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thecandywrites · 4 years

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As Long As You Want To Be

Look, my grandfather (in law, he was my husband’s grandfather but might as well have been mine because that’s how close we were) passed away yesterday. He had dementia and alzheimers and we saw this coming (he has been on his deathbed for a week but the son of a gun was stubborn, god I adored him and am going to miss him) and this is how I have dealt with this on top of everything else hectically happening in my life and this is simply my outlet. But with modern orcs because no one can stop me at this point. Is there homework and big projects due that I should be working on instead? HELL YES. But am I avoiding them because they’re making me face reality? YOU BET. So let me have my emotional support fantasy, if you have happened to read part 1 and part 2 of this story then it’ll be nice to see these guys again and see how things have progressed.

As Long As You Want To Be

You were in your room in front of your mirrored closet doors, getting ready for today, it was your birthday and it was the big 18- legally an adult and you couldn’t be more relieved it was finally here because you had big plans that the only thing that had been holding you back was your age and you felt a sense of renewal today, like today was a turning point and you had been trying to get your ducks in a row behind the scenes so that when the time came, you could hit the ground running. And today was also your graduation party, all rolled into one huge blow out of a party.

You curled your long golden brown that ombre-ed into a warm golden blonde hair as you had gotten it colored yesterday, a gift from your aunt Sally at your favorite salon. You had just gotten back from spending an hour at Sephora getting your makeup done, a birthday gift from your sister Grace as she gave your littlest sisters just a light dusting of a shimmering nude eyeshadow so that they felt extra pretty for today too.

Your mom and your “aunties” got things ready in the kitchen because while you came from a big family, your family “adopted” many others so that you had an even bigger extended family. And they all came out today to show their support and your gift tables were already showing signs of overflowing since half the party came early to help set up for the party and your one gift table soon had to be two and was threatening to turn into three because your parents invited everyone you knew and everyone they knew and everyone came and invited their friends. And while you lived in a sizable suburban house that your parents had had custom built several years ago, it felt overstuffed at the moment and there were still more coming. But with it being a potluck, there was an overabundance of food on the many tables in the huge tents in the backyard.

You had three younger sisters and one younger brother, who was in the middle of all the girls. You were Brianna Richelle, then there was Blossom Grace who simply went by Grace who was turning 16 next month, then your brother Gavin George- who was 13, Adeline Olivia who was 11 and then the baby, Arianna Lillian who was 8 as Ady and Ari had a few of their friends over as did Grace while you had had all of yours come and spend the night with you the night before while Gavin also got to have some of his friends over, so it was already a very full house.

And you had especially invited Kihro’s younger sister over to hang out too. Since Kihro’s younger sister Shesly who was only 15 and shy but she was a sweetheart and even if Kihro and you would break up tomorrow, you and Shesly would stay friends and to see her with your friends who were helping her put on makeup and curl her hair and dress up and be one of the girls warmed your heart and your other orc girl friends from the other school districts also were here among your halfling friends and elven friends too and it made you so happy that they weren’t all grouped off, instead everyone was peacefully chatty and mixed.

Gavin was of course in his room playing video games with his friends, also brothers of your friends while your dad and your uncle were inside cutting up whole beef loins to make steaks and your mom was having your cake delivered as your friends hung out and gossiped in your room and you didn’t bother paying attention when you heard grunting outside your bedroom window as Kihro and his friends carried a big package around the house, under your window and you didn’t hear Kihro direct them and you definitely didn’t hear how he then came inside just as your dad left the house out the back door before Kihro asked where your dad was before he went through the house, said hi to your mom and gave her a quick hug before he went into the back yard where he found your dad firing up the grill and pulled your dad aside and talk with him privately away from everyone else as Kihro’s friends made themselves useful to help carry out the heavier dishes from the kitchen before they helped themselves to the snacks that were being set out before your cake arrived.

Your parents had gone all out for this party. Mostly because they almost lost you last year to your illness because you had spent your 17th birthday in the hospital barely hanging on by a thread and your parents felt they owed you a proper blow out this year and when you had mentioned a few things you had wanted- neither of them would tell you no. Your invitations for this party had been on par with many of the nicer wedding invitations and the DJ had set up in the garage and hung up a disco ball, laser lights and black lights and smoke machines and all kinds of stuff.

Your parents even had ordered a tiered cake and hundreds of cupcakes from your favorite bakery- Boonzaaijer’s- in your favorite flavors that had been custom created for you in addition to a baker’s dozen cheesecakes from the Cheesecake Factory and a chocolate fountain with the works. The cake itself was gorgeous. The top tier was a lemon creme cake with limoncello and sugared lemon zest in the cake batter, with ripe strawberries soaked in super sweet pink moscato in the middle layer between the two cakes with a strawberry puree and the frosting was a twist on strawberry lemonade and the cupcakes in this flavor had the moscato soaked strawberries in the puree in the middle and chocolate dipped strawberries gracing the top of the frosting on top. The second tier was white chocolate cake with luscious whole raspberries in a raspberry puree in the middle layer made with raspberry peach Grand Marinier and the frosting was a ruby chocolate frosting and the cupcakes for this flavor had chocolate cups stuffed full and piled high with perfectly ripe raspberries drizzled in a glaze made out of simple syrup and that raspberry peach Grand Marinier. The third layer was a twist on pineapple upside down cake, it was still a pineapple upside down cake but with peaches and soaked in a trio of rums and peach schnapps and the cupcakes for these were little cupcake versions of a pineapple upside down cake with peaches cooked in the rums in the middle. The fourth tier was a “mudslide” chocolate cake that not only had Kahlua and Godiva and Baileys in the cake but also in the frosting. It was hands down the most decadent cake you had ever witnessed in your life and Kihro and yourself were pretty sure your wedding cake was going to be exactly like this. (If he ever proposed that is, but first he needed to get a damn place of his own because your father forbade any engagement if he didn’t have a home to bring you to that was not his parents house or your parents house, much like his rule that you couldn’t go out on any dates in a car that wasn’t mechanically sound and completely paid for which wasn’t a problem because Kihro’s truck had been bought used and he had paid cash for it so it was a “hoop” that Kihro easily jumped through and one that all your dad’s siblings and friends thought was genius to implement much to the chargrin of your cousins and friends.)

Your father had also had the same BBQ joint that he used to cater the employee picnics bring in a few roasted pigs and tons of ribs and brisket too while one of your uncles- Gary- fried up a ton of chicken wings while your other uncle- Larry- who was a butcher- had gotten several whole beef loins at his cost and “gifted” those to the party and your dad and your uncle were grilling those themselves as your uncle Larry manned the grill but kept an ear open to try to overhear what Kihro was talking to your dad about in the backyard away from everyone but judging from your dad’s posture and his beaming proud smile as he looked at things on Kihro’s phone and listened attentively as Kihro was talking and gesturing with his hands, it was obviously going well and when the two hugged each other, he knew something was going on but kept that to himself as your other uncles and aunts and cousins came over as the men started to congregate around the grill and BBQ pits before a few curious ones decided to see what your dad and Kihro were talking about but Kihro quickly put his phone away as the others came over as your dad simply dismissed it as it was a “work thing”.

Just then the kegs got delivered. While you weren’t wild about beer, you asked for Kihro’s favorites so that he and the other adults would enjoy them as your father and all your uncles, both by blood and by “adoption” cracked into them, grunting growls- Home Improvement style echoing between all of them as they gleefully drank it down as the pit master let them have little bites of the roasting hogs and some ribs as they got the wings from the deep fryer as beers were drawn for everyone, even the DJ made an appearance to grab a beer and some wings and a few ribs as the Pit master and his crew gratefully took a few steins of beers themselves from the portable BBQ pits parked infront of the garage.

“So how are things between you and Brie?” Your uncle Gary asked as Kihro took a wing from the pile.

“Great.” Kihro answered as he slathered on Gary’s homemade hot sauce onto the wing as Gary looked from Kihro to your father as your father gave him a smile and a nod and that seemed to be enough for Gary.

“Have you found a place of your own yet?” Your uncle Larry chimed in from his spot by the grill nearby as he gave Kihro a speculative glance before he gave your dad a curious look.

“Possibly, just have to run the potential places by Brie to see what she thinks.” Kihro answered as he barely managed to keep the truth to himself by putting the wing in his mouth.

“Great answer.” Your father praised as he pat Kihro on the back as the rest of your uncles looked at each other curiously knowing that you were one of his favorite daughters and your father was never more protective of any of his kids than he was of you so for your dad to be so pleasant, let alone approving of your boyfriend, was a good sign that Kihro was a good and trustworthy guy.

“Well if you know of any good places, feel free to share with Max, I need to get him out of the damn house.” Your other uncle Robert instigated as Max just frowned at his dad as Kihro fought not to snort a laugh because the hot sauce up the nose was a bad idea.

“Same could be said about you Casey.” Carl added as Casey rolled his eyes as he sucked down chicken wings himself.

Truth be told, your father and all your uncles and your father’s friends were so proud to see Kihro try so hard and jump through so many hoops to court you properly and it gave them inspiration to push their own sons to match the same bar Kihro was making as well as urge their own daughter’s to expect more from their own significant others.

Then Kidron and Rhiox showed up with the rest of their kids along with the rest of your father’s OG’s, having dropped off their own gifts on the tables as Kidron made a B-Line for your dad and the hot wings as Kihro’s friends finally rallied around Kihro and the wings in the backyard before your friend Tysh noticed her own crush among Kihro’s friends from her spot overseeing the backyard.

“Oh, Kihro and his friends are here.” She announced before you nearly yanked your hair out trying to get the damn curling iron out of your hair before Melody made you sit back down so she could finish the back of your head.

“Oh you can wait five more minutes, I have three curls left.” She reminded you.

“What do you think Kihro got you?” Tysh asked.

“An apartment for himself would be ideal. Because the only two things keeping me from actually being engaged to him were I was 1. Underage, which starting today- I no longer am and 2. Him having a home to bring me to if we did get engaged and then married.” You answered.

“He’s had six months, why hasn’t he gotten one yet?” Sasha asked.

“He can’t find a place he likes. He nitpicks every place. ‘Not a safe area’, ‘it’s too small’, ‘it’s too expensive’, ‘no garage to park the work truck’, ‘the apartment has issues’. You name it. There was even one apartment, it was a freaking duplex and it was perfect but no- he had a really bad feeling about the guy we would be renting from. Which actually worked out because two months later- the house itself sold and the current tenants were kicked out into the street without warning and their deposit was never returned to them. So there’s that.” You explained with a heavy sigh.

“Borug just got a condo.” Korryn bragged from her spot on the other side of the room, taking snaps on her phone to send them to her current squeeze- Borug which you were sure once his money ran out, she’d be dropping him like a hot rock. Korryn was Grace’s friend and she was a year older than Grace but a year younger than you and Korryn wanted to be close to the center of attention wherever she went and for Grace’s sake, you put up with her at your party. Because honestly- you couldn’t stand her. But you supposed you could be gracious on your birthday.

“I thought Borug didn’t have any money left after getting his car.” You questioned innocently, knowing Borug had to beg for a downpayment on his favorite car and a raise from his dad so he could afford the payments because he didn’t have the money saved because he had blown it in Vegas the month before clubbing with Korryn who had invited herself to some tech expo his dad’s company was attending and if you were a betting woman, Borug also got his parents to buy him a condo too because the shame of having a peer, that peer being Kihro, be farther in life than him- was too much for Borug to bear.

Borug was very competitive and had a huge chip on his shoulder and was incredibly entitiled and an ego that you were positive your house was too small to contain it. But he hadn’t always been like that, as a kid he was awkward just like you. And in the classes that you didn’t share with Kihro, you had shared with Borug. He was also quite popular in school, part of the preppy jock group because he played sports too. But he was always nice and friendly to you at least.

Borug was the eldest son of a man who owned one of the biggest tech companies in the Great Lakes and was always at the home shows for their tech and home security systems and his dad was part of the Business Owners Association, which your dad was also a part of and you had grown up seeing him a lot at the home shows and Association meetings that you had made snacks for that he helped you with when you were younger but once he was ‘old enough’ to be in the meetings himself with his dad, that stopped.

Almost immediately after Kihro asked you out, Borug asked Korryn out, Korryn had a huge bosom, like each boob was the size of a basketball kind of big bosomed and she had a belly which for orcs, they usually loved fuller figured women so that wasn’t surprising but she had no ass and a richer yet smaller family who lived on Laken Lake which was a lake known for its lavish lake houses, speed boats and water sports while your family lived off of one of the Trinity Lakes that all connected together to form a three lobed lake, which were better for fishing and your family were avid fishers, a pastime you and Kihro enjoyed a lot together. Especially when he would help clean the catch and had a way of frying the fish that was amazing.

However, something that you didn’t know was once Kihro had asked you out, he literally passed Borug who was also on his way to ask you out, he had even strutted accross the lunchroom but neither you or Kihro had noticed. When Borug had been passed by Kihro and saw Kihro sit at your table, he sat down at the next table over and eavesdropped and once Kihro asked you out to the dance and you accepted and especially once you kissed Kihro, he knew he didn’t stand a chance right then and so he had asked Korryn out to the dance after school since she had a different lunch time.

It was only supposed to be until Kihro crashed and burned and Borug was supposed to come in and scoop you up and save the day and she was, according to a mutual friend, was just a right now girl. But Korryn hadn’t been happy with that and had insisted that they be an item since Borug’s plan was to treat Korryn the way he wanted to treat you, which ended up being an invitation to a super fancy restaurant that he was sure Kihro would have a hard time paying for and of course lavish Korryn with a gown and the “star treatment” which she had no problems taking absolute advantage of. But the problem was- was you had gotten another flair and hadn’t gone to the fall formal because you were in the hospital so you didn’t witness any of that except through Korryn’s social network feed on Grace’s phone because you weren’t friends with her on any social media which you could care less about.

And of course by winter formal Korryn’s claws and hooks were fully embedded into Borug as she pushed them to be this picture perfect couple and Borug could only wait until Kihro would fail to jump through a hoop but every one Kihro jumped through with ease and to see you and Kihro be together so naturally and effortlessly and especially so happily, made his gut sour because while him and Korryn looked great on camera, the moments between the camera flashes were awful. Between her difficult and demanding personality, emotional immaturity, nonexistent life skills and zero work ethic coupled with piss poor money management along with her inability to compromise because she had been catered to by her parents and her other friends her whole life- the relationship was incredibly strained. He was stuck with a girl who pushed him to spend all his money on a “lifestyle” and expensive lavish gifts on her and it was something he couldn’t hope to support long term. And the barely mediocre sex he got from her wasn’t worth it but with her being the popular girl, no other girl would go near him for fear of Korryn’s retaliation socially. He literally got a big pair of tits. That was the only positive in that relationship for him. And Korryn was constantly spewing his personal business and every argument he ever got into with her, she told EVERYONE so that she could get “everyone” on her side.

Meanwhile you had taken her behavior as notes about how not to act as Kihro was eternally grateful for it and every time Borug would complain to their mutual friends, Kihro would simply sit back and smirk that at least his girl didn’t do that shit and if anything, it gave Kihro the assurance that he had made the right decision by asking you out and doing everything in his power to keep you happy and content, if not sated the best ways he could, basically through his mouth and his hands because regular sex wasn’t allowed. Yet anyway.

While you were open to a degree to your parents about the relationship because you had witnessed how your friends had kept some dangerous secrets from their parents and how that had not ended well at all, so much so that you kept your parents in the loop and were honest with them, so much so that they trusted you more and gave you freedoms that your friends couldn’t even dream of, freedoms that you wisely did not abuse.

At the same time, you were also very discrete to everyone else- so that on the rare occasion where you two argued, he made sure to never escalate anything so that the two of you could talk it out and come to either an agreement or a compromise and no one ever heard anything about it, to the point that no one knew you had the disagreement in the first place except or your parents when you had simply mentioned it after the fact which impressed your parents and his. You urged him to stick to his budget and not splurge on anything but that if he needed to buy anything, to invest in quality and only buy something once and were just in general, a sweet, supportive girlfriend while he did his best to be as helpful, supportive, gentle and affectionate as he could be. You two got along like you had been together for years and asking you to a dance and dating you had been the best decision of Kihro’s life as well as yours. He had already spent his fair share of sleepless nights in the ER with you because it was important to him and to your parents to really see you at your worst physically and you wanted him to go into a relationship with you with his own eyes wide open.

By now though, he had gotten you over a dozen beads that you were sure would pull your hair out if you tried wearing them all at the same time but instead you got them on a necklace that you never took off and that you guarded with your life, except for the gold promise ring/ engagement bead, that never left your hair.

Once your hair was done you practically bolted out of your room to go downstairs to see Kihro, leaving your friends laughing as they followed you downstairs as they watched you having to hug your way through everyone who wanted to wish you a happy birthday and congratulations before you finally managed to get outside before you were swarmed by all your uncles and cousins before you finally got to your dad then Kihro before you glued yourself to his side.

“So? How’s the beer?” You asked Kihro giddily. Hoping that he got to get his favorite at least.

“Delicious.” Kihro praised as he offered you the cup to sip it, which you did, a tiny one. It was dark and intense but for the beer connoisseurs, very good because it was a Dragon’s Milk in a seasonal marshmallow and dark chocolate flavor.

“It’s definitely beer.” You giggled as you handed it back and shuddered before you comically looked down your shirt.

“Ok, so it isn’t replacing my boobs with chest hair immediately, that’s good.” You teased which got everyone to bust out laughing as Kihro nearly spit out his beer laughing himself.

“Would you still love me with chest hair Babe?” You teased Kihro who comically grimaced.

“Sure.” Kihro sarcastically agreed as he pretended to dodge the question and drink more beer which made you laugh as you noticed Tysh give her crush Akhi a beer and judging by the hopeful smile she gave him, she was trying to catch his eye, and judging by the way he bashfully took it from her, he liked her too but you knew Akhi was more shy than Kihro ever was and Tysh was one of your prettier friends before you noticed Korryn zero in on Borug and practically plastered herself on him and kissed him, which was a sloppy open mouthed kiss and you noticed how Borug actually sagged his shoulders in defeat and winced at being yanked down to her level as she pulled his hands to hold her before you looked back at Kihro and lowkey pretended to gag as Kihro watched Borug with amused pity before he turned to you and nearly spit out his beer again snickering a laugh at your reaction like it was the greatest inside joke as he rubbed soothing circles into your back and was grateful your arm was looped around his lower back before he sweetly kissed the crown of your head which made your dad grin at your discrete PDA as Borug’s dad gave Korryn the side eye because he didn’t approve of Korryn at all. He knew a gold digger when he saw one and felt his son could do so much better and was almost to the point of bribing his son to dump her for good because the two fought almost all the time.

“So how’s massage school?” Borug’s dad Draig asked you.

“Going great. Getting A’s.” You beamed.

“Getting proposed to every time she’s in the clinic.” Your dad revealed.

“Oh really?” Draig blinked but grinned.

“They’re not serious proposals, they’re all joking.” You clarified.

“But you have to be pretty good if they’re offering, all joking aside.” Draig countered.

“Ok so I’m known as Big Touch. Because I have little hands but a big touch because I’m heavy handed and they expect the other orc girls who are strong enough to deliver that kind of touch but so far they’re softer handed than I am. So when the clients ask for deep tissue and firm pressure, they expect one of the other girls to come out to meet them and when they see me they always laugh, not believing I’m Big Touch. But about five minutes into the session they find out real quick I’m the real deal, and about 10 minutes in they drop the “tough guy act” and ask me to ease up and by the end of the session they’re believers and try to get rebooked with me. And as it stands I’m booked out until August and I should have all my clinic hours in by then.” You explained.

“And he’s cool with you working on other guys?” Draig questioned you with a look at Kihro who simply grinned proudly.

“Yeah, of course, because she’s a professional and if they can’t respect her and the profession they have no business being her clients and she doesn’t need their business if they step out of line and she has no qualms about dismissing anyone. She already has five job offers and her clientele list that is following her from the clinic to wherever she decides to go is already several pages long. She doesn’t need my ego or my possessive jealousy holding her back from making bank because she can stand to make just as much as I do if not more which I don’t have any problem with at all. It would be like her being so jealous she won’t let me do my job when there’s only a married housewife at home without her husband right?” Kirho defended as your love for him was oozing out of every pore on your body as you beamed a bright happy and appreciative smile at Kihro while your dad, all your ungles and Kidron beamed happily themselves while Draig couldn’t argue with that while Borug outright pouted. Because while he wasn’t wild about Korryn, he totally was jealous of every guy who commented on her instagram pictures complimenting her massive cleavage but wanted to get into fights with everyone who called her “butterface” which you thought was hilarious.

“So Korryn told me that you got a new condo is that right Borug?” You asked Borug, shifting the attention over to him as you looked from him to Draig who’s shoulders dropped.

“Yup, it’s at The Glen. Just signed the papers yesterday.” Borug boasted. The Glen was a brand new condo complex that was about 20 minutes away and many of the young people who’s parent’s lived on Laken Lake were snatching up condos there like crazy.

“So that means we need to go furniture shopping Baby.” Korryn cooed excitedly and you had never seen Borug force a smile so hard before. You actually felt sorry for him. But it wasn’t your business or a problem you should ever try to fix. You could only stand back and watch to see what happened and hoped that they both wouldn’t fight during your party.

“And how much did that cost you?” Your dad murmured to Draig.

“Too much.” Draig muttered back.

“What about you Kihro? Haven’t you been apartment shopping for like half a year?” Borug jabbed.

“I have, haven’t found the right place yet.” Kihro just shook his head no with a smug smirk because he overheard your dad from his spot.

“Cause you’re too picky?” Korryn snidely instigated with a smile that you wanted to slap off her face.

“Well being “picky” can be a good thing. Brie needs special accommodations because with her business, some of her clients are going to be using walkers and wheelchairs and they can’t do stairs and even if she works for another outfit, I’m sure she’ll still do her own thing on the side and I have to be mindful of that. Plus I need a place close to the hospital because of her health and I need a place to accommodate her pets and mine.” Kihro just started to list off as your mom came out to let everyone know that things were ready for the party to go into full swing.

“Aww, well that’s because you’re so sweet and thoughtful Kihro.” Your mother praised which got a grateful smile from Kihro and you.

“Party’s ready when you are Brie.” Your mother informed you.

“Sweet, how are the hogs Mr. Terry?” You asked the pit master from his spot in front of the portable pits.

“Been ready Sweetie.” He called back.

“Well then lets do this.” You instigated before the party got into full swing and you pigged out on all the food and got to dance, Kihro never leaving your side for a moment before you were urged to open your gifts and of course you not only had your little sisters to help while Grace was your recorder and even had Kihro’s little siblings help you which Kihro loved and adored that you made an effort to include them and were sweet and nice to them.

You got all kinds of massage tools and your aunts Sally and Marry, (married to Larry and Gary respectively) hand made you flaxseed pillows to use in your practice and had gone to the fabric store to pick out all this pure cotton fabric in all these patterns they knew you would like and together they got their sewing machines out and had sewn you over a dozen of them in all these different sizes and a few different styles and you nearly cried because you knew this was a labor of love.

Your parents of course had gotten you your ideal massage table and a new car, which meant your current one got to be a hand me down to Grace as an early sweet 16 which she was thrilled with while Draig and his family had gotten you the best massage table on the market along with a damn tool box with all kinds of massage tools, the table itself was fully electric and had all kinds of extra bells and whistles and it made your jaw drop, it had taken Borug, Draig, Kihro and all of Kihro’s friends to carry it since it was very heavy. You got all kinds of gifts from everyone while your sisters and Kihro’s younger siblings had all gotten orders from Kihro and your parents to make sure you opened Kihro’s gifts last and when it came to the last few gifts, the first gift from Kihro was a small box and in the box was a coconut half.

“What is that? Half a coconut bra?” Korryn sneered.

“You would need four of those.” Borug laughed as he made to grab her boob but she shifted away so he couldn’t. “Tease.” Borug teased with his nose in her ear, making her shudder and turn back to him.

But instead you looked at it and immediately knew what it was.

“Oh no way, you didn’t.” You started laughing at Kihro who was sitting down front and center as you looked it over.

“What is it?” Your mom asked.

“It’s a coconut hide for a reptile mom.” You informed her.

“Ew!” Korryn complained before you handed a second box. And once you took the paper off, it was a reptile shipping box which made you squeal in excitement before you got your pocket knife out and opened it as your brother Gavin was instantly much more interested as he scooted his chair really close to you.

“Oh you got Gavin’s attention really fast.” Your dad laughed as you had Gavin sit right next to you.

“What do you think it is?” You asked Gavin.

“It better be either a snake or a gecko.” Gavin insisted because he thought reptiles were awesome and already had a bearded dragon himself and it was something he and Kihro’s younger brother Mohre bonded over.

“Oh my gods, oh my gods, oh my gods.” You started to chatter excitedly as you opened the box and found a few bags before you opened up the first bag and peeked inside.

“It’s a snake!” Gavin cheered before you let him peek into the bag too.

“What kind is it?” Gavin wondered before you pulled it out before you looked in the box to see the different snake cards.

“That, is an ivory leopard?” You guessed at Kihro who nodded to confirm.

“Sweet.” Gavin beamed.

“Aren’t you just gorgeous!” You cooed to the snake.

“What else did he get you?” He asked as he eagerly. “I’ll hold that, you need two hands to open the others.” He insisted as he held out his hands to take it from you before you handed it over before you looked in the other bags.

“Oooh, this must be the pastel super coral glow, hello sweetie.” You cooed as you got the snake out of the bag before you passed it over to Gavin who held the other snake in his hand before you got to the last one.

“And this is a crystal ball!” You cheered when you got them out.

“Thank you Babe, I love them. Now I just gotta get some tubs or something.” You realized before looking back over at the giant box left by the gift table before you looked at the smug grin on Kihro’s face.

“You got me a rack system didn’t you.” You playfully accused Kihro before you wrapped the crystal ball around your neck to hang out as you opened up the box and found it was indeed a rack system.

“Thank you so much Baby.” You cooed to him as you came over and kissed him, the crystal ball sticking it’s head out to sniff Kihro.

“You’re welcome.” Kihro cooed back.

“What are you gonna name them?” Your sister Ari asked as she got the super coral glow from Gavin.

“I don’t know, I’ll take suggestions.” You answered before your sisters went to the office and got a pad of paper and decided to take a poll to what to call the snakes into a basket.

“How about we go set this up so these precious babies can rest.” You urged Kihro before he and his friends got up and picked up the box and the other gifts and carried them up the stairs while everyone went back to party and you simply sat on the bed with your brother and your little sister, each of you holding a snake as you watched proudly as Kihro and his friends got to work setting up the rack system and getting everything ready and to you in that moment, Kihro couldn’t get any sexier.

You knew he wasn’t perfect but the gods be damned you couldn’t see any flaws at this moment. Here he was sitting down on the floor, reading the manual and putting it together accordingly and a screw driver in his hand and he might as well have been naked with a dozen roses posing on a bed because you could feel the wetness squish between your legs. You wanted to fuck his brains out is what you wanted to do. But you had to admit that what you wanted more than snakes for your birthday was his own independence but it had not been the time or the place earlier to ask him about it. You waited patiently as Kihro put it together and all his friends made sure each tub was ready to go before you put the snakes away in their new homes.

“Guys, could you give us a moment please?” You requested to his friends once they were done before everyone else left as the snakes settled into their new homes.

“What’s wrong?” Kihro asked as he read your face and body language.

“I don’t want to be ungrateful or anything. But I would have been happier if you had used all the money that you spent on all this getting an apartment.” You answered before you peeked up at him and saw him beam another proud smile at you.

“Brie, why do you think I got a rack system capable of housing 12 to 40 snakes when you only have three and I only have three?” He questioned.

“Because ball pythons can become an addictive hobby?” You guessed.

“That’s true but, because I knew that if I got you this, it would give me a moment to privately give you these.” He said as he reached into his pocket and gave you two business cards.

One was a bank manager’s business card with an appointment time written on it for Monday and the second was a realtor’s business card.

“What?” You breathed as you looked at the two as you realized what the implications of these were. “Wait, are you getting preapproved for a home loan?” You asked as your heart started to race.

“We are.” Kihro corrected.

“We?” You repeated as a bright smile soon bloomed on your face before you squealed and leaped into his arms and was happy when he caught you and held you up so you could kiss him.

“Why didn’t you give me these as my present?!” You asked.

“I didn’t want to embarrass you, just in case, I know we both like to keep our private affairs private.” Kihro answered.

“Well with the present company, that would probably be wise.” You laughed with a pointed look at Korryn’s things she had left in your room. “That was very kind and thoughtful of you. Thank you.” You thanked him.

“And I don’t think the bank will approve it if you don’t have this.” He said as he carried you over to your chair and sat down with you still in his arms before he dug into his pocket and pulled out an engagement ring, a mermaid sapphire one and you were instantly crying tears of happiness as he put it on before he produced another gold bead for your hair, a larger one but the same style as the first as you sat there and happily waited for him to add it to the other in your hair.

“How do I look?” You asked when he was finished as wiped at the streaking mascara under your eyes but your smile shamed the sun.

“Beautiful.” He whispered before he framed your face and kissed you earnestly and you melted in his lap and returned the impassioned kiss.

“Pack a bag, I’m taking you on a trip this weekend, after the party.” He urged.

“What?” You laughed in surprise.

“Before we actually tie the knot and get married, I want to make sure I can fit in my bride.” Kihro explained as he palmed your belly but reached under you to sensually rub at your center.

“Uh, I don’t know if..” You began to counter as your cheeks flushed even though in that moment you didn’t want anything more.

“Your dad already gave me the go ahead, no more chaperones, no more hoops, we can just be together and the only clause was that I didn’t knock you up, so as long as we can be safe about it, we don’t have to hold back anymore.” Kihro explained as you were ready start immediately. But instead you kissed him before you practically leaped off of him to grab a bag and started stuffing enough clothes to get you through the weekend and an outfit for the appointment on Monday, you wanted to look as professional and mature as possible.

“Ok, let’s send everyone home, I’m ready to go.” You insisted which made him laugh.

“Easy horndog. The night is still young, we have plenty of time, we’re not going that far.” He assured you.

“But I am going to put this in the truck.” He explained as he took his bag and you left your room with your hand still intertwined with his before your mother was already at the base of the stairs which prompted Kihro to leave your bag at the top of the stairs because he could sense you were about to be swarmed.

“And?” She asked excitedly since your dad had clued her in before Kihro brought your intertwined hands up to show off the engagement ring before she squealed and as soon as the people around saw the ring, word spread like wildfire though the party and Korryn turned a few shades greener as she looked at your engagement ring before she looked expectantly at Borug as if he had been secretly keeping one for her in his pocket and you were too happy to recieve congratulations from everyone else to notice how Draig gave Borug a warning glare with a pointed look in Korryn’s direction but Kihro caught it as did everyone else apparently as your dad nearly died laughing but happily hugged you tight.

“You sure it’s ok?” You whispered in his ear.

“Yup, as long as this is what you want, I’ll support you no matter what.” Your dad reassured you before he kissed your cheek affectionately.

“Thank you, I love you so much Dad.” You told him before you let go and received all the other congratulations from everyone else and if you had thought the party was in full swing before, now it really was. You danced until you felt your feet were going to fall off, you ate until you were stuffed and drank until you were just a little tipsy but so happy and at peace.

And once most of the party guests finally left, you left too with Kihro. Granted his truck wasn’t nearly as nice as Borug’s sports car. It was still all Kihro’s and you didn’t worry about a thing as you sat next to him and held his hand when he wasn’t shifting gears. You didn’t care where you were going, he could drive on for forever. He drove until he came to a beach house in South Haven which was only half an hour away.

“What is this place?” You asked curiously as you got out of the truck and looked up at it.

“An airbnb.” He beamed as he got your bags and his and entered the code on the door to be let in. He had actually spent his morning getting this place ready because he was hopeful that your dad would say yes and he had packed the fridge with enough food to get you through the weekend and your parents had packed you enough leftovers to also get you through too.

“Home away from home for the weekend.” He said as he managed to pick you up and carry you over the threshold which cracked you up.

“How in the world were you able to afford all of this?” You wondered as he put you down and the bags down on the other side.

“Well actually Borug and I had the same amount in savings when we both asked out our girls and so far in the six months he’s dated Korryn, she’s bled him dry while my savings has done nothing but go up even though I’ve been beading you well and the snake thing was something I was going to do either way and since you love it as much as I do- I might as well make it a couple thing, something we can do and enjoy together. Plus even when your health is bad and you can’t physically manage to give massages, this can be a backup for us.” He explained.

“And even if we don’t make any money with the snakes. They’re still pets to add to our menagerie because honestly, finding an apartment that checks all the boxes we need it to is slim. But a house- we’ll get much farther with a house and the market is pretty big and open right now.” He explained. “Besides if I had gotten an apartment right when we got together, I would be six months of rent poorer and while the house we could get won’t be as nice as a condo…” Kihro began.

“Oh my gods, I can not begin to tell you how much I don’t want a condo just on the off chance that Borug and Korryn would feel entitled to come over since they’re “neighbors”. No, hell no.” You interrupted him which got him to bust out laughing.

“Ok, we’re in agreement on that.” He beamed.

“Let’s get something we can both manage but we can make it our own. It doesn’t have to be brand new, we don’t even have to get something custom, not now, not ever because we had enough headaches with our current house as it is. It would be nice to get something just semi nice- functional, something that we don’t have to bulldoze and start from scratch, but not a money pit either. But something with space, obviously a garage for the work truck and a yard big enough for Kelly that is either fenced in or we can fence it in and we can make it ours over time, it doesn’t have to be picture perfect for me to move in, I can work with anything. And if we’re doing this together, let’s do this together all the way, I absolutely insist on adding my savings to yours for this and all the money I just got from graduation which I know you took all of yours and added it to your savings. I just had the birthday party to end all birthday parties and a graduation party to end all others and we don’t need a wedding to end all weddings ok? No need to go into unnecessary debt, let’s just get preapproved for a home loan and small equity loan for some modest home improvements that we can do ourselves over time so we can turn whatever house we choose into our home.” You urged him and noticed he nodded along with everything you said so you could tell you were both on the same page.

“So suburbs.” Kihro gathered.

“Yeah basically.” You nodded.

“Awesome, I’m happy we’re in agreement about this because everything you just said is what I was thinking and planning anyway. So, want to get naked?” He asked which made you laugh.

“Hell yeah! I’d thought you would never ask Baby.” You giggled before he picked you back up and put you over his shoulder and grabbed your bags and started going up the stairs as you cackled from your place over his shoulder.

“Woo! Conquer me Baby!” You cheered which made him laugh before he playfully bit your ass with a flirtatious growl which made you squeal even more before he got to the bedroom and let you drop onto the bed before you bounced, laughing so hard your ribs hurt.

But your laughing died down to giggles as you sat up and watched Kihro strip his shirt off before he stalked up the bed towards you, your legs were already splayed for him, your wetness soaking through your shorts so there was a wet spot over your core and when he got on all fours over you- you greedily pulled him to you to kiss your nerves away as his weight settled over you as you let that comfort you. The feel of his surprisingly soft but supremely warm skin over his hard, sculpted body was lighting you up just as much as his hands stroking your soft sides from lifting your shirt. His hands, although rougher from callouses from years of hard work, yet there was a supreme gentle reverence in his touch. Like you were a precious gem he was caressing. Like you were his greatest treasure. You couldn’t feel any safer or more comfortable than in his embrace.

Yet you were so relieved when Kihro slowed down and just laid over you and kissed you until all the tension in your body melted away and when Kihro started kissing your neck and chest, you were itching to get out of your clothes and feel all of his skin against all of yours as you started tugging on your shorts to get them off and that seemed to be what Kihro was looking for before he lifted himself up on his elbows to give you room to remove them and your underwear as he took that cue to take his own pants off and you could only giggle like a loon to see his cock straining in his boxers as you palmed it and started stroking it as you started to lavish open mouthed kisses to his chest and neck as his touch got a little firmer and deliciously needy before he helped you out of your bra.

“There’s my friends.” Kihro practically giggled once your boobs were free from their constraints before he grabbed them and started kneading them before he started sucking on them as you threaded your fingers through his hair and pulled him closer before he moved one hand to your center and delved in which made you moan and throw your head back.

Before this was as far as you could go. But now, instead of only getting your feet wet as the waves caressed them and staring at the water, now you could jump right in. You eagerly pulled the covers down and moved the two of you to between the covers before you greedily got him over you and between your legs and it took a little bit of work getting the head in because it was softer and squishier than the rest of the shaft and once it was in you both blew out a shaky breath of relief which got you both to laugh a little breathlessly and with a good and gentle push, your maidenhood gave way but he was in, it was a tight fit, but he fit and you felt your prayers and his were answered and Kihro made sure you were as comfortable as possible for every bit of it and made sure you were ok and made sure that you wanted this and was ready to pull out, literally- at any moment. But you stuck your heels behind his legs and locked him in because you didn’t want him going anywhere but farther in.

“We made it this far, come on Baby, take me all the way home.” You insisted before he looked at you so softly.

“I’m already home with you.” He murmured as he pressed his forehead to yours.

“Me too.” You whispered as you shared a breath with him as he started to ease in and out as the pain lessoned and morphed into pleasure and the more relaxed and turned on you got the more your canal opened up and the easier it was but at the same time you could tell Kihro was officially on a slippery slope because while you could tell he was bound and determined to get you to cum before he did but you could tell he was fighting his own release as if it was a mighty foe.

“Baby, get a condom on before you lose your load.” You urged.

“No, I can...I can last.” He tried to insist as he rested his head on the pillow next to your head as you kegalled and constricted around him as you grinded against him with a meaningful look that said ‘Are you sure about that?’

“Oh fuck, yeah, ok, ok, ok.” Kihro caved as he pulled out and rolled over so he could get into the drawer where he stashed a box of condoms and he had spent last night trying to find the ones that would fit him best and once he was protected you got on and started to ride him and he just stared up at you in awe wonder.

“You are the greatest vision my eyes will ever see.” Kihro professed and your heart melted.

“Aww, likewise, I can’t wait to live the rest of my life with you and I don’t care where we live or what we do as long as we’re together doing it.” You mirrored as a few happy tears came to your eyes. “I’m just so happy that you’re mine.” You confessed before he sat up and cradled you in his arms.

“I’m always going to be yours.” Kihro vowed. “Just like you are always going to be mine as long as you want to be.” Kihro added.

“I wouldn’t worry about me ever changing my mind if I were you.” You reassured him. “You’re stuck with me.” You giggled. “As long as you want to be.” You added as you bit your lip.

“I’ll always want to Baby,” he purred before he kissed you and nibbled on your lip because seeing you bite it only made him want to nibble on it himself which made you giggle.

“You and your lip fetish.” You teased.

“Not just any lips, your lips, all your lips.” He practically growled which made you squeal in delight as he hiked his hips up with more power that nearly knocked the air out of your lungs but made a moan spill from your kiss swollen lips.

You let your instincts take control and before you knew it you were so close you recognized the home stretch and by now Kihro had flipped you over and was pounding into you as your body was tensing from the extreme pleasure Kihro was giving you and then with one last push, you were falling into bliss just as Kihro was stuffing that condom full as he slammed into you so deep you felt the head run into the top of your cervix as his fingers dug into the softness of his hips as his growling roar of completion was the most amazing sound and helped amplify your own orgasm.

“Wow,” you breathed as you basked in the afterglow as Kihro rested over you and caught his breath.

“Uh huh, wow, well worth the wait, damn baby, that was the best...just...the best...most amazing, you’re so amazing, holy shit that was mind blowing.” Kihro gushed as he cuddled with you and kissed you all over. “Thank you, thank you, thank you for the best sex of my life.” He thanked you which made you crack up.

“Best sex of our lives so far.” You giggled because truth was Kihro was every bit of a virgin that you were.

“That’s true.” Kihro conceded before he kissed you before he pulled away and a huge load of semen was ballooning out at the head which made you both giggle.

“Been saving that for me huh?” You gently teased as he pulled away and very carefully took it off before he tied it off and threw it away and got cleaned up and got you cleaned up.

“I’m sorry if I hurt you Babe,” he cooed as he helped clean you up.

“That pleasure was definitely worth the little bit of pain and discomfort, it’s only going to get better from here.” You reassured him before you both got ready for bed and finally got a chance to sleep together in the purest sense.

When you woke up, you had some amazing morning sex before you made breakfast together, being ever so grateful that Kihro could cook and not just cook but clean up after himself before you walked to the rest of the beach and just talked about everything under the sun and made all kinds of plans before you went back and decided to open all your cards that you had gotten that your parents had dumped into a bag for you as Kihro wrote down who gave what for the purpose of writing thank you cards as you counted up the money and gift cards and come Monday morning, you deposited all that you could and got a bank balance at your bank so that you could take that to Kihro’s bank and to your surprise, your parents and Kihro’s parents met you there for the purpose of co-signing, you knew that Kihro’s parents would co-sign but to have your parents also cosign meant a lot to you that they would give you this kind of support.

Now the hard parts- finding a house and planning a wedding.

#modern orc love story #modern orcs #orc #orc lovestory #orc lemon #orctober #in june #God I love this story #near and dear to my heart.#fun fact #Boonzaaijer's is a real bakery #I have no idea if they carry those cake flavors #I was watching sugar rush as I wrote this #can you tell?#But doesn't that cake just sound AMAZING?#I need to go eat a twinkie to fill my cake craving #because I can't fucking bake #But my imagination is boundless

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master-sass-blast · 5 years

Text

Tricks, Tricks, Tricks!

I hate doing intros when I’m tired bc it feels like it takes forever.

Summary: You and Wade set up a haunted house for the kids at Xavier’s --and prank Scott Summers, of course.

Pairings: Piotr Rasputin x Reader.

Rating: G. Just ignore the swear words. Pls.

Set before “Questions and Answers” but after “THIS IS HALLOWEEN.”

Taglist: @marvel-is-perfection, @chromecutie, @super-darkcloudstudent, @girl-obsessed-with-things, @nebulous-leo

It’s not every day that you and Wade stumble onto a legitimately, objectively good idea.

Granted, you guys have tons of great ideas. The fallback of nearly all of them, however, is that they usually involve some sort of destruction and-slash-or generally deviant behavior.

Which, in yours and Wade’s opinions, makes the entire shebang that much more fun, but dealing with the “post brilliant idea clean-up” and the temporary social fallout among your peers –depending on who you target and piss off—isn’t quite as fun.

However.

It’s Halloween season. And the teachers at Xavier’s tend to do some sort of Halloween-y thing for the students there because a lot of places that host seasonal events –surprise, surprise—won’t admit mutants.

Plus, Piotr loves Halloween, which means the two of you have a “non-deviant” spokesperson to advocate for your plan.

And, the cherry on top of it all, is that Scott has been an absolute asshat as of late, meaning that he needs to get the shit pranked out of him to whack his massive ego back down to a more manageable size.

You and Wade grin at each other as you look up various “how to make a haunted house” tutorials. This is gonna be awesome.

***

Convincing Piotr to back your idea is easy.

First, you convince him without Wade around. You’ve learned that Piotr doesn’t necessarily mind if you and Wade come up with ideas, but that Wade’s manner of “selling them” completely frustrates your darling boyfriend and puts him off even the most benign suggestions.

Second, you present the idea as something fun and seasonal for the students at Xavier’s; Piotr, essentially, is a massive mother hen that loves nothing more than making his “kids” happy, which means that he’s on board for just about anything that involves doing special stuff for the students.

Third, you’re his girlfriend and he thinks you’re cute, which means all you have to really do is bat your eyelashes at him and say please.

(And, granted, you’d had other tricks up your sleeve if he’d hesitated, but sometimes life just lets you knock one out of the park. It’s a great feeling.)

***

With Piotr’s seal of approval, you wind up selling the idea to the rest of the X-Men with no problem –and, since Jean’s out of town visiting family, she’s not here to rat you out to Scott, either.

Granted, Xavier still could, but you’re starting to think he’s less of a “lawful good” and more of a “neutral” or “chaotic good” type than he lets on. There’s been plenty of times he could’ve sold you or Wade out on any of your pranks, but he usually keeps his mouth shut.

Ah, well. Best not to question the freebies life sends your way.

Better yet, you and Wade already have a list of ideas and necessary supplies, thanks to your “haunted house research binge” that you two did earlier. Granted, Piotr outright naysays half of the suggestions due to them being too expensive, too destructive to the building, or too gross –Wade—but all in all it’s a success.

Hell yeah.

***

The official set up goes as such: on the designated “haunted house day,” you, Wade, and a few volunteers get to spend the morning and part of the afternoon setting up the haunted house in a sectioned off part of the mansion –except it’s for the elementary aged students, so it’s technically “Haunted House Lite,” but that’s fine. Then, at four in the afternoon, the elementary aged students will get to walk through, enjoy some G-rated spooks, and get little bags of candy at the end to enjoy.

Lovely. Wonderful. Wholesome.

And then the fun comes in.

Because, beknownst to Piotr only because he caught you and Wade conspiring with everyone else, you and Wade managed to get all the middle school and high school students in the room and fill them in on your idea to scare the everliving shit out of one Scott Summers.

And, because teenagers are basically little shits that run on caffeine and entropy, they’re all super down to watch Scott get pranked.

So, once the little students have had their seasonal fun and have been ushered off for dinner with everyone else, you and Wade and your volunteers have five paltry hours to beef up your haunted house with some higher grade spooks and also set up your prank for Scott.

Granted, it’s not a lot of time to work with, but the two of you have worked with less before.

***

The prank itself, compared to yours and Wade’s usual fare, is… unremarkable, actually.

“Go figure,” Wade grumbles under his breath while he wrestles with one of the several smoke machines he’d purchased for the prank. “Captain Vanilla-Save-For-the-Pole-Up-His-Ass doesn’t watch horror movies. Leave it to a fucking jumpscare. Fucking stupid. He’s literally the single most boring person to exist!”

“Hey, at least it makes it easy for us,” you reason as you work on dying a bunch of cheesecloth with a massive mixing bowl of tea. “Why go through the extra effort for a dill-hole like him?”

“Fair enough. Hey, I think I got this working!” Wade tries turning on the smoke machine, then pulls a scowl when it makes an alarming grinding noise, turns it back off with a disgusted huff, and turns in his chair to shout down the hall. “Nathan! Get your ass in here and talk to your cousin! This fucking thing won’t work!”

You snort and shake your head.

(Nathan does, in fact, get the smoke machine to work, but only because he bothers to read the instructions first.

Wade calls bullshit anyway.)

***

The day of is nothing short of busy.

The two of you –and your volunteers—set up shop in one of the unfinished wings meant to be proper classrooms. You’ve got the entryway, the flight of stairs going up to the second floor, the hallway, and a few of the rooms of the rooms to set up your little “house of horrors” in (along with the back stair case that leads back down to the main hallway on the first floor, but that’s only for an easy exit for everyone).

The main order of business is such: put up the most labor intensive props –curtains to black out the windows, a curtain to block off the first floor hallway from view, spiderwebs, anything hanging from the ceiling or the walls that isn’t going to be switched out—first so that the bulk of the work is done for the day, since you won’t have much time between the littler students and the older students (and, most importantly, Scott).

The smoke machines get put in next, along with any special lights –including some cool black lights you and Wade had gotten their hands on, which go next to a mirror at the end of the walkthrough so the students can see what their costumes look like under the effects of the lights.

After that is the rest of the props, which are all switch out stuff. The younger students get some relatively innocuous skeletons, some cartoonish looking zombies, a couple mummies, and a bunch of pumpkins, black cats, and otherwise tame Halloween fare. The older students get much gnarlier, gorier stuff, including a demonic clown statue that actually gives you the creeps.

You grin as Wade sings “Spooky Scary Skeletons” –the dubstep remix, no less—while the two of you fill up goody bags for the students. This is going to be great.

***

Piotr stops by after lunch with a bag of costumes –yours and his—and some extra supplies Wade had asked for.

You kiss his cheek as he hands off the bag of decorations to Wade. “Hey, babe. Had a good day?”

He nods. “Students are very excited to go through haunted house. Especially younger ones.”

“Well, here’s hoping we can give them some good, old-fashioned, spooky fun,” you say with a grin. “Ready to get changed and transform into creatures of the night?”

He does a scarily perfect Dracula laugh and winks at you. “But of course, moya lyubov’.”

Your costumes –for today and also for this year’s Halloween—are Dracula and the bride of Dracula. Piotr made nearly all of it, save for his shirt and slacks (and your two’s shoes, obviously), and between the costumes, the makeup, and some fake fangs, the two of you actually look the part.

(And Piotr sounds the part, what with his Russian accent and all. It’s almost like he was born for the role of Dracula.)

The two of you get to set up in one of the rooms with two doors, which also boasts a cauldron with a smoke machine in it, a bunch of fake spiderwebs, a couple of fake coffins, and some skeletons hanging on the walls. You get dressed, do each other’s make up, and then Piotr helps you put on your fangs before doing his own.

“So, tell me how to do a good Russian accent,” you say, lisping slightly around your fangs. “I gotta match what you’re selling.”

“I think you do just fine,” Piotr replies as he puts a glob of denture cream into one of his fangs and sticks it to his upper canine tooth. “Just try to avoid cheesy mobster accent, and you will do great.”

“Are we gonna do the whole ‘I want to suck your blood’ thing?” you ask. “I think we probably should.”

“If you want to.”

“Okay. I’m gonna practice, you tell me how I sound.” You clear your throat, get into your mental zone, then let out an accented, ominous, “I want to suck your blood!”

Piotr chuckles as he tests the fang’s hold on his tooth. “Very nice, myshka.”

You preen, then practice a few more times at varying pitches and speeds. Then, once you’re certain Piotr’s adjusted to your fooling around, you lean in and murmur, “I want to suck your dick.”

Piotr sputters, cheeks flushing –even under the pale make up you’d put on him—and looks around for anyone that might’ve overheard you. Once he’s certain that no one heard you –especially Wade—he exhales and shakes his head. “Later.”

You giggle and kiss his cheek.

***

Right at four, the elementary aged students are ushered into the haunted house.

You can hear them from the room where you and Piotr are set up, giggling and gasping as Ellie and Yukio –who had volunteered to walk the younger students through—escort them along.

“Alright, before we enter this room, we all need to practice our brave faces,” Yukio says outside the door furthest away from you and Piotr. “Because in this room are Dracula and his wife!”

There’s some gasps and “oohs” from the kids, along with a couple expected “Dracula isn’t real”s.

“Don’t get too close,” Ellie says warningly. “Or else they might try to suck your blood!”

You grin at Piotr as the kids gasp again –he grins back and winks at you—then put on your “game face” as Ellie opens the door so the kids can enter the room.

It’s hard to keep a straight face, though, in the presence of the elementary students. It’s easy to tell that they’re really enjoying the mini haunted house, what with how they’re bouncing and grinning, and that combined with their adorable costumes –skeletons, princesses, pirates, pumpkins, there’s even one of the kids dressed as Iron Man—makes the entire thing downright heart-melting.

The kids all gasp, giggle, and whisper amongst themselves as they approach you and Piotr, flocking together like a bunch of baby birds—

And then one of the kids in the back shouts, “That’s not Dracula! That’s Mr. Piotr!”

Ellie, Yukio, and you all snort, while Piotr just winks at the kid in question.

“What do we have here, my love?” you ask, slipping into your “vampire accent” as you make a show of looking over all the kids, which prompts another slew of gasps and giggles from them. “It seems someone has brought us a bunch of tiny treats to eat!”

Piotr “hmms” as he stands, looming over the students in his long, flowing black cloak. “So it does, moya Koroleva. I must say, I am feeling peckish. Perhaps we should have afternoon snack.”

“Oh no!” Yukio exclaims. “Do you guys think they should be able to do that?”

“No!” the group of students all shout at once (which, admittedly, is a little rough on the ears).

“Well, I think we can do whatever we want,” you retort, looking over at Piotr to make sure the two of you time everything properly. “And…”

“We want to suck your blood!” you and Piotr declare while simultaneously fake-lunging at the group of students.

The students shriek, then run out the other door at Ellie and Yukio’s encouragement.

You and Piotr “pursue” the students –which is less of an actual pursuit and more just angling yourselves in their direction—until the last of the kids “escape” into the hall, then stop and grin at each other.

“I think that went well,” you say –quietly, so as not to disrupt the students’ experience.

“I agree.” Piotr holds out his arm to you. “Shall we, moya Koroleva?”

You giggle and place your hand on his arm. “Absolutely, my love.”

The two of you head out the door at the far end of the room –the door the students had originally entered in—and into the hall. Fortunately, there are a couple curtains blocking the rest of the hall from view, meaning that there’s no risk of anyone seeing the two of you sneaking through the hallway and down the stairs to the main floor.

Piotr ducks into one of the storage closets by the staircase and pulls out a box with various goody-bags stashed in it. “These looks very nice, moya lyubov’.”

“Thank you. I tried to make sure everyone got one of everything –oh, wait a second.” You reach into the closet and pull out a bag you’d stashed separately from everyone else’s. “This one’s Timothy’s. I wanted to make sure it didn’t get mixed up and he get peanuts by accident.”

“Good thinking.” Piotr sets the main box of treats on a nearby table, then turns back to you and kisses the top of your head. “How are you feeling, dorogoy?”

“I’m feeling good; I’m really looking forward to the big prank tonight!” The corner of your mouth turns up when he makes a “hmmm” of disapproval. “I take it you’re not a fan?”

“I just… I am concerned about how you and Wade target Scott,” Piotr says diplomatically. “The two of you seem to ignore everyone else.”

“Well, there’s not really a need to prank everyone else,” you reason. “And it’s not like we prank Scott all the time, either.”

“I would just worry about team dynamics.”

“He already fucks that up by being an asshole, honey,” you argue, careful to keep your voice down so the kids don’t hear you swearing. “Scott’s a total dick! He’s objectively horrible to Wade; he’s also a jerk to Russell. Like, massively.”

Piotr sighs. “I… I do not think pranking helps the situation.”

“Look, sometimes when people refuse to listen to polite conversation, you have to smack them around a little to keep them from letting their asshole behavior ooze all over everyone.” You grin. “Wade and I are just the smacking team.”

Piotr glances towards the door where the back staircase opens onto the main floor; there’s sounds of little voices and footsteps, meaning the kids are almost done. “Just… be considerate. That is all I ask.”

“Already done, baby,” you reassure him. “It’s a super basic jumpscare prank. Nothing about him, nothing about being a mutant, all Halloween themed. I made sure Wade didn’t get too crazy or destructive this time around.”

Piotr relaxes a little at that and kisses your temple—

And then the door opens, and the group of students rush into the main hallway.

“I told you it was them!” one of the students shouts, prompting everyone else to laugh.

“It was,” you admit, foregoing the vampire accent. “Did you guys like the haunted house?”

“Yeah!” the group choruses at once.

You and Piotr both grin, then work on handing out bags of candy to the students –and make sure that Timothy gets his special bag, no allergy episodes today, no sir—

And it’s good. Life is good.

***

Once the younger students exit for dinner, everything switches to a mad scramble to flip the space for the second walkthrough.

Granted, it doesn’t sound like much, until you realize that it involves taking down basically all the props and putting new ones in.

It’s sweaty work, and by the time you’re done you have to reapply all your vampire make-up –because you and Piotr are still doing the vampire bit. And then—

And then.

Once the older teams exit the “vampire room,” you’ll sneak out the “entry” door and down the hall, then hover over the door everyone exits out into the main floor hall at the end of the walkthrough, and when they do, you’ll drop down next to Scott and scare the everliving shit out of him.

Simple. Stress-free. Borderline stupid.

It’s gonna be great.

***

The second walkthrough is just as much of a success as the first one. The older students aren’t as giggly or excitable as the younger group, but it’s still easy to tell they’re enjoying the haunted house –at least, if the occasional screams and comments about “how cool” everything looks is anything to go by.

Better yet is that Scott is jumping and gasping at, like, everything. He’s so easily scared that you won’t even have to try when you drop down next to him. He’s so easily scared that the prank almost isn’t fun.

Keyword being: almost.

You and Piotr do your vampire schtick again –which, unlike what you did for the elementary students, this round involves the two of you lunging out of dark corners and acting, objectively, much scarier—and when the older teens and Scott run out, you grin, give Piotr a kiss, then dart out the other door.

It takes basically zero time to get positioned over the door everyone exits out of. You tuck yourself up into the corner where the walls and ceiling meet, then resign yourself to being bored while the older students finish their haunted house walkthrough.

Scott, predictably, is the first one out of the door. He looks annoyed by the entire situation, and is trying to brush fake cobwebs off his shirt.

Perfect.

You wait until there are a couple of students in the hall as well –you can’t have the prank go unwitnessed—then count down from five before dropping down next to Scott while screaming “Trick or treat!” at the top of your lungs.

He jumps five feet into the air and shrieks like a teenage girl in a horror movie, and the students laugh.

Mission: accomplished.

#sass writes #piotr rasputin x reader #colossus x reader #note: the author is not a scott summers fan #it's fine if you are #i'm just #no #x men fanfiction #deadpool fanfiction

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new-moon-tea · 5 years

Text

The Government

My first thought was indeed that the postal service would have to change, but I realize now that wouldn’t need to be the case. Our postal office is fine on foot, but our government as a whole would be chaos. We might even need a government shut down, or call for Marshall Law as they struggle to try and find some grounding in this new development. There’d be no sense of direction, or so many directions we take we’d get lost. If you recall, I earlier stated that we’d need to put bands of sorts on children so they don’t fly too far off. The first thing I thought of when I began writing was how we’d adapt our laws, but the first thing I sat down to write an entire chapter on was the development of children in schools with wings. I personally believe that should be the first thing discussed, but likely it wouldn’t. Perhaps the demand to study this phenomenon would be the first demand. Perhaps the second would be how to limit danger or threat of winged citizens, to stop them from trying to jump off buildings and to stop normal humans from attacking them on sight.

Let’s continue on the assumption the government would be issuing out these bands of sorts. They’d need to produce them quickly, repurpose seatbelts perhaps or regular belts to be used for this fashion. Marshall Law would be in effect, and the government starts seeking volunteers for studies but more on that later. I picture military soldiers walking around city streets, shouting orders of “no flying for your safety and the people around you!” but once initial shock and panic dies down things would loosen up. How long do you think it’d take before you stop staring at people with wings? I’m resisting the urge to start up debates on what they’d look like or how this happened, that’s something for another chapter. I can’t imagine how long it’d take for me to stop staring, maybe a year? Two years? I only ask as I picture, let’s say, the Robinson family walking down the street. A mother with wings and her human child as they head to the corner store to pick up weekly groceries. I imagine neighbors gawking for the first few weeks, maybe a couple of months at most, before people begin walking up asking how they felt, what it was like, if they tried flying yet, and such. I imagine some people would be eager, excited, maybe like me they dreamed of getting wings ever since they were little, that they feel amazing and strong, but others would shy away from the attention, both normal and newly winged folk scared about this development.

Once Marshall Law was established, and slowly became more lax, our government would begin scurrying around to create new laws while constantly checking in with scientists about what these winged folk need or if there’s any danger in them. I picture things like doctors doing physicals working alongside veterinarians and wildlife experts and others studying feathers and physical makeup of the wings, trying to find average ratio of wing length to body weight, x-rays to see the way the joints move and how the body had to adapt to these new appendages. I wonder how close artist anatomy sketches of such creatures would align? Oh no, would we need new vaccines against bird diseases? Or would our biological make up leave us fine? We have bird flu to worry about but what about things that only birds get? I’m not a vet or scientist so I genuinely have no idea how that’d be handled, but that’s why we have our best doctors on the case. If someone became wounded from a flight fall or if they broke a wing in an accident, would they go to a vet or doctor? Doctors and nurses would have to study up on their anatomy for sure, and scattered essays and reports would flood the schools for students currently trying to study for a medical degree. I wonder how long it’d take for our government to decide how to rule wings.

What wording would you use to write the amendment to the constitution discussing flying rights? Would we not need one, on the basis we don’t govern our birds? Or on the basis no person should have to register for an extra limb? We don’t register or fight for the right to run, shouldn’t flying be the same? But I know how voting works, and I know someone will be concerned for safety of both normal and winged folk as they argue that wings are a threat to the safety of those below. I wouldn’t agree, but this is a democracy. I picture everyone would have their own concerns, which would make it harder for the government to begin regulation and safety. I have ideas of what laws would be put in place but no idea on how soon each one would be done.

For example, establishing the right to fly. Establishing fly safety zones in cities and laws about landing; Landing on a building you don’t own might be illegal but also sounds unfair considering they might need a spot to rest a minute before flying again, like a bench in a park. How we’d need to construct landing zones for public use, and runways with an appropriate length to take flight, maybe minimal flying heights in cities. I really don’t think you’d need a license to fly but of course it’d be brought up. We’d also need to discuss laws for what you can/can’t be wearing while flying. Things with open, loose pockets might pose a threat with the possibility of things falling out, right? But we wouldn’t need government mandated flying uniforms, of course! And luckily we’d have winged officers to keep things in order, and we’d have to install security cameras higher up. I wonder if we’d need platforms installed for when a winged officer needs to “pull over” someone, but they could easily use sidewalks or building tops. I also wonder if we’d need drones to keep an eye on winged traffic, to be operated by normal humans.

We’d need government mandated physical education tests too, right? We had the fitnessgram pacer test and in my school we had just the dreaded “mile”. Would winged folk need to opt into these courses or would they be required? What kind of tests do you think they’d be? They couldn’t exactly do most P.E. tests either, considering they have wings. Those hurdles would be easier, but of course you can say using wings is cheating but not using them would be harder. What would count as using them? Flapping them? Would you even have enough room? What if you used them to balance yourself, since you’re now lugging these massive things along as you walk, run and jump. But I’m sure we’re fine, we got our best scientists studying them to figure out how to make a fair P.E. class.

And that brings us to a nice wrap around to before when I was discussing scientists researching these new anatomy subjects. I still keep asking this question around, and asked a friend who we’ll call Fey. Fey’s answer was highly anticipated to me, because I hadn’t asked him before and he’s much more sophisticated than the Goose. Fey did surprise me though, saying something along the lines of another wave of discrimination and racism, and pointed out “new super models and new celebrities”. Struck me as odd because he stuck with the realms I normally associated with him but didn’t hesitate to get around the “you can’t say genocide” rule I’ve been opposing. He followed it up by saying he’d never date a man with wings (wondering now if he’d make an exception for a woman with wings), and this made me curious, because I realized I also wouldn’t date a man with wings (controversial coming from a goose, I know). I wonder, maybe realize, this is a small part of why people kept jumping to genocide. Would these minor preferences and details lead to the discrimination and racism I so avidly protested? Would this slow down the developments in government I am so certain of? He argued specifically it would be cumbersome, in regards to a man with wings.

I pictured jobs in some positions becoming easier and harder, and this leads into that more or less. Would officers with wings be more beneficial or a hindrance? Would it cost more tax dollars to create specialized bullet proof vests and uniforms for winged folk? How much would it cost to install government mandated landing platforms, child wing bands, and paving runways? The more I think about it the more I realize maybe a sudden increase in taxes or taking funding away from other sources people find important like education, military, or environmental funding… would this spur the hate towards winged folk? Maybe I over think, considering I’m sure some folks with wings will “spawn” in government positions, what if our President ends up as someone with wings? Would that automatically put winged folk on a more sympathetic stand? Or lead to impeachment? But let’s be honest all of us are too lazy to ever impeach a president, we would have done so already if we could. I don’t mean our current office president, but we’ve had bad men in the past.

So let’s get into these bad scenarios while on the talk of the government. I imagine a further phase of marshall law, or a lot of scary police and military interference. I’ve never lived through a dramatic protest movement, or remember anything clearly from school, so I can only see pictures of what it would look like, and news sources divided on the stances of these people. We once lived in an age where a public lynching would make it onto the face of a postcard, would that approach come back? We haven’t exactly changed for the better completely, I know I have said before there would be a few bad apples who would attack them, but would it be like the active shooter attacks we have now, where we’re actively trying to stop this horrid display? Or would it be like back then, when officers did nothing? That’s the scarier side to think about, but no matter how long it lasted it would never be permanent. Again, I still feel like that sort of active racism wouldn’t be able to blossom as much when this would affect so many people all over the world. And we can always take solace in the fact that even if we start out bad we will get better. No matter how small we can still fight for what we believe in, if I can vote an election I can say something. I can do something. I don’t like lingering on the bad sides of this hypothetical, they defeat the purpose of this discussion. It will always revert back to the fact that it will not stay. We will fight, and protect these citizens. And I’m 100% our government, or at the very least our corporations, will realize the huge advantage of winged folk.

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tilltheendwilliwrite · 6 years

Text

Balance on the Head of a Pin

Chapter Twenty Nine

Previous Chapter

Pairing: Loki Laufeyson x OFC | Word Count: 6671 Warnings: Swearing, Angst, Talk of Drug Use and Abuse

On his way back to the music room Loki searched every inch of the house, startling a few maids when he popped into rooms unannounced. There was nothing, and no one had seen anything suspicious or out of the ordinary besides himself appearing out of thin air. Still, as he went, he warded every door and every window until all that remained open were those meant to have guests going in and out. Should anyone besides the household staff, family, or Avengers venture beyond what he'd marked, or try in any way to reach the family wing where the children slept, he would know instantly. The house now hummed with his magic.

The others were waiting when he arrived. “Anything?” Loki asked, already knowing the answer by the looks on the faces of those around him.

“Nothing,” Steve said. “A few tracks in the grass and Nat found Lauren’s shoes, but otherwise everything was quiet.”

“No one saw anything down at the barns, either. Left the box with someone who said they’d take the kittens to Teddy,” Bucky added.

Thor leaned against the piano. “The women with the children said the man was new. Neither of them had seen him at one of these events before. His accent was not from around here, and he arrived late. But he came dressed as a clown and performed well, so they thought nothing of it. Simply assumed Magnolia had hired an extra entertainer this year though she hasn’t in previous ones. They did a quick headcount and all the children except Sara were present. We played it off as Sara leaving to show off her balloon animal to Lauren and a little concern she'd done so, so easily resulting in new vigilance on their part. But this,” he threw the discarded clown suit and wig on the floor, “was found in the bathroom nearest the children. Along with makeup saturated facial tissues and this.” A cufflink winked in Thor's hand.

“There are a few cameras around the house,” Tony muttered, giving the thin piece of plastic that was his phone a flick. “Enough to find this.”

The image of the hallway which led to where the children were playing appeared. Down it walked a man in a suit, his hair dark and body turned away from the camera. He ducked swiftly into the bathroom, a protruding belly present. A quick time jump showed him coming back out, dressed in the costume laying on the floor, nowhere near as fat as previously.

“Clever,” Natasha murmured. “Disguise the costume as a beer gut. Freeze it there.” She took a step closer and peered at the image. “Even the makeup is perfect. This was no amateur. Likely he stashed his suit in there while he made friends with the kids.”

“No camera in that room but when I backtrack…” A new image appeared, the patio earlier in the evening when the arrivals were coming in groups. “He waltzed right on in,” Tony said, displeasure in every syllable.

“Freeze it again,” Nat said. “Gimme both images.”

The two faces appeared together, and Bucky swore. “Prosthetics!”

“Not in this one.” Natasha pointed at the clown. “I'd bet money they were water soluble and went down the toilet.”

“What about when he left?” Steve asked.

Tony gave his phone a swipe. “The door she should have gone out is there, straight ahead and just around that corner, but little miss pink is caught… here.”

They watched Sara run nearly straight into Sue Ann who gave her a scolding and shooed her away down the hall.

“Something about… Miss Lauren’s not going to be outside… who you think you're fooling,” Bucky trailed off. “Not Clint. Can't read lips that well.”

“Better than me,” Thor offered.

As Sue Ann and Sara left the frame, the smiling clown stepped out the door and quickly made his way back to the bathroom. A few moments later, a much more sleek gentleman walked out in a suit, his paunch missing, as he made his way toward the back of the house. There was a brief pause as he lifted his wrist to his mouth.

“You see her… something indistinct… on the move,” Bucky continued to translate.

“There are no cameras pointed where we need them but… I found a handily passing satellite and hacked us an image. It’s not great, but it's something.”

“Tony.” Steve sighed.

“What? It’s one of ours, so who cares?”

Loki certainly didn’t as he stepped closer to have a better look. So far he approved of how things had been handled. There was no point in starting a panic when it was unneeded. The men were gone, empty-handed, and the strong foreboding had gone with them.

The image he examined with care. It was early in the moment. Lauren just arriving at Sara’s location. Two bodies were waiting further back in the maze, while a third was exiting the house. “Look, here is a four, and here a fifth. Both stationed to watch the main exits of the house.”

“Sniper positions,” Bucky agreed. “It's where I'd a planted myself. Surprised you can see them. Pretty damn dark.”

“There is darkness where there should not be. Lauren and I rode this trail,” he pointed out the path, “And this vantage point makes the most sense.” He indicated the other hard to see dark spot.

“Roll it forward,” Steve commanded.

“Still images only so it will be jerky,” Tony warned.

They jumped through, watching Lauren run, move through the maze with a clear goal in mind. The two in the tree line never moved as the other three closed in. It appeared they had also studied the maze at some point as they made their way through it with relative ease.

Loki's fists slowly clenched as remembered fear filled him.

Finally, the image of Lauren and Sara vanished as his arrival and their departure was very quick, but how close the men had been to his Ástvinur angered him further. The men remained visible for one more frame before the two in the trees vanished, the three in the maze crossed the grounds, and all disappeared, their prey now gone.

“Fast,” Bucky muttered. “Under three minutes for extraction. They were gone before we hit the door.”

“Definitely professionals,” Natasha agreed.

“But why Sara?” Loki asked, trying to settle his rage. For the moment things were calm. Usun was with the children, and the hound would not let harm come to them. Lauren was with them and safe, and the house was so well guarded it seemed to breathe with magic.

“Tony, you said the mother was a lawyer? Could it have something to do with her or a case she's working?” Steve asked.

“Possibly. She’s had some big league prosecutions in the past,” Tony muttered, flicking through files on his phone. “She’s not currently on or worked any cases lately that would see her on someone’s shit list that I can tell, but I’ll dig deeper, and the husband’s a finance guy,” he squinted a little at something he was reading, “a shitty one by the looks of it from Annadale’s accounts. Pepper’s going to have her work cut out for her if she ever took a look at this mess. Probably best to have FRIDAY just run the numbers. You hear that, my girl? Be a dear and clean up this mess so it makes sense.”

“On it, boss,” came the voice of the AI.

“Thank you, darling. You know you’re my favourite.”

“I'll be certain to inform Ms. Potts of your opinion, sir,” she teased in her way.

“Just for that, you can run facial on our clown at the same time,” he huffed.

“Like I wasn't already?” she quipped.

“The brother-in-law has aspirations toward your politics,” Loki murmured, stepping back from the image as it disappeared.

“Governor, I’m aware. Still, he’s nowhere near a position of power. He’s a finance guy and a crappy one from what I can see.” Tony flicked the phone again and had new images pop up. “Samuel Avirett is nothing more than a CFP. How the hell does he expect to break into politics? He’s got no military experience, his major was all wrong, he’s never volunteered a day in his life, and from what I remember… he’s an ass.”

“I agree with you there,” Loki muttered. “Wait…” He reached up and pulled down one of Tony’s floating files. “He works for Montgomery? Doing what?”

“CFP. He’s a certified financial planner.”

“Money,” Loki hissed, feeling a twist of foresight hovering just out of his reach. There was something there. Something insidious. “It all comes back to money.”

“What do you mean, brother?” Thor asked, straightening off the piano.

“Lauren’s ex. His plan to get her back had to do with money. His lack of it, and his owing of it to the wrong people.”

Bucky shifted enough to catch his eye. “This have to do with that text you sent me?”

“Yes.” Loki nodded.

“You take care of it?” The cold of the Winter Soldier rested in those words.

“Of course.” Loki wasn’t insulted by his question, knowing how dear Lauren was to the man.

“What am I missing?” Steve inquired.

“Nothing of relevance. George Montgomery is no longer in the picture. He was sent packing with his tail tucked firmly between his legs,” Loki stated. “However, this connection between Montgomery and the Avirett’s cannot be overlooked. Something about it… resonates for me.”

“You gotta feelin’?” Bucky asked.

“Oh, not another one!” Natasha huffed. “It’s bad enough with the two fossils!”

“Say what now?” Tony asked at the same time.

Thor walked across the room to stand with Loki. “My brother has inherited our mother’s gift of foresight thanks to his binding. He is showing the makings of a great Seer. One equal to her.”

“You boast of things yet unknown, Thor. So far, they are feelings, impressions. Premonitions if you like. Sara’s appearance at the party tonight… aroused this state. The storm that is brewing around this house is another. And now, a third arises with this,” he flicked the file back toward the others where they all winked out of existence. “What happened tonight with Sara, it is only the beginning. What comes next… will see blood spilled.”

“You’re sure of this?” Steve asked.

“As sure as I can be. This is all very… new. I am not Frigga.” Admitting to his lack of knowledge left a poor taste in his mouth.

“How do you inherit power from a woman who wasn’t actually your mother?” Tony asked.

The bluntness of the question, whether intended or not, hit Loki like a physical blow. “Just because she did not birth me, does not mean she was not my mother. We shared a bond through magic.”

“Great, more bonds,” Natasha muttered.

“Shut up, Nat,” Bucky sighed. “Your cynicism is showing.”

“Pardon me for having feelings on the matter,” she huffed.

“Natasha,” Thor said, and it was a rumble in the room, a sound of power and displeasure. “I will not have this conversation with you again. Loki is not who he was. He is the restored prince of Asgard, and as you respect me, you will respect him.”

“Respect is earned, Thor,” Loki murmured, his voice the cooling breeze which rode upon the thunder’s wave. “I have yet to earn that from Ms. Romanoff. Perhaps I never will. All I seek is the holding of her tongue around my Ástvinur.”

Bucky chuckled softly at the stunned faces around him. “You two been holding out on us?”

“Thor and I have had centuries of time to perfect our ability to work together. We were brothers far longer than we were not.” A fact most of them had forgotten.

“I’d like to see that,” Steve said cautiously, but the small smile on his lips showed he meant it sincerely.

“Perhaps one day you will, Captain, but first this,” Loki waved his hand at the costume, “incident needs to be resolved. Tomorrow is the fair and such in the town. Lauren has already promised the children they could go. I know she will not want to change her mind but will if she has any reason to doubt their safety.”

“Then we go with her. If they came at the kid once, they’ll likely try again,” Bucky said.

“And if they don't?” Natasha asked.

“Lauren and I will extend our stay until the matter is resolved. I will not allow anyone to take or hurt these children.”

“Nice of you to be so worried about someone else's children. You certainly weren't a few years ago.”

“Natasha!” Lauren gasped, having arrived silently in the doorway.

The blood drained from Nat’s face. “Lauren… I…”

Loki turned to see her standing there looking pale and dishevelled. The hem of her dress was dirty and too long without her shoes, her makeup was smudged, and her hair had come loose to tumble in waves and curls over her shoulder. Yet, still, she was radiant.

“Darling,” he said softly, moving toward her.

When he arrived at her side, she clutched at his arms like her very being depended on it. “Loki, I would really like it if you’d find Pepper and talk to her about that thing we discussed.”

“Lauren-” he began, but her fingers landed lightly on his lips, stifling his words.

“I have somethin’ to say to the team, my love,” she murmured, gliding her fingertips over his jaw. “And I’d very much appreciate you lettin’ me do it alone while you squared things with Pepper.”

There was a fire in her eyes, an unholy anger he had never before witnessed. It sent a shiver of heat up his spine. Her touch burned a path through his blood until it felt as if her fingers were wrapped around the rapidly growing erection in his drawers. “My Valkyrie,” he whispered, turning his lips to her palm. “Let me fix your dress before I go. Will you find me in the ballroom when you are finished? I’ve warded every inch of the house. I promise the children are as safe as if I held them in my arms.”

“I will, and I know. I can feel you in the walls, Loki. I want a dance with my husband,” she said just as softly. “I want a moment of peace and a minute to forget what could have happened. I want you.”

“Darling,” he sighed. “How do you expect me to walk away now?”

“One step at a time, Loki.” She smiled and gently patted his cheek.

His magic swirled up as he ducked his head and kissed her deeply, taking his time to clean and repair what her frantic flight had wrought while he enjoyed the sweet flavour of her lips. When he finished, she was as pristine and immaculate as she had been earlier. “One last thing,” he said as he called her shoes to his hand and knelt at her feet to help her into them.

It was deliberately done, something which caused his brother to inhale sharply in surprise, for Loki knelt to no one. He could have easily returned her shoes to her with magic, but this way he had a chance to make sure she hadn't injured her feet without yet knowing, for even now he could feel the adrenaline spiking for her.

Once he’d finished, Lauren stroked her fingertips over his cheek. He caught her hand and kissed her palm again before rising to his feet and pressing another to her cheek where he whispered in her ear, “Be gentle.”

She only eyed him with that same fire when he pulled away and left the room, not bothering to listen. She’d asked for him to step away and he would.

***

Lauren took a deep breath and turned to face the people she cherished most in the world. “This is so not the time for this. It's not the time for petty bickerin’ and squabbles, but y’all can't seem to let it go, so fine. Let's have it out. By now, I’m sure y’all are well aware of my life, my family, and where I came from. Why I ever thought I could keep it a secret,” she shook her head at her own foolish desires, “I don’t know.”

“Lauren,” Steve said, stepping toward her.

She pinned him in place with a look. “Shut up, Steven. I get to talk now.”

His mouth gaped for a moment before his teeth closed with a click.

“Four years ago I walked into the tower scared out of my ever-lovin' mind. I had no idea what to expect when Pepper asked me to come work for Tony. Hard work? Sure. Long hours? Most likely. People I thought were intimidatin’ as hell? Absolutely.” She looked from Tony to Natasha, to Steve, and finally to Bucky for whom she smiled. “What I didn’t expect to find was a home and a family. People who I'd come to cherish and who cared for me like my own… couldn’t.”

When her chin quivered, Bucky crossed the room and took her hand in support. “We love you too, Gilli.”

“I know, Buck. That’s why this hurts so damn much.” The tears tipped over and dripped from her chin when she turned her gaze to the three across the room. “I found out from Thor tonight that I’m what he calls a truth speaker, so let’s talk a little truth. Loki ain’t what you think he is. Not at all. He’s good, and kind, and carin’, and he loves me with his whole heart. I love you, Nat, but this mean, nasty thing you’ve got goin’ on… it’s beneath you.”

“Lauren.” The redhead’s mouth also closed quickly when Lauren glared her down.

“You’re tryin’ to shove a square peg in a round hole, Nat. Loki won’t fit no matter how hard you go at him. That person you saw in New York? That man who stood in Germany and demanded people kneel? That’s not him. It never was.”

“Lauren, we were there. We saw it! You can’t defend someone from something that happened!” Tony snapped.

“Y’all are so quick to judge, yet each and every one of you are missin’ the big picture. You’re blinded by your own experiences, but you forget the most important part.” She shook her head sadly.

“What part, Lauren?” Steve asked. “What are we missing?”

The smile she gave him was sad. “I thank you, Captain, for attemptin’ an effort. You have your own misgivin’s about Loki, but you do try.” She turned her gaze to Thor. “I adore you Thor, but even you’ve missed it.”

“Little sister? Tell me?” he asked, taking her other hand.

“I can’t tell you. It’s not my story to tell.” She turned finally to Bucky. “You are,” her breath hitched, “my best friend beside Sadie. I love you like the brother you’ve become, James. From the very start, you’ve been in my corner and on my side. You’ve trusted me when my choice was the untenable one for everyone else. You’ve given Loki the benefit of the doubt when you didn’t have to. You defend him, and you offer him inclusion when it would be really, really easy to turn away. I will never be able to thank you for that.” Pressing up on her toes, she kissed his cheek.

“That sounds suspiciously like you’re saying goodbye, Gilli,” Bucky said softly. “You aren’t thinking of leaving us now, are you?”

“I’m goin’ to Asgard once this is resolved.” She held up her hand when the protests started. “This has been really hard on my Ástvinur. Really hard. Havin’ so few people in either of my families welcome or appreciate him has made it that much harder. You don’t have to like it. You don’t have to understand it. But you will have to accept it. This is my life, and Loki is my choice!” she snapped, losing some of the sad as anger surged. “I ain’t like the rest of you. I’m not a genius, or a spy, or a super soldier, but I’m not some blonde, bimbo Barbie who doesn’t know her own goddamn mind! I am not a child, or a possession, or somethin’ in need of protectin’, and havin’ y’all second-guess the decision I made, one which made me stupidly happy before y’all showed up, really pisses me off!”

“Lauren, you have to let us catch up,” Steve said, holding up his hands pleadingly.

“Then catch the hell up, Steven! Cause nothin’ any of you say is gonna change the fact that Loki is mine! Mine, by the Fates! Mine!” She stomped her foot and at the same time in the distance, the horses fussed causing the sound to register faintly beyond the windows. It wasn’t an unusual occurrence, so when the noise didn’t continue, Lauren ignored it. If it was someone creeping around who didn’t belong, the thoroughbreds were spooky enough to continue their ruckus.

She took a deep breath when Bucky squeezed her hand. “You’re the family I never thought I’d find. I cherish each and every one of you, but if y’all can’t accept that Loki and I are together and we are happy, then I won’t be back to the tower.”

“Lauren!” Natasha gasped, looking horrified.

“You’re my friend, Nat, a real good one, but Loki is my future. If y’all can’t let this go, if you keep whippin’ this dead horse, you’ll leave me no choice.”

“Why can’t you tell us what we’re missing, then?” asked Tony, drawing her attention from a distressed Natasha.

“You’re the genius, Tony. Figure it out.”

He huffed and turned away. “This is stupid. You leave for four days and everything changes.”

“Imagine what it would be like if I was gone for months,” she quipped and turned away. “Lost and thought forgotten… or dead.”

“Lauren?” Thor grabbed her arm before she could leave. “This… this you speak of Loki.”

She arched a brow and shrugged a shoulder. “It is not my story to tell, Thor.”

“Little sister, I beg you. What didn’t he tell me?” Thor pleaded.

Lauren only reached up to cup his cheek. “Ask him.”

“What? Ask him what, Lauren?”

Thor’s eyes beseeched her, but she couldn’t break Loki’s confidence and only sighed. “You know what to ask him.”

“His Jotun form?”

She tilted her head as a final swell of words seemed to buzz on her tongue like bees wishing to be free. Lauren looked back at the rest, at the family hurting as she was. “I can’t give you the answers you seek, but only one more question. Why then? Why wait so long to invade Earth when Loki had fallen from the Bifröst months prior.”

She stepped away from everyone and lifted her chin. “Thank y’all for tonight. For lookin’ after Sara, and I’m sure for helpin’ figure this out because I sure as hell haven’t gotta clue what's happenin’. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t ask mama any questions about the-the balloon man. I saw the schedule for tonight and can assure you he wasn’t hired for this party. Who he was or where he came from…” she lifted helpless hands and let them fall, “I don’t know. Askin’ mama will only have her flyin’ into a panic.”

“What about your sister?” Bucky asked.

“I’ll deal with Marabeth,” Lauren said though she wasn’t looking forward to it. “I'll deal with all of them when this ends.”

“Lauren?”

She looked to a teary-eyed Natasha.

“Please don’t leave,” she whispered, striding across the expanse of the music room.

Lauren smiled sadly. “Your hate drives me away, Natasha.”

“I don’t… I just… Clint,” she sighed, and Lauren stiffened.

“You act like Clint was the only one the Chitauri hurt with the sceptre,” Lauren fairly snarled as she stepped back. “When you know nothin’ of anyone else’s pain.” She jerked her hands away from Natasha’s grasping ones and left the room nearly as angry as she had been when she’d arrived.

There was no way she could return to the party in this state and headed away from it, back to her father’s study where she knew she could escape for a moment to compose herself.

The whole sordid mess was too much. It felt as if someone had turned the world topsy-turvy and Lauren felt off-kilter. Completely at a loss. Adrift in an unknown sea. How was she ever again to find her balance in a world gone mad?

Nothing made sense. Nothing but Loki.

She gave the door to her father’s office a shove and stopped dead. “Jesus Christ, Priscilla!”

***

“What the hell is she talking about, Thor?” Tony snapped, clearly upset.

“I don’t know,” the big Asgardian sighed. “But there is something we have all overlooked, apparently.”

“Well, would you just ask him already!” Natasha huffed. “She can’t leave!”

Bucky scrubbed his hand over his face and sighed. “Yeah, Nat, she can. And if you keep pushing at her and snarking at Loki, she will. She’s just stubborn enough to go through with it. I don’t want to lose her any more than any of you, but she’s right. Your attitude sucks.”

“Bite me, Barnes,” she huffed but it was lacking conviction.

“Thor,” Steve spoke up, “Will you ask him? He’ll be more inclined to talk to you than he will one of us.”

“When the time is right.”

“Thor…” Steve sighed when the big blond only pulled himself up to his full height.

“You ask me to once again disrupt their binding day? After Lauren nearly loses a child, one she holds dear? After Loki could have lost them both? You want me to drag him to the side and demand answers to something he clearly does not wish to tell me? I won’t do it.” He shook his head. “Today should be full of joy, instead… Lauren’s eyes are washed with tears.”

“You can’t blame us for someone trying to take Sara,” Natasha said softly.

“No, but I can blame you for hurting Lauren more. He may not be your favorite person in the world, Natasha, but Loki is not the problem here.”

Hurt flashed over her face before she locked it all away.

“Look,” Bucky sighed, holding up his hands before anyone else could speak and cause more hurt feelings. “This is happening. It’s done. She made her choice and her choice was Loki. You can fight her, them, on this, or we can accept it and keep her in our lives while making room for Loki. I ain’t got the bias the rest of you do. I can only judge on what I’ve seen with my own eyes, and what I see is a man who loves deeply.”

“Buck.”

“Nah, punk. This time, you need to listen. They’ve been saying it since we got here. They are happy. Lauren isn’t stupid. We’ve all said she sees things we don’t from a different perspective, so if we trust her, why ain’t we trusting her now?”

Tony flopped down on the piano seat with a sigh. “I hate it when the Tin Man makes sense.”

“You just do not like being wrong,” Thor chuckled.

“Alright, jerk,” Steve huffed at Bucky. “If you’re so smart, what do we do?”

“You accept the inevitable and everyone figures out how to apologize to Lauren,” Bucky glared at the three of them, “and mean it.”

***

The man who had her sister propped on her father’s desk, plowing a furrow between her thighs gave a yelp as he pulled out.

“You’d best tuck and zip, Jasper Rubin!” Lauren huffed as she stormed into the room, dragged Cissy off the desk and thrust her into a chair while giving Jasper a solid swat to the back of his head. “And you’d best pray I don’t tell your mama just what shenanigans you’ve been gettin’ up to tonight! Now git!”

He scurried red-faced from the room without so much as a word.

Lauren stomped after him and slammed the door with extreme prejudice before rounding on her sister. “What the hell has gotten into you?”

“Prissy bitch! What gives you the right to stop me havin’ some fun?” Cissy snorted.

Lauren frowned at her sister’s glassy eyes and walked closer to grasp Cissy’s chin and wrench her face up. “Are you drunk?”

Cissy only laughed.

“You're high!” Lauren gasped, almost falling into the chair beside her sister. “Oh, god… I don't need this tonight,” she moaned, dropping her head to her hands.

“Has Loki finally come to his senses and dumped your ass… boo… lu?” Cissy giggled.

“No, Priscilla!” Lauren snapped. “But someone tried to kidnap Sara, so how's about for once in your miserable life you think of someone other than yourself!”

“What?”

The word was soft, barely a whisper, and resonated fear. Lauren looked up in time to watch Cissy pale.

“You don't actually hate them, do you?”

Cissy scrubbed a hand over her mouth. “Of course not! I just… ain't good with them. They're loud and messy!”

“So were you once,” Lauren scoffed.

“Bite your tongue! I was not,” Cissy huffed.

“Yes, Priscilla, you were. You were messy and adorable and just so damn beautiful and all I wanted was to love you but all I got was hate!” Lauren sobbed as the entire night broke over her. “I thought you were gonna be the answer to my every prayer because God saw fit to give me a little sister I could love and cherish when my big sister only hated me, but then Marabeth filled your ear full of her lies, her grey truths and pretty soon I was gettin’ it from all three of you. I'd a stood between you and mama, between you and Marabeth because, goddammit, Priscilla, I loved you! I'd a given you the world, I'd a given you everythin’, but all you wanted was my shame and my tears.”

“You're so full of it,” she sighed. “You hated me cause mama loved me. She replaced you with me.”

“That ain’t nothin’ but more of Marabeth’s lies. At what point in time did it ever look like mama loved me?” Lauren asked as she wiped her face with her palm.

Cissy tossed her the box of tissues. “Before I was born.”

“You mean the years when I was punished for puttin’ my elbows on the tables or trackin’ dirt on floors she didn’t do the cleanin’ of? Or maybe when she'd whoop my ass cause I missed a dance step? Or maybe it was all the times she told me I was worthless cause I wasn't Marabeth. That I needed to do more, be better, try harder. Do you know how many times mama has hugged me, Cissy?”

Her sister's eyes were much less glassy, whatever high Cissy was riding appearing to fade as she stared at Lauren, her mouth open in shock while she shook her head.

“I do. I can count them on one hand. They were all public. A great showin’ of pride.” Lauren ticked them off on her fingers. “She hugged me at the Debutantes Ball, when I accepted George's proposal, at our engagement party, and tonight, right before she told me to break things off with Loki as I would now be pursuin’ Thor. So you tell me, Cissy. Does that sound like a woman who loves her knee-baby?”

“Sheeet…” Cissy breathed.

“Then there's the fact mama was fuckin’ George behind my back.” The words were out before she could stop them.

“Oh, my god…” Cissy gasped. “Does daddy know?”

Lauren sighed and rubbed her temples. “Yeah… now. He found out ‘bout the same time I did.”

“Fuckin’ hell…” she whispered.

“Watch your mouth, Priscilla.”

She snorted a small laugh. “You said it first.”

Lauren watched her a moment. “What is all this, Cissy? The drinkin’. The drugs. Screwin’ Jasper Rubin?” She shuddered in distaste. “What's goin’ on with you?”

“What happened with Sara?” she countered.

Lauren frowned, unwilling to let it go now that Cissy was actually talking to her, but gave Cissy what she knew. There had been a clown suit on the floor in the music room, so clearly, they’d found something but Lauren remained in the dark yet on what that was. “Someone lured her outside. I saw her leave the house and followed, managed to catch up to her in the maze but by the time I figured out what was happenin’, there were already people in the maze with us. Then Loki ended up havin’ to rescue us both cause Marabeth had all the gates out of the maze locked.”

“We have to do somethin’! Why are you just sittin’ here? We should be huntin’ the asshole down.” Cissy lurched to her feet.

Lauren shoved her back into the chair. “Priscilla… half the Avengers are stayin’ here or did you fail to notice Steve, Bucky, Tony, Natasha, and Pepper wanderin’ around along with Thor and Loki?”

“Huh?” she squeaked.

“How long have you been high?” Lauren barked. “What the hell did you take?”

“Just… just some E ‘bout the time you brought my dress. How else was I gonna make it through one of these things?”

“Freyja’s tits,” she sighed, rubbing her face. “How long’s this been goin’ on, Cissy? The booze and everythin’?”

“What's it matter?”

Lauren slammed her hand down on the arm of the chair. “It matters cause you're my sister and I care!”

“You didn't much care when your fiancé threatened to wring my neck!”

“Of course I did! I laid into him just fine after you left, but he ain't human! He's an Asgardian and they can all be a bunch of rock headed cavemen when they wanna be, but damn it, Cissy. You kinda deserved it. Threatenin’ me and tryin’ to steal from me? Why?”

“Because you left!” she bellowed. “You walked out and ran off to your big city life and left me here to become… you!” she sneered as tears threatened. “Who do you think took the brunt of it when mama and Marabeth needed a scapegoat? Who do you think they turned on with their crazy?”

“You didn't have to stay, Cissy.”

“And where was I supposed to go at seventeen? To you?” She snorted out a laugh. “Naw, it was easier to stay. I finished school. Made some new friends. Picked up a new hobby. All I had to do was look pretty and the boys came to me. Bought me drinks. Gave me stuff.” She leaned forward to pluck a few tissues from Lauren’s lap. “Partyin’ was easy. It was fun. Mama was easier to deal with when I was high. Smoke a little dope, and she could scream and cuss all she liked. What did I care? But then the parties weren't so fun anymore. I suddenly had to pay for my pleasure. The guys got me hooked, poor little rich girl, and my free ride was over. But Mama and Daddy are so damn tight with their money! Every advance off a credit card had to be accounted for. Every withdrawal from the bank was another round of “What god awful thing you buy this time?” And there was no way I could access my trust fund. I've got three more years until it matures, and I can leave this shithole town. But by the time I realized the cost... it was too late. I liked my parties a little too much, the dope and the E. So I took this or that, whatever had value, and pawned it so I could party.”

Lauren could only stare in horror at her words. “Oh, Cissy…”

She smiled and it was brittle. “Tonight you walked in on my transactional relationship with Jasper. Ain't the first time he's paid his way between my thighs. The E just makes it all easier.”

The face of her sister was like that of a porcelain doll which had been dropped. It seemed to crack before Lauren’s very eyes until bit by bit it fell to pieces beneath a flood of tears.

“Oh, sugar,” Lauren reached out and grabbed her hands. “We're gonna get you some help. Okay, Cissy? You gonna let me help you?”

“No.”

“Cissy!” Lauren gasped. “You gotta!”

“No, I don't, because I already helped myself.” She pushed to her feet. “I hated you, Lauren. Despised everythin’ about you. You left and I hit rock bottom. You came back and made me realize.... I hate what I’ve become more. I ain't ever been called a whore before, but I guess I am one.”

“Cissy, no!” Lauren pushed to her feet and reached out.

“What you said about growin’ up? Takin’ responsibility? You're right. I called a facility and checked myself in. I was already flyin’ so they offered to send someone to get me. She'll be here,” she glanced at the clock, “any minute.”

“Cissy… I,” Lauren swallowed back her tears.

“This was my last hurrah. I cleaned out my stash of E… I think… but would you…?” She looked up pleadingly.

Lauren nodded. “I'll make sure. I'll get Loki to make sure it's all gone. Promise me you'll text me when you get there?” She stepped into Cissy and hugged her tight.

“Yeah. Lauren?”

“Yeah, sugar?”

“I don't hate you. I envy your life.”

Lauren tucked her face into Cissy's hair. “I know, baby, but I'm so damn proud of you.” She stepped back and cupped Cissy’s cheeks. “I know not everythin’s gonna be resolved with a round of tears and I’m sorries, but I do love you, Cissy. You’re my little sister.”

Cissy’s eyes filled with fresh tears. “I’m sorry I hated you. I’m sorry I let Marabeth twist everythin’ up. I didn’t wanna believe her but… she made it…”

“Easy to believe. I know, hun.” Lauren brushed away her tears. “Marabeth’s good at that. I don’t blame you for believin’ her. You were just little.”

She shook her head. “You’re beau was right. I let her opinion matter more than mine. I’m sorry, Lauren.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” Lauren said with a watery smile. “You go get help, and we’ll work on us when you get back.”

“Okay,” Cissy whispered.

“Wanna know a secret before you go?” Her blue eyes twinkled the way Lauren remembered seeing them do as a child.

“Gossip? Spill!”

“I'm not really engaged to Loki.”

“What!” she barked.

“We're already married,” Lauren whispered and giggled when Cissy smiled.

“You devious little bitch! I love it!” She pulled Lauren in for a second hug. “I do kinda hate you now for catchin’ such a hot hunk of beef. Even if he is scary as fuck.”

“Priscilla. Mouth,” Lauren sighed.

She only laughed. “You take care of those babies. We both know Marabeth won’t.”

“I have to go to Asgard for a while, but not until I know Sara and Benny are out of danger.”

A knock preceded Clara, one of the maids, peeking in the door. “Miss Cissy? The car’s out front and I've left your bag at the door.”

“... Lu?” Cissy whispered as she clung to Lauren. “I’m kinda scared.”

“You can do this Cissy. I'm so damn proud of you for makin’ the decision yourself.” She squeezed her tight a final time. “You want me to walk you out?”

“No. No, I think I've left you the tough job.”

Lauren frowned.

“Someone's gotta tell mama,” she quipped as she walked away. “I left the place I'm headed to looked up on my laptop.”

“Now I hate you,” Lauren called as the door swung shut on Cissy’s parting laughter, and she collapsed back into her chair.

The first sob was nothing more than a harsh shudder before Loki's arms were wrapped around her, and she was once more bawling on his shoulder.

Next Chapter

#balance #loki #Loki Laufeyson #loki fanfiction #loki of asgard #god of mischief #god of mischief fanfiction #Avengers #The Avengers #avengers au #avengers fanfiction #southern belle

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New Release: Shattered Vows: Love, Lies & Consequences by Natasha Frazier. Book 3 – Love, Lies & Consequences Series. Genre: Christian Fiction

Shattered Vows: Love, Lies & Consequences Book 3

Love, Lies & Consequences (Book 1)

The only way to prove what you say you believe is to be put to the test. So was the case with Raegan who was all set to live a life free of sexual impurities until she met Rico, who challenged her character. Sex outside of marriage isn’t all that bad if you’re going to eventually marry that person, right? After all, Rico did want to marry her and she thought she wanted to marry him until Caleb, her college love, comes back into her life. Raegan lets her guard down and makes a series of choices that lead to consequences she wasn’t prepared to face. She will soon find out just how strong she is and if she can rely on her faith to see her through to the other side.

Review: Love, Lies & Consequences

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I’ll be looking to read more. It’s an enjoyable, inspiring book. You will not want to put it down.You can relate to the relationships in this book. I love the Scriptures in the book. I don’t want to spoil the book by telling you the plot but let’s just say you might see yourself in Reagan. – Dotty

“The true test of my commitment will come when I am actually tested, but it’s nothing I can’t handle…” So thinks Raegan, the main character of author Natasha D. Frazier’s new book LOVE, LIES & CONSEQUENCES—and it proves to be a thought that is itself tested every step of her journey.

Frazier has crafted an entertaining yet thoughtful read that allows us to see that when it comes to doing what is right versus what feels right both men and women have to put forth a lot of effort and not allow themselves to be tempted beyond what they can bear. For Raegan this seems easier said than done, especially when her heart and mind seem to be warring against each other at times. What we realize, though, is that sometimes circumstances can help us to figure out that at the end of the day we can’t direct our steps. We need to rely on the One that knows us best in order to do that.

Raegan realizes she can have what she wants, but she has to be willing to surrender to His will and not allow her own desires to get in the way. There’s a lot to love about this book, especially since it shows that men aren’t the only one that has problems with promises. It also shows that when we decide on a path we have to be ready and willing to accept the consequences that come along with it, even if it means possibly losing all that we have. – Cyrus Webb

Through Thick & Thin: Love, Lies & Consequences (Book 2)

Engaged, pregnant, and unsure of her baby’s father, Raegan’s troubles have multiplied. In the sequel to the award-winning title, Love, Lies & Consequences, Raegan learns what it feels like to be loved completely. In turn, she must learn to forgive and return that same love that was given to her. Forgiveness and understanding won’t come easily.

Caleb has promised to stay by her side–but will her guilt push him away? When Caleb’s past catches up to him, will Raegan remain by his side as he promised to stick by hers?

Or does she hold him to a different standard? Will Raegan choose Caleb over her need to be in control of everything?

Will they stick with each other Through Thick & Thin . . . or will the consequences of their past sins be too much to bear?

Reviews: Through Thick & Thin

After reading the first novel, I could not have been happier upon hearing that the sequel was released. This one took me through a whirlwind of emotions, but it was such an enjoyable read. Can’t wait to read more books by this author! – Tasha, Amazon reviewer

This was a pretty good Christian Romance. I enjoyed the characters and their story. The first book kept my interest enough to purchase the second book. I would definitely read more books from this author. – Amazon reviewer

Five stars and two thumbs up! Congrats on a job well done! I fell in love with all of the characters. If you’re looking for a good, clean, Christian fiction read, do not pass this series up! – Rachel B. Amazon reviewer

NEW! Shattered Vows: Love, Lies & Consequences (Book 3)

Rico gambled with his marriage when he cheated on Chloe. Breaking his vows and risking everything for temporary pleasure, he lost his wife’s respect and trust.

Rico returns to God, searching for a quick fix to win Chloe’s heart back, but his heart is the one that is changed. He is a self-proclaimed changed man, willing to go the extra mile to restore his marriage, but he just may be too late.

Has Chloe given up on him? She has forgiven him before, but this is different. “I’m sorry” isn’t enough when vows have been shattered. With the law and the Word of the Lord on her side, she finally gathers enough courage to walk away.

But then tragedy strikes. Is it enough to make Chloe stay, or will she start a new chapter in her life?

Excerpt from Shattered Vows: Love, Lies & Consequences (Book 3)

Chloe exhaled when she heard his footsteps on the wooden stairwell. She didn’t realize that she’d been holding her breath ever since she felt his hands on her body. I have to stop doing that, she chastised herself. She knew he was feeling rejected. But how did he think he made her feel when that woman showed up at the coffee shop carrying his child?

She pulled on her dress and fidgeted with it until she slid the zipper into position. She slipped into her shoes and turned around in front of the mirror, giving her clothes, makeup and hair a once-over before meeting Rico downstairs.

Rico let out a low whistle as Chloe descended the stairs with her matching camel-colored clutch under her arm.

“I’m the luckiest man in the world to have you on my arm tonight. You look beautiful, sweetie,” Rico complimented as he took her hand when she descended to the last three steps. When she made it to the bottom, he lifted her hand and brushed her wedding band with his fingers before planting a kiss on her hand.

“Thank you.” Chloe blushed a little and returned the compliment. “You look nice, too.” She noticed that he was wearing her favorite cologne as well, but didn’t make mention of it. Rico placed her hand around his arm and escorted her to the car. Their drive to the Improv was filled with chatter from Rico about what they did on previous anniversaries. She didn’t add much to the conversation, only nodded and smiled mostly. She had to admit that those times were nice, but this one was much different. In her mind was the insurmountable obstacle in front of them.

Rico had purchased their tickets online so they walked straight past the ticket booth to the entrance, where they were greeted by a hostess and shown to their VIP table near the stage. Noting the dim lighting, soft R&B music and the newly renovated facility, Chloe remembered their first date at the Improv, where they saw the comedian Arnez J in standup. They laughed until their stomachs and throats were in pain. She was hoping she would get another whiff of that tonight, although she didn’t know who the comedian was going to be. She just knew that she could use a laugh right about now. And not just any laugh, but a magic laugh that would take away all of the pain that she was feeling and trying so hard to push aside. The type of laughter that would somehow wipe the slate clean for the two of them. She was sure there was no such thing, but she was ready for the magic she hoped the night would bring for her.

She ordered a Caesar salad and he ordered buffalo wings to enjoy before the show started. On cue, the show began when the waitress came to take away their empty plates. They were tickled a little by the warm-up acts but nothing like what she was waiting for. However, she was feeling more relaxed and her body didn’t stiffen as it did earlier when Rico pulled her chair closer to his and put his arm around her.

There were still a few residual laughs from the crowd as the host appeared onstage to announce the headliner for the night—Will the Thrill. Chloe didn’t recognize the comedian’s stage name, so she knew she hadn’t heard any of his jokes before. New material. Great.

Will the Thrill jumped straight into his routine after the round of applause subsided. His first joke was about dating and how he wasn’t ready to commit to his girlfriend by getting married.

“C’mon now men. Y’all know how much extra work it is to hide the side woman when you get married. Gotta put all these codes in your phone, use aliases and lie, lie, lie. Even when you get caught, stick to the lie. Ain’t that right my man?” he joked as he gestured toward Rico.

Her anticipation waned at those jokes. In fact, they weren’t funny at all. Bad choice in her mind. What began to tick her off was that Rico was doubled over in laughter . . . clearly, something he shouldn’t have been laughing at given the situation they were in.

“What in the hell is so funny, Rico?” she sneered, leaning to the side to look up at him wiping tears from his eyes.

“What?” Rico asked, clearly confused.

“So cheating is funny?”

“Sweetie, these are just jokes. C’mon now.”

“I’m glad you think ruining our marriage and our lives is funny. I’m getting out of here!” Chloe scooted away from the table, snatched her purse and walked away with Rico following close behind.

“Looks like someone got caught doing what I just said not to do!” the comedian joked to their retreating backs as they exited the room, causing an uproar in the crowd.

Rico grabbed her hand and she spun around. She yanked her hand back and folded her arms across her chest. The look she gave would have killed him if looks could kill. Infidelity was a sore spot with her and definitely not a laughing matter. Rico couldn’t understand why she took it so seriously. Everyone in the room, except her, knew that those were only jokes. There was no reason to get upset over nothing. But to Chloe it wasn’t nothing; it was the reason her life was turned upside down.

( Continued… )

© 2017 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, Natasha D. Frazier. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the author’s written permission. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only.

Purchase Shattered Vows: Love, Lies & Consequences Book 3 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZ5IQMR Purchase books by Natasha D. Frazier Genre: Christian Fiction http://www.natashafrazier.com/ store/c1/Featured_Products.html

Meet the Author Natasha D. Frazier

Natasha accepted the call to write in 2011. Since then, Natasha has authored three devotional books. Her first book is The Life Your Spirit Craves, a 30-Day devotional and journal that encourages readers to seek, accept and pursue their God-given assignment. Her second book, Not Without You: 365 Days in the Lord’s Presence, encourages readers to make devotion a part of their everyday life by seeking God every day. Not Without You has been nominated for the Henri Award. The Henri Award recognizes excellence in Christian literature. The Life Your Spirit Craves for Mommies is a 52 week devotional for mothers that encourages them to see God at work in their lives through their role as a mother. Both devotionals in The Life Your Spirit Craves series won the Readers’ Choice Award presented at the Christian Literary Awards. Natasha is also the author of the Love, Lies & Consequences Christian-fiction series that focuses on real and relevant issues in today’s society, such as pre-marital sex, adultery, blended families and more! Currently, the series contains three published titles: Love, Lies & Consequences, Through Thick & Thin, and Shattered Vows.

Natasha resides in Missouri City, TX with her husband, Eddie Frazier, Jr. and their three children, Eden, Ethan, and Emilyn. Her greatest joy and commitment is to her family who she hopes to inspire above all else. One of her many mottos in life is: Faith removes limitations. Natasha and her family are members of Higher Dimension Church in Houston, TX. Natasha is also a member of the Houston Area Alumni Chapter of Jackson State University and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Connect with Natasha Website: http://www.natashafrazier.com Facebook http://www.facebook.com/craves.2012 Instagram: @author_natashafrazier Twitter: @author_natashaf

Shattered Vows: Love, Lies & Consequences Series by Natasha Frazier New Release: Shattered Vows: Love, Lies & Consequences by Natasha Frazier. Book 3 - Love, Lies & Consequences Series.

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