#I am just projecting milord

[shuchu]

u should do 18 (event fluff list!) with milord vox akuma ... 18 is definitely something he would say (*≧∀≦*) -🌸

˗ˏˋ₊ °.♡ romantic words ♡.°₊ˎˊ˗

shuchu’s 100 follower event ♡

prompt: “i desperately want to take you out for dinner and slow dance with you until the sun comes up, but i also want to grip your hair as i watch you writhing underneath me.”

characters: vox akuma ; streamer!reader

warnings: suggestive, minors DNI ; gn!reader 

author notes: thank you for participating 🌸 anon!! i’m so sorry this took eons to get out (╥﹏╥) you’re right though, vox would say this ＞▽＜ thank you for being patient with me lovelies, i have a small break in between assignments and tests soon so hopefully i can use that time to write up more for y’all ♡ decorative divider: @/mykaesu on twt ⋯♡ᵎ

enjoy! ♡

previously vox lived an hour away but when you found out that he moved nearer to you, you were elated. the both of you were already pretty good friends so you would pop over to his place to hang out pretty much every day.

you would end stream and text vox saying, “voxy i’m coming over.”

“sure thing! i’ll leave the door unlocked.”

most of the time the both of you would be working on projects together, being productive but other times, vox would insist that you have to watch so-and-so movie with him now that you can hang out with him in person.

vox would then proceed to talk your ear off about the movie after it’s done, resulting in the both of you staying up till ungodly hours and having to chug coffees and teas the next morning. 

there are some days however, where vox is in a sentimental, emotional, sappy mood. he opens up about it and shares his thoughts with you. you sit there listening to him, resting your head in your palms. 

you find yourself falling in love with this man that is so brutally honest about who he is and isn’t afraid to show some vulnerability. not only is he that but he’s caring, has a huge heart, helpful, hardworking and a bit egotistical at times but that’s all part of his charm.

you would lie in bed at night wondering if he felt the same. unbeknownst to you, vox did feel the same. 

the way you sat there listening to whatever he had to say, not rushing him, never judging him. even if you had absolutely no idea what he was saying, you still listened and made an effort to get to know him. he liked that he could throw a flirty remark your way and have you shoot a witty comment back in return. vox finds it really attractive when you’re in the zone working hard on projects and brainstorming ideas for streams. and that smile, gosh, it makes him melt.

today was like any other day, you were at vox’s house after wrapping up stream and since you haven’t had anything to eat yet, he offered to cook dinner for you. 

you sat at the kitchen island, watching as vox cooked up a storm in the kitchen. the both of you having a little chat, asking how has each other’s day been. vox had poured you a glass of red wine to sip on whilst waiting, knowing that you loved having a little red wine to wind down after a tiring day.

the conversation eventually died down and all you could hear was the sizzle of the steak in the pan. you take in the scene before you and think: this feels oddly domestic; as though we’re dating…who am i kidding, he probably doesn’t like me that way…

lost in your thoughts, you let out a soft sigh subconsciously.

“a penny for your thoughts?” vox asks after hearing you sigh.

“vox, what do you think of me?”

vox hums softly, “well, i think you’re a wonderful person y/n, i really enjoy your company.”

you pout, not getting the response you hoped for. vox turned around after hearing you go silent to see you sulking. his eyes softened and he turned back to carry on with the cooking.

he chuckles and asks, “what’s wrong y/n? why’re you sulking like that?”

“it just wasn’t the response i was looking for.” you grumbled. 

vox plates up the food and places your plate in front of you before grabbing his plate and cup of wine, seating himself next to you. “what did you expect me to say then hmm?” vox asks with a teasing smirk.

maybe it’s the alcohol in your veins, giving you the liquid courage to say what you were going to say next.

“i don’t know we’ve been spending a lot of time together recently and i’m starting to feel a bit different towards you.” you said, your cheeks flushed. whether it was from the alcohol or from you blushing, you couldn’t tell at this point. 

vox lets out a breathy laugh, he gets where you’re going with this but he decides to tease you a little, liking how flustered you’re getting. “um…you might need to elaborate a bit more on that y/n. what do you mean by different?”

“vox akuma!” you glare at him, “you know damn well what i’m trying to say, don’t even try to act dumb.” you huff in annoyance.

vox grins and leans towards you to intertwine his fingers with yours, “y/n, look at me.”

you turn towards him, still pouting. 

“if you want me to be brutally honest. i desperately want to take you out for dinner and slow dance with you until the sun comes up,” your heart melts from vox’s romantic words. 

vox then leans forward to whisper into your ear, “but i also want to grip your hair as i watch you writhing underneath me.” he pulls back with a smug grin plastered on his face. you feel heat rising to the tips of your ears from the suggestive ending to his confession.

“well i mean, you’ve already done the first part. why don’t we do the other things you mentioned hmm?” you smirk at him with a mischievous glint in your eyes. 

your gaze falls to his lips and back up to his eyes. vox does the same, before dipping down to kiss you, capturing your lips in a heated kiss in which you return with the same amount of hunger and yearning. he swipes his tongue against your bottom lip slightly before pulling back to whisper, “i hope you’re ready sweet thing because we’re going to be up all night.” 

#vox akuma #vox akuma x reader #luxiem #luxiem x reader #vox akuma smut #nijisanji en #shuchu 100 event ♡

[renee-writer]

A Little Change in History Chapter 2

AO3

On the way to their new life, the wagon stopped several times for rest, meals and, so the people can relief themselves. On one of these times, Mary whispered to Claire. “Ccclaire were are were going.”

“I believe Stirling Castle. That is what I heard. We both have seven years to be indentured servants.” Claire holds the other lass as tears drip down her face. She wants Oxford, her house and, her uncle. They are all gone now and the future is in the hands of whoever picks up their indenture. She just prays he is kind.

They ride towards Stirling Castle. Murtagh smiles before he says, “So, Jenny says you need a wife.”

Jamie scowls. “Jenny needs to keep her nob out of my business. I don’t wish for a wife right now. I have the responsibility of the land and her tenants. These servants. Besides, have you seen the lasses my sister wishes to set me up with?” Murtagh chuckles. “Either a mousy thing or a loud demanding one who makes me wish to run away.” He laughs.

There was a time, before Mary married Robert that Jenny was trying to set him up with her. Then it was their cousin, Laughaire. Lord is he ever thankful that she was found in the barn with one of the stable hands and was married off.

“Jamie, you know I wish you happy. I haven’t been with anyone since Suzette in Paris, so I understand.” Jamie had been barely older then a wean, still wet behind the ears when he was in Paris for university. It was a heady time and the lasses were so tempting. He almost lost his life for one of them. He learned his lesson though.

They stop in front of the castle in the courtyard. Both the castle and villages are built on volcanic rock hovering above the river forth. As Scottish as the Highlands and Lowlands. A small platform had been constructed outside the castle and this is where many clansman had gathered to see the offerings of men and women for their lands. Jamie walks up to the lad with the list and occupations of the indentured servants.

“Good morror. I am in need of a midwife/ healer and a maid to replace one who is being married. Do you have anyone today who fits that need?”

“Mr. Fraser, I do. I have a healer from England. She has been charged with murder. She is with a friend, mute, who should make a fine maid.”

“Murder? Do you have the details?”

“Aye,” he shuffles some papers around, “ ah, the baby came still, according to the healer and the mam, who swears the child grew still in her. The father rejected this, the English courts put her under indenture. Her and her mates sentence is seven years.” He adds helpfully, “and are right over there, if you wish to see them.”

He nods and he and Murtagh walk over that way. He shakes his head at the conditions the people were in. All dirty and in rags but, they look healthy. There was that, at least. Jamie hated this, the aftermath of war. It got them out of England and into a better life. Most are Catholic and outspoken. It is a dangerous thing to be, as the English king didn’t handle that well. Most Scottish lairds were just looking for people to work the land. War had taken its toil on both sides. The famine that came after caused poor harvests and very tired Scots. Some had left for the colonies, seeking the independence, that is even stronger then the Scots had found. The English could do naught about it.

He walks over to see the healer. She has brown curly hair, and he sees her beauty even amongst the dirt. Another lass clings to her. “Claire Beauchamp, the healer come here.” The stand together and walk over to the three men. The tallest had the air of a Laird and she bows down to him, taking Mary with her. She noticed his red hair and stern but kind blue eyes. “I am Claire Beauchamp, the healer.”

“How many bairns have you lost?”

“Milord, three. Two were born still and the other badly deformed. The father took the lad and shoved me out the door.” Her head remains bowed.

“This lass with you, does she speak?”

“Yes Milord, but her stutter is bad and pronounced and she hides it from all but me.”

He nods. “I will take them both. I also need a good stable hand as the one I have is going on to other duties.”

“I have a lad of noble birth. He did something to disgrace his family and is now well, here.” The chap laughs. To see a noble brought low is a particular treat. Jamie just glares at him. “Come lad.” He quickly calls out.

He comes over. Thin he was but looks sturdy. “What is your name lad?”

“Alex Randall, sir. I was thrown out of my family for refusing to fight the Scots. I really didn’t , and don’t have a problem with you.”

“Randall? Do you know a Jack Randall?’

“Yes sir. He was my cousin. Never liked him. There was something funny about him beyond him not liking the ladies.” Seeing Claire and Mary, he flushes and bows towards them, “Pardon my ladies.”

Jamie likes him. “I will take him also. Please have them cleaned up and in some clean clothes. I will be back in an hour to get them.” He nods at Murtagh and they walk away. They head to a pub to get lunch befo heading back to Lallybroch.

#my writing #outlander fanfic #a little change in history #chapter 2 #jamie and claire #cannon divergence #outlander fandom

[deydenier]

friendship is monologuing about shit your friend don't get and doing the same for them

#if you read the text i am so sorry i am just a raised christian agnostic bastard who read homestuck and has been obsessed with classpecting #please do NOT read the text it is just flavortext #a really funny and sleep deprived one #my art #doodle #i'm posting almost everything from twt to here because im insane #genshin impact #but if you DO want to rad the text #the gist is: he's a prince of blood he (will) destroy his bonds n relationship with the side he wont choose #being a blood player it ties alot to sacrifice and weird jesus imagery #and the whole betrayal thing... judas tings! #to be both jesus and judas... amazing #I am just projecting milord #homestuck #both hs n gi is just mentioned here but #lmao

[mageofseven]

Part two of this Anon's ask! Part one with the Brothers can be found here.

Diavolo:

The prince was trying to balance the pen on top of his nose. He had been in his office for hours as he went through paperwork and the man was losing his focus.

Beep.

Yes! A distraction! The demon let his pen fall to the desk as he picked up his phone.

'Ddddd I love you 🥰'

The prince grinned.

'I love you too, my Queen! 😘' He texted back then added. 'What are you up to?'

'Wiiinne.'

Ah so that explains it. They're drinking the wine he got them for their birthday.

'Aw. You opened it without me. Aren't you naughty?'

'😔'

'What's that face for, my dear?'

'Youre t9o busyy to spend tim e wth me 😢'

The prince frowned and rose from his desk.

'Where are you? I'm coming now.'

'Ou r room.'

The prince left the room and headed down the hall to his bedroom. He stepped inside and saw his Queen sitting on the couch by the fire place, wine glass and bottle on the low table in front of them. They were sitting with their knees to their chest and staring into the fire.

Diavolo approached the couch and sat next to them.

"I'm sorry, my dear." He said softly, pulling them into his embrace. "I know I've been working a lot lately."

"It's fine..." They mumbled.

"My Queen, you're not being honest with me." He told them, pushing some hair out of their eyes and behind their ear.

"It's just...lonely." They admitted softly. "I know I have my friends to spend time with, but it's not the same. I miss you."

The prince leaned in and kissed their forehead.

"I'm truly sorry, MC." The demon apologized. "I've been putting some extra work on my plate so Lucifer will allow himself more sleep. I know it must have been a hard couple weeks for you though."

The man did this occasionally. He knew how his friend was and knew that simply asking him to sleep more wasn't enough. Even if it was extra stressful for the prince, he wanted to do what he could for his friend so he didn't have to always worry for Lucifer's health.

"No... no, I know it's harder for you; you're the one doing the work." The human laid their head on their boyfriend's chest and closed their eyes.

"I'll be fine so no worrying about me." He kissed them on the top of their head. "How about we go out to eat Friday night? I should have my work done by then."

"Okay." The human yawned.

Diavolo smiled at them.

"Okay, time to sleep. Up you go." The man stood up and carried them towards the bed, covering them up, and giving them one last kiss on the head. "Good night, my Queen."

The demon listened as his love's breath slowed as they fell asleep before he turned and left the room. As much as he wanted to lay with his human and hold them close, he now had a new purpose to his work. After all, now he had to make sure the majority of his work was done before Friday. For his Queen's sake.

Barbatos:

Barbatos was in the kitchen, making a snack for his lord and his sweet human. Lord Diavolo had invited them over for a drink so the two had been sitting outside in the garden, watching the sunset while they had some wine. The butler had no qualms with this; he knew that both his love and his master were trustworthy. That and it was part of his job to come and go so he could spend time with them as well, even if he himself was not joining in on the drinking.

The butler took the finished dish back to the garden, only to discover the table to be vacant now. Raising an eyebrow, the man sat the dish on the table.

"Perfect timing!" The prince was suddenly behind him. "Barbatos, help me find MC!"

The smaller demon raised an eyebrow.

"Is my dear alright, milord?"

"Oh yes." Diavolo grinned. "We are simply playing a human game. Hide and Seek, as they call it."

A children's game? The butler remembered his human telling him about different activities they did as a child and that was one of them.

"I see." Barbatos nodded. "I shall help you then."

He and his master split up, searching the different rooms in the castle. The demon was suddenly concerned for MC; there were a lot of rooms in this castle that are dangerous for the average demon to enter and far more than deadly for a human like them.

He started checking the rooms he most dearly wished that his love would steer clear of.

Ding.

The butler pulled his phone out of his jacket pocket. It was them.

'Barbie cmoe hide wtih me~'

Ah. Perfect timing.

'As you wish, my dear. Where are you?'

'Nnnope. You gtta say you lvoe me fust.'

The demon cracked a smile, a genuine one. Oh that human. I suppose the alcohol is making them a bit bold.

'I love you, my dear. Now tell me where I can find you?'

'Awwwwaww. I love yu t9o 😘'

His smile grew a bit more.

'This is awfully cute, my dear, but I still need to know your whereabouts.'

'The balroon~'

The ballroom? What an odd choice.

'I'm on my way, dear.'

The butler made his way to the ballroom and found his love laying on the floor in the center of the room.

"Do you require any help getting up?" He asked the human, who giggled in response.

"Nooo. Just lay down with me."

"I'm afraid I cannot--"

The human sat up and started tugging on his hand. They were really cute in this state.

"As you wish, my love." And so he laid on the floor next to them. "Now, may I ask why you chose this room to hide from my lord? There's nowhere to conceal yourself here."

MC grinned.

"That's point. He wouldn't think to look for me here."

"Ah, I see." The butler nodded. "You did well, my dear."

They giggled and snuggled up to his chest.

The two laid like that there for a while, enjoying the closeness. Eventually, the echo of the doors opening made it to their ears and they looked over to find Diavolo entering the ballroom.

"My, you two look like you are enjoying yourselves." He grinned.

"My lord--" He went to get up, but was halted by Diavolo's lifted hand.

"No, relax. Please enjoy the rest of the evening however you wish."

Barbatos let his master's words hang in the air for a moment before responding.

"Alright. Thank you, milord."

Solomon:

Asmodeus invited the sorcerer over for some drinks. In all honesty, he had planned on declining since he was close to a break through in his current magical project and didn't want to break away from it. However, the demon had let him know that MC agreed to join him and Solomon had to admit, he was curious about how that would work out. He had never actually seen his little Minx drink before.

This should be interesting, he thought to himself before telling Asmo that he'd be there later that night. When the time came, the three of them were sitting in Asmo's room, drinking and chatting together. The three laid together in a comfy pile on the bed. The sorcerer had to admit, it was a fun night. Asmo got a little handsy, but nothing that the couple wasn't comfortable with; the Avatar of Lust knew their boundaries after all.

At one point, MC had left to go grab something from their room. Fifteen minutes had gone by however and they still hadn't returned. Excusing himself from Asmo, the man went to MC's room to look for them, but it was empty. Strange. He took out his phone.

'MC, where have you gone to?'

A couple moments later, he got a reply.

'Seccret'

'Ah so you're hiding then.' He texted back, smiling. 'I see you're feeling playful.'

The man started searching the house, even knocking on Leviathan's door to ask if he's seen you. When he came up empty handed, the human man could only frown.

He took out his phone again.

'Little Minx, please tell me where you're hiding.'

'Nno'

He pursed his lips as he read that.

'Is something wrong?'

He didn't get a reply for a few minutes. When it did come, the man froze at the words.

'Soli, do yuo love mme?'

The man took a minute to respond.

'What brought this on?'

Nothing. He texted them again.

'MC, please talk to me.'

'I lvoe you, btu yuo makke me sadd 😔'

Something in the sorcerer deflated when he read those words. It took him a while to move past them, but when he did, he was ready to take action.

'Let's talk about this face to face. Where are you?'

'My romm'

Their room? Did they sneak back in there while he was preoccupied? Regardless, he headed back in the direction of MC's room and peeked back inside. This time, he saw light shining through their closet door. Solomon raised an eyebrow at this, but approached the closet.

"MC, will you please leave the closet?" He asked, but recieved no reply, causing him to sigh and quietly open the door.

He found them sitting on the floor, phone in hand, but face hidden in their arms. Solomon paused, not sure about the best course of action here. He eventually kneeled down in front of them and started stroking their hair.

"MC, talk to me." He said softly.

The other human sniffled.

"I was having fun." They told him. "I was having fun with you guys and enjoying myself, but then suddenly I wasn't and bad thoughts rushed in and I couldn't handle it."

"You should of told me earlier." Solomon scooted closer to them and pulled them in for a hug. "I'm right here for you. There's no need to hide away in a dark closet."

"But... I don't wanna be a burden to you." They lifted their head to look up at their boyfriend.

"Relying on me doesn't make you a burden; it shows that I am doing my job right as a boyfriend." He looked into the distance. "Though I suppose if you think such things than I haven't been doing my job properly."

"No! I didn't mean--"

The sorcerer brought his lips to hers, silencing their protests. When they broke away, he looked down into their eyes.

"You asked me earlier if I loved you... the truth is, I am not a man who finds honesty to be an easy thing, especially when it comes to my feelings. However... I cannot deny how much I care for you. I may not say it enough during our time together, but just know that I truly love and cherish you, even in moments when it seems like all I want is to get a rise out of you. Please know this."

MC started wiping their eyes.

"Do... do you mean that?"

"Yes, little Minx." He smiled down at them. "Now please try to remember this for tomorrow. It was difficult for me to admit this one time; I'd rather not have to repeat myself."

The two sat in the closet for a little longer, the boyfriend's embrace slowly wearing away at all of MC's insecurities.

Simeon:

It was at Mammon's birthday party. The brothers had really gone all out for the second brother and though some people were surprised at this, the angel was not. As complicated as the brothers and their relationships to one another are, he knew that they each cared deeply about the others, with Mammon included, of course.

The party was still at House of Lamentation, but they provided so many food and drink options and invited many people; himself and his fellow Purgatory residents (though he made Luke go home after a while when some of the guests were being...a bit much), some work friends of Mammon's from his modeling agency, and some other demons from RAD that the angel vaguely knew.

At first, Simeon hadn't planned on staying long, but Solomon insisted that he should use this as an opportunity to have fun then whispered that the angel just might get some secret alone time with his little Lamb if he were to wait till others had drank enough to forget their absence. Solomon was the only one who knew about him and MC's relationship.

Angel and human relationships are seen as taboo in the Celestial realm. It always has been, but his Father has been a lot stricter with the Rule since the incident with Lilith. This is why he tried so desperately to keep the human at arms length.... it was all in vain though. He loved MC dearly and his little Lamb loved him back. He felt like there was no going back once he knew this. Still, they had to be careful, had to keep it all a secret from others. The two never meant for Solomon to find out, but the angel had to admit, it was almost inevitable. His human friend was commonly with him and he was a very observant man. Simeon wasn't fully sure if he was trustworthy or not, but he gave the man credit for keeping the secret this long.

So there the angel was, standing on the side lines of the the Avatar of Greed's birthday party, only occasionally chatting with others who came up to him, and watched those around them drink into oblivion.

Bing.

The man pulled his phone out of his pocket.

'I LVOE you swet angellly mn 🥰'

Simeon raised his eyebrows. It seems that his Feather has been drinking with the others. Simeon himself was not a drinker. It's not a Celestial rule for angels or anything; he just simply is not a fan of alcohol and rarely partakes in it. Because of this, the angel never stopped to think whether it was the same for MC or not.

'I love you too, my little Lamb. Where are you right now?'

'T he roff.'

His eyes widened.

'The roof, my Feather?'

'Yeess'

The angel quickly (but as inconspicuously as he could) headed towards the front door. Once he was outside, he transformed and flew above House of Lamentation, scanning its roof. He found his human laying on the segment of roof above their room.

He flew down next to them.

"My Lamb, I don't believe this is a safe place for you, especially if you've been drinking."

"I'm fine..." MC merely shook their headed. "I do this all the time."

The angel pursed his lips, but didn't say anything as they patted the space next to them. Getting the hint, he sat down next to them and stretched a wing out to cover them and hopefully shield them from the wind a bit.

"The stars look really pretty in the Devildom, don't they?" The human said softly, staring up at the night sky. "The stars are so much more colorful here than in the Human realm."

The angel followed their gaze and nodded.

"Yes, it's a beautiful sight." He agreed, staring up at the deep specs of color.

Strangely enough, each star was a dark shade of the colors associated with the Brothers. Or maybe it wasn't so strange? The Devildom has always had Avatars of the Seven Great Sins, long before the seven brothers were even born. He remembered learning that in his Devildom History class during his first year at RAD though they never mentioned anything about them having connections to the stars.

"Though... I wish I could show you the night sky of the Celestial realm some day." He added.

"I mean... can you?" They asked, not breaking their line of sight from the sky.

Simeon frowned.

"No... I don't think it'd be worth the risk." The angel answered reluctantly. "I'd rather you not be any near the Celestial realm ever again."

Before the two were dating, MC and Solomon once visited himself and Luke up in the Celestial realm and had a meal. His Lamb had only gotten to see a small glimpse of the beauty that is his home. There's so much more that he wished to show them however and now... he likely never will. He feared the gaze of Michael falling upon them, of the older angel seeing them and figuring out their relationship. Michael cared about him, but just like he supported the death of Lilith for her human endeavors, surely he would also support whatever punishment their Father would choose for him and maybe MC?

"Oh..." MC lowered their head. "Well, what's it like then? The Celestial night sky?"

Simeon paused a minute, letting himself collect his words.

"It's... here in the Devildom, the days give just enough light to navigate the world, but the night is as dark as the void." He began. "In the Celestial realm, everything is bright and uplifting during the day and the nights don't so much get dark, but rather, the light gets dimmer, more gentle, and the pastel stars are seen through the clouds above."

"You get to live in a world like that?" They turned their head to meet his eyes. "It sounds so beautiful. We have nothing like that in the human world. Do you have any moons though?"

"No, just the stars and the sun our Father made for us." He answered. "The Devildom moons seem so big and foreboding to me however. I don't know if we are missing out much in that regard."

"The moon in my realm isn't like these three though." His Feather gestured to the orbs in the sky. "Ours is not as big and... I guess you could say it provides a gentle light for night time. I think it's because it reflects some of our sun's rays, but I can't remember for sure."

"It must be quite the sight, my Lamb." The angel gave them a soft smile.

"Could... could you come see it with me?"

His smile fell.

"I'm... I'm not sure." He admitted. "I don't think I could come up a secure enough excuse to ask for such clearance."

The human didn't say a thing, just pushed their knees up to their chest. Simeon used his wing to push them close to him and brought his hand to their chin. He had them face him before leaning in and giving them a gentle kiss.

"I love you... but this is all we'll ever get, isn't it?" They asked softly.

Simeon rested his chin on top of their head and stroked their hair.

"I love you too, my little Lamb." He told them. "And I... I do not what the future holds for us, but I will give my all to make it a happy one."

~

Masterlist

#obey me #obey me otome #obey me diavolo #obey me barbatos #obey me solomon #obey me simeon

[redwinterroses]

Ohh you said your current project is Follow Me Home, right? Then I gotta ask

What if

What if... what if Ren and Martyn's roles were reversed.

(the ask meme says 3 or more lines and I am living in that or more so have three scenes instead lol)

Ren stood, dripping axe in his shaking hands, and stared down at the motionless body of his loyal hand.

The body of his friend.

"...Martyn? Come on, my dude. This--this isn't funny." He squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again, as if that would change something about the scene in front of him. Martyn's body lay in a crumpled green-and-blue-and-red heap at his feet, and one hand—cold and stiffening—had landed on Ren's iron-clad foot. Ren blinked at it, blinked at the pale fingers curled motionless against the grey stone.

Martyn didn't move.

This isn't... this isn't how it's supposed to go.

He should have returned by now. Should have taken in a sudden deep breath, green-and-gold orbs knitting his broken body back together. Should have leaped to his feet and laughed triumphantly at Ren, blood-smeared and scarred, but alive. A living weapon for the Red Winter king.

Something's gone wrong.

____________________

The flames he had seen resolved themselves into a figure as he neared, the flickering blue outlining a familiar shape: a green tee that that ought to have been lime but was faded to a desaturated olive, and messy blonde hair tied back with a headband. His back was to Ren, blue flames flickering over his form like a burning slick of oil on water.

“Martyn!”

The figure didn’t turn or react in any way. Ren slowly—so dang slowly—approached, feeling soulsand filtering into his socks and tasting the ozone-and-dust in the air. He instinctively reached out to grasp Martyn's shoulder—

“You can’t let him touch you… He might corrupt his own player data. He’s literally a glitch right now.”

Ren froze with his hand midair as Grian’s words echoed in his mind. Hesitating, he curled his fingers in on themselves, and let his hand fall back to his side.

“Martyn?” he said again. He gave a small nervous chuckle. "Uh, me hand?"

Martyn didn’t move, other than to drift sideways, the toes of his sandals dragging through the loose soul soil. Ren stepped around to see him from the front.

"What the frickin--"

Martyn's eyes were burning.

Blue flames licked up from the empty sockets. Martyn's face was slack and expressionless, his cheeks hollowed and cast into deep shadow by the soulfire. His arms hung limp at his sides, and though he was upright, he looked like a puppet dangling from lifeless strings: shoulders sagging, head hanging low, toes just barely brushing the ground.

“Martyn--oh man; Martyn, my dude--ya gotta give me something here.” Ren waved a hand in front of Martyn’s face, but still got no reaction from the dead man—

He’s not dead, he corrected himself fiercely. Not yet.

________________

We’re gonna make it, he allowed himself to think. We’re actually going to—

And the ground fell out from beneath him.

“Ren!”

As if in slow motion, Ren's arms flew up, reaching for a handhold he knew he wasn't going to find, his feet slipping into the crack in the earth that he’d so casually leaped across when he first entered the nether. He plunged through the crevice, the hot winds of the lava lake reaching hungrily to drag him down to a fiery end—

Something caught his arm.

Ren's falling body jerked to a painful halt, dangling above an immense, lava-bottomed void.

His head snapped up to see Martyn, on his chest on the ground beside the hole, his hand clasped tight around Ren's wrist. His face was contorted with the strain, and to Ren's horror, Martyn flickered, like an enderman failing to teleport. The flames that wreathed his body crawled with lines of code, flashing in Martyn's eyes and glitching across his features, flickering between the familiar face Ren knew and an anonymous canvas full of green text.

“Martyn, what the heck, man?” Ren shouted, horrified. He reached up with his other hand and clawed at Martyn's grip, trying to pry his fingers away. "Ya gotta let go--it's glitchin' you out!"

It would be fine. He had two lives to spend. Lava deaths were... incredibly painful, to say the least, but a day or two of recovery and—

“Not a chance, milord” Martyn growled, and heaved him upward.

okay that was fun. Mostly just swapping out names and descriptions but just imagine...

Thanks for the ask, anon!

#redwinteranswers #redwinterwrites #no excuses writing meme #follow me home #long post

[nabesthetics]

WIP Whursday

tagged by @arsenicxarcana but it was 1 am for me because European Time Zones (derogatory)

I’m a bit of a “I finish it in one go or I finish it Never” kind of person when it comes to art unfortunately, so I don’t have any WIPs I actually plan to finish without a complete overhaul (aside from ever-WIP Alastor’s sprite but that’s nothing new). Because usually when I step away from a WIP and come back like a month later I go “ew, no”

So you’re getting a WIP of Dragoat Origins script (that I’m definitely absolutely planning to continue btw, I know it’s been like half a year, I’m not abandoning the project I’m just bad at this aa)

I close my eyes and let magic take over my senses. The newly absorbed power courses through my fingers. I can feel the echo of otherworldly heat following Lucio’s spirit, tiny ripples in reality brushing against my skin. Following the feeling, I slowly reach forward.

“Uh, what are you-“

“Please, milord, let me work.”

“Right, sure, staying quiet.”

When my fingers meet the ghost’s fur, it almost feels real this time. There’s still nearly no weight, no substance to it, but the magic makes up for some of the loss. I “press” my palm against the fur, reaching with my magic until I can feel it – the oppressive void where a human aura should be. It feels hungry, longing for my own energy to fill the emptiness. In an attempt to find any familiar patterns of spells I trace edges of the void as it clings to me, slowly sapping my energy away.

Soon the senses of real world start fading, leaving me alone with the growing heat. Finally, I sense something else, distant, hidden, feeling like remains of a dream I am trying to chase. I smell iron, and my palm meets sudden resistance. I lean into it.

Not sure if this part will make it in, I like it but it’s a lot of narrative for the Arcana style - honestly one of the biggest challenges/downsides of writing in that “screenshot” format is that your sentences are very limited in length without any additional tricks like textbox expansion or reduced font size.

#the Arcana #Dragoat #technically it's Thirstday already but I don't have anything new for that

[qhostqizmo]

Little Slice of Heaven

“I would like to be left alone, Theophilus.”

“Come now Lord Amon, no one likes to be left alone.”

A quiet growl rumbled in the nobleman’s throat. His head whipped around, turning a piercing gaze towards the statesman. The corner of his lip peeled back in a snarl nearly feral in nature, prompting the gentleman to hastily take a step back.

“Well I do,” he opposed in a thick tone.

The mousy broad-bellied man shifted sheepishly before him, trying to shrink their figure inward. “P-Please m’lord- you will be rejoining after recess, won’t you?”

“I will need a moment to consider if I shall; or if your wingbagged alias has the ability to be silent and allow someone else to speak at these proceedings, before I pass judgment on that matter.”

“You’re being fatuous, m’lord-”

Amon exhaled sharply. His nostrils flared, the shape of his shoulders growing broader as his spine stiffened. The nobleman peered down at the politician as he spoke in an ominous whisper: “I am being sensible, Master Theophilus. If I waste my time any longer in a room full of arrogant rambling administrators, then I am wasting the time of my territory and those who seek my authority and guidance to protect and serve it. I do not have the hour to sit and be spoken over by the likes of Roulf Boude or Claudia Fulvianus, or any of the like with their hubris and tactless greed. I have other obligations that demand my attention, and when everyone has finally settled into peaceful discussion and respectably appropriate delegations, I would be happy to seek audience again.”

“But for now,” he rumbled, taking a step forward, “I suggest that you go, Theo. I need space to think, and I have responsibilities to attend to and contracts to review and sign. So if you do not mind getting off of my property, and allowing me to go undisturbed into my home-”

Nodding vigorously, the short and stout Theo began to retreat in a backwards scuttle off the Briarton Estate’s pathway. “Yes sir, of course sir, I hope we’ll see you s-soon sir-”

Amon grunted to himself, turning away with a dramatic flick of his cloak. Unlikely.

Bricks laid out the foundation of the walkway to the manor. Within the cracks along some of the blocks; squeezing with determination between slots, a few common wild violets had taken root. He took care not to step on any of them as the tenacious little flowers guided him to the threshold. A strong scent from the house-hugging flora greeted him as he breathed in deeply, opening the heavy oak door. The geranium’s and hydrangea were in bloom, competing each other for dominance in the landscape. They also had a delightful calming effect before stepping in; taking in the range of colors and relaxing scents they provided in the mellow summer breeze.

“Lord Amon?”

“Yes, it’s me,” he called out, shutting the door softly behind.

A young maid stepped around the corner, offering a bow. “Would you like an afternoon snack, my lord?”

“Not at the moment, thank you.”

She curtsied. “Very well milord. Call if you need anything.”

He nodded shortly, sliding the dense mantle from his shoulders to drape over his arm. The nobleman watched the young woman retreat as he stepped further into the foyer, the sound of claws scrambling hastily coming from the east side of the house.

Sighing, he anchored his boots to the floor just as Caesar came barreling from the gallery room. The great mastiff skidded into his knees, letting out one of his tremendous bellowing barks that filled the entire space with his eagerness. He gave a butt wiggle that shook in tandem with his tail, leaving Amon to chuckle as he reached down to scratch the hunting dog’s ears.

“A very dignified entry Caesar,” he reported as the pooch groaned with pleasure. “How’s my good boy?”

“Arf.”

“Excellent. Have you been out recently?”

The hairy beast of a creature gave a mighty shake, sitting upon his hunches. He tilted his head, panting heavily up at his master.

“Outside?” Amon asked, patting his head.

A simple whine answered him as Caesar stood up, circling his legs eagerly.

He pat his thigh, signaling for the mastiff to follow. The duo made their way into the gallery room; no longer a dull space of gray stone with only the taxidermy stuffed game to bare their teeth in greeting. Paintings lined the wall; and the new throw rug added a splash of color and pattern to the otherwise uninspiring space. A few seating arrangements had been added, along with a card table and sculptures. There were still a few bare spaces, particularly near the south-side of the room, but that was Part D of a rather extensive project to liven various areas of the house.

Crossing through the identified ‘man cave’ of the lower level, Amon entered the kitchen with Caesar fast at his heels. He propped open the door to the backyard with his foot, allowing the dog to bolt through with a delighted series of yelps as he chased off the closest songbirds rooting the grass for insects.

“Afternoon, milord.”

“Afternoon-” he barely managed to utter, catching just a glimpse of the houseaid before she disappeared into the extended pantry. He cleared his throat: “Would you mind listening to let Caesar in? I’m going to head upstairs.”

“Certainly milord; not a problem.”

“Thank you Carla.”

He took the way back in which he came, passing through the dark-lit interior of the ‘men’s sanctuary’ and into the gallery. His gaze passed the portrait of Fontane to his right; no longer lonely with canvas work added of loved one’s now passed. It was a small memorial space; with pressed lily flowers in frames and a few plaques quoting heartfelt quotes. A large branch had been recently anchored to the wall, with hollow holes allowing small metal dishes to sit sustaining candles. There were even some recent additions he hadn’t seen until this moment: peace lilies added to the vase at the corner nook table, and a new ivy plant along the bottom of the branch.

A twinge of pain radiated through his chest. Pressing his fingers to his lips, Amon blew a kiss to the beaming expression of Marie looking back at him before he moved on.

The Illiad heir hopped up the stairs with a spring in his step, meeting the second landing. Sunlight cascaded past the curtains, the smell of the central courtyard garden entering the open windows. He picked up on the rustling coming from the sitting room just ahead before he saw a figure moving quickly into the doorway.

“M’lord- Oh… Do you want to talk about what happened? You look stressed my love.”

Amon absorbed her appearance; soaking her in like flora to sunshine. The smile that graced her face upon first glance faded quickly with a knit of her worried brow. Shadows fell over her golden eyes like clouds blocking rays of the sun. She fiddled her fingers in front of the pale blush off-the-shoulder shirt she wore; cinched at the waist, with ruffled short-length sleeves. It was a pleasant rosy hue, making the shade of her skintone appear deeper, more a rich brown.

She was a breath of fresh air, deep in the depths of his lungs. He slid his feet forward slowly, finding her arms instantly open to welcome him into her embrace.

He inhaled the faded aroma of soap in her loose black curls, pulling her in close to rock from side to side. The shape of her was a familiarity to him; warm and soft, curving into his frame with the same shade of longing he felt beneath his ribcage.

His wife pressed her lips to the ticklish skin below his ear, and he chuckled.

“Rough day, beloved?”

“Vexing,” he agreed heavily, “but it’s already feeling a bit better.”

“Well I’m happy to hear that,” she hummed. “Can I get you anything? Was the summit dreadful?”

“A mockery Essie; truly. I’ve rarely dealt with such immature individuals. Would you care to join me when we reconvene? I could use your sharp tongue.”

Essätha pulled her head back to arch her brow, a playful smile on her face. “That depends; am I kissing you with it or spearing someone else?”

Amon’s eyes widened with surprise. “Quite the spirited tease today, darling.”

“I do enjoy a good game,” she admitted, reaching back around to pat his chest. “While you were out I went ahead and assessed the contracts Edger sent us; triple-checked them a few times. Our ledges and estimates all seemed in order and correct, but I didn’t sign anything until you oversaw it just in case.”

“You could have, you know I trust you.”

“I know, but I love hearing you read contracts aloud in that sexy deep droning voice of yours.” She winked at him as he chuckled, venturing onward, “besides, it’s a team effort. I would rather you catch my mistakes now than later down the road.”

The nobleman grinned, staring down into her smiling face. He leaned forward, basking in the glory of the way her breath hitched expectedly, and how her lashes fluttered low. She slid her arms around his neck to dig her fingers through his air as his lips brushed hers. A shaky exhale escaped her, waiting patiently, until he pressed closer for a more earnest kiss.

They separated slowly, with her eyes peering up at him beneath dark lashes. The sorcereress dropped her hands from around him, and grabbed gently at his bicep.

“Come, sit with me.”

Amon let go of his noblewoman, allowing her to take his hands instead. She guided him back into the sitting area where she had come from, walking at an angle so her eyes could remain holding his. It was a holy experience, following someone cut from the heart of divinity. He would follow her blindly anywhere, anywhere at all. She was in his blood, in his heart, the sun in his eyes glistening so brilliantly; she was everywhere he wanted to be, the only longing he could not live without.

“You’ve had a long enough day already,” Essie urged sweetly, taking a seat upon the sofa. She pat the spot beside her with her free hand. “Rest.”

He obeyed her willingly, obliging by sinking gently into the cushion beside hers.

She carefully detangled her hand from his. Her fingers brushed against the side of his face and up, pushing stray hairs away from his forehead. His eyes darted over her, watching as she indicated a sweeping gesture over her lap. An invitation.

Once more, loyal and willing, he began to drift towards her. Bunching his knees in, Amon kept his boots mostly off the clean couch by dangling his ankles off to the side as he rolled inward. Scooting and wriggling, he steadied himself to flat on his back, head in her lap, looking up into the vibrant joyful expression peaking down at him. Her smile was stunning; making an already beautiful woman ethereal in ways that slackened his jaw. It was a small gesture, but it softened around her eyes as the edges of her cheeks rounded.

“Wow,” he cooed, “you look incredible from every view.”

Essätha scoofed at him, the bridge of her nose wrinkling in disagreement. “Hussssshh…”

Leaning forward, she grazed her fingertips through his locks. She combed hair back from his forehead, stroked along his eyes, and rubbed the pads of her fingers near his temples.

A groan rose up in his throat, his eyelids falling to half-mast in bliss.

Softly, Essie began to hum. It almost felt as though it was filling his chest; radiating into his ribcage and bouncing around like an orchestra in a cathedral. Amon sighed heavily, allowing the heaviness in his body to drift away as he succumbed to her touch more and more.

She began to whisper slowly a hymn. He understood none of it, but he didn’t have to. Whatever the lyrics were, they were words of an angel, and of love. The words fell into a melody as her voice higher; louder, sweeter. It was not just the celestial tongue that had him so smitten, or the nature of the words. It was her body language that captivated him; the tenderness that poured out of her, the enormity of her compassion and unbridled will of strength.

Gods themselves would weep, hearing something so precious.

He melted; enamored and adoringly staring up into the halo of the sun that was wreathing her head. It was all so dreamy; so beyond what mortals could be capable of. Her touch was a saint’s blessing, carding through mane of fading-black. Her nails scrapped against his hairline; her palms rubbed metric gestures that seemed to coordinate with the rise and fall of her chorus against the side of his head. He imagined he could close his eyes and drift away to sleep; the most comfortable slumber he’d ever have, if he wasn’t so stubbornly enticed to being aware and there in the waking world with her. No fantasy’s ever did justice on the fascination and depth that resided in her soul. Nothing compared to the reality that was being beside her.

Clearing his throat, he reached up to cup the side of her face, sweeping his thumb against her jawline. “I’m in awe of you a little more every day,” he mouthed, breathing deeply.

Essie laughed shyly. “People are going to think I’m charming you with talk like that,” she teased.

“You are quite charming.”

“M’lord Amon.”

“Even when you say my name with disapproval, it’s still the most enchanting thing I’ve ever heard.”

“You’re love-drunk,” the sorceress murmured, ghosting her lips intimately along his palm, and down to his wrist.

“I have been,” he agreed in a lulled hush. “I have been for a long time, and I couldn’t be happier.”

“Do you not want a cure?” she mused, massaging her fingertips from behind his ears down to his neck.

A shiver rushed over him. “You are my cure. I love being intoxicated by you. You relax me, and you challenge me. You make me stronger, and you bring me to my knees. Your wit and charm make me feel invincible and intelligent, while also humbling me that I still can always learn more from you. I am in a constant state of balance and bliss, when you are by my side.”

Her eyelids dropped a little lower as he spoke, while her smile grew broader. Essie skimmed her touch from his forehead through his hair and back, making his groan again.

“I love you.”

“I love you too Essie, so much.”

“I love you just as much,” she whispered, huddling over to give him a peck on the cheek.

Amon tilted his head a few degrees, allowing her hands to comb through a different section of his hair. His eyelids drifted a bit lower as she began to pick up the tune to the song she had been singing, the angelic lines floating through the air, giving harmony to his heartbeat.

Sighing, the nobleman nuzzled his face into her thighs, reaching around to wrap an arm around her waist. She half-giggled, continuing to sing as he peaked up at her from her abdomen, admiring the most gorgeous woman in all of the world. His home, his heart, the entire pillar of his contentment hindered on that soft, private smile made just for him. This moment alone with her reminded him of the true meaning of life: at the end of the day, love was all that mattered, and it would conquer all else… Even if all it had to overcome was the brief stormcloud of his sour mood. It never stood a chance against Essätha Illiad; vanquisher of darkness, and keeper of his heart.

#OTP: Essamon #Essatha Meduza #Amon Illiad #softly written #qhost story

[thebrochtuarachs]

To Begin Again: Chapter 10, Lallybroch

Jamie passes through the stones on Beltane to 1968.

CHAPTER 10: LALLYBROCH / Claire and Jamie make their way up Lallybroch a week after he passes through the stones. 

A/N: Happy 101st Birthday, CEBF! 💛 [October 20, 2019]

This is my contribution for “One Quote, One Shot” 2 and I knew the moment @notevenjokingfic​ sent me my quote that it was meant to be written here in chapter and that it was time for an update! [My given quote is below in bold so you’ll have to read to find out what it is 😅] Many thanks to NEJF and @balfeheughlywed​ for organising this as it just brings joy to the fandom.

Apologies for the long update but this chapter has been up in my mind many times but I didn’t feel I had it in my to write until this project came. I couldn’t feel more thankful for the time spent writing this. The creative process has been a balm in my heart and mind as I struggled these past 3 months and I am just grateful. 

My first time writing a little NSFW chapter so errr… be gentle and kind, haha! I combined moments from the book, episode, and from my own “fill-in-the-gaps” moments and I love how it turned out. I knew this chapter has to happen and was going to come out eventually and I’m happy that it is today! Let me know down in the comments how it was! 😊🙏🏻

CH: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 AO3

They started to make their way up Lallybroch before dawn with Jamie sleeping most of the ride, still unable to overcome his motion sickness. Claire didn’t mind though for it meant that from the time to time she get to observe Jamie and his snoozing form – a loving act more often done by Jamie, an early riser, for the most part of their marriage.

After an almost two-hour drive, they entered the stony arch just in time for breakfast. Claire put the car to a stop and roused Jamie from his slumber.

“Hey sleepyhead, we’re here” Claire said as she leaned to give him a kiss on a cheek. He reluctantly rose from his seat, cracking a few bones as he stretched out of the car.

As Jamie slowly reacquainted himself with his surroundings, he couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed once again at the sight before him. Everything was just as if they were still in the 18thcentury - the smell, the land, the house, the sense of his heritage built and thriving after all these centuries. But then again, he also felt a modernity that he is still quite unaccustomed with and remembered as well that he was no longer in his time.

Claire slid beside him, wrapping an arm against his waist, offering herself as comfort when she saw his eyes started to water with overwhelming emotions.

“Thank ye, Claire. Thank ye for keeping it.” she heard him say, pulling her closer to him.

“Of course. Remember when you gave me my ring back in Leoch?”

“Mhm.”

“You said that this place is just as mine as is it yours and I couldn’t let anyone else have it.“ She paused remembering the joy she felt having it in her possession. “This was – is– our home. And at the time, besides Brianna, this is the only connection to you I have left and ever since then, this place has been my refuge and safe haven.”

Just as Claire was to explain more, Fiona opened the door to greet them. “Oh, ye’ve arrived!” She said, walking down the steps to meet them. “My grandmother sends her apologies. She asked me to come this morning as she was feeling a bit under the weather. But not to worry, she says, nothing a good ol’ rest canna fix” she quickly remarked, chuckling to herself even in that last bit.

“Is everything settled?” Claire asked, unmoving from Jamie’s side.

“Yes. The house is yours indefinitely. All of the guests have been informed of the sudden change in schedule and the financials have been handled accordingly. Also, I’ve prepared breakfast for ye both, some bannocks and soup at the kitchen.”

“Thank ye, Fiona.” Jamie said just in time as his stomach quietly rumbled.

“Tis’ no matter. I’ll leave ye two then” With a nod and the handing over of the keys, Fiona drove away from the property and left Jamie and Claire completely alone for the first time in a week.

“Shall we?” Claire asked Jamie simply.

“Lead the way, milady”

-

Stepping inside brought Jamie to more sentiments. Besides the plumbing and some modern technology, the house – almost all of it– remained the same.

“I wanted to keep it the same, as much as it used to be and as much as I can remember.” Claire took Jamie by the hand and gave him a tour of the house. She guided him around, mentioned how long it took to track down some of the items, how she worked with a carpenter to build the furniture, how she had to change and make way for some rooms to accommodate services for the bed and breakfast, and how restoring the house has been her favorite thing to do besides being in a surgical room.

As they ate, Claire continued to share how everything in the house came together. “It took me close to 3 years until everything was finished to how I wanted it to be. It has been a complete labor of love”

“Ye didn’t think it was hard being here with all the memories while rebuilding it?”

“At first, yes. I cried a lot. But then as the house was brought back to life, I saw you more and better and felt the history we had.” She paused, remembering. “I can be myself in this place and nothing compared to the relief I felt in that feeling. That I can still be me, be freely me in a place - not to pretend and not to hide.” Jamie gave a grunt at Claire’s remark. He can see in her eyes that this place has brought her more happiness than sadness in the course of their separation. “When I’m here I can talk to you, dream of you, think of you, and almost always, I feel you speaking back to me. And then I’d be fine and I’d lived another day.”

“I ken how ye feel.” He sighed and reached for her hand. “If ye must know, I havna thrown away any of yer clothes and baubles back in Lallybroch. I can’t and Jenny didn’t dare ask me about it.”

“What things, like you mean our clothes from Paris? You kept them?”

“Aye”

“Why didn’t you sell them or…”

“Sell them?” He paused, visibly surprised by the notion. “Memories of you? Never. Tis’ the only things I have of ye and a remembrance that we were truly real. I couldna let it go.”

She squeezed his hand and they continued on with their breakfast.

They ate slowly, savoring each other as much as the meal before them. They began reminiscing about their life together those many years ago, then carefully filling in details of their time apart. They began to know each other again and discover if they were, in fact, the same two who had once existed as one and if they could be one again.

After they finished, the same thought was uppermost in their minds. It could scarcely be otherwise.

As Claire reached for Jamie’s empty plate, he took her hand again and this time, began rubbing his fingers slowly against her knuckles.

“Would you like to explore the outside of the property? I’ve built a few new things around and it seems like the perfect time for a ride” Claire teasingly asked.

“Sassenach, if ye dinna mind, I think I’d like to see what ye’d done in the other rooms of the house, particularly upstairs, don’t ye think?”

“Upstairs, huh?” she rose and went close to him as she whispered. “Lead the way, milord”

-

Jamie didn’t waste time dragging Claire up the stairs and towards the Laird’s bedroom.

Just as the door closed behind them, Jamie pulled Claire back to him and kissed her fiercely just as they did on their wedding night.

They hummed and pulled at each other, moaning in pleasure in their togetherness. Claire broke their kiss and started pulling Jamie’s shirt out of his pants. Taking the hint, Jamie started unbuttoning Claire’s blouse as well. Slowly, they took off each others clothes until there were none between them.

The boldness they felt earlier seemed to disappear as they stood completely still towards one another, a shyness suddenly overwhelming them both with the sight of their naked bodies taking their breath away.

Twenty years can change a body’s anatomy a lot but for Claire and Jamie, it seemed to only have taken effect in subtle appearances neither have yet to notice. As far as they were concerned, both were still as desirable to one another then as now.

Jamie was still tall and beautifully made, the long bones of his body sleek with muscle, elegant with strength. Claire, despite having given birth, maintained her fairly slender curvature with a skin that didn’t seem to age.

“You bloody well say something.” Claire softly commanded as she tried to cover herself with her hands but Jamie beat her to it and held her hands in his instead.

‘Christ, Claire.” He said, pulling her close to him. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen”

“You must really be losing your eyesight.” Claire joked back. She took a deep breath and bravely looked up to stare in his deep blue eyes. “Are you as scared as I am?”

“I suppose I must be afraid, aye?” he said as they stood flush against each, moving in a slow sway that seem to put them a little bit more at ease. “I havena done this in a very long time.” Jamie admitted in both expectation and fact. She already knew his few connections in their parting but for the most part, in his mind, he remained faithful to her and did not live a cavalier life. To that effect, he’d had little practice and exercise in this matter.

“Neither have I”. She confessed back. Sure, she has been intimate with Frank a few times when she came back, but in all those times, her mind always reeled t o Jamie. There have been a few others in between but never significant nor memorable. To her, Jamie was – is– it. Nothing will compare to their connection physically and emotionally and that thought was enough for her decision to live a fairly celibate life in the last two decades.

Breaking her thoughts, she wrapped her arms around his neck and focused on the present. “Do you remember on our wedding night. We were both scared. You held my hands and told me it would be easier if we touched” Claire regaled, moving them slowly towards the bed.

“Aye, when we wed, I saw ye standing there, so bonny in your white shift. I couldna think of anything but when I could have you alone, naked, next to me”

“Do you want me now?” She asked as her calves hit the edge of the bed.

“Oh god, yes!” Jamie almost said, growling as Claire pulled them both down to lie in the bed.

It took a few adjustments before they found proper purchase in the bed. At one point, Jamie hit Claire awkwardly on the nose and thought she’d broken it but all ended well in a hilarious heap.

Jamie claimed Claire’s lips once again, chastely at first but then, as always, passion and heat quickly surged between them. They began clawing at each other, a frenzy overtaking them.

Claire touched where she could but in essence, surrendered herself to Jamie’s fervor exploration of her body. His lips went from her mouth to her neck while his hands were busy stroking her breasts and body. Claire was trembling with all the sensations she felt dormant all these years and she can feel Jamie feeling the same. She wanted him, all right, and was ready to open herself up to him as she felt an unaccustomed rush of arousal slippery between her legs. As he moved all around her, she felt the hardness of him, stiff against her belly. Jamie did promise her honesty and she felt no short of joy in the fact he still found her sexy and wanted.

But as strong as lust, was the desire to simply be taken, to have them master each other and quell their doubts in a moment of rough usage, to take each other hard and swiftly enough to forget their 20-year separation ever happened. They were both breathless when Claire pulled Jamie back up and held his face in both her hands. With a simple request, everything they’ve wanted will be delivered.

“Do it now, and don’t be gentle!”

As if possible, Jamie’s blue eyes grew a shade darker as he possessed Claire in a deep stare as he reached down and came into her hard. Claire let out a shriek as he buried himself to the hilt, managing to keep their eyes open in a loving stare in the process.

‘Don’t stop! For God’s sake, don’t stop!” Claire demanded with Jamie more than willing to comply as each stroke seemed to reach her womb. They moaned and grunted as they jerked and whimpered against each other, urging violence in their union. With his hands on either side of Claire’s head, he continued on his pace as she clung to him for dear life.

“Give me your mouth, Sassenach” she heard Jamie say and before she could even process it, he dove down to claim her lips and breath in the process.

Their sounds continued to echo all over the room until they were both nearing their release. They were both chasing it but wanted nothing more than to feel it together. With their minds, bodies and hearts knowing them better, they seem to have come in the same unspoken path that led to this bliss.

“Oh, god! Oh, god, Claire!” Jamie called close to her face and heart and that was enough for her as she convulsed in answer and her release came in waves all over her body. Close behind her, she felt Jamie’s release begin deep into her and he stilled, his body shivering as he spilled himself inside her, feeling each pulse of his flesh between her legs rousing an echo in her own.

When it was over, Jamie reared up on both hands, back arched and then, slowly, he bent his head forward and looked at Claire with unutterable tenderness that made her heart flutter even more. Heheld himself over Claire, still as a stone for a long moment. Still joined, he gently lowered himself, bringing them both to their sides, body pressed together as their breathing normalized and they let sleep lull them in a joyful slumber.  

-

When hunger woke Jamie around noon, he reluctantly left Claire’s side and went about naked to the small table where Fiona had graciously left them some food to eat. A few minutes later, Claire stirred and opened her eyes when her palm touched the empty side of the bed.

“I’m here, Claire, just got hungry. Thankfully, Fiona left us a plate here of some wee bannocks.”

“Oh, that was thoughtful of her.” Claire said, smirking, remembering what they’d just been doing all morning. ‘What time is it anyway?”

“Just past noon. Ye hungry?”

He was about to toss her some bread when Claire rose from the bed, not bothering to cover up as well and knelt down to where Jamie was sitting.

“Not for food”

Before Jamie could register what was happening, Claire took his length swiftly by the hand and covered his heat with her mouth.

“Christ, Claire!” he exclaimed, trying to hold on to the sides of the chair to steady himself but to no avail as the it was too small. Jamie had to hold on to Claire’s hair instead, steadying her rhythm as to much as hold himself and enjoy the feel of Claire once again.

Claire gave in and held up being rough to tenderness, exploring Jamie this way as she wished and dreamed these last twenty years. She stoked and tasted him sweetly, hearing and learning his moans once again. She can feel his hips urging to flex but knew he was holding back to let her have her fun as well, so she doubled her efforts in thoughtful appreciation, sucking deeply, hand and mouth working in tandem, until she felt him quiver and spill himself inside her mouth. Pulling back, she ran a hand twice along his shaft, pleased with herself and gave it his head a kiss as she swallowed and gave Jamie a seductive look that was hotter than the midday afternoon.

“Come here, you” Jamie all but pulled Claire as he settled her in his lap, his hands cupping her bottom as she straddled him. “I canna tell ye what it felt like when I touched ye and knew ye to be real.” He leaned for a quick kiss and pulled back again. His eyes traveled all over her and felt his heat yearning as hers called and melted to his. “Don’t ye see? Since ye left, I’ve been living in the shadows and then I wake up in Craigh na Dun, saw yer face and it was as if the sun returned and cast out the darkness.”

“Don’t you think it’s not the same for me?” Claire replied, wrapping her arm around his neck. “You came thousands of miles and 200 years to find me.”

“I did promise ye.”

“Yes. And I’m grateful that you are here, no matter the cost.” She paused, gathering her thoughts. “If I’d known you lived, I would give up everything I have for us to be together again.”

“And leave Brianna?” Jamie gave a smile at her sentiment but knew he had to say something about it. Tears sprang Claire’s eyes and Jamie swiftly brushed them away. For once, Claire said nothing in retort and took the correction. Their separation and reunion is not to be taken lightly, but they had to be on the same page that everything they did was for another person they absolutely loved the most besides each other.

“Ye were right to leave, Claire.” Jamie whispered as quiet tears continued to fall from Claire’s eyes. “Ye – we – did it for Brianna. I see her now and I ken ye were a wonderful mother, Claire. I know it. Ye gave me a child.” One of his hands made its way from her back to her belly, caressing the soft lines left by the birth. “She is alive, safe. Because of her, we will live forever. You and I”

“You’re right, damn you.” She said softly, giving a sad chuckle. “But I promise you, Jamie. I will never leave you again.”

“Nor will I you, Sassenach.” Jamie said, sealing their pledge with a kiss.

They both proceeded to compose themselves back, wiping each other’s face, feeling the closeness again to one another. “I can’t believe we went through that conversation naked.” Claire remarked as she rolled her eyes in its humor. “It seems, well, not the best way and place to do it.”

“Well, I believe we were…” Jamie latched his mouth in her neck greedily and she clutched his head keeping him there a while longer.

“I thought we were eating?” she said jokingly and yelped as Jamie lifted them up and laid them back down in the bed.

“Well, ye had yer fix. Now, I will have mine.” Jamie attacked her lips and neck again with Claire’s laugh filling the room and Jamie’s eagerness rousing them both. He reached her core, not wasting any time tasting her for himself as she did him minutes earlier.

“Christ, Jamie. More”

He pulled back and looked at her, “I aim to please ye, Sassenach.”

She heard his Scottish grunt and knew in a while she’ll be seeing the stars behind her eyes and knowing who will have brought her to completion just made her all tender once again. His tongue expertly licked and swirled her most intimate area bringing her to the edge she knew only Jamie can bring her to.

-

They came together again and again until the sun set and darkness filled the room. Claire and Jamie are cuddled together, kissing and touching here and there from time to time, wrapped in their own little romantic world of togetherness.

“It’s like riding a bicycle, I suppose.” She remarked, caressing the hair in his chest.

“What is a bicycle?”

Claire chuckled and decided that it was not the time to explain what a bicycle is. “I just mean, well, we seem to remember what we do all right.

“Did you think we could forget, Sassenach? I may be lacking in practice but I have lost all my faculties yet.”

“No, you haven’t.”

Jamie turned to Claire and pulled down the blanket covering her, reached out a hand and touched her. “Yer breast is like ivory” His hand cupped one breast, his fingers slowly exploring the its space. “Only to see them, sae full and sae round, Christ! – I could lay my head here forever.” he said softly, his Scottish accent prominent that I knew he only reserved in moments when he truly moved. “To touch ye, Sassenach. You, wi’ yer skin like white velvet and the sweet long lines of yer body, God!” He paused as his hands moving down her waist, hips, to her thigh and eventually, to her bottom. “I couldna look at ye and keep my hands from ye nor be near ye and not want ye.”

“Is that how you felt the first time we lay together?”

“It’s always been forever for me, Sassenach.” Jamie pulled Claire and turned her to him. He raised her leg to wrap around him and aligned their bodies once again, making his intentions known in the stillness of a dark, full moon, night.

“Surely not?” Claire said, amused despite her tiredness. “Jamie, you must be half-dead.”

This trip to Lallybroch was their first time to really relax in a week since they all found each other in the stones. From Jamie’s miraculous journey, to meeting his daughter, to celebrating his birthday, to acclimating him in this century, to Roger, Fiona and Mrs. Graham’s generosity, and their activities since they arrived this morning at Lallybroch, they barely had time to just stay put.

“A lot more than half, Sassenach. I’m knackered and my cock’s the only thing too stupid to know it. I canna lie wi’ ye without wanting you, but wanting’s all I’m like to do”

“Ravenous man” she eyed him but gave him his way – and as if she was going to say no.

Looking at the face they loved most and and breathing each other’s presence brought a joy neither thought they would feel again. They made love in a slow, unspeaking tenderness, savoring each movement and caress until pleasure slowly overtook and left them lying still at last, in possession of each other’s secrets.

Sometime later, they fell asleep entwined, with the mingling sounds of their hearts beating at the same time, the crack of fire by the hearth, and the stillness of the quiet, deserted forest night that surrounded Lallybroch envelope them in their own piece of heaven.

#outlander #outlander fanfic #outlander fanfiction #fanfic #fanfiction #to begin again #to begin again AU #one quote one shot #one quote one shot 2 #jamie fraser #claire fraser #jamie x claire #canon divergent AU #mia writes #mia writes again #i did a mood board but im not sure if its any good #anyhow #hahahaha #here it goes #happy birthday claire #claire101 #claire 101 #happy 101st birthday claire fraser

[herstrayskies]

Merry Christmas, @blade-of-hope I was your Secret Santa for @noragamisecretsanta2019!

You wanted some Yatori but gave me free rein of what to write so I played with the idea of a drunk Yato making Hiyori a bit flustered. I hope you enjoy it and I had a great time talking with you! 

Happy Wishes for the New Year!

**Click the link or read below for the story**

He was drunk again. She could tell by the rosy color of his cheeks and the way he slurred on some of his words. She didn't mind him this way. Sometimes the most honest and sweet things would escape from his lips without a second thought.

"Why are you sitting so far away?" He was looking up at her with his head lying in his arms on the table. She was sitting across from him folding old tests and handouts into origami animals.

"I didn't know I had to be next to you," she jokingly threw a paper crane at him. It twirled through the air before landing on its side in front of Yato.

"I think it would make everyone much happier," his right hand reached out to grab it. Hiyori laughed.

"Who's everyone?" She waved her hand to emphasize the empty room that Yukine and Yato stayed it.

"You and me."

Hiyori felt her face grow hot and flustered enough to miss a fold on her next origami creation. He was definitely drunk.

"What are you planning if I move over there?" She half expected him to swear up and down he didn't have any ill intentions.

"Probably touch you."

She met his eyes briefly before looking away. She didn't know what to say. Not after seeing a glimpse of his fleeting grin and intense eyes.

"You're drunk, Yato," she said huffing under her breath.

"I know. Can you come here now?"

She heard movement coming from his direction and finally looked up to see his hand reaching out for hers. The paper crane was gone. She met his eyes again and felt the tug of a heartstring. He was looking at her with warm and welcoming eyes that were colored more vividly than the sky.

"Just for a bit. You know, before you have to leave," he said.

Hiyori looked back towards the window to see the moon rising above the clouds. She'd have to get back home soon. Before she could reply or even turn her head she felt Yato's arm wrap around her shoulder. He pulled her in close enough to let their heads gently bump into one another. She turned to find his eyes delving into hers with a soft smile playing on his lips.

"Just for a little?" He asked.

Hiyori turned her attention back to her impromptu art project. Her hands shook with each fold.

"Um, yeah I- I guess this is fine."

"Let me help you with that," he drunkenly shifted his position to sit behind her, "you missed a step on this one." His arms carelessly wrapped around her sides and gently grabbed the paper from her hands. "This is where you messed up."

Hiyori's whole body was on edge with how close he was. His chin rested on her shoulder as he went over the steps with her. She was getting painfully aware of his strong, warm chest pressing against her back. Her eyes stayed on his calloused hands and watched the tender movements he made with them. Hiyori's hair rose on the back of her neck as she felt him lift his head from her shoulder and whisper into her ear.

"I don't think you're actually paying attention."

"I- I am." She wasn't. His warm breath tickled her neck as he laughed. She could smell the subtle hint of alcohol. As she watched his folds coming to an end and the paper starting to resemble a cat, Hiyori racked her brain trying to come up with an excuse to make him stay closer, longer. She couldn't tell him outright that she enjoyed his close presence. It scared her to think about how he might react if he knew.

Yato finished his art and held it carefully in his palms. They both sat in silence enjoying his work before Hiyori spoke up.

"It's Milord."

"What?" he asked.

Hiyori reached her hand out to grab the cat from his palm, their fingertips brushing in the process. She lingered a little longer than she intended and witnessed Yato's fingers slowly trying to grab for hers. Flustered, Hiyori quickly moves her hand from his and grabs a pencil that sat not too far away on the table. She began to color in some eyebrows, ears, the back, and tail. She placed it back into Yato's hands when she was done and folded her hands neatly into her lap. Yato chuckled.

"It looks just like him," he started to move the cat around like it was a toy, walking across the table, up Hiyori's arm, across her shoulder to the top of her head. "If it weren't for him, we would have never met," Yato said. The cat began a new journey off her head and made its way to kiss Hiyori on the cheek. "Thank you, for saving me Hiyori, meow!" He was very drunk. Hiyori smiled to herself.

"I'm glad I ran out in front of the bus that day," she said. It was silent for a few long seconds before she felt Yato lean in closer to her. He placed the cat on the table and then his arms vanished from sight. It wasn't too long after she felt them wrap around her stomach. His head rested back onto her shoulder and angled it so his lips were dangerously close to her neck. She could feel her cheeks and ears warm up even more.

"I'm glad too," without warning she felt his lips graze the side her neck. She almost jumped out of her skin.

"Ya- Yato!" She tried moving out of his grip and managed to break free from his arms. She started to get up but Yato was quick to grab her by the wrist and pull her back, turning her to face him this time.

"Just a little longer, please?" The grip on her wrist didn't falter and his eyes didn't stray from the ground. His head hung in sorrow.

"I should go, Yato." She wanted nothing more than to stay, but the blush on the tips of his ears told her if she stayed any longer, there was no guarantee of what would and wouldn't happen.

"I didn't mean to scare you away, I-" his voice dropped and so did his hand. She could feel the guilt radiating off him.

She sighed and reached towards him. He flinched in surprise when she cupped his cheek. He looked up at her, his face bearing all his drunken mixed emotions as he melted into her palm.

"Warn me next time you're going to do something stupid when you're not sober, okay?" She smiled at his flushed face and his eyes met hers with an intensity she never saw before. Her stomach flipped when she saw his tongue flick out to wet his lips.

"Hiyori?"

"Yes?" Her voice was soft and timid.

"I think I'm gonna do something really stupid," he inched closer but not without his drunken stooper and a slight stumble.

"What are you-" her voice stopped short as soon as her back hit the floor. She looked up at Yato who had her pinned there with one hand on her shoulder and the other right beside her head. She felt like her heart was beating out of her chest and with every heartbeat, he inched closer and closer. Not being able to take her eyes off his lips she closed them and waited in anticipation. His breath on her lips is the first thing she felt before he completely slumped on top of her. Her eyes opened wide and she turned her head to see Yato's sleeping face. Hiyori sighed a breath of relief but not without the feeling of slight disappointment.

She wiggled herself out from underneath his dead weight body and kneeled beside him. His sleeping face looked calming and it made her chest tighten.

"Maybe you can do something stupid next time, Yato," she bent down to lightly feather a kiss on his cheek. "Goodnight." She dragged a blanket over the sleeping god and turned off the light before jumping out of the window.

Underneath the blanket, Yato's hands rustled and he brought out the origami crane Hiyori had made earlier. He stared at it and immediately regretted feigning his tiredness.

"Next time, I won't let you go so easily," he placed the crane on the floor in front of him and gazed at it until his eyes finally closed for the night.

#noragami #secret santa 2019 #fanfiction #my writing

[leximpwrites]

Seeker 1

The first part of my current project! Please bear in mind that this is still a work in progress, and these may or may not be the final versions. As always, feedback is appreciated and encouraged! Also an fyi, these chapters will probably average between 1,500 and 2,500 words each, so I’ll be sticking them behind page breaks. Also just so you guys know what you’re getting into. Lol

@officialleehadan​ @kitvinslakte​ @nox919​ @dierotenixe​ @stuck-in-theclouds​ @gyvorn12​ @apenvssword​ @wildforestferret​ @krceramics​ @starsdreaming​ @wordsdreaming

The musical ringing of a sword clearing its sheath is actually the first sign of trouble, though to be completely honest, I'm really not paying attention to the rest of the bar. I'm intent on the map in front of me, and the places the owner is marking on it. 

I turn to look over my shoulder and see three toughs, blades drawn, facing off against a pair of personal guards who are escorting a young noble boy, and who is currently hiding behind them. 

"Ye spilled mah drink, ye stupid cur!" snarls the largest of the three. He has the rolling burr of the mountain tribes to the north, and a face only a mother could love, nose clearly having been broken in three places, several ugly scars, and a large wart on his left cheek. 

"Back off, commoner!" the older of the two guards growls back, a short sword in one hand, a long knife in the other. He has the air of an experienced fighter, and I would bet good money on him being able to handle any two of the three in front of him without too much effort. "I'm no fool! You were trying to lift milord's purse!"

"Liar!" the northerner yells, and lunges forward. 

He doesn't even get close.

I'm always impressed with how quiet my apprentice can be when he has a mind to. Even I'm slightly surprised when Jax seems to materialize out of nowhere behind the three thugs. He catches the leader almost out of midair, and tosses him halfway across the room. The thug lands on a table, which was never made to take that kind of abuse, and crashes to the floor. Before the other two can react, he grabs each one by their collars, and slams them into each other. Stunned, they collapse in a heap on the floor.

The situation dealt with, Jax looks up and catches my eye, before smiling sheepishly. "Sorry, sir."

"No, good job, Jax," I tell him approvingly. I turn back to the barkeep and hand him several gold regents, and then several more. "These are for the mess and table, and those are for the information." 

He bobs his head gratefully and pockets the coins. "Thankee, Sir Seeker," he says with a genuine smile. "You an' yours are always welcome 'ere." 

I nod my thanks and signal to Jax to pick up the two at his feet while I retrieve the northerner from the wreckage of the table. The young noble and his two guards take that as their cue and quietly slip out the door. I make a mental note of the house sigil on one of the guards sleeves. I’ll pay them a visit tomorrow and make sure the boy is alright. It never hurts to cultivate goodwill amongst the upper class.

"We'll drop this trash off at the Guard house on our way back to the barracks," I say, both to the barkeep and to Jax, before we turn and head outside. It's raining lightly, typical for this time of year, and it rouses the three miscreants from their semi-conscious daze. They struggle briefly, dismayed to find themselves in the custody of two Seekers. I keep a close eye on them, wary of any tricks they might have. A hidden blade, or some other unpleasantness.

"So, what did the barkeep give us, sir?" Jax asks, shoving the two men ahead of him roughly as we head down the stone street. Imperial Engineers are truly masters of their craft, the road paved with broad, triangular stones.

"Some good, solid information, and a worrying pattern," I tell him, retrieving the city map from the belt pouch I had stuffed it into. The bartender had marked a number of spots, and I point them out. "Look at the number of sightings there have been in just this district alone."

"What do you think, a nest?" he asks after looking it over, sounding a little nervous. Sometimes I forget that despite his size, Jax is still a lad. 

"Most likely," I reply as we round a corner and spot the Guard house up ahead. The soldier on duty salutes us smartly, and hands our prisoners off to one of his subordinates after we explain what happened.

I resume our conversation once we head back out into the rain. "Probably a new queen in the catacombs under the city trying to stake out its territory."

I suppose I should introduce myself before we get any further into my tale, huh?

My name is Zepara Alchanic, and I, along with my apprentice Jaxus Luteno, are Royal Seekers currently stationed in Throne City, the capital of the Human Empire. 

And what are Seekers, you ask? We're monster hunters. Damn good ones, too. Tailor made for our job through a series of alchemical and magical transformations called The Proofing. It gives us the physical traits we need to fight monsters, and years of training gives us the skills.

Sometimes, in my darker moments, I wonder just how much we give up to become what we are. 

But usually, I feel the trade is worth it. I am very good at what I do. Technically my oath is to serve the Eternal King, but I see it as less loyalty to the crown, and more loyalty to the nation and its people. My job is to hunt down and destroy monsters that threaten the lives of everyday citizens. 

But back to my tale. 

I give Jax's shoulder an encouraging pat, despite the fact that I have to reach well above my own head to do it.

 "Don't worry, lad," I say, careful to keep my tone light. No need to worry the boy. "Even a full nest isn't much of a threat to a pair of Seekers who know what they're headed into. Just stick by me, remember your training, and you'll be fine." 

That seems to lift his spirits, and he nods, then begins studiously checking over his gear. I watch him for a moment, making sure he’s doing it properly. Satisfied he’s going about it just as I taught him, I follow suit. A Seeker relies on their gear. If your gear fails you in a fight, you’re dead, pure and simple.

Taking on a shade nest would actually be a good challenge for Jax, now that I think about it. He’s been progressing well since I became his mentor four years ago, but he tends to underestimate himself, and it holds him back a little. This will be a good way to show him what he can really do, and give his ego a healthy boost in the process. 

We finish our gear-check just as we reach the entrance to the underground portion of the city. There are thousands of miles of tunnels, galleries, and cellars under Throne City.

Originally it was just the mines under the dwarf fortress-city that is now the Imperial Palace, but over the centuries each generation dug their own underground portions and linked it into the already existing network, The end result of that, of course, being a complex labyrinth of truly staggering size. 

It can be very, very easy to get lost down there. 

I dig out a key that every Seeker is given when they complete their training. It gives us access to places like this. I unlock the steel gate that bars the stairwell down, and lock it behind us once we're through. We have to bend almost double to fit, as these ceilings were not designed with a seven foot Seeker in mind. Twice I hear Jax mutter a curse behind me as he bumps his head on something, and I have to bite back a laugh. I might be having a hard time, but the poor boy must find it almost unbearable. 

It isn’t long before we reach the bottom of the steps, and I straighten gratefully, in what appears to be a storeroom for one of the restaurants or inns above us. The walls are lined with sacks, crates, and barrels filled with various foodstuffs, all neatly organized and clearly labeled. 

I sniff the air, catching the rotten-meat stink of our prey almost at once. I hear Jax doing the same a moment later, and I nod my approval when he points down a nearby passage.

"Over that way, I think," he says, and grins when he sees me nod. We draw our paired ton-filar, heavy long-bladed fighting daggers with brass knuckles built into the grip, and a short four inch spike at the other end. They’re vicious weapons, specifically made for close in fighting, and designed to give us as many ways to hurt an enemy as possible with a single implement.

Most Seeker gear and weaponry is designed this way. It gives us an edge. And believe you me, when you're fighting the kinds of beasties we do, it always comes in handy. 

We move off in the direction of the scent, careful to keep our blades up before us. The passageway is narrow, so Jax leads the way, and I follow closely, walking backwards to make sure nothing tries to sneak up on us.

We continue down the tunnel, following our noses, until it opens up again into another wide room. The smell is horrendous, and I hear Jax gag a little. 

"Breathe through your mouth," I advise him. "It helps."

I scan the room, taking everything in all at once. Trash, rotting food, and less identifiable detritus litter the floor, and the far corner of the room is buried under a mass of reeking filth that rises to the ceiling. I curse myself for not thinking. As soon as they hear my voice, shades come pouring out of the nest, chittering angrily, eager for a meal.

Shades aren't big, about the size of a cat, and aren’t especially threatening. They look like a hairless rat with an odd, bird-like head. They're not even hard to kill. A good solid kick from a normal human is enough to put an end to one. 

The problem is, there's never just one. 

They breed fast, in clutches of seven or eight, every three weeks. They carry disease, and spread rot wherever they go. Nobody knows how they came to be, but we know that dark magic spawned them, because all our monster hunting tricks work just fine. 

"Grenades!” I snap, following my own advice, withdrawing one from the belt pouch I keep them in. 

Grenades are expensive kit, but absolutely priceless when dealing with swarms of creatures like shades. A small sphere packed with gunpowder, enclosed within an outer sphere of cold iron plated with silver, and the space between the two filled with a mixture of rock salt and holy water. 

We light them with a flick of the thumb against the special alchemical fuse, and then toss them into the middle of the pack. They detonate with a surprising level of force for such small weapons, shaking some dirt loose from the ceiling. Between the explosion, holy water, and rock salt, dozens of the little beasts vanish into puffs of dirty smoke. Dozens more are killed as shrapnel scythes into the massed bodies.

The remainder of the pack, their numbers thinned by the grenades, rush us. Jax and I spin around each other, years of training giving us the skill to fight in such a tight space against a swarm of enemies. I skewer a pair on my ton-filar, turn, and catch another mid-air in the chest with one of the pommel spikes. Jax ducks around me and punches down the two that are trying to leap on me from behind, and boots another in the face when it tries to bite at him. It careens back into its fellows and takes them down in a tangle.

With a chattering shriek that makes us both wince, the queen and her nest guard emerge. 

Easily three times the size of their smaller fellows, the nest guard are huge, slavering beasts with glittering red eyes, long, sharp beak-like mouths, and wicked claws. The queen is even bigger and nastier, her belly swollen with her current clutch. 

"Blast her!" Jax calls, and I nod, quietly impressed. We whirl with skill and speed that no human could hope to match, as we trade blades for the coach guns, safely secured across our backs. Jax's is the typical, blunt-nosed, over-under variant favored by most Seekers. 

But mine…

Mine is a work of art. It was a gift, made for me by the master weapon-alchemist Argius Cratona of Wavedancer, after I rescued his daughter from a lich during my apprenticeship. It has six barrels, twice the length of a standard coach gun, arranged in a circle around a single larger barrel at the center. The steel barrels are polished to a mirror shine, and ornate, curling scrollwork is etched into each one. The solid cherrywood grip and stock is chased with brass and burnished to a deep, warm glow. The gun's name, Sophia, is inscribed on a small brass plate embedded in the stock.

It has three triggers. The first two are tied to three of the six outer barrels each, so that a single trigger pull fires three bursts of cold iron and silver shot at once. 

The third trigger goes to the center barrel, which fires a specially made bullet created by Cratona. Called a Decimator Round, it’s a solid slug of cold iron coated in silver, and infused with powerful alchemical compounds that detonate once inside a target. Every month he sends me a box with thirty of the hefty, hand-sized shells, along with notes from him and his daughter. I’ve kept a steady correspondence with them both over the years, and never once in all my time as a Seeker has Sophia failed to kill the monster it was aimed at.  

But I digress. 

We fire together, then fire again, the booming report of our guns thunderously loud in the enclosed cellar, filling the far side of the room with a blizzard of shot that tears the queen and her guards to bloody shreds. Jax and I deftly snap open the breeches of our guns, ejecting the spent casings and replacing them with fresh, though I take a moment longer due to the extra barrels.

Silence descends for several long minutes as we wait to see if any more shades come out of the darkness, but either we had killed them all, or the remaining few were smart enough to scatter.

"I think we're done here," I decide at last, holstering Sophia, and Jax follows my example. I wave for him to follow, and head back the way we had come. "You did good work back there, Jax, very well done. I'm impressed."

Jax ducks his head, rubbing the back of his neck self-consciously. "Thank you, sir, but I only did what I thought was best."

"Which is exactly what you should do," I tell him firmly, with a smile. "You acted as a Seeker should, and I'm proud of you. You have solid battle instincts, and you don't have any lack in terms of skill. You've learned everything I've taught you so far, and learned it well. You do me credit as your mentor, and yourself as a Seeker."

Jax is left speechless. I stifle a small twinge of guilt. Perhaps I’ve been a bit sparse with praise up until now. Well, that can be fixed easily enough. 

"Come on, lad," I say, ducking low to head back up the stairs. "Let's go get something to eat. I would say we've earned our supper tonight."

[chubberbaria]

I spent a lot of time on this and it is over 3.5k words long

I hope y’all enjoy this mess. 

Sebastian (black butler) x Baria Stone

It had been quite the while since Ciel had hosted his own party. Sebastian thought it must have been Christmas when they had the last, and he believed it was quite in time for this next one. Ciel had explained to him how it was rather exclusive, containing very important Lords from across the British isles. Sebastian wondered if his other parties weren’t as exclusive, but he hadn’t commented. 

This party was rather simple in itself, simply a celebration of achievements. At least, that was how it has been explained to the butler. As well as to the extent of wanting to know and care; Sebastian didn’t particularly care for such trivial Human traits as hosting a party. 

So far, Sebastian was bustling around. Making sure everything was up to par, especially with those three dolts making a mess every now and then… With a heavy sigh, Sebastian realized he needed time to relax. Something, or someone, to bring him down to unwind. 

His eyes glided across the ballroom, there were so many choices. Of course, tonight Sebastian was feeling rather picky… He didn’t feel the need for any of these paunchy, rich, spoiled humans. A soft grumble formed in his throat as he couldn’t seem to find the one that would fulfill the desire to relax in the pit of his stomach. 

That’s when he noticed his own Lord talking to someone… interesting. 

The young man his Lord spoke with was well kept, his hair looked like it had been combed down for hours. While his eyes filled with a sort of… naive kindness. Sebastian was enthralled, mostly by the fact that someone could have that glitter in their eyes. What struck Sebastian most though, was how feminine their face was. It looked much like a womans, but it wasn’t a mistake that he was a man. Sebastian found it… Rather mysterious. 

He had approached the two, a kind smile on his face. He received quite the same look from the stranger as well. 

“Ah, “ His own master said, “Sebastian, quite good of you to arrive. This is Lord Baria Stone, his family helps provide buildings for our manufacturing. “ Ciel had explained. 

“A pleasure, this is your butler?” Baria asked, his eyes never wavered. 

Sebastian bowed, “The head butler of the house, “ He took the Lord’s hand, softly pecking it. “I am at your service.” He said with a slight smirk.

He noted the blush that tinted Baria’s cheeks from the kiss. 

Ciel glared a bit at his strange butler, “Don’t be weird Sebastian, especially since this young man will be boarding here.” 

“Oh?” 

“Yes, I will be. I wish to be more close to Ciel, so planning the buildings for Funtom projects will be easier… This is at least until I find a proper space to live.” 

His smile was light , it filled the room and intoxicated Sebastian. He wasn’t sure what it was, but this human was tying him around his finger. 

What Sebastian could hope now, was that he would be able to do the same to Baria. 

“Sounds wonderful, Shall I address you as Lord Stone… Or Milord?” Sebastian inquired, standing straight and looking down to Baria. He was only taller by no more than an inch, but he let that inch count for everything. 

“Well I am certainly not your lord… Lord Stone will suffice.” He said simply, looking at Ciel who seemed annoyed to no end. 

Sebastian nodded, than got shooed away by Ciel. He tried to not look disappointed that he couldn’t take the Lord to bed. But he knew, since he would be staying with them, Sebastian would have more than enough opportunities. He wished to seduce him, and that was just what he planned to do. 

++

Sebastian had to admit, having a second Lord in the house was rather strange. He and the other servants were instructed to “treat him as though he were me” by Ciel. Sebastian understood this, but it wouldn’t stop him from trying to seduce this delicious young lord. 

This most recent incident involved Sebastian cleaning a spot from Baria’s jacket, His hands were nimble and quick, but he took his time. Just to sort of size up his prey. His eyes never leaving the Lords. His fingers basically caressed the others chest, Sebastian was surprised to find it was soft. Unlike the rest of his body, which was rather lean. 

“You’re so messy, My Lord.” He expressed, His voice low and sultry in order to rouse the Lord. 

“I apologize Sebastian, where have my manners gone?” He laughed lightly, looking up to the other slightly. 

Sebastian paused, his smirk faltered. How dense was this man?

Another incident occurred when Sebastian was speed walking through the halls, He heard Bard had once again obtained his flame thrower. He was simply too tired to deal with this.... Sebastian was hardly paying attention because of this and it caused him to bump, and fall on top of Baria. 

His ruby irises met Baria’s shocked Hazel. He paused just a moment, realizing his hands were on the others surprisingly soft chest. His long legs positioned right between Baria’s equally long legs. He lightly tilted his head at the sight, but smiled. 

“Terribly sorry Milord.” He expressed, brushing a few stray chestnut strands from Baria’s face. “I heard our cook accidentally set the kitchen on fire, I simply wasn’t looking where I was going.” 

Baria swallowed a bit, ‘I should… um, let you get back to that.” he said, more awkward than flustered.

Sebastian tried to not look surprised but he couldn’t help it, What was wrong with this man? He didn’t seem to care for any of his advances at all… He stifled a huff as he stood and helped Baria up. Brushing him off and offering a smile before continuing on his way. 

Usually he had any gender of Human simply falling for him, left or right he was always able to seduce them. He simply could not understand what on earth made this one so different. It made him rather frustrated, he would definitely have to let this out onto Bard. Though he liked the cook (sometimes) it did need to happen.

++

Today, Sebastian was tagging along with Ciel and Baria for a little shopping day. The two Lords were in need of the latest fashions for winter. Much to Sebastian's surprise, Ciel and Baria got along rather well. The older would often give Ciel advice in area’s he got confused socially. While Ciel always offered the other business advice as well. Sebastian deemed it mostly odd due to Baria’s large sense of empathy that Ciel tended to lack. 

In any case, Sebastian stood as the two were at the tailor’s. Ciel went first, while Baria deemed to wait for a private session. Baria was looking at what the shop had, he seemed quite interested in the colorful, more frilly outfits. 

What Sebastian thought interesting though, was the way Baria kept glancing at this one particular man. 

His greedy eyes would momentarily shift from the clothes he would be looking at, to a man being sized. His stomach was very large, it pressed into his oversized waist band. It hung out at least a foot before him. And his face was generously fat and full as well, Baria had blush dusting his cheeks as he watched the woman size him properly. 

A rip was heard, the man had torn his trousers bending over. 

He saw Baria gasp softly and bite his lip. 

Sebastian narrowed his eyes slightly, his brain processing what had just occurred before him. Did Baria… Have a fetish for larger men?.... His lips lightly lifted into a smirk, this was one interesting development to trying to bed this Lord. He never thought of trying to add weight to seduce someone, usually he had to stay trim and toned. But, after trying to get Baria for almost a week now, this was something he was more than willing to do. 

++

Upon returning home, Sebastian found time to go to his room in private. Standing before his bedside table and staring at the mirror rather hesitantly, he couldn’t simply make himself gain weight in no time… that would be rather suspicious after all. He scratched his chin in thought, Human food tasted quite like ashes to him… but perhaps it would be worth it if it were to add some pounds to his frame. 

With a slight sigh he made his way to the kitchen, Bard was prodding out was supposedly dinner. Though Sebastian knew he would have to make it himself, no doubt. What Sebastian was looking for here, was leftovers. Anything saved from meals unfinished. Quite surely, he was able to find these. 

“ Hey ‘bastian, whatcha doin’?” Bard asked, placing a hand on his hip as he tilted his head at the raiding demon. 

Said thief looked over to the other and smiled, “I’m going through the leftovers, throwing out whatever has gone bad. Why don’t you take the evening off? Check on Finny.’ Sebastian insisted, “I’ll take over for now.” 

“Wow really? I’ve been meanin’ to do a few things… Thanks ‘Bastian!” Bard grinned as he left the kitchen. 

Sebastian waited until he could no longer hear the others footsteps, He sighed softly and looked at the leftover ham that he had pulled out. He set it on the counter carefully before taking a sliced piece, he examined the way the cold meat glistened in the light. It was so curious, yet he pondered how it could be a delicacy. 

He took a full bite of it, of course he knew it had no flavour to it. He sighed but swallowed the thing, this was going to be a very daunting task. With out knowing if would even work was risky as well. But all Sebastian could think of was Lord Baria beneath him, his shirt askew, hair a mess, and his eyes misty with the lust only meant for a demon. Perhaps he could even make him gasp the way he did for that overweight man… 

This motivation allowed Sebastian to take another bite, just as big as the last. Even though the ham had no flavour in his mouth, he did his best to replace the taste with what he imagined Baria to taste like. The man usually smelled of flowers, this was from the fact he was always in the garden. Sebastian wondered if he would be sweet, maybe even a delicacy. Another bite, another slice of ham to devour. 

He allowed his canines to turn to fangs so he could eat the meat faster, What did Baria sound like when in bed? Would he be loud enough for his master to hear? He wondered if Baria was also dominative in bed, or if he would simply submit to Sebastian's will. The mystery was making the man go mad, it was also making him eat much faster.

5 slices of ham, and now Sebastian could feel the tightness in his three layered uniform. His stomach pressed against his collared shirt. The layers made it fairly hard to tell he was bloated though. Thankfully, Sebastian could eat all he wanted. Human food couldn’t sate a demons hunger after all. 

He grunted as he ate more and more, indulging in the thought of Baria Stone and pushing to get to a size that would make the Lord flustered. To see his cheeks stark red, to watch him fumble over his words and lust over the demon. Sebastian could feel the tightness increases as the ham finished, and he moved on to whatever else he could find in the ice box. 

The leftovers soon decreased, less and less of the turkey from yesterday night, no more of the dessert that left uneaten, absolutely nothing from the cream of corn that was abandoned. Sebastian ate all of it, licking spare crumbs from his gloves as he also began to cook as well.

He let out a faint hiccups now, moving around with a full stomach was trying on his human body. Though he didn’t feel full, it definitely was full. He looked down, the roundness of his stomach was a lot more noticeable now. His buttons seemed a tad more strained, and it definitely had that soft shape to it. Sebastian smiled at the sight, perhaps this would be what Baria would want. 

 As Sebastian ate and baked, he began to get more bloated. His buttons more strained, and his stomach pushed out even more. He groaned slightly as he found it was actually slowing him down. This foolish flesh vessel… No matter. He would simply make do with what he had. Sebastian belched, covering his mouth in surprise as he had never done anything like that before now. 

He felt a tingle down his spine, his Master was growing impatient for the food. 

With a slight groan, Sebastian took the food to the dining area. Walking carefully as his balance was now completely off with this huge stomach full of food waddling in front of him. It lightly bounced and wobbled. But was rather stuffed, making the surface taut and hard. 

He sighed heavily, after the table was set he called onto dinner for the two Lords. Standing on the right hand side of where Ciel would sit. He watched as they entered, Ciel looked annoyed while Baria smiled as usual. 

He also watched as Baria’s eyes widened at the sight of Sebastian.

“It’s about time you got this ready… We’ve been waiting ages!” Ciel snapped, stomping to his spot and sitting. He looked over to Sebastian and frowned, “Have… Have you been eating?” He asked, his finger prodded Sebastian's stomach. 

While Ciel examined his now bloated butler, Sebastian watched Baria’s reactions. His cheeks colored a rather pinkish red, his eyes glued to the way Ciel was poking him, and his mouth seeming to be very dry as he was already drinking the water that was offered. 

“I was simply clearing out the leftovers My Lord.” Sebastian explained, Ciel gave him a look. 

“The- “ Ciel sighed, ‘We will discuss this later, you idiot.” He said, obviously angry because he was hungry. 

Sebastian just smirked, he had gotten the reaction he wanted from the dearest Baria. He was flustered by Sebastian. This was the incentive he needed, But he felt that he knew he wasn’t nearly big enough. He would have to get bigger for him.

++

  Sebastians days now were filled with snacks, eating in between tasks, indulging when running errands, all the while Ciel was very confused by what his butler was doing. Sebastian felt excitement rise in his chest as he got bigger, the food he ate added fat to his frame. He felt amusement and joy seeing Baria’s red face as he walked past, his clothes got tighter and tighter by the day. He couldn’t help but feel Baria’s longing gaze on himself. 

Sebastian was at a rather hefty size now, he could feel his thighs rub against each other no matter what he did. His stomach would jostle and jiggle with every movement he made, even his chest was pushing into his clothes. He looked a lot like an overstuffed bear, about to burst out his clothes. Ciel had stopped commenting on it a while ago, mostly because he had privately asked Sebastian and since he couldn’t lie to his master he had to explain. 

Ciel being the age he was, of course was disgusted and hadn’t wanted to know about this at all. Once he learned he decided to ignore and, chose to forget it to save his friendship with Lord Stone. Sebastian was rather grateful for this, since he didn’t want Ciel to make him stop. 

Today was a repeat of another incident, the same one where he fell on top of Baria. But this time Baria was on top of Sebastian, It seemed the Lord wasn’t looking at where he was going as he ran across the foyer. Now he was propped on the butlers stomach, his hands placed on either side of Sebastian's head as his face was buried in his chest. Sebastian could feel the heat emitting off the Lord, as well as a little problem prodding at Sebastians stomach as well. 

“S-Sebastian!” he stammered terribly as he lifted his head up, “I-I’m so sorry I… I shouldn’t have been running indoors-” 

Sebastian set a finger against the others lips, “No need to apologize… It feels like you’re excited to see me.’ he says amused. 

Baria gasped, his mouth left agape as he couldn’t find the words to respond.

“Let me take you to my room.” He whispered softly, picking Baria up easily.

With Baria positioned on his stomach, he easily swept the man away to his chambers. A smirk on his lips as he finally had what he wanted, this man… This man that he had been thirsting for weeks. He was all his, finally. Baria gasped as he was pushed into the bed, his hazel eyes wide and misty, just as Sebastian had envisioned. 

“What a sweet face.” He said softly, stroking the Lords cheek. Baria bit his lip, Sebastian was over top of him, his fat stomach brushing against Baria’s flat one. “Glad to see you finally admire me back.” he crooned. 

“I-I… You…” his mouth simply stammered, his face was red much like a tomato. Sebastian chuckled at the fact he could barely even speak. 

“How adorable.” he mused, sitting up on top of his mate. “What do you think? I feel like I should be bursting out of this outfit quite soon~” 

Sebastian arched his back, filling Baria’s view with his fat belly. It pressed against the many layers he wore and he could see the buttons strain awfully, they begged to break off but the pressure wasn’t great enough quite yet. 

Baria swallowed around the dryness of his throat, His pants looked rather wet as he shuddered. Moving his hands o actually feel Sebastian. 

“Your clothes… their rather constricted…” he said in a hushed tone, his eyes lidded as he looked back up at Sebastian. “You wish to… Burst them off?” he asked. 

Sebastian hummed, rubbing his own belly. “If it will make you yell for my name, than whatever you wish, My Lord.’ he husked. 

Without a care, Sebastian snapped his fingers. Beside the bed, a cart appeared. Baria looked shocked at the magical act, and then confused at the contraption that was on top of it. The object seemed to be a giant pot with a pump, Baria had no clue what it could be for. Than, realised as he watched Sebastian take the hose and place it into his own maw. 

With the flick of a switch, the machine began to whir. Pumping whatever substance was inside into Sebastian, Baria moaned a bit as the effects were felt right away. Sebastian was filling up quickly, becoming heavier on top of Baria. He could feel and watch as his stomach got bigger and bigger with each pump. Each gulp caused his stomach to bob and expand further. 

He felt so heavy, and Baria was so wet because of it. His eyes screwed shut and he felt the pleasure just course through him. A moan came out nice and loud as Sebastian's stomach burst from his clothes, the buttons splayed every which way as his belly flowed out and onto Baria, the tip of his lower belly brushing Baria’s cheek. 

Baria himself arched his back sweetly, his skin crawled and he was in so much pleasure as the demon got fatter and fatter on top of him. 

“G-Gods…. God….” Baria panted as his hands feverishly groped the man, his stomach covered his thighs and bounced before Baria’s eyes. He grunted and struggled to sit up more properly, Sebastia pushed him down though, removing the pump to lay on top of him. 

“Is something the matter Kitten?” he husked, his belly pressed into Baria rather harshly, completely crushing him at this point. 

“H-Heavy!” He managed, looking at the other, he wrapped his arms around Sebastian. “V-Very heavy…” He murmured. 

Sebastian chuckled, pushing up so he could breathe. “Now, Lord Baria, shall I pleasure you?” He asked. 

“W-What?... I…” Baria swallowed hard, “N-No I… No I don’t want to.” he said, Sebastian blinked. 

He.

He said No?

“Still?!” Sebastian retorted, sounding rather fed up and angry about this. “What have I got to do… It would have been easier to take one of those idiotioc humans rather than you! Why won’t you have sex with me?” He asked, feeling exasperated by this all. 

“Ask me to dinner, talk to me… More than just a Lord and a butler.’ Baria said sheepishly, sitting up as Sebastian sat on the other side of the bed, causing it to sink. “I need to know a person before I want to have sex with them.” 

Sebastian studied Baria, He of course, being a demon knew that he shouldn’t have an emotional bond with anyone. Could he even *have* an emotional bond? All he knew was the 7 sins that he always craved, he had wanted the pleasure from Baria so desperately. Being rejected again… it was something quite new to him.

Baria looked at him rather confused, but Sebastian sighed, waving his hand across the others face to put him to sleep. He could always find another human, and that would just be what he would have to do at this rate. His eyes wandered back to the sleeping Lords… His eye lashes were very long. His skin like ivory, glistening in the moonlight. He sighed heavily, not understanding his own feelings at all. Sebastian stood, he would begin working this off tomorrow. And perhaps get the idea of being with a human like Baria out of his mind. 

(Part 2?? Maybe??????)

#My fics #this is a mess #kill me lmao #its kink but also plot and drama cause thats how it be sometimes

[jadejedi]

We can be different (Gendrya, alternate 8x04)

Author’s Note: I should be working on a final project for Zoology, but instead I wrote this in like 15 minutes. Uhhhh, this episode left me... Not Happy. In this fic, Maya Stone exists and is alive.

“That’s not me.”

Gendry shook his head in disbelief. “That’s not you? What are you talking about? You’re already a lady!”

Arya scoffed. “No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are! Your sister is Lady Sansa, and you Lady Arya Stark of Winterfell!”

Arya didn’t say anything, but started to turn away. Gendry could feel his heart pound. He couldn’t let her leave. He felt that if she left him now, she would never return. 

“What?” he said, reaching out and grabbing her arm. “Do you think I’m going to make you wear a dress and sit and a tower and sew while you run my household and bear my children?” he asked incredulously. “Is that it?”

“Yes,” Arya hissed, wrenching her arm from Gendry’s grasp. She stared at him like he was thick. “Because that’s what ladies do. Especially a lady of one of the Seven Kingdoms. Has that not made it through your thick skull? If you’re a lord, and I am your lady, it won’t be like it is. We will have to do what is expected of us. Be proper. That’s. Not. Me.”

Gendry took a step back, still disbelieving. “Why? Why should we have to do any of that? Isn’t the point of being a Lord or Lady that you can do what you want? Didn’t Cersei and Jaime fuck out three bastards to put on the throne? Didn’t the Targaryens wed son to daughter? Didn’t that Frey Lord have, like, a dozen wives? Don’t the Dornish walk around wearing next to nothing, raising bastards to power and letting women inhereit?

“Why shouldn’t we do what we want? Why shouldn’t we ask Ser Davos to come with us, when this is all over, to rule Storm’s End for us? Why should we have children? I hear that I still have a half-sister running around the Vale. Let her make the heirs. Why should you wear a dress and act a Lady, when you don’t do that here?”

Gendry could see the anger that had been in her eyes begin to seep away. Arya said nothing, for a moment. “Why didn’t you come with me?”

He felt as if one of those wights had just lept onto his chest. “What?” he asked, even though he knew what she meant.

“When we were with the brotherhood. I asked you to be my family. You said that we couldn’t.”

He took her hands in his. “Because I was a bastard, and you were a lady.” 

Before she could protest, he continued. “Not a very traditional one, I know. But still, the daughter of a lord. But don’t you see? Now I am a lord! Not a bastard, not one of the smallfolk, but Lord of Storm’s End! Arya, we can be together!”

Arya looked at him strangely. “Why does it matter? Why did it ever matter? Are titles so important to you?”

Gendry shook his head in frustration. “You don’t understand. When you have a title, when you were born, with a title, and land, and money, it means nothing to you. Why should it? But when you grow up without all of that, when you grow up the bastard son of some tavern wench, who died when I was seven, all you know is that you don’t have those things. That they have those things, and you don’t, and you can never be like them, never be friends with them, never talk to them without saying “milord” or “milady”. Every part of my life made sure that I knew that I wasn’t one of them; that I was less than them. You couldn’t understand.” He looked at her, and took a breath. Gods, he shouldn’t have drunk so much.

“When you told me who you were, I thought, no, I knew that it was impossible. That whatever we meant to each other, to others, you would never be more than my lady to me. Would you have accepted that? Loving each other in secret for the rest of our lives? Was that what you had planned for us that night? Because that is what we would have had to do. We never could have married. Not for real.”

He paused, and he could see that she saw the truth in his words.

“But in there, just know? When the Queen named me, Gendry Waters, the Lord of Storm’s End? The first thing I thought of was you. That I was finally worthy of you.”

She looked away for a second, and he sighed, knowing that if she didn’t want this, than there was nothing that he could do or say to change her mind.

But Arya turned back, and looked thoughtfully at him. “Okay,” she said.

“Okay?”

“Okay, I’ll marry you,” she said.

Gendry shouted with joy and swept her into his arms, spinning her around. She smiled at him, looking deep into his eyes, and he could see her joy and her pain, and all of the woman he loved.

#got #got fic #got spoilers #gendrya #arya x gendry #my stuff #damn this scene made me mad lmao

[renee-writer]

A Little Change in History Chapter 33

AO3

Over the next few weeks, Jenny and Claire worked with the other women of the land in wedding preparation. There is food, flowers, and dresses to prepare. Jenny is happy with the arrangement. It is important for the Laird to be married and have children. She is also glad to see Claire happy. Despite her English ness, she likes Claire. She is a hard worker, kind, polite, and is someone who will keep her brother on his toes. Most important, she loves Jamie with all her heart.

They are sitting in the Great Room, sewing some embroidery on the train of the dress. “Claire, now that you are the Lady of Lallybroch, would you like to be trained to take over the house.”

“No, but thank you. This is your house and you are it’s Mistress. I simply want to heal and work the garden. We can have meetings once a week to talk over the running of the household. I will approve any decisions you make. I could never be the Lady of Lallybroch like Jamie wishes.”

“We will talk to my brother about that after the wedding. I think we are just about ready. Are you?”

“I am nervous. I have never been with a man.” She admits.

“My brother will take care of you, dinna fash.”

The day arrives. Claire was in the Laird’s room getting ready while Jamie was in the surgery getting ready. Jenny and Liz helped her dress. Claire was getting more and more nervous.

“Claire, you look so nervous.”

“I am. Please tell me it will be alright.”

“It will be. Alex was so kind and gentle and made me feel good before we did anything. It only hurt for a moment and now,” she blushes a bit, “ it is very pleasurable.”

“Alright, I will be alright.” She encourages herself.

They walk to the door of the kirk. Alex stands there and waits. He bows to Claire. “Milady, may I have the pleasure of taking you to your Lord?” Every since she had meet, in the holding area of the castle, he has been nothing but kind to her. She takes his offered arm and with Liz following, she walks towards Jamie.

He is dressed ever inch a Highland warrior and Laird of his land. He smiles when he sees Claire. She and Alex both bow to him. “Milady, your servant.” Jamie says to Claire.

“Milord.” They respond. Jamie took her hand and turns towards the priest. They took their vows and both English and Latin. The blood oath would be done outside the church. They take communion as a married couple then the good father told Jamie,

“Please Mi’ Laird, kiss your bride.” Father Alex says. Jamie leads in to give her a small kiss on the lips. Claire deepens it. They pull apart and smile at each other before walking outside the church. Their family, tenants and friends all wait for them. Ian takes Jamie’s dirk and thinly sliced across their wrists before binding them together. They repeat their vows in Gaelic. Jamie kisses her again as a cheer raises up. They walk to the manor house with their guests following behind.

As they got to the manor house, they stand at the archway to greet and thank their guests. There are over a hundred people at the house. There is music, food, and drinks. The party lasts well into the evening and, as it got late. Jamie looks at Claire and took her hand to head towards the surgery. They stopped and kissed at the door. Then Jamie opened the door and Claire walked into the front room.

#my writing #outlander fanfic #ladymeraud and i's latest #a little change in history #chapter 33 #jamie and claire #cannon divergence #outlander fandom

[bonneyq]

I am saddened by your announcement But I will continue to support you. :) about your new project, I know for Sure that you will do well on it. I read all your stories and you are really really amazing!! I would just like to know if you will give us a summary of the ending of your stories like The Duchess, The Birds and the Bees, Much Stronger than Forever and Someone Else’s Life. I really love those stories and would like to know how it supposed to end. Thank you!

Thanks for the support, sweetheart! But here we go! Let’s talk about my plans oh how I would’ve handled some of my stories, since I’ll most likely not end them.

1. The Birds and the Bees: Honestly, I had just this scene in my head where Juvia tells Gray she needed to wear a wedding ring when she went out and lie her age, tell people she always looked young. so not to be judged by older people. Anther scene was of a parents’ metting at school wanting her to be expelled and Silver going full protective over her and later on, Gray moving in with her. I started this story when I started to get sick, so… not much thought into it, I’m afraid.

2.   Much Stronger than Forever: When they’d arrive at Polyuska’s, she would have another potion for Juvia, since she started to remember, something to boost her memories and the thing that would “finish” it, would be Gray kissing her. Cliché, I know, but I promise I would’ve made it real nice haha

3.   Someone Else’s Life: Another cliché one, but just after the baby was born, I would make Gray faint and wake up at the hospital, before all of it began. He would’ve been hit with some weird magic that allowed him to see the future, it meant ti be just for a few minutes, but he was in a coma and stayed longer. He would literally cry because he learned to love his son, Future!Juvia and the new baby and would like to return  but what would help him through it would be the knowledge it would happen eventually. Again, cliché. HAHAHA 

Sorry, so many clichés. My excuse is that I was so much younger when I wrote those last two, sorry.

Now onto the one everyone seems to wonder about… LOL

4.   The Duchess: Okay, I’m very jealous of this one so I’m gonna just give in the basics, I’m sorry for being selfish AHAH. So, Juvia would be pregnant again because she thought she couldn’t be again while breastfeeding (which you TOTALLY can) and when she was around, 5 months or so, her and Gray would decide to go to her lands to take a look before they couldn’t travel anymore. They were going to take Ava as well, Silver too, the whole party.

Silver would sense something was wrong and tell Juvia to leave the ship slowly, with Ava (Gray was yet to board) but their escape was noticed and the ship started to sail. Arriving in Juvia’s lands, she and Ava would be locked in different rooms, only allowed to see each other once a day. Jose knew Gray would learn he was behind the stealing jewels and take his title and lands and he couldn’r let it happen. He meant to kill Gray when he arrived and once Juvia delivered, kill her too so he’d have the two heirs of great lands into his hands.

Silver had escaped the moment they arrived and one night, around two months after they got captured, Silver would reappears to save them. He’d die protecting and giving them time to run while both Juvia and Ava escaped.

They would meet Ur, who was sent by Silver, to take them back to Avalanche Castle and she’d tell Juvia to dye her hair dark so if anyone asked, Juvia was his daughter and she was escorting her and her granddaughter back home - people were looking for a pregnant woman and a toddler the first few days, not two women and a toddler. It takes them roughly a month to get close to the Castle (meanwhile Gray was going insane without his wife and daughter, but he couldn’t attack even having a greater army because Jose would kill them to keep the lands to himself).

Baby number 2, just when a snow storm starts (if it hadn’t, they would’ve been able to reach Avalanche Castle), decides to arrive early and Juvia tells them to change ways. So you guys remember when Juvia learned she was pregnant for the first time? After the Avalanche? She tells them to go to that town and they knock on the door of Nina, who is a midwife.

Of course Baby Number 2 is a troublemaker so it’s not in position, instead, it is on its side and to get it into a good position, they’d have to perform a difficult and painful maneuver and Juvia could bleed to death so she asks Ur if she doesn’t make it, to take Ava and the baby to Avalanche Castle and if her husband is not there, to not trust anyone and take them to their uncle, Lyon, to his castle. Ur had grown fond of Juvia and promises her, even though she tells her nothing will happen.

They do the procedure and Juvia blacks out after that.

Cuts to Gray in Avalanche Castle, looking like crap and helpless…

..and you know what??? I’m gonna write that scene because I’ve thought about it way too much not to. 

Gray’swalking the Great Hall of Avalanche Castle to go to his office, where his counselwaited for him. It had been 3 months. Three awful months without Juvia, theirunborn child, Ava, his father and he was about to lose his mind.

“Dada!” Hethought he heard and shook his head – he was hearing things now, great. Then he heard small steps andanother call of “Dada!” and it made him stop and turn, just in case someone hadcalled him and he somehow changed it into that in his mind. He wasn’t sleepingwell so it could very well happen.

All hiseyes could focus were on a little girl dressed in commoner’s dirty clothes,mostly, but the dark hair and blue eyes and that face, she looked just like Juvia it hurt his heart.

“Ava? How…?”He whispered to himself and didn’t even realized he was walking at thedirection of the little girl until he met her and pulled her from the ground,hugging her as tight as he could. “Ava? Ava.”He kept saying, his eyes watering. “Oh, please, don’t let me be hallucinating.”He hugged her harder.

“No, Dada!”Ava wiggled in discomfort. “Hurt Ava, Dada!”

“I’m sorry,sweetheart.” He was crying then and started to kiss her chubby cheek and hehugged her again. “Oh, I’ve missed you so much. How are you here?”

“It is quitea tale, milord.” He looked up and saw two dark haired women but he didn’t paymuch attention to them, more interested in hugging his daughter. Gray couldn’tbelieve he was holding her again, a piece of his heart was back.

“What aboutmy wife?” He asked, while looking at Ava and then to the little girl. “Where’s Mama?”He was afraid whoever they were, they could only smuggled Ava out.

At the sametime Ava pointed towards the two women, his whole body tensed when he heard: “Juviachanges her hair for a few weeks and you don’t recognize her anymore?”

Graysnapped his head so fast to look at the women it was a wonder how he didn’t hurthis neck. The older woman had her arms around the younger dark haired one, whohad a blanket over her simple clothes.

Finally looking at her, he could see her. Hecould see Juvia just a few meters away from him.

If he hadn’t been holding his daughter in hisarms, Gray’s knees would’ve given up.

“Juvia?” He said, voice low but she must’veheard him because she gave him a small watery smile.

“Sorry it took us so long to come home.” Eyeswide and tearing up, he finally made his body move and walk towards her, slowlyas if he ran she would disappear in front of him. The moment he was in front ofher, he looked into her blue eyes, still afraid she was an illusion. “Hi,Gray-sama.”

With the arm he wasn’t holding Ava with, hepulled Juvia close to his chest and he wasn’t ashamed at all to admit he criedeven harder when he had his girls in his arms, finally.

Juvia looked up and she was crying too. She puta hand on his cheek and gave him a kiss and Gray was about to hug her closerwhen she moved her hand from his cheek to his chest to push him away.

“Wait, Gray-sama.” She told him. “There’ssomeone else you have to meet first.”

He blinked twice before turning to the older womanlooking at them. “Of course, thank you for bringing my family back-”

Ur chuckled. “You are welcome, kid, but I don’tthink Juvia meant me.”

Gray frowned in confusion and then looked athis wife and saw her push the blanket away just enough he could see a baby snuggledagainst her chest. He was without breath for a moment, taking in the baby’s face,the bit of dark blue hair. The baby moved a little and fussed for just a second,just like Ava did when she was a baby herself, but even smaller, and the actionmade Gray’s heart skip a beat.

“I…” He tried.

“He is early.” Juvia told her husband, softly. “Heis a bit small, but healthy.”

“He?”

Juvia smiled at him. “We have a son, Gray-sama.”

“The little bugger decided to get into the worldin the middle of a snowstorm.” Ur snorted. “By the way, you should call yourdoctor and give them a place to rest.”

“Juvia is fine, Ur-sama.” Juvia told her whileGray’s eyes were still to leave their son.

“You just had a very complicated birth and even though after yesterday I trust thosewomen as much as I can, it’s better if you get a second opinion and you need rest,you were still bleeding when we left.”

The word made Gray snap out of it. “What? Complicatedbirth? Bleeding? Are you alright?”

“She’s not.” Ur clarified. “Get her a doctor, somebathtubs with hot water for her and the children and food. We are starving.”She said as if she owned the castle, but Gray did exactly what he was told,yelling at guards and maids to get things ready while holding on to his family.

He’d never let go of them again if he had any sayin the matter.

Now, he was free to attack Jose and he wouldlearn to never mess with a man’s family. At least not a Fullbuster’s family.

Juvia tells how Silver’s death was her fault, but he tells her it was his choice to save his family and she made the right decision: her priorities were Ava and the baby. Silver made his choice and Gray would forever be grateful for his sacrifice and they’d both wonder if that was what Silver’s vision of Mika was about (HA! Connections with earlier chapters). Gray needed him and Silver was there and helped free Juvia and Ava, even arranging Ur, an old friend, to help him.

Jose would be defeated in combat and one of Juvia’s long lost relatives would take care of the lands until Baby number 2 was old enough to take care of it, since Ava was the first born and would inherit the Duchy.

The end!

Well, here we go! I hope it wasn’t too disappointing! 

#Gruvia #charmandheradventures #ask #drabble #the duchess #the birds and the bees #someone else's life #much stronger than forever #fanfictions endings

[duraxxor]

The Dreamscar Part I

Several months ago, not long after the incident in Nazmir... 

The organization that Duraxxor appeared to work for seemed to have separated on gone their own paths since the mission of Nazmir. G'huun was a threat to the undead ranks within and strangely, the artificial Old God had been vanquished as swift as the supernova of a solar star. Whispers passed along and reached the ears of the Faceless. To most, this would be a joyous tidings, but to Duraxxor they were nothing more than ill words. He had thought himself stronger than such a force yet that night would never be forgotten. He knew deep down that he would need to steel himself with the greater threats that were on the horizon. It was time to execute the first step in his plan, one that he would use to strengthen as well as steel himself. Not against the Alliance or Horde, but against those that had wronged him.

The hour had come to execute Project: Myotis. 

Deep within the cavernous chambers claimed by Duraxxor Daevara, one would only describe the bowels of this underground tunnel system to wreak of the scent of blood. Aside from the odorous copper, metals augmented the cave system to harbor the sins that he had committed in the name of Death itself. And what wasn't altered by the trades of man were claimed by monstrous bats of all shapes and sizes, tended to and cared for by the Lord and his handmaiden, Tiramina Quel'Renori.  It was in the deepest room that lied the object of his design, a casket forged from the metals of death and inscribed with a design that appeared to possess a representation of the veins that often pulse with the lifeblood desired by him and his kin. A single, crimson rune centerpiece the lid as a means of protection from those that do not understand it's meaning. 

“ Tiramina, while I lay within this tomb of saronite and steel, you are to make sure that no one, and I mean no one disturbs me as I lay dreaming. “ The words were spoken in gravely tones, a crimson eye fixated upon the red-haired handmaiden with intent to project just how serious he was to this act. 

“ No one, my Lord? Not even the Sorceress? “ A question was presented by her blood tinted pedals. A shiver caressed her spine in the moments where his second eye pierced her frame with intensity. Such a black abyss that gem was.

Pale lips curled with her thoughtfulness as he sunk into the metal frame. “ If she wishes to see me, she will find me in my slumber. “ Sharp talons traced across the outer lining as the monster sunk into his bed. 

“ As you wish, Milord, I will miss you in your absence. “ She offered her loyalty and respect by kneeling to him, bringing her attire’s cloth to pool upon the floor. “ I will carry your will and tend to the bat-children. “ 

“ Thank you, Tiramina. “ His voice began to grow quiet as the lid to the coffin slowly shifted, closing in on him with a metallic creak. The hinges snapping in place with a loud clank.

As the darkness settled within his coffin, the Faceless' eyes came to shut as the energies within him calmed as his mind began to drift off elsewhere. Meditations that sought to find answers, as well as release him from the disturbances of the mortal plane. All he saw in his thoughts was a deep, vast expanse, one that could swallow him whole one hundredfold. His expedition though would not go unanswered though as he began to hear something echo in the endless night. A voice that spoke as a whispered hissing. " Who are you?... " Despite the clearness of the pronunciation, he refused to answer. His focus in this slumber was to find answers and stabilize himself, after all. " Who are you? " They asked once more, this time with a more urgent tone. Once again, however, Dura refused to answer this strange voice back, feeling that the shadows were attempting to play tricks upon his dreams. " WHO ARE YOU?! " The being  shouted with enough force to feel as if his own soul was quaking beneath the feet. 

The energies in Dura's physical body fluctuated to spike but were unable to escape the confines he had locked himself in. It would appear his project to contain himself were of success. However, something else had it's grip upon him within the mind's eye. " I am Duraxxor, why does the shadow will it to know my name? " He replied back with a snarling speech. To which, a tether of crimson energy erupted from within it's epicenter and applied jagged claws that imbedded into his face. The talons dug deep and would not allow any form of escape while he attempted to pry himself free. 

" Are you really though? We shall see and so shall you. You will find that in time and space, there is a multitude of possibilities you have never considered. " The voice echoed with mischievous rhythm as Duraxxor felt himself being pulled into a piercing light. A pulse of energy increased it's pressure as Dura's form twisted and writhed within the force that this binding had upon him. Was this real? Was it a dream? So many questions he asked himself yet there was only one way he could find out. 

He must press on... 

[[ mentions: @horridpoppet @sanguinesorceress ]]

#Duraxxor #short stories #previous events #The Dreamscar #more to come #WoW