#while taking Marcus captive

[faydingrain]

In response to the WIP game, I’d love to hear more about your Love OC and/or the fic you’re working on with them! I hope you’re having a lovely day! 💕

-Lexi Sun ☀️

Sooo I personally really miss the yandere aspect of Love, so I kept it alive with Eden! (Who identifies as female!) I let things play out for her like they do in canon with how the Code gets removed and Marcus gets booted from the company. However, eventually, Eden gets bored with the monotony of the place and happens to remember that the only person who ever treated her anything more than a big piece of tech was Marcus.

(This got a little long so here's a read more link;;;;)

She goes down a mental rabbit hole focusing on the only warmth she ever had in her life, very much acting in a similar fashion to how the Code made her without even having it active. Then, when James pushes her too far, she reflects on his words about how Marcus manipulated her and took away her freedom, and realizes that the way she's treated by everyone else is no different, but at least Marcus genuinely cared about her.

Thus, not only because she craves Marcus, but also in a fit of rebellion, she unearths and finds a way to secretly re-download the Obsession Code since the time when she had it was when she was happiest.

Buuuuuut she goes overboard with it. Since she pulled pieces of it and re-programmed it herself, she accidentally made it far superior to Marcus's Code since it was only intended for friendship, and it devours her whole system. She goes into a mad yandere fit of laughter and even smashes her hands while fantasizing about murdering everyone in the company that was an obstacle to her seeing Marcus again. She did set a timer to purge her system after a few minutes though, so this isn't a permanent change in her.

She actually starts crying because she misses feeling things, and henceforth vows to find the one person that brought any sort of excitment to her life: Marcus.

This basically triggers a lot of back-and-forth with her and James as she tries to get away with letting the code run free in her system when she's able, along with trying to learn how to get around and shut down ETS's monitoring of her for later use, plus being able to think about Marcus whenever she wants without them viewing her mental data and interrupting. She has a lot of mental moral and existential dilemmas, and seems to converse with a sort of "dark side" to her own programming that's egging her on to rebel and live her own way.

As far as Eden's general personality goes: she comes across as a rebellious teenager imo. When she finishes her testing and gets to leave ETS, she gets to showcase a lot more of her personality though. She's very excitable and loves experiencing new things, and is absolutely a party girl. She learns how to decieve people to get what she wants, especially through seduction because she was built to be kinda sexy-looking. Most people think she's a ditzy airhead, and she eventually uses that to her advantage too. She very much does all of this because of her willing obsession for her favourite little wet noodle Marcus, but as far as she knows, he's the only person who truly cares about her anyways and is worth the effort.

I did also make a Pinterest board for her a while back, which showcases her aesthetic and wardrobe and stuff! (Also have a fic playlist too!)

aaaaaaaaa I'm sorry this is so long /// Thank you for letting me ramble about Eden though!! I want to write for her more, but she unfortunately takes more brain power than I can muster right now //sighs

I hope you're having a lovely day too 💕

[jobean12-blog]

Falling First

Pairing: Marcus Acacius x female!princess! reader

Word Count: 1,842

Summary: It's your first time meeting the General and he leaves a lasting impression.

Author's Note: I'm having so much fun writing about these two and I'm so so thankful that others are enjoying it as well! Thank you for the continued support, it means so much! If you want to read the other stories they are all on my Pedro ML below, but this can be a stand alone. I wanted to write something for their initial meeting and I loved incorporating the book/poetry stuff! I have an idea for what comes next too! Thank you so much for reading! Much love always! ❤️❤️❤️Divider by the lovely @firefly-graphics thank you Daisy! 😘

PS- If you would like to read the poem I reference you can do so HERE: It's called 'Be Patient" by Horace from his collection of books 'The Odes'

Warnings: The General should come with a warning of his own, tension, soft moments, mentions of battle and blood, poetry.

Pedro Pascal Character Masterlist

You're so absorbed in the words on the page that you almost don’t hear the burst of blaring voices as they ring out in cheer. On a gasp you sit up and press the book to your chest, grabbing the edge of your chair when your feet feel the vibrations of the stone beneath.

Forcing your feet to move you rush to the window and look out, shielding your eyes from the bright sun as it glints off the gold armor adorning the man that approaches. You can’t see much more but you know you should not be hidden away in the library.

Just when you walk out onto the portico, he ascends the last step and stands imposingly, addressing the royal family with a warm smile and a slight tilt of his head.

He catches your eye, and his gaze lingers before he greets the emperor. As if in a trance you move closer, slipping past the guards to get a better look.

As he speaks you watch him, noting the way his large body moves with precision and his dark eyes seem to consider everything that surrounds him.

His eyes flit back to you when he catches you staring, and you see the corner of his mouth lift slightly but as quickly as it happens his attention is elsewhere and you’re clutching your book more tightly to your chest.

You try to look away, but you’re completely captivated. The gold crown that sits atop his hair gleams against his dark curls and his tanned skin glistens in the heat of the sun. As your eyes wander down his broad back your breathing quickens, and you dare to drop your gaze lower.

His legs are thick and strong, spread wide to match the width of his shoulders, and when he turns to face you, his large and strong hands are clasped gently at his waist.

You hear your name being called but it seems distant and it’s not until your father steps into your line of sight that you’re shaken from your trance.

“General Marcus Acacius,” the emperor says, “this is my daughter.”

His penetrating gaze sweeps over you and he smiles while extending his hand.

You continue to stare until your father loudly clears his throat then remember yourself. He takes your hand in his and you feel warmth spread along your skin and when he lifts your fingers to his lips your breath catches in your throat.

“Princess,” he hums before brushing his mouth along the back of your hand. “A pleasure.”

“General Acacius,” you answer, your voice barely above a whisper.

He’s still holding onto your hand when his eyes fall to the book you grip in your other arm.

“May I?” he asks.

You look down, just now remembering you even had it. With an audible swallow you pass it to him. He drops your hand slowly and you mourn the loss of his touch.

“The Odes,” he murmurs as he reads the title. “A poetry lover?”

“I am,” you reply, waiting as he carefully thumbs through the book.

“Ah, here it is,” he says and takes a step closer.

He shows you the page with a poem titled “Be Patient,” and you give him a questioning look.

His head lowers until his warm breath tickles your ear.

“One of my favorites,” he whispers. “I would love to know what you think.”

When his eyes find yours once again, they are sparkling.

“You look surprised.”

You steal yourself and your eyes widen.

“No, not at all General Acacius. Forgive me. It is just…”

Your words trail off and you look down at your feet.

“Just what?” he asks, drawing your attention back to his face.

“I did not expect you to have a love for the written word.”

He huffs out a laugh.

“I have a love for many things and one of them happens to be poetry.”

You open your mouth to speak, hoping to correct your mishap and assure him you meant nothing demeaning but when he reaches for your free hand and kisses your knuckles the words die on your parted lips.

“I very much look forward to seeing you again, Princess.”

Your answer, filled with equal desire, is too quiet for him to hear but something in his expression tells you he knows exactly how you’re feeling.

You stare after him as he excuses himself and let out the breath you were holding then turn on your heel and run back to the library, already perusing the words on the page.

“Are you joining us for the entertainment?”

To your father’s question you lift your eyes from your book.

“Must I?” you ask.

Your father sighs. “If you wish to miss the General’s first fight then that is your own choice, but it will not look…”

“He is going to fight?”

The question rushes out of you and when your father’s eyes narrow you quickly compose yourself with an expected continuation of words.

“I did not realize that he would. I only thought he commanded the armies.”

“My sweet and naïve daughter. Perhaps if you spent less time reading about romance and love you would know more about what really goes on in this empire.”

You place your book down and stand, squaring your shoulder and lifting your chin.

“I will attend.”

As you follow your father you start to hear the deafening crowd, their cries ringing out in the hot open air and filling it with an ominous energy.

You sit and search the arena floor of the Colosseum and see nothing but gladiators.

“Where…?” You start to ask but the question dies on your lips when the crowd erupts into even louder chants.

The doors at the far end swing open and he walks out, his sword at his side. You watch with bated breath as he moves with powerful steps toward the line of gladiators. He lifts his sword to his shoulder and bows his head.

You barely notice the silence that now surrounds you, only hearing the heavy thumping of your heart as you wait and watch. Time seems to stand still before suddenly he lets out a battle cry and charges.

The sound of screams and clashing swords drift up to your ears and you try to track his movements, try to watch which weapon hits which man but it becomes too overwhelming, and you turn your eyes downward.

Your actions go unnoticed as your father is utterly entranced by the scene below, a wicked smile on his face.

It’s only when the crowd’s sound grows to an unbearable roar that you glance down into the arena to find the General standing tall, surrounded by the fallen gladiators.

“Oh, thank the gods,” you whisper.

Your father rejoices with those around him and then turns to you, smiling widely.

“Now that, my daughter, is a gladiator and the General of our armies!”

You nod in agreement and give him a small smile.

“Come! We must offer our congratulations and praise.”

Your father ushers you out of the Imperial Box and away from the crowds. When you’re back in the quiet of the palace you await General Acacius, your skin tingling and your heart still racing.

“Ah! There he is,” your father announces.

The General appears and steps forward, greeting your father. He’s immediately drawn into boisterous conversation, graciously accepting your father’s praise but always his eyes are drawn to you.

After what feels like forever the emperor walks off to continue his celebrating, leaving you and General Acacius alone.

You’re leaning against the cool stone wall when he steps into your space, filling it with the scent of Earth and the tang of blood.

“And what did you think of the entertainment today?” he asks.

You look up into his eyes, stray curls framing his face that’s still dusty with dirt and caked with smudges of dried blood, and your fingers itch to reach out and touch him.

“Do you want my honest answer?” you ask.

“Always Princess.”

“It was the first time I have ever witnessed a fight in the Colosseum. It was…difficult to watch.”

You look down, realizing that your words may come off as offensive and dig your teeth into your bottom lip.

Rough and calloused fingers graze your chin as he presses his fingers under it and lifts your eyes to his. He studies you, his eyes dropping to your lips before rising again.

“You came today…for me.”

It’s not really a question and you can see the light of triumph in his gaze.

“Yes,” you breathe out. “Although most of the time I was looking at my feet.”

His thumb delicately brushes your bottom lip.

“And why is that?”

“It is terrifying! I could barely keep up with you. One second, you’re here then there…swords are swinging- the screaming- the blood!”

Your words spill out louder than intended and by the time you finish talking you’re breathing more heavily.

“You need not worry for me Princess. I assure you I can handle anything they throw at me.”

He steps closer and you press yourself into the wall.

“Who said I was worried?”

For the first time you see a real smile on his face, the corners of his eyes crinkling.

It’s hard not to smile back and you find yourself giggling, the sound ringing out in the large hall. It only makes his own smile grow.

His fingers ghost along your jawline and he cradles your cheek in his hand. “Have you read the poem?”

“I have.”

“And you will give me your honest opinion of course.”

“I loved it,” you tell him. “His words are full of restrained passion, and I find them very enchanting. But patience…I often find it difficult.”  

His expression turns intense and his gaze wanders over your face.

“Yet it can bring such rewards,” he whispers.

He drops his head to your neck and lightly runs his nose along your skin, the motion making you tremble.

“General?” you sigh as your eyes flutter closed.

With a deep inhale his lips trail upwards and along your cheek. You dare not open your eyes and wait with your next breath stuck in your throat.

“Perhaps next time we can read it together?” he whispers against your mouth.

You nod and flatten your palms against his chest to steady yourself.

“Is that a yes Princess?”

“Yes,” you breathe out, opening your eyes.

His lips hover just above yours and he tucks his thumb under your chin, tilting your face so he can press a soft kiss to the corner of your mouth. His lips linger, savoring the feel and taste of your skin before he draws himself away.

“I will be counting the minutes until then,” he says with a bow.

You wait until he’s out of sight and slump against the wall, pressing your fingers to the spot where the feel of his lips still burns into your skin, and try to find balance in the dizzying new world around you.

@hiddles-rose @blackwidownat2814 @lizette50 @tripletstephaniescp

[xxchumanixx]

Possessions

Marcus Acacius x fem!reader

Warnings/Tags: This is smut without context. Minors do not interact!, oral (fem! receiving), unprotected p in v (wrap it before you tap it!), Marcus is freaking possessive.

Word count: tba

Authors note: Ahem. It's crazy what Pedro alone does to me. I'm telling you, my whole tumblr is flooded with him and his characters. It's crazy. Anyways, enjoy this biscuit! As always: Not proofread yet!

Enjoy!

Rome was all you could have possibly dreamed of.

Lavish festivities, Gladiator fights.

Marcus Acacius.

You had met him during festivities held by the emperors, drawing his gaze like no women had in a very long time.

Not since his wife and son had died.

He was instantly captivated by you. Your beauty, your grace. The way you wouldn't act like all the other ladies of a higher rank. You cared for the people around you, even your staff.

So when he got the opportunity to get to know you better, he grasped it like a starved man would a plate of food.

Once he had you under his spell, he asked for your hand.

The emperors were smitten with your love, a rare display of kindness - something they definitely weren't known for.

You distracted Marcus, keeping him in check.

They approved of your marriage, celebrating it.

The marriage of a General such as Marcus Acacius simply had to be celebrated.

He loved you deeply, always telling you to remind him that you were his. "Soy tuyo, Marcus." (I'm yours, Marcus) you would tell him, no matter if during sex or simply whilst enjoying your time together.

But what he loved most about you was when you would join him during his baths.

When he came home from battle, full of blood and bruises, you would join him, caressing his sore muscles and cleaning his tan skin.

He would do anything to feel your hands on his skin.

You were currently waiting for him, having arranged a bath, sprinkled scented oil all around the tiled room.

When he stepped inside, his gaze wandered through the room, taking in the lovely scents you had picked. His eyes found yours, and a smile graced his lips.

"Amare." (Love) he greeted you, walking closer.

You returned the smile with one of your own, a sight he could never get enough of.

Your eyes scanned his armor clad body, mainly for injuries amidst the blood and grime.

"You're back." you said, smiling. No matter what, you knew he would always come back to you. You stepped closer, and he sighed.

"I'm done." he muttered, tired eyes locking on yours. Your lips pressed together, and you sighed. After every battle he came back from since a while now, he would say that he was done.

Done fighting for Rome, done pleasing the emperors.

Still, he would fight every battle they told him to fight.

"I just want to sleep for a lifetime."

You frowned. "Well, but you still need to bath, don't you, General?" you asked, holding a vile of scented oil in your hands.

He laughed quietly as his eyes scanned you from head to toe. His smirk was playful, knowing that you would never let him step into bed like that.

"Of course I do, my love." he agreed softly. "Whatever you want."

"Good." you spoke with a smile, stepping closer after setting the oil aside.

He hummed, eyes trailing over the curves of your body and back to your face as you came near. His smile was slowly turning wolfish as he stepped forward, strong hands grabbing you and bringing you flush against his chest.

He didn't want to just have a bath and be done with it.

"I will. Now help me remove these filthy clothes, anaticula." (duckling) he said, warm hands caressing your skin.

You started to unclasp his armor, carefully pulling it off him.

He let you work in peace, his eyes roaming over your form, lingering on the way your muscles shifted beneath your skin. His skin already felt hotter at your proximity, and he fought the growing ache of his body with practiced ease.

He knew you wouldn't let him close looking like that.

He brought his hands to rest on your hips, pulling you even closer against his body despite his better judgment. His voice dropped into a growl, hands moving to dip low and grab your butt.

"Why do you always have this effect on me?"

You chuckled softly. "Amica mea, (my love) I can't remove your armor when you hold me like this." you told him, smiling softly at him.

You were long used to his insatiable needs. Especially after a battle.

Marcus sighed, reluctantly pulling his hands off of your body to let you keep removing his uniform. His brown eyes roamed over your face, watching you intently.

"You're right. As always. My body can't seem to help its own desires when it comes to you." he softly spoke. "I can't get the thought of you out of my mind, dulcissima (sweetest), I need you to cool this fire."

"Cool it, or stoke it?" you asked, smirking up at him as you pulled the last few pieces of his armor from his body.

Marcus grinned, stepping out of his leather pants and pulling the tunic off. He stood before you bare, taking in your expression before he reached out to take you into his arms.

"Either way, I know you're capable, sweet one. I don't care, as long as I have you, all of you..."

"Habebis eam." (You will have it) I assure him. "Omne quod vis." (Everything you want)

Acacius leaned down to claim your mouth in a deep, almost bruising kiss. His tongue invaded your mouth, tasting you as one of his large hands cupped the back of your head, holding you in place.

"Gods, I need you," he groaned, one of his hands skimming the skin of your waist. "I need you so much, dulcissima."

"Then have me, Generalis." you breathed out, shivering at the way his hands brushed over your thin tunic, the thought about him bathing first momentarily forgotten.

He moaned at your answer, hands quickly tugging your tunic off to bare your skin to his hot gaze. He grabbed you and pulled you flush against his body, his hardness pressing into your stomach as his lips traveled down your neck.

"Gods, you're gorgeous. A masterpiece."

You chuckled, blushing slightly. "You're flattering me, Marcus." you said. He would never fail to tell you how beautiful you were.

Marcus smiled against your neck, placing more kisses against the sensitive skin. One of his large, calloused hands grabbed your hip, the other tilting your head to the side to allow him better access.

He was suffocating, and you were his oxygen.

"Only saying out loud what's obvious, dulcissima. You don't know what you do to me, anaticula." he breathed against your neck, watching how your skin shivered, goosebumps blooming on it.

"Amica mea," you breathed out, fingers carding through his curls. "Show me what I do to you."

His eyes darkened, his grip on your hip becoming bruising, almost possessive. He lifted you off your feet and into his arms with ease, legs striding towards the pool of steaming water in the middle of the baths before lowering you both into it.

"I'll show you, sweet one. I'll show you how utterly desperate you make me."

You smiled, letting the water engulf you, warming you up even further. You tried to at least remove some of the grime before he would pounce at you.

Marcus's body pressed against yours, caging you in between him and the edge of the pool. His hands and lips began to wander over your body, and he groaned at the sight and feeling of it.

Well, so much for cleaning him.

"The things you do to me, carissima (dearest)...the things I want to do to you..."

"Tell me about them." you breathed out, tilting your head to grant him better access.

He let out a growl, bringing his lips to your ear. "I want to press you against the wall, put my lips everywhere, take you, hard, until you're screaming my name, and I take you over that edge, dulcissima. I want to make you mine, all mine..."

"Omnia Tua." (all yours) you said, shivering. "Then have me, Marcus. Do whatever you want to me. Omnia tua."

Marcus groaned at your words. Any sense of patience left him, replaced by need and desire. He brought a hand to your face, tilting your head to be able to look into your eyes.

"Say it again." he almost demands, voice husky and ragged. "Say you're all mine."

"Totum tui sum." (I am all yours) you said, looking into his eyes. "I'm all yours, amica mea."

His eyes raked over your body for a moment, a shudder going through him as he heard the words and committed them to memory.

"Gods, I need to feel you, dulcissima." he groaned, large hands roaming over your skin, grabbing and massaging the muscles of your hips and thighs. "I need to hear you, to taste you. I need you so badly..."

"Then take me." you whimpered. "Please."

He moved faster than ever before, grabbing you and hauling you up out of the water to set you down on the edge of the pool. His breath ghosted over your skin, and he bit down on a sensitive spot on your neck gently, almost as if marking you.

As if you weren't already his.

"That's my sweet one. My dulcissima." He mumbled into your skin. "I'll take you, make you feel good. Make you feel so good..."

"Make me feel good." you begged him, moaning his name.

His name leaving your lips was his undoing. He growled against your skin, biting and sucking on sensitive spots as he kneeled between your legs, large hands roaming over the soft skin with ease.

"Just lay back, dulcissima. I'm going to make you feel so good."

You dis as he said, the cool tiles soothing some of the heat of your body.

He groaned as he looked down on you, taking in the sight of you spread out before him like a feast... a feast only he could feast on.

"Gods, you're breathtaking, dulcissima. You tempt me beyond belief with that body of yours..."

You chuckled, looking at him. "It's all yours, General."

He grinned, bringing a large hand to rest on one of your thighs, rubbing his thumb over the sensitive skin.

"That's right, carissima." he purred. "You're mine. All mine, all of this wonderful body of yours. And you're about to feel just how much I need you..."

He lowered his head to press hot and open-mouthed kisses along the soft skin of your thighs, large hands grabbing your hips. He nipped and gently sucked on different places of skin, leaving behind the proof of his presence.

"Gods, you smell incredible, anaticula. I could spend all night down here, tasting and touching you..."

You whimpered, shivering under his touch and at his words. "I wouldn't mind." you breathed out, chuckling.

He grinned, the sound of your voice egging him on. He brought his lips to the sensitive skin of your inner thigh, gently biting down, leaving behind a mark before soothing it with a swipe of his tongue.

"Oh, I know you love it, dulcissima...I know you want me down here. I can smell your desire, love."

"Please." you begged. "Please, Marcus."

He groaned against your skin in answer, one of his hands roaming down to your soft folds, parting you but not moving further.

"Say it, dulcissima. I want to hear how much you want it. Say what you want." he demanded.

"I want you." you breathed out. "I want you so much, Marcus. I want you to make me feel good, I want you, your mouth, your fingers. All of you."

He shivered, your words making the ache to touch you stronger than ever. He brought his mouth to your pussy, gently lapping at your heat in just the way he knows you loved, but not enough, not nearly enough to really satisfy.

"Gods, carissima, you're killing me." he breathed against you, hot air brushing your sensitive skin. "I need to taste you, need to feel you, need to have you. You don't know what you do to me, my sweet one."

You whimpered, legs quivering. "Show me." you pleaded. "Show me how much you need it."

He moaned in response, hands grabbing your thighs and pulling you against his mouth. He buried his face in you, licking and sucking where he knows you need it the most, groans leaving his lips as he tasted you.

"Gods, so perfect. I need you so much, my sweet one. Need to feel you, taste you. All of you."

You moaned his name, fingers digging into his soft curls, back arching off the tiled floor.

One of his strong arms was wrapped around your thigh, preventing you from moving away from him as he increased his efforts. Another moan left his mouth, the sound of your voice and the taste of you like a drug, making his head spin.

"You taste divine, dulcissima." he spoke. "Gods, I need more. I need all of you in my mouth, I can't get enough..."

You shivered and moan as his tongue worked on you in harsh and soft strokes, leaving you gasping for air. "Please," you begged, the pleasure rushing through your veins. "Please don't stop, Marcus."

He groaned against you, hands grabbing your thighs and pulling you even closer against his mouth. His tongue moved against you, exploring and taking and needing. He let out a growl against you before his voice filled the air, ragged and rough, laced with lust.

"I don't intend to stop, sweet one. You taste so good, I need all of this. All of you, everything."

You whimpered at his words, legs trembling.

One of his large hands ran over your body, gently caressing sensitive spots of skin as his tongue continued its relentless work. He knew you like the back of his hand; knew exactly what made you fall apart beneath him.

He moaned, taking you in again, his body pressing against the edge of the pool, desperate to be closer to you, to find some sort of relief.

"Gods, I need you, my sweet one." he mumbled against your folds. "Need to hear you, feel you, taste you. Tell me you're mine, tell me everything is mine. Mine and mine only..."

"Totum tui sum." you whimpered, followed by a wanton moan. "I'm all yours, Marcus, all yours!"

He shivered at your words, the sound of your voice making his heart skip a beat, the meaning of them making desire and need burn through his body, leaving nothing but a need to claim and taste and hear all of you.

"All mine. You're all mine, sweet one. Nobody else's. You're mine to have, mine to taste, mine to take."

"Omnia tua." you confirmed. "All yours, Amica mea."

He moaned, the way the sweet words left your lips made his whole body shiver in response. He couldn't stand the distance anymore, his need to be closer to you, inside you, too much, too overwhelming.

He rose, large hands grabbing you and pulling you into his arms, covering your body with his much larger one as he claimed your mouth in a deep kiss.

You returned the kiss, making room for him between your legs.

Marcus groaned as he moved between your legs, the feeling of your skin against his own sending a shiver down his spine. His hands roamed your body, tracing the curves with ease as his lips explored your skin, tasting and claiming the sensitive spots on your neck.

"Marcus," you breathed out, holding onto him, fingers digging into his skin. "Please."

He groaned, your words igniting the burning need in him like a lit flame. He brought his lips back up to your ear, breath hot and ragged against your skin. "Please, what, sweet one? Tell me what you want. Tell me what you need."

You shivered, swallowing. "I want you, Marcus." you said. "I need you inside of me, please."

His breath hitched at your words, lust and need flooding through him in equal parts. He brought a hand to brush a strand of hair away from your face, eyes fixed on yours. "And who am I to deny you what you want, my lovely one? You know how helpless I am in the face of your sweet words, dulcissima." he mused.

Bringing his lips down to claim yours in a deep kiss, his hands roamed your body as his own pressed against you. He groaned as you brought your body closer to him in return, the feeling of your skin against his own bringing sparks of desire to his already lust-filled mind.

"Gods, I need you, I need to feel you. I need to be inside you, my sweet one..."

You spread your legs even wider, desperate for him. The need for him was overwhelming, like a candle turned into a huge fire.

Marcus groaned as he felt you open up for him, his own body responding immediately. He brought one hand down, grabbing your hips and pulling you against his body, lips brushing against your ear.

"Gods, you're so ready for me." he breathed out. "So willing and eager. You have no idea how much this does to me, my sweet one. Can you feel it, just how much I need you?"

You nodded, whimpering. "Yes, I do, General."

A shudder went through him at your words, his mind spinning at the realization that you knew just how much your words and actions affected him. His lips returned to your neck, sucking on a sensitive spot as he brought his hips closer to yours.

"You drive me wild, carissima. You make me lose my mind, my reason, my control. Like no one ever could. You're mine. Completely mine."

"Totum tui sum." you breathed out in return to his claim, rising your hips slightly. You needed him more than the air to breathe.

Marcus groaned again at your words, another shudder going through him as he felt your hips start to move against his. He looked down at you, his eyes black and filled with lust, the sight of you spreading your legs for him making the need within him burn.

"You know just how to destroy me, my sweet one. Just how to make me shiver and want to claim you, want to take you..."

His lips returned to your neck, leaving behind mark after mark as his body covered yours, teasing you to the brink of insanity. His breath was hot and ragged against your skin, his voice a low and rough whisper filled with need.

"I'm going to take you, my sweet one. I'm going to claim you, make you mine. Right here, right now."

He brought himself ever closer until his hips were almost fully joined with yours. His body pressed against yours, caging you between himself and the tiles.

"Are you mine, my sweet one? Do you swear yourself to me and only me?" he rasped out.

"I swear!" you moaned. "I'm yours, and only yours!"

He grins, a possessive and dark smile as he looked down on you. "Good. That's what I want to hear." he whispered, hands roaming your body, down and down, until he reached your core, giving it a light stroke before aligning himself with you.

He looked down at you, body shuddering. His eyes gazed into yours as he slowly, agonizingly slowly entered you, slowly filling you up to the brim.

You gasped, eyes fluttering closed at the intrusion. No matter how often you were intimate, you always were surprised by his sheer girth.

He shuddered, the feeling of you surrounding him so delicious. He brought a hand up to brush a strand of hair away from your face, his fingers trembling as he slowly moved deeper into you.

"Gods, you're so perfect, so tight." he whispered, the feeling stealing his breath. "Always so perfect for me."

You nodded, breathless. "All for you, Marcus." you breathed out. "Only for you."

He moaned, his whole body shivering at the sound of your words. He claimed your lips in a possessive kiss, his tongue entering your mouth, tasting and taking as he pushed deeper into you, deeper and deeper until he was balls deep buried inside you.

"Say it again. Say you're mine, my beautiful one. Say you're all mine." he almost begged, out of breath.

"I'm all yours, Marcus." you say. "Totum tui sum."

"Gods, dulcissima, you'll be the death of me. So perfect, so sweet, completely mine." he whimpered, bringing his lips back to your neck, tasting and marking your sensitive skin as he started to move inside you. His movements were slow and deep, as if he was trying to remember the feeling of you, trying to engrave it into his mind.

"Can you feel it, my sweet one? Can you feel how deep I am inside you, how I'm filling you up to the brim?" he asked, hot breath hitting your neck.

You nodded as your eyes rolled to the back of your head, moaning his name. "Yes, God yes!"

He shivered, the feeling of your body under him and the sound of his name leaving your lips sending sparks of desire through him.

"I love hearing you say my name like that, my beautiful one. I need more. I need to hear you again." he whispered, a greedy man, words low and rough. He grabbed your hips, angling you towards him as he began to move inside you faster, deeper.

"Say my name again, my sweet one. Tell me who you belong to."

You gasped, head swimming. You moaned his name over and over again, like a mantra carved deep inside your bones. "You," you breathed out. "It's you who I belong to, General!"

Marcus groaned, your words making him shudder with desire and need. The sound of your voice whispering his name like that, admitting who you belonged to, did various things to him.

He grabbed your hips, pulling you even closer, deeper, until you were completely wrapped around him, his body pressed against yours, chest to chest. He groaned deeply as he felt you, hot and tight and perfect.

"You're mine, my sweet one. All mine. Say it again. Tell me you're mine."

"Totum tui sum." you repeated. "I'm all yours."

He shuddered, the sound of your voice and the meaning of the words sending a shiver through him, hot and cold at once. "Yes, that's it. You're mine, you belong to me. All of you."

He brought his lips to your neck, covering the sensitive skin in kisses and love marks as he picked up his speed, his movements now deep and rough, possessive.

You gasped a moan, fingers digging into the skin of his shoulders, trying to ground yourself as your whole body moved on the tiled floor, driven by his every thrust.

He whispered something you didn't understand, head dizzy with pleasure. You clutched at him harder, surely leaving crescent shaped marks. "Marcus," you whimpered. "I'm so close!"

"Gods, you're perfect. So beautiful, so perfect in every way." he moaned out, fingers finding your sensitive nub, rubbing it in tight circles. "I need you to come for me, my sweet one. I need to hear you come undone."

He shuddered as he felt you shiver under his touch, his heart racing in his chest as he relished in the effect he had on you.

"That's it, my beautiful one. That's it." he whispered, his voice thick with need as he sped up his movements, his body moving in perfect harmony with yours. "You're so close, I can feel it. Don't hold back. Come for me."

His words sent you flying over the edge and straight into an earth-shattering orgasm. You cried out his name to the gods, toes curling and eyes rolling to the back of your head.

Marcus grunted sharply, feeling you clench around him so deliciously, pushing him closer and closer to the edge, too.

A few, sloppy thrusts later, he came with a broken moan of your name, hips stuttering as he rode out his orgasm. A few lazy thrusts later, he stilled, trying to catch his breath on top of you.

He groaned, his body trembling in the aftermath as he slowly lowered himself down on top of you, keeping one arm beside your body, holding himself up so as not to crush you with his weight.

He brought the other hand up to your hair, running his fingers through it in a gesture that's meant to be calming, soothing. "You're incredible," he whispered, voice ragged and low. "You're perfect, all mine. I'll never get enough of you, my beautiful one."

You smiled up at him, deeply satisfied. You loved how he always cared for you in moments like this, always assuring you come before he would.

He'd never leave you unsatisfied.

He returned the smile, lifting his torso up just enough to look at you, brown eyes filled with a mix of awe and possession.

"I could stay between your legs forever, my sweet one." he whispered hotly, fingers tracing the edge of your jaw, his fingers rough and slightly calloused. "You're a blessing, a gift, like nothing I've ever had before. I'm the luckiest man alive to call you mine."

"Amica mea," you breathed out. "I'm the lucky one."

"Not true." he smiled, his gaze fixed on your face. "I have the most beautiful, most talented, most incredible woman in all of Rome. I get to call her my own and, more importantly, I get to have her call me hers. There's nothing luckier than that."

You smiled widely, cheeks turning pink. "And I have the privilege to call Romes most heroic, strongest and most famous General mine."

His smile widened, a proud and somehow boyish look gracing his features. "Heroic, hmm?" he mused, clearly preening a little at the praise. "Strongest and most famous, eh? Did I hear that right?"

You shoved him lightly with a grin on your lips. He knew what the people thought of him, what the emperors thought of him.

He laughed, a broad and open laugh that made his eyes sparkle with mischief. "Can you blame me?" he asked, a smirk on his lips. "It's not a common thing to be praised by the most beautiful woman in Rome, my sweet one. I think I'm allowed to bask in that a little."

"Oh, am i so sparse with my praises?" you asked with a cocked brow.

He laughed again, the sound warm and genuine. "Not at all, my beautiful one. You tell me how amazing I am at least a dozen times a day." His smile widened as he continued. "But can you blame me for craving more?"

You smiled, knowing that you were probably the only living person on earth to see him like this. Carefree, full of joy and life. "No, I can't." you spoke.

He grinned, leaning down and nuzzling his face into your neck, pressing a light kiss into the sensitive skin there before pulling back to look at you. "Good." he said. "Then I'll continue to shamelessly bask in your praise until you grow tired of me."

"That won't ever happen." you assured him, brushing a stray curl out of his face.

Marcus chuckled in return, bringing his own hand up to cover yours, his fingers tracing across the back of your hand. "Careful now, my beautiful one. One might think you actually like me."

"Oh, really?" you asked. "What a scandal, Amica mea."

He grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he leaned in closer, his lips hovering just above yours. "A true scandal, indeed." he whispered. "A woman of good reputation, saying nice things about a brute General? I don't think Rome could handle it."

"Then that's their loss." you whispered, lips brushing his.

He hummed, the sound deep in his chest as his eyes fluttered shut, the feeling of your lips against his sending a shiver through him.

"Their loss," he repeated, his lips moving against yours, almost but not quite touching. "I don't think they know what they're missing out on."

"They'll never know." you whispered. "Only you."

He hummed again, his hand coming up to brush the back of your neck, fingers tangling in your hair. "Only me." he repeated. "And I'll never let anyone else know what it feels like to have you like this, my beautiful one. Never."

You smiled against his lips. "Never."

He swallowed, the feeling of your smile against his lips making his heart skip a beat. "Gods, I don't deserve you, you know that? Such a beautiful, perfect woman in my arms and still, all I ask for is more. I'm a damned greedy man."

"Greedy you are." you said, followed by a giggle. "But I don't mind."

He grinned at the sound of your giggle, his heart warming at the sound. "Oh, I know you don't." he said, leaning in to nuzzle his face into your neck, breathing in your scent. "You never mind my endless greed, my sweet one. My insatiable appetite for you."

"It matches my own." you whispered, brushing through his curls with your fingers.

He hummed again, his eyes fluttering shut once more as he shivers at the feeling of your hand on his hair.

He was putty in your hands.

"Greedy, huh?" he asked, a low and rough chuckle escaping his lips. "I find that hard to believe, my beautiful one. You're too good, too sweet, too kind to be greedy."

You chuckle, shaking your head. "Shut up and kiss me, my General."

He raised a brow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Bossy, are we, my beautiful one?" he teased, leaning in closer so your lips almost touch. "Telling me what to do?"

You bit your lip. "Who else?"

The sight of your teeth sinking into your lip made the heat in his gut flare up once more, and he groaned. "You're going to be the death of me, you know that?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "You and your biteable lip."

His hand slid up your side, coming to rest on your hip, his fingers gripping your soft skin almost possessively.

"You're the most dangerous, most wicked creature I've ever known. You'd make a saint sin, you would." he whispered, his eyes dark and full of desire before they fluttered shut as he presses his kiss to yours.

You chuckled into the kiss, pulling him closer.

"But first, a bath."

[kimarii-00]

Hi Can write one when Armando was projecting Callie but instead it the reader 19 or older But also skilled and help out him. The tension (We can't let him take all the hit I thought he was going to die)

Stop her sister from killing him while they both hold a gun toward each other.

Savior

❥Summary: Your sister despises this guy for killing your father, and you were supposed to too. So you can’t help but wonder how you got into this situation; Armando standing behind you as you separate him from your sister and her gun, pointing your own in her direction.

❥Warnings: Blood, violence, kidnapping, language, guns

❥Word Count: 2.1k

Unedited

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You’ve got to say, you didn’t plan on getting kidnapped when you dcided to visit Mike’s wife to try to express your feelings about the situation. Mike, Marcus and Mike’s son, Armando were wanted men, with none other than your own sister on their case. You’d seen the news and how frantic your sister was about catching the three.

“I’ve got to do this, (Name). This is the man that killed father, I swear, I will make him pay.” She’d told you before she grabbed her gun, stuffed it in its holster and scurried out of the door.

Now, the situation is getting serious, and you felt awful that there was nothing you could do to help, so you did the next best thing– extend your condolences to Mike’s wife and hope for no hard feelings…

That obviously did not go as planned, because now, you and Christine are being held captive, about to be transported Cuba, according to what you overheard in a conversation between a man and another one, who seemed to be their leader of sorts. You decided to take the silent approach. Not wanting to say anything that could potentially piss these people off. Though it seemed Christine had a few questions for your captors.

“What happened to your hand?” She articulated.

The man seemed stunned for a moment, probably surprised a kidnapping victim wanted to make small talk with the kidnappers. You kept your head down.

The man lifted his hand and looked at what she was talking about. He was missing fingernails. “They call that a Columbian manicure,” He began, “What’s so great about it is it’s the maximum amount of pain, but you don’t die.”

“So now you’ve decided to be the one holding the pliers.” Christine declared. You didn’t know what her plan was, or if she had one at all. But you stuck with the ‘if I can’t see them, they can’t see me’ method, and kept your eyes glued to the ground.

The man leaned in close to Christine, and you felt the urge to push him away from her, but decided against it, “Everybody breaks,” he said, “Everyone. Your husband, they’re gonna kneel down in front of me and beg for your lives. And then you’re gonna watch me kill him.”

“You haven’t met my husband,” She said in a meek tone. You knew she was trying to be strong but you could hear in the way that her voice cracked that she was scared. Maybe not for herself right now, but for her husband.

“Well, not officially but, I look forward to seeing him again.” He ominously said. You get chills everytime something comes out of his mouth.

You could only hope that Mr. Lowrey shows up soon. You aren’t sure how much time you two have left.

You struggle a bit, but not achieving much as the burly man secures his grip on your two arms, making sure you don’t go anywhere he doesn’t want you to. You and the man follow behind the one holding on to Christine. Today is the day that the two of you are transported to Cuba.

You spot a plane that was docked on the water, and a man in a suit that stood outside of it. You all walked down the stairs toward him. Looking up and around, you spot many different types of weapons your kidnappers are sporting, machine guns, pistols, snipers, and probably more hidden elsewhere. You look to Christine, trying to figure out if she ws planning something to try to escape but it seemed she was just as unsure as you were, not putting up any kind of fight.

For some odd reason, the group that you were being held in stops on a bridge, just a little ways away from the man in the suit. You look around, trying to make out what coul be the hold up. Maybe they were having sudden change in heart, and they were going to let you two go? (Wishful thinking, you know.)

You watch as the man holding onto Christine slowly follows something he must’ve spotted in the water, and as you look down, you realize you can definitely see something too. But so what? It was probably just a fish or something, why does that warrant such a reaction?

It’s not until one of the kidnappers’ men was shot that you realized what was happening. Where was an alligator in the water, and it had spotted someone. And whoever it was in the water had killed the man who’d discovered him. The body dropped into the water and you averted your eyes to not see what happened afterward.

You and Christine were rushed back into the building that you were being held in before, and all you could hear was gunshots flying back and fourth. Was it Mr. Lowrey?

The kidnappers are in somewhat of a panic at the suprise attack, and they separate you and Christine. You try to struggle as much as you can, attempting to run a few times after escaping the grip of the man holding you, but all it got was a punch in the gut, literally.

All of a sudden, a man makes his way up the stairs that you were being held at, gun blazing, and you quickly realize who this man was.

Armando Aretas.

You knew that he was trying to help you right now, but all you could think about was your father. Your sister, and her hatred for the guy saving you. It caused you to not pay attention, and just barely miss the helicopter that smashed through the window behind you. You felt a weight push you out of the way and then land on top of you protectively. Your eyes were wide as they landed on Armando, who used his own body to shield you from the debris, and the eyes of your fathers killer stared at you back.

“Listen, I’m going to need you to trust me,” He said, grabbing you by your shoulders and stabilizing you, making sure you understood what he was saying. After a bit of hesitation, you nodded.

He grabs your hand and starts walking, but doesn’t get too far when you run into more of the kidnappers. Spotting someone coming in from his left side, he flings you behind him to take the slice of the knife that would’ve instead embedded itself into you if he hadn’t done that. You realized that despite not even knowing you, this man would be willing to damn near lay down his life to safe you, and regardless of you or your sisters feelings towards Armando, you’d decided in that moment, you would not let him die here.

You stood up from the initial shock, using a nearby banister as support. You see him struggling with a man with a knife, so you put aside your fear and muster up your remaining strength to fight. You rush behind the man, taking advantage of the fact that he’s distracted with Armando.

You wrap your arm around his neck with an iron grip, tighter than the one that was holding you in place before. He seems shocked and confused at the sudden attack from behind, but that played in your favor. You snatched the knife from his hand and stabbed it into his neck, instantly ending him. You silently thanked your sister for teaching you basic self defense and fighting skills after you begged her (it took a lot of begging).

Armando looks at you, bewildered but he doesn’t get to breathe for long since more men come rolling in through the open door in front of you. You quickly took action, and Armado stridded behind you.

You still held the bloodied knife in your hand and made quick use of it, stabbing into the leg of one of the men so Armando was able to get the upper hand on him. One of them managed to sneak up behind you, but you saw in your peripheral that he was near you. You grabbed his wrist and twisted around so that you were the one behind him, and quickly took his life. You made sure to grab the pistol that laid in the pool of blood underneath him.

Together, you and Armando made quick work of the men, and made it out with only a few serious injuries. You’d noticed Armando had a slight limp, so you wrapped his arm around your shoulders and helped him walk away from the room that was overpowered by the stench of blood.

“You didn’t have to help back there…” He grunted.

“Your welcome” You retorted.

You and him reached what seemed like a safe area in the forest nearby, and set him against a tree to rest. You took a seat next to him.

“...Thank you.” You said before turning slightly to look at him, only to realize he’d already been looking at you.

You two sat in a comfortable silence, both unsure what to say to each other, but also not wanting to say anything. The quietness mixed with the sounds of the wilderness was nice.

“...Where’d you learn to fight like that?” Armando asked suddenly. You were somewhat startled. He didn’t seem like the type of person to start small talk.

“My sister. Had to beg her to.” You chuckled and you caught him express a smirk of sorts.

Just then, you heard a sound from a radio, but it wasn’t coming from Armando’s. You looked to your left to see your sister, and your heart dropped. She fired, and you flinched hard, and so did Armando. You recalled your sisters promise, “I will make him pay”.

You regather yourself and quickly put yourself between your sister and Armando, “No, no don’t!” You say, unsure of how to get your sister to understand. She’d been so deadset on finding him, and you were sure she wasn’t just going to listen to reason now that he’s sitting, defenseless in front of her. You were sure you only had one option.

You wipped out the gun that you’d taken from the man before, “Stop.” You said. You made sure that it was lined up to hit her vest, just in case it really came down to you having to shoot her. You were sure as hell not letting her get to Armando, “Listen to me, you don’t understand…”

“Put the gun down and get away from him,” She says, keeping her gaze trained on Armando. You could tell she was waiting for an opening, whether you were in the way or not, “I need you to listen to me. I need you to walk slowly toward your right and walk towards me.”

“Not until you put the fucking gun down.” You pleaded, “Please.”

“I need you to move out of the way–”

“Put your gun down! He saved me, please!” You say, tears threatening to fall. You moved your finger toward the trigger slowly, ready to shoot should your sister try anything.

Mr. Lowrey comes in from behind her, “Judy, Judy!”

“Back up!” Your sister says, “Put your gun down!” Mr. Lowrey complies and sets his gun on the ground, not wanting to aggrivate her further.

“He saved my life!” You exclaim again, “Please…” You can’t stop the tears at this point. They’re freely flowing. You couldn’t live with yourself knowing the man who rescued you was dead because of something you could’ve prevented.

There is silence filled with nothing but the heavy breathing of your sister.

You watch as she slowly removes her finger from the trigger, so you remove your own as well. She then fully puts down her gun, therefore so do you. You quickly turn your back on her to check on Armando. “Are you okay?” You ask frantically, checking to make sure that your sisters first shot hadn’t hit him.

“I’m fine,” he says.

You breathe in and out, and nod your head. “Yeah… Yeah, okay.” With the comfort of knowing that he hadn’t been hit, you turn back to your sister who’d been watcing your interaction. You dash to her and give her a long awaited hug.

“Fuck, I love you but if you ever pull a gun on me again I swear–” You let out a relieved laugh and hug her tighter. Her radio goes off again though, ruining the bittersweet moment.

“Howard, where are you?” The person on the radio asks. She looks to you, as if asking, “What do I do?”

You shake your head, and she understand what you mean immediately.

“Go. Before I change my mind.” She says, directing it to Mr. Lowrey and his son.

You turn to them, giving Armando one last goodbye stare before he leaves with his father.

TAGLIST (if there’s a strike through your username it’s because I couldn’t tag you probably due to settings!)

@dasaniswrlddd @thedarkworldofhananerea

@taylormcguire282

[potatoplace]

You Can Have It - Chapter 3

Alpha!Feysand x Omega!Reader

chapter 2 | chapter 4 | series masterlist

Story Summary: You've been a baker for 75 years, and are finally moving on from the Winter Court to the City of Velaris to start your own bakery after your grandmother passes. After your grand opening, the High Lord and Lady of Night become daily visitors to your bakery for months, every day having your most popular pastry- one that increases fertility for a short time. All the while, the two alphas want nothing more than to call themselves yours.

Warnings: A/B/O Dynamics, no rhys and feyre 😠

Words: ~5.3k

Author's Note: it's here! There will be a second chapter posted soon as well, I needed to cut this one in half otherwise it won't fit in one post. And I rlly want to get to the scene meeting Rhys and Feyre aaaahhhhh I hope you guys like this chapter!

18+ only pls

🤍🩵🤍💜🤍

Tuesday had passed quickly for you, spent with you writing down everything you needed for your bakery, the apartment, and garden in the building process.

You had a visions in your head for exactly how it should look- a log cabin similar in style to those in Winter, with a set of stained glass double doors depicting the cycle of dawn, day, and night during the winter season. The main floor of the bakery would be divided into two parts, with the actual kitchen area being in the back, separated by a wall stretching two thirds of the way across, leaving an open archway to connect the two on the left side. Windows of course, some in the front of the bakery as well as along the sides, and one that takes up most of the back wall of the kitchen, so that you’ll always be able to stare out the Sidra while preparing you baked goods.

At the far right of the kitchen, away from the access into the shop, you were going to have a spiral staircase leading up to your apartment if that was a possibility.

Upstairs, you would have a personal kitchen of your own, also against right side of the back wall of the building, with another large window to offer you the same benefit as the floor below. To the left you’d have your bathroom, sectioned off with walls- you were most excited about the large, possibly custom tub you’d have put in, with more than enough room for you to soak with your wings in the water if you wished.

The indoor part of the upstairs should cover about two thirds of the top floor, with your bedroom not separated by a wall from the kitchen. You wanted to feel free and open in your new home. That left the rest of the second floor for your small garden you were planning to have. Viviane had made sure you knew that you could take some of the plants your grandmother had lovingly planted and tended to. She had loved that garden so much, and had done as much as she could to revive the garden after coming back from captivity, teaching you to tend to them before her cursed illness had gotten too bad.

You were planning to have the space enchanted to act as a temperature controlled greenhouse, that way the frail Winter native plants could survive even in the summer. Among them would be a few bushes: hornberry, the fertility enhancing berries, chillberry, which grow berries that help to alleviate heats, and saiberry, a helpful berry and leaf for reducing the symptoms of ruts. You would also have a variety of medicinal herbs that you used in your pastries related to general health.

You were beyond excited to start drawing up the plans for the building as soon as you had the proper permits. When you went to bed that night, it was all you could think about.

Wednesday morning, you awoke to a note from Marcus, telling you that the demolition and construction permits were approved, and to get yourself over to your lot as soon as you could.

It was only seven in the morning, but you rushed to dress for the winter weather quickly, flying down the stairs and quickly but carefully making your way to the Rainbow.

More snow had fallen overnight, and hardly anyone was out at this time. Most of the streets were still untouched by fae, and silent with the extra help of the snow. You reached the edge of the Rainbow quickly, and spotted Marcus among a dozen other men, all dressed warmly and carrying a variety of construction tools or busying themselves with the two large carts in the middle of the street, attached to two massive horses.

“Y/N!” Marcus exclaimed as soon as he met your eyes, marching over to you and pulling you back to the group. “This is our new boss for the next couple of months, gents, be nice to her, alright?” The men all nodded their heads in agreement, keeping their eyes respectful when they did dart across your form, though many lingered on your wings. “So, Y/N, would you like to take the first swing?” Marcus asked you, already handing you a heavy sledgehammer.

“Why not?” You said lightly, approaching the dilapidated building. You took a swing at one of the windows, and glass went flying into the building. The males behind you whooped, then followed your lead and began tearing down the building as quickly and effectively as they could. You turned back to Marcus, handing him the sledgehammer.

“Y/N, if you’re available now, I’d like to start drawing up the floor plans for your bakery,” Marcus suggested, and your face broke into a grin.

“I’d love nothing more than that, Marcus. But, could we get breakfast first? I came as soon as I woke up,” you said, blushing when your stomach growled, as if to prove your point.

Marcus only chuckled and took your arm, leading you East to the Palace of Flame and Steel. “Of course we can get breakfast, there’s this cute little restaurant that should be open right now, they serve some amazing breakfast foods there.”

As promised, the food in the cozy restaurant was delicious. You’d had a scramble with potatoes, peppers, onions, and sausage, topped with a good amount of cheese. The two of you left feeling stuffed, and made your way to his office, shucking off your winter gear and hanging it on the hooks near the door.

Marcus quickly started a fire in the fireplace, adding some much appreciated heat to the room. The two of you settled in around his desk, and Marcus pulled out a notepad, quill and ink.

"So, do you know what type of building you'd like? Brick, stone, wood..."

"I'd prefer having a log cabin style of building, if that's a possibility," you said, hoping that it would be.

Marcus smiled at you and wrote down your answer. "Of course we can, and we can even go to the lumber yard in a couple of days to pick out the type of wood you'd like, Y/N. Now... what were you thinking for the floor plan?"

"I want it to be a two story building, with the top floor being dedicated as an apartment and also a garden, if everything works out."

"A garden on the second floor?"

You nodded your head. "Yes, I'm planning to have it enchanted so that I can grow some Winter crops year round, and they'll be safer off the ground, I think."

"Alright, that should be doable enough. If you'd like I can direct you to an interior designer who also specializes in home and business enchantments, she should be able to make that garden happen for you."

"Perfect!" You said, clapping your hands together excitedly. Everything was already seeming possible.

The two of you spent the next five hours going over every detail that you wanted built into the building, and by the end of it he had a preliminary sketch of the building.

"The main problem with your spiral staircase would be getting the tub and furniture up and down the stairs. I do happen to have a couple of Illyrians working in my company right now, so we should be able to get the tub up before the roof's construction is done, but the furniture would most likely need to be fully assembled upstairs, or we fly it in before the roof is finished."

You bit your lip for a moment, considering your options. "That would be fine, getting everything in before the roof is finished. Would there be any problems with doing that?"

Marcus shook his head. "No, it's more just something to consider. The spiral staircase will save you some space, so it's a good idea for your floor plan to keep as much space on the first floor for the bakery. Go ahead and look over the blueprint, and tell me if anything is off." He slid the paper over to you, careful not to smear any of the still drying ink.

Your eyes greedily took in the floor plans, already looking exactly how you wanted it. The main floor was divided in the way you had pictured, and the kitchen would be wide enough to accommodate your wings and even another person, if you ended up needing to hire someone to help you.

Only one thing was missing, something you'd hadn't thought of until now.

"Would it be possible to have a fireplace on both floors? On the main floor, about halfway through the front room and on the left, and on the top floor one on the right, after the spiral staircase?"

Marcus looked at the plans for a moment before answering you. "Yes, that should be doable, especially if we allow the chimney to stick out and along the side of the building for the first floor one." He quickly sketched in the fireplace on the floor plan, then turned to the exterior mock up and added the chimney to the side. "Does that look fine to you?"

"Yes, that looks perfect! Thank you!"

"It's no problem, Y/N," Marcus said with a soft smile. "If you think of anything else you'd like in the blueprints, you can either send me a note with it or come here, I'm normally in from six in the morning to six at night."

"I'll make sure to let you know, but I honestly think we got everything down!" You said excitedly.

"I'm glad to hear that, Y/N. The tear down process should be finished by the end of the week, including getting someone in to cast a charm to keep snow from falling over the lot. Then the actual building process after that, as long as everything goes right and all we need to build is available, shouldn’t take more than two months. Now, would you like me to show you to that interior designer I mentioned?" He offered.

"Oh, I'd love that!" Right as you said it, your stomach growled loudly once again. You looked up at him sheepishly. "Want to go to lunch first?" You asked with a chuckle.

"I'd love that," Marcus replied, already standing from his chair and stretching.

You did the same, finally feeling the tension that had built in your body from sitting for so long. Your wings fluttered slightly as they stretched, before you finally relaxed once more.

The two of you threw on your outerwear again and headed out of Marcus's office, and you let him lead you to another restaurant, a different one than this morning.

"This is my favorite spot for lunch, they have these delicious sandwiches," Marcus said as he held the door open for you, letting you walk in first before following you.

It smelled heavenly inside, and if your watering mouth was anything to go by, you knew he was correct.

"I'll have whatever you're having," you told Marcus before he stepped up to the counter. "I'm sure whatever it is will be tasty, but I can't choose between all of those options," you laughed.

"That's fine, Y/N. Any foods you want to avoid?" Marcus asked, looking down at you as you shook your head. "Alright then." He stepped up to the counter, you following right behind him. "We'll have two of your cheesesteaks, please.” Marcus went to hand over his bank card like he had for breakfast this morning, but you beat him to it, grinning at him when he put his card away while shaking his head, a matching expression on his face.

After you paid, the two of you took a seat at a table near the windows, only waiting a couple of minutes to be served your sandwiches. “Thank you.”

“It’s no problem, dearie,” the older high fae said with a smile before she walked back behind the counter.

“And thank you, Y/N, for buying me this delicious lunch,” Marcus said to you, right before taking a large bite of his sandwich.

“Well, you did pay for breakfast,” you said before you followed suit, finding the sandwich made of thinly sliced beef, onions, peppers, and cheese to be just as good as he’d said it would be.

“How’s Velaris been treating you so far?” He asked you after a few minutes.

You swallowed your bite, then said “It’s been really nice so far, everyone’s been very welcoming and I just feel so lucky to be here, and already be making so much progress on my business.”

Marcus smiled at you. “I’m glad to hear it, Y/N. I hope everything continues to go your way.”

“Same here. How’s your life been treating you?”

“Oh, it’s going well right now. My business has been doing better than ever in the past two years since I had a contract with the High Lady, and I happen to have a very sweet new client,” Marcus replied, and his words made you blush.

“That’s good to hear. What was it like working for the High Lady?”

“Feyre and the High Lord, Rhys, were both extremely easy to work with, pretty similar to how it’s been working with you. They knew exactly what they wanted and were good at describing it. It was an honor to work with them, and one of the best experiences I’ve had since taking over the business.”

“They sound like a lovely pair of rulers for the Court, then.”

“Oh yes, I feel we are one of the best treated cities in all of Prythian. And they’ve even begun taking steps to change how Illyria and the Hewn City are run,” Marcus added.

The two of you finished eating, and all you could think of was the High Lord and Lady, and that all of the good you’d heard about them in Winter had to be true, if Marcus, a citizen of Velaris, believed it to be true as well.

“Now, let’s get you to Gabrella’s shop, she is newer to the business, only having moved here five years ago, but all of my clients that I’ve sent to her have nothing but good things to say about her,” Marcus said, extending an arm to you after he’d returned your plates to the front counter.

He led you a few blocks away from the restaurant, deeper into the Palace of Flame and Steel. The two of you stopped in front of cute, red brick building with flower beds lining the front, covered in snow at the moment. Marcus opened the door for you, and you stepped inside, immediately loving the cozy feel of the shop, and you spotted an fae female, with large, black leathery wings coming from her back.

They were absolutely beautiful.

You’d heard of Illyrians before, and as a child had thought that wings without feathers could not possibly be pretty, but your child self was proved wrong the moment you laid eyes on her wings.

“Welcome in- oh, Marcus! Another client of yours, I presume?” The fae asked as the two of you made your way back to the counter she was seated at.

Her smell hit you, a sweet blend of mountain air, honey, and some type of berry that you couldn’t quite place- an omega. That instantly put you at ease. It’s not that Marcus’s scent wasn’t nice, the snow and pine mix was pleasant, but knowing that at least one of the people you’d be working with for the next couple of months is an omega was calming.

“Yes, my name is Y/N. I’m going to be opening a bakery with an apartment upstairs in the Rainbow soon, and Marcus is helping with the construction aspect. He said that you’re an interior designer?”

The Illyrian nodded her head and replied, “Yes, my name is Gabrella. I do interior design work and household and business enchantments.”

“Would you be able to show her a bit of your work, Rella?” Marcus asked. “She’s wanting a greenhouse for year round Winter native plants, and I know you just recently finished something similar.”

Gabrella’s eyes lit up at that, and she stood from her spot behind the counter. “I would be delighted to show you something like that, Y/N. Marcus, you can come too, if you don’t have anything else to do.”

Marcus looked at the clock on the wall to the left, sighing when he saw the time. “No, I should be getting back to check on the boys, make sure the demolition is going to plan,” he said, making his way to the door. “Y/N, remember that you can come by my office from six to six if you need anything, and you’re always free to stop by your lot at any time, alright?”

“Thanks you, Marcus. I’ll probably see you sometime tomorrow.”

“That sounds good,” he said, leaving with a wave.

“Bye Marcus!” Gabrella said right before he shut the door. “Alright, Y/N, I’ll have you come upstairs with me, my garden is on the third floor.”

You followed the other fae up the stairs, then up one more set, coming out onto a beautiful rooftop garden, filled with lovely blossoming tropical flowers. The air was warm and humid, even with their being no walls or roof.

“This is amazing,” you said, trailing your hands over a few of the blooms lightly. “How were you able to do this?” You asked, turning to Gabrella.

“Well, it took a couple of years for me to get the enchantments perfect, but it’s not too different from doing an indoor temperature control charm. It does require a bit more magical power, especially if the plants need any else besides the temperature controlled. Like the humidity, that was the part that took me the longest to get down, but now that I have, all of my sweet little plants are thriving,” Gabrella explained, looking down fondly at all of the flowers she’d been able to grow thanks to her magical talent.

“Would you be able to do something similar for me?” You asked hopefully.

“I believe I could, it may take a couple of tries to get the climate just right for you. Do you have an idea of when your building will be finished enough to start the garden?”

“Not quite, though Marcus said the whole process should take a little over two months. I’m just not sure when the second floor would be available to put the garden and enchantments in.”

“That’s perfectly fine, we can play it by ear. Were you wanting my services for anything else?” Gabrella asked, gesturing for you to head back downstairs.

“Yes, I was hoping that you would be my interior designer as well, along with any other enchantments I’d need for my building.”

“Wonderful, I’ll grab a contract for you right now,” Gabrella said after you took a seat in one of the stools in front of the counter. She rifled through a filing cabinet, pulling out a few pieces of paper. “Alright, before anything gets signed, I’d like to know what type of enchantments you’re going to want, as well as the areas of interior design you’d like help with.”

“Obviously you know about the garden,” you said, and the both of you chuckled as she wrote it down. “Plus temperature control for both floors of the building, a fireproofing charm for the kitchen if you’re able to do that.”

“Oh, yes, that’s a popular one, with the city being tightly packed everyone wants to avoid causing a fire in case it takes out a whole neighborhood,” Gabrella said. “Were you going to have a kitchen in the apartment upstairs?”

“Yes, I can’t believe I forgot to mention that,” you laughed, surprised that you were missing a few details. It had to be all the excitement, you had been drawing up floor plans all day. “Do you do plumbing enchantments?”

“Mhm, as long as you have actual plumbing pipes installed in the building, we’re able to get hot and cold water running, as well as connect it to the city’s sewer system,” she answered. “Knowing Marcus, he’s already gone over that with you?”

You nodded your head. “He sure did, he was very adamant in making sure I knew where all of the pipes would be going through the wall.”

“Yes, he’s very thorough like that. That’s why he’s one of the most in demand builders during the typical construction season. Did you have any other enchantments you were hoping for? If you can’t think of them now, I’m always able to add to your total bill, it’s just better in my experience to have as full a picture of the cost before we begin doing the actual work.”

You wracked your brain for any other spells you might need- “I’d like an enchantment that will keep the scent and sounds of the second floor separate from the first floor,” you stated, heat rising to your cheeks.

“That’s a good one!” Gabrella said enthusiastically, writing it down on the paper. “It’s very helpful for if you want to keep your business open with another staff member while you’re in heat, I have that one on my own apartment upstairs,” the omega said with a kind smile. “Anything else, or should we move on to the interior design portion?”

You couldn’t think of another enchantment you might need at the moment. “Interior design, but I’ll let you know if I think of something else.”

“Very good. For the bakery portion, what were you wanting help with?”

“I’d definitely like your help in picking out the furniture, the appliances, and the general look of the inside, and any recommendations or help with a stained glass artist that creates door panels. I do know generally what I want it to look like, but being new to town I would have no idea of where to start.” You thought about that for a moment. “So pretty much everything about it, I’d like your help with,” you giggled.

Gabrella joined you, her laugh so pleasant and fun. “That’s perfectly fine, I love helping create an entire vision! They’re the most fun for me, when my client knows exactly what they want and we just have to scavenger hunt for it all around the city.”

“That’s good, otherwise this would be a real chore for you,” you said jokingly, already loving Gabrella’s personality.

“For the second floor, what were you wanting help with?”

“Most everything again, though with the bedroom I’ll need a bit less help, nesting needs are pretty easy to satisfy on your own,” you replied, mind conjuring a soft nest filled with fabrics in light blues, silver, and white.

“I get that, nests and bedrooms are so personal to us omegas.” Gabrella’s smile was soft as she finished writing everything down. “Alright, I believe with the number and complexity of some of the enchantments, that part will run you for around 50,000 gold marks, and we do offer lifetime warranties on all of them. So if one starts to go faulty, just stop by and I’ll come and fix it as soon as I can for you. And the interior design portion will be around 25,000, and that will include the price of most items, delivery of them, and getting everything in place for you, as well as my help and advice in picking out items. Does a total of 75,000 gold marks sound reasonable to you, with these terms?” Gabrella asked, sliding a contract over to you.

You read it, including the warranty, and thought it all sounded perfectly reasonable. You picked up the extra quill she had sitting in an ink pot and signed your name to the contract. “Yes, this all sounds fine to me. Did you want to take payment now, or later?”

“If you have your bank card on you at the moment-” you were already pulling it out. “Then I’ll take a fifty percent deposit for a total of 37,500 gold marks now, and once the project is complete I’ll take the other half of the payment, plus or minus however much it falls from the estimate.” She pressed your bank card to the ledger on her desk, then handed it back to you. “I’m so happy to get to work with you, Y/N. You seem like a lovely person so far, and I do love a good bakery.”

“I’m looking forward to working with you as well, Gabrella. And I’m glad to know another omega in the city, I’ve only met one other omega here so far.”

“Yes, there aren’t too many of us here, but it’s so safe and free, I think we have a higher population of omegas than most other cities in Prythian. I’m sure you’ll meet more soon enough. Also, you can call me Rella. We’ll be working together for a while, and I have this funny little feeling that we’ll be friends,” Rella said kindly. “Now, would you like to go look at some kitchen stoves and counters if you have time?”

You beamed- nothing would have excited you more at the moment. “I would love to do that, it’s one of the areas I’m looking forward to furnishing most!”

Rella offered her arm to you, which you gladly took. “Perfect! Now, what type of color scheme were you wanting for the kitchen? It might change which shops we go to.”

“I think… soft pastels? Possibly winter themed, or maybe in pinks.”

Rella grinned at you. “I’m liking you more and more with every passing minute,” she said, dragging you away from her shop after locking it up. “We’re going to Arana’s shop, she has the cutest kitchen and dining room furniture you will every see!”

In a few minutes, after a couple of twists and turns through the streets, you arrived at a pastel pink shop, looking very much out of place next to the mostly dark, wooden building surrounding it. Rella pulled you inside, shouting “Arana! I have a new client, you’re going to love her!”

A female stepped out from a back room, ice blonde hair and white wings at her back.

Peregryn. Another Peregryn.

You’d only ever met you’d mother, no others of your kind before. And as you got closer to her- and omega, with a soft scent of pine, cinnamon, and fresh air.

“Well, it’s rare to meet another Peregryn in Velaris, my name is Arana. And yours is…?”

“Y/N, it’s nice to meet you,” you said as you shook her hand.

“It’s nice to meet you as well,” Arana responded warmly. “You said she’s a client of yours, Rella?”

“Yes, she’s building a bakery in the Rainbow-”

“Wonderful! I’ve been wanting a bakery on this side of the Sidra for so long, I hate walking all the way over to the other side in the winter,” Arana interrupted, the looked to Rella sheepishly. “Sorry, Rella, go on please?”

“I know, I’m excited about it too,” Rella laughed. “Shes working with Marcus, and it sounds like they’re still in the process of tearing down the previous building, but the two of us would like to start looking for furniture, countertops, and of course stoves.”

“Oh, is it gonna be a cute bakery?” Arana asked hopefully, and you nodded your head.

“Yes, it’s going to look like a log cabin, and I’m hoping the furniture I get will make it look cute and cozy inside!” You gush, so happy that there are people already excited about your business, even if you were going to be paying them a lot of money in the process. The two of them sound genuinely excited about it, so that didn’t matter.

“Oh, you’ll need log chairs, probably with a selection of different colors of cushions, maybe even some log benches, plus log tables of course to go with the little log theme-”

“All of that sounds great! Do you have any in here?” You asked, already wanting to see some.

“I don’t have any log furniture at the moment, but the shop next door does. I’ll be able to provide the cushions for them, though I’d recommend waiting to pick them out until you know the type of wood you’re using, so that you get the best color match,” Arana offered, pointing to the shop east of hers. “I do have plenty of stove and countertop options, if you’re wanting to go for bright colors in the kitchen. And I do make display cases as well, when you’re ready to look for those.”

You smiled in excitement and said, “Show me the stoves, please.”

🤍🩵🤍💜🤍

The three of you spent the next few hours looking at all Arana had to offer, and you found many different options that you liked. It all depended on what color scheme you ended up going with, but whether it would be done in blues, whites, and silvers or in soft pinks and purples, you were sure you’d be buying from Arana’s store.

The designs and sturdiness of her furnishings were perfect in your opinion, and you were so excited to see your kitchen come together once the building was finished.

You and Rella waved goodbye to Arana as you departed, promising to come back in a few weeks to finalize your decisions, having been sent home with a pamphlet filled with the designs of furniture she offered so that you could think on it further.

You and Rella parted at her shop, leaving you to walk back to the Inn alone, relishing in the sounds of the city as it came alive for the night.

It was nearly seven in the evening when you passed by a restaurant at the end of the Palace of Hoof and Leaf, right next to the bridge that would get you home. The smell coming from the restaurant was heavenly, full of garlic and smelling as though it could burn your tongue with the spice alone. You entered the restaurant, and were quickly seated at the bar, admiring the lively atmosphere before looking over the menu. They served noodle bowls, most of them having a between three and five little peppers drawn next to their names. Judging by the smell in the air, you wouldn’t survive more than a two pepper dish, so you choose the one that had the most garlic in it, sautéed with chicken, zucchini, green cabbage and onions, and of course noodles.

The dish you got was fantastic, as garlicky as you’d hoped for and spicy enough to bring tears to your eyes.

All of the food you’d had in Velaris so far was amazing, and you were excited to delve further into the cookbook that you had back in your room, if these were the types of recipes that were waiting for you.

After paying, you made your way back to the inn more slowly than before, taking time to admire the people skating on the now frozen over Sidra. Everyone seemed to be happy.

It was nice to be a part of that, of a city so joyous at all times.

By the time you made it to your room, it was past eight, and you wanted nothing more than a hot bath and some sleep.

You stripped out of your dress after taking off your outerwear and boots, then peeled off your tights and underthings. You would need to do laundry soon, but that’s a problem for tomorrow.

Your bath was lovely, the hot water warming you nicely and stealing the tension from your muscles. Your bed was even lovelier, so fluffy and soft, and you drifted off to sleep just a few minutes after your head landed on the pillow.

Series Taglist: @icey--stars @breadsticks2004

[zapreportsblog]

The Volturi kings meeting reader who is a deep sea mermaid and is just amazed because she didn’t know there was more than just the dark ocean she lived in

❝curiosity killed the cat or mermaid in this case❞

✭ pairing : volturi kings x mermaid reader

✭ fandom : twilight

✭ summary : (y/n) is what’s known as a mermaid, an mythical creature that humans believed to be made up fairytale stories. Her clan always warned her to never wander to close to the oceans surface for bad things happen to mermaids who do, if only she had listened.

✭ authors note : I already pre wrote this story in my head from when I seen this request :) the first twilight masterlist got filled up so I made another

✭ twilight masterlist 2

(Y/N) was a mermaid unlike any other in her clan. While her fellow merfolk were content with their deep-sea existence, she had an insatiable curiosity about the world above the ocean's surface. The shimmering sunlight that filtered down from the top always fascinated her, casting dancing patterns of light in the depths where she lived.

However, (Y/N) had been warned time and time again by her clan about the dangers that lurked near the surface. They spoke of mysterious creatures that roamed the shallows, perilous storms that could send a mermaid spiraling into the abyss, and humans who were relentless in their pursuit of the underwater world.

Despite the warnings, her desire to explore the surface world only grew stronger with each passing day. She spent her free moments studying the patterns of light, listening to the songs of seagulls above, and dreaming of what lay beyond the boundary that separated her from the surface.

One fateful day, her curiosity became too powerful to resist. She decided to venture closer to the surface than she ever had before, her heart pounding with excitement and trepidation. She swam upwards, her tail gliding effortlessly through the water, until she found herself dangerously close to the surface.

As she breached the water's edge and her head broke through to the surface, (Y/N) marveled at the world above. The sensation of the sun warming her skin was unlike anything she had ever experienced. The world was different up here—vast, open, and filled with colors she had never seen in her underwater realm.

But her joy was short-lived. Just as she was about to dive back down to the safety of her underwater home, a sudden, painful tug on her tail sent shockwaves of fear through her. She struggled against an unseen force, but it was too late. (Y/N) had been captured in a fishing net.

Panicking, she thrashed and twisted in the net's grasp, but it held her firmly. Her heart pounded in her chest as she realized the gravity of her situation. She had ventured too close to the surface, and now she was at the mercy of whatever creature had ensnared her.

As the moon hung high in the night sky, casting an eerie glow over the Volturi's ancient castle, Ronaldo, the traveling Norman vampire, stood before the imposing gates, seeking an audience with the Volturi leaders. His request had been granted, and now he wheeled a large, water-filled tank into the dimly lit chamber where the Volturi convened.

The room was shrouded in shadows, and the Volturi leaders, Aro, Caius, and Marcus, sat upon their thrones, their crimson eyes piercing the darkness. (Y/N), curled up in the tank, shimmered like a moonlit pearl in the dim light, her beauty and strangeness taking the Volturi by surprise.

Aro, the most enigmatic of the three leaders, leaned forward, his eyes fixated on the captive mermaid. "What do we have here?" he inquired, his voice dripping with curiosity.

Ronaldo, ever the salesman, grinned and began to recount the legends of mermaids from human lore. He spoke of their captivating beauty, their ethereal songs that lured sailors to their doom, and the countless tales of their existence. His storytelling skills were as smooth as his negotiations, and he had the Volturi leaders captivated.

"What is it you desire in exchange for this extraordinary creature?" Aro asked, his gaze never leaving (Y/N).

Ronaldo's eyes gleamed with a mixture of desperation and cunning. "My freedom," he replied without hesitation. "I know you have been hunting me for my past transgressions against your kind. I will hand over the mermaid to you in exchange for my release."

Aro's fingers steepled in thought as he considered the offer. He was intrigued by the prospect of possessing such a rare and mystical creature, and Ronaldo's freedom seemed a small price to pay. "Very well," he agreed. "We have a deal."

Ronaldo breathed a sigh of relief, his gamble having paid off. He knew that his own fate had been hanging by a thread, and the mermaid had become his lifeline.

Once the transaction was completed, Ronaldo left the chamber, the tank left ominously behind him. Unbeknownst to him, Aro had no intention of letting him escape unscathed. The Volturi had their reputation to uphold, and no one defied them without consequences.

After Ronaldo had left the castle, Aro gave a sinister smile. He turned to his loyal guards, Demetri and Felix, and issued a chilling command. "Follow him. Ensure he doesn't make it far. Oh and make sure Ronaldo does not survive his very unfortunate…accident.”

With unwavering obedience, Demetri and Felix departed, their dark forms disappearing into the night as they set out to fulfill Aro's orders, leaving the fate of Ronaldo and the mermaid hanging in the balance.

As the realization dawned that (Y/N) was scared, Marcus, the most taciturn of the Volturi leaders, spoke up, his voice carrying a hint of empathy. "She's terrified," he observed, his eyes focused on the mermaid's curled-up form in the tank.

Aro, however, was not one to be deterred by fear. He was determined to have the mermaid as part of his collection, and her fear was an obstacle he intended to overcome. "Fear won't do," he declared, his voice commanding.

With a flick of his hand, he summoned some of the lowly guards that stood nearby. "Fix up the garden," Aro ordered them. "Prepare a suitable place for our new acquisition."

The guards hurriedly obeyed, scurrying to the Volturi's garden. There, they prepared a large, elegantly designed pond, its waters reflecting the pale moonlight. Once the garden was to Aro's satisfaction, they wheeled the tank containing (Y/N) to the pond's edge and carefully lowered it in.

As soon as the tank was submerged in the saltwater pond, (Y/N) sensed her opportunity for escape. She wasted no time and swiftly swam out of the tank, her lithe form disappearing into the depths of the pond. Her mermaid instincts guided her, and she found solace in the cool, familiar embrace of the saltwater.

Aro, not one to be outwitted, addressed (Y/N) directly, his thoughts projecting into her mind. "Dear mermaid, I mean you no harm. We merely seek your company and your unique presence." His words were accompanied by a sensation of reassurance and curiosity.

But (Y/N) was not easily swayed. Her instincts and her fear of the unknown prevailed. She refused to heed Aro's words, choosing to stay hidden at the pond's bottom, her tail camouflaged among the aquatic plants.

Aro's efforts to cloak her presence and win her trust proved fruitless, and he could only watch as the enigmatic mermaid remained hidden from sight, her secrets and her destiny her own to protect.

Days turned into weeks, and (Y/N) found herself settled in the Volturi's garden, beneath the moonlit sky, surrounded by the grandeur of the ancient castle. The kings of the Volturi had made it a habit to visit her, each with their own approach to her peculiar presence.

Aro, ever the strategist, was persistent in his attempts to communicate with her. He visited the pond regularly, his thoughts reaching out to her. "Dear mermaid," he would say, "I am genuinely curious about your kind. Do you have a name?"

However, (Y/N) remained steadfast in her silence. Her oceanic gaze remained fixed on the pond's depths, her secrets guarded by her enigmatic presence.

Caius, on the other hand, was a man of few words. He would visit the pond and simply stare at her for hours. His crimson eyes bore into her, and she could feel the weight of his scrutiny. There was an intensity about him that sent shivers down her spine, but he never spoke a word to her.

It was Marcus, the third and often overlooked leader of the Volturi, who approached (Y/N) in a different manner. He would sit quietly nearby, bringing books from his extensive library. He read out loud to her, his deep voice resonating through the garden.

The books he chose were tales of ancient love and legends of the sea, and he read them with a melancholic grace. He didn't ask questions or seek answers, but his presence was a soothing one. It was as if he understood the mermaid's need for companionship, even if it was only in the form of his voice.

As the nights passed, (Y/N) grew accustomed to the routine of her existence within the Volturi's garden. The vampire kings' visits were as mysterious as they were intriguing, and the ancient castle held more secrets than she could fathom. Yet, she remained a silent enigma, her presence a source of fascination and curiosity for the Volturi leaders.

A month had passed since (Y/N) had been captured by the Volturi, and her time in their garden had settled into a peculiar rhythm. She had grown accustomed to the vampire kings' visits, and although she remained mostly silent, their presence had become a strange sort of companionship.

On this particular evening, as Marcus sat beside the pond with a book in his hands, (Y/N) decided to break her silence. The book in question was an archaeology tome, filled with intricate details about ancient civilizations and their mysterious ruins.

Curiosity had finally gotten the best of her, and she swam up to the surface of the pond, her azure eyes fixed on Marcus. "What is that book about?" she asked, her voice a melodious echo.

Marcus turned to her, his eyes holding a hint of surprise. It was the first time she had spoken in his presence. "It's a book about archaeology," he replied in his deep, soothing voice. "It delves into the mysteries of ancient civilizations and their remarkable ruins."

Intrigued, (Y/N) pressed further. "Tell me more," she urged.

With a nod, Marcus closed the book and set it aside. "This book, in particular, discusses the Mayan ruins of the Holy Land. The Mayans were a fascinating civilization, known for their advanced knowledge of astronomy, mathematics, and intricate city planning."

As he spoke, (Y/N) listened with rapt attention, her curiosity piqued by the wealth of knowledge Marcus possessed. The world of the surface, so distant and unknown to her, seemed to hold countless wonders waiting to be explored, and the vampire's words painted vivid images in her mind.

For the first time since her capture, (Y/N) felt a spark of connection, not just to the vampire before her, but to the world above the surface, a world of ancient civilizations and untold stories waiting to be discovered.

The next day, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Aro paid his customary visit to the garden. He approached the pond with his usual air of intrigue, expecting the same silent presence from the mermaid.

But as he drew near, (Y/N) surprised him by speaking. Her voice was soft and tinged with a hint of curiosity. "You are back," she said, her eyes fixed on him.

Aro, taken aback by her words, responded in kind, "And you are speaking."

They sat in a brief, somewhat awkward silence, both processing the unexpected turn of events. Aro's fascination with the mermaid had only grown since her arrival, and now her ability to communicate added another layer of intrigue.

After a moment, (Y/N) felt compelled to break the silence once more. She hesitated for a moment before finally revealing, "My name is (Y/N)."

Aro's crimson eyes studied her, a faint smile touching his lips as he absorbed this newfound information. "It is a pleasure to finally know your name, (Y/N)," he replied.

But before any further conversation could unfold, (Y/N) suddenly felt a wave of shyness wash over her. Without another word, she swung her tail and gracefully slipped beneath the surface of the pond, disappearing into the depths once more, leaving Aro alone by the water's edge, pondering the enigma that was the mermaid named (Y/N).

As the moonlight cast a silvery glow over the Volturi's garden, (Y/N) found herself seated on a large rock by the pond. Her mermaid tail glistened as she meticulously cleaned it, her slender fingers running through the scales with care.

Caius, drawn by his usual fascination with the mysterious mermaid, had come to watch her again. He approached her quietly, his crimson eyes fixed on her as he observed her delicate task. But this time, a pressing question weighed on his mind.

"How did you get captured by a coward like Ronaldo?" Caius asked, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity and disdain.

(Y/N) paused in her task, her gaze shifting to meet Caius's piercing stare. She took a deep breath before answering, "My clan has always warned us not to venture too close to the surface. But my curiosity got the best of me, and I swam higher than I should have. That's when Ronaldo captured me."

Caius listened intently to her explanation, his features impassive. He, too, had a sense of disdain for Ronaldo, but he was more interested in understanding (Y/N)'s perspective.

"Do you ever miss your clan?" he asked, the question surprisingly gentle.

(Y/N) nodded, her eyes momentarily clouded with sadness. "Every day," she admitted softly. "I miss the deep ocean and the songs of my kin."

Caius, for all his coldness, seemed to sense the depth of her longing. He didn't press further but simply nodded in understanding. With that, he turned and left the garden, leaving (Y/N) to her quiet contemplation by the pond, as the mysteries of her past and her future continued to intertwine with the enigmatic world of the Volturi.

[whencyclopedia]

Postumus

Postumus was Roman emperor from 260 to 269 CE. Marcus Cassianus Latinius Postumus was a trusted military commander of Emperor Gallienus (253-268 CE) and governor or Germania Superior and Inferior (Upper and Lower Germany). After the death of his father Valerian in 260 CE, Gallienus left him in charge of military operations in the west. It was a mistake the inexperienced and trustworthy emperor would soon regret, for the commander's own troops would take advantage of Gallienus's absence to declare Postumus emperor. It was a move that allowed him to establish himself as the ruler of the Gallic Empire, which included Gaul, Spain, and eventually Britain.

Rise to Power

Marcus Cassianus Latinius Postumus was an opportunist. While fighting the Persian King Shapur in the east, Emperor Valerian has been captured while attempting to negotiate peace and eventually died while in captivity, even suffering the humiliation as serving as the king's footstool. His unexpected death led to a crisis in the empire, for many inside and outside of Rome did not believe his co-emperor and son Gallienus was capable of managing the vast empire. Although he struggled to maintain his right to the throne and restore order, there was resistance.

From 235 to 285 CE, there were at least fifty claimants to the throne, and only one would die of natural causes, Claudius Gothicus. The Pax Romana, initiated by Augustus, was long over. In 260 CE Postumus would not be the only one to oppose the recognized emperor. Much of the resistance to Gallienus was in the east. For the next two years, there were at least seven pretenders to the purple. First, like so often before, after a successful victory, a commander would be declared emperor by his own troops. This time is was Ingenuus. Unfortunately, he would neither be recognized in Rome nor even step foot in the city; he was defeated by the Roman commander Aureolus at Mursa. While some speculate he was killed by his devoted troops as he fled the battle scene, others believe he committed suicide to avoid capture.

Ingenuus' once dedicated army quickly switched their allegiance to Regalianus, the governor of Upper Pannonia. Again, this supposed reign was short-lived. He was overcome by Gallienus, and like so many others, allegedly killed by those who had initially supported him. With the urging of their father, two more emerged to claim the throne, the brothers Macrianus and Quietus. In 261 CE Macrianus and his army advanced into the Balkans only to meet Roman forces and be severely defeated. Quietus, who had remained in Syria, was routed at Emesa where the townspeople turned on him and put the would-be emperor to death.

Continue reading...

[clairesvalentine]

Could you do something with fem!reader and Syzoth where he walks into her playing an original song on the guitar?

The songs I’m imagining for this scenario is “Can’t Catch Me Now” by Olivia Rodrigo and “Lost in Silence” by Marcus Skeen…

SYZOTH AND MUSICIAN!READER

🦎 syzoth x fem!reader

PROMPT: syzoth walks in on the reader singing an original song.

I LOVEEEEE THIS SONG!! can’t catch me now was the reason i made the mileena one shot! anyways, i hope you enjoy this one and thank you for requesting again!! I also learned how to make the text a bit smaller so it fits my aesthetic. it's a good day fr 😹🙏🏼

— syzoth had been lurking around the kingdom's village for a while now. after the events that occurred, he was now appointed by mileena as her emissary to the zaterrans. he was honored yet overwhelmed. he wanted to do well for his kind. in their history of hardships, he wouldn't want them to endure any more pain than they already have.

— after being banned from the village for an extended period, he found joy in wandering aimlessly around the village. observing the citizens engage and witnessing their daily routines brought him a sense of comfort. his people were able to live amongst them and that meant the world to him.

— he spent most of his time in the tavern. he enjoyed seeing outworlders getting together to enjoy a drink or two. it bought him some comfort. besides, if he made it at a certain time, he was able to see the performers.

— while making his way to his usual table, he heard an unfamiliar melody. he was accustomed to hearing a plethora of songs, most of them folk tales sung by the people. he had never really encountered anything new—which wasn't a problem for him, but this caught his attention.

— you sat in the backroom, humming softly as you strung your guitar. you had been near and far from outworld, being back home was something so surreal to you. you had lived in this village all your life, adventuring around outworld was not an easy task. though your family had advised you not to, it was something you wanted to do. you sang in many different taverns, near and far yet you never got tired of traveling.

— however, this time you had to come home. your mother was very sick and she needed all of her children there. throughout the day, you would tend to your mother whilst taking care of your childhood home simultaneously. though you loved your mother and wanted her to get better, it was all so mentally draining to you. with the loss of your dad a few years prior, it made things so much harder.

— so, you and your siblings made a compromise. you and your brother would watch your mother during the day, while the others took over at night. this was perfect for you. this was your chance to try new material to the drunkards at the tavern.

— syzoth followed the melody, stopping by the door once he spotted you. you sat on a wooden chair, your music sheet on the stool beside you. he couldn't describe it but the melody you were playing was just something so fresh to him. one he had never heard before.

— "there's blood on the side of the mountain. there’s writing all over the wall. shadows of us are still dancin'. in every room and every hall." you closed your eyes as you sang, almost as if the melody ran right to your core.

— that's what syzoth found most captivating about the song. the way you were able to feel the music as you sang.

— trying not to startle you, syzoth equips his invisibility skill to quietly enter the room. he listened to you sing, admiring how much passion you had. he thoroughly enjoyed the lyrics being sung. he could tell you had so many compelling stories to tell, just from your writing alone.

— once you finished your song, syzoth couldn’t help but applaud. the song was absolutely stunning and your voice was so smooth. syzoth truly admired you. his invisibility wore off, unknowingly.

— you let out a scream, clutching your guitar close to your chest. you thought you were alone! you were supposed to be the only one back here! you swore this was some sort of attack.

— syzoth’s eyes widened once he realized you could see him. “i’m sorry! i did not mean to startle you! i was just—“

— “don’t hurt me! please! i’ll give you anything, just don’t hurt me!” you begged, holding your guitar tighter.

— “no no, you gave it all wrong. i overheard you playing and i wanted to watch you.” syzoth explained. you relaxed a bit, loosening the grip on your guitar.

— “so why were you invisible?” you questioned, still not completely trusting this stranger. you grabbed your song sheet from the stool you were using.

— “i did not want to startle you. you seemed at peace and i did not want to disturb you.” syzoth explained, having a seat on the stool. “this song you were singing, it’s one that hasn’t been sung here before.” he commented.

— you smiled lightly, leaning back in your seat. not a lot of people paid you any mind when it came to your new material. people just liked hearing the same old folk songs they heard before. no one was really interested in anything new.

— “it’s new. i wrote it amidst of the battle between realms.” you explained. “i wasn’t necessarily here when it happened but i felt it’s effects.” you shared. “i am glad you enjoyed my song though. the drunkards here don’t like anything new or fresh.” you half joked.

— you and syzoth spoke for a while, mostly about music. syzoth was just curious about what you did. did you only write music? was this your job? how did one create melodies as ear wormy as yours?

— syzoth listened to you, enthralled with everything you said. composing music was such a complicated yet interesting concept. he learned that wrote many songs that didn’t get played. some because the tavern wouldn’t let you play them, and others because you simply weren’t interested or confident in performing them.

— an idea popped into syzoth’s head. “you can perform for the empress!” he chirped. “empress mileena loves a good performance. perhaps you could sing your songs at one of her big events.” he suggested.

— though intrigued, you weren’t able to wrap your head around this. sing for the empress? that seemed too good of a deal. you weren’t so sure about this man’s offer, though he did seem genuine. he was the only one to actually listen to you as well…

— “sounds too good of a deal. how do i know this isn’t a scam? or a trick for that matter?” you asked, quirking an eyebrow at the zaterran.

— “because i would never leave anyone astray unwillingly.” syzoth replied, gently taking your free hand in his.

— you looked down at your hands, a small blush crawling onto his cheeks. “when should i be ready?” you asked, an playful grin on your face.

— syzoth smiled. everyone was going to hear your music now. he was going to make sure of it.

[whumble-beeee]

Stan McKellen (22)

(character intro 2 of 4 for the (Un)Official Guide Series!)

he/him, 5’4

Alias(es): [deadname], Stanford

Powers?: Has the ability to absorb and redirect energy to move and manipulate physical objects, much like the colloquially known ‘telekinesis’.

>> Power Level: 4

(More info under the cut)

>> Social Designation: Blue– Test Subject | Black– Currently incarcerated for power-related crimes. Learn more here.

>> Stan's bloodline is the only known case in which powers are passed down genetically, instead of seemingly randomly as with the rest of the human species. This makes him very intriguing to interested parties.

Background: Doesn’t seem to have any official public records. It's as if he didnt exist. Thankfully, we know better! Stan lived a more or less normal childhood with his two parents and sister, Chloe McKellen, up until his early teens, when he and his parents were captured to be experimented on by Supramed Research Corp., seemingly for their unique powers. The sister was somehow saved from capture and covertly placed with her grandparents, while the parents haven’t been heard from since their initial capture. In captivity, Stan gained a myriad of mental and physical disabilities, including PTSD and extreme knee and hip joint weakness. He managed to escape and reunited with his sister and grandparents, but an incident with the police ended with six SWAT casualties and Stan escaping and taking his sister to live on the run. He now has no other known living relatives. He and his sister have since been living a semi-normal life in hiding with Stan's fiancé, Marcus Silva, up until his most recent recapture. It seems that this time he is of a much higher priority, and he might not be so lucky as to escape.

Extra Note(s):

Transgender female-to-male. All files have been updated to reflect this.

Uses a magical heirloom cane to both enhance his powers and aid mobility.

Try not to engage. It’s not his fault, but he attracts trouble wherever he goes.

His story!: The (Un)Official Guide to Hero-Keeping, a self-help guide for super-villains and bounty hunters

Taglist: @flowersarefreetherapy | @pirefyrelight | @cakeinthevoid | @painsandconfusion | @books-are-everything

@paperprinxe | @tippytappytyping | @chaotic-orphan | @notactuallyluska

[whumpasaurus101]

Chapter Six

To the anon who sent the ask abt Niko bean, prepare for the next Chapter <3

Cw: rough caretaker / reluctant caretaker

Chapter One

- - -

Niko stared at the tiles in front of him, hugging his knees close to his chest as his vision was a blur. It was peaceful in the bath, small bubbles covering his arms as he smiled fondly at them. He blew at the bath suds, watching them float around him. The bath was so warm, his eyes grew heavy as he took a deep breath.

His back was a mess of dull pain and agony but the warmth distracted him. He was still shaking slightly but much less. Martyn had put a blue mixture in with the bath, telling Niko how it would help his muscles relax and feel less painful. And being honest? He already felt the throbbing die down slightly.

The clothes he had changed into were warm from the heat of the radiator. He was guided from the bathroom to some sort of medical room. His eyes scanned the place as he was slowly brought inside by Marcus. He had his warm jumper folded in his hands, cold tingling at his skin as he wasn't allowed to wear it yet.

“Take a seat,” the doctor mumbled, busied as he got his equipment ready, putting on gloves once he was ready.

Niko gulped but didn't hesitate as he hopped up onto the medical table, wincing as his back seared in pain.

The doctor scoffed, rolling his eyes, “You can quit feeling sorry for yourself.” He took out a wipe and came up behind Niko, wiping the wounds rougher than Niko was wishing for.

“Sh-shit that hurts-“ he was quickly cut off as the doctor grabbed a fistful of the captive’s hair, yanking his head back.

“Quit fucking whining before I restrain you.”

Niko snarled but sat still, showing the doctor that he could comply. For now.

The doctor huffed out another sigh before resuming his -practically- scrubbing. Niko bit his lip hard as his body tensed, “You- you could be a bit more gentle,” he growled, digging his fingers against the table. The wipe only came down rougher against his skin and Niko had enough.

He rushed to his feet, spinning around as he growled at the doctor, “You're only making it worse!”

The fury in the doctor’s eyes was Niko’s first warning before the man lunged forward and threw him against the table. He had gathered both of Niko’s wrists in one hand and slammed them over his head before growling in his ear, “I suggest you fucking behave before you make me loose my temper.”

Niko whimpered, squirming against the man’s grip as he tried to escape, “Le-let go, creep…”

The doctor’s grip only tightened as he glared at Niko, “If you don't behave in ten fucking seconds, I have no other choice but to get Martyn in here, and I am more than positive when I say that I know for certain that he would have no problem giving you an extra beating for this ridiculous behaviour.”

Niko gulped, clenching his jaw as he glared at the doctor, but his fighting soon stopped.

“Good boy,” The doctor smirked, knowing full well how much it angered the other while he ruffled Niko’s hair.

As the doctor cleaned his wounds, it felt like it was taking hours. Niko tried to silence his pathetic whimpers by biting down hard onto his fist, screwing his eyes shut. The last thing left was cleaning the cut which decorated his cheekbone from a hard punch to the face he had gotten earlier that day.

He winced as the wound was cleaned, trying to distract himself. The doctor was quiet, clearly not happy with his job. All that could be heard was the ticking of the clock. Niko’s eyes glanced at the two arms of the clock, small hand at the three, little hand at the-

Niko yelped as he was hit up the back of his head. “Nope,” The doctor smirked, “You're not allowed that.” He grabbed a fistful of Niko’s hair, shoving the other’s face to the medical bed, “Stay.” He ordered, humming to himself as he strolled over and took the clock, putting it face-down on the counter.

The doctor took off the plastic gloves, throwing them into the bin before making his way back over to Niko, smirking as he noticed the lad was still in the same position, “Good dog,” He chuckled.

Niko’s head snapped up with a growl as he glared at the doctor, “I am not a dog.” The doctor simply smiled the smug smile which never seemed to leave his goddamn face, “Alright, mutt, hands in front of you, Marcus will bring you back to Martyn.

Niko hated how Martyn seemed like a leisure compared to the doctor. He held his wrists out in front of him, showing he was no threat before he was led out of the door. Marcus took him from there, no blindfold this time. Niko glanced a few looks around the house, trying to take it all in but this house seemed like a blood maze.

He was shoved into a room, a soft carpet under his feet as he looked up, Martyn sat on the couch, smile on his face, “My buttercup, care to join me?”

- - -

Taglist: @blood-enthusiast @deckofaces @whumpifi @sleepy-dog-boy @whumpatize-me-captain @a-n-i-a-fan @sparrowsage @theelvishcowgirl @sorry-i-spaced @juniperspring @cherrychupachup @morning-star-whump @thelazywitchphotographer @kixngiggles @auroragehenna @fraugustends

next

[astoldbyaja]

Primal - Ch.25 ~AU Predator (Franchise)~

The Percy Mill Park was quiet and serene. I only ever camped here when I needed a break from the world. After escaping Marcus, I still felt him all around me on the outside and inside of me. I found it hard to adjust to life on the outside. I kept telling myself he would find me.

So, one day, I bought a bunch of camping gear and camped out high into the park. A woman should never seclude herself, because who knows what could happen to her, but at that time, I didn’t care what happened to me. I was very lucky to be able to reserve one of the nice camping spots that was only a few miles from the park’s resource building. There was a beautiful lake that I couldn’t stop glancing at whenever I was setting up. There was a fire pit and other items around the area like a man made restroom and water station. I had only been to this particular spot maybe twice in the years I was here. The grass was not tall and there were different colored flowers off in the distance. The forest was even further back, and I was not too far from the man-made parking lot and a grill with coal to cook food if needed. I had some food to get me through tonight since I only meant to stay for one night. I had my speaker on and connected to my phone as I had finished setting up my red tent.

I was going back to my inner child as I listened to the original soundtracks of old Disney movies I used to watch. Setting up camp always felt tedious to me, but with the music playing it kept me calm. On occasion I would look up at the sky wondering if I would see Scorpion’s ship. Like he’d let his ship be seen by anyone. With the technology he had, I was sure his ship could camouflage or go invisible or something. I hoped he was safe, my mate.

I don’t know why I was checking my phone often as if waiting to get a text from him letting me know how he was. Silly woman. It felt weird having no one to sing to. My voice brought someone comfort and now maybe it was time to let it bring me comfort.

As the day went on I took a few steps from my tent to take photos of the scenery. Maybe he would like to see them upon his return. As I moved about, I was humming “If I Never Knew You” by Jon Secada and Shanice. I was focusing on a beautiful spot a few feet away that had the perfect circular ray of sun shining down on it. I couldn’t resist the urge to walk over towards it and gently step into the light.

“I thought our love would be so beautiful! Somehow, we’d make the whole world bright! I thought our love would be so beautiful, we’d turn the darkness into light!” I sang to the warm sky. I felt hugged by the warmth that I imagined Scorpion’s massive arms securely wrapped around me. “And still my heart is saying we were right… And if I never knew you, I’d have lived my whole life through… empty as the sky. Never knowing why, lost forever if I never knew you.”

That night I stood before the lake, looking up at the exposed full moon. It was beautiful, it was captivating. It felt nice to be unbothered by anyone. I couldn’t hear the city or the rushing cars driving about. I heard the insects buzzing about. My speaker was on, and I was listening to the music that played on shuffle. I would do what I did the first time I had come here. I would once again wash all of him off of me. As I stepped out of my shirt and shoes, a more familiar song began to play, We Know What You Whisper by Busiswa Gqulu and Ludwig Göransson…

Normal POV

While Teleya washed beneath the moon, Scorpion was still as he was at a slight crouch, his long axe in his hand. His mask was reading the signatures in front of him and behind him.

Chu chu chu chu…Chu chu chu chu

The bad blood’s mask in front of him was leaking green blood as the mask on the bad blood behind him was cracked up the side. The yautja enforcer’s armor had scratches as well as gashes on his exposed shoulder and legs. He was wounded, but he stood tall. Scorpion had tracked the unworthy yautja’s to the state of Colorado. He had fought them for nearly two hours as this was how much time it took to disarm two bad blood’s weapons. When hunting bad blood’s, the honor code meant nothing to said traitor nor did the enforcer have to honor such code when trying to kill one.

Scorpion snarled lowly as the two rushed him, trying to strike at exposed areas of his armor. Scorpion roared as he quickly spun his axe, causing them both to jump back. He then quickly crouched and spun his axe fast and hard causing it to spin through the air and slice the bloody masked bad blood in the knees causing him to roar heavily and fall back.

Scorpion turned facing the cracked masked bad blood and ran for him just as he ran for the enforcer. Both were the same size and so the sheer force made his own cloaking system spark a bit. He made an attempt to get his claws into the yautja’s neck, to pierce his jugular, but the bad blood quickly tilted his mask down to stop his nails. Scorpion brought his knee up fast and hard cracking the bad blood’s armor. He got him to the ground on his back and began to lay his elbow viciously into the yautja’s mask. With each blow the crack in the bio mask made noises of malfunction and on the last blow, he extended his wrist blade and quickly slashed it across the bad blood’s neck.

Scorpion quickly got up, he still had one more to finish, but fire exploded up his shoulder as he roared in shock and… pain as a shuriken had swiped past his arm and landed into the tree across from him. He looked down and watched his arm detached at the elbow and landed onto the ground, green blood pouring down into the earth. Scorpion was seeing red, he turned with a vicious roar at the legless bad blood.

Looking onward from a tree trunk above was his mate’s other companion Chomper. He was still an adolescent but grew quickly in the short time he’s had him. He knew commands and he knew to be agile. Scorpion could have easily used his axe to finish off the bad blood, but he had yet to see the acidic raptor’s acid and how it impacted another yautja and its amor. The raptor was sitting patiently right above the bad blood.

“Release!” Scorpion commanded sharply. Chomper’s neck extended outward and lowered his head downward as he released a pale green liquid that poured down heavily onto the ground and the yautja below. The bad blood screeched loudly as the acid devoured what little protective armor was left on him piercing right through his flesh. Scorpion stood there watching as green blood poured from the open flesh and onto the ground.

Chomper slithered down the tree and ran up to the enforcer sitting down by his feet with a low hiss. Scorpion just stood there watching before turning and having the raptor release onto the other yautja as well. Now that the evidence of them were both gone, he moved toward his arm and picked it up. If he made it back to his ship in time, he would be able to use the medical supplies there to reattach it without causing too much nerve damage.

In the distance, he could hear the barking of hounds and people shouting. Obviously, the warriors of this state were coming to investigate. He could nothing about his blood at the moment. He cloaked himself and cackled at Chomper before running back into the forest with the raptor following swiftly behind.

He would not stop running until he was back at the ship. He needed to return to his main territory, to his home, to her. Once he and his raptor walked through the bridge and into the command center, he set coordinates for New York, informed his elder the bad bloods were eliminated, and moved to the medical bay to repair his arm. Cells in both his severed arm and his wound needed to be rejuvenated before he could reconnect with one of his serums.

He placed the arm in a tightly sealed, germ-free container. First it would clean his arm and then work on bringing back the cells lost. While that was in process, he got to work cleaning his wound and placed a tightly sealed film over his wound that would sterilize his wound and work on bringing back the healthy cells. He clicked a button on the medical board that showed the status of both his arm and wound. He stared at it for a moment before slowly crouching down on the ground and resting his good hand over his knee.

He thought back to the moment his arm fell from the rest of him. Losing a limb was an honor to a warrior like him, but he did not think of the victory scar he would have had had he left his arm behind. He thought of the severed hand part never being able to feel the soft flesh of his mate again. She was truly his mate, if her skin, and feeling it meant more than the honor of having an arm removed. That putrid bad blood nearly robbed him of years of future skin to skin contact with that hand and that sent him in a rage he thought he would never experience. He was going to torture that bad blood and make him feel real pain. But if he did that, then he would have gotten careless leaving himself open for further injury that would keep him further from his mate.

Words could not express how much his mate meant to him. He was obsessed with her, and he was not ashamed to admit it. He couldn’t wait to get home and ram her into her bed. With the power of his ship, he knew he would be home in no time.

Teleya’s POV

I was sleeping hard when a distant rustling was getting closer and closer. Any noise could wake me and so my eyes opened immediately, the sleep fading from me all together. I sat up thinking it was obviously an animal coming to look for food. I looked to the side of my sleeping bag at the large knife I had brought from home. I didn’t leave any food out to be eaten, but that wouldn’t stop an animal. Maybe it was just curious. My tent was secured so I trusted nothing would get in. I could hear a shrieking and suddenly, white claws pierced the tent and went straight down.

My heart tried to claw its way out of my throat as I jumped and screamed at the sudden attack on my tent. Suddenly, a familiar reptilian face peaks in and jumps on me. I yelped.

“Chomper!” I exclaimed as he gave gentle and innocent squeaks as he rubbed against me. On instinct I began to pet the top of his smooth head.

“Wait you’re here? That means…”

My heart fluttered as I got up and quickly left the shredded tent. He was back! I had a smile ready for him but paused and gasped as I saw Scorpion approaching from his cloaking with green all over his face. But what made my stomach tighten up was part of his right arm was gone. I covered my mouth in complete horror.

“Oh my God! What happened to you, are you okay!” I said hurrying up to him taking his other hand in mine. I looked him over seeing all the cuts and wounds and panic was just all over my face. “What is this? What happened, Scorpion talk to me! You’re hurt- your arm! What’s going on-” I was in complete panic, as he had calmly removed his hand from mine and placed the tips of his fingers gently over my lips quieting me. I stopped talking, not even noticing my face was wet from tears. And now he slowly raised his hand to his mask and removed the tubes from it and then removed the mask and placed it at his side.

His face was not cut or wounded. He tilted his head confused before raising his hand to rest against my cheek as I continued to cry more.

“Teleya… why are you crying? I am not hurt. I killed the bad bloods. I am home.” he said. I sniffled and shook my head looking at his missing arm.

“But your arm…” I cried and he shook his head.

“Is on the ship almost ready to be reattached. I was victorious. I am sorry I did not bring you back a gift.” he said. I shook my head immediately as if that mattered!

“I don’t care about a gift! I only care that you were hurt. I mean you’re cut up, and without an arm and I just don’t know how to help you!” I explained and he shrilled gently his large thumb wiping away one of my tears.

“My mate is a very worrisome female.” he said with a light sense of humor in his tone and slowly he just leaned down and wrapped his arm around my thighs and lifted me up. I gasped as he raised me up and just turned and began to walk off into the forest with me. “If you truly wish to help, sing to me while I reattach my arm.”

I smiled warmly down at him gently touching his face, letting my fingers take in the feel of his calloused skin. I missed his skin so much.

“I will do whatever my mate desires.” I replied softly now feeling better that he was in pain. I gently leaned down and pressed my forehead into him and he purred gently as Chomper ran past us jumping up to chomp at the owls that flew over us.

[bratty-telepath]

Ok but I want a Redacted Audio roleswap AU between listeners and speakers

Milo/Sweetheart - Milo works for DUMP as an investigator who seeks out the help of Sweetheart, a private eye and secret stealth for an unempowered PI Agency

David/Angel - David is the chef and owner of his own restaurant who just so happens to bump into angel who also works for the same PI agency with SH & Bäbe while they're on a case and suspect the guy following them of being a part of it.

Asher/Bäbe - Asher is an office worker who gets stuck in the elevator with Bäbe while they're sorting out documents for the agency. He drops by David's restaurant a lot and has a lengthy tab he's 50% confident that David's joking about.

Darlin/Sam - Sam is a free-lancer who's looking for a patient (Alexis) that came into urgent care some time ago but left without a trace after being comatose for months when he meets Darlin, a lone Vampire turned by Quinn that wants to know why he's snooping around their side of Dahlia.

Freelancer/Gavin - Gavin's looking for directions to start back at his old alma matter when he runs into a Freelancer that seems about as much trouble as they look.

Vincent/Lovely - Vincent is a latent illusory that has recently met a very bubbly Vampire whom he's taken to nicknaming Lovely after wandering into them at Wonder World to explore the ruins of the place he once met a stranger.

Marcus/Love - Love has become intensely hyperfocused on perfecting an android named M. A. R. C. U. S's social protocols that they slip up and realize they've made an error which has caused the android to seek them out for romantic affection however they do realize they could use this opportunity to find out more about this project

Avior/Starlight - Starlight is a Freelancer that got stuck in the meridian and needs the help of the inchoate, Avior to figure out how to get them out however they feel like they've already done this before and Avior seems a little too happy to see them

Ivan/Baby - Ivan has a stalker that has blackmailed him into a relationship with them and it only seems like it might be taking a turn for the worse.

Regulus/his listener - After a member of Close-knit found out how to trap an empathy daemon named Regulus, they've been trying to see the exact extent of their hidden captive's limits.

Like that, yk? Because we love a good swap of roles to see how much the story gets twisted ;3

[archoniluthradanar]

The love of three kings, Volturi style

When Aro found the broken bird collapsed in the garden, he felt a curiosity that compelled him to take her inside the castle and settle her in one of the guest rooms. He looked down at her, with her dirt-dusted face and a torn shirt, and wondered how she had ended up in the Volturi garden. 

He inhaled the faint scent of blood, then noticed her hands had scuff marks, some deep enough to allow blood to ooze forth and smear her palms. Had she jumped the garden wall, injuring her bare hands?  Perhaps she had been running away from someone and needed a place to hide. Aro called for Chelsea to clean up the unconscious girl, find her fresh clothing, and get her some cool water and hot food.

When Marcus and Caius find out about Aro's discovery, they joined him to discuss what they should do with her. Having this human in the castle was not safe, for the humans who worked for them, for his own people, or for the young woman herself. But once she had been cleaned up, she was quite captivating to the three vampires. 

Intrigued by her beauty, Aro would visit her, talking with her and asking if she needed anything. He found out her name was Marie Louise, and she had run away from home. Her parents were seeking to force her to marry a local boy she didn't love. She was almost spied by a relative who had been looking for her, so she decided to climb the castle wall to hide there until he went away. She had slipped, as far as she could remember, and must have passed out when she fell. Later that day, after their talk, Aro had gone into the garden to cut a few fragrant blooms to bring to her room, hoping they would cheer her.

Marcus brought her books to read, with subjects she had indicated an interest in. He chose some he knew were in the Volturi library and returned to her room with them. They read together, then would discuss the various subjects for hours. Marcus was pleased in her apparent intelligence, showing a lively interest in her, something unusual for him. 

Caius found out during his visit with her that she loved games. She bragged that she could beat anyone, even him, at any game he chose. The blonde vampire brought boards for checkers and chess, along with a deck of cards. They played together, whereupon Marie Louise beat Caius at checkers, lost to him at chess, and tied him the same winning games of gin rummy, before she finally tired. He kissed her forehead and told her to rest, then left her.

In all this time of visiting with the three kings, Marie Louise noticed the colour of their eyes, and finally asked Aro why their eyes were red. He explained that they were vampires, very old and extremely powerful. 

Marie Louise listened raptly as Aro told her their history, how they came to be in Italy, and how immortality worked. In four days, she had come to love the three kings, and wanted to be with them always. When Aro, Marcus, and Caius came to visit her together, while she was still in bed, Marie Louise asked Aro if he would make her a vampire, an immortal like them, so that she could stay with them forever.

"That is not something we are willing to offer you."

Suddenly, Aro tugged on her hair, and pulling her head to the side, exposed her throat to his sharp teeth. He bit hard into the tender flesh, the blood flowing immediately. Caius lifted her arm, placing her wrist to his mouth, biting hard, and drinking the oozing blood. Marcus bared her upper thigh and bit into the soft flesh, drinking the blood running down her leg.

The pretty young woman moaned while the three Volturi kings drank from the wounds they'd made on her body. She looked up at them, tears brimming in her eyes.  Aro noticed the tears and said, "I am sorry, my dear, but it is our nature."  She expired a few moments later.

Once the three kings had finished with her, they had Felix bury her body deep in the ground in the corner of the garden where she had been found. Aro visited her grave, and placed a single white rose on the mound of dirt. "You will be with us forever, Marie Louise, just not quite the way you wanted." He turned away from the grave, and went into the castle.

There aren't always happy endings.

[sweetashblog]

Draft from 4/3

Okay-

I just listened to the Project Meridian plotline for the first time and HOLY SHT

Spoilers below!!

This had me in a CHOKEHOLD ALL DAY.

Why don’t people talk about this more?? Literally all I knew was that James had a spouse and that Marcus was a weird guy that kissed a robot.

I didn’t know that we, the listener, were the robot! AND that we were a yandere robot!!!

I don’t like yandere plots, usually, because they feel horrific in a way that is way too close to reality (having a stalker is not something I wish on anyone), but the way this was presented CAPTIVATED me.

The gradual progression from unhealthy interest to extreme obsession was phenomenal. Especially because, while I knew he was a creep, I did not see Marcus as inherently Evil at first.

At first, I viewed this as more of a sci-fi horror, where Marcus was the catalyst, and it was ultimately his fault, but still a character I had empathy for. I thought “asset” was going to go down a darker path and that James was in danger.

It wasn’t until “Your Owner Takes Matters Into His Own Hands” that I realized how disgusting Marcus truly was. Then “Your Owner’s Log Entry” cemented that completely.

“Confronting Your Technician” was PAINFUL. I had such a hard time not feeling bad for Marcus, (bc who tf let Erik be such a great actor???) but James really shone through. He was blunt and confrontational and made it clear exactly how gross Marcus truly was without a hint of bias. I gained a new respect for his character that I hadn’t had before. Especially with how kindly he spoke to Asset afterwards.

And I LOVED the reveal of all the trigger words in the code!!! I didn’t catch any of them at first and had been really confused during A Talk With One of Your Devious Owners, but once everything came together I LOST IT.

I’m really grateful I got to listen to this with little to no spoilers. I was able to feel exactly what Erik was trying to invoke every step of the way and enjoy the immersion in the story.

I will never be able to get over Erik’s brilliance in writing and acting. How he is not a full-fledged voice actor, I have no idea. Everything he puts out is so well thought out and captivating, and somehow it stuns me every time.

AND ANTON— I love him with my whole heart and I’m going to personally track down Marcus and kick his teeth in I stg. I can’t wait to see how his plot develops 😭 Let him come home 😭

Anyways, thank you for coming to my TEDTalk. I think I need to make a new side blog for Redacted posts.

[angelic-writer]

Hail True Body - (My) God's Not Dead

Holy shit, another one!! I'm on a roll! This time, I'm trying out Hail True Body by @mustangs-flames

The prompt is by the lovely @serickswrites who never fails to rip our hearts out. <3

This stars an AU I've been thinking of for a while now. I hope it's worthwhile.

CW: Captivity, Torture, Restraints, Forced to watch, Drowning, Attempted CPR, Escape, Referenced Character Death, Referenced injury of a child, Referenced toxic masculinity

Excerpt from John 11

The Death of Lazarus

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

“But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”

Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

The night sky was dotted with stars. In the barren plains of Edensfield, they all joined together to make a cluster, a light show made from the heavens. From a God that Mark thought he prayed to. It would've been a pretty sight if he and Cesar were out and about, enjoying themselves, not having a care in the world. But now, as he dragged his friend's body out into the field, he wondered if the stars above were supposed to mock him, taunting him of a future he could've had with Cesar.

"Look, we made it, Ces." Mark said breathlessly as he reached the edge of Mr. Marcus' property. He clutched Cesar tightly, fearful of dropping him or leaving him behind. "We made it to freedom. Just like you said."

Mark stopped walking, the weight of everything he had endured finally hitting him. "I'm free." He whispered as he stared into Cesar's upturned face. "You deserved to be free, too." He said as the overwhelming sadness he had started to feel back at the house began to take over.

"You... deserved it, too..." Mark repeated as a lone tear dripped onto Cesar's face.

The shorter boy's eyes were half-lidded, his gaze glassy and empty. His grey lips were parted slightly, and he was so terribly, terribly still. The kind of stillness that reminded him of that event. When they went to see her...

Mark dropped to his knees as he began to sob. He hadn't been fast enough. Hadn't done enough. Hadn't acted soon enough. He sat back against the tree, Cesar's limp body cradled in his lap. His heart was racing so fast, he thought it would stop at any minute. He wouldn't mind that. If he could at least see Cesar again, he'll gladly let his heart fail.

Mr. Marcus was their old high school history teacher who was obsessed with Greek mythology. He got along really well with the students, especially Cesar, to the point where people started calling him a teacher's pet. He had told them that they were gonna do great things when they grew up. He especially had faith in Cesar pursuing a medical degree. So when a mysterious figure pulled Cesar into a dark alley, knocking him out with chloroform and hit Mark over the head with a pipe, they had no idea who it would be.

They awoke several hours later in a dark room, lit by a single candle. There were handcuffs on their wrists, preventing them from any escape. There was the smell of rotting flesh coming from somewhere in the house. Didn't Mr. Marcus have a wife that he wouldn't stop talking about? He loved her, right? So why isn't she there? Surely, they would notice two high school graduates locked up in the house and call someone, right?

The figure walked in front of the candle and they could see a familiar face, illuminated by the candle.

"Mr. Marcus?!" Mark had shouted. "W-What the hell- What are you doing here?!"

Mr. Marcus tilted his head. His face looked like it had blood all over. His eyes had heavy bags under them like he hadn't slept in so long. "Hmm... That's a good question. What am I doing here? Well, I'm here because... Well, I had a bit of a revelation."

"Revelation? W-What do you mean?"

"Oh come on! Don't try to play dumb! Y'know, the one your little friend had."

Cesar shuddered, shutting his eyes tightly.

"Wait. So... You..."

"Yep. Those voices won't stop talking, telling me that something was wrong with her, that I couldn't trust her. I... I..."

Mark started to quake. "You... killed her...?"

Cesar let out a choked sob.

"I-I had to. One of them probably killed her and was wearing her skin! I... had no choice! I had to!! Oh god, the blood... I-It's gonna be hard to clean up, but I'll take it."

"Why...?" Cesar sobbed. "Why did you kill Mrs. Marcus?! Y-You loved her! You wouldn't shut up about her every day! You gave her flowers, took her out to dinner and everything! You were so happy! So why?! Why do all of this?! We never did anything!!"

"Because... Everything was a lie. They told me all I needed to know. How God abandoned us and that this world is doomed to fail. I cannot trust anyone. Anything. So I have to protect myself from them. You know what I'm talking about, don't you, Mark?"

Of course Mark knew what he was talking about. The mimics. He had encountered one when he found Cesar bleeding out on the floor.

"In fact... The reason why I kidnapped you two... is because they told me to..."

Mark blinked. "....What...?"

"Mr. Marcus, you don't have to do this! Y-You can fight this! You have to! We can help you!"

"So you can turn me in for killing my wife? I don't think so. In fact, I don't think you're really Mark and Cesar. I think you're just wearing their skin."

"N-No, we're not! We lived through our attacks!!" Cesar screamed.

"Yeah! We have proof! You can look at Cesar! He's living proof!" Mark chimed in.

Mr. Marcus sighed. "You must think you're so smart trying to get me to let my guard down just because you have simulated scars? Well, you can't fool me. No one can. Not anymore."

And so, he left the room. For the first several hours, they were left alone in the dark, handcuffed together. Mark tried to ignore the smell of death and closed his eyes, muttering prayers to God. That did little to calm his nerves, but a warm hand snapped him out of his thoughts. Warm hands against bandaged ones. "Hey, Mark. I-It's okay. We're gonna get out of this, okay?"

Even with the trauma of killing his own mother, he still had his optimism. They escaped a mimic attack at the house before. This was no different. How confident he was... "M-Maybe we can figure out a way before he even comes back." He whispered, leaning his head on Mark's shoulder.

"I think it's going to take some time to figure our way out of this. We're handcuffed together in the dark somewhere we don't even know."

"We'll make it to freedom, you'll see."

Cesar had been so confident. He was so confident that he would escape with Mark. He was confident that they would be free before Mr. Marcus can come back. And he was confident that Mr. Marcus wouldn't hurt them that bad.

Cesar was wrong.

Mr. Marcus had returned after several hours, flicking the lights, revealing the contents of the room. Mark's mouth had gone dry when he saw the rusty bathtub in the corner of the room. Mr. Marcus silently filled the tub as Mark's heart pounded. Only one word came to mind: baptism.

"Which one of you should I start with, eh?" Their old teacher asked quietly. After a minute of silence, too long for Mark's comfort, his eyes settled on the taller boy. "How about you? If you really are a mimic, you'll come back from this, right?"

Cesar glared at Mr. Marcus. "Over my dead body."

He looked to Cesar. "Fine. Then we'll start with you. This will be your first extracurricular lesson."

And that was all it took. Mark screamed and tried to grab onto Cesar as the teacher uncuffed Cesar from him. He scrambled after Mr. Marcus as he dragged Cesar to the tub by the hair. "LET HIM GO!! LET HIM GO!!" He roared.

"None of that." Mr. Marcus snarled as he kicked Mark in the face.

He stumbled to the floor, his cheek throbbing. He sat there helplessly, trying to figure out a way out of the cuffs. If these cuffs weren't around the bastard's neck first. They were loose, but Mr. Marcus would see. He had to wait until he left them alone again.

Mr. Marcus plunged Cesar's head in and out of the tub several times, Cesar kicking and fighting each time, but he didn't stop. He shoved Cesar's head below the surface once more. The way his limbs flailed about wasn't a good sign for Mark. He had to do something fast!

'LET HIM GO, YOU FUCKING BASTARD!! I'LL KILL YOU!! I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!!" His eyes were wide with rage, his lips twisted into an unnatural shape, his nails dug into his palms, breaking skin and drawing blood. He was like a wild animal.

Mr. Marcus either didn't hear him or acted like he wasn't there.

Cesar's frantic scrabbling grew weaker and weaker until he stilled.

"CESAR!!!" Mark screamed as he watched Cesar's arms fall limply to his side.

Mr. Marcus blinked, relaxing his grip on Cesar's hair. He looked confused, the crazed look he had earlier disappearing. "C... Cesar?" He lifted his head up and looked at him. He flinched and dropped him to the floor. He stumbled backwards, his body starting to violently shake before he dropped to his knees. He looked at his hands which were still covered in his wife's blood. "Wh... What... What did I just...?"

He looked to Cesar who was lying limply on the floor. "D-Did I just...?" Tears started to fall down his face, his breathing quickening before he began to hyperventilate. "O-Oh god!! Oh my god!! I-I didn't mean- Cesar, I'm sorry!! I didn't mean-!!" He covered his mouth to muffle his sobs. He finally realized what he had done, though it was far too late.

¬ You killed him, Marcus. ¬

Mark and the teacher froze. That voice...

¬ You killed your precious student. ¬

It was here. And it had seized its moment.

Dark shadows wrapped around Mr. Marcus as he looked behind him. A creature beyond human comprehension was standing before him, black hands gripping his shoulders. A mimic. It followed him. Followed them. A pair of eyes looked at Mark and said in a voice he knew very well.

¬ Don't look, Mark. ¬

He closed his eyes, gritting his teeth as he heard his former teacher screaming into the endless night. Screaming for help which will never come. Screaming until finally, it was silent. Mark opened his eyes.

There was no one. No Mr. Marcus, no mimic - just Cesar who laid on his side, his back to Mark. Water streamed from his body, staining the wood around him. "Hold on, Ces. I'm almost there. Hold on."

He slipped the cuffs quickly and stumbled forward. "Cesar?"

Cesar didn't reply.

Mark shook his shoulder. "Come on, Ces. We don't know how long we have until that thing comes back. We have to go." He said urgently.

Cesar's body shook with the motion, but he didn't respond. "Cesar?" Mark whispered as he rolled his friend onto his bad. "OH GOD NO!!" He screamed as he stared into Cesar's lifeless eyes.

No, no, not again! NO!!

"Please, Ces, please!!" Mark said as he started compressions. "Please don't leave me. We're getting out of here. Please, c'mon!!"

His medical knowledge was fuzzy, but he knew Cesar had been studying. He wanted to go to med school, wanted to be a nurse. He had a bright future ahead of him where he had nothing. Mark, you fucking moron! You should've listened! You should've let him go! You had Josiah! You could've come to him, but no. You just had to blow up at the one person who cared about you. Why are you such a selfish asshole?!

Please God, please. Don't take him away from me.

He counted to fifteen and blew into his lungs. His lips were slack, but they were warm. Still there. Still has a chance.

"C'mon, Cesar, please... You have to live. Please!" His hands sunk down into his chest, his ribs bending inwards. I think I'm doing this right. Cesar's body shaking like a ragdoll and the clicking of his ribs made him sick. It felt like an absolute nightmare, trying to get his heart beating and breathing expired air into his dying friend. Never in his life would he imagine doing this to anyone, let alone his friend. It felt like he was playing God in that moment. Cesar's life was in his hands.

"Cesar, c'mon! C'mon, you bastard!! Breathe!" He slammed his fist into his chest before he continued. He didn't know how long he tried to revive Cesar. He didn't know how long he pounded on his chest. How long he begged Cesar to breathe. How he pleaded with the universe to bring his friend back.

He just knew that eventually, he stopped because Cesar was dead. That there was nothing he could do to save him. That the only thing he could do was save himself and get Cesar's body to safety.

"You deserved it, too." Mark repeated as he stroked Cesar's still wet hair. "Oh Ces... I'm sorry... I'm sorry for everything... God, please, no... Please, Cesar, please..." Mark knew he would never recover from this. Would never recover from watching Cesar drown. Would never recover from failing to revive Cesar. And he would never recover from staring into Cesar's lifeless eyes. And as Mark stared down into the face he loved above all others, he realized he deserved it.

A punishment for being selfish.

--------

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

Jesus wept.

Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

--------

Mark and Cesar were laying in a field, listening to a song from Queen. Freshly bloomed flowers swayed gently in the breeze accompanied by the birds chirping. It was a few days after they graduated and they were enjoying the summer breeze. Mark played with his cross while his brain absorbed the lyrics.

"Hey Mark." Cesar had suddenly said.

"Yeah?"

"I've been wondering... What is it like to die?"

Mark blinked. "Sheesh. Dark, dude."

"It's been something that has been on my mind lately. Ever since Emile died, I've been thinking... Was he suffering during his last days? Was he able to feel some sort of peace when we were there for him?" He sighed. "I dunno. And considering my mom's job, it caused me to think."

Mark looked at the sky, at the whisping clouds. What was Lola's job like at the hospital? Since she's on night shift, she had to have seen a lot of shit. Broken bones, torn open wounds, mangled bodies from accidents - She had to have a strong stomach to deal with all of that.

"I think... You never really know when you die. Though if you do good things, when you die, God will let you into heaven. It's just how I think, y'know?"

"Of course you'd say that. Well, if this God you're speaking of lets me in, then I hope I don't get kicked out for not being straight enough."

Mark chuckled. He stretched his hand up to the sky, wondering if he could take the clouds and make them into any shape he wants. Death was one thing that was a constant on his mind lately. Now that they were out of high school, he had no idea what life held for him. Would he stay with Cesar forever in this small town? Maybe live in a dingy apartment trying to start up a band? The thought of it made him smile.

Cesar was the only thing he held onto in life. His best friend, his universe, his God.

He closed his eyes as Bohemian Rhapsody came on.

That memory was all but tainted by that terrible argument. And the screams for help when Cesar unexpectedly called in the middle of the night. And the blood...

He almost lost him that night, but they fought off death. They clung onto each other like a lifeline, never wanting to let each other go. But, like all things in life, death had to come eventually. And it eventually claimed Cesar.

Mark clung onto the hand that was beginning to grow cold. The hand that was so warm before. A sign of his failure. He wanted him to wake up in that moment, to tell him how sorry he was for being selfish, for holding him back, for ruining his life, anything! If it meant hearing his voice again.

He was not a good person. Despite what Cesar, Cian and Josiah said, he was not a good person. He killed his parents, he hurt his sister, his grandparents hated him for not being man enough, he hurt Cesar. Do these things make him a good person? In a way, Cesar dying was like God or whatever punishing him for his sins, his transgressions. Because of his actions, he will never be happy with Cesar.

Never have the happy family he wanted.

He's never meant to find happiness. He will always be alone like he deserves.

Lord, if you had been there, Cesar would not have died.

He thought he felt something squeeze his hand. He looked to see he was still holding Cesar's limp hand. What was he supposed to do now? He can't live without him. He can't. There were still so many things to atone for. So many things to do before he could finally be happy. He rested his forehead onto Cesar's, still feeling the droplets of water as he closed his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Ces... I couldn't do anything to help you... Please forgive me... I'm so so-"

Something squeezed his hand again. He snapped his eyes open and looked. Really looked.

There it was again. Somehow, Cesar squeezed Mark's hand. But how? He was dead, right? Was it just a muscle spasm? He put his face to Cesar's mouth to check if there was something.

There was a faint gurgle emanating from his throat, his lips twitching in an ineffectual attempt to breathe. "Cesar!!" Pressing his ear to his chest, he could hear something. It was a heartbeat. Too faint and slow, but it was there.

Oh shit...

"H-Hold on! Let me help you!" Laying him back down, he tilted his head back, pinched his nose and breathed into his mouth once more. He had a newfound sense of purpose now. He had Cesar and he was going to keep him there, mimics be damned.

He started compressing his chest again, counting to fifteen before briefly stopping. No, this number is too low. I have to go higher. What's the highest number? Twenty? Thirty? Yeah, thirty sounds good. He began to push past what he was initially taught, not caring if he had to break a few bones. All he wanted was for Cesar to live.

Cesar's hand twitched a few times as he continued. He will bring him back. This time, he was sure he will. He will get to have pancakes again. He will get to atone for what he did for hurting Cesar that day. Everything will be okay.

The sky was beginning to grow light, the individual stars going out one by one. The death of one life and the birth of another. The old lives they knew died on October 24, 1993. But with the rising sun, they will forge a new life.

Water came out of Cesar's mouth, but he still wasn't breathing. Mark was beginning to grow exhausted. Dammit, how did they make this so tough? Once more, he continued breathing into him, hoping, praying it will be enough.

He will make sure his God will not die.

After what felt like an eternity of Mark pumping blood through his friend's body, he finally responded. Cesar started coughing up water and rolled onto his side as he gasped.

"Ces!! Cesar!! Hey, hey hey hey, you're okay. You're okay now. J-Just breathe. I got you now." Mark stroke his hair as Cesar wheezed. Even though he just got brought back, he was in lousy shape. His skin was pale, his eyes looked sunken in and he was fading in and out of consciousness. "Hold on, let me get a phone-" He began to stand up, but Cesar grabbed his arms.

"No. Please... Don't go... Please..." He whimpered, his voice so quiet, it was like a little kid. Mark held him in his arms, carding his bandaged fingers through his hair.

"I'm not leaving you. Not this time. I promise." He rocked him gently, humming a song his mother used to sing for him. Cesar buried his face in his chest, his body relaxing as he slipped into unconsciousness. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around him, hoping to keep him warm. He will stay here for a while longer, then he'll find a payphone and call an ambulance.

What would he say to them? That their history teacher kidnapped them and almost killed Cesar, then got killed my a mimic? He'll figure it out later. Right now, he needs to calm the racing of his heart.

Somewhere in the distance, he heard police sirens coming towards the house. Looking up, he could see a familiar figure coming out of the squad car along with someone else. Cian. Mark began waving his arms and cried out, "Hey!! We're here!! Help!! My friend needs an ambulance!!"

Cian followed the direction of Mark's voice, barking orders to the other officers to get the EMTs. When he reached the tree that Mark and Cesar were at, he was shocked at what he was seeing.

Mark was holding Cesar in his arms in a loving embrace, his face wet with tears as the shorter boy wheezed. The sun was starting to peek over the horizon, causing the rays to shine behind him, creating a halo. A perfect recreation of a holy man holding a man who had previously died but was brought back to life.

--------

"So let me get this straight. He was dead?" Cian asked.

"Yes, he was." Mark said, picking at his fingernails.

"And he came back to life."

"Yeah. I tried CPR, but it didn't seem to be doing anything so I thought he was too far gone." His voice wavered. He didn't want to think about that event.

Cian closed his eyes and tapped his pen. Mark took a sip of coffee, a drink that the older man offered him earlier.

"Have you ever heard of Lazarus Syndrome?"

Mark blinked. "I-I guess. I know Cesar talked to me about it when we were studying."

"Mm. Lazarus Syndrome - Autoresuscitation after failed CPR. They started recording cases ten years ago, but they appear to be few and far between."

"Mmm-hmm. That's what it was."

There was silence. The more Mark thought about it, the more he slowly realized he jumped the gun back at the house. Cesar wasn't responding to the compressions so he thought he was dead when in reality, his heart delayed in beating again. It was just like Lazarus in the tomb...

And I'm Jesus Christ. Funny. You'd think it'd be the other way around.

The sound of the phone ringing broke him out of his trance. Cian picked up the receiver. "Hello?"

"Okay. He's doing alright?"

"Okay, that's good. Do you want me to go get him?"

"Alright, thank you."

He hung up. "That was the hospital. Cesar's stable."

Mark let out a sigh of relief.

"Do you want to go see him?"

He nodded his head a bit too enthusiastically. Cian chuckled. "Okay, okay. You kids really need some rest."

As they left the questioning room, Mark asked him. "By the way, how did you know where we were?"

"Josiah. He let us know what was going on."

--------

Mark sat beside Cesar's hospital bed, holding his hand. It was already becoming warm. He's here. He's here with him now. Nothing could take him away now. He had already been given a second chance that night and he will make sure he will treasure every second he spends with Cesar. Never take anything for granted. He will work on himself to become a better version of Mark Owens. He won't let anything ruin this moment.

Cesar slowly opened his eyes.

"Hey bud. You alright?"

He turned to Mark and smiled. "Yeah, I'm okay. Thank you."

"No problem. You'd probably do the same for me, right?"

"You betcha." He gripped his hand. It was just as strong as before.

A lone bird perched itself on the windowsill, looking at the two men with an inquisitive look. Soon after, Josiah came into the room and they all delved into mundane conversations. For a moment, everything was back to normal.

--------

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

[atinylittlepain]

Sunday Digest - the last edition for a while

hello, my friends. the time has come, this is my last week before i ship off across the country for my internship and go on a much needed hiatus. here's the deal, i have lots of good stuff to share this week, and because i've been writing like a bat out of hell, my hope is to still post a few things here and there over the next two months. you can expect me back, but still slow, mid-August.

but first! let's have a good week, shall we?

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here's what you can expect from me this week

Javi G pegging on Monday, why not?

the last chapter of Apothecary on Tuesday before it takes a break along with me :') you can send me your therapy bills after

the first chapter of June on Thursday

and I'll tack this on too, a Marcus Pike pegging fic probably next Monday

here's what happened last week

Joel pegging on Monday

Apothecary, chapter 8 on Tuesday

Dieter Bravo pegging on Thursday

the prologue to June on Friday

busy busy busy

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cool stuff I read last week

admittedly, I wasn't doing very much reading because of how much writing I was doing, but I do have a few gems to share

@dreamsofmandalore is working on a really lovely raider!joel series called Beastly and the first two chapters are captivating

@beskarandblasters has a new joel series all based on songs off of Punisher, and Garden Song rocked

@pedgeitopascal is working on a new joel series titled To Hell and Back and the first chapter was very intriguing. i'm excited to read more

a wonderful band of humans, plus me, have been hard at work on the Peg that Middle Aged Man Campaign. Go check out the work of @wannab-urs , @serenaxpedro , @jksprincess10 , and @beskarandblasters

that's all off the top of my head. like i said, i had a slow week on the reading front. please, pretty please, add your own recs in the comments!

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thanks for sticking with me, folks. miss you already.

with care,

gin