#courting rituals
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I can finally post this!
A gift for timidtoast in the Alpha/BNHA/Omegaverse Exchange
#my art#first date#courting rituals#lgbtq#bakudeku#dekubaku#bnha#my hero academia#midoriya izuku#bakugou katsuki#boko no hero academia#illustration#art#artist on tumblr
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I think they only used the deck of cards officially for the house of cards video? but I realized they kept playing around with them just for fun together for Lando's impromptu shuffling in the mobile home and also when they were on the jet together
#landoscar#mctwinks#twinklaren#courting rituals#the way they started having lunch together and then playing little games during down time ???#b a b i e s#house of cards#instagram pics#mine
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Hi! Anything you recommend involving Angel or Demon courting? I love a good “old fashioned courting” fic
Hello. We have some angelic and demonic courting fics here. And you may also be interested in our #wooing and #nesting tags, as these fics will somewhat similar. Here are some more fics featuring courting rituals...
Falling Free by Sodium_Azide (T)
With nothing holding them apart anymore, Aziraphale takes the first steps and first offerings in making things formal between himself and his demon. His Crowley deserves to be wooed the very, very old-fashioned way.
One More Chance by greygerbil (E)
Aziraphale is painfully aware that he may have rebuffed Crowley one time too many to still hope there will be anything else between them than friendship and the occasional tryst. Still, he was never one to give up easily.
Crowley's attempts at courtship (5+1) by p0psicle_ashtray (M)
The year is 1813, Crowley is currently in a gentlemen's club in Scotland when he runs into a familiar angel, they talk and Crowley realizes that he must do whatever it takes to make Aziraphale fall in love with him. He was going to court the pants right off him.
I slithered here from Eden, just to sit outside your door by doodlegirll (T)
Courting, in heaven, was all about pageantry.
Crowley had been an angel, once. He remembered the pomp and circumstance of it all, how his fellow angels would damn near lose their minds trying to make sure that every little thing was absolutely perfect, to the letter. It had all seemed so silly back then, back when Crowley had gone by a different name and had woven galaxies and stars into nebulas across the cosmos. He’d rolled his eyes at it all, but he’d always secretly wondered what it would be like, to find someone that made all that fuss seem worth it.
That was before the Fall, and the Garden, and a wall where a swordless angel asked his first question and shielded a demon from the rain.
Crowley knew that if he was going to win the Principality’s heart, he was going to have to do it the old fashioned way.
The Courting Habits of Doves and Crows by vaguelydemonic (T)
Aziraphale and Crowley's tendencies to beat around the bush finally start coming to an end. They've been at their careful back and forth for millennia, but when notorious Gift Giver Crowley receives a present from Aziraphale, the ball truly gets rolling and the limits of how oblivious a pair of immortals can be are tested.
Pining and Posturing by Kittyknowsthings (T)
When Gabriel proposes an angelic bond to Aziraphale and won't take no for an answer, Crowley challenges him to a competitive courtship instead - and while Heaven considers courtships a mostly private matter, Hell's delegation to the Ineffable Parley certainly isn't going to politely ignore an Archangel walking into the negotiation room bearing an unauthorized demonic geas.
- Mod D
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One day, Arthur finds a book.
Love deprived as he is, Arthur thinks the book is about friendship. He's never learned how to do friendship, so everything is overwhelming for him anyway and he decides to the Tips that are written in the book with Merlin.
It's a book about courting rituals.
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BILBO'S EYES
The hobbit fandom is completely batshit crazy over Bilbo's eyes. I mean you read a fanfic it says he has green eyes and another fic of the same series will say say he has blue eyes. Now I understand that according to Tolkien he had green eyes and Martin Freeman has central heterochromia but at least some consistency can be expected.
Although I have no problem if it is used to confuse Thorin.
Like imagine that there is some dwarrow courting tradition where you have to give something for example a pendant that exactly matches your betrothed's eye color for your first gift.
Bilbo: Hey Thorin, do you want to come on a walk with me?
Thorin(who spent 3 days making a pendant with a green centerpiece and is staring at Bilbo's blue eyes aghast):Uhh no. I have some work to do.
He then rushes back to the forge.
This keeps happening and in the end he just ends up making 100+ pendants and gives all of them to Bilbo.
#bilbo baggins#bagginshield#the hobbit#thorin oakenshield#thorin x bilbo#thilbo#central heterochromia#dwarrow#courting#courting rituals#pendant necklace#emeralds#blue gemstone
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Short Prompt #78
"I'm not marrying you!" the knight cried, scrambling to the other side of the cavern with a clang and a clatter of heavy armor. Their sword already lay bent and useless on the stone floor.
The dragon's tail lashed the ground impatiently and flame licked between their teeth as they spoke. Even in this humanoid form, they made the knight want to do nothing more than shiver in their chainmail.
"I took you, that means you're mine." They let out a puff of smoke that closely resembled exasperation. "Really, learn the customs."
#dragon x knight#dragon#knight#human x monster#dragon x human#fantasy#arranged marriage#marriage customs#courting rituals#prompt#short prompt#writing prompt
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Wrapped in Sunshine
Katsuki stood by the campfire airing out the bedrolls. He hung them on a nearby tree branch and crawled back into the tent, wiping out the dirt that had gathered on the floor. As he was organizing their belongings, Katsuki heard heavy footsteps padding toward the campsite at a rapid pace. He poked his head out of the tent entrance to see Eijirou bounding into camp, stopping just shy of the fire.
Eijirou was in full dragon form, red scales glistening in the daylight. His large talons dug into the earth and in his maw hung the limp body of a giant boar. Blood dripped from his chin, and he released the beast. It fell with a heavy thud on the ground in front of the tent and Katsuki stared up at him wide-eyed.
He climbed out of the enclosure, poking the dead animal with his foot, then looked to Eijirou who was sitting upright in anticipation. “What the hell is this?” he asked.
Food for my sunshine, Eijirou replied telepathically. He licked his mouth clean before his body began to shrink, returning from dragon to human. “I thought we could feast,” he said, once he was able to speak in human tongue.
“Ei, this thing is massive. Even if we smoke the meat, it’s too much to carry.” Katsuki chided him. The boar had to be at least three hundred pounds. They would never eat it all and the nearest village was twenty kilometers away. They would have to fly the meat to market.
“But you always say we need more meat.” Eijirou looked and sounded defeated. He kicked his bare foot at the ground, head dipping so that they were no longer making eye contact. He looked like a wounded badger, and for all of Katsuki’s talk, he hated seeing animals (and Eijirou) wounded.
Katsuki sighed. He folded his arms across his chest and inspected the boar. Eijirou had managed a clean kill. If they skinned it properly, they could manage a hefty bag of coins from the remains. The boar was a victory, but also a giant pain in the ass. “You’re right,” he said after a long pause. “We do need more meat, and with a boar this size, we’ll make a profit.”
“You’re not mad?” asked Eijirou, looking hopeful. Crimson eyes glimmered and his cheeks eagerly touched his eyes. The lines of slowly forming crow’s feet wrinkled in delight as he scooped Katsuki up into a bear hug.
“I’m not mad, ya’ big oaf.” Katsuki let himself be hugged, leaning into the touch, and resting his head on Eijirou’s shoulder. “Now help me clean the beast before it expires.”
“Absolutely!” Eijirou held Katsuki at an arm’s length, planting a kiss on his lips before setting him down and drawing his claws out to skin the animal.
***
Katsuki stood next to the river tapping his foot on the ground. His hands rested on his hips, and he was eyeing Eijirou skeptically. “Tell me again how this happened?”
Eijirou sat in the river as water began to wash away layers of dirt from his body. His usually glimmering scales were tarnished. His claws were cracked and chips, the undersides thick with mud and dried blood. He had come back to camp in his half-human form, wings stretched out behind him, face coated in filth, and a handful of raw, uncut gemstones in his satchel.
Eijirou scratched at his scaley face, blushing in the odd way that dragons did. Their armored skin did not flush red, but it was still clear to Katsuki when the dragonborn was embarrassed. “Well, I uh... I heard about this diamond mine nearby. I wanted to get Sunshine something as bright as you are. They make rainbows in the light. Have you seen? If Sunshine doesn’t like them, I can take them back. There’s a ruby deposit to the north. Would Sunshine like rubies instead?”
Katsuki sighed in exasperation and shook his head. “Diamonds are fine, but don’t go digging by yourself. It’s dangerous.” He pulled a rag out of their bag and stepped into the water to begin wiping Eijirou’s body down so that it was free of dirt.
“I promise!” Eijirou smiled happily, his large mouth drawn back into a snarl. His guttural laugh sent ripples through the water and his breath was hot on Katsuki’s skin. The heat dried the sweat on his brow, and he dipped the rag in water to dampen it.
Katsuki took extra care on Eijirou’s claws, using a twig to dig the dirt out from underneath each one. “We’ll have to file your nails once you change back. You could get hurt if you let them stay cracked like this.”
“Okay, Sunshine.” Eijirou agreed, pleased to be groomed by his lover.
With a tired smile and a sigh, Katsuki shook his head and continued to clean his mate. He had grown accustomed to the pet name ages ago. While Katsuki wasn’t a fan of it at first, Eijirou insisted it was because his hair was as warm and golden as the sun’s rays, giving life to the earth—the same way Katsuki gave life to Eijirou. It was disgustingly sappy, but he didn’t have the heart to tell Eijirou to stop calling him “sunshine,” after that.
***
Things were beginning to take a strange turn and Katsuki knew something wasn’t adding up. First the boar, then the diamonds, and now Eijirou had gone out of his way to drag Katsuki to a hoard of ogres. He said it had been a while since Katsuki’s last fight and he knew how bad he had been itching for some action. It was true, but still strange. Usually, Eijirou was a pacifist, only engaging in battle if necessary. It wasn’t like him to actively seek out combat just to appease Katsuki.
Katsuki took a blow to the face, splitting his lip. He grinned wildly, wiping at the blood that was beginning to trickle down with the back of his hand. It smeared across his chin like war paint, and he rushed forward, sword poised for the kill. He thrust the blade into the ogre’s chest, then pulled free, smiling victoriously as the monster landed face-first into the dirt.
As Eijirou finished off the others, swiping his large talons across the battlefield, Katsuki began to wipe his sword clean of the carnage that had just ensued. Eijirou bounded over to him, licking his face with that giant dragon tongue of his. Katsuki smiled, petting his mate on the snout. “Yeah, yeah. This was fun. Thanks.”
Eijirou preened, a low rumbling rippled its way through his body. He nuzzled his snout against Katsuki’s cheek, soliciting a laugh from the blond. “Okay, okay. So, why did you want to go ogre hunting anyway?”
Eijirou whined in lieu of an answer.
“Not talking, eh?” Katsuki wiped at the blood on his lip with his thumb and gave Eijirou a onceover. “We should get cleaned up and see if there’s any loot worth taking.” Eijirou nodded his large head, then shifted back into a human.
“Sure thing, Sunshine.”
Katsuki pursed his lips, but shook it off, moving to the ogre he had defeated.
***
While Eijirou slept, Katsuki packed his bag to head off on a solo mission to the dragon village where Eijirou hailed from. He wanted answers and his mate was not talking. Every request to get answers was met with silence or a distraction and he was not one for being toyed with. There was something going on and he would figure it out.
As his dragon snored softly in their tent, curled up in their bedrolls and blankets, Katsuki stepped into the forest. It would take half a day to walk to the dragon village alone. Normally, Eijirou would fly them there in about an hour, but he couldn’t risk the dragon taking them on a detour or something instead of to his home. If anyone knew why Katsuki's mate was acting strangely, it would be his people. He slung the bag over his shoulder and started off on his journey in the wee hours of the morning.
The sun had yet to rise, making navigation through the forest difficult, but Katsuki had lived there long enough that he knew the area like the back of his hand. He just had to turn left at the old oak tree and then head south until he reached the clearing. Easy. At least, it would have been if the oak tree hadn’t been felled in a recent storm.
By the time Katsuki reached the dragon village, he was exhausted and dripping in sweat. His water had run out, and his rations were painfully low. He had packed for four hours, not seven. On the opposite side of the village Eijirou’s sworn brother, Tetsutetsu, was chopping wood outside his small cabin. Katsuki came to a stop a few meters away from him, hands gripping his knees as he caught his breath. Tetsutetsu dropped the axe he was wielding and rushed to Katsuki’s side.
“Bakugou? Are you okay?”
Katsuki waved him off. “Fine, fine. Can I get some water?”
Tetsutetsu nodded and ran to the well, pulling up the pail and filling the canteen on his side. He dropped the pail back into the well and returned to Katsuki’s side. “Here. Drink up.” He offered Katsuki the water, which he took gratefully. Once Katsuki had sufficiently drank down the water, Tetsutetsu took the canteen back and eyed concerned. “Where’s Ei? Is everything okay?”
Katsuki nodded, taking a seat on the ground. “I came alone. He’s fine or at least I think he is.”
“What do you mean?” Tetsutetsu took a seat beside him, crossing his legs and leaning his elbow on his knee.
“He’s been acting strange lately—showering me in gifts more than usual, taking me to fight monsters when he hates fighting, keeping secrets—it’s not like him. As a fellow dragon, I was hoping you could help.”
Tetsutetsu blinked and gave Katsuki a sniff. His nose wrinkled and scooched a few centimeters away. “Oof. That’s strong.”
“What?” asked Katsuki, confused.
“Ei’s scent on you. It’s stronger than normal, which makes sense since you just explained that he’s courting you.”
Katsuki’s face went white, his mouth dry. “Courting?”
“You know dragons mate for life?” asked Tetsutetsu.
Katsuki nodded slowly.
“Well, he must think it’s time for the bonding ritual or marriage as you humans refer to it. Though, a draconic bonding ritual is way more intense than any human marriage.”
Courting... bonding... Katsuki was embarrassed to not have realized it on his own. He studied dragons for years before meeting Eijirou. Now that it had been pointed out to him, it was completely obvious. He rose to his feet, body still tired from the long journey, but he needed to get back before Eijirou worried.
“Leaving already?”
“Yeah,” he replied.
Tetsutetsu got to his feet as well, giving Katsuki another onceover. “I’d offer you a ride home, but given the situation, I don’t want Ei coming for my head.”
“It’s fine,” Katsuki assured him. “I got here on my own, I can get home on my own.”
Tetsutetsu clicked his tongue and nodded. “Let me get you some supplies at least. I can’t send you back without any food or water.”
Katsuki didn’t argue. He was grateful to have a full reserve of water for the long walk home.
“You know,” Tetsutetsu started as he fetched the pail from the well once more, “the two of you should move back to the village. I know Itsuka would like to see you more too.”
Katsuki chuckled softly, taking the canteen, and shoving it in his bag. “Maybe. Tell them we’ll visit soon.”
He waved farewell to Tetsutetsu and headed back through town toward the forest he and Eijirou called home. Katsuki smiled to himself, thinking about all the things Eijirou had done lately to earn his favor. How long had Eijirou been planning this? Knowing him, from the day they met on the mountainside when Katsuki challenged him to a battle. Stupid lizard, he thought affectionately.
Katsuki was only halfway home when he caught sight of large red wings in the sky overhead. They eclipsed the sun, bathing him in shadows until Eijirou landed in front of him. He rushed to Katsuki, taking him in his arms and checking him over. “Are you okay? I woke up and you were gone. I couldn’t find you anywhere and you’ve been—” He sniffed, face blanching. “Why do you smell like Tetsu?”
“I needed to ask him something,” said Katsuki, patting Eijirou on the shoulder and freeing himself from the dragon’s grasp.
“Why?”
Katsuki shrugged. “No reason.” he replied, purposefully being coy. Two could play at that game. “It’s getting late, and I need to visit my parents before we return home. Do you mind?”
Eijirou pursed his lips pouting but huffed in defeat. “Yeah. Let’s go. I miss Sunshine’s kin. I would love to see what MawMaw and PawPaw are up to.”
It was disgustingly sweet how close Eijirou was with his parents. Katsuki loathed it, but he couldn’t complain that his parents loved his mate. It made life easier, even if they did spend a disgusting amount of time gossiping when together. Eijirou transformed and Katsuki climbed on his back, situating himself as the base of Eijirou’s neck before they took flight.
Flying together was always his favorite. It was invigorating having the vast sky expand around them, soaring through the clouds, having his skin kissed by precipitation. He loved it.
Arriving home took no time at all when Eijirou flew them there. Katsuki dismounted from Eijirou’s neck just outside the village and they walked toward his parent’s home together. Mitsuki and Masaru could keep Eijirou busy while Katsuki did what he needed to do.
The front door opened and Mitsuki walked outside, arms spread wide. “What a surprise. There’s my favorite son.” She hugged Eijirou, looking at Katsuki teasingly.
Normally, he would make some sort of snide comment, but for now, he would ignore it. “Hey hag, where’s my trunk?”
She looked at him, still hugging Eijirou and nodded in the direction of the shed. “I’m not sure what you need that old thing for, but it’s out back.” Mitsuki’s nose twitched as she let go of Eijirou. “Child, you need a bath. When was the last time you used soap? These clothes are filthy.” She began to steer Eijirou toward the house despite his protests. While he could easily put a stop to her dragging him away, Eijirou followed with a pout on his face.
When they were out of sight, Katsuki made his way to the shed, opening the window to let the evening light in. The trunk was coated in a layer of dust. He blew at the dust, coughing as it filled the air, and opened the trunk. Katsuki wasn’t sure what he was looking for, but the best gift had to be within the confines of the wooden box. All his best kept treasures were there, and Eijirou deserved the best. As Katsuki sifted through the trunk, he realized how much clutter he had collected over the years. Many of the items needed disposal, but tucked in the corner amongst animal teeth, scraps of fabric, and odd stones from the lands he visited, were two items Katsuki thought to be perfect for proposing. Everything was a competition, even courting.
He pulled out the skull of a griffin from his first adventure with Eijirou. It was customary to slay a beast for your betrothed, much like how Eijirou had brought Katsuki the boar. He set it down neatly on the floor and smoothed out ratty orange cloth that he had also procured from the trunk. His parents had said it was the blanket he had been swaddled in as a newborn. It was a relic of his past and something Eijirou would treasure for a lifetime.
Katsuki shut the trunk and scooped up the skull and blanket, closing the shed window before walking out of the small building. He started to head for the house, surprised to see Eijirou sitting in the yard picking flowers. The dragon was twisting the stems, tongue sticking out in concentration, as he formed a flower crown. Katsuki laughed to himself, coming to a stop in front of his mate. “Done bathing already?”
Eijirou looked up, eyes widening. “MawMaw agreed it could wait until after dinner if we spent the night. We can spend the night, right? PawPaw is making stew.” Eijirou loved Masaru’s stew (mostly because of the meat and potatoes).
Katsuki nodded. “Yeah, we can stay.” He dug the toe of his boot into the ground, fidgeting with the gifts behind his back. “Ei, can you stand up?”
“Sure, Sunshine.” Eijirou smiled, crimson eyes glittering in the evening light. “I made you a crown of sunshine flowers,” he said, placing the dandelions atop Katsuki’s head.
Katsuki sighed, smiling softly at his far too sweet lover. “I have something for you too.”
“For me?” Eijirou’s wings beat wildly behind his back in anticipation.
“Yeah.” Katsuki wet his lips, moving his arms to the front of his body, blanket, and skull in tow. “Do you remember that griffin we fought after we first met?”
“I do.”
Katsuki gulped, suddenly nervous. He lifted his shaking hands, resting the skull atop Eijirou’s head, a crown for each of them. “A crown for my dragon king.”
“I’m not—”
“You’re mine,” Katsuki assured him, now holding out the blanket. “This was the cloth I was wrapped in when I was born. It’s a piece of me that will always be a part of you.”
“Katsuki.” Eijirou’s eyes began to water, and he sniffled. “What are you doing?”
“You were courting me, right?” Eijirou nodded. Katsuki grinned. “So, now I’m courting you. Will you have me forever?”
“Always,” replied Eijirou, pulling him in for a kiss.
You can also read it on AO3.
#fanfiction#fanfic#bnha#krbk#kiribaku#mha#bakugou katsuki#kirishima eijirou#sunrise: a krbk wedding zine#proposals#marriage proposal#courting#courting rituals#fantasy au#dragon kirishima#barbarian bakugou#gift giving#zine fic
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Catch and Release by moonwaif
Catch and Release
by moonwaif (@moonwaif)
M, WIP, 13k, Wangxian
Summary: Lan Wangji is used to volunteering at the Lan Yi Sanctuary and Rehabilitation Center for Spiritual Aquatic Life. What he is not used to is the sticky little octopus following him around. Why does he seem so determined to ruin Lan Wangji’s summer?
Aka, mischievous octopus-merperson Wei Wuxian has a crush on cute human volunteer, Lan Zhan. He decides to court him.
Kay's comments: A great modern with cultivation story featuring octopus merperson Wei Wuxian, who falls in love with Lan Wangji first and decides to court him! Unfortunately, Lan Wangji didn't get the memo yet and needs a little longer until he too falls in love. It's a very funny story, filled with cute misunderstandings and some really cool world-building!
Excerpt: A boy is staring back at him, cheeks puffed out and eyes wide. He looks young, about Lan Wangji’s age, but mostly he looks surprised. Which is exactly how Lan Wangji feels, because now that he’s here, he doesn’t know what to do. He didn’t expect this octopus to have dark grey eyes, striking cheekbones, or full, pink lips. In fact, he can’t remember what he expected at all. All he knows is that his mouth is dry, his stomach is vaguely nauseous, and he can’t stop staring.
Lan Wangji suddenly regrets everything. This whole plan is childish. What’s he supposed to do now—say “boo” and let the octopus go? Fortunately, he doesn’t have to decide. Lips puckering, the octopus shoots a stream of water right into Lan Wangji’s face.
Lan Wangji falls backward, spluttering. His ears are hot and the water is salty on his lips. With a delighted cackle, the octopus ducks beneath the surface, leaving behind only a series of choppy ripples.
Unruly! Disrespectful! Unhygienic! Uncouth! These words play in Lan Wangji’s head later that day as he storms around the Center, angrily unpacking supplies and wiping down surfaces. He wishes he could go to his brother. He’d love vindication, but that would also require explaining his immature plan. So he keeps to himself, exuding such a pissed-off aura that everyone avoids him.
modern setting, modern with magic, pov lan wangji, merperson wei wuxian, octopus wei wuxian, courting rituals, misunderstandings, wei wuxian falls first, interspecies relationships, cultural differences, canonical character death, canon-typical violence, mutual pining, pining wei wuxian, angst with a happy ending, humor, fluff and humor, oblivious lan wangji
~*~
(Please REBLOG as a signal boost for this hard-working author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)
#Wangxian Fic Rec#The Untamed#wangxian#MDZS#Kay's Rec#Catch and Release#moonwaif#Mature#short fic <15k#modern setting#modern with magic#pov lan wangji#merperson wei wuxian#octopus wei wuxian#courting rituals#misunderstandings#wei wuxian falls first#interspecies relationships#cultural differences#canonical character death#canon-typical violence#mutual pining#pining wei wuxian#angst with a happy ending#humor#fluff and humor#oblivious lan wangji#WIP Rec Week#WIP#Work in Progress
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Just imagine if the Metkayina courting ritual involves a Metkayina going down to the bottom of the sea and starts to draw shapes in the sand. As well as putting shells around to decorate. Once done they'll show their wanted mate after they're done. Idk I thought that would be a cute thing that they'd do. Like the Japanese pufferfish do to attract a mate.
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T | 1980 | f/? Human/lake creature | horror elements | lake cabin vacation, questionable courting gifts, lady of the lake but they're a monster
"Charlie? Dude?"
"Hmm?" Charlie answered, not turning around until her friend ran across the cabin in a blur of movement.
"Call the cops."
Only then did she look at her friend, frantically locking the front door.
"What's happening?"
"There's a foot."
"A foot?"
"Yes, a fucking foot!" She yelled, suddenly in hysterics as she bounced away from the door and towards the phone hanging next to the kitchen wall. Her fingers shook when she dialled 911.
"I'm at Kelpie Lake, the third cabin from the main road. Yes, from Thornfield Street. There's… somebody dropped a severed foot on the dock. Please send someone."
Charlie blanched. She looked at the glass doors looking out into the lake, its emerald green surface sparkling in the sun. They've been cleaning the cabin since their arrival the previous day. She slowly walked towards them, listening in while her friend talked to the dispatcher.
"My name is Sally Bloomfield, I'm here with my friend Charlie May. It's my parents' cabin. We cleaned the deck this morning, somebody had to drop it there later, somebody is here, right now!" she was screaming into the receiver.
There was something on the deck. On the swept and mopped up wood, in a small puddle of water, laid a pale, wrinkled shape. She stared for a long time, listening to her friend's frantic explanations and nagging to get someone here, please, until the shape started resembling a foot. She wanted a closer look, morbid curiosity itching at her fingers to open the door but she knew behind them she was safer if whoever put it there was still around. They must be because just two hours earlier she was sitting at the deck drinking her morning coffee. Since leaving was out of the question she did the next best thing and stood there rooted at the spot, unblinking not to miss anything that might happen.
"There are only these and the front doors, right?"
She flinched and looked away at Sally who walked towards her with the receiver at her ear. Charlie immediately looked back, fear grabbing at her neck and yanking, but the foot hadn't moved. Obviously.
"Yeah," she answered.
"I'll check the windows."
She rounded the cabin, closing all the windows with the receiver clutched at her ear like a lifeline until the police arrived. Similarly, Charlie was clutching to the sight in front of her. A bloated foot decomposing in the summer heat.
Despite a whole day of patrols and questions, despite the police tape, they stayed. The summer season just started and nearly all of the surrounding cabins were occupied and their presence helped to soothe their nerves. More of their friends were due to arrive in a few hours too. They got a direct contact number from the local sheriff and a patrol car was supposed to be circling the area at all times.
“They just want us here for free surveillance,” Charlie muttered as she watched the officer walk back to the car.
Sally didn’t say anything. They waited for their friends in the living room, with the deck in view.
“What’s with all the police tape?” Tommy asked as soon as he opened the cabin door, bags in hand.
“The lake needs to be scanned for body parts.”
“It’s a suspected disposal ground.”
The boy snorted, dropping the bags and approaching his friends but his face fell when they didn’t even turn towards him. He followed their gaze to the deck. It was wrapped in police tape as well. His eyes fell t the trail of muddy footprints leading to the sliding door from the entrance.
“Guys? What the fuck?”
The rest of their friends just walked in, their greetings cut by the weird atmosphere in the room. Charlie was the first to turn towards them.
“We found a foot on the dock this morning.”
“Excuse me?” Tommy sat down and the rest followed so the girls could brief them.
“Some animal probably found it and dropped it there,” Sally finished with an explanation the police gave them.
“But we should report any weird thing we notice,” added Charlie.
“So uh, no drugs?”
“Not while the police are running around, no. Is that your only concern?” Sally frowned at Jim, their usual source The boy just raised his hands.
“Sue me for wanting to relax after the story you just dropped.”
The friend group murmured in agreement.
“Let’s just all hit an early night, okay? I’m tired after the drive.”
Nobody wanted the couches with the lake view, even with the heavy window curtains, so they had to split between the two bedrooms. It was a tight fit but the closeness of friends brought comfort.
By the time all of them were ready for bed, it’s gotten dark. Their friends dozed off quite fast, but Sally and Charlie were too wired up with the events of the day to fall asleep. They sat in the armchairs next to the window while Jim’s sister slept in the bed.
“What are we going to do if we can’t swim in the lake?”
Sally shrugged.
“Next lake is just a short walk away and the area is pretty enough to just chill. Tommy wanted to check out the local farm. They make their own cheese and open a mini zoo in the summer.”
Despite everything, that pulled a smile out of her friend.
“I’d be down to pet some baby goats.”
“Right?” Sally smiled back.
They stood up to join Amy in the bed, and Charlie took a moment to look out the window, at the expanse of water. Most of the cabins had their lights still on, and the orange squares of their windows reflected on the surface. The lights rippled when she was watching like something moved just beneath them. Some fish perhaps. Or more like a snake, she thought, considering the movement. Coils and coils of serpentine bodies, bubbling the surface like boiling water. She blinked and the movement was gone just soft ripples on the water.
She joined the girls in the bed.
The next day started mostly the same. In an unfortunate way.
"At least it's not a body part this time," Charlie commented as she sipped on her coffee in front of the glass doors to the dock.
On the weathered planks, in a puddle of water, laid a dead fish.
"It matches the animal theory, I guess."
"It's in the same space," Charlie observed.
"We're not calling the police, right? It's just a fish." Jim frowned, but Sally shook his head.
"They said anything weird. This is weird enough, I think."
An hour later, an officer walked in, took a hasty photo and pushed the fish back into the water.
"It looks like an animal kill. Nothing to worry about," he reassured before leaving.
Nevertheless, the atmosphere in the cabin grew tense and they decided to leave for the day. When the surrounding areas were properly scouted and their trunk filled with groceries and alcohol, it was already dark. The living room light illuminated the deck and Sally walked to the glass to take a closer look.
There was something on the dock again but the shadows around made the object hard to identify.
"You know, my cat sometimes brings me dead mice. He thinks it's a gift," Tommy muses, squinting next to her. She hums in thought, before turning around.
"I need a flashlight."
Sally stood up to look around the drawers and handed her one. But when Charlie's hand reached for the door, she frowned.
"What are you doing?"
"We need a closer look, we can't call the police if it's just some weed."
"Can't you see from here?"
Charlie turned on the flashlight and pointed it towards the dock. The light was too weak to reach the object.
"Okay, fine."
The doors get yanked open and the smells and sounds of the lake enter the cabin. Charlie steps out. The planks creaked under her feet and the closer she gets, the more solid becomes the object in front of her. It's a pendant, damaged by water but still recognisable. But behind it, tendrils; inky black in the shadows and sliding down towards the water.
She pointed the light towards the water and for a second she could swear she saw a pair of black eyes watching her.
"It's a necklace," she informs them after closing the door and cutting off the cricket orchestra.
"Guess we are calling the cops then," Amy sighs, cheek squished against her hand like it was all just a big inconvenience to her. Not a potential threat to their lives.
It kept like that, random objects appearing now and then. They tried staying in the living room but they could never catch it, whatever person or animal was leaving the items to be found. Nobody seemed to notice anything amiss, no bubbling water or black eyes gaping at them from below the surface. No one except for Charlie.
It’s been a few days, patrols still idly circling the area and searchers finding the first body parts (seemingly from the same body, thank gods) when Charlie stepped out into the night just to observe. She could see the lights from the bathroom upstairs reflecting in the water, giving her a sense of safety as she took a couple of steps on the deck. She was wary of approaching the edge and the inky waters below.
The night at the lake was loud, all the creatures inhabiting it fighting for the loudest sound of their presence. The grass rustled in the soft wind, and water splashed aghast the pails. And yet, Charlie could hear something moving under her feet, below the wood. Something big.
The water splashed louder, bubbled and bulked like it was trying to take shape but its own nature betrayed its attempts. Then, a pair of huge black eyes was blinking at her. Once, then again, like it had two sets of eyelids.
Tendrils, black like tar in the darkness, slithered over the edge of the wood, carrying something, wrapped in dripping algae. It didn’t stop at the usual spot, shuffling closer until the item got dropped at her feet.
The tendrils hesitated, inching slowly toward her, leaving enough time to react, to run, but the curiosity and tenderness of the moment rooted Charlie to the spot.
It was cold and wet in touch but retracted quickly away from her ankle as if scared by its own actions. The item in front of her was revealed. A rusty dagger, probably from the bottom of the lake, lay at her feet like an offering from some fairytale.
He thinks it’s a gift.
Well, it was certainly better than a body part.
“Is it for me?” she whispered before the creature could shy away.
It nodded slowly, and her eyes adjusted to the light enough to notice hair, sleek and long, plastered to the scaled skin like algae.
“Thank you. Were all the other things for me too? The, uh, foot?”
It nodded again.
“I loved the gifts, but let me give you something next time. Tomorrow night?”
It watched her, only its eyes peeking out and she wondered if it was going to kill her, displeased with her refusal of gifts. She heard a sound and for a second worried it was a warning growl, but her brain finally registered it as a very croaky “okay”. She smiled, partially relieved and partially hysteric giddiness at whatever the hell she was just witnessing.
“Great. Goodnight.”
This time she took the gift with her with no hesitation and watched the black eyes widen and sparkle with joy. There was a splash, the body of the creature minutely peeking out of the water, followed by tendrils, or, tentacles. Like it was a very graceful octopus. Octopus-fairy hybrid. Charlie was excited to find out tomorrow.
#monsterlovetober2023#Tentacles#monsterfucker#creative writing#monster lover#monster romance#original story#monster kink#Lake creature#Lake monster#courting rituals#Sapphic#Kinda#horror fantasy#horror elements#Fantasy#lake cabin#Lake house#The horrors and romances of summer vacation
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The Company ships it. ⛵️❤️👍
Especially love Bofur’s big ass grin of sheer joy in the Mithril scene. He’s so happy for his Hobbit.🥰
#the hobbit#bagginshield#Thorin’s Company#richard armitage#martin freeman#bilbo baggins#thorin oakenshield#courting rituals#courting gift
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The Start of All Things
by emem_itsem
18k
Summary: Deep in the mountains, in a place where cold and snow abound, Katsuki is one of the warriors who guard the village. One night, he helps an omega who is being attacked by a pack of wolves and, very unlike himself, lets the stranger rest at his hut. Izuku wants to be a warrior, is hopeless when it comes to cooking, and spoils their pets (ram and wolf) way too much. Moreover, his personality is fierce enough to go toe to toe with Katsuki, yet he has such kindness and warmth he just might be able to finally make certain alpha’s heart melt.
Frankie’s comment: I liked this fic so much because it’s extremely well written. The character description is to the point, without needlessly long background stories, yet through the descriptions I felt like I was interacting with the characters myself. That is how well it’s written. Plus it’s funny but it’s not just crack, the story is well structured and the misunderstandings between the two are heartwarming instead of angsty and frustrating😂 Truly a beautiful Winter AU bkdk fic🧡💚
READ HERE
#bkdk#winter au#oneshot#fluff#love#smut#omega midoriya izuku#alpha bakugo katsuki#courting rituals#omegaverse
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Hi, I love your fic Heart of Thunder! And I was curious, if youre willing to share more about galakhari culture? (maybe something that you didnt share with us yet) Like for example what is equivalent of courting gift to Lazarus? Is it like some rare stone like in Furia´s case or perhaps you have to make some piece of jewelery to impress them?
Hi Anon,
thank you so much! <3
I'm always willing to share more. (Even if it might take me a while because I need to think things through in way too much detail.)
To answer you question:
The courting gift of Clan Lazarus (and by that I mean the 'I am now honour bound to say yes if there aren't some very good reasons to say no' courting gift) is a bracelet made of flowers and gold wire.
The flowers are native to Tenebrae. They're small and white and look a bit like daisies, though with less and pointier petals and without the yellow bit in the middle. In Tenebrani said flower is called al ourise Viellot. The fallen star. Because it glows in the dark. The Galahkari call it riastiga, meaning little star.
The riastigai grow mostly in caves and close to the magic wells that make the mountains of Tenebrae float. The closer to a magic well the flowers grow, the longer they take to wilt once you pick them. (And we're talking years here.)
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Me and who?
#im in a mood#silly goofy mood#me and who#courting rituals#dark aesthetic#dark academia#dark feminine energy#my thoughts
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Queen's Tea
author: princesscas
summary: At an unbirthday party, Floyd catches Riddle as the Queen of Hearts.
#twisted wonderland#floyd leech/riddle rosehearts#floyd leech#riddle rosehearts#ace trappola#cross dressing#queen!riddle#basically his dorm uniform but a dress#fluff#developing relationship#riddle’s gender is [ERROR]#floyd is riddlesexual#romance#courting rituals#floyd follows the courting rules#mostly - Freeform
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