#props to io | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

iplayghoul · 2 years

Text

𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞

pairing:: reader x non-fandom/specific female character.

warnings:: smut, rough sex, gay sex, size kink, light sadism, sex toys, light masochism, hair pulling, scratching, rope bondage, choking, name calling, humiliation

word count:: 1.28k

notes:: inspired by the song come by doja cat, thats literally it this is a wlw non gendered pov except for ur girlfriend

you slowly began to decipher the elements hidden behind your clouded vision. a long, hot tear cascaded down the side of your cheek and above your ear, together with sweat. the ceiling was the only thing that came to your mind. you counted the tiles and the flickering of the dimly lit bulbs.

slowly it became apparent to you that they were flickering to the beat of music, it was your favourite song. your senses slowly refreshed themselves and a low, hushed, buzzing noise found its way to your ear. a bee, you thought. you gulped and moistened your drying lips, realising how much you'd been gasping and panting for air.

eyes welling up for another round of tears, you began to notice the rolling and vibrating in your lower stomach. your entire body ached, keeping you glued to the bed. your sweat kept you glued there too, you lay in a puddle of your secreted liquids. the puddle around the bottom half of your body was somewhat bigger than the rest and your hands were strapped above you by an unknown force.

gasping again, you whined lowly, pushing your neck up and slowly blinking your eyes. your legs were sweaty and trembling under the pressure of the pulsating below your belly button.

your legs were propped up languidly, knees swaying apart. you attempted to lean forward an inch more, feeling the jerk of your shoulders. licking your lips again, your eyes rolled, falling to where your arms were tied to the two upper corners of the bed.

baby we can get messy as you want, i wanna' roll around in all your love.

you've got impeccable taste, won't waste a drop. follow me to my room, yeah you can come.

the lyrics register in your head slowly as your neck succumbs to the wait of your head and nothing but the bobbing of your throat, the tug at your lips and your toes, desperately gripping the sheets, moves.

your senses were fully back to you now, you thrashed around on the bed, forcing your body off the sticky sheets and tugging at the restraints. you were groaning desperately at the vibrator that was pressed against your g-spot, several shocking pains rocketed through your pussy and straight up your back.

chills ran up and down your spine as you orgasmed for another time. how many, you weren't keeping track of, but the first after you came to your senses.

"fuck, fuck, fuck!" you spat out under your breath, choking on your words in your throat and releasing deafening cries. your eyes fluttered shut as your elbows worked overtime to hold you up. your body trembled and ached at the increasing pain in your pussy.

you flopped back onto the bed, pushing your legs up in attempts to twist around and shimmy the sturdy vibrator out of you. the door creaked open, and you froze. your neck and eyes bared the strain of looking in the direction of the door. the dim lights adding an extra struggle.

you felt the vibrator pitch up another level, a low squeal escaping your throat as your girlfriend walked towards you. she stalked towards you quickly, pressing a hand io against your throat and pinning you back down onto the bed. her hands ripping the restraints you'd failed to remove from the bedframe and pushing her knee up against your clit.

your hands immediately grasped at her shoulders, scratching and pulling up at her hair for the attention and touch you craved.

"god, you dirty bitch."

you keened at her words, new tears rushing down your face and mouth spread wise for words that would never come out. she roughly manhandled you down, squeezing your breasts and slipping one hand down to your soaked cunt.

she circled your hole, giving the silicone cord attached to the vibrator a sharp tug, provoking a silent scream out of you. you felt the vibrator being slotted through the messy slop of your folds, her hand suffocating you as you were pinned to the mattress.

finally, the vibrator pressed straight up onto your clit, your back direcrly cutting ties with the bedsheets.

"fuck!" you gave her hand a sharp bite which was rewarded with a slap.

"f- fucking hell!", you forced the words out of your throat. her legs slotted between yours, her pussy coming down to rest on the vibrator. further pushing it onto your clit and stimulating hers.

then, she proceeded with a slow, tedious grind against you. gripping your thigh as her head dropped back to release a breathy moan. her hand groped your throat now, you felt high with anticipation.

"go- fucking faster you bitch!"

your were awarded with blazing bruises against your skin for each word.

"fucking hell- do something!" the bed rocked with the chaos of the moment.

"who the fuck are you talking to?" she snapped back, rolling her eyes together with her hips, snapping them forward and back, grinding down harder onto you.

tears were streaming down your face, choking out a sob, " mommy- shit, please!"

"please what bitch?"

"i wanna- come!" the shrill sound of your voice filling the room. you were met with a harsh slap to the thigh.

"no."

your legs were shaking as pleasure shot through your now swollen pussy like electricity. your hairs standing on end as you begged her once more.

"let me- come- Ah!" your voice cracked in an echo as you orgasmed for the i-couldn't-keep-count-of-how-many-th time.

she pushed your limbs back down onto the bed and flung open the bedside drawers. the stinging of rope burns on your arms became noticeable but all your mind could think of was the thick, 7 inch double-sided dildo your girlfriend pulled from the drawer.

she grabbed your hair carefully, roughly guiding you onto your tummy, ass poking out in the air.

your mouth, un-occupied, gripped onto the bedsheets. you felt the bulbous head of the dildo position itself between your dripping lips. your girlfriend's ass slightly touching you as the bed shifted with her movement before it slid straight into both you and her.

a sigh dropped from both your mouth's, her's of pleasure and your's pain.

her ass slapped against yours repeatedly, rocking you both on the bed. the room's music was drowned by breathy moans, sweaty slapping and creaking.

she began to move faster, situating herself slightly above you, using her wait to pin your ass down to the bed and fuck herself down into you. the new angle hitting near your cervix, an immeasurable pain shooting straight to your clit. you cried out in desperation, the slapping grew harder and harder with each thrust.

"god! I'm gonna'- come!" your girlfriend's face was twisted in pleasure and your body went limp against the sheets as the rocking continued. your mind went blank for a moment, her screams fading and elevating like a pulse, mirroring the one in your clit. your vision flashing white lights and stars as you reached your climax again. your body thrashing around on the bed and arms grasping for the sheets as if you were being tortured by pleasure.

you felt the pressure on your sline being relieved, a soft slap to your ass was given accompanied by a light kiss. after a few moments of silence you felt a cold rag touching you ass. a sigh of relief left you as you allowed yourself to lay there and be cleaned.

your girlfriend shifted your sore and aching body gently as she cleaned you, blowing raspberries on your soft belly and leaving light touches elsewhere. you gave no response but the silence was comfortable. slowly, but surely, you drifted off again into another slumber, this time, a restful one.

— masterlist. i expect this to flop since its non fandom but if u read pls lmk ur thoughts! :p

859 notes · View notes

coldshrugs · 3 months

Text

landmark

pairing: io laithe / estinien varlineau word count: 4.6k summary: [modern au] estinien meets io in a support group for grieving youths. set five years before this.

Estinien is early—the first one in the room, as usual, even before Counselor Miounne arrives. It’s part of the ritual.

Hit the lights and dim them to three-quarters. Turn on the fancy instant coffeemaker, make sure there are enough of those little fucking pods for everyone. Sugar and powdered creamer too. Music on, some unobtrusive classical harp thing he doesn’t care for. Then he arranges nine chairs in a loose circle and, selfishly, puts the least squeaky one in his spot across from the window.

It helps, to do these tasks before their sessions. The work allows him to mentally prepare for this, because when is it easy to circle death’s drain for two hours?

With the space set up, he slings his backpack over his claimed chair and waits.

They stroll into the meeting in ones and twos. They make their coffee, ask about their weeks (in the casual way, where you’re supposed to answer “fine” even if it wasn’t; the real answers will come later). Eventually, Miounne enters and everyone finds a seat.

He isn’t great with names, but he knows a few by now. Lyse, the one with the sister and dad, and one of the youngest members. Leofard, the one with the mom. He knows all the faces though, and the one hovering by the door is new.

She’s tall, but slouching a little, crossing her arms like she’s scared to take up space or trying not to be seen. Inky blue hair is piled into a loose bun on top of her head, with long wavy strands hanging around her freckled face. Her eyes are bloodshot, almost too focused. She must be new.

As he watches her, her gaze cuts over to him—

“Estinien,” Miounne calls. His attention snaps from the girl at the door to his counselor. “Another chair, please?”

“Yeah, sure.” He quickly grabs one from the nearest stack, looking for a decent place to put it. Two kids slide their chairs apart so he can fit this one between them. Right in front of the window.

He sits again and Miounne claps softly, still standing in the center of the circle.

“Hi friends,” she says, more gently than usual. “It’s been a while since we’ve welcomed a new face, hasn’t it? I know we’re all capable of extending warmth and patience to those who need it, so let’s be mindful of that as we welcome Io to our group, okay?”

She gestures to the door, beckoning the new girl in. Io. He’ll try to remember that. He wonders who she lost and when, and tries not to wonder how. The how never matters anyway. Gone is gone.

“Welcome to Haven: Youth Grief Counseling, Io. Take a seat, just there, sweetie.”

Io sits down and Estinien regrets this seating arrangement; he’s lost the window view. She glances around the circle, her polite smile is a tight line. Her eyes flick to him once more, then back to the floor.

Miounne sits too. She claps one more time and they begin.

Next week starts the same. His chin is in his hand, elbow propped on his bouncing knee as they arrive. Lyse. Leofard. New girl.

Leo takes his seat next to Estinien and leans over. Oh god.

“Estinien,” he whispers loud enough for almost everyone to hear. His eyes flash to the new girl making coffee by herself. “I found out what her deal is.”

“Happy for you,” Estinien says. That’s not his business. But he stupidly glances at Leo anyway.

“She’s like you. Total wipeout—we’re talking mom, dad, two younger siblings—about a year ago. Just now going back to school, apparently.” He looks at her again, taking a bold head-to-toe survey, and Estinien follows. She’s tall, willowy, and there’s something disciplined about her posture; the set of her shoulders feels intentional even in her depression slump. Her ears tilt, and he turns back around. Leofard is still staring. “Wonder what else she’s ready to get back into…” He winks at Estinien.

“Probably best to leave her alone. She’s not here to find a date,” he says.

Leo huffs in fake offense. “Well, neither am I but if it happens, it happens.”

A month passes, one week bleeding into the next, and Estinien is always early to Haven. But someone is earlier today, of all days. The door is open, the light is on, and the chairs are in their circle.

Io is waiting.

He remembers her name now. It’s easy to remember the girl who hasn’t said anything in five sessions. It’s unusual, but understandable; they’re all strangers to her, and if what Leofard said is true, he’s impressed she’s showing up at all.

Estinien recalls what his loss was like a fresh wound—the anger throbbing in his chest, sobbing his voice raw for days, not eating or sleeping. He wouldn’t speak to Alberic at first, either. It feels so childish to him now. But looking at her… those feelings echo in his chest, and he is sharply reminded that grief doesn’t shrink.

He shoots her a courtesy smile as he starts the coffeemaker and CD player.

“Sorry about the shitty music,” he says as the sound of softly plucked strings fills the space. When he looks over, she’s staring at the floor again, eyes wide—that awkward “what the fuck” face—and his stomach flips. He said something wrong.

Cool.

He takes his seat across from her, trying to bury the urge to wait on the bench just outside the room when his chair squeaks. Great. He takes a deep breath and rolls his eyes. To deal or not to deal? He is, unfortunately, too big for the noise to keep from happening and he can’t be annoyed for the next two hours. What does he care if she thinks he looks crazy?

He stands up and jostles the next chair, which is better but not great. He tries the next. Even worse.

“What are you doing?”

The rasp of her voice is so quiet that he doesn’t fully catch the words.

He looks up from the red plastic in his hand. “What?”

She looks like she wishes she’d not asked at all, rubbing a hand anxiously over her arm. She sighs. “With the chairs. What are you doing with the chairs?”

“Trying to find one that doesn’t squeak. I usually—”

“I took that one.” She glances up at him, grimacing, but there’s a light in her eyes. It’s the least miserable he’s seen her so far. She thinks this is funny. “Sorry. You can have it back.”

He puts a hand up when she stands. He’s not taking the chair from the sad girl. “Uh… no. No, you can take it. There’s probably another one that isn’t annoying as fuck, I’ll find it.”

“Then let me help you. It’s only fair, since I disturbed your whole—” she gestures slowly around the meeting room— “process.” God, her voice is in shreds.

He can’t say no when this is the first sign of life she’s shown in over a month, at least here. He nods. “Sure, if you want.”

They go through the chairs in the circle, then the others neatly stacked in the corner. They don’t really talk, besides simple directions: “I tried that one already,” and “will you pass me another,” and “holy shit, that’s the worst one yet.” Estinien is keenly aware of her shifting around him, slowly at first, and then with less hesitation. Finally, they find a chair that doesn’t creak when he sits or moves. It goes in his spot and they clean up the rest.

“Hey,” Io says, and the word is conspiratorial. She catches his gaze, and something about hers makes him feel like glass, like they almost know each other. Like he’s seen her before, a blurry smile littering the backgrounds of photos in the album he managed to salvage, only viewed in profile or half out of frame, obscured by the barely remembered vacation or birthday party in the foreground. He swallows as she reaches into her bag and pulls out a black marker. “Should we make sure we never lose these again?”

“Vandalism? In our therapy group?” He squints, shoving down the fondness she’s conjured in just a few minutes. “Do you even need to ask?”

She laughs, or tries to. It comes out weak and cracked as she crosses to his side of the circle and kneels beside him. She pops the cap off the marker. “It’s Estinien, right?”

He nods, “Yeah.”

“I’m Io. The other total wipeout”—she air quotes Leo’s label—“but you already knew that.” She scribbles a small “E” on the side of the chair then heads back over to her own, where she writes an “I.”

It’s almost time for group to start.

“Are you gonna talk about it today?” Estinien asks. It’s just them sitting directly across from one another, surrounded by empty chairs.

Io shrugs, and her body seems to fold in on itself. Making herself small again. “I don’t know. It’s hard to talk about it at all. I’ll try?”

“You don’t have to. But it does help, in a weird way.”

The others drift in at the usual leisurely pace, Miounne claps, and they begin.

First question: “How are you feeling today?”

They go in a circle starting at Miounne’s left. Some answers are simple, like Leo’s.

“Pretty good. I started planning a trip for fall break, somewhere I think Mom would’ve liked to see. I’m looking forward to telling you guys about the trouble I got into when I’m back.”

Sometimes there’s a follow-up, sometimes Miounne will let it hang. Estinien has no idea how she gauges that, but it feels right.

He’s third to answer.

How does he feel today? He picks at the frayed edge of a hole in his jeans.

“I’m kind of anxious today. I declared my major this year so everything feels… more real, I guess. I’m trying to study for a couple of tests next week but I read the page and it may as well be blank. Nothing sticks. I keep worrying I might…” He pauses. This is normally when he’d look out the window; when something heavy rises to the surface, it’s easier to look outside, but for five weeks, Io has been sitting in front of him. The broken habit means he shares less. But how can he encourage her if he can’t bend a little himself?

He looks up, and there she is—dark, curious, and strangely calming, her eyes burn a hole right through him. Behind her, the trees in the courtyard are starting to take on shades of autumn, gold and bronze intensified by the sunlight filtering through the leaves. It’s a view he can deal with. Io gives him an almost imperceptible nod.

“I worry I might let them down. It feels stupid to say out loud,” he laughs with a short snorted breath. “It’s always in the back of my mind though: what would they think of me now? What does this action mean to them? I guess it doesn’t mean anything and I should just study for the damn test so I can actually be someone they’d be proud of. Anyway… yeah, I’m anxious today.”

Miounne reclines a little in her seat. “Have you tried anything to help you study, to shift that focus on what your family would think towards something more current?”

He nods, looking from Io to Miounne. “Yeah, uh, I’ve asked a friend to join me. We’re going to try that today. He’s been pretty supportive since learning about all of this, and his grades are better than mine anyway. And I try to think about Alberic, my former guardian, I guess. I think he’d be proud of me no matter how I end up, so that helps.”

“Excellent,” she says, looking around at the others before spelling out the lesson. “Leaning on others is a great way to remind ourselves how loved and valued we are, especially when lower moods may make you want to isolate. Re-establishing bonds of friendship, or building new ones, helps bring your focus to just how strong your current support system is, or where it’s lacking. I think you’re doing that beautifully, Estinien. Thank you.”

He exhales, shying away from the praise and returning his focus to his frayed hem. Maybe that’s enough sharing for this week.

They keep going. Io is second to last, and though everyone expects silence by now, Miounne asks anyway.

“How are you feeling today, Io? Anything you want to share?”

He looks up again—will she actually say something today?—and she’s focused on him now. The room is empty again, except for the two of them in the empty circle. Fresh sharpie smell rising from their initials on the chairs.

“Hey,” she says, raising her hand in a little wave. “Sorry for being weird. I’m trying.”

“No such thing as weird in this room,” Miounne offers.

Io doesn’t look away from Estinien. She brushes a stray lock of hair from her eyes, and the tiniest hint of a smile pulls at the corners of her lips.

“I’m feeling okay today. As okay as I think I can feel right now, anyway. I cleaned my apartment this morning. And I’ve been working really hard on a piece for my school’s symphony showcase before fall break. I even invited some friends I haven’t talked to in… too long.”

“That’s wonderful, Io!” Miounne leans forward, elbows on her knees. “I read you major in music at RSU? What do you play?”

Her eyes fall to her lap. “Pedal harp. Mostly classical, but sometimes I make arrangements of new music, for fun.”

Shit.

“Thank you for sharing today, Io. We appreciate the opportunity to get to know you.” Miounne moves on, and so does everyone else.

But Estinien is stuck on this one thing. His stomach ties itself in a knot. Without knowing, he insulted her, and then she helped him with the stupid chairs… And it doesn’t even matter, because she doesn’t know him. They don’t go to the same university, and the only things they have in common are their dead families and the two hours a week they spend in this room. He has no notions of being friends with her, and definitely nothing like what Leofard has in mind. Still, he can’t stop it gnawing at him.

The session wraps and he approaches Io before she leaves.

“Io?”

She turns to him, for once standing at her full height, and they’re almost eye to eye. The almost-smile is back, and that gnaws at him too. “Hey, thanks for the nudge earlier. You were right.”

“Yeah, well,” He fidgets with his keys. “I’m sorry for calling the music shitty. I didn’t know harp was, like, a thing for you.”

Her laugh is stronger than before. “Wait, are you serious? You had no way to know that, and I’m not the music police. You don’t have to like it.”

He shrugs. “Still not a cool thing to say. I mean, I only really know it from this place anyway.”

“Would you… want to come to my concert?” She asks slowly, then shakes her head. “That might be dumb. That’s all the way across town and we basically just met. I—”

A strand of hair falls into her eyes and his fingers twitch as she tucks it in with the rest. She’s still rambling when the words rush out of him before he considers them.

“Yeah, I’ll come.”

“—Oh.” Wide, surprised eyes blink up at him. “Okay, great! You can bring a friend, or a date, or whatever. I’ll bring tickets for you next week?”

Estinien pockets his keys. “Sure. I’ll see you then.” Despite his clumsy apology to someone who may as well be a stranger, as Io leaves, he feels the same wave of nostalgia from earlier. Some things are true no matter how you fight them.

Estinien enters his dorm with two tickets in hand. Keys in the bowl by the door, backpack under his desk, shoes in the closet. He falls onto his bed with a little bounce, holding the shiny slips of paper up to the light.

“What took you so long?” Aymeric asks from his bed on the other side of the room. He’s reclined on a few pillows, and it looks like he’s alternating between two books. “I’m starving.”

Estinien shrugs. “Got caught up talking to someone after the session. She invited me to her concert in a couple of weeks. Wanna go?” He holds the tickets out for Aymeric’s inspection.

He looks them over, brows raising in slight surprise. “You actually want to go to this?”

“I don’t know, but I said I would.” Estinien sits up. “It can’t be that bad, can it?”

“Is she cute, whoever she is?” Aymeric lazily passes the tickets across the canyon between their beds. “Can’t see why you’d want to go otherwise. I mean, I definitely want to go, it sounds kind of fancy, but you… Hmm.”

“Shut up,” he laughs. There are other reasons, but the most important is making amends for being a dick, even by accident. “Her name is Io. She’s nice, seems cool now that she talks. She’s new to the group.”

“We can go, but you didn’t answer the question.”

“Look, it’s nothing like that. She even said I could bring a date.” Estinien places the tickets in his nightstand drawer, regretting the decision to ask for company.

Aymeric shakes his head and returns to his reading. “You poor, sad muppet. Order a pizza already.”

They stand outside the theater in their untucked button-downs over jeans. Estinien hasn’t been on this campus before, but Aymeric has; thanks to an on-again-off-again thing with some miqo’te guy who goes here, they were able to find the place quickly.

“Are we meeting her before the show?” Ayms asks, scanning the crowd. He’s been eager to learn more about Io in the days leading up to this.

“Nah, she’s backstage, but said I could text her after. It’ll be quick. She has other friends coming, so I’ll just say hi.” It sounds simple enough, but anxiety prickles across his chest.

Inside, they find their seats in the front row of the balcony—a surprisingly nice view.

“Not bad,” Aymeric admires the architecture, comparing things to this venue to the one on their campus, but Estinien hasn’t been in that one either. He only catches half of what’s said, eyes focused on the stage. Aymeric nudges him with an elbow. “She’s the harpist, right?”

He nods. “Yeah, she has a solo at some point.” He rubs his hands on his jeans, sitting forward in the seat a little as the lights go down and the musicians file onto the stage.

“Relax,” Aymeric whispers. “You might enjoy it if you chill out. Look, there she is.”

He points through the dark as she approaches the harp in the back center, almost directly in front of him, and he’s reminded of how they sit during Haven. She’s wearing long black boots and a short dress of the same color, with loose sleeves he can see through. Her hair is down tonight, but pulled back from her face. She’s pretty, even from here.

“Whoa.” Aymeric sits forward too. “You couldn’t just say she’s cute, could you?”

“I told you, it’s not like that. She just lost her fami—”

“SHH!”

Aymeric’s smile is infuriating, cradling his chin in his hand. Estinien shoots him a dark look, then passes a hand over his face as anxiety twists into hot embarrassment, thankful for the darkness as the music starts.

And it’s the music he can’t look away from. There’s more movement in it than he expected, a rawness the CDs or digital streams just don’t portray. Everyone is working to build part of a whole, and each of them can be heard in the larger sound.

Then there is Io.

Admittedly, his experience is limited, but he’s never seen her like this. Every motion is fluid, yet deliberate, even while supporting such a heavy-looking instrument. She is focused, on her hands, on the sheet music in front of her, on the others playing around her. And she looks… serene. Happy.

The tempo slows during the fourth song and a godlight falls on her, a little spot of brightness that eclipses all else. Her solo. Estinien holds his breath.

She builds suspense with sound, then her hands move faster than he can make sense of. Sometimes she places a hand flat against the strings to still them, and that is what hollows out his chest. The elegant control in what he thought was so simple. This is nothing like the CD in their support group. He could listen to this forever.

The rest of the orchestra gradually rises around her until the lights on them lift once more. He might be disappointed if the whole thing didn’t work so well. They bring the song to a close, then stand to take their bows while the audience applauds.

Estinien pulls out his phone. He’s supposed to text her, but how does he follow that? Aymeric hovers over his shoulder, watching him type and delete the same sentence three times.

“What do I say?”

Aymeric rests his chin on Estinien’s shoulder, loudly um-ing and ah-ing, and he almost regrets asking. “How about this: ‘Loved the show. I’m still around if you want to meet up.’ Simple, right? And contextually open-ended, in the unlikely case you get a grip.”

He rolls his eyes but types and sends it while she’s still on stage. It’s several minutes after the musicians exit the stage that he gets a reply: “I’m so glad you came! Take the exit to the left and the door immediately to the right, and tell the attendant you’re with me, see you soon!”

They follow the instructions to a cramped backstage area. People are carrying flowers. Should he have brought flowers? Too late now.

They wander the crowd aimlessly, and his anxiety creeps in with each passing second. There’s a touch at his elbow, light but guiding.

“Estinien,” Io’s voice. Her quiet rasp is familiar to him now, and she sounds far more healthy than when she first spoke to him. He turns to her, and she beams. “Thank you for coming!”

He isn’t sure what to do, and he has no token of congratulations to give her. “Thanks for inviting me. Inviting us, I guess.”

“Us?” Io looks over his shoulder, where Aymeric is practically buzzing as he waits to be introduced.

Ayms extends a hand, “Io, it’s wonderful to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you—”

“He asked constantly. I didn’t want to tell him anything—”

“—and it’s nice being able to put a beautiful face to a beautiful name.”

Estinien covers his face with his hands. “A merciful god would’ve killed me by now.”

Io accepts the handshake, “And you are?”

“Aymeric. Estinien’s roommate and, because he won’t say it out loud, his best friend.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Aymeric. I’m glad you guys came; I know it’s a big ask and it’s not everyone’s taste but—”

“It was amazing,” Estinien’s mouth moves before his mind catches up, something that seems to be common in her presence. Io and Aymeric stare at him, brows lifting in unison. Her neck has flushed red. “I just… didn’t know what to expect, but it was impressive.”

Io’s half-smile, the one he’s learning she wears when she’s nervous, lifts the corner of her lips. “Thank you. I wasn’t trying to change your life or anything. I just thought it’d be cool to show you what I do, and maybe get to know you better too. You know, the “bonds” Miounne is always talking about.”

“Io!” A group of people call out from several feet behind them, waving her over.

She waves to them, then turns to him with an apologetic smile. “Sorry, those are my friends. I’ll be right back.” He watches as she walks away and they sweep her into a noisy group hug.

“Dude,” Aymeric whispers, “Should I go? Do you want me to go?”

“Go where?”

“Go! Home!”

Estinien glances back at Io, and her friends are definitely looking over at them. “And leave me with them?”

Ayms grimaces, balling his hands into fists. “With her!”

Estinien shakes his head. “No, just give me a second and we can both go.” Aymeric silently fakes a scream.

Io returns, wringing her hands as she says, “We’re going to grab some dinner from a place nearby; you guys are welcome to join us.”

He hesitates. Maybe Aymeric is right and he should stay, or maybe assuming someone working through her grief wants anything more than a friendship with him is not in either of their best interests. “We should probably get back. We’ve both got to pack before break starts.”

Io’s expression dampens. “Oh, okay. Well, thanks again for coming out. I’ll see you at Haven in a couple of weeks?”

“Yeah.” He nods. “See you there.”

Estinien turns on the light and adjusts the dimmer. It’s been a while since he’s been first, but Io shows up right after him.

“Hey,” she says quietly, heading to the CD player while he starts the coffee maker. The ritual is no longer just his.

“Hi.” He’s rummaging through the cabinet beneath the coffee station, gathering the supplies, when she starts the music. It’s not their usual instrumental album… “This is from your concert?”

She starts on the chairs. “I hope it’s okay. I emailed Miounne when I got the recording to ask if I could bring it in, to show everyone what I’ve been working on and that I’m kind of normal outside of all this. But I can switch it back, if you’d rather keep the routine.”

His eyes fall closed and he is back in the theater, watching her play in a beam of light, arms unfurling around the strings like flightless wings and he doesn’t think “normal” is a good description of her at all.

“Estinien?”

He opens his eyes.

“No, this is fine.” He stands and arranges the little coffee bar. “I meant it. I thought it was great.”

“That’s a relief,” she laughs a little. “I mean, I believed you, but…”

He frees the rest of the chairs from their neat stack. Their initials are on the last two. He passes her the “I.”

“But what?”

Io crosses her arms behind her chair, bites her lip. The early evening sun illuminates the courtyard, and as it streams through the window little specks of its light catch in her hair. “I don’t know, I always feel nervous trying to make friends.”

Ah.

It’s like he thought. He can tell Aymeric once and for all there’s nothing else going on here. Which is fine, of course. It’s fine. He wants to learn more about her, and let her get to know him too. He doesn’t have a ton, but he thinks he’s a decent friend. He could be a good friend to Io.

“Yeah,” he says, ignoring the heavy, unnameable thing settling in his stomach. “Me too. But it kind of feels like we’re already friends, right? So don’t worry about it too much.”

Io’s smile pokes through her bitten lip as she takes her seat across from him, the sun at her back. “Yeah, I guess we are.”

She is still smiling when everyone joins them, when the session begins, when Miounne asks how she’s feeling today, and when she bids him goodbye with the promise to text him this week. He knows because he can’t help but look at her.

Some things are true no matter how you fight them.

#azia writes #io/estinien #io laithe #estinien varlineau #okay well. i'm throwing this out there #you may ask 'azia why do they not have a cute solo hang prior to the 'we're pals' thing?'#and i think io's initial crush would've simply been unignorable in that instance #and now esti will have some amount of plausible deniability for both their feelings :>#he's able to say 'i told you so' not only to aymeric but himself as well #but the thing is. estinien is RIGHT. this is not a good time or situation for them to even consider dating each other #like he's not great about expressing why but he *knows* why #mentally he's doing okay at this time but io is... not. she does need friends right now. and they are in therapy t o g e t h e r #that'd be so fucked. he's right to kind of distance himself from the idea of it. but then that distance just. continues indefinitely lmao #okay bye. enough director's commentary

16 notes · View notes

thatskynews · 6 months

Text

Known Issue Patch 0.23.0

We are aware of the following bugs that are ongoing or were introduced with the arrival of Patch 0.23.0:

🔹 Graphics settings may not save between sessions.

🔹Certain props might glow in dark settings.

🔹[Android] Some players may experience white-out screens and glitches during level transitions and cutscenes.

🔹[Nintendo Switch] Inbox messages display placeholder string names instead of the message.

🔹[iOS 17] Players may experience visual glitches when using Sky with Apple’s Multitask/Stage Manager feature.

🔹[Controller] Control may be disrupted when entering photo mode with the Season of Moments camera while the Shared Memory spell is active and the player is not recording. Opening the emote menu and unequipping the camera will release the player from the loss of control.

We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience these may cause while we work to resolve them in a future update.

#sky children of the light #sky cotl #thatskygame #(known issues)

21 notes · View notes

irregularcollapse · 10 months

Text

even in another time

by phlegmatic

XI. In which Laurent is proven wrong

“I’m not an innocent,” Laurent manages with a modicum of grit. “You may do as you wish.”

“As I wish? I haven’t dared wish,” murmurs Damen, even as he guides Laurent, encouraging hands pushing him away. He does not stop there, though, rising up himself and using his touch, still at Laurent’s hip and now also at his shoulder, to coax him into laying back on the bed. “I have prayed, in my weakest moments, and I have mindlessly coveted, but I haven’t dared to wish.” He draws himself alongside Laurent, propped up on an elbow and looming over him. Laurent feels prone, pliant, pinned. He doesn’t know what to do with his hands.

"What did you pray for?"

On holiday with his brother in Ios, Laurent bathes in a hot spring. Unfortunately, he drowns. Even more unfortunately, when he surfaces somehow, he finds himself thrust back in time. Dropped into the middle of a mythologised ancient war for the Akielon throne, he is determined to get back to the modern day - even after ending up kidnapped (or perhaps rescued) by the rightful King, Damianos.

Read the eleventh chapter of even in another time, a Laurent x Damen time slip romance, now on AO3! Updates Wednesdays and Sundays 🖤

#captive prince #laurent x damen #damen x laurent #lamen #captive prince fic #my writing #even in another time fic #i have nothing to say :)#enjoy :)

22 notes · View notes

matchheadz · 7 months

Text

Host of Seraphim Chapter 10

Thank you for your patience. It's been kind of wild these last two months.

Anywho, here's chapter 10: Hear My Plea. In this one, Dante is drunk. Vergil is blind-sided. Nero is far too intelligent. Warnings for some graphic flashbacks. Otherwise these chapter is very fluff oriented.

Here's a spoiler-free snippet!

Julio nudged Kyle with a shoulder, who only grumbled and wiped at his face furiously. “Kyle was jealous of me for a while.” Julio snickered, poking at the aforementioned flushed cheeks. “Jelly, jeal-us! Peanut butter and JELLY!” Carlo squawked, squishing his brother’s face into a puckered sandwich. “No!” Kyle denied hotly, smacking at the little boy’s hands lightly. He sniffed, shot Vergil a cautious glace and buried his face into his brother’s arm. “I wasn’t jealous…not really.” Julio only leaned his head on top of the boys and smiled knowingly--as if being an older sibling was something he had been his whole life. Like it was easy. “I know. Goofball.” “Is Nero sick?” Vergil turned to regard the little Kat as she poked her head out from behind the boys. “My friend Lucy? She got really sick once and couldn’t get out of bed for a long time.” She babbled. “She took a bunch of different medicines but all it did was make her more and more sleepier. Then one day she took a really long nap and the sisters said the Savior was watching over her so she could get better one day, and I didn’t see her after that.” Julio’s eyes widened as he listened, his head lifting to meet Valentino’s sad, avoidant eyes. He bit his lip silently, eyeing his unconscious guardian warily. “Yeah well, Nero’s not sick. He doesn’t get sick.” Julio murmured reluctantly, as if he wasn’t quite sure if his guardian truly was the immortal hero he knew him to be. “That’s why he could be with me when I was. I coughed all over him and he was fine.” “When is he gonna wake up?” Kat peeped. “Is the Savior watching him sleep, too?” Before Julio could open his mouth, his wide eyes betraying his building sense of panic, there was a groan and a stirring. Vergil dropped his arm lower to support the boy as he attempted to pull himself up. He blinked wearily out of rhythm, brow furrowing in concentration as he fought to stay conscious. “m’not sick.” Nero’s murmur was lined with the deep rumble of Infernal, easily mistakable for the edges of sleep. Beside him, Nero had pushed himself into a reclining position to catch Julio’s attention. The sheets drew up over his shoulders in messy bunches, and only one blue eye peaked behind his frosted eyelashes. Despite his cherubim appearance, his concern drew itself tightly in his brow. “M’not sick, 'lio,” he repeated through a stifled yawn, “Jus’… Long day. T’red...” He huffed. Vergil watched him carefully as he swayed on his hands, visible eye threatening to roll back into his head in exhaustion. “…Are you sure?” Julio mumbled; eyes still wide as Vergil shuffled to allow the boy to use his side as a prop for his head as it fell. “Mmhmm…” Nero mumbled, nodding his head slowly, almost nuzzling into the side of his father. “…Io prom’tto.”

#devil may cry 5 #devil may cry fanfiction #devil may cry #HoS #Host of Seraphim #Dadgil #dmc #dmc5 #my writing #nerokiri #vergil sparda #nero dmc #dmc kyrie #dante sparda

7 notes · View notes

ahungeringknife · 2 months

Text

find the word tag

tagged by @aziz-reads to find Lock, guest, rule, and crown

tagging @flowers-of-io @thegodsaredead @tabswrites and @infinnative to find: key, cloud, hate, and charm

Lock

She unlocked the door. “That- “Danna,” Mali shoved the door open, not having to put on too much of an act to be cross. “Office hours mean your office is open!” Dan was sitting at his desk with a scrying mirror propped up on it that displayed some sort of sport. Looked like gymnastics. He jumped in his seat when Mali arrived loudly. “Thralluk- my door was locked,” he said. Dan was an older olive skinned Aldashi with not a hint of the province’s stereotypical beauty and his salt and pepper black hair was combed to hide his thinning hair. “Well now it isn’t,” Mali said with a cute, mean, smile. “One of your students wanted to speak with you,” she indicated Abirid who was standing just behind her wide eyed.

Guest

The party had lasted deep into the night before everyone had finally gone home. The feylon guests had been a bit grossed out when the Dirinnans, at least the first or second generation ones, had spit on the door step on their way out. A final offering of their body’s water as thanks for the food and fun they’d had. Spayar hadn’t slept at home that night. He’d gone out to Smokers Den with his friends and even when he’d come home the next day he’d still been high and giggly. She’d never seen her brother so high, or so happy. When their father had scolded him for being out all night he’d just stood there, swaying, a huge grin on his face. During the lecture he’d just started giggling and couldn’t stop. Not even when their father had told him to shut up. Eventually Spayar Sr. had just banished Spayar to his room but not before he’d waxed poetry about the handsome men he’d seen in that part of the city.

Rule

“Jackkerty let a foreigner get the better of him? Really?” “Yeah. We were surprised too. Lonni said they all went in one day for their usual meeting and he was gone and Pale Cross was in his place. Didn’t believe at first. Found his body in his house in Middleton later that day.” “Well shit,” Spayar said softly. He wasn’t really torn up about Jackkerty’s death. Not really. Jackkerty had been a fool. But he knew the rules and was easily manipulated. Exactly how the Lord of the Tithing Court should be here in Assarus.

Crown

“I was in the area,” Von said with that annoyingly handsome smile of his that made him like a sunbeam. “Lemp’s ball sack you were,” Spayar said and sat across from Von at the table. Vondugard Le’Acard was Spayar’s best friend and the most beautiful man he’d ever laid eyes on. All fair golden skin and hair with the most intensely cerulean eyes he’d ever seen. When he smiled he had dimples and wore his hair at a fashionable length around the top of his ears with a long front fringe that today he had pinned back with a gaudy silver unicorn rampart clip. Spayar didn’t usually go for white guys but Von was an exception. As he was with everything. He was also a Crown Prince of the Alliance. “He always comes and has lunch with us on Siscest,” Calli said thoughtfully, rightfully snitching on him immediately.

#writeblr game #fey alliance

4 notes · View notes

saffronsplace · 2 months

Text

Who broke your heart?!

pose @ Foxcity - Lux Travel (Party)

earrings @ rawr! - io rings @ Rawr! - Pulchritude Set

eyeshadow @ Warpaint* - Seeress eyeshadow lipstick @ Warpaint* - Disco Lips nails by veechi @ cupid inc. - lover mattes

hair @ wasabi - amore

dress by Just Because @ The Statement Arena - Aster Dress & Heels

Ariskea[Rosalia] Static Swing Props Decor [Pg][Red] +Half-Deer+ Fairylight Rose Vines - Red tarte. heart balloons & confetti tarte. valentine's trees

#second life #second life blog #second life fashion #second life roleplay #second life mischief managed #foxcity #rawr!#warpaint*#veechi #cupid inc.#wasabi #just because #the statement arena #ariskea #half deer #tarte

4 notes · View notes

jungwnies · 1 year

Text

warnings : toys , experimenting , smut , mdi pairing : boyfriend!taehyun x afab!reader

𖤐 kinktober masterlist 𖤐

"hold on babe, i just got something in the mail i think." you tell your boyfriend through the screen as you FaceTime him.

taehyun was currently on tour, and you missed him so much. it wasn't often he wasn't near, so the fact he's gone off to travel and perform all over the world was a little hard for you.

his touch, his kisses, his smells, and just his over all presence was deeply missed.

you grab the box from your front porch and bring it to where you had your phone propped up against your desk. "it's a package, from you?" you ask laughing.

taehyun nods, "i got scared it wasn't going to come in time, open it."

you laugh and grab the scissors from your desk, you cut through the tape and open the box.

you pull out the box within the freshly opened box and hold up to the screen, "a vibrator, are you joking?"

taehyun laughs and moves closer to his camera, "use it for me love."

you laugh, "you're joking."

he leans back on his pillow and holds his phone up, "i want to see you use it and pretend it's my fingers." taehyun sighs, "obviously i'm not going to force you."

"i just feel a little awkward doing it, live?" you say with a little question in your tone.

taehyun laughs, "whatever makes you comfortable."

you nod, "check your phone in a little bit then."

you hang up after telling him you love him and go to your closet to find a cute pair of lingerie you know he'd like.

you set your camera up in front of your bed and crawl to the headboard and prop yourself against it.

the thought of recording yourself masturbate was a little off putting since you've never done it before, but this was something you did want to do with tyun.

plus, you missed him.

you spread your legs and avoid making eye contact with the camera because it was a little awkward. you turn on the vibrator after you clean it off with some sanitary wipes and put it against your clothed pussy.

a little awkwardness in the beginning but as you thought of tyun and his fingers playing with your clit you could feel your body moving along with the vibration.

you move aside your panties and put the vibrator against your clit and put a finger into your core, tyun's name leaving your lips in just a whisper.

you pushed your finger in and out of you at a steady pace, soon adding another finger, and you kept the vibrator against your clit. "mm, tyun." you moan as you close your eyes and begin to arch your back.

the knot in your stomach builds up and you moan loudly as your cum leaks from your pussy. you go grab your phone and turn off the recording and take a deep breath before sending it.

it didn't take long for taehyun to respond, that's for sure.

taglist [closed] : @luvsoobs , @floweryjessy , @fairyoftaehyun , @toxicccred , @suga-nya , @effielumiere , @sk1reader , @synnfulqt , @ruefulposts , @sunnyteume , @dinosaur-i-am , @bollocks-io , @lilactangerine , @itbtoblikethatsometimes , @lexxxtxt , @kayleeshinee , @emonatural191 , @jerrykarrot , @burningupp-replies , @frommypasttlife , @solihwng , @bekah931215 , @bangtanjake , @ggyulicious , @vatterie , @duolingofanaccount , @kendalllovestxt , @pshchives , @f4iryhyjin , @evan-rose , @wubbster , @viagumi , @junniessugar , @kyufessions , @prettxyliies , @fairyoftaehyun , @nanamik3nto , @yeosayang , @iliana26 , @sansluvr , @cha0thicpisces — (only those who could be tagged are added)

547 notes · View notes

strapstylehub · 4 months

Text

Unlock Productivity: The Ultimate Guide to Apple Gadgets Topics - The Best iPhone Accessories for Productivity in 2023

Discover the top iPhone accessories for productivity in 2023. Elevate your Apple experience with our comprehensive guide on the best gadgets for enhanced efficiency. Shop now at WristWatchStraps.

Introduction

In the fast-paced world of today, where efficiency is key, having the right tools can make all the difference. For Apple enthusiasts seeking to boost their productivity, we've curated the ultimate guide to the best iPhone accessories. From innovative chargers to smart peripherals, this article dives deep into Apple Gadgets Topics: The Best iPhone Accessories for Productivity.

Apple Gadgets Topics: The Best iPhone Accessories for Productivity

Charging Solutions for On-the-Go Warriors

Life doesn't wait, and neither should you. Boldly explore charging options that keep up with your dynamic lifestyle. From compact power banks to cutting-edge wireless chargers, find the perfect companion to keep your iPhone powered throughout the day. Shop now at WristWatchStraps.

The Swift Charge: Wireless Chargers Explained

Experience the future of charging with Qi-enabled wireless chargers. Delve into the world of cable-free power and discover why it's a game-changer for productivity enthusiasts. Shop now at WristWatchStraps.

Amplify Your Productivity with Audio Accessories

In a world of virtual meetings and on-the-go work, superior audio accessories are non-negotiable. Tune into our recommendations for headphones, earbuds, and other audio gadgets that redefine the way you engage with your Apple devices. Shop now at WristWatchStraps.

Seamless Connectivity: AirPods Pro Unleashed

Uncover the magic of AirPods Pro and how they seamlessly integrate with your Apple ecosystem. Immerse yourself in crystal-clear audio and advanced noise cancellation for distraction-free productivity. Shop now at WristWatchStraps.

Transformative Tech: Cases and Stands

Your iPhone is not just a device; it's an essential tool. Explore a variety of cases and stands that go beyond protection, enhancing your iPhone's functionality.

Multifunctional Marvels: Stands for Enhanced Productivity

Discover the versatility of iPhone stands that prop up your device at the perfect angle. Leverage these stands for video calls, hands-free work, and an overall improved user experience. Shop now at WristWatchStraps.

Enhancing Efficiency with Peripherals

Unlock the full potential of your iPhone by integrating it with cutting-edge peripherals. From external keyboards to innovative styluses, find out how these accessories can elevate your productivity.

Typing Triumph: External Keyboards for iPhone

Say goodbye to limitations with external keyboards designed for iPhones. Improve your typing speed and efficiency, turning your iPhone into a portable workstation. Shop now at WristWatchStraps.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do wireless chargers work?

Wireless chargers utilize electromagnetic fields to transfer power from the charging pad to the device. Experience the freedom of cable-free charging with this revolutionary technology.

Are AirPods Pro worth the investment?

Absolutely! AirPods Pro offer superior audio quality, effective noise cancellation, and seamless integration with Apple devices. Elevate your audio experience with these premium earbuds.

Can I use any external keyboard with my iPhone?

While most external keyboards are compatible, it's advisable to check for iOS compatibility before making a purchase. Ensure a seamless connection for enhanced typing on your iPhone.

What makes a good iPhone stand?

A good iPhone stand should be stable, adjustable, and versatile. Look for features like multiple viewing angles and solid construction for the best user experience. Invest in a stand that suits your needs.

How long does it take to charge an iPhone with a wireless charger?

The charging time depends on the wireless charger's wattage and the iPhone model. On average, it takes about 2-3 hours for a full charge. Plan your charging routine for uninterrupted productivity.

Can AirPods Pro be used for calls?

Absolutely! AirPods Pro feature high-quality microphones and noise-canceling technology, making them ideal for crystal-clear calls. Stay connected without compromising on audio quality.

Conclusion

Elevate your Apple experience and supercharge your productivity with these top-notch iPhone accessories. Embrace innovation, enhance efficiency, and make the most of your Apple Gadgets Topics: The Best iPhone Accessories for Productivity. Shop now at WristWatchStraps.

Connect with us on social media:

Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/wristwatchstraps.co/]

Facebook: [https://m.facebook.com/p/Wristwatchstrapsco/]

YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/@wristwatchstrapsco]

TikTok: [https://www.tiktok.com/@wristwatchstraps]

For inquiries and assistance, feel free to reach out to us through the provided links. Your journey to the perfect Apple Watch band starts with WristWatchStraps.co.

#usa news #sales #online store #shopping #online #onlineshopping #shopify #apple watch #apple news #apple music

2 notes · View notes

coldshrugs · 7 months

Text

take another step off the edge (redux)

pairing: io laithe /estinien varlineau word count: 2.7k note: first kiss incoming. this is a rewrite of the first thing i wrote about them and i think it's stronger all around :>

The meyhane is boisterous, as she knew it would be. Thavnairians are fond of seeking out their favorite watering holes when their working day has ended, eager for daylight and its heavy heat to give way to a night filled with pleasantly warm breezes, cool drinks, and intimate company. Mehryde’s is a popular destination for those reasons.

And Io is surprised to find she’s become a regular.

Throngs of thirsty revelers vie for unused tables or opt to stand in whatever free space their group can claim–all the better to dance, of course. Music played at a most unenjoyable volume swallows most conversation. Still, judging by the raucous peels of laughter and cursing that break through the sound, that might be a blessing from the gods themselves. Io picks her way through the packed wine house towards the usual spot, quite sure her apologetic smile comes across as a grimace. She is more than aware this is not her scene, yet she has accepted the invitation for the fourth consecutive week and eagerly anticipates the next.

Even places she would normally find uncomfortable are made pleasant by a close friend, or so she tells herself.

Estinien sits at a small, round table tucked away against the back wall. He hasn’t noticed her yet, but Io’s heart is in her throat as she approaches. The angles of his face are caught between the darkness pouring through the mezzanine and the colorful lights dancing further in the bar. One hand is propped under his chin, and the other loosely holds the rim of his half-finished drink. He looks as aloof as ever. Why he chose this place is a mystery to her.

When she breaks through the last few people, his expression brightens immediately.

“There you are,” he says, a hand raised to flag down a server before setting his attention firmly on her. “All’s well?”

She has no choice but to return his smile. “Sorry to keep you waiting. I’m afraid I’m still finding my bearings in the city.”

“Takes some getting used to, I suppose.” He pulls out the chair next to him, closer than the last time, and faces her fully when she takes it. “Have you any news from the sorceress?”

Right to the point, then.

“Not yet. But Shtola will find something, of that we can be sure. Unless Nidhana and her alchemists come through first.”

He nods his agreement and sips his drink, but speaks no more on the matter.

Io fidgets with the edge of the tablecloth, unsure of what to say or if she should’ve said more. She doesn’t want to talk about the godsdamned void gate but now there’s no room for pleasantries. His silence feels weighty tonight, so unlike the blanket of comfort she’s grown used to; something is on his mind. Io thinks to ask what it could be when Mihleel saunters over, notepad at ready.

“What can I bring Mehryde’s favorite guests?”

They order their usual and before long the table is littered with glasses of beer and watered raki, joined by well-sampled small plates holding skewers of grilled shrimp and vegetables, cubed melon drizzled with honey, fried squid served with a spicy pepper sauce, and fluffy flatbreads waiting to be dipped in lemony yogurt. The food alone might be worth the crowd and the noise, but there is another reason she returns week after week.

Estinien relaxes as they eat, drink, and catch up. Talk of their work in the area is quickly forgotten in favor of less professional topics: the people they know, the places they’ve traveled, and the things they still want to see or do. They lean in to be heard over the drunken buzz around them, sliding their cushioned stools ever closer. The pauses between questions are gentle now, patient and easy. Theirs is a comfortable tension, like a sore muscle finally being stretched.

“Have you returned to Ishgard since we disbanded?”

He tells her of a brief visit with Alberic and a longer visit with Aymeric, who writes ‘far more often than he has any right to,’ apparently. The edge of his annoyance softens under years of fondness, and it is clear he misses his friend.

Io watches as he talks. The incongruity of delicately painted glass held in a strong hand, the way he pushes his sleeves up to his elbows, and the flex of tendon and muscle in his forearms. His face is flushed, from drink or the weather she cannot say, but it bleeds from his cheeks and ears down to his chest. Her own cheeks warm at the sight. The light breeze billows his loose shirt and it is everything to keep her eyes from roaming.

But he is watching her too, eyes darting between her lips and the hand nervously tangling in her hair or touching her neck, but always returning to meet her gaze. He tops up her raki before she can ask, pours just the amount of water she’s come to prefer, and why has he bothered to learn that?

“Apologies. I’m boring you, surely,” he says. His leg shakes under the table. “Now, you tell me some triviality or other. What’s on your mind?”

“Nonsense. I enjoy hearing about them, and I like when you talk like this.” Her hand falls to his forearm, his warm skin growing warmer beneath her touch, and both of them look down to the point of contact.

Shit.

“Shit.”

Oh. She said it out loud.

Io jerks her hand away, turning her focus to her cup. She clears her throat before draining the milky-looking beverage. It is difficult to tell which burns more, the sweet anise-flavored spirit or the embarrassment scorching across her face. “I–” She laughs, unbidden, her own nervousness threatening to consume her. Close friend, she repeats in her mind. You are my friend, no matter how much I wish we were more. “I don’t know what came over me. There has been a substantial amount of raki tonight and, trust me, you’re better off being spared my thoughts in this state.”

He breathes something like a laugh into the space between them and glances from her to the empty cups–too few to claim drunkenness and they both know it.

Io closes her eyes and wonders if this will finally be the thing that kills her–nevermind saving the world from whatever terrible fate might threaten it next. While she ponders which would’ve been kinder, drowning in Leviathan’s slippery embrace or giving in to the light and becoming a lightwarden of unfathomable beauty and horror, Estinien lifts her wrist and places her hand on his arm once more.

She feels him shaking, his leg beneath the table, and his hand moving over hers, unsteady fingers tracing over her own until they fall away and leave only this simple touch. The surge of people and all their noise fade out of existence. It’s just them. Just him.

Io opens her eyes to catch Estinien’s little smile, half-hidden behind his glass as he finishes his drink too.

His chin rests heavily in his hand, exaggerating his smirk. But his eyes are what do her in. They lock on hers, soft and perceptive, willing her to act. “There is nothing I wouldn’t know about you, Io.”

Io begs her heart to slow its furious pace.

“Shall I bring another round?” Mihleel’s high-pitched lilt breaks through the haze and Io’s head snaps in her direction.

She tries to smile, but her head is far from clear, “I… I think we’ve had our fill for the night, but thank you for everything. You can leave it on our tab.”

Estinien does not deign to look in Mihleel’s direction. “Our thanks,” he mutters, his voice so low Io wonders if Mihleel heard him at all.

Their server’s eyes gleam with interest, dancing between Io and Estinien. Her tail darts behind her, rapid as a cat waiting to pounce on unsuspecting prey. “Mhm. In that case, I’ll leave you both to it. Enjoy your evening.” She wanders to the next table, gone as quickly as she appeared.

“Estinien–”

“I’ll walk you to the aetheryte.” He glances at her hand still on his arm, then stands, pulling away in the process.

“Oh, that won’t be necessary.” She joins him in standing. His brows knit as he nods twice, expression twitching between confusion and hurt. He wrestles with himself just as she does, and she’s offended him without meaning to. “Vrtra knew I was coming and asked to speak with me tomorrow, though I have no idea what he might want. Regardless, he’s invited me to stay at the palace so I won’t be returning to Mor Dhona tonight. Perhaps you could help me find the guest wing?”

His relief is palpable, and the smile he gives her is as easy as the one before. “‘Tis a bit of a trek, but shall we walk there? The city can be rather scenic at night.”

“I’d like that.” She means it, ready to take any excuse to spend more time with him.

They leave the Meyhane and bypass the small, shimmering aetherytes that would quicken their journey through Radz-at-Han, from the far end of Artha to Dharma.

Io thought the bar was overwhelming, but it is just one small part of the whole. Radz-at-Han is somehow even more vibrant at night. Color streams from every surface and the late-evening crowd bustles from one lively venue to the next. Estinien navigates the labyrinthine streets with his usual calm decisiveness, though his pace is unhurried. With him at her side, the sights and sounds feel lush. Inviting, even.

He is relaxed here. At home. There is a softness about him that would look out of place if she did not know him so well.

They meander through the city, making quiet conversation and sharing jokes along the way, stopping when something catches their attention; a street musician, a vendor offering spun sugar, the proprietor of a noticeably vacant tavern promising free drinks to the first twenty people in the door. Their arms brush each time they sway out of someone’s way, and she wonders what he’d think if she took his hand.

Another time, perhaps.

The evening stretches out, little by little until they have nowhere else to go besides their quarters.

The palace seems to glow in the night, light pouring from the upper windows and glinting off the lustrous surfaces. She had little time to note its beauty during the Final Days, and hasn’t had an extended visit since. Estinien pauses to let her take it in.

“I did say you would enjoy the views.” He crosses his arms, making no effort to hide his self-satisfied grin.

Io laughs lightly, “I’m glad you suggested the walk. Not that I needed convincing.”

He gestures toward their left with a nod. “Come, the guest quarters are this way.”

They reach their destination, a high-ceilinged corridor meticulously painted with vibrant shades of green and pink, and accented with delicate gold leaf. This sight, like every inch of Meghaduta, is astounding, even in the dim light. The guest hall is uncharacteristically free of the attentive staff so prevalent in other parts of the palace.

We are alone, Io realizes. It is more than simple fact—it is an unignorable sensation, felt like the sudden awareness of her tongue against the roof of her mouth. Like her chest rising and falling in stuttered intervals.

Her door lies a few paces ahead, and Estinien’s must be just beyond it. The easy peace between them simmers. There’s no crowd to make way for, and still, they walk close enough for their hands to brush.

“I think this is me.” Io hesitates in front of her door, gripping the handle, and looks up at him. Estinien crosses his arms again, caught in a sliver of moonlight. His silver hair gleams with it. She wonders what it’d feel like between her fingers. Gods, has he always looked like this? “I’ll say goodnight.”

She leans against the door, lingering.

Hoping.

“You need not say it so gently, you know?” Estinien takes a step closer. He’s half-smiling, and there’s something spirited in the words. Something as hopeful as she is.

A wave of giddiness rushes through her chest. Her friend, her ally for years, and now something new rips at the seam between comfort and possibility. But it’s not new at all. It has followed them for countless months, grown into something they can no longer overlook. Estinien stares down at her, unflinching, familiar, and full of fondness.

Io tugs the thread.

“How would you prefer I say it?”

Her eyes flash to his lips, still smiling, and she’s not sure who moves first.

Estinien raises a careful, calloused hand to her cheek before sliding it behind her neck. Io clutches his shirt, marveling at how the warmth of his skin bleeds through the fabric. They pull, and now they are forehead to forehead. His breath is on her face, his nose brushes hers. This is real, and he is warm, and he trembles when she slides her fingers through his hair (softer than she imagined it would be).

They pull, and his hand is on her back. Her chest is against his, and his heart plays the same long-suffering beat as hers. His fingers drift across her neck, pulling her hair away so he can feel her skin. He is fluid and certain, he moves like he needs her. His words echo in her mind: ‘There is nothing I wouldn’t know about you, Io.’ And she would know all of him as well. His mind, his heart, the taste of his lips, the feel of his body against hers.

They pull and–

This it, the ephemeral moment before that will define everything that follows. A tender spark ignites between them, the answer to a question they’ve asked privately for several months: could you feel the same?

–they collide.

Yes, is the wordless reply, lost to the heat of this Thavnairian night. Yes, they say with searching hands, wondering how close is too close as they reshape their friendship into something new. Io feels starved for him, even as she gasps against his lips, pressed between the door and his body.

There is a careful sensuality in the way he touches her, a neediness to his kiss that makes her head spin. She smiles against his mouth, and he smiles back before deepening the kiss. His hands travel across her back, down to her waist, pulling her against him and reveling in her every reaction. She doesn’t want this to end but they are quickly approaching a threshold she isn’t sure she’s ready to cross. Not yet, not tonight–but his lips move to her throat and seven hells, she has been waiting for him for so long–

Io’s elbow knocks the door’s handle and it swings open behind them.

The kiss breaks. They catch themselves mid-stumble, fighting to keep their laughter quiet. As mortifying as alerting the staff would be, the feel of his hands on her waist might be worth a bit of embarrassment.

No one comes, and they stand in the cool moonlight for a moment, entangled and amused by this series of events. A smile plays on Estinien’s lips, one more brilliant than she’s ever seen, and he makes no effort to restrain it. How long has he wanted this?

He touches her face again, thumb sweeping across her cheek. “More fitting, wouldn’t you say?”

He kisses her quickly, and she chases his lips. He rests his forehead against hers, a frustrated little rumble building in his throat. One more is not enough, but they stop there.

Io beams, covering his hand with hers. “Then I should expect the same in greeting next time I see you.”

He hums a quiet laugh as he parts from her, turning to leave. “Goodnight then,” he says, throwing one last adoring look towards her before closing the door behind him.

Io is left standing in the center of her dark room, in the wake of Estinien’s warmth. The ghost of his kiss still tingles on her lips, his touch still warms her body. She resists the urge to follow him next door and pick up where they’ve left off.

Unable to stop smiling, she readies for bed. Nothing, no one, has ever been more worth the wait.

#azia writes #io laithe #io/estinien #they make me insane!!!!!!!!!!!#the way i love my cringefail babygirl so much!!! she's trying her best okay!?#and estinien just nudging her towards 'io beloved we are dating already. this is a date. you can touch me' dslkjfsd #they are. so ridiculous but i guess i only have myself to blame #okay bye you really do not have to read this if you already invested mental energy in the other one or even. at all really #i just needed to do this For Me. you know how it is

24 notes · View notes