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vastill · 7 months

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Blue petals

Larissa Weems/fem!reader

warnings: 18+, NSFW, oral, fingering, sex pollen, pet names, swear words

words: 2000+

My requests are open!!

English is not my first language!!

A/N: hello darlings💚 im back and im back with a smut! i finally finished it and i think im happy with how it turned out. i hope you guys will enjoy it!!💚 let me know what you think!!

Principal Weems found solace in the quiet company of flowers whenever she felt overwhelmed. The plants in Nevermore’s greenhouse always were well-groomed and in the easiest way possible beautiful. She refrained from disturbing the botany teacher, so she would often venture to the greenhouse after her work hours.

However, a new plant had appeared in the garden. You were unsure how it got there and didn't have time to identify its species. Being a Nevermore teacher consumed most of your time. You decided to examine it over the weekend and, for now, simply transferred it to a pot and hid it at the back of the greenhouse to keep it out of sight.

On a Friday night, you were in your office studying the newfound plant. Searching some information in books and on some discussion forums for botanists. There was very little information about it, but it wasn’t poisonous. That’s comforting. You were scrolling through some articles and found the photo of said plant. It said sex pollen. You didn’t need more information to start sprinting to the greenhouse, hoping that no one got close to the plant.

How wrong you were.

While you were in your office, Principal Weems wandered into the greenhouse. There, she stood admiring the new plant you had acquired. It was remarkably beautiful, captivating her attention with its small size and vibrant, shining blue petals. She had never seen anything like it before. Curiously, she leaned in to sniff the plant, and its strong aroma awakened something within her, although she didn't think much of it. As soon as she heard footsteps approaching the greenhouse, she quickly left and returned to her office.

You rushed to the greenhouse to take care of the plant and started wondering whether you should inform Principal Weems about it. After all, some students might have interacted with the plant while you weren't watching. Yes, you should tell her. And with that, your walk to the principal’s office began.

Larissa didn’t know what happened, she was horny. She felt an intense urge to satisfy herself immediately, fearing that she might explode if she didn't. Her hands instinctively began to explore her body, starting from her neck and moving down to her chest. Her breasts were never this sensitive, and she was touching them through her blouse. She couldn't help but wonder how she would react when her most sensitive area was touched. Unintentionally, a moan escaped her lips. Just as she was on the brink of climax from the mere touch on her chest and neck, her blissful moment was interrupted by loud knocking. She quickly composed herself, making sure she appeared presentable and invited the person at the door to come in.

You walked into the office, Larissa seemed off, something was different in her, and for now, you couldn’t grasp what exactly.

“Principal Weems, hello, I’m sorry for the interruption but I need to inform you about a plant that was in my greenhouse.” You said quickly. You looked at her but she wasn’t saying anything, she was just staring at you. Her dilated pupils scanned over your silhouette. Were you dreaming? But the plant didn’t do anything to you. No, it didn’t, you were sure. So what is going on?

Fuck.

“Principal Weems? Did you go to the greenhouse today?”

“Hmm?” she shook herself from daydreaming.

“Did you go to the greenhouse today?”

“Oh yes, this new flower is exquisite, what kind it is?” Larissa said with a dreamy voice.

“Oh my, did you touch it? Or sniff it?” Please say you didn’t, please, please.

“Yes, I did. Why are you so tense up Y/N? Something happened?”

“Principal Weems, Larissa if I may, this flower produces something like, well it’s called sex pollen.”

“What?” That sobered her up a little. A sex pollen flower, that’s why she was feeling this way. “Oh my god, please tell me you are joking.”

“I am not, I’m sorry that I didn’t take care of it earlier. I just figured out what it is and walked straight to your office.”

“Fucking hell. Can I do something about it?” Larissa asked, her voice holding hope.

“Um..from its name, it only comes out of the body with..um intercourse or masturbation. You need to relieve yourself or someone needs to do this for you.” You told her, embarrassment visible on your face. You didn’t think you would be having this conversation with your boss. “I’m sorry I will leave you to it. If there will be some complications or something like that you know where to find me.” And with that, you left to your quarters.

Larissa was left alone, horny, and frustrated. She tried and tried. But anything brought her relief. She was left with only one choice.

Find you.

After you left, your mind wandered to the tall blonde and wondered how she was doing, specifically what she was doing. The images of Larissa pleasuring herself lingered in your mind. As you were getting ready to go to sleep, a knocking sound interrupted you.

You opened the door to see extremely angry Larissa.

“What happened? A-are there more difficulties? I don’t have an antidote yet.” You asked with worry in your voice, but when she looked at you with her eyes full of lust, you knew that wasn’t the problem.

“Can I come in? I don’t think it’s a matter I want to discuss where anyone can hear me.” She said nervously, fidgeting with her fingers. “I tried Y/N, and tried and nothing helps. I don’t know what to do now. I think I might combust in a moment if this feeling won’t disappear.” She told you, her voice whiny, you never hear her like this.

“I’m terribly sorry Principal Weems-”

“Larissa, please Y/N, we are over it.”

“Okay, so I’m sorry. Larissa, I don’t know how to help you. I wish I could but I don’t have any medicine or solution yet.” You said hanging your head low.

“I think I have an idea,” she said as she came closer to you. “Y/N, I will be honest, and you can do anything with it,” she said, taking a breath. “I find you very attractive, not just in looks, but also in your way of thinking. I would never tell you this, but the situation is extreme. So, darling, would you do me a favor and have sex with me? Please?” She looked gorgeous. How could you deny someone like Larissa? She was perfect in every aspect, especially when she looked at you with those ocean-blue puppy eyes.

You grabbed her chin and kissed her hard. Her lips felt soft and warm against yours. As your lips met, they parted effortlessly, inviting your tongue to explore. Your lips moved in sync, filled with urgency. When you needed to catch your breath, you nibbled on her lower lip before parting. You took her in, her hair messy, pupils dilated and full of desire, and her lips swollen. You couldn’t take your eyes off her, a slight blush crept on her cheeks from your stare.

“Come here.” You led her to your bedroom, keeping your mouths locked together along the way. When you felt resistance behind her you lightly pushed her torso. She landed on the mattress with a soft sound. Wasting no time you straddled her lap and attached your lips to her jaw. Moving lower to her neck, you searched for her sensitive spot. And when you kissed behind her ear, she moaned, so you stayed there, leaving light marks for her to find later.

“Y/N, please. I need you dear.” She moaned, her hips bucking beneath you. You quickly undressed her, starting with her shirt. Taking a moment to admire her, you gawked at her beauty.

“Larissa, you are so beautiful. The most perfect woman I have laid my eyes upon,” you said before attaching your lips to her neck again, but this time going lover. “Lay down for me,” you instructed, standing up and ridding yourself of the T-shirt and pants, leaving only your panties. You could feel her eyes roaming around your body.

Once again, you straddled her, your lips finding their way to her neck while your hands massaged her breasts. She was a moaning mess under you. You kissed around her nipples, never exactly touching them but when you did she let out a scream. And you were thankful for soundproof rooms in Nevermore.

“Oh, please, please Y/N. That feels so good,” she breathlessly pleaded, her hips rutting against the air. “I think I might cum only from this, please don’t stop.” So you continued, taking the other nipple in your mouth, sucking and biting it. The sounds that escaped from her mouth were heavenly. You wanted to hear them for the rest of your life.

“Fuck, fuck, yes! Oh darling, please, I’m so close!” She screamed, and with that she orgasmed. You never brought a woman to her peak solely by devouring her breasts. Her chest heaved as she took deep breaths. You moved away to give her a moment, but she grabbed your neck and pulled you in for a kiss. Her mouth hungrily met yours, teeth clashing together. The kiss was clumsy yet filled with desire and tongues.

“How are you feeling darling?” you asked with a voice heavy from lack of air.

“Better, but still Y/N I need more from you. Please touch me.”

“But I’m touching you, don’t you see?” you said with a smirk.

“Y/N, I want your fingers inside me. I need your tongue all over me bringing me to orgasm after orgasm. I need that so much. Please give it to me.” Larissa begged you.

“Your wish is my command. But for the record, I never took you for a begging type,” you said, lowering yourself to her stomach, and leaving a few kisses and marks in your wake. Her stomach twitched when you lowered yourself. “Can I take these off?” you asked.

“Yes!” she said quickly.

You nestled between her legs, her glistening folds in front of your face. Her scent overwhelmed your senses. You started by kissing her thighs, getting closer to her center. You gently kissed her clit, causing Larissa to whine as her hips bucked into your face. You began licking and sucking on her clit, listening to the moans that escaped from Larissa's mouth. One of your hands grabbed her hips to prevent her from moving while the other slowly approached her entrance. You slid your fingers inside her, feeling her wetness and heat. Curling your fingers, you continued to move them in and out of her, building a steady rhythm.

“Harder, please!” Larissa let out between her moans.

You added a third finger, pumping them faster and deeper, making her moan and writhe with pleasure. Her hips trying to match the rhythm of your fingers. She was lost in pleasure, her moans freely leaving her mouth.

“Oh fuck-” you could feel her tightening around your fingers. Her fingers tangled in your hair. Larissa's hips moved of their own accord, using your face for her own pleasure. “Please, don’t stop! I’m so close!” You could only emit a low growl.

Her movements grew sloppy, and she was on the edge of orgasm. You worked harder than ever to give her what she desired so desperately. And with another curl of your fingers, her body stiffened, and she let out a scream. Her thighs clamped around your head, and you allowed her to ride out her orgasm. When her movements slowed down, you gently removed your fingers, earning a whimper from Larissa.

Glancing at her blissed-out expression, you admired her beauty. Her face was flushed, her lips swollen from kissing and biting, but what fascinated you the most were her eyes, filled with emotions. “Are you okay?”

She looked at you with tired eyes and smiled gently. “Yes, I feel better. And I can assure you that we are going to do it again in the near future.” You chuckled at her response. She grabbed you and pulled you closer.

“Take a lady on a date first!” you giggled as she attacked your neck with kisses. “Maybe I will, but right now, I want to return the favor.” Your eyes widened as she smirked at you.

You didn't need any more encouragement. The two of you spent the rest of the night rather occupied with each other. It was a night neither of you would soon forget, and it was only the beginning of a passionate affair between you and Principal Weems.

#larissa weems x reader #larissa weems #larissa weems fanfic #wlw fiction #wlw post #vastill

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eroguron0nsense · 2 months

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Perhaps my brain isn't braining or I'm assigning undue significance to this but I kinda feel like One Piece seemed to shift more toward exploring what real familial love means or looks like after the timeskip? We get Ace's death, the postwar arc, and Luffy coming to the conclusion that despite having lost both of his brothers, he's still got the Straw Hats and he can move forward with his ragtag crew of siblings, Team Mom and Dad, and an eccentric skeleton Uncle, and then right after that, we get several arcs defined overwhelmingly by either the destruction or salvation of various families.

One of the main inciting incidents–if not the inciting incident–of all the political intrigue inherent to the Fishman Island arc is the assassination of Otohime and its ramifications for Shirahoshi and the entire Ryugu Kingdom (not to mention Luffy trying really fucking hard to imitate Ace and be a big brother to Shirahoshi and Surume as a means of processing his own loss).

Dressrossa's where we first see a true perversion of all the lovely found family tropes that have long been established in One Piece (villains have destroyed families but few if any are depicted as having one in the same way Luffy does; pre-time skip villains are more likely to be loners or self-interested tyrants and their followers aren't really referred to as "family"), giving us self fashioned patriarch in Doffy who completed the destruction of his bio family and spent the rest of his life building a grotesque, failed imitation of it through manipulating and indoctrinating a group of followers he doesn't truly care for, only to be brought down by a combination of his brother's final actions, the little boy Cora saved and loved, the bonds of the Riku family he brutalized, the brothers of the guy whose devil fruit he acquired and tried to entrap his enemies with, and an actual Found Family Crew who genuinely love each other and are willing to sacrifice for each other in a way Doffy cannot possibly understand.

The entirety of WCI involves almost every conceivable permutation of multiple families plotting against, exploiting, abusing, and defiantly loving each other, from Judge discarding any hope he ever had of having an actual family that could love him by literally stripping away their ability to do so in the name of facism/conquest, to Chiffon betraying her abusive mom for her loving husband and in-laws, to Linlin being failed by every parental figure in her life and constructing the most bizarre, fundamentally horrifying political/military structure out of her army of bio children.

Wano's main villain is also an abusive father and tyrannical crew leader, and that does, in fact, contribute to his eventual downfall, but more to the point, the arc opens and closes with the initial destruction and eventual restoration of the Kozuki family in Momo, Hiyori, and Sukiyaki, Luffy's kinship with Momo and Tama, circling back to reminders of Ace yet again (for the third arc so far) and Hiyori literally closing out the arc mirroring her father's catchphrase/dying words (and to a lesser extent, plot fuelled by the destruction of the Kurozumi clan). By the time we end what I personally consider to be Part 2 of One Piece, Luffy's family has picked up another uncle, he's been confronted repeatedly with the spectre of his brother and come out stronger for it (also filling the big brother role for multiple characters), he's reunited with Sabo, and has confronted and defeated multiple villains who act as the antithesis to everything One Piece has told us so far about the joy and love and unity that the Straw Hats and their friends and true families exemplify. And by the time he tells everyone his real dream and shares what he'd previously only told Ace, Sabo, and Shanks, it feels like we've finally gotten some closure for Marineford

#one piece #monkey d luffy #portgas d ace #marineford #donquixote doflamingo #straw hat pirates #kaido one piece #charlotte linlin #fishman island #flame emperor sabo

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bimbobaggins69 · 1 year

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Gonna make you wonder why you even try. (hard times series)

part one masterlist

Roommate!eddie munson x Roommate fem!reader (established friendship)

summary: after getting your electricity and water shut off, you and your roommate are desperate for money, so desperate that you’re willing to have sex with each other on camera, but will your 10+ year friendship be able to with stand all the drama that comes a long with shooting a porno?

⚠️warnings: eventual smut, 18+ mdni, financial hardships, angst, use of the nickname ‘mini’ no use of y/n, unwanted pining, eventual best friends to lovers, mentions of porn, kinda mean!eddie, mentions of bullying, mentions of reader being called slurs but none specific, mentions of sex.

note: I am so sorry, this took longer than expected! I kind of hate the way I ended this but don’t worry I am going to start on pt three as soon as this is posted (remember to tip your writers with a comment & reblog)

wc: 5.5k

It’s the night you and Eddie have been dreading, Hawkins high's class of 86’ reunion.

Let’s just say you and Eddie weren’t the most popular, actually the complete opposite.

You were constantly bullied and harassed by your peers, specifically the jocks and cheerleaders.

You and Eddie played dungeons and dragons, listened to “odd” music and while Eddie dressed in band tees, ripped jeans, leather and band patched denim, you wore whatever hammy downs you acquired from your older cousin, who was a boy.

You can imagine the slurs a girl would be called that dressed in boy's clothing, but it was all you had and at that time you didn’t know yourself well enough to even care or to throw a fuss about it. You knew you weren’t what they called you so you let it roll off your back, most of the time.

Tonight you were going to dress to impress, no oversized flannels, big T shirts and baggy jeans. No, tonight you were going to be the center of attention.

You were finally going to catch the eye of Jason Carver. He was Hawkins highs resident golden boy and your high school crush, okay sure also your biggest bully but you didn’t care, you’d daydream about a time when you and Jason were out of high school, you’d run into each other in a grocery store or coffee shop and he’d tell you how beautiful you’ve gotten, you’d exchange numbers and eventually get married and have kids.

Yes, a big stretch but a girl can dream.

Eddie knew about your little crush, there was nothing you didn’t know about each other since you two had become friends.

He had no room to make fun though as he had an ever growing infatuation with The queen of Hawkins high, Chrissy Cunningham who also happened to be Jason’s girlfriend.

It was a fucked up situation you could definitely admit that now, but you’ve since heard they are no longer together as far as you know Jason left to NYU while Chrissy left for Berkeley.

There is a possibility he’d met a girl in college but you were trying to stay positive.

This was your chance to make that day dream you fantasized about your whole high school career come true and since these weird feelings you’ve been harboring recently for your best friend were beginning to deepen everyday, you needed to make your move and fast.

“I don’t know how I can be of much help, Min,” Eddie said as he sat on your wrinkled duvet, arms crossed over his chest. “Maybe you should call ya know, a girl?” He chuckled, bringing his left shin to cross over his knee.

“Oh come on, you’re my best friend and I really need a guy's perspective here, please?” You turn away from the mirror, putting the two dress options you were holding up to your body, to drape over your desk chair. Batting your long lashes with a slight pout to your lips, you begged.

“please, Eddie?” His eyes widened a bit at your plea, he scans over your face for what seemed like minutes before he looked down at his Reebok shoe that was still crossed over his knee, it must’ve fallen asleep because he was now bringing it back down to the floor, bouncing it up and down as if he was an anxious mess.

“Fine, let’s see em” He says in a defeated tone.

“Yay, okay close your eyes so I can try on the first one.” You eagerly say as you clap your hands together.

Eddie rolls his eyes before dramatically covering them with both hands.

The first one was a black mini tube dress. It was hard to maneuver over your hot curlers that were sitting in your hair, but once you finally got it on you turned to look in the mirror. The dress showed off lots of skin but that was the point, you felt hot and confident and that’s what you needed to be tonight.

“Okay, open.” You squeak, turning around to face your best friend. His eyes almost pop out of his head as they scan over your body, you begin to feel self conscious under his lingering gaze.

Eddie never looked at you like this but you also never wore stuff this revealing so.. the air in the room was new, an almost awkward energy coursed between you two, one you never wanted to feel again.

“Um, yeah that’s um, that one’s nice.” He says as he gives you a weak nod of his head.

“You sure it’s not too much?” You ask, rubbing the fabric over your thighs making Eddie’s eyes shift down to your moving hands. “I mean, it shows a lot of skin if that’s what you mean?” He chuckles before his eyes flicker back to yours.

“Okay,” you say before grabbing the lower hem of the dress and pulling it up, exposing your panties and torso, before you could lift the dress any higher, realization set in;

“whoaaa” Eddie shouts before slapping his hand over his eyes for a second time.

“Shit! I forgot to tell you to close your eyes, oh my god!” You squeak in embarrassment.

Eddie chuckles at your high pitched whine “I didn’t see much,” he smirked.

“Wow, thanks!” You sarcastically yell at him while throwing the dress that was just adorning your body at his covered face, it drops down onto his lap, he grabs it with his other hand holding it there while his thumb rubs over the fabric.

“No, not like that. I just didn’t get a chance to see much,” he shrugged. “Oh, nice granny panties by the way.” He cackled

“Eddie! You asshole, You know we can’t do laundry, all I have are my bigger panties left!” You gasp in embarrassment.

The panties in question weren’t that bad, a pale pink with a little rose on the front. Very different from the dental floss you usually wore.

You would’ve been mortified had Eddie seen you in some skimpy little lace g-string.

You slip the red silky fabric over your head, fixing the front area to fit over your boobs, so they’re equal parts exposed but not too much.

Before even having to ask Eddie for his opinion, you already knew this was the one.

A red silky strapless dress, the front was low cut showing off your assets and very nicely, might I add. The hem reached mid thigh. You would’ve never been able to wear something like this to school without being sent to the principal's office.

“Open” you sing-song, before putting your hands on your hips in an attempt at posing.

“Damn” Eddie whispered under his breath as he took you in. It made your whole body heat up, you felt your belly fizzle like you had just downed a cold can of Mountain Dew.

This was all so foreign and new, these reactions you were receiving from Eddie.

Most of the time when you’d ask him how you looked, he’d take his eyes off what he was doing for a second barely even glancing your way before huffing out a “you look nice.” His attention going back on what he was doing.

You’ve never had him look at a loss for words or like he may have thought of you in a way that was less than friendly.

“That- mm that’s the one.” He says as he clears his throat.

“Okay, I’m gonna go get ready now.” He says, not even turning to look at you again, eyes set on the floor as he walks out of your room and into the hallway.

The ride to your former high school was one of the quietest rides you and Eddie have ever had together, aside from the music that was blaring through the speakers.

Eddie always played his music in the van loud, but he also always made it a point to turn it down when a thought would enter his mind, and since you’re on your way to go mingle with your old classmates that caused you both hell, you would think Eddie would have a ton to say, but instead he kept his eyes on the road, a tight grip on the steering wheel and every time you’d glance at him his jaw would clench.

You wanted to ask if everything was okay, but you also didn’t want to be the first to break the ice.

He had been weird with you after he left your room and you weren’t going to grovel at his feet to see what you did wrong.

It hurt that he didn’t even ask your opinion on his outfit which he usually always did before an event or one of his shows. That didn’t stop him from looking extremely fucking good tonight, which just made you mad.

Eddie had on his usual black jeans, a black button up that was only buttoned below his chest, his tattoo piece on full display for everyone, he even did his hair by blow drying it instead of his usual air dry method. On his feet were his doc martens he only pulled out on special occasions and to top it all off he had that stupid dangly earring in one of his lobes, he looked damn good and he knew it.

Being back on your old stomping grounds was bittersweet, as much as you hated it and couldn’t wait to get the fuck out, you also remember all the really good times you had, most of them being with your best friend.

You and Eddie walk into the auditorium that has been decorated to the nines in purple and silver streamers.

The theme was “disco night”, which resulted in disco balls being hung from almost every corner.

First, you both had to sign in and confirm your names were on the list before you could enter.

The line had a couple people ahead of you and every time you got a glimpse of the woman sitting behind the desk, you wondered who she was, her face was vaguely familiar but you just couldn’t put your finger on it.

Finally you walk up to the mystery woman, her strawberry blonde hair curled away from her face in an almost 70s’ Farrah Fawcet esk way, her blue eyes widened when they fell on you and Eddie.

“Oh my gosh,” she giggles “Eddie and Mini, right?” You nod in confusion while the man to the right of you chirps “wow, Chrissy! Look at you!” He says with a bemused tone.

She looks down while her cheeks turn three shades of pink. You want to roll your eyes and tell her to let you in and away from Eddie’s obvious flirting, but you don’t wanna be rude and make Eddie even more distant than he’s being.

“If you two could just find your name and sign on this side,” She points to the blank spaces that haven’t been filled under the ‘sign in’ section—

“Then you can be on your way.” She giggles again while looking at Eddie.

You sign first before passing the clipboard over. You decide to just walk in without him, but you don’t miss him asking Chrissy if he’ll “see her in there?” Which makes you roll your eyes for a second time as you stick your tongue out in disgust.

You’ve never been jealous or hurt when Eddie talked to other girls. Let's be honest, the man was a whore. He has had many relationships and “booty calls” since you’ve been friends, and you’ve always encouraged him in his rendezvous but something has shifted within you and it leaves an empty feeling in your stomach. You’ve never been able to not tell Eddie what’s bothering you, but this is something that you can never let him know and that kills you.

You grab some punch before making your way to an empty round table, you didn’t feel like mingling just yet.

As you take another sip of the red liquid a hand pats you on the back, you turn around to see Eddie with a cocky smirk on his face, you already knew what that look was about and normally you would make some smart comment and ask him why he's smiling like that, but you just can’t tonight.

Instead he tells you anyway. “Can you believe Chrissy Cunningham was flirting with me?” He chuckles “I think she wants me, man” he says as he takes your cup and downs the rest of it—

“Hey!” You mewl before snatching your cup from his hand and stalking away for a refill.

You make your way to the refreshments table, pour punch in the same clear plastic cup but instead of going to sit back down with Eddie, you scan the room.

You notice a familiar silhouette in the distance, the blonde locks you’d spend hours fantasizing about touching, your feet move before you can give it much thought.

“Hey.” You interject as you tap Jason on the shoulder to gain his attention.

“Uh hi-” the look of confusion written all over his face, that was still very much as handsome as it was in high school, his hair a little longer as he shifted uncomfortably in his navy blue suit and tie.

“Um, you probably don’t remember me” you said with a wave of your hand and playful roll of your eyes.

Your cheeks couldn’t hide your embarrassment, as you grinned awkwardly.

“Oh, Mini, right?” He mused with a snap of his fingers.

“Yup, in the flesh.” You chuckle lamely

“How’ve you been, hot shot?” You continue trying to regain your composure as you throw in your best flirty timbre

He chuckles back before continuing “I’ve been great actually, life’s been treating me pretty good.” His smile was so genuine you couldn’t not smile with him

“That’s great to hear.” You nod while the smile never falters

“How about you? I mean wow look at you, you’ve really grown up.” He glances over you and your body, a little too quick for your liking.

“I’ve been good, ya know as good as it gets while still being in Hawkins.” You playfully grab his arm as you giggle.

“But me? Wow, look at you.” You continued to bat your lashes with a sly grin.

“You look even better than you did in high school.” Your eyes travel up to his blonde quaff of hair and all the way down to his shiny black dress shoes.

Before you can say another word, a man you are sure you’ve never seen before comes up behind Jason.

You don’t miss the way he puts his arm around Jason’s waist and whispers something in his ear, making him snicker.

“Oh um, mini this is my boyfriend, David.” He gestures to him by grabbing his shoulder from behind his back, tightening his grip on the man.

“David, this is Mini, we went well-.. here together.” He laughs as he gestures to the auditorium

“Nice to meet you Mini, is that short for something?” He questioned.

You tried your best to hide your surprise and disappointment, it all felt like too much information at once.

“Oh, um no,” you softly reply as you tell him your real name.

“It was a nickname I got for being short.” You tried your best to laugh with them but you needed to get away from this.

“I'm sorry it was so nice meeting you David and good seeing you Jason, but I have to find the ladies room.” You informed before awkwardly excusing yourself, you didn’t miss the faint nice seeing you too, before your eyes began to water.

You felt like a complete idiot, but you were glad you found out he wasn’t interested in you before you made an even bigger fool out of yourself.

You were disappointed your high school fantasy would never come to fruition but in a way you were happy for Jason, living his truth and not caring enough to bring his boyfriend with him to his reunion, a very drastic change from the Jason you once knew. Good for him.

You slipped out of the auditorium to the familiar corridor, everything exactly how it used to be.

The same tiger painted on the wall, the same banners and fliers of future events. The whole thing brought on a nostalgia you never thought you’d miss.

You made your way further down the hall. clearly lying about needing the ladies room, you were really on a mission to find Eddie who was nowhere to be seen.

As you continued walking you could hear two whispering voices coming from an open classroom, curiosity got the best of you as you peaked your head in to see who it was, the class was dark aside from a small lamp that sat on the teachers desk, but you could make out Eddie’s back almost anywhere, the way his perfect waves hit his shoulders and his whisper was distinct now that you’ve gotten closer.

“You sure you want to do this here?” Eddie muttered to the girl you could only assume was none other than Chrissy fucking Cunningham. “Yes Eddie, just kiss me.” She whispers.

You hear the sloppy smack of their lips before you could get out of ear shot.

For a second time tonight tears were pleading to escape, but you knew you had no reason to be sad and angry, you and Eddie were FRIENDS, best friends at that, nothing more.

You assume the non rejection, rejection from Jason is what has you feeling so down. Eddie owes you nothing, he can kiss and fuck whoever he wants. If Jason showed any interest tonight, you would’ve done the same thing.

So you wipe your eyes and walk out of the exit door and into the fresh night air, the crickets chirp as you take small steps to the bleachers. The stars shine brighter than usual over Hawkins tonight, you scoff at the idea of it being in your favor.

As you walk up the side steps to the bleachers you realize you weren’t alone in your idea of needing some fresh air from inside’s festivities.

“Robin?” You burst as you clock the familiar face of someone you wouldn’t actually mind talking to at this very moment.

“Oh my god, mini?” She quickly removes her beat up sneakers from the stand, dropping them harshly onto the floor, before standing and making her way over to you.

She’s dressed in brown corduroy overalls over a white shirt. Her hair was best described as a long pixie cut, it accentuated her face perfectly.

You hadn’t heard from Robin since she left for art school in Chicago, her and Steve made the move together and never looked back. You didn’t blame them.

“You look great! Wow, I’m- wow!” Her eyes widened as she took you all in, you were slowly getting used to the reaction to your major transformation.

“Thank you, yeah a lot has changed since high school, I mean look at you, this hair cut was made for you.” You beam up at her as you take a seat, bringing your black strappy heels up to rest on the the stand in front of you, assuming the same position Robin was in before you interrupted her.

She takes a seat next to you, you can feel her eyes lingering on your side profile as you stare up at the stars. “Something happen in there?” She asks as she brings her shoulder to softly bump yours.

“Eh, ya know, same old high school bullshit.” You both laugh knowingly, “so how’ve you been?” You ask.

“I’ve been okay, going through a break up so it’s been a little tough, but I’m getting through it.” The smile she gives doesn't reach her eyes, it has a lot of sadness behind it and you can’t help but to feel for her.

“I’m sorry, Rob. That fucking sucks! But hey, if you ever want someone to hang out with or talk to, I’m always here, I always have been.” Your genuine smile and words make Robin's face flash with guilt.

“I know, and I’m sorry I haven’t done much to keep in touch. I met her as soon as we moved to Chicago so I kind of spent all my time and energy on her and the relationship. She was my first girlfriend so I guess I lost sight of everyone else.” She wistfully says.

“I totally understand, I’m not upset or anything, I know life gets in the way. I just wanted to let you know I’m here.” You smile as you grab for her hand that’s gripping the edge of the aluminum bench.

You decide it was best to change the subject, “so how’s Steve?” Your hand is still clutching robins, until she shifts her body to look at you, knees kissing ever so slightly.

“He’s good,” she says as she scratches at her arm before letting both fall into her lap. Your hands now clutching each elbow as you read the smile Rob gives you, like she wants to tell you so much but doesn’t know if it’s a good idea.

“He’s actually here, I brought him as my date” she says as she puts air quotes around the word date.

“Oh really? I didn’t see him.” You rejoin as you begin rubbing at your arms to combat the breeze that’s picked up.

“You know him, he’s probably in there flirting with some poor girl.” You both chuckle at Steve’s expense.

If Eddie was a whore back in high school then Steve was a tramp, they both used to go as far as making bets at parties to see how many numbers they could get or who could sleep with someone first.

It was exhausting but at the time you didn’t really care about Eddie’s sexual nature, it didn’t bother you because it was something you and him rarely spoke about.

Until you moved in with him, hearing him on multiple occasions jerking off, or him bringing girls back from the hideout.

That’s when the weird feeling in your throat began, but you chalked it up to “who wants to hear their best friend engaging in any type of sex act?”

“I think I’m gonna go find Steve, if that’s okay?” You tell Robin before standing back up onto your heeled feet, she nods her head with a quick hum.

“I hope I see you back in there, before I leave.” You say as you both give each other a side hug.

But before you turn to leave she stops you, “oh hey, here’s my number just in case.” She gives you the torn receipt from some craft store in Chicago, her number written sloppily in red ink. “Thanks, it was nice seeing you Rob.” you give her one last smile before you finally turn to leave. “Nice seeing you too, Min.” She shouts back as you take your first step down the side stairs and back onto the concrete path, making your way back inside.

Your heart rate picks up when you walk past the once opened classroom that is now closed. You continue making your way back into the auditorium, swallowing down the golf ball sized lump in your throat. You can’t feel like this, not for him. You continue to repeat that sentiment over and over again in your mind.

Once you walk back into the gathering, you notice way more people have shown up. But you’re on the hunt for one person in particular and it was just your luck that he happened to be alone at the refreshments table, he seemed deep in thought like he was trying to decide between a chocolate chip cookie or a cupcake with the words class of 86’ written on them.

“The cookie seems like the better choice.” You giggle, as you walk up behind him. His head whips around to see who the suggestion was coming from.

“Oh, yeah definitely, that’s exactly what I was thinking.” He shoots you a cocky wink as he grabs for the baked good.

“I’m Steve,” he says as he now turns to face you.

“I know who you are.” You scoff as you shake your head in amusement

“Oh?” His eyes shoot up under his perfectly styled hair. Nobody would ever question why this man garnered the nickname “the hair” in high school.

“You don’t remember me?” You say with a pout of your lips, you lock your fingers together in front of you, the gesture pushes your boobs up more, Steve's gaze falls on them, before it continues to roam your body.

“Mmm, I think I’d remember a pretty thing like you.” He says before taking a bite of his cookie, he licks his lips clean of any fallen crumbs before he steps closer to you.

You were having far too much fun messing with him, “well that’s not true, cause if it was you’d remember me Stevie.” You chuckle as you watch the cogs go off in his brain, you and Eddie were the only ones allowed to call him Stevie, well so was Robin but she made a habit of just calling him dingus, which you had adopted on a few occasions.

“Holy shit!” He gasps as his eyes do one more once over. “Mini?” He chuckles with you at the realization, “no fucking way?” He says as his head falls back in laughter, his cheeks and neck showcasing a splotchy red tinge, embarrassed that he didn’t recognize you but also that he was trying to get into your pants just a moment ago, oh who was he kidding? He was still going to try.

“Yup” you say as you give a little spin, Steve swallows hard before he continues his praise “wow, mini you look fucking great.” He says before pulling you in by your waist for a tight hug. “Thanks, so do you!” You say as you look up at him, his hands still on your waist.

“I’m- wow I can’t believe it’s you.” He whispers down to you, making you giggle again before shoving him playfully. “C’mon I wasn’t that bad.” You resume your stare up at him, god he looked better than ever.

He’s also a porn star, whoa you’re talking to a porn star right now, you think to yourself before clearing your mind of those thoughts. He’s still your Stevie though, no matter what.

“No, you weren’t bad at all, you just- I don’t know, look different. More mature, more confident.” He continues as he places one of your voluminous curls behind your ear.

Oh he’s good.

“Yeah? Well thank you.” You smile as your cheeks now hold a sweet dust of pink.

“No need to thank me, beautiful.” He was laying it on thick, and to your bemusement it was working.

“So, um how’s Chicago been treating you?” You ask as you try to put some room between you both.

“Wanna go find a seat with me and we can catch up?” Steve suggests with a shy smile.

“Yeah, sounds good.” You agree before he takes your hand and leads you to two empty seats at a rather crowded table. Nobody even bats an eye at the two of you before you’re plopping down on the cold orange chair, turning to better see and hear Steve over the bad 70’s disco that filled the room.

“So Chicago?” You speak again, breaking Steve from his trance, he was looking at you like you were a cold drink on a hot summer day, it made you shift uncomfortably in your seat, you’ve never been good with lingering stares and intense eye contact.

He clears his throat before he answers, “Chicago's nice, me and Rob have an apartment together. It’s been cool, more stuff to do and see in that city, I don’t know if I could ever move back to a small town like Hawkins after experiencing that.” He chuckles. “You should come visit sometime, I could show you all the sights.” He whispers as his eyebrows bounce up and down, suggestively.

“Yeah, I’ll have to do that.” You say as you play with your hands nervously in your lap, all of this attention and flirting was making you flustered, totally forgetting about Eddie in the process.

“So, I came across something the other day.” You begin as your heart rate spikes, you were even more nervous to broach the subject of Steve doing porn, but you were kind of desperate considering your electricity and water were still off and the apartment was becoming almost unbearable to live in. It was almost fate that Steve showed up in Hawkins after you found the tape at work and had the “brilliant” idea of possibly starring in one in order to pay the bills.

“Oh yeah? And what was that?” He says as he places a hand on your crossed knee.

“Me and Eddie found one of your tapes while we were working,” you say as your eyes scan his face for any type of reaction to your words.

“Oh?” He smiled mischievously. “Did you watch it?”

“No, I actually didn't.” You retort as you continue “but I am curious to know how someone gets into that line of work?” Your eyebrows raise in question, no judgment in your face, just curiosity.

“Why? Do you know someone who wants to do that?” His voice was charming yet curious.

“Well, me and Eddie actua-” you start before you’re interrupted by a voice calling your name.

You look over to see Eddie walking towards you, his eyes stuck on Steve’s hand that is still placed on your knee as he continues to gently rub your skin.

“Mini? Where’d you go? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” He says, making you roll your eyes but the action was not missed by Steve.

“I’ve been here, where have you been?” You snap, a little harsher than you meant to.

“I just told you, I was looking for you.” He snaps back, Steve could definitely tell there was trouble in friendship paradise but he wasn’t going to ask until he was alone with you, again.

“Hey, Eddie, nice to see you too.” He cuts in with a wave of his hand, making Eddie’s harsh gaze shift towards him.

“Hey man, sorry. Nice to see you, how’ve you been?” Eddie asks through gritted teeth, eyes returning to the hold Steve still had on your leg.

What the fuck was his problem?

“I’ve been good dude, how’ve you been?” Steve responds, he could clock Eddie’s jealousy a mile away, he smiled at the thought of riling him up more.

“Hey, mini do you wanna go grab something to eat with me tomorrow before I head back home?” His eyes falling on you as he gently squeezes your leg. He could keep it there all night and you wouldn’t say a word, it’s the most action you’ve gotten in a while and being touched felt nice.

“Sure, yeah I’d love that.” You respond before getting up to go anywhere else. Eddie’s energy was way off and it made you feel too uneasy to be next to.

“I’ll let you both catch up, while I go to get a drink.” You suggest before shooting both men a quick smile, Steve hums before saying “I’ll get your number from Eddie, here.” You nod your head and turn on your heel, before walking back over to the table you’ve spent what seems like most of your time at.

You glance around the room again. Chrissy catches your eye as she wiggles her hips to I wanna dance with somebody by Whitney Houston, alongside who you assume to be Jessica Carlson, another former cheerleader. She’s all smiles and giggles, the sight makes you clench your fists, you should be the happy giggly one, she got Jason in high school and now she’s gotten Eddie too, it was hard to not feel bitter towards her.

You decide it’s best to lock those feelings away and carry on the people watching. Your eyes fall on the guy walking towards you, he’s wearing a hellfire shirt under his flannel.

Your eyebrows furrow, as you try to rack your mind. “Oh my god, Jeff?” You beam. “Mini mouse? Whoa look at you!” The nickname made you scrunch your nose, in the cute way it used to.

“You know I hate that.” You laugh before going in for a hug. “I know, but it’ll always be my nickname for you.” He smiles down at you. “Is Eddie here?” He asks before scanning the room, “yeah he’s sitting over there.” You nod with your head towards where Eddie and Steve are deep in conversation.

“Where’s Grant?” You ask as Jeff turns back to look at you. “He had to work, couldn’t get the night off.” He says with disappointment. “Aw, that sucks!” You say as you cross your arms.

Jeff and Grant live in Philadelphia, both getting full ride scholarships to Penn state after graduation, you were sad to see them go, but knew they were off to bigger and better things. What you didn’t know was that the guys begged Eddie to go with, throwing out plans to get an apartment and continue playing in the band together on weekends, he declined. His excuse was that he didn’t want to leave Wayne, but all the guys knew it was you he stayed in Hawkins for.

Thank you for reading!

Part three coming soon…

*taglist*

If you have been removed it’s because you’re an ageless blog. I do not want interactions from minors so pls put your age on your blog!

@livsters @prettypeachsworld @akiratoro420 @samanthasgone @dylpickleblog @lightcommastix @little-wormwood @gaysludge @emxxblog @eddieslittlewh0re @sillypurplemurple @lovely-lynn-writes @tlclick73 @ajkamins @dilfs-lover @lolalanaie @aocxdx @ambthegamer @alanamarie @josephquinncore @bebe07011 @bambipowerblueaddition @marriedtoeddie @chopper-witch @dissociatinginfp @stairwaytozai @edsforehead @itsametaphorbriansblog @haylaansmi @thoughtsoftheantagonist @paranoidmunson @totalmesstm @parkerloveer @elesoteri @chloes-files @melhoran @lezzy-bennet @killer-joy3 @aysheashea @wolfiepirate @mmvnsons @sluggzillaa @thehuntresswolf @mommymilkerfanclub @mcueveryday @likeficsinthewnd @elvendria

#eddie munson #eddie munson smut #eddie x reader #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x female reader #eddie munson series

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bordysbae · 11 months

Text

“you’re on your own, kid.”

quinn hughes x f!reader

honestly i feel like this kinda makes no sense but oh well

—

‘summer went away, still the yearning stays. i play it cool with the best of them. i wait patiently, he’s gonna notice me. it’s okay we’re the best if friends, anyway.’

“congratulations on graduating kiddo,” jack smiles down at you as he places your graduation cap on his head. you give him an annoyed look, before luke comes running over to you and engulfs you in the biggest hug you’ve ever felt. your feet lift off of the ground and as luke spins you around, you see quinn giving you a small smile from afar. only you and quinn know what happened during winter break at the lake house, but you know the feelings are still there. as you walk over to him, quinn gets entrapped in a conversation with ellen and some of her friends. you let out a sigh as he begins walking towards his car, but you know you’ll see him the next day at you and luke’s shared graduation party.

a few of quinn’s teammates came back home with him for a little, so most of quinn’s night was spent with his friends instead of paying attention to the real focus. your graduation. “hey where’d quinn go?” you ask jack, the middle hughes boy who’s practically a brother to you.

“he went with some friends to the bar, i don’t think he’s drinking though,” jack shrugs, before rejoining the conversation he was once in.

‘i hear it in your voice, you’re smoking with your boys. i touch my phone as if it’s your face.’

as it reaches later into the night, the party slowly dies down and quinn is yet to return to his childhood home. you make the five minute walk down the street to your house, continuously checking for any notification from quinn. as you finally settle down in bed, your phone begins ringing. you roll over and see quinn’s contact photo fill the screen.

your lips lift up slightly and you slide to accept the call. loud music can be heard but it’s muffled, so he must be outside. “hello?” you croak.

“y/n, hey!” a drunken, and slightly high too, quinn mutters into the phone. you let out a sigh, and greet him back.

“congrats on graduating! guys say congrats to y/n!” he shouts to his other friends. a mix of male and female voice congratulate you, and your heart just shatters. quinn didn’t call you on purpose, he’s just intoxicated and bored. eventually you get off the phone and look at your lockscreen. it’s a picture of you and the boys as little children on the lake. in the picture, quinn is looking down at you with a small smile, while luke and jack argue next to you both. you and quinn have always been the quieter ones of the mix, something that helped you two bond.

‘i didn’t choose this town, i dream of getting out. there’s just one who could make me stay. all my days. from sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes, i waited ages to see you there. i searched the party of better bodies, just to learn that you never cared.’

the only thing you hated about leaving michigan was leaving both luke and the memories. you hate everything else about this state. the petty, small town drama has never been an acquired taste of yours. although you’re only moving one state over, it still feels like a fresh start for you. luke starts college the week after you, so the hughes family decided they want to help you move into college. besides quinn. quinn flys back to vancouver today, even when he has a solid two weeks left of off season.

you sigh as you get settled in your dorm, with luke and jack sitting on your new bed next to you. they wrap their arms around you for a picture, which ellen sends to the group chat you’ve had going for years now. quinn just hearts the image, not even typing a reply. luke and jack see your disappointed visage, and squeeze you a little tighter on their way out.

you and quinn have always talked about your futures from a young age. his dreams of going to the nhl, and yours of getting into college. you guys vowed to support each other no matter what, and you appear to have been the only one who kept that promise. you sat through his draft and even visited him in vancouver for his nhl debut. yet he chose to fly back to vancouver, for god knows what reason, instead of staying one extra day to help you move into college.

as both of your families, biological and chosen, leave you in your dorm room, you let out a deep sigh. the small photo collage on your dorm wall is full of pictures of you and the boys, only making the big change even harder. the only thought running through your head is how quinn is on a plane to vancouver while you’re going on your own path too. although he’s older and in the big leagues now, you never realized he’d be leaving you behind. you can’t help but wonder if maybe winter break was a mistake.

‘you’re on your own, kid. you always have been.’

#quinn hughes #quinn hughes imagine #quinn hughes blurb #quinn hughes x reader #hockey blurb #hockey imagine #jack hughes #jack hughes imagine #luke hughes imagine #luke hughes

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ohnogodpls · 7 months

Note

The way you draw neuvillette and Wriothesley has me giggling and kicking my feet, they’re such little guys they make my soul start doing ribbon dances.

I do also have a question, 👀, you mentioned you mainly draw neuvi from head cannons, are there any you don’t draw but enjoy a lot just in your mind?

Hola :3 thank you for the kind words and I am happy to see you like my little guys doing their little guys things

I let this sit for some days to think about headcanons, since I can't think of many. I mostly just get scenarios into my head at like 1am, write them down and doodle them in the evening as a relaxation so it's not like a very thought through thing. But I managed to write down some.

Appearance wise:

First of all, I sort of completely disregard canon details. It's not because I don't like them, but because I draw quick, have no patience, and after drawing a character onec or twice I get their general idea into my head and from there on only draw them from memory. I find it helpful since it is not only quick and comfortable, but allows my sketchy drawings to avoid overcluttering with details. As long as the general shape and colour palette are close to the original - I am happy. Second, I like the idea of some draconic features on Neuv. Sharp teeth, longer sharper tongue, eye pupil delation when he is happy or excited to see something (same for zhongli) and I think it would be cute if his horns would glow when he is pleased, happy or at peace. That's why if you sleep next to him and can't fall asleep because of the light - shh don't wake him up - he is having a sweet dream. Third: he likes to dress up. I need to think of some outfits I could draw him in. In game he often points out that he stands out and causes confusion when he walks around, his status and looks intimidate people into thinking he is there on official business by default. That's why I think over the centuries he acquired an interest in fashion and has a lot of outfits he puts on for more casual outings in that little free time he has.

Personality wise I can't say much. I am like always scared of going too ooc, because I genuinely love the way he is presented in canon, so all I do is more of an addition to it rather than substitute... But I think he would like plants. He would feed them the finest water and enjoy watching them bloom. Plus, Sumeru is right there so perhaps he finds himself fascinated by plants growing there and has a few saplings.

And on a slightly NSFW note: wriolette in my head are switches. I always tag it with wriolette only but I also never draw explicit stuff, but I think they love each other in ways where there is no dynamic of one overpowering another: they tend to each other's comfort and pleasure and happiness in equal matter.

Yeah I don't have much but hopefully this was a nice (slightly long) read. o7 thank you for the question, it was fun to think about

#ramble

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dateko · 2 years

Text

[9:22 AM] GOJO SATORU ft. the fushiguro babies

There are wet and sticky kisses making their way along your neck from your jaw.

Stuck between your peaceful dreams and the material world, you’re unsure if you want the kisses to cease or to carry on for a lifetime. The little nips and low giggles that tickle you after each sweet peck has you realizing that you’re just about on the edge of reality, so you blindly swat away the mischievous owner of the citrus-stained lips. “Go away, ‘Toru,” You sink your face deeper into your pillow with a sigh. “I'm still sleeping.”

The kisses come to a halt, and you can see Satoru pout. Yes, even with your eyes closed shut. It’s a skill you’ve acquired after years of dating such a menace. Sometimes you wonder if you possess six eyes too. “What? Come on, I made us breakfast.” The sorcerer whines, rubbing his hands over your arms.

“Oh, I know... My hair is stuck to the orange juice on my neck.”

“Please? It’s good! I swear, Sweetheart.”

Craning your head to the side, you let your eyes escape from the pillow’s dark embrace and offer your lover a threatening squint before letting out a groan at both the sunlight and Satoru’s intrusive welcome in your bedroom. An idea pops into your mind, and you reach for Satoru’s hand, playing with it a little before tugging it towards you. “Hey, why don’t you stay in bed with me? It’s warm and cozy… And cuddles are offered here.”

Even with an offer as tempting as that, the sight of the small pout on your luscious lips with the low sound of your morning voice, your boyfriend continues to be unyielding and tenacious. If he was a lesser man, he would have died right there. But he was close. “Nice try, but there are pancakes waiting for you.”

Before Satoru could steal a chance to slip away, you tighten your grip on his hand and lace your fingers together. You make a point and statement by brushing your thumb across the top of his hand, knowing Gojo Satoru is one hopeless man. “Well, how ‘bout a kiss?” Pausing for effect, sitting up to face him with a devilish smile. “Two kisses? You can name your price.”

At this point, you’re fully awake. No longer is the debate about breakfast or cuddles in bed, but whose stubbornness overpowered the other. Your cheeks practically hurt from all the smiling you’ve done, batting your lashes up at your lover in hopes of getting your way. The expression he has on is enigmatic, he’s contemplating. You’d never get tired of teasing him. It was just so rare to get someone as powerful as him tied down and flustered like a young teenager you once knew.

This, you decide for the umpteenth time in your life, is what falling in love with Gojo Satoru is like.

Hiding your gasps whenever Satoru’s blue eyes stare into your own was a difficult task. It’s an all too inviting trance on its own and you have to focus your attention elsewhere to win against him. His larger hand copies your previous actions, thumb brushing the back of your hand slowly, coaxing you to look at him. You already know he’s smirking down at you.

“Oh yeah?” He leans in, voice dropping with his nose brushing against yours. “I might just have t-“

“Guys!” A little voice breaks the two of you apart and Satoru drops his forehead on you in defeat. You sigh happily knowing you’ve been freed from whatever thoughts Satoru’s been having and the terrible heated tension.

At the doorway, Tsumiki holds a small Megumi in one hand and her own orange juice in the other. “Gojo hurry! We waited all day for you!”

Confused, you watch your boyfriend laugh as he gets up from his defeated position. “Tsumiki, it's nine in the morning. You waited for eight minutes. But don’t worry! Y/n’s awake now.”

“W-what?”

Tsumiki pads to your side of the bed, dragging Megumi along with her excitedly. “You have to eat breakfast now! Hurry! We can’t wait anymore!” You’ve got no time to protest when little hands grab at your wrist, tugging you towards the kitchen. Behind you, Satoru is trailing behind with a merry chuckle, hands grabbing at your waist.

#this has been in my drafts for a very long time and this was meant to be way longer aand a potential proposal fic but what can i do #i've been gone far too long #NOW EAT THIS!#gojo x reader #gojo satoru x reader #jjk

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urbanflorals · 6 days

Text

welcome to emma's travel agency!

you want to see the world? this is the agency for you!

⛰︎ જ⁀➴ thank you guys sooo freaking much for 500 followers that is insane to me 500 of you follow me?? woah i love you all so so much <33

╭ feel free to request as many as you'd like! but keep it to three per ask ᥫ᭡.

❝ this is for followers and mutuals only ❞

⋆⑅˚₊ this will end on the 1st of june <3

╰ ➤ ᯓᡣ𐭩 please be patient with me, i promise i haven't forgotten about you!

heavily inspired by @moonlightt444's event cause it was GORGEOUS ily marebear <3

✈︎ જ⁀➴ ⛰︎ nestled amidst the bustling city and towering buildings on a quiet little street sits "emma's travel agency." a hand painted sign hangs above the door its cheerful colours a stark contrast from the city's cold and harsh glass and steel.

you push open the door and a calmness greets you. warm light shines from the standing lamp and the smell of old books and coffee wafts around the room. travel brochures line the wall next to a map dotted with places around the world.

a worn plush red armchair sits by the window inviting you to sink into it and dream about the vacation you're about to embark on. the receptionist, a kindly looking lady beams at you, her smile crinkling the corners of her eyes, hinting at the countless stories she has acquired over the years.

time seems to be slower here, it reaches a part of your soul and calms every frayed nerve, and its a reprieve from the roar of the city. here, travel isn't just a transaction, it's a conversation. it's about sharing your dreams and letting the experts at emma's travel agency a weave them into reality.

[ Destinations ]

╰ ➤ ᝰ {mykonos} ᝰ i'll make you a moodboard of anything you want

✈︎ please include what you'd like it to be about! characters/ships vibes anything!

╰ ➤ ᝰ {london} ᝰ i'll tell you three things that i associate with you and why

╰ ➤ ᝰ {rome} ᝰ i'll draw you something

✈︎ please request what you'd like me to draw! it might be kinda crap but its made with love :)

╰ ➤ ᝰ {sydney} ᝰ give me a character and i'll make a short blurb or headcannons for them

✈︎ please make sure they're from my list of fandoms in my detailed intro post. if not just ask! also please specify if you'd like it to be hc's or a blurb

╰ ➤ ᝰ {tokyo} ᝰ i'll make you a small playlist

✈︎ let me know what type of music/artists you like!!

╰ ➤ ᝰ {amsterdam} ᝰ i'll give you a random image/meme with zero explanation

╰ ➤ ᝰ {maldives} ᝰ i'll plan a date for us to go on

[ Souvenirs ] {mutuals only}

╰ ➤ ᝰ {post card} ᝰ i'll write you a letter

╰ ➤ ᝰ {disposable camera} ᝰ i'll make an edit for you

✈︎ it can be of a book or just of you! it might take me a while to make though - if you would like the edit to be about you please tell me a few things about yourself fav colour, quote, aesthetic etc.

╰ ➤ ᝰ {travel brochure} ᝰ i'll plan a vacation for us to go on

ᝰ p.s ᝰ

╭ again omg omg im so thankful for all of you and ily all sm <33

❝ the tag ❞

⋆⑅˚₊ this was HEAVILY - LIKE LEGIT COPIED - inspired by @moonlightt444, (yes im tagging you again ilysm)

╰ ➤ ᯓᡣ𐭩 tagging a few moots: @skeelly, @percabeths-blue-cookies, @a-beautiful-fool, @nqds, @mqstermindswift, @art-of-fools, @sophiesonlinediary, @reminiscentreader, @missedyour21st, @doyoujustnotwantto, @lost-in-reveriie, @ssparksflyy, @deprivedofbraincellsandsleep, @maybxlle, @shuhuaspookie, @hopelesslyromanticshark, @gergthecat

intro post ✈︎

- have fun lovelies! emma ╰ ➤ head of emma's travel agency

#emmastravelagency #event

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theteasetwrites · 1 year

Text

Merciless Beauty

Chapter 1: Your Eyes Slay Me Suddenly

❧ Pairing: Knight Daryl Dixon x Princess Reader ❧ Era: Medieval fantasy AU ❧ Pronouns: she/her ❧ Warnings: mentions of blood/gore and violence ❧ Word Count: 5.3k

❧ Before You Read...

❧ Glossary

❧ In This Chapter: Duke Richard of House Grimes and his knight, Sir Daryl, arrive at King Ezekiel's court, though they do not know why they've been invited. Meanwhile, things are not well in the kingdom of Alexandria as a new threat begins to terrorize its citizens. Despite this, the princess dreams of seeing the world outside the castle walls by which she is imprisoned. She meets someone who she thinks might be able to help.

❧ A/N: Well, here it is. The first part of this weird ass thing I'm writing. I realize that this is super cringey but do I care? Well, a little, but you know what, I am having so much fun writing this and learning about medieval stuff so I am happy with it. I will link a "Before You Read..." page so that you guys can get a little more background info about what I'm trying to do here. I know this is kind of a weird AU and stuff so I have some disclaimers in that link. I've also included a link to the Merciless Beauty Glossary, which lists definitions for some of the terminology I will be using throughout the series. I recommend having that document open as you read as you can use it to quickly refer to in case you come across a word you are not familiar with.

Beyond gentle slopes of overgrown emerald pastures rose tall, imposing battlements of limestone, with tiny silhouettes of guards poking out of each crenel. From this distance, they looked hardly menacing, but the king’s guards were diligent, and their prowess in battle was not to be underestimated.

The duke raised the blue flag of Alexandria, signaling to the guards that they were no threat. In response, a guard reached over the wall to wave the same flag.

“They see us,” remarked the duke, pulling on the reins of his golden horse. “Here.” He handed back the worn piece of cerulean fabric to the knight who rode by his side. “Strange customs, but I don’t blame them.”

They moved upon their horses in a dignified trot, the knight’s ebony friesian stallion trained to mirror the movements of the steward’s palomino steed.

“They should be afraid,” said the knight. “The world is a dangerous place. Can’t believe they’ve held out this long.”

The duke flashed him a knowing look, that almost seemed to curl into an amused crack of the lips. “Sir Daryl,” he said, “I’ve always admired your optimism.”

The knight adjusted his feet in the heavy iron stirrups. He’d never quite get used to his lord’s jests. “Sorry,” he spoke simply. A man of few words, Richard always said.

“It’s all right, but you’d be advised to put on a cheerful face for the king. Joviality goes a long way with his type.”

“His type?”

“Unlike you, my friend, King Ezekiel is known for his… good humor.”

Daryl scoffed from the corner of his crooked smirk. “Thanks… What does the king want with you, anyway?”

Richard’s brows knit together in another amused expression of faux offense. “You think I’m not able to acquire a king’s favor? Careful, knight, you’re a free man now, but you could be downgraded to villein if necessary.”

Of course, the serious knight knew that such a threat was meant in good humor. Ten years of loyal servitude to the duke was more than enough reassurance.

The men continued onward, their horses plodding through moors that seemed to stretch on forever. The castle couldn’t come closer for Sir Daryl. He was dreading it, the pomp and circumstance of it all. But then, he knew that when he became a knight. It wasn’t the typical story, in fact. He wasn’t of any kind of good birth, his parents being poor and rather unsuccessful merchants in some other kingdom he’d purposefully forgotten the name of.

No, he wasn’t a nobleman’s son or a squire. He’d earned his title almost reluctantly, through his triumphs and battle prowess in the First War. That is, the war that preceded the Scourge.

A knight’s duty was to protect a lord, of course. He’d managed a position as the protector of Duke Richard’s land, just outside of Alexandria. In exchange for his protection, the knight had a place to live, and not a bad place at all. It was better than any decrepit wooden shack he’d lived in before, and, as far as nobility went, the duke was not a bad man. In fact, he was a good man, and that was hard to come by in times like these.

“But it’s odd,” Richard continued, “I don’t know what the king wants with me. I know he wants me to join his court, but I’ve heard he hasn’t invited anyone to court in ten years, since it broke out.” It, of course, was always understood as a reference to the plague that killed ordinary men with a gruesome fever, then brought them back as snarling, rotting walking dead men that feasted on the flesh of those who were unlucky enough to still be alive.

No one knew where it came from, but many thought the curse was nothing short of the wrath of God Himself. It was the only explanation in a world completely devoid of comfort. Though the idea that a supposedly benevolent god bestowing such a pestilence upon his so-called beloved children was hardly comforting. In these times, people took what they could get.

“Maybe he just wants your wonderful company,” Daryl replied, sure to speak with a sarcastic lilt to his gruff voice.

“No, no,” Richard said. “It doesn’t make sense. Ezekiel and I have only spoken a few times… You know, there’s a princess.”

Oh, yes, everyone knew of the princess, of course, though no one had seen her in years. The gatehouse of that castle hadn’t opened in ten years. No one had come in, and no one had gone out. Until now, of course.

“There’s always a princess,” Daryl huffed. “What does that have to do with anythin’?”

“Well, she’s got to be a woman now… I’m sure the king is looking to wed her to someone.”

Daryl flashed a suspicious glance at the curly-haired man, who returned the look with a steady shake of his head.

“You think he wants you to court her?”

“I don’t know, but if what they say is true, the princess is the most beautiful woman in Alexandria. Some say beyond Alexandria, too.”

It was odd for a man of Richard’s age and status to be unmarried. His wife had died six years ago in childbirth, along with the child. It wasn’t an uncommon occurrence, but it was a great tragedy in the duke’s life. The knight couldn’t see him remarrying at all after that, but if the king was going to offer his daughter to him, he would be a fool not to accept.

“Women with that kind of beauty are hard to come by,” continued Richard. “And royal, too. Hell, the princess is the king’s only child. That means… I could become king when he dies.”

“Gettin’ ahead of yourself,” chided Daryl. “We’re not even at the gatehouse yet.”

“Welcome, my friends!”

The king extended his arms wide, about as wide as the grin upon his countenance. He crossed the great hall, the steps of his pointed poulaines echoing off the grand high ceilings. The king’s hand clasped jovially upon the duke’s shoulder, but the gesture quickly turned into a hearty embrace.

“It’s good to see you,” said the king. “It’s been too long, Richard.”

“It has.”

The duke raised his eyes to gaze upon the magnificence of the hall. Though the exterior of the castle may have appeared quite imposing, the great hall was warm, welcoming, even. Elaborate arrangements of strong wooden arches upheld the roof, complete with intricately designed corbels to support them. Draped from the high stone walls were long blue banners bearing the royal family’s crest, no doubt made from the finest threads. Tapestries depicting mythical creatures and romantic scenes of knights going to battle or courting ladies were on full display, too. The hall was illuminated by the gilded light of what seemed to be a hundred or so candles, some upon sconces, others upon tables and in iron chain chandeliers. The pungent aroma of honey and elderflower tickled at the uninitiated noses of the two travelers, and, sure enough, in the king’s hand was a fine pewter goblet, which no doubt must’ve been brimming with a particularly pungent, sweet smelling mead.

“Come!” exclaimed the king. “Have a drink! This is cause for celebration.”

The loud bravado in the king’s voice must’ve alerted the court as finely dressed nobles began to pour in from the arches and the upstairs landing. As the duke and his knight followed the king to his banquet table, just in front of his imposing bronze throne, the court gathered in greater globs. Murmurs began to permeate the great hall, and the knight could just feel an army of eyes laid upon him and his lord. It wasn’t a feeling he reveled in.

“We’ve already had our feast,” said the king, sitting himself comfortably at the head of the long wooden table. “But I can have a servant bring you something. Only the finest dining here.”

“We’ve already eaten. Just a drink is fine for now, your majesty,” said the duke. As he sat, the loyal knight followed.

Daryl felt bear, having been made rid of his greatsword and his cloak by the guards at the entrance to the keep. There were few places outside of his home that he felt safe enough without either.

“Ah, libations!” exclaimed the emphatic king. He held his goblet high for emphasis. “This is the finest mead in Alexandria and her surrounding kingdoms. It comes from a monastery, I’ve been told. They raise bees there, isn’t that fantastic?”

The knight and the duke exchanged a glance. They had no idea what to make of the king. He was so full of merry, the likes of which they hadn’t seen in years. Perhaps it was the mead, but Richard knew the man was jovial. Still, it was a kind of shock.

The servants arrived with intricately detailed pewter pitchers full of the honey wine, filling their goblets to the brim. The excesses of wealth and royalty were foreign to the knight. Duke Richard was wealthy, yes, but not like this.

“So,” spoke the king, “I trust your journey through my kingdom was pleasant? No dead ones crossed your path?”

“Not at all,” said Richard. “Your kingdom is quite safe, it seems. Those tall walls will keep anything out.”

“Hm, yes,” agreed Ezekiel. “But you can never be too careful. No one’s left the castle in ten years, I’m sure you know. It’s better to be safe.”

That reminded the duke. He intended to ask why the king had invited him to court, but before he could speak again, the boisterous king looked to Sir Daryl with an enthusiastic curiosity.

“This is your knight?”

“Yes, this is Sir Daryl.”

The king settled back in his chair, stroking the gray corkscrew hairs upon his noble chin. “Ah, I’ve heard of your gallantry in battle, how you earned your title. My father knighted you, didn’t he?”

Daryl looked to his steward, wordlessly asking for permission to speak. Richard nodded. “Yes, your majesty,” spoke the knight. His voice was raspier than usual, having been silent for so long since arriving at the castle. After all, what could a knight possibly have to say? His only duty was to protect his lord, as a vassal. He was of lower rank than Richard, and, though he never much cared for the details of hierarchy, it was in his best interest to know his place.

“How grand! Well, gentlemen, I do hope you find this court to be a fount of merriment in these dark times.” He gestured to the surrounding great hall, and the people who watched with bated breath as they clung to the monarch’s every word. “Everyone has been so eager to meet you. This is a momentous occasion. A toast!” The king stood to his feet, raising his goblet high. Others followed suit, of course, as the two newcomers sat overwhelmed at the king’s table. “To Duke Richard and his knight, the first additions to court in a decade of strife.”

“Huzzah!”

With a long drink of his mead, the king met the duke with wide eyes, then removed the cup in a near panic, though it was a jolly panic. “I almost forgot! How could I forget? My daughter, (Y/N). Elizabeth! Fetch my daughter!”

“Yes, your majesty.” The mousy young maid with flaxen hair frantically ascended the staircase with great haste.

Richard straightened in his seat, clearing his throat. The knight could tell he was nervous, but he couldn’t understand why. A princess was hardly anything to be nervous about. It was the king the duke needed to impress, he thought.

“Minstrels!” the king exclaimed, gesturing towards the troupe of musicians across the great hall. There were three, each dressed in colorful garb and feathered caps. One held a lute, the other, a flute, and the third, a tambour. “Play something for the princess’s entrance. Something… delicate, but dignified, like her.”

“Yes, your majesty!” one of the minstrels replied.

Yes, your majesty, seemed a rather common phrase around here.

Then, from atop the stairs appeared a young woman.

You heard the musicians begin to play their little tune—a soft, simple tune that seemed to evolve with each step you took. Each step was calculated and precise, partly because that was how you were trained to walk, and partly because you were careful not to trip over your gown. Your father had instructed you to wear your best clothes the last few days, though you weren’t sure why. You’d heard of a duke coming to court, but it was hardly of any interest to you. Why should you care? Why should you welcome an outsider when you haven’t been able to leave this dusty old castle in years?

“That must be the duke,” whispered Margaret. She followed your every move, as a lady-in-waiting was supposed to.

“He’s handsome,” Michonne whispered back.

You shushed the ladies out of the corner of your mouth. They were much too excited for their own good, much more excited than you.

At the base of the staircase, your father held his hand out to you, beaming at your beauty. Tonight, you wore your favorite champagne-colored surcote, made from a heavy silk, with long, flowing sleeves that split at the elbow to reveal the pure white lace-front gown. The décolletage was modest, but deep enough to reveal just the beginning of your cleavage, formed by the tight lacing that held your chest in place. It wasn’t quite in vogue these days, but then again, nothing was in vogue these days.

As you took his hand, you realized that the duke and his knight were standing for you. Of course they were, but their new faces caught you off guard. You knew everyone in court so well, it was strange to see two strangers standing for you.

Your father lifted his hand, in turn raising your arm to show you off like a prized mare. With knitted brows and a quivering lip, you flashed him a confused expression. He’d never introduced you like this before, but then again, he never introduced you to anyone before.

“Gentlemen,” he said, turning his attention to the duke and his knight. “I present to you my daughter, (Y/N), Crown Princess of Alexandria.”

The men each bent over to bow before you, and you took in their appearance with great interest. It wasn’t often you had new faces to study.

The duke was well-dressed, wearing a damask scarlet doublet that must’ve cost a fortune, with tight-fitting wool hose to accentuate his lean legs. It would be remiss not to note how handsome he was, with a head of lush curls and a short, well-trimmed beard to frame his salmon-colored lips. If it weren’t for his title and his clothing, you could tell the man was a noble just by looking at the shape of his nose, aquiline and strong. Yes, he was handsome.

But just beyond his shoulder, your eyes were pulled like magnets to the knight. His clothes were more muted, but made from a fine material. A plain black wool tabard draped over his broad shoulders, his waist cinched with a fine leather belt, strapped to which was a lone misericorde, the dagger which you knew from your studies to be what knights used to deliver the final death blow to an enemy. The sharp tip sent a shiver down your spine as you wondered briefly if he’d ever had to use it.

Though his coloring was similar to the duke, both having hair of brown and eyes of blue, their similarities ended there. The knight had a much more tired face, world-weary. It was difficult to see clearly, given the shadows created by the long wavy locks of hair shrouding his visage, but he appeared to have a reddened scar trailing from his brow to his cheek, crossing over his left eye.

From what you could see, he looked nothing like any man you’d seen before. He was weather-worn and hardened by the world, at least, that’s how he looked. He must’ve seen such terrible things, you thought. In the fine lines of his face, you could begin to make out an image of the world outside. Here was a man who must’ve known its ins and outs like the back of his hand, must’ve been so brave to have survived this long outside the walls, fighting the Dead.

Though your face was softened by curiosity, the knight’s was stoic and cold. He seemed somehow both distant and alert, aware of his surroundings despite his reluctance to be surrounded by them. The duke’s kind face was much more welcoming, but, for a moment, you were held hostage by the knight’s narrowed, serious gaze.

“Your highness,” said the duke. “I am Duke Richard of House Grimes.” He turned to gesture towards the knight. “And this is my knight, Sir Daryl.”

A curious name for a curious face, you thought. Still, you tried to maintain your focus on the nobleman.

“It is an honor to meet you, milord,” you replied. “The court has been anticipating your arrival.” Though I haven’t. “Oh, these are my ladies-in-waiting, Lady Margaret and Lady Michonne.”

You brought the ladies forth, each of them curtseying before the duke. It gave you a moment to look upon the knight again.

“Pleasure,” the duke said to your ladies. “And… may I say, princess, you’re just as radiant as they say.”

You looked wide-eyed at the king, who smiled bigger than he had in years. The blush that blossomed upon your cheeks was not one of flattery, necessarily, but slight embarrassment. “Oh… They speak of me?”

“Yes. Common people often praise your beauty. Many would sell their land or their livestock for the chance just to get a glimpse of you. I must admit, it would be worth it.”

A whirlpool of emotions formed in your belly, mostly confusion. You’d never been complimented quite like this before. “Well… Thank you, milord. That’s very kind of you to say.” Swallowing hard, you turned to your father, who seemingly expected you to return with an equal compliment. “Father, I’m going to retire to my chambers for the evening.” You turned back to face the duke. “Goodnight, Richard. I hope your stay in court is pleasant.”

Your father’s smile faded with your announcement, but he nodded as he tried to offset his disappointment. “Of course, my dear. Goodnight.”

At length, you sat before your vanity to remove your jewels while Elizabeth prepared your bed as usual. She hummed to herself the same little tune the musicians had played earlier for your grand entrance to meet the duke. Removing your translucent veil, you got to work undoing the circles of elaborate braids and removing the genuine pearls laced throughout when a rapping came at the door of your chamber.

“My dear, it’s me,” said your father. “May I come in?”

Oh, for pity's sake.

You turned on your stool to gesture towards Elizabeth. “Let him in,” you said. “I can undress myself tonight. Goodnight, Beth.”

The young girl nodded before opening the door for the king. He thanked her as she left, while you straightened up to no doubt receive a tongue lashing for your less than friendly reception of the newcomers.

“(Y/N),” he sighed, sitting at the foot of your bed as he adjusted his gold trimmed velvet robe. “My dear… I must say I am a bit disappointed that you didn’t sit and speak with the duke tonight.”

“Well, father, I… It’s hard to be excited about these new guests when I myself haven’t been outside the castle since I was a girl. And now, all of a sudden, you’re letting in some nobleman and his knight? Why?”

To the king, it was obvious, but to you, it was totally unclear. There was much about the world you still didn’t know, and though you were knowledgeable, on account of your royal tutoring, you were still naïve in many ways.

Your father stood as he sighed, piecing a long, gray-black dread lock behind his ear. “Well, I was hoping…” He shook his head, then crossed over to you, taking your hands in his as he looked at you with that adventurous sparkle in his eyes. “You liked Richard, didn’t you? He was charming?”

You were caught off guard by the question, but you shrugged and nodded with a half-smile. “Why, yes. He’s charming.”

“And handsome?”

“Well… Of course. He’s very handsome, any woman would think so.”

“So…”

“Father, are you… trying to ask me if I want to court the duke?”

“Yes,” he laughed in relief that you caught on without him having to explain. “Richard is a good man, one of the best nobles left. He’s wealthy, too. Though I was always hoping for a political marriage for you, as long as the man is at least a noble and a suitable husband, I think this kind of match would be good for you. In fact, we could move Richard here, that way you never have to leave the castle, and—”

“Father!” you exclaimed, shocked by how excited he was at this idea without even hearing your thoughts, of which you had many. “I’m not ready to marry!”

“But you’re twenty-six, my dear.”

Standing to your feet, you shook your head and pulled out the remaining braids in your hair. “I’m just not ready. The duke is… He’s perfect, but I’m not interested. I can’t explain it, it’s just not a match.”

“But you’ve hardly spoken to him!”

You didn’t need to speak to him to know, you just knew. It was impossible to explain. All you knew was that it wouldn’t work, and that marriage was simply not in your near future. You had other priorities, other… curiosities. Love was not one of them, except in your fairytales and love poems. You had a hard time believing love could be any better than that.

“Father, please. I’ve told you how I felt, and I’m sorry if you brought this man here just for me, but I can’t force myself to try with someone who doesn’t interest me in that way.”

He crossed the room with a soft step, his face morphing into an understanding smile. “I know, darling. I’m sorry to have upset you. I would never force you into a marriage that didn’t please you, I just… I just want you to marry a good man. Well, so long as he’s a noble, at least.”

Your father was never a traditional king, but he still insisted on some things, and one of them was that you would marry well. Well meaning high status. Some things were sacred.

“But if the duke isn’t to your liking,” he continued, “I won’t force it.”

“Thank you, father. That means a great deal to me.”

“Good.” His hand cradled the back of your head to bring you forward, allowing him to bestow a fatherly kiss upon your forehead. “Someday, you will make a great queen. A better ruler than me, I am sure.”

“Father,” you laughed. “You are a great ruler. The people love you. Everyone loves you. That’s what matters.”

“My sweet girl,” he said, now holding your cheeks to admire your pretty, delicate features. You were truly a princess through and through. “You’re the most precious jewel in my crown.” An old phrase he’d said to you since you were a little girl. The man was so sentimental, a trait you admired greatly. “I bid you goodnight.”

As he headed back towards the door, you began to think freely, with your mind returning to the knight beside Richard. Daryl, you recalled his name. You’d never heard a name like that, nor seen a face like that.

“Father?” you called out to him just before he could leave.

“Yes, my dear?”

Looking down, you toyed with the fine silk fabric of your surcote, prefering to study the rich champagne color than to face your father as you asked, “Tell me about Richard’s knight.”

The king’s brows furrowed, his head tilting to the side in a display of curiosity and confusion. “The knight? Sir… Daryl, I believe?”

“Mhm,” you mumbled, still nervously rubbing the garment between your fingers. To clarify, you lifted your gaze to your father. “Well, I mean… I was just curious. You know how I have a fascination with knights and things of that sort.”

The king shook his head with a warm, deep chuckle. “Oh, daughter. Well, I don’t know much of him, other than that he is brave, loyal… He was knighted by your grandfather, you know. Just a few years before he passed.”

“And he is of noble birth, like Richard?”

“No, no,” he replied. “Not at all. His parents were lower gentry. He earned his title in battle, a rare feat for a knight, as you know.”

Indeed, most knights were born to nobility, becoming pageboys before the age of ten, then promoting to squire in their youth. After years of studying under an established knight, the squire would then undergo the dubbing ceremony. He’d learn the code of chivalry, and he’d pledge allegiance to a lord, offering military services in exchange for a fief, or land. It seemed that Sir Daryl must’ve met many of these requirements, but he certainly wasn’t a noble.

“That’s quite interesting,” you said. “I knew he seemed different. Well, goodnight, father.”

“Goodnight, my sweet.”

When the candlelight was extinguished, and the only sound left in the dead of night was that of the crickets chirping and the toads ribbeting, you were left in solitude with your thoughts. These thoughts were not new, of course. They were visions of the outside world, beyond the castle walls and the walls of the kingdom. They hung somewhere between consciousness and dream, but your thoughts were intentional, purposeful. You thought of the trees, the flowers, the little streams. You thought of the deer and the birds and the butterflies, every beautiful thing you hadn’t seen since the Scourge began. That plague had taken everything from you, your mother, your freedom, your peace of mind.

Others had it much worse, of course, and you knew that, but that didn’t ease your heartache. There were many nights you cried yourself to sleep, hoping your father couldn’t hear, for he did what he did for good reason—he was terrified of losing you, his only child.

But tonight, you didn’t cry at all. In fact, there was a strange sense of hope nestled in your heart, something you hadn’t felt in so many years. At first, you couldn’t put your finger on it, but as your head and your heart began to work together, you realized—it was the knight.

Not only was the knight a new addition to the court, but he was brave, a fighter. He would surely help you escape.

Escape was something you’d thought of before, but now, it seemed within reach. Of course, you wouldn’t leave forever, just a day. Just a day outside the walls, breathing in the fresh air, feeling the soft grass underfoot. There wasn’t anyone else. The guards all pledged such strong allegiance to the king, they would surely inform him of your plans if you asked. The others weren’t skilled in combat, couldn’t keep you safe. No, the only solution was the knight. He would help you. Surely, he would help you.

In your alone time, you often walked the corridors of the keep, as there wasn’t much else to do when you weren’t occupied by your books or your needlepoint. Today was no different, though the court was still excitable over the arrival of the duke last night.

You tried to ignore that, instead keeping yourself in your thoughts as you wandered aimlessly, until your father’s panicked voice resounded from inside his cabinet, adjacent to his bedchamber. What you made out were the words, “How could this happen?!”

Curiosity overcame you, your boredom having been relentless. You looked around the corridor for a moment, ensuring no passersby would see you. The guards were at the other end of the hall, facing away from you. If you were quiet, no one would see you pressing your ear to the ornate wooden door.

“Constable,” your father huffed, “are you quite sure?”

“Yes, your majesty,” spoke Lord Constable Aaron. “There have been reports of mysterious cloaked knights extorting citizens throughout the kingdom. They demand crops, livestock, women… They threaten murder if they don’t get their way, my liege. We had some isolated incidents in the past, but this past month, they’ve been happening more frequently.”

“And you didn’t think it of import to tell the king?” questioned Lord Chancellor Gerald. “There hasn’t been crime like this in Alexandria since we closed our gates.”

“I didn’t want to worry his majesty with incidents of petty crime,” responded the constable. “But now… Well, a boy has been killed.”

“What?!” your father exclaimed. “Who?”

“Thomas Webb, son of the innkeeper, James. He was only sixteen… I’ve been told it was…”

The constable trailed off, his voice becoming shaky as he spoke.

“Speak, Aaron,” demanded the king.

The constable cleared his throat, then lowered his voice. You pressed your ear harder against the wood of the door, so much so that you feared a splinter.

“Apologies, milord… It—it was a gruesome death, the likes of which we haven’t seen in Alexandria since the Dead breached our walls. But this wasn’t a dead man, it was a knight in black armor, their leader. We could hardly identify the boy, his head was… Well, your majesty, his head was obliterated.”

A small gasp escaped your lips, your hand quickly reaching up to catch it before it alerted the guards.

“By God,” uttered the chancellor. “What kind of knight are we dealing with?”

“A knight wouldn’t commit a crime like that,” spoke an at first unfamiliar voice, but you quickly identified it as that of the duke. “No, not any kind of true knight. A dishonored one, maybe.”

“It’s of no concern to me what this man’s status is,” said the king. “All I care about is protecting my people. Constable, I need strengthened security across the kingdom, especially in the merchant district. Something tells me these marauders are targeting the middle and lower classes. I also want tighter security at the outer curtain. No one should be entering or leaving the kingdom without my permission, and if they’re entering clandestinely, there must be a blind spot or a chink in our armor. If the living can get in, the Dead can, too. Get it sorted. There will be no more of this… obliterating in my kingdom, understand?”

“Absolutely, your majesty. We’ll double up our defenses. This won’t happen again… Oh, and… There is one more thing.”

“What is it?” asked the king. “I have very little time for idle conversation today, constable.”

“Yes, yes, of course, your majesty, but… Well, this is quite important. The knight in black armor left a message with one of our guards, just before he… chopped off his arm.”

Your lips trembled with fear. How could a man do such a thing? And this man was in your kingdom, hurting your people. It was horrifying. That poor guard, you thought. That poor boy… Oh, that poor, poor boy.

“Good lord!” huffed the king. “All right, what is it?”

The constable cleared his throat as you heard a crinkling of paper. “Your majesty,” the constable read from the letter, “let this be a first warning, an introduction of sorts. My name is Sir Negan of House Smith, my people are the Saviors. If you cooperate with me, there will be no more bloodshed, but if you go against me, I will plunder and pillage this pretty kingdom until the streets are soaked red. I ask, or demand, rather, for one thing: your daughter.”

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