#the return of the ever present breakfast tray

[liones-s]

a little peace on a Saturday morning

[satoriberry]

Higuruma Hiromi is a cat.

No. That's not the correct verb.

Higuruma Hiromi behaves like a cat. Occasionally. Well, it only happened once.

Higuruma Hiromi, a man who lives up to the reputation he doesn't even know he created for himself a while back, never ceased to amaze you. He amazed you a first time when he correctly guessed your favourite skittle without even knowing your name ("You have the face of someone who would enjoy grape skittles.").

He amazed you a second time when he technically won a case and managed to score his client a one-month house arrest instead of a decade in jail after proving her innonence with nothing but tax return receipts as his golden piece of evidence. He amazed you a third time when you watched him ride a mechanical bull and manage to stay still as a statue the whole ride - not even whobbling when he got off.

A few dozen (read: hundred) more shocks and synonyms of the word "wow" later, you found yourself cohabiting a cozy apartment with him, one that conveniently allowed him to dodge public transport and bask in the crisp morning air on his way to his firm, then lackadaisically gaze at the moon on the way back. Nevertheless, Hiromi didn't find himself any more chipper or excited about going to slave in an office than he was before.

It had been a while since Higuruma has done something major that made you ogle him with a mixture of fear and wonder, ergo, amazed you. It had been a while since he's wowed you, but that didn't make you love him any less. It may actually be quite the opposite: ever since you made the mutual decision of living together, you believe you've become even more charmed by the man. His painfully bland yet charged lifestyle was practically the whole reason behind you sighing dramatically with heart eyes whenever someone mentioned the first two syllables of his name.

However, Hiromi managed to update the surprise score you had in your brain just for him, and, for the first time in a while, made you wonder what exactly was he made of.

9:56 AM.

You stood in the kitchen, palms on the marble counter's edge and eyes drooping every few seconds as you tried to resist the urge to sleep, and the only noises that kept you somewhat awake came from the chirping of birds outside your balcony doors, the typical Saturday traffic and the faint sizzle produced by the waffle maker you had plugged in.

You chose to skip some sleep, that was now starting to sound much more appealing than it did previously, and cook up an elaborate breakfast to avoid the avocado toast and coffee combo you and him have been having out of convenience for the past 10 days or so. You were waiting for the waffles to be done so you could move on to the other food items.

You reached for the egg tray and held one in either hand, contemplating the cook that you were going to go for, then horror struck as you heard your shared bedroom door creak, followed by the sound of irregular footsteps against the wooden tiles. He was already up. Feeling a bit betrayed and looking visibly deflated, you replaced the eggs on the tray and went back to staring at the red light that indicated that the waffles were still cooking.

The footsteps became louder as Hiromi approached your figure, rubbing his eyes with the ends of his palms, completely mute aside from the "ouch" he let out after bumping the island.

"Morning sleepyhead," you greeted him with similar fatigue in your grin, enjoying the sight of him manouevring rather terribly. You didn't move, awaiting the back-to-chest embrace he made a habit of offering you every time the occasion presented itself. However, you didn't get one. You didn't feel two warms arms wrap around your midriff, nor did you feel a jaw being placed on one of your shoulders.

You simply felt a nudge on your neck. More correctly, you felt a series of nudges, pokes and nuzzling motions on the side of your neck, accompanied by his bedhair scratching your ear multiple times. You additionally felt him rub his boney cheek against your shoulder's exposed skin, uncovered by the baggy shirt you had on.

He was rubbing his face against you. Like a cat.

You were certain of that due to the familiar bump of his hooked nose jabbing you gently, and rubbing along the expanse of your neck in a vertical motion. All this with his eyes glued shut despite wiping the life out of them a few moments ago.

You breathlessly giggled at the ridiculousness of....whatever this was. "Hiromi, don't take this the wrong way but, what on Earth are you doing?"

He made a bizarre grunt, but no words came out of his mouth. He contently kept tilting and pushing his face into your shoulder, his body stiff and arms dead on either side. A few times, you felt him push the top of his head in the junction between your shoulder and neck, as if he was spreading his atoms all over you. The feeling of his somewhat spikey morning hair made you emit a perplexed chuckle.

After what felt like a century, he switched gears and began peppering light kisses that started at the cap of your shoulder and made a trail to behind your ear, where he placed a final peck before patting your head and making to the bathroom, croakily mumbling, "Morning angel."

Just as you were doing before, you stood in the kitchen silently, body still and palms on the countertop's edge. Yet contrary to earlier, you were gobsmacked, absolutely lost as to what the fuck your will-be husband just did. Your eyes didn't leave the spice rack that was in direct line with your vision, and your jaw was still floored by the feline assault you just went through. It wasn't until the waffle maker's light switched to green with a clicking sound that you snapped out of your shock-induced stupeur, and began moving again.

Scratching your head in a cartoony manner, you walked to the bathroom whose door was completely ajar and showed that Hiromi was almost over with his morning routine, splashing water on his face to rinse off the ridiculously priced cleanser you persauded forced him to get.

Grabbing a towel from the rack, he patted his face dry a couple times before looking up at you with a mocking grin plastered on his features. Throwing the towel away haphazardly, he placed a callous palm on your shoulder and planted a brief kiss on your forehead, then proceeded to let you know just how good whatever it is that you're cooking up smelled, before heading off, leaving you a second time with no answer to your question.

Higuruma Hiromi was a man with a myriad of tricks up his sleeves, but waltzing up to you and acting like a needy cat wasn't something you could have predicated.

[fieldofdaisiies]

𝙱𝚒𝚛𝚝𝚑𝚍𝚊𝚢 - 𝚁𝚞𝚑𝚗 𝚡 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛

happy birthday, love @callmeblaire. I really hope you enjoy these Ruhn Birthday headcanons. you are amazing and wonderful, don't ever forget this, love youuuu💛💛💛

Ruhn and you will obviously sleep in, and then he lets you sleep a little longer so he can make breakfast for you

thanks to magic, every dish will stay warm or cold (depending on the food and drink it is) while he wakes you up with soft kisses, his hoarse morning voice making chills erupt on your body "Good morning, my beautiful mate!"

and it is Ruhn we are talking about, so his first target on this day, on your special day, is to worship you

he will kiss every inch of your body, devour and worship you to the fullest, making it all about your pleasure

when finally fully sated, your hair a mess, your limbs still slightly spasming, and your breathing ragged, he will tuck you to his chest, and lift the tray with the breakfast onto his lap so you can devour the food

he brought everything you love, every dish and food you like: strawberries, oreos, chocolate cake, slices of watermelon, and so on and on

while you eat, Ruhn will tell you everything about the day he has planned for you, but obviously he will keep some things a secret

after breakfast your mate will offer to massage your feet, his hands working wonders on you

later you will shower together, taking your time as nothing is rushing you, then you get ready for the day ahead

he helps you put on your favourite dress, which you then should pair with the new shoes he got you for your birthday

while getting ready you share a lot of kisses and a lot of I love yous

the whole house is decorated and your eyes widen and fill with tears when you take it all in

Ithan, Decaln and Flynn don't waste a second to jump out of their hiding spots, cheering and chanting happy birthday, before all come up to you and give you the biggest hug

a party for your birthday is planned for the weekend, but that does not stop them for giving you their presents already and you open them, tears brimming your eyes as you look at all the lovely things they gifted you

the rest of the day is reserved for Ruhn and you

you are heading out, to start the day Ruhn has planned for you

it starts with a walk through Lunathian, where you do a little window shopping, stop for a coffee and a piece of cake in a lovely, little shop

you also do a little bit of shopping, because the starborn prince loves to spoil you

as you walk, you and Ruhn will just chat about everything and anything, his hand holding yours tightly

and well, since it is October, an ice skating place in Lunathion has already opened and you and Ruhn will obviously ice skate nearly the whole morning until lunch

for lunch you are doing a little picnic — it is not yet too cold, so it works just fine

once again, Ruhn obviously packed all the things you love, put together sandwiches, smoothies, bowls and drinks

you enjoy it a lot and maybe share one or the other kiss on the picnic bench

you walk a little more after that, until Ruhn stops in front of tattoo and piercing studio and he raises a brow in delight "Matching tattoos for your birthday?"

you love the idea, don't you?

of course, you do, cheering happily and so you do it — getting matching tattoos (it is only small one on your wrists, but it means the world)

you then head home, to change, as Ruhn wants to take you out to a fancy restaurant

it is wonderful and the dinner absolutely delicious

you enjoy your whole day so much, but obviously it is not over yet

when you drive home, Ruhn stops and you get out of the car, just so he can kiss you under a sky full of stars

and when you finally return home, he makes love to you all throughout night, once again devouring and worshipping you to the fullest

~~~~~~ tags: @azrielsbabyg @brekkershadowsinger @a-frog-with-a-laptop

[michelleleewise]

Happy Birthday

Pairing: Loki x Reader

Warnings: mmmm.....none?? I don't think.......bit of smut at the end, nothing graphic.

Summary: you and Loki had been dating for awhile now, and it didn't escape him how excited you would get on everyone's birthday. But when yours comes around, the gesture isn't returned. He can't have that.......

*I wrote this for one of my lovely mutual birthdays, I hope you have the best day!!! And happy birthday!!! 💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

Loki sat sprawled on your shared bed, book in hand as you burst through the door with an armful of shopping bags. "Darling, what is all this?" He asked getting up grabbing the bags from you. "Hmm? Oh, it's Bucky's birthday tomorrow, so I went shopping." You smiled, leaning up to kiss him. If he didn't know you better he might have been jealous, but this was how you are. When it was someone's birthday, you went all out to make it special.

"Do you want to come with me to get his cake?" You asked, setting the bags in the closet. "I would love nothing more." He smiled wrapping his arms around you. You leaned up pecking him on the lips "ok, let's go." You smiled dragging him out of the room. Over the last year he'd watched you celebrate everyone's birthday with exuberant energy. Always making sure the special person had the cake they loved, handfuls of presents, and always making them feel like they were the most important person in the world. It's one of the things he adored about you, having asked him several times when his birthday was until he finally caved.

Being over 1,000 they had become trivial to him, but you, you practically made an event of it. "Everyone deserves to feel special on their birthday, we never know how many more we have." You would always tell him with a smile. He admired your zest for life, the way you embraced each day and made it the best it could be. He was absolutely and totally in love with you.

The day of your birthday came around, and he wanted to do something special for you. He had gone shopping the day before while you were at work in the lab, sneaking out to pick up the present he ordered for you. He wasn't sure what everyone else was getting you, but he hoped you would love what he picked. He woke early, slipping out of bed so he didn't wake you. He snuck to the kitchen, pulling out everything he needed to make you your favorite breakfast. He smiled, remembering you were the one who taught him how to cook when he arrived here.

He plated your food, spraying the whipped cream on your pancakes and headed to your room. Based on how you were with everyone else's birthdays, he didn't know how long he had before the mayhem began. He walked in, seeing you on your stomach, spread put on the bed with your head under the pillow, making him laugh as he walked to your side, setting the tray down he gently nudged you. "Darling, wake up." He said shaking you. "Mmm five more minutes, then I'll get ready for school." You groaned. He couldn't help laugh as you nuzzled deeper into the covers "no darling, you need to get up." He said nudging you again.

You peeked your head out from under the pillow "Loki? Are you ok? Did you have another dream?" You asked, shooting up hugging him tight. "No love, im ok." He smiled hugging you back, no one ever cared about him as much as you did. "Here, sit back, I brought coffee." He said as he gently pushed you back against the headboard, handing you your cup. "Are you sure your ok?" You asked sipping your coffee. "Yes love, I'm great, here.." he said setting the tray in front of you as you looked up at him "happy birthday love." He smiled, leaning down gently kissing you. "Thank you Loki, you didn't have to." You smiled setting your cup down "I wanted to." He said. "Have I told you I love you?" You smiled. "Not today." He smiled "well, i....love....you." you said, kissing him between words.

As the day went on, you received a few phone calls, mainly your parents and siblings. By the afternoon, Bucky had come by wishing you well, presenting you with a new scarf, Nat came by with a hug, and Steve had come with a hug and the "Chronicles of Narnia" book collection that you seemed ecstatic about. Loki watched as eveyone else either forgot, or didn't pay much attention to you. After everything you had done for theirs you should be treated like a queen on your day. So he quietly excused himself to plan.

He came back, seeing you making coffee, wrapping his arms around you kissing your neck "love, go get ready, I'm taking you out." He whispered in your ear. "And where are we going?" You asked, turning in his arms "it's a surprise, now go." He said lightly tapping your backside making you giggle "Yes sir." You blushed, heading to your room. Loki had taken you to the zoo, knowing how much you loved animals, stopping for ice cream as you walked to a secluded bench

"here love, I got this for you." He smiled handing you the box. Opening it, you saw an emerald and diamond tennis bracelet. "Oh my....Loki you shouldn't have." You gasped looking at it. "Darling, you make everyone around you feel so loved and special, I wanted to give a little of that back to you." He smiled, clasping the bracelet on your wrist, running his fingers down your forearm "Loki, you make me feel special everyday, you always make me feel like I'm the only person in the world." You smiled at him. "You are the only person in the world.....to me." He smiled as you leaned in kissing him.

"So, what else do you want to do love, it's your day." He smiled seeing you blush, leaning in to whisper in his ear "is you an option?" You asked hearing him laugh. "Oh, you little minx." He winked making your face heat up. "Who am I to deny my queen of what she desires." He said standing, holding his hand out. You grabbed his hand as he pulled you flush to his chest, leaning down to whisper in your ear "and, since it is your day, you are in charge......ma'am." He said pulling back seeing your face flush. "You can do whatever you please with me.....my queen" He breathed against your lips as he gently pressed his lips to yours.

You made it back to the tower, seeing no one around you dragged Loki to your room, closing the door pressing him against it. "So, I can do anything?" You asked looking innocently at him. "Anything you desire my love." He smiled cupping your cheek. "Well, I was.....there was this one thing.....but you don't have to." You said looking at him. "Tell me love, what is it?" He asked. "Umm...well maybe...." you said anxiously "could we possibly.....maybe....." you tried again. "Love, you need not be nervous, I will give you whatever you ask of me." He reassured you. You sighed looking at him "Well, you know how you can make.....a clone of yourself?" You asked as a smile spread across his face, he knew what you wanted

"Yes love...is that what you want? Two of me taking you in every way you can imagine?" He whispered in your ear "God yes." You blurted out covering your mouth as he laughed. "Your wish is my command." He smiled. Suddenly feeling someone pressing against your back, you turned your head seeing Loki looking at you, wrapping his arms around your middle as he leaned in, pressing his lips to yours, your hand going to the back of his head as your tongue dove into his mouth, the other hand pulling your Loki closer to you as he latched his lips onto your neck, making you moan into the kiss, their hands roaming your body. "As promised, you are in charge love, what do you want us to do?" Your Loki asked as you pulled back looking between them smiling. This was by far the best birthday ever.....

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

@vbecker10 @lokiprompts @lokisninerealms @lulubelle814 @sinsandguilt @commanding-officer @mcufan72 @midnights-ramblings @daggers-and-mischief @chickencouncilrep @buttercupbestie @cabingrlandrandomcrap @xorpsbane @lonadane @high-functioning-lokipath @lucylaufeyson3

[j-shel-b]

Luke skywalker x reader

Find Love

Summary : you are in love with Luke but you are way too afraid of losing him.

Content/warnings : FLUFF, angst, fear of someone's death

Finding love was a pretty difficult thing in this world. Or rather, it was difficult to live with the prospect of losing it at any moment.

You had found love. In truth, your heart had found someone to love. The worst was that your brain also loved him.

You hated that idea. You had always done everything to get away from love and yet you were fooled.

He was nice and at first glance not your style. He was cute, yes, but nothing more. That was your mistake. You saw him as a friend. You got to know him and little by little your heart started to beat faster. You blushed and he had become the most beautiful man you had ever seen.

You were screwed. Completely screwed.

Luke Skywalker was his name. What could be worse than loving the man who had the most chance of dying among all those present in the rebel base where you were. You felt like you were playing a bad trick to yourself.

***

Sitting in the refectory, your breakfast in front of you, he quickly joined you.

"Y/n, ready to hear the rest of my story.

- Luke. Maybe later." Your quick smile and fleeting looks confused him a moment before he decided to act as if he had seen nothing.

"Why? I thought you were passionate about it."

- I am." It was too much the case.

He did not insist and began to eat in silence. Furtively your eyes passed from his hair, to his eyes, to his lips. Even the way his clothes fell on his shoulders. And you end up forcing yourself to focus on your own meal.

Even his attitude was perfect. You didn’t have to say anything, he understood and he kept you company, in silence. He was right there and didn’t expect anything in return. You could feel a heat in your chest. You wanted it to go away.

Your breakfast finished, his breakfast finished long before yours. He took your tray with his before you could protest.

Unconsciously you just waited for him to come back to you, which he immediately did holding out his arm that you bound to yours.

"What’s going on? He asked softly, almost whispering as you walk in the corridors, aimlessly.

- I don’t know. You said just as softly

- You are lying

- No." You may suddenly feel a sweet worry, so sweet that you know it's not your own.

"Luke." He plunged his blue eyes into yours by asking you through them to talk. "I’m not ready." He lowered his head a moment before looking forward.

"Can I at least do something?

You hesitated before saying those words, but, taking your courage in both hands, you did.

- Yes, leave me, please." He had both stopped you in the middle of your path, turning to you, now holding your arm with his hand.

"Am I the problem? He did not understand, you never asked him to go away from you, even for a moment.

- No. I just need to be alone." Smiling gently, you watch him shake his head with concern before deciding to greet him and cut off the touch of his hand on your arm. You still allow yourself a kiss on his cheek that you enjoyed too much before walking away. Leaving him alone, you look away from him.

***

That day seemed very long. You wondered too much how to see him as a friend. Losing a friend would not be any less painful but at least you could save yourself the pain of mourning a future together, as a team.. as a family.

Every person you spoke to that day seemed bland compared to him. All except R2-D2, who was not exactly a person and who therefore confirm the boredom you had felt.

Sitting in this small room, in front of R2, you take care of cleaning him while he talks incessantly, filling the place with those little noises that you had always found adorable. He was very funny and you’re laughing while focusing on your job. But you’re soon joined by someone else.

"You’re adorable when you laugh." And you stop laughing. You hear his footsteps as he comes to sit next to you.

"I asked you to leave me." The more he came back, the harder it would be to get him to leave.

"I know, normally I would have but I feel that if I go away, I will lose you. You feel his eyes looking at you as your movements become less and less precise. This leads R2 to complain.

- Excuse me, R2." He doesn’t seem to forgive you, and you see the little droid leaving saying that you are no longer focused, and even there he is adorable.

The silence comes back. You’re just the two of you and it’s way too intimate.

"You’re not going to lose me. You tell him as he shakes his head.

- In a way, yes. I don’t know which one. But I do. You can feel the tone of his voice change, he knows how to control his fear, but he still feels it.

- It can be a good thing. And you’re finally looking at him.

- What do you mean?

- I want to part with something, you’ll see it will be better for both of us. He doesn’t seem convinced.

- And.. What is it? You remain silent before giving him a sweet smile.

- Something that hurts too much."

You see in his eyes that he doesn’t understand anything. He doesn’t know what to think. Must he trust you or seek to know? But he knows he can do nothing to change your mind. Gently he put his hand on your shoulder.

"I’d really like you to talk to me. His hand moves on your neck and you can feel his thumb caressing the bottom of your cheek. You know how I feel about you. You can tell me anything.

- No, I don’t know anything, Luke." You say before you part with his contact, again and leave the room, leaving him alone.

***

You always assumed that your feelings were mutual. Your relationship was always ambiguous, which led you to flee it even more. But now he had put words, he had evoked his feelings.

You didn’t want to see him anymore. Every time you saw him, you went somewhere else. As far as you could. And everyone could see how sad he was.

He was the sunshine of the base with an innumerable dose of love and you always had a rather cold, distant personality. It wasn’t long before some people asked you questions to find out what had happened. Or rather to find out what you had done. It was asked with great kindness but it still hurted you.

Your routine had changed. Which made Luke never know where you were. He didn’t even see you at mealtimes, worried about whether you were eating enough. He was looking for you all the time. He had obligations but at every moment he hoped to see your figure.

You were master in the art of discretion, you hide without problems but you could not hide from his words. They were spinning in your head all the time.

You hated having so little control of yourself. But soon a situation forced you to be in the same room as him

You were the best fighter, the best shooter. A famous former headhunter (which you never mentioned, it was not your greatest pride) and you never hesitated to help others improve their levels. New recruits arrived. We needed your services.

Soon all the base knew you were every day with the new ones. And day after day you soon saw Luke watching on the doorstep. He didn’t talk to you. He trusted you. But he needed to see you.

You could feel his eyes filled with admiration as you set an example. Your students sometimes tried to integrate him, after all he was a jedi, he aroused attention but he stayed behind, for you.

One evening while your disciples were leaving and he was about leaving too, you held him back. He advanced towards you, calm.

"You can’t do that. You tell him as he looked at you intrigued

- Do what?

- Stay here. You may not talk to me, but you’re still there. You were losing patience, he could see it.

- I’m doing the best I can.

- So do more! He saw the anger in your eyes and he kept perfectly calm despite the pain you made him feel. You hated yourself for it.

- I understood what you want to part with." Of course he understood. "But I don’t understand why."

- If you are standing back because you accepted, you do not need to understand. You started to put away the equipment while he followed you at a reasonable distance.

- I don’t accept it. But I can’t force you. I'm just making sure I can keep looking after you. Let you know I’m here."

You sighed as you turned to him. Even knowing that you did not want to love him. That you rejected his love. He had only one thing in mind. Look after you. You felt tears coming up and you saw the worry on his face as he approached you.

You quickly wiped your eyes with your sleeve.

"It’s all right," you said abruptly, stepping back. "I’m fine, now go." He just looked at you for a moment before accepting.

"Okay. But know that I don’t want to lose a second with you. You make me feel alive."

You weren’t looking at his blue eyes for a few seconds but you could feel the feeling of love he had sent into you.

You felt it. He loved you. So hard. Your eyes closed as you heard him go, leaving you alone.

***

It was night. And you couldn’t sleep. Everything turned over and over in your mind, in your body. You wanted to vomit.

Standing up you found yourself sitting on the edge of your bed drinking the largest possible sip of water. You felt dehydrated, your body absorbed everything through your tension.

No one had ever made you feel so much love. And he made you feel his, he loved you as much as you loved him. Why wasn’t he afraid?

Cause you make him feel alive

You got up hastily, your feet on the cold ground you left your room, crossing the corridors with your heavy steps you arrived at his door. And once in front, you got stuck, not daring to touch it until it opened by itself.

"Come in" And that’s what you did. The door closed behind you as he lit his bedside lamp. He hadn’t slept either, it was obvious. He got up and his sleepwear made him even more attractive if it was possible.

"Why aren’t you afraid? You were frantic in the way you asked your question and he started smiling.

- Afraid of what?"

- To love me and then to lose me?

- I’m terrified of it." He said calmly, understanding now what you were afraid of. "But I think the regret of not loving you terrifies me even more." You stared at him, recording what he said to you." And, I am a jedi, I control my fear. He added with a little laugh that made you smile.

- Does that mean that, if I could control the force, I would be a sith?" Did you ask what made him laugh harder. You loved making him laugh. "My joke is not too controversial?" Which made him laugh even more before he looked at you with love.

"You can still choose the good side of the force." And at the end of that sentence he looked at you seriously. He seriously wanted you to do it, he wanted you to love him.. so much.

Face to face you stared at him and you could feel every moments, every words, every feelings going through you and you felt yourself resisting less and less. He was right. You knew. You had to control your fear.

You looked at every aspect of his face. And you couldn’t resist. You wanted him. With all your heart. With all your body.

You rushed to him and put your lips on his as his arms wrapped around your body. His fingers were sinking into your skin.

You clung desperately to him. Too much had been repressed, you needed him, to feel him.

Your hands reached his hair as his passed under the fabric of your nightgown to feel your skin, making you shiver.

"I love you" he manages to say between two kisses that led you breathless. Appreciating what he had just said, you stop for a moment and quickly see the fear in his eyes. Was he going too fast?

You start smiling at him, reassuring him and leaning to give him a tender kiss.

"I love you too"

——————————————————————

Lots of love ❤️

[babygirl-diaz]

Samtember Day 23: Birthday 🎂🧁

A very happy birthday to the one, Sammy Wilson! Here's how he celebrated his birthday with Bucky and their daughter, Riley. For @samsseptember

Sam woke to the smell of bacon and coffee. He looked up to see Bucky walking into the bedroom with a breakfast tray piled with all of his favorites and their daughter Riley following closely behind him. 

“Wow,” Sam said, sitting up on the bed. “I’m being spoiled today.” 

“You deserve to be. It’s your birthday,” Bucky said, leaning down to kiss Sam. When he pulled away, he put the tray in front of Sam. 

“Happy birthday, papa!” Riley said excitedly and ran over to the other side of the bed and climbed in. She gave him a sloppy kiss on the cheek, making Sam chuckle. She then handed something to him and Sam looked down to find a homemade birthday card with “Happy Birthday Papa” written in blue and red crayons. When he opened it, there was a picture of the three of them in front of their house. Sam felt tears in his eyes, but he tried to hide them as he kissed the side of Riley’s head. “Thanks, baby girl. This is the best present ever.” 

“That’s not your present, silly,” Riley told him, giggling. 

“Yeah, silly, we have a lot more planned,” Bucky chimed in and smirked at him. 

Sam rolled his eyes and started digging into his breakfast. It was as delicious as it looked. It had bacon, hash browns, pancakes, and everything else Sam could ask for. Bucky and Riley waited on either side of him with bated breath for a verdict. Sam took his sweet time and after a while, he burst out laughing and gave them a thumbs up. “This is great,” he commented. 

Sam fed both Bucky and Riley as he ate his breakfast while they stayed cuddled up on his side. Once he finished, Bucky took the tray away while Riley produced a couple of presents for him. Bucky also returned with presents, and Sam’s eyes widened in surprise. 

“You two really are spoiling me today,” Sam chuckled as he took the presents. 

“Papa, open your presents!” Sam’s 5-year-old insisted. 

Sam opened Riley’s presents and found a macaroni necklace in the first one, then a drawing that she made of the three of them in the second one, a personalized coffee mug with Riley’s art on it in the third one, but it’s really the fourth present that got Sam. It was a scrapbook, with all of Sam’s and Bucky’s memories with Riley in one place. Tears filled Sam’s eyes once more as he browsed through the scrapbook. “Did you- did you make this yourself?” Sam asked her. 

Riley frowned much like Bucky and reached out to wipe his tears away. “Yes, I made it. Kate and Kamala helped, though, I guess.” 

That made Sam laugh, and he pulled Riley into a tight hug. She squirmed and whined, “Papa!” before he let her go. 

“Wow, I definitely can’t top that,” Bucky said as he gave Sam his presents. 

“You’ll be fine,” Sam told him and rolled his eyes. He opened the first present and found a framed photo of the three of them. “Aww,” Sam cooed at the picture. The second present was a gold watch that looked very expensive. The third present was a little confusing. “What’s this?” Sam asked as he flipped through what looked like a coupon book. 

“It’s a coupon book,” Bucky confirmed. “I made it myself. It has coupons for whatever you wanna do. All sorts of activities. Including, days at the park, days staying in cuddling. You can cash in your coupon whenever you want.” Bucky shrugged. 

Sam’s eyes widened in surprise. Bucky, like Riley with her scrapbook, had put so much thought into this present. He couldn’t help but pull him in for a hug too. “Thanks, Buck.” 

“Anything for my baby,” Bucky whispered against his neck. 

Sam let him go and then the three of them spent the day snuggling in bed with Riley, telling them stories from school and stories of how Kate and Kamala helped her with her scrapbook. Apparently, they couldn’t agree on anything and Riley spent more time breaking up their arguments. Sam and Bucky laughed at her stories. 

After a few hours, the three of them got ready and went to the park for a picnic lunch. There, Sam gave Riley rides on his shoulders while Bucky smiled brightly at them and took pictures. 

Overall, it was a wonderful day, but it wasn’t over yet. In the evening, Riley and Bucky insisted Sam wear the suit they got for him. 

“Come on, papa, please…” Riley gave him her best puppy dog eyes while Bucky joined her in her shenanigans. 

Sam sighed dramatically and then changed into the suit after taking a shower. When he went to the kitchen and found Bucky and Riley covered in flour, struggling to bake a cake. 

“What’s going on here?” He asked, leaning against the door frame. 

“Nothing!” Bucky and Riley said in unison. 

“You weren’t supposed to see this!” Bucky huffed. 

“Well, too bad,” Sam chuckled. “Do you need any help?” 

“Nooo…. Go watch TV,” Riley ordered him and shooed him out of the kitchen. 

An exhausted Sam started drifting off in front of the TV until he heard Bucky and Riley singing ‘Happy Birthday.’ 

Sam sat up and found Bucky carrying a cake to him, while Riley followed close behind. Bucky put the cake on the coffee table and gave Sam a kiss on the cheek. 

The cake had half-finished frosting on it, but a bunch of candles on top. Sam got on his knees in front of the coffee table and blew out the candles, after making a wish, much to Riley’s delight. 

They spent the rest of the night, eating cake, watching TV, and finally having takeout until Riley fell asleep between them. Sam put her into bed and kissed her forehead before returning to Bucky. 

“Thank you for the wonderful day,” Sam said appreciatively and kissed his husband. 

“Don’t thank me yet. So far, this was a G-rated birthday. R-Rated is still pending,” Bucky smirked at him. “By the way, did I tell you how sexy you look in this suit?” 

Sam raised an eyebrow at him. “No, you haven’t. But I expect you to make it up to me during your R-rated birthday surprise.” 

“Oh, I will,” Bucky told him and kissed him again. “Happy birthday, Sam.” 

“I love you, Bucky,” Sam told him and smiled. 

This birthday went better than he could have ever expected. 

[zealouscanonindeer]

All i want for Christmas is you(and a inflatable snowman)

Just some Christmas fluff for @choicesficwriterscreations Holiday event. Finally,its December!

Prompts: The neighbors inflatable snowman is bigger than ours.

Is that my present in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

"Can you believe the audacity of that man! " Jackie exclaimed, walking in and throwing the door open with a loud thud. Aspen chuckled, following her as they got rid of the snow sticking to them.

"What's the matter.? " Sienna peeked from the kitchen, simultaneously baking three different Christmas treats.

Aspen sauntered to the freshly baked tray, popping a gingerbread man into her mouth and moaning at the burst of flavors.

"Jackie's mad cause the neighbors inflatable snowman is bigger than ours. "

"Not for long. " With that Jackie put on her jacket again, heading out the door with determination.

"Happy Christmas Eve, by the way! "

"You too, Si. "

"So any plans for tonight? "

"Just heading to Ethan's. I can't believe it's our first Christmas together. "

Pouring two glasses of egg nog and clinking them together before drinking, they slipped into an easy conversation about their day.

Jackie returned from her hunt, sadly unsuccessful. She pouted, sulking but that was soon remedied once Bryce and Elijah arrived with a bottle of tequila. With her friends getting drunken by the minute, Aspen slipped out unnoticed.

Walking to Ethan's house, the snow covered the city, the light snowfall setting up a chill, she didn't mind, it was serene. She reached his condo, letting herself in and instantly being ambushed by a barking Jenner.

"Whoa there, boy! I'm so happy to see you too. "

She led them both into the room, searching for Ethan, assuming he wasn't in yet, she made herself at home, starting up a fire. She noticed a list of presents on the teapoy, Ethan's handwriting evident.

He had put down people from the hospital, most of the nurses and the staff, she smiled at his thoughtfulness. She grabbed the pen, writing down two words before placing it back in its original place.

Ethan arrived shortly after, pulling his jacket off as he greeted her. He walked over to her on the couch, laying down in her lap. His hair was damp, with flecks of snow. Aspen gently pulled them off smiling, pressing a kiss to his forehead. He turned to lie on his back, opening his eyes to meet hers.

"What took you so long? "

"Just had to pick up a couple of things. "

"Oh, so is that my present in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? " He chuckled loving before continuing.

"That's all you, Penny. You have no idea how happy you make me. "

"Well.. you can certainly show me. "

"I plan on doing just that. "

********

"Penny, do you really want an inflatable snowman.? "

"Yep, the biggest one to ever exist. "

"May I ask why? "

"Cause we have to beat the neighbour's. "

Aspen replied casually as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Ethan Ramsey never thought he'd be talking about inflatable snowmen over breakfast, much less actually willing to set out on a search for one.

"You still haven't told me what else you want. "

"I don't. At the risk of sounding cheesy, all i wanted this Christmas was you and i already got that. "

"That's cheesy as hell. I'll see what I can do about that snowman of yours. "

"Mhmm." Aspen nodded with a mouthful of cereal, giving him a smile.

*********

The Christmas Eve party was in full swing with boisterous laughter and Christmas music blasting through the apartment. Aspen slipped past people, wising them before finding the person she was looking for.

She sat on Ethan's lap, resting her head on his shoulder as he ran his hand over her thigh. Just as it reached the hem of her skirt, he felt something against his fingers. Cautiously trailing underneath her skirt, he realised , exactly what it was.

"You like your gift? "

"Hmm."

"Why don't we head to yours and have a proper unwrapping. "

He nodded, getting up and linking their hands together before heading out.

"I actually have a surprise for you. " He said as they stood waiting for the elevator.

"What? "

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I tell you. "

Aspen scoffed, he knew how much she hated surprises or more accurately not knowing what the surprise was.

"Tell me. "

"You'll know soon enough. "

The elevator dinged as they walked out of the apartment complex. Before she could continue persuading him, her eyes met with a giant snowman perching in the snow. She stared at it in awe as Ethan gave her a toothy unreserved smile.

"Merry Christmas, Rookie. "

She only pulled him into a kiss, her lips curling into a smile that he had actually obliged her ridiculous request.

"Thank you for making this the best Christmas ever. "

[aeoris4lovers]

Angstpril 2023 Day One: Liar

There were very few things in life that Eadwulf insisted upon without any chance of compromise. Choosing battles was a matter of survival under the tutelage of Master Ikithon; incurring punishment was easy enough to do even without the added risk that stubbornness presented. To resist bending only made it inevitable that one would eventually have to break, and as far as Eadwulf was concerned, the world offered little of great enough importance to justify tempting that fate.

It was not an oath made lightly, then, when he promised that he would return every day that he was able to one particular cell in the depths of Vergesson Sanatorium.

Astrid refused to speak to him for weeks after the incident, after what he did that night to save her from a fate far worse than a scar. So, with no one there to swear it to, he made his promise to the gods themselves.

He knelt on the floor of his bedroom, hands clasped together in his lap. Outside the small window above his bed, the cool light of the nearly-full moon fanned out across the skies, setting the shadowed room aglow with the night’s ghostly haze. His gaze settled on the nearest mountain peaks; ancient and immense and unmoving, he thought they must be the closest things to gods he would ever lay his eyes on. When thoughts of his past, of his people, of his own actions that night threatened to creep to the front of his mind, he pressed them back into the darkness of memory. They were gone now; there was nothing more to be done for them. Instead, he turned his thoughts again to Bren, to bright red hair and wild eyes and roaring flames and the crack of rock against bone. 

“If I condemned him to this fate,” he whispered, so quiet it was more thought than speech, “let me be the one to see him through it.”

Only a moment later, the soft moonlight was eclipsed by the silhouettes of two ravens coming to rest on the windowsill, and he knew somewhere deep within him that his oath had been sealed.

The next morning, he rose earlier than usual and ate his breakfast as quickly as he could manage to hold it down. The sun still hadn’t even begun to show itself in the young day’s sky when he slipped past the guards at the sanatorium, giving each of them a look which told them not to stand in his way if they valued their lives. They had no way of knowing that, in truth, he wasn’t sure if he would have the courage to make good on that threat; they only saw the determination in his eyes and stepped aside. 

As he pushed through hall after hall, he wasted no time looking at anything other than the faces in each cell, searching for blue eyes and red hair. Any strange looks that may have been aimed his way were lost in the blur of stone and bars and wrong faces. 

When he finally turned a corner and saw a short-cropped burst of orange in the nearest cell, he was just in time to stop the guard who was preparing to enter with whatever sad excuse for a breakfast they had prepared for the day. He caught the guard by the arm, stooping down to look her in the eye, and pressed a few coins into her hand.

All he said was, “Let me.”

She stared at him for a long few seconds, head tilted to one side, before shrugging.

“If you insist.”

Handing him the tray of oatmeal and water, she unlocked the door of Bren’s cell and started off toward the next one down, leaving Eadwulf there alone. He slipped through the door, closed it behind him, and crouched down next to Bren, truly taking in his current state for the first time. 

Perhaps the most noticeable thing should have been how beat up he was – the dark bruises, the blood that no one had bothered to wash from his skin. But instead, all Eadwulf could see was how empty he looked. There was always such a fire behind his eyes, a kind of passion and life there, like his mind was working so feverishly to puzzle the world together that you could watch it happening from the outside, and now? That fire had been all but doused. His eyes were glazed over, wandering helplessly around the space, looking through it all and not truly seeing any of it. There was a slight strain on his face, a clench to his brow that Eadwulf knew his resting face didn’t possess, which betrayed some process of thought, no doubt an unpleasant one. It was distant, though, and passive, as though the thoughts had taken on a life of their own within his mind and he, in this clouded state, was helpless to resist or engage them at all. When his gaze finally fell on Eadwulf, there was a soft spark of recognition that sent Eadwulf’s heart into his throat.

Eadwulf returned every morning after that, and again every night, so long as he wasn’t off on a mission or locked away for the sake of some punishment. Each morning, he fed Bren whatever breakfast the guards had prepared, careful to make it a far more gentle process than the other meals likely involved. As Bren’s hair grew longer with time, Eadwulf took to brushing it, and trimming it when the ends began to fray. A few times, he considered cutting it short again; surely, it would be more comfortable for Bren to have less of it. But there was no ignoring how his eyes fluttered closed at the feeling of it being brushed, or how he hummed in a way that almost seemed to approach contentment — better to keep it long, Eadwulf always ultimately decided. 

At night, Eadwulf would clean him — easy enough to do with a simple spell, but most nights Eadwulf wiped his face and hands the mundane way first, probably more for his own sake than for Bren’s — and tended to whatever wounds may have been sustained since the last visit. Then, he would take out whatever books he had been able to find that day, sit by Bren’s side, and read. Bren’s favorite of the books, judging by the way his eyes brightened ever so slightly at the sight of its cover, was an old children's story about a young boy and a cat prince, so they always started and finished with that one. In between, they cycled through as many of the other books as Eadwulf thought they safely had time for, and by the time he closed the fairytale for the final time, Bren was almost always slumped against his side, asleep. 

Eventually, once the rifts between them had been repaired, Astrid joined him for some of his visits, though she was quickly given more responsibilities than him and often found it more difficult to get away. On those days, Astrid would braid Bren’s hair once he had brushed it in the mornings, and alternated reading with him at night.

And after every nighttime visit, he would sit in his bed and write a few lines in a journal: how the day’s visits had gone, what had gone on in the outside world that day or over the past few days, what he and Astrid were doing in their own lives. Someday, he told himself, Bren would have his mind back. Someday, he would hand over the journal, a meticulous record of the days Bren was locked away. Someday, Bren would be able to read it, and it would be as if he hadn’t missed a thing at all.

In all that time spent in Bren’s cell, Eadwulf never feared being discovered by Master Ikithon — not out of carelessness or apathy toward the consequences he would inevitably incur, but because he knew it was foolish to assume he hadn’t already been discovered at the very start. The archmage’s gaze took immense care to avoid, and nowhere was it more omnipresent than in the halls of the sanatorium. The chances that he had gone unnoticed were laughably slim — it was better to assume Master Ikithon was well aware, that a confrontation would come soon enough.

And come it did.

One morning, nearly two years into his visits, Eadwulf arrived at Bren’s cell to see his teacher standing there, calmly watching him approach. Inside the cell, he could see Bren’s eyes wide and his face held more tensely than usual. He was shifting slightly where he sat, as though his own body were the walls of a prison preventing him from running away.

All at once, Eadwulf was overcome with the urge to run forward, to lunge at Ikithon, to scream, because how dare he come here and strike that kind of fear into someone so helpless, hasn’t Bren been through enough? But he pushed the urge down and kept calm as he walked in spite of it. It was him that the archmage was angry with, it was him who would face the consequences of his actions; Bren had no reason to be afraid.

As it turned out, neither did he. Master Ikithon wasn’t angry, not at Eadwulf nor Bren; he never said or even suggested that Eadwulf would be punished, and the calm smile never fell from his face. He seemed entirely unfazed — pleased, even — by Eadwulf’s actions. 

“You are welcome to visit our dear Bren whenever you wish, Eadwulf,” he said in a tone that could almost be mistaken for good-natured, “as is Miss Becke. In fact, I think it’s wonderful that you three have grown to care so much for each other, even after all this time. By all means, do continue to come visit him if it pleases you.” Moving closer, he added in a lower tone, “I would only urge you to remember that it is for you, yes? As much as it pains me to say this, Bren is — how shall I put this? — absent, by all accounts. You are a smart boy, I have no doubt you’ve noticed. Each time you leave this place, it is to him as if you were never here at all; he won’t remember. The sharp young man we knew is, I’m afraid, no longer with us.”

And every night since then, as silence fell over the sanatorium’s halls, Eadwulf would look down at Bren, tucked against his side the same way they had once grown used to laying in their beds, and ask himself: how could that possibly be true?

How, when he still squirmed at the mere sight of his old teacher standing nearby, when his eyes still sparked at the sight of his favorite fairytale’s cover, when he still remembered how to fall asleep next to Eadwulf like it was as simple as breathing, could Bren be gone? How could it be possible that such a sharp mind, so full of passion and of life, simply slipped away? Even if he remembered none of it, even if each day felt to him like the first time, Bren seemed in his own way to welcome their company far more than any other’s, to relax in some small way at their presence; did that not count for something?

It would take him many more years to truly make sense of it, to fully understand the weight of what it meant, but the simple fact remained: that Bren was gone was the first of Trent Ikithon’s lies that Eadwulf ever saw through.

[waywardnerd67]

Extra Dessert

Title: Extra Dessert Summary: Dean has to go out to return a few presents with (Y/N) earning a special reward. Paring: Dean Winchester x Reader Word Count: 935 Rating: E - Everyone Warnings: Fluff/Implied Smut Square Filled: Day After Christmas Bingo Card: @spnchristmasbingo​ A/N: None

Check Out: 2022 Christmas Bingo Masterlist

Christmas had been everything Dean had wished for and more. Everyone had made their way to the bunker for Christmas dinner and presents. Sam had proposed to Eileen in front of the Christmas tree. Cas had to explain to Jack how Santa got into the bunker to set the presents under the tree with a chimney. Jody, Donna and the girls were all sitting around the map table telling Mary and Bobby about their latest cases. Charlie and Rowena were off to the side discussing their next road trip to Atlantic City. However, the best moment was walking into his Dean Cave and finding his beautiful girlfriend wrapped up in a bow. Only a bow. He then spent the rest of the evening unwrapping and enjoying her gift of love.  

Dean woke up to (Y/N)’s side of the bed empty and heard the door creaking open.

“Rise and shine, handsome.”

Fresh coffee and bacon filled his nose as he propped himself up on his elbow, “How about you come back to bed and we ignore the world.”

“No can do. I volunteer us for returns duty. We have quite a few presents that need to be exchanged and I figured you would be itching to get out of the bunker.”

She set the tray of breakfast over his lap as he sat up in bed, “No itching. Not a single itch. All I want to do is lay in bed with you all day and ignore the world.”

(Y/N) held a piece of bacon up to his lips, “Sorry handsome, I made a promise and I intend to keep it. I can always take Baby out myself…”

“Sweetheart, I love you and would do anything for you. However, I draw the line at my Baby.”

She smiled, leaning in to kiss him, “I would have you no other way. Finish your breakfast and be ready in 30.”

She walked out of the room then stuck her head back in, “And I love you.”

Nearly two hours and three stores later, Dean was muttering curse words beneath his breath trying to navigate through the packed parking lot of Target. Soccer moms were whipping their vans in and out of parking spots and lanes like Nascar drivers. His knuckles were white from gripping Baby’s steering wheel.

“Damn… freaking… watch it momma bear!” He yelled out to the hundredth minivan to almost hit his Baby.

Finally, he found a spot and grabbed the six bags worth of stuff to exchange. People were shoving and pushing their way inside towards the customer service desk as Dean followed (Y/N). She was looking down at the receipts as a woman shoved past him.

“Excuse you.” She sneered, rolling her eyes.

“Oh no, excuse me for merely standing here trying to return my stuff. Had no idea this whole store was only for you!” Dean called out as (Y/N) covered his mouth.

“Handsome, I know you’re tired and frustrated. I promise when we get home we can lock ourselves away in our room and ignore the world. I need you to be patient and not yell at the Target moms.”

“You’re lucky I love you. I promise to try and not yell at the soccer moms.” He grunted.

She gave him a peck on the lips before turning back around as the line moved forward. Dean looked down at his watch seeing it was almost noon. They inched closer and closer to the clerk taking returns. His arms and hands were aching from holding the bags. (Y/N) had her arm around his waist as her hand rubbed firm circles along his lower back. He glanced down at the time on (Y/N)’s phone seeing it was ten minutes past one o’clock.

“Son of a bitch…”

“What?” (Y/N) looked up, arching an eyebrow at him.

There were still four people in front of them, “We’ve been in this godforsaken line for over an hour. Isn’t there a way to speed this up?”

She smiled, “Remember patience and then hiding away from the world. That’s the light at the end of this tunnel.”

“Yeah but this tunnel doesn’t seem to ever end. I’m stuck in Target line hell and can’t escape.”

(Y/N) slipped her hand around his neck pulling him down until her lips pressed right below his ear. Goosebumps raced across his body making him shiver.

“If you're a good boy then I’ll do the thing you love for me to do.” She whispered.

Dean took a step back, staring down at her, “Are you serious? Don’t toy with me right now?”

(Y/N) giggled as she drew a cross over her heart, “Cross my heart. I will do the whole thing for you, but you have to be patient here while we wait in line.”

From that moment until they were walking out of Target with their exchange gift cards, Dean was on his best behavior. After having a nice dinner with everyone, he went in search of (Y/N) to head to bed after an exhausting day. Walking into their room, he found her lying on the bed placing the last mound of whip cream on her breasts.

“Hungry?” She smirked.

He licked his lips as his eyes traveled down her body. His mouth watering at the sight of her lying there in a whip cream bikini.

“Ravenous.” Dean pulled off his shirt diving head first between her legs, “I feel like I earned this extra dessert.”

Her moan echoed throughout the room, “Oh god, yes you did handsome… yes you did.”

If you enjoyed this story then check out my Masterlist!

For updates please follow #waywardnerd67fics

Taglist: @waywardbaby​​ @ladywinchester1967​​ @akshi8278​​ @dean-winchesters-bacon​​ @carryonmywaywardcaptain​​ @destiel745​​ @carribear31​​ @whimsicalrobots​​ @adoptdontshoppets​​ @mrswhozeewhatsis​​ @bella-ca​ @imascio08​​ @mannls​​ @time-travel-bouqet​​ @myinconnelly1​​ @maddiepants​​ @tumbler-tidbits​​ @sandlee44​​ @destielhoneybee​​ @jerkbitchidjitassbutt​​​ @stoneyggirl​​ @mimaria420​ @emoryhemsworth​​ @atc74​​ @cosicas-cuquis​ @stixnstripesworld​ @sexyvixen7​ @samsgirl93​ @perpetualabsurdity​ @deanwanddamons​ @smoothdogsgirl​ @lyarr24​ @cevans-winchester​ @leigh70​ @nancymcl​ @djs8891​

[seal-writes-stuff]

Hi Seal!! When you’re feeling up for it, may I request some headcanons about the reader surprising Dani for her birthday since it’s that time of year? :) Thank you much!!

Celebrating Dani’s birthday would include…

Word count: 1k

Warnings: one kinda NSFWish allusion? Otherwise pure fluff galore

Summary: All in the title!

A/N: Oooh, I like the way you think! Also please ignore that I’ve let this ask marinate for the whole summer lol, I'm very thankful for your request. Hope you enjoy nevertheless!

To start off, when it comes to your birthday, Dani goes all out. Even if she doesn’t have much time during the day or even when the money is tight, she manages to figure something out, get something special ready just for you. She’s the most caring, thoughtful partner you’ve ever had – and you’ll always be grateful for her.

So naturally, you want to return the favor when it’s her turn. You start preparing a few weeks in advance; this is the first time you’re celebrating Dani’s birthday together as a couple, so you want to make it extra special. And although this certainly won’t be the last time, you want to make it perfect nevertheless. Not because you have to, simply because you want to. Simply because nothing would make you happier than seeing her happy.

To your surprise, Dani reminds you that her birthday is coming a few days beforehand, which just confuses you at first. Of course you remember! Who wouldn't remember something like that? Are you supposed to forget about your beloved girlfriend’s birthday? Absolutely not.

You tell her exactly that and it actually makes her tear up a little. You don’t want to press Dani any further, but you think you might just know where that’s coming from.

On a completely unrelated note, you've never felt the urge to scream into your pillow and punch things quite this strong. Goddamn it.

You play it as cool as you can with Dani trying to convince you that it’s not a big deal. She doesn’t need a celebration, she tells you, not really. Thing is, it’s not about whether she does or doesn’t need it – she deserves it. Doesn’t matter if it’s the biggest party ever or just relaxing at home all day. All you want is to make Dani feel wonderful, special and appreciated – because she is.

Speaking of big parties, this option goes out of the window pretty much immediately. You know Dani feels overwhelmed with grand gestures and even more overwhelmed in huge crowds, so you don’t want to make her uncomfortable. It’s her day after all.

There’s no birthday without a cake though, so you get onto that fairly quickly. You’ve thought about getting her a store-bought cake at first, but with Dani always taking the time out of her day to cook something for you… You just want to do the same for her. So through trial and error (and a lot of YouTube tutorials) you finally figure out the perfect formula. You remind yourself to thank Terri later - she's agreed to distract her sister for you so many times that it might qualify as a full-time job at this point.

On Dani's actual birthday, you wake up a few hours before her – which is a task in and of itself, considering how much of an early riser she is. You manage to finish all the preparations just in time to greet Dani with a breakfast tray and a sweet kiss. The cake is just a cherry on top.

You try to hold off on giving her the presents before the evening comes around, but end up doing it anyway. Several psychology books Dani’s been eyeing for a while, a soft sweater that would fit her perfectly and a bottle of her favorite perfume that’s been out of stock recently. Admittedly, some of those things were harder to find than the others, but at no point did it feel like a burden. Of course you’d get all of this stuff for her. You’d do anything for her.

Besides, the look of happiness and adoration on Dani’s face is one hundred percent worth it. You’d do it all over again just to see it more often.

At some point you catch a glimpse of your reflection in a bedroom mirror and realize that you have a smudge of frosting across your jaw. Well… Let’s just say it’s not staying there much longer. You have a seriously hard time convincing yourself to get out of bed after that.

You take her to the small café later, the one where you used to hang out back at the beginning of your relationship. You remember spending hours upon hours there: brainstorming homework, complaining about the small inconveniences of life or simply enjoying each others’ presence in comfortable silence. It’s where you fell deeper and deeper in love with Dani – just as you still do every day.

You also remember her order in perfect detail, even after all that time. Dani thinks it’s the most romantic thing ever. After all, what could be more romantic than knowing each other deeply?

During your date Dani keeps getting calls and texts from her friends and family, all giving her birthday wishes. She’s super apologetic that she keeps getting distracted, but you don’t mind in the slightest. All it means is that she’s happy and she’s loved. Never in a million years would you have anything against it.

You finish the day cuddled up close, watching Dani’s favorite movie – the one you’ve seen so often that every line is now memorized. But even then, she can’t stop herself from rambling with a big smile on her face. Thanking you for everything you did for her. Telling you how much she loves you. How you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to her. How you didn’t have to do all of that and how-

You accept it with a laugh, kissing her everywhere you can reach. You joke how you should be the one saying all of that – she’s the birthday girl, after all. Dani doesn’t respond, tracing your features with a smile. She doesn’t need any praise from you, she thinks.

Because at the end of the day, Dani knows that you love her and it's more than enough.

[haunted-headset]

Take My Hand Chp. 1 Get Me Out of Here

tags: @vibestillaxxx@joviepog@ax-y10@themonsterunderurmom @wilburstan@smolsleepykitten@funnyreally2009@crows-death@dykepunz@aresriiots@0miamor0 @cathers-world@defonotval@chipch0p@mazzistar16@unmellowyellowfellow@justalittlebitofchaos@thosecolorfulsheets@vopix@taylors-version-from-the-vault@aine-lasagna@merianakross@veeislost@urfav-sapphic-siren@shazbaz58-blog @wifiatthetrainstation@mcr-pr-fob@shd454@universe-friday@rqvii@idioticion@m0thza (let me know if u don't or do wanna be tagged!!) ☆ 𝒜𝓈𝓉𝓇𝒾𝒹'𝓈 𝒫𝒪𝒱 ☆

6 months ago...

Astrid sat down in the cafeteria & placed her lunch tray on the table. She was waiting for her friend Keane. She looked around at the cafeteria; the popular boys were starting a food fight amongst their friends, the sporty kids were cheering Chloe Hofstader & Jason Brown on as they arm wrestled, the art kids were happily chatting about their new projects, & the popular girls were creating new rumors to spread around. It was amusing to Astrid how easily the popular girls could make rumors about people that they'd never met.

"Astrid," Keane's Irish accent snapped her out of her thoughts. "You're spacing out again."

She looked over at Keane. "When did you get here?"

"About 30 seconds ago," he replied, taking a bite of his sandwich. "Were you thinking about Brighton again?"

She rolled her eyes with a smile. "No. Not this time."

Ever since Astrid visited Brighton with her Uncle Patrick when she was nine, she fell in love with the beachside town. She'd often daydream about living there; waking up to the smell of saltwater every day, being able to take walks on the beach, & having a higher chance of going to concerts she wanted to go to...it was the ideal village for her.

Keane chuckled. "I doubt that." He took another bite of his sandwich. He looked at Astrid's lunch tray & asked, "Are you going to eat anything?"

"No," she replied, pulling a pen out of her pocket to doodle on her hand.

"Have you eaten anything today?" he asked.

She didn't reply. She hated this question.

"Have you eaten anything today?" he repeated.

"...no," she mumbled.

"Why didn't you eat breakfast?" he sighed.

"I didn't have time to go to the bagel shop this morning," she said. "Dad got drunk this morning & he broke a vase that I had to superglue together."

"Oh," he said softly. "Do you want to talk about it?" He asked this every time the topic came up.

"No," was Astrid's reply every time he asked.

Astrid didn't have a very good family. Her dad was an alcoholic with no dreams of recovery, which meant that he would get drunk every day. Her mother was an unmedicated depressed schizophrenic, so she would lie in bed all day & sob & scream whenever the intrusive hallucinations came in. Some people in the neighborhood knew & didn't care enough to do anything about it, but they'd always ask how the family made money. The answer was that Astrid's sister, Abilene, worked as a lawyer & gave money to Astrid & her two other sisters, Rosalind & Hazel. Rosalind worked at a hair salon & got paid a fair amount & Hazel babysat, so they were able to get enough money for clothes & such.

"Well, maybe one day you'll be able to run away to Brighton," he said. He paused before saying, "Wait, that isn't your plan, is it?"

She sheepishly smiled. "It might be."

His eyes widened. "Astrid, are you fucking stupid?  That is beyond dangerous. You could die!"

"I probably won't," she lied.

"I never said it was a bad idea," he said. "I just said it's dangerous." He smiled. "& I like things that put my life at risk."

She returned the smile. "Is this your way of inviting yourself into my runaway night?"

He nodded. "Yup. I'm part of this now."

She laughed. His eyes widened in shock. She raised a brow. "What?"

He smiled again. "You hardly ever laugh anymore," he said softly. "It's nice to hear."

She laughed again, more softly this time. "Should we start planning?"

Present time...

Astrid quietly closed the front door behind her as she saw Keane in his car.

"Where the hell did you get the car from?" she asked, sitting in the passenger seat.

"My sister," he said, driving the car. "Okay, so what's the plan?"

"We drive to the gas station & change our appearances so that nobody will recognize us," she said. "We cut our hair, change our clothes, wear sunglasses, & wear masks."

He nodded.

"Then we drive to the airport & get on our plane to Brighton as quickly as we can," she said. "We don't buy any snacks to make sure nobody recognizes us."

He nodded again.

"Then, when we land in Brighton, we find the nearest hotel & spend the night," she said. "& the next morning, your friend Hilda will pick us up & drive us to her apartment."

"Correct," he smiled. "We've got this." He paused before asking, "Are you really sure about this?"

She nodded. "Get me out of here."

[purplefangirl42]

Clonetober- Day 9

Prompt: “This is it, isn’t it?”/batchmates/Wing AU

Prompt list by @ladysongmaster Divider by djarrex

Pyro had been trying to balance his fork on his finger for the past ten minutes and Flame had nearly had enough of his twin’s antics. He was surprised Chip hadn’t said anything, usually being the first one to snap when he found something annoying. Turning to face his squadmate, he discovered why he hadn’t said anything. 

He was asleep. 

Chip’s face rested on his hand, eyes drooped shut, and mouth hanging slightly open. He was in serious danger of drooling on the datapad that sat next to his breakfast tray. Flame reached over and pushed the tray back a little so if Chip’s hand slipped, he wouldn’t do a faceplant in his breakfast.

His moment of thoughtfulness seemed to be wasted when Sparx plopped his tray down loudly on the table, startling Chip out of his morning nap. He knocked his glass over, spilling water all over his food and datapad.

“Dank farrik,” Chip muttered, holding up the drenched pad that was now dead.

Howzer made a face as he sat down beside Flame. He took the datapad from Chip’s hands and turned it over to inspect it.

“Yeah, this thing is toast. You’ll have to ask Nala Se for a new one.”

Chip groaned and buried his face in his hands. Flame didn’t blame him for being upset, he wouldn’t want to have to ask Nala Se for anything either.

“Maybe you can ask Binti to ask her for you?” Pyro suggested, still not having abandoned his fork balancing act.

“Yeah, she’ll do it if you ask,” Sparx said. “Nala Se can’t do anything to her. Worst thing she’ll do is tell Venri and Venri will scold us all. Who are you more afraid of, Nala Se or Venri?”

“Honestly?” Chip asked. “Venri.”

The boys all laughed at Chip’s answer before going back to their breakfast. Flame reached over and snatched Pyro’s fork away from him, finally putting an end to his balancing attempts.

Several years later...

A knife flicked neatly across Pryo’s fingers as he listened to Howzer instruct the group on what their objective was when they reached their destination. Years of practice with any implement he could get his hands on had given him the ability to move and balance things precisely with his fingers. 

Across from him, he saw Flame shaking his head at him, a sign that he wanted him to stop. His twin had never been supportive of his endeavors, saying that they were unnecessary and too showy. The other cadet he had met in the training room one day didn’t seem to think so. Maybe if he could remember his name, he could track him down and they could bond over the skill when they returned.

Harry? Henry? Gunner? What was it?

A kick to the ankle brought Pyro’s focus back to the situation at hand. He sent a glare in Flame’s direction. The look he received in return was murderous. Though they had long outgrew their twin mannerisms and near telepathy, Pyro knew what that look meant. He rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to Howzer.

“We have no idea what we’re going to run into when we land, so be prepared for anything,” he said. “That includes you, Chip.”

“My medic training doesn’t cover everything,” Chip pointed out. “So everyone try to keep your injuries to the basics if you can.”

Pyro let out a barking laugh at Chip’s comment. That was the closest thing to a joke he had ever heard his brother make. He heard Sparx chuckle as well as he moved to place his helmet on his head.

“We’ll try our best, doc.”

Pyro nudged the medic sitting beside him in congratulations for his joke, but when he looked at his face, he couldn’t see any humor present.

“Hey, you good?”

Chip turned to look at him, fear hiding behind his usual stoic expression.

“This is it, isn’t it?” Chip asked. “We’re really going into battle?”

“Afraid so brother,” Pyro said as he imitated Sparx’s actions and pulled his helmet on. “Don’t worry too much. We’ve trained for this our whole lives.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

Pyro gave Chip another nudge with his elbow, hoping he would feel encouraged.

“We’re approaching the arena now,” Howzer said. “Everyone get ready!”

Pyro got to his feet, pulling Chip up with him. Flame held up his fist, waiting for the customary bump, which Pyro met with his own fist. 

“Let’s go kill some bugs, boys!”

A/N: Hope you enjoyed this! Please reblog, like, and comment! Second clonetober post for today to get caught up! This piece is an honorary chapter for my fic "Rise of the Dragons".

[kimchicatlover]

Viktor's Parrot

Chapter 2: Viktor goes shopping

Tags: Slice of life, domestic, acts of service, feeding, physical touch, mutual pining.

Pairing(s): Romantic (Jayce Talis x Viktor) from Arcane: League of Legends.

Warning(s): None.

Synopsis: Jayce surprises Viktor, and Viktor wants to return the favor.

Word count: 1490

By the time Viktor awoke, light was pouring into his room, illuminating the messy place he could only call home. The aroma of scrambled eggs drifted from the kitchen and his stomach grumbled - a rare sight.

Just as he was about to climb out of bed, Jayce tiptoed into his room, then, startled at the fact that Viktor was sitting in his bed, clearly awake, almost dropped his breakfast onto the heap of unwashed clothes and scrap paper that littered his floor. Viktor noticed that there was less trash than yesterday morning, strange.

"Um, hey.. V, uh, good morning, breakfast, for you!" Jayce blurted, holding out the tray to him, then realizing that Viktor was still too far away to reach the food, awkwardly moved closer to him, miraculously managing to avoid the trash.

Viktor just chuckled and accepted the food, which looked amazing, and he said just that.

"Gee, thanks, V, you don't need to.. Flatter me, haha.." Jayce fumbled over his words, heart beating so hard he thought he might just black out. No, that would be embarrassing. Not in front of Viktor. He willed himself to calm down.

"Jayce.. This is very nice, but I'm afraid I simply can't finish this much food."

Flabbergasted, Jayce stared dumbly at the tray of food on Viktor's lap - the lap he so desperately wanted to lay his head against - and blurted out something without thinking twice.

"But that's a regular portion, V."

Viktor's lips curled into a frown and Jayce internally punched himself in the face. His hands rose up defensively and he tried his best to apologize, but Viktor wasn't even listening.

"Look, Vik, I'll share with you." He mentally punched himself again. Why would Viktor ever want to share anything with you, a disgusting egotistical Piltovan with a sloppy mouth-

But Viktor smiled, a genuine, radiant, beautiful, natural smile. He patted the spot next to him on the bed, an invitation. Jayce, stunned yet again, dumbly sat down at said spot and stared at Viktor with his mouth agape.

Viktor's smile widened and he chuckled and Jayce's hilarious face. Scooping up a spoonful of scrambled eggs, he gently shoved - if shoving can be gentle, but Viktor tried - the spoon into Jayce's mouth. He chewed slowly, swallowed and finally seemed to be back in the present. He opened his mouth to speak, but Viktor cheekily shoved another spoonful of eggs into his mouth, earning a pair of wide eyes, acceptance, and finally a vengeful gaze. Giggling like a girl in love, Viktor squirmed as Jayce-

Grabbed his chin. His rough hands felt so good on his skin, and Viktor shuddered as Jayce tilted his head so that he could look him in the eye. He could feel something when Jayce's grip tightened and Viktor's breath hitched, eyelashes fluttering, then-

He retracted his hand. Stunned by the loss of touch, Viktor barely managed to suppress a whine, but he composed himself, staring blankly at Jayce, watching him.

Jayce was visibly shaking, well he thought it was visible. What did he just do? Why did he do it? He could feel a headache building up, but he couldn't relax, no, not when he realized that what he just did could ruin everything he had with Viktor. Everything. Tears were building up and he wanted to run out of Viktor's room, out of their house, out of anywhere he recognized, he wanted to go to a place where no one would find him so he could suffer in his misery, alone. But he couldn't move, he couldn't back away when Viktor's beautiful hand grazed his jaw, when his fingers pressed against his earlobe, the cold skin relieving his headache and potential fever. He let out a shaky breath and felt himself relax as Viktor traced circles into his palm, gently whispering a song he knew. It was a song Viktor had sung to him a few days after they first met, when Viktor had found Jayce trembling on the floor, face covered in tears and snot as he was haunted by the memories of his trial: the voting, the councillors, the taunting, and his mother.

"Dear friend across the river

My hands are cold and bare

Dear friend across the river

I'll take what you can spare

I ask of you a penny

My fortune it will be

I ask you without envy

We raise no mighty towers"

As they calmed, Jayce and Viktor thought about the injustice and suffering of the Undercity dwellers and decided that they would vow to help them in any way they could.

-

After finishing the breakfast and a quick morning shower, Viktor had told Jayce that he needed to go shopping for his parrot.

Viktor was looking forward to this expedition as it meant that he could take this chance to secretly buy some parts for his project in the Undercity if Jayce got distracted by his fans that always stalked him. No, Viktor wasn't jealous.

Jayce was looking forward to the shopping trip as he could finally spend more time with Viktor. He made sure to tell the news reporters that he would be at a party somewhere far away from the store they were visiting so there would be no fans interrupting his Viktor time.

-

When they arrived at the store, Jayce and Viktor had different reactions.

Viktor gasped in amazement and immediately ran along the many aisles, fidgeting with the products he found and undoubtedly making mental notes about what every antique or invention could do. He was particularly interested in a golden pentagonal frame that, when turned on, could emit holographic images inside said frame. The images could be varied by connecting the frame to a mobile phone and simply using Bluetooth to share the image with the frame. Easy and splendid, no? His parrot would surely appreciate such a decoration.

Jayce, however, wasn't so pleased. First of all, the place was run down. The dim lights were flickering and occasionally turned off for a few seconds before shakily brightening again. Paint was peeling from the ceiling, the walls were cracked, and the floor was covered with dust. Fortunately, there was no trash littered around so Jayce concluded that somebody did clean this store, but said somebody didn't bother to replace the lights or ceiling paint. Replacing the walls was quite a hassle and Jayce understood. Secondly, this wasn't the pet store Viktor had told him about. It sold complex things that only they could understand. Is that why Viktor wanted to come here? To spend some time with me? Because nobody else would understand him and-

"Jayce, Jayce! Come over here!" Viktor pipped. His cheery voice made Jayce's heart ache and he bolted over.

Viktor nodded towards the pentagonal frame he was holding, then looked back up at Jayce, as if seeking his approval. Jayce just nodded, knowing that he could probably afford the entire shop if he wanted to. The efforts in developing hextech were rewarding, to say the least.

Viktor grinned and Jayce's heart skipped a beat. How does Viktor keep doing that to him? He regained his composure and followed Viktor to another aisle.

-

By the time they were done, Viktor had only bought three items: the pentagonal frame, a delicate-looking carving knife, and something he didn't show or tell Jayce about.

"It's a surprise!" Viktor had said between swatting Jayce's hand away and chuckling. It made Jayce's heart flutter when Viktor wanted to give him a surprise gift. Surely that had to mean something, right? You don't just give a normal friend a surprise gift, right? His head was dizzy with thoughts.

-

After paying for the items, Viktor sauntered back to their home, with Jayce, surprisingly, trailing behind and bouncing on his toes, waiting for Viktor to reveal the surprise gift.

-

As Viktor shut the door, Jayce waited impatiently in the living room, clasping and unclasping his hands nervously but never asking Viktor to hurry up. Viktor turned to face Jayce and immediately grinned at the sight before him: Jayce, the man of progress, fidgeting with his hands like a nervous middle-schooler.

"Waiting for me? What a good boy," Viktor crooned, lips tugging upwards when Jayce turned a crimson red and his eyes widened, mouth agape, staring at Viktor as if he had just showed him an explicit image.

What? What? What did he? Say? Jayce's brain was thinking incoherent thoughts because all he could think about was "What a good boy" and Viktor's smirk and Viktor standing in front of him, leaning forward ever so slightly, as if he was inviting him to.. No, not that. Nevertheless, he inched forward but didn't dare to touch Viktor, no, he was still trembling and trying his best to breathe normally.

Viktor easily closed the distance, and Jayce didn't back away. His hand grabbed Jayce's collar and tugged him down so they were staring eye-to-eye.

"Ready for your surprise?"

[pvrkacciosan]

The Heart of the Lioness: ☽⋆18⋆☾

A Night to Remember

The Heart of the Lioness Masterlist

Previous Part

The world gave little care to those who didn't bend to the wills of others. With each passing second Brielle could feel a clawing inside her. The pounding in her ears getting louder, Maeve's command trying to break her, she could sense it within her, like a serpent awaiting to strike. Watching from afar.

Her dreams had jolted her to rise late during the night, the magic of the bond smothering her breath from her like it was drowning her of all sense, it was vexing in a way that the magic wasn't doing to her mate and brother; both who also bore tasks but showed no sign of it.

Perhaps it was the nature of her task that now had her skin on fire.

Her mate had awoke from beside her when she was up late, Brielle had relished in the comfort his warmth and closeness offered even if it made her skin crawl to touch him, Her command taunting her, a puppeteer pulling the strings.

When he had questioned it, Brielle couldn't bring herself to tell him the truth, not when it could and would change everything, merely thinking of completing it made her stomach roll.

Sitting in an empty bed in the morning, Brielle wished she had told him, if only so she could share the burden of her task. Maeve was probably smug knowing exactly what she had done by giving this task to her, it was torture and she knew it. It was probably still punishment for her defiance prior to Lorcan leaving.

If only she could wrap both hands around Maeve's throat right now, There was that itch again, Brielle scratched at her forearm, hissing through her teeth when a burning sensation shot up her arm. Sitting up right Brielle glanced down to the limb which was numb with the insistent itch.

The skin was raw, and raised. A small trickle of blood, blooming from the blood vessels which had become visible on her skin like little pinpricks. She could cover it,

So she did, getting ready with ease, Brielle gathered herself, pulling both sleeves down to cover the raw skin she set about moving through the ship, Aiming for the small communal opening below the main deck. Filled with small round tables amongst the supply boxes, this room acted as the dining space for the crew who weren't working or patrolling the ship.

The burning continued in her arm, but Brielle moved off to grab herself a small tray of food, the man was flushed when he handed her it, he seemed to be the only one working to prepare the food, and was rushing around polishing and washing pots at the same time. Brielle would have offered to help but a higher pitched male voice yelled her over from across the small space.

Alexi and Vera were sat with the shifter female that so often was followed around by her nephew. Brielle passed the tray between her hands, bringing the now free hand up to satisfy the itch. Shooting Lysandra a quick smile, the female returned it, as best she could with her cheeks filled with food, Brielle couldn't help but smile in delight, at least some people on this ship hadn't lost their appetite.

Her own tray had an array of dried meats and a fried egg. All with small cloud of steam billowing from their surfaces, Brielle forked them around her tray for a second before she cut of small pieces and began to plop them into her mouth, keeping them small enough to swallow past the lump still present in her throat.

"Is it still classed as murder if you apologise afterwards?" Alexi asked, his expression as enthusiastic as ever for so early in the morning, He glanced around their small table waiting for someone to reply to his question.

"No, Only if you get caught" was Vera'a reply as she took a swig from the water she held.

"Do you two seriously have to discuss this over breakfast?"

Both sets of eyes looked up to their commander when she spoke, Alexi had an expression of mild offence etched onto his features, before it was overtaken by one that Brielle could only describe as pure mischief .

"So you're saying you wouldn't want us to be polite when we kill someone" his eyebrows quipped upwards towards his hairline, he raised a fork with a piece of meat stabbed to its end to gesture with an extension of his arm,

Lysandra was frowning up at him when she spoke up, "I think that defeats the purpose of murdering-"

"I've met bread smarter than you" Vera deadpanned to her fellow spy when she placed her cup back down, Alexi made a sound akin to a squawking bird in feigned insult, dropping his cutler onto his tray with a head-rattling clatter,

Brielle rubbed a her temples, the burning was beginning to grow once more, "I'm surrounded by idiots" she mumbled beneath her breath, Alexi paused to shoot a look at her with a raised eyebrow once more

"At least we're hot idiots" he gave a waggle of both eyebrows this time, Vera scoffed a laugh while she gathered up her plate, Lysandra following suit.

Alexi whipped around to watch her, "What?! You know I'm right" He patted the table as means of farewell to Brielle before he grabbed his tray and raced after the two females, his voice bouncing off the walls long after he left the room.

Gathering the tray and the litters of the half eaten breakfast Brielle moved to leave the room, in search of Fenrys. Snatching up a couple apples from the stand as she wandered past, Brielle eased up the few steps leading to the main deck, where she could already sense him.

Fenrys must had noticed her approach for as soon as she surfaced on the deck he turned to greet her, The burning was beginning to ease when she walked closer, Fenrys pushed from the ships mast with his broad shoulder. His previously relaxed position leaning against the wood, being replaced when he smiled at her.

Brielle knew many, like Whitethorn found her mate an annoyance, due to his teasing nature, but she couldn't help but see the side to him that yearned for something more. The part of him that he reserved for her, and her alone.

The itch had eased to nearly none existent when she stopped inches from him,

"Hello, Love"

His voice soothed the burning in her arm, she fumbled for a second, Fenrys chuckled lightly, she brightened herself quickly extending the apple to him, He took his gratefully, turning so he was backed against the mast once more, watching while he bit down into the fruit.

"You come to keep me company, my lady"

"If your going to be like that I'll leave"

He promptly swallowed his bite before smirking at her, 

"You won't, You adore me too much" his whole body faced her now, the early light catching the metals of the daggers.

"I think you overestimate me"

"Do I?"

"Will you be on post all night?" Brielle bit into her own apple, watching Alexi jump onto Vera's back when they emerged from the stairwell. Laughing and bumping into one another with Lysandra towing behind, her near flawless features struck in an a delighted smile.

"No, His majesty will take over once everything is set up" — Brielle looked across the deck to the small piles of stuff for tonight, The shifter, Lysandra and Vera had come up with the idea to spend the night drinking and having fun to ease the nerves amongst everyone on the ship, 

"Dorian isn't all that bad"

"Check him out enough times to make that opinion?"

"It was one time!"

But Fenrys was already laughing by the time she gave him a light shove, 

They settled into a silence, eating away at their fruit, looking out into the rising sun, its rays reflecting off the curls of the oceans waves.

"It seems wrong" Their party tonight on the ship, seemed wrong somehow, with the way the world was going, to the war they we willingly wandering into. All the spies she had sent out, Theron, Colden and many others. Some may even be dead and she would be drinking and dancing the night away with those on this ship. 

The itching returned full force, she began violently rubbing her arm. A semi frustrated groan leaving her.

"What?" Fenrys replied, Brielle frowned at him as he inspected the core of the apple he had left exposed. 

"All this" she lift her chin towards where Alexi was helping Vera unload a box of alcohol. She hissed under her breath, resorting to using her nails to scratch her arm, Some force in the air made her skin prickle when Fenrys turned his full attention to her now, 

He frown as she continued to scratch, reaching across he gently grabbed her hand, pulling it away he began to scratch at her arm for her, The blood in her vein turned to ice at his touch, thank god he hadn't rolled her sleeve, she wasn't ready to full admit it's presence yet.

"I think they are using this as a way to help everyone momentarily forget everything else that's going on" he was focusing on smoothing out her sleeves now, the itch easing with each gently stroke of his finger, soothing the intense burning of the itch.

"But that seems selfish of us to forget that when people are suffering" she pulled away slightly, "and we'll be dancing and drinking"

Fenrys straightened up to cup both sides of her face. "We'll be taking the night to enjoy each others company and spend what time we might have left together. I don't see anything wrong with that and besides. You're not a selfish person by nature, trust me I've seen it. I've seen you, even the parts you want to pretend are not there"

Leaning up Brielle cast her mouth upon his, encompassing her body to his. His presence was warm and everything she needed in that moment. It took her a second to think about it, but what he said was true. They had every right to do what they wished in the time they had left.

"Save it for tonight, you two" 

Brielle pulled away, despite Fenrys' grip at the nape of her neck; that she hadn't entirely released was there. Turning away Brielle watched Rowan saunter past, a pile of wooden planks in his arms. He was smirking at them, for all his annoyance at her mate Rowan had the habit for reciprocating that irritating banter.

"You can't talk, you jump Aelin any chance you get" Lysandra voiced, stepping out from around Rowan's other side. 

Fenrys laughed, head tilting back to let the sound reign free, 

Rowan snapped a darkening glower at Fenrys as he continued to laugh, only looking away when Lysandra bumped her hip into his side as she stalked past.

Brielle hugged herself into her mates side trying to ignore the itch as it grew once more, a subtle reminder, a tugging at the blood magic trapping her soul. 

"Are you alright my Love?" Fenrys had clutched at her waist to jostle her from her thoughts, which too had trapped her enough for her to not even notice that she'd be blankly staring at the decking for the past few minutes.

Trying to testify her own truth was difficult when the words had tied a knot in her tongue. If Fenrys had the knowledge of her task, would he be like so many others who ignore those who do not bend. Will she keep bending until she snaps?

She couldn't risk it, no matter how strong the itch got. She would rather snap then finally bow to the Blood oath. The little amount of control she grasps would do for now.

"Nothing Fen, I'm fine. Think I just need a fucking drink"

If the slight squint in her mates expression was any indication that he didn't believe her one bit, Brielle was glad he didn't push further, 

"You and me both"

"Need I remind you, you're still on post" Brielle straightened as Aelin walked past, heading in the direction of Lysandra and Rowan. She paused in her walking to make eyes contact with Brielle, there was no resentment or malic in her stare, the built up tension between them turning to a stage of mutual respect. Brielle didn't dare move, perhaps to not disturb the air between them. 

After a few seconds Aelin continued on, leaving the pair by Fenrys' watching post. Nothing but the silence between their bodies.

"She scares me" he admitted from beside her, turning he watched Brielle while she tracked Aelin's movement from the other side of the ship, "Not like majorly, but just a bit"

"She's decade younger then you" 

"So? You scare me sometimes."

Brielle looked back to Fenrys, watching as his brow twitched an inch closer upon itself, a laugh bubbled inside her, this centuries old Fae warrior was scared of the females amongst their kind.

"I'm sensing a theme here Fenrys, you going to tell me your scared of Vera next."

He deadpans. "Of course, I'm scared of her, she literally conducts lightening"

As if on cue, a zap of blue lightening sparks through the air, hitting her mate straight in the ass. Fenrys lets out a yelp of surprise, jumping back away from the post as though it had shocked him in an personal offence. 

Instead he spied Vera from across the deck, blowing the pair a kiss with tendril of her signature blue lightening dancing across he finger tips. She quipped a smirk and eyebrow at them, hearing every word of their conversation.

Brielle let out a laugh so violently fast she had to arch forward, pressing both hands to her knees to balance, Fenrys swore under his breath, keeping track of the Fae female from the corner of his eye when she moved back to helping with setting up.

Brielle simple patted him on the shoulder, he flinched slightly as though expecting her touch to be laces with the lightening itself, in farewell and good luck Brielle wandered off to begin helping set up the ship in preparation for a night that would be remembered.

~

The night was cooler then most they had spent out on the open water, but the bodies dancing around on the top desk, drew in heat upon itself.

Brielle brought the cool bottle rim up to her lips, swigging back on the liquid inside. The drink was warm as it slide down her throat. The itchy had began to cease with each bottle she finished, finding herself chasing the ease it brought, after a day struggling through its incessant torture.

Three human crew members stood on varying steps, playing an upbeat tune on three different instruments, some with strings, others were being banged by the men's hands, a beat changing each time they started a new song.

Standing off to the railing, Brielle had briefly managed to avoid two stumbling guys as they attempted to dance around one another, a drunken misstep in each and every wrong direction they could possibly go.

There wasn't a doubt the noise rolling from the ship could be heard for miles as crew members burst out into song, the words a jumbled string of noise, no more then mumbles. People swayed together in lines, raising their glasses to the heavens above with nothing but the moonlight and oil lamps to illuminate their euphoric expressions.

She swallowed back another mouthful, her body growing more oblivious to the burn in her throat, amongst the crowds of bodies she could just pinpoint the familiar face of her mate, the lamp light hitting the otherworldly glint of his eyes, which were unswerving in their attention on her, despite the vast amount of distractions around him.

His stare was burning her into embers, the heat of it making her squirm even from the distance that parted them. Brielle hadn't noticed he held a glass until he lifted it, nudging the rim along the bottom side of his lip before he drunk from it, watching her from over its lipped edge. 

Her skin prickled, tightening her fingers around her own glass, fearful she may drop it to the floor from sheer distraction. It was a struggle to not barrel through the bodies to his side, to in-capture his mouth with her own, a burning not brought on by the alcohol became to spread through her, coiling in her lower stomach. 

Even after decades being side by side Brielle couldn't help but get a sense of anxiousness when Fenrys didn't look away, the expression akin to that of seeing something you love for the first time. With the little sense the alcohol had left her with, she blinked away his gaze, eyes falling down to the half-filled glass.

The win blew lightly across the bodies, not for a second dampening the joy pounding in the air between them, The lioness didn't dare look up from her inspection, fearful that perhaps Fenrys might not be looking at her. The coiling in her gut, shifted making her throat tighten, the thought of never seeing him after tonight making the air constrict.

A warm finger hooked gently beneath her chin, the person pinching it between their thumb and index. The hand extended to stroke along the bone of her jaw, the callouses on the palm were so familiar it loosened the tightness within her chest, 

Fenrys lightly gripped, tilting her head back until their lips were inched apart, He was so close she could practically taste his drink wafting off his lips, eyes flicking she could confirm there was a droplet of it glossing the swell of his lower lip, as though he had purposely forgotten to lick it away.

Another hand seized her waist sharply, a gasp emitting out her, knuckles taut around her glass she could have sworn it would break any second now. 

The blood tramped through every inch of her skin, pulsing in a rhythm of absolute certainty. Easing her magic from her she pushed it onto her mate, Fenrys inhaled sharply, his head dropping to rest near her neck, his breath fawning her flesh there.

Brielle could feel everything with her power's touch, his heart hammering just as fiercely, his blood pumping like a wild fire. The tightening in his pants, then she could sense something else beneath all that. 

It was old, in his blood, so ingrained it was nature, the underlining need to fulfill and protect another, 

as though acknowledging what it was she was sensing, Fenrys shifted so he was once again watching her, with a pointed look. The space between their bodies was growing smaller when a second figure suddenly bumped into the side of them, 

A sharp growl emitted from her mate, and arm curling around her entirely to pull her against his chest, Brielle had just enough sense to hold an arm out to steady the newcomer, the all too vibrant spark of Vera jostling beside her.

"You two  make    me  feel   lonely  , without  my    son  and   mate." her words were slowed, and loud.

Brielle whipped a hand out to wrap it around Vera's mouth, only few knew about the offspring between the two Wandering spies, sober Vera knew well enough to keep her secrets, but this loose tongued female would frown upon herself in the morning if Brielle didn't do something now, and she would be damned before she allowed one of her spies family to become at risk for a drunken mistakes.

Brielle kept a grip to Vera's elbow as she swayed slightly, not that she trusted herself to walk in a straight line, but her help would be better then none at all.

"I'm going to see her to bed" by way of farewell, Brielle took her friends arm, and began to walk away, smiling back as Fenrys fumbled out, trying to hide the far to obvious growth between his legs.

Vera's legs tumbled out beneath her, it took Brielle's full arm support to keep the female off the deck. People parted for them, and straying eyes of the human crew members didn't go unnoticed by Brielle,

With a flash of her canines and a dark look, many were quick to glance away, their expressions growing pale despite the alcohol blush many of them harboured. Vera seemed to come more to as they made their way to the stairs,

"V!"

Brielle could do nothing to stop Vera's body as it snapped to the side, the high pitch voice of another female drawing her attention, for all her tight grip it caught Brielle off guard when Vera managed to weasel away from her. Slipping into the crowd of men who parted when Brielle glowered at them.

Tracking her spy through the bodies, she finally caught up when Vera seated herself next to Lysandra.

The shifter was joined by Aelin, who sat a little straighter then her friends, a glass in hand. Her cheeks also harboured the dusky blush courtesy of her drink,  her unladylike position of propping one leg up on barrel beside her.

"You will know." Lysandra declared rather loudly eagerly patting Vera's leg, the female swaying in her place, her efforts to hold herself up making her looking like a buoy on oceanic currents.

"Is it big?" 

Aelin coughed into her drink, gaping like a fish she blinked at Lysandra. The world began to spin slightly around Brielle, she shouldn't have downed that last glass, with a slump in her step she moved for a seat between Vera and Aelin. She would stay until the spinning stopped, then she could help Vera to bed.

"Lys, You can't just blurt it like that" Aelin seemed to scoff slightly, 

Lysandra frowned,  then Aelin smirked at her friend, "Context at least." The shifters smile was devilish in its nature

"We've been discussing whether males of Fae and shifter heritage have longer well.. you know..." she pointed between her legs.

Vera was gawking before she burst into a fit of giggling laughter, Aelin too seemed to struggle at keeping her own laughter at bay. Lysandra looked slightly offended by their laughter, her invested interest making her turn sharply to meet Brielle in conversation.

The determined look in her face almost caused Brielle to bolt, her lack of faith in her own balance however kept her grounded and therefore victim to Lysandra's further questioning. As the few females on the ship, they alone could find the answers to this query.

"You've a Fae mate. but have you any other experience to reference to?" her eyes narrowed in keen drunk interest

The fog swirling in Brielle's head was beginning to cloud her memory, she had been with human men through her work with Maeve but not many were memorable, especially not when compared with Fenrys, gods their was that feeling again.

"The length doesn't always matter, it's the quality of wat they do with it– that's the important part." Aelin admitted, her lips pouted by a finger in thought, she leaned back relaxed into her spot.

Vera scoffed, "You two are with some of the oldest Fae, sure they have experience in treating us right"

"I know I am" Aelin smiled.

As though a thought occurred to the shifter in that moment, Lysandra whipped back around to face Brielle, her mouth half agape with drunken excitement. 

"You spent years with them" she speculated, 

Usually the ache of those circumstances would make Brielle close off all thought, but the drink was combating the ache inside her, Brielle leaned forward into her knee in thought, 

"You're point?"

"Have you only bedded one", she leaned back a smugger look, "If I was you, I would have climbed most of them the moment I saw them training topless"

Vera spun, "Did they do that often? Train topless"

"It was getting them to put one on that is the trick"

Vera and Lysandra shared a look of somewhat jealously, as Aelin took a quick swig of her drink before offering it to Brielle, she paused for a second before clasping the glass and taking a drink from it.

"Yes, I've only bedded one" 

"So which one do you think is bigger?" The conversation seemed to steer off in the direction of where Rowan stood, Fenrys joining him at his side.

A beat of silent passed before Brielle muttered, bringing the glass back to her lips, "Lorcan."

The other three females whipped to shoot her perplexed looks. She didn't notice however instead watching the males as they were more rigid then sticks, arms folded across their broad chest. They could relax just a little, might make them look more approachable. 

Brielle scratched at the twinging in her arm, finally looking back to the others, Vera was smirking, while Aelin was frowning,

"What? Training leaves no room for modesty." The young Queen seemed satisfied with that, as though recalling her own experiences, she raised a hand for the glass. Brielle held it for her.

They settled into a calming silence, their bodies growing heavy from their drink, limps uncoordinated as they leaned into one another. 

"Do you think we could just get them too... like... measure it somehow?" Lysandra was watching the males from across the ship with a tilt in her head, perhaps trying to see through their clothing.

Aelin giggles slightly before she raised her hand in front of herself, aligning them beside each other she lowered it down to her leg as though measuring an image from her mind.

Lysandra burst into laughter, her body rocking with each exhale.  As the realisation dawned, Vera began doing the same thing, laughing when she couldn't coordinate her hand enough to gather an appropriate measurement of Theron's size.

"I can't remember, my minds broken!" she shrieked suddenly, a tear suddenly fell from her cheek when she looked up, Brielle couldn't help but laugh at the helpless look on the spies face, 

Vera brought both shaky hands up, palm facing palm,  parallel to each other, "Is that big?" she gesture to the space between her palms. Her drunken smile was weary when Aelin copied, the space between her hands slightly bigger then Vera's.

 The spy wailed, dropping both hands onto her lap, accepting the drink from Lysandra when she held it out to her.

"That can't be accurate" Brielle pondered, reaching for Aelin's glass once more, the queen shot her a soft smile, the pinken tint to her cheek growing.

"Gooood point." Vera looked up quickly, a smirk playing across her lips. "Alexiiiiiii"

As on cue the male halted dead in his tracks, the horizontal crescent tattoo on his brow creasing when he looked to them, his dark pupils scanning each female with a sober efficiency none of them possessed in that current moment, 

"Drop you trousers," Vera remarked looking to the ground quickly, 

Alexi's expression dropped and he looked around, like he wasn't sure what she had asked of him.

"Sorry?"

Vera looked up, half expectant of him to have done it already, Brielle snicked catching Aelin's smirk as Alexi shifted, his usual loud demeanor long gone.

Vera perked herself up on the crate, holding both hands up once again she frowned when she couldn't quite get the spacing right, "Fuck." she analysed her hands once more, scowling at them like they alone had personally offended her.

Lysandra fell forwards slightly with laughter, the wheezing making her sound utterly breathless as they all continued to watch Vera get more frustrated with each attempt she tried and failed.

Once she finally got it right, she looked up to Alexi expectantly.

His eyes flickered to each of them, unsure if he was supposed to know what it was she was implying.

"Is that big, or average would you say?"

For a second Brielle believed the question to have thrown him off, but instead Alexi looked deep in thought, he had just glanced down his body his mouth opening to answer, a smug smirk replacing his previously shaken expression, when a hand landed onto his shoulder.  From around his smaller frame outstepped Gavriel. 

"Oh Gavriel!" Vera shouted excited, hands flailing

Knowing exactly where she was going with this, Brielle screamed out, "NOOOOOO" pushing the heels of her palm into her eyes sockets, that would be an image she would never get out of her head even if she was drunk.

Brielle could sense muttering but she didn't dare remove her hands until she could hear retreating footsteps.

 Alexi being lead away by her brother, towards where Rowan still stood with Fenrys, their figures fuzzy lines next to the lamp light.

"For fuck sake, I want to know who's bigger?" Vera pouted

"Shh, they're hear you" Aelin hissed playfully, her hand slapping Vera lightly in the arm.

Lysandra leaned around throughout watching Gavriel walk away, Brielle shivered.

"Do you think Aedion may have inherited such things from his father..." her question was left open,

Aelin shook her head rapidly, burning that image away would be difficult. Brielle pulled a expression, reaching to grab for the drink her and Aelin had been sharing. Only to find it empty, 

She rose rather quickly, when she moved her foot snagged against the bellows of Vera's dress, she didn't posses enough balance to catch herself as she fell forward, landing hard against the decking.

The laughter erupted around her like a wave of warm air.

☽⋆❈⋆☾

Fenrys watched as Gavriel stalked closer, the young Fae male under his arm, in a sort of protection from the gathering of the four drunken females. Their laughter like a never ending roll of thunder, 

The wide eyes of Alexi met his own, if only he were a few decades older he may have been able to survive a drunken conversation with full blooded Fae female and still manage to shake the wavering expression of mild terror from his face.

Fenrys coughed into a laugh, the Cadre as Aelin called them had spent years around Brielle and Teyra in Doranelle, the two would often fill their time drinking and training. Not in the same time, but none the less. The duo were not to be trifled with lightly when doing either of those activities.

Looking on now, Fenrys could already foresee the mistakes they had made by allowing Vera, Aelin and Brielle to drink together.

"Will someone enlighten me on what they're taking about?" Gavriel was shaking his head, glancing across when Aelin howled out with laughter, 

"For fuck sake, I want to know who's bigger?" the voice of Vera blurted across the deck. Followed by a flurry of hushing from the others.

Alexi looked horrified when he watched their reactions, Gavriel the ever calm warrior shook his head,  Rowan did well to not display his emotions as he watched, a keen eyes observing the group, 

Fenrys was smirking, hands folding as he watched Brielle, the moon and starlight shinning down upon her, an angel made from darkness. Without her armour, he could see the curve of her breast and muscled waistline, that despite being relaxed of weapons, still harbour a few dangerous glistening daggers on her belt.

"We all know it's me" he had sharpened his own smirk into a weapons of his own creation when he glanced to Rowan, the older male shooting him one that promised pain if he continued on, 

"You wish boyo" 

Fenrys scoffed at Whitethorns response before there was a 'thump' from the direction of the drinking females,

He should'd have taken his eyes off them, for Brielle now lay face down on the decking, her whole body vibrating from laughter. He allowed for a second to pass, watching as Lysandra tilted precariously on her own seat, Vera fell forwards with laughter. Aelin's fresh face was glinting with tears of joy, her expression pained as she clutched at her stomach, faintly muttering about how the laughter made it hurt so.

Rowan sighed, and Alexi winced before he patted Gavriel on the shoulder, and as though he had never been there, he slipped away. The three stopped for a second, to marvel at how easily the younger male had slinked into the surrounding darkness that seemed to house no shadows.

Fenrys moved first, unfolding his arms he moved through the crowd to the four females, Vera spotted him first, eyes traveling up his whole body before she turned to kick Brielle lightly in the leg.

His mate rolled onto her back,  legs swinging up into the air in small semi circles,

"I can't feel them," her eyes widened when she glanced to her feet, "I can see them." her head shook, "I think I'm paralysed"

"Bree, you wouldn't be moving them if you were paralysed" Fenrys shoved his free hands into his pockets as he stood above her, watching on when she continued to sway her legs in the air. Yeah, definitely not paralysed.

"Come on," he extended both hands, he could still feel the eyes of the other females on him, "Lets go."

Brielle glanced up, an entertained look sparking to life, "but I can't walk"

"I think you'll be fine"

"but my feet are gone"

He didn't let her worry on, grabbing for both her hands Fenrys pulled his mate to her feet, she gasped when she was straightened once more.

"They work!" her surprised, amused him more then it should have, wrapping an arm around her waist, Fenrys gripped there, just to make sure she didn't fall.

Brielle swung with the wind that blew over the deck, she would have fallen had it not been for his grip, she leaned back towards the giggling females, "He knows how to use it" Fenrys caught the quick waggle of her brows, she planted a hand to his chest, "But he isn't the biggest"

Not in anyway was her voice quiet, Fenrys prickled when he heard Whitethorn barked out a laugh from where he still stood, 

Fenrys gave a light tug at her hip, pulling her attention back to him,  

"You-"

She cut him off with a misplaced kiss that just caught the side of his mouth,  when she pulled away, he could taste the liquor on his lips. Brielle lulled her head back so it seemed to rest on her neck, looking at him through half lidded eyes

"You never complain about my size when you're begging"

Sobriety seemed to jolt back into her, "Oh I don't beg."

"I could change that." Brielle hummed with a witling of amusement so prominent it didn't seem as though she had anything to drink at all.

"Come now" 

Fenrys gently tugged her side, careful to not sway her too much, his eyes flickering across her watching the slight twitch in her brow when she registered his words, his smile didn't falter as he continued to stare. Fenrys couldn't quite find it in himself to look away, a tightening sharpened inside him.  A knife honing to drive straight through his heart, one which Brielle held tightly onto. 

Never in his hundred of years had he ever, wanted something more then to simply spend every waking second with her, this female who had abruptly tumbled into his life, like a storm personified. It had unrooted everything he had come to know, but he liked it, the chaos she caused and the hope she brought with her, a shadowing effect that left him breathless every time she stepped into view.

Her warmth pushed into his chest, the fanning of her hot breath blowing through the thin cotton of his shirt, pulling him away from his thoughts, he pressed a kiss into her forehead then began steering them both towards a pile of blankets, laid on deck. 

"We can just relax here for a moment" 

He pulled her down beside him, Brielle snuggling herself into his side once more, needing the feeling of him against her.

"I can't lose you" her words trailed off, 

Fenrys twisted, looking at Brielle. Her eyes were glossed, and expression lost as though she wasn't physically here. Mind wandering to unwanted thought that made him crease a brow at her in confusion,

"I'm not going anywhere, My love" he brushed away the stray strand of golden hair that had snagged to her lashes, tucking the strand behind the shell of her ear, allowing his finger to linger for a second.

Brielle huffed a breathy giggle, smiling quickly, Fenrys didn't miss the unnerved glint in her eyes, though she tried to hide it. To anyone else he doubted they would notice, but he wasn't her mate for nothing. In haste she withdrew the look from her own eyes, the tang of her magic numbing the end of his tongue, the tingle spreading like needles around his skin.  

A wave of pleasure followed, ever nerve receptor in him twining with pulsing pleasure. His breath hitched so suddenly he was sure his heart stopped, his dick strained, and he adjusted quickly, easy up into a more comfortable position. Gulping down the feeling, he leans into her body as though chasing where the pleasure pounded strongest, 

Rubbing into her body, he caught the glint of Brielle smirking right before his body went coldly numb, the pulsing gone.

Fenrys was stiff when he made himself rasp out, "Do it again." the words were a struggle to not come out as a plead, he doubted his expression said anything but.

"Now who's the one begging?"  her pupils were wide in that so familiar wild amusement, her eyebrow crooked upwards, a devilish smirk plaguing her beautiful lips.

There is was again, that unbeatable pang inside him, lungs tightening when she looked at him. He felt the moment his heart hammered into his ribs, Brielle laughed, the sound tickling that feeling, causing it to erupt, She nudged her head into his chest, taking a breath in of his scent, as though she had never smelt him before.

A swell of contentment overfell them as they tumbled into silence together, entrapped around each others bodies, the time slipping out from around them, ignoring the others as the world fell into complete darkness, allowing the night to consume them, together, as one.

. . .

Taglist: @dreamiezpsycho@lunaralaraspace@mis-lil-red@mali22@the-fae-are-taking-over

Next Part

[autumnslance]

Prompt #20: Anon

((Revised on Ao3))

She was still quite young when Ran’jit took her from her small room and her nanny, leading her down, down, down into the depths, to where through parts of the stone walls she could hear the susurant ebb and flow of the tide against the isle, and then even that was hushed as they went deeper still.

“You shall remain here,” he said in his deep, gravelly voice. She thought he was trying not to sound unkind, yet she trembled at the firmness in his tone. “I will return anon.”

The door closed behind her, and the lock clunked into place with a finality even a child understood.

She explored the little apartment; there was a small side alcove with a curtained bed, only enough room left over for a nightstand to the side and a small wardrobe at the foot of the bed. The main part of the chamber held a desk and a low bookcase; mostly educational fare, some picture books and even novels. There were a few toys; a couple of dolls and a tea service. The sorts of things Nanny’s tales said the noble girls had in their rooms.

The chronometer high on the wall ticked relentlessly, silvery little bells chiming for every hour that passed. Food was sent into the chamber through a little slot low in the door. A fine meal; meats, fresh vegetables, warm bread, and a fruity dessert, along with a glass of chilled milk. It did not taste good through her sniffling.

The little bells on the chronometer tinkled a much later hour than she had ever sat up before.

Another tiny alcove held the commode, a sink, and a tub with a shower head. She washed herself and eventually crawled into bed.

On waking she took care of herself again. Breakfast came through the slot once more, the previous night’s tray taken away. She found a few basic cleaning supplies in a cabinet in the bathing alcove and tidied up, then set to reading. She played with some of the toys. She read some more. She ate when food was put in the slot.

Her tutor came every other day, with a study schedule and more books, but hesitated to answer her teary questions, beyond “the General says you’ll be safe here.”

Ran’jit did not return for a full sennight. “I shall return anon,” he said again, when he left after only a half bell.

It was never predictable; sometimes a few days, sometimes weeks, a handful of times a whole moon. She knew he was busy. She knew now “anon” meant “later.”

—

This dashing hero who had pulled her from her cell and fought off that sin eater now looked like a tired, disheveled man who winced when he moved his left arm a certain way. Thancred bade her keep her cloak up as they meandered into the dusty little town.

They had not stopped since escaping Eulmore, moving by either amaro or their own feet, for nearly twenty bells now. She had known that even if it was all that was left of the world, Norvrandt was still large, but she had not been aware of just how big the outside could be.

They shuffled into the inn, Thancred haggling the price of a room with the old mord who kept the place. Once they finally settled, he took the key and led the way upstairs.

The room was tiny; barely large enough for the two cots and single dresser within, but it was clean and the shutters on the single window kept the Light out. He looked around. “There’s a washstand; go on and clean up a bit, I shall return anon.”

Her heart clenched at the words as he left, the door closing behind him. The lock clicked.

In the depths of the prison he had sworn he was not going anywhere—but that was then, with guards and a sin eater upon them. Now?

There was naught in this room but the beds, the stand, and the water basin. She sighed; she did need to clean. She took her time, feeling better as some of the dust and grime sluiced away.

Eventually the lock clicked again, and there was a careful knock on the door. “Is it all right to come in?” Thancred asked.

She blinked, then quickly made sure she was presentable. “Yes!” she called back.

He stepped inside, smiling wearily, tightly, and bringing food, juice, clean water, and what looked to be a fresh first aid kit. “Had to do some quick shopping, but thought you could use the time. And we still have a long way to go, after a bit of sleep.”

“You came back,” she whispered.

His brows knit together as he frowned. “Of course I did; I told you, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll keep you safe—I’m sure as hells not letting you go back there.”

She nodded, and left it at that.

Over time and their travels across Norvrandt, Thancred taught her the other meaning of “anon” was “soon.”

[i-did-not-mean-to]

Dear brother...

For the last prompt of this week, I present to you my husband's prompt "Victorian AU - Balin", featuring not Balin but Dwalin. Anyway, I am knee-deep in that whole Regency/Victorian AU swamp.

(If you like that kind of thing, check out the newest endeavour-> here)

Words: 963

Characters: Dwalin & Balin

Prompt: Postcards

Warnings: Nothing, just a breakfast and a letter

"M'lord?"

A young servant girl appeared on the threshold of the morning room where Dwalin was just breaking his fast, a silver tray in her pale hands.

Surprised, the Lord of the small estate looked up impatiently; it was not like her to interrupt him during these quiet few moments before he had to attend to his usual business and duties.

"What is it?" he asked, conjuring up a pained, apologetic smile when he saw her flinch.

He had an important meeting with Lord Thorin, master of the sprawling manor on the hill overlooking the town, later in the morning and he had already been mentally preparing for it.

"Beg pardon," the girl said in a muted voice, "but I thought you'd like to know right away. Your brother has written."

His astonishment full-wrought, Dwalin got up from the perfectly upholstered chintz chair and threw the paper he had been perusing onto the richly laden table with careless precision.

A grunt of disapproval escaped him as he thumbed through his correspondence quickly in search of his brother's missive.

Balin had—after much convincing by his family and friends—finally agreed to leave the smoky, industrial town to take the waters in a picturesque village on the coast.

In the name of his recovery, he had been encouraged by everyone not to reach out to anyone to inquire about the daily sorrows and problems they encountered.

"I hope, for him that is, that he is only writing to tell me how well-rested he feels and how wonderful the sea air is," Dwalin grumbled as he tore open the plain envelope.

In truth, he missed his brother terribly and did not envy him for the way he had ever carried the weight of their name and their responsibilities on his broad shoulders diligently and quietly.

Had he known how difficult and tiring the upkeep of a proper household in the absence of mothers and wives was, he might have thought twice about going gallivanting for so many years, leaving his older brother to deal with all of it without ever complaining.

"I so hope Master Balin's complexion will benefit from the wholesome climate," the girl whispered fervently and gave Dwalin a shy smile.

He returned it with as much grace as he could—indeed, try as he might, it was impossible for him to resent her for overstepping the boundaries of professional distance when it was so evident that she deeply cared for her employer and was sincerely worried about how haggard and weary Balin had looked these last few months.

"I shall let you know," he promised, "I shall ring for you or come down to the servant quarters after having finished my breakfast."

The idea that the young master would debase himself so seemed to shock her into an air of sober propriety again.

"Oh no," she cried out, "we are entirely at your disposal. Forgive me for having intruded."

With a discreet curtsy, she retreated and left Dwalin to read his unexpected letter in peace.

Lifting a cup of merely lukewarm tea to his lips, Dwalin found that he had forgotten about Thorin and his eternal struggles with his sister's sons for a moment.

He unfolded the sheets covered in Balin's neat handwriting and read.

Dear brother,

It should gratify and delight you to hear me admit that you are indeed wise beyond what your gruff demeanour might promise.

The sea, the air, and the quiet have done wonders for my constitution and even the insistent back pain that has been ailing me so doggedly has subsided.

I eat well and sleep even better.

Forgive an old man his flight of sentimentality, but the only thing that makes my much-restored spirits sink is your absence.

By chance—what would two old bachelors such as we know about these things—I have learned recently that the “season” is in full swing.

Do not frown overmuch as you read these following lines, I beg you—I know that Thorin is ever on the lookout for worthy endeavours and instructive entertainment for the boys.

Would you consider doing me the honour and him the service of visiting me here with Fíli and Kíli?

I am certain that there cannot be any undertaking more noble and meritorious than to secure a wife of good standing and excellent breeding, wouldn't you agree?

In that sense, I pray that you might exculpate my meddling; I promise that I am taking the very best care of myself and that this renewed enthusiasm and vigour are indeed a product of the success of your initiative on my behalf.

Please send word as soon as you've spoken to Thorin, I would be overjoyed to welcome you in the cosy house I've taken for the summer. There is enough room for everyone, so feel free to bring a party of young people to liven up things, I beg you.

Warm greetings,

Balin

Dwalin's frown deepened.

The thought of indulging in merry company without the crushing weight of social expectations was oddly seductive.

Pocketing the letter, he rang for the servant to come and take away the scattered remains of his meal.

"I am off to see Lord Thorin," he informed, "please pack a few semi-formal garments."

"Oh, are you also going away?" the girl asked, surprised and wary.

"For a time, yes," he confirmed, "but I shall be back soon. I'll be off—I expect preparations to have been made upon my return. I shall not tarry long.”

His steps were light and joyous as he made his way up the hill to inform Thorin of this unexpected turn of events.

Maybe, Dwalin thought wickedly, he could convince the old codger himself to accompany them to the seaside for a much-needed holiday.

@fellowshipofthefics Here's my last submission for the first week of the July Summer Fics.

Lots of love from me!