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#tag: Leafie’s Home
aries-rp-corner · 9 months
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At the entrance to Pinwheel Forest, Leafie, Ana, and Aries await for Lamont. Giving Aries enough time to admire her new getup, especially her hoodie as she felt pieces of her old mask. “I really need to thank mom for this one…” she whimpered, causing Leafie to smile warmly with a chirp and for Ana huff with agreement. Leafie meanwhile looked over to see the Forest… it looked the same yet different… like visiting a familiar home that had been arranged.
“It feels different than I remember… almost a year… I do hope everyone is okay…” Leafie spoke as she looked down with her antennas followed.
Anastasia turned over to her fellow team member, seeing the concerned expression on Leafie made Ana soft as she spoke. “Surprises can happen, good or bad. Who knows, but… I do hope they are okay… maybe your old friends are still there and might be waiting for you… do you have a little promise that you and them remember?” 
Leafie thought for awhile until a memory popped up. “Oh! There is a secret path that we all know. It’s also the home of the grass guardian herself, Virizion. We promised when we reach our final stages, we will become future Guards for Virizion… I honestly hope they’ll remember me…”
Leafie looked saddened with doubt in her mind, until feeling a paw on her head as she looked over to Ana. “If push comes to shove, I’ll do my best to recreate your memory through my illusions… for now, let’s hope they remember a promise.” Anastasia smiled warmly to Leafie, getting Aries’s attention as she smiled warmly.
“I should of asked N to be here… I may not know what they are saying, but I feel comfort already.” Aries’s smile big, that quickly faded as she heard a familiar voice. Turning over to see Lamont and Rui approaching her. “I assume Wes and Michael are gonna make sure the ship is gonna be safe?”
“Yes, just in case Cipher does a secret attack. We even ask a few people if they want in.” Rui spoke softly, as Lola her Sylveon walked next to her and used her ribbons to hold her hand.
“Some may show up, but I thank you for getting me out for air… I’m still worried to see him again…” Lamont roughly spoke, looking a bit tired, but is standing strong to keep going. “I told them we’ll get a head start and we’ll be near the shore…” Lamont looked over to Leafie who in return looked at him with a soft smile. “There is… something I wish to show Leafie… it’s not only her old home…” He walked over to the forest, soon followed by the group…
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nighty-night-nh · 5 months
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Played COTL for the first time today and oh my lamb somebody get me my own game controller I don't wanna wait a week to borrow my friends I need to play the furry cult game NEOW
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bullet-prooflove · 23 days
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The Farm: Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto x Reader
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Tagging: @kmc1989 @wabi-sabi1090 @lostinwonderland314 @turtle-cant-communicate @fallout-girl219
Companion Piece to:
Pears - It starts when Carmy makes an order he doesn't remember.
Mornings - Carmy sleeps better with you around.
Bubble - You have no idea that you saved Carmy's life.
Crazy, Stupid, Fucked Up World (NSFW) - Carmy tells you he lvoes you for the first time.
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Carmy loves spending days at the farm, he loves walking through the fields, his fingertips skating over the fresh produce that you’ve been cultivating. He loves the vibrance in the colours. The depths of the green, the brilliance of the red, the pops of yellow. He loves all of it, each and every fucking thing.
More than anything he adores the flavours. The rich burst of texture on his tongue as he bites into a blueberry he’s picked fresh from the bushel, the crispness of a ripe tomato he’s plucked from the vine, the crunch of lettuce between his teeth as the taste floods his senses.
Being here inspires him, it has from the moment he’d stumbled onto the eight acre property in search of somewhere to get fresh produce at a decent rate. You’d found him, sitting cross legged in the middle of one of your fields, sketching out a new idea when you sat down next to him, thinking he was a member of the homeless community.
“I can make you a bag up if you want.” You’d said softly. “I know how hard it can be to get fresh stuff when you’re sleeping rough.”
He turned his head towards you then, his brows furrowing into a frown.
“I’m not homeless…” He’d said looking down at himself  in a ratty white t-shirt and sneakers that have seen much better days. “Fuck, do I look homeless?”
“You kinda do.” You agree before you take his hand in yours and drop a couple of blueberries onto his palm. He pops one into his mouth and he swears he’s never tasted anything as good as that single piece of fruit. “It’s all organic, free from GMOs…”
“You can taste it.” He says, eating other blueberry and then another.
You give him some of the overstock to take home with him that night. Some strawberries and raspberries, along with the leafy greens you’ve been growing. He stares at the colours, using the small artist’s set Luca gave him before he left New York to capture their essence as he designs dishes around their flavour palette.
The next time you see him, he’s tossed out the white t-shirt and the sneakers. He’s wearing a soft grey sweater and a pair of jeans Mikey left him instead. His hair is freshly washed and he’s used a little of that moisturiser that Sugar’s been trying to shove down his throat for the past couple of months. He feels better than he has in years and he thinks it’s because of the fruit. He’s been stagnant since coming to Chicago, focusing on keeping his head above water. There hasn’t been time to relax, to take joy in the things around him.
“That’s really sad.” You tell him as you sit beside him once again in what becomes his favourite field. “That you lost your joy.”
“I don’t think that I ever had any to begin with.” He tells you as he stares out across the plush greenery. “I don’t think I feel things the way that other people do, everything feels muted, it has for a long time.”
“I’m sorry.” You say quietly.
And he shrugs his shoulders because at this point he doesn’t know any different. It started back in New York under the tuition of David Fields. The constant barrage of abuse he suffered, it fractured something deep inside of him. His self-esteem had  withered away with under every comment until there was nothing left but this trembling mess.
“Do you worry you’ll never get it back?” You ask him, studying the profile of his face.
“I did.” He tells you before he tilts his head to look at you. His vibrant blue eyes capture yours and you don’t think you’ve ever seen a colour as beautiful as that. “But then I came here and it’s like something inside me just woke up. I’m starting to feel things again, so yea that’s what’s happening right now.”
“I’m glad the farm could help you like that.” You say sincerely.
“I’m guessing the farm helps a lot of people like that.” He says, gesturing to some of the folks out harvesting in the field. “I looked you up, read about some of the mental health programs you run. You’ve got a good rep.”
“Do what you can, for who you can, where you can, am I right?” You say and he thinks that’s one hell of a philosophy to live by in your day to day.
He considers that now as he watches you in the field. You’re wearing yellow wellies over black leggings because it’s potato season and you always get a little muddy. You have his baseball cap turned backwards on your head, your hair spilling out underneath.
It’s in that moment he realises just how truly happy he is, how happy he’s been over the past year and he knows that’s because of this place, because of you.
You’re surprised a couple of minutes later when his arms wrap around your waist. He buries his face into the crook of your neck inhaling the scent of earth that clings to your skin as he draws you back into the shelter of his firm chest.
“What’s up Bear?” You ask as he snuggles in close, his lips ghosting over skin.
“Nothing.” He whispers. “I just fucking love you.”
“That’s good baby…” You smile as you tilt your head towards him. “Because I fucking love you too.”
Love Carmy? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.
Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee
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candysims4 · 11 months
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CC DROP | OCT 2023
BUY MODE EDITION
After taking a long break from posting Buy Mode cc, I put together a few random projects in my WIP folder and finished them. The result is this cc drop for October, which includes 13 clutter decor pieces.
THE DESCRIPTION OF EACH ITEM PLUS THE CREATOR’S NOTES BELOW THE CUT.
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ALL ITEMS ARE:
BASE GAME COMPATIBLE
NON-DEFAULT
THUMBNAILS (HOSTED IN IMGUR)
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MY SITE (NO AD.FLY): THE TRIO PAINTINGS (TWO VERSIONS) | CARINHA PLANT POT AND BOOKS | EQUILÍBRIO BOOKS (TWO VERSIONS) | OLD TIMES TRAY WITH LETTERS | ARGILA PLANTS | COMPANHIA BOXES (TWO VERSIONS) | UNEXPECTED UMBRELLA KEEPER | SUNKISSED SUNGLASSES Free release on 11th November 2023
PATREON EARLY ACCESS + MERGED OPTIONS
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TERMS OF USE | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK | REPORT AN ISSUE
Thanks to all the cc creators that I used in the pic. And thanks to @maxismatchccworld, @simblrcollective, @s4library​, @wewantmods​, and everybody who reblog this post!
If you’re a cc finds and want to be tagged when I post, please, let me know. You can send me an ask or in DM.
With your help, more people can know about my work! 💖 Love you all, XOXO 💖
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DESCRIPTION OF EACH ITEM:
THE TRIO PAINTINGS (TWO VERSIONS) You can search "The Trio Paintings" OR/AND “CandySims4″
WALL VERSION
38 swatches
138 polygons
§ 200
You will find in DECORATIONS/WALL
FLOOR VERSION
38 swatches
132 polygons
§ 200
You will find in DECORATIONS/CLUTTER
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CARINHA PLANT POT AND BOOKS
32 swatches
978 polygons
§ 150
You will find in DECORATIONS/CLUTTER OR/AND PLANT
You can search by "Carinha Plant Pot and Books" or/and “CandySims4″
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EQUILÍBRIO BOOKS (TWO VERSIONS)
14 swatches
578 polygons
§ 40
You will find in DECORATIONS/CLUTTER OR/AND STORAGE/BOOKSHELF
You can search by "Equilibrio Books" or/and “CandySims4″
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OLD TIMES TRAY WITH LETTERS
35 swatches
70 polygons
§ 15
You will find in DECORATIONS/CLUTTER
You can search by "Old Times Tray with Letters" or/and “CandySims4″
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ARGILA PLANTS You can search by "Argila Leafy Plant/Cactus/Succulent" or/and “CandySims4″
LEAFY PLANT
20 swatches
494 polygons
§ 38
You will find in DECORATIONS/PLANTS
CACTUS
20 swatches
262 polygons
§ 24
You will find in DECORATIONS/PLANTS
​SUCCULENT
20 swatches
298 polygons
§ 24
You will find in DECORATIONS/PLANTS
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COMPANHIA BOXES (TWO VERSIONS)
38 swatches
92 polygons
§ 25
You will find in DECORATIONS/CLUTTER
You can search by "Companhia Boxes" or/and “CandySims4″
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UNEXPECTED UMBRELLA KEEPER
40 swatches
796 polygons
§ 120
You will find in DECORATIONS/MISC
You can search by "Unexpected Umbrella Keeper" or/and “CandySims4″
Functional as an "umbrella rack"
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SUNKISSED SUNGLASSES
38 swatches
992 polygons
§ 12
You will find in DECORATIONS/CLUTTER
You can search by "SunkissedSunglasses" or/and “CandySims4″
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CREATOR’S NOTES:
I'll try to keep this creator's notes as short as possible, so let's right up start talking about the items individually, beginning with "The Trio Paintings." These paintings are absolutely stunning - they come in a variety of swatches, patterns, and landscapes (all Sims-themed, of course). You have two options to choose from: one that's wall-mounted and another that leans against the wall on the floor. Both options come with the exact same swatches.   
"Companhia Boxes" also come in two versions - one where they're side by side and one where they're stacked on top of each other. All of the swatches are color combinations, and few have patterns. They're different between the versions as they're made to complement one to the other. 
Name translation (from PT-BR): "Companhia" can mean a few things, but in this case, it is being used in the meaning of "companionship." Which totally makes sense to me because these boxes are always together.
"Old Times Tray with Letters" is a very random idea I had. I enjoy the aesthetic of letters, and I thought it would be cute to use as decor in a compartment, as a small place to leave the received mail when coming home.  My focus on it was the letters; I tried my best to make it very game-friendly with even tiny weenie stamps. 
"Sunkissed Sunglasses" are a simple yet stylish design, a wayfarer sunglasses folded. This versatile decor can go from adding a beachy vibe to your pool area to sprucing up your closet with some fun flair.
"Equilibrio Books" is another item that comes in two versions. The first version has all the books leaning towards each other and standing upright, while the second version is part stacked and part leaning in with the other books. Both versions have the same swatches with color/print variations.  I'm a big fan of these books' prints- they're so beautiful and game-friendly! It took me a while to make the diffuse for them because some of the base images were so tiny that I had to redraw them, but it was worth it in the end. Plus, they're functional as bookshelves.
Name translation (from PT-BR): "Equilíbrio" means "balance" in English.
The "Unexpected Umbrella Keeper" was a must-have for my game, and I hope it will be for yours too. Since there's only one in the game, I thought having something different would be awesome.  My idea for it was to be a decorative jar that was repurposed as an umbrella rack (from this concept came the name).  Not only is it a cool decoration, but it's also functional! You can click on it to grab an umbrella for your Sim, which makes it perfect for the hallway. 
"Argila Plants" has three plant varieties. A leafy plant, a cactus, and a succulent, all snugly placed in plant pots made of clay (or "argila" in Portuguese-BR). The leafy plant is comparatively bigger than the others, so it comes in a bigger pot. They all come in the same color swatches, so you can mix and match them however you like.
Last but would never be least, my favorite piece of this cc drop is the "Carinha Plant Pot and Books." I stumbled upon some images of similar plant pots on Pinterest and was so inspired that I knew I had to create one of my own! But, I wasn't feeling too confident in my skills, so I decided to design one that was more my speed and also low poly. And let me tell you, the end result is beautiful and adorable! I just love the little smile on its face. It's the cutest thing ever!
Name translation (from PT-BR): The term "carinha" is the diminutive of "cara"; it's a slang term that indicates or calls a person informally.  According to Google Translate in English, it's translated to "dude." 
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I created these items at different times, so they all have their own unique designs and uses. Although I was never inspired to put them together in sets, I thought putting them in a cc drop would be better than posting them separately. I hope you don't find it too messy and can find something you like here. 
Even though they have different designs, I think they can all be used together without any problem. Personally, I'm really proud of how they turned out and all the hard work that went into them. I love every detail of them, and I'm especially happy that they're mainly low poly but still look nice.
Anyway, that's all I wanted to share for now. Thanks so much for reading my notes! I hope you have a fantastic day/night. XOXO
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highlordofkrypton · 2 months
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ACOTAR Omegaverse Week // Day 1 - Nesting (Submission #2)
Shoutout to everyone that requested Tamcien for @acotar-omegaverse-week! While this isn't the main Tamcien I have planned, please enjoy this amuse bouche while the real meal is being cooked for later this week 🙏
Thank you to @matrixsss, @lzrsaugust, @yaralulu, @thrumbolt and ESPECIALLY @achaotichuman for opening my ship horizons and getting me to write Tamcien!!
SUMMARY: Lucien has one rule. Inside his study, he has to work. Tamlin is very respectful of his space, but that doesn't mean he can't complain about it.
PAIRING: Alpha! Lucien x Omega! Tamlin
TAGS: Domestic Fluff, Domestic Bliss, Nesting
Read on AO3 or beneath the cut.
LIGHTWORK
"Are you done?"
"Not yet."
Lucien doesn't lift his eyes from the parchment before him. He's not even halfway through the stack. It's no one's fault but his own. Time management has always been important; it was drilled into him from a young age. Beaten into him, if he was too early or too late.
The Spring Court is much kinder to his failings, but that doesn't mean Lucien should get too comfortable. There is a debt to repay and he promised to keep this Court in order and represent his new home to the best of his ability, which includes addressing correspondences promptly without pressuring the senders. He times everything perfectly so that those reaching out to him may bask in their accomplishment of reaching out, and relax for a handful of days before he obliges them to respond with a response of his own. It is courteous to wait.
Tamlin struggles with the notion. He has been pacing outside of Lucien's study since this morning. He has left twice, once to get a snack, then to address a complaint in the gardens from the other denizens about the cherry tomatoes encroaching on their space. The bushes have bloomed far too much for the liking of the other leafy greens that are used to being the star of the gardens.
"Are you done now?" Tamlin huffs, pacing outside the door again.
It's not that he isn't allowed in the study, but they made a rule. Cross the threshold and it is business only. Too many times they have been distracted and far too many times Lucien has had to replace the desk. It's just not sustainable and it's wasteful. Those are Tamlin's own values, and yet when they're together, it's so easy to toss logic out the window.
Lucien can scent Tamlin—his anticipation, his eagerness and his desire.
He finishes up his last letter, feeding it to the sparrow at the window. It preens, flaring its leafy wings and plucking the letter out of Lucien's slender fingers before flying off.
"I am done and I have your daily report," he stands, adjusting the tails of his coat. Lucien picks up his list of important points that must be conveyed to the High Lord of the Spring Court. He approaches Tamlin who cannot stand still for a moment.
"First, we should discuss this season's—Oh," the Autumn son says softly as he's lifted and hauled over Tamlin's shoulder. The position gives him a direct view of Tamlin's ass. "Wonderful," he deadpans. The likelihood of Tamlin listening to a single word of his carefully crafted report has gone out the window completely. "Aren't I too heavy to tote around like a child?"
"No. This is light work."
Lucien sighs. He dangles over Tamlin's shoulder, tossing his papers in the air because what does it matter? After a moment, he is casually tossed into a very tall pile of leaves in one of the additional rooms with a fireplace. Underneath it, an immeasurable amount of pillows catch him. The fire crackles comfortably, despite Spring's constant perfect and tolerable weather. He scents the fragrant scent of pumpkins, cinnamon and other Fall scents. It reminds him of home.
He lays there as Tamlin climbs into the very messy pile of nature and comfort. Tamlin curls into his side, hugging him close. Lucien's hand automatically goes to his soft blonde hair, caressing him lovingly.
"This is very… autumnal."
"Mm," Tamlin hums. "I thought you might miss home."
"Spring Court is my home. I thought this was supposed to be your nest."
"It is. You are my home, whether we're in Spring, Autumn, Winter or Summer. I don't care." Tamlin has every intention to keep him at his side now and forever.
"You're not going to let me leave, are you?"
"Nope."
"You big baby," Lucien says with the utmost affection. "Come here and let me kiss you."
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spotsandsocks · 6 months
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Fuck it Friday 🌈
tagged by the ever lovely and talented @wikiangela @exhuastedpigeon @wildlife4life @honestlydarkprincess @hippolotamus @tizniz
Feeling emotional with last nights episode and bisexual Buck coming out to himself and heard the song that inspired me in the radio this morning so thought I’d share one of my most emotional fics and one of my favourites with Eddie coming to term with his own sexuality thanks to an old guy called Ray. I even made this for it to set the mood. So here’s
A Boy Like That 9k of feelings
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The thing is,  he can’t say no to Buck. He tries, he really does (ok so it’s a token effort most of the time) but it always ends the same way. Buck grinning in delight as Eddie capitulates. It can be something small, like getting two flavours of ice cream in the store instead of just one or something bigger like, Eddie looks around at his surroundings, volunteering on your day off at a retirement home.
He doesn’t have a clue how Buck got started helping out here but he does know how he got roped in. 
Yesterday he’d asked Buck if he was going to be free today, hoping he’d get to spend some time with him and Buck had said he was busy with such a genuinely disappointed expression that it made Eddie’s heart skip.
The reason he was unavailable had been a bit of a surprise; apparently Buck is now a regular volunteer at the Leafy Glades retirement home. 
Buck had waxed lyrical about how much fun he had there, he talked about helping out with cooking classes and that he’d leant to knit. Eddie had actually seen the idea take form in Buck’s eyes the moment before he said “hey you should come too.” 
So now he’s standing in a room watching Buck being greeted like the prodigal son while he lurks, wondering why he’d agreed to come. He looks across the room at Buck’s beaming face and knows the answer. 
“Hey there.” He turns to the voice, “You’re looking a bit lost there soldier.”
The man addressing him is anywhere from his late seventies to mid eighties, he’s sitting alone at a table in front of a puzzle that he’s barely started. The man’s white hair contrasts with his dark skin, and age hasn’t reduced his stature , he remains a big man, still in shape even now, he might not be smiling but his eyes are kind and he looks slightly amused by Eddie’s obvious floundering.  “You wanna help me out?” he gestures at the puzzle.
continue on AO3
tagging
@loveyourownsmiilee @monsterrae1 @shortsighted-owl @the-likesofus @hoodie-buck @loserdiaz @bi-buckrights @fiona-fififi @rogerzsteven @bekkachaos @jobairdxx @thekristen999 @ronordmann @spaceprincessem @disasterbuckdiaz @underwater-ninja-13 @stagefoureddiediaz @thewolvesof1998 @weewootruck @giddyupbuck @pirrusstuff @elvensorceress @jesuisici33 @eddiebabygirldiaz @daffi-990 @diazsdimples @steadfastsaturnsrings @theplaceyoustillrememberdreaming @rainbow-nerdss @lover-of-mine @fortheloveofbuddie @actualalligator @watchyourbuck @loveyouanyway @saybiwithme
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chrisactualwife · 3 months
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Lets eat something ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
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Nick x bsf reader Chris x gf reader
Summary: Nick and Y/N are going out
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Y/N and Nick had a bond that was unique and irreplaceable. They had met during kindergarten and had been inseparable ever since. Nick, with his exuberant personality and knack for making everyone around him laugh, had become an essential part of Y/N’s life. He was her confidant, her shoulder to cry on, and her partner in countless adventures.
One sunny Saturday afternoon, Y/N and Nick decided to go out for lunch at their favorite bistro downtown. The bistro was a cozy little spot with outdoor seating, shaded by large, leafy trees. They chose a table near the edge of the patio, where they could people-watch and enjoy the fresh air. “So, how’s the baby treating you today?” Nick asked, his eyes twinkling with genuine curiosity as they sat down. Y/N smiled, placing a hand on her growing belly. “She’s been kicking up a storm. I think she’s going to be a soccer player.” Nick chuckled. “Well, she’ll definitely be the coolest kid around with you and Chris as parents. And don’t forget the fabulous Uncles Nick and Matt.” “Of course! She’s going to adore you,” Y/N said, laughing. “You’ll be the one spoiling her rotten.”
As they enjoyed their meal, they talked about everything from baby names to Nick’s latest dating escapades. Nick had a way of turning even the most mundane stories into hilarious anecdotes, leaving Y/N in stitches. “You should have seen his face when I told him I had a cat named Beyoncé,” Nick recounted, causing Y/N to nearly choke on her drink. "Why would you say that",
After lunch, they decided to take a leisurely walk back home, savoring the beautiful weather. The streets were bustling with activity, and the air was filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation.
“You know, Chris is probably going to be super jealous I got to steal you away for the afternoon,” Nick said, grinning mischievously. Y/N laughed. “Oh, I’m sure he’ll survive. He’s been glued to his video games all morning anyway.” When they arrived home, Nick opened the door for Y/N, making a grand gesture of it. “After you, my lady.” Y/N curtsied playfully before stepping inside. “Why, thank you, kind sir.” They were immediately greeted by Chris, who had clearly been waiting for their return. His face lit up when he saw Y/N, and he quickly crossed the room to wrap his arms around her. “There you are! I’ve been waiting for you all day,” Chris exclaimed, planting a kiss on her forehead. Nick rolled his eyes, though his grin showed he was amused. “Oh, don’t be such a baby, Chris. We were just out for lunch.” Chris shot his brother a mock glare before turning his attention back to Y/N. “I missed you,” he said, pouting slightly. Y/N laughed, giving him a quick kiss. “I missed you too, Chris.” Nick snickered. “Alright, you two lovebirds. I’m going to head up to my room. Call me if you need me.” As Nick headed upstairs, Y/N turned to Chris, who was still holding her close. “You know, you’re cute when you’re jealous.” Chris sighed dramatically. “I can’t help it. I just want to spend every moment with you.” She smiled, resting her head against his chest. “Well, I’m all yours now.”
They spent the rest of the afternoon together, talking about their future and the little girl they were so excited to meet. Later, Nick and Matt joined them in the living room, bringing their usual humor and energy. The four of them spent the evening playing board games and sharing stories, the room filled with laughter and love. It was moments like these that reminded Y/N of how lucky she was. She had a wonderful boyfriend who adored her and her best friends who brought joy and laughter into her life. Together, they formed a quirky, loving family that would only grow stronger with time.
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Sorry guy i totally forgot about this story. i was really busy the couple last days but I still hope you like it!
Requests are open!
tags:
@sassysturniolo2008
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Keep Moving Forwards, Part 15
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Azriel x Reader Fic
Summary: After finally deciding to leave your abusive and manipulative mate for good, you find unexpected companionship with Azriel, the Shadowsinger of the Night Court. As you navigate the aftermath of your traumatic relationship, you struggle to understand where the mating bond went wrong and contemplate your path forward, vowing never to return to the past.
Find other parts here: Master List
To follow this fic, follow tag "Keep Moving Forwards Fic" or comment to be tagged in future parts.
Content Warning: This story contains depictions of extreme emotional manipulation and abuse, detailed descriptions of direct physical abuse, and scenes of men hunting women with implied sexual assault. Please read at your own risk.
Word Count: 4.7k
Author's Note: This is a multi-part series. Unlike my previous works, this fanfiction delves deeper than just fluff, exploring complex emotional landscapes. As I navigate this new writing journey, I kindly ask for gentle feedback. The topics addressed are profoundly impactful, touching many lives with diverse experiences. Please be gentle with yourselves and others. Healing is a journey, and everyone processes it differently. Be kind to yourself. Take what resonates, and leave what doesn’t.
I drew inspiration for the story of the mating bond from the song "The Origin of Love" featured in the musical "Hedwig and the Angry Inch." Whenever the topic of the mating bond arises, this song comes to mind, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to its creator. It never fails to move me to tears, and I am deeply thankful for its presence in my life. If you'd like to listen to the song, here's the link: The Origin of Love
Please continue reading, being aware of the above content warnings, ensuring you are in a healthy headspace. Give yourself time to process and be gentle with yourself.
As the cabin continued to be repaired, you found more time to wander into the woods, venturing far enough to need a tent, which you packed up and camped overnight in. About a day and a half’s walk from the cabin was a small village where lesser fae lived. Though small, it teemed with life, and the fae welcomed you warmly. None were familiar with the cabin you now called home, but they were eager to help with supplies to fix it up. An older fae female named Bettina, with long, flowing grey hair braided with flowers, traded you vegetable sprouts for an afternoon’s work in her garden. Another young woman with sunburnt cheeks and a babe strapped to her back traded you new fabrics for your collection of books.
Mortus, the village craftsman, was more challenging to trade with. He wanted nothing you had, but he was the keeper of glass panes and treated wood planks. He was an older fae male, his face weathered from harsh winters, yet he retained the youth of someone who had spent his life bathing in lakes and galloping through meadows. Knowing you couldn’t carry much through the woods, you promised to return with something of value to trade.
Returning home with your new items, you dropped them in the cabin, which remained untouched since you had left, and parsed through your bag. You found a set of hunting knives, many much too large for your purposes. The serrated one left your stomach in knots as you pushed out the memory of Anthea’s death. You wrapped them in their leather bindings and set back out to trade them. Mortus was happy with the trade, and upon your return, he packed a mule with the items you had requested. He threw in the mule because you had baked him five different breads with the fruit from the nearby bushes. He noted the mule was old and worthless, but you didn’t mind the company. You lovingly named him Clover, as he seemed to love munching on the leafy greens for hours on end. Though the day-and-a-half trip took three days due to Clover’s stubborn need to stop at every possible water source, you didn’t mind the company.
While you despised the life you had lived in the mountains, you didn’t mind the skills that came with it. You knew how to fix and mend without missing a beat, maximizing your use of nails and learning to use tree sap to seal wood slats. Within a few weeks, the cabin was almost livable. You even took an entire day to build Clover a small pen with branches, sticks, bark, and sap, hanging an oil lamp from the ceiling of the covered plank landing you had made. Clover merely watched as you dropped a pile of wood on your foot, cursing every word that came to mind as you hopped up and down. He just chewed his flowers and grunted at you for disturbing his peace and quiet.
By the time summer was in full swing, you had returned the cabin to its former glory. The roof was patched, and the glass panes of the windows were replaced with various colors. Mortus had given you the colored glass pieces at a cheaper price as he had a hard time transporting glass to and from Velaris. He mentioned going to the market every six months and offered to take you with him, but you politely declined. Your life was here now.
Though your skills in furniture building were limited, you managed to fix up the old rotten chairs for the kitchen table and crafted a small bedside table for the upper loft. Your biggest feat was creating a makeshift mattress from dried weeds and extra fabric. It wasn’t comfortable, but it was much better than sleeping on the hardwood. Your garden bloomed nicely, with zucchini and squash coming up in large batches. Berries from surrounding bushes were a happy addition to most meals.
You even conquered your squeamishness about trapping animals. You caught a few squirrels and rabbits with traps the village children taught you to create. While you still cried each time you landed a final blow, you used every part of the animal, even fashioning sewing needles from their bones to trade with the village females. You visited the village once every few weeks and became well-liked, with villagers storing items for your next return.
Your life seemed blissful. Though you couldn’t rid yourself of your mate, who still tormented you, you felt a sense of peace and self-sufficiency. However, you found it odd how shadows seemed to come and go within the cabin some nights. When evening turned the room deep purple, and you lit the oil lamps, shadows fluttered about with a mind of their own. While off-putting, it happened frequently enough with no ill effects that you almost forgot it happened at all.
In the heat of mid-August, you made another trip into the village and were met by a fae male who seemed to have taken a particular interest in you. Kai, a male about 20 years your senior, with a mop of brown hair often falling into his eyes, often accompanied you through the village, helping carry your supplies which he tied to the ever-resilient Clover. Kai had a kind face, speckled with freckles and crooked teeth, but his green eyes held nothing but kindness. He was strong from years spent working with his father chopping lumber to sell to craftsmen in the city. Kai was always willing to walk alongside you and asked after you constantly.
As you exited the cottage of Meriam, a fae female with five young children who often traded your baked goods for dried cotton, you found Kai running his hand over Clover, who seemed to almost roll his eyes at the interaction. Kai looked up at you with a lazy smile. “Hey.”
You bounded down the steps, your new boots slightly too large but lighter than your old ones. “Hi,” you smiled back.
“How are things?”
You tied the cotton sack to Clover, Kai handing you the lead. “Things are good. Just getting some stuff.”
“Want some help?” Kai asked.
You smiled, appreciating his consistent offer. “Sure.”
The two of you wandered down the dirt road, chickens running amok underfoot as Clover huffed, nearly stomping on one.
“How are things for you?” you asked him.
Kai nodded, “Good. Fished this morning, got a fairly good catch, lots of trout.”
You congratulated him on his catch.
“I’m going to cook them up tonight, if you wanted to stay for dinner.”
You considered the offer, rarely staying past early evening to make it to your first clearing to set up camp. “I don’t think I can. I have a long way home.”
Kai shrugged, his hand resting on Clover’s shoulder, which twitched away horseflies. “You could stay the night,” he offered.
You laughed, “I don’t want to put anyone out.”
“You wouldn’t be,” Kai responded. “You could stay with me. I mean, I’m offering you dinner.”
“Kai, that’s very kind of you, but—” you started.
“I’m serious, Y/N. It’s no trouble at all. Plus, then you can finally taste my fish fry instead of just hearing me brag about it.”
You considered it for a second, the back of your head ringing with uncertainty. You hadn’t slept much the last few nights, and the exhaustion was catching up. You might sleep tonight unburdened by your mate. You looked up, catching Kai’s hopeful eyes. You had declined every other offer he had made before, at least five different times, and yet his offer came up each time.
You laughed slightly, “Sure.”
Kai nearly jumped with excitement. “Really!?” he squealed out, regaining his composure. He cleared his throat, looking straight ahead. “That’s great. That’s fantastic.” He peeked over at you, and you smirked at him.
“If this fish tastes awful, though, I’m never letting you live it down,” you joked.
“You’re going to melt over it,” Kai promised. Smiling widely, he added, “Meet me in an hour?” You nodded, and he hurried off between two cottages. You shook your head, laughing to yourself. Kai knew so little of the world and seemed to have such a sense of childlike wonder. You often found him more like family than anything else. Or at least more like the odd sense of family you had created for yourself. You spent the next hour bargaining with another female who seemed unhappy with the length of your stitches in a quilt you had been working on to trade for a new sack of flour, but you finally convinced her to make the trade, promising that you would up your skill level before the next time you saw her. 
You made your way to Kai’s cottage, set farther back up on a plank platform. Tying Clover to the railing, you walked up the stairs where Kai met you at the door before you could even knock.
“Hi!” he greeted eagerly.
You smiled, “Hi.”
Kai stood there for a moment, basking in his smile before remembering to let you in. “Oh,” he stepped back, waving his arm. “Please, come in!”
You entered his small cottage, smaller than your own. A mattress was pushed into the back corner, various axes and tools were strewn about on the floor in a pile. In the middle of the room, a blanket was set on the floor with a plate of cooked fish in the center, surrounded by plates of rice, beans, cooked squash, and berries.
“You outdid yourself,” you noted, gesturing to the blanket.
Kai stood behind you, his cheeks reddening slightly. “Oh, I, uh, I don’t have a lot of company, so I just…” he stammered, “I don’t have a kitchen table, so I thought we could do it picnic style.”
You chuckled lightly, “That’s very sweet.”
Kai’s eyes brightened before he gestured to the blanket, “Please, sit.”
You did, and he hurried to the shelves next to the stove, pulling down a bottle and popping the cork off. Sitting across from you, he handed you the bottle. You pressed it to your lips and tasted the sweet blueberry wine, its tart flavor tightening the back of your mouth as you swallowed, nearly moaning with delight. You licked your lips slightly before handing the bottle to Kai, who took a drink himself.
“It’s been so long since I’ve had summer wine,” you said.
Kai took another long drink before handing it back to you. “I’ve been saving it. I got it last time I was in the city and wanted to wait for a special occasion.”
“I’m the occasion?” you asked.
Kai smirked, “Don’t flatter yourself.” He paused. “But I guess so.” He brought a fork to the fish filet still steaming on the platter and put it on your plate. “Here, try that.”
You took your fork, stabbing it through the meat that flaked away easily. The buttery smooth texture and light citrus flavor swirled on your tongue. You let out a moan, “Okay, you were right. This is delicious.”
Kai smiled, taking a bite of his own. “I told you.”
Greedily scooping another mouthful, you asked, “Where did you learn to cook like this?”
He swallowed his bite, “My mother taught me. We’d always get a big catch of fish, and then she would make this whole meal for the village.”
“I’ll have to thank her for teaching you the next time I see her,” you noted.
“Oh gods, if you ever tell her, she won’t stop talking about it. She loves you,” he laughed back.
You nodded lightly, smiling into the bite you took.
Things were always easy with Kai. He never asked questions that made you uncomfortable. He never seemed to want anything more than your time. You could joke with each other, and conversation was effortless. Time moved slower with him. The night waned as the sun set, the two of you finishing the entire plate of fish and all the sides. You both laid on the blanket, sprawling, looking up at the ceiling, laughing through hiccups as the fae wine spread through your bloodstreams.
____________________________________________________
“I swear,” Kai laughed out, “I’ve never seen him more angry.”
You coughed out a laugh, sitting up slightly. “He chased you naked through the woods?”
Kai closed his eyes, pressing his palms into them as he heaved out laughter. “I’ve never been more terrified in my life.”
“Why did he think you stole his clothes in the first place?”
Kai threw his hands up. “Fuck if I know,” he laughed. “He had it out for me from the beginning.”
“So what happened?” you asked, slurring your words.
“I climbed a tree, and he lost me,” he laughed. “He just wandered around, dick to the wind, threatening to skin me.”
You laughed at the sight of one of Kai’s friends, Liam, who often was the butt of jokes in the village but had grown into a handsome male lusted after by other village females.
“What happened after?” you asked.
Kai turned to his side, propping his head on his hand. “I waited until he left, and then when I got back home, he had thrown all my clothes into the trees.”
You guffawed, tears gathering in the corners of your eyes. You took the bottle of wine and brought it to your lips but found it empty. You turned it over and shook it, a sad frown on your face.
“Gone?” Kai asked.
You nodded.
Without knowing why, you let out a loud laugh, laying back as the bottle hit the floor. Kai smiled and started laughing too, the two of you almost howling as he looked at you. “What’s so funny?” he asked.
You managed to push out between laughs, “Your face!”
“What about my face?” he laughed.
“I can’t look at you without laughing,” you cried out, covering your own.
“What, am I that disgusting?” He punched your shoulder.
“No, you just—” you wheezed, looking at him again.
“What?” he asked, smiling widely.
You turned to him, your lips trembling as you tried to hold back laughter.
“You’re just looking at me?” Kai said.
“You have a silly face.”
Kai smiled slightly. “I have a silly face?” he taunted back.
You nodded, laughter bubbling up again.
“You’re so drunk,” he laughed.
“You’re drunk!” you pointed a finger, slightly off target.
“I know I’m drunk,” Kai responded, “and so are you. And you keep laughing at me because you’re cruel.”
“I wouldn’t be so cruel if you didn’t have such a face,” you laughed, drawing a lazy, squiggly circle around his face.
“I’m glad you find my appearance so amusing!” he laughed again, lying back on his back.
The two of you sat in a soft silence, still slightly gurgling out laughter. 
Kai turned toward you, and you giggled, tears streaming down your face. “Are you done laughing at me?”
“Are you done looking like that?”
“What do you want from me, Y/N?” He chuckled. “I can’t change my face.”
“Then I guess I’m not done laughing.”
You turned to Kai, who smiled at you as you giggled, your hands resting on your stomach, rising and falling with your laughter.
“You’re a mystery,” Kai whispered.
“Ooo, spooky,” you responded, raising your fingers and wiggling them slightly.
“No, really,” Kai said. “You come out of the woods one day, say nothing about where you’re from.” He gestured to the fish. “You steal from us—”
You cut him off, “I bartered!” You laughed.
Kai laughed with you, continuing, “Okay, you participated in barter and trade, and then you disappear into the woods. Three weeks later, you come back up here demanding more and tell us nothing of who you are.”
You tried to hold back another laugh, looking at him as Kai raised himself from the ground to sit up, his legs crossed as he leaned his head against the wall.
“What do you want to know?” you asked.
“Anything you want to tell me. You can tell me whatever story you want, just tell me a little about the mysterious female in front of me.”
You hoisted yourself up, still laughing lightly. You swiped your finger through the juice of the berries in the bowl and sucked the sweetness from it. “Well, I was born from a dragon.”
“Obviously,” Kai said, “explains the scales and fire-breathing anger.” He joked.
“Of course,” you said, “and I spent my days plundering the cities of Prythian, wreaking havoc on innocent families, and flying to mountains to protect my treasures.”
Kai smiled and nodded. “And then you were cursed by a wizard?” he asked.
You shook your head, wagging your finger. “No, no, no, a witch. It was a witch.”
“Ah, yes,” he said. “A witch cursed you to be a female for the rest of your life.”
“Cursed to live in the woods for the rest of my days, never to know the speed of the wind and the glimmer of gold.”
“A tragic tale, to be sure,” Kai smirked.
You feigned a frown. “I cry myself to sleep every night.”
Kai smiled and leaned his head back, closing his eyes.
You looked at him, his peaceful face, and felt your inhibitions lower slightly. Pushing back the incessant pounding of your mate with it, you traced the floral patterns of the blanket and cleared your throat. “No, I—” you coughed, “I was born in Velaris.”
Kai opened one eye to look at you. “A city girl,” he smirked jokingly.
You let out a small giggle. “Not for long. My mother took me out of the city when I was still really young. We found a village in the woods, kind of like this, and she raised me there.”
Kai opened both eyes and jostled his feet. “What about your father?”
You shrugged.
“He’s a bastard?” he asked.
You shrugged again, a smirk on your face as the alcohol's warmth tingled in your toes. “Don’t know, never met him!”
Kai looked at you incredulously. “You don’t know your father?”
You wiggled your nose, numb from the wine. “My mother said he wanted nothing to do with us.”
Kai looked at you more seriously. “I’m so sorry.”
“Oh,” you slapped his leg playfully, “don’t get sappy. I don’t know the guy, so it doesn’t matter. I don’t feel like I’m missing anything.”
Kai started to giggle again. “I guess that’s true. Can’t miss what you don’t know.”
You started laughing again too. “Besides, what if he’s ugly?”
Kai guffawed, pushing tears away. “Then that would explain your ass face.”
You punched him in the thigh, and he cried out, “Ow, fuck, reign it in.”
“Pussy,” you joked. Kai rubbed his leg and smiled at you. “Sorry,” you apologized.
“Well, now you owe me, as I’m wounded. So how did you get here?” Kai asked.
You felt the words fall from your mouth faster than you could stop them. “I met my mate, who was sent straight from hell,” you pointed down to the ground, “and he was so fucking mean and took everything so seriously.” Kai’s face tightened slightly. “So I ran away from him, and I watched someone die, and then I met the High Lord of the Night Court, nice guy actually,” Kai seemed to straighten slightly. “And then I said goodbye, and went into the woods, and now I’m here.”
Kai looked at you, a serious tonal shift. “You have a mate?” He stammered, and got out, “The High Lord?”
You nodded, swaying slightly as you pointed to your head. “Still can hear him up here.”
“Y/N—” Kai started.
“Ugh,” you said, leaning back, “if you’re one of those traditional fae with a stick up their ass that thinks you have to stay with your mate, I don’t wanna hear it,” you slurred.
Kai leaned forward slightly. “No, no. I guess I just, I didn’t think that mates could be cruel to each other.”
You laughed slightly. “Oh, you are very wrong.” Kai paused, unsure of what to say. “You don’t need to pity me,” you said. “I should have seen it coming. He was shitty before we accepted the bond. I don’t know why I thought it would change after we were mated.” You picked a hangnail from your thumb.
“You’re brave,” Kai noted.
Kai watched you with intense curiosity as you shook your head, turning the corners of your mouth down. “I was desperate. Bravery didn’t have anything to do with it.” Kai didn’t respond, his eyes encouraging you to continue. “When I was a child, my mother would tell me stories about mates, about fae who loved each other so deeply they felt each other’s souls dancing with their own.” You looked at the ceiling, imagining the tales your mother spun. “These fae would spend their entire lives looking in the mirror and only see half of themselves looking back.” Your eyes traced the beams above you. “And then one day, they would find their mate, and suddenly,” you snapped your fingers, “the world was whole, and every piece of you suddenly made sense.”
Kai leaned forward, captivated. “She’d tell me how colors would be more vivid, food would taste better, heat would feel hotter and cold would feel colder, and the world would feel suddenly so much larger and yet so small.” You swallowed down the lump in your throat. “She would tell me this story about how, long before the world was as it is now, where clouds were made of fire and the mountains were tall enough to scrape the sky, long before the fae existed, there were these creatures who roamed the world.”
Kai’s eyes widened with interest. “Some of them looked like two males sewn up back to back, and those were the children of the sun. And the children of the world were two females meshed together. The children of the moon were a male and female. These creatures, they would spend their days talking, reading, and learning about the world around them. They were so happy to be alive. Every day they would thank the sun or the moon or the world just for being alive.” You envisioned these beings, with four arms and legs, wandering around the barren wasteland of the world, content with each other.
“And then,” you continued, “the gods grew jealous of the bond that the creatures had with each other. They never knew loneliness, sorrow, or anger; they had no fear.” Kai listened intently, shifting slightly to lean forward on his arms. “The gods worried that the creatures would disobey them and that if they had no fear and no worry of loss, they wouldn’t hesitate to battle them. The more the creatures talked, the more they began to question the gods' power over them. So the gods decided they would split the creatures into two, just cut them down the middle.” You made a slashing motion with your hand. “And so the gods made this plan, and they filled the sky with fire and ice, and they struck fear into the hearts of these creatures. As the fire rained down, they ripped the creatures apart with giant swords. When they were all separated, they blew a giant windstorm through and scattered the creatures and their partners across the world, threatening that if they ever defied them again, they would split them again, and they would have one arm and one leg.” You laughed slightly at the image.
“My mother would say that as the creatures tried to continue to live, they spent their lives roaming the earth searching for their other half. When they had children, and time continued on, they died out, but their children still searched for the other half, like that need was buried deep inside them. As the children had children, and their children had children, and then at some point, they gave birth to the fae. We carry that same need to search for this other half. And that’s our mate. When we find them, and that bond snaps, it’s because we have finally found our other half, and it’s a tiny act of defiance against the gods who taught us to hate, fear, and be angry. But also taught us to know love. She called it the origin of love”
Kai sat back, absorbing the story. “That’s...incredible,” he said softly. “I’ve never heard anything like it.”
You smiled, a bittersweet expression crossing your face. “My mother had a way of making everything sound magical.”
Kai reached out and gently touched your hand. “She gave you a beautiful gift with those stories.”
You nodded. “I think my mother just needed something to hold onto. I think...” you paused, “I think she was a very broken woman. And that if she could find this one piece of herself then everything would come together and be fine.” You felt a tear run down your face. “She would always tell me that if I found my mate someday, the world would be right.” You brushed the tear away, the alcohol still bubbling in your blood. “So when I met my mate, I just accepted the bond right away. I didn’t even think twice about it. I didn’t think the bond could be wrong; I just thought that if I loved him hard enough, he would be kind. Or that if I was his missing piece, it would just take some time for him to settle.” You shook your head, sniffling slightly, crossing your arms over your chest. “It’s just a stupid story. She got it wrong.”
Kai scooted closer to you. “Y/N, I’m sorry.”
You shrugged. “No reason to apologize. I was a child. I was a child when she told me that story, and I was a child when I accepted that bond. And now I have to live with that choice.”
Kai shook his head, looking downwards. “Does he know?”
“Who?” You asked, looking at Kai.
“Does your mate know where you are?”
You shook your head. “If he did, he would have come to take me back by now.”
Kai sat in silence, as did you, staring at the ceiling, trying to tame the tears that rolled down your cheeks.
“You said you met the High Lord? Is there nothing he could do?” Kai asked.
“I didn’t tell him,” you paused. “It wasn’t his concern.”
“It’s not your fault, Y/N. You shouldn’t have to live with this,” Kai pleaded.
“It was a foolish mistake. And believe me, I’ve looked into ways to split the bond. It’s not feasible.”
Kai sat for a second. “And you can still feel him?”
“Every day.” You blinked away another tear. “I can feel him scraping the inside of my mind, trying to get me to come home.”
“Do you talk to him?” he asked.
“I used to. Now I’ve stopped altogether.”
Kai nodded. “It’s not fair.”
You chuckled. “Out of all the unfairness in the world, my mated mistake is the least of the problems.”
Kai shook his head. “You’re allowed to be angry. And you’re allowed to say it’s not fair.”
You raised your brows. “I know. And I am angry. But I’ve seen a lot more hurtful things than to wallow in my own suffering anymore.”
Kai crawled over to you, positioning his chest slightly above your own. “Your suffering is important to me.” You looked up at him, his hair hanging down in his face. “I may not know it myself, and I may not be able to feel it, but never in a hundred lifetimes do you deserve to be tormented.”
You opened your mouth slightly, but Kai cut you off. “I don’t want to hear you deny it. I care about you, and I wish it could be different.”
“It can’t,” you said back.
“But it doesn’t mean I can’t wish it for you. Even if you’ve stopped.”
You smiled up at him, as his green eyes traced your own. Kai didn’t say anything, merely gazing down at you, his eyes softening slightly as he took one hand and ran his fingers through your hair. And then, without thinking, you started to laugh again, uncontrollably. Kai simply rolled his eyes and rolled off you onto his back.
“You’re a child,” he scolded you. You continued to laugh until your stomach ached and at some point, Kai joined in on your laughter, bellowing out joy until the late hours of the night.
To my lovely readers, I'm not apologizing for writing men into my world that I would throw myself at immediately. Throwing feminism to the wind, I will drop everything to wife that man up. And yet, I warn you to not get attached, because the only person who can hurt you is yourself... and also me..... @thatacotargirl @mcuamerica @lilah-asteria @florabelll @fightmedraco @marvelbros-oneshots @mariahoedt @quinzzelx @romantasyreader28 @minnieoo @mysteriouslydeafeningwerewolf @annabethgranger123 @krowiathemythologynerd @scatteredstardustt @romantacyreader28 @caroline-books @slytherintaco @sevikas-whore @sidthedollface2 @405rry @sleepylunarwolf @acourtofbatboydreams @quiettuba @julesofvolterra @skylarkalchemist @darling006
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cheeriecherrymain · 1 year
Note
Please can we have the conclusion to the lipstick ask? I wanna hear what Viktor has to say and how he's gonna apologize for being dumb
Final (fourth) Part!
[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]
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Viktor x fem!Reader (18+)
Content tags: enthusiastic blowjobs | face sitting | Viktor being kind of a tease | vaginal fingering
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-You stand in your doorway, frozen. Of all the people you’d expected to see at your door - a stranger, a delivery driver, one of your neighbors - Viktor is not one of them. After everything that had transpired between the two of you, you were certain that he wouldn’t have wanted to seek you out.
-After staring at him for a moment though, completely perplexed, your gaze darts downwards, to where he’d fidgeting with his hands. Or rather…to where he’s fidgeting with…a potted plant?
-It’s just a small pot, with an even smaller leafy thing in it - scraggly and viney and drooping all over the edges. The poor thing almost looks pathetic, with how wispy it is, but what’s most notable about it are its flowers.
-Bitty bundles of miniscule blooms, so pale that they almost glow in the gloom of the evening.
- “You don’t like it when people behead flowers just to give them as gifts,” Viktor says, finally breaking the silence. “You think it’s mean. But I…wanted to get you something, and you mentioned a while ago that you’d never seen the little plants that sometimes pop up between cracks in the undercity.”
-You frown slightly, trying to think back to when you’d even had that conversation. It would have been years ago, by now. Had he really somehow retained that information?
- “You said that they were hard to find,” you nod along, only somewhat remembering. “And prettier in person. Viktor, what are you doing here?”
-He glances a couple times between you and the flowers, searching desperately for words. He opens his mouth a couple of times, taking a breath to start speaking, but…nothing comes out, save for a soft croak.
-Pink rises to his cheeks, darkening to a substantial flush the longer the two of you stand there. You have half the mind to be annoyed with his sudden appearance, especially after the kind of emotional hell he’d put you through: was this him trying to apologize? Trying to make things right after carving your heart out and grinding it into-
- “I had a whole speech planned,” he finally mutters, his somewhat-hopeful expression falling. “Some grand gesture, explaining everything from my perspective. Explaining how inebriated I was over the weekend, explaining that my mind was not where it should have been.”
-Oh.
-So he’s apologizing for sleeping with you.
-...why does that hurt so much?
- “This morning, though,” he continues, “You…you said that you…told me how you felt. That you, despite all odds, have secretly been harboring romantic feelings for me for years, and I’ve been stupid and oblivious.”
-He rubs little circles into the crisp clay of the pot in his grip, his lips pressed into a thin line.
- “I don’t remember,” he admits, then.
-You’re fully taken aback.
- “I don’t remember you telling me how you felt. I don’t remember much of our conversation at all. I just…remember laughing with you. Having a good time. Feeling lighter than I have in as long as my memory goes. And I…I don’t remember a lot of what happened…later.”
-Judging by the hue of his cheeks, you know exactly what he’s referencing, and you pop out of your little trance long enough to realize that you’re still standing in the doorway of your home, out where anyone could hear what you were saying.
-Everything in you is screaming at you not to trust him, to not fall for some kind of ploy again, but you decide to ignore it: because maybe you’d been wrong from the start. Maybe you’d been given the incorrect information, and you’d made assumptions, and maybe it’s a misunderstanding.
-Unlikely, but…you’ll hate yourself for it later if you don’t at least hear him out.
-So you quietly step aside, allowing Viktor to stride into your apartment enough for you to close the door behind him. Casting you both into a new type of silence as you both idle at the end of the hallway for a couple seconds.
-Before you nod him further in, and lead him to your quaint living room. Your couches are mismatched, and dated, but they’re comfortable and you don’t really care about the fact that they clash. The two of you find your seats across from each other, and Viktor sets the little plant down on your wobbly coffee table.
-He wastes no time in continuing his explanation.
- “If I had remembered what words had been exchanged between us, I wouldn’t have called that night a mistake,” he tells you, with the utmost seriousness. “I woke up beside you with broken, mismatched fragments of everything, and I fear I pieced them together incorrectly.”
- “I assumed that you would be angry with me,” he admits. “We got drunk, we had sex - I figured-”
- “That I would have thought it was a mistake,” you finish, your shoulders drooping with the realization. “You forgot that I told you I loved you, so your mind went to the worst place. God, Viktor.”
-You push yourself off the couch and nearly trip over your own feet as you move your seat to his side. “I wish you’d just told me,” you chastise him, pressing yourself right up against his side. “We’re adults, which means we can have a grown up conversation.”
-He at least has the sense to look ashamed of his actions, even as you run your fingers through his hair and draw him into a hug.
- “I forgive you,” you sigh, squeezing him a little harder when he hesitates wrapping his arms around you, and only once he does so do you continue speaking, “But you need to stop trying to predict my reactions, okay? Even if you’re anxious about what I might say, I need you to trust that I’ll face any issues with compassion. I need you to trust me.”
-His sigh tickles the soft hairs on your neck, but you’re still able to feel the minute shift in his body as he nods.
- “Okay,” he agrees quietly. “I- okay.”
-The two of you stay like that for a little while, wrapped up in each other’s arms, enjoying the closeness and allowing all the negative feelings from the day to slowly dissipate. And they do, eventually - as you allow his warmth to seep into your bones, your anxiety fades, your anger fades, your sadness fades - mostly.
-You’re still saddened slightly, by the fact that his first instinct was to prepare for your anger upon finding out you slept with him. But you suppose you can’t fault him too much: he’s spent most of his life being an unwanted second thought, despite the fact that you have never seen him that way.
-But…that’s a talk for another time.
-For now, you pull back from him slightly, just enough to rest your forehead against his to stare into his pretty honey eyes. You want to warn him about what you’re going to do - after everything that’s happened, you feel like you should. But he beats you to the chase.
-Closing the small gap between you, his lips find yours. Barely a fluttering touch, soft and simple, but enough to coax you forward into something deeper. Something hotter, sending off millions of little flutters within your chest as your breath mixes and you press yourself harder against him. Or perhaps he draws you in closer. 
-You’re not sure.
-You suppose it doesn’t matter.
-You’re fumbling with the buttons of his shirt after a couple of minutes, trying your best to pull away from him enough to see what you’re doing: though he’s having none of it. His lips locate some other patch of exposed skin, latching on with mischievous intent as he begins trying to leave a bruise.
- “I’m trying to get you naked,” you grumble, without any sort of malice. You can feel him grin against your throat for a moment, before he sinks his teeth in hard enough that you have to pause what you’re doing, a soft whine falling past your parted lips.
- “I’m not stopping you,” he replies, breath tickling your skin. You fight the urge to roll your eyes at him, though you feel nothing but affection. 
-He doesn’t make removing his clothes easy for you, not by any means. He teases you relentlessly throughout the process, making little quips and remarks, just for the sake of driving you up the wall.
- “I don’t remember you being this chatty,” you huff, finally removing his shirt in the most offended manner possible. You’re covered in little bite marks by then, and riled up beyond the point of impatience: you never knew that Viktor of all people was prone to running at the mouth.
- “Perhaps you should find a way to shut me up, then?” he suggests, grinning up at you where you sit on his lap.
-It pushes you over the edge.
-You stand up without a word, shoving yourself off him in a frustrated flurry. He looks startled for a couple of moments, and you can practically see the gears turning in his head: wondering if he’d done something wrong, or if he’d overstepped, or if you’d changed your mind.
-You soften by a fraction when you realize he’s probably just nervous. He’d recently been of the mind that you were angry with him, after all, and you’re willing to bet that he’s got some residual anxiety.
- “Go and get comfy on my bed,” you tell him, nodding towards the open door that leads to your room. “If you want me to shut you up, then I’ll do so by putting your mouth to use. You seemed pretty keen on it last time, too.”
-It takes a second for him to understand what you’re implying, but the moment the pieces click into place, he’s on his feet. You don’t think you’ve ever seen him move so quickly in all the time you’ve known him, and you worry for a brief second that he’s going to cause extra trouble for his knee later.
-But he’s eager to draw you out of your thoughts, gaining your attention once he disappears into the depths of your bedroom. “I thought you were going to do something,” he calls, and you can hear the brief shuffle of clothing, followed by the creak of your mattress.
- “Janna, you’re impatient,” you grumble, though you’re unable to hide the crooked grin that tugs at the corners of your mouth.
-You find him comfortably settled in the center of your bed a couple moments later, and he’s been courteous enough to divest himself of his trousers. Left them in the middle of the floor, mind you, but that’s a problem for later, you suppose. 
-He smiles sweetly at you from where he reclines against all the pillows you keep the company of, and lazily gestures towards his face. “You are taking an awfully long time,” he quips.
-You narrow your eyes at him, only breaking contact when you pull your shirt over your head. You’ve half a mind to feel shy about baring yourself to him the way you are, until you remember that you’ve been here before. He might not entirely recall all of the weekend’s events, but you’re quite certain he wouldn’t forget what you look like naked.
-Despite all this, he stares. Watches with rapt attention as you kick the rest of your clothes off and carefully fold them over the back of your door. Lets his lovely honey gaze trail across every curve of your body, almost lecherous and without an ounce of shame.
- “You’re still not sitting on my face,” he tells you, though it’s less of a demand and more of a whine. 
-In any case, you decide to have mercy on him. You slowly clamber onto your bed, and make your way up his body, stopping every couple inches to lay kisses to the pale warmth of his exposed flesh. Stopping for a few moments to tease him.
- “All we’ve been doing is kissing,” you murmur, staring down at where his cock lays against his tummy, already hard and flushed the prettiest shade of red at the tip. “You really want it, don’t you?”
-A sharp sigh passes his lips when you stoop down just slightly, to lick a flat stripe up the side. It’s barely enough to be considered pleasurable, and yet such a simple touch sends little tremors through his body. You watch entranced as a pearlescent bead wells from the tip of his cock, and begins drooling down towards his stomach.
-Well that won’t do, you think, and wrap your hand around him.
-His soft little sighs turn into broken cries, when you bring his length to your mouth. Closing your lips around him, you slowly start bobbing your head - it’s messy and filthy, and you can feel your spit dripping down over your fingers, slicking him up and making it easier to slide your fist around him.
-He’s less chatty now, as you’d put it, but he’s no quieter. Debauched little moans fall past his lips, without a care in the world, as you continue your onslaught. Tightening your hand by a fraction, stroking a little faster, sucking a little harder. You can feel his thighs quake beneath you, strung tight with pleasure.
- “Wait-” he gasps, and you freeze.
-You pull your mouth off him, worried for a moment that you’d done something wrong…until you see the way he looks at you.
-Breathless and hazy, half-lidded honey eyes nearly eclipsed by the black of his pupils. Looking at you like you’ve given him the moon, cheeks flushed and lips parted…
-Oh.
- “Are you really about to come?” you wonder, giving him a few teasing strokes. He whines again in response, and bats aimlessly at your hand until you finally release him.
- “Alright,” you agree, continuing your path up his body, “I guess I’ll be nice this time.” 
-You stop briefly at his face, smiling softly at him before bringing your lips together. It’s a tender kiss, almost innocent with the way you melt into each other, though it doesn’t take long for the mood to settle back in. You pull away from him, with one last bite to his bottom lip, and hoist yourself upwards.
-It’s a little bit awkward, you’ll admit, hovering above Viktor’s face like you are, rather than being on your back. Part of you worries that you might squish him, or somehow suffocate him, even though you know he’d be happy to go in such a way.
-He wraps his arms underneath your thighs, scooting you a little further up. 
-Staring at you.
-Nudging you down towards him.
-You humour him a little bit, lowering yourself down a couple centimeters, so that you’re close enough for him to reach you. But apparently it’s not enough. His grip tightens on you, and he urges you to come closer still, despite the fact that if you do, he’ll have nowhere to move his head.
- “You’re supposed to sit on my face,” he quips, with a quirk of a brow. “You know, like a chair? Sit?”
- “I don’t want to kill you or something!” you whine, embarrassment creeping up the back of your neck. “What if I like - I dunno, break your spine? Or your jaw? Or-”
- He seems to lose some of his patience then, pulling you down with strength you didn’t realize he possessed. You gasp at the sudden shift in position, but you’re barely able to collect your thoughts before his mouth starts moving against you - and oh god you almost forgot how divine his tongue is.
-He eats you out like a man starved, working his tongue against you in differing patterns, so that you never know what to expect. Closing his lips around your clit to suck gently on it. It sends a warm wash of pleasure over you, until he flicks the tip of his tongue against it within his mouth.
-If you’d been hovering over him at that point, your legs would have given out. A cry nearly punching itself out of your lungs. The white hot, unrelenting sensation between your legs.
-You have to grip the headboard so you don’t tip over.
-Slack jawed and holding on for dear life, you cry and moan and tremble as Viktor brings you closer to the edge. Lapping up every drop of fluid as it drools out of you, as if you’re the finest delicacy he’s ever had the pleasure of tasting.
-And oh, when he slides two slender fingers into you.
-You’re gone. Too lost in your desire to come to care much about appearances. You all but grind against his face, feeling his digits working inside you. Spreading you open to prepare you for his thick cock, curling them perfectly against that sweet little spot within you.
-You don’t even have time to warn him about your oncoming orgasm. It crests over you with sudden ferocity, tensing every muscle in your body as it fully encompasses you. All you can feel is Viktor, easing you through it, groaning as he drinks you in and witnesses you at the height of your pleasure.
-Basking in the fact that he’s the one who’s made you feel good.
-It takes a good thirty seconds for you to come back to yourself, breathless and trembling, leaning heavily against the headboard while you try to gather your thoughts.
-Viktor’s hands, slowly stroking up and down your thighs, drawing little patterns into the supple squish of your hips. Your eyes meet for a brief moment, and he grins up at you with the most shit-eating expression you’ve ever seen him wear. Entirely too pleased with himself.
-You can’t help but share the sentiment, mirroring his smile.
-You crawl off him a couple moments later, now intent on bringing the same rapture to him. Only…his confident smirk turns somewhat sheepish, and the moment he turns around, you see why.
- “Viktor,” you’re barely able to withhold your delighted glee. “Did you come from eating me out?”
-You watch as an embarrassed flush travels up his neck, across his cheeks and out to the tips of his ears. He stumbles over his words for a few seconds, trying desperately to explain himself and promise that he’ll be ready to go again in a little while.
-But you don’t care.
-You flop down beside him, and pull him into a deep, tender kiss. Pressing your body flush against his, drawing him impossibly closer by crooking your leg over his hip.
- “You’re perfect,” you sigh, before his lips find yours again.
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aries-rp-corner · 9 months
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The sun slowly rose to greet the land, Leafie included as she used her fur coat to nuzzle up against the cold air. Ever since she cold remember, she really didn’t like the cold and her mother would make her nest extra cozy and warm for her. Her though ended as she heard the door open behind her, looking over to see her guardian, Aries.
“Leafie! There you are! You got me worried about you.” Aries spoke in worry, causing the grass bug Pokémon to whistle in embarrassment and shame. “Hey, don’t beat ya self up, I’m only happy to see ya safe.” Aries smiled warmly, as she walked next to Leafie as she set her gaze at Pinwheel Forest. “Funny, that’s where I use to set up my base camp in those woods. It’s so nice to hear the wind, some of the Pokémon, and the sea with the river echo with the wind they ride…” The woman smiled softly as the wind blew with the coldness in caries, causing the two to shiver up. “I forgot the sea breeze makes it worse…. Brrrr…..”
“Leava….” Leafie soft chirped as she nuzzled up to her coat again. She began to think about the dream and the message, looking back to Pinwheel Forest… she honestly wanted to see her old home again. Tugging Aries’s new cloak to get her attention, as she pointed to the Forest while giving Aries a concerned look.
“Something up?..” Aries softly asked as she looked up to the Forest, feeling a slow darkness creeping out from it. “Once we head on dock, I’ll ask permission to check it out and ask anyone who wants in… I’ll also ask Lamont if he wants in… the poor man looked distraught from what his brother became.”
The woman turned over to her Pokémon as she gave a soft smile. “And…if you like, Lamont and you can show me your old home. If ya like…” Aries smiled warmly as she turned over to head inside, Leafie soon followed but looked back one more time to the Forest as she returned inside to catch up with Aries.
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pedroshotwifey · 9 months
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Christmas Countdown Day 24 - Joel Miller
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Make You Mine
Pairing: DBF!Joel Miller x afab!reader
Word count: 884
Tags/Warnings: Fluff, smutty themes, implied piv, sexual themes, implied age gap, insinuations of marriage, daddy kink (like once at the end), Joel spoiling reader, secret relationship, stuff im forgetting
Summary: You and Joel finally get a second to yourself after you arrive home from college
A/N: This is all over the place lmao. Super sweet but also very hot. Also, this marks the end of my first ever challenge!! I can't believe I stuck with it and got everything out on its designated day, but here we are! Kinda proud tbh. Thank you all for reading!
***
Your panties are unbelievably wet. 
You’ve endured almost an entire night of stolen glances from your father’s best friend. Silent but hungry looks have been passed discretely throughout dinner, gifts, and now whilst you watch a movie, sat in the living room with Joel and your parents. 
You’re back from college for the holidays again, and since you’ve been in town, there hasn’t been a single chance for you and Joel to reconvene. 
It’s been a long few months of facetime calls, late night texts, and self-provided orgasms. And now that you’re back within reach, the sexual tension is thick in the air between you. Your parents are oblivious as usual, of course.
The two of you stare at each other now, not bothering to hide your want as your parents keep their eyes glued to the TV. His expression is dark, full of lust and frustration. All you can think about is how much more delicious that’s going to make things once he does get a chance to pound you into your bed. 
You glance toward your parents, finding that your father is already asleep, and that your mother is almost there herself. Joel sees the slip of your eyes, and knows what you’re thinking immediately. Once they’re both out, the two of you are free to do whatever you’d like. 
Another minute of fucking eachother with your eyes, and two sets of faint snoring come from the couch. You smirk, jumping up from your seat to race up the stairs before Joel gets the chance to catch you. 
You can practically see the look on his face as he bounds after you, being as silent as he can as he chases you to your room. He catches you just as you're slipping through your doorway, shoving you into the room and closing the door behind him.
You’re crushed against the wall, his lips on yours as his hands roam your body before you can take a breath. His tongue slips into your mouth, and you welcome it with a moan as you tangle it with yours. 
Reluctantly, you separate after there is no breath left to be shared between the two of you. You’re both panting as you stare deep into each other’s eyes. 
“Hope you know how goddam much I missed you, darlin’,” Joel breaks the silence, resting his forehead against yours. 
“Can’t be near as much as I missed you,” you say, winded. 
Joel huffs a laugh and brings his hands up to gently cup your cheeks, kissing you tenderly now. Your hands come up to grasp at his wrists as you tilt your head up for him, moving your lips against his. 
“Doubt that,” he argues when he pulls away. You roll your eyes playfully at him, a dorky smile adorning your face just from being alone with him again. Every second you get with him feels like a dream. 
“Got you somethin’ else,” Joel whispers. 
You smile wider. He never fails to spoil you. 
His hands slide from your cheeks to dig in his jeans pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. You gasp, recognising the Tiffany logo on the top. 
“Joel, you better not have spent too mu–”
“You’re worth every damn penny to my name and more, baby. Don’t you forget that.” 
He places the box into your hand before you get a chance to respond, and you glance up at him one more time before flipping it open. Inside is the most beautiful necklace you’ve ever laid eyes on. 
It’s a circular pendant, adorned with diamonds. A leafy embellishment curves up at the bottom of the circle, also covered in the gem. It’s delicate, sparkling slightly in the moonlight provided by the small window. 
“It’s gorgeous, Joel,” you say truthfully, tearing up without realizing. 
“Should suit you well then, baby,” he tells you, placing a kiss on your forehead. “‘M glad you like it.” 
You lean up to capture his lips in another lingering kiss. 
“Hope you know what I mean when I give this to you, sweetheart.” 
And you do. Painfully so. He knows it by the way you look up at him, eyes soft with love and aching with desire.
“When the time is right, I’ll make you mine. That’s a promise, angel.” 
You sniffle at him, nodding as you place the box on the dresser next to you before slinging your arms around him. 
“I love you so much, Joel,” you whisper. 
“I love you too, honey. More than you could ever know.” 
The two of you embrace each other in silence, content to each other tenderly. Until you tip your head to nibble slightly on his ear. 
Now that you have the chance, you’re going to thank this man for all he does until he can’t stand. He hisses as you suck on his lobe, his hand traveling down to squeeze a globe of your ass. 
You part from him, leaving hot kisses as you pull away. Your hands find the hem of your dress, and you pull it over your head as you watch Joel smirk, the bulge in his jeans growing rapidly. 
He starts to work at his belt, the metallic sound music to your ears.
“Now get on the bed, darlin’. Daddy’s gonna fuck you to next Christmas.” 
*** Thank you for reading! Please consider interacting if you enjoyed this fic!
WCC: @amyispxnk @melaninmommy @brittmb115 @mandoalorian @yorksgirl (Lmk if y'all want to join my general taglist <3)
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hermitcraftheadcanons · 4 months
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Skizzekai Au- Character and Group Summary
Very long summary post! This contains information on every single hermit, established group, and major plot event. Summaries are below the cut.
KINGDOMS AND GROUPS
Skizz's Adventuring Party
Team ZITS! Skizz, our main hero, quickly found allies in the other three. Tango was his first ally, and Zedaph joined up because of his alchemy skills. The alliance was a bit strained after Zed brought Skizz back from death and gave him some difficult and annoying tasks to do, but now they're closer than ever. Impulse came to join them after hearing rumours of the new hero. Grian and Mumbo are not formal party members, but show up to help from time to time.
ConVex Travelling Merchants
Scar, Cub, and False roam throughout the kingdoms, selling wares and taking both money and names! They also may be a little bit possessed. Neutral forces, both helping and messing with Skizz, they're in this mainly for fun and profit.
Lore Kingdom
Ruled by Joel, this kingdom has a heavy concentration of magic affecting fate and stories. A group of seers called the Watchers were the ones who made the hero's prophecy, forseeing Skizz would be needed- and so Joel summoned him to this world. Naturally, they've been on his side the whole time.
Ice Kingdom
A harsh and frosty place ruled by Queen Stress- and one of the first places hit by the great evil, slowly draining the magic and life of the citizens. Thankfully Iskall, the queen's bodyguard, seems to have some sort of protective aura, keeping the palace and those nearby safe. The native iskallium crystals, capable of pulling energy from the environment and turning it into pure magic stored within, might be one reason this kingdom was targeted so quickly. They also cause the eternal winter of the kingdom, drawing in heat. Ice Kingdom artificers are known for the incredible magitech iskallium can be used in.
Undead Republic
Formerly a kingdom ruled by Ren, after the crown passed on to Cleo she declared the place a republic. The votes that followed landed her in charge anyways, with Ren as second in command. All sorts of undead live here, including the half-ghost Joe and the drowned Gem. The kingdom is currently dealing with an infestation of strange blue lichen underground. It's sensitive to sound and seems to be able to infect people into monstrous and deadly creatures.
Evil Empire
Lead by Evil X, this is the big bad of our story. The citizens here are mainly demons, using magic drawn from risk, danger and gambles, often used to form contracts. EX himself has found a way to drain magic from the world into himself, stealing it from the environment and the people. He uses this to gain power, create loyal constructs that take the shape of other people throughout the world, and also to power a really good hot tub. Unfortunately for him, dissent grows in his citizens, and at least one- Impulse- betrayed EX's side completely.
Jungle Guardians
Deep in a sprawling, deadly jungle, four hermits make their homes. Acting as guardians, they help adventurers safely pass through. Their forms are created from the environment around them, with Bdubs being all plant, and Etho having a metallic shell around his leafy center. Doc likes to change things up, constantly adding and replacing new parts. Beef is as of yet undetermined.
Pirates
There exists a kingdom that is not quite a kingdom, oceans ruled by whichever captain, warlord, or general scoundrel happens to be most listened to at the moment. False used to be one of them, leading a crew of harpies. She still visits from time to time. Wels used to be part of her crew as well. Xisuma also joined a crew of pirates once, thinking the flag meant they had bones to spare. He was wrong, but they let him tag along anyways.
HERMITS
(alphabetical order)
Bdubs
Species: Jungle Construct
Bdubs is made entirely of leaves, moss, and vines. He is NOT small, thank you very much, he is above average for his species. Along with the rest of the NHO, he protects the jungle he calls home. Has powerful plant magic. If provoked too far, may unleash a terrifyingly powerful aura.
Beef
Species: Undetermined
Protects the jungle with the rest of the NHO. Seems to be a perfectly normal, if slightly creepy, farmer.
Cleo
Species: Zombie, previously Fae
Prime Minister of the Undead Republic. Cleo leads her people well, and is currently fighting against the sculk infesting the tunnels. Has an army of constructs and puppets, but is willing to hire adventurers to help out. Friends with Joe and Ren.
Cub
Species: Fae (Sculk?)
After a deal with the Vex leaving him slightly possessed, Cub runs a traveling shop full of magical wares with Scar and False. Unknown to them, he had an interest in the other, nonmagical world. One thing lead to another, and he managed to build a functional portal, only to find that the sculk living in the cracks between dimensions followed him back. It's starting to take over him, slowly but surely.
Doc
Species: Undetermined/Varies, presumably Jungle Construct
Protects the jungle with the rest of the NHO. Constantly changing his form, adding new traits and replacing old ones. Also has the ability to grow to kaiju size. Made a portal to the human world with Etho, just to see if they could.
Etho
Species: Jungle Construct
Despite being of a normally short species, Etho is seven feet tall. This may be due to the fact he has formed a metallic shell around his plantlike inner body. Not quite in control of his aura, which is constantly projecting a slight threatening feel. Made a portal to the human world with Doc just to see if they could.
Evil X
Species: Nothingness
The ultimate villain of the story. EX has been draining the magic of the world, trying to maintain his form with stolen power, as well as just for fun and to make himself stronger. Maybe take over the world while he's at it. Rules his own kingdom, and created the Hels Hermits with stolen magic. He's created a fake prophecy to justify his rise to greatness. A tiny bit of magic is used to power his hot tub, which is filled with water from a magic spring and actually helps all the stolen magic cohere. Since the magic he's stealing is helping form his body, EX's appearance is constantly shifting based on where he most recently took from.
False
Species: Harpy
Used to lead a crew of pirates, but after a deal with the Vex she had to leave. Now travels with Cub and Scar, although she does meet up with her old crew sometimes. Recently, shes taken to hunting down Skizz, due to the bounty put on his head... if only her companions were more helpful.
Gem
Species: Drowned, previously Human
Skizz isn't the only hero of prophecy this world has seen. Gem was summoned for the same reason, not too long ago. She used to have angelic, feathered wings, and wield powerful light magic. Unfortunately... she failed.
She was struck down, and the ocean saved her, by changing her into a Drowned. Undead, adapted to life underwater, and with the wings she used to have only broken scraps on her back. Now, her light magic burns her. She can't use it. But she was still working on saving the world! It's moved on. It's replaced her. So she sets a bounty out on Skizz, to teach him what happens if he fails too.
Grian
Species: ????? Entity???
Grian is... strange. He appears different to everyone, seeming like one species or another, with the only constant being that he is known to be powerful. In truth, he's simply not able to be understood- a being sewn into the very fabric of the world, deeper than anyone else, perhaps made entirely of pure magic. He used to be a member of the Watchers, getting thrown out of the group because blowing things up is "distracting" and "makes it hard to see the future". He still knows a few tricks though, such as being able to recognize if you've been a subject of prophecy. He also likes fishing.
Hypno
Species: Human
Changelings are a rare thing in this world, a few sneaky fae slipping between dimensions to swap out their children. Hypno is one of those humans who got taken. His fae "family" had plans, ones that relied upon the human ability to adapt to magic so easily. They kept him away from any strong sources of magic... until it was time. That night, when the plan was pulled off and Hypno felt the magic moving inside him and trying to twist him and feeling so very wrong wrong wrong, was the night he ran away. He never wanted this. Was he just some kind of tool or exotic pet to them? He just wanted to stay human.
The deal EX offered him was almost too good to be true. A simple watch, capable of absorbing the magic that would otherwise be mutating him. He could feel at home in his own skin. And the payment? Just the magic the watch stole. Basically free! So what if it worked a little too well, slowly draining the magic around him if he stayed in one place too long? He can keep moving. It's fine. It's better than not working well enough. He needs to stay himself.
Impulse
Species: Demon
A former citizen of the Evil Empire. Having grown up under EX's rule, living and working there his entire life, he had doubts but didn't think he could make a difference. Maybe the prophecy could save them if he held on long enough.
He saw Gem try, and fail, and lost hope entirely. So he kept his head down, worked hard, got promotions, did what he needed to survive. If the chosen one couldn't win, what chance did he have?
Until he heard the rumors of a new hero, of them gathering an army and growing stronger. He left, joined up with Skizz, and has become a great ally and friend. Shame that his old coworkers think he's a spy for them now. Hopefully his new friends don't believe it.
Iskall
Species: Undetermined
A citizen of the Ice Kingdom, and Stress's bodyguard. His original name was lost in a bet a while back, but Stress only uses it for silly pranks, and he likes Iskall better anyways. Has a strange aura full of magic and life, working as an energy source, and protecting the area around him from the draining darkness.
Jevin
Species: Slime
He is a slime guy who does slime magic. Likes hanging out with Hypno, and doesn't understand why the guy doesn't want to be magic. It's fun. In fact, Jevin is made almost entirely of magic, which.... may be a bad thing if he's going to spend so much time around Hypno.
Joe Hills
Species: Half-Ghost, previously Human
He may be a citizen of the Undead Republic now, but Joe will always introduce himself as being from Nashville, Tennessee. He did use to live there! Ended up in Hermiton after Doc and Etho made a portal and found him. Thinking it was a scam, really he should have just left, but he was curious.
Joel
Species: Minor God
He wasn't always godly. Due to the kingdom he rules being so full of lore magic, the belief and opinions of his people had a strong effect on him. Originally an ogre, he's gone through quite. a few transformations, and finally settled on aacending to godhood. As a god, he can look however he wants, although a ogre-like form is still most comfortable. A really tall and handsome ogre, though.
Keralis
Species: Unicorn
He's a unicorn. And a menace. He's got an ego, only uses his magic when he wants to, and claims he can see the value of souls. Keeps calling XB the princess of the lake.
Mumbo
Species: Weakened God
Mumbo used to be the god of the night and all its creatures, until Grian accidentally stole half his power. That power was, again accidentally, used to create the species of vampires, which Mumbo now greatly resembles, right down to his ability to turn into a bat. Grian still feels bad about it. As for Mumbo himself, he turns up to help the heroes now and again, and may or may not follow them around in bat form.
Pearl
Species: Fae (Mothlike)
Pearl was once the queen of her own kingdom. It was a wonderful place, known for nature magic helping them grow anything. When a talking dog came asking to be her advisor, she made the decision to accept its offer. From its advice, her decisions got more and more cruel, her powers stronger, and the hound grew into a beast. The queen corrupted, and so did the magic.
But one day, it all got too much. Pearl realized what she had done, slew the beast, and exiled herself. Her powers faded, she keeps her head down. Now she just tries to live her life and have fun, doing her job delivering mail.
Ren
Species: Werewolf, previously Fae
Him and Cleo were friends since childhood. Even when she got zombified and he got bitten by a werewolf, they never gave up on each other, and even bonded over it. They formed their kingdom together, and these days Ren is second in command of the Undead Republic. They're still very close.
Scar
Species: Fae
A wizard who made a deal with the Vex, and now travels around selling enchanted wares with Cub and False. Jellie is his familiar. Took Skizz's name at one point, but gave it back after Skizz found Jellie, who had been missing. He also keeps letting Skizz go whenever False captures him, for various reasons each sillier than the last.
Skizz
Species: who knows at this point, previously Human
Main character. Was summoned from Earth to defeat a great evil and save the world. Joel didn't quite explain how, so he's just doing his best. Currently, he's going around to different kingdoms, trying to get them on his side.
When he was summoned, he was still wearing his suit he had put on for work. It didn't take long to annoy a wizard, who cursed him so that he can't wear sleeves. The sleeves of his suit then proceeded to explode. Thankfully, the rest of the suit picked up durability magic somewhere.
A more important magical item is his necklace. It was made as a sort of battery for mages, charging up and storing ambient magic. When full, it bleeds off excess energy by sending it into the wearer, which normally results in boosted magic. Unfortunately, it is currently on a human, who has no magic of his own.
The result of this has changed Skizz, attuning him to the world's magic, and causing dragonfly wings to sprout from his back. He can feel the faint electric-current buzz of magic in his chest and at his fingertips. He's become able to learn and use the magic known by his friends, channeling their power through him.
Skizz's life on Earth was not a good one. It was boring, monotonous, and stressful. Wake up, work, go home, sleep. Is there any wonder he prefers this fantastical world over it? When everything is over, he chooses to make his home in Hermiton, with his new friends.
Stress
Species: Fae
Queen of the Ice Kingdom. Has Iskall's name, but only uses it to be silly.
Tango
Species: Undetermined, presumably Fire Something
Tango has strong fire magic, but it's hard to control- it's tied to his emotions, flaring up with anger or fear. He has to keep calm to properly control it. A side effect of this magic is that he has a prehensile tail made of fire. It also reacts to emotions, but in a much more harmless way, perking up when he's curious and wagging when happy. He doesn't use his fire much, preferring to rely on a deck of magical cards, each with a different effect.
TFC
Species: Unknown
TFC likes to mine. He spends his time in tunnels underground, mining in many different caverns. Nobody is quite sure what species he is. Dwarf, goblin, fae, and construct have all been theories, but none turned out to be right. The one time Skizz encountered him, he simply gave him the gem he'd been looking for. After all, why not help out? He doesn't have the energy for nonsense anyways.
Wels
Species: Selkie
A former member of False's pirate crew. Wels is proficient in bard magic, weaving power into voice and song, and he's also good with a sword. Most of the time, he wears his sealskin as a cape, appearing human. He has a second set of armour that fits his seal form so he can kick ass underwater.
XB
Species: Water Spirit
Lives in a lake fed by a magical spring. This is, in fact, the place EX got his hot tub water from. XB is not happy about this. Leave his lake alone!
Xisuma
Species: Nothingness (+Bones)
A puddle of nothingness that learned to sustain himself and build a solid body from bones! He finds them delicious. At one point, he joined a pirate crew because he thought the skull and crossbones flag meant they had bones to eat. They didn't, but they were nice and let him stay. Over time, he found a way to grow his own bones, poking out of the nothingness that is him. It doesn't even hurt to pull them out.
Zedaph
Species: Undetermined
Originally, Zed was just a normal alchemist, with a little reality distortion magic. Somehow, he happened upon the secret to immortality. There was not supposed to be a secret to immortality. Death didn't make it possible. When Zed did it, Death Himself showed up, extremely confused. He took Zed on as an apprentice to try and figure out how that even happened, and hasn't succeeded yet.
As Death's apprentice, Zed has the ability to bring people back to life- not even undeath, just straight up life. He has a rather terrifying reputation, but he's friendly, if a lot weird, and prone to making those he revives do silly and almost impossible tasks for him. For fun, of course. Revived Tango at one point, and accepted a card full of luck magic as payment.
Hels Hermits
Species: Various, may or may not be the same as their original due to the different types of magic used in their creation
These are constructs, people formed and brought to life from the magic EX stole. They work as his underlings, endlessly loyal and just as evil as he is. Notable members include Helsknight, EX's personal guard, Badtimes, a diplomat, and True, a spymaster.
PLOT IDEAS
- Skizz, after being summoned, ventures around the land collecting allies and getting the help of various kingdoms
- At some point, ZITS raid EX's palace, presumably to try and defeat him
- During the final battle, Skizz manages to channel the light magic Gem still holds deep inside
- After his journey is complete, Skizz is sent back to earth... only to find he no longer feels like he belongs there. Using the last bit of magic stored in his necklace, he contacts the Hermits, and asks to be summoned back home.
- In exchange, Hypno is sent to live on earth, after a bit of preparation from the former humans. He no longer has to worry about magic changing him, and now he can make new friends, without having to keep distant to avoid draining them.
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Text
|| Lost and Found ||
Frank Castle x female reader
Tags/warnings: meetcute! With dogs!
Oral (f rec), beardburn, coming in pants (m) 😍, written for the @bernthirst-events #beardthalbash, thanks to @darlingshane and @anna-hawk for organising!
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"Midge! Miiiidge!" Your voice echoes through the endless trees as you call out again and again, listening hopefully for the familiar thunder of paws on the leafy undergrowth coming back toward you, but there was nothing but the muted twitter of birds. "Midge, come!" You shout again, your voice starting to tremble with worry as you walk hurriedly along the forestry path. The light was beginning to fade earlier in these shortening autumn evenings, and it would soon be impossible to find your runaway pup. You take out your phone, dismayed to see the signal nonexistent out this deep in the woods.
"C'mon Midge! Midge, please come back!" The back of your throat is rough from yelling and your eyes are glistening with tears. You couldn't go home, you had to keep looking for her.
"Miiiidge?!" You tried again, and stopped in your tracks as you heard a rustling nearby, but it was just a blackbird rummaging in the leaf litter.
"Oh Midge…" you croak out more quietly, still holding her broken lead tightly in your fist. You cursed yourself for not replacing it sooner after she had been chewing it, for not buying a stronger one. You were so wrapped up in your own admonishment that you jumped out of your skin when someone walked up the track behind you.
"Ma'am, if you don't mind me askin', are you alright?"
You turned and were met with the figure of a large bearded man. He kept his distance when he realised he had given you a bit of a fright, giving you time to take in the fact that he was wearing a dark green shirt with the park ranger logo embroidered on it along with utility pants and sturdy walking boots. His eyes were dark and he was looking at you kindly.
"I'm Frank, I'm a ranger. I heard you yelling, can I help?" He asks, and you find yourself stuttering over your words, partly in relief that someone else was around, and someone who hopefully knew these woods a lot better than you.
"It's- it's my dog, she… oh, I've been searching and calling for her for hours, she broke her lead when she saw a squirrel and bolted after it! I couldn't catch her in time and she's just- she's just a pup!" You sniffle as your eyes keep flitting around to look through the trees. "I can't find her, she doesn't know this part of the woods that well, I can't leave her alone out there."
The ranger nods and steps a little bit closer. "Alright, I know that you're worried about her, but this sorta thing happens a lot. I'm gonna help you to find her best I can. Can you give me a description? An' I heard you callin' out 'Midge', s'that right?"
You wipe at your damp eyes, nodding. "She's a border collie, black and white. She's 8 months but she's small for her age."
"Okay ma'am, do you remember when and where you last saw her? I'll radio my team and we'll be able to have more eyes and ears lookin' out for Midge okay?" His voice is low and authoritative but soft with it, and your tears soon stop as you're distracted by the way he goes straight into action.
"Back over the ridge near the fire pass, I think it was about two hours ago…" you tell him.
Frank unclips his radio from his belt and relays all the information, getting confirmation from a variety of voices shortly after.
"Okay, let's take a walk back that way huh? You got some treats or somethin' with you?"
You fall into step beside him, grasping the bag of mini bone biscuits from your pocket. "Yeah."
He smiles. "That's good. Those her favourite, huh?"
"Yeah. But she just loves any food really."
You pick a few out hoping that Midge might be able to smell them from wherever she is and her greedy stomach might lead her back to you.
Frank nods. "Is she alright with guys? I know some dogs don't like a man with a beard, can scare em sometimes."
You soon dismiss Frank's concern. "No not at all, actually she'd likely love you. I mean, our postman is quite a big guy and she's always happy to see him at the house. Though I guess he does bring treats for a lot of the dogs."
Frank smiles again and starts calling out for Midge as you come near to the spot where she ran off and you join him, shaking the bag of treats. He takes out a flashlight and starts a sweep. "Which way did she head, do you remember?" He asks.
You point down the slope in front of you and he starts making his way through the trees with you following behind and both calling. After a little while walking down the hill he holds up his hand in a signal to stop and you stay quiet. He listens and you strain your ears too, eventually hearing a distant whimper.
"Oh! Oh it's Midge!" You're suddenly sick with fear that she's seriously hurt and start running towards the sound, the thick branches scraping against your face and arms. Frank catches up to you quickly and urges you to slow down.
"Hey, hey! Watch yourself now, there's a ton of burrows and shit you could break your ankle in if you're not careful. Just hold back with me. It's alright, we'll get to her."
You reluctantly slow your pace as he's right after all, he does know these woods better than you and very soon he's crouching down at the roots of a big tree. As you round it you see little Midge on the ground whining and wagging her tail as she sees you. Her back paw is caught between two roots and she's clearly in some pain.
"Hey, hey Midgey, shhh it's okay, just stay nice and still." You try to calm her, holding her collar as Frank is extremely gentle as he carefully moves the roots to work her paw free and lift her up.
"There we go," he says as he holds her.
Both of you look the pup over for any other injuries before he radios that you'd found her to his colleagues. As you feel her ankle joint there's a little bruising but she doesn't seem to be in any great distress and when you hold out one of her treats she's more than eager to gobble it up.
"Oh Midge, it's alright baby, you're gonna be alright!" You stroke her soft fur in comfort, more for you, lifting your head to look at the ranger, your eyes shining slightly with tears. Just then Midge tilts her head up and licks Frank's face so sweetly and he cracks a smile. "Heh, that's a good sign."
You're so relieved and the rich sound of his laugh as Midge keeps on lavishing him with licks is infectious, making you chuckle too. It makes you feel so much better after all the worry.
"I can't thank you enough, Frank. I was so scared it would be so much worse!" You tell him as you all walk back to the park entrance.
"Hey no worries, it's all just part of the job." He replies as you reach the gate. It was almost completely dark now and the rain was starting to come down in a drizzly mist. "You local? Do you need a ride home?" He asks.
You glance down the road. It was only about a mile and a half walk away but you didn't want to risk Midge getting away from you again as she might manage to wriggle out of your arms on the road.
"Um, actually that would be really great if it wouldn't be too much trouble? We're not far."
"Not at all ma'am, best make sure this lil lady doesn't have another chance to get into trouble again, I know what they can be like!" He jibes, booping Midge gently on her nose which she licks afterwards.
When you reach the outside of your little lodge house after the short ride, you thank Frank again. In the light from the porch his dark eyes are twinkling as he bids you both goodnight.
"I'm sure she'll be back out and about in no time, just keep an eye out for those darn squirrels yeah?"
You laugh a little now that your worry is mostly over, and you notice how handsome he is as well as the kindness and trust that seemed to just emanate from him effortlessly, putting you at ease. "I certainly will! I'm so glad you found us, thank you. Once she's rested and recovered from her ordeal maybe we'll see you around?"
"Yeah, I sure hope so." He replies giving you a gorgeous smile as he gets back into his truck.
-
Frank is just signing off an email when he hears a familiar bark from outside the office. Lady, his own dog, responds with her own short huff, excited to see her playmate again.
It's been a couple of months since Midge's incident and maybe him carrying treats in his pocket might have had something to do with it, but she always ran up to the ranger station and let her arrival be known every time you walk her. And Frank sure as hell doesn't mind as it means he gets to see you.
It had started with polite, friendly waves and a big pet for Midge whenever you happened upon each other in the park. Then, you would frequently stop to chat to him, ask him about his day and he about yours, and then you had started to drop by after his shift finished so you could all go on a walk together. There was nothing Frank loved more than being in the outdoors, except now he got to share that with someone, and he found himself increasingly glad that it was you.
Frank always made you laugh with the way he would run around playing with Midge and Lady, even after a long day's work. You showed him the tricks you had been teaching your pup, and on your regular hikes you also started to learn more about each other. Frank started looking forward to the times he would see you, your easy and generous smile lighting up his world and maybe even pushing to broaden the boundaries of it, maybe let someone like you to become something more. It had been a long while since he thought he felt something more than friendship blossoming, and gradually opening up to you felt right.
Still, right now he was so damn nervous. He had been trying to work up the courage to ask you out for days and then he'd inevitably chicken out, but he promised himself he'd do it tonight. And even if you turned him down, there'd be no regrets.
"Hey big bear!" You say as you greet him. "Which route do you wanna take this evening Frankie? It's your turn to pick." You ask him as Frank steps out with Lady and locks up the office. He almost loses his nerve when he turns and sees your pretty face and your sweet voice calling his nickname caresses his ears.
"Uh, I was thinkin' up by the creek," he suggests as the four of you start walking up the trailhead. Frank scratches at the back of his shirt collar. "Can't remember if I mentioned before but our place is up that way."
You turn to look at him wide eyed after you throw the ball for the dogs as they run ahead. "It is? Wow, it's so gorgeous up there. You're so damn lucky Frank, a perfect job and an amazing commute!"
He can't help beaming back, you seemed to see the positive in almost everything, he guessed he was pretty lucky.
Okay, he decides, now is the time to do it. Just put it out there. Just ask. What's the worst that could happen?
He clears his throat. "Was wonderin' actually, if you'd… uh, maybe you might wanna-" He couldn't believe he was stuttering over such a simple question. Fuck, was it supposed to be this hard? Thankfully, you stepped in and saved both of you from any more of his awkwardness.
"Frank, are you inviting me to your place?" You ask.
The light rain that's falling makes the longer strands of his hair lie in curls against his forehead. He runs a hand through it pushing it back, nodding. "Yeah, I mean, no pressure or anything. Just, if you wanna maybe have a drink with… me?"
You smile at him again. "Yeah, I'd love to."
By the time you reached his lodge you were both slightly soaked by the autumn drizzle. Frank stacks up the wood burner as soon as he lets you in, giving you and the dogs a towel to dry off with as he gets the fire going.
Once you dry off your hair and the dogs, you look around his home in awe. It's so beautiful, hewn from trees from this very forest, nothing too big and grand, just perfectly cosy. He had a neat but well stocked kitchen area, with a solid oak table and chairs by the window. A set of natural carved steps led up to a mezzanine with shelves stacked with all sorts of books and what you assumed was his bedroom.
There were glazed double doors that opened out the back onto a wooden porch and the mossy lawn behind bordered by the trees. And beside the wood burning stove was a tired but comfy looking sofa with a massive thick rug in front of it where Frank gestured to you to make yourself at home.
You kick off your shoes and hang your coat up on a hook near the door beside his next to the dog leads, and settle on the couch.
"This is magic, Frank," you tell him as he opens the fridge taking out a couple of beers.
He shakes his head, dipping his face a little like he's embarrassed or something as he walks over and hands you a bottle. "It's alright. You hungry?" He asks.
"I'm alright just now, just thirsty!" You smile, clinking your bottle against his as he sits down across from you after placing a couple of logs onto the now steadily blazing pile of kindling.
"Did it come with the job?"
He shrugs, fingers stroking his thick beard. "Uh, kinda." He takes a swig of beer and smiles as he notices Lady bringing out one of her favourite toys and letting Midge play with it without a gripe.
"Heh, look at that. S'good they're gettin' on so well." He remarks, and you hum in agreement as you watch them play.
"Yeah, I'm so glad," You say as you turn your gaze back to him. "It means we can spend more time together."
The corners of Frank's mouth pull up just a little. "S'that so? Cos I've been thinking I'd like that." He admits, the nerves rapidly melting away.
You move just a little bit closer to him on the couch, turning your body to face his. "I know I'd like that…" you confess. As you put your beer down on the side table, your hand brushes his knee and you decide to leave it there. He gazes directly at you and you feel your body temperature rise but it's not because of the fire that's burning nearby...
His fingers lightly stroke over yours and when you look back up he's so focused on you, the brown of his eyes seems so deep and dark and soft you could get lost in them. He's searching your expression for permission.
"Can I kiss you?"
His voice melts like thick honey in your ears and you're leaning in with a whispered yes instantly, almost before he can get all the words out. He raises a hand to cup your face stroking his thumb softly over your cheek and you close your eyes as he slowly leans in and gently captures your lips with his own. He's so very tender but you can feel the control he possesses as you eagerly kiss him back, the captivating strength and power held in check only by a hair trigger. Your fingers thread through his beard, guiding him to you and right now he'll go wherever you want him. He thinks maybe he should stop, a gentleman would stop and let you take the lead, dictate the pace, but you already are.
Under the light tang of beer you taste sweeter than he could imagine as your tongue slips in so softly, so teasingly between his parted lips against his own and he can't help the low moan he lets out as you surprise him by shifting to climb into his lap.
You gently pull away for a second, and your words are laced with a barely concealed urgency that has him struggling against that fucking gentlemanly conscience he had just a minute ago.
"Tell me if this is too fast?" You probe, looking down at him, your pupils already blown out. You'd been waiting for this. You'd given him all the signals for a little while now, hoping he'd maybe feel the same, waiting for him to be ready.
Frank's eyes dart from yours, down to your mouth and back up again. "Don't feel too fast to me," his words almost vibrate through you with his low tone. "Just feels right."
He moves to kiss you again and it's bliss. His lips are so soft, as is his beard although slightly tickly against your skin. You sigh and smile making a contented sound and he shows you some more of that control, his hands running up the sides of your thighs to rest on your waist, just lightly holding you. He still lets you set the speed, what you want and you let him know as your fingers slide up the shirt covering his broad chest weaving into his hair. His kiss goes deeper as you move in his lap, slowly shifting forward, pressing your hips against his and he makes his reaction to that known with the sexiest noise you've heard him make so far. You want so desperately to hear more.
"Been goin' crazy over you, you know that sweetheart?" He reveals, as you both pull away momentarily, still just inches away from each other's mouths. Your breaths are shallow, you've not felt this excited in a long while.
"You think I haven't felt the same?" You smirk.
In the days after Midge's rescue and recovery, you had found yourself thinking about Frank a lot. About his kindness, competency, and yeah maybe sometimes about how handsome he is… still you never thought he'd take a second look at you, but now you had both arrived here, feeling Frank's fingers twitch against you desperate to touch and you eager for him to do so.
You urge him to continue to explore as your lips meet again, the sensation of his fingertips so tentatively sliding up under your sweater and chasing the goosebumps away as they glide over your bare skin. You nip teasingly at his lower lip and he rewards you with a small grunt before his tongue delves back deeper into your mouth as you move your core over the now obvious bulge in his pants. He trails hot kisses down the side of your neck, pulling at the neckline of your top and you peel it off so his lips can access more of you.
"You're so gorgeous darlin'," he speaks into your skin as he places every kiss with care and attention, his eyes flicking up to meet yours as he mouths around the swell of your breasts still held captive by your bra. You tug at the hem of his shirt, leaning back for a moment so he can move to take it off. Your hands are back on him instantly, tracing over his muscular torso, fingers excitedly running over every dip and rise, appreciating every rough line of his varied scars now bared to you. You're both almost panting for breath, and he's struck dumb as you claw at his belt buckle but he gently puts his hands over yours, halting them.
You glance up. "Oh, if you don't want to-"
Frank chuckles, bumping his nose against yours. "I do. God, I really do… I just need to make sure it's what you want."
You can't believe this guy, he's almost perfect. Frustratingly so.
"Frank, I really want you." You tell him in all lucidity.
He licks across his lips at your confirmation, making the damp spot in your panties grow as he lets his eyes rove over you.
"Well, I'm gonna take you to bed then. C'mon." He says as he encourages you to your feet and guides you up the stairs.
You shimmy off your pants and socks in between more fervent kisses before he lays you down on his bed, leaving his own on as he lifts your foot and starts kissing his way up the inside of your ankle and calf. You part your legs wider to make space for him and his broad shoulders, your heart rate increasing by bounds as you anticipate his next move.
"Mm, s'this okay sweetheart?" He checks in as he nears the juncture of your thighs, his beard brushing the sensitive skin there, "Can I take these off?" He adds, and you hum in the affirmative as his dark eyes meet yours and he smiles. "Been just dyin' to taste you..." You flush with heat at his purred confession and lift your hips as he hooks his fingers around the waistband so he can pull your underwear down. He kisses your mound softly when he returns, taking his time.
"Anytime you want me to stop," he says before lightly kissing your clit and you let out a shuddered breath. "You just tell me baby, okay?" You nod and moan out loud when he begins to lap his tongue right between your glistening folds. You know you'll never want him to stop.
Your body writhes as he continues with wide slow licks between your thighs, relaxing as it's clear he more than knows what he's doing. You whimper, jolting unexpectedly as he begins flicking the hardened tip of his tongue over your clit before softening it again and repeating, swirling, sucking and worshiping your almost steadily dripping cunt like it's a fountain in the desert. When your thighs press in bracketing his head at a particularly sensitive touch, he wraps his big paws around you, fingers greedily switching between kneading the soft flesh of your legs and cupping around your ass as he devours you.
The hair of his beard rubs against your skin and the sensation is addictive. You move your hips against his rhythm and he reaches up to take one of your hands that is currently fisting in the sheets to position it on his head, to make you grab his hair and show him exactly what you want.
You gasp as he very quickly and easily hits a pressure and tempo that has you arching your back right off the mattress. Frank groans as you guide him, squeezing your legs around him almost rutting against his face, moaning so deep into your pussy you can feel the vibrations go through you. And just like that every focused movement he makes brings you further pleasure, taking you higher and higher, and seeing and feeling your reaction just keeps him going.
"Attagirl," he praises, briefly raising his head to look at you. Your juices shine on his lips, spread all around his mouth and wetting some of his beard. The sight just makes him look even hotter to you.
"Frank- mmn! God that's so good, please don't stop…"
He would never, diving right back between your quivering thighs and working you up to and over the edge like it's his only purpose. He can't help himself, you're so fucking sexy like this he's almost humping the bed trying to ease the throbbing need that's barely contained in his jeans. He might have thought about you like this before, how you'd sound, how you'd look, but nothing has prepared him for the reality.
He groans long and low as you clamp your legs hard to his head, you're trying not to but you can't stop your hips from rising, can't help fucking yourself hard against his face, but he wants it, encouraging you until your orgasm explodes from within. The intensity shakes you from your very core, rippling through your body in multiple waves as Frank still holds you firmly to him, licking you through it devotedly as he ruts his own hips into the mattress with another sexy moan. He slows down as he feels your tight grip in his hair easing off, his now near-black eyes meeting yours as he pants and licks his lips.
"You okay there darlin'?" His question is sincere but you almost snort with laughter with how fucking good he's made you feel. He can't be real.
"I'm-" you giggle and throw your arm up over your face as you feel nothing but euphoria.
"god, I'm… yeah, yeah I'm okay! Oh… shit. Wow!"
He grins and wipes his face on the sheets before crawling up the bed to lie next to you, and you turn on your side to face him, drawing him into a kiss as you reach for his pants for a second time.
He catches your hands yet again, shaking his head apologetically. "Uh, it was kinda 'oh shit wow' f'me too y'know? It's… been a while."
It takes you a brain-melted second to get his meaning and then a satisfied smile spreads across your lips. "Frankie, you know that's hot, right?"
He laughs falling back on the sheets, a slight blush dusting his cheekbones. "Hmm I dunno bout that, kinda feel like a teenager again, but as long as you're satisfied for now darlin'."
"I think that'll keep me going for a long while!"
"Not too long though, yeah?" Frank turns his head to look your way and try to gauge your meaning, the faintest hint of concern in his tone. This wasn't a one time thing right? It didn't feel like it was.
The corners of your mouth hook upward yet again. "Definitely not too long." you assure him.
Your eyes track up to the large skylight in the roof above the bed as you catch your breath back, watching the moody, inky clouds gently rolling past.
"Must be a fantastic view of the stars when it's clear." You muse, still gazing up as you feel the warmth of Frank's hand slide over your stomach to hold you close to him in the afterglow.
He follows the line of your sight. "Yeah, it was a pain in the ass to install but worth it for sure."
You turn in his arms to face him. "You put that in yourself? Wow, that's something."
He gives a shrug. "Well I always planned for it when I built the place."
You're incredulous. "What? You built this place?!"
Frank just chuckles, smoothing a couple of stray strands of hair out of your face.
"Yeah, haven't always been a ranger. Used to do logging, bit of carpentry. Just thought how hard can it be? Had the idea in my head for a good long while before I had the means and the land to make it happen."
"Frank Castle… I'm officially stunned. That's incredible!" He has the audacity to shrug again like it's nothing and then laughs out loud as he watches your brows draw together.
"Hey, I'm serious! That kinda skill, that's rare. And, I guess it explains this…" you run your fingers over his large biceps, giving them a quick squeeze before smoothing them over his chest.
He hums. "Yeah, only some of it, have to thank the gym for the rest."
You grin as he pushes up on an elbow, leaning his head on his hand as he traces slightly ticklish patterns over your skin as he regards you as if you're a goddess.
"And what about all this darlin'? What about you? You're somethin' special."
You shake your head but he's determined to make his feelings known to you.
"M'serious. Y'know I was totally shittin' it thinking about askin' you here, askin' you out? Was too damn scared you might not say yes."
You can't imagine Frank being scared of much, and you don't know how you could ever say no. Even before the sex.
"Well, I did say yes," you point out as you lean over to kiss him. He still tastes of you and the memory of the intimacy you'd shared is fresh in your mind. "...and I'm really glad that I did."
"Hm, well I better give the dogs their dinners," Frank muses as he strokes at your side, "and make ours too I guess..." he adds with a smile as your stomach chooses that moment to grumble loudly.
"Oh, yeah, I didn't think I was that hungry until you mentioned dinner!"
Frank grins as he pushes himself up, grabbing a couple of clean towels from the cupboard near the bed. "Alright, m'gonna clean up real quick and make us somethin'. If you wanna have a long shower while I cook you go right on ahead darlin', there's plenty of hot water."
You smile as you stretch out under his ridiculously comfortable covers, watching his gorgeous ass disappearing into the bathroom as you call after him. "I'm loving the sound of that idea!"
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angeart · 6 months
Note
Y'know I had just added the 🎀 because I was asking about the ribbon and I wanted you to know it was the same person on the follow up ask xD but I also went :o irl at being called ribbon anon!
I saw you had tagged the bonus rambles about the mimic's name! I have been dying to ask that too! but you also mentioned follow up rambles so I figured we'd learn it then?
Noooo what happened to Scar's vex wings?? D: Also how do Scar's vex wings work in general? are they out all the time like Grian's or can he magic them away??
-🎀
naah, you have to keep it now! you’re officially the ribbon anon! it’s yours! :3c accept your fate <3
as for the bit about the mimic’s name… i think i’ll make a separate post about that a little bit later (either later today or tomorrow). it’s not going to be a part of the Main Big Mimic Arc Rambles, because it’s something me and link figured out sort of on the side, later. but i’m happy to tell you about it, so keep an eye out for that one!
scar’s vex wings are magic, and he mostly has them hidden away. i asked link to tell us all more about how that works, so if you’re interested, go check it out on their blog! >> link to the post here << 
but yes yess let me tell you about what happened to scar's wings! and what better way to tell you than through an unnecessarily long storytime. tucking it under the cut <3
so. you know how i mentioned that they meet by hunters pouncing on grian, and grian getting hurt? mmh. we start with grian in pain, hungry and dehydrated to the point of lightheadedness, and exhausted from lack of sleep as well as a pretty significant bloodloss. basically, he’s out of commission, and it’s up to scar to take care of him and desperately try to keep him alive on zero supplies.
they make their way to a crevice in a ravine that leads into a cave. (in between this and that, there were tears and panic and desperation. and kisses. shh.)(and of course, the ribbon.) 
i think this cave is very fun, so i’ll yoink two snippets from the rp, one from scar’s pov (link) and one from grian’s (me), so you can get into this pretty atmosphere too <3 
-- SCAR POV snippet:
His best way of describing the place would be this nightmare server’s best attempt at a lush cave, Scar thinks somewhat bitterly.
And a rather sad attempt at that.
There’s greenery, which is shocking enough given how almost everything they’ve seen has been dead or dying. It’s mostly moss, a few sparse patches of grass, and a leafy substance that sticks to the walls, littered with thorns. 
Vines stretch down from the ceiling, but they’re not bright and colorful like glow berry vines back home. They do glow, but it’s only a faint illumination, somehow still managing to be grey and drab. And it’s not the fruit that glows either, but rather the vine itself, almost pulsating. Almost breathing. 
It makes Scar uneasy, but not immediately threatened. And unfortunately that’ll have to do.
There is fruit on the vines, for what it’s worth, but they’re bruised and darkened. Questionable at best. Scar doesn’t like their chances.
What matters, however, is the water. 
There’s a small pond in the center of the cave with water pooling into it slowly from one of the walls. 
It’s not the cleanest source of water given the dirty moss and dying roots that crawl along the shore, spreading their way underwater in various places and tinting the surface green, but they’re hardly in a position to be picky. 
(It’s likely better than the river from before, surrounded in mud and grime and later death.)
Right now a place like this may as well be paradise.
“Home sweet home?” Scar offers jokingly, though timidness seeps into his tone. He really hopes it can be, at least long enough for them to get back on their feet.
-- GRIAN POV snippet:
It’s the rhythm trailing off and stopping, that finally forces Grian to crack his eyes open. He blinks, chasing the blur away, trying to take in their new surroundings: the moss coats walls and ground in stray patches, lending them some colour in a place that’s otherwise drab and grim; the pond in the center glitters faintly, murky water reflecting murky light; the growth clinging to the stone walls and hanging from the ceiling looks wholly unhealthy, slick and sick, mushy, rotting, held together only in places. The vines seem to be breathing, swaying the gentlest bit even though Grian can’t feel a breeze; a calm but wholly unsettling pulse of light fades and brightens in time with their miniscule motion, always veering on not-enough, casting them in various shades of dimness. 
Just like anything else here, this cave looks wretched and like nothing he is familiar with. 
And yet Scat tacks a joking phrase on it, like plonking down a cheesy mat that says Welcome in cursive, deliberately and triumphantly placed in front of a building that’s entirely falling apart. There’s no salvaging this, but Grian chuckles quietly anyway, and with a wry curl of his lips, he echoes back, words hollow and barely touched by misplaced amusement: “Home sweet home.”
And it just might be—or the closest thing they can achieve to it right now. It’s dark and damp and unpleasant, the air a bit stale and the walls oozing icy chill, but it’s shielded and hidden, quiet, sheltered from the wind and the rain, with a pooled source of water perfectly within reach. It’s more than they expected. More than they could’ve hoped for.
----
now that you can imagine the absolute beauty of this place, for no reason at all but to indulge me, we can continue!
scar carefully sets grian down by the wall to rest. grian lies down in the only way he knows to be safe: with his dishevelled wings tucked tightly against a wall, feathers as much out of sight as he can manage, despite the horrible discomfort of it. and scar leaves to try and gather some supplies, leaving behind a promise that he won’t stray too far, won’t get out of sight.
he manages to put together enough things to light a fire, while grian dozes off into an exhausted, shivery sleep. with the fire lit next to the avian, scar moves away again, even as fatigue drags at him and begs him to stay, to rest. because this is all on him now: he needs to provide, he needs to protect, he needs to make sure they stay alive. (and it terrifies him, because he doesn’t have the best track record of staying alive, back on hermitcraft—) and for that, they need more supplies.
so he ventures back into the cave, searching. pawing at the stone. digging. trying so, so very hard to get something out of it all. using his wings to aid his aching legs. they provide dim, pale blue  light, which also helps as he moves further and further away from the fire. 
he makes sure to constantly look back, anxiously checking the area surrounding the fire, making sure nothing’s approaching grian, who’s wounded and asleep and completely defenceless.
scar does not pay nearly as much attention to his own surroundings.
that’s when it happens.
the crackling of the fire almost completely swallows up the familiar warning hiss of a creeper.
scar whirls around, eyes wide, catching a sight of a creeper that’s all wrong—distorted and decaying, overgrown with vines and fungus, with haunting empty voids for eyes—before it sets off and explodes.
all scar can do is fling his wings forwards in a desperate attempt to shield himself with them.
this is what tears his wings to tatters. (you can see their state on some of link’s art - like the hhau scar design/reference sheet)
scar skids on the hard ground, thrown by the force of the explosion, wings wrapped around him protectively. immediately after the cave falls quiet and dark again, his wings fade, too, and— he’s disoriented and breathless and in pain, and the explosion woke grian up—an awakening pitch straight into confused, searing panic—and scar doesn’t really get much of a chance to process what’s happened and how much damage there is. in fact, he doesn’t check his wings for a very long time. (he knows they’re damaged.) (he doesn’t want to see—doesn’t want to feel it.)
so it’s a while before scar gets to understand just how damaged his wings are.
and it’s even longer before grian sees.
<3
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alrightbuckaroo · 9 months
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Thanks for the tags @jesuisici33, @strandnreyes, and @reyesstrand!
Rules: Share what you wrote this year! It can be works you posted to Ao3, Wattpad, Tumblr, or anywhere else! You can share everything you wrote or just the ones you're most excited about.
Bear with me, this is a long one, most are listed under the cut
January
wedding bell blues
“I mean, how do we even bring it up?” Marjan asks, eyebrows furrowed. “Hey, sorry your engagement fell apart, by the way we brought Catan.” She shrugs. “Seems a little less than empathetic.”
leave all your worries on the dance floor
“Oh my god,” TK’s eyes widen. “Do I have two left feet?”
Carlos smiles sympathetically, “Baby, I thought you knew.”
you go your way I'll go your way too
“You sure you don’t want anything else to eat?” TK looks down at the bottle of water in Carlos’ hand. Carlos is sitting across from him, they’re in the sleeping quarters away of the firehouse away from everyone. Carlos hasn’t stopped thinking about it; he’s barely thinking about anything else right now. It’s at the forefront of his mind, begging to be let out. “Yeah, I’m fine, I already ate.” He doesn’t realize his slip up until he sees TK set his bag of chips down. “So you weren’t here for lunch.” TK’s using the voice he uses when he’s not mad, just confused.
February
we’re a match, in every way that matters
Carlos and TK are made for each other; they always kind of have been. Even if they didn't realize it at first.
when you wake up in the morning and think you have nothing; remember this.
TK wakes up and Carlos isn't there; he doesn't know how he's lived like this before.
here comes a feeling you thought you'd forgotten
Carlos had spent years suppressing the feeling he never had a name for. Then he met TK Strand.
your love is sweet like sugar
TK wakes up to Carlos making breakfast. It's his first time waking up in Carlos' apartment, but he hopes it's not the last.
what is a promise if not your hand in mine?
TK might not wake up, and Carlos can’t even hold his hand. TK might not wake up, and all Carlos wants to do is hold his hand.
a shoulder to sigh on
Carlos has always carried it well; but that doesn't mean he has to carry it alone.
March
the music stopped but we went on dancing
Carlos has waited and waited for a day like today; but of course, something had to go oh so wrong.
you can count on me; i'll be there
Carlos is dealing with the stress of trying to become detective; TK becomes his biggest cheerleader any way that he can.
will you bee mine?
Carlos is teaching his third grade class when he gets stung by a bee; now it seems he has no choice but to finally visit the new school nurse, TK Strand.
some like it hot
TK is determined to win the fifth annual chili cook-off; the only person standing in his way is his long-time culinary rival, Carlos Reyes.
you drive me wild
TK has to ask Carlos if he can borrow the thing most precious to him. His car.
our love’s a protective poison
Gwyneth Morgan loves her son; that is an uncontested fact. Tyler Kennedy Stand is his father’s son; that is also, an uncontested fact. Gwyn loves her son, even though he has a tendency to act just like his father. Gwyn loves her son, even when he has a tendency to act just like his father.
i love you; i want us both to eat well
“How do you tell someone you love that they’re not good at something?” Carlos asks Nancy and Mateo. “I don’t know,” Mateo shrugs. “Nancy’s good at everything.” “Aw,” Nancy croons. “Babe, you’re so good at telling the truth.”
April
you've made so very happy
TK stabs his fork into a leafy green. “That was my friend, Cash. We’re having our high school reunion next month and one of the planning committee members dropped out last minute. He asked if I could fill in.” “You’re going to your high school reunion?” Marjan asks, wiping her fingers on her napkin. “You have a friend named Cash?” Paul is quick to follow up, both clearly focused on different things.
home is wherever i'm with you
Carlos says, “I love you” in so many different ways, and TK loves each and every one of them.
when life gives the lemons
Carlos starts, "So, I was in the neighborhood." TK’s eyebrows furrow, confused by what his husband is doing. “Carlos we’re married, we live together, this is our neighborhood. Why wouldn't you be here?” “Just go with it, babe.” Carlos says through a tired smile or TK is helping Jonah sell lemonade during a hot summer day. They're not having any luck with customers until Carlos decides to walk by.
this side of paradise
“It’s just, it’s our honeymoon.” Carlos explains. “Oh,” He can hear Grace perk up on the other end. “Where did you two decide to go? Cancun, Bali, Tuscany?” Grace draws out the y of Tuscany, hoping that’ll be the answer. “That’s the thing,” Carlos admits, “We haven’t.” “Oh.” He can hear Grace slightly deflate on the other end.
all my blood for the sweetness of his laugh
TK laughs and it sounds genuine and true. Carlos can’t help but smile, he feels like the sun has cracked open inside him. He feels a warmth inside himself that’s hot to the touch.
hooked on you
“Nancy,” Nancy looks up at the call of her name. TK is standing in front of her, both hands on his hips. Nancy releases a thin sigh. “Oh no.” Nancy knows what that pose means. TK’s upset. After finishing off the last sip of her coffee, Nancy asks. “What’s wrong?” “I’m upset.” TK announces as he takes space in the empty seat next to her.
May
i'd wait a million years for you
If you had told TK Strand that he would be marrying the love of his life in a place like Austin, Texas, he would have looked at you like you’d grown a second head. If you had told him that he would propose in the middle of the night, bed head and all, he would laugh and ask you, “Who do you think I am?”
June
anger has told me her real name is grief
Carlos is letting his grief manifest into anger; no matter how much he doesn't want it to.
a little taste of love
TK Strand, a florist working for the renowned flower shop, Bloom With a View, can't take his eyes off of Carlos Reyes, a baker working at Cake My Day, the bakery across the street.
July
as cute as a button
Andrea is taking TK down memory lane and they come across a koala named Kique, who happens to be missing one button eye.
we're a batch made in heaven
Carlos misses TK; so he does what he always does. Makes cookies.
August
all's fair in love and lizards
Love comes in many shapes and forms; and sometimes, that form is a stuffed novelty toy at a carnival game
summer slipped us underneath her tongue
TK Strand is a freshly heartbroken art history student who's been given the opportunity of a lifetime; studying art in the heart of it all, Paris, France. However, he thinks it's a cruel taunt from the universe. He's studying what he loves so much in the city of love but is stuck thinking there's no one out there who loves him. Carlos Reyes is a career driven culinary student studying at Le Cordon Bleu. He has hard time maintaining relationships, an even harder time of detaching himself from his work and and has an awful habit of doubting everything about himself. After a night out that they end up sharing with each other; they agree to keep any and all things casual. Well, like most things, that's easier said than done.
November
29 Going on 30
During a trip to New York City to celebrate TK turning 30, TK and Carlos stumble upon a list of things TK always wanted to do before he turned 30, all of them being references to romantic comedies he loved so much growing up. While TK is fine with leaving the past in the past, Carlos thinks there's no better time than the present. He thinks that TK deserves to feel the same type of love he loved watching on the silver screen, so he devotes the rest of their trip to just that. Told through a tale filled with everlasting love, a never-ending trek across New York City and the occasional painful reminder of the past, Carlos learns a little more about the city TK once called home and TK learns a little more about himself.
December
it was love at first sight
Carlos thinks love at first sight is nonsensical. Then he locks eyes with TK Strand.
the moment my heart fell
Carlos has never been more in love and it scares him. Each and every day, Carlos finds himself falling that much harder and he’s worried that one day he’ll reach the ground and never know how to get up again.
my world deeply stained by the color of you
Everything's vibrant, sparkling as if it's the debut of a color TK's never seen before. Pale grey doesn't cast over everything the way it used to and TK's afraid to close his eyes at the risk of never seeing the world's colors this way ever again.
no pressure tagging: @carlos-in-glasses, @lemonlyman-dotcom, @heartstringsduet, @freneticfloetry, @lightningboltreader, @orchidscript, @three-drink-amy, @bonheur-cafe, @ambiguouspenny, @never-blooms, @theghostofashton, @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut, @sanjuwrites, @wandering-night19, @thisbuildinghasfeelings, @rmd-writes , @welcometololaland and open tag to anyone who wants to share :)
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ceratatata · 7 months
Text
What a Handful of Wonders
Tags: narinder, the lamb, the bishops, introspection, fucked-up family dynamics, dysfunctional family, slight angst
Word Count: 2k
Summary: The Bishops reminisce on their wildest brother during their battles with the Lamb, plus a bonus Lamb POV
As a child Narinder was warm.
So very warm, Shamura almost couldn’t believe their many eyes when they carefully curled their palm around the kitten's tiny claws.
Three bright eyes stared up at them. Three pure, innocent eyes the colour of coal, of trees in the Darkwoods, of burnt food created by Heket no matter how careful the girl was.
Shamura named him Narinder: a name of soft syllables owed to his soft fur, tail and paws. His claws were dull, unable to cause nary a scrape no matter how the little one tried. 
Shamura couldn't believe how gentle he was, playing with Leshy as boys oft to do. Stick sword fights, picking bugs and showing their prizes as the young often do. They danced in the mud and sang the songs the creatures of the lands taught them. More than once did Narinder convince both Shamura and Heket to join in their trysts, and what wild evenings those had been.
Leshy and Heket loved Narinder, and admittedly, Shamura did too.
How could they not? When Narinder brought them flowers the colour of his blood, weaves of grasses as green as the leaves blooming around them in the shape of baskets and shapes vaguely resembling their little family. How could Shamura look Narinder in the eye, and believe themselves able to forsake him? Shamura could not, they refused to see him anything other than their brother, their sweet, innocent baby brother. Narinder had a sparkle to his eyes, as well to his voice. It shined in others’ eyes and they would become just as enchanted as Shamura, they knew it.
Heket was unsure of the child, when Shamura brought him to their dilapidated home. The villagers had long left the houses surrounding their small village vacant in fear of them. Of their mutated appearances and harsh tongues. It had only been them for so long, Heket was reluctant.
Perhaps Heket was right. Right about throwing Narinder to the brush, leaving him to eventually die in the mud he so dearly loved to roll in. 
Shamura hated the thought, but they couldn't help but think Heket was right.
Their sister was always right. 
Five becomes four becomes three becomes two becomes one becomes nothing-
Heket was always right when it came to creatures of intention.
As Shamura’s thoughts melt to snow melt to water melt to vapour, Shamura grieves their oldest, youngest brother, second eldest sibling, watching as that damnable lamb strikes at their eyes.
Heket was right: Narinder would be the end of them. 
And yet…
Shamura can’t help but hope to see him at the gates of hell.
Leshy had never liked Narinder.
He was older than him, and much, much bigger. Even when their eldest sibling had found Leshy in the shrubbery, when Narinder was skin and bones starving in the lands of the oldest faith with Heket and Shamura, he was intimidating.
Perhaps it was because he was scared. Leshy had always been scared of the creatures wandering the forests. Not as much as their brother Kallamar, but enough to hide behind Shamura’s cloak as they carefully picked up the exhausted boy's frame.
Narinder had looked Leshy in the eye with his three, empty pupils and Leshy had felt a foreboding cross his blood, chilling it. There was a vacant mess behind those curious eyes, and Leshy could feel it pulling him in, threatening to swallow him whole within a single move.
Leshy was afraid of Narinder, but Shamura wanted them to get along, to be brothers, so Leshy did.
And Leshy grew to stop stuttering around Narinder. To not feel the need to hide behind his leafy hair. To trust him and follow him to the end of the world.
Leshy grew bold, eccentric; confident. No more did he stalk the brush claimed to be his own, no longer did he cower at the glares of the creatures he ruled over. Narinder encouraged him, goaded him. 
For that, Leshy owed his brother the last sliver of distrust, and finally did Leshy love him fully. 
It had been Shamura’s idea to lock Leshy’s brother away, to chain him with the might of all four together at once. Leshy had never wanted to throw his brother away, to jail him with only his two sons by his side for eternity. 
—At least, Leshy believes them to be his brother's sons. He was never truly sure, but the similarities were undeniable. Leshy had loved Aym and Baal ever since Narinder had brought their tiny forms to them, yet to grow to their full size, their tummies empty as Narinder’s was so long ago.
Leshy loved them, and they loved Leshy.
And it was no one's business than Leshy and his nephews’ if they had visited him one last time, minutes before Narinder’s Lamb came to take his life to say goodbye.
Heket hated that scruffy three eyed cat from the moment she set her eyes on his small, lanky form.
Heket knew he was important. It was a feeling she got every time he was around, every time he gave her family those passive looks only reserved for their followers. For those beneath them only appeased for them to continue their hard work. He was cold, and distant. He was only ever loving to Shamura, and even then to Heket’s eyes it seemed shallow.
The other three seemed not to notice. Leshy fell in love with him within years, and Narinder relished in it. Shamura was always wrapped around his sharply clawed paw, they had always been ever since they found him. 
Even Kallamar, sweet, anxious Kallamar had warmed up to him, too. 
Heket hated Narinder’s callous charm. Hated the light in Narinder’s eyes when Shamura looked at him with praise on their lips, when Kallamar gave him a riddle to solve or Leshy sat with him in silence as they scribed doctrines and sermons. Hated how his gaze would remain stiff as stone, even as their followers were slaughtered mercilessly for this or that, even during sacrifices even Heket would be queasy watching.
Narinder tried to give Heket his wrong, despicable, distant affection, but she never let him.
Never.
Heket graciously allowed him to win a few times, cooking with him, settling to write doctrines and scripture–but nothing else. And still yet, he watched her every move with wide eager eyes, ready to learn anything Heket offhandedly imparted to him, completing every order Heket barked at him. 
Narinder, in his own way, tried his best to love her. Them. This family they’ve come to form. And Heket… she saw that, despite her dislike of him.
But that acceptance of him to her family came too late. Far, far too late.
Heket worries she warmed up to him too late. She had always been cruel. Argumentative and dismissive. Perhaps… perhaps if she had been nicer, if she would have been less cold. More loving, more willing… he wouldn't have left them. Wouldn't have left her, even when she tried too late. 
Narinder wouldn't have scorned them by rejecting their love. They wouldn't have had to trap him for the rest of his lonely life. 
…Kallamar cried the most when they leashed him and his children. Narinder’s sons came with blades and fire, tears in their eyes as they screamed and fought for their father’s freedom. 
The kits had cried with Kallamar, not even passed their tenth year,and they sobbed in sorrow for their lost freedom, lacerations and bruises maring their patchy, burnt fur. They cried with Kallamar until nothing was left, not even their anger.
For the fate that Heket and her siblings commanded upon their father, they cried
Heket had hurt them, to protect them; and they cried. 
Heket had stolen them from their mother when they were too young to understand or remember her, and for that harrowing understanding… they cried.
Away from the judgemental, scornful eyes of their “Father”
Narinder never knew. Aym and Baal claimed to fight for Narinder’s freedom, serving him as their master and not as their father, returning to him defeated and suppressed with injury after injury; Narinder never thought of Heket the same, she was sure. Especially as it was her hand that sent her Nephews back bleeding and hollow.
If Narinder had any thought about her, he would have hated her the most for destroying his life from the very start.
…Heket thinks perhaps turning on the children and directing her brother's hate from them for their failure to her, was for the best. 
Kallamar loved his brother. He really did.
But Narinder had always been off his rocker.
Kallamar knew Narinder was different. He could see it. 
It was in  the way Narinder’s third eye was open, how Narinder’s ears were always perked, listening for anything and everything.
How Narinder’s smile seemed so soft and warm to everyone on the surface but was so shallow it was surprising no one had ever noticed. 
Narinder had charmed everyone, but Kallamar doesn't think it was for evil intentions.
Kallamar believed Narinder never wanted to hurt them. But maybe he did? No, no he didn't start out with that. 
Kallamar believed- no, knew-  that Narinder perceived love and empathy differently than them.
Narinder loves the way a flower loves: from afar, barely there and it sways in the wind even when its leaves fall off. He loves time spent together, not with gifts. He loves the way a wild animal loves: with harsh shouts, growls and manipulative crying. He’s cruel, but cruel for the betterment of themselves, and Kallamar has no clue if that was ever a good thing or not; perhaps it was, perhaps it wasn’t. Perhaps Kallamar just grew a spine not because of Narinder’s harsh temperament, but instead, in spite of it. It’s not much of one, but Heket always told him he’s less snivelly than when he was new. 
Kallamar could never begin to understand him, and maybe that's what makes Kallamar’s skin crawl, deep down: and it’s ironic, for in the end It was for nothing. All of that trying to understand and tolerating younger brother’s rough exterior, Kallamar’s surface level attempts to not be afraid: Narinder deafened him, though it never affected him much, and thus he was chained to be alone forever guarded by his sons. 
…Kallamar doesn't know what to think about Narinder other than he has good taste.
That wretched Lamb served his brother well, Kallamar muses as his sludge-like blood trackles from the many wounds carved into his skin, even as its perfection succinctly ended his life. 
At least that damned creature made his passing quick.
The Lamb stood by the crowns, softly; quietly. 
They could sense emotion wafting from them. Memories, almost. Within their resting places, the crowns mourned for their bearers in the secluded alcove far from the cult lands.
How, the Lamb didn’t know. 
Smoothing a hand down the side of their own crown atop their brow, the Lamb wonders if one day, when they either pass or are overthrown by one of their own, if their memories and remains will wisp through their own crown. 
Leshy’s timid love, Heket’s hatred. Kallamar’s suspicion.
Shamura’s absolute and unconditional adoration. 
The Lamb wondered what Narinder did to deserve the mixed swirl of conflicting emotions. The cat wasn’t kind enough nor worthy enough of the encompassing trust Shamura’s crown gave. But he didn’t deserve the harsh clashing hatred of Heket’s either. The Lamb understands Kallamar’s worry and Leshy’s reluctance, but the Lamb can’t help but wonder exactly what the cat had done to warrant it all. 
Narinder wasn’t a saint, but he wasn’t a horrible person, either.
The Lamb laughs to themself. Not horrible is being nice, if they’re completely honest with themself.
Narinder has done some horrible things; turning on his family, discarding his followers. Betraying his only true follower. Narinder had tried to kill him, take back the power he gave the Lamb, and even as unsuccessful he was he continued to scorn the one who gave him life again;
But he wasn't a horrible person.
But he had you kill us, Kallamar’s crown whispers, filled with sorrow and regret. The Crown speaks no words, and yet the Lamb can’t help their head swivelling over to the cyan eye watching their every move where it's nestled amongst the dried and dead coral and seagrass. He used you to get to us. 
The Lamb turns their head towards where Narinder sat sorting berries given to him by one of the cult children as a safe-travel snack. Narinder was always picky with his food, nothing could touch, nor could it be in separate plates, much to the Lamb’s chagrin.
Narinder truly was a fussy one to feed.
He did, the Lamb whispers back, levelling their gaze back to the cyan eye; The Lamb watches as its pupil flickers, before the eye slowly creeps closed once more, joining its brethren in slumber. 
He did, but was that really his fault? 
The crowns lay silent, dormant, and the Lamb walks away. 
Leaving the crowns to their eternal solitude to rejoin their family, they smile fondly as Narinder hisses when he notices their approach.
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