#if they both looked like these neither would have been able to resist and its just a fact

[genshin-impact-unofficial]

Naughty Little Secret Pt.1

Reactions of Genshin men finding your spicy literature.

Ft. Diluc, Cyno and Thoma 

(PART 2) Ft. Childe, Albedo, and Alhaitham (PART 3) Ft. Scaramouche, Itto, and Xiao

Tags: PG-13, Sexual Themes, GN!Reader, Technically SFW, Crushes, Flustered boys 4 lyfe, Fluff? Notes: Dabbling my toesies into some saucier content. Part two will be out soon, possibly tomorrow. Will be linked above once done. THX! (Repost)

Diluc

You'd been lent the book by another maid. The buzz surrounding a new romance novel was overwhelmingly positive and you would be lying to say you weren’t curious too. It wouldn't hurt to just have a small peek at it during your break. After setting some tea to boil, you made yourself comfortable and began to immerse yourself into the reading. 

It begins with a forbidden love. A shining knight that only knew hardships, and a princess that was betrothed to a wicked king for diplomatic gain. You smiled a little, it was clear why the maids of manor had taken a liking to the story. The brooding knight reminded you immensely of the young master of Dawn Winery. When you read the kind but stoic interactions, you could only fondly picture Diluc. You were quite close to him, and often even found him charming. It amused you to imagine a knightly Diluc going out on little adventures. 

Inevitably, the knight could not hold back the weight of love any longer. He swept up the princess in his strong arms, and held her in a moment of passion. The knight left a trail of kisses up the princesses neck, his tongue grazing her sweetly soft enticing skin. The princess begged for more and, by duty, he was happy to oblige. Rough calloused hands roamed up her dress and hungry lips claimed hers as she was guided onto the bed. The princess shuttered when his body laid atop of hers and felt the prominent bulge of his- OH MY! 

You quickly set down the book and took a breath to calm your heart. Maybe imagining the protagonist as your boss wasn’t the best idea. A kettle screaming from the kitchen snapped you from your thoughts. "Oh no the tea!" You exclaimed while hurrying into the other room to stop it from boiling over.

-

“Is everything alright?” Diluc entered the small dining area, only to see no one was present. He'd been sure he had heard a high pitch noise just then. Ever diligent, the man spared a moment to take a look for himself. Nothing seem out of the ordinary... except an open book discarded on the table. He picked it up and briefly scanned the pages. Nothing suspicious, it was just a novel and- Oh. It seems he might have stumbled onto something more.... private.

You entered the room through the opposite door, tea in hand. When you met eyes with Diluc, who was still holding your smutty novel, you froze in place. You stared at one another with widened eyes, as if neither knowing what to do next. Diluc was the first to break the silence.

“Ah, Y/N I apologize. I never meant to disturb you on your break. I’ll leave you to your... uh, reading here.” Diluc tried to keep his composure but it was clear by the slight hue on his ears that he had read some of its contents.

“Master Diluc, It’s not what it looks like. I um... was holding this for a friend I swear!” You half lied, but your tone growing desperate to save face. “I mean, I didn’t- I don’t.... I- Uh- Oh archons.” You blabbered on, not able to keep any of your composure. Your face was in your hands and you could feel how much heat was coming off your flushing face. Diluc could see clearly how utterly embarrassed you were. He would never say so, but he was honestly quite endeared at how flustered a little book could get you. Your reactions were always pretty cute. As a result, it was near impossible to resist teasing you only just a little. 

“Y/N, you needn’t worry.” Diluc spoke softly, taking a couple steps toward you so that he could gently pull your hands away from your face. He bent slightly so he could face you at eye level, still holding both your hands gingerly in his. “I wouldn’t dream of telling a soul, it’ll be our secret.” His voice was low, speaking loud enough for only you to hear. Even while teasing you, his Crimson eyes held an unexpected amount of genuineness for his promise to you. 

Needless to say, your next reactions were the highlight of Diluc’s week.

Cyno

Cyno could tell you were hiding something from him. Since you were one of his main informants, he had to know the nature of the secrets you kept. There were few people, especially in the Akademiya, that the man could truly trust. After years of working along side you, he held an abundance of respect and trust in you. The General Mahamatra had seen countless good people be led astray by those who were already corrupt. If he found this to be the case for you, he would deliver justice by his own hands to prevent you from becoming its next victim. The more he thought about you, the sooner the matter became a priority. 

You spent more time in your office than ever before. As an informant of the Matra, this wouldn’t be a strange behavior for you. You had plenty of data and intel to process through on a daily basis. It was also pretty meticulous work, yet you always managed put together detailed and insightful reports. You really were an asset that Cyno couldn’t afford to loose, but it became suspicious how recluse you were now. Typically you would share tea, chat, or play a match of Genius Invokation TCG with the Mahamatra after closing out an investigation report. Even while awaiting feedback from other matra, you would welcome into your office and pretend to roll your eyes at Cyno's newest batch of jokes (even though he could clearly see you chuckling a little). Yet recently, you declined every interaction outside your obligated matra duties. Once you reported your findings to Cyno, you would swiftly shoo the man from your office and shut the door behind him. This simply could not go on. He had to get to the bottom of this shift in behavior. 

Cyno tried to peering in through a vantage point, but you deliberately shut your office curtains when alone. He began to monitor the coming and going from your office but, and to his surprise, every person was also sent away in a similar fashion. There had to be something going on. The first breakthrough appeared when you were observed leaving to lunch, clutching something close to your chest....a book. There were plenty of forbidden volumes in the Akademiya's archives, was it possible you had gotten a hold of something confidential? Or maybe, you were getting caught up in researching a restricted area of knowledge? If this was the case, he had to convince you stop before you crossed a point of no return.

You were to deliberate keep the book close by most of the time, but Cyno bided his time eventually found his opening. An underling knocked on your door, coming to inform you of a last-minute meeting that required your attendance. Professionalism overrode your needs of secrecy. You immediately followed the scholar without a second glance to the door you had forgotten to close. Cyno wasted no time entering your office, otherwise he might have hesitated to invade your privacy. As expected, the book in question was open on your desk as if you had just been reading from it. The general’s piercing eyes decisively scanned the texts that he assumed to be corrupting you.

-

That was a weird meeting. You thought while heading back to your office. They urgently required your attention for... a department pep talk? It was pretty irksome, but at least it was quick. You were able to head back and finish that juicy chapter. It was just getting to such a romantic scene! Out in the wilderness, huddling for warmth with a creature of the night, and the romantic tension so thick it could be cut with a knife. You were picturing how the protagonist would react to the inhuman ferocity of the other’s devotion when they.... Is that Cyno outside your office? 

“Y/N” Cyno addresses formally as he spotted you. His posture was notably pointed and stiff. “I wanted to personally offer you my apologies. I had been wrong in my assumptions of your involvement in misconduct.”

“Misconduct? Regarding what?” You questioned incredulously. How had you of all people end up on the General Mahamatra’s radar?

“I... had reason to believe that you were undergoing research into topics prohibited by Akademiya.” Your eyes widened, he couldn’t possibly mean- “Upon further investigation, I have concluded that your studies of human and supernatural being fornication are not formally forbidden by-” You shove Cyno into your office and shut the door quickly behind you. 

“Keep your voice down!” You hissed at him, face burning so hot you were sure your skin would melt off. “That book is private, I don’t want the whole Akademiya knowing!” 

“If that’s what you wish, I’ll be sure to exercise discretion.” Cyno stated, trying to recompose himself as well. Although his exterior remained cool and collected, the small dusting of pink detected on his cheeks indicated otherwise. Oh archons, how much did he read???

“I will not speak of the...confidential information. But If you’ll allow it, I request to still have access to your company as you are conducting your ongoing research.” Cyno asked far too formally to be able to hang out in your office, even while you read your dirty book. 

Thoma

The afternoon turned to sunset and Thoma was just finishing his housekeeping duties at the Kamisato estate. Last but not least on his list was a quick sweep of the front entrance. It was to be treated with upmost importance, just like everything he had done that day. It was important that anyone visiting the estate was received into a tidy space, to do otherwise might be seen as a sign of disrespect. He got right to work! It wasn’t hard by any means, just a few leaves here, a bit of sand there, and a book laying around. ...Wait a book? 

Thoma stopped and curiously eyed the book abandoned on the wooden slats. Did someone forget this here? Well it would be best if he took it inside for safe keeping, he could search for the owner later. The blond bent down to pick up the unassuming paperback. Turning it around in his hands, he couldn’t help but notice the beautiful art on its cover. A dragon wove around the title text and velvety looking roses were dotted across the front of the volume. Wow. He had never seen such a theatrical book cover before. 

Curiosity burned Thoma’s fingertips and he considered that perhaps in reading a passage or two, he may receive a clue as to who the owner might be. It didn’t take much more reasoning than that to get the excitable boy sitting down and opening up to the first page. 

A descendant of dragon linage took up the sword to protect her clan. She banded together with humans and youkai alike to fight against a being of higher power. Thoma was immediately enthralled by the intense plot, quickly forgetting the purpose of his snooping. He eagerly continued and consumed chapter after chapter in a matter of hours. The protagonist, narrowly escaping the clutches of their last battle, was approached by their closest attendant. A confrontation about their carelessness arose. A reserved warrior, that often came off cold and aloof, scolded the protag for throwing themselves into danger and almost sacrificing themselves. The debate was heated and lashing words morphed into fierce confessions. Thoma ate up every word of the romantic sub-plot. He continued reading as a passionate kiss quickly tumbled into a steamy affair. Desperate hands grabbed at one another, and hasted ‘I love you’s were exchanged over the battlefield. She yearned to feel the warmth of the other, aches with every rub of friction. A hand surges forward to unsheathe his- Thoma shut the book abruptly when he heard your footsteps approaching. He tucked the book behind him and turned to face you, his cheeks brightly flushed. 

“Hi Thoma! You haven’t seen a book laying around have you? I think I left it around here earlier.” You ask nonchalantly to the sweating housekeeper. 

“Your book?” Dots were being connected in the blond’s mind and he really couldn’t manage out any other words. Thoma gave up trying to mutter any kind of excuse and simply held the book out to you. His eyes were downcast in shame, refusing to meet yours. You silently looked down at your paperback in this hand and then back up at him. 

“You read it?” You asked carefully, a bit embarrassed. It was obvious by his reaction that he had already gotten to one of the more... intimate scenes. Wait... that doesn't happen until chapter ten of the novel. Just how much did he actually get through?

“Y/N, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry into your-” 

“Did you like it?” You cut him off, excitedly awaiting his opinion. The boy looked like he'd drop dead right there.

“Ah, I didn’t get to- I mean they were about to but I-” Thoma blabbered out, still trying to be a gentleman while discussing this kind of thing with you. It wasn’t that he had disliked reading THAT. But how was he supposed to convey that to you without...

“Pffft- I’m talking about the story, ya dork. Isn’t the world building amazing?” You chuckled a little at his expense. Thoma paused for a moment, and couldn't help but let out a small laugh himself. He calmed slightly from his flustered state and happily resumed discussing the plot with you. It was the start of a quite unexpected book club. 

<A/N: Don't look at me.>

#diluc #diluc ragnvindr #diluc x reader #genshin #genshin diluc #genshin headcanons #genshin impact #genshin imagines #genshin x reader #thoma genshin #thoma x reader #thoma #cyno #cyno x reader #genshin cyno #suggestive

[matthew-gray-gubler-lover]

Emerald Green Daydream.

Smut 18+

Spencer was away on yet another case. You know that he loves his job, but sometimes it really takes its toll on both of you. But it's especially bothering you today. your special package Was delivered today. Emerald green And Lacey, you knew that Spencer would love it. 

You knew the second you saw it that you had to have it. He would not be able to resist you in it. It's kind of a bittersweet moment now that it's here, since you can try it on and see how you'll look in it, but the man that you really want to see you in it isn't there to do so. 

Even though Spencer has called you several times to let you know how the case is doing, you still miss him a lot. 

Spencer has been having a hard time with this case too. The two of you were kissing, making out hot and heavy when the phone rang. Taking him away on this case, neither one of you got to fulfill your desire to be with each other. And Spencer's been having a hard time. Focusing on the case.

He keeps getting lost in Daydream. Like, right now, he's imagining you sitting on top of him, riding him gently, kissing him, caressing his hair. Moaning his name as he thrusted slightly up into you.

"Hey, pretty boy. Are you going to help us with this case or not? You've just been sitting over there, lost in thought for the past half hour. What's matter? Do you miss y/n" Morgan asked him as he patted Spencer on the shoulder.

"Yes, I do. It's like I don't really get to Spend enough time with her you know. I feel like it's really unfair." spencer answered.

"I'm sure that you make up for it when you go home. I'm sure your ladylove knows that you love her."

"I do try to make it up to her when I'm home. Like right before we had to go on the case we were making out, you know, we were about to head to the bedroom. But the phone rang and I had to leave. I just miss her so much."

"I know how you feel, pretty boy. This job. It can really drain you, but. I know she understands. She loves you and she'll be there waiting for you when you get home. Don't worry about that."

"i know she will be, i was talking to her today, but it's not the same, i want to touch her"

"i know, we will be done soon, That's what I was coming To tell you Penelope found something and I think that we might be able to locate the unsub Very soon."

And Morgan was right. By the end of the day, the unsub had been found.

Spencer could not be happier to make it back home to you.

You knew that Spencer would be coming home today, you just weren't sure when. There is some paperwork that they needed to finish at the police station before he could Even board the jet. The just the anticipation of him coming home had your body tingling in your nerves on end. All you wanted was for Spencer to be home and with you again. Spencer felt the same way, finding it very hard to focus on the paperwork that he needed to file. 

All he could think about was getting home to you. When the paperwork was finally done and the team boarded the jet. Spencer thought it would maybe help him to take a nap, pass the time a little bit faster. Sense. At the moment, all he's doing is going through his phone, looking at pictures of you. Something that was not really helping him at the moment.

It was getting late and you're beginning to get tired, so you decided to put on your. Pretty green nighty that you bought just for Spencer. Once you have it on and you make sure that your hair and makeup is just right, not that Spencer really cares if your hair and makeup is perfect or not. To him, you are the most beautiful woman in the world, no matter what you could Be wearing an oversized sweatshirt, no makeup, and your hair. An absolute mess and he would still find You Beautiful.

Meanwhile on the jet, Spencer is taking his nap, which ended up being a regrettable decision, as all he did was dream of you the way that you look. The way you smell, the way you feel, he began to Dream of you on top of him. Your fingertips running over his bare chest as you rode him like It was the last thing you were ever going to do.

Your lips on his moaning his name over and over again. It wasn't until JJ nudged him a little bit that he woke up from his sexy dream.

" What's wrong? Did we land?" He asked groggily.

" No Spence were still flying, but you were having a bad dream, or perhaps a really, really good dream" she said with a chuckle.

Poor Spencer turned bright red as he finally realized that he indeed was having this very sexy, steamy dream about you.

Now this is where Morgan would usually harass Spencer. We're having such a dream, but instead he felt bad for Spencer, knowing that all he really wanted was to be home with you, but also feeling happy for him at the same time as he was now going home to be with you.

Meanwhile, back at home, it is now 11:35 at night. And you are very tired, but you're trying your hardest to stay up because you want to be awake and ready for Spence when he comes home. You put on your pink bathrobe and decide to lay in bed for a little while. Just a little nap before Spencer gets home. You set the alarm on your phone and go to sleep.

The jet ride was a little faster than you anticipated, and Spencer made it home before your alarm went off. Slowly opened up the bedroom door after he entered your shared apartment and put down his Satchel at the front door. He didn't want to wake you and tried his best not to, as he saw you sleeping so soundly in your pretty pink bathrobe that he gave to you to remember him when he was away.

He looked at you and began smiling softly as he saw you laying there in the item that he had given to you. It made him happy to know that he could give you comfort even when he was away. He went into the bathroom after grabbing his pajamas off the dresser. He leaves them there just in case he should come home during a time like this when you're asleep and doesn't want to wake you.

He put on the black Plaid pajama bottoms and the. Purple T-shirt that he left there. Came back into the bedroom and slowly lifted up the cover so that he didn't wake you.

He made it into the bed without you noticing, but he just couldn't help himself. He had to hold you in his arms. After wrapping his arms around you, you woke up a little bit.

" It's OK, baby. It's Spencer, I made it home a little earlier than I thought. I didn't mean to wake you sweetie. Please go back to sleep." He spoke. Before giving you a sweet Peck on the lips.

" But I have a surprise for you. I was all ready for you, but I fell asleep. I'm sorry, baby." You told him, your voice thick with sleep.

" It's no problem. Whatever the surprise is, it can wait until morning. I just want you to sleep and I'm very tired. We both need to sleep, OK, baby?"

"ok" you were too tired to protest.

When morning came. You were still held in Spencer's arms.

" Good morning Y/n" Was the first words that you heard that morning.

" Hi, Are you ready for your surprise?"

" Sure, I can take my surprise now. You seem so upset last night about not being able to give it to me, so I'm very excited to see what it is."

" OK, I hope you like it" you said, getting up out of bed. And standing at the End of the bed before opening your robe and showing him your emerald green lingerie.

Spencer's eyes almost popped out of his head before he took the covers off and began crawling to the edge of the bed.

" You're wearing this all night?"

" Yes, just for you."

" You look beautiful" he said, before stroking the silk fabric that was on your body.

" Thank you. And I hate to ruin the romantic mood, but it's been all night and I really have to pee. Then I'll come back and I promise we'll have fun, OK?"

Spencer couldn't help but laugh at your comment about having to pee. Of course you did. You were in bed all night. How could you not have to? And truth be told, he had to as well.

" So do I." He told you with the biggest smile on his face and a loud chuckle.

When they both were done in the bathroom and came back into the bedroom. They were all ready for the activity that they had been dying for. 

"I can't believe that you were wearing this all night". Spencer told her before cupping her beautiful breasts. Held so perfectly inside the green silk fabric, pushing them up just right.

"When I saw it, I knew that I had to buy it. I knew that you would love it." you told him

Spencer couldn't take it anymore. He had to be inside of you.

"I can't take it anymore. Honey. I have to be inside of you. I can't wait anymore. Are you ready for me?" He asked you.

"Yes" you moaned out, eagerly awaiting the feeling of him inside of you. Something that you have been so desperate for over the last few days. And it was like magic, just as always. He felt amazing to be inside of you again. You felt so warm and tight around him. He couldn't help but moan out your name as he was only halfway inside of you. It made you happy to know that you could make him feel so good, both of you moaning together as he moves slowly inside of you, covering your lips with as many kisses as you possibly could.

"I missed this He whispered. In your ear as he slowly thrusted.

"Not just the sex, but the intimacy of all of this. Being close to you, kissing you, being able to touch you. I miss it so much when I'm away. And then to come home and you bought this. Beautiful Lingerie to wear for me. How did I get so lucky?" He asked before giving you another kiss.

It was in times like this when Spencer believed that he was the lucky one for having you and not the other way around, which was the real truth, that you were lucky for having him that made your heart absolutely melt. You were complete putty in this man's hands, and he knew it.

You always felt safe with Spencer, even the very first time the two of you had sex together. It was both of your first time actually, and everybody always says the first time isn't good and it's so stressful. But with Spencer it was just so natural and free. It just happened. Neither one of you planned for it, and it was the most magical experience either one of you had ever had. And something that you both wanted to keep doing forever.

Spencer moved slowly in and out of you. The two of you moaning together, absolutely thrilled to be together It's something both of you waited for, and you were so glad that you were able to finally be together. It was as if no time went by at all. The two of you were one once again. Spencer's right hand was running up and down your thigh, making you moan out even more as it left Goosebumps in the wake of his fingertips.

Causing Spencer to chuckle slightly as he kissed you again. Before he took his hand off of your thigh and intertwines your fingers together. Spencer was always a passionate lover. Always made you Feel like you are the most important thing in the world to him.

I missed you so much, he said, resting on his one elbow. That was holding up all of his weight.

Looking into your eyes. He tells you.

" You know, it's really weird. I kept having this fantasy about you and you were wearing an emerald green sexy lingerie set just like what you're wearing. I kept having the same fantasy over and over and over. And then here you are, my emerald green Daydream."

He told you before kissing you again.

You moan his name slowly as he continued thrusting in and out as slow pace. It may have been slow, but it felt so amazing. You didn't ever want him to stop. You never wanted him to leave again. Just quit the BAU and just stay here with you in bed forever.

And Spencer would love nothing more than to grant you that wish. But you both know it couldn't happen. Spencer loved his Job and people need him.

Both of you now completely desperate to cum Spencer takes his finger. On the hand that was recently holding yours and begins rubbing your clit Making you moan even more and clench around him. The moans coming from the two of you were almost pornographic.

After just a few Circles ran around on your sensitive clit The two of you were Cuming together.

It was pure bliss. For both of you, moaning out each other's names. You both came. You Laid together, panting. Spencer was still inside of you. He was still hard somehow and didn't want to leave you. The two of you laid together for a short while before he looked into your eyes, brushing a piece of hair from your forehead and telling you "I love you so much. Think you could go for another round?" He asked you with such a sweet smile. Even if you weren't still wanting him, you still couldn't deny him. But you were ready for more. You were always ready for more when it came to Spencer. It wasn't that he didn't satisfy you, it was because he satisfied you.

He began moving again, slowly looking into your eyes, asking. "How did I get so lucky?"

This was the second time tonight that he asked you this question. This time your response was. "I'm the lucky one Spencer."

this is how you spent the next three days in pure bliss making love Multiple times a day, taking showers together, having meals together. The two of you didn't leave your apartment the whole time Spencer was home. How could you? When all the two of you wanted was right there inside your apartment.

Thank you so much for reading. I hope that you enjoyed. Please leave comments, I love hearing from my readers. And if you have any suggestions for future Stories I would love to hear from you.

#spencer reid #doctor spencer reid #dr spencer reid #criminal minds #dr reid #reid #spencer reid smut

[winchesterandpie]

Spotlight

Pairing: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x shy!fem!reader

Word Count: 3512 (I may have gotten a little carried away, and I'm not sorry)

Warnings: highly self-indulgent, a couple of comments that could be insecurity, but really nothing to worry about. This is just fun with my favorite fictional man

A/N: As promised, I am back with some fun and fluff. This is structured like one of those "5 times they do something and 1 time you do it back" things. I had a great time writing this, and I hope you enjoy it!

The first time Bradley pulled you to the piano with him, you were caught completely off guard. It wasn’t that you’d never been there when he’d pulled the plug for the jukebox and played the piano for everyone, but he hadn’t ever tugged you with him.

You resisted at first, shy and hesitant to be so near the center of attention. Bradley would have let you go immediately if you expressed your discomfort, but something about the wild glow of him made you want, however hesitantly, to go along. At least, you did until you were both sitting on the piano bench. Then the reality of everyone starting to turn toward you set in as Bradley started playing around on the keys.

He must’ve felt you tense up beside him because he leaned into you, one hand coming off the keys to sit lightly on your knee. “You okay? You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.”

“No, I’m okay. I want to stay, I’m just… just a bit nervous.” You tilted your head to look him in the eye, wanting to make sure he knew you meant it. Bradley’s eyes softened more than you’d ever seen when you said that. He pressed a quick kiss to the side of your head, returning his hand to the piano.

“You tell me if it gets to be too much, alright?”

“Yeah, thank you,” you grinned, leaning your head against his shoulder.

You may have only known him for a year and been on a scant handful of dates, but you were starting to see deeper into how wonderful it was to have Bradley Bradshaw in your orbit. You didn’t want to get ahead of yourself, but you hoped he would stick around for a while. 

He started in on “Great Balls of Fire,” a favorite in his repertoire. You could hear how much he enjoyed playing like this, which was enough to make you smile on its own. His warmth at your side kept you steady and secure. 

You could feel the weight of people’s gazes, but you were able to ignore it in favor of watching Bradley have fun. He rewarded you with a wink at the line, “kiss me baby,” and a quick peck on the cheek. The way his hazel eyes sparkled when he looked over at you made your heart beat a little harder in your chest. 

“Thank you,” he murmured to you after the number.

“It was fun,” you replied as he started to steer the two of you out of the bar. “Might have to do it again sometime.”

“Is that so, little lady?” Bradley’s eyebrow lifted teasingly. You flushed at his tone, looking away in the hopes that he wouldn’t notice the heat rising in your face.

“I guess you’ll have to find out, big guy,” you said when you mustered the courage to flirt back. You risked a glance up at him to find him gazing adoringly at you.

“I look forward to it.”

“Me too.”

The second time you were pulled to the center of attention, it was unintentional on both your parts. It was Bradley’s day off, and he had brought you to the beach. 

You spent the morning trying not to stare too much while you splashed water at each other. In your defense, he was also admiring you in your swimsuit. Neither of you minded. 

When he caught you staring, he winked and flexed a little extra just to make you laugh. You got bashful when you caught him, flicking water in his direction. He grinned, surging toward you in the waist-deep water to pick you up.

“What are you doing?” you giggled, though you had a suspicion it involved you and submersion.

He just laughed, walking deeper into the ocean. You grabbed around his back, hoping you could either prevent the inevitable or bring him down with you. As predicted, he lifted then tossed you out a little further. Despite your efforts, your arm slipped, so you couldn’t save yourself.

You had managed to get a good breath of air, so instead of coming up spluttering right away, you dove a little deeper underwater, grabbed his ankle and pulled. He went under too--you suspected you had caught him off guard. From under the water, you dodged his grasp and came up laughing. Bradley wasn’t long behind you, his wet curls plastered to his head as he surfaced.

“Not bad, little lady,” he congratulated you with a blinding smile. “I didn’t see that one coming.”

“With reflexes like that, I’m shocked they let you fly planes,” you teased.

“Oh, it’s like that, hmm?” Bradley advanced on you, a dangerous, playful spark in his eyes.

You knew that look--a look that had led to you being pinned against the side of his car on a particularly notable occasion. Backing away apprehensively, you were soon forced to swim rather than walk. He kept coming, making your stomach flutter as he approached deliberately.

He finally made a move and you couldn’t push back fast enough to avoided his grasp. He caught you in his arms, so as a prevention against getting dunked again, you wrapped your legs around his waist. You had a moment’s warning to take a breath before he dunked both of you underwater.

Bradley rolled you both over in the water so he could blow a cloud of bubbles in your face. You surfaced already laughing, pressing your face into his neck as he started to walk the two of you back toward the shore. He was laughing too as he pressed kisses into your wet hair. You pulled back just for a moment, your gaze dropping to his lips.

“Can I--” you started to ask, though he interrupted before you could finish the question.

“Please.” The word was more of a sigh than a spoken word.

You didn’t wait, surging forward to catch his lips in a kiss. He tasted of salt from the sea and sunshine and you couldn’t think of anything better. Bradley’s arm was across your back, his hand resting between your shoulder blades to press you impossibly close. It was like you were drowning and he was the air you needed.

You grinned against his lips as his other hand moved from your back to hold your thigh. The world melted away, and all you could feel were his fingers pressed into your flesh, his lips on yours, the heat of his sun-kissed skin, and the waves buffeting you about.

When you heard the wolf-whistles and cheers, you pulled back, suddenly aware of the people watching you. He pressed his forehead to yours when he saw your wide-eyed look.

“Just keep your eyes on me, sweets.” Bradley assured you. “It’s just the two of us.”

“They’re all staring, Roose.” You hid your face in his neck as you felt your skin flushing.

“They’re just wondering how a guy like me scored someone as beautiful as you, little lady.”

That made you laugh, “You’re a sun-tanned god and you think they’re staring at me?”

He laughed too, and you relaxed at the rumbling noise in his chest.

“Have they gone back to whatever they were doing?” you asked at last, still not picking your head up.

“You’re adorable when you get shy like this, y’know,” he murmured in your ear. “But yeah, they’ve stopped looking.”

“I love you, Bradley” you hummed against his skin.

He paused then, as he processed what you said, and you froze. You hadn’t intended to say that quite so soon, but here you were, watching the gears turn in his head and hoping you hadn’t just scared him off. 

When he hadn’t responded for long enough that you worried he was going into shock, you spoke up again. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to put that on you. You don’t have to say any--”

“You mean it?” he interrupted gently, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Yeah, yeah, I do. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

The third time, you had some warning that you were going to be near the center of things, and you were nervous. 

Bradley had been called back to Top Gun for a top-secret mission, and had asked you to come to North Island with him. You agreed, of course, but realized about an hour ago that it meant meeting a whole crowd of loud naval aviators. There was only another half hour before you got to the Hard Deck where everyone was meeting, and you were trying to keep your nerves steady.

“What if they don’t like me?” you finally voiced the thought that had been bouncing around your head.

“Of course they will,” he reassured you immediately, reaching across the console for your hand with his free one. He glanced at you only briefly, keeping his eyes on the road as he drove, but he held your hand in a fierce grip. “They’re going to love you, I promise.”

“But what if I freeze up? You stuck around long enough to get to know me, but--”

“I’ll be right there the whole time. And if it gets to be too much, you tell me and we’ll get out of there, okay?”

You took a long, slow breath, gripping his hand in both of yours. “Okay. Okay, it’ll be fine.”

“There’s my girl,” he praised, lifting your hand to his lips. He didn’t release your hand for the rest of the drive.

Your nerves struck again when he pulled up to the bar, the neon lights making you realize that you had to go in there an socialize with a bunch of new people. Bradley came around to your side of the car, opening the door. He leaned against the side of the car with a sympathetic smile.

“You sure you want to do this?” Your sweet man was giving you another out.

You leaned forward, resting your head against his torso. His arm settled across your shoulders, letting you relax into him. You were enveloped the scent of him, breathing deeply. At last, you nodded and let him help you out of the car.

“They’re gonna love you, sweetheart,” he repeated his promise from the car ride, pressing a kiss to the side of your head as the two of you walked into the Hard Deck.

He was right, of course. Despite all of their bantering at each other, they welcomed you easily. You made fast friends with Phoenix, despite her initial jab at Rooster. Hangman was less friendly, but with Bradley’s arm around your shoulders and Phoenix at your side, you felt bold enough to fire off some decent comebacks.

“Don’t let him get to you, big guy, he’s just jealous,” you murmured to Bradley when Hangman moved away.

“Of course he is,” Phoenix chimed in, leaning around you to look at Bradley. “You got yourself a keeper here, Rooster. Bagman wishes he could get someone like her.”

“You are pretty great, little lady,” Bradley said, only to you. “I’m thinking I might move to the piano if you want to come with me.”

“Sounds fun.”

Even if the only reward you got for saying yes was that bright, beaming smile, it would have been worth it. The disappointed groans when he unplugged the jukebox weren’t even enough to distract you from the way he lit up the room as he tugged you over to the piano bench. Unlike the first time you had joined him at the piano, he sat you in his lap rather than beside him.

You were realizing he must’ve done this regularly when he was stationed closer, based on the crowd starting to gather around you after the cheers of “overboard” died down, replaced with cheers of your boyfriend’s callsign.

He started on his signature song, one he’d told you was his dad’s favorite. You let him have the first verse to himself, joining in at “Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!”

Bradley grinned at you, and you felt like you were the only one in the room. Certainly to each other, you were the only ones that mattered. You tilted your head against him as you sang along.

When you reached “kiss me, baby,” you twisted to kiss the corner of his mouth, to the cheers of the other Navy pilots. You both kept singing gleefully, though he ducked his head to kiss your shoulder briefly.

You may not have been sure what the next weeks would hold, but you did know that with Bradley Bradshaw by your side, you could do anything.

The fourth time, you were unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight by catching a foam football. You had been sitting in the sand, reading a paper for work, when it landed in your lap. Looking up, you saw several overeager aviators charging toward you. 

What were you supposed to do? You did what any sensible person would do and scrambled to your feet, weaving around them to where Bradley was beckoning you as he ran toward you.

“Over here!”

Your evasion got the aviators to trip over each other, allowing you to escape. Bradley came up alongside you, encouraging you in the right direction while Phoenix tackled Fanboy to let you keep going. You made it to their unofficial goal to score, and were swept up immediately into a triumphant group hug.

“What was that?” you laughed the question to Bradley, who was packed close to you in the group.

“Dogfight football.”

“I hope you know how little that clears it up.”

You were pulled into more of the game after that, a perfunctory explanation of the rules doing little to clear up your confusion. Fortunately, you were out of the spotlight quickly. You didn’t score again, but you did get knocked down running interference for Bob’s game-winning touchdown. Hangman offered a hand to pull you to your feet, patting you on the shoulder with a kinder grin than you had seen from him before. 

You grinned back, happy that they weren’t all antagonizing each other anymore. You had heard about the day he struck too low, and you weren’t about to give him a pass for it. However, you were also aware of the level of danger they woulld be facing, if only because of Bradley’s refusal to tell you anything. They would need to have each other’s backs in the air.

The fifth time you were pulled into the spotlight by Bradley Bradshaw, you didn’t even care. You got his call when the ship was almost back to port and all you could feel was relief. You couldn’t meet him there due to your work, but you did manage to intercept him just as he arrived at the Hard Deck to celebrate with all of them.

Bradley caught you in his arms when you launched yourself at him, burying his face in your hair. Neither of you mentioned how both of your arms trembled from how tightly you held each other. You tucked your face into the crook of his neck to inhale the smell of him, reassuring yourself that he was really there.

When he pulled back to kiss you, you met his lips eagerly. The close press of his body against you slowly filled in the hollow that had grown when he left. You broke the kiss only when your lungs begged for air, but you kept your forehead pressed to his.

After another kiss, albeit a brief one, he nodded toward the door of the bar. “Can I buy you a drink, little lady?”

You laughed, the first laugh since he’d gone. You laughed yourself to tears, and once you started, you couldn’t stop. Neither could he. So the two of you stayed there a minute longer, leaning into each other as you got your giggling under control.

“Well, we probably shouldn’t deprive them of one of the guests of honor,” you said, wiping the last of the tears away as your laughter calmed.

“They’ll survive,” he bargained, tilting your head up to allow him to steal another kiss. And another.

You hummed into the last one, then pulled back a little farther with a grin on your face. “There’s plenty of time for that later, Lieutenant.” Your grin turned a little softer as you continued, “For now, you all deserve to celebrate together.”

“Always so smart.”

“I knew you kept me around for a reason.”

He barked a short laugh as you set off toward the bar. Bradley caught up to you quickly, and you settled your arms around each other before pulling the door open.

The cheer that went up as you entered didn’t faze you. No, nothing could from your position under his arm. You hardly noticed all the people reaching out to give him a congratulatory pat on the shoulder or back for his success in the mission. Both of you made it to the rest of the Dagger squad, who were monopolizing the pool table. Even there, Bradley was getting quite a bit of praise, which was turning him a little bashful.

“Rooster.” You recognized the change in his face at the familiar voice.

“Hangman.”

You didn’t know much about what had happened up there, but you did know that Jake was the reason Bradley came home. You slipped out from under Bradley’s arm to catch Jake in a hug before he could move away. He hesitated for a moment, but his arms found their way around you.

“Thank you.” Your voice was rough on the quiet words. He squeezed you just a little tighter before letting you go. He offered a nod in response, and you got the sense that he was holding back a flashy comment, but he held it in as he left to get something to drink.

You retreated back to Bradley, who pressed a kiss to your head as you leaned into his side.

“He’s growing up, isn’t he?” You shook your head fondly, proud that Jake had read the room well enough to not make a snarky comment just yet.

“I dunno that I’d go that far,” Bradley chuckled, “but it’s about time.”

The time you turned it around on Bradley, pulling him into the center of attention for a change, you were nervous. 

It was his birthday and you wanted it to be perfect. You had been practicing for weeks, thanks to Penny letting you come in to the Hard Deck for the piano before the bar opened. You just hoped that your hands wouldn’t freeze up on the keys.

The shared plan was for you to meet him at the Hard Deck along with the rest of the Dagger squad. The real plan was a little different. As far as Bradley knew, you were still supposed to be half an hour from arriving. Phoenix had been key in making sure he avoided where you sat in the corner, hiding in plain sight.

Your fingers drummed a nervous beat on your leg. At this point, you weren’t sure what you were waiting for. Everyone was here, and it wouldn’t be too long before the bar got busy. 

Deciding that you were just stalling, you pushed yourself up. You kept an eye on the group of naval aviators as you crept quietly to the jukebox. Taking a breath, you pulled the plug, cutting the music.

You moved over to the piano quickly as everyone’s heads swiveled you find the one and only Bradley Bradshaw. His confused expression would’ve made you laugh if you hadn’t been trying hard to keep him from finding you just yet. As it was, you sat on the bench, willing your throat to not dry. Payback had promised you he would film Bradley’s initial reaction, since you couldn’t see it from the piano, but you had to start playing. 

Before the silence stretched too long, you did just that.

“You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain,” you started, encouraged when you heard his bright laughter coming closer to you. “Too much love drives a man insane. You broke my will, oh what a thrill. Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!”

Bradley slid onto the bench next to you, his voice joining yours after he kissed your cheek. The other pilots came over too, surrounding the piano, but you only seemed to notice the one pressed against your side. His voice was the loudest to cheer when you got all the runs in the interlude and again when you hit the last chords.

“Happy birthday, Roose,” you said in his ear when he pulled you into a hug.

“I really love you,” was his immediate reply.

“I love you too.” You paused to lift your hand from the keys. “And look, I’m not even shaking!”

He laughed brightly, slipping his fingers between yours so he could lift your hand to his lips.

“You’re gonna have to marry this one, man,” Payback said as he passed you on the way back to the pool table.

“Oh, I plan to.”

#bradley bradshaw x reader #bradley bradshaw #bradley rooster bradshaw x reader #bradley rooster bradshaw #rooster x reader #rooster #top gun #top gun maverick

[elvenbeard]

10!

10 - Write about your ship helping each other get ready for the day in the morning. Thanks so much for asking!!! 💜 Aaahhh I love this one, literally made art of them getting ready in the morning together before :DD So this is loosely based on this, or rather, a continuation of it on another morning :D

Morning Routine

“C’mon, time to get up,” V said quietly, fingers trailing down Kerry’s spine. Kerry buried his face in the pillow again.

“Just 5 more minutes,” he muttered, the hangover of the previous night heavy in his skull and bones.

“You said that five minutes ago,” V chuckled.

“Mhhh, highly doubt it’s been five minutes.”

Without any warning Kerry received a well-placed smack on his naked ass. He gasped, in surprise more than in pain, even though his skin tingled and felt hot after a couple of seconds. He sat up only just enough to be able to see V’s face, sporting a big shit-eating grin.

“Hey… that’s my fuckin’ job!” he said with played offense after the initial shock had worn off. He tried to get V back, but he was too slow. V had already rolled out of bed and stood in the middle of his apartment now, the morning sun engulfing him in all his naked glory.

“Catch me… if you can,” he lilted to the tune of “Off the Leash”, and before Kerry could do or say anything, V wandered off towards the bathroom, a little swing in his step.

“Fuck,” was all that Kerry managed to whisper, frozen and staring into the empty apartment living room. His head and chest were flooded by too many emotions all at once, he struggled to cope. A few weeks ago, he hadn’t been sure if he was still capable of ever feeling anything at all anymore. And now…

The shower started running, and Kerry could hear V still quietly humming, a tease and an invitation all the same. One he neither wanted to nor would resist any longer.

“Mind if I borrow your eyeliner again?” he asked as they stood in front of the small sink together shortly after, and V grinned as he ran his fingers through his hair to bring it into its usual bold shape.

“Sure, make yourself at home,” he smiled, voice and eyes gentle.

Kerry reached over to where he knew V kept the thin black pencil. It probably cost a mere fraction of the one he had back at his house – brand deal gift, not even something he’d bought himself. But it created the same results and was a little less scratchy even. Or maybe he only imagined it because it was V’s.

Lately, even though he’d been trying to fight the feeling, everything to do with V made his world a little brighter again. Every little thing he did or said, how he touched him, looked at him, even now as their eyes met in the mirror – it scared the shit out of Kerry. How well they clicked and could exist side-by-side in this crammed little bathroom, just as an example, without getting in the other’s way, taking up too much space, after having known the other for less than a month. Their movements matched perfectly, flowing into each other, V’s hand on his waist as he shuffled past him to grab a towel, how he instinctively moved back when Kerry reached for something on the other side of the countertop without having to stop what he was doing.

It scared Kerry how much he liked V, how large of a part of his life he’d become already. Especially because they both knew that it might as well end very suddenly and without a proper chance to say goodbye.

“What are you thinkin’ about?” V asked, as if he knew Kerry’s thoughts were spiraling.

“Nothin’ in particular,” Kerry lied and put the pencil back down, “No, not true, actually… Wonderin’ how you survived here this long without a decent coffeeshop close by.”

V chuckled.

“No, really, a whole fuckin’ Megabuilding, and no Caliente’s?”

“Maybe the license was too expensive for the poor, poor administration,” V shrugged and took a step back as he put a decent amount of hairspray on his head. Kerry leaned back against the sink.

“Maybe it’s just to wear ya down even more,” he said, “Y’know, make you complacent to just keep payin’ your over-priced rent like a good citizen.”

V snickered and put the can of hairspray back down and checked himself out in the mirror once more. Then he leaned onto the sink as well and looked at Kerry.

“It’s not so bad,” he said, but Kerry shook his head.

“Ah, tryin’ to convince yourself, huh? That won’t work,” he laughed. As he tried to pass him by, V held him back briefly by the wrist and pulled him closer, in the most literal way Kerry had ever experienced it stealing a little kiss from him.

“I can be very convincing,” V said, voice low.

“I know,” Kerry replied with a wink and trailed off towards the couch where he’d left his clothes the previous night. He began to put on his pants and looked out of the window.

“That one over there,” he said, nodding to the penthouse visible across the street, “That one’s ‘not so bad’.”

V stepped closer and followed Kerry’s gaze.

“Yeah,” he said, “And also way outta my price range at the moment.”

“At the moment,” Kerry nodded, slipped into his shoes, then grabbed his t-shirt, “Y’know… I got some contacts in real estate. Could get you a good deal, possibly. Or, dunno. Throw in a couple bucks myself if you wanted to... in exchange for occasional visiting rights or somethin’…”

V smiled, but didn’t respond for a moment, and Kerry feared he’d taken it too far, too soon.

“Or, y’know… Dunno, forget it.”

V still didn’t say anything, and Kerry realized now that it wasn’t because of him.

“Oh… tell me, what’s he got to say?”

“You don’t wanna know,” V shook his head and walked over to his closet, pulling out a dark pair of jeans and a purple button-up shirt, proceeding to put on the pants first and the shirt only loosely.

“Oh, now that’s cruel!” Kerry complained, “Say it! I can take it.”

V sighed, looked for some shoes, then slowly back at Kerry.

“Johnny thinks I’m so lucky that I managed to wrap such a generous sugar daddy ‘round my finger,” he said quietly, “And that I should take your offer.”

“Wow…” Kerry was admittedly taken aback for a moment. Johnny still knew just how to push his buttons to rile him up, hurt him. But even more so, that after 50 years of not having to deal with this kind of bullshit that was more hot air than anything, it still worked so well.

“Sorry, I… shouldn’t’ve,” V muttered and began to button up his shirt. Kerry closed the small distance between them, placed his hands on V’s, to stop him first, then continued where he’d left off.

“Can he hear me now?” he asked, and V nodded slowly, watching Kerry’s hands move along the row of buttons. Kerry leaned in closely, could feel V’s heart beat fast against his fingertips as his hands travelled along his chest. His mouth right at V’s ear he whispered: “Jealous, Silverhand?”

V shivered, then giggled and kissed Kerry’s cheek.

“Think that’s gonna shut him up for a while,” V said, and Kerry hoped he was right. He enjoyed their mornings together too much, he wouldn’t let Johnny taint them, no matter how much of a right he had to be frustrated about this whole situation.

“C’mon, let’s go,” Kerry said and took V’s hand, “Gonna treat ya to the best breakfast menu in all of NC.”

“Oh, I’m so lucky indeed,” V mused and squeezed Kerry’s hand tightly as they quickly exited his apartment and rushed to the elevator in the hopes to make it unseen once more.

#cyberpunk 2077 #cp2077 #cyberpunk fanfiction #cyberpunk 2077 fanfiction #kerry eurodyne x v #kerry eurodyne #cyberpunk v #male v cyberpunk #cyberpunk kerry #otp: to bad decisions #vincent ezaki #my writing #chevvy-yates #answered asks

[intimidating-fettuccine]

hi omg its my first time requesting so i really hope this doesnt get eaten by tumblr 😭😭

may i pls request a scenario of gn reader confessing to toby that they like him, but hes secretly been having a crush on reader for a few months as well? and if u need a bit more detail then maybe it cld be a point in time where reader and toby have just been.... rlly rlly close recently and kinda dropping hints but neither rlly did anything serious at that point. until reader. HEHEHE AND THATS WHAT THE SCENARIO WLD BE ?? :DD

but if not then just hcs work too :p thank u so much! pls take care of urself!

It didn't get eaten, yay! I did end up going with headcanons, mostly just because I don't have scenario energy, but I hope you enjoy :)

It was so, so incredibly painful for everyone involved except for the two of you. Everyone in the mansion at this point knew that the two of you had a crush on each other, but time after time, neither of you could pick up on the fact that the other person returned your feelings. They were starting to believe that if someone told you straight to your faces that you were in love with each other that you'd probably just get embarrassed and say that there's no way that's the case, even though it absolutely is the case. 

You'd both been so obvious to each other, and yet, the two of you remained the most oblivious people in the world. You'd snuggle up to each other constantly, trying to be subtle and claim you were just cold, or you'd get a gift for each other and claim it was for your favorite person in the world, although the other would always assume you meant it platonically. Any attempt at getting flowers was also viewed platonically. It got to the point that when Toby decided to get you chocolates as a big hint on Valentine's Day that you still assumed he was getting you them as a friend, much to the chagrin of both Toby and the entire rest of the mansion that had to witness that mess. It got to the point that the other residents had to start directly encouraging you and telling you to just be extremely blunt and confess your feelings to Toby, and even though you were still hesitant about being so straightforward, you finally gave in and decided to do so. 

You had spent so long mulling over what to do and how to do it, but when it came down to the time that you finally confessed, it was much less smooth than you'd intended. The two of you had been sitting shoulder to shoulder again, eyes averted and faces warming from the mutual embarrassment and timidness between the two of you at neither of you being able to make a move. Finally, it would be you to break the ice. "You know... I really like you, right?" Were the words you'd finally said, and Toby, trying not to get his hopes up, said that of course he knew that, you were best friends, after all, and in your moment of courage to not give in, sighed and turned to look at him pointedly. "No, Toby. I LIKE LIKE you." You'd put more force into it than you attended, but you were already pushing it and struggling to resist backing down, but it seemed the force was necessary because you could practically see the lightbulb turning on in Toby's head. "You- You?? You LIKE LIKE me?!" Was the only thing he could manage to say, leaving you nodding your head insistently, before tears started to bloom in the corners of his eyes, as he confessed that he 'like likes' you too. Toby finally drew you closer, wrapping you up in a big hug as the two of you squeezed each other, neither of you aware that the rest of the mansion had been listening in and were all finally sighing out in relief in the room next door because the two of you had finally realized it, thanks to your final confession. Neither of you minded the wait, though, after all, you both ended up together in the end, and that's what's important. Or at least that's what you told yourselves as you realized how oblivious you had been and how you could have started dating like a year ago, but that's not what matters here right now.

#creepypasta #creepypasta headcanons #creepypasta headcanon #creepypasta x reader #ticci toby #ticci toby headcanon #ticci toby headcanons #ticci toby x reader

[bijoumikhawal]

Bite the Hand that Starves You: Chapter Six

Fic as of this chapter contains: discussion of abortion, references to drug use, intersex and trans characters, torture/graphic violence, colonialism and its aftermath, implied sexual violence, disassociation

Kardasi: peikirvi- would translate to something like "concubine", specifically refers to an individual that socially presents as male, and was assigned such at birth, but can carry children (and often could impregnate someone else), who is legally bound to someone. Usually this is done with a pre-existing couple who has fertility issues.

---

Peikirvi don’t get grand celebrations when they’re added to someone’s family. Women, less commonly men, or more commonly… it didn’t matter.

It is Garak, Barkan, and Palandine. Almost like that night in the garden, many years ago- except now, there is a government official, looking quite bored, and her assistant.

Normally, their parents would be here too. Of course, Garak does not get that comfort. He wonders why they didn’t bring theirs.

The dark coral doesn’t look quite right on Garak’s skin. Palandine and Barkan both naturally look regal in reddened burnt orange. Orange, orange, orange- of course it's all orange. Blue is too improper, even when it's ostensibly the only reason he's here.

Palandine, as the existing spouse, has a structured cap over her hair, to symbolize that she won’t be jealous. Neither of them has been able to make eye contact since they both entered the room. These are the details Garak latches onto as, in turn, they each wash their hands and mouth. The ink of signatures is already drying.

The skimmer isn't outfitted the way it would be if this was a grand celebration either, of course, and there is no procession, no well wishers. It wasn’t that Garak expected any- had ever expected any. He stopped considering the idea that he would have a legally recognized partner after he left Bamarren.

Palandine is sent off so he and Barkan are alone. Barkan stands behind him, stroking his neck ridges.

“How is your leg these days? Your spine?”

“Healed.”

“A pity, what happened during the competition…” Barkan sighed. “I suppose I never explained myself to you.”

“I suppose you didn’t.”

“Shh- this is meant to be a happy occasion. I shouldn't have mentioned it.”

Garak let his shoulder relax under Barkan’s touch instead of pushing himself to resist. “How would you explain yourself?”

“You know how brutal social politics can be, Elim. You were only in your first year… and frankly, you didn't have a strong standing among your peers. If I had awarded you, I realized, it would put a target on your back.” Barkan’s fingers slipped into his mijast, undoing the fastenings. “You would be the one to beat, into submission. It was improper of me to seek out your knowledge in the first place. Hearing how badly you were injured made me realize why.”

“I thought that was an accident.” Barkan stayed behind him, so Garak did not reciprocate the undressing.

“As far as I know, it was. But if that was how bad an accident could be, a purposeful attack…” he was at the lacing on Garak’s supportive garments now. “It was a miserable sight, seeing you use that cane for all those months.”

Garak’s hand curled, remembering the grip of the handle, how smooth it had worn by the end. “I see.”

“You don't.” Barkan’s hands slid over his stomach. “I…”

Garak turned in his arms. “You're still dressed.”

---

This time, Garak wasn't in a decrepit hall, or his shop, or on the promenade. This time, Garak was ill fated to be on a turbolift.

There were many times when he wished stairs were feasible on space stations.

When Barkan laid eyes on him, he turned to his aide, and gestured for them to go off and do who knows what. The doors closed behind him like red curtains.

"How lucky I've become." Barkan mused, voice like a whetstone.

"How unpatriotic." Garak replied. A good Cardassian did not believe in fickle luck- fate was another matter.

Barkan laughed, but didn't go for the obvious barb. He went for a worse one. "That doctor of yours... he's quite young, isn't he? A little younger than you were, when you joined my household."

"I hadn't noticed." Garak said dryly. He was lying, of course, but Barkan didn't know that. It had, once or twice, prickled at him, like straight pins shoved under scales, Julian's youth, and the things that came with it- naivete, exuberance.

It sometimes made him angry. Made Garak want to grab him by the collar and shake him.

"Really?"

"Yes." Garak resisted the urge to elaborate- to say something about Bashir's competence as not just a doctor, but CMO, member of the station senior staff. To further slide in that he was not only a doctor, but a soldier.

Barkan wanted him to talk.

"Strange." Barkan murmured. "You're usually so observant. I suppose you pay more attention to clothes than people these days."

Garak stared at him blankly. Well, not blankly- simply with what, to him, felt like a neutral expression. It tended to make him look a bit sullen.

Barkan tilted his head, smiling. "Well, when you do that, you like you did when we met."

Palandine's advice of smiling as a way of being powerful did not work on this man. Garak’s smile would be evidence of his power. His sullenness would be too, but it was more unpleasant for Barkan.

He hoped it prodded at his wounds, whispered in his ear how did you think this was your caged darling? How blinded by your desires were you not to see the teeth in his maw, the claws at the bend of the wing?

The compartment came to a stop, and the doors opened. Garak left without a word.

Barkan let him.

---

Julian was in line at the Klingon restaurant, trying not to think about work, when he of course ran into his only superior. “Captain.” Julian greeted him with a smile. “I don't usually see you eat out.”

Sisko tipped his head to the side. “Kaga has been pleading with me to try his cooking, on the house, ever since we tied as finalists in a station competition. I gave him a heads up that I'd be taking him up on that offer today- I'm hoping it'll help me relax after all these meetings with Dukat.”

Julian sighed. Dukat and his crew would, thankfully, be leaving in two days. “Speaking of… sir, I have a request.”

It was then that Kaga came to greet his guest. “Captain Sisko! You did not tell me you had a guest!” He clapped a hand on each of their shoulders. “But he will be a great help to you in eating everything I've prepared! Doctor, where have you been hiding?”

Julian opened his mouth to explain that actually, they were both on their own, but a squeeze on his arm from Sisko made him think better of it. “I've just been…” he sighed, “Very busy.”

“Too busy to eat! Pah. You must learn to delegate.” Kaga escorted them to a corner that had been done up nicely, and already was set up with several dishes giving off fragrant steam. They were indeed, more than enough for one person… potentially three. “Sit, sit and eat. Later I will come and entertain you personally, and if T'ustolla does not treat you well in the meantime, he will go in tomorrow's special!”

“That must be the new assistant.” Julian said as Kaga left.

“Hopefully he's a match for Kaga.” Sisko said with a smile. “You had a request of me?” He said, taking the first dish.

“Yes.” Julian looked down at the table. “I understand if you think it's a bad time, sir, but I was hoping to take some leave.”

“Of course. What makes you think it's a bad time?” Sisko asked as he looked around for utensils.

“You eat these with your hands sir, it's like Ethiopian food- well. Recently, we had first contact with the main political power of the Delta quadrant, and it was hostile, possibly irreconcilably so. There's the usual tension with Bajor, increased tension with Cardassia, kunowaat is still going around even if it’s petering out with no new infections, and most likely something I'm forgetting at the moment.”

“To you that sounds like I shouldn't give you leave. To me that sounds like the last chance you may get in awhile, doctor.”

“Oh, don't jinx me.” Julian sighed. “I see your point, though. It'll be a moment before things get worse, and when they do…”

Sisko patted his hand. “Just wait until you've got a decade of service under your belt. Now, is there anything else you wanted from me?”

“No, sir.”

“Then take Kaga's advice and eat.”

---

The rest of their dinner conversation had been light. They'd said their goodbyes to each other, and now Julian was walking. Walking and thinking- found himself thinking about his own... relationship to the idea of children.

One of the things he and Palis understood was that Julian was never having children. She'd been fine with that- understood some of it, even, having a fraught relationship with her own parents that they'd mended after years of effort.

No one knew that a lot of it was for the sane reason as Garak- it simply would be cruel for him to have children. It'd brand them as accomplices, and Julian would rather not repeat his parents mistakes.

He stopped in front of Garak’s quarters.

Naturally, he was here to check in on his friend, as a friend, not as a doctor.

After a moment of thought, Julian buzzed the door. It seemed Garak took a moment to think as well, since the door opened just as Julian was about to press the door buzzer again.

Garak had on his normal clothes this time.

It seemed Garak was in the midst of sewing something, fabric stretched out on the table before him. Fragrant steam floated up from a mug of tea kept in arm's reach.

"New clothes for yourself?" Julian guessed.

"Mm." Garak put down the cutting tool he was using.

"It looks nice." Julian offered.

"Why are you here?"

Julian’s brow knitted in confusion. "I'm checking in on you. I thought you might want to talk again."

"Did you." Garak passive aggressively folded a length of fabric- it made Julian tense, reminding him of his mother.

Julian set his jaw, cautious. "Yes, Garak, I did."

Garak didn't look at him as he kept talking, instead putting the fabric on a shelf under the table. "Well, doctor, I don't. I don't wish to acknowledge whats happened at all- you should know that by now." He hadn't looked at Julian the while time, and he was putting on a a patronizing air, but-

But it was normal, really. Julian breathed. "Alright." If Garak didn't want to talk, that was fine. And he wasn't lying, or at least his lies were consistent- last time, he'd just asked about the pudding. "I still-"

"Came for something else."

"To be... here, yes." Julian felt off balance, but held his ground. Garak had called him last time, and yes, they'd had a misunderstanding, but. Ultimately, Garak had been soothed by him.

Julian wanted to soothe him.

"Why?" Garak asked again. "Just being here is hardly a reason. There's nothing here. I'm in no state to host, and you know this."

Julian stared at him. "I'm not asking you to host me. You don't need to-"

Garak laughed, getting up and walking to the window. "Well, thank you for your clemency. Your permission."

Everything he said was going to be taken badly, wasn't it? Julian sighed- he hadn't figured out how to respond to Garak when he was upset like this yet. "I didn't mean it that way."

"No, I suppose it simply doesn't matter to you." Garak remarked. "That imposing might be inconvenient for others."

He was doing bullshit again, it seemed. Julian bit his cheek, thinking.

Garak had his back to him. "Well? Have anything to say for yourself?"

"Garak... must we do this?"

Garak was still- his shoulders did not twitch, and if his face changed, it was hidden. Unlike last time, and the time before, he had solid control on himself. "Dodging, doctor?"

"You aren't upset that I'm imposing and you aren't in a state to receive guests."

"How do you know? How do you know anything at all?"

"You never cared about it before." Julian pointed out. Admittedly, Garak had only invited him over once or twice before- before this, and the wire. But he hadn't cared then. There'd been the clutter of life around then, and it wasn't that anything special was prepared. They had drinks from the replicator and draped themselves over the too-hard chairs.

"Perhaps I've realized I've been improper and wish to change."

Julian raised his brows, thinking back on their interrupted lunch. "Improper?"

"Classless. Whichever word you like."

Julian frowned. "That's not it either."

That made Garak snap and turn to him. "Then perhaps it's this, doctor: I want you to leave, and wanted to-"

"Be polite about it?" Julian couldn't help himself. The second part was so ridiculous- nothing about Garak’s attempts had been polite. His tone conveyed all that disbelief exactly.

Garak’s face was set and cold. "So clever. So... quick."

This had been a mistake. Or had it? Julian still didn't know why Garak was acting like this, and didn't buy that him coming by had incited it. Mistake implied he could've avoided it.

In any case, he was at a loss for what to do. "Garak..." He tried again, and it hung in the air, lonely and ineffective.

"Good night, doctor." Garak turned away from him again.

Julian reached for him for a second, then, remembering, took his hand back. He nodded to himself and left.

He walked a few yards of corridor before the overwhelming need to stop came over him. He leaned against the wall, pressed a hand to his forehead and willed his heart rate to go down.

CMO of a station fresh out of the academy. Impressive, and an easy way into an early grave- exactly what he'd wanted. But two years was a little fast.

He really needed that break away, didn't he?

#Fic: Bite the Hand that Starves You #Ds9 #Garashir #Ds9 fic #Star trek fic

[hmshermitcraft]

It is safe to say that Pearl is one of the most devote followers of Jean the god and mother of all dragons. Its even more surprising when you realize that Pearl herself is 0% dragon. No dragon blood in these veins.

So when Jean herself called upon Pearl for a quest she was estatic. She a lowley non dragconic mortal would be sent on a quest for her goddess. When Pearl heard the quest she was inraged.

A elf women was claiming to be the true mother of dragons! That was not true! Jean was the mother of all dragons not some elf! The Saint Pearl granted Pearl power of the sun and moon to assist in the defeat of this elf. Then Pearl was off to a small cliffside town to find this elf.

The town was abandoned from what Pearl saw until she saw them. It was a tall elf women with fire red hair and swamp green eyes. And then she saw the rest of her. Dragon wings and horns. A half breed.

Pearl was used to half breeds of dragons at the chruch she lived at but this felt even more insulting. This was a dauthger of Jean and she went against her mother and claimed to be the true mother of dragons. There was a problem in Pearls mind though. This women was kinda cute. No Pearl keep any sinful thoughts of loving this pest!

So then Pearl charged and the women fought back hard. Dragons fire never was easy for Pearl to resist but she pulled through and slamed the dragon women to the dirt and raised her sword to slice that cute face off oh she would love it between her legs - Dammit Pearl just kill the bitch!

But before she could she was stopped by a blast of air and into a small building. She looked up to see a women in a obsidin black cloak clapping. It was Jean.

Jean just laughed as Pearl stood there confused untill the god of dragons explained. This was Gem and she made a deal with Jean to get a wife. Pearl was the wife. Though Jean knew Pearl wouldnt just marry Gem so she made them fight with their temporay gifts.

Then Jean flicked her hand and Gem shrank with the dragon part vanishing. Jean made Gem part dragon for a bit.

Pearl looked at Gem and the first thing said was.

"Your a lot shorter"

Neither of them are entirely sure what to do with each other after their first meeting. It's one thing to be set up like this, it's another to be set up by her god. Gem also seems a little nervous, twirling a strand of her hair between her fingers.

The comment about height quickly gets them both talking, though, and soon they end in deep discussion until the sun is setting over the horizon. Gem has always been lonely. She worshipped in quiet ways, caring for a nest of dragon eggs. But, without anybody with her, it was hard to believe someone cared. All this work, and for what?

She was close to giving up on her faith when Jean appeared. The eggs were well cared for (Gem would never let anything happen to them, unbelieving or not.) And, Jean offers what Gem's always wanted: somebody to stand alongside her. To care for her, as Gem cares for the eggs. Gem didn't realise that meant marriage - if Pearl isn't cool with that then that's okay - but... It would be nice to have someone else around.

Pearl can't deny Gem is cute, and after hearing her story, she wants to stay more than anything. The chance to care for actual dragons, too! Gem shows her the nest, tucked away in one of the abandoned buildings. Gem smiles at them, admitting she wasn't sure if she'd be able to give them the care they needed alone.

Pearl takes her hand and tells her she won't have to.

#hermitshipping #ask #pearl tag #gem tag #pearlgem #mod 🎀 #weekly theme: small town with a secret

[muzzleroars]

Hi!, now i would like to know how Gabriel reacts to the revived half angelic V1, did he expected his light to work or did he just do it out of pure desperation and without plan?

How would V1 itself react?, some questions ago you said it was in fact scared of death.

(Also, Gabriel doesn't have a soul after falling?, or i understood the giving his light to V1 wrong?)

I hope you have a nice day/night!.

(see this!)

gabriel has no way of knowing if his idea will work, and he knows very well he isn't welcome in heaven besides - he could be killed before he's even able to enact his plan, especially as he must carry and protect v1's body the entire time. just reaching the gates on his own is no small feat, to cross the waters to mount purgatory and scale its impossible height, to vault over the river lethe with a burden that feels so much heavier than it should. and this is the easy part, the part he knows and meets no resistance in except from the environment itself. but when he breaks down the gates, when he carries his sword in one hand and draws up all the hell energy he can to himself, he knows he's putting everything he has into a plan that could fail...a plan that in fact may be likely to fail. but he has nothing else. he will burn himself out, he will finally feel how heaven itself scorns him and he will die by its hands, if only it gives him the chance to try.

initially, of course, gabriel can only be thrilled when the light takes, though the success isn't instant or obvious. quiet months go by where only a soft little thrum in v1's chassis keeps gabriel's hope alive, no further evidence of his plan working or any revival being imminent. something is in there, but fear that he's given it only stasis creeps in and once again leaves gabriel perpetually covered in a bloom of ice. yet that light is weaving into v1's machinery, it is slowly converting into divine math and taking up residence in the crystals that once made its mind. from living flame to living photons, the two come to understand each other and finally fuse into one, v1 coming back online with a boot sequence utterly incomprehensible to any other machine or angel. the instant is unspeakable in emotion, gabriel stricken still hearing the true whir of life that he had strained to pick up every second of every day since he had succeeded...yet it entirely fades into static when v1's optical lights up. and it moves. the moment exists in a dream-like haze, so ephemeral that he's consumed with an irrational fear that any movement, any utterance from him would collapse the reality in front of him. but v1 is looking at him. it's looking at him for the first time in years. years since it never woke up. years since he sat quietly alone in that bed for days. years since he washed up on the shores of purgatory and a blur takes over. to here, to now. looking at each other. frost closes in on his vision, tunneling into that brilliant blue light until he hears his name break through the roar in his ears.

his name in that funny little synthetic voice.

what can he do but be taken in by rapture, by fantastic ecstasy that flashes dim colors of blue and gold through his shattered, skeletal wings? it remembers him, it embraces him when he comes to it and his body all but collapses as unearthly sobs wrack through it...yet his tears flow freely against v1's warmth. neither of them want to let go, and they're likely held fast for the entire day for fear that this could disappear in an instant despite how hard won it was. but even in that euphoria adjustments need to be made, with v1's new life state quickly commanding both of their attention...as well as the ramifications of a reviving a machine that has died. for gabriel, nothing can dull the absolute wonder of having v1 back, nothing can keep a soft warmth from filling his chest that has been so empty and so cold for so long. v1 is different, and it has a period where it must relearn some things - there are painful, heart-skipping reminders of when its mind was failing, with sudden clumsiness or unexpected shut downs, but it always recovers quickly (though gabriel is a bit fussy in the beginning). otherwise...it's odd to see v1 imbued with the divine, to literally have what he lost centuries ago. it makes him strangely nostalgic, not jealous or regretful in the face of v1's newfound angelic nature, but finding himself lost in wistful memories of the time that was him. he tries not to be too precious about it, but in the beginning it can sometimes be overwhelming, finding himself with unexpected tears. it catches him off-guard when v1 seems to know exactly what it is that causes them before he even does himself - it was never good with emotions, and before v1 would have been bewildered. but not now, not when it feels the emotions of others so fully especially in joy or sadness - those were always gabriel's specialty.

v1 is an uncharted world to itself, its revival an explosion like the start of a new universe. its quantum mind had been scattered across space, impressions left echoing all around it - long and dark and like dreams and nightmares, a consciousness without cohesion. it had no senses, yet it was acted upon and it moved, moved through as a lifeless being webbed between particles that run and run from each other. it was something else, something unthinking yet still somewhere...until they were called home, drawn in and collected by the light put into it. the light rewrote it, yet it bent to it - it rapidly repaired the code within it, it inhabited long silent processors and lit them up once more, careful not burn up its memories, its whole life (though damage is done). but it cannot be fully machine as v1 cannot be fully divine, the two blending together in sometimes imperfect ways. the code doesn't always work, doesn't always make sense, and there are times v1 feels alien to itself, its computer mind flooded with divine information and instinct that it analyzes and disseminates into every part of itself. it's left too with broken, non-memories of the years it lied dead, visions both its computer and angelic mind try to understand and yet achieve nothing with. truly, v1's now become an entity with unknowable expanse that it must reckon with - to experience the death of the machine and return from it, to house the most advanced mind created by humanity and now to contain within those processors light of the most primal fount. it's. overloaded to say the least...yet, it would rather be here now, like this, than gone as it was, gabriel alone as he was. it's burdened, but v1 has always been a being of adaptability and it's never bitter about its resurrection - in fact, it likes hearing gabriel tell the story of how he did it (and he enjoys it too, seeing v1's new wings light up in golds and pinks)

(as far as gabe's soul goes, i consider it to be linked to his light and therefor mostly torn from him when that was stolen. he does retain threads of it despite heaven claiming fallen angels are entirely soulless, though it wouldn't be enough for him to return in any form if he were to die now. v1 therefor now houses the majority of his lost soul, but it has been completely given over to it so that it can live. however, because of who it once was and v1's own love, it still very much has an affinity for gabriel :])

#this is so long and it was even LONGER before i cut like. 3 paragraphs #im just. very emotional about them alright!!! #but yea in short it's a massive adjustment for both of them #and it can prove difficult but neither of them regret it in the slightest #once again gabriel is amazed at v1's level of 'fuck it we ball' lol #cake answers #v1 #fallen gabriel #should this v1 have a tag too !?

[dracolichbitch]

"Why did you do that?" for the prompts perhaps? 👀

Ok so this is insanely long so most of it is going to be under a readmore because i'm not totally evil but because i'm a bastard the majority of it is exposition leading up to the prompt LMAO

Anyway here's Dirge my Banite tav and Urami my dragonborn durge from my dead three evil polycule au

There is something that everyone, from wizards to knaves knew, or at least found out before the untimely ends of their lives, and that is if one is unable to perceive danger, even in the darkest moments of night in their sleep, then they will not survive for long. Maybe it was the chill in her tent being driven away by his mere presence that woke her. Maybe it was the rustling of the tent flap. Or maybe it was something less tangible, more metaphysical. His killing intent directed at her. Whatever it was, it caused her to stir and force her aching eyes open despite the burning behind her lids.

What she saw would’ve chilled anyone else to the bone.

The first thing she could pick out was his glowing crimson eyes in the darkness. Two piercing daggers of baleful rage staring directly at her. Next were the scarlet scales marking his body, arcing across his chest like lightning, iridescent and illuminated by the force of his Urge against the rest of his black scales, as she quickly learned was always the case when he had all but lost control. And then her eyes adjusted to the dark, and focused in on the more minute details. The dagger firmly grasped in his hand. The tension in his shoulders. His uneven breathing. Most importantly, how he stood stock still, as if frozen, in the opening of her tent.

Anyone else would’ve been terrified of the Dragonborn. But she knew him, and for most that would be even more reason to be frightened, but she wasn’t most people. Tadpole or not, she still drew off Aylin’s immortality.

Even if he were to strike her down, like he had many times before, she would simply come back.

That knowledge bolstered her courage as she slipped out of her bedroll and rose to her feet. She made sure to approach him slowly, as though not to startle him, even though she knew out of the two of them, she was the one who should be afraid. She took a step closer, and then another, and then she was chest to chest with him, nose to nose.

She reached up gently and placed her hands on his bare chest.

“Urami… It’s ok.” She whispered, both for his benefit, as well as to avoid the risk of waking the others. He hadn’t told them of his urges, and thus neither had she. Though she kept much of what she knew about him to herself thus far in an attempt to explain things slowly, she had quietly revealed she was well aware of his urges, and promised to help him deal with them.

If that meant taking his dagger into her chest herself then so be it.

He recoiled from her touch, staggering backwards out of the tent. All without a word.

It was only now that she’d come closer that she noticed what she couldn’t at a distance. His eyes were open but he wasn’t awake.

The fact that he’s able to resist the Urge to this degree even in his sleep is astonishing. She noted as she followed him out of her tent, less concerned for her own safety and more for his. The Urge has a nasty habit of redirecting his knife hand towards himself if he resists for too long. Having shared his bed for so long, she knew that better than anyone.

Urami didn’t look at her, and certainly didn’t say anything to her as he stalked away from her tent with renewed vigor in his step, and it only took a moments glance around to realize whose tent he was going for.

That bard that just showed up. Well, at least its not anyone important. Dirge noted as she was quick to cast a silence spell around the tent and the area around it. It wouldn’t do for the screams to alert anyone else in camp.

She watched Urami slip inside the tent, and waited.

She didn’t have to wait for long. She was well aware that when suppressed to this point, simply killing wasn’t enough to sate the Urge. Now, it wanted to play.

Alfira crawled out of her tent on her hands and knees, jaw working soundlessly as she tried to scream, tears pouring from her bright, glowing eyes. One hand clutched her abdomen as she struggled in futility to get away from Urami.

Urami who wasn’t far behind her. He slipped out of the tent in a single fluid motion, and Dirge knew that even without her silence spell, he wouldn’t have made a sound. He watched Alfira try to crawl away, try to struggle to her feet, but with a swift kick to her side, he rolled her onto her back instead before kneeling in the dirt beside her, his dagger at the ready.

As a necromancer, Dirge had done her fair share of dismantling bodies only to put them back together, but her skills with a blade couldn’t hold a candle to the sheer ease with which Urami wielded his and took Alfira apart. He moved with brutal, methodical precision that came from years of experience, and even if Dirge had a change of heart and wanted to help the poor girl, not even her skills could’ve saved her.

It was only when Alfira’s flailing and twitching ceased, and Urami relaxed, that she approached him. She knelt down in the blood and dirt of his murder and wrapped her arms around his chest, hugging him close. She rested her head against his back in the space between his shoulders and sighed softly at the heat pouring off him, driving the chill of the night from her bones.

It was over. It was done. There was nothing left to it now except to clean up the mess, and she was nothing if not good at manipulating dead bodies.

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

Rivers of blood deep enough to bathe in and a throne of skulls haunted his dreams, as well as the dark, lifeless eyes and pale corpse of Dirge, and as he began to stir, he feared his dreams had become reality as the first thing he noticed as he breached into the waking world was the thick, cloying scent of blood and fear. The second thing he noticed was the sticky wetness coating his hands and clinging to his bare skin. It was only when he forced his eyes open and saw the body before him that he felt the first heavenly scraps of relief.

It wasn’t her. It wasn’t Dirge. It was that tiefling bard whose name he never cared to remember. A deep shuddering sigh of relief escaped his chest.

He didn’t know what god to thank for this, so he’d settle for thanking all of them.

“Are you awake now?” Soft as fresh fallen snow, Dirge’s familiar voice whispered from behind him.

It was only now that he felt it. The tightness of her arms snaked tight around his chest. The warmth of her body pressed against his bare back. The gentle brush of her breath against his scales.

His heart twisted in his chest as he took it all in, as he silently basked in the feeling of her pressed against him. Fear and confusion afflicted him though, and there was only so much comfort he could take from the way she held him so close as his eyes lingered on the corpse in front of him.

What have I done? Does she know? Is she aware? She has to. There’s no way she doesn’t. So why is she holding me like this?

“I don’t… What is…” He struggled to give form to his thoughts and turn them into verbal words. He couldn’t tear his eyes from the body even as his mind repeated the same words over and over again.

Sheknowssheknowssheknows.

Dirge shushed him gently, and tightened her arms around him. Without warning, she ran her fingers down the center of his chest, right over his sternum in a gentle stroke.

Despite himself, he relaxed under her touch.

“It’s alright. Everything is alright.” She whispered against his skin, and if he didn’t know any better, he’d think that soft sensation he felt against his neck was her lips brushing the sensitive skin. “But if you’re awake now, lets get this cleaned up before the others awaken and see what has happened.”

Urami swallowed hard even as he nodded and turned his attention back to the corpse in front of him. Bits and pieces were strewn everywhere and the blood was soaking his pants from where he knelt by the body. Judging from how wet and sticky he felt all over, he assumed he’d gotten the gore all over him.

Slowly he rose to his feet, and it was only when he did so that she pulled away from him. The moment her arms left him, and she stepped away from his body, he felt a tingling coldness in her absence. His scales itched in protest of her touch disappearing, but he made no move to scratch them or alleviate the feeling in any way. Not when he didn’t fully understand it. Instead he turned to face her, only for her to come around him anyway to inspect the body.

Between the dying light of the fire in the center of the camp and the moonlight streaming from the sky, there was plenty of light for him to see by, but despite that, in the darkness of the night, her deep blue eyes appeared solid black.

It was only after a moment’s examination of the body that Dirge straightened up, and while he expected some manner of fear, or perhaps disgust to cross her face, she seemed entirely unbothered as she raised her arm, and her eyes glowed with an eldritch green light as she focused her magic.

Urami didn’t have to guess what she was doing. He knew enough about necromancy to gather that she was reanimating the body.

Sure enough, just as he suspected, the murdered tiefling picked herself up off the ground, rising to her feet as easily as if she’d just woken from a midday nap, and as if she were merely gathering up her belongings, the tiefling gathered up her internal organs in her arms before striding out of camp.

Urami watched her go with impassive eyes. He knew he should feel some sort of guilt for killing her, but inside he felt nothing. Nothing, save for relief. He was glad it was her, and not someone else. He resisted the urge to flicker his gaze to Dirge.

Yes, it could’ve been so much worse.

Dirge remained silent as they watched the tiefling leave camp, and it was only when she was out of eyesight that the glow left her eyes and she lowered her hand. Now, she turned to him.

“Now that that’s taken care of, let’s get you cleaned up. Even without the body, the others will probably still question the blood, and it’ll be for the best if you’re not covered in it.” She whispered before gesturing to the stream running alongside their camp.

Slowly, not trusting his voice just yet, he nodded to her words and followed her to the stream. He hesitated at the water’s edge for a moment, staring into the water painted inky black by the night’s darkness before slowly taking the first step into it. A shiver ran up his leg and through his spine at the icy cold water, but he forced himself to take another step, and then another until the water was waist deep. Slowly he turned, and was surprised to see that Dirge had followed him, though she appeared to handle the cold of the water far worse than he did, judging from the tremble in her shoulders.

Still, she didn’t let that stop her from wading out to meet him. She gazed up at him with an unreadable expression once she stood in front of him, and while he couldn’t pick out what she might be feeling from her furrowed brow and strange softness in her dark eyes, he got the sense that whatever it might be, it wasn’t fear.

He couldn’t help how he stared down at her face, taking note of every curve of her face, every stray freckle dotting her temple, one along her jaw, two side by side on her left cheekbone. He committed every detail to memory as if it would be the last time he saw her.

Silently, she began to wash the blood from his body. First the splatters across his chest.

Uncertain as to what to do with his hands while she cleaned him, they ended up resting on her hips. The tips of his claws dented the soft surface of her skin, but he was careful not to press further and draw blood. The very thought of her blood adorning his hands sent a jolt of revulsion through him, a notion the Urge seemed to reject as well.

“Why’re you doing this?” He finally found his voice just as her hands reached up and cradled his face between them, being mindful of the jagged spikes lining his jaws.

“Doing what?” She whispered back as she wiped away a smear of blood from the corner of his lips with her thumb.

With a tense glance back at the slumbering camp, he avoided her eyes. It was hard when he could feel her gaze burrowing into him like a nest of maggots writhing through dead flesh.

“Helping me. You know what I’ve done. If you were smart, you would’ve roused the rest of the camp to deal with me, rather than hide the body and clean up the evidence.”

Her hands stilled against his face, and when he risked a glance back at her, she was frowning.

“I would sooner slit all their throats in their sleep than allow any of them to lay a finger on you, Urami.” She whispered, and though she kept her voice low, there was no hiding the rage in her words.

Urami stared down at her, his grip on her waist tightening almost absentmindedly as he tried to suss out the truth from her expression.

“Why?”

Dirge didn’t respond. Instead, she bit her lip so hard it bled, and as the deep red turned black in the darkness dribbled down her chin, he found himself wondering what it’d taste like.

Almost unbidden the ghost of a memory of dark chocolate and mint came to his mind, so strong, he could almost taste it on his tongue.

Before he could stop himself, he was asking again, “Who are you? And who am I?”

Dirge licked the blood from her lips.

“Like I said, I’m a servant of Bane. You’re a servant of Bhaal. As the Dead Three remain allied, so do we.”

Urami stared down at her silently. She was lying. At least a little bit. She had to be. He didn’t question her further even though he couldn’t get the words out of his mind.

Then why do I know what you taste like?

#bg3 tav #bg3 durge #tav x durge #my writing #thanks so much for the prompt romeo! it gave me an excuse to write this scene thats been living rent free in my head for two months

[enbysorcerer]

Day 6: Reach

Word Count: 2,030

TWs: None? Feel free to mesasge me if I'm wrong.

“You can’t keep going like this,” Masaru comments as he watches his best friend try to navigate the room. While this sounded like a perfectly normal event any able-bodied person should be able to do, Kiyoshi was not a normal able-bodied person. Kiyoshi had lost part of his leg just a few short months ago and hadn’t yet gotten used to the prosthesis…nor did he have any other tool to assist him given that his crutches were still leaning against the wall where Masaru left them when he went to work that morning.

“Like what?” Kiyoshi feigns innocence despite the way his remaining leg visibly shakes from the strain of holding him up on its own for so long.

“Like this,” Masaru replies, glancing pointedly at the trembling appendage. “You’re barely able to walk even with crutches, so how could you possibly expect to-”

He doesn’t get a chance to finish his sentence before Kiyoshi’s leg gives out. Kiyoshi reaches for the countertop, but he can’t get a good enough grip and goes crashing to the ground with a pained hiss.” “Shit!”

Masaru wants to rush forward and help–especially with how the sudden tenseness of Kiyoshi’s body implies the fall hurts more than he’s letting on–but he tries to resist. He briefly considers suggesting pain medicine, but Kiyoshi had been raised by addicts (one to alcohol and the other to pills) and he refused to use pain medication unless he had no other choice. As bad as things may look now, Masaru doubted it was bad enough for Kiyoshi to voluntarily take anything.

“This is exactly what I mean,” he says carefully, trying to gauge the other’s reaction. “You need to rest. Dr. Santori said you should still be taking it easy and relying on the crutches to get around. You’re not doing either.”

Kiyoshi glares at him. It hurts to see that look aimed at him, especially with how rarely Kiyoshi had gotten mad at him Before, but he knew Kiyoshi wasn’t taking this one leg situation as well as he could be. He was angry, and as much as Masaru wanted to, he couldn’t entirely blame Kiyoshi for it. This whole situation sucked, and it was made even more unfair by the fact that Kiyoshi’s childhood had been miserable for similar reasons.

While Masaru wouldn’t claim to know the full story (though he’s pretty sure he did), he knew Kiyoshi’s father had been a soldier, and while out scouting or something, his squad had taken fire and ultimately been led into a minefield, a fact they hadn’t been aware of until Kiyoshi’s father had the unfortunate experience of stepping on a mine that ultimately cost him both his legs.

From there, he was honorably discharged from the military, given a shiny medal of honor for bravery, and essentially abandoned to his own devices. He ultimately ended up getting addicted to pain pills, his wife drank to handle her stress, and Kiyoshi was forced to grow up far too soon to make sure neither of his parents died of intoxication.

Fast forward a decade or so and Kiyoshi decided to join the military himself to feel closer to the parent who was occasionally sober enough to remember his existence only to lose his father to illness shortly before he officially enlisted. A few years later, an explosion would have Kiyoshi’s leg trapped under a pile of rubble after the building his squad was in got bombed. Unfortunately, despite the efforts of many specialists (both magical and mundane), Kiyoshi’s leg was deemed unsalvageable and removed.

Over their many years of friendship, Masaru’s family had more or less adopted Kiyoshi after discovering he was living mostly alone with an abusive mother, so naturally, when they’d gotten the news, they’d all wanted to help, but Kiyoshi refused to let any of them (aside from Masaru that is) close enough to do so. In fact, he’d avoided all forms of communication from his family and friends, so it had been up to Masaru to keep everyone in the loop.

Originally Masaru had thought it was just Kiyoshi needing time to adjust, but it had been months, and he still refused to contact anyone. It broke Masaru’s heart to watch, especially once some of those friends of Kiyoshi’s stopped asking. He knew Kiyoshi’s lack of interest was a result of depression or PTSD (or both, given his circumstances), but he’s not sure what he could do aside from simply being here and refusing to leave no matter how much Kiyoshi tried to push him away.

Still, he could see when enough was enough.

“I’m fine,” Kiyoshi insists, reaching for the countertop again to pull himself upright. With the angle and the narrowness of the space, he barely manages to lift himself off the ground before crashing down again. He winces, tightly pressing his lips together as his wounded remains of a leg once again hit the hard ground.

If Masaru thought not rushing over to help the first time was hard, it’s nothing compared to now. He hates seeing Kiyoshi like this, but perhaps if he’s forced to confront his new limitations without Masaru jumping to help, it’ll help him realize he’s being an idiot about this whole situation. He wants to ask if Kiyoshi is okay again, but he resists and asks something else instead. “Does this really seem okay to you?”

Kiyoshi glares further. Masaru (barely) resists the urge to wince. “Give me a damn second.” He shifts position to get a firmer grip on the counter to pull himself up again. Before, he would’ve easily been able to lift himself from that position, but now he only gets about halfway before crashing to the ground once more.

There’s a brief flicker of frustration and anger before Kiyoshi schools his features into something more determined. The third attempt is no better than the second, but this time, Masaru is forced to intervene when Kiyoshi makes an audible noise of pain.

“Enough,” he says, firmly but gently, as he steps into Kiyoshi’s space to prevent him from making a fourth attempt. “Enough. Please. Just ask me to help you.”

“I don’t need help,” Kiyoshi insists further.

It pains Masaru to hear him like that, but he forces himself not to react. “Yes, you do.” Kiyoshi flinches in what would be an unnoticeable movement if Masaru didn’t know him as well as he did. “I know you don’t want to–don’t like to–but this is different. You can’t… this isn’t a situation you can handle alone.” He understands that asking for help was always hard for Kiyoshi after growing up the way he had, but Kiyoshi needed to understand this was different. Not just because his new disability left him no choice, but because Masaru would do anything and everything Kiyoshi asked. All he needed to do was say the words.

“Yes, I can. I just need-”

“I’m not leaving you,”Masaru says, finally getting straight to the heart of the matter. He would’ve thought that obvious–he’d practically worshiped the ground Kiyoshi walked on when they were children, and that hero worship had eventually turned to something stronger as they aged; he just refused to put a name to it for fear of losing the best and dearest friend he had–but the way Kiyoshi’s strong facade cracks for just the briefest moment says it’s evidently something Kiyoshi needed to hear.

“Everyone leaves eventually,” Kiyoshi mutters, carefully not looking at Masaru.

Masaru kneels down so they’re at eye level and cups Kiyoshi’s cheek. “Not me,” he says firmly. His tone has Kiyoshi hesitantly looking at him. “I’m not going anywhere. Not now, not ever.”

Kiyoshi seems uncertain, though he tries to hide it by looking away. “Why?”

Because I love you, is what Masaru would desperately like to say, but he refrains. “Because I’m not like your mother. I’m not going to leave just because things get hard. I’m going to be right here, and I’m going to stay right here no matter how hard you try to push me away.”

Kiyoshi’s eyes take on a suspiciously glassy, vulnerable sheen. “B-but why?”

“Because,” Masaru cups Kiyoshi’s cheek, running his thumb across the soft flesh to wipe away the tears. He hopes the overwhelming love and devotion he feels toward this man are visible right now, “you are and have been the most important person in my life since the day we met. You’ve given me strength, and made me feel loved and appreciated even when no one else could. I-honestly I don’t know if I could’ve made it this far without you in my life.” He smiles gently, his own eyes starting to feel damp. “Kiyoshi Nakamura, I have loved you since the day we met, and there’s no one–no one–I’d rather be with right now than you.”

Kiyoshi gapes at him, tears coming faster at what was just said. His mouth opens and closes repeatedly, unsure what to say. It comes to Masaru’s attention that he’d just confessed to the love of his life and that love wasn’t saying anything.

He pulls back self-consciously, lowering his eyes and hand to the ground. “I, uh, s-sor-” the apology he’d been able to make dies on his lips as they’re covered with another pair.

He instinctively reaches up, cupping the back of Kiyoshi’s neck to pull him closer. Kiyoshi’s tongue trails along his bottom lip, and he eagerly allows it entry. All the dreams he’d has about this very scenario since puberty are absolutely nothing compared to the real thing, and despite not having a clue what he’s doing–he’d never bothered to date anyone else once he realized his heart already belonged to his best friend–he seemed to have been doing something right given the lack of complaints.

When the need to breathe gets overpowering, he pulls back, resting his forehead against Kiyoshi’s. Kiyoshi’s gaze makes him feel oddly vulnerable, but he refuses to look away. Not yet. Not until he knows what just happened.

“I-I love you too,” Kiyoshi admits softly, seemingly afraid of the words he was speaking. As if just admitting this terrified him beyond belief. Masaru’s glad he’s not the only one feeling frightened of ruining their friendship.

Masaru beams, unable to stop himself, and is rewarded with a soft laugh. It’s the first genuine laugh he’s heard from Kiyoshi in months, and his heart soars at the sound. He has the urge to kiss Kiyoshi again and doesn’t bother resisting.

When he pulls back the second time, Kiyoshi is smiling, actually smiling, and Masaru’s certain he’s never been this happy before. “God, I’ve missed that smile,” he teases.

Kiyoshi ducks his head and blushes almost unnoticeably. He could probably count on one hand all the times he’d seen Kiyoshi blush over the course of their friendship, and it delighted him to be the cause of it.

Was this what being on cloud nine felt like? If so, he never wanted to leave it.

“You know, um,” Kiyoshi chuckles, “as happy as I am right now, this, uh, would probably be even nicer if we weren’t on the floor?”

Masaru laughs as he’s abruptly reminded of their position. “Oh. Right. Good point.” He climbs to his feet, struggling not to laugh again at the barely hidden pout sent his way, and offers a hand to Kiyoshi. He carefully pulls Kiyoshi up, not wanting to aggravate his injured leg more than necessary, and pulls the arm over his shoulder. His free arm wraps around Kiyoshi’s waist for support. “Better?”

Kiyoshi gives him an unimpressed stare. “I just meant for you to help me up. Not-” Masaru arches an eyebrow. Kiyoshi huffs. “Alright, alright. Do as you wish.”

Masaru smiles, even as Kiyoshi rolls his eyes. “Thank you.” He gets them both over to the couch before detangling them enough to sit down. Part of him wants to reach for Kiyoshi’s hand, but he’s not sure where the boundary is. Not anymore. And that’s the most exciting part of all this.

He sits down on the opposite end of the couch, crossing his legs as he turns to face Kiyoshi. “So… we should probably talk.”

#ockiss24 #writing #kiyoshi #masaru

[muraenide]

The tsum rocks from side to side, chirping softly to itself as it inches along the desk its decided to use as a perch. Out of the corner of its eye, it spotted something soft and crinkly-looking that had been left unattended. Pouncing on its new find with excitement, the tsum proceeded to roll around and tear at the neatly arranged stack of papers and get ink all over itself in the process. Tiny bits of paper went flying across the desk, accompanied by delighted squeaks and chirps.

By the time it was calm again, nothing remained of the papers but a few patches that were almost as big as the tsum itself. It let out a tiny croon of satisfaction, rolling onto its side and closing its eyes as its fancy hat slipped off its head.

Surrounded by the evidence of its wanton destruction, Floyd's tsum looked like it was utterly at peace as it settled down on the nice crinkly confetti for a nap.

Unprompted / @sweetlybite

He walks in just in time to see the mess on his desk that is Floyd's tsum. The tiny thing that it is, loitered around the documents that he'd presumably turned into a makeshift nest, seemingly proud of itself. Jade resists a solid urge to cry out loud. Half a dozen of Azul's faces flash before his eyes, all of them unpleasant to look at.

"You simply had to rip apart this month's claimable receipts of Mostro Lounge, I see..." He sighs into his hands, bringing both of them to his face and dragging them down. In order to request for them again, Jade would have to make extra trips to their manufacturers and wholesalers. That would consume... at the very least, three to five days, even at his level of efficiency. With how closely he works with Azul, it theoretically isn't possible to hide such information from him when they were expected to be received today. "It's fine, it's fine." He adjusts his lapels, smothering his bowtie to its ends. "You ought to be glad that I came here first before Azul does, he would not think twice to dole out punishments whenever money is concerned."

He briefly wonders if fear is something the tsums even understood. From the looks of things, neither of them had exhibited highly intelligent qualities.

"If you want to live, then listen to what I say. Should Azul ask about this in my absence, simply put the blame on Floyd if you want to live, alright?" It's not the most favourable damage migration plan Jade would've wanted, but it would have to do when it happened on such short notice. Floyd would be able to take whatever hellish punishment Azul might have given him, but his tsum might actually just die.

#sweetlybite #𖦹 ⋆꙳ ⁄ ic. #𖦹 ⋆꙳ ⟡ ⁄ ᶜᴴ⁰⁰³ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴇʀᴄʜᴀɴᴛ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴘᴛʜꜱ *:･ MAIN VERSE. #// Floyd tsum plEASE

[ancientroyals]

Torshan Story Segment One

A Rough Landing

No Trigger Warnings

Seven years ago, nobody knew that the island nation of Torshan even existed, much less where it was on a map. It wasn’t until the appearance of what we now call Xenoforms on the island that it started to draw international attention. Overnight, navies from the most powerful countries on earth had arrived at Torshan to pacify this new and alien threat. We found out quickly that these Xenoforms would be a far greater challenge than any other living foe humans had encountered. Aside from being simply stronger and faster, many of them possessed supernatural abilities that could potentially decimate platoons or even entire companies of soldiers single handedly. Despite overwhelming losses, we were no closer to destroying the Xenoform threat on the island. When one fell, two more would take its place. It was a battle that could not be won conventionally. So world leaders made the decision to meet with select members of the Xenoform resistance in an attempt to resolve the dispute diplomatically.

Three years after the first appearance of Xenoforms on Torshan, active hostilities finally ceased. The exact nature of the agreement made between the Xenoforms and humanity was never released. Speculation and conspiracies were commonplace. To those of us on the outside, looking in, it shook everything we thought we knew about our universe. Life was indeed out there, but it was nothing like what we expected. The true nature of the Xenoforms is still a mystery. That is why you have been requested to travel to Torshan and assist the Office of Xenoform Enforcement and Neutralization to learn more about the new citizens of Torshan.

In a highly controversial decision, the naval blockade was never dissolved after the ceasefire was announced. This effectively trapped the human citizens of Torshan with the Xenoforms also now inhabiting the island. Neither side was particularly happy about the new arrangement. Tensions ran high for at least another couple of years. With the help of both the newly formed OXEN and sympathetic Xenoforms, insurrection was kept at a minimum. Eventually, both the humans and the Xenoforms began to grow accustomed to their new neighbors. Resentment was still high, but hostilities began to cool. Now it isn’t uncommon to see, what many would call monsters, participating in civilized society like the rest of humanity.

Though, it would be silly to say there was peace. Violence between Xenoforms and humans was still rampant. That’s where OXEN comes in. Their primary goal is to maintain Xenoform compliance and protection of the human population. They’re specially equipped and trained to engage with Xenoforms. The Office has been keeping a running list of all encountered Xenoforms and what their abilities are. With your help, maybe we can finally figure out what the Xenoforms really are and where they’re from.

“Five minutes until touchdown,” the voice crackled over the headset. “We’ve got a bogey on the scope. Shouldn’t be an issue but we probably won’t be able to do the meet and greet on the tarmac.”

You were being flown in by helicopter to the island's only airport. Torshan doesn’t get any flights anymore, so it’s been converted by OXEN into their primary base of operations on the island. It would be there where you would meet your handler. The person to help accommodate you to life on the island as it was unlike anywhere else on the planet.

You could feel it in your guts as the helicopter rapidly descended. Looking out of the window, you could see the pacific ocean rising up to meet you. The pilot arrested the descent just as quickly as it began, leveling out just feet above the surface of the water. In the blink of an eye, the water turned to sand and from sand, to asphalt. The helicopter rattled and shook as the pilot pushed the airframe to its limits. It wasn’t until after the helicopter screeched to a halt that you realized how tightly you were holding onto the armrests.

A violent gust of air hit you smack in the face as the side door slid open. It took you a moment to regain your bearings and rub the dust from your eyes. A soldier had climbed into the helicopter and helped you undo your seat harness. They said something to you, but the sheer volume of the rotors spinning down deafened you to the world. Waiting for you outside of the helicopter was a contingent of OXEN officers. Most were heavily armed save for one standing front and foremost.

The middle-aged man wore a white button-down shirt tucked into a pair of black cargo pants. He rested both hands inside of his bullet-resistant vest. A handgun was holstered to the outside of his right thigh. He seemed more like an office worker with a vest and a gun than a soldier. Once you had cleared the helicopter, the man approached you with a friendly smile. The wash from the rotors billowed his short, brown hair. He removed one hand from the inside of his vest and offered it to you.

“Tomas Harris,” he introduced himself. His voice seemed to project effortlessly over the sound of the helicopter. “Glad to finally have you on the island.” After shaking your hand, he gave you a firm pat on the back and guided you toward the terminal building.

“Hopefully if we get done with orientation soon enough, there might still be time to take you for some rounds.” Tomas smiled, and was going to continue speaking until he was interrupted by a thunderous crash followed by guttural growl that seemed to rumble your insides.

On top of the air traffic control tower was perched a dragon still furling its massive wings. Its white scales were contrasted by the significantly thicker, pale crimson plates armoring their underbelly. A silvery mane billowed in the winds two-hundred feet off the ground. Out of everyone standing exposed out on the ramp, you couldn’t help but feel as if those rose colored eyes were looking just at you.

Now it's your turn! comment your commands to decide your next course of action!

NEXT

#torshan #interactive story

[mariacallous]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long resisted the concept of a two-state solution, but rarely so explicitly as in the months since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas and the subsequent war in Gaza. U.S. President Joe Biden insists, however, that there’s a path forward for an independent Palestine in cooperation with Netanyahu’s government. 

“I think we’ll be able to work something out … I think there’s ways in which this could work,” Biden recently told reporters, referring to a potential postwar deal that could establish a Palestinian state while also overcoming his Israeli counterpart’s objections. 

What Biden seemed to have in mind was a Palestinian state that would be both independent and demilitarized. Axios has reported that State Department officials have already been tasked with looking into what a demilitarized Palestine would look like “based on other models from around the world.” 

There is growing acceptance of the idea in the international community as a possible way out of the current conundrum—namely, by assuaging Israeli security concerns and handing Palestinians a state of their own to end the cycle of violence. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said that Australia may recognize a Palestinian state if it was “demilitarized.” There even appears to be backing from some significant players in the Arab world. “We are ready for this state to be demilitarized,” said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a November 2023 news conference in the presence of the Spanish and Belgian prime ministers. Sisi is a close ally of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which presumably would have been consulted by Cairo. 

But a minefield of diplomatic challenges needs to be navigated to make this idea a success. None of the existing states and territories without armed forces compare the uniquely difficult circumstances faced by Israelis and Palestinians, and none offers a model that can simply be adopted to resolve one of the most intractable conflicts in one of the world’s most restive regions. 

Nearly 40 countries and territories do not have a standing army, and nearly all are relatively small in size and population. Many are island states, such as Grenada, famous for its nutmeg exports, or Dominica, known for its natural hot springs and tropical rainforests. Many have protection from bigger, well-armed states such as the United States, or from NATO for some of those that lie in Europe. 

Liechtenstein, however, has neither a military nor NATO membership, and yet it indirectly benefits from NATO’s protective umbrella. 

“If there’s a war, there will be many other countries that will be crossed first,” Liechtenstein’s ambassador to the European Union, Pascal Schafhauser, told Foreign Policy in his office in Brussels. Tucked between Austria and Switzerland, the landlocked nation coordinates policing efforts with its immediate neighbors and is, by default, protected by militarily stronger neighbors such as Germany and France in the extended region. The roughly 40,000 inhabitants of Liechtenstein reside in a peaceful and prosperous region, and they have not yet found a compelling reason to reverse the decision that led to demilitarization of the country in 1868.

Liechtenstein and Palestine, however, could not be any more different. While Liechtenstein’s geography and equally prosperous neighbors guard it from external threats, the Palestinian territories are cheek-to-jowl with Israel—their arch foe. Furthermore, an independent Palestine would still have to reckon with a meddlesome Iran, which is likely to keep aiding nonstate armed groups—such as Hezbollah and the Houthis—in firing rockets at Israel and challenging the stability of any arrangement.

Costa Rica is often hailed as a paragon of development in the Latin American region. While there are many factors behind its success, at least one of them is widely considered to be demilitarization. Back in 1948, Costa Rica abolished the military, and unlike some of its neighbors, it hasn’t been embroiled in coups and military takeovers since. Instead, it has spent the money that would go toward a defense budget on human development. Unlike Palestine, however, none of its neighbors are trying to invade its territory or instigate an armed uprising. 

The changing internal security dynamics in Costa Rica nonetheless offer a lesson. In a recent paper titled “The Myth of Demilitarization in Costa Rica,” Markus Hochmüller and Markus-Michael Müller highlight the fact that crime is on the rise there, and that there are calls to hand increased powers to heavily armed special policing units such as the Fuerza Especial Operativa. This illustrates the danger that even a basic policing structure could be militarized at a later stage. 

Haiti, on the other hand, is a classic example of how a demilitarized state can be crippled internally by local armed gangs. The United Nations Security Council has once again agreed to send foreign troops to help the government reclaim the neighborhoods and essential infrastructure that have been seized by criminal gangs. 

If Hamas doesn’t agree to disarm, and other armed groups in Gaza are not on board with the final settlement, there are similar worries of continued unrest, not just between these groups and Israel, but also between them and the authorities of an independent Palestinian state. 

The case of the Solomon Islands’ embrace of Beijing shows that even if demilitarized a state can choose belligerent military allies that can reshape broader security dynamics in a region. For a long time, the Pacific nation had been under Australia’s security influence, but midway through 2023, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare met with his Chinese counterpart and signed an agreement to boost policing cooperation that would allow Beijing to train its police officers. 

The Palestinian territories are vastly different from any of these countries, as it fears an imminent threat from its own neighbor, faces disunity over what qualifies as a settlement within its own population, and is the victim of an Iranian agenda to expand its regional influence. 

From the Israeli perspective, being absent on the ground in Gaza could result in another Oct. -like attack by insurgents who don’t recognize Israel’s right to exist. 

Eran Lerman, a former deputy national security advisor of Israel, told Foreign Policy that at best, Israel would accept a “1.8-state solution” with serious restrictions that would keep Palestinians from pursuing their own independent policies in matters of defense. 

“First, we need to retain some sort of control of borders so we can see what’s coming in,” Lerman said. “Secondly, we need to have a say on how many and what kind of arms Palestine can keep and on the size of the police and security forces it can have to ensure it doesn’t turn into a military in the future.” 

Netanyahu has instread proposed a “state minus,” which would include limitations on sovereignty and guarantees to Israel beyond demilitarization, which observers say is more in sync with the public mood among Israelis.

“Would a Palestinian state be allowed to enter into a military agreement with Iran? Or to conduct military exercises with Hezbollah?” said Daniel Schwammenthal, the director of the American Jewish Committee’s Transatlantic Institute in Brussels. He argued that “Palestine must agree to not enter into defense agreements with enemy states of Israel,” for instance. 

Nour Odeh, a Palestinian political analyst, said the key question from Palestinians’ point of view was not whether a prospective state has a military, but rather the final border settlement. 

“Is it going to be Bantustan or on the ’67 borders? That’s more important,” she told Foreign Policy over the phone from Ramallah, referencing Palestinian fears that Israel intends to keep control of large chunks of the West Bank in a way that keeps Palestinian lands disjointed. “If Israel would not attack, would not invade, if there are international guarantees to that effect, then having a military is not exactly a Palestinian priority, in my opinion,” she added. 

But not every Palestinian may feel the same way. Schwammenthal pointed out that according to a recent poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, 72 percent of Palestinians backed Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack. He said that proved that support for an armed movement Palestinians was high. 

Sisi, the Egyptian president, has proposed that the security concerns of both Israelis and Palestinians could be answered if a multinational security force was deployed to facilitate the transition. “There can also be guarantees of forces, whether NATO forces, United Nations forces, or Arab or American forces, until we achieve security for both states, the nascent Palestinian state and the Israeli state,” he said back in November. Some Israeli intellectuals backed the idea of a multinational and committed force, but they want to try that out in Gaza first to see if it works.

And all this presupposes that Netanyahu, or any conceivable successor, would earnestly consider consenting to the creation of any independent Palestinian state at all.

[kookieswan]

Teacher me!! I have been having thirsty thots lately🥲🙇‍♀️🙈 LMAO🤣💀

Okay.hear me out... Nightmare Hoseok.... Goodness gracious😭

The way you tease him with us. It's not often writer's would write JITB Hoseok in such a tender but sexy way and I craaaave for that. I imagine his eyes a lot. It'll shift to his true nightmare eyes from time to time whenever he'd unabashedly stare at you. No doubt imagining undressing you with his gaze. And his hands..Caressing everywhere he could touch.. He's the type who loves to finger fuck, I just know it. Making sure his partner receives pleasure first before his own (because inside he gets off just by making them feel good). Tongue peeking out, like a snake's slither; he'll be unable to resist sliding that muscle on your skin. Licking from the underside of your breast up the very very peak, swirling around it, coating it with his saliva before engulfing in his warm mouth. His eyes closing from your taste. Enjoying as you hug him closer while he wraps an arm around your waist to embrace you to him in return.

You squeeze his fingers down there in reaction and he'll groan with his mouth busy on you. Your thighs would close in on his arm but he doesn't care as he's still able to move them freely. He'll be so turned on his wings has expanded to its full capacity but decides to engulf you both in it, covering you from possible peering eyes as your body is for his to see and his alone.

Speaking of eyes, he'll open his pair of orbs and what greets you is the dead of night — no eyes were as dark and glistening as his in that moment; it was impossible not to look away.

Hoseok raises from your breasts and kisses his way up.. To your neck, your collar bone, your cheek until he rests his forehead on to you.

"You're so beautiful.." He rasps. "And mine... Beautifully mine."

And that was enough to snap the cord.

Neck stretching, arching your back, fingers curling on his scalp. Hoseok softly growls in delightful rapture in your ascent to euphoria. Legs trembling around him as he brushes his hard on inside of your thighs.

"That's it... That's it... Open your mouth"

In the haze of your high, you thankfully were able to do so, where Hoseok took this opportunity to slot his lips with yours, slipping in his long tongue as he swallows every broken moan and whimper that leaves you.

After your release, your kiss doesn't cease. Instead he puts his fingers away and lets hic cock lie down on your drenched slit. His hips humping, loving how your essence coats his rod as he too finds his ascent.

"One more. Do one more for me..."

Swaying your head as you cannot take any more stimulation, he calls out your name to look into his eyes.

And he begs.

"Please..."

From then you raised your hips to meet his, cock slipping inside and Hoseok can't help release a sound so animalistic.

"Fucking never getting enough of this sweet cunt."

Retreating his hips a tad bit, Hosepk slams himself back in, making you realse a soundless cry.

You danced your way into the night with many more orgasms in store.

#thirstythots #hoseoksmut #hoseokxreader #hornyAF #inklingthings

……………………… well then.

Can neither confirm or deny any of this.

Goodbye.

#I mean this affectionately #but what the fuck LMAOOOO #hahahahaha nervous laughter #inkling things #answers

[londonclubofsherwood]

Stanuary week 1: Mystery

This is my fic for week one of @stanuary. It's set after the portal incident when someone comes knocking on the murder hut's door with some questions about Stanley.

I don't have ao3 so I'm just posting it here. Hope you enjoy!

Stan Pines was snapped out of his math-fuelled haze by a knocking at the door. 

Who could that be? 

He and Ford had no friends in town as far as he knew. No neighbours either, no matter what that Dan guy kept claiming. As  a city boy there was no way he was going  count people who lived twenty minutes away as neighbours. The Manotaurs hadn’t come knocking since he chased one off with a bat, an ultimate shame for their kind. And what tourist would visit at six on a January evening? 

The mystery visitor knocked again, firmer this time. His stomach dropped. 

No. It couldn’t be. There was no way Rico would have been able to track him down to an Oregon town so backwater that it didn’t make it onto roadmaps. But still…

Stan shoved the freshman textbook away. He reached for his baseball bat before deciding against it. The bat was a trusty old thing but would be nothing compared to Rico and his goons with their guns. Besides, the bat would be an immediate giveaway of who he was. Same with his brass knuckles.

He briefly toyed with the virtue of answering with both a weapon and his best approximation of Poindexter. Just put on a mustard coloured sweater vest and start rambling about algebra and parallel dimensions and Area 51. If needed he could, with puzzled and owlish expression, tell Rico that Stanley Pines was dead. Car crash. Very tragic. Or it would be if he cared enough to miss him. 

Rico might even fall for that con. For all the disguises Stan had assumed over the years, he had never managed to settle into one so painfully nerdy. But if Rico still saw straight through it Stan would be just another John Doe tossed into a dumpster to rot. Ford would have no one to bring him back. His family would have another twin to grieve, and this time it would be the good one. The golden child. 

He almost considered leaving it unanswered. But if it was some confused tourist? Stan could never resist a sale. 

So he came to the door as Mr. Mystery. A loveable rouge of a showman with a broad smile and a garish yellow shirt littered with question marks. His weapon? A 'magical’ staff that was in reality a magic 8 ball duct taped onto a cue stick with the mystical ability to shut annoying people up with one good whack. 

He could not be Stanford Pines — the genius whose life he stole. Neither could he stomach being Stanley Pines anymore — the failure who had burnt everyone foolish enough to get close. Mr Mystery was a compromise.

“Welcome to the murder hut!” He said with the voice of a chain-smoking carnival barker. “What kind of spooky mysteries and weird — ah, weirdness are you after?” 

It was a woman. Long coat. Navy turtleneck jumper. Tortoise shell glasses. She looked like a nerd, and a short one too. Relief washed over him that he had not come out screaming with a bat.

“Uh, hello, Dr. Pines, can I ask you a few questions?” 

She must have been one of Ford’s old colleagues. Perhaps someone from whatever not-quite-West-Coast-Tech college Stan had condemned him to. Ford had been given some grant. And while it had become null a year or so ago they still may have sent this woman to follow up on that. 

“Its Mr. Mystery to you, and Mr Mystery is saying nothing about his potential research or any money he may owe.” 

She huffed. “Look, Stanford don’t care about your research. Look, I want to ask you about your twin brother Stanley Pines.” 

Stan froze. 

Cold dribbled down his spine like snowmelt. 

On instinct his eyes looked at her shoes. Brown boots. They did not seem to be of the steel-toed vanity favoured by undercover-cops. Still, a healthy distrust in humanity had never hurt him so far. He crossed his arms and stood up straighter. 

“He’s been dead a while. What’d you want?”

“I’m Helena Cale, a reporter for The Oregon Weekly and I think you’re brother’s story deserves to be told.” 

“Huh. Why don’t ya come in.” Stan said, just because he was sick of standing in the cold air. Nothing more. 

He took her to the kitchen. The half-packed away ‘exhibition’ and the cobweb-ridden gift shop felt far from the right place to discuss your ‘death'. Stan had gotten picky about that sort of thing since he got an actual house with different rooms in it. Imagine that? Stanley Pines paying off a mortgage. 

He plopped himself down on one of the old wooden chairs he had…acquired from a garage sale. Helena sat across from him. She pulled out a notebook and fountain pen out of her bag. Without asking a question she scribbled something down. Perhaps commenting on his charming personality or bold fashion sense. Still, the silence scared Stan. 

“What are you so interested in Stanley for? Sure the guy had personality but he’s hardly famous.”

“I’m actually curious about the circumstances of his death.” She responded.

Stan shifted in his seat. 

“He drove a car off the nearby cliff by accident. It wasn’t a suicide or anything.” 

The words escaped his mouth before he had time to consider how defensive they sounded. Stan Pines was a man who spoke before he thought. He refused to be ashamed about that even if it got him into many sticky situations.

“I never claimed it was. How much do you know about Stanley’s life after leaving home?” 

Stan barked a laugh. The wrong move. 

“Basically nothing. Stan didn’t call or make any effort to tell me what he was up to. Why, do you think he was penpals with some serial killers or something.” 

Helena glared at him —  her brow furrowed — before she recovered her previous unaffected persona. 

“According to the records your brother was homeless for most of his life and had an extensive criminal record. Including…” she rustled through her bag and pulled out a manilla folder “dealings with organised crime.”

He snatched the manilla folder from her and tipped it on its side. The pages tumbled out onto the kitchen table. He recognised most of them. Record after record about Stanley Pines, Steve Pinington, Eight-Ball Alcatraz; a loose spiderweb of mistakes and false identities he had spun throughout the Americas. And this was only a few of his aliases. 

“Who’s Eight-ball.” He said, plucking that sheet from the pile. “Looks like a piece of work.”

That eyepatch. That cut on his eyebrow which had since faded into a scar. Somehow, as he stared into the eyes of his younger self, the good memories flooded back. Late nights with Jimmy. Cheap beer and whiskey from the seediest of dive bars. Pride in being the slipperiest man in all of Arkansas — until he wasn’t. His fingers clenched into fists. 

“Well, he is believed to be one of Stanley’s many, many alibis.” She said. “Did you know he had fake identities?” 

“Figured he would have stopped after twenty-one. Heh.” His joke was met with silence. “But no, I didn’t. And what do you want to do about these? Stan Pines is dead.” 

“You don’t think it’s at all suspicious that a man who crossed so many shady figures just happened to die tragically young by ‘accidental’ circumstances.”   

Stan shrugged.  

“Fine. But even if there was a slight possibility of murder, wouldn’t you want to know for sure. He’s your brother. Hell, if my sister died I would not rest until I disproved any single possibility of foul play. And she’s a primary school teacher.” 

He got it. If Ford ended up dead then Stan would do anything to bring justice. But if Stan died? He wasn’t sure Ford would be bothered to schlep back to Jersey for his low-budget funeral. 

“This isn’t some Jim Thompson story. This is real life, and in real life sometimes no-good grifters die boring, stupid deaths. No mysteries required.” 

He tried to smooth out the tremble in his voice. His father had made clear enough that men should never cry, or really any vulnerability. At least if they knew what was good for them. Thankfully, his coarse voice often hid any emotion which forced its way in there despite his efforts. It had served him well on the streets.

“Jim Thompson?”  Helena asked. 

“Crime novelist.” He answered simply. 

Of course she was probably too much of a nerdy snob to read a pulp thriller. And if she was, Ford definitely was. He probably read those more intellectual books. What was that author Ford liked’s name? Agnes Christopher? 

He was so caught in his musings he missed her next question. “What did you say?” 

“I asked if you were the last person to see Stanley alive?” 

“Eh, yeah. Think so.” 

“Did he say anything suspicious?” 

What had he even told Ford? Had he mentioned Rico? Jimmy? Probably he had just complained about his stupid mullet. He shook his head. 

This hurt — no, it couldn’t hurt him. He was a Pines man, after all. Whatever. It was still a ridiculous waste of time. He needed it to end.

“Get. Out.” Stan said, rising to his full height. 

Helena dropped her pen, leaving blue ink pooling on the paper. But she did not leave, or at least thank him for humouring with what was likely a desperate attempt to capitalise on his brother’s — or really his own death — for clout. 

“Actually, I have a few more questions.” 

“Yeah? And I have one response. Leave.” 

“Your brother’s death is a mystery. Potentially the story of the decade. I need to get to the bottom of it.” 

How many damn times could he hear about a brother dying? See the fake pity of a woman who did not know what she was talking about?

“Well, maybe I don’t care about that good-for-nothing leach.” 

The words clattered in the silence. She leaned back in the seat, her eyes boring into his own. It was not anger that she had met him with, but rather a mixture of pity and disappointment. It was the same look that Mrs. Aylward had given him back in seventh grade when she realised that despite all the help she had given him, he had just copied off of his brother for the final assignment. Well, at least he had plenty of practice disappointing people. 

“You don’t really mean that.” Helena said. 

“Yeah. I do. You didn’t know that bastard like I did. He was a clingy, selfish liar who road on my coattails and when I told him to stop he ruined my life. Then when he finally left he couldn’t even make something of himself. Imagine that!” 

The words flowed from Stan’s mouth with the ease tears could never match. It was too easy to imagine all the terrible things Ford felt about him. Fed by the pure vitriol he felt about himself in his darkest moments.

“You know why he came to see me here in gravity falls? He came to beg for more money and a place to stay. He couldn’t even deal with the consequences of his actions as a grown man. Huh. Guess, my father was right about him. Dying was the most worthwhile thing he ever did. So, yeah, I don’t want some Sherlock Holmes messing around with what should be dead and buried.” 

His breathing was ragged and hoarse. Adrenaline coursed through his body. 

He might have been a bit harsh in his impression of Ford, but there was something cathartic about venting all of his guilt and fears and his anger towards his stupid genius brother who left him with a house and impossible debt. And his hatred at himself for being the one who had all but pushed him into the portal.  

He definitely was too harsh on this poor reporter looking for a scoop. He shrunk in on himself in a way he had not done in a while. His shoulders slumped, his hands clasped in front of him. Helena did not seem to notice his change in demeanour. 

“I understand, sir.” She said instead, grabbing her things and shoving them back into her bag. “I’ll leave you alone here. It seems you were not the kind of man I thought you were. Perhaps you were too…involved in this death.” 

“Look, I meant —”

Of course Stan had found another way to blow things. Helena thought he had killed his brother. And yes, he may have in a way, but it was an accident he would die to amend, not some coldblooded murder. And for all of his flaws he knew that Ford would never kill him.

The door slammed. He heard the rumbling of an engine revving to get out of this cursed patch of wood. Now all he had to do was wait for the howling of police sirens coming down Gopher Road. 

He had never been arrested for murder before. The thought was almost funny before he realised that meant his chance of getting Ford back was zero. North West Realty would come sniffing and the cabin in the woods would go to some random family of holidayers from California who had no idea what monstrous secrets lurked beneath the creaking floorboards. 

He couldn’t let that happen.

He had to fix this. He could talk his way out. He was Stanley Pines, the conman with a silver tongue. Images flashed back of Ford closing the curtains and of him being shoved in that trunk, being tied up in a warehouse, shanked in the side. He grimaced. 

This time he could not afford to fail. 

He had to meet Helena again and try and plead his case that he was a grieving man who was dealing with it badly. He looked at the empty liquor bottles on the counter. Yeah, that story was believable. He could even throw in the fact that he was drunk. 

Heh, perhaps he should have thrown in some ramblings about those gnome jerks who were always going through his trash. That would have convinced her. 

But it had to wait to the morning. The last thing he wanted was to look like a stalker as well as a fratricidal monster. In the morning she would would probably be in Greasy’s Diner. It was the only place to eat in town after all. And she couldn’t cook a decent meal in whatever dinky hotel they had set her up in.

He poured himself a nip of Scot - ish Whiskey (the finest from Washington State!) to steady his shaking hands  and took a seat at his Easy Chair. He had a feeling that he was not going to get a lot of sleep that night. 

The sun had only just crested the mountains by the time Stan was out the door. He clambered into the front seat of the Stanleymobile and turned on the engine. That loud hum was more soothing than anything else in his life. Sitting in the driver’s seat made him feel powerful, like he was in control — sometimes to a dangerous extent. 

The drive to Greasy’s Diner had never felt this long. He wondered whether the mist around here had sort of time-slowing side effect. It would be far from the strangest thing he’d seen and while Ford had never written about it he had always had a flimsy grasp of the passage of time. Besides, that man didn’t know everything. No matter what he thought. 

He parked outside the log-shaped diner. As he got out some lady in a grey flannel jacket swore at him from her truck. So much for small town hospitality. And all because he had sped up at the last moment to take the last spot from her.

Ridiculous. 

Just like it was ridiculous that the place was bustling so early in the morning. Most of the tables were full of couples, and families with small children, and groups of friends. Gravity Falls was full of morning people. He scanned the place for any sign of Helena. She was no where to be seen. 

He considered leaving until that waitress — Susan he thought it was — asked him if he would like to get a table. He was going to decline but then she laughed at that cheesy joke he delivered with his trademarked--Stan-Pines grin so he said yes. He ordered pancakes and a black coffee. 

Then, by the time he was about to leave, Helena came in.   

“Hey, Helena! Can we talk?” 

She looked at him. Her eyes narrowed and she gave him a sheepish smile. 

“I’m sorry? Do I know you?” She said. 

She must have had a rough night. Her eyes seemed blank and her voice hollow, compared to that fiery spark he had seen in her last night. Her white blouse was muddied and her coat buttons were done up wrong. Her hair looked unbrushed.

“Uh, it’s Mr. Mystery. Or Stanford Pines. We talked about your story?”

“I thought that I came here to report on lumberjacks and you don’t look like a lumberjack. No offence.” 

“I just live near one. You came to the wrong house.” He lied.

Maybe she had amnesia? She could have fallen and hit her head. It was a ridiculous lucky coincidence but after years of terrible luck he supposed the universe owed him something. Besides, what else could have caused her to forget such a recent memory. It made no sense. But he supposed not much in the town did. 

Ford would ask a billion questions and chase down the answers until the mystery bit him back. Stan was nothing like him. He was a guy who was content to let what happened happen. He had learnt the hard way that messing in what didn’t concern you rarely ended well. It would keep him safe in this strange, old town.

“Well, welcome to Gravity Falls. It’s the kind of place you’ll never forget.”

#stanuary 2023 #stan pines #stanley pines #gravity falls

[lucy90712]

Alex Marquez- Paradise

After having to wait a few months because of the end of the summer break me and Alex are finally getting our honeymoon. We wanted to get away before the season restarted but things just didn't work out as we both got involved in other things but now that its winter break we are finally able to get away just the two of us and have the honeymoon we wanted. Alex has taken it upon himself to plan everything and only recently told me exactly when and where we are going but that was only because I begged him so that I would know what to pack. He's been so excited to get away that he woke me up before 3am this morning even though we don't need to leave the house until just before 6 to make it to the airport, I didn't want to get up as I didn't sleep well and it was way too early but when Alex rolled over and started kissing my face all over I couldn't resist opening my eyes to cuddle with him until we needed to get up. His arms made their way around my waist and he pulled me on top of him and started playing with my hair which almost sent me back to sleep but talking with him just about kept me awake.

We stayed in bed talking for a few hours before we had to get up which neither of us wanted to do but Alex rolled out of bed meaning I went with him and almost fell on the floor but he caught me while laughing at what he had done. I got myself ready in a comfy outfit which consisted of some sweatpants and one of Alex's hoodies that I just took from his wardrobe as it's comfy and it smells like him which is an added bonus. While I was in the kitchen making a breakfast I didn't want as it was so early Alex walked in and placed a kiss on my cheek as he went past me to the fridge but he stopped when he looked at me and saw me wearing his hoodie.

"Is that my hoodie?" He asked even though he knew the answer

"Maybe" I replied

"Well it looks cute on you" he said which made me blush just like every other time he compliments me

"Stop it your making me blush" I said

"That was the idea babe I love the way you get all shy when you blush" he said

All I could do was shake my head at him as I sat at the breakfast bar to eat the cereal I had prepared but that didn't stop him he kept finding any little thing he could to compliment me on so that my cheeks were just constantly red the whole time we were eating. He only stopped when we got ready to leave as we were both doing other things like putting suitcases in the car and getting chargers to put in our carry on bags. Once we were sorted we got in the car and like usual Alex drives because he much prefers driving himself even though I'm more than capable but I let him because I was so tired that I didn't really want to drive. The entire drive I was staring out the window while Alex had his hand on my knee using his thumb to draw little circles which was the only thing that kept me from falling asleep again.

~~~~~~~~~~

Finally the plane landed after a very long and not enjoyable flight, there was a lot of turbulence which made me feel very sick which wasn't helped by the little surprise I've been keeping from Alex that I'm going to tell him about at some point before we leave. As soon as we got off the plane I felt a whole lot better and started to feel more excited about getting to relax under the sun with my favourite person in the entire world. Alex also looked so much more relaxed when we left the airport than I think I've ever seen him in the entire time we have been together, usually he is always thinking about something whether that be the next race or something else he has to do but today he seems like he isn't worrying about anything which is so nice to see as I'm always trying to get him to stop worrying.

Alex and I got out the airport and got into a taxi to take us to the place he had rented for the week, we decided to get a taxi as we weren't planning to go many places and anywhere we would want to go was apparently within walking distance so there was no need to rent a car or for either of us to drive. The scenery out the window of the taxi was just beautiful there was a great view out to sea as well as view of all the amazing plants like the great big trees and the smaller brightly coloured flowers, it was truly breathtaking and only got better the closer and closer we got to our destination. Alex has been here before which is apparently how he knew about the place we are going to stay but I've never been before so I'm very much enjoying taking in everything around me.

The car soon stopped signalling that we had arrived at our destination and Alex immediately put his hand over my eyes and told me to keep them closed while he opened the door, I followed his instructions and kept my eyes closed as he helped me out the car and then just left me stood with our luggage somewhere I assume that was in front of where we were staying. After what felt like forever he came back and pulled me forward a little more before allowing me to open my eyes to see the most beautiful house I think I've ever seen. Alex walked inside and brought me with him so I could see the inside which was just as amazing as the outside, the place was very modern but also had a very beachy feeling to it with all the wood that was around the place and the warm colours there was all these tiny little decorations that really completed the place and just matched the vibes incredibly well. We both toured the downstairs which was mostly open plan before heading upstairs to look at the bedrooms which were relatively simple but had balconies with hammocks and other seating as well as incredible views out onto the beach and to the sea which was a very vibrant blue but also super clear at the same time.

I went right outside to sit one of the chairs and stare at the view and I thought Alex was going to join me but as soon as I heard the bed squeak I turned around and saw Alex laying flat on his stomach on he bed which clearly showed that the noise was him jumping on the bed. He noticed me staring at him started laughing before he got up to join me to sit down outside or so I thought but when he got outside he pulled me up and brought me over to the edge of the balcony and put his arms around my waist as he stood behind me staring over my shoulder to watch the waves crash as the sun began to slowly set due to it getting towards the evening time. We stood there until the sun had pretty much set and the warm air was starting to turn chilly which we took as our sign to head inside and get something ready for dinner.

Just thinking about eating dinner made me feel a little nauseous and preparing it was even worse but somehow I held it together and Alex didn't seem to notice me turning away from things or sipping water to make myself feel better. It's so annoying that up until now I've felt pretty good but when I just want to leave it a few more days the sickness is coming in full swing and trying to mess everything up but I'm determined to make it those few days and tell Alex in a special way that we can both remember for a long time. Keeping this secret has been so difficult even if it has only been for just under 2 weeks its just that I tell Alex everything so not to tell him something so big and exciting has been hard but it will be worth it when I get to see his face when I do tell him.

We ate dinner outside under the stars before coming back in and washing the dishes which took quite a while because we both kept messing around by flicking water at each other or hitting each other with the tea towel but eventually we did get it done. Once we had finally done the dishes Alex pulled me towards the sofa where he laid down and I laid down in front of him letting him put his arm around me so that we could cuddle together. For a while nothing was said as we just laid there together while I ran my finger over his arm drawing a little hearts without really thinking about it until he started doing it back to me on my hip, we went back and forth drawing different things on each other which got more and more random the longer we went on. Our little game kept going until we ran out of things to draw on each other so instead Alex grabbed the tv remote and put on a movie for us to watch. The jet lag and general tiredness got the best of me pretty quickly but I tried staying awake for as long as possible even though I was yawning like crazy which must have driven Alex mad as he paused the movie and asked if I wanted to go to bed. When I said yes I didn't expect him to immediately pick me up and carry me but that's what he did and he only put me down once he had moved all the covers so I could get in bed properly, he got in next to me and pulled to to his chest so we could sleep like we always do.

~~~~~~~~~~

The past few days here in paradise have been magical and so relaxing, Alex and I have got to spend so much quality time together whether that be inside of an evening on the sofa or at the beach during the day. It has been so nice to just do nothing for a few days as usually we always have something going on that means we can't just take this time to relax even during breaks from racing. This time we both made sure that we completely shut ourselves off from work which has meant no checking emails or going on social media which has actually been so refreshing and I have felt a whole lot less stressed not having to worry about everything I'm doing. The only thing that has been ruining the wonderful time I've been having is how rough I've been feeling as the sickness has been getting worse each day to the point that I know Alex can tell there is something wrong but he doesn't want to ask. He won't have to wait too much longer to find out what is going on though because I am going to tell him today after figuring out a good way to do it that should hopefully be really special.

Like everyday so far I woke up early feeling very nauseous which I tried to ignore and get some more sleep but I felt so ill that I just couldn't sleep which hasn't happened before but is probably going to become the new normal for a few months. Seeing as I couldn't sleep I got up and made my way downstairs to make breakfast which in hindsight was an awful idea as it only made me feel worse to the point that I actually threw up for the first time which wasn't at all nice but I was determined to make a nice breakfast for Alex after he's been cooking most of the week. Just as I finished he walked down the stairs and came right over sliding his arms around my waist as I plated up what I'd cooked, he kissed my cheek quickly before letting go of me and going to do the washing up for me while I poured glasses of water for us both.

After eating breakfast we both got showered and headed straight outside to the beach that was out the back of the house like we have been doing everyday as in the mornings it is usually quiet and not too hot making swimming or just laying on the beach much more enjoyable. We both put down our things before I dragged Alex towards the water to go for a swim because the water looked really inviting this morning. He happily followed me until we got to the shore which is when he let go of my hand and ran right into the water diving in leaving me just stood there in complete shock at what I had just witnessed. When he came back up from under the water I slowly walked over to join him and we went swimming around together for a bit before we just started floating on our backs to look up at the few fluffy clouds in the sky and saying what we thought they looked like and his were a lot nicer than mine as I said the most random things that came to mind.

Soon enough we got bored of floating around and it was starting to get too hot so we headed back inside and seeing as it was after midday we decided to make some lunch. I made a start on lunch getting tomatoes out the fridge and starting to cut them up which was fine for all of 2 seconds before the smell made me feel incredibly ill, as much as I tried to hold it together I just couldn't so I put the knife down and ran to the bathroom as quick as possible. Alex came in not too long after and pulled my hair back and started rubbing my back gently in the most comforting way. All I could think about was the fact that if Alex didn't have any idea before he definitely will know whats going on now and all my plans to make it special will have gone down the drain which made me so sad as this isn't how I pictured it going especially as I have been feeling pretty good up until we got here. When I sat up he pulled on into his lap against his chest and felt more forehead to check if I had a fever which of course I didn't and it was like I could feel his brain figuring things out.

"What's going on love you haven't been yourself all week is everything ok?" He asked

"I'm fine but I have something I need to give you" I said getting up to go and grab part of what I was going to use it surprise him

I ran upstairs to my suitcase and walked back down taking a deep breath before handing him the box. I could barely look at him I was so nervous for his reaction even though I know he'll be happy a small part of me is just so worried that he will be mad that I hid it from him or he actually won't be happy. He was visibly confused but he opened the box and took out the test which was on too and looked at it with a straight face before taking out the second thing in the box and unfolding it, it was a custom onesie that I had got made to look a little bit like his leathers and little shoes that looked like his boots. Nothing was said for a few seconds and I panicked that he didn't want this and a few tears slipped down my face that was until he looked up with tears in his eyes too as he got up and picked me up holding me to his chest.

"You're really pregnant" he said in a questioning tone

"Yeah" I replied

"I'm so excited we're actually going to be parents" he said jumping up and down like a child

"Wait when did you find out and how far along are you?" He asked

"I found out about 2 weeks ago and I'm 7 weeks along as of yesterday" I explained

He pulled me into another hug and kissed me before he kneeled down and kissed my stomach even though there was no bump but it was cute nonetheless. His hands stayed on my stomach as he looked up at me with the biggest smile on my face which made my eyes water from how sweet he was being and the extra hormones flowing through my body. It was just such a relief that he finally knew and was excited about it because hiding it has been so stressful and now he can be there to support when I feel awful which just all I've wanted the past few days. We talked a little more about it and I showed him pictures I had in my phone from the first doctors appointment as they didn't give me ultrasound pictures but I got to look at the screen and see the tiny bean looking thing that was our baby, Alex was so thrilled to see his baby and got even more excited when I told him I had booked my first proper ultrasound for when we get back so he will be able to go with me.

Our sweet moment ended pretty quickly when both our stomachs started rumbling and we realised that wee never actually finished making lunch. I went to get up but Alex pushed me back down to do it himself which didn't take him long and he was back before I knew it with the food I so desperately needed. He glanced over every now and then to make sure I was ok which I thought was funny but also very sweet, any time I even looked like I was feeling nauseous he would out his hand on my back and make sure I was ok about a million times before being satisfied that I was fine. After lunch Alex washed everything up and only allowed me into the kitchen when I promised I would just sit on the side as in his words he wanted to take care of me and do things for me to make my life easier. Watching him made me think about how great of a dad he's going to be as if he's already doing all of this to care for me when I'm just 7 weeks I can only imagine what he'll do when the baby is actually here.

Once he was done the both of us decided to go out for a walk as we haven't been very far since we got here so wanted to explore the scenery. When I locked the door Alex grabbed my hand and led me down the street clearly taking me to a certain place but I was more than fine with it as I just wanted to get out for a bit. We didn't walk that fast as we were still looking at everything around and the views out to sea and all the beautiful plants, this place was just perfect and I'm so glad we got the chance to come out here and see it with our own eyes as it's a beautiful part of the world. As I was looking at the scenery I saw Alex taking pictures of me sneakily behind my back so I decided to prank him and the next time I noticed him taking pictures I turned round quickly making a silly face which took him by surprise but he started laughing after a few seconds. He looked down at his phone and started laughing even harder so naturally I had to see what was making him laugh so hard and it was an awful picture of me just as I had turned round, as much as it was an awful picture I have to admit it was very funny and I couldn't help but also laugh especially as Alex's laugh is really contagious.

Eventually we calmed down and kept walking before we stopped at an ice cream place which Alex dragged me in and we both got some ice cream which I was very happy about as I've been craving for the past few days as it's been so hot. Once we got our ice creams we went and sat on a bench that had a view of the sea and just watched the waves taking a moment to ourselves to truly ignore everything around us. I leant my head on Alex's shoulder after I finished eating and he then leant his on mine and put an arm around my waist to pull me closer to him which is how we stayed for a few more minutes before deciding to head back and relax by ourselves as people were staring at us when they walked by.

When we got back we mostly stayed in and watched tv until it got dark out and we went upstairs and went out to the balcony but only after putting on a hoodie as it gets chilly at night. I took longer to change into warmer clothes so when I went outside I found Alex laying in the hammock that we haven't used yet, he ushered me over and helped me get in with him even though we didn't really fit together. After shuffling around we settled with me laying on my side next to him with his arm around me holding me tightly so I couldn't fall out even though I was perfectly fine. We laid in silence for a while staring at the stars before Alex started to talk about how our lives have changed since we first met and how they will change even more over the next few months, it was really crazy to think how our lives have developed but I would never change a single thing that has happened as even though there has been hard times I love how things have ended up. It was fun to talk and think about all the new things we will get to experience once we have a family of our own and all the new memories we will get to make which is what I'm really excited about as I can't wait to watch Alex be a parent and bring the baby to races to support him.

We stayed up talking for a while before deciding it was best to get to bed which is the only time Alex let go of his grip of me so I could get out of the hammock or more like fall out but I was fine. Alex then did the same but did fall over which made me laugh so hard I could barely breathe which he put on a pout about but when I kissed his cheek as I walked inside he cheered up and followed behind me. We got into bed and snuggled together like usual despite it being quite warm in the bedroom, both of us struggle to sleep if we aren't cuddling with each other after being together so long so even if it's really hot we will deal with it so we cuddle. I rolled onto my side to allowed Alex to lay behind me which he did but first he leant over and kissed my stomach and then my lips before settling in behind me for the night with a protective arm over my like always.

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