#sculpted by a woman y'all

[mishyoona]

ffx-2 really said "i do what i want"

#final fantasy #final fantasy x2 #camp #yuna #gagazet #ronso #i love how ridiculous this is #the ronso horn #the pose #omfg #sculpted by a woman y'all #art #stills #screencaps

[hoshigray]

This is my first time requesting something but HEAR ME OUT, "Slow Cuddle-fucking with og Sukuna while he is holding (and caressing) Reader (His wife) tightly and praising her (with him having size(difference) and breeding kink) oneshot please please please PLEASESSS😭

𝐚. 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞: NAH CUZ I SEE THE VISION, HOLD ON–

⊹ 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: true form! Sukuna x fem! reader - explicit content; minors DNI - size difference - monster-fucking (he got 2 dicks, y'all) - double penetration; anal and vaginal - spooning dp position - breast fondling + nipple play - breeding kink - clitoral play (pinching and swiping) - dacryphilia - pet names ([little]dove, good girl, my wife, woman) - soft! kuna, but not too OOC - mention of drool/spit and tears.

⊹ ��𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 1.5k

“Stay still, woman…Mmnnn, good girl, nice and easy…”

It’s not a rarity for Sukuna to have his hands on you as you two slept through the night. After all, he is the King of Curses; asking permission to touch his is beneath him. You were made for him to hold – sculpted for his cursed hands to touch – everyone else was far behind or had no standing compared to your demonic husband. And with you both sharing a futon every night, who’s supposed to tell him to keep his hands to himself?

You, his little spouse, knew of this. Marrying the King of Curses was something you never imagined would happen — let alone falling in love with the giant man! You’ve always had dreams of becoming a sweet little partner to someone; for that to be fulfilled by the cursed man who could kill thousands in the blink of an eye is astounding. 

And, of course, being a wife entails all the duties accompanying the package. Especially now, as you two lie together on the floor, nude bodies nestled close on the futon above the tatami floor, and your naked figure trembling from the insertion of one of Sukuna’s paired cock. And your heart drops at the second one brushing up against the crevice of your ass when he pushes the one inside your throbbing, velvety channel. 

“Mmmph…! Sukuna, no,” you whined, your butt inching away from the second member. “I can’t handle both—“

“Don’t lie; you’ve done it before and did it well,” a hand brings your waist to him. “Or maybe I should just have one of the concubines take care of me, seeing as though my own wife is neglecting their duties.” 

He wouldn’t do that; Sukuna’s interest in his insignificant mistresses had long been diminished once he took you up as his bride, practically collecting dust as he hadn’t visited them since you shared a bed with him. Now, he uses them as tools to probe you. And he has to hold back the mischievous snicker when your eyes widen with anxiousness, wrapping your arms around his neck in desperation.

“N–No, please!” You pleaded; it was the only sufficient approach. “I’ll be good to you, I promise!”

The four-eyed curse scoffs. “Then do what you’re supposed to,” Each crimson orb takes in information about your bashful expression, “And attend to your husband like a wife should.”

Further complaints cease at his command, so you quiet down and arch your behind to him submissively. Sukuna takes your initiation with his hungry bottom hand on your ass, squeezing the flesh as you guide his other dick to your lubed asshole. With a hum, he pushes himself and forces you to take his cocks with your bottom, needing a few seconds to breathe when your holes reach the base of his members.

“Good girl,” he says to your ear to make you shudder, and he lifts your leg with the hand that finished groping your asscheek. “Obeying me so well like always…”

He begins to move without a signal, slowly pulling himself in and out of your warm wetness that coats his length with your slick. You can’t help but grip the girth limbs that massage your insides, involuntarily throbbing on them with shaky breaths.  

“Mmmaah, ohhhmyG—Mmm!” Speech isn’t easy, even with his upper left hand cupping your cheeks. And your brows furrow as the upper right sneaks to grope a breast. “Faaahh, Suk..una, I’m too full already…”

“Mmm? Is that so?” Sukuna asks with a patronizing tone, licking the helix of your ear to hear you gasp. “But we’ve barely started yet, my wife. Don’t bore me before I can enjoy you yet.” 

His hips go at a gradual cadence that has you keening a mess, the sensation of the veins of his cocks felt by the walls of your holes. You howl silently, not wanting to make too much noise.

But that doesn’t fly with your husband, speaking to your ear with that hoarse voice. Almost has you melting as he squishes with your cheeks, “Let it out, princess,” he commands. “I want to hear that voice; don’t you dare hide that from me.”

Fuck, the way you felt on his dicks was so fucking good, having the cursed behemoth burrow his face into the cubby of your neck. Slow kisses on your skin segway to sucks that should mark for later. He could never get enough of how small you were up against him. His giant palm swallowed your tit, your ass bouncing with every thrust, and how damn tight you were as you accommodated the two members making your entrances busy. 

Goddamn it, he bites his lip, dialing up the speed of his ruts a bit. Scratching your inner walls has you squeaking louder, unable to stop yourself when he grinds his hips after a sudden grim pound. So warm and snug for him as if you were meant for him. He knew you were meant for him — taking his huge, fat shafts with no objections, just arching your back further so the sensation could be more pleasurable like the loyal, little pet you are. “Hmngh…! Yeah, just like that, little dove; keep clenching around me like that…”

Restraint was gone long ago, letting your voice and shrieks fly out and fill the quiet bedroom. The sound of his skin shaking against your ass, the heat of your cheeks making it hard to think, and the shivers crawling your spine with every graze to your sweet spots. Everything feels like a haze, your brain too clouded to think outside this moment. 

And then you sense the hand on your breast let go, slithering down to your unattended clitoris, which has your eyes shoot wide as your demon husband presses down. “—Khhff! Nooo, ‘Kunaa, you mustn’t…!”  

He lifts a brow with a grin; you dare question him? “And why shouldn’t I?” He pinches the delicate bud, resulting in a scream sneaking past your lips. “Hmm? Plead for yourself.”

“Becau—Ahhh! Mmmm, I’ll cum. I’m gonna cumm…”

“Then don’t,” Sukuna doesn’t remove his digits playing with your clit, and the hand on your chin pulls your face to look at him. “Cum without my permission, and I’ll make sure to not be so kind next time...” His words carry a warning filling your bones with apprehension, yet his soft lips greet yours and he hums into your mouth. The kiss serves as a distraction from his thick digits gently swiping on the pearl.

The rhythm of his hips, however, increases in speed and prompts more moans to be taken by Sukuna. Drool trickles down your lips, same with tears that welled up earlier from the insertion of his girth inside your ass. Your eyes roll at the jab to your silky walls, breaking the sweet yet passionate kiss to cry out as your husband’s fat balls smack your ass. 

“—Ooooo, fuuuck, I can’t,” your eyelids shield your vision, using the rest of your senses to indulge in this euphoric pleasure. “‘Kuna, I’m so close, so—Ooohh!”

“Me too…Ghhh! Shit, me too…” Sukuna presses his hot face to yours when you throw it back, licking the tears off your sweaty skin. You looked so stunning like this, all disheveled and immodest because of him. “Gonna take my load, huh?” He licks the sweat off your shoulder and bites when you don’t respond. “Answer me, Y/n.”

“—Ahhh, yes!”

That’s not enough. “I said,” he pinches your clit again as he gives slow yet rough ruts to your holes. And he can tell by your twitching that you’re doing everything in our power not to come. “Answer me.”

Holy shit, this was borderline torture. “Mmmph! OhhhLord, ‘Kunaaa, I want you to fill me up. Pleasee, pleasepleaseee, I wanna be full; wanna be all ‘round and fat with your child…!”

“Keh, dumb pet; who said I wanted a brat, huh?” He scoffs, yet you can hear the groan as he licks and sucks on your neck while squishing your hot, tear-stricken cheeks. “Fine then; go on and cum with me. So damn needy for my seed…”

Sukuna brings your chin for another steamy kiss, his lower left hand holding yours as his pelvis goes at an irregular pace. Your muffled shrills are taken by feisty lips, teeth clashing with his fangs before sucking on his tongue, and the upper left hand releases your chin to caress your chest once more, tweezing the nipple along with swipes to your clit.

Release gradually creeps up your shaky frame, crying to his mouth when your chasm and anus pucker around the lengths that graze your walls with the tips. Sukuna is not too far behind you, pumping his load into you with a few harsh plunges, making your contracting cunt and rear full of his hot and thick semen. The lower right hand propping your leg up leaves soft kneads on your inner thigh, hoisting it up further so his shafts are deep enough until his pulsing balls meet your ass.

You withdrew from his lips to breathe, your figure quivering through the aftershocks, and your slit and asshole still flutter around his girths. And you mewl when he kisses your cheek and temple.

“Mmm, that’s my princess,” he purrs while placing your leg down to massage your waist. “Such a good dove…”

© 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐲2024 – reblogs and comments are appreciated wholeheartedly ✩ dividers by @/benkeibear.

#𝑯𝒐𝒔𝒉𝒊 ˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚ 𝑾𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒔: 𝑺𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒔 #jujutsu kaisen x reader #jjk x reader #jujutsu kaisen smut #jjk smut #jjk x y/n #jjk x you #sukuna x reader #sukuna x you #sukuna x y/n #sukuna smut #ryomen sukuna x reader #ryomen sukuna smut #sukuna ryomen smut #sukuna ryomen x you #sukuna ryomen x reader #sukuna fanfic #jujutsu kaisen x you #jjk imagines #anime smut #jujutsu kaisen fic

[toji-girl]

Toji with an s/o who loves his muscles!!! (Sfw) plz

I would worship his muscles at any given moment. I mean, look at him and his very sassy pose. I love him sm

tags: fem reader + fluff + modern au + y'all are married

Any time you had the chance, you were admiring your husband's physique. "You're so handsome, do you know that? The best man in the world." You would always coo in his ear.

He'd grumble a little, not letting on to how much it affected him but still let you lather him with praise as your hands roamed his sculpted chest.

It was something he worked hard on, and you loved to encourage him, plus he really is the most handsome man to ever exist.

You loved taking pictures of him too, always asking him to pose and smile. He'd give you a goofy one a few times, the other when his lips were in a tight light, clearly irritated with you.

Sometimes you caught him in a bad mood but still wanted to capture a picture anyway.

A lot of the time, you'd ask him to buy compression shirts and shorts that clung to corded muscles that bulged against the fabric.

"What are you doin' woman?"

That was a common question when you started to nuzzle your face into his pecs when you laid on his chest cuddling him late at night.

You couldn't help but shrug your shoulders and smile inhaling his natural scent. "I'm admiring my husband." You cupped his cheek, a gentle gesture as your thumb traced his scar.

He let you do so, the touch comforting then they descended down to his chest and arms giving them a squeeze. "Flex for me, please?"

Toji acted like it bothered him to do it but still smiled when you grabbed your phone to take a picture of him acting like a photographer.

Your phone gallery was chock full of pictures of Toji, you and him were your lock screen on your computer. "You work so hard, I appreciate you."

You always spoke good into him even though at first he denied it unable to take such compliment until he met you.

That was something he loved about you. The way you spoke love into him, always rubbing his back and telling him how good he looked.

"Ugh! You look so good." You groaned anytime he wore loose sweats or just his boxers around the house giving you a view of his body.

There was a never a moment you passed up to compliment your husband or run your palm over his broad back and shoulders.

You truly do have a handsome husband so it just makes sense to show him that.

#💌incoming #toji x reader #toji fushiguro x reader #jjk x reader #toji x you #toji fluff #toji x you fluff #fushiguro toji x reader

[tonixe]

goverment hooker..

a/n: I'm back again, there is no surprise. I'm feeling devious so I might post again, wowzers. Also, the sped-up version of the government hooker sound so fire, like it feels like I'm in one of those edits, anyways lemme stop rambling. I hope y'all enjoy, reblogs, and comments will be also appreciated.

warning: smut, penetrating, p in the v, unprotected sex, creampies. proofread (?)

pairing: Young!Coriolanus Snow x reader

word counter: 1.4k

What appeals to you to most men, maybe it was your cute antics, your siren eyes that attracted anyone toward you, or your body, sculpted with your delicate curves, and a perky bosom to match the appeal of your young face that can lull a man to sleep.

Or was it how you talked, deliberately making a slur of your words, with your ribboning voice, that can make anyone feel safe and warm with you. You fooled some powerful men, their hearts were already tainted and covered in greed, easy to control someone with their needs. You were in command of it, you made them your pawn, you played the cards, and made a charade of it.

Every time you talked or did anything, you automatically moved your chess piece forward never back. But..what were you doing in a low district as a 'prestigious' woman like yourself, doing in the slum like this. Well, these 'slums' they would call, these 'desperate streets' were your home, even though you won't admit with your own mouth, your words, it still was your home...

Trying to lift yourself from the slums called your homes, to a place where it is much safer than here, maybe to Capitol, but you would need a ticket in. They wouldn't allow just anyone, would they?

But here you were standing in a speakeasy, in a tight little red dress, with a lacey red lining. It was odd to see polished women like you in a bar in District 12, you looked like you were for the Capitol, but all things you see and hear aren't what it seemed. Drinking up on the cheap liquor they offered, looking at the scene in front of you with the happy and dancing couples on the floor, as live music played. The 'Covey' they called them, and the main star, Lucy Gray. Staring at the stage, as she sang into the mic, playing her guitar.

She was familiar to you, the only reference you saw was when she was fighting in the Hunger Games, it was a surprise seeing her still living, breathing, and standing up there, but needless to say, she was still good at what she did. You waving your body to the relaxing music, fixing yourself on the stool, swaying to the music. "What is a lady like you sitting in here" You turned your head to the gentleman talking to you, staring at him.

"I'm just sitting here, enjoying the show," You said, taking a sip of the alcoholic liquid, "How about you" you tilt your head to the side.

"Just enjoying my show" He gestured to your form, and you giggled at his compliment as he sat on the stool beside you. You really got to see the man that was next to you. He had a handsome face and a chiseled face, he wore a blue open-collar shirt and a blondish-white buzz cut, He seemed like one of those Peacekeepers lurking around the district. "Do you do this every girl you see?" You were amused by the blonde man who sat beside you. You wouldn't lie that he was indeed attractive in your eyes. Scanning his frame, his body, his face. "Not to every woman, but to the ones that look beautiful like you my dear" You couldn't help to smile at him, "━And your not bad-looking as well" You admitted, crossing your legs together. As you deliberately lean towards him, revealing a white lacey bra.

Pouting your lips together, "An attractive man indeed" giving him a sultry look, with your eyelids drooping down slightly. "So, what is your name, handsome" You took a sip from your drink, "Coriolanus.." He took your hand and kissed it, "Y/N" you smirked taking your hand gently away from him,

"Should we..take our business elsewhere for a private scene?" You whispered into his ear with a suggested look on your face.

Your hands were with his as you walked in the night street, your body already feeling hot. "Where are we going?" He was amused with your antics, as you batted your eyes at him, "A place, special" you gave him a smirk, your heels clicking down on the wet cement road. A neon sign coming into view, a little motel still opened near the bar. As you opened the door, walking down the lobby of the motel, the clerk managing the reception, "A room for one" The clerk nodded his head, and gave you the keys, "room 9" He said, as you walked away with his hand with yours. Your hips sway sensually, your heels stepping into the room and opening it.

Turning yourself on your heels, stepping closer to the man, "So..what are we going to do?" You pouted, your eyes dilating feeling the feeling of being aroused.

Feeling his hands on your lower bottom, as you hoof your legs around his hips, wrapping your arms around his neck, as you both leaned into a kiss, feeling his hands groping your body. Feeling him moving, as he withdrew from you, your chest heaving. "You do know how to make a man crazy, don't you" He groaned, Feeling him putting your body onto the bed gently,

His body touching you recklessly, his hands going under your dress, slowly taking off your red lacey panties, discarding it on the floor. Biting your lip down in excitement, crossing your legs together covering yourself. Staring at him, taking off his pants and his boxers, feeling yourself getting aroused, as your cunt pulsed.

As his dick sunk into you, the pain writhing through your body, feeling the pain in your lower abdomen. Feeling your cheeks getting flushed, as you groaned in pain. His hips push into you, slowly before increasing his pace.

The bed rocked with your back on the bed, your skirt flipped and your legs being held up with his arms. Your sinful moans came out of your lips, his cock splitting your open, as you bit your lip down. His hands massaging your waist down, "F-fuck" stuttering out of your lips, your lipstick already messed up, smeared on your cheeks.

Your skin felt sticky, your lacey dress sticking onto your skin. "C-corio—" You were cut off from his hips smacking into your pelvis, your hands gripping on the sheet, holding down for support, leaning back in pleasure and relief, feeling a rush of pleasure.

Your slick lubricating his dick, makes him slip inside you easier. Your face burning up, fixing your legs on his around his waist. Your cunt clenching down around him making him groan in your ear. Feeling lips and your crashing into each other, into a hungry kiss. His tongue abused your mouth, making you moan against him, before you withdrew for air, your chest heaving, up and down.

Feeling his cock reaching to your cervix, "Hmm" You whined, your eyelids getting droopy in the process, feeling his slender fingers rubbing the nub of your clit, your legs wrapping around his waist tighter, "Corio, I'm sensitive" You whined, his hips grinding onto yours, with his unrelenting pace, arching your back. His hands on your hips tilting up, plummeting into you.

"Don't be greedy, darling" He asserted, harshly rubbing on your clit, making you scream in bliss. His body leaning toward you, his dick still throbbing inside of you, making you go crazy. His mouth sucked onto your flesh, as the blooming mark left your neck.

Your body getting overstimulated, as your body trembled, skin prickling and your cunt dripping out.

Feeling a wave crashing down on you, clenching down around his cock. The pace of his hips getting slower, feeling his hands on your waist, gripping down making you wince. "I'm close" He groaned into your ear. You wrapped your arms around his neck, and your legs, "Inside" you mewled, feeling his hips stuttering against yours. His dick pulsed inside of you, as he thrust into you one more last time, painting your walls white, as your cunt fluttered around him. Your body feeling tired.

Falling down on the bed. Feeling his warm essence leaking out of you, feeling himself still inside you. "Don't leave...please" You whimpered, feeling his soft lips on your lips, before he withdrew, looking at him, pursing your lips gently. His hands lift your chin up, "I have to.." He looked at your lips, scanning your face. Taking your appearance from your smeared lipstick to your ruined makeup, before he drew you into another kiss, a longer, more passionate one. For the first time feeling your heart swell with a man you slept with once at a bar, "Please.." you said, breathlessly.

"I'll be back" he gently traced the shape of your lips with his finger, his voice was tender to your ears, lulling you to an endless abyss. As drowsiness took over your body, your eyes shut and closed.

#coriolanus snow imagine #coriolanus snow fanfiction #coriolanus x reader #coriolanus snow x reader #coriolanus x you #coriolanus snow x you #coriolanus snow #tbosbas #ballad of songbirds and snakes #president snow x reader #president snow #coryo snow #tbosas fanfiction #tbosas x reader #tbosas movie #tbosas #tbosas x you #tbosas imagine #hunger games x reader

[kitasgloves]

— ♬ N S F W

guardian angel! KITA SHINSUKE who was tasked to watch over a particularly cruel girl. He's watched over nasty people before and made sure they were safe so he assumes you won't be a problem. This might be the first time that he's wrong.

You were good at being bad was the easiest way he could put it. You loved to stir trouble and cause havoc. You lacked remorse upon doing unlawful actions and always avoided getting the consequences of your actions. Kita was beyond a human being but damn he could use an Advil and some vodka right now.

"What is she up to this time?"

Kita rubbed the bridge of his nose. His job was to look over you and not force you to convert into becoming a religious woman. However, he can't help but think that things would've been easier if you were a bit nicer.

You were smoking with your friends and laughing while Kita watched over you with a deadpan expression. One of your friends were high as a kite when they asked you a question.

"Do y'all think guardian angels exist?"

Kita couldn't help but be curious about what your answer will be. You laughed.

"What kind of stupid question is that?"

"Dunno, I mean you've been into a lot of shit but you're still in one piece"

Your friend made a fair point and it's all thanks to Kita that you're still in one piece. You may be bad but he'll be damned if he lets you get harmed.

"Nah, I'm just born lucky"

You cackled. Kita thinks you're ridiculous. He watches you until you get home safely. As you fell asleep under the covers, he flies down to your sleeping figure. As he silently mutters a prayer, he's startled but your wide pair of eyes.

"Who the fuck are you?"

Kita just stays silent as you blink rapidly, taking in the heavenly features of Kita Shinsuke. His wings were glowing and golden, his face was beautiful and his sculpted body hidden under a white robe just made your clench your thighs.

This was bad, you weren't supposed to see him. You squint your eyes at him and pointed.

"Are you supposed to be my guardian angel?"

"Unfortunately, yes"

You hummed at his reply. You sit up and traced your finger on his jawline.

"Are you sure? You don't look like those biblically accurate angels"

"There are different kinds of angels"

"Yeah, but you look hot as a devil"

Kita gulped you pressed yourself against his body. He knows he shouldn't but something about your touch was intoxicating.

"How do I know if you're really an ange?"

"Are the wings not convincing enough?"

"You have to do better than that. C'mon, make me believe"

And made you believe he did because he just managed to make you cum more than five times with his fingers alone. Kita should be embarrassed with the way he's aroused by the sound your desperate moans, the way your eyes rolled back when he abuses your clit, the smell of your sweat mixing with your perfume, and the taste of your cum when he licks it off his fingers.

"More, I want more"

"Do ya think ya deserve it? For all I know you've been nothin' but a bad girl"

"No! M'not, I'm nice please, just want your cock"

You whimpered desperately and tugged at his robe. He wanted to do God's work by punishing you first and making you admit for your sins.

"You have to ask for forgiveness and promise to be a good girl"

"Pleeease! M'sorry! I'll be good!"

Kita slaps your pussy making you yelp and moan at the same time. You were full onsobbing and begging to get dicked down so bad by your guardian angel.

"How am I going to know you ain't lyin'?"

"I'll stop being a bad girl and-hiccup-pray every day and got church! Just please gimme your cock!"

Honestly, Kita couldn't care less if you went to church and become a devoted christian. Knowing he has power over you was enough to think he can keep you in line. When his enormous cock slaps your tummy, you looked at him, eyes wide and watery.

"Think ya can take me, angel?"

*runs away giggling*

#— ♬ ©kitasgloves #haikyuu #haikyuu fanfiction #haikyuu fic #haikyuu smut #kita shinsuke #kita x reader #kita x you #kita shinsuke x reader

[lxkeeeee]

WORSHIP

—husband! scaramouche x fem kitsune wife! reader

synopsis: the balladeer doesn't just kneel nor bow down to anyone, whether you're someone high ranking than him, an adeptus, or a deity; he wouldn't give a shit to who the fuck you are—unless you are his wife, his beloved wife that he would burn the world for.

genre: smut

warnings: switch scaramouche, cheeky little shit, switch reader, slightly brat scara, teasing, marking, uses of pet names like ‘my lady’ or ‘my love/dearest’ and nipple play, and cursing because this is scaramouche we're talking about, reader has mommy vibes. Just imagine Kafka from Honkai Star Rail akhsjanaka

notes: anyone under ages of 18 are warned to read this but I know y'all just turn a blind eye to this or suddenly can't read ಠ⁠_⁠ಠ

the link mentioned in the ask.

Scaramouche doesn't kneel or bow down to just anyone like that. Status? He doesn't give a shit who the fuck you are—a Qixing? An Adeptus? A God? They're just rocks he could just step on towards his path to godhood.

Well, there is one exception. His wife.

His eyes stared at his wife's figure—standing Infront of their shelf of abundant books, her back facing him, a red silk dress adorning her body that highlights all of her curves, a small slit near her left thigh and he can see a holster strapped in the said thigh and equipped with her favorite dagger that of course he gifted to her on her 500th birthday. Her [h/c] ears standing tall and alert, occasionally flinching in each sound, her fox like tail swinging side to side as she eagerly read through the pages of the book she was holding, Scaramouche can't helped but chuckle.

What's up with kitsune's having an obsession with books? He thought to himself as he crosses his arms, making his arms more defined against his sleeveless black turtleneck, leaning his back against the chair he was sitting on as he admired his wife, indigo eyes filled with love yet a hint of desire, a small smirk on his unfairly attractive face like he was sculpted by a god—which he is and was abandoned right after. Can you blame him? She's extremely attractive and with that dress? He has to hold back a moan as he run his fingers through his indigo hair.

Comrade you're so down bad.

Childe's voice echoed in his head, Scaramouche doesn't know what the fuck down bad means. Teenagers.

He shook his head as he slowly stood up from where he sat, approaching his wife.

Her fox ears twitch at the sound of her husband's footsteps, she was about to turn to look at him when she felt his arms slowly wrapped around her waist and his head leaned on her shoulder, her back pressed against his chest, [y/n] chuckles as she can hear a playful hum from him, she raised an eyebrow at him as she felt him nuzzle his head at the crook of her neck.

“What's gotten into you my love?” she asked with a teasing voice as her fingers flipped a page from the book she was reading and Scaramouche just closed his eyes as he continues to nuzzle into her neck, using his hands on her waist to guide her to body face him, earning him more confused looks from her.

The purple haired man just gave her half lidded eyes as he cupped her cheeks, “Do you know what day it is today my love?” he whispered as his thumb caressed her jawline, her eyes widen, “It's not our anniversary right?” she asked with a playful voice which earned her a playful flick into her forehead.

“Idiot it's not our anniversary, it's still months away.”

“Then what is it?” she asked, clearly confused and Scaramouche could only chuckle at her dumbfounded look.

“It's mother's day my love.” he whispered making the woman widen her eyes before she chuckles, “But I'm not a mother?”

Scaramouche chuckled as he leaned towards her, their foreheads touching, “Not yet but you will be once we succeed.” He whispered, subconsciously rubbing her stomach feeling the smooth silk in his fingers. She shivered a little bit before a small pout appears on her lips, “Still I'm not yet a mother, my dearest.” Which Scaramouche shush her up by placing his fingers into her lips, “Then let me treat you so well as the mother of our future children.” He whispered before pulling her towards him by her chin.

Warmth. So soft.

Scaramouche can feel his eyes roll back as he thoroughly enjoyed his wife's lips, sucking and biting it gently. The sounds of her moans fueling his desires for her. Slowly going down, kissing the silk like fabric as he did so, kneeling down, stopping by the dress slit near her leg, kissing the exposed skin slowly and sensually. The female could only look in anticipation as her heart thumps loudly against her ribcage, skin feeling like it's on fire.

The Balladeer can only smirk at the way she looked at him—so eager, so excited.

But then again he can't exactly say he doesn't feel the same way—after all he's like a moth and she's a flame, he's so drawn to her, the fiery personality she has that just clashed perfectly against his.

He even thinks that she's his twin flame, the other half of his soul. She makes him complete.

His hands caressed gently the sides of her thighs, his long and slender hands pulling the silk like fabric up to expose her skin. The kitsune's hands shake with every touch he gave to her, each kiss sending shocks down her spine. Breathing became heavy, desperately trying to keep on holding her book. She let out a stuttery chuckle before taking a deep breath, “You really can't keep your hands off me, can you?” she asked with teasing tone in her voice, [e/c] eyes filled with mischief and dark with lust, her hands immediately going down to cup her husband's face and tilt it up to make him look at her, Scaramouche looked up and see the mischievous look on his wife's eyes, his adam's apple bobbed up and down as he gulped a little bit before giving her a smirk, indigo eyes darkened.

“I supposed I really can't keep my hands off you, My lady.” He whispers before slowly standing up, planting small kisses onto her neck and towards her lips. His slender hands found its way to her waist, pulling her close to him as much as possible, her book has been long gone forgotten and is now laying flat on the floor. Her hands found its way to his indigo hair, tugging the strands harshly making the man groan in between the heated kiss.

Tongues fighting for control, soft moans leaving each other's lips as their lips moved against one another, biting and sucking.

They pull away—one with a smirk on his face and the other breathing heavily, yet equally has a bruised and swollen lips.

Scaramouche smirked before pulling her again to a passionate kiss, pulling away before pushing her against the shelves of multiple arrays of books, pining her hands above her with his hand.

She grunted a bit as she felt her back hit the hardcover books before feeling her hands being pinned above her head, face immediately flushing a deep red as she watched the infuriating smirk on her husband's stupidly handsome face.

His free hand found it's way into her left breast, feeling the silk rubbed against her oh so sensitive bud, making her moan softly.

Scaramouche chuckled as he watched her moan and whine under his mercy, his thumb rubbing over the familiar nub against her silk dress.

“Look at you being a moaning mess against my fingers, so eager.” He teased, a smirk on his face. Her eye twitched a little, feeling embarrassed that his hands really do wonders to her body, “I really like spoiling you too much, My lady.” He smirked as their lips found each other again, He has to hold back a moan as he slipped his tongue into her mouth, exploring every nook and crevices. He slowly pushed her against the shelf, her back hitting the hardback covers of the books, she let out a small grunt at the action, already feeling heat creep up in between her legs which made her rubbed her thighs together for some friction. He pins her hands above her head before giving her a smirk—using one hand underneath her chin to tilt her head up to make her look at him—Scaramouche knows, he wants to fuck you so bad but today is your day and so he has to take it slow. “Ssshh, Let me spoil you my lady.” he sensually say against her ears as he used a hand to slip under her dress and rubbed his hands around her breast, feeling the laces of her bra against his skin.

She softly moaned as his fingers began to tease her sensitive nipples, “Mhm... Ahh~ You're s-such a tease.” she stammers in between moans making him let out a playful chuckle as he continue to cup her breast as he kissed her gently—his slightly chapped lips against her soft ones, which reminds him that he forgot to wear a lip balm today. “Is that a complain I hear? I thought my dearest wife loved my teasing?” he asked against her lips—making her let out small gasps and whimpers, “Ah, ha~ of course not.” she gasped out as she felt his hand moved from her breast to her fox ears, scratching behind it, her eyes rolling back, her hands desperately wanting to hold her husband but her wrist is currently pinned down above her head.

“That's it, just like that my lady. Don't hold back your moans.” he seductively says before speaking again, “Because you'll be doing that all night.”

Needless to say, The Balladeer spoiled his wife that night.

⊰᯽⊱┈───── ✧ ─────┈⊰᯽⊱

notes: well this took a long time to write hahahaha anyways. To the moms, single moms, plant moms, furbaby moms, sugar mommies and all moms out there—belated happy mother's day<3

to my dear anon/s sorry this took a long time, uni has really drained all my energy rip.

#genshin impact #genshin fanfic #asklxke #lxkewrites #scaramouche x you #scaramouche smut #scaramouche x reader #genshin scaramouche #scaramouche x reader smut #scaramouche #husband scaramouche #lxke's husband scaramouche works

[val-writesstuff]

Silent song

prologue 

Summary: Joining the Avengers isn't something you ever wanted to do, but Fury thinks it'll be a good thing for you.

Words: 950+

A/N: This is sorta a prologue since it's so short. I haven't posted or written in a hot minute so I'm a bit rusty but I hope y'all like this! im gonna try to make this a series, we’ll see if my brain allows that. Also huge thanks and name credit goes to @poetic-fiasco for helping me out

Main Masterlist | Series Masterlist | Taglist form

~~

I shifted the bag higher on my shoulder as I stared up at the imposing building in front of me. Blinking the rain out of my eyes, I decided today wasn't the day and turned around to leave. Unfortunately for me, at that moment a black SUV pulled up and out slid Fury in a surprisingly nice suit. I don't think I've ever seen him in anything other than his huge leather trench coat. I struggled to hold in a chuckle as the large man practically ran to duck under the awning of the building. 

"Who are you and what have you done to the Nick I know?" I grinned and nudged him when I caught up. 

"I have a government meeting today. I only came cause I had a feeling you'd try to slither out of this. Looks like I was right." With a smirk, he opened the front door and shoved me in. 

"I don't slither Fury. I'm not a snake, and you know I think this is a bad idea. Horrible really. My skills won't be helpful to anybody here." I pushed back against his hand and ground my feet into the floor. 

"Listen." He took a step back to look me in the eyes and crossed his arms. "Part of my meeting today is trying to convince ignorant government officials that we don't need a registry for people like you. I really need you to do good here. It'll help my argument." 

"First of all Nicholas, there is nobody like me. You know I've been searching long enough to know that I'm alone in this world. Second, if you getting me to join this team was just to prove something to the government, it was a stupid idea."

"No. I wanted you to join this team because I think it will do you, and them, some good. You need people you can trust to have your back, and they don't know it yet but they need your skills. Now let's go. Try not to seduce anyone."

~~~~

I let out a sigh as I dropped myself into a chair near the door of the conference room Fury had led me to. Fury had immediately begun whisper arguing with a man easily recognizable as Tony Stark at the head of the table. I took this moment to take a look at the few other people in the room. Across the table sat two men, one was possibly sculpted by gods but he was glaring at me like I did something horrible to him, I mean if looks could kill… 

The other guy seemed to have no clue I existed. He was talking animatedly to the glare master, waving his hands and grinning the whole time. 

I moved my gaze to the only other woman in the room. The gorgeous redhead was watching Nick's argument intently and with a hint of a smirk on her lips. I wondered if that was her natural color. 

I looked back over at where Nick was still arguing with a now red-faced Tony Stark. This conversation about if I'd join had gone on too long, especially since I hadn't been a part of it. I stood up and leaned forward, resting the palms of my hands on the table. “Listen, Fury obviously my being here isn't what anybody wanted.” I shot a return glare at the guy who finally had the decency to turn away. ”Maybe I should just go?”

Fury frowned as he and Stark turned to look at me. “You’re not leaving. Stark here just doesn't like to share his toys with others.”

I batted my lashes and smiled sweetly as Fury's eyes clouded over. “Nick, Let me go. It’s probably better for everybody if I'm not a part of all this.”

Nick stood with a dopey smile on his face for a few moments before he shook his head and frowned at me. “No! You’re part of this team now and that's the end of the story. And what have I said about you doing that to me? Not cool.”

I shrugged an apology and sunk back down in my chair as Fury left. Tony introduced me to the others using weird nicknames. Manchurian candidate, pigeon, and spy. Tony was odd, and not that helpful. After the briefest of intros, he left the room with a half-ass apology about working on something. 

The guy who had been waving his hands while talking earlier had been kind enough to provide me with the three’s actual names. Then he grinned and leaned towards me. "So what are you?”

“Excuse me?” Who the hell meets somebody and the first thing you say to them is what are you? 

“Well, Fury put you here for a reason. We’ve already got gods, a witch, a sorcerer, super soldiers, bug heroes, and assassins. So what are you?” He looked almost as excited as a kid on Christmas.

"If I tell you I'm not human, is that enough?" something about what I said made 'Bucky' scoff and roll his eyes at me. What is his problem with me? And does being human or not matter to these people?

“Mysterious huh? I’m gonna find out what you are, even if I have to steal your file to do so." 

Shit. Was that even in my file? Fury said he'd agree to keep it secret but did that apply to something like this? Maybe it was stamped in giant red letters across the front page. I tried to suppress a shudder as I muttered a sure.   

With that worrisome interaction still on my mind, I quickly excused myself to go in search of my room after a long day. 

Remember, likes are nice but reblogs/feedback are golden!

#avengers #avengers x y/n #avengers x you #avengers x reader #avengers x fem!reader #avengers fanfiction #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky fanfic #enemies to lovers #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes x reader fluff #bucky barnes x fem!reader #bucky barnes fic #bucky barnes fanfic #marvel fanfiction #marvel fanfic #marvel x reader #sam wilson #samwilson #tonystark #tony stark #Nick fury #natasha romanov #natasha romanoff #black widow #iron man #ironman #Silent Song

[tomhardyspinkyfinger]

The Good Girl and the Gangster: 7

Summary: The wedding will still take place, or will it?

A/N: HA! I WIN YOU STUPID CHAPTER! I WROTE YOU!!! I did it everyone. I wrote the chapter. I also think it'll probably be the last chapter in the series! If y'all want a more close ended finish, I might write an epilogue if y'all want. I didn't really edit it but I will in the next day or so! I really hope you guys enjoy. As always please reblog and give me feedback! I live for feedback

TW: language, violence, death, gore, blood, grief, angsty angsty

Tags: @woofgocows @buttercup32sstuff @rikki-b-lake @severewobblerlightdragon @siriuslyblackonbacknback

Masterlist Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

"Mother, my monthly is late."

My mothers hands slowly left my face and she let out a sigh.

"I didn't mean for this, I-"

"Enough. I will talk with Jacobs mother and move up the wedding. You will consummate and the baby will belong to a young, happy, married couple." My mother explained.

I went silent.

What?

"What? I don't understand mother, is this not enough? I know it is shameful, but I refuse to lie to Alfie and Jacob-"

"Stop. Just listen. Your father made me swear to keep this away from you." Her hand grabbed mine and she looked at me, tears forming. In almost all my years, I hardly ever saw my mother cry. She was a woman who always kept up appearances, even with her children.

"After.. we lost your brothers, your father struggled as we all did. He fell into the bottle, we kept it from you. You were still so young and focusing on school, when he was at temple he was drinking. We worked together with the church to get him to stop and it worked. A few months ago he went into the shed for the first time since Caleb died a found a letter. Caleb had written us his goodbyes. Your father began drinking again.."

I was now in tears, Caleb spent his time in the shed sculpting. When he came home from the war he never got a chance to sculpt again before he died.

"Your father fell in with bad people, he gambled, but the horse races was where we encountered an issue. Your father is a smart man, too smart when he drinks. He stole from the Peaky Blinders. They want their money back and we don't have enough alone. Even selling the property wouldn't cover it. Your marriage with Jacob and his families business is enough to help us. They agreed to help us if the marriage goes on. I'm sorry we didn't tell you." My mother concluded, both of us in tears.

"My loves? The party is awaiting the bride to be!" My fathers voice called from the other side of the door as his fist gently rasped against the wood.

"We will be down momentarily darling, just a bit of women's troubles." My mother covered, straightening her voice from the tears and wiping her face with her free hand.

"Alright, I'll keep entertaining with Jacob and his family." My father agreed before we heard his footsteps going down the stairs.

"But, what about Alfie? He has worked with the Peaky Blinders, he can help!" I protested.

"We tried to get his help already, he agreed to work with the Italians and take down the Blinders to help us, but.. it just isn't working. Alfie tried to stop the Blinders, but now the both them and the Italians are weary of him, which is why.. I told him to stay away." My mother confessed. I jumped off the bed and stood in front of her in shock.

"What? How long have you known? Has he been lying to me?" I snapped.

"No no, your father and I had him come to temple that day you met, we conversed briefly about your safety and the money we owe. We asked him to keep an eye on you in case the blinders got involved. I didn't know any of this would happen until I found your drawings." I was in shock at my mothers confessions. Everyone in my life had been lying to me for god knows how long.

I stared at my mother briefly before pushing back my tears and shedding my pajamas, getting dressed for the party as quick as I could. My mother waited patiently, both of us quiet and pulling ourselves together.

We both entered the party together, my tears dry but my eyes puffy, my mother completely unphased. I suffered through my own engagement party, Jacob gripping my waist and making my stomach turn and twist more than it already has been.

After everyone had left the miserable event, Jacob and I sat in the den while our parents conversed in the study.

"Art is a beautiful hobby, don't get me wrong! I just don't feel that it is a career, I will encourage our children to be creative, but they will be raised as real workers." Jacob drowned on and on, the mention of children causing bile to rise in my throat. I pushed it down with my water and nodded along until our parents emmersed.

"The wedding will be next Friday. We were able to organize the food and locations to our liking." My mother spoke, announcing herself in the room. I forced a smile and nodded, too tired and betrayed to fight anymore. We said our goodbyes, and got around to Jacob. Our parents gave us a bit of privacy at the door to say goodbye.

"Until our wedding, my love. I'm quite looking forward to the night." He spoke, kissing the corner of my mouth. I pushed back vomit for the unknownth time tonight and smiled without grimacing this time.

"Me as well, Jacob." I forced out, bidding him goodnight and shutting the door before locking it.

The following week was torture, my mother told me I was better off not going to the doctors and that I needed to just relax for my big day. I stayed bottled up in my room for the week, only leaving to eat and use the restroom. My father was worried, but my mother dismissed it as nerves. She didn't want him knowing I knew.

Too quickly for my liking, the wedding day had arrived. I felt sick to my stomach from the moment I woke up to the drive to the temple. I hadn’t eaten all day and I was green in the face with anxiety.

"You look so beautiful. I am sorry things happened this way. I love you for being so brave." My mother spoke, holding my arms from behind as we both looked in the mirror, my eyes began to tear as I looked at my wedding gown. It was beautiful and simple, something I always envisioned myself in, but everything was wrong. I nodded to my mother and she did the finishing touches to my makeup before my mother ushered me to the entrance where my father was waiting.

He kissed my cheeks and laced our arms.

"You look gorgeous, my baby." He complimented. I thanked him quietly and the doors to the temple opened, the music playing as my father began to walk us down the aisle, practically dragging me with him. I forced a smile as I avoided eye contact with the guests who had stood and turned to watch me, their joyful gazes making me sick.

At the end of the aisle, Jacob thanked my father and grabbed my hand, leading me to the alter where the Rabbi stood. As the Rabbi began speaking, I found my eyes traveling out into the small audience, hoping to see him, hoping he would be my knight in shining armor. Before too long, the Rabbi was initiating the exchange of the rings. For the first time since I had gotten to the alter, Jacob released his tight grip on my fingers to place my wedding band on. I did the same with him, my fingers shaking.

The Rabbi announced our betrothal and Jacob placed both hands on my cheeks, pulling me in and kissing me, his tongue entering my mouth. I submit to the kiss and leaned backwards, my hands awkwardly grabbing at his blazer lapels. I pulled away with much difficulty and Jacob ushered us down the aisle and to the doors, our guests clapping and cheering.

We arrived at the ceremony and sat at our designated table in the front of the room, in front of all our guests. We spent the first two hours mingling with guests as they drank, me avoiding alcohol.

Before the food was set to be placed at the tables, Jacob announced a speech. We stood in the middle of the ballroom floor, our guests seated at tables around us.

"I have been waiting for this marriage and am overjoyed to finally call this woman my wife!" He raised his sixth or seventh glass of whiskey to the audience who cheered. He kissed me vulgarly again before pulling away and continuing his speech, his arm wrapped tightly around my waist.

"I love this woman! She will be the one I come home to every single night, she will tend to our home and provide me with love and beautiful children." He announced. I started to waver back and forth, seeing stars from being so overwhelmed.

"I know neither of us can wait for our first night together, I'm sure our first child can't be far away!" He shouted, the audience laughing and clapping. I tried to focus on just one spot in the room to keep myself conscious. That spot happened to be the doors, that had swung open and let in Alfie, sweating and disheveled.

Black surrounded my vision very quickly, and I was in a heap on the ballroom floor.

I awoke to a voice and a soft hand stroking my face. I rubbed my eyes gently and saw my mother. I looked around the room, empty besides us, and began breathing heavily. I was on a small futon in the back room of the ceremony hall. The room was quaint, a few windows illuminating the room in the moonlight.

"We sent everyone home sweetheart, you just are a bit overwhelmed-"

"Mother, what happened? Something is wrong. Call the doctor please, my baby, mother." I rushed out, frantic and beginning to cry. The door opened suddenly.

"The baby?" Jacobs voice rang out. Jacob had been on the other side of the door, accompanied by my father and Alfie, all three mean having different faces of shock.

"Jacob." I sighed out, sitting up slowly.

"Are you pregnant?" He questioned. It was quiet in the room, my mother looking down and The three men now entering the room. I looked at Alfie briefly, Jacob noticing. "Is it his?"

"Jacob listen-"

"No! Your fucking parents trapped me with a whore! I was already helping your alcoholic disgrace of a father, and now this? You dirty little fucking-" Jacob was cut off by Alfie slamming him against the closest wall, his pistol being pushed into the skin of Jacob's throat so forcefully that he was gagging.

"The fuck did you call her? Say it again mate. Go on. Go ahead, call her a fucking whore again." Alfie instructed, cocking the gun. I stood from the futon and gently placed my hand on Alfie's arm.

"Alfie, let him go." I whispered, tears forming from the mess of a wedding. I never wanted Jacob to get hurt, nor my parents or Alfie.

Alfie hesitantly released Jacob, who slid to the floor holding his throat. He quickly scrambled to his feet and rushed out of the room.

"You're pregnant?" My fathers voice spoke, cracking a bit. I turned and saw him with tears in his eyes. I took a breath and glanced at Alfie, who was not looking at me, I had yet to find out why he even showed up.

"I believe so father. I haven't been-"

"I am so disappointed in you." My father spoke, a single tear rolling down his face. I sniffled, more tears falling as I scoffed.

"You're disappointed in me? That's fucking rich! This entire sham of a wedding was to save your ass! I fell in love with an incredible man and I would be more than honored to mother his children. You will not be in their lives if you even try to put a sliver of blame onto me!" I was screaming, getting closer to my father and sticking my finger in his face. He continued to cry, looking down at me wordlessly.

"You're right. I-I'm so ashamed-" My father began.

He was cut off by the deafening sound of gun shots. I felt a large body yank me to the carpeted ground. Alfie had covered my body with his own, his arms covering my head. The shots continuing to ring throughout the room, glass shattering all around us. My mother was screaming as I kept silent, gripping my aching stomach.

It felt like ages, but the room was eventually silent besides my mothers weeping.

"Don't move." Alfie instructed, hoisting himself off of me gently. He scanned the windows with his pistol as I watched, still in shock. I turned to see my mother curled up next to the couch, unharmed but in distress. When I looked to my father my stomach dropped.

"F-father?" I called out. No response. I crawled towards him and gasped, sobbing at the sight. My father lay with a gushing bullet hole in his neck, his eyes closed as he laid lifeless. I could hardly see with the low lighting and my tears flowing, but I gathered up the bottom of my dress and attempted to hold it to his neck to stop the bleeding.

I heard my mother screech and scramble next to me, gripping my fathers motionless arm.

"Darling? William? Please my love, open your eyes." My mother pleaded, sobs wracking her body. I continued applying pressure, my hands and dress now soaked in blood.

"Alfie! Call someone please, get help!" I yelled, looking back to see Alfie looking sorrowful. I looked back down at fathers body and saw two more shots in his chest, one in his heart. I let out another sob and fell backwards, my hands clutching my chest.

"Why did you stop? I-Is help here?" My mother questioned, looking at me and then Alfie. I shook my head and she clenched her eyes shut, laying her head on my fathers stomach.

Alfie stayed with us until an ambulance and the police showed up. The removed my fathers body and had a second ambulance take my mother and I to the hospital.

The nurses cleaned and changed me, giving me a white bed in an all white room. I laid motionless, thinking about the events of the night when the doctor came in.

"Hello my dear, how are we feeling?" He questioned, looking at the clipboard in his hands, then to my tear stricken face.

"My baby. Is my baby okay?" I questioned. He laid me on my back and began to perform a few tests. I closed my eyes and cried silently, still in shock and grief.

"There is no baby, it seems." The doctor spoke. I opened my eyes and looked at him, confusion lacing my features.

"I don't understand? My monthly never came after I-"

"I can assure you, you are not pregnant. Sometimes in stress induced situations, a woman's cycle can be thrown off course. Nothing to worry, just a bit of rest and a better sleep schedule before you can start trying again." The doctor smiled, patting my shoulder and leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I tried to stop the tears, but they had been flowing since the wedding. The door opened and shut after about an hour, but I was facing away, hoping whoever it was would just leave.

"Y/N?" Alfie's voice called out into the silence. I didn't respond.

"You ain't gotta talk to me. Please tell me if the babe is alright?" He spoke.

"There isn't a baby, Alfie. Doctor said I was never pregnant. Leave me alone." I bit out, still facing away. I felt the bed creak as he sat at the end, rubbing my leg above the blanket. I pulled away from him and finally faced him, guilt etching his features.

"You knew. You knew it was going to happen didn't you? That's why you showed up to the wedding?" I questioned.

"The blinders found out about me an' the wops. I was too late. M'sorry dove." Alife confessed.

"You lied to me about everything. About my parents, Jacob, the wedding. For what? That I still don't understand." I spoke, throat coarse from crying and yelling. He didn't say anything.

"You're done here now. My fathers debt was collected and you failed to help him. All you did was fuck up my life, Alfie. Go home. Or don't, just get away from me." I bit out, laying back down on the pillow and closing my eyes, tears pooling once again. I waited until I heard him leave, the sound of the door shutting triggering full body sobs.

After a day in the hospital, my mother and I were back in our home. It was quiet and cold, missing my fathers presence. My mother was kept in the hospital for shock, and they released her to me once I was cleared, but she was yet to recover. I held her arm in mine and lead her to bed, tucking her in. She was just a shell, silent and pale.

"I'm going to make us some lunch, just shout if you need me." I spoke, brushing her hair out of her face. She ignored me and I sighed.

After a few months of me caring for my mother, she had improved greatly. She could care for herself now, but had only left the house twice, once to witness my annulment to Jacob and once more for fathers funeral. She was quiet, thin, and cried often, but she was talking and smiling more frequently. I hadn't seen Alfie since I told him to leave me be, and it has been hard. I spent all my time caring for mother and the house to distract myself, but he always found his way back to the front of my mind.

I left my mother in the garden reading a novel with Biscuit on her lap to go to the shops and get our groceries. Biscuit had been a great comfort to her, she always claimed to hate him until now, he kept fathers side of the bed warm.

I walked into town and began shopping at the markets, gathering some meat and eggs. A bouncing head of red hair caught my attention.

"Elise?" I questioned. She stopped and turned, her jaw dropping.

"Y/N! Darling!" She exclaimed, wrapping her arms around me. I hadn't seen her since the first night I met her at her party Alfie took me to. She pulled away and examined me.

"How have you been then?" She questioned. I smiled.

"I've been better." I confessed. She nodded and brought me over to a bench, sitting us both down, the now breezy autumn air surrounding us.

"No need to beat around the bush. I know everything, and I'm sorry. for your father, Alfie, everything." She spoke, holding my hands in hers, the basket of goods placed between us.

"It's alright Elise, really. I've started to heal." I smiled, pushing back tears and the mention of my father.

"Darling, I didn't know what Alfie did, but I do know he needs you about as much as you need him." She spoke, sympathy lacing her beautiful features.

"He doesn't need me, Elise. He betrayed me." I spoke, looking down. She released my hand and tilted my chin to have me face her.

"He thought he was protecting you. Doesn't make it right, but it makes it understandable, and more importantly, forgivable." She spoke. I sighed and looked away.

"He's bad, love. Goes to work, locks himself in his office, then straight to his house. I've checked in, he isn't eating or sleeping. You know how he can be. You don't have to forgive him or take him back, but please talk to him. For me." Elise pleaded. I nodded and we went our separate ways.

A week later, after heavy internal debating, I found myself on Alfie's doorstep. I knocked hesitantly. I got no response for a while, until the door swung open and revealed Alfie. He looked tired, his skin scratchy and untreated. He seemed shocked to see me.

"Can I come in?" I questioned. He moved to the side and let me in, shutting the door after me. I entered the den, greeting Cyril who laid in front of the roaring fire place. He lazily rolled over for me to pat his belly, and I did so with a smile. I sat on the couch, placing my coat down on the arm of the couch. He was staring at me, waiting for me to speak. I moved closer to him and placed my hands on his cheeks, his coarse beard tickling my fingers. He closed his eyes and let out a breath.

"I'm sorry, Alfie." I muttered, pressing my lips to his. He wrapped his arms around me instantly, pulling me onto his lap. He deepened the kiss, his big hands spread across my back. He pulled away and brushed my hair out of my face, looking deep into my eyes.

"What're you sorry for?" He questioned. I smiled and smoothed his hair back with my fingers, then smoothing out his worry lines on his forehead. Ingraining every inch of his face into memory.

"I was mad. I didn't mean what I said. I thought you had moved on but when I ran into Elise she told me you were struggling. I spent the last week thinking of ways to apologize. Do you forgive me?" I questioned.

"Nah, gonna hate you for the rest of time treacle." He spoke, smirking. I rolled my eyes.

"What do I have to do to get you to forgive me?" I questioned, stroking his face.

"Marry me?"

#alfie #tom hardy #tom hardy x reader #reader insert #tom hardy x you #fic #fluff #alfie solomons #peaky blinders alfie #alfie x reader #alfie solomons fanfiction #peaky blinders fanfic #angst

[leiawritesstories]

Instruct Me

WHO Is This? Part 2 ;))))

For Rowan Week, day 7: Aelin admiring Rowan

the people have spoken and i hope this delivers hehe. happy happy birthday Emma @thegreyj!!!!!!!

Word count: 4.4k (oops)

Warnings: language, suggestive jokes, Rowan in leggings, smut. NSFW and definitely not for kids.

Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rowan was most definitely out of his depth.

He sat in his truck and breathed deeply, gathering every scrap of willpower he could find to convince himself to stop worrying and get out of the car already. He'd made it this far--it would be a damn shame to turn around now, when he was parked in the lot of Caraverre Studio, fifteen minutes before the eight o'clock class.

The eight o'clock Pilates class that Aelin Galathynius taught.

Gods above, he was like a high school kid with a crush.

Exhaling slowly, Rowan opened his door and swung himself out, closing the door firmly before he could second-guess his decision and locking up the truck so he wouldn't just climb back in anyway. He tucked his car keys into his pocket, allowed himself exactly twelve seconds to stress the hell out about going into what would probably be a roomful of women who would stare at his ass, and walked across the parking lot, each step feeling more final than the last.

The green-eyed brunette woman at the front desk glanced up and smiled brightly, a faintly wicked spark glinting in her eyes. "Hi there!"

"Hey," Rowan said slowly, awkwardly.

She raised a manicured brow. "Can I help you?"

"Yeah, um, Aelin told me you take drop-ins for classes and I was hoping there was a spot at the 8 o'clock Pilates?"

The woman tapped on her iPad. "You must be Rowan."

Rowan blinked, stunned. "How--"

"Aelin's told us all about the bigshot hockey player who's on the alumni board with her," the woman laughed. "Nice to meet you, Rowan. I'm Lysandra."

"Leave it to Aelin," he snorted, grinning, set at ease by Lysandra's friendliness. "My cousin Sellene comes here all the time, she wanted me to tell you that y'all are amazing."

"Thank you," Lysandra beamed. "I should have known--you look so similar to her." She slid a clipboard with a form and a pen across the desk. "We do have a few spots left for the 8 o'clock, I just need you to fill out this form and pay the $10 drop-in fee."

"Perfect." Rowan quickly filled in the information on the form, signed, and handed Lysandra the form and his credit card. She swiped the card and handed it back.

"Studio C tonight. Go all the way down the hall, all the studios are labeled and the doors to C should be open." She waved. "Enjoy the class!"

"Thanks." Rowan followed where she'd pointed him, heading off down the hall until, as promised, he reached Studio C.

And just as he'd expected, he was the only guy there.

Shit.

~

Aelin arrived at Caraverre at exactly seven-forty, a good ten minutes earlier than she typically got there, but she wanted to have a little extra time to prepare for that night's class. Lys had texted her that there were a few more beginners signed up for the class, and she knew that Rowan might be dropping in, so she just wanted to make sure her planned workout wasn't going to be too much.

And no, the bright red, sculpting set she was wearing was definitely not because of the possibility of Rowan's presence.

Not at all.

After the, er, dreams she'd had--dreams in which every strong inch of his chiseled body was pressed to hers--well, teasing him was the least she could do.

She unrolled her mat at the front of the studio and set up the big basket of equipment, making sure she had a few spare mats for anyone who didn't have one. Around the room, as usual, she set up the electric candles, casting the space in soft warm light. As the people came in, she greeted all of them, recognizing a handful of women who regularly came to her classes as well as a few newbies.

By seven fifty-five, fourteen of the fifteen people who were scheduled to be there had arrived and settled themselves in the studio, low hums of conversation flickering around the space.

At seven fifty-eight exactly, Rowan Whitethorn walked through the doors.

And every female gaze in the room flicked straight to his unfairly sculpted body.

"Hey," he said nervously, uncertainty flashing across his handsome face as he flicked a wary gaze around the room.

"Hey, Rowan," Aelin smiled, walking over to his side. "Don't mind the ladies," she murmured, leading him to a relatively quiet place in the studio. "Having a man here is almost exotic."

He snorted quietly. "You say that like I'm a treat, Aelin."

"For the eyes, you are," she smirked, flashing him a wink.

Good lord, he was wearing very tight pants. Yes, and shorts over the top, but they were running shorts, dammit. He could not be having this...reaction to her. Not now.

But gods burn him, that red ensemble of hers did bad, bad things to his tenuous self-control.

"Not you too," he groaned, pleading.

She chuckled. "Don't worry about me, Whitethorn. It's our dear Maeve who's got her eyes on you." She tilted her head to the left, indicating the petite, salt-and-pepper-haired older woman wearing leggings and a loose, short-sleeved shirt who sat comfortably on her mat, her dark eyes trained on Rowan.

"Gods burn me," Rowan muttered. "She reminds me of my gran, she does."

Aelin snickered. "She's a lovely woman, but she firmly believes that I'm turning into a crazy cat lady and she's tried to set me up with every man who's ever come to one of my classes."

Rowan chuckled. "Seems like a lovely lady."

"She is," Aelin grinned, "she just adores to meddle, though." She glanced at Rowan's mat. "You're gonna want to grab a set of weights and a booty band from the basket." After checking his equipment, she nodded. "Good. Don't look so terrified, Whitethorn, you're going to be fine."

"I hope so," he mumbled, more to himself than to her as she headed back to the front of the room.

"Good evening, everyone!" Aelin settled herself into a comfortable seated position. "My name is Aelin and I teach Pilates and barre here ad Caraverre. Welcome! Tonight's class is going to be focused primarily on stretching and stability, and it's very beginner-friendly, I promise." She smiled. "For those of you who are familiar with Pilates, please feel free to modify the exercises if you need a higher difficulty. And, as always, honor your body and don't do anything that makes you feel pain."

Rowan followed Aelin's instructions, her husky, smooth voice guiding him and the rest of the class to lie down flat, and breathed deeply, focusing his attention on his breath. To his surprise, he found her instructions precise and clear and easy to follow, and he found himself much more capable than he'd thought he would be at coaxing his body into the stretches she demonstrated.

"Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart," Aelin instructed. "Good, good! Now, step your right foot out into a wide side lunge, and lean your weight towards the right leg." She demonstrated, lunging sideways, enjoying the stretch in her left leg.

And thoroughly enjoying the way Rowan's eyes trained on the lines of her body.

Standing back up, she walked slowly around the studio, offering her instructions to the students. Good--make the stretch a little deeper--keep your back straight--less weight on the left foot--looks good. When she came to Rowan, she flicked her eye over his form, nodding. "Looks good, Mr. Alternate Captain."

"Stop it," he mumbled, flushing a little.

She smirked and turned around in front of him, demonstrating how to shift weight to the other leg. This was totally normal for her--demonstrating the next move wherever she was in the room, whether on her own mat or somewhere else.

And if Rowan had a prime view of her ass as she demonstrated, well, wasn't that a funny coincidence?

~

Rowan was going to combust. Right here, right now. Actually burst into flames and die.

It took every ounce of his willpower to think of sad puppies and roadkill and other such boner-killing things to prevent himself from looking like an absolute creep. But in his defense, Aelin's tiny little smirk meant that she'd done that on purpose. Demonstrated the stretch right in front of his face on purpose.

She was trying to kill him, he was sure of it.

It was almost as if she knew that he dreamed of her. That in his dreams, she was as bare as the day she was born, her softly tanned skin soft and smooth beneath his wandering hands. That in his godsdamned dreams, the moans that left her lips were sweeter than the loveliest melody ever composed.

As she made her way around the studio, Aelin paused next to Rowan, placing her hand onto his side and nudging his weight farther over his left leg. "The stretch will feel better if you aren't so planted on your supporting leg," she explained softly.

Rowan's jaw twitched at the twinge of old pain in his left leg, the injury from years ago that made him hesitant to stretch too deeply.

Aelin, of course, noticed. "You alright?"

He nodded.

She raised her brows, unconvinced. "Honor your body, Rowan."

"Damn catchphrases," he grumbled, but allowed her to help guide him into a less strenuous stretch. "Thank you."

She patted his shoulder, her hand lingering on the tanned skin and muscle exposed by his tank top. "I'm a certified instructor, Whitethorn. Trust me when I tell you that I don't want you injured."

"Right, always stretch to be safe," he muttered, half to himself.

A wide, wicked grin flashed across her face. "All the better to warm up your old muscles, darling."

That did it.

Rowan was in deep, deep shit.

~

Aelin could barely keep herself from smirking with glee as she led the Pilates class into a series of bridge holds, booty bands looped around the upper thighs for extra resistance. As she lifted her lower body off the mat, explaining how to properly lift and lower the body so as to engage the targeted muscles, she couldn't help but admire the way Rowan's toned legs and ass flexed and clenched as he followed her directions.

Those Spandex leggings did marvelous, marvelous things for the imagination, they did.

"Lift...and lower," she instructed, keeping her voice level and calm, guiding the class. "Good, good! Lift...and lower. Make sure your back is flat against the mat when you come down, and if it's not, just take your time! Remember, form is far more important than the number of repetitions. Lift...and lower. Good!"

Sliding the band off her legs, Aelin stood and circled the studio, still directing the set of bridges. "All right, good! Now lift!" A longer pause this time. "And lower slowly, as slowly as you can. Good!" She returned to her mat and laid down, settling herself onto her side. "Now, turn slowly onto your left side, keep that band around your legs, we're going to do some leg lifts."

She demonstrated how to position the legs, bent at an angle and slightly in front of the body. "Now lift your top leg up, keeping the heels together, just like this." She showed the froglike leg lift, knowing full well that Rowan's attention shot right to the borderline seductive crook of her legs as she lifted her top leg. "Remember, honor your body and don't lift any farther than you're comfortable doing." She looked around at the class. "Good, good! Really good!"

Rising, she directed the class through a slow set of leg lifts, adjusting form as she walked. She tossed Rowan a sly wink when she approached him, smirking down at him. "Nice leg work, Whitethorn. Bet the ladies love it."

His face went the most delightful shade of embarrassed as he coughed, struggling for words. "Aelin," he wheezed, cheeks flaring bright red.

She just winked. "Okay, everyone, turn onto your other side and repeat the same exercise! Slowly now, we're focusing on stability, not reps. Ready?"

After the more demanding part of the workout, Aelin guided the class through a series of cooldown stretches, staying on her own mat and just talking through the motions. And smothering her evil smirk when she noticed Rowan's attention drawn directly to the swell of her breasts through her sports bra when she leant forwards, explaining the stretch. "Remember, only go as far as you can and hold, your muscles will loosen up after a bit of time and you may be able to stretch farther."

She had to clamp her lips together to keep from giggling when she noticed how many of the ladies' gazes flicked over to Rowan's ass as she guided the class into a folded-over stretch. One that deliberately placed everyone's ass up in the air.

But it was such a good stretch for tight backs and hamstrings.

"And that's the class!" she announced, grinning at the fifteen people as she slowly rolled her head up, comfortably seated on her mat. "Thank you all so much for coming!"

Murmurs of thanks rippled around the room as people slowly got up and rolled up their mats, placing equipment back in the basket. Aelin stood at the doorway and said good night to everyone, smiling and laughing and making her goodbyes.

Rowan was the last person lingering in the studio, waiting until all the ladies had left before he strolled up to her and leaned against the doorframe, eyes bright with mischief and something...darker.

"What did you think?" she asked, genuinely curious.

He rolled his neck, considering. "I actually really enjoyed it," he admitted.

"I'm glad," she beamed. "Really, Rowan. I hardly get guys in Pilates classes, it's just so much more marketed to women."

"I see why all the team trainers want us to do something with more stretching," he chuckled. "God, it's like I'm discovering muscles I never knew I had."

She smirked. "That tends to happen with Pilates and yoga and other, slower workouts. I remember when I took my first Pilates class, I had to take a few minutes before I could put my shoes on."

His soft laugh echoed through the studio, a low joyous rumble she wanted to capture in a jar and keep forever. "I'm pretty sure I'll be feeling it in the morning."

"Not the only thing you feel in the morning," she smirked, unable to help herself.

Instantly, Rowan's eyes flared, that suppressed darkness in their depths rising up. "What exactly are you implying, Aelin?"

Gods burn her, the way this man said her name. "Why don't you use that little brain of yours and think about it, Rowan?"

He stepped closer to her, bracing one forearm on the doorframe, right beside her head, drawing her gaze up into his. Hell, she hadn't realized how much of a height difference there was between them. Or how much that height difference turned her on.

"I think," he purred, brazenly curling his free hand around her hip, "that you've had too much fun instructing me tonight, Aelin Galathynius."

"Hmmm," she purred, daintily placing her fingertips against his toned chest, a smirk curling the corners of her full lips, "and what makes you think that, Rowan Whitethorn?"

In response, he tipped his head down, pausing when he was no more than a hairsbreadth away from her tantalizing lips, his own wicked grin unfurling at her tiny, shuddering sigh of yearning. "Someone couldn't keep her hands off me," he hummed, slipping just a fraction closer, the heat of his body pressing into hers.

A shiver danced down her spine. "At least I wasn't afraid to make a move," she smirked, taunting him.

To her complete and utter delight, it worked.

Rowan closed the barely-there gap between them, pressing his lips to hers, his kiss soft and tentative at first but quickly deepening when Aelin rolled up onto her tiptoes and looped her arms around his neck, threading her fingers into his soft hair.

Gods, this must be what heaven was like--six-foot-three and toned as hell, with a tattoo straight out of her fantasies licking up the length of one arm.

A muted whoop broke through their reverie, making them jump apart and whirl around to find Lysandra standing a few paces away, beaming like a child on Christmas and clapping. "I win!"

"Dammit," Aelin grumbled, laughing through her pretended grouchiness. "Really, Lys?"

"You're the one snogging the man you've been crushing on in public," Lys smirked.

Aelin rolled her eyes. "Fair enough. Now shoo, Lys."

"Love you too!" Lysandra called over her shoulder as she headed off. "It's my night to lock up, so go home, lovebirds!"

"You're the worst!"

Lys just giggled. "I'll expect details tomorrow, babes!"

"Gods," Aelin fake-grumbled, chuckling as she grabbed her rolled-up mat and slung it over her shoulder. "I'm never gonna hear the end of this from her."

"Oh, but you'll have stories to tell," Rowan promised, smirking darkly at her.

She arched one blonde brow. "Awful big talk, Whitethorn."

His smirk grew, curling lazily across his face as he trailed his eyes down her body. "And I can back it up, too." He slipped his hand into hers, linking their fingers, and walked beside her out into the parking lot.

Where he promptly pressed her up against the side of his truck and kissed her deeply, pressing his body flush with hers. She groaned into his kiss, her lips opening to his tongue, and yanked him closer, delicately slipping her hands beneath his thin tank top to slide up his torso, his chest, feeling his heartbeat thundering under her palms.

"Gods," he groaned, panting, pulling away only to kiss down her jaw, her neck, "gods, Aelin!"

Head tilting back, she moaned softly, her grasp on reality swiftly slipping away under this gorgeous man's ministrations. "Rowan," she panted, a half-coherent thought breaking through the fog of desire clouding her senses, "home."

He stepped back. "Where?"

She caught her breath, the coolness of the night air helping to clear her head. "I live fairly close..."

"Your place, then." His eyes glittered. "I don't need to waste any more time, love."

The pet name warmed her to her core. "Right, you can just follow me, I'm not leaving my car here."

~

The drive home was a hazy blur of shock and elation and disbelief, paired with the steady throbbing in her core. Aelin parked in her driveway and locked up her car, waiting by the front door for Rowan to hop out of his truck, lock up, and stride over to her, wasting absolutely no time in wrapping one thickly muscled arm around her waist and kissing her long and slow, not caring that they were on her front porch and anyone could see them.

"Inside," Aelin managed to gasp, fumbling for her key and unlocking the door. Rowan hoisted her effortlessly into his arms and carried her into her house, hands wandering the moment he set her back down on her feet.

"Fuck," he rasped, toying with the band of her sports bra. "You're so damn gorgeous, Ae."

"You're one to talk, handsome" she hummed, boldly surveying his chiseled frame, her wicked gaze not missing the tent in his shorts. "Looks like I'm not the only one who had fun at the studio."

"Wicked woman," he chuckled, sweeping her into his arms again, his large hands cupping her ass. Before he could give in to the temptation of kissing her flushed skin, though, he looked into her eyes. "Are you sure about this?"

She cupped her hands around his jaw. "Lys is right, Rowan, I've had a crush on you for far longer than I'm ever going to admit." A soft kiss to his temple. "I'm absolutely sure. I need you, Ro."

"Thank all the gods," he rumbled, nipping softly at her collarbone. "I--I've had a crush on you for years, too."

"Look at us idiots," she laughed, "both--oh gods, Rowan!" Her mirth shifted into a moan as he slid one hand between her thighs, feeling the warmth pooled there.

"So you did enjoy teasing me," he purred into her ear, his heated breath fanning against her skin.

"So much," she gasped. "Ah, fuck, Ro!"

"I need you," he panted, so close to just damning it all to hell and taking her right there, first times be damned.

She slipped out of his arms, took his hand, and led him upstairs and into the master bedroom, where she peeled off her leggings and sports bra and stood before him wearing only a scrap of lace that could barely be called panties. "You have me."

Rowan all but ripped his tank top off, eyes fixed onto the absolute beauty that was Aelin Galathynius standing near-bare in front of him. The leggings were a bit trickier, but soon enough, he stood bare before her, endlessly thrilled at the way her gaze tracked down his body, darkening as she looked.

"Fuck me," she whispered, her voice low and throaty. "You're so damn beautiful, Ro." Her lips, slightly swollen from his kisses, dropped ever so slightly open at the sight of him standing hard and proud and ready for her, at the whole of him bared to her.

"That's the idea," he chuckled darkly, striding to her, tilting her chin up to meet her brilliant turquoise eyes. "But first..." He played with the waistband of her lacy little panties. "These need to go."

With one quick rip, the offending garment laid on the floor. Aelin barely had time to gasp before Rowan was on her, his lips and touch everywhere she craved it, his body hard and warm and tantalizing against hers. Almost before she knew it, he was laying her down on her bed, a look near reverence in his desire-darkened eyes.

"Tell me if you need me to stop," he whispered into her ear, just about making her cry with sheer overwhelming emotion.

But she settled on a long, low moan as he splayed one hand between her breasts, alternating rough and soft touches, teasing her nipples into hard, eager peaks, and trailed the other hand through her soaked pussy, his thumb landing squarely on her clit. "Fuck, Rowan!"

"That's it, love," he rumbled, "say my name." Gods burn him, she was dripping against his hand, her slick eager core welcoming him as he slipped one finger gently into her heat, groaning thickly at the way she gripped him. "Fuck, you feel amazing."

"Don't stop," she begged, so wound up and ready for him. "Please, R, don't stop."

"Such pretty manners," he smirked, adding another finger. "You like that, Ae?" He took her frantic, wordless nod as assent and sped up the pace of his fingers, leaning down to tug one deliciously peaked breast into his mouth, needing to feel her coming undone for him before he would let himself enter her. She moaned breathily, a jumble of curses and pleas and his name leaving her lips.

"Close, Rowan, so close!"

"Come for me, love."

And she did, climaxing around his fingers, her face scrunching and then relaxing in utter bliss as her body rocked. He worked her through it, pulling away to slide his tongue across his glistening fingers, moaning lowly at the taste of her.

"Delicious," he purred hotly, lowering his lips down to hers. "Taste yourself, love." And he kissed her, possessive, claiming, making her taste the essence of herself on his tongue. His hips jerked involuntarily as she wrapped her wicked hand around him, pumping too slowly for the way his blood raced, craving her.

"You like that?" she murmured, her tiny smirk proving that she knew very well he liked it.

He grunted a curse and plucked her hand away from him. "Keep doing that and I won't last long enough to have you screaming my name, love." He ghosted a kiss against her throat. "And I will have you screaming for me."

Her whole body shuddered at his promise, fresh arousal pooling in her core. "Yes please," she breathed, pressing a kiss to his strong jawline.

"As you wish," he murmured, locking his eyes onto hers as he lined himself up and slid slowly into her, both of them moaning at the sensation. He rocked his hips slowly, easing into the heavenly tightness of her until his hips bumped against hers. "Hi," he breathed, tenderly brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face.

"Hi," she breathed, her hips subtly rocking upwards into him. He smiled at her, stroking across her face as he withdrew, only to plunge back into her, drawing a sharp moan from her lips. "Ohhhh, oh gods!"

"Not gods," he panted, his thrusts rattling her whole world, "just me." He could feel himself on the verge of breaking, even so soon after entering her--she was perfect. So perfect. His pace sped up, growing almost frantic, and she met him thrust for thrust, gripping his shoulders and raising herself up to lean her forehead into his. Their breaths mingled in the sex-tinged haze of the bedroom as he pounded into her, gasping praises and curses and chants of her name.

"Rowan," she pleaded, desperate, writhing beneath him. "Please, gods, Rowan, I'm so close!"

"Then come for me," he ordered, slipping his hand between their bodies to flick her clit, the last touch of pleasure she needed to tumble into ecstasy, yelling his name as she shattered around him.

He groaned her name into the crook of her neck as he followed, just barely remembering to pull out and spill himself all over her thighs and lower abdomen. Gods, but the sight of her covered in his orgasm did terrible things to his self-control. Her chest heaved as she came down from the blissful high, tugging him down to sprawl atop her as he stilled.

"Mmmmph," he mumbled, something resembling sanity telling him he needed to get up and get a washcloth. "Need to clean you up."

"And a gentleman too," she murmured, allowing him to get up--a little unsteadily--and go into her bathroom to grab a warm washcloth and clean her up. "Mmm, I got really lucky."

His laugh rumbled through her room. "You are incredible, Ae," he whispered, sliding back into bed and curling around her.

She settled comfortable into his embrace, tucking her head into the crook of his shoulder. "No, you are."

He didn't have time to protest before she was asleep, her breathing deep and rhythmic.

Well, then.

He'd tell her how he felt in the morning.

~~~

TAGS:

@charlizeed

@cretaceous-therapod

@clea-nightingale

@autumnbabylon

@nerdperson524

@fireheartwhitethorn4ever

@morganofthewildfire

@rowanaelinn

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@goddess-aelin

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@live-the-fangirl-life

@darling-im-the-queen-of-hell

@chronicchthonic14

@lovely-dove-zee

@sweet-but-stormy

@hanging-from-a-cliff

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#my writing #aelin galathynius #rowan whitethorn #rowaelin #fluff #and sexy times #rowaelin smut #and lots of naughty jokes #rowan week #rowan week fic #happy birthday emma #love you emma #smutty smut smut #gonna bleach my eyes now

[tommyarashikage]

Some Sentences Sunday

got tagged by @natesofrellis @socially-awkward-skeleton @noetikat and @sstewyhosseini for another wip day + saw @adelaidedrubman post one too! thank y'all for the tags! 💜 I am. writing. wow

tagging @lethal-justice @hoesephseed @thomrainer @aceghosts @dihardys @jackiesarch @henbased @roofgeese @josephslittledeputy @risingsh0t @indorilnerevarine @confidentandgood @purplehairsecretlair @strangefable @shellibisshe @leviiackrman @shadowglens and anyone who wants to tag me!

"only" two different wips this time

I am making the tiniest steps for fc5 stuff. surprisingly it's harder to start working on it, but once I'm in the flow it gets a lot easier

Before Laurie could grab the handcuffs, a thought grazed the back of her mind. It’s fleeting, but she notices it for a brief second. Those hands. Those big, calloused hands are now pointing in her direction. What if they’re reaching out to her? What if for the first time in her life, someone is reaching out to catch her from falling instead of pushing her down further into the pitch-black hole?

Or is she this desperate? Craving something she never had the privilege of experiencing and thus turning hands that cause harm and destruction into ones of comfort, and liberation.

missing this spiky specimen so sw is on the brain! sorry that it's so long, but at least it's six paragraphs

Her eyes flutter open, still trying to get used to the light. What she sees in front of her is white, crystallized in soft blue hues. The breath she releases being very well visible. Ice.

Her gaze follows the sculpted [forms] upwards, where it curves, making it look like an archway. Some of it had already melted away, releasing the dark grey walls behind it. At closer inspection, by squinting her eyes at it, said walls seem to be made of metal.

As the young woman is only slowly coming back to her senses, her ears now perk up at the sounds of tiny water droplets landing on the metal floor.

She lowers her view to the ground and tilts her head. There’s a puddle under her feet and tiny chunks of ice are scattered across the floor. Not only where she broke out of, but even further into the cave.

A sudden twinge in her right arm pulls her out of her awe. She hisses and pulls her eyebrows together as she clutches at it. The pain of it excruciating, as if it had just been inflicted upon her.

She hastily turns around and flinches as she spots someone standing behind her. A cloaked figure. All the woman can distinguish is the person’s face. The red skin is covered in black markings. Yellow eyes rest on her, staring into her… (she doesn’t even remember her own eye colour). Those eyes, they seem oddly familiar. It gives her a strange feeling of comfort she’s never felt before. She doesn’t like it at all.

#wip tag #how confusing is laurie's thought process if you don't know her backstory lol #she's being a lil silly here #i don't even know how many mutuals are familiar with sw so I'll just put this here and 🏃‍♀️💨

[petrichor-idyllic]

So, y'all seemed to like my last TMR OC/idea prompt list thing, so I thought I'd do another one.

But actually focus on OC ideas this time.

Okay, so here are some cool OC ideas because there's actually a lot you can do with this universe, but everyone does the same shit.

And I am here to provide:

A transfer character. Can be used for either the books or the movies, but an OC that starts off in one Maze and then gets moved to another with no warning could be an interesting concept. WICKED has made giant simulation Mazes, monsters, flesh eating floating metal balls and teleportation windows- I don't think it's that far-fetched that they could scoop a kid from one Maze and throw them in another.

So, Thomas and Teresa obviously built the Maze, so prodigy characters are a staple of the series. I think an OC that has a lot of knowledge about anatomy and biology, who could work as a Med-jack or a Slicer, who actually designed and made the Grievers, and obviously doesn't remember it, could be a interesting concept.

More male OCs pls. I love seeing these ladies, don't get me wrong because it makes things more interesting. But I think fanfiction can just be for fun and I love seeing some casual normal guy OCs kicking it around the Glade. (Saying this as someone who has male and female characters for this universe.)

I'd also love to see a trans character.

An OC that snuck into the Maze could also be fun. I feel like I need to explain this one more. Picture this: your character is like Teresa and Thomas and has enough of watching their friends be tortured and killed, so they set themself up to go into the Maze early. So they rock up early, like in the middle of two Greenie days and it freaks everyone out. (This could also be an easy way to make it make more sense for fem! OCs to end up in the Glade.)

OC with a cyborg limp of some kind. WICKED could make it happen, don't tell me they wouldn't.

Also, lemme give some names 'cause there was a phase a while back where OCs had the most random names and people completely ignored the fact that all the characters in the Mazes are named after famous people.

(I have used some of these names for my own characters, but I will not be revealing the name of my main OC because she is too precious to me and I am protective over her name. I may one day post about her if people are interested.)

MASCULINE

Otto - Otto Hahn: A German nuclear chemist who is often referred to as the father of nuclear chemistry and nuclear fission.

Leo - Leonardo da Vinci: This one is obvious but just in case you don't know; a famous polymath of the High Renaissance who had several talents, including painting, engineering, science and sculpting.

Dalton - John Dalton: An English chemist, physicist and meteorologist. He introduced the atomic theory into chemistry and researched into colour blindness (also known as Daltonism in many languages).

Al/Alan - Alan Turing: Cryptanalyst famous for his work during the Second World War.

Micky- Michael Faraday: A philosopher who contributed to the study of electromagnetism and electrochemistry.

GENDER-NEUTRAL

Clerk - James Clerk Maxwell: Scottish mathematician responsible for the theory of electromagnetic radiation.

Coper - Nicolaus Copernicus: A Renaissance polymath who formulated the model of the universe with the Sun in the middle.

Andy - Anders Celsius: A Swedish astronomer who invented the Celsius temperature scale.

Mo - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Famous composer.

Hol - Andy Warhol: Famous artist.

FEMININE

Mea/Marie - Marie Salomea Curie: A pioneer of radioactivity.

Barb - Barbara McClintock: A famous cytogeneticist.

Emmy - Emmeline Pankhurst: A suffragette and women's rights activist.

Octavia - Octavia Hill: An artist and radical who pioneered affordable housing and can be considered the founder of the modern social network.

Lia - Amelia Earhart: The first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

Yeah, okay, there ya go, hope some of y'all find this useful, or maybe even interesting lmao.

#tmr fanfiction #tmr minho #tmr imagines #the maze runner #newt the maze runner #thomas the maze runner #tmr

[clorofolle]

I don't know how it is for y'all in other countries, but Christmas in Italy is exhausting. All the Christians crawl out of their holes just in time to fetishize poverty and suffering.

The Pope on national TV preaching about "peace " and commentators talking over him like it was a football match, recounting all the times this year he wept while praying for an end to war (which is always "the war", never "Russia's invasion"). Saying shit like "on Christmas, Jesus is poor. We need to keep the poors in our hearts" while the cameras pan over shots of this extravagantly wealthy church, so beautiful in its splendor, all lit up, sculpted nativities covered in gold.

My mom comes home from mass today and recounts to me how this bishop is more "modern". He preached among the people in the church, he put this local woman who asks for change outside the church on the spot near the altar today, as he preached about poverty and charity. I cannot bite my tongue, and politely ask her why she thinks there's always homeless people asking for change outside churches, why the black homlesess guy who's been out there for 10 years has never been helped or given a place to stay inside. She doesn't know what to say. She says maybe he didn't want help? Maybe they tried but didn't succeed? That it seems weird that this bishop didn't try to help, since he took "the poors" to heart sooo much. I resist telling her that if mr bishop gave that guy a fraction of his money 10 yrs ago, that guy would not be on the streets today.

Streets and streets full of people flocking in mass to the shops to buy useless stuff to gift their family out of performative consumerism. Then going to mass the next day, getting teary eyed at their churchman preaching about how much Jesus loves the poor and we should, too. Then going home and voting for a neofascist government because they're sooooo scared of black immigrants being poor on the streets!!

Dear fellow Italians who are like this! I hate you so much. I would bomb your houses if I could. Merry Christmas!

#*angry noises* #italiani brava gente

[tonberry-yoda]

Hey there! :DD

I saw your requests are open and I was wondering if I could get an (romantic or platonic, it’s up to you) Overwatch Matchup? Headcanons, or a small drabble if you prefer (cooking or shopping together?)

Sorry, this is gonna be all over the place, but:

I’m a demigirl and gay asf (women iykwim). A bit taller and kinda chubby? My hair is pretty short and I have a tendency to impulsively dye it with wash out colours. I’m also an audhd kid lmao. Born and raised in Austria, so I’m fluent in german as well as english (I know a tiny bit of spanish too!)

I live for cute things!!! It’s round and soft? I need it!But I come of as kinda scary because I dress more punk/alt, which is a shame because I’m touch starved and want a hug real bad. I also have a very strange sense of humor, which I’d need a partner who wouldn’t mind that.

I love vocaloids and goth music and I think that sums up my personality perfectly haha (my favorite musician rn is Shilpa Ray!!!) I listen to music pretty much 24/7.

Ideally, I’d like someone who’s fun to be around, yet still respecting of my boundaries. My love languages are gift-giving, parallel play and physical touch and I’d need a partner who would be excited about randomly getting leaves or just memes from me. I love baking and cooking for people I care about!! I also draw a lot, alongside other creative things like sculpting, photography, cosplay and writing. I tend to stim when really excited and if someone joined me in doing that, it’d actually make me want to marry them or keep them in a glass terrarium to observe their activities. I also just LOVE shopping, even if I don’t end up buying anything.

To sum it up: scary looking chubby girl with a love for cute things and way too many hobbies who makes too many jokes for their own good

I hope that’s alright? Also no pressure to write this at all!!

(Btw I love your writing style!!! <3)

hi there!!! this was perfect!! it was super easy for me to pick a character for you!! and seriously, thanks for asking for an overwatch matchup because i do not do enough overwatch requests lol. alright im rambling, now onto your character!

the character I chose for you is...

MEI!!

like women you say??

LIKE CUTE THINGS YOU SAY???

this is the cutest woman in town!

plus y'all are both a lil chubby making cuddling THE BEST

like cuddles are the absolute best with this girl!

she will 100% help you dye your hair

round and soft you say???

here's your new girlfriend!!

she doesnt mind if you come off as a little scary, if anything, she's obsessed with the dynamic of the both of you

she's super cute and wears just soft outfits and you look all grunge and punk

it's awesome

she likes the music you listen to, but it definitely isn't her go to, so just know that she will be putting on lofi and you will be groaning in the background, waiting for the aux back lmaooo

she LOVES to laugh

she doesnt mind a weirder sense of humor because she definitely has a goofy one

like those really random gen z memes are her shit

send her those at 3am and she will be laughing for hours lmfao

SHE NEEDS PHYSICAL TOUCH AS MUCH AS YOU DO

i mean, she is cold all the time, so warm cuddles are what she needs the most

expect a lot of random hugs from out of nowhere

she loves baking and cooking just as much as you do (that's what your mini fic below is gonna be about tee hee)

please tell her about your hobbies

she loves to see you excited

and please ask about hers

she loves talking to you for hours <3

she thinks it is sweet when you stim, so she will grab your hands and jump in the air with you when you're both excited

definitely not bothered by your adhd at all

she will help you when you need it most

she will 10000% go shopping with you and even end up buying you stuff even when you say she doesnt have to

and you will do the same lmaooo

just know that she loves you with all her heart and couldnt ask for a better girlfriend/partner!! <333

NOW FOR THE MINI FIC TEE HEE

MINI FIC

You giggled and watched Mei as she was fully focused on icing the cake you two had made together. Her tongue was slightly sticking out to help her focus and she had a dot of white icing on her nose.

She pulled back for a second to look the cake over and you needed to help get rid of that icing that was annoying you so much. You kissed her on the nose and licked off the icing making her giggle. "Ew, don't lick me!" She said jokingly, lightly pushing you away.

"You had icing on your nose." You said, taking the piping tool from her to finish up the details on the cake.

"Did I really?" She asked, her face going a bit red.

"Yeah, but it was cute." You stopped icing for a second to give her a kiss on the cheek, making her smile.

"You know, I think this is the best cake we've made yet," she said, putting her hands on her hips proudly. "What do you think, babe?"

"Oh, definitely!" You finished icing the cake, satisfied with your work and stood to admire it for a moment before taking a picture.

"Are we gonna eat the crap outta this thing?" Mei asked, already grabbing a fork.

"Oh hell yeah we are!"

~~~~~

matchup rules --- pinned post

@tonberry-yoda

#i really hope you like it! #mei is such a cutie and it just fit perfectly #writing #fanfic #my writing #fanfiction #<3 #overwatch #overwatch 2 #overwatch x reader #overwatch 2 x reader #ow #ow2 #ow x reader #ow2 x reader #mei #mei overwatch #mei x reader #mei overwatch x reader

[littlemissidontcare]

As a plus sized woman I'd be thrilled if he dated one. But I have no issue with him dating someone who is on the thin side. I accept that's what he's attracted to. His life, his choice.//

he literally dated Alejandra who had a tummy (I don't know if you've seen her photos now but she got in shape) and y'all shamed her for that, so no friend, you wouldn't like seeing Sebastian with a plus size woman. they'd make fun of her non stop just like they shame Annabelle with the "skeleton" thing.

I never saw anyone say anything about ale’s tummy.. but just that she got cool sculpting and shit all the time and didn’t work out for her body.

[urfavstargirl1]

The Empress, Part X

A/n: Here's a May the 4th gift for y'all. Thanks for your patience in this last chapter and support for this series. This series is what brought me to writing fanfic in the first place and I can't believe where it's taken me since. I'm so grateful for everyone reading and enjoying what I have to write. Without further ado, I present the last chapter in The Empress series, I hope you enjoy.

AO3 Link

Kylo Ren x Female Reader

Words: 10,700

Chapters: 10/10 

Chapter Summary: Kylo and Y/n attend the Emporer's Ball where they introduce themselves as a couple. What will happen when the empire learns of The Supreme Leader and his soon to be Empress?

Story Summary: As Kylo Ren steps into power as Supreme Leader, he struggles to use his power to effectively lead the Empire. Y/N is a renowned Commander eagerly working her way up the ranks. Her loyalty to the Empire is tested when the Supreme Leader suddenly takes an interest in her. When one date becomes several and she is ultimately tasked with becoming Empress and wife of the Supreme Leader, will Y/N be able to handle that kind of power outside the commander’s uniform?

CW: angst, swearing, romance, kissing, making out, fluff, implied sex

“Is it too late to back out now?” I lock my eyes with him through the mirror.

“Technically, no.”

I look over my shoulder to Kylo. I gasp when the lady’s maid tightens the final strings to the corset of my dress. I turn my attention back to my reflection. Waves of bright crimson fabric, chosen by Kylo, consume my gaze. When I look at my face, I hardly recognize myself. Instead of my usual slicked backed uniform bun or light makeup, my hair is done in thickly coiled waves and glamorous makeup sculpted to perfection. My ears and neck are adorned with glittering diamonds. 

“You look beautiful, my love,” Kylo murmurs from behind and heat rises to my cheeks. He wraps his arms around my waist and lightly presses a kiss to my ear before whispering, “It’s time.”

I take a deep breath, feeling the air as it fills my lungs. I turn around and feel the dense yards of fabric in my skirt swoosh with the movement.

I reach out and take his hands in mine. We look at our hands then into each other's eyes.

“Are you ready?”

“I think so.” I nod

“You have nothing to fear.”

“Easy for you to say.” I roll my eyes.

“Y/n,” he scolds.

“I know. I know… I want to be positive, but the anticipation of how people will react to us is killing me.”

 “I anticipate that the news will rile everyone up a bit at first, but with time, they will see what I see: a beautiful and magnificent woman who will be a stellar empress.”

I smile and look down bashfully. I don’t think Kylo knows the effects his words have on me. Even though they are simple words that can easily be overlooked if his actions do not correspond with them, he often speaks truthfully. And with every word he speaks, it feeds my spirit and caresses my soul. 

“Whatever happens Kylo, please know that I truly do love you with all my heart and soul.”

“Y/n, we are not marching off to our deaths,” he teases.

“You may not be, for this is the path that has been paved before you. But for me, this is a moment in which I am forging a new path… You must know how treacherous that is.”

He nods with empathy and squeezes my hands. He brings them up to his lips and presses a soft kiss to each. 

“I love you to the ends of the universe,” he replies and my heart flutters. 

“Why do people say I love you to the moon and back. The moon isn’t even that far. It’s actually the closest thing to us in our solar system so it’s actually like saying I love you to the end of the hall and back. Really people should be saying I love you to the ends of the galaxy and back because that’s much bigger.”

“But there are millions of galaxies in this universe. Would that not too constitute a lackluster definition of expansive love.”

“Yeah, I guess so. Then perhaps to the ends of the universe and back. The universe is infinite and even then constantly expanding, so it would be much more poetic to say your love is infinite and ever increasing like the bounds of the universe.” He presses a soft kiss to my lips and pulls away.

“I cannot promise you that this will be easy, but I can promise you that you will not be alone,” he assures and I know he’s not just talking about himself.

“Balia, Karmir, I have something really important to tell you guys. It’s possibly the biggest news I could ever have to tell you, but I hope it doesn’t change the way you guys see me at all.”

“You’re pregnant,” Balia gasps.

“No, I’m not pregnant.”

“But you and Kylo finally did it right,” Karmir squeals.

“Well, okay yes, but that’s not what I’m talking about right now.”

“Ooh!” Balia and Karmir sequel in unison.

“How was it?”

“Tell us everything!”

“Well, I’m-I mean it was… It was really really good,” I blush and they squeal. “Like, I was definitely seeing stars.” I smile bashfully, secretly giddy over my friends’ reaction.

“But seriously that is not what I wanted to tell you guys. I meant to tell you that… that Kylo asked me to marry him.”

“And what did you say?”

“Please tell me you said yes!”

I said yes,” I squeal and raise my left hand. My friends shriek and we all wave our hands back and forth. 

“Y/n congratulations!”

“We’re so happy for you!”

“But that’s not all. I said yes which means we’re going to get married but it also means… I’m going to become the Empress… The Empress of the First Order.”

“What? That’s incredible!” 

“Holy shit, the royal pain in our butt is finally getting the crown she deserves!”

“Seriously Y/n, we’re so happy for you. You’re going to be the best empress ever” Balia says and we all lean in for a group hug.

He’s right. I’m not alone. No matter what happens, as long as I have him and I have my friends, I have all I need. 

Kylo outstretches his arm and offers his hand to me. I link my arm with his and smile up at him with confidence. He returns an equally elated smile.

As he leads me out into the corridor and we make our way to the main entrance, I think about all the moments that have led me to this one. All the soldiers and missions and memories splay out one by one. It’s weird how far away those moments seem now. And even now, as I stand here clothed in the finest fabrics and jewels of the galaxy, it almost feels like a dream.

“You ready,” he asks.

We’ve reached the top of the grand staircase. Most soldiers enter the emperor's ball through the various other entry points but entering through the grand staircase is a ceremony reserved for the highest ranking officials: the generals and Supreme Leader.

The Supreme Leader's entrance is last but definitely not least. Especially when, for the first time, Kylo is accompanied by a special guest.

Our position at the top of the staircase is visually blocked by the ceiling of the floor beneath us. 

As I stand, hand in hand with my soon to be husband, I imagine what the crowd must look like below. If I wasn’t so anxious, I would laugh at how absurd the notion is. I can't see them and they can't see us. We are both left in gripling anticipation.

“You know, you could still back out if you wanted to,” Kylo says in simultaneous jest and earnestness while squeezing my hand.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that the First Order announces the arrival of the Supreme Leader of the First Order, Kylo Ren, and his guest of honor.”

“Too late,” I whisper, “Looks like you’re stuck with me.” He snickers.

“Attending with Sir Ren is his fiancee, soon to be Empress of the First Order,” gasps fills my ears, “and former vice admiral of the First Order’s Armed Forces…” at this part the announcer pauses and a wave of silence crashes across the room. 

Kylo takes his first step forward and I follow suit. In an almost slow motion, the announcer says my name, “Y/n Y/l/n.”

I would remain frozen if it weren’t for Kylo’s grip on my hand leading me down the stairs.

As we slowly, almost painstakingly, descend down the steps, the vision of the crowd comes into view. It is customary that when the Supreme Leader is presented that the audience responds with applause, but tonight is different.

At the sight of me, hand in hand with Kylo, members of the crowd gasp or are too in shock to do or say anything. I scan the crowd, trying to locate anyone I might know but there are too many people, all the faces become a blur. My face grows hot and I put on a nervous smile and tighten my grip on Kylo's hand.

When we reach the bottom of the steps, we pause for a moment. Kylo remains regally stoic and stares straight ahead, as if ready for battle. I scan the faces directly in front of me, many of which have eyes widened and dropped jaws. I look back up to Kylo again and he smiles down at me and nods approvingly. I smile at the faces before me, some of whom soften their own expressions in response. I continue to smile while subtly fidgeting with the fabric of my dress as Kylo lets his subjects bask in the sight of their new Empress.

After a few moments, we’re escorted to the high ranking officials table: a long rectangular table placed on a stage at the front of the ballroom to allow for the Supreme Leader and his generals to be within view of all attendees. 

The room is filled with dozens of round tables, many of which we weave through to get to our designated spot. For years, I used to sit at these tables, but it didn’t hit me till just now that I wouldn’t continue sitting at one tonight, or ever again for that matter. They’re not that comfortable anyway, but they were all I’ve ever known. 

Once the Supreme Leader, the generals, their guests, and I have been seated, the rest of the attendees carry on being seated. When realization of the events that have just transpired set in, whispers fill the room and heat floods my body. The people at my table begin conversing, but I don’t pay attention. Instead I try to overhear what the people below are saying, but none of it is discernible. 

Once all are seated, the dinner portion of the evening ensues. After the small talk and peasantries subside, all eyes and questions are directed at me. Who am I? Where did I come from? How did I meet Kylo? How do I feel about getting married and becoming empress? 

Once our first course arrives, I’m spared by the delicious plate of food. As the courses continue, the meals are lovely and dinner goes by smoothly enough. General Hux and Ameen are present at my table and their familiar faces are enough to put me at ease. Conversation passes easily thanks to Ameen and a few other generals. 

I’m meeting them all for the first time, but they’ve all known each other for so long that their chemistry is electric and conversation flies back and forth too quickly to leave me any room to participate. I’m grateful, in a way, to be spared, but it also leaves me with enough awareness to sense the attention on me from other attendees. 

Between courses, I glance over at the round tables. Surely Locke and Neela will be in attendance along with the other members of my former unit, but I can't seem to locate them. I’ve left the shore and am now in uncharted waters.

“Are you okay,” Kylo whispers to me while two of the other generals have taken the lead in the table conversation. He places a hand on my thigh and squeezes it. I place my hand under his and interlock our fingers.

“Yep. Just admiring the beautiful decorations,” I say, a half truth, with a squeeze of his hand.

Once the servers begin clearing the tables, the announcer stands at a podium by the table and begins speaking into the microphone. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention please.” All clicks and clatters of dishware and chattering voices fade to a silence.

“It is customary that we commence the dancing portion of the ball, a tradition in which we introduce our honored members of the First Order military by rank. This year's ball will begin with a special dance between the Supreme Leader and his guest of honor. In subsequent songs, members of subsequent ranks will be allowed to join the floor.”

I look at Kylo with widened eyes and he only closes his own eyes and nods.

“Did you know this was happening?” I hiss at him.

“No.” He responds coolly.

“But they always start with generals! You’ve never had to dance at one of these before.”

“That’s because I never had anyone to dance with at one of these before.”

“For the first dance of the evening, The First Order proudly presents the Supreme Leader, Kylo Ren, and his guest of honor, Y/n Y/l/n,” the announcer blares into the microphone.

I look at Kylo and he’s already standing. His hand stretches out for me to grab. I turn to look at the crowd. Hundreds of pairs of eyes are on me and I gulp. It’s like I’m not even in my own body anymore and I’m watching from some weird outer perspective.

“Y/n,” Kylo calls out, “C'mon,” he says with a tilt of his head in the direction of the dance floor.

I shakily rise from my seat and grab onto his hand for relief. I grip it tightly as I slowly and robotically follow him onto the dance floor. I can’t shake the feeling of so many people watching me. It feels like my corset is even tighter and my dress is getting perpetually damp under my arms with every step I take.

We stop in the center of the dancefloor and a spotlight shines directly above us. I look at him like a deer in headlights. He places his right hand on my waist and raises his left hand. My body is frozen.

“Put your left hand on my shoulder,” he gently directs. I hesitantly do so and interlock my other hand with his. For a moment, all I can see is him. The light up above illuminates his face so brightly it drowns out everything around us. Despite my current state of disarray, seeing him like this is enough to anchor me in a sea of eyes and anxious thoughts.

Then, the music starts to play, and Kylo gently begins to lead my body along with his. He’s a natural. Our dance is formal yet he glides our moving bodies across the floor like water. In a moment like this, I’d never admit it to him, but it’s nice to have someone else take control. 

“This can’t be the same former commander who danced with a stranger in a foreign tavern just to spite me,” he smirks and I glare at him.

“That’s different and you know it. And besides, I wasn’t in a room full of hundreds of people, all of whom I knew and/or needed to impress.”

“Who says you need to impress anybody?”

“Well, look around. I’m going to be their empress soon and I want to be worthy of that title.”

“What makes you think you’re not worthy already?”

“Well…” I stumble, failing to find a reason why.

“Y/n, everything you are is already worthy enough to be empress. There’s nothing you need to prove to anyone here, including me.”

I furrow my brows. He’s right, but why is this surprising to me? In a way, I always felt like I had something to prove and sought to prove myself to others, but I just didn’t think it was so apparent to others just how much I vie for their validation. I can’t think of a time when I wasn’t this way, and even now, I don’t know how else to be. 

“It’s just… I don’t take any of this lightly Kylo and I guess it’s important to me that they see that.”

“They will, Y/n, with time. You and I both know you will be the most stellar empress the First Order has ever seen, but that sort of thing doesn’t just happen overnight. To be the kind of leader I know you want to be, it will take some time to build people’s trust, but it doesn’t mean you weren’t worthy at any step along the way. When someone is truly worthy, it is impossible not to see it.”

I nod as I process his words. There’s something else that would take a lot for me to actually admit to him, and it’s that he’s right. And he’s not just right because he knows this, he’s right because he’s lived this.  

“Are you okay,” he interrupts my thoughts. 

I smile and lower my eyelids as heat rises to my cheeks.

“Yeah, I’m just thinking. I guess I ought to thank you for the pep talk, coach.”

“Y/n,” he chuckles and rolls his eyes.

“I’m kidding,” I say and close the gap between us by pressing my cheek to his chest. I close my eyes as we continue to sway to the music. He caresses my hair for a moment until I pull away and look up at him.

 “I love you Kylo. Your support means the world to me. In fact, you’ve had such an impact on me that I can’t imagine what my life would be like without you and I don’t even want to'' 

“I share the exact same sentiment. But I must say, even if I wasn’t the Supreme Leader and I was just Kylo Ren, I would still choose you. You would still be the person that completes me,” he responds and dips his head low enough to press his lips onto mine. It’s a slow full bodied kiss, one that holds me in a trance till the sound of applause breaks me from it. 

I break apart from the kiss and look from left to right. I’m grateful Kylo is holding me or else I’m sure my knees would have given out from underneath me. Dozens of people are clapping and few have even risen from their chairs to holler and whistle. I squeal and instantly press my forehead into Kylo’s broad chest to hide the raging blush spreading like wildfire across my neck and cheeks. His body vibrates with laughter and as he strokes my hair, he kisses the top of my head.

“How are you not freaked out by this?” I hiss. 

“Well, for one, I guess I’m used to the attention. And two… well, it fills me with pride to have the empire see me embrace the woman I love, who will rule alongside me.” I beam up at him. I look back at the crowd around us and try to imagine how we must look from their perspective. I look back up at him and the unease in the pit of my stomach slowly evaporates and forms a new wave of gratification.

Soon enough, the song fades into a new one and I see Hux and the rest of the generals joining us. As each song passes, the next one gets faster and as more people join the dancefloor things rapidly evolve into a high energy almost mosh pit like mass of dancing attendees. When things get too crowded, Kylo excuses himself for something to drink and I continue to dance with some of the members of my former unit I ran into.

Questions and comments like “Wow, I can’t believe you’re with the Supreme Leader!”, “To be honest, a lot of us didn’t ever think he would find someone to be his empress, but now that he has, we’re really glad it’s you.”, “Just promise us you won’t become scary like the Supreme Leader.”, and “How did that even happen, Y/n?” are thrown at me from every which direction. It surprised me at first, but became exciting getting to explain my relationship with Kylo and all the things I love about him. 

“Y/n, I knew it!” I turn around and am greeted by that familiar warm brown skin and dazzling brown eyes.

“Neela,” I exclaim as we hug.

“I totally called you and the Supreme Leader. Everyone thought I was crazy for it, but I know what I saw. The love you two have for each other was undeniable then and it's just as undeniable now.”

“You really did Neela. I’m sorry I couldn’t have told you earlier. Things were still kind of early then and we had a lot of things to figure out before we could put our relationship on full public display you know?”

“Yeah of course, I understand! He’s not just an average guy so you have to be extra careful with every step you take.”

“Yes, that's exactly how it feels! Are you dating the supreme leader too?” I joke and she awkwardly laughs.

“No, but something similar happened to my older sister. She lives in the Seeset galaxy and we come from a common family but she married into royalty on our home planet so traversing that relationship was a big deal and took a toll on the family and the people of our planet for a bit but eventually people got used to it and things settled down and now they’re happier than ever and even expecting their second child soon.”

Woah who said anything about kids just yet.

“Oh wow, yeah that’s a lot like what I’m going through, so far at least. It’s really insightful to hear that so thank you Neela. You know, before any of this stuff happened, I always saw you as the little sister I never had, mainly in a work capacity, but as of late, I feel that in a personal way. You’re really something special and if you ever need anything, you can always count on me.”

“I feel the same way, well except you as an older sister. But thank you, that means so much to me. And if there’s ever anything I can do for you, just say the word. My loyalty is not lost on the soon to be Empress. You know a lot of us were never really rooting for the Supreme Leader, but we were always rooting for you. But your connection with him makes us wonder if maybe we had him figured out all wrong. Or maybe you’re just what The First Order and what the Supreme Leader needed.”

“I-I that’s the most heartwarming thing I’ve heard all night. You have no idea how worried I was about announcing our relationship and how others would receive it. I know it’s shocking, in fact the beginning of our relationship was just me being shocked by everything that happened, but Kylo was the one I fell in love with and is my soulmate and life partner. I never expected it to happen, it just did. But I'm glad that people are warming up to the idea of us.”

“Yeah a lot of people were pretty shocked at first. It was the talk of the dinner, but I think seeing you two together and interacting it's obvious how much you love and complement each other.”

“Wow, thanks, I really needed to hear that.”

“Yeah I wouldn’t stress it too much. You’re going to do really well as Empress. We’re all really excited for you.”

“Thanks Neela. Thanks for everything.” We hug and I hold on for another second, on the brink of tears trying to hold back.

“I have to go to the restroom, but I’m really glad I saw you tonight and that we could have this talk.”

“Of course. I’ll be seeing you around your majesty,” she responds with a bow and my eyes widen. I instantly make a beeline toward the bathroom and miraculously its empty. I take a moment to compose myself and breathe deeply. The adrenaline and anxiety of wondering how people would respond to Kylo and I is wearing off now that I know we’re being received with excitement and hope. But, there’s only one last person to face.

I take a few more breaths and exit the bathroom with purpose. I scan the tables in front of me and don’t recognize any of the faces. I do the same with the dance floor and have no luck. I make my way to the refreshment table and decide to at least take a breather and get something to drink. Before I can even take my first sip, I’m interrupted. 

“Y/n, there you are. I’ve been looking all over for you,” Kylo comes up from behind me.

“Hey baby, what’s up,” I ask and take a refreshing sip.

“There’s a few people I want you to meet,” he replies with a devilishly handsome smile.

“Should I be scared,” I tease.

“With me, never. C’mon,” he holds out his arm for me. I interlock my arm and follow his guide. 

Turns out, the few people he wanted me to meet weren’t close friends or close professional acquaintances but whole dignitaries and ambassadors from various planets across the First Order. I greet each with incredible humility and reservation, an attempt to prevent me from embarrassing either one of us while Kylo converses with each as though they have been friends for years.  His demeanor is confident and radiant and I can’t help but think that if this was the side of Kylo that was the default for First Order soldiers, then people wouldn’t be so afraid of him. I guess it's all an act to save face and appear to be what an authority figure should be like. But if everyone got to see what I’m seeing now, then I think the leadership dynamic of the First Order would be quite different.

This goes on for almost an hour until I’ve shaken hands with about a thousand, realistically twenty, people. 

“We hope you enjoy your stay on Starkiller base and appreciate your attendance for tonight's event,” Kylo says to what I’m hoping is the last new person I’ll talk to forever.

“Kylo, I don’t know how you do it. I’m utterly exhausted now.”

“It’s all part of the job I guess,” he charmingly shrugs and places a kiss on my cheek.

“But you did great, my empress,” my heart flutters as he pulls me in for an embrace and kisses the top of my head. “Everyone absolutely adores you.”

“I’m glad I could be of service,” I say with a dry laugh.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I think I’m just going to go outside for some fresh air. I’m glad I could meet all those people and I’m even more glad I was able to make a great first impression, but that really took a lot out of me, so I think I’m just gonna go recover my energy for a bit.”

“Do you want me to go with you?”

“No, it’s okay. I know there’s some other people you still need to mingle with. I’ll just be out for a little while.”

“Okay, well remember the award ceremony will start soon so be sure to come back in by then.”

“Sure thing,” I say and give him a quick kiss. 

I feel him watching me as I walk to the other side of the ballroom and pass through the open door to the outdoor courtyard. The garden has been manicured to perfection and the luscious fragrance of their flowers fills my nostrils. The scent is utterly delicious and intoxicating. I make my way toward a railing that overlooks the stars.

I take a few deep breaths and admire the clusters of stars before me. Their bright light entrances me and I feel hypnotized by their varying shapes, colors, and patterns. This space warms my heart and brings simultaneous feelings of strangeness yet fondness when I realize it is yet another part of the empire I will soon come to reign over.

But, it reminds me of the first date I had with Kylo. I guess our first dinner together could be called a date right? Stars it was so awkward but who knew it would be the beginning of all this, of something so grand and beautiful? 

But that night, I remember a moment where I was doing something similar to what I’m doing now, but with Kylo. And I had told him that it was a beautiful empire he ruled over. Little did I know that one day the beautiful empire he ruled over would be a beautiful empire I could rule over too.

“Y/n,” a voice asks from behind me.  

I whip my head around and see a pair of blue eyes beneath furrowed eyebrows and a head of golden hair.

“Locke,” I whisper.

“What are you doing out here? Why are you alone?”

“I, um, the ball was getting a bit overwhelming for me so I needed a bit of a breather.”

“Oh,” he replies, his tone indicating that that wasn’t what he was expecting me to say.

He takes a few steps over and joins me at the railing.

“How are you enjoying the ball,” I ask casually, hoping to preserve some semblance of normalcy.

He cocks his head and scowls before wiping the look on his face and replacing it with a subtle discomfort.

“Um, I… it’s definitely different from any of the balls of previous years,” he says, choosing his words carefully. I nod in acknowledgement but am unsure how to respond to the statement.

“Yes, it has been quite different.” I respond and then an awkward silence fills the space between us. Perhaps I should have said something else. But what should I say? How do I acknowledge this without creating any sort of–

“You know when rumor started going around that for the first time in First Order history Kylo Ren would be bringing a guest of honor to the ball, I couldn’t really believe it. I honestly thought it was just petty gossip or someone’s morbid idea of a joke,” he explains in a neutral tone.

“But when Neela brought up the ball and asked if you would be going with anyone and you said you were, I was almost doubly surprised. I didn’t believe it because I thought you were incapable of it like Kylo, but because it seemed out of character. I mean, you hadn’t brought a guest to the ball in a while and you never mentioned anyone in your life that could be significant enough to bring to an event like this. You said you would surprise us, so I just figured it was some new boyfriend or girlfriend or whatever, but not… not this… not him…” he chokes.

I open my mouth to say something but nothing comes out. My silence leaves so much left unsaid that Locke continues speaking.

“This was one hell of a surprise Y/n. I guess I can’t say that I didn’t completely see this coming, but I just can’t believe you would hide this from us. Neela and I made comments about the Supreme Leader left and right and you never said anything, and then you suddenly just drop this gigantic bomb on us that not only are you seeing the Supreme Leader but you’re going to marry him and you’re going to become his empress? That’s fucking bullshit,” he raises his voice and throws his arms up. I lean closer against the railing and observe him pace around.

“Now what? You have nothing to say?”

“I wasn’t sure if you were finished,” I say in a much smaller voice than I’d intended. He looks at me with annoyance.

“I wanted to tell you, I just didn’t know how. And honestly, I was afraid of how you would react. And this,” I move my hand in a circle motion in his direction, “lets me know that I made the right decision in not telling you till now.”

“How did it happen?” He taps his finger to his jaw and looks down with a concentrated facial expression.

“You and Kylo Ren, how did it happen?”

I’m a bit taken aback by his question and the way he worded it.

“It-it just did.”

“No it didn’t y/n and you know it. Things like this don’t just happen.”

I take a deep breath and contemplate my next words. I mean I really don’t owe Locke an explanation but I still feel compelled to. He still means something to me so I think maybe I do owe him that much, but I also owe it to myself to be firm and confident no matter what.

“Okay, maybe it didn’t just happen, but it felt that way. Up until the things with the Planet Korr missions started happening, I never paid much attention to the Supreme Leader outside of duty hours. But one day, he expressed an interest in me and I was curious to find out more about him. And then our work started to bring us closer together and as we spent more time with one another, our feelings started to grow.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“Yes Locke, because that’s what happened.”

“C’mon Y/n, you can fool everyone out there, but you can’t fool me.”

“I’m not trying to fool you or anyone for that matter! I’m telling the truth.”

“Then why don’t I believe you?”

“I don’t know why you don’t believe me. It probably has something to do with you more than it does with me. I know that I’m telling the truth and if you can’t believe that then I know there’s nothing more I can do or say to change your mind.”

“Just answer me this one question.”

“Okay.”

“Why him?”

“Why him?”

“Yeah, why Kylo Ren? Why the Supreme Leader? Of all the people in the galaxy to be with, you choose him?”

“Well it wasn’t really like I chose to love him.”

“Seriously Y/n, you know what I’m saying! Why did it have to be him? What could he possibly have to offer you besides a title?”

I gasp. It’s so deep I almost choke.

“Locke, are you serious? Do you truly think so low of me?” 

A scowl drapes his features but then his cheeks turn bright red and his shoulders sag a bit.

“If you must know, I did not decide to marry the Supreme Leader, I chose to marry Kylo Ren because that’s who I want to be with. And I would do it again, regardless of his rank. Despite his anger and other flaws, he is a good man with a pure and honest heart.”

Locke glares at me.

“I know you only get to see the daunting afflicted side of the Supreme Leader, but there’s a side to him that is charming and caring and loyal. I know it might be hard to believe and, for a while, I could barely believe it myself, but it’s there. I hope to share that side of him with the people of the First Order because that is the side of him I fell in love with.”

“Still, I really don’t know what you see in him.”

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t. All that matters is that I do.”

“But you could do so much better.”

“Like who? Like you?”

He smacks his teeth in disgust.

“No. It’s not like that, I promise. Maybe in the past it might’ve been, but it isn’t anymore. In fact, there’s someone else I’ve got my eye on… who I’ve had my eye on for a while…” He turns and looks to the floor to ceiling window dividing us from the rest of the party. On the other side of the glass is a petite and slender girl with bright blonde hair wrapped in an ornate bun and clad in a baby blue ball gown. 

“Camryn?” I ask and he nods with a faint blush. She’s a commander from a neighboring unit that was assigned by General Hux to our most recent Planet Korr Mission.

“You know, I thought the two of you worked well together. I hadn’t imagined that would translate outside of duty hours as well.”

“Yeah. I had seen her around but hadn’t really worked with her directly prior to the mission but once there we had to spend a lot of time together and one thing led to another…” he trails off and I give him a knowing look. A look of concentration appears on his features. Movement in the corner of my eye catches my attention and I see Kylo appear on the other side of the glass, next to Camryn. He raises his eyebrows at me, as if to ask if everything is okay. I press my lips together and nod with a slight shrug. 

“Look, Y/n, any sort of inappropriate feeling I might have had for you at one point is long gone. Now, I see you as a sister, like a member of my work family. And I just worry about you. I’m concerned about you.”

“I appreciate your concern and know that I only hope the best for you. I hope you can understand that there are people who choose to conduct themselves much differently in public than they do in private. Kylo and I are both those types of people. So it may not make sense on the outside, but on the inside, he’s the perfect match for me in every possible way. I apologize for blindsighting you or anything like that because it was not my intention. But I just ask that you try to understand the circumstances I was in that led me to choose that option. To pursue things with Kylo was the most difficult thing I have ever done in my entire life, but I would do it again in a heartbeat,” I say and look over to where Kylo is still standing. He looks at me proudly and gives a small encouraging nod and it makes my heart swell. I turn to see Locke witnessing our interaction and the look of realization spreads across his features.

“I see.”

“I hope one day, you can experience the happiness I am experiencing with Kylo. Whether it be with Camryn or whomever your true love may be.” I offer an encouraging smile. 

“Thanks,” he says solemnly yet thankfully. 

“Perhaps we should go inside. Don’t want to keep them waiting all night long,” I say and nod my head in the direction of our significant others. 

We shuffle back into the venue and approach Kylo and Camryn. Kylo, all dark and twisted and beautiful, stands a good foot taller than Camryn, light and glistening like a diamond and the sight of such contrast alone makes me stifle a laugh.

“Hi Camryn”

“Hello, ma’am, er, madame. I’m not sure what I should call you.”

“It’s okay. I’m not sure what you should call me either but I’d be much more comfortable if you called me Y/n.”

“Okay… Y/n.” She blushes bashfully and interlocks her arm with Locke’s.

“Kylo, you know Locke right,” I ask knowing full well they do but realizing this is the first time they are being acquainted in a personal facet.

“Locke, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Kylo says with an outstretched hand.

“The pleasure is all mine sir.”

“Call me Kylo.”

“Uh… really?”

“No not really,” Kylo teases but it goes over Locke’s head and the look of shock on his face makes me laugh.

“I’m teasing, of course. You may call me by my first name if you so wish, as long as it’s outside duty hours.”

“Yes, sir.” Locke replies blankly and even Camryn giggles.

“Oh and Kylo, this is Camryn. She’s one of our finest up and coming commanders who attended our most recent mission to Planet Korr. And she’s also attending tonight's ball with Locke,” I introduce. 

“It is an honor, sir,” she sheepishly says with a bow.

“The honor is all mine. And I thank you both for your service. It does not go unnoticed,” Kylo graciously responds and Locke looks like he might pass out at any moment. 

It humors me but almost makes me smile to think of how mundane this moment is yet how far we’ve come to even reach it all. 

“Locke and I were just outside… catching up on things… It’s been far too long, hasn’t it,” I say and look to Locke.

“Look Y/n, there’s something I think I should warn you about and Sir, this concerns you too,” Locke starts and looks up at Kylo. I want to laugh at how obviously afraid he is of referring to Kylo by his own name, but his tone worries me.

“What is it?”

“Well, we’ve been talking to some of the other attendees at the ball. A lot of the ones from our unit have been excited about the news of your potential union and possibly becoming empress, but everyone else… well, they don’t really share that same excitement.”

I jerk my head back, surprised at his words, especially considering what Neela told me, but I guess her’s was only one side of the story.

“What is everyone else saying?” I can’t help but ask.

“Everyone’s just really confused. Everyone’s saying that it feels like this all came out of nowhere. They don’t understand because the Supreme Leader had never taken an interest in anyone and then all of a sudden one of the First Order’s own soldiers ended up with him. I think it also doesn’t help that they don’t really know you either since they haven’t really worked with you like everyone in our unit has.”

“Well it’s none of their business,” Kylo growls, breath quickening. I place my hand on his bicep and shake my head.

“But it is. We are their leaders. Their curiosity is warranted,” I reply and we all remain breathless for a moment.

“So is that all? Is that what everyone’s been talking about?”

“Well, there is one more thing…”

“Okay.”

“I don’t think you’re going to like it very much.”

“It doesn’t matter how I feel. We need to know the truth in order to determine our course of action.”

“Because everyone’s really confused and you and the Supreme Leader, a lot of people have been trying to come up with explanations of their own. So far, the leading theory is that … this union is your doing, Y/n. That it was your plan all along to marry him… because it would be closer to the throne than even the highest rank in the military.”

I let out a breath as though I’ve been punched in the stomach. My knees start to wobble and I place my hand on Kylo’s forearm with an iron grip.

“Y/n,” Kylo calls out and brings my body closer to him for stability. Every inch of my body tenses up.

“It’s fine. I’m fine” I whimper and my voice sounds even louder because the music has cut out.

“Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention please,” the announcer blares into the microphone. “We know you’ve all been dancing the night away, but if you would please return to your seats. The coveted annual award ceremony for the First Order military will commence shortly.” And like that, the lights come on and bodies start shuffling. 

“We need to go and say something,” Kylo directs and tries to get me to move but I’m still frozen.

“No.”

“No?” Kylo and Locke ask in unison.

“No, at least not right now. We should let the award ceremony carry on as usual. I don’t want to ruin the night any more than we already have. After the award ceremony, we can make a grand speech and address the people. But not right now. This moment right now is about honoring members of the First Order military and their service.” 

“Are you sure,” Kylo asks with the deepest wells of concern in his eyes. I nod and press my body against his. He holds me tightly against him and presses a kiss to my temple. 

“C’mon, let’s not ruin all the fun,” I try to say with cheer. 

“Wait Locke,” I say as he starts turning around to walk with Camryn to their table.

“Thank you,” I say while hugging him.

“What for?”

“For being a good friend,” I pull away and look into his eyes. They’re filled with a bit of remorse but mostly appreciation. 

“I should be the one thanking you. You’ve helped me out in unimaginable ways. I truly do hope for nothing but the best for you and Kylo,” he shudders saying Kylo’s name and I laugh.

“It’s an acquired taste. You’ll get used to it.”

“I’m not counting on it,” he teases. “Enjoy the rest of your night,” he says earnestly.

“Thanks. You too,” I respond and head back to my table with Kylo. 

I try to keep my composure, meanwhile, all I can do is think about what I could possibly do or say to improve the situation. 

Once we’re seated, the announcer commences the award ceremony. Kylo and the rest of the general are called to the stage to stand alongside the awards table. Kylo passes out each medal or plaque to a recipient and that recipient shakes the hand of the Supreme Leader and follows down the line to shake the hands of the remaining generals. 

As the announcer calls upon the names of various soldiers for various different awards and accolades I recognize a few from my unit and learn new names and faces for the rest. I try my best to pay attention and clap after every name is called, because as the soon to be Empress I should be involved in things like this. But then my thoughts linger and I wonder what it is I might say when I address the people.

 By the end of the award ceremony there is one final award to be given and my anxiety heightens in anticipation of making my speech soon after.

 “Ladies and gentlemen, to end the night on a high note, we have our last and final award. This award is the most prestigious award given throughout the entire First Order military. Each year a panel of committee members composed of a representative general from each unit of the First Order military joins together to select an honorary recipient of the Medal of Honor and Valor. And while the Supreme Leader has a hand in selecting and approving all other award recipients, he has no involvement in the selection of the recipient for the Medal of Honor and Valor. 

This award is one of the highest honors one can receive. The person chosen for this award has demonstrated an exceptional dedication to the First Order. This year the Medal of Honor and Valor goes to someone who has shown exceptional strength, bravery, intellect, and compassion towards their fellow soldiers, units, and overall First Order realm. The recipient of the award has shown outstanding calculus in her initiative to conduct peace and cooperation throughout the Empire. This person has been honored by her subordinates, peers, and mentors for her conduct and innovation in the acquisition of new territory to the First Order-,” the announcer says and instantly my stomach sinks to my toes. 

“This year’s Medal of Honor and Valor goes to none other than… Y/n Y/l/n!” The announcer declares and half the room cheers while the other half remains too stunned to do anything.

I’m frozen in my chair until the announcer says, “Y/n Y/l/n, will you please come to the stage.” I leap out of my seat and cautiously walk over to the stage, tunneling my vision on Kylo. I stop in place in front of him and laboriously try to catch my breath.

“Congratulations Y/n,” he smiles warmly at me. Oh stars I could just kiss him for saying that. My thoughts are all over the place but after Kylo’s congratulations they all seem to center on him. Part of me feels so gratified to hear him say those words and to see the pride in his eyes, but another part of me feels like none of this is real or that it shouldn’t be happening.

He places the medal between his hands and raises the ribbon above my head to place it over me, but before he does, I reflexively step a step back. I look up at him with widened eyes and furrowed eyebrows. He lowers his hands and takes a step forward, his eyes filled with concern.

“Y/n, what is the matter?”

“I don’t think I can accept this award.” I squeak while shaking my head.

“What?”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because… I don’t… deserve it.”

“Nonsense! Of course you deserve this” He declares. I don’t say anything but I can’t help thinking that it still doesn’t feel that way. It must show on my face, because Kylo puts the medal back on the table and grabs my hands in his.

“There’s no one I know more deserving of this award than you. Your diligence and merit speak for themselves.”

“But still, it doesn’t feel right. I mean, I am very grateful to have been deemed worthy enough to receive this award, but somehow, actually receiving it feels wrong.”

“Why does it feel wrong?”

“Because…” I start and turn around to look at everyone in the crowd either looking at me or whispering to one another.

“Y/n, you’re worried about them?”

I look down and nod. He takes a deep breath and sighs. I look up at him and his eyes scan the crowd. His shoulders visibly tense and reflexively, I place my hands atop them. They soften and he places his hands along my waist. 

“In my heart, you are the most deserving person in the galaxy of this award. It shouldn’t matter what they think, but if it matters to you and you truly to not wish to receive it, then I will stand by you.”

“Thank you” I nod shallowly and hug him tightly. When we pull apart, he looks down at me with restraint in his features.

“So what would you like to do now?”

“I think I would like to address the crowd. Maybe explain things and just properly introduce myself. Properly reintroduce ourselves as a couple.”

“Okay. Is there anything you want me to do?”

“I just need you by my side. And if I can’t find the right words, I need you to…”

“Already done,” he smiles at me. He cups my cheek in his hand and kisses my forehead. I close my eyes and sigh. I open them and walk to the podium. I can hear Kylo’s footsteps behind me and murmured whispers erupt throughout the crowd. The announcer covers the microphone with his hand and looks at me expectantly.

“Would it be alright if I said a few words?” I ask.

“Yes, of course Madame,” he responds and shuffles away.

I take a step in front of the podium and place my hands along either side of the smooth cherry wood. I take a deep breath in and let a deep breath out. Kylo grabs the hand closest to him and interlocks our fingers. I look up at him and he mouths “I love you”. I mouth it back and then look at the crowd head on. I clear my throat and without realizing the mic would pick up the sound, I’m surprised to hear the murmurs cut off by my sound and hundreds of eyes all on me.

“Um, hello everyone. My name is Y/n Y/l/n. I was nominated for the Medal of Honor and Valor award, but for various reasons I will not be accepting it.” The crowd gasps and several “what” and “huh”s spread across the crowd.

“Um, I think there’s been, um, an elephant in the room this evening, and I would like to address it. Tonight many of you have learned of me only a few hours ago and you learned of me in an unexpected way. Many of you only know me as the soon to be wife and empress of the Supreme Leader, Kylo Ren. I take a lot of pride in this aspect of my identity, but it is rather new to me still. Before I met Kylo Ren, I was just a soldier in the First Order military. I’ve been a member of the seventh unit–” A few members of my old unit holler and I nervously laugh. 

“I’ve been a member of the seventh unit for several years. I cared very much for my unit and we were a bit like a family, always looking out for each other. For some time, much of my life has been devoted to the First Order. Late night guard duties and early morning cleaning duties, training, or weeks away on mission made up much of adult life. 

But I did feel a particular devotion to the First Order that I recognized was stronger than most. As soon as I entered, I knew that one day, I would want to work my way up to a position of General of the First Order military. I went out of my way to seek mentors and projects and other opportunities that might help me advance in my career. It always felt natural to me and was something I did on my own will, but I know that’s not particularly common for all the personnel I worked with.

Up until recently, I was a commander, a title which I was quite proud of but also recognized the responsibility that came with it. I took that role quite seriously, and one day, that role led me to Kylo Ren. Up until my position as commander, I hadn’t thought much else of him beyond the terrifying man under the mask who had my entire professional fate lying in the palm of his hands. I seldom interacted with him and only regarded him as the Supreme Leader of the First Order. 

But somehow, my ambition caught his attention and…” I look over to Kylo who is already looking at me. He reads my facial features and leans closer to the mic.

“I knew my life wouldn’t be complete unless she was in it,” Kylo adds and the crowd elicits gasps and “aw”s. We shuffle so that we both split the center of the mic.

“My journey has been remarkably similar to Y/n’s. Except I think I may be only speaking for myself when I say, my ambition took me far, but it took me there alone. When I became Supreme Leader, the highest high of my life, I realized I had no one to share it with. For many years, I thought I could suffice without, but the need to share my life with someone grew stronger to the point where I could not ignore it. And even if I could, I reached a certain point in my career where the obligation to find someone to take the place of my empress fell greatly on my shoulders. 

For a length of time, my search was quite unfruitful. And for a while, I was beginning to lose hope. But one day, miraculously, Y/n entered the picture. I hadn’t even met her properly, but I knew. I knew then just as I know now that she would be the one for me.” He smiles down at me. I blush and continue my side of the story.

“But when we did actually meet, I had no idea what would be in store. I thought I was just a commander consulting the Supreme Leader on the course of action for a rebel invaded planet that if approached with caution could easily be cooperated in First Order territory. But then he approached me, as Kylo Ren. And a part of me, the part of me that exists when I am not in uniform, was intrigued. As we got to know each other personally and were brought together by the work we were doing for the First Order, we became close, a little too close for my liking... I tried to fight it, but love isn’t meant to be resisted.” I turn my head to the side to look up at Kylo.

“There were many moments when I felt we were ready to take things to the next level, but then Y/n would have hesitations. We were able to overcome them as they arose, but when it all culminated in my desire to marry her, we reached a severe stalemate.” Kylo looks down at me.

“I was prepared to marry Kylo Ren, without hesitation, but the Supreme Leader? That was another story. I spent a lot of my time with Kylo and for the first time in my life, fell deeply and truly in love. I had worked with the Supreme Leader and even though we worked well together, I feared how our union would appear to others. For one, I tend to keep my personal life quite private, so telling others something as significant as this was sure to cause uproar. And two, knowing my ambition, it made a little too much sense for me to end up with someone in a position of such prestige that I felt a sense of guilt and a great deal of pressure in deciding to marry someone so powerful. 

I want to make it abundantly clear that it was never his power that attracted me to the Supreme Leader, Kylo Ren or even made me want to marry him in the first place. It was his compassion, bravery, intelligence, and strength that drew me to him and made me fall for him… that continues to make me fall for him.” I look up at Kylo and he nods at me reassuringly, as if to say, “You’ve got this”.

“I did not take the decision to marry him lightly. In fact, it might have been the most difficult decision I have ever made in my entire life. But, I would make the same decision all over again if given the chance. And with that said, I feel it is my duty to let everyone in this room know that I take my role as the soon to be empress of the Supreme Leader extremely seriously. And as such, I will do everything in my power to serve the First Order to the best of my ability. I’ve done so during my time in the First Order military and am fully prepared to continue doing so, regardless of title.”

I take a moment to catch my breath and recover from all that I’ve just said. And right when I think about what I should say next, someone in the crowd claps. It’s Neela. Someone else starts clapping and then they rise from their seats. It’s Locke. Camryn pops up next to him and joins in the applause. And in the blink of an eye, multiple people follow suit till the whole room has risen from their seats and clap their hands… for me? I look to my left to see even the Generals join in the applause.

I blush and look up at Kylo. I’m simultaneously confused and excited.

“It’s all for you my dear empress,” Kylo coos and rubs his hand along my lower back. He hooks his fingers along the crook of my waist and pulls me closer so that my side is pressed against his. 

I can’t believe all these people are clapping for me. I knew if we explained things, then people would understand, but this? I wasn’t prepared for this. I was prepared for everything to crash and burn. I was prepared to have to fight for my life.

I can feel Kylo’s body squirm from beside me and I look at him. He’s looking in the direction of the generals so I turn my head and see Hux moving toward us with the Medal of Honor and Valor in his hands. Hux outstretches the medal, offering it to Kylo but he shakes his head and says, “Hold onto it”. As the applause dies down, Kylo begins to speak into the mic again.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you again for your unwavering support and attendance at tonight's ball. We still have one last award to hand out. Despite her resistance, the recipient of this award has done more for the First Order than has been asked of her. Because of her, the First Order has been successful in removing the rebel base off of Planet Korr. And as of today, First Order bases have been installed on Planets Korr, Myr and over ⅔ of the remaining solar system, all of which would not have been possible without her. She has paved the way for the First Order and while her time as a formal member of the First Order military has come to a close, she will continue to serve as the best and brightest empress the First Order has ever seen. Y/n Y/l/n, will you please accept the award of the Medal of Honor and Valor?”

I look at Kylo and lock eyes for a moment, then turn to look at Hux. Hux holds the medal up and keeps it there till I lock eyes and nod my head. He graciously places the medal over my head and drapes it along my collarbones. I shake his hand and proceed to shake the hands of the rest of the generals. When I come back to the podium I look to Kylo, wondering if I’ll shake his hand too. He outstretches his hand and I shake it as a formality, what every other recipient of the night has done, but then he does something he didn’t do for any other recipient and cups my face with his hands and kisses me deeply.

I pull away, my breath taken away, but when I look at the crowd, many people cheer and whistle. I was not prepared for this either, but I can’t say I mind it.

“Thank you again for attending this year’s Emporer’s Ball. We look forward to seeing you this time next year. Have a good night and please return home safely.” Kylo announces into the microphone. I must be paralyzed because I'm not moving but everyone around me is. People start leaving their tables and moving towards the entrances. Waitstaff begin clearing up the tables. The generals scramble to find their guests and leave.

“C’mon let’s go,” Kylo says and grabs my hand. He starts walking and it takes a second for my legs to catch up.

“Where are we going?” He leads me out of the ballroom and through a hidden corridor.

“We’re going home, my little star.” His brisk walking turns into jogging.

“Kylo, what are you doing,” I ask breathlessly.

“I’m taking you to my quarters. Now. I need to get you out of that dress and take you with nothing but that medal on,” he declares.

“Kylo,” I squeal and giggle breathlessly.

“I’m dead serious kid, I need you. Now.” 

When we get to the door to his quarters, he picks me up bridal style and kicks the door open. The space is dark as we enter, but Kylo knows where he’s going. We enter a room and he lays me down on a large bed with the softest sheets in the entire galaxy. I look to my right and see a giant window in place of a wall. Across from the bed is a dark colored dresser. This feels a little familiar.

In front of me, Kylo stands before the bed removing various articles of his clothing. Then he removes my heels off each of my feet. Okay, things are starting to feel different. He snakes his hands along the skin of my legs, pushing the fabric of my dress upward. He moves his head downward to rest beneath the yards of fabric gathered at my hips.

“Hm, so beautiful,” he hums.

I extend my arm and fun my fingers through his hair. He kisses my skin then peers up into my eyes.

“Anything my empress wants, my empress gets, okay?”

“Oh yeah, it’s like that?”

“You know I got it like that.” He winks.”I love you Y/n”

“I love you too Kylo.”

I fawn for a bit, and feel giddy at what the emperor has in store for me.

———————————————

@ickleronniekinsemotionalrange​@asherrenwrites@g-l-pierce@livi-s@gruffle1@mssbridgerton@dark-night-sky-99@adaodinson@thefireoflust @pineapplechuncks @sarah5462​@annoyinglythoughtfuldestiny @would-not-recommend @karina-v20@andromeda-blackc@hueanhdang @thatgoodolswitcharoo  @uncle-eggy

#kylo ren #kylo ren x reader #kylo ren au #kylo ren fanfic #adam driver #adam driver character #kylo ren fluff #writing #adcu community #ben solo #ben solo x reader #kylo ren x you #kylo ren/you #kylo ren fanfiction #kylo ren x y/n #kylo ren one shot #kylo ren headcanons #kylo ren hc #ben solo headcanons #ben solo hc #kylo ren x fem!reader #ben solo x fem!reader #star wars #adcu #kylo ren imagine #may the fourth be with you #may the 4th be with you #may the force be with me

[deniigi]

16 for the wips, please?

pressure like a drip drip drip:

(An exploration of what happens when a scholar walks in and projects their political views on their subject; only in this case the subject is Leia Organa. I'll give y'all the whole thing so that the context here isn't lost.

Be aware that this is an academic debate I'm handling here about the projection of labels, social identities, and assumptions of historians onto historical figures. Rarely do we get to actually speak with those figures, so I wanted to imagine what a situation be like wherein we could do just that.)

--------

“Can you repeat that?” Senator Organa says from her seat in a highbacked, arching white chair.

Marmuh clears his throat.

“I,” he stammers, feeling his throat dry with every millisecond. “I just said, you must be under a lot of pressure.”

His stylus wants to tremble right out of his hand. Senator Organa’s eyes have been lightened in every poster, every hologram, every picture he has ever seen of her. In fact, they are nearly black in their richness. Before him now, they are black but for one gleaming star; a reflection of the light from light of the window bathing their sides in whitish-blue light.

He jolts when the senator laughs. The sound starts like a shot and eases into the roiling, boiling of hot water.

“Funny. I guess I am,” Senator Organa says. “What’s your name again, scholar?”

“Marmuh Dowljack,” Marmuh says.

“Dowljack.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Don’t call me ma’am.”

Marmuh swallows.

“Sir?” he tries.

A grin with edges like scythes splits the senator’s face.

“Ask me your questions again,” she says. “I have different answers for you.”

Marmuh clears his throat and feels, for some reason, compelled to set aside his datapad and stylus. It makes a clacking sound against the polished wood of the small table between himself and one of the most powerful people he has ever spoken to.

“Shall I start from the top?” he asks.

“Yes,” Senator Organa says. “And call me ‘Leia.’”

Marmuh holds this name in his chest like a flame cupped by hands on a frost-coated blue morning.

“Leia,” he asks, “May I ask you different questions?”

“They may not help your article,” Leia says, gesturing to the pad.

“Maybe not,” Marmuh says.

“If that doesn’t bother you, then ask away.”

His palms sweat as he grips his knees. His throat is full and firm around its edges.

“You are a woman in power,” he says. “What does power feel like for you?”

“A woman,” Leia notes pointedly.

“Yes.”

“You are a feminist?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“You want me to give you a quote? You want me to hold out my hand to you?”

No. That wasn’t what Marmuh wanted. It was something more.

“I want only to know what power means to someone like you,” he says.

The gleam in Leia’s eyes seems to fade with her razor smile. The crinkles around her eyelids recede and it is like watching a person turn slowly to stone. Marmuh sits up straighter.

“I’m thinking,” Leia tells him with a slightly awkward flourish. “I’m thinking.”

She continues to think for several long beats. Her eyes seem to unfocus slightly as they blaze holes in the edge of the table. Marmuh allows the silence to hold.

He allows it.

He holds it.

Until it can no longer be held.

“I don’t want to disappoint you,” Leia says suddenly. “But I am not a good feminist. If that is what you were hoping to write in your paper, then I’m afraid you will only be disappointed. I am...traditional. If you will.”

“You are the sister of Luke Skywalker, the last jedi. You are the daughter of Alderaan’s royalty,” Marmuh says. “You are hardly traditional.”

“Traditional,” Leia maintains with set lips and even more firmly set eyes.

“That doesn’t make you a bad feminist,” Marmuh points out. “I’m—”

“I am the product of power, raised in it, sculpted by it, and burned—braised even, one might say. If we would like to lean into a kitchen metaphor. My normal is nothing like the normal of your audience.”

His mouth, if it was a lake, would have been hit by a burning crater.

He closes it.

They sit in silence.

“He’s younger than you,” Marmuh says before he can stop himself.

This fact has been buzzing around his head for years since his seminar instructor pointed it out so casually. He’d scoffed at the thought and carried on like the world hadn’t shuddered under Marmuh’s feet. Since this story’s assignment, he hadn’t stopped thinking about it.

Not once.

Physics.

Laws of gravity. Orbits and velocity. Mass equals force times acceleration.

All that culminating in Luke Skywalker, the twin of Leia Organa, heroes of the republic.

All that to say that he was younger.

The last jedi.

The male twin.

There were geneticists and doctors who nearly creamed their pants at the thought of having the most famous twin stars in the galaxy in a single room and asking them how old they were.

Luke Skywalker would part his lips and say ‘I’m twenty-eight’ in that famous bouncy way of his. And Leia Organa would say right after him ‘I’m thirty years old.’

They were twins. Born on the same date of the same mother of the same womb.

“Does he feel younger to you?” Marmuh asked.

Leia’s lips close. She clears her throat.

“Luke?” she asks even though they both know, “Yeah. Yes. Yes, he feels—much younger.”

“How so?” Marmuh asks, reaching for his datapad and stylus.

Leia does not relinquish eye contact.

“Because he is Luke,” she says. Marmuh turns his pad back on. He opens a blank page on Script.

“I don’t know what that means,” he says. “I’ve never met Luke Skywalker.”

Leia swiftly pulls back.

“He is everything that I am not,” she starts with. “He could out-smile a tooka. Luke is what hope feels like. Being around him feels like a chasm growing in your chest—but upwards. Vertically.”

“Not how I’d describe my sister,” Marmuh jokes lightly as he takes flourishing notes.

Leia huffs.

“Your sister is not Luke,” she says.

“Do you feel that way for your husband?”

“Absolutely not. Han is a whirlpool of endless frustration and ‘why can’t you just give me the answer we both know I want.’”

Marmuh laughs. Leia’s expression does not change.

“Luke does feel younger, because he is younger,” she says sharply. “We were not raised together. I have been privileged. Pretty and petted and given everything. A princess must be wise beyond their years or else a princess is no better than a pawn or a future tragedy.”

“Are you referring to etiquette?”

“No. I’m referring to intellect. And hardness. Suspicion,” Leia says. “What is ‘safe?’ What is that? What does that feel like? I didn’t know to even ask until Han arrived—ironically, of course. There is nothing that Han can protect me from that I wouldn’t do a better job of protecting him from.”

“Sounds like a feminist piece,” Marmuh points out.

There is a pause while Leia examines him. It is not kindly examining. She’s reading him for signs of malice and potential betrayal.

“It is not feminism,” she says.

“Many people don’t classify their lives in academic terms,” Marmuh says.

“You asked me about Luke. Luke is younger.”

Back on track, then. Okay. Marmuh would let her lead.

“And he feels like a growing chasm,” he recites from his notes.

“Yes.”

“Like hope. I notice you didn’t say like a brother.”

“Luke is not my—no, I didn’t mean that. He is my brother. Biologically. Genetically. Of course. But like I said before, Mr. Dowljack, I was raised in privilege. And that is nothing but a pot of guilt for me now.”

Marmuh cocked his head. He could feel the skin on his forehead trying to fold on top of itself.

“Guilt for being distant?” he asked.

“Guilt for being the one who had it made,” Leia said with a vague hand gesture. “It is chance that placed me into the hands of my parents. And yet he and I were, in that moment, the same. Same age. Same weight—well, I must confess that I did eat him a little bit, I was a few ounces heavier—but our circumstances had not yet divided themselves along any lines of fate. And yet it was me who was placed into the arms of luxury and it was Luke who wasn’t even bathed before he was taken away to poverty. What did I do to earn that? You know what I mean?”

Marmuh opened his mouth to agree, but the senator cut him right off.

“He is not younger than me fairly. So between us, he is not younger. We are the same.”

The words Marmuh wanted to say tumbled away to the floor by his feet. New ones—better ones—grow in their place.

“But you aren’t the same,” he says. “You are Leia Organa. You’re the older sister. There must be so much emotional labor and—”

“You say that like you know it as a fact,” Leia hurls back immediately.

Marmuh’s fingers tighten around his knees.

“That’s because I do,” he says. “Know it as a fact. Ma’am. The oldest sisters—they carry so much weight. I can only imagine carrying the weight of the republic, of the galaxy, while fighting a war and then the cherry on top arrives and you’re looking at this guy and you have to process the fact that he’s your brother. It’s just another thing, isn’t it?”

Leia’s lips thin.

“You’re projecting,” she says abruptly.

“I was an older sister.”

“And you are a feminist. You’re projecting.”

“Culturally, the eldest daughter—”

“My brother,” Leia cuts in, “My brother.” She softens, “Is not a burden to me.”

Marmuh realizes how far forward he has leaned in his seat. He forces himself to sit back. To open his posture. He has to sluice off the intensity. This discussion is getting nowhere.

“I didn’t mean that he is a burden,” he soothes. “I just meant to ask if you felt any additional responsibility to him. Which, it seems, you do.”

“What I feel is shame,” Leia corrects immediately, “The shame that comes with knowing that you are no better than someone else and yet they live hand to mouth, and you know the names of a thousand pieces of cutlery and furniture. That souring, deep shame, Mr. Dowljack. It is not responsibility. It is fear. Fear from self-awareness of the disgust that you have for people living in such ways. It is the constant reminder that the difference between me and him was my mother and my father’s preference for a baby girl. They wanted a girl; my mother didn’t know how to pass knowledge to a boy. My father didn’t want to deal with a boy’s rambunctious teenage years. And so they wanted a girl. My parents were not immune to the thinking of our culture, to that great patriarch that theorists and activists as one spit upon. But that patriarchy saved me from the life that Luke lives. Poverty. To whom am I to be grateful, Mr. Dowljack? Luck or society? Where do I derive my privilege?”

This discussion was escalating. It wasn’t supposed to escalate. Marmuh was just supposed to ask the ten questions and get out. He hadn’t meant to drive his fingers into this soft skin.

Curiosity was bleeding him dry with daggers stabbed in both thighs.

“It sounds like,” he said because he is a bitch that cannot stop himself, “You’re under a lot of pressure. Leia.”

The silence wa a blade in and of itself.

Leia sat back in her seat and crossed one leg over the other. Her chin lowered and her eyes proved that they were more than capable of darkening even past their current black appearance.

Her thumb rubbed at the side of the top of her middle finger.

“Don’t call me a feminist,” she says, lifting her chin at Marmuh’s datapad of notes. “I’m not ready to be associated with that word. You asked about my brother? He is wonderful. Make a note, please. My husband? Devoted. Our best friend Chewie? Wit like you would not believe. I have a son as well. Luke is looking after him, I’m afraid that he has exhibited behaviors that make it difficult for him to play with other children. I’m a terrible mother like that, sending my child away to be raised by the man who has only suffered because of me.”

Her scythe smile was back.

It was so sharp that Marmuh didn’t feel it chopping into his back until it is too late.

“I didn’t mean any offense,” he pleaded.

“I know you didn’t,” Leia answered rapidly. “But alas, here we are. Your real questions are about power, and I have answered them. But you have articles to write, and I am no longer interested in dissecting my relationship with my twin for the benefit of the public. So for your purposes, I am happy, Mr. Dowljack. I have no reason not to be. The only pressure that I cannot handle is that which I allow to break my bones. And given that there is no time nor room nor space in what needs to be done to keep this republic from shattering its own fragile existence, I have resolved to simply wait until I am good and ready to break. Which is not now, not tomorrow, and which, Force willing, will not be for another many decades, at which time I will put up my heels and die. And then, Mr. Dowljack, I will relax. Thank you for your time. Sercal will see you out.”

#fic #ficlet #none of you get in my fucking face about Leia not calling herself a feminist #this is part of a galaxy far far away AND its something queer scholars put up with at every turn #labels mean different things to different people in different time periods #gender roles are the same way