#lei's smile is kind of my everything

[satoruyes]

co-parent bakugou

katsuki bakugou x reader (part two)

   fwb! bakugou who often came by your dorm during college to drop off school work when you missed lectures and loads when you missed him.

fwb! bakugou who came by before bed to fuck you into your pillow and listen to your hushed moans, hushed so your roommates wouldn’t hear. (they did)

fwb! bakugou who’s scared of committing because he “couldn’t see you in his future” and was too focused on his.

fwb! bakugou who’s late night visits became more and more scarce.

fwb! bakugou who months later soft launches his new partner on his story after telling you he’s not ready for a relationship.

fwb! bakugou who stops breathing at the sight of your name popping up on his phone as he cuddles his partner while watching movies, and nearly has a stroke at the “Im pregnant.” text. 

_____

“well are ya sure it’s mine?” he asks, not daring to look away from you. you break eye contact and look outside the coffee shops’ window to focus on anything other than this conversation you’ve been dreading. “are you serious? you should know i’m not exactly one to sleep around,” you say to the man. he nods and his grip on his mug gets tighter, knuckles visibly whiter. “well, are ya keepin’ it,” he asks, “i don’t think  that’d be a bright idea for either of us.” you kind of glare but think over his words. “you know how my parents feel about abortion kats.. i’d be disowned. the second the press found out about it, my family would be done for,” your eyes start to water and a tear threatens to fall, you pause “.. i thought you said you don’t do relationships?”

katsuki stares at you and shakes his head, “those fuckin’ hormones already getting to your brain or somethin?“ he sighs, “you know i can’t do this *nickname*. i’m in a committed relationship with raya, we’re getting engaged next month. on top of that, i can’t be number one with a baby leechin’ of me.” your heart drops, “you’re.. getting engaged? i.. um.. well, congratulations. i’m sorry to burden you with all of this… and i can’t abort it anyway.. i.. i’m too far along.. and i cant do this.” you finish & get up from the table and leave.

________

baby daddy! bakugou who ends up losing contact with you for months after you block him on everything a refuse to meet up per your family’s request.

baby daddy! bakugou who nearly forgets about you years later til kirishima brings you up and shows him your instagram.

baby daddy! bakugou who gets home and stalks you from a burner account, finds out you still talk to everyone from college but him.

baby daddy! bakugou who sees a pretty little ruby-eyed girl down your timeline, her resemblance to him uncanny.

baby daddy! bakugou who pulls some strings and texts your number asking to meet his daughter, hana. 

___________

hana is 2 years old by now, forming choppy sentences and now waddling on her feet. after a week of texting, you finally fold and let him come over to meet his daughter. when you open the door to let him in he nearly finds himself choking on his spit at how beautiful you are. you looked even better than your posts, if that’s possible. you greeted him with a nod and invited him in. he takes his shoes off and head to the living room you led him to. you exchange stale pleasantries and small talk til you decide to go get your baby girl. “her name is ‘hana lei bakugou,’ as much as i wanted her to have my last name.”

you walk over to him and hand her to him, noticing the wedding band resting around his ring finger. you scoff, “wow so you two actually got married?” he nods and analyzes his daughters’ features. “shes so pretty, just like ‘er momma,” he half smiles and look up at you. “so i’ll have her back later tonight, gonna take ‘er home to meet the wife and all of that.” he goes to get off the couch. “woah, you don’t get to do that. you don’t get to come back back after all this time like nothing happened.” he looks frustrated for a second, “you can’t just- … yea yer right, ‘m sorry.’’

you nod, “how about we go up to her room and play?” he agrees and follows you into his daughter’s bedroom while carrying her.

“So.. how long have you two been in the area?” he asks, scanning his daughter's room. “I never really left, just moved closer to the city i guess,” you reply; putting hana down to the floor. She waddles over to katsuki. “hana, baby this is your father,” you look down at the little girl. At first she looks up at you with her glowing beady eyes then she looks over to Katsuki sitting over on a couch. “papa?” she asks and she points her dainty finger at him. you nod and smile. “yes baby, that's your papa.” 

katsuki looks at the little girl and she reaches up for him. “up.” she says, and he obliges. you two talk and rekindle for what seemed to be days. In reality it was just about 4 hours. “*name* it was really nice to see you again, let's go out for dinner sometime. with hana of course.” you lead him downstairs while he says his goodbyes to hana. 

-- 

“I told ya about this years ago raya, you can't be mad about this. What did you expect? for them to disappear?” bakugou yells at his wife. “well i didnt fucking expect you to go out of your way to to reach out either!” she pouts, anger and jealousy laced in her tone. “I have to own up to this responsibility now whether you like it or not, stop fuckin’ cursin’ at me. ‘m already stressed as is; ‘ion need yer bitchin’.” 

“oh so now i'm bitching because you went out and got some slut pregnant.. you're just full of it katsuki.” raya says, glaring at him now. “ya cant get mad at me because I wanna be a father, ‘nd not just leave some kid stranded out here.” 

“it's not just about the kid is it? do you miss the bitch or something? do you miss the sex? did she give you better head than I do?” raya accuses, bakugou sighs and goes to leave the room, “‘nd yea- she did give better head.” as he walks to their shared room he can hear her still yelling in the distance.

katsuki bakugou goes to sleep confused tonight. He wonders why was he such a prick. he wonders why did his heart pound so fast- why were his hands so sweaty when he saw you.

he couldn't do this. he has a wife. hes happily married, regardless of any arguments. his wife was the mayors daughter and promised him various things, she promised him glory. of course he didn't need her but it's definitely more helpful to have more "support." plus you hated him, only putting up with him for the sake of his daughter. no, it wasn't attraction- it was just nervousness. he loved his wife.

katsuki woke up to his wife, raya in his arms. she looked so pretty and peaceful like this. he snapped out of his daze and got out of bed to catch a shower. he couldn't help but find his hand reaching down to take care of himself. usually when he finds himself touching himself; its of thoughts of his wife from the night prior. but today it was you. he felt shameful but he just couldnt help it. he couldn't stop himself from thinking about you. hes only human.    

#lulawrites #katsuki bakugou #katsuki x reader #bakugou x reader #katsuki bakugo x reader #no proof read #no beta we die like men #im sorry guys #part two soon #fwb series #HIII guys leave feedback or any typos #ive missed writing #bitvh

[save-the-villainous-cat]

Broke college student hero and rich over the top villain. Hero is tired and done. That's it that's the request lmao

“…that has got to be the dumbest idea ever. That’s…I don’t even have any words left,” the hero said but they knew just as well as the villain how their ears had turned tomato red.

For the record, it was a stupid idea. And it was something the hero definitely had to stomach for a few days before deciding.

“I am not interested in twisting the knife but your apartment is pathetic,” the villain said. They picked up a dusty snow globe and observed it. A little figure with a lei stared back at them and the hero cringed internally when they realised it must’ve been over a decade old. As if they had the money to visit Hawai’i any time soon. “And I’m not one for adding salt to wounds but you are, undeniably, poor.”

“Wow, thank you. What are you gonna say next? That I have no prospects?”

“I don’t know, are you already a burden to your parents?” the villain asked, a sly smile stretching over their lips. They seemed quite amused at the hero’s current situation, despite offering their help. Eventually they sat down on the hero’s creaking bed which didn’t help the hero when they tried to tell them they were doing just fine.

“Not that I know of,” the hero said. They crossed their arms in front of their chest and tried to stare at the villain as intensely as they could. “I’m not this desperate, you know? I’m alright. I’m good. This is fine, my apartment is okay.”

The villain stared at the empty ramen packages on the hero’s stove.

“That stuff kills you, you know?” they said, their thumb pointing at the trash angrily.

“I’m doing fine. I’m great. Great physique. Amazing grades. Impeccable catching-criminals-rate.”

“Brilliant,” the villain said. They tilted their head. “Great physique?”

“Yup.”

“Hm.” They looked around the room slowly, observing every imperfection. The hero was ashamed. They weren’t the cleanest person. “A little birdie told me you’re failing most of your classes. Which isn’t all that surprising, given that you’re spending most nights on rooftops in that…interesting costume.”

The villain looked them up and down and the hero stared at them, eyes wide. They had mentioned before that the hero’s costume wasn’t hiding much. The hero had thought it to be a joke.

“I’m not a child, you know? I don’t need your help with ridiculous offers.”

“How old are you again?” the villain asked.

“I’m a year older than you,” the hero reminded them and the villain gave them a belittling look. Sometimes the hero forgot about that, too. The villain seemed like they’d everything figured out. Organised, rich, intelligent — the hero was falling behind and didn’t even know how to change that.

On top of all that, the villain was taller than them.

“I apologise for not respecting my elders then.”

“You—”

“Look, this is a shithole. If we get married you could have a good life. That’s all there is to it. It’s a signature on a paper and some financial decisions. Nothing else,” the villain said. They seemed to suggest this quite casually, as if the hero’s parents wouldn’t freak out on them for failing to introduce their spouse.

Their parents had been asking for grandchildren already. That alone seemed like a burden with the little sexual experience the hero had. It was exhausting and the hero was starting to feel the pressure of college and their nightly activities together. The villain was technically right.

If they lived with someone else, if they had money, they could at least get something real to eat for dinner.

“Well, aren’t you such a generous soul? Offering your money, your life to me like that…”

“We wouldn’t see each other much.”

The hero’s heart was doing something weird.

“Of course…” They stared at the floor. There was something the villain wanted. Some kind of information, some kind of contract. They weren’t doing this because they were a nice and sweet person. Behind every decision, there was a plan. There was calculation. The villain functioned that way.

“Obviously, you can screw whoever you want,” the villain clarified but the hero hadn’t even asked for it nor did they desire it. For a brief moment, they gazed at each other but it was more than that. It was more than a simple look. It was a question, it was an answer. And the hero felt trapped. They feared the villain had a wrong picture of them in their head.

“Why are you offering this?”

“Because it’s an agreement on paper, nothing more. I wouldn’t force you to sleep in the same bed. We don’t even have to live on the same floor,” the villain said but they hadn’t understood the hero.

“I meant the marriage specifically. Why are you doing this? What am I supposed to do in return?”

Now, the villain lowered their gaze. They scratched the back of their neck and the hero was more than curious. If the villain wanted information, the hero would have to decline. They rather lived in this horrible apartment and live from paycheck to paycheck instead of endangering anyone.

“I need protection,” they mumbled. “There’s a mole in my team. Someone tried to assassinate me two times last week. Normally I would…I would have my ways but I don’t want any of my employees to suffer.”

The hero was flabbergasted. They had expected anything but this.

“I’m supposed to be your bodyguard? Me protecting you?” The hero would’ve laughed but they were too surprised by the fact that the villain could’ve died last week.

The villain took a deep breath and leaned back, eyes half-lidded.

“It’s more like…detective work. The marriage is supposed to cover for the both of us. You living at my place out of a sudden would be less suspicious if people thought we were…you know. Plus, I could give you money that way. As payment.”

The hero stared at them. Admittedly, they felt as tired as the villain looked. Both had been through a few rough months. The hero wasn’t sure what to say.

“Think about it,” the villain said. They stood up and walked over to the door. But before they could even reach for the doorknob, the hero grabbed their arm.

“I swear, if you’re using me, if you use the…situation I’m in—”

“Believe me. I don’t enjoy seeing you live like this.” The hero pressed them against the door. They’d missed being close like this. “And I’m getting anxious.”

“You’ll have to meet my parents,” the hero said. They looked down at the villain’s expensive clothes. They couldn’t really concentrate.

But the villain only grinned. They pulled the hero closer, close enough to kiss them. “And they’ll love me.”

Two days later, the hero agreed.

A week later, they hooked up for the first time.

#pride and prejudice reference oh nooo #writing snippet #heroxvillain prompt #heroxvillain snippet #heroes and villains #hero #villain #hero x villain #heroxvillain #an answer for an ask #request

[meguminne]

Love, Lost and Wandered࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ

dainleif is scared of forgetting you, he would traverse the cursed plains of the irminsul to remember you. — cursed grounds that belonged to one of those damned archons just to remember you. his curse now includes you as well. im gonna be honest and tell you straight up idk how the irminsul or dainsleif work and whether or not this is accurate to their lore, i just want to write a devoted lover dain who’s willing to beg to the archons for reader like that one questline. also!! reblogs and follows are very appreciated as it lets me know you guys enjoy my writing!! . (reader x dainsleif) oct. 15 2023 part one (?)

dainsleif is too ashamed to admit this aloud but he finds himself forgetting you. who once was his most precious, his beloved; your voice, your laugh, even your smile. — the gods are merciless but were ‘kind’ enough to spare you from turning you into the hilichurls doomed to wander the earth, loyal only to their most primal instincts. they were ‘kind’ enough to spare you from the curse of immortality, the pain of living and unable to die. he wonders which fate would have been better for the both of you, but he does believe death has been the most merciful outcome.

the only thing he has of you is the memory of your name, the love he can’t forget, and the dreams you’ve left with him. — but they’re not immune to the weathering of time. he finds himself slipping, forgetting the little things that complete your image, the treasures he salvaged from the remnants of his home broken down with the centuries that came with immortality and the dreams you held with him now seem blurry as though he couldn’t fathom to sleep and dream without you. it’s been eons and yet he still hasn’t gotten used to your absence beside him.

when fate is kind enough to grant him the time to paint, his mind goes over to the idea of you and he seems to get the gist of your frame, your figure but your face only seems to be drawn as a mixture of swirls, indescribable and indistinguishable from the fog that surrounds the memory of you.

as much as he hated to admit it, he was slowly forgetting you.

but he’s not ready yet, to forget you is to let you die once and for all. he’s the only one who holds the memory of you and if he forgets, you’re gone forever. — amidst the false gods, their endless pride and the heavens; you were the angel that almost made dainsleif believe in divinity.

he’s desperate to maintain that memory of you, to keep you alive and beside him to the best of his ability for forgetting you might doom to an eternity of restless living cursed only for vengeance.

dainsleif was desperate enough to keep that memory of you that he was willing to trek onto the irminsul, the ‘sacred’ grounds of the dendro archon that records say remembers everything. the memories stored within the ley lines that have touched all of teyvat, the ley lines that rooted itself deep beneath the grounds; roots that listened to every drop of rain, whisper and wind. — he was willing to traverse and resort to the divinities he loathed just to remember you. whether it’s be by force, or if he had to kneel, beg and grovel at the archon’s feet just to be welcomed into the dreamlike plains; he would do it for his pride was nothing next to his devotion for you.

the only obstacle now was whether or not the archon, buer was willing to let a khaenri'ahn survivor step foot into the holy grounds. — or if he could even ask for help from the traveler..

#meguminne #genshin x reader #genshin angst #genshin impact #dainsleif #dainsleif x reader #dainsleif x you #dainsleif angst #genshin fluff #khaenri'ah #genshin fanfic #just a little drabble #not lore accurate #i love dainsleif #dains x reader #genshin impact x reader #irminsul #devoted lover #dead reader

[alexisomnias]

— I admire the stars from afar with closed eyes

i love my mutuals 🤍🦢 ( appreciation post )

. alphabetical order

aly @soleillunne

we dont talk all that much, but i see you on my dash and smile, like, every single time. im so nervous to talk to you and i dont even know why DJUSHSJ your just so cool and friendly and literally a superstar to me idk 💕 your sososososo awesome and i admire you a lot!

ceru @ceruleancattail

so awesome, literally such a star. your talent is out of this world, and the kindness in your heart is above all. your one of the most friendly people ive met, and your so so loved and admired, especially by me!! Seeing you on my dash is always such a highlight, and seeing your work is even better. Keep doing what you love because i know you can never truly fail 💕 your just too talented..!!!!!

faera @atsdlura

faera ☹️💕 i love you so much/p, your so light, and full of just love for so many others. your probably one of the most genuinely sweet people i know, and I adore your art. everything about you is sweet and so uplifting! whenever i talk to you I feel better and ready to finish the day! your genuinely sooo awesome and Im sososososo happy we met.

hana @haismie

one of the sunshines of my life. i can never truly put into words how much i actually care lmaoo, your my friend from before the platform, and I’ve seen you grow so much, in both terms of writing and drawing. your so utterly talented and the way you weave words leaves my heart burning! ughhh the boy you are!!! thank you for making my day, everytime you send me a message.

khoi @khoipyan

I MISS YOU BROTHER. everytime i see you pop up instantly my mood is lifted!! your very talented, and awesome, and amazing, and i love seeing you talk about your interests!! THINKING OF YOU 💕 take care

kei @keii-starz

oh kei, i always adore seeing you on my dash. you are so loved, and cared about 💕, im so happy i met you because our conversations always brighten me up. your so supportive and kind, and i just want to cover you in soft blankets as you deserve. thank you for always being so kind!

lei @trappolia

lei, the loml… your so fun and always such a highlight of my day… i love talking about everything ever with you, and dont forget about the birthday fic you wrote me?!?! hello?!?! still look at that consistently btw bcs of how sweet it is! your so talented and i adore your writing so much! your super awesome and im grateful ive got to know someone as bright as you.

millie @poppurini

millie you have to be one of my favorite people on the website tbh, we dont talk as often but literally your so fucking talented and i just want to hang everything you do up in a museum and explain it to passerby’s. your personality is so wonderful, and always cheers me up. your so cool, and fantastic as well, i can find no negatives at  all for knowing you! I appreciate you and your work a lot…!

mika @mikacynth

mika the sweet girl that you are omg. your not online as much anymore but every time you are I can just feel the positive vibes uplifting 💕 you mean so much to so many people are your very cared about i hope you know. your very talented and super intelligent. i appreciate you a lot!

misha @mishantics

MISHAAA i hope you know everytime i come across something you reposted on tiktok i scream your name in my head!!!!!! your such a talented artist and someone worthy of inspiration! I appreciate you so so much, and you deserve the best!

skylia @kaiserkisser

skylia oh what a flower you are. YOUR SO AMAZING AND KIND!!! your one of the people i’ve known for longest, and i appreciate you so much for all the kind words you throw at everyone. i love seeing you on my dash, and i appreciate you silently 💗 even if i dont message you a lot i hope you know i do see you

vi  @floraldresvi

. vi, to me your everything good in this world. your always there for me no matter how small or big and you always make me feel included, make me feel worth something. I admire you a lot, and i think your plenty awesome with everything you do, your totally lovable! im sooo grateful i met you, genuinely, you make so many of my days full! 💕

ying @xianyoon

YING YOUR SO COOL… your such a big sibling figure to me and I look up to you so so much, more then you could know. If your the sun, im a star taking in your light in the hopes i can shed that much love on others you do with your warmth. your so admirable and i want to be like you!

. . .

this has been a stressful tiring month for a lot of us, so just know your all cared about and loved 💕

if your a mutual and not on here, wait awaiting in your inbox

#love

[exquisiteserotonin]

Precious Possessions 10: Every Rule

Pairing: Dave York X F! Reader (Original Female Character)

Rating: E is for Explicit - 18+ only 🔞MDNI🔞

Previous | Next | Masterlist

Word count: 7401

Summary: Firefly takes some time for clarity and understanding about everything and everyone, including the role she plays in Dave's life and the one he plays in hers.

Warning: This chapter is incredibly PLOT heavy...and while it absolutely 100% includes Dave, is very focused on reader and her feelings for and about him. Angst. Religious symbolism. Angst. Violence. Angst. PiV sex - wrap it up lovahs, riding, mild restraints, creampie. Angst. Once again please DNI if you are not 18 and over. Also not beta'd, so all errors are my own. Please be kind.

A/N: Thanks to all my babes who encourage me to continue writing even though it can be fucking hard and so personal especially when you put your heart and soul into each character. Also, if you are familiar with the Equalizer trilogy then you will know and understand some of this.

@youandmeand5bucks @pink-whiskey-woman @redhotkitchen @arcanefox207 @legendary-pink-dot @sparklefarts38 @morallyinept @secretelephanttattoo

Taglist: @nerdieforpedro @sheepdogchick3 @casa-boiardi @missladym1981 @untamedheart81 @drewharrisonwriter @guelyury

“Lying on top of you is one thing, but getting close to you is another. I feel close to you, one with you, you’re mine whether it is acknowledged or not.”—Henry Miller 

In the morning you awoke with a start, reaching for an alarm clock that didn’t sound, for a body that wasn’t there. Morning light whispered through the paper-thin curtains, shining on the bare stone wall. Working together with the gentle breeze from outside, a slow sense of calm began to hold you. Seabirds and salt air surrounded you as you opened a window—a wooden shutter with three slats crooked, broken, and beautiful, the only barrier to a rectangle shaped hole in the stone.

Slow and easy, sometimes boring—those were your mornings since you had arrived. You stumbled through the first few days like an infant taking its first steps. No electronics, no real connection to the outside world, relying on shuffling through pages of a pocket-sized English to Italian dictionary to navigate your way through the occasional brief conversations you had with the Altamonte locals as you gathered your bearings.  

The constant overthinking presented an obstacle to overcome. By your eighth day there, the simplicity of life wouldn’t allow it. Neighbors shouted morning greetings through open and bright green shutters as you dressed. A t-shirt, white and crisp, a pair of well-loved jeans, and a black leather jacket finished with a pair of white sneakers. A uniform or sorts, you thought, as you descended the stairs from your apartment. A passerby could have been a mirror image of you just by clothing alone. Was this what people meant by “dressing like a local”?

At a nearby café, your ability to blend in was tested as you found your place in a sea of color neutrality, sitting at the lone empty table near the front door. A youthful and friendly server who looked to be no older than 17 approached you, her raven curls atop her head bounced when she stopped. Not a line tempered her smooth, dark olive skin as she flipped open her notepad with a smile. 

“Cosa desidera Lei?” 

“Un caffe per fevore,” you replied, with the young server nodding in acknowledgement at your order. 

From your purse you grabbed a journal of worn, brown leather. Its corners curled upward from opening and closing it frequentlly The pages lay ruffled and beaten with the gift of constant use. Your fingers also grasped a pen lost in the depths of your bag that met you like an old friend that had come to save you in your time of need. The ink flowed from your pen to the paper as you wrote about the salt air, the distant cawing of seagulls skimming the shore, and the mist of calm that seemed to settle over every corner of the town.

You turned your head to look through the clean windows into the cafe to observe the locals—individuals, couples, families. The images of them gleamed like reflections on a stream. In the window, you imagined Dave next to you—a mirage, a specter haunting and present no matter how hard you tried to push it away. In the back of your head, you asked yourself: Do I really want to? 

“Buongiorno!” a voice rich and deep in time and timber reached out to you. 

A newly familiar face greeted you. His hands, like his voice, showed evidence of assuredness through lines of time and wisdom that were beginning to settle on the backs of his hands. The smile lines on his face were set dark and deep into his face, indisputable evidence of living. 

“Buongiorno, Dottore!” you exclaimed, standing up to take his hands and give him a kiss on each cheek. 

“Everyday, at the same time, I see you here,” the rich melody of his voice and the kind smile he gave you managed to whisk away the chill that coursed through your blood, if only for a moment. 

“Well, the calm is a nice…change,” you mused and paused for a moment, contemplating if you really believed your own words.

Enzo settled down in the chair next to you, the smile beneath his mustache was warm and fatherly.  As he sat next to you, the young server returned carrying two small cups of coffee for both you and Enzo. You observed closely as Aminita, as Enzo lovingly called her, greeted him with greater familiarity than you had combined with an even greater respect. He spoke to her with the kindness of a doting grandfather. Bits and pieces of their melodic words met your ears, the depths of your brain manipulating them until you worked out their meaning in English. 

“So, what have you seen since you have been here?” Enzo inquired as he settled into a chair next to you. 

“Oh, it’s only been a few days, but,” you sighed with a dramatic pause, “just having the ocean right here has been more than enough.” 

Enzo smiled back at you and his eyes glimmered with excitement and wonder. It was the kind of gleam that you had only seen among young children and the old. Pressing his hands together he stood up and waved at you in a gesture for you to finish your coffee. You sipped as quickly as you could, your coffee just on the right side of warm---the cozy kind of warmth that wrapped you in an invisible hug on a cold day. 

“Andiamo,” he urged you as you swallowed the last of it. “Come on, I’ll show you the real Altomonte.” 

“Ok, ok!” you replied, conceding to him. 

Uncomfortably, you chugged the last bit of coffee with an audible hiss before you stood up. You took quick steps over the cobblestone streets as you followed Enzo. His gait was quick and determined for a 60-year-old. A smile curled at the corners of your lips as you watched him skip ahead of you with more excitement than a tour guide being paid to show you the village.  

He walked you through one of the many archways of the town, this one longer than others. The path was just wide enough to allow for the regular flow of movement brought to life by the villagers. What greeted you through the arch was more life than you had expected, not dark and dank as you had presumed. Nestled along the stone walls were market vendors selling homemade wears of rosaries, crucifixes made of wood from olive trees, and hand-embroidered scarves delicately adorned with intricate, swirling designs. You could feel your mouth drop open in awe as you caressed your fingers along a deep blue scarf with two white lilies embroidered at each corner. You were certain that the elderly woman who made this was grossly underestimating the time and talent it took her  to fashion such a unique and beautiful item. A small, rectangular piece of paper lay on top of the scarf and written in ballpoint pen was the price of a mere 50 euros. 

“Beautiful, yes?” Enzo remarked with a smile. 

His eyebrows were raised as he looked back at you. Reaching into your purse you pulled out your beige, leather pocketbook to procure a one hundred euro note. It called to you, that foreign feeling that you so rarely experienced of reaching for something that you just knew you had to have. It had only happened once before.

Your hand trembled slightly as you handed the woman the euro note, a sign of the thoughts of Dave that took hold of you. As the woman took it, the wrinkles around her smoothed from her wide-open eyes. The look of shock overcame her as she examined the note. She waved at you, her tone an odd mixture of gratitude and scolding that could come only from a strong Italian woman. 

“Ti prego di prenderlo,” you insisted in as humble a tone as you could. “E magnifica.” 

You watched in earnest as Enzo spoke to the woman, conceding to her and talking her down until she stared back at you with a satisfied glimmer in her eye while handing you the scarf. Immediately, you tied it loosely around your shoulders while following Enzo’s lead ahead of you. As you sauntered through the cobble stoned streets, Enzo pointed out the fish market. The owner, Angelo, waved at you alongside his wife and son as they proudly arranged fresh fish on piles of ice—waiting for villagers to snatch them up for their evening meal.

The sunlight greeted you on the other end of the archway, where ancient stone walls guarded each side and where Enzo stood at the foot of a steep set of stairs. He turned around to you and gestured towards the steps with excitement surging through his fingertips. 

“Have you gone up to visit the church?“

Your gaze followed Enzo’s upward to a church set into the mountains, that stood proud with its pristine ivory in color that was brighter against the lush, green foliage of the mountainside. A hint of premature frustration crept beneath your skin as you mentally took in the slope of the stairs. You were in good shape, you had to be. Yet your legs automatically ached with a phantom pain that you knew would come from traversing the steep climb to the church. 

Enzo gestured for you to come over, picking up one foot after another over narrow and steep stairs. The waves of the Mediterranean crashed over the walls guarding the village. The fresh salt air traveled with the breeze until it began to dance in your hair. 

“Climb these steps every day and you’ll be young the rest of your life,” he teased, “That is my doctor’s order for you.”

Something between a laugh and a gasp escaped you before he gestured for you to catch up. When you finally did, your eyes settled on the weathered rock as the air caressed your hair and your lungs filled with deep, cooling breath that led to a wistful sigh. 

“Come on, old man!” You took the chance to take a break from your jog to rib your dark-haired companion as he fought to catch his breath standing amidst a steep, but beautiful set of stairs.

You rocked your hips back and forth as you kept your feet bouncing from side-to-side in a stationary jog. He looked up at you, gathering his hands at his hips as sweat began to gather at the center of his charcoal-colored t-shirt, clinging to his lean, but broad-shouldered form. Not one speck of amusement found itself on his face as he glared at you. The steadiness of his stare caused you to slow your jog to merely stepping your feet beneath you. When a smile finally slid over the surface of his pouty lips, his eyes bore into you, heavy, dark, and tempting --- the look of the devil you always wanted to know. 

“I’ll be generous,” you recalled him saying, his words dripping like the sweetest nectar from the most forbidden flower, “and give you a head start.” 

“Just like you to assume I need one,” you challenged as you stood above him, placing your hands on your hips. 

He readied himself a few steps below you, a determined glint in his brown eyes that sent a chill scurrying up and down your spine. Simultaneously, it sent a warm, throbbing sensation at your center as he looked you up and down. He doubled down on his threat, setting himself in a starting stance to race up the stairs. You followed suit, turning your back away from him, trying to keep your focus ahead of you. His very presence behind you already threatened to consume you and though he was steps below you, you swore you could feel the heat of his exhales rippling on the back of your neck.

And with no warning, he spoke, “Run.” 

The memory of you leaping up the stairs traveled through your feet as you slowly made your way up the steep stairs leading to the church. It was silly really—the present was just a moving dichotomy of your memory. 

You didn’t dare look behind you. Doing so would have meant certain defeat. An feeling of nervousness mixed with intrigue filled you as you ran, ran, ran as fast as you could. The sense of him gaining on you heightened through every pore. Your feet pounded on the steps and your arms swung tightly with each quick stride. Quick breaths rattled from your lips as you focused your eyes to the top of the majestic stairs. Cockiness lined your lips into a premature victory smile, when you suddenly felt a pair of hands grab at your hips, forcing you to slow down to a rhythm that matched his body. You felt the heat of his warm fingers wrapped around your elbow as he pulled you into a dark, concealed alley. Breathing even harder than when you were running, Dave pressed you against the wall, his hips rolling against yours. 

His face was so close that you could smell the clean, yet intoxicating sweat that collected upon his skin that had been made golden with Sicilian sun. Each breath he drew was quick and in time with yours. A quick gasp escaped you as you felt his warm hand lower to skim the waist of your leggings, his thick fingers. A shiver circulated through your body as he toyed with the elastic band. 

“When are you going to learn, Firefly?” he growled into your ear, his lips brushing at your neck and earlobe. “I’m always going to catch you.”

***

“Bella! Bella!” 

Enzo’s voice sounded through the cloud of your memory. Without even really being cognizant of it, you had made it to the top of the ancient stairs. The breeze blew stronger at this height, whipping your hair across your face. As you brushed your waves back, your eyes beheld how the wind danced on the rich, blue water and how it made ripples that shimmered with the golden sun. 

“You see, all this makes Altamonte,” he gestured to the church, the statues, and the paintings of the woman. 

You stared at the wonder and pride in his eyes. Somehow, you knew he meant more than just this place. If he could, he would just stretch his arms from here to the ocean. From his voice that trembled with pride and from the gleam that shined in his eyes, you knew. Only an act of God could wash it away. 

“Come in child,” he said, as he gestured you over to the door of the church. 

“Oh no, I’m not religious,” you said as your shoulders shrunk from the discomfort of the words. 

You didn’t need proselytizing. 

“You think she cares?” Enzo asked, already halfway through the threshold of the church. “But you choose.”

Humoring him, you stepped inside. An unexpected shiver oscillated, tapped, and pricked over your body. Goosebumps arose beneath your sweater. The cold that lived in the walls easily could have trapped you, threatening to take away whatever life you felt beneath your skin. Instead, it invigorated you as they made union with the warm colors of the sun that painted the walls of church like they were her own, personal canvas. You peeked through the windows that let that light in. Each had a perfect view of the village. The beauty had you holding your breath as you marveled at how the stone buildings gathered together and overlooked the bluest water you’d ever seen. 

When you finally let yourself breathe again, you found a seat next to Enzo. He knelt in reverence, his eyes closed and hands clasped together. The flicker of several candles set the room aglow, his flame burning brightly among the many. 

You, on the other hand, sat with quiet patience. It was more like a museum to you. Your eyes settled over the statues and paintings that adorned the church. So much adoration for a woman filled in a church that was ostensibly governed by men. 

Maybe they had it wrong, you thought. Maybe the church was meant to be built upon the shoulders of a matriarch who chose her path of raising a leader, instead of a girl who was bestowed the gift of raising a savior. The way these thoughts meandered through your mind was nearly enough to make you laugh. Sometimes you shouldn’t be left to your own thoughts. 

Enzo settled back into pew in the empty space next to you. A deep sigh escaped him as he turned his head to you. His eyes softened in concern. A slight discomfort pressed onto your shoulders as you navigated your response to the kindness. 

“People always come and rest here, some pray, some meditate until they find an answer,” Enzo said, his voice imbued with the notes of great wisdom. “Even me.” 

You nodded in acknowledgement, waiting for him to continue. 

“And you, too, correct?” He asked. 

He didn’t even entertain you with the space or time to answer, not that you had one to give him. Not one that was truthful by any means. Instead, you nodded and waited for whatever wisdom he was ready to give you.  

“I don’t judge,” he stated with a look so deep with thought and an undercurrent of pain that you knew his words were true, “Nothing good comes from it.” 

He sighed again. The weight of whatever memory he was holding was heavy on his shoulders. The tired lines around his eyes seemed to grow in real time, a remnant of the pain that remained.            

“I’m not trying to…ehm…intrude in your personal business,” he paused to find the words, “but are you really here for rest, to find peace, as you say? Or…are you running from something?” 

And there it was: the truth. It had never left. In that moment you could have felt anger, maybe something bordering on hatred for someone cornering the truth out of you. But you didn’t, not this time. You met the doctor’s gaze with the same hesitancy of a child who was hiding something from a parent. Without words, he knew the answer but bore no judgment against you. Instead, he patted you reassuringly on the hand as you took in the warmth of the flickering flames at the altar. 

The sky was a bolder blue against the midday sun as you took your sojourn back to the main square. It seemed impossible that you’d spent as much time in the church as you had. Enzo held onto your arm lightly as you climbed down the steep stairs. A steady stream of pedestrians began to fill the cobblestone streets as you ambled through corridors from which you came. As you walked through the town, the warm and smiling faces of the locals continued to greet you even as Enzo departed from you to continue with his day. 

The remainder of your day moved in an ethereal mixture of fast and slow. From the time you made it back into town you were able to stroll along the seashore, allowing yourself to bathe in the wind as you dug your toes in the sand to buying bread from the local bakery and enjoying it with a cup of tea you watched the sky melt into shades of coral, purple, and then blue as the sun disappeared beneath the horizon. 

As a deeper blue settled in the sky, the evening sounds of Altamonte whispered in a different way than the sounds of the morning. The vibrations were buzzed with an energy that was somehow  enlivening but calming at the same time. It should have called you to join everyone. Instead, you let the sounds energize through the open window of your apartment. And you waited as the locals left the restaurants, drunkenly and lovingly alive. The whispers of the night called you as they always had, as they always would. While the citizens of Altamonte were beginning to turn in for the night, you dressed yourself and immersed yourself in the comfort of the late night. 

You approached a restaurant a few blocks from your apartment. A low, heavy feeling struck you in your stomach. Something pulled at your shoulders, tight and aggressive until it pressed and pulled at the skin of your throat. The invisible intensity threatened you with an unsettling and ominous aggression. You tensed into defensive mode as you moved closer and closer to the scene. Loud clatters of silverware and the dragging of chairs against the cobblestone streets set you into a stance that you only ever needed when a job with Dave and the team called for it. 

You dashed with light steps across the cobblestone to gain a better vantage point of the situation. Despite yourself, you heard Dave’s voice in your head as though he was walking you through a training exercise. 

“Your brain is your best asset. Read, know, and breathe the situation and you have the upper hand.” 

You slinked closer as your eyes focused on the situation before you. The threat: two men. His frame was wiry. He couldn’t have been more than 5’9” you surmised. His dark, wavy hair was slicked back, and the ends curled just past his ears. What he lacked in stature he made up for with menace. His stare was wide and manic as he loitered among the tables strutting forward towards a beautiful, young waitress who’d been cleaning the tables outside. The thin man’s counterpart was noticeably taller and more physically imposing. He stood with an unwavering posture, his wide shoulders. He had a closely cropped haircut, and a brow that dipped down into a deep frown that seemed permanently affixed to his face. 

Fear darkened the face of a young woman’s face as the thin man continued to advance on her, trapping her among tables and  into a corner. The owner, her father, stood in the doorway, his feet ready to stomp forward and rescue his daughter. A few strands of her hair fell over her face as she gestured to him to stay inside the restaurant. Two heavy and threatening hands belonging to the burly crony pushed her father back impeding any heroic action he might attempt. The thumping of your heartbeat was fast and loud in the silence of the night, fast enough and loud enough for you to take a deep breath with the hopes of calming it.

“Collateral damage is always messy and always a liability. Blend in: the less remarkable you are, the less of a target you become.”

With Dave’s instruction resonating in your head, you closed in on the restaurant picking up your pace to a light jog. The thin goon continued to advance upon the young woman as her father struggled against the tall man’s hold, keeping their attention from you. It was as though panic traversed through her body the closer you came. The fear that seemed to hide behind her eyes thumped toward you, pumping you with adrenaline and readiness. He held her hostage with a lascivious scowl as he pushed a strand of hair from her face. His hands grabbed the back of her neck, each finger white with violence as he dragged her forward, her skin already red with pain beneath his vice grip. Both men, so arrogant against the struggle of their captives, paid you no attention. 

“Let them underestimate you, then you can always find a way to get the upper hand.” 

All at once a scream from the waitress, yells, and grunts from her father as he struggled, rose in the air as you lunged towards the thin man forcing his grip from the young woman. Adrenaline pumped through every one of your veins as you pulled his thumb backwards and shoved him back with concentrated strength as you simultaneously pulled the gun that he so arrogantly placed in the waistline of his pants. Losing his footing, he stumbled backwards to the ground. You stood protectively in front of the girl as his brutish sidekick attempted to lunge toward you. 

The man raised his eyebrows for a moment and lifted the corner of his lips into a disgusting smirk. He was big and monstrous. You analyzed how each movement was stifled by how grotesquely bulbous his muscles were. Your foot was already hooked to the leg of one of the metal chairs closest to you. In the second he lunged in your directions, you lifted and ejected the chair at his solar plexus. With an additional, forceful stomp of your foot to his chest that knocked him to the ground. 

In the time it had taken you to knock them to the ground, the waitress and her father had escaped inside, and the sound of a police horn approached quickly. You looked down on the two men and brushed a few wayward strands of hair from your face. Adrenaline rushed from your veins to the tips of your fingers. 

The two men stood up, attempting to smooth out the wrinkles of their expensive Italian suits. The thin man glared at you with his hand placed protectively at his chest. It burned still from the pain you inflicted upon him. 

“I think that’s your signal to leave,” you stated with a voice as steadfast as your stance. You kept your hands tightly on his firearm.

With one more snarl, the men disappeared into the night. The motor of their car rumbled off, growing quieter the further they drove into the night. It was silent and more of Dave’s words surrounded you. 

“Never call attention to yourself, but if you have no choice, you need a plan to leave fast.”

The young waitress and her family looked at you, their eyes gleaming with grateful tears. The only thing you felt you could give was a nod. Receiving gratitude, handshakes, and hugs weren’t anything you were prepared or willing to receive. You just weren’t built for it. 

You rushed away using shadows and looking over your shoulder anytime you found yourself in the light. When you arrived back at your apartment, you set your already neatly folded clothes inside your suitcase. It was another trick Dave had taught you. 

Cellphone. Passport. Wallet. Keys. 

With all of them accounted for, it was time to go. You stared at the gun that you had taken from the thin man. You tried to sift through your options of discarding the weapon, when slow, quiet knocks tapped at your door. In an instant you were pressing your back to the wall, sliding along as you made your way towards the door with the thug’s weapon in your hand. It wasn’t in your itinerary to take care of two gangsters on your vacation. 

One, two, three deep breaths.

The knocks became quicker and more urgent. You listened closely for any noises that would alert you to the kind of weapons they had. Just as you reached to open the door you heard a familiar voice through the door.  

“Child, it’s me: the dottore!” 

You wanted to let out a huge sigh of relief, but your heightened vigilance had settled over your neck and shoulders holding you in a position that disallowed it. 

“Enzo,” you finally called out after much deliberation, “are you alone?”

With immediacy, he replied, “Yes!” 

His voice was as steady and confident as a surgeon who was moments away from performing life-saving surgery. You analyzed it, homing in on its lack of fluctuations, listening for any indication that someone else might be standing next to him waiting for you. You drew one more breath and opened the door. Seeing Enzo standing on the other side alone allowed you to let go of the breath you held in your chest. He rushed past you, closing the door behind him. 

“What are you doing here?” You asked through gritted teeth. 

“I heard what happened.” 

“How did you--,” you began to ask. 

“I know everything in this town,” he stated plainly, as he looked you directly in the eyes. “Where is the weapon?” 

You felt your brow immediately furrow at his request. This was the kind of situation Dave urged you not to find yourself in. Trusting people, feeling for people, even giving a little bit of yourself to anyone would be a folly in your line of work. One that would certainly get you killed. 

“No, not happening Enzo,” you insisted as you shook your head. “I cannot get you involved.”

“I think it’s too late for that.” 

You stared back at him, feeling a pressure of disbelief and gratitude as he held his hand towards you with a dish rag that he had pulled from a kitchen drawer. You pressed your lips tightly together and a painful sting of tears began to form at the corners of your eyes. Enzo reached his hand out to you again. 

“Are you a good person or a bad person?” 

An unfamiliar feeling of confusion, guilt, and sadness came over you. One that had you re-evaluating nearly everything. 

You replied to Enzo tearfully, “I don’t know.”

He stepped forward and offered you his fatherly stare. The one you felt was so undeserved. 

“Only a good person would say that.”

It was at that moment, you wondered, maybe, if Dave had it all wrong. 

You looked back at Enzo with a look that you hoped conveyed your gratitude. There were no words that existed that held enough magnitude to describe it. You grabbed your things quickly, looking at him once more before you walked out the door. He gave your arm a reassuring squeeze and you pulled him in for a hug. You held him tight, your hands nearly squeezing to the point where neither of you could breathe, shaking as you let him go. 

“Non dimenticare mai chi sei, cocca,” he said followed by a kiss to your forehead that instantly made you feel like you were truly cared for.

And with one last look, you disappeared into the night. The cool air met you and the sound of ocean waves ascended to your ears. Each smell and sound engulfing you and holding you in what you wished was a long goodbye. The bittersweetness of your tears met the corner of your lips. Yet somehow, each event, each choice, and each movement you made reminded you that all of this was just as it was supposed to be. 

***************************

The last 24 hours blasted by you like a bullet train. Everything around you moved in a blur while your body somehow moved at a pace slower than everything around you. You moved through each moment with an exhausted automaticity: getting off the plane, getting a taxi , and finding your way home. 

With caution still at its peak, you entered your home. You checked every room and every closet two times until you felt certain that no one had followed you from Italy. You held your phone in your hand staring at the black screen, contemplating if you should even turn it back on. With a long sigh you pushed the buttons at the side of your phone, setting it quickly aside on your nightstand before running to the bathroom to avoid any notification like they were a plague. 

You stepped into your spacious shower, jumping a little as cold water met your skin before gradually raining on your body with much needed warmth. You stepped out of the shower, drying off before wrapping yourself with your towel. You shook your hair with your fingers until your wet waves rested at your shoulder. A notification appeared on your phone connected to your security system.

Filling your lungs with a deep and steady breath you walked towards your kitchen to pour yourself a drink of water. Standing in silence, leaning against your kitchen counter, stood Dave. His eyes stayed only on you with his hands crossed over his chest. He was wearing his best poker face: no anger, no fear, no hate…but for a moment you spotted it: an inkling of relief, a hint of regret, a glint of—? No you wouldn’t let yourself welcome the thought.

You brushed past him, pouring yourself some water. You looked up at him, no words leaving either of your lips. The water was cold, refreshing, and awakening on your lips. As you walked past him back to your you could practically feel him seething. Coming at you like heat waves but bouncing off you as you kept your cool. 

Staring back at him from the end of the hallway just outside your bedroom you called to him.

“Are you coming to bed or not?”

You swore you heard a sigh of exasperation escape him as he crept towards you with his hands on his hips — the way he always did when he was particularly frustrated. Satisfied by his inescapable allure towards you, you turned away from him, confident in the knowledge that he would follow you. 

“I’ve got to hand it to you,” Dave spoke as he perused your hair, your eyes, your face, your skin, “I’m impressed you were able to be off the grid for as long as you did.”

“I don’t think that matters much now,” you declare looking up at him as he moved towards you. “I’m back.”

Dave took his hands to caress your face, his grip against your skin pressed with the perfect amount of firmness. A faint shine of gratitude emanated from his eyes. He would never say it, but you could see it. You could feel it from the touch of his hands and by the warmth emanating from his body—he missed you. 

It was enough. You pulled one hand from your face bringing it down to where your towel wrapped around your body in a tight tuck. With firm guidance you made him pull the towel off your body letting it tumble to the floor. His eyes darkened and he shook his head with a smirk near disbelief as he admired your body. 

“Fuck, you’re fucking beautiful as ever.” He groaned as he grabbed at the front of his pants. 

Nearly a month without him, not one text or phone call…by your own design. Forgetting him wasn’t the answer. Understanding yourself in your entirety always led back to the same conclusion: you were his. 

Not able to wait a moment more, you grabbed him by his dark sweatshirt pulling it over his head and tossing it away. You didn’t think you’d taken a pair of pants off a man faster in your life. His breaths came heavy and fast as you pulled him towards you, admiring his naked body as he did yours. 

And then you kissed him.

After so long without him, the fire that sparked from touching him burned hotter than ever. You pulled his body to yours so tightly that your breasts pressed onto his chest, feeling each desperate breath that rose and fell over him. Somehow your arms found their way around his broad shoulders while he wrapped his around you, his hands grabbing your ass massaging up your back, until his fingers are threading themselves in your hair. 

Your kisses were an exploration of renewal, of remembrance of how each other tasted while also, somehow, feeling brand new. His tongue had never been so needy before. The gruff moans that released from his mouth were so different and more unbidden than you’d remembered. And his cock, his lovely, thick, uncut cock, was so hard against your lower belly. The tip already cried for you with precum. 

With one swift movement you spun around and shoved him to the bed. His eyes widened with devilish excitement as he spread his limbs across the expanse of your bed. His cock stood at attention for you, ready to comply with your every demand. 

You crawled towards him, like a black cat slinking in the dark. The smell of him was so musky, salty, and clean as you lowered your face and then your mouth to the tip of his manhood. Holding the warmth of him again felt like a gift as he throbbed in your hands. The taste was even better as you took in the precum onto your lips and then your tongue, each taste bud lighting you up with desire. 

He moaned, his hand hitting your pillow with a thump as your mouth and tongue continued to worship him. 

“Oh shit, fuck!” He growled as he gripped your sheets. 

Not even close to satisfied you lifted your face from your handiwork, tucking your hair behind your ear. You glided forward over his body, giving him another kiss before straddling him, only letting him feel the outer lips of your wet cunt. He reached his hips upward for you.

“Tsk, ah ah ah,” you crooned, teasing him with another grind of your hips, “not til you beg for it.” 

“Fuck, Firefly, fuck—!” 

You moved your hips again. 

Dave couldn’t stop the moans that came from his beautiful lips. So beautiful, you traced your thumb over them. 

“Is that all you have to say for yourself?”

You grew wetter with each teasing press of your hips. 

An unintelligible and wanton groan came from him. 

You tugged him by the hair, his eyes staying on yours and his brows angled downward in a combination of anger, frustration, and desire unique to him. 

“Tell me, daddy.”

“Fuck, s—so fucking sexy,” he groaned. “Fuck I’ve missed this, your fucking body, my pussy.”

It was all you needed to hear.

You lifted your hips and braced your hand on his chest before you slowly began to sink over his cock. You bit your lower lip as you felt each thick inch of him enter you until he was so deep you could go no further. Pressing your hands onto his soft belly you began to move. Just that nearly sent him over the edge. 

“Fuck, Firefly, how are you even better than I remember?“ Dave praised, as he gripped your thighs with his hands. 

You rolled your hips slowly against his, adjusting to his thick size in your tight pussy. A shuddering breath left your quivering lips. With each bounce and roll of yourself on his massive member turned your breaths into loud and melodic moans. Not wanting to lose yourself just yet, you pressed your lips tighter together the more rhythmic your pace became. His cock throbbed within you, feeling impossible deeper with each move you made. 

“Ah, my god!” You whined, unable to keep silent as Dave suddenly thrust his hips upwards to match your moves. “God, your cock is so good.”

Dave could only muster a gruff moan before interlacing his fingers between yours. You could feel his breath becoming more erratic with each move of your tight cunt over his cock. His hands began to squeeze yours tighter and tighter as your pussy squeezed him.

With a quick forward movement of your hips, his hard member popped out from inside you. 

“Ahh, fuck!” He moaned as he gritted his teeth in frustration at the loss of your wet center around him. 

You climbed off Dave and reached over to your nightstand, pulling a rope from the drawer. You straddled his waist while fashioning a strong knot around his wrists, tying him to your bed frame. He looked up at you, hazy and hungry to feel his cock sheathed in the tightest walls of your pussy. A smirk unfurled itself on his lips as you rocked yourself along his shaft, anointing him with your nectar. 

“How does it make you feel,” Dave spoke, the sound coming from the deepest part of his throat, “thinking you have some kind of control?” 

The words stopped your gyrations and brought your face an inch from his. You could feel your breath circling his lips, close enough that you could see them quiver. With a strong squeeze of your right hand to his face you licked from his chin to just above his lips before kissing him. Your tongue parted his lips with a firm swipe, leading his tongue into a dance he had no choice but to follow. The way your bed frame rattled as you looked down upon him told you more than any words from him could say. 

“So you’re telling me this,” you squeezed and rubbed his cock with the tightest fist you could make around him, “is the gift I get after being gone for so long?”

You slinked your hips back down, teasing his cock with your opening. With the most sultry intent, you stoked his primal want for you, not settling onto him right away. The way he continued to fight against the taut rope around his wrists sent chills that emanated from your center.  He’d never say it, but you certainly knew everything he fought against confessing.  

Generosity began to sneak over you and you allowed him to fill you as you lowered onto him, inch by throbbing inch. And as though your life, your everything, depended on it, you took him for a ride. Consuming, savoring, and indulging in every delicious, warm, and pulsing inch. You brought him to the edge of ecstasy only to bring him back. Your bodies devolved into a beautiful mess of sweat and desire.

Until it was time. Neither of you could hold back. You clutched the headboard as your hips bounced vigorously on his cock. You looked into his eyes and he into yours until you both came with a hot, violent shaking of your body and an uncontrollable thrust from his hips up to yours. Together you filled the walls of your bedroom with a duet of rapturous groans and sobs of euphoria. 

Still holding him inside you, you graciously removed the bindings from his wrist. With urgency, he circled his hands around your waist until they gave your ass one more squeeze. The warmth of his hands traveled up your back and worked through more of your waves before they pulled you in for a kiss. Simultaneously hot and chilly aftershocks of your orgasm trembled through your body before you lifted yourself off him. 

“Goddamn,” he sighed, his voice cracking as you collapsed on top of him.

Minutes passed like hours as you breathed in time with one another. In the silence, you listened closely to each other's sounds. The unexpected feeling of his hand beginning to your hair startled you. He stopped for a moment surprised by your reaction, slowing the movement of his hand, wrapping his arm around you to caress your shoulder with an embrace. He slowed the racing of your heart with more slow breaths and a barely audible hush from his lips. You could feel the intentional slow rise and fall of his chest against your back, your eyes growing heavy until both of you fell into the arms of a deep sleep. 

Late into the night, you stirred with one arm tucked close to you and the other draped lightly over Dave’s. The hum of your ceiling fan drummed peacefully in your ears as your eyes fluttered lightly looking at his form lying next to you. You almost surrendered yourself back to sleep when a sudden thrashing motion shook you awake. 

You propped yourself up and saw Dave tossing next to you, sweat beading at his forehead. His voice started with quiet mumbles, groans, and bellows that shook with anger and fear. You reached over to him, gently caressing his forehead. 

“Dave…Dave?” You started gently. 

He continued to writhe as his brow furrowed and wrinkled his forehead. 

“S--, no, S-- Sa---,” he called out, still trapped in his nightmare. 

“Dave, it’s me!” You said more firmly wrapping his face with your hands. “I’m here. I’m here.” 

He awoke, startled as he looked at you with wild eyes. He pressed his lips to yours, wetting your mouth with a soft warm touch of his tongue, before turning your back to his chest and wrapping you in his arms. He thread his fingers between yours, kissing your shoulders. He murmured words you were almost certain he was unaware of before drifting back to sleep.  A demand? A request? A plea?

“Stay,” his voice breathed through the silence as he gripped you tighter against his warm body, “just stay.”

#juice collective #friends of the juice collective #dave york #equalizer 2 #dave york apologist #dave york x f!reader #dave york smut #pedro pascal character fanfiction #pedro pascal fandom #pedro pascal characters

[concussed-to-pieces]

Wolves At The Door; Prelude

Fandom: Resident Evil [Village]

Pairing: Eventual Karl Heisenberg/AFAB!Reader

Rating: Holy shit M.

Summary: It started small, or as small as a gargantuan man stuffed into a traveling cart could be considered.

A/N: Welcome all, welcome to our prelude! We will begin in earnest next Wednesday but until then, the prelude 💚 Enjoy!

Tag List:  @cookiethewriter @amneris21 @topgirl17 @vodkafolie @a-smol-witch @baby-lisuga @clockworkmidnight @calwitch @zombiexbody @silver-quinn01

[!TRIGGER WARNING!: This installment contains mentions of blood. Stay safe!]

It started small, or as small as a gargantuan man stuffed into a traveling cart could be considered. He called himself the Duke, and would sometimes appear in your front yard on clear nights when the moonlight was bright. He was pleasant enough, if a little strange, and seemed to enjoy making idle conversation while his horse grazed.

You, for your part, didn't get many visitors (none at all actually), so you were more than happy to indulge the strangeness of your large guest in exchange for tidbits of news from the outside world. 

"Stocks are down, you know," he would often muse whilst rummaging through a drawer beside his head in search of a cigar.

"Which ones?" was always your question in response. 

Then the rumbling, mischievous chuckle. "All of them except mine, my dear."

He styled himself as a merchant of some kind, occasionally showing you odd trinkets with a fair amount of pride. He never explained his acquisitions and you never asked, too enamored by the clearly-arcane objects to be inquisitive of their origin.

You made the mistake of joking once, "hope you don't sell these to the Hobby Lobby." 

He had blinked at you, obviously confused, bloated fingers cradling the midsection of a carved goat. A smile tugged at one side of his mouth abruptly, and he was laughing when he replied, "my dear, they could not afford my wares."

Neither could you, of course! But the Duke didn't seem to mind overmuch that you were strapped for lei, the man clearly content to entertain his audience of one. 

There were rare occasions where the Duke brought what he called "guests" to your property. Injured animals seemed to trust him infinitely more than you did and you would soon find yourself bemusedly following the Duke's instructions to mend fractured wings or free tangled limbs. And if the animals were a bit more…monstrous than you were used to, well, it may just be a quirk of specialized evolution in this specific neck of the woods. 

You tried not to dwell on the topic while you foraged alone on your property, and you made a conscious effort to not venture past your front door after nightfall. The howling and snarling you heard in the night kept you safe behind your locked door, comforted only by the strange charms the Duke hung on your fenceline. "Free of charge, part of our first class customer service," he had said without a hint of irony.

Everything was normal (or as normal as you were used to) until one particular, stormy evening…

…

You had been rushing most of the day just to get the firewood cut and stacked. That's what you got for procrastinating, you supposed! The logs had been seasoned for ages, you really should have gotten to it beforehand. But now here you were, sky rapidly darkening while you lugged armfuls of wood into your home to place them in the firebox beside the door. The smaller pieces you relegated to the kindling basket, where they resided with the pitch-rich pinecones. 

The sky finally opened up as you were stoking your evening fire, another early spring deluge drenching your home and the surrounding woods. It was shaping up to be a quiet night.

You had just your dinner and settled into a chair beside the fire to get some reading done when a forceful knock at your door pulled you from your reverie. You blinked owlishly at the door. Nobody ever came to visit, and the Duke had never deigned to venture so far onto your property. Even if he did, however, he never visited on rainy nights in the first place. 

Slowly you reached down beside the kindling basket, your fingers grazing the handle of your shaving knife. Before you could pick it up though, a familiar voice stopped you in your tracks. 

"My dear, I understand it is far past calling hours, but would you be so kind as to humor me?" The Duke queried through the door.

You bolted out of your chair, stumbling into your shoes and then rushing to the door. A million thoughts ran through your mind as you undid the lock, most of them concerning whether the large man had been injured by the shadowy creatures that lurked in the woods. He seemed unharmed when you jerked open the door though he looked a touch perturbed, rainwater dripping from his pale forelock. Somehow he had managed to get his cart practically inside your meager porch, his nearness more startling than anything else.

At the sight of you, his broad face split into a grin. "Ah, there you are! I saw the smoke from your chimney and hoped I wouldn't be dragging you from your bed. How are you this evening?"

"G…Good?" You answered hesitantly, realizing as you did that this was stupid of you. This guy was huge and knew from previous conversation that you were very, obviously alone. He hadn't given you any reason to distrust him before, but-

"Excellent to hear, my dear. I've come to you with a bit of a conundrum, I'm afraid." The Duke leaned down and you steeled yourself from recoiling, trying to keep your fear at bay. The merchant studied you for an eternal moment, swollen hands clattering together absently with the metallic jangle of jewelry. "I have a request, my dear."

Oh gods, here it comes. You kept your tone civil. "How can I help you, Duke?"

"You may, of course, feel free to decline this request." He continued, a furrow creasing his brow. "A request is only a request, I assure you. I have a gentleman here who is very, very ill. Indeed, he is on the brink of death."

You felt like the air had been sucked from your lungs. "Oh?" You managed weakly. 

The Duke nodded. "I will not impose upon you, but I must ask for your assistance. If you could, er, be my hands in this endeavor." He gave you a helpless little shrug. "I'm afraid I'm not quite as maneuverable as I ought to be."

Your stomach flip-flopped. The enormous man simply continued to wait, seeming preemptively resigned to whatever your answer would be. "Where is he?"

…

The process was not simple. Not that it ever was, of course. The Duke spent more time rummaging through the drawers of his cart than actually instructing you, coming up with various jars bearing smudged labels. "Salves and balms, for the soul of course." He chortled while you tried to decipher the writing on the labels, "Don't concern yourself with that, my dear! Simply put the green salve onto the open wounds."

"On them?" You asked incredulously, twisting off the lid and then snorting as an overpowering odor of rosemary wafted past your nose. "Normally you try to keep wounds clean, not season them like an Italian dinner."

The Duke glanced at the braids of garlic hanging by his head, almost as if he was pondering their application in this endeavor. "No, no, too spicy." He muttered, half to himself.

The man in the Duke's cart, whoever he was, was in a bad way. His breathing was rapid and shallow, and his clothes were tattered and filthy with a combination of sweat, blood and rainwater. You were directed to peel fabric back where you could, exposing the broken skin so you could liberally coat it in that strange salve and then wrap it with cloth bandages. 

"I am uncertain of its efficacy, my dear, but we must remain optimistic." The gargantuan man encouraged you once you settled onto your knees for a moment. 

You wiped your forehead with the back of your hand, squinting up at the Duke. "Who is this guy, anyway?" 

"Ah, well that is an interesting tale. Suffice to say, he doesn't know. I'm afraid all he can recall is his name." The Duke leaned in, first glancing around as if he was concerned someone was listening nearby. His voice was nothing but a whisper when he stated, "Karl Heisenberg." 

Part One

#prelude #karl heisenberg #eventual romance #the duke #fix it fic #AU #see you all next wednesday! #resident evil #resident evil village #resident evil karl heisenberg #lord karl heisenberg #karl heisenberg x reader #karl heisenberg imagine

[laxmiree]

[CN] MLQC Season 2 Chapter 51 Translation (Part 2)

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT ⚠️

This post contains a VERY HEAVY SPOILER for the chapter that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

“... Lucien, please don't use Evol anymore. We've already traveled quite far. We can take a break now.”

He pays no heed, his slightly pursed lips forming a straight line and his gaze cold.

Feeling that the person holding me in his arms is desperately using up his strength as if he is recklessly killing himself, I use all of my willpower to raise my voice.

“Lucien, don't use Evol anymore!”

This time, he seems to have heard my call. His expression briefly freezes for a moment, then returns to his usual warm smile—

But I don't want to see that kind of smile right now.

Previous Part-> [Here]

[Chapter 51-11]

Subtitled Video-> BEGGING Y’ALL TO HEAR IT UNTIL THE END. Xia Lei (Lucien CN’s VA) voice acting complements it so well, the hoarse, gentle, yet concealed exhaustion in his voice truly gets to me :”DDDD

Transcript Ver

In my somewhat blurred vision, I see Lucien standing not far from me, bending over the control panel and tapping on something.

At his feet, all the people wearing white clothing seem to be pressed to the ground by an invisible force.

Lucien: MC…

He seems to be saying something to me, but my deteriorating consciousness makes the voice sound unclear.

I want to give him a little nod, get closer to him even if only a little, but my body has no strength, so I can only look at him like this.

Suddenly, the red light around the glass container goes out, and the force that has been tearing at my consciousness also disappears.

The water level inside the glass chamber slowly recedes, and air finally rushes into my lungs.

The door of the chamber is opened, and my cold and numb body is embraced by a warm hug. I get startled and shiver uncontrollably.

Lucien: (whispers with a VERY noticeable hint of panic and fear in his tone) Don't be afraid, everything is fine now.

The rapid breathing by my ear is accompanied by a rare sense of urgency. He carefully and gently moves aside the hair clinging to my face, and removes all the electrodes attached to my skin.

Slowly, I meet those familiar eyes, and my heart skips a beat heavily.

MC: Luci….en, Lucien!

All the cluttered chaos in my mind has turned into one word. Tears flow uncontrollably, and I use all my strength to embrace the person in front of me.

I hear a sigh, heavy with the relief of finding something precious that had been lost, as his arms tenderly cherish and carefully protect me in an absolute haven of safety.

Lucien: (whispers in relief but still clearly shaken) Sorry, I made you wait for so long.

Through my teary and blurred vision, I see someone struggling to stand not far away, pulling out a gun and aiming it at Lucien's back—

MC: Watch out-…

Lucien doesn't turn around, and an ice spike shoots out through the air.

Before the splattering blood registers in my retinas, Lucien turns to shield my view and all I can hear is a scream.

Almost simultaneously, a sharp alarm blares suddenly, causing my eardrums to ache. Meanwhile, Lucien simply carefully cradles my shoulders and picks me up.

The sound of heavy footsteps accompanied by an alarm gradually approaches, and the entrance is soon completely blocked by heavily armed NW members.

Seeing the familiar NW uniforms and the row of ominous gun muzzles in front of me, a sense of fear slowly spreads, accompanied by memories from deep within my mind.

A chill colder than being submerged in water makes me shiver uncontrollably.

...Why am I in NW?

Seemingly aware of my fear, Lucien gently pats my shoulder.

NW Team Member: Hand over CORE immediately!

Researcher B: Professor Lucien, you should know best that without the power CORE, the rift will consume the entire Loveland City soon!

The dense muzzles are like layer upon layer of fortress walls, closing in gradually. I tightly grasp Lucien's clothes, and he simply leans slightly to shield me.

Lucien: (in a cold tone) Excuse me, let me through.

The people blocking our path don't move, and in the next second, they calmly pull the trigger. Countless ice spikes coalesce in the air, colliding with the incoming bullets.

A slightly cool palm covers my exposed ear, blocking out the loud noise.

In stark contrast to this tense atmosphere, a low and gentle voice, accompanied by the rhythmic beat of his heart, comes from the ear pressed close to his chest.

Lucien: (in a gentle and comforting tone; a COMPLETE 180 from the way he talks with NW members) Is it a bit noisy? Please bear with it for a moment.

Those dark eyes are like endless night, tender in a way that's impossible to be denied, yet tainted with a strange crimson glow from the alarm.

MC: Lucien... Ugh!

The flying ice and dust blur my vision, and suddenly, I feel a sharp pain in my right leg. A numb sensation spreads throughout my entire right leg.

Lucien's expression changes slightly as sharp ice spikes impale through the shoulder and thigh of a man holding a gun upright.

Several NW team members silently approach us through the ice and dust, their cold glinting blades grazing past Lucien's side before being ruthlessly crushed to the ground by a powerful gravitational force.

NW Team Member: Damn it, switch to Evol suppressor ammo!

MC: Lucien-

Lucien: Shh... Close your eyes.

Accompanied by the soothing whisper, the scene around us began to distort. Just before the scene completely disappeared, a faint silvery light flashed, and a spatter of blood suddenly burst before my eyes.

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The next moment, all those troublesome things disappeared, and we found ourselves in a cluttered storeroom.

I freeze for a moment, realizing that Lucien has used Evol. Just as I'm about to look up at him, my eyes are stung by a bloody wound across his chest.

MC: Y-you're hurt...

He pays no attention to my voice, placing me on a nearby chair and gently lifting my leg to examine it carefully.

Lucien: (whispers comfortingly) It's okay, just a local anesthetic bullet, don't be afraid.

Looking at his pale face under the light, I feel like my heart has been stabbed fiercely.

MC: ...I'm talking about you, you're hurt.

He blinks slowly, and this simple question seems to have gone through a long reflex nerve before reaching the brain.

Lucien: (quietly) I'm not in pain.

I struggle to prop myself up, wanting to check the wound on his chest. The place I touch is warm and moist, causing me to halt my breath.

A faint smell of blood permeates the air, and the clothes on his back are stained into a shockingly extensive and ghastly red colour.

MC: ...We need to bandage it quickly.

I prop myself up with my non-numb left leg, trying to search for a first aid kit, but Lucien holds me back.

Lucien: ...The bullets are designed to suppress Evol, they're not very harmful. I can handle it myself.

Lucien: It's you who has expended too much energy. So for now, please don't move recklessly.

A chill emanates from the wound on his back, temporarily freezing the gruesome injury. Throughout it all, his gaze never leaves me for a moment.

Seeing the crimson peeking through the ice, my eyes feel sore.

MC: Lucien, what exactly happened?

He doesn't answer, but instead, he cradles me in his arms with care and utmost tenderness. The murmurs by my ear sound like he's speaking to me, yet also like he's speaking to himself.

Lucien: (whispers) It's alright, you won't get hurt in any way... I'll take you out of here.

-[Don’t mind me, I’m just here to casually reminds y’all that Lucien overusing his evol is destroying his body because it’ll lead to cancer [R&S Threshold]. He didn’t even hesitate to do so for her safety(´༎ຶД༎ຶ`) ]

[Chapter 51-12]

Subtitled Video

Transcript Ver

After a brief rest, Lucien uses space folding again.

Cold corridor, empty equipment rooms... Different scenes pass before me one by one.

I feel that the distance of the space folding seems to have shortened. Was it affected by the Evol-suppression bullets from earlier? I look at Lucien with some concern.

MC: Do you want to take a break?

He doesn't say anything and just shakes his head. Finally, we find ourselves in the desolate wilderness outside of NW.

I lean against his warm embrace, my heart beating rapidly, while his arms holding tightly around me show no signs of loosening.

With the increasing frequency of the space folds, the breathing in my ears becomes progressively disordered.

MC: ... Lucien, please don't use Evol anymore. We've already traveled quite far. We can take a break now.

He pays no heed, his slightly pursed lips forming a straight line and his gaze cold.

Feeling that the person holding me in his arms is desperately using up his strength as if he is recklessly killing himself, I use all of my willpower to raise my voice.

MC: Lucien, don't use Evol anymore!

This time, he seems to have heard my call. His expression briefly freezes for a moment, then returns to his usual warm smile—

But I don't want to see that kind of smile right now.

Lucien: (whispers softly) If you're tired, just close your eyes.

I don't close my eyes. Instead, I hold onto him even tighter, trying to tap into my CORE power to give him some strength. I can't just do nothing.

The temperature of our embracing bodies becomes the same. The scenery before us keeps changing, gradually shifting from a wilderness to streets that seem somewhat familiar to me.

And at every corner we pass, many peculiarities appear.

On the streets under the clear sky, there will be an area where it's raining; half of the demolished buildings are in ruins, while the other half is a brand-new glass skyscraper.

What on earth is going on?

Finally, after space-folding into a desolate park, the scenery before us no longer changes.

Lucien gently places me on a bench. The effects of the anesthesia gradually spread throughout my body, and with a hazy mind, I grasp his hand.

Lucien: Rest for a while, it's safe here for the time being.

His brows bear clear traces of exhaustion, and the gruesome wound on his chest is covered with a thin layer of ice. This entire person is in a state of disarray that is quite different from his usual self.

It's as if a hand is firmly gripping my heart, making me feel a little breathless. I can't help but want to raise my hand to touch him, to confirm his presence.

Lucien: Do you feel any discomfort?

A sourness washes over my nose and throat like a tidal wave. I bite my lip and shake my head vigorously.

MC: I'm fine, Lucien... Please don't use Evol anymore.

Lucien: (chuckles softly) Okay, I'll listen to you.

His dry fingertips gently brush past my ear, as he simply tidies up my slightly disheveled hair, a familiar smile playing at the corners of his lips.

The unfaded night remains hazy, accompanied by dim streetlights. A faint glow envelops Lucien's profile, making his face appear a bit unreal.

Lucien: If you're sleepy, take a nap. Think of it as a nightmare. The next time you open your eyes... it will surely be over.

His slightly hoarse voice lures my brain into slowly sinking, but I don't want to fall asleep like this. I subconsciously tighten my grip on his hand.

MC: I'm not drowsy, I don't want to sleep… I don't want you to bear everything alone either.

He doesn't respond, a faint ripple appears in his deep eyes, concealing some even deeper and darker colors.

I'm very familiar with this kind of gaze, as if a long, long time ago, he also looked at me in the same way.

Lucien: Be good, go to sleep.

I shake my head, but my consciousness uncontrollably sinks along with the soft whisper by my ear, until I get immersed into boundless darkness.

My body floats and sinks in the pitch-black sea, the icy, dark tide relentlessly washing over me.

An irresistible force invades from every corner of my skin, as if it wants to push my consciousness out of this body.

In the midst of suffocating darkness, I suddenly open my eyes-

The room in front of me is dim, and I use my memory to find the switch at the bedside, turning on the warm-colored light.

This is Lucien's guest bedroom. But weren't we in the park just a moment ago?

MC: Lucien?

There's no reply in the empty room, and I feel a bit nervous. I step off the bed despite my dizzy head.

Each room has a floor lamp turned on, as if he was concerned that the person staying in the house might be afraid of the dark.

But there is no sign of his presence anywhere.

I try to turn the doorknob, but the sturdy door remains unmoved.

The door is locked.

[Chapter 51-13]

Subtitled Video-> once again begging y’all to hear the pain his voice

Transcript Ver

After stepping out of the rift, the scene before him returns to the room where the rift in the Bioultima Research Center is located.

The girl in his arms has her eyes closed, as if she's immersed in a deep dream.

He's about to use space folding to leave directly when he suddenly remembers that he had just promised the girl not to use Evol.

Lucien lowers his head, gently leans against the girl's forehead and whispers.

Lucien: (whisper softly) Let me secretly cheat a little... I want to take you home sooner.

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As the last note falls, they are already back home. After placing the girl on the bed, he finally looks at the wound on his own chest.

If she wakes up and sees him like this, she'll probably be worried. He needs to take care of it.

Lucien closes his eyes, preparing to use Evol again, but a severe and overwhelming dizziness washes over him like a tsunami, a warning from his body about the overload.

He slowly lifts his face, and a nearby mirror reflects his cold and pallid complexion.

An energy distortion occurs in the room, and his figure disappears into thin air.

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The dispensary is tranquil. Only the occasional soft sound of medical equipment clinking can be heard.

The cold, white lighting makes his skin seem devoid of color, and the long, gruesome wound on his chest stuck out like a sore thumb.

The hands skillfully manipulating the forceps carefully thread the triangular needle through the skin near the wound. The pain is clearly imprinted on his body, yet it seems as if it doesn't belong to him.

Beneath the skin being continuously stitched together by transparent fibers, the scalding hot heart is beating strongly, one beat after another.

Since passing through the rift, a certain part of his body seems to have undergone an inexplicable change, and he also knows the reason for this change.

The barely noticeable tremor in his fingertips causes a pain in his chest. He lowers his head, looking impassively as small drops of fresh blood roll out from the tiny wound.

He wonders if she has woken up.

Lucien: Need to go back soon... or she'll get worried.

As if responding to his thoughts, the phone that he had placed aside suddenly vibrates—

The girl's profile picture smiles on the lit screen, as if she's about to call out his name in the next second.

That uncontrollable feeling spreads over his heart once again, roaring as if it wants to engulf him entirely.

He instinctively reaches out his hand—thud—the iodine bottle is knocked over, and a tearing pain shoots through his chest.

The stitches that weren't fully sewn yet are pulled apart and turned into a bloody mess.

This subconscious movement leaves him stunned for a moment. The phone falls to the ground but continues vibrating.

It seems like as long as he doesn't answer, this phone call will continue to ring endlessly.

He picks up a cotton ball soaked in disinfectant, cleaning the freshly torn wound. In the silent room, the buzzing is somewhat noisy, but Lucien feels incredibly peaceful.

It's as if she's right here beside him.

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After making two phone calls that Lucien didn't answer, I take a deep breath to calm myself down, and then look again at the electronic calendar on the coffee table.

The date on it is the original timeline.

MC: Did Lucien bring me back here after I passed out? I wonder if we returned smoothly... Where did he go?

Countless questions build up in my chest, but with Lucien gone and the memory of the wounds all over his body filling my mind, my heart hangs in air, making it impossible for me to stay calm.

MC:  ...He doesn't answer the phone either. Where could he have gone?

The locked door adds to my already anxious mood, and just as I'm about to make another phone call, I hear the sound of light footsteps outside the door.

I immediately recognize whose footsteps they belong to and hastily get up to walk towards the door. However, for some reason, the footsteps suddenly come to a halt.

We stand silently on either side of the door. Finally, the person outside makes up his mind, and I can hear the sound of the lock turning.

The door finally removes the last barrier. The rim of my eyes felt sour, and under his faintly surprised gaze, I hugged him tightly.

The person in front of me gradually overlaps with the wounded figure I saw three weeks ago, and the pain in my heart surges like a sea and swallows me up.

A hand gently rests on the top of my head and softly caresses me, cherishing and tender.

Lucien: (softly whispers) I had thought of many ways to comfort you when I was outside just now, but it seems like none of them would be of any use.

MC: Where did you go?

Lucien: Sorry, I had planned to be back before you woke up. The door was locked, were you scared?

I shake my head. His embrace is so gentle, yet it carries an undeniable sense of enclosure that’s difficult to resist.

Just like that locked door.

I'm very clear about what this means and can understand this feeling better than ever before.

The breath in my ears gradually stabilizes. It’s as if he has finally found the safest place, slowly letting go of all his guards, and a heavy sense of weariness flows out.

MC: (worriedly) Lucien, take a rest for a while. I'll always be here with you.

Lucien nods, takes off his coat, and leans against me as he gently holds my hand.

Lucien: (whispers coquettishly, yet tiredness still evident in his voice) But right now, I want to look at you like this a little longer... Can you grant me that wish?

The soft, slightly coquettish tone in his voice makes me feel a bit defenseless in an instant.

Lucien: (chuckles softly) And besides, you probably have many questions you want to ask me, right?

-

['are you scared? when obviously he's the one that's scared of losing her again, Lucien you- (⁠༎ຶ⁠ ⁠෴⁠ ⁠༎ຶ⁠). Why do you also care more about she’s being worried that how you’re literally dying you big fool-]

 -

[Chapter 51-15]

Subtitled Video (only option A though)

My gaze shifts slightly, looking at the bandage under his collar, and I nod.

MC: After I passed out... Did you get any new injuries?

Lucien: No. If you don't believe me, you can come and check it out for yourself.

He lazily leans back on the couch, his eyes sparkling with a familiar smile. My ears feel hot, and I look away.

MC: So, in the end, did we return through the same rift at the Bioultima Research Center?

Lucien: No, we didn't. NW acted swiftly, they had all the places related to me locked down. We had to find an alternative way back.

MC: An alternative way?

Lucien: Mm, someone had hidden the space-folding device in a secret base ahead of time, and I successfully moved the rift away from the research center.

MC: Hmm? Is there someone else who can predict the future?

Lucien: It's someone we are all familiar with.

[a.k.a him from that future 👀]

Faced with my puzzled gaze, he doesn't continue to explain, but simply presses the palm of his hand against my cheek.

Lucien: (tenderly) MC, are you still afraid now?

I nod and then shake my head. Thinking back to the "ambush" by NW at that time, besides the lingering fear, there is also a lot of confusion.

MC: I still don't understand, why would I be captured by NW in 37 days?

Lucien: Actually, we didn't arrive at the planned 37 days in the future.

MC: ….What?

Lucien: Perhaps some changes occurred when we went through the rift, and we ended up in Loveland City 74 days in the future.

Lucien: At that time, the rifts will rapidly multiply and have a significant impact on Loveland City.

Recalling the street that resembles a jumbled puzzle, my eyes widen slightly.

MC: Are you saying... those scenes on the street that looked like jigsaw puzzles back then were all rifts?

What exactly happened to cause the previously stable rifts to undergo fusion in such a short period of time?

Feeling a sudden chill creeping up my spine, I instinctively clenched my fingertips.

Lucien: As for the actions towards you... it should be the countermeasure that NW made after conducting research.

MC: Countermeasure? Does that mean using the power of CORE to deal with the rifts?

For a moment, a complex mixture of fear and guilt spread over my heart.

Lucien: MC.

The voice by my ear is drawing a little closer again, and he gently cups my face, urging me to look at him.

Lucien: You don't need to blame yourself for this. Not every moment of sacrifice represents salvation. (inhales) Moreover, the way to solve problems often isn't just a single dead end.

Lucien: What we can do now is what we should be considering, isn't it?

I gaze steadily into his eyes, where my current expression is reflected clearly - somewhat confused, yet yearning for an answer.

[Option A: But... Can I really change it?]

MC: But... Can I really change it?

I know his words make sense, but there's always that last shred of uncertainty in my heart.

MC: But Lucien, back then, we also tried to change the future where you got "injured", but in the end, you still got injured.

Lucien: Have you ever thought that perhaps it's precisely because we changed the future that I'm safe and sound at this moment?

His words are like a petal, landing on the soft heart and leaving behind layers of ripples.

MC: So everything we've done, it's all meaningful?

Lucien: Of course. And besides, we've already received intelligence in advance, so there will be more room for maneuver.

His comforting voice is like a clear spring in the desert, guiding me slowly towards an oasis.

At least for now, I still have things I can do. Thinking this, I exhale a sigh of relief—

MC: Lucien, I feel like I've become a little braver than before.

Lucien: (chuckles softly) My little lady has always been very brave.

MC: Thanks to you, you've always been there to guide me forward when I wanted to retreat.

Lucien: This is your own accomplishment.

Lucien: Cowardice is a natural instinct in everyone, but every choice you make is because you are inherently a brave and pure-hearted person.

The warm, orange glow of the floor lamp encircles us in a corner of the room, creating a small world for us.

MC: Maybe it’s because I know that no matter where I go, you'll always be watching over me.

Our gazes meet, and it feels like the world comes to a standstill, with only our heartbeats gradually resonating with each other.

Even though we sometimes walk in different directions, it seems like we always meet each other at the next intersection.

MC: Lucien, I hope you can always keep your eyes on me.

Lucien: (His soft whispers gradually trail off as sleepiness and tiredness take over him) Of course, I will always watch over you. Until... you go to a place that even I can’t reach...-

His tone gradually softens, as if his strained spirit has reached its limit. I slowly lean in and gently cover his eyes from the light.

MC: Take a good rest, Lucien.

After a moment, the breathing by my ear gradually becomes steady, and I quietly turn off the floor lamp.

MC: Good night.

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Before dawn, Lucien opens his eyes. He blinks in rare confusion and realizes that he’s lying on the living room sofa, covered with a blanket.

Not far away, the girl is nestled beside him, sleeping peacefully with steady and slow breaths.

A reassuring warmth washes over his heart, and he gently carries her into the bedroom, tucking her in under the covers.

The corner of the girl's lips seems to curl up in a small arc, he wonders if she's having a good dream.

After silently watching her for a while, Lucien gets up and leaves the bedroom. Then, he dials a phone number.

Lucien: It's me. Make an appointment for me to have surgery.

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When I wake up again, I'm already lying on Lucien's bed.

The vibrating sound of my phone by my ear catches my attention, and I stretch lazily to pick it up, finding a message from Lucien on the screen.

Lucien's message: I've already contacted a laboratory to continue monitoring the rift. You can also continue exploring your path.

Lucien's message: I look forward to the answers you'll find.

I smile and quickly type out a reply on the keyboard.

MC's reply: "On the day I find the answers, I hope you'll be the first to hear this good news."

The sun is shining outside the window. I gather myself together and push open the door.

-

[Option B: You're right.]

MC: You're right.

Even though the burden of this power remains heavy, I'm not afraid to find my way in adversity.

Because this person has pushed me and helped me overcome even more difficult challenges, I continue to move forward to this day.

I let out a breath, and the last bit of unease weighing on my heart slowly dissipates, as a faint path forward begins to emerge.

Lucien: You already have something you firmly believe in, don't you?

His words are incredibly certain, restoring the calmness to my previously wavering heart.

Lucien: Don't waver, and don't be distracted by the temptations around you that try to lead you astray.

Lucien: All you have to do is keep looking straight ahead.

His comforting voice is like a clear spring in the desert, guiding me slowly towards an oasis.

[T/N: Next convo stays the same]

-

[52-1 tid bits]

Lucien's message: The weather here is good, perfect for reading lab reports.

Lucien's message jumped onto my screen along with a photo.

After we parted ways, Lucien immediately set off overseas, planning to continue analyzing the rifts alongside the scientists he had previously collaborated with on dark matter research.

He left in such a hurry that he didn't even take any of the researchers from his team with him.

I listen to the sound of rain outside the window and watch the lush maple forest on the screen, sighing inexplicably.

I always feel that during this period, Lucien seems to have pushed himself a bit too hard. With this thought in mind, my fingertips have already started typing on the keyboard.

MC's reply: Such a beautiful maple forest~ Professor Lucien, please don't let this scenery go to waste. Remember to take walks here often!

After sending the message, the words "typing..." appeared above the chat box quickly. However, it took half a day for Lucien's reply to finally pop up.

Lucien's message: Sure^^

MC: So brief... Are you already busy?

I don't continue to disturb Lucien, after all, he is also preparing for the upcoming future.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Lux Rambling Corner]

So, after two rather sweet chapters in the previous batch, it's finally our turn to get a rather bloody angst 😂 Personally, I've been liking how his post-S2 ch 40 chapters are written so far and really looking forward to the anniversary chapter. His writer did a good job in making the story plot-driven AND character-driven, with the plot revolving around NW and the character development, be it for the better or worse.

In this chapter, we are introduced to rifts that can bridge the present and the future. These rifts project a 'shadow' from the future, allowing MC to foresee a future where Lucien gets injured. Multiple organizations, including NW, have also observed the existence of these rifts.

From the incident at the Infinite building, they discover that CORE can have an effect on those rifts. However, when MC touches the rift, she can briefly see mysterious gears and what appear to be "human worms." Although there's no exact translation of it in English, the picture is more or less like this:

The "human worms" theory essentially suggests that when observing humans from a higher dimension, one can perceive their entire life span from birth to death as a continuous line, resembling "human worms".

I won't delve too deeply into the theory for now. Anyway, in this chapter, Lucien asks MC for help in exploring the rift. Personally, it's one of my favorite scenes in the entire chapter because it highlights how far their relationship has developed 🥺. From initially running after him to now moving forward side by side with him, Lucien seeking MC's trust also demonstrates his trust in her. If that's not another example of character development, idk what else is.

Once, when I was lost and hesitant, it was the person in front of me who gave me the answer - that only by always moving forward can you stay ahead of the world.

And now, it seems I have finally reached a point where I can move forward side by side with him.

Of course MC agreed, and they cooperated to research the rift. Also, can I just mention how cute their entire interaction in this chapter is? Bless PG for making them more casual with their intimacy 🥺. From all the hugs, Lucien playing with her hair, and the goodnight kiss(!) to the smallest things like holding each other's hands, it's all just so tender and intimate. The first half of the chapter really gives off a vibe of being in a sweet/good dream... Well, that is until we plunge into the nightmare that is the second half.

Lucien being his typical self wants to attempt to enter the rift and see the other side for himself. Worried about the vision she saw, MC asked him to wait a little longer, and he agreed. MC also decided to accompany him on this journey.

Initially, they planned to travel 37 days into the future, but somehow ended up being thrown 74 days into the future. What's intriguing about the 74-day mark is that it aligns precisely with when the main story will be updated again in December. This means that all the questions we have from this chapter will likely find their answers in the next main story chapter update.

Anyway, returning to the plot. In this future 74 days ahead, Loveland City is plagued by numerous rifts that pose a significant threat to the entire city, potentially engulfing it entirely. NW's countermeasure involves using CORE to address this issue. Consequently, they've formulated a plan called 《Four-Dimensional Rift Stabilization Using CORE Utilization Plan》 ; and according to one of the researchers, Lucien in the future has agreed to this plan.

When both MC and Lucien stepped into the rift, they became separated because MC as a CORE is a higher-dimensional being, and only one can exist in the same dimension at a time. So, our present-day MC likely merged with the consciousness of future!MC, the one who got sacrificed to resolve the rift.

Lucien anxiously searched for MC and uncovered some information about the future. With the coordinates that future!Lucien had left behind, he eventually managed to locate MC, but she was not in the best condition. When he saw her alone, imprisoned, and possibly not even breathing anymore, all hell broke loose as his trauma of losing her was triggered once again. The only thing that prevented him from possibly going batshit was her slight movement, which reassured him that she was still alive and that he still had a chance to save her.

Oh- you thought that emotional Lucien from S1 chapter 45 who broke someone ribs was bad? Sweet summer child, this chapter is WORSE and has more bloodshed. Lucien did try to keep his cool, but he was already in his most instinctive/emotional mode and at that moment, his only goal was to save MC no matter what it takes. It doesn't matter if the world will burn to ashes without CORE or that he's basically destroying himself by his overuse of evol, all he wants is to take her home as soon as possible.

Speaking of which, the scene where Lucien 'saves' MC also reminds me of the [Sacred Mountain] date. This time, it's his turn to take her home. Just like during that date when she was all alone in the mountain and a 'God' appeared to her amidst the wind and snow; in this chapter, he came to her like a 'God' descending from his altar. This 'God,' who used to observe all beings rationally and indifferently from above, decided to step into the human world and gradually became more human himself due to her influence. However, in the process of becoming human, he also became more vulnerable to pain, injury, and his own emotions.

Personally this chapter gives S1 chapter 16 and S1 chapter 25 nostalgia :”. He won’t ever sacrifice the person important to him; and she taught him fear of losing someone. The contrast of him treating MC so preciously with him ruthlessly figthing NW members is a guilty pleasure ahah.

Okay, let's get back to the plot. After Lucien managed to get them both out of there, he brought her to check her drugged legs, disregarding his own bloodied wounds. Despite being the one far more injured, he showed greater concern for her pain. Then, he continued to overuse his evol, and hell it’s really painful to witness༼⁠;⁠´⁠༎ຶ⁠ ⁠۝ ⁠༎ຶ⁠༽. Even though he knew that overusing his evol could lead to cancer and his deterioration, he didn't hesitate to keep using it. Even when MC begged him to stop because she have a feeling that he was risking his life, he still continued. Even when he’s hurting, his first thought is still about her. Lucien's thoughts and responses after getting injured were reminiscent of when he suffered heatstroke in [Distant Similarity] UR MQ somehow; he appeared mentally confused and relied solely on his sheer willpower to bring her home.

Now after that- is where control as Lucien's trauma response started to show. If you remember what he said earlier in this chapter:

 "In most cases, people don't feel uneasy about things they are certain of."

"So, turning the unknown into the known, and the out-of-control into in-control will alleviate those worries."

 Lucien's typical response to trauma is an attempt to regain control, as seen when he coaxes MC to sleep and locks the door. This can be interpreted as his way of trying to exert control over the situation. Personally, I believe that this response is something that's temporary. Like a brief mental relapse after his trauma getting triggered again. And in the end, he’s quick to snap back and let her go again with his own volition, didn't he? Just like what MC said, Lucien can always watch over her as she walks on her own path. Well, he still needs to learn to share his burden though…. Him letting go of his defenses as he falls asleep beside her was a start.

There are still many questions that need to be answered, like why future!Lucien agreed to that plan? Or how did he manage to help our present! Lucien and MC to escape? What surgery did Lucien get? So many questions and let's hope that PG will answer them in anniversary main story update~~

#LUCIEN YOU BIG LIAR ༼⁠;⁠´⁠༎ຶ⁠ ⁠۝ ⁠༎ຶ⁠༽. #WHO GIVE YOU A RIGHT TO DESTROY YOURSELF #can't wait for december thanks to this hjdjhdjhdf

[queengiuliettafirstlady]

Taste of Home

Taste of Home

Fandom: Ikemen Vampire

Pairing: Leonardo Da Vinci x Le Comte de Saint-Germaine

Tag: Established relationship Cooking Kisses Spicy lines Fluff

Word Count  991

Author’s Note: The song is La donna è mobile from Rigoletto written by Giuseppe Verdi.

A little something to celebrate Italy with Leonardo and his lover, in a ordinary day with a normal amount of dishes prepared from our italian chef, much to the delight of the residents, with some sweet and spicy adding, I very much hope will be of your taste like this little dish I prepared myself take a seat and enjoy the feast. 🥰

Tag list

@kissmetwicekissmedeadly @lordsisterxotome @aquagirl1978 @violettduchess @atelieredux @klutzyroses @randonauticrap @thewitchofbooks @princess-pray-a @itsjudesfault

You can find me on AO3 as QueenJuliet 😊

Thank you for everyone who will like, reblog, or comment please be gentle with me english is not my first language so please do not leave rude comments I apologise for eventual errors I hope you will like it 😊

It was a summer day at the mansion, the whole nation simmered with perfumes and sounds he never heard of more pleasant, except the ones of his native country, an heavy sigh escaped from his lips at the thought as he shifted around the table, filled to the brim with his skillful hands creations.

La donna è mobile

Qual piuma al vento,

Muta d'accento - e di pensiero.

Sempre un amabile,

Leggiadro viso,

In pianto o in riso, è menzognero.

The fragrant perfume of white bread still warm from the oven placed in a plate next to the baci di dama, the unmistakable aroma of gianduia melted well with the bitter scent of coffee of the tiramisu, the yellow color of the polenta stalked in contrast with the red cover of the lasagna placed next to it, on a side of the candid tablecloth stretched a feast of pasta of any kind and pizza with various filling, enough to satisfy every taste, everything rigorously handmade following the recipes he known by heart. Amidst its chaos stood the improvised cook who do not even remotely cared about any intruder immersed in the task of stirring the red tomato sauce in the pot, carefully blowing air on it before savouring its taste rolling on his tongue as he hummed in delight, his fingers from time to time threw some ingredients in one of the pan like a magician practising his magic in broad daylight, bathing everything in sight in its warm hues.

È sempre misero

Chi a lei s'affida,

Chi le confida - mal cauto il core!

Pur mai non sentesi

Felice appieno

Chi su quel seno - non liba amore!

He let out a chuckle, laughing at the irony of singing about the love for a woman, his parents words ringed still clear in his ear. 

-Do not show us your face unless you have took a wife.-

-Ah if only they knew.

“What are you preparing today ?”

The arms of his husband wrapped around his torso, like the sun brushing away all his dark thoughts, smiling at the soft kiss he left on his neck

“Geez there are people watching us ya know ?” his low chuckle reverberated in his chest, a tone of defiance in his voice he loved so much hearing sing for him in the bed

“Who ?”

“Someone will surely come out of this frat house you create.”

a soft giggle escaped his lips as he pulled away, he leaned against the counter to face him as he spoke.

“I see you have given Sebastian the day off.”

“He deserved it that poor guy acting all up as he is our maid and butler at once.”

He dipped the spoon in the tomato sauce pot once more, bringing the point to his lips, it tasted like home, like the country he could not come back to if not as outsider or traveller, the one he still felt to belong, both italian and french at once even though he far preferred to call himself citizen of the world, inhabitant of the earth, belonging anywhere and nowhere at once, but when the light goes down and he had to find a shelter he knew exactly where to go, the same place he would have kept coming back to over and over again, the one and only he would have chosen in every universe in every timeline even after thousand years he would have still come back home to him, the only man who intrigued him, he felt to know everything and nothing of every time they talked, a mystery he would have gladly spend all eternity discovering, each side of him a precious treasure he collected in his heart.

Before he could do anything he moved to block him against the counter, a cat like smirk on his lips as he stared in his husband’s golden eyes sensual and alluring, leaning over to press a soft kiss on his nose, his gesture made him smile at his boldness, he never was good at masking his own desire, at least not like le Comte taught from a young age to conceal every emotion and so he took action cupping his face in his hands melting his own lips on his, lacing his own hands on his husband’s hips to steady him.

Their kiss was sweet and deep, intoxicating and exhilarating pervading each and every one of his sense leaving him speechless and astounded, butterflies swirling inside his heart, fluttering with all the love he felt for his husband, the sweetest of flavour invading his tongue spreading on his palate, it was the most delicious meal he had ever had in all his life and it was only the first course he though smiling to himself, for the even sweeter dessert that waited for them both in bed, late at night when all the others were asleep and the clock struck midnight signing the start of the time for lover.

Reluctantly they pulled away panting for air, lost in each other's gaze so much to not notice their butler peeking from the doorframe, sliding noiselessly away once he witnessed that forbidden view.

He kissed his forehead tenderly, revelling in the astoundment glimmering in his golden eyes 

“I love you so my ferret.” a smile so bright like the sun itself brightened his gorgeous features

“I love my cat too.” he smiled softly to him, feeling his lips leave a little kiss on his nose making him chuckle, he really did puzzled him one minute he was bold and the other shy, but he knew that despite all their bicker and banter their love was genuine, hidden deep in their hearts only for one another.

Their love confessed countless time with each moan and groan escaping their lips, with every kiss sealing their soul together and that night would have been not exception, basking in the soft alluring gleaming in his eyes at his heartfelt words murmured tenderly on his skin as they laid on their sides looking at one another with only the aster as guardian of their love, because it did not matter how much times they kissed or made love or how many refined dishes they tasted, he always had and always would have been his favourite flavour of them all, because to him his husband tasted like home.

#ikemen vampire #ikemen vampire comte #ikevamp comte #ikemen vampire leonardo #ikevamp leonardo #my writing #ikevamp

[wellthebardsdead]

Riiju-Lei: *steps out of the wretching netch, tying a piece of cloth around his forehead covering his third eye as he does so* right, back to skyrim the- *backs up as he’s suddenly surrounded by temple guards* I- what? What’s going on?!

Galdrus Hlervu: *emerges from behind the guards dragging Elder Othreloth by his arm* Oh you know exactly what’s going on here Sharmat! You may have everyone else on this island fooled but I know the truth!

Elder Othreloth: Galdrus! Stop this at once!!

Captain Veleth: *walks over with his men seeing the situation unfolding* What’s the meaning of this?! This lads put our settlement back on the map and even cleared your temple of Ash spawn! You have no grounds to threaten him in the street like this!

Galdrus Hlervu: With all do respect captain this is a matter concerning the ancestral temple so kindly run along. And as for grounds- *suddenly grabs the cloth from Riiju’s face pulling it from his head and showing his third eye* SEE?! I TOLD YOU! HE HAD YOU ALL FOOLED! THE COUNCILLORS AND THE CAPTAIN KNEW ABOUT IT!

Elder Othreloth: Galdrus you’re causing a scene-

Captain Veleth: A third eye does not the false dreamer make him. I once met an argonian with two tails, a dunmer with a third eyeball could be anybody-

Galdrus Hlervu: Oh really captain? Then how is it that both he and the Hortator were both reported to have coincidentally returned late last evening and now lord nerevar is missing hm?!

Riiju-Lei: p-please I can explain everything-

Galdrus Hlervu: Silence! You’ve spread your lies throughout this entire settlement to trick the good people here into thinking highly of you! But I know exactly who you are you n’wa-

Nerevar: You’d best think before you say what I think you’re about to, priest. *steps out of the doorway to the wretching netch, team dragonborn following behind him as the temple guards back up in shock to be in his presence*

Galdrus Hlervu: I- l-lord nerevar you’re alive-

Nerevar: Yes. I am. *grabs the cloth from his hand and yanks it away before gently tying it back around Leis brow, smiling at him adoringly as he does so* And he’s not the Sharmat. However he is the reincarnation of Voryn Dagoth. My closest friend, now much more… *flares down at the slimy weasel of a priest before him* And from what I hear. *glances around before looking back at him* He’s been kinder to the people of raven rock in the weeks he’s been here than you’ve been since you were stationed to this temple. Perhaps I should have him replace you.

Galdrus Hlervu: I- wh-what? *drops down to his knees* m-my lord wait-

Elder Othreloth: *catching on that nerevar just wants to make him squirm* Yes I’ve heard splendid things about you all around solstheim and word has even reached my ears from skyrim about you lad. Hard working, kind, and- *holds up the bag of coin he’d tried paying him for clearing out the ash spawn* Very generous. Shall I try giving this to you again or will you hide it in my coat pocket this time?

Riiju-Lei: *visibly blushes at being called out* I-h-heh, I don’t feel right accepting money from the temple sir, or from anyone here on raven rock it’s been hard- *looks around finally noticing how busy it is in the settlement* I? Gods what’s happened? This place is- booming.

Captain Veleth: *enjoying seeing Galdrus meltdown* Oh all this? This is all your work lad! You and your friends, this place is finally back on its feet and we have you lot to thank for it!

Elder Othreloth: And that’s yet another reason why I’ve been considering asking you to replace Galdrus!

Galdrus Hlervu: *on the verge of tears grovelling at nerevars feet, looks back at the elder priest* m-Master Othreloth! You can’t be serious!!

Nerevar: *trying not to laugh* Then it’s settled. By my right as Hortator, I hereby discommunicate you from the ancestral temple and appoint Riiju-Lei Dagoth, head of the 6th house now mourned as you’re replacement.

Galdrus Hlervu: *literally having a tantrum as his life’s work collapses before him, banging his fists on the ground and screaming between wailing sobs* NOOOO! NOOOO PLEASE NOOOO!!!

Riiju-Lei: *gently pats nerevars arm* as amusing as it is it is cruel, besides I swear too much to be a priest… don’t think I could get used to the underwear either. Let him keep his job… please?…

Nerevar: *smiles at him fondly before looking down at the snivelling elf at his feet* oh fine. Consider my decree null and void. You may keep your job if your superior sees fit.

Galdrus Hlervu: *snot and tears running down his face as he stops mid meltdown* I-I? M-my lord?

Elder Othreloth: hmmm, very well then. Though my offer still stands if he steps out of line like this again~

Captain Veleth: and speaking of which. *suddenly cuffs the priest pulling him off the ground and to his feet* Youre getting a night in the slammer for threatening a civilian with undo cause or writ, and for causing a public disturbance!

Galdrus Hlervu: I- w-wait no! No I’m sorry! IM SORRY! MASTER OTHRELOTH HELP ME!!

Elder Othreloth: No I think this’ll be good for you. And once you’re back your studying the lies of Vivec and cleaning the chamber pots!

Galdrus Hlervu: *screams as he’s dragged off*

Nerevar: *snickers watching him disappear through the crowd before looking at Riiju* are you okay?

Riiju-Lei: you… called me Riiju-Lei Dagoth… head of the 6th house, now mourned?…

Nerevar: I… yes. I apologise I should have made sure you were comfortable with the titles but I wanted him to know how important you are… to me… and to a lot of people in morrowind…

Riiju-Lei: *smiles softly* thank you… it’ll… take me a while to get used to it…

Nerevar: it’s okay… we have a long while yet before you’ll be hearing it often… but before then. *holds his hands* I want to go to skyrim. And see everything there is of Riiju-Lei, the last dragonborn~

Riiju-Lei: *smiles and starts laughing again, unable to contain his giddiness or control his emotions yet but honestly not wanting to in the slightest* okay!

Taliesin: …are we getting back on the water now?… *groans already feeling sea sick*

Miraak: you can ride on one of my dragons if you’d like-

Kaidan: *jealously yoinks Taliesin to his side* We. Will take the ship, and I’ll hold his pretty hair out of his face as he gets sea sick thank you!

#nerevar #indoril nerevar #riiju lei dragonborn #Kaidan skyrim #skyrim taliesin

[trickstarbrave]

i will never turn down the chance to make nerevar sad

based on my idea from yesterday, which was inspired by shamat and riiju-lei from @mulberrycafe. dragonborn reincarnation of voryn dagoth out in the world, though so far it's really nerevar centric........ maybe that will change maybe not. (the db's name will be seryn tho i did actually name him)

--

Nerevar approached the statue of Azura cautiously, anxiety bubbling away in him the moment the ordinators told him the Lady of Twilight was summoning him.

He’d walked so long as Nerevar he became Nerevar in body as well, fully assuming his identity as chimer king once more. “A gift” Azura called it the last time he spoke with her and he held his tongue. 

It was more of a curse as far as he was concerned. 

Was it not enough that he lost everything? Assumed the role of Nerevar to slay Dagoth Ur? Then he was tasked with bringing back worship of the Good Daedra, taking control of the temple, never to return to the life he lived before he was arrested and shipped off to Morrowind. Now he couldn’t even wear this incarnation’s face and his dunmeri skin, all the while he silently mourned all he lost as Nerevar as well. 

He had no friends or spouse after all. Closest thing he had was the wizard Divayth Fyr but well…. Time had warped the Telvanni mage as it does all things. He got harsher, cared less for people around him, more insular as he retreated into his studies. Nerevar didn’t really enjoy his company much anymore given he was only really interested in studying corprus or how his skin changed back to chimeri gold. 

But there was no use complaining about it, especially not to Azura. The dunmer needed him, as she said, and he was the only one who could lead them. All he could hope for was that in a few centuries he could disappear quietly like Vivec did and die in peace. 

“Ah, my champion.” Her voice was loving and overjoyed, as Nerevar found himself cloaked in violet light the moment he blinked, the statue now seemingly coming to life. 

“You summoned me, Lady Azura?” He smiled back, willing the feeling of love to bubble away in his heart rather than despair and anxiety. Hopefully what she tasked him with now would be something simple, or even better--she’d tell him he did enough as leader of the dunmer and could finally leave to die alone somewhere quietly. 

“Indeed,” She began, “It’s important news, one you should hear from me directly.” He waited with baited breath, unable to guess what she needed to tell him. There were too many options after all, and as kind as she could be when she played favorites, she was still a daedric prince one needed to show caution with. 

“The sharmat’s reincarnation walks the earth again.” All of the blood in Nerevar’s veins froze in an instance.

“... What…?” Dagoth Ur was back? But Nerevar cut him off from the heart! Red Mountain erupted, burying the thing in rock once again! 

“He doesn’t yet walk as Dagoth Ur.” Azura clarified. “But he carries with him Voryn Dagoth’s soul, in hope of redemption.” Azura continued, though it still didn’t settle well with Nerevar. 

“You know what must be done.” Azura warned him now, stroking his hair affectionately. Nerevar in turn stared up at her in confusion. 

“What must be done…?” She wasn’t asking him to kill someone just by virtue of being Dagoth Ur’s reincarnation, could she? Of the Three she was mercy, not senseless violence. 

She then smiled even more lovingly, despite all the worry and pain on Nerevar’s face. 

“I know what you must be thinking, and no, I am not asking you to kill him.” Azura stroked his cheek now. “His soul wants redemption, Hortator. See to it he does not fall to the heart’s influence again, and the two of you can make up for the past.” She then kissed his forehead. “This is my gift to you.” 

And then he was in the temple room once more, empty with just a statue looking at him and a heavy feeling in his chest. 

In the days that followed he thought over the conversation he had with Azura, trying to make sense of it with all he knew. Voryn’s reincarnation was alive and walking Nirn just like Nerevar did. Nerevar needed to see to it that he didn’t fall to the heart of Lorkhan’s influence once again and mantled Dagoth Ur to repeat all the strife and disease that the sharmat brought. And make up for the past….

It took several weeks, but Nerevar believed he finally understood what she was saying.

In the past, in his first lifetime, Nerevar was… Well, he was a good king, but not necessarily a good friend or spouse. He was headstrong, pushed until he got what he wanted, determined to a fault. At times he could even be quite cruel and ruthless, as that came with the territory of having to protect your position as king when someone came from as low of a background as he did. He kept secrets, lied, cheated, stole, whatever he could to get the throne.

For most of his life that he knew Voryn Dagoth, he considered Voryn his closest friend. More than that, he considered Voryn the love of his life, though he never had the nerve to pursue him. So many nights they stayed up late drinking, and he told Voryn so many secrets he’d never tell another soul. So many nights he spilled his heart to Voryn, being vulnerable with him, seeking comfort, everything except confessing the full extent of his feelings. 

And Nerevar, fool that he was, thought on some level Voryn felt the same way. Maybe not that he romantically loved Nerevar in return--that was asking for too much--but he thought that, at the very least, Voryn considered him a friend. That the nights they shared secrets, Voryn was being just as vulnerable as Nerevar, confessing things to him and him alone. That when he greeted Nerevar with a warm smile, that spark in his eyes was genuine and true. 

In hindsight that was rather foolish of Nerevar, but if he was anything it was a fool. Voryn was known for being secretive, lying, and manipulative. He cared about his house and his house alone. Why would Nerevar be an exception? The only difference Nerevar had from anyone else was that he was easier for Voryn to manipulate; all he had to do was act the part of a kind and loyal friend and Nerevar would unthinkingly spill all of his secrets and hopes and dreams. He helped Nerevar become king because it was advantageous for House Dagoth and nothing more. Only his ‘friendship’ with Nerevar got him more than he bargained for. 

At times, Nerevar had to make deals and negotiations that weren’t advantageous to House Dagoth, because as king he couldn’t play favorites. Voryn had assured him there were no hard feelings, but resentment continued to bubble away inside him as he was giving more than he was getting out of their friendship. Then Voryn’s brother, Gilvoth, threatened Nerevar at a party and Nerevar had to make a big show out of it to keep his power. He had to threaten him and Voryn. He had to seriously contemplate what sort of punishment to give the older mer, if he should cut off Gilvoth’s hands and fine House Dagoth. Nerevar didn’t want to necessarily; Gilvoth had only threatened him because he believed Nerevar was taking advantage of Voryn and said as much, and as angry as it made Nerevar he couldn’t shake that what Gilvoth said was true. Voryn, however, assured Nerevar he was loyal to Nerevar and Nerevar alone and nothing the other could do could possibly be taking advantage of him. It was likely just a ploy to get him to go easy on his brother, but it worked. He let Gilvoth off with an exile of a few years, purposefully not looking into it afterwards to see if House Dagoth was secretly helping him out or not when he should have been suffering alone and fighting to survive. 

And when they found the heart, all the lies were exposed. Voryn betrayed him, using the tools when Nerevar warned him not to. He was at least semi-lucid, no matter how mad with power he had become.  And Nerevar, idiot that he was, thought that confessing his love for Voryn might bring him back. Might convince him to put the tools down and return to his side. That Nerevar had no intention of leaving him to rot, but that he trusted Voryn with the tools more than anyone because he trusted his heart with the other just the same. 

And Voryn, no longer needing to use kind words and play along with Nerevar’s foolish selfishness, laughed loudly. 

“You love me?” Voryn nearly choked on his laughter. “I’m surprised a man like you even thinks himself capable of love!” Nerevar’s heart stopped hearing that, crumbling in on itself as he felt cold and hollow despite the heat of the heart chamber around him. “As if I ever wanted your heart. As if I ever wanted that disgusting thing you call ‘love’.” Another sharp pain went through Nerevar’s chest like he was being stabbed. “Did you think of me as a lovesick fool? Did you believe I would rush to your side and beg for forgiveness if you offered me your heart?” Guilt hit him next as he tried in vain to swallow the lump in his throat. 

“You are the fool here, Nerevar. A stupid, almost pitiful fool. As though using me for centuries and then leaving me here to rot wasn’t enough, you genuinely thought I would want the disgusting affection you offer me?” Nerevar opened his mouth to retort, but no sound came out beyond a broken sob at the cutting words. “The only thing you can offer me of value here is your death.” 

Again, hindsight made it clear just how stupid of a decision it was to make. Why would offering his heart to Voryn make any difference? Voryn ‘betrayed’ Nerevar only because he was tired of being used and abused by him. Tired of playing along with his foolish plans and suffering the consequences. Even though using the heart was a fatal mistake that would eventually warp him into the monster known as Dagoth Ur, he had initially done it to protect his house. A house that fell alongside Voryn, scattered from persecution and having to give up their identity just to escape with their lives. In honor of Voryn he tried to spread the history of the sixth house so they could be mourned properly, but descendants were slow to come forward, terrified of the bigotry and violence they would face. 

Azura told him of this reincarnation for a reason. Nerevar can’t truly undo all the harm he caused Voryn in the past, but he might be able to make right by him this time around. He could ensure he didn’t fall to the temptation of the heart all over again. And he could make sure Voryn was safe and well protected this time around without selfishly shoving his feelings onto him like he did in the past. Nerevar was doomed to his fate, but Voryn didn’t have to be. 

Nerevar could make things right. He will make things right. 

He had to. 

--

“Are you certain it will work?” Nerevar questioned, holding the mask of Dagoth Ur once more. Powerful magic was cast on it, various seals stuck to it to keep the influence contained.

“Yes yes,” Divayth Fyr rolled his eyes, “I am positive.” He scoffed at the very notion it would fail. “More certain than even the potion I gave you could resolve your little corprus problem.” Nerevar’s eyebrow twitched at that, but he held his tongue. “I’ve done so much work with corprus I understand Dagoth Ur’s magical essence very well. The ritual will banish him and free any incarnation from the heart’s influence.” 

He had been working on this frankly monumental task with Divayth for several years now, and it was a relief it was finally done. He resisted the urge to run his hands across the golden mask that looked so much like Voryn’s face, trying to bury the romantic feelings deep into the pit of oblivion that had made its home in his heart. 

“Though I must warn you,” Divayth began with a sigh, “Given how long Voryn’s soul has been warped by the heart and taken in by Dagoth Ur, it will likely banish him as well.”

“What do you mean by that?” Nerevar question with a raised eyebrow. “You said the incarnation would be safe.”

“The reincarnation will be safe, yes.” Divayth clarified. “He will continue living on as whatever identity and life he made himself out to be.” He looked away briefly, not meeting Nerevar’s eyes. “But all of Voryn’s memories will likely be banished with Dagoth Ur’s influence all the same.” A heavy feeling settled in Nerevar’s stomach, as his grip on the mask tightened. “The man you knew as Voryn Dagoth will be gone with Dagoth Ur.”

“... That’s… Probably for the best.” Nerevar admitted with a sigh, tucking the mask away into his bag. 

“Hortator,” Divayth began, but Nerevar interrupted him.

“My goal was to ensure Dagoth Ur doesn’t return.” He continued. “Making sure corprus doesn’t spread anymore takes top priority, as I’m sure you understand.” The mage’s mouth formed a firm, straight line. “And if the price is just the reincarnation’s past life memories… Well, that is relatively cheap, all things considered.” 

“But Voryn was your good friend.”

“Was.” Nerevar clarified. “Voryn Dagoth has been dead for thousands of years.” It was the truth, however much it hurt him. “Voryn deserves a peaceful rest. All of the bad memories will fade, and the incarnation won’t even need to mourn losing any good ones. He’ll be free of the past, able to start with a clean slate.” 

Gods know Nerevar wished he had been given that chance. That he didn’t have to become Nerevar entirely. What could the dunmer Nerevarine have accomplished if he was free? Able to travel and see the world? Able to leave the past that was haunting him behind him? 

“... At least promise me this will be a last resort for you.” 

“But Dagoth Ur--”

“Azura said the incarnation didn’t walk as Dagoth Ur yet, didn’t she?” Divayth countered. “The ritual might be very painful and difficult for him. It will force him to confront Dagoth Ur, and even though it will give him the tools needed to push him away, it will still hurt him.” Nerevar couldn’t argue with that logic. As much as he wanted to free the reincarnation, he didn’t want to hurt him either. “Only use it if you must.” 

“... Fine.” Nerevar sighed, turning to leave with a levitation potion in hand. “Only as a last resort.”

#nerevar #nerevoryn #voryn dagoth #my writing #this is a rough draft #i just like making nerevar sad #seryn dragonborn

[thegigilwriter]

12 | “Danger & Star, Rooster & Angel” — Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Female Mitchell OC

Summary. 26-year-old Lucy Asa Mitchell did not know what was in store for her when she first bumped into Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw. After an instant mutual connection followed by a sweet whirlwind romance that swept both their feet, Lucy found herself being immersed deeper into Bradley’s world of the Navy, F-14s, and deployments. What she didn’t expect was finding was the answer to an elusive part of her past — the identity of her long-lost father.

Chapter Summary. After a successful family dinner at Penny’s, Bradley stays the night and tends to a… little unexpected occurrence in the morning.

Masterlist

Keywords/Warnings: Pure FLUFF, romance, menstruation, mentions of blood,

12 | Shark Week 🦈

August 28, 2023

When Bradley woke up, he had already anticipated the sweet scent of Lucyʼs hair… only to be faced with the cold side of the bed. After overcoming the initial confusion (and the thought that perhaps everything was but a wonderful dream), Bradley pulled off the covers from Lucyʼs part only to see a red stain contrasting against the pale sheets. Thatʼs when he heard it — a retching noise from the bathroom. Bradley walked towards the sound as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

“Angel?ˮ Bradley called out, morning voice echoing within the facility. There Lucy was, sitting on the pretty, lavender rug of her bathroom floor in her underwear and comfy night shirt with her head lined in front of the toilet bowl, one hand gripping at the seat, and the other clutching her lower stomach.

“Oh Angel,ˮ he crooned lowering himself to his knees and gathering her hair at the back of her neck.

“Brad—ley,ˮ she rasped. “I-Iʼm sorry, did you sleep alright?ˮ She looked pale and tired — with dry lips and a limp state of strength.

“Angel donʼt worry about me,ˮ Bradley assured. “What do you need?ˮ

“T-this is s-so embarrassing,ˮ she moaned, putting her face in her hands. “I wanted to make breakfast...ˮ

“Hey,ˮ he tucked her into his embrace. “It is not embarrassing. Itʼs just a little blood, sweetheart — thatʼs all. Now why donʼt we go on the couch, and Iʼll make us something to eat, okay?ˮ

“Can you also heat my crab, for me? I-Itʼs in the drawer by the microwave...ˮ

“Of course, Angel.ˮ Bradley replied as he scooped her into his arms and lifted her off of the floor, still quite unsure just what kind of crab she was referring to.

Bradley set her on her grape-colored couch, gathered a mosaic quilt from her pillow basket, and pulled it to her chin. He kissed her forehead tenderly before approaching her kitchen. He filled up her electric kettle and turned it on. Then, Bradley looked for Lucyʼs heating pad (the so-called crab) in her cabinet, read the instructions on the paper tab on its side, and placed it in the microwave accordingly. Afterwards, he went to her pantry and prepared some flour and opened the fridge for a couple of eggs, some ham, and a couple mangoes and strawberries. When the kettle had stopped bubbling, Bradley poured the hot water into an olive mug with a loose passionfruit and hibiscus blend. He brought the newly-made tea and her crab at bedside, for which brought a smile on her lips.

“Thank you,ˮ she whispered as she took her crab from him and settled it on her lower abdomen. Bradley helped her sit up and held the cup to her lips as she took a sip.

“Has it always been this bad?ˮ He asked her as she leaned against his shoulder, her fingers encircled around the warmth of the mug.

“Unfortunately,ˮ Lucy sighed.

“Iʼm sorry Angel,ˮ he placed a kiss on the side of her head. “So are you still going to work tomorrow?ˮ

“Iʼm afraid not,ˮ she sighed again. “The second day is always worse. Hey, do you need help cooking?ˮ

“I think Iʼll be fine, thanks.ˮ He chuckled.

“No offense love,ˮ Lucy smiled. “But can you even cook?ˮ

“Not really,ˮ Bradley replied. “But Iʼm gonna give it the good-old college try.ˮ

“And when was that? 20 years ago?ˮ She teased.

“Ha-ha,ˮ he retorted as Lucy laughed lightly. “Try 18, Angel.ˮ

“Good luck Daddy,ˮ she whispered in his ear. “Donʼt burn anything.ˮ

Bradley blushed, kissing the side of her head before whispering back, “Itʼs a good thing you donʼt feel well today, sweetheart.ˮ

Lucy giggled as Bradley let her be with the remote and got to work. He stripped her sheets and put them in the wash. Then, Bradley watered her plants by the living room windowsill, fed Tip and Toe, and checked on all her Walstead bowls. He had been enough times to Lucyʼs place in his free mornings to get into the swing of her routine. As he looked over to his lover on the couch, a smile stretched his lips as he beheld her peaceful, slumbering face. After some rummaging in her kitchen cabinets and drawers, Bradley found the waffle maker, an appropriate pan, and her favorite pairing knife. He got the batter started as he waited for the waffle maker to heat. Then he began to fry the ham alongside some eggs. When the waffle maker was hot enough (and he knew by mistakenly placing the entire pad of his forefinger), he let the butter sizzle on the grid before adding the batter. While waiting, he cut up her beloved mangoes just the way Lucy liked them and also washed the strawberries before getting a can of condense milk from the fridge (again, another one of Lucyʼs favorite pairings). Before serving breakfast, Bradley placed her sheets in the drier and the food on a serving tray before approaching her sleeping form.

“Angel?ˮ He gently kissed her cheek. “Mʼsorry it took so long — but breakfast is ready.ˮ

“Mmmh?ˮ Lucy croaked as she rubbed her eye sleepily. “Love — this looks great, thank you. You really couldʼve just made some cereal or something. Iʼm okay with that too.ˮ

“I want to take care of you right,ˮ he replied sweetly. “Unless you really want cereal —“

“No,ˮ Lucy smiled as she took the plate from the serving tray with a fork. “I love this. Come eat with me, love.ˮ

Bradley grinned as he nestled himself beside her beneath her quilt. He loved the way her body fitted into his so perfectly. He let her have the first bite, and he grinned as Lucyʼs eyes sparkled as she took another. She then offered a fork poked with a slice of the waffle and tear of ham and egg white to his lips. Lucy also let him have a sip of her tea, before Bradley averted himself towards the TV.

“Potter-head, huh?ˮ Bradley mused as he helped himself to a strawberry. “Which movie is this?ˮ

“My favorite,ˮ Lucy smiled. “The Goblet of Fire.ˮ

“Is that where there are different schools and thereʼs a tournament of some kind?ˮ He asked her.

“Do you like Harry Potter, as well?ˮ She asked him.

“I like it just fine,ˮ Bradley chuckled. “But my mother loved it — and when I was younger sheʼd read to me some nights.ˮ

“What was she like?ˮ Lucy whispered. “Your mom?ˮ

“She was kind and feisty and stubborn,ˮ he sighed. “... A bit like you, really.ˮ

“I bet she was even more wonderful,ˮ Lucy replied. “To have raised a son that treats a woman like you do in her shark week.ˮ

Bradley laughed, blushing.

“All this? Take it from me Angel — this is the minimum.ˮ

If you couldn’t already tell, I wrote this during my own shark week 😂 In my headcannon, Bradley isn’t that terrible of a cook and he is KING when it comes reading what people need 💕 Anyways new character alert up ahead. Welcome 13 | The Wildling Sisters!

#bradley bradshaw #bradley rooster bradshaw #rooster top gun #top gun #top gun 1986 #top gun fanfiction #top gun imagine #top gun maverick #top gun fandom #bradley bradshaw imagine #top gun rooster #rooster imagine #rooster fanfiction #top gun oc #top gun maverick fanfiction #top gun movie #top gun fic #pete mitchell #pete maverick mitchell #tgm fanfiction #tgm oc #tgm fandom #tgm fic #tgm #bradley bradshaw x mitchell reader

[theycallme-thejackal]

Midge wanted to be kissed on a bridge and a certain comedy making it come true

Pairing: Lenny Bruce & Midge Maisel Rated T

It's a mild evening in the mountains.

He's not a fan of these theme nights, but Midge loves them, so he put on a lei with his jeans and t-shirt and joined her in her tropical print dress and listened to Moishe exclaim that everyone "got lei'd" over and over.

And now is his favorite part of being here in the Catskills. The end of the night when he gets to walk home with his beautiful girlfriend, sharing a cigarette while she holds his hand.

"Thanks for putting up with all this," she tells him, leaning her head on his upper arm. "I know it's not really your scene."

"No, it's not," he agrees. "But I get to hang out with you and scandalize a bunch of old Jewish women by dancing dangerously close to you, so I guess it is kind of my scene," he jokes, kissing the top of her head.

She laughs quietly as they walk over the footbridge, and she stops, looking over the water. "Midge? You okay?"

"What?" She looks up at him, now standing in front of her. "Oh, nothing," she says quickly, shaking her head.

"What is it?" He asks, ducking his head slightly.

Midge bites her lip gently. "Remember a couple months ago when I made you see The Music Man?" She asks.

"I do. 'Til There Was You' was the first song we ever danced to," he recalls with a grin.

"Yeah. Remember in the movie... they're standing on the footbridge..." She rests her hand on the railing and smiles fondly. "And she's singing that song and then they finally kiss, and it was so romantic?"

He smiles back at her softly. "You want me to kiss you on this footbridge?"

She blushes lightly as she nods.

He leans in a little closer. "How about I do you one better?"

She chuckles. "I know we've had some semi-public rendezvous, but - "

"No, not that," he murmurs before lowering himself to one knee.

She looks down at him in surprise. "Oh my god," she breathes, her grip tightening on his hand.

"It's appropriate really," he says. "That it's here on a footbridge, that you brought up that song. Because until there was you, I didn't know what it was like to love someone this way. I didn't know it could be like this.

"I didn't know I could love someone so much I would be willing to sit through three hours of steel drums and Moishe's terrible jokes just so I could be with you. Or that I could love someone enough to even think about getting married again, but you...you make everything worth it.

"I want to wake up every morning with you. Fall asleep with you every night. Grow old together - or older, in my case," he jokes before turning serious. "Something I didn't think I'd get to do..." She looks at him with tears in her eyes.

"You saved my life, Midge. You make me laugh. You make me think. You make me absolutely crazy, and I wouldn't change a damn thing about it because I love you so much." He reaches into his pocket, pulling out the little box he's been carrying with him for the last month. "Will you marry me?"

"Before I say yes - and I'm going to say yes," she promises as she smiles down at him. "I just want you to know how happy you make me. How glad I am that it was you in the back of that police car on the worst night of my life. How fucking lucky I feel that you showed up the night of that snowstorm.

"I hate to steal your line," she teases, making him grin, "But you make me laugh. You make me think. You call me on my shit and support me in ways I've never had before.

"After Joel left, I never thought I'd have that again. And I was right. Because this...this is what it's supposed to be. I've never loved anyone like I love you, Lenny."

She blinks back tears and takes a deep breath. "So yes. Yes, I'll marry you."

He rises to his feet slipping the ring on her finger before kissing her deeply on a footbridge in the Catskills.

#midgelenny #midge x lenny #midgexlenny #tmmm fanfic #marvelous mrs. maisel fanfic #writing prompt #otp: more important than god #jackal fics #answers

[valleyofthemachinegods]

Jarrok: 👀😍 💞🔥🧸 (I need to know how xyraan gets to tease him ok)

Agonia: 👙👂💘

Leika'le: 👃💌💐

Khi: 🚲🦴

Piping Hot OC Asks || @oolathurman

Jarrok:

👀 Does your OC believe they are attractive? Do they use that to their advantage?: Yes. Absolutely, yes. And, again, yes to the utmost; he has used his attractiveness to his advantage to manipulate. Well. Everyone he's ever needed to manipulate lmao. Not like an Agent-level of seduction prowess, but throwing out a subtle flirt or a well-timed smile if necessary to lower someone's guard. This was definitely more of an Academy days thing, though. Outlander Jarrok is admittedly too tired(TM) to bother, because if someone is already going to disagree with him, they can kriff off. He still has an ego though, because he is still very, very pretty.

😍 What does your OC find irresistible in others?: Confidence. The ability to speak one's mind and damn the consequences (very intriguing for this particular Sith Lord tbh). Someone taking charge is very attractive to him (unless it's taking away his charge lmao).

💞Do they treat sex casually or do they view it as something with a lot of emotional weight?: For the most part, he treats it very casually. Long term relationships weren't very common for him, especially when he was younger, but man-- when there is an emotional connection, he treats sex as something sacred... in his own personal way that probably wouldn't even be perceived by his lover.

🔥What’s a surefire way to make your OC get flustered?: I had to think about this omg. He likes lace, especially in all the right places. Being threatened. Whispering in his ear, light kisses behind the shell of the ear. Collarbone kisses. And, because he's a messed up Sith that needs therapy, a little bit of violence/prowess on the battlefield. Actually, that's not even just because of his... issues... but Jarrok is a duelist. He finds form and balance in fighting to be very attractive -- definitely a thing that drew him to Agonia in the verse where they're briefly together.

🧸 Into public displays of affection or are they more reserved?: He's neutral about it, tbh. I think it depends more on his partner's preference. That said, he'd never shy away from public hand holding, kissing, makeouts... or even things that border on public indecency.

Agonia:

👙What kind of underwear do they use? Is it pretty or functional?: Most functional. She has a lot of scars from her torture on Varadan and do to disobeying her master as an apprentice. While she is very sex-positive and a lover of FWBs, she rarely wears lingerie, because she thinks it'd be wasted on her scarred body. :(

👂Does your OC have an attractive voice?: I think so. I headcanon almost all of my OCs voices as something way different than SWTOR canon (except for Jarrok's because Mark Bazeley is a fiend). For Agonia, I've always heard her sounding a bit like Cecilie Stenspil's portrayal of Eivor (example here ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ) but a bit lower and raspier. She does have some vocal chord damage. The mask that she's almost always wearing distorts everything even more, of course.

💘Is your OC a very good flirt? Are they charming?: A good flirt? I'd give her a B+. Charming? Absolutely not. She tries, but her inability to connect with other emotionally makes this pretty tricky. There is a charm about her, but it's something that's really seen after spending some time with her. It's definitely not something that people remember her for lmao.

Leika'le:

👃Does your OC smell good? Do they have a signature scent?: This is weird and I have no idea why, but I've always thought that Lei would have a very light vanilla and sandalwood scent about her. So... yes?? Aside from times when she simply can't, she's showered and has a good hygiene regiment (especially when her hair is really long!). Fun fact: her shampoo of preference is Alderaanian flame-lily scented.

💌How would they plan a romantic evening for a significant other?: Lei is not good at planning. It's not because she doesn't care to or anything, she simply finds most of her ideas to be subpar and, well, just not good enough. So, instead of something extravagant, she'd plan something small and intimate, like a dinner and then a walk in nature/under the stars, or a night in watching bad holo-movies.

💐What is their courting style? How would they woo someone?: Lei's poke-type is chaotic lesbian, so her way of courting is: Sparring as a way to flirt! Smashing Corellian beer cans with her forehead before recycling! Fighting the guy that accidentally spilled a drink on her potential gf's clothing! Blurting out "you are so kriffing pretty!" at the most random and inopportune moments!

Khi:

🚲Does your OC enjoy playing the field? Or are they more monogamy-minded?: I'd say she's more monogamous. Khi isn't the jealous type and she probably could be involved with more than one person at a time (she has a lot of love to give) but... she's way too tired for that. One relationship is exhausting.

🦴Does your OC have much sexual experience? What are they like?: Not a lot of experience, no. Most of her time has been spent focused on work and survival, and honestly her libido isn't high. So, she's a bit shy in bed, certainly more submissive at this point in her life, but that could change.

#oolathurman #jarrok kosokhan. #darth agonia. #leika'le kela'an. #khi vreetoas. #sorry for any typos #still sick and going back to bed now hah

[silveranchor]

Finally home from work! Time to settle in my bed until tomorrow and finish this show. I expect lots of crying and losing my entire soul. Here are my live, very incoherent ramblings!

Ep 49. Crying started at the intro lol.

Shaoshang's conversation with Third prince? Damn. More water works. She just loves him so much but she's also hurting so much... I can't.

Ep 50. Him not letting go of the shaoshang string until he heard her playing the flute. I'm done.

Shaoshang's characterization is just so damn good. It was being abandoned that was the breaking point for her. She's been abandoned all her life and that has scarred her; she can't take it from him. I love the relationship between her and the empress. Shaoshang never had a proper relationship with her mother and the empress was stuck with children who are... not great. It makes me so emotional that they got to have that mother-daughter relationship with each other.

Ep 51. Gu city's backstory had me in tears the entire time. Zisheng's hatred and search for revenge is completely justified. He really had no other way to avenge what happened than what he did. All the pain he went through... it breaks my heart. Also, I just love how devastated the emperor was at hearing the story, not only because of all the lives lost, including Huo Chong's, but clearly because he loves Zisheng and hurts for him.

Ep 51. I love the emperor and consort Yue so much. The emperor is such a dad.

Gosh, I felt everything Shaoshang said so much. While it breaks me, she is right.

Empress Xuan has suffered so much, yet she is still so kind and loving. Her speech was so moving. Her and the crown prince have only really been brought down by their titles.

Beginning of ep 52 is just a montage of 2 (3 with empress) depressed people, sprinkled with weddings. The wedding was so cute though!

I actually really like Yuan Shanjian. Man got a job and suddenly left behind his annoying personality. He's a good friend and a loyal ally, he's upright and just really good.

Again, I am crying because Zisheng is so loved by his emperor dad and third prince brother and man has a family that adores him and I don't think he let's himself fully understand that. I get why, but still.

And oh, the reunion. More tears. The look on their faces. The call back to the horse scene... dead.

Lou Jitong is just super annoying. Girl, this man has not shown you a single shred of affection, LET IT GO.

Ep 53. The empress's conversation with Zisheng has me sobbing. She just loves him and Shaoshang so much, as only a true mother can. Her character is honestly one of the best parts of this drama. She's just so loving.

Everything happens so much. Jitong and the carriage, the cliff, more pain.

I'm so sad about Empress Xuan. That was such a moving and great scene. Her relationship with every member of her family,specially consort Yue is so interesting and nuanced. Zisheng and Shaoshang are her children, just as much as her biological ones and she just wants them to be happy. I'm not okay.

Huo Buyi apologizing to the Cheng family hurts a lot LOT. As general commentary give Wu Lei all the awards.

I am so devastated over how much they love each other, yet, they can't let go of the past.

Ep 54. Not them tearfully smiling at each other under the stars then parting ways... I'm not strong enough to withstand this pain. That shot of both of them crying and Buyi clutching the door... dead.

Glad that Yuanyi is trying. Will take a lot more than cakes to create a relationship with her daughter after abandoning her and mistreating her, but at least she realized she screwed up.

And now grandma too. Is this the day of realizing you've been an awful person to an innocent girl and family conciliation? I love how realistic Niaoniao's reaction is. She wants to reconciliate but it's hard for her to let go and forget. Also, Liangfang is the best, she's really been the only person to stay by Shaoshang's side through everything she's been through

Huo Buyi saving the Yuan family because he knows Ss cares about Shanjian and would be worried if he weren't okay? This man is everything.

Really tired of these insane women wanting to kill SS for just existing.

Ep 55. MORE INSANE WOMEN WITH MURDEROUS PURPOSES.

All the fight scenes in this show are top tier.

Huo Buyi keeps making the great love declarations in life threatening situations. I have to stan.

Give Zhao Lusi all the awards, too. That scene just ripped my heart open.

I am convinced Zisheng is immortal. Idk why people keep trying to take him down when it's obvious they will fail. Man threw himself of a cliff and came out alive, you can't kill the dude.

Oh, LOVE IS IN THE SMOKE! Crying at the reconciliation. Also, Yao and his wife are so cute. GROWTH. (I'm sorry, Shanjian. The shot panning to my poor fifth wheel was actually pretty funny)

A POWER COUPLE OFF TO SAVE THE NATION.

I've always liked new crown prince. Also, he's FINE.

UNBEATABLE HUO BUYI AND BLACK ARMOURED GUARD TO THE RESCUE!

2 AM with one episode to go. I'm determined to make it, but I also don't wanna click on the final ep because my life will be over once I finish this show.

Okay! Back after getting a snack and so very much not emotionally ready for this.

Ep 56. CSS in boss mode is everything to me. She's just so capable and smart and I adore her.

It the way he knows she'll be able to protect the city for me. They now completely trust in each other. THIS is love.

Huo Buyi, you destroyed that man; I love you.

CHENG FAMILY!!! THEY!

THAT EMBRACE! WE WON. WE DID WIN.

They're engaged again 😭😭😭

Who would've thought Zisheng and Shanjian would make me cry?

Huo Buyi, Cheng Shaoshang, you've both suffered and grown so much. You deserve all the happiness in the world.

Zisheng looks so happy to be among the Cheng family. Niaoniao's smile is so wide. They will get to grow old together and build their home and plant a garden.

Idk if I'm speaking prematurely but this might be my favorite show ever. Incredibly well made. Script, direction, all scenes and shots, THE ACTING!! Everything was so beautifully wrapped up. All actors did an amazing job, but Zhao Lusi and Wu Lei really outdid themselves in every scene. They deserve all the awards and my eternal love and admiration.

Idk what to do with my life now tbh. This show consumed me for weeks and I don't think it will stop. This is the kind of show that makes itself at home inside your mind and soul and won't ever leave.

Niaoniao and Zisheng have become some of my favorite characters ever. They mean so much to me and I am devastated to say goodbye to them. I will love them forever.

(OK, I'm very emo now and I can't see through the tears.)

#lltg #lltg spoilers #love like the galaxy

[hachiyama]

“To the one I regret”

I am a friend… Just a friend

So who am I to meddle with her life who is bad from my perspective? She has to realize that herself but the more I do it, the more I indulge the “me” in self-hatred that I don’t if she can remove. 

I am afraid, confused not knowing what to do so I panic just kike any guy would do to whoever he tried to save but she just keeps getting farther, and farther and farther…

“NO!!!!!!” I scream as I wake up in buckets of sweat and catch my breath. “Some nightmare I just had,” I said to myself as I got up and get ready for the day. But as I start moving, I look at the picture on the left side of my bed. It was me and lei. Then I told myself, “Nope… Not a dream”

It was me and her on our trip to the countryside for some camping. But that wasn’t important, isn’t it.

This bittersweet sad loner you imagine is me, Wayde, and I wasn’t like this, I was someone can call an extrovert... Of .. sorts...

This all started because of her. 

I loved a girl…Big mistake

She was the one you can call similar to a summer love but instead, this was Seasonal Love this kind of love for me is unrequited. 

It hurts.

Lei was amazing. She can do all sorts of stuff and get to be what she wants to be without the encouragement of another person and she’s great and all stuff except for one thing. She suffers from social anxiety and only interacts with those people because she knows them and got along well with them. But when I deals with this ever since I met her on that in between a blessing or a curse, spring day when everyone is preparing to do normal lives. She was preparing to go to college and I met her just by the gate of the school. 

I am a man of few words but I greeted her with a smile.

“Are you gonna enroll too?”

“Oh yes, uhm… I am just waiting f-for my friend to come ”, she said stuttering

“Oh I’m Wayde by the way an enrollee to”

“Lei, nice to meet you.”

Then we talked and talked uninterrupted talking about why she enrolled and her troubles with talking to other people.

“It just looked scary as people gaze through me like I’m some ice cream that’s about to melt, just like when I talked to you a while ago.”

“Oh Sorry, it just seemed that  you seemed lost back there like a pup on the street.”

“No I don’t,” she said and chuckled, “Ooh my friend’s here,” she said as a guy walk towards us.

”Wayde, this is Luke, my friend since high school” 

“Sup bro” as he offered a hand and so I accepted it as a friendly gesture

“ Say, you’re going to enroll right? Want to come with us?” she asked out of the blue

“Won’t I be a bother” I responded

“Why would you be a bother,  we will meet either way at the office”

“Oh yeah, well then, I would gladly take your offer.” since then we have been friends for the rest of our days in college. We had our laughs we had fights and in the end, we forgive one another and become closer and closer. 

But I was the one that was changing. I started feeling intimate with my time together with lei so I asked about this to luke.

“Duude no..” Luke said with every amount of disapproval in his body at that moment, “You know how bad you do with women. If you confess to her, all those times, all those memories will be gone in a snap and you will pain you never felt before.”

“Are you a poet in your previous life?” 

“Dude, I’m serious here. If you don’t want to be crushed by your feelings…DON’T CONFESS. Period.”

“Okay okay, thanks”

He told me that and that was all everything I have to know. Not to confess but wait for the right moment. So I held back my feelings and continued being her friend and it was fine I think since we were all fine.

Fast forward to 3 years time , we are on our last year in this school and about to graduate. Lei began to have feelings for the president of the student council, Ned who was at that moment was our age and batch. Then did I feel a slight pinch at the side of my body with was bearable but painful.

“So are you going to confess to him?” I asked after being confronted by lei in private to talk about how she felt for Ned. 

“Yeah, I guess.” 

 “Sure, I’m going to cheer you on as a friend should.”

“Aww thanks.”

And that’s where the nightmare started.

Back to the present where I just woke up and see the picture from my left did I notice the invitation I want to forget that was there. 

If only I was to tell her through the times we spent together. I only I mustered up the courage to tell three easy words. 

Would’ve been different? 

Will there be changes between you and I?

Will a be able to give you such happiness than what he’s giving you?

Guess not.

{End}

#Idkwhatimdoing #amazinglywierd #speed #rom #drama

[flutterfae-rp]

@perpetualshade

☨- Belial's eyes crescent to match his sinister smile as he nodded his head in response to the first question. As for the second question, he reached across the counter and gently caressed the frightened cat, not a single threat permeated within him, when the focus was on the furry feline. The only spec of kindness expressed in that moment before he withdrew his hand to rest it on the counter once more. "Because it's in the way for the expansion to my corporation. I need the space to put in new buildings, for offices and warehouses."

He snapped his fingers and a bland yellow folder dropped out of thin air into Nicomedes's lap. Inside were approved and signed papers with details for what was going to be put in place. Majority of it summed up into a few simple words. Selling underground black marketed tools and magick under the guise of every day human necessities. To make mortal living easier but with a very hefty price. Belial took his time as the other would read to inspect the other's body without shame. Eyeing how his neck pulsed when he'd swallow, and how his chest expanded with breathe. Lingering on his face the most. Not bad, not bad at all.

"You have at least a week to vacate. Wouldn't stress over the items in here, they're not really worth a damn. Although I could use some new employees if you need another source of income." Belial proceeded to walk around the store, picking up items and objects with mild interest. Some things turning into dust the moment he touched. Other things warping and succumbing to his wicked essence.

Nicomedes pulled the folder from his lap and skimmed through the pages. He gave out a low whistle in appreciation. "Damn. This is one hell of a set up." He glanced up at the other for a moment before adding "...Literally. I think I can actually smell the Brimstone wafting off this thing." It seemed this Being had everything ready to be set in motion and some rather grand plans as to what to do with the place. The ley line that ran under the property would help fuel the magical workings involved in the running and set up of this place, and it was out of the way enough that your average person wouldn't look too closely into things. It was a brilliant plan and a great way to utilize magic for profit in a modernly mundane world. There was just one flaw that could gum up the whole works. Nicomedes owned this property, and he had no intentions of selling. "So let me see if I've got this right. I have a week to pack up and leave the shop... that I own?" Nicomedes tossed the folder lightly on the counter. "Yeah, I think I'm actually going to pass on that. Been here a while, and I'm pretty fond of the spot." Was this a suicidal declaration? Almost definitely. Nicomedes was preparing a teleportation spell as they spoke... just in case. But it was just as bad to just roll over for demons too. Something about inches verses miles. He could never remember the saying.

#Reply #perpetualshade #Nicomedes