#cold breeze ep

[indefinite-pitch]

Introsphere - Astray

#premiere #641 #introsphere #cold breeze ep

[llycaons]

I find episodes 8 and 9 probably the weakest of the show but they're filled with so much foreshadowing of plot beats and character dynamics that I'm always sitting there going like this on a rewatch anyway

#on a first watch I can imagine losing interest if you weren't grabbed by the mystery of HOW DID HE DIE and all that #I really wanted to know! how shit went wrong for him so badly he ended up like that #and he was so endearing and engaging I couldn't look away #tho I have no memory of my initial reactions to these eps. I was like 'ummm okay' for a while #but up next is XIAO XINGCHEN AND SONG LAN!!! #DISTANT SNOW AND COLD FROST BRIGHT MOON AND GENTLE BREEZE LET'S GOOOOOO #cql re-rewatch

[alloftheimagines]

joel miller | don't let me drown

masterlist | taglist | ko-fi

words: 2.4k

warnings: drowning, hurt/comfort, angst, lil bit of nude cuddling for warmth reasons but nothing steamy, strong language, inspired by ep six but i changed it up so the bridge is unsteady for the purposes of *drama*. hint towards age-gap with reader in their thirties. they/them pronouns. no y/n.

synopsis: in which the reader falls into the river of death, and it's joel's job to save you and find shelter. featuring ellie. not requested!

You used to think snow was pretty. Magical, even. Now, you only think it’s a bitch to travel through, especially on foot with the harsh mountain winds blowing off the river.

Of course, you can’t complain because the fourteen-year-old and fifty-six-year-old aren’t, and you’re probably supposed to be fitter than the two of them put together. But inside… fuck. You’re exhausted, freezing, and desperate to get to your next destination so you can sleep on something other than ice and mud. 

When the bridge comes into view, relief washes through you. If you can get away from the open water, maybe the winds won’t be so biting and you’ll finally be able to feel your cheeks again. You puff out a visible breath and glance at Joel, who is both pale and rosy-cheeked from the cold. Ellie follows behind, watchful as ever. You can’t imagine what it must be like for her, trekking so far from where she began. Seeing so much. It’s been rough on all of you, but you’ve made it through together. Whatever comes next should be a breeze. 

“Keep a lookout,” Joel warns, poising his handgun and nodding at you to do the same. You’ve been warned that nothing good can be found by the river, and it’s left an unsettling silence between you since you started your journey. 

You dip your head, preparing your own gun as Ellie does the same. But if anything is here, you don’t see it — not on this side of the bridge or the other. It’s a rickety old thing, but if it gets you across… it’ll do. 

“C’mon,” he grunts. The bridge creaks beneath your feet, and you follow Joel’s footsteps to avoid any weak spots. Until gunshots sound somewhere in the distance. You all jump, but it’s you who loses your footing as a chunk of rotten wood disappears beneath your feet. Before you can find something to grab onto, you’re falling, screaming, clutching thin air. Joel yells your name with a fear you haven’t heard in a while, but his voice is lost as the rushing water swallows you up.

Freezing. So cold it makes you burn. The river turns your world grey and endless, as though you’re floating in a void. You thrash, trying to kick up to the surface, but the shock is jolting through you, making you numb, and you can’t remember how to use your limbs.

You cough and gulp down an unbearable amount of water, and that’s when you know. There’s no air, no way of making your lungs work. They just keep burning, squeezing for something that no longer exists. Your vision goes blurry and then disappears completely. 

***

Joel watches it in slow motion. The splintering bridge. The fall. The ripple in the river as it chews you up and doesn’t spit you out. He doesn’t realise he’s screaming your name, doesn’t realise he’s even running, until he reaches the other side of the bridge. 

“Stay there!” he orders Ellie with a warning finger, fear ricocheting through his voice, through the trees. You’re gone is all he can think. You’re gone, and he can’t fucking do this without you. 

His knees ache as he half-sprints, half-slips down the embankment, kicking snow into the river. After shucking off his shotgun and placing it down, he takes off his jacket in a moment of clarity, knowing you’re going to need something warm. And then he’s plunging into the river, cursing at its low temperature. His teeth chatter as he shouts your name, searching for any sign in the steadily flowing water. But there’s nothing. He dives under when he gets closer to the bridge, skin becoming ice as he searches the murky depths. 

He has to come up for air twice before he finds you sinking to the riverbed. He’s never moved so fast, snatching you up in both arms and pulling you to the surface. You’re deadweight in his arms, and panic lances through him when he finds you’re eyes closed. 

He calls your name again, urgency sharpening his words as he pulls you to the embankment. Despite his orders, Ellie waits there, eyes wide and afraid. He doesn’t have time to scold her. He’s too busy carrying you out, water pooling at his feet as he staggers to solid ground and lays you down. 

“Baby?” He shakes you, droplets falling from his face and onto yours as he kneels over you. “Come on. Come on, baby.” 

He presses an ear to your chest: finds no sign of breathing. 

“Shit.” He begins compressions then, counting to thirty before giving you mouth to mouth. Your lips are ice cold, and so are his, his knuckles reddening as he presses the heel of his hand down again and again and again. “Come on. Come on. Breathe.”

“Joel,” Ellie whispers, terror in her voice. 

He squeezes his eyes closed, unable to face what it means. What might be happening. He isn’t losing you today. Not any day. “Come on. Come back to me. Come back to me, darlin’.”

Your breath gutters, and instinct has him rolling you onto your side as you cough up more water than any person should be able to. 

“Fuck,” he’s saying, rubbing warmth into your shoulders. “Ellie, grab my coat.”

She does, and he wraps it around your quivering body before pulling you close. “I got you,” he’s whispering. “I got you, darlin’. I'm here." 

More coughs leave you, and he brushes your hair off your forehead to look for any sign of injury. Your lips are blue, and it terrifies him. Cold water shock can kill, and the way you went under… Shit, it’s a miracle you’re here, upright. 

You’re shivering so violently that he knows the worst isn’t over. Hypothermia. Pneumonia. Those are just some of the things he’ll have to watch for. He can’t take you anywhere like this, can’t protect Ellie or you, but you can’t stay here either. You need to warm up. You both do. 

“We need to find shelter. Somewhere to light a fire and get warm.” 

“I saw some rock overhangs deeper in the woods,” Ellie said. 

“Can you grab the bags?”

“Yeah.” She slips a backpack on each shoulder and then props Joel’s shotgun under her arm. Not ideal, but he can’t think about that now either. Not when you’re barely opening your eyes. 

He breathes your name and then: “Can you hear me, sweetheart?”

A faint nod. 

“Good. That's good. We're gonna get you warm.” He pulls you into his chest, hooking an arm under your knee and the other around your back. You sink into his warmth, but you’re so limp that it terrifies him as he carries you up the embankment, following Ellie’s lead. 

Sure enough, she guides you both to a deep overhang beneath snow-topped crags, and he dips his head to fit in the low space. He places you against the wall, already unravelling the bed rolls.

“Get a fire going,” he says. He’s certain that he had a few matches left last time he checked, and Ellie rifles through his bag before producing them. With shaky hands, she gathers a pile of sticks and surrounds them by rocks just like he taught her before lighting the match and letting it spread. 

The twigs are damp and produce a lot of smoke, but sure enough, an amber glow lights the dark shelter a moment later.

“That’s it. Good,” he whispers. 

Ellie glances at your hunched form warily. You’re so pale, so cold you’re practically convulsing. “Are they gonna be okay?”

“Have to be,” Joel mutters. He slips off your sopping wet coat and sweater, and Ellie turns away as he gets rid of the rest. 

“You still with me?” he asks you.

You hum in response, folding into yourself in your nudity. 

“Here.” Covering her eyes, Ellie hands him a spare long-sleeved shirt and a pair of sweats from her own pack, luckily from Bill’s stash of adult clothes. 

“Thanks,” he replies, urging your arms up so he can slip on the shirt. It’s an uncomfortable ordeal with your clammy skin, but he needs you warm. Now. Even when you groan, skin no doubt stinging painfully. “I know. I know. I’m sorry.”

He has to pull you up for the sweatpants, and then he’s rolling thick thermal socks onto your feet and tucking you into blankets and bedrolls. “How’s that? Feel warmer?”

You shake your head, and he helps you shuffle closer to the fire. 

“Now?”

A nod that has him relieved. He can’t help but place a kiss on your damp forehead, realising too late that he’s cold and shivering too. He only has another flannel in his backpack, though, and he can survive until he’s at least gotten you warm. Protecting you from his damp clothes using the bedroll, he wraps his arms around you to keep in the heat. 

“Gave me a damn heart attack,” he mumbles into your hair, squeezing his eyes closed to chase away the darkness creeping in. The thought of losing you. All the other scenarios where you didn’t end up here with him after the fall. He should have been smarter. Shouldn’t have taken you across that damn bridge.

The ghost of a smile crosses your flame-lit face. “Sorry." And then: "You’re… cold too,” you rasp between shivers. “Get in here.” 

He glances at Ellie. No way in hell is he going to strip off with her here. As though understanding, she raises her brows and shifts away. “I’m going to go find out if bears really do shit in the woods.”

“Don’t go away,” he orders. “Just… give us a couple minutes.”

“Yes, sir.” She disappears, and her crunching footfalls outside keep his concern at bay. 

His concern for her, at least. Your face still lacks colour, your breaths sounding watery and wrong even now. He grinds his teeth, reluctant to pull away from you for even a minute. But if he dries off, he can give you his body heat, so he quickly tears off his clothes and replaces them with the one dry shirt he owns. He doesn’t bother buttoning it up, instead crawling into the bedroll with you and enveloping you in an unyielding hold. You lean against him, eyelids drooping but shivers finally beginning to ease. 

He begins to warm up after a few minutes and can only hope you are too. When he notices your eyes closed, he stiffens. “You still with me, darlin?”

“Think so,” you murmur, your cool hands travelling across his bare chest. He tries not to flinch as he directs them up to his chest. His mouth. He kisses your knuckles before cupping his own hands around yours and blowing. Then, he rubs, generating friction. 

“Keep talking to me,” he pleads.

“‘Bout what?”

“Anything.” Anything, as long as you don’t leave me. As long as you stay. “What was your favourite book growing up?”

You were barely fifteen when the pandemic hit all those years ago, but you smile as you remember that old bookshelf your dad put together full of worn paperbacks. “You don’t read, Joel. You wouldn’t know even if I told you.”

“So tell me about it.” He’s still using his hands, pushing feeling back into your body bit by bit. 

“I’m okay,” you whisper finally. “I’m okay, Joel. I’m gonna be okay.”

“I know that.” But he won’t stop, won’t give up, even when your cheeks turn pink once more. God, he’s missed the way you glow like that, the way it looks brighter in the snow. 

You take a ragged breath. “I liked Gulliver’s Travels.”

“Yeah? Who’s that by?”

“Joel…” Your eyes flutter shut. “Please. I’m tired. I’m warm. I’m okay.”

But he can’t trust it after he’s just put breath back into your lungs; can’t trust it to stay there. He holds you tighter, placing a gentle, terrified kiss into your hair, even if he’ll never admit that he is terrified. That he can’t breathe if you’re not breathing. He realised that the moment he jumped into the river without caring if it got him killed too. 

You’re all he has to hold onto, and he could never let you drown.

“I just need… I need you to keep talking to me for a little longer, baby. Just until I know you’re okay,” he says.

“Okay.” So you tell him about your favourite book, drifting in and out of the conversation. Soon, you stop shivering against him and the bedroll warms with two sets of body heat, just as he’d hoped. The fire keeps up until Ellie finally comes back to refuel it with more sticks, offering Joel a smirk that he returns with a gentle glare. You barely seem to notice, still muttering. 

“Sounds like a great story,” he says finally. “I think Sarah had that one.”

“Yeah.” You smile, cheeks swelling this time as you nestle into his chest. But then you cough, and he frowns. God, is this what it’s gonna be like now? One cough’ll leave him frozen with fear?

“I can read you guys a great book!” Ellie volunteers, and of course pulls out her pages of puns. 

Joel groans. You chuckle, and his heart warms at the sound. 

“Tell me the one with the penguins again,” you ask.

Ellie grins and flips through the pages, and you get a million more cheesy puns that make you laugh until you can no longer hold your head up. You’re certain Joel’s bare chest ripples with stifled amusement at some points. 

“Joel?” you ask as Ellie turns the page. 

“Yeah.”

“I’m so tired.”

Another wave of dread. He masks it clearly, examining your features. You look and feel warm, and you sound like you. If you need the rest, he can’t keep asking you not to take it for his own selfish reasons. For his own pathetic fear.

Finally, he surrenders. “Okay, darlin’. Get some sleep. We all need it.”

“Night,” Ellie says, getting comfortable in her sleeping bag.

Your eyes shut instantly and don’t open again, but your chest rises and falls smoothly against your interlocked hands. He listens to it as the shelter quietens, the fire getting lower. He listens all night just to make sure you’re still breathing. When light returns the next morning, he finds Ellie has done just the same, wide awake and unwilling to tear her gaze away from the two of you. 

“They’re okay, right?” she asks. 

Joel can only hope that it’s the truth when he says, “Yeah. They’re okay.”

“Good.” She nestles into her makeshift pillow — her backpack. “You’re a real grouch when they’re not around.”

He rolls his eyes, tempted to point out that he is always a grouch, though Ellie’s right. He needs you. He will always need you. 

And god, he hopes he never comes close to losing you like that again.

#joel miller fic #joel miller #joel #joel miller imagines #joel imagine #joel and ellie #tlou hbo #the last of us hbo #joel miller x you #joel miller x reader #joel miller x y/n #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller angst #joel miller fluff #joel miller one shot #joel miller imagine #tlou fic #tlou imagine #tlou #tlou show #tlou fanfiction #tlou fandom #tlou imagines #the last of us fic #joel the last of us #hbo the last of us #the last of us #the last of us fanfiction #the last of us imagine #x reader

[venusxsturnio]

✧.* 𝒟𝐸𝒥𝒜 𝒱𝒰 ✧.* - Olivia Rodrigo

EP.1.PILOT

PAIRINGღ matt x ex!black!fem!reader!influencer

SUMMARYღ matt and y/n, were the perfect couple. until everything started to go downhill for them. the secrets, the lies, the gaslighting. It became too much for y/n. 8 1/2 months later...here we are.

FROM VENUSღ i think this is going to be big. it's very SpOnTaNeOuS*+:｡.｡i hope you guys like it. i plan on making it a series (p.s. it's a slow burn so be PATIENT! :)

WARNINGSღ cursing...use of the word babe/baby...soft kisses

proofread!

FLASHBACK...

POV: 3RD PERSON

y/n and matt were standing at y/n's favorite concession stand ordering her favorite snack. y/n shivered as if she was cold, so matt took off his jacket and offered to swap with her just because he loved her. y/n laughed at the sight of matt wearing her sweater that was way to small for him.

trading jackets laughing bout how small it looks on you

REALITY...

matt was awoken from his trance by his girlfriend megan. they were standing at the exact same concession stand, ordering the same food, doing the same things. "Baby...I'm cold" megan said shivering from the cold breeze that was passing by. matt focused his attention onto his girlfriend, as he proceeded to remove his jacket, and offered it to her. they swapped jackets and megan laughed a little at the sight of how small her jacket was on him. matt laughed, but not like megan. instead, he tried to hide it. the fact that he was reminiscing about his ex, and how they were doing the same things. especially about how he missed her these past few weeks but he was quickly snapped out of his thoughts once again by his girlfriend handing him his food.

REALITY...

the couple made their way to the nearest ferris wheel, they paid their ticket to enter the ride. they sat down and the ride started. matt stared out the window until he felt his girlfriends hand being placed on his leg. "Are you okay?" megan asked with a bit of sympathy in her voice and she grabbed his hand to comfort him. "Yeah...I'm fine." he gave her a soft smile before giving her a quick peck on the forehead. "C'mon let's take a picture.." megan suggested to matt. he smiled as they both got into their poses. they took their picture and she posted it of course, showing off matt once again. he hated that. he wanted to keep their relationship private but megan didn't agree. she wanted to let everyone know about their relationship, either she bragged about him to her friends or she bragged about it on social media.

matt looked at megan with a soft face, she brought her hand up to his cheek and caressed it slowly. she started to lean in but matt zoned out once again.

i bet she's bragging to all her friends saying your so unique

FLASHBACK...

matt was in the same spot as before, but with y/n. she brought her hand up to his face and started leaning in. matt leaned in too. their lips smashed together. the kiss was lengthy. matt was soon brought back to reality by them parting from the kiss...

REALITY...

the ride came to a stop as matt and megan exited the ride. "That was fun!" megan claimed. matt just gave her a soft smile as they kept walking towards the exit of the theme park. they eventually made it to the parking lot. they got into the car as matt started it. they pulled out and got on the road. the car ride was silent until megan started yappin about this video she saw on tiktok. "Babe..can I go to vidcon with you guys this weekend. My favorite tiktoker is gonna be there. I really wanna meet her!" matt looked over at her. "yea of course" he smiled as he looked back at the road.

FLASHBACK...

y/n and matt sat in the car vibing to her favorite song when she turned down the music to ask him "Hey are we still up for Vidcon this weekend?" y/n asked. "Of course. Wouldn't miss it for the world. Especially now that your going.." a smirk appeared on the corner of matt's face. y/n playfully rolled her eyes while turning the music back up...

so when you gonna tell her, that we did that too

REALITY...

"matt! where are you going you just passed by the house?!" matt realized he passed right by the house and he hit a hard U-turn. "sorry, i wasn't thinking" he said breathing hard "did you even hear what i said?!" he opened his mouth to say something but nothing came to mind. "so you mean to tell me, you haven't been listening to me this whole time?!" matt slightly rolled his eye at the thought of her complaining. he hated that about her. every chance she got she'd always complain about something he wasn't doing. y/n never did that, y/n appreciated everything he did for her even if he just got her a bottle of water from the fridge or ran her bath water for her.

megan just kept rambling on about how he never listens to her at all. as they pulled into the garage matt took his seat belt off and faced his girlfriend. "look. ill take you to vidcon with us to see your favorite TikToker, ok?" he gave her a reassuring smile, megan looked at him and smiled "okay" they got out of the car and started walking in the house, they went up to their room, took showers and got ready to end the night. they got ready to lay down and megan started singing a song... it was y/ns favorite song. matt looked at her with wide eyes. "what" megan said looking at him confused "it's nothing" he said shaking his head as he turned the lamp off and headed to bed.

do you get deja vu huh?

FROM VENUSღ hey guys! hope you enjoyed this little chapter...i really want to make this a series but should i? anyways...don't forget that my dm's are always open if you guys have any suggestions or ideas!

#chris sturniolo #sturniolo x reader #matt sturniolo #nick sturniolo #sturniolo edit #sturniolo fanfic #sturniolo fluff #sturniolo imagine #sturniolo smut #sturniolo triplets #venusxsturnio #matt sturniolo x reader #x reader #x female reader #sturniolo #black!fem!reader

[writingcold]

Hello!  Welcome to Chapter 4 of CD&FE.  

Pairing: Jake X Female Reader 

Summary: This is an AU that starts with the release of GVF’s first EP, Black Smoke Rising, and follows along life paths over the course of twenty plus years.  We have both her and Jake’s POVs in this posting.   

Content warnings: Language, smoking, drinking, adulting? Mentions of sexual situations, but no smut in this part.

Word Count: approx. 7.8K 

If you haven’t taken notice, but I so love @edgingthedarkness and @takenbythemaddness.  They are amazing human beings. 💚 😘💚

CD&FE, Part 4.1:  Her POV

     I stared out the frosty windows in a furious attempt to adjust my brain.  I had been blanking out on the theme for a gala, finding little inspiration in the frigid February morning.  Especially since this event was not to happen until the following year in the summer.  I had promised a rough sketch presentation in two weeks, but honestly, I was too distracted to really be able to focus on much.  

      “Hey, Boss,”  Billie said as she breezed into my office.  “I have results of Saturday night’s opening in Nashville.”

      “Oh thank god,”  I sighed as I tossed my pen down and stretched out.  

      She set her laptop down in the middle of my desk and brought up the video shots of the gallery opening before the huge event and during.  I couldn’t help the smile that crept across my mouth seeing our work in any job, but this one was definitely one of the cooler ones.  A whole gallery dedicated to historical musicians and their art work.  All the signage, all the advertising - that was all handled by my company.  Our reputation was growing across so many different areas that our staff had more than doubled since I had started in with them.  It really was satisfying to see our work - some of it my own - out there in the world.

      “Oh, this is the red carpet portion,”  Billie chirped as she pulled up a chair next to me.  “They had some really big talent show up.  It was one hell of a party from what the clients said.”

      We watched for a few minutes as musicians and a wide variety of other entertainment figures began to flow through the shot on the screen.  It held my attention for a bit.  Billie appeared to be all in as I turned my gaze to my own screen to a big fat blank page that was begging for something - anything - to be spilled across its surface.  

      “Mermaids, huh,”  she laughed as she caught on that my attention was elsewhere.  

      “‘Magic of the Big Blue’ doesn’t have to mean mermaids,”  I touted, knowing right well that was one thing the next project was labeled as.  “It’s an aquarium.  I get they want fantasy, but come on.  There’s gotta be something…”

        My words dried in my throat as I caught sight of the gallery event once more.  It was a mix of a red hot poker and an ice cold dagger simultaneously jammed under every inch of my skin.  

      Billie touched my arm in an attempt to catch my attention.  “Hey, you okay?”

      Jake stood off to the side.  I didn’t see any of his brothers, just that he stood close to a woman.  She was beautiful with flawless hair that tumbled down her back and a body that curved in all the right places.  His hand was dangerously low on her back with a familiarity that could only come from being together.  She was smiling her perfect red lips at him with a thousand watt shine and he seemed to return it.  

       “Y/n?”  she asked again, leaning closer to try to see what I was looking at.

       “Sorry, yeah yeah,”  I breathed finally.  “I’m good.  Sorry.  Just someone I know.”

       He looked good.  His hair was shorter, brushing just past his shoulders.  His easy smile was full of warmth and comfort.  He was dressed in a black blazer with a dark cranberry button up and black trousers with his Chelsea boots.  Sunglasses were in place until he took them off to hang precariously on the front of his shirt.  The woman looked back at him and I saw it:  he had found his badassed vagabond.  I think it would’ve been easier to have my skin flayed off with a spoon than to look at the happiness that was before me.  I watched as the couple disappeared into the doors, hands entwined and smiles in place.

      Billie continued on, skillfully navigating my shift in mood to wrap up the finalizing steps of the account and make her way out.  All the while, I nodded and pushed my most professional persona forward.  She knew.  It was obvious in her gray eyes that she saw the deep, resounding ache that my insides seemed to be screaming.  Alone, I reached for my phone and brought up his private social media.  It had been more than six months since I had laid eyes on his page.  Six months since we had reached out and talked.  So it came as no surprise that it was close to six months that ‘Clara’ had popped up in his feed, starting with an innocent candid of her with Josh and Danny.  There was another posting of just her and it looked like she was in London.  It was tagged ‘badassed vagabond queen’.  

        “Motherfucker,”  I gasped, quickly closing out the page and setting the phone to the side.

        I blew up across my presentation, my mind suddenly clear on what to do - and no there were no damn mermaids featured.  I left late that night, unable to really turn off the brain as it spilled out in furious, anxious energy.  Patrick had called, but I feigned a headache and passed on his little outing with the group of his professor friends.  When I got home, I turned off my phone and slid into the bathtub.  The last time I had allowed myself the luxury, I had been debating with myself whether to ask Jake to go on vacation with me.

       I was the source of this injury.  I knew what it was to love that man.  I knew what it could have and would have been.  I swirled the rich red wine in my glass before sipping at the liquid with a stiff lip.  There was no way for me to cry over my choices.  It had taken weeks to process my time in the cottage.  I had scrolled through my pictures repeatedly, finding nothing but a joy that was so very pure with a man that could not be mine.  Not really.  Right?  Jake’s use of my own words to describe Clara was his way of letting me know he was happy - right?  It was not meant to harm.

       Due to project deadlines, I couldn’t take my spring trip to the north.  Summer came and went and I was eyeing up October and a well deserved break.  I was not going anywhere.  I had a stack of books and a few dinners with friends planned.  It would be enough.  I had steered clear of Jake’s socials - private and public.  I did not need to torture myself with smiles that I had called my own for hours only.  I had not reached out, but neither had he.  Somewhere in my brain there was a lament.  Why hadn’t we talked about meeting in a different time - kind of like that old movie with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr?  I didn’t need the top of the Empire State Building, but maybe to say if we were still unattached two years from now…

     Stupid.  I was being stupid selfish.

     Day three of my time off was a very mild Friday evening.  Patrick had invited me to be his plus one to a university dinner.  I had spent the better part of the day trying to clean my very neglected kitchen cupboards.  I was just slipping into shoes when Pat knocked before gliding in with a loud hello.

      “That’s what you’re wearing?”  he asked, hands on his hips and eyes narrowed in on me.

      I looked down at my outfit.  It was actually not dissimilar to his own: trousers and dress shirt.  I shrugged as I was reaching for my cardigan.

      “Oh shit no,”  he sighed.  

      “What?  What’s wrong with this?”  I asked, feeling defensive as he strolled down my hall to invade my personal space.

       “Well, if you wanted to look like Annie Hall, great, but not tonight,”  he sighed as I followed him into my closet.

       “You don’t need to be in here, Pat.”

       “Obviously, I do.”

       I smacked at his shoulder, but stopped and stepped back.  “Why?  I’ve worn this very outfit before to one of these things.  What’s going on?”

       He glanced at me - and there it was.  A glimmer.  Now the question was - was it mischief that he was up to, or was it something I needed to really be worried about.  He ducked and shifted around like a guilty puppy.

       “Damn it, Patrick.  No.”

       “What?  Nothing’s going on.”

       “Bull. Fucking. Shit.”

       He tugged out an eggplant colored dress then shuffled around the shoes.  “Just please.  For tonight.”

      I grimaced.  I hated the dress that he was trying to shove in my direction.  He had even started pulling accessories out.  That’s when I knew.

      “No, Patrick.  No.  You’re not doing a pity set up for me.  Forget it.  Especially with one of your nerdy little professor friends.  That’s the last thing I need.”

       “Y/n - it’s been months.  It’s getting painful.”

       I stomped out of the closet with hands raised and anger in my belly.  “It’s fine.  I’m just not into seeing anyone right now.”

      “And there’s nothing wrong with that,”  he replied as he tossed everything on the bed.  “But there’s something about this one that I think you’ll like.  He’s new this year.”

      “Name.”

      I saw how he perked his eyebrow before looking at me.  “You can’t judge a book by its cover, nor a person by their name.”

      “Oh this just gets better.”  I folded my arms across my chest and dug in.  “Name, Patrick.”

      “Dr. Francis Aaberg.”

      I rolled my eyes like a teenager and shook my head.  “Sounds like he has a twelve foot pole of pretentiousness up his ass to me.  Let me guess, he’s a professor of poetic studies or medieval literature.  No thank you.”

      “Medieval historical studies, actually.  Frank is a nice guy,”  he argued, holding the outfit out to me.  “Just try.  For me.”

      “Why for you?”

      He squished his eyes closed for a moment with a grimace.  “Because it’s been four months since you’ve been on any kind of date.  Even then, you shot the poor guy down before the dinner check arrived.  I just -”

     “How very asshole of you, Patrick,”  I groaned.  “I think I’ll stay in tonight.”

     “Sometimes I miss the days where you’d come out with me for an album,”  he sighed.  “Oh wait - the last time you did that you met a man that you refused to run away with.” 

      Ouch.  That fucking hurt and he knew it would fucking hurt.  It made me stop and root down to the spot I stood upon.  “Low blow, friend.”

      “On purpose, friend.”

      “You’re infuriating.”

      “And yet, you still love me for it.  Get pretty.”

      I took the outfit and retreated back to the bathroom.  I was grumbling that I would give this guy two seconds to prove himself, although I knew for a fact he was not listening.  I said it for myself.  Was I wallowing?  Maybe a touch.  

      Despite feeling awkward, I walked into the fancy-smancy cocktail hour of the evening with an enigmatic smile and a false confidence that no one could see as total bull shit.  Well, save for Patrick.  He kept his hand in mine in an attempt to keep me with him instead of following the absolute need to sprint home and don my rattiest pair of sweats and eat the pint of ice cream in my freezer.  

     “There he is,”  Pat replied as he was handing me my Tito’s + cranberry.  “Dr. Aaberg!”

      I turned to catch sight of a man who looked to be over six feet tall with neatly groomed long hair that was tucked into a bun at the nape of his neck.  When he turned his face towards us, I felt a fire ignite in my throat.  Ridiculously handsome was the phrase that tore through my brain.  From the stern brows to the sharp wit of his eyes, to the soft smile and strong jaw - all of it - all of him - was causing my axis to shift in the opposite direction.  Somehow, I made it through introductions and survived hearing his voice for the first time.  His smooth baritone struck and I couldn’t help but to picture sitting before him just losing myself in him as he talked about the weather.

       I retreated to my quiet space during the dinner, listening to Patrick converse with different colleagues.  Dr. Aaberg was actually seated nearly across from me, but the distance was vast due to the stupidly wide round table.  It gave me an opportunity to see how he interacted with others.  Somehow, I had turned to put in my requested opinion, putting my focus on the woman on the other side of Pat.  When I turned back to lift my drink, I discovered that ridiculously handsome man was smiling at me like I had caught him looking.  Instead of a grin and perhaps a blush, he doubled down, fully turning his body towards me.  He pointed to the chair next to mine which was suddenly vacated.  I nodded.

      As he stood and moved, Patrick pinched my knee under the table.  He shot me a smug look as Dr. Aaberg sat down.  The evening had just turned a corner.  It was like the rest of the night faded into a blur of laughter and what seemed to be polite getting to know you style of conversation.  He insisted his friends call him Frankie, poking at his name in the smoothest of fashion.

      “My parents were a little pompous when it came to naming their children,”  he laughed.  

      By the time we left, I had discovered many interesting things about that man, including his number.  Effortless.  It was strange that there was so little effort into how we clicked.  Over the course of weeks, my life turned into one of those film montages, each scene contained the ridiculously handsome Frankie.  Coffee shop.  Check.  Movie night out on the town.  Check.  Movie night camped out in his adorable, very cozy living room.  Check.  Him delivering flowers to my office, personally.  Check.  Me surprising him with a visit during one of his lectures.  Check.  Running through a thunderstorm to get to his car after a fabulous dinner out.  Check.  Taking in a crappy little band at the pub and loving it.  Check.  Even a damn road trip with his sister, Eponine.  Check.  That greeting card company’s movies had nothing compared to us.  Just saying.

      The holidays were rolling around when I found myself looking at the schedule of projects coming up.  I may have been in the planning stages of my next getaway, that may or may not involve my now steady company.  The air whooshed out of my lungs as my eyes landed on a very familiar name and venue.  The management for GVF were listed, along with the cursory meetings with a tag of {inserted names} of the band.  I had been on this side of the ticket before, but I was lower on the totem pole.  I would be the one handing this order over to Billie.  It did not mean that I would have nothing to do with the project, but I…  I had to be the boss now.  

      Jake would be in town at the end of April.  The thought struck hard.  It would mark two years since our vacation together.  I had not heard from him in any form of communication.  I had also not extended any kind of acknowledgement either.  My heart constricted with pain that was fainter than it had ever been, but it was there.  The corners of my mouth curled down.  My eyes traced over to my phone as my fingers itched to just take a look.  Just one look to see if he was still doing all right.

      I looked out across my office like I would be caught.  I was the boss, now, wasn’t I?  I could tell them to fuck off.  A few minutes on the socials wouldn’t be detrimental.  I opened up the app and typed in his private account.  I sucked in a breath at the sight.  The most recent post was from Thanksgiving.  Jake was wearing a smile that was blazing with electricity.  And there was his Clara with a big assed ring on her finger.  My brows shoved together.  He had told me that marriage was not something he had expected to have - especially with his job.  I stared at the scene like a beggar, so wanting to feel that level of happiness once more.  I covered my mouth in an attempt to stave off the hiccup of emotion.

      I retreated back to my own page, seeing there was a private message, I opened it to find a single word sent from Jake the same day of his post announcement of his engagement.  Happy?  I let out a searing, cloying breath.  I knew he did not mean it any way other than to simply ask if I was okay.  My mind trailed back in time to those last hours of our time together.  We were all tangled up in my bed, every inch of skin pressed against each other.  Our emotions were on full display to each other.  I was so close to begging him to stay just a little while longer.  I cursed my own stubbornness for weeks after I had watched him walk out my door.  I think he felt the same.  But that’s all I had - I thought he felt the same.

      I collected myself and turned my attention back to the screen.  I bit at the corners of my mouth as I filled in the schedule, keeping my name out of the line up for anything to do with the GVF graphics team.  

      I was rescued by a notification on my phone from Frank.  I picked up the phone to find him standing dressed in a very tailored suit giving Thor a run for his money.  Epi was getting married New Years Eve and he was walking her down the aisle.  Amazing did not really seem a good enough word to describe how he looked.  The ache for Jake stabbed a bit, but it was slowly being replaced by a warmth for the man who was here before me.  It was after all, what I had promised him I would do if ever presented a chance if it was not with him.  Frank was a good man.  Kind.  Intelligent.  A rather intense, crazy fuck.  But he was above all - good.  I could survive on ‘good’.

      Time moved on.  My relationship with Frank progressed.  It was moving towards the center of March and he had whisked me away to an extended weekend in San Francisco.  It was beautiful.  Between eating, drinking and fucking, I thought for sure there would not be a more perfect getaway.  We were on the beach at sunset, walking huddled together as the sea breeze still held a tinge of cold.  I don’t know what came over me - be it the romanticism of the ocean, or the time together, or the man before me, but the words came to me.  I was in love.  The hollow space that Jake still resided in was there, but to be honest, it was a spark that went unkindled, hadn’t it?  I had promised to love who was before me.  That man was not Jake.

       It felt good to allow myself this happiness, this intimacy with him.  He allowed me to feel like I was human once more.  Of course, Patrick was one smug bastard over the matter.  His litany of female companions were dwindling down, and he was finding himself in the same company of a woman that none of us expected - Sidney.  Somehow, they had reconnected.  Jake’s question all those years ago if love prevailed over all had struck me over the head.  It was sweet to see that their love became realized, in the end.

      The first week of April brought my nervousness to an all new high.  Billie was doing a brilliant job on the GVF account.  She had everything set up and ready to go a few weeks in advance and had versed me in the entire process.  The day before the scheduled meeting, she called in sick.  Billie had come down with something pretty bad and there was no way I could allow her to be in that meeting, even with it being virtual, looking like she had been dragged through a lake of fire and drenched in swamp water.  

      “Y/n, I’m so sorry,”  she was saying over the phone in between sniffles and coughs and wheezing.  “I can try, but-”

      “No, no,”  I was trying to get words to roll off my tongue like a normal person, but the thought of being in that meeting was making all sorts of knotted up.  “You’ve been so good about documenting everything.  Really.  Just stay home.  I can’t have you getting worse.  I have enough time to comb through it to wing it.”

      “I will owe you everything,”  she said before falling to a coughing fit that made my own lungs burn.

      “Just get rest, please and thank you,”  I replied as I was bringing up all the presentation files that she had prepared.  “I’ll fire you if you don’t.”

      “Yes, boss,”  she said with a congested laugh before saying her goodbye.

      I had just over two hours before the meeting.  I had to get my shit together.  I had all of Billie’s notes, files and the schedule in front of me when I noticed that the {inserted names} had been replaced by actual names: Josh and Sam.  A wave of relief struck that left me feeling much less frantic.  I repeated to myself over and over that I was going to be alright.  It was just a formal meeting - exactly like what I had already lived through a few years prior.  

     I swear the clock was against me.  Suddenly it was five minutes before I was to be in the conference room.  I checked in with the tech team, and there I was faced with the GVF graphics team.  I apologized that Billie could not be with them, but reintroduced myself, reminding them of our time a few years before.  This was kind of like the pre-meet before going before what Jake had called the suits of the management team.  I was immediately shifted into overdrive professionally as I discovered that there would be a few last minute changes in what the show would need.  I was scrambling to include these changes when the display board lit up before me to cast the view of a conference room live from Nashville.  

      I buried the minor panic from the moment and smiled into the camera as a welcome came through the screen.  I listened as their graphics leader explained the situation as I realized I was not looking at Sam and Josh.  Jake was sitting next to his twin, his eyes squarely on my position on the screen before him.  I felt every drop of moisture dry up inside of my mouth.  I fought to maintain my smile.  I said my hello and my introduction, with the preface that I had been team leader the last visit GVF had had to the Twin cities, and was well acquainted in what their needs would be when it came to the venue.  

      Josh let out a chuckle before his hand landed on Jake’s arm.  “Y/n!  So good to see you.  Hope you are doing well.”

      “Hello, Josh.  Jake.  It’s good to see you both once more,”  I said, keeping my tone reserved and professional.  Though in my head I was screeching and screaming and perhaps even experiencing more than a few voice cracks.  

      I watched as Jake swallowed hard, his eyes were hidden by his sunglasses.  He did not smile.  He did not give any way for me to know what he was thinking.  “Deep Purple,”  he finally said, and the room around him stirred with an uncomfortable shift.

      The team leader stepped in and started going over the logistics.  I picked up his thread and ran with it, incorporating the changes and moving on with the meeting at hand.  The whole time, he did not move.  He did not seem to register any emotion.  It was easier when I was having to talk, but when it was not my turn, I could not help where my gaze fell.

      I could not honestly say if Jake was angry.  His whole vibe certainly made it seem like he was upset.  Was it me?  Was it because something happened and he was forced to be in the meeting with the suits that day?  I broke eye contact long enough to take a drink of water and scan across the documents and visuals that were being shown.  When I looked back, I discovered that he had pushed his glasses to the top of his head, fanning his hair out from his face.  Jake was one of those men whose age only strengthened his features.  The depth of his gaze pierced me.  My mind drifted against my will…

      I was snuggled into his side and breathing in the sex we had just had.  He was catching his breath, eyes closed, lips parted, with a flush across his cheeks that no artist would be able to capture correctly to equate his beauty in my mind.  He turned his eyes to look at me and in the moment, I knew.  I knew all of me was for him.  He gently tucked my hair behind my ear as he ducked his chin to kiss me.  The tenderness enraptured me.  The way I felt like I was his hallowed ground was unlike anything that I had ever felt before.  If he would have asked me at that moment…

      “I see our changes were received,”  Jake remarked, his voice void of familiarity that I had half hoped for.  “Will there be any issues on the part of the venue?”

      I shook myself back to the present.  I looked at Jake like I had just broadcasted what had been only in my thoughts.  I cleared my throat and assured that the venue would be prepared and able to accommodate whatever was needed.

      The corner of Jake’s mouth twitched as the management team wrapped things up.  He turned his attention to his phone, going so far as to push himself back from the table.  Josh frowned at him, but smiled and waved as assurances were made and compliments were passed around.  The GVF team wanted to extend a get well to Billie, and I smiled with a warm ‘thank you’.

      My phone pinged and the screen lit, taking my attention away for a moment as we were saying our goodbyes.  I could see Jake’s name in the text alert.  I failed to stop the frown before looking back at the group.  He was already standing up to excuse himself.  I blew out a breath as the end screen replaced the live meeting.  I chewed my lip a bit, unsure if I really wanted to see what he had texted.  I collected everything and exited the conference room to retreat back to my office with the door closed to really look at the message.

     “Just tell me that you are happy.”

      My hands shook as I held the phone.  Every emotion possible was flooding my system in an open threat to overwhelm me.  I counted to twenty with my eyes closed.  When I opened them, I was looking at the lovely picture that was on my desktop screen of me and Frank at the Golden Gate Bridge Park.  His arm was wrapped around me, and I was holding onto him for dear life as a huge gust of wind had come up as he lifted the phone to take the picture.  I grinned at the thought - I was so afraid we were going to be knocked back into the water.  But, he had me.  He had me wrapped up and safe and made me feel every ounce of security that he could offer.

      I typed a single line in with a sniffle that I was glad Jake could not see.  “I am happy.”

CD&FE, Part 4.2: Jake’s POV

      I was at first pissed as hell to have Sam call at midnight, while I was three drinks in and dancing my girl around the kitchen while we waited for the delivery of food.  But then, to hear that his Noah was in the ER with a high temp and bad cough made me realize I was just being a shit.  I grimaced knowing that I would surely need to cut myself off and…

      “Shit,”  I grumbled as I set my empty tumbler into the sink.

      I successfully passed it off on having to sit with the suits the next day.  The angel that she is, Clara brushed it off, instantly switching her own drink to water with me and eating side by side on the island as I was buried in work in order to catch up with everything that was going to be expected of me.  I had avoided looking at the schedule until after she drifted to bed with a promise of a smile in the morning.  

      We had met in Seattle through a mutual friend.  Clara was the kind of spirit that lit the room when she entered and made it darker when she left.  She was an artist that painted what was before her and sketched what was behind.  She found beauty in the ordinary and in beauty, she could create something beyond the ordinary.  She did not tolerate my moods and I didn’t tolerate her cheerfulness in the morning.  It was a great fit.  After Duluth, and my time with Y/n, it was a few months of what could only be described as wallowing.  If we hadn’t been busy cutting the next album, I probably would have been crawling back to her home in a vain attempt to beg her to change her mind.  

      Clara was a free spirit, following the wind and her heart - no matter where it led her.  Somehow, after missed calls and fumbled attempts of meeting up, we landed together and had been side by side every day since.  She truly was a vagabond queen.  She bought into coming on the road with me with an enthusiasm that surprised me.  And the family adored her.  A year later, we were walking through shops in Rome and stumbled upon this ring that I said looked like an engagement ring fit for her.  It had surprised us both.  However, it was honest and I had meant it. 

      I had never wanted to marry.  Not really.  I didn’t think it would be fair to ask a partner of any kind to put their life on hold.  Clara certainly was not interested in getting married, but the thought of engagement was good enough for both of us.  If asked when the wedding was - the answer was simple: someday.  It was enough of a commitment for both of us.

       I looked at the schedule and breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that Y/n was not listed as the contact for the graphics team for St. Paul.  In the stillness of the moment, however, my gut twisted.  There had been a time where her name would make me melt like a fangirl.  The morning I left her, I dreaded what was to come.  I knew there was love there.  I expressed it.  I felt it as she flayed it apart and returned it to me in unpalatable pieces.  I wasn’t angry.  That wasn’t it.  It was like we were the same piece of paper folded over; but instead of lining up, the crease wasn’t just right so we were just ‘off’ where we met on our edges.  It took weeks to realize it was a form of disappointment that was hard to shake and even harder to accept.

      The morning rush turned into the morning stand still as I waited in traffic to get to the offices.  I still beat Josh by half an hour, to which I reminded him that he owed me lunch since he was last to show.  We slogged through the first hurdles, knowing that we were stuck in that room for the next five hours talking about logistics.  Definitely not the sexiest part of the show, but necessary.  I had filled pages of sketched doodles as I struggled to engage with the suits, most of it going right through me, around me, above me.  Josh was being his typical self.  Sometimes I admired his ability to smile and nod his way through just about anything.  

       The graphics team was after a fifteen minute break.  I was outside, a smoke on my lip, and texting with Clara about meeting up for dinner out when Josh was already waving at me to hurry up.  I was relaxed as I made my way back inside.  I even smiled as I returned to my seat and laughed at the joke that Josh was cackling over.  

      The room quieted as the display came to life.  I took a quick sip of my water before resigning to sketching once more.  There was a pause that I did not expect.  I looked up and found myself in a spiral that I did not want to be caught in.  Y/n was in the corner of the screen, her face filled with her mix of professionalism and warmth.  Josh did not move behind me, but he knew I was totally fucked as he said his hello.  I swallowed hard.  My skin bubbled with heat as I froze.  I couldn’t look away.  It was like everything with Clara over the past fifteen months was voided out and I was back in that era of limbo. 

      “Deep Purple,”  I felt my tongue let out as I fought to breathe.

      At that, Josh did push me in the back over my own idiocy.  Regardless, she carried on, with the explanation that the original team leader, Billie whatever her last name, was ill and that for the purposes of this meeting, Y/n would just handle the presentation.  Billie would be the sole contact leading up to the show. 

      Fuck.  She was truly distancing herself from the account.  At the thought, every part of me was screaming for every part of her.  I couldn’t move.  I couldn’t divert my attention away from her being before me without a way to touch her, to convey that all the love that I had for her was just waiting to be stoked and nurtured.  I was pretty sure I was giving off full on stalker vibes, but I didn’t really care.  I couldn’t stop.  It was like my brain was soaking up every bit it could like a goddamn addict.

     “I see our changes were received,”  I said, trying to be as professional as possible while hating how cold my voice sounded to my own ears.  “Will there be any issues on the part of the venue?”

     The edge of her tone caught me off guard as she was running through the bullet points of needs that we had accumulated over the course of the last seven shows.  Apparently, our team had delayed relaying those changes, so she did not have a clear example of what it would translate to, but would get us the information as soon as possible.  

      Josh leaned forward, tapping my shoulder.  “Fucking blink, will you?”

      It was enough of a distraction to break me from my gaze at the display.  I reached for my water but hearing her laugh brought me up short.  The note of it clenched my heart with memory and my thoughts fogged over with it.

      We had been tangled up all day on the couch.  Most of that time, we were in our own little worlds that were encapsulated in our own books.  However, just to have her presence meant everything to me.  It was a glimpse into the stillness that was her.  To feel that we didn’t need to stuff all of this ‘togetherness’ within every day, or fill it with going places that would keep us from being this close?  Somehow the quiet of those hours had permeated my skin with a calm that I had desired every day since.

      She had begun to drift to sleep, her book falling against her folded up knees.  The tinge of a flush on her cheeks sent my heart to racing.  I had set my book to the side and held my arms open for her.  The wisp of a smile joined the blush.  She didn’t hesitate and curled up with me.  The feel of her weight against me, the smell of her perfume settled me.  Made me realize that though she was yanking every bit of domestication from me, I liked it.  

      I had brushed my fingers across the exposed skin of her arm over and over as she quickly surrendered to sleep.  She was fragile.  She was a brawler.  She was smart and strong as hell and yet, to be in such a vulnerable state she imbibed in the one thing that hadn’t been given over for some time - trust.  She trusted me.  How had I been the kind of man for her that she would just -

     It was over.  The graphics team were saying goodbye.  I felt my lips thin against my teeth.  I fell heavily into the back of the chair.  Josh was chatting along with the suits in his all too loud manner.  My head was splitting with too much thought.  I excused myself and drifted out of the conference room.  I looked at my phone and saw a text from Clara about reservations.  I was practically biting through my lip at the sight.  I swallowed hard as I looked around the busy offices before opening her contact to text her.

      “Just tell me you are happy.”

      It was all I could put into a single sentence without sounding like I was ready to fucking run all the way to St. Paul and throw myself at her like an idiot.  I caught Josh’s eye as I shoved my way through the door.  I needed a smoke to calm my nerves.  I had Clara.  We were committed to each other, right?  How the hell could a single 23 minute meeting with a room full of people that Y/n was not even physically present make me want to throw everything that I had built with a rather gorgeous spirit to the shit can?  It was wrong.  It was so wrong.  I needed to get my head clear and back on track.  That was all.

      I was just about to light up a second cigarette when my phone pinged.  I saw her contact picture and felt emotions stab as I struggled to push away.  Whatever her answer, it didn’t matter.  Happy. Sad.  Alone.  It was not on me.  I had goodness in my life.  I had a partner that was on the same page and actually wanted to be with me.  

      I stopped.  The phone fell to my side.  When the fuck did I start sounding so selfish?  Worse than selfish.  I knew two year olds who could be more selfless.  Being with me had nothing to do with why we couldn’t be together.  

      I took a breath in and unlocked my phone to see Y/n’s single line answer:

      “I am happy.”

      Three words.  Eight letters.  But it filled me with such a rush of emotion that gripped my internal organs and squeezed until I wanted to say ‘mercy’.  The rest of the afternoon moved slow and I moved all the slower because of it.  Josh tried to make me see the positive side of it, but I wasn’t ready to see it yet.  I made it home before Clara.  I sat down and just stared at the scratch that was on the top of the coffee table.  I allowed my heart to bleed for more than a few moments.  I felt small in the corner of the couch.  I felt like I was hollow.  I had gotten very good at filling all the spaces that Y/n had left blank when we parted.  

      I heard the garage door grind through its mechanical lift but couldn’t get myself to really move.  I had fallen too far into the hole of what could have been.  Clara banged around as she dumped her bag and kicked out of her boots and finally appeared with a huge smile that should have lit the sun.  I watched as the corners of that smile faded like a sunset before she sat down next to me.

     “Time with the suits must’ve been rough,”  she said as she threaded her hand through my own.  

      I couldn’t voice my thoughts.  The last damn thing I wanted to do was hurt her with my dumb ass not being able to slog through whatever hold Y/n still held on me.  I was chewing the inside of my lip as she turned my chin so I would look her in the eyes.  She looked across my features and it was like all her warmth, all her love for me wrapped me up in a blanket of comfort.

      “Jake,”  she whispered.  “Trust me.  Just talk to me.  Holding this in, whatever it is, does more harm than good.”

      My brows pinched as my gaze fell away from her.  “I, uh, um…  I saw someone today that I wasn’t expecting.”

      “Oh, during your meetings?”  she asked, turning her body to fully face me.

      I nodded as I fidgeted with her hand. 

     “Is this person an old girlfriend?”

      I couldn’t stop the little snort that slipped through my nose.  “I wouldn’t call her girlfriend, but she was… special to me.”

     “Jake,”  Clara said, her tone firm enough to capture my attention.  “It’s alright to talk about other women.  It would be dumb to think that I’m your first love.  Tell me about her.  What’s her name?”

     It was odd, but then again, it was Clara.  She threw one arm over the back of the couch and leaned towards me like a friend.  “Y/n,”  I finally said just to see if she would react in a negative way.

      She grinned.  “Pretty.”

      I felt disarmed.  There was no need for defenses in this conversation.  I started with how we had met and how we parted this last time - and why we parted.  It felt good to have the words cross through my mouth in such a way that wasn’t hindered or muted.  It had to have taken effort for her to listen to me work through how I had been in love.

      “I think I get why you feel this way right now,”  she said, turning so that she could lean against me.  I wrapped my arm around her, holding her close.  “It had to hurt to come to the conclusion that you were both on a path that would never really be together.”

      “Yeah,”  I whispered.  “I’m sorry, I kind of killed the mood for going out tonight.”

      “It’s all right.  I think you’re more important than a reservation,”  she said plainly.  “Can I ask you a question?”

       “Didn’t you just do that?”  I chuckled at my own joke but she just rolled her eyes.

       “If she would’ve gone with you - on the road - do you think that you would still be with her?”

       “I’m not sure how to answer that.”

      “Okay, how about this.  Would you give yourself up - your career, or at least change it so that you could have been with her as she worked on her career?”

       I couldn’t answer.  Not honestly.  Give up music?  Give up touring?  There were too many aspects to even consider.  Music was all I knew, but did that mean leaving it behind?

    “Jake,”  she whispered.  “You love me still, right?”

     “No question about it,”  I said and it was the truth.

     “But you still love her, in some way,”  Clara said across a blown out breath.  “I have a feeling you always will.  Those people don’t come around too often.”

     I watched as she stood up from the couch, asking if I wanted a drink before she started to root around in the kitchen for something to eat.  I felt lighter, but it left me to wonder if I had done damage.  Had I asked too much of her to just listen to what was fully inside?  And her question to give up music had shook me.  There were about a million ways to stay in music - even stay in the band, just slow things down.  Families were involved now.  Children.  Education on the road was one thing for them.  But what about friends?  Were we asking too much of our kids to continue this life?  Sam and Danny had no qualms working their asses off for their families, but surely there would be a point where their wives would call it time.  And the folks were fine watching the kids, but their own wanderlust was itching them into retirement.

     “I’m just going to call for delivery,”  she said, her voice full of defeat after rummaging for a while.  “Tacos?”

     I nodded, but my mind was absent.  I allowed my brain to go into the spaces that we as a band had only glazed over in conversation.  I hated it.  I hated that I couldn’t see what was going to happen and be able to plan for it.  None of us wanted to leave a path of destruction behind us just to achieve what we had set out to do - not with our loved ones at least.  We hadn’t been raised that way.  It would’ve been easy to fall into the failed relationships trap, but so far, none of us had.  We were able to move along through our careers with the support of everyone around us that we absolutely treasured.  

      I rubbed my hands across my face as she walked back into the living room with a low ball of whiskey for me.  I kissed her.  Honestly kissed her.  She was my ‘now’ and I accepted it.  I could wait to see if she was my forever.

Yeah.  Life’s a bitch right?  So much for Nordic Gods and Vagabond Queens.  I know.  I miss them too.  Just hang in there.  I promise - this will sort itself out soon.

I do have a tag list here, or you can just let me know in a reply to add you. I have had many new tumblr users sign up on the tag list - THANK YOU, however a few I cannot link to due to being empty blogs, or at least that's what I'm thinking. I've tried to search a few but turn up nothing. So - if you do not see your name on my list, but signed up on the tags, just reach out. It may be a typo.

@lvnterninthenight @doodle417 @luverleaver @jakesgrapejuice @fictional-duchess @milkgemini @positivegvfthings @songbirds-sweet @gretavanbitches @gardensgatedaisy @babyhoneygvfarchive @myownparadise96 @josh-iamyour-mama @starcatcherc @loveisonaroll @jakesstarlight @reesetrippingthelight @builtby-gvf @ignite-my-fire @wetkleenex-gvf @gold-mines-melting @starsasone @mysticalstarcatcher @montenegroisr @takenbythemadness @way-to-go-lad @cal-a-bungaa @thewritingbeforesunrise @leftjudgeempathsuitcase @brokenbells11 @imborrowedshesblue @vanfleeter

#jake gvf #jake kiszka #greta van fleet #gvf #cd&fe #greta van fleet fan fiction #gvf fanfiction #jake kiszka smut #jake kiszka fan fiction #greta van fleet fanfic #greta van fleet AU #jake kiszka AU

[bumblesimagines]

When Fire Meets Fate

Part 6

Request: Yes or No

For anyone who may get confused, the last timeskip takes place in ep 6 when everyone has now aged up

~~~

Peering at the purple bruise covering his side, (Y/N) ran his finger over it and winced, pain shooting up his spine when he pressed into the skin. The previous night's events replayed in his head: a splendid feast, gleeful dancing, and then chaos. He knew little of Ser Joffery Lonmouth, other than his relatively close friendship with Ser Laenor. He'd heard whispers from gossiping maids about how Ser Joffery had allegedly insulted Ser Criston Cole, resulting in the knight losing his temper. Others rumored Ser Criston Cole seemingly attacked the young man for no real reason. 

"Purple isn't your color." Looking up into the mirror's reflection, he blinked at the princess. Rhaenyra grinned cheekily at him as she approached, tilting her head down to look at the bruise. She hummed softly and reached out, gently placing a cold finger over the darkened skin. Her eyes, however, slipped away from the bruise and instead inspected the bare skin presented to her. 

"How is Ser Laenor?" (Y/N) asked, releasing the crumbled-up shirt and letting it fall over his stomach, efficiently blocking her view. Rhaenyra pulled her hand away and flushed lightly, softly clearing her throat.

"He left for Driftmark this morning. They'll be burying Ser Joffery there, per Ser Laenors' request." Rhaenyra responded, fingers toying with the necklace her uncle had gifted her. "I truly can't imagine what it must feel like to lose a trusted friend so unexpectedly." Smoothing the back of her dress, Rhaenyra lowered herself onto a chair, setting her elbow on the bronze armrest and running her fingers through her hair. "What could've possibly set off Ser Criston?"

"Jealousy, perhaps." (Y/N) murmured, approaching his bed and gazing down at his coat. He reached out, dragging his finger over the green fabric and gold designs, colors that he'd been wearing for years. But after the power display his sister had done the night prior, he thought twice about wearing them with tensions so high and gossip spreading like wildfire.

"What makes you believe it is jealousy?" Rhaenyra questioned, leaning on the armrest to look at him, thin brows furrowed and causing wrinkles to form between them.

"I was told some rather interesting information last night. I suspect, if they are telling the truth, Ser Criston reacted out of intense jealousy that he directed onto the unsuspecting Ser Joffery. If you cannot harm someone, you harm those closest to them and Ser Joffery seemed awfully close to Ser Laenor." The Hightower answered, lifting the coat from the bed and cradling it in his arms for a moment. He heard the wood of the chair scrape against the ground as Rhaenyra stood up from it, turning his head to watch her approach.

"What exactly were you told?" 

"Nothing worth losing sleep over, Nyra. You and Ser Laenor have an agreement, correct? He does not care about your maidenhead being taken by another."

"(Y/N)-"

"Which reminds me," (Y/N) folded the coat into a square, breezing past the stunned princess to put it away and pick out another. "How was your night?"

Swallowing, Rhaenyra rubbed her covered forearm before speaking. "Ser Laenor was too grief-stricken to focus on anything. He promised Lord Corlys he'd be ready after the funeral." She explained as (Y/N) slipped his arms into a maroon-colored coat, adjusting its collar and buttoning the ends of the sleeves. Rhaenyra turned, her long dress whooshing around with her movements and hair slipping over her shoulders. 

"I do not love Ser Criston Cole."

"I know."

"And what happened between us-"

"I do not care, Nyra." Rhaenyra closed her mouth, a confused exhale escaping her. She walked closer to the young man, fingers coiling around each other from nerves. (Y/N) regarded her with an amused look and brought his hands to her face, cupping her cheeks. Her eyes bore into his, fingers pulling away and instead wrapping around his wrists as she searched his face.

"Why do you not care?" She asked softly.

"Because if you wanted him, you would've gone to him first." 

"I admire your confidence." Rhaenyras' confusion gave way to amusement, a soft giggle slipping past her lips. Her hands left his wrist as she took a step forward and slipped her arms around his neck. Her eyes twinkled with mischieve and she tilted her head, grinning up at him. "I believe we were rudely interrupted last night."

"Were we?"

"Mhm, we were." Rhaenyra leaned forward, brushing her nose against his. His breath fanned her face and she felt their lips brush briefly, excitement pooling in her stomach and sending a flurry of butterflies fluttering around inside her. Closing the distance, she pressed her lips against his, nails scraping against the nape of his neck. (Y/N) dropped his hands to her waist, digging his fingers into the cloth of the dress and pulling her closer. 

"You're married, Rhaenyra." (Y/N) muttered against her lips, feeling her chuckle softly and slip her hands under the coat, shoving it down his arms. 

"Only days ago, you sent me away because you didn't wish to ruin the wedding night for my husband." She breathed, placing a fleeting kiss on his lips. "But, as your future queen, I command you to ruin it."

                    ✶        ✶       ✶       ✶       ✶       ✶

Another scream tore from Rhaenyras' throat and (Y/N) grimaced, sharing a glance with Ser Harwin as they stood before her bedchambers. Her pregnancy had been sudden and unexpected yet widely celebrated throughout all the lands. King Viserys had been beyond thrilled, throwing a feast and many tourneys in celebration of his future grandchild despite the fears clouding his daughter's mind. Her mother had suffered greatly, grieving many stillborn children and being betrayed by her own body and husband in the end. The prospect of dying covered in her own blood with a sliced belly sent chills down Rhaenyras' spine, no matter how many times Ser Laenor assured her he'd choose her over the babe if it came to it. 

The labors had begun early in the morning before the sun had even risen and Rhaenyras' crying and screaming had been echoing down the hall for ages. The first babe was always the worst had been Princess Rhaenys words as she entered the bedchambers with her husband in tow. The two, more so Lord Corlys, had demanded to be in the room to witness their grandchild and the future of the kingdoms being born, despite Laenors' protests that they wait elsewhere. (Y/N) didn't have the luxury of being at her side, so he stood outside with Ser Harwin, being forced to listen to Rhaenyras' cries, screams, and curses. 

"You bitch!" (Y/N) snorted softly, digging his teeth into his bottom lip as he listened to his lover scream at the midwives attempting to help her. She hadn't relented in her curses, though they were occasionally followed by a strained apology and another agonizing groan. The muffled voices of Laenor and the maesters encouraging her seeped through every few seconds, something (Y/N) wished he could do.

"She's certainly fiery." Harwin chuckled as the clicking of metal hitting the solid ground filled the hallway. Looking down the hall, the two men watched King Viserys and his wife approach with their guards at their heels. Alicents' hand rested upon her swollen belly, her own pregnancy nearing its end as well. The brunette narrowed her eyes at her brother and frowned, taking a glance at her husband.

"What are you doing here, Brother?" She questioned, straightening her shoulders and quirking a brow. "I'm sure Princess Rhaenyra-"

Lifting his hand, King Viserys stopped Alicent mid-sentence and offered her brother a tired smile. "How is she doing?" He asked, sounding rather breathless. His health had been in a steady decline the recent years but nothing would stop him from seeing his daughter and first grandchild. The piercing cry of a babe pulled their attention toward the closed doors and King Viserys quickly entered the room, followed by his wife and (Y/N). Alicent glared back at (Y/N), wordlessly motioning for him to leave the room but he ignored her.

Rhaenyra lied covered in a layer of sweat, blood, and other bodily fluids. Her hair stuck to her wet skin, her chest heaving, and hands tightly clutching the sheets. She lifted her head, exhaling deeply upon seeing (Y/N) and giving him a tired smile as her body relaxed. (Y/N) turned toward Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys, throat tightening when he took in the babe in the older man's arms. The babe had been wrapped in dark blue cloth but the mop of unmistakably brown hair had caught his eye first. Apart from the babes' cries, the room had fallen otherwise silent as those present absorbed the situation. The older princess's lips pressed into a line, eyes shifting over to the Hightower.

"A boy, Y-Your Grace." A maester offered King Viserys a meek smile and he cleared his throat, taking the bundle into his arms. Alicent tore her gaze away from the babe and turned to her brother with wide, furious eyes. (Y/N) met her gaze and inhaled through his nose, looking away from them and toward Rhaenyra as Laenor and a midwife helped her into a sitting position. 

"He's perfect." King Viserys whispered, adoringly staring down at his new grandson. The newborn quieted his cries and calmed, tiny fingers grabbing his grandfathers' thumb as soft coos left him. King Viserys smiled, completely taken by the young boy. "What is his name?"

"Perhaps, Joffery?" Laenor attempted.

"No." Lord Corlys finally spoke, eyes remaining on the newborn. "He should be given a name fit for a king." His wifes' gaze snapped toward him and her brow quirked but she remained silent. Nobody dared to make a comment about the newborns' rather obvious lack of Targaryen features, though the glances shared around the room said enough. Velaryon blood did not run through the newborn's veins.

"His name will be Jacaerys Velaryon," Rhaenyra announced and the older men nodded their approval. The name brought a wide smile to King Viserys face and he approached Rhaenyra, handing the bundle off to her and affectionately stroking the back of her head. Rhaenyra lied back on the pillows, finally looking down at her son. 

"You did well." King Viserys praised, leaning back and smiling warmly at his growing family. Lord Corlys inhaled and looked at his king, clasping his hands together behind his back and lifting his brows.

"May we speak privately, Your Grace?"

"Yes, of course." King Viserys sighed, glancing at his daughter before he followed Lord Coryls and Princess Rhaenys out of the room. Alicent lingered, teeth nipping at the skin of her lips and nails digging into the skin of her palm. She whirled around, sighing heavily as she exited the room with the midwives and maesters following to give Rhaenyra some space. 

"How furious is your father?" (Y/N) asked Laenor, taking a seat at the edge of the bed, being careful to avoid the bloody sheets. Laenor brought a hand to the back of his neck and rubbed it, shrugging his shoulders and giving him an apologetic look. 

"Not furious enough to accuse you outright." He replied and Rhaenyra hummed softly, lifting the bundle toward her face and pressing a soft kiss to Jacaerys forehead. 

"Regardless of parentage..." Rhaenyra began, looking at the two men. "Both of you are his father." She smiled fondly, gently bouncing the newborn to keep him from breaking out into sobs again. She leaned forward and winced, shakily exhaling before she offered the bundle to (Y/N). The Hightower tensed but hesitantly took the baby from her, pressing the bundle to his chest. Jacaerys opened his eyes and (Y/N) half-expected him to break out into sobs but the baby instead stuck his fingers in his mouth and stared up at him curiously. Big brown eyes. Just like Alicent and their mother. Their father would surely curse him when news reached Oldtown. Another reason for his family to distance themselves from him. 

"He's a Velaryon and a Targaryen, even if he has Hightower blood. My family would never accept him as one of their own." (Y/N) murmured, watching Jacaerys eyes flutter shut, tiny chest rising and falling steadily. A stain on the family, even with royal blood. A bastard the religious Hightowers would despise. 

"Come now, little one." Laenor smiled and took the baby into his arms, cooing softly. (Y/N) stood up, looking back at Rhaenyra. The princess had already fallen asleep despite her uncomfortable condition. She deserved a warm bath and clean clothes.

"I'll fetch a maid to clean the sheets and get Nyra dressed in something that isn't covered in so much fluid." (Y/N) glanced at his son one last time, running his finger over the hair on his head. Turning, he walked toward the doors and opened them, pausing when he noticed a servant about to knock. 

"Queen Alicent requests your presence in her room, Lord (Y/N)." The servant announced, straightening up.

"Could you fetch some maids for the Princess? She's in need of some care." (Y/N) watched the servant nod and bow his head before he headed off down the hall to fulfill his request. Harwin pushed himself off the wall and tilted his head, arms crossing as he took in the lord.

"How's the babe? Lord Corlys appeared rather-"

"He doesn't look Targaryen." (Y/N) interrupted Harwin quietly. The knight took a moment to soak in his words, eyes slowly widening and stance going rigid. His jaw went slack and he leaned forward in shock. "He looks like a Hightower and the Velaryons know it." 

"But-"

"We'll speak later. If I don't show, Alicent will come looking for me herself." Harwin swallowed and nodded, looking back toward the closed doors. (Y/N) turned and headed down the hall, the surprise of it all beginning to chip away. A healthy boy with Hightower features. A boy who would eventually be called King Jacaerys. His son. (Y/N) marched on despite a wave of lightheadedness washing over him as the realization settled. He had a son. A son he couldn't parent for the sake of keeping the peace between the families. 

"Your Grace." (Y/N) called as he entered his sisters' bedchambers and Alicent ripped herself away from the window, dismissing her servants with a steely look and wave of her hand. The maids quickly left the room, sparing glances at each other and whispering. When the sound of the door closing echoed in the room, she addressed her brother with a seething glare.

"A bastard, (Y/N). You've sired a bastard with a princess."

"I assume you've already sent word to Father?"

"Of course!" Alicent hissed, walking forward, only stopping to place a hand on her belly. She winced and grasped the top of a chair, carefully lowering down and taking a seat. She inhaled deeply and brushed away brown strands from her face. "This isn't how I envisioned you becoming a father. That child is pure Hightower. He should've been Velaryon."

"Laenor is his father, Alicent. He has his name and will use it until he sits the throne as a Targaryen."

"You and I both know Laenor had no part in his creation. He has the same hair and eyes as our brothers. Even if the Velaryons accept him and claim he is a pure Velaryon, he is yours and soon everyone in court will know it unless..." Alicent trailed off, lips parting as she sank deep into thought. "Unless he is believed to have been sired by someone else."

"Alicent-"

"Ser Harwin Strong." Alicent breathed, head snapping up. "He and Rhaenyra have gotten close over the years. The boy could pass off as his."

"He is my friend." (Y/N) sneered.

"And if anyone questions who the father of that boy is, he will take the fall for your mistake. His father is the trusted Hand to the King, he will be fine. You are my brother, (Y/N). You told me you spent your life protecting me, now it is my turn to protect you."

                    ✶        ✶       ✶       ✶       ✶       ✶

"Have you heard anything about the Princess?" (Y/N) asked the servant hurrying past him. The maid parted her lips but nothing came out, gaze drifting past him and down the stairs. The Hightower turned, a soft scoff of disbelief leaving him as he watched his lover struggle up the stairs with a new red bundle in her arms. Laenor held her arm, keeping her upright and quietly speaking to her.

"Rhaenyra!" He scolded, heading down the stairs and meeting them in the middle. Laenor gave him an exasperated look, showing his innocence in the princess's determination to walk up a flight of stairs after just having given birth. Targaryens were notably stubborn individuals and Rhaenyra proved it every day.

Rhaenyra released a shaky breath, blowing a strand of silver hair out of her face. "You can blame your sister for this." She winced, holding the bundle with trembling hands. "She ordered he be brought to her immediately."

"He?"

"Another boy," Laenor confirmed with a wide smile. One would mistake it for pride but in truth, it was happiness for his dearest friends, even if the boys saw him as their father instead of (Y/N). "I suppose it's true what they say about Hightowers only having boys." His voice dropped to a playful whisper and (Y/N) chuckled, taking Rhaenyras' other side and gently taking her arm. 

"A curse, truly." He replied softly, gazing upon his third son. Jace and Lucerys, or Luke for short, would be thrilled with the news of a new brother. Corlys hadn't been in the room during Luke's birth but he'd been first to enter, perhaps searching for a crown of silver but he'd only been greeted by wavy hair similar to Alicents'. It seemed he'd given up hope with their newest child as he'd kept to Driftmark. Both boys had been raised with Laenor as their sole father and a mixture of rumors of who had actually sired them. Alicents' rumors of Ser Harwin being the father had many believers, including (Y/N)s' own nephews and niece. But there were those who believed the boys to be Hightowers. the Velaryons amongst those believers. The only one who refused to entertain the rumors had been the boy's own grandfather, King Viserys. 

"I can speak with her-"

"You and Alicent only ever argue." Rhaenyra breathed, wincing again and groaning softly. "And we've gone too far to turn around now." She added, stopping briefly to catch her breath. Laenor sighed heavily and reached down, bunching up some of her dress and lifting it slightly so she'd be able to walk better. Rhaenyra gulped down some air and pushed forward, climbing up the last set of stairs and heaving in relief when they reached the top. They continued down the hall, stopping before Ser Criston Cole. He bowed his head and pushed open the door to Alicents' room, watching them enter. Alicent stood by her window as a maid worked on her dress. Maids walked about the room, cleaning and putting away things. The maid at his sister's feet stood and curtsied, pulling Alicents' attention away from the window and toward the three.

"Rhaenyra," She breathed, eyes wide. "You should be resting after your labors."

"I have no doubt you would prefer that, Your Grace," Rhaenyra responded, wobbling slightly. Alicent took notice, eyeing her exhausted figure and sighing softly.

"You must sit. Teyla fetch a cushion for the Princess." 

"There's no need."

"Nonsense." Alicent brushed her off, nodding to Teyla as the redhead placed a cushion down for Rhaenyra to sit on. Despite her previous protest, Rhaenyra gladly took a seat, shoulders lowering in relief. Alicent stepped off the stool and approached them, attempting to get a peek at the child in her arms. 

"What happy news this morning." King Viserys called as he entered, hair disheveled and pace slow. (Y/N) bowed his head and moved to stand behind the seat, looking down at Rhaenyra and the babe. Laenor smiled at the King and nodded, gingerly picking up the newborn when King Viserys asked for him. Taking his newest grandson into his arms, he smiled widely.

"A fine prince." He whispered, love and adoration written all over his features. His glee even brought a small smile to Alicents' face. "You will make a fearsome knight. Yes, you will." King Viserys cooed, chuckling softly when the baby made noises in turn.

"Does the babe have a name yet?" Alicent inquired, turning back to Rhaenyra and Laenor.

"Oh, we haven't-"

"Joffrey." Laenor interrupted. Rhaenyra blinked at him, pressing her lips together and furrowing her brows. "He will be called Joffrey."

"An unusual name for a Velaryon," Alicent muttered, looking at her brother with a disapproving frown. (Y/N) pursed his lips and looked away from her, head shaking slightly. 

"I do believe he has his father's nose." King Viserys smiled and Laenor forced an awkward chuckle, nodding in agreement. (Y/N) bit the inside of his cheek and reached down to graze his fingers against Rhaenyras' shoulder. The princess hummed in contentment, eyes closing for a brief moment. She almost nodded off, only opening her eyes when Joffrey cooed.

Clearing his throat, Laenor looked at her father. "If you don't mind, Your Grace, your daughter has exerted herself heroically and should rest."

"Of course." King Viserys nodded, allowing Alicent to step in and take a closer look at the child. She smiled sweetly, taking Joffrey into her arms and walking toward the door. Rhaenyra nervously watched her, rising from the baby blue couch as King Viserys took her hand. (Y/N) parted from her side to approach his sister and son, watching her hand him off to Laenor. He knew his sister would never hurt a babe, much less one she knew was her nephew. Alicent didn't have that type of hatred within her. But (Y/N) couldn't help the uneasiness that swelled in his chest.

"Do keep trying, Ser Laenor. Soon or late, you may get one that looks like you." Alicent whispered, offering him a smile before she stepped away and walked toward her husband. Rhaenyra joined them, walking awkwardly as she exited the room, keeping a hand pressed to her belly. 

"You don't think to consult me before you name my child?" Rhaenyra questioned. 

"He's our child, is he not?" Laenor frowned, gently bouncing the baby in his arms when he fussed. Rhaenyra glanced at him, pure exhaustion on her face.

"Only one of us is bleeding."

"Joffery is a fine name, Nyra." (Y/N) muttered, raising his brows at her when she looked at him in disbelief. "Certainly not a name I'd choose but a fine name nevertheless." Pursing her lips, Rhaenyra stared at him a moment longer before looking away, letting the topic go with her lover's input in mind. Laenor gave his friend a thankful look and the three made their way to the boys' room. Rhaenyra entered first, greeting her sons with a wide smile. The boys stood up and detached themselves from Harwin's side, excitedly showing their mother the egg they picked for their new sibling. (Y/N) chuckled, running his fingers through Luke's dark hair as Harwin helped Rhaenyra sit. 

"A good choice." (Y/N) praised his boys and they smiled widely, looking back down at the egg.

"Not every day an egg leaves the Dragonpit. I thought it best to escort the lads." Harwin explained, studying the boys. (Y/N) moved away from them, approaching Harwin and giving him a small smile. Harwin returned it, lifting his hand to touch his chin and stroking it with his thumb. 

"Another boy, I heard?" (Y/N) nodded, resting a hand on Harwins' side and giving it an affectionate squeeze before he faced Laenor. The Velaryon bounced the little one, cooing softly as he stepped closer to (Y/N), carefully passing him off so (Y/N) could hold him. (Y/N) hummed softly, feeling Harwin loom over him to look down at the prince. Joffrey slept soundly, even as his brothers attempted to get a look at him before Laenor pulled them away and out the door.

"Laenor named him Joffrey." (Y/N) told Harwin, feeling the knight slip his strong arms under the bundle and take him. (Y/N) smiled softly at Harwins' tenderness and took a seat beside Rhaenyra, letting the princess melt against his side and rest her head against his chest.

"Asleep in front of the Commander of the City Watch." Harwin tsked playfully, staring down at the boy. "Terrible lack of respect." 

"I'm afraid he gets it from us," Rhaenyra muttered tiredly, eyes threatening to close. (Y/N) slithered his arm around her shoulders and gently played with her tousled hair, slowly lulling the princess to sleep. Her breathing slowed, soft snores eventually escaping her as she fell limp against him. (Y/N) chuckled softly, looking back at Harwin.

"Terrible lack of respect." He repeated playfully and Harwin shook his head, continuing to gently bounce Joffrey in his arms. They remained in blissful silence for a little while longer until (Y/N) stood, slipping his arms under Rhaenyras' knees and scooping her up into his arms. He brought her to the bed, laying her down and pulling a blanket over her shoulders. Pecking her temple, he rubbed her shoulder and stepped away to approach Harwin and Joffery. 

"I'll fetch a wet nurse soon since it seems the Princess is rather occupied," Harwin said, glancing up at the sleeping Targaryen with a small smirk. (Y/N) nodded, reaching up to stroke the head of his youngest son.

"Jace and Luke will be riders soon. I have no doubts this little one will become one as well." (Y/N) muttered, turning his head to look at the pot holding the dragon egg. "It worries me."

"They're Targaryens, (Y/N). It's in their nature to ride dragons." Harwin reminded softly, taking Joffrey to his crib and setting him down, allowing the baby to rest properly. (Y/N) sighed, rubbing the side of his neck and nodding but his words did little to ease his anxieties. He hadn't expected fatherhood to be sprung on him so suddenly and now, he had sired three boys who were destined to take to the skies on dragons.

Noticing the look on his face, Harwin gave a small smile and approached him, gently taking his face into his hands. "They've got the blood of kings in their veins. They were made to ride dragons and conquer kingdoms. Your boys will be knights, leaders, and kings. Just like their ancestors."

#x reader #x you #x y/n #x male reader #house of the dragon x y/n #house of the dragon x you #house of the dragon x male reader #house of the dragon x reader #house of the dragon #hotd x male!reader #hotd #hotd x reader #princess rhaenyra targaryen #rhaenyra targaryen x reader #rhaenyra targaryen #Rhaenyra Targaryen x male reader #Rhaenyra Targaryen x you #alicent hightower x y/n #alicent hightower x reader #alicent hightower #harwin strong #ser harwin strong #lucerys velaryon #jacaerys velaryon #joffrey velaryon

[demonichikikomori]

since requests are open, could I pls request yandere epel? perhaps using his UM on his beloved darling and forcing her to love him, taking matters into his own hands :D !!

Glass Coffin

Yandere!Epel x Fem!Reader Word Count: 1.1k+

Hello!! This one took some time to get to since... I actually just finished Book 5... Finally... Please accept my apology... But! Thank you for the request anon! Enjoy!

Tags: Yandere!Epel/Kidnapping

You felt lightheaded the longer you sat in Epel’s room. It was stuffy, almost suffocating. But you remembered when you first came in there was a gentle breeze billowing through his cracked open window. The thin curtains danced, pleased to see that you had made it safely for your study date. What changed? Did someone turn up the heat? It was still very early in the morning when he asked you the night before if you would come over to Pomfiore early the next day. Why? He wanted to compare notes before he went back home for Winter Break, and you were currently at the top of your class among the freshmen. He begged and pleaded, and you agreed. You left Ramshackle around 6am and headed to the desolate Hall of Mirrors. Wearing only your pajamas. 

You looked wearily over the cup of apple juice beside you. You had already had a cup previously, but now your throat was cotton dry. You wanted to take another sip, maybe even finish off the juice. But it was getting harder and harder to move the longer you sat with your back against Epel’s bed. You looked over the notebook filled with lined paper on the floor in front of you. It was blank, other than a few drip marks from what you could only horrifically assume was drool from your stiffening face. You were supposed to be comparing notes. This would be the only time you could do this before he left for Winter Break in a few hours. But you hadn’t moved an inch since you had that first cup of juice. You looked at the pen slipping from your grasp. And watched it tumble onto the floor and roll away. Why was this happening..? What was in that juice? Was it something in the air?

You struggled to lift your drooping head, but when you did, your eyes found Epel. 

His innocent expression worried you. Did he not notice something was wrong? You looked at Epel’s lips, although you could not hear what he was saying. It was hard to understand him. His voice was a clouded audio, as if he stuck his head underwater. 

Or maybe it was you who was underwater.

You watched him chuckle with amusement as he pulled a handkerchief from the breast pocket of his royal blue pajamas, pure and white with his initials stitched on the corner in blood red. He gently dabbed at your mouth. Brushing away what you assumed would be another string of drool. He was speaking again, but you had no clue what he was saying or trying to say. He chuckled again as he tucked away the handkerchief, and then he stood. You didn’t have the energy to watch him move around the room. Nor did you have the energy to fight him as he laid you on your back.

He looked down at you with such a loving expression. His pale cheeks blushed with an apple red color. His big sky blue eyes shimmered with excitement. He moved his mouth slowly, hoping that with the murky sound being picked up you would be able to understand him.

“Are you okay?” He asked. You shook your head with your eyes slowly falling half lidded. Epel chuckled again. “I like you.” He spoke with a warm smile, and you felt your heart sink into your feet. You shook your head again. Or, at least you tried. Epel began to position your limbs in a strange way, tugging you around until you laid on your side. It wasn’t long before he forced you into a tight fetal position. From the new position, you could see something hiding behind the door that you didn’t notice before. It was his suitcase, propped open. 

It was empty.

You began to break out into a cold sweat, attempting to open your mouth through the exhaustion. You wanted to scream. You wanted to get up and run away. But again, Epel chuckled from how futile your attempts were. His ‘charm’ worked on you like it worked on everyone else. How it must’ve worked on Vil to allow a study session. How it worked on Rook so he would be dead asleep this early in the morning. How it worked on Sam to get the ‘medicine’ he needed before your visit. How it worked on you to get you into his room alone, with no one knowing you were even here. Not even Grim who was in Ramshackle sleeping peacefully. Epel’s face appeared again as he chuckled and mouthed something. 

“I can’t wait! Now, for a Sleep Kiss!”

__xxx__

Ace and Deuce appeared frantic and antsy as they stood in the Hall of Mirrors. “What the hell? The Prefect was supposed to meet us here before we left.” Ace grumbled with his duffle bag thrown over his shoulder. “Maybe she just slept in. I mean, she has to work at the school while we're gone. I’m sure she’ll text us when she wakes up.” Deuce looked as equally anxious as Ace. They wanted to get a proper goodbye before not seeing one another for the next two weeks. Epel entered with his suitcase, pulling it on its spinning wheels with a cheerful expression. It was already 3pm, and everyone was ready to finally leave the exhausting school setting. Epel looked over Ace and Deuce, unsure why they were so nervous. Did they not want to go home? Deuce caught Epel’s gaze and walked over. He smiled, but he was clearly uneasy. “Hey, Epel, I know you’re getting ready to leave, but…” Deuce’s hands tightened as Ace claimed the space beside him. “Have you seen the Prefect? I know you asked her out a month ago, and it didn’t go too well… But I assumed you were still on talking terms?” Deuce stood there awkwardly as Epel was reminded of such a bitter memory. Thankfully, things would be much sweeter during Winter Break. 

He shook his head, lavender curls bouncing as he frowned. “The last time we talked was that day. I mean, we talked in class about notes but… Things felt a little awkward.” He shrugged with a small smile. “If it makes you feel better,” He gently patted the suitcase as Crowley called for all students staying in Harveston to go through the mirror. “I’m sure she’s just sleeping.” He walked up to the mirror with a laugh. “Or maybe I packed her up in this here suitcase!” He walked through as the pair sighed with a roll of their eyes. “She definitely overslept.” Ace grumbled with his arms now crossed. Deuce felt at ease from Epel’s words albeit his joke being strange. “Yeah… And I’ll have to tell him about the weird humor. He’s been hanging out with Rook too much…”

Tagged Accounts: N/A

#epel felmier #twst wonderland #twst #twisted wonderland #ask the devil #epel x reader #twst epel #epel x mc #yandere twst #yandere epel #tw kidnapping #demonic. requests

[ficsnroses]

—𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆. 𝑳𝒂𝒍𝒐 𝑺𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒂 𝒙 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓—

prompt: on a warm summer evening, lalo invites you to spend the night with him in his home for the very first time. you learn of his distaste for sleep, however, you might be able to make it a little easier. 

warnings: all fluff! slight sm(u)t mention. spoiler free! 2.3k words.

notes: hihi! this is my first time writing for lalo literally if even 1 (one) person reads this I will be happy lmao. please lemme know what you think!  

an: there isn’t a lot of bcs fanfic out there, and it seems lalo x reader fics are even more scarce. if you give this a read and enjoy, please consider reblogging, sharing or interacting! I’m pretty new to the bcs fandom, it would be nice to make a couple frens:)

(also, this entire fic takes place in that one scene from s5 ep 10 where lalo is sitting outside by the fire. we’re just gonna pretend nacho isn’t there and the events that follow never happened, okay? okay.)

It begins with warm brown eyes.

Warm brown eyes, a crisp white dress shirt, and a smile you swore would someday make you ruin.

They say whoever the Devil smiles at becomes his favourite.

The first time you’d been introduced, he had looked at you with a far too wide, far too gleaming smile. That salt and pepper gray streak, titan shoulders and rippling biceps under delicate, exclusive cotton.  

Lalo Salamanca looked rather more of a sinful, dark promise than a man.

And then he’d raised your hand in front of everyone, and kissed it.

Lalo Salamanca could not seem to stop smiling at you.

You’d gazed at him for a long moment, your greatest attempts to gauge his sincere expression. There was just something about him. Soft, smooth rasp in his voice, yet a glimmer of unnerving interest in his eyes. Something warm, something that almost seemed…wicked.

But it wasn’t.

The most compelling of the Salamancas was just that. Petrifyingly efficient in his field. Lethal to others, but never to you. A seamless collection of careful contradictions you couldn’t seem to unravel. One simple smile from him and you’d swore.

The angels themselves would sin for him.

The unholy force, the mountain of a man that is Lalo Salamanca seemed to melt away when he was with you. Left behind would be a softer, warmer entity. Eduardo Salamanca. A man for whom it hadn’t taken long to fall in love with the sweet sound that is your voice.

They say the Devil looks after his own, cradles them with his hands packed of sin.

You’d drowned willingly.

Open Chihuahua city sky bleeds tonight. Dim, a sea of stars decorated in its hair.

The scent of Night-Blooming Jasmine electrifies through you, a gentle breeze kissing supple skin. Huele de Noche, is what he’d said they call it.

Mexico is beautiful this time of year— Lalo keeps home near his heart, revered deep within its seams.  

He’d begun to keep you there, too.

The embers of an open bonfire glow before you in the distance, and you see him lounged on a long chair near it. Crisp, cold Modelo cracked open, and a carve of tension lines constrained to his forehead. Quiet, subdued.

He carries that fire in his veins.

Its not long before you make yourself known.

Lalo had invited you over tonight to spend the evening with him. A shared bottle of red and home cooked meal. Candlelight had danced over his features, and you’d admired the delicate dips and slopes of his face; the laugh lines that pepper roots to the corners of his eyes.

Sooner than he’d anticipated. Frighteningly fast, even. It hadn’t taken long for you to become his favourite remedy, his preferred tonic.

You’d spent the latter half of the night within the haven that is his bed. Clung together in the evening dark, no longer sure where he ends and you begin. He’d made you his, in more ways than just one.

There had been such a light in his eyes as he learns your body and explores. Traces, kisses, and claims. You’d begun to learn a familiar truth—one that brings you simmering comfort.

You will never be scared of Lalo. Bloodcurdling to others, but never to you.

He carries that fire in his veins.

But it was you, who could turn it to soft, running water, even if just for a little bit.

You’d fallen asleep to the feel of his arm loosely hung over your waist, and the subtle heat of his breath on your skin.

You don’t know when he’d departed, lonesome in the company of none but a crackling fire, and the quiet melody of nighttime crickets bustling.

It doesn’t take long for him to notice you.

A mere look his way, and something inside you seems to crumble. Soften, hitch, crumble.

“Hey, sweetheart.”

Your lips curve a gentle smile to his greeting to you, and its not long before you begin an amble his way. Lalo’s stare never wavers as he watches you attentively, the light of the fire glistening in those familiar cocoa depths. Your voice is calm, soft in the midnight dark. “You’re not coming to bed?” you voiced softly, footsteps approaching his resting place.

His hair is messier. You wonder if he’d ran his fingers through it as he sat here.

It was nice to have you in his space. To do what lovers do, to keep you among the other elements that are a gateway to his heart. Things such as this often hadn’t come easily to Lalo; part of him had still been unsure.

Unsure, but always eager to learn.

You could hear a hint of tire in his buttery voice when he answered. “Nah, I don’t get much sleep.” He mutters, gesturing you a seat to the spare chair beside his. “Did I wake you?” Lalo questions in caution, and he regards you critically as you take seat alongside him.

“No,” was your quick interruption, strained smile to accompany. “I woke up and…noticed you were gone.”

He hums slightly in response, a buzz brewing easily through the deepest pits of his throat. For a long, tense moment, he was silent, before throwing his head back slightly, a gaze to the night sky above. “Yeah, I never sleep much.” was his deep voice, slicing through you as if a wave of comfort. “An hour, maybe two.” He muses simply with a shrug, voice lax as he looks at you again. “It’s enough.”

They glow faintly, his eyes. As if two lone, remote stars shining in the sky. The intensity, the regard coupled in those brown eyes of his causes something to bloom in your chest. Something familiar, something…

Warm. Something that kisses the very marrow of you.

Your lips part, and your smile falters slightly to his simple confession. A small frown tugs your lips down. “I don’t like that, at all.”

There was a flicker of something in his expression, his lean figure resting coolly in his seat. Mexico nightlife hums around you, and a tingle races down your spine noticing the way his eyes gloss over your gentle features. Heat pulses beneath your skin, and your honeyed whisper almost seems to catch him by surprise. “I wish you’d take more care of yourself.”

Or, let me.

Lalo is silent for moment. A long, drawn moment. So much so, that your gaze drifts back on him. And, you find him already gazing at you. There is something exceedingly human about him in this moment, something fragile, kind, indulgent.

Its not long before you feel his larger, callous hand shift. It envelopes your smaller, softer one. Tenderly, he laces his fingers with yours.

Lalo’s hands were far from clean. They’d held guns and knives but now they also held you. You feel the sound of his voice wash over you like the rays of the sun, and suddenly, you long to give him your entire heart. everything within it.

Lalo leans back slightly in his chair, continuing softly when you too, curl your fingers around his. “When its like this, that’s when I can think.” was his faint murmur, eyes closing slightly as he breathes in deep, a lightness exhilarating his lungs. He exhales it from somewhere deep inside his chest and your heart seizes for a second.

There is a newfound ease in his tone, previous tension of his profile melting away. As of late, your mere presence is enough to calm the simmering strain, the heaviness burning away in him. It is new, this feeling you give him. New, comforting, soothing, dangerous. You are dangerous.

You, with your easy smiles, thoughtful yet understanding eyes.

You are slowly becoming his weakness. His heart, or, whatever little he ever did have of it, has begun to remember you far too often. Lalo’s fingers tighten slightly as they hold yours, and his voice illuminates. “I get my best ideas when everybody else is asleep.” The warmth of his skin pulses through your hand, and your head tilts after a moment of silence. “Some people, they call it a curse. I like it.”

Physical closeness is one thing.

But this?

This— listening to him, having him listen to you. It was in the way that his thumb gently coaxed the soft skin of your hand. The way his eyes meet yours every now and then and he really looks at you. As if he is looking into you, perhaps into a little part of you that only his eyes could see.

Physical closeness is one thing. But the intimacy that you’ve begun to explore, this trust you’ve begun to build with Lalo is all the more enriching.

Its an easy silence, the one that follows. The kind that soothes you to the bone, etches into the very marrow of you under the weight of his gentle gaze.

Repose looks good on him. Restful, easygoing repose.

He looks unfairly handsome tonight.

And perhaps, there is an ache in your heart when you remember such peace does not come so easily to this man you’ve begun to adore. The mere sound of his rich voice has begun to ignite a plea inside you, despite your greatest attempts to smother it.

Perhaps you’re failing to realize just how dangerous your captivation with him truly was. Or, that this captivation had morphed into affection far sooner than you’d hoped.

And his had, too.

Lalo Salamanca is dangerous. You know little of his affiliation with the cartel, his business and professional proceedings. Yet you do know.

Know of the sinister that lurks in the mere presence of his name.

But you know of the other side, too.

The side you only ever saw around family. The patient, low tone he’d always use with his tio Hector. His regard for his staff, how fiercely loyal he is to the Salamanca name. How eagerly he was prepared to protect those closest to him.

How when he touches you, he does so like he is marvelling at each touch, as if he is lucky to do so.

He is a harmony of cold and warm. Of light and dark. And you wish to thaw into him, willingly.

Its not long before you acknowledge his genuine confession. “Hm.” was your quiet, deliberate hum. Prompt and simple.

Your eyes lift to his.

And it doesn’t take long for you to rise promptly, a gentle screech below when you seam your chair closer to his. Close enough, that they’re joined. And you’ve never treasured a lack of arm rests more.

Relaxing back down on your chair, you move in closer. So close to him, that its not long before your arms are wrapping around the expanse of his bold torso, and you feel the muscles of his skin ripple below shirt fabric.

It almost catches him by surprise.

You curl effortlessly into him. And realize, your body moulds into him with ease.

And when your cheek presses against his chest, resting over the broad skin, you allow your eyes to slip shut for just a moment, as you breathe in his timbered scent.

He doesn’t respond right away. Only his slow, steady breathes do. And perhaps you’d felt it, too.

The way his heartbeat spiked when you melt into him.

He’d been reluctant at first, features hardened and you could sense the strain in his body.

But then, he did it, too.

Slowly, carefully, cautiously.

Its earnest, when a pair of strong arms curl lazily around you like irons. And suddenly, he is painfully aware of the way you ease into him. The way your hair rests upon his chest, the way your body clings to him so nonchalantly.

In his arms right now, you are free. It is not a sense of possession, but belonging.

He allows himself the foolish gratification of your embrace, the simple warmth of your skin. An indulgence.

Like a string being cut.

And it feels far nicer than he would care to admit.

“I like sleep.” was your mild tone, barely above a whisper when you admit easily. You savour the moment, soaking in this softer, warmer side of the man who has begun to claw his way into your heart. “Makes me feel…at peace. At ease. Safe.”

Something he had begun to make you feel, too.

You feel Lalo relax into your touch, and the deep lumber of his voice electrifies through you when you feel it roll up his chest. “Can’t argue with that.” Was his simple return, and the way his thumb begins to coax the soft skin of your arm as he holds you causes your heartbeat to spear.

Maybe someday it could be true.

Right now, it is new. This feeling is new, your connection is new. Yet perhaps someday, you’ll feel it in his touch.

An unwillingness to be parted from you.

You think you do feel it now, too. When his arms tighten ever so slightly, and he sighs.

There is a moment of suspended silence, and you simply hold each other. It almost catches you by surprise, when he presses a soft, slow kiss into your hair, keeping his nose buried in it for a moment as he lingers.

“Tu seras mi muerte.”

He murmurs the words carefully in the centimetres separating you, his hold on you never faltering.

You didn’t understand what they meant. But he, did.

It might as well be a prayer.

He might as well be damning you.

And with them, the crackle of the fire becomes nothing more than a pulse, and your thoughts become nothing more than a beat along with it.

You savour each other under an open Mexico sky a little longer. From hunger to honey that drips, the man in your arms is a seamless collection of careful contradictions you couldn’t seem to unravel. And it would take time, the unravelling of him.

Yet for now, this feeling is enough.

Lalo’s eyes slip shut.

     Your heart skipped a beat that night.

     Or perhaps, two.

#lalo salamanca #lalo salamanca x reader #lalo salamanca imagine #better call saul fanfic #better call saul fanfiction #better call saul #Tony Dalton #lalo salamanca fanfiction

[niki-phoria]

‧₊˚✩ chishiya, arisu, and kuina reaction - relationship firsts

warnings: awkward chishiya (i feel like i kinda got his character right this time), i lowkey replaced usagi with reader in arisu's (lmao sorry usagi), kuina mentions her mom being sick

a/n: i wanna start doing more reactions

gn!reader (no pronouns used)

requests open !! read my rules first

‧₊˚✩ chishiya - first time sharing a bed

word count 277 i miss chishiya's eyeliner

your hands are still trembling as you hesitantly reach up to knock on chishiya’s bedroom door. it’s well past midnight by now. silence has fallen over the beach. 

you bite your lip, about to step back when the door cracks open. a tired chishiya squints at you before he fully opens the door. “what are you doing here?” 

“i…” you look down, a little embarrassed. “i had a nightmare.” chishiya doesn’t say anything, instead stepping aside to allow you into his room. it’s illuminated by a sliver of moonlight peeking through his opened curtains. the room is fairly clean. a few miscellaneous things are set out on the desk - you can recognize a soda can, duct tape, and a water gun. 

chishiya closes the door behind you. you awkwardly stand in the middle of the room, wrapping your arms around yourself. he sits down on the edge of the bed before patting the other side. you make your way over, pulling the covers up and sliding underneath them. 

“do you want to talk about it?” chishiya whispers. 

“no,” you lay down on the bed fully, propping yourself up with an arm under the pillow. “just wanna stay with you.” 

“okay.” chishiya rolls over so he’s facing you. he subtly moves his hand to the space inbetween you, a silent invitation for you to hold it. you do, reaching over to intertwine your fingers together. 

silence falls over the beach once again. he strokes his thumb against your knuckles for a few minutes, breathing becoming heavier. 

“chishiya?” you whisper. 

“hm?” 

“thank you.” he doesn’t answer, instead pulling your hand up to press a gentle kiss against your knuckles.

‧₊˚✩ arisu - first kiss

word count 263 i can't find any gifs of the fireworks during the last ep ://

you let out a sigh of relief, sitting beside arisu on the ground. your side aches as you move to lean against his shoulder. sparks of blue and red light up the sky, the beautiful colors a sharp contrast to the chaos and suffering on the ground below. 

“it’s beautiful,” you whisper. arisu hums, reaching over to grab your hand. 

“y/n,” he turns to face you, eyes flickering from yours to your lips. his hand feels warm in yours despite the cold breeze so high up. “can i kiss you?” his voice is quiet, as if he’s worried about someone hearing. 

you bring a hand up to his face and brush your thumb against the skin. you smear some blood on his cheek in the process though neither of you pay it any mind. arisu leans in a little, gingerly resting his forehead against yours. you wrap your hand around his neck, pulling him down to press your lips against his. 

arisu’s lips feel soft against your own. the cut on your lip burns when he pulls you down into another one. and another. and another. 

you almost cling to him when he pulls away. you’re desperate to kiss him again. he holds your face in place by your jaw, staring down at your lips. “y/n,” he whispers. “i love you.” 

you can’t help the smile that spreads across your face as you pull him back down into another sweet kiss. content blooms in your chest, replacing the fear and exhaustion you’ve felt since entering the borderlands. “i love you too.”

‧₊˚✩ kuina - asking you to meet her mom

word count 251

kuina rolls her wooden cigarette between her fingers, holding it in her mouth with her teeth. she stares into space despite the party raging on around her. her back is pressed against the wall, knees pulled up to her chest. 

“kuina?” she jumps a little at the sound of your voice. you set your drink down, sitting down next to her. the brick feels uncomfortable against your back. you lean over so you’re looking at her. “what’s on your mind?” 

“it’s stupid,” she says, looking down. 

“your thoughts could never be stupid.” kuina’s face flushes a little when she glances at you before looking away again. she fully leans back against the wall, stretching her legs out. 

“it’s just… i’ve been worrying about my mom. she’s sick, you know, and… i’m scared i won’t get to see her again.” you reach over to grab her hand, gently squeezing it. she intertwines her fingers with yours, still not looking at you. “i’ve been thinking, and… i want you to meet her.” 

you pause, readjusting your posture to sit facing her. “really?” 

she nods. “really.” 

a warm feeling spreads through you - something you hadn’t felt in a while. you squeeze kuina’s hand again, making her over at you. “i’d love to meet her.” she smiles. 

“are you sure?” 

“she’s important to you. if it matters to you, then it matters to me.” 

kuina brings her hand up to your cheek, pulling you into a quick kiss. “i love you.” 

“i love you too.”

#chishiya x reader #arisu x reader #aib x reader #kuina x reader #chishiya fluff #arisu fluff #aib fluff #kuina fluff #aib reactions #aib scenario #aib drabble #chishiya drabble #chishiya imagine #chishiya scenario #arisu imagine #arisu drabble #arisu scenario #chishiya x male reader #arisu x male reader #aib x male reader #kuina drabble #kuina scenario #aib x you #aib x y/n #chishiya x you #chishiya x y/n #arisu x you #arisu x y/n #kuina x you #kuina x y/n

[aemondsbeloved]

A Sign Of Things To Come

pairing: Jacaerys Velayron x reader, Aemond Targaryen x reader

summary: When violence occurred during dinner with your estranged family, you thought there was no harm in secretly meeting with Jacaerys once everyone had retired for the night not understanding how wrong you were.

warnings/notes: Targaryen!reader, incest (she is Aemond’s sister and Jace’s aunt), based after the dinner scene in ep 8, Aemond isn't likable in this tbh, this is in a way a love triangle but not really, this will be a series in due time :)

word count: 2.1k

taglist: @greinch​ @itsghostgirlyo​

The corridors of the castle were dark, the only light was the candles and moonlight that reflected off of the stone walls and floors. One step and another, your hand in his as he was ahead of you, running through the corridors. His fingertips intertwined with your own, the warmth of his hand setting off the chill in the autumn breeze. The only sound in the quiet night was both your footsteps, the swishing of the skirt of your dress.

A giggle brought on by the cold air, the idea that you did not know where you were going, or that you might be caught escaped you. “Jace,” You whispered urgently, “Where are we going?”

One step and another, you turned a corner. He laughed this time, but it was no girlish giggle. His laughed echoed more than your light giggle that had traveled through the castle you imagined. You would pray that if a Knight of the King’s Guard heard it would not be Ser Criston Cole. You imagined Jace’s smile as he laughed. Surely it was as broad and boyish as you had last seen it, bringing a smile to your own face.

“It’s a surprise,” He told you, still running through the castle. “Somewhere your brothers won’t happen upon us.”

You snorted at that. It was a horribly undignified and unladylike thing to do, not at all the behavior of a princess. But then again, running around the castle at night with Jacaerys was even less undignified. “Aegon won’t happen upon anyone tonight. He will be passed out in his chambers by now. I could be halfway the Essos and my brother would not know this nor care.”

Another corner and Jace led you around it, stopped at an alcove with an opening that overlooked some of the gardens. He turned around, facing you for the first time since he met you outside your chambers for your adventure as he had called it. Let’s go somewhere no one could find us and talk without the hawkeye of your brothers, he had told you, and you had not hesitated to take his hand. Even now his hand still held yours, neither of you quite ready to let go yet. “It’s not Aegon I’m worried about,” He said, that smile on his face just as you had imagined it, broad and brillant. “Your brother cares for nothing but wine and—”

He cut himself off, not wanting to say whores, but you raised your eyebrows in challenge. Did he really think that you would deny your eldest brother’s tendencies? When you were children, before he left for Dragonstone, you had always been the one to stand up to your brothers, though it was mainly Aegon. Aemond was not cold then, when you were children, and there was nothing to defend against.

“Well, he is not exactly attentive to his duties. I only worry for Aemond. It seems he keeps a watchful eye on you these days.”

You pursed your lips, moving to the side of the alcove and sitting on the stone bench. “Your family being here has set my brother on edge,” You admitted, voice quieter and less jovial. Your eyes flickered to him as he sat next to you, those brown eyes looking at you so deeply you could swear no one looked at you like he did. “I’m sorry for Aemond. His taunts were cruel.”

“I should not have given in to them,” He said, sitting up a bit taller. “I am only glad grandfather had left by then.”

You looked down in your lap, frowning. “He is just jealous,” You sighed. “Or at least he was once when we were children. Our father just prefers your mother and he is bothered the most by it. Aegon drinks and Helaena is unaware. I have moved beyond it, the past cannot be changed. I just wish Aemond could see it as I do.”

“Us taking his eye must not have helped,” He said, in a way admitting that it was wrong, which had never been done. You finally looked up at him again, wanting to know what he was going to say now. “That night at Driftmark,” He trailed off, becoming silent for a moment. “I wish I could go back. Let him have Vhagar, what does it matter now with our family in ruins now.”

“We were children,” You conceded. “Lucerys even more so. It was a terrible night for our family. I would not wish to relive it.”

“Your brother was young too. I shouldn’t have said he called us bastards, not when Lucerys took his eye. Especially not when I knew my mother would defend us.”

You looked at him, seeing how he was punishing himself for a night that happened a decade ago. You wondered if your brothers could see him now if they might have reconciled. It was a childish thought you could not let go.

“I wish my family saw you as I do,” You admitted. “You are going to make a good king one day, Jace. I know it.”

In the moonlight you could swear you saw a tinge of pink on his cheeks, but you did not comment.

“You don’t want your brother to rule?”

“You know I don’t,” You insisted.

“I only thought, after all the years we had not seen each other,” He explained, hesitating before continuing, “Our sentiments can change over the years. Your brother—”

“Is a drunken fool with no responsibility, not even to his family,” You amended. “He is my brother and I cannot hate him, but I have no love for him. I may be the only one in my family that can admit he would not be a good ruler for the realm.”

He didn’t say anything and you took the time to speak what had been on your mind. “Do you think it strange we could have been married? If my mother had accepted your mother’s proposal all those years ago?”

“It would not have been so strange,” He said, voice sounding softer than it had all night. “I would have liked to make you happy.”

It was a simple thing to say, so why did it cut through your heart like a knife? “Seeing you tonight has made me happy,” Your voice was just as soft as his. “Your Lady Baela will be a good match, I know it. Even that brings joy to me, Jace.”

“What are the chances of you finding a good match?”

You knew he meant of happiness, not good in the sense of the traditional political success of matchmaking, but you could not dwell on the later. “I do not see a love match in my future, if that’s what you mean. A Lord that has been loyal to the Hand is surely in my future, I have little doubt. Mother knows the value of a powerful match for our family, but I cannot say if she would consider my personal happiness when arranging it. She might yet wed me to Aemond, but I should be glad my poor sister is married to Aegon, so I will not have to carry that burden.”

“I’m sorry, Princess,” He said, sounding understanding and like a boy again when he would always address you by your title. “You deserve more than this.”

No one had ever told you that before. Your entire life was being reminded of a princess’s duty and you had always accepted this. But hearing those words from Jace of all people felt like relief of some kind. It was as though even if all you would have is this secret meeting in the quietest part of the castle at night, it was still enough. Even if it would just be this once.

“Your company is more than enough,” You said sweetly.

Jace’s eyes cast over your shoulder made your eyebrows furrow but you were not able to look behind you before you heard, “I would have thought you would be in your chambers by now, sister.”

You flashed your eyes to Jace, begging him to not say anything to your brother after this night. You could handle Aemond, but if Jace said anything to him you feared for his reaction.

“I wanted to speak to Jacaerys,” You said, voice cautious as you turned, twisting your body to face Aemond. “We did not have enough time to talk amongst ourselves before dinner. We were only talking brother.”

He hummed, seeming unconvinced. Knowing Aemond, he knew you spoke the truth and he had disdain for your association with the person he loathed.

“You do know how upset mother would be if she heard you were sneaking around the castle to meet in secret with Lord Strong.”

Aemond’s voice was as cool as the night’s air and Jacaery’s had shot up. The smirk on your brother's face made anxiety rise through you as you shot up from your seat, facing Jace. “Please go to your chambers,” You pleaded. Daemon was not here now and if Jace threw a punch at Aemond calling him a bastard now there was no telling if Aemond would stop at one punch in retaliation. Stopping Aemond would not be possible, even if you begged him to. You smiled at him, shaky and nervous. “Go, Jace. My brother will escort me to my chambers.”

He looked at Aemond, then to you. It seemed he would gladly fight your brother for another remark calling him a bastard, but he listened to you. “Goodnight, Princess,” He said, not daring to grab your hands at all as a final goodbye, knowing Aemond’s reaction to that could be dire. “I hope to see you when my family returns to King’s Landing after a fortnight.”

You watched him walk away, thankful the further away he got away from you, and by association your brother. “Will you tell mother?”

You still were not looking at Aemond as you looked down the hall that Jace had already disappeared from. Turning around, now facing him you saw him already looking at you. “Will you find yourself meeting our sister’s bastards in the night again?”

There was only one answer. “No, brother. I will not.”

“Good,” He hummed. “It is beneath you.”

What was? Sneaking around, seeing Jacaerys? You did not know but it held the same meaning. Your quench to defend Jacaerys, to say he was not a bastard even if he was technically had a Strong father, but you resisted the urge, swallowing it.

“He would not protect you,” He told you as if he was enlightening you. The unsaid but I would heard in the silence. “If his mother told him to cut our family down, you included, he would not hesitate. He would not kill for you, you know it.”

“I do not wish for anyone to kill for me,” You insisted, chin wobbly and words thick.

He hummed and you swore by the glint in his eyes he would kill for you, gladly and perhaps even against your wishes.

“Not now when he offers you false promises in secret, but you may yet see the day you want justice,” His words were cryptic, holding double meaning that you did not fully comprehend. “I would think before dancing with them in front of our family again.”

It was not a threat, but it was no suggestion either. When he offered his arm, a command dressed as a gesture, you took it, all but letting him lead back to your chambers. “Do not sympathize with our nephew,” He warned, stopping in front of your chambers and removing his arm from yours. “He is feeble. You would do well to remember what mother told us, we must look after our own.”

“Jace is our own,” You rebutted. “His mother is our half sister, Aemond. That makes him our family.”

“I would not be so sure,” He said. “You would do well to remember where your loyalties lie.”

And he was leaving, walking away from you as went to his own chambers. You could only see the moonlight reflecting his hair as he retreated and pondered his words. Aemond spoke of your own family as though there would be war and your duty was as he saw it, not to your entire family. You opened your door quietly with hesitance, not quite wanted to go into your chambers but knowing there was nowhere else you could go.

By the time morning came you could only hope that Aemond would not tell your mother of your meeting with Jacaerys. In the morning you were sure nothing drastic would change anyways.

#jacaerys velayron x reader #jacaerys x reader #jacaerys velaryon #jacaerys imagine #aemond x reader #aemond targaryen x reader #aemond targaryen fanfic #aemond imagine #hotd x reader

[jawritter]

So Deep

Kinktober 2022, Ep 1

Summary: You take Beau Arlen for a ride...

Pairing: Beau Arlen x Reader

Warning: 18 + Readers Only!!!! Smut, Public Smut, Female on top, Hint of a control Kink if you squint. Kinda Dom Beau, Language.

Word Count: 540

A/N: This is totally unbetaed, so all mistakes are mine! I'm doing this on my phone, cause what kinda writer would I be if I let the first day of kinktober pass without posting! Ill reblog with tags in the morning! Please don't copy my work! Enjoy!

Kinktober Masterlist 

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Beau's strong hands lay heavily on her thighs, helping to guide her in a steady rhythm up and down his engorged length. The cold, night air of Montana bit unforgivingly at the exposed skin of her ass and thighs from an open window, but she couldn't really bring to her continuous self to give a fuck.

He was so thick, long, and throbbing as the head of his cock nailed almost painfully into her cervix with each rise and fall of her hips, their bodies rolling together as his hips rose in time with her own to help her keep her pace. 

So deep, God he was so fucking deep. 

Her head lulled back and a moan slipped past her kiss swollen lips giving room for his own hot mouth to attack the exposed skin of her throat and chest, his beard leaving a soft burn to remind her where he'd been just moments ago, and fuck if she wasn't already so fucking close. 

"God Darlin," Beau gritted out from behind his teeth, his fingers where sure to leave bruises on the soft flesh of her hips, but she'd wear them like a damn badge of honor. "You're so fucking tight, I ain't gonna last Baby." 

She wasn't going to last either. She was so close. Each pass of his impressive manhood through her quivering heat drove her close to the euphoria they both desperately needed. She was so far gone she couldn't do anything but moan in response to his deep, Texas graviled draw. 

"Can you do it honey? You're close, I can feel it. Think you can come on my cock?"

She somehow coherently nodded her head, but that wasn't good enough of an answer as he drove her down harder on his cock, chasing his release as well as hers; so he bit down hard on her shoulders and her body jerked as her cunt squeezed him hard. 

"Use your words Y/N," he demanded, and she almost screamed, "yes" as he ground his hips into hers impossible deeper. God he was so fucking deep. 

"Good girl, then cum for me sweetheart, cum on my cock."

Just like that, her body tumbled over the edge, and she jerked into her release as he guided her through it, spilling deep inside of her with a grunt, just as Cassie opened the small trailer door; the only thing separating them from her a thin sheet stretched over the bedroom door.

"You guys find that charger yet?" she questioned, and Beau smirked at Y/N, who was still impaled on his throbbing cock, her cheeks red, and her hair disheveled from the breeze flowing through the opened bedroom window, and Beau's large hands running through her hair. Surely, they heard them. 

"Yeah, we'll be right there!" Beau called out, and the trailer door closed as Y/N slowly lifted herself off of his cock. He grinned at her, knowing she'd have to sit through the whole movie next to the other women with his cum leaking out of her abused pussy. 

"They're gonna know," Y/N hissed at him as she righted her clothing and Beau just smiled. 

"Good, it's about time everyone knew who the fuck you belonged too, now come on, our guest are waiting." 

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#18 + only #beau x reader #beau arlen x reader #beau arlen #jensen ackles #jensen ackles x reader #jensen ackles x you #jawritter #kinktober #kinktober 2022 #public smut kink #jensen ackles smut #beau arlen smut

[lavender-at-heart]

꧁ℙ𝕦𝕞𝕡𝕜𝕚𝕟 ℙ𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘꧂

▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎

Pairing: Elvis (irl or austin) x pregnant!reader

Warnings: tooth rotting fluff, pregnancy

Notes: happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians! Just thinking about how fun fall time with E.P would be. Hope you enjoy. My requests are open, feedback is welcome and thank you for reading!

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"Slow down mama, please"

"No Elvis." I picked up my pace, practically running from the parking lot, huge smile on my face, tugging Elvis' hand and dragging him behind me.

"Its not like the pumpkins are gonna get up and run away baby, besides all this running isnt good for you." He pleaded for you to let go of the iron grip you had on his arm and slow down.

"They might!! come on and hurry up!"

"Oh alright." He huffed a sigh and joined you in your little run to the pumpkin patch. You made it to the front booth collecting the small broshure and greeting the starstruck service lady.

"I hope you two have a wonderful time and find a nice pumpkin!" Her toothy grin reached her eyes and I admired her for the amount of energy she had after a long and cold shift. We said our thanks and walked through the patch of orange and white gourds. I instinctively wrapped my jacket tighter around me when a cool breeze hit, letting go of Elvis' hand.

"I told you, should've worn another layer. You want my coat?" Elvis reprimanded me for not wearing a heated hazmat suit, although I doubt that would even put his worries to rest.

" I'm fine elvis, it was just the wind. Now shush your worries and help me find a nice big pumpkin" I tied my scarf around my head to warm up my cold ears and walked towards a large swarm of multicolored gourds.

I sat down on a hay bail and watched as elvis went through the bunch of pumpkins and held them up for me to judge. He looked so cute doing it too, reaching down and feeling to see if the pumpkin was wart free, clean and a good weight. He had worn his old brown leather gloves, brown fleased lined jacket and to complete the look the perfect little cowboy hat you had bought him. Too distracted with the way his blue eyes reflected in the setting sun, I didn't notice him ask me a question.

"Darling?"

"huh? Pardon?"

He smiled at your dopey state and held up two pumpkins. One of them was a white pumpkin, it was big and sort of lanky, more square shaped than circle. The other was a smaller orange one, plump, and round and smooth. It sort of looked like the two of you- in a way.

"Perfect." You smiled up at him and he smiled back. "But it's missing something" he frowned in confusion. You got up slowly, hand on your swelled belly and took Elvis helping hand. You walked over to a cluster of small pumpkins and carefully reached down to pick up the smallest of the bunch; it was a mix of orange and white and had the cutest little mole on it.

"There, now the families complete" you remarked gleefully.

"Family?" Elvis asked.

"Yes, isn't that why you picked them out? It's you and me and we can't forget about little EP Jr." You shook your head with a little shake and tsk'ed your teeth a few times, holding up the cute little pumpkin.

"My, arent you adorable, I hadn't even noticed." He walked forward and kissed your head. You bashfully looked down. Holding the baby pumpkin in one hand and the arm of elvis' coat in the other you walked back to the front booth to pay for your little pumpkin family.

When you arrived back at Graceland you went to grab a marker pen to put little faces on the pumpkins. After you were satisfied with your work you set them up on the window sill and stood back to look at your little project. You felt a pair of masculine framed arms wrap around you and caress your belly.

"Looks perfect hunnie, looks just like us." He softly said watching the orange and red leaves fall from above the windowsill.

"Do you think she likes them?"

"She?"

"Yeah...she, the baby."

"How you know its a she?" He chuckled and looked down at you.

"Just know it Elvis."

"Well then, think she loves them. I know she loves them." He said and pepered small kisses to the side of your face.

"Happy Halloween Elvis." You spoke so softly he wouldn't have been able to hear if not for the close proximity.

His hand rested on the middle of your stomach, giving it a small pat. And you felt a small kick in your belly in reply to the pat.

"Happy Halloween, my pretty girls."

#elvis presley x reader #elvis x reader #elvis #elvis 2022 #austin!elvis x reader #elvis x pregnant!reader #elvis x you #elvis presley #dad!elvis

[writingsofwesteros]

Hi? Could you rewrite 1x04 HoTD ep where Daemon takes Rhaenyra to the brothel but making it daemon x reader? 👁️ Thanks!!!❤️

AN: Hi, I hope you like this x

NSFW

“Daemon.” You whispered out as you slowly and quietly moved down the spiral staircase in the middle of the night. The change of clothes that had appeared in your chambers were clinging to your body. The note attached to it was completely vague but your curiosity got the better of you and you followed.

Your heart was racing in your ears as the candles flickered around you when you finally came to a stop. “Y/N..” He hummed in a deep tone as those violet eyes of his found yours and a smile tugged on his lips. “You came.” The Prince continued and slowly moved to gently take your hand in his. 

“Of course.” You hummed as he pulled you against his chest. His hand moving down your back for a moment. “Where are we going?” You whispered excitedly into his ear as your soft breasts brushed against his chest. His hand finally moved to your arse as he began to palm you. “It’s a surprise.”

You hummed as desire slowly moved up your body as the feel of his cock hardening against you had you whimpering. You were about to lean up and capture his soft lips when he leaned away. A soft pout came over your face but he only quietly tugged you as he moved out of the palace.

The cold breeze moved over you but Daemon was always warm to touch so you cuddled against his back. Your eyes moved around the excitement and buzzing of the townspeople. You had never been anywhere like this before. Daemon’s hand never left yours as he gently guided you though the place.

“You know this well?” You whispered, chewing on your bottom lip as you tried to ignore the rising envy. You wondered if he still visited this place. “Yes…I haven’t been here for a while now.” He looked down at you with a soft smile. “Oh..” You whispered, enjoying that a little too much.

Daemon only smirked as he placed you against his side to keep you safe from the many arms trying to reach out and sell to you. You only smiled politely as your excitement continued to bubble. “I’ve never been here before.” You giggled into his ear whilst moving from his grasp to see all that was in front of you.

Daemon stayed close to you as he easily followed in the shadows. The cloak hid his face but he hardly cared if he was seen. There was nothing wrong here, he thought to himself. A soft gasp escaped you and had him smirking some more as you came across the bare bodies taking their pleasure.

You slowly came to a stop as you looked through the viewing platforms at the erotic sight in front of you. Daemon slowly moved up behind you and all you could feel was the heat moving through you. “They are beautiful.” You whispered in awe and tried to hide the arousal quickly making itself at home inside you.

“You are beautiful.” He whispered into your ear as his hand slowly moved down your sides now. “Why did you bring me here?” You couldn’t help but ask as your cheeks flushed at his words. But Daemon didn’t answer as he burrowed into your neck some more. Your mouth watering scent moving over him.

“Daemon…” You whispered out and slowly moved your face to the side as he pushed you against the wall. “Shh..” He whispered whilst his hands moved down your sides and this time moved your slip of material to your hips. Your bare arse on full display had him slapping you. “Oh gods..” You whimpered out as he only darkly chuckled.

Thankfully, the audience around you both were far too invested in their own pleasures to look at you. “We shouldn’t.” You whimpered but your inner thighs were already becoming soaked as you heard Daemon’s hand move to his own slacks. “Why not?” He nibbled on your neck as he asked.

You had no answer for that or did you truly desire for this to end as he slowly moved his hard cock through your soaked folds. “Please..” You whimpered out, ducking your head before Daemon moved to tug your hair. With a gasp your head fell back onto his chest and he leaned in.

“Such a slut.” He purred and your cheeks couldn’t be any more red as he teased you. Your wetness had completely soaked him, which allowed him to easily slip inside you. The position had him deliciously stretching you and hitting deeper parts. “Please..” You couldn’t say anything else.

Daemon moaned with his head falling back. Those locks of his followed as he slowly began to move. Fuck, you were so tight. He looked down with those violet eyes of his and watched your soaked pussy wrap around him. His hand snaked around your middle and began to unbutton the shirt.

The cold night moved over you and had your soft nipples pebbling before he even cupped them. “So pretty.” He whispered into your ear and all you could do was moan out your pleasure. His thrusts quickened and the sound of your wetness echoed around as his hand slowly moved south. 

His larger hand moved across your soaked pussy as he slowly circled your clit. “Fuck.” You babbled out and moved back against his thrusts to meet him. He pinched your clit again and again whilst you only tightened around him some more. Your wetness drenching you both as he fucked you harder.

He was glad to have taken you out and knew it would be something he would continue to do as he brought you to new heights. You could only cry out his name as your orgasm ripped through you. You squirted around his cock as he continued to thrust. His rubbing of your soaked sex turned faster.

“There you go.” Daemon purred as you spasmed around him. His groans escaped him too before he released inside you. “Daemon..” You whimpered out and the show around you had continued and still did as you tried to catch your breath. Your dragon could only smirk as he gently removed himself from you.

His hand moved over your arse once more and your eyes widened when a finger of his moved over your other hole. It had you twitching and trying to hide as he only pushed against your back. “Another time.” Daemon whispered before passionately capturing your soft lips with all his love and devotion.

TAGLIST

@janelongxox

@writerslove2403

@severewobblerlightdragon 

@lettherebrelight 

@heartysworld

@opheliax98

@bshelley322 

@casualheartadorable 

@kittycatcait219 @lilyviolets

@multifndom @7minutes-tomidnight

@savage-aespa 

@kid-from-new-zealand @mypatrochilles

@thekayarlene 

@sandronebabyy 

@ivanna6026 

@bubblebuttwade

@rosesinmars

@believeinthefireflies95

#daemon targaryen x reader #request

[risathefairyofshampoo]

𝗕𝗼𝘆𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿 [HOW?] 2nd EP Reading (+ about Tracks)

(April 4th/5th, 2024)

Disclaimer: Everything is based on tarot and my intuition. I don't know these idols personally. Take everything that I say with a grain of salt. Let's get started! :)

Overall

Seven of Pentacles R, The Lovers, King of Wands, Ace of Pentacles R, King of Pentacles R, Two of Wands

I think this album might lack in some parts. It will feel like something is missing... It might also be the performance of the boys. Their dancing, singing... Maybe lacking in the ability. I especially feel like their live singing could lack

I do think that more people will be interested in BND. I feel like a lot of their fans (and other kpop fans) will enjoy it even if the performance might be bad/lacking

I feel like with this EP, they could make themselves more interesting... As in the members but also as a group

However, I do think that the company paid too much for this comeback. I do think that it will be lacking in a financial aspect

Concept

Temperance, Six of Swords, Knight of Wands R, Two of Swords, Three of Wands R

I think the concept (as in sound; mv; photos) will be very "fresh" in a way. We might see a lot of nature for this comeback.... A blue sky, clouds, grass, flowers, sunshine... Something like that.

I am smelling/ feeling a cold yet warm spring breeze. Feels like the concept will be something like that.

Something near. Something that everyone understands.

I also see a story for this comeback: I feel like it will be about love. Trying to move on from a crush/a relationship. They don't seem to be that passionate anymore. They want to move on, but [HOW?]. I see them trying to move on but coming back again and again.

Success

Page of Cups, Five of Cups R, Six of Wands R, Ten of Swords R, Ace of Wands

I think it will be a very creative comeback. It will bring people in. Especially these that didn't really like their songs in the past. However, I don't see them being that outstanding with the comeback, but I see great success. It will be very charming in a way, and people will find their way to give them more attention

Scandals

Five of Swords R, Eight of Pentacles, Seven of Wands R

Some people might point out that they are lacking skill. I am mainly hearing 'vocals'. Their singing might get criticised. Especially their live singing.

I think the members and the company will take the criticism, and they will try to work on their abilities. But I think they won't defend themselves/ won't get pushed to say something... so I guess it won't be sich a big thing. More like some people point these 'issues' out, others agree, and these videos/comments reach the members/company

I don't really see a big scandal. However, I think depending on the fans, it could get big, like le sserafims vocals 'scandal'.

——

[HOW?] Tracks Reading

01. 𝗢𝗨𝗥

Lyrics: The Chariot, The Moon R, The Devil R, Seven of Pentacles

First of all, I thought about their fans. However, I also think the song tells the story of their trainee days and how they worked hard to reach the point where they are now... Might talk about anxiety, mental illness/health, and feeling unshure about oneself. And their fans are taking a big part in this, too. Without them, they wouldn't be where they are now, thanks to their support.

Sound: The Emperor R, Seven of Swords, Judgement R, Page of Wands R

I think it will be a more comfortable and soft sound. Especially with the Emperor reversed and the page of wands reversed. I think it could also say that the lyrics are very much open for interpretation and that they go into a certain way but don't directly tell you what they mean. I also think that the song will kinda sound dramatic in a way. Maybe kinda like 'blue spring' by txt. The vocals are really present and go from strong to soft in a second. A very dramatic turn. Buy also getting a 'still monster' (by enhypen) vibe.

02. 𝗔𝗺𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮

Lyrics: The Hierophant, Ten of Wands, The Hanged Man R, Knight of Cups

Very artistic lyrics with meaning. I see a type of romance. The lyrics are about being a passionate lover/partner/person. I also think that the person they have all that passion for will be in a friendgroup or around/easy to reach. However, being afraid of making a move/afraid to confront the person. Not being satisfied with the situation.

Sound: Queen of Pentacles, Strength, Knight of Wands, The Moon R, Five of Wands, Knight of Swords, The Chariot R

So it will be soft, fresh... it will be a very BND song. I feel like for this song, not only the vocals matter, but the instrumental might sound very pretty, soft, but yet busy. It will be charming to listen to the song. I have a feeling that a lot might like this song from the first listen. But like I said, it could be busy in a way... Sounds clashing (?) I'm thinking of mix pop, but that's not the right genre I fear. It will be kinda like 'bam! In your face!'. This might just indicate the popularity the song might get.

03. 𝗦𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀

Lyrics: The Empress R, The Fool R, The Hanged Man R, Three of Wands, Six of Cups R, Three of Swords

Well, with the Empress r. begining the spread and the Three of Swords ending it, I feel like it could be about a potential woman/girl who broke their hearts. Seeing her as a selfish and toxic persona. "How could she do that to me?", "I never thought she would do that to me!", "Oh baby, why me?". Disinterest will be felt through their lyrics. Could contain some stupid/dumb lyrics. I feel like it will show disappointment. They definitely feel hurt, and they again are trying to move on. I'm really getting the feeling that the members worked on the lyrics. (Just checked, seems like it!)

Sound: Page of Cups R, Four if Pentacles, Six of Pentacles, Two of Pentacles R, The Sun

I feel like the sound will be a little bolder. But it will sound like fun! Getting 'See you there tomorrow' vibes. It could make a lot of people happy just listening to the song! It could also sound a little messy in a way. Fun but at the same time bold & messy!

04. 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵, 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱 & 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲

Lyrics: Page of Pentacles R, Five of Cups, Queen of Cups R, The Fool R, Knight of Swords R, Six of Pentacles

I feel like the lyrics won't be optimistic. I think the lyrics could contain a lot of sad words. I am seeing the members crying. Sobbing and feeling so much betrayed, so much sadness. So, in conclusion, it will be a song with sad lyrics. They lyrics seem to be toxic... being selfish and trying to heal but being remembered by something that they don't like and feel an emotional connection to. A lot of people might understand these lyrics very well.

Sound: Ten of Wands, Judgement R, Two of Cups R, Knight of Swords R, Nine of Pentacles, Two if Cups

I think it will have a catchy sound. Might be some blues. A depressing sound. Maybe Trumpets. But also some snares maybe that put an interesting sound to the song. I think it will sound like a breakup. It reminds me a lot of their song 'crying'. It will be very pretty and emotional. I think I might like this song a lot 😅

05. 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗹

Lyrics: The Hanged Man, Five of Pentacles R, Four of Swords, Seven of Pentacles, The Sun, Death R, Five of Wands

It will have some positive and nice lyrics. It will sound very nice! Might also have some fun lyrics in it! However, I think they will be more easy/calming in a way. Could literally be about life and what it holds for you. It could also contain lyrics about the messy society but it will mainly focus on the positive aspects!

Sound: The Hierophant, Eightnof Cups, Nine of Wnads, Ten of Cups, Six of Wands R, Seven of Wands, The Emperor, Ten of Pentacles

I think it will have a strong sound! Could have some charm coming with it but maybe also a (bold) rap? Just like bam, straightforward. It will definitely have some beautiful parts in it that a lot will like! But I also think it could sound a bit sad/messy. Like it might also not fit with the lyrics. I think this track will part fans! Some will like it and the others won't.

06. 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗠𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴

Lyrics: Ten of Swords, Ten of Wands, Queen of Swords, Six if Wands R, Seven of Swords R, Nine of Cups

I think the lyrics will also share some sadness but at the same time the lyrics will be hopeful! They might be very honest! The lyrics will definitely mean what they say! They will be so talkative with the lyrics. I also think it will be very much 'yeah this is what happened and I mean it'. Again feeling like the members are the main lyricists for this song. This song might reveal something about a member... Could be about a relationship or such... I think I've see a video before talking about Jaehyun and bow he wrote some heartbreaking (?) lyrics.... It definitely showed that he had a love life before and fans kinda 'freaked out' about this. I think this could also happen again.

Sound: Judgement, Death R, Queen of Wands, Ace of Cups R, Ten if Cups R, Page of Pentacles, Temperance

I think it will sound very positive. It will be a balanced song. Nice listening to. I think even if you don't like the song that much you'll still not skip it. It will have a nice sounding. It will be very lovey dovey... Likable. It will definitely sound positive and will have it's charm. But it might also be a little strong in a way. Maybe the vocals will sound very hard/strong. Maybe it will be a balade? Something in that direction or l like 'off the record' by IVE.

Woah! That was a long reading! I hope you liked it! I wanted to try to read about the songs aswell. Tell me if you like that or not! Might continue the track readings in the future if you like! I will definitely tune in into this comeback! I feel like I will like a lot of their songs!

#boynextdoor tarot #kpopidol #boynextdoor #tarot #boynext door how? #kpop #kpop tarot #music #tarot cards #aesthetic #tarot reading #hybe labels #risathefairyofshampoo

[pieroulette]

(1:21am)

📄summary: when you find yourself waiting everyday for the stranger you met on the night before

🥀genre: oneshot, fluff

🥀warning: blood, accident, lame attempt of humour and my horrible english- it's mostly from the reader's perspective tho

🥀word count: 2.4k+

🥀pairing: jungwon x fem! reader

📻theme song: roman holiday by halsey

🖋️a/n: this is actually based on my dreams lmao and some minor changes I made, and i decided to make a oneshot of it bcs i wanted to take a short break from writing EP 8 first. So here we goo, also the theme song is more like an intro/ending song than a bgm.

Home, a new home.

You take in the fresh scent of the new apartment your parents bought, a home where you would stay for the next few years to come, you were beyond excited to explore the inside and especially your room. Bringing your bags and a luggage on your other hand, it made a sound as you dragged it to your room, mouth hanging in an ‘o’ shape as you were happy with how your room looks; the desk, the pretty curtains, and the books, and especially your cozy bed.

“Like it?” your dad asked, leaning against the door with his arms crossed. Your dad had renovated the room in advance before you came so you won’t have to do much work aside from packing your clothes in the closet and such. With a wide smile on your face, you nodded excitedly.

“Hm! I like it so much!” you jumped in small hopes, unable to suppress your excitement that you’re going to live in this new apartment, in a city where you won’t have much trouble going to your college than it used to when you were in the countryside.

It was a new life, a new apartment, a new city; a place where you would make new memories, new friends, and dreams to accomplish.

—

Tidying your clothes on the bed as it was scattered on the bed and also on the floor, normally you hate to tidy up your clothes but for some reason, you were smiling as you do it. The wind breeze passes through your face, closing your eyes as you take it in. Fluttering your eyes open, the dark pink curtain was moving along with the wind in a graceful way as the view out of your balcony made your eyes meet with the beautiful scenery of the city.

Getting up on your feet, you carefully try to not hop on your scattered clothes on the floor as you make your way to the balcony, the rails which were painted in black and flower pots on the floor. Stroking your fingers against it, feeling the cold as you gripped on the rail and you observed the city a bit far away from where your apartment is. Today you can’t stop smiling, the dark orange sky as the sun sets with it and the lights of the city made your heart beat with excitement.

“I wonder how my life will turn out for the next few days in this city? For the next few months.. And for the years to come. I wonder how..” you exhaled deeply, closing your eyes as the smile on your face never disappears.

—

Laying on the comfort of your new bed turned out to be the best thing in the world, as you watched the newest show playing on the tv. You had a week left before you’re going to attend the college so you’re going to make the most of it; binge-watch your favourite anime and kdramas, because you can’t be bothered to watch the western ones, or maybe you take that back, you do have some western dramas you like but nothing could top anime and kdramas for you.

“Heh..” you giggled, you’re going to do everything today, and make this the best week of your life ever.

Crash!

Jolting in surprise, as the remote on your hand fell on the floor. You instantly turned your head to the loud crash outside your balcony, what was that? Frowning, you get up curious to see what was the source of noise just now. Looking down from your balcony, you suppressed your scream instantly by putting your hands over your mouth as you were met with the sickening sight of a young woman laying on the ground, blood pooling out of her body, mostly under her head.

What happened? Did she jumped- Or did someone pushed her? Or did she try to kill herself? Just what happen!? You immediately look up above you as people from all over their balcony came out, shocked in horror and along with it you heard an ear-piercing scream. Your parents came behind you to see what happen, and their curious face were replaced with horror as well.

Your parents tried to usher you inside but you insisted on trying to see what happened first, you then heard the ambulance from the distance, knowing that someone must’ve called. Thank god. And just then you saw a boy around your age run towards the woman, bringing her closer in his arms as he looked around frantically asking for help. Tilting your head, you tried to see his face but as his head hangs low all the time, you couldn’t really see him. Soon the ambulance finally came, taking the woman and the boy follow along with them. Sighing, just what a bad luck it was that an accident happen on your first day here. Feels like it somehow jinxed something? Shaking your head, you shouldn’t think too much about it, you thought.

And somehow, the boy just now made it’s way into your thoughts as you stared at the distance where the ambulance take off just now, you wonder.. When are you going to meet him again? Slapping your face lightly with your head,

“Get back to your senses, god.” you went in, closing your huge-ass window. You plopped on your bed, feeling the comfort and coziness of your pillow as you finally dozed off.

—

It has been a few days now in your new home, as you stand outside on your balcony watching the blue sky, thinking of how beautiful it was and how you wanna just sit on this balcony and look at it for hours but you know that there was another reason along with that; that boy, somehow you kinda can’t shake off the thoughts of the boy you saw that night, wondering what happened to that woman, what was his relationship with her, and how was he doing right now? You were sure he’ll eventually come back again, or maybe not if the woman didn’t survive at all. Lightly slapping your face repeatedly, you mentally curse yourself as to why you even think of the worst case scenario.

Of course, she would survive? Why wouldn’t she? It’s not that high! You scoffed, but your face fells in horror as you thought about it again, looking down from your balcony. It’s fucking high that you can actually die. You’re an idiot, a certified idiot.

Scoffing in disbelief once again, just why are you so-

Your lazy eyes shoot open as you see a familiar figure from the distance walking over to your place, your place? Are you stupid? He doesn’t even know you. You observed him, taking in his features you never properly saw that night; dark brown fluffy hair and a cat-like features, and somewhat tall? Okay, he’s tall. And good looking, you gotta admit that. However, he somehow looks tired while his attention was on his phone, and he walked in through the building you were in. You assume that he must be getting something from the woman’s apartment?

And you were proven right, when you saw him bringing a black bag. Ah, clothes? So the woman survived after all, you sighed in relief. You bring your eyes on him again, observing him as he stands just below your balcony, he was busy on his phone. From your place, you tried to squint your eyes trying to see what he was doing with his phone, but you gave up because you don’t have 200000/20 eye vision to see it. Eating your ice cream as you observed him finally walking off after a few minutes, his figure grew smaller from the distance as he finally disappeared from your sight. H

“Hm. His back looks cute.” you thought as you ate your ice cream.

—

And from then on, it somewhat became a routine for you, waiting for him to appear. You didn’t really plan to do it, but somehow when you were bored, you would look at the city from your balcony but then he would randomly appear on the street, as always, heavily focused on his phone. You would see him appearing sometimes, and most of the time once in a while, going in and out bringing something with him, and sometimes he goes out empty-handed.

Sometimes, he stood beside the street for a few minutes and sometimes an hour, using his phone. And you gotta admit, those were your favourite moments, because then you had an extra time to observe him and his fit of the day, you gotta admit he had some good sense of fashion. You feel as if you were being a stalker tho, but for god’s sake, this is your freaking apartment, and you are in your freaking balcony and so what’s wrong with you being here? In fact, it’s that boy’s fault for standing below your freaking balcony so no one can blame you. Scoffing, you aggressively bite your ice cream as you observe the boy’s back again, still on his phone.

'This guy, just why is he on his phone all the time?'

—

For some reason, you felt as if you knew him now. Kinda a wifey waiting for her husband to come back? Laughing at yourself, more like you being a stalker. You don’t know why tho, was it because you were looking forward to seeing him? Or was it also because you felt disappointed when you waited for him to come but he didn’t appear at all? You really felt like a wifey now.

Pouting, this was one of those days. Looking out from your balcony, you look from the distance waiting for him to appear. Playing on your phone, then gazing at the sky till it was finally nighttime, and all the lights from the buildings in the city glowed brightly. You look at the time on your phone, and it’s now past 7. You turned your head to where he usually came from, but there was nothing but cars and people passing by.

Sighing deeply, he would definitely come back again tomorrow or maybe soon.

But it turns out, he didn’t come for nearly a month. You somehow gave up now, somewhat disappointed. You can’t believe yourself, why were you even disappointed over that? You never knew him at all, heck, he doesn’t know you too. He only came for personal reasons, and that was definitely not you. But really, you wanted to see him again, wondering how he was doing and all, or if he was doing fine.

Groaning, for god’s sake, get back on your senses. Just get rid of him from your thoughts, (Name)!

Just then a car pulls up on the street, just a bit far from your balcony. You’ve never seen that car before though, after staying for almost a month here, you somehow already knew who stayed here and who didn't and along with the vehicles they used. And you felt like a security guard, watching over the people on this street. And on some days, you felt like a mountain deity, or more like a city apartment deity bestowing your protection on the people here.

Chuckling, you squint your eyes trying to see who was in the car. The car’s door pushes open and the person in it goes out, and the sight makes your jaw drop.

It was him.

You couldn’t even explain how your heart swells in happiness upon seeing him, did you actually miss him? You observed as he went on the other side of the car, pulling the door open and a lady came in sight. Huh? Who was that? His arms wrapped around the woman’s waist as he helped her walk on her feet, as they made their way to the apartment. You almost felt a pang on your chest if it wasn’t because of you immediately caughting on that this was the woman from that night. She’s really safe, in fact, looking healthier than when you first saw her, almost dead on the ground actually.. Cringing, praying to the gods that they won’t lessen your luck because of your thoughts.

But now that you saw her properly, she look so pretty, almost like an angel with her long wavy hair flowing in a graceful wind while the wind blows through it, and the boy beside her looking like a perfect reincarnation of a cat as well. What is this, a goddess and her cat sort of like a kdrama scenario? Pfft, what a joke, you would definitely binge-watch it. You scoffed, looking at the two again and the woman’s eyes .. was on you?

“Shit!” you immediately dropped down the floor of your balcony after you met eyes with the woman, “Fuck, she saw me. I’m dead.” you raised your head looking up, but you realize you were a complete idiot after forgetting that your balcony was actually rails, a freaking rails where they obviously can see you hiding.

“Hah..ha.” you scoffed in disbelief, the two’s attention were now on you. Fuck, even him. You really wanna disappear from the face of this world right now, and erase your name from any documents possible or probably bury yourself 60feet underground. Wait why are you even hiding? What crime were you doing? This is your freaking room, in your freakin balcony. You immediately stood up, walking slowly to your room in embarrassment.

—

You slowly peek at the street from your curtains, trying to see if the two were still there. Breathing out in relief, are they gone? You walked to your balcony in small hops like a burglar in the broad daylight, squinting your eyes trying to see if the boy was still there, and you jolted in surprise when he suddenly appeared from below the building you were in. Lowering yourself a bit to the level of your rails in hopes it would still prevent him from seeing you as he walks off straight to his car,

You were a bit disappointed for some reason, you kinda wanna try to get to know him after almost a month not seeing him. You were a bit scared that he probably won’t come again, but he probably would since he was definitely close with the woman just now. But really, you really wanted to go downstairs and somehow try to be friends with him? But how on earth are you going to do that?

'Hey, i’m your stalker, i’ve been watching you from my balcony for awhile now and it would be really nice if we can be friends!'

'Or hey! Sorry I wasn’t stalking you just now, it was just a coincidence that I was on my balcony while you were here with that lady-'

For fuck’s sake, just stop it! You heavily sighed, closing your eyes tight and you opened your eyes again to see that his cat-like eyes was staring at you.

"Shit."

© sweetpieceofnightmarez, 2022

-> ENHYPEN ROYAL SERIES: MY QUEEN

-> ENHYPEN SERIES: TO LIVE ON

-> YANDERE SERIES: ENHYPEN

#enha #enhypen #enhypen oneshots #enhypen scenarios #enha fanfic #enha imagines #enha x reader #enhypen x reader #enhypen x female reader #enha jungwon #jungwon x reader #yang jungwon #enhypen jungwon #enha smau #enhypen smau #enhypen fluff #enha reactions #kpop imagines

[miseries-mistress]

GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD | ECHO

Synopsis: Echo makes his choice.

Warnings: gender not mentioned, SPOILERS FOR TBB S2 EP 8, angst, goodbyes, mutual pining. W/C: 962

Notes: inspired by the song goodbye yellow brick road by elton john. i felt the lyrics went really well with this

star wars masterlist

The jagged edges of your heart pierce your chest, ripping the air from your lungs at a violent rate. The shards drift downwards, carried by the stream of your blood, letting the fragments cut and bruise every part of you until you can hear it ringing in your ears.

You take a tentative step forward. You're surprised you can manage that much. Wind nips at your cheeks, drying the streaking trail of tears into cold lines, a reminder. 

The Marauder sits at the edge of the platform almost mockingly, as if to sneer in your puffy face- the proof of your mental anguish- that the other half of you would not return to the home you had created. 

"Why didn't you tell me?" It's a plea, a desperate one at that, as you grasp at the fraying rope of your will to remain strong. It's not like you two were together. You never discussed what was happening between you, just accepted it as a bond more personal than friendship. Now you would never know where the limits of this "relationship" lie if there was ever something more intimate than mere attraction prowling beneath his skin. 

"I didn't know for sure until now."

Echo closes the gap in an instant, embracing you in a safety net of a false reality only his arms could provide. He holds you as though the world is ending, the sky is falling, and tearing you two apart would cause the galaxy's demise. Yet, his strong arms remain a pillar of strength, lifting you up and into the expansion of his welcoming chest as he has done many times before. They're the same ones that steady you when life makes itself out to be nothing more than a cruel game, like a rock at sea, keeping you from plunging under the icy surface without a second thought. 

Your face digs into the crook of his neck, inhaling the faint hint of sweat blended with metal, a fragrance that builds shelter over the dark clouds threatening to shower you with guilt that seeps through your skin. It's the only thing keeping you from collapsing entirely. 

"I need to do this," he says softly, firmly grasping understanding and gripping tenderness like a lifeline for your sake. It's a gesture much too kind for you when it's him that's leaving. 

"I know." The words rip painfully out of your vocal cords, the result a pitiful croak of grief. It's the same emotion Echo is keeping you from drowning in. 

Your arms tighten around him just as your quivering lips give way to an involuntary sob. A wet droplet connects to the crown of your head. 

"I'll be back, I promise." 

You haphazardly nod your head, feeding on his reassurance with baleful hunger. 

His leave is inevitable, you know this, and so does he, but it does nothing to stop the shiver sent down the length of your spine when his arms begin to loosen, his warmth receding from your clumsy grasp. Instead, it intensifies the reality you are running from, dodging every sign and barrier trying to stop you from spiraling to a place of no return. 

Echo's hand holding you above the water of complete misery slips, dunking you in its frigid waves, and your lungs burn with every inhale, your breathing turning into a gasp for air. 

Your arms fall uselessly to your side, Echo unintentionally stomping on each and every fragment of your heart, inadvertently making sure to grind the glass pieces into a cloud of fine dust ushered away by the polluted breeze of Corocuant. He doesn't mean to hurt you, but his actions can't help but do so. You're sure you can never rebuild it again without the scars of his leaving. 

"I have to."

I know.

You more firmly nod, sniffling as you pull your spine straighter and swallow down the tears. Echo's honeydew irises darken with the shadow of longing and doubt. You watch his eyes wobble as they flit over the sadness etched into your features. His choice is made by his driving sense of belonging and purpose, and you're making him feel guilty about it. Reconsider it even. 

You can't keep doing this. It's selfish of you to demand Echo to stay when his calling is elsewhere. Except you always assumed he found it with you. The realization that you never knew as much as you thought you knew about the man you so desperately longed for sends a fresh wave of salty tears swimming in your clouded eyes. Echo is still as much of a stranger as the day he stumbled into the rag-tag team of clones you were a part of, into your welcoming arms, which have turned into an unreachable memory.

He hesitates for a moment, considering every repercussion of his actions before he leans forward, his lips caressing the crown of your head in a movement so fluid and light you could have sworn you imagined it. 

"Goodbye."

I love you. 

Your knees wobble, and you're afraid you will collapse under the weight of your sorrow. You can see it in how Echo's face falls, his irises clouded with the unspoken words dangling between you, suffocating you with their noose. Now you're sure, from the emotion weaved into the muscle and tissue of his features, if you utter the words, the ones that hold the ability to alter the trajectory of both your lives, he'll reconsider. The phrase turns to lead on your tongue, and your stomach freefalls. You can't hold him back. No matter how much you love him, the time has come to let him go. You force a weak smile, encouraging him to leave under the false pretense of the facade you offered him.  

"Goodbye." 

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