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roosterforme · 4 months

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Deployment Sucks but I Swallow | Rooster x Reader

Summary: Bradley was used to having your undivided attention when he was about to leave for a long deployment, because you'd been spoiling him that way for years. When you spent the day with your friends and got home late instead, he wanted to be annoyed, but everything you do is just too sweet.

Warnings: Fluff, language, oral, Rooster loves getting blowjobs from his wife, 18+

Length: 3200 words

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female Reader

Check out my masterlist for more. Banner made by @thedroneranger

"Seriously?" Bradley muttered as he sat on his living room couch all alone with a beer in one hand and the remote in the other. This was his last night at home for the next four months, and you should have been here with him. You said you were having a late Sunday brunch with some friends and then coming home, but now it was dinnertime. He would be boarding an aircraft carrier tomorrow, Valentine's Day, at five in the morning, and he wouldn't be home until June. And yet you were still out with your friends while he stared at the enormous bouquet of roses on the coffee table that he got for you.

Every time he took a sip of his beer, the flash of his gold wedding band made him even more irritated. You'd never been like this in the past. Even before you and he got married, you would make a big fuss over him for several days leading up to his departure. He'd gotten used to that special treatment. He literally thrived when you used to run your fingers through his hair and tell him over and over again how much you were going to miss him the night before he left. And now that you weren't here in his lap, loving all over him, he was actually kind of pissed off about it.

He dug his phone out of his pocket, unlocked it, and tried his best not to be too snarky when he texted you again.

Do you think you'll be home soon?

He waited twenty-one minutes for a response as the sky outside darkened even more and his patience waned further. "You're spoiled," he admitted out loud. But it was completely all your fault, because you'd overindulged him with your love for so long that now he was pouting when you finally wrote back.

On my way! I'll pick up dinner!

He groaned. If you were going to stop for food, it would take you even longer to get here, but he hadn't made anything, because he thought you'd have been home hours ago. So he texted you back the one thing that he knew would get his irritation across.

Fine.

But even that didn't seem to do anything, because you were all smiles when you floated through the front door thirty-four minutes later with a cardboard box in one hand and a bag from his favorite takeout place in the other. And you looked to damn gorgeous, he felt his resolve slipping.

"Sorry I'm so late!" you said with a laugh. "I had such a long day."

Bradley tracked your movements from the couch with narrowed eyes. "Yeah. Me too. I thought you'd be home five hours ago."

"I completely lost track of time," you told him as your eyes settled on the roses. "Are those for me?"

"Happy Valentine's Day," he mumbled with a shrug, annoyed by the way his heart skipped a beat when you smiled at him like he was your only source of happiness in the world. But he couldn't bite his tongue as you set the box down and brought the food over to him with a smile. "What did you do after brunch? You were gone forever."

You nibbled on your lip as you ran your finger along one of the rose petals. "I was hanging out with Erika Fitch and Morgan Floyd for a little bit. We went to Erika and Reuben's house. I'm really sorry it took so long."

Bradley wanted to keep pouting and being cranky, especially since it sounded like Payback got to see more of you on Bradley's last day before deployment than he did. But when you bent to smell the flowers before dropping the takeout bag onto the table, you moaned his name softly before easing yourself down onto his lap.

"Baby," he whispered, melting into your touch as soon as your fingers were in his hair. And then your lips found his, and he wasn't sure why he'd been so upset with you. You felt perfect in his arms, and you smelled sweet.

"I love you, Bradley," you whispered, and he buried his nose against your neck and inhaled.

"You smell so fucking good," he moaned. "So sweet. Like candy. Delicious."

"Do I?" you asked coyly, raking your fingers back through his hair. "Or did you just miss me all day?"

"Baby, you know I'm spoiled," he groaned as you reached for his jeans zipper. "I wanted to spend the afternoon with you. I'm leaving tomorrow. For four months this time."

"I know. I didn't give you enough attention today, did I?" you whispered as you eased the zipper down. "I'm really, really sorry. I wanted to, but I got sidetracked making you something sweet. I always want to be with you on your last day at home."

He kissed along your neck and breathed in the incredible scent again. "You made me something sweet? You smell like something sweet. Makes me want to taste you everywhere."

Bradley could hear the smile in your voice as he licked your collarbone while you eased your hand inside his underwear and wrapped your hand around his cock. "Your dinner will get cold if you don't eat it now," you whispered.

"I don't care. I want my wife."

You moaned his name again, and that sweet scent was everywhere. "Then take me to bed, Lieutenant Bradshaw." Bradley's senses were filled with you as he carried you into the bedroom, and he swore he could smell chocolate as he undressed you. Your skin was extra sweet, and the scent clung to your hair.

"I don't know how you've made me this crazy for you," he whispered as he yanked his shirt off, "but I swear you smell like chocolate. Everywhere."

You giggled as you started to pull his jeans down, kneeling in front of him. "I know it's your favorite kind of snack."

"Incorrect," he grunted as you licked his cock before he stepped out of his pants and underwear. "My wife is my favorite kind of snack."

You took him between your parted lips and sucked on him like a lollipop before you whispered, "You're allowed dessert before dinner tonight."

Then Bradley had you underneath him in bed, your hands pinned to the pillow above your head as he licked your neck. "Next time I'm leaving, I want you with me all damn day. No brunch. No hanging with the girls."

You moaned his name as he slipped himself inside your wetness. "Anything you want. Anything."

He pressed his lips to yours as he filled you completely. "I want you."

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

Leaving the house with you at four in the morning on Monday was hard enough for Bradley, but the way you clung to him in the Bronco while he drove was making it so much worse. You had that box you brought home with you yesterday at your feet while he steered through the silent darkness.

"I'm going to miss you so much," you whispered as the aircraft carrier came into view. "Four months is such a long time."

He was just happy you got home at dinnertime last night and let him love you nonstop. He hadn't stopped touching you long enough to reheat his dinner until almost midnight, and even then, you were nearby. Right now he was exhausted, but he'd have ample time to catch up on sleep when he didn't have his perfect wife with him.

"These four months are going to suck," he whispered as he parked near the docks, happy he'd given himself extra time to hold you before he had to board the carrier. "Happy Valentine's Day, Baby." When you unbuckled your seatbelt and crawled toward his lap, he groaned. "You still smell like chocolate."

"Do I?" you whispered with a smile as you wrapped your arms around his neck.

With his nose buried in your hair, he asked, "Is it a new perfume or something? Because I definitely don't hate it."

Your soft laughter filled the interior of the Bronco as you shook your head. "No, it's not perfume. It's actually chocolate. I told you I made you something sweet."

Bradley was nibbling on your ear, his cock twitching in his khakis as your thigh pressed against his length. "What did you make?" he mumbled mindlessly, but then you were pulling away from him. He was scrambling to keep you in his lap where he wanted you, but you were leaning down to grab the box from the floor. You set it on the passenger seat and smiled at him as you reached inside.

"I made you candy bars," you said, handing him a thick piece of sweet smelling chocolate that was wrapped up in clear plastic. "Sixteen of them. One for each week that you'll be gone."

Bradley examined the candy in his hand and smiled as he looked up at you. "It says World's Best Husband on it."

"That's because you are," you told him, kissing his cheek. "Happy Valentine's Day. I'm going to miss you so much."

He was sure he was starting to blush in the predawn darkness as you handed him another one that said I'm So Sweet On You. "Oh," he whispered. "Erika and Morgan helped you make these yesterday, didn't they?"

"Yes," you told him as he tipped the box to look inside at the rest. They were all unique with white candies used for the lettering. He picked up one that said I Love Rooster and another that said Thinking About You.

"I love these, Baby. Thank you," he muttered as he kissed your chin. "I'm sorry I got snippy with you last night."

You ran your fingers through his hair just the way he liked and said, "The girls and I didn't think it would take so long to make them. I wanted to be home with you all day yesterday. I promise."

He wrapped his left arm around you and pulled you snug against him as he pulled one more candy bar out of the box. When he read it, he smirked and held it up for you to read, too. His voice was deep as he asked, "Did you really make me a candy bar that says Deployment Sucks but I Swallow? In front of the girls?"

You bit your lip and wiggled yourself around on his lap, clearly knowing what that would do to him. "Reuben and Bob saw it too. I've never seen Bob blush so much in my life."

Bradley's cock throbbed against you, somehow even more turned on by the fact that his friends knew you were thinking about sucking him dry. "Fuck," he grunted, running his thumb over the letters that spelled out his dirty Valentine's Day message. He glanced around and found that while other cars had started to arrive, it was still pretty dark outside. So he looked you in the eye with one eyebrow raised and rasped, "Why don't you prove it?"

You took the bar from him and set it back in the box with the others. "Right here?" you asked, running your hands down his khaki shirt and over his pins as you leaned in closer to him. Your lips were skimming the scars on his neck as you added, "Right now?" But he could tell you were absolutely into the idea as your fingers found his belt while you kissed your way up to his ear. "I would love to."

You were moaning softly as you opened the fly of his uniform pants and carefully pulled his hardening length free. Bradley eased the seat back as you worked your familiar hand slowly up and down his length, making him jump in anticipation as he kissed your lips. Another car parked directly across from him, and you were illuminated by headlights as you moved the box from the seat back to the floor and ducked down.

"Fuck," he grunted, tucking his hands behind his head as the headlights went out and your lips met his cock. "God, you're such a good girl." You were stretched across the seat on your belly, and he could already tell you were going to take your time, just like he wanted. There was a full thirty minutes left with you after all. The Bronco smelled like chocolate, and your mouth was warm around him as he whispered, "Nice and slow."

You moaned in agreement, nodding your head as you took him deeper and deeper. Bradley's head tipped back as he inhaled and exhaled slowly. You dragged your thumb down gently between his balls as he tapped the back of your throat, and you held him in place for a few beats. Now he was starting to doubt that he could last as long as he wanted to when you felt this incredible. He felt you gag softly as you started to ease back, and he could see stars at the edges of his vision.

"Holy shit."

When you withdrew him, he could feel your saliva dripping down his length onto his pants. You licked at his tip and rubbed soft circles along his balls with your fingertips. You knew just how he wanted it, and he was like melted chocolate in your capable hands and mouth.

When you popped him free, your voice was soft and needy. "You better think of this when you eat that candy bar," you whispered, glancing up at him as his length rubbed your cheek.

Bradley let one hand drift down to the back of your neck. "I always think about you, but I'll be thinking about this on replay, Baby. Sweet chocolate and blowjobs from my wife."

You giggled as you took him between your lips again, and the soft vibrations had him thrusting up for more. His fingers were digging into your neck a little bit as he tried to get control of himself while you bobbed. Someone walked past the Bronco as he moaned, but he literally couldn't care less. The back of your head had never looked so appealing before as you got sloppier, every thrust met with wet sounds that only made him throb.

He was gripping his own hair now as well while you pushed his hips back against the seat. "Baby," he whined as you treated him to the swirl of your tongue at the base of his cock. "I'm gonna miss you."

You nodded and moaned again, and Bradley reached out to grip the steering wheel in an effort to keep himself still while you worked your magic. With every tap of his cock against the back of your throat, his balls tightened until it was almost painful. "No, no, no," he whispered. "Not yet."

You responded by slowing your pace incrementally, dragging your lips along his full length and sucking until he popped free. "But you taste so good," you whispered up at him with a grin. "I want you to come in my mouth."

He shook his head, mesmerized by you as you nuzzled your face against his cock and balls. "Jesus," he groaned, reaching for the back of your head and stroking your hair. "You wanna taste me?"

"Mmhmm," you hummed loudly in the small space as he shoved his cock between your lips.

"You better swallow it all down," he grunted. "Just like you promised."

With your hands wrapped around his base, you squeezed him gently, sucking just right as you ran your tongue back and forth. He was grunting unintelligibly, hips jerking off the seat slightly as his head fell back against the headrest.

"That's my girl. That's my girl," he whined, doing his best to keep his hand gentle against your head as you took him right up to his orgasm. Then you removed your hands, and as soon as you took him deep, your lips brushing his pubic hair and his balls, he came. "Baby!" he moaned, thrusting gently as you sputtered. He didn't want you to waste it. He wanted you to get every single drop.

Bradley tipped his head forward and watched you swallow him down as you made sweet little sounds, the smell of the chocolate bars still in the air. You licked around his tip and cleaned him up as your gaze met his, and Bradley whispered, "I love you so much," as he caught his breath.

"I love you, too," you promised him as he pulled you back up to sit on his lap. Bradley tasted his cum in your mouth when he kissed you and cradled you against his body. "I'll miss you like crazy, and I'll be living for your calls. And I can't wait to spoil you when you get home again."

You kissed him all over his face as he whispered, "I love how much you've spoiled me. I'll be thinking about you nonstop, Baby."

A few minutes later, Bradley wiped away your tears and kissed your cheeks one last time before he boarded the aircraft carrier, and he watched you disappear into the distance with the dock as the sun rose behind you. He had one candy bar for every week he'd be away from you, and he couldn't wait to read the rest of them once he got to his bunk.

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

You were waiting very impatiently on the dock for your husband to join you on dry land once again. Your palms were sweating as you held onto two candy bars all wrapped up in plastic, hoping they wouldn't melt too badly. You texted him to let him know where you were standing, and now you just had to wait. And wait. You'd already gone four months without him, so this was just cruel.

Every facetime call had been the highlight of your week while he was away. Bradley had been sure to tell you which candy bar he'd enjoyed that week, laughing about what you'd written on all of them. One time, he even ate the bar that said Hottest Guy in the Navy on it while he talked to you.

You couldn't wait to take him home and spend days catching up with everything you and he had missed while you were apart. But first you needed to be in his arms. Then you heard him calling your name, and you almost dropped the candy bars as your husband made his way toward you.

"Bradley!" you shouted, and then you were in his arms, and his lips were on yours. You wrapped your arms around his neck, careful not to drop his treats. "I missed you!"

"I love you, Baby," he rasped, kissing his way back to your ear. "How the hell do you still smell like chocolate?" he asked, and you erupted into giggles.

"Because I made you more candy bars," you told him as you found his lips with yours again.

He kissed you until you were breathless, and then he pressed his nose to your cheek as he said, "I'm so damn spoiled. What did you make for me this time?" You smiled and held up the two candy bars, and he read them out loud. "I still suck.... Want me to prove it?"

Bradley's brown eyes went wide, and his crooked grin left you giddy. "Well?" you asked. "Should we go home so you can find out for sure?"

"Hell yes," he whined, hauling you and his bag and the candy toward the parking lot. "My deployment sucked, but you suck so much better, Baby."

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Happy Valentine's Day! It's not my favorite holiday personally, so I thought I'd make Bradley stress a little bit. Make sure you hug an aviator today! Thanks @mak-32 and @beyondthesefourwalls

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moonstruckme · 8 months

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What about Poly!marauders and reader who needs alone time to recharge. Like she's had a bad day or is stressed but actually needs them to leave her be for an hour rather than physically comfort her (but she still loves them ofc)

Ugh sooo relatable, like in theory I want to be cuddled and spoken to in soft tones but in reality I just need my bed and silence. I feel like the pacing on this was a bit off and I couldn't figure out how to fix it, so sorry about that but thanks for requesting!

poly!marauders x reader ♡ 481 words

They pick up on your mood as soon as you come through the door, which is as sweet as it is unfortunate.

“Hey, sweetheart.” James’ voice is tentative, probing. “How was your day?”

“Fine,” you say shortly. “I’m going to shower.”

He swivels his head to follow you with his gaze. “Everything okay?”

“Yup.”

Remus steps out of the kitchen and into your way, brow already furrowed. “You showered just this morning. You need another so soon?”

You know he’s not concerned about your cleanliness habits so much as he’s dancing around what he really wants to ask. You’re acting weird, and you know that, but the last thing you feel like doing right now is explaining why.

You look up at him, noticing Sirius turning around in the armchair in your periphery. The upset in your chest is growing with each well-meaning, troubled look your boyfriends send each other, each second you spend in their usually enjoyable presence. You don’t like how you feel right now, and you don’t like the angry person it makes you. “I just want to be alone for a bit, okay?”

“What happened, baby?” Sirius opens his arms in invitation, cocking his head when you don’t accept. Thankfully, he looks more confused than hurt.

“Just a bad day,” you say honestly, doing your best to sound kind as your patience wanes thin. You know they only mean well, but everything is too much right now, and it will be until you get some time to recharge. “Can I just go, please?”

James’ eyes look conflicted behind his glasses, distress written plainly across his features. “I’m sorry you had a bad day, lovely. Isn’t there anything we can do, though?”

You take a deep breath. “Listen, I appreciate that you want to help, but I just need some time to myself. It wasn’t that bad a day, I’m just…I need to calm down, alone.” Sirius is beginning to look even more concerned, but you go on. “I can tell you guys about it later, if you want, but I just really, really don’t feel like it right now.”

A long-fingered hand settles on your shoulder, thumb rubbing at the tense muscles there. “Take all the time you need, dove,” Remus soothes. “The bedroom’s empty, we can leave you be in there for a while if you’d like.”

You relax ever so slightly. “That’d be great, thanks.”

“Hey, just text one of us if you want us to bring dinner in,” Sirius adds. “Hope you feel better, baby.”

You send them all a smile as you disappear down the hall, closing the bedroom door behind you. You shrug on one of James’ t-shirts, and the sheets smell like all of you as you slip between them. You take some deep breaths, letting the familiar aroma pacify you as slowly, you begin to feel grounded in yourself again.

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masterjedilenawrites · 2 months

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Take Me Out

Bad Batch x Reader Exchange 2024

Crosshair x fem!reader | 4.7k words

Content: drinking, light angst, introspection, fluff, light humor, crushes, relationships, friendship, mentions of war and death, weapons (practice setting)

Prompts: "What am I even looking for?" - "I don't know" & "Sometimes I think some work on your communication skills wouldn't be such a bad idea."

My gift is for the event host - @ghostofskywalker! I was so excited to draw your name and I really hope you enjoy the fic. You put so much work and care into hosting these events for the fandom, it really is appreciated 🤗

I've actually had this story concept in mind for quite a while. I love that pretty much all of your prompts/wish-list items were able to fit in! We've got some platonic Hunter, romantic Crosshair, a little angst, a bit of fluff... Perfect!

Oh, and to keep things spoiler free (on my blog and for the event), this takes place before Order 66 and Omega.

Please go check out the @cloneficgiftexchange blog for all the other contributions to this great event! Fics are being posted all throughout today (4/13/24). Spread the love for fandom writers/creators by reblogging!

Vandor-3. Clone training facility: recreation sector. Winter.

You sat slumped over the bar, a drink cradled in your arms. You took lazy sips at the liquid, long past its effervescence, in between chewing on the straw. You could smell the evidence of your waning hygiene, being curled in on yourself like this. It disgusted you but not enough to do anything beyond self loathing. To say you were miserable was an understatement.

"Morning, Captain. A bit early for a drink, isn't it?"

The husky voice of the bar's newcomer was unmistakeable in who it belonged to. There were clones abound on this small moon, hundreds of identical-sounding men. But every once in a while you had the pleasure of hearing the one that was different.

You sluggishly swiveled your head and gave Sergeant Hunter a mock salute. He leaned against the bar beside you, seemingly torn between being amused and concerned by what he was seeing.

"Back so soon?" you asked, ignoring his own question. Though your speech wasn't slurred, your voice still betrayed some of the numbness you were working to surround yourself in. Which helped your friend make up his mind on how to feel.

"Easy mission," Hunter shrugged off the topic. "You okay? Did something happen?"

"No," you sighed and forced yourself to sit upright. Best to appear more in control and not give him reason to drag you to the med bay. "That's the problem. Nothing's happened."

Hunter frowned and slid onto the barstool next to you. You caught a whiff of soap as he did, a harsh contrast to your own odor that made you even more upset.

"I don't understand."

Your hands cupped around your glass, condensation pooling around your fingers, and you stared at the melting ice wishing to be as frozen and unfeeling.

"I don't understand, either," you whispered. "Why I'm still so... alone."

"Ah." Hunter placed a sympathetic hand on your shoulder. "That's right, you had that date you were going on. Another dud, then?"

You nodded, still refusing to look away from the ice cubes.

He hummed in thought. Your poor friend. How many times had he now had to come up with some sort of reassuring comment after another one of your failed attempts to find love? At least you were grateful you had such a friend, though. Where others would have made you feel guilty for admitting to loneliness, would have insisted they were company enough and all you had to do was ask for it, it's as simple as that, how dare you feel lonely when you aren't actually alone... Hunter was the one who always saw through to what you really meant. You were not what the other wanted, but you were both wanting, craving that kind of deep, romantic connection that seemed to allude you both. For Hunter, it was obviously his schedule that got in his way. For you... well, that was the mystery.

"You have to keep looking," was the sentiment Hunter settled on this time. He rubbed at your shoulder a bit, as if trying to smooth out your misery.

You huffed. His attempts to comfort were sweet, but not enough. You couldn't help but protest. "But with everyone I meet, I just find out what I don't want. What am I even looking for?"

"I don't know," Hunter shook his head sadly. "I don't know if anyone knows until they find it."

You groaned and slumped back forward, facepalming the bar top and wishing you could sink right into it. Sink down, down, down until you disappeared completely.

"Sorry, Cap," Hunter's now muffled voice attempted to chuckle, lighten the mood. "If I could track down your soul mate, I would. You know I would."

That comment was sweet enough. You forced yourself to stop sinking, lift yourself up again, and face your friend properly.

"I know. And I appreciate that. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be such a bummer today. It's just... it's been getting harder, is all."

He nodded and you nodded back and nothing further needed to be understood on the matter.

"Were you needing something from me?" you changed the subject. "Or did you come to day drink as well?"

"Ha, ha." Hunter started to get up. "Yeah no, I just wanted to let you know we were back for a few rotations, see if you'd have some time to finally come out and meet the boys."

You lifted up your glass and shook it a bit. "You're too late, I'm afraid. If I'd known you'd be back so soon, I wouldn't have started on this journey of self destruction."

Hunter titled his head at you, some of that trademark concern still showing. "This isn't going to be an all week thing, is it?"

You shrugged. Truthfully, you had no idea what to do with yourself. Making decisions even a day in advance seemed like too big of a commitment in your fragile state.

"I'd rather not meet any more new people right now, if it's all the same to you."

"I wouldn't consider them new. You've heard enough stories about each other by now. It's starting to get weird that you're not meeting, quite frankly."

You wanted to laugh, but the thought of introductions, stiff pleasantries, awkward small talk... It reminded you of every first date that never turned into a second, every dating app chat thread that went nowhere, every high hope you watched turn into disappointment. Even with a group like Hunter's brothers, the Bad Batch, with a reputation of being unconventional, who you'd only be making friends with just like you had with Hunter and every other clone on this moon... it was still too much for you to stomach.

"Sorry, maybe next time."

Hunter frowned, but he didn't overstep. "Suit yourself. Door's still open though. You know where to find us."

He made to walk out but paused to turn back to you for a moment.

"And hey, don't lose hope. We'll find our people soon enough. In the meantime, take care of yourself, alright?"

You waited until the bar doors closed behind him to let your tears fall.

* * *

Vandor-3. Woodland outskirts. Spring.

You were here. Finally.

You weren't able to pinpoint exactly where the turning point occurred, between crying yourself to sleep every night and being able to wake up with a smile on your face. A small one, of course, but a smile nonetheless. You weren't even sure it was something that had happened overnight. Slowly, eventually, the frost over your heart melted, the shadows in your thoughts grew thinner and lighter. Without even realizing you were drawing back the curtains and dusting off the shelves and each day being a little more open than you were the day before.

Your loneliness still existed. It came and went in waves, so while still devastating at times, you were at least afforded with periods of relief. Periods where you could smile again, find fulfillment in your work, and even dare to allow yourself to dream again. And not to mention taking more regular showers. It was always the little things that made the biggest difference, wasn't it?

And now here you were, standing in the early morning sun out in one of the training fields, the Havoc Marauder silhouetted against the sunrise as you shook hands with its crew in a meeting long overdue.

Hunter's stories had done the boys justice. Wrecker was just as larger than life as you'd pictured, aptly choosing to push past your outstretched hand and go in for a bone-crushing hug instead. Tech, who you'd come to know as the brains of the batch, only spared a second to be properly introduced before returning to fidget with some gadget. Echo was all politeness and disciplined respect, with his scomp-salute and ma'ams. And Crosshair... well, he was still on the ship asleep, which you supposed fit with the few facts you knew about him, too.

Hunter beamed beside them, clearly happy you had finally made the effort to meet his squad. His family, really. As a Captain overseeing drill training for the GAR, you knew better than anyone the close bonds these clones formed even before they stepped foot on a battlefield. This meant a lot to him, you being here. You felt awful for postponing so many times.

Once introductions were out of the way, and some pleasant conversation had passed, you eventually ventured out to the part of the training field that actually housed elements for training - your excuse for coming out here to meet everyone. A munitions crate full of shiny new blasters was carried between you and Wrecker while Hunter ran ahead to set up some targets. Tech and Echo went back to the ship to work on repairs.

"Aaaaugh. Only blasters?" Wrecker lamented upon opening the crate.

"Sorry, more budget cuts. This was all I could scrounge up for you guys."

Hunter was much more excited by the new weapons, though Wrecker still picked one up to try out. You held one as well but only used it to demonstrate different techniques. Just because you were good at training didn't mean you were the best at actually fighting.

The three of you picked off the various bottles, pots, and pans that Hunter had set up amongst the tree branches at the edge of the field for a short while. And on more than one occasion you found yourself pausing to breathe in the air and remind yourself that life was good. Maybe not how you wanted it, but it was still good and you'd need to continue to work on appreciating what you had.

After about an hour, there were only three bottles and a pan left, all proving tricky targets due to distance and angle. Hunter had even tried slinging a few knives to no avail.

"Okay I'm calling it," Wrecker announced with a huff. "One more missed shot and I'm blowing them up."

"I'll take that bet."

A new voice, one you'd never heard before, carried across the field. It was delicate and drawling and confident. Hunter chuckled and Wrecker rolled his eyes. And you... you had no idea that everything was about to change.

It was like he was moving in slow motion. Your surroundings blurred as the lanky figure caught the corner of your eye, your heart rate slowing as you turned and took him in. One confident step planted firmly in front of the other as he inched across the field. A sniper rifle perched on his shoulder. A toothpick between pursed lips. An eye surrounded by a reticle and narrowed in determination. He didn't even spare you a glance, and thank the gods, because if he had, you were sure your heart would've stopped beating altogether.

He squared off as soon as he reached the marks, bringing his rile forward to aim in a swift and careful motion. His head rested against the shaft, his tattooed eye squinted through the scope. You imagined him taking this stance a thousand times in his short life. It looked as natural a position as curling up on a couch might look for you.

You couldn't look away, not wanting to miss a single second of whatever this mesmerizing man was about to do. He was still for a moment, impressively so. You realized you were holding your breath as you watched, not wanting even your exhale to interfere with his process.

And then he fired. Once, twice, threefourfive times. Bang, bang, bang. Each in a different direction but no less precise than the one before. The first ricocheted off the pan and hit the green bottle, just as the second hit the red bottle. The three-shot volley was aimed at the branch the bottles sat on, causing it to crack and dangle even closer to the ground. And just when you thought the show couldn't be more over the top, the sniper swiveled his rifle toward the sky at a passing bird, clipped its wing with a shot, and then whipped out a pistol from his hip and fired at the remaining blue bottle just before the branch snapped and fell to the ground.

A few seconds later, the bird tumbled on top of the pile of shattered glass and splintered wood.

"Aaaand training is now over," said Hunter with a nod of his head. He raised his voice as he called out to his brother. "You'd better clean that shit up!"

The sniper flipped him the bird before sauntering off to clean up.

"Uh, you alright?"

Hunter paused in his own packing of gear to give you a concerned look. You were still staring after the newcomer, undoubtedly the lone Batcher you had yet to meet. Crosshair. Your brain had short-circuited with what you had witnessed him do, yes. But it was more than that. There was something about him. Something intriguing and attractive. Different than anyone you had ever known, and yet, somehow feeling so real and comfortable at the same time.

After a few waves of your friend's hand in your face, you snapped back.

"That," you breathed.

Hunter cocked a confused eyebrow.

"That is what I'm looking for."

* * *

Vandor-3. Clone training facility: recreation sector. Summer.

You were insanely busy. Separatist activity was ramping up in almost every corner of the galaxy and the GAR was responding to each new threat with full force. Rotations of new clone units were frequently arriving at the facility, one after another. You'd cycle them through a few trainings to get them certified on whatever was needed and then ship them right back out. And in between were all the additional tasks that needed to be taken care of. Piles of paperwork and coordinating schedules and ship inspections and updated security debriefings.

And yet through it all, you still had time to entertain the one thought that buzzed in the background of your mind: Crosshair. Every meeting, every meal, every training sim, first thing in the morning and last thing at night. He was there. Crosshair, Crosshair, Crosshair. On your mind, in your heart, driving you absolutely mad.

In the beginning you'd pretended it wasn't about him, specifically. You were simply happy to know what you wanted now, that you had a type and it existed. That was all. Hunter had turned up his nose, completely bewildered as to why that would be your type. You hadn't been able to give him much at the time; it would take you many rotations more to start describing the details of your newly discovered attraction.

But over time, it became harder to push aside the nagging thought that you hadn't found what you were looking for, but rather who. Specifically. Exactly. Why try to find someone like him when you already liked... him?

Oh there were plenty of ways you could answer that question, all of them self-deprecating and none of them productive. You could count on one hand now the number of times you had been in the same room as him, let alone interacted with him. The Batch may be frequenting the place more often as the war picked up, but not nearly as often as you needed to gauge whether someone like Crosshair would, could, or honestly even should be as interested in you as you were in him.

Today they were back on the grounds so Hunter could fill out some paperwork, and your heart had not stopped racing all morning. It was practically threatening to punch right out of your chest and run away. You weren't sure why, considering you'd probably only end up seeing Hunter this time. The rest of the Batch usually didn't venture into the facility unless they were staying overnight. But it seemed even knowing Crosshair was on the same planet as you got you worked up these days.

You carried Hunter's stack of paperwork with you now, intending to drop it off to him in between some meetings you had. As you hustled down the halls, you rehearsed a few ways you could subtly ask him how Crosshair was doing.

But as it turned out, you would have the opportunity to ask him yourself. If you could get over your frazzled shock at finding him in the rec room instead of Hunter.

The room was conveniently empty, making the silence between you that much more potent. Crosshair was standing awkwardly to the side, just behind one of the battered sofas, as if he had already been confused about what he should be doing before you pushed through the door. He stared at you and you stared at him and the moment only lasted for a few seconds but it felt like an eternity.

"Oh, um. Hi. Crosshair." You averted your gaze, despite having prayed the past several nights that you could see his face again soon. "I was... expecting Hunter."

That didn't sound right. You hoped he didn't take that to mean that you'd prefer if Hunter was here now. Obviously you didn't.

"He stepped out," Crosshair responded in that cool, even tone of his. Your eyes couldn't help but snap back to his as he talked. You wanted him to say more but he never did.

"Oh, okay. I just had some paperwork to give him."

Crosshair only hummed at first. You shuffled your feet a bit, debating whether you should make an attempt at small talk, try to coax more out of him, maybe even hint that you were interested in him. The thought terrified you, but not as much as the thought of being alone. You couldn't complain about that if you continued to let these opportunities pass by without at least trying to make a connection.

You shifted your weight again, intending to keep your feet planted so you wouldn't make a run for it, and Crosshair uttered your name hurriedly.

"Wait," he said. He'd thought you were leaving. You widened your eyes at him, waiting to hear what he'd wanted to tell you first. He seemed to hesitate before finally saying, "I was wondering if you knew what soup they were serving today?"

"Oh. Uh, potato, I think."

"How boring."

You smirked. "I know, right? They could at least serve it with some hot sauce."

Crosshair hummed.

The silence settled back in, though now you felt better about things. You'd practically had a conversation. Learned a little more about each other. It was a good start.

Your commlink suddenly beeped at your side and you blanched, remembering the meeting you were supposed to be heading to.

"I uh, I've got to go. It was nice talking to you."

It pained you to cut off your moment with him so quickly, but alas you were left with no choice. You shuffled back out into the corridor, though you only made it a few steps before realizing you still had Hunter's paperwork and could just leave it with Crosshair.

The rec room had an old school door that swung in and out on hinges. It was slightly ajar from when you passed through, and already in the few seconds since something was happening on the other side of it. You could hear more voices.

"...the kriff was that?" First, the deep tones of Hunter, equal parts annoyed and weary.

"That wasn't the plan." Then, the resolute voice of Echo, backing him up.

"What?" Crosshair bit back at them.

"You were supposed to ask her out," Hunter clarified.

"No, that was not the plan," Crosshair countered. "I needed to lay some groundwork first."

"You call that groundwork? You were talking about soup."

"And she agreed. No one ever agrees with me on the soup around here."

"What a special connection," Echo said.

Hunter sighed so hard you swore you could feel the breeze through the doorway. "You know, sometimes I think some work on your communication skills wouldn't be such a bad idea."

"What?"

"Never mind. Do what you like. Keep pushing away anyone who tries to love you and see where that gets you. Just know that it's exhausting, watching the two of you dance around each other like this."

"And kind of pathetic," added Echo.

You were against the wall by the door, holding in your breath for so long you were about to pass out. Or maybe it was the euphoria of knowing Crosshair was interested that made your head sway. Regardless, you had mere moments to make a move or let the opportunity pass. You dug into your pocket, fished out a pen, and scribbled a note on the top page of paperwork. Was it professional? Absolutely not. But the GAR would get over it. You left the papers by the door, making sure your note was turned to face it.

There's better soups on Coruscant. Let's go out sometime.

* * *

Vandor-3. Woodland outskirts. Autumn.

You were alone, standing in the middle of the training field, the early setting sun behind you casting a dim shadow across the remains of your latest training exercise. A chill was just starting to set in, causing you to tug at your jacket and pull it around you a bit tighter. You liked these moments, rare as they were recently. A quiet time to yourself. Not even to think, but simply to be. Present and comfortable. And you.

The wind picked up and sang through the taller blades of grass as a ship approached for landing. Your moment was over, but a new happiness settled in its place. Minutes later, the Havoc Marauder was opening its hatch and spitting out its soldiers.

"Captain," Hunter gave you a two-finger salute as he passed by.

"Sergeant," you returned with a smile.

Echo was close behind, giving you a respectful nod. Wrecker hauled a munitions crate in one hand and hit you up for a high five with the other. Tech was oblivious as he hunched over a data pad.

They filed by, one after the other, headed straight for the barracks, and what you hoped were the showers. They all knew not to linger, that you'd catch up with them later. This was your time with Crosshair.

The sniper was leaning up against the hatch opening, arms folded across a plastoid chest and a toothpick lazily perched between slightly curled lips. He took you in for a moment and you could feel yourself glowing in response to his soft gaze.

"Showing those clankers who's boss, I see," he said as he made his way down the gangway. He nodded his head toward the mess of scrap metal behind you.

You gave a half shrug. "My reaction time is getting better, but I still can't get the angles right with those pucks."

Crosshair inched up to you, gently resting his hands on either side of your waist. "Have you been doing the breathing exercises like I showed you?"

You nodded. Your hands instinctually came up to his run along his arms until they found the crook of his elbows, the only place not barring your touch by armor.

"And using the laser sight?"

You nodded a little slower and Crosshair tsked.

"I want to be good without it. Like you." You added a little extra honey to your words so he wouldn't reprimand you too much. It had been an adjustment for the two of you at first, he stepping into a training role and you stepping back to receive instruction for once. Thankfully the frustrations seemed to diminish the more your relationship progressed.

"You have to be patient," he said, giving your waist a slight squeeze to accentuate his point. "You aren't like the regs you train. You're building your skills, taking care of yourself."

You hummed, more in thought than agreement. "Will I ever have to use these skills someday, do you think? Is it really getting that bad out there?"

You tried not to think about how many soldiers you had trained only to be sent to a battlefield to die. How many of the shinies you were drilling right now would likely be killed soon. How many more would be brought in to take their place. You'd thought you'd known what you were getting yourself into with this job. But the relentless cycle of it all was getting to you more and more, especially as the Republic continued to be challenged in larger scales and higher stakes. It never seemed to end.

"It's hard to say," Crosshair responded. "We have to prepare for the worst."

You hated that answer, but you wouldn't let him see it. Not yet. Your fears and your displeasures, anger and sorrow, were things yet to be fully explored in this new relationship. All in due time. So you simply smiled, plucked the toothpick out of his mouth and tossed it aside.

"And hope for the best, right?"

He smiled back, or at least moved his mouth in the direction of a smile, as much as you could usually get from the reserved man. "Yes, of course."

He leaned forward and rested his forehead against yours. You both closed your eyes and breathed each other in. There was warmth in his embrace. A promise in the steady hands he held you with. Vulnerability in the skin that gently touched yours. To have someone this close, someone who was still more stranger than friend, though no less beloved, was what you had always wanted. And for once, what you wanted was just as lovely and fulfilling as you'd hoped. No catch. No deals. No unintended consequences. Just you and him and happiness.

All too soon he pulled away. His hand sought yours as he turned in the direction of the barracks. The longer you stayed behind, the worse the teasing from the others would be. They were only respectful of your relationship to a point, and after that it was fair game for a laugh. So you willingly followed.

"Crosshair?"

"Hm?"

"I was thinking about Hunter...."

The sniper glanced at you suspiciously.

"Well, you know he and I have been friends for a while. And he's confided a few things in me before. About what he wants. Or thinks he wants. He's changed his mind a few times on the specifics. But all in the same gist."

"Where are you going with this?"

"I don't know, I just feel like I owe him for helping me get through a tough time. And if it weren't for him, I wouldn't have ever met you. So--"

Crosshair cut you off with a groan. "If you're trying to get me to play matchmaker..."

"It would get some of the attention off of us," you quickly offered. "If Hunter had someone he was bringing around, too. Or even just interested in."

Crosshair frowned in thought. "There was a bartender on Scarif he kept checking out..."

You grinned and squeezed his hand affectionately. "See? Just keep an eye out and nudge him a bit. Who knows what could happen."

You could tell he was trying not to roll his eyes for your sake. Instead he squeezed your hand in return. "Or you could come with us and nudge him yourself?"

Your walking slowed, right as you were about to cross the facility boundary line. You would have to let go of his hand once you crossed it, keep a professional distance, share your company with others. And once the Batch's business here concluded, then you would have to let him go and watch him disappear into the sky with all the prayers you could possibly send with him. And then you would be on your own. Waiting, waiting, always waiting. And maybe he would return, and maybe he wouldn't.

And heaven forbid you would ever end up alone again.

"Or you can stay," he said. The quietness of his voice betrayed what he really meant, what he really wanted.

And you knew what you wanted, too. Without you realizing, it was getting easier and easier for you to define your desires. And not only that, but to pursue them, too. To know your happiness was worth the risk of disappointment. It was clear to you now that you were not only worthy, but also capable. The man standing before you, holding your hand, gazing at you like nothing else mattered, was proof enough.

And so you said, "Take me with you."

Every Character Tag: @dangerousstrawberrypie, @justanothersadperson93, @arctrooper69, @sleepycreativewriter, @techie-bear, @theroguesully, @cw80831, @cdblake1565

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#star wars #the clone wars #the bad batch #crosshair #crosshair x reader #fluff #angst #romance #cloneficgiftexchange #hunter #wrecker #echo #tech

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dj-bynum3718 · 1 year

Text

Of Fire and Ice - chapter 2

Melissa Schemmenti X reader X Larissa Weemes

Summary: The dinner and questioning

Words: 2367

Notes: so this is going better than I thought I'm kinda living for it! Thank you all for the love and support its really making me want to just get this out as fast as I can!!

Wanings: slight talk of discrimination.

----

3:45 the last kiddo from your class finally leaves you take that as a sign to get the heck out of there you don’t want to be cornered before the dinner. You gather your belongings and rush out of the school to your vehicle leaving to go pick up some ingredients for dinner.

You can feel them watching you pull out of the parking lot you see Melissa and Barbara standing on the steps to the school. You don’t acknowledge them.

Dinner tonight was supposed to just be leftovers from this weekend but now you actually have to put in effort since people will be coming over. It was lunch when you decided on penne arrabbiata. Your unintentional need to impress Melissa coming to head. So, you go out and buy some fresh parmesan, the rest you have at home, always going to the famers market on Saturdays. You have since picked up some new wines for your collection, so you won't need to get any more and for dessert well you did make some mini cheesecakes yesterday so those will have to do.

Its 5:00 by the time you get home you immediately set to work on getting yourself ready just because you see these people every day doesn’t mean you don’t want to look nice when they come to your house.

6:30 you have finished touching up your make up and have changed into something comfortable letting your hair out of its messy bun and fixing the loose curls you had this morning. “meh good enough” you say to your reflection.

6:35 you are starting on dinner it only takes about 20 minuets to finish the meal. When the bell rings you flick your wrist and suddenly the dining room table is set. You open the door and see all your friends waiting. “hey, come on in everything is ready” you motion with your hand to let them come in.

“mmmh smells good hun what did you make? I can smell the fresh basil from here.” Melissa looks at you, she looks beautiful, she has changed into comfortable clothes herself and it should be illegal to look that good. You swallow your throat suddenly dry. “oh um penne arrabbiata.” she smirks at you oh god why does she do that. “a woman after my own heart I can’t wait to try it.” she winks at you walking into the house with the others.

You close the door heading to the dining room. “come on in I don’t bite. Well unless you want me too” you joke looking back at them. “Guys I'm kidding” They all sit down at the table and you pull out 3 bottles of nice wine

This peaks Barbaras interest as she hands you, her glass. You pour everyone some wine and serve the food. You hear the collective sigh as everyone takes a bite, Melissas hand lands on your free one as she nods in approval. Your brain short circuits as you take a big gulp of your wine.

“so, how do you want to go about the questions” Jacob askes from his place at the table besides Janine. You let out a sigh and lean back against your chair. “Why don’t y’all take turns, we can start with Melissa and work our way around the table. Sound good?” they all nod as you turn your way to Melissa. “Okay beautiful we will start with you.” you don’t know where the bout of confidence came from, but her smile made it worth it.

“So what kind of outcast are you? We know there are many different kinds so?” wow starting strong “I'm a witch I come from a long line. Don’t worry, the stories make us seem worse than we really are. She nods taking in your answer.

Barbara takes her turn next “So you can do magic like the movies?” “Well yes kinda but it’s a bit more than that its connected to emotions yes but with practice I can use it for most things.

“So, this school you went to it’s like a boarding school?” Gregory asks. “Yes, it’s been around since 1791.” you respond.

“Is it only for outcast or can anyone go?” Janine askes “we have a few normies every so often, but they are rare and far between it is open to anyone but not many people feel comfortable with us.”

Jacob looks at you now “what is the curriculum like?” “well we have the normal stuff but then some more specialized stuff too.” you respond

“Who is this lady?” Ava holds out her phone to show the official nevermore page. Showing you a picture of Larissa. Your breath hitch's she is just a beautiful as you remember her. Those blue eyes piercing your soul all over again. You swallow hard before answering. “That is Larissa Weems the headmistress of Nevermore Acadamy”

Melissa noticed the change in you immediately. “Who was she to you?” “My ex-girlfriend” you let out a sigh and look at her making eye contact calmed you immediately.

Barbara takes her next turn “is that why you were upset this morning? Is she going to be there?” you simply nod your head in response.

Melissa skips the others to ask her next question “when was the last time you saw her? And how long did you date?” You look to her confused as you can hear her voice waver. You grab Ava’s phone “we dated for 4 years, and I haven’t seen her in about 6. It looks like time has been good to her” you turn the phone to her “oh she is beautiful” you can hear the emotion in her voice, but you can't place it. “I was going to propose to her but then things started getting hard and I didn’t fight for her.” you shrug.

Gregory raises his hand. “Yes?” you respond. “Can I go now Melissa Skipped me” you nod to him “cool so like you can do magic can you show us some?”

You grin flicking your wrist and suddenly the table is cleared, and desert is on the table in front of them. You hear a collective gasp and Jacob claps. “Oh, that would come in handy.” Barbara responds.

You nod “I use it more than I care to admit” you respond sheepishly thinking back on all the times you have used it in secret at school. The rest of the night goes on like this them asking you responding.

——

“Well, I do believe we all have to teach tomorrow. “ Barbara says standing “I'm going to take my leave thank you for an amazing dinner and enlightening evening.” the others nod and stand walking with her to the door. All leaving except Melissa who stayed on the couch as you walked them out.

“You, okay?” you ask her from the doorway. She looks up at you and nods clearly there is something on her mind. You take her hand in yours and sit across from her. “Mel?”

“What if I go with you?” she asked now you are confused. “What?” you respond not getting what she is referring to.

“What if I went as your date to your reunion? I could be your fake girlfriend and you can show her that you are better now.”

“I-I um Mel I can’t ask that of you it's a lot.” you are looking into her eyes now. “But you aren't askin I'm offering... so what do you say?”

“lets do it” you nod grinning.

10:45 Mel has already gone home, and you are filling out your RSVP and plus one paperwork. So maybe today wasn’t the worst day but now you have a whole other thing to worry about but till then that can be a problem for future you.

#melissa schemmenti #melissa schemmenti x reader #larissa weems x reader #larissa weems #marissaXreader

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jonathanbiers · 2 years

Note

For the prompt meme, how about 20 and 34? Looking forward to reading whatever you come up with, I love your stuff 🥰

send me a pairing + a number and i'll write a mini-fic! 20. things you said that i wasn’t meant to hear 34. things you whispered in my ear assuming you meant this for steddie! also full warning, i got carried away with this one. it's a lil angsty

Steve's running late; it's not his fault, really, even if it kind of is. He promised Dustin he'd take him to the nearest bigger city that morning, one with an exotic pet shop. Somehow, even after Mews, Dustin's enthusiasm for reptiles hadn't waned. He wanted a bearded dragon, and his birthday is coming up...

He didn't anticipate that he'd fall in love with the beast, too. He lost track of time, letting the little baby reptile — "Her name is Skurge, Steve!" he can hear Dustin's exasperated voice still — crawl all over him, cling to his shirt.

He didn't forget. He's just running late. This is what he tells himself as he parks in the street in front of Gareth's house, the open garage revealing all four members of Corroded Coffin inside, practicing. None of them notice him, the music is too loud for the engine of his car to be noteworthy. The song ends just as he's getting out of the car.

Ever since Eddie got out of the hospital, him and Steve are pretty close friends. Steve let him and Wayne stay at his house for a while, while they looked for a place after their trailer was torn to shreds. He didn't mind the company, welcomed it in fact. He thinks Eddie knows this, he still stays over from time to time. They take turns picking movies, listening to each other's music. Eddie visits Steve at work. Steve comes to Eddie's band practices. None of it is helping the silly little crush Steve has. It's making it worse, actually, having to watch the effortless way Eddie sings into the mic, eyes closed and skilled hands dancing along the fretboard of his guitar. It's not fucking fair.

The logical solution should be that Steve stops going, but he can't lie to himself. He loves the torture of it. Loves when Eddie turns to him when they're done, a little sweaty, breathing a little hard, his smile a little wild as he asks what Steve thinks. Steve just says it was good, never tells him what he's actually thinking. He can't very well say that he thinks he wants to kiss him until he's that breathless. He can't.

Because hanging out with Steve, being his friend, that's one thing. Steve's different than he was when they went to school together, he's a good person now, nice. Easygoing when he's not in babysitter mode. Even the rest of Corroded Coffin has come around to him, even if he had to bribe them with cold beer for a few weeks first.

He's not delusional enough to think he's Eddie's type, though. Eddie's never mentioned it, but Steve knows him — he likes metal, fantasy books, imaginative games. Steve, only half-jokingly, tried to help Dustin come up with a character for one of their D&D campaigns and got laughed at. He tried to start reading Lord of the Rings once while he was over at Eddie's, and felt like he was drowning in the words more than he was reading them. They're not from the same world, and that's okay. Being friends is enough.

Eddie's back is to the driveway, and none of the rest of Corroded Coffin notices Steve either as he walks up, weaving between the few cars parked there. He's just passing Gareth's dad's truck when he's able to hear the back half of their conversation.

Jeff and Eddie seem to be bickering, "...only sounds shit 'cause you're sulking 'cause your boyfriend isn't here."

"Wha—" Eddie sputters, "okay, first, he's not my boyfriend, what—"

"But you wish he was," Jeff goes on, monotone as he adjusts dials on an amp, as if he's discussing something as matter-of-fact as the weather.

"No, I don't," Eddie insists, and if Steve wasn't already frozen in place he would be now. "I don't— he's not even my type, come on."

"No?" Gareth asks, muffled as his head is bowed to adjust something on his drum kit. "Is that why you've spent the last thirty minutes going on about where's Steve, Steve is usually here by now, have any of you heard from Steve?"

Eddie's sputtering again, and Steve tries to ignore how his heart sinks when he begins to speak. "That's not— We're just friends, alright? Close friends, but I definitely don't like him like that— He's— he's a jock, for fucks' sake. He wears polos and spends an hour on his hair every day—"

"He's also nice and a good guy, you spent a full week convincing us yourself..." Gareth trails off as he lifts his head, must be satisfied with whatever he was messing with. He locks eyes with Steve, and there must be hurt evident on his face, because Gareth's brows draw together. "Eddie."

"Yeah, Steve's cool," Dan, their bassist cuts in, and Jeff nods in agreement.

Eddie keeps going, though. "Cool, sure. Doesn't mean I want to date him, and I'd really appreciate it if you guys stopped pestering me about it—"

"Eddie," Gareth says again, his voice insistent. Jeff notices, turns to follow Gareth's eyes. Steve is still frozen to the spot. Eddie is still going on.

"—Like, it's getting really fucking old and— ow, Jeff, what the fuck?" Jeff smacks Eddie on the arm to get him to stop, and gestures toward where Steve is standing.

Almost in slow motion, Eddie turns. So does Steve, though, finally snaps out of whatever has kept him rooted to the spot. It's one thing that now Gareth and Jeff know, but he doesn't want Eddie to see just how hurt he is by his words. Doesn't think he could take it, the look of pity. He's trying not to think, letting his feet take him back toward his car. Distantly, muffled behind Eddie's voice in his mind repeating all the reasons Steve isn't good enough, he hears Eddie calling his name. He ignores it, he doesn't want to hear whatever apology Eddie has for him.

"Steve, fuck— please, look at me." Steve feels a hand on his forearm, Eddie isn't grabbing him, just trying to get his attention.

Despite thinking better of it, Steve still turns, faces Eddie. He doesn't see pity, not exactly — guilt, sure, and something else. "It's alright," he says, feeling the opposite, "you don't have to apologize, it's— I get it, y'know? You don't have to...explain, or whatever. You don't like me back, it's fine, it's whatever—"

"I didn't mean it," Eddie blurts, eyes wide and looking everywhere but Steve's face. "I don't hate your hair or your shirts, I— wait," Eddie stops short, meets Steve's eyes, squints a little. "Back?"

Shit. "Um. I didn't..." Steve doesn't know what to say at this point, doesn't know how he can backtrack that. He thinks it's obvious considering his reaction to the conversation he walked into, but now it seems like Eddie had no idea.

Steve is still floundering when Eddie says, his voice soft and tinged with something like disbelief and wonder, "You like me?"

Steve just shrugs, and his voice sounds small to his own ears. "Yeah, but it's— You don't feel the same, and that's okay, so I'll...I'm just gonna go."

This time, when Steve turns, Eddie does grab his arm. He brings them face to face once again, and Steve's just about to open his mouth to say something when Eddie's hand moves to his cheek. All thoughts leave his head immediately, because now they're just...standing there, and Eddie's holding his face, looking at Steve like he's not sure he's real.

The moment feels like forever, but Steve knows it's only been a second, because he doesn't even have time to take a breath before Eddie's lips are on his. Thinks that might be for the best because it would've just been knocked out of him anyway. Eddie's a good kisser, and his hands are warm on Steve's cheek and his lower back. It takes a few seconds for his brain to catch up that this is reality, it's not a daydream and he finally kisses Eddie back, lets his arms wrap around Eddie's shoulders. He hears the other three quarters of Corroded Coffin cheering, hollering, Gareth banging on his drums. He thinks they're assholes, he thinks he loves them.

It's over too soon, but finally Steve can breathe. "You..." he starts, his brows furrowing in confusion. "You said—"

"I lied," Eddie interrupts him, presses their foreheads together. "I just wanted them off my back about it. Steve, I've been kinda crazy about you for— Too fucking long."

That brings a laugh out of Steve, because the feeling is mutual. "Since when, huh? Tell me."

Eddie just pulls Steve close, and Steve thinks he's leaning in for another kiss, but instead his lips graze against the shell of his ear as he whispers, "Ever since you took a bite out of that bat."

#monstrousfemale #this was supposed to be mini #this is 1.5k words #hgjfdhgjk #stranger things #steddie fic #my fics #steve harrington #eddie munson #steddie

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foreveranevilregal · 7 months

Text

Encantober Day 26: Lost

Antonio was having a wonderful day. Out of everyone in the family, he probably missed his gift the most. For the others, it was a break from all their duties. Even tía Julieta and Luisa, who loved helping others more than anyone else, were kind of relieved to have some rest. But Antonio didn’t have those kinds of responsibilities. His gift was just…cool. So when the gifts returned, he was thrilled and determined to make the most of it.

He went around town, making conversation with all the animals he saw. Which probably looked weird, but…eh. The town had seen weirder things than a boy talking to some chickens. He stayed up late talking to all the animals in his room. His mamá hadn’t been too happy about that when she saw how tired he was in the morning, so he had to promise not to stay up late on school nights anymore. Most of all, he explored.

During their late-night conversations, his animals had told him about some really cool places in the encanto that Antonio hadn’t known about. Apparently there was a jungle where his animals liked to go play? This jungle had all kinds of cool plants and animals inside it, and little pools where the capybaras liked to hang out. Naturally, Antonio wanted to see this awesome place, so the animals obliged, taking him with them.

He’d ridden into the jungle on Parce’s back, since apparently the ground was covered in poisonous plants. The thought made him a little nervous, but he was still more excited about the prospect of discovering new places than scared. Isabela might like some of those plants though. She’d gotten more creative after their gifts came back and started making more interesting plants, not just boring flowers anymore. Antonio called out to some tapirs he passed by as he bounced through the jungle, asking them if they could bring some of these plants back to Isabela. After some protests on their part, saying the plants tasted yucky and they didn’t want to eat them (to which Antonio responded that they didn’t have to eat the plants, just bring some back to Isabela), they finally agreed.

The jungle was just as cool as the animals promised. Light shined through the branches, dappling the ground with patches of sunlight in the half-dim darkness. He saw vividly colored flowers growing on vines which snaked around enormous trees. All kinds of fruit hung overhead, looking juicy and inviting. Antonio really wanted to try it, but he saw the animals avoiding it, and he figured it probably wasn’t safe for him to eat either.

Instead, he swung through the trees on some vines, helped along by a group of monkeys. He whooped gleefully as they glided through the trees, accompanied by the screeching monkeys. Once he grew tired of that, some of the other animals brought him to one of the little pools they’d been talking about.

Boy, had they been right about the pools! The water felt so cool and refreshing after all the swinging that had left him feeling sweaty. He sank into the water, savoring the way it washed over him. When he got bored of that, he started swimming around. Camilo had taught him how. Well…Camilo had given him the chance to learn. That was a better way to put it. Camilo had thrown him into the river, thinking Antonio would catch on right away, but he didn’t until some of the aquatic animals came over and taught him how to swim.

Antonio enjoyed the rest of the afternoon in the pool, swimming and relaxing, surrounded by animals. A couple capybaras floated by lazily (tired of swimming, Antonio guessed). Some tapir snouts stuck out from the water as well, serving as snorkels for the animals hanging out underwater. Antonio had been pleasantly surprised to learn how many of his animal friends enjoyed the water too. They enjoyed it together for a while. He couldn’t really say how long. All he knew was that the light falling through the trees had started waning.

With a sigh, he got out of the pool and dried off. Time to head back. Except, he realized as he turned in a circle, he had no idea where to go.

“How do I get back home?” He wondered aloud. He turned back to face the animals, which had also exited the pool. “A little help, guys?”

A toucan swooped overhead, squawking.

“It might be the fastest way, but that doesn’t help, since I can’t fly,” Antonio pointed out. “But you could carry me over the trees?”

The toucan perched on a branch, squawking more insistently.

“What do you mean, I’m too heavy to carry? Get some of your friends to help!”

The remaining toucans took off, abandoning their friend, who gave a few defensive squawks.

“You can’t, or you don’t want to?” Antonio asked shrewdly.

He could’ve sworn the toucan shrugged before flapping his wings and leaving as well.

Sighing, Antonio turned to the tapirs next. “Can you guys help me?”

The tapir in the front grunted at him.

“It smells confusing? What does that even mean?” Antonio tilted his head in confusion.

A series of grunts followed, seemingly to elaborate.

“Oh, come on, the smell can’t have changed that much since we got here!” Antonio protested.

The tapirs just stared at him blankly.

“Well how are you going to get home then, huh?” Antonio challenged.

More grunting.

“You’re happy right here?” Antonio rolled his eyes. “Can anyone help me?” He cried out, frustrated.

Parce nudged him with his snout, purring. He lay down on the ground expectantly.

“Thanks, Parce.” Antonio hugged the jaguar and climbed onto his back. “Let’s go!”

They rode through the jungle together, practically flying through the trees. Antonio was happy about that since it was getting dark fast. Their surroundings blurred past them until they finally reached the edge of the jungle. Out here, it was still pretty light out.

Parce came to a stop, sitting down to let Antonio slide off his back. He snarled contentedly.

“Thanks, Parce.” Antonio hugged him again. From here, he could see the path that led back to town and could make his way home. Wait a minute… He squinted, trying to make out what he was seeing. Was that… a donkey?

Another donkey followed, trotting towards Antonio without a care in the world. Soon, half a dozen donkeys gathered, just walking down the path. When they saw Parce, they froze, eyeing him warily.

“He’s not going to hurt you guys,” Antonio promised, then turned to stare at the jaguar. “Right, Parce?”

The jaguar shrugged sheepishly.

“What are you guys doing all the way out here?” Antonio questioned. “You should be back home.” He stopped his lecturing when he heard shouting in the distance, growing louder as the voice got closer.

“There you are,” Luisa huffed, placing her hands on her knees. “I’ve been chasing you down all over town.” Taking a moment to compose herself, she began hoisting donkeys on her shoulders. “Oh, hey, Antonio,” she added as an afterthought, having just seen him. “What are you doing out here?”

“I’ve been asking your donkeys the same question.” He crossed his arms, the gesture adorable on his tiny stature. “I’m out here because I was exploring the jungle with my animals.” Upon seeing Luisa’s mouth open to protest, he reassured her, “It’s okay, they kept me safe.”

Luisa nodded, groaning as the weight of the donkeys settled onto her shoulders.

“As for the donkeys…they say they’re bored. They ran away because they were tired of being cooped up in that little enclosure all day.”

Luisa’s face grew red from the exertion of carrying the donkeys.

“Why don’t you put them down?” Antonio suggested.

“They’ll, run away,” Luisa grunted out, buckling slightly under the weight.

“I can guide them.” Antonio shrugged. “I can talk to animals, remember? I’ll make sure they stay in line.”

Luisa appeared skeptical.

“It makes more sense than you having to carry them,” Antonio noted.

Luisa must have realized he had a point. She dropped the donkeys back on the ground, rubbing her shoulders and wincing. “Thanks, Antonio. I’m so tired of carrying those stupid donkeys around.”

“It’s kind of silly that people are still asking you to do that when they know I can talk to animals and can just guide them home.”

“People are used to asking me for help.” Luisa shrugged. “Plus I was around.”

“Oh…” Antonio felt bad for leaving when his family still had things to do.

“Oh, hey, I didn’t mean to make you feel bad, little primo.” Luisa scooped him up and slung him on her shoulders, making him giggle. “We don’t have to be around to help all the time.”

“That goes for you too,” Antonio reminded her. He took in the view. Luisa was so tall. It was amazing how much more he could see from up here.

“You’ve been hanging out with Mirabel, haven’t you?” Luisa teased, bouncing him on her shoulders, then wincing. “Ooh, that hurt…maybe I should put you down.”

“Good idea,” Antonio agreed. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt his prima. “Let’s go home. Come on,” he addressed the donkeys huddled to the side. “I’m sure you’ll get plenty of exercise walking home.”

The donkeys looked confused, but seemed to accept their fate.

Luisa’s mouth dropped in shock. “They’re complaining about lack of exercise?” She asked incredulously. “Because they can start helping me lug heavy stuff around town if they need some exercise.”

Suddenly, the donkeys looked every way but at the two of them. One dared to bray in protest.

“Yeah, you’re not getting out of it.” Antonio patted the donkey on the flank. “You’ll be getting all the exercise you want.”

He and Luisa shared a hearty laugh as they walked home with the donkeys.

#encanto #antonio madrigal #luisa madrigal #encantober #encantober 2023 #lost #antonio and luisa #writing encanto #foreveranevilregal writes #yes i know encantober is over #i was busy okay #i'm gonna finish the prompts out of sheer spite #also all the animal facts are true btw #i looked them up

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beevean · 3 months

Text

@d4cluvtrain it's not much, but it's honest work <3 thank you for the idea!

Jesus Christ hanging from his cross stared down at Hector the moment he set foot into the church, in all of his bloody, agonizing glory. The palpitations that shook his chest were an awfully familiar feeling, that he did not miss in the slightest.

No longer one to bow to a superior entity, however, Hector stared back at those glassy eyes. A petty victory, before observing the rest of the building.

The village church looked exactly as he had imagined: small, quaint and cozy, an honest welcoming place for those who sought God’s comfort. The stone walls and low ceiling would have been suffocating, were Hector alone.

(He forced his eyes open to not think about how easily his Devils smashed to rubbles similar churches in charred land that used to be peaceful towns.)

To his side, shoulders touching each other and hand not letting go of his, stood Rosaly as bright and lovely as always, even with her hair meticulously covered by the veil he had known her with. He, too, had chosen to enter the church hidden under a hood, but not for the same respectful reasons.

The few people inside were praying to themselves, not minding the couple that intruded, but nevertheless he couldn’t stop darting his gaze back and forth to make sure.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Rosaly asked in a hushed voice, thankfully distracting Hector from his spiral of thoughts.

“It is,” he nodded. “It reminds me of the chapel in the castle.”

Not quite, Hector had to admit to himself. The chapel of Lord Dracula’s castle was nothing short of grandiose, with tall, colorful stained-glass windows washing down the pristine marble walls and floor with warm hues that did not belong in such a place. It was also the home of peculiar demons, creatures with broken angel wings and dark halos that only served to make a mockery of the One his former Lord opposed so vehemently.

But the chilling peace was similar. With Rosaly’s hand in his, Hector was positive that he could have spent the entire day inside, lulled by the promise of serenity he so desperately needed.

“A chapel? Wasn’t the Count a… oh, I can’t say it here.”

Hector shrugged at Rosaly’s understandable confusion. “I’m not sure why it existed. I doubt the Count had ever set foot in that wing of the castle. But including it in his realm must have made his wife happy. I understand why he did it, then.”

It was the wrong thing to say. Rosaly’s smile waned.

“Hector, you don’t have to make me happy.”

“But I want to,” he said, and how much he cherished doing so! He wanted to, and nothing else. He lived for Rosaly’s joy not because he was forced to repay in kind all that she did for him – not even ten lives would have been enough – but because, simply, loving her came as easily as breathing.

He would have died for her. He would have lived for her. And if Rosaly believed that Hector could walk in a church without it crumbling under the weight of his sins, then he trusted her.

But Rosaly still wasn’t convinced. “Dear. I love you already, you know that, right?” Hector nodded again, hurt that she had to ask in the first place. Her love was as certain as the sun rising every morning. “You don’t have to change for my sake. We’re here for your ease of mind, and no one else’s.”

“I’m at ease, I swear.” Hector squeezed her hand, and for once, his words did not weigh with a lie. “Thank you for being with me, my Lady.”

She giggled, with a laughter so pure it could have turned the Devil to ashes, and squeezed his hand back. “Always. Now come, it’s about to begin.”

Hector hardly had time to notice the first notes of the organ filling the air before Rosaly tugged him towards one of the pews, the farthest ones from the altar. And so there Hector sat, ready to listen to God’s words for the first time since he had learned that he was an abomination of nature.

They weren’t for him, not really. Hector still felt no moving call at the sight of Christ, no desire to don himself a cross on his neck or read the words that were spat against him by cruel humans hiding behind their faith. But he was sitting in a church with the woman that he couldn’t wait to call his wife one day, and he chose to take the first step because he was tired of living in fear and hatred of the outside world – he had seen with his own eyes what that sort of dark sentiment led to – and he held onto that surge of pride.

“Mmh…” Rosaly muttering to herself caught Hector’s attention. “Perhaps another time you can stay after the mass is done, and confess to the priest. You saw how gentle he is, right? So you don’t have to worry. The problem is that, without a confession, you cannot partake in the communion…”

“Another time, maybe,” Hector interrupted her. That would have been too much. His past was for no one’s ears other than the only woman he could give his heart and soul to.

“Of course, another time.” Rosaly smiled and laid her head on his shoulder. “We have plenty of it, after all.”

#castlevania #akumajou dracula #hector castlevania #rosaly castlevania #hectaly #not sure if i want to publish it yet #maybe once the cringe feeling has subsided #i couldn't describe the church and i was getting caught in that loop of perfectionism :(#anyway. the them. i too indeed think about the them <3

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lya-dustin · 11 months

Text

All is bliss

Chapter 9

Cw: mentions of underage sex, refrenced statuory r*pe and loss of bodily autonomy(basically just a regular day in westeros)

Gif by @behindfairytales

Taglist: @mercedesdecorazon @darylandbethfanforever9 @sweethoneyblossom1 @aemondx

Jena Mertyns of Mistwood had risen in court using her gods-given gifts of charm and beauty in record time.

Lord Jasper Wylde had no need of more children ---he had a total of nine and twenty children with the bulk of them being illegitimate--- and while the Ironrod was prodigious with his cock, he was not a prince.

Bookish, violent, and misunderstood Aemond had been her second lover.

The first being her now husband who educated her in the ways of carnal pleasures.

She had been only six and ten when it began, Jena had been a Mertyns by birth and heir to Mistwood given her cousin ,brother of the first Lady Wylde, died without issue less than ten moons onto their marriage.

Ironrod had already had her by the time she arrived at court that year to make her case on the matter of her husband’s will, so she knew there was no one else to seduce to gain what was rightfully hers.

But then she met Aemond.

Aemond who was pleasant company when he wasn’t being the cold and indifferent prince with a talent for violence.

Aemond was she is very sure was a man maiden when she first brought him to her bed weeks after his sixth and tenth nameday.

She made him a man and now he had left her in the dust and replaced her with his six- and ten-year-old niece a year later.

Of course, Jena was a beauty with hair like ebony, a sharp tongue and powerful allies, but Princess Aemma with her silver gold ringlets, sweet demeanor and high rank had made her lose her coveted spot in both court and Aemond’s heart.

You are a servant, she is a queen, her husband had said when both began to feel the loss of her status as the One-Eyed Prince’s mistress.

They did not feel the waning of their influence for too long.

Not now that Prince Aegon out of spite had bent her over a card table after his little wife fucked his brother like she loved him.

Love.

The one thing few have and that you sure as hell do not find with your husband.

This morning she received jewels, gold and a gelding as dark as her hair.

Aemond had not been as generous, how could he be when a second son had less than the firstborn?

“Did you like the gelding, Lady Wylde?” Princess Aemma smiled sweetly as she asked.

She could be a bitch; marriage had made her a delightful creature.

The Pearl of Dragonstone had been as sweet as naïve as her goodsister, only the Pearl’s sweetness had begun to melt away to reveal sharp edges after her return from the progress.

A shitty husband and goodmother does that to a girl.

“Yes, his highness was rather thoughtful to gift me such a beautiful horse.” Jena thanked her knowing this faux kindness will leave once she hears the rumors of her and Aemond.

Jena had the advantage of the court gossip mill and friends amongst the ladies.

Aemma spent so much time playing the lord of the castle and bettering the lives of the smallfolk she had not bothered with making the vapid hens her friends like Jena had done.

Her name was not enough here.

Not when Alicent Hightower ruled with an iron fist.

The girl giggles, “He deserves no such praise, Lady Wylde. The gelding was my gift to you. He wanted to give you a mare, but the gelding seemed more fitting.”

Ah, so it is true then! The lady catches onto the meaning quickly.

Oh, poor, stupid, Aemond.

He was being used as a stud and fell in love with his brother’s wife.

Really the mummers in Braavos could never write something as good as this.

“Yes, even more than you think, your highness. I heard you have acquired a stud worthy of a kingdom, a stud I broke in myself, I might add.

Rode him till he cried for mercy the morning your highness returned from the progress.” Jena lowered her voice and tried not to look too gleeful when the princess was caught unawares by her words.

She didn’t know, sweet Aemond had not told her about her.

“I suppose I should thank you; he is a great fuck.” The princess tries to shake off the surprise and returns fire like a natural when a handmaiden comes to tell her letters from Dragonstone had arrived for her. “Good day, Lady Wylde and I hope your new gelding satisfies you as much as he satisfied me.”

Nothing like fucking the same man to bring out the bitch in you.

“Bitch.” Jena mutters knowing she can hear her.

“Princess Bitch.” Aemma corrects with a disarming smile.

This will be the start of an interesting friendship.

Because her mother will be returning to court, Aemma must get her tonic ---which is a vial she must drink without fail once a week--- early and have enough in supply for the next moon.

Even meeting Aemond’s former lover has not hampered her joy at having her family and her ladies returning here.

Even grandmother is supposed to be coming for a visit.

Something about Uncle Vaemond wanting to contest grandfather’s will.

Why he’d do so when grandfather is perfectly fine and Baela and Rhaena are above him in the succession, is not said in the letter.

But that is a question for another day.

The first question of the day is why the apothecary’s shop is closed?

And the second is, why is Ser Criston here?

“Your goodmother has had me follow you ever since the agreement.” He says keeping things vague as if their silver hair peeking from their hoods and hats didn’t give them away already.

They wore hooded cloaks and while Teora in her Septa’s robes could hide her, they were too fine to not draw attention to them.

“I was buying fertility tonics; it is not my fault it did not work. If you will excuse me, Ser, I need to find another apothecary willing to keep their mouth shut for a reasonable price.” Aemma lied and tried to return to her unmarked carriage without him tailing her.

She had known the carriage was a bad investment.

“Lord Strong had the apothecary questioned, the ruse is up, your highness.” The Dornish knight whispers as he helps her into the fucking carriage like a little girl caught running off to cause mischief.

“Fuck.” Aemma mutters and gestures for him to join them inside the carriage.

“Language, Aemma.” Her Septa chastised her as if that even mattered now and she tells her so.

“I cannot, will not, have a child. I would rather have Silverwing burn me alive than give Aegon an heir.” Aemma digs her nails onto the leather seat to stop herself from crying at how much she fucking loathes the hand she has been dealt. “I do not want to live my mother’s life.”

“It is for the better of the realm, your highness.” He repeats the same phrase she hears from the septons, the maesters, the members of the small council and now the man who fucked her mother and has the audacity to call her a whore.

“As if that makes it any better!” She scoffed at his words. “My mother did the same and was branded a whore, by her no less! Her grace may feign to be righteous and good, but whatever hell my mother will burn in, it is a consolation to know Alicent will be right there beside her.”

The knight tries to counter her, spread the gospel about poor queen Alicent who only wants to protect her children and make the perfect puppet king for her father because gods forbid that woman grows a damn spine and tells her father to go fuck himself.

But Aemma does not listen.

Once she is queen, she will send her on a long walk off a short pier.

#aemma velaryon #aemond targaryen x velaryon!oc #asoiaf fanfic #ocappreciationtag #house of the dragon #aegon ii x oc x aemond #oc:jena wylde #all is bliss fic #ewan mitchell #fyeahhotdocs #fyeahasoiafocs

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redheadspark · 2 years

Note

hello love!

“you look tired, love. go rest for a sec while i finish this.” for barry?

love ya!

A/N: Thanks for the request!

Rest My Dear

Summary: Leave it to Barry to make sure you get rest after the birth of your son.

*A mini sequel to Remember Me....and Like Real People Do. *

Warnings: Just some Fluff

"Babe?"

"Mmm?" you looked up from your spot on the couch, your son gurgling a bit in your lap as Barry as eyeing that pair of you. He gave you a small look of concern, a tilt of his head, and his fingers itching at your sides.

"When did you sleep last?"

You paused, thinking about the simple question he was asking. It was hard to remember when the last time you to some rest, since the whole time you were fussing and worrying over Rory. He was a good baby to take care of, not too fussy or needy. But of course, he was only a few months old and his routine was very strict when it came to feeding and sleeping. So...

"I took a small nap a few hours ago, I think," you admitted, yet you can see from the look that your husband was giving you, ti was not the answer he waned to hear. He did look a bit concerned then, walking over to you on the couch to sit next to you and give you a kind stare.

"What about a proper sleep?" He asked, sounding careful with his words but also concerned. You paused again, trying to remember when the last thing you really slept. But nothing was coming back to your memory, nothing concrete since you were moving constantly and going from one job to the next in your house.

"I don't....I don't remember," You said in a soft tone. Almost like it was some kind of trigger, you yawned and felt weary, being weary every in your bones and under your skin. For so long you were moving on adrenaline, making sure Rory was okay and getting the house taken care of all day. From the first moments of the morning until that moment when Barry came home from being on the movie set for a few hours.

You haven't slept, not in some time.

"Here, give me Rory," he said in a soft command, taking Rory with his arms before you could protest, "Go take a shower and go sleep,"

"Barry, it's okay--" You were about to argue, but he gave you a knowing stare.

"You are about to collapse any time now and you need to get some sleep, sweetheart. I can take care of Rory and get him settled while you go to sleep, okay?" Barry explained to you, making you sigh almost in defeat as you could tell this was no winning battle on your end.

"He needs to get changed and have a bottle," You explained, surpassing a yawn as Barry chuckled. He reached over with the hand that wasn't holding your son, moving your hair from your eyes and tracing the dark circles under your eyes with his fingers.

"You look tired, love. Go rest for a sec while I finish this, please," He said to you, his voice beyond soft and almost pleading. You knew that he was looking out for you, that he wanted you to take care of yourself before you could ever care for your son. It was hard to do so though, needing to make sure he was well feed or his diaper was dry or that he was getting sleep himself. Being a new mom was vastly harder than you could ever imagine, but you wouldn't trade it.

So you moved, seeing Barry smile in relief as you were dragging your feet to the master bedroom and bathroom. As you were walking away, you could hear Barry talking to Rory in a lower tone.

"Come on, bub. We need to let your mum rest for a bed, eh? Let's get ya feed and changed," He hummed to your son, sounding so happy to be with Rory as you finally made it to the bathroom. You knew Rory was in good hands with Barry, he was an amazing father and was a natural at it. Barry would help whenever he knew you need a moment or a break, no questions on his end. Plus he loved playing with Rory and seeing that baby smile, it made Barry smile wider and snap a picture or two to place on his Instagram.

You had a hot shower for what seemed like forever, but it was only a few minutes. Letting the water wash away some of the sweat, maybe some baby spit up you never thought landed on your arms, and the tiredness that was seeping within you to let yourself be calm and relaxed. It felt like it was all going down the drain as you stood under the water for a good moment, letting the steam consume you and feeling a weigh lifted. Your son was your pride and joy, literally giving your life and body to him with no hesitation or second guessing behind it.

But Barry saw you needed a recharge, far before you saw it yourself.

Finally, after washing your hair and using your softest body scrub, you found new pajamas to sink into and threw your hair up in a satin scrunchie , moving to the bed that was beckoning you. You slipped under the covers and sighed in bliss, the cool sheets and blanket against your skin was making you beyond tired. It was a true gift to get some sleep. You eyes were getting heavy, your limbs were loose and almost sinking into the mattress.

No, something else was sinking into the mattress.

"Come here, luv." You hear behind you, an arm making you roll over to be engulfed in Barry's arms. He was soothing and warm, his firm chest was a contrast to the soft sheets around you, but his arms that was around your shoulders and within your hair was enough to make you feel like jello against him.

"Where's Rory?" You hummed in a murmur to him.

"Asleep in his bassinet. You and I are gonna get some sleep, alright?" he hummed against your forehead, you nodding as he kissed your head over and over, already lewering you to sleep. He was still awake as you were out cold, your nose against his neck and your arms around his waist as he was watching you with pure love. Seeing his wife being so strong to care of his son was enough for him to wish more time for you to sleep. So he was going to give it to you, letting you rest in his arms and let the rest of the world roll by as Rory was asleep not too far away.

He will let you rest, rest and dream.

The End.

Worried and Relieved Prompts

#barry keoghan fanfic #fanfiction #writing #barry keoghan #my love #barry keoghan x f!reader #barry keoghan x female reader #barry keoghan x reader smut #barry keoghan x you #barry keoghan x reader

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edenesth · 3 months

Note

Hiii. I know you probably don't plan to just drop this but I just wanted to let you know that although I was surprised not to see an update when I woke up this morning (it's early morning for me whenever you update), please don't rush and please take your time doing everything you need to irl and here on tumblr. The last thing I want is for an author to get burnt out from a series and suddenly discontinuing it out of nowhere when it was so loved and everything seemed fine. It's happened so many times with fics that I've read in the past suddenly just getting dungeoned when it had so much potential but because the author either had no solid plan for plot or because they got burnt out from it, we never get to see the end of it. It's my fear everytime I start a new series :(

So please take your time with the update and the rest of the story! I'll take later updates over getting discontinued any day! (You're one of my favorite authors like your masterlist for Ateez? Sooooo goooood)

Also I can't wait to see what kind of possible spin offs you have planned!

Hello, nonnie!

Aww oh my gosh, you have no idea how much this means to me!!🥺😭💗

Trust me, I know exactly what you mean because I used to have the same fear whenever I start reading a series as well😔 which is why that would be the last thing I'd want to do to my own readers!

I'll be honest, one of my biggest fears when it comes to doing a chaptered story is feeling the passion to update slowly wane... but! But thankfully, due to the amount of love and support this fic has been receiving, I'm happy to report that I still am incredibly enthusiastic about updating!!🥳

Part 16 is about 70% done for now, and it should be out in less than a day! (TMI: I'm heading out to donate blood in a bit, sincerely hoping I will not be feeling lightheaded or anything because I really want to finish this asap😭)

No freaking wayyy, it always feels surreal when readers tell me I'm one of their fav authors like🥺🧎🏻‍♀️ I really appreciate this🫶🏻

AND YESSS! Oh, the spinoffs, I'm so freaking excited to start writing and sharing them with you all!!❤️❤️❤️

#twthh asks

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chalkrevelations · 8 months

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Tagged by @belladonna-and-the-sweetpeas, and this was a fantastically fun, low-pressure thing to spend a little bit of time doing, so thank you for the enrichment activity! I probably talked too much, but here we go. Song links are to YT.

Put my On Repeat playlist from Spotify on shuffle, and here are the first 10 songs that came up - and ... oh, lol. This is maybe not as cool and edgy as I’ve managed to look in similar memes in the past? otoh, I'm finding it kind of interesting how many of these have actual dance associations, this time around.

1. Rabbit Hole, Natalia Kills - I had to laugh when this one popped up first - this one's on my Only Friends playlist, although I had kind of forgotten quite what a banger it was, until I dug it out again. If only I knew how to vid, y'all would absolutely get a full-length OFTS vid to this.

2. Before He Cheats, Carrie Underwood - Ha! This one is ALSO off my Only Friends playlist. This was the first one that went on the playlist, in anticipation. I figured the unhinged energy would be appropriate before we were through.

3. Girls In Their Summer Clothes, Bruce Springsteen - I have loved Bruce Springsteen with my whole and entire heart ever since a friend’s older sister introduced us to his music when I was in middle school, and I knowingly and deliberately imported my own experience of discovering Springsteen into “In Ordinary Time” and imprinted it onto Ray Mukada with very few changes and without the least bit of shame. There are a handful of Springsteen albums that hold a particularly special place in my heart, and Magic is one of those. This song’s actually really light, comparatively, but it’s gorgeous and breezy while still being full and rich in that way the E Street Band can’t really miss, and it feels like summer. I’ve been enjoying it so much in the waning days of heat with that cooler air edging underneath the night breeze. It … makes me want to shag, even though it’s not beach music. It's clearly a creation of the boardwalk, even if its accent is Jersey, instead of Carolina.

4. Work Song, Hozier - The MV for this one - choreographed by Jillian Meyers - is fantastic, and my obsession with the song was really cemented after seeing Lex Ishimoto and Gaby Diaz dance to it for SYTYCD - a piece choreographed by Mandy Moore and clearly influenced by the MV. I must have watched that particular performance 100 times by now. The show used a cover by Luke Wade, but I do prefer Hozier’s original version. It will sometimes drop off the On Repeat playlist, but as soon as it turns up again in the shuffle, it ends up back on repeat.

5. lovely, Billie Eilish with Khalid - I have not been the same about this song since I somehow stumbled across Ten and Winwin's choreography to it on YT. I have no idea how I found it - I know literally nothing about WayV, NCT, Ten or Winwin except this choreographed piece (which you also have to see the live performance of, because while it's not as clean, it gives a better view of how Ten appears to be almost, kind of, puppetting Winwin in one section). I would poke someone’s grandma in the eye (ok, not really) for a chance to get my hands on the “ring and portrait” remix they use, but meanwhile, the original version will do.

6. Lyfjaberg, Wardruna - Healing Mountain. So, my morning routine, on the days I work, is to get to the hospital about 20 minutes ahead of when I actually need to be there, so I can sit in my car and breathe and meditate and do some self-reiki right before everything starts. I usually don't listen to anything on my way into work, but on the days I do, the days when things are going hard, like the past few weeks, with heavy patient loads and high acuity - this is the song I listen to on that drive in, on repeat. (The weeks I'm working with end of life patients, I tend to use Helvegen for this, instead, or alternate them.)

7. My Silver Lining, First Aid Kit - Thanks, The Umbrella Academy. I downloaded this one on Spotify about 12.6 seconds after hearing it on a S3 ep of the show, and I don't know that it's ever left the On Repeat playlist since then.

8. Letters From The Sky, Civil Twilight - Huh. A couple of weeks ago, about three bars from this song wisped through my mind, and I was haunted by them until I could finally manage to get my fingers in them and hold them down long enough to trace them to some lyrics in my memory, and then I had to google those couple of lines to finally pin down the actual song. And then I went and dl’d it and have listened to it A LOT, apparently. It was used for a fanvid that I watched obsessively a bajillion years ago – so long that I’m not entirely certain who it even featured, although I’m … pretty sure? … that it was Agron x Nasir from Starz’s Spartacus. I might have even first seen the vid back when I’d only watched a Nagron supercut, before I saw the full show. I can't for the life of me find it anymore - there's a Spartacus vid on YT now that uses it but it's a more general S1 vid, and that's absolutely not the one I remember, which included footage of the operation on Nasir in the abandoned temple.

9. Threat, WEARETHEGOOD/Frank Bentley/Skrxlla - Loooooool, THANK YOU, LITA. I picked this particular song up off of one of the eps of Love In The Air, one of the ones in the middle – this gets played over Payu and Pai having a practice race at the track. I was like, “waitaminit,” paused, went to google some lyrics so I could find the artist, and came back with this on dl’d on Spotify. It's another one that probably has not been off the On Repeat playlist since.

10. Sacrifice, The Weeknd - So, Vinh Nguyen choreographed a piece to this at Offstage Dance Studio that is totally and completely responsible for the way this song keeps popping up on my On Repeat playlist. I think I first ran across the choreo in a set with Baily Sok, Kinjaz's Jason Lin and Lex Ishimoto, but there's more than one version out there.

OK, if you've already been tagged or don't want to do this, don't worry, but tagging (hm, looks at recent notifications) @yagirlyacchan, @henpeckedho, @elementaldrop, @jill-question-mark, @liathebookwyrm. Go!

#it me #spotify #memes

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charfletchh · 1 year

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ic task 4: interrogations

Charlie was hungover.

Not the kind of hangover that gave you a mild headache and a good story, but the kind that made you shiver and your heart beat out of your chest, the kind that had you locating the nearest trash can every time you enter the room, the kind that made your whole body simultaneously limp and wired. No better day to be interrogated, she guessed.

She walked into the administration office that had been co-opted for interrogations looking more like a victim than a suspect- hair unwashed and bedraggled, last night's eyeliner halfway down her face. Likely not the way her father would like her to present herself. If she'd told him what was going on at Ogden, he might have flown out here with some other fancy lawyer and taken her to Nordstrom for a sensible pantsuit. But she hadn't told him what was going on at Ogden. She didn't think he cared much what she did in school anymore- She didn't think having a felon for a daughter could embarrass her father much more than she already had.

"Good morning," she grumbled to the surprisingly hot cops (damn, maybe she should have showered this morning). "Let's get this over with."

One of them pushed a cup of coffee her way. She didn't touch it. "Charlotte, I'm Agent Choi, and these are my coworkers Agents Murray and Brown. Thanks for joining us here today- we just have some questions for you." She nodded, mouth suddenly so dry she wasn't sure she trusted herself to respond.

"Charlie, right? That's what your friends call you?" She nodded again, mute. "And you were friends with Greer? Could you elaborate on that relationship?"

She coughed hoarsely. "Greer and I were friends. Good friends, I guess. We went out together a lot, that kind of thing."

She knew she hadn't given the right answer when Agent Murray in the back pursed her lips. "Charlie," Agent Brown interjected, "several other students have brought up your... relationship with Greer. Why do you think they thought that was relevant?"

It was a testament to her narcissism that her first impulse was to ask what people had said. "I mean, everyone knew we were friends. We were all over each other's Insta, it wasn't a secret." She paused. "Sometimes we fought- not like, physically fought or anything," she stumbled over her words to clarify. "Just in the way you fight with people you love. Over stupid shit. Maybe some people thought we were mad at each other, but we never really were." Right?

The pit in her stomach only grew as the police across the table from her stayed stoic. She wasn't used to this, not being able to turn a room to her side with just a smile and a joke, and she didn't have a lot of experience feeling like she was under attack. Only with Greer. "Right. Let's switch gears, Miss Fletcher," Agent Murray spoke up. "As I'm sure you're aware, the videos submitted for Ogden College's 250th anniversary were leaked in advance. Can you talk about the video you submitted? Give us some context?" Charlie wasn't sure if there really was disdain dripping from her words, or if she was projecting.

"Context? They're boobs. Do you need a visual aid?" She shot back, smarting from the humiliation of knowing all these strangers had seen her half-naked. "I did something stupid, and now a lot of weirdos can see it on the Internet whenever they want. It really fucking sucks, and no one cared. That's the context." Her patience was waning.

If she caught it right, it looked like a kind of warning glance passed between her questioners. "Okay, we can move on. Did you know Greer submitted a video?"

"No," she answered flatly.

"Were you aware of Greer traveling to Portugal this summer?"

"No," she answered flatly again.

“Had Greer brought up breaking up with The Naive Newcomer ever? Or anything of the sort, like she did in her video?”

"I'm sure you can guess, but the answer is no."

"Did you have any reason to believe Greer would want to leave Ogden College?"

"Let me tell you all something about Greer. Anyone who says they had special insight into her special mind is lying. She did a lot of shit that she didn't tell anyone about. I wouldn't have been surprised if she went off to Portugal, I wouldn't have been surprised if her time capsule video was her dancing with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, I wouldn't have been surprised if she and her boyfriend broke up fifty times and got back together a day later," she spat out. "She was my friend and I hardly knew her. I told her everything, and she didn't tell me shit. Happy?" She stood to leave.

"Charlotte, sit down," Agent Brown stood as she did, using a tone of voice that reminded her of her mother. That just made it worse. "We're not finished."

"Really? I am. This is so fucking stupid, I've already said everything I know." She thought she might be about to cry and she wasn't sure why.

"Just one more question, Charlie," Agent Choi raised his hands in the kind of gesture they teach you to calm rabid dogs. "Is there anything you know that you're not sharing?"

"No," she lied, and walked out of the silent room to the hallway, where she promptly threw up.

#alcohol mention tw #vomiting tw #ogdentask

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flying-ryan · 1 year

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The only thought Ryan ever gave to Luca's bruising besides the initial 'fookin beautiful and all mine with the marks to prove it' is the innate fear of the boy's not quite father figure and the pilot's oldest friend. But it was too good to have Luca back. On his lap. In his hands. His perfect little ass pressed against Ryan's constantly half hard cock as he wiggled in another fit of laughter that left the pilot chuckling along too.

Stubbled lips kissed a path across the exposed skin at the back of Luca's neck as he sat in the pilot's lap, all bubbling laughter and not so innocent wiggles as a handful of remaining crew gathered in the empty galley to pass the time. The bloom of a new bruise was just beginning to peek out of the neck of the boy's shirt and Ryan licked it, shamelessly growling something about how fookin delicious his pretty boy tasted.

Ryan twisted their chair just enough so that he could get his hands around Luca below the waist without attracting too much attention. His need for the boy never waned. Never lessened. Never faded at all. When he pulled Luca tighter against him and grazed a hand over the boy's clothed dick underneath the table it wasn't so much to initiate something sexual as much as it was to have more of him and to have every bit of him closer. He couldn't get enough of Luca in his hands.

Forever a professional at keeping up with Blake Ryan, Luca reacted naturally. His bright eyes sparkled and his animated hands swung around as he shared a story about his latest tech creations with the ship's quiet doctor across the table.

The pilot would have worked Luca's dick from his trousers just to stroke him under the table for the sake of having his boy in his hands if Isaac and Mason hadn't walked in.

The captain was sweat slick, clearly just off a run. But the Phoenix looked perfect. As usual. If he'd been running there was no visual clue outside the laced up running shoes and an intimate knowledge of the Captain's daily routine that might have suggested the men had spent the morning running flights of stairs and the lower engineering decks. But Ryan knew better.

Something tugged at him as he watched the Captain offer the Phoenix a mug. He'd known Isaac for almost 30 years but lately had been seeing things he didn't have any history to explain.

The pilot tried to shake off his suspicions. They all had enough on their plates. He couldn't fault Isaac for leaning on a friend. If thats all it was.

Another snort of laughter. Another dastardly wiggle against his cock that left him aching. He was pulled back into the present, watching Luca speak animatedly and the doctor's kind, wide eyes as she tried unsuccessfully to stifle another giggle.

"So she just likes to hang out?" The doctor covered her mouth with a small hand as she laughed again. Her eyes were brighter than Ryan had seen them and he was pleased to know that Luca brightened everyone's day.

"Aye, I fookin love having Meli in the cockpit with me for double shifts." The pilot playfully smacked Luca's thigh, squeezing him for a second then planting a wet kiss to his perfectly smooth cheek. "You're my fookin sunshine, boy. S'like having ye next to me again."

"Well she's definitely welcome to come hang out with me in the medbay then."

Isaac and Mason had taken a small corner table nearby. Ryan had tried not to eavesdrop but he couldn't stop watching the way Isaac lit up as he talked.

He moved a bit like Luca once he really got going, Ryan realized. He was telling Mason about a creek on the family farm. A canoe he spent three summers hollowing out with hand tools. A crystal clear stream that somehow makes him feel alive.

Ryan tried not to think about how utterly lame Isaac's interests actually were. But Mason seemed invested. The men leaned across the table toward each other. Both interested in whatever else the other had to say. The pilot supposed maybe Isaac's ultimate farm boy experience might actually be of interest to the half human half gods know what ex terrorist paramilitary group defector squad leader because there probably wasn't a lot of normal involved in all that.

As the hour got later Kate finally excused herself to bed, leaving Luca and Ryan alone at their table. The pilot wasted no time in working Luca's cock from the zipper of his trousers just to hold him in his hands like they weren't sitting in the mess hall surrounded by soldiers.

"Ry you feel so good." Luca's breath was shaking and he pushed back against the pilot's erection at his back. "Take me to bed."

"Not yet, love." He squeezed the boy's cock in silent promise. Luca would ultimately get every single thing he wanted from Blake Ryan and they both knew it. But not yet.

He supposed it was awfully odd to be eavesdropping on his friend and boyfriends father figure while also actively giving said boyfriend a handie under the table but it certainly wasn't the worst thing they'd been up to so far.

"I cannae get past this. Look at him!"

By the time Luca's brown gaze found the Captain and the Phoenix at the small corner table engaged in conversation, Ryan blurted out again. "Look at that dumb fuckin smile. I've never seen that smile before."

"You're bothered." Luca yawned and wiggled himself around in Ryan's lap. "You should talk to him." They folded together, limb by limb, perfectly. The boy pressed soft kisses across the pilot's gray stubble, gently urging him toward their room. There'd be time enough for everything else later.

"I dunnae if it's bothered. Stunned. Kinda miffed maybe." He shrugged to himself. Luca was right. It wasn't their problem. He slapped and then squeezed what he could reach of Luca's ass, a wordless promise. "Thank ye, little love."

The pilot scooped the little engineer into his arms, pointedly ignoring the stares and glares and rolled eyeballs at the way Luca squealed and then burst into a fit of giggles that even had Ryan chuckling on their way to the elevator.

#literal nonsense hes just working through shit lol they both are ahhh thats all i have time for today but isaac is LOUD

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long-hot-stories · 2 months

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The Peddler & the Fairy: Part 7

Devin introduces the girls to the big city.

In 10 parts, by Scholarly Mori. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels.

More mountainous and nearly impassable compared to the eastern half of the kingdom, the western region of Lindone was a natural fortress fortified by the jagged peaks of the Snowsquall mountains to the south. This natural border, running the entire length of the country, was intersected only by the Frigid Fingers Peaks that curved northwest.

Along with three valleys that were the only feasible means of travel in the region, the peaks formed a T-shape. Nestled in one of these valleys was Iceford, the second largest city in terms of area but first in population. It was too hilly for farmland and lacked any valuable resources aside from stone, so all other raw materials had to be imported. Its value lay in it's strategic location, being the only practical access point connecting the two halves of the north, allowing them to share their industrial endowments.

—----

"So you're telling me your eyes change color in winter, giving you scotopic vision?!?" wondered Devin as Reina led their wagon through the valley leading to Iceford.

Reina nodded. Her previously-amber eyes were now sapphire. "It's an adaptation that helps us Whitehorns see better in dim light."

Even though it was late morning, the light waned this far north, becoming darker as the sun's warming fingers loosened its seasonal grip.

"Whichever color they are, they are lovely."

"Thank you, herd-mate."

"If I ever add color to my sketches, I'll have to remember that," commented Azalea, sitting next to Devin and working on drawings of everyone they met during their recent escapades on the farm.

Devin stretched, glancing at Azalea's progress.

"Was Ryna's chest really that big?"

She cocked her head to the side. "They were big enough that I couldn't wrap my arms around them, so considering the scale of the drawing, yes. Speaking of which," she grabbed one of the gifted milk bottles. While offering Devin one, she heartily downed the other. "So thick and creamy. Do you want to stop and have some, Reina?"

"I appreciate the offer. I will later. I have a good pace going." Reina seemed to have become accustomed to being the sole puller of the wagon. She glowed with healthful vigor as she thoroughly enjoyed the exertion.

Azalea returned the bottle to the basket and resumed her work. "I had so much fun at grandpa Gylan's, life-mate!"

"Grandpa, huh?"

"Yes, grandpa. I've never had one, and he acts like it, or so I imagine what one acts like, and Ellyn was so kind to let me help with the farmwork. I learned a lot about how to milk the satyrs. Which reminds me -- life-mate, we need to have an important talk.

"Reina and I were discussing a few things last night, and we decided we want to do more to help, especially me, since Reina is already assisting with the wagon."

"What do you mean?" Devin asked.

"Food and things."

"What did you have in mind?"

"Well, we wondered if you could sell our milk," she replied, lightly cupping her breasts.

Devin took a swallow of Cyna's milk, considering Azalea's idea. "We could. I don't know what your milk would sell for. I don't think anyone has even considered fairy milk as a possibility, let alone sell it at a market before. We can check the records for any past transactions.''

"I can't speak for the taste as I've never tried it. Also, I'm worried I won't produce very much -- by big people's standards, anyway."

"It's not always about quantity. Quality plays an important factor. Connoisseurs will pay a lot for rarity or novelty. We could take a sample and get it appraised. Who knows! We might have discovered and cornered a new niche market, but the first major hurdle is that you're not currently making any."

Azalea jumped up. "Not to worry! Two lactation crests coming right up, but we'll have to adjust our affinity-sharing with Reina. I don't have enough for both of you, which means you're going to have to learn how to use the glyph I'm going to re-paint on you."

Devin dug around in his pocket. "I asked Jyora to jot down some pointers before we left. Let's see what she wrote." Perusing the neat and stylish penmanship, "Huh. It's not very detailed."

1. Focus (helps to relax) & Visualize

2. Sense & Feel

3. Manipulate & Adjust

*Ask Azalea for Assistance

"Different people have different approaches, life-mate, so you'll have to find a way that works for you."

Azalea got on all fours, her ass swaying happily as she rummaged in her pack for more of her painting tools. Finding what she needed, she sat cross-legged and laid out various accoutrements between them: a small bag of charcoal, a vial of some clear liquid, several darker liquids, and a pestle and mortar set. She poured some charcoal into the mortar, grinding it into a powder with the pestle.

"Maybe think of it as something you can touch and move. You kinda have to visualize a stirring motion to both see and use it." In demonstration, she measured some of the charcoal powder into her inkhorn followed by several drops from the clear vial and what might have been a cruse of oil. Then she stirred it with quick motions.

"It also helps to be a little horny," Azalia added.

Her breasts spilled forward as she bent over to reach for more charcoal. As she sat back, the leaves of her dress parted slightly, giving Devin a peek of her puffy vulva squished against the wagon seat. Unless she was blatant about it, Devin was never sure if her seductiveness was intentional or coincidental.

"What do you visualize, Azalea?"

She smiled sweetly. "It's changed since I met you." She pumped the handle of her brush suggestively. "I find it easier to imagine a liquid, so naturally, I picture lots of delicious cum, specifically yours, and stirring my fingers through it so it coats them thoroughly, so I can slowly savor every slimy drop."

After wiping the drool from her mouth, she checked the consistency of her ink. "I had to make a double batch since Reina might take a larger crest. Are you ready, life-mate?"

"I guess," he responded reservedly.

"Could you remove your shirt for me, please? You're giving me the 'why' look. Well, aside from enjoying looking at your topless body, I'm going to remove the supplementary crest."

She reached into a pouch and rubbed iridescent, flecked powder onto his arm and chest. To Devin's surprise, the markings of the supplementary crest flaked off.

"I've been wondering for a while -- won't this come off in water or fade over time?"

"If it was left without activating, yes. When you pass affinity through it, it inscribes itself in and on you." Azalea brushed away the last remnants. "Now that I've seen a real glyph in action, I can paint the proper one on you."

She straddled his leg, loosened the string on his pants, and pulled them as low as she dared lest she become too distracted.

Devin lazily watched her work as she dipped a brush in the ink, and then stiff bristles tickled his skin. He enjoyed her closeness, the weight on his leg, and her body's warmth.

"Azalea, you're going to get my lap wet," he teased.

"Huh? Oh, sorry, I was so absorbed I didn't notice I was humping you."

Devin cocked an eyebrow.

"It's true! I kinda just do it when something is between my legs."

"I didn't say I didn't like it." He grinned.

Azalea playfully ground her hips with a bit more exaggeration.

Their playful banter helped to pass the time. Before long, Azalea brushed some hair behind her ear, smudging her cheek with ink. "There we go! All finished," she declared.

Devin looked down. Under his navel, a decorative glyph, slightly taller than it was wide, was meticulously painted in the shape of his internal reproductive organs.

"Now you just need to learn how to use it. I'll leave you to it. I'm going to start on Reina now."

Reina's ears swiveled upon hearing her name. "Do you need me to stop?"

"I should be able to manage."

Flitting her way under Reina's belly, she ran her hands through the cold, resistant fur. She ascertained a rough idea of the dimensions, but there was another issue -- painting while flying was a hassle. "Life-mate, do you have some rope?"

Feeling around the bed of the wagon, he pulled out a frayed coil of rope and held it up. "Will this work?"

"I think so."

After retrieving the rope, Azalea returned to Reina and wrapped several loops around the Whitehorn's midsection. She left them loose to form a makeshift hammock to support herself. Then she gathered up her tools and carefully laid on her back across the loops.

Reina adjusted her gait, attempting to minimize Azalea's swaying. "I've never done this before, and as far as I can remember, no one in my herd possessed any affinity. What's it going to feel like?"

"What? The crest or lactating?"

"The crest."

"It won't feel like anything when it's not active. When it actually starts working, if the girls on the farm are any indication, it will probably feel quite nice."

She placed the ink bottle on her tummy, patted down some unruly tufts, and proceeded to paint.

Meanwhile, Devin was puzzling things out. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and relaxed his body.'Ok, now what?' He flexed and tensed various parts of his body, trying to detect anything remotely magical. Nothing. "I'm going to need more to go on, Azalea."

"Try to paint a picture in your head, something significant or important to you." A hand extended out from under Reina, making broad strokes in the air.

'A picture, huh?' Closing his eyes again, he retreated into his mind:'Let's try envisioning a lake; a tranquil lake, still as a mirror, reflecting the starry sky.'

Still nothing.

'What if I add Azalea into the scene, flying just above the water, skimming and frolicking over the surface in an elegant dance, arms swaying gracefully while performing pirouettes?'

From there, his imagination took liberties: with crest aglow, she danced amongst the shadows of a cloud-obscured moon. The more she danced, the darker the color of the moon became until it blazed a fiery crimson. Skipping and flitting closer to him, she stopped at eye level with her freckled face flushed, her breath heaving white in the moonlight. A few droplets fell from between her legs, causing ripples as they broke the lake's surface.

'There; what's this feeling? It's warm but very faint. It's barely enough to be called an impression, but now that I'm aware of it, I think I just need to bring it to the surface.'

Focusing on the lake, he dipped his mental hands in the warm ripples. The lower he submerged them, the hotter and more viscous they became until he hit something and couldn't reach any deeper. Everything but the water faded into the background. If only he could go just a bit further. He tried digging through the barrier, scooping out the imaginary liquid, but it all just trickled through his fingers.

"Basic outline is done," announced Azalea, disrupting his concentration. "Also, you really create a lot of heat, Reina. Some cold night, we should snuggle!" She buried her face into Reina's belly and hummed.

Reina had grown increasingly antsy within the last hour.

"I; I wouldn't mind doing that. My kind's body temperature increases the colder it gets, s, so our faces get flushed," she purred as she bit her lip, trying to stifle a gasp. "It has led to some rumors t, that we are always a, aroused."

"Oh? You mean kind of like now?"

"Y, yes, but not from the cold. Azalea, Yo, your feet, "

"What about my feet?" she feigned innocence.

"They are; are rubbing me down there."

"Rubbing your what?" Azalea giggled.

"My; my udder."

Azalea pressed her small feet into Reina's udder. Her tiny toes kneaded and massaged. "I remember you being sensitive down here and how much I enjoyed playing with this squishy plumpness. Does it feel nice?"

"Y, yes, but shouldn't you focus on painting?"

"I can do both," she reassured her. "Remember when we first met, how I flicked your cute little teats like this? I'll take those shivers as a yes. I can't wait till they are full and heavy with milk," she cooed.

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

As they neared the mountains, their steady progress west saw the terrain transform from milder green valleys to rocky foothills. A narrow mountain ravine stretched out before them. Stocky trees and stubby bushes climbed the edges, giving way to jutting peaks freshly powdered with snow.

Reina continued to experience Azalea's full attention as the hours whittled away with each brush stroke during travel. Azalea added the finishing touches and smiled satisfactorily.

Wriggling out from under Reina, she flew onto her shoulder and shared, "Definitely the largest crest I've ever drawn, but it looks great. Maybe, if we can find a mirror in the city, I can show you. Now, we just need life-mate to figure his glyph out so we can activate it."

Reina leaned her head onto Azalea's and accused, "you love teasing me, don't you?"

Tensing, Azalea hesitantly asked, "Did I go too far?"

"No; I'm getting used to it, and; I'm kinda liking it," she encouraged her.

Azalea, feeling relieved, nuzzled into her. "Only because I love you, you tell me if it's ever too much, ok?"

"I will. After it's active, how long before I start producing?"

"Depends. For smaller races, a few days. I'd guess maybe a week for you."

Azalea nibbled Reina's ear and whispered, "I love warm milk before bed. These tiny fingers are going to have lots of fun extracting it."

Reina's heart fluttered at the mental image, but before she could comment, Azalea gave her a swift but passionate kiss on the lips. "I'm going to go check on life-mate. Looks like he's been trying really hard." With that, she flew off, landing on Devin's head.

"Making any progress, life-mate?"

Devin opened his eyes and looked up at the cheery face looking down. "Sort of. I think I felt something but can't quite grasp it."

"Keep trying. I'm sure you'll figure it out. That's more progress than I made during my first time."

"What was your first time like?"

"Such boldness, life-mate, asking about a girl's first time!" She put her hands to her cheeks, acting embarrassed.

She dropped to his thigh and flipped onto her back, her head toward him. The flaps covering her breasts fell to the sides. Walking her fingers up his chest, she hummed, "Maybe I'll tell you about it sometime. I'll just say it was with a girl who needed some; inspiration and first-hand experience." She made a V with her fingers and licked between them.

"But for now, life-mate, just keep practicing. The sooner you figure it out, the sooner you get to see these lovely beauties bigger and fuller." She puffed out her chest, squeezing her breasts in her hands. "I wonder how big they'll get? More interestingly, I wonder how much Reina will produce since she has two pairs?!"

Reina looked back. "Whitehorn young are considerable eaters. Sometimes we need wet nurses. Some herds make the excess into a drink."

"Have you tried any?"

"I have not, but I think I remember the recipe."

"Maybe we could sell that, too, life-mate!"

"Possibly. Some of the local pubs or brewers might be interested."

—--------------

The late morning sun was nearing its zenith. It smiled coldly down upon Snowhush Vale. Cut from what the locals called Mammoth Trees, the lofty, double-palisade wall girded the great metropolis that sprawled before the travelers. Lashed together with great bands of iron, the walls slanted sharply inward. It was hewed with a thicker base than the top. Its purpose was the same as most walls -- to keep unwanted things out. Instead of invasion or attack, however, it was a defensive measure against avalanches.

Devin shielded his eyes from the sun's reflection off the snow. A line of people serpentined outward from the gate, waiting their turn to enter the city.

"What's with the line, life-mate?" Azalea asked.

"Just a routine checkpoint for non-citizens. It shouldn't take long."

The trio took their place at the back of the line with the wagon, behind a pair of gossipy-sounding ant girls.

"Oh, life-mate, don't they look cute with their pickaxe and miner hats?" whispered Azalea. She flew over to land on Reina's antlers to get a better look.

Partially armored in a glossy black carapace that matched their pupil-less eyes, they were harnessed to massive wagons laden high with ore. Strapped to their backs were shovels. Each of them had one of their four limbs holding a mattock against their shoulders while two limbs rested on the runners of their wagon. Their antennae animatedly pointed at different people in the line as they held each other's free hand, giggling between themselves.

"Antabelle, see that gorgeous unicorn with the silky white fur and jeweled coronet over there? The one next to the handsome Griffin women bodyguard; do you think she's a princess from the royal family?"

"Maybe? What could they be doing so far from the capital?" her friend replied.

"I don't know. Maybe they secretly eloped and are fleeing the country to escape an overprotective family member."

"Such a romantic adventure would make a great bard tale, wouldn't it? Can you imagine if our princess did that, or worse yet, the queen? There'd be chaos! I'd have to find a new colony. Smearing your scent to all your new co-workers can be such a chore too."

"I can sorta understand from the queen's perspective, though. Her highness has so many attendants it looks a bit smothering. Sometimes you just want to get out of the nest for a while and stretch your legs."

"Don't you mean spread your legs?" her friend tittered.

"Well, that too, but sometimes don't you crave the excitement when digging a new tunnel, hoping to find something amazing? And suddenly discovering it?"

"Not me. I'd love to be a queen, just lazing around all day, pumping out eggs while all the girls fawn over my body."

"You always did like a good fingering after work."

"I won't deny that, but also smearing my scent all over you, so everyone in the colony knows what we did, just feels so naughty."

"You have plenty to spare, even after dripping your scent trail all the way from home."

Devin looked below the wagon. An evenly-spaced trail of droplets stained the ground.

"I know a store in town that sells toys to stuff that slutty hole. Should we go check it out?"

Azalea couldn't hear what the one named Antabelle whispered to her friend, but it was enough to make her friend blush and lick her lips. Losing interest in the two, Azalea smoothed Reina's hair. "Reina would make a lovely queen with a crown and flowing dress."

"She doesn't need a crown. She's already our queen," complimented Devin

"That she is, life-mate, and I love pampering her."

"I think your idea of pampering is different from most," Devin taunted.

"Nu-uh. Pamper is gratifying tastes, appetites, or desires. We both know Reina can't reach back there and is usually too shy to ask, so when we are on the road, it falls to me to take care of her sexy-time needs."

"But you just end up teasing her without the gratifying part."

"I'm building up her tolerance for edging, so when she does cum it'll be all the more satisfying," she said smugly.

"You know I'd rather be the one pampering you two," interjected Reina meekly.

Azalea stroked Reina's hair. "When the opportunity presents itself, I'll let you to your heart's content."

Returning to people-watching, Azalea enjoyed her front row seat to everything she'd only ever read in books. "I've never seen so many humans in one place!"

"Nor so many different demi-humans. How many people live here, herd-mate?"

"Hmm. The last census put the population at around a hundred thousand with a split of three-to-one, with demi-humans outnumbering humans."

"How do so many people manage to live together in one place?" Reina asked.

"Sometimes not easily. Iceford's early history was tumultuous. Its rapid growth was very chaotic and disorganized, almost to the point of anarchy. Some semblance of civic management was needed, but how do you go about finding a form of hierarchy everyone is ok with?"

"You'd need to find a common basis point," suggested Reina.

"Correct. They formed a council with select representatives from each species.

Initially, there was concern this wouldn't be welcomed by those who lived in swarms, herds, colonies, and other large-group-oriented races since they have a more monarchy or top-down hierarchy, but this turned out to be a moot point since those demi-humans felt Iceford was too confining and opted to live elsewhere. They do retain relationships through trade and consultation, though."

Devin reached into his vest and pulled out a small, flat metal plate attached to a chain around his neck.

"What's that, life-mate?"

"It's my citizen and guild membership identification."

"Can I see?"

Azalea flew over, and she held it up to the light after he handed it to her. She marveled at the craftsmanship. It was double-sided and gold plated with embossed silver filigree twisted in interweaving vines along the edges. Written in liquefied obsidian was his citizen information:

Devon Ebonplume, Human, Male

Weight: 158 Ibs | Height 5' 8"

Birth Date: Spring 24, 3610 Year of the Dryad

Citizen of Iceford

On the opposite side was the same decorated border. Etched on the right half was a cart loaded with cargo. Amidst the cargo, standing tall, was a pair of scales chiseled from an amethyst. Resting on one plate was a stack of coins, and on the other, a milk jug. In glossy text, on the left half, was written:

Merchant Guild Member

Amethyst Rank

Subsidy Commodities & Milk Distributor

Azalea's eyes sparkled as she commented, "It's beautiful!"

"I'm glad you think so because you and Reina will be getting one."

"We will?! Why?"

"It'll be useful for skipping the obligatory guard checkpoints, and they imply a degree of trust that you are a person who'll maintain the laws within the city, so certain government employees might be more generous with their time."

"Also, it'll denote we are a family, though maybe we should wait. If we really can sell your milk, we might register you with the merchant guild at the same time. It'll give you discounts at certain businesses."

Azalea held it up to her body. "I won't be able to carry it if it's this big."

"I'm sure they'll make one for your size. There is no small number of craftsmen available."

Finally next in line, Devin flashed his ID to the guardsman. His hauberk was emblazoned with a sundial. In each quarter of the sundial were the emblems of the city's prosperity: an anvil & hammer, needle & thread, saw & plane, bread & milk.

Recognizing the well-traveled merchant, the guardsman waved him on, giving the two girls inquisitive looks.

They passed under the massive, arched gateway and ventured past several chiseled statues, each engaged in a specific craft. Reina leaned over and scanned a placard: Bruni Leadfoot, Guild master

"Who are all these statues of herd-mate?"

"Guild masters, crafters of renown, experts in their field who contributed greatly to the city who helped found the different guilds. Since the cities founding, there are statues and monuments all over the places."

The entryway of statues widened into an expansive plaza with people milling about, chatting, relaxing, and some enjoying an early lunch.

"Everything is so huge!" exclaimed Azalea. She darted every which way, attempting and failing to take in everything at once. "I want to know about everything, life-mate!"

"Everything is a bit much," laughed Devin. "Well, there are four main districts: the Entertainment District in the northwest, the Manufacturing District in the southwest, old town in the southeast, and right now, we are entering the northeastern gate of the Commons District."

Great lodges with steep A-frame roofs lined the road. Azalea noted many of the two- and three-story buildings' top floor possessed a door stepping out onto a very unsafe-looking porch.

"Why do most of these buildings have a door up there, life-mate? They seem very inaccessible to anyone who can't fly."

"That's precisely who they are for. There is a large population of winged demi-humans in the city who make homes up there."

"They look cozy. Does Mavis live in one?"

"No, she still lives at home with her parents; says it's more cost-effective."

"Are we going to see her today?"

"Yep, her office is in the entertainment district on the other side of the city."

The trio ambled along the well-tended cobbled street. It gently sloped upward until they were above even the tallest building behind them. A trestled stone bridge came into view that was wide enough for three of Devon's wagons to cross side-by-side.

"Reina, when you get to the bridge, try to stay on the left side. This is one of the best views in the city."

In silent response, Reina angled the wagon, pulling up alongside the parapet near the center, and halted.

The grand manufacturing capital of the north stretched out below. Wisps of smoke gently rose into the sky from the many cottages lining the busy streets.

Comparable to the rings of a great tree, avenues and alleyways separated by homes and businesses encircled the city. Three of the largest thoroughfares, running parallel to each other, were paved darker and appeared better-maintained than the innumerable other connecting roads. The two outer roads were wider and sandwiched the narrower middle one.

"Breathtaking," voiced Reina with awe.

Azalea eye's sparkled. "I can't believe people could build all this!"

"Then, would it surprise you to learn that the lake in the center was dug manually?"

Azalea's jaw dropped.

"It's called Chill Mirror Lake. The original river was fed by runoff from the mountains. Over time, the river was widened and deepened as a way to tame the waters during the spring melt until it became that lake. Now, the river and its tributaries double as a way to ferry goods between the various craftsmen within the city.

"Centuries ago, there used to only be a small village here, surviving mostly through tolls ferrying people across during late and early winter when the waters were high."

"And what's that above it?" asked Reina, pointing to an opulent complex of buildings.

"That's where the city council and administration reside. I guess you could say that is where the city leaders physically and metaphorically keep an eye over the city."

In the center of the lake, sitting atop mighty granite pillars sunk deep into the lakebed, were a cluster of ice-covered edifices surrounding a monumental tower. Clock faces pointed in each cardinal direction at its peak. Four arched bridges extended in the intercardinal directions, connecting to each district. Another set of bridges, running north and south, connected to H-shaped warehouses on the shores.

Azalea tore her eyes away from the vista and fluttered to the edge. Far below was an unnaturally smooth ravine with a strong, flowing river.

"Are those mermaids, life-mate?" she queried excitedly.

"Describe them for me."

Azalea set her hands on the stone guardrail and squinted, "Gills on their neck, some near their ribs. Scales on parts of their shoulders and partially around their stomach. Some look to have a big fish tail, others look like they have two."

"The ones with a single tail are merfolk. The others are sahagins. They have a pair of legs with fins and can walk short distances on land. Under this bridge is the lake's exit point. Loaded barges are sent north downriver, where they'll merge into one of the fjords before finally meandering to the ocean. Once unloaded, the aquatic demi-humans bring it back."

Azalea jumped back aboard the wagon, unnecessarily scrambling up onto Devin's head to make as much physical contact as possible. There, she laid flat on her belly and stroked his cheek.

"Hi, life-mate," she sang.

"Hi, Azalea. Having fun?"

"More than I can say, but it's only extra fun because I get to experience it with you two!"

Reina stretched her arms. "I feel the same way, Azalea. Even though our meeting was unorthodox, I wouldn't be here if not for you two. I'd probably still be with my herd, wondering if I'd become an old spinster mare. What are we going to do first, herd-mate?"

"Let's see; we should stop by the guild since it's closest. Then we can drop the special order off with the alchemist and collect the money to give Mavis to deliver to Gylan. Depending on the request that Mavis received, we might have time for some shopping."

Reina set off again, descending the arched bridge. With Devin's guidance, she turned onto a connecting road, carefully threading her way downhill. Less distracted by the sights and more self-conscious, she noticed many curious glances from passersby.

Before they even exited the side road they were on, the murmur of countless voices met their ears. Reina came to an abrupt stop, almost colliding with a river of people flowing to and fro among the various stalls, storefronts, and each other in an organized cacophony of bodies. Sharp barks from vendors, shouts from customers haggling over goods, and the hollering of advertisers formed the general din of the middle ring of the city.

Reina motioned, 'this way?' to avoid yelling over the noise. Devin responded with a nod.

Soon after crossing the deafening street, the noise faded into the background. They continued even further down the slope they were descending, arriving at the inner ring. Two burly dockworkers carrying lumber hustled past them. They were followed by a small, brown-hooded figure with a long, hairless tail.

"This is arguably the busiest ring of the city. Here, all the freight and shipments are ferried around to their respective clientele," Devin related.

A moment later, a large bell tolled, causing ripples over the water as it echoed throughout the city to alert residents it was noon.

Presiding near the clock faces above the bell were six stone gargoyles. They were female in design, and their large, stone, bat-like wings acted as cloaks around their muscular bodies. Four sets of horns, one pair smaller than the other, adorned their heads. They perched on fearsome-looking claws gripping the tower's ledge. Most noticeable were creepy calligrapher's brush-stroked marks, unseen during the day, glowing orange along portions of their bodies.

Rumors and mysteries abound about whether the gargoyles were alive or not. On more than one occasion, Devin had felt eyes on him when he visited the council building. Once, he swore that one had changed position. Due to the height of the tower, though, he couldn't be sure.

"Is that where we'll receive our ID?"

"Yes, Reina, for citizenship. The other side of the ID is done at one of the two guilds -- those two buildings there."

To their right was one of the H-shaped buildings they had seen from the hill. A weathered sign hung above a smudged glass window: Merchant Guild Headquarters.

Approaching it, she realized it was more storage than an office building. Surrounding the many multi-story warehouses were colossal wind and watermills powering equally immense cranes.

"It's a very impressive building," Reina observed.

"It is. The merchant guild handles distribution orders of raw materials to the various artisans and tradesmen around the districts. The craftsman guild is on the south end. They manage the exports of finished goods to places outside the city.

"Reina, pull the wagon around to the side unloading dock. I'm just going to step inside and let them know we have cargo to unload."

"Ok, herd-made."

Azalea sprawled on Reina's back. "This place is amazing, isn't it? I haven't even seen a fraction of it, and I feel exhausted."

"It certainly does feel a bit overwhelming," Reina remarked.

Amidst the flurry of activity, Azalea noticed two beady red eyes peeking at them from between two crates. She sat up to get a better look, but several people passed by blocking her gaze, and by the time they crossed, the mysterious eyes were gone.

"Reina, what would you say if I said someone was watching us?"

"I'd say there have been many people staring at us since we arrived. You know we are a rarity in these parts. Was this particular person different in some way?"

"I guess not, though I couldn't really see anything but their eyes."

"Probably just a curious townsperson wanting a look."

Devin returned a few minutes later. "We can leave the wagon. They'll send someone to unload it later. Shall we walk?"

Azalea jumped to the ground, strutting a few steps before exaggeratedly heaving for air." I disapprove of this suggestion," she joked, acting silly.

Devin scooped her up, cuddling her. "The view under your dress is much better when you're flying, anyway."

Azalea did a little twirl in the air.

"And when you're tired, then you are always welcome to ride on me."

"I can? I know something I'd love to ride someday," She said in a husky voice.

"One day, my little nymph." He kissed her forehead and put her on Reina's back.

"I'll unharness you, Reina."

After grabbing their belongings, they retraced their steps, arriving back at the thronged shopping district. There, they altered their course and made their way counter-clockwise around the city.

"This area looks different than the other, life-mate, even though it's the same street," Azalea observed.

"Different neighborhoods have their own unique flare to them. Also helps to differentiate where you are. This one likes to feature lit lanterns and colored paper streamers over the street. Gives it a warm, inviting ambiance."

With Devin leading the way, they zigzagged their way through back alleys and disorienting pathways, arriving at the more subdued edge of the manufacturing district. Making a final turn, they arrived at a dead end. Eroded brick and vines ornamented a heavily-knotted walnut door. A faded metal sign read: Owl Things Potionary.

"Is that supposed to be a pun, life-mate?"

"Yes, it was all I could come up with."

"You came up with it?"

"This Is where my alchemist friend lives. She couldn't think of a name, so I offered some suggestions."

"Maybe we can persuade her to change it," chuckled Azalea.

"I'm not a spur of the moment type of thinker," Devin admitted and shrugged. "Just a heads up, my friend has had a secluded upbringing, so she talks and acts a little; odd."

At that, Devin reached for the handle. The hinges complained loudly as he nudged it open. They stepped into the dimly-lit room, and his nose was assaulted by the familiar, pungent scent of sulfur, preserving agents, acids, and others he couldn't identify. Long, short tables, covered in a hodge-podge of jars, bottles, beakers, and all manner of tools and apparatuses, ran the room's perimeter. Hanging over a square fire pit were several cauldrons, some bubbling actively and others slowly simmering.

Azalea was the first to notice a figure standing at one of the tables, looking very engrossed in their work. Tugging at Devin's collar, she pointed to the corner. "Life-mate, "

Upon hearing an unexpected voice, the figure spun its head backward. Azalea nearly fell off Devin's shoulder in surprise at the unnatural movement. The head's body soon joined in facing their way.

The odd figure proceeded to walk-hop over to the trio. It was a rather cute-looking motion until they tripped over their long robe in the process, landing face down on the floor. Springing back up, they closed the distance, in the same manner, as if nothing had happened. Stopping within a comfortable, conversational distance, they pushed their hood back. Two wide, piercing eyes blinked at them from within a feathery, saucer-shaped face.

The short, little boreal owlchemist adjusted her brass magnifiers. She rummaged through her apron pockets, bulging with corked beakers, bundles of dried herbs, and other paraphernalia. She pulled out a worn notebook, glancing at it. With an earnest voice, seemingly at odds with her expressionless face, she stated: "It has been 30 days, 12 hours, and, " she glanced at a wall clock, "7 minutes since the Young Patron last visited. This one is joyful you have returned safe."

Bobbing her head curiously at Reina and Azalea, she fluffed her white and brown feathers, exemplifying a very thick physique. "This one's name is Jeni-feather, alumna from Queen's Tundra Academy. Minor field of study: alchemical fluid dynamics. Major field of study: practical applications for golemantic peripherals. Latest hobbies: interactive, experimental studies in cross-species mating, and soon to be Young Patron's semen extractor."

"You're gonna be my what?!" Devin asked, startled.

Azalea jumped up into the air about to barrage Jeni with questions when Devin grabbed her. "Now hold on Azalea, I'm pretty sure I know what you're thinking, but before you start wanting to ask to join in, let me get some clarification."

Azalea clamped her hands over her mouth.

Devin took a deep breath. "Jeni, would you like to elaborate on what you mean by that and why the sudden change in hobbies? Last time I was here, you were completely infatuated with documenting all of the tiny things you saw under your magnifying device."

"Young Patron is not wrong. The recent investigation into the world of things too small to be seen with the naked eye was most curious. The surfaces of many objects, including blood and organisms in water, were insightful, but of particular interest was semen. The variation in smell, the gelatinous consistency, as well as the power to create life, has stirred a particularly strong desire for further academic understanding!"

Jeni's statement was accompanied by short motions of her head to look at each of her visitors, but primarily Devin.

"Wait; is that why you special-ordered from Gylan's farm?" he exclaimed in realization.

"Partially. As the major ingredient for affinity replenishment tinctures, funds are needed to subsist during the interim until this one can collect her own samples to further her hobby. As the second most trusted and only male friend, this one has chosen Young Patron as the primary donor," she declared matter-of-factly.

Devin mouth hung open, speechless.

Jeni continued, "But this one lacks the necessary knowledge to extract such a precious substance, so this one has attended establishments and gleaned material about human courtship to learn human's complicated mating rituals. She has practiced with her egg hole almost every night to learn skills and techniques she is certain Young Patron will find pleasing during the extraction process.

"In order to encourage Young Patron's participation, this one listened to lectures from professors in the oratory arts of human romance and attended interactive lessons in order to better learn efficient methods for extraction."

Azalea, no longer able to contain herself, blurted out, "Hi, Miss Feath, "

"Jeni," she cut in. "Young Patron's companions may call this one Jeni."

"Jeni, my name is Azalea, and this is Reina! I, too, am very interested in the study of interspecies mating! I'd love to hear more about what you learned!"

Jeni, pleased that another was interested in her research, hopped closer. "Choices for establishments were based on popularity and strictly-human participants. At first, this one was given many strange looks, possibly due to being the only demi-human attending."

"A few of the patrons inquired as to this one's purpose for being there. After informing them, she received several solicitations for assistance from several males, but they were ultimately declined as this one was interested only in observation and note-taking."

"Further prompting and encouragement finally led this one to accept the offers for extra samples. The process was disagreeable, though, and led this one to theorize that human males have poor hand-eye coordination as they kept expelling their semen all over this one's feathers instead of the collection vials."

Devin sighed. "So, in short, you listened to licentious bardic songs to learn how humans have sex and then went to a brothel known for orgies and got tricked into being covered in strangers' semen."

Jeni nodded.

Azalea had pulled her notebook out from somewhere and was rapidly drawing rough sketches of the scenes as she imagined them. "What else did you learn?" she asked excitedly.

Jeni blinked several times, searching her memory for a response to Azalea's question. "This one was startled by the extensive number of positions humans possess for mating as well as made confused over the particular appreciation given to the fatty lumps female mammals possess on their chests."

Jeni stared at Reina's and even Azalea's more-than-modest bosoms. Placing her wings against what appeared to be a very voluminous and pillowy chest, she applied a little pressure on her feather down, deflating the trapped air.

"This one does not possess such an attribute. Additional observation of a large percentage of the participating males indicated a preference to insert their breeding rod into the excretory hole in addition to the breeding hole. This one theorizes that her egg-hole might be viewed as superior as it is multipurpose and can satisfy both desires at once!" she posited, sounding strangely proud of this theoretical revelation.

"The recollection even now makes this one salivate from her lower hole in intellectual curiosity." As if to drive home the point, she spun around, lifted her tail high in the air, and pushed aside her downy feathers revealing a tightly-closed cloaca.

"Jeni, you might just be aroused?" suggested Reina.

Devin stared at her wrinkled opening. From between her legs, Jeni's unabashed expression was ascertaining his reaction. "This one is ready to collect Young Patron's samples at any time."

"Jeni, aren't you embarrassed in front of strangers?" Devin asked.

"This one can smell the arousal from little Azalea, and Reina's body language suggests she is shocked but not averse to observing more."

Devin looked at Reina, who shrugged bashfully.

"Does Young Patron not like this one's egg hole?"

"No; I mean, yes; I mean, it's a very beautiful shade of pink."

"This one has read of distant lands where spectacles are performed for those who wish to see the egg-laying process. This one is more than willing to present a close-up example of how it is done in exchange for Young Patron's samples."

Devin was losing this battle and quite a bit of his composure when Azalea flew to the floor, landing between Jeni's legs. She admired the inviting orifice above her head. Looking into Jeni's upside-down face, she offered, "Your egg hole is very pretty." Then she lifted up the leaf covering her own cunt.

"Thank you, small one. Your breeding slit is also very aesthetically pleasing."

"Might I suggest spreading your hole a little for added motivation?"

"This one is unable to due to the limited dexterity of her wings. If this one had an apprentice, "

"I'd be more than happy to be your assistant! In fact, I've recently had some experience! May I?"

Jeni nodded.

Azalea stood on her toes and spread her wide. "She's really tight, life-mate. Such a rosy color, not quite wet enough, but that shouldn't be hard to fix!"

Devin, by now, had his face firmly applied to his palm.

"Azalea, Jeni, we have many errands to run before nightfall. Maybe we should continue this at a later time?" coaxed Reina.

"Yes," they both said in unison. Azalea reluctantly stepped away, and Jeni put her tail down and turned around.

"This one, as per previous arrangement, ordered the mating secretions and milk from a female sheepgirl and a satyr male."

Devin handed her the wooden box containing her order.

Lifting the lid, she extracted the phial of semen and vials of pre-cum. Then she pushed her goggles down and held them up to the light. "These are most adequate. This one thanks you for your continued patronage and is glad for your support in furthering her livelihood." She pulled out a small purse. "Ten vols, as per the current market price."

Devin took the square coinage and remarked, "You know you are more than welcome, Jeni." He pulled the little owl in a warm embrace. "It was good seeing you again. We have another appointment, so we must be off."

Jeni didn't let go. "Thi, this one would like to request another order."

"Of the same thing?"

"This one requests an order of mermaid caviar."

"Coastal goods, huh? Sure. Any time limit?"

"No time restraints."

"Alright. I'll be heading up there in a few weeks," he said.

Jeni squeezed harder, looking like she desperately wanted to say something but hesitating to vocalize the words for a few moments. "This one would like to inquire how long Young Patron and company is going to remain in the city."

"Maybe about three weeks," Devin replied.

"Has reservations been made at any place of lodging?"

"Not yet."

"Is everything all right, Jeni?" asked Azalea.

"This one rarely interacts with others and has a strong desire to offer you lodging until you are ready to leave," she blurted out.

Devin looked at Reina, who smiled and nodded. Azalea hovered behind Jeni, nodding enthusiastically as she stroked the feathery head.

"Alright, we'll try not to get too much in the way."

Jeni's eyes lit up. "This one will be a good host and will prepare rooms for everyone."

He added to her head pats. She closed her eyes, relishing the affection.

"We do have another appointment. Can we leave our bags here?"

Jeni held out her wings. They all handed over the bags they wouldn't need in town.

Struggling to carry the load, Jeni waddled over to an open corner of her work table and set their things down.

"We'll be back," Devin announced.

Leaving Jeni's, the trio headed northwest toward the entertainment district.

"Your friend is so cute and has the most interesting hobbies, life-mate!"

"I'm sure she would be happy to hear you say that. She doesn't get much of a chance to share her interests with others. She was adopted by an eccentric golemancer who shunned the public, so her only friends growing up were golems he had created. Mavis and I met her when we were younger. She was insatiably curious about the world, very observant and quiet, but when she did talk, she lacked any tact or delicacy when conversing with people. She didn't do it maliciously; she just lacked experience. Mavis devoted herself to helping her acclimate to society as best she could. She left for academy a few years after I became an independent merchant, so we lost contact until she returned and opened up her shop."

"She seemed rather insistent we stay with her. Is she lonely, life-mate? Why not bring her with us on our journeying?"

"Several reasons, really. She's well-established here and has a successful business. While being a traveling merchant is a lot of sitting, the stress of traveling in all kinds of weather and unforeseen circumstances does take a toll. She doesn't have the strongest constitution, so it would be hard on her. Most importantly, she has her dream of creating her own golem."

"Is that hard to do?"

"I don't know the details, but the materials needed are not cheap. Actually building it, I hear, can take years or even decades. She wouldn't be able to accomplish that if she traveled around with us. I do feel bad that I can't be around more often to spend time with her," Devin admitted.

"How about we do something fun with her while we are here?" Azalea proposed.

"Like what?" asked Reina.

Azalea rested her chin on her hand. "I don't know. I'll think of something."

"Returning to the rest of our errands, are we going to see Mavis now, herd-mate?"

"Yes, her office should be about twenty minutes from here."

"Which way?"

"Turn right and head north."

With the exception of Reina, the trio had a chance to stretch their legs and wings. The clumped groups of stores and endless throngs of people became more sparse as they went farther north. The road and walkways became cleaner and spacious houses, decadent with costly cedar and intricate engravings, lined the more expansive streets.

"Is this the right district, herd-mate?"

"Yes. Locals humorously divide it up into two sections: the quiet and the loud. The quiet area is where the affluent live -- government officials and other high rankers in society -- and the loud area is coming up."

Passing under a nondescript archway, lively music and laughter drifted through the air.

"Oh! Musicians!" cried Azalea.

"And a great many street performers," added Reina.

Humans and Demi-humans, dressed in colorful regalia, gathered around the many entertainers and food stalls lining the streets, enjoying the gaiety and festivities.

Azalea looked around, a bit mystified. "Mavis works here, mate?"

"Yes. That building in the distance." Devin stopped and pointed up to a spire of white and blue that rose five stories above them. On each level were small porches with doors, similar to the residences they had seen earlier.

They approached the tower and entered a set of double doors, triggering a sharp ringing to announce their entrance. Inside, smartly-dressed foot couriers were sorting through boxes and letters.

"Why are they all wearing different colored uniforms, herd-mate?"

"To differentiate between the delivery categories: blue and white is for regular mail, yellow with purple trim for express, and purple with yellow trim is for priority. For a slightly higher fee, express is a favorite option. Only a handful of applicants qualify for the last one."

"Doesn't Mavis wear those colors?" asked Reina.

"Yes, she does. To be ranked a priority deliverer, a large degree of trust and discreteness is required. Most of the items being delivered by these few are very costly or rare items that require speed and special care to get to their destination."

"Mavis doesn't seem like a discreet type of person."

"Despite her very airy behavior, she takes her job quite seriously. She is one of the elite delivery harpies who has never lost or been late delivering a package."

Devin stepped up to the front desk. Without looking up, a stern old-looking looking secretary with tired eyes requested, "Send or receive?"

"Appointment," was Devin's response.

Pausing her wax sealing, she looked up over her glasses. "With who?"

"Mavis Ebonplume."

"And you are?"

"Devin Ebonplume. Brother."

She looked him up and down dubiously. Devin held out his ID car, anticipating the need. She shook her head and directed, "Top floor; NOT the roof; room E20."

"Thank you."

Heading to a circular staircase on their left, Reina tentatively put a hoof on the first step. "Can this support me?"

"It should be able to. There are certain standards for civic buildings to allow accessibility for all types of demi-humans, including the four-footed ones."

She added more weight, still tentative. When nothing happened, she slowly took several more steps. "Seems alright."

Without any incident, they arrived on the fifth floor. Searching for Mavis' office, they found it near the northeast side. Devin knocked, but not hearing an answer, he pushed open the door. That yielded a surprisingly organized room, aside from a pile of clothes in the corner, void of Mavis.

As Devin stepped in, Mavis was exiting a co-worker's office down the hallway. Seeing Reina standing in her office doorway, she sidled up to her, and gave her a quick hug. Motioning for her to be quiet, she snuck up behind Devin as he turned around.

Giving a cry of joy, she jumped into his arms. As he grabbed her shapely thighs, in surprise, to support the sudden weight that landed on him, she wrapped her wings around him. Then she tilted his head back and locked her luscious lips over his. Making good on her promise from when she had met them on the road. A firm tongue requested access to his mouth. Knowing it would be futile to resist, he granted her access.

Their tongues danced around one another as her familiar scent washed over him, conjuring nostalgic memories of sad times when he was alone, and her family took him in, of happy times when she complimented his cooking, and even of confusing times when he was unsure what her underlying feelings were, under all the teasing.

Mavis broke the kiss. Their breaths were heavy as they stared at each other. She normally wore her mask and armor of confidence and self-sufficiency well, and she had the talent and foresight to back it up, but the mask slipped ever so slightly. Giving him pause, her sharp ruby eyes showed concern.

The way her wings grasped him as if she wanted something of him but was afraid he would disappear at the mention of it reminded him of a similar time thirteen years ago, when he was eighteen, and she had turned twenty one.

She was procrastinating on certain life decisions. Her parents and family were putting pressure on her about her future, but the feather that finally broke the harpie's back was the suddenness of her first egg-laying. As far as Devin could remember, that was the first time she had shown him that his older sister, while much less than most people, sometimes wanted someone to just be there and to know that he had her back when she needed it.

Surprised by how intently he was looking at her, as if reading her thoughts, she released him and straightened her hat. The mask was firmly back in place.

"Now that's a proper family greeting," she cooed.

Azalea flew up, twiddling her thumbs, "Um, can I have one too?"

"Of course, my new little-sister-in-mischievousness." Parting her lips, she let Azalea take the lead. Her tiny tongue lapped happily at Mavis'. The kiss didn't last nearly as long as with Devin, but Azalea was happy, nonetheless, at feeling included.

"I originally started this to tease Devin, but maybe we should make it a family tradition," she laughed. "Well, that's two of three."

She turned her attention to Reina out of politeness at not excluding her. Believing her being shy and more reserved than Azalea and that she would turn her down, she was taken aback when Reina actually nodded shyly.

It wasn't often Mavis was thrown off her game. She stepped toward the tall Whitehorn, unsure how to proceed. Reina bent down. Their kiss was tentative at first, letting their lips feel each other out. As they warmed to each other, Mavis prodded with her tongue, looking for Reina's comfortability limit. Soon, the two women were going at it passionately.

Azalea had recovered and flapped up to her usual perch on Devin's shoulder. "I didn't expect Reina to actually do it, too. That's actually pretty hot."

"I wasn't, either. I think she'd show a formidable personality if she were just a bit more assertive."

"I do love the shy, passive Reina, but if she ever wants to do anything to me, I'm totally letting her."

"Once she becomes fully comfortable with you, she might just do that."

The Whitehorn and harpy finally came up for air somewhat reluctantly. They let the feeling linger a second before pulling away from each other.

"It's very rare when someone can get me hot and bothered, my dear. You certainly know how to kiss!"

"This was only my third time."

"Really? Must be a natural talent. Who was your first?"

"Herd-mate."

"And your second?"

"Azalea."

"I'm glad to see you three are getting along so well, but enough playing. We should probably get to the business at hand, or Devin might chastise me for taking work too lightly again." She winked at him.

She went to her desk. Sitting down, she opened a drawer and withdrew a scrap of parchment. Then she handed it to Devin, pulled out a small pouch of what sounded like money, and set it on the desk.

Devin scanned the note. "This says they would like to discuss the possibility of me being a broker for a long-distance trade negotiation between two parties, and they would like to discuss the details over dinner at Whitegold."

Mavis pushed the bag toward him.

"What's this?" Devin queried, making no motion to take the pouch.

"A foreshadowing of what kind of profit this deal could lead to. Also, since the meeting place requires you to dress up, a reimbursement for formal clothing."

"What's wrong, life-mate?"

"Few things are scarier to a merchant than money given before a job is finished."

Mavis pulled the drawstring loose and showed him. "Especially when it's this amount."

"Rest assured, Devin, there would be no repayment even if you did not take the job. It is an offer of goodwill, despite all the irregular secrecy. They simply want to have a productive night with you."

Devin calculated as many factors as he could imagine on the spot. After coming to a decision, he reached for the money. "I'll hold on to it, but I'm not spending it if I don't have to."

"That's fine, my overly-cautious little brother. There is no obligation to spend it."

"The note didn't give a date and time."

"Tonight at eight. A carriage will arrive to pick you up."

He had many reservations about this meeting, but he pushed them from his mind. "Well, I suppose we have shopping to do."

"Yay, shopping!" cheered Azalea.

"Oh! I almost forgot, Mavis, could you deliver this to Gylan? It's the profit from the girls' sales."

She took the bag of vol from Devin. "Most certainly. I can after I finish up these last deliveries for the day. Enjoy yourselves, girls! There are lots of fun things to find in the shopping district." She winked and disappeared out through the little porch doorway.

Exiting Mavis' office and the building, the trio left toward the shopping district.

To be continued in part 8, by Scholarly Mori for Literotica.

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