Tumgik
#fine line diamond painting
two-sides-halved · 2 years
Note
Fuse with me! ~ Gone-Pink ;3c
@gone-pink
SEND “FUSE WITH ME!” AND I’LL TELL YOU | not accepting
What type of gem we’d make: Pink Diamond
Personality: ???, tired, h̷͕̥͘a̴͖̾̿͐p̷̻͒p̵̘͓̕y̷͚͊͒ ̵̮͔̠͒̇t̸̘̾͜o̷̰̒ ̸͇́̈́̓Ĥ̵̳̱̳Ḙ̶̹̲͌L̵̯̹̤̈́P̴̢̓ͅͅ Very protective of @kevin-the-jerk
Stability of Fusion: Mental stability ? Never heard of her. Stable through an intense want to help the other Steven. Gone Pink wants to help Gem Steven and Gem Steven wants to help Gone Pink, neither of them wants to deal with their own issues.
Height of the fusion (in comparison to other characters)
Tumblr media
2 notes · View notes
foervraengd · 8 months
Text
Mirre’s “How i render gemstones” tutorial!
Tumblr media
(note: image above is not what is shown in the walkthrough. It is an example piece)
Ingredients:
Art program that has layers and selection tools
Patience (hubris or stubbornness is fine too)
(recommended) photo references of gemstones and/or prisms
(Optional but very helpful) Knowledge on how to use Reference layers and anti-overflow in Clip studio Paint
For this tutorial i am going to use clip studio’s “anti-overflow” feature. This post is not going to explain how to use that specific setting but you should be able to find guides on how to use it on clip studio’s official website or on youtube.
Please Note: The result of this technique will not 100% represent real life gemstones. These are more simplified but should still make an impression of the brilliance and appeal of gems, crystals and diamonds.
If you don’t work in CSP: the best workaround is to use the polygonal lasso selection tool for the same purpose.
This ended up being a long post so I am putting it under the readmore:
First off; Basic idea on how the light refracts inside a solid transparent object:
Tumblr media
Wether it is acrylic, glass, water or crystal, the way light pass through more or less should behave the same as long as it is solid and not hollow inside. Pay attention to how the darkest parts of the stone goes along the inner edges, leaving a ”mid tone” sort of in the center. However, this might vary depending on the light setting. But it is a generally good rule-of-thumb to follow if you’re drawing something not based on a photo. Another thing to pay attention to here is how the placement of the highlight will lit up the inside of the gem in a parallel line. It also shows through on the cast shadow.
Light refraction on a cube:
I have already made two posts on this, so definitely go through them:
CUBE BREAKDOWN POST HERE
But a rough summary from those two links would be: Every side/facet of a gem or a cube etc refracts the light individually and not as one entity (that would make it look hollow and not solid). Think of it like how each piece in a broken mirror individually reflect your face back to you. Like a weird patchwork!
Putting this into practice:
For this tutorial I’m going to be nice to myself and not try to draw perfectly accurate gemstones. Instead I’m gonna draw them with a more ”natural” looking set of facets. Which actually isnt as common in real world as video games makes us think. Some crystals have geometric shapes naturally, but a lot of other stones are not as fancy. Anyway, im taking artistic liberty on these example stones because the technique I’m going to use will work for these just fine.
Tumblr media
So, in clip studio paint, I first draw the stones on a vector layer. I give them facets for the front side. Then I duplicate the layer, remove the front facets and replace them with the facets on the back of the stone. The third image here shows both layers visible on top of each other. I now put these into a layer folder and mark the folder as ”reference”.
Tumblr media
Now, on a layer below the lineart folder, fill with your base tone. Then make a layer on top (if you can clip it to the base tone, do that), this layer is where you decide where the highlight will be placed. In some cases the highlight is only lighting up one single facet - it really depends on the design of the stone. You can also blend and soften the highlight here if it looks good for you, just make sure not every facet is highlighted. The highlight layer should be on top of all the other layers clipped to the base tone layer.
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Now it is time for the juicy juicy stuff! Turn on both lineart layers so they’re both visible. I hid the hilight layer here because it was in the way, but might not be needed in your case. Make a layer clipped to the base tone and paint in the darkest tone. This is where anti-overflow helps me out, because when i run my brush over all these crossed lines it will make the stroke pop in and out for each facet. If you dont use CSP, this is where you can use the lasso tool and select every second facet. It will take a bit more time but it should work similarly.
After the darkest tones I then make a layer for the inside light that the highlight has lit up. Here i keep it inside the darkest tone but this might vary depending on the light setting. If it looks good to me, then that’s what i stick to.
The way I approach rendering the facets here is like the grid in the example images above, every shade and tone appear more or less in each facet but the amount is relative to their position. So a gradient wouldnt have a smooth transition; it would be slightly scewed in each square on this example grid. Essentially like how some bathroom window glass panes look like.
Tumblr media
Now it’s time to hide the lineart layer folder and check if the gemstones look decent to you. If not, then you can look up some reference photos and analyze where the values group together the most; be careful not to focus too much on the photos 500 million sparkles. Squint your eyes or blur the reference and try to see how the overall values behae.
I, personally, am satisfied with these rocks so I slap on a gradient map (you can manually color in them too if that’s your thing) and call it a day. The lit up inside of a gemstone tend to have a brighter and more saturated color than the mid tone.
Other Examples with this technique:
Tumblr media Tumblr media
If you look up ”gemstone types” you can often find images displaying various facet types from more than just front view. These can serve as useful base templates for practicing this rendering technique. The backside of a gemstone is called the “pavillion” and is really useful to have at hand when it comes to painting the inner refractions. You can probably also use 3D models and convert the wireframe into lineart. But that is slightly out of my pool of knowledge.
Tumblr media
Applying this knowledge without using a base lineart layer is of course possible. In this painting I followed a simplified summary of how the facets sparkle: Keep the highlight shape to match the front facet design, and all the inner refractions should be more scattered and split up but face a direction towards the center of the gem. Now don’t you think this sort of makes the gems look like eyes? That’s right! You can, and absolutely should, apply this on eyes to create the most sparkly anime eyes ever.
Now, refracted light that lands on the surface surrounding gemstones varies depending on the material - and if the gem is inside a metal frame it usually doesnt create this much refraction around it. But I want to have fun so i decided to break this rule in the name of pretty sparkles. :)
2K notes · View notes
lord-of-the-prompts · 2 years
Text
DESCRIBING THE PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES OF CHARACTERS:
Body
descriptors; ample, athletic, barrel-chested, beefy, blocky, bony, brawny, buff, burly, chubby, chiseled, coltish, curvy, fat, fit, herculean, hulking, lanky, lean, long, long-legged, lush, medium build, muscular, narrow, overweight, plump, pot-bellied, pudgy, round, skeletal, skinny, slender, slim, stocky, strong, stout, strong, taut, toned, wide.
Eyebrows
descriptors; bushy, dark, faint, furry, long, plucked, raised, seductive, shaved, short, sleek, sparse, thin, unruly.
shape; arched, diagonal, peaked, round, s-shaped, straight.
Ears
shape; attached lobe, broad lobe, narrow, pointed, round, square, sticking-out.
Eyes
colour; albino, blue (azure, baby blue, caribbean blue, cobalt, ice blue, light blue, midnight, ocean blue, sky blue, steel blue, storm blue,) brown (amber, dark brown, chestnut, chocolate, ebony, gold, hazel, honey, light brown, mocha, pale gold, sable, sepia, teakwood, topaz, whiskey,) gray (concrete gray, marble, misty gray, raincloud, satin gray, smoky, sterling, sugar gray), green (aquamarine, emerald, evergreen, forest green, jade green, leaf green, olive, moss green, sea green, teal, vale).
descriptors; bedroom, bright, cat-like, dull, glittering, red-rimmed, sharp, small, squinty, sunken, sparkling, teary.
positioning/shape; almond, close-set, cross, deep-set, downturned, heavy-lidded, hooded, monolid, round, slanted, upturned, wide-set.
Face
descriptors; angular, cat-like, hallow, sculpted, sharp, wolfish.
shape; chubby, diamond, heart-shaped, long, narrow, oblong, oval, rectangle, round, square, thin, triangle.
Facial Hair
beard; chin curtain, classic, circle, ducktail, dutch, french fork, garibaldi, goatee, hipster, neckbeard, old dutch, spade, stubble, verdi, winter.
clean-shaven
moustache; anchor, brush, english, fu manchu, handlebar, hooked, horseshoe, imperial, lampshade, mistletoe, pencil, toothbrush, walrus.
sideburns; chin strap, mutton chops.
Hair
colour; blonde (ash blonde, golden blonde, beige, honey, platinum blonde, reddish blonde, strawberry-blonde, sunflower blonde,) brown (amber, butterscotch, caramel, champagne, cool brown, golden brown, chocolate, cinnamon, mahogany,) red (apricot, auburn, copper, ginger, titain-haired,), black (expresso, inky-black, jet black, raven, soft black) grey (charcoal gray, salt-and-pepper, silver, steel gray,), white (bleached, snow-white).
descriptors; bedhead, dull, dry, fine, full, layered, limp, messy, neat, oily, shaggy, shinny, slick, smooth, spiky, tangled, thick, thin, thinning, tousled, wispy, wild, windblown.
length; ankle length, bald, buzzed, collar length, ear length, floor length, hip length, mid-back length, neck length, shaved, shoulder length, waist length.
type; beach waves, bushy, curly, frizzy, natural, permed, puffy, ringlets, spiral, straight, thick, thin, wavy.
Hands; calloused, clammy, delicate, elegant, large, plump, rough, small, smooth, square, sturdy, strong.
Fingernails; acrylic, bitten, chipped, curved, claw-like, dirty, fake, grimy, long, manicured, painted, peeling, pointed, ragged, short, uneven.
Fingers; arthritic, cold, elegant, fat, greasy, knobby, slender, stubby.
Lips/Mouth
colour (lipstick); brown (caramel, coffee, nude, nutmeg,) pink (deep rose, fuchsia, magenta, pale peach, raspberry, rose, ) purple (black cherry, plum, violet, wine,) red (deep red, ruby.)
descriptors; chapped, cracked, dry, full, glossy, lush, narrow, pierced, scabby, small, soft, split, swollen, thin, uneven, wide, wrinkled.
shape; bottom-heavy, bow-turned, cupid’s bow, downturned, oval, pouty, rosebud, sharp, top-heavy.
Nose
descriptors; broad, broken, crooked, dainty, droopy, hooked, long, narrow, pointed, raised, round, short, strong, stubby, thin, turned-up, wide.
shape; button, flared, grecian, hawk, roman.
Skin
descriptors; blemished, bruised, chalky, clear, dewy, dimpled, dirty, dry, flaky, flawless, freckled, glowing, hairy, itchy, lined, oily, pimply, rashy, rough, sagging, satiny, scarred, scratched, smooth, splotchy, spotted, tattooed, uneven, wrinkly.
complexion; black, bronzed, brown, dark, fair, ivory, light, medium, olive, pale, peach, porcelain, rosy, tan, white.
20K notes · View notes
hisui-dreamer · 2 months
Text
where the light is dim
Pairing: Malleus Draconia x gn!reader
Synopsis: everyone's wandered off in the festival, and you can't even find a familiar face
Tags: poetic themes, fluff, diasomnia shenanigans
Word count: 436
Notes: happy chinese new year everyone🧧🏮🎆!! this was heavily inspired by a chinese poem that takes place on new years (which i attempted a translation of below hehe), and plus it's the year of the dragon, so now we have mal mal festival time (⁠ ⁠╹⁠▽⁠╹⁠ ⁠)
Masterlist
Tumblr media
The east wind blows breezes a thousand blossoming trees,
Tumblr media
The stars, like rain, descend like a gentle breeze.
Bejewelled carriages and fine horses leave a fragrant trail on the road,
Phoenix flutes resound in the wind, the jade lantern’s light flows,
All night, the fish and dragon lanterns dance.
Maidens adorned with gold, extravagant pins in their hair,
Smiling shyly, fragrance lingering in the air.
In the crowd, searching countless times,
Suddenly, turning my head,
There stands the one, where the light is dim.
―青玉案・元夕 辛棄疾
The street pulses with energy, vibrant and bustling beneath a canopy of scarlet lanterns that sway gently in the evening breeze. Each lantern, adorned with intricate designs and tassels, casts a warm, inviting glow that bathes the cobblestone pavement below in a rich crimson hue.
The air is alive with the hum of chatter and laughter, as locals and visitors alike meander through the thoroughfare, their footsteps echoing against the ancient brick walls that line the street. Vendors peddle their wares from colourful stalls, their voices competing with the lively strains of traditional music that drift from nearby taverns and teahouses.
'Where is he?' you thought to yourself, tired from the heavy ornaments painstakingly styled into your hair as you turned and turned your head to catch even a glimpse of him amidst the bustling crowd.
Malleus had invited you to a short trip to the Far East, prompted by Silver's longing to explore the lands of his childhood hero, and swiftly organized by Lilia's enthusiastic urging. You're not sure whether Lilia was aware of it or not, your travels happened to coincide with a grand local festival.
The street offers a multitude of intrigue, from mouth-watering scents from the food skewers to the delicate souvenirs hand-crafted by merchants, and it's not long before you find yourselves gradually becoming separated from the group amidst the bustling crowd. The allure of the vibrant surroundings pulls each person in a different direction, until eventually, you can no longer spot any familiar faces amidst the sea of glamorous outfits adorning the local ladies.
A whirring noise catches your attention, and you turn to the direction of the sound. Your gaze is met with the spectacle of fireworks illuminating the night sky, their explosions of brilliance painting the heavens with vibrant hues, scattering glittering sparks like diamonds. Brilliant reds, dazzling blues, and alluring golds intertwine and collide, creating a breathtaking tapestry of colour that captivates all who gaze upon it.
It's a view you want to share with him.
You weave through the crowd once again, deftly sidestepping opulent carriages and elegant ladies. Their alluring perfume mingles with the joyous melodies of the flutes, enveloping you in a whirlwind of sensation that leaves you momentarily dizzy.
A glance down a narrow alley catches your attention, and in the distance, a lone lantern flickers. Squinting to sharpen your focus, you realise you've found the very person you're looking for.
Malleus, tucked away in the shadowy corner, his focus fixed solely upon a weathered lion stone statue.
You can't help the exasperated smile that graces your lips.
Maybe you should've expected that.
Masterlist
Tumblr media
if you liked this post, don't forget to reblog!
399 notes · View notes
lilliankoo · 9 months
Text
“Titanic” series masterlist.
Tumblr media
cast: jeon jungkook, y/n, kim mingyu, yoon jeonghan, sana, kim jennie and more.
pairing: artist! jungkook x rich y/n
synopsis: the year is 1912, the ship of dreams titanic is set to sail, among thousands of people abord, a twenty year old young woman falls in love with a young man she is supposed to stay away from. the fate plays its own game and the pair keeps tangling in each other’s life. when the pair decides to start a new life together, the fate rolls the dice once again, and the star crossed lovers are faced with an ill-fated conclusion.
first & second chapter is out! 2/7
inspiration: the movie titanic: not the entire plot but some aspects of it; the aesthetic, mild story line, symbolism etc.
genre: strangers to lovers, smut, star crossed lovers but with a twist!, happy ending.
rating: 18+
word count: seven chapter series, tbd.
warnings: tbd. more will be added as the series progress but overall: smutt (it is going to be intense) , age gap (jk is 24 and yn is 20) death (not main characters), descriptions of nud3 paintings, descriptions of violence (mild), ocean/water (?), rich/poor themes, classism, mild racism etc.
series playlist: the night we met- lord huron, i wanna be yours- arctic monkeys, brooklyn baby- lana del rey, apocalypse- cigarettes after sex, always forever- cults, until i found you- stephen sanchez, video games- lana del rey, fine line- harry styles.
author’s note: omgg finally im going to post this instead of debating and thinking abt “what ifs”. i have so manny ideas and stories i wanna share i hope u will like it! im going to start these series sooon so yes lets get it.
disclaimer: in no way, shape or form i intend to copy or plagiarize, this is just for fun, i do not own the pics, this does not describe jungkook hes just a “cast/actor” and so does everyone else in the fic.
Tumblr media
chapter I: ship of dreams
chapter II: brooklyn baby
chapter III: like one of your french girls
chapter IV: letters i never sent
chapter V: diamonds, wax candles & stars
chapter VI: you jump, i jump
chapter VII: heart of the ocean
Tumblr media
let me know if you would like to be tagged!
635 notes · View notes
rowretro · 2 months
Text
𝓟𝓲𝓮𝓬𝓮 ♡𝓯 𝓒𝓪𝓴𝓮
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
✧warnings: fluff
♡synopsis: It's your birthday and your treat of a boyfriend Heeseung had nothing but sweet treats for you the whole day.
(happy bday to the anon who suggested<3)
✧♡✧♡✧♡✧♡✧♡✧♡✧♡✧♡✧♡✧♡✧♡✧♡✧♡✧♡✧♡✧
"Happy birthday my darling, my world My everything~" Heeseung sang happily, as he kissed her nose, waking you up from your comfortable slumber. "thanks babeee but I wanna sleeep" the girl whined as Hee snickerred "maybe later, I have surprises waiting for you birthday girl." Heeseung said, planting another loving kiss on her forehead.
You were at the balcony, just doing a little painting, Heeseung smiled, back hugging you as he watched you work magic with the paintbrush in your hold. How focused you were with fine lines. "Don't you think it needs a little something here?" Heeseung asked asked pointing at the canvas as you frowned, looking straight at it.
Heeseung took this chance to slip on a beautiful chain on your neck. Initials embellished with beautiful diamonds. Yet they don't outshine her beautiful eyes he'd say. His hands slipping from her neck to her waist, he turned her around so she could face him, kissing her lips softly. "Tonight... I want to take you on a date, a special date" the man said as you tilted your head, curious "A surprise" he added.
The evening rolled, the sky as dark as dark can be. She can feel the soft sand beneath her feet as she took in the view. Heeseung told her to just stand there, and stare at the sky. Maybe he was setting up something behind her. She was wrong. There before her eyes was something more beautiful.
Pink fire works taking spotlight as a "Happy birthday y/n" shone before her, disappearing into the sky. It was the kind of firework show you would see on BBC news on new years day. The kind the whole world will get up to watch, and Heeseung brought it to her, made it about her.
"Babe you ready for cake?" Heeseung asked as he took your hand in his, walking you over to a nearby café, where your friends and his friends were "Happy birthday darling..." Heeseung said as he kissed your forehead. Y/n's best friend ran over and hugged you tightly. "I know I said I wouldn't make it, but I only said that because your boyfriend wanted it to be a surprise... I was wrong, you got the best of the best men" she said with a smile as she hugged y/n.
185 notes · View notes
never--doubt · 4 months
Text
Diamond in the Rough- Part 2
Tumblr media
Series Summary: After mourning the death of her husband, Dowager Baroness Y/N Marlowe decides she wants to remarry- for love this time. But when her three most prominent suitors just happen to be the three Bridgerton brothers...there's no telling how the season will go.
Chapter Summary: It's the night of Lady Danbury's ball, the first ball of the season. With Lady Danbury scheming and someone else joining her, how will the night start?
Pairing: ??? x Female!Reader
Words: ???
Warnings: reader is blunt, lots of scheming
Series Masterlist here!
Feedback fuels me!
Tumblr media
Violet sighed, straightening Benedict’s jacket.
He groaned, knowing it was pointless to ask her to stop. He could still complain, though. “Why are you fussing over me, Mother? Anthony is the one who decided he was going to marry this season.”
“Anthony isn’t the one who arrives to dinners with paint and charcoal all over him,” Violet responded.
Colin chuckled beside his brother, making Benedict glare at his younger brother. “You’re next, Colin,” Violet stated.
“Damn,” Colin muttered.
“If she focuses on you three, do you think she’ll ignore me?” Eloise whispered to Anthony, a few feet away.
He glanced down at her, just shaking his head. She groaned in response, leaning on him.
The carriage pulled up, making Violet turn to her children. “Alright! This is the first ball of the season. Behave, children. Anthony, I have ladies to introduce you to. Benedict and Colin, I expect to see you dancing, actually dancing. Eloise- if you disappear, I will take away your books-Yes! I mean it. Now into the carriage!”
All four of the children sighed and did so, knowing it was pointless to argue.
“Tonight is going to be interesting,” Colin murmured.
“I think that is an understatement,” Anthony agreed.
Tumblr media
Luke sighed, adjusting his cravat.
“It looks fine, darling,” Elizabeth commented, rolling her eyes with a smile, both of them across from you in the carriage.
“Remind me why we’re going to this ball again?” he asked.
“Because you’re a Baron and it’s the first ball of the season,” you stated.
“And Y/N is looking for a husband,” Elizabeth added.
He groaned. “All three are reasons I’m not sure I like.”
You laughed under your breath. “You won’t have to deal with any suitors of mine unless they decide, for some unknown reason, to go around me, Luke. And if they do, you have my permission to make them feel as bad as you’d like for doing so.”
“Wonderful. I can look forward to one thing this season.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes, making you laugh again.
The Danbury estate came into view, and you smiled softly at the sight. Carriages were coming and going, torches lit, people moving inside the estate. As the carriage rolled to a stop near the entrance, you could hear music playing inside already, the excitement building in you at the sound.
The door opened to the carriage, and Luke stepped out, helping his wife then you, offering you each his arm. You took it willingly, letting him guide you inside. You passed the table with dance cards, taking one and having Elizabeth help slip it on your wrist. You all then continued on your way into the ballroom, making sure not to stand in awe at the extravagance.
Lady Danbury’s estate looked entirely different compared to the last time you had seen it; flowers and decorations lining the space. The rooms and halls were full, people dressed to the nines, just the way you remembered the social season being: Everyone flaunting themselves and their wealth, waving fans and showing themselves off, hoping for attention.
You hated it, that it was all that flaunting that became the normal. Because fortune and fame was all the ton focused on, you instead had to try and find love.
But you had to admit, the beauty of balls and society events was amazing.
Even with barely looking around the room, you could feel the stares on you, hear the whispers with your name. As you expected.
You exchanged a look with Elizabeth, no words needed between you both. This had been expected. Now you just had to wait for…
“Baron Marlowe, Lady and Lady Marlowe.”
You all looked over to see Lady Danbury approaching, a smirk on her lips. “Lady Danbury,” you all replied, bowing and curtsying.
“The ballroom is gorgeous, my lady,” Elizabeth stated. “I adore the theme as well, Cupid’s Arrows?
“Well thank you,” she said. “The first ball sets the tone for the rest of the season.”
Her words were specific, you knew. She hadn’t told you nor Elizabeth the theme she had decided on, but it fell too specific to not be a choice.
“It is wonderful to see you,” Luke stated, nodding to her.
She nodded back, before turning her gaze to you.
“Lady Y/N Marlowe,” she said slowly. “It has been too long.”
“It has, my lady,” you replied. “Thank you for the invitation, I cannot express my gratitude enough.”
“Well, when you expressed your interest in possibly finding a love match, I knew you would need invitations to only the best balls,” Lady Danbury stated. Her words were the normal tone for a conversation, but you both knew more than enough people were listening, and word would spread quickly. “I hope this helps you on your journey.”
“I know it will,” you replied, smiling.
She smiled back, holding out her arm. “Join me for a turn around the room, I must introduce you to a few individuals. You have been away for far too long.”
“I would be honored,” you muttered, taking her arm and letting her lead the way, ignoring the stares on you both as you whispered softly to the woman, “I think your plan is working.”
“More than, child,” she replied.
Tumblr media
Violet smiled gratefully at the sight of Daphne and Simon approaching the rest of the family. “There you both are,” she muttered, squeezing her eldest daughter’s hands. “Surely you both can help me convince your brothers to dance this evening.”
Simon chuckled, exchanging a glance with Anthony. “All of them wish to dance?” he teased.
“Well I should hope Anthony will, especially since he has announces that he looking for a wife this season,” Violet stated, loud enough for those around them to hear.
Anthony groaned, glaring at his mother. “Must you?”
Violet just grinned, making the other two Bridgerton brothers laugh. Daphne, in contrast, looked around the room. “Who is that with Lady Danbury?” she asked softly.
Everyone glanced to the women, Violet gasping and smiling. “Oh, that is Lady Y/N Marlowe...I wasn’t sure if she would be invited tonight or not.”
“Dowager Baroness Marlowe?” Simon asked, glancing at Anthony, who nodded.
“She is...beautiful,” Benedict muttered.
“That she is,” Colin agreed.
Violet’s gaze snapped to her sons at the statements, while Daphne shared a smile with her husband. “And they’re making their way over now,” Eloise stated, her smile shifting to a smirk as Benedict and Colin both shifted.
Tumblr media
“Ah, and here are,” Lady Danbury said, pulling you to a stop. “The Hastings and Bridgertons.”
You smiled at the group, dropping into a curtsy. “My Lords, Ladies, Graces.”
“It is so good to see you again, Lady Marlowe,” Violet Bridgerton said, smiling.
“It is good to be seen again,” you replied, glancing at Daphne. You had only ever seen Daphne Bridgerton in passing, but it was no secret that she was a kind soul, and you had wished she had been a friend during your time in the marriage games, and even more during hers. “You as well, I can hardly believe you’re married already.”
Daphne laughed, reaching out and squeezing your arm. “I can scarcely believe it as well. I missed you last season, though.”
“I am sad I missed your season as well,” you responded, glancing at her husband. “But you were very successful.”
“And I can only hope you will be this season,” Daphne commented, her hand brushing against your dance card. “Maybe my luck will rub off on you. Perhaps you should come over for tea this week, I would love to talk further without prying eyes.”
Your smile grew at her comment. “I would be honored.”
The Viscount cleared his throat then, and as you looked to him he asked, “So you are looking to remarry, then, Lady Marlowe?”
You nodded demurely. “I am, my Lord. While I’m grateful for my brother and sister for taking care of me, I wish to find love and a husband that will love me back.”
“Oh!” Violet gasped, her smile growing. “A love match, how exciting.”
“That is what we are hoping for,” Lady Danbury commented, her gaze turning to the three Bridgerton sons. “If only a gentleman would offer her a dance.”
“I cannot blame any of the men here for not doing so,” you responded, glancing over the three bachelors before looking to her. “It is intimidating, not only being the first ball of the season, but being in front of a woman who speaks her mind and knows what she wishes.”
Lady Danbury’s grin widened as Daphne, Eloise, Violet and Simon fought back laughter, the three Bridgerton men trying to hold back their shock. “Let us continue around the room then. Good day.”
Tumblr media
The group nodded as the pair left, Violet turning and glaring at her sons. “That was a perfect opportunity to dance with a wonderful lady!” she hissed.
“We just got here,” Benedict replied, not wanting to be hit with her fan. “Can we not...look around the room first?”
“Benedict is right, there are plenty of women here to dance with,” Anthony stated. “All three of us do not have to dance with Lady Marlowe, Mother.”
“Well I think she was pleasant,” Eloise muttered. “She must be one of the most intelligent and brightest in the room if she’s with Lady Danbury.”
Colin hummed softly, his eyes trialing after Lady Danbury and Lady Y/N.
The dance music started then, and Simon turned to Daphne, holding out his hand with a soft smile on his lips. “Might I have this dance, your grace?”
She laughed, taking his hand. “You may, your grace.”
They left her family and moved to the dance floor, starting the motions. Simon could recognize the spark in her eyes, the scheming look she had that he had come to recognize after enough time with her now. “What are you thinking, my dear?” he asked.
“Benedict and Colin clearly were interested in Lady Y/N,” Daphne muttered, glancing at her and Lady Danbury. The pair were talking to another family, no gentlemen having touched or looking at her dance card. “No one wants to dance with her, yet.”
His wife’s words clicked in his mind immediately, and he responded, “Ah, I see. You want me to dance with her.”
Daphne’s smile grew, and she nodded. “I do. Would you be opposed?”
Simon smiled back, shaking his head. “Not in the slightest. I think that sounds like a wonderful plan.” The ton had whispered about them both coming back for the season, wondering if Daphne was already pregnant or would be soon, the only reason more eyes weren’t on them because of Lady Y/N or the diamond of the season.
If Simon could tip the scales, disrupt the ton yet again? He would jump at the chance.
Tumblr media
You nodded politely to Lord and Lady Westwood, wondering how Lady Danbury was staying away as they spoke, and why she had introduced you to the couple. They seemed lovely, but you would do anything to move on from this conversation about cattle.
“I am sorry to interrupt.”
You all turned to face Duke Simon Hastings, Lord Westwood immediately bowing and stopping his sentence. “Your grace, you are not interrupting in the slightest,” he said.
“To what do we owe the honor?” Lady Danbury asked, smiling at the Duke.
He turned to you, smiling and holding out his hand. “I was wondering, Lady Marlowe, if I may have this dance.”
You smiled and rested your hand in his, grateful for the rescue. “You may, your grace.”
As he lead you to the dance, which was just beginning, you muttered, “Why do I suspect someone put you up to this?”
He chuckled, turning towards you. “Because someone did,” he answered. “My wife asked me to dance with you.”
“Really?” you clarified, unable to stop yourself from glancing at her as you both started to dance, the steps familiar and easy as you moved around each other. “Whatever for?”
“Daphne thinks that everyone seeing you dance with me will catch their attentions,” he stated softly, just quiet enough for no one else to hear. “And possible snap her brothers out of their stupors.”
“Well, if this one dance gets even one of her brothers to ask me to dance, I will owe you a bottle of scotch and her a bouquet of flowers,” you replied.
“You have a deal, my lady.”
You laughed, letting yourself smile as he spun you, not caring as everyone in the room watched you; they could continue to do so for all you cared. This was fun, the most fun you were having all evening, and part of you wasn’t sure if the ball would be any fun after this, so you were going to enjoy it.
Tumblr media
To Violet and Daphne’s surprise, as Y/N and Simon danced not only did most of the room watch, but all three of the Bridgerton brothers stared intently.
Lady Danbury made her way to the Bridgerton matriarch and the duchess, smirking at them both. “I though I was the scheming one,” she muttered to them.
Violet and Daphne exchanged a smile, Daphne just smiling. “I don’t know what you’re speaking of, Lady Danbury.”
The elder woman just chuckled, glancing at the three brothers before leaning in closer to the ladies. “Do you think this will push them?”
Violet glanced at her sons, muttering, “I hope so.”
Benedict scoffed under his brother. “Why did Simon ask her to dance? I was just about to.”
Colin laughed. “I refuse to believe that. You were staring but had yet to move.”
“Both of you were merely staring, and probably would have all night,” Anthony muttered, glaring at them both.
“And why do you care?” Benedict shot back. “It seems as if you didn’t care for Lady Marlowe, brother.”
Colin commented, “He doesn’t care for any lady,” making Anthony roll his eyes.
“Just because I have requirements for my wife doesn’t mean I don’t like ladies,” he responded sharply.
Benedict and Colin both rolled their eyes at his statement, making Anthony adjust his jacket.
The song ended, Simon bowing to Y/N as she curtsied. With smiles on their faced, he escorted her off the floor towards the rest of the group, meeting his wife’s gaze. They had barely gotten close enough when Colin stepped forward with a hand out, asking, “Lady Marlowe, might I have your next dance?”
Benedict shoved his younger brother slightly as he stepped to meet him, bowing slightly, “And might I ask for the dance after that, my lady?”
Y/N bit her lips, glancing at Simon before smiling at the two. “I would be delighted, sirs.” She set her hand in Colin’s, letting him guide her back onto the dance floor.
Simon stepped back to his wife’s side, Daphne leaning towards him. “What was that smile for?” she asked.
“Because your brothers are dancing with Lady Marlowe, she has promised to bring over scotch for me and flowers for you when you invite her for tea,” he replied, making Daphne laugh.
Violet nudged her daughter. “Stop laughing and look at your brother.”
Tumblr media
Feedback fuels me!
I do not use a tag list anymore, due to tumblr's new posting system.
133 notes · View notes
bomberqueen17 · 1 month
Text
archway stencils
i keep forgetting to post about this. I did my archway stencils this past week!
Tumblr media
[image description: looking through an orange archway, stenciled with turquoise stars in an alternating pattern, to see the deep teal wall stenciled with larger gold stars I did earlier]
progress shots and discussion under cut!
Tumblr media
[image: the stencil, with a central eight-pointed star, and then the partial alternating star in the corners; the stencil is mounted diagonally so that the main star is centered on the archway trim, and there's a corner above and below]
I futzed around a little and this was the direction that worked. I'd thought about just doing that central element and repeating it freehand, but this was easier to line up..... but then to finish it, i would have to do TWO additional passes with the stencil, one on each side.
Tumblr media
[image description: the archway in the background with the central element alternating with just the middle of the second element, as left behind by one pass of the stencil; I'm going to have to go back and fill in the sides of the second element. But in the foreground, I am holding my cat, because she insisted.]
I had Help. she wanted me to do this instead of paint. The whole time. She was incredibly persistent.
Tumblr media
[image: the archway with one of my secondary passes complete, and the stencil stuck on diagonally showing how I have to separately fill in the left and right of each of the edge elements.]
I had experimented with just plopping the central element over this corner thing, and using that to fill in all the rest at once, but you see how the central element has long diamond-shaped "petals", but the other one has the shorter inward-pointing "petals" in the middle, and then longer petals on the sides? Yeah the longer petals are not shaped like the central element's, even though they look similar-- they are wider throughout. So to blend them with the half-petal deposited by the first pass of the stencil, it looks wonky as hell. And it does look better having a fully different element for every other star, instead of a blended sort-of-weird half-different one. So the long hard way it is; I went all the way down doing the left half then went to the other doorway and did the left half and then came back and did the right half, in totally separate passes, because you can see you have to tape the stencil down over the existing element, and if it were at all damp you're ripping paint off when you do that.
This stencil company does make specific border stencils for some of their designs, and I sort of thought this one was intended for that kind of use, but clearly it's not. I mean it worked fine so I'm not actually annoyed, but I did have to think about it a lot.
Some process notes: I did not use specialty stencil creme for this, I used my sample pot of a slightly lighter shade of the paint I used for the walls. it was semi-gloss because that's what they had for sample pots, and that worked out fine. I put it into the same plastic half-a-cannoli-box tray as before, and used the smaller stencil brush, and I did not really have to add drops of water, as the paint was less thick, but I had almost zero problem with bleeding-- all my problems were that I had to overlap the stencil while still damp and would sometimes get paint on the back of the stencil that then smudged onto bits I didn't want paint on. Paint also built up on the stencil really horribly because I was using it more intensively-- doing the whole wall it was kind of spread out over the huge stencil, but this was a single element. Being able to see through the stencil helped in positioning, so what I eventually wound up doing was that I would position the stencil, tape it down, wipe it clean with a rag, adjust the position, use it, move it to the next location, wipe it clean with a rag, repeat.
It was so hard to get the second element lined up-- you see how the "petal" is done in two pieces? well it never quite lined up and there was always a gap-- that eventually I pulled a plastic milk jug out of the recycling, traced the stencil on it, and cut out a stencil that was *just* a full copy of that half-petal mirrored so I could see if the stencil wasn't going to line up cleanly, I could just focus on lining up one of the petals, and leave the other blank and come back and add it with the standalone whole-petal homemade stencil. Good thing I'm a dab hand with an exacto.
Tumblr media
[image description: a star stencil 3/4 complete, but the diagonal petals have gaps in the middle of them] Here's a problem example, and I was getting this on about half of them.
Tumblr media
[image description: a piece of flat white plastic, an exacto knife, a cutting board, and a stencil element cut out of the white plastic.]
So instead I would rotate the stencil so one of the petals was good, and leave the other one off entirely to come back and do later.
Tumblr media
[image description: looking from the living room through the stenciled archway to the kitchen, and this face of the archway is painted purple, and the wall is repainted to a consistent sunny yellow.]
I know that the most hinged thing to do would have been to just do all the trim orange, and then the wall yellow, and let it be, but I could not resist being fussy and doing the living-room-facing trim back in the living-room-trim purple color. I fortunately was able to find the original pots of paint from when we painted the living room, and it was still good!!!! (mixed in august of '07! amazing) so I repainted the living room wall where it was primer-white after the reconstruction. Looks pretty seamless now! But I have one more light switch faceplate to paint, it looks like. Hmmmmm what color.
The last thing I have left to do is the corner above the front door, where this newly-repainted yellow wall intersects with the wall above the front door that I decided should be kitchen-teal.
I could just do the corner as a flat normal transition. But I want to try to do something fancy, some kind of like pixel-dissolve or like, the stencil bits sticking into the other color, or something.
For now I've painted a cereal box and stuck it up there and I am going to put stenciled attempts on cardboard up there to see what they look like before I commit.
Tumblr media
[image description: the corner above the front door of the house. the wall below is the kitchen wall and is teal. the wall above the archway is yellow because it's the living room. the wall above the door is not fully painted but is mostly kitchen teal. the corner is a cardboard cereal box painted yellow on one side and teal on the other, cut to fit.] it is an awkward junction! The most hinged thing would be to keep it simple-- would have been to just do all the trim orange and then the upper wall yellow and just make sure the corner was sharp and clean.
But I'm not that hinged, so I might as well do something that calls attention to it, LOL.
55 notes · View notes
darkdemeter · 3 months
Text
— PREVIEW — THE GOLD OF WINTER Part 1
Material is featured as a teaser for the upcoming project and is subject to change.
A/N: Not your typical preview and thus, will receive a 2nd part that is actual proper chapter with dialogue and Bucky x reader stuff! But when writing this, I just kinda rolled with it being whatever it is... haha....
TEASER FOR: Mob! Dark! Bucky/Winter Soldier x Female Reader
— READER DISCRETION —
Nothing that should be potentially triggering but regardless! — mafia daughter! — slight reference to violence, murder mob related stuff — not your ordinary chapter or preview — sooo no dialogue — ambiguous shit I guess? — part 2 will get ya'll the bucky x reader content fix you need — potential grammar and punctuation errors
Enjoy the preview!
—- not my gifs, credit to original posters! -—
Tumblr media Tumblr media
All things lavish and glamorous. All it takes is a snap of your fingers or pout of your painted lips and it’s yours. After all, anything for the prized daughter of the man known as the King.
You see a gorgeous, studded diamond necklace and guarantee it that your father will have it laid on the plush, pristine white and gold embroidered pillow next to you for when you awaken. Wrapped up nice and tight. If a man was harassing - or so much as gave you a look you didn’t like -  at the event your father hosted last night, he’ll be silenced. Never heard from again. 
Anything for the daughter of the King. His darling princess. His only heir.
You and your mother are his pride and joy. The centre of his empire. An empire he works hard to maintain. He pulls strings to make ends meet and severs those who serve no purpose to him. And he does a damn good job at it.
Of course, you’re not blind, you see the bruised knuckles of the men dressed finely in their suits with bloodstains on their collars. You see the black car parked out front as a captive with a sack over his head is escorted out and into the trunk. You overhear the commanding voice of the K ing - your father - bark at his men to keep them inline.
 The work your father and his associates specialise in is known to you because it is your duty to marry further into the web of crime your father has so expertly woven to benefit his family; to cushion you from the fall. That fall being the harsh and cruel world of the law. Governed by men who hide behind the honey of their false lies to secure those who took the time to vote for their spot on the pedestal. All your life you have been given everything you could possibly want. You live a life of great privilege that so many are not fortunate to have. All that your father asks of you in return is that you remain loyal to him and perform your duties as necessary. 
It’s no wonder your family is treated as royalty. You are a princess of his criminal empire for the time being but soon enough you will reign as the queen. As soon as you marry…
It was your family’s  tradition, from his father and his before him. Generations spent climbing the ranks to reach the crown many below you vie for. He would not see it crumble. Your father had nothing against you, your mother herself held such radiant power just from her presence alone. How men tremble beneath her sharpened stare, like daggers ready to stab them in the back the moment they step out of line. Your mother was ruthless despite the challenges. And you strive to be just the same. But even the strongest of women were challenged far more brutally and head on than any of the men in charge. 
Your father says time and time again that a man at your side will stabilise your position as the leader of the mob. To ensure the future of this empire. And you were his dutiful daughter, were you not?
And that is why you must look exceptionally presentable tonight at this party. Undoubtedly, you could ask anyone really, you always looked your best. A spitting image of perfection in anyone’s right mind. But tonight was not another one of your father’s business parties. No, tonight was a night dedicated to you. 
Your 22nd birthday.
You stand on the landing as you enter the grand hall. The theme of course ran with your signature colour: gold. It was how you were recognised, even now. Eyes turning up to be in awe of your stature, regal and elegant as a princess. 
Your hair styled in a way that frames your features, the marbled carved sculptures could cry tears. Your dress hugs to your form, cinching around your waist to accentuate your curves. The sheer mesh of your dress gives the illusion that the gold embroidery, shimmering beneath the glow of the exotic chandeliers and interior lights, is clung to your body. Your approach is calm down each step, a hand smoothly running down the carved and sleek surface of the railing. Your father waited for you in the middle of the hall. Silver hair slick back and his face wearing a look of pride. Adortion. 
The valued prize that now walks to him, a hand stretching out to take his own. Tradition meant all to your father, as did you, and thus for this particular celebration calls for a dance between father and daughter. 
 And it was this evening you caught sight of his shadow, lurking in the background for the last time. It feels like history is repeating itself. Only on your 21st did you see his shadow for the first time during this same dance. But no more would he hide amidst the shadows, his piercing blue eyes - that somehow captured yours since your first meeting in the reflective surface of your vanity that same night - would watch over you. 
Tonight, a shift in the balance for your family’s crown would occur as you dance with your father across the freshly waxed, marble floor of the grand hall. The masked man known as the Winter Soldier, the very embodiment of fear and lethality, would rule. The masked man who had been your bodyguard this whole time would not be used as a means to an end anymore. 
You should have known the moment his blue eyes bore into your own right there in that moment. That electric chill. Never before had a man’s gaze held you pinned; dominated by. That should have been your warning. For all the seeing and the overhearing, you let the wool fall over your eyes this time. 
He would announce himself as the new king of your family’s  empire. And you will be his queen. 
Thanks for Reading!
Tumblr media
79 notes · View notes
officerbrowneyes · 1 year
Note
if youre up for a dick grayson request how about the reader being super flirty with others at a gala to get under his skin...and it works a little too well. hes super jealous and some very intense nsfw shenanagins take place.
Summary: You decide to make Dick jealous at the annual Wayne New Years Gala. [ Dick Grayson x AFAB!Reader ] Parts: One, and two.
Rating: M+ [ 18+ ONLY! Minors will be blocked IMMEDIATELY. ]
Warnings: Sex, swearing, Max Lord being a douchebag and getting under Dick Grayson's skin, and dom/sub dynamics. If you find any of these to be triggering or offensive to you in any way, shape, or form, please reconsider reading this.
Author's Note: I CRANKED THIS BAD BOY OUT FOR MY BABE @rae-gar-targaryen FOR HER BIRTHDAY! GO SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVERYONE! 🎉 Also, if you want, I'd be more than happy to make a part two to this! 👀 I added some visuals to this one as well, just because lol. I hope you all enjoy! I had so much fun writing this one!
Tumblr media
You stepped out of the limousine to see all of the flash bulbs going off and reporters at every corner, leading up to the stairs of the Gotham Museum and Science Center. Luckily, your relationship with your boyfriend hadn’t been widely publicized yet, so that allowed you some modicum of freedom and anonymity. 
You were skeptical about going at first, but Dick insisted that these events were rather dull and uneventful, and he would have preferred to have you there to keep him company. So, you begrudgingly agreed to accompany him that night. However, since Bruce was out of town, it was up to Dick to pick up the slack and host in his father’s place. Despite his many protests. 
Having to take his father’s place, unfortunately meant that the two of you had to arrive separately, which made your stomach drop at the thought of having to wade through all of those people vying for his attention. After all, you weren’t sure if he was comfortable with letting everyone know the status of your relationship yet, so this situation was becoming more and more difficult to navigate the more you thought about it.
“Once I find Dickie, everything will be fine.” You muttered out loud to yourself, as you stopped by one of the many museum window displays and examined yourself in it for a moment, giving yourself a once - over. It was a black - tie affair, with an emphasis on old Hollywood glamor.
You chose a striking black strapless dress that hugged you in all of the right places. It had a corseted top with a modest v - line going down the middle of it. The dress had a deep slit which elongated your legs and displayed your black stockings ala Princess Diana - Revenge Dress. Your matching silk gloves came up to your elbows. You decided to keep the rest of the jewelry understated to give more focus to the dress which you emblazoned with a diamond - studded spider brooch. Your simple black earrings and black heels pulled the look together. Your hair was swept over to one side in delicate finger waves, and your burgundy painted lips gave the outfit a more seductive and vampy feel to the overall look.
Tumblr media
You pushed your trendy mini - sunglasses up the bridge of your nose before stepping into the ballroom which was decorated for the New Year. Balloons and streamers covered the vaulted ceilings. There was confetti everywhere and everyone was dressed to the nines. Suddenly, that sinking feeling returned and you felt wildly out of place. Your stomach twisted into knots as you turned on your heels to leave as quickly as possible.
However, in your haste, you bumped into someone and nearly had your breath knocked out of you as you looked up to see Max Lord staring down at you.
“Careful, beautiful. It would be a terrible shame if you ruined that – magnificent dress you’re wearing.” He said in low, seductive, timber. Your cheeks flushed at the compliment and the obvious way that he was checking you out.
“Umm — s — sorry. I was just looking for Grayson. Have you seen him anywhere?” You asked nervously, as you tried to regain your composure, grabbing the champagne from the waiter’s tray as he walked by. You took several gulps, hoping it would calm your nerves.
“Is that him over there, talking to those women?” He asked, pointing to Dickie who was blushing and laughing as several women complimented him and brushed his arm. Your blood boiled as you gripped your handbag so tightly, you could hear the metal hardware giving way under your brute strength.
“Aren’t you going to go over there?” Max asked cooly as he took a long swig of champagne. Dickie's eyes finally met yours and you could see him tense up where he was standing. Your mouth suddenly twisted into a malicious grin as the gears began to turn in your head.
“No. I’d much rather stay and talk to you instead.” You answered Max in a coquettish manner that had his palms already sweating. You couldn’t deny the fact that he was hot.
Max Lord was tall, tan, and had let his beard grow out, which was now speckled with spots of gray in between the black. His hair had grown out as well, but it was slicked back and showcased even more of his grays. He had aged like a fine wine over the years. Any woman would be more than happy to trade places with you at that very moment.
Tumblr media
“So, what brings you to this neck of the woods? I thought you and the Wayne’s had a bit of a sordid history together?” You asked, as you looked up at Max and tried not to get lost in his deep brown eyes. Oh yeah, you definitely had a type.
“Well, you can say that over the years we have come to a bit of an understanding. I actually came in hopes of seeing Mister Grayson’s father. We have some business matters to discuss.” He said nonchalantly, as he leaned against the wall. Suddenly the music shifted from slow and relaxing to more of a hypnotic and sexy beat. Everyone started flocking to the middle of the room and started to let loose.
“Enough business talk. Would you like to dance Miss…?” He asked, raising an eyebrow as he grabbed your gloved hand, holding it up to his plump lips.
“Y/N.” You answered him, as your heart fluttered as soon as his lips made contact with your gloves. “And yes. I would love to.” You answered without hesitation. He was almost old enough to be your father, but you couldn’t deny the utter magnetism this man possessed. It was as if you couldn’t say no even if you tried. You could see Dick fuming from the corner of the room as he continued to schmooze the older women, flashing his boyish smile and flipping his soft brown locks at them.
“Now, tell me; why is a beautiful woman like you, here all alone?” Max asked suddenly, as he placed his hands on the small of your back, guiding your body to move with the music.
“Well…I wasn’t supposed to be alone, but situations arose that were out of my control.” You snickered, as Max’s hands fell a bit lower. It was hard to pull away when he looked at you as if you were the only woman in the room. You hummed in approval when he held you close to his chest and leaned in to whisper in your ear that wasn’t covered by your hair.
“If you had come with me, I would never let you out of my sight. Especially not in a dress like that.” He breathed. You pulled away for a moment to catch your breath, shaking your head, suddenly remembering that the plan definitely was not to have Max Lord whispering sweet nothings into your ear.
“I — I have to go.” You stammered as you pushed him away slightly and ran out of the ballroom as fast your legs would allow you to go. You couldn’t hear anything besides the sound of your own heels clacking against the marble floors. Which is why you nearly screamed when you passed by an open door and felt an arm grabbing you and pulling you inside. You nearly punched your assailant in the face, when you realized it was only Dick.
“What the hell!” You exclaimed loudly before he shut the door and turned the overhead light on.
“You’d better start explaining why I saw Max Lord of all people touching you on the dancefloor just now.” He snapped, rubbing his jaw in frustration. You folded your arms under your chest, narrowing your eyes at Dick.
“Only if you tell me why all those cougars were pawing at you like you were their next fucking meal?” You quipped with a haughty snicker. 
“You mean my dad’s fucking associates who I’m supposed to keep happy when my Dad isn’t here?!” He answered back in a harsh tone. You felt that familiar sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach again as you realized you had jumped to conclusions.
“You mean — you weren’t just…flirting with them?” You asked, trepidation evident in your voice.
“Of course not! Just because I don’t have it plastered all over the Gotham Gazette or the Daily Planet that we’re dating, doesn’t mean I’m going to start fucking anything with a pulse!” He barked at you in a harsh whisper as groups of people could be heard roaming the halls.
“I — well…y — you should have told me instead of letting me think —” You trailed off as Dick pushed you against the wall of the closet. His eyes were dark, as he caged you in with his long and muscular arms.
“That what? That I was already tired of this?” He asked in a gravelly voice as he gripped your cunt outside of your stockings. You gasped loudly, dropping your phone and your handbag onto the sticky floor of the storage closet. 
“I’m sorry — I just — “ You choked on your words as his long fingers stroked the outside of your cunt, spreading your growing wetness all over your new stockings. “N — No — don’t…” You whimpered as you grabbed onto his broad shoulders for support. Dick clicked his tongue in disapproval, smiling at you impishly.
“You think I’m gonna let you get away with allowing Max Lord to touch you? I don’t think so. Turn around.” He ordered, as he pulled his hand off of you, moving it to grip your made up cheeks. “Turn around.” He said in that authoritative voice that he reserved for moments like these.
You nodded and slowly turned around, gripping the metal shelves in front of you.
“Do you care about these stockings?” He asked, as he pushed your dress up to your hips.
“No, but —” You weren’t able to get the rest of your sentence out, as Dick had already torn a hole in your hosiery. You looked back with your brows furrowed at him angrily. “Dick!” You exclaimed, as he ignored you, pushing your thong to the side, allowing you to feel his calloused fingers rubbing up against your wet cunt.
“Oh fuck!” You moaned, as he used his other hand to grip your chin, forcing you to look up at him.
“Do that shit again, and you won’t be able to walk straight for a week.” He threatened, which only made your smile grow wider. You wanted to reply back with a witty retort, but you were cut off by his long finger entering your throbbing, wet, hole. Your teeth sank into your bottom lip as you fought back a loud moan that was threatening to escape as Dick toyed with you.
“You’re gonna be a good girl from now on, right?” He asked in a slightly mocking tone. You swallowed audibly as you nodded.
“Yes.” You choked out as his finger made room for a second one, slowly pumping them in and out of you. You were almost embarrassed by how positively wet you had gotten from your short time in the closet with Dickie. His perfect teeth gently nipped at your exposed ear, as he curled his fingers upwards, making your legs shake uncontrollably.
“Such a good girl aren’t you? You don’t like disobeying me right?” He asked, once again in the same admonishing way he had done before.
“F — Fuck!” You exclaimed loudly, as he grabbed your cheeks again with more force this time. Your walls clamped down around him as he grinned from ear to ear.
“You like knowing that everyone can hear you, don’t you? You like the thought of my father’s friends hearing how much you like being fucked by me, don’t you?” He chuckled, as he yanked your hair gently and exposed your delicious neck to him. He slowly kissed his way down your long neck, stopping at your pulse point. Dick sucked at it roughly as his fingers started blasting in and out of your cunt at a speed so fast, you wondered if he had superpowers of his own.
“Oh! G — G — Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” You shouted. Your back arched into his hand, your fingers white knuckling the cold metal in front of you.
“I’m gonna cum! I’m gonna cum!” You chanted as he fucked you harder and faster. The tips of his fingers were bumping against the spot inside of you that would instantly make you squirt, were you two not in a public place. However, as Dick kissed his way up to your mouth, his fingers stilled and his champagne laden breath fanned over your face, making you blink in confusion.
“We’ll talk about this when we get home.” He grinned wickedly, as he pulled your dress back down. You quickly turned around in his arms and glared at him.
“That’s no — “ You stopped as Dickie took a step closer to you and shushed you with a heated kiss that sent waves of heat straight to your already dripping core.
“If you can behave for the rest of this crap, then maybe I’ll think about finishing what we started in here.”
467 notes · View notes
hms-tardimpala · 5 months
Text
Goldsickness collection
So I bound a collection of goldsickness-centered fics and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. This post is about the binding, and I'll do the fic recs in another post so they can be found separately later, but I'll still say a huge THANK YOU to the authors here for writing these and replying when I reached out!
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
A list of the fics:
As Befits a King by @ladysisyphus
Chains of Gold by Plooby
What was promised by @stillparanoidnolongerafridge
Lay your troubles down by @avelera
Covet by @pomgore
Red Lines in Dark Stone by @elenothar
Of Monsters and Men by MsThunderFrost
Burning with a magnificent madness by EmilianaDarling
My intention with this binding was to make a book that could look like a jewel in Thrór's treasure hoard. I wanted it to evoke opulence, so it's voluntarily very busy for the eye. The fabric is holographic golden pleather (which is so hard to take a picture of, the book actually looks darker and truly gold, but the camera shows reflections from every angle), it looks like it's shifting in the light (and it gives me a headache if I stare at it too long, but I want to stare at it, which echoes the gold getting to Thorin's head nicely). The endpapers are sparkly like silver and diamond dust, and I gilded the edges for the first time. Notice the black headbands and blue ribbon as a callback to Thorin's hair and eyes.
This fantastic fanart and its colors were part of my inspiration.
Mistakes What I learned this time
The book has flaws, of course. The main problem is that I did a straight spine instead of a round one as I usally do: I misjudged the size difference between the text block and the cover, it should have been bigger because of the added thickness of the spine. I used a fabric that's very thick and unwieldy and not made for bookbinding, so I have big prominent corners. And since this is the first time I use a guillotine, I need to loose some habits I had when typesetting to get my margins to look good without cutting. This time, I actually could cut, and it was too tight. The acrylic paint gilding isn't great either.
But!
It's fine. It's a small book, but all the text I wanted to preserve is there, it's beautiful to me, and I'm very proud!
Materials:
Holographic pleather, 30x20 cm, amazon
Clairefontaine A4 paper, ivory color, 80g/m², bought in store
Acrylic paint Créalia, "matt silver pearl", cultura
Gray cardboard, 2mm thick, apg reliure
Ribbon, 6mm, amazon
Headband, amazon
110 notes · View notes
Text
Carpe Noctem - Nick Folio
Tumblr media
Pairing: Nick Folio x Celia (fem!OC)
Warnings: SMUT/NSFW 18+ ONLY, oral (fem!receiving), unprotected p in v, kissing, masks, gloves
Word Count: 3k
Tumblr media
Carpe Noctem (Latin) ~ Seize the night; Enjoy the pleasures of the night
Tumblr media
Celia’s heels clicked on the concrete as she walked up the packed driveway. Her golden hair flowed with the gentle, frigid breeze. A shiver went down her spine. She would blame it on the cold weather, but she knew that every time she approached the dark, castle-like mansion, she would get an eerie feeling. For a moment she thought she should have dressed warmer, feeling much too chilly in her formal wear: a floor length red dress with a high slit, a straight neckline and thin straps. The diamond necklace around her neck and the skinny chain bracket around her wrist felt like ice against her skin. However, she knew that due to the sheer amount of party goers that were bound to be inside would soon have her sweating beneath her red, bejeweled half mask. As she approached the front porch, she saw long, curly black hair being illuminated by the warm, dim light from the sconces on either side of the glossy black front door. A smile crept up onto her glossy red lips as she approached. “Hey Phoebe.”
Phoebe was Celia’s best friend since grade school. And her parents were loaded. Each year they held a masquerade ball on New Year’s Eve in their impressive gothic mansion. Each year, since Celia has been old enough, she attended. And each year the party always seemed to be more extravagant than the last. A happy squeal left Phoebe’s closed lips as she turned and hugged Celia. “Thank God, you finally made it!” She beamed. Celia returned the hug and once they pulled away from each other, Phoebe linked their arms. “Come on! I’ve been dying for a drink.”
Tumblr media
The only word that could describe the inside of the mansion was ornate. The walls were painted black. Fine art lined the walls, each piece sat perfectly inside of gold antique frames. Gold sconces lined the walls between every other painting. Each seat was draped in dark red velvet. An elaborate, crystal chandelier hung from the middle of the tall ceiling, sparkling and filling the room with dim, warm light. It was a vampire’s dream estate. 
Celia’s hazel eyes scanned the room as Phoebe led her through crowds of people and to the bar. Men and women were dressed to the nines, all in their best suits and dresses, all in masks. Most wore half masks like herself, others opted for full masks. She knew most of the people in attendance, but she couldn’t pick anyone out of the crowd quite yet, not with the quick rushed glances she was able to take while being dragged to the bar. They finally stopped walking and Phoebe grabbed two crystal champagne flutes, her gloved hand carefully handing one to Celia. 
She brought the crystal to her lips as she scanned the room once more. Some guests were seated, listening to a story told by a tall man in a red suit, hanging onto his every word. Others were standing, chatting in small groups throughout the room. There were couples dancing to a beautiful Waltz, their steps perfectly in sync. And-
There was someone staring at her. 
From across the room she met a set of deep brown eyes behind an all black half mask, it seemed to be textured but from this distance she couldn’t make out the details of it. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. He wore a black dress shirt underneath, no tie in sight, as well as a shiny pair of black loafers. His hands were hidden inside of black leather gloves. His hair was neatly slicked back. The mask was small enough to notice that he had a square jaw and full lips. It was also small enough for her to know that she had never seen this man before. She reached for Phoebe, eyes still locked with the mysterious man’s. “Hey, who’s that?” She questioned. 
By the time Phoebe looked where Celia was looking, the man had turned his head. They both stared for a moment, Phoebe tilting her head before shrugging. “Not sure,” she hummed, turning back to look at Celia. “Maybe someone’s plus one? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him before.” 
“And you’re not concerned about that?” Celia looked at her, confused expression hidden by her mask. 
Phoebe shrugged, “Not really. My parents invite more and more people every year.” Then she was waving at someone and rushing off in their direction. She must’ve recognized them even with their mask on. And vice versa. Quickly, Celia downed the rest of her champagne and grabbed a new glass. Then she followed after Phoebe. Odds were that she knew the person too. 
Tumblr media
After about an hour of mingling, Celia’s feet were begging her to sit down. She walked around until she found an empty seat and sat down, crossing her legs. She ran her hands across the crushed red velvet she was seated on; it was soft under her fingers. Her mind drifted to the mysterious man that was staring at her earlier. She wondered how he looked under that mask. She wondered if he was actually looking at her. He couldn’t have been. Right? There were so many people around; he could’ve been staring at any one of them. Then why did it feel like they made eye contact?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice that came from right next to her. “Is this seat taken?” 
She looked over to the source of the voice, a man standing beside the chair next to her. Her eyes drifted to his masked face and she realized that it was him. Now that he was closer, she noticed that the texture to his mask were little gears. It reminded her of steampunk.
He stared at her expectantly. She shook her head and motioned at the seat with her hand. A small, closed mouth grin spread across his face as he sat down, not taking his eyes off of her. She felt somewhat…small under his gaze, but somehow…not uncomfortable. 
“Are you enjoying yourself?” the man asked.
Celia nodded as she turned to face him completely. “I am. Are you?”
The man nodded. “It’s a nice party,” he murmured. “How come you’re over here by yourself?”
“Oh, I’ve been mingling for the last hour and my feet needed a break,” she said, giving him a soft smile. 
“Yeah? You know a lot of people here?”
“I do,” she nodded. “I’ve been coming to these parties since I was 16.” 
“How old are you now?”
“26.” 
He broke out into a big goofy smile. “Me too,” he beamed. “This is my first time here. My friend invited me. But I lost him pretty much as soon as we walked through the door.” 
“Lots of people, a big house, everyone in masks, it’s pretty easy to lose someone,” she said with a shrug. “So you only know one person here?”
“Yeah,” he sighed. Then he met her eyes. “Maybe if I’m lucky, I’ll know two.”
She felt a blush creep onto her cheeks as she tried to suppress a giggle. “Maybe you won’t need luck.”
She watched as his eyes looked her up and down, “What’s your name?” he asked her. 
She could’ve told him. She wanted to. But her desire to be mysterious for a little bit longer was overriding her desire to tell him. Instead of responding with her name, she just smirked at him. “Would you like to dance?”
His eyes got noticeably wider, clearly not expecting the question. “I don’t know how to Waltz.” 
“I’ll show you, then.” She stood up and reached for his gloved hand. He gladly accepted. 
Tumblr media
Celia was facing him, she grabbed her right hand with her left. “Place this hand between my shoulder blades.” Once he did, she placed her left hand on his right shoulder. Then she grabbed his left hand with her right. “Now, just follow after me.” She began the steps with a swiftness. It took him a few minutes of nearly tripping over his own feet, but eventually, he got it well enough to where neither of them were in danger of falling. “There you go,” she grinned. “You’re a natural.”
“Thanks,” he said, grinning back with that goofy smile of his. “You never told me your name, by the way.”
She chuckled softly, “You know the whole point of a masquerade ball is to conceal your identity, right?”
He huffed out a laugh. “Yeah. Of course. Right,” he nodded. After a silent moment he spoke again. “What if I tell you my name first?”
“Depends,” she hummed. “If your name starts with a ‘J’, not only am I not telling you my name, I’m walking away,” she joked. 
He fully laughed at that. “Nick,” he said through laughter. “My name is Nick.”
She laughed along with him. “Oh thank goodness. Not a ‘J’ name,” she teased. “Nice to meet you Nick. I’m Celia.”
“A beautiful name for a beautiful girl,” he smiled, his laughter dying down. 
“You can’t even see my whole face, Nick,” Celia giggled. 
“Yeah,” he chuckled. “And I don’t need to. You’re beautiful.”
“So, you don’t want to see my face is what I’m hearing?” she joked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. 
“Need and want are two different things,” he grinned. “I don’t need to see your entire face to know that you’re absolutely gorgeous. But, I do want to see your entire face at some point.”
She felt like her face was burning up. She was absolutely flustered. But she didn’t want to let that show. “Maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ll see my face around midnight,” she shot him a wink. “But I want to see yours too.” 
“What do I have to do to turn that maybe into a yes?” 
She smirked, “Make my night, Nick.” 
Tumblr media
Several hours and glasses of champagne later, they’d learned a bit about each other. She learned that he loved to play drums, ride motorcycles, and fish, trout specifically. He’d grown up in the town over and pursued drumming right out of high school. He learned that she loved to dance, crochet, and read books, mysteries specifically. She worked as a dental hygienist at an office in town. They discovered that their senses of humor were similar. It seemed that there wasn’t a moment that they weren’t laughing at something the other said. 
Maybe it was the liquid courage, or maybe it was just the fact that they were so drawn to each other. But Celia found herself leading Nick to a room upstairs, and he followed her more than willingly. Once they entered the room and locked the door, he had her backed up against the wall. He leaned in to kiss her, but she lifted her hand and pressed her pointer finger to his lips. “You can’t kiss my lips until midnight,” she whispered. “Nor can you take off my mask. Or your own. Those are my only conditions.”
“Anything you wish, Celia,” Nick whispered back. He tilted his head and pressed his full lips to her neck. She moved her hair and stretched her neck to give him better access. He kissed up and down the expanse of her neck until he placed a kiss upon her pulse point. A shuddering sigh escaped her parted lips. “Right there?” he murmured against the skin. The soft whimper that followed was all the answer he needed. He began to nip gently at the skin above her pulse point. The crown of her head softly thudded against the wall behind her, quiet whimpers left her mouth. 
When he pulled away, the slightest hint of a mark was left. He groaned at the sight of it in the low light. He began to kiss down her chest until his lips hit the neckline of her dress. The next thing she knew, he was on his knees before her. He looked up at her through his mask, eyes wide, pupils blown. “May I taste you?”
She looked down at him, “Please.” 
He smiled at her, not a smirk, a genuine smile. He didn’t seem smug about the situation. He seemed happy, grateful even. He placed his gloved hands on the back of her calves before slowly sliding them up her legs until they met her panties. He began to slide them down her legs, noticing as her breathing picked up. “Are you okay, honey?” he breathed, pausing his actions to look up into her eyes. 
Her heart nearly burst at the action and sight before her. “Yeah,” she breathed, a small giggle prominent in her words. “Keep going, please.” 
Nick leaned forward to press a soft kiss to the skin of her thigh that was exposed by the slit in her dress as he pulled her panties down the rest of the way. Red lace pooled at her ankles. He looked up at her once more. “Can you hold your dress up for me?”
Celia nodded, her hands grasping her dress and pulling it up to expose herself to him. She watched as he looked directly at her center. He licked his lips before he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her clit. While there wasn’t much pressure to it, she found herself moaning anyway. This encouraged him to slide his tongue through her folds and back up to her clit, flatting his tongue with a groan. Her hands gripped the fabric of her dress harder, her knuckles turning white. He continued to lick her until he knees began to shake and his face was covered in her slick. “Nick,” she whimpered. “I’m so close.”
With those words, he pulled away from her. “Do you want to…?” He trailed off, as if shy to ask for sex, even though he just had his face buried in her pussy. 
She nodded as she tried to catch her breath. “Please,” she whimpered. “I need you.” She let go of her dress, letting it fall to its normal length as she reached for his hand. He stood up and walked him to the bed in the middle of the room. She lay on the bed and he followed, hovering over her as her legs spread open for him. She heard the clink of his belt and the zipper of his pants. Then she felt the head of his warm cock tapping against her clit, drawing a mewl from her. He ran the head through her slick folds a few times before he began to push in, her back arching off the bed as he filled her. 
Once she adjusted to the delicious stretch, she grinded her hips into his, urging him to move. He started off with slow, deep thrusts. Each thrust resulted in a breathy moan from Celia and a deep grunt from Nick. “Go faster,” she whined after a while. It felt great, but she needed more. Nick was happy to oblige, quickening the pace of his hips, slamming into her at a mind breaking speed. She had to force her moans down; force herself to be quiet. 
Her walls began to pulse around him. Nick knew what that probably meant. He snaked his hand between their bodies and pressed his thumb to her clit, rubbing it in quick right circles. Celia’s back arched off the bed as she tried, and failed, to hold back a loud whine. “I-I’m close,” she whimpered for the second time of the night. 
“Come for me,” Nick breathed. His thrusts were getting sloppy as he got closer himself. Shortly after his demand, she pulsed around him uncontrollably, bringing a hand to her mouth to suppress the uncontrollable moans escaping her. He managed to keep himself under control through her entire orgasm. “Where do you want it?” he asked frantically once she had ridden through her orgasm. 
“Inside,” she breathed. “I’m on birth control.” That was all Nick needed to completely come undone. He buried himself deep inside of her as his cock twitched and unloaded all of his seed. 
He slowly pulled out after his orgasm, causing them both to groan from the loss. He laid next to her for a moment, both of them catching their breath. After a minute, Celia stood, put her panties back on, and adjusted her dress. She walked over to the mirror that was in the room and fixed her hair as well. Nick stood and fixed his pants before walking up and hugging her from behind. “Did you enjoy yourself,” he whispered in her ear. 
She turned to face him. “Of course I did,” she grinned. “Did you?”
“Absolutely.” 
She couldn’t help but giggle. “Do you have the time?”
Nick pulled his phone from his pocket, “11:45.” 
“Would you like to be my New Year’s kiss?” She asked, tilting her head. 
Nick nodded, “I would love to be your New Year’s kiss.”
She grabbed his hand, “Come on, then.”
Tumblr media
30 seconds until midnight, everyone in attendance stood downstairs with a glass of champagne, waiting excitedly for the ten second countdown. Celia stood with Nick, arms linked. She looked up at him. “How about we take our masks off when the countdown starts?” 
Nick looked down at her with that amazing goofy smile. “Sounds like a plan.”
Before they knew it, the countdown was starting. 
“10!”
They made eye contact. 
“9!”
They pulled their masks off. 
“8! 7!”
“You’re so beautiful,” Nick whispered. 
“6! 5!”
“You’re so handsome,” Celia whispered back. 
“4! 3!”
They stared at each other, eyes wide. 
“2!”
They began to lean in. 
“1! Happy New Year!”
Their lips met in a passionate kiss. Both of their masks dropped to the floor so they could hold each other’s faces as their lips moved perfectly in sync. So perfectly in sync that any bystander would have figured they’d kissed hundreds, even thousands, of times before. And they both knew at that moment that this wouldn’t be the end of them.
63 notes · View notes
aralezinspace · 1 year
Text
Masquerade
Combining two requests, both from Anonymous: Morpheus and s/o doing each other's makeup, Morpheus and reader kissing, reader teases him until he's at their mercy
A/N: The inherent eroticism of a masquerade *chef's kiss* partly inspired by All Yours by @roguelov (I love your writing so much!) Enjoy! Tagging @fangirlmary - If you want to be tagged in any of my writing let me know!
~~Requests are open!~~
Tumblr media
“Morpheus?” I called from my bathroom, “Are you almost ready for me?” I knew time passed differently in the Dreaming, I still couldn’t help worrying we were going to be late. The Faerie realm was hosting a huge masquerade ball in honor of Cluracan’s birthday, and as rulers of the Dreaming we had both been invited. I had never been to a faerie masquerade, so I was more than a little nervous- even newly immortal, I was still only human, about to be surrounded by beings with more power in their pinkies than I had in my entire body.
I heard Dream’s footsteps pad from our bedroom into the bathroom before I saw his reflection in the mirror. I applied the last touch to my lipstick before turning to get the full effect, and my heart stopped in my chest.
He was dressed in his usual black, but the material seemed to be deeper, darker, a void where even the brightest of stars diminished. Within that void there swirled sparkling lines of blues, greens, purples, and reds, dotted with large silvery sparkles I’d bet were diamonds sewn into the fabric. The shirt and pants seemed painted onto his form they fit him so well, moving with him, not even creasing when he walked or moved his arms. The shirt’s collar covered his neck, and his hands were wrapped in black silk gloves.
The cloak he wore when being Dream of the Endless, Ruler of the Dreaming and Nightmare Realms was attached to his shoulders with silver brooches, each cradling a sapphire the size of a walnut. A silver chain connected the two pieces, swaying gently when he moved. Flames still flickered at the bottom, but this cloak was made of the same living void as his shirt and pants. His hair was only slightly more tamed than usual, which only added to the affect. Black pointed boots with slight heels and soft soles were on his feet.
I needed to stop gaping, before a dream spider crawled into my mouth.
“Holy shit,” I gasped, taking it all in again and again, the words hardly doing my sentiments any justice. He was ancient and beautiful, distant and awe-inspiring. “You look incredible.” He smiled gently at me, and I could have sworn his chest puffed out just a little bit as he approached me.
“As do you, my star,” he replied in a murmur. His eyes roved up and down my body, taking it all in as one would a piece of art. I could feel the slight tremor in his hand as he brushed a stray piece of hair away from my face. “Although there are no words in any language to do justice to your beauty.”
I felt a blush rise to my cheeks and bashfully glanced at the floor. “Flatterer,” I teased, but did a little twirl anyway before going back to the mirror.
He was right though, I looked just as otherworldly as him in the clothes he fashioned me. If he was attending as a galaxy, then I was the star at the very center. The whole ensemble was silver-blue and shimmering, made of countless layers of a light, floaty material that swirled around me like mist when I moved. The gown had a sweetheart neckline, and sleeves of fine silver mesh covered my arms, making them appear longer and more graceful. Moonstones and diamonds dotted the dress and sleeves, catching the light and reflecting it back. Small diamond earrings went in my ears, and a strand of silver and moonstone was around my neck, with a large opal pendant hanging just below my collarbones.
I had a cape of my own, made of the same shimmering material and dotted with flecks of gold, flowing out behind me from my shoulders. My makeup had the same slight rainbow and silver shimmer, my eyes outlined in pale blue liner. I looked every inch a monarch.
“Just have to do your eyeliner,” I said as I gestured for Morpheus to sit on the stool in front of my vanity. He swept across the bathroom and sat on the stool as if it were a throne while I gathered my liquid and pencil eyeliners, along with a few shades of eyeshadow. “Close your eyes and hold still?”
Morpheus smiled and did as I asked. His lashes were long and dark and utterly gorgeous against his pale cheeks. He was holding still as he could for me, which was the equivalent of a marble statue. Leaning over him, I carefully lined his upper lash lines in black ink before buffing it out with a brush. “Open and look up?”
Tongue between my teeth as I concentrated, I did his lower lash line as well. The black liner made the blue of his eyes even more startling, and I just knew that his eyes would appear even more like bottomless pits if they shifted to their usual black and silver over the course of the night.
“Okay, look ahead?” Rather than look straight ahead, Dream decided to look up at me, stopping the breath in my lungs with his gaze. With slightly clumsy fingers, I put the eyeliner back in my makeup drawer and grabbed the two eye shadows I had picked for him: a slightly sparkling red, and a shimmering silver. Using my fingertip, I gently pressed some of the red into the outer corners of his eyes, and some of the silver into the inner corners.
If I thought he looked incredibly beautiful and powerful before, I was wrong. Just adding the eyeliner and colors around his eyes had made him arrestingly gorgeous, and I couldn’t look away. My eyes widened at the being before me, heat flooding my entire body. That hint of red and silver was the most beautiful mistake I had ever made. It added more than a hint of mischief to the blue of his eyes, gave the power of dreams the attitude of the devil.
Oh, I was going to have a very hard time keeping my hands off him for however long we stayed at this party.
~~
The fae had truly gone all out for Cluracan’s celebration in a dazzling display of magic, wealth, and the otherworldly beauty of nature. The giant ballroom hummed with life, my skin tingled from the strength of the collective vibes. Even as my eyes absorbed the vibrant colors and wondered at them until they burned, I felt distinctly out of place. Just a tiny human at the side of an Endless, almost like a pet. I wanted to shrink into a gilt corner and hope that none of these beings paid me any mind. But, I was a monarch of the Dreaming. If Morpheus couldn’t hide in a corner, neither could I.
I could tell from his slightly tense grip on my hand that he’d rather be anywhere else. Even with our masks covering the top halves of our faces, it was easy to see how much he detested being here. There were too many people, and wearing the face of a monarch for all of them was taxing. I gently rubbed circles into the back of his hand with my thumb as we waited in line to pay our respects to the king and queen, taking in the sights and sounds and smells.
A beautifully haunting waltz came from the musicians on the modest stage at the back of the room. Fae and gods and other creatures of myth mingled and danced, their movements flickering like mirages. A shiver went down my spine.
The fae herald announced us to the waiting monarchs, and Cluracan sitting beside them: “Dream of the Endless and Lady Y/N, monarchs of the Dreaming, rulers of the Nightmare Realms.” I plastered a smile on my face as we approached the thrones. Morpheus gave a slight, respectful bow, and I dipped my knees in a little curtsy.
“Lord Morpheus!” Cluracan yelled with a beaming grin, extending his hand for Dream to shake. “I am so pleased you were able to attend! Both you and your beautiful wife.” Morpheus shook his hand with a strained smile. “Thank you for the invitation, we are honored to be here.”
Cluracan then extended his hand to me. I did what was expected of me, and placed my fingers in his waiting grasp. “Your visage this night is a true blessing,” he murmured against the skin before brushing his lips over my knuckles with a flirtatious smirk. I could feel Morpheus tense beside me.
Dream exchanged the necessary pleasantries with the king and queen, something I was content to let him handle. After the fae monarchs wished us well with the encouragement to enjoy their hospitality for as long as we wished, we were finally free from royal obligations to enjoy the party.
Morpheus was a wallflower at social engagements on the best of days, but I could tell that being in a ballroom surrounded by fae and magical creatures of every kind made him especially uneasy. His hand never left my lower back as we mingled with the other guests, sipping on sweet wine to take the edge off.
After we took our leave of some forest spirits, the orchestra struck up a tune I recognized as old Dreaming folk music. I gave Morpheus’ hand a squeeze and whispered excitedly in his ear, “I’ll bet you anything Cluracan asked them to play this for us. It’d be rude not to dance.” I gave him my best sparkling puppy dog eyes. “Please? May I have this dance?”
Dream sighed, but agreed with a small, loving smile. The image of a perfectly refined and dignified ruler, he led me to the dance floor, holding my one hand aloft while the other rested at my waist. We swept around the dance floor in time with the music, our garments flowing out behind and around us- a supernova and a black hole, swirling around each other in perfect harmony.
“They’re all staring,” I breathed, my eyes darting quickly to the assembled crowd.
“They cannot help but be entranced by you, my darling,” he purred back, “And neither can I.” My eyes flickered up to his, my heart stopping in my chest and lips tugging up into a smirk when I caught the expression on his face. There was no way he hadn’t noticed the hitch in my breath, or the flush in my cheeks, and his tiny smile became unbearably smug. Oh, so that’s how he wanted to entertain himself tonight. Well then, two could play at that game.
“They’re staring at you too, you know,” I breathed against his lips just before he twirled me out and then back in to his waiting arms. “You’re easily the most powerful being here, I bet they’re trying to decide whether they want to be your ally, or stab you in the back. Not that I’d let them.” The hand that was resting on his shoulder slid up, up, so that I was caressing his neck. “And I bet the women are just burning inside, aroused by your demeanor and aggravated their husbands could never hope to measure up.”
It was soft, but I could hear the growl that rumbled low in Dream’s chest. I could feel the way his fingers tensed into the flesh at my waist. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly- he now knew I had caught on to his game, and was not only willing to play, but playing to win.
When the song was over, I pulled away to bow to him, low and slow and graceful with a smile that was anything but submissive. Dream returned the gesture, a perfect gentleman, one who knew exactly what effect he was having on his partner. Rather than take his hand to leave the dance floor, I turned away from him, throwing a flirtatious smirk over my shoulder as I walked towards the buffet. I could feel his eyes burning into my back as he watched, intending to follow, but stopped by a fae lord wishing to speak with him.
I could sense Dream’s growing tension as the night wore on and I refused to stay by his side, rather flitting just out of reach. I made small talk with the other guests, even exchanged a few more words with Cluracan- that really got him going. It was only a matter of time before he came to sweep me away. I intended to beat him to it.
It was hard to evade the stare of an Endless, but I managed well enough. Just enough to catch Dream’s eye before leaving the ballroom and disappearing around a corner into a quieter hall. I could hear his footsteps following me, letting him catch the occasional glimpse of my skirt fluttering around a corner. Almost there…
I turned the next corner and hid in the darkened space between two stone columns encircled with vines. My heart pounded as Dream drew closer. When he was about to pass my hiding place, I reached out and snatched his arm, pulling him into the shadows with me and pressing him against the wall. The air left his lungs on impact in a breathy moan. I stepped in closer, pressing my nose into the hollow just below his ear and taking a deep breath. I was already warm and fuzzy from the wine and fae magic in the air; breathing Morpheus in only made it more so.
With a soft hum, I gently pressed my lips to his, moving them slowly, carefully, testing just how far I could push him. I teasingly ran my tongue over the seam of his sweet lips, and he immediately parted them for me. I flitted in for the slightest taste, the sweetness of the wine still lingering in the corners of his mouth. I pulled away the moment he tried to deepen the kiss, letting him lick beggingly at my closed lips.
One hand cradled his chin while the other slipped under the edge of his mask, mussing his hair slightly as I lifted it over his head and let it fall to the floor. He gasped against my lips and his breath immediately hitched, like he had been caught in the act of showing just how much I was affecting him.
His hands found their way to my hips, fingers digging in to soft fabric as he tugged me closer. My fingers threaded into his silky hair, gently caressing for a few moments before tightening around the strands and giving a gentle yank to expose his neck. Another gasp left him, his eyes fluttering.
I attached my lips to his jawline, kissing and nipping, just hard enough to sting. His fingers bit into my hips, holding me closer. I chuckled low in his ear, more than a little proud of how little it had taken to tease him into a gasping, trembling mess. “I think we’ve stayed long enough,” I cooed, “Unless you’d rather have another dance, or talk with Cluracan some more…”
Dream’s eyes flashed open, no longer ice blue, but deep black, and somehow still burning and sparkling. I had been right before: the eyeliner and colors at the corners of his eyes made me want to sink into those bottomless pits that looked as though they wanted to devour me whole. A breath shuddered out of my lungs and heat flooded my body. Dream smirked, smug and feral.
A hand left my waist to rip off my mask and cast it aside. Dream’s eyes raked over my face, eyes burning with desire. “My little star…” his low growl rumbled through me like thunder. “You are making it incredibly difficult to keep my composure.”
I slowly licked my lips, smooth and sultry. Dream’s eyes tracked every movement of my tongue. I stepped in even closer: “Then let it go.”
When I felt the vortex of sand carry us back to the Dreaming, I knew I had won this round, and also that Dream was more than alright with losing.
212 notes · View notes
farm-witches-fic-recs · 2 months
Note
Any recs featuring minor characters, with or without David and/or Patrick? If that's too specific, how about Twyla to start?
Hi friend!
We'll do better than that. Here's a round up with a smattering of everyone:
Clint and Marcy
all the joy that is to come - @myolivebranch
Clint and Marcy - houdini74 (@mostlyinthemorning)
Good People - @trueillusion82
he hung the moon so he could paint the stars… - startswithhope (@language-of-love)
He Shines - @smallumbrella369
He’s Not Coming Home (Because He’s Already There) - @delilah-mcmuffin
Make it Better - @agoodpersonrose
an old-fashioned man - the_hodag
You Might Say I'm Here for You - @weathereyehorizon
Rachel
Filled your cup until it overflowed - yourbuttervoicedbeau (@kiwiana-writes)
I'm no aesthete - firmandfruity
Meant to Be - @trueillusion82
Ray
A Day With Ray - AWorldOfDreams
MURDER in Schitt's Creek - @rosedavid
Swiping Regret - @treepyful
You look fine - @lizzie-bennetdarcy
Ronnie
Climbed a mountain and I turned around - another_Hero
Come In From The Cold - Amanita_Fierce, @doublel27
Conference Companions - @rosedavid
Conflict Control Group - @authorbynight
Finding Her Own Way - @statueinthestone
Five Times Ronnie Was a Friend to David and One Time She Was a Friend to Patrick - @unfolded73
A Good Breakfast Ruined - @mallpretzles
A Little Less Alone - @neelyo67
When the Tiers Start to Fall (I Won't Wipe Them Away) - @landofsonlali
Stevie
between nothing but the thin air and the unknown - @dinnfameron
bound to happen - @apothecarose
Fit - @wellschitt
Fresh Coat of Paint - @doublel27
Home at Last - @januarium, RhetoricalQuestions (@rhetoricalk)
I Don't Wanna Talk - @jettestar
I never saw it happening - yourbuttervoicedbeau (@kiwiana-writes)
A Paradigm of Stitches - middyblue
Towels - therapychicken
you got me (and i get you) - middyblue
Twyla
All my secrets are safe in your heart as well… - RhetoricalQuestions (@rhetoricalk), Typewrites
Captive on the carousel of time - @designatedgrape
Doing What Makes You Smile - @alysiswritingao3fics
Everything That We'd Ever Need - middyblue
Hide Your Diamonds, Hide Your Exes - middyblue
Hop on the Purple Line - @kindofspecificstore
i got a feeling (there's a miracle due) - doingthemost (@sarahlevys)
Knits by Twyla - edriss (@pretendtofly)
and my task’s but begun - @treepyful only if you let me - roseapothecarys
38 notes · View notes
miyuhpapayuh · 8 months
Text
fifteen
Tumblr media
Music’s playing, candles are burning, there's no light beside the sun peeking through the curtains, shining down on her prettiest subject.
Her glass of white wine is being babysat, cause knowing her and how much of a lightweight she was, a few sips were enough.
Leon definitely took a shot before they got started, since he'd never been a model for anything. His last minute nerves made him even more adorable to Zora.
Blk Odyssy had become one of her favorite musicians, thanks to Leon and his impeccable taste. Their new album, diamonds & freaks served as the soundtrack.
Sexy lady
Got me faded
I'm intoxicated
I been watching, baby
Sexy lady
Sweet Jesus, save me
Go on, and rock me, baby
Don't stop it, baby
“Love this song,” she comments, dipping her brush into the deep red paint, using it as one of her base colors.
“I thought you would.” He replies.
“Yeah, you knew.” She hums a laugh, tilting her head to the left, following the curve she's creating for her study of her boyfriend.
“Are you painting me just like I am?” He asks.
“Well, everything above the knees. That's all I can fit in the canvas.” She answers.
“Where'd you get this idea from?” He asks, curious all of a sudden.
“My sisters actually suggested it. They were really excited that I had started painting again, and since you're my muse, it seemed like something really fun to do.” She explains, poking her head out to look at him, snickering at the focus in his face.
“Quit laughin’ at me,” he mumbles.
“Sorry, you're just so still, like you might break if you move. Relax a little.”
“I thought I needed to stay still.”
“Yeah, but not that still.”
“Hm,” he hums, staring at the back of the easel and the sliver of her face that he could see. A smile graces his face as he watches her in her comfort zone.
Still singing along to the music, she takes another sip of her wine and paints another fine line onto the canvas, super pleased with how everything is turning out.
His green button-up covers her thick frame like a dress.
Her feet were tapping against the bars of the stool, her sloppy bun, flopping around with every concentrated turn of her head.
She was just as focused, but he wasn't gonna tease her. He loved seeing this new side of her. She let him into her art world, finally.
Taking her advice and relaxing, he falls into his natural trance of her, when she readjusts the easel, giving him more than just a peek at her beautiful face.
All the while, she was looking at him and back at the canvas, perfecting every curve, dimple, divot with striking blues and oranges, deep reds and browns.
Stealing glances at him, she tugs on her lip.
She knew it was gonna be kinda distracting, but he definitely wasn't playing fair.
Flexing those big arms of his, “stretching”, was already enough and too much for her. And every time he licked his lips, her left leg would tangle with her right. He caught it each time and smirked.
Once he got to readjusting the only article of clothing he had left, her eyes diverted to his lower region and hers began to throb.
Almost finished.
“Jesus,” she mumbles to herself, shaking her head like it would clear the explicit images swimming around her mind.
“You alright over there?” He asks, a hint of amusement in his tone.
“Yeah, I'm good,” she shakily answers, taking another sip, which looked more like a gulp from where he was sitting.
“You sure?” He teases.
She laughs, now looking over at him. His devious smirk does nothing to help the wet spot forming between her thighs.
“You done?” He asks.
“No.”
“I'm distracting you?”
“And, you know it.” She nods, making him laugh.
“You told me to relax. I'm just tryna follow the rules, dear.”
“Yeah, and now your friend is winkin’ at me.”
He simply shrugs. “That's your fault.”
“Mine? How?”
“Cause you're so fine. This happens every day, babe.”
“Every day?” She repeats.
“Yeah. A couple times a day.”
“Wow.”
“You've seen you, right?” He asks.
She scoffs, lifting the brush back to the canvas. “Boy, please. I can't even look you in the eye, right now.”
He snickers, moving out of his pose to further mess with her. Pulling his chair just a bit closer, he leans forward to stare at her and she keeps her eyes trained on her work.
“Zoraaa,” he drags out.
“I'm so glad I got all the details I needed, you play so much,” she laughs, trying her best to ignore his taunting.
“Come play with me,” he continues, almost making her drop her brush.
“Can you get back in your position, please?” She asks.
“Can I put you in a couple positions?” He quips, earning that eye roll that he knew was coming.
“If you let me finish… maybe.”
He holds his hands up in surrender, moving right back into his pose. Zora fans her face, no longer caring if he can see how flustered he's made her.
The next thirty minutes dragged on by and she was finally done, not even getting to sit her brush down good before being whisked over to the couch, him hovering over her.
Bruising her lips with his rough kisses, he quickly discards the scrap of lace that barely covered her ass, as well as his own briefs, before sliding into her with one fluid motion.
Gasping into the kiss, her hands cling to his broad back and shoulders, sinking her nails in as the feeling of him bottoming out with every thrust sends fire through her.
His mouth latches onto her neck, while she lets out every expletive she can think of, into the damp air of her apartment.
“Oh m— my god,” she pants, holding him so close to her body, shivering as his groans vibrate on her skin.
“You feel so damn good,” he rasps.
His tongue trails down her chest, nibbling on her breasts as he rips the shirt open, squeezing her flesh into his big hands, driving her crazy as she cradles his head.
Her feet are pressed against his chest and he leans up to do more damage, his hips rutting against her ass that's hanging off the couch. She looks up at him in disbelief.
His hands have her ankles bound, as she cries and writhes underneath him. Her hands move up and down his arms, back down to scratch his hips as it gets too good.
“Fuc– king me so— good,” she squeals, catching both of them off guard as she releases all over him. His thumb finds her clit, making matters slipperier.
“Yeah, gimme all that shit, baby.” He moans, encouraging another orgasm to happen right on the spot. Her edges were back curly by this point.
“C’mere,” she whispers, pulling him back down to her level to swallow his every breath in a kiss. Her cramped legs wrap around his waist, pulling him closer if that were even possible.
Pulling away, he smirks down at her, taking her in, breathless, sweaty, hungry for more as she stares back at him, ready for his next move.
“So beautiful,” he says, dragging his thumb across her parted bottom lip, “why don't you pose for me, now.”
✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿
Once she got around to actually taking in her painting, she was super pleased with how it came out. So was Leon.
“Can I just say, I'm flattered.” He smirks, cracking up at the look she gives him.
“Stop it,”
“Seriously. That's literally me.” He exclaims, pulling her into his side.
“All of me.” He mumbles, hearing her disapproving groan sound through the space.
“Leon, please!” She laughs. “But, you really like it?”
“Love it, sweet stuff. I told you. Art gallery.” He says, smiling down at her.
She smiles back up at him, shaking her head. “Nah, not yet.”
He raises a brow at her, earning a brighter smile.
“Not yet, huh? So you're getting closer to putting yourself out there?” He excitedly asks.
“Yeah, I thought about what you said and it doesn't sound like a bad idea. I'm just nervous, ya know?”
“Why?”
“I feel stunted. Like, I gave everything up to be someone's doormat and.. I don't know. I just feel like the level of artistic ability has kinda dissipated? And yeah, I know. I look at my paintings and I see what I'm capable of so get that sad look off your face,” she pinches his cheek as he laughs, “I just have my doubts.”
He wipes the frown away, but there's still sadness there. He wants nothing more than for her to believe in herself. Fully.
“It's harder than it seems to cross some hurdles, I understand that. But if you really want this, that's what you gotta do.”
“No, I know. And, I appreciate you for putting me back in front of this here easel. It's been a while, but it's always so much fun.”
“Of course, baby. It's a pleasure watching you in your zone.” He says, leaning down to kiss her temple.
“I cannot show this one to the girls.” She snickers, before looking up at him.
“Yeah, nah. Maybe the top half.”
“Please. I can hear Nique fighting for the extra details, as we speak.”
“That girl is hilarious.” He comments, moving to stand behind her and wrap his arms around hers.
“Funniest person I know, besides myself, of course.”
“And me. Hol’ up.”
“Right, right. Can't forget about you,” she snickers, yelping at the pinch to her butt.
“It's what you get.. talkin’ shit.” He mumbles into her neck.
“Oh yeah, don't try and bill me for that shirt, since you were the one that ripped the buttons off.” She says, making him chuckle.
“One, I would never do that for real, it's an empty threat every time.” He admits, making her laugh. “And two, I can always get the buttons put back on. Or you can just add it to your collection.”
“Oh, I was gonna do that anyway, cause that's how I am.” She smiles like he can see her.
“Something else.” He shakes his head.
✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿
“Why I can't see that one??” Nique asks, pointing to the covered canvas and stomping her heeled foot like a bratty child.
“Cause you play too much, man.” Zora waves her off, pointing to the painting on the easel. “But you can look at this one!”
Nique immediately gasps at how breathtaking the painting was. It's as if Zora had committed Leon's face to memory and captured him in five different lights so realistically.
“Girl, when I say talented doesn't even cover it.” She shakes her head, looking over at her best friend.
“Oh, girl. Stop.”
“Nah, man. This is on another level!” She swats her arm in excitement. “Like, that's his literal face, dude! How do you even do something like this?!”
She shrugs. “I honestly just sat her and did it. He came to my mind and I just let my paintbrush guide me.”
“Wow.” She says in response, making Zora laugh.
“Yeah, I said the same when I was done.”
Staring back at the canvas, she smirks. “So, are you gonna do anything with it?”
“Ah— I might. I don't know yet, really.”
“Cause you know, it would be really nice if someone invested in you snagging a spot at the mint museum to display such a piece.”
Zora squints her. “That's still something you'd do for me?”
“Zora, it's like you forget who I am or something. I'm highly offended right now.” She places her hands on her hips, reminding her of both of their mothers.
“Get your hands off your hips, Roberta! I know who you are! It's just.. I don't know. That was a long time ago and that was the biggest dream I've ever had to give up.”
“It's okay, I understand. But my offers are never conditional to you, dude. You could not even be my friend anymore and I'd still send you the money to do it cause I believe in you. That bozo of a boyfriend was a hater and he fucked everything up, yeah he did. But look at you, rebuilding it right now. Every time you get in front of the canvas do this,” she's eyes wide as she points back to the canvas, “you're getting so much closer to that dream of yours.”
By now, Zora is wiping tears away. Nique frowns and pulls her into a much needed hug. She wasn't expecting to get emotional today, but leave it to her best friend to pull a few tears out of her.
“Sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry. I know you hate that,” she softly laughs, wiping her cheeks.
“It's okay, I think I've needed to let it out for a while.” She smiles, covering her face for a moment to get herself together.
Nique heads into her kitchen to wet a paper towel, bringing it back to cool down her flushed face.
“Ugh, anyway,” she outright laughs. “I really appreciate you. That really does mean so much that you could hate my guts and still help me out. That's the kind of support everybody needs.” She covers her heart, Nique doing the same.
“One of a kind, I know.” She nods. “And it's nothing, seriously. You're my mother’s kid as much as I'm yours. I got you, you got me.”
“I love you, dude.”
“I love you too, man.”
“I've honestly been thinking about getting back out there for a while, but you and Neoma already knew that cause that's what y'all do,” she snorts, beating her to it, “Lovita is close to getting there, she all into Clyde right now—”
“You mean, he's all into her?”
“Right. Anyway, she'll catch on, but Leon asked me a while ago and I've just been sitting on the idea for a while. Maybe.. I wanna paint a couple more pieces and then maybe I can look into it.”
“Yeah, hey! Nobody is pressuring you. I promise. You know we just wanna see you do your best and you are  the best. Fuck him and fuck those negative voices he left behind. You're the shit, Jean. Let's ask his ass to come pick up a fucking pencil and see if he won't jam it into his eye, before tryna attempt what you did on this canvas. I'd bet you the air in this room and win. He's a bitch.”
“Okay, okay,” she cackles, “relax, relax. You hate him more than I do, at this point!”
“I could kill him,” she smiles, “because you deserve better and girl, look at god! Better meets you at your favorite place!”
“I know, I can't wait to tell everyone at the wedding, someday.” She giggles.
“Oh lord, that's gonna be the countriest wedding ever!”
“Stop! It's gonna be the most beautiful wedding you've ever been to, shut up!”
“Y'all gon be letting doves go, it's gon be a duck pond somewhere cause y'all love the ducks, flowers of every damn kind!”
“Nah, I'm pretty sure he's already got flower combos to present to me.” She laughs, remembering one of their trips to the shoppe this past summer.
“What?”
“He was asking me which flowers were which one time, and they'd just happened to be my second favorite flower, my mama's favorite and he asked me if I thought they would pair well with aster, which is his mama's favorite flower, and I just kinda looked at him like… I know what you're up to.” She laughs at the giant smile on Nique's face.
“Aw, that is so cute! He thinks he's slick, let him be slick!”
“Nah, I'm not gonna burst his bubble! I thought it was adorable. He's so cute, I can't take him sometimes.”
“Lord have mercy. So, I got a question.”
“No, I'm not having a maid of honor. Y'all ain't killing me, cause I'd make it all of you.”
“You can have three! It's your wedding!”
“Three maids of honor? That don't sound crazy?”
“Nah, not to me. I was gonna do that for mine.”
“Really?” Zora smiles, making Nique laugh.
“See, look at your face! Do it for yours, too! Wouldn't that work out better anyway? Three people to divy up your something old, new and blue. Might be something you've have your eye on.”
“Okay, okay! We're getting so ahead of ourselves, and what if I don't get married? Then I can't get that something new… or blue??”
“Girl,” Nique laughs. “You worried about the gift?”
“Yes, duh. Leon ain't going nowhere. We don't have to get married, honestly. It's just another dream of mine, but I'm not as traditional as I used to be. But, I'd love to get married, too. Don't listen to me.” She cuts herself off.
“No, no. I totally get it. What girl doesn't wanna confess her love to the man of her dreams in front of everyone they both love?! In a frilly dress! With a veil! Or no veil! Big poofy hair! A reception! We'd throw the biggest party, you already know it!”
“Yeah, we would!” She agrees.
“Right! Don't let go of your dreams, keep 'em close. Just in case. Hell, Leon seems like a wonderful suitor so far!”
“Yeah, he’ll do long,” she jokes.
“Now back to this canvas, over here.” Nique says, making Zora sigh super loudly.
“Dominique.”
“Let. Me. See. It.”
“No.”
“Whyy??” She whines again, adding extra syllables to the word.
“Because, you play too much!”
“I'll be good, I promise! I just wanna see it!”
Zora rolls her eyes, before moving to uncover it, watching the joy wash over her best friend.
“Behave. I'm serious.”
“I said I'll be good, girl! Uncover the thing already!”
She does so, waiting for her snarky remarks, but they never come.
Again, “wow” was the way she described this one, too.
“See? I'm lost for words, actually.” She shakes her head. “You've done it again, man. The detailing is beautiful.”
And with that, she covers it back up. “I knew it wouldn't last long.”
“Long, like—”
“Nique!”
“Okay, okay!” She holds her hands up. “But uh.. congratulations!” She puts emphasis on the end of her sentence, stomping her foot again.
“Thank you. I love it over here.”
“Trust me, I love it over there.” She winks, both of them falling into a fit of giggles as she covers the canvas back up.
“Do tell, since I basically just did.” Zora presses as they sit on the stools in her kitchen.
“He's big all over. He makes me dizzy, sometimes,” she laughs. “Baby is hung to the left, and you know how I feel about a curve!”
“Yeah, you love it over there!” She cackles, slapping hands with her.
“Wait, y'all ain't in love too are y'all??”
“Chile, no. As much as we be up on each other, he's my man and I'm his woman and that's good enough for us, right now. I really like him, but we can kick it just as long as I don't gotta kick his ass.”
“My girl.” She laughs. “I told you I'd find you a boo!”
“Thank you, Zora-Jean. My god!” She exasperates.
“You're welcome! That was so hard for the three of you to say! Why?!”
“Because,”
“Y'all are so ungrateful,” she playfully digs.
“Stop it! Personally, I was holding my breath for a while. I didn't wanna thank you too early and then all this bad shit would start happening, and knowing you, you'd think I'd resent you for it. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't waiting for the other foot to drop. I'm sorry.”
“I accept your apology, and don't feel bad seriously, I get it. Knowing me, I probably would think that, but I know better! It's one of those negative voices,” she shrugs, “but I'm glad this is a good relationship. You deserve it, honestly. Plus, I'd kill him if he ever hurt you.” She smiles.
“And you talk about Lovita!” Nique cackles.
@ghostfacekill-monger @sheabuttahwrites @thegifstories @blackerthings @cecereads209 @soufcakmistress @abeautifulmindexposed @harmshake @mauvecherie-writes @honestpreference
79 notes · View notes
Text
Wasting time
When we pull into Venus port, I don’t head to the hauler bar, and the rest of the crew don’t ask me to. Where they turn left, I turn right, and head off among the locals. The buse I take is new; they have different restraints now. The driver, too, probably. But the route is the same as it was when I left Venus for the first time, seven years ago.
I see her before she sees me. Natalie is almost thirteen now, and oh wow, she’s getting tall. She leans on the school fence, talking to a friend; both girls wear their school uniform belts at an odd angle, but it’s the same off angle, so it must be the latest teen fashion or something. There is laughter in her eyes and the ugliest paint I’ve ever seen on her nails and crystals threaded in her hair and I’m almost surprised that I can even recognise her on sight. It has, after all, been a full year since I’ve seen her.
Then she catches sight of me, and her eyes light up with joy, and without even pausing to say goodbye to her friend she runs over and throws her arms around my neck (not a strain at all, she’s getting so tall). “Mum!” she shrieks in delight, and pulls back a bit, smiling. “You look the same.”
I nod. It’s not surprising. It has, after all, only been a month since she’s seen me.
“Let’s get to the restaurant. We’ll meet your dad there.”
“Are you going to stay for my birthday?”
She always asks, and the answer is always the same. “Of course I’ll be here for your birthday.”
The restaurant is the same one that we always go to – my favourite, mostly because it never seems to update the décor – and unlike Natalie, I almost don’t recognise Samuel. There are new lines in his face, new grey in his hair, and he’s stopped bothering to wear clothes I’d remember; only his position at our usual table, and the way Natalie rushes right over to him, tips me off that this man is my husband. I sit down, and I smile at him, and he smiles back and there’s so much love there, but also tiredness. So much tiredness.
“The usual?” he asks.
“You know what I like.”
We order, and Natalie orders something with Neptunian prunes in it. I frown. “You hate Neptunian prunes.”
She rolls her eyes. “I love them, Mum.”
“I could have sworn…”
“I think what your mother means,” Samuel cut in, “is that you used to hate them when you were younger.”
“Well, yeah; when I was a kid,” Natalie says, and pops a prune into her mouth.
Throughout dinner, Natalie tells me about the latest fashions and the latest music and the latest drama with her friends, and I drink it all in as best I can. I’m in port for a week, and then I’m off, and by the time I get back next month this will all be a year out of date, but I try to keep up. It’s all I’ll have. Hair diamonds are in but hair rubies are out, if all you’ve got is rubies then you’re best to go ‘barehead’ without any jewels, and Venus Fog is the latest upcoming band and Natalie thinks she’ll get into acting and also I should tell dad how great it would be to get pet rats. Eventually she excuses herself to go to the bathroom, leaving Samuel and I over the scraps of our meals. I push some vegetables around my plate, not meeting his eyes, while he watches me.
“You look the same,” he says.
“You always say that.”
“It’s always true.”
“Next time I’ll get a tattoo or something.”
He tenses up at the phrase ‘next time’. I fall silent again.
After several long, awkward seconds, I ask, “How’s Valerie?”
“Fine,” he says. “Valerie’s doing fine.”
I bite my lip, not caring if I look jealous. I’m not; really, I’m not. It would be ridiculous for me to expect Sam to wait an entire year to see me, over and over, and not have someone else. He would never have even pursued Valerie if I hadn’t suggested it. It was a necessity of the situation.
And honestly, it’s not even just the long waits. Sam and I had been school sweethearts and gotten married when we were both nineteen. Now I’m twenty seven, and he’s… thirty five, I think? No amount of love in the world will change the fact that I am simply getting too young for him. And that’s the real problem with Valerie, I guess. She’s always been younger than him – two years younger. And me? Well.
“You’re staying for Natalie’s birthday, right?” he asks.
“Of course I’m here for Natalie’s birthday. I’m always here for Natalie’s birthday.”
“And not much else,” he mumbles under his breath, and I drop my fork and glare at him.
“What would you have me do, Sam? We have bills!”
“Everyone has bills. Everyone manages.”
“If we want to get Natalie into a tier one quarternary school – ”
“We both managed fine in a normal quarternary school.”
“ – then we need an income; a good income. Being an interstellar hauler makes me ten times the money I could make anywhere on Venus and you know it.”
“Ten times the money, for twelve times the time. You realise that, right? It comes out less on our end.”
“Do you need more? I can borrow from – ”
“No! This isn’t about needing more money; I work, Valerie works, it’s fine. It’s about your excuse for this job being oxshit! On our timeframe, you pull in less money this way, and you know it. You’re out there on the edge of lightspeed, for a year at a time, letting it do this to you, for – ”
“Do what to me? It isn’t doing anything to me; I’m fine. Just because I’m living slower than you doesn’t mean – ”
“It’s stealing time from you; time with your family! Do you see yourself? Hear yourself? To you, it’s a month-on, week-off job, but every time you go out to haul near lightspeed, it’s a year before we see you again.”
“I understand that. I – ”
“I don’t think you do! I don’t understand how you can – your daughter is turning thirteen! Half a year ago, she was six to you, right? In half a year for you, I raised a child into a budding teen. Six months more of this, and your daughter will be an adult. You realise that, right? In less than a year and a half, your time, your daughter will be older than you. And she’ll barely know you! She barely knows you now! This isn’t time you’ll get back, you know. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
“I know,” I say. “I know, I just… one more haul, maybe two. Then we’ll have enough for Natalie’s education, and I can come back and with that nest egg I’ll have time to actually spend with her, an so will you, since neither of us will have to work long hours any more. Just a couple more months, and we can – ”
Samuel reaches out and wraps his large, soft, gentle hands around mine. “Love. If you get back on that hauler ship, then when you get back, there will be divorce papers waiting for you.”
Natalie comes back then, so I’m forced to bite back my reply, and I think I manage to hide my rage through dinner. Afterwards, I decide to walk back to my dorms in port rather than take the bus; maybe I can walk off some of the anger.
He doesn’t understand, he really doesn’t understand, how good the money is for so little time. He’d really rather I stay on Venus and work for over a decade to make what I could in a single year on the ship. And he’s right, to an extent, about missing time with Natalie, but wouldn’t I me missing almost as much time working long hours here? This way, I have a full week off to see her every month. And once I’ve made enough, I’ll have as much time as I want with her.
Divorce. Ha. I should’ve known he’d fall more in love with Valerie in my absence. This is just an excuse.
I get to the dorms, and keep walking. Walk all the way to the hauler bar. It’s full of lightspeed haulers and basically no one else but waitstaff; we haulers tend to keep to our own kind, on the whole. My crew are there, of course, as are a few other crews, all mixed up and chatting with each other, because when you’ve spent a month cooped up with the same people you don’t want to hang out with just them on your downtime, too. We all share friendly, familiar nods and looks, friends and strangers alike. Lightspeed haulers intrinsically understand each other. There are experiences we all share that people like Samuel just don’t get.
My captain presses a drink into my hands. “So your little girl’s party is in three days, and then you’re free, right?” he asks without preamble.
“Not so little any more. But yeah.”
“You don’t mind if we head out a day early, then?”
I look out the window, up through the environmental dome and toward the stars that are completely hidden by Venus’ thick atmosphere. Already, I can feel the thrum of the ship’s engines in my bones.
“I can be ready a day early,” I say. “I don’t mind at all.”
105 notes · View notes