#if he is not a butler he looks like he joined orchestra

[ryllen]

I'M SORRY BUT

PLEASE HELP MY FRIEND JUST POINTED ME AT ROYAL SWORD ACADEMY SEBEK FHSDHSDH [x]

and then there's VIL fhfshdsh [x]

finally playing a hero or is he???? HE LOOKS A BIT EVIL

FSHDSHSH IT'S TOO FUNNY THO IF HE FINALLY PLAYS A HERO LIKE THIS, BUT IT'S FOR KAMEN RIDER SHOW AND HE BE LIKE ????????? T HI S IS NOT THE KIND OF HERO I AM THINKING OF ????????

FHSHS HE WAS RELUCTANT BUT ENDED UP PLAYING AND IMMERSING INTO THE ROLE ANYHOW FHSDHSHDSDH

#MY GOD THIS IS SO FUNNY THO #TWST #twisted wonderland #sebek zigvolt #vil schoenheit #I'M DYING #BUT IF U SAY HE IS SEBEK'S OLDER BROTHER I WOULD BELIEVE FHSDH #like bcs his brother is not interested to become a soldier i was thinking he might go follow music passion #like the crocodile in tiana #fshfs he looks so classy like he actually plays music right there #if he is not a butler he looks like he joined orchestra

[disasterofastory]

Disaster of the season Part 2 (Colin B. x Reader)

Disaster of the season Part 2 /Final Colin Birdgerton x Reader Warnings: none

Four times when you embarrass yourself in front of the ton and one time when Colin decides you are the one for him.

III.

Despite your promise to not show yourself again in this season, you find yourself at a Ball in a new, pastel-colored dress. After your last disaster, your mother had to console your sorrow for days to make you leave the bed, and in the end, they had to call over Eloise to chase you out of your room.

The only reason you come is Prince Friedrich.  Of course, not because you want something from the young Prince, but because if he is here, no one will talk about you.

People look at your way as you walk in beside your parents, but they don’t give you more attention.

“You see?” Your mother asks you with a victorious smile. “I told you.”

“Great, mother,” you sigh at her childish behavior but can’t help and smile at her.

“Go and have fun.”

You gulp at the thought. Oh, yeah. Fun. Because you've had so much fun in this season already.

You grab a glass of juice to busy yourself with something while you walk around the ballroom.

“Miss Y/L/N,” Colin says your name to grab your attention from your thoughts.

“Mr. Bridgerton,” you smile at the young man stopping in front of you.

“How are you?” He asks. “When I didn’t see you, I was worried you got sick.”

“I’m fine,” you reassure him. “I just needed a push to leave the house.”

“And the push was my sister, I assume?”

“Who else?”

“I’m glad she was successful. She is here somewhere with Penelope.”

“I will find them eventually,” you answer with a nod. You are sure you will hear the brown-haired girl's dissatisfaction soon enough. 

“Would you like to join me for a walk until then?” Colin asks you, offering his arm.

“Thank you,” you smile at him gratefully, accepting his gesture.

The night goes uneventfully. You don’t fall out of the window or bleed out in front of everyone. It’s a success.

Until now.

You can see Cressida’s swoon from the front row. Everybody gasps worriedly around you as the young woman falls into the Prince’s arms. Soon you can hear Daphne’s voice behind you, then it happens. She giggles at the girl’s obviousness, and you can’t help but laugh too.

Loudly. Clearly.

You gasp at your own reaction, trying to hide your uncontrollable giggles, which burst out of you in waves. People start to glance at you, confused.

“Go out,” Daphne whispers to you, seeing your problem. She tries to suppress her own giggles with better success than you.

Colin grabs your arm gently, pulling you out of the crowd. Tears burn your eyes as you start to cry from laughter. You can feel Cressida’s burning glare at the nape of your neck when your eyes meet with the Prince’s before you get lost among the people with Colin on your heels.

The smaller room with huge paintings is empty and calm. The tons' chatting gets quiet as Colin shuts the door, and you let out the laugh you tried to hide from everybody.

He smiles at your uncontrollable cheerfulness, watching you laughing to your heart content.

“I can’t go anywhere with you,” he says jokingly when you start to calm down.

“I’m sorry,” you chuckle, pulling down your gloves to wipe off your tears and the ruined mascara.

“Wait, let me…” He steps in front of you without a second thought. His touch is warm on your heated skin as he makes sure you are presentable again.

He still has some boyish features despite his age. 

“Thank you,” you smile at him, stepping back before somebody catches you.

“We should go back,” he says. “Go first, I’m sure Eloise has things to say.”

He looks after you as you smooth down your dress and adjust your hair. You still try to suppress your grin as you wave at him as a goodbye, disappearing behind the door. A small smile is constant on his face, looking around the empty room, watching but not really seeing the paintings on the dark painted walls.

A life with you would be adventurous and fun.

IV.

The weeks go by, and the ton slowly forgets your mistakes. Visitors come to your house with flowers and small presents to woo you with poetry and promises.

And you hate it.

Neither of them is the one you want. A few of them seem worthy and kind, while the others are just boring and too pompous. At the end of the day, your face hurts from the forced smiles, but your younger siblings enjoy immensely the chocolates and other sweets you get. Your father seems dissatisfied with your suitors, and he doesn’t waste time to let them know behind his usual polite demeanor.

“You will find the one, I’m sure of it,” he says to you comfortingly.

But that is the problem. You found him years ago.

With a sigh, you nod to reassure him, patting his hand on your knee.

Your jealousy for Daphne seems ridiculous now. Of course, for the ton, it's good that you have so many suitors, but for you, it just gets boring and tiring. The Bridgerton girl refused the Prince of Prussia to marry with the Duke while you sit in the drawing-room for days with men who don’t interest you in the slightest.

You get out of the carriage with your mother behind you in front of the Bridgertons’ imposing house. The wisterias bloom above the freshly cleaned windows, and bees buzz around from flowers to flowers as you walk to the entrance. The butler greets you with a polite smile and escorts you to the drawing-room where the Bridgerton women are already occupied with Lady Danbury.

They welcome you with joy as your mother joins them for a cup of tea while Eloise pulls you over to the loveseat to tell you everything about Lady Whistledown. The young girl seems enthusiastic and too obsessed with the mysterious woman. You smile and listen to her words with nods and hums as you steal a small piece of chocolate from the box on her lap.

"I still can't believe that you accused Mrs. Wilson,” you laugh, and Eloise hits your arm as an answer, but before she can continue with her theories, Colin and Anthony appear in the room with a respectful bow to their mother’s company and cheeky smiles to your way.

“Lady Whistledown?” Anthony asks with a tired sigh, sitting down on the sofa next to his sister.

“Who else?” Colin answers before you, sitting down next to you with a cookie in his mouth. His eyes shine as your gazes meet for a moment while Eloise begins her monologue about women and their derogatory role in society.

“But you will debut in the next season, won't you?” You ask her.

“If it’s up to me, then no,” she answers stubbornly.

“If it comforts you, I will be there too,” you sigh tiredly, leaning back on the backrest. You grab the pillow behind you to hug it on your lap.

“You don’t have suitors?” Colin asks, surprised, turning to you more in his seat.

“I have,” you reply. “They are just…” you grimace with a shrug instead of ending the sentence.

“They are not worthy enough?” Anthony asks, knowing the feeling. After Daphne, he knows the feeling well enough.

“You can say that,” you nod.

“I’m sure you will find somebody,” he reassures you with a gentle smile.

What you don’t see is the cheeky smile he sends to his little brother’s way. The boy’s face gets hot from his brother’s unwanted attention.

“Come on, my daughter,” your mother says out of the blue. “We still have to see the modiste.”

“Have fun,” Eloise says, and you hit her arm softly for her mockery.

What you don't notice is the little teacup between her fingers that falls out of her hand because of your playful slap. Eloise gasps, trying to grab the porcelain, but it's too late. The pleasantly warm tea pours onto your thigh, soaking your dress.

Colin looks at the ruined dress, then up to your mortified expression. His chest starts to hurt seeing your series of bad luck. You really need somebody who can protect you before a piano falls on you from nowhere.

“Poor girl,” Lady Danbury sighs, seeing the tea-stained dress. “It’s definitely not your season.”

V.

The dress you choose for the ball is light-colored with darker lace decorations. The white gloves on your arms are long enough to reach your elbows, and your hair tied up in curly locks with a silky ribbon.

You suppress the disappointment because of the season and your misfortune with love so you can enjoy the last ball of the season. You didn’t see Daphne since the Cressida swooning fiasco, and you hope you can have a few words with her before they go back to Clyvedon.

The garden they decorated for the ball is elegant and flowery.  Large chandeliers hang over the dancefloor, and the painting about the married couple attracts the eyes of the guests.

You stand at the edge of the black and white floor, watching the dancing couples. The music is loud but pleasant, and the chats around you mix with the songs. Your gaze wanders to Daphne, and despite that, she is beautiful as always something seems off with her. The young girl’s face is almost sad as she looks over at her husband.

“Miss Y/L/N,” Colin greets you with a small smile and a bow. “Can I have this dance?” He asks, offering his hand to you.

“It would be my pleasure,” you answer, accepting his proposal.

He leads you to the dancefloor when the orchestra starts to play a new song. His touch is warm on your waist, and his grip is gentle on your hand as you begin to move with him.

“How are you?” He asks you quietly.

“Well, I didn’t do anything horrible yet,” you reply and smile at him when he starts to laugh.

“Then I guess I have to look out for you,” he hums.

“I think I’m too helpless for that,” you sigh, playing with him.

The few minutes you spend in Colin’s arms are amazing. You even forget every disastrous thing that happened to you during the season. Of course, you didn’t find the love you wanted, but you still have time.

“Oh, god,” Colin says suddenly, looking up at the gloomy sky.

Raindrops fall on your shoulder, soaking your hair and dress. You follow the Bridgerton boy’s eyes up to the clouds until you feel him pull you out of the rain. You let him lead you, trying to step over a fresh puddle on the polished floor.

Without success.

The floor slips out under your legs, but your hands are still in Colin’s grip. A small shriek leaves your mouth as you fall on your knees, yanking the boy with you to the floor. He falls on his bottom with a grunt, and you can’t help yourself but laugh at his surprised face. He looks over at you, standing up in his wet clothes to help you up.

Your dress is darker than before, and your wet locks are stuck to your temple and neck.

“I can’t believe this,” he says when you are protected from the rain.

From the corner of your eyes, you can see Daphne laughing on the dance floor with Simon not far from her, but your focus is on the man in front of you.

“I’m so sorry,” you say to him. Your voice is joyful and remorseful at the same time.

Colin stares at you for what feels like long minutes. His face seems content and happy, and you can’t look away despite everyone else watches Daphne and Simon.

“Marry me,” he says after a while. He is so quiet you barely hear his words, and when you do, you can’t believe your ears.

“What?” You gasp.

“I want you to be my wife,” he says more loudly. “I can make you happy and… safe,” His last word is cheeky, but he is still serious as he searches your face for an answer. “I know you for years, and I know our life would be everything but boring and unhappy.”

He watches your soaked form, your smeared mascara, and your messy hair, and his chest tightens. Or just his feelings get bigger. He can’t decide. The only thing he knows is the desire in him to be with you all the time.

“So what do you say? Will you marry me?” He urges you for an answer breathlessly.

“Yes. A million times, yes.”

#colin bridgerton x reader #colin bridgerton imagine #bridgerton imagine #bridgerton x reader

[fandom-writer642]

Stone Skipping

Summary: The Batfamily has always been so crazy that no one notices the silent sister. She’s made her way through college with no one else realizing, sometimes forgetting about her completely. How many times can she bounce back before sinking?

Warnings: Angst?

Request: No

Pairing?: Family; Batfamily x Sister! Reader

———

A smile dawned on the young women’s face as her friends cheerfully greeted her. (Y/n) Wayne was a popular girl at the University whether it be by her looks, brains, or money she was certainly no idiot. It was her college graduation, a huge day for so many people this year and even bigger for her as her family swore they'd attend. They hadn’t gone to anything related to her success since, well, ever! (Y/n) tried not to get bothered by it, brushing it off calmly. She knew her father and brothers were busy people, far to go to every little thing that revolved around her.

This time however, they promised they’d come. No playing hero, no meetings, no dates, just be a supportive family like she had seen them be. It was the only thing she wished to have, her family there for her and to spend time with her. They had gone to Tim’s high school graduation but not hers due to Poison Ivy. They couldn’t got to an orchestra concert that she was part of because of a meeting. They didn’t even bother to wonder what school (Y/n) had chosen to attend.

Yeah, she was ticked off by it but she understood. Their jobs were important, they saved people, she was part of that people. The world needed them both ways, civilian and hero. (Y/n) didn’t have a place in the hero department, she was just an average person that walked the streets and attended school. Her brothers chased villains at night and ran businesses and had jobs in the morning. The only thing (Y/n) had was her looks and her brains, mostly her brains. She would graduate to become better in the medical field, she was going somewhere in life and she was happy about it.

That’s why the heartbroken feeling flowed through her as she got her diploma. No one but Alfred was there, she appreciated the fact that he came but the rest of the family had no excuse. She was updated on the news constantly, no attacks in Gotham or anywhere else in the world. The world was quiet and her heart shatttering was the only thing to be heard. A false but well practiced smile came along her face before she walked down the steps.

Alfred watched her sadly, he couldn’t believe he was the only one that had arrived. He was the only one to truly have seen the amazing young woman that she was now. Seeing her walk down the steps toward the rest of her class with a false smile made his anger grow. She had never complained about one thing in her whole life except for once, that one time when she complained that Bruce spent to much time doing work with her brothers rather than them all spending time as a family. (Y/n) had been 12 when that happened and her brothers only scowled at her for her words.

Dick was nicer about how he went about it, saying that the world needed them as both civilians and heroes so they didn’t have much free time. It was true but they weren’t the words that (Y/n) wanted to hear at that moment.

Tim was blunt about it, Alfred tried to blame it on the lack of sleep but neither parties had believed that. He said that she should’ve joined the group and worked for it rather than whine about it. (Y/n) almost smacked him for that but she kept her control on the situation.

Jason had been thought to be dead but when he heard about it he just gave her pitiful look and told her it was too dangerous and if Bruce wanted her in the tradition then he would have. (Y/n) frowned at him but she had known it was the truth, she told him to no longer pity her before she left the room.

Bruce had just sighed and said they’d talk about it at another time, they never did.

It was Damian that surprised him, he just nodded at her in understanding. Alfred had later heard two sounds of crying from (Y/n)’s room that night. He left it alone but he had at least hoped Damian would be there to congratulate her.

“Congratulations Miss Wayne,” Alfred said as he wrapped her in a hug as soon as he reunited with her. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Thank you, Alfred. I’m glad you could be here, do you know where the others are?”

The butler saw hope in her eyes, just a small spark but it killed his to extinguish it. “I’m afraid not. Master Bruce hasn’t come home from work and neither has Master Tim. Master Dick is at his home. Master Jason is who knows where.”

“And Damian?”

“I believe he got caught up at school.”

(Y/n) nodded, that made sense at the very least. Education was important and if Damian missed any of his own she’d never forgive herself. Yes, she was very aware that her little brother was a Senior and the best in his year who could probably afford to miss a few day but she’d never let him. It was her other brothers and father that disappointed her, she didn’t bother tell Steph about it, the girl was so forgetful at times. Cass was in China so there was no point in calling her from a case to see if she could come.

Alfred watched sadly as the young woman hugged her friends goodbye before they left. She had a family here and now she was leaving it. (Y/n) climbed into the passenger side of the car and looked out of the window as they drove toward Gotham.

When they got home Bruce stood there inside, waiting at the door. “Alfred! There you are! I was worried you might have been kidnapped.”

“I was fine Master Bruce,” Alfred responded, sending a cold look toward the man. “However, I have work to do and Miss (Y/n) is here now. Why don’t you catch up with her? Lot’s to talk about I’m sure.”

A small smile graced the female’s lips but was replaced by a frown as her father shook her head. “I can’t, I have work to do for the League.”

“Why do you never want to spend time with me?” (Y/n) blurted out loud. She was tired of brushing it off all the time because she herself was brushed off.

Bruce sighed, “It’s not like that. Besides we talk a lot don’t we? You know I’m a busy man, I can’t just drop everything because you wish to spend time with me.”

“So where were you today?”

“What? What happened today?”

The (h/c) haired woman rolled her eyes, “You claim you be there for the people when they need you. Well guess what dad? I needed you today, at my college graduation, the one you promised you’d go to when the only one that had come was Alfred? Well I’m sorry that I complain about not getting to spend time with my own damned family!

“I hoped that you wouldn’t forget or randomly come up as busy but I should’ve known to never get my hopes up when it comes to you and the rest of my brothers! The only reason why Damian is off the hook is because he had school, you have no excuse. You were never there. Never once. You know nothing but my name.”

“I know lots about you sweetheart.”

“Really? What’s my favorite color?”

“(Most hated color).”

(Y/n) shook her head, “It’s (Favorite color). Face it you know nothing about me. I made the mistake of coming back here. I’m leaving after all my stuff is packed and I say goodbye to Damian and Alfred. I’m done being brushed off to the side. And for the record, this is my second time complaining about this. Last time was ten years ago.”

With that the woman brushed past her father, taking her packed things from college behind her and toward the bedrooms. She was tired of being brushed off, she was leaving Gotham behind, for good. Now, she just had to see if her little brother wanted to come with her.

Notes: I may make a second part of requested. Tell me how you liked it. This is my first piece of work on tumblr for writing.

#dick grayson #jason todd #tim drake #damian wayne #bruce wayne #alfred pennyworth #family #writing #batfam x batsis #batsiblings #batsis imagine #ignored #angst #sister #siblings #college #school

[hope-remnant]

@moodorbs i blame you for giving me platonic celesgami brainrot in the first place it’s just so good. I’ll probably be copy-pasting some notes and then adding onto them if anything looks familiar.

One thing I really like is at the time I was swapping talents, I didn’t realize there was an extra talent I forgot, Ryota Mitarai’s Ultimate Animator talent from canon. So, when I couldn’t decide between Celeste And Byakuya for the Ultimate Musician, I just gave it to both of them. So they have to act as one unit, and under most rules they’re supposedly treated as one student.

Which like, probably wasn’t Hope’s Peak’s greatest idea. They grew up in the same musical circles, though were separated by class. Byakuya grew up learning from the best tutors money could buy, while Celestia had to be self-taught. Both of them were learning as many instruments as they could as an outlet for their frustrations and both of them were doing it to avoid family.

Byakuya would use his musical talents as a way to avoid socializing at the extravagant parties his family would host or insist they go to, because an heir having such a respectable and artistic hobby would be worth showing off, and because he didn’t have to talk to anyone if he kept playing well, it just fed into a cycle of him practicing even MORE.

They met when they were probably 10 years old or so, both joining an orchestra full of adults, at first to be able to basically sub in for any instrument. They avoided each other, never really interacting until a few months later the time came around for their chance to audition to become full time members of the orchestra, and have their own chairs and assigned instruments.

Celestia decided for the violin to be her signature instrument, because to her it looked suitably delicate and feminine at the time, because she was like 11 and getting used to seeing herself as a girl, even though socially everyone treated her as a girl, to her it was important just like how she got used to tying ribbons in her hair and wearing skirts, making a point of being feminine just to herself. Within the year she would expand in the orchestra to switching between any instrument in the violin family, so a viola, cello, double bass, and other variants as well. She can play literally any instrument, but she could only borrow so many from the orchestra to practice their pieces with, seeing as she couldn’t go out and buy them.

Byakuya chose the piano because he thought people looked dumb when they played woodwinds and he wasn’t as practiced with drums because he didn’t want to irritate his parents should they have heard him. While there already was an expansive music room as well as a stage at the Togami estate, a butler could go out and buy whatever other instrument he wanted as well, so he had the luxury of using child sized versions of instruments when he first learned, and he keeps all those smaller versions due to sentiment and never tells ANYONE.

Their rivalry really started when after the auditions it was clear they were both going to get what they wanted, but the members of the orchestra couldn’t help but compare the two new child prodigies. They were especially wondering which one of them would become the Ultimate, if they would be put into smaller fields like the Ultimate Pianist and Ultimate Violinist, or if they’d be able to get the more broad and prestigious title of Ultimate Musician, due to the range both of them had.

That lead to a five-ish year long rivalry, which at one point led to the first orchestra they were in dissolving, and both of them joined smaller groups, which later MERGED so they were back in the same orchestra again. They would publish music back and forth, trying to one-up each other, which lead to them both developing their skills in a wide range to still merit the musician ultimate, but also they were both SO skilled no one could tell their mistakes apart from each other.

So when the Hope’s Peak scout came, they both played their best and did so well, never faltering or making a mistake. For Byakuya, if he were an Ultimate it meant he knew what he was doing and could control his own life, for Celestia it was just so she could have a life, because she had nothing aside from music and her persona.

It wasn’t until they came to freshman orientation that they realized they had the same title. And they came close to having a catfight right there on the spot, until Principal Kirigiri explained the full situation. They’d share a dorm, if one got disciplined the other would have the same punishment, their grades would be averaged together. If one failed their final exam, the other would as well. If one got expelled, so would the other. They were STUCK together, any elaborate dramatic plans of getting the other absolutely humiliated and expelled gone, because if either of them lost this chance their lives would be significantly worse.

And they were still rivals for a while there! months of passive aggressive comments, practicing loud instruments late at night, competing in tests and homework. At some points they cant even bear to speak to the other so they just. aggressively play an instrument at them and the vibes are received. Since they share a dorm that’s like a suite- they basically draw a line in the middle and have a truce to not strangle each other in their sleep, and this is just HPA, before the killing game. Later they have an Event to become close! Then they’re inseparable.

(Also at one point someone pranks them by merging their beds into a bunkbed. They keep it. It only adds more problems)

They stand at the front and center of a stage, surrounded by professionals who spent decades perfecting their one instrument while they both are amazing at any the touch. There’s a standing ovation, and the both have to bow, hands intertwined, and their grips are so strong, trying to break the other’s fingers, able to feel the specific calluses they develop from their chosen instruments.

#my talentswap #ask #theoposting #celestia ludenburg #byakuya togami #platonic celesgami #brainrot is REAL and its coming for you next. this is a threat. #long post

[johnismyreason]

Use your imagination // Michael Gray x Virgin!reader

I had this request for so long, this is a fucking shame I only post it now lmao but in my defence, there were the holidays, my finals, and also it was the first time I wrote smut. So please, be indulgent and let me know 

@burnitup​, that was your request, I’m sure you forgot about it lmao, but here it is, hope you enjoy it ;) xx 

Words: honestly, I have zero idea.

Warnings: virgin reader, fingering (masturbation and male giving), cursing, smut. MUST BE +18 TO READ IT. 

You are such a good girl. That’s what he always says. He never wants to rush things, too scared to lose you. But you want more. So you tried to tease him when you were alone, sending him huge signals to make him understand what you were feeling, so close to write it on a sign and shake it in front of his eyes. You want more. You were fed up to hear his speech “Love, it’s not that I don’t want you, it’s just… You’re so innocent, and I’m not. We’ll go there one day, alright ? Just not now.” You always sigh and roll out of his laps, crossing your arms on your chest. He always kisses you on your cheek and then on your pouty mouth. So you're waiting for the day when he'll deign to touch you elsewhere than just your lips. But that doesn’t stop you from driving him crazy whenever you had the occasion, hoping that this day is the day. For example, you’d drop your book on purpose so you can lean in front of him, giving him a good sight of your butt with a devilish look “I’m so clumsy.” His lips always part a little, holding his breath and pressing his palms on his thighs. He rises from the sofa, and you think it’s happening now, but he just walks away, without saying anything.

If Michael wouldn’t give you what you want, then you must do the job on your own. When he’s out with his cousins to go to the pub, for business or whatever reason, you slide in you bed, get comfortable and let your mind drift away and your hand moving down. You imagine all the things you dream Michael does to you. His lips on your neck and then your breast, his hands all over your body, gripping on your skin, never letting you go. His fingers lingering your stomach, making their way to your core. Teasing you so machieviously. “You like that baby girl ?” he asks after hearing you moan. You nod begging him to keep going. “So if you like that, you may will love this” he would slide a finger in your wet pussy, going back and forth on your demanding clit. You always imagined it rough because of Michael’s gangster side. He would use you as a toy, a simple object and you wouldn’t even mind it, as long as he touches you and makes you feel good. Of course, all of this was just your imagination and your fingers. You were so damn tired of waiting.

What you didn’t know is that, one day, when you were playing your little game of imagination and you thought he was out with the boys, he actually came back earlier to your place and heard you calling his name. He walked to your room but didn’t enter, realising that you were not calling him but moaning his name. He looked at you, spread on your bed, eyes closed, your nightgown rose just above your thighs, fingers dancing in circles on your sex, chest panting, going up and down, lips shaking sometimes drawing his name. You were too caught in your pleasure that nothing could distract you. Gosh you were so beautiful like that. He wanted to step in, take off his clothes and give you what you wanted once and for all. His heart was beating so fast, adrenaline kicking in, he was so ready. Until you came. He missed his chance to make you feel good, maybe another time.

Tonight was an event at Tommy’s house. Family, friends and important people will be there to celebrate the third year of the Grace Shelby Institute. Everyone was invited, and since you are Michael’s girlfriend you must go. Not like it was a chore at all, you like going out, especially if you can wear a very nice and fancy dress. Yours for tonight is long, silky and baby pink. You also wear long sleeve gloves in matching material and color. You took a lifetime to prepare yourself to get nice and voluptuous hair, and soft makeup, but it was worthy because in the end you were breathtaking. “Y/N, we’re gonna be late !” Michael yelled at the bottom of the stairs. He’s been ready an hour ago. 

“I’m coming !” you yelled back from your room. “Wish I was saying this in another circumstance…” you muttered to yourself. You looked at yourself in the mirror one last time, pressing your lips to make sure your lipstick was in place. You stood at the top of the stairs and saw Michael walking in circles waiting for you. “I’m here” you announced.

“Ugh… Final-” Michael didn’t finish his sentence when he saw you coming down the stairs. You stopped on the last step to have your face at his level. He didn’t say anything, he just stared at you, eyes analysing every inch of your face with a spark. 

“I guess you like it” you chuckle breaking the silence. 

“I like it ? No, no Y/N… I adore it” he sighed with a choked giggle. You tried to hide your smile tightening your lips. He took your hand and helped you go down the last step. He then cupped your face in his big yet soft hands and gave you a chaste kiss, to not ruin your lipstick. Oh how you wished he ruined it. “Let’s go ?” he whispered.

“Let’s go” you confirmed. He took his hands off of you and instead, placed one in your hand. You both walked out to your car where your chauffeur was waiting.

Michael opened the door for you and helped you climb in. Michael, once sat down, automatically rest his hand on your thigh on a respectable level. You looked at it wishing he would bury it between your legs. You chuckled a bit realising you were having those wild and dirty thoughts while wearing the fanciest dress ever. The ride was silent, with of a few glimpses sometimes. Your heart was beating so fast, you didn’t really know why. Maybe it was his hand still on your thigh, squeezing it each time there was a bump on the road. Or maybe, it was the memory of his face when he saw you walking down the stairs twenty minutes ago. Or maybe just because you were simply in his company, and you felt like a 12 year-old hanging out with her crush. Finally, you saw Thomas’ house in the distance. When the car stopped and the chauffeur got down, Michael leaned to your ear and whispered “you look angelic Y/N”. You turned slightly your head to face him, lips so close yet so far from each others. He looked alternatively to your eyes and lips, leaning a little more. Time stopped, space disappeared, it was just you two. You closed your eyes in anticipation to receive a kiss from him, but it all fell down when the chauffeur opened your door, making you jump. Michael and you straighten, a bit embarrassed. Your cheeks coloured in red. “Wait here” he just said. He get out first, walked around the car to your door, and reached out his hand to you. The party already started and you could hear laughters and music inside.

When you both entered, a butler offered you a glass of champagne that you accepted. “Cheers” Michael said tinkling lightly his glass on yours. You nodded in response before lip-dip the alcohol. Polly arrived a few minutes later, greeting you both and congratulating you on the way you look tonight. Polly always loved you, which was something you were very proud of, since she hated all Michael’s girlfriends. You were different, pure, pushing Michael to be a good man, even though that’s not your job. He just wanted to be a better man when he was with you. Someone interrupted your conversation, asking Polly and Michael to join Tommy in his office. “Now ?” Michael asked annoyed. “Yes, sir” the butler confirmed. Michael turned to you “I’m sorry I gotta go-”

“It’s alright” you replied. It was not. You wanted him to stay with you. “I’ll wait, don’t worry”.

Michael sighed and gave you a light kiss on your cheek “I’ll be quick”. He left his glass of champagne on the nearest table and walked away. You looked around and saw people having fun, laughing and some of them were dancing. You were not really the type of person that goes and chat easily with others so you just stayed in your corner, waiting for Michael to come back.

“It looks like I’ve found someone more bored than I am” a man’s voice said. You turned to see who was speaking. He was young, around 25 years-old, dark hair, deep blue eyes and a little taller than Michael. He was handsome.

“Me ? Oh no no I’m not bored” you replied a bit embarrassed by his comment.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell the host.” he chuckled, amused by your awkwardness. “I’m Pete. You ?”

“Y/N” he took your hand to place a light kiss like every gentleman would do. If Michael saw this, he would burn the poor man down. 

“Nice to meet you, Y/N” he smiled. Gosh he’s really pretty. He started a conversation, and you found yourself pretty comfortable in his presence. He told you about his new business in London, his hobbies and you found out he was a distant cousin of Grace. The conversation was fluid with light laughters here and there. The orchestra played a new song and Pete’s eyes lit up. 

“Y/N would like to dance with me ?” You hesitated, thinking of Michael. But you still agreed. It’s been almost an hour and Michael wasn’t back. You too, wanted to enjoy your night. And it’s just a dance, right ? Pete took you by the hand and guided you to the middle of the room. He placed his left hand in the middle of your back and the other in yours. He then led the dance, making you twirl when he felt like it. It was nice. All of this was nice. But it wasn’t perfect, because he was not Michael. Your thoughts have been stopped by a hand on your shoulder, making you jump and forcing Pete to stop the dance. 

“What’s going on ?” a familiar voice said. Michael. You felt bad for a second for accepting Pete’s invitation. 

“Um, you’re kind of the middle of something…” Pete responded.

“I’m just dancing, Michael” you intervened innocently.

“Do you know him, Y/N ?” asked Pete

“Yes, she does” replied Michael for you. “She’s my girl”. That was definitely not the right moment for this, but your temperature heat up for a second after he called you that. His girl. Not anyone’s else. His. Michael left, leaving you and Pete in the middle of the dancefloor.

“I gotta go” you told Pete, “It was very nice to meet you”. You ran behind Michael, calling his name so he would stop. He didn’t. Instead he took his coat and yours handing it to you. 

“Let’s go home” he spat, barely looking at you.

“Michael, it’s alright, it’s just a dance-”.

“I said, let’s go home” he cut you through clenched teeth. Again, not the right moment, but the way he got closer to you and his hot breath on your lips, made you a little horny. The car arrived in front of the door but this time Michael didn’t take the time to open it for you, instead the chauffeur did. The ride seemed longer than the first one. Cold and silent. Michael didn’t want to talk to you but neither did you. It was just a dance after all !

When you finally entered his house, you sighed expecting to begin an argument. But again he didn’t say a thing. So you just got to your shared room, leaving your coat downstairs. You looked at yourself in the mirror and thought it was a shame to wear such a nice dress and coming back this early from the party. In the reflexion of the mirror, you saw Michael who entered the room, standing behind you. “It was just a dance Michael” you said starting to take off one of your gloves. 

“Don’t.” he replied. You looked at him through the mirror, confused.

“What ?”

“Don’t take off your gloves”. He stepped closer to you till his chest brushed your back. This slight touch made you lose your mind. This all night was already making you lose your mind. You felt his breath on your neck, but he didn’t touch you.

“What do you want, Michael ?”

“You”. That was quick and dry, like a knife. You coughed, not expecting this answer. You tried to formulate a response but all that came out was mumbles 

“I… Yo… I-I”.

“I want you Y/N” he whispered softly in your ear, sending shivers all over your body. And he noticed. He turnt you so you face him, pulling you close. “And I thought understand that’s what you want too ?” he teased. You nodded. 

“Why now ?” you asked lips shaking.

“Seeing you and that bastard at Tommy’s… I don’t know I just clicked. I’ve been wanting you for so long now, I didn’t want to rush things, too scared to lose you. But when you were dancing with him, I thought…” he leaned a little placing his lips next to your ear “You’re mine.” you flinched, feeling your legs slowly crumble “But to make you mine in the eyes of everyone else, I need to show them. To mark you.” you let a shaky breath closing your eyes. Your heart was beating so fast and thought you might faint. Suddenly it was too much. 

“Michael…” you managed to whisper.

“Shhh… Don’t worry, love, I got you” he slid his fingertips on your arms until he reached your hands and guided you to the bed. “Y/N before anything happens, I need to make sure you trust me. I need you to tell me to stop if it’s too much, can you do that for me, darling ?” You nodded frantically. “No, baby, tell me, use your words” he corrected you.

“Michael, I trust you. I know you will never hurt me, or make me feel bad and uncomfortable. I-I… I love you”. His eyes that were staring at your lips to see if a lie would slip out, now locked on yours. “I love you” you repeated answering the questions in his eyes. He cupped your face in his hands and gave you a passionate kiss. Here it is, the touch you’ve been craving the whole night.

“I love you too, Y/N” he looked at your dress one last time before taking it off of you. He started with your gloves, taking it one at a time, slowly, gently, sensually. Your hands finally touching. Michael kissed you from your fingertips and all the way up to your shoulders, on both arms. He then placed his lips on your neck, sucking on your sweet spot. “Here’s my first mark” he said proudly and you moaned in pleasure.

“Make some more” you pleaded.

He moved his hands on your back, on the top of your dress, slipping his fingers on the edge of it. “Can I take it off ?” he kissed you more.

“Take off your shirt first” he stepped back to unbutton his jacket, his vest suit already gone. “No !” you stopped him with your hands on his. “I...I-I’ll do it. Please ?” he dropped his arms down his body, allowing you to do the job. Your hands were shaking, you were clearly nervous. Why ? You’ve been wanting this for months. Plus it was Michael, the person you love and trust the most on this planet. You knew him by heart. You were so nervous you forgot how to unbutton a shirt. Michael saw your attitude and decided to put his hands on your shoulders, gently caressing them. His touch immediately calmed you down. It’s just Michael. Your Michael. Because if you’re going to be his, then he will be yours. That’s what soulmates do. You finally managed to take off his white shirt, tossing it on the floor. His chest was broad and panting. Maybe he was as nervous as you are. You traced your fingers on his muscles that you were seeing for the first time. Gosh, he was so perfect, better than in your imagination. You lift your eyes, meeting his that were devouring your every move. “Your turn” inviting him to take off your dress.

Slowly but surely, he let his hands slipping the silk material on your soft skin. You didn’t wear a bra, not with this dress, so your breast was immediately exposed, surprising Michael who saw your body for the first time. You were standing there, only wearing your garter belt, glowing under the moonlight shining through the window. And he couldn’t talk, couldn’t say a damn word, because it would be useless. What can he tell you ? You’re beautiful ? Not enough. You’re perfect ? You are beyond that. I would die for you ? That could work. So he just kissed you. Again and again. His hands in your hair, yours on his forearms to keep you from falling. Michael then moved them down to your chest but didn’t touch your boobs yet. 

“Can I touch you like that ?” He whispered.

“Please, Michael”. He didn’t waste any more time and carressed the delicate skin, before pinching your nipples. You moaned surprised by the sensation. You never thought of doing this by yourself, how could you not ? He then licked and bit them, alternatively. Gosh… you thought out loud. He sucked the upper part of your tits making a second mark. You’re his a little more.

He pushed you, never leaving his mouth from your breast, until the back of your knees hit the bed, making you fall and him on top of you. “Move back” he ordered you. So you did. You’d do anything. Your head rested on the pillows and you placed yourself to be comfortable enough. Michael was still on top of you kissing you everywhere now. On your chest, stomach, neck. His hands were travelling the same way. He reached your panties but he suddenly stopped moving. 

“After that, there will be no returning, love. Do you still want to do it ?” Michael asked wanting to make sure of your intentions. In response you dragged his face to yours, and kissed him to make him understand you were more than fine with what is going to happen.

“Make me yours, Michael.” He kissed you back before placing himself between your legs. He first traced small and wet kisses down your thighs, stroking them in the same time. When he reached the bottom, he looked at you one last time to have your consent. You nodded, breathing sharply when his warm fingers took off all of your lingerie set and tossed it on the floor. “Tell me when to stop”

“You should begin first” you joked causing him to give you a cheeky look. He put a first finger on your clit and you swore you could come just from this. He started moving it slowly letting the pleasure grow. He draw small circles forcing you to close your eyes. You moaned his name and few curses.

“You know… I saw you one time getting off.” you settled back on your elbows

“What ?!”

“Yeah I came home earlier and you were there… on your bed… moaning my name, playing with your clit” you were so embarrassed and you wished you could say something but Michael was doing such a good job with his fingers, you were too caught in your pleasure, words couldn’t come out. “I saw you fingering yourself until you came. I should’ve have done that to you. Finger you, make you come all over my hands. Fuck, when you came and screamed my name… ‘Made me lose my shit, baby” you hummed in pleasure, his fingers still working on your clit. “Now I get to do that.” and with that his slide a finger in you. You gasped, grabbing the sheets. “That’s alright, honey, I got you” he started pumping agonisingly slow, letting you adjust. Honey. That was your favourite pet name. Honey is sweet, sounds like spring or a summer night, tastes like love and intimacy.

“Fa-faster…” you managed to exhale. He followed your order, wanting nothing more than making you feel good. You gasped loudly, eyes opening wide when he unlocked a particular sensitive part of you. “Wh-what was that ?”

“Your sweet spot, my love. Do you want me to do it again ?” You nodded eagerly. He brushed over it again, coming back and forth.

“Oh god.. Michael, it feels so good…”

“You like that baby girl ?” exactly like you imagined previously. Better actually. “Maybe you will like this then” he buried his face between your thighs and starting licking your soaked pussy, tongue flat. You automatically grabbed his hair making him hummed, sending vibrations. All of it was too much: the finger playing with your g-spot, the sucking on your clit and the vibrations of his moans. It was too much but so addictive. He kept his pace for a while before going a little faster when he felt you clench around his finger. 

“Mickey… God… Fuck… I-I’m gonna… Ugh… I’m gonna come”. His slid a second finger in you, helping you reach your orgasm. He watched you and your opened mouth, one hand playing with your tit, the other pulling his hair. You looked like a goddess. He knew he would never get tired of this picture.

“Come for me Y/N, that’s it… Fuck I waited to see you like this for so long, making you feel good. You’re mine Y/N, you’re mine. Come on baby, come on my fingers and my tongue…” His words sent you off, the explosion of pleasure hitting you like a hurricane as you came, screaming his name. He moaned proudly. Finally, he did that to you. Your legs were shaking and you were all tensed up. “Shhh…” he whispered, stroking your legs sweetly. Your chest was panting hard as you tried to recover from your first orgasm with Michael. “I got you, love, that’s it…” he trailed small kisses before locking his lips on yours after you took your breath back. “Y/N, you’re amazing” he coughed a laugh, not believing what just happened. So do you. What just happened ? That was a dream ? It can only be a dream. His hands on your face brung you back to reality. No it was not a dream.

“I want more, Michael” you said shyly, looking at him.

“You’re sure ?”

“Yes. I want you in me. I want you to come with me. Please Michael…” you started kissing him, sucking different spots on his neck.

“Fucking hell Y/N” he moaned “you’re gonna be the death of me”. You travelled your hands to his pants, unbuttoning them never breaking the kiss. You then slid one of them in, and pumped him. His lips parted letting out a loud moan, ending the kiss.

“Let me take them off” you offered. He rolled on his side to let you have access to his suit pants. You straddled on him, and took his pants off. Your few pumps of before made hard, so when you looked back to him, you saw his cock resting on his stomach. Your eyes widen and mouth watered.

“Can I… touch it ?” you asked hesitantly

“Yes, you can” he answered almost desperate. Your hesitation flew away when you had his whole in your palm. It was warm and a perfect weight. Michael hissed at your touch and you realised the power you have on him. You stroked him a few times when you heard his moan. It was music to your ears. You never heard something this beautiful. So you did it again, and again.

“Stop, stop, stop !” he urged you.

“Did I do something wrong ?” your voice was shaking

“No, no, love. It’s just” he sat back to touch your arms. “if you keep going… I might cum too soon, and I don’t want to. I want to make you feel good first, ‘right ?” he whispered that last sentence close to your lips, giving you goosebumps all over your thighs and arms. He closed the space between you two by kissing you. This time, you invited him to slide his tongue to make it more passionate, by parting your lips slightly. He then wrapped you in his arm and rolled you so he was on top of you.

“You’re ready babygirl ?” You nodded nervously but you were totally confident. “Use your words”.

“I’m ready Michael. Please make me yours” you sighed. He stroked two times his cock before placing it at your entrance and finally sliding it into you. You both exhaled a low moan, feeling each other for the first time. It didn’t hurt as much as you heard. He looked at you under him to see how you were handling things and you didn’t seem to have much trouble. So he started moving slowly, letting you feel him entirely.

“Gosh Y/N, I can’t believe I’ve waited so long before doing this. Fuck…”

“Aaah… I can’t believe it either” you moaned. “Michael, that feels so good, oh my god !” you felt him going a little rougher, realising that your words had this effect on him, so you continued. “It’s so perfect Mickey, you make me feel amazing, please keep going…” He grunted going faster and faster, kissing you everywhere he could.

Everything was divine. Really, this moment should be in the Bible, only gods can create that. It was a thousand times better than just your imagination and your poor fingers. You were one now. Both of your bodies mixing, creating this beautiful creature, glistening because of the sweat and the moonlight. The pleasure came back to your body signalling you that you were close.

“Michael… I-I”

“I know, honey.” he breathed out “me too. I’m close too. Fuck-” his pace intensified as you digged your nails in his shoulders and buried your face in the crook of his neck. “Are you gonna come for me love ? Uh ? You wanna come with me ?” You couldn’t respond but he guessed your confirmation. “Let’s do this babygirl, come on, let’s come together” he kept his pace until both of you came undone, at the same moment, in screams of pleasure. He slowed down till he fully stopped moving. You were seeing stars and you didn’t really know if you were still alive. You were breathing heavily, looking at each other, chuckles escaping your mouths.

“Fucking hell” he breathed out, still supporting his body with arms on top of you. You giggled, thinking exactly the same thing. He slowly fell down on you, resting his head on your sweaty chest. You ran your fingers through his messy hair and you wished you could stay like that forever.

“Thank you” you whispered

“I’m sorry I made you wait so long, I just,... I don’t know… I didn’t want you to turn into something you’re not, make you dirty” he admitted.

“It’s fine, don’t worry, I already forget it. I’m yours now.” he rose to face you, your hands falling and on his cheeks.

“And I’m yours. Forever” you smiled widely as you kissed his lips softly like you were making a pact. He returned his head on your chest, never wanting to let you go.

Yeah, definitely, it was better than your imagination.  

#michael gray #Michael Gray imagine #michael gray x y/n #michael gray smut #smut #virgin!reader #peaky blinders imagine #Peaky Blinders #finn cole #Tommy Shelby

[painted-piggy-ships-archive]

Having a Ball

Joker x Clarice Lagarde x Bruce Wayne

Word Count: 1508

Tag List: @heavenshipped @ghostlyvenus @the-schizotypal-cryptid @heartstringsymphonies

Summary: Bruce holds a masquerade ball, dances with his part-time enemy part-time lover, and the party gets crashed by Joker, who also takes interest in Batty’s favorite corrupt journalist.

Warnings: Things are too sparse for me to feel like there’s a huge warning to put up, but feel free to tell me if anything needs to be tagged!

“How did you get invited to Bruce Wayne’s masquerade ball?” One of my roommates jeered, barely containing their jealousy.

“I have my connections,” I responded simply, folding the deep navy envelope shut, “and don’t forget, I’m a journalist, toots. He probably wants me there for coverage in case things go sideways.”

They clicked their tongue and looked away, “You lucky sonovabitch.”

I sneered to myself, then quickly went to check my closet. Ah, what to wear? I had always had a fondness for costume, considering how I scoured Gotham’s underground, which had always been full of dramatics. A smirk settled itself on my lips when my hands brushed over an old jester costume from a renaissance faire I attended a couple of years ago… ooh, perfect. Bruce could invite me into his home and trust I’d behave, but he didn’t say anything about if your costume could be modeled after his greatest enemy or not.

Yes, I knew Bruce’s secret, and he knew I wasn’t exactly the “cleanest” journalist in the city, in fact, I’m worse than most, which is saying something. We’d trade jabs like any of Bruce’s enemies, but sometimes those nightly squabbles would end in soft touches and flutes of champagne. It was strange, and I tried not to think about it too hard.

~~~

The night of the ball came, and I was luckily able to get the costume fixed up with additions just in time. The bells on the overdramatic hat jingling merrily, I approached the doors of Wayne Manor, ringing the doorbell and being greeted by Bruce’s loyal butler, Alfred.

I lifted my mask slightly to smile at him, “Longtime no see, Alf.”

“Ah, Clarice Lagarde. Pleasant to see you again, Master Wayne expressed great expectancy of your presence,” he smiled a little, though it didn’t stick around as he eyed my costume, though he made no comment. He allowed for my entrance and I pulled my mask back down, joining the steadily growing crowd of costumed guests. I wondered if Bruce would imply anything in his own costume, though I supposed I would just have to wait and see as the night went on.

Eventually, Bruce appeared at the top of a flight of stairs, gaining everybody’s attention for a toast. Indeed, his mask reflected that of a bat, and his suit had a subtle moon motif going on. Though his face was obscured, I still felt my heart flutter at his simply handsome aura. After his speech, he descended the stairs and immediately came to me, a live orchestra beginning a waltz in the background.

“May I have this dance?” He asked me lowly. Up close, I could see how on edge he was and decided to take pity on him.

“Of course, Mr. Wayne…” As we took our positions I moved to whisper in his ear, “though I don’t know why you would want your first dance of the night to be with your enemy.~”

He glanced over my costume, a strangled mix of amusement and disgust playing in his dark eyes.

“Does the same not also apply to you, Mx. Lagarde?” He responded in the same tone, making my face heat up under my mask.

“Wh-whatever, j-just dance,” I stammered as we began to sway with the music. As we fell into the rhythm, we both started to relax slightly. Bruce was skilled in all forms of gentlemanly acts, probably because the teachings were hammered into him from a young age, and dancing was no different. He easily took the lead, though sometimes we’d trip each other up by looking too closely into the other’s eyes. When the song ended, we went our separate ways with brief farewells.

I retreated to a balcony with a glass of wine, so far enjoying myself. It almost didn’t occur to me in that moment that we lived in a crime-ridden city, crawling with rogues that would happily take advantage of such a relaxed occasion. I snapped to attention when I noticed a familiar car pull up outside the Wayne Manor’s gates; an expensive, purple thing with a chaotic spraypaint job. It clearly belonged to The Joker, who promptly exited the vehicle and began to climb the fence. I frowned slightly, Bruce really ought to get that electrocuted…

Then the thoughts of benevolence left me and were replaced by a wicked grin.

“Oh, this oughta be fun,” I chuckled to myself. I hadn’t brought any guns that night, the only potential weapons I had on me were a switchblade and a lighter, so I just hoped he wouldn’t go after me for parodying his image… the man could be extremely fickle and unpredictable, which was what made him so dangerous in the first place.

I returned to the ballroom, hearing Joker, likely accompanied by goons, breaking in somewhere nearby. Oddly enough, I watched him easily snake his way through the dancing crowd… until his crystalline eyes landed on myself. Oh fuck-

“You there. Let’s dance, shall we?~” He purred, taking my hands and not leaving time for much of an answer or choice.

“S-sure thing,” I responded, caught off guard as we waltzed to the next song. He was much faster-paced than Bruce, but wasn’t afraid to engage in conversation during the activity. Eh, there’s a euphemism in there if y’look hard enough.

“Nice costume. Surprised you were let in,” he chuckled. I shrugged, always unsure of how much the clown prince of crime really knew about Bruce. “What’s your name, kid?”

“Isn’t the point of a masquerade to be anonymous?” I retorted coolly. He grinned.

“Ooh, so mysterious.~ Well, if ya won’t tell me ya name, what’s ya job?”

“Journalism.”

He hummed.

“Ah, so the billionaire orphan wanted you here for coverage.”

“We also happen to be…” huh, what are we? I hesitated and cleared my throat, “good friends.”

Joker pursed his crimson lips, looking particularly tickled about this situation.

“Hmm… I don’t buy it. What’s really going on between you and him, journalist?”

“Nothing you’re gonna use against me.” I steeled myself. Challenging him was dangerous, but letting him in my head would be even more so. He laughed, startling some nearby guests.

“Use against you? My dear, you have it all wrong…” The music came to a stop, but he didn’t let go of me as he lowered his voice, “but if you insist on being so important in Brucie’s life, let’s see how much he really cares.~”

With those words, goons began pouring in the doors, trapping us all in the ballroom. I tried to call out, but I was already gagged and dragged away before I could even survey the room for Bruce. Though I knew, as soon as something felt off, he had probably slipped down to the cave to prepare. 

Joker and a couple of goons hauled me back to his car as I uselessly flailed against them, swearing up a storm in my mind. This whole situation was bringing me to a boil.

~~~

Luckily or unluckily, I suppose it doesn’t matter, my mask wasn’t removed until we were unsafely tucked away in Gotham’s poorest and most crime-ridden neighborhood; was this really the territory they left the clown prince of crime? Well, I guess Penguin got the money-making district, so where else was he supposed to go?

The car had rolled into an abandoned amusement park, and before the doors opened, Joker impatiently removed my mask. His eyebrows shot up in surprise, and his grin stretched to its full length.

“You!” He snapped his fingers a couple of times, trying to remember my name, “Lagarde! The double-crossing ex-mob.” His icy blue eyes narrowed slightly.

“I don’t double-cross,” I spat once he removed the gag from my mouth, “I just don’t stick to one side.”

“And you’re entangled with Bruce? How many people have tried to kill you in the past month, deary?” Joker taunted, the words full of mock concern.

“Not as many as you’d think, surprisingly.”

Cogs began to turn in the Joker’s mind.

“Listen, we’re all criminals here, right? How about… no hard feelings about this whole mild kidnapping situation. I’ll make you a deal, Gardy,” Joker began and I scoffed at the pet name, “work for me for a little while and I won't bother you about Bruce anymore. I’ll be an ally! And I’ll pay you handsomely, unlike what I’m paying these dolts.” He lowered his voice and jabbed his thumb at the burly men in the front seats. I mulled it over before offering my hand.

“Deal.”

“That was quick!” Joker chuckled and shook my hand. What was I getting myself into?

Needless to say, the Batman came to my aide. Joker got away, but I was returned to Wayne Manor safely, and fawned over by a particularly concerned Bruce.

“I told you, he barely touched me,” I sighed as my favorite vigilante looked over me a third time with a furrowed brow. I could tell there was something on his mind, but there’s no way he would ever tell me.

#🦇🃏Batjokes + 1➕1️⃣ #clownie writes #self shipping #self shipping community #self insert

[artsoupsoupart]

Madney Week 2021:  Nice To Meet You Again

Day One: “May I have this dance?” + fluff

Read on Ao3

She doesn’t necessarily want to throw a ball. She doesn’t necessarily want to become ruler of their kingdom because it feels like it’s too soon. She’s not even twenty-one yet, just two years shy of it actually, but Maddie definitely knows she could run the country by herself, with very carefully selected advisors and just as tedious planning. But a future queen definitely deserves a future king (or queen), so it just makes sense to start her search now, when King Philip and Queen Margaret are almost at the end of their reign, though they’ve been at the end of their line as parents for years since Prince Daniel had been killed at war and well, they never really were parents to her and Evan if she’s being honest with herself.

At the thought of her older brother, she sighs. He had been everything a prince should be. Charming. Responsible. Brave. And gone all too soon. If only he hadn’t joined the army, he would probably still be here. He’d be taking over as king and he’d be the one compromising love for power and stability. The thought gives her pause, as she dresses for the morning. He’s been gone for three years. Just as soon as he had joined the military he had been taken away and his death had shaken the lives of their royal family and the country.

Maddie shakes her head, hoping to throw the thoughts of him out of her mind for the time being. She still misses him and probably always will, but she knows he’d want her to focus on being the best queen she could be. She dresses with the help of her maids, their chattering excitement a constant comfort. She had spent weeks picking out the perfect dresses and suits to make a good impression. The burgundy dress sweeps against her ankles and she feels confident in a way that she hadn’t since decided to begin her search. Her clothes will be at least a little comforting for the next week, a shield to show the perfectly prepared façade she hopes she pulls off.

There’s a knock at her door and in saunters her best friend, head-to-toe in his own royal regalia.

“Well, Your Majesty, don’t you look nice.”

She smiles, shaking her head with a roll of her eyes. “I’m not queen yet, Josh.” Maddie checks herself in the tall, ornate mirror one last time before taking off towards the door of her bedroom. “But thanks anyway. I may as well look nice for the teeth-pulling ahead.”

“It won’t be that bad, Maddie.” Josh huffs as they speed-walk side by side.

“Ew, it definitely will.” And she’s rushing through the corridors of the palace, not because she’s late (guests won’t begin arriving for another two hours at the earliest and a queen is never late, everyone is simply early), but because she wants to make sure everything is in order before the first guest arrives, mental lists being checked off with every step as she double and triple checks off item after item. “I am allowing all of the eligible princes and princesses, dukes and duchesses, barons and baronesses, and well-respected socialites into my home in the hopes that one of them will be able to help me run a country without their ego getting in the way.”

It’s not that she’s necessarily needs the help. But it’s hard to be princess and harder to be queen, which, for Maddie, will occur in approximately two years. She’s been planning this moment since she was a young teen, even before Daniel’s untimely death, and she’s ready to take on the responsibility. She’s ready for the bureaucratic meetings and the late nights, but she just doesn’t want to do it alone. Maddie had figured it was about time she opened herself up to more possibilities. Sure, throughout high school and now during university there have been a few dalliances between some of the same royals she’s welcoming into her home for the next week. They were never serious, though. There was never that wonderful spark that she thinks she saw in her parents growing up.

“Don’t think about it like that.” Josh says, his hands coming to her shoulders to stop her in her tracks. “Think of it like all the other balls you’ve thrown. A time to get to know people and maybe, just maybe, you’ll have fun and find the love of your life.”

“You’ve always been the optimistic one.”

His smile grows wide. “And I always will be. Now go. You’ve got royals to meet.”

Josh is gone from her side almost as quickly as he came and he’s right. She should try to not put so much pressure on this even though it’s the most important decision she’s made thus far. She’ll try to have fun and keep an open mind.

Maddie stands outside at the top of the grand staircase up to the palace, waiting for the arrival of her guests who she’ll greet before one of the butlers shows them off to their rooms. It’s something she’s done many, many times, but this time is different. She’s on the search for something that probably won’t be love, but maybe understanding and companionship. That should be enough, shouldn’t it?

“Prince Douglas of House Kendall” the footman announces. Doug steps from the limo, his suit perfectly tailored and his hair coiffed, not a strand out of place. He’s smug, as always, flirting with her though it makes her skin crawl. Well, he makes her skin crawl now. He hadn’t a few years ago when he had been someone she thought could have been the one. He’s too arrogant in private, too strict, expects the world to fall at his feet and for it to be perfect. Still, he’s one of the most eligible bachelors and she’d be lucky to have him as her king. At least, that’s what everyone else thinks.

Evan, or Buck as he’s taken to being called since his own adventures have started to flourish in his life, is by her side in an instant and she knows exactly why when the telltale flags of the stretch limo come into her line of vision.

“Duchess Taylor of House Kelly”, the footman introduces in his booming voice that Maddie is sure will give her a headache by the end of the day. She would be an apt contender, Maddie silently muses, but she’s her brother’s best friend and has been for the past five years and somehow that just feels wrong. Maddie knows that her younger brother spends a lot of time with the duchess, sparring and shooting at flying plates whenever they get the chance (a surprise to Maddie considering how rough and tumble they can be). She also has an inkling that her little brother might have a bit of a crush, and she has a tinier inkling that Taylor feels the same.  

She greets her as Taylor bounds up the stairs, a bright smile on her face. They’re practically family at this point so she really would fit perfectly, but no, she’s already crossed her name from her mental list. Besides, Taylor’s excitement isn’t for her but instead for her best friend who is already talking her ear off. Maddie tells them to go ahead, have their fun while she stays and greets the rest of the guests and the dynamic duo is already talking a mile a minute about what their plans are for the rest of the week.

Maddie is there for another hour, doing princess duties and greeting each potential suitor and nosy guest who’s only attending for good gossip. Her feet are tender and her face stiff from the plastered on smile as one final limo pulls into the circular driveway, those familiar flags stopping her heart and slowing down time. Out steps one Howard Han, sleek in his country’s royal colors of bright reds and vibrant golds. She hasn’t seen him since she was sixteen, a few months before Daniel had died. It had been two weeks after his eighteenth birthday and his father had forced him to return to their country or abdicate the throne. He had loved being a prince and his mother had always said he would be a great king, but his father had rushed him into the more serious side of his princely duties earlier than he would have liked.

No time has passed at all before he’s standing in front of her with that same boyish grin that still feels so friendly yet now with an underlying hint of something she can’t quite put her finger on. He’s a bit taller than that last time she’d laid eyes on him, more muscular too.

“Princess, it’s good to see you again.” He must see the shock on her face because he’s scratching at the back of his neck. “I hope I didn’t ruin your guest list. I was a late RSVP.”

For a moment she just stares at him before shaking her head with an almost shy smile. “It’s good to see you too. And it is absolutely no problem, there’s a room waiting for you.”

“Good, I guess I’ll see you later at the welcome ball.”

She nods her head, blush still coloring her cheeks as he follows the last butler to his room.

…

The orchestra plays as she enters the ballroom at the top of yet another grand set of stairs. She notices her parents have deigned to show their faces, knowing they’re only there for the press.  All eyes on her and somehow in the crowd she finds Howie’s. As much as she wants to talk to him, Princess Maddie kicks in and her smile is bright and cordial while she greets her guests. She makes a short speech and then the ball begins, and she’s swept away to mingle and dance and scope out her future spouse.  

As she dances with yet another forgettable suitor, she catches Howie’s gaze as he leans against a high table, and he pulls a face that makes her snort and hide in the shoulder of her dance partner. She shouldn’t be so focused on him, it’s not what a good hostess would do. But Maddie can’t help it. In the three years since they’ve seen each other, he’s changed. His jaw is sharper, his hair messier. He’s clean shaven and she wonders if that’s new or if he sometimes has stubble that would feel rough against her cheek… She stops herself, shaking her head and abruptly but politely excusing herself.

She stands on the side of the dancefloor, shaded by the cover of a gigantic pilar as she stops to take a deep breath. Maddie doesn’t think she expected to find the love of her life here. Love at first sight doesn’t exist, not to her at least. But if she really thinks about it, that’s not what this is either. She didn’t just see Howie for the first time and fall in love. She definitely didn’t romantically love him when they were children. But he’s so familiar, and his smile warms the pit of her stomach and that must mean something.

“May I have this dance?” Her eyes settle on the glove-covered hand, following up the sculpted arm and curved shoulder. They settle on the brightest eyes of Howard Han of Manicague and yeah, this means something. Maddie nods and her hand slips into his and they’re off to twirl around the dance floor.

He sweeps her across the room, their focus completely on each other as though they’re the only two in existence, everyone else fading to the background.

“What have you been up to, Prince Howard?”

“You know, some people call me Chimney now,” he smiles, standing a bit straighter.

Intrigued by the change of posture, she tilts her head and flashes him a dazzling smile that definitely affects him if the sparkle in his eyes mean anything. “And why is that?”

“That’s a conversation that shouldn’t be had on a ballroom dance floor.” It’s innocent but there’s something in the way the timbre of his voice drops that shoots right to the butterflies that flutter inside of her. Her foot just catches his toe enough for him to feel it. Howie winces, but chuckles through it, “Still stumbling after all this time, my Princess?”

Maddie’s steps falter yet again, her cheeks flushing scarlet as she scoffs. Because she’s been Princess Maddie and Her Royal Highness Madeline her entire life, but since she was five years old, she was his princess. Back then, she was his princess in purely innocent, best friend ways. And maybe they could be best friends again and maybe she could be his princess. His Queen.

“From what I remember I never missed my marks unless you tripped me.”

“Me? Trip a princess? Never”

She laughs again. “Please, I remember at least twice when you purposefully tripped me.”

“I was nine!”

“It was still purposeful!”

He holds her closer, the room and music from the ochestra fading away even more than it already had as warmth fills her entire being. “Well, maybe you’ll fall differently this time and I’ll be right there to catch you like before.”

Maddie’s chest rises and falls deeply as she stares into his warm, kind eyes. She nods, lip between her teeth. “Maybe.”

She has to remind herself to tell Josh that it probably won’t be that bad after all.

#madney #maddie buckley #howie chimney han #madneyweek2021 #fluff #chakayla’s royal decree

[papermoonloveslucy]

TOO MANY GIRLS

October 8, 1940

Too Many Girls was an RKO film musical based on the stage musical of the same title. It was produced and directed by George Abbott, who had also directed the Broadway production. The music was composed by Richard Rodgers, the lyrics by Lorenz Hart, and the book was by George Marion, Jr. although the screenplay was adapted by John Twist. 

Too Many Girls opened on Broadway on October 18, 1939, at the Imperial Theatre, running to April 21, 1940, and transferred to the Broadway Theatre on April 22, 1940, closing on May 18, 1940. The cast featured Desi Arnaz, Diosa Costello, Marcy Westcott, Eddie Bracken, Richard Kollmar, Van Johnson, and Hal Le Roy. Musical Staging was by Robert Alton, scenery by Jo Mielziner, and costumes by Raoul Pène Du Bois.

The musical takes place in Skowhegan, Maine and Pottawatomie College in Stop Gap, New Mexico.

Synopsis ~ Connie Casey, an energetic celebrity heiress, wants to go to Pottawatomie College in Stop Gap, New Mexico, her father's alma mater, to be near her latest beau, British playwright Beverly Waverly. To protect her, and without her knowledge, her tycoon father sends four Ivy League football players as her bodyguards, Clint Kelly, Jojo Jordan, Manuelito and Al Terwilliger, who sign a contract with an ‘anti-romance’ clause. They also join the college's terrible football team, which immediately becomes one of the best in the country. Clint falls in love with Connie, but when she discovers he is her bodyguard, she decides to go back East. The bodyguards follow her, leaving the team in the lurch. The people of Stop Gap go after them, and they are brought back just in time for the big game. Connie declares her love for Clint, and he leads the team to victory.

PRINCIPAL CAST

Lucille Ball (Consuela ‘Connie’ Casey) was born on August 6, 1911 in Jamestown, New York. She began her screen career in 1933 and was known in Hollywood as ‘Queen of the B’s’ due to her many appearances in ‘B’ movies. “My Favorite Husband” eventually led to the creation of “I Love Lucy,” a television situation comedy in which she co-starred with her real-life husband, Latin bandleader Desi Arnaz. The program was phenomenally successful, allowing the couple to purchase what was once RKO Studios, re-naming it Desilu. When the show ended in 1960 (in an hour-long format known as “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour”) so did Lucy and Desi’s marriage. In 1962, hoping to keep Desilu financially solvent, Lucy returned to the sitcom format with “The Lucy Show,” which lasted six seasons. She followed that with a similar sitcom “Here’s Lucy” co-starring with her real-life children, Lucie and Desi Jr., as well as Gale Gordon, who had joined the cast of “The Lucy Show” during season two. Before her death in 1989, Lucy made one more attempt at a sitcom with “Life With Lucy,” also with Gordon.

Desi Arnaz (Manuelito Lynch) was born in Santiago, Cuba on March 2, 1917. After leaving Cuba, he formed his own Latin band, and literally launched the conga craze in America.  It was on the set of Too Many Girls (1940) that he and Lucille Ball met. They soon married and approximately 10 years later formed Desilu Productions and began the “I Love Lucy” shows in 1951. Desi and Lucille had two children, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. At the end of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” in 1960, the two divorced. He was diagnosed with lung cancer and died on December 2, 1986 at age 69.

Manuelito: “I'm not conceited. I am the greatest player in fifty years, but I'm not conceited.”

Richard Carlson (Clint Kelly) makes his first and last appearance with Lucy and Desi, although his wife, Mona, was featured as one of Don Loper’s models on “The Fashion Show” (ILL S4;E20) in 1955. 

Ann Miller (Pepe) had appeared with Lucille Ball in three films: Stage Door (1937), Having Wonderful Time (1938), and Room Service (1938). In 1954, she appeared with the Arnazes on “MGM’s 30th Anniversary Tribute”. 

Eddie Bracken (Jojo Jordan) makes his only screen appearance with Lucy and Desi, although he was part of the Broadway cast of Too Many Girls and was friends with the Arnazes off screen as seen in the above photo with Ann Miller and Lucy. 

JOJO: “Well, I'm not exactly wonderful, but I'm awfully attractive in a dynamic sort of way.”

Frances Langford (Eileen Eilers) makes her only appearance with Lucy and Desi. She worked extensively with Bob Hope on his USO tours. 

Hal LeRoy (Al Terwilliger) makes his only screen appearance with Lucy and Desi, although he was part of the Broadway cast of Too Many Girls. 

Libby Bennett (Tallulah Lou) makes her only screen appearance in Too Many Girls. She had also been seen in the Broadway stage production. 

Harry Shannon (Mr. Harvey Casey) appeared with Lucille Ball in 1942′s The Big Street. On “I Love Lucy” he played Jim White the photographer in “Men Are Messy” (ILL S1;E8) in 1951 (above center). Musical fans will remember Shannon as Rosalind Russell’s father in the 1962 musical film Gypsy.

Mrs. Teweksbury says Mr. Casey is one of the richest individuals in the country. He reportedly has $7.50 more than Henry Ford. He is Connie’s father and Chairman of Casey Conglomerated Industries.

Douglas Walton (Beverly Waverly) was a Canadian-born actor making his only appearance with Lucy and Desi. He played poet Percy Shelley in the film The Bride of Frankenstein (1935). He left film acting in 1950, before the advent of television. 

Beverley Waverly is a British playwright.  

Chester Clute (Lister) did four films with Lucille Ball before Too Many Girls and four after it. 

Lister is an alumni of Pottawatomie College, like his boss Mr. Casey.

Ivy Scott (Mrs. Tewksbury) was also in the stage production of Too Many Girls and only did one more film in Hollywood, Higher and Higher in 1943.

Mrs. Tewksbury is the proprietor of The Hunted Stag (or, as Mr. Lister calls it, The Stunted Hag), an Inn where the boys are waiters. 

Byron Shores (Sheriff Andaluz) makes his only screen appearance with Lucy and Desi. He was also seen in the stage production of Too Many Girls. His last film was in 1944. 

UNCREDITED FILM CAST

Iron Eyes Cody (Indian) made a career of playing Native American characters despite the fact that he was of Italian ancestry. He next worked with Lucy and in 1942’s Valley of the Sun, again as an American Indian character. He played an Eskimo in a 1959 episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour,” but is probably best remembered as the Indian that sheds a single tear in the ‘Keep America Beautiful’ ads that ran from 1971 to the 1980s.

Jay Silverheels (Indian) also played a Native American character in Valley of the Sun (1942) with Lucille Ball. He was best known for playing Tonto on “The Lone Ranger”.

Chief John Big Tree (Chief)  

Harry James (Orchestra Leader) also played himself in Lucille Ball’s Best Foot Forward in 1943. With his wife, Betty Grable, he was seen in “Lucy Wins a Racehorse” (LDCH S1;E4) in 1958. 

Van Johnson (Chorus Boy) was also seen with Lucy in the films Easy to Wed (1946) and Yours, Mine and Ours in 1968. He played himself on one of the most popular episodes of “I Love Lucy,” “The Dancing Star” (ILL S4;E27) and played both himself and a look-alike on “Here’s Lucy” in 1968. He was also a member of the Broadway cast of Too Many Girls. 

Johnson has only two lines of dialogue in the film but is often visible in group scenes.

Shep Houghton (Chorus Boy) made two other films with Lucille Ball and was seen in the background of two episodes of “The Lucy Show” and one episode of “Here’s Lucy.”  Houghton was one of the Winkie Guards in 1939’s The Wizard of Oz and a Southern Dandy in Gone With the Wind (1939). 

John Benton (Chorus Boy)

Mildred Law (Coed) appeared on “I Love Lucy” in “Return Home From Europe” (ILL S5;E26) playing a TWA flight attendant who attends to Lucy’s cheesy baby, Chester. This was her penultimate screen credit. 

Pamela Blake (Coed) also appeared uncredited with Lucille Ball in Stage Door (1937).

Amarilla Morris (Coed) was seen with Desi Arnaz in the 1942 film Four Jacks and a Jill as the girl in the revolving door. 

Other Coeds: Janet Lavis, Ellen Johnson, Vera Fern, Peggy Drake, Zita Baca, Anna Mae Tessle

Homer Dickenson (Mr. Casey's Butler) immediately followed this film with A Girl, A Guy, And A Gob (1941) also starring Lucille Ball.

Grady Sutton (Football Coach) from 1935 to 1945, Sutton did five films with Lucille Ball.

Dorothy Vernon (Faculty Extra) also did The Bowery (1933) and Valley of the Sun (1942) with Lucille Ball. 

Dan White (Faculty Extra) had a small role in the 1970 TV special “Swing Out Sweet Land” in which Lucille Ball voiced the Statue of Liberty. 

Others: Sethma Williams (Marie), Tommy Graham (Hawker), Averell Harris (Detective), Michael Alvarez (Joe)

WHEN LUCY MET DIZZY

Lucille Ball met Desi Arnaz for the first time at the RKO studio commissary, while Too Many Girls was in rehearsals. She was in full costume and make-up after performing a fight scene for another film, Dance, Girl, Dance (1940, above): she wore a slinky gold dress slit halfway up the thigh and sported a black eye. Arnaz was seated at the same table as director George Abbott, who introduced the two. Arnaz was not impressed by Ball, thinking she “looked like a two-dollar whore who had been badly beaten by her pimp." After the encounter, he asked Abbott to fire Ball from Too Many Girls, claiming she was “too tough and common for the role."  He also advised that her reputation as Queen of the B movies might negatively impact his much-anticipated film debut, advice Abbott thankfully ignored. 

“A Cuban skyrocket burst over my horizon!” ~ Lucy about Desi

“Those damned big beautiful blue eyes!” ~ Desi about Lucy 

That night, Arnaz was rehearsing “She Could Shake the Maracas" when Ball walked in, now wearing a yellow sweater and tight-fitting beige slacks. Not recognizing her, Arnaz turned to the piano player and whispered “Man, that is a honk of woman!"  The pianist reminded Arnaz of his earlier meeting with Ball. Lucille approached them to say hello. "Miss Ball?" Arnaz said, just to make sure that there was no mistake. "Why don't you call me Lucille? And I'll call you Dizzy." 

Lucy and Desi have very little interaction in the film, but when he sees Connie for the first time, he gets weak in the knees and falls to the ground, in awe of her beauty. Despite this, Manuelito’s romance is with Pepe, not Connie. History re-wrote that chapter!

TOO MANY SONGS!

Heroes in the Fall - Male Chorus

You're Nearer - Connie, Pepe, Eileen, and Tallulah Lou

Pottawatomie - Mr. Casey and Chorus

'Cause We Got Cake - Eileen and Chorus

Spic 'n' Spanish - Manuelito and Pepe

Love Never Went to College - Eileen

Look Out! - Eileen and Pepe

I Didn't Know What Time It Was - Connie, Clint, and Jojo

You're Nearer - Connie, Manuelito, Eileen, Pepe, and Tallulah Lou

Conga

Songs cut from the Broadway show: 

Tempt Me Not - Manuelito, Clint, and Chorus

My Prince - Connie

I Like To Recognize the Tune - Jojo, Connie, Eileen, Clint, and Al

The Sweethearts of the Team - Eileen

She Could Shake The Maracas - Pepe and Manuelito

Too Many Girls - Manuelito

Give It Back To The Indians - Eileen 

TOO MANY TRIVIA!

RKO paid $100,000 for the rights to the Broadway musical. 

Filming on Too Many Girls began on June 22, 1940.

Camerman Russell Metty briefly took over shooting for Frank Redman when Redman had to attend a funeral.

Uncredited performers Van Johnson and Harry James would go on to be two of the film’s biggest stars, except for Lucy and Desi, eclipsing many of the film’s principal cast like Hal LeRoy, Douglas Walton, and Libby Bennett. 

Lucille Ball’s vocals were dubbed by Trudy Erwin, one of Kay Kyser’s singers. 

Everyone imported from Broadway (except Hal LeRoy) was making their screen debut with Too Many Girls. 

After making the film, Van Johnson and Mildred Law returned to the Broadway production. Instead of chorus roles, Johnson assumed the role of Jojo (originated by Bracken) and Law now played Tallulah Lou, originated by Leila Ernest. 

On Broadway the character of Connie was originated by Marcy Wescott in her final Broadway stage role. 

TOO MANY REFERENCES!

Each of Connie’s bodyguards plays football for an Ivy League college: Yale, Harvard, and Princeton. Manuelito is still deciding on a college, but is considering Princeton, where Clint goes. There is talk about a contentious game that includes Princeton. In Lucille Ball’s radio show “My Favorite Husband” (1948), George Cugat (later Cooper) hopes his future son will play for Princeton, his alum. Coincidentally, Lucille Ball did two plays at Princeton University’s resident theatre company, McCarter: Hey Diddle Diddle (1937) and Dream Girl (1947).

One of the characters mentions movie star Ginger Rogers, one of the top female box office stars of the time. She was also a good friend of Lucille Ball having done five films together. Rogers’ mother Lela tajght acting classes at RKO, later inspiring Ball to create the Desilu Playhouse at Desilu Studios. Rogers played herself on a 1971 episode of “Here’s Lucy.” 

Mr. Casey compares his daughter Connie with Lucretia Borgia (1480-1519) was the illegitimate daughter of a pope and his mistress,  a famous beauty, notorious for the suspicious deaths and political intrigue that swirled around her. Today her name has become synonymous with a beautiful, but scheming woman who would stop at nothing - including murder - to get what she wants.  In 1949, Lucille Ball’s friend played Lucretia Borgia for Paramount in Bride of Vengeance.

Although Pottawatomie College and the town of Stop Gap are fictional, Pottawatomie is the name of a Native American tribe, although they were mostly found in the Great Lakes region, not in New Mexico. The Pottawatomie Massacre occurred from May 23 to May 26, 1856, resulting in the death of five pro-slavery settlers north of Pottawatomie Creek in Franklin County, Kansas. This was one of the many violent episodes in Kansas preceding the American Civil War.

 TOO MANY CRITICS!

Too Many Girls premiered on October 8, 1940 at Loew's Criterion Theatre in New York. Critical reviews were generally positive, although Bosley Crowther of The New York Times wrote that Too Many Girls was “a pleasant, light-hearted and wholly ingenuous campus film" but that director George Abbott "has permitted it to sag in the middle, at which point the thin spots baldly show. If the intention was to be impressive, it has failed. For 'Too Many Girls' is a simple, conventional rah-rah picture, without any place for pretense. And there is not enough to it, on the whole, for Mr. Abbott to squander dancers recklessly."

TOO FAST FORWARD

This film's earliest documented television presentations began in Los Angeles Tuesday May 8, 1956 on KHJ (Channel 9), much to the chagrin of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz who were embarrassed by it, and objected to its frequent showings to no avail.

In 1977, the music of Too Many Girls was rereleased on vinyl with performers Nancy Andrews, Johnny Desmond, Estelle Parsons, and Anthony Perkins! 

The film is referenced in “Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter” a 1991 TV movie about starring Frances Fisher (above) and Maurice Bernard, as well as “Lucy” (2003), another TV film in which Lucy (Rachel York) and Desi (Danny Pino) meet on the set; Desi in his football uniform and Lucy bruised from the filming of Dance, Girl, Dance.

Clips from the film are featured in Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie (1993).

#Too Many Girls #Lucille Ball #Desi Arnaz #1940 #George Abbott #Broadway #musical #Van Johnson #Ann Miller #Eddie Bracken #Richard Carlson #Frances Langford #Hal LeRoy #Harry James #Conga #Rodgers and Hart #Dance Girl Dance #Frances Fisher #Iron Eyes Cody

[fleckcmscott]

Watch What Happens - Chapter 17

Chapter links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

Summary: Arthur, an aspiring comedian, has struggled to find normalcy and compassion his entire life. Y/N, a hard-working paralegal and transplant to Gotham, has just been put on a case for the Wayne Foundation. When they meet, unexpected sparks fly.

Chapter warning: Angst, Swearing, Brief mention of Violence

Words: 1,487

A/N: This chapter was beta’d by @ithinkimawriter​, and she has graciously agreed to beta the rest of this work! Karen’s not just been a simple beta, though. She’s talked me through plot points, given me encouragement, and without her, this story wouldn’t be where it is. (She’s going to deny the size of her impact, LOL.) She’s a great person and you should all go read her stuff!

Arthur was good at taking a beating. At an early age, he’d learned to cover his groin and his head. But the experiences that had taught him what parts of his body to protect hadn’t prepared him for being punched in the face by his presumed father. It had been one of the worst hits he could remember receiving. He’d only been distracted from the white hot pain by the ache in his chest.

Standing at his kitchen sink, he nursed his sore nose with ice wrapped in a dishtowel. The bleeding had finally stopped. He would still have to get the stains out of his gray cardigan and button-up, though. Gently, he took hold of the bridge of his nose and moved his hand from side to side. He winced, breath catching. At least it didn’t seem to be broken. He laughed softly, shaking his head.

Rejecting Y/N’s offer to join her at her apartment had been a mistake. All he’d done Wednesday night was lay in bed with the news in the background, burying his face in a pillow while wishing it was her, like he’d done as a lovesick teenager. And not stopping by her office, not returning her phone calls, and actively trying to avoid her all day had been another error.

Maybe if he’d told her his plan, she could have talked him out of it. But even as he considered that possibility, he knew he was lying to himself. He wouldn’t have listened to her. He would have ignored her concerns, the same way he’d ignored her warning at the hospital about the Waynes.

Because he wanted the truth.

Getting into Wayne Hall had been easy. When he’d been younger and, somehow, poorer, he’d gotten plenty of practice sneaking into movie theaters, comedy clubs, and the occasional small music venue. The red uniform he’d found in the closet had been far too big for his lean frame, like most clothing he wore, and he’d felt silly in the hat. But, after a deep breath, he’d managed to stop worrying about his get-up and focus on his goal: meeting Thomas Wayne.

After entering the second mezzanine, where he’d assumed he’d have a good vantage point, the film playing had momentarily captivated him. He’d actually felt a rare moment of pleasure, enjoying the movie, the music, and himself as he swayed to the notes of the orchestra, quietly laughing. It had been the one time tonight he’d faltered. He’d pulled himself together quickly, though, and scanned the crowd. He’d wondered where Y/N was, not wanting to bump into her. If she had caught him, he was sure she’d have been confused. And likely pissed.

It hadn’t taken long for him to spot the Waynes, situated in a box to the right side of the house. They’d been well-dressed and appeared to be having a good time. And there was no sign of Bruce. He’d watched them, trying to figure out how to best run into Mr. Wayne. Popping into the box had been out of the question. Arthur didn’t want to meet Mrs. Wayne or have the necessary conversation in public. Fortunately, Mr. Wayne had gotten up after only a few seconds, taking the decision away from Arthur as he moved to trail him.

When Arthur had gotten situated at the row of bathroom sinks, he’d hurriedly taken off his ridiculous disguise. Then he’d smoothed his hair and straightened his clothing, like at Wayne Manor. As he’d pulled up his pants, he felt a sense of shame. His father was in a tuxedo and Arthur had only old clothes to wear. Despite that awareness, he’d been excited and wide-eyed, standing twenty feet from his father. He truly hadn’t known what to say.

The response to Arthur introducing himself hadn’t been as warm as he had hoped. There was no embrace, no acknowledgment of the years of absence. Instead, Thomas Wayne had looked at him like he was crazy. But at least he’d been noticed. Arthur had been relieved at having broken through. “My mother told me everything,” he’d said, shrugging and smiling. “And I had to talk to you.”

The immediate dismissal he’d gotten wasn’t a complete surprise, especially after the welcome the butler had given him last night. Still, it hurt. Arthur tried to explain why he believed Mr. Wayne was his father, his voice gentle despite the volcano starting to boil inside him. He’d wished he had that damn letter with him. It was tangible proof he wasn’t being delusional, that, despite Mr. Wayne’s words, he was thinking clearly.

But then Mr. Wayne had told Arthur the absurd lie that he’d been adopted. Arthur had been unable to stop the tremor in his voice when protesting the notion. The speed with which he’d started sniffling had been humiliating.

Arthur had tried to remain calm; the last thing he’d wanted was to make his father uncomfortable. The more Mr. Wayne had denied everything, though, the more insulting he’d become, the louder Arthur had gotten. He wondered if Mr. Wayne had somehow learned about his history with Arkham. Arthur thought he must have. How else would he have known which lies and insults would spear him the deepest?

And then his fucking condition had made it worse. Arthur had given up at that point, abandoning any semblance of keeping himself together. He hadn’t tried to stop laughing, even as tears threatened to spill over. “Dad, it’s me!” he’d guffawed, sounding nuts even to himself. “Come on!”

The sudden crack of Mr. Wayne’s fist connecting with his nose still played in his ears. Arthur’s hand had flown to his face, and he’d held his wound, as he always did, trying to soothe it. The last words his father said to him were, “…I’ll fucking kill you.” Arthur didn’t try to follow him after that. Getting to know him was a lost cause.

Bracing himself on the counter with both hands, Arthur grew more despondent. There was no way he could have been adopted. Penny had never hinted, not once, that he wasn’t her son. She’d said she’d signed papers - maybe they were papers saying she couldn’t talk. He’d heard of that before. Or she’d been confused and didn’t know what she was talking about.

Either his mother had been lying to him his entire life, or his father hated him. Neither were good options.

His chuckles started to be punctuated by soft sobs, until the two were nearly indistinguishable. He wanted his laughter to disappear, along with himself. And any hint that he’d ever existed. The torment he felt needed to stop.

The phone rang. He couldn’t bring himself to answer it. It was probably the police because he’d shown up at the benefit. Or the hospital. He couldn’t deal with either right now. The call went to the machine after three or four rings.

“Arthur, it’s me.” He stilled at Y/N’s voice. “This is the first day we haven’t talked since the subway.” At her light snort, he turned to look at the phone. “I hate it.” She sighed, then, her words taking on a serious but soft quality. “Look, you told me not to worry about you. But I’m worrying. I hope you’re all right.” He closed his eyes, feeling worse now that he knew she was wasting her energy fretting over him when he was worthless.

But she continued. “Call me or stop by. I want to know what’s going on. I meant what I said last night. Don’t be afraid to need me. I need you, too.” There was a pause as she cleared her throat. “I really do, Arthur. I need you. Please let me know you’re okay before I come over and break down your door.” Her laugh was gentle. And, Arthur thought, a bit sad. Sadness he’d caused. “Okay. I’ve pestered you enough today with all these messages. I’ll see you soon. Good night.”

Biting his lip, Arthur shook his head. How could she need him? He would never be able to give her what she deserved. His life was filled with error after error, mistake after mistake, fuck up after fuck up. Yet, even as those thoughts swamped him, he longed to run to her apartment, knock on her door, and fall into her. To allow himself the temporary escape of the comfort of her arms and the warmth of her body.

But he couldn’t. He didn’t want to ruin her. He wouldn’t taint her lightness.

Arthur went to the fridge, crying less now that he had a plan. Quickly, before he could reconsider, he opened the refrigerator and started emptying it. There wasn’t much in there. The bread, containers of butter and other various foodstuffs, even the shelves and drawers were soon on the floor. Trying to close out the pain bearing down on him, he climbed in, shutting the door twice behind him.

Tag list (Let me know if you want to be added!): @harmonioussolve​@clowndaddyfleck​​ @sweet-nothings04​ @stephieraptorr​ @rommies​ @invisiblewispofwhimsey @let-the-stars-fall-in-the-abyss​

#arthur fleck #arthur fleck fanfic #arthur fleck x reader #arthur fleck x ofc #arthur fleck x female reader #joker 2019 #watchwhathappens

[downtondownstairs]

What a special day this was!

On June 22nd I was one of the lucky (5000 or so) people to attend the "Downton Abbey live" concert at Highclere Castle. I think the look on my stupid face says it all: it has been a magical experience. The Chamber Orchestra of London and the composer John Lunn himself on piano transformed the grounds of Highclere into Downton Abbey by playing the original soundtrack live. The music was accompanied by scenes from various Downton Abbey episodes on a big screen - all chosen to match the original score.

Of course the first piece they played was the title track. Hearing this and knowing that the castle is right next to you on the left, almost made me cry. I had to check several times that this was all real and actually happening. (By turning my head around and looking at the castle a few more times during the concert) And then Jim Carter came on stage. As Charles Carson he hosted the evening. Which of course meant that 1. this felt even more surreal 2. and was the best experience for a Carson x Hughes fan like me (and the other fans I was with). Hearing 'Carson' talking about his wife, his Elsie almost resulted in another emotional outbreak. It felt like a missing part from the series especially when he said that he loves her. (Yes, I know this is acting but still ... this was meant to transport us back to Downton Abbey and it sure did!).

During the course of the evening we were treated to a best of Anna and Bates, Cora and Robert's marriage, Lady Mary's Parade of suitors, Downtons tragic moments, the funny ones, Carson (Jim) imitating the Dowager Countess and many more moments from the series. The orchestra also played a piece as it would've been recorded for a scene: Mary wishes Matthew "such good luck" at the train station. You watched the scene on the big screen and forgot for a few moments that the music was played live and not a recording. This in fact happened to me several times during the evening. They were just so good!

Between the orchestral pieces we also heard a few beautiful songs (I wished everybody would've joined in to sing "If You were the only girl in the world" ;)) performed by Eurielle and a male tenor whose name I sadly forgot (anyone??!!!). And John Lunn was awarded the Honorary Fellowship of the Trinity Laban!

There was also a surprise visit by Julian Fellowes who thanked us all for being such wonderful and supportive fans throughout the last ten years. Well, we didn't have much choice, did we? That was a very nice surprise moment for everyone I think.

But the best part of the evening was the final character piece the orchestra performed. Which was of course "The Butler and the Housekeeper." I've posted the video already so you might understand why it moved us all to tears and I hope you didn't hear me sob in the background.

The evening was a rollercoaster ride between laughter, tears, heartwarming moments, fangirl moments. I feel very grateful for being part of this fandom and for having had the chance to go to this concert (thanks @chelsie-carson , @csota @storm173 ❤️). It was a wonderful experience sitting there on the meadow in front of the castle, watching the sunset, listening to 'Carson' and his wonderful storytelling, hearing the orchestra play all the wonderful music we all know so well.

#downton abbey #downton abbey live #jim carter #john lunn #downtonians

[fullmetalscullyy]

hit and run - chapter 10

summary: Riza Hawkeye is a thief who is trying to get by in Victorian Central. Hard times fell on her family, tuberculosis claiming her mother and then her father when she was a teenager. Now, femme fatale Riza steals to put food on the table for herself, her canine companion - an abandoned puppy who just won’t leave her alone - and two brothers with circumstances similar to her own. However, dipping her hands into the pockets of the rich and famous is always a dangerous game.

rated: m | words: 3238

title: “hit and run” by lolo

read on ao3 and ffnet

“Why would she leave?!” Rebecca raged as she paced in what used to be Riza’s bedroom. After she’d managed to give Roy the slip in the maze, he’d returned defeatedly to the mansion asking for the staff to round up Riza’s friends so he could let them know what had happened.

Roy was at a loss of what to do. He was scared for her, and angry that she would just up and leave without saying anything or thinking this through properly. Did she not understand that it wasn’t safe for her to go out there, especially not by herself? That Kimblee had his men out looking for her? He’d no doubt made the connection between the woman in The Vaults who’d slipped through his clutches, disappearing off the face of the earth, and the description his men had given him the night of the raid on his home.

It sparked a lot of fear inside Roy when his mother had filled him in on the situation around the city and had murmured quietly that he should make sure everyone kept a closer eye on Riza. Given her character, Roy knew she’d hate it, but whether she liked it or not, while in his mother’s home, they would do their absolute best to make sure she was safe.

They owed it to her, after all.

And that included when it came to taking down Kimblee.

Roy had watched Kimblee and Riza's interaction from the hidden escape tunnel at the back of the inn. His mother had asked to provide back up and remain on standby should Riza need help, but she never specified exactly where he should provide back up from. As much as his mother did not like Roy going into The Vaults, he couldn’t leave Riza by herself. He wouldn’t do that to anyone.

Kimblee was an evil man – Roy had sussed that out within five minutes of being in his company – and something didn’t sit right with him at the thought that one person was being left to face him head on, alone. Especially a woman. Roy had heard stories. Kimblee was evil as evil can be to everyone, but he had a fascination with woman that made Roy want to vomit.

Kimblee had done horrible things to his female victims.

So, as Roy watched Kimblee touch and manhandle Riza, he’d bristled angrily. A part of him wanted to reveal himself and shove his knife into the throat of Kimblee there and then, but he had a job to do. Plus, it would only make things worse. Killing Kimblee wouldn’t be a loss to the world, however, it wouldn’t be enough. They needed to take down his entire organisation and system, or someone else would just take his place. From the shortlist, each person was just as bad and as twisted as the head man himself.

A thought occurred to him, given Kimblee’s past, that made Roy swallow the bile in his throat. Kimblee knew what Riza looked like. In the past, there had been whispers that once Kimblee was fixated on a target, there was no stopping him until he got what he wanted.

They needed to act, and fast.

“What did she say to you?” Rebecca demanded.

Roy sighed. He’d already told them everything. Edward had sat with his arms crossed angrily, a glare on his face which was directed at Roy. He no doubt thought Roy had been the cause of all of this. Rebecca was baffled about how, and angry her friend had left without saying at least something to Rebecca. Gracia was quiet and lost in thought. So was Alphonse, however he wrung his hands on his lap nervously.

“She said she needed to leave in order to protect us all,” Roy reiterated for what felt like the hundredth time. “She wanted to protect us from Kimblee’s wrath.”

“But it’s not safe out there!” Rebecca cried. “I told her this. There’s something else. Something she’s not telling us.”

Roy’s stomach tightened at the thought. “I’m sorry,” he added helplessly. “I lost her in the maze. I couldn’t track her.”

The room fell silent. Even Rebecca had stopped pacing. The only other change was Edward’s glare seemed to deepen, his eyes trying to burn into Roy’s.

Give it a rest, kid. He didn’t want a shouting match with a teenager. He didn’t run Riza away, although, Roy knew for a fact some people in the room had already considered that possibility. It only made his frustration grow. He only wanted to help. Why couldn’t they understand that? He didn’t want to run her away! He didn’t want to see her hurt again. It was their fault that she’d been dropped into this mess. All Roy wanted to do was make it right. He already felt guilty enough as it was.

“Where does this leave us, then?” Maes asked the room. He pushed off the doorframe he’d been leaning against and walked forward, joining their circle. “We’re all sitting around here stressing out or trying to pin the blame on someone.” Edward dropped his gaze and Rebecca’s shoulders sagged in response to his words. “No one is actually moving into any action. Where is she likely to go at a time like this?”

Maes had also attended their impromptu meeting, standing silently behind them all. He leaned against the doorframe with his shoulder, silently listening to them converse. With one ankle hooked behind the other, he crossed his arms over his chest while he observed objectively. He’d made no sound, no contribution, but Roy could tell from the air about him that he was concerned. Maes was never someone to leave a man behind. Roy knew that from experience. So, after his initial encounter with Riza, it didn’t surprise Roy that Maes felt protective of her like the rest of them did. It was just his nature.

Rebecca sighed after a moment’s pause. She raked her hand through her hair. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m just worried.”

“We all are,” Maes told her. That caused Edward to look between the two men who weren’t part of their little family. He looked slightly disbelieving of Maes’ confession. Roy couldn't blame him but it didn’t mean that he wasn’t frustrated by it.. Edward was very protective of the woman who had essentially been a mother to them. In a way, Roy was glad Riza had this kind of support system behind her. She’d always spoken about how she was so used to being on her own, but she wasn’t. She had four people in this room who would fight by her side and who loved her fiercely. That number was slowly creeping up to six people.

Roy didn’t know Riza very well. He’d never had the chance to. However, he could recognise when someone wanted to try and shoulder the whole world in order to protect the ones they loved. Roy had done it himself when dealing with Kimblee. He’d fought tooth and nail to keep his adoptive sisters away from that man, insisting he could handle the situation by himself. He just hoped that familiar feeling wouldn’t get Riza killed. That thought made his stomach tighten painfully in response.

*          *          *

The party was in full swing by the time Riza arrived at the ball. Couples were dancing throughout the ballroom, smiles on their faces as they moved together, laughed together, and had fun together. The strings filled the room with a beautiful sound that Riza would have stopped to appreciate fully, had she not had an agenda that night.

Symphonies were her favourite. When she was younger and had more time on her hands, she would sneak into the Central Opera House by the roof and listen to the orchestras and their instruments. There was something about the strings section that just tugged at her heart, swelling with emotion as she listened to the stories the violins and cellos had to tell.

She had her eye on her target – a man who was in the top tier of Kimblee’s organisation - Frank Archer. No one was as bad a person as Kimblee, but Archer was a close second. He made his way around the guests with a smug look on his face that Riza wanted to smack off.

Despite this being one of Kimblee’s balls, Riza had overheard snippets of conversations that told her Kimblee wouldn’t be attending tonight. That made her relax slightly, however in this company that was never fully possible. All the worst of the worst were here tonight. This was essentially the Central Mafia’s night and that set Riza on edge. She wished she had at least Rebecca and Gracia here with her, but this was her mess to clean up. She didn’t want to get them too involved. She already had by asking them to help her infiltrate Kimblee’s home. Thankfully he was interested in Riza, and Riza only.

She wouldn’t put them at risk.

There was a quiet tinkling of glass as a butler took to the staircase, elevating himself above the heads of everyone in the room. “Ladies and Gentlemen, if I could have your attention please.” The quiet murmur of the room died down and the orchestra ceased their playing. It made her uneasy losing the one thing she found was familiar in what was essentially shark infested waters for her. “I would like to announce the guest of honour tonight, Sir Solf J. Kimblee.”

While the other guests clapped and murmured excitedly between themselves, Riza felt her stomach drop. Dread prickled her skin and her heart rate picked up. This wasn’t the plan. This wasn’t how tonight was supposed to go. Mr. Marco had informed Riza that Archer was an incredible suck up to Kimblee. If he was here tonight, then Riza would lose her chance at trying to find out who’d ratted her out to Kimblee and would lose the opportunity to discover another way to take him down.

A week of work wasted, just like that.

It had been three weeks since she’d left the Madame’s mansion. Three lonely weeks. She missed her team, the boys, and she even found herself missing Mustang, despite what they’d gone through. During that time, he’d been kind to her. He’d looked out for her when it seemed like his mother wanted to kill her. He had watched her back while on a dangerous task set out by his mother. Most importantly, he’d watched out for her family.

In turn he’d suffered for it – he’d been stabbed – however didn’t despise any of them for it didn’t hold it against them. He felt guilty for his mother’s actions and Riza respected that he wanted to make it up to them.

So yeah, she found herself missing even his company.

Unfortunately, Riza wasn’t sure if that was just the loneliness talking or not. She chuckled to herself, muttering about how desperate she was getting nowadays now that she was missing him.

Riza weaved her way through the crowd, always keeping Kimblee to her right. He was situated at the bottom of the stairs in an incredibly expensive looking suit, his hair pulled and slicked back into his ponytail. A few men she passed by appeared to do a double take when they saw her and Riza begun to fear they recognised her face. That wouldn’t be good if they did. While on her own, that would be really bad. She was incredibly outnumbered here.

For a split second she lost sight of him and Riza faltered, turning in place to try and spot him again –

Only to catch his eye across the room.

Kimblee’s eyes bore into Riza’s.

Shit.

She needed to leave. Now.

Riza angled her head slightly so that only her profile was on show to Kimblee. Calmly, she shifted her arm so that her hands were close to the knives concealed on her forearms, hidden under the sleeves of her dress. She didn’t miss how his brow furrowed before she turned, obviously recognising her but couldn’t place her face.

This really wasn’t good.

She turned fully, her back to Kimblee and she walked away, acting nonchalant and as if nothing was amiss. She continued on her walk, still peering around the room as if looking for someone.

She needed to go.

“Excuse me, miss?”

Riza froze in her tracks. Her spine straightened as dread climbed up it, spreading across her scalp and lifting gooseflesh from her skin.

Shit.

She turned, seeing Kimblee’s eyes boring into hers once more.

“Good evening, sir,” she greeted, plastering a fake smile on her face. She ensured her voice was harsher than it had been before in the inn. It wouldn’t do much, however it might just throw him off enough that she could get away. It had a harder quality to it than before, self-assured and strong. She put on an Eastern accent, sounding more country than she was.

“I do apologise for my boldness, however, I feel we have met somewhere before.”

Riza cocked her head, pretending to think back to a time when she may have seen him in the past. “I don’t know, Mr. Kimblee. I don’t think we have had the pleasure of meeting before now.” She grinned at him, placing her hands on her hips.

“I feel like we have,” he pressed with a chuckle, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

Testing to see if she could keep up a charade? Or, not believing her in the slightest?

“I’m sure I would have remembered meeting you Mr. Kimblee. I apologise, but you might be confusing me with someone else.”

“No, I don’t think I am.” His smile dropped and his gaze hardened. Riza cocked her head in confusion, despite feeling fear and dread coil in her gut.

“I –”

“There you are,” someone said from behind Riza. Their tone made it sound like they’d been searching for her for a while. She turned in surprise, coming face to face with Mustang. He grinned at her, placing a hand on her shoulder before turning his smile towards Kimblee.

“My apologies, Mr. Kimblee,” Roy offered, giving her shoulder a squeeze. Recovering from her shock, her fake smile returned to her face and she turned to look at Kimblee once more. He was looking between them both, his brow furrowed in confusion. “But I must steal my wife away from you for one moment.”

Wife?

Roy chuckled, moving to wrap his arm around her shoulders instead. “I’ve been looking for you all evening,” he stated, turning his gaze towards Riza. There was a meaningful look in his eyes, telling Riza that he really meant what he said, but not in the context that Kimblee was aware of.

“You better keep your eye on that one, Mr. Mustang.” Riza couldn’t help but bristle at his words. “She appears to be a wanderer. Who knows what trouble she would get into by herself.”

Riza smiled at him, acting oblivious despite the sharp look Kimblee gave her.

Shit. He might know who she was.

“Believe me, Mr. Kimblee,” Roy chuckled. “I would never let her go.”

“He’s such a hopeless romantic,” Riza cut in, jerking her head towards her “husband”.

“The only trouble she’ll get into unattended is running up a debt in my name. She does love her dresses,” he added, shaking his head and rolling his eyes fondly towards Kimblee. “Anyway, we must be going, dear.” He squeezed her shoulder with his hand again. “It was a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Kimblee.”

“Likewise, Mr. Mustang.” Kimblee’s tone suggested it was anything but a pleasure.

Riza offered her own goodbye and allowed Roy to guide her in a certain direction. To be honest, anywhere was better than in Kimblee’s company.

One thing she noticed was that his arm never left her shoulders.

An act. It was all an act. But why did she enjoy the feeling of his arm around her shoulders so much? Why was she so relieved and happy to see him again?

It was the loneliness. It was the isolation. That’s all it was, right? Nothing more.

“What are you doing here?” Riza hissed out of the corner of her mouth while smiling at passing guests. While she felt relieved that he was here, but the whole point was that she’d left to protect them all.

“You’re a difficult woman to track down, Miss Riza.” He steered her towards the bar, both hands moving to her shoulders, moving her in front of him, while he whispered in her ear. “What would you like to drink?”

Nothing. She wanted answers.

“Mustang.”

“What will it be, sir?” the bartender asked him. He looked expectantly at Riza, but she said nothing. She just glared at him, wanting an answer.

“Two martinis, please.”

“Coming right up.”

“Mustang –”

“Not here,” he murmured, leaning in close and offering her a soft smile, playing the part of her “husband”. “I’ll explain everything once outside,” he murmured.

Riza set her jaw, not happy at his answer, but also trying to suppress the shiver that spread up her spine as his breath caressed the skin of her ear.

“Kimblee is watching us,” he stated. “Closely.” Sure enough, as Riza casually cast her gaze around the room, there he was, standing by the staircase as he looked over towards her and Mustang. Her gaze continued onwards, nodding and turning back to Mustang, with a smile. She acted as if she’d been looking for something he pointed out, and was agreeing with him, her fake smile back on her face.

“We need to go,” Riza whispered. With Kimblee here and surrounded by all his men, they weren’t safe.

“I agree, but we can’t just run after talking to him.” He downed his cocktail and Riza followed suit.

An idea sprung into her mind. It made her stomach tighten in uncertainty, but it might just work.

“Follow my lead.”

She tugged him onto the dancefloor, adopting the persona she used when on a lift. It was the mask she used while trying to wrap her targets around her finger, to stop them from noticing that she was trying to rob them. Riza batted her eyelashes at him with a soft smile, tugging his body towards hers. Surprised, Mustang caught himself before crashing into her, but his body was now pressed up against hers. Riza suppressed her gasp of surprise at the sensation. His hand enveloped hers tightly, instinctively bringing his other to her waist. The fingers against her waist momentarily made her lose her concentration, but she blocked it out. Forced herself to.

Adopt the mask. Adopt the character.

She had to, or she would be dead.

They danced close to one another. Mustang pulled her closer at some point during the song, and Riza automatically moved her head to his shoulder.

Just a character. Just a character –

“He’s coming this way,” Roy murmured quietly. She felt the vibration of his voice under her ear. “Shit.”

Riza pulled back quickly, earning a surprised look from Mustang. Those dark eyes stared back into hers, mild concern on his face, as well as a hint of fear. He didn’t know what to do. His hold on her tightened as Kimblee headed towards them.

She continued on with her act and did the only thing that could cause a reason for them leaving.

She kissed him.

#royai #royai fic #royai fanfic #royai au #emma writes #hit and run

[kuroshitsuji-scenarios]

I sent this like 2 hours earlier but idk if you counted this one?What if Sebastian was attracted to reader but she was hopelessly in love with another person who loved her back but couldn’t really be with her? Kind of like a “sense and sensibility” except when she finds out he’s betrothed to another and completely shatters her heart, Sebastian is there and uses his demonic seduction and makes her forget everything about the other dude? I really love your writing! I might’ve already sent this?

I got a little bit confused there so I improvised and I hope you enjoy it nevertheless!

Sebastian knew the taste of eternity, the bittersweet sensation at the tip of his tongue and the whisper at the back of his head telling him that nothing, none could ever experience as much as him. He enjoyed it a lot, just like the pride it was giving him with the mere knowledge of how many things his eyes could see which were going to forever be invisible for everyone else, no matter how long they prayed. It was his and his own, the personal, intimate act of savouring reality without any limits, eating it whole with an endless hunger and never stopping, not even for a second.

That is, until he had a fleeting opportunity to held you in his arms.

Your dress swirling in the dance as you moved reminded him of a flutter of butterfly’s wings, the colours playing with lights and shadows in the ballroom where only you seemed to be present. People around you were dull and boring compared to you, to your soul shining and alluring him strong enough it could wake him up from an eternal sleep. You were magnificent, mesmerizing, even in such a simple situation as talking to one of your friends and laughing at the joke you have just heard. It was a delightful melody for him and his ears, the one he suddenly longed to hear more and more, as if he didn’t knew how thirsty he was to drink the voice from your lips.

And then, the music paused, an orchestra receiving a wonderful applause before preparing for the next piece. It was the perfect time and opportunity to ask you to share this dance with him, to get to talk to you, ask for your name and feel your skin against his, but just when he was about to take the first step, there was a man by your side—the one you gave a loving kiss in the next second.

Sebastian’s heart collapsed like a dying star, shrinking inside only to blow with a burning fury which reflection soon showed in his demonic eyes for a mere second. Of course you were engaged, how could he not notice the ring on your finger before?

Slowly, he took a sip from his champagne glass, for the first time truly regretting not being able to feel the soothing relief it was giving mortals, and left the ballroom without a word, your laugh still echoing deep in his mind.

“What do you mean ‘we do not have it’“? Ciel spat through the teeth and the frown on his forehead only grew bigger as he was staring at his butler with the gaze full of utter despise. “I thought I told you to buy it last week.”

“My apologize, young master, but the blueberries you are asking for are not in our pantry. I used them to prepare the pudding few days ago, just as you ordered me to.”

“And now I order you to prepare me a blueberry cake. Sebastian, do not you see that I am currently sick and in need of literally any recompense of this awful state?”

“I hardly see how the blueberry cake will make you feel better, my lord.”

“You hardly saw me falling to the river when we were chasing that damn man, didn’t you?”

“Now, this is a false accusation,” Sebastian forced himself to keep his face unamused, even though the memory of the latest incident still managed to bring a smile upon his lips. It was not like his young lord was in any kind of danger, though, and a cup of cold water seemed to do good to his temper from time to time.

The conversation was suddenly interrupted by Mey Rin who knocked to the Ciel’s bedroom doors and after receiving an invitation explained that there was a guest waiting in the hall. Surprised by who could that be (there were not any guests sheduled for today, after all), Sebastian went downstairs only to notice you, standing in the hall alone and admiring the painting hanging on the wall. Your back was facing him, the dress you were wearing now didn’t remind him the one you had at the ball and—goodness, were those mud stains?

“My lady,” he started, drawing your attention and bringing a smile to your face. “What a surprise, I did not know you will be there today. What causes this unexpected visit?”

“I have heard that Ciel has gotten sick lately,” you explained. “So I have decided to pay him a visit and see how is he feeling.”

“This is so kind of you, my lady, but did not you take a carriage on your way there?” The butler carefully pointed at your dress and your gaze followed, resulting in you laughing at the inconvenience.

“Oh, no, I did not. It is such a pretty day, after all, it would be a shame to waste it.”

That was unexpected, those simple words making him feel attached to you even more than before, just like the stinging feeling of the ring on your finger more unbearable. You’ve chosen someone else, your heart belonged to another man and for the first time in his life, Sebastian left as if he was running out of time. Prehaps, if he met you sooner, he would be able to take his place and stay by your side. Oh, if he only knew!

“I will prepare something warm for you to drink, my lady,” he announced. “We wouldn’t want you to get sick after such a long stroll now, would we?”

With that, he left the hall and headed to the kitchen, giving Mey Rin the sign to lead you to the parlour.

It was the middle of the night when the furnace suddenly stopped working, prehaps since Bard forgot to put more wood inside, and Sebastian wandered to the basement to fix this terrible mistake before his master—and you, of course—will wake up in a cold bedrooms. It was dark, ominious even when his steps echoed in an empty hall, no candle in the hand as the demon didn’t need the light to see what was in front of him. He was like a shadow, merging into the abyss surrounding him, the silent predator whose senses were asleep in that moment. That is, until the fire burned inside the furnace once again and he could feel the familiar heat on the face.

For a mere second he considered putting the hand inside, experiencing the flames devouring his muscles and melting the skin, biting deep into the bones with such a delightful pain, the one surely much easier to endure than the napping fury resting in his dead heart. Eventually, he did no such a thing and straightened his back only to look at the fire.

He couldn’t just let you go, not when you started to mean so much to him. Imagining the future without you by his side was downright painful and it was not something he wanted to endure. Especially not since he still had the time, the possibility to change everything before it will be too late.

With a malicious smile playing on the lips, Sebastian left the basement, now his steps completely inaudible as he seemed to flow through the darkness.

Sebastian spotted you in the gardens next morning, the fresh dew still at the tips of your shoes as you were sitting in an arbour and taking small sips from the porcelain cup full of tea. It was a delightful image, your frame surrounded by blooming flowers, the sun caressing your skin and the shadows that played on your dress—picturesque like one of the Monet’s artworks.

Placing the polished platter on the cupboard, Sebastian decided to take an insignificant break and join you on this sunny morning for a little conversation. He has spent quite a long time on considering how to approach you properly, but in the end decided to rely on his skills and charms instead of any planning. Where would the fun be then, after all?

“Wonderful day, isn’t it?” Turning your head, you noticed Sebastian heading toward you, the platter with chopped apples in his gloved hand.

Placing the snack on the nearby table, he stood there for a while, waiting patiently for the moment when you will invite him to sit next to you. Which you did, quite quickly.

“Indeed, it is. It must have been raining in the night, the pavement is all damp,” you told him the obvious but he didn’t care.

Nothing in the whole world could distract him from looking at you, at your face; those cheeks, eyelashes and the tip of the nose, the curve of your ear and the shape of your lips, the little vein pulsing with warm blood on your neck.

What a splendid day it was, truly.

“Forgive me my brashness, my lady, but will you allow me to ask you a single question?” Sebastian muttered softly, causing you to look at him, a wondering expression painting on your features.

“Of course,” you answered. “Whatever you please.”

Smile creeped on his lips.

“There is a secret I would like to share with you, my lady.”

“A secret?” Now, that was interesting. What kind of secret could such a perfect butler have? “Why would you want to share it with me in particular?”

“Because you are the only person who knows how to listen properly. You hear and you understand. Your fiancé is such a lucky man to have you by his side…”

“Why, thank you.” His compliments were pleasant to hear and the spark of serene in his eyes when he was looking at you being enough of a proof that he meant no harm.

“It only makes me wonder…” he acted as if he was deeply thinking for a while. “Why would you want to spend the rest of your life with such a filthy liar.”

Sebastian’s statement surprised you, shocked even and immediately you considered simply walking away. Still, he managed to stop you with nothing but continuing his speech, the words rolling off his tongue like a venom.

“The man you love so deeply is nothing but a liar, my lady, blinding you with sweet promises of the bright future while in the end, he will bring you nothing but shame. He will murder your heart, step on your beauty and strangle the joy out of your cold, dead body.”

The demon was now close to you, catching you in the trap and whispering to your ear, while inhaling the scent of your skin.

“He is a thief, my love, the most brutal of the kind. What do you think, how many years will it take until he will start growing hungry again? Until feasting upon you won’t be enough for him and so he will have to find another victim, another young, breathtaking woman to woo. Doesn’t it sound familiar to you? Is it not what have exactly happened to the friend of yours? The cruel man leaving her behind when something new, fascinating appeared in the grasp of his hand?”

The tea in your hands was cold now and it tasted bitter all of a sudden. The birds were still chirping above your head, roses around you smelling the same, soft blows of wind caressing your neck as if they were trying to soothe your pain. But no matter how much they tried, they couldn’t get rid off the dark clouds enwrapping your mind.

“Where will you turn then, when your youth will pass?” Sebastian’s lips almost kissed the shell of your ear. “Where will you go when you won’t be able to wander through the meadows anymore? What will you do then, all alone in this dirty world, only waiting to swallow you whole? Answer me, my love. Wouldn’t you prefer to not be afraid? To not let the worry consume you, day after day scared of him losing his interest?” His voice went low. “They all do, in the end.”

The unspoken question was resting at the back of your tongue for a long time and only then you found the strength to say it out loud, the demon’s warm breath tickling your sensitive skin as he bent to your neck like a starving vampire.

“Who are you…?”

Sebastian chuckled.

“Me? Oh, my love, this is exactly the secret I wanted to share with you today.” He put a finger under your chin and made you face him, now his words ghosting over your lips and deep, dark eyes looking at you with an utmost fascination. “But now, forget about him. Forget about the bleeding wounds he will bring upon your delicate skin. Forget about the murder he will commit on you. Forget about the ring and promises. Forget about everything. But me.”

#black butler #sebastian michaelis #sebastian #kuroshitsuji #sebastian x reader #scenarios #demons #queue

[noona-clock]

iKonic Fairy Tales: Sleeping Beauty - Part 3

A modern fairy tale series in collaboration with @cramelot - stay tuned next week for the next story featuring a new member! ✨

Genre: Royalty!AU

Pairing: Yunhyeong x You

By Admin B

💤 Part 1, 2, 3, 4

Even though you were nervous and anxious and terrified on the inside, you knew you at least looked amazing on the outside.

Floriana had picked out probably the most beautiful gown you’d ever seen for tonight’s ball, a long, black dress with a tulle overlay embroidered with pink and blue and gold flowers. It was powerful but gorgeous, something you yourself aspired to be.

Mei Lan had then done your hair up in a smooth, neat updo to show off your intricate eye makeup and bright pink lipstick. Your favorite tiara sat atop your head to finish off the look, the pink diamonds and sapphires complementing your dress perfectly.

All in all, you certainly looked like a princess, even if you didn’t feel like one. At the moment.

King and Queen Song, as well as Yunhyeong, were waiting in the foyer in front of the ballroom as you carefully made your way down the stairs. You tried to ignore the way your heart sped up when you saw Yunhyeong in his royal tux, but then he realized you were approaching and turned to look at you.

Even though you had yet to reach the bottom of the stairs, you could still see his eyebrows shoot halfway up his forehead. You saw how his lips parted slightly in shock.

It wasn’t doing anything to help that racing heart you were trying to ignore.

Once you got to the last step, Yunhyeong hurried over and extended his hand, helping you down and still looking at you in awe.

“Wow,” he breathed as you felt your cheeks warm. “You look... What’s a word which means more than ‘beautiful?’”

“Gorgeous?” you replied with a bashful chuckle.

“No, more than ‘gorgeous.’”

“Stunning?”

“More than that, too.”

“I don’t know,” you admitted, finding it incredibly difficult to keep a smile off your pink lips.

“Well, then, I’ll just say you look even more than beautiful, gorgeous, and stunning combined.”

“And you are flattering me.”

“I am most definitely not,” Yunhyeong assured you, taking your hand and placing it in the crook of his elbow. The butlers were opening the doors to the ballroom, so you knew it was time to make your entrance.

Which meant you were now more nervous than you were before.

And Yunhyeong’s exclamations regarding your looks were only making things worse.

“Are you all right?” he murmured as the two of you followed behind his parents.

“I’m still not quite used to this part of being royal, so I’m just...” You gulped, trying not to let the smile on your lips fall. “Just a little nervous.”

“Well, I’ve done this a million times. You look ridiculously fantastic, and that’s all that matters when you make an entrance.”

“What if I trip?” you muttered as you stepped through the doorway.

“Then I’ll go down with you, and we’ll both look like idiots.”

“Honestly, that does make me feel better,” you chuckled.

Yunhyeong grinned as the guests already in the ballroom began applauding your arrival.

The two of you grinned and waved as royally as you could, following King and Queen Song out onto the dance floor and taking your spots in the middle of the room.

“Thank god you made me practice earlier,” you whispered as Yunhyeong turned to face you, taking your hand and your waist as he had in the garden just that afternoon.

“Like I said, I’ve done this a million times. I know what I’m doing,” he replied with a sly wink.

The orchestra began playing the same song you’d danced to before, and Yunhyeong led you in the waltz just as easily and gracefully as he had a few hours ago. You found it a little harder to navigate in your heels, but Yunhyeong distracted you with lame jokes and flattering compliments. You giggled and blushed like an absolute fool throughout the song, and before you knew it, the last notes on the violins and flutes were fading.

“Look at that,” Yunhyeong murmured as he let go of you to clap for the orchestra. “You survived.”

“I did,” you sighed, a huge wave of relief washing over you. “Thank you.”

“Now, shall we give in to our hearts and go hang out at the refreshment table for the rest of the night?” Yunhyeong held his elbow out to you, his smile widening when you chuckled.

“I would love to.” You slid your arm into the crook of his elbow, hitching up your dress slightly with your other hand so you wouldn’t trip on your way over there.

Yunhyeong, being the perfect, princely gentleman he was, held both of your plates as you directed the servers which hors-d'oeuvres to load onto them. You seriously wanted to try everything, but the plates weren’t quite large enough.

“We have enough time for seconds and thirds,” Yunhyeong assured you when you reached the end of the serving line.

The two of you spent the next hour or so nibbling and chatting and greeting guests as they walked by and nibbling some more. You laughed at some of his jokes, rolled your eyes at most of them, and just as you realized you were seriously toeing the line of flirtation, you caught sight of something out of the corner of your eye.

Well, not something. Someone.

“Oh, god,” you muttered through your teeth.

“What?” Yunhyeong whispered, keeping his eyes on you so as not to be obvious.

“I’ll tell you in just a --” Your facial expression changed immediately as the guest approached you, a smile pulling at your lips - though not quite reaching your eyes. “Millicent! How lovely to see you.”

“A pleasure, as always, Your Highness,” Millicent replied as she dipped into a barely-there curtsey. “Are you enjoying the ball?”

“Of course,” you answered. “I always do.”

“And you’re enjoying the company, I see.”

You couldn’t help yourself from furrowing your brow slightly, wondering what exactly that little comment was supposed to mean.

“I recommend the oysters,” Yunhyeong interrupted, though you could tell his friendly tone was not genuine. “They’re delicious.”

“I’m allergic to shellfish,” Millicent drolled, hardly sparing him a second glance.

“Can I help you with anything, Millicent?” you asked. She had to have come over here for some reason, and it obviously wasn’t to inquire about the food.

“Oh, nothing,” she replied casually. “I just wanted to remind you of the parliament session being held tomorrow.”

You narrowed your eyes slightly in suspicion. “Yes, I’m aware...”

“I thought you might like to know --” She leaned in closer to you, lowering her voice ominously. “I have a very special legislation to introduce. It’s quite close to my heart. I think you’ll... find it very intriguing.”

Of course, your instinct was to fight back, but Millicent stepped away and lifted her hand in a wave before you got the chance to even open your mouth.

“Enjoy the rest of your night, Princess.”

You glared at her retreating form, feeling one hand balling up into a fist at your side.

“Was it just me,” you began. “Or did that seem like a threat?”

“Oh, no, it wasn’t just you,” Yunhyeong affirmed before popping an oyster into his mouth. “Who was that?”

“Millicent Zellman. The longest-standing member of parliament and my unofficial mortal enemy. Ever since I got here, she’s been extremely passive-aggressive. Fawn told me she had these big plans to abolish the throne and take over as leader until I came along, so you can imagine her feelings toward me.”

Yunhyeong’s brow had furrowed as you spoke, his eyes following Millicent as she sauntered around the ballroom. He swallowed the oyster in his mouth, returned his gaze to you and said, “She’s scary. I don’t like her.”

A single laugh escaped your lips and you reached over to take a spinach and egg tartlet off one of the plates Yunhyeong was holding.

“Join the club.”

“Your Highness,” Fawn repeated, her slight annoyance breaking through her tone. “Are you listening?”

“Yes! You were talking about the parliament agenda and how I won’t really have to do anything but sit and listen.” You almost wanted to stick your tongue and let out a triumphant ‘ha!’ because see? You had been listening. 

But you weren’t six years old. So you didn’t.

“My apologies. You just seem rather distracted this morning,” Fawn murmured.

“You do,” Mei Lan agreed as she filled in your eyebrows.

“Agreed,” Floriana piped up as she pondered which shoes you should wear with your striped blouse and black, wide-leg trousers.

“I’m not distracted,” you retorted. “I’m just not looking forward to the parliament session.”

“Why not? You’ve never minded them before,” Fawn pointed out with a slightly quirked brow.

You didn’t even debate for a second about not telling them now that Fawn had asked straightforwardly. They were your staff, yes, but... they were also your friends. And you were honestly bursting at the seams to tell someone other than Yunhyeong.

“Millicent came up to me at the ball and made a very thinly veiled threat,” you explained. “She said she has some new piece of legislation she’s introducing today. Apparently, I’m going to find it intriguing. Her word, not mine.”

“You know what else is intriguing?” Floriana smirked as she reached for some cobalt blue pumps. “The fact you spent so much time with Prince Song last night.”

“That is not intriguing. We’re friends, and his family is only here for a short time. I have to do my best to foster a good relationship between our countries.”

“Oh, is that what it’s called?” Mei Lan teased. “Fostering a good relationship? There’s a relationship there, all right.”

“A friendly relationship!” you defended.

Okay, that thing you just said about these three girls being your friends? You would tell them a lot, but you would never tell them about your maybe crush on Yunhyeong.

No way in -- no. You would never.

The three of them simply hummed in response, and you knew they clearly did not believe you. But whatever. As long as they didn’t keep bringing it up, they could believe whatever they wanted to believe.

About half an hour later when you headed out to meet your chauffeur, you ran into the whole Song family in the foyer.

Actually, it kind of seemed like... they were waiting.

“Good morning,” you greeted, your brow furrowed slightly in confusion. “What are you all up to today?”

“We’re attending the parliament session,” King Song informed you with a warm smile. 

“Oh! I didn’t know -- you really want to?”

“Of course, dear!” Queen Song chimed in. “We would love to see how your government handles things, maybe get some ideas to bring home with us.”

You found yourself glancing at Yunhyeong, and when your eyes met, he simply nodded and grinned.

Well! Apparently, today’s parliament session was going to be a family affair.

“Let’s get going, then,” you said, gesturing toward the door and letting the King and Queen lead the way to the waiting car.

“Don’t worry,” Yunhyeong whispered as the two of you walked through the front entrance together. “I have a pencil and some paper in my pocket so we can play Tic-Tac-Toe during the boring parts.”

You pressed your lips together to stop a giggle from emerging... but then you remembered what Fawn, Floriana, and Mei Lan had teased you about. You giggling at him was just the reason why they thought your friendship was more than that.

So you cleared your throat and picked up the pace a little, hoping to avoid sitting next to him in the car and during the parliament session. You wanted to sit next to him, of course, but... You didn’t want to face any more false accusations. Not today.

An hour into the parliament session and you were already seriously reconsidering your decision to sit separately from Yunhyeong.

You found you kept glancing over at him, wondering what he was thinking; was he as bored as you? Was he thinking about you or something else entirely? Was he overanalyzing every little thing like you were?

Honestly, it was becoming tiring.

You were almost ready for the royal family to just leave already. That way you could get over this annoying crush of yours and go back to being you. Not you with a crush on Prince Yunhyeong.

Just as you were about to shift in your seat to find another way to be comfortable, Millicent’s irritating but booming voice cut through your thoughts.

You sat up straighter, wondering if she was about to introduce whatever it was she’d cooked up. Despite how not worried you were about her... you were curious about her idea.

“I believe now is as good a time as any to introduce my legislation,” she announced, standing from her seat and putting on a pair of reading glasses. “I would like to preface this with the fact I have become quite concerned with the state of our country lately. Not economically or socially, of course, but... more with its leadership.”

A frown automatically pulled at your lips. Where was she going with this?

“More specifically, the future of its leadership. Her Royal Highness will become Queen in less than a year, and... Well, quite frankly, I think the people of this fine nation deserve some confidence.”

No, seriously, where was she going with this?!

“Anything can happen. Accidents, natural disasters, epidemics, a sudden outbreak of war... What would happen if anything were to happen to Her Royal Highness? She leaves no heir to the throne, and, as I said, I’m simply concerned.”

A murmur ran through the parliament, and you began to get anxious. Even more anxious than you already were. You uncrossed your legs, shifting to the edge of your seat.

“My legislation would enact a... deadline of sorts for Her Royal Highness. In order to secure the country’s royal lineage, the princess must wed by the end of the year.”

“WHAT?!”

All eyes in the building turned to you.

You were now standing, your eyes wide with shock, your brow furrowed with utter confusion, your mouth agape.

“For the sake of the country’s security!” Millicent retorted as you began to make your way to the parliament bench. “It is not right for a member of the royal family to be totally and utterly alone with absolutely no direct heirs. You have no siblings, no direct blood relations left! If something unfortunate were to befall you, who would rule? Some distant cousin who was never meant for the throne?”

“This is ridiculous!” you cried, stomping up to Millicent with fire in your heart. “I was never meant for the throne! Not really! You can’t be allowed to dictate my personal life like this, not any more than you already have!”

This was obviously a scheme to make your life miserable because Millicent - heck, the whole country - knew about your views on relationships and marriage. Millicent hated you, you hated marriage - bada bing, bada boom. There was no other real explanation for it.

“We know how you feel about it, Your Royal Highness,” Millicent said, practically spitting venom. “But it’s not just about you. It’s about the throne. It’s about the country. It’s about your people.”

And before you could argue any further, she was calling it to a vote.

“All those in favor of enacting this legislation to have the princess wed by the end of the year say ‘Aye.’”

The word seemed to fill the room, much to your dismay. You couldn’t believe this was happening. A bunch of old people you’d just met some months ago were going to force you to get married?! 

BY THE END OF THE YEAR?!

You were just about to dispute this whole thing yet again, even taking a deep breath to ready yourself to fight back.

But you were interrupted.

“I’ll marry her!”

There were a few brief moments of silence before pretty much the entire room let out a collective gasp.

You knew straight away who’d said it.

You’d recognize that sweet, kind voice anywhere.

And then you heard footsteps approaching you from behind. You felt a hand come to rest on your shoulder. You heard the voice again.

“I’ll marry her,” Yunhyeong repeated firmly.

Part 4

Tagging @sun-shinee-world @leilaammartin @daelicious-jongbulge @sweg-imsorrywhatwasthat @baekinmylife @xiusmybeautifulnightmare @lost-girl-inc @brie02 @peach-sm @jong-yixing @haveanotherkpopblog @sundropsoo @constellxtion  @akutagawahakuryuunosuke @lazypostfandomer  @cupcakemintylash @smut-wars @mistressoflight22  @veryhotkpop @chanyeolol @shawoltzen @garlandcrowns  @lostintheendlessvoidthatislife @nicht-so-schnell @jinhuwuan  @dark-changbin @lafilleestmorte @tokyoseo @prettywordsyouleft @digitalizeduniqueness @this-song-thats-only-for-you @zhangjingyou for updates! Readers, let me know if you would like to be added to this list!

-Admin B

iKonic Fairy Tale Series: Aladdin | The Little Mermaid | Sleeping Beauty | Cinderella | Snow White | Rapunzel | Beauty & the Beast

Master list // RULES // Submit a Request! // Read About the Admins

#ikon #ikon scenarios #ikon imagines #ikon au #ikon fluff #yunhyeong #song yunhyeong #yunhyeong scenarios #yunhyeong imagines #yunhyeong au #yunhyeong fluff #kpop #kpop scenarios #kpop imagines #kpop au #kpop fluff #admin b #collaboration series

[ships-for-you]

Unfortunately, I can’t tag this person. I’m sorry!😰

Note: I made this longer than how I normally write to compensate for my absence.

For Black Butler, I ship you with

Ronald Knox!

You two would’ve met under peculiar circumstances.

You had sadly passed in your past life caused by suicide.

And now, you’re being punished for dying too early.

You once worked alongside a tall man named William T. Spears for a few months since you passed the training program and are now being formally taught by your superiors.

It had been a considerable amount of time since then, and you had been working on your own.

You enjoyed being alone and occasionally chatting with your co-workers until he came along.

Honestly, ever since he joined the dispatch, he’s been flirting non-stop with the females of your group.

Not to mention, a certain someone that you once tried courting but wasn’t interested you, he managed to snag her too!

Besides, it’s as if he doesn’t even show up to the dispatch to work.

Just to flirt.

It doesn’t help that he works under you therefore whenever he doesn’t do his job, you work overtime to pay for his mistakes.

But it’s fine, as long as it saves your co-worker the stress of overtime.

Even if you end up with it, it’s just in your personality. Too nice! You have my respect.

And that has taken a toll on you.

You even screamed at William and Grell once for simply greeting you.

Coffee doesn’t work since you’re not human anymore.

Any type of caffeine doesn’t.

So one day, Ronald came to apologise. Of course, not on his own accord but because he was told to do so.

He hasn’t seen you in so long because you’ve been out most of the time trying to reap more souls in order to compensate for what he couldn’t do.

When he opened the door to your office, he saw the mounds of paperwork.

He laughed a bit and then just set the water that he had brought with him beside you.

When you turned to look at him, that’s where he saw the messy state you were in.

Messy hair, glasses fogged and slightly out of place, eyes bloodshot and the obvious darkened callous spot on your middle finger from writing so much.

You muttered a small “thank you” and continued writing your reports. That was when he felt as if he truly respected you.

He did respect you for your work, how efficient it was,

Not to mention, his higher-up is pretty hot. Of course he respected you but only now did he feel guilty for his actions.

“I’ll help you.” “There is nothing for you to help with.” “I’ll do my job properly this time.” “Alright.”

Needless to say after this interaction, you’ve become close friends.

Occasionally having playful banters in the office or sharing slightly suggestive jokes to one another.

You usually go reaping together whenever your targets are close together.

Would visit each other’s quarters and homes whenever you wanted.

Practically living-off on one another.

The, “Work-Husband-and-Wife” type of partnership.

Most people don’t understand your relationship but do at the same time.

It’s pretty...interesting.

For Free, I ship you with Rei Ryugazaki!

I would imagine you meeting during one of their practice sessions.

Is it wrong that I find you being closely acquainted with Haru?

Anyway, being a close acquaintance to him and practically being his second mother, you would visit him at school.

One time, you remembered Haru doesn’t eat much at school and he informed you that he would have practice later.

So you went to Iwatobi and packed food that would be good enough for at least 3 people, in case someone didn’t have any either.

Not many joined the swim team, as Haru said.

So you didn’t expect a lot of people being there.

You didn’t expect to see a really cute girl with a red high ponytail.

And you didn’t expect to see a fellow glasses character with you.

Your eyes met and you simply smiled and made your way to Haru who seemed to have a little picnic with Makoto and his other friends.

“Hey Haru, you didn’t pack lunch right? Do you think this enough? Do your friends have food? Uh, hey you! Do you have food with yo—“ “Yes, this is enough. Thank you (y/n).”

You would sit down with the team and tell jokes to one another. “Hey! Did you hear about that one deaf guy that got run-over by a car?” “No.” “Ah, well don’t worry! He didn’t either.😏”

Rei laughed the hardest in all honesty. The joke was directed to Haru because you tried to make him laugh. He only scoffed.

After eating and resting for a short while, they got back to training and occasionally abandoning the rules of swimming to have fun instead.

“Oi, Nagisa! Don’t you da-“ “Sorry Rei-chan! It’s so funny to see you embarrassed!”

It’s almost endearing how close they are. Like a whole family.

Not long after, Rei, whom you found out to be the glasses boy, quickly said goodbye and rushed out of the area as quickly as possible.

“What’s up with him?” “We don’t know, we thought that maybe he had a high-maintenance girlfriend or something...” “I’ve always cirwed Rei as the type to be weakened by love.” “Don’t worry, we’ll get him to focus and have fun again! “

You, alongside Gou, compiled books to help strengthen Rei’s love for his partner.

And turns out, you were both wrong.

He didn’t have a partner

Turns out, he’s actually trying to pay-favours from the track team.

You were slightly worried for his well-being and decided to visit the gang after shook every other day.

You oaccasuonally hanging out with the guys and at your house.

You being an absolute doll and making them their favorite food.

You’ve become closer to Rei throughout these hangouts.

You felt as if you could debate about anything to help keep your reading skills sharp.

Especially when it came to the topic of the superficial.

You two would end up to be the closes of friends.

And who knows? Maybe even partners

I know I’d be jealous

For Diabolik Lovers, I ship you with KarlHeinz!

(Key: Art - Is a vampire’s personal blood-bag and plaything. Can be used solely for feeding and/or pleasurable activities. Of human race or a hybrid of a supernatural being. Occasionally, however rarely, utilised solely for companionship.)

Where to even start?

It all started at a ball. A grand ball that was held by the Demon Lord himself to commemorate his daughter Cordelia’s coming of age day. She was the illegitiamate daughter of the king however, he has decided that it would only be appropriate to honor a celebration to her. Not having proper guidance from her family, it was only natural that she did not know what to do therefore she relied on her art, you, to guide her and inform her about the social standing of majority of the nobles at the ball.(reference from Blood Bank haha)

She surveyed the area and chatted with you when it was absolutely necessary. You, being very knowledgable with the state of the kingdom and yet being highly insecure, could only utter short but brief answers to her queries. You took note of the celebration’s schedule and took out your pocket watch. You glanced at the orchestra and decided that she had merely an hour an a half before the waltz would commence. You encouraged her to socialise with the men and find a suitable conversational partner to dance with. She nodded her head and dismissed you without a second thought. You adjusted your glasses that seemed to have slid down your nose bridge a bit and fixed your long brown hair. In times like this, you wished she had a suitable figure to guide and educate her of the importance of her postition. You worried for her future and her outlook of her situation that would soon affect her decisions in the following events of her life. What she should be trained for, the common good of her future kingdom, the proper way to lead her people. Instead, she had a dead mistress for a mother and a passive deadbeat for a father.

You decided to merely cling to the walls of the ballroom once the first dance had started. Your mistress had surely acquired a partner to dance with and you decided that it would be best for you to simply observe rather than partake in the celebratory dance. Walking alongside the woman who was envied by all was enough to redirect the attention towards yourself and you had enough of the spotlight.

As you were worriedly keeping a watchful eye on your mistress, a tall man had approached you.

This man had the most devious look on his face. Given the material and craftsmanship of his robes, he must’ve been of royal blood-line. ‘A vampire perhaps?’ You started to deduce him, he seemed like a very knowledgable young man. A man that seemed to make sure he gets what he wants no matter who he needs to step on, no matter who he needs to take advantage of. Surely he had the riches and the charm, most especially the charm. He seemed like the type of man to solely rely on logic and not so much on the probability of anything happening. A very calculating character, isn’t he? Your mind thought of all those under the vampire race and had settled on the conclusion that this charming young man was none other than KarlHeinz.

“Good evening, my lady.” He greeted, his voice surprisingly deep for his age. He bowed slightly whilst you curtsied. “Good evening, my Lord. How may I be of service?” You questioned with your voice slightly shaking, surely he wasn’t the type to start idle chatter without an ulterior motive. “What is a charming young woman such as yourself doing alone at the King’s ball? Surely you must have an acquaintance or a lover nearby to keep you company.” He laid a gentle kiss on your backhand and looked in to your eyes. He truly meant what he had said. Such beauty manifested in a mere mortal’s body. He could sense an inquisitive however slightly anxious nature surrounding you. And the scent of your blood was absolutely intoxicating, you were most likely sold from the finest of curators. Surely his prescience should not affect you this much. You seemed like a very interesting pawn to be utilised in his game and he would ensure that you will aid him in pursue of his experiments.

He decided to keep this conversation going. He took note of how you fidgeted on the sleeves of your dark blue gown and how your lenses have fogged up slightly due to the warmth radiating from your face caused by the inability to carry out such conversations with a person you had barely known. You exchanged minimal information about each other. He understood your humor for play on words and you understood his cunning personality. He appreciated your interest in the supernatural nature and he came to be interested in your motherly and caring personality. Perhaps you have thought wrong about him? Perhaps he was a very caring young man who would ensure that his partner would be spoiled with the affection and wealth that he will share with her. Given your conversations, he seemed to have been of high caliber and had attained good education. Perhaps he could be a suitable suitor for your mistress? You only desired the best for her.

You had introduced him to your mistress and you could tell merely by the way she looked at him, your companion had found the one that would guide her and mold her in to the greatness that she will become. She would be lead by him and be taught to be devoted to this powerful man and hopefully have a suitable family that will treat her with only the best.

Sadly, you were wrong. The debonair man that had talked to you in such a caring and gentle manner was long gone in Cordelia’s presence and only became the cause of her life to spiral in to this debacle she was in. His influence was the opposite of what you had expected of him when it came to caring for her. If you had just knew, you would have interfered. Then your mistress wouldn’t have turned in to this horrible being that she is now. Your “nephews” wouldn’t have been in such shock to harm their mental state. And most certainly but not regretfully, you wouldn’t have been the only proper parental figure of his 6 sons.

#diabolik lovers #diabolik lovers x reader #KarlHeinz #black butler #black butler x reader #ship #anime match up

[dbhdeviantdynamics]

Royal Victorian.

Warnings: Slightly NSFW. Probably shouldn’t read in public. Softcore.

The manor was lit up like a diamond in the darkness, showing great wealth and status to have such a grand amount of electricity to flaunt. The golden light spilling out from the windows, giving the white exterior a ethereal appearance in the cool autumn night. It was more than Connor had ever personally seen, especially this close. He'd grown up in the countryside, moving to the city in search of money just to feed himself. It was that way for so many, making the streets that he thought would be bustling and happy to be in reality covered in grime and crime. He had been lucky enough in his youth to be taken in by a well off officer of the law, Detective Hank Anderson. The man was well known in the Yard for solving a multitude of cases that had been deemed impossible and Connor couldn't help but to admire the old alpha.

When Connor had shown interest in following after Hank, the Detective encouraged him despite the fact that Connor was an omega. It was practically unheard of for an omega to be in law enforcement, usually regulated to lower jobs such as working in the clothing factories or being a stay at home partner. Due to the rise in disease and starvation, there was a severe lack of omegas, their immune systems appeared to be weaker than the other dynamics. Connor was simply lucky enough to have tried to pick pocket Hank for a coin or two in his youth, getting caught and taken in and raised. Later on when Connor grew up, he had found out that Hank had lost his wife and omega son from tuberculosis, figuring that was the reason why Hank had such a fondness for him.

Now he was on his first big case with Hank, there had been rumors of human trafficking among the royals. More importantly, they were taking any omega that didn't have blue blood away from their families or off the streets before auctioning them off to royals who wanted one of the growing rarities. Hank didn't like the idea of bringing Connor along, but he had been trained for this moment and he had promised not to run off on his own like he often did like a hound tacking a rabbit, ignoring the master's call. Connor adjusted his coat a bit as the carriage they'd arrived on departed. He hadn't worn something so finely made before, so he was cautious not to ruin it. It had been a gift from Hank after all, so he would treat it with care.

"Now, once we get inside, don't fuckin' leave the main hall, do you hear me?" Hank's tone was warning, but he could hear the concern and fear in it. He didn't want to worry Hank in such a manner so he nodded obediently. "Certainly, Hank, I will not leave the main hall." He repeated so he could further assure Hank, though the elder alpha didn't look completely convinced.

Connor pulled down his mask that was in the vague shape of a dog, Hank thought it would be funny since Connor always seemed to be enjoying their large wolfhound, Sumo.Hank followed suit, his mask looking almost like a roaring bear, intimidating with his grizzled beard. In comparison, Connor didn't look threatening at all despite all the training he received to be one of the top fighters in the Yard.He was light on his feet, his reflexes dangerously quick, and he never held back his hits, making him brutal and efficient. Hank took the lead of stepping up the grand stairs to the entry way to the masquerade party, the perfect set up to hide the identities for the buyers of such a lowly crime.

The butler at the door accepted their invitations, it was good that the invitations didn't have any identifiers on them as Hank and Connor had stolen them from a couple of upper class who were currently waiting it out in a cell for being in possession of a couple of omegas illegally. Connor adjusted his shawl that had been doused in the scent of lemons, giving him the appearance of a beta and covering up his omega scent. He didn't want to immediately draw attention from the entire party as being the only omega in the crowd. He could hear the orchestra playing a elegant tune, it was rare that Connor ever heard such beautiful music, Hank didn't particularly like it. Hank didn't stop as he entered, moving into the crowd and Connor followed behind closely, not wanting to be lost in the crowd.

People were enjoying their anonymity as they chatted and gossiped without fear as their partial masks and gaudy clothes kept them hidden. It was a little bit overwhelming as he'd never been to a ball before, his dress shoes were finely polished as they clacked across the fine marble floor. Such extravagance while there were so many people in the city suffering, it was as if such a thing didn't exist out here in the royal countryside. It turned Connor's stomach a little at the injustice of it all, however he couldn't do anything. They wealthy and the blue bloods would always go untouched by reality, they would remain in their own little worlds. He was busy taking in the sights and grandeur of it all when he nearly ran into a woman who wore a feathered mask of a crow, startling Connor a little and he took a step back to give her room.

That only made him run into something solid, assuming it was one of the grand pillars, he sighed out in frustration and looked around to spot Hank in the crowd. However, there were too many people moving, dancing or going from cluster to cluster to listen to the latest gossip, he wondered when Hank would notice he was gone. He felt the pillar at his back suddenly move, cloth brushing against the back of his dark tail coat, making the hairs on the back of his neck bristle with how close someone was to him and the fact he'd been practically leaning against the person.

"I seem to have found a little dog who lost his master." A silken low tone slipped into his ears, darkly seductive and dangerously pleasing. Everything his his body became hyper aware, like a tuning rod that let him know that there was a alpha behind him. Not just any sort of alpha either, one that almost seemed to drag out every natural omega sense within him, something he suppressed for so long. With a single sentence, Connor knew he better avoid this person, they were too dangerous if his body responded so eagerly like that. He couldn't blow his cover either by simply bolting, which was already so unnatural of him to do. Connor didn't run, but something about the presence at his back had every fiber of his body wanting to melt against this unknown man and that alone warranted him to go find Hank.

Connor turned only partially, not wanting to fully face the man who might take it as an invitation to initiate further conversation. "How clumsy of me, sir, my sincerest apologies." He gave a nod of his head, not even glancing at the man from behind his mask as he moved to make his escape. A hand caught his arm, preventing him from retreating. Instantly warmth fanned out over his arm from the touch, making him wonder what it would feel like to have those hands touch his bare flesh. Heat rose into his cheeks that were gratefully covered, he'd never had an interest in intimate gestures, solely focused on his job, much to the dismay of the alphas he worked with who did their best to impress him. Whenever they had touched Connor, he didn't react other than annoyed that they would be so arrogant to think he'd accept such touches just because they were an alpha.

This touch was enough to stay Connor and he turned his head to gaze upon a man with a strong jaw and firm lips that seemed to hold a stoic frown more often than not. He could see pewter eyes staring out at him from the holes of his mask that appeared to be a large predatory cat with rosettes engraved in the sleek black surface, like the panthers he'd read about in journals recording about the world overseas. He hadn't had the time to go to one of those traveling taxidermy museums that displayed animals from across the world. Connor would imagine the jungle cat would look like this, focused wholly on his prey, appearing almost lazy and patient with stalking his prey. "You appear hasty to depart. Why do you relax and join me for a few drinks?"

Connor frowned, that didn't sound suspicious at all. Was this normal masquerade etiquette? To ask strangers to go off in private to... drink? He stared at the man who was only a few inches taller than him, but being this close to him, Connor noticed every inch. The alpha leaned in closer, making Connor's body warm up to the point he was uncomfortable in the layers of clothes he wore, he couldn't understand why his body was reacting like this. He swallowed thickly, making him aware that his shawl was tied almost painfully tight now but nothing had changed aside from his skin becoming far too sensitive. His lips parted to breathe in attempts to cool down, but it appeared that the alpha before him took that as an invitation to curl his fingers beneath Connor's chin, brushing his thumb in a light caress over his bottom lip.

There was an electric feel that fanned out over his body, making his heart pick up its pace and he soon found himself leaning into the touch. His tongue fluttered out, briefly touching the thumb but it was enough to gather a taste of the other male. He didn't know why he did that, but he could taste something natural, ultimately alpha. He wanted to taste more, to sink his teeth into this alpha before him, but that wasn't everything he wanted to do to him. His fingers twitched, curbing his desire to reach up and slide his hands over the chest before him, to peel away each layer of clothes until he had the alpha bared before him. From the heat growing in those once cool eyes, he could sense that the alpha was having thoughts along the same line with Connor. Now it didn't seem like such a bad thing to go find a secluded spot for drinks and... other activities.

"What's your name, pet?" The term was used as a term of endearment from those lips, making Connor's insides curl, his lean muscles coil as he wanted to dig his fingers into this man to see if he was just as muscled as he appeared beneath his coats. To rake his nails down the man's bare back as he felt him fill him again and again until Connor was completely satisfied. The fog had taken over his mind, shrouding all rational thought and he couldn't remember why he was struggling against it so much. It didn't seem like he was the only one affected either as the man before him moved closer, drawn in by some unseen force despite being in public view. Like a bucket of cold water being dumped on him, another hand grabbed his arm and yanked him away from the alpha, making him give out a whine that he'd never particularly made before.

"What the hell are you doing." Hanks growling voice cut through the fog in his brain, making Connor blink a couple of times in confusion. "We're leaving. Now." The gruff voice brooked no argument and Connor couldn't really think up why he should stay, why he was there to begin with. All he knew was that it was insufferably hot in his coat for a evening that was supposed to be cool. He reached up to tug at his shawl, trying to loosen it but Hank quickly slapped the hand away before dragging him away, heading out the door before anyone could catch wind of an omega starting up his heat at the worst possible time.

Sharp steel eyes followed after the fleeing pair, it was difficult for Conrad to remain there while the omega was retreating. He knew the dog-mask was one the moment he laid eyes on him and with how easily the omega melted into his touch. He was so focused on the fleeing form he didn't notice the figure moving out of the shadows of a nearby pillar, the man's hands tucked into the pockets of his trousers as he moved to stand beside Conrad. He was wearing the partial mask of a wolf, his golden brown eyes watching the retreating figure with his own interest in a chase. "Certainly an interesting bit of prey you've found. So what are you going to do about it?" Collin's voice broke through Conrad's focus, making the alpha turn to look at the epsilon beside him.

"I'm going to make him mine."

#detroit become human #deviant dynamics #omegaverse #victorian #royalty #alternate universe #rk800 #rk900 #rk800-60 #connor #collin #conrad #abo #a/bo #a/b/o verse #a/b/o dynamics #au #detroit: become human #dbh

[vanaera]

Appraisals

40. Things you interrupted me to say (earl!Seokjin + commoner!you)

Summary | Kim Seokjin is born to be out of your league; rich and handsome, he's practically everything any woman in your town dreams to marry. Well, except you. And you didn't mind the stark differences between you two until he starts to make you feel a plethora of things you've never felt before, quite positively and negatively at that.

Genre | Fluff

Wordcount | 3,082

A/N | Inspired by Pride and Prejudice!

     The spring of 1817 bore too many occasions that were span-new and a little bit queer for you as it had everything to do with sentiments you never thought will be swayed within three months. And it was very unfortunate that it revolved around a man you swore to be never acquainted to the first time you met him.

     Sir Henry and Lady Hemmings decided to throw a ball in the first week of March and it was not to your delight that it encouraged your mother to be more adamant with the idea of getting you engaged. With an age a month shy of twenty, and the eldest of three sisters, it is a matter to be alarmed that no man has made any attempt yet to get your hand in marriage. Living in a society where the truth of women being only an accessory to men is acknowledged, the thought of marrying someone just to secure you a home and assure your future has constantly repulsed you.

     "If I am to be married off to someone who could not even appreciate the worth of my thoughts, it would be my wish to die as an old maid," you giggled by your sister Catherine's ear when you turned the ripe age of 18, the same day your mother invited some officers in your home to introduce to you. Your mother paled when she heard of such outrageous view but it was not enough to deter you of your dream of romance and genuity, not when you're prided by your father as the wittiest among his daughters. Nevertheless, you still let your mother pull the strings of the corset taut against your abdomen just to prevent the following nights to be plagued by an earful of her "We are not financially stable, young lady, so we need to entrust you in a home of a man who could feed you."  Enduring the ridicule against your sex's purpose for only one night will be enough to calm your mother's nerves for the mean time.

     The night at the Hemmings' residence was splendid, if not too grandiose, for the gowns you, Catherine, and Lily wore that your father worked hard to buy but such bitter thoughts is dismissed quickly when you remind yourself how the Hemmings were very cordial and inviting to all the residents of the neighborhood. Eventhough it is aberrant and ironic for social hierarchy to be toned down in the home of nobles, you were grateful for such treatment. You were offered wines made from the Hemmings orchard and sitted yourself on the line of chairs beside other ladies. Lily, the youngest and the prettiest of the three of you, was already whisked away by the second man that had asked for a dance. You already had a plenty of turns and swings that made a light sheen of sweat against your back, so you decide to rest for a while and laugh along with Catherine as you both watch your baby sister sway timidly in contrast to the man's ambitious movements.

      The moment another set started and Hoseok, a baker and your childhood friend, asked for a dance, the loud bang of the wooden door broke the momentum as the Hemmings' butler let his voice be heard by every guest. "Count Jeongguk, Lady Maya, and Earl Seokjin has arrived."

Eyes befell on them, the splendour of their gold lined and silver trimmed garments, and the regal aura such high class nobles could only exude. You courtseyed along with the other locals but you can't help but to nudge Catherine and ask, "Earl Seokjin? I never heard of him."

     Catherine's mouth opened in shock, "You have not heard of him? He's the childhood friend of Count Jeongguk and his sister, Lady Maya, who often comes with them in parties! Though I didn't know he'll grace us tonight with his handsome presence when the Hemmings only said to expect the special presence of the count and his sister."

     Settling your eyes on Earl Seokjin who was now situated at the head of the room with an unsmiling face, it is true that his looks were heavenly. He's gifted with a high sloped nose, plump lips, gentle eyes, and a well-proportioned body that looked eathereal in his regal blue coat, brown satin waistcoat, white silk trousers, and gilded boots. However, his stoic facade is snobbish as he holds his head high like the typical high-ranked noblemen who condescends those who were placed lower than him. You frown; outwardly aesthetic is all for naught when the inside can't even have an inkling of beauty.

     The dancing resumed when the Hemmings asked for the festivity to continue. Just before Hoseok could take you to the middle of the room, your mother grabs you by the arm, as she drags Catherine and Lily along to the front of the room. Of course, you should have expected your mother to act on her quite overt matchmaking motives when you saw your mother across the room eyeing the other local girls interacting with the handsome men.

     "Sir Jeon, Lady Maya, and Sir Kim." Your mother courtseys and you follow her. "It is a pleasure to have you in our town!"

     "It is our pleasure too, Ma'am," Jeongguk replies, "May I ask for the names of such pretty women who have come before us?"

     "Oh! These are my wonderful daughters! My eldest Y/N, Catherine the second, and Lily our youngest!" Your mother sounds so delighted and though you were embarassed by her blatant and ambitious quest to sell her daughters to such rich men, you cannot help but be amused when you also saw the glimmer of interest in the count's eyes when he fixated his gaze on Lily.

     The orchestra starts another set and Count Jeongguk asked Lily for a dance to which the girl shyly accepted. Watching the two go to the dance floor to hop along with the people, you found yourself standing awkwardly lonesome when Catherine went to get pastries, and your mother chatted a storm with Lady Maya, obviously trying to put a good word in for Lily. Looking at your side, you met eyes with the Earl, who only stared at you. It's very stiffening to just stand without any noise breaking the silence between the two of you so you said, "Do you dance, Mr. Kim?"

     He does not spare you a glance. "No if I can help it."

     Embarassed with the audacity you displayed that was very unlike you, you excused yourself to go to the buffet. He could have at least just said he'd dance with you in accordance with social convention, but he just have to shut down the offer too quickly. Before you could have a glimpse of Catherine, you found yourself looking back with eyes following the Earl as he leaves his place to grab the hand of Lady Daphne, only daughter of the Hemmings, to guide her towards the center of the room. Your hand tightens around the glass you're holding as the embarassment turns into shame. So that's the kind of man he is. Of course, only respectable girls could match his high rank preference. What were you thinking?

     However, that shame dangerously turns into vexation when the night deepened and you and Catherine happened to pass by the two noblemen.

     "Come with me Seokjin," Jeongguk chuckles, "you've been standing there stiffly after just one dance!"

     "I told you I'm not fond of such social activities. And how did you even notice me just standing there when you've been dancing all night long with a very beautiful lady."

     "Oh Lily L/N!" Jeongguk sighs, "she's the most beautiful woman I have ever met! Such beauty I have never seen before. But haven't you found her sister Y/N quite delightful too? I don't know why you didn't dance with her and opted for Daphne instead." He leans closer to the earl though his voice was not low enough for you and Catherine not to hear. "I thought you have ill-regards toward the Hemming's daughter?"

     Seokjin grimaces,"You know I don't fair good around the locals so Daphne is the only one I can tolerate around here. Anyway, Y/N is not that delightful enough for me to dance with her."

     Apalled by such insult and the fact that he can't stomach a moment longer with the commoners so he'd rather interact with another snobbish noblewoman worsened the bad image you already have of him. You may have only seen Earl Seokjin once, but it was enough for you to know how despicable his character is.

     Enduring one ridiculous night seems to have been more tedious than your mother's nagging when after the fifth set finished, the said woman leads you toward where Count Jeongguk was talking with Lily. You try hard not to cringe when your mother interferes too much in their conversation just to put in how Lily had so many suitors, how Lily is regarded as the beauty of the town. However your distate to your mother's desperate attempt to marry Lily off so easily to the kindhearted count was diverted when the man you already dare say spite makes his way toward the three of you, Lady Maya following his gait. Your mother just have to put you in the same ordeal as Lily.

"Oh Mr. Kim! Come join us! Mr. Jeon has invited us to the ball they will have here in Longfield! Since we're already discussing about Mr. Jeon's preference in women," You look at the count going red as a tomato, "say, have any girl here worth your interest?" Your mother suddenly eyes you with a coy smile and your jaw clenches.

     "Oh Seokjin has a very particular taste in women," Lady Maya muses, "he likes well-mannered ladies who indulges the same interests he has in literature and art, not to say he also prefers them with an intellect that could enable him to have deep conversations with."

      Seokjin smiles, "That I do ag-"

     "She must be non-existent then?" Your mother glares at you but you paid no heed. You'd like to think your outspokenness was a gift more than a curse that prevents other people to trample on you. "No such woman can be as high-mighty like men, right? She would be fearsome, too fiesty to hold!"

     Count Jeongguk guffaws and agrees and you find yourself sending the unsmiling earl a raise of your brow and a quirked smirk. Your mother reprimands you for such indecent behavior when you went home but you're glad your father was on your side when you told him the events of the night and how resentful that Earl Seokjin is.

     Your mother still finds your attitude in front of possible spouses very unsatisfactory so by the following week, you found yourself reeled by her side as you went inside the grand halls of the Jeon's residence, invitation in hand.

     It wasn't a surprise that the earl will be there, but instead what shocked you was how he just came to you and asked for a dance when you were by the wine table. The rush of energy the first two dances did on your body caused you to just agree without even looking at the man who offered, too busy pouring yourself a beverage.

     Catherine pulls you to her side, "Y/N! You just agreed with the earl you resent!"

     You almost spit the expensive drink on your gown, "I beg your pardon?!"

     But it was too late to withdraw such mistake when the third set starts and you found the Earl going to you with a hand outstretched for you to take. The dance starts along with other partners by your side and you decided not to meet his eyes at all only if the earl didn't mutter something you find too otherwordly and self-contradicting to how he acted.

     "I think my actions in our previous encounter might have offended you."

     You wonder how he can come up with an apology with such a straight face. You turn around him in synchronization with the other females. "'Might have' is not enough to sum up our whole interaction before, Mr. Kim."

     When the next step brings you closer to him with his hand on the small of your back and your hand on the width of his broad shoulder, he says, "Forgive me for my brashness, Ms. Y/N, I was raised in a constricting environment and participating in gatherings comprised with all different types of people have never been my forte." He sways you to the next step, his movement a little to stiff. "I do, however, practice the art of conversation so as to be more-"

     "Believe me, Mr. Kim, no one would think you do so when you speak in such an unfeeling manner. I think you should practice more." The dance stops and you make your leave after glaring at him.

     The next few days have been a buzz. Count Jeongguk went to your home the next morning to ask Lily to walk around with him in the neighborhood. And when your mother saw Earl Seokjin behind his back, she immediately pushed you to be Lily's chaperone. The count was very gentlemanlike and his attraction to your younger sister is obvious as well the pink blush that colors your sister's cheeks because of his sweet words. On the other side, you think the count will spend his day with your sister in more bliss if he have not always had Earl Seokjin as his companion. You just can't help but express your dismay everytime he looks so high up in his horse.

     "We could go to Señor Alfredo's Restaurant for lunch and then-"

     You scowl at him. "You do know that restaurant is exclusive for people on the top of the social system?"

     The earl reasons, "But I will be there and so will be the count-"

     You grab Lily's hand. "And have us look like lost, easy women leeching off respectable men like you? Please excuse us from such embarassment."

   In the end, Count Jeongguk have to pacify the steam and direct the four of you instead to have your meal in a riverside restaurant Lily suggested. The next day, a bouquet of magnolias was found on your doorstep along with an apology from the earl. You find it hard to throw them in the trash like you intended to.

     As much as the earl frazzles your nerves and makes you lose your patience so easily that was so unlike you, you can't deny that he manages to make ammends for his mishaps in heartfelt letters that through time, managed to convince you he was really trying to be friendly. You felt awful sometimes, thinking you're being too judgemental on him; your prejudice against him from the moment you met him making you closed minded to his earnest intentions.

     It also didn't help that the earl happens to be just there where you need someone the most - like the time your father got terribly sick and Seokjin generously gave him admittance in one of his summer houses in Longfield so he could be treated by doctors, a luxury you only have sometimes. Or that time you got stuck in a village far from home during a rainstorm and it happened that the earl was there for a business negotiation. He offered to let you stay for the mean time in the hotel he has checked in so he could give you some dry towels and a meal to warm up your drenched state, before he could send you home in his carriage. But the most nervewracking incident you had was when Catherine ran away from home after a vicious fight with you when you told her the man she was falling for was already married. And Seokjin was the one who looked for her with you throughout the night.

     "She will be okay, Y/N, we're going to find her. Just-"

     "N-no you don't understand, Seokjin, wha-what if-"

     "Don't presume any foreboding things that will happen. We will find her, Y/N, we will find her." His long arms wrap around your frame to calm the racking of your sobs. After a few hours asking one villager after another, you found your sister passed out in some hotel. As you both go back home, you expressed your gratitude to the earl and all he did was tell you it's alright and gave you a reassuring smile. That day was the first time you felt your heart skip a beat.

     So when summer came and Seokjin announced he will be going back home in the east of Fordshire, you can't help but feel a painful pang in your ribcaged heart.

     You stand beside Count Jeongguk and Lily as Seokjin fixes his coat before he goes inside the carriage.

     Seokjin gives off a chuckle to lighten the somber atmosphere. "Don't worry too much, I will be back again after two months. I just have to attend to my family matters back home and then-"

     "Will you write to me?" You found your hand gripping onto his.

    " You just have to interrupt me when I'm saying my farewells, aren't you-"

    "Just say yes," you look into his eyes. "Will you write to me?"

     You could feel Seokjin's eyes soften, his hand squeezing yours before letting it go. "Of course, Y/N. I adore you too much so as my day cannot be complete without at least a word from you."

     Seokjin has made you do and feel too many things that were still too foreign for you - being aggravated by the simplest of remarks, feeling too enthralled with the lightest of touches, letting your heart be taken by someone who was out of your league the moment you met him, and until now when he'll be millions of miles away from you.

     But you didn't mind as you start to write "Dear Seokjin," on your desk, because you know that he knows you have a piece of his heart he left for him to come back for.

A/N | @ifntelyinspirit, here is your request! Sorry for taking too long!

All Rights Reserved © Vanaera. No reposts, modifications, and translations of content is allowed without direct permission.

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