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annymation · 5 months

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The Kingdom of Wishes- A “Wish” Rewrite

Chapter 7- Inspire Them

Chapter 6

“You’re… a star?!”

“You guessed it!” Aster exclaimed cheerfully, flying down to the ground while doing backflips in the air, until he lands in front of her with a bright smile on his face, he bows down like a prince formally introducing himself to a princess.

“Good Asha Lucero, you have given so much happiness to others, you deserve to have your wish come true.” The star speaks more eloquently now, and it feels like these lines where rehearsed, that's because they were, for he's actually just repeating what all wishing stars say to their wish makers when they come down to earth, like it’s protocol.

That line is a reference to what the Blue Fairy says to Geppetto.

“So it shall be my honor tooOO-OH MY GALAXY IS THAT A RABBIT?!?” He sees a rabbit coming out of the bushes and gets distracted… Again…

As you can see, Aster’s not very good at following wishing star’s protocol.

Asha watches as the teenage star flies by like lightning towards the little critter, she's blown away trying to process that this is actually happening and not just a dream, wanting to ask a million questions while at the same time she's completely speechless. So all she can say in a stutter is “Umm y-yeah it sure is hehe” To answer his question. She can't help but chuckle seeing how the star is so amazed over something so simple like a rabbit.

Aster holds the rabbit’s ears up, the animal seems confused but not really minding it “Awww they're way cuter seen up close… And I was right! I told them rabbits had big ears!” The star claims victorious.

Asha tilts her head to the side “Huh? Told who?”

“A few neighbors of mine that make up the lepus constellation, see?” Aster points up to the sky, to a constellation that looks like a rabbit with very tiny ears “I told them rabbits had cute BIG ears, but they insisted their formation was good enough, it’s like they don’t even care for accuracy, really” They say while looking up with a smug, shaking his head slowly, it's like he's thinking "I told you so".

Asha gazes upon the night sky, her eyes sparkling just like the stars “… Y-yeah I guess the ears are pretty tiny hehe” she suddenly realizes what Aster just said implies... Aster is not the only one. She quickly turns to them perplexed “Wait wait slow down, are you telling me ALL the stars... ARE ALIVE??” She's breathless, looking back up at all the stars like a deer mesmerized by headlights.

Aster can't help but chuckle, she's so amazed over something that, to him, is so simple “Heh heh not aaaaall of them, but most of them, yeah." Aster explains casually while letting go of the little critter. The star turns their attention back to Asha, gazing at her with a friendly smile while floating close to her, observing her with curiosity.

Asha on the other hand is still gazing up to the night sky as she says, her voice filled with astonishment "My father used to write that we had a connection with the stars but... I could never imagine they’re actually people!" She turns back to look at Aster, her voice barely above a whisper "… Much less that they come down when they’re wished upon"

"Oooh we don’t usually come down to help at all, I’m just here because you’re a special case, Asha" Aster says, floating around her like a fish swimming in circles.

“I am?"

He stops flying around, now just floating right in front of her to explain why he's there in the first place “See, when it comes to wishing upon a star, like myself, NO request is too extreme..." He stops for a moment as if to think how's the best way to continue his point "Although... your request to save your kingdom from the clutches of two evil rulers is… Well … A lil bit extreme, just a bit, not gonna lie… heh heh" They say sounding more high pitched and awkward than before.

"Yeah... I know" The girl looks down slightly

Aster lifts her head gently to look at him, giving her an optimistic smile "That is, too extreme for you to do it all by yourself, that’s where I come in!”

Asha’s enthusiasm slowly returns "So... You'll grant my wish? just like that?" She snaps her fingers to indicate how easy and quick it'd be.

Aster hates to bring somewhat bad news, but he tries to explain it the best they can “Eeeh no, hehe not exactly, I can’t just fix everything in the blink of an eye, that’s more of a genies thing, ya know?” They clarify while creating a genie's lamp with their star dust, manifesting it above his hand to illustrate his point.

“Huh, I see” Asha is surprisingly not disappointed by that at all, she honestly didn't think it could be that simple, besides, just having any help at all is more than enough "So what can you do?"

“Oh I can do a lot! Watch, hey Valentino!" Aster flies down, now face to face with the little baby goat "What do YOU wish for lil buddy?"

Asha looks puzzled "I thought you couldn't grant wishes"

Aster giggles as he looks up to her, the star is floating barely above the ground but he's posing like he's laying down, with their hands behind the back of his head "Hehehe It's easier to explain if I show you, but let's just say I can grant simple wishes, however, the stronger it's the want in the wish maker's heart then the more I can do!"

"Maaa! Maa!" Valentino bleats out happily to Aster

Aster eyes sparkle with excitement upon hearing the goat's "words" "OO-HOHOO now THAT'S a strong wish! You got it buddy, here ya go!" He sprinkle some star dust on Valentino, to which the goat gladly eats all of it. Asha watches curiously, waiting to see what could her goat possibly have wished for...

And Valentino talks

"Did it work- *gasp* It did! I'm tawkin I am tawkin!" The little goat giggles, adorably hopping around the two of them, Valentino's voice is cute and high pitched, he sounds like a toddler.

Asha lets out an "awwwwn" with a huge smile and her eyes wide. She sits down to hug Valentino, not able to contain herself with such an adorable display.

"You sure can bud! Now go on, make your wish come true!" The star cheers while floating above the two of them

Asha looks up to Aster confused "Huh? But you just granted his wish"

"Nuh-uh I just wanted to say one thing, I wanted to THANK YOU!" The baby goat exclaims, nuzzling closer to Asha in their embrace "Thank you for always taking care of me! You're the best fwiend I could ask for!" He finishes, licking her nose.

The girl stares at her baby goat, completely overwhelmed by the cuteness.

"Soooo yeah, I can make animals talk! Pretty neat huh? But that's just the tip of the ice be-" Aster notices Asha was quiet, too quiet "Uuuuh you're ok?"

"*sob* yeah I-Im fine *sniff*" She hugs Valentino while petting him, sobbing at the sweetness in his voice. She really needed to hear that after the day she had.

Aster doesn't understand what sad tears are though, so they assume he just made a huge mistake "oh OH NONONO- IM SO SORRY I-I THOUGHT YOU'D LIKE IF HE TALKED D-DON'T WORRY ITS NOT PERMANENT! HE JUST WANTED TO SAY "THANKS" P-PLEASE DON'T BE SAD" The star is panicking, flying around and flailing his arms uncontrollably.

Asha dries a little tear from the corner of her eye and smiles at Aster "Hheheh calm down, I'm not sad, really, I just got emotional that's all"

Aster looks relieved at that, he calms down as he flies down to sit next to her

"Maaa! Maa!" Valentino is back to not talking.

"Oh so it really wasn't permanent" Asha says, as Valentino leaves her arms to hop around and eat some grass.

"Like I said, all he wished for was to say thanks, now that he did so, he has no need to speak anymore" Aster explained calmly

Asha had a thoughtful look for a moment, her eyes light up as she pieces it together in her head "... Hmm I think I get it, so you just gave him what he needed to fulfill his wish himself" Aster nodded his head quickly, excited that she got it right, Asha continued "So... What about my wish though, how will you help me grant it?" She asks to the wishing star sitting next to her.

Aster’s already big smile widens even more with the question, as they fly upward and lifts her up with one hand "I’ll be your guide! Give you all the tools you’ll need to succeed! But of course, the only one who can make your wish come true is YOU!” He boops her nose, making some star dust fly around her face

Asha feels a sense of joy come to her when the star boops her nose... But even then, the thought that everyone is depending on her makes her feel all her fears and insecurities come flowing back.

“Me? But they’re the king and queen of that whole kingdom and I… Well, I don’t even know WHO I am in all this” She admits, looking away from the star for a moment, her gaze is distant.

Aster can sense her sadness returning, and the spark of her light glowing dimmer as hopelessness fills her thoughts. His eyes turn to the side for a moment, pondering how he can rekindle her spark and make her see what he sees... Eventually, his eyes lit up with an idea, literally making his hair shine brighter like a lamp bulb turning on.

"Weeeeell I can't tell you who you are neither, that's something only you can figure out." Aster begins with a playful smile, flying to be face to face with her.

Asha notes how those words are a direct contrast to how the royal pair kept saying she needed their help to find out who she is. The star word's caught her attention.

"BUT if ya ask me, I think I might have an idea of who you are in "All this". So allow me to elaborate in the best way I know how… EVERYBODY HELP ME OUT!"

Aster exclaimed, calling upon all the living things of the forest. He uses his magic to bring all the trees and flowers to life, as well as making all the animals able to sing and dance.

And so, we get my version of "I'm A Star."

This song is quite literally the opposite of what “Wish Away” was, if "Wish Away" made Asha feel small, like she couldn’t do anything on her own and NEEDED the king’s magic, “I’m A Star” is doing the opposite of that, making her feel as grand as a celestial body, like she can do anything, and Aster is just there to land a hand, but only she can reach her dreams, and she CAN do it.

I’m A Star

[Verse 1]

Have you ever wondered why you look up at the sky for answers? Or blow dandelions in the wind? Asking them to better your chances Why throw a dime down a well? While you know that's no spell

(Aster begins to sing, extending his hand up to the sky to present all the beautiful stars above. Asha looks up to them, but before she knows it Aster grabs her attention again by pulling from behind her ear a dandelion made of star dust he just created, he shows it to her while singing the second line, Asha instinctively blows it like she indeed always did as a kid. Aster then flies away from her and to a wishing well in the woods, he makes a coin with his star dust and throws it while not even looking at the well, his gaze is still focused on Asha as she watches him sing attentively)

Things passed down generationally, to you Yes, I hear And to some unbelievers those are shoddy fallacies But have you ever wondered why you look up at the sky for answers?

(Aster makes the trees come to life, happy faces appear on them as they dance along with he music, Asha watches them in amazement, she starts getting into the mood of the song, with a giddy smile on her face. She answers "Yes, I hear" to Aster's comments, because she indeed grew up with these traditions of wishing upon dandelions, wishing wells and stars, but not thinking those will magically solve all her problems, it's just a first step to set her goals. As he sings the final line, Aster flies to above the trees, reaching to the stars with a determined and confident smile, Asha looks up to him with her eyes shining... Suddenly Aster flies back down doing backflips in the form of a ball of light, and hits the ground the song makes a "THUM" before the chorus kicks in)

[Chorus]

Well, you don't have to look too hard I'm here for all your question marks If you're tryna figure out just who you are Don't look far

(Aster stands up as soon as they land back on the ground, the animals of the forest now all sing to help him with the chorus. Upon singing the second line, Aster hits his foot on the ground, making a trail of light glow underneath the earth like roots (It's like Elsa hitting her foot down when making the castle during Let It Go), that make a giant flower grow under Asha, lifting her up to above the forest, the giant flower blooms during the third line. Asha is on it covering her eyes in fear for a moment, but Aster flies to be in front of her, taking the hands off her eyes as he sings the last line, making her look at him, he gives her a reassuring smile, making all her fears go away)

In the sky, and your front yard In your heart and in the scars If you really wanna know just who you are You're a star…

(Aster pulls her by the arms and they jump off the flower, Asha is once again startled, but when they're about to fall Aster makes another giant flower bloom, that catches them just in time, they hop on that flower and Aster once again pulls Asha to jump again, this time Asha fully trusts them and jumps without fear, knowing they'll make another flower for them to jump on. They do this during the two first lines, but as Aster sings "If you really wanna know just who you are" they spin around in the air holding Asha's hands, they both twirl in the air together before Aster throws Asha up to the sky, she floats with a little bit of Aster's star dust on her, and she looks in awe to the stars above her... Before she thinks of what Aster just said, now her face turns into confusion, as she immediately falls down in his arms)

[Verse 2]

What! But you just said YOU'RE a star! Uh-huh! Well, yeah, but you're up to par Cause' while I do bring that magic intervention Only you can reach your destination!

(Asha and Aster are now back in the forest, Aster just caught her in his arms, and Asha promptly questions what he means by saying "She's a star" when clearly he's the star here. Aster puts her back down as he answers that yes, he is a star, but he explains Asha is just as magic as he is, Aster makes some star dust flow from his fingers like tiny fireworks as he sings "Magic intervention". A bunch of animals show up around them and sing in harmony the last line. Asha looks at all of them in surprise. The whole forest is lit up with colorful lights thanks to Aster's magic.)

See, I'm more like that lil voice, in your head That suggests when you can't find your path ahead So even though I can't do all of the work for ya I'll make sure it's enough for you to shoulder!

(Aster suddenly is tiny, the size of a hand, dancing on Asha's shoulder. He whispers in her ear that he's the little voice in her head, and once he sings "Path ahead" he makes a golden path appear in front of her, made of star dust. The animals all happily follow that path and encourage Asha to follow along, she hesitates for a moment, but she takes a deep breath and makes a run for it, making little Aster fall from her shoulder as he sings the last line)

[Verse 3]

A wish is a dream that comes from your heart So I've dropped in just to do my part With my magic we'll make that dream go just as planned But I'm sure that by now you already understand:

My wish... depends on me? EXACTLY!

(Asha walks through the path, accompanied by the animals, they sing the first line to her melodically. There's some butterflies flying around her too and Asha gazes upon her overjoyed. Aster flies along side her, posing like he's laying down relaxing, saying how he's just there to do his part. He then uses his magic to create even more shiny yellow butterflies, seeing how Asha seems to like them. The music plays drums as Aster sings "But I'm sure that by now you already understand" and the butterflies fly around Asha in circles, one of them fly to her finger, Asha looks at it as she asks "My wish... Depends on me?", she sounds unsure but she's almost understanding. Aster yells the answer with contagious enthusiasm, making the butterfly on her finger fly away"

[Chorus]

For you don't have to look too hard It's all around and not too far If you're tryna figure out just who you are You're a star!

(Asha is suddenly picked up by a Iberian red deer, running with their herd behind them, all of them singing the chorus, she holds on to his horn with a smile as Aster flies in front of them lighting up the path ahead, the deer she's riding sings to her "You're a star")

Do you know you're a work of art? Even in the deepest dark If you really wanna know just who you are I'm a star!

(Aster sings the first two lines along with the other animals, while looking at Asha with eyes full of admiration. Asha however looks in shock ahead, pointing to him they're running to a cliff, Aster notices and as they jump off the cliff Aster makes Asha float with his star dust, holding her close to her with the full moon behind them, they look at one another in the eyes for a second...Valentino was also on one of the deers, and comedically passes by floating and singing with his baby voice, even though he has been "off screen" so far.)

[Verse 4]

Some say that's just too ordinary Like us stars just ain't necessary 'Cause I'm no legendary genie Granting wishes one, two and three!

(We cut to Asha and Aster back on the ground in the middle of a flower filled, Aster makes all the flowers glow like stars, making the woods beautifully lit up with splashes of color and light all around them. As Aster sings "'Cause I'm no genie legendary" he makes a yellow lamp just like the one from Alladin and hands it to Asha, as she holds it she hubs it, and out of it comes three Asters, completely yellows as they're made of star dust, each one shows up in the rhythm of each number in the line "One, two and three")

Well, my friend, just between you and me I'm way more fun, 'cause, you see I'm here to guide and make you believe YOU can write your origin story!

(Aster snaps his fingers making the lamp and all the three clones disappear in a poof of yellow glittery dust. He's now holding Asha by the shoulder and speaking close to her ear like he's about to tell her a secret as he sings the first line. He offers her a hand as if inviting her for a dance, Asha gladly accepts it and they both dance together around the dancing trees and animals. Aster lifts her off the ground and twirls her around as he sings the last line, Asha looks down at him with a radiant smile, she seems to really like that idea)

[Chorus]

You don't have to look too hard It's all around and not too far If you tryna figure out just who you are You're a star!

(Asha and Aster dance together, they hold hands an almost begin to do a waltz before Aster always changes to a more free style dance. The animals sing the chorus and copy them, with some rabbits dancing while holding their paws together, and some birds flying together in harmony with the music, Valentino is dancing to along with the animals. Aster boops Asha's nose as he says "You're a star")

No matter where you end or start We're both each other's counterparts If you really wanna know just who you are I'm a star! (Wooh)

(Asha is filled with delight as she dances freely, without a care in the world, she feels as if she could fly. She watches all the magic that surrounds her with pure wonderment in her eyes, she finally fully accepts what Aster and all the other creatures in the forest are trying to tell her, as she exclaims "I'm a star!" and all of them cheer.)

[Post-Chorus]

Ooh, I'm a star Watch out world here you are (Hey, hey) You know who's lookin' sharp? (Who?) Me, I'm a star! (Wooh) Oh, you're a star! Watch out world here you are! (Hey, hey) You know who's lookin' sharp? (Who?) You! You're a star

[Outro]

Ha-ha-ha, wooh Yes, wooh Ah-ha-ha, ho-ho

(Aster makes a light shine on Asha like a spot light, as the animals all watch her dance by herself, feeling fully confident in who she is. The star keeps hyping her up, overjoyed that her spark is back. Aster flies around her as she dances, he sings the last lines praising her, while making the flowers and leaves fly around them like colors of the wind from Pocahontas, but on the last line both him and Asha point at each other when saying "You! You're a star" and their fingers touch each other when they point. The two of them find that amusing, and on that adrenaline high energy that can only laugh and cheer together. Asha falls on the grass, laughing with overwhelming joy and exhaustion after all of this, Aster lays next to her as he celebrates.)

Asha and Aster are laying down, laughing on the grass. Flowers are growing around Aster because he's so happy. Asha is more out of breath, since ya know, unlike Aster she actually breathes. Some animals that helped Aster as backup singers start to leave the scene

"Wooh! That was great! Thank you for the help fellas!" Aster thanks the animals for their help, still laying on the floor with Asha as he waves them goodbye.

"Any time buddy!" "That was fun!" "We should do this more often!"

The animals chit chat as they leave the pair and Valentino alone in a small clearing in the forest. The girl and the star are now both gazing up to the stars while Valentino is sitting next to them, also looking up.

"Sooo did I explain well enough?" They asks her, genuinely wanting to know since this is the first time he explains to someone how wishing stars work.

"Yeah... I'm still trying to process this is all really happening and I didn't just fall from the tree branch and hit my head... But yeah I get it.” Asha says, still out of breath after everything that happened “So you’re here to help me… I assume you're all caught up on what my problem is, right?" Since he's magic she assumes they might as well know everything.

Aster confirms her assumption "The king has been changing people's wishes for years. And he changed your wish so you would become a princess locked up in a tower by sun rise, yup yup I'm all caught up" Aster elaborates quickly, while trying to smell some of the flowers that grew around him, but disappointingly realizing he can’t smell anything.

(Aster has been keeping up with the rewrite y'all)

"I have no idea on how to stop them" Asha breathes out, her voice comes out as almost an whisper

Aster is still staring at the stars as they say "On your own it would be pretty hard" But then he turns his head to look at her "But lucky for you, your magic guide here already got it aaaaaaall figured out" They have a cheeky grin

Asha sits up in surprise "You do??”

"Yuuuup!" He begins to illustrate his plan using his star dust, creating the image of the castle "King Magnifico is gonna release the wishes from his tower any minute now" the star dust castle illustrates the wish bubbles coming out of it, then Aster creates the image of a sleeping Asha with his other hand "While you sleep, I'll keep an eye out for that cursed wish bubble the whoooole night long, then when it shows up I can just grab it before it reaches you" Aster illustrates the wish bubble approaching her, and he grabs the small orb with his own fingers.

“And just like that you... You can stop it from coming true?” Asha asks slowly, it feels almost too good to be true.

“Of course! That "wish" turned curse won't get even close to you while I'm around here” He sits up as he says confidently. He then chuckles a bit at that, realizing the irony “Heheh it’s kinda ironic ain’t it? A wishing star stopping a wish from coming truuu- wOAH“

Aster is caught off guard by Asha hugging them.

“THANK YOU! ASTER THANKYOUTHANKYOU THANK YOU!!” Asha isn't usually much of a hugger, but in this case she just can't contain how happy and relieved she feels “Aster I was just… So scared, you have no idea, that they’d take me away and- Thank you...“ She finally feels like everything will be alright

(She doesn't know she's in a story written by an angst loving writer, so everything will NOT be alright my friends)

Aster is... Well this IS their first hug, ever, it feels very foreign to him... It feels… New.

The star can't quite describe what it is, it's like happiness but somehow... Stronger... If someone was to describe this feeling to him, he'd think it couldn't be true.

They return the hug of course, holding her tight as his eyes close shut “Heh don’t mention it, I’m your wishing star, of course I’ll protect you.”

(hmmm would you say you’d protect her… At all cost????)

Aster wanted to stay like this for as long as they could but... Suddenly some quiet orchestral instruments start playing in the background, they sound messy and without harmony. Aster's eyes are shot open and they quickly lets go of the hug "A-and everyone else in Rosas too, since ya know, that was uh- your wish heheh" he stumbles over his words nervously.

Asha doesn't notice the awkwardness in his voice, she just gets up, feeling her confidence returning, reassured that she does have a chance of winning with Aster by her side.

"… Yeah- YEAH! We can do it, I can make them see the truth, now that I have your help!" She speaks passionately, ready to take on anything the world throws at them "What can we do to save everyone else?"

Aster flies off the ground, looking just as excited as her "I'm glad you asked! Here's my plan" Once again, Aster uses his star dust to illustrate his plan quickly: "First! We get in the castle. Then we free all the wishes. Everyone gets their wishes back. They all learn that they should make their wishes come true through their own efforts. BOOM. They get "Something more for them than thisss"!" he sing songs the last phrase at the rhythm of "This Wish"

Aster eagerly waits for her reaction to his… “plan”. Asha is smiling but... She knows that's a terrible plan, however, she doesn't want to be rude.

"Umm... Its a good idea but... I think we can workshop that a little bit." She says as kindly as she can to not hurt the star's feelings.

"Yeah yeah of course! this is OUR plan after all" Aster is floating like he's laying down on his cape, like it's a hamrock in mid air. The star is over confident that this is indeed the perfect plan.

Asha takes a deep breath before explaining "Well... If we simply free the wishes, I don't think the people of Rosas will want them back, you know? They want their wishes GRANTED by the king himself, it would take a lot of convincing to make everyone want to grant their own wishes. Not to mention most of them were changed by Magnifico so now they're curses."

As she speaks Aster start floating down and down and down with every word, realizing the situation is a bit more complex than he expected, he's sitting on the grass now with his legs crossed.

"... Huh... I didn't think about it that way" He admits, sounding a mix of embarrassed and disappointed in himself "This... Guiding thing... Might be a bit harder than I thought" their voice is quiet as his hair that moves like a flame (I don't think I've emphasized this enough, his hair is a reference to Hades hair, ITS ALWAYS MOVING) starts to shine less brightly.

Asha notices the star insecurities, so now it's her turn to cheer him up, she sits next to Aster and holds their hand. Aster's eyes light up when he feels her hand on his, he listens attentively to what she has to say

"Hey don't worry, it won't be easy, but thats okay, we just need some time to plan this out, together. You said it yourself, right? You can't do all the work for me, and I don't want you to. Just having you here to help already changes everything... I'm really glad you're here, Aster" She gives him a warm smile, her eyes locked on his.

His hair lights up again, even brighter than before, and more flowers bloom around them. "... Yeah, I'm glad I did come down here." The star says, a smile growing in the corner of his lips, his eyes sparkling. Aster doesn't have a heartbeat but if he did it would probably be beating like a storm in their chest.

Asha is quite literally oblivious to the effect she just had on him. She simply gets up again and changes the subject. "We can think on a plan tomorrow, now I gotta go home and-" She stops, realizing that if she goes home she's gonna have to explain everything to Dahlia "Oh my-how am I gonna explain YOU to Dahlia and her parents, or explain why I ran away like that... " She places a hand on her forehead, now walking side to side worriedly.

Aster starts floating again, with a knowing smile on his lips "Mayyyybe you can sleep in a different house tonight" They state with a childlike mischievousness in their voice

Asha looks at them confused "Huh? What house?"

Aster turns her head with one finger, making her turn around to looks what's behind her.

"How about that one?"

Asha then sees...

(Pretend this picture is at night time please)

"That's... That's my old home, where I grew up" Asha feels a warmth in her heart, it's a feeling of nostalgia and comfort, she hasn’t been in there for a long time.

Aster still has that same knowing smile, his eyelids are relaxed as he comments "Really? Huh what a coincidence..." it's not like he guided that whole musical sequence to lead them here or anything- what? What you talking about? "WELP let's get in then!" The star flies to the door like a dash of light.

"W-wait Aster, the door is locked-" Asha warns him but-

Aster uses his magic when touching the door, making it glow yellow for a moment, and just like that, It's open "Not for me, it isn't heheh"

Asha smiles, yeah, of course they can open doors too.

We have a small time skip, cutting to them inside the house. It's a cozy small cottage with, even though it looks a bit dusty from it's time abandoned it's still quite organized. It's faintly lit with candles, but Aster's hair and cape pretty much light up the whole place a lot more.

Valentino is soundly sleeping on a pillow, while Asha is sitting on the dinner table, drawing on her sketchbook... Drawing Aster of course, because what else would an artist do if they met someone who was literally 2D animated in real life?

(“But Anny shouldn’t she go to sleep?” SHE WILL GO TO SLEEP AFTER I GET MORE CUTE INTERACTIONS OUT OF THEM)

She's also eating some berries that animal critters got for her offscreen, ya know, because Aster asked them to, and she didn't have dinner. While she draws, Aster is flying all over the place, taking a closer look at EVERYTHING inside the house.

"Wow, I could never actually see how human houses looked like from the inside! It's way more spacious than I thought"

Asha can't help but laugh at that statement "Ha! Now that's funny coming from someone that lived in SPACE, which I gotta ask... How was it like? What did you do up there?" Her eyes sparkled with curiosity

"Oooh ya know, the usual, watch the birth of super novas, throw asteroids as far as you can, sometimes guess where a new solar system will form next, just a bunch of boring stuff" The way Aster says it makes it seem like those are the most mundane things ever. He says while admiring a fork in his hands.

(Ariel coded. Aster is Ariel from space y'all)

Asha hears the star describe all those things in awe, after all she also really likes astronomy.

"None of that sounds boring at all, and I still got a thousand other questions!" She says excitedly

Aster is just as excited to answer them. But then he notices Asha's sketchbook is open, that gives him an idea.

"Well then ask away! I'm an open book, or rather..."

Aster jumps INSIDE her book, shrinking down to the size of her finger, now he's black and white, and is animated with more rough sketchy animation, as a reference to animation tests, like this (2D Mirabel my beloved)

GIF by scurviesdisneyblog

"I'm IN an open book! heheheh" He giggles, there's no reason for them to do that other than he wanted to see if it was possible, and of course it is.

Asha looks at the now moving Aster sketch on her book, she's stunned for a moment, but then again that's not even the most impressive thing Aster has done today.

"O-Okay so umm, you mentioned earlier that not all stars are alive, right? Just some... So how does a star gain life?" She asks, like she's interviewing him for research.

Aster walks around the pages of her sketchbook as he explains "When we are wished upon for the first time by a mortal! I got my first wish about 18 years ago more less, and that's when I gained life" He jumps to a different page, now with some animal sketches drawn on it.

"Oh... We're the same age then" Asha mentions, somewhat surprised, but at the same time it does make more sense than Aster being a 100000+ year old, after all he acts like just a teen… When he’s not acting like a kid that is.

"Guess we are! Happy birthday by the way!" Aster says as he brings some animal drawings to life, they begin to run around him "Hehehe Though can you imagine if you WERE my first wish maker? I would've shown up here looking like a new born star, an actual baby, now that'd be awkward wouldn't it?"

(...Yeah Aster, that would be very strange... Thank goodness it never happened... Am I too salty?)

"Heh I guess so, and uh do ALL the stars look and dress like you?" She goes on to the next question.

"We always pick a different form depending on what's more fitting for our wish maker, I picked this form because… Well- You were in need of help like a princess in a fairytale, so I thought the princey looking clothes would fit the occasion" Aster's now in a different page with the drawing of a tree, he's hanging around from the branches

Asha is slightly put off by the comment, she had enough of this "princess talk" after what happened in the castle that night.

"I am NOT a princess though" She corrects him with one eyebrow raised up.

Aster drops from the tree branch "Oh I know! You're just pretty like one" He says innocently, like he's just stating something that's clear as day.

Asha blushes, getting flustered by that sudden compliment... She didn't expect a literal star to find her pretty.

(NEVERMIND HE LITERALLY SANG "DO YOU KNOW YOURE A WORK OF ART EVEN IN THE DEEPEST DARK" A FEW MINUTES AGO LIKE GURL HE IS NOT BEING SUBTLE)

"Heh heh wow-okay um... Honestly when I first saw you I assumed you were like... A sorcerer or something" She tries changing the subject, assuming they're just saying that to be nice.

" Pffft a sorcerer?! Nooo nonono if I wanted to come off as a sorcerer I would've dressed myself something more like this"

He snaps his fingers, changing his clothes to look like Mickey’s sorcerer apprentice outfit, because Disney reference babeeeeyyy.

"Though the hat is a bit too big isn't it? I don't think it suits me heheh" He chuckles as the hat covers his eyes.

Asha giggles at that in amusement "Hihih I think you look great either way"

Suddenly, a gust of wind blows through the window. The pages of the sketchbook flip rapidly because of the wind, throwing Aster off the book

“WOOOOOOAAAH!!!” He screams as he gets back to their normal size, before he knows it he's thrown inside a closet

Asha gets up instantly to check if he’s alright "ASTER?! YOU OKAY?" she asks worried

The star is just laughing without a care in the world, laying inside the closet full of old belongings of Asha and her family. "Woooo hahahah yup! Need more than a little wind to-“ Aster notices something in the closet that caught his attention “Hey, what's this?" Aster gets up from the closet, holding a mandolin.

"Oh… that's my Saba's old mandolin, I guess I forgot it here" Asha looks at the instrument with a smile that was somewhat nostalgic, but also mournful. She expected the memories of him would come flowing back by them just being in the house, but it still caught her by surprise.

"Did he play?" The star asks curious

"Actually... No. I never seen him playing it, I even asked him to teach me a couple of times but he was never interested" She sounds sorrowful as she passes her fingers through the cords.

"Huh... I see" Aster can kinda guess why that is… But they prefer to keep the information to themselves.

She's still paying close attention to the instrument in her hands, looking at it with downcast eyes "You know… I wish he did teach me, I don’t know how to play any instruments… But Saba always seemed disinterested in-“

Asha notices Aster started shining brighter and giggling more than usual all of the sudden… Also he’s shaking his arms around rapidly, leaving smear frames like he has multiple arms, ya know since he’s 2D. Soooo yeah, they’re stimming.

“Umm... You doing okay Aster?" Asha asks holding the mandolin close to her.

Aster floats now with his face is close to hers "You "WISH" you say?! Weeeell I can help with that!" His voice is full of glee, like the simple word “wish” coming out of Asha’s mouth filled him with energy

"Y-you can? But how? You can’t change the past" Asha is more confused than ever

"Nope! Buuut I can use my magic to give you a taste of what it would’ve been like if he DID teach you! Here, let me try something”

Aster extends his hand, asking her to hand them the mandolin, Asha isn’t sure where this is going but she trusts the star completely, so she gives it to him. Aster begins spreading his star dust on the cords of the mandolin, making them shine brightly. The cords start playing many different melodies by themselves, as if every song ever played in that instrument is being played again all at the same time. Aster then makes that shine on the cords return to him, the mandolin stops playing and now Aster has a light flickering on the tip of his finger, you can almost hear the faint sound of music coming from that light. Aster reaches out, getting that finger closer and closer to Asha's face

"Aaaaand BOOP!” Aster boops her nose with his shiny finger, making stardust sparkle around her face. She blinks a few times, not understanding what just happened. ”There! Try it now!" Aster says as he hands the Mandolin back to her. Asha looks at the mandolin, then back to Aster, who’s staring at her with a big smile, eager to see what she’ll do next.

She holds it to try playing it, not sure what since she doesn’t know any songs- wait...- But she DOES. Asha’s eyes light up when she realizes that now she can remember so many melodies in her head, like the knowledge was always there. The chords, the music notes, it all comes naturally to her as much as speaking and reading. And so, her fingers dance through the mandolin, creating a beautiful melody, a smile grows on her lips.

"Woah I- I can play it now!" The girl says cheerfully

"Yup!” The star boy flies upwards quickly, glad they could make her happy granting one simple wish… Thought he knows there’s a “but” “But it's not permanent, you'll only know how to play till tomorrow's strike of midnight" Aster explains while walking around upside down on the ceiling.

Asha looks up and asks "Why midnight?"

The star shrugs “It's always midnight" he answered simply "Anyway, it may not be the same as if your grandfather taught you but... At least you can get a feel for it before trying to learn at your own pace"

Asha chuckles a bit with that notion, most people would probably be upset if they only got to know a talent for one day, but she’s more than happy with just knowing how to play it NOW, and yeah, she can try learning how to play by herself later.

She looks at the instrument as she says:

"Thanks, Aster. Though I don't think I'll have the time to play it tomorrow, we gotta figure out how to defeat the king and queen, remember? And I doubt knowing how to play the mandolin is gonna help us heheh" she says that last part laughing a quietly to herself, how silly would that be? To defeat those villains with music.

"Yeah I guess it won't..." Aster speaks in a disappointed sigh while still pacing around the ceiling, sad that Asha won’t get to enjoy her wish tomorrow… But then… an idea pops up in the star’s head. His hair lights up like a lamp once again. The boy JUMPS and does some backflips before landing on the table with wide bright eyes and a huge smile. "What if it COULD help though???" He exclaimed, now standing on the table.

"...What?" Asha asks with one arched eyebrow

Aster starts walking circles on the table like they’re thinking on the details of their new plan "Wait wait wait let me think... Yeah YEAH I KNOW! Asha! YOU can INSPIRE THEM!" Aster says pointing a finger to Asha, smiling ear to ear.

"Inspire who? Huh?? What you talking about???" Asha is now hugging the mandolin walking backwards, not understanding what’s going on right now.

Aster tries lowering his energy as he speaks more calmly "Think about it, why did the king and queen want your wish soooo much in the first place?" He asks, now sitting on the table with his legs crossed.

"Uuh because they're evil" She states the obvious fact with a deadpan expression.

"Ok yeah that too- BUT they wanted it because they were afraid you could INSPIRE people, that's their weakness! They depend on the people believing in them, trusting them with their wishes, so if we want to win we gotta. Break. That. Trust” He says emphasizing each one of the last three words by hitting his finger on the table.

"And you think we can do that... By playing music?" Asha gives him a look that can only be described as an “… seriously?” Expression, she’s not confident in that idea, not in the slightest.

Aster on the other hand is just as confident in that idea as he’s confident that the sun will rise tomorrow. So they continue:

"It's a start, you can inspire the people of Rosas with music so that they at least THINK about wanting to pursue their own wishes, you said it yourself, that we could only return the wishes to them once they learn they shouldn't depend on king Magnifico" Aster says, now floating closer to Asha with that same bubbly smile that doesn’t seem to ever leave his face.

Asha tries to patiently explain to him why that’s not a good plan "Aster, it's a lot more complicated than that, I mean, how would we even know if I'm actually changing anyone's minds?"

Aster doesn’t miss a heartbeat and exclaims "I'd know!"

"…huh?" Asha eyes squint.

The star once again has his face reeeeally close to Asha’s, their noses almost touching, so she looks him directly in the eyes "I can SEE people's beliefs! Their wants! Their dreams! My eyes can see all that as plainly as a smile on someone's face. If, or rather, WHEN anyone feels inspired by you, I will know" The star is shining like the sun now, somehow it doesn’t hurt Asha’s eyes though, but she still not fully convinced.

"And you... Really think I can change their minds?” Her voice is full of doubt now, both in herself and in the notion that the people of Rosas can ever change that easily “I was seen as a weirdo in the kingdom for years, and after what happened today... They must see me as something worse, how can I change anything?" She looks at the star with a saddened expression.

And once again, Aster reassures her with a bright smile and some words of wisdom "You just gotta believe, believe in yourself all the way, implicitly and unquestionably-

(That’s uh… that’s a reference to an Walt Disney quote, cause like, I’m shocked that Disney’s 100th anniversary movie had none of those, and also it’s really fitting for Aster’s character… sorry for the interruption, let’s keep going)

- believe in yourself as much as I believe in you! I'll be there to help you. It won't be easy but we gotta start from somewhere, right?… And I REALLY think if anyone can inspire them it's you, Asha."

The thought never crossed Asha’s mind before but… The way Aster talks to her almost feels like they know her for a long LONG time… But maybe that’s just how wishing stars talk to their wish makers in general. Asha thinks for a moment… Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to at least try…

"... Yeah I guess... It does sound fun to play music with my saba's mandolin like I've always wanted...” She looks at the instrument, but then a worrisome thought came to her, she looks back at Aster and asks “But how are YOU gonna be there with me? We can't let people see you"

Aster smirks as he starts floating towards the entrance of the house "Oooh hohoho way ahead of you! Watch this.” He gets out, closing the door behind him. Asha sees a huge flash of light coming from the windows, she looks at the door confused until… Aster walks back in. Emphasis on WALKS, not float. For he’s no longer a 2D animated glowing boy… He’s 3D just like Asha and all the rest of the environment. Asha is startled for a moment because she almost couldn’t recognize him now that he looks like… A real person.

“Ta-da!” He says walking in while twirling around, showing off his new form. His cape no longer has star dust flowing out of it, and his blonde hair no longer moves nor shine, and the star mark on his right eye is gone.

All Asha can say is amazement is “...Wow”

The star was just interesting to look at before, since he was a moving drawing. But now… Now Asha felt a bit more when looking at him, her heart starts beating faster.

Although he does looks like a real person his movements feel… Off, like their animation is in a different frame rate compared to everything else, his movements are slightly quicker.

(In case you haven’t noticed yet Aster is a walking animation study)

"Pretty neat huh? I feel so heavy now hehe" He jumps a few times, like they’re getting used to the gravity

"Wait wait wait did you just turn yourself into a human??" Asha asks while walking towards him to take a closer look.

"Naah, I wish." He whispers the "I wish" part more to himself "This is just a disguise, all wishing stars have one, though I can't actually use my powers while in this form" The boy says while checking his new appearance on a mirror hanging on the wall "But hey, not like I'll need my powers to help you inspire people, that will be all you! I'll be there just to hype up the audience" He says excitedly

Asha feels her insecurities creeping in at the mention of an audience "... We can't bring too much attention for ourselves though, SPECIALLY from the king and queen, they'll probably think that cursed wish changed me, so they'll be looking for me"

"I can keep an eye out for them… Aaaaand" Aster runs towards the closet he fell in earlier, and grabs another item that caught his attention beside’s Sabino’s mandolin… It’s a purple bluish cloak, the same cloak from the movie that references the fairy godmother’s cloak.

“My mom’s cloak…” Asha says warmly as Aster hands the piece of clothing to her

"They won't recognize you like this, from the top of their palace you'll look like just any street performer" The star's voice is filled with trust that everything will be alright, and Asha feels that trust too as she holds the cloak close to her heart.

"Yeah... Okay, we'll do it! Tomorrow morning at the plaza" Asha announces decidedly

“Alright!" The star jumps up, realizing he can't fly in that form so he looks slightly confused when he lands back down, he feels a bit embarrassed by that "Heheh... But hey, speaking of that cursed wish of yours... shouldn't the wishes have already been released from the tower?" Aster says looking out the window.

"... I honestly don't know what time of night the king usually releases them, I'm always already asleep when that happens... *yaaaawn* and speaking of which, I should probably go to bed now" Asha says, walking to her old room with tired eyes

"Great idea, I'll be on the roof to watch out for that cursed wish!" The star says as they turn back to his 2D appearance so they can fly to the roof

"Good night, Asha!"

"Good night Aster"

Aster flies to the roof and lays down, to protect Asha. The young star relaxes looking up to the night sky.

…

And then

We hear the sound of instruments.

Violins, flutes and bells all playing quietly but erratically.

We then see a new emotion that Aster hasn't displayed before form on his face...

Aster looks annoyed.

The young star rolls his eyes, speaking in a tone reminiscent of a bothered teenager

"Wow, I barely even started and you guys already think I’m doing this all wrong? A little bit of trust would be nice"

The instruments play again, as if to answer to what he just said

"Yeah I knooow it's gonna take a while to grant this wish, but hey, if it was a simple wish I wouldn't be here in the first place, now would I?"

The instruments play again, more aggressively

"I may be young but I deserve to be here just as much as anyone else... I know I'm doing things differently but... She needs me"

The instruments play again

"NO THIS IS NOT-"

He stops himself from yelling, Asha might hear, he looks up to the stars with a glare.

"*sigh* This is NOT about me wanting to stay here longer than I have to, I'm just doing things MY way, just give me a chance, I know what I'm doing..."

…

Silence.

…

All Aster hears now are the sounds of the night, like crickets and the wind

The star turns their gaze now to the castle in the distance

“… I know what I’m doing.”

Chapter 8

Final thoughts

Does he though?

And WOW that was a looooong chapter of just two characters talking to each other huh? Well I hope y’all enjoyed the cuteness because it’s aaaaaall going downhill real soon :3

So just getting one thing out of the way, about this last scene of Aster talking with the stars… I wrote that whole scene while listening to “I’m still here” from Treasure Planet to get my head in the misunderstood teen vibe, just so you guys get an idea.

It’s not like Aster was faking his upbeat personality,obviously not, they don’t fake anything, it’s more like they have layers… like an onion 🧅. With Asha and everyone else he’s the happy optimistic little ray of sunshine that believes wholeheartedly that “🎶No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, that dream that you wished will cooooome true🎶” and all that jazz.

BUT with the stars, he’s treated like a kid, when they feel like a teenager and wants to be treated as one. My point is he’s more than a happy face, he’ll have an arc and be a rounded character.

And don’t worry, the stars ain’t antagonists, they’re more of a true neutral party. Just observing… Yeah.

And if you think “that plan of inspiring people with music is not a good idea” why yes, I know, but that’s Aster plan, aka the guy who takes ✨If you believe you can do it✨ as gospel, and don’t get me wrong I agree with believing in your dreams, but Aster will come to learn what that REALLY means, and what it really means to be someone’s guide.

This plan WILL lead to something good for Asha and Aster… buuuut it’ll also lead to something real bad, so ya know, Aster gets a reality check, and Asha will get some character development… Yippee 🥳

Hope you guys enjoyed this Magnifico and Amable free chapter because they’re coming back right in the beginning of chapter 8 hahaha say bye bye to the good vibes.

As always

Thank You For Reading!

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a-not-so-clean-blog · 1 month

Text

Nu carnival x ftm period

Mentions of blood, general pain, dysphoria, and drugs

♦️Garu, Aster, Morvay

Yakumo

Boy is comforting by nature and he will do anything in his power to make you feel better. Warm soup, mint tea, any kind of comfort food; he'll make it all for you. If he needs to he will even fight the awkwardness and ask his grandma for advice on how to make “someone” on their period feel better. He knows better than to out you to anybody, even to the people he trusts most. He just wants you to feel better.

Edmond

He's going to need some help. He heard that people like chocolate when this happens so he gets you expensive chocolate confections from your favorite bakery. If he's not too busy he might make some with you. Quality time is important to him and he wants you to know he's here to support you even if he's too awkward to express it with words. He will make time to try and comfort you as much as he can but it will be in all non verbal ways.

Olivine

He will pray for your recovery. He sympathizes with you, he understands how much his essence imbalance hurts him so it makes sense that your hormone imbalance hurts you. It hurts him seeing you so uncomfortable and him not being able to help. He really doesn't want to leave you alone and it hurts him when he can't be by you to help. Even if it's simply grabbing something for you he wants to take as much of your burden as he can.

Quincy

Quincy is big and I think he's very warm too, especially his right hand because of the gem. He cuddles up to you and uses himself as a hot water bottle. Resting his hand on your stomach and letting you use him as a pillow. If you have any kind of mood shifts he takes it in stride. It kind of reminds him of dealing with a cat; wanting pets one moment and biting his hand the next. It doesn't bother him much though and it's nice having a grounding personality like his around while you wait out the pain. He probably offers some natural pain killers if it gets bad.

Kuya

He has a herb that he gives you to help. You don't know what the plant is but it helps. All the pain and discomfort are gone but it makes you feel weird in the head. You've tried finding the plant but no book or even Quincy knows what it is. Kuya just tells you not to worry about it and enjoy not being in pain. You should probably be more weary of him but the herb works so well that you can't really say no.

Blade

He freaks out when you tell him you're bleeding. He thinks you're injured and immediately goes into protection mode. You have to explain it happens to some guys monthly. That's satisfactory for his curiosity for now. It's best to just tell him what helps you manage pain. If you don't he will take the initiative to look up what will help…and he will want you to try the weirdest home remedies. So unless you want him asking you to put a frozen potato wedge cover in sesame oil in your underwear, I suggest being open with him very early. It's so hard to say no to his puppy eyes when he's just trying to help.

Garu

This gets a little weird so continue with caution. He smells it right before you start bleeding and it scares him the first time. It hurts your heart to have him look at you so worried for a week. You know he's just concerned but honestly it doesn't help the dysphoria at all.

Karu

He is confused. Normally if something is causing you pain he just breaks it. Like when you stubbed your toe on the table, no more table no more problem. However he can't just rip your guts out, that would just make more of a problem. He tends to keep his distance unless you give him a specific task, once the task is over he's going back to keeping his distance though.

Dante

He is no help. Honestly he has no idea what to do. Normally the guys he's around only bleed when they are stabbed, but at least he knows how to dress a stab wound. This however, is out of his league. When this time starts he will assign a personal assistant to you to help. They have full permission to get you literally anything you need. Dante doesn't want to know about periods and assumes you don't want anyone to know about yours either, so your assistant is also sworn to secrecy.

Rei

No help in the beginning. I don't think he's been around many AFAB people so you are going to be his first reference point. After this happens a few times though he actually figures out the best ways to help you. He will learn what makes you feel better in terms of painkillers vs muscle relaxers, he learns if any foods make you feel worse and avoids them. Yeah he treats it like an experiment but as long as it helps in the long run he doesn't think it matters. Also he memorized all the early signs and is fully prepared for when it actually starts. I'm not sure how skilled he is with a scalpel (or if you can trust him with a scalpel) but he may offer to remove the problem if you want.

Eiden

I think he's the only one on this list who truly understands how much this week triggers your dysphoria. He will do anything he can help physically, but he is also extra protective of your masculinity during this time. He will literally fight anyone who misgenders you, and makes sure to give you lots of compliments. “Y’know most guys can't handle pain as well as you do. I've even seen knights cry at the sight of a paper cut haha!” He's very proud of you and will make sure you know just how manly you are.

Aster

Also kinda nasty so read at your own risk…. “Free meal”. He uh, gets pretty excited when it happens. He tells you stuff like “you look so handsome today~” and other masc compliments but it's all a ploy to get in your pants. Honestly he's more pushy than Morvay is when you're bleeding. It's just that the constant smell of your blood is impossible for him to ignore. He helps with pain management but is really only invested in the clean up.

Morvay

He heard an orgasm helps with cramps… this is the only thing he will do to help, but being a service bottom he does it so well. He will bring you food in bed, let you eat, make you cum till you can't see straight and pass you, rinse and repeat for a week. He gets so pouty if you leave because “doctor Morvay” just wants to make you feel better.

#i think these headcanons cursed me because ya boy is having stomach pain now #a degenerate writes #Nu carnival Yakumo #nu carnival Edmond #nu carnival olivine #nu carnival Quincy #nu carnival Kuya #nu carnival Garu #nu carnival Dante #nu carnival Rei #nu carnival Aster #nu carnival Morvay #nu carnival Eiden #nu carnival x reader #nu carnival #x ftm #ftm reader #tw periods #♦️

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love-marimo · 1 year

Text

just diluc and his stoic bashfulness…

he's not the type of person to say i love you a lot nor call you pet names especially at the start of your relationship, but oh boy does he get flustered often. and while he prides himself on thinking he can hide it, you eventually learn his body language and see right through his facade.

the most obvious scenario would be when he gives you a bouquet of flowers, from cecilias to windwheel asters, he's got them all beautifully wrapped just for you. it's only been a few weeks since he started courting such a fine person like you are, so you better indulge in his bashfulness!

"hey, diluc! sorry to keep you waiting. how do i look?" you ask, hoping that he likes how the dress fits you.

he's got this really cute stoic poker face paired with a tinge of pink on his cheeks. and you can't help but smile at how he's awfully unaware of it.

"i- well, you're beautiful." and after an awkward pause he presents the bouquet to your face, avoiding eye contact as much as he can.

"oh! for me?" you chuckle in delight, and this makes his cheeks grow warmer.

"i hope you like these as well. flora has helped me in selecting which flowers would suit for courting someone. i hope you don't mind." he almost mumbles, placing his hand under his chin, as if he's in deep thought…

when in reality he just tries to make himself appear like it's no big deal. is he failing? well, you be the judge.

if you think this trait of his goes away once you two make it official, you're dead wrong.

this man turns into a tomato with confidence. you make him admit that he got jealous? pink cheeks and a stoic expression. you baked him a cake for his birthday, paired with his favorite bottle of wine? flushed cheeks and an adoring smile on his face.

you decide to surprise him in the bedroom with something erotic? he's running his hand on his hair, a red blush on his cheeks as he tells you how bold you are for doing something like this to him.

he gets more honest about how he easily crumbles when he's with you the longer you spend time together.

and when he finally decides to call you a pet name for the first time he goes,

"um, darling, could you pass me the book of accounts on the shelf you're cleaning?"

you stop dead in your tracks as you turn to look at him with a confused but delighted smile.

"why of course, dear. here you go." you reached for a kiss on his cheek. "love you." you say casually as you went back to cleaning.

and of course, being the usual stoic bashful that he is, he grabs your hand to turn you around for a sweet kiss on the lips.

with a small smile, he looks away for a moment as you laugh at him for his silliness.

he places your hand on his warm cheek, rubs small circles on it and replies, finally looking back at you,

"i love you too, sweetheart."

just diluc and his stoic bashfulness… is surely enough to melt your heart, as you make his own flutter, too.

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bahbzxxx · 11 months

Text

Serenitea pot shenanigans 3~ Little Whopperflower🦋✨🌺

(Ven ven x reader)

~In which you decide that stealing his bowtie is the best idea ever🎀(TM)~

CW: it gets a little smutty

ヾ(｡>﹏<｡)ﾉﾞ✧*。

"W-windblume? Windblume! There you are...I've been looking all over for you! I just- "

He stops.

You turn your head innocently, eyes a glimmer and hair gently flowing among the thousand winds.

"hmm..."

To the bard, you're always a stunning sight~ a shade more ethereal than white.

But you've really taken the cake this time~ spoiling him with this sight. Even if it meant you were a little whopperflower at the same time.

He raises an eyebrow and smirks, shaking his head and putting his hands on his hips. "Of course...I see..." He whispers to himself, soft and low.

A few hairs stick to your lips as you tilt your head innocently. You push them back.

"w-whats wrong?" You ask sweetly, trying to maintain eye contact. He naturally notices how your eyes dart to his chest for just a splinter of a moment, and how your cheeks gain a slight hue of pink. At his undone shirt.

You're holding back your giggles. He knows you are. You're batting your eyelashes...you know you're guilty. Every inch of you is riddled with guilt!

Yet here you are...wearing his bow, so beautifully tucked into your locks...feigning innocence.

"W-whats wrong?" Venti asks, playing fake ignorance to match the caliber of your acting skills. But you know that look. That mischevious yet silly smile growing on his face as he closes his eyes.

"Ah, it's nothing, my muse! Ehehe..."

He comes closer, and you turn your head slightly away from him to hide your stifled giggles. He's right behind you now, just close enough to be touching. But not quite yet...

"I just...I can't help but feel I've misplaced something..."

"Oh really?"

You feel Venti's breath now, on the back of your neck. It gives you a rush of butterflies that you try so very hard to conceal from him.

"Oh...yes...I was going to wear it for our stroll tonight..."

"Oh, it's only a stroll, my love..."

"Not on evenings when it's with you, my muse."

You can't help the small laugh that escapes you from that line. It's also so wonderfully comedic hows he's gone from increasingly suductive to pouty within a matter of seconds.

"Hey, what's so funny? It's true!"

"i-im sorry! C-carry on!" You giggle again, and he keeps pouting for a moment before getting back into character.

"so...what is it that youre looking for?" You ask, twirling the bow in your finger. "May I...help?"

His heart pounds out of his chest as you press your back into him. Would he really need to cut the act so short? You really are quite the tease, getting him all flustered...

...

You're being such a whopperflower in so many ways this evening!

"Ah...well...maybe if..." He begins to weave his fingers through your hair gently. You think he's about to take the bow out of your hair at first, but instead, he grips your waist and purrs into your ear.

"mmm...nevermind. I believe I've found it~my little whopperflower~"

"W-whopperflower? What's that me-ahh!"

You squeal as he wraps his arms around your middle tightly, lifting you off the ground and then plopping you onto the ground among the asters. He chuckles devilishly, lapping up the picture before him. What a beautiful sight it is, for his eyes and his eyes alone...wearing something belonging to him so graciously and lovingly. Even though it was stolen...sometimes, you just have to learn your lesson...right?

Immediately, his body is on top of yours, using his weight to pin you down so there would be no escaping his affect- consequences.

He proceeds to lay his love on you, letting his hands roam so freely along your body as he kisses you. Simple kisses on the lips become sloppier until they are no longer just on the lips, but all over your face, your neck, and even getting closer to your collarbone. The cute noises you make just for him fill him with more desire and love, so much so that his body aches from it. He groans against your neck, still trying to press into your body even more. You wrap your legs around his soft waist, eliciting an even stronger reaction from the bard. He chuckles darkly.

"Hm...you're enjoying this too much, aren't you, you little whopperflower..." He teases, his lips and breath brushing against the skin of your neck.

"N-no...what makes you think that?"

"oh?" He lifts his head, his hair brushing against your cheek and tickling you before his turquoise eyes shine in dramatized concern. "Then, pardon me! Since you're obviously not pleased...perhaps I should...hmm...I should go..."

Your eyes widen. You purposely stole his bow just to get this...

When he slowly and dramatically pulls himself off of you, drudgingly, you yank him back down by his collar. His eyes widen for a moment, but they become filled to the brim with lust and mischief within mere seconds.

"Wow, you~ you're asking for it now, you little weed..."

"I'm not a weed! I'm your windblume!" You pout.

"Oh? Are you sure? Positively absolutely sure?" He purrs, and then lovingly caresses your cheek~ the eye of the storm before he gives you your divine punishment.

"yeah!" Oh. That little pout.

"Aw...wonderful." He giggles and closes his eyes. An even denser fog descends upon the area. If you weren't even one hundred percent sure that the two of you had privacy tonight before...

Well...

His cape comes off so delicately. So, so very delicately. His hat, he places on top of it, giving it a few pats. His eyes are still closed. He seems so calm. At divine peace.

He gently, oh so gently, crawls on top of you, his braids gently tickling you in the face. For a little bit, he's looming over you, as if he's waiting for you to do something... His braids still dangling, brushing your cheeks.

You know very well how this works...It's your waiver, a contract between you and your lover...and this is how you sign it~ especially on evenings where he just knew that you may get a little...caught in the storm...

You undo his braids at a largo pace~ painfully slow and gently. You can see the cracks in his smile forming, and he's getting impatient. You giggle, imagining how this will present itself.

"Oh, my Little whopperflower, my sweet, lovely, divine, innocent whopperflower...I have all of the time in Teyvat for your shenanigans..."

_(_^_)_

TYSM for reading!!!🦋✨

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aziraphales-library · 8 months

Note

helloo could I ask for some fluffy coffee shop AU fics? not just coffee shop but one of those that involve a shop of some sort, like a bakery or flower shop or tattoo parlor etc.

something like

"The Book Hoarder, the Flower Grower and the Latte Art Maker" by AnnaTheHank

"the demon next door" by ghost_daddy

"All You Knead Is Love" by fumi_faust and Writer_Maxtli

and "Angel in the Window" by themaybedoctor

I'm not that experienced in looking for things on ao3 so I'm hoping you could help me find more like these? thanks :)

We have tags for these! #coffee shop au, #florist au, #bakery au, #tattooist au. Here are a bunch that I don't think are on those tags already...

New Canvas by NaroMoreau (T)

There's someone new in the shop across the street that Aziraphale can't stop looking at.

Inklings and Asters by GreenCat42 (G)

Crowley has noticed the cute tattoo shop owner since he moved in next door with his flower shop. It takes him forever to get the courage up to go talk to him, and when he does, well he gets a new tattoo out of it and possibly more.

A rockstar's love by The_boxhead (G)

Crowley had a lot of problems finding someone to have a relationship with as the famous rockstar that he is. But that day when he entered that coffee shop and saw that blond haired man behind the counter, he didn’t want more than to get to know that beautiful angel with that cute smile.

Ways to Make You Smile by WickedWriter (M)

Crowley has always been awkward around anyone who he develops feelings for. While Aziraphale is always nice to him, he can't help but screw things up when trying to flirt. But when he starts making latte art to impress his angel, it was only a matter of time before he found a way to cock things up again.

Anthophilia by FortinbrasFTW (M)

Anthony J. Crowley's life seems like it's finally falling into place: his floral shop has begun to gain an undercurrent of appreciation in the design elite of London, and he might have even finally found a boyfriend who looks just right lounging on his Tenreiro sofa. Things seem almost perfect, until one day the empty shop across the street is leased to frumpy fellow Oxford alumni, who doesn't seem to remember Crowley nearly as well as he remembers him, which really shouldn't bother him as much as it does - it was ten years ago after all, and it wasn't even that good of a kiss.

Icing on the Cake by Etheostoma (E)

Anthony Crowley's bakery is top in Soho and quickly becoming well-renowned throughout all of London. When Crowley hires the soft-spoken, cherubic Aziraphale as his main decorator, it doesn’t take long before the two men realize that there may just be something to the idea that opposites attract... Or, the bakery AU that no one actually asked for.

- Mod D

#good omens #ineffable husbands #coffee shop au #florist au #tattooist au #bakery au #human au #mod d

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moonchildstyles · 2 years

Note

Can you please write about aster harry and y/n going on their vacation. They're just having such a good time under the sun and being in love. And she looks so soft in her summer dresses and he can't stop loving on her

You mentioned in one of the Aster extra chapters that Harry and Y/N were leaving for a vacation. How do you think would they spend their time together on a vacation?

Cockwarming with aster Harry 🥵🥵

wordcount: 17.5k+

—————

"Wait right here for me, 'kay? I'll grab our bags and be right back."

Harry pressed a quick kiss to the top of (Y/N)'s head before disappearing into the airport rush, not even giving her a second to argue or ask if he wanted help. But, she couldn't lie and say she wasn't grateful for the reprieve and chance to sit down with space to breathe. The flight that landed them in Barcelona had been long with all the delays and extra hours spent awaiting an open terminal, and the fact the plane was packed to the brim with tourists taking advantage of the long weekend.

It felt like a breath of fresh air when she and Harry finally spilled out into the tunnel and entered the stuffy airport. At least she could stretch her legs and the only person touching her was Harry. So, even as much as she felt guilty watching him venture into the crowd to get to baggage claim, she didn't really want to leave the little bench he had deposited her at now that she had more than a couple feet of space.

Checking the time on her phone, (Y/N) sighed at the time change. She'd never traveled this far from home, and these differences were starting to nag at her. The worst of it all was that she didn't know exactly where everything was—the hotel, restaurants in town, any convenience stores, even where to park if they went to any attractions—and that for the duration of their trip, they would have to rely on Ubers and taxis to get them around. Though Harry took on the brunt of the planning and let her know about those little details and humored her line of 'what ifs'—what if she forgot shampoo? What if she forgot swimsuit bottoms? What if the restaurant they wanted to go to was closed? What if? What if? What if?—, she still felt pangs of anxiety when she remembered just how far from home she was.

A buzz from her phone made her jump in her spot, a notification from Sarah lighting up the screen. Swiping open the message, a photo of Evie with her eyes big and cheeks puffed greeted (Y/N), tugging a smile onto her lips.

Sarah

Evie wants to know how the flight was! you didn't get sick right??

(Y/N) saved the photo, excited to show Harry when he made it back with their bags before typing out a reply. Sarah had been a wonderful listener when (Y/N) had ranted about her worries the day before, the plane ride being one of the biggest factors that made her stomach tight and head hurt. But, she'd done her part and talked (Y/N) down as best she could and promised to check in with her around the landing time and would be supplying an endless stream of Evie pictures as a distraction while she was tasked with cat sitting for the week.

After hitting send on her message, (Y/N) peered over her phone in search of Harry. He was easy to spot with the vast amount of ink tattooed onto his bared arms, eyes shaded by a pair of round, black sunglasses, curls of hair hanging loose to his shoulders. His lip ring glinted in the light, accentuating the hard line of his mouth as he made his way through the crowd, being less than accommodating when someone tried cut him off. The tense of his jaw only shifted as he chewed on his gum, having grabbed the stick during the flight to help with the way his ears popped at the altitude. If it wasn't for her big white and baby pink duffle bag slipped over his shoulder, even (Y/N) would have been intimidated.

And, of course, the smile that split his lips once he caught sight of her.

He didn't look so mean then. Not at all.

"Ready?" Harry asked once he was close enough, the pair of black suitcases he was pulling coming to a stop behind him.

"Mhm," (Y/N) hummed, stretching her legs as she stood from her spot, "We still need to call an Uber though, right?"

Harry shook his head, hiking her bag up his shoulder though she was more than capable of taking it from him now. "Ordered one while I was waiting for your bag to come around."

"Oh," she chirped, feeling the tense of her shoulders dissipate. Of course he was prepared and ready, she didn't know why she doubted him in the first place. "Thank you."

A smile grew on Harry's lips as he shook his head before gesturing for her to follow him towards the pickup stations out front. "Sarah text you yet?"

(Y/N) jumped up at the reminder of the photo on her phone. "She did, and she sent me this picture of Evie! Look!" she bubbled, pulling her phone out and showing off the puffy-cheeked kitten she knew Harry missed immensely already. A pout formed on Harry's lips as he fawned over the picture of his cat—just the reaction she had been hoping for.

"You're gonna have to send me that, lovebug," Harry told her, his murmured voice coming out as a coo.

"We should've brought her with us," (Y/N) said, taking a moment to pass along the photograph while she was thinking about it.

Beside her, Harry reached out an arm, stopping her from moving forward as a large family cut across right in front of them. "Be careful, love," Harry started, his hand running down the length of her arm before lacing his fingers between hers while they waited. "I don't know about that, though," he continued, answering her proposal, "I don't think the hotel staff would really appreciate cleaning up after her."

"I'd clean up after her," she pouted, looking up at him though he kept his eyes forward as he guided them through the airport, "They wouldn't even know she was there."

A breathy laugh left his lips as he glanced down at her for a second, lashes fluttering behind his sunglasses. "I'll keep that in mind for next time."

A quiet smile formed on (Y/N)'s lips as she kept close to him. The mention of a next time for anything involving Harry always make her heart feel a little off beat; that idea of a future, even in such vague terms always did her in.

Stepping out of the airport, the sun was warm as it fell over her skin. The airport had been cold, the air-conditioning turned up to the max, but now not a trace of it lingered on (Y/N)'s skin. The sun felt different here in Barcelona, she was convinced. She couldn't help herself as she looked up to the sky, spotting the fluffs of clouds that littered the blue expanse. Feeling the sun's rays paint over her cheeks only made her smile bigger.

Maybe it was the fact she was away from all things school, and work, and stress, but this had to have been the most excited (Y/N) had been in a long time. She couldn't remember the last time she took a vacation, especially when she was with her parents (they typically liked to go off without her when she was growing up, not wanting to have to worry about her while they relaxed, they told her). And now, being here with Harry was almost enough to make her feel as through she could sprout wings and bounce among the clouds above them.

Absently, (Y/N) felt herself be pulled in a different direction with the help of Harry's hand. A quiet breath of a laugh sounded from beside her as she stumbled to follow him, but she couldn't find it in her to be embarrassed. She was too happy, to enamored at just the idea she was in a different country, to worry about acting silly.

Just when she felt tears beginning to collect in the corners of her eyes from the way she had to squint if she wanted to continue her game of finding shapes in the clouds, a pair of dark sunglasses was put in front of her eyes. The middle piece slid up the bridge of her nose before a tattooed hand delicately latched it around her ears.

"You're making me nervous with the way you're looking at the sun, baby," Harry explained through a smile.

(Y/N) dropped her attention from the sky to find Harry's eyes now bare, the green seemingly extra bright given the sepia tones that now coated her vision. He didn't look nervous with the way he smiled at her, the curl crooked with only a single dimple denting his cheek.

"Sorry," she murmured instinctively, her own mouth curving into a quiet smile as she gazed up at him.

"No need to be sorry," he told her, brushing his finger over her nose as he pushed up her sunglasses, "Y'look cute in m'sunglasses."

Maybe it was the sun beating down from above, but (Y/N)'s cheeks immediately felt a bout of warmth bubble under the surface. "Thank you, H."

His smile only grew at her quiet gratitude. "C'mon," he beckoned to her, nodding his head down the pickup area that was congested with other tourists like them, "I think that's our car down there."

Following after Harry, (Y/N) felt like an excited puppy. She loved exploring new things with him, and this was no exception. She trusted without a doubt that wherever it was that he decided to take her would be wonderful, as he never settled for anything less when she was involved.

Cuddling up in the backseat of their Uber, (Y/N) didn't mind the way Harry threw his arm around her shoulders or smeared a kiss on the full of her sun-warmed cheek before he muttered the address of their resort to the driver.

Maybe the warmth of the Barcelona air that relaxed her body, or maybe it was the man beside her, but (Y/N) hadn't ever felt more comfortable in her own skin.

"Happy anniversary," Harry whispered in her ear, his lip ring glinting off the shell before he pressed a kiss just below her lobe.

The beaming smile on her face served to bunch her cheeks up enough that her borrowed glasses were jostled as the frames rested on her warm cheeks. "Happy anniversary."

Yeah, the sun was great, but it had nothing on her Harry.

—————

"Look, H! We have a balcony!"

(Y/N) couldn't help herself as she bubbled about the suite they had booked for the duration of their stay. Dropping her duffle bag she had to pry from Harry's grip as he argued that it was his job to carry her things, she ran off to the double French doors the led to the fenced in terrace that branched off from their room. A small patio furniture set complete with sun loungers and a glass table fit with rose shaped coasters awaited her outside. The stucco walls were a roasted orange color, the black wrought-iron railing standing out starkly against the sepia tones. (Y/N) bounced on her heels as she came up to the edge, fingers wrapping around the twisting iron that fenced her in from the streets below.

The view was immaculate, but she couldn't have expected anything less—not with the way Harry had been boasting that he had pulled out all the stops for their anniversary trip. He hadn't wanted to spoil her by showing her photos provided by the hotel's website, but he had told her it was the prettiest view he could imagine (aside from her smiling at him, of course), and she was not disappointed.

Barcelona was a coastal city, no more than twenty minutes from the shore, which was presented to her in the distance. The beach breeze whistled through the city in gentle gusts ushered in by the white-capped waves she could see crashing in on the sandy beach. She could already imagine herself in one of the new bikinis she had packed (her first ever two piece swimsuits!), an orange and white swirled umbrella staked into the sand to shield her from catching too much sun, with Harry at her side, smiling at her with even more warmth.

"What do y'think, hm? Does it live up to your expectation?" Harry murmured behind her, his presence making her jump as she hadn't heard him join her on the terrace.

A breathy laugh was washed over her bare shoulder, exposed by the thin strap of her tank top, as Harry caged his arms around her. His hands landed on the railing on either side of her own, rings clinking against the iron. (Y/N) didn't hesitate as she instinctively sunk into his chest, her back meeting the blocks of muscle that made up his abdomen.

"It's so pretty, Harry," she murmured, awe coating her voice, "I don't know how you were able to book this. I hope it wasn't too expensive."

"Don't worry about that, 'kay?" he told her, nudging her shoulder gently. She already knew what he was going to say next, but it still made her feel a bit fluttery as she heard it: "Y'deserve the best; nothing's too much for me when it comes to you."

She knew it was cheesy, she really did. And it didn't completely erase all her financial worries, but, with this view in front of her and the delicate kisses Harry dotted across the back of her shoulder, she was willing to let those troubles melt away. She could worry some when she went back to real life.

"There we go," Harry encouraged, having caught the way she all but melted into his chest, "You're supposed to have fun this trip, so that's all you're allowed to worry about. I'll take care of the rest, yeah?"

Though she had a response queued up in her head, the entire train of though was ran off track as soon as Harry smeared a line of kisses along the slope of her neck. She wanted to keep her eyes on the view, remember as many details of it as she could, but she couldn't help the way her eyes fluttered shut. Her hands she had wrapped around the railing abandoned post only to lay atop Harry's, fingers curling around his fists with a wiggle to fit them in the gaps between his own.

His smile could be felt loud and clear on the sensitive skin of her throat, long curls sweeping across her skin. "Yeah, baby?"

"Yeah," she sighed, not entirely remembering what exactly she was agreeing, too. It couldn't be too bad if it was Harry's idea, though, that much she knew.

Flipping his hands under hers, Harry properly laced their fingers together before bringing their bundled arms to wrap around (Y/N)'s waist in a hug. "Such a sweetheart, you are," he praised against her skin, the words sinking into her pores and filling her arteries.

After giving her one last squeeze of a hug around her middle, Harry began unraveling himself from around her, though his spell on (Y/N) took its time to wear off. She was still in her dreamy daze when he began tugging her back into the shelter of their suite.

"C'mon, we need to unpack," Harry beckoned to her, leading her away from the breathtaking view.

Even the thought of unpacking their luggage sounded like a dream when Harry said it.

—————

(Y/N) couldn't contain her awe as she looked behind her at the basilica she and Harry had just finished touring through. Even unfinished, the church dominated the bustling street it was planted right in the middle of. It looked as though it didn't belong in this plot of land, the energy too modern and fast-paced for the grand La Sagrada Familia basilica. The towering spires reached high enough that (Y/N) wouldn't be surprised that the very tips could reach the clouds of heaven. The tall structures created large shadows that moved like the arms on a clock around the land it claimed, engulfing areas in cool shade in accordance to the orbit of the sun. The interior of the space was something (Y/N) couldn't believe could be created, let alone made with the amount of detail that followed the legacy of the artist that conceptualized it centuries ago (that was something she learned during the tour, of course). She could without a doubt say she'd never been anywhere like this before; she couldn't wait to tell Sarah and show her all the pictures she took.

"Stay close, angel," Harry murmured, slipping his hand out from hers only to wrap his arm around her waist. She was tucked to his side as she snapped one more photo of the cathedral, catching the grandeur of the building despite the view of the McDonald's arches blinking just behind the structure.

That was the strangest part, (Y/N) decided. While the church controlled every inch of space it was planted on as if it had grown roots and wretched itself inside the earth as much as it had in the sky with it's spires, it was oddly out of place. Everything was too real around it, taking the basilica out of the era it had been designed for, and transporting it to the present with a McDonald's flanking it and a tourist-appealing tattoo parlor that advertised for a ten dollar tattoo special (Harry had rolled his eyes at that one when they walked past, murmuring something about business and art and quality. (Y/N) didn't catch much she could just tell he was grumpy over it).

"Wasn't that so pretty, Harry?" (Y/N) asked, beaming up at him as she grabbed for his hand that wrapped itself around her waist.

He didn't put up a fight as she laced their fingers together, Harry's lips quirking into a smile as he nodded his head. Though his attention was faced forward as he guided them to their next destination for the morning, he spared a glance down at her, "Super pretty. The ceiling was... I don't even know what to call it, I can't believe it was real."

"I know! It felt like the inside of a dream, or a drawing or something—it shouldn't be real."

"And, the stained glass—"

"The stained glass!"

Harry let out a laugh at her bubbled response, her enthusiasm influencing the way she practically bounced with every step towards the brunch spot they had agreed on for the morning. She couldn't help it, really. The biblical scenes depicted in the delicate shards of glass, bathing each step they took through the rows and rows of pews tinted in bright hues brought to life by the sun. There was no way real-life could hold a candle to what she'd seen in only three days since arriving in Barcelona.

She stayed close to Harry's side as he took them to the tapas restaurant that held a brunch special on mornings like these, surely there to appeal to silly tourists like her. Around them, she watched as locals went about their day as if there wasn't the most grand of buildings sitting just across the way from where they stood on their phones, tourists trying to figure out how to get back to their hotel with club clothing cinched to their bodies (even as the exact opposite of a morning person, (Y/N) couldn't believe people were still making that walk back this late in the morning), and others that seemed to be celebrating anything and everything, like she and Harry were.

Even this walk through the orange tinted streets, devisions of houses and apartments broken up only by the most gorgeous of walkways that invited patrons to go down the cobblestones, bright splashes of green plants directing them further down the path. Though the morning was still relatively quiet the further they strayed from the tourist center, the energy buzzing about the space was enough to keep (Y/N) bubbling under her skin. The lack of patrons aside from a few early risers like them, taking advantage of the quiet, helped (Y/N) feel bold enough to spin out of Harry's hold. Her arms were outstretched to her sides, hair fluttering around her face from the braid they escaped from, as she twirled in front of him. She couldn't help the way her eyes shuttered closed with a broad smile on her lips.

"Isn't this the most wonderful da—"

Before she had a chance to finish her bubbling exclamation (the same one she'd shared at least once a day since they touched down in Spain), Harry abruptly bundled her close to his chest again.

"Hold on, baby." His grip was firm as he twirled her back into his arms, just before he made a quick shift in their direction, hiding her in a small alcove under a line of hanging potted plants.

"What?" She hadn't meant to embarrass him, if that's what upset him...

"Angel, I can't believe y'can't feel it," Harry let out with a strained laugh. She watched as his eyes dropped below her collarbones and to the large white linen shirt she was wearing as a dress.

Her eyes widened as she noticed the top two buttons had somehow unfastened, the fabric now bowed open with the lace of her creamy bralette on full display. Even the gold heart charm pinned between the cups was exposed enough to glint in the light of the sun. With the disruption of her twirling and open arms, (Y/N) wouldn't be surprised if Harry had stopped her because her breasts were completely showing, the sheer lace doing her no favors in concealing her nipples. Her skin grew incredibly warm, the heat crawling up her neck and bubbling behind her cheeks.

"Oh."

"Yeah 'oh', silly," he let out on a quiet laugh.

Harry's hands dropped from around her waist, coming up to button up the top two—now offensive—buttons of her shirt. The tips of his fingers made brief grazes across her skin. Despite the warmth heating her skin, (Y/N) felt a layer of goosebumps prickle over her form. Harry's hands stuttered as he finished his job; despite the dark sunglasses covering his eyes, (Y/N) was almost one hundred percent sure that his pupils were dilated behind the lens.

"Sorry," she whispered as he adjusted the fit of her makeshift dress, tugging at the hem and playing with the skewed collar.

"Don't be sorry, baby. I had no problem with that view," a lopsided smile quirked his lips, "jus' didn't think you'd appreciate everyone else seeing all of that."

"Thank you," she smiled. Rising to the tips of her toes, (Y/N) planted a kiss just at the corner of Harry's crooked lips, brushing the sliver of his lip ring.

Turning his head, Harry made a point to catch her in a real kiss. Of course this wasn't the time or place, but (Y/N) couldn't help but indulge in the way he traced the seam of her lips with the point of his tongue. If not for the rumble that came from her stomach, reminding Harry she hadn't had more than one of the pastries for breakfast he picked up for her while she was still getting ready, she'd guess he would have found a way to linger in that alcove for another ten minutes.

"C'mon," he beckoned to her, reaching out his hand of glittery rings and painted nails, "Gotta get y'fed, then we can get distracted."

Now much more reserved, (Y/N) readily tucked herself into Harry's side. Their steps fell in line as he directed them back on course for their brunch spot.

"You know," Harry murmured just for her to hear as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head, "I didn't know y'packed that set."

That heat that had just barely drained from behind her cheeks made a reappearance. "It was supposed to be a surprise."

A hum sounded from above her, his smile clear as the tip of his nose grazed the crown of her head.

"I'll still act surprised later, angel, don't worry."

—————

(Y/N) couldn't help the slight roll of her eyes behind the pastel pink lenses that shaded her eyes. Harry had insisted on carrying everything out of the Uber they had taken to the beach, not allowing her to help with a single item. She was left to wait in the spot he had claimed for them under a yellow umbrella staked into the sand, the pair of them early enough to catch a prime spot before the masses came in.

"Harry—"

"No, darling, I want you to relax." That was the same argument he'd used since they got out of the Uber and the boot was popped only for Harry to weigh himself down with every beach bag and tote they packed. More than one trip was needed, too. "Have y'put any sunscreen on yet?"

"No, I haven't because I've been waiting for you."

Peering at her over the frames of his sunglasses, Harry gave her a very unimpressed look though she could see the quirk of his lips he was fighting off. "Well," he started, dropping the netted bag full of their beach towels onto the sand, "'m here now, so no more waiting. I don't want y'to burn."

Though (Y/N) hadn't been lying when she said she had been waiting on Harry, that was only half of her truth. Underneath her coverup—a fluttery white dress cinched at her waist—was a bikini. (Y/N)'s first bikini.

Growing up, two piece swimsuits were not allowed for (Y/N) under her parents orders, though they rarely ever let her go swimming anyway. Just before they'd left for vacation, Sarah had accompanied (Y/N) on a last minute shopping trip to get a few things she needed which ended with (Y/N) being talked into buying a trio of swimsuits she could barely picture herself in.

They were pretty—each of them shades of pink and cream, featuring small designs that lived in her comfort zone—but nothing could completely save (Y/N) from the anxiety that came with the scraps of fabric. It was different, she decided, when she was shopping for lingerie or anything that would be just for Harry. Here, there were clusters of people beginning to form, having had the same idea as the two of them to get there early enough for a good spot, and she was supposed to prance around in a slightly more functional version of her underwear.

But she liked what she had brought. This particular one she had hiding under her dress was a clean white color with strawberries dotted over the fabric, a red heart piecing together the cups of her top and stationed at the hips of her bottoms. It was cute, Sarah had told her it was very (Y/N), even. When she had snuck away to get dressed in the bathroom, she had felt pretty in the suit—like herself. But that was when she was alone with only the prospect of Harry walking in on her who had seen her in much more indecent circumstances.

Out in the Spanish sunshine, sand sticking to her toes, (Y/N) didn't know if she had the confidence to shed her coverup. Maybe she could hide under their umbrella and watch out for Harry in the water, instead. She did make sure to bring a book, incase...

"Can practically hear y'thinking from here, darling," Harry muttered as he unrolled their towels before flattening them onto the dunes, "What's got you all scrunched up, hm?"

Automatically, (Y/N) shook her head. Strands of hair that had escaped the twist on the back of her head fluttered around her at the motion, seemingly reaffirming that she wasn't scrunched up, as Harry had said.

"Nothing," she told him, shuffling out the way as Harry snapped out her towel to lay just beside his.

"Doesn't seem like nothing if its got y'making your nervous face," he pressed, voice casual as if she should know exactly what her nervous face was.

"I don't have a nervous face," she argued, a pout puffing out her lips.

Harry let out a huff of a laugh at her words. "Yes y'do, darling. So tell me what you're thinking, yeah? Let me know how I can help you."

Though she didn't plan on completely dropping the topic of her nervous face (she knew she was an open book, never having been very good at blocking her emotions from filling her face, but she didn't think it was that bad), (Y/N) was no match against Harry's doting tone. Especially not when he made a gentle show of shielding her from the world around them as he crowded around her, gentle hands on her hips and eyes trained on her.

"C'mon, angel," Harry tried again, reaching up to push his sunglasses up into his hair, "Y'can tell me."

"I don't know," she started, voice barely louder than a murmur, "I'm just nervous."

"About what? You're supposed to be happy on our holiday, what happened?"

(Y/N) floundered for words, trying to make her anxiety sound as serious as it felt to her despite the explanation sounding silly when said out loud. "It's my swimsuit."

"Okay," Harry nodded, his hands on her hips squeezing for a beat as the plastic hearts pressed into (Y/N)'s skin. "What's wrong with it?"

"I've never really worn a two-piece before." Though she knew Harry wasn't one to judge her with even her most fine-tuned insecurities, the jumbled words still managed to bring a warmth to her cheeks.

A beat passed as Harry processed what she told him, his brows pulling together the same way they always did when he had to decipher the best way to care for her in any situation. His eyes grazed down her body before he matched her own again.

"Do y'not feel... pretty in it?" he asked carefully.

A gentle shrug rocked (Y/N)'s shoulders. "I mean, yeah I do, but I don't know. It's my favorite one I bought, but there's people. It's not a big deal wearing certain things in front of you, but it's not just you right now. I don't think I really thought about that when I brought it."

She was able to watch as her words sunk in for Harry, realization pulling his brows apart as if he knew exactly how to navigate this conversation now. Tugging her closer to him, Harry wrapped his arms around her waist, her body now flush against his in the protective hold.

"Y'don't have to take off your coverup if y'don't want to, love," he reassured her, "We can lay under our umbrella all day if y'wanted. But, I think y'would be sad with yourself if y'did that, and didn't show off since this one is your favorite."

(Y/N) could only manage a shrug in response. It was her favorite, but still. "Maybe. It's just weird knowing people can look at all of me."

"Well, not all of you, I'd hope," Harry joked, getting a small smile from her as she shook her head. When she didn't brighten up as much as he had hoped, Harry dropped his head to press a discreet kiss to the full of her cheek. "(Y/N), love," he continued, "I jus' want y'to be comfortable, alright? We'll come back out here a few more times, so if today isn't the day y'want to show off, that's alright. We'll try again next time. I'll be there the whole time, okay?"

(Y/N)'s comfort zone consisted of the arms wrapped around her waist and the dress covering her form, that much she knew. Her easy option would be to just nod her head, tell Harry that today wasn't the day and she planned on lounging under their umbrella with her book while he played in the waves. But, as she had grown to learn over the almost year (only three days away until their anniversary!) that's passed, Harry was the biggest and best support system she could have when trying something new. Just knowing he was behind her in whatever she chose, made her want to go bold.

The warm sand sinking around her toes, the sound of the waves crashing mere yards from her, and the vivid tones painting the beach all around her made for the perfect setting for (Y/N) to pretend to be someone else—a different version of herself that didn't listen to the distant nagging she heard in the back of her mind through her mother's voice. If she tried hard enough, maybe she could replace it with Harry's encouraging tone.

Swallowing, (Y/N) nodded her head as she tried her best to steel her nerves. "I want to try today, I think."

"Yeah?" Harry beamed at her, eyes creasing from the width of his smile. "You're sure?"

"Yeah," she affirmed, "I, at least, want you to see, so I'm going to try."

Harry's smile only waned in favor of puckering his lips and pressing them into the soft of her cheek, just barely grazing the corner of her mouth. "'M proud of you, angel."

His praise sunk into her skin and warmed her more than the sun could ever hope to, the round of her cheek making way for her own curling smile. "Will you help me get my dress off?"

She felt his responding hum more than she could feel it as he grazed the tip of his nose across the height of her cheekbone. "I was hoping you'd ask."

A bubbling laugh finally broke through (Y/N)'s chest as she pushed him away. "We're in public, Harry."

He only shook his head before he turned her around in his arms, telling her to hush. He made quick work of the tie cinching her dress together, the bow unravelling. Just as (Y/N) went to push the straps off her shoulders, intending to drop the bodice and slip the dress down her body, Harry was already ahead of her. His gentle fingertips grazed her skin as he pushed down the straps and helped her shed the dress down her form, his touch catching on the round of her shoulders and the flare of her hips.

As more and more of her body was revealed, the most she had ever shown in public, (Y/N) felt the urge to wrap her arms around herself and cover every bit of exposed skin she could. Goosebumps prickled over her as she fought off the urge, reminding herself of Harry's encouragement over the nagging of her mother's voice. Once the dress had pooled at her feet in a bundle of white, she took a shaky step out. Instinctively, she reached down with a bend of her hips to grab for the garment to stow it away in one of their bags for the time being.

(Y/N) guessed she should have expected to feel Harry's fingers pluck at the waistband of her bottoms before letting them snap against the full of her hips, but the feel still gave her a shock that had her standing stock straight with her free hand shielding her hip.

"Harry!" she scolded him, cheeks burning as she spotted a family nearby beginning to set up camp.

Putting his hands up in surrender, Harry gave her his signature lopsided smile. "Jus' wasn't expecting this, angel, that's all. Couldn't help myself." The dimples in his cheek made him seem a lot more innocent than he really was though it still did enough to get (Y/N) to soften. "'M very happy y'decided to try today."

With his eyes trailing down her form before he managed to slip his sunglasses back down to perch on the bridge of his nose, (Y/N) knew exactly what he was trying to tell her without spelling it out loud for all to hear. Packing away her dress, she grabbed for the bottle of sunscreen tucked at the bottom of the tote.

"I get to help with that, too, right?" Harry asked, his shirt joining her dress in the bag as he pulled it over his head. His eyes dropped to the sunblock in her hand with a little too playful of a smile.

"You're so annoying," she settled on, shaking her head though her complaint softened through her smile.

(Y/N) didn't wait for him before she started applying the cream to her arms and stomach, getting all the areas she could reach while Harry did the same. They were quiet, (Y/N) finally soaking in the fact she was on a beach in Spain for her anniversary, in a two-piece for the first time with the love of her life. Even if he was trying to get a rise out of her, she couldn't believe how happy the thought of being here with him made her.

"Don't forget your tattoo, love," he told her, tapping at her side where just the barest hint of her flower tattoo peeked out of her top.

"Oh, thank you," she murmured, concentrating on covering the leaflet with the cream.

Feeling throughly slicked and smelling of zinc, she turned her attention to Harry as he wiped his hands across his abdomen. The black ink of his tattoos shone under the rays of light that peeked across the barrier of their umbrella shade, sparkling with the help of the sunblock. Seeing him like this, black swim shorts showing off the length of his legs and strength of his thighs, chest bare and hair pulled back, (Y/N) realized she couldn't really blame Harry for getting a little handsy earlier. Standing only a foot away from him half-stripped down, she felt her own urge to trace over his body.

"Did you want help getting your back or anything?" (Y/N) peeped, already stepping forward with full intention of getting her hands on some part of him.

"Would you, angel?" Harry passed off the tube of sunblock without a second thought, (Y/N)'s plan falling perfectly into place.

Biting back a bright smile, (Y/N) all but bounced into position behind Harry. Lathering her hands the sunblock, she reached up to the tip of her toes and swiped her hands down his shoulder blades. Goosebumps raised immediately on Harry's back at the cool temperature of the cream as she massaged it in. His tattoos were animated as he did his own part of applying the sunblock to his arms and chest, reaching down and coating his legs as best he could without disturbing her. The contours of his muscles moved under her palms as she worked it in his skin, fingertips digging lightly into each line and cut as she indulged herself in the runs.

Even when there was no more white cast shining over his skin, (Y/N) couldn't help herself as she was too distracted with the fun she was having to stop caressing her hands over his skin. The details of his tattoos were glistening under the sun, now familiar linework coming alive as he moved, the ink shimmering with the help of the suncream. The gaps between each piece of art were filled with tan skin, dotted with freckles and moles she'd traced when Harry was above her, thighs around his hips.

Why would she stop now, when she could feel his muscles liquifying under her touch, going soft as he allowed her to play and touch as much as she wanted.

"Having fun back there?" Harry asked, a snicker to his tone that brought a warm rush of blood to bubble behind (Y/N)'s cheeks.

"Hm?" she sounded, her hands stilling over his skin.

The laugh he let out caused his back to shake under her hands just before Harry reached around and grabbed for her wrist, "C'mere, cutie." He pulled her around to his front with the gentle grip on her wrist, (Y/N) stumbling in the sand as she followed. "Y'make me laugh," he told her when she came to face him.

His fingers formed gentle restraints around her wrists as he tugged her close. (Y/N) sheepishly looked up at him through the frame of her lashes. "In a good way, right?" she peeped.

A grin stretched over his cheeks in a quiet response. "Always a good way, silly," he murmured, flicking his gaze to the tube still clutched in her hand, "Done with that?"

"I think so," (Y/N) started, barely getting through it before Harry was releasing his hold on her wrists in favor of grabbing for the bottle.

She watched as he flipped the cap open before squeezing out just enough of the sunblock to form a small dollop on his fingers. He abandoned the bottle to fall on top of her pink beach towel under their feet before he murmured for (Y/N) to close her eyes. Just after fluttering her eyelids shut, Harry brought his cream coated fingers to her face. She jolted back at the temperature, drawing a breathy laugh from Harry's lips.

Instinctively, (Y/N) blindly reached her hands out and caught a hold of his biceps so she could tell where he was, as if the grip would steady her through her temporary blindness. The paths of his fingers over her cheeks, tracing along her jaw, and drawing a high line over her cheekbones brought a quiet smile to (Y/N)'s lips despite how hard she tried to school her features.

"What now?" Harry asked, smile evident in his tone as he dotted the cream along the delicate skin of her undereyes.

"Nothing, " she shyly giggled, "just wasn't expecting this."

"Can't have y'burning up, can I?" he countered, brushing his fingers down the bridge of her nose, "Jus' because you're m'lovebug, I don't think you'd like looking like a ladybug already, hm?"

Another peal of laughter fell from (Y/N)'s lips as she listened to Harry's musings. "No, doesn't sound fun at all," she agreed, feeling the loss of his warmth as his fingers were lifted from her skin.

She only lingered on that loss for a moment before Harry ducked down, the tip of his nose skimming hers before he pressed a sweet kiss to her lips. Though she still felt a touch of her well-acquainted self-consciousness, knowing that everyone around them could peek in on their intimate moment, she succeeded in pushing those worries to the back of her mind for the time being. A smile even managed to weave its way across her mouth.

"Ready to come play with me?" Harry crooned against her mouth, a lingering kiss being planted on her lips before he reluctantly pulled away.

(Y/N) canted her head as she looked up at him, the corners of her lips turning down in a delicate frown. "Did you already do your face?"

She wanted to do that part.

A quiet laugh fluttered between them as Harry's features bloomed into a smile. "I did, yeah, when y'were busy doing 'nothing' behind me," he teased, reaching for her hand to lace his fingers through, "I'll let y'reapply for me later, yeah?"

Mumbling a quiet okay, (Y/N) nodded her head with a short smile making its way on her mouth. Satisfied with her answer, Harry tugged her along with him towards the shoreline, their shoes kicked off by the small camp they made. Soon enough, the warm sand under her feel turned into wet mush that had her footprints lingering in the expanse.

The same white-capped waves she had spotted from their hotel room, tall and arching, were reduced to ripples by the time they slide across the surface of the shore. Harry lead her further and further out, keeping her close as more and more of their early morning companions joined the fray of the waves.

(Y/N)'s first touch of the water was enough to have her jolting back, a quiet gasp stealing the air from her lungs. "Oh, gosh," she rushed out, looking up at Harry as if to verify he felt the same things.

Instead, she found a beaming smile on his lips, a teasing curl right at the edges. "Cold, angel?"

"Very," she bubbled, the length of her arm stretched out as she danced away from the edge of the stretching wave though she kept her grip on Harry's hand.

"Come back here, silly," he smiled, tugging on her hand gently as the tide rolled back, "Gotta get used to it now if y'want to swim with me."

She couldn't help the way the mention of swimming caused her to bring her lip between her teeth. When they had planned out a few of the 'must-do's' for this holiday, as soon as a beach day appeared on the list at Harry's request, she had shared with him the fact she'd never really learned how to swim. Growing up, she didn't spend lots of time in the water, even during the summer, her parents not seeing much use for it as she had other things to focus on—like prep for the upcoming school year, or tidying the house through the day while they were away at work, or doing nothing fun in general—so she was never put in lessons or went swimming enough to teach herself.

Harry had of course taken the information in stride as he did every other detail he learned about her upbringing, and promised to do his part to help her have fun and feel comfortable in the ocean with him. She figured this was part of her lesson, getting used to the water temperature and wading out further than just up to her ankles submerged in the saltwater.

"C'mere, angel—I've got you, remember?"

Through the pink lens of her sunglasses, Harry was draped in the loving hue of a rose from her perspective. The tan of his inked skin gleamed under the sun, stray splashes of the waves hitting his feet reached up as far as his thighs, adding more dots of light to be refracted across the shore. Though his eyes were concealed by the help of his own sunnies, (Y/N) could clearly imagine the crystalline green that hid behind the lenses, the hue she knew well and could pinpoint on a colorwheel from memory. The same color that looked through her and inside of her for the most brave parts of herself so he could help draw them out. Just as he was doing now.

If he was going to hold up his end of the promise—his vow to be there to teach her and help her out of her comfort zone when it came to the water—she would stick to hers and try. Taking anxious steps, (Y/N) tiptoed through the freezing water before she pasted herself to his side, planning on leeching some of his warmth. Harry murmured something into her hair as he pressed a kiss to the crown of her head while he hooked his arm around her shoulders. (Y/N) was half sure he heard something about her being his brave girl.

"Not so cold anymore, right?" he asked her as he tugged her further into the waves, the water reaching as far as her hips when the tide ran high.

"Kind of," she pouted, still unaccustomed to the temperature if the goosebumps on her skin had anything to say about it.

"Don't be so pouty, darling. This is fun, I promise," he smiled down at her, squeezing as her hip just as it was submerged under the saltwater.

Squeals and giggling screams from kids beginning to frolic in the upcoming waves sounded in her ears, the beach starting to fill with chatter as the sun traced its path in the sky and brought bright beams across the city. Peering over her shoulder, she found their camp was now only one of many; families building castles in the sand with couples having the same idea of lathering their partners in suncream though she figured they looked a lot less PG than she hoped she and Harry had. She even spotted someone competing with the waves as he ran through them with a small foam board held to his chest as he rode it back to the shore.

This was fun, she knew that, this whole beach thing. She just needed to get to the fun part.

The water worked against them as Harry waded them further out, resistance pushing against her thighs though she tried her best to work through it to keep up with him. After a few more feet, (Y/N) found she didn't really want to push any further if the height of the waves approaching them was anything to go by. The water had reached just under her breasts anyway, wetting the material of her top and going as high as her collarbones if the waves stayed strong as they broke.

"C-Can we stop here, please, H?" she rushed out, feeling her voice raise a pitch she hadn't intended to.

Looking down at her, where the water only rose just above the mid of his abdomen, she saw his brows raise just enough over the frames of his sunglasses as he saw where the water hit on her body. "Yeah, we can stop, angel," he reassured her, orbiting around her through the seafoam covered water to stand in front of her, "How are you feeling?"

His hands were especially warm as he grabbed for her hips, his thumbs tracing the heart motifs tying the scraps of her bikini together. "Good," she peeped, trying her best to loosen her smile though she could feel the tight set of her features.

The give of the ocean floor under her feet made her more nervous than anything. One minute it was right here, solid under her feet, toes even sinking into the sand, and a moment later it was gone, as if she had broken the last bit under her weight and was now seconds away from floating aimlessly through the expanse of water. She feared if they had gone any further, not only would she had become submerged if a rowdy wave crashed over her, but she would eventually wade a little too far and have nothing to keep her upright.

Even though the dark lens of his sunglasses, (Y/N) could tell he didn't quite buy her perky answer. "Yeah? Y'feel alright being this far out?" Harry pressed again, waiting for the word then he would take her back to shore in a heartbeat.

"Yeah," she chirped, wishing she had picked a darker set of sunnies so she could hide behind them just as he was. She wouldn't be quite as easy to read if he couldn't see her eyes.

His gaze lingered over her for another beat, the heat of his eyes felt even if she couldn't see the exact path he took over her skin. The waves lapped around them while Harry's grip on her hips tightened. He drew closer with a tentative step, the sand under her feet sinking some as he crowded around her.

"Can I hold you, angel?" he murmured to her, sinking down to her level in the water until she was face to face with his shaded eyes, "I think 'm getting nervous so far out. I don't want to lose you."

Relief pushed through her veins as she gave a quick nod in response. At least now she wouldn't have to sheepishly ask if he would hold her the more scared she became that she would eventually just sink into the ocean floor under their feet—no matter how irrational she knew that fear was. Plus, if Harry was getting nervous, she wanted to help any way she could.

"Yes, please," she bubbled off before she wrapped her legs around his waist under the water with her arms looping around his neck.

With her chest flush against his and her head fit just along the curve of his neck in a water-logged hug, she felt her breathing finally come easy again since wading out in the water. Harry knitted his fingers together at the small of her back as he held her weightless form with the help of the water, his lips dropping a short kiss to the bare of her shoulder. She was practically sat in his lap with the way he was crouched under the waterline to share her height, the elastic waist of his shorts printing into the soft insides of her thighs. The rogue strands of hair that escaped from the clip twisted through the back of her head, floated through the seafoam touched water.

In his arms, the water finally seemed to warm to the right temperature, the goosebumps leaving her skin as she relaxed in his hold. "Are you still nervous, H?" she murmured, the bubbling waves becoming the soundtrack as she spoke only for him to hear.

A gentle shake of his head had his own curling pieces of hair drifting through the water as if in search of her own strands. "Much better, love, thank you," he told her, turning his head jsut enough to press a kiss to the soft of her neck.

(Y/N) stayed just where she was, clinging to Harry's form as she kept up the guise of being there for him as he needed her, the waves lapping around them in quiet crashes. The sounds swirling around her—the waves, Harry's breathing, other beachgoers babbling and laughing away—might have even put her to sleep if she dared allow her eyes to shut while feeling this weightless.

Just as she began to even entertain the idea, allowing Harry to hold her as she napped in the ocean, a larger wave made its way towards them, not breaking until just before it rammed into Harry's back and consequently (Y/N)'s face tucked into his shoulder. Harry spun off balance for a moment, twirling her around in the water with the splashes of water dripping off the lenses of her glasses.

She sputtered around the water that had made it into her mouth, salt landing on her tongue and wetting her nose enough to have her shaking her head as if to rid the water from her skin like a dog.

"Oh, no, angel," Harry murmured, shifting his hold on her to tug her away from his shoulder, careful hands sneaking under her sunglasses to help clean the water from her lashes and clear her vision.

After frantically pushing her hair away from her face, (Y/N) was able to blink her eyes open, expecting to find Harry with a devastated look on his face that she knew she would have if she had seen him get assaulted by a wave like that.

Instead, she was greeted with him biting back a grin, dimples threatening to dip into his cheeks.

"Don't laugh at me," (Y/N) whined, sheepishly already burying herself back against his chest. A heat bubbled behind her cheeks that thankfully would at least warm the water left splashed across her skin.

"'M not laughin—"

"Yes, you are," she argued, feeling her own resolve begin to break when she heard the smile in his voice. It was hard to be upset with him when she knew he was happy.

Adjusting his hold on her, Harry pulled her away from his chest, rearing himself back just enough to get a view of her pouting face. He didn't even try to hide the smile on his face now that he had been caught. "You should've seen yourself, darling," he started, dipping his head down and skimming the tip of his nose against hers as if a puppy's kiss was enough to earn forgiveness, "Y'looked so cute, that's all. Couldn't be all serious when y'were all sputtery."

"You're so mean to me," she complained, all grit lost on the way through her smiling mouth.

"Oh, I am, am I?" he countered, his smile going lopsided as he crowed around her, his grip steeled around her so she could get away.

"Mhm. Didn't even help me when I almost drowned."

Harry reared back, an expression on his face that had (Y/N) expecting him to reach up and clutch his imaginary pearls (he'd left his strand up at the hotel that he was planning to wear for their anniversary dinner in a couple of days). "Did I not wipe your eyes, y'little brat?"

"Maybe," she said, throwing away the comment as if it wasn't a big deal. Her facade wasn't very believable through her beaming smile, but she was having too much fun to stop now. "I'm surprised you even had time to do that since you were too busy laughing at me."

(Y/N) took note of the way his grip loosened on her just enough that she floated back into the water, more of the seafoam finding its way between their chests while Harry formed his own response with raised brows.

"'S not my fault y'looked—"

"Like this?" she asked, bubbling through laughter as she took advantage of the resevoir collecting between them and splashing Harry right in the face the same way she had been.

Droplets formed on the lenses of his sunglasses while bits of the foam stuck to his cheeks before sliding down his neck. Bringing a hand up, Harry wiped away the offending liquid, going too quiet for (Y/N) to feel safe from retaliation.

She giggled against his chest, still clinging to him despite the fact she was sure he was going to give that attack back to her just as bad, if not worse.

"I was only joking when I called you a brat, but I guess I was, right, wasn't I?" he teased, (Y/N) keeping her eyes trained on his hand as he brought back to the surface of the water.

"But, now we're even, right?" She peered up at him with a stiff smile, trying her best to not laugh at the way a bubble of foam had made a home in one of his dimples.

"I don't think so, darling. I think y'got me much worse."

"But, Harry—"

In one swift motion, he unbarred his remaining arm from around her waist and had her spun around in the direction of the shore with a push towards the sand.

"I'll give you a head start before I finish this game y'started, angel," he told her through a playful grin, the threat of a massive splash in her direction coming in the form of a flick of his hand against the surface.

"I was only playing, H," she giggled out as she floated away from him.

"I wouldn't waste your head start, angel. Get out of here before y'only have five seconds instead of ten."

The single raise of his brow above the frames of his glasses had her clumsily running through the water to get away from him.

She knew Harry would take no time in catching up with her, and there was no actual danger in being caught by her boyfriend, but she still felt that adrenaline pumping through her veins. Without even realizing, she had finally joined in on the squealing fun all of the families, and couples, and groups of friends around them had started. The thought made her grin broaden across her lips, even when she could hear the sound of Harry's splashing getting close behind her.

Even when he slammed into her (gently still, of course, never one to take their playing too far), sending them both falling into the water, bubbling seafoam, salt and all, she couldn't help the beaming smile that took home on her features.

—————

"Happy Anniversary, love."

(Y/N) couldn't help the smile that curled her lips as she tried to swipe her lipgloss over her mouth. Harry had insisted on being her 'quiet' audience for the night, watching as she applied her makeup from his view stationed on the ledge of the bathtub. The spot gave him the perfect view into the mirror, catching each of the faces she made as she swiped powders and creams across her face, blending and patting as she went. Until, that view apparently was no longer enough as he abandoned his post and took a much more favorable spot just behind her with his arms wrapped around her waist. For a while, he had stuck to his promise of being quiet, knowing she was still a bit sleepy from the nap she took after their morning of exploration, but as soon as he found his voice, he hadn't had it in himself to refrain from mentioning the importance of the date for more than five minutes at a time.

This well wish came accompanied by a dotted kiss to the cuff of her shoulder, the skin exposed by the cut of her dress.

"Thank you, H," she told him through her smile. She found his eyes in the mirror, gaze shaded by the wisps of his lashes and the coat of inky liner drawn across his waterline. The clear green of his eyes were bright against the shadows, making it hard to pull away from his gaze. Even with the heat lingering behind her cheeks, she managed to follow through on the quip that had pinged in her head: "I almost forgot what today was, if you hadn't said anything."

Harry had greeted her with the sentiment when she woke and hadn't relented on relaying the news since. He seemed more excited about today than he had been for his own birthday. She couldn't help but tease him just a little over his inability to quit mentioning the date.

Her remark had earned a pout puffed across his lips that was reflected in the mirror as he pulled away from where he kissed at her shoulder. "Hey," he whined, "'m jus' excited. Why're y'making fun of me, hm?"

"I'm not," (Y/N) bubbled off in a rush, turning in his arms with her tube of lip gloss left behind on the counter. He looked down at her with a point that made her regret her teasing enough so that she reached up to settle her hands on his cheeks, palms warming his skin, "I think it's sweet, I promise. I'm excited, and it makes me happy that you are, too. I was only playing."

When Harry didn't immediately answer, she worried she really had dulled his mood with her joking, taking away some of the excitement he'd been festering. Just as she started running her thumbs across the height of his cheekbones, nails tickling the long lashes that lined the bottom of his eye, Harry slowly melted into a softened smile.

"I know, darling," he crooned to her, his arms around her waist looping into a protective cradle, "I was playing, too, 's alright."

"You're not upset?" Canting her head to the side, she looked up at him with eyes she could feel rounding out.

"No, no," he shook his head, ducking down just enough to nudge his nose against hers in a puppy's kiss, ""We're jus' having fun, that's all."

A quiet 'kay, left her lips before (Y/N) tipped her chin and pressed her lips to his in a gentle kiss. He smiled into the contact, only a small curl that (Y/N) swore she could taste the happiness from. It was Harry that took control of the kiss, only allowing her to linger over his mouth for long enough to smear the clear gloss that coated her lips across his own. Then, he dotted a small peck on her pout one more time before pulling away.

"Is there anything else y'need to do, or are y'ready to go, angel?" Harry murmured, eyes scanning over her features. He lingered over her cheekbones, the sweeps of baby sweet blush and glimmering highlight on the planes being his favorite parts of her routine.

"I think I'm ready, I just need my shoes and bag." The skirt of her dress fluttered around her thighs as she bounced in her spot, hands dropping from Harry's cheeks to settle on his shoulders.

Harry raised his brows as he began to lead her out of the bathroom, taking her into the living area of the suite where her chosen shoes for the night were already sitting by the loveseat. "Did y'want any help with the ties, or do y'have it?"

Eyeing the laces that laid limply next to the heeled sandals she had found during her final shopping trip with Sarah before leaving for Spain, (Y/N) made a point to drag Harry along with her to the loveseat. "I think I want help. I kept getting everything tangled up when I was practicing at home."

A lopsided smile covered his features as he let out a breathy laugh though he followed her dutifully. Once she was sat on the cushion of the love seat, her blush hued dress fluttering around her legs. Fitting her feet into the soles of her shoes, Harry waited until he was given the go ahead to start lacing up the long pieces of sparkling ribbon that were meant to cross up over (Y/N)'s calf. He made careful work with the tip of his tongue peeking out from between his lips as he crissed and crossed the opposite ends of the ribbon until he hit just the midpoint of her calf. That was when he made the impossible task of tying the perfect bow look like easy work.

After giving a once over of his work, he flicked his eyes up to (Y/N), his uneven smile only widening when he saw her already looking at him instead of the lengths of ribbon going up her leg. Raising his brows and tipping his chin, he tried to direct her attention back to her shoes.

"This what y'were thinking? Or did y'want the bow in the back?"

(Y/N) was quick to shake her head at any mention of a revision to his technique. "No, no, I like it like this. I want everyone to see the bow when we're out."

"Yeah?" he smiled, already reaching for the next leg's set of restraints, "I did alright?"

"It's perfect, H," she bubbled, curling her back just enough to match his face from where he crouched at her feet. She wanted to catch him before he was too concentrated to focus on anything other than his task. "Kissy, please?"

"Kissy?" Harry repeated, eyes bright against the black of his liner, "Haven't heard that one in a while."

Before (Y/N) could worry it was silly to bring back something she remembered saying especially well one of the first nights she spent the night at his house, Harry had granted her wish and taken her lips in his. This time, she could tell he wanted to get lost in her the same way she wanted him, the constant attention and affection they were able to hand out to one another since exiting their real lives on this vacation making it hard to go too long without at least a touch or a taste of one another.

Despite the reservations for dinner that he had reminded her of on more than one occasion today, it was Harry that started edging a little further, his hand on her ankle taking a careful path up the length of her leg. His lips were slotted against hers as he worked, the full of her bottom lip tucked between his two as he sucked and kissed at the pillow. Tipping and tilting his head, (Y/N) allowed him to control the range of the kiss, going whatever direction he needed from her to get the most pleasure for the both of them. Absently, his palm pressed against he cuff of her knee, fingertips spanning far enough that the hem of her dress was pushed up by his black-painted fingers.

It was only when she felt the trace of his tongue edging to flit inside her mouth and his hand grazing towards the soft inside of her thigh under her dress, that (Y/N) had to find her voice of reason. "The reservations," she reminded him, voice all but swallowed by him as he didn't dare pull away.

Harry lagged as what she said finally sunk in. The line of his shoulders fell as his kissing slowed. "One more, angel," he murmured, not waiting for a response before he drew her in for another short kiss.

Pulling away only after nudging his nose against hers in an effort to maintain contact with her while he caught his breath, Harry resumed the task at hand reluctantly. The hand that had edged its way up her leg and threatened to push the fabric of her dress aside and whatever flimsy excuse for fabric she was passing off as panties for the night, retraced its steps back down here leg and ended at her ankle where the ribbon lay in wait.

This time, Harry seemed to take his time, reveling in each brush of his fingertips against her skin, lingering over every touch. He smoothed each crossing of fabric, ensuring no wrinkles or weaves interrupted the line of the ribbon. The bow once again came together perfectly over the mid of her shin, matching the other flawlessly. But, Harry didn't release his hold on her ankle, not until he pressed a kiss just above where the bow sat on her skin.

"Thank you, Harry," she smiled at him as he helped her stand from the loveseat, hem of her dress fluttering around her thighs.

Lacing their fingers together, Harry reached for her bag with his other hand, continuing the tradition he had started this holiday of holding everything for her when she would allow it. That was how there were now at least one hundred pictures of she and Harry at various spots across Barcelona, a small, pale pink purse in his hand in each one. He'd joked more than once that at least the accessory matched his nails, as both his ring and pinky fingers were painted with the same hue.

"You're welcome, darling," he smiled, chancing a press of his lips against hers in a much more restrained kiss though (Y/N) still felt a phantom touch of his hand up her leg. "Let me know if they start feeling loose, or anything, yeah?"

"Okay," she peeped, feeling her skin heat even as he pulled away and began leading her out of their suite and out on the Barcelona streets to get to the restaurant for the night.

The air was still warm despite the fact the sun had gone down almost an hour prior as they stepped out onto the pathways that guided pedestrians through the city. The paths had become familiar in the last week they'd spent blending in with the local life as much as they could, (Y/N) beginning to even recognize faces when they went out in the morning for breakfast. This place had began to feel like a different version of home—a much less stressful and warmer version of home, but still enough so that she'd become more comfortable in her skin the longer they stayed here.

Once the marigold colored awning that covered the patio area of the restaurant they had reservations at for the night came into view, (Y/N) spotted sparkling bottles of wine and the near constant rotation of bright Sangria and apple-crisp Sidra shared among the table. She hadn't been brave enough yet to order a drink while they'd been here, but maybe tonight that would change that. She was feeling loose enough already, maybe that would be enough for (Y/N) to finally try the Sangria she'd seen littered with pineapple chunks and orange slices, berries swirling through the bottom of every glass.

"You said that they take passports as a good form of ID, right?" she asked, peering up at Harry as he guided them through the throngs of people joining them on the pedestrian way.

"Mhm," he hummed, his eyes trained in front of them as a long line of what seemed to be a new batch of tourists filed through the street, "Why?"

"I think I want to get a drink tonight," (Y/N) told him quietly, cuddling closer to his side.

"Yeah?" he sounded, a large smile spreading across his lips as he looked down at her, "What did y'want to get tonight?"

"The Sangria looks good, right?" As Harry had been the one to help refine her taste and show her what she liked and taught her what she would want to avoid, she couldn't help but seek out that approval from him.

His smile only broadened at her choice, his attention falling ahead once more once the crowd cleared some and he could escort her across to the open door of the restaurant. Another line awaited them, but Harry didn't seem to worry any as his gaze was immediately fixed on (Y/N) once more.

"You're gonna love that, baby. 'S sweet without making y'sick like those drinks y'got with Sarah that one time," he explained, sounding more excited than she was over the choice of drink for the night.

"Will you share the first one with me, just in case? I don't know how strong it is, so I don't want to have too much."

Tucked away at the end of the line, (Y/N) didn't worry any as Harry dipped his head down and pressed a kiss to her cheek. If anyone saw anyway, they'd only think for a moment about the lovely couple waiting by the checkin table, their love blending in perfectly with the honey-thick sweetness that had clung to (Y/N)'s skin since they arrived in this city.

"Yeah, we can share, love. I'll even let y'have the strawberry they put on the rim."

Though it was a little silly, it was those tiny little things that Harry did and said to her that had made her feel so loved for the last year of her life. He never teased her and indulged her endlessly in many things she knew others would have lost patience over. Looking up at him with his eyeliner so perfect, even more tattoos littering his skin than when they had met, and the natural ringlets of his hair framing his face, her heart felt so full she worried it would burst out of her chest if only to get a chance to hug Harry all on its own.

And this was all only after a single year together.

"Harry?" she asked as they moved up in line, Harry's attention pressed forward at the host checking in and seating everyone.

"Hm?"

"Happy anniversary."

The bright smile that spread across his face and pressed his dimples deep into his cheeks was enough to make (Y/N) feel like a teenager in love.

"Happy anniversary, angel."

—————

(Y/N) hated waking up early anyway, but there was something especially hurtful when waking up on the last full day of their holiday with the sun just barely peeking over the horizon. It was only made worse when she cracked her eyes open enough to see more than the glare of the sun through the open terrace doors, that she was alone in bed, Harry's spot ruffled and empty.

Though she tried to urge herself back to sleep, Harry having planned on this being the day where they traversed through town one last time, stopping at any of the little shops they'd been interested in but hadn't had a chance to browse at, and hopefully ending the night on the beach to watch the sunset. There was nothing urgent calling to them today, so she wanted to sleep and relax for a little longer—which was exactly what this vacation was for. But, when all her attempts only managed to draw her into the half-dream land where everything was a little too real to be soothing enough to fall into a deep sleep, (Y/N) relented with a huff.

Sitting up in bed, the puffs of the hotel comforter fell to her waist in a white pool. Harry's shirt she'd slept in had gone askew in the night, falling off of her shoulder and sitting halfway up her stomach until she sat up straight. With a stretch and sleep-hooded eyes, (Y/N) tried to find where Harry had run off to. The shower wasn't running, and it wasn't like him to leave her to pick up breakfast, especially not without waking her up first. He had to be here somewhere.

Just as she was about to make the drastic decision of leaving the warm cocoon of blankets on the bed, going off to hopefully find him in the living area carved out in their suite, she heard the most wonderful voice to wake up to.

"(Y/N), angel, are y'awake?"

Harry's voice filtered in from the balcony, backed by the faint soundtrack of ocean waves rolling in from the shore. Though it still took great effort to unravel herself from the covers, (Y/N) felt incredibly light as she padded her way out onto the terrace. Peeking out, she found Harry laid out on one of the loungers stationed on the patio, a quilt she recognized as one that had been thrown over the back of the loveseat in the living area was now draped over his lap. His hair was still in the messy ringlets they had fallen into after their joint shower the night before, long and grazing his shoulders.

"There y'are," he smiled at her, beckoning to her with open arms. (Y/N) practically skipped to his position, making a home in his lap while Harry stretched the quilt over both of them once she settled. With her on his chest and her thighs astride his hips, his arms wrapped around her waist under the blanket, Harry pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I was jus' about to go wake y'up myself, started missing y'too much."

"Sorry," she mumbled into his neck, feeling her body melt into his. Everything around her—the emerging sun, the sound of the waves, the solid warmth of Harry's chest underneath her—urged her to loosen her muscles and bask in the moment. She wished she could stay right here forever.

"Don't have to be sorry, cutie. 'S not your fault I need y'so much," he smiled into her hair, another kiss being pressed to the crown of her head before she felt him turn and squish his cheek against the same spot.

A sleepy smile made its way on her face, one she hoped he would be able to feel against the column of his throat. "I don't want to leave, Harry. Can we stay?"

A hum rumbled his chest underneath her own, his throat bobbing. "I think we could do that," he mused, "Don't know how I'd keep tattooing back home if we lived here, but I'd figure something out."

"Yay," she quietly cheered, her heart thumping at the fact he was willing to indulge her over something so silly.

"You've had fun, though, baby? Good holiday?" he asked her, his arms tightening around her form as he sunk deeper into the lounger, bringing his knees up behind her into a cradle.

With the new position, (Y/N) lifted herself form the home she made against his neck, her chest pressed to his as she folded her arms along the line of his pecs. Resting her chin on her folded arms, (Y/N) looked to him with affection seeping through her sleepy gaze.

"Really, really good, H. I had so much fun with you," she murmured, basking under the attention he doled out to her in the form of bright green eyes and strong arms wrapped around her form.

"We should do this again then, yeah?" he whispered to her, a crooked smile molding his features.

(Y/N) immediately brightened at the idea of going on another getaway with him like this; days of nothing to worry about but how much more love her heart could take before it might burst. "Can we?" she bubbled, wiggling some in his lap.

"Jus' tell me where, and I'll make it happen, baby," he promised to her.

Before (Y/N) could formulate any kind of response around the fluttering of her heart, Harry further distracted her as his grip shifted. His arms that had been around her waist flitted over her body, palms tracing her sides before he settled them on her cheeks. He cradled her face gently in his grip, (Y/N)'s mouth falling into a petite gape as he brought her close to him. Harry met her halfway, pressing his lips to hers in a firm kiss.

This was the only proper way to wake up, (Y/N) decided as she lent into his kiss. Harry was the perfect guide, being the one that controlled where they went with this kiss, (Y/N) only having to lay there and pliantly go along with what he decided for them. Her hands that had been bundled between their chests drifted to grab at his shoulders, tufts of his shirt becoming entangled in her grip. Slotting their lips together, (Y/N) was allowed a taste of the same mouth she had dreamt of through the night. Despite the fact she had some of him almost every day (it would have been every single day if not for the fact she sometimes was too tired to do anymore than cuddle after their full days), she couldn't seem to have enough of him. How was she supposed to go back to real life where she couldn't just pull Harry away to come back to their villa and make out with him until her heart's content?

Just as much as (Y/N) couldn't get enough of him, Harry's want for her was clear as he kept her mouth sealed to his as he tilted and turned his head to draw her deeper and deeper into the contact. It wasn't until the tip of his nose skimmed the apple of her cheek as he turned his head that (Y/N) felt the first pass of his tongue over her bottom lip. The breathy moan that left her mouth was Harry's cue to keep going, to kiss her harder and love her more.

When she felt the first slide of his tongue over hers, (Y/N) couldn't help the way she wiggled in his lap, hips rolling over his. Harry sucked a breath in through his teeth, a hiss escaping his throat as she pushed her bottom back against he bulge of his cock. Though her core pressed primarily against the bottom of Harry's stomach, the blocks of muscles felt through the hem of her top and the one stretched over his middle, she could tell he skipped wearing boxers under his sweats with the way the head of his cock nudged at the full of her rear.

"Harry—"

"I know, angel, I know," he mumbled against her kiss, "Can't help myself; you're too pretty on m'lap letting me kiss you, 's not fair."

(Y/N) was drawn into his lips once more after he finished his whispering to her, the taste of his affection lingering on his tongue as he brushed it across hers. Knowing that he was worked up, the evidence of which sitting just behind her, (Y/N) felt breathless now with every smear of his lips over her own. Though it had only been less than twelve hours since they had been in a similar position, the suite bed showing the details with the ruffled sheets and her panties littering the floor, she couldn't help the pull in her tummy at the idea of going again with him.

"Sit up for me, angel," he told her, breaking away from her kiss with a breathless voice. His hands that acted as anchors on either side of her face dropped to the curve of her waist, steadying her as she shakily sat up on his lap.

Her lips were kiss-swollen and eyes glossy, that much (Y/N) knew as she gazed down at him, already missing his mouth. Just as she was about to whine over as much, Harry shifted under her, his hands keeping her steady as he moved to lay with his cock under her soft, bare core, the weight of which pressed into her budding clit. Her eyes fluttered involuntarily, lashes tangling as she felt a moan work its way through her chest. The breathy whine fell from her lips in a quiet call of his name, mixing with the sound of the waves as Barcelona slowly awoke around over their terrace.

Settling her hands flat against Harry's stomach, (Y/N) fought to keep her eyes from hooding even as she felt her pussy split open as Harry grew harder underneath her. There was something about when they played in the morning that made her especially sensitive, close before she even had a grasp of just how tight the coil in her tummy had grown.

"Should we—we're outside," she stumbled out, her fingertips gently denting into his skin through his shirt.

"I know, angel," he crooned, his hands on her waist squeezing in a gentle hold, "'s alright, though, yeah? Already comfy and everything, don't need to move."

"You don't think anyone is gonna see us?" she peeped out, beginning to feel a bit exposed now that she could hear the beginning of footsteps as tourists like them flocked to the beach for the sunrise, just as she'd heard for the last two weeks. They weren't the only ones awake anymore.

Harry shook his head, lush curls haloing his head as they splayed across the lounger. "Jus' us up here," he soothed her, "We'll need to be a little quiet, won't we?"

Part of staying in one of the villas towards the top of the building, allowed for much more privacy in terms of neighbors, something (Y/N) didn't realize she was so grateful for until then. As much as she felt out of her element out in the open air, bare pussy pressed against Harry's cock, and the city waking around them, she didn't want to leave this moment. The draw of her love washed under the buttery glow of the rising sun was stronger than the need to burrow under the sheets with him. It couldn't be much worse than having sex with the terrace doors open like they had been every night, anyway.

"Is it okay if we stay out here, angel?" he murmured to her, grabbing her attention again, "You know I won't stop you if y'want to take me inside."

"Yeah, yeah," she bubbled off with a nod, feeling a different kind of fire in her tummy now that she was decided, hands fisting at the fabric of his shirt under her palms, "I want to stay here, please."

The satisfied grin that molded his features made a heat settle behind (Y/N)'s cheeks, knowing exactly what he had to be thinking behind the receding green of his eyes that made way for blown pupils. "Think you'll be able to stay quiet then?"

"I might—" (Y/N) cut herself off just as Harry rolled his hips upwards underneath her, her words choking off into a breathless moan. The ridge of his head had pressed perfectly into her clit, pushing a shudder down her spine and the coil in her stomach to ribbon into a tight bow. If he wasn't careful, a couple more rolls of his hips like that, and she'll be coming apart from nothing other than some well-placed grinds into her softness.

"Y'might what, darling?" Harry asked, sounding a little too satisfied to be fair considering how close to the edge (Y/N) was lingering.

"Need help," she swallowed, "staying quiet." She willed herself to stay upright though all she wanted was to press herself against his chest again.

"I can do that for you," he mused, dropping his eyes down her form until he found the split in of her legs where his hips laid between, "I need y'to do something for me first, though."

The eager nod she gave him had her sleep-mussed hair fluttering around her face.

"Take me out, yeah?" he told her, hooded eyes flicking up to her face for just a moment before returning to where she was straddling him, "'M ready for you, angel, jus' need y'to let me inside."

Shifting over him, (Y/N) followed his instructions with eager hands, fingers fumbling as she pulled at the waist of his sweats. The elastic band gave way to her grabbing fingers quickly, more of his skin exposed with every tug. The thatch of trimmed hair at his base was the first part revealed just before she pulled his pants down enough that his cock bobbed against the flat of his stomach. The first bit of precum bubbled at his slit, pearling in the morning sunlight. If not for the sensitivity aching between her thighs, she would have argued for a moment to fit in him her mouth. She would have to save that for tonight instead.

Goosebumps raised over his skin when (Y/N) wrapped her fist around his shaft, the vein on the underside throbbing at the contact. A quiet hiss fell from Harry's lips as he watched her, doing his part in bundling her shirt up against her waist as she hovered above him.

"Ready for me, love?" he asked her, sounding strained as he kept his eyes fixed on her pussy.

"Uh-huh," she affirmed, feeling breathless with just a touch of his head against her clit, wetness seeping from her that threatened to drip onto the grey sweats she'd just pulled down.

He was quiet as he fit his bottom lip between his teeth, his grip on her waist steadying her as she sunk her hips down over his length. The heat of his gaze was pinned directly where he disappeared inside her, a slick sound filling the air between them as he popped inside. (Y/N) felt that lingering self-conscious heat fill her cheeks at the prospect of someone overhearing, but that thought was brushed aside just as she felt the curve of Harry's prick brush agains the soft-spongy bit of her fluttering walls. Her spine stiffened at the graze, her insides clenching around him involuntarily.

"Fuck," Harry murmured, the curse coming out on a breath that that pulled from his lungs, "N-Need help, love?"

His hands on her waist pulsed as if to remind her he was still there, but (Y/N) shook her head, her hand settling on the flat of his stomach as he bottomed out inside her. Her clit was pressed tightly against the base of his cock, the dark curls trimmed around the base ground gently into the bud as she gave a slight roll of her hips. Her walls became a snug home around his length, stretching and fluttering at the feel of every ridge and vein.

Her focus then shifted to keeping quiet as the rest of the world faded around her, having to remind herself that it isn't just the two of them in the terracotta hued city of Barcelona. No, she had to remember that she couldn't moan and whine for him as she usually did, no matter how much she wanted to.

Looking down at Harry, that focus took the backseat as she took in the way he looked up at her with his hooded green eyes and the part of his lips. He looked breathless already just watching her, soaking in the fact she had sunk herself down on his lap, soft thighs cushioning his hips that only paled in comparison to the snug, soft walls hugging his cock.

"Look so pretty, baby," he praised her, voice a low rumble, "So fucking pretty sitting on m'cock."

She keened at the compliment, giving her first real roll of her hips over his. A quiet smile took over her face, eyes falling closed, as she rolled her neck back with her features facing the sky. "Thank you," she peeped, aware of her volume.

A breathy laugh sounded from under her, though it was quickly cut off as she lifted herself from his length before sinking back down. Bringing her hand to her mouth, (Y/N) muffled the moan that fell from her lips, only a whine seeping through.

"Fuck, do it again, angel. Start bouncing on me." Harry's encouragement crashed over her like the waves sounding behind her, wrapping her in a kind of warmth that still sent a shiver down her spine.

That was all she needed to hear before she started her rhythm, straining her thighs as she rode him on the terrace in Barcelona. Her breathing came in coordinating pants, as if with every drop of her hips the length of his prick pushed the air out of her. Her clit was smeared against the base of his cock every time he bottomed out inside her, her walls pulsing with every touch and grind. She kept her hand stationed over her mouth, a rudimentary lid to cover every moan that seeped from her chest, while the other stayed steady on his chest to give her leverage.

"Y-You're so deep, H," she peeped, voice muffled though she was unable to keep the words from tumbling off her tongue.

The satisfied smile that Harry directed towards the sky, hooded eyes gazing at her with silken lust, she knew she heard exactly what she said no matter how muffled. "Yeah, love? Am I here?"

His hand that had been stationed at her waist, helping keep the hem of her top from falling over the view of where they were joined, shifted over the soft of her stomach. As she bounced atop his lap, his thighs a cradle behind her, Harry pressed his hand against her tummy, eyes dark and pupils blown as he watched the trail of his hand.

When he pressed at just the right moment, her clit pressed tightly against him and his cock deep inside her, she could feel the pressure coming from the outside. A loud moan she had no hope of concealing fell from her lips, eyelids melting to a close. "H-Harry," she whined, knowing she should feel embarrassed at her volume but not having the mind to compute anything other than the pleasure rushing through her veins.

(Y/N) could feel his thighs tense from behind her, his cock twitching against her snug walls. He was close, too, she could tell. The flush that worked its way up his chest had just begun to seep into his neck, coloring the inked roses on his skin the same rosy hue. A vein bulged in his neck as he strained to keep himself quiet and in control.

"C'mere, c'mere," he beckoned to her, his arms coming to loop around her waist as he tugged her down, "Are y'close, baby?"

Nodding her head with a whine of uh-huh, uh-huh, she clumsily fell into his chest, desperate to feel more of him. She made a home in the curve of his throat, fitting her face against it as she fought to muffle her noises against the skin. The bouncing of her hips was reduced to lingering rolls and grinds, her clit perpetually pressed against the base of his cock with every push. Her now free hands took advantage of the skewed hem of his top, fitting themselves underneath it in an effort to touch his bare skin she had missed in their clothed state.

From the new position, Harry took over as he thrust his hips upwards, pushing his length through her fluttering walls. He barely reared back with every pull, but with every short thrust (Y/N) swore his head nudged deeper and deeper. His breath came in heavy pants above her, the air warm like the sun's rays that had begun to beat down over them as the morning came to fruition.

"Oh, gosh, Harry," (Y/N) whined when he gave a particularly long grind against her, both his cock pressing into her soft walls and his base smearing over her clit. Absently, her nails sunk into the blocks of muscle that made up his stomach, denting the flesh. Her thighs grew shaky as they were folded on either side of him, her muscles tensing and releasing.

Harry jolted underneath her, his hips stuttering as his prick twitched inside her. His arms wrapped around her waist were tight, keeping her atop him despite the rocks of his hips. "Wh-Where do y'want m'cum, angel?"

(Y/N) felt his voice—the wavering of his tone and bob of his throat—more than she heard him with the way her face was pressed into his neck and his chest was flush against hers. "In-Inside, please."

A mumbled curse made its way out of Harry's mouth as he took in her response, his hips starting a new, faster rhythm. "Need y'to cum with me then, 'kay? Not gonna finish inside y'unless you're with me."

"I'm so close, H, I-I can't wait," she whined, eyes squeezing shut with her lashes fluttering against his skin.

"Ye-Yes, y'can," he told her, voice deep and rumbling, "One more minute, then we can cum together. Jus' hang on for on-one more minute, baby, then I'll cum inside you like y'want."

Though she wasn't sure how she was going to do it, (Y/N) nodded her head against his neck, promising to hold off until she was ready for no other reason than to please him. The closer and closer she was brought to the edge with every roll against her clit and push of his cock through her snug walls, (Y/N) had to remind herself to hold off, that if he wasn't at the edge with her, she couldn't be there. Her muscles grew tight as she urged herself to keep the ribbon in her tummy from unraveling. Her breathing grew strained as she was forced to pace herself, though she unable to think of anything other than the pleasure prickling through her system. The more she concentrated on staving off, (Y/N) found herself losing herself in the pleasure of Harry all around her—even he press of his chest as he breathed and the bars of his arms around her waist were becoming aphrodisiacs.

"Hang on, (Y/N), jus' a little longer. I can feel y'tightening up, jus' wait for me," he interrupted her, his words being gritted out through a locked jaw.

"I can't, I can't," she shook her head, feeling the ribbon in her tummy begin to tighten into a familiar bow that wasn't a good sign if he was farther off than her.

"You can, do you hear me?" A particularly hard thrust of his hips punctuation his words. "Jus' one more second, baby. Be good for me."

(Y/N) wanted to answer him, tell him she was going to be good for him just like she always was, that she loved him, but every sentiment died in her throat as he ground himself against her. The roll of his hips pushed the head of his cock against her farthest walls, her insides clenching around him just as she was sure he wanted.

"Kiss me, angel," Harry murmured, already slipping one of his hands through the back of her hair and pulling her up to face him.

The second he smeared his lips against her, (Y/N) felt her body melt, unable to keep the handle on the shaky control she had curated. A moan of his name was pushed against his mouth that Harry happily swallowed, tasting her affection on his tongue. She unraveled around him slowly at first, her control slipping and slipping through her grasp until she felt Harry's own body tense underneath her.

He joined her in falling over the edge with a breathy moan into her mouth, his own dropping into a gape as his eyes stayed clenched shut. (Y/N) pressed her forehead against his, her breathing coming out stunted as she forced herself to stay quiet as she came around him. The feel of Harry cumming—warm ropes painting her fluttering walls, seeping put from around him as he continued the stilted grinds of his hips—only spurred her on, her hips matching his in gentle rolls.

"Harry," she whispered, nose nudging his as she urged him to kiss her again.

Through the blinding warmth that both shocked and released her muscles, she felt a point of clarity as Harry pressed his lips to hers. The sliver of his lip piercing was enough to anchor her to the moment as she slowly began her descent back to earth, finally catching the slick sounds that were coming from their terrace with every rock of Harry's hips. Aftershocks riddled her body as she waited for Harry to float down with her, the first sign coming when he managed to press his lips against hers in a clumsy kiss just as the final spurt of his cum finished inside her.

His breathing came in heavy passes through his nose as he kissed her, lips slick against hers. "I love you, (Y/N)," he told her, the sticky sweet sentiment sweeping over her mouth and warming their kiss.

Pulling away, (Y/N) searched for Harry's hooded eyes, the green in them slowly returning, "I love you, too. So much, H."

A slow smile spread over his kiss-swollen lips then, the sound of their love being soundtracked by the ocean waves and the city beginning to bustle just below their balcony. (Y/N) fell back against his chest, his neck becoming her pillow as she cuddled against him, still finding her way out of the haze she found herself in this morning. Harry, having unlaced his fingers from her hair, reached towards the quilt that had laid forgotten just behind (Y/N)'s bottom, pulling it over them as they cuddled under the morning sun.

Silence settled over them, Harry occasionally pressing his lips to the top of her head.

"Feeling good, baby?" he asked her, voice even for the first time since she crawled on his lap.

"Really good," she smiled, chancing a delicate kiss against the column of his throat, "Are you happy?"

A quiet laugh filtered through the strands of hair he had buried his nose into. "'M really happy, angel."

Her hands that still sat under his shirt drifted, her fingers massaging over the skin she knew she had dug her nails into in the heat of the moment. She could feel Harry's smile against the crown of her head as he shifted underneath her, seemingly beginning to sit up. For a moment, (Y/N) felt a blurt of panic at the movements.

"Wait, wait," she stopped him, her hands on his abdomen gently pushing him to stay laying down on the lounger.

"What's wrong, angel? I was only taking y'inside to clean up," he explained, (Y/N) able to hear the concern in his voice and picture the furrow in his brow she knew would be pinching his features if she peeked.

"Can I... Can we stay like this for a minute? I don't want to leave yet." Her murmured request was so quiet, she worried he wouldn't hear her. Despite the way she could feel his cum beginning to seep out of her, his softening cock making way for their mixed wetness to leak, she didn't want to get up and ruin the magic of their final, pure morning on holiday.

Harry's response lagged for just a moment before she felt his arms tighten around her and his lips once again kissing at the top of her head. "Okay," he relented, his audible smile now replacing the concern, "We'll stay right here, yeah?"

He settled underneath her, allowing her to sink into him with the length of his cock keeping her full in a way she didn't realize could be so comforting even without lust addling her brain. With his arms around her, she didn't feel a lick of the same self-consciousness she knew would be plaguing her if they were in a similar situation back home, his hold protecting her from more than she was sure he realized. (Y/N)'s eyes fluttered closed as she cuddled into him, taking in everything that made this moment so perfect. She didn't want to forget a single moment of this.

"Darling?" Harry murmured, breaking her from the half-sleep state she had begun to fall into.

"Hm?"

"When we go home," he started, sincerity running underneath his tone, "how would you feel about looking for a place with me?"

A furrow pinched at her brow as she processed his words. "Do you and Mitch not like your house anymore?"

A laugh rumbled his chest and shook her from where she laid atop him. "Will y'look at me for a second, baby? I know you're warm, but I need to see you."

He was right, she was warm, which made the task of unpeeling herself from his chest a harrowing one as far as (Y/N) was concerned. Her brows were still pinched in a furrow as she looked at him, stationing her hands on the flat of his chest muscles while he looked at her with clear green eyes.

"The house isn't the problem, angel," he told her, "but, our lease is up in a few months, and we've talked about whether or not to renew. I told him I wasn't sure, because I was wondering if you would want to move in with me. Find our own place and everything."

(Y/N) felt herself grow speechless as she realized what he had initially asked. He wanted to live with her; he was willing to give up having his best friend as his roommate, and instead take on a new home with her. He'd thought about this long enough that he'd even told Mitch he wasn't completely on board with signing the lease again.

"You want to live with me?"

"I do." Harry's certainty never wavered.

Maybe it was silly (she was sitting on his lap, cock still inside her on the balcony of their hotel room), but (Y/N) couldn't help the sheen of tears that gathered in her eyes.

"Oh, Harry," she sighed, dropping down to his chest and looping her arms around his neck.

A smattering of kisses was delivered to his face—chin, cheeks, forehead, and nose all feeling her love. Peals of laughter fell from his lips as he took in all of her affection. "Does this mean you're saying yes?"

"Of course it does!" she bubbled off, pressing her lips to his in an innocent peck, "You want to live with me!"

Another round of laughter was breathed against her kissing lips as it worked its way out of Harry's chest. "I do," he repeated, "Tired of taking y'back to that apartment. I jus' want to take y'home with me every night."

The blooming grin on (Y/N)'s features kept her cheeks warm and eyes creased as she pulled back just enough to look at him again. "We'll start looking when we get back home?"

"If that's what y'want."

Taking him in, clean of his dark eyeliner but still as heartbreakingly pretty as the first time they met, (Y/N) couldn't even attempt to regulate her heartbeat. His words back at his mom's house were recalled in that moment as he glowed under the buttery rays of the sun: his plan was to move in with her, then he wanted to propose. (Y/N) didn't even think before her answer came tumbling out though her smile.

"I do."

—————

this has been in the making for SOOOOOO long this vacation moment was first brought up in one of the first blurbs I did for aster and im so happy I finally got around to putting it together like I wanted!! thank u sm for reading and sorry for any mistakes! please lmk if you have any requests or ideas of your own!

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dawndelion-winery · 2 years

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It Started Out With A Kiss...How Did It End Up Like This

Pulling them in for a kiss by the waistband of their pants/belt

Ft. Childe, Diluc, Kaeya, Pantalone, Dottore

Warnings: Suggestive

Childe:

Eyes wide open + rapid blinking

He has the stupidest grin when you pull away

Every time he brings his fingers up to his lips after that, he's giggling to himself and stealing glances at you

He thinks he's subtle smh

When you point out that you do, in fact, notice his staring, he gets more blatant about it, clinging to you and doing kissy faces

His hand slides to your ass very often unless you tell him to stop

Just slapping it away? Yeah no, it'll find its way back there a few moments later

"You can grab my butt too y'know."

Diluc:

Look, we know it's not going to stop with a kiss because your face is going to plant itself right in his tiddies

It's just the way things work

Which leads to him swallowing pretty hard and gently rubbing your back and holding you firmly against his chest

Unusually compliant when you squeeze his tiddies

It's really out of his guilt for thinking of you that way when all you seemed to want was a kiss and some cuddles

At least that's how he perceived it

Kaeya:

His eyes widen at first but it quickly morphs into a smirk as he takes a hold of your waist too

You're trapped in a standoff even after you pull away from the kiss with both of you holding the other's waist

You can see him swallow when you lean in again but he holds his ground though his eyes fluttered shut

And then you kiss his tiddies and his eyes shoot open

"Hey, weren't you going to kiss me- no that didn't count, get back here-"

Pantalone:

May the Tsaritsa help you because you're not going anywhere anytime soon

He's quick to catch you by the waist and rest his head in the crook of your neck

"Mm, not quite...if you leave now, you'll rack up quite the debt, my love...and you know you can't run."

Hums as he kisses your neck

You can feel him smirking and you can't do anything about what with the hold he has on you

"You wouldn't be opposed to continuing that little stunt of yours, would you?"

Dottore:

Fool. Idiot. Imbecile.

You're getting pinned against the nearest surface and stared down

Though it's probably what you were aiming for because what other result could you possibly anticipate with him

Yeah, so what are you gonna do when the doctor has you on his workbench as he stands between your legs with his hands on your thighs

The correct answer is beg for forgiveness, but feel free to antagonise him more if you're keen on being punished

Taglist[send an ask to be added/removed]: @myluvkeiji @pluvioseprince @aqui-soba @euphoric-author @paradise-creator @favonius-captain @tiredsleep @raincxtter @serenenation @loverofthe-stars @gensimping-for-all @irethepotato @almond-adeptus @mx-kamisato @yuzuricebun @chaosinanutshell @howlantic @codename-hiraeth @andreiling01 @callmemeelah @sadlonelybagel @plinkuro @thevictoriousmoon @mastering-procrastinating

Iirc you asked to be tagged for this @ay-asterisms ?

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yharnamsnewslug · 2 years

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Within horror there are so many genres, but the one thing they've in common is that either you do it well or it will not work. Certain genres allow an amount of flaws that, well, as long as it's fun and you're entertained, it's all good. But horror isn't mid, it can't be mid, it can only be either really terrible or incredibly good.

This is because horror and comedy are the hardest genres to write (which is also why Jordan Peele is so good at horror, bc he's done comedy!), and you can tell when someone just doesn't get a genre, why the base doesn't work, why jumpscares are remembered but not the plot of your movie.

The best horror movie I've ever watched is Hereditary, despite the ableist undertones that Ari Aster just loves to fucking put in his films. Ari Aster, tho, understands the basis of fear and uses horror tropes with that foundation already built. If you copy the homework but don't know why those are the answers, you don't actually understand the subject.

I'm a huge horror fan, and as much as I hate the term "elevated horror", I'm enjoying the movies that come out of it. Jordan Peele's "Get Out", Ari Aster's "Hereditary" and "Midsommar", or even "The Haunting of Hill House" (Netflix adaptation). Horror is finding new ways to explore the genre and going back to the basics, understanding what scares you, and applying a new angle to it is FANTASTIC.

So it's incredibly frustrating when movies or shows that take the time to let you understand the characters that it is portraying (an INCREDIBLY important part of horror that works) are called boring. "Why did we need a 10 minute conversation about metaphysics?!" BECAUSE THAT TELLS YOU ABOUT THIS CHARACTER AND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING TO THEM. IT MAKES YOU CARE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENA TO THEM.

The story isn't about the fucking monster. The monster is a vessel, you idiot, it's not an actual monster, the monster MEANS SOMETHING. It's an idea, it's a metaphor, it's your mother at 12 when she slapped you for the first time, it's when you broke your leg and there was no one around to help you, it's the existential dread of being 35 and not knowing where you're going in life, it's looking at your spouse and thinking they're a stranger, it's walking into a room and feeling like you're a ghost. IT'S A METAPHOR.

We've used horror since fucking FOREVER to talk about the human experience, and I get that there's creepy slashers and monster flicks, I love them as much as you, I PROMISE, but for fuck's sake, can your poor excuse of a critique be something else than "not scary, 1/10, it was boring, waste of time."

Know when something isn't made for you.

#horror #nico.txt

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fallencelsetial · 1 month

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quastion. if you had to give each of the nu carnival guys a present, what would you give to each one? oh and let's assume monies aren't a problem here

To answer your Quastion. If Monies are not an issue, and I can just the boys whatever the hell I want, then-

Eiden: I'm getting this boy every single craft supply I can think of. Fabrics, yarns, tule, buttons, clays, pen, pencils. I'm getting him everything. He's so friggin talented and just an artsy boy. He'd definitely have an etsy or two on the side of his actual job.

Aster: You didn't say the presents had to be objects. Plus Asters got SO MUCH MONEY. Boy could get anything he wanted at any time. Hell. He's the clan sugar daddy. If I was getting him a gift, it would definitely be something practical. And Honestly, I'd probably just get him more staff. He's got so many things he's running, I'm sure he'd really appreciate the help, and especially, that he's not the one paying for it.

Morvay: Similarly to Aster, I wouldn't really get Morvay an object. What I would get him though, is food. He's a bit of a greedy boy. He's always getting yelled at by aster for sneaking out and feeding, and constantly getting overworked. I think he deserves a place where he can relax and indulge in his favorite things. I'm sure there's some club out there that has membership option and would allow him to just go ham.

Yakumo: Cooking tools seems too easy. I'm sure he's already got everything he needs. You know what? I'm actually gonna get him some alone time with Eiden. I'm getting them a vacation together. I'm gonna send him and Eiden off somewhere real private. Do you know how happy he'd probably be? Boy is so possessive. He'd be OVER THE MOON about having Eiden all to himself for like a week. And I'm sure Eiden would be happy about spending time with him too. Gross honeymooning ass bitches.

Edmond: I'm getting him all the porn and sweets he wants. Just because I know he's gonna be a bitch about it. I would know. I'm the same. "No, I'm not allowed to get this. People will look at me weird if I get that" and Now look at me. I have a whole shelf full of those books. I'm getting him all of it AND, He didn't spend any of his money on it so he can't feel ashamed about it. It was gifts. Now go. Be free.

Olivine: I saw a post somewhere about Oli not having any of his own clothes and how they would take him on a shopping spree and honestly same. And I'd help him pick out the sluttiest, most rebellious clothes possible. I was raised catholic. I know. I know how hard it is. We're going to get you so many things with Religious undertones so it feels safe, AND like you're breaking the rules at the same time.

Quincy: Gosh. He's such a simple dude. All forest man and shit. He probably would not accept anything that would make his life easier. Any more modern versions of tools he already uses would probably be rejected with a "This one works fine/better anyway" Getting a bunch of treats for topper might make him happy though. Actually might just get him something SUPER dad coded. Like a Flask/Canteen. Probably would say he doesn't need it, but would secretly use it anyway.

Kuya: We're getting him all the dumb weird shit. Mans has a collection of dumb weird shit. He's like Blade. Anything he finds intriguing he just keeps. I'm getting this man an old beat up Bakugan. "Check it out. It's opens when you place it on this card but ONLY on this card!" Do you know how psyched he would be??? He's so fucking simple. I'm getting him those boxes that show one character in one window, and another character on the other window.

Garu: I don't think he can have too many toys. I'm getting him so many more toys than what Eiden has already gotten him. Lots of meat too. Oh! And I'm getting him art supplies as well! His art fills me with joy. I love him.

Karu: ALRIGHT. I'm giving him play time. I'm buying/building him a whole play set. He wants to be ruler of everything and I am going to give him that. I am going to spoil the shit outta this puppy. I will get him his own little throne room. He's getting his own little kingdom where he is king, and EVERYONE BOWS TO HIM! He's also getting so much meat too. All Hail the Mighty Karu!!

Blade: I'm also getting him art supplies. Art supplies and Books! If we can find some that he hasn't read yet. Honestly the library is massive. Oooooh but if we go to a book store, there's bound to be new releases of something, and he'll read anything just to have read it, I'm sure he'd really appreciate that!

Dante: A vacation mother fucker. Shut up. Listen Child. I Don't want to hear it. Spa now. Break. Rest. Relaxation. Think of NOTHING. You know what? I'mma throw Eiden in there too. He'd probably help you a lot. Just like how Eiden would be a good part of the gift, for Yakumo, I feel the same goes for him as well. And also, Lots of gifts for Sooley.

Rei: Therapy. Notebooks. Lot's of notebooks. Replacement's for any Equipment he's broken. Some art supplies. Mostly charcoals for his sketches. All practical stuff too. I'd offer to fix some of his personal items, but...I think he prefers them dinged up and broken. Has a bit of a comfort in that. So the supplies would probably be most appreciated by him.

#nu carnival #ask #I hope this is satisfactory

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thatfreshi · 9 months

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Ok so... Idea for Astorian? What if the reader was some form of Flamenco dancer? Or something of the sorts, who acts like a bard, but instead of using an instrument they dance to perform magic. Not forced at all ofcorse!! I love the way you write him, it feels like you've nailed his character!

Uhm... if you guys want a part two... yeah. Let me know LMAO

TW - general horniness, reader is threatened at dagger-point

Recommended Song: Shirt - SZA

"Yeah, I just dance and then... magic."

The way Astarion first narrowed his eyes at you when you expressed that you couldn't really do anything else, he thought it was laughable.

"So you don't really fight, you just have fun while everyone else is actually doing things?"

"No, I have to actually be good at it! That's like saying you just open doors."

"Well that would be extremely rude because these hands do much more than open doors my dear."

You rolled your eyes, and he smirked. Now, this was before the two of you even slept together, let alone become an item. Over time Astarion has come to understand just how important of an asset you are to the group, but more specifically how he can't keep his eyes off of you on the battlefield. Whenever you can, the two of you find some time alone in the city to find you the most gorgeous flowy outfits, partially because they're easier to move in, but he also loves spoiling you, especially if he benefits from the view. He likes stitching little messages into the loose pieces of fabric, anything in between love notes and threats to people who have even thought about hurting you. The most recent one reads 'If the person wearing this is dead, you're next.'

Somehow, you and your rag-tag group have ended up being tasked with a group of bandits outside of Baldur's Gate. Does it have anything to do with the tadpoles or anything else important? No, of course not, but you have a hard time not helping people in need.

When you come across the group of bandits, it's apparent that they're not going to be a problem. While you're staking out their camp, Astarion comes behind you, whispering in your ear.

"If we make quick work of this, I'm sure we could find somewhere afterwards, for the two of us."

It sends a shiver up your spine, but you laugh it off, turning to look at him.

"You think you're funny, huh? Come on, we have work to do."

"Oh trust me, I know."

Maybe you should find a new way to cast magic, because it cannot be good for him to be horny mid-fight. Then again, it never seems to be a problem, so maybe it doesn't matter? Astarion certainly is an odd specimen, but you love him anyways.

"I am begging the two of you to stop flirting on the battlefield, please."

Gale pleads, wishing the two of you could keep it in your pants for once.

"Listen, once you find someone who completes your heart like Tav completes mine, you will understand. Until then, I'd stop complaining."

You nudge him and then whisper.

"Aster, you are talking to the guy who had sex with Mystra, and then became a literal bomb to try and win her approval."

"Damnit, I always forget about that! Fine, whatever. If Mystra were here, you would be just as lustful as I am, no matter the circumstances."

Gale grumbles to himself and walks off to the others, as Karlach prepares to make the first strike. She makes the signal, and you all take your positions. Astarion always insists on staying close to you, taking you with him on the flank if he has to. No one tries to argue, because he doesn't trust anyone else to keep you safe.

"Damnit, ambush!"

One of the bandits calls out, a tiefling. Gale casts grease, making their camp light up in flames from the campfire. Karlach strikes one of the bandits from behind, knocking them into the fire, effectively killing them. You don't realize though that one of the bandits had taken a trip to the forest to relieve himself, and he comes up behind you. Suddenly, you're swallowing fear with a dagger to your throat.

"Cease fire! Or the pretty one gets it."

As soon as the others look over in concern, the man's throat has been pierced, some of the blood splattering onto your face. Astarion drinks until your attacker hits the ground, the dagger falling out of a bloodless hand. You catch sight of Shadowheart, who is in close-quarters combat with a drow, and you turn to your lover.

"Come here!"

He doesn't ask questions, and he grabs your hands, spinning you out towards the fight as you send a fire bolt the drow's way. She falls quickly. Soon enough, Lae'zel finishes off the last of them, and Shadowheart casts water across the flames, making sure nothing else is burnt down. You try to catch your breath with the rest of the group, and you realize Wyll is injured, a gash across his shoulder. Normally Halsin or Shadowheart would deal with such a wound, but it's been a long day, and you're the only one with any healing magic left in you. With a few moves of your hips, you send out a healing ward, patching him up rather quickly.

"Thank you Tav."

Astarion comes to your side immediately after, almost as if he's jealous, wrapping an arm around your waist. As the others start going through the bandits' treasure, your lover wipes the blood off of your face.

"Surprised you didn't lick it off."

"I'm sure his blood was rancid, I much prefer yours."

If someone told you a year ago that someone saying they want to drink your blood was a turn-on, you would've laughed them all the way to Waterdeep. Now, you struggle to stand properly, holding your thighs together. He keeps his hand on your face, grip a little tenser than before.

"You need to be more careful when we're out there. I know these people were practically dead already, but some people won't try to trade you off like a token."

Normally you'd roll your eyes, tell him you obviously know that, but you just nod, and his thumb creeps over to your bottom lip.

"Astarion, we can't get this thing open!"

You're interrupted by a shout from Karlach, and Astarion kisses your cheek.

"I'll finish this later I suppose. Come my love, time to loot these insolent fools."

It's as if he set up the scenario perfectly, like he wanted the two of you to be interrupted. Hopefully he keeps his word.

#astarion #baldur's gate 3 #baldurs gate astarion #astarion x tav #astarion x reader #fluff

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annymation · 2 months

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Kingdom of Wishes- A "Wish" Rewrite AUs

AUs are Alternate Universes, new ways to look at how a story could've gone if a few things were slightly different, it's a fun writing exercise to take your story and change it up a bit to see how the characters would react to these changes.

So I did that with my wish rewrite, and I came up with some pretty fun scenarios.

(Warning: that’s a lie, some scenarios here are not fun at all)

So let's begin:

Asha the Star & Aster the Human

That's exactly what it sounds like, Asha and Aster switch places!

In this scenario, Aster is an orphan whose mother was a musician, that's right, musician, not an artist

His grandfather used to say his mother could sing so beautifully and write songs so engaging that people could see whole stories form in their heads, she inspired people to imagine whole new worlds

That was Aster's dream, to write beautiful melodies, sing a song that could inspire people, see beyond reality

So same things that happened with Asha happen to him, he defies the royals (Who also change in this AU, we have Amaya as a queen regnant, so she's above in power than Magnifico, she being the one who has blue blood while he got married in, and their personalities switch. To me that's the funniest thing, like can you imagine Amaya as the drama queen that get's the whole spotlight and has anger outbursts sometimes like the Red Queen and Maleficent? While Mag is in the background just being calm, mysterious and I guess having a fatherly persona? What a twisted vision)

Anyway so they take Aster's wish, change it up yada yada yada Aster goes to make a wish upon a star and we get Star Asha babeeeyyy

Now design wise, Aster as a human would have brown hair, while Asha, as all wishing stars, would have blonde hair, with this hair style

Loooooong blonde braids that flow in the air constantly like Princess Celestia hair from MLP, and speaking of princess, yeah, she dresses like one too.

Imagine being human Aster here, you wish upon a star and suddenly a beautiful magical princess with gorgeous flowing hair shows up to help you, I would've died

So anyway, Asha has a very energetic and optimistic personality, and much like Aster was in Kow, she's fascinated by earth

When they come up with a plan to inspire the people of Rosas, Asha's idea is to make people draw, express how they feel, make them reflect if they're really happy with this system

Aster of course thinks that's not a good idea at first but she convinces him, so the whole arc of them being found out at the plaza happens yada yada yada let's cut to the good stuff

Instead of giving Aster a magic pencil, Asha enchants his's grandfather's mandolin, so Aster can play beautiful songs that can magically bring anything he imagines to life

So then we get their "At All Cost"... But I actually think Star Asha would sing a different song, she'd sing something like this:

youtube

This song just gives me major Kow! Asha vibes, and I'd love if Asha was played by Denee Benton cause I'm a huge fan.

And then the story proceeds as usual and we get to the climax, where instead of singing This Wish Reprise he'd sing something more like this:

youtube

Once again, I'm here to say I love Jordan Fisher and I can't imagine anyone better than him to voice Aster.

So yeah he'd have a very dramatic song where instead of using his guitar (That the queen broke) he uses only his voice and the last bit of Asha's magic to defeat the royals, along with everyone's hopes on his side.

Sooo yeah Asha later turns into a human thanks to true love's kiss, her hair turns dark brown, the end!

I like exploring this one because it shows how Asha and Aster are different with her being an artist and him being a musician, human Aster would be very different than the Aster we know though, being absolutely focused on the task at hand of saving his people, so Asha would help him loosen up a bit and have hope things would be better.

Kids AU

Okay so this one is more of a joke, but like... Kingdom of Wishes... But it's Ponyo, only genderbent

Basically I asked myself "What if Asha wished upon Aster when she was a kid?" well, when she was a kid, so was Aster.

So we'd have a story of a little 6 year old becoming friends with her wishing star. While her grandpa Sabino, still alive and very old, tries to hide this star and protect his spunky granddaughter from the king and queen that are after Aster

Of course the royals would have a harder time finding out who could've wished upon a star since they don't know who Asha is as a kid

But on the other hand, Asha and Aster would be a lot more naive and reckless, Aster would tell Asha "Hey! The king and queen are really mean! They change the wishes, wanna defeat them together" and Asha would be like "YEAH!" and off they go put themselves in danger

Don't think Magnifico would go easy on Aster just because he's a toddler, oh no, he'd drain all this child's power as soon as he caught his hands on them, which is why Sabino would be having a panic attack trying to keep them safe.

But what's really cute about this scenario is just imagining kid Aster interacting with the world, using his magic to play with Asha, and of course Sabino being a protective grandpa.

Bad Ending AUs

You guys know me, of course I have a whole section for not one but TWO bad endings lmao I'm so evil.

What If Asha's Cursed Wish Was Granted?

Yup, remember Asha's cursed wish? That would turn her into a obedient princess that would follow Magnifico and Amaya without question? Remember that wish? Yeah what if THAT happened hahah

Anyway, I thinks it's best if I just show you how that'd play out (Warning, the angst is STRONG in this one):

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

"That's right, now hold still my dear, this will feel just like waking up from a pleasant dream." The king said as he lifted up her "wish" to grant it.

Asha felt herself frozen in fear, she wanted to speak up, but the fear of what could happen to her if she did outweighed her her strength to fight back.

She could only watch as the bubble popped and became a swirl of green magic enveloping all around her. Asha felt herself change, and not only because her clothes began to magically morph into a beautiful dress... She felt herself change from the inside out, starting with her mind.

Her desire to run away was muffled by a new desire to stay still as the king asked her to. But Asha knew she had to fight back because- Why did she have to fight back? This is what she wanted, to fit in and make people happy, now she finally could, thanks to Magnifico- Asha heard a voice that sounded like her's fill up her mind, popping any idea of resistance like bubbles- Why resist at all? It's easier to give up- She couldn't give up, she couldn't lose herself- But she doesn't even know who she is, and everyone tells her she's like a princess anyway, don't they? Her saba used to say so, her friends, even Aster said she's beautiful like a princess-... Why isn't he here?

She felt her eyes welling up with tears, realizing how helpless and alone she was. Asha knew she couldn't hold on to her consciousness for much longer, as the king's magic promised to make all her pain go away, leaving only bliss, her own freewill was fading away. But even then, a little bit of her is still fighting, tightly clinging onto the last semblance of thought she has left... Before it suddenly slips, and everything is gone… She is gone.

... She did feel like she woke up from a dream, the king was right, as he always is.

The magic that was surrounding her disappears, fully absorbed into Asha's very being. She's now fully transformed, wearing a princess gown, her hair braided and pulled up into a bun that resembled a rose.

... A single tear ran down her left eye, but the cheering crowd couldn't see it. All they saw was her smile, a blissful, carefree smile plastered on her face.

...

Aster ran back to the plaza as fast as he could. But once the star arrived there... Asha was gone, and so were the royals. The people were walking around commenting about what just happened... He heard people mumbling about how kind the king and queen were for adopting an orphan girl to be their princess...

All it took was one moment, one moment of distraction, one moment that Aster turned away from her... And he lost her... But they wouldn't give up, never, as long as he's on this earth, he will grant her wish, her true wish, no matter the cost.

The star didn't even think twice, revealing his true form in front of everyone, and flying off to the castle to look for Asha.

He looked through all the windows, all the many rooms of the castle, until he stumbles upon a room on the west wing tower, and in there, sleeping peacefully on a comfortable bed, he saw-

"ASHA!" The star screamed, using his magic to unlock the window, he got in and quickly shook her to wake her up "Come on! We gotta get you outta here!"

The princess rose up from the bed, gracefully stretching her arms as she did so, blinking her now unfocused eyes, that if you look closely you could see a small and faint green light sparkling in the center of her pupils.

She smiled at the star as if they were paying her a visit "Greetings Aster, so wonderful to see you-"

Aster grabbed her by the shoulders and just shook her back and forth "SNAP OUT OF IT! This isn't you! You're stronger than his magic, I know you are! You can fight it! Come on, Asha, look at me!" Aster gently places a hand under her chin to make her look at him in the eyes, he can't see her spark anymore... But he still reaches out to her "You wished upon me because you wanted to SAVE Rosas from them, remember? That's the whole reason I'm here, to help you." they give her a bittersweet smile, even though he's filled with sadness.

The girl giggled, in any other context it would be an adorable sound... But it just filled Aster with dread, seeing how his words weren't getting through to her at all. But nothing could've prepared Aster to what she said next "... Then where were you when I needed?"

... Those words pierced through him like a dagger, the star was speechless, now just staring at her, filled with sorow

"Indeed, where were you?"

Aster froze upon hearing the king's voice coming from the other side of the room. He turned around to see both Magnifico and Amaya sitting on comfortable chair next to a table with tea, if Aster could smell he would've probably felt the sent earlier.

"You took so long we were starting to wonder if you just flew back to the sky" Amaya said before sipping on her tea cup

Aster tried to escape through the window, but before he could reach it, he was trapped by the king's magic.

Magnifico and Amaya laughed as the star struggled with all his might to free himself from the king's magic, to which the king just jeered "I suppose a princess was of use to us after all, serving as bait to catch you, little prince"

And just like that, Aster is all alone at the villains mercy.

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I tricked yall with a false sense of security starting with two wholesome AUs only to then drop the most heart crushing stuff I've written in a WHILE.

Also thank you @gracebeth3604 for inspiring me to write that scene of Asha losing her conscience as the spell took hold of her, when you helped me write that nightmare sequence in chapter 8... So yall can blame Grace for this /j

Aster Turns Himself Into A Blackhole

What a title huh? Anyway, I've said plenty of times how Aster is very inspired by Rapunzel, so I wondered, what if that "Wither and decay" song from the Tangled series affected Aster the same way that it affected Rapunzel?

I didn't quite explore much Aster's frustration with the fact he couldn't hurt the king and queen the same way they hurt Asha, that's kind of a more internal frustration he doesn't show much, but it proves how human Aster is, to the point that he feels human emotions such as vengeance

But as we say here in Brazil: "Revenge is never complete, it kills the soul and poisons it."

So... Let's see if Aster choose a darker path, after he thought that he lost Asha for good in the climax.

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Aster was chained to the floor, all he could do was watch in horror the king drop Asha and all their friends off the tower.

... She was gone...

Just like that, Aster couldn't keep her safe, like he promised he would.

Without her, Aster felt his world growing dark, his own light was fading away. There was no hope for him, no hope for Rosas, no hope of granting her wish... So... Aster had nothing... So he had nothing left to lose.

... The star remembered once listening to a song, a song that stars sing when they're at the very end of their long, LOOOOONG lives. After all, everything must come to an end. The lyrics of this song were actually an incantation, a spell of death that allowed a star to snuff their own light away, turning themselves into... Something else... Something a lot more destructive.

The stars always warned him to NEVER sing that melody. And fly away as fast as he could if he ever heard some other star singing it... Aster never knew fully why, all they said was that the song would make him dangerous...

Well then... That was just what Aster wanted to be right now.

Suddenly, Aster felt the touch of the queen's hand, snapping them out of their thoughts. She lifted his scowling face, to give him a snark comment before they began to drain away his power "What's with the grimace, my dear? Is there something you wish to say?"

And so... The star began to sing.

"🎶... Wither and decay...🎶" Aster's voice was haunting, not at all as warm and lively as it always was when he sang... This was different.

Magnifico was previously looking down on his people, but the sound of those lyrics made the king turn around in cold sweat... He knew that spell.

"🎶...End this destiny...🎶" Aster continued to sing, his eyes were closed, and his face began to contort with discomfort. The star felt himself... Change.

The queen just raised an eyebrow and mocked "What's this? Trying to put us to sleep with a lullaby? hahaha *cough cough* haha" She didn't seem to pay much mind to her own coughing

The king minded it a lot though. He could see the roses on Amaya's hair begin to wither rapidly.

Magnifico's voice was trembling as he ran to his wife "A- Amaya-"

"🎶...Break these earthly chains...🎶" Aster opened his eyes... They were completely dark.

The queen's blood ran cold "wh-what ON EARTH-" she feels herself being pulled away from the star by her husband.

"ENOUGH! I ORDER YOU TO STOP!" The king commands, using his magic to cover Aster's mouth with glowing vines similar to the ones holding him down... But the star... Or rather, whatever Aster is becoming, is not weak to forbidden magic.

Aster breaks free from Magnifico's magic, leaving the two royals mortified.

"🎶…And set the spirit free…🎶" Aster didn't even react to the fact he was free, in fact, they didn't seem to notice the world around him at all, lost in their despair, all they could do was sing, floating above the ground. Tears kept running down his now inky black eyes.

Their hair changes from a yellow and lively flame to a dark and slowly shifting shadow. The star dust flowing out of their cape disappears, now his cape hides only dark nothingness under it. The light coming from the brooch bellow his neck now resembles a vortex... A blackhole.

"Magnus... I thought you said this thing was harmless" The queen is clinging to her king, she begins to feel... Strangely lightheaded, like she’s about to pass out.

"I- I didn't think the star would do this- *cough!*" The king feels a pain in his chest, his legs growing weaker. He stumbles forward "We- we must leave NOW"

But Aster had other plans for them, the former star finally moved. In the blink of an eye the king and him were face to face. With one swift motion Aster took the king's staff and threw it away from the edge of the tower.

The royals were shaking in fear, the entity was towering over them, dark inky tears still flooding his expressionless face.

As a last resort, Magnus desperately tries to reason with them "He-hehe now now Aster, let's talk about this, alright? You wouldn't actually want to-"

"🎶Take what has been hurt🎶" The haunting melody continues.

The king and queen kneeled down. They felt weaker by the second, the queen was whimpering and the king was gasping for air. It was becoming hard to breathe, hard to move, hard to think. They were both holding on to each other, even though they could barely hold on to their own lives.

"🎶Grant them no mercy🎶" Aster was looming over the two mortals, staring at them as they withered away. Aster felt himself grow stronger, for he was slowly but surely absorbing their very life essence... The corners of his mouth started to lift up slightly.

The two villains collapsed on the ground, shaking and wincing in pain.

"🎶Bend and break the reigns🎶" He was previously emotionless, but now, seeing them like this, Aster is consumed by a feeling he never thought he could feel before... It was ruthlessness. He was enjoying seeing the life drain away from them, the same way they wanted to drain his life away before... In a way, Aster understands them now.

The power to take was really different from the power to give... But if felt just as good, if not better.

"🎶And set the spirit free... The spirit free~...🎶" Aster finishes the lyrics, looking at the two lifeless bodies below him with twisted glee.

... Asha arrived at the top of the tower, as she never actually died, she managed to save herself and her friends with her magic pencil, and with it, she made her way back to Aster, hopeful that she could save him in an nick of time

"Aster! I'm here! Are you o-" She felt her heart stop, her whole body frozen in place when she saw the corpses of the two royals laying down... Beneath a floating figure that looks like Aster... But she knows that's not him "What... What have you done?" Asha takes a few steps back

He doesn't seem at all surprised to see her alive and well, simply tilting his head to the side as he floats towards her "What I had to. I mean, that's what you wished for, right? To defeat them." The creature spoke calmly, but with a twisted smile spread across their features.

"No-not like THIS!" She was trembling, seeing her own reflection on the dark pools that he now has for eyes "A-Aster please, this isn't funny, turn back to normal, NOW"

"Hmmmmm I don't think I can" They shrug, while drying the tears that were previously falling from his eyes "And even if I could, why should I? When like this, I can actually keep you safe"

"... Keep me safe from what?" She felt tears welling up on the corner of her eyes, Aster couldn't really be gone, right?

He embraced her, but it wasn't the same warm and secure embrace Asha fell in love with... He was holding her tightly, not letting her run away.

"From anyone who tries to keep us apart, of course." The blackhole whispered lovingly, but that gave Asha no comfort, it only cemented her fear, sending chills down her spine "And as long as your wish doesn't come true... As long as aaaaall those people down there aren't free... I'll be able to stay here... Loving you... Forever." They sound more and more deranged with every word.

Asha felt trapped, in the arms of the one she once loved.

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I bet ya'll weren't expecting evil Aster... Welp! Evil Aster is a thing now.

This is probably the darkest thing I’ve ever wrote for real, don’t let me do this again yall

@uva124 actually sneaked a little drawing of this Aster in one of her sketches here

So yeah! These were the alternate AUs! Two wholesome ones, and two very heavy with no comfort ones, perfectly balanced as all things should be.

Hope you guys forgive me after this hahaha see you guys next time! Bye!

Thank you for reading!

#Youtube #wish rewrite #wish reimagined #kingdom of wishes #wish 2023 #wish #wish movie #wish star #wish au #disney wish #wish disney

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