#what do you actually like the new beautiful horse or having it first

[iluvzaddies]

imma need some tommy shelby w equestrian!reader omg like anything

(i’m a sucker for this man)

admiration

pairing: thomas shelby x equestrian!reader

warnings: none, just tommy fanboying over reader

summary: you are the first woman to ever join and win a horse-racing competition. thomas shelby, who loves horses, deeply admires you and your skills. you meet him in a pub called the garrison and there, you witness his admiration.

“well, i’ll be… win after win. victory after victory. all in different places. proud to say this woman’s a birmingham resident.” arthur shelby said as he held up a newspaper, a cigar in his mouth.

“i’m guessing it’s about that (y/n) (l/n) girl, eh?” polly gray or aunt poll as the shelbys liked to call her, asked as she downed a glass of whiskey. “she’s become quite the hot topic.”

“oh, she’s hot, alright.” john shelby smirked, fiddling with the cigarette in between his two fingers. “still a turn on despite wearing fucking trousers all the damn time.”

“john.” thomas shelby warned, not wanting to hear sexual remarks about you, especially from his own brother.

thomas admired you. how could he not? you were the one who raced his beloved horse, monaghan boy, and brought victory to his name.

he hadn’t gotten the chance to meet you yet. unfortunately. he wondered when you would be done with your little world tour and back in birmingham.

but lo and behold, you stood there at the entrance of the pub, wearing a loose blouse and a pair of trousers as you always do.

“what can i get for you?” grace, the new irish barmaid, noticed your presence and asked.

“you choose. i’m fine with anything.”

“you look worn out.” grace pointed out.

you did look worn out, like you hadn’t had a wink of sleep in ages, but you were beautiful nonetheless. actually, more beautiful than thomas imagined. he stared at you, mouth slightly agape, captivated by the mere sight of you.

“been rough for the past couple of months.” you sighed. “traveling, competing, attending social events. haven’t gotten much sleep.”

“i see.” grace nodded, pouring whiskey into a glass and handing it to you.

thomas couldn’t believe it.

you were here.

in the garrison.

in the flesh.

“well, aren’t you gonna talk to her?” aunt poll raised her brow at thomas, who couldn’t get his eyes off you.

“if you aren’t then i will.” john volunteered.

thomas quickly snapped out of his daze, whipping his head to john. “no.” he pushed his seat back and stood up.

“i never thought i’d see the day tommy boy falls in love.” arthur chuckled.

“i thought he was in love with the new barmaid.” john scoffed, taking a long drag from his cigarette. he was upset that his older brother wouldn’t allow him to talk to you let alone talk about you.

“apparently not.” aunt poll shook her head as thomas eagerly made his way towards you.

“how much for the drink?” you questioned.

“it’s–“ grace was cut off by a deep voice, belonging to the one and only thomas shelby.

“–it’s on the house, ms (l/n).”

“mr shelby.” you shot him a look of surprise. you had forgotten the shelbys practically owned the place.

“leave us be, grace.” he ordered the barmaid and she followed, resuming back to her duties and leaving you two alone.

“here. take a seat.” he pulled out a chair.

you did as told and he pulled out another chair, sitting across from you.

you took a sip out of your glass. “you’ve some fine whiskey, mr shelby.” then looked around the dimly lit pub. “nice looking place as well.”

“please, call me thomas.”

“okay… thomas. call me (y/n) then.” it felt weird to call him by his actual name. you had only just met and he already wanted to be on a first name basis.

“so, what brings you here, (y/n)?”

“felt a little homesick.” you shrugged.

“no, i mean, in the garrison.”

“oh, it’s been a while since i drank. i wanted a drink, so i went to the nearest pub. why?”

“nothing. just curious.”

“is that all you have to say to me, mr sh– thomas?”

“do you enjoy racing horses?”

you hesitated. “the fame can be overwhelming. i love racing horses, it’s my passion, it’s what i do… but i want to be away from people… just for a little while.”

“fame can be overwhelming, yes. i know a thing or two about that feeling. only difference is i’m not famous for being a horse jockey, i’m famous for being a gangster.” he joked. the thomas shelby, the man who always had a straight face, made a joke.

you let out a laugh. a sincere one.

god, your laughter sounded like music to his ears.

“i can’t believe i’m having a decent conversation with one.”

“we gangsters are capable of having decent conversations only with the ones who deserve it.”

you let out another laugh. “goodness. if that’s the case, i’m glad you approve of me.”

“you raced my horse, after all.” he reminded.

“monaghan boy.“ you remembered the beautiful, black horse that you were assigned to race. the horse that led you to fame. “he’s a good boy.”

“aye, that he is.” he agreed.

“you know, thomas, you’re not half-bad.”

he found himself gleaming, enjoying every bit of the conversation, whilst the two shelby siblings and their aunt watched the scene unfold from afar.

you took another sip of the whiskey, humming at the taste, while thomas lit up a cigarette.

then, came silence.

none of you spoke a word, but you enjoyed each other’s company. it was evident in the way you looked at each other. you looked at each other as if you were the only people in the room.

“i’d like to take you somewhere tomorrow.” he suddenly said, breaking the silence.

“oh.” you perked up. “where?”

“the stables. let’s race, you and i. no audience. it’ll be just the two of us.” he proposed.

“is that a date?” when he didn’t deny it, you couldn’t fight off the smile that was making its way to your lips. “you’re rather bold, aren’t you, thomas?”

“what’s your answer?”

“i’ll have to check my schedule first…” you trailed off, but then you decided, why not? it sounded like a good offer. “you know what. fuck it. sure.”

thomas grinned at your rebellious behavior.

“what do you think about two in the afternoon?”

“fine with me.”

uncharacteristically, thomas’ heart fluttered. it had never done that before. it was an odd sensation yet it felt good at the same time.

you informed him your address, so he knew where to pick you up. “need me to write it down or you got it?”

“i got it.” he reassured.

you finished your drink and got up. “it was lovely talking to you. thank you for the drink.” you began walking towards the exit, but before stepping outside, you turned to look at him and uttered. “see you at my doorstep tomorrow, thomas.”

“see you tomorrow, (y/n).”

[jsuli]

avatar!jake sully x human!reader smut

this is my first time writing smut. ever. so its probs horse shit <3

afab reader, stomach bulge, size difference, horny reader, slightly ooc jake, praise.

this is the drunk smut i was talking abt <3 i tried to give reader an actual personality because i am sick to fucking death reading brain dead husks :]

☆

Jakes left hand holds your hips in a bruising grip while his right practically rip off his sweatpants, lining up his thick cock with your cunt.

You hadn't exactly planned to fuck Jake Sully when he visited you at the lab in his na'vi form, but you could not resist his small waist and sinfully toned thighs. He had made it even harder for you, dressed in grey sweatpants and a much-too-small t-shirt which hugged his broad shoulders and ever so slightly protruding hip-bones.

When he had first clambered in through the door to the lab which was much too short for his na'vi body, you had peered up at him from your desk and waved him over. You both quickly fell into conversation like usual.

"I mean, this body is great and all, but I dont think I'll ever get used to ducking under doorways" he grumbled as he looked up at you through thick, black lashes.

"I like it. you're like every girls monster-fucking fetish come true"

He barked out a laugh at your crewd words. One of the reasons you two had made fast friends was because of your lewd humour.

"Oh, so you'd fuck me like this?" he questioned playfully, a teasing sparkle in his big puppy-dog eyes.

"Absolutely. ten outta' ten. would fuck". You eyed him up while you spoke. You where teasing him back, but you couldn't help but wonder what fucking him would be like...

Was it big? Could you even take him?

Tuning out what he was currently saying, you thought about him stretching you out with what you assumed to be a big, blue juicy dick. You thought about the stomach bulge that would probably form, not realising your name was being called.

A big blue hand waved itself infront of your face.

"You still with me? mesmerised by my exotic beauty?" his head shook playfully as he looked down at you, shifting to sit back fully which gave him even more height over you.

Without even realising you where speaking out loud you asked, "Do you even have a dick?"

There was a pregnant pause before he looked at you, unbelieving of what you had just asked. "Arent you literally a scientist that specialises in all things Pandora?"

"Actually, I only specialise in plants and animals. So, do you have a dick? yes or no"

"For fucks sake, of course I have a dick" Jake sighed while running his hand down his face, exasperated by your question.

"Was just doing some research before I stake my claim"

"stake your claim? wha-" Jake was cut off by you pouncing forward and grabbing him by the shirt, smashing your lips into his.

And thats how you ended up on your back, papers and expensive equipment swiped onto the ground. Jake stood between your spread legs while lining himself up to your needy hole.

You huffed in and out as he rubbed the tip of his cock against your clit, teasing you.

"If you dont put your dick in me right now I am going to scream" you glared up at him. His familiar cheeky grin graced his face. "You'll be screaming either way, babes"

Right before you went to complain again, his grip on your hips became tighter and he began to ease himself in to you. Your breath caught in your throat as he slowly began stretching you.

His lust-filled hooded eyes peered down at you while his voice deepened. "you're taking me so well baby, fuck! just like that"

The stretch of his girthy cock burned but it was worth it to see Jakes jaw wide open and his eyes squeezed shut. You had never been so turned on in your life, the size difference making you all the more needy. His hand wrapped around your entire waist.

Finally sinking into you fully, he leaned down to you and buried his face in your neck. The new found closeness allowed you to hear his breathy whimpers which made you drip even more.

"Please fuck me Jake, jesus I'll do anything, just fuck me please" you hissed out.

Hearing your cries of need, he began an agonisingly slow pace, pulling all the way out and back in. you moaned like a whore straight out of a porno, self control be damned, especially when you had a thirteen-inch prick drilling you.

The bulge of his cock protruded out of your lower stomach, creating a shadow.

"Jesus christ your so fucking tight! look at that big bulge baby, yeah thats me, 'feel good sweetheart?" he smoothed his hand over your stomach and pushed down, making you release a squeal.

"yeah, feels really fucking good Jake" you rutted against him as you moaned out.

His arms slithered to fully embrace you while he started pummeling your cunt. You cant begin to imagine what someone would think if they where to walk in on you two in such a lewd embrace. Jake fucking into you while standing, your legs on either side of him with curled toes and his spasming tail made quite the scene.

His thrusts became erractic and shallow as he nipped at your neck. His deep, cat-like purs vibrated against the skin of your neck while he gripped onto you for dear life.

"your fat cock feels soooo good jake, god please, I cant take it, 'feels too good" you slurred, drool falling down the side of your face while you almost sobbed from pleasure.

"you're such a good fuck, cute little pussy gripping me, im gonna cum, can I cum in you babygirl?" Jake groaned out while slamming balls-deep into you. You couldnt speak from how good you felt but your shaky nod assured him.

His hand rubbed circles on your clit as he felt you tighten even more around him. His thrusts began to stutter as his balls tightened and he shot his big, thick load into you. The full, warm feeling triggered your own orgasm. You let out a shriek as your vision went white, pure ecstasy pulsing through every nerve in your body. After riding out the waves of his own orgasm, Jake slumps down ontop of you, purring into your neck while his tail whips around. You pant for a few seconds before asking, " 'ye think you could go again?"

[rafesgoldrings]

Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy

Pairing: Cowboy!Rafe Cameron x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Mutual masturbation, smut, light choking, reader rides Rafe, not proof read so i’m sorry if there’s any errors or this isn’t as good as usual😭, I’m almost positive that’s all

Summary: When you see that Rafe Cameron is looking for new ranch hands, you jump at the opportunity. You’ve heard the rumors about him being a cowboy casanova and plan on keeping it professional, but his blue eyes and thick southern drawl make it harder than you planned

A/N: First off @congratsloserr you’re literally a genius for this request and I hope I did it justice. Second, this isn’t the last time you’ll be seeing Cowboy Rafe🤭

You and Rafe had been going out for a few weeks, you’d started working at his ranch when you saw they needed some help. Everyone had told you about Rafe and how he was an incredible boss, but a major cowboy casanova so don’t get any ideas. Now that really was the plan, go to work, do your job, then leave, nothing other than that. But then he walked in, his big blue eyes looking directly into yours, he was wearing a light green button down, bootcut blue jeans, and cowboy boots and hat. You’ve heard people say they feel that spark at first glance, but believed it to be bullshit because how can you feel that connection from a single glance? This is how.

You tried so hard to be strong, really resist the charming smile he’d give you. The way he’d call you ‘darlin’ and ‘sweetheart’ with his thick southern accent, but it was becoming harder and harder. He’d been spending more time with you, insisting it was to make sure you’d settled in nicely and to help you out a bit, but then the flirting started. He’d greet you with a ‘mornin beautiful, how’s my favorite girl today?’ and walk you to and from your car each morning, telling you how lucky he was to have someone as incredible as you working for him. The resistance you’d worked so hard to build gradually falling more and more apart with each brush of his hand against yours.

And then he’d asked you. He’d asked you the question you tried so hard to avoid even happening. ‘Hey darlin, would you like to go out to dinner with me Friday night?’ it was inappropriate. He was your boss and a huge player who didn’t respect any of the women he met. It would be terrible to agree…

So here you are…several dinner dates later and in a semi official relationship. The most you’d done with him is give a small peck on his lips, maybe if you didn’t put out he would get bored and you could go back to just being his new ranch hand. But it didn’t seem to be working very well, he still asked you out and still placed his hand on your lower back as if he was claiming you. He still gave you a small kiss on the cheek when you’d part your separate ways at the end of the night, still greeted you with the same flirtatious things he’d always done.

And then, because why the hell wouldn't it happen to you, you’d been in his home instead of the usual restaurant you went to for dinner. Maybe you'd felt a tad bit more bold, or maybe it was because you no longer wanted to resist the temptation of him. He’d made you a very nice dinner and paired it with some fancy wine you couldn’t even pronounce. It was actually a nice evening, a night with just the two of you and nobody else around. Felt almost natural, he offered you the guest bedroom if you wanted to say and you accepted after a few moments to think. Was it a mistake? Maybe, but isn’t life all about making mistakes?

He was still wearing his cowboy hat, technically you could blame what happened next in the two glasses of wine if anyone asked, when you decided to kiss him. All the tension built over the last few weeks finally bubbling over. Your tongues battling for dominance until his took over. It made your head spin and you needed to pull away for air. Your lips swollen from the intensity, then you reached up and pulled his hat off of his head and put it on your own. Watching as he ran his hand through his messy hair and gave you a smirk.

“You know what they say about the cowboy hat rule don’t you sweetheart?” you shook your head no, a toothy grin on your face.

“Well,” he pulled his phone out and connected it to his home speaker before playing the song ‘Save a horse, Ride a cowboy’ “I think this song sums it up pretty well”

Giving him a small smirk, you unbuttoned his shirt and took a minute to admire his abs, and then undid his belt to pull his pants down. Once he was stripped, his boxers being discarded somewhere in the large living room, you pushed him onto the couch. The music blaring in your ears, alcohol running through your system, and the lustful gaze he had gave you a whole new level of confidence. You were so glad you wore a dress tonight, nothing too fancy but also nothing too casual. You slowly peeled one of the straps down your arm, and then the other, before sliding it down your body. Rafe was squirming from his spot on the couch at the sight of your bare tits and black lace thong on full display.

“Fuck darlin, you’re gorgeous” his voice full of adoration, eyes raking up and down your body just wondering how he was the lucky bastard that got to see you this way.

“Thank you cowboy” you gave him a playful wink, hands hooking into the sides and moving them around like you’d seen so many dancers do before, slowly turning so your back was facing him and bending over to take them off.

Your glistening cunt was on full display for him, perfect ass right in front of him. He wanted to keep you bent over like that and fuck into you until you couldn’t handle it anymore. But he stayed put, wanting you to go as far as you were comfortable with. You brought your hands to spread your cunt apart, smirking to yourself when you heard Rafe groan , before rubbing your clit with one hand. Your fingers rubbing your swollen bundle of nerves relentlessly, arousal leaking out of your hole and onto your thighs.

“You’re killin me over here baby” it was almost a whine, his head was thrown back against the couch and he had one hand stroking his cock when you’d turned your head to look over at him.

“Fuck” you let out a small moan, the visual of Rafe jerking himself off while you touched yourself turning you on even more.

You stuck two of your fingers inside yourself, giving your clit a break, and began pumping them in and out. A low whine escaping your lips as you picked up the tempo, the sound of mixed moans filling the room. His breathing hitched, a small chain of groans falling from his lips as he came all over himself, you followed shortly after. Moaning his name over and over again, moving one hand to the coffee table to balance yourself as you fell apart on your own hand.

“Alright darlin, you’ve had your fun. But now it’s my turn, bring that perfect body over here and ride my cock” his voice was much more firm now, you quickly did as you were told.

His hands gripped your hips as he guided you down into his cock, mumbling a small ‘fuck’ as your cunt slid onto his cock and clenched around it. You slowly began bouncing on it, circling your hips occasionally, trying to adjust to his size. He was much bigger than anyone you’d ever slept with, much more girthy as well. But it hit all the right spots inside you and made you see stars each time it brushed against them. The grip he had on your hips was firm enough to bruise, especially when you started going faster, but you loved it. His hat was still on your head which drove him wild. He had this pretty girl bouncing on his cock, wearing his hat, in his home. He was the luckiest man alive right now.

“You’re so-fuck-so big Rafe” a smirk took over his face at the compliment.

“Yeah? You’re taking me so well sweetheart, such a good girl for me. Your cunt feels so fucking good around me” he moaned out, moving to wrap his hand around your throat and pull you into a kiss. The both of you moaning into each other's mouth at the overwhelming amount of euphoria you were experiencing.

You weren’t going to last much longer, it was too much for you to hold off. That familiar feeling in your belly building up again, Rafe was close too. He could feel himself getting closer, opting to grip your hips and start moving you faster. Listening to the pretty noises that slipped through your parted lips, god he could come undone just listening to them.

“R-rafe, ‘m so close” you brought your forehead against his, the cowboy hat pushing further up on your head.

“I am too darlin, want to feel you come on my cock baby. Can you do that?” you weakly nodded, hair sticking to your face and bodies glistening with sweat.

“3..” his hips snapping into at a relentless pace.

“2..” your lips capturing his, the kiss sloppy but full of passion

“1..” the both of you falling apart. His lips moving to your neck as he claimed it as his, his cum filling up your tight cunt until it was making a prominent ring around his cock. The filthy sounds of your wet cunt filling the room as you came all over him.

He gave a few more lazy thrusts as you rode out your high before you slowly climbed off of him. You laid against the couch, legs spread and cum dripping out of you, mouth open and panting. His cock had softened by now, his head against the cool leather of the couch as he tried to catch his own breath.

“You’re something else baby” he chuckled.

You gave him a small smile before pulling his cowboy hat off and placing it on the table, slowly standing to go use the bathroom and clean up. When you walked back into the living room, he was dressed again which made you slightly disappointed. He watched in confusion when you grabbed your things and headed towards his guest room.

“Where are you going gorgeous?”

You turned around to face him, face slightly twisted in a confused expression. “To the guest room? I’ll leave by the morning I promise, we can just act like this didn’t happen if you want”

Was he done with you now? He’d gotten what he wanted and now it was on to the next poor girl that fell victim to his charm. You weren’t special, just another notch on his belt. He probably-

“What? Darlin, after tonight? There’s no way I'm letting you go, sleep in my bed with me. Want my girl next to me when I'm sleeping so I know I'm not dreaming” oh, well that was unexpected.

You assumed he’d throw you out, find someone new. Not want to keep you.

“Oh, Okay. Well i’m very exhausted,” you let out a small laugh “could we go to bed?”

“Course sweetheart” he grinned, standing up and walking to grab your hand before leading you to his room.

He threw you one of his shirts before going to his bathroom and taking a quick shower, walking out in just a fresh pair of boxers and joining you in bed. Your back was facing him and you gasped when you felt his strong arms wrap around you and pull you into him. It felt natural, like this was how it was meant to be in a weird way. Like he was meant to be like this with you, his player reputation being a bunch of baseless talks because he hasn’t settled with any of the girls. But he wasn’t the player you’d heard about with you, he was kind and gentle. He gave you his shirt to sleep in and wrapped his arms around you to hold you close, he called you gorgeous and darlin everyday, greeted you every morning, took you out to dinner.

But the one question played in your mind, what now?

“Rafe?” you heard him let out a small hum, “What are we? Like where do we go from here?”

“Well,” he took a deep breath, or let out a yawn, you couldn’t see him to know which one “I want you to be mine. So if you would like it, i’m asking you to be my girlfriend”

You couldn’t help the large smile that took over your face involuntarily. You felt like you were back in high school and your crush told you they liked you back. Like the young girl you once were that thought she found her prince charming because a boy asked you to marry him with a ring pop on the playground.

“I’d like that” your voice came out in almost a whisper, the sleep starting to take over you.

“Good, get some sleep darlin” a small kiss was placed on the top of your head, strong arms wrapping tighter around you.

Your arms wrapped around his and finally, your eyes closed. The both of you falling into an easy sleep, limbs tangled with each other like it was meant to be.

Tag List: @outerbankspov @sweetestdesire @dreamingwithrafe @congratsloserr @fulla02reads @madelynie

[idanceuntilidie]

Can I request a yandere!cowboy x male reader please

I tried my best it’s the first time i wrote a cowboy and in the middle of my research i got distracted by home on the range sobs

In a small town the news spread like wildfire, it is very typical and you expected that.

Your pa passed away recently, and he passed his farm onto you. Tired from the noise of the city you decided not to sell it but just move in.

It wasn’t easy, getting up at the crack of dawn was hard getting used to and the farm was huge. You wondered how in the world pa was able to take care of everything himself.

Well the answer came to you actually, on a beautiful black horse.

You were running around the farm, trying to find the forage for pigs.

When you noticed someone on a horse riding in the direction of the farm. You stopped in your tracks as you watched a man hop off the horse.

Hm, you have an intruder on your farm.

You should do something, but you only watched as the stranger took off his hat and ran his hand through his hair.

“My my, aren’t ya just a cutie”

Your face burned when his honey brown eyes looked into yours. You didn’t know if it was from the sun of the hot cowboy that appeared out of nowhere.

Noticing your state you saw him chuckle lightly.

“I’m Cassidy, I helped your pops when he was around, my condolences by the way” “Oh OH it’s fine really uh uh I’m Y/N”

And thus that’s how your friendship bloomed, Cass helped you around the farm and in return you cooked for him. It was peaceful, almost.

The only weird thing that happened was people in the town thinking you two were together, when you asked Cass about it he laughed and said it’s just some rumors that people liked to spread.

Haha yeah there is no way he could be feeling something towards you right? Right?

The question buzzed in your mind as you groggily opened your eyes to see that you weren’t in your room but in the kitchen tied up to a chair.

What in the world happened to you?

The sun was shining brightly at your face, making your furrow your eyebrows and eyes gloss over, then you heard a familiar chuckle.

“Cass..?” You croaked, feeling so tired.

“Hi Sweetpea, slept well?”

“What did you..” you groaned in pain, you heard Cass get closer to you, grabbing your face

so you would look at him.

“ ‘m so sorry that it had to come to this sweets, you’re so dense it was cute”

His grasp was harsh, painful even. It made you whine in pain.

You closed your eyes out of pain.

Cassidys hot breath tickled your face, as you felt him lean in and kiss you.

“You’re mine now sweetpea”

[whiteskullofroses]

Baldwin IV of Jerusalem x physician!reader

(Before any of you get mad this is about Baldwin from Kingdom of Heaven not the actual historical figure.)

🩷Imagine Baldwin receiving the medication for leprosy along with a new physician who has to see his face for the first time and makes him feel comfortable about it🩷

"Y/N Y/L/N, is that who you must be?" Sibylla questioned. You had just been preparing to leave for the Palace, in which you'd be treating the King when she rode up to you with her horse. Her confidence amazed you, after all she was quite beautiful.

"Yes, my lady." Looking up at her with a bit of a struggle, since it was a hot summer day, the Sun was high up in the sky causing your eyes to burn when gazing up at her.

"Good. Follow me." She ordered and waited a short while for you to straddle your horse as well. You named your horse Sihara. You felt the need to do so as she was always with you on your travels. You were blessed with the privilege of having a loyal horse, tying her to a tree to avoid losing her was unnecessary. She simply never left you.

After you two left, there was another 15 minutes before you'd arrive to the Palace because the city was heavily crowded. Neither of you spoke much, from time to time Sibylla would as you questions regarding your medical career. It was reasonable of course. Her brothers life, whom she loved regardless his illness, was now at your hands.

This put a great amount of pressure on you. If anything went wrong, the people would kill you. She and her fellow men and women of power would hunt you down no matter for how long you'd hide.

But what could go wrong? All you had to do was apply cream on his open wounds for about 3 months until they'd heal and you'd go on with your life.

~.................~

"This way." Sibylla pointed to a long corridor with two guards standing at each side. There was another hallway on the right before you'd finally arrive to your patient.

The walk was filled with anxiety. You could feel your stomach twisting inside out with every step you took. You've saved many many lives and have helped many many people to gain back their health but this time it felt like it was your first time in the medical field. Like it was your first time keeping one on this Earth.

Maybe it was because this was your first time treating royalty?

But when you reached the doorway and saw the king sitting with his back to you, all worries went away. In a weird way, you could feel his calming and peaceful energy from afar, telling you 'everything will be alright.'

You weren't sure how to announce your presence in the room, but thankfully the King heard you walking and was about to make that clear.

"Come forward." His voice loud and clear. The way he carried himself, as though he wasn't sick fascinated you and had you admire him deeply.

He turned around on his chair to have a look at you, as you bowed.

"No do not kneel." Surprised, you got back up and straightened your back. "I'm glad to meet (your father's name)'s daughter. He was a great friend of my father's"

Baldwin got up from his chair and started walking closer to you. "The Saracens say that this disease is God's vengeance against the vanity of our kingdom." He chuckled and added: "My guesses are you are to remedy this so-called curse casted upon me."

"Certainly, my lord." You gave an innocent half smile and nodded.

The king turned his head towards a table: "Come, sit."

As you walked closer you noticed there was displayed the popular game amongst men of power all over the world. Chess.

The two of you sat down, a servant served you wine and than the serious conversation began: "Y/N, I must ask this. How is the healing process going to affect my duties?"

"Not at all." You answered with much confidence. "All I have to do is apply the medicine on your wounds and areas that have in general been infected the most." Explaining to him as Baldwin leaned forward, signaling for you to go on: "This should last approximately 2 to 3 months."

You could sence that he was nervous. After all he was still so young and probably still insecure about his features, as much as someone with a disease that disfigures you can be.

"My lord, you can trust me. Worrying is out of the question here, after all I've been in the medical field all my life. I promise to you I won't let you down." Your words were full of pure determination to save him, they cut so deep into his heart in the best way possible he could just tear up.

~.................~

As you were mixing up the cream that was soon ready to be applied, the tension in the room was indescribable. Baldwin layed on the bed almost unmoving.

His upper body and legs were exposed. What you could see from the start was that his left arm was most infected, than any other body part.

Besides that he still had his mask on, which he would have to remove at some point to get the full healing process done.

The medicine was prepared. You put on your gloves and went to work.

"My lord, if you feel any discomfort during this, please warn me immediately." You stated.

He nodded and even though you couldn't see it because of the mask, the young man was blushing. So far all his personal physicians were males, and since he was sick he was never really touched by a woman in the slightest, besides his mother when he was younger, so of course he was flustered.

You applied the cream firstly on his left arm, being extra careful and waiting for any signs of nausea from the king. Sometimes treating people who have been infected with leprosy can be quite a pain since vomiting and dizziness are common side effects. Luckily the king was doing just fine and in silence you slowly applied the cream all over him. Except his face.

"My lord, may you now remove your mask please?" You smiled softly at him, really trying to get the young king to get comfortable around you since you'd be doing this for 3 months together.

"Is it necessary?" He hesitated. Feelings of shame and insecurity flooded his mind. He never let anyone see his full face, especially not a young woman whom he learned love to gossip around since his sister and her friends used to do it for as long back as he can remember. But this time it was different, and you wanted him to understand so badly: "I understand you may not feel comfortable doing so, but trust me I wish the best for you. To have this treatment the most affective it can be, I'll need to apply it on your face too." You explained as gently as you could.

After a moment, he did it. And he looked beautiful. His face was decorated with a pair of blue eyes and soft locks of golden hair. His face was of course infected, he didn't have a nose and there appeared to be a quite litteral hole in his right cheek but you didn't care. He was handsome no one could deny that.

So you smiled and commented: "My lord, I really can't comprehend why you were so afraid."

He looked up at you, who was now slowly smearing the medicine on his face.

"Is it really that hard to understand?" He sighed.

"My lord, you look just as handsome as any. Infected or not. You are someone young men should look up to. A true God's warrior."

He took a deep breath in, smelling the healing herbs on him.

When you turned around, he shed a tear.

THE END.

[cherryshortycake]

Bakugou x Reader (Your My Girl)

Request; the idea of a very very careful Izuku/Bakugo (maybe both) as a first timer with you and being oh so gentle and contemplating your beautiful features and just being soft boys))

SMUT: 18+ (Third Years)

On you and Bakugou's Third year at UA, been dating ever since middle of second year. The things you and this boy have went through together, to wars, fights, and challenges that were faced together.

You meant a lot to Bakugou, he'd be lying if he said he didn't.

Bakugou and You talked about sharing a moment like this together in the past, And to fully make sure you both are ready and if this is something you both wanted to do together for sure, Bakugou had bought protection awhile ago for you two when you were ready, 'first time was important and should be taken seriously right?' You thought to yourself. As you were over his dorm, thoughts were running wild.

You both were laying down on his bed, Him on his phone scrolling through the news up today and having random conversation with her. which he loved to do, her voice to him was medicine.

"Can't believe people actually believe in this horse crap." he said scrolling and a post in particular caught his eye. Some fan page accounts of random hero conspiracy theories.

"I can't either Katsu" She said brushing her hair on his bed, across from him.

"tsk" he shuts off his phone and puts it on the charger, "Did you bring your charger?" he said to her, knowing she was crashing at his dorm tonight.

You didn't answer him which made him turn around with curiosity and a raised eyebrow. He seen you brushing your hair and clearly distracted, looks like you were thinking hard. which led him to question her.

"Hey, Think any harder and your head will start smoking." The rasp in his voice caused your thought to break.

"oh sorry I'm just pretty out of it I guess." you chuckled nervously, getting up to put your brush in your purse that was laying on his desk. Bakugou filled you with his eyes still curious. Eyes looking you, up and down, noticing your wearing his black shirt, which was somewhat kinda baggy on you, with your bed shorts

"Hey Katsuki?" his eyes broke off of you to look at you again but at your eyes, when you turned around he responded "Hm.?"

He seen you fidgeting your feet and hands around. and grew his concern more "Hey, now tell me whats wrong you been acting strange-...." you interrupted him. "I Think I'm ready" you said shyly looking down at your hands.

His eyes somewhat widen, and you seen it. you walked up to him and stood in front of him, him sitting on the edge of his bed and you grabbed his cheek, "I'm ready Katsuki." you said rising his face up more to look at you.

"Are.....Are you sure?" he said grabbing your hand in his, softly rubbing his thumb on your palm.

"I've never been more sure." you said giving him a soft smile.

He looked down and his face looked red and steamy hot.

"together like we said one step at a time right? just like you said." you said climbing into bed behind him, rubbing his shoulders and whispering in his ear "I trust you Katsuki"

He shut his eyes in admiring your responds, you really did trust him.

"But I understand if you not ready Kats-..." he interrupted you by turning around fast and hovering over you, forearms holding his-self up. face to face with him, he leans down, forehand on your inner neck. "I'm ready too..." he said muffled in your neck.

"but I want you to know....I'm nervous..but again I trust you okay?' he looked up at you and nodded.

You softly nudged his chest up to get up and to sit on your knees in front of him. On his knees as well on the bed with you, face to face. You leaned forward to give a nice gentle kiss, slow and meaningful. until you broke off him to look down and to take the rim of his shirt off that you was wearing.

Which you weren't wearing anything underneath expect your shorts. You got shy and tried to cover your chest a little bit, Which you looked up at him and his eyes widen, Looks down at your bare chest, face grew redder.

Your hands tryed hiding yourself more, but Bakugou softly removed your hands from yourself. Him looking at you was making you more nervous, he's seeing you bared chested. you couldn't believe it, he couldn't believe it....

but you had pushed through it, you have to stay brave..

"Here.." you said grabbing his hands to hold your chest. You grew red, his warm hands was a different type of feeling of you.

you went redder at the fact he gave them a soft squeeze and let out a low rasp grunt. he were growing shocked, just as much as you. He then ran his hands slowly down you sides, causing you to jump slightly and caused you to grip his biceps.

he seen how red you were, "I'm...im sorry it..tickled." you said quietly laughing.

you seen his soft smile in return and let go of your sides to take off his tank top as well which he knew how much you loved him shirtless.

he then got off the bed facing you to remove his black sweatpants to reveal his dark gray boxers. You then laid on you back comfortably, looking his way. You then saw him open his nightstand drawer to grab out protection.

which he put it on the pillow above your head. and climbed in bed again hover over you, he then rubbed your cheek, and shared a slow passionate kiss with him, lips colliding, like you been needing each other forever.

Craving each other, grinding into each other, he unattached from your lips to kiss your neck softly, still grinding in to each other, a soft moan escaped your lips, which causes Bakugou to hold your legs harder, palms holding behind your knees.

he grabs the condom that was by you head and opens it slowly, he then was about to remove his boxers down to free his hard member under the clothing, which you stopped his hand, which removed It for him which causes him to flinch under your cold fingertips.

he then rolled the condom on, looking at you with soft hungry eyes. He hooked his fingers on your shorts and slowly pulled down, until completing off, he seen the wetness he created which was on your inner thighs as well "oh fuck" he whispered under his breathe, barley heard it. "katsuki...please.."

You begging and saying his name, just threw him over the edge.

He looked down at you, "you ready?" he said quietly. "mhm.." you said biting your lip.

"mm..god..you look...Fuck..." he said overwhelmed at your beauty. He ran his hand down your stomach to your wet folds, slid his fingers among your folds which caused you to moan which was more of a gasp.

He then slide inside you slowly, which caused you to grunt out in someone a stinging pain. "oh fuck....Shhh. I'm sorry shh..I can stop if its too much.."

"keep going...mm..." she said moaning softly, as slide all way in which cause him to grip the bed frame, "Fuck.....Y/n..."

As he slowly pumped in and out, which caused you to gasp at the pleasure.

As it got more carried away he pumps faster and faster which causes both of your skins to sweat.

"Katsuki..." you begged out.

"More Katsuki...Please"

causing him to go harder which he was hesitant too, cause he didn't want too hurt you. but he cant lie you felt amazing..

arching your back in pleasure, he puts his head in your neck and groans out, whimpers out that he's close.

"shit...mm.." is all he can make out before he feels you tighten around him which throws him over the edge and he releases, both in sync with pleasure which was an unbelievable feeling..

both panting out of breath, you look at each other and bust out in to a panting laughter.

after cleaning up and getting comfortable. he put your hair over your ear. kissed your forehead. "your my girl"...

Authors note: Hope enjoyed <3 Instagram: cherrygiggs, I'm going do a new follower private collectors giveaway! Pick from one of new followers!

[thatsdemko]

to live, to learn, and to love - d.ricciardo

masterlist

pairings: Daniel ricciardo x athlete!reader

warnings: time jump + talks of Covid + some depression talks + some inaccuracies of Daniels career

a/n: hope this cheers everyone up xx

2018 - to live

“so what do you guys have planned this summer?” you ask. the tiny microphone clipped to your shirt is finally off for good. for the first time in a year, cameras would no longer follow your ever move, microphones would no longer hover of your head, you could go back to a normal life of training and relaxing. freedom at last.

“we are actually filming a new docuseries, ever heard of formula one?”

you shake your head, puzzle look on your face creates a little laughter from everyone’s lips as they agreed to never hearing about it until Daniel. whoever Daniel was, he seemed to be quite popular to the crew.

“I guess I haven’t, but hey I’m all about growing sports.”

“well you wouldn’t believe where we get to go next weekend— you should come! it’ll be so much fun.”

the film crew talks of Monaco and the infamous track that they’ve learned can be brutal but kind. their invitation lingers around the room for a couple more minutes as crew begins to clean up the scene.

“so? you coming or what?”

“when’s the plane leave?”

—

Monaco roars with noise you’ve never heard. so much so, the noise canceling headphones can’t even drown out the cheers for the drivers. you spend all mid-afternoon shaking hands and learning names of the drivers you’re sure you’ll forget by the night. but Daniel sticks out.

you knew right away who he was. by the laughter and his smile, he had a way with the crew that nobody on your team had. the smile on all the crew members for not only Netflix, but his own team were contagious. he had you smiling within minutes.

“congratulations on your season and Netflix series! I’ve got it downloaded for the plane ride.” he engulfs you into a tight hug for a brief second before showing you his car. the mighty Red Bull car, sleek in its red and blue stripes under the Monaco sun, his pride is contagious, you can’t help but grow confidence in his racing skills.

“how’s Monaco treating you?” you look up at him, his tan skin kissed by the sun and genetics, his beautiful brown curls make your fingers itch to run through them. it’s not only his smile that makes your stomach twirl, it’s all of him.

“just about alright, I’ve got a good spot on the grid and I’m ready to kick ass.” he claps his hands mischievously making a laugh escape your body.

“you’ll do great! I believe in you!”

you like to think your words of encouragement solidified his win in Monaco, but that would be a selfish reason. you’d like to hate Monaco for all the reasons why you left completely enamored by Daniel ricciardo.

2020 - to learn

boredom struck. your legs, mind, and rest of your body itch to train while you’re copped up in your parents house; a tragedy as nobody else lives here. you sit alone in the basement that once had become your personal gym, but now only has a treadmill that you’ve become bored of.

you huff out a sigh, looking around the room there’s not one object heavy enough for you to lift. you curse your parents for taking all the things you needed to their stupid summer home, and you curse them for not wanting to spend time with you.

loneliness was at an all time high. you’d become so exhausted of it, that talking to yourself became the only answer. it was the only thing you had left.

you moved from the big city where all your teammates stayed put. you didn’t bother to look back once restrictions were set in place, you needed to be somewhere sane, but rather that was the opposite. you were going insane.

an alert on your phone pulls you away from the five pound weights in your hand. you look down on the floor to see an Instagram notification which was awfully unusual.

danielricciardo: if I show up on a horse in Austin, would that get me laid?

yourusername: depends. who are you trying to get with?

you can’t help but laugh. you hadn’t heard from him in four years. you’d occasional check his instagram, see what he was doing, and even become friends on LinkedIn, but the boredom must’ve been at an all time high for him to message you.

danielricciardo: you.

—

“I’d kiss the chef.” he says almost immediately once your face comes up on the screen. the apron you’re wearing was to prevent spilling or messes to your clothes, it was definitely not an attractive sight. but to Daniel it was.

“you can kiss me right here.” you point to your ass, hearing his laugh erupt on the other side of the screen. it was morning time in Perth, and by morning, you meant way to fucking early in the morning for anyone but him to be awake.

“what are you making?”

“none of your business.”

“well it’s my business when you call me.” he says watching you prop up the cook book that lay beside your phone. you point to the page that had flour, sugar, and all other ingredients across the page.

“ah a birthday cake, and who’s this for?”

“my neighbor. he turns ninety tomorrow so it’s a big deal! it has to be good!”

“and you need my help why?” he reminds you of why you called. you stick out your tongue and your middle finger earning a laugh. you want more of that laughter, you’d do anything to hear it in person again.

“because what do men like? I need to get him a gift.”

“y/n, I’m thirty. I’m not even close to ninety are you insinuating I’m old?”

a blush creeps into your cheeks that’s noticeable on the screen, “I’m kidding! I get why you called, you don’t have to close off.”

in the minimal amount of time knowing Daniel, he calls you out on all of your shit. like how he knows you missed garbage day based off the way your bathroom looks, or how he judges you for not taking the chance to run faster. he’s far worse than personal trainer, but you’d keep him around for his honesty and his kindness.

“I have to go to the store early tomorrow, so what do you think he’d like?”

“you didn’t buy toilet paper again?”

“people don’t listen to the two per person rule! I swear!”

he tsks you so much you can’t even put in a single word. your nervous laughter fills his ears and warms his chest. why did you have to live thousands of miles away? he’s praying they find a cure for Covid fast, he doesn’t think he can live another second without you.

2021 - to learn

a new year, a new set of restrictions, oh and you.

you, in the silly 2021 plastic glasses, sit on the couch in the mixed of his friends and family in his Monaco home. he couldn’t believe the sight, it was a winter miracle you’d made it out alive of the winter storm to his side.

after months of talking, you’d considered yourselves dating. it was different—with not being physically intimate or even having real dates—but the attraction and energy that flowed through you two was undeniable. you couldn’t stay friends, not after every phone call, text message, and filthy instagram dm, Daniel ricciardo wove his way right into your heart.

“what’s your wish for new years?”

“wish? isn’t it a resolution?” you give him a pointed look watching his hands fly up in defense, “we do things differently here. we don’t set goals, we set wishes. so what do you wish for?”

you think long and hard for a moment staring at the man in front of you. his brown eyes full of life and beauty stare into yours. his family and friends wait patiently as you think to yourself.

“I wish for love.”

he scoffs in response almost instantly. he couldn’t help it, to wish for love felt stupid, but Daniels hand clasping against yours makes your heart flutter and skin warm to his touch, “well your wish came true, because I’m here to show you just how much I love you.”

2022 - to love

pregnant.

it’s no wonder doing mundane activities were killing you, and getting up any time before 6am was a threat to your immune system. little did you know it didn’t matter when you woke up, you’d still be pregnant and with a heavy case of morning sickness.

and while 2022 is looking awful to different from the past two years of your relationship, Daniel was changing. you’d noticed how physically unfit he was for training, and it wasn’t because he lost his touch, he looked more sick than you did.

the smile that once reached his eyes and infected a dozen or more individuals, was fading. the light in his eyes barely shined anymore, and while he should be happy his girlfriend is pregnant, the glow on his face doesn’t reflect his words.

you’d talked with zak, asked him how Daniel had been doing and to monitor his health, but little did you know the same man you trusted was the reason for his depression.

“Danny,” you whisper slightly hoping to god he doesn’t answer, but he hardly sleeps anymore.

your touch sinks his body further into the mattress. you mold your body and growing belly against him, fingers drawing all sorts of relaxing shapes, “I love you,” you whisper trying to your best to hold in the sob desperately trying to escape, “but I hate how sad you are. I miss you, I miss us.”

your sudden words ache his heart. he hears your pain, it makes him lift his hand and clasp his hand on top of yours allowing your silent sob to increase in volume, “what’s happening to you, it’s not right.“

“I know,” he whispers back. his words hang in the room for a little longer before he turns to face you, his fingers quickly wipe your tears, “I’m going to get better. for you, for us, and for her. okay?”

“okay.”

—

“can you keep a secret?”

“depends,” lando responds turning on his heel, his adorable smile turning his lips upward, “what’s my reward?”

“a kiss on the cheek?”

he nods in approval, “kiss first, secret later.” he taps his cheek, watching you roll your eyes before you quickly press your lips to his skin and pull away.

“I’m pregnant.”

“old news, what else?” he shrugs it off.

“Daniels leaving.”

“what?” you watch lando’s shoulders fall as he collapses into the chair below him, “please tell me it’s because of the baby and not anything else?”

your hesitation earns a permanent frown on his lips, “I thought I could save him.” he lets out a deep sigh allowing you wrap him into your arms, “I think it’s what’s best.”

“I agree, but you’ll still have cool uncle rights.”

“yes! oh, that’s the best news ever! I have to tell max!”

Daniels foot steps echo throughout the hallway of the private room you were in with lando. not another soul is in the McLaren hospitality, as everyone had seemed to vanish once practice rounds were over, but you’d stayed waiting despite longing for a warm shower and Daniels hands against your belly. god, how much more love sick could you be? it was evident Daniel didn’t feel much of the same right now, and you tried your best to put on a big smile and positive attitude.

“there he is.” you move over to him, wrapping your arms around his neck pulling him downward so you can press a kiss to his lips.

“I have to stay a little later.” he mumbles before pressing another kiss to your lips, “why don’t you head back with lando?”

“but I want to stay.” you frown pulling away from his body. it gives you a chance to look him in the eyes, the dark circles are much more evident, the glimmer of hope and love have seemed to vanish his eyes replaced with sadness. why did this have to happen to him? it’s just not right, you think to yourself.

“will you at least eat dinner with me?”

he shakes his head, “I really have to get back to the car.” he pushes a strand of your hair behind your shoulder, “why don’t you order room service? it’s on me, get whatever you’re craving.”

“I’m craving you, but you’re making yourself unavailable—again, might I add.”

his eyes close for a brief moment. his fingers play with the hem of his bright orange shirt, you can feel the anxiety radiating off of him. it terrifies you what’s next. “y/n, they are terminating my contract. can you just go home with lando?”

the grit of his words are like nails on a chalkboard. you swear you could feel yourself becoming lightheaded you don’t even realize lando was the one to catch you from falling backward. terminate? they were done with him? you feel a sob take over your body, it takes ten minutes for lando to calm you down, as Daniel was nowhere to be seen.

the car ride to the hotel was silent. with lando taping away on his phone, and you staring out the window in a daze there was nothing that could pull you away. well, maybe there was.

danielricciardo: if I do ridiculous side burns would you still sleep with me?

a snort escapes your lips. he knows how to turn a bad day into a good one.

yourusername: depends. how ridiculous are they?

danielricciardo: so ridiculous you might wish I didn’t get you pregnant.

yourusername: now I would never wish on that. we love you Danny.

love. it’s a strange feeling that’s settling into his chest right now as he stares at zak brown, the man he’d been warned about years ago, but he never listened. now hearing it from you, he knew love conquered all of his fears and anxiety about leaving. because in the end, your love made him feel whole again.

to live, to learn, and to love.

[BONUS SCENE]

2023 - living, learning, and loving

“oh my, you’re so big now! what are they feeding you?” lando’s gasp earns a ripple of head turns. he’s rushing his way over to you and your new born daughter, mila.

“whatever it is, it’s clearly working on you too. what’s this you’ve got going on? is it a beard?” you carefully run your fingers over the hair on his chin making him pull away, a blush creeping onto his cheeks, “fine I’ll shave it.”

“take it from me, the minute I got home from Austin I wasn’t allowed in the bed until I shaved it all off.” Daniel rubs his fingers over the stubby hairs against his cheeks, “some women don’t like that down there—“

“Daniel!” you hiss, hands placed against his chest you give him a hard shove.

the roar of his laughter echoes throughout the paddock. it brings a flock of his friends and former colleagues together surrounding you both and your daughter, mila.

she was a happy blessing out of a horrible year. her arrival was earlier than expected, but seeing Daniels smile finally reach his eyes, it was like she knew he needed that.

“I can’t decide what’s cuter, her curls or her rolls. how do you sleep at night with such a difficult question?” Charles looks between you two and watches the devilish smirk lift upon Daniels lips, “actually don’t answer that, I see where your mind is taking you.”

“it’s good to have you back.” the Ferrari driver smiles. before he walks away he says one more thing to brighten your days, “and I mean that. it’s good to have the you we all love back.”

you lived, you learned, and you’re still loving.

tags: @oconso @xcicix @imsorare @weasleyswizardwheezes-blog @monzabee @lpab @frreyaa @motorsp0rt @lovelytsunoda @smoothopz @jaehyunluvcult @iloveyou3000morgan @lunnnix @leclerc13

[scarvain]

✶ bodyguard — hamzahthefantastic x reader

SUMMARY: hamzah and cowboy/southern reader go to a rodeo

WARNINGS: creepy guys, profanities, slightly suggestive and slight violence

A/N: this is based on beyoncé’s new album&song and @sweetcolagirl’s post!

“babe, come on you look perfect!” you hear hamzah shout from downstairs. 

you were getting ready for the rodeo your family attends annually at your hometown and this year, you decided to take your boyfriend with you.

you were taking your time with your hair, trying to figure out whether or not you should put it on a ponytail—considering you would be wearing a cowboy hat most of the day. 

you decide on not wearing a ponytail and letting your hair down. 

your whole family was already downstairs with hamzah, waiting for you to get down. 

“finally.” 

“took you long enough.” 

your parents said in unison which made you roll your eyes jokingly. 

the first event of the day was horseback riding and racing until it was lunch time. you and hamzah went around the venue, hands locked in each other as you two looked at the booths set up.

some items being sold caught your eye and hamzah would secretly pay the vendor as you moved from booth to booth, taking interest in each one and catching up with some vendors who you grew up around, even introducing hamzah to some. 

different events went on for the afternoon but when the sun set, all horse events were finished and then came the event you’ve been waiting for. 

bull riding

it was going to be on a machine instead of an actual bull as it would be safer. 

some of your childhood friends had gone on the bull before the announcer called you to have your turn. 

hamzah gave you an encouraging smile when you looked back at him as you were walking towards the machine.

your legs were on both sides of the bull, hands gripping the handle tightly, body leaning forward a bit. 

all eyes were on you as soon as the buzzer and timer started. hamzah pulled out his phone to record you, a smile prominent on his face.

the machine was moving abruptly yet you remained seated on the bull. 

some people started cheering for you as you surpassed the 30 second count. by 50 seconds, you could feel your body starting to slip off the machine until you let go and gave up. 

cheers roared in the room, hamzah immediately going to the side where you’d exit. you smiled at him as you got up before smiling at everyone at the venue.

he pulled you into a hug when you got down. as you walked away, his arms were stretched and surrounding you like a wall so you wouldn’t bump into anyone. 

“you were so good, baby,” he whispered to you as you two walked to a less crowded place. 

when you had a spot, you were still trying to catch your breath, hamzah instantly noticing and aiding you. “i’ll get you a drink, i’ll be right back,” he pressed a peck to your temple before leaving to go to the bar. 

as you looked around the venue, watching the next player attempt the bull, two boys approached you. 

“son of a trucker, it’s y/n l/n!” one of them said loudly which made you flinch a bit.

you smile at them, only recognizing one who was an acquaintance in middle school then his friend leaves him. “it’s been so long yet you still look pretty as a peach.” as soon as he said that, one of his hands was on your lower back which then trailed to slap your ass.

“what the hell?” your eyebrows knitted as you turned to him, he snickered.

“couldn’t help myself, forgot how beautiful you are. you should come home more often,” he said, his hand reaching out to caress your cheek but you grab his wrist, trying your best to pull it away from your face. 

his other hand pulled you from your waist to get your bodies closer and you were trying to push him away. you were squirming and his face was getting closer and closer to you until—

“get off of her!” hamzah rushed to you, dropping the bottle of water in his hands and immediately pushing the guy off you before checking on you.

“you okay? what did he do?” he checked every inch of you, hands on your shoulders. 

you place a hand on his cheek to get him to look up at you. “i’m fine, he slapped my ass—” hamzah didn’t bother listening to the end of your sentence and went to grab the guy by the collar of his shirt and punching him square on the jaw. 

“don’t fucking touch my girlfriend again, you hear me?” he told him, eyebrows knitted to each other.

your boyfriend rarely showed his aggressive side except when he was playing games or in bed with you so this act caught you by shock, not even realizing when your boyfriend was already in front of you.

slightly crouched, hands caressing your cheeks, head tilted as he spoke to you. 

“y/n, you okay?” he asked you, worry written all over his face. 

all you could do is nod before he reached to get the water bottle he threw earlier then pulling you in a hug. 

the two of you stayed there for a while in each other’s arms, his lips finding your neck and pressing soft kisses to your skin. 

when he pulled away, he looked at you intently, placing his hands on your shoulders. “sorry i didn’t get here faster,” 

you shook your head, taking one of his hands in yours. “it’s okay, i’m safe hamzah, i’m okay.” you reassured him as you rubbed circles on his hand. 

after that, he takes off both your cowboy hats and kisses your lips as gently as possible before the two of you return to you and your parents’ table. 

the rest of the night, hamzah had his arm around you, acting as your bodyguard and keeping you safe with him.

✶ taglist — @cdbabymp3 @noturbabe22 @dabuggh3 @kingvioleta @tumb1rgir1z @mfcherry @ldrvinyl @certainfestivalnerdshepherd @seasidelily @jisyng LMK IF U WANNA BE ADDEDDD!!!

[indigovigilance]

Anthony, Anthony, Anthony

What does your Anthony mean, exactly?

I feel like your Anthony and my Anthony are different Anthonies…

In 1941 we learn that Crowley has named himself Anthony J. Crowley (Aziraphale doesn’t pronounce the H but closed captions write it and Neil Gaiman hashtags #Anthony and also it’s Anthony the script book so I guess Michael Sheen is just doing a thing idk). I haven’t seen extensive discussion of this topic but I’m going to jump in with both feet.

I propose that Anthony actually has a double meaning; that is, Crowley chose this name for one reason, but Aziraphale believes he chose it for another.

(I cite as indirect inspo a wonderful Tumblr meta about how the ineffable blockheads have completely different interpretations of Jane Austen and how this informs their S2 decision-making).

Read or bookmark for later on Ao3 because this got away from me and now it's a 2,888 word meta on people named Anthony what am I doing with my life

~~~

First and foremost, let it be stated that there is no canon for when Crowley anti-christened himself Anthony. Neil Gaiman himself won’t know until he writes it.

Secondly, let it be known that I am not an historian nor a literary scholar of any kind. So people who actually know these stories may find themselves cringing at my surface-level summaries and inaccurate interpretations: I’m just piecing together what I could find easily. I invite someone else to revise and republish if they can delve deeper on these topics. 

Part 1: Mark Antony

There is a bust of Marc Antony in Mr. Fell’s bookshop as of S1E1 modern day (2019) which is still there at the end of S2E6, where it features prominently in the center of a shot. In 2019, the bust is adorned with yellow ribbons; in 2023, it is naked. The flashback to 1941 doesn’t give a good view of the part of the shop where the bust would normally be located so I have no idea when the bust actually got added to Aziraphale’s collection. I’m going to assume, for argument’s sake, that Aziraphale acquired this bust after the Blitz. I’m going to further propose that he acquired this bust because he believes that Crowley named himself Anthony after Mark Antony.

Why would Aziraphale think that? Two reasons.

1) Mark Antony was the loser of a civil war for liberty

Mark Antony was a good and loyal Roman citizen, serving Caesar with distinction, even attaining the title of Master of the Horse (Caesar’s second-in-command). See additional metas on horse symbolism seen throughout S2. After the death of Caesar, however, Octavian and members of the senate turned on Antony, starting a civil war. You know, much like a certain someone we know that was involved in Dubious Battle on the Plains of Heaven.

Mark Antony was loyal to Caesar’s political mission, which was to establish a Roman republic, where the voices of the citizens would be heard through their representatives [a suggestion box, if you will]. But Antony’s defeat marked the end of the republic, ushering in an age of autocracy. Octavian, following his victory over Antony, crowned himself the first Emperor of Rome.

2) Mark Antony was a libertine, but also the loyal, ardent lover of Cleopatra

Mark Antony was an infamous, lascivious, debaucherous, womanizing lush. He was also Cleopatra’s lover and closest ally. Though Mark Antony could not often meet with Cleopatra, their affair was allegedly very romantic, and from afar Antony did everything in his power to support Cleopatra politically, expanding her territorial holdings even while they were apart for years. 

So legendary was Antony's wanton hedonism that when he went to Athens, he was deified as the New Dionysus, mystic god of wine, happiness, and immortality. Religious propaganda declared Cleopatra the New Isis or Aphrodite (mythic goddess of love and beauty) to his New Dionysus. The ineffable emperors, if you will. [source: Encyclopedia Britannica]

Parallels arising after 1941:

After Antony had officially divorced Octavian’s sister, Octavian formally broke off the ties of personal friendship with Antony and declared war, not against Antony but against Cleopatra. Much like how Shax, after her S2E1 “you scratch my back I’ll scratch yours” proposal, threatened Crowley that if he did not assist her search for Gabriel, Hell would declare war not on him but on Aziraphale.

The legacy of Mark Antony, therefore, is one of hedonism, romance, fighting for a cause that you believe in, and losing that fight. It’s easy to see how Aziraphale drew the conclusion that Anthony J. Crowley took his inspiration from this historical figure.

Part 2: Antony & Cleopatra

How is this a part 2? Weren’t we just talking about Mark Antony and his relationship with Cleopatra? Hear me out.

Crowley has never expressed much interest in politics. Every time something of political import happens, he declares that the humans made it up themselves while also taking credit for it with Hell. This includes 1793 Paris and the Spanish Inquisition. If I forgot any, drop them in the comments. 

But Crowley has a deep and pervasive interest in stories, especially romance stories. If he can keep the Bentley from turning it into Queen, he listens to the Velvet Underground. He watches Richard Curtis films (to the degree that he identifies them by director rather than by title). Though book canon is not show canon, it’s worth mentioning that his favorite serial is Golden Girls; while not a romance, it is certainly heartfelt storytelling at its finest and a homosexual staple.

We know, too, that Shakspeare stole a line from him, with an adjustment for pronouns:

"Age Does Not Wither, Nor Custom Stale His Infinite Variety”

Let’s first talk about Crowley’s context for the quote.

Picture it: the Globe Theater, 1601, the house is empty because it’s one of Shakespeare’s gloomy ones and an irritated young Burbage, in the role of Hamlet, is droning out his lines like he would rather be anywhere else.

Burbage: To be or not to be. That is the question.

Aziraphale: To be! I mean, not to be! Come on, Hamlet! Buck up!

Aziraphale looks at Crowley, grinning with delight. Crowley stares back at him, shaking his head slightly, but a smile tugs at the corner of his lip. He wants to be embarrassed, but cannot help being charmed.

Aziraphale: He’s very good, isn’t he?

Crowley: Age does not wither nor custom stale his infinite variety.

Crowley is looking up at the stage, and speaks immediately after Aziraphale has made a comment about Burbage. But is Crowley talking about Burbage? Does it stand to reason that age would not have withered, or custom not staled, this twenty year old (yet somehow jaded) stage actor?

I propose that this is a poetic inversion of the S2E1 cold open, wherein the Starmaker, looking out upon creation, says: “Look at you, you’re gorgeous!” and Aziraphale erroneously thinks the statement was directed at him. Here, even though Crowley isn’t looking at Aziraphale, I believe that Crowley is actually talking about Aziraphale when he delivers that iconic line. Unlike Burbage, Aziraphale is old, very, very old, and we know that he has a penchant for custom, wearing the same clothes and listening to the same music for century upon century. Yet here is this precious angel being a cheerful little peanut gallery of one, continuing to surprise the demon after all this time. Neither age nor custom has staled Aziraphale’s infinite variety.

When Shakespeare commits the line to a play written 1606-1607, a few years after this event, Crowley will recognize his own sentiment about Aziraphale issuing from Antony’s mouth about Cleopatra. The actual historical events will not have left much of an impression, but the immortalization of his own admiration of the angel in human romantic fiction will have.

It must be mentioned that Antony & Cleopatra is a tragedy, where the star-crossed lovers are kept apart by warring factions that demand loyalty to the state at the preclusion of each other.

There are also some (as far as I can tell) nearly copy-paste plot points from Romeo & Juliet about a misunderstood faked suicide followed by actual suicide and the lovers dying in each others’ arms. It does not have a happy ending. Anthony Crowley deliberately choosing his “Christian name” from this play embodies not only his deep love but his hopelessness that he can ever get the happily ever after he desires.

In Summary

Crowley was an admirer, in one respect or another, of Mark Anthony, though he relied more heavily on Shakespeare’s portrayal and reimagining of the character than Aziraphale gives due credit. Nevertheless, the difference…

Wait a minute…

What’s that?

Is that…

A piece of canon evidence that completely undermines my argument??

This screenshot will only be visible to Tumblr users (sorry Ao3), but at some point we get a good look at the Mona Lisa sketch that Crowley has hanging in his apartment. It is signed (translated from Italian) “To my friend Anthony from your friend Leo da V.”

The problem with this is, the Mona Lisa was painted 100 years before Shakespeare penned Antony & Cleopatra.

However, Neil Gaiman reblogged this transcription and translation, posing the hypothetical, “I wonder if Crowley knows what the A in A.Z. Fell stands for.”

Could it be that the Notorious NRG is jerking us around and sending us on wild goose chases? Absolutely a possibility. But. Let’s give a little grace for a moment, and assume that this comment was made in good faith. A bold assumption, I know. But humor me.

We know that Crowley and Aziraphale both knew Jane Austen, but from completely different perspectives. It stands to reason that Crowley knew da Vinci the scientist, but that Antonio Fell knew Leo da V., an artist with a heart that yearned for an unavailable lover. I’m just making wild conjecture that Lisa Gherardini (aka Mona Lisa), the wife of Florentine cloth merchant Francesco del Giocondo, was a love interest of da Vinci, but it could be true in the GO universe and would make for a great story.

Aziraphale also collects signed items from famous people; the inscribed books of Professor Hoffman to a wonderful student, and the S.W. Erdnase book, signed with his real name, come to mind. The Mona Lisa draft fits in much better with that collection of souvenirs than with anything in Crowley’s apartment. So it stands to reason that it could actually be addressed to Aziraphale.

There remains the question of how or why Crowley has it, but I won’t subject that to speculation here. All to say. Neil Gaiman’s implication-by-redirect is… possible. So let’s assume that it is the case, just for a moment.

If the Mona Lisa sketch is signed to “Antonio” Fell, then this allows the above theory regarding Crowley’s self-naming to remain intact. But it brings up a few questions regarding Aziraphale, not the least of which is: why did he name himself Antonio/Anthony?

Part 3: Saint Anthony of Padua

Anthony was the chosen name of a Portuguese monk, taken upon joining the Fransican order. Anthony rose to prominence in the 13th century as a celebrated orator, delivering impassioned and eloquent sermons. He is also associated with some fish symbolism, since he preached at the shore and fish gathered to listen. He was, incidentally, a lover of books:

Anthony had a book of psalms that contained notes and comments to help when teaching students and, in a time when a printing press was not yet invented, he greatly valued it.

When a novice decided to leave the hermitage, he stole Anthony's valuable book. When Anthony discovered it was missing, he prayed it would be found or returned to him. The thief did return the book and in an extra step returned to the Order as well.

The book is said to be preserved in the Franciscan friary in Bologna today. [source: https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=24]

This miraculous incident, wherein the thief not only returns a valuable book but also has a change of heart and returns to the bosom of organized religion, smacks of angelic intervention. But that is neither here nor there. 

Saint Anthony is the Patron Saint of the Lost, and is prayed to by those seeking to recover lost things. What is “lost” in this context is usually an item, rather than a person or an intangible concept, however he is also “credited with many miracles involving lost people, lost things and even lost spiritual goods,” such as faith. [Edit: @tsilvy helpfully contributes that "Here in Italy Sant'Antonio is commonly not just the saint patron of lost things, but, maybe primarily, the saint patron of lost *causes*."] He died at the age of 35, and in artwork is typically depicted with a book and the Infant Child Jesus.

It’s a defensible position that the thing that gives Aziraphale the most consternation across the millennia is Crowley’s loss of his angelic status, and it could even be framed such that Aziraphale does not consider Crowley actually fallen, but rather simply lost. It is a fact that he finds difficult to reconcile and, depending on your reading of the Final Fifteen, the offer to restore Crowley’s angelic status is one that is so pivotal to resolving his internal conflict that he cannot refuse. If this conflict is so central for Aziraphale, perhaps he did name himself after a booklover and the patron saint of lost things, hoping that the name would carry with it some of the power of the blessing, and return Crowley to the light, and in turn, to him.

But wait.

Because I googled “St Anthony” to look for some images and….

St. Anthony of the Desert

I shit you not there are multiple St. Antonies and we’re going to talk about another one of them with respect to Aziraphale because this guy is bonkers. The story traces to the Vitae Patrum, yet another fringe biblical text and I cannot even get a quick answer on whether it is canon or apocrypha because it’s so fringe. Anyways. I think the best way to explain St. Anthony of the Desert comes from the wikipedia page on the Desert Fathers: 

Sometime around AD 270, Anthony heard a Sunday sermon stating that perfection could be achieved by selling all of one's possessions, giving the proceeds to the poor, and following Jesus. He followed the advice and made the further step of moving deep into the desert to seek complete solitude.

[He] became known as both the father and founder of desert monasticism. By the time Anthony had died in AD 356, thousands of monks and nuns had been drawn to living in the desert following Anthony's example, leading his biographer, Athanasius of Alexandria, to write that "the desert had become a city." The Desert Fathers had a major influence on the development of Christianity.

Let’s all agree that this guy is not Aziraphale; this whole becoming an ascetic and living alone in the middle of a desert thing? Not his cuppertea. But St. Anthony is interesting not just for his decision to go into the desert, but what happened when he got there.

The Torment of St Anthony is a 15th century painting commonly attributed to Michaelangelo. It depicts demons crawling all over and attacking a hermit.

But the first round of demons are scraping the bottom of the barrel, practically the damned. Anthony’s journey continues and he meets another demon. Actually he meets two; a centaur, who is not very helpful, and then a satyr who is. It is much easier to find paintings of St. Anthony and the Centaur than of St. Anthony and the Satyr, so you don’t get an image, but I find the satyr to be a much more interesting character, so you get that story instead:

Anthony found next the satyr, "a manikin with hooked snout, horned forehead, and extremities like goats's feet." This creature was peaceful and offered him fruits, and when Anthony asked who he was, the satyr replied, "I'm a mortal being and one of those inhabitants of the desert whom the Gentiles, deluded by various forms of error, worship under the names of Fauns, Satyrs, and Incubi. I am sent to represent my tribe. We pray you in our behalf to entreat the favor of your Lord and ours, who, we have learnt, came once to save the world, and 'whose sound has gone forth into all the earth.'" Upon hearing this, Anthony was overjoyed and rejoiced over the glory of Christ. He condemned the city of Alexandria for worshiping monsters instead of God while beasts like the satyr spoke about Christ.

St. Anthony, then, is entreated by a demon to ask forgiveness from God upon the demons, and St. Anthony, seemingly, agrees to do it. He’s overjoyed to ask God to forgive demons. In connection to my analysis of the origins of the Metatron, and how Aziraphale and Crowley’s potential beef with him is that, as a human put in the exact same situation, he did the opposite, refusing to take the demon’s petition for mercy to God but instead taking it upon himself to confirm their unforgivability (yes that’s a word now) and damnation.

That seems like it would be pretty important to Aziraphale.

In Summary

I give up. I have no idea what’s going on with this show anymore. Here are two options each for both of our ineffable husbands to have given themselves the same God-blessed/damned name. You guys tell me what you think, I just have a pile of evidence and no spoons to evaluate it. 

[the-froschamethyst4]

Save a horse, ride a cowboy

𖤐Pairing: Cowboy! Ghost x F! Reader

𖤐Pronouns: She/Her

𖤐Warnings: smut, P in V, fantasy, a bit of jealousy, drinking, smoking, flirting, enemies to lovers, ass grabbing, eating out, pussy slapping, mentions of violence and blood language, cocky Ghost

Y/n with Ghost in the same guild but they end up getting partnered up together for the same mission

Y/n has be dressed in a tight tiny skimpy outfit that drives Ghost mad and pisses him off when he sees other guys drool all over her

He ends up taking his anger and jealousy out on her

—————

——————

10:30AM

Ghost had pushed opened the double doors to the guild where he works and get money.

“HEY PRICE! Any new jobs?” Ghost asked as he hoped to the bar and sat on the bar stool.

“Go look at the board. Soap’s put up some new jobs, Y/n’s checking out one,” when Ghost heard Y/n’s name he slammed his glass on the counter and saw her examining one of the papers.

“Like hell she is,” he got off the stool and strolled all the way to Y/n, snatching the papers from her hands.

“HEY!” Y/n turned and saw how Ghost held the papers above her head.

“What job is this. I might take it instead,” Ghost said as he started to look at it, his eyes widened when looking at the job.

The job: Wanted Dead or Alive: Jacob Killan $1,400,000

“$1,400,000!” Ghost yells.

“GIVE IT BACK GHOST!! I GOT IT FIRST!”

“Yeah right. You’re not getting this anymore,” he rolls the papers up and stuck them in his back pocket.

“Yeah we’ll newsflash Bone head, it’s a two person job that’s why the money is high you split it, I was going to ask König to come with me.”

“König?” He whispers and looked back down at Y/n who had her arms crossed over her chest.

“Yeah, because he actually wants to help me and not make fun of me,” she states.

“What?! I don’t make fun of you.”

“Yes, you do. You do it every time I get a job, you get mad that I got it before you, and then you make fun of me because you think I won’t be able to do it but guess I always get my money.” She said as she snatched the papers.

Ghost tried to grab them but he missed.

“Since…you saw the amount of money, do you want to join me on this mission?” Y/n asked.

“Sure, I guess,” he mumbled.

They walked to the desk to take the mission. Soap smiled and gave them the information where this Jacob guy was.

“He’s been at some bar for the past 3 weeks and the owner finally saw him and asked for help, so…Y/n you will have to be a dancer and Ghost you’re gonna be a patron for the bar,” Soap said.

Soap pulled out a tight tiny skimpy outfit. Ghost’s jaw dropped seeing it and Y/n held it against her body.

“Will this even fit?”

“It should, that is what his dancers wear.”

“Oh…shit…okay…” she said as she took the outfit and Ghost load up on ammo and made sure he had everything.

“Come on,” she said as they left the guild.

Soap chuckled as they left.

“Who would have known that those two will go on a mission together,” Price said coming around the bar.

“Yeah, from how much they hate each other figure Y/n would have fold and let him have it,” Soap chuckled again.

——————

“We take Betty,” Betty is Ghost’s horse.

“You can. I’ll walk,” she says as she made sure her dagger stayed put in her thigh.

“God you are so fucking stubborn, get on the goddamn horse.”

“No, dick, I’ll walk, I’ll meet you there,” she said as she walked away from him. He grabbed her wrist.

“Up.on.the.horse,” he says.

“Fine,” she gave in and got on the horses back. Ghost sat in front of her and instructed her to put her arms around his waist bit of course like usual, she refused to do so.

“Fine, suit yourself,” as he said that he clicked his tongue and flicked the reins which made Betty take off running which made Y/n wrap her arms around his waist.

She felt him chuckle as she looked over her shoulder and saw the beautiful city they lived become much smaller the farther they got.

She then looked forward knowing they have some time before they reach their destination.

———————

Betty came to to holt and Ghost got off her back and ‘helped’ Y/n, but she swatted his hand away from her waist.

“I don’t need your help, Ghost,” she said as she got off Betty.

“Whatever,” he put his hands up.

They stopped in the middle of some forest so they could take a little break and so Betty could get some water and food.

Y/n walked to the little river they stopped by and splashed water in her face. As she let the water fall on her, Ghost watched her and looked at her body.

Her thin white shirt soon was somewhat wet and she turned and he immediately looked away.

“Stop looking at me,” she said as she walked up to him and pushed his black cowboy hat down and cover his eyes.

“Can’t help it,” she could the smirk on his face. He pushed the hat back up on his head and surely enough she saw that stupid smirk.

“You’re such a pervert,” she mumbles.

“Am not,” he said as he got on Betty’s back and Y/n did too.

Ghost could feel her wet shirt pressed against his back and smirked at the fact he could also feel her harden nipples.

——————

They soon arrived at the town and Betty trotted around, they soon found the bar and Y/n got off first this time and opened the doors and Ghost tied Betty to a post.

Y/n went into the back where the girls were getting ready.

“Who the hell are you?” One of the girls asked and the others looked at Y/n.

“Umm~ I’m Y/n, I’m from North Guild, we got an ‘Wanted’ poster about some guy here and your boss wanted anyone to come and I was given this,” she showed off the outfit that matched the other girls.

“Oh, yes, thank you for coming,” the girl said. The whole rooms demeanor changed. It went from cold and serious to calm, bright and relief.

“I’m Candace, I’m the head girl here. Come with me,” she pushed open the curtains and pointed out Jacob at the bar.

“That’s him,” she said.

“He’s been here for so long and made us uncomfortable and has even threatened us too,” another girl said.

“Okay, my partner and I will take care of it.” Y/n said as she ducked back into the room.

“Who is your partner?” A girl on the bench asked.

“He’ll walk in soon,” she said as she removed her shirt and pants, leaving her in a matching pair of black panties and bra.

“He?” As one of the girls asked. They heard the bell above the door ring and the girls went to see who ‘he’ was.

They saw Ghost walk in, he fixed his hat, he adjusted his belt and sat a few seats away from Jacob.

“That’s him?” One asked.

“Yes,” Y/n said as she looked amazing in her outfit, she really looked like she belonged in this bar.

“WELCOME ALL TO HUDSONS BAR!” The announcer yelled catching the males attention to a stage. A bright light landed on him.

“Oh we have to get ready,” Candace said.

She pushes Y/n to the stage.

“H-hey wait,” Y/n said, she stood in the middle, since she was ‘new’ she would get the spotlight, she’ll get the most looks and the most men wanting her.

“It’s just for a little bit.”

“How long is a little bit?”

As she said that the curtains opened and the light landed on Y/n, who wasn’t even in the position as the rest of the girls. Candace gently pushed her to stand in their pose and to have her follow their lead.

Y/n felt uncomfortable being in the center, her face was red and she knew Ghost was probably enjoying her embarrassment.

But Ghost, he was more looking around on who he has to kill first for looking at her. He looked at the stage seeing her red face.

The girls soon made their way off stage as Y/n stayed on the stage. She felt even more embarrassed being alone up there.

She swayed her body like the others till she could hear the music slowly dying down which meant it was almost over. Soon she heard it stop, she brought her leg up and her arms up to look sexy bit really again she felt embarrassed. This is mainly why she does these missions alone.

The men clapped their hearts out and Ghost even clapped to make Y/n feel embarrassed.

She was ready to leave the stage but Candace stopped her.

“You’ll have to entertain them some more.”

“WHAT!? WHAT DO I EVEN DO!?” She yells.

“You’ll figure something out,” she smiles as the girls were now passing drinks and food around being waitresses.

“Fuck,” she mumbles as the music started again and she started just do random movies that she knows while also trying to look sexy and cute all at once.

“Mmmm~ this is so embarrassing,” she whispers to herself as she looked at Ghost to do something but Ghost just smiles at her embarrassment.

She got an idea to go talk to him. She seated her hips as she got off the stage, she passed the other men that drooled over her skimpy outfit. She placed her finger one of the guys chins making him ‘bark’ and coo out to her.

The others whistled to get her attention. But she moved to Ghost and placed her hands on his knees. She moved her body from side to side and leaned forward to his ear.

“Fucking do something,” she whispered. “I want to get this done and over with,” she said as she swayed away from him.

He just chuckles at her and moved to a free seat next to Jacob to talk to him.

“Which one would you pick?” Jacob immediately asked Ghost.

“Girl?”

“Yeah…” he looks at Ghost.

“I chose the hard working one.”

“Which is?”

“The one on stage,” Ghost taking a sip from his bourbon.

“Haha! I like you, I’d go with her and the head one,” he pints from Y/n to Candace.

“To do what actually?” Ghost asks.

“To fuck, to kill,” he says before gulping down his whiskey.

Ghost’s eyes widened at what he said.

"I'm gonna go smoke. You wanna come?" Jacob asked, grabbing a cigar from his pocket and Ghost nodded as he followed Jacob outside the bar. Ghost looked at Y/n who saw them leave and he titled his hat to her. Letting her know everything is under control.

The music stopped and Y/n went to the back room to catch her breath.

"Y/n, do you smoke?" Candace asked.

"No, not really," she says as Candace gave her a blanket.

"Well, you wanna take a break?"

"Yes, please," she said and followed her around back where, she saw Ghost and Jacob talking.

Candace leaned against the brick wall and lit her cigarette.

"So, how's the first day going?" She chuckles.

"Embarrassing."

"Well, I mean, you'll get over it in a couple days," she chuckles before blowing the smoke out.

"Hey ladies," Jacob said, walking to them both. Ghost looked at Y/n who seemed embarrassed that he was even looking at her.

"Oh hi," Candace said trying to not make it seem awkward.

"Are you two doing anything afterwards?"

"I have a husband to get home to," Candace said. Jacob looked at Y/n next.

"I umm~ I have a-"

"You're free," Jacob cut her off. Ghost looked at Jacob then at Y/n. Candace scoffed and grabbed Y/n's arm.

"We need to go back inside anyways," she said as they walked back inside.

--------

Ghost and Jacob were back inside the bar and Y/n was back dancing on stage. Ghost watched the guys look at Y/n and drool over her and even tried to give her money, but she greatly declined.

Ghost cracked his knuckles and neck. Y/n smiled as she felt comfortable now.

"I want to fuck her," Jacob said as Ghost felt fire run through his veins when he said that.

"Yeah, well...you'll probably never get to," Ghost said.

"The fuck does that mean?" Jacob asked, looking at Ghost.

"I mean, you'll never get to touch her or fuck her...want to know why?"

"Shoot why?" Jacob asked as Ghost could see his knuckles turn white.

"Because that's my job," he smirks, and Ghost could see Jacob ready to swing at him, but Ghost smacked his glass in his hand on Jacob's head.

Jacob fell to the ground and Ghost got on him, holding his wrist and digging in his belt to grab his ties to tie up Jacob, but Jacob managed to push Ghost off.

Y/n doesn't know if she should jump in or not. But everyone around her now started a bar fight. Glass flew and everyone was fighting, Candace pulled Y/n to the back, but she pushed past people and joined Ghost in on taking down Jacob.

She pinned his wrist and Ghost tied his hands.

"You know I would be into this if I wasn't going to be taken to jail," Jacob teased. He teasingly pushed his hips up and Y/n groaned from being uncomfortable.

"HEY!" Ghost then punched Jacobs in the face making him shut up. "Don't fucking do that to her," Ghost yells. Y/n got off him and Ghost picks him up.

"Ghost, Y/n," they both turned seeing the bar owner. He has money in his hands and gave it to Y/n. "Split it and I'll give you a horse to take him back the North Guild."

"Thank you, for the night he'll spend the night in jail, and we'll leave tomorrow morning."

-------

Ghost tossed Jacob into jail, and he turned to Y/n who was covering herself up, but Ghost stopped her.

"Why are you covering up?"

"I'm embarrassed and the job is done," she says. Ghost grabs her wrist and looks her up and down. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because you don't understand how sexy, beautiful and gorgeous you look in this outfit. I wanted to kill every single guy in that bar that looked at you like you were the last meal on the table. It pissed me off. And from how this bastard talked about you also pissed me off."

Ghost cups Y/n's face and gently and slowly moved close to her face, Y/n's face felt hot, and she felt Ghost's lips land on hers. She slightly moaned into the kiss.

"G-Ghost," she manages to say between kisses. He started to kiss her jaw line, neck and soon back to her lips. "N-Not here," she says. Ghost forgot they're kind of in public.

"Right come on," he picks her up and takes her to a motel. He kicks the door open and lays her on the bed.

"WAIT!" She speaks. Ghost just looked at her. He saw her hot and bothered face, she had her legs up trying to cover her almost exposed chest.

He moved her legs and started to strip her from her skimpy outfit. She slightly moaned feeling his soft hands touch her. She leans forward and grabs his black hat off his head. She put it on and smirked at him.

"Do I look like a cowgirl?" She teased.

"I can barely take you serious in a cowboy hat and your underwear," he chuckles.

"Is that a bad thing?" She said, resting her wrists on her knees looking sexy once again.

"No...not at all," he leans down and kisses her lips again, she felt him smirk into the kiss. "You know about the hat rule?" He asks.

"Hat rule?" She asked, placing her arms around his neck.

"When a girl puts a cowboy's hat on her head, it means she's going home with him..." he smirks.

"Well...I'm already here," she says. He smirks and now pulls her panties off her lower half, he leaned forward and started to kiss her again, he slowly and swiftly moved his hand up her back and started to remove her bra with one hand.

He moved his hand down to her area and gave her a small smack against her pussy. She yelped into the kiss and Ghost smirked, he chuckled at her jerky movement and hearing her moan against his lips.

He moved from her lips and moved his hat from her head and pushed her back on the bed, she held the hat against her chest as he started to move down to her clit.

He licked her up and down earning a soft moan from her, she hid her face, but she projected her moans for him. He smirked and licked between her wet folds. He flicked his tongue against her bud and sucked on her. She let out a breathy moan never feeling this good before.

"You taste so sweet," he teased. He then sat up and started to remove his clothes. Y/n moaned from not feeling him anymore.

"Awww you needy little thing," he smacks her pussy again earning a cute and soft moan.

He places his dick against her lower stomach, he moved the hat placing it back on his head. His mask was still on his face, but he removed his sunglasses off his face.

She looked down at his body and looked at his well-defined body, He was so muscular, it made her blush when she looked at his body.

"You like something you see, love?"

She just nodded. He grabbed her chin. "Words, love, use your words."

"Yes...I love everything that I am looking at," she said.

"Good because this is all yours," he touched his chest down to his dick and smacked his dick against her lower half earning a moan.

"God, you are so fucking hot," he mumbles and leans down and kissed her lips and slowly pushed himself inside of her lower half.

He began to thrust into her slowly, she moaned into the kiss and his hands just roamed all over her body, he grabbed her thighs and moved her legs to his shoulders and moved faster.

"AHH! AHH! G-Ghost w-wait," she stuttered.

"D-Do you want me to go slow?"

"F-For now p-please," she begged, and she could tell he was smirking under that mask.

"Only for you, love," he rested his forehead on hers and started to go slow again. "Just tell me t-to go fast," he kisses her temple.

Y/n's arms wrapped around his neck and her legs wrapped around his waist and his hands held Y/n against his hot body.

"F-Faster," she moans. He smirks and moves faster, she felt so good.

He swiftly flipped Y/n on her stomach, her face in the pillows and her ass up. Y/n's hands gripped the bed sheets for dear life.

Ghost's hands moved from her thighs to her ass, he grabbed them and squeezed her cheeks. His hands just rested on her ass the whole time.

"Holy f-fuck," he moans. Y/n felt a knot in her stomach, she wanted to cum on him.

Y/n squeezed her eyes shut and felt herself cum on him, he smirks and kept moving fast till he cums inside of her.

"P-Please cum i-inside of me, G-Ghost," she begs, and he did with one more thrust Ghost ends up coming inside of her pussy. She lets out a soft moan and Ghost smacks her ass and chuckles.

Ghost pulls out and bends down and licks the cum leaking from her lower half.

---------

Ghost sits on the bed and has a cigarette lit between his lips. His mask was lifted up passed his nose and has been looking down at the money and was splitting it up between him and Y/n as she was in the shower cleaning herself off.

He soon was done, and Y/n was out of the shower. She was in a towel and sat on the bed in front of Ghost.

"Did you split it evenly?"

"Yep," he said. He put his cig out and cups Y/n's face as she counted her money.

"Ghost?"

"God...I fucking love you...I've always had, I get on your nerves just so you can look at me and give me your attention, I love it, I love you, I want to be with you..." Ghost confesses to her.

"Ghost why do you...why are you a dick to me though?" She asks as he kisses her cheek.

"Because I want your attention," he kisses her jaw line.

"You've always had my attention you didn't need to be so extra to get it," she giggles at him.

"But sometimes I have to, just to get you to look at me or else König steals your attention away from me."

"So, that's why."

"What?"

"You're jealous of König and mines relationship," Y/n laughs. "Ghost, König and I are best friends, we're not together or anything and won't be together any time soon," she giggles and grabs his hands to wrap them around her waist. "To be honest...I thought you hated me so I would act mean, but you didn't hate me...you loved me." She teases him.

"I do love you...and I always will even if you don't..."

"Well, I do love you," she said as kissed his lips.

---------

Y/n and Ghost were now heading back home to the North. Jacob was laying across a donkey that Betty was pulling.

"Look, Ghost as ass riding an ass," Y/n laughs and so did Ghost. Jacob could say anything Ghost put a bandana in his mouth, and his hands still tied behind him.

They saw the North city up ahead and soon made it into town, they headed to the jail placing Jacob inside the cell and they went back to the Guild to report what they did to Soap.

Ghost helped Y/n off Betty and they walked into the Guild.

"SOAP WE GOT SOME NEWS!!" Ghost yells.

"Oh please, do tell," Soap laughs.

[runnning-outof-time]

3 . 5 K Follower Celebration — MASTERLIST

Here’s the list of the blurbs that I’ve written for my 3.5k Follower Celebration.

I hope you find something you’ll enjoy! 🧡

*listed in order they are/will be posted

Written & Posted:

All Of A Sudden - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “I love you.”

A Long Day - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Do you know you’re bleeding?”

A Run In With Her Past - John Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Who did this to you?”

Forget For Tonight - Arthur Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Please stay with me tonight.”

Don’t You Dare - John Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Don’t you dare.”

Good With Horses - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Forget I ever said that.”

To Unbearable Parties… - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “I didn’t get your name.”

Worth Much More - Arthur Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “I just need some quiet.”

What A Chain of Events - Arthur Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Are you jealous?”

That’s Not What Dad Said - John Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “How do babies get made?”

No One But You - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Look at me right now.”

Three Years - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Did you even miss me?”

Happy First - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Happy or sad?”

Should’ve Proved It - Arthur Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Then prove it.”

A Clear Mind On A Cool Day - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Isn’t it beautiful out here?”

From Another Angle - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “I believe this is yours.”

Put On the Spot - Arthur Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “How do babies get made?”

Some of Us Aren’t - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Please stop talking.”

A Contingency Plan - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Forget I ever said that.”

Get On Your Knees - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “I need you.”

Bedtime Stories - Tommy Shelby x Reader & Daughter — using the prompt “Happy or sad?”

I’m Walking Home - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Are you jealous?”

Sometimes It’s Still Required - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “You’re bleeding, (name).”

Gangsters Have Feelings…? - John Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Please stay with me tonight.”

You’re Home - Tommy Shelby x Reader (pre-canon) — using the prompt “I missed you.”

A Happy New Year - John Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “I didn’t get your name.”

But I Got Your Mind Off of It - John Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Listen to yourself.”

More Fun to Miss - Modern!John Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “You’re more fun to miss.”

Run in with a Cousin - John Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Are you jealous?”

To Keep You Safe - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “I don’t want to go.”

Come to Bed - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Come to bed.”

Take the Ring - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Look at me right now.”

Never Tired For You - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “You’re not hurt, are you?”

Just Some Puppy Love - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “I’ll break before I bend.”

Wasn’t Expecting You - John Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Did you even miss me?”

Exactly Like That - John Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Do you actually love me?”

Strictly Business - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Why’re you looking at me?”

An Unfortunate Accident - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Do you know you’re bleeding?”

I Don’t Care What They Say - John Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Look at me.”

Any Ideas? - Tommy Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Look at me right now.”

Can’t Think of A Happier Moment - Arthur Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Are you happy right now?”

We’ll Get Through This - Arthur Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “Why right now?”

What A Way to Meet Your Boss - Arthur Shelby x Reader — using the prompt “I didn’t get your name.”

Works By Other Authors:

“Yes or No?” - John Shelby x Reader — written by @raincoffeeandfandoms

What Was I Made For? - Tommy Shelby x Reader — written by @jomarch-wannabe

Perfect Lines - Arthur Shelby x Reader/OC — written by @call-sign-shark

Happy wife, Happy life - Tommy Shelby x Reader — written by @evita-shelby

“Did You Even Miss Me?” - Tommy Shelby x Reader — written by @zablife

All I Ask - Tommy Shelby x Reader — written by @look-at-the-soul

[five-miles-over]

Dandelions

Pairing: Loki x Reader

Summary: Having heard stories about the Norse god of mischief, you find yourself falling in love with Loki despite having never met him. Out of devotion, you prepare offerings that you think he would like, and find ways to express the way you feel. Little do you know that your feelings are not unrequited.

(Yes, this is fluff inspired by the song "Dandelions" by Ruth B)

Maybe it was the way that you said his name. Or maybe it was the way that you offered your love for him to claim.

Loki watched from the Bifrost, looking down as you went about your day on Midgard. It was almost time for one of his favorite moments of the day. A moment for which he would set all of his affairs on Asgard aside, instead turning his attention to you and only you, his Midgardian devotee.

Standing in the field three blocks away from your apartment, you adjusted your heavy coat and picked up a small, whitish-yellow flower, bringing it up to your lips. 

You closed your eyes and whispered,  "Loki, the son of Odin and the companion of Thor." 

And then you blew the dandelion, sending its seeds into the wind. When you opened your eyes, you placed the stem down and picked up another flower, invoking Loki again with a whisper. 

"Loki, the son of Odin and the companion of Thor." 

Reader POV: 

According to something you had read on the internet, the dandelion was known as Loki's Bloom. Since then, you began making a small habit of picking up the dandelions and blowing them in his name. You would do anything to bring the Norse God of Mischief into your life, despite some scholars saying that he was actually someone who shouldn't be wanted. 

The truth is that you nurtured a deep affection for Loki, ever since you had first read the stories about him and heard legends of his exploits from many an online scholar. You weren't sure what you loved the most about him: his cleverness, his intelligence, his playful nature, or his handsomeness (almost everyone in the stories- gods and goddesses and humans - described him as very good-looking). He was already one of the greatest heroes you'd ever believed in, even though you had never seen him in your life.

You began to create your own version of Loki, who soon became a source of comfort in your hectic, often anxiety-inducing life. He was a tall man with beautiful features: dark hair because it appealed to you the most, pale skin due to the climate, green eyes, and slender fingers that made every touch feel like magic. And he always knew the right thing to say at every moment, whether it was a witty remark that made you laugh or soothing words that eased your fears. 

You found often yourself dreaming about your Loki at night. Sometimes he was dining with the other gods in Asgard, sometimes he was riding upon a horse, sometimes he was conjuring spells and illusions in the Nine Realms, sometimes he was enticing a new lover into his bed, and sometimes he was in solitude, enjoying a piece of literature.

"Loki, the son of Odin and the companion of Thor," you silently wished when you opened your eyes and held your pillow close. "Grant me a companion with your wit, your mischief, your bewitching nature. If not you, then let me have someone just like you in my life."

And as your love for Loki grew stronger with every new facet you learned about him, you began looking for ways to show your affection for the god. A voice inside you said that Loki - a god living in Asgard or Jotunheim - might never pay attention to you, just another human, but…it felt good to be doing things for someone who had brought you such sweet dreams. And because you simply adored him. 

For months, you experimented with new recipes for cookies, breads, and cakes after reading an article about how the Norse God of Mischief enjoyed sweet offerings. Thanks to his blessings, most of them turned out delicious. After expressing your gratitude to Loki, you would whisper his name and present the dishes up as if offering it to him. Though he might never see or taste it, it still felt wonderful to perform acts of love in his name. 

Other things you did for Loki included reading aloud stories to him, saving digital photos of artwork you thought Loki would like, and most recently, wishing on dandelions. Wishing on dandelions for someone you might never see outside of dreams.

Back to Loki's POV: 

If only you knew the truth, my dear, Loki thought to himself. You were wrong to think that Loki did not know about the way that you felt about him. That he did not notice all the gestures that you performed to show him that you belonged to him. 

Loki tilted his head, and watched you with a smile. He had never known anybody like you, so devoted to pleasing him. He relished the fragrances of the baked delicacies you prepared in his name, the way you wafted the scent towards the heavens so that he could enjoy them. He was amused when you created a form for him to assume, one that made you fall in love with him even more. He was delighted by how fervently you wished for a companion just like him.

And now here you were, standing in a field of dandelions, wishing for the same thing. 

Knowing there was only one thing to do, Loki closed his eyes. 

When he opened them, he stood at the same field of dandelions where he'd seen you earlier. Lost in your own thoughts, you were gazing at the setting sun after wishing on several dandelions. Loki invoked a magic spell that transformed himself into the handsome, green-eyed man with chin-length hair who captured your heart. He transformed his clothing into a long-sleeved green tunic, dark trousers, and a suit of black and gold armor. Then, Loki picked another dandelion and offered it to you.

"Will you not wish upon this one, my lady?" 

You turned around, and Loki smirked. He stepped forward and gently placed his hand upon your cheek, your lip trembling at his touch. 

"You wished for me, did you not? Here I am." Loki gently said, watching the shock upon your face morph into a smile. "If only you knew how powerful you are, sweet one. You have brought a god at your mercy with your acts of love."

[ganondoodle]

some ramblings about the overworld and reusing of the map in totk

i was one of the people that didnt mind revisiting the same map bc i loved the world and would gladly rexplore it all again, i was confident theyd change it up so it felt fresh again .. but it really wasnt, but even if it wasnt i was fine with it bc i was sure theyd HAD to use the build up from botw, with the shiekah and yiga alone theres so much you could do, and a captivating story or characters are more important than any map change to me-

and then, most changes on the surface were artificially stuck onto the world, like some small boulders the size of a large boulder stuck onto a wall, weirdly fusing with it (but thats not relevant and doesnt have a reason either) which really doesnt change anything much, some caves and holes in the ground but nothing really substantial at all, the most changed was death mountain and the gerudo city (while the regions themselves didnt really change either .. no in any interesting way at least to the extend i saw in my what 200+ hours)

im no game dev expert but do know a little and changing up a model and breaking stuff off really isnt THAT much to do so i really dont understand why they dotted the world with useless rocks and little caves that are all extremely similar instead, but then change stuff that is WEIRD to change and would have been easier to leave as it was- like the shrine of life being scraped of the walls, or smoothing over the places were shiekah towers were in botw like they never existed in the first place, and then sometimes adding something for no reason (like apparetly theres a new useless tiny ruin on the akkala fortress??? why?? how?? and i heard someone say they changed how the big hole in one of the peaks of the big mountains looked, like the icy blue texture was removed?? i dont know if i went there in my playthrough but i dont doubt it lol) and instead of the holes of the big shiekah tech pillars being left its just .. filled up with dirt, just like the bit of the calamity ganon arena being jsut rock now and the pit being fileld with just dirt as well-

and theres MORE changes that are arguably MORE time consuming to do but are both unnecessary to do and also WEIRD, erase everything shiekah and say it all vanished into thin air while theres clearly guardian parts in the new, shittier, towers and one decayed left at the hateno institue, the ancient furnace isnt just GONE its filled with rocks that had no way to get there naturally

but then the rest of the world is pretty much the same, with very little changes and if its plopped onto it without actualyl meaning anything, even inconvenience you too, like the path to hateno being blocked by a fortress of monsters so you cant get there via horse, and even if you clear them out, with or without the quest, they just come back with the bloodmoon, i thoguht if i do it with the quest theyd be gone for good and clear the path again, but NO you participating in the fight means nothing but another checkmark bc they will redo it over and over and it will be blocked again anyway (but then the "pirates" which are also a monster fortress .... dont come back ... waht) or the blockage of the bridge at the twin mountains too, you cant actually change anything, the one in the gerudo valley is also just another weird blockage, do you want to force me to build stuff? no thanks ill just walk then and be annoyed about it bc thats way easier

(sidenote, satori being reduced to someone pointing at caves that doesnt even tell you if you did them already or not is so disrespectful, i loved satori bc it wasnt some player helper but a strange and beautiful being, it jsut lived there and you had to be careful to even catch a glimps of it, the atmosphere around it being creepy and otherworldly you dont know what its really capable of, like you are staring at a godly being you cannot talk to but it accepts you when you are there and leaves as soon as you let go of it.... and nows its just a cave pointer...)

so, especially if you played botw, it all very much feels like a retread but with little sprinkles and weird changes (or outright annoying ones like the shrine of life being licked of the walls) here and there and othertimes just plain annoying inconveniences, and then the main points of your quest are .... in the same spot as in botw as well, its at rito village, death mountain, gerudo town, zoras village ... its repetition is entirely unnecessary, you had interesting locations all over the map, put a temple into or under akkala fortress my god that things i BUILD for that, anything in akkala really, put another one high into the mountains, in or UNDER hateno?? the krog forest or the deku tree being one?? kakariko??? no ?? it jsut had to affect each species exactly where they are .. again, and even the temples are there so its not even a thing made there affects the town nearest but still far away enough to be different or the terrain literally leveled the ground and they are gonna have to look to settle elsewhere (the closest is gerudo town but like ... is it), its not just repetetive but also makes the regions feel WAY more disconnected and self contained, none of them care about each other or do anything but defend against the thing that conveniently affects them directly at the same place again and the activities are largely the same too, find shrine find krog

ok then we got the sky, .. which is largely empty with just some repeating minibosses or some get crystal to there thing, its empty and barren of life, not a single NPC ever goes up into the sky aside from two dungeons companions, despite them already using the sonau tech ballooons and what not and having literal bird people there AND being literally obsessed with anything sonau, rarely theres a construct there, a robot with little to tell and not really doing anything, the ruins dont tell a story either, its just .. there

then theres the underground and omg its just as big as the overworld map! and then the .. terrain and look of it is almost always the same (only in the gerudo region is it a little more sandy) with the same kind of sonau thingies being the same everywhere that dont even LOOK ancient, it bothers me so much, are you telling me this building has been here for well over 10 THOUSAND YEARS?? and then the lightroots ... are in the same spot as the shrines .. so its not even a discovery really bc you know where shrine or root is now .. and then every more important place is literally beneath surface important places (even under taburasa .. the town you newly built in botw) which again .. isnt really a discovery then, and then the map itself is just the surface map but inverted, which to some may be a neat thing but, to me ... so its the surface AGAIN but more boring bc it doesnt have any regional differences too and then they have the gall to put the old amiibo stuff there (the labyrinths??? you go throguh all that and its just the renamed same armor from botws DLC??? how dare you), or some crystal things for your battery that are just another currency that has to be exchanged twice to specific people to be most useful- and the big weird magician statues ?? man idk if i should help this one, the giant mech like statue is giving me the creeps, and how the hell is it talking through the statues of thE GODDESS??? HUH´? and then it turns out its just a guys that sells you largely useless stuff for yet another currency you can only use at few specific spots

even the enemies are the same aside from mini- and gigamas, it even repeats the enemies from the surface

the best part of the underground/surface are the yiga, and even they are made kinda boring, in the underground its little outposts that give you some crystal currency and blueprints for autobuild i bet you arent ever gonna use, the most valuable thing is their little diaries and on the bigger spots koga (he is surperior to every single other character, sorry gan) but even kogas questline is like .. removed from everything else, its its own contained thing ocne again ... the arenas that are kinda fun to do but ultimately

you have a barely changed map from botw, a largely empty sky with some rather boring shrines or minibosses that get used over and over and no story to tell really, and then the entire map of the surface again with important points and shrine points being repeated as well

and then you get option over option to skip any traversal of all that too, with ultrahand and the towers and the ceiling jump and fast travel its a repetetive map twice and one largely empty with out skipping from point a to point b

i know how difficult game dev is, but in all those years with a giant team and money this is it? and not even the story has anything to go for? how do you take the addictive exploration of botw and turn it boring

anyway, yet another ramble taking me the entire evenign to write, again, this is not meant as blind hatred but an expression of my feelings and thoughts about it and for this one why it felt so weird and boring to explore ... the thing i like so much about botw ..

[ginoeh]

Dream’s Coat (TM), pretty please??

@chaosheadspace asked for the same! Here you go, lovelies...

This is probably not what you think it is. Or, idk, maybe it's exactly what you think it is? Because both of you know that I'm actually a little dark angst writer at heart lol. 

Okay, so this started a long time ago (read: in March last year) in a wild and hilarious brainstorming session that I saved the transcript of. So far, this is more of an intriguing concept to make Hob suffer and Dream repent - eventually at least. I haven't touched it in a while; I'd have to really dig into Dream's fucking ugly side - the 10000 years in hell side - to get this going.

It all started with a 'what-if' variation of @messmonte 's Saddest Wank (1889 instead of 1989!) because in that drawing, Dream didn't just leave his gloves, he also left his Cloak. Here, this has pretty severe consequences. In SoM, the story gets told of how Dream takes Nada into the Cloak where they have sex unbothered by anyone's gaze. So there we have a ‘magical cloak’ with space-time special features… 

~~~

Now here is Hob, in 1889, drunk and sad and wearing Dream's gloves to get himself off in a seedy room above the White Horse. He took the garments his Stranger left behind in a mixture of spite and pathetic hope that he might come back for them. He doesn't, of course. 

(Snippets and more details under the cut)

(Hob doesn't know that Jessamy *has* actually come back to get them and gets to witness what is going on. This, as well, has consequences)

After, he rolls over onto the cloak he has been gripping, disgusted with himself but still unable to let go of the pathetic need to be close to the Stranger. But instead of falling asleep, he falls into the star-studded folds of the cloak. 

And falls and falls and falls. 

He  barely manages to keep a grip on the strangely wispy fabric. It's what saves him, at first. Because Hob has just managed to accidentally yeet himself into outer space. The cloak is the only thing that's keeping him whole and sustained as a living being, as it were. 

(Jessamy is unfortunate bystander to this. She takes off to the Dreaming immediately and informs Dream of his ‘acquaintance's’ mishap. She's worried - she actually likes Hob and knows that Dream does so, as well. Dream though, is still furious. 

“Let him enjoy this new experience then”, he says and Jessamy recognizes the stubborn curl to her Lord's mouth. “May he experience the meaning of true loneliness for a while.”

Jessamy rather thinks that Lord Morpheus is really tipping his hand there about *who* had it right at their meeting but she'd never dare to point that out. 

She has a really really bad feeling about what this might mean for Hob Gadling, though. Since her Lord is so intent on forgetting that the immortal is, above all else, human and as such not made to sustain himself outside of his own world.

And besides, he is a Dreamer. Lord Morpheus will surely reconsider soon and bring him back.

But as time passes, he does not. 

Hob Gadling is not one of Dream's priorities, after all. In the face of the Universe nearly unravelling, the Corinthian's disobediance and its fallout, Hob Gadling gets forgotten for the better part of a century.)

On the other end of the universe, Hob's life is an unending and undying nightmare. He is neither starving, freezing nor suffocating - not that he knows that he should do the last two - but there is nothing around him but the vastness of space. No sound, no smell, no touch but that of the cloak around his shoulders. He is truly alone for the first time in his existence. 

Until, suddenly, he isn't.

“Oh my what do we have here,” a voice resounds inside his head. His perception slides sideways, something breaks somewhere in his mind and then there is the form of a voluptuous, incandescently beautiful woman that takes over everything around him. 

“A human - here! Covered in my Dream's regard!”

She stretches a hand towards him and Hob thinks that space has decided to cease existing. Maybe he's going mad.

“If I keep you, do you think my son will visit?”

***

Dream does, of course, remember Hob eventually. The horror that rises in Dream, still caught in Burgess’ basement, over what he has allowed a Dreamer to suffer for his own mistake, is as dark and deep and cold as the black hole he has once been cast into. 

After he escapes and has gathered his tools, he searches out his sister.

“Hob Gadling? No, he hasn't asked for me.” 

She falls silent for a moment before leveling a longsuffering and suspicious look at him.

“Is there a particular reason you're asking me this?”

Dream closes his eyes and shreds the rest of the mauled baguette between his fingers.

“He may have. Fallen though an actualized piece of my power. Into space. And I may have been. Too angry to care. At the time.”

There is the rustle of clothes and he feels Death kneeling before him. Her voice, when she speaks, is very soft and very serious.

“Dream? When, exactly, has this happened.”

He opens his eyes. 

“Hob Gadling has suffered my wrath since 1889, sister. I hurt a Dreamer, unprovoked.”

“Oh, Dream.” 

He cannot bear the horrified pity on his sister's face. 

“How shall I -” His words fail him.

“Go and get him back, Dream. Now. Hob Gadling hasn't called for me - yet. If that will help you, though, I don't know.”

~~~

Or: A pathetic wank and Dream's canonically bad decision making skills meets the 'meeting the parents trope' but make it eldritch horror. Then add a magical healing journey afterwards an voilá - you get this.

Yeah I can still make this Dreamling despite their horrifically bad start. Watch me lol.

[niqhtlord01]

Humans are weird: An Important Mission

 ( Please come see me on my new patreon and support me for early access to stories and personal story requests :D https://www.patreon.com/NiqhtLord Every bit helps)       Human: Breaching atmosphere……now.

*Shuttle shakes back and forth*

Alien: You’ve done this before, right?

Human: Hundreds of times.

Alien: So there is no risk?

Human: Well… I wouldn’t say that.

Alien: *Starts having panic attack*

Human: I’m kidding.

Human: We’ll be fine.

Alien: You didn’t tell me what this special mission was for.

Human: I told you it was classified.

Alien: Then why bring me at all?

Human: I needed your hangar bay credentials to help complete the mission.

Alien: If I am so important to the success of this mission I feel like I have earned the right to know.

Human: Once we hit the ground and confirm with the second team all will be made clear.

Alien: Second team?

Human: That’s right.

Human: Bravo team launched the same time we did and is making their way to their objective now.

Human: *Flips comms switch*

Human: This is Charlie horse to Grazer Taser, do you copy?

*Over radio* This is Grazer Taser.

Human: Any problems?

*Over radio* None yet. We’ll be at the LZ in twenty.

Human: Roger; will contact again once in position.

Alien: Was that human Alan from the mess?

Human: You’ve got a keen ear my friend.

Alien: Why would the captain send a crewman from the mess hall on an away mission?

*Shuttle shakes violently and then stops.*

Human: Hold that thought, we’ve just passed into the green zone.

Human: *pauses to check scanners and begins altering course.*

Alien: *Walks to the cockpit and looks out over alien world*

*Mountain peaks that taller than any skyscraper surround them like the jaws of some great beast. Dry and withered sand dunes fill the valleys between them as little to no sign of vegetation can be seen in any direction.*

Alien: It’s beautiful.

Human: It really is.

*Shuttle begins slowly descending into one of the valleys*

Human: Helmets on, we’re here.

Alien: *Puts on space helmet and locks seal*

Human: *Lands the ship, then comes over to inspect alien spacesuit.*

Alien: *Gets thumbs up from human and in turn inspects their spacesuit before returning the gesture.*

Human: Popping the lid.

*Boarding ramp lowers down to the surface and the pair step out on to the alien world.*

Human: *Pulls out scanner and begins reading the area*

Human: *Points* Over there.

*Pair walk away from the ship for about thirty feet before the scanner begins beeping loudly*

Alien: Alright, now what?

*No response*

Alien: *Turns around to see human pull something out of a pouch and place it on the ground*

Alien: What is that?

Human: *Over comms* Grazer Taser the package is in place, how about yours?

*Over radio* Package has been placed, mission complete.

Alien: What?

Alien: Why is the mission completed?

Alien: What did you-

Alien: *Looks closer at object on the ground*

Alien: Is that bread?

Human: Yes.

Alien: Why did you put it on the ground?

Human: To make a sandwich.

Alien: But you would need tw-

*Coin drops*

Alien: Where is the second team?

Human: On the other side of the planet.

Alien: *Sighs loudly and painfully*

Human: We’ve just made the largest sandwich in the universe!

*Starts cheering and jumping around like an idiot*

Alien: This was the secret mission!?

Human: Well we had to do this before Becky did it.

Alien: Who the frak is “Becky”?

Human: She works in maintenance and she overheard me and my friend wanting to do this and so she started telling the crew that it was actually her idea and she was going to be the first to make a planet sandwich,

Alien: So you talked the captain into letting you do this?

Human: Yeah….about that.

*Over the radio*

Captain: Will someone care to explain why two of my shuttles are now planet side?

[momolady]

Sleeping Beauty: Author's April #4

(This was intended to be the sequel to my Huntress in the Castle story. It would have been about them rescuing Nadine and solving the curse on the castle once and for all.)

One:

My brothers had thought life in the royal palace would be boring. They were used to doing what they wished, going wherever they pleased. In the palace they had certain restrictions, but outside they were given free run. Even among the knights, which is where they spent most of their time. They trained with the knights, challenging them to playful bouts.

Beyond the palace walls they mingled among the common people easily, after all that was who we were. They went to the sea, fishing and running about the docks. They traded amongst the shops and cobblers. And even within the palace their individual interests were met.

D’Arcy had become the royal physicians assistant, and was often found with the Queen’s apothecary. Craig took to the horse houses and the animals of the palace. The queen kept quite the menagerie in the garden. Finn was often either at sea or with the knights. Or causing trouble. But that was normal Finn. Peadar was the same as well, often keeping to himself, watching the others with a kindly eye. He would place himself in the gardens or in the kitchen where he could watch the comings and goings with ease. And the kitchen did feel more like home.

The only one who couldn’t seem to find his place was Niall. I tried to keep him company as much as I could, but he knew my place now was beside Vered, at the forefront of the royal family. And sure, he found pastimes to occupy him, but unlike the others, his nook in the new life hadn’t been chipped out yet.

“I’m sure once the castle in the forest is done, it’ll be easier.” Vered explained to him one evening. I was glad the two had gotten to know one another. And they were both similar in the regards that they both weren’t fitting in well.

“I do miss the village.” Niall sighed.

Vered smiled. “Why don’t we plan a hunting trip. Just us men.”

Niall laughed. “And leave Fianna alone? She would probably wreck something.”

Vered nodded. “That might be true. But she knows more than anyone that you need it.”

Niall sighed, shaking his head. “This is all I ever wanted for my family. Never wanting for anything. Never having to risk our necks for our next meal. But, I still feel so uncomfortable. Like I’m missing something.”

Vered nodded. “You haven’t found your fate yet.”

“What? Like my Gran’s stories?” Niall scoffed.

Vered laughed at him. “They worked out for your sister. Fantastically so.” He leaned against the railing of the veranda. “Didn’t Granny tell you boys any stories?”

“Some.” Niall answered with a shrug. “But we were boys, we didn’t listen. Fianna was the only one who paid her any mind, let alone believe her.”

Vered smirked. “Well, I bet you’ll listen now.”

“My Gran told me I’d slay a dragon.” Niall scoffed. “There are not such things. No such creatures.”

Vered slapped his palms to his chest. “And I was a horrible beast.”

Niall hesitated, doubting himself for just a moment.

Vered laughed then. “So what is to say you aren’t going to slay a dragon? You saw with your own eyes what is inside me. You saw your sister die and yet she lives.” His eyes narrowed on Niall. “I dare you to listen to Granny now. We’ll see what fate has for you, dragons and all.”

Niall felt shaken to his core. If she had been right about me all these years, imagine what else she was correct about. If Niall had remembered correctly and he was to slay a dragon…well good lord! That meant he was to slay a dragon.

It took Niall some time to actually go see Granny. He went to several others before actually going to see her. It wasn’t like Niall to get the straight answer right away. First, he came to see me and Peadar, since we were both in the library together.

“When Granny told you stories about Vered-”

I shook my head. “She never told me about Vered. She never told me about anything, except that there was an evil in the forest meant for me.”

Niall cocked a brow at me.

“It isn’t her place to reveal the future.” I said. “I wasn’t supposed to know what was going to happen to me.”

“You worried about what you didn’t listen to?” Peadar asked.

Niall scoffed. “And you actually listened to her stories?”

“I listened because she’s Granny. Believe it?” Peadar shrugged. “Up until I saw Vered I didn’t believe what she told me. Now, I’m starting to.”

Niall flaps his arms out, exasperated. “Oy, yeah? And what did she tell you?” He asked huffishly.

Peadar and I exchanged looks, he had been telling me some of the tales Granny had told him since we had gotten to the royal palace. We both smiled, laughing to ourselves.

“Granny told me to pay very close attention to women’s shoes.”

Niall’s mouth hung open. “And you are just going to believe her?”

I laughed, covering my mouth to keep from laughing to loud.

Peadar put his hand on the top of my head. “She told Fianna there was an evil meant for her. If all I have to do is study women’s fashion then so be it.” He chuckled.

“Do you even remember what Granny told you?” I asked.

Niall looked away, arms crossed tightly against his chest, bottom lip protruding farther out than usual.

“Oh come on!” Peadar scoffed.

Niall sighed, letting his arms slip back to his sides. “She told me…she told me I’d slay a dragon.”

Peader nudged me. “Well…excuse me and my shoes then.”

I furrowed my brow. “You should be talking to Granny, Niall.”

Niall sighed, rubbing his chin and looking out the window. “Yeah.” He sighed, turning on his heel and leaving us.

Peadar looked at me. “He’s avoiding it.” He explained. “I don’t think he wants to admit that he was wrong.”

I pursed my lips. “He won’t be able to avoid it for long.”

Niall found the twins and D’Arcy in the kitchen, eating fruit the serving girls sliced for them with giddy joy.

“I don’t remember what Gran told me.” Finn shrugged, biting into an apple.

D’Arcy rubbed his chin in thought. “I remember her saying something like…I will be surrounded by beautiful women.”

Finn and Craig busted out laughing.

“You can’t be serious?” Niall scoffed. “She told Peadar to keep an eye on women’s shoes!”

Craig cleared his throat. “Well, Gran always tells me to stay away from wolves. But I just thought that was common knowledge.”

Finn coughed and slapped his hands together. “I remember now! I remember!” He coughed again, almost choking on apple in his excitement. “Gran told me to listen to cats!”

Niall threw up his arms in frustration. “Shoes? Women? Wolves and cats? Is this woman really being serious?”

The three exchanged looks. “She was right about Fianna.” D’Arcy said. “Sure, her tales sound exaggerated, but I believe she’s right.”

“What’d Gran tell you?” Finn asked.

Niall sighed. “That I would have to slay a dragon.”

“Ooh!” Finn giggled. “Wanna trade for my cat?”

“Just go talk to Gran.” Craig sighed. “Get the straight answer from the source. Don’t keep trying to avoid it. Might turn out the dragon is a metaphor for something.”

“And my women are a metaphor for what then?” D’Arcy laughed.

“Madness?” Finn chuckled, winking at a serving girl as she walked by.

“Just go talk to Gran,” D’Arcy scoffed. “What? You afraid that she’s right? Don’t wanna hear what’s good for ya?”

Niall picked up an orange wedge. “How is hearing that I may get eaten by a dragon good for me?” He laughed, placing the orange wedge between his lips.

“It’s belly could be full of gold.” Finn retorted. “I’m sure if the thing is big enough, and it swallows ya whole-”

“Oh really, Finn.” Craig scoffed.

Niall sighed, rolling his eyes. “Guess there is no avoiding it.” He shrugged then and pursed his lips. “Gotta go talk to Gran.”

Granny was all but eager to finally talk to Niall. Most of the boys had come to her, just to double check if the stories she had been feeding them were true.

“I’m glad you finally came to me, Niall.” She said, tucking into the chair before him. “I was beginning to get afraid you would leave without being prepared.”

“Leave?” Niall asked.

Granny nodded. “Oh yes, Fianna and Vered are going to ask you to accompany them to view on the progress of the palace soon.”

Niall shook his head. “I haven’t heard of this.”

Granny’s hand whipped out, slapping his hand. “Of course not! They don’t even know yet. But a letter will arrive soon, and then you’ll go.”

“Go to what?” Niall gasped. “You always told Fianna she had an evil meant for her.” He brought his palms to his chest. “What is meant for me? You told me when I was young I would slay a dragon!”

Granny nodded knowingly, stroking her long braid. “Ah yes. I was excited with you. You being the eldest and having such an amazing journey ahead of you. I let too much slip there.”

Niall laughed. “You’re serious!” He exclaimed. “An actual dragon?”

Granny shook her head, clicking her tongue. “I shouldn’t say anything else on the matter.” She sighed. “But, since you know that bit already,” she reached out, gently holding Niall’s hand. “You are so important to this family Niall. You have always had to be the strongest. But sometimes, showing what makes you vulnerable is nothing to frown at. It is often in our darkest times, when we have nothing at all, that we show our true strength.”

Niall thought about me then. Remembering the night I had fought Vered. It hadn’t been my strength, or my blade that had defeated the monster. No. Niall could remember standing there seeing my bow before the beast, he thought he would never see me again, his last vision of me being that of my bloody death. Instead, he saw something remarkable, he saw me save us all.

Granny leaned closer to Niall, holding his face between her palms. “No matter how you fight it, you will need someone to take care of you sometimes.”

Niall nodded slowly. “But…what does that have to do with-” He stopped himself and laughed. “Thank you Granny.”

She smiled. “Good boy.

Niall leaned back in his chair, looking over into the fireplace. He and Granny sat in a peaceful quiet for a moment. Granny drank her tea and finished darning one of Finn’s socks. It was when she pulled out my veil that Niall began to feel eager about his fate.

“How come Peadar only has to worry about shoes?” Niall asked, a broad smile on his face.

Granny smiled up at him. “Oh believe me, you’re going to think dragons look pretty good when you see what your brothers have to deal with.” She laughed.

Niall reached out, holding onto the end of the sheer silk of my veil. Granny was working hard, making her fingers ache, to get the beading just right. The Queen had given her special beads made of this crystal with a mother of pearl like shimmer to them.

“When I was a young girl, I never would of dreamed of this.” Granny sighed. “I had never even seen a castle in my lifetime. And here I am, living in one.”

“You never foresaw this?” Niall asked.

Granny shook her head. “I don’t like poking around into my own future.” She plucked a bead from the tin. “Oh no. Too many problems come with that.” She clicked her tongue. “I did use it to make some money, back when I was young and when your grandfather passed.”

Niall knew Granny had always wanted to go back to being a fortune teller when his mother and father both died. But Niall wanted Granny to be comfortable, he wanted to earn the family’s bread. Granny had paid her way many a time, she deserved a respite.

“I haven’t gone very far in my life,” Granny continued. “But I have seen things that would make your eyes pop clear out of your head!” She said with a proud bob of her head.

“If looking into the future is so bad, Gran, how come you did it for us?” Niall asked, leaning towards her.

Granny smiled gently, knowingly. “Because you want to protect those you love. I wanted to make sure you brats turned out happy, safe. I’d do anything for you.”

Niall reached out, holding Granny’s hand for a moment, then released her to continue her beading work.

That night, Niall woke up from a sound sleep. The world was pitch black, save for the sliver of light coming through his curtains. For the split second his eyes were open, he saw something move, something faint. He closed his eyes again and then opened them wide in a flash, realizing what he had seen was a person.

He sat up with a jolt in bed, there was something pulling open the crutains. A pale, white hand stretching into the moonlight and smoothing their hand across the cold glass. Niall was stunned, he was frozen in place. What was this specter he was seeing.

The figure turned, face illuminated my the moonlight. She watched Niall with a curiosity, a small sigh escaped her and she sat on the windowsill, looking out over the castle.

“Excuse me.” Niall said.

The girl jumped, turning and looking at him with wide eyed fright. “Puh-pardon?” She gasped, her long auburn hair cascading off her shoulder.

“What are you doing in my room?” Niall scoffed.

The girl looked from side to side, wide blue windows of disbelief. She looked back at Niall, brow pursed. “You can see me?”

“As plan as day!” Niall snapped as he rose from bed.

“That…that can’t be.” She scoffed, standing herself. “Wait, aren’t you Fianna’s brother?”

“Do not change the subject.” Niall scoffed. “Who are you and what are doing in-” The woman’s hand went through Niall like a cold breeze. There was no substance to her, just shadow.

The woman watched, Niall slack jawed and stumbling back to his bed.

“You held me once.” The woman said. “You were the first man to ever hold me besides my father or brother.”

All Niall could do was stare up at her. A ghost!

“I’m Nadine.” The woman answered, folding her hands against her skirt.

“But…but they said you died.” Niall whispered.

Nadine shrugged. “Maybe I am. Maybe I’m not.” She shook her head. “I can’t figure it out. I don’t even know why I’m still here. You’re the first one who has even been aware of me.” She sat down on the windowsill again pulling her knees up to her chest.

Niall shook his head. “How long have you been here?”

Nadine shook her head. “I could not say. A day. A year. Forever? I have completely lost my sense of time or reasoning. One moment, I was dying. The next I am…wandering.” She turned her head, looking out.

Niall stood up, walking to the window and looking over Nadine. Her long, dark auburn hair, splayed out in a million soft waves down her back. Her skin, white and fragile as porcelain. But she had the strong, regal features that Vered did. There was no use arguing that they were related. They even had the same haunting, blue eyes.

Nadine looked up at him. “Or perhaps you are dreaming.” She retorted. “Perhaps this is all just a trick of your mind. Maybe your mind recreated me to help ease your ill-ease in the palace.”

Niall shook his head, breathless. “That must be it.”

Nadine laughed. “Oh wouldn’t that be a wonderful solution for us all.” She looked away from the window, folding her fingers under her sharp chin. “I haven’t talked to anyone besides my brother in so long.” She chuckled softly. “I barely talked to Fianna I admit. I was terrified of her.”

Niall chuckled at this. All his life, all he could remember doing was talking to me. From the moment I was born I was his.

“She talked about you a lot.” Nadine replied. “I didn’t realize one could love their family so much.”

“But you stayed with Vered all that time.”

Nadine shook her head slowly, almost not moving. “I had to. What I would of given to run away, to leave him behind and…and all alone.” Tears began to dribble down Nadine’s cheeks. “And then…then he changed, and that scared me more.”

Niall sat back in the window, opposite Nadine. “Siblings tend to do that. Like…I can remember when Finn was little. He was scared of his own shadow.” He laughed. “I see him now and wonder where that frightened little creature went.”

Nadine nodded softly. “And what about Fianna?”

Niall sighed, thinking about me as a little girl again. “She used to cling to me. She wouldn’t let me out of her sight, and when I did she just hollered.”

Nadine cracked a smile through her tears.

“And then one day…” Niall became distant for a moment. “One day I realized she didn’t need me. And that was when I began clinging to her.”

“And now?” Nadine’s voice a barely audible whisper.

Niall stared beyond sight, he looked inside, all around himself. “And now…it’s my turn to face my fate like she did. I can’t cling to my family anymore.”

Nadine was wiping at her face then and Niall held his hand out to her, presenting her with a handkerchief. “Don’t cry, please.”

Nadine took it gingerly from his fingers. “It has been a while since a man has offered his hand to me.” She murmured, looking at the handkerchief as if it were made of gold and jewels. “Thank you, Niall.”

“Niall.”

He bolted upright in bed, nearly half scaring me to death.

He looked at me in disbelief. The world around him was bright with morning light now, not midnight blue. “Fianna?”

I nod. “I came to get you, you slept clear through breakfast.”

“I did?” He gasped breathlessly.

“Yes.” I furrowed my brow at him, studying him closely. “Are you alright?”

He shakes his head. “I had the strangest of dreams.” His eyes wander back to the window where Nadine had been sitting. He could see her perfectly. How could that have been a dream?

“What was the dream?” I asked.

“I’m not sure.” He lied. “There was a girl, and she was alone…I think she wanted a friend.”

I tilted my head onto my shoulder, watching Niall’s somewhat lost expression. I brushed the hair away from his forehead. “Are you sure you slept?” I slipped the pad of my finger across the dark circles under his eyes. “You look like you haven’t slept at all.” My hand falls back to my side. “Why don’t I bring you a small bite to eat and then you just try to get some rest?”

He shakes his head at me and begins to stand. “I promised to take the twins out to the sea today. They wanted to go fishing again.”

“They go fishing at least four times a week these days!” I easily shove Niall back into bed. Almost too easily. It scared me for a moment.

Niall chuckled. “You’ve gotten stronger.”

“I don’t like that, Niall. Stay in bed.” I commanded. “I’ll get D’Arcy or Vered to take the twins fishing. I’ll go myself if I have to. But I really do think you should stay in bed.”

Niall stood again. “I just need to get something to eat is all. Go on. I’ll be down in a few minuets.”

I didn’t like it, but I silently conceded and left his room. I went and found Vered, hoping his company could somehow ease my mind. I found him in the library, having taken his lunch and scurried off there were he felt more comfortable. He sat before the fire, a roll in one hand and a book in the other.

I slipped my arm around his waist and curled into him. He was reading another book filled with the language I couldn’t read.

“Something is wrong.” He said to me, setting down the book.

I shrug. “I’m sure it isn’t anything. It’s Niall.”

Vered lifts my hand and kisses the cup of my palm. He stalls for a moment and I hear him sniff.

“What?” I scoff at him.

He looks down at me confused and bewildered. “You smell like my sister.”

“Nadine?”

Vered smells my palm again. “It’s faint, but I can tell it is there. I could not mistake that scent.”

I turn and hold my palm to my nose. Of course, only Vered and his beastly senses could detect something so faint. “That can’t be possible. She vanished in the garden.”

Vered’s eyes were distant, hazy. “Yes but…where could that scent have come from?”

“I only touched Niall.” I say. “He held Nadine in the castle when we came to look for you. But that was ages ago.”

Vered shook his head. “I have not smelled it on him since either. It’s baffling me.”

Two:

She was there again, as if waiting on him to return from wherever he had gone. They didn’t speak at first, just acknowledged each other’s presence. The library was such a great, grand place, with so much to occupy yourself with. And Nadine seemed absorbed in a massive, old tome. She had it sat on the floor before her, the pages and her skin aglow in the light of the fireplace.

Niall sat up on the sofa, feeling pretty assured he had fallen asleep there while talking to me and Vered.

“Do you like poetry?” Nadine asked suddenly. She looked up at him and curled her legs under herself.

Niall shook his head slowly, still comprehending these strange encounters. “My mother used to read it to me when I was a child.” He looked down, seeing the ornate pages of the book spread open before Nadine. “But I’m afraid I haven’t encountered anymore since.”

“Your mother.” Nadine murmured softly. “Fianna didn’t speak much of her.”

I shook my head. “She died when Fianna was just a baby.” I put my forearms against my knees, leaning over. “All Fianna has known is Granny and us.”

“And how did that happen?” Nadine asked.

Niall chuckled. “And how did you happen?”

Nadine smiled softly, unsurely. “An accident.”

My brother nodded, fiddling his thumbs. “My father was an accident.” He said with a gentle nod. “He got gored by a wild boar.”

Nadine averted her eyes. “Oh…”

“I think that’s why D’Arcy took such an interest in medicine…because the doctor of our village couldn’t really do anything.” Niall’s dark eyes took the chance to scan over Nadine, her pale skin, fragile looking hands. The sharp outline of her face was what stuck out most to him. Her thin, pointed nose. Her small but shapely mouth. She reminded him of brambles and thorns. Thin and delicate, but he knew if he moved at her without caution, he would bleed.

“Fianna hadn’t even been born yet.” Niall then chuckled. “Actually, Fianna hadn’t even begun to show in mother yet. We only had Granny’s word to go on we had a sister coming.”

Nadine looked back up at Niall. “How old were you then?”

“Old enough, but still not old enough to take care of a family of six, soon to be seven.” Niall answered lowly. “We had to rely on Granny back then.”

“Her fortunes.” Nadine beamed.

Niall nodded. “Yes, her fortune telling.” He studied Nadine’s smile, so faint and sweet, and even baring the same color as the berries that grew just at the edge of the forest he loved so much. “Did Fianna talk that much about us?”

“Vered liked it when she did.” Nadine answered with a slight nod. “He liked the smile it brought to her face.”

Niall nodded slightly, leaning towards her. “You said Fianna scared you.”

Nadine sighed, a shy smile appearing on her face. “I just knew she was meant for Vered,” she murmured. “What else could of brought her to the castle? From the moment she forced herself inside, I knew. She was, is, so strong.”

“But…” Niall tried to pick his words carefully, “why afraid?”

Nadine’s smile vanished and she stared blankly into the fireplace. She smoothed her palm out, pressing into the spine of the book that was open in her lap. “I realized…that no one would come for me.” She avoided his suddenly sympathetic stare and shook her head. “That was my curse.”

“Then what am I?”

She shook her head again. “Who knows?” She laughed. “I still can’t figure out what I am.”

Niall reached out tentatively, placing his hand over hers. Nadine jerked, then shivered. She looked down at his hand, up his arm, and then into Niall’s eyes. “You scare me, too.”

Niall laughed softly. “Why?”

Nadine tried to avoid his gaze, but she couldn’t force herself to look away from him. She trembled under his hand. “Because I won’t be able to stay with you.” Her voice the flicker of a dying flame. “I can’t keep you.”

Niall’s eyes widened. “Nadine?”

She stood suddenly, the book slipped from her lap and bursting into dust. “I’m sorry. I can’t…” She then took off running, becoming a wind. A wind that blew out the fire, leaving Niall in shadows.

“Nadine!” Niall sat up shouting.

“Who?”

Niall turned, seeing D’Arcy sitting by himself at a table, books open before him. He turned, looking at the fireplace roaring, at the floor where the book had turned to dust, it was clean.

“Have a bad dream?” D’Arcy asked, shutting the book before him.

Niall ran his fingers through his hair. “No…” He stood up. “I need to see Vered.” He said as he began walking out of the library.

“He and Fianna are in the garden!” D’Arcy called after him.

Before Niall had even reached the garden Vered began to twitch. He turned his nose up to the wind and inhaled deeply.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

He looked ahead, eyes wide, but brows cocked suspiciously. “I smell her again.”

My mouth hung open slightly. “You mean, Nadine?”

He turned abruptly, twisting around me and bracing himself towards the door as Niall came running out.

“Niall?” Vered and I echo each other.