#okay I'm done talking about the fairytales now... but I do like them quite a lot

[specterofyou]

The real puzzle of TMJ is finding out which of them are Skilful, Wilful, Captious or Queer-- nevermind Justice is Queer:

[weirdthoughtsandideas]

So I am planning that dcla consent video in my head atm. And I won't say I will talk about all of these things in order, but it's basically stuff I want to bring up.

I wanna start with discussing how these shows like to use "surprise kissing". Which basically means "I didn't know, or were prepared, for you to kiss me but I am fine with it". With this, we can start to see what was actually consentual and what was not.

Violetta did not know Leon was gonna kiss her in their first kiss, BUT she very much liked it and sees it as a happy memory. It became consentual.

Violetta technically kissed Leon without his consent in 3x06, since he was asleep. However, in this case it was to mimic the way it happens in fairytales, and I like the trope of the princess waking up the prince instead of reverse. Also, it did cause Leon to wake up, and HE does not seem to have minded this. And if we'd elaborate on this we'd have to dig in the whole fairytale kissing people sleeping problem. In the end: We'll let this slide because it was supposed to be a romantic fairytale moment and everyone involved was ok with it. But, please do not kiss sleeping people irl.

I don't think Yam was that prepared that Ramiro would kiss her in S1, but when she saw the situation he was in, she went from "WHAT are you doing?! >:(" to "Oh! I see you need to get out of this situation! Okay!"

Maggie randomly kissed Rey on several occasions without him being prepared, just to disguise what they were actually doing. I don't know if he was that ok with it but he let it slide.

Naty was quite shook when Maxi kissed her in 2x71 but she liked it seemingly and then wanted him to do it again so.

Angie and Germán have "surprise kissed" each other several times and like. Germán at least liked it. He's like a sim, he got kissed once and got in love and so now when you don't control him he's gonna go kiss the other sim automatically without you wanting to

Ludmila and Federico's first kiss is very unclear

I mean when Leon kissed Roxy he did it mid sentence of her trying to talk and tbh out of context he was kind of pushy when she tried to talk herself OUT of the situation, but that whole scene I feel like we should pass

And then there's moment where people are non-consentual and it leads to nothing.

Beto kissed a random lady, and he thought it was Jackie?? But HE WASN'T EVEN DATING JACKIE TO BEGIN WITH so even if it was her it would've been just as strange

Jade kisses Germán without his consent on multiple occasions. This does not lead to very much other than them being awkward and moving on from it.

I will discuss Benicio later. I don't know why Ámbar keeps forgiving him for assaulting her...

I will then proceed to discuss the cases on non-con kisses that affected the plot somehow. Starting with Andrea kissing Maxi without his consent in S1. Yeah, remember Andrea? She had 2 actresses for some reason. Anyway, she was played as completely delusional and kissed Maxi without his consent, and then HE got the blame for it. After discussing that case, I will be like "so that was just one case... but there's a BIGGER ONE" and then BAM, we cut to the Yo Soy Asi duet. I will have my big fair share about Diego here. Maybe I can go tease the Diego supremacists who thinks he's perfect and that "Violetta is not the victim" in S2. Also I'm gonna question Pablo as a teacher for even trying to enforce them kissing.

When I am done with the Diego rant, which will be glorious, we shall move over to Matteo. This will be epic fun. Especially since I know many Lutteo shippers LIKE the scene you know I will talk about. So I will be like "I know many would see this more as a surprise kiss... but it's not. I have heard the argument that 'Luna didn't pull away from him so she must not have been that uncomfortable'. So this is why I disagree with that:"

With Matteo done, I can just slip in about Emilia. "Now when this happened to him, these were the consequences". Emilia definitely needs to be held accountable for it and I am glad the show DID hold her accountable for it. But, it also feels weird that, when Matteo does it to a girl it's romantic and when a girl does it against him she gets held accountable immediately. I know it was different situations but STILL.

We can then move over to Michel. I will discuss how out of all three of Luna's love interests, only ONE of them have had their first kiss with her consentually.

Then we can go to Eric and how Nina and Luna sort of bond over being kissed without their consent ??? and continue to ship each other with the respective boy????????

Yes... then I will mention Felipe Diaz. Fuck that guy I hope Ludmila and Naty kissed each other in front of him while flipping him off and then threw him into the river.

And then Benicio. Of course <3 I will make sure to also mention the kiss at Dia de los muertos. That was a curious case where the kiss was intented to be consentual and then BECAME non-consentual when she realized who she kissed. Good job Benny boy.

Then I guess I'll just take things I've missed. Maybe I can mention Tomas' "Your kiss with Leon was my kiss" even if it doesn't have to do much with consent but rather just because I wanna complain about it

[echoofawind]

@charlotterhea and @asphodelandabsinthe, thank you for asking me! Both of y'all asked for 6 and 11 so I thought I'd put them together.

6. Which yet-to-be-started fic is first on your list for this year?

Ahhh, yeah. I was talking to @renee561 (I don't know why I can't tag them??? ) and figured out some of my issues. I have invisible rules for myself.

A. I need to finish 🎭 Fic. I need to finish 🦕 fic. I need to finish 🐺 fic. All are 'late'. From 2 weeks to over a year. I feel guilty for not finishing them, and won't let me work on other things until I finish those first. Those feelings aren't fun. The guilt, the shame for not finishing the thing, I am really mean to myself (which I don't realize until I start to write about it on Tumblr 😅) I need to give myself grace and tell myself it's okay to purposely put them aside for a while.

I want to work on a Fairytale. Probably my Twelve Dancing Princesses AU. That's my favorite fairytale. I haven't worked on it since August 2022. I was looking up the caduceus (The medical symbol with the snakes twining around a rod) and having that be the "Dark Mark" in this AU because it's a symbol of Hermes and the dark followers are going to be Voldies messengers in this fic. I'm quite proud of that detail.

8. Is there a story idea in your mental vault that you've never been brave enough to try writing? Is this the year? Can you tell us about it?

My secret fic! It's less of a secret the more I talk about it, 😅 It's an Alice in Wonderland AU for Harry Potter. The idea came to me last year (spring ish 2022?). There's no real writing work on it yet. I have a playlist for it. I have snippets of it. I've done lots of thinking on roses and decks of cards and the different suites and which HP characters fit which Wonderland characters. I know that I want to make a flowing paint art to make the map of wonderland. I know the Forrest and mushrooms will be important.

I know I'm not as strong enough writer right now to write it the way I want to. I feel so strongly about this idea and I'm worried about doing it justice. Yet I also relate to the advice that says don't hold anything in reserve. Write all the ideas now. More ideas will come. I need to start writing it and not worry about whether I am "good enough" to write it (because I will never judge myself "good enough".) The requirements should be

1. Do I know English enough to write? ✅ Yes I do

2. Do I have a story to tell? ✅ Yes I have a story.

The end of requirements.

I think this will be the year to get on paper the parts that I do know. I'm still missing chunks of plot, so it will be a while before it's released. I'm still excited about it.

11. Would you like to try any new fanfic tropes or genres or tropes this year?

I dunno. I like the soulmates trope and read pretty much everything I can get my hands on for it. I've never written any (I think?) So maybe I'll get around to writing some myself. Maybe even for my second favorite pairing, Charlie Weasley x Draco Malfoy.

13. Aside from fanfic, are there any other fan works you'd like to try creating? Fanart, or fan vids? Giftsets or podfic?

Yes! I loved one of my oneshot last year and I did actually record my rendition of it. And I immediately appreciated audiobooks and folks who do podfics more. The audio isn't the best, and I need more practice. (And to figure out some mitigation plans for background noise)

My goal for this year is to do at least one fan bookbinding. I love that idea and would enjoy a physical copy of some of my favorite comfort fics.

Thank you so much for the asks! It makes me so warm and happy inside to get the requests. You gave me a gift and I am grateful ❤️❤️❤️

[treasure-hwa]

loving you is easy

pairing: mingyu x female reader

genre: fluff, comedy

synopsis: do you know how fairytales always end saying the couple lived happily ever after? This is one of the couples, they fall more in love everyday.

word count: 1421

author's note: I am incredibly in love with Kim Mingyu and he would be a perfect husband, so enjoy this piece of a happy couple.

It was not morning, but sunlight rays peeked through the closed curtains, creating a warm soft glow into the bedroom. The couple sleeping safe and sound decided it would be nice to take a nap during the afternoon to be well rested to the event they needed to attend later on the evening. A wedding rehearsal. Mingyu’s sister’s wedding rehearsal.

He still could not quite believe his little sister would be marrying in less than a day, but her fiance seemed to be a good man, so he was accepted in the Kim family, which means Mingyu had liked him, much more than her previous boyfriends.

Feeling like the nap had lasted long enough and bothered by the light hitting her right in the face when the curtains were swung by the soft wind, the woman slowly woke up, her body doing the same things as always: face fondly rubbing on Mingyu’s chest, hand caressing his abdomen back and forth and leg rubbing up and down on his. Her grip on the man tightened before she could let him go, as if he was her body pillow or Teddy bear and, honestly, he was.

As if on clue, when she tried to get up, Mingyu rolled both on bed and laid on top of her, also rubbing his face on her chest and tightening his grip around her waist. He was a big touchy boy and has always loved cuddling her, since the beginning of their relationship, but he always paid attention to the limits, of course. Fortunately for him, she was almost as touchy.

— Gyu, I need to get up — she groaned, but started stroking his fluffy messy hair. He looked the most adorable when he woke up, so adorable she probably would not mind skipping the day just to enjoy him. 

The man mumbled a protest, but let her go, rolling on the bed again and grabbing a pillow to cuddle, because, as he constantly said, "sleeping is much better when there's something warm between your arms". She could not disagree, ever.

— I'll take a bath, but you can sleep for a little longer, okay?

He nodded sleepily, clutching the pillow and making her smile at her lovely big husband. No one could expect the next scene. As the sleep had not left her yet, when she got up and walked to the bathroom, she tripped over her shoes, almost falling on the floor, but fortunately she did not, however, Mingyu was startled, turning to her the second he heard the thud of her feet hitting the floor.

— Jeez, what are you doing, woman?

— I tripped, sorry — chuckled, kicking the shoes to the side.

Arriving at the bathroom safely after that mini accident, she took off her clothes and took a long shower, pampering herself in the best way. A wedding rehearsal would happen, a fancy event, so she needed to feel good and pretty, otherwise the night would be a nightmare for her.

When she was done with hair and body, the woman wiped down the foggy mirror, giggled to herself remembering that trend on Tiktok and made sure the bathroom windows and door were open so the steam of the previous shower could dissipate faster.

Wearing only normal cotton black panties and with her hair wrapped with a towel, she looked natural and fresh, which Mingyu made sure to empathize once he saw her through the mirror, brushing her teeth and with her breasts out.

— Well, well, well, what do we have here? — He came from behind and rested his hands on her naked waist.

The woman rolled her eyes and would have called him "silly" if her mouth wasn't occupied. The tip of his nose ran from her neck to her shoulder, sniffling her skin and making agreement hums.

— You smell so good, babe, so fresh.

She smiled at his image on the mirror and leaned back, resting on his naked chest for a moment, while he kissed her shoulder and caressed her waist with both thumbs. She bent down to quickly spit the toothpaste on her mouth and reply:

— That's what you are supposed to smell like after a shower.

— I know, but — he hums — you are so nice.

She turned around on his grip and pointed her toothbrush to his face, asking:

— Won't you dress up?

Instead of replying, Mingyu pecked her lips, even though she still had blue-ish foam on them, and smiled, licking his own and tasting the mint on them.

— I will, just let me enjoy you for a bit longer. — He kissed her cheek.

— Don’t make us late, please, your family wouldn’t like it.

— I never make us late.

She washed her mouth and turned to him again, now hugging his neck and pressing her chest to his.

— Do I need to remember you who arrived late at our wedding?

He groaned, making her smile, and answered:

— I’ve told you countless times it wasn’t my fault. The car wouldn’t work.

— Yes, I know, but I messaged Minghao that day and he said you were already late because your “face didn’t look right”.

— Unblessed be, Minghao!

She laughed, pecked the man’s lips, cheek and jaw and tapped his butt.

— Now, go and take a shower. I’ll take the hairdryer and head out of here.

Mingyu was not having it. He gripped her waist and kept her in place, whining.

— Why don’t you dry your hair here? It would be a nice vision to see during shower. — He wiggled his eyebrows and slid his hands down to her butt, squeezing it softly.

— I'm gonna cover up, seriously, you are a perv.

— No, no, no, I'm not, I swear I'm not. — He hugs her properly, nuzzling his nose in her cheek. — I just love you so much and seeing you, doesn’t matter how, makes me happy.

She chuckled, cheeks getting warm, because, damn, that man was The Man, always saying simple things that made her heart jump even after years of marriage. However, she still wore her favorite robe, then unwrapped her hair from the towel. While he took a shower, she dried her hair and they made small talk loud enough to be heard over the water and the hairdryer sounds: Mingyu told her funny stories about his friends, and she told him about the promotion happening on her office. He encouraged her to participate, knowing she was incredibly capable of getting a higher role in the company.

— You say that because you are my husband.

He opened the shower box and put his head out, droplets of water falling down on him, hair slicked back and eyebrows furrowed. Handsome.

— Hey! I may be married to you, but I’m not dumb, okay? I know you have potencial, babe.

Smiling, she went over to him and kissed his wet lips, thanking him before making her way out of the bathroom, hair ready.

A few minutes later, she was sat on the high chair by the kitchen counter messaging her sister-in-law, who was currently doing her makeup and sending her funny photos and nervous messages. While she typed out answers, Mingyu came from behind again, hugging his wife and resting his chin on her bare shoulder.

— Why are you chuckling? — He asked, kissing her exposed skin.

— Your sister. She’s really nervous and mentioned running away with her fiance. Can you imagine what people would say if the bride and the groom didn’t show up?

He chuckled, squeezing you between his arms before turning you to face him.

— And are you trying to calm her or...?

— I am. I said how marriage is wonderful with the right person, the person you love, how they will make everything to see you smile everyday and make you feel at ease every single day.

— Awnt, you are so cute, babe, you really are whipped for me.

— What is your credibility to say that? You are even worse.

— Yep, and I’m proud.

Mingyu gave her the softest smile, which she could not handle at the moment as her heart swell with the great amount of love she felt for him, so the woman kissed him while his hands held her waist soflty and hers played with his damp hair.

They could only hope the almost newlywed couple felt the same way they did, overflowing with true love every minute of the day.

[gyucore]

to reach a happy ending

pairing: beomgyu x reader

tags: fluff, childhood friends to lovers

word count: 1.6k

warnings: beomgyu swears like once

prompts:

017: "A fairytale with a happy ending always brings a smile to my face."

023: "Do you believe in love at first sight?"

— requested by ⛅ anon! sorry this took so long to make. i hope you like it!! ♡

"Ew, look at this." You hand the dusty old photo album to Beomgyu who's sprawled across the floor by your side.

"Wait—" He stops you, rolling away before letting out a sneeze so loud that it managed to echo off the dusty untouched walls of his old room. The poor guy couldn't help it, his room hadn't been cleaned since he moved out in the middle of high school, and his mom preferred to keep things as they were— dust and all. You wonder if it was simply an excuse to clean one less room.

Beomgyu did say he had dropped in yesterday without notice. You'd think he'd want to spend some quality time with his parents first, but he'd decided to invite you over after spending a single night under this roof. Having heard nothing but radio silence from your best friend in years, you were thrilled to get to see him again. And what better way to shed off the ever present awkwardness in the beginning than to go through old photo albums?

"Okay, show me." Beomgyu rolls back to your side, scooting in closer to rest his head on your lap.

You turn the photo album, pointing at one photo in particular of you and Beomgyu dressed as a knight and damsel in distress— Beomgyu playing the role of the latter. Contrary to the roles, you were pummeling Beomgyu to the ground as if having caught a thief, and Beomgyu was shoving his handkerchief to your face, blocking your eyesight. The context behind the photograph alludes you, but this might just be a case of seven-year-olds doing whatever they want whenever.

"The fuck you mean ew? I look great in that dress!" Frowning, Beomgyu grabs the album to stare longer at his past self's glory.

"Lying to yourself isn't good for you, Gyu." You jokingly disapprove. It was fun seeing his reactions right after.

"Oh, look at these."

Beomgyu points at a photo of you and him on stage, wearing the same costumes as before. You figured it was for a play back in first grade when you two had been classmates. The next series of photos included one of you holding out a sword towards a kid in a cheap dragon costume, one of Beomgyu holding back his tears after tripping over and ripping his dress, and ones of you rushing to Beomgyu and kissing away his tears.

"This takes me back." Beomgyu lights up with a smile, failing to notice the surprise on your face. "Remember when your mom made us believe that kissing any injuries we had would make it go away? I knew you wanted to help me back then but I couldn't stop crying and tell you were it hurt, so you started kissing all over my face hoping it'd go away."

You find yourself laughing at your past self's foolishness. "But did it work?" You ask in between laughs.

"Well," Beomgyu chuckles, getting up from his position on your lap. "I don't think it would've worked if another person had done it. But since it was you— Wait." He takes one last look at the album, letting slip a wheeze before placing it back in its box. "Mom wrote something right below the photo."

"What did she write?" You ask, holding out your hands for Beomgyu to grab.

"A fairy tale with a happy ending always brings a smile to my face." Beomgyu tells you as he helps you up, trying his best to keep a straight face after delivering that line.

The two of you burst into laughter at his mother's words. You knew she'd been fond of fairy tales all her life but the caption was taking you out. Beomgyu was literally crying in the photo yet somehow this, to her, was a happy ending.

You eventually take notice of all the photos plastered around his room, some framed, and some simply stuck to the walls— memories of happier times. Most were of you and him, and in some, just you. He'd shown off the Polaroid camera his mother bought for him in seventh grade, proclaiming he'd only take photos of moments he'd want to keep in his memory forever. It never actually crossed your mind that a lot of them would be of you.

Beomgyu notices your wandering eyes and chuckles, placing an arm around your shoulder. The distance between you shrinks as he holds you closer. And at that moment, you take note of everything that's changed.

He'd gotten taller since the last time you saw him. Gone was the lanky boy you knew, evident in the way his muscles flexed with every small movement you wish you hadn't noticed. Beomgyu had grown his hair out; the thick, wavy locks tucked behind his ears, covering the back of his neck. The deepness of his voice had been a surprise when he greeted you at the door earlier, but you held back from pointing it out.

You feared that if you acknowledged all the changes, you'd be forced to face reality. That things weren't the same anymore, no matter how hard you tried. After all, Beomgyu wasn't the only one who changed. You had quite the few character development arcs yourself, and experiences which Beomgyu remained oblivious of. And somehow despite that, in his presence, you started to feel like your old self again.

Beomgyu's invitation had come as a surprise last night. You thought he'd forgotten about you, what with all the silence these past few years.

Life continued on as it should even without Beomgyu by your side, but you could argue that all the amazing experiences you've had on your own would've been better if he were there to experience it with you. And now here you were in his old room, pretending everything was the same as he'd left it.

You look up at your old friend, wanting to tell him what had been plaguing your thoughts the entire day but find yourself tongue tied when his dark eyes stare back into your own. And you wonder, how many times had it been that you'd stared into each other's eyes just like this? How many times had he pulled you close into his arms all those years? And just how many nights had you spent wondering if your feelings for him had grown into something more?

"I missed you." Beomgyu speaks first, his gaze never faltering.

Hearing his voice, you swear you could've melted right then and there. Part of you had wished he'd tell you those exact words, confirming that it hadn't been just you who'd been wanting to see him all these years.

"I missed you too."

Beomgyu could only smile at your response.

His arm leaves your shoulder— hands slowly finding their way to your own. His hold was gentle as he slowly guided you to face him.

"Don't laugh, but," Beomgyu starts. "Do you believe in love at first sight?"

"Love at fir—"

The question throws you off.

"What?"

"I heard you the first time!" You cut him off, wanting so bad to cover your face from the secondhand embarrassment. "I can't believe you just said that. What even happened to you in college?"

"Hey! At least hear me out before you make fun of me." Beomgyu bursts out laughing at your reaction, his thumbs caressing the back of your hands to help you calm down. "Judging from your reaction, I'm guessing your answer is a no. And I honestly felt the same too until a few hours back."

"Okay, you lost me there."

"Shut up. What I'm saying is," Beomgyu squeezes your hands, leaning in closer. "I'm sorry I haven't been in touch the last few years. I had a lot of trouble adjusting, and it took a while for me to really get the hang of living alone. I wanted to talk to you as soon as I got there but then I thought that maybe it would've been better for you if I left you to live your own life for a while too."

"Beomgyu.." You squeeze his hands back, sensing the sincerity in his eyes.

Beomgyu shakes his head. "I know this sounds silly and all, but I didn't want you to feel the emptiness I felt when I left. I wanted you to go and make experiences of your own without me."

You frown, refraining to speak until he's done.

"But then I couldn't stop thinking about you. Everywhere I went, I'd think of you and how the place would've been better if we got to hang out there together. Every time I had fun or ate something that tasted good, I wanted you to share the experience with me."

Beomgyu sighs. "Honestly, I thought I could make it through my visit home without seeing you but I passed by your house on my way home yesterday and I just.. I couldn't hold back. And when I saw you for the first time in years at the front of my doorstep.. I knew I had to tell you."

Half of you knew what to expect, and the other half doubted the reality of the situation. But all the doubts instantly melt away as soon as Beomgyu closed the distance between you, pressing your foreheads together.

Face flushed, you stare at him in awe and notice he had his eyes closed shut. "Cute." You thought.

He whispers in a voice so quiet you could barely hear.

"I like you."

You couldn't hold it in any longer, the rush of emotions crashing into you like raging waves against a cliff. The next moment, you find yourself inching closer and closer, face heating up even more as you press your lips against his as a reply.

Beomgyu's eyes widen, body freezing in place. He hadn't exactly expected you to respond so soon, especially not like this. And he couldn't be happier.

You feel Beomgyu returning the kiss, his hands going up to cup your face— his hold gentle. The two of you wanted nothing more than to stay in this moment for as long as life permits, because for once, you could finally see the path to your happily ever after slowly unraveling.

This was just the beginning.

[shanastoryteller]

Your greek mythology fics are absolutely beautiful, I'm speechless. Your writing captures the like dark/horror-esque tone of old fairytales and then blends in something more modern? It's brilliant and incredible and I love it. If you have the time/inspiration, could you write another? Preferably with lesbians and/or Artemis but literally anything at all is totally cool I just want so many more of these

Artemis is born first. She’s a babe for only moments, springing into gangly-limbed childhood between one breath and the next.

Her mother is red faced and sobbing, prostrate on the ground and reaching for her. “He’s too big,” she sobs, “He won’t come out – I’ve failed! Hera has won and I have failed!”

There’s blood, too much blood, blood that she herself is still slick with. “No,” she says firmly, kneeling in between her mother’s legs, “We have not failed.”

It takes too long, too much blood and screaming, but hours later Leto sleeps, exhausted and pained but alive.

Her brother does not grow as she did, and she cleans him and swaddles him and hold him against her chest. There is too much intelligence for a freshly born-babe in his eyes. She pets the soft golden curls on top of his head.

She looks to Leto, bloody and torn and nearly forced to die with her son inside of her, and decides that her mother’s fate will never be her own.

The only man she’ll ever love is the one currently in her arms.

~

Apollo grows, faster than he should but slower than her until they match, until they are not-quite adults, beautiful adolescents in a godly package.

Her brother worries her; sometimes he reminds her too much of their father and she fears for him. She’s never afraid of him, her golden twin brother, but in that regard she thinks she may be alone. He’s too smart and not careful and feels as if every beautiful thing is his to possess.

The first time he forces himself on a mortal woman, she shoots a silver arrow through his shoulder. It bleeds, an arrow shot by her, more than it would if any other goddess had done it. “They are mine,” she declares, standing in front of the scared girl with her torn clothes, “You will not touch what is mine.”

Apollo says,“Very well, sister,” slick with blood, and she wants to go to him, to heal him and take care of him as she has their whole lives, but she stands her ground. In this she will not be moved.

He leaves, and when she turns to comfort the girl she’s already gone.

~

Her brother doesn’t touch any other unwilling women after that, although there are still plenty of willing women. And why shouldn’t there be? Apollo is gorgeous and strong, brave and just when he forgets to be selfish and petty.

There are men, however, whom are not always so willing. Nothing so harsh as that first time with that girl, nothing that dramatic – but enough that it pains her to see the callous way her brother treats them. Artemis stays silent on that. She is not the patron god of all of humanity, and she can’t hoard them all.

Her brother is a warrior and a poet and harnesses his chariot to the sun so that he may bring light to all the world. She loves him, but sometimes – sometimes she hates him. She is a huntress and a midwife, a bringer of life and a taker of it, and there is something terrible in her power. She thinks this is what Persephone must feel like, as the goddess of spring and queen of the underworld. It’s intoxicating. But it is a quiet sort of power, a harder one.

He is the sun and she is the moon, and there are times she fears that is all she is – a reflection of her younger brother’s brightness, cursed to be nothing more than a poor imitation.

~

She’s fully grown the first time it happens, older than many cities and twice as beautiful as her brother’s sunrises.

She’s sweat soaked and blood covered, but the mother and her sons sleep soundly and safely after the difficult birth. If she were to tell the other gods this they would not believe her, but being the goddess of childbirth is her hardest job by far.

“Come,” the sister of the mother says, a pretty young thing with large eyes and a wide mouth, “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

Artemis could clean herself up just fine, but allows the young woman to lead her to her room, to remove her blood stained clothes and run a warm cloth over limbs that are sticky with dried sweat. The woman goes to her knees before Artemis, running the cloth over her legs, and then the woman touches a place no one has ever touched.

Artemis jerks with surprise, looking down, her mouth agape. “My lady goddess,” the woman murmurs, parting her wide mouth and licking her lips, “I would thank you for aiding my sister, if you be willing.”

There’s a low curling heat in the pit of her stomach and something fluttering high in her chest. It’s something she hasn’t experienced before. “I am to remain a virgin,” she says, blank, because many men have looked at her like this woman and she was revolted by all of them. She’s not revolted now.

“Virginity is a man’s invention and a man’s concern, my lady,” the woman says dismissively, beginning to move her hands in way that makes Artemis flush all over, “There are no men here.”

That’s the last bit of talking they do until morning.

~

Artemis has many more eager women coming to her, offering to worship her. She accepts, again and again, and there’s never anything more than temporary sparks of desire, yet she enjoys all the women who seek her out, is delighted by them and seeks to delight them in return.

She is bathing in a lake one evening, golden hair having grown longer than she usually keeps it and brushing past her shoulders. She’ll have to cut it soon. She ducks beneath the serene, smooth lake, and when she pops her head up there’s the sound of rustling and footsteps, then clothing being shed.  

There’s a man dipping his toes into the lake, and Artemis rises, ready to kill him for his insolence.

Then she meets his scared eyes, and she’s done nothing to provoke his fear, not yet. Then she has to look again, eyes raking over his naked body, and this person certainly looks like a man. Yet –

“Who are you?” she demands, hands on her hips.

“Sipriotes, miss,” the person says, and bends to pick up the discarded clothes. “Apologies, I did not expect anyone to be here. I’ll go.”

“Why?” Artemis asks, taking a guess, “There’s plenty of water for two women to share.”

She knows she’s guessed right when Sipriotes’s mouth parts in surprise, and then widens in a pleased grin. “Thank you, lady,” she says, dropping her dress back at the lake’s edge and stepping into the water.

“Your hair is a mess,” she observes, looking at the tangled bun on top of Sipriotes’s head, “Let me help you with that.”

“It’s okay, miss,” she says politely.

Somehow this woman hasn’t figured out she’s a goddess yet. Artemis is in no rush to tell her – she’s scared enough of her as it is. “I insist,” she says, swimming over and twisting Sipriotes around so her back is to Artemis. The woman’s muscles are tense, and Artemis runs light fingers over the pale, criss crossed lashing scares. Artemis is smart, so she doesn’t ask the obvious, stupid question and undoes the woman’s bun. Her tangled long black hair tumbles down to her hips. “What a mess,” she says quietly, not explaining whether she talking about her hair or her back.

Sipriotes relaxes, tilting her head forward as Artemis gently untangles her hair until it lies smooth.

~

Artemis tries, but she can’t get the woman from the lake out of her head. She lives alone at the edge of the village, doesn’t bathe with the other women because they don’t welcome her. They don’t shun her, but they don’t wash her hair or her back and it makes Artemis’s blood boil.

She expects better from those she has claimed as her own.

The sun’s just setting when her brother appears at her side, watching her watch Sipriotes gather water from the well. “He’s not your usual type, is he?” he asks, leaning against her and tangling his fingers in hers.

“Yes,” Artemis says, “she is.”

~

For the first time in her life Artemis feels uncertain, but kicks at the door anyway.

It opens. The wariness on Sipriotes’s face is replaced by confusion. “Hi,” Artemis says, “Do you like bear?”

The creature is slung over her shoulders. She’d just killed it, and it occurs to her too late that a normal woman wouldn’t be able to casually hold a bear across her back. “I like you,” Sipriotes says, stepping aside to let her in, “you can bring the bear if you like.”

She offers Artemis warm wine and insists she sit as she skins the bear, sticking chunks of it on a spit and salting the rest of it. This time she keeps up a steady stream of conversation, eyes warm and smile soft, and Artemis wishes she could blame the wine for the heat on her cheeks.

“I like your shoulders,” Artemis says, watching her finish up preparing the bear meat.

Sipriotes pauses and turns to Artemis, eyebrow raised. Her dress is stained red with the bear’s blood and her silky black hair is braided to the side. Artemis wants to run her fingers through it. “You do?”

She stands, moves slowly in case this isn’t what Sipriotes wants, and presses her hands to her back the same way she had in the lake. “Yes, they’re broad. Strong. Like mine.”

Sipriotes turns, and Artemis trails her hands from her shoulders to her face, pressing her thumb against Sipriotes’s bottom lip. “The bear will burn,” she says, eyes dark.

“I’ll bring you another one,” Artemis says, walking her backward until they reach the bed, until Sipriotes’s knees hit the edge of it and she falls back, until Artemis can climb on top of her and straddle her waist.

Sipriotes holds up a hand, and Artemis captures it in her own and turns it so she can leave a butterfly kiss on each knuckle. “I know who you are, Artemis,” she whispers, “Are you – are you sure? No man can touch you.”

Artemis leans down, pressing more kisses across Sipriotes’s collar bone, and says, “There are no men here.”

That’s the last bit of talking they do until morning.

gods and monsters series, part v