#sandcastles part 2

[mariclerc]

Dad duties | cl16

Summary: where you meet an adorable dad and his little girl at the beach. Warning: none, just dad!charles, a little emotional, instant crush and FLUFF, pure fluff.

a/n: Hii, a long time ago I was thinking about doing a story about what Charles would be like as a single dad... Something crazy, I know, but I hope you like it!! Let me know if you want a part two of this <3

Part 2

Sun gleams off the turquoise water, gentle waves lap at the shore. You walk along the beach, toes sinking into the warm sand. Giggles suddenly catches your attention, you turn to see a little girl, barely a year old, with bright eyes and a head full of messy curls, crawling determinedly towards you. She reaches you, grabbing a handful of your sundress. You smile, kneeling down to her level.

“Hey there, little one. You seem a little bit lost.”

The girl babbles happily, reaching for your sunglasses. You chuckle and gently remove them, placing them on top of your head.

A shadow falls over you. You look up to see a tall, handsome man with kind greenish eyes and sun-streaked hair... He looks slightly flustered.

“Oh god, I'm so sorry, that's my little escape artist Ava, come here to Papa munchkin.” He smiles apologetically.

Ava squeals and reaches for him. He scoops her up effortlessly, her tiny giggles filling the air.

“Don't worry, she's adorable! How old is she?” you asked.

“One year old, going on a hundred!” He winces as Ava grabs a fistful of his hair. You can't help but laugh. “Ouch, sweetie that hurts!” He says and Ava giggles.

“Looks like she has you all wrapped around her little finger.”

“Definitely.” he chuckles.

He introduces himself as Charles, you tell him your name. To your surprise, the conversation flows easily, you learn he's a single dad, the love and devotion evident in his gaze as he talks about Ava. He opens up about his complicated relationship with his ex (Ava's mother), the challenges of dating as a single parent. You listen intently, impressed by his honesty and dedication to his daughter.

“You seem to be doing a great job, Charles. And that's impressive, you know, how hard you work and try to be the best every day for her.” you smile.

Ava snuggles closer to him, burying her face in his neck.

“I manage to do a good job... It's definitely a handful, but she's worth it all.” he smiles.

A comfortable silence settles between you. You steal a glance at him, then quickly look away, cheeks warming. You sense a similar flicker of something unspoken in his eyes.

“Well, maybe I should let you get back to building sandcastles with your princess.” You say with a bit of haste.

“Actually, I was wondering... Would you maybe, I don't know, maybe... Want to grab some ice cream with us sometime? Ava loves company, and frankly, so do I.” He speaks hurriedly.

You feel a flutter in your chest. This unexpected encounter has taken a sweet turn. “I'd love to. Thanks!” you smile.

Ava lets out a delighted squeal, as if sensing the possibility of ice cream, You and Charles giggle at her reaction.

“Great! How about next Saturday? Same place? How does that sound?”

You nod. “Sounds perfect.”

He smiles, you can see how the corners of his eyes wrinkle, something very cute for you. “Perfect... Ehm, here! Write down your number and I'll write down mine.” He says as he takes out his cell phone to give it to you and you take yours out of your beach bag to hand it to him.

You wrote your number on his cell phone with the name of: "y/n the life-saver 🎀". When he finishes he gives you your cell phone back and you see that he has registered himself as: "Charles the handsome dad 😋" you can't help but laugh at the name.

“Well, then I'll write to you to keep in touch... Handsome dad.” You say with a giggle and he blushes.

Ava yawns, nuzzling deeper into his embrace.

“I think someone's getting tired.” you giggle while looking at Ava.

“She probably is. Sand and sunshine can be exhausting for little ones.” He says and then smiles a little. “This was unexpected... But so nice.” he says quietly.

“Yeah, definitely nice!” you say meeting his warm gaze.

A blush creeps up Charles' neck as he finally pulls back slightly.

“See you next Saturday then, Y/N, it was nice to meet you!”

You smile. “It was also nice to meet you both!”

He nods, a goodbye lingering in his eyes. Charles walks away, cradling a sleepy Ava in his arms, you watch them go, a warm feeling spreading through you. This chance encounter has blossomed into something promising, and as you turn towards your car, a smile lingers on your lips. The beach seems a little brighter now, filled with the promise of sunshine, ice cream, and maybe, just maybe, something more.

Suddenly, your phone buzzes in your pocket. It's a text message. You pull it out, expecting a message from a friend, but your heart skips a beat when you see the name displayed on the screen - Charles the handsome dad 😋.

Charles the handsome dad 😋: Ava just fell asleep. She kept asking for "y/n." Any chance you have a favorite ice cream flavor? Trying to win some brownie points for Saturday afternoon.

A laugh escapes your lips. He's charming, that's for sure. You quickly type a response.

y/n the life-saver 🎀: Chocolate chip cookie dough, always! And tell Ava I said goodnight. See you on Saturday cha!

You hit send and a warm feeling washes over you. This unexpected encounter has taken a delightful turn, and with a giddy anticipation for saturday's ice cream date, you turn back towards the ocean. The waves seem to whisper a promise of something exciting to come, and you can't wait to see where this newfound connection might lead.

***

The cheerful clinking of spoons against ice cream sundaes fills the air. You sit across from Charles at a brightly colored table, a giant chocolate chip cookie dough sundae melting in front of you. Ava, nestled comfortably in a high chair, digs into a kid-sized strawberry sundae with a look of pure bliss.

He chuckles “Looks like someone's enjoying their treat.”

Ava lets out a happy gurgle, a smear of red adorning her cheek. You laugh, you leaned towards her to wipe her cheek.

“She's definitely got a sweet tooth.” you say while wiping her cheek.

Charles takes a bite of his own sundae, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Just like her dad. Thanks for the recommendation, this cookie dough ice cream it's fantastic!” he smiles.

“My pleasure, I'm glad you both like it.”

Ava reaches out, grabbing a stray piece of cookie dough from your sundae. You laugh, helping her bring it to her mouth.

“Careful, little one, that's a big bite!”

Charles watches the interaction between you and Ava, a smile playing on his lips.

“You seem to have a way with kids.” He says softly while looking at the two of you with adoration.

You shrug. “I guess so, I have a younger brother, so I've had my fair share of practice.”

The conversation flows easily between bites of ice cream, you learn more about Charles' life as a single dad, the challenges and rewards that come with it, he talks about his passion for racing, a twinkle in his eyes as he describes his dream of one day competing professionally. You share your own dreams and aspirations, surprised at how comfortable you feel opening up to him.

As Ava starts to get cranky, signaling the need for a nap, you suggest taking a walk along the nearby park. Charles readily agrees.

A comfortable silence settles between you. You both steal glances at each other, the unspoken attraction hanging heavy in the air. You reach the edge of the park, the familiar beach stretching before you.

“Looks like we're back where it all began.” you blush slightly.

“It does, doesn't it? Funny how things work out.” he smiles.

He stops walking, turning to face you. Ava lets out a whimper in her sleep, prompting Charles to gently bounce her in his arms.

“This was... so nice, I mean, this sweet afternoon and last week at the beach, it's very... Unexpected, but very good.” He says quietly with a smile on his face.

You meet his gaze, your heart fluttering in your chest.

You smiled. “I also liked it! Ava's such a sweetheart, and you seem like... a good guy, a really good and nice guy.”

He smiles back, a genuine warmth radiating from his eyes.

“I, uh... I was wondering if maybe, sometime next week, you'd like to have dinner? Just the two of us, after Ava's asleep?” He says with a bit of hesitation.

Your stomach does a nervous flip-flop, but a wide smile stretches across your face.

“I'd like that very much Charles.”

A wave of relief washes over Charles. He leans forward slightly, his eyes searching yours.

“Great... In that case, how about I give you a proper goodbye this time?” He says with a bit of flirtation in his voice.

Before you can respond, he leans in further, his lips brushing softly against yours. The kiss is brief, sweet, and filled with unspoken promise.

Ava lets out a startled gurgle, breaking the spell. Charles pulls back with a laugh, a blush creeping up his neck.

“Looks like our little chaperone wants to get home.” he chuckles and blushes.

“Seems that way.” you giggled while blushing.

He walks you back to your car, Ava snuggled contentedly against his chest.

“Text me when you get home, so I know you made it safe. And maybe, just maybe, you can tell me what your favorite dinner is.” He says while blushing a little.

You laugh a little bit. “Don't worry, you'll be very well fed.”

He smiles, a hint of something deeper lingering in his gaze. You wave goodbye as he drives away with Ava, a warmth spreading through your chest. The unexpected encounter at the beach has blossomed into something exciting, and as you watch the sun disappear over the horizon, you can't wait to see where this new path might lead.

#formula one x reader #f1 x you #dad!charles leclerc #charles leclerc fluff #charles leclerc imagine #charles leclerc x reader #charles x reader #charles leclerc #charles x you #charles leclerc x you #mariclerc fics

[nohaijiachi]

Why I Think The Fandom Has Been Doing Aziraphale Dirty Ever Since Season 1 And It's Only Gotten Worse With Season 2 And It's Killing Me Inside

Before we get into the subject matter of the title let me preface a couple of things:

1- All that will follow is, big surprise, my opinion and my interpretation of this character. Do I think I am The One And Only Who Gets The Blorbo Right and that my ideas are 100% the way the author(s) intended to convey the character? No.

More likely than not the way I see Aziraphale could be intensely different from the way Authorman sees him, or Actorman sees him, and I don't think that my interpretation is necessarily any more correct than anybody's else.

That said, if I also did not think that I am, in fact, correct on a certain level, I wouldn't have bothered forming such a thought out opinion of Aziraphale in the first place, nor would be sitting here, writing this post that I can already tell is going to be entirely too long and might probably ruffle some feathers.

So I'll be writing the rest of this post with the caveat that I while I do think my interpretation correct, I'm also not trying to change anybody's mind nor to discredit anybody's else interpretation of Aziraphale. We can sit here in the sandpit and hold different opinions and still be able to build sandcastles together, it really isn't that deep at the end of the day; I can assure you, I'm not here to fight nor cause fights with this one.

2- With the above point, comes also the fact that I won't bother continuously saying "In my opinion" for the rest of this post. You already know that. So, if something will come across as a bit caustic, do know that it is very much tongue in cheek and I am poking a bit of fun at general fannish habits that I am also very much quote-unquoute 'guilty' of having partaken into, and will partake into again plenty of times in the future, I'm sure.

So, with that: Here's Why I Think The Fandom Has Been Doing Aziraphale Dirty Ever Since Season 1 And It's Only Gotten Worse With Season 2 And It's Killing Me Inside

A large part of the people comprising this fandom prefers Crowley. There, I said it.

This fandom's preference blatantly skews toward Crowley. Can we admit that openly? Let's admit that openly.

To be clear, this isn't meant to be an accusation or recrimination or any other -ation you can think of, I am merely stating matter-of-factly a phenomena I've observed in the last four years.

It is also not a wrong nor bad thing in any way, shape or form. I adore Crowley myself. I love them both so much it's unreal.

But I started with that because I think it is very much a symptom of the fact that a lot of people don't get Aziraphale.

I remember back with S1 there had been plenty of times when I found myself reading discussions and opinion exchanges about Aziraphale and Crowley, their dynamics, all the things that went unsaid behind the things that were said, and found myself genuinely surprised by seeing how some people interpreted certain moments wildly different from how I personally saw them.

I look back at that and I think "Oh, sweet summer child". Nothing could have prepared me from the onslaught of takes about Aziraphale that make me go "Good lord, what???" in the wake of S2, and the infamous Last Fifteen.

Now because I don't want to be pointing fingers at specific things and risk upsetting somebody more than I already am by being open in admitting that, guys, yes, some of the takes y'all have been sharing make me go "Yikes(tm)", I'll move on the interesting part and what I would actually love to discuss, aka cracking Aziraphale's head open and see what that actual fuck is going on in there.

Another preface: Because this duo is intrinsically linked and woven together it is downright impossible to only focus on Aziraphale without also mentioning Crowley, so... Let me circle back to our fav demon bae for a sec, here.

I think the reason why it seems that a larger part of the fandom favors Crowley is because I feel like Crowley is a much easier character to grasp. He is very open in his thoughts and feelings, at any given moment us, the audience, have a much easier time watching a scene and sort of ruminating in the back of our heads about Crowley's motivations for saying the things he says and doing the things he does.

That isn't to say Crowley is a less complex character than Aziraphale. They are very much equally complex and multifaceted individuals with their strengths and weaknesses, their issues and the way they each cope with them, how differently they approach their existence and so on and so forth.

But whereas Crowley as a character presents itself with a certain dynamism and a far more outward openness about his complexity, Aziraphale does the exact opposite; we can say Aziraphale is downright hermetic about it.

For us, the audience, he presents a challenge that requires a good deal of thought being put into him to see over the facade he presents at a more superficial level; he requires time and effort to fully dismantle him in our minds to try and see what makes him thick (other than his thighs), and thus I think it is entirely natural that more people latch on the far easier to identify-with, and relate-to, Crowley.

And that is the inevitable consequence of everything that makes Aziraphale... Well, Aziraphale.

So, where to start? Let's try and jot down what Aziraphale truly is at his core.

He is a contradiction.

This man-shaped being is a walking contradiction, constantly existing in a state of being coated in three thousand layers of misdirection and obfuscation and double thinking.

Why is that? Well. He's an angel.

Aziraphale loves being an angel. It is a tenet of his entire existence and something he cherishes. He wants, so very much, to be his ideal of what a good angel is: An entity who is kind and loving and understanding and forgiving.

Of course us, the audience, know that is utter bullshit, because we know angels can be individuals just as complex as the humans Aziraphale loves so much, with all their inherent flaws and capability for cruelty. And, on a certain level, Aziraphale knows that too.

So there we have it, one element of contradiction: Aziraphale wants to think that angels are always Good and Righteous and Never Wrong; Aziraphale knows that angels aren't, in fact, always Good and Righteous and, by god, can they make plenty of mistakes, too.

What else? How about Aziraphale sitting there, being in love with a demon, fully knowing that at the end of the day demons really ain't that different from angels, and also desperately hanging onto the concept of Good vs Bad.

And he sits there, existing with these two contrasting idea equally taking space in his mind, neither side ever capable of taking over the other.

What else do we have? Aziraphale loves God and wants so hard to believe in Her love for humanity and Her ineffable plan, and Aziraphale also time and again does things that very blatantly go against Her will, lies to Her face, and Doubts. He Doubts, a lot, and that requires the capital letter because those Doubts are what spur him in going against everything he's ever told to believe in order to do the right thing.

Aziraphale's very existence is a constant push-and-pull of things he wants to believe and things he knows are real; things he's told to do and things he wants to do. That's how we get "My side" and "there's a bit of good in you" and "you are the bad guys".

And nothing he's lived through has managed to break him out of this unhealthy way of existing quite yet; that's why he acts the way we see him act in the Edinburgh flashback in S2, or at the start of S1 when Crowley has to ease Aziraphale into the idea of trying to stop Armageddon with the usual song and dance of "temptation" and "plausible deniability" and "you'd be thwarting me", even though from the start we can tell there's a little part of Aziraphale who is clearly not at ease with the idea of the end of the world, and once he's been given 'permission' by Crowley nudging him, he is all the way in with the whole saving the world business, not take-backsies.

Both the moments I mentioned here are very important for different reasons, but of the two is very much the Edinburgh flashback that gets a lot more flack by the fandom and is blatantly misunderstood, which I think is the inevitable consequence of that minisode immediately following the glorious, beautiful, heartbreaking piece of art that is the "A companion to owls" minisode.

I've seen a lot of people lamenting that Aziraphale acts obnoxiously in the Edinburgh flashback and, yeah. He does. But I feel like the fact that we are seeing this after watching Aziraphale struggle his way through saving Job's children, even being willing to go to Hell for it, is a though act to follow and probably soured Edinburgh-Aziraphale for a lot of people, made them think that the character had regressed instead of progressing.

But, see, the way he acts is wholly congruous with who Aziraphale is and has always been and keeps being up to the very end of S2. Yes, even after what he does for Job's children.

If you get down to it, Aziraphale had been ready to give up and let the children die, in episode 2. For a brief moment, after Crowley told him he 'longed to destroy the blameless children', Aziraphale was walking away, having tried all he thought he could try to do to stop this senseless act. That was until Crowley tested him by making the crows bleat, cuing Aziraphale to the fact that his impression of Crowley wasn't wrong, and the he could count on him to do the right thing.

To be clear, I don't want to undermine Aziraphale's action by only giving the credit to Crowley but... It is, also, only thanks to Crowley cajoling him and giving him the right excuses, that Aziraphale feels safe in doing what he's always wanted to do all along.

He'd wanted to save Job's children, and thought he couldn't until Crowley threw him that hell of a lifesaver. He wanted to save the world and thought he couldn't until Crowley nudged him on the path of plausible deniability.

He wanted to save Elspeth's eternal soul, blinding himself to the hardships she'd have to endure in her not-eternal life, and was smacked right in the face by the reality of human suffering multiple times.

The way Aziraphale acts in that flashback can't be a regression, because there never was a progression in the first place: He'd always walked the line between Heaven's and God's will and his own, personal morality and sense of justice.

By all means, if we look at Uz-Aziraphale and modern-day-Aziraphale at the start of S1, his reticence about the whole saving the world business should, by all means, appear as a regression as well. You mean to tell me that he'd been ready to become a demon for the sake of three mortal children, and then suddenly a handful of thousands years later when faced with the prospect of the whole world going up in flames he'd just be all like "Heaven will triumph over Hell and it will be all rather lovely"? Like, fuck off, Aziraphale, you lying double-thinker, you (/pos)

Aziraphale constantly exist while being at war with himself. Circumstances have allowed him to rebel the will of Heaven and God more or less safely time and again, but he never quite managed to break free entirely. He'd always ended up being reeled back in, being fed the party lines, being made to feel shame for his independent thinking, until it all becomes too much and he is forced to step back from that freedom he'd been inches away from grasping.

Back and forth, back and forth, never stopping.

And all of this, all of what he is, makes it so hard for us, the audience, to truly see him. To truly grasp him. To truly watch any given scene with him and figure out what he might be thinking or feeling.

To understand Aziraphale is to understand what he is not saying when he says something, which is a good deal harder to do than it is to understand and relate to a character like Crowley, who very much revel in saying exactly whatever the heck he thinks whenever he damn well pleases.

All those layers of obfuscation and misdirection and double thinking that Aziraphale coats himself in are as much an armor that makes it harder for the audience to understand him as they are his very own downfall because, good lord, if you exist like that, if you exist forced to keep things hidden from yourself, well... It's inevitable that at some point you are going to stumble into pitfalls of your own making.

And I love him for it.

So, there? I hope I managed to explain something with this post, and that it wasn't just the rambling of someone who spends way too much time thinking about her blorbos. To be clear, I don't think people who haven't spent as much time as me trying to dissect and better understand Aziraphale's character are like, dumber than me or anything. It's just that this pair of angelic-demonic blorbos take too much real estate in my mind, lol.

Feel free to let me know your opinion and if you think I am wildly off mark and my Take Is Bad. I might answer, I might not, it all depends on time and my mood ◝(ᵔᵕᵔ)◜

#good omens #good omens 2 #meta #aziraphale #I love one(1) hypocritical angel #flaws and all #I want to create an Aziraphale protection squad sometimes

[belphieslavenderscentedpillow]

Let’s talk dates: obey me! brothers+ Solomon and their dates for you

Super hyped to do this, and thank you for all the love on my previous posts! Everyone is very much appreciated 🥹 like I said tell me if you have any requests, and I’ll get to them!

This post is quite fluffy, with a few kisses here and there. I hope you enjoy!

-not proofread twice-

Lucifer

A dinner at a fancy restaurant

Specifically Restaurante six

Will plan his date at least two months in advance for two reasons:

1. He has a specific seat in said restaurant that is his very favourite, which is why he will make sure to get it for his favourite human

You deserve only the best, and he won’t settle for anything less

2. He makes sure his brothers know in advance so that they don’t destroy his date night with their antics

So on date night everyone is on their best behaviour

On the night of the date he will pick you up punctually

He’ll link his arm with yours and takes you to said restaurant

Will let you order a super fancy meal

You can literally get anything you want

After the eating he’ll take you on a romantic walk

Fingers intertwined and all that cute stuff

Then he pulls out a small box “will you marry me?”

No not that, he’ll take out a small necklace with a beautiful gemstone in the centre

Will put it around your neck all romantic; letting his fingers trace your skin while hooking the necklace

“Wow it looks beautiful on you.”

Mammon

A very cute beach date

His dates are usually pretty spontaneous:

“Babe let’s go to the beach!” On the most random days

You guys drive there with his car, listening to your favourite songs, screaming your lungs out with the windows down

Once you get there you go into the changing rooms, change and then notice how hot you guys look

Cue make out session in the changing room

On the beach you guys do various different things; swimming, playing in the water, sun bathing, making out etc

Will have a competition to see who can build the bigger and better sandcastle

Will buy you an ice cream if you ask

For dinner he lays a picnic blanket on the sand and brings out his „famous“ cheese sandwiches!

you guys watch the sunset while holding hands

At the end of the day you guys get in the shower together, washing off the sand from each other’s backs

He will give you his jacket to wear once you guys finish showering

Drives you home, with a hand on your thigh

Talking about life while the stars twinkle in the night

Leviathan

He takes you to an aquarium! The biggest one in the whole devildom!

He’ll ask you if you wanna go a few days prior

But he’s been preparing for months

He practiced how to ask, what to say on dates, where to bring you, literally EVERYTHING

He wants only the best for you damnit 😭

When you say yes he was absolutely ecstatic!

Wait you said yes?!?

Cue more planing and stressing

Asks his online friends how he should go on about it in the most optimal way possible

On the day of the date he’s a nervous wreck

Fussing with his shirt, refusing to make eye contact and a few very short yet fast sentences

He just needed a bit of time to relax

So once he gets to the aquarium he relaxes

Besides the ocean is his natural element, so he feels most confident around sealife

He tells you a few things about the fishes you see

The conversation is light and easygoing, doesn’t feel forced and everything you guys say comes out naturally

Very soothing if you ask me

If he feels especially confident he’ll hold your hand with red cheeks

Will point at pretty fishes saying: this one is you

When you go to the bathroom he converses with the fishes asking for pointers

Will buy you matching keychains

Once you have seen enough fishes for a day he walks you home

Gives you a quick kiss on the cheek as goodbye

Satan

Plans this date a week prior and asks you two days beforehand

Brings you flowers like a gentleman

A lovely two-part date: first he takes you to one of those places where you can make your own teacups

While making the cup he completely fails

Sure he’s read about it and how you do it but when they give him the clay he literally goes; wtf why is it so sticky and doughy

Tries to make it look good but.. well

He applauds you for being able to do it so well

A surprisingly good sport about not having the most pinterest worthy cup

Just uses his inability as an excuse to go on another make-your-own-teapot date with you

The painting was a whole lot smoother than the making of the cup

That being said it still wasn’t extraordinary

When you finish he lets out a small laugh at his cup

For Lunch he takes you to a cute cafe

Let’s you pick anything you want

He even lets you eat off of his plate

Which is good because his food always looks better than yours…

While going home you WILL come across a cute kitty

And he will start petting it

Gets whiny when the cat likes you more but secretly finds it utterly adorable

At the end of the date you two exchange cups

His cup is on your shelf, and yours is on his

Asmodeus

Takes you to a lovely botanical garden!

Asks you a day or so prior

You guys get ready together; matching outfits are a MUST

First you guys get Lunch at a super popular cafe. Then you go to the gardens!

The gardens are absolutely beautiful! He takes lots of pictures of you the plants

Butterflies always land on his hair and make him look like a disney princess

Sadly bees like him too, so count on lots of squeals of happiness and fear

Points at two flowers growing next to each other and names them after you two🥹

After that he takes you to a pandora store and gets you two matching bracelets the ones with the hearts

I hope you don’t mind paparazzi because his fans are everywhere

that totally didn’t happen because he couldn’t stop yapping about his date with you on his live

Don’t worry they won’t disturb you, actually they just take a bunch of cute photos of you two and send them to asmo

And because he has so many fans you guys get a LOT of pictures

Seriously his fans have been graced with the ability to take the most gorgeous pictures!

Not to mention you guys look so darling in every. Single. One.

Asmo saves ALL of them, literally ALL OF THEM on his phone

He has one especially cute picture of you two as his lock screen and will always look at it when he feels a little sad

Beelzebub

He‘ll take you to a fangol game

Asks you about the same time he gets the tickets, which is like a month prior to the gane

So he‘s exited about your date for the whole month!

On the day of the date you guys go there by bus

When there’s only one seat available he lets you sit on his lap, or if you don’t like pda then he‘ll just make the other demon scram 🤷‍♀️

He is one of the seven rulers of hell so theres not much the other demons can do or say

When you get there the crowd is HUGE

Beel of course gets everything you can get from the food stalls

He even shares his food with you 🫣

While watching the game he lets you sit on his shoulders because he likes having his face between your thighs so that you can have a better view

After the game he takes you to one of those restaurants where you can get a huge bowl of ice cream and whoever finishes it gets it for free

Totally didn’t get inspired from the main storyline

Will steal a kiss from you at the end of your date

Belphegor

Takes you on a super sweet carnival date

The plot twist is he takes you to one at night

I‘m to 99% sure that devildoms carnivals open at night you can not change my mind

Like they open at 7PM and go till the whee hours of 4AM

He asks you super spontaneously but planned the date like a few weeks prior

You guys walk around holding hands looking absolutely darling

If you want to go on a specific ride but the line is too long he will pull some strings to let you skip the line

Whatever ride you feel like, you can get 🥴

Is the type of person to think rollercoasters are a little slow

He‘d probably fall asleep on one of them tbh

Is amazing at those rigged carnival games

He has that crazy good aim, so always when he wins a prize he gives it to you

He loves the smile on your face when he wins

You guys share cotton candy together

Anddd he buys you those candy hearts saying some cheesy stuff like; „because you stole my heart“

When you guys go on the ferris wheel it stops when you’re at the very top

Something about „technical issues“

So you guys watch the small stars while waiting for it to start running again

He then looks at you with those; ‚I love you‘ eyes

When your eyes connect he leans in and gives you a romantic kiss, making him feel like he’s on top of the world (literally)

Solomon

He takes you on a picnic at night

At night for what reason you ask? Because he wants to take you stargazing

He asks you rather spontaneously, but plans the date a few days prior

Please get your own picnic snacks/food cause you don’t want to find out how „dragonhead soup“ tastes

He walks you there, and everything is already set up

Telescope, blanket, a few pillows, food

He lets you sit between his legs, letting you lean your head against his chest

Honestly looks at you more than he looks at the stars

„Wow they’re beautiful.“

„yeah..“

And while saying that looks at you

He plays with your hair, and tucks them behind your ear

He prolly hums small tunes while looking at you

Asks a small „can I?“ before kissing you

And of course two shooting stars go by you while you kiss🥹

All credits go to @belphieslavenderscentedpillow

#obey me #om! mammon #om! leviathan #obey me x reader #obey me asmodeus #obey me satan #obey me leviathan #obey me lucifer #obey me mammon #obey me shall we date #obey me belphie #obey me solomon #obey me solomon x mc #obey me solomon x reader #obey me levi x reader #obey me mammon x reader #obey me belphagor x reader

[bug-bites]

batfam beach episode?? real not clickbait no glue no borax??

cw: nothing! pure vacation beach fluff (p≧w≦q) also barely proofread,,,

pairing: gn!reader x batfam (NOT ALL AT ONCE.)

characters: dick grayson, jason babygirl todd, cassandra cain, tim drake, damian wayne (all intended to be interpreted as either romantic or platonic unless its damian. ik in some comic runs he's like an adult but hes like permanently 12 in my head and i dont fw that :/)

a/n: im back with a new dc obsession tee hee (soz to everyone who wanted more abt the cod guys or spiderverse im comicsmaxxing and redhoodpilled) will probably make a part 2 w/ bruce, babs, steph, and duke eventually :3c

Dick Grayson haha dick

oh he loves the beach so much

the sand beneath his feet make him feel nostalgic from when he would practice tumbling with his parents in the circus ring i think there's sand in circus rings right? I dunno someone fact check me on that one

the victim of being buried in the sand, always asks for a mermaid tail but ends up with something like massive sand tits (courtesy of either tim or jason), he laughs it off anyways

somehow gets the worst tan lines. He wore a swim shirt one time and never again because the tan lines looked SO BAD which is a total shame because he tans gorgeously

will beg to do play shoulder wars i have no clue if this is the right name, again fact check me for this thing where you get a piggyback ride from someone and you try to knock someone whos also getting a piggyback ride over in the water

you’re on his shoulders since bro is strong asf and you square up against tim and damian

obviously you lose because hello that's damian wayne we are talking about but at least its fun!!

cass and jason are forever the undefeated champions of shoulder wars though, that goes without saying

Cassandra Cain

shes always seen beach episodes in animes that damian practically dragged her into watching so when she gets to actually go to a beach she is so excited peak sibling bonding is dragging your siblings into your interests

loves building sandcastles and writing things in the sand, watching it get washed away, and then do it all over again

hold her hand and jump over waves together on the shore and she will be the giggliest and happiest human being alive on planet earth

but out of all the beach activities she loves beach volleyball

shes actually scarily good at beach volleyball for someone who has never played volleyball before

dick thought it would be fun to teach her and have a friendly match between him and bruce vs you and cass

yeah bruce and dick were COOKED. huffing and puffing like they have a vendetta against the three little pigs at the end of it while cass is like “this is so fun, lets go again!”

ends the day with a little sunset stroll along the shore i need her so bad you do not understand please bbyg ill treat u soooo well

Jason Todd

beaches are fun on paper for him, in person not so much

PERSONAL HC INCOMING! He gets migraines after the lazarus pit so he can only have so much fun before needing to lie face down with his head covered with a beach towel to make everything less overwhelming or he wears sunglasses the entire time

he brings a book to read at the beach and stays in the shade the entire time yes he is that bitch

usually at home in the comfort of his little library he likes to read things that have an impact on him or just stuff that makes him want to analyze deeper. think books like frankenstein, lord of the flies, all quiet on the western front, just generally heavier stuff

but his vacation books? totally different. usually something super light, maybe a shitty romance book that you find in walmart which are clearly just results of book packaging, or a some booktok recommendation he got for shits and giggles because it just was so laughably bad, maybe even a childhood feel-good book like percy jackson or the little prince (mostly just books he would not grieve over if sand permanently got in between the pages)

he tried reading a colleen hoover book once and honest to God wanted to toss it into the ocean HE WOULD HATE HER BOOKS AND I WILL DIE ON THIS HILL

but out of everything he likes watching you enjoy yourself, his book wasnt that important anyways. show him that funky sand dollar you found or that really cool piece of seaglass, he’s probably gonna bring it home with him. a little keepsake along with the millions of grains of sand that never seem to go away

Tim Drake

Burns so easily

At first its kinda cute, like hes asking you to help him get that spot on his back he just cant seem to reach and its just a little sweet moment between you two as you rub the sunscreen into his sore muscles

But then it happens again. And again. And again to the point when he goes up to you, you automatically reach for the tube of SPF 100+ 

I just know his vitamin d deficiency goes crazy

Leaves the beach looking like a lobster, sunburnt, a crazy bump on his head from getting hit with a volleyball, and some god awful sunglasses tan lines

Overall, beach activities are not really his thing bros job is NAWT beach

Enjoys the boardwalk a lot more than the beach itself, likes the touristy stuff but still goes to the beach because dick loves it and he loves his older brother :(

Damian Wayne

i feel like he wouldn’t care too much for typical beach stuff. like at every beach that has sand and decently clean water you can do most beach activities

one thing that is never 100% consistent at all beaches is what lives on the beaches. this boy will spend hours staring into tidepools 

bruce was lowk concerned because his son did not gaf about normal beach activities that kids do but eventually he reached a point where he was like "i mean at least hes having fun and being safe"

i feel like talia would always show him books of sea creatures when he was little but he never ended up being able to see them in their natural habitat someone take this boy to an aquarium now

tells you fun facts about each creature you come across

will scold you if you take a shell from the beach, definitely says some shit like “how would you feel if someone ran into your house and just took your bed?”  based though, leave shells at the beach yall! taking them is like bad for the ecosystem

brings his notebook around and has little sketches of the sea creatures

even though typical beach activities arent his favourite, he doesnt hate it. he likes that he can catch a break from all the vigilante stuff and spend time with his family as a family and not just as a team

loves scuba diving. idk it just somehow makes sense and i think he would look really stupid in a wet suit

also i feel like he would never mention it but in his mind hes fully thinking "this is just like a beach episode" but he would rather die than say it out loud FUCKING NERDDD

#dc comics #dc universe #dc x reader #x reader #dick grayson x reader #dick grayson x you #nightwing x reader #cassandra cain x reader #cassandra cain x you #black bat x reader #jason todd x reader #jason todd x you #red hood x reader #tim drake x reader #tim drake x you #red robin x reader #damian wayne x reader #damian wayne x you #robin x reader #dick grayson #nightwing #cassandra cain #black bat #jason todd #red hood #tim drake #red robin #damian wayne #dc robin #dc headcanon

[mrsbarnesblog]

Masterlist <3

ko-fi ao3

Bucky Barnes

jersey - college! bucky barnes x reader

push him - avenger! bucky barnes x PR manager! reader

stay quiet for me - modern! bucky barnes x reader

little games - gamer! bucky barnes x reader

sandcastles - CEO! husband! bucky barnes x reader

new purchase - mob! bucky barnes x reader

firewood - lumberjack! bucky barnes x reader

i can't let you get hurt - brother's best friend! bucky barnes x reader

don't hide - mechanic! bucky barnes x reader

my everything - avenger! bucky barnes x reader

personal pillow - avenger! bucky barnes x reader

i trust you - avenger! bucky barnes x reader

you deserve the world - college! bucky barnes x reader

barbie - avenger! bucky barnes x reader

wakanda - avenger! bucky barnes x reader (part 2)

we could've done it earlier - avenger! bucky barnes x reader

night - avenger! bucky barnes x reader

snowman - avenger! bucky barnes x reader

Mattheo Riddle

for you - mattheo riddle x reader

dating mattheo headcanons

Rafe Cameron

girls' night - soft! rafe cameron x reader

social anxiety - rafe cameron x reader

meeting - rafe cameron x pregnant!reader

kicks - rafe cameron x pregnant!reader

vampire diaries - rafe cameron x reader

i need help - rafe cameron x reader

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky fanfic #bucky x reader #bucky x you #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes smut #marvel fanfic #obx x reader #obx fanfiction #obx fic #rafe cameron x reader #rafe cameron fanfiction #rafe cameron x you #rafe cameron masterlist #bucky barnes masterlist #mattheo riddle x y/n #mattheo riddle x reader #mattheo x you #mattheo x y/n #mattheo x reader #mattheo riddle masterlist

[luvtak]

sandcastles, lfx x reader

✧ genre/ tw f2l <3!! sugary sweet fluff, angsty confessions, a couple pet names, a very sweet kiss, and felix and mc being unbearably down bad for each other, unedited <3

✧ w/c 2586

✧ a/n okay so i am writing this at 2 am after basically throwing this up, I've had this idea in my head for a couple days and finally had time to execute it, I am a sucker for f2l!felix and I hope you enjoy this very sweet confession, as well as the fun summery vibes I hoped to embrace the story in, happy reading! mwah <3!!

The first time you saw him you thought he was a daydream, sun bright and shiny–a made up boy for a lazy sunday afternoon. He came with golden hour, everything orange and yellow and the floral july smell was creeping around you. At twelve, you’d never seen a boy so sure of himself or so kind. Usually, the boys at school were listlessly mean or energetically cruel–ever patient in their mission to bother you. But here was Felix, funny and sweet and asking to be your friend. 

The summer passed in oceanfront days and popsicle covered nights, pop songs on the radio as you talked from the backseat. Goofy and glamorous months spent together as you awaited Fall. You remember those days like the lines of your palm, linen sheets wrapped around your bodies as you told scary stories and held each other to ward off nightmares. Some days, going to bed with the sun still high in the sky–naps on the beach with his head on your tummy. 

Felix’s sister’s hands in yours while you played ring around the rosie, giggles loud when you let go. The little girl’s voices as they yelled they all fall down! And Felix's own little voice asking if you were all okay, always worried about skinned knees and chipped nail polish. Childhood flashed with bandaid kisses and sandy shoes, freckled skin and ocean covered giggles. 

You’d never forget when you realized he was beautiful–stepping out of the ocean like Aphrodite herself, a boy born from sunshine and seafoam. His wide eyes were crinkled with sun, surely adding more stars to his golden skin, and he was smiling. Smiling at you of all things, bright and incandescent Felix grinning at you like the happiest man on earth. 

You think of that boy now as he sits next to you, watching the movie with an almost exaggerated delight. Taking in the action and the humor like someone just shown technicolor after a life of black and white. He’s grown up so much, grown up and away from you as you’ve gotten older. Those summer nights are just an origin story for who he is now, a big bright star like you always knew him to be. 

As his very first fan, you always saw in him this man he could become, but sometimes under the cover of midnight you selfishly wished you could have kept him to yourself. He was always just yours; until he wasn’t… Always your north star, leading you on your journey since you were just a little thing, and now he’s that to thousands of people–none of them knowing he was yours first. 

If you told him this he’d giggle up a storm and tell you he was still yours, but he wasn’t, not really… not in the way you wanted him to be. How could you tell him you loved him when in an instant he became bigger than you or any childhood wish. 

“Silly, why aren’t you watching the movie? It’s the best part!” eyes gleaming and mouth pouty, Felix looks so pretty in the tv light, “I know we’ve seen this one like a billion times, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pay attention.” He huffs, undeniably pretending to be annoyed with you. He can’t really, couldn’t even if he wanted to. You’re just so dear to him, one half of his heart, and he could never attribute any negative feeling to you, even if you deserved it. 

When he came home and saw you, more grown up and more beautiful than his phone screen allowed, he couldn’t believe he ever left you. He was so excited to watch your movie together, and while Ponyo had lost the astonishment of childhood, it still held its charm. The film was the background of so many childhood memories–putting it on after midnight nightmares or days spent sick in bed; children versions of you wrapped up and watching every sleepover. 

It was silly, he had you there right next to him, but he still missed you until the movie was on, and here you were not watching it. 

“Sorry, Lix, I just can’t believe you’re actually here.” your voice trembles a little, hiding the true emotions and fear that he’ll find you out. He would never stop being your friend just because you had a little crush on him, could never abandon you for something so little as a flutter in your tummy. But this wasn’t just a crush or a flutter, this was a stampede. You’d been in love with him for so long now, kept it hidden away in teenage diaries and grown up journals. A secret between you and the moon. You could never be sure how he’d take it, that for years now you’d been cowardly and afraid of him, a boy so brave he conquered his dreams. 

“Well, believe it baby! And watch the movie… or else…” He said it in a funny voice, and even though you knew he meant well, the pet name pushed an ugly feeling in your gut. 

Quietly and painfully you looked back to the screen, avoiding the way you can feel his body breathe next to you. For so long you missed this, the knowledge that your best friend was next to you, but now you think he should go home. Back to Seoul where he doesn’t hurt you by being him, sunshiney and starlit him. “Hey, seriously, are you okay? Where’d you go?” Felix is genuinely worried now, a sinister feeling arising in his chest that you’re not okay, and that it’s because of him. 

Sure, he’s been gone a lot the last couple of years, but he never forgot the way your eyes got misty before you cried. He grew up alongside you, nursed bloody knuckles and broken hearts and he could feel when you were sad–knew like the back of his hand when you were devastated and hiding it, but was this just because you missed him? 

“I’m fine, star boy, I just always get a little sad when I watch Ponyo. You remember don’t you? The way I would cry and cry when Sasuke promises to love and take care of her?” you mutter, softly without any conviction, and while the boy knows this to be true, he can’t help but notice your fidgety hands and the way you won’t look at him. 

You’re so worried, crushed beyond belief that one night home and he’ll figure you out. You could never keep a secret from him, running to tell him as soon as someone told you a whisper of hidden truth. Since you were twelve you told him all your innerworkings and private feelings, all but this one. It was easy when he was gone, easy to train your voice to sound happy over the phone, but you couldn’t hide anything with his eyes so close to you. 

Shoulder to shoulder you sat on the sofa you grew up on, right in this position with this beautiful boy. Watching this movie at 12 and 15, holding hands to ward against scary movie monsters. You couldn’t keep this secret here. 

“You’re a shitty liar, Y/n, is it some boy? Do I have to defend your honor?” it was so silly to him, you were so silly. How could he think any other boy mattered to you but him? Him with his golden hair and bright eyes, star studded cheeks smiling at you in the sunshine. 

You would never forgive yourself for that day on the beach. The day he became more than Felix, your best friend. You used to gag when your parents teased you about him, winced when one of your girls would say you looked cute together, and then all it took was the sun hitting him just right. 

You would never forgive yourself for this night either, you had to tell him. Had to make sure he knew it didn’t matter if he couldn’t feel the same. Who were you other than his friend? He was an angel and you were just someone he knew before he ascended. 

“Yeah, I guess. Some boy who I just can’t get out of my head.” 

“Oh, my silly sweetheart, is he devastatingly handsome.” he was giggling, the way he always did when you brought up boys to him, like it was ridiculous you would think a boy was cute. 

“I think so, he’s handsome and sweet, and I’ve never known anyone like him.” 

“This sounds intense, Y/nie, you must really like him…” 

“Yeah, you could say that.” 

You can’t help but notice his body language shifting, turning inward and hesitant. His voice got quieter too, shifting back into his normal voice. You wonder if you transferred some of your fear to him, then dismiss the thought–your Felix has always been brave. 

The movie still plays, little kid voices filling the otherwise silent room. The picture can be seen in his eyes, lighting the dark with bright oranges and blues. They're looking at you, and some tiny part of you can tell he seems sad. That piece of you that always knows how he’s feeling; attuned even when he’s in South Korea and you feel with all parts of you that you need to send a message to cheer him up. 

You feel that now, and reach out to take his hand, calloused and warm in yours. 

You stay like that for a while, finishing the film hand in hand like you did when you were both still small. Until finally, he asks so quietly you can barely hear him, 

“Do you like him more than me?” 

Shocked, you can’t help but let out a surprised laugh, which stuns Felix enough to pull his hand from yours–rubbing with his other hand where yours touched. He’s hurting, and you’re laughing at him, and this is enough to pull all of his bravery into you. Deep breathe in and out until you are sure every ounce of courage he’s ever had is running through your veins. You need to tell him, and even if he never speaks to you again, it's better than if he never knew he spins your whole world around. 

“Oh my god, Felix, it is you.” it comes out in a breath, faster than you’ve ever said anything and more relieving than any sentence you’ve rattled out before. The tears you’ve been fighting off all night come tumbling down, cascading over your cheeks with reckless abandon into your shaky hands. He’s silent for so long, barely even moving from his place next to you. The only indication he’s still hear the shaky breaths he’s releasing, and still you don’t look at him.

You’re waiting for him to leave, to walk out the door and go home, waiting for him to walk out of your life and back into his place in the sky, when finally you feel his hand on your wrist. His hold is so delicate, nervous as he moves your hands from your face and can finally see your eyes. Eyes sad and exhausted and so familiar to him, even through the tears their lovely–a reminder of home and unconditional love, and growing up. He can’t believe you would like him, Him with all his idiosyncrasies and softheartedness, you were so beautiful and so strong and you liked him. Thought he was handsome and sweet, you’d never known anyone like him… 

How long could this have been going on, how could he have been living never knowing you felt this way? Never knowing he felt it too, not just butterflies in his belly, but falcons, wings so strong and so big they started hurricanes. 

He looked at you like he always did, like you were the most important thing in the room. Eyes on yours and a smile of disbelief rising on his face. Slowly, without any reservations he brought his forehead to yours, looking down at you in all your snotty glory and lifting a hand to swipe at the falling tears. His voice is a whisper, deep and familiar, the same voice he used to tell stories and secrets, 

“It’s me? You promise?” 

“It’s always been you, Felix, how could it be anyone else?” 

He shudders, the hand sitting atop your cheek bone falling to your neck before he moves closer, settling his lips next to yours. Eyes lifting in a silent question, is this okay? With a nod and a close of your eyes he’s leaning in, moving to kiss you with all the desperation the moment requires. His tongue wiping up all the fallen tears as his lips moved with yours–when you were children he always kissed your wounds better, sweet pecks over bandaids and foreheads, and here he was now fixing up a broken heart–putting it back together. 

When he comes back up for air his eyes settle over your frame, flushed and hair messy from his hands, and he smiles. He’s loved you since he was a boy, since you asked to build that sand castle, 12 years old and braver than anyone he’s ever known. He’s loved you through teenage tantrums and silly crushes, it’s always been you. 

“We’ve been so silly, sweetheart.” he finally gets out, laughing at the impossibility of it all. The one secret you kept from each other being the same. Like always, exactly on the same page–telling the same story over and over again until you met in the middle. “When did you know? When did you know you loved me?” 

He’s so happy, you can feel it in the way he’s holding you, in the way his hands haven’t left your skin since they arrived. You can’t believe it, this beautiful boy is holding you. 

“That day you told me you were gonna audition… you came from the sea smiling and covered in sunshine, and I saw you for the first time–larger than life, my dream.” 

His eyes closed, and then he laughed. A great big wonderful laugh that took him away from you, falling onto his back with happy tears streaming. It was such a lovely sound you couldn’t help but join in, giggling with him even if you didn’t know why. 

When he finally speaks again his voice is still twinged with laughter, breathless and happy when he says, “You were so late” pausing to laugh, “I loved you since we were 12, you were covered in sand and I was in love.” 

You move to him quickly, settling your body on top of his as gently as you could manage, and you take in his happy face. This is what he looks like in love, not any different than he’s ever looked, but the shock of it–the fact that it’s you who he loves and is loved in return makes you want to cry again. 

This is where home is, here in his arms with your movie playing, smiling at each other in awe. There's so many moments you can share with him now, moments you shared with the moon and shooting stars, things you never thought you could tell him. Days and weeks holding a secret that he carried too. How silly you’ve both been, to deny what everyone has told you since you were children–two humans made for each other, sculpted out of the same sand. Lives entwined since that day on the beach when you asked him to build a sandcastle, how funny looking back, that you never did.

© LUVTAK 2024

#felix x reader #felix fluff #skz x reader #skz fluff #lee felix #skz felix #stray kids x reader #stray kids fluff #skz imagines #stray kids imagines #skz scenarios #felix scenarios #felix imagines #felix x you

[badcaseofcasey]

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7

If anyone asked Steve about his words, he’d say he didn’t even remember getting them. That he was so young when it happened, he can't remember. Some would tell him he’s lucky; he knows his soulmate is out there, but he doesn’t know who, so he can date and meet people freely, knowing that one day he’ll meet back up with the person he’s “meant to be with.”

Others would shake their heads in pity, tell him that it must be hard to have met your soulmate and then lost them again. To not remember that magical moment of the words buzzing across his skin as they appeared and he first caught a glimpse of his soulmate. There were entire genres of movies, books, and songs dedicated to that first moment, and he doesn’t get to remember it.

But of course Steve remembers it.

How could he forget the moment when he realized that finally, he knew for sure that there was someone out there who loved him and would keep loving him no matter what? At least, that’s how it felt when it happened, all the way back when he was in elementary school.

He had been at the park one day after school with one of the many nannies he had growing up, his parents away on  another of his dad’s business trips. Even this young, he can remember seeing the other parents at the park and wondering if it was weird that he always seemed to come with his nanny.

Steve was working on building a very intricate sandcastle in the sand box when he heard his words, and felt the accompanying prickle across his rib cage that he would later learn meant his words had snaked their way up his side.

“Hey, wanna fight a dragon with me?”

Part 2

#plz enjoy this steddie brainworm that found its way into my head #let me know if you want to read more! #i’ve been really enjoying all the ‘met as kids’ aus that i’ve been seeing lately #so here’s mine #my fic #eddie munson #steve harrington #steve x eddie #steddie fic #steddie #soulmate au #met as kids au #Stranger Things #steddie soulmate au

[1-800-imagines]

beach day | rooster bradshaw

with rooster being back at top gun teaching, it meant unlimited beach days for you and your twin boys. they were the perfect age to hang out at the beach all day as they were 4.

since the hard deck was on the beach, you usually camped out there rather than the condo you were renting, only really going inside when the boys were hungry. penny even started keeping your beach stuff at the bar for the three of you.

you sat in a chair watching nick and thomas make sandcastles to their hearts content. sometimes, on weekends, rooster would be able to sneak in and hang out with the three of you. those days were becoming less frequent as a mission was approaching and rooster was basically living on base.

you definitely missed your husband but knew the mission was crucial. you were honestly surprised that maverick wasn’t here. the boys hadn’t seen him in a few months and they were constantly asking for grandpa mav.

rooster had texted you that he and the other pilots were riding with the air force for the day and doing drills over the ocean. since you were so close to the base, you knew they would be flying over you. the boys loved to point to the planes overhead and pretend that rooster was in it. you knew they’d be extra excited that he actually was in it today.

your phone buzzed, it was a text from rooster:

bradley bradshaw ❤️: ‘heading out soon. love you’

you texted back that you loved him too even tho you know he wouldn’t see it until he was grounded again.

currently, the twins were building a sand castle village. “hey boys!” you said happily, “daddy’s gonna fly by soon.” you grinned.

the boys scrambled to their feet and ran over to sit on your lap to watch the sky.

sure enough, the sound of an airplane was flying over head only moments later. “look for daddy!” you called which made the boys beam in delight.

“i think you found him.” said a very familiar voice coming from behind you. the boys whipped around and thomas screeched with excitement, “daddy!!”

nick nearly tripped while trying to get off your lap and get to rooster. when the twins got off, you stood up and smiled at your husband, “well aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”

rooster had picked up both twins in his arms and he grinned at you, “wanted to surprise you darlin.”

he leaned in and gave you a kiss while the twins laughed. thomas wrapped his arms around roosters neck.

“howd you get a break?” you asked.

“they flew mav out to take over for today. they needed his expertise for some of the maneuvers.” rooster explained.

“does that mean grandpa mav will be staying with us?” you asked. which as soon as you said grandpa mav the boys cheered out.

“I think so, if they don’t have him sleeping on base like I was. i’m sure he’ll come crash with you guys for a few days when I have to go back.”

“well we can at least do a family barbecue or something,” you smiled, “besides he’ll probably stay with penny knowing mav.”

rooster nodded and leaned in to kiss you again, “i love you honey.”

“i love you more, bradshaw.”

and with that he took off and ran into the ocean with the twins, making your heart happy. the twins screamed and nick called out, “come in the water mommy!”

you shrugged off your coverup and walked to the water with your three boys, there wasn’t a better feeling in the world than being with the three of them.

————————————————————————

who wants a part 2?

#rooster x y/n #rooster bradshaw imagine #rooster x wife!reader #rooster top gun #rooster bradshaw fic #bradley bradshaw x reader #bradley rooster bradshaw #top gun maverick #top gun rooster #top gun imagine #top gun fic #bradley rooster bradshaw imagine

[missglaskin]

HOTD AU Concepts Masterlist Part 3/ Laenor's Daughter au

Main Series Part 1 found here Part 2 found here

Note: Daemon’s son is in this. His name is Viserion; Nickname: Vis

Reader shouting father  –----> It being Laenor 

Realizing that the reader is truly his kid 

Playing sandcastles with toddler!reader 

Laenor refusing to marry + Joffrey being a dad 

Joffrey warming up to being a father 

Does it cause trouble with other families? 

Reader becoming the heir after Laenor and Nyra's marriage 

Him and Rhaenyra using ‘y/n card’

Child!reader bonding with Viserys 

Suitors to reader 

Who would corlys choose? Prince of dorne courting reader 

Aegon wanting to participate in tourney 

Daemon pushing his son to marry the reader 

The court petition + Daemon's Son 

Reader wanting to marry all her suitors 

Fighting over the reader's maidhood Their children getting along ‘

-----> Knowing whose child each belongs to

Viserion doesn't like sharing 

Viserion expanding his borders 

#yandere hotd #yandere house of the dragon #hotd x reader #yandere concept #masterlist

[geralts-yenn]

Something like that - Part 2

Syverson (Sandcastle) x female reader (second-person pov)

summary: this is the second part of Something like that, a sequel to bonfire - Sy is finally taking you on a date. You spend the rest of the evening at the cabin with Sy

warnings: mention of previous relationship/breakup, masturbation, voyeurism, fingering, p-i-v sex, oral (f receiving), praise kink, tiny hint of breeding kink, edging, Sy in the shower

word count: 5k

A/N: I finally got around to finishing the second part of our first date with Sy. I got a lot of inspiration over the last few weeks, @martha-oi doing her best to make us all want to write for Sy 😁

Inspo board for this part can be found here!

I'd love to get some feedback. Please don't hesitate to reblog, comment, ask. Like all my fellow writers, I long for every bit of interaction with my readers. If you want to make my day, hit reblog and tell me what you think🥰

My masterlist

Part 1

Everything felt just perfect as you were snuggled into Sy's chest. You switched between talking, kissing and just listening to the crickets and each other's heart beats. From time to time, Sy pressed soft kisses on your hair.

It took you a while until you finally dared to ask what had been on your mind ever since the night at the bonfire.

“Sy?” You felt his hum vibrating in his chest. “Why did it take you so long to ask for a date? And why did you cancel it when you knew you had to leave?“

Sy took a deep breath and you knew he was searching for the right words. He pressed another kiss on your temple before he gave you his answer.

“Oh, darlin‘, how can I explain this to you without making a fool out of myself? I was scared. I was scared of fucking things up, of screwing up the one chance I finally had to get what I always wanted.“ 

You sat up straight so you could look into his eyes. “What you always wanted?”

Sy chuckled softly and rubbed his hands over your arms.  

“I was alone for a long time, there was no one that I could see myself with. And then you walked into my life and I just knew you were the one. But then I feared you wouldn’t want me. And when I was finally sure you'd give us a try, I had to leave. I panicked, thinking you’d send me a Dear John letter. And that would have destroyed me.“ He took another deep breath. 

“I guess that’s nothing to discuss on a first date, but dammit, we waited too long for anything else… I always wanted something like that.“ He gestured at you and your surroundings. “The whole package; a sweet woman, a house, a dog and a bunch of kids.” He paused, carefully studying your reaction before he went on: “And I'm still fucking scared I will mess this up!”

Your heart was thumping in your chest as you listened to his words. And when he stopped, you didn’t know what to say, so you just crushed your mouth against his and gave him a kiss that you hoped would convince him how much you wanted that, too. 

When you broke away, he glanced at you, the corners of his mouth slightly curled up. ”Does this mean I didn't scare you away with my speech?” he asked and you couldn't help but give him another peck.

"This means your speech helped you sneak deeper into my heart than ever before.” He let out a sigh and you both got back to kissing, your shoulders feeling so much lighter than before. 

***

The sun was slowly setting, and the sky changed into shades of orange and purple. You peered over the smooth surface of the lake, mirroring the warm colors. “Are we staying the night, or do we have to drive back?” 

“I would love to spend the night here, but I can also drive you home if you'd like to, sugar.” His face couldn't hide the hope he had that you wanted to stay, too. 

You got up and dropped the towel that was wrapped around your chest. “Great, I would have hated to drive home with wet hair!” Never losing eye contact with Sy, you slowly walked backwards to the end of the pier. His gaze couldn’t hide in the slightest how much he liked what he saw. Sy sucked on his lower lip and leaned forward, resting his hands on his thighs. You could have sworn you saw his cock twitch. Dipping your toe into the water, you checked the temperature and when you decided that you'd live, you turned and jumped headfirst into the lake. 

When you broke through the surface again, you heard Sy laughing and seconds later he cannonballed into the water, splashing it right into your face. 

It didn’t take long until you felt his erection pressing against your skin and you couldn’t stop thinking how you wanted him to use it, to split you open and take you. A shiver ran down your spine.

“Gosh, sugar, we’ll be freezing to death in here!” he uttered in between hitched breaths. Your head fell back in laughter. Could that big bear that always radiated heat really be cold? Wrapping your body around his, you kissed him on his neck.

“I’m gonna help you warm up, okay?” Your lip brushed over the stubble on his throat as you spoke. A deep growl was all you got as an answer before Sy pulled you closer to his chest. His tongue forced your lips open and he entered your mouth with vigor.

“You’re gonna get chilled to the bone, darlin’, let me get you out of here.” He was right, but still, you pouted because you just didn’t want to leave. This was the most beautiful and most romantic thing that had ever happened to you and you didn’t want it to be over yet.

Sy swam back to the pier with you in his arm. He climbed the ladder and held out his hand for you to take. You hadn’t even put a foot onto the wooden planks before he pulled you into his arms again Maybe it was his kiss or maybe it was the small gust of wind that brushed over your wet body, but you shuddered once more.

“Yeah, enough of that. Next time you’re trembling, it’s because I made you come on my tongue, darlin’.” Okay, perhaps you were ready to leave this romantic scene and see what else Sy had planned for you.

Sy dropped all your stuff on the couch and gave you a light slap on your bottom. “Bathroom is over there. Get into the shower, baby. I'll get a fire going, and then I’ll join you, okay?” You bit your lip in anticipation. The thought of Sy in the shower with you made you clench your thighs. 

Sy wrapped your towel around you and started to gather all the stuff the two of you had dropped on your way to the lounger. Even with his arms stuffed with clothes, he managed to open the door for you like the gentleman he was.

And when you stepped into the small cabin, you realized that you hadn’t seen the peak of cheesy romance yet today. The room in front of you was so cozy. Blankets were thrown over the old couch. The wooden floor was covered with a fluffy rug in front of a fireplace. There wasn’t a fire yet, but you knew Sy would change that soon. And the fairy lights that were glimmering on the walls made it look just so cozy. 

“Having fun in there, Sugar?” Sy chuckled, and you knew exactly how that smirk was spreading across his face, even if you couldn’t see him. The door opened and a pair of hands grabbed your hips. Sy parted your legs with his thigh, and one of his hands moved over your side until his fingers joined yours. 

“Don’t make me wait too long, Sy!” you told him before you turned to the bathroom. He was smart enough that he had switched on the small electric radiator, and you sighed as the warmth in the room settled around your body.

Gladly the water in the shower was hot too, and soon you leaned against the tiles, enjoying the water running down your back. The room was filled with steam. Your mind went back to the moment earlier today when Sy had covered you in his cum. Your fingers circled the bundle of nerves between your legs and you moaned.

“Dammit, baby, you’re so hot when you’re doing that.” His teeth sank into your neck, and he sucked on your skin, surely leaving a mark, but you couldn’t care less. His cock was hard as it pressed against your ass. 

His hand left you again when he turned you to face him. Your own moved to his chest, but Sy grabbed it and positioned it back to your pussy. He took a step back and shook his head. "Uh-uh, don't stop. I wanna watch you come over your pretty lil' fingers, sugar.” 

For a moment, you wanted to hide, feeling insecure and vulnerable with Sy's eyes on you. But as you saw him standing there, his throbbing cock standing tall, you shut your eyes and focused on your feelings. 

The sensation of your fingers, moving over your swollen pearl, applying some pressure, made you forget your surroundings quickly. Your other hand joined, gathering the slick before the water could wash it off, and you let two of your fingers slip into you. You were chasing your high, rubbing, pumping into you, desperate moans falling from your mouth.

“Just look at you, baby, doing so well. Making me so hard just from watching.” You opened your eyes again. Seeing Sy slowly fisting his cock as he watched you with hooded eyes, made you tumble over the edge, screaming his name. Your knees gave out as your pussy clenched around your fingers. Sy took you in his arms and pressed gentle kisses on your face. 

“You are the most gorgeous thing ever when you come, darlin’,“ he whispered in your ear. His cock was pressing against your hip as he cradled you in his arms and you just knew you needed to feel him once more. 

“Please fuck me, Sy!” you told him bluntly. And he didn’t need to hear it a second time. His arms wrapped around your thighs as he lifted you, and then he had you pinned against the wall, his cock slipping into your wet pussy effortlessly.

The moment it went in was always something that made you weak. But the ferocity with which Sy entered you now was so intense, it left you whimpering. Your fingers dug deep into the flesh of his back. By the way he took you, you knew there would be bruises along your spine and on your thighs tomorrow, but those would only be sweet memories of how Sy had made you see stars. 

And that he did, more than once. He fucked you relentlessly, slamming his hips into yours, accompanied by his deep grunts.

“Not gonna last much longer, sugar! You want me to come deep inside of you? Want me to fill your sweet little pussy?” Alone the thought of having his seed inside of you made your walls flutter.

“Fill me up Sy, please! I need to feel your cum dripping out of me.” There was another deep growl and he managed to get even deeper. You felt him grow bigger and shudder, and then he finally painted your pussy with his load. 

Sy carefully put you down on your feet again and pressed his forehead against yours. 

“You're making me act so hot-headed and greedy, darlin'. I promise, I will be more composed next time. Gonna take my sweet time with you.” You just couldn't hold back an incredulous laugh. 

“Are you seriously apologizing for what you did to me? For making me come multiple times? You're something else, Sy!” His cheeks were glowing red and you asked yourself if this was due to the hot water, to his efforts or if you were maybe right, thinking he looked almost shy.

While Sy was rummaging around in the kitchen, you made your way to the bedroom, deciding it was time to finally get dressed again. At least making yourself halfway decent by putting on some panties and a shirt. You hoped to get your hands on one of Sy's. But sadly, his stuff was apparently still on the couch in the living room.

You opened the wardrobe and there was a collection of comfy looking knitted sweaters and sweatpants. But those were probably Sy's cousin’s, so you took your backpack and fished for the silky camisole you had packed in the hopes of spending the night at Sy's.

With a sigh, you let yourself fall onto the bed. Your heart was so full of joy right now, it was overwhelming. Your eyes roamed through the room. It was small, the bed filling it out almost completely, but it was so comfy. There were more fairy lights draped over the headboard. You wondered how often Sy's cousin used this cabin to seduce his dates. And if Sy had done so before, too. 

This made you feel a little knot in your stomach. But you didn't dwell on it for long as you found what was lying on the bedside table.

“Sy, are you serious? A first date in a secluded cabin in the woods and then this?” As you circled the corner to meet Sy in the kitchen, you let the handcuffs dangle from your fingers.

Sy huffed in surprise, only to throw his head back in laughter the next moment.

“Guess that's my cousin's way of telling us to have fun.” You wrinkled your forehead, not sure how to take it. 

Sy wrapped his arms around you and pulled you in a hug.

“He's a good guy, a cop even. Trust me?” he asked. And of course, you did. To be truly honest, you could totally see you and Sy having fun with those. You shook your head and put the handcuffs on the table. 

Sy’s back shielded you from seeing what he was doing. You wrapped your arms around him, trying to get a glimpse over his shoulder but he shushed you out of the kitchen. 

“Why don’t you sit down in front of the fire, darlin’? I’ll be with you in a minute.” You considered the couch for a minute, but then you chose to sit down on the plushy fake fur rug. If we go for tacky romantic cliché, why not go all the way? And Sy didn’t lie when he said he’d be right there with you. Just after you settled on the floor, he was behind you, carrying two flutes of champagne in his big paw, while the other one held a bowl with strawberries. You helped him put all of it down on the antique trunk that served as a coffee table. 

It could have been perfect. If your mind had just been quiet. But sadly, your insecurities resurfaced exactly now. You really didn’t want to think about it, but you couldn’t help it. It just appeared in your head. And before you could bite your tongue, it had slipped out of your mouth.

Sy sat down next to you, pressing a soft kiss on your lips before he fed you a strawberry. The second you had swallowed, his mouth was back on yours, kissing you fiercely. “Sweet little thing you are,” he said, licking his lip.

“That’s so corny!” you laughed. “Who would have thought the big captain was such a hopeless romantic?” But to your surprise, Sy didn’t seem to be uncomfortable in any way. You’d rather say he appeared to be proud. And rightfully so. You were totally smitten with the man sitting at your side.

“So, how many girls have you already allured in this cabin with those cheesy little tricks, Sy?” What a way to kill the mood. Sy’s face changed immediately. His eyebrows were drawn together, a deep furrow formed on his forehead. He moved away a few inches. Damn, you really had to screw up this moment? You saw the disappointed expression on his face, and you knew you had to apologize. It was none of your business what Sy had done with other women before you two had started dating. You were already mumbling a few words, but Sy interrupted you by pressing his finger onto your lips. 

“Listen, baby! I shared the bed out here in this cabin only with two other people. With Walter and Evan.” Your face surely mirrored your confusion because Sy added: “My cousins!” He took one of your hands into his and started rubbing his thumb over your palm. 

“I already told you earlier. I haven’t been with someone for quite some time. If you like, I can tell you about it. Maybe it will help you realize and accept how special you are to me.” His eyes stared deep into yours, as you nodded for him to go on.

“I met Charlotte in high school. She was smart and cute, and I had the feeling that she liked me, not only as the captain of the football team, but me, my personality. She was my first love, my first everything. I thought about asking her to become my wife when I had to leave overseas for the first time. Thank god, I didn’t.”

Sy paused, catching a breath. “I had been out of the country for ten weeks when her letter arrived. I was so excited to hear from her. But then, after I had read the first sentences, I was broken. It was a Dear John letter. A classic. I’m sorry. It’s not your fault. We can stay friends. You will always have a place in my heart… I swore never to let anyone that close to my heart again. And I stayed true to that. Until I met you.” 

Your mouth felt dry. There was so much you wanted to say, but somehow no word found its way out of your mouth. Sy lifted one of his hands and brushed his knuckles over your cheek. You parted your lips once more and managed to mouth a shaky “Why me?”

Sy chuckled, his eyes drifting off, as if he was focusing on something you couldn’t see. “That day on the beach. I can’t explain why. I was mesmerized by you. The way you laughed with Megan. When I watched you reading. I just knew that you are different. I couldn’t let the chance go to learn why I was so drawn to you. And then we talked. You were so fuckin’ cute when I saw that filthy book. I wanted to kiss you and tell you that I wanted to do all those things to you. But of course, I couldn’t. I didn’t want to scare you away. And when you jumped into my arms that evening, the only thing I could think of was that I wanted to never put you down again. You should have just stayed there forever, your legs wrapped around me and your head on my shoulder. On that day, I realized that you saw me. The real me! And you liked it. I couldn’t do anything other than open my heart for you.”

“You didn’t learn all of this from your high school sweetheart, did you?” You made sure to show him an honestly amused smile. Sy raised his eyebrow with a smirk.

You practically jumped into Sy’s lap and crashed your mouth onto his. That man did not only know how to plan the perfect date, he also knew exactly how to use his words to make you fall in love with him so hard.

You made out on that stupid rug, sharing deep kisses, grinding your bodies against each other. Sy found the perfect spots for his mouth, for his hands and for his hips to drive you crazy. After you had moaned his name another time into his mouth, a new thought crossed your mind. This time it wasn’t jealousy that formed it, only upright curiosity.

“All of this?” he asked, even if he knew perfectly well what you were talking about.  With an eye roll, you gave him what he wanted to hear:

“You fuck like a sex god, Sy! How did you learn that if you were alone all the time?” A smile played on the corner of your mouth as you took in how Sy puffed out his chest at your statement.

“Sugar, I said I let no one near my heart. I didn’t say I was living like the fucking pope!”

You chuckled and ran your hand over his chest. “I like those skills, you know?” 

“That’s my good girl!” he praised you. Another few soft licks along your entrance. “That’s it, doing so good for me, baby!” 

Sy laughed. “Thought so!” His hands brushed along your sides to tickle you and you squirmed in his lap. Another gentle touch along your rib cage made you fall onto your back. Your legs were opened wide before him and your shirt had slid up to expose the underside of your breasts.

And that changed the mood in the room another time. Sy watched you with hooded eyes as your chest was heaving.

“Darlin’ you know what makes me really mad right now? We’ve been together for hours and I still haven’t gotten my mouth on your beautiful sweet pussy.” He was really pouting at you, and you couldn’t hold back a laugh. But it got stuck in your throat when Sy pulled down your panties in one swift motion and sank his head between your thighs. His arm wrapped around your waist, he held you in place while he was running his tongue through your folds. By the time he was switching between circling your sweet spot and rolling it between his lips, your screams echoed from the walls. You wriggled in the arm that was still hooked around your frame, trying to move closer to him, to find enough friction, so you could finally find your release. But Sy was having none of it; he was holding you down, giving you just the amount to keep you on the edge.

“Please, Sy! I need to come!” you begged him, but he only hummed into your mound. He kept just lapping and sucking and licking and making you go insane. A deep growl came from him, and you saw him pressing his hips into the floor in search of some release for himself. “Let me come, Sy! Please!” you screamed, frantic by now by the way he was edging you, and Sy finally had mercy. He doubled his efforts with his tongue while he pushed two fingers into you. From then, it needed just some more pumps until you came undone at last. 

Your legs were shaking uncontrollably while the rest of your body felt boneless, like you were melting into the floor. 

Sy got on his knees beside you and lifted you up as if you weighed nothing. He carried you into the bedroom and carefully put you down onto the mattress. After pressing a chaste kiss onto your head, he slid his boxers down his thighs and lay down on the bed behind you.

"You up for another round or do you need some sleep, sugar?" he asked you and by the sound of it you knew it was an honest question. He wanted you to feel comfortable, whatever it was that you needed right now.

"You promised me some love making," you told him lazily, and you could feel Sy grin into the crook of your neck, his whiskers tickling your soft skin.

"So that's what you'll get," he whispered into your ear. With another firm grip, he turned you on your back and settled between your legs. And then made up to his promise and took his sweet time. 

There were tender kisses and gentle touches. There were fingers slowly trailing along your body. Lips that brushed over sensitive skin. And words, so many lovely words that he purred into your ears. 

"I want to feel your skin on mine. I want your breath in my hair. I want your hands on my body. Every day, darlin!"

Your heart skipped a beat at his confession.

"I want that, too, Sy. I want you!" While your tongues danced with each other, you felt his cock press against your mound, and you almost regretted that you had asked him to take it slowly. 

But when he entered you, when he slowly moved, there was no regret left. You devoured his kisses, you relished his weight that was pressing you down, you savored feeling him inside of you with every of his languid strokes. This time it wasn't chasing pleasure, it was feeling each other deeply. It was making love.

***

It took you a second to remember where you were when you woke up. Your next thought was that something felt wrong. That blissful warmth that had you enveloped the whole night was gone. You opened one eye and turned to see that the spot next to you was empty. Sadness pooled in your stomach. Your arm brushed over the sheets and it felt cold. Sy had left you alone in the bed for a while already.

Pouting, you got up. Your first guess was to find him in the bathroom. To your further disappointment, the shower showed that it had been used, but the adonis-like body was nowhere to be seen. 

With a sigh, you chose to go through your bathroom routine before you carried on with your search.

And while you were brushing your teeth you took in something that you hadn't noticed until now. There was a scent of fresh baked bread lingering in the air.

Curious, you didn't bother getting dressed. You opened the door to the main room and there he was. Just in his boxers he was standing at the counter, dipping his hips to a song he was quietly humming. 

The scent of freshly baked goods was a lot stronger here. On your tiptoes you carefully approached him. You didn't want to interrupt the scene. Wanted to get as much of that picture as possible. Your man, singing in the kitchen, making you breakfast. 

Your arms were already stretched out to wrap around him when you heard his mirthful voice:

"Mornin' sugar!" He turned and pressed a kiss on your forehead. You hummed as you leaned into his touch. 

As he retreated you took in your surroundings. It wasn’t chaotic, but you could tell that Sy had been quite busy in the kitchen. There were eggshells and remains of flour on the counter, a bowl with remnants of dough was standing in the sink. You bent forward to take a glimpse into the oven. There was a whole tray full of bread rolls, already showing a golden crust.

“You didn’t get up to make homemade rolls, Sy?” you asked, even if it was obvious that he, in fact, had done exactly that. Sy pulled you back into his arms with a proud smile on his face.

“Forgot to bring bread and I was hungry. And I thought you might need some nutrients, too, after last night.” He wouldn’t ever stop being a smug bastard, and you loved him for it. Ah, no, you couldn’t say you love him, not that soon, right? Better not think about it anymore, so you decided to get back to kissing him.

Those kisses smoothly transformed into a making out session and it didn’t take long until Sy had his hands on your rear and lifted you up to sit on the counter. He glanced over to the timer of the oven and smiled. “We got another fifteen minutes. Any idea how to fill that time?” 

Your hands trailed down his back to the waistband of his boxer briefs, your fingers slipping under it, so you could cup his glorious rear.

“I might have an idea of what you could fill,” you cooed and Sy answered with a snort. He pressed his groin to your center, and you could feel that he was on board with your suggestion. Four hands were working to pull down his underwear and the next moment he lined up his swollen head at your already dripping entrance. 

The alarm of the timer went off exactly as you left the shower and Sy went for the kitchen, wrapped in a towel, not without a small slap on your butt. After you got dressed you found him on the deck. He had the bread rolls, jam, peanut butter and the strawberries that you had left behind yesterday, displayed on the table. There was a steaming mug of coffee waiting for you. 

Without hesitation, he plunged all the way into you and started to pound hard. Your pussy was sore by now, but you couldn’t care less. Gasping, you took him, as deep as he could reach. The tip of his cock brushed over your most sensitive spot with every thrust, and he had you moaning and crying out his name in no time.

You came around his cock, clenching him with your tightening walls, bringing him over the edge with you. Still connected, Sy lifted you up and carried you to the shower. He shielded you from the water with his broad back until it was warm enough. Then he put you down on your feet again and started to lather your whole body.

Sy leaned against a post and looked out over the lake, another mug of coffee in his hand. You could get used to this sight in the morning. Somehow seeing Sy like this was comforting. When he noticed you, he held out his arm and you leaned into his embrace, snuggling into his still bare chest. He pressed a kiss into your hair and mumbled: “Let’s get you something to eat, sugar.” 

You spent most of the morning sitting by the lake, talking and kissing. Sy fed you warm bread rolls and more strawberries. By the time you had finished a second cup of coffee, you both knew it was time to pack your stuff and get home. You were meant to meet Megan tonight and Sy had promised his mom to show up for dinner. 

A sigh escaped you when you stepped out of the cabin a last time and Sy locked the door. You both stared over the water once more, Sy’s arms wrapped around you tightly. “Did you enjoy this, baby?” he asked. You turned to look at him and cupped his cheek, your hand looking so small on his beautiful face.

“This was the best first date I ever had, Sy.” you told him. Sy hummed, content with your answer. “That’s good, darlin’. Because it will be the last first date you’ve ever been on.”

#something like that #syverson #captain syverson fanfic #captain syverson x reader #bonfire series #my writing

[teejaystumbles]

2 for the Corinthian, 4 for Hob, or 8 for Morpheus - dealer’s choice!! Love your art, pal 💛

"So do you still wish to live?"

not taking part in the sandcastle redraw but this idea caught ahold of me because Hob is living the dream of immortality

and if he chooses to stop -

#own art #dream of the endless #hob gadling #dreamling #the sandman fanart #palette meme #color meme

[gingernut1314]

One Piece Reading List (Pt. 1)

I have a tendency to read really good fics that I want to re-read weeks later only to find I can't find them in the void. Soooo I came up with this little reading list solution--kinda like a GoodReads vibe lol. I want to be able to share what I’ve read and be able to show my absolute love for them!! This is part 1 of this little list so there will be a part 2 (mainly cause it isn't letting me add more 😂).

I recommend every last fic on here because they are amazing and they and their authors deserve all the love in the world!!!! 🩷

↞ to One Piece Masterlist | Request Rules | Blog Navigation ↠ Part 2

Buggy: 🤡

Buggy x smuggler!reader @ay0nha

I can't keep crying @galaxycunt

Unlovable @httpwintersoldier

lady marmelade. @httpwintersoldier

Funny Business @constantmourning

Like lighting when I'm Swimming in the Sea @rorywritesjunk

Didn't Mean to Make Your Heart Blue: @wood-white-writer Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9

Kid Buggy Series: @rorywritesjunk Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6/Epilogue

The Show Must Go On: @empressofmankind Part 1 | Part 2

Mihawk: 🟡👄🟡

The Warlord and the Duchess @dino-fart

Mihawk with his S/O @writingoddess1125

On the Run @constantmourning

Bloodhound @httpwintersoldier

Let Go and Grip Me Tighter @sordidmusings

Crocodile: 🐊

Sandcastle by @sunshinescribes

Croc x Chaotic pairing by @jesterwriting

On My Silent Days, I Miss You Louder @empressofmankind

Shanks: 🍺🧑‍🦰

I want your eyes only on me @luna0713hunter

Jolly Sailor Bold @httpwintersoldier

Net @sinning-23

Confession @hiddndaydreams

Sanji: 🧑‍🍳

Sanji x Vampire!gn!Reader @jesterwriting

bon appétit, baby @httpwintersoldier

"Love Cook" @theladyofmanyfandomsfanfiction

You're being mean @buckysxgal

Commit to the Bit @writingmysanity

Luffy: 🍖

To Breath Underwater @sinning-23

Usopp: 🤥

Retwist @sinning-23

Zoro: 🗡️🥦 ⚔️

Starless @stray-kaz

Zoro Jealous @undiscovered-horizon

Imagine Your "Zoro's Keeper" @gojo-mochi

Roronoa "I could eat a peach for hours" Zoro @yourtamaki

Nami: 🍊

I kissed a girl. @miloonmetis

Multiple Characters: 🏴‍☠️

What Marriage Life would be like with the Seven Warlord of the Seas by @one-piece-aus

"I feel kinda ugly" ft. Monster Trio! @coffetears

Shake a'lil Ass by @sinning-23

Supa Freak @sinning-23

Blowing Bubbles, Blowing ZAZA @sinning-23

Zoro and Sanji have their eye on the same girl @undiscovered-horizon

One piece kisses - Monster trio @indydonuts

Bickering in Love ft. the Monster trio @indydonuts

What they might call their fem s/o @one-piece-fluff-hell

How they lost their virginity @writingoddess1125

Shanks and Mihawk...share @thus-spoke-lo

Masterlists:

Fanaticsnail's Masterlist @fanaticsnail

One piece headcanons masterlist & One piece Masterlist @httpwintersoldier

The Curious Courtship of Buggy the Clown Masterpost @sporadicthingcollection

Clipped Wings @honeybeezgobzzzzz

Something Dread, Something Red @honeybeezgobzzzzz

Sordidmusing's Masterlist @sordidmusings

#I love you alllll #I enjoyed every last fic on here greatllyyyy #and will be re-reading them for years to come #one piece #one piece live action #fic rec #divider by saradika graphics

[random-introverted-blog]

No More [Selunite!Shadowheart x F!Reader/Tav]

NOTE: THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF FLICKERS OF LOSS. Yes, I did it, thank AO3 you cowards.

Honestly, I planned more but like where it ended too much to drag it out [sandcastles next time?]

Continuation/Part 3 - Shadows of Shar

Intended Audience: Mature [it gets a teeny bit questionable but that's why the teens will ignore this rating anyway]

Who be smoochin?: Shadowheart x F!Reader/Tav (I got tired of y/n, broke my writing immersion)

The Bit: It's been a month since Selunite!Shadowheart and you escaped DarkJusticiar!Shadowheart. You haven't been sleeping well, and are struggling to adjust. It doesn't help that the wound she left on your hand, binding you to her, still torments you. Or the nightmares you have nearly every time you lay down. Or that you have few memories of your prior life with Selunite!Shadowheart to guide you.

Warnings/Advisories: Fluffy hurt comfort. You're going through it, lingering Stockholm Syndrome is making your thoughts questionable at times, one of your nightmares gets pretty spooky, you're still pretty damn brainwashed and your girlfriend is mega supportive. Mildly graphic detail of a relived memory, a distinct lack of sandcastles (sorry guys it was mostly written by the time it was suggested BUT... maybe next time? NO PROMISES)

Words, all the word (count): 2,583, baebeeeee

Link to the AO3 page if you prefer reading there

MINIMAL EDITING - WE FORGET AND DIE LIKE SHARRANS (AGAIN)

Providing a continuation I didn't think I'd actually write I'm 3...2...1...

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Absentmindedly, your fingertips brushed over the wounds on your hand, staring into the darkness of the night surrounding the cottage. The rough texture of the log you've perched yourself on helped keep your mind from wandering too far while the chirping of crickets and hooting owls provided a beautiful, calming melody.

Dawn would break in two or so hours. You think. It was still odd, having to relearn things that came so simply to others. There was no need to memorize the lights in the sky when you seldom found yourself beneath them.

Twinkling and bright, they soothed something in you. Sure, the moon was beautiful, and you'd always be eternally grateful for everything Selûne has done. After all, it was her amulet around your neck that provided enduring guardianship over you. But sometimes... you just wanted the sparkling freckles scattered along the dark canvas of the night sky.

But your mind always wandered back to where it shouldn't. Or maybe it should. It was still so hard to tell. Even as you trace the shapes scarred into your flesh, something inside you... ached. Was that man hurting her? Does he make sure she has her black velvet tea stuff in the morning? Does she miss you?

Like you miss her...

Gods, how pathetic can you be?

A searing, throbbing burst of pain surges across your nerves from your hand, spreading up your arm and finally subsiding at your elbow. The scars-turned-sigils flickering a brief violet, while you wince and hiss. You were getting better at tolerating the pain...

Familiar footfalls crunched the leaves and twigs leading to your log. The first time, you jumped and darted into the woods. Found only when your wound flared so intensely, you screamed. The times after that, you jumped.

You've started to relearn the feeling of her presence, like a warm embrace that lingers in your memory. Differentiate it from what you were trained to know.

She took a seat beside you, positioning herself on your right. Close enough, you could feel her, distant enough to avoid suffocating you. The soft rustle of her clothing barely registered amidst the ambient songs of the evening. Silence enveloped her but was not unexpected, as she occasionally left you to your own musings. Just by being there, she effortlessly offered endless support. Provide soothing reassurance, an attentive ear or a warm shoulder - Whatever you needed, she would make sure you had it. It was one of the first things she taught you.

Though... recovery was still difficult. Part of you wanted to hear her. Scoot closer until you could feel her warmth. All you had to do was ask. Reach out for her. You weren't sure how to do much of that yet, but you wanted to try... you wanted to so badly. "I... don't want to sleep anymore." The words escape your lips in a hushed murmur, echoing the reason behind your presence in this place, reminding you why you're out here in the first place. And you fought desperately to shut it out.

"I know." She whispers, tone brimming with empathy. As you glance sideways, you can see her eyes locked on you, watching your every move. "But you need to. Running from it won't heal you, my love." Her hand moves closer to you, silently asking for permission.

All you do is return your hand to your side on the log, and Shadowheart does the rest. Her fingers delicately traced the contours of your hand as she slid hers over yours. You hesitantly meet her eyes, feeling a surge of nervous anticipation. All the warmth and happiness you wanted so badly was now laid bare and raw before you. Ready for you to come to your senses, get over yourself and...

Again, but worse this time. Your arm throbbed intensely, the pain spreading from your hand and into your shoulder, igniting a blazing fire pulsating through your entire body. It felt as though invisible knives were mercilessly carving your skin, prompting an involuntary cry of agony for just a fleeting moment before you quickly stifled it by clenching your teeth, your eyes screwed tightly shut.

You're barely aware of Shadowheart's hands clasped around yours, closer to you now, her soft-spoken words of affection and comfort. "Shh," she coos warmly, trying to soothe you. "It'll pass... just breathe. Shh... I'm right here, listen to me and breathe, love..." As your hand relaxes between hers and your breathing finds a steady rhythm, she can't help but smile. "There... See? Already passed." Shadowheart adds, placing a delicate peck to your temple, sending a warm tingle down your spine.

"Mine is bound to..."

"I know..." She cuts you off gently, rubbing soft circles on your hand. "This is the most she can do to you now. And the more you reclaim of yourself, the less this will matter. I promise."

Giving your hand a gentle squeeze before rising to her feet and gently pulling you with her. You don't fight her.

Leading you back inside, she playfully shoos away a dog lingering at the door, giggling quietly as it scampers off. A frown briefly creases your lips, wishing you could recognize the animals as much as they recognized you.

As she led you up the stairs to your bedroom, she made sure to keep your hand in hers, providing a constant sense of comfort until you reached the bed. She lifts a cat from your side of the bed and settles it on the floor before reaching for you to help you in. But she reads the look on your face, smiles almost apologetically and settles for just holding your hand until you sit on the edge of the bed.

Once you appear to relax, she gracefully rounds the bed and climbs in on her side, the mattress sinking slightly beneath her weight. Her eyes burning into your back as you sit there, hesitating. "Love, please..."

Her fingers lightly graze your exposed shoulder, causing you to flinch involuntarily. Shadowheart pauses, and you cringe at the hurt you sense radiating from her now still hand. But she tries, so slowly and timidly. "I'll be right here, sweetheart. Whatever comes, you won't face it alone this time. I swear..."

The tenderness in her voice is so different from the harsh commands you've come to expect. It's like a balm to your wary mind and you carefully ease yourself down to rest your head on the pillow.

For a split second, you're staring at the dark ceiling of that place and your core twitches in anticipation, ready to give everything and anything she wants of you.

A warm hand settles over yours, its touch so gentle that you don't notice your own trembling until she holds them steady. "You're safe here." Shadowheart reassures, voice barely above a whisper beside you. Nights have been difficult for the entire month you've been here, beset by restless sleep and haunting dreams. Surely it was wearing on her, this constant need to comfort and ground you... But here she was, just as patient and present as she was the first night. Not so much as implying a single complaint, passive or otherwise. "Can I hold you?" She asks, voice deliberate and measured, like the very words would startle you into the woods.

You offer a subtle nod, the faint sound of your affirmation barely audible in the room. As you do, you notice her cautious shuffle, the soft rustling of her moving across the bed. The moonlight through the window behind the bed casts a gentle glow, illuminating her hands, which she purposefully positions within your line of sight. You can sense her deliberate awareness, her conscious effort to ensure her actions remain visible. Gradually, she encircles you with her arms, her touch conveying a tender and guarded embrace. The scent of her envelops you - lavender and night orchids - adding a touch of familiarity.

She would never have... your body was hers to suit her whims...

"You're safe here..." Shadowheart whispers into your ear, returning you to the cottage. The present. Her nose gently presses into the crook of your neck, the warmth of her breath a soft caress you fixate on as your eyelids drift closed.

The initial darkness is hushed and welcoming, like a gentle whisper in the night... until it's not.

Until it's frigid and gripping at your limbs so tight, you almost lose feeling in them... Until they're pulling at the seams of you, tearing at you and boils your blood hot enough you swear your skin is melting off your bones like wax off a wick. You would scream if your mouth were allowed to open. "You've strayed, pet..." the icy voice scolds, her tone low. From the depths of the darkness, a faint silhouette emerges, steadily approaching you. "And we both know deep down that's not your honest desire."

Closing the distance between you, She emerges and looms above, her presence dominating. You realize now you're on your knees, with a sense of vulnerability washing over you.. Wearing her black robe you could still vividly envision even without seeing it. "Recall your prayer of contrition, when you first came to the Nightsingers' embrace."

You do, and the sharp pang of unmitigated anguish shoots through you. "When you wavered at the altar, when you turned away from her and hesitated to send Nyxara to her endless dark." It's as if a floodgate opens, and the memory of your first friend in the cloister rushes in. And your first act of wickedness to earn your place in it.

How She had to take your hand and drive the blade into her chest. The ghostly touch of tears streaming down your face lingers, as if they were shed just moments ago. You could almost still feel her heart beating its last into your palm through the dagger, as if you were still holding it. Could nearly feel the warmth of her life ebbing away in your hand.

You were permitted a pass only because She needed you initiated as soon as possible. But you had to pray for hours, the soft murmurs of your pleas mingling with the soft rustle of her robe as She circled you. Watched over you. Ensured your prayers were offered with utmost deference and reverence. Punishing you with your wound if you slipped in fervor.

Before you were called again to sacrifice Umbric, your only other friend. Your last one. Both a second chance to do it properly, and to repent of your failure... No more attachments. Only Shar. Only Her.

You knew better than to make friends after that.

Her slow crouch brought her eyes, icy green and intense, to meet yours, leaving you feeling completely powerless, entranced and held captive by her gaze. "Recite it. Recite it and repent for forswearing your faith to Lady Shar." The demand feels impossible to ignore, your mouth returning to you and an expectant glare follows.

"Mistress Shar, in the shadow of loss, I beseech your forgiveness. Forgive my faltering..."

"Tav!"

Your body lurches forward, drawing in a deep breath that fills your starving lungs. You feel your entire body trembling until warm, comforting arms encircle you. Offering a sense of security and safety. "I've got you, you're okay..."

"F-forgive my faltering faith, Mistress Shar—"

"Tav, no," Shadowheart says firmly, "come back to me, my love, I know you're stronger than her..." the stifled tremor is enough to clear the fog in your mind. "You're more than a puppet for her amusement. You always have been..." pressing a soft kiss to the top of your head before nestling her nose in your hair. Drawing you deeper into her arms.

Recite it.

"I... don't want to..." Finally you break, the intensity of your training and your hunger for this new way of life conflicting so fiercely it overwhelms you.

Without further clarification, she amazingly understands. "No, my love, you don't have to. Not anymore... Never again." Shadowheart mutters into your hair. Holding you tighter when she feels the wet warmth you're bathing her shirt in. "Gods, I'm so sorry," she mutters, her voice filled with a self-reproach. "I should have done more, planned better, gotten to you sooner..."

You don't think, not really. You just act. Like you know already. The motions are a blur, but you know you pull back just enough... then your lips are on hers. She takes a moment to gather herself, but eventually eases into the moment and reciprocates. And it's unbelievably amazing.

The way she kisses you is sweet and tender, as if she wants to savor every moment with you. How she touched you, looked at you, now kissing you, like you were the most cherished and adored person in the world. Her lips against yours is so soft and electrifying that it sends wonderful shivers down your spine, and your body tingles in bliss.

There's no teeth, no pain, no blood. Only the warmth of her mouth moving slowly with yours like a delicate caress. Her hands are soft on your back, maintaining the security her arms provide you. It's everything beautiful that your stunted memory can recall of her kisses, and more... and you never want her to stop, craving for more. How have you gone this long without realizing how indescribably incredible she is?

But surely she does, if ever slightly. Neither of you seems ready to fully disconnect from each other. Your eyes remaining closed. "No more..." you whisper quietly.

"No more..." Shadowheart echoes just as quietly. Her lips twitching slightly, one hand brushing away a few lingering tears from your cheek. "Not anymore." Pressing a small kiss to your lips. "Never again." And another before her smile spreads wider.

Shadowheart gracefully maneuvers you both again to lie down in bed. This time you're practically on top of her, your face nuzzled into her shoulder. You gently weave your fingers through her smooth, flowing white hair, which partially cascades over her other shoulder, eliciting both a smile and a small sigh of appreciation from her. Mesmerized by her beauty, you can't help gawk in awe. Bathed in the ethereal glow of the moonlight streaming through the window, she looks absolutely radiant.

Her hand, still playing with the hair behind your head, guides you to rest on her shoulder. Securing you against her with her arm.

The memory crosses your mind and though you tense a moment; it doesn't... hurt as much as you've come to expect. Shadowheart gently tightens her arms in silent reassurance, and you respond by wiggling impossibly closer to her. The last thing you want is for her to think you feel or appreciate nothing she's done.

Instead, you gently drape your arm over her waist, feeling a sense of belonging and protection, as your mind wanders to Shadowheart... Your Shadowheart, savoring how your body melds so perfectly with hers. The adventures you must have shared. Wondering if there's a way to get those memories back.

Shadowheart fills all the dark corners of your thoughts, leaving no room for her to overrun your peace of mind. Before long, the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest, her steady breathing, has created a soothing lullaby that lulls you back to sleep.

This time, you're welcomed by a soft radiance and a soothing warmth.

In your fragmented memory, you can't recall a time when you've slept as soundly as you do now, peacefully drifting into a deep slumber.

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A/N: Wowowow okay hi. I didn't honestly expect to write anything beyond where it ended. Nothing public anyways. But AO3 asked very nicely (thanks!) for a continuation. I honestly intended this to be a beefy one but really liked the vibe and way it ended. Ya get what ya get. Quality over quantity, yeah?

Thanks again to everyone who likes, reblogs, replies, supports this little project in anyway you deem worth your time! And with that... Unpopular writer, awayyyy...

#baldur's gate 3 #baldur's gate #bg3 #shadowheart #baldurs gate 3 #baldurs gate shadowheart #baldurs gate fanfiction #shadowheart x tav #bg3 shadowheart #dark justiciar shadowheart #dark justiciar shadow heart #dark justiciar #ao3 baldurs gate #baldurs gate #baldurs gate romance #baldurs gate tav #baldur's gate romance #i will let the rot consume me #i am the goddess queen of rot

[red-dead-sakharine]

Raphael x Tav/Reader (gn)

Dinner plans - Part 2 (good ending)

hurt/comfort, pining, slight fluff

The vote looks quite clear, so I just ploughed ahead 😉

> Part 1 <

He turned his back on the camp - on you - to leave. A few paces further and no one would even hear him swoosh away.

He didn't realize how his fists clenched. Hope's voice invaded his mind now, "Eat. Shit." his brow furrowed, "Stuff your maggoty tongue in some other woman's ear." His jaw clenched, and he was barely able to keep himself from exploding into his cambion form in a burst of angry flames-- "Raphael!"

He closed his eyes. Now it was your voice in his head again. He should never have come here. The sooner he was back in Avernus, the better, and so he picked up the pace.

"Raphael, wait!"

He stopped. The voice wasn't just in his head - but he didn't dare to turn around. To expose the damnable feelings he couldn't keep from showing on his face right now.

There were steps behind him in the soft grass. He'd know that pace anywhere. There was a distinct rhythm to your walk, he would have been able to pick out from a crowd of a hundred people with ease.

"I thought it was you. Almost didn't recognize ya, in that fancy outfit. Since when are you creeping through the dark?" He heard the smirk in your voice. Were you quoting his own poem back to him? No, certainly not. The choice of words was coincidence, for sure. His mind was set. He wouldn't inflict this torment upon himself again.

He took a breath to steady his voice, "I was on my way to you, little mouse, but business calls me elsewhere. I have a war to fight, after all." Yes. Good. He sounded just as charmingly non-chelant as he had intended. He'd be damned, if he'd give you any hint of how he truly felt.

"Oh." Was that disappointment in your voice? "I had hoped, you'd join us celebrating."

He forced out a scoff, "As if I had the time to waste on such a sorry excuse of a celebration." Good. That shut them up. Now all he had to do was say something grandiose in parting, and he could teleport away.

His eyes dropped down to your face, as you stepped around and in front of him. Damn you.

"I'm sure anything you could set up would be much more impressive, but we had to make do with what we've got. Stay. Please? This is as much your victory, as it is ours."

It took all the self-control he had, to keep his face neutral, while his insides felt like an orthon was step-dancing on his stomach. You wanted him to stay. You wanted his company. 'Please'? You wouldn't have said that, if you weren't serious. Not like this; not with this tone. As much as he wanted to stay mad, to cling to the decision he had made earlier, to leave and start his war, and never think of you again, his resolve was crumbling faster than a dry sandcastle.

And with every passing second he spent looking into those beautiful eyes of yours, that longing, he had tried so hard to suppress, bubbled up in him and threatened to overtake him, and ruin his composure. Damn these unruly feelings!

"And what, pray tell," why was it so hard to keep his voice casual now?, "would I do at this party of yours? Drink awful, cheap wine, and have boring conversations with your companions, who don't want me there any more than I want to be in their company."

Good, yes. That sounded appropriately pejorative.

You looked dejected, and for a moment that invisible orthon was kicking his insides again. But then that spark returned to your eye - that spark he enjoyed so much. That spark of unbreakable determination.

"You could recite some poetry," you offered with an honest smile, "I always enjoyed your little rhymes."

That stupid orthon was grabbing his heart in its fist now, and squeezed it like a lemon. Damn this - whatever this was! Damn you, for making him feel sick!

"Oh, did you now?" he raised a brow at you, doing his damnedest to keep the casual tone, "And what would you have me recite? Do you expect me to compose a verse to your heroic victory over the elder brain?" His voice dripped with sarcasm and he made the idea sound absolutely ludicrous, but he had, indeed, written down some rough verses featuring you. Not that he would ever admit that.

"No," you chuckled, "I can't really picture you singing verses to my glory. But I'd bet a hundred gold pieces that you wrote something about the crown."

His composure was cracking, and he was certain that it showed on his face despite his best efforts. How did this stupid mortal know him so well? Understand him so well? Of course he had written about the crown. He needn't mention that it was in the same poem that heralded him as the glorious new archdevil supreme, with his little mortal hero at his side.

It took him a moment too long to respond, and he could see that mischievous glint in your eye, and that smirk on your lips. You knew, you were right. And you knew that you had him.

"Come" you said, and he felt his arm rise, as you started walking, and looked down to find your hand in his, dragging him after yourself towards the camp, "Have at least one glass of awful wine with me, and if you're really having such a bad time, I'll let you go."

'Let me?' I can go whenever I damn well please! he thought, as he followed you; his hand still in your clutches.

He wanted you to never let go again.

▶️ Continue

#bg3 #raphael #fanfiction #hurt/comfort #whump #raphael x tav #raphael x reader #fluff #raphael bg3 #bg3 raphael #baldur's gate 3 raphael #raphael baldur's gate 3 #raphael the cambion #rds #baldur's gate 3 #baldurs gate 3

[starcrossedxwriter]

Falling Apart Part 2 (MBJ x Famous Black OC)

Warnings: mentions of pregnancy loss

A/n: I'm really excited about this one. Enjoy!

The silence of Michael’s drive home was broken by the chimes of FaceTime. He immediately answered it as his mom’s name passed across the screen. 

“Hey ma, what’s up?” 

“Nothing. I just wanted to see how you and Charlie were doing?” 

Michael could not stop the humorless chuckle that escaped his lips. He was not sure how to tell his mother that they were doing terribly. It had been a week since their fight on set and all the couple knew was a coldness, tension everyone around them could feel and avoided like the plague. They usually had great communication but once one of them put their walls up, their perfectly running machine ground to a screeching halt. It was rare when it happened but when it did, it was bad. 

They only interacted on set when needed, the pair barely speaking unless it was to discuss work. Even right now, he had been driving around aimlessly, avoiding the icy winter that plagued his home. He knew he should not be avoiding Charlotte but until he had a better plan or she was willing to open up, he did not have the energy to be ignored for hours on end every single day. He now knew how she felt when he pushed her away last year, however, his reasoning was far less righteous. 

He tried to break the tension every once in a while, asking her how she was feeling and checking in when she seemed like she was in pain or upset. But his efforts only resulted in short one word answers. Occasionally, he could hear soft sobbing while she was in the shower or from the couch in the dead of the night. But when he tried to comfort her the first time, she just pretended he had misheard and refused to discuss it. From then on, he just gave her her space. He would just lay there and listen, fighting the urge to see about her. That was the hardest part. He was wholly unaccustomed to her rejecting him in that way. He loved being her soft place to land, her comfort and safety, her arms to retreat to when she was struggling. 

But she would not yield, refusing to show him any vulnerability or emotion. Vulnerability had always required minimal coaxing and prying from Charlotte but it had been so long since she shut him out to this degree, since she refused to let him help her. However, he knew only time and space would break down her walls. So as hard as it was, he gave her that, hoping time would ease her pain and soften her resolve.

“It’s… it’s not great. We’re both takin’ it hard.” 

“How are you?” 

He let out a low whistle and shook his head. He kept his eyes trained on the road, avoiding his mom’s expectant and loving eyes. He was a mama’s boy at heart, his mother always knew how to cut through the layers to get to the heart of whatever ailed him. And right now, he needed that.

The real answer, not ok, felt totally insufficient. Fatherhood had always been a dream of his, something he yearned for. Finding out Charlotte was pregnant had been one of the happiest moments of his life to date. In his mind, he saw their child and their future family as clear as a movie playing out in front of him. They had only known for a few short weeks but they had started to plan, wrapping up so much excitement and hope into that precious growing life. And in an instant, it was gone. No rhyme or reason, washed away as quickly and randomly as a sandcastle on the beach. And Michael had been fortunate not to experience a great deal of grief in his life but this pain felt unbearable. 

And those quiet moments when Charlotte was asleep were his only opportunities to mourn this person they never got to meet. When he was not quietly mourning, he could only feel concern and worry for his wife, who was not processing her own grief at all..  

“I dunno, ma. J-just worried about Els.” 

His mom shook her head. “I didn’t ask about Charlie. I’m a mother, I know how she’s doing. I asked how you are doing.” 

The back of his hand wiped a falling tear. “I don’t know… I’m mad, I’m disappointed, I’m sad. And I know we can try again but seeing how Els is doing… I dunno if I even want to. I don’t think I can watch her go through this again.”

The call fell silent for a moment, his mother mulling over his words on the other end of the call. Michael watched as cars whipped through the intersection he was stopped at as he waited for her to say something, to impart her usual maternal wisdom that he still sought out and desperately needed at his old age. 

“Have you two talked about any of it yet? Your feelings and hers?” 

“She doesn’t want to talk to me, ma. I’ve tried and I’ve tried but she just acts like I’m not even there. She’s just throwing herself into work like nothing happened. It feels like she’s angry with me or somethin’…” 

“She isn’t mad at you, Bakari… she’s mad at herself.”

“Why would you think that? She didn’t do anything wrong.” 

Donna shrugged, leaning back in the rocking chair Michael bought for their backyard. “Just a woman’s intuition. I just see a lot of myself in her. I remember when I first married your dad. I used to believe I didn’t deserve him so I tried to be perfect. The perfect mom and wife, felt like I could never mess up or fall down or be vulnerable. You kids were damn near out of the house before I let that go. When I first met Charlie, I saw the same thing in her. A woman madly in love with someone she did not feel she deserved.”

Michael sighed, his hand gripping the steering wheel in frustration. “I know she felt that when we first got together but it’s been 3 years, we’re married now. And been through too much for her to still believe that.”

“I know yall are basically an old married couple but three years isn’t a long time when stacked against decades of insecurity, Michael. She may not feel it all the time but doubts linger like weeds. You can pull ‘em up and they’ll be gone for a while but they’ll just grow back eventually. You’ve been working for most of your life and you still doubt yourself, right? It’s the same thing. And I imagine this only amplified those doubts for her. So it’s hard to be vulnerable or share her feelings with you when every voice in her head is shouting at her that she failed you. So she pushes you away because that’s less painful than going to you and you affirming those feelings.” 

Michael put the car in park as he pulled into his parking spot. 

“I would never. You know how much I love and adore her, ma. I-I know we had plans and everything but I’d give every last one up for her. She’s it… she’s everything. I can imagine life without kids but I can’t imagine one without her.” 

“I know. And Charlotte knows that too. Just give her time. Take it from me, this ironclad facade always shatters at some point. You just need to be there to help put the pieces back together when it does.” 

“Always.” 

“You’re a good boy,” she offered. “Always have been. And a good husband. She knows how much you love her. But the pain she feels is unbearable and that girl… she’s been through so much and her default seems to be to go at it alone. I think she is just struggling to work through that. Just give her time and space, like she did for you.”

He nodded. “I hear you, ma. Well, I just pulled up to the apartment so let me go inside and see about my girl. I’ll call you tomorrow, aight? Tell pops I said what’s up.” 

“Sounds good, love you.” 

“Love you too.” 

His head fell back onto the headrest as his mother’s words cycled through his head. He had thought her statement about being a failure was just a reaction in the heat of an argument. He could not believe she actually thought that to be true. He knew he should listen to his mother and give her space but he couldn’t let another evening go by like this. He could not do anything to end their grief, only time could do that. But he would not let her sit with feelings of failure and disappointment longer than she needed to. So he was resolved as he entered the house to get her to talk to him, to push if needed until she gave him something… anything. 

“Hey,” he offered as he walked into the house, Charlotte sitting on the couch with her notebook and script. 

“Hey.” Her eyes did not even leave her paper to truly acknowledge him. She just continued flipping through her script, scribbling in the margins. 

He threw his bag down by the entryway, his keys clanging lightly against the counter as he tossed them. He stood by the counter to study her for a moment, examining the pout on her face, the furrow in her brow, the redness and puffiness in her eyes. She had been crying. He scratched the back of his head for a moment before walking over to sit in the armchair by the couch. 

“You good with take out tonight?” He asked.

“Whatever you want,” she answered, still not fully acknowledging him or his presence. 

He watched her for a few moments before deciding to break the ice. “The perpetual winter around here is getting a bit hard to deal with, babe.” 

She sighed, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Michael.” 

He scoffed and shook his head. “You don’t know what I’m talkin’ bout? How about the fact that you don’t talk to me, you don’t touch me. You don’t let me touch you -” 

“Hmm… that sounds super familiar. Wonder where I’ve heard that before?” She muttered, cutting him off. The dig was below the belt and went against their usual rule of not bringing up past issues that they resolved in new arguments. However, the walls were too high for her to recognize that.

Michael’s eyes narrowed as he caught her statement. “Gonna ignore that cause you’re hurting but bringing up old shit doesn’t change what’s happening right now. You cry in the shower and out here at night and don’t let me comfort you. You act like I’m not even here. We can’t keep going like this. You need to talk to me.”

She tossed her notebook to the side in annoyance, her legs swinging off the couch. She slid them into her slippers and tried to disappear to their bedroom, her agitation only growing as she heard him follow behind her. She knew he would not stop, he had that look in his eye. Persistence. He would continue pushing until she broke down. And she was not ready to, not yet.  

“There’s nothing to talk about.” She grabbed the dry cleaning she had discarded on their bed earlier, hoping the act of hanging up their clothes would distract her and help her maintain this nonchalant facade. 

“We lost a baby, Charlotte. That isn’t nothing.” 

“You know, you don’t need to fucking remind me!” She snapped as she walked into their closet. “I was there. I was the one bleeding and in agony for fucking days because of it.” She let out a deep shaky sigh and turned away from him to calm herself. She knew her tone was reaching dangerous levels and was not how she and her husband spoke to each other. “So I’m well aware of what happened. But talking about it isn’t gonna change it o-or fix it so there’s n-no point. The doctor said we can try again as soon as I have my next cycle. And we will, I’ll get pregnant again and give you a baby. I-I j-just want to forget a-about it and try again. That’s it. End of discussion.” 

“I don’t wanna just try again like you’re a baby factory and pretend like this didn’t happen. It’s fuckin’ sad and it’s ok to be sad and wallow in it for a minute, to grieve something we both wanted and lost. And you pushing me away like this only makes it harder. Just talk to me, Charlotte. Please.” 

Her eyes clenched shut and her hands stilled, her task of putting away clothes short lived and futile. All the feelings she had desperately tried to suppress came flooding back. This time, they were stronger, louder, and harsher. She had found safety in the eye of this particular tornado, where the harsh winds and storm could not affect her. She knew she could not stay there forever and eventually, she would have to feel everything. But she was not ready yet. However, her husband’s pushing and meddling was not giving her much of an option. The winds and rain whipped against her and pulled her deeper and deeper into the depths of the storm and she just felt like she would get blown away if she gave in.

“W-what do you want me to say??” She let out an exasperated sigh. “Y-You want me to apologize a-again? I-I’m sorry! I’m s-sorry my body is failing you a-and failing us and I’m failing you a-and can’t give you t-this. I’m s-sorry,” she sniffled, shaking her head as she made her way to their bed to sit down. “A-and I'll probably feel s-sorry a-and guilty for putting you t-through this for the rest of my life or until I give you another baby. So that’s what I’m focused on. Now. can we p-please just leave it alone?” 

Her voice cracked as her head fell into her hands. She could not look him, she hadn’t looked him in the eye fully since the hospital. Every day since had been a fight, a fight not to acknowledge the true extent of this agony. Charlotte had felt a lot of pain in her life, but this particular one hit her soul differently. And any acknowledgement of that would make her pain real, her shame and guilt real. She had tried but she could not even accept Michael’s comfort and his care because doing so would be acknowledging she had failed him. Instead, she just wanted to be strong so she could fix it and undo what happened. There was no room to buckle or break, no room to wallow. 

Michael approached the bed and crouched down in front of her. His hands rested on the sides of her bare thighs, rubbing them lightly. This was the most he had touched her in a week, he had missed it. 

“Baby… I don’t need or want an apology and I don’t accept it. You have nothing to be sorry for. I just want you to be ok and to let me in. I know this shit is hard and it hurts like hell but whatever you’re feeling is safe with me. You’re safe with me, always. Fall and I’ll always catch you. Every single time.” 

His calloused hands wiped away a falling tear. She knew his words were true. If there was one thing Bakari had always been, it was constant and unwavering. Everything God and life threw at Charlotte, him, or their relationship, he stood like a tree, unmovable and sturdy. To this day, no storm, no matter its strength, had moved him an inch. He never failed in protecting her and holding her up, even when he was struggling himself. But that persistent voice of doubt in her head, that voice that still criticized whether she truly deserved someone so loving, was often louder than all the examples of his unwavering love for her. That voice made her believe this was finally the storm that moved him and took him away from her. 

“I can’t…” her voice was faint like a small child. He could tell she wanted to fall apart so badly but was holding the unraveling strings together with hope and prayer that he would leave her be. But he wouldn’t, not like this. 

“Yes, you can.” 

“No… I lost our b-baby,” her voice broke. “It’s a-all my fault. You were so e-excited a-and… I know y-you hate me. I hate myself. I can’t even look at you.” 

He could barely make out the last couple of words, her sobs making them incoherent. He understood enough though. 

“Els… honeybee, I could never hate you. This isn’t your fault. It’s not anyone’s fault. There’s no reason or cause and nothing we could’ve done differently.” 

Even as he spoke and offered words Charlotte had heard from the doctor himself, she did not believe him. “Y-You told me to slow down and I d-didn’t. Y-You told me to take m-more breaks a-and I didn’t. A-and I’m j-just t-terrified t-” she paused. “W-what if th-this means I c-can’t-” her voice broke as she tried to voice one of the fears that plagued her day in and day out. It was difficult to even put it to words. “T-this is supposed to be e-easy a-and natural and maybe t-this means I can’t do it? A-and then y-you’ll leave m-me a-and I w-wouldn’t even b-be able to blame y-you.”

He hung his head.“Look, maybe we could’ve done something different but maybe you could’ve done everything I asked and we would’ve still ended up here. There’s no way to know and… it doesn’t matter. It’s no one’s fault. You took the best care of yourself that you could, it just… God had other plans. And it’s ok to be sad about that but it’s not ok to torture yourself for something no one could control. And I don’t know how many ways I gotta tell you that you’re stuck with me, girl. I’m not going anywhere ever.” He shook her legs, causing her to let out a watery giggle. 

The back of her hand rubbed against her nose as she laughed, her eyes finally meeting his. 

“I j-just want to try again, Bakari. I j-just want to move on and try again so I-I can stop feeling l-like I f-fucked everything up. It just hurts so m-much… I w-was so excited. A-and I’m j-just scared I’m gonna lose you if I d-don’t fix it. A-and it’s j-just all too much a-and eating me alive.” 

He hated how lowly she felt of herself. Charlotte’s doubts and insecurities had waned over the years, thankfully. So much so, he had thought she had put all that to rest. But his mother was right, the doubt that his love was conditional and fickle still lingered, she just chose to live with it silently. 

He sat next to her on the bed, his fingers interlacing with hers.

“I want to be a dad, that’s true. Wanted that my whole life. But you know what I want more than anything else? You.” His finger lifted her chin so she was looking him in his eyes again. “You are my Sun, my universe doesn’t operate, revolve, or function without you. And as long as I got you, I have no doubts that we can figure out the rest. I would give up every plan for you in a heartbeat. You gotta know that by now. You can’t fail me and your body isn’t failing you. It’s just gonna take time and the good thing is, we got all the time in the world.” He kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll wait as long as it takes for you to be ready and healthy again. You don’t gotta pretend it didn’t happen or try to get pregnant tomorrow to keep me around. The only plan that’ll never change is that I’m gonna spend every day of my life loving you. It’s us till the end of the line, baby. You gotta start believing that though. I love you with everything I got and it kills me that you don’t see it,” he admitted. 

She nodded, letting out a deep sigh as if his words had lifted 10 pounds off her shoulders. “I know… you l-love me. Y-You’ve j-just always b-been so perfect… s-still hard to not feel like…” she scratched her head. “Sometimes I j-just worry I’m not enough f-for you. And w-when this happened, I j-just thought you’d finally r-realize it too. I’m s-sorry for that. And h-how awful I’ve been to you,” she whispered. “I g-guess I thought if I let you in a-and admitted I wasn’t ok, it’d make it all real a-and you’d just affirm everything I thought. I w-was wrong and I’m sorry.” 

He smiled. “That’s an apology I’ll gladly accept. And it's ok, I knew you were hurting.” 

She shook her head. “It’s not ok b-but I’m glad you c-can forgive me. I w-was so wrapped up in my own pain, I ignored yours. I know t-this has been painful for y-you too.” 

He pulled her into a hug, Charlotte soaking up the warmth she had denied herself for too long. 

“It is but we’ll get through it together. Like we always do.” 

The ice slowly but surely melted throughout the Jordan household as the evening progressed. Though it had been hard, she was thankful Michael pushed and prodded, thankful neither of them could be without the other for too long. 

By the time they laid down, Charlotte felt better than she had since the miscarriage emotionally. It had been such a relief to release those feelings into the space. Scary but Michael did what he always did, he affirmed and assured her. She also knew that, if they were going to take this next step, she had to start to believe she deserved this life and him. He proved time and time again that he was not going anywhere. She knew she needed to start believing that. 

Charlotte laid in his arms, silence filling their bedroom. However, neither of them were asleep, she just stared at the wall across from their bed and listened to the soft thumps of his heart, a soothing drumbeat in her ear. 

“I think you are gonna be a great dad,” she whispered, his grip tightening around her as if to pull her closer to him, if that were possible. “You’d know exactly how to comfort them and rock them to sleep. I… had a feeling it was a girl? Though I suppose that was wishful thinking a-and I know you shouldn’t have a preference. I would’ve been just as happy with a boy. But I dunno. Since I didn’t really have a mom, I think I’d love to do all the things I missed with her? I wrote a song for her and everything… I was gonna sing it to her when I held her at all the ungodly hours she would have us up. Because how could s-she not be a night owl with restless energy like us?”

“She definitely would… poor girl doesn’t stand a chance of a solid sleeping schedule with us.” They shared a laugh. “I pictured a boy,” he admitted. “But I’d also be happy with either, I think. I know, when we have one, our daughter will have me wrapped around her finger from before she’s born,” he kissed her on the top of her head. “Just like her mama. I won’t stand a chance.” 

She chuckled. “It’ll be your fault. Every woman in your life is spoiled. She’ll be no different.” 

Her fingernails traveled along his skin, raking up and down lightly as they laid. 

“This… it just feels relentless, Bakari,” she whispered. “I think about it all day and all night. I thought it would hurt less as time went on but it feels like I’ll never get past it.” 

“Take your time, love. We don’t gotta figure it out right now. We just take it day by day… with each other. And eventually, we’ll be ready to try again and we’ll do all the stuff we planned.” 

Charlotte pushed herself into a seated position to face him. “I know we need time but I do want to try again soon… if you’re up for it? And I-I’m not just saying that out of some misguided fear of losing you. Truly. I know it’ll take time to get there. But those three weeks when I was pregnant made me so happy. Knowing I w-was gonna be a mom and have your child made me so happy. I want that for us. A-and I think we are ready for it. Maybe when we wrap here and go home, we can talk about it then? See if we’re ready to try again?”

“You sure?” His hand cupped her cheek to hold her gaze to his.

“Yea… we’ve never been the couple to waste the time we have together. I don’t want to wait to start our family either.” 

He nodded, pulling her in for a soft kiss. “I love that plan.”

***

November 2018

Charlotte braced herself over the sink in the bathroom, her body feeling exhausted and faint. 

“Seriously??” she glanced at herself in the mirror, her eyes going down to her stomach. “You’re choosing right now for this?? Right now?” she argued with her stomach. She knew if anyone else saw her she would look like a lunatic but she did not care. “I can’t go through this with you right now. We got another two hours of press and then a press conference.” 

Charlotte hated press junket days and they were even harder this time around while she hid the biggest secret of her life from her husband and costar. She had done a good job thus far, passing off her symptoms as ones of exhaustion. Michael did not think to question it given their four-week international press tour for Creed II had been exhausting for both of them. London was their last stop before Michael and Charlotte jetted out for vacation to the South of France for two weeks. It was a very late one-year anniversary gift from Michael but they had both been so busy, it was the only time they could make it work. However, her entire surprise hinged on making it to their private villa without Michael finding out. She wanted to tell him and wanted it to be special.  

She took a few deep breaths, unsurprised to hear Michael’s voice outside the bathroom. 

“You good, babe? We gotta get started in a few.” 

“Coming!” she offered, forcing her tone to remain bright and light. She prayed he was too distracted and exhausted himself to notice the inauthenticity in it. It was just two more days, she reminded herself. One last day of press, the premiere the next day and then they were on a series of flights to paradise. She straightened her shoulders, pushing the lightheadedness she felt away to walk outside. 

Michael still waited for her, kissing her on the cheek as she stepped outside. 

“You good?” he asked again as he took her hand. 

Charlotte was grateful, giving her a discreet way to lean some of her weight into his, each step felt like she was pushing through a fog. 

Michael helped her up into her chair for their next set of interviews. Though she knew she was low energy, she managed to get through them all. All two hours worth. She was proud of herself for pushing through it. However, when Michael went to help her out of her seat, her body loudly protested that it could not keep up her facade a second longer. 

“Whoa,” she muttered, gently falling back into her seat as a wave of dizziness hit her. She felt like someone had put the entire room on a rotating stage.  

“What’s wrong?” Michael asked immediately, his eyes frantically searching her body and face for an apparent injury. 

“N-Nothing, nothing. J-Just got lightheaded. J-just give me a sec.” 

Michael eyed her suspiciously. It was no secret his wife pushed her body to its physical limit, he had always known that about her. And though he had made her promise after New York that she would never hide illnesses or injuries from him again, he knew her default setting was to deal with things alone and not worry him. Immediately, his mind ran through the last few weeks. She had been more tired and exhausted, small complaints of not feeling well but pushed it off as exhaustion from the promo tour. But he had seen Charlotte through many a promo tour and she never seemed this exhausted before. 

“You sure? Seems like somethin’ else is wrong?” 

She huffed. She hated lying but she also refused to tell him here. She also was squarely using all of her energy and willpower not to pass out in front of him. 

“Yea, I’m s-sure. I’m fine. L-Let’s go.” She pushed herself out of her seat without his help, making it a few steps before she had to stop. 

She heard Michael speaking, felt his hand on the small of her back, but it sounded like his voice was a whisper in a long wind tunnel. She could not even form a response before everything faded to black and she collapsed. 

***

“The EMTs are coming, Mike, calm down.” 

“Fuck you mean calm down?? How the fuck am I supposed to calm down right now?” 

Their arguing came into sharper focus as Charlotte returned to consciousness. It was slow, each sense coming back to her one by one. She felt Michael’s touch and the hard floor beneath her first, his arms tightly cocooning her into his hard chest. Then his voice and Steven’s, though their words were delayed in settling into her brain. Then she opened her eyes, her vision blurry for a moment before clarity set in.

“M-Michael…” her voice was faint but it stole his attention away from angrily checking on the ETA of the EMTs every 30 seconds. 

“C-Charlotte!” He let out a strangled sigh of relief, the tone filled with fear, a sound she had only heard once before in their entire relationship. He sounded scared… something she was not used to. “You’re ok. You’re ok.” He kept repeating, sounding as if he was trying to convince himself more than her. 

“W-what happened?” She instinctively tried to sit up, Michael immediately tightening his grip around her to keep her against his chest. 

“Relax. You just fainted. You’re ok, just rest for a minute.” 

She glanced around to find half the room, the last journalist and their crew, and several cast members standing over her, concerned looks on all of their faces. Embarrassment spread quickly through her body like a wildfire.  

“I-I’m so s-sorry, yall. I j-just need a minute a-and I’ll be ready for the press conference.” 

You would have thought she sprung several heads or turned into a mutant the way everyone’s eyes bugged out of her head. 

“Fuck no, you’re going back to the hotel, Charlotte,” Michael immediately pipped up, his tone leaving little room for debate or conversation from anyone. 

“W-what?? N-” she started to say but he immediately cut her off. 

“You go to the hotel or you go to the hospital. Your choice.” She knew he meant it, there was no way to get around his instructions this time.  

She rolled her eyes, “Pretty shitty choices,” she muttered under her breath. “Fine. Hotel… I-I’m really sorry, y’all.” 

Everyone, of course, assured her she had no reason to apologize and left her and Michael alone. She tapped his arm, letting him know she was ready to get up. While her body could’ve allowed her to lay there for hours, the bed in their hotel would be far more comfortable. She felt bad as she watched him pack up her stuff and put her in the car, his entire body filled with tension and fear. Michael had them push back the start of the press conference so he could ensure she got into their car and refused to start the press conference until she called him to tell him she made it into their room safely.

She rested for a while once she got back to their suite but then pulled the gift she hid amongst her stuff out of her bag. It had been hard to sneak it around but she managed. Though she had a grand plan for telling him, she could tell her fainting earlier scared him. And she did not want him worrying about whether something was truly wrong when she knew what was going on. And she knew he would not accept “everything’s fine,” anymore. 

She laid on the couch, tucked under the comforter from the bed as she watched tv, waiting for him to get back. She was half asleep again when she heard their door open. 

“Hey baby,” she whispered, rubbing her eyes as she went to get up. 

“No, no, don’t get up. How are you feeling?” he asked, his hand cradling her head as he examined her. 

“I’m ok… promise.” She knew he did not believe her, could tell her words did nothing to ease the concern in his eyes, the fear she felt in every cautious touch. 

“Did you faint anymore or feel sick?” 

She shook her head. “Just a bit dizzy but it’s better since I came home.” 

He nodded, his hand anxiously gripping the meat of her thigh.

“I-I’m gonna go look up doctors for you, aight? Wanna get you checked out before we go on vacation…” 

Charlotte merely nodded, deciding not to fight him on it and just tell him the truth. There goes my grand plans and surprises, she huffed to herself. 

“Ummm can you run into the room and grab the box off the bed for me, please?” 

Michael seemed almost reluctant to allow her out of his sight but he jogged across their suite and into their room and back, this time the gift box tucked under his arm.

“Who’s this for?” 

“Open it." At his raised eyebrow, she smiled, “You aren’t the only one with tricks and surprises up your sleeve.” 

She watched with bated breath as he opened the box.

“What’s this?” 

His face scrunched up in confusion at the black baby onesie in front of him. It was folded neatly, only the very top visible. It had a gold trim around the neck making it a baby-size exact replica of Michael’s costume in the movie. 

“What does it look like?” 

“I mean it’s a baby onesie but it kinda looks like the Golden Jaguar habit from the movie,” he muttered. “But who’s it for?”

Charlotte rolled her eyes and laughed, shocked that he hadn’t caught on yet. Her sweet husband… so good at giving surprises but couldn’t spot one a mile away for himself. 

“Why don’t you unfold it and see?” 

His hands grabbed the fabric, laying it out on the coffee table, the legs of the onesie dangling off the edge. His eyes grew wide as he took in the words. 

My dad’s favorite partner in crime 

She turned to him, unsure of what his silence meant. “I found out a couple weeks ago. I know… after New York we said no more secrets and no more hiding important information,” she rushed out. “But I’m hoping you can forgive me in this case? I wanted to tell you in a special way a-and had to get it made. It’s crazy how much Black Panther merch there is and there is no market for parents dressing their babies up like the most handsome homicidal assassin I’ve ever seen? Super annoying a-and it was a whole thing with the custom shop and I had to work with Ryan to get an accurate picture of the suit and I was g-gonna surprise you on our vacation with this whole elaborate thing but you were so worried, I-”

Her words were cut short as Michael grabbed her and crashed his lips against hers, her voice dying off. She chuckled against his lips as he kissed her deeply, her arms wrapping around his neck. 

“Y-you’re serious, Els?” His eyes bored into hers as they filled with tears. 

She nodded, her eyes glossing over as well. During filming, the pair went to couple’s counseling, processing their grief together and separately so they could be emotionally ready to try again. During the summer, they decided to officially start that journey and it only took a few months for her to start to feel the early signs of pregnancy. An incognito trip to her doctor in during the first week of November before the start of the promo tour confirmed her suspicions. 

“8 weeks.” 

He wrapped her in a tight hug, his face buried into her neck. His joy was more subdued than the last time they shared this moment. But she understood, so was hers. Their miscarriage had unlocked a fear they would not have even considered having. And now, it was too real, too scary. And it took everything in her not to let the stress get to her since she found out. Her doctor told her she only had a few weeks to go before they would be in the clear. And she just held onto that. Every day was one step closer to their family and that was enough to outweigh how terrified she felt. 

“I love you so much. How do you feel? I-Is t-there is a chance of another…” 

Charlotte’s heart sagged a bit as she nodded, she could tell his did too. There was no point in lying to him but also she wanted to assure him.  

“My doctor said there’s always a chance but she doesn’t think there’s any reason we shouldn’t carry to term this time. I’ve been trying to take it easy the last few weeks a-and the fainting thing is my blood pressure apparently. I texted my OB… she gave me some tips on how to help with that. But she said it’s a normal symptom. But I’m feeling ok physically and emotionally, I’m scared,” she admitted. “But whatever happens,” she pulled him in closer to her.  “I know I have the best husband around to help me through it.” 

“Well I don’t want you stressing about it either, Els. That ain’t good for you or the baby.” His hand rested on her stomach as he looked down at her. 

“Ok, I’ll only stress 50% of the time, promise.” She acquiesced, causing him to roll his eyes. “You ok? I’m sorry about earlier. I scared you, didn’t I?” 

He blew out a low breath. “Yea, you did. F-Fucking terrified me. Seen you too many times unconscious and injured for my liking, baby.” His hand pushed the loose curls out of her face. “I need you alive and well… and honest when you’re not well.” 

She understood. “I’m sorry. Does my half-surprise sort of make up for it, at least?”

He nodded. “This is the best surprise of my life.” He wrapped her in a hug that was so tight, he lifted her out of her spot and into his lap. Charlotte immediately took to her favorite spot, straddling his legs, his hands going to rub her bare thighs. “So yes… but I got a few other ways you can make it up to me later tonight,” he whispered. 

“Mmm, you know I live to please you,” she whispered seductively in his ear. However, before they went too far down that path, she paused, her face and tone taking on a more serious one. “You’re happy, though?” She asked quietly, her fingers playing in his beard as she held his face in her hands. 

“Ecstatic. I have a good feeling about this, baby.” 

She nodded, “Me too.” They shared a sweet kiss before he lifted her off of him and wrapped her back in the blanket so she could continue to rest. “What about all the ways I gotta make it up to you?” she moaned playfully. 

“Get some rest, I’ll order you room service. So after dinner, you’re well rested so I can fuck you how I wanna without you passing out on me. You got makin’ up and celebratin’ to do, ma… gonna be a long night.” He kissed her on the forehead before sitting back on the couch, placing her feet on his lap. 

She glanced over at him and smiled as he picked up the onesie and continued to stare at it. She watched him for a few minutes as he snapped a quick picture of it before wiping a falling tear. She turned her eyes back to the tv, a grin painted on her face. It had not gone exactly how she wanted but the look on her husband’s face made it all worth it. 

Michael watched Charlotte for the rest of the night, his eyes trained on her stomach and the life he knew was growing there. He knew their lives were about to change forever but he could only thank God for giving them another chance to grow their family. And in his soul, he knew this was their moment. 

Tag List: @certifiedlesbianbaddie @bangtanxmegan @reelwriter19 @prettyisasprettydoes1306 @hi888888sworld @msniaimani @destinio1 @lynaye1993 @chaoticevilbakugo @blackerthings @pipsqueak-98 @miyuhpapayuh @passionxwrites @gopaperless @roguekiki @tythaitie

***

A/N: Thanks for reading! So this was originally supposed to be two parts only but now it's three lol and part three will follow her actual pregnancy and birth and all that good stuff! And we'll get to see MBJ being a dotting, overprotective hubby to a very pregnant Charlotte. SO excited for that lol Drop a comment and let me know what you think!

#black writers #michael b jordan #michael b jordan x oc #mbjordanedit #michael b jordan x reader #creed 3 #black panther #adonis creed #michael b jordan fanfic #creed iii

[riding-the-sunset-bird]

I don’t know if you’ve been asked this yet, but is there any particular order you recommend doing the moments for each step in?? I’m trying to figure out what moments should be played when since some of the moments trigger events in others depending on what you played first. Or! Do you guys have a preference for which you do personally?

I would say that mine is more of a preference than a recommendation, especially because I'm still doing a deep, deeeep dive into the code to really see which moments influence another (so while I'm going to give this list anyway, I also will probably redo it later after I see which moments influence one another and in which ways).

For example, if you remember the moment in Shopping where you can ask Cove "why is your dad always giving people money?" it's completely different if you've told Cove about the deal in Sandcastle first, going from Cove being puzzled by the question to understanding why the player is asking.

And speaking of Sandcastle anyway, there are some moments that I just skip altogether, specifically Sandcastle from Step 1, none from Step 2 (unless you count Derek's DLC, in which case I'd skip his version of Soiree, Siblings, and maybe Responsible), and Serendipity from Step 3. Most of it is just due to a lack of agency/choice on the player's part and/or secondhand embarrassment that I get from them.

That said, here's the order I personally go in:

Step 1

Shopping

Grown Up

Long Day

Ghost

Runaway

Fireflies

Library

Barbecue

Sleepover

My reasons are pretty basic. Shopping is a good introductory moment for the MC and Cove's relationship, just as Grown Up is a good one for Lizzie and Cove's. The other two (Long Day and Ghost) being before Runaway is because I wanted all the "negative" experiences Cove has to be before it (so the balloon popping, fighting with Lizzie, getting yelled at by the mean old people, and getting scared by the ghost).

Ghost also has to be pretty far down-ish because the opening kinda implies that you've spent a bunch of time with Cove even if it's the first one you play, so I put it as late as possible to try and make it at least slightly accurate.

And for the moments afterwards, Cove (mostly) either has a slightly better/a neutral relationship with his dad (Library with him asking about a prize, for example, even if he ignores him overall, and Barbecue with the two of them watching the fireworks together) which feels appropriate after Runaway.

The last four are mostly just ranked by how much I like them. I know Fireflies is supposed to be super important because of how much it's referenced, but I find it slightly generic compared to the others.

I also think Sleepover is a really sweet ending to yours and Cove's relationship if you manage to make him stay for the whole night, and Barbecue is just before that since you can convince Cove for eat from your spoon. Library - unlike Grown Up - gives you a choice between spending time with Cove or Lizzie so that's just an extra bonus that I feel the player should have after spending enough time with Cove.

If you play Sandcastle, then, hrm... probably before Ghost? Since Cove mentions his dad "doing whatever he wants" in Ghost so if you tell Cove about the deal in Sandcastle then it adds a bit more context to that line.

Step 2

Family

Mall

Growing

Birthday

Dinner

Wave

Escapade

Summerwork

Road Trip

Soiree

This is slightly mixed up because I wanted to pace out the moments where either Kyra/Derek appears so it's not all shoved off in one big section. Family is also first because I wanted to try to start the player off with a better impression of Elizabeth since she's usually very grumpy and by the end of Family she's more relaxed with the player.

Birthday being after Mall is because Cove is less embarrassed about sharing stuff with the MC. Some people might question why it's still so early because you lose the gummy bear toss if you have a Mixed/Studious Cove and a non-athletic MC, so it might be best to give them as many opportunities as possible for the MC to up their athletic points, but the only time to do that is in the intro so it doesn't matter.

Summerwork might seem a little late but I also thought it'd be a realistic place whether your MC was actively working on their work over the summer or was just scraping by without much interest (the drama right before the relaxation of Road Trip also feels appropriate).

Escapade before Road Trip is important because if you asked for Cove's shirt in Escapade, then you get to take it with you in Road Trip, and Soiree's placement is just obvious (especially if you play Baxter's route rather than Cove, so you end the summer with getting to meet/dance with the "mystery boy").

Step 3

Hang

Drive

Boating

Talks

Happiness

Reflection

Late Shift

Errands

Charity

Hang, Drive, and Boating work as a nice re-introductory thing for Terri+Miranda, Kyra, and Liz+Lee+Baxter respectively.

I also tried to space out the multiple moments with potential drama (Talks, Reflection, and Errands), and Happiness takes place right after Talks since you can argue with Cove in that one and it feels very Cove to immediately jump to overdoing it on making you happy after something like that.

Late Shift is only semi-random since I wanted to space out the moments where you interact with Baxter (things would obviously be different if you're going for his route). Cove also picks from the dessert menu in it which leads nicely into Errands where the MC can buy him fudge.

Though Errands is admittedly 100% personal preference because I just really like it so I put it late on the list.

Charity is obvious, though if the player prefers to date Cove in Charity (rather than dating him in the in-between or confessing at the end of Step 2) and still have moments afterwards then it can be freely moved around.

As for Serendipity if you choose to play it, probably before Boating to add to all the introductory moments?

Again, the list isn't final but this is a rough estimate. Most of them are made for narrative reasons rather than moments that are directly mentioned in others so that'll definitely change.

#our life #our life: beginnings & always #olba #type: moment order #type: ask