#wedding festivities many years later

[foxsoulcourt]

the optimal condition (for birds to take flight) (5938 words) by scribbleb_red Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: All For The Game - Nora Sakavic Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Neil Josten/Andrew Minyard, Aaron Minyard & Andrew Minyard Characters: Aaron Minyard, Andrew Minyard, Neil Josten, Kevin Day, Katelyn (All For The Game) Additional Tags: Fluff, Angst with a Happy Ending, Kite surfing, Found Family, Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Island Paradise Fic, Maldives, Morning AUs, FBI, Extradition laws are not my forte but I know this much Summary:

On a tiny Maldivian island, during his brother's stag do, Andrew Minyard meets Neil Josten - a kite-surfing enigma who claims to be on the run from the law.

Bookmarker's Notes:

I love the way @scribbleb-red​ brings us right.into.the.center of the universe where her stories take place. In this one I could feel the HEAT, smell the ocean air, feel the sand underneath my feet + s e e each of the characters, especially that enigmatic kite surfing human.

Reader, come join journalist Andrew Minyard as he travels far away from his urban environment to the isolated Maldives. Witness how sometimes, just sometimes, saying yes to small things leads to saying yes in larger ways.

[reasonsforhope]

"In short: Thailand's Senate has approved a bill legalising same sex marriage in the South-East Asian country.

It will afford same-sex couples practical benefits such as being able to have children through IVF and make emergency medical decisions for their spouse.

What's next? The first weddings may take place later this year, 120 days after the law is announced in the Royal Gazette.

Thailand has become the first nation in South-East Asia to legalise same sex marriage, with the country's Senate approving the landmark bill this afternoon.

The legislation was expected to pass after it cleared the country's House of Representatives in a near-unanimous vote in March.

Despite Thailand's bustling gay bars and prominent transgender community making it a mecca for LGBTQ+ tourists, until now local same-sex couples there have been unable to marry.

The law will take effect 120 days after its announcement in the Royal Gazette, so the first same sex weddings may take place later this year.

Couples who have been waiting years have hailed the move as a historic moment that will afford them rights only reserved for spouses.

A Lifechanging Law

Photos of Anticha and Worawan [including the article picture], dressed in floor-length white gowns and trailed by rainbow flags, getting married at Bangkok's first Pride Festival two years ago went viral, but they are still not legally married.

Now they will be able to change that, and Anticha Sangchai is elated.

"This will change my life and change many Thai people's lives, especially in the LGBT community," she said.

"It is a historical moment and I really want to join with my community to celebrate this moment.

"I want to send a message to the world that Thailand has changed. Even though there are still many issues, this is a big step for us." ...

There were an estimated 3.7 million LGBT people in Thailand in 2022, according to LGBT Capital, a private company which models economic data pertaining to the community around the world.

For the young couple from Bangkok, being able to marry also has very real practical implications.

If they want to have children through IVF, Ms Sangchai says they will need a marriage certificate first.

"I am quite concerned about the time because we are getting older every day, and the older you get the more difficult it is to have a healthy pregnancy," she said.

"So we've been really wanting this law to pass as soon as possible."

Cabaret performer Jena is excited Thailand's laws are finally catching up with the nation's image...

She too had worried about the practical implications of being unable to marry.

"For example, if myself or my partner had to go to hospital or there was an accident that needs consent for an emergency operation, without a marriage certificate we couldn't sign it," she said.

She now wants the government to move forward with a law to allow transgender people to amend their gender on official documents." ...

An Economic Boost?

Thailand has long been famous for LGBTQ tourism and there are now hopes this new law could allow the country to cash in on the aging members of the community.

Chaiwat Songsiriphan, who runs a health clinic for people in the LGBTQ community, said laws preventing same sex marriage were the last barrier holding the country back from becoming a gay retirement hub.

[Note: They do not just mean for rich westerners; Thailand as a gay retirement hub would probably appeal most to and definitely benefit LGBTQ people from throughout Asia.]

"Thailand has an LGBTQ-friendly environment since Thai culture is quite flexible," he said.

"One of my foreigner friends, a gay friend, told me that when he's in his country he has to pretend to be straight … but when he comes to Bangkok he said you can be as gay as you want.

"When we talk about retirement or a long-term stay for the rest of their lives, what people need is … food, good healthcare services, transportation, homes.

"I think Thailand has it all at a very affordable price."

He said it could help give the country a desperately needed economic boost.

"This will have a lot of benefits for Thailand's economy because when we talk about retirement it's people literally bringing all the money they have earned for the rest of their working lives to spend and invest here," he said.

He said he, like the rest of the community, was thrilled by the news.

"It's not about a privilege, it's just equality," he said.

"We are we also humans, so we should be able to marry the one we love.""

-via ABC Australia, June 18, 2024

[lizardsfromspace]

Do you ever get kind of interested in a subject where nothing weird has happened yet but you know something weird is going to happen?

Anyway, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. It was originally a upscale resort community, and also still is: it's where rich people from Chicago kept their lake houses, and maybe still do. Its heyday was in the early to mid 20th century, where its status as a vacation destination was so set that Hugh Hefner even put the first ever "Playboy Resort" there. I haven't been there myself, so I may be wrong, but it doesn't give me, like, Pigeon Forge or Niagara Falls energy. The list of attractions online seems to be spas and parks and a few theaters.

But Lake Geneva is more famous now for its most famous son, Gary Gygax. Over the course frigid Wisconsin winters, he and several wargaming friends who didn't become famous developed tactical wargaming into the game Dungeons & Dragons in the early 1970s. He also began hosting a small gaming meetup in Lake Geneva, later called Gen Con, which outgrew the town by the late 1970s.

As I understand it, Lake Geneva didn't really embrace its status as the Birthplace of Dungeons and Dragons. When Gygax died, there were fan-funded tributes here and there, and fans created a new convention in his honor called Gary Con where they played games from his time at TSR, but D&D was still a niche hobby and not the thing you define a rich people resort town around.

Then, whoops, shows like Critical Role turned D&D into one of the most popular entertainment properties in the world! Now there's D&D-themed events popping up all over the place. Some of this is normal, like efforts to fund a more prominent memorial for Gary Gygax, and a Dragon Days Fantasy Festival. But some are going further. Because there are now at least two proposals to create immersive, D&D-themed LARP experiences in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, population 8,227

One is a large themed restaurant/bar/wedding venue (?) called the Griffin and Gargoyle, which is supposedly opening in 2024, though all the art is concept art and they're still looking for investors.

The other one is Giantlands, the proposed theme park where the tickets will be NFTs, based on a game no one's heard of developed by the son of Gary Gygax by a company that legally can't call itself TSR anymore, but tried anyway before rebranding as Wonderfilled, and who also tried to make old Gygax games even more racist? I can't even begin to explain this. I think they got dunked on years ago but they were still hyping up its Lake Geneva theme park that's definitely going to exist this week (this is from August 11th)

What's incredible to me here is that they're boasting that their LARP theme park will be from the makers of Evermore Park. Nothing says quality in immersive fantasy roleplaying parks like someone whose main claim to fame is making that other one that failed. Wonder how many real tombstones and haunted dolls they'll buy this time. And this one appears to have fighting arena

I seriously doubt these are the only two pitches. Everyone with too much money and a love for theme parks feels the little voice in their head saying they can do the Star Wars Hotel right. I think what gets me here is, nobody would put anything like this in Lake Geneva otherwise. It's small, it's located in Wisconsin so it'd have to be seasonal, and it's less than two hours away from Wisconsin Dells - an entire town of kitschy roadside attractions - and even closer to Chicago, which is Chicago. Its tourism niche is beaches and homes around a scenic lake. The only reason to place anything there would be to honor Gary Gygax, and uh, I don't think the younger people who got into D&D with 5E really care about him, or even necessarily know who he is. Gary Con and most Gygax-themed events are for old-school gamers, not the Critical Role crowd. And they especially don't care about whatever Giantlands is. Giantlands as a game is so old-school there isn't even a PDF of the book, it's physical only. They want to build a full theme park around a game you can't even buy on DrivethruRPG. Anyway I hope all this open bc it would be funny

[vanilleandclove]

the meadow in which you lay | 1

ser erryk cargyll x arryn!reader | chapter one: the king and his men

After the tourney, your encounters with Ser Erryk have been slim to none. Yet, with your cousin's wedding festivities, you reunite with your dear knight even with the unturn of events.

word count: 2k | warnings: description of violence, innuendo to an anxiety attack.

previous - next

taglist: @holb32 @callsignwidow

When the news broke that Queen Aemma had died during her labors, your father became suspicious. Thereafter, in the dark hours of night, news of Prince Baelon's death rang through the halls, only prompting an urgent meeting on the King's succession.

"I would like to see my sister Viserys" your father spat, consumed with grief as your brother and you peeped during the council's meeting, mourning the loss of your sweet aunt Aemma. You glanced at your brother, his eyes glassy and jaw tightened, he had always been fond of your aunt Aemma as he was always taken care of by her whenever your parents had to oversee engagements in the Vale.

"Might I remind you of formalities Lord Arryn" Otto Hightower spoke in reply, only earning the deadliest of glances from your father whom cared deeply of his sister and now must see to the engagements in the Vale as Jeyne must take the seat as your father's health was faltering.

"Piss off with your shit formalities Otto, my sister dead in childbirth knowing well of her conditions and how her past births and pregnancies had been. I would prefer to see my dear little sisters corpse before she is burned" your father spat, raising his voice at the Lord-hand. Truth be told, Aemma was part Targaryen, child of your grandsires second marriage, being cremated by a dragon was a festivity.

Your father never saw his sister, though he sobbed violently at her funeral, the Kingsguard worried he would dehydrate. As you saw your dear aunt's corpse burn alongside your cousin whom never was able to live, to love. To your left you saw the Kingsguard an obscured view beneath the flames.

You chose to comfort Rhaenyra during the loss of her mother, Alicent showing empathy to the situation. Rhaenyra dismissed you during the late of night, Alicent long gone to attend to her father's summons. As you paced through the halls, searching for your chambers, you were met with heavy silver nearly knocking you off your feet.

"Are you alright my Lady Arryn?" the knight said frantically, gripping onto your waist in order to catch your fall, feeling your body as it shook erratically. Your breathing was uneven, body grown heated; you bit your lip in order to stop the flow of tears, faltering greatly and becoming putty in the knight's hands.

"I am d-deeply sorry Ser, I cannot-" your words were taken by grief and anxiety, the flow of tears never-ending. Erryk quickly wiped your tears and embraced your figure tightly, in order to stop your nerves overpowering your body. Lightly cooing in your ear to help ease your worries. Your love, deep as it may, eased every bone.

"Sshh darling, it is alright. I have you" Erryk whispered into your ear, as whimpers left your mouth and shuddered your body. You knew of Erryk's duties, as Ser Ryam's health further faltered. Yet your worries laid in the man who held you, as the Stepstones became a threat.

Near the end of the night, you could not forget the touch of your once lover. Nor could you forget a year and a half later, as you were called to court in King's landing once again as Rhaenyra's lady in waiting. After catching Rhaenyra and Lord Commander Harold, choosing the knight for a replacement in the Kingsguard.

"Cousin!" Rhaenyra smiled, hugging you deeply, "I did not think you'd journey this far, how is Jeyne?". It had been far too many moons since you've seen your cousin, within that time, your father had been kissed by death leading your mother to become a dowager. Your brother had business to attend to as he was now betrothed to one of the Tully girls. Leaving you to find your place in court, specifically that of the rightful heir, Rhaenyra.

"I might admit, the Red Keep seems quite smaller than when we last saw each other my dear cousin" you joked, greeting Ser Harold as well, "Looking rather dashing as always Ser Harold", the knight smiled and nodded his head at your words. He knew of your affections with his once squire, granted, he would be a fool to not notice the way Ser Erryk would straighten his posture as well as you would when you two would encounter one another.

"Oh! You should join my father and I to supper, he would be delighted to have your company as much as I" Rhaenyra mentioned, though her enthusiasm quickly diminished as she glanced over to Alicent, walking with none other than the King. "They spend an awful amount of time with one another" she lightly spited, she had not talked to Alicent since their prayer.

"I wish I could but the journey has me spent, may I go wash up- my princess" you spoke, Rhaenyra's temper became airy once again, she ticked her tongue.

"You do not have to use formalities, we are family" Rhaenyra smiled.

You often wondered how it would be had you be Targaryen, your hair would be pale, kissed by snow. Your irises would be purple, like that of precious gemstones. You would be closer to a god than that of a man. Though, you do not envy your cousin, having the royal duties and having to pretend almost all of the time.

You bid your goodbye's and went to your assigned chambers, not much has changed within a year; though you must note, Rhaenyra was right back Alicent's time being spent mostly around the King. You hoped, by the old gods and new, that Alicent was not hoping to be the new wife of Viserys, that her father has not sunk his fangs and claws into her yet and she has some sort of rationality.

"Would you like us to run a bath for you Lady Arryn?" one of the handmaidens spoke, their smiles always gleaming when you came, "Oh how your hair is that of silk!".

"It is ok, you all are dismissed" you nodded, "I will settle down and run my bath, you all should catch some sleep my ladies" the handmaidens were shocked at the lack of your need.

"Though, Margot" you spoke up as the others left your chambers, "Do you happen to know the status of the Cargyll brothers?". Margot, your sworn confidant that follows you everywhere, from the Vale to King's Landing. She piqued at your inquiry, smirking lightly.

"A Kingsguard is no match for a husband my sweet Lady" Margot quirked her eyebrows, "Though I heard murmurs of their duties to be sent to the Stepstones; granted I believe it is just a rumor dearest".

Your heart leaped from your body, you've heard rumors time and time again. But one that focused on the enlistment of your dear lover and his twin? God's save us all, you'd hope he'd never leave to be sent to a death sentence. Your thoughts wandered to the urgency of the Stepstones, over to the remarriage of the King, and much to that of your cousin.

For next several days, you stood by Rhaenyra's side, in her angriest of moments as the King had declared he'd to be wed to Lady Alicent Hightower. Every emotion that followed, how fear raked through her body as she wondered if she'd be overshadow by the potential children Alicent would sire her father, if the child, had they be male, if it was dismantle her claim to the throne.

The wedding, was lackluster. After all, Alicent did not feel as your friend as she once was now that she was now your cousin's step-mother and your Queen. The months that followed, Alicent became with child. Rhaenyra's hand still not given to be wed, neither that of yours which left a distaste to your brother whom has heard far too many marriage proposals for your hand. Within the turn of the year, Prince Aegon, was born. Donning the Targaryen, pale, white hair, Aegon was paraded around the Great Houses as they hoped he would be made heir, not Rhaenyra, not a woman. There were words of House Stark asking for your hand, as well as House Blackwood. Dashing, honorable, and driven young men they were, but they were not the knight of your heart. They were not Erryk.

Within the next three years, Erryk and Arryk were called to join Prince Daemon to fight in the Stepstones. Prince Aegon, on his second name day, dealt with the earnest jewels one could have on their name day, as Rhaenyra dealt with more marriage proposals than that of the Streets of Silk's finest of women. That have you, assisting your brother in his duties, the Riverlands complemented you, House Tully greatly welcomed you as your brother was now married. Now, you return once again to King's Landing to celebrate Rhaenyra's wedding to Ser Laenor Velaryon, though you must say, you never sensed they'd be match, romantically speaking.

The wedding festivities were one of fond memories you hold in the times of your youth. Your cousin and her now husband, the future consort were certainly a match, despite the boisterous interruption of the now, Queen Alicent Hightower, during the first feast. You noted the spite Alicent threw to your cousin, rolling your eyes as she feigned pride and congratulations for Rhaenyra. Though, you simply did not care towards the end of the night that was filled with dancing and feasting. You did however take into account Ser Harwin Strong and his protectiveness to your cousin, your heart fluttered as you then realized, the man loved her. As she did to him as well, just as Ser Laenor had his heart sworn to another. Duty is in fact, the death of love.

"May you grant me one dance my Lady Arryn?" Erryk questioned, as you were shamelessly eating, your mouth stuffed, looking up at the man who asked for your hand only to be met with embarrassment, he smiled, allowing you to chew and wiping the corners of your mouth for you.

"I'd be delighted" You smiled as you joined your cousin on the dancefloor, herself finding company in Ser Harwin, a gentle man he was to her.

"It has been years my Lady" Erryk murmured, you lock eyes as the song progresses, now noticing Daemon and Laena sharing a dance, Laenor off to the side with another. "I pained myself with the idea of you forgetting me I must admit".

"You truly are a sadist Ser Erryk" you giggled, holding his hand lightly, not squeezing enough for people to note intimacy, "I could never forget you my dear knight, nor that of your brother".

"Now that right there pains me" he ticked his tongue and just as you were about to bump into a Lannister, he shifted your position by grabbing a hold of your waist, "My brother and I may have been born together but we are quite different".

"I know that better than anyone I'm afraid" you teased, "One day the histories will remember me as the breaker of oaths if I continue to fancy you".

"I'd break a million of oaths to wed you Lady Arryn" he whispered, a part of you wants to believe him wholeheartedly, to know that this is not just teasing.

"You would have already done so".

"I can live without a keep to call my own" he began, "It is you I cannot fully disregard".

"But you can partially…".

"With great restr-".

The night was soon dimmed into a fight, as Ser Criston bashed the man of Ser Laenor's affections into a pulp, the graphic form of violence put a somber and unneeded memory onto the night. But how Harwin protected Rhaenyra was how Erryk protected you. You held onto his forearm tightly, fearing if you'd let go, you'd be trampled. Your heart was beating erratically, and he made his way through the crowd, not caring if one decided to fight him, but you? He'd commit murder and treason if one laid even a finger on you.

[three-penguins-in-a-trench-coat]

What if the villagers of Pelican Town know... everything?

When the Farmer arrives in town for the first time, and they begin to discover the secrets of the valley, what if the townspeople knew of it all?

They give vague omissions that they know a little of what goes on around them; The mines are to be avoided, the wizard deals with creatures outside of this world, something lives in our sewers, and so on and so forth.

But what if this isn't just them speculating, but specifically telling the farmer that they know. They know of the things that go bump in the night. They know why wails of terror and agony can be heard from the caves.

But as much as they want to be rid of the nightmares, they cannot move against them. They are cursed to know that they are surrounded by eldritch creatures that want them dead. And they can't do anything about it. They are stuck in a loop of nightmares and horror, cursed to never grow old, to never leave, to never change. They don't know how long they had been stuck there, it could be a year, it could have been a thousand, and it was all meaningless.

But then the Farmer arrives, wide-eyed and hopeful, ready to work.

Lewis is the first to notice that the Farmer is diffferent. When he gave them the tour of the old community centre, he pretended not to see the junimos, as he wouldn't want to scare them. He was quite surprised to see that the Farmer had noticed them too. Lewis dared not to hope, not yet. He simply waited. And then the Farmer donated the first bundle to the Junimos.

Somehow, the Farmer could do what they could not. They had the power to fight the terrors, to change.

Carefully, so as not to alert the Farmer to their doing, the townspeople slowly started guiding the farmer towards the magic. They hinted at secrets the Farmer would never be able to find. They made it just that little bit easier for the Farmer to make the world a better place. The progress was slow at first, but it started to build, faster and faster. The mines began to clear of monsters, and even the dreaded skull caverns began to empty. They were even able to bring a young child from the nearby islands back to their town, to give him a future.

For the first time in forever, the townspeople felt themselves free of the nightmares. Somehow, the farmer was able to break the loop. George and Evelyn quietly awaited the day they would return to yoba, and they knew it would come soon for they felt it in their soul. Everyone felt it. They were aging once more.

For a long time, life was beautiful. There were festivals, banquets, times of celebration and times of mourning. At one point, there was a wedding held in the town square. The Farmer was madly in love, and who could deny them their happiness? Production increased, and taxes were lowered. There was enough money for everyone to live comfortably and happily. But the Farmer wasn't done.

It took many years, but the work was finally complete. The farm was now a masterpiece of engineering, automated down to the feeding of the animals. And at the centre, standing as the highlight of the Farmer's accomplishments was a mighty golden clock. It was a grand thing, as if it were taken straight out of a fairy tale. They didn't know how it worked, but it seemed to have a stange effect upon them all. The townspeople didn't know how the Farmer had ended up in Stardew Valley, but they were thankful. They were thankful that they could break the curse that consumed them all.

It was many years later, and Penny was tutoring Vincent and Jas, when a strange thought fazed through her mind. She looked curiously down at the two children, who were happily reading away, and a faint sense of dread tugged at her. Dread she hadn't felt in a long time, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Later, she decided to take a walk to clear her head, try and figure out what was wrong.

By chance, she stumbled across the Farmer, who was fishing off the bridge by the beach. The Farmer looked at her, and smiled and waved, as they had a thousand times. But this time, she felt a jolt of fear pass through her body. It was still the Farmer, but... different. There was an evil presence inside of them, growing and festering like a tumor.

Shouldn't the children have grown up by now? Evelyn was well past a hundred years old. There was not a single wrinkle upon her; she was as youthful as the day she was trapped.

It was a slow realisation for everyone at first, but in time, they knew.

The Farmer was not the saviour they had hoped for. They were just another nightmare, and they were still stuck in the loop, forever cursed to play out the same actions forever.

[lavandulai]

S.S Pines x reader

Episode 1: Lantern Festival

It's a beautiful day in Gravity Falls, and the Mystery Shack buzzes with activity. The sun beams through the windows as Mabel and Dipper finish unpacking their things for the summer. Soos hums cheerfully in the background, organizing supplies. Mabel, her hair in her signature colorful headband, skips down the stairs with a wide grin.

"I'm all unpacked!" she announces brightly.

Y/N, who has been helping with the moving, looks up from the cluttered room and smiles warmly. "Good job, Chiqui," Y/N says, ruffling her hair affectionately.

Mabel giggles and twirls, her mood infectious. Dipper trudges down the stairs a moment later, his face shadowed with worry. Mabel, noticing his demeanor, nudges him playfully.

"C'mon, Dipper! Don't be so down, Mr. Grumpy Grumps!"

Dipper looks up, his eyes reflecting a mix of frustration and nostalgia. "Have you ever liked someone so much that even after you stop liking them, you wish there was still something there?"

Mabel and Y/N exchange a glance. Mabel rolls her eyes, though there's a hint of sympathy in her expression. "I thought we were over this! It's been a year, Dipper. You need to meet someone new."

Y/N steps closer, her expression softening. "Don't take it too hard, Dipper. Things happen, but life keeps moving. You're a strong kid."

Dipper nods slowly, his shoulders relaxing a bit. He starts to walk away, but Y/N calls out, "Wait!"

Dipper turns, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. Y/N's face brightens with a smile. "How about a trip to the diner? I'll get you anything you want!"

Both twins look at Y/N, their expressions shifting from concern to excitement. "Really?" they ask in unison.

Y/N nods enthusiastically. "Absolutely! Now hurry up and get in the car. We've got pancakes to eat!"

As they head out, the sun continues to shine, casting a hopeful light on the day ahead. The Mystery Shack, filled with laughter and warmth, stands ready for whatever adventures the summer might bring.

♡♡♡

Soos and Melody are bustling around the gift shop. Soos is restocking shelves while Melody manages the cash register with a cheerful smile. As the twins and Y/N approach the exit, Soos waves enthusiastically.

"Hey, dudes!" Soos calls out. "I heard there's a Lantern Festival tonight! Melody and I are going, and you dudes should totally check it out!"

Mabel's eyes light up with excitement. "A festival? Oh boy, I'm going to find so many cute boys!" She bounces on her toes, barely containing her enthusiasm.

Y/N chuckles, giving Mabel a playful boop on the nose. "I'm coming to the wedding," she teases, making Mabel scrunch her nose in a giggle.

"Whoever gets to the car last has to clean the bathrooms!" Mabel declares, taking off at a run.

"Aw, what?" Dipper exclaims, grinning as he chases after her. They both scramble into the back seat, laughing.

Y/N looks around the familiar town as they drive. The quaint streets of Gravity Falls feel both nostalgic and comforting. She smiles as they pull into the diner's driveway. "We're here, you goobers."

"YAY!" Mabel and Dipper cheer in unison, leaping out of the car and racing inside.

Inside the diner, Dipper's eyes widen in surprise. "W-Wendy?" he calls out.

Wendy looks up from her table with a grin. "No way! You guys are here already! I'm glad to see you, man."

Dipper's face brightens with a soft smile. "Me too."

"Dude, I'd love to chat more, but I'm hanging out with my dad. We'll catch up later!" Wendy waves as she heads back to her table.

Mabel and Dipper find a booth and settle in. Moments later, a familiar face approaches.

"Suzan?" Y/N says, her face lighting up. "I didn't think you'd still be working here after all these years."

Lazy Suzan, with a warm smile, recognizes her. "Y/N Ramirez! What a pleasant surprise! What brings you back?"

"I just had to come back and taste your amazing food again," Y/N replies.

Lazy Suzan laughs, giving a playful wink. "You're funny! So, what can I get you guys today?"

"I want pancakes!" Mabel exclaims, waving her hands in the air. "Pancakes, pancakes!" she chants.

Dipper nods, showing he wants the same thing.

"I'll have the same," Y/N adds with a grin as Mabel continues her chant.

"Alright!" Suzan jots down the order. "I'll get that right up for you."

As Lazy Suzan walks away, Mabel leans in with a teasing tone. "So, Y/N, do you have anyone special in your life?"

Y/N sighs, resting her elbows on the table. "Men are a waste of time. No matter how many times I try, they always disappoint me."

Mabel gasps, leaning closer to Dipper and whispering urgently. "We need to find her a match!"

Dipper glances at Mabel with a mix of amusement and concern. "Oh boy..."

♡♡♡

"I cannot believe this!" Mabel exclaims, pacing back and forth in their shared room. "We need to find Y/N her perfect match!"

Dipper, lounging on his bed with a book in hand, glances up with a mix of confusion and concern. "Mabel... She seems happy. I don't think we need to be interfering."

"Hey!" Mabel stops mid-stride and plants her hands on her hips. "The Lantern Festival is the perfect time to find her someone! It's all about magic and connections."

"Whoa, Mabel!" Dipper sits up, looking more alarmed. "You might need to rethink this. What if she doesn't want to be set up?"

"There's no time to waste!" Mabel's eyes sparkle with determination "Waddles, fetch me my pen! I need to start a plan right now!"

Dipper shakes his head, sighing but unable to suppress a small, amused smile. "Alright, alright. Just... let's make sure we don't make things awkward for her."

Mabel's face lights up with excitement. "Don't worry, Dipper! This is going to be great.

Trust me!"

The scene pans to Mabel, who is examining her model of Gravity Falls. She peers through the tiny people in the model, her brow furrowed in thought.

"I'm starting to think no one is good enough for Y/N," she muses, resting her chin on her hand as she continues to look through the model.

Suddenly, she gasps and holds up a wooden figure with excitement.

"Perfect!" she declares, a bright smile spreading across her face.

♡♡♡

Y/N is in her room, getting ready. She's wearing a pretty lavender dress that complements her features. She plays with her hair a bit, adjusting it until she hears a knock on the door. Confused, she goes to open it and sees Mabel on the other side.

"Hi, Y/N!" Mabel greets in a cheerful tone, wearing a cute sweater with a lantern on it.

"Something you need, Chiqui?" Y/N asks curiously.

"I just wanted to ask if my friends Grenda and Candy can come!" Mabel replies eagerly.

"Hm, okay," Y/N agrees.

"Yes!" Mabel exclaims excitedly.

"But on one condition," Y/N adds.

"Anything!" Mabel quickly responds.

"You meet me by the car after it's over. I don't want you running off," Y/N says with a smile.

Mabel nods enthusiastically. "I can work with that!"

♡♡♡

hey arrive at the lake where the festival will be held. Y/N takes in the breathtaking scenery.

"I'm so excited to see the stars tonight," she says, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Well, sunset is about to happen soon," Dipper points out.

"We should go before it's too late," Mabel agrees with a smile. "Yeah! I gotta go meet my girls!" She and Dipper run off, leaving Y/N alone.

"I guess I'm alone for tonight," Y/N says to herself, but she doesn't mind. It's a beautiful night. She decides to get a lantern and heads towards the stand, but accidentally bumps into someone.

"Oh—" she exclaims, looking up at the person she's collided with. "I'm so sorry, I really didn't mean to bump into you like that."

The stranger turns around and smiles warmly. "You're all good! Sometimes we bump into random strangers."

Y/N smiles at his easygoing comment. "You can say that twice," she replies, her mood lifting.

The stranger grins. "What is a feller like you doing in a place like this?"

"I'm currently visiting family for the summer," Y/N explains.

"Well, I hope you have a good time here!" he says sincerely.

"Thank you," Y/N replies with a nod and heads towards her boat.

♡♡♡

"Dipper!" A familiar voice called out, drawing his attention. He turned to see Pacifica standing nearby, looking both surprised and pleased.

"Pacifica!" Dipper said, tucking his journal into his jacket pocket. "I haven't seen you in a while. How are you holding up?"

Pacifica smiled, though she seemed a bit hesitant. "I'm good. I just came because the whole town is here."

Dipper raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Really? Not for any other reason?"

Pacifica chuckled softly, her gaze drifting away. "You know I'm not like that anymore."

Dipper's smile widened. "You've changed a lot since last summer."

Pacifica tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Hopefully for the better."

Dipper pointed toward the lantern booth. "Well, I'm going to get my lantern."

"I'll come with you! I haven't gotten mine yet either," Pacifica said.

"Alright," Dipper agreed. They joined the line, both looking a bit awkward as they fidgeted and avoided eye contact.

"So..." Dipper began, shifting on his feet.

"Yeah?" Pacifica replied, nervously twirling a lock of her hair.

They both started to speak at the same time, stumbling over their words. "You go first!" Pacifica urged, her cheeks flushing.

"No, I mean I interrupted you," Dipper said quickly.

"Oh—" Pacifica began, but their conversation was interrupted by the booth attendant's voice.

"Are you getting your lantern or what? You're holding up the line," the attendant said brusquely.

Both Dipper and Pacifica turned bright red. Pacifica's eyes flashed with irritation. "Excuse me, but we're just trying to have a conversation. There's no need to be rude."

The attendant shrugged, looking unfazed. "Sorry, just trying to keep things moving."

Dipper, trying to defuse the tension, said, "It's okay, Pacifica. Let's just get our lanterns."

The attendant, with a smirk, guided them towards a boat. "A boat for the young couple!"

Dipper opened his mouth to protest, but Pacifica quickly added, "Wait, I didn't get my lantern."

"We can share mine," Dipper offered, helping Pacifica into the boat. They settled down as the boat started drifting away from the dock.

As they set their lantern in the water, their fingers brushed briefly, creating a moment of electric contact. Pacifica looked at the lantern with awe, while Dipper found himself captivated by something even more beautiful—the genuine, contented smile on Pacifica's face.

♡♡♡

A man helped her climb into the boat, and she carefully held onto her lantern. As she settled into her seat, she looked up at the stars. "Wow," she whispered to herself, awe evident in her voice. "How beautiful."

She gazed at the starry sky, feeling a deep sense of nostalgia. "I've missed this," she murmured.

Looking around, she saw people settling in with their loved ones. Mabel was laughing with her two friends, and Dipper was sitting with a blonde girl. A warm smile spread across her face as she observed them, feeling reassured that they were doing well.

She turned her attention back to her lantern, watching as others released theirs into the night sky. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the tranquility of the evening. With a gentle release, she let her lantern float upward, merging with the constellation of glowing lights above.

♡♡♡

Dipper and Y/N sat in the car, waiting for Mabel. Dipper glanced at his watch and sighed, "What is taking her so long?"

Y/N shrugged, looking around the parking lot. "I'm not sure. She might still be talking to her friends."

"I guess so," Dipper replied.

Just then, Mabel came running towards them, looking frazzled. "There you are! Sorry, I didn't realize how late it was!"

"You're fine, Mabel," Y/N reassured her. "I hope you had a good time."

As they all got into the car, Mabel suddenly burst out, "Dipper has a—"

Dipper quickly covered her mouth, a look of shock on his face. "Mabel! Did you just lick my hand?"

Mabel giggled, and Dipper rolled his eyes, but couldn't help smiling.

On their way home, the conversation turned to the festival. They chatted about how pretty and fun it had been, each sharing their favorite moments.

When they arrived home, Soos and Melody were waiting outside.

"Hey, Jesus. How was it?" Y/N asked.

"You won't believe this—" Soos started to explain, but Y/N cut her off with a yawn.

"Tell me later, Jesús. Estoy cansada. Me alegra que te hayas divertido," Y/N said with a smile.

"Goodnight, Tía," Soos added, waving as they headed inside.

♡♡♡

Dipper and Mabel are in the bathroom, brushing their teeth. Dipper, with a thoughtful look, says, "You know what's weird?"

Mabel, glancing up from her toothbrush, asks, "What?"

"Nothing weird happened today," Dipper replies, his voice tinged with confusion.

Mabel bursts into laughter, "Besides seeing you and Pacifica getting all smoochy—"

"Ugh, Mabel! I'm being serious," Dipper interrupts, glaring at his reflection in the mirror. "What is going on?"

End of Chapter 1

[acesofspadess]

The Met

summary: you get ready for your first Met Gala that's full of surprises.

notes: fluff, fluff, and more fluff, this was so cute to write and as always reader is a POC.

“Hi Vogue, I'm y/n and I'm here with Pleasing at the 2024 Met Gala.” You were beyond words with emotion at being at your first Met Gala. The video Vogue had decided to do with you was a small get ready with me that you immediately accepted on the spot. As you walked into the serene hotel room full of your ‘get ready team’. You sat in the chair you were set to get your hair and makeup done in.“It’s unbelievable that i'm actually here in New York getting ready for the Met.” you spoke softly as your make up artist applied the beginning steps of your skincare. 

“You need something darling?” The voice of the one and only spoke from off camera only a sliver of him could be seen from the mirror you faced. You smiled looking at him through the mirror. “A kiss before Ella makes it impossible to do so.” You laughed softly at your own joke as he came over and the camera had a full view of the soft but love filled kiss you shared.

You and Harry had been together for almost a year romantically. You had known Harry since you both starred together in Don't Worry Darling as Jack and Alice. You two had quickly become the best of friends and were someone he confided in all the time. You travelled with him to Venice for the film festival, and came to the rest of his New York residency shows, and his birthday shows before your job pulled you away from him.

Not that you were really with him. His romantic relationship with Olivia was all a stunt. But he and Olivia were friends which he told you made it alot easier to do.

When they broke up in November of 2022 he came to you crying. You had thought it was all fake at first judgement, and he confirmed it was, but that he couldn't any longer spend his time pretending. 

You -better than anyone- knew what it was like to pretend after playing so many different characters. He had spent that night in your arms and you wonder if that's where it all actually started.

You were pulled away once again with months and months of press for your role in Barbie. It wasn't until the end of May that you finally had a decent break before picking up Bridgerton again for your season. You had stayed in touch with Harry for all 6 months and when he knew you were shot of anywork he flew you out to Scotland just in time for his show.

You spent countless time with him and his close friends getting to know them better and personally. You were beyond proud when he sold out Slane a few weeks after you had joined him on tour. Before he went on stage you were sitting with him in his dressing room as you calmed him down.

“Haz, you are the only person I know that could ever do something to this magnitude right now. You did this and I know you can go out there and be the best singer and person I know.” you cupped your hands around his cheeks and closed his releasing a deep breath. “You're amazing Hazza, and I know you know that.” he giggled softly and nodded his head. “Thank you,” the way he whispered your name wasn't like he had before. He looked at you with so much passion and you knew exactly the proximity between you- or lack thereof- and he knew exactly what he was doing when he looked at your lips then your eyes. “Harry-” “Y/N”

“You've got to be on stage in about 10 seconds.”

“I'm aware.”

“So are you gonna kiss me now or-”

That was all it took for you both to let yourselves completely and utterly fall for each other.

In September he introduced you to Niall which made you cry, but not as much as you did when he got down on one knee a few weeks later on October 15.

You wanted to keep the wedding very secluded and in a place both of you called home. Your wedding was small but everyone you could have ever wanted was there (with your own one direction reunion) and it was kept from the public.

The past few months as a married couple were the best months you've ever had, and now you were here, at the Met Gala, being the first to bring his brand into the luxury scene and the both of you couldn't be more proud of each other.

“Okay one more.” he whispered, giving you much more than just one before Ella and Lyric were shoo’ing him off to finally start. “I love you, darling. Thank you for being here with me.” you held his hand as he backed away. “Thank you for believing in my brand and bringing it to life. I love you forever.”

The video resumed as you talked about the details of your hair, make up and dress before you were fully done and ready to step out of the hotel. You wanted to be able to scream that you wearing your husband's line and when Harry kissed you as you walked out and told you, “show them who my wife is’ you knew he was ready and you were more than happy to oblige.

You had just made it to the Met Gala and as you stepped out you waved letting your wedding ring shine. The train to your dress was long -extremely long- and you needed about 5 people to help you lift it. 

As you waited in line, many people shouted your name and you waved to all the fans lined up on the streets sending them kisses in thanks. It was finally your turn to walk the stairs and they had cleared everyone in your path for you to be on full display.

The shutter of thousands of cameras and shouts wanting to gain your attention for a photo were drowned out when you saw someone you didn't think you would. “Harry over here please.” You heard someone shout and you laughed loudly, of course he would. You waited at the second landing of stairs for him and you kissed him as he finally stood next to you. 

“Why didn't you tell me?” you laughed in between poses. “Wanted you to have your moment. I'll see you at the top.” he walked up the rest of the way  stopping at the top just out of the way for the photographer to get you and your entire dress without anyone in the pictures. You and all the people helping you with your dress walked up to the top to take your final photos. You saw Harry in an interview with Emma not too far from LaLa Anthony who you knew you were interviewing with.

“Y/N!! Holy- Girl you look so sexy.” you laughed as you kicked your leg out showing off the slit. “I feel sexy in this dress. It took ages to put together.” you laughed with her. “Yes I was getting ready to ask, who are you wearing?” You couldn't help the smile that plastered on your face. “Oohhh I know that smile.” LaLa laughed and you nodded. “I'm wearing Pleasing. It's their first ever luxury fashion debut and I'm so glad I got to be a part of this experience. I got to help design this with Harry Lambert, and Harry Styles. They wanted to choose a colour that not only matched the theme, but really complimented my skin tone. We wanted to really focus on the ‘time�� part of the theme so each flowers centre has a clock in the middle. It took almost 25,000 hours to make this dress and Im really just so honoured that Harry and Pleasing gave me this opportunity.”

LaLa praised your response, “They chose the right person to debut on let me tell you. The way the colours bounce off the brown of your skin and the slit and the shape. You truly do look wonderful. Now we did see Harry walking up. I want to ask him about some things on your dress.”

You both looked around for him. “He was just here, I swear.” LaLa spotted him and waved him over, his eyes litting up when he saw you.

 “Hello.” he kissed Lalas cheeks before stepping next to you. “Hello, beautiful wife.” he kissed your cheek. “Hi my beautiful husband.” you teased back knowing exactly what he was doing. “Husband? Wife?” Lala gasped and you both smiled as you held up your hand. “Yes, I've finally managed to tie him down.” you all laughed and his arm snaked around your waist. “This is the best news ever, husband and wife, debuting your brand- Harry how do you feel?”

You watched as he spoke and swore you fell more in love with him at every moment. “But my beautiful wife put the idea of wearing Pleasing to the Met, and giving the vogue club members a pleasing room. This all goes to her, all we did was make the dress.”

You scoffed at his humbleness. “Yeah, like that was a walk in the park.” He shook his head at you blushing. “I'll say this final thing. Harry has done an amazing job at getting pleasing to where it's at and this dress and his outfit are his and Pleasings and I just can't wait for you all to see what he brings in the future.”

LaLa hugged you both before you walked away with Harry holding your dress for you. “Thank you so much for wearing this. You have been apart of Pleasing since the beginning and I couldn't imagine anyone else wearing this. You have truly made me the happiest person alive. I love you so much. ” He whispered to you as you walked inside. “I have loved you in many ways since we first read together. I am honoured to have been by your side through Pleasings beginnings, and i simply cannot wait to see what you do next.”

He kissed you softly again and again and again, and you simply could not wait to be back in the hotel room in his arms. 

[lostsowly]

Suo & Kiryu Headcanons

Another rarepair has me on chokehold so here we go~

They look innocent, but they are the biggest troublemakers in the group. Kiryu is the one coming up with the ideas, and Suo helps rope the others into their shenanigans (this might actually be canon)

At the same time, they are the most level-headed and rational ones when needed

Suo’s provocation doesn’t work on Kiryu, but he doesn’t mind it (Kiryu would sometimes indulge him anyway)

As a duo, everyone is terrified of them 

Kiryu can see through Suo whenever he’s trying to be secretive or mysterious, but he doesn’t call him out on it or force him to open up (Suo is grateful for that)

Suo is really good at those shooting festival games and would help Kiryu get the prizes he wants (mostly plushies)

Kiryu changes his cologne pretty often, and Suo is the only person who notices it each time

Kiryu once gifted Suo a pirate cat plushie he found because the eyepatch reminded him of Suo (Suo keeps it near his pillow when he sleeps)

They have this one cafe they go to frequently that only they know about (to spend some time alone)

Suo is not much of an arcade person but accompanies Kiryu whenever he goes because he likes watching him play

Kiryu loves having matching things, be they keychains, accessories, plushies, or anything else. Suo doesn’t wear many accessories but keeps everything Kiryu gets him with the utmost care

Kiryu has a separate photo album on his phone dedicated to Suo

They watch horror movies together

Suo’s love language is acts of service, and Kiryu’s is physical touch

They are so good at secret dating that no one realizes that they are together until they send them wedding invitations years later

Kiryu is sensitive to extreme temperatures so he doesn’t like when it’s too hot or too cold. But, he has started appreciating winters because he can ask for Suo’s clothes when he’s cold and Suo would at times invite him to his house for tea and snacks while sitting under the kotatsu together 

They both hate summers, though

They both know all the gossip in the school and meet at least once a week at their secret cafe to share new updates

Suo loves watching Kiryu sleep (Kiryu is unaware of that)

Kiryu loves spoiling Suo

The first time Suo visited Kiryu’s house he asked him the names of all the plushies he had. When Kiryu said he doesn’t have a name for them Suo spent half the time naming each one. Since then whenever he gets a new plushie he asks Suo to name it

[hand-picked-star]

The 13th Anniversary Arshi Fiesta

Moodboard : Historical AU

Whispers of the Heart | Chapter 25 ( final)

DISCLAIMER: The story is set in the early 20th century. While I have made efforts to capture the essence of the era, there may be inaccuracies as this is a work of fantasy. I do not own the characters Arnav and Khushi, and this story is purely fictional with no relation to any real individuals, living or dead. Any resemblance to actual persons or events is purely coincidental.

WARNING: 18+, MATURE CONTENT.

Final Chapter

Three years later.

It was the eve of Diwali, the festival of lights. The Rajput haveli was a vision of grandeur and festivity this evening. The entire estate was adorned with intricate decorations. Strings of twinkling fairy lights draped over every window and doorway and vibrant rangoli patterns were meticulously crafted at the entrance. Rows of gleaming diyas, their soft flickering flames casting a warm, golden glow, lined the pathways and courtyards, creating a serene and enchanting ambience. The air was filled with the scent of freshly made sweets and the sounds of laughter and celebration, as the household came alive with the spirit of joy and togetherness.

Arnav and Khushi had been celebrating their Dewalis with the Rajput family instead of their own Haveli, which they had finally managed to build according to their own taste. It was especially Khushi's touch that could be seen in every corner of the new Raizada state. Though they had a beautiful house of their own, they very much enjoyed spending their Dewalis with the Rajputs. Because, all of their near and dear ones were here and with Mahindar and Manorama's advancing age, they wanted to celebrate the festivals surrounded by all of their children.

"Oh shit."

Arnav hurriedly entered the room and locked the door behind him. Khushi was in the midst of getting ready. was adjusting a delicate gold necklace around her neck. She had styled her dark hair elegantly in loose waves that had gone perfectly with the stunning deep red sari, she had worn. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of concern as she looked up from her reflection.

"What happened?"

"The string of my trousers just snapped. Did you bring a spare?" Arnav replied, noticing how gorgeous she looked.

"Let me see."

As Khushi proceeded to see Arnav's broken trouser string, a mischievous smile appeared on his lips.

"Aren't you a bit too eager to see my treasures, Mrs. Raizada?"

Rolling her eyes at his antics, she said, "Take it off."

"As you wish."

Arnav grabbed her waist, gently placing her on the desk in her room. The old desk was not that big, leaving her back pressed against the wall. He moved to stand between her legs, gently pushing them apart.

"What are you doing?" she whispered yelled as his hands slid up her thighs. He wrapped one of his hands around her waist, pulling her a little closer, while he put the other hand against the wall, above her head.

"Nothing, just testing how sturdy the desk is," he said leaning closer to her. A playful smirk curled on the corners of his lips.

"Arnav, everyone is waiting for us downstairs."

"A few more minutes won't hurt them," he said, capturing her lips in a teasing kiss while his hands gathered her saree around her waist. He touched her in between her legs, finding her already eager for him.

"Ap aise nahi kar sakte," she whispered, biting her lips.

"Kyun nahi kar sakta? Biwi ho tum meri, my legally wedded wife." A soft whimper escaped her lips, as he pushed his fingers in between her nether lips. "And look at you," he murmured, "....already so ready for me. The idea of us on this desk excites you, huh?"

Khushi swatted his shoulder lightly and smiled, her eyes full of mirth. "Shut up."

"Make me."

In the past few years, so much had changed. What hadn't was the undeniable pull between them. Despite the upheavals in many aspects of their lives, there they were, still wrapped up in their own little world.

He looked devastatingly handsome, as always-nothing special in that. But the navy blue kurta he wore today made his eyes stand out even more, and they were now focused on Khushi, brimming with mirth.

Khushi clutched his collars and pulled him close as she fused their lips together, successfully wiping off the teasing grin on his face. Meanwhile, Arnav got rid of his trousers and entered her in a swift motion. Both of them moaned softly, their pleasure barely contained. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, fingers digging into the fabric of his shirt as she pulled him closer. Her back arched slightly while she adjusted to him. His lips travelled down her neck alternately sucking and kissing her soft supple skin. Her head fell back, eyes fluttered shut.

"Don't leave marks. It would be very awkward in front of the relatives." The desk beneath her creaked softly as he began to move.

"Shhh... I won't... at least not where everyone can see." He whispered, lightly sucking behind her ear.

Their rhythm grew frantic. They tried desperately to muffle their moans, as he pounded repeatedly into her. He then realized they were making lots of noises.

"Shit, your bangles.''

"Huh..?" When Arnav saw his wife completely blissed out and lost in the sensation. He just shrugged his shoulder and went back to his previous activities. Soon, their moans mingled in each other's necks as they finished together.

Both were breathing heavily. Khushi cradled her face against his shoulder, her fingers gently playing with his hair. While Arnav tried to catch his breath by resting his head on her neck. A sudden knock on the door startled them. Instead of pushing him away, Khushi clutched his neck even tighter, holding him close. Akash Bhai's voice came through the door.

"Khushi?"

Regaining her composure, Khushi answered in a shaky voice, "Haan, Bhai?" Her body froze in place.

"Where's Arnav? Hasn't he come yet? Bareilly wale Fufaji usko kabse dhoond rahe hain."

"Hume nahi pata, Bhai. Humne unko nahi dekha."

Khushi noticed her husband's shoulders shaking lightly. She cast a glare at his shoulders as if willing them to stop.

"Theek hain, main dekhta hoon. Tum jaldi tayaar hoke niche aao."

As Akash Bhai's footsteps faded, Arnav couldn't hold back his laughter any longer. He looked back at his wife, his amusement contagious. Khushi tried to give him a stern look but ended up laughing along with him, playfully swatting his chest. Arnav gazed at her affectionately before capturing her lips with his.

As much as he loved to kiss her whimpering lips, he loved kissing her smiling ones even more.

After freshening up, Arnav headed downstairs. As soon as he reached the bottom, two little bodies collided with him, and he effortlessly scooped them up into his arms. Three-year-old Akansha, a spitting image of Anjali as a child, brought back memories of his sister's younger days, while five-year-old Ajit, a perfect blend of Akash and Payal. They grinned up at him. Arnav settled into a nearby lounge chair, both children comfortably perched on his lap.

Little Akansha said in her baby voice, "Mamaji, thank you for the gift. Ma said me to thank you." She placed a tiny kiss on his cheek.

Not to be outdone, little Ajit mimicked her. "Ha, Mamaji, thank you."

Akansha quickly turned to him, frowning. "Arre, buddhu, wo sirf mere Mamaji hain. Tumhare nehi."

"He isn't your Mamaji either," Khushi chided little Akansha lovingly. "Remember what I told you? When you go to our house, you'll call him Mamaji. But when we come here, you have to call him Fufaji."

Arnav scrunched his nose in response, "Don't confuse the children, Khushi." Then, turning back to them, he added, "Why don't both of you just call me Uncle, okay?"

Both of them nodded and sprinted off to play in the courtyard.

Meanwhile, two pairs of brown eyes eagerly awaited their turn on his lap. As soon as it was vacant, they climbed onto each of his thighs. A sweet, confused voice asked, "Daddy, do we need to call you that too?"

"Oh, no, I've worked too hard for you to ever call me that."

"Well, your daddy was very close to being called 'Uncle' by my children once upon a time," Khushi said, lightly touching the little girl's nose.

Arnav cast her a mock glare and mouthed soundlessly, "How dare you?" In response, Khushi just laughed.

While little Ayushi snuggled against her father's neck, little Kush played with his toy, absorbed in his own world. Roma Chachi had remarked aptly that Khushi had indeed given birth to their own reflections, as the three-year-old twins were perfect mirrors of their parents.

While little Ayushi was a bit clingy and voiced her need for attention, little Kush was more reserved. Arnav saw himself in Kush more and more as the days went by. Though Kush didn't seek attention outwardly, inside he was just as eager for snuggles and cuddles as his sister. Even if he pretended otherwise, he desired the same affection. So, Arnav made sure to give both children equal attention. And in some cases, he made an extra effort to give affection to Kush while he was still open to it. Because, As Kush grew up, Arnav knew his little boy might not appreciate his father hugging him as much as his daughter might. It's just a man-code.

Arnav pulled little Ayushi closer, planting a kiss on her head, while he affectionately rubbed his son's back. Khushi watched them with a soft smile, her heart swelling with warmth and tenderness. It had been three years since their birth, and Khushi had been pestering Arnav for another child, but he kept refusing. Their birth had traumatized him enough. Arnav till date clearly remembered and almost felt the panic that he had gone through that night.

He had arranged for the best midwife in the area and had called a trained nurse from the missionary hospital for the delivery. The doctor had come as well and assured him that everything was alright and that the birth would proceed naturally. And there he was, pacing in front of the room where Khushi had been for two hours-two hours of listening to her whimpering and screaming in pain. Arnav was just minutes away from asking Hariprakash to fetch the doctor again when a deafening cry of a newborn pierced the air.

A joyous shout of Roma Chachi came from inside, "It's a boy!"

A few moments later, Roma Chachi emerged from the room with a little crying bundle and approached Arnav. But at the same time, another scream from Khushi nearly stopped his heartbeat. Roma Chachi tried to pass the baby to Arnav, but he grabbed her upper arms and asked urgently, "What's happening inside? How's Khushi?"

A hushed whisper circulated among the women in the room who had come to assist with the birth, noting Mr. Raizada's reluctance to take the baby in his arms. Roma Chachi looked around, guessing how the situation must appear, and spoke to Arnav in a hushed voice.

"Take your son, Arnav. Khushi will be alright."

Chastised by his mother-in-law, Arnav looked at the baby, who had stopped crying and was now gazing at him with wide eyes. He took the baby in his arms and sat on a sofa in the corridor. The baby's little body squirmed in the palm of his hand. Father and son stared at each other for quite some time. An overwhelming sense of protectiveness washed over him, though he couldn't exactly name the other emotions coursing through him. He just kissed the baby boy's forehead lightly and spoke softly as if the baby would clearly understand his words, "I'm not mad at you. I'm just scared."

A little while later, Anjali took the baby from Arnav while Khushi's screams continued to echo from the room, driving him to the brink of madness. He asked Hariprakash to fetch the doctor and also asked Anjali to go inside and see what was happening. Suddenly, the screaming stopped, and Arnav's heart pounded at the sudden silence. Roma Chachi emerged with another bundle, her face radiant with a brilliant smile. "There was another baby-a girl. It's a little Khushi."

Arnav placed his hand on the baby's head and asked, "How's she?"

"She will be okay, Arnav," Roma Chachi reassured him and transferred the baby to Arnav. He felt her snuggle into him as he placed a soft kiss on her crown. Since then, Little Ayushi never missed a chance to snuggle into her father's arm.

When everybody went home and the babies were settled with Anjali and Payal in the next room. Roma Chachi decided to sleep in the room, attached to where Khushi was. She was sleeping soundly after giving birth. The doctor said she had lost a lot of blood. Although the bleeding had stopped, she had become very weak. She looked pale, alarmingly pale actually and her breathing was shallow. Fear gripped Arnav's heart despite everybody's reassurance.

He spent the night holding her hand and sitting on the floor near her head, counting her breaths. He didn't know when he fell asleep, his head resting near their joined hands. But he woke up to Khushi's gentle fingers lightly gliding through his hair. When he opened his eyes, she urged him to lie down beside her on the bed. He obliged, and she didn't waste any time snuggling into his chest, her arm draped across his belly.

"Will you be angry with me for the rest of your life if I leave this world before you?"

Arnav's heart dropped at her question. "Don't ask me questions like that."

"Answer me, please."

He pressed his lips to her forehead. "I can never be angry at you."

"Good, I don't want you to be angry at me at all."

"Then don't even think of leaving."

Khushi tilted her head to look at him and smiled tiredly. Arnav placed a soft kiss on her dry lips. "I felt like I would never see you again, or our babies..... I was so scared."

Arnav gulped down the lump in his throat and didn't say anything in response, only pulled her closer to his body.

She had been quiet for a while, and Arnav thought she had fallen asleep when she spoke again."We have two babies now," she said almost disbelievingly.

"Yes, we do. We didn't even know how to raise one."

"Shhh, we'll manage," she said dreamily. "One baby is for you, one baby is for me. Did you hold them?"

"Yes, I did."

"I haven't yet. I guess I had fainted at the end," she said sadly.

"Why don't you get some sleep and gather some energy, Mommy?" he said lovingly. "If they're to be like you, we'll have a lot on our hands."

"What are you saying? I was a very quiet kid."

"Sure, you were," he whispered against her forehead.

"You were no better, mister. I know all the stories from your childhood, so you can't deny it. At least I didn't get stuck in a patila."

Laughing, Arnav gathered her in his arms even tighter, and both of them fell asleep like that.

"Bhaiya, Bhabi, come quickly! Roma Aunty is calling you," Amelia's voice called out across the courtyard to the little bubble of the family of four, who were just chatting.

Over the years, Amelia blossomed into the remarkable young lady she was destined to be. As the cloud of melancholy gradually lifted, it revealed her true essence—a kind, compassionate, and fun-loving individual, fiercely protective of those she loved.

"Let's go Mrs.Raizada."

He extended his hand toward his wife.

Khushi looked up at his extended hand, recalling a time when he had reached out in much the same way to guide a little girl out of the darkness.

Khushi scooped up Kush in her arms as Arnav held Ayushi. Hand in hand with their children nestled in their arms, they joined the rest of the family. The warmth of the burning diyas cast a golden glow over them.

In the end, as they embraced the spirit of the festival, they realized they found their perfect piece of forever in each other's arms, in each other's eyes, knowing that this was where they were always meant to be.

----------THE END----------

<previous>

@featheredclover @arshifiesta @phuljari @msbhagirathi @jalebi-weds-bluetooth @chutkiandchotte

[weaveandwood]

Midwinter in Waterdeep: Part One

Gale/Tav | Angst & Pining | Read Part Two | Read Part Three | Read on AO3

Summary:

After the Netherbrain defeat, she thought her life with Gale was all wrapped up in a neat package with a beautiful bow. Life in the tower with its schedules, routine, and walls ended up not being for her. So she left.

Over a year later, she finds herself on a job in the city again near the Midwinter Festival, searching faces in the crowd.

She found herself searching faces she passed on the street. None of them were him, of course, but did she want them to be? Had his schedule changed in these many months? She purchased a sweet roll at a food cart, her favorite one he had taken her to almost every tenday. Some things don’t change. She thought once that she could, that she could adapt to living in the city for him, for love, thinking adaptability was her strong point. She was mistaken.

AN: A quick one shot inspired by a song. I don't know if this is a sad AU standalone or if it will work its way into my main fic. I've had this idea rattling in my head for about a week. Nothing but angst and some pining. EDIT: This is now the first part in a three part story

She didn't know why she took a job in Waterdeep of all places. It was the one city she wanted to forget about in the entirety of the Sword Coast. Her memories of the place ran the gamut, from the highest, happiest bliss to the lowest, most soul-wrenching sadness. 

“Will you join me in Waterdeep as the newest member of the Dekarios clan?” He asked in the Elfsong Tavern, on one knee, more nervous than he needed to be. 

“This is my tower, welcome to your new home, future Mrs. Dekarios,” he said with a smile, crossing the threshold.  

“Is everything okay? You feel distant ever since Withers’s party, my love.” He had a sad look on his face, knowing the inevitable was coming. 

“Let’s cancel the wedding.” He entered his study, barely acknowledging her.  

She had left not long after that while he was teaching at Blackstaff Academy, a note on the entryway table for when he returned. The silver ring he had purchased for her upon their arrival in the city acting as a paperweight. 

I’m sorry. I can’t do this. 

That was over a year ago. Now, she found herself back in the city after signing a contract for what turned out to be a relatively easy job for some quick gold. Desperate times, desperate measures. Turns out being the “Hero of Baldur’s Gate” didn’t go far outside of Baldur’s Gate. Her contract paid for one more night of lodging, so she went on a stroll from her inn down the main street toward the docks. 

Dangerous. Tempting. Stupid. 

She found herself searching faces she passed on the street. None of them were him, of course, but did she want them to be? Had his schedule changed in these many months? She purchased a sweet roll at a food cart, her favorite one he had taken her to almost every tenday. Some things don’t change. She thought once that she could, that she could learn to love living in the city for him, for love, thinking adaptability was her strong point. She was mistaken.

She pulled her thin wool coat tighter around her as she kept walking toward the waterfront. Waterdeep was cold this close to Midwinter. Snow was starting to flurry, people were hurrying around with packages. She turned the corner onto a street lined with large houses, his tower near the very end. 

Dangerous. Tempting. Stupid. 

She looked in windows as she walked by, illuminated with the golden light of candles as families and friends got together for celebrations. If she had never left, would she be at one of these parties, laughing as Gale’s arm draped over her shoulders? Would he be regaling everyone with tales of their grand adventure, or of something an apprentice had done at Blackstaff Academy? Would he finish the story by kissing her hand or cheek, as he loved to do in public? 

Had he found someone else? Moved on? A new future Mrs. Dekarios in the tower, one who is best friends with Tara and Morena, slotting into their life with ease and grace, much better than she ever had a hope to? Is he better off not knowing her anymore? 

She didn’t let her thoughts wander to him often, if at all. Tears threatened to form in her eyes - from the memories or the wind she could not say for sure, but she’d blame the wind anyway. The sun was starting to go down, and her inn was in the center of the city. She could handle herself when it came to physical threats, but the cold was getting more and more biting without the sun to lessen its sting. Just a couple more, then I’ll turn around, she thought. The houses down here were so pretty with their decorations. She smiled to herself halfheartedly. This could have been her life. 

She could hear the celebrations from the house two doors down. That would be the one she turned around at, she decided, wanting to attend their celebration from the outside, if only for a moment. She looked in the window from across the street. The front room was indeed full of people, each with drink in hand, laughing and cheering for someone. She laughed to herself as she saw the illusion of fireworks inside the room, setting the room alight with sparkling magic fit for a midwinter celebration. She missed magic. She saw the crowd part, presumably for the subject of the cheers. 

Her eyes widened. Her breathing quickened.

His hair was longer, a little more grey at the temples. He still tied it up halfway. He still had his beard. The creases by his eyes were a little deeper. 

He was looking right at her, frozen, his brown eyes just as wide as hers. 

She turned quickly to make a hasty escape. She knew it was tempting the gods to come down this street, but hadn’t that been the point? Hadn’t she become addicted to the if only during her time in the city?

“Stop!” she heard his voice behind her. She got three houses down before she felt a hand grab hers, stopping her in her tracks. “Wait. Please,” he said, panting.  

Dangerous. Tempting. Stupid. 

She turned around.

[wooahaes]

golden

pairing: god!hoshi x fem!mortal!reader

genre: romance, fluff, angst. gods au.

word count: 13.2k~

warnings: character death. resurrection. mentions of fire, food, rain, and alcohol all within the fic. mentions of sex, unwritten (reader and soonyoung are pretty much stated to have sex, but there is 0 depictions of it past kissing and slightly talking about it). mentions of other death in the background of the fic.

daisy's notes: this was originally going to be a mark fic ngl and i still have the scraps of that first attempt.

[note: no taglist on this fic due to me being unsure of who is okay and not okay w sexual content of any kind!! imo its super tame + not explicit at all, but i don't wanna tag someone that doesn't want that, y'kno?]

Soonyoung rarely ventured down to the mortal realm as often as the others did.

This wasn’t due to a disdain for humans; truthfully, Soonyoung was fond of them in plenty of ways. He found them interesting to watch from a distance, never getting too attached to any of them with their tiny lifespan. Truthfully, he always made the excuse that he was busy. Who would raise and set the sun every day if not for him? It was an excuse, to be fair: the sun was set on its path without him needing to be there to do the work himself. He merely kept to himself more often than the others thought. He wasn’t like Seungcheol, who ventured down in times of war and passed through soldiers who couldn’t see him, revitalizing them as he watched destruction rain down; or Jeonghan, who would always be there to retrieve Seungcheol when the fighting finally came to an end, a reminder that being the God of War did not ruin Seungcheol as a person. He wasn’t like Jun, who silently accepted offerings made to him every year and blessed the harvests (and weddings—the fun part of presiding over multiple domains, as they all did), or Chan, who loved to feel the change of the seasons himself. Soonyoung simply knew the truth: he couldn’t, and shouldn’t, get attached. He had seen what happened to people who got attached. 

Yet he always made an exception when his festival came around. He liked to come down and take part in celebrations, finding that they revitalize him in a way like no other. They were always extravagant affairs, larger than life itself with music and dancing that he could spend all night doing. He liked to sample human food, too–especially if he was able to drag Seokmin along, too. The two could ditch their duties for a few hours, the systems in place allowing that slight leave, and sample the sweet wines blessed by Minghao himself. Maybe it blew up Soonyoung’s ego a bit to see how beloved he was by so many, but he enjoyed the fun of it all more than anything else. None of them knew his name, to be fair: they knew the God of the Sun, the God of Dance, or Hoshi if anything. Never Soonyoung. 

He’d sampled a sun-shaped chocolate as he weaved through the crowds, always leaving people with a bashful thanks before he moved on. Soonyoung would have his today, and return home with Seokmin later. That was the way things were meant to be. Maybe he’d sneak a bottle of wine back with him, even if it’d earn an eye-roll from Minghao who would tell him all he needed to do was ask for a bottle if he wanted it so badly. It wasn’t the wine, though: it was the experience. A new bottle he can keep along his collection to remember this by.

Except Soonyoung saw you. He had lost track of Seokmin in the crowd, and ventured toward the town square, where he saw you among the crowd. You’d been dancing with your friends, arms thrown out and flowing garments twisting around you as you laughed with carefree abandon. He’d later learn that you had been drinking that day, enjoying the freedom from work and life and everything heavy. Soonyoung was supposed to meet Seokmin. He was supposed to go find him, and then go home. Yet the moment he went to pass you, you had lost your footing, stumbling into him. Your hands were pressed against his chest as he supported you, staring down at your half-hunched over position, peering up at him through your eyelashes.

“... Hi?” You had breathed out, no sense of embarrassment yet.

Soonyoung had heard stories of gods who fell in love with mortals. It happened to Jihoon, and he remembered how that story ended. He hadn’t understood it, though. How could someone like them fall so easily for someone who’s life was so miniscule? That was an introduction to pain, letting in the opportunity for tragedy to strike. And yet there you were, staring up at him in a way that made his heart stir in his chest like no other. He’d stared at you with parted lips, wide-eyed and feeling the heat rushing to his face as he realized how awkward the two of you must be. There’s an apology on his lips, right where he wished yours would be, only for it to die in his throat as you laughed and straightened up.

“Do you want to dance?” Your hands had found his.

And Soonyoung said yes, forgetting all about the friend he’d been searching for. You’d guided him back with you, and time melted into something entirely new as Soonyoung danced with you. It wasn’t until Seokmin found him later, all but having to drag Soonyoung from the gentle sway your dance had devolved into. He’d forgotten about life and his responsibilities and everything that was supposed to be important: you had called him handsome. 

“Pretty, too,” you had said to him a second later, before giggling. Soonyoung felt like that must be the alcohol in your system making you so giggly. “Like sunlight.”

Oh, if only you knew.

That was why Soonyoung returned the next day, despite everything being over. He found you again, and introduced himself to you with a lie that he was new in town. You’d laughed again, and he felt as though he might fall in love with the sound.

“I know,” you said, picking up a trampled flower from the ground, setting it into your basket. “It’s a small town. I assumed you were someone stopping in for the festival.”

Soonyoung crouched down next to you, wordlessly helping you with your work. “It was really pretty.”

“It always is,” you picked up another flower, and then your eyes met his. “My friends haven’t stopped teasing me, though.”

“Why?”

“You’re cute,” you smiled, and he felt his heart fluttering in his chest all over again. “And of course it’d be someone not from around here that caught my attention.”

Soonyoung furrowed his brow. “You don’t like anyone here?”

“Not really,” you shrugged, fingers brushing against his as you reached for the same flower. “I guess… I never saw someone that felt worth knowing. You feel different.”

Soonyoung had heard about this from Hansol once before. He’d asked once before what drew people together like that, and Hansol had merely shrugged and said some people just… stood out among the crowd sometimes. That had been why Soonyoung only ever went down during festivals. Between the food and the music and the wine, there was enough to distract from Soonyoung, even if it earned him the occasional look as someone felt… something about him drawing their attention.

“So, stranger,” you stood up. “You got a name? Where are you from? Are you just passing through, or…?” 

Soonyoung said his name, gauging your reaction for a second before he continued on, “I’m from the city,” he lied casually enough. “And… I might be.” 

“You might be?” You teased. “You looking for a reason to stay?”

“I might be,” he smiled. 

It earned another warm laugh from you, so short and fleeting. “Well, Soonyoung, if you’re not busy… Maybe I could show you around. Give you a reason.”

As much as he knew he shouldn’t… Soonyoung thought that he’d already found it. So he let you take him by the hand, so warm underneath his touch, and guide him around the town. It felt like every corner the two of you turned, you had a story. You had lived here all your life, and it showed in your stories. Was love at first sight a thing? Hansol said it wasn’t, that it was merely attraction that either blossomed into love or it didn’t. Yet Soonyoung felt as though his soul knew yours. How suddenly a single person could make him wish he were a mortal that could live alongside you and one day die next to you. 

“You’re getting ahead of yourself,” Jihoon said to him one day. He’d entered his godly domain without even asking (although Jihoon never had to ask), finding him taking a nap. He stared down at him. “I mean it. You can’t fall in love with a mortal.”

“I’m not in love with a mortal,” he said. “She’s…” 

“Soonyoung.” Jihoon’s voice was like ice as he stared at him. “I lived this. I won’t stand here and watch it happen to you, too.” 

“How did you even find out?”

Jihoon crossed his arms. “Hansol. Who else would know?”

He had a point. If anyone had their finger to the pulse of love… It’d be the God of Love himself. Hansol had wrinkled his nose when Soonyoung passed by him earlier, although Soonyoung had merely assumed that it  was the scent of mortals and his sweat that disgusted him. Soonyoung sat up, grass crunching underneath him as he looked at Jihoon, backlit by the moon above. He stared down at him, hands curling into fists.

“You don’t want to hurt like I did,” he said in a lower voice. “One day they’re here, and the next…” He reached a hand around the crystal that hung around his neck. “You’ll never see them again.”

Soonyoung didn’t know what to say. Either he defied his friend, his brother, or he let go of you before he’d even grown to know you. 

So he went to Joshua instead.

Joshua had been lounging in his own little home, spread out on the pearly white chaise as he looked down upon the pool of water in the middle of his room. Sometimes, Soonyoung wondered what he was watching so intensely. Life? Or his own reflection? All Soonyoung ever saw was his own face when he peered in, but maybe he wasn’t looking at it right. Joshua looked up, and smiled that pretty smile that Soonyoung had seen carved into marble plenty of times. It was enough to make any man proud, and any god insufferable at times. 

“Soonyoung.” Joshua’s voice was like honey. No wonder mortals dedicated sonnets to it. “I see you’ve finally come around.”

“How long do mortals live?”

He laughed. “Straight to the point. I see. And so soon, too… Then again, you aren’t like Jihoon. It took Jihoon forever to realize his own feelings…” He let out a sigh. “It’s hard to say.” 

Soonyoung stared at him. He understood, slightly: Joshua always said that human life changed with the advancing of medicine. No wonder he resided over both domains, watching over them with a careful eye. “Then how long does she have?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

Soonyoung watched as Joshua stood up, making his way over to a cabinet on the far side of his room, flowing garments dragging along the floor.  He followed close behind, lagging only far enough behind that he didn’t step on the fabric. “Why not?!”

“Because you’re a god, Soonyoung,” Joshua didn’t turn to face him. He opened the cabinet, shimmering liquid sitting inside. He hummed to himself, looking through them. “You can’t change a mortal’s lifespan. It goes against our rules.”

“And who made those?” Soonyoung asked. “You watched Jihoon’s love die. You couldn’t make an exception?”

“It was their time.” Joshua pulled a blue vial that reminded Soonyoung of a clear sky, and he held it up to the light. “I couldn’t do anything for them. They were in Seokmin’s hands.” 

Then maybe he should be talking to Seokmin. Joshua said nothing as he held out the vial, looking through the cabinet further.

“Hold onto this for me, please.”

Soonyoung moved forward, accepting it. He’d never understood things like this—but, thankfully, he didn’t have to. It wasn’t like mortal medicine, which made his head spin. Magic through potion making… That was far outside of his realm. Magic just happened when Soonyoung danced. Light sparked up, the sun was a little warmer on days it was supposed to be cold, the sun stayed out a little longer to help a person find their way home… It manifested through the physical movements he made. It was the same with Minghao, with Junhui, with Chan. He’d seen the dances that Chan choreographed to bring about the seasons, turning it into a performance art. The way Minghao blessed art and wine and those who created both with his own special flourish. And the way Junhui’s movements brought about the harvest as he moved. Joshua, however, always had this song underneath his breath that he seemed to mumble as he pulled vial after vial. Rich purple and sunshine yellow and deep, deep blue that was almost black until the light hit it just right. 

Joshua walked away, plucking the blue sky vial from Soonyoung’s hands with a simple “thank you,” as he passed by him. Soonyoung could only continue to follow him.

“So…”

“So.” Joshua had walked away to a set of glasses, set up not far from the cabinet. When Soonyoung asked why it wasn’t closer before, Joshua had merely said something about avoiding cross-contamination. “I can’t help you with her. She’s a mortal.” One drop of sky blue. Two of the sunshine yellow.

“You can’t make an exception?”

One of purple… and then another. “Nope.”

“I’m not going to stop.”

One of deep, dark blue. “I didn’t think you would.” 

“I mean it.” Soonyoung crossed his arms. “I want to know her. You’d understand if you saw her.”

“I’m sure I would.” Joshua simply pulled out one of the thin, long rods he used to mix these vials. Despite the colors that went into it, it turned into a shimmering, golden liquid after he added a pinch of some dust that Soonyoung knew nothing about. “I’m sure we all would.” 

Was he not budging? Soonyoung didn’t plan this far. He thought if he made it completely clear that he was going to pursue you, whether it got him hurt or not, that Joshua would give something up. Joshua was one of the ones who was most hurt by seeing Jihoon mourn… Maybe it was wrong to try and use that against him, but Soonyoung knew that if he didn’t try to pursue you, he’d regret it for the rest of his life. Didn’t Joshua understand that? Hadn’t he followed people’s lives out of sheer curiosity of where they ended up? He treated it as gossip with Jeonghan sometimes, Soonyoung heard it. 

“Soonyoung?” Joshua asked, pushing a cork into the vial. He tied a cord around it, securing it fully. “Don’t drink this.”

Soonyoung said nothing as Joshua tied the vial around his neck, looking down at where it fell between his collarbones. “I won’t?”

“Good.” Joshua gave him a pat on the shoulder. “Don’t you have a mortal to be wooing?” 

Soonyoung met Joshua’s gaze, and saw the smile he’d given him. “You aren’t going to stop me?”

“Nope.” He walked away. “You’re interrupting me anyway. Mortal lives are messy—These two siblings are fighting over their father’s fortune even though it’ll go to the youngest in secret. They just haven’t realized it yet.”

Soonyoung didn’t see the appeal.

Soonyoung saw you again mere days later. 

You’d been in the market when he finally found you, bargaining for fresh fruit with the woman behind the stall. She laughed at you after a moment, and, judging by the smile on your face, you’d managed to convince her to throw in a little extra. Yet when you turned and saw him, that smile fell for barely a second before coming back, brighter than before. You made your way over to him, careful of your bag as you threw your arms around him. He felt the warmth of your body as it pressed against his, and suddenly the sun didn’t feel so warm anymore. 

“Soonyoung!” You drew back, still beaming at him. “I thought you’d left.”

His hands fell to rest on your hips. “I said I’d be back. I just… had to handle some things.” 

Your gaze had fallen to the vial around his neck. “What’s this?”

“From a friend,” he said, a hand clasping around it protectively. It felt cold underneath his fingers.

“Someone I need to worry about?”

He chuckled. “Nope.” He couldn’t compare to you anyhow. “Are you busy?”

“Not anymore.” You shifted your bag. “I just need to take this home and then I’m all yours. Do you want to walk with me?”

He was glad to go anywhere with you. You slipped your hand into his, palm pressed against his own, and started to guide him down the street. Casual as could be, you started to fill him in on everything that you’d heard over the past few days. The feud between two nobles in the richer part of the town—two brothers who’d always been stuck up. Their father was on their deathbed now, and his third born, his daughter, had been devoted to caring for him. Whether it be to nurse him back to health, or to make sure his passing was as peaceful as it could go, no one could be sure. You admitted your hopes that the fortune would go to her: she was always kind to you and everyone else she met, from what you could tell. Aside from that… One of your neighbors was sure her baby would be coming any day now. Something about it feeling right. You’d be bringing soup to her later tonight to help give her a little extra strength for the coming days. There’d been men passing through town—not like Soonyoung, but gruffer. Rough around the edges. They had yet to do anything, but plenty of people were on edge because of it.

“It feels like I’ve missed a lot.” 

“Well… You wouldn’t if you stayed.” You squeezed his hand a little. “I know it’s a big decision… But I’d be happy to see you around more often.”

Soonyoung found himself smiling a little. Such little time together, and he thought you might be feeling something for him, too. “I’ll think about it.” 

“Good. My friends want to meet you sometime. Meet the cutie I have my eye on.” You rolled your eyes a little. “Seriously… They act like I’m a recluse.”

Soonyoung ran his thumb along the back of your hand. “If you want me to meet them…”

“Maybe later,” you said. “Gotta be sure I’m right about you first.”

He blinked. “Right…? About what?”

“That you’re… right.” You’d grown flustered. “That this wasn’t just me being drunk and seeing a cute stranger and—and being curious, I guess.” 

You’d let go of his hand for a moment, and he swore he ached to feel it again. You pushed open the gate to your home, small enough that Soonyoung could probably leap over it if he tried. He waited for a moment, watching as you stopped and turned to face him. With a nod of your head, he followed after you quickly. You unlocked your door, pushing it open and letting him in before you secured it back in place. 

Although your home was small, it was cozy. He watched as you drew back the curtains at your windows, where he could see a green yard behind it, plants growing. Some flowers—although those looked more to be wildflowers that you’d begun to tend to. Vegetables, mainly. Maybe that was why you were mainly buying fruit in the city. He watched as you draped your  shawl over a chair, taking your bag to sort things out and put them into the hanging baskets above your kitchen space. Apples, pears, a bowl of berries… You had a place for most things. Soonyoung busied himself with looking around further. You had a little sitting area near your front door with an old, slightly frumpy couch that still looked comfortable to curl up in. A chair that sat closer to the currently extinguished fireplace, where he realized you could comfortably cook if you chose to do so. There was dwindling firewood in a pile nearby, already chopped. Was that your doing? Or someone else in the town? Soonyoung wanted to know. You had said that he was the only person who caught your eye, but…

He pushed the thought aside. He didn’t think you’d lead him on if there were other people—plus you had said your friends were teasing you. He’d trust you for now. Soonyoung ran a hand over the back of your couch, a thick quilt draped over it. 

“That was my mother’s,” you said. “She made it with my grandmother when she was expecting me. She’d always drape it over herself whenever she was caring for me.” You set your bag aside. “She gave it to me when I moved out after she’d added more to it.” 

He traced his fingers over a square that had a flower sewn into it. “That’s sweet.”

“I think she wants me to pass it down to my child one day,” you said. “Add my own squares. She taught me once, actually. I think I will.” 

His face grew hotter, and he stepped away, distracting himself with a little carved animal that was sitting on your counter. “Did you make this?”

You’d giggled, and made your way over. “Mhm. It’s not very good, but… My grandmother had books of animals. It’s a tiger.” You held it up. “I’ve never actually seen one, but they say the God of the Sun’s accompanied by a tiger wherever he goes.” For a moment, you looked between him and the little wooden tiger. You reached for his hand a moment later, pressing it into his palm and curling his fingers around. “Why don’t you keep it?”

“Huh?” He looked down at it. “But it’s yours.”

“And now it’s yours.” You smiled at him. “You can look at it and think of me.” 

He would. He’d keep it with him forever now. Soonyoung turned his attention to the window again. “You grow things?”

“Most people do.” You made your way to the back door, unlatching it and pulling it open. Soonyoung followed you out and watched as you admired your tomatoes. “I’m not great at it, but I’ve managed to keep a few things alive so far.”

The cucumbers you were growing seemed to be doing fine, as were the green beans that stretched up their poles. He saw the way the cucumber plants were crawling up your fence a bit, giving them a structure to grow against and protection from the elements. You had a separate section out for carrots that were struggling a bit more, but faring way better than the tomatoes you’d been trying to grow. Your lettuce, however, was definitely thriving way more than the rest of your garden. 

“It’s not a lot,” you said, looking at the peas you’d been growing. “But it helps. I sell lettuce down at the market and it usually fetches pretty well…” 

“You said you were making soup?”

Suddenly, you snapped back to face him. “Oh my god, the soup!” You rushed back inside, digging through a low cabinet for a heavy-looking pot. “I’m yours,” you said as you turned back to him, “as long as we talk here.” 

He chuckled. “I’m okay with that.”

You rested a hand on his chest. “Tomorrow,” you said, “we can go out. I’m sorry I forgot about it earlier.”

Something about you was so endearing. You’d pulled out a cutting board and a sharpened knife before turning to Soonyoung. When you asked if he knew how to cook, he said he wasn’t very good at it. With a roll of your eyes, you said you’d teach him later. All he needed to do was slice ingredients while you fetched water for this soup. If he wanted to, he could start the fire for you once you’d set everything up, and you’d take over with the harder parts of it all. The good thing about this soup, you told him, was that it could be easy to throw together. So the two of you got to work: Soonyoung with carefully slicing carrots for you, and you with setting up… well, everything else. He listened to the way you hummed to yourself as you worked, and he wished he could know the songs in your heart. If he asked Jihoon, he’d turn him away. 

How was he supposed to face Jihoon from now on…? Hansol wouldn’t hide Soonyoung’s feelings for you as they began to blossom more and more with each passing second. 

“Oh… Soonyoung.” You’d come back to him while he was trying to slice potatoes, moving slow as he worked. “Here,” you reached out, hands over his own to guide them. “It’s easier if you do it like this…”

Mingyu would adore you, at least. Despite not having a need to eat, Mingyu enjoyed cooking for the fun of it. Seokmin joined him sometimes, too. At least Soonyoung got to eat the delicious things they made. A second later, Soonyoung realized that you were bullshitting him: he was maybe slow in order to watch his fingers, but you were doing the exact same thing he was doing.

“You just want to—”

“Be close to you?” You smiled. “I do.” 

He chuckled. “You don’t have to make up a reason,” he said, gently nudging your hands away. “You can be close to me if you want.”

You let out a happy hum as you looked at him, leaning in just close enough to kiss him if he were lucky. “Good to know.”  And then you pulled away just as he leaned in to kiss you, giggling as you went. 

What has he gotten himself into?

Junhui’s domain was just as vibrant and full of life as one would expect from the God of the Harvest. The number of plants growing would make Soonyoung’s head spin if he tried to count them all, and, since he wasn’t much of a cook anyway, he merely left it at ones he could easily recognize. Most days, Junhui could be found in the center of it all, resting underneath a pavilion decorated with sheer white curtains trimmed with matching lace. The red of his flowing garb stood out against it all, and Soonyoung often saw the way the fabric flowed as Junhui danced for himself and only himself. His eyes were shut as he let his body move as he pleased, content to let inspiration take hold as it desired. There was a bottle of wine set atop a nearby table—a sign that Minghao had been here recently, since Jun always kept his bottles elsewhere for safe keeping. He had to wonder what the two had talked about. 

“Is this about her?”

Jun had slowed to a stop, opening his eyes as he looked to where Soonyoung lingered among the trees. He had gotten it in one, and the knowing smile on his face said it. He gestured for Soonyoung to come forward and join him as he settled into a cushioned chair off to one side, right next to that bottle of wine.

Soonyoung settled into the other, and watched as his friend poured him a glass. “I have a favor to ask.”

“It’s her garden, isn’t it?” Jun hummed to himself, eyes twinkling a little. “Are you sure you want to get so close to a mortal?”

Soonyoung nodded. “Yes.”

“You were there for Jihoon,” he said, voice softer this time. “You had to be the one to calm him down before the tides were thrown out of balance.” 

But I’ll be fine, Soonyoung wanted to say. He wouldn’t scorch the earth. He’d control himself. “Will you help her?”

Jun hummed to himself for a moment. “Perhaps.”

“That isn’t a yes—”

“What’s in your pocket?”

Soonyoung pulled out the little tiger figurine. Immediately, Jun began to coo over it, reaching out to get a closer look. He drew his hand back, unsure of whether he wanted to trust anyone with it… But he relented after a moment, letting Jun take it and hold it up to the light. He traced over the tiger stripes, smiling to himself all the while, so truly endeared by this little wooden tiger that you had made. It wasn’t perfect, and it looked much more like an average cat, but you had definitely tried when carving it.

“How cute,” he giggled. “No wonder you like her so much. Can she make a cat?”

Soonyoung furrowed his brow. “What?”

“I’ll do it if she makes me a cat later. Say it’s for a friend.” 

“I’m not—”

“Please?” Jun had smiled at him, pressing the tiger back into his hand. “I’ll bless her garden extra strong if you can bring me one that’s a cat.” 

Soonyoung sighed. “Okay,” he said. “I’ll ask her to make you a cat. I’ll say it’s a present. Will you bless her garden tonight, please? I’m going to see her first thing because I want to see her face when she notices it improving.” 

Jun had given his promise. Soonyoung downed his wine before hugging him tight, and left Jun’s domain quickly. He’d passed by Seungkwan, who’d been deep in conversation with Hansol and Seungcheol when he saw him. With a wave, he continued on, only to see Hansol wrinkle his nose again when he glanced back one final time. It must be from the love. Which was strange: Hansol had always said love was sweet. Why wrinkle his nose…? Soonyoung let the thought go before he could dwell too much on it. He didn’t need to doubt his feelings for you at all. Mortals lived shorter lives, which meant that Soonyoung needed to treasure his time with you while he had it. Which meant he needed to go rest before he went down to the mortal realm—

“Soonyoung.”

Wonwoo stood at the entry to his domain, having been waiting for him. He adjusted the collar of his shirt, tucked tight against his neck, and watched him from behind those wide spectacles. Wonwoo said nothing as he drew his hood back from over his head, a thick book held in his other arm as he awaited for Soonyoung to come closer. For the God of Time, he always looked as though he’d switch domains with Jihoon or Seokmin at any moment; dark fabrics flowing off of him and shining a little within the light. Yet behind that stoic exterior, Soonyoung knew that he was warm (even if he wasn’t so now). He knew a lot of things beyond the knowledge he presided over. He knew the past, the present, and the future…

Which must be why he was here now. “Yes?”

He nodded toward the entry to his own domain. “Come with me.”

The moment Wonwoo turned his back, Soonyoung hung his head and held back the urge to groan with annoyance. He needed to see you tomorrow, which meant he needed to rest because going down to the mortal realm wasn’t exactly the easiest thing in the world—especially when he had to work extra hard to repress the godly aura that had attracted you to him in the first place. He needed you to like him for him (and, so far, you seemed to). Yet he followed after Wonwoo, passing through the shimmering doorway and into the endless library in which Wonwoo often resided. The quiet ticking of a clock that Soonyoung never saw seemed to echo about, and he stepped onto the clock face (not the source of the ticking: Soonyoung had checked) that was embedded into the floor. The seconds ticked by, one by one, and Soonyoung watched as Wonwoo began to search for another book. He climbed a ladder, a fox made of translucent, pale blue magic leaping up beside him. It shut its eyes and glowed a little brighter, and Soonyoung watched Wonwoo pet its head with a quiet thanks.

“What do you want?” He called out.

“Hold on.” He pulled down another one, thick and just as heavy as the one he’d been carrying. He descended that ladder, and came to the desk in the middle of the room. “You need to stop seeing this human.”

Soonyoung stared at him, dumbfounded. “What?”

“Joshua should have told you to stop, but he didn’t. So I will,” Wonwoo began to flip through pages. “She doesn’t have much time. She’ll have less if you continue to interfere.” 

You’d live less…? “You don’t know that—”

“It’s written.” Wonwoo slid the book across the table to him. “You can’t rewrite a person’s life. We’ve tried. All we can do is make sure that things go according to plan—”

“No!” He shut the book, shoving it across the desk. “I’m not going to give her up. I’ll find a way.”

“You’re acting like a child,” Wonwoo kept his voice even and calm. “If I need to get Seungcheol involved—”

“You don’t need to get him involved,” another voice sounded from the entryway. Soonyoung turned, and in strolled Mingyu, hands tucked into his pockets. “Seungcheol wouldn’t be able to stop him anyway.” 

Wonwoo furrowed his brow. “Mingyu, you remembered what happened last time—”

“And I know that it’ll all be all right.” Mingyu stopped next to Soonyoung. He pulled out a small golden pendant that hung from a long chain, teeming with a mythical energy that was powerful. “Because Soonyoung will give her this, and your stupid book will change to see fit. It’s happened before—”

“That was an accident.”

“Well, accident it again.” Mingyu dropped the pendant into Soonyoung’s hand. “It’ll give her a little extra luck. A longer life, if things go right.” 

“You don’t know what you’re messing with, Mingyu,” Wonwoo glowered at him from behind those glasses, eyes cold as steel. The room felt as though it’d fallen a few degrees, too. “This could easily put her in further danger—”

“It won’t,” Mingyu said, cocky as ever. The God of Freedom fit him just as much as his other titles. “Because luck will be on her side now.” 

Before he could watch the two argue further, Soonyoung ducked out, throwing his thanks over his shoulder as he returned to his own domain. He felt the sun kiss his face as he wandered in, holding up the pendant so that it’d shimmer in the light. He could already envision it against your skin, shining perfectly in the sun as he stole you away for the day. Maybe he’d find a way to bring you here, to his domain, if he could. Then again… Seungcheol had banned mortals for good reason. He’d seen the destruction that they could bring, and this world wasn’t suited for them to live in anyhow. Still… He wished that you could see it. All he wanted to do was curl up on the grass with you, and sleep under the sunshine of his own domain. If he could find a way, he’d do it in a heartbeat. 

Instead, he threw himself down onto his own chaise, curling up to rest for a while. He already missed the soft plush of your couch and the quilt that you shared together as you two enjoyed a bowl of soup together. He’d never admit it to any of the others, but your cooking would outdo Mingyu’s any day (although, knowing him, Mingyu would claim he was only saying it because he liked you). Perhaps if Mingyu wanted, he could come around… After Soonyoung had become yours. If stupid handsome Mingyu had shown up, then there was no telling if you’d stay so in love with Soonyoung or if stupid, charmingly handsome, clumsy Mingyu would somehow manage to steal your heart. 

(It was childish to think, but Soonyoung pouted as he drifted off nonetheless.)

By the time he woke up, he knew the sun would soon be rising on the world below. Which meant that he needed to go soon. Jun would hopefully be returning as Soonyoung was leaving, and Soonyoung hoped to get a glance at your garden before you did. It wouldn’t be thriving—not immediately—but Soonyoung knew it’d look a little more verdant. Maybe the tomatoes would have grown a little more, though, so that you could be proud of them. 

Jihoon stood in his way, though. “Soonyoung—”

“I remember what happened to them,” he said. “And I know you want me to stop.” 

“And you won’t.” Jihoon pressed his lips together. “I know.” 

“I think I love her,” he said. “I’ve… I’ve never felt like this before.”

Jihoon shut his eyes for a moment. He remembered how it felt, too: that rush of emotion that was so new to him. No one else had warned him about the more painful ones that would overtake him. No one but Seungcheol, who had lived that grief over and over again when wars started and ended. Seungcheol had been hardened by it: Jihoon was merely a god who wanted to spin songs for his lovers and write lyrical poems for them, too. The crystal around his neck seemed to glow a little brighter, and he nodded after a moment.

“Be careful.” 

Soonyoung promised he would. He paused, turning back to Jihoon as he reached out for the necklace. Most days, Jihoon would turn away. Today he stayed still, and watched as Soonyoung brushed his fingers over it, that tiny flame within it still burning as bright as it did so long ago. If Soonyoung shut his eyes, he could feel fingers pressing against his own, a forehead pressing against his. Whether it was Jihoon’s or his lover, he would never be certain. Soonyoung always thought it was his lover, though: their touch was softer than Jihoon’s, who didn’t hesitate to put Soonyoung in his place the same way brothers fought. 

He drew his hand back. Would this be him one day? Holding onto a crystal filled with his lover’s life? He hoped not. He’d find a way to keep you with him. Jihoon ran out of time. Soonyoung, with Wonwoo’s warning, would not. He refused to. 

Jihoon watched as Soonyoung took off, and he curled his hand around that crystal again. “I know.” He shut his eyes again, and he could feel the way his lover pressed their lips against his skin, gentle as could be. “I know,” he repeated. “I’ll keep watching over him.”

And then he could feel the curve of a smile, too, and he found himself smiling. The sadness in his soul would always be there, but at least his lover’s flame still kept it warm.

True to his plans, Soonyoung came to you again that day. Barely seconds after he’d knocked at your door, you had opened it and pulled him inside, gushing about your garden. He feigned surprise well when you showed him how your tomatoes seemed to have found a new sense of life. He’d thank Jun when he saw him next: your joy was worth it. He reached into his pocket, finding the necklace as it pooled into a tiny pile.

“I… brought you something.” 

You turned to him, clearly surprised. “Huh?”

“I saw it and I thought of you,” he unraveled the chain, holding it up. The round pendant twisted, shining in the sunlight, and he saw the way you lit up at it in pure shock. It… truthfully looked as though it would be expensive.

“Soonyoung…”

“Can I…?” He unlatched the clasp, and you turned with a tiny smile. Carefully, he draped it around your neck, fixing the clasp. His fingers brushed against the back of your neck, and he stepped back. “There.”

You turned back to face him, smiling a little. The chain was longer than he expected, the pendant falling closer to your chest than your collarbones, but you looked just as radiant as you always did. “Thank you,” you said quietly. “I’ll treasure it always.”

The tiniest flower of jealousy seemed to bloom within Soonyoung’s stomach. All you knew was this had been Soonyoung’s present to you… and yet all Soonyoung could think about was stupid Mingyu’s face, smiling brightly. He’d never mention that you loved it to Mingyu. He’d never heard the end of it if he did. 

“Actually… I want to show you something.”

Soonyoung followed you out of your house, closing the door behind him and immediately hearing an unsettling noise when he did. When trying to open it, you discovered that he’d messed with it so it didn’t sit correctly anymore. You made a small joke about Soonyoung not knowing his own strength (oh, if only you knew) before you took his hand anyway.

“I’ll have someone come around eventually,” you said. “Don’t worry about it.” 

So he wouldn’t. He trusted you, and he figured he would merely break it further if he tried. You took his hand, and began to guide him out of the town, saying something about how this would be a walk. He asked casually enough about if you would carve a little cat out of wood, since he had a friend who saw the tiger and loved it so much. You had agreed with a warm giggle, saying that you would do anything for him, before you started to tell him stories as you entered the woods together. In your youth, you would get lost within these woods alongside your friends. The sun would be setting as you all found your way home, your friends scared of the witches that the bigger kids always said lived in the woods. You, on the other hand, had never been. 

“One day, I got separated from everyone,” you kicked a pebble along the path. “It was getting darker, and I started getting scared that I might not find my way home. And then… I saw it. There was this glowing bear in the woods. And it looked at me, and I felt like it was telling me to follow it.”

Soonyoung already knew what it was: the guardian of forests. Seungkwan’s doing, no doubt. Seungkwan had always found some way to protect children through sending a benevolent bear to guide them out of the forests when they were lost. It was surrounded by this warm glow as another way to tell them that it was safe. Follow me, the aura said, I’ll protect you. It protected others too, according to Seungkwan, but it would always come to children when they needed it.

“I feel like I’ve always had a connection with nature because of it,” you said. The two of you had entered into a clearing within the forest, and you let go of his hand. “That’s why I’ve always dreamed of building a home here.” You spread your arms out, twirling in the sunlight before you stopped to face him again. “But for now, it’s where I come to think.”

“Do you come here often?” Soonyoung walked forward, taking in the sights.

It almost reminded him of his own domain a little bit. There were wildflowers springing up from the grass, dotting the area with little white and yellow and pink buds. He could hear the brook in the distance if he listened closely, and the sound of animals running to and fro. If it were a little brighter, it’d be like home for him. Soonyoung turned to watch you as you seemed to thrive here, crouching down to admire the flowers. He could hear the music of the earth if he listened close enough: the bubbles in the brook, the scratching of a squirrel in the trees, the wind as it whistled…

“Do you dance?”

You turned, before standing back up. “Do you?” You smiled. “Are you asking me to dance this time, Soonyoung?”

He smiled, and offered his hands to you. The smile you gave him in return could light the sun once over, and you placed your hands in his own. He drew you closer to him, guiding you happily. 

“You’re better when I’m not drunk,” you teased. “Is this what you do for a living?”

“Something like that,” he laughed warmly. He squeezed your hands a little, twirling you out from him. “So… Why do you like me?” He brought you back in, “You said you didn’t like the other people here. Why me?”

You hummed for a moment, thinking over the question. “At first, you just… You stood out. But now… I think you’re sweet. You came back to town, and I realized I really liked dancing with you that night.”

“I came back to town because I liked you, too,” he confessed. “I thought… I didn’t want to miss this chance.”

“Really?” You giggled softly. “So why did you like me, then?”

Because you seemed to outshine life itself, and he needed to know why. “I like your stories.”

“Well… Good,” you hummed. “Is that all?”

He smiled, drawing you in closer. “And I like you.”

Something about it made you laugh. “You’re so honest,” you said. “I like that. Most people dance around their feelings for far too long.” You wrapped your arms around his shoulders, gazing into his eyes. “The girl at the marketplace counting petals and wondering if the other girl loves or not despite knowing the answer. The boy that was too shy to tell his friend that he loves him until his friend says it first…” You hummed. “Why waste time when you’ve found your actual soulmate?”

“Is that what I am?” Soonyoung’s hands rested on your hips. “Your soulmate?”

You smiled at him again. “Is that what you think I am?”

Soonyoung leaned in, kissing you instead, and you kissed back eagerly. Soulmate, he thought to himself. It was as though Hansol had wrapped a string around the two of you, tying you together in a hidden way that only his heart knew to be true. He felt as though something deep within him had yearned for you since the moment the two of you met. You might be his soulmate… 

Soonyoung liked the sound of that.

Hansol had come into Soonyoung’s domain that night when he returned home, and immediately gagged when he saw him. Soonyoung had looked up to where Hansol had hunched over, a wrist pressed against his mouth as he leaned against a pillar near the entry point to his domain. Was the smell truly that strong? Jihoon had said Hansol had known that Soonyoung was in love, and apparently he reeked of the smell. Jihoon once smelled like this, too—that had to be what Hansol was smelling. The love of a god to a mortal, something truly awful apparently. 

“Soonyoung,” he said, catching his breath. “You’re going to get yourself hurt.”

Soonyoung groaned. “Why does everyone keep telling me that?” He sat up from his space in the grass, where he’d been daydreaming about the day he spent with you. If he closed his eyes, he could pretend he was in that clearing again, kissing you.

“I mean it,” Hansol said. “Dude. I don’t want to tell you this, but I spoke to the others. Wonwoo and Seokmin both agreed that no matter what you do, she’s going to die because of it. Even Joshua admitted it—”

With a wave of his hand, Hansol was whisked out of his domain, and the entryway was temporarily severed. He turned over onto his side, shutting his eyes again. Everyone was against this, but why? If he was truly putting you in danger, then they should tell him what it was. That way, Soonyoung would be able to find a way to protect you. All the others ever did was tell him to stop, and they never gave him a real reason past a vague idea that you would die. All mortals would die one day, and Soonyoung just wanted to enjoy the time had with you before he lost you. If he lost you. Maybe, by then, he would have found a way to truly save you—and not in the way Jihoon had done. 

He started to see you daily. Some days the two of you would walk together, hand in hand, through the town. He would accompany you to the market, and you would teach him how to haggle, and he would carry your bags back home like the gentleman he was trying to be for you. You never did get that door fixed, but you had said you didn’t mind it. It just meant you had to lift it a little when you opened or closed it, and that unwanted visitors wouldn’t be able to get in so easily. He met your friends once, as they ate dinner with the two of you and teased you endlessly for falling so hard for Soonyoung. You didn’t even deny it anymore, and Soonyoung would smile so hard that his cheeks hurt. They pointed out that he seemed to love you just as much, and Soonyoung didn’t deny it, either. He just kissed you passionately once the two of you were left alone again, happy to have your company. Other days, the two of you would rest in your home together. You would read poetry to him sometimes, because he loved to listen to the sound of your voice. Everything was always prettier when it came from you. He watched you carve the cat for Jun one day, explaining everything as you did. Your mother had taught you how to carve these things, and you were a little better at normal cats than you were tigers. Soonyoung passed it to Jun one day and saw the look of pure delight in his eyes when he looked it over, thanking him for the gift. 

Seokmin asked to meet you one day. At first, Soonyoung had been hesitant… But he let him accompany him down to your home. When you answered the door, you’d almost greeted Soonyoung with a kiss until you saw his companion.

“This is my friend,” Soonyoung said. “He was at the festival with me, actually. He was passing through town, and—”

“I’m Seokmin,” he introduced himself, taking your hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Yet the moment his touch met yours, Soonyoung could see that Seokmin’s smile twitched a little. All too easily, he recovered and followed you into your home. You always made extra for dinner, since your neighbor had a baby to take care of now, and you would try to take food to her and her partner when you could. If not you, then other people did—everyone looked out for one another here. Seokmin listened to you attentively as you talked over dinner, asking questions about how he knew Soonyoung (he worked alongside him before). Seokmin seemed to take the role of entertainer with ease, always knowing the right thing to say to make you laugh. All Soonyoung could do was sit by and fall even deeper in love with you. 

The two of them left your house, making their way out of town so they could return home, and Soonyoung saw the way Seokmin changed within an instant. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Seokmin continued forward. “I see why you adore her so much.” He paused, though, and turned to face Soonyoung in the dying light of day. “You want to see her again, don’t you?”

Soonyoung smiled to himself. “I always do.”

“You should go, then. I’m sure she wants to see you, too. I’ll go home by myself.”

Soonyoung could only thank him, turning on his heel to return to you. You had greeted him warmly, and the moment that the door was shut behind the two of you, you’d taken him into your arms and kissed him passionately. His back bumped against the door, and his hands fell to your waist immediately. 

“Your friend is nice,” you said when you stopped for a moment, “but I had to fight myself to keep my hands off of you.” 

He chuckled, drawing you back in for another kiss. “Don’t you always?”

You playfully swatted at his side, pressing a quick peck against his lips. “With you, I really have to.” Your hands slipped underneath his shirt. “Soonyoung, I—” 

Your fingertips traced his bare skin, and suddenly he understood what it felt to want another person deeply. That deep, devoted need to be closer to you than he had ever been before. He stared at you, and he realized that you felt it, too. No wonder you always found some way to touch him. He’d kissed you passionately before, that need building within the core of his being to be with you, but not like this. It felt hot and heavy and his head felt suddenly so much foggier than it had ever been, his mind centered only on you, you, you. He drew you back in for another kiss, deeper than before.

“Soonyoung,” you said after a moment. “Do you want me?”

He did. More than anything now. He was thankful for his godly strength, even when suppressing everything else about himself, as he lifted you into his arms with ease. He carried you away, your arms hooked around his neck as you giggled. With every taunting kiss you placed against his neck, he grew giddier, and he stopped hesitating once he threw you onto your bed. You had lured in him fully, and he was more than ready to be yours in every possible way.

Which must have been why he felt so guilty come morning. He’d woken up, turning over to admire the beautiful sight of your bare skin. He wished to study you further, to have a mental map of every dip and freckle and blemish your skin had so that he could worship every single part of you fully. But he needed to return home, at least to attend to what he needed to. He leaned in, kissing your lips for as long as he could spare before he left your bed. It had woken you up, and you watched him get dressed in the early light of day, chuckling to yourself at the marks you’d left on him. 

“Can’t you just… stay here with me?” You reached for his hand, drawing  him in again. “Forever?”

A temptation so, so sweet… but one he had to turn down again. “Maybe tomorrow,” he said. He could do this, he thought to himself. He could live a double life. He just needed to get things in order. “I don’t want to go.”

You let out a sigh—not disappointed or annoyed, but tired. “I know.” You kissed his knuckles. “Soonyoung, I—”

He kissed you one more time, and he felt the way you smiled into it after a moment. He drew back, pressing one final kiss against your forehead. “Tomorrow,” he promised. “I’ll come back to you.”

Your smile wavered for barely a second. “I know you will. Until tomorrow.”

Hansol wrinkled his nose again when Soonyoung passed by him. Jihoon looked concerned. Soonyoung just returned to his own realm to do what he needed to do. All too soon, he curled up on a warm patch of grass, and fell asleep, lost in a beautiful sense of bliss he already ached to feel again.

Jihoon yanked Soonyoung from his sleep without a second thought, and didn’t speak once as he dragged him out of his domain. Soonyoung had barely woken up, yet followed Jihoon dutifully. Sometimes the gods had these meetings for whatever reason. Typically it was when war was coming, because Seungcheol would always go down below, unseen by mortals, to watch the bloodshed. To circle war tables and sometimes push for something that would end the fighting sooner. It was invigorating. It was draining. But Jeonghan was in charge until peace came, in which Jeonghan would go down and bring Seungcheol home. Of course, not all of this pertained to the others so much as it was just a reminder that they had jobs to do. That just because Seungcheol was leaving was not an excuse to play around.

Yet Jihoon shoved him toward the middle of the room without a word. Soonyoung realized that all eyes were on him—save for Seungcheol, who was staring up at a mirror that Joshua must have brought in as an alternate to his pools of water, and Jeonghan, who was watching Seungcheol.

“What’s going on?”

“It’s over, Soonyoung.” Seungcheol turned back to him, pity in his eyes. Guilt, too. A look that said I should have never let it get this far. “I’m sorry.”

Soonyoung looked up at the mirror, something pulling him toward it. He tried to focus harder on the blurry scene. It was always harder for anyone who wasn’t Joshua (or a save few others) to look into a person’s life and see what was happening. But he saw it. Fire. Your town. Your home. You, in your bed, waking up to the sound of someone trying to get in. The vision was lost as he stumbled back. “No—”

Seungcheol took his hand. “Soonyoung, I’m sorry—”

Seokmin stepped forward. “She was marked for death. I felt it when I touched her hand. I’m sorry, Soonyoung, I couldn’t remove it. It’s in fate’s hands now—”

“No!” 

Soonyoung tore his hand free from Seungcheol’s grip and took off running. Despite the lunge Mingyu had made for him, Soonyoung was desperate. He threw his elbow into the man’s ribs. Even gods had weak spots when it came to another god hitting them, after all. Soonyoung needed to get to you now, before something worse could happen. He landed below, barely masking his aura as he took off running toward your home.

Your house was ruined by the time he got there. It was still burning, but he screamed your name. The door was open, and he rushed in to see your ransacked home. Broken pots and ceramics, furniture upturned and strew everywhere, curtains ripped to shreds… But the back door was open. He went through it and saw your poor, still-burning garden. Yet no you. The ground was disheveled near the fence, trailing up the side of it too. You got out.

You got out. 

Soonyoung hopped the fence with ease, taking off running in the direction that the dirt led. Toward the forest—you’d ran away. You must have. He just kept yelling your name as loudly as he could, listening for something, anything, that told him you were alive. If he focused on the little wooden tiger in his pocket, he could still feel you. Everyone had a connection to their creations, and he just had to follow it to you. This golden string that was wrapped around his own soul and drawing him forward. Yet he heard crunching, further from the twigs and leaves underneath his own feet. He wasn’t alone. 

He saw you first, lying on the ground in the clearing that you’d kissed him in. And in a different direction, he saw a man, making his way toward you. All it took was the glint of a knife for Soonyoung to drop his aura. 

“Get the FUCK away from her!” 

And within seconds, the man had burst into flames. Soonyoung stood, the sound of his scream echoing in his ears, and he turned his attention back to you. The man collapsed to the ground, dying and burning and filling the air with this disgusting smell that’d haunt him forever. Yet Soonyoung just made his way forward to you, growing more desperate with those last few steps. He dropped to his knees next to your crumpled body, staring at you for just a moment. You’d curled in on yourself, chest slowly rising and falling. You were alive. All Soonyoung could do was say your name once more as he reached for you, suddenly so much more helpless than he’d ever been before.

“I’m here,” he said, reaching for you. “I’m here, I’m here…”

Your life was fading, and he could see it in your eyes as they seemed to grow dimmer. Yet the light that was starting to shine around him reflected in them. “... Soonyoung?”

“It’s me,” he said, a hand cupping your face. He could feel powerful presences growing closer to him. The others were coming. “What happened?”

Before you could answer, he suddenly noticed the dark stain at your abdomen. He reached a hand down, and pulled his hand away to see dark blood covering his fingers. Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no—

“I’m sorry,” you wheezed out, hand taking his, your own blood smearing against your skin. “I… I tried to run, Soonyoung. I’m lucky. I… I heard one of them trying to break in, and…”

“Who did this to you?”

“Bandits.” You pressed your cheek against his hand. “Came into town yesterday. Didn’t mention it.” Your brows furrowed together in pain, one of your hands dropping down to your wound. “Didn’t—Didn’t wanna scare you…”

“No,” he whispered, voice cracking, “nonono… Don’t,” he clutched your hand in his, “don’t go.” 

“Soonie,” your hand squeezed his. Your eyes were welling up with tears that he could see as his light grew brighter. “It hurts.”

He could fix this. He had to fix this. It wasn’t your time yet—Seokmin had to be wrong. It couldn’t be your time yet. Not when you had so much more life to live. Not now. 

“Soonyoung!” Seokmin’s voice rang out across the clearing. And then he heard him say his name again, softer as he grew closer. Seokmin kneeled down on the other side of you. “It’s time,” he said. He reached toward you, “I have to take her—”

“No!” Soonyoung slapped his hand away. He felt the air grow hotter around him. The sky was bright with fire and ash, and even the moon overhead seemed to glow brighter now. “You aren’t taking her!”

Wonwoo stepped forward, too. “Soonyoung, we warned you—”

“You aren’t touching her!” 

Fire crackled around Soonyoung, and he watched as Seokmin and Wonwoo backed off immediately. Sweat began to bead at Soonyoung’s browline, and the world seemed so, so desperately hot. Even the others had recognized it, as Soonyoung had seen the way they were tugging at their clothes and wiping away sweat. Jihoon even seemed pained, his own aura glowing a little brighter. Soonyoung’s gaze fell to you again, one hand falling down to your wound. Maybe… Maybe if he used a little of his fire, he could fix this. He could close your wound, and Joshua would heal you, because Joshua always supported him, and you would live. You had to live. He couldn’t let you go. He wasn’t Jihoon: Soonyoung was not as strong as Jihoon. He felt tears run down his face, and he let you a sob, pulling you into his arms, face buried in your shoulder. You were still alive in his arms, he just had to find a way to keep you there.

“Don’t—Don’t cry.” You chuckled weakly. “Can’t cry over me, Soonie.” He felt your hand push between the two of you, and he drew back to see the pain on your face. “Guess… Guess the girl who gave you this won, huh?”

… What? Soonyoung felt a tug around his neck. He stared at you, and then looked down to where your hand had clasped around that little golden vial. 

“I hope she’s nice to you,” your voice grew quieter. And then you let out a whine, eyes squeezing shut. “Fuck—”

Soonyoung didn’t think. He ripped the vial from around his throat, the corded knot coming undone with ease. He ripped the cork out with his teeth.

“Soonyoung, what are you—” Minghao had spoken up. “Soonyoung!”

“Let him.” Joshua hid a smile, standing furthest away from the group. 

Soonyoung could hear someone questioning Joshua, but his eyes met yours as he squeezed you gently. You’d opened your eyes again after a moment, tears running down your cheeks. He took a deep breath. “Trust me,” he said, “and I’ll tell you everything.” 

Your life continued to fade within his arms, and Soonyoung knew he needed to act now. He pushed the vial between your lips, and watched the golden liquid drain into your mouth. He watched as you weakly swallowed it, entrusting your life into Soonyoung’s hands without hesitating. Soonyoung dropped the bottle onto the ground, and watched, waiting for something to happen. All too soon, it did as your chest began to glow. A ray of golden light, so similar to Soonyoung’s own, sparked up from within it, and then began to spread throughout your body. Suddenly, that fading reversed. Your life grew stronger—stronger than it had been before. The wound in your stomach looked as though it had the sun’s rays stretch from it before he watched the skin pull itself back together, the wound disappearing under blood until it faded into nothing but soft skin. 

He hoped you would look him in the eyes, suddenly alive again. Instead, your eyes fluttered shut, and your head lulled. But he could feel the hum of your life force as it grew stronger and stronger underneath his fingers. He could see you breathing. Soonyoung turned, looking to Joshua and calling out to him with a quiet “Shua—”

Who merely smiled and raised a hand, waving before disappearing into thin air. Immediately, it was followed by the yelling of angry and confused gods before they started to follow after him… Except for Soonyoung. He turned back to you, pressing his forehead against yours. Beside him, he could feel Jihoon crouching down.

“I’m sorry,” he said when he looked up, “that this couldn’t be done for—”

“Life changes,” Jihoon simply said. “Joshua learns.” 

Suddenly, it clicked. Joshua had always seen this coming. Soonyoung looked to you, and hoisted you into his arms with that same godly strength he used to break your door and to carry you to bed before. He saw something split, though: the you in his arms was not the you left on the ground. Had this happened when he was given godhood? Or was he made differently? He’d have to ask Seungcheol sometime. But he paused, paying respects to your mortal form before he turned to Jihoon. The rain had begun to finally begun, the distant smoke and fire having begun to die down. Jihoon stood beside him, and looked to the distance.

“Let’s go home.”

Underneath the warm sunlight, you woke up in a daze. One minute you had felt yourself clinging to that last thread of life, and now…

“Good morning.”

Soonyoung kneeled beside you, a hand cupping your face. He looked at you so, so lovingly now. You realized after a moment, though, that something was… off about him. He seemed to have this stronger aura that surrounded him. The same one that had drawn you to him that first night, but seemed to disappear when he returned to you. He felt warmer, too, underneath your fingertips as you reached up, taking your face into his hands. Maybe even more radiant, if you were honest, but Soonyoung had always been radiant in your eyes. He smiled at you, leaning in to press his forehead against your own. Your memories were foggy, but you remembered Soonyoung clinging to you. The sound of him yelling at others, and this weird, warm feeling that overtook you for a moment before it was frightened away. Then you were fading and fighting…

Now you were here with your lover. 

“Where am I?” You asked after a moment, once Soonyoung had drawn away. “Is this… death?” Then you paused. “Soonyoung, did they get you—”

He merely laughed, so soft and warm and welcoming. “I have… a lot that I need to tell you. Please don’t be mad.” 

Your lover was literally a god. The same god you had been celebrating that night in the center of town when you drunkenly tripped over your feet and into his arms. Talk about full of himself (you’d have to tease him over it later). Soonyoung told you everything, though. For as long as he could remember, he’d been the God of the Sun and the God of Dance. So when he told you that he was a dancer, he wasn’t technically lying… It just happened to go a little beyond that. The man he had brought to you once, Seokmin, was the God of Death and the Underworld, always looking after those who depart from life with a warm hand to guide them onward. He’d almost taken you a few days ago when Soonyoung found you, but… You technically owed your life, whatever it was now, to Joshua, the God of Life and of Medicine.

“I saw what was going to happen,” Joshua had confirmed Soonyoung’s suspicions casually enough. Soonyoung had brought you to him because you wanted to thank him yourself. “I watched Jihoon lose his lover. I wasn’t going to let it happen again.”

“Jihoon…?”

Said god lingered around the doorway to Joshua’s domain, having followed you and Soonyoung in. Soonyoung drew away from you, just enough to turn and look at him. 

“My brother,” Soonyoung said. “They’re all my brothers, I mean, but… Jihoon’s different.”

Jihoon’s face went red at the sappy way that Soonyoung had said it, so genuine and endeared to his beloved friend. All Soonyoung could do was laugh, and Jihoon pouted. “Don’t say it like that,” he said, a hand curling around the crystal that hung around his neck. “She shouldn’t like me. I tried to stop this—”

“You had to try and stop this,” Joshua piped up. “Everyone else kind of had to try. Except Mingyu, but Mingyu… Mingyu does whatever he wants.” 

“That pendant’s actually from him,” Jihoon said, a tiny smirk on his face. “So technically—”

Soonyoung let out a groan, “Don’t say it!”

Joshua merely chuckled at the two, before his gaze met yours again. “All of this was going to happen one way or another. The bandits would come to your town. You would escape, but not get far before one found you… and then he would kill you. Soonyoung had stepped in before your life was cut even shorter.” He sat down on that chaise, draping an arm over the back of it. “And thankfully he never drank what I’d given him when all of this began.”

“I said I wouldn’t!”

Joshua laughed again, so light and airy. Suddenly, you understood why there were so many poems dedicated to him. “So now you’re… well…”

“One of us.”

Another man had entered, far more imposing than the others. Yet he had this soft look in his eyes when he saw you, especially when he saw the way Soonyoung stood so protectively close over you. No one could blame him—not after he watched your life nearly slip through his fingers. He made his way over to Joshua, standing rigid beside his chaise. 

Soonyoung stared at him, brows drawing together. “What?”

“Potentially,” Seungcheol corrected himself. “It’s not in my hands. But whatever Joshua mixed up changed her entirely.” He stepped forward, closer to you, and gave you a proper once-over. You could feel what he meant, though: something about you felt… stronger. Warmer. More powerful, but in a vague sense, as thought your body was still a pile of clay to be molded. “And if she’s chosen… She’ll be one of us properly. Either sharing a domain with another, or taking it over entirely. It depends on what the upper powers want.”

You furrowed your brows and looked to Soonyoung for some sort of guidance. “Upper powers…?”

“Higher gods,” Joshua said. “While we’re all pretty powerful on our own, there’s bigger guys out there. One of them made the entire world as we know it. Think of it like this: Jeonghan’s the God of Creation, but he’s only a lesser one of it… and he’s more in charge of creation in a vague, artsy sense. Who knows,” Joshua said, lounging back. “Maybe you’ll be like that if you’re chosen.”

“And if she’s not?” Soonyoung said quietly. “They can’t get rid of her… Can they?”

Seungcheol exchanged a worried look to Joshua. “I’ll be speaking on your behalf today,” he said to Soonyoung. “I trust her. Anyone you’re willing to sacrifice everything for must be special.” 

You’d hidden a smile at that, and seen the way Soonyoung’s cheeks flushed. Before anyone could embarrass him further, he decided you needed to meet the others. That included Wonwoo, who greeted you warmly and apologized to you almost immediately. He had accepted it, though, that fate had dictated he try to stop Soonyoung. He introduced you to Hansol shortly after, who outright gagged as Soonyoung came into his domain with you, hand-in-hand. He’d apologized for both that and for his own hand in trying to stop Soonyoung from loving you.

“It’ll stop,” he said after a moment. “Godly love smells different. You still… smell like a mortal’s love.” 

Whatever he was smelling, you couldn’t smell it. “Sorry—”

“Don’t be. You’re great,” he said. “Just—no one can smell it. Just me and, uh, other people like me. I’m in my own personal prison.” 

It made you laugh a little, and Hansol chuckled, too. He merely told you to keep Soonyoung in check, earning a groan from him. He wasn’t that immature. Love just made him do something a little crazy. Where was the problem in that?

The others were warm to you, too, even if they all apologized for their hands in this plot (save for Mingyu, who boasted that he always had faith in Soonyoung the entire time). While they all had beautiful domains in their own right, you stayed alongside Soonyoung in his own. There was nowhere else you’d rather be after all. He gave you space to mourn your beloved down and the others that fell alongside you. The two of you saw that your body had been found and buried by your friends and loved one, and Soonyoung accompanied you to your grave with a spell cast over both of you to keep you invisible. 

He left the little wooden tiger at your grave to watch over it. He didn’t need it anymore: he had you now.

The two of you only fell deeper in love with each passing day. He let go of the mortal exterior he’d taken to speak to you before, letting himself be fully genuine around you. He was still bright, warm, loving Soonyoung when he was with you, but you realized that he was a little quieter. Less so when he was around the others (especially Seungkwan, who Soonyoung took delight in occasionally teasing), but his love was gentler than it had been before. It came in the forms of gentle kisses and checking on you, in making sure that you were happy and well alongside him, and in taking care of you. You were able to see firsthand how hard he worked, and the way he cared for the sun. Yet you saw him love you more with each day. He stole kisses from you whenever he could, and impressed you with his strength. Jihoon had told you not to fall for it: he was a complete doofus when you really got to know him.

(You merely told Jihoon that you already knew that: that doofus was who you fell in love with.)

Your title was bestowed upon you in a great hall when you were called before a higher council of gods. You didn’t know the other faces in that hall as well as the others did, but you felt secure. Seungcheol had held one of your hands in his, representing his specific group with a stony face and an iron will. Soonyoung held your other hand, supporting you as your partner in everything from now on. He’d admitted to you he was terrified that they would take you away from him. They had the power to do so, after all.

The higher council spoke all at once with this tinny sound to their voices, all melding into something that felt as though it could crush your skull with its power. Maybe if you were a mortal, it would have. They said your name, and went onto a long spiel about what made a god worthy of their titles.

And then you were deemed the Goddess of Youth, after you had had yours ripped away. The lesser Guardian of the Sun, to stand beside your lover evermore. And a Protector of Fate, which you had defied, although not alone.

Soonyoung almost sobbed when he heard it among the cheers. You were his. You would always be his. He would always be yours. He lifted you up, kissing you proudly in front of everyone. The two of you were safe now, and he hugged Seungcheol tight, thanking him a thousand times for whatever he must have said to help this decision come to. Seungcheol swore that he did nothing: that it was Soonyoung’s love for you that did most of the work. He merely accepted the knowledge that would be given to you, all wrapped into a tome. Although you wouldn’t be considered one of his to be in charge of (at least, not quite yet—decisions were yet to be finalized), Seungcheol would be the one in charge of guiding you as you learned your place.

Soonyoung took you back to his domain—yours now, too—and kissed you again. He lifted you into his arms, always happy to show off his strength in full now (you always teased that you knew something had to be up—no mortal man could carry all he did without breaking a sweat), and carried you forward. He laid you onto his chaise, kissing you as you guided him back with you.

“I love you,” he whispered against your lips. He came into your life pretending to be a mortal man because you had bewitched him heart and soul, turning him into nothing but a man with a single night. You were his soulmate, and he was yours, even in godhood now. 

The world would change in time, and eventually begin to tell tales of the God of Sun and his lover who appeared within the sunbeams that broke through trees in forests. The warm figure who walked alongside the protector of the forests to guide children home, before disappearing with a distant wave, always a story that young people spoke of fondly. Some stories said that in a clearing within a forest, the God of Sun could be seen, lounging with his lover as though they had no cares in the world (the two of you had escaped to the mortal world one day, just to enjoy the sunlight there together, and apparently some travelers had seen you). One day, they would carve your body from marble, but never quite get you right. Others had their own ideas for what you would look like, the same as they did with Soonyoung. No one would ever utter your name, but it would live on Soonyoung’s every day. He had you for life now, immortality to keep the two of you together.

But in your arms? Soonyoung was nothing but a man who had devoted himself to you with everything that he had. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.

[willowsages-blog]

the media: mafia Bucky Barnes x female reader

People noticed Y/N has been relativity absent in the public eye recently and we may know why

Presenter: Today actress Y/N Y/L/N the red carpet at the film festival, and there were some potentially shocking revelations,

Y/N was spotted with many people believe is a baby bump,

Though there has been no confirmation on Y/N’s end and it’s clear to see that clearly isn't her usual body shape.

The bump is more obvious in some more shots than the others

No matter what it’s clear that Y/N is glowing 

Y/N married Billionaire Bucky barnes earlier this year, the pair announced their relationship at the premiere of Bucky’s interviews’

Bucky’ sorry i just got distracted by Y/N, she’s down there, over there 

Oh it's making her shy now, 

Interviewer: Look at her, she's turning red. She's blushing.

I know we’ve ruined her,

Presenter: later that year they were spotted in paris with what it looked to be an engagement ring on Y/N’s finger 

Bucky Barnes and Y/N Y/L/N have announced their engagement.

And then at the start of this year Bucky and Y/N tied the knot, it was a small ceremony by their closest family and friends.

There is video of Bucky and Y/N dancing at their wedding ceremony,

Are Bucky and Y/N about to enter a new chapter in their lives,

Only time will tell. 

Thank you so much for reading ❤️

[thatsmzbitchtoyou]

The Gorgon FINAL Chapter 6

Summary:  The village nearest the mountain by the sea has a generations-old tradition of offering sacrifices to the monster in the mountain to gain favor and keep its wrath away from the people.  Every person starting from the age of 15 has to take a turn in making the journey up the mountain to the mouth of the cave once a year to drop off the gifts…and it’s a journey that some never come back from.  Y/N took her turn when she was 15, and now the rotation has come back to her again.  If the gift isn’t given by the autumn solstice, there’s no telling what harm the creature will wreak onto the people.  With a seemingly insurmountable obstacle in her way, will she make it to save her and her people?  Can a monster have a heart?

Warnings:  language, violence, attempted sexual assault (not from Bucky), gore, eventual smut *monster!bucky barnes

Previous chapter

A few weeks later the summer solstice was approaching.  The villagers had been extremely accommodating to Bucky, especially the children, who were slightly sad that he had shifted back to his human form.  Y/N was enjoying her time with him, but was proud of him for how much he was having fun and making friendships with others.  They no longer had to hide, and it felt incredibly freeing.  The village was getting prepared for the solstice feast and festivities, and Bucky loved being a part of the planning and preparations while Y/N worked in the bakery.

The night of the solstice, the longest day of the year, Bucky led Y/N to the center where the market had been transformed into a celebration.  The children all ran up to them, climbing Bucky as much as possible as he laughed and tried not to fall over.  Y/N was dressed in her solstice attire, and had been working on making Bucky an outfit that he marveled over when she presented it to him.  He looked rather dapper in his outfit, his long hair tied back and his beard that had been growing in trimmed.  The only thing that remained of his Gorgon form was his sharper canines, which he flashed with easy smiles.  As they came to the middle of the village center the villagers all seemed to watch them more, smiling widely at them as they walked in.  Maggie walked over and set a crown of flowers onto Y/N’s head and a flower wreath necklace over Bucky’s neck.

“What is this?” Y/N asked, smiling at her.

“You’re the bride, we have to make you look like one,” Maggie smirked at her.

Y/N’s brow furrowed then she turned to Bucky with widened eyes.  He looked sheepish but unapologetic.  “You said you’d marry me.”

Her eyes started to fill with tears as she looked around and realized the decorations weren’t just standard solstice things, but also what the village brought out for weddings.  She hugged Bucky and hid her face in his shoulder as he chuckled.  

He led her to the archway that was erected, covered by flowers and carved sun-shaped ornaments.  Master Stark was standing there with the Seers off to the side watching on with smiles.  He greeted them and had her stand on one side and Bucky on the other before starting the marriage ceremony.  Bucky held Y/N’s hands, rubbing her knuckles with his thumbs.  He couldn’t stop smiling as he stared at her, and Y/N’s cheeks began to hurt with how long she was smiling back at him.  

With many pretty words Master Stark finally said, “With these promises and love, this marriage will now be sealed with a kiss.”

Bucky glanced at him, and Master Stark nodded.  Bucky gathered Y/N into his arms and kissed her deeply.  Y/N felt like this step somehow cemented his presence into her life, and she felt like she could breath easily for the first time in months.  The villagers all cheered for them, throwing flowers as they pulled apart and started walking away from the arch hand in hand.

The solstice celebration continued late into the night, Y/N and Bucky being approached many times by people who congratulated them and gifted them with small things like jewelry, clothes, sweets, food, trinkets, and for Bucky a few books that they had found that he might like, which almost made him cry with how kind and thoughtful they were being.

At the end of the night as everyone disbursed Y/N pulled Bucky back home giddily.  Once they were in the bedroom she was on him, pushing him onto the bed and straddling his lap.  Bucky kissed her hard, his hands roaming her body.  “Can I have you, wife?” he whispered as he licked up her neck.  “Please tell me I can feel you,” he pleaded as he unbuttoned her dress, pulling it down off her shoulders and revealing her breasts to him, which he immediately started massaging with his hands, making her gasp.  “Let me be inside you.”

Y/N’s head fell back as he continued feeling her, his lips never leaving her skin for long.  They had explored each other since that first night he came to her, learning what pleasures they each liked and what would make the other tremble, but hadn’t had sex.  They had been so uncertain and afraid of what could happen with the people.  Now they were free, and joined for life, and Y/N wanted nothing more than to feel him, all of him, for as long as they could.

“Yes, Bucky, please.  My husband, my love,” she said, kissing all over his face.  “Let me have you.”

Bucky shuddered at her words and flipped her onto the bed.  They quickly undressed each other until he was hovering over her naked, his fingers delicately skimming over her legs and up to her pussy, sliding between her lower lips and groaning at how wet she was for him already.  He gripped his cock with that same hand, spreading her over himself.  “I’m…I’m nervous,” he chuckled, peering up at her with a sheepish smile.

“It’s okay,” Y/N said.  “I am, too.  But we’ll learn together.”

Bucky nodded, leaning down to kiss her as he pumped himself a few times.  When he pulled away he aimed himself toward her entrance then started to push in slowly.  Y/N tensed at the intrusion, trying to relax around him as Bucky gasped at the feeling.  His brow furrowed and his mouth dropped open as he watched himself get swallowed into her.  “Holy shit,” he groaned.  “You feel…you feel so good.  It’s so warm, and tight,” he grunted as he finally filled her as far as he could go.

“Gods,” Y/N breathed.  Bucky was large, and the fill made her feel a type of satisfaction that she’d never experienced before.  “Bucky…”

Bucky moaned loudly and thrust into her, making Y/N tighten around him.  She wrapped her legs around his hips as he picked up a steady pace with his hips, experimentally rutting, thrusting and rolling into her.  Y/N was a whimpering mess, loving every drag of his cock in and out of her, the way his balls would smack against her butt, how his chest felt against her chest and the huffed breaths against her cheek as they stayed close to each other.  Within a few minutes Y/N could feel the telltale building in the pit of her stomach as her release was fast approaching.

“Bucky, I feel it,” she said, kissing his cheek.

“Me, too, love,” he huffed, kissing her again and sucking on her lower lip, nipping it lightly.  She shivered at the feeling of his sharp teeth on her.  He started thrusting harder and a little faster and Y/N’s back arched.  “Let me have it, wife.  Give me it, let me feel you.”

Y/N nodded as she felt it getting higher and higher until it finally crashed over her and she stiffened against him, letting out a shrill cry as she came.  Bucky’s hips stuttered as her pussy squeezed him, then he was cumming inside her, biting her neck gently as he whimpered and panted.  They clung to each other and breathed heavily as they came down from their combined release.  Bucky let go of her neck and licked the bite languidly before lifting his head to look at her.

“That was amazing,” he said with a goofy smile.  “We need to do that every day.”

Y/N laughed as she cupped his face in her hands.  “I agree,” she said and kissed his nose.  “My Gorgon, my love, my official husband…I love you.”

Bucky smirked at her words and kissed her sweetly.  “My official wife.  My pretty thing…my life.  I love you.”

THE END

I hope y'all liked this one! I've got a few more in the think tank, but if anyone has any suggestions/requests, please let me know. Thanks for all the likes, comments, reblogs and follows! Y'all are too sweet to me. Love you!

*Drawings from TikTok @zesketches *info about Gorgons found @seananmcguire.com 

[tokyo-daaaamn-ji-gang]

Hello! I came across your hc's the other day and I love how accurate they are

Can you drop your hc's for tr girls and fem reader who sort of acts like a big sister to them? since none of them have an older sister iirc, I thought it'd be cute! (+ bonus izana iyw? doesn't necessarily have to be romantic ^^)

Thank you, have a great day ∘⁠˚⁠˳⁠°

Thanks, glad you like them! This is such a cute idea too! I think they'd all love to have an older sister figure in their lives, it would probably lead to something like this...

Knowing Senju and Emma since you were all kids, you lived near the Sano's and would frequently babysit all the kids there while Shinichiro and Takeomi were busy. With Senju and Emma especially taking a shine to you and calling you big sis.

Years later Emma later introduces you to Hina, with the two of you instantly hitting it off.

Meeting Yuzuha while she's a kid, you were the only one to notice her injuries and ask if she was ok. After that you checked up on her often, usually helping to clean and bandage any injuries she had.

The girls constantly going to you for advice, they trust your word and want your opinions on so many things.

Emma trying to set you up with whichever one of her brothers she thinks is best so you can be her real sister.

You taking the girls for trips, driving them where they want to go.

All of the parents and grandpa Sano loving you, you're just such a good influence

Senju eagerly showing you any new moves she learnt at the gym, she knows you're always happy to see them and usually clap for her.

Trying to give Hina and Emma boy advice (and secretly just going to Takemichi and Draken to give them advice too)

Yuzuha having someone to vent to about her problems, you making her feel not so alone and better about her situation.

Matching outfits or accessories!

You being super overprotective of them, anyone who even dares to look weirdly at them is dead

So many of Kisaki's plans getting ruined by you

Shopping trips together! (You treat them to ice cream at the end after seeing Senju's face light up)

Spending Halloween together, helping Hina and Emma to throw the party they wanted.

Going to any of Yuzuha's archery performances to cheer her on

Being there to offer the girls hugs whenever they need them (Yuzuha and Senju desperately need them)

The girls being a bit protective of you too, especially if a guy tries to hit on you.

You getting heavily involved in the black dragons arc, refusing to let Yuzuha deal with her brother alone.

Going to festivals with Yuzuha and Senju (you guys definitely aren't spying on Hina and Emma with their dates)

And finally, you crying at Hina's wedding. You helped her plan so much of it and did your best to help her with Takemichi over the years. Seeing her finally get her happy ending just makes you so happy for her.

[zaynjmsource]

Zayn Malik’s arrival at Paris Fashion Week was not without incident. At about 8:30pm on Friday evening, a slow-moving car ran over his toes. Malik was exiting Kenzo’s autumn/winter 2024 show at the Bibliothèque Nationale, where a small army of Directioners had mobilised, precipitating a minor roadblock. That would have been enough to send anyone – particularly those of an introverted disposition – back into relative isolation. But there he was: on Saturday’s front rows, seemingly content with being perceived in public for the first time in five years. “My foot is fine!! Thanks to my incredibly well-made shoes,” Malik later explained on Instagram, captioning a photo of his tyre-marked Kenzo sneakers. It is the most deft use of the Paid Partnership tag I have ever seen.

Paris Fashion Week (which is perhaps the most accurate barometer of who and what is considered to be culturally relevant), fulfils a secondary purpose: to launch and relaunch the careers of its attendees. It is a place to see and be seen, and perhaps even, make a cameo in a brand’s TikTok video. It tracks, then, that Malik should choose the white heat of the men’s shows to re-emerge from a period of seclusion. Just as his new film – in which he voices a pair of animated bumblebees – debuts at the Sundance Film Festival, and less than a week after he released a single in Urdu with the Pakistani pop trio Aur. “It’s a busy time so you have to take care of yourself,” the musician, who has sometimes chafed against the demands of fame, says, sitting in a luxe suite at the Bulgari Hotel. “So I brought my mum with me. It’s always nice to have things that remind you of home when you’re away.” A moment, please, for product placement: “And, of course, I’m always drinking Mixoloshe,” he adds. “It keeps me young!”

Malik’s comeback reached its apotheosis when he arrived at Valentino’s Le Ciel autumn/winter 2024 show in a suit bearing the words, “We’re So Old, We Have Become Young Again”, which is a phrase that first appeared in Hanya Yanagihara’s 736-page invocation of human suffering A Little Life, but could just as feasibly have been plucked from One Direction’s teenybopper songbook. (Specific enough to inspire yearning, broad enough for anyone to insert themselves into.) “Funnily enough, the first fashion show I ever attended was Valentino nine years ago,” Malik says. “But I think, over the years, my knowledge of fashion has expanded. I have a lot more appreciation for it. Pierpaolo is incredible and Valentino never misses in my opinion.” At some point between our conversation and his arrival at the brand’s Monnaie de Paris step and repeat, Malik’s quiff was razed into a handsome short back and sides – a bit like when a bride gets a haircut midway through her wedding day.

And judging from Malik’s hastily-taken photos from the front row – squint and you might be able to distinguish a series of crystalline worker jackets from Pierpaolo Piccioli’s laser-cut Acanthus leaf coats – it was a collection that stirred due levels of anticipation. “There were so many great looks, but at the top of my wishlist were the long, cut-out coats,” Malik says. “Valentino always has class, it executes that edginess and luxury combination the best. When I was younger, I used to save up all my wages from the pizza shop I worked at so that I could afford to buy a new pair of trainers or a tracksuit. I was only able to get one piece every couple of weeks and it probably would have taken me a lifetime to buy a Valentino outfit! So I feel blessed and lucky that I get to wear the brand.” But there might have been another explanation for Malik’s spontaneous, erm, runway shots. “I was excited to see Lamar Johnson, who I was sitting next to. I didn’t want to bother him, but I’m a fan of his work! He’s such a great actor.”

All of this is to say: Zayn Malik is back. The sensitive and brooding boy band-survivor restored and ready to reclaim his title as a global heartthrob. Among the photos he shared with Vogue – which continue to point towards a certain camera shyness despite his fame – one image in particular paints a timeless portrait. In it, Malik is sitting in the backseat of a chauffeur-driven car as a blur of bystanders scrape their iPhones against the windows. He looks a little apprehensive. And so, I wonder how Malik manages to step outside of all this toe-crushing furore, now 14 years in the game. “The museums in Paris are full of beautiful art and talented artists,” he says, with all the earnestness that first saw him two-step into the hearts of millions of Directioners around the world. “I would highly recommend going to a few and viewing different works of art. It’s very inspiring!”

[capaloma]

Sister's Mercy

When Jacaera exchanges her vows with her brother, a vision in blue tulle and white lace. Alysanne makes herself watch even if her heart jackhammers in her chest, her breath caught in her throat as if parched. Under the altar with Alicent's reluctant blessing, Jacaera exchanges her vows with Alysanne's brother, Aegon. She condemns herself with a simple “I do.”

Alysanne stares at the two. She thinks she hates him and loathes her.

Jacaera is an idiot, a stupid little girl who doesn't know what she just stumbled herself into. Aegon had been bad enough as a boyfriend, a husband, he wasn't cut out for.

When the two newlyweds kiss, the crowd is unpleasantly witness to Aegon's lust and gluttony, he practically swallows Jacaera in a kiss, the poor girl pinkening as it draws on. By the time Aegon pulls away, satisfied, Alicent's nails dig into Alysanne's wrist and Rhaenyra looks like she might murder Aegon before the day is over. Jacaera's lips are swollen and just shy of indecent, Alysanne turns her head away. She knows she'll have dreams of her tonight.

The festivities are thankfully drab, Alysanne is pulled from room to room to micromanage alongside her mother to manage any of the minor errors that go on and fix them quickly enough that neither of the newlyweds is informed. A wedding photographer getting stuck in traffic—Helaena is given Alysanne's professional camera and told to take as many photos as she can. She always did have an eye for this, her photos of bugs and insects, of friends and family, hanging over her studio. Jace's brother Luke becomes sick with a nasty stomach bug—a trip to the pharmacy twenty minutes away and a receipt of fifteen pounds later, the boy is pale but he's not likely to throw up on anyone so Alysanne counts it as a win even if she did want to slap the idiot.

All those little inconsistencies and mistakes are brushed up and worked around as best as they can. Nearing the end of the night, Alysanne is exhausted and almost forgetful over what it is that they're celebrating.

But she can't.

Jacaera is married to her brother and Alysanne can do nothing but watch, heart breaking even if she denies it.

She's drinking herself hoarse when the two take off from the reception, lost in each other. Or more like Aegon being lost in Jacaera and Jacaera trying to keep things PG with her family present.

Helaena watches her from the sides, worried and intent on cutting her intake once she reaches her limit. "I can't believe she said yes," Alysanne mutters under her breath.

"Aegon has been her boyfriend since she was fifteen, Aly," Helaena reminds her. "Of course, she said yes." Aegon had always enjoyed the benefits of Jacaera's puppy crush on him when they were younger, when the girl started slipping away, watching others instead, he'd become almost rabid in his attempt to gain her back.

At fifteen, Jacaera had dated her share of guys and girls before settling with their brother, 20. No one expected them to last as long as they did. No one expected them to tie the knot either, four years later.

If anything, Helaena predicted the marriage would hardly last the year with Aegon's womanizing ways and Jacaera's inability to turn the other way. She was always more firm with Aegon. If she found him with another in bed, after the drama of the past few years of his crazy side pieces, Helaena thinks her niece would end it.

Jacaera had seemed tired the last time, when she found him in bed with her baby brother’s babysitter. She doesn't know why she said yes to Aegon's proposal but she had.

It seems even Jacaera's family wonders with Baela's reluctance to be Jace's maid of honor and the way the family watched for any mistake on Aegon's part throughout the engagement. They found nothing that warrants their anxiety, Alysanne had done damage control for her mother.

Aegon's mistresses were paid off and a few of his children were sent to live with their mother's relatives if their mother's proved too stubborn.

"He doesn't know how to treat her," she spitefully states.

"I know," Helaena turns her head to watch the newlyweds leave. She's dressed in a pale blue dress with butterflies embroidered into the fabric, her eyeshadow is blue and black and her earrings are dolphins with diamond eyes. She'd been one of Jacaera's ladies and had witnessed her share of the troubles between the newlyweds.

"I give it a year," she eventually says. Alysanne stops wallowing in the whiskey to look at her, "you really think they'll last the year?"

She's drunk and her breath smells, Helaena wrinkles her nose.

"No, she'll wait a year before she starts the procedure."

Helaena's hands lay on the back of Alysanne's green strapless dress. "Let's go, you need rest."

The two sisters leave, and neither of them notice the small silver haired child walking out from where they were just standing.

Viserys tilts his hand, he thinks that Aegon would be lucky if Jace gave him a year.

Helaena proves to be right, only a little off. A year and two months after Jacaera and Aegon married, Jace starts the divorce proceedings.

Alysanne is witness to Aegon's fits of anger and the violence he unleashes on the girls he brings back home, having moved back in after he and Jace split.

Jace knows Aegon well and his affairs come to light due to pesky journalists.

She gets everything and ruins him in the process, even taking his surname Targaryen as less than a year after her divorce, Viserys—Alysanne and Aegon's father—dies and Rhaenyra takes over the estates and businesses he left her.

Mother tries to fight her in court, drawing up support from years she spent cultivating and some of the best lawyers but Rhaenyra had predicted that—or maybe her husband or past mother-in-law had and after two years of court battles—Rhaenyra wins. She gets most of what Viserys left in her will but Alicent won on the front that some of it be provided to her children. Alysanne gets a flat with the money she got, Aegon gets a home and money to fund his lifestyle, Helaena sells the estate she gained back to Rhaenyra and uses the money to buy a bigger studio for her artwork and Daeron is given an estate in the Reach—Oldstones—and funds. None of them are given any of the businesses, that is left to Rhaenyra and her side of the family.

Alysanne proves herself enough that she's given a probationary position as an employee at one of Daemon's businesses, a tech start-up. Through it all, as she slowly climbs her way to floor manager, she keeps bumping into Jacaera.

After the divorce and inheritance battle, Jacaera ended up better than she would've had she stayed married to Aegon.

She's a junior analyst at Stark Industries—unrelated to any Targaryen business branch—and works long hours, often taking her lunches with her stepfather or one of her brothers. Alysanne resents her.

(Alysanne wants her.)

She's the apple of the media's eye and if gossip rags prove right, is in a committed relationship with an unknown man.

She's doing better and seems to have recovered well from the divorce.

Alysanne can still remember the bruises Jacaera had the night she turned up at her flat, all of it from Aegon. She'd been a mess back then and three years later, she doesn't resemble that woman at all—the one that cried into Alysanne's shoulder and almost begged to be touched.

Alysanne had her taste of Jacaera during those few weeks she recovered from the injuries; pretty long legs wrapped around her waist and that pink tongue Jacaera knew how to use well. Heat spreads from Alysanne's core and she ignores it as she writes her report to HR about an incident between two of the employees.

Jacaera had disappeared after her bruises had faded into a sickly yellow and pale green.

The next time Alysanne saw her in person, she would be divorced and accompanying her mother in court.

She guesses that Jacaera had put an end to it all that day, no more secret romps between them and no more sleepy kisses shared.

Alysanne got the message. She just hates it.

Jacaera rubs her back as she unlocks her front door and Vermax comes out to greet her. She stays in the hallway for a while, petting her girl before she hears footsteps and looks up to find Luke in her doorway.

"Long night?" He asks, moving to help her with her bags.

She nods, tired. "Cregan wants the meeting between the shareholders to go off without a hitch. I've been staring at spreadsheets all day," she laughs, a little out of it.

Luke waits for her to sit on the couch before massaging her back, pulling a particularly hard knot that has Jace moaning softly. He presses a kiss to her shoulders before continuing.

By the time he's done, Jace is a puddle of goop, but Luke knows her best and leaves to come back with a plate of warm food. Jacaera digs into the food—rice with chicken and a side of yesterday's leftover ribs—as Luke flicks through channels on the TV before settling on some crime show as his hand wraps around her leg.

She finishes before setting the plate on the coffee table, and laying her head on his shoulder. They share a kiss before they turn in for the night.

The next morning, Jace wakes up naked, well spent from last night and alone, Luke having gotten up early for work.

She lays there for a moment before getting up to shower and get dressed. Another day of spreadsheets and looking over documents await her.

She doesn't notice a pale figure moving in her home as she leaves.

When Jacaera gets back home, at two in the morning, having stayed after hours to help Cregan and Sara with a mix up from an intern and later, getting dinner with the two siblings, she's exhausted. She can't wait to lay in her bed and cuddle with Luke.

Jace slips her shoes off in the doorway before putting on her slippers and walks towards the nearest bathroom. She's taking off her makeup with wipes when she feels arms wrap around her middle, peeking up to see a disheveled, sleepy Luke.

"You're late," he whispers into her neck. Jace nods, she doesn't have the energy to say much back.

"How bad was it?" He asks, pressing kisses to her cheek and shoulders.

"Really bad... an intern caused a mistake and Cregan was so close to losing it. Sara was really the MVP today." She lays her head against his chest, watching as his hands slip into her pants.

He cups her cunt and Jace wants but she's too tired for this tonight. She bats at his hands and Luke reluctantly pulls away.

"Tired," she mumbles and he understands. He helps her finish her skincare routine before pulling her to bed and cuddling against her.

A figure watches them from their shared closet.

Alysanne slips out once their breaths slow and she's sure they're asleep. She takes a photo of the two, placing Luke's hand against Jace's neck, tightening her hand around it. She wants to kill him.

She wants to hurt her.

But Alysanne has waited years, she can wait a little more.

Jace sleeps in her car after the meeting's over, having lost sleep and exhausted beyond compare. The last time she felt this dreadful had been during her divorce.

Back then, she'd confided in Alysanne in her misery. It had proved to be for naught. The woman abhorred her brother, Jace's sweet, annoying Luke.

She can't blame her. Luke had taken Aly's eye during a tussle over a fencing sword when they were children. Her disdain for her brother wasn't something Jacaera could ignore for long, however.

When she slipped into Luke's bed that first time, she felt ashamed as if she had betrayed Aly somehow, by sleeping with her brother. She hadn't even felt like that when she was with Aegon.

It's been years since she ended things with Alysanne but Jacaera still held a piece of her heart open to the woman then. Now, Jace sleeps with a V necklace over her chest, Luke's gift for her twenty-fourth. A pretty thing of sapphires and diamonds, a matching set of earrings in her vanity.

She sleeps as Alysanne rummages in the back of her car. Her eye lingers on her breasts and that necklace.

Luke is bold, she would give him that. But Jacaera was Alysanne's before she'd been Aegon's and Luke's.

Jacaera notices that one of her blue stockings is missing after she spends twenty minutes trying to find the matching pair. She thinks nothing of it, changing into a white pair instead.

It'll probably show up when she least expects it. Or maybe Vermax would bring it as an offering, wagging her tail in delight.

She hurries as Luke and Rhaena wait for her at her doorstep. She leaves before they can be any more late to their reservation, Baela waiting at the place already.

Alysanne slips out of the walk-in closet, silver hair left to run freely down her back.

Vermax barks at her and Alysanne makes a face before locking her out.