---------------

Adara sprinted away, her heart pounding in her chest as her bare feet collided with the cold mud of the forest floor, glancing behind her, her assailant gaining speed, a smile plastered on his face. Despite her situation, Adara wasn’t scared, she wanted him to catch her, but she wasn’t going down without a sight. Quickly, she ducked into a bush and slid down the hill, regaining her balance as she sprinted away, “that should put some distance between us.” She felt so alive, so confident that she didn’t even notice the figure jumping from tree to tree just above her head until he jumped down and tackled her to the ground.

Adara screamed in delight as her beloved nibbled on her neck and growled playfully in her ear, his black hair fell like a curtain off the night sky surrounding them. Once they calmed down they looked into each other’s eyes, the world around them began to grow silent and dark until it was only the two of them in the world. “You truly are the most beautiful being on this earth.”, his words sent a shiver up her spine as she stared into his dark brown eyes through her hazel ones. “I love you, Seraphim”, she whispered before her lips locked with his and her legs were around his waist.

****

Adara stood, her knees ached from kneeling, wiping the salty tears from her face once again. She had shed so many tears for that man and she wanted to stop, but she knew that in the end, she would shed more. She often found herself in her fantasies, hoping that she’d be working in the garden, and one day she’d look up and see a man, covered in shadow emerge from the trees and it would be her beloved. His walk would turn to run as he’d surround her entire body in his strong arms and whisper in her ear “I’ll never leave you again”, before making love to her till dawn.

“I need sleep, this is too much for one night.” Just as she had turned, a voice called out to her, “Adara.” She whipped around, eyes darting in every direction in a desperate attempt to find the voice that sounded just like the voice she’d call out to in her dreams. Timidly, she called out in a quivering voice, “who’s there?”

A man emerged from the dark, eyes glowing red and claws sharp, he dropped his bident to show he meant no threat to her and placed his hands in the air. Adara’s heart thundered in her chest so much that she swore he could hear it on the other side of the field. “Wait, I just want to-Hey!” Before he could finish, Adara had made it back to the house and opened the door, she screamed as the tall demon raced over to her. With a burst of adrenaline followed by the sound of her wailing child she slammed the door and locked it, then she grabbed her baby and hid as far away from the door with the raging demon on the side.

An audible sigh came from the other side of the door and one final thud, this time a lot less aggressive. “Adara, please listen to me.” She stopped shaking, “That voice.” She shifted slightly over to the bed and placed her now a quiet baby in her crib before carefully striding over to the door. “I know you must resent me for leaving you that night. I know you feel as though I abandoned you to raise our child, but please know this, since that day, even during this war, I have always loved you, and I’ve never stopped thinking of you. Thinking of the ways we’d spend our days. I missed you so much, Adara.”

Realization struck her. This man. This demon. Was her beloved? Without hesitation, she flung open the door where she came face to… well, chest, with the man she only thought she’d see in her dreams. Looking into his eyes she could see the man behind the monster that stood before her, the man she loved.

“Seraphim?” She hesitantly lifted her hand up to his face and cupped on his cheek, he leaned into her palm and she could feel the tension leave his entire body as he placed his hand on hers and kissed her fingers. She moved her hands further and ran through his silver and gold hair.

She remembered a time where he’d lay on her lap and let her comb his hair with her fingers while she told him how beautiful she thought he was and how much she loved him. “I truly don’t deserve you”, he told her as he fell into a deep slumber on that first floor and she’d follow him soon after. To her those memories were bitter sweet, they reminded her of the times she spent before he left her, and that made her furious. As tears once again built up, she retracted her hand before bringing it back down on Seraphims face hard, forcefully turning his head to the side forcing him to grunt out in pain.

Seraphim lifted his hand to his burning cheek and gazed out in astonishment. He whirled back, fangs bared ready to strike her back until he saw her face. Tears ran down her face and he could tell she was in pain. This was his fault, he’d hurt her in a way no person should ever be hurt.

Cautiously, he wrapped his arm around her body and pulled her into his chest. He knew this would calm her, it always did. Just as he thought, her sobbing quieted and her body stilled, nothing calmed her down more than the sound of his heart beating. “I’m sorry”, he said breaking the silence. “I had no intentions of leaving you for so long, the job was to be done and done quickly so I could return to you, but the Fates had other plans and led to a creature, a giant. It infected my mind, and I had followed it’s orders. And the result of such an ordeal, I have become a monster.”

The time in Seraphims voice said it all, he truly felt awful for what he has become. If he didn’t feel ugly inside and out before, he sure felt like that now and that's something Adara wasn’t going to have. She never settled for her loved ones hating themselves.

Looking into his crimson eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her level. Seraphims breath quickened as she leaned in and captured his lips, it felt heavenly. Urges he thought he’d never feel again began to rise and soon he found himself lifting her up off the ground and walked into the house.

Adara could feel the bulge push into her stomach, she herself could feel her own arousal pooling between her legs. A had found its way under dress and began pushing it over her head revealing everything to the man above her. “You have not changed a bit, you’re still beautiful.” Seraphim ran his clawed fingers up her body until he squeezed one of her plump breasts and played with her nipple. “I thought I’d never get the chance to play with you like this ever again, I promise I will never leave you alone again.”

Adara smiled before moaning out when she felt a pair of fangs graze her stomach and travel lower until he disappeared between her thighs. She could feel the arousal dripping from her core, she attempted to close her legs out of embarrassment only for Seraphim to open them wider than before, “now, how can I enjoy my feast if you keep it from me?” He loved teasing her, every chance he got he’d tease her in some way or another to get a rise out of her, but now I seemed as though he was trying to make up for the year he was gone.

Seraphim began nibbling on her inner thigh, going closer to her heated core and then leaving her in need as he moved away, chuckling at her frustration as she whined for him to come back. Finally he had enough and dove into her core, forcing a moan from her throat as his tongue invaded every area inside her, she had forgotten how he could make her unravel just with his tongue. The pleasure began to build up as he continued until she burst, sending waves of shock throughout her body.

Seraphim rose her thighs with a smirk plastered down his face as he kicked his lips, “I had nearly forgotten how good you teste. Now let’s see if I can remember how good you feel.” He grabbed one of Adaras legs and flipped her over onto her stomach. From over her shoulder, she could see Seraphim remove the cloth from around his waist revealing his large, hard shaft. ‘Did it grow’, she exclaimed in her mind just as he began climbing his way up the bed. “It’s been too long since we did this. Be still, I know it will hurt.”

Slowly he pushed into her, groaning at her tightness. He tried to hold in his moans of pleasure, he really did forget how good she felt. Adara wasn’t doing any better. Sure it hurt, but it felt just as good, hearing him huff and groan, and feeling him twitch within her. “M-move.” Seraphim carefully and cautiously began to pump into her, his pace began slow but strong, making Adara moan in ecstasy. His pace began to quicken, now instead of slow and cautious, he was confident and brutal. His shaft rubbed her right in every way, she could feel herself begin to burst again, until he stopped. She was about to shout her protest until she was grabbed and flipped back over onto her back and he pushed back into her.

Adara practically screamed out in pleasure but was sil nice when a pair of velvety lips pressed onto hers. Seraphim continued his assault on her core, his grunting and groaning only pushed Adara further off the edge until she fell. “Oh gods, Seraphim!!” Her calls and screams delighted the man and made him increase his pace. He was on cloud nine, his mind clouded with pleasure, he wished this moment could last forever, but sadly it couldn’t.

Adara had come at least three times before he finished, his seed spilling into her with a low moan, gods she missed him. He collapsed next to her, breathing heavy. That was another thing he forgot about, how much energy he’d put into fucking her. He looked over to her, she was exhausted. “I’m sorry. I should have never left you. I’m terrible and I know it. But if you’d give me another chance, I promise I’ll make it up to you, as our child’s father and as your husband.”

Adara smiled, “yes.” They embraced each other once again before Seraphim stood from the bed and walked over to the crib where the sleeping baby lay. She looked just like him, before his transition. Black hair, tanned skin, “she’s got your eyes.” Seraphim sighed before doing something he hadn’t done in almost a year. He transformed back into his actual human appearance. “What did you name her?” Adara stood and placed her hand in his back. “Ariana.” Seraphim smiled down at the sleeping baby before picking her up. “Perfect.”

——————

I told y’all

[lovestruckay]

Request: “Picking flowers with Iris and she tells you about the meanings and symbolisms of each flower <333”

Pairing: Iris x Reader

A/N: Happy birthday, Iris! According to her character profile, her hobby is gardening and her daily routine includes watering the flowers so this is perfect!

When Iris isn’t out on missions with Company 8 or helping out around the station, you can always find her in the cathedral garden. She spends every day out in the sun, pruning the plants with quiet apologies and gently singing to the flowers to help them grow.

She has a habit of picking out the dying and neglected plants from shops and bringing them home so they can recoup in the garden. Once they’ve recovered, their leaves lush and healthy, she gives them away as gifts to the people she cares about. She has yet to lose a single adoptee, every plant flourishing under her care even after knocking on death’s door.

Her and Tamaki perform their ablutions every morning in the holy fountain to purify themselves but everyone knows that the cathedral garden is Iris’ sanctuary. So, when she takes you by the hand to excitedly show you a flower that had just bloomed, you know how special this moment is.

She happily leads you out into the inner sanctum of the cathedral, the clean air filled with the soothing sound of birdsong and the sweet smell of flowers. Deciding to take you on a full tour of her little haven, she guides you to a planter absolutely overflowing with greenery.

Iris tells you the common names of every one of the plants, impressing you with her botany knowledge. She even knows a handful of their scientific names, courtesy of Viktor and his unusual but charming attempts at making friends.

She also tells you all of the nicknames she’s given to the plants as well; cute names like Lola, Emma, and Sophie. When you ask her about it, she says that her and all of her sisters were named after flowers so it only felt right that the flowers got names too.

Guiding you to the fountain in the center of the garden, you admire the architecture of the holy spring as Iris leans down to pluck a stray leaf from the surface of the water. You knew that she did her morning prayers here and you ask what she thinks about while she’s praying. She gets a bit embarrassed, saying that she always felt like her thoughts were all over the place and that she only hoped Sol understood her.

“Mostly, I just pray for everyone’s safety and happiness and that the people we put to rest find warmth in Sol’s embrace,” she explains, looking up at you with that sunshine smile that always makes your heart skip a beat in your chest.

Reaching out to hold your hand, Iris guides you to the bloom she had been so excited to show you. You’re surprised by the eight foot tall stalk growing proudly from the center of an unassuming bush of long leaves, dozens of bright yellow flowers decorating the branch-like stem.

“It’s a century plant! They only live about twenty years before flowering and dying. It’s sad but beautiful,” she explains with a wistful smile, “We’re very lucky to see her bloom.”

“Does she have a name?” you ask, distracting her from her sadness.

“I named her Orla because of her flowers and how rare her blooming is,” Iris answers, her smile brightening, “I’ll gather her seeds when she passes and plant her again so it’ll be like I’m taking care of her child.”

When you tell her how you think that would make Orla happy, she laughs, and the melody of her happiness sounds like bells to your ears.

Your heart does a little skip when you realize you were the first person Iris thought of to show this too. The fact she thought of you before anyone else - that she took your hand in hers to bring you out here and share this moment together - has heat rising to your cheeks.

Continuing on her tour, Iris shows you all the different patches that she tended to and the hundreds of multicolored flowers overflowing their planters. Some of the flowers she grew from seeds, some from cuttings, and even more were her little rescues.

“Flowers have secret meanings to them. People used to make bouquets to send hidden messages, to give their condolences, or even to confess their love,” she explains as she looks out over her garden.

When you ask her what the secret meaning was behind the bright bundles of hundreds of little yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers, she tells you how yellow jasmine represents grace and elegance. When you gesture to the tall stalks with tufts of tiny white flowers at their peaks, she explains that angelica flowers meant inspiration. When you point to a bush with oak-shaped leaves and purple blooms, she says geraniums meant true friendship.

When you ask Iris about a white flower that looked almost like a rose with a yellow center and she tells you that gardenias meant secret love, you notice her soft blush as she glances up at you before looking away shyly.

That next day, you stop by the library to get a book on flowers and their meanings and spend a week reading it front to back. This starts a secret language between just the two of you; private communications with just flowers.

You find the perfect opportunity to show off your new found knowledge when you noticed Iris struggling following a particularly harrowing infernalization. She had very nearly been attacked by the infernal they had been putting to rest and Maki had gotten injured protecting her. She struggled with feeling like a burden on the battlefield and seeing her sunshine expression clouded over never sat well with you.

That afternoon, you presented her with a neat bundle of goldenrods - the bright yellow flowers tied with a ribbon that matched the color of her eyes - and she immediately recognized the flowers representing encouragement and growth. When you told her how much you valued her and how important she was not just to you but to all the people she helped put to rest, her cloudy expression cleared away.

Later that week, Iris surprises you with a crown of blue salvias, the long stemmed flowers expertly weaved into a ring that she proudly placed on her head. You recognized that the violet flowers meant “I think of you”, something she confirmed when she told you that you had been on her mind all day, a blush dusting her cheeks.

One day, while you were both spending time in her garden, you couldn’t help but admire her smile and how she was like a ray of sunshine brightening up your life. Plucking a single yellow tulip with care, the bright bloom meaning “sunshine in your smile”, you tuck it behind her ear. She smiles up at you sweetly, your own personal sunlight, the splash of color peeking out from the starch white of her coif.

If Iris is out in the garden when the cathedral alarm sounds, signaling an infernalization, she always grabs a few stems of dill to tuck into your pocket. They are supposed to be powerful against evil but she says she hopes they will keep you safe as well. She doesn’t want someone she cares about so much to get hurt. Shinra is quick to shut Arthur up when he complains about not getting magic flowers from their cleric too.

The next flowers you give her is lily of the valley, the thin stems tucked into a narrow-necked vase and decorated with a silver ribbon. The sweet smelling, bell-shaped flowers had multiple meanings - sweetness, purity, and pure love - and you gifted them to hint at your secret love for her.

In return, with a bright blush decorating her cheeks, Iris shyly gifts you a red camellia. The bright bloom meant “you’re the flame in my heart” and you can’t help but be struck not just by her confession but by the poetry of her choice of flower.

That next day, you ask her to meet you in her garden for a surprise and, when she comes down to her sanctuary, you present her with a dozen red roses - a symbol of true love.

When you confess your love to her, she’s so happy that she leaps into your arms, knocking both you and the flowers to the ground in her excitement as she kisses your cheek.

[sk1fanfiction]

the many faces of tom riddle, part 5

 - more myth than man... or not? the mortality of tom riddle and the anatomy of a villain-

That leaves us with Ralph Fiennes’ portrayal of adult Tom Riddle/Lord Voldemort in movies 4-8.

I generally find adult Tom Riddle disappointing, even in the books, in terms of character depth. Instead of delving into his motivations and the inner psychology of a villain, we get... slight body horror? And in the movies, it’s even more egregious. 

If a story is as good as its villain, adult Tom Riddle is a bit of a let-down, especially on-screen.

“I was ripped from my body, I was less than spirit, less than the meanest ghost . . . but still, I was alive.”

Perhaps the very first time I watched it, I found this scary, but I must confess that nowadays, Voldemort’s resurrection is more funny to me than anything else. The forked tongue and the nose slits, yes, are supposed to allude to Tom Riddle’s loss of humanity, but I don’t think it...worked out that way in practice.

I know that’s how it is in the books, but ugly equals evil (and vice versa) is a tired trope. not only that, but under the CGI, Lord Voldemort is so difficult to relate to, so inhuman, that it’s hard to (1) see his true depravity (2) connect with him emotionally (3) at least for me, not laugh at him flapping around the graveyard in GOF like an oversized crow. 

Now, the reason I’m going on about this is not (just) me being petty. Lord Voldemort is the Boggart for most of the characters in the HP universe, meaning their greatest fear is Lord Voldemort. He represents Fear; as such, he should be utterly terrifying. Now, I don’t mean horrifying in that sense, but Voldemort’s grand entrance should at least feel somewhat unsettling, have some sort of a Gothic atmosphere...

"But then, through the mist in front of him, he saw, with an icy surge of terror, the dark outline of a man, tall and skeletally thin, rising slowly from inside the cauldron."

Visually, this looks great. But it’s not scary. And I’m not a purist by any means, but the words are scarier than the book. Darkness induces fear. 

“The lack of any kind of visual stimuli increases anxiety, uncertainty, and tension.”

So, having Voldemort’s pale body materialize isn’t as scary as it could be.

Furthermore, I think Fiennes’ overexaggerated expressions would actually come across as properly horrifying/threatening rather than funny if they just left his face alone. Yes, Fiennes does manage to emote the fear and the anger through the CGI, but it’s like he’s too alien to be scary, at least to me. The amount of memes with Voldemort suggest I’m not the only one this way inclined.

I think there’s probably a problem going on with the uncanny valley. (Images from the Mori essay linked).

[When things are still]

[Creepy things are creepier when moving]

Now, I assume Voldemort is meant to be zombie-creepy, or at least that how Harry describes him in the books.

"The thin man stepped out of the cauldron, staring at Harry...and Harry stared back into the face that had haunted his nightmares for three years. Whiter than a skull, with wide, livid scarlet eyes and a nose that was flat as a snake's but with slits for nostrils...."

Now, we can’t get Harry’s experience of being haunted by Voldemort in his dreams, because what I think makes Voldemort’s countenance so truly frightening to the other characters isn’t his snake-like nose or his red eyes, but the potential. Voldemort is, in essence, the Grim Reaper. You are at his mercy, and you’re probably going to be dead. 

“This time, I shall enter the fray myself, Harry Potter, and I shall find you, and I shall punish every last man, woman, and child who has tried to conceal you from me. One hour.“

And yes, Voldemort can be quite funny and witty, but..

“I will allow you to perform an essential task for me, one that many of my followers will give their right hands to perform.” (To Peter Pettigrew)

...it’s still incredibly dark, sadistic humour. Whereas the teenage Tom Riddle we’ve been discussing has just barely dipped his toes into evil, Voldemort is, well... swimming in it. At this point, he think he undeniably enjoys causing pain.

And much of what makes Voldemort scary is subtle. 

For example, what I personally consider haunting is the fact that he’s got a cave full of Inferi. A cave full of reanimated dead bodies. 

Either he dug them up, which is unlikely... or perhaps, a twenty-seven-or-so-year-old Tom Riddle would lie in wait like a bird of prey, very quietly and patiently, perhaps reading a book, waiting for an unsuspecting Muggle to wander past. Maybe killing is a game to him at this point, when it’s not so personal as killing Harry Potter. Maybe it’s a whispered Avada Kedavra, and then he carries the dead body away to his cave. Maybe he Imperiuses them to walk off the cliff. Maybe he tortures them first.

Shudder.

And I don’t think you can show that kind of horror through any CGI or make-up, so...

You know what is terrifying? Revolting? True crime; real-life people who do unspeakably horrible things. And I think a lot was missed out on, in stripping Tom Riddle physically of his humanity. Yes, Riddle is a monster...

But, as we’ve seen, he’s a human monster, not some eldritch horror from the seventh level of hell or something.

I just think it would be interesting to have this perfectly normal-looking human do all the horrific things Voldemort does. I want to see that sick joy in a human face and feel disgusted. I want to see fear make his bottom lip tremble, and feel a misplaced sense of empathy. (Think President Snow from the Hunger Games -- now, that’s a sick, twisted villain who we can relate to as a human being, but still love to hate -- or what about The Joker?).

And out of everything they chose to CGI, why on earth did they not make his eyes scarlet? That might have made him look at least somewhat menacing, rather than a failed lab experiment.

(Don’t even get me started on his and Bellatrix’s death scenes in the movies-)

Here’s President Snow. He’s got a cute little granddaughter, he sends kiddies to kill each other Battle Royale-style every year, and he poisons all his political opponents. He’s also a master manipulator and has a penchant for white roses. They cover up the smell of the sores in his mouth from eating the poison too, to conceal his treachery.

Heath Ledger as the Joker in Dark Knight (2008), who is, according to NYT (which I totally agree with), the best Joker. Now this is a villain done right, with many Voldemort-like traits. On a scale of one-to-ten, he’s absolutely terrifying. Why? He’s (unlike Voldemort in the movies) incredibly intelligent, shows young-Tom-Riddle-like skills for charm and manipulation, plays with humans like they’re his own personal psychology experiment (and to hell with the Institutional Review Board), and has one, single, very clear goal -- chaos. Like Voldemort, he wears an inhuman mask that’s not horrifying in its own right; but unlike Voldemort, the human is all there -- terrifying, real, and with a bottomless, obsessive desire to destroy. His disordered thinking is all out there for the audience to see. The Joker’s motivation is to enjoy himself; whereas Voldemort seems to lack drive. Why does he want to take over the world -- who knows, with Voldemort? The Joker wants to see it burn.

Let’s try to do the same with Lord Voldemort:

[SLIGHT FLASH WARNING]

I had to go with this because Voldemort isn’t legitimately terrifying in many scenes. And yes, this unrefined anger somewhat speaks to Tom’s immaturity

By this point, seventy-one year old Tom Riddle is a hollowed-out shell of a human being. After decades of building his power, he was defeated by a one-year-old, and ended up slumming it as a spirit for a decade, got defeated again, was a shrivelled-up baby for a year, then finally got his body back.

He’s angry, okay! And Fiennes does a great job of portraying the sheer, destructive, unbridled rage of this character.

The body language. again, since his face is inhuman, this is super important. and Fiennes’ body language is great. Voldemort/Riddle commits to his actions. He is very emotionally-driven.

But yet, he doesn’t feel capable, in the way that the Joker or President Snow do. Yeah, we know anecdotally that he’s incredibly evil, sadistic, and second only to Dumbledore in terms of power, but he loses to a baby, and then that same baby as a teenager. So, we really could have done with seeing Voldemort’s power, cruelty, and evil firsthand a lot more often.

Voldemort is not well-characterized. I don’t understand his motives, and the ones that I do understand are not compelling.

Not to die? Well, he’s already made several Horcruxes. Why not sit back and relax? Why start a war and risk himself?

JKR said that Voldemort’s great desire was to become all-powerful and eternal. But that’s... boring! It does little to tell us about Voldemort, other than that he’s a villain and a wannabe dictator. 

Furthermore, the charm, manipulation, and cunning that are hallmarks of younger Tom Riddle’s personality are gone.

Is Voldemort (to return to Jungian terms) all shadow? An empty creature of simple creation and destruction, perhaps? We’ll discuss this further down...

And this isn’t a problem of having a fantastical world with magic and the like. Grindelwald’s quiet, self-possessed, almost coy “So you think you can hold me?” was infinitely scarier than anything that has ever come out of Voldemort’s mouth. It was chilling. 

OOTP is my favorite book, and the Ministry sequence is one of my favourite in the films. 

This scene where he psyches out Harry, talking so quietly that he could just be a little voice inside his head (and again, during the possession scene)? Absolute perfection. 

Why? Because this showcases what’s truly scary about him. Voldemort can get into your head. He can make you do things. And perhaps, if we had seen that more often, we’d understand how scary he is.

I wish this had been his grand entrance, and not whatever that scene in GOF was. Somehow, him screeching “I WANT TO SEE THE LIGHT LEAVE YOUR EYES!” is not menacing. At all. 

But, I can’t help but think how much greater the emotional affect would be if he had more human features (think the burned-and-blurred, waxy features from Dumbledore’s memory). 

Just imagine these scenes if Voldemort looked human, and spoke as quietly as he did in this one.

Because of the reason that I have little to go on in terms of characterization that I haven’t already covered, we’ll discuss the myth and legend of Lord Voldemort.

I can’t decide if the statue in the films is supposed to be the Angel of Death or the Grim Reaper. He has a skeleton and carries a scythe, but he also has wings. There are so many different interpretations, attitudes towards, and personifications of Death across the world that I don’t want to draw any one conclusion. But I must wonder if Lord Voldemort, with his yew-and-phoenix wand (which carries heavy symbolism of immortality and rebirth) and almost deified figure is meant to be a personification of Death himself? His name, Lord Voldemort, is a shade close to Lord Death.

For years, it has stumped me that wizards and witches are afraid to utter Voldemort’s name, especially since we only see the Taboo in the middle of the last book. It didn’t make sense just based on fear; in the real world, we don’t circumvent Hitler’s name, for example.

Perhaps this may have been obvious to others, but it wasn’t to me.

Here’s a counterargument to myself; why Voldemort shouldn’t look human.

Voldemort, in the Wizarding World, is seen as a literal deity.

I promised to attempt to answer this question in Part 3: 

And so, I can’t help but wonder if the opposite is true… if Tom Riddle creates Horcruxes, would that grant him additional magic powers?

In Part 3, I likened Tom Riddle to a sorcerer in Russian folklore, Koschei the Deathless, also famous for sequestering his soul in objects. This source suggests that Koschei was considered not an ordinary magician, but a representative of the ‘other’ world, the world of death.

So, what if... creating Horcruxes makes you... more than human? Now, I could definitely see god-like status being appealing to sixteen-year-old Tom Riddle. Perhaps, even appealing enough to kill for. Now, his proclivity for Avada Kedavra makes sense. We know it’s an incredibly sinister spell, but at the same time, it’s a very humane way to kill. Why might it be so horrifying?

Here’s a weird theory.

To the best of my knowledge, no one but Voldemort is seen using the Killing Curse more than once or twice. 

Perhaps, ordinary mortals can only cast Avada Kedavra a few times, but Tom, having split his soul and having become in some way a non-human instrument of Death, can cast it however many times as he likes, and that is part of what serves to make him so terrifying.

This makes the idea of Voldemort tossing around Avada Kedavras actually incredibly terrifying, if you take into account what that might mean.

The collective cultural fear of speaking Voldemort’s name supports this theory.

Take the chthonic (underworld) deities of Greek mythology; most notably, Hades and Persephone, the king and queen of the underworld.

Hades, the god of the dead, was feared. 

So feared that the word ‘Hades’ (”the unseen one”) was so frightening, that people came up with all sorts of euphemisms to circumvent actually saying it and he was rarely even depicted in art. For example, they would refer to him as Pluto (”the rich one”), Clymenus ("notorious"), Polydegmon ("who receives many"), and perhaps Eubuleus ("good counsel" or "well-intentioned"), amongst many other names. 

However, he was not seen as evil; just stern, cruel, and fair. Like most Greek gods, he had an associated cult (the Death Eaters, anyone?)

Another interesting connection between Hades and Voldemort is that Hades was associated with snakes.

Persephone (suggested to have a pre-Greek origin and probably pre-dates Hades), who was also a vegetation/fertility/spring goddess, similarly, was referred to as Despoina (”the mistress”), Kore (”the maiden”), etc, because as the terrible Queen of the Dead, it was considered unsafe to speak her name aloud. In mythology and literature, she is sometimes referred to as ‘dread Persephone.’

--Just like how Lord Voldemort is referred to as The Dark Lord, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, You-Know-Who... (and if you’re Dumbledore, ‘Tom’.)

Her central myth served as the context for the secret rites of regeneration at Eleusis (which was basically a mystery cult devoted to her and her mother, Demeter), which promised immortality to initiates.

We don’t know for certain what exactly went on, because, mystery cult -- the members were sworn to secrecy -- but it revolved around immortality and rebirth and possibly psychoactive drugs. 

Perhaps ironically, in comparison to the Death Eaters, anyone could join, as long as they could speak Greek and had never committed murder.

And that concludes my assessment!

[random-imagines-blog]

The Way Back {Faramir x Reader Oneshot}

Requested by: Anonymous Wordcount: 3057 Summary: Love can be found in the unlikeliest of places, such as in a war-torn city after a win.

You took a deep breath in, and then a deep breath out. It felt like you hadn’t had the time to breathe in days. It had been battle, after battle, after battle against Sauron and his forces, ending up in this, the grand battle outside of Gondor. But the enemy had finally been defeated, the last of the orcs crying back to Mordor. You removed your helmet and let your hair fly free in the breeze as the world seemed to catch it’s own breath back. There was still plenty to do, such as tend to the wounded, burn the bodies of the deceased, and begin plans to rebuild the city. There were many fallen on both sides, even though the battle had been won by yourself, and by Gondor. By Minas Tirith. You looked about you, savoring the moment of peace, before plunging yourself into even more work.

You regretted that you did not attend the last battle at Mordor, but you had a much more pressing issue of helping with Gondor. There was so much here that had to be done, and you put your faith in your three companions. Legolas, your younger brother, who looked so much like you with delicate elfin features, but was a killer with a bow. Gimli, the dwarf that you came to see as a friend and an annoyance in your life, almost like a grumpy old pet, but one who could swing an axe like it was no ones business. And Aragorn, your best friend, a fellow Ranger, who had returned from Mordor and would soon be crowned King. But for now, he left you to care for Eowyn, a woman that he had introduced you to, who had been hurt in the battle. As two female warriors, the two of you struck up a quick kinship. It had been you who had given her a horse to ride among the riders, before you went with your fellowship to hold the dead to their oaths. Your horse, one of the fastest in the world, and the envy of many of the riders, including her brother.

You sat with her in the healing wing, dabbing her forehead gently with a damp cloth.

“I’m barely moving enough to sweat, y/n, there’s no need for this,” She said, trying to wave you away with her injured hand. You shushed her, and put it back down to her side. She looked more fragile than you were used to seeing her. Before, you had seen it in her eyes that she was always ready for a fight, the inner beast in her wanting to come out and growl at the world. A true dragon in pretty colors.

“Would you rather me go and get one of the healers to do it for you? I feel they would not be as good company as I though...” You threatened, and she sighed and allowed you to go on with your blotting. You were not a healer, though you knew a couple of things. Like to constantly check your friend for fever, for the wounds that she had sustained were nasty. She may have stabbed the witch King in the face, but she paid the price for that.

“I don’t like feeling helpless like this. I want to help the healers - it is only a couple of wounds. But no, all they let me do is go for one walk a day among the garden, like I’m some sort of...”

“Woman?” You asked, raising an eyebrow. “Let us go on our walk then. Let them dare to stop us while we are together. They can try to bully one warrior, but two? I do not think them so foolish.” You took hold of Eowyn’s better hand, and helped her onto her feet. She was eager to be up, and there was a flounce to her step, almost girlish. Sometimes she lamented being a woman, but there was still some femininity to her.

Together you walked out of the healing wing, and out into the open air of Gondor. A lot had been ruined during the war, and was being rebuilt. There were footsoldiers still around, and were helping to guide the reconstruction process. Everyone was helping out - even children, who were spreading the mortar over the walls with their little hands. “Are you going to return to Rohan as soon as you are healed?” You asked Eowyn as you strolled arm in arm, avoiding the places where the most damage had been done.

“After Aragorn’s coronation,” She answered. “I see no sense in returning, just to turn around and come back in a couple of weeks. And with my brother constantly off with the Riders of Rohan, they are going to need a new leader.”

“I see,” You said, nodding. “I’m so sorry to hear about your Uncle, Eowyn. He was a great man, as as I’m sure you knew. And he taught you well, you’ll take his place fantastically.”

“What about you? I remember your father wanted you to return to Mirkwood-”

You shook your head vehemently. “I too will be staying until the coronation. Legolas may be returning but I’m not so quick to leave the scene of one of the greatest battles that Middle Earth has ever known. I’m reluctant to go back...”

“Why?”

“I’m his heir, and he is getting older. I know that he wants me to take up the throne, but I am not Queen material, Eowyn. I belong on the battlefield. That’s where I feel the most comfortable! Not among the rich dresses and the gossip of elfen society,” You opened up to Eowyn, knowing that her, above anyone else, would understand how you feel. “Legolas is better suited as King than I ever would be as Queen. Were it I were born second rather than first...”

“Either way, it would be nice to have someone who is more sympathetic to humans on the throne,” Eowyn said, coming to a halt. You looked at her confused. “There he is - that is Faramir, the new Steward of Gondor.”

You followed her eyeline to see a man, leaning over one of the walls, looking out at the wreckage of the grounds that had been the battlefield. His hair was to his shoulders, a messy light brown - it was a look that many of the human men wore. Aragorn. Boromir -

Of course! This had been the brother that Boromir had mentioned to you during the nights when you two had watch together. But with some more burns upon him than Boromir had ever seen. You had heard of what had happened to him. His own father had tried to kill him.

“Shall we introduce ourselves?” You asked. Eowyn, who was far from timid even while she was wearing a gown rather than armor, nodded her approval.

You approached him together, which did not seem to intimidate him, for he gave you a surprising smile when you reached him. “I hope we aren’t interrupting your thoughts,” You said, pleasantly.

“Not at all,” He inisisted. “I always have time for two of our heroes.”

You beamed down at Eowyn, seeing the little flush on her cheeks. It was amazing seeing her talent be recognized. You were about to praise her even more, just to see if she could go as red as a rose, when one of the healers came running up, interrupting the mood. “You should be resting Lady Eowyn!” She chided.

“But...” Eowyn started, but then gave in rather easily. “Excuse me. I hurt my hand while killing the Witch King. I hope you understand my quick departure.”

You couldn’t stop grinning at her little amount of bragging. She deserved that much. Faramir bowed his head respectfully as the healer took Eowyn away, who was still complaining that she was fine. “Did you receive an injury while doing something important like killing a Witch King?” He asked.

“I stubbed my toe while taking down an Oliphaunt,” You shrugged, making him grin. You realized while he was doing so that he was actually pretty handsome .. for a human. He had a softer face than both Aragorn and Boromir, the only two humans that you could claim had been your friends. Or still were, in Aragorn’s case. He wasn’t as bristly. And he had very kind eyes. The race of men really was starting to grown on you.

-

Your father had come to Aragorn’s coronation. You had not expected him to. He very rarely left Mirkwood. Not since the Battle of the Five Armies had he ventured anywhere near this far. But the King returning to his throne was a grand deal, so you supposed it wasn’t that out of the ordinary. You stood beside your brother in welcoming your dear friend to the throne, and had managed to position yourself in a way that let you look at the Steward. He stood with Eowyn, who had become as wonderful a friend to him as she had to you. A sister to the both of you, though she needed no more siblings - not with a gruff one like Eomer about.

“When are you going to tell father?” Legolas whispered after Aragorn had passed.

“Tell him what?” You hissed.

“About how you are in love with a human,” He said, smiling widely. You nudged him and he nearly fell into Gimli, but his elf-like reflexes stopped him from doing so. “He can’t take his eyes off of you. Is that why you dressed up today? It is so weird to see you in a gown.”

“Can you please be quiet and enjoy our friend’s special day?” You asked in Elvish. Legolas did quiet down but you kept sneaking peeks over at Faramir. The two of you had gotten rather close in the last couple of months. And you might even think that you had given your heart over to the man, though it was very painful to think about. You would continue to remain youthful for many, many years, barely gaining a wrinkle while this man would grow old, wither, die. Life was cruel that way. Unbelievably cruel.

You saw eyes looking at you behind Faramir, and caught your father’s stern gaze. Your eyes widened, and like a child caught doing something bad, you immediately looked anywhere but your father, pretending to be distracted by the leaves, or the sweet little hobbits.

After the ceremony was a lovely party, which Aragorn did not attend because he went straight into his duties. You could say a lot of things about Aragorn, but not that he wasn’t dedicated to his work. You walked through the party, surprising a great number of people by wearing an intricate Elven gown for the occasion. Most of these people had only seen you in your fighting garb, which looked a great deal like Legolas’s. In fact, on more than one occasion, you had been mistaken for one another. Definitely not on this day, though.

You wandered, before Faramir’s hand lightly brushed against your arm, pulling you into conversation. “You look...” He said, gazing at you up and down, trying to find the words. You decided rather than waste time, you would finish his sentence for him.

“-like a beautiful Elven lady?”

“You took the words right out of my mouth,” Faramir said with a grin. He looked bashful, an expression that became him. He could be the most cold, hardened warrior, but around you, he seemed to be a bit more of a bashful mess. It was a very endearing trait. And it was something that brought the warmth right out of you.

“Yes, my daughter is a very beautiful Elven lady,” Your father’s familiar voice said from you behind you. Your eyes said ‘Uh-oh’ faster than your mouth could, and you turned to see him standing there. The blonde hair that the whole family had was gleaming brightly in the sun light. “I’m stealing her for a moment from you, Steward.”

“Of course,” Faramir said with a nod. He walked away with his hands behind his back, having recovered very well from his injuries. You watched as he walked towards Eowyn, and they struck up a friendly conversation. Your two favorite humans - and yet it gave you a feeling in the pit of your stomach that you did not like. You were wary of them being close. You were fond of both of them and you would not be surprised if they became overly fond of one another.

“Is that him?” Your father asked, following your line of sight. You stopped staring, and turned back towards him to give him the respect that he both deserved and demanded.

“Is that whom?” You questioned, your eyebrow arching upwards.

“The human that has stolen your heart?” Your father’s steely gaze cut through you like a knife. So he knew. You looked behind him for Legolas, and once you had caught his eye, you gave him a glare. “Do not blame your brother like you are some sort of child. He didn’t tell me a thing. It is entirely obvious.”

“Do you think that he knows?” You asked, swallowing any denial that you might have had bubbling.

“Since he is an inferior human, I would suppose not.” Your father said, chin held high. “I was going to ask you to come back with me. Take your place as the ruler of Mirkwood. There is a lot of work to be done.”

The happiness that you had felt for Aragorn, and then the slight giddiness that you had around Faramir had dissipated entirely. You were back to the way that the elves usually were. Hard-browed. No emotion showing.

“I’m sure that there is,” You said, not excited at all about the prospect of returning to your home. “And you are sure that you want me to be doing it?”

“As the oldest, it is your duty. Female or not,” Your father said. But he wasn’t catching your eye - he continued to glance over at Faramir. “You have caught his attention most ardently. He will not stop looking in your direction. It almost reminds me of your mother.”

Your heart started to beat in your chest, but your expression did not change. Still, there was a little bit of hope shining through. You tried to catch your father’s eye, but he kept looking away, which was unusual. Usually, he enjoyed looking right into the eyes of the person that he was talking to. It was a power play. And now you were the one who was trying to be the one in power.

“Is there any way that we can postpone it, father?” You asked, trying to make yourself taller so that he could not avoid looking at you. “Just for a few decades? Hardly any time at all - and all of that work will still be waiting for me.”

“A couple of decades? So you can come back after your human lover dies, and take out your grief in your work like I had?” Thranduil asked, tutting. You have never heard him tut before. But you also knew that he had a point. You remembered how he had thrown himself into his duties as King when your mother had died. He hadn’t given himself the proper time to grieve, and his leadership was lack for that. “We’d better give it a century or two. I might be able to finish my own tasks in time for that.”

“Surely - you’re joking? This is the first joke that you make and you decide for it to be this?” You questioned, unable to take your father seriously at this moment. His expression had not changed at all. In fact, now, it looked a little bit angry.

“I do not joke.” He said, glaring at you. “I am trying to give you the opportunity to love.”

You tried to search for any sign of deceit in his eyes, but could find none. He even looked a little ... flustered? Uncomfortable at the idea of talking about love with his daughter? Either way, you weren’t going to pass this opportunity up. You clasped your hands in front of yourself and gave him a bow which he then returned, before sweeping himself away to talk to Legolas, which was always much less about emotions.

You walked back over to Faramir and Eowyn, and put your hand on Faramir’s arm like he had to you just moments before. “May I speak with you for a moment?” You asked him, looking over at Eowyn. The blonde woman gave you a knowing smile, and walked off to speak with Merry, whom she had grown fond of over the war. The Steward of Gondor looked at you, still with that soft grin that you enjoyed looking at so much.

“What is it?” He asked, the grin faltering slightly. You’ve never asked him to talk privately before, and he wondered if something was wrong. But you took that away from him with your own lips, which you softly pressed against his once you were sure you had a little bit of privacy. “My lady?” He questioned, after returning it.

“It is unconventional, but it appears that I’ve fallen for you, Faramir, Steward of Gondor.”

“You have?” He asked, bewildered, but then seemed to regain his senses rather quickly. “I thought you never would. I’ve already resigned myself to growing old by myself.”

“You don’t have to,” You said, taking hold of his rough and calloused hands, giving them a squeeze. “If you will have me, I’d like to be by your side as you grow into a handsome old man.”

“While you stay the same?” He asked, his voice going softer.

“Yes,” You said with a nod. There was no point in beating around the bush - he would grow old and you would stay exactly as you were. It would be quite some time before you started to look older than you already were.

“My beautiful wife,” Faramir said, leaning in for another kiss. You granted it happily.

[what-the--curtains]

Alliance

Chapter 6 – The Extraction

(Mando x f!reader)

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Summary: The auction leads you to the child but the empire’s hot on your tail. With all hope lost you make a choice.

Notes: None (feel free to interact im unemployed and bored)!!!

Tw: (very brief) mentions of drugs/sex/alcohol/addiction, swearing

Words: 3.9 k

Tagged: @crazycookiecrumbles

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You walk through the damp street, you don’t know what this dress is made of but the dirt and grime caused by the recent rain seemed to simply bounce off it. The streets were jam-packed, somehow even busier than they were the night prior and as the two of you make your way towards the auction hall Din’s visor scans the crowd, making sure nothing seems out of place. He takes care to never be more than a few inches away from you, convincing himself it's in order to maintain appearances. After all he knew you were more than capable of handling yourself, and why else would he feel the need to be so close to you.

“You lost beautiful?” A youthful looking Falleen asks as she appears out of the shadows

“No.” Din replies, making himself visible at your side when she moves into the light.

“Well I’m sure you're very beautiful under that armour Mando, but I was talking to your friend here.The names Isi and I make a living helping people around the city” Din’s about to respond again when you interject.

“Actually Isi we do seem to have gotten ourselves a bit lost, we're here for the auction.”

“I’ve heard of it,” she says, staring down at her manicure. You look up at Din motioning for him to pay her which he does begrudgingly. Taking the credits she leads you through the city, stopping outside a building covered completely in reflective mirrors.

“Best of luck” Isi, says offering you her hand

“Thank you, for your discretion” taking it you slide her a few more credits and she leans back against the wall of the building watching as the two of you enter. Two men in tailored suits open the inner doors granting you access to a small closed off foyer, also covered in the one way glass. You hand your invitation to the man on the right, parting your lips ever so slightly and gaze up at him batting your eyelids ever so slightly. In your experience a touch of flirting went a long way, especially when it came to moving through security.

He smiles and looks from you, up to the Mandalorian then back down. Turning his head to look at his partner he chuckles slightly.

“He your boyfriend, or something?”

“Bodyguard” you emphasize.

“Makes sense” he murmurs loud enough for the two of you to hear.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” the modulated voice asks obviously aggravated.

“Never mind him, he’s just sensitive about the... you know ” you mime the outline of a helmet. The guard nods and lets you pass through placing his hand on the small of your back as you do causing you to cringe internally. Nothing worse than a stranger's hand where you didn’t want it. You glare back at the Mandalorian hoping your eyes would convey a message of ‘be cool’. A task he was about to accomplish when the second guard places a firm hand on his arm.“Leave the blaster Mando, there’s no weapons allowed.”

“He has no weapons” you interject, de-escalating the scene that was about to play out caused by the tremendous amount of male energy that was currently taking up the entire room.

“You’re right sorry ma’am, enjoy your evening” he says letting go of the Mandalorians arm allowing him to pass.

“Way to keep your cool, let’s try and get through the night without creating a scene” you say, slightly annoyed by whatever the hell he thought that display was going to achieve. Your anger disappears as you turn to an enormous room filled with people dressed to the nines in the finest the galaxy had to offer. Chandeliers dripping in diamonds hung down from the high ceilings illuminating the room like a sky full of stars and casting a rose gold hue across the occupants moving about the ballroom floor which seemed to sparkle underneath the high heels.

Servers moved seamlessly throughout the crowd; they were all dressed in lavish costumes, depicting various fashions from across space and time. The trays they carry are filled with multicolor foods and gem-coloured drinks. You’d never seen anything so opulent in your entire life. You’d noticed that servers would pair off with guests and disappear returning later with a look that could only be chalked up to exceptional sex or spice, both of which resulted in a similar glazed over and dewy look. A Darthomorian in a low cut red dress approaches you offering you a drink, you smile and thank them.

“I wouldn’t if I were you.” The modulator speaks up, as you bring the drink to your lips.

“Why? I might as well enjoy the lifestyles of the rich and dangerous while I’m here” you snap, apparently you were still upset at him.

“It has love wallop in it, makes the drinker more suggestible to certain propositions usually sent over by someone who wants to.” His voice trails off.

“Ew” you say pulling a face before dumping it in a nearby plant. “Guess I’m safer going to the bar.” You swirl your new, drug free, drink around and rest your elbows down on a nearby table, hoping the auction would begin shortly.

“How did you know what was in that drink.” You ask in an attempt to help pass the time.

“They show up at these kinds of things, so does spice and other illegal substances.”

“Once again how do you know about this? You spent a lot of time around illegal substances? I didn’t think it would be your scene.” you say taking a sip of the ruby coloured drink you had ordered.

“I’ve brought a lot of dealers over the years. It also crossed my path in my...” He pauses before continuing reluctantly “ wilder days.”

“Wilder days hey? Love to hear about those sometimes. You sample the product?” you probe, he gives you an unmistakable look of disappointment “Maybe you should, might help chill you out a bit.” You joke.

“That would go against my creed and fundamental belief system. Spice is...”

“Highly addictive, ya I know , it was a joke.” You say shaking your head, why did he have to be so high and mighty all the time.

“You’ve had it?” he seems surprised by this news, you hoped it wouldn’t change his opinion of you, the two of you had been getting on pretty well of late and you’d hate to jeopardize that.

“You gonna arrest me?” you joke nervously, hoping he didn’t notice how much his response mattered to you.

“No, just… how the hell did you stop? Are you okay to even be here, it's everywhere” was it disappointment or concern you picked up in his voice, you couldn’t quite discern between the two.

“I’ll be fine just tell me if it’s in anything I’m about to put into my body. And knock me out if you see me going for it” Diverting from the conversation you lift up a piece of food and show it to the Mandalorian who lets you know it’s safe to eat.

“Holy shit this is good!” you exclaim, looking around for where the waitress had gone

“Can you feel him?.” Din asks drawing your attention back to the reason why you were here in the first place.

“Too many people, I’ve already disrupted the force once I don’t want to do it again so quickly someone might notice. We’ll have to wait for the first item and follow whoever brings it out.” Just then a woman in a slinky red dress appears with some kind of an egg on a pillow and steps up onto the stage where an Ishi Tib drones out the rules and regulations for bidding.

“Is that an Kadri’Ra egg.” you ask in amazement.

“Looks like it”

“I thought they were extinct” you say still in awe

“Guess not” he replies, his shortness had become increasingly apparent over the course of the evening.

“We’ll get the kid soon, don’t worry, he has to be here.” You reassure, looking up at him causing him to look away. As the woman passes back through the crowd the two of you turn in tandem and follow her until you reach the back of the room. You stop and place your back against the wall, craning your neck you look to see which hallway the woman had disappeared down. You turn back quickly as another woman in similar garb appears out the largest of the hallways, carrying a cape made from an ice dragon pelt. As she moves towards the stage the two of you enter where she had exited. You move through the wide hallway until you reach the end, where a large metal door prevents you from moving any further.

“Should have about 15 minutes before the next one comes out.” You say stopping a few feet from the door. “you think anyone’s in...” you're almost done your sentence when you hear footsteps approaching from behind you.

Before you can make sense of what's happening the Mandalorian has pulled you into a thin hallway off shoot by the nook of your elbow. You’re now face to face with his chest and suddenly very aware of how tall he was.

“Where’s the other half of the item, seriously were two in and I’m looking like a fool up there!” an Arkanian, who you assume must be the collector and the host of the party, exclaims. You see them do a double take to where you're currently hiding, and watch as they begin to move towards the hallway.

“Can you pick me up?” you whisper urgently,

“Yes, but…”

“do it now” he complies with your order, as he does you wrap your legs around the armour covering his hips and prop your back against the wall, draping your arms loosely over his shoulders before burying your head in the part of his neck bare from armour, hoping that the compromising position would be enough to deter the collector rom asking any question. Out of the corner of your eye you watch as the presenter takes note of the two of you. Raising their eyebrows they turn and move back to the door.

“Yes that’s it, get it out there now so the bidding can begin, gods it’s hard to find good help these days.” they exclaim turning and following behind the presenter with the newly acquired artifact. You let out a sigh of relief removing your face from his neck quickly realizing that your nose is just millimetres away from his helmet.

“You can put me down now” you whisper breathlessly, for a reason you couldn’t quite explain. You take note of the slight hesitation that precedes him dropping you. Gathering yourself you exit the hallway and reposition yourself in front of the large metal door. You can’t see a panel on it or a key slot, it must only be accessible from the inside looking up, you spot a window.

“Give me a boost” you say, and he obliges. You lift the hem of your outfit and step onto his interlocked hands which he uses to push you up enabling you to reach the ledge. Pulling yourself up you roll through the window and drop down onto the rooms floor alerting the person in charge of handing out the auction items. You knock him out and swipe his key card using it to open the door for Din.

“This way” you say, dragging the handler's body over to a nearby post and tying him to it. Standing up you turn to see hundreds of items up for auction varying from Millaflower to a juvenile varactyl.

“Do you see him?” you ask, picking up a vial of what you recognized as death stick placing it back down when you hear him respond.

“No” you think you hear his voice break. “Wait.” he says, walking up to another, smaller closed off room placing a gloved hand on the door. He draws his blaster aiming for the lock. You lower his hand hoping to prevent a beam bouncing around the room subsequently giving you away. You lift up the key card you’d swiped from the guy in the room and use it to open up the door. He moves towards the oval container floating in the middle of the room and drops down to one knee as you watch tentatively from the door. Pushing a button the oval opens up and a tiny green three fingered hand reaches up for him. You hear a slight gurgle as the second hand comes up making a grabbing motion. Din picks up what has to be the most adorable creature you’ve ever seen.

“Told you I’d get you back didn’t I” he chuckles, you can hear the smile in voice as he hands the kid the small silver ball. You approach cautiously until you're standing beside him.

“Well fair enough I get why you traded me in for him” you say offering the child your finger which he grabs happily, looking up at you.

“ You two know each other or something?” He asks, his helmet staring up at you.

“Must be a force thing” you say, smiling down at the little critter.

“We have to go” you say, closing the egg hoping it would buy enough time to make a swift exit. With the child wrapped neatly under his arm the two of you move swiftly through the back alleys in darkness.

“Well that went better than I…” almost as if on cue, your speech is interrupted by the sound of blasters ricocheting off the ship's metal exterior. He hands you the child and rushes up to the cockpit to prepare for take-off.

“Brace yourself” he shouts down and you grab onto the overhanging bars with one hand and secure the child with your other, pressing your thigh against a beam in an attempt to stabilize yourself. As the ship lifts off the ground you hear the sounds of even more blaster bullets hitting its side.

“Din!” you yell up from below

“I’m working on it!” he shouts back down. A few moments later he manages to get the ship out of the reach of the blasters, punching it as he exits the stratosphere. A distinct beeping sound rings throughout the ship indicating there was a problem that needed fixing sooner rather than later. You ungrip your hands from the bars and check on the child who seems completely unaware of the situation. Using your free hand you pull yourself up to the cockpit where a disgruntled Mandalorian was cursing under his breath. You place the child down in the back seat buckling him in before taking your own.

“How far can we make it without stopping.” You ask after a long enough time had elapsed for the Mandalorian to calm down

“Far enough to be safe, I hope.” Turning to the side you see the kid sleepily closing its eyes.

“Could you put him to bed? I have to deal with this.” He says gesturing to the entire dashboard which was currently lit up like a tree on life day.

“Of course” you say, you were completely taken with the child, and more than happy to spend time with it.

“Alright where does he keep your bed then.” You say opening up a few compartments until you find the sleeping quarters. Opening the doors Anya’s head looks over to you evidently having slept through the whole ordeal comfortably on the bed. It was decent sized compared to most ship beds but still small especially for someone of Dins stature. Above it was a small hammock like contraption which you assumed was where the child, who was now more awake than asleep, slept.

“You need to rest.” You say softly, but he keeps staring up at you and grabbing at your hair. “C’mon you going to get me in trouble, with the guy upstairs” you smile down at him as he coos slightly. “Well I know one thing that used to help me sleep when I was about your size” You start to sing softly to the creature stroking one of its long ears as you do until it's fallen asleep. Unbeknownst to you the Mandalorian had heard you singing and followed the sound downstairs watching you and the child from afar.

“Mesh’la” he says louder than intended, causing you to turn around.

“He’s just asleep now,” you whisper, handing him to the Mandalorian so he can put him up top. You watch as he tucks the kid in gently squeezing one of its feet before turning back to quietly return to the cockpit.

“Did you say something down there?” you ask, sitting back in the co-pilot seat.

“No,well, yes I was just wondering what the sound was. I’d never heard something like it before.”

“What a lullaby. Didn’t have many of those growing up at the convent?” you ask, always slightly surprised by any personal information the Mandalorian revealed to you.

“No, at least none I can remember. What are they used for?”

“You’ve heard songs before though.”

“Yes, I heard some on Vryssa.”

“ Well Vryssa is home to many a folk song, helps people forget where they are. A lullaby is a song, often sung to a child to help them sleep.” You explain.

“What were you singing about.” He asks

“Ones was about a hanging that happened in Vryssa, told the story of two lovers planning to meet there”

“Doesn’t seem suitable for a child”

“No but I assume he doesn't speak English and lullaby is more about the melody than the words, the second was one passed down from my grandmother about the meadows of her home planet.”

“Where was she from your grandmother?” he asks.

“She never told me a name, only descriptions.”

“Maybe you’ll get to see it one day.”

“Ya maybe, if you and this kid don’t get me killed first.” you laugh, only partially kidding.

“Grogu.”

“Bless you?”

“The kids name, it’s Grogu.” he chuckled softly glancing over at you, still thinking about the way you had looked with him in your arms, singing softly.

After a while the beeping increases to a point where landing was no longer a task that could be put off. You step out onto a stone covered surface stretching out your legs and breathing in the remarkably fresh air.

“Think we lost them” you state, bending down and placing a palm on the smooth, cool moss covered stones. You stand back up and turn around watching as the Mandalorian exits the ship with a tool kit in hand and Anya and Grogu in pursuit. The kid follows Din over to where the damage is opting to stare up at him as he works, seemingly not wanting to be apart from him ever again.

“It's just one of the stabilizers, an easy fix we should be good to go soon!” He shouts over to you

“Anything I can do to help?” You offer

“No, It's a one person job. Thank you” With that you head off curious in exploration of the planet. It's old, empty, you wonder if anyone had ever been here before you. It wasn’t very livable, no trees, no food, no water, a truly desolate place. Yet it possessed a charm unique to planets of old, untouched by the reach of the empire, the republic and everything in between. You peer back over your shoulder, Anya’s sat protectively near the child who's still watching the Mandalorian rattle around the ship. You turn your head back as he closes up, not wanting to get caught staring. He picks up Grogu and re-enters the ship with Anya following close behind. You're about to join them when you feel something approaching. You begin to walk further from the ship and closer towards the presence you were feeling, stopping in your tracks when you see a triangular ship approaching. It's large, too big to be from any crime lord.

“It’s imperial” you hear a voice yell from afar as the Mandalorian makes his way towards you.

“Well never outrun them” you whisper, your brain running through the possible scenarios.

“We have to go”

``We'll never outrun them” you say louder and firmer this time, it didn't take an android to figure out what your probability of success was.

“We don’t have time to argue about this” he grabs your arm, but you pull it free turning to face him.

“Go” The words leave your mouth before you can process what you're saying. He doesn’t move. You can hear the ship approaching inching closer.

“Take them and leave, you have to protect them, keep them safe.” he was right you didn't have time to argue about this.

“Not without you.” he says refusing to move.

“Go!” you say shoving him “Now!”

“I'm not leaving you here”

“Yes you are, the kid he’s all that matters right now, go before he’s taken again. Now!”

“Just come with us” he pleads

“We won’t make it. You know we won't. This isn’t a negotiation. Go I’ll give you as much time as I can.” You see him finally accept the fact that this was in the only way.

“Here, take this” he says, giving you his blaster before turning and starting back towards the ship. He stops turning around one last time.

“(y/n) I…”

“I know” you say, using the force to throw him back towards the ship before turning to face the imperial ship which has landed a hundred yards in front of you.

Dialing up the ship Din takes note of the imperial model hoping he’d be able to find it again. As the troopers march out he sees you look back at him nodding your head as if to say you’ll be fine.You clear your mind breathing in the cool air. Closing your eyes you kneel on the ground placing one hand on the stone and the other on the blaster at your side. You can hear the ship taking off behind you as the troopers take aim firing at them from below, but the shots rebound off the force field that you’ve created.

You hold your ground as the troopers move in towards you determined to protect those inside the ship. Din watches as the blaster shots rebound back into the crowd of troopers. With one last look he jumps the ship into hyperspeed. He moves it into auto pilot and throws his head back in frustration as he hears Grogu cry out. “I know. Well get her back, but we're going to need some help” He says, picking up the kid holding him on his lap as he punches in the coordinates of a familiar planet. You drop the force field and begin firing when you hear the ship jump into hyperspace taking out as many troopers as you can before the blaster runs out. In one last ditch effort you throw it at a stormtrooper knocking it out. Slowly raise your hands in the air. They take aim. You prepare yourself.

“Wait! Don’t shoot” a tall man, dressed in all black says as the crowd of troopers part in his wake.

“We may not need the child after all.”

[dalekofchaos]

My hopes for WWE & AEW in 2021 and things I hope changes  for WWE and AEW in 2021

Hopes

WWE

Roman Reigns stays dominant and reigns supreme as the Tribal Chief

Keith Lee wins the Royal Rumble,  joins The Hurt Business and brings the WWE Champion to the Hurt Business

Naomi returns and joins The Hurt Business and dethrones Asuka to take home the gold

The Hurt Business DOMINATES Raw

Bianca Belair wins the Royal Rumble and dethrones Sasha Banks at Wrestlemania

The Riott Squad win the Women’s Tag Team Champions

Unify the men’s Tag Team Championships 

Unveil a new Title and give us WWE’s very first Television Championship. It should be styled similar to the NWA and WCW’s TV belts, but on the sideplates it should include USA and Fox on the plates. Shelton Benjamin or Ricochet should be the TV Championship 

Big E reigns supreme as Intercontinental Champion and finally gets to face Roman for the Universal Championship at Wrestlemania 38

Rhea Ripley gets called up and goes to Smackdown

Mercedes Martinez dethrones Io Shirai and becomes NXT Women’s Champion

Karrion Kross reclaims the NXT Championship

Anyone but Johnny Sameface as NXT North American Champion

Queen Of The Ring. The amount of female talent available on Raw, SmackDown, NXT and NXT UK is quite something. It's clear that this is the richest women's division in WWE history. They really should do something with all those workers. The 'Mae Young Classic' tourneys have been fine, but people would trip over themselves to see a fully-fledged 'Queen Of The Ring' epic staged across multiple nights. If booked correctly, this tournament could help establish a new contender for top titles. If she isn't Champion by then(though she should be) the perfect person to become Queen Of The Ring would be Bianca Belair! Bianca Belair would have unparalleled credibility for her 'StrongEST, FastEST, ToughEST' mantra if she whipped a bevy of skilled workers to become the first 'Queen'. WWE could also get creative by linking the event in with Charlotte Flair's nickname and spinning off into a feud between her and the winner afterwards.

Form Full-Time Female Tag-Teams and keep them around. The Women’s Tag Team DIvision is a mess. Keep creating makeshift Tag Teams and breaking up established tag teams and your tag team division is dead. The current champs and their predecessors haven't even been "proper" full-time duos - Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler were shoved together awkwardly in the summer, and they've since been replaced by the unlikely Asuka and Charlotte Flair combo. This cannot be allowed to continue. It's damning that WWE don't have more fully-formed pairings ready to go. The Riott Squad are perhaps the only actual twosome who are presented as a tight-knit collective weekly. Other than that, who is there? Considering the belts have been around for a few years now, that's unacceptable. The IIconics split, so did Sasha Banks and Bayley, and the scene is littered by 'odd couple' tandems like Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke, Lacey Evans and Peyton Royce, and Billie Kay teaming with the likes of Natalya or Tamina when it suits.

Ensure NXT is treated like a proper third brand rather than a quasi-development league for Raw and SmackDown. NXT has been on USA Network for over a year now, but it's still very much behind both Raw and SmackDown as a priority. Need proof? Look at the way Keith Lee was handled when he was "called up" after SummerSlam 2020. The former NXT Champ had to start all over again, and he's had several teething problems on Monday nights. It'd be nice to see WWE move away from positioning NXT as a 'feeder' for the other two shows. Changing someone's gimmick when they leave makes the brand look less-than, and there's simply no need for that anymore; NXT should be an equal to Raw and SmackDown, not a development league. Sadly, it still comes across as that. Lee's stop/start plight and the (mis)fortunes of others like Aleister Black and Ricochet should be a lesson to WWE. Some workers are better off rocking the black and yellow, not the red or blue.

AEW

Darby Allin becomes AEW World Heavyweight Champion

Adam Page costs Kenny the title and Page gets revenge and DESTROYS Kenny

MJF destroys the inner circle from within and when Jericho realizes what just happened, that’s when MJF and Wardlow destroys Jericho

Which is when we get a Sammy Guevara babyface turn and we get MJF vs Sammy

Arn Anderson turns on Cody

AEW’s Four Horsemen is formed. MJF, Shawn Spears and FTR with Tully and Arn managing as the JJ DIllon mouthpieces

Darby Allin and MJF feud for the title

The Women’s Division is improved. The girls get more time to shine on Dynamite. Your champion actually appears(shocking, I know) and build feuds and stories for your women’s division. There’s still some time to do what’s right for your women’s division, but the only thing that remains to be seen, does the powers that be of AEW even care?

Get a new title design for the Women’s Championship. It looks like a toy for a child. It’s plastic, not gold.  It should be as big and beautifully designed as the men’s titles. It should be as big as the NWA’s title or even the WWE’s title. The title is symbolic as to how AEW treats it’s own women’s division and that needs to change with a fresh new design.

Sign Thunder Rosa. It may not fix everything with the women’s division, but it gives you your needed star power. Tony Khan should be begging on his hands and knees to sign Thunder Rosa in 2021 after her time with the NWA is up, his women’s division is getting their asses kicked by what his EVP refers to as a “developmental brand”

If you can’t sign Thunder Rosa. My solution is Push Anna Jay and  Britt Baker as the top face and heel of the women’s division and either of them dethrone Shida.

Changes

WWE

Leave whatever that monstrosity of a creative team they have for RAW is. Let the Wrestlers dictate what they want their characters to be. Ditch the scripted promos. Let promos feel organic and real. Let the wrestlers be characters who feel real and genuine. Get rid of a “Creative” that isn't creative and let the wrestlers be creative and let them be free of terrible creative.

Get rid of the Gimmick PPV. WWE has ruined gimmick matches by turning them into themed PPVs. none of these matches are organic or special anymore. The matches themselves are great but are booked to fit a theme of a pay-per-view, when they should be used organically at the height of feuds. no one cares about the name of PPVs, so i don’t understand why WWE does this. the only one that actually works is MITB, because it makes sense as storylines reset after Mania.

Scrap the Brand Warfare/Brand Supremacy. WWE should scrap the tired brand warfare format at Survivor Series and move away from Raw vs. SmackDown completely. Booking around a calendar has become company law in WWE over the past decade or so. Perhaps McMahon always formatted things this way really, but it's more glaring now that gimmick bouts like Elimination Chamber, Hell In A Cell and Money In The Bank have their own pay-per-views. Survivor Series, with it's played out Raw vs. SmackDown vibes, also needs a rethink. "Brand warfare" is boring now, and it has been for several years. Although 2020's event was fun, it's nonetheless true that the month-long build to Survivors feels like a repetitive slog fans are forced to sit through every November. Hopefully, 2021 will change that. It is possible to book traditional elimination bouts without some sort of false show loyalty - WWE did this almost every single year until the first brand split in 2002. Their over-reliance on Raw vs. SmackDown is plain lazy. Survivor Series should be revolved around great rivalries between stables/factions. It’s really not that hard. Or at the very least if there IS a Smackdown vs Raw themed Survivor Series, at least add a damn reward. Give the brand a head start in the Rumble,, give the winners of the match number one contenders for their brand’s respective titles or ANYTHING better than just “brand supremacy lol”

Get rid of the 24/7 title. It has run it’s course. R-Truth is funny, but even he can’t make it work anymore.

Stop. Breaking. Up. Tag Teams. Stop killing your Tag Team Division. For the love of god just stop!

Cut Akira Tozawa’s ninja bullshit. It’s not funny, it’s annoying

Kill Retribution. It’s complete garbage. It has been consistently terrible ever since Retribution began. Mustafa Ali cannot save Retribution, he’s trying but no one can save it. 

Stop the 50/50 booking

Stop rewarding Nia Jax, the living botch machine for injuring her fellow wrestlers

Stop pushing Lars Sullivan. Absolutely no one wants him. 

They should cut raw to 2 hours because 3 hours is unbearable

Stop the overreliance of part time wrestlers. I don’t want to see Goldberg being pushed at the expense of today’s talent and I don’t want to see Goldberg period. I don’t want to see Brock Lesnar return at the expense of today’s talent. I don’t want to see Legends return. Push your current fucking wrestlers and make stars. You idiots!

Do not rush Becky Lynch back to the ring, she just had a baby. I read the reports that Vince wants Becky back by Wrestlemania. That is a terrible decision

Stop killing pushes because Vince changed his mind

Enough with “creative has nothing for you” if your “creative” has nothing for a certain wrestler, then they are not creative. Either let the wrestlers appear on the show or release them if you don’t want them anymore, it’s simple as that.

Do. Not. Put. The. Title. On. Goldberg. Goldberg should not have beaten Bray Wyatt's 'Fiend' for the Universal Title at Super ShowDown in February - that was a huge mistake, one that set Bray back and felt totally unnecessary. In 2021, WWE should outright avoid any temptation to repeat the trick and give ol' Billy another go-around with one of the top titles. If anything, Goldberg's only purpose should be to play victim for a quick Roman Reigns squash. Get through that elusive match then turn Bill into a company ambassador. He doesn't need to pretend it's still 1998 all these years on.

AEW

Leave the overabundance of spots just for the sake of spots and enough with the false finishes. Jim Ross was right, like it or not, the spots for the sake of spots and the false finishes need to end. This is my major problem with AEW and why I can’t stand The Elite in general. Everyone just needs to  get their shit in. Everything looks fake. No one can look strong or credible and we have to see garbage Indy wrestlers and the spot monkeys make everything look fake and phony. The champions never look credible and everyone is on the level of job guys. This needs to change

Stop leaving your Women’s Champion off the show. It is downright insulting how dirty they are doing Hikaru Shida. She deserves as much time to shine as the other champions deserve.

Stop putting the NWA Women’s Champion as more of a priority than your own Women’s Champion

Enough with Brandi. Why is the women’s division given absolutely 0 screentime and barely anytime to develop their stories, but Brandi is ALWAYS THERE! Everything has to be about her. When a feud between Cody and Shaq was close to happening, of course it had to be about her. She’s turned heel/face as much time as the Big Show. I’ve grown tired of Brandi Rhodes. Stop shoving that attention whore down our throats. WE GET IT! You wanna be Stephanie so bad!

Enough with Cody’s big dramatic midlife crisis entrances. We get it, you wanna be Triple H SO BAD!

Stop the petty bullshit shots at WWE. It was fun at first, but it’s getting annoying. This is Eric Bischoff giving away the results and “That’ll put butts in the seats” level of petty bullshit. AEW had the fucking nerve to tweet a fan’s post saying they did a better tribute for Brodie Lee than WWE. HE JUST DIED! AND YOU ARE MAKING IT ABOUT YOUR FUCKING RIVALRY? GROW THE FUCK UP!

[abruisedmuse]

Accepting You

For @nite0wl29​

Prompt 4:Accidental brush of lips

pairing: Elucien

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

Elain rounded the corner down the open hallway and up the stairs. By the faint beat of his heart, she knew he was up in his room still. Her palm wound tightly on the cool iron rail and her other curled around the handle of a basket filled with freshly baked biscuits and jam made with exotic fruits. Footsteps echoing up the stairwell as she ascended to her destination.

Since the fall of Hybern, Elain and her mate, Lucien came to an agreement. To spend time together and get to know one another. Decide if accepting the bond was good for both of them. She didn’t want to choose him because the cauldron said so and to Elain’s fortune, he agreed. It started with small things, having tea or strolls in the garden. Soon after it had escalated into more. His heartbeat went from anxious thrumming, a woodpecker on tree bark to something more steady, like calming waves. Unknowingly they found themselves scooting closer towards each other. Fingers that ghosted over each other when they sat to eat with the inner circle. Lucien would offer his arm when walking and Elain would slip her arm into the crook of his. The small strolls in Elain’s garden lasted hours where they would sit thigh to thigh or she would have him sit on the cobblestone ground working her fingers through his fire hue locks.

 Both of them trading stories. Elain’s about her life as a mortal, cooking, and gardening. Lucien would tell her the stories of the autumn and spring courts as she weaved the strands over and under into the perfect braid. It took one of those times when she finished and he turned to look at her with a soft smile. The thought struck her like sunlight blaring into her eyes, she wanted him, wanted to accept the bond. Her decision came a little too late. For Lucien told her a day prior that he would be leaving. Going to the Spring Court once more. She had to act. Or at least tell him. She couldn’t spend cauldron only knew how long with this hanging over her.

Which brought her here. Standing in front of the tall Mahogany doors. Expertly crafted in stunning detail of stars and swirls made to be wisps of wind. Elain took a steady breath, inhaling, and exhaling deeply. Standing at the door with silence in the halls she could practically hear her nerves shaking. Then she felt it. Heard it.

Thrum, thrum, thrum

The steady beat of his heart. Months ago she found the rhythmic melody rather unsettling. Now it was a comfort, a soothing lullaby crafted perfectly for Elain. And her alone. She assumed he was most likely pacing around packing. Elain paused, fingers curled into a fist before her hand tapped on the heavy doors.

thrum, thrum, thrum

Then she noted the heavy footing of his boots moving towards the door. The beat was louder now. Closer. Elain heard the soft click of the door as it sprung open groaning as it did so. A tanned hand gripped the side of the door before pushing it opened. His golden eye whirring and the other a vibrant blend of russet and gold. Like the leaves of autumn that fell from the trees, littering the ground in beautiful jeweled tones.

His fiery strands falling past his broad shoulders. The side of his shirt curled up like he rushed it on to answer the door. Elain’s cheeks warmed at the tiny peek of solid muscle. She wondered if she touched it would his skin feel smooth like marble or calloused like someone who had put it through years and years of work.

“Came to see me off?” he grinned, “I’m honored,” nodding at the basket in her hands, “What’s that?”

“Oh shush. It’s a gift. May I come in?”

Lucien stood aside raising his arm, gesturing her inside, closing the door behind them. She’s been in here before. Sometimes odd visions plagued her mind and found herself in his bed. Cocooned from the world and surrounded in his warm, strong embrace. Other times It was simply to say hi or see him when he returned. Now there was a heaviness in the air. Not from him, but her. The weight tugging at her heart begging to be released. Elain set the basket on a small table, pressing her two lips together into a thin line staring at the floor. Lucien was there by her side in two strides.

“Are you alright?” he questioned surveying the way she shifted her weight, straightening the skirts of her blush gown.

“Yes..”

“No you’re not,” he pulled the cover off the basket inspecting the items inside, “ You know I can sense when you’re nervous right? Is this biscuits and jam?”

“It is. I made them for you this morning to take with you. The Jam I made the other day.”

He opened the jar, taking a silver knife sitting in the basket. Breaking a biscuit in two, swiping some of the jam spreading it over the bread. Still soft and warm from the hours of love and labor. Lucien plopped down in the cushioned chair behind him, kicking his feet up on the table. Elain sat across from him watching as he hummed his approval practically inhaling the biscuit. She giggled as the crumbs trickled down his shirt. Lucien gave her a pointed look. Elain leaned over wiping away the crumbs off him, her palms brushing along the soft fabric. She heard his heartbeat speed up at her touch. Matching the erratic thrumming of her own. A hand rested against his solid form for a moment before pulling away.

“Finding reasons to touch me?” he teased. Lucien could pull out whatever flirtatious tone he’d like, but she felt it and saw the way he held a breath at her closeness.

“You eat like a child," She smiled, bronzed eyes shimmering as she met his.

He laughed. Warm and bright like the sun that rose high that day. Soon as he laughed it fell away. “What has you troubled? Tell me and then you can go about mocking my eating habits.”

The change of direction caught her off guard. She knew what she wanted to say. Knew she had to say it before leaving his room. Yet Elain couldn’t find the right words. What would he do when she told him. Accept it here and now? Then be on his way? She had a feeling that wouldn’t sit well with him. Leaving after completing the bond and having the drive and desire to be with her and not having the here say to do so. Was this selfish to say it now? To tease him this way? All of these thoughts she should have thought about before sitting here now. Elain tried to focus on anything but him. Lucien kept the open-air room quite barren. Not many belongings and nothing for her to focus on but the basket and him.

“Elain?” he asked. Reaching out for her hand.

Holding his gaze, that golden eye whirring once more. Her nerves and thoughts were wracked with anxiousness. She looked to him starring at his mouth. Lips warm and full and.. a slight of jam on the corner. A light chuckle escaped her, while touching the corner of her mouth pointing at him. His brows rose up in confusion tilting his head to the left.

“I do not follow.”

“You have- nevermind. I’ll get it,” Standing abruptly to over him.

Elain wasn’t sure if it was her nerves or the sudden jump of movements. Her legs twisted around each other caught in her skirts. Before the seer could stop herself she was falling. Crashing more likely into him. In the tumble, she felt it, as did he. His lips brushing against hers and she stilled at the moment. Tasting the fruity tartness of the jam. His lips were softer than she imagined, but warm. Like the sun kissing her skin as she worked in the gardens.

thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum

Lucien's heart quickened just as hers did. He too felt the brush of her lips. A strong palm settled on her lower back. Steadying her on his lap. Her cheeks burning and red as the deepest wines. Both of them starring for several long moments, before the words tumbled from her, “I want to be your mate. Your mate mate,” Mother she wished the cauldron would boil her alive. Much better than the ridiculousness of this moment.

Lucien squinted at her, confused by her statement, “You are my mate.”

“I want to accept the bond.”

Shock and surprise could be read from every corner of his face. A finger trailed down the scar on his face from when Amaranthe took his eye. The lid fluttered closed as the metal eye beneath it made a gentle soothing noise. Her soft palms cupping the hard planes of his cheeks, a thumb running along his strong cheekbones. She held his gaze with tenderness, a soft smile playing on her pink lips. Lucien only sat there unable to speak til he cleared his throat, firm hands resting on the curve of her hips.

“Elain,” his voice barely above a whisper, “are you sure?”

Her response was her smile widening like flowers growing from the nourishment of the sun. She curled a strand of his fiery strands in between her fingers. Honeyed eyes focusing on his parted lips. Elain could feel her heart and his thrumming in time with each other as she spoke her reassurance.

“Never been more sure of anything, I know it’s bad timing since you have to leave but, I couldn’t wait-”

He crashed his lips over hers, breaking Elain’s speech. She didn’t seem to mind as he pulled her close, arms wrapping around her tightly. Winding her fingers into his silken strands as his teeth grazed against the soft flesh of her bottom lip. Elain was surprised at herself. At how much the touch thrilled her, sending a blooming heat to her core. Arms twining around the nape of his neck deepening the kiss. His tongue brushing in between her wanting lips, caressing and tangling with hers in long strokes. The moment was like a flame that burned strong, bright, and wildly until it was put out by a strong gust of wind. In this case, Lucien pulling away. His breath heavy and ragged matching Elain’s resting his forehead to hers. She felt the warmness of his calloused palm slipping into her hand, squeezing tenderly.

“We will continue this and complete the bond upon my return."

She nodded, letting her breath catch up to her, "Don't make me wait."

He grinned down at her, his hands randomly trailing the expanse of her back. Lucien leaned to her ear. Breath hot against her creamy skin. His tone, a mix between a growl and a purr that made the blooming heat come alive like wildfire.

"I wouldn't dream of it."

Cauldron this wait would kill her. She was sure of it.

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

part two??? 

available on ao3

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