#the correct pronunciation is whip

[slttygeto]

tags: japanese is not reader’s first language (or mine so sorry if i made a mistake!), and she has an accent and struggles to pronounce a sentence (it wasn’t warm), established relationship, satoru is whipped.

word count: 0,3k. very short :)

satoru loves you like a breezy summer night. it’s hot for most of the day, yet when open the balcony door at 3am, you sigh in content at the icy air. he loves you like the smell of waffles coming from the kitchen, they’re not burnt or undercooked, they’re crispy and golden and you sprinkle some nuts on top after cutting slices of banana and drizzling some honey. but what satoru is sure of, is that he loves you as if he were there the day you were created.

he admires what you do with adoration, admiration and love. he doesn’t need to give verbal praise for you to know that he is so proud of you.

“so when I went to check my plate in the microwave, it was not–it was not warm—“ you struggle a bit with the pronunciation of the japanese phrase, your accent slipping and you cover your mouth in embarrassment. you were telling your boyfriend about how you should fix the microwave, but somehow managed to struggle so much with a sentence. satoru is quick to remove your hand and join in the laugh, but he pulls you towards his chest carefully and throws his head back.

the heart that once felt empty, unsatisfied was now filled with nothing but love. pure, unconditional love for a person who came into his life on a whim.

“it was not warm,” satoru repeats lowly, the words gliding out of his mouth with so much ease. he is an expert at this, given that it is his native language. he resta his hands on your shoulders as his eyes rake over your face. the slight flush to it is adorable, he thinks.

“it was…not warm,”

“good job,” his voice drops a volume lower, his hands holding your face as his thumbs caress your cheeks. “my smart girl, knows so many languages that her brain gets a little fried sometimes,”

“it does,” as you sigh, you get on your tip toes and peck his lips. but once is never enough for satoru, so he pecks you again. and again and again.

“enough. you have work to do,” your hand pushes softly at his chest, giggling when he starts to kiss under your ear.

“work can wait,”

“what if it’s an emergency?”

“let em die—“

“no!”

based on what i found on google, “it wasn’t warm” translates to “Atatakakunakatta” so i thought why not! if it’s wrong tho, do correct me pls!

note: based on a cute thing @aurelianamu told me abt her and satoru :) this one’s for you best friend!

#moon's works #jujutsu kaisen #gojo satoru #gojo x reader #gojo satoru x reader #gojo jjk #jujutsu kaisen gojo #gojou satoru x reader #jjk gojo #gojo fluff #gojo comfort #gojo imagine #gojo headcanons #jujutsu kaisen headcanon #jujutsu kaisen imagines #jujutsu kaisen x you #jujutsu kaisen x reader

[snowprincesa1]

{seducing the prince }

Jacaerys x F!Lannister!Reader

Summary: Jacaerys knew he would have to marry for duty, he didn’t know his duty would be to you.

Trigger warnings:‼️Coitus and jacaerys a whipped man playing hard to get 😘😘😘😘

Special thanks to my babe/beta reader @luckytoucan 💗💗💗💗

Jacaerys always hated you. Hated how close you were to the Aegon and aemond in his childhood. How you always preferred their company over his. He tried so hard to make you notice him, to make you perhaps feel and inch of what he felt for you. Each time those dreams get shattered by the sound of your laugh with helaena and daeron over him. He didn’t fail to see how Aegon and aemond had indoctrinated you with hatred against him and his brothers. He had to hate you, hate your pride and pettiness, the snobby Lannister attitude you held. He saw you as one of the Queen’s party hoping for Aegon the elder to ascend the throne over his mother and him.

But sure enough that did not happen. Queen Rhaenyra ascended the throne and when jacaerys turned sixteen named his heir to the crown infront of all the lords and ladies of the court. He would forget you, forget how you looked walking through the gardens with his aunt, he would forget the way you danced, the way you haunted his very soul. Jacaerys felt himself grow mad with the constant thoughts of you blurring his mind turning it into a slurry. He needed to get away from you and the clasp you had of him. He needed you gone from his sight and away so he could just lose memory of you entirely. Over the years your cruel teasing did not weaken, often throwing him a flirty smile knowing damn well that nothing on this earth would ever get you to marry a bastard, crown prince or not, you took pleasure in complimenting as to how strong he had grown. Every ‘compliment’ you threw was an insult in disguise.

You can only imagine the shock he felt when his mother there queen Rhaenyra betrothed him to you years later, his stomach flipped upside down, in excitement? Fear? Annoyance? He looked over to you and there you were smiling at him as though you held the upper hand.

“You are not upset by this? Not even in the slightest?” He asked surprised as he grew more frustrated at the fact you seemed so alright with this.

“If i marry you I will be queen someday, surely you are just an addition that comes with the arrangement” you said sipping from your wine, amused by his reactions. Of course, he should have expected this from a Lannister, no matter how pretty they come you cannot change their nature. Always so smug, he wanted to make you feel the way he did. He was so helplessly in love with you but deemed your lannister self incapable of love, too smug to even care to feel a thing. Now as your betrothed he found himself at an advantage..

You on the other side always tried to to revert back to the past and change the way you behaved towards him. You quite literally tried to charm your way into his heart but all your actions seemed to be of no avail. He always shut down every smile with a polite nod, every kind word you said was met with his disdain, he quite literally at this point assumed your whole existence as a mockery towards him. You believed your betrothal would soften his heart up but instead it hardened it. The man could not seem to bear your presence, always growing agitated.

You attempted to win him over with gifts, with kisses which he averted from, with physical affection holding his hand and batting your pretty eyes at him, he showed no reaction to these. You often attempted to flirt with him in high valyrian which he had perfected, instead of appreciating your effort, he took the time to correct your pronunciation and grammatical errors.

You embroidered for him. You attempted to melt his heart by talking of the future where the two of you would have little children. Nothing worked, the most infuriating part was that with all the time you spent swaying him you felt yourself grow more fond of him yourself.

Whenever jacaerys sparred with Nettles, a supposed dragon seed brought to court because of her fierce skills in combat, you felt your heart feel the pang of anger and sadness. He seemed more fond of his uncles over you at this point and you felt absolutely helpless. You wanted to leave the past behind and win his affection. Perhaps that is not what fate wanted for the two of you. You walked away from the sparring ground and jacaerys noticed your absence in his mind.

The whole court was not blind to this tug of war game between the two of you, the jealousy that lingered between other possible lovers the two of you had. His brothers teased him incessantly over how he kept your embroidery in a special box in the cupboard and how he blew up if anyone attempted to touch what you gave him. Jacaerys loved the attempts you made towards him to make up for your past behaviour, he loved every moment of it. Every smile of yours would replay over and over in his mind once it was over. Thoughts of future children with you sent his blood rush to his nether regions, to see you carry his children.

He would often dress up far better than he usually did for sparring lessons in case you’d visit..or rather he’d dress down, discarding his sweaty shirt only if you were in the vicinity.

Nothing bothered Jacaerys more than seeing you with his uncles, at princess helaena’s name day party. His angered expression not was one he attempted to hide. you could feel his glare towards his uncle Daeron, a man of the same age as him. Daeron was mischievous and cheeky who also like everyone enjoyed annoying jacaerys as the two of them always saw each other as rivals even though they shared a wet nurse. Jacaerys could take it no longer dragging you away from dinner, his hand lingered on your arm, holding you firmly but not enough to hurt you.

“How many times must you repeat this song and dance?” He hissed pushing your back into the cold pillar “why can’t you leave me be?” He asked, his hands holding yours as you struggled in his hold, his hands had covered the entirety of your wrist as though it was nothing.

“Can you not see? How blind can you be?” You asked in an angry tone. His grasp did not leave your hands as he suddenly turned you around pressing you against the rough pillar wall pinning your hands to your lower back as you felt his figure croon over you. “Why do the gods have to make me put up with you” you felt his hot breath on your ear and the heat of his body radiating your own. You were glad he could not see your flustered face.

“I’ve only ever tried to get your attention” you voiced out, on hearing your voice he pressed you further into the bricks. You could hear him chuckle.

“So you throw yourself at my uncle?” jacaerys answered his grip tightening around your wrists. He felt conflicted a part of him died to believe your words, that you wanted his attention, the other ran his imagination wild seeing you with Daeron in uncompromising positions. “ah yes, they’re true born and i am..” he trailed off his hands abruptly let your wrist go. “And what do they tell you that it is a pity that your beauty is being wasted on me, a strong prince as you once said” his voice echoed in the empty corridors, he had lost all awareness of his surrounding.

“No! I did not say that! I have played very trick in the book, I have used every tactic anything to get you to like me and the only time you seem to ever even look at me is if I am with another. You think I like parading myself in this tight gown for no reason? Have you even seen my dress or have you been too caught up in your hobby of making me your enemy”

“Yes I have seen the way you look!” He answered angrily. He ran a hand through his hair as he looked at you.

“Then tell me how do I look!” You yelled back you felt tears if frustration bubble at the rims of your eyes, you looked away quickly would this how the entirety of the marriage would go? With you begging for him to notice you? You needed him to notice you at this point, want was no longer sufficient.

“Beautiful” jacaerys said the words he had held in his mouth for so long “So beautiful that if I take one glance it’ll never be enough, if I get one taste that too would not suffice, my greed, my lust is insatiable for you” you knew you had him then, he was yours and yours to keep. Your efforts weren’t in vain.

“You do not hate me then?” You asked surprised as his eyes watched you intently at your every move, what were you planning now..

“Oh make no mistake I do, I’ve always hated you. You’ve always played me as though I was a game. I am not my lady I would have remember that I am the crown prince of the seven kingdoms, my parentage does not matter because I am a Targaryen” he said he turned to leave one more.

You walked towards him and grabbed his face in yours, he admitted that he thought you beautiful and in your eyes that was a victory in itself, this was your chance to seduce your brunette prince as you closed the distance between your faces by planting a gentle kiss on his lips, in hopes it would sway his feelings about you. He gasped against your mouth feeling your lips press against his so perfectly. His hands instantly wrapped around your waist feeling the fabric of your gown crumbling it in his hands, “you shouldn’t hate me, sweet prince” you teased him, habits die hard. As his lips fought your own for dominance, his right hand reaching up to hold your face as he drank you in, the moment your lips parted for a gasp his hot tongue found its way into yours, your mouths in total sync, it was hard to keep your mind sharp now, just as he did you grace into your senses.

That’s how you found yourself with your dress ripped to shreds and your leg propped on his shoulders as he thrusted into you sharply, he made no attempt to stop any time soon, you gasped and moaned and claws at his chest anything to make you feel as though you had control over your betrothed. He drove you mad stopping just when you were about to peak, he denied you of cumming over and over leaving you teary eyed moaning as he brought you such pleasure and pain. If he denied you once more you felt as though you would collapse from the sheer need.

This was your punishment for everything you had ever done to him, every smirk, every mocking word, you felt yourself bend in ways you never thought possible. Jacaerys felt up the fat of your thighs as he leaned in the two of you in to fetch a passion filled kiss. You felt his heavy length press into your sensitive spot and he smirked on seeing you squirm under him as so, release was a mirage so close yet so far. “I should not let you cum, you do not deserve it” he said kissing the leg that sat on his shoulder.

“Tell me how I can win your forgiveness my prince” You moaned out feeling him hitting that one spot that made your head go hazy as you looked to at him with lust drunken eyes.

Jacaerys smirked “there’s nothing you can do” he grunted out letting moans of his escape as his eyes shut from the intensity of the pleasure, perhaps he was being too cruel to you..

“You are right I do not want your forgiveness, I want more— I need you to be mine” you whined out, the pure euphoria of having you in his arms, under him, needing him just like he prayed to the gods you would. His feelings perhaps were not entirely one sided.

“You already have me, do you not see?” He said truthfully holding your hand to his heart “it beats for you lioness” He whispered in your ear and you gasped from the sheer intimacy and lewdness of your hips moving into each other, the soft wet sounds emulating in the wide halls but now all you could focus was on the man before you, his fingers reached down to your nub rubbing a calloused finger over it, the right little circles along with the snapping of his hips made you throw your head back and moan in tears as you felt your release build up for the fourth time since jacaerys had edged you, your eyes filled with tears as you looked to your betrothed with pleasing eyes to let you cum.

Jacaerys could not find it in himself to deny you of your pleasure anymore as he felt you come hard with a shrill cry of his name. All over his tunic. He felt his own release build up seeing your fucked out look with a few more sloppy hard thrusts he gave you all his cum, strings of his seed trailed down your shaky legs. He swore this was the hardest he had orgasmed ever in his life, his breath lost as he plopped himself over you his head resting in the crook of your neck as you rolled his silky brown hair between your fingers.

“You mean it? You love me?” You asked feeling him hum on your neck placing soft kisses on it as the two of you sunk to your feet using the pillar as support as jacaerys peppered you with kisses.

“Lying has never been in my nature” he said “I have loved you since the moment you I laid my eyes on you, princess” he smiled pulling himself from your neck to gaze upon your afterglow, messy lip tint smeared all over your face from the bruising kisses he gave you. You gasped and playfully punched at his side. “Your little tactics to get me to love you were quite entertaining, I admit” he smirked kissing you once more” as the two of you embraced in the cold of the night you felt so warm with his arms over you.

“You’re telling me all my seduction tactics were never necessary?!” You asked bewildered at your betrothed, you saw jacaerys crack up laughing as though if your realisation was the funniest thing to him. He would have to make up for this he knew, he was always ready to turn the tables around and win your forgiveness with his own seduction tactics.

#jacaerys x reader #jacaerys Targaryen x reader #jacaerys strong x reader #jacaerys velaryon x reader #jacaerys x oc #jacaerys x you #jacaerys x y/n #jacaerys Targaryen #jacaerys velaryon #jacaerys strong #house of the dragon #asoiaf #hotd #hotd fanfiction #jacaerys fanfic #jacaerys x female oc

[ratofthemedievalsewers]

Danse Macabre

Astarion x M!Tav / Astarion x M!Dark Urge

TEASER

A03 Link: Danse Macabre

Warning: Depictions of v*olence and t*rture

Prologue

The whip cracks with a harsh tone, splitting the silence that hangs heavy in the darkness. The man beside him begins to chant; it's apathetic and cold, the words unintelligible to the man who kneels in front of the preacher. 

Dain cannot make out the place that surrounds him, as it hurts too much to open his eyes. But he can feel the floor beneath him; freezing, rigid stone cruel against his aching knees, vibrant pain shooting down his shins and up the muscles in his thighs. His hands are held up above his head in shackles that pull him apart; they have been held up for so long he can no longer feel his fingers and a humming numbness buzzes through his arms, setting at the junctions of his shoulders.  He dare not move, he does not know if he even could.

The flail hits his back and the words the preacher mutter stumbles along a crescendo; he fumbles at his pronunciation, but he does not bother to correct himself. The prayer no longer matters, it stopped holding its meaning many years ago when discipline became twisted pleasure. 

Through spotted vision, Dain takes in what details he can of the man who punishes him for crimes he did not commit. The preacher wears a robe that was, at some point in its life white, the cotton now beginning to stain grey along the seams and hemming as the grime begins to cling harder at the fabric, burying itself like an infestation. It is adorned with a symbol he does not recognise, but it resembles a brilliant, blooming sun (his blood now blemishes the saffron yellow and some part of him believes it to be ironic). Draped over his shoulders are heavy gold chains, coming together to meet the same symbol cast in metal.

Dain burns the blazing sun into his mind, cursing the image in what few languages he remembers. 

*****

Dain tastes iron and smoke on his tongue when he coughs. The fractured glass beneath his fingertips threatens to pierce his skin if he is not careful, so he lifts himself slowly, mindful of the pounding in his head, settling contently behind his left eye. His body is aching deep within his bones, muscles stiff, sore and unused. Standing upright on his own two feet grants a pained relief - when he stretches he feels unknown tendons spasm and cramp. 

The ground beneath him feels solid yet moving; it is an odd sensation as if being carried. The rumble of something mechanical, the harsh shudder and swerving of quivering wind. Dain is moving all while staying still. A vessel of some sort?

It takes a moment for his hazy vision to focus and what greets him is the dilapidated hull of unfamiliar surroundings. Unbothered fires burn in the edges of the room, flicking and stroking against the wine-coloured, foreign metal that makes up the walls and fixtures. 

He feels as if he should be panicking; not many would find themselves in a burning room, potentially burning ship, and remain as calm as a fox within its den. However, the fire is (currently) not spreading and the walls are yet to collapse on top of him. Maybe then he’ll run and scream.

What truly worries him is the loss he feels. The untargeted rage and hurt. He searches his mind yet all he feels is a strange sense of regret amidst the fog of his memories. Dain forages and scrambles through a kaleidoscope of images and fragments, unable to piece them in a way which makes any sense. A flash of dark eyes, streaks of red, a flutter of wings, twisted black and a bold sun. The throbbing behind his eye intensifies and he feels his stomach begin to turn with nausea.

He retracts himself from his own mind with a shudder, cold regret seeping through his chest until it stabs at his heart.

‘A second chance, my child. For the both of us.’

*****

This story, due to its size, will be uploaded to AO3, however any important/chapter updates I'll post here :)

I can't wait to share this one with all of you, it's gonna be juicy

xx

#baldurs gate 3 #baldurs gate astarion #baldurs gate 3 astarion #astarion #astarion x tav #astarion x reader #astarion x dark urge #astarion x male reader #astarion x male tav

[shivvroys]

okna do duše

for lou (@luminousxdoom) and the shivcord, here is a baby karolina flashback <333

this was initially part of this fic, but i had to take it out bc it didn't really flow with the rest of it

read below

Karolina was six years old when she first realized her father was right.

One of the teachers, a mean old one who called her Caroline and told her maybe little girls back there could play in the mud and wrestle with boys, but little girls here had to show a little more discipline and decorum, had called her parents in to complain about her behavior for the third time that semester. She was still struggling with her writing, she’d said, and refused to correct her pronunciation despite repeated reproach.

Her mother stood in front of the teacher’s desk, head buried between her shoulders and purse strap clenched in her fist like a whip, apologizing to the woman as if Karolina had committed a capital offence. Which, in hindsight, she had. In broken English, and through her thick accent, Karolina’s mother bowed her head before the teacher and promised to do better. To assimilate better. She promised to leave her on the steps of a library and not come back for her until the sun had set. To sign her up for every extracurricular activity the school had to offer, so she’ll learn from the other kids. From American kids.  Anything to turn her little girl into a girl from here, and not one from back there. 

Oh, but her sister. Her sister, the teacher said, didn’t seem to struggle so much. In fact, Katerina (Catherine), though younger, showed none of the same problems. She spoke clearly, and could read and write far above her level. The problem, it seemed, was less about learning and more about discipline.

Her mother had turned to her, then, pinning her down with her gaze. Her sister had inherited their mother’s eyes. A rich hazel, that swirled and lulled, eyes you could drown in and feel held by.  Karolina, her mother would always say, had plucked the eyes straight out of her father’s head. Theirs were icier, colder, and green with poison. Like knives, the both of you.

They made it to the hallway before her mother yanked her arm and leaned down until they were the same height. You are not stupid, moje dcera! And her eyes, like stone arrows carved by furrowed brows, had given her away—had laid bare the anger she’d already begun to make a playmate of by that age.

Karolina wasn’t stupid, no. But it gnawed at her, the confusion and the shame that made her cheeks burn and her stomach ache. How could it be wrong to speak the same way her mother did? The same way her father sang along to his rock’n’roll cassette tapes? Why did back there have to be kept in dusty old boxes, shoved to the back on top of the glass cabinet in the living room?

And if it was indeed wrong, why did her mother whisper like back there to her while putting her to sleep? Why did her father put on records from back there and sway their mother gently around the living room until they were both floating, and the house felt warm and full. When her father would sit her and her sister on his knees, and tell them stories about what life had been like back there, why did his eyes light up so much? Why did he laugh so loudly?

Seeing that frustration, that anger, that wildness in Karolina that must’ve been a stain from back there, did nothing but stoke the flames of her mother’s shame. The slap rang like a sharp bell in the darkened hallway, and Karolina looked down and willed her wretched eyes to stop the tears from coming.

She spoke perfect English after that, and stayed inside during recess.

#karolina novotney #my fics #succession #i may have overstated the number of flashbacks i actually wrote lol #i have this one and like half of a teenage karolina getting her first crush on a girl which i wanna finish #but anyway i hope u likey <3 muAHH :XX

[splinteredmercies]

SPRING CLEANING ‘24 ␥ Phoebe Huynh (2/?)

fandom: stranger things

pairing: eventual and implied chrissy cunningham/phoebe huynh (oc)

author's note: originally written during the summer of '22, this hasn't seen the light of say other than a friend or two i've sent it to. it was also the time when i challenged myself to write in present tense. i planned it to be a one-shot like almost everything else i've written in the last two years. phoebe and chrissy are the definition of those middle school female friendships you never truly recover from, lol.

word count: 598

It’s the September of 1979. The Huynhs have moved from sunny California to dreary Indiana to open a nail salon in the heart of Hawkins, and Phoebe is entering sixth grade at the local middle school.

Phoebe’s schedule shows her first class is U.S. History with Mrs. Cassandra Callahan. Phoebe makes her way to the class—trying and failing to ignore how she’s the only Asian person in the building and how all the students stare and whisper.

The stares and whispers are worse when she’s one of the first students in the classroom. Her peers make a lousy attempt at sneaking glances at her while she is busy observing the classroom and Mrs. Callahan.

Mrs. Callahan is younger than the cluster of teachers hanging around their doorways in the Social Studies hallway. She’s newlywed, going off how she fiddles with the simple but shiny gold band on her left ring finger and stares at it with a sparkling gaze. Wispy strands of blonde hair fall around her face, and Phoebe can tell she has bright and eager blue eyes.

The bell rings, and Mrs. Callahan walks to her desk with a sunny smile. “Good morning, everyone! Since it’s the first day of school, we’ll do some ice-breakers before going over the syllabus and the class rules and expectations.”

Everyone is quiet except for the occasional shuffle as the kids move around in their seats. Mrs. Callahan brightens at the lack of groans and complaints. She picks up a clipboard with a pencil. “I’m going to call roll.”

Mrs. Callahan makes her way quickly through the list, but her confidence wavers through the H section.

“H-U-Y-N-H? I’m so sorry I can’t pronounce this—” Mrs. Callahan’s voice is high-pitched and hesitant when her eyes fall upon Phoebe. “How do you pronounce your last name, sweetie?”

Something about how Mrs. Callahan says “sweetie” aggravates Phoebe, but she swallows her pride, plasters on a saccharine smile, and gives her the correct pronunciation.

“Oh, I’m never gonna get that correct,” Mrs. Callahan mumbles, scribbling something down on the page.

In front of her, a girl turns around. The sudden motion makes the straw-colored hair in a ponytail whip around her face. “Hi, I’m Chrissy! I like your nail polish color!”

Phoebe looks down at her hands. The polish—a soft pink by the name of “Pink Almond”—had been applied by her mother during their mother-daughter bonding time she insisted on every Saturday night. Her mother had chosen the color, saying that neutrals and soft polishes on her natural nails suited Phoebe for the upcoming school year, and she promised they’d go back to experimenting with the bolder set of trendy colors during the summer.

“Thank you,” Phoebe replies with a clipped, polite tone. She looks back at Chrissy with the hopes the other girl understands she’s hesitant to talk to her and cools down the cheerfulness. It’s simply too early for this.

“Can I see your schedule? I want to see how many classes we have together.”

Phoebe feels like Chrissy is staking her claim on her. And, strangely, finds she doesn’t mind at all. She passes Chrissy her schedule and watches as the girl skims it.

“Sweet! We have basically all our classes together.” Chrissy seems excited at the thought but hesitates at Phoebe’s stony silence. “I was going to ask if you wanted to stick together, but if you—I mean, you don’t have to say yes—”

“No,” Phoebe interrupts. A smile tugs at her lips, one more sincere than the one aimed at Mrs. Callahan earlier. “We can stick together.”

#karla’s spring cleaning ‘24 #oc: phoebe huynh #karla’s plot bunnies #tv: stranger things #stranger things #chrissy cunningham #drabble

[ddarker-dreams]

Yo would Chrollo attempt to learn a little Survosian for HWR reader? Kinda romantic I think, and he gets to learn about HWR’s culture too. (Haha I do think Phinks would try to learn a word or two to impress reader, asks questions about her homeland just as an excuse to talk, he thinks he’s slick. He is not.)

OH HE SO WOULD................ the two of them would end up gossiping to each other when they're in public. chrollo would probably act more clueless to the various nuances than he actually is, just so that HWR reader would correct him and explain things because whew. there is nothing he loves more than when she talks. he'd commit unspeakable acts all for the honor of hearing her voice for as long as she'd let him.

he could probably get to a fluent level within three or so months?? still feigns ignorance but also whips out some crazy vocabulary to impress his girl. gotta show his intellectual chops whenever possible. he tries not to make it too obvious that he's learning it either. says something about how he's been "picking up some words here and there" while devoting himself to hours of study every night. what a nerd.

AND PHINKS OOOMG can you imagine... him coming to chrollo.......................... since he knows his boss is proficient in fields like this.... asking for advice on how to say whatever the equivalent of "pretty" or "good fighter" is. chrollo just innocently gives him the pronunciation for the word 'worm' or whatever. sits back and watches the chaos unfold.

#hell within reach #answered #Anonymous

[drinkitfrommymouthsuou]

𝘈 𝘏𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦 & 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦

(♫♪) “Only those with excellent social standing and those from filthy rich families are lucky enough to spend their time here at the elite private school, Ouran Academy. The Ouran host Club is where the school’s handsomest boys with too much time on their hands, entertain young ladies who also have way too much time on their hands. Just think of it as Ouran academy’s elegant playground for the super-rich and beautiful.”

"—Welcome @nevertem !"

"Son—I would like to discuss something extremely important with you." 

Tamaki flinched in his seat when his father finally spoke.  The blond was sitting in a chair directly in front of the giant ornate desk of Ouran Academy’s chairman.  Yuzuru’s tone made Tamaki feel a little uneasy. Not to mention it was strange seeing his father during normal school hours.  The blond had to admit he was surprised when his father called him into his office.

Tilting his head to the side, Tamaki blinked while he watched the Suou would-be patriarch stand up from his desk and wander over to the large window just behind him.  Just outside was a perfect view of Ouran Academy—his father’s kingdom.  Though the Suou Group managed more than just the school, Tamaki always felt a sense that the academy was like a kingdom to his father.  The irony was not lost on the blond.

“Did something happen—?”  Then Tamaki wondered if there was something he had done instead—maybe his grandmother told his father something? “Dad...did I do something?”

Yuzuru whipped his head around and shot Tamaki with a quick glare.

“NGH—!!!!??” With his body bristling Tamaki sat up straight in his seat. “I MEAN!!—Chairman.” Tamaki corrected himself.  He knew his father preferred Tamaki to address him formally when they were at the academy.    

Yuzuru turned on his heel and offered a charming smile, that resembled his son’s smile in so many ways, and told the Suou boy that his father was only teasing.  There was nothing wrong.  Tamaki was getting ready to argue when Yuzuru lifted his hand to stop his son.

“We have a new student joining Ouran Academy. I felt it might be necessary if you escorted him around the school for a few weeks." Yuzuru explained. “Necessary?” Tamaki perked up as his interest piqued.  “He is a foreign exchange student, Tamaki; I figured you would know better than anyone else how difficult it can be.”  Yuzuru’s expression turned distant as he looked over at his son.  He knew the kind of pain he had caused his child.  The man understood the hardships he had foisted upon his son; the hardships his own mother foisted upon her grandson. 

Tamaki nodded then paused when he heard the door behind him opening.  Lifting himself from his seat, Tamaki turned around to greet the new student. 

“Tamaki, I would like you to meet your new classmate, El Sayyid.” Yuzuru struggled with the pronunciation but did the best that he could.  Extending his hand toward the new student, Tamaki tilted his head and offered him a beautifully charming smile. 

“Good afternoon, my friend; Welcome to Ouran Academy. My name is Tamaki Suou—it is a pleasure to meet you.”

#「♔ тαмαкι sυσυ | 𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓂𝑒 𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 」 #「♔ rp; FATP 」 #「♔ guest: Atem | 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘯𝘥 𝘖𝘧 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘐𝘴 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘖𝘧 𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 」 #「♔ outofroses; here we are! LOl I hope you like it! 」 #nevertem

[rabbitcruiser]

National Pecan Pie Day

Beneath the shade of a Georgia pine

And that’s home you know

Sweet tea, pecan pie and homemade wine

Where the peaches grow.

Chicken Fried - Zac Brown Band

We’re simply nutty over today’s honoree, National Pecan Pie Day on July 12. It’s pretty easy to get behind a day dedicated to one of our favorite desserts. Indeed, 90% of Americans surveyed believe eating a slice of pie is one of life’s simple pleasures, indulging in 186 million commercially sold pies every year! People who prefer pecan pie over the many other types of pies describe themselves as thoughtful and analytical. We’re not sure if this still holds true for those who add ice cream or whipped cream but, nonetheless, it’s time to celebrate the delicious dessert today!

History of National Pecan Pie Day

It is uncertain how National Pecan Pie Day started but we certainly feel indebted to an unknown person because we couldn’t agree more with the idea of celebrating such a beloved dessert.

Pecan pie has a long, Southern history whose origins are highly debatable. Some believe pecan pie started in New Orleans by French immigrants, turned Southern, in the 1700s after being introduced to the pecan by Native Americans. Others believe pecan pie got its start in Alabama but this claim is unsupported by written recipes or printed literature. Of course, it’s not hard to believe many Southerners would love to lay claim to being the inventor of pecan pie.

Following the Civil War, commercial developers brought in a few varieties of pecans to grow in Georgia, which is now the main commercial grower of pecans in the U.S. Grafted pecan trees also became prevalent in Louisiana in the mid- to late-1800s. The name of the nut itself is derived from the French word ‘pacane,’ which is taken from the Algonquian word for ‘nut.’

The first printed pecan pie recipe surfaced in an 1886 edition of “Harper’s Bazaar” magazine. Years later, various forms of the recipe were published in well-known cookbooks such as “Joy of Cooking.” Throughout the early 1900s, Karo corn syrup was invented and yet another claim to the discovery of pecan pie emerged. The wife of a company executive shared her recipe using Karo as the ingredient of choice instead of maple syrup, honey, or molasses. Whether her claim is true, Karo corn syrup helped raise the popularity of pecan pie when they published the recipe on the product can.

While most hold the perception that pecan pie remains a Southern dish, in reality, its popularity has swept across the U.S. with regions taking on their own ingredient preferences. Pecan pie holds a place in the Thanksgiving trinity of pies — pumpkin, pecan, and apple — most frequently enjoyed by families during this holiday. Due to this, many also consider pecan pie a dessert to savor during the fall- and winter months.

National Pecan Pie Day timeline

8,000 B.C.First Pecan in the U.S.

Archeological findings discover that pecans were used in Texas by Native Americans for over 8,000 years.

1886First Printed Recipe

The first recipe is printed in “Harper’s Bazaar,” although people agree pecan pie was a Southern favorite long before this.

1930sKey Ingredient Karo

The Corn Products Refining Company creates Karo, a corn syrup, and in 1930 the wife of one of their sales executives discovers it can be used as a sweeter substitute to maple syrup.

1940sCookbook Favorite

Pecan pie becomes a regular recipe in cookbooks.

National Pecan Pie Day FAQs

What is the correct way to pronounce ‘pecan’?

Wow, that is a loaded question! We’ve found 6 different pronunciations for ‘pecan’ and will let you select the one you love most (capital letters denote emphasis): pah-KAHN, puh-CAN, PEE-kaun, PEE-can, pee-KAUN, pee-CAN.

How many pecans are in a pecan pie?

On average, each pecan pie includes 78 pecans.

How bad is pecan pie for you?

Pecans contain a variety of healthy attributes including antioxidants, 19 vitamins and minerals, and healthy fats. Now, what happens when you add them to butter and corn syrup? We just can’t be responsible for that…

How To Celebrate National Pecan Pie Day

Send one to a friend

Pick your own pecans

Try a new variation

Pecan pies can be made and even frozen if you would like to give one as a gift, but there are many bakeries online that sell fresh pecan pies available for delivery. It’s such an easy way to send a sweet treat to a friend who may not otherwise make or buy one for themselves. Definitely worth a try!

The pecan harvest season starts in September and October in the Eastern states, going through March as you move West. Find pecan farms and mark your calendar now for the right time in your region to go.

It’s hard to beat the classic pecan pie recipe but if you’re looking for a change, there are plenty of variations out there. One of the most common is chocolate pecan pie, which simply adds chocolate to the main recipe. And when has adding chocolate ever ruined anything? Beyond that, you’ll find pecan pie cheesecake, pumpkin pecan pie, bourbon pecan pie, and cranberry-orange white-chocolate pecan pie (that’s a mouthful!).

5 Fun Facts About Pecans

Taking their sweet time

Through the years

American-made

Big in Texas

A mix of nuts

​Pecan trees take 12 years to mature.

Once mature, in the best climate conditions, pecan trees can produce for hundreds of years.

Pecans are native to North- and Central America and the U.S. produces 80% of the world’s pecans.

Texas chose the pecan tree as its state tree in 1919 and the pecan pie as its state pie in 2013.

​There are over 1,000 varieties of pecans.

Source

#Pecan Caramel Brownie #Pecan Praline Milkshake #Caramel Pecan Turtle Cheesecake #Pecan Pie a la Mode #Chocolate Pecan Pie #USA #travel #original photography #vacation #bakery #restaurant #dessert #National Pecan Pie Day #NationalPecanPieDay #12 July #ice cream #whipped cream

[gay-salt-amber]

Twisted Wonderland as Matt Rose stuff

Sleep Talking:

—

Deuce about Epel: My boyfriend once cupped my crotch in his sleep and said, “Two out of five stars.”

Jack: “Oh Walmart, Oh Walmart, Oh Walmart” Non stop for a half an hour

Ashton about his siblings: “..but he’s single on facebook!” My 12 year old stepsister…

Ace: “FLOYD GRAB THE FILES!”

Idia: “I’m gonna fuck Bill Gates CERVICALLY with a Playstation Four!”

Azul: “Its the monkeys problem if they cant finish the contract.”

Jade about Floyd: “I have to get past the Pikachu to get to the filing cabinet to see if I’m a robot or not.” Then he whipped a plate at the wall.

Lilia (Im fleshing this one out a bit) about silver: Once Silver walked out into the living room while asleep, came up to me and asked, “Father, why are deer the only animals that dont get fat?” I had to think about that one

Rashad: “I wanna be a fifth avenue peanut~”

Cater: “The clown has no penis”

Epel: “I just wanna… deep breath.. Kick so much ass”

Ruggie: Randomly yelled, “DUNKIN DOUNUTS!”  

Neige: “Small hands… inaudible Very small. How are they that small?”

Floyd: “No but the fish that was looking at me was a weird looking fish”

Che’nya: “Possum, possum, possum!” (with jazz hands)

Riddle: “Satan, love, share the damn yogurt”

Leona: sometimes I just randomly yell “FUCK” and wake myself up

Vil: Once I said, “eat the fucking veggie roll!” And then I cried

Rook (changed this one too) I once said, “I wanna be waterboarded with cheese!” In this mocking “Oh yeah daddy” type voice

Sebek: “I’m Spider-Man and i’m going to kill your family”

Trey: “ok ok, two bowls of butter”

Esther: “No no no no, use Snorlax. It has better special defense”

Crowley: “Get the fucking jetpacks ready”

Sam: I once sand Britney Spears “Circus” at the top of my lungs in my sleep and startled myself awake

Crewel (Switched this one up) I once grabbed Sams ass thinking it was a light switch

Kalim: “Don’t be so racist to spotted mice!”

Jamil: “I could have sex with everyone in New York in 8 hours”

—

not knowing how to pronounce stuff

Ruggie: I pronounce malady as m’lady

Malleus: my whole life I have been pronouncing tarot cars like carrot

Rashad: I used to pronounce Ibs (pounds) as Ill-a-balls

Kalim: I’ve been reading and saying hyperbole as ‘hyperbowl’ for fucking years

Epel: Pronounced crepe as “creep-ayy”

Rook: (changed it up) Ever since i’ve started speaking English i’ve been pronouncing melancholy as “Milan-chili”

Vil: I’ve been calling laptops labtops my whole life until 2 days ago

Leona: I’ve been pronouncing “hospice” like perfume for prostitutes all along and no one has corrected me.

Azul: I’ve been pronouncing ratio like ‘patio’ this whole time

Floyd: Unil recently, ive been pronouncing lingerie as “ling-eerie”

Deuce: TIL the correct pronunciation of persimmon. I’ve been pronouncing it like the name of a fucking Digimon

Riddle: “Satisfy. I pronounced and spelled it as statisfy until a couple days ago

Ace: I found out that “oui” is pronounced like “wee” i’ve been pronouncing it like “ooey” my entire life

Neige (changed): A friend had to correct me when I said eppy-toam for epitome. She was an English major

Lilia: I'm over 50 and still have trouble with “khaki”

Cater: my entire life I’ve been pronouncing cement as semen-t and no one corrected me.. Til now

Jamil: Well this is embarrassing Ive been pronouncing ‘priates’ like ‘pilates’ for the last 17 years

Silver: grotesque. It came up one time while watching a movie when I was younger and I asked my friends, “What the hell is grote-squee imagery?”

Idia: Yall pronounce sk8 like skate??? Ive been pronouncing it like skate eight the whole time!

Arie: Guys the cheese isnt “Monetary Jack” ITS MONTEREY JACK?!!!! IVE BEEN PRONOUNCING IT LIKE ITS RELATED TO MONEY MY WHOLE LIFE

Jade: Lack toast and tolerant. I had no idea what the hell it had to do with dairy until I was corrected

Floyd: I once asked my dad what “reptile disfunction” was

Esther (changed): A monstero lounge waiter told me that id been pronouncing my own surname wrong and I honestly feel like my whole life has been a lie

Sebek: I've always called them brussel sprouts instead of brussels sprouts

#Matt rose #twisted wonderland #incorrect quotes #twisted wonderland incorrect quotes

[ranger-rai]

Cold Eyes,Warm Food pt.1

Jubilife City has been known as one of the “Must see locations” in the Sinnoh Region. Known for being the largest city, as well as the communication hub for the region, there are many well-known shops, restaurants, and cafes

Many of these shops have been around for years, some are very popular chains while the handful of local eateries has become staples of the area, prompting people from all over to come and try their confections, and many leave positive reviews and feedback.

Today was not looking like one of those days…

“Whatzit been, an hour? All we ordered were a couple of drinks!” A woman around her mid-twenties called out. She was visibly unsatisfied as she rocked back in her chair, looking around for a server, brushing some of her maroon hair that fell into her face from the constant whipping around her neck.

Her darker complexion and prominent accent let everyone know that she definitely was not from Sinnoh.

“I can’t believe this. We've been ‘ere for over an hour, waitr’ took our orders and completely vanished. Wer’e the only ones ere’!” Her hands were doing just as much talking as she complained to the other two women at the table.

“I’m sure they are working hard on our orders. Perhaps you should do some of those breathing exercises to help ease your nerves, Vea.” A woman of a much bulkier build responded in a very calming voice. Her hair was a dark brunette, and her body was much more built than the other two, giving off the impression that she lifted weights, but her personality would assure you that she didn't.

Aside from her physical build, her eyes were one of her most discerning features as they resembled those of a Skitty.

The maroon-haired woman, known as Vea, took a deep breath but clearly not enjoying it as her foot tapped rapidly due to her impatience.

“Hello ladies, I have your drinks.” A male voice called out as he arrived at their table with three identical drinks on his tray.

“‘Bout time!” Vea released her breath in a not-so-subtle offhand.

“Yay!”

The three women watched in anticipation as their drinks were set on the table one by one, only for their faces to drop from excitement to a mix of confusion and anger.

“Oi. Whas’ this?” Vea questioned as she pointed to the basic cup of coffee in front of her.

“That's called COFF-EEEE.” The server responded back quite sarcastically, chuckling a little to himself.

“I can see it coffee smart-ass, but why is it in fron’ of me? S’not what I ordered.”

“Um, I hate to be a bother, but I actually didn't order this either.” The muscular woman chimed in as she held up her similar cup.

“No, that's totally what you ordered.” The server responded confidently as he fished a crumpled-up piece of paper from his pocket.

“See I was right. A Light Roast Motostoke Blend for…Vee-a?” He really seemed to struggle with the pronunciation of a three-letter name.

“It's Vea.”

“Right. We also have a Black Razz Tea for…Ko-Nay-Nee?”

“Oh um, it's pronounced Konani.” The muscular woman responded in a polite but corrective manner, something she was used to doing.

“Yeah, alright.” The server completely dismissed,

“And for the lovely lady, a simple chai with fresh Moo Moo Milk Cream.” The waiter over-emphasized the order, taking extra care to make sure her order was actually correct.

The woman he was addressing had already begun to take a long, almost elegant sip of her tea. Her long, two-toned, plum-colored hair seemed to shine in the dim light of the café. Her skin was much fairer than her companions, with the warmth of the tea bringing out just enough red in her nose and cheeks.

“I knew someone at this table appreciated finely crafted beverages. In fact, my shift ends in fifteen minutes, and I would love to take you to this little pastry place that my friend owns-”

The waiter had completely switched from a semi-professional tone to a very unwarranted flirtatious tone. He had completely ignored Vea and Konani for their third friend, who hadn't even looked up while sipping her drink.

His proposal of pastries was cut short as she placed the cup down with a polite but forceful motion.

The waiter watched as the slender, plum-haired woman arose from her seat and above his head. Although her stature appeared much more refined, her height put her above his eye level.

The waiter raised his eyes before freezing when his gaze met hers. He began to feel an overwhelming presence. Her eyes were intense as though she was a Garchomp preparing to slaughter its prey.

“Absolutely. Disgusting.” She stated as she pointed to the waiter before walking out of the café.

The waiter stood there stunned like a Deerling in headlights. A comment like that wouldn't mean much normally, but that woman…her presence was both captivating and scary at the same time that it caused her words to cut deep.

“Welp,” Vea uttered as she stood up and clapped her hands together.

“Congrats mate, your soul was just judged by the Ice Queen.”

Vea smirked as she walked away, following her intimidating friend out of the café.

“Maybe next time you could focus on the drinks.”

As the well-built member of the trio stood up, she handed the waiter a couple of bills before following her friends.

—--------

“That was a total waste of time!”

“Well, the tea wasn't terrible.”

“But the service was. I was bout’ to deck the creep right in the nose, but I think he got sumthin even worse.”

Vea and Konani conversed as they approached the street curb where their friend waited, looking down at her phone.

“Isn't that right, Tia?” Vea called out to the tall woman as she provided her with a pat on the back.

The tall, slender woman stumbled a little from the force of her friend's gesture. Giving a silent nod as she looked down at her phone.

“I did not enjoy it…” Her voice was soft but strong, but her tone at the moment was uncaring as she seemed preoccupied with something.

“See, she gets it! Well, if we’re gonna be stuck here until our deal’s been struck, we might as well see more of this region. Nev’r know if we're gonna be shipped off somewhere else. It's not like there’s much to see, though.” Vea commented with a smirk.

“I’d love to see Floroma Town. There are some beautiful flowers that are native here, and I’d love to send some seeds back home.” Konani chimed in.

“C’mon Nani, the flowers s’not going anywhere. Let’s go underground, I wanna build a secret base!”

“Tia you’re the tiebreaker. Which ere’ we gonna do next?” Vea directed the dilemma onto their plum-hared friend.

She stood there waiting, not interacting or even looking at her friends. Her staring into the distance gave her the appearance of a statue.

“Oi, what's gotten into you then?” Vea questioned, her tone coming off as annoyed, but she was genuinely concerned by her actions.

*Grruugglllll*

A loud rumble could be heard coming from Tia’s stomach that would have been mistaken for an angry Growlithe.

“Sounds like someone’s hungry.” Konani chuckled at the unappealing sound that just came from their friend, which was followed by some crimson on her cheeks.

“If ere’s one thing Tia gets serious about, it's food. haha!” Vea and Konani joked with their serious-eyed friend, who let out a light chuckle while they all simply waited.

Tia’s chuckling came to an abrupt halt as she felt something tapping at her leg, prompting her to shoot a fierce look toward the source.

Looking down, she met her gaze with some much smaller girls. Her expression gave off the impression of an intense creature staring down its prey. However, she simply was surprised by the sudden contact.

“Er...How can we help you?” Konani crouched down to meet the children closer to their level. Out of the three of them, she was the best at communicating with children.

“C-can we take a picture?” One of the little girls asked, holding up a phone while another held a piece of paper and a pen.

The children seemed scared, embarrassed and determined to get these girls' attention, however, they found it hard to look any of them in the eyes, which was a shame as they would have seen the huge smiles growing on their faces.

“Oi, course we're’ gonna take pics wit’ you!” The maroon-haired woman cheered as she crouched down as well, gaining a big smile from the children.

After a few moments of photos, autographs, and light conversations, a car pulled up to the curb where the three ladies had been waiting.

“Sorry, but it looks like our ride is here.” Konani sighed to the children.

A collective groan was given by the children as they waved goodbye to the trio of women, getting smiles from everyone, including the hard-to-read “Ice Queen” Tia.

As the trio crammed into the car, they watched as the children continued to wave them off, many of whom were wishing them luck.

“See, we do have fans!” Konani stated as a matter of factly, giving Vea a light punch in the arm.

“Yeah, I know. Try telling that to our manager.”

*Ring-Ring-Ring. Phone Call, Phone Call!*

*Ring-Ring-Ring. Phone Call, Phone Call!*

The attention of the ladies was drawn towards Tea, who had been holding onto her phone as tightly as a Crabby using Vice Grip. The loud ringtone caught her off guard, causing a very comedic fumble from the driver's perspective. Thankfully, Vea was rapid on the recovery.

“Oh, would ya lookit that,” Vea commented as she answered the phone.

“Oi Chuck! Let us hear sumthin good!” She called out much louder than someone in a small vehicle should need to.

“Uhhh…The weather’s pretty nice today…” the male voice said weakly over the phone, seemingly unable to find a much better topic.

There was a slight silence as the trio looked out their windows to see that the weather was pretty nice now that they had stopped to notice it.

“Oh, it is quite nice out!” Konani commented.

“I know ya didn't just call to talk bout’ the weather Chuck. Tell us, did we get it? Are we sponsored?”

“…I’m sorry…”

“Aggghhhh! Come on!”

“I know, I know this isn't the news any of us wanted. I’m-I’m sorry ladies, it's difficult to get anywhere when you're unestablished…”

“But people like us, in fact, we just met some adorable fans a few minutes ago.” Konani chimed in.

“That’s great, but fans aren't the ones who pay for all of the travel expenses. Not unless we get more merch sales anyway.”

“C’mon Chuck, there’s gotta be sumthin’ that ya can do.”

“Well…that's the main reason I’m calling…”

The tone in Chuck’s voice somehow got even more distant and worried than when the call first began.

The mood in the car was definitely shaping into a tense one.

“Listen, I really like working for you three b-but it's been taking much longer to get you all established with a sponsor and well…I miss my family…”

The tone has officially changed from tense to melancholy.

“This job keeps me moving a lot, and for long stretches. My little girl is getting close to going on her first journey and she’s having trouble deciding on a starter, I really want to be there for her… I was also offered a job back home in Hoenn…managing another team…”

Chuck really felt those last words sting coming out of his mouth, and it was super effective against the trio as the car grew silent for a moment.

Chuck sat on his hotel bed, bags packed, and ticket clenched in his hand. He knew these girls needed help, but he couldn't offer it any longer.

“Er…M-maybe I could-”

“It's alright.” A soft voice spoke over the phone, cutting Chuck off. He was surprised as he had never had a direct conversation with her before.

“We will be okay.” Tia had taken her phone back, speaking for her and her team.

Chuck was gripping his phone a lot tighter. He wanted to offer some kind of advice or solution, but he really had nothing to offer these three women.

“Good luck. I’m rooting for you three.” His voice clearly showed a tone of remorse due to his inability to help them reach their goals.

“You too.” Tia Replied.

“Oh! Before I forget, I’ll send the remaining travel savings into your account, but it won't be a lot. Will you three be alright?”

“Yea. We’ll be alright. As soon as we figure out where Tia is taking us.” Vea responded as she looked out the window to notice the once concrete laid path they were on had become a bit more dirt road, and there were much more trees than they recalled.

“Where exactly are we going, Tia?” Konani questioned as well, becoming a bit worried as they began approaching the famous mountain of Sinnoh.

As they drove down a road, bringing them quite close to the base of the mountain, a small building came into view. It resembled a restaurant.

“We are getting something to eat.”

#ranger rai #pokemon ranger #the ranger base #pokemon #rai headcanon #story #cold eyes #warm food #cold eyes warm food #tia #konani #vea

[writerlypursuits]

By the way if you look at the word WIP and actually think “work in progress” or W.I.P. then please stay away, you’re terrifying

#the correct pronunciation is whip #writing #wip #writeblr #paris shouts into the void

[ceo-of-sloppy-men]

Mithrax with a partner whose name also(?) gets there name mispronounced ALOT and its also a super fucken long name

The two of you make a mutual agreement to call each other by the correct names

If he hears someone mispronounce your name he will immediately correct them. Even if it’s Zavala. Misraaks fears no one.

Goes out of his way to learn what your name means and then finds pet names that mean similar things

He could be mid conversation but if you used the correct name he’d whip around and be like “what does my little {insert eliksni pet name here} need?”

Due to recent events, Saint-14 is the second person to start actively using the correct pronunciation of your name and it starts a chain reaction because here’s this really loud Titan shouting your full name across the hangar with confidence enough to rival the sun

#misraaks #mithrax #misraaks x reader #mithrax x reader #destiny 2 headcanons #saint 14

[nogood-temptations]

Verlin - Kraken

Requested.

    So the way I have devised this kraken is a bit different than what most would expect. Other than the obvious, I hope you all enjoy our special Verlin! He's one of a kind. ;)

And I know I said I'd publish this after the holidays.. but I couldn't wait! Get ready for a few songs ;)

    Pronunciation: Ver-lihn.

U N D E R . T H E . D A R K . D E P T H S P A R T . O N E (?) kraken x sea witch reader

Tentacles | Kidnap | Possesive | Trapped | Mating | Romance | Roleplay . . .

    The current's awfully strong today. I'm pushed out further towards the Gorge from the massive waves lapping at the surface. Fortunately, I'm able to dart towards a hidden cavern located on the side of a cliff. Darkness engulfs me in it's dark shadows. From the inside of the secret place, I admire the swirling debris being carried away by the ocean. I peak out from my hiding spot to discover another path towards the open flower fields.

My fins flick at the sudden tickle from below. I spot the fresh plants of kelp, whisking it away from my body. When the current begins to subside on the outside of the cavern, I take my chance and shoot through the opening. My tail dashes across the sea faster than I wanted and I end up tumbling into some seagrass. Luckily, I land on my behind with my tail tangled in the ticklish seagrass. I blink a few times after running my fins through the warm sand. The sun grants this and very few spots sunlight, and to feel the warmth against my fins was a sensation I wouldn't trade for the world.

When I realize there's something on my head, I frown before laughing at myself. It's dark maroon sargassum, a beautiful rich color that goes perfect with the bouquet I was planning. I snatch up some from the sand and gather it in my talons for the flower arrangement. A smile drifts to my lips and I don't bother to let it fall. I race towards the water lilies and various pink lotuses scattered about the plantation. It's a beautiful sight to behold, and I can only look around to find the correct color scheme.

My eyes catch a patch of azure hyacinths loitering the sea floor. My hands grab for a few stems, lacing them between the white lilies and accenting the dark pink lotus flowers. The arrangement is quite dark and dull, but the bright white features make it pop with excitement. I could only hope it bestows a fecund version of me and as an individual female. It's for the choosing ceremony, and I'm uncertain if I wish to participate in such a big event with a lifetime commitment. Our seven kingdoms will be there and not to mention royalty. What if my bouquet isn't chosen for the chance of discovering someone worthy of mating with moi?

My scales ruffle at the thought, and pure elation runs through my entire being. To be chosen for the Imperial Matchmaker guarantees a mate for life. If I can bestow a bouquet worthy of attracting a potential male, it might not be possible for me to end up alone, much like the other older females in the tribe. My sharp teeth knick my bottom lip but I'm quick to lap up the blood. The last thing I needed was a predator to swoop in and chase me off.

I continued gathering several sea flowers for my special gift and came across a gem of some kind. It's blue, a cerulean blue that glimmers in the light. My fingers graze the edge and I carry the jewel in my palm. It's no bigger than the largest queen conch shell I have back home, which is about the size of a dorsal fin. I can't carry the beauty so I delicately place the jewel back into the sand, digging a bit further to conceal its natural aesthetic. I use the hyacinths to cover the remanding areas of the rock to shield it from the harsh rays of the sun.

    Wouldn't want a landris to spot such a beautiful treasure, I giggle to myself.

When I pull away from it for the last time, I cut my arm on the serrated edge, hissing from the sudden agony tousling through my arm. I bare my teeth at the object before my frills calm down. The bouquet is cast to the side for a moment while I deal with my wound, only I don't have time to escape. I could feel the vibrations in the water call out to me, and I knew a tiger shark was on her way. It's clear in the water. Immediately, I glance behind me and out into the vast blue ocean before darting around the rest of the scene. I er nothing but the vast blue and few reefs in the distance.

There, just beyond the rock formations, is the shark.

My eyes narrow on two large boulders embedded in the sand. I speed up, diving behind the rocks with heaving breaths. Fear courses through my veins, and for a moment I don't know how to react. My tongue darts out to lick my lips while I glance behind the boulders. There's the tiger shark, following my scent of blood that's still bleeding. I curse and reach for some kelp below my fins. I do my best to conceal my cut and myself, but even then I still don't take the chance to reveal myself.

    After I've tied off the knot with my teeth and talons, I maneuver around the rock as the tiger shark does the same. The full orange and black stripes brighten with the rays of the sun the closer the predator swims. My heart rate picks up and I decide to do something I haven't done in decades. While I lured the shark into my trap using the blood, I prepared my voice to romance the fish, pleading for the animal to fall into my hypnotic daze, because if not it's life will be at stake.

    "A gentle breeze from hushabye mountain softly blows o'er lullaby bay.." my voice wavers for a moment, but I hide myself on the other side of the rocks. My tail happens to whip the scent of blood off my trail. "It fills the sails of boats that are waiting—waiting to sail your worries away." My voice deepens momentarily.

    I pause, breathing a steady gust of water. My body snuggles into the kelp tickling my fins. After exhaling, I sing out, "It isn't far to hushabye mountain and your boat waits down by the quay." My voice seems to soothe the shark into a rhythmic pattern. The predator turns away from me and my rocks, feeling the vibrations of my voice send out the message.

"The winds of night so softly are sighing–soon they will fly your troubles to sea..." my eyelids flutter while casting out the dark note. I become lost in the music.

     The water dulls, tensing from the atmosphere. I draw my voice out to the sea a bit farther, misleading the shark. I take another deep breath, allowing the power to flow from my body into the current and to the creature. "So close your eyes on hushabye mountain," my voice ends up carrying out a bit further, sending the carnivore straight out to the open sea. At the time, I'm too worried about my survival and my focus on the song to realize how vulnerable I'm leaving myself. The daze still refuses to leave my sights.

    "Wave good-bye to cares of the day, and watch your boat from hushabye mountain," I sing. "Sail far away from lullaby bay."

    I keep my focus on the shark and what's beyond her, knowing I can send her on another path and I'll be able to race home without the concern of her following me. I can't endanger my tribe so carelessly. My tail aids me in gathering more distance between the shark and I by swimming backwards from whence I came. It wades through the water softly, barely creating a wave as I do so. I slow after a moment, calling to my ancestors for the courage to enact this great power and still have enough energy to be home before moonrise.

With a narrow determination, I broaden my voice out past the Gordge where the tiger shark lingers. "So close your eyes on hushabye mountain. Wave good-bye to cares of the day..." The soft sound of my voice trails off as I raise the octave. I observe the female drift off into the vast sea with a transfixed path. Anxiety and dread leaves my heart in an instant. There would be no fighting today and our lives would still be lived out to our limits. A small curve to my lips displays my emotions.

"And watch your boat from hushabye mountain sail far away from lullaby bay," I finish with a dark gaze.

There's a dark aura surrounding me, warning any creature nearby of my power and of the dangers that may lurk when crossed by me. The murderous intent fades, no longer consuming me with this malicious darkness. Once my satisfaction was met, my shoulders drop and so does the hand reaching out to the shark for extra emphasis. I heave a large breath of water, chugging it down until I could process the landscape once more. I run my hands through my (H/C) tresses, a bit stressed from the distraction. Biting my lip softly, I glance back at the shark to be certain she won't turn around to chase me. My eyes sift through the sea flowers swaying in the sunlight.

My vision drifts to the bouquet I was gathering and I instantly dive for it. What I didn't expect was a sudden harsh wave to knock me over, tumbling into the lotus flowers. From the rush of the current, my bouquet is snatched up and drifts passed the boulders, where I sought refuge from the carnivore. I gasp, reaching out for the flowers that were held together by the kelp around the stems. My tail dashes after the flowers as soon as I can steer myself upright.

It's too long of a swim and I'm not fast enough. I hopelessly watch as the bouquet I worked all morning on descends into the obsidian abyss below, otherwise known as the Gorge. It's tossed off the edge, never to be seen by my eyes ever again. And the thought breaks my heart. I could make another bouquet with the same flowers, but it wouldn't be the same. It wouldn't have the same charisma or aura as the one I've made. All this stress about time and hard work is exhausting to keep up with, and now, all of it has been thrown into the darkness.

My eyes widen as I reach over the edge, clobbering to stay on the sand bed cliff. I refuse to die with nothing surrounding me. I brace myself against the edge, hoping to catch my body before I flew into the ditch. Sand falls off and down into the darkness below, yet I still cling to the serrated cliff. My heartbeat is fast and obnoxious, beating loudly in my eardrums. After the faint heart attack, I reel back from the fringe and scurry back into the kelp and sargassum before the abyss absorbs me too.

It tickles my sides and fins, but I don't worry about that. I'm too focused on the open water and the vast space. A chill ran down my spine as I search the dark depths a bit more, barely inching closer than I all ready am. I sigh in defeat, not identifying any signs of my flower bouquet for the Imperial Matchmaker. I pout at this conclusion, throwing sand into the hole a bit more to let out my anger. I couldn't believe I lost thee flower arrangement!

I'll wait until next season, I blew a hateful raspberry towards the Gorge. Obvious the Goddess wishes not a happy life for this female.

Turning away from the haunting territory, I vaguely glance behind me with a forlorn look. Pursing my lips in defeat, I tread my way back to my home in hopes of another bright day tomorrow. There's not enough time to make anymore mistakes: the Imperial Matchmaker leaves the tribe the sun after next. I must hurry to gather the necessary items for my showcase of my feminine attributes. So, as I sigh and look out longingly towards the Gorge, I suddenly notice there's no shark. I blink several times, but I come to the conclusion that she's gone.

    But.. shouldn't she be... I quirk an eyebrow at the confusing scene, wondering if I imagined the entire thing.

    Then, I flick my tail covered in sand to dart away towards the current. In order to reach my tribe, I must follow this stream until the coral reef. After I turn left and pass the Kawaii Islands, I'll come to the caverns below the isle and there lies my home. A smile quirks at my lips until something jerks me back. I let out a scream of bubbles, berating myself because I couldn't detect the simple sensation of whatever tangled itself around my wine-colored ventricle fins and my anal fin, forcing me to loose control of my direction.

My eyes catch the organism as it slithers around my hips. They bulge out of their sockets because the thing invading my personal space is a tentacle. It's blue and large, five times size of both my arms together. Within two and a half coils around my tail suction cup themselves to my scales. I shriek from the particular tingling sensation, believing this creature was poisoning me. I wriggle in it's grasp, struggling to free myself with all the strength I can muster.

The cerulean tentacle tightens around my body in its embrace. My talons dig into the skin of the creature, but I never penetrate its exterior armor. I blink at the abomination, bucking my hips and wiggling my entire being to liberate myself. I'm scared, spending too much time panicking about what this monster is and how it's going to eat me instead of formulating a plan of escape. As the shimmering cerulean tentacle begins to descend below the dark waters, I screech out in pure terror, consumed by the 'what if's' floating around in my head.

My mind whirls with unfathomable thoughts, going back to the merfolk lore my great great moon-moon had recited for me at bedtime. They were stories passed down from generation to generation.. and from what I was told, I still remember...

Away from curs'd isles of man, lies the savior, the grace. The wanderer, damned by land and sky to its wretched place. Anchor to the water, seabed far below. Gnawing at the foundations of the world, when the seas rise and clouds fall there ye find the last hope curl'd round the roots of Yggdrasil tall. Anchor to the water, seabed far below.**

I never completely understood the vague tail of what we call sea-mischiefs. They're normally an old mer's tail that is used to scare merlings into behaving or to stop voyagers from roaming the vacant waters, others warning them, afraid for their very lives. Many that come to the Gorge knows this, and I do as well. I came here in spite of what the Gorge stands for to choose my sea flowers. They're the loviest little petals the ocean holds, save for the sea flowers of stardust. I could only imagine what the mythical stardust plants are to look like, yet no one has seen them since the Gorge was created. There use to be an area shrouded in the flowers' vines, said to be glowing with moondust from the rays of the moon.

Back to the present, I still wrestle with the giant tentacle, almost liberating myself of the millions of suction cups swarming my chest. I'm dragged beneath the depths of the trench, the light beginning to fade from my eyes. I shout, protesting, "No! Let me go, you palenori wikka (wicked thing)!"

The tentacle doesn't listen, and as I'm consumed in the darkness, the last thing I see is my hand reaching for the light, the cliff, the surface, anything. But there's nothing but darkness. So I fight against my binds, biting at the tentacle that dares to venture towards my mouth. I snarl and claw at the being until I've felt the warm liquid seep into the darkness. Even then, I refuse to stop, attack the suction cups, tearing them off the wretched beast. As soon as I've done that, I regret the conscious decision.

A large roar comes from below, blowing me towards the surface until a web of tentacles catch me. I'm startled at first, blinking until my eyes slightly adjust to the darkness. My back runs into the wall of creeping appendages while another gnarl flares out and several bubbles float to the surface. My eyes widen from the silhouette of the abnormal creature, discovering a beast I never knew could existed.

All I can do is stare as the earth below me begins to shift from the massive weight of the creature, causing colossal damage to the sand bed and the creatures residing around the area. Dust immediately flies up and I have to shield myself from the heat amount of sea life transitioning into another ecosystem. The sensation of the water flowing by my frame is quite exhilarating. What I don't understand is why I haven't been pelted with any rocks or debris. As the dust clears from below, I notice the three tentacles laced together in a braid that prevents a passage directly to me. My heart picks up at the thought of an intelligent being dwelling within the Gorge of pure obsolete obsidian.

My back hits the wall of tentacles behind me as I attempt to avoid the three protecting me. While the dark silhouette begins to rise from the depths of the ocean, I take notice of the crab-like shell preserving the mass of meat the several limbs wiggle from. It's a natural armor, seem to be made of chitin, a strong type of shell used by the utmost dangerous sea dwellers. It  all contributes to their prowess. The closer the enormous beast swims towards me, the more I see. It posses a single maw, in the form of a toothed beak that's roughly the size of a mammoth, a land beast of great size. I've only seen a family of these legendary beasts play along the shore with their kin. I vaguely remember the massive tusk, but now, as I stare the the four bright white teeth glare at me, I swallow my tears.

    If I remember correctly, a sea-mischief, such as this vivid cerulean scaled monster, is formerly known to be extinct from existence. It's not a cecaelia or a scyphozoa lurking in these waters. Maybe a cross-breed or a ancient ancestor come to collect the souls and bestow candid destruction. I know a creature of this size and shape, a sea-mischief as they're blandly called, simply waits for fish or squid to meander into its grasp of suction cups of annihilation. I've heard the tentacles to be lined with tiny teeth to shred the meat of its captured target. The giant beast then reels its prey to the beak, which is its mouth, and to a pretty horrible death by being slowly pecked away, mouthful by mouthful.

The stories are gruesome, and told in many of a variety of massacres that cause contemplation and conspiracy between the younger generations. I was one who philosophized about being such as this, but to actually sea a creature much like the great titans of old is unheard of, and frankly, it's a true miraculous discovery! Aside from the monster wishing to consume me as its meal, I'm content that I've been blessed to see a creature of such magnitude and magnificence that my many ancestors died by the hands of. Now my fate will be the same.

As I'm forcibly pushed down, towards the savage animal, I notice how my hands around the cut glow, shining brighter and brighter. My hands seem to be the sky on a starry night, sprinkled with magical stardust illuminated from the moon's reflection. I blink at the magnificent sight, wondering how something so beautiful and incredible could be so contagiously tangible from a simple gem. The bioluminescence sapphire flare from the jewel above seems to shine so breathtakingly that I can't stand to look at my palms.

The creature ceased with its screeching. The legendary stardust from what I assume is a mythical starstone washed among the shores of Eternity's Emblem, illuminates the darkness. It saves me by distraction, and I manage to barely steal a glimpse of the azure creature. My maroon tail articulately flicks around the tentacles, dodging their delayed actions as I attempt my desertion.

My talons claw at the open water, and I swarm my body with as much strength as my tail could create. I over exert myself while doing this, escaping from the monster, before it's suction tentacles drag me back down into the waning abyss. My eyes blur from the sudden flow of tears running down my cheeks. An enormous cerulean tentacle rises from the deep, right besides me, shoving me into the roots of the cliff from the massive gust of water. I cry out, sobbing from the pain causing my entire left side to throb unnaturally.

I manage to fight against the current, crawling up the side of the cliff until I find the end. Light blinds me from a few meters before I reach the end, and I'm almost in the clear when a gigantic boundary of blue resorption rises high above my head, almost breaching the surface world, before soaring back down, narrowly avoiding the field of sea flowers guarding the precious azure jewel. Sooner thank I can think, I use the wave the sea-mischief created and ride it straight into the current. I shield my body as the force of the current becomes too strong and I flail about to straighten myself. There's no way that creature freed me purposely, and I only count my blessings in return, hoping that the creature from the Gorge will lurk below the dark depths.

I shiver from a second glance back, observing the monster tentacles retreating back into its domain. With one last shudder, the patch of sea flowers is gone from my sight.

. . . . .

"Beluga sevruga," Elaxi muses, softly stirring the cauldron.

I lick my lips, "Come, winds of the Caspian Sea..." I raise my talons to the top of the cavern where we hide. The smoke travels with my claws, flaring out the beauty in the cantation.

"Larynx melodious," my fellow incantor bellows deeply.

"Et max cacophonous," I interject with an equally powerful tone.

The two of us came together, harmonizing our voices wihule holding a talon of the others and guiding the smoke boiling over the cauldron. "La voce to me.. now, sing!" We both gesture to the female on the other side of the black cauldron that floats, terrified from our musings.

The little mermaid swallows, softly biting her lip as we point to her on her cue, "Ahhh~Ahhh~Ahhh!"

Elaxi announces, "Keep singing!"

While the smoke rises, it devours the sunshine tailed mer in a vat of toxic brown streams that streak the water. My eyes blink, critiquing the experience with my own eyes while inspecting the being themselves. The female blinks at me once the spell is complete, yet I can see the negativity floating inside her irises. There's a soft gray illuminating the beautiful sea-foam color of her eyes. Brown specks dot the surface before becoming encompassed by the bright green streaks. The female swallows a breath before gasping out once the song's finished.

Aurelia blinks, sinking back to our depth. "That was.. that was simply incredible! I mean, how did you guys pull that off? My voice sounds better than ever..." The blonde sings a few octaves out of her range. But that's all right because the spell's working fabulously.

I giggle, watching the mer twirl her many fins about. She's excited, especially for the fact she has a talent for the show tomorrow night. "Yes it does," Elaxi smirks at our work, "Do take care of the chords.. you wouldn't want to damage your voice before the grand finale." A dark brow quirks up at the statement, dividing the two mers from once another with a frown.

"Awe.. now I don't even want to speak until tomorrow night," the mermaid sulks.

The dark female coyly comments, "Thank Goddess for that."

Aurelia scowls, pouting at Elaxi.

Shaking my head at the two nuisances, a smile befits my mouth. I grab the supplies we brought for the last-minute evaluation of Aurelia. She's another incantor, like Elaxi and I, only she's from a more urban location of the sea. Aurelia's visiting for the Imperial Matchmaker that appears every few years before swimming back into hiding. No one's quite sure why the Imperial Matchmaker decides to come up for company every so often, but what we do know is that she's never wrong. A mer of her stature is a treasure in our culture, yet most seem to find her sinister.

"(Y/N)," Aurelia calls from behind me. I vaguely turn to her face with a pleasant expression. "What have you planned for the talent portion of the Imperial Matchmaker?" Her wide green eyes sparkle from the tiny moonstones illuminating the cavern.

I chuckle at her forlorn look. "Nothing really," I admit.

"What do you mean?" Elaxi inquires. She gathers up the tools used for the spell and glances at me. "I thought you were going to present your voice?"

I look back into her indigo irises, debating whether or not I should confess.

"What!" The other mer exclaims. "Now I have no chance of finding a decent male," Aurelia whines, crossing her arms over her beloved bosoms.

All I can do is laugh at my friend's proclamation. "Aurelia," I giggled gently, filing away the bundles of supplies. "I'm not competing this year, so you have no worries for a chosen male this celebration," I say, confirming my place in the running finally. Honestly, I was relieved that I wasn't going this year. I wouldn't have to deal will all the hustle and all the choices. There's too many males when females come into the ratio.

Elaxi and Aurelia's jaws drop from my declaration. "What?!" The two females burst out into hysterics, going on and on about how I needed to find a male before it's too late. "Why not?" They finally ask.

I appreciate their concern, but they make me feel as if I'm no longer in my prime and I'm only dwindling on the time I have left. Not very considerate.

Mermaids don't live as long as the sirens do, but some hybrids manage to live as long as their siren ancestors. Because of my heritage, I take after both, thus creating what I am: a sea witch. A summoner of the dark arts. An incantor of mooncraft and spells. A creator of infinite possibilities. We are a different breed than that of the sirens and mermaids, delving deeper into the mass of knowledge and magic for the purpose of our lives. Most sea witches never mate, let alone carry kin. Our longevity and power breathes life into us until our very last spell, protecting us while serving us. We are taught, ostracized from the outer world and it's beings of the sea. As an experienced sea witch, I can proudly spout my improved techniques added into my heritage.

But the one thing I've always wanted to have, to hold, is a tiny merling of my own.

As taught by the male before me; we observe the world around us in order to devour it into our own creation.

In the ancient times of the sea-mischiefs and the mer folk uniting as one, the sea witches roamed the waters, looking to destroy anything and everything they could sink their talons into. Many times, the sea witches were the villains of the sea until a lone sea witch fought K'aal Dafratoi, and old name we call the krake creature. As much as I want to believe the krake creature exists, I could barely wrap my head around the sea-mischief I lost my bouquet too. I was lucky enough to survive, let alone be thankful enough I found a sea-mischief rather than a krake. I would have been dead if I ran into that particular ancient species.

I sighed, "You remember that spell about creating divine energy out destroying the very ground we rest on?" I finished setting up the supplies.

Elaxi lifts an eyebrow. Aurelia bursts with excitement, "Yes, I do! I remember you talking about that spell.. isn't it dangerous, though?" A golden eyebrow rises.

"Yes, very, but in order to arrange the spell, you need flowers. Sea flowers that express the mer as they are and with as much care as in the arrangement as their is in the mer's life. I was going to perform the spell in the colosseum, but I lost the bouquet before I left the location. So, I'm not going this year." I mean to shrug off the slight disappointment and breathe, but it comes out as a hopeless sigh.

    The frown on their faces is enough to cause a scowl from me, yet as I turn away from the mers and drag the cauldron away to be cleaned, there's a soft thud padding against the walls. It's a signal for a mer asking to enter another's premises. This cavern isn't mine alone, so while Elaxi aids the merfolk with her magic and knowledge, I take my sweet time dragging the cauldron to the back and pouring the bioluminescence algae inside. I settle the iron lid against the rim and swim through the threshold of the back cavern. It's not long before I rejoin the group.

    I'm only three shelves away from the three mers when I pick up the tail end of their conversation.

    "...can't find the owner. It's been a millennia since a creation of this kind has graced my eyes, and I'd like to thank the mer who made such a treasure." It's an unknown voice, deeper, raspier than any male's I've encountered. Chills run down my spine until the last of my fins catch the vibrations.

    "Oh! Well, that's not a problem. Aurelia can cast a beacon directing you to your mystery admirer." Elaxi resolves. I'm sure she wears a smile in her face as she says those words.

    Aurelia's immature giggle resonates in my ears. "Sure, I definitely wouldn't mind." I could imagine her batting her lashes, attempting to seduce the male.

    While I pass a few pages of books that have been sunk by the humans, I chuckle. She'd never turn down a fortuitous opportunity, my internal voice snickers at the beseeching mermaid.

    I've not come into view of the male yet, but Aurelia and Elaxi can see me from their positions if they glanced my way. Fortunately, they're too busy speaking with the consumer. My fins grace the cold rocks below that we sweep the dirt off of. When my (E/C) irises land on the magnificent tail, I struggle to hold down my gasp. The male's tall and broad-shouldered, a planned warrior. My eyes rake down the back of his physique, only noticing now he's a mer-shark with a faint gray-blue tail and white underbelly. His sharp fins are very prominent just as his presence is very intimidating. I have to pause in my stride in order to realign my own emotions before I adapt to the auras he's waving off.

    In his hand, he holds the very bouquet I made the other day. My eyes widen as I inspect the very same white lillies arranged in a particular way to embraces the very same red sargassum, which accent the very same pink lotuses. The incantation I casted upon the kelp, which holds the bouquet together, grants the plants not only life until the kelp is removed but to hide the knowledge of the benefactor. I attempt to grasp the situation, licking my lips from the sudden surprise I felt.

    There's no possible chance.. no valid or rational explanation! How could that shark have my bouquet? I dropped it in the Gorge, where that beast of our ancestors hibernates. How could he possibly have... my mind trails off onto the newest wave of thoughts, engulfing me in the darkest moment.

    I swallow as I observe the creature who brought in my bouquet. I'm curious of what kind of mer this shark is as I resume listening on their conversation. "...if you would allow me to fetch our Head Incantor, we'll be happy to show you to the fair mer." Elaxi says politely.

    Swallowing my fear, I ruffle my fins and frills to brush away all this nonsense. Get yourself together, (Y/N). Just because he found a similar, vaguely similar flowers in the same arrangement that you lost days ago doesn't mean he's the beast. I breathe in deeply. He's a costumer searching for a female who left their gift near his home.

    I continue to tell myself this in order to keep myself in check.

    With a deep exhale, I brush off the scene and act as if I hadn't heard any of it. It's best if I do this so the customer doesn't believe we carry sinister intentions. I inspect a few shelves to pass the time before Elaxi spots me between the flowers and spices. She ventures over with a gust of her own current. "(Y/N), we have a question about a location that Aurelia and I can't seem to figure out a spell for," she gushes, especially when her dark irises dart passed the shelves.

    "Your time to shine," she winks, swirling back over to the front of the cavern where the other mers reside.

    My eyes watch as she speaks with the male with his back to me and Aurelia. Eventually, Elaxi and Aurelia gesture to the path leading towards me, where I restock the shelves. I do my best to pay no heed to the three while they disperse from one another. As I round the corner to place the rosemary in its place, I could sense the male looking for me amongst the stone path. Out of habit, I turn back around to the mixture of spices.

    There's skin and a hard surface that I touch when I turn around. My eyes come in contact with an incredibly vivid cerulean blue, reminding me of the beast I fought with. A small gasp of unexpected familiarity leaves my mouth. Those bright baby blues seem to darken at the sight of me, and I have no idea if he's happy to see me, or annoyed. I vaguely lick my bottom lip before bowing to the superior creature. His power strokes my fins in waves, and it's hard not to draw back.

    As the male scrutinizes me of my every inch, I swim around him. "I apologize. Is there something I can aid you with, young mer?" I ask out of hospitality.

    The mer-shark seems to hold back a smile when I glanced back at him. It disappears just as the light did when I was being dragged down. Shivering from a cool gust of water, his deep, husky voice invades my eardrums. "Yes, I'd like to find a.. significant mermaid of specific taste." He claims. I have to look away when his tongue slithers from his mouth. It's quite disturbing.

    Ignoring my inner thoughts, I gather a few ingredients for a bewitching spell to ward off the spell I placed on the kelp before. It's a waste now, especially because this mer-shark has it—if it is mine.

"Ah, yes. And what tastes does the mer have? Her looks, her personality, her thoughts; something that grasps at what the mer truly is." I announce, looking over at the male. He seems interested in what I do, quietly observing as I slice and dice the plants into pieces. My talons had been filed every morning since I found I couldn't penetrate the scales of the creature in the Gorge.

"I need something physical to describe her worth and sense of being. If there's no substance, there's no base." I shrug.

My attention's so focused on grouping the sliced plants that I don't realize the mer had set the bouquet down on the boulder we use as a table. I barely give it a glance, wanting to swirl with joy that it's lasted through that gigantic monster and back. I was positive the arrangement would have been ruined! My thoughts linger on it for a moment before the mer-shark says something I won't ever forget.

"I know it was you, (Y/N)."

The way he says my name has me frozen while a chill runs down my spine. How does he know my name? I panicked, wondering if I should be ready to attack. However, I couldn't help but think, Aurelia and Elaxi must have told him when they waved him over here. Those fishbaits! I longed to growl and bang my head against the stone wall, but I decide not to.

I simply ignore the accusation.

"Is there anything else you'd like to add besides the flowers?" I ask with the utmost civility.

He scowls. The expression is as handsome as he is. "Don't play coy fish with me. I don't play nice," the stranger growls. His shoulders straighten even as he leans forwards with both fists pressed down into the boulder.

Instead of baiting into his words and actions, I barely glance up at him through my lashes. "I do not comprehend." I scrunch my eyebrows, feigning confusion to move this male along.

I wouldn't even know where to begin with this, I exasperate in my thoughts.

In an instant, those dark eyes rage a storm in them. I almost give away my stance with my posture. Something of this mer-shark, dark and dreary, reminds me of the Gorge. My dorsal fin stands alert while my frills shiver at the dark look the male bestows me. To please the consumer, I straighten out my spine and adjust the kelp wrap around my chest. When I notice his eyes following my talons, I scowl at him myself. He doesn't seem to pay much attention, at least not until I cross my arms over my chest.

He growls. I raised an eyebrow.

Those dark eyes sparked something inside him. I refuse to remove my scowl, daring the male to make an improper gesture. He seems to be angry, yet a smirk sudden flips his face.

"Based on laws, I must court you," he proudly says.

Confused, I raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?" I ask, slightly curious. My head leans forwards in an attempt to hear him clearer.

The mer-shark's smirk fades and is covered with a frown. "The laws; Mer Laws of Mating Season." He comments. I shake my head and furrow my brow.

What's he speaking of? There are no Mer Laws of Mating Season since we've switched to the Imperial Matchmaker. The last time those laws we used it was before K'aal Dafratoi was defeated... My eyes flicker over the figure of the mer-shark, inspecting him for any marks or gashes that might have. But there's nothing marring his skin.

When I don't answer, his face softens. There's a slight smile to his lips, but those brightened irises take another look at my waist. My eyes deadpan at his audaciousness. "You left me a gift so I may court you for your offspring. I shall do my part in the courting as long as you do yours, (Y/ N). I now understand your.. bewilderment." His eyes had long ago flickered from my scales to my face, which scowls at him.

"I shall court you as you wish."

For a long time, it's silent. He stands there, all proud and exotic, especially with the beautiful navy skin he has. I don't allow that to attract me, instead I face those cerulean eyes again and frown. How did this happen? What am I going to do? Just stay calm and breathe, (Y/N). Just tell him the truth and no harm will come... And I can protect myself too so it's not like I'm helpless. I exhale a steady breath.

With a soft sigh, I uncross my arms. "Look," I say sternly. "I apologize, but this bouquet was not intended to be gifted to you." I motion to the sea flowers. The softness form hai face begins to fade from his expression. "I lost this arrangement while I was putting it together, and I was afraid I'd never see it again. Of course, now I won't be able to use it for it's intended purpose, but I am grateful for the return."

I notice the dark sparkle in his eyes. It tempts me to say, "But I suppose you'd like a reward?"

I could tell my voice sounds dull and bored, but I couldn't help it. He's obviously angry and the only thing I could do to please him would be to settle the ground between us. Yet, when I look at him, the mer-shark seems to be fuming. He doesn't show a single expression, stonewalling me, but those eyes show it all. There's no hiding the emotions that reside in those sapphire depths, reminding me of the creature front he Gorge. Everything is warning me to leave him alone, turn him away and be done with him.

But I didn't.

"Reward? This is a courtship. My rewards is you," he states.

I blink twice to make sure I heard him right. "Have you not been listening? I am not participating this year, and if I was, the Imperial Matchmaker would pair me with a suitable male. I don't need to court anyone for children when I could have a lifetime partner." I announce with a soft undertone. He refuses to break eye contact with me and isn't taking the hint. "Now, if there's nothing else I can aid you with, I'll see you out."

As I swim around to the other side, I make sure to put distance between us. My eyes narrow on his frame while he stubbornly floats in the same spot. Turning around, I raise a brow. In turn, he compromises and swims closer, only the mer-shark invades my personal space. I bare my fangs slightly, warning the precarious male to stay back. He dares to so much as tenderly grab my left talons. Before I can yank myself away from him, he brings my hand to his chest, right over the beating organ.

"Allow me to court you. Allow me the chance to show you there's more than an Imperial Matchmaker's choice.. your choice," he persuades.

I saw the swarming emotions in his irises, and swallowed. My choice..?

"Fine. Be here tomorrow, after dawn." And with that, I pushed him out.

He went, too, and there's a grin adorning his face when he looks back at me. He doesn't do it a second time, but I blink and turn away. I growl and snarl, darting over to the shelves and refuting myself for answering him the way I did. I wish I didn't see the safety in his words or the promise. I wish I hadn't have said those words or agreed to the male. As enticing as his words are, how can I know his words are true and hold steady columns? A good foundation with a beautiful blueprint. I have no idea, but what I do know is that I stare down the bouquet of sea flowers that have been left by the male.

. . . . .

"Why did you bring me here?" I ask with a soft smile.

Verlin gave a sharp toothed grin, urging me to the patch of flowers where I made my bouquet. "It's the warmest garden in the Bermuda Triangle. A plethora of legends revolve around this patch of seabed," he claims, his wondrous cerulean eyes look about before landing on mine.

"I wanted to surprise you, my savvy siren."

The gesture automatically makes my heart swell. I glance up at his face to see a large smile splayed across it, and I can't bare to turn away. Even though danger lurks around the bend, I refuse to acknowledge the creature to enjoy my lovely time with my Verlin. I couldn't let the past stay hidden and I'm bound to travel back to this patch of sea (mostly because they have the freshest plants in the Bermuda Triangle). It's natural for me to feel weary, but with Verlin, I'm at ease.

Instead of protesting, like I want to do, I smile, "Thank you. It's quite the surprise, Verlin." My other hand holds onto his bicep as I reach to kiss his cheek.

    I pretend not to notice his darkened visage and venture off to the beautiful lotus flowers swaying with the current. Verlin follows behind me, settling along the hyacinths that I vaguely reminisce about since that day. I blink, feeling the sudden chin at the thought. I couldn't think like that, not while I was with Verlin. So I pack away those dark thoughts and gather a few pale pink lilies and a bit of the maroon sargassum. I make another bouquet, similar to the one I made the last time I was here, only instead of just the flower arrangement, I weave the left over flowers into crowns. I smile at my masterpieces, grateful they were holding up well.

    It's my first time creating flower crowns.

    When Verlin calls me over, I rush to his side with the several items. My eyes widen at the amount of food he's prepared, all ready salivating. I'm too busy looking at the food as I float down to the sand to notice Verlin settle his smooth arm around my waist. My stomach was starving and as much as I wanted to dig in, I wanted to give Verlin the crown I made him a moment ago. I turn to him with the give on my palms and smile widely as it rests upon his head. The maroon sargassum and blue hyacinths accent his silver hair that fluctuates with the ocean. I could see the dark flecks in his cerulean irises.

    With a wayward glance, I giggle at his expression. "What's this?" Verlin asks, reaching up to disturb my masterpiece.

    "Don't touch it! You'll ruin the braid," I shout, not wanting to loose this moment. He looks so handsome and soft.. almost completely opposite of a mer-shark.

    He freezes as my talon catches his, yet I don't pull away. Verlin smiles with his sharp teeth. Without a warning, the mer-shark swoops down to my face and nuzzles his nose against mine. I pause abruptly, not quite sure what to think. He's never done something like this before. Verlin has his eyes closed while I receive the Eskimo kisses. He's simply adorable!

    Verlin growls around my ear, which causes me to shrink away and laugh. "Verlin, you're as handsome as they come," I compliment the mer, smiling.

    And I'm not lying. Verlin is simply one of the most exotic and dangerous looking mer that I've ever seen. The riveting markings along his fins are intricate and beautiful, not to mention look vaguely familiar. I couldn't put my talon on it whenever I thought about it, so I let it go. His dark voice and dull navy blue skin is magnificent against the starlight tonight. Verlin is more than I could have every thought, yet something holds me back from understanding him completely. Almost as if he barricades himself from me.

    If Verlin truly wants us to consummate, then he needs to tell me whatever secret I can feel, I thought to myself. The question is, how shall I draw the secret from his lips?

    A pleasant smile befits his mouth. Verlin's callous talons caress my cheeks. A thumb grazes my lips. "And you, (Y/N), are simply the moon and stars; without you, the sun would know nothing of its potential. You are my calling," Verlin announces in a proud voice. I raise a brow at his sophisticated demeanor.

    As if he knows what I'll say, Verlin begins to speak when I observe his eyes widen. Curious, I turn around to spot a shiver of sharks, only three of them, swimming our way. They remind me of the shark I sent away with the sound of my voice. As much as I hated using the curse, I didn't want to die or sacrifice Verlin for myself. I had blinked, momentarily shocked, before I succumbed to the thought of these creatures hurting Verlin.

    Wait.. aren't they makos? Doesn't that mean Verlin can speak to them? My heart calmed in the slightest.

     I turn to my love, about to ask him what's going on, when a large tentacle wraps around my waist and flings me into the seagrass. With a jolt, I brace myself for a hard surface or another attack from the wiggling arm, but it disappears, leaving my body to the cold water. As I blink at the sight in front of my eyes, I can barely begin to fathom what's happening. My wild (H/C) blocks my vision, but I don't let that stop me from watching the creatures fight.

    When my eyes land on the sky colored tentacles, my heartbeat picks up too fast. My memories flood with the bouquet, the Gorge, and my escape, yet I can't take my eyes off the being. From where I sit, disheveled in appearance, I see a cecaelian tossing a mako shark by its shortfin before charging towards another one. I hawk at the male fighting the three sharks, taking them on as if they were shrimp. I could comprehend who he was or where he came from, all I knew was I needed to grab Verlin and high tail it out of this area.

    Where's Verlin? I need Verlin! I desperately look around the garden for another shark tail, only white and grayish blue. We are never coming here again, no matter what Verlin has to say about this!

    My eyes scour the entire field, but to my shock, Verlin had disappeared! There's not a trace of his existence, save for the food he brought. My eyes begin to hurt from the immense pain I feel forming in my heart. My tail flicks until I'm swimming towards the cavern, the one I hid in to dodge the current. It's still there, intact, and it's easy for me to settle into the crevice. I watch as the four, turned to two, fight head to head over the wide dark opening of the Gorge. My anxiety flares up once more, raging my pulse until I couldn't help myself.

    Please let Verlin be okay, please allow him to live! I plead to the Goddess above. Why are they over the Gorge? Don't they know that—

    Then my line of thoughts pause.

    I know that tentacle... Could it be.. could the male, could he be.. the palenori wikka? My head shakes in denial. I know what I saw! But.. but.. but how is this to be?!

    My anger wouldn't hold itself, and I couldn't believe the knowledge I found continued to not make any rational sense. What does it mean when the pictures right in front of me, yet I'm too blind to see the meaning behind it? I shake my head, trying to forget these toxic thoughts. There's no use for them if Verlin is dead, and how am I to know that until the sharks are defeated and the stranger ventures away; keep quiet and still. It's never failed me before this encounter and I won't change the pace now.

    My irises attach to the winner of the altercation, marveling at the power he drives into the water. As the figure turns, and I can clearly see his face now, my jaw drops at what I see. Verlin, as a cecaelian, roams the area, calling my name out in desperation. He fumbles a few times with something in the patch of hyacinths, and before I could blink, there's a ominous bright azure light blinding me. When I open my eyes once more, I find the Verlin cecaelian has vanish, and there in his stead, floats Verlin the mer-shark.

    No matter how many times I blinked, Verlin was still the same, calling out for me in desperation. My heart began to crumble as I leaned back along the cold, dark wall. I knew he was hiding something, but I didn't think it'd be this... Oh, Goddess, please tell me I have brought a curse  upon myself!

    The consuming feeling never evades me from the stomach, yet his sickening sweet voice continues to echo in my eardrums. My mind was in shambles, wrecking itself to piece together a heart so fragile, even the pieces would break if they touch one another. This is why sea witches only take advice from the Imperial Matchmaker; the love of their life might be someone they never imagined.

    And Verlin was not as advertised.

    As I hide deeper into the crack of the cavern, I think of every little detail, wondering what he truly was and if I was in any danger. He's obviously a mythical creature, I noted, and he's definitely a predator. What creature has tentacles and can shapeshift? I wracked my brain for any kind of being out there, even the ridiculous ones, but nothing matches. Not even the krakes!

    "(Y/N)! My stardust! Where are you? Angelfish, my love! Shout!" Verlin's amorous voice lulls me to him. "My beautiful siren.. (Y/N)! It's all right! Please.. just come back," his voice lowers as he carries on.

    Verlin's frantic to search for me, removing sand, seagrass and much more. Then, he moves onto another area. He doesn't find me and I hide in my spot until the moon's glow illuminates the jewel in the hyacinths. It seems he's become so incredibly frustrated that another azure light blinds me. I shield myself from the stone's glow. I couldn't force myself to look up. There's too much that's happened. We were peacefully enjoying on another, then Verlin turns into another species of merfolk! How is he doing it?

    My mind's too warped to deal with the events that have occurred tonight, and as the moon brightens around the Gorge, I'm only more frightened to move because of where I am. For all I know, Verlin brought me out hear to feed me to the creature down there, his pet! How do I know it's not the truth? How do I know he's been saying the things I long to hear? How do I even know if his real name's Verlin?! Gah! I'm going out of my mind with all these psychotic ramblings...

    I curl my tail and frills further into my chest. Burying my face into my scales, I blink back to simpler times when my life wasn't at risk and I had no idea who to trust. All I wanted was someone to love me, and what did I get in return? Some creature from the deep, dark, dreary hole located within the earth. I didn't want to reveal myself and be brought to my death! I refused to move for anything, and I stay in my spot, shivering. When a small sob left my mouth, I could do nothing to hold it back but immediately hold both hands to my mouth.

    I hope he didn't hear me—

    Too late, because a large tentacle about the size of both my arms discreetly craws along my tail fins and scales. I don't notice the sensation until something wraps around my arms, binding them together. I shriek, jerking at the azure tentacle, terrified beyond belief. But I'm not so fortunate because my body leaves the small crevice of the ocean and is forced out into the open sea. There's no time to escape; the cecaelian wraps two tentacles around my tail and waist, drawing me desperately into his chest.

    "(Y/N), are you okay? Are you hurt?" His hands run up my spine, looping around my shoulders and curving up my neck. His talons embed themselves into my hair to gaze directly into my eyes with such a fierce concern, I barely forget who this is. "Please tell me you're not hurt anywhere. My love, starfish.." he softly says, connecting our foreheads.

    Yet, I hiss and pull away from something biting my skin.

    Verlin's eyes widen, and he gently pulls away. He's quick to kiss each tear upon my head, the. The pain's no more. I gulp, pushing his chest away further than he wishes. A frown adorns his face and I see the confusion in his eyes, but I don't say anything. He has two dark blue horns growing from his forehead on either side. They don't curl, in fact they're pretty straight and slightly curve into a S towards the tip. They're no longer than my a long blade of seagrass and no wider than three talons put together. I stare, paralyzed by the two spikes.

   Verlin smiles, "Better?"

    I stare back at him, bewildered.

    The smile wavers. "(Y/N)?" His soft voice brings me back as he leans a little closer.

    I shrink back into the two tentacles holding me. "Wh—Who are you?" I stutter, truly terrified.

    "Verlin.. it's me, angelfish." The cecaelian cups my cheek. His desperate and confused eyes search mine. Those talons bring me closer to his chest, suffocating me in his blue feelers.

    I shake my head furiously. "No! No, you can't be! Verlin's a mer-shark and you.. you're a..." I shout exasperated.

My eyes glance down at the tentacles, and they tighten around me, rebuffing my protests to be liberated. My body becomes rigid as the suction cups press against certain areas. I'm certain the cecaelian doesn't intend to graze my slit, but the flat cups nursing the hole causes me a slight pleasure. My body rests against his for only a moment while I wriggle at the sensation. Verlin doesn't seem to notice my disturbed behavior, so I attempt to keep my reaction to a minimum for my own safety.

My eyes meet his and I ask him, "What are you?"

    Instantly, he pulls me to his chest, placing my hand above his heart. "I am yours, my sea witch. I am Verlin.. I am—I am a krake, helplessly and deeply in love with a remarkable female named (Y/N)," he confesses. His eyes glow with a bioluminescence that I blink at. It's unusual to see, but I don't speak on it because I realized what he said.

My (E/C) eyes widen at the proclamation, and I only take his feelings into consideration now. As much as I relate to his.. unfavorable conduct, my ethics rebuke his. How dare he speak dishonesty to me and expect me to flock to his side? I may be a female, but I'm not a flower that needs care and dependence. He can rot beneath the depths of the ocean if he believes I'll float here and willing allow him to capture me for his bidding. Although there's not much said between the sea witches and krakes, we're enemies. I'm convinced of it.

    "My stardust, please speak to me," Verlin pleads.

    "You.. you, you tricked me! You used magic to—to change your..." I gulp after looking down at his extra appendages, "Why did you do it? Why did you—"

    His eyes darken and those large tentacles wrap tightly around me as Verlin holds me so homely. I noticed his jaw was tense, yet I didn't rift on him like I normally do. He's dangerous because he's a krake. I though he was a simple, overly eccentric mer-shark, but come to discover, he's one of the most ancient and deadliest predators the sea has ever been graced with. It's not remotely possible to have a beast of his caliber to just sudden stalk the waters for no reason.

    My only conclusion is the Gorge and my flower bouquet.

    My questions are interrupted by Verlin explaining, "Your song awoke me from my abysmal slumber, my love. When I identified where the melodious voice had originated from, it was a delayed reaction. I attacked to understand, not hurt you." My eyes dart back and forth front he sapphire jewels, wondering if what he spoke was the truth. I didn't know if I could truly trust him again. His eyes shift as he speaks, "I couldn't let you go once I found a remarkable talent, especially one so daring as you.." he licks his lips, "Krakes are known for using magic to manipulate and persuade many things, mostly to appear more appealing to the opposite sex."

    My four eyes almost shoot out of their sockets at his textbook confession. "Wait, wait, wait, wait.. so you used magic to turn yourself into a mer-shark because you believed I wouldn't find the natural Verlin appealing?" I catechize. I wiggle my tail in his arms, loosening his grip on me. He does as expected and I manage to swim upwards so he wasn't looking down on me. Our eyes meet and Verlin seems to be caught in a turmoil.

     I was in a rage at the pucebi (idiot).  He directly lied to me in order for us to be close enough with one another until I caught feelings. My teeth are bared at the dangerous krake, too angry and heartbroken to care if he rings my neck. He betrayed me, and for what? A laugh? A meal? A fucking mare (mate)? My tail violently flicks at the suckers gently coiling around my body in an attempt to soothe my nerves. Then the thought occurred to me; he's been manipulating me this whole time! He said so himself.

So, with that thought in mind, I sneer, "Well, now I don't find any Verlin appealing at all! Because one had to deceive me." My eyes hold the most malice I've ever experienced in my entire being. This damn armina (bitch) is nothing but a baseless fish of the ocean, and I'd like nothing more than to maul his face. "And how can you be that sea-mischief that attacked me before? Your arms are no match for that palenori wikk'a (wicked thing's) power, it's strength!"

    Verlin doesn't frown like I thought he would, instead, there's a grin attached to his lips. "It's strength? Stardust, you have not seen below the surface of what I can do..." Verlin trails off with a dark gleam in his eyes.

     Mine widen slightly at the glance he bestows me before Verlin surrounds me in his tentacles. His eyes linger on mine while he lays his head against my chest, right above the seaweed wrap. As our eyes disconnect, his mouth openly kisses at my skin, directly over where my heart pounds. My jaw drops and I stare at him while he does so, leaving a string of kisses around my collarbone. It's hard not to shout from his teasing, but I pull through. His talons gingerly tap along my spine, meanwhile Verlin focuses on my breasts. His gesture is quite daring and very tempting, yet he doesn't delve straight for the core.

    With his slippery tongue, Verlin's playful cerulean irises are back to life. "Sea-mischiefs, my angelfish, are apart of us. They lie dormant inside, and my kind has been able to touch their conscious. Krakes taught sea witches,  and also mated them. My father was a sea witch, just as you are, my love. I'm troubled to say, my kind overused the sea witches for their seed until the last of us were left to sleep." Verlin sighs, rather harshly as he daintily pets my neck with his full lips. His grip is more tense and shaky, almost as if he couldn't bare to fight against me. Verlin slowly reaches my jaw, and a deep-seated moan escapes passed my plump lips.

"All I ask if you, (Y/N); please.. don't go." His weak tone of voice warrants my heart to break even more.

With his chest smashed against mine, holding me tightly with no rescue, I can't think. From his vague explain actions, I'm no longer terrified of this beast holding me, rather I'm still surprised and disappointed in him. Verlin could have told me this, but hey didn't he? Was he afraid, or did it bother him? He's the only mer, or creature of the water, I could ever see myself with.. and yet, now that he's brought his pain into the open, I don't know how to react.

All I can do is hold him tightly, desperately to my chest because he's the one I want.

    .     .     .     .     .

It's obviously a sunken ship. The cracked, rotting wood and multiple boxes made of the same material clutter around me in a giant enclosed cavern made of the said material. My eyes lazily open, coming in contact with the darkness surrounding me. It's vaguely quiet down here. The edge of my tail washes against the sand bed below, but there's no possibility for me to swim away because I'm tied between two masts.

I'm upright and facing the busted opening of the ship that has a beautiful scenery. The moon's light graces the bottom of the ocean's depths in way I could never fathom. It touches the delicate petals of a flower I've never before seen, and it brightens with each passing moment. Above me is a sturdy piece of wood holding my arms in place with rope. It's a difficult knot to undo, and I have no time to undo it because there's a dull thud against the ground.

My head spastically turns in the direction the loud thumping comes from. There, just hidden in the shadows, are three lone tendrils curling towards me. The closer they arrive, the large the mass becomes. I blink rapidly at the azure colored arms, knowing exactly who this creature was. My mind went blank as I screw my eyes shut and force myself to not look. How could I gaze at such a creature?

My mind wanders to the flowers, reminded of the depictions told of stardust flowers, and I'm slightly curious if this was the mythical patch of stardust sea flowers that many a-mer's could never cease to find. The sight is truly beautiful, but I can never soak in the atmosphere of their aesthetic with a mangie beats holding me captive. I jerk and tug at my binds, only tightening them around my wrist and just above my fluke. My mind reels in a panic as I fluster about in my binds. The tentacles never stop slithering closer and closer.

I bare my teeth at the creature glissading over to me. There's a faint chuckle coming from where the tentacles reside. The darkness is vaguely familiar, yet I can't admit defeat. This raike (brute) of a male know no bounds when it comes to his feelings, and after everything we've been through together, he dares to sneak up on me in this position. I can only tsk at his actions in my head and focus on them later.

The lower half of the cecaelin's body sparkles in a beautiful ombré of sapphires and cerulean stars. I count eight tentacles wriggling about. Yet only three come for me. I jerk back from the sudden unexpected touch of a suction cup adheres to my scales, coiling a path towards where my lower spine and hips meet. The second runs up my back, leaving the stains of his blue ink with every touch along my skin. Where this slow, passionate sensation derives from has to be in the cecaelian's touch. It's like no other.

His frame painstakingly slow is revealed from the shadows, and my eyes narrow. Verlin jets over to me with a dark expression masking his true feelings. I jerk at my binds when the third tentacle meanders it's way between our bodies. The tendril barely brushes against my slit and I'm left handing as I gasp from bliss. As soon as I've closed my eyes, lips engulf mine in a heated, yet wistful series of smooches that Verlin refuses to break away for a breath. Somehow, someway, I could feel my body becoming lax, succumbing to his touch as the navy blue ink surrounds us in a massive cloud.

"Your lips are so soft," Verlin says between multiple kisses. "I wish to consume every part of your body until there's nothing left."

He's rough with his mouth, barking orders with his tongue and driving me to kiss back. I do as his body directs, slightly overwhelmed by the scent and aura he carries. Verlin slips his mouth below mine, suctioning his lips to my neck to arouse me. A talon gently grazes over my stomach, trailing up to the thick band of kelp I wore today. He ventures beneath the covering, groping a single globe in his palm. My mouth open automatically, liberating myself of the stress.

A smile becomes my lover's lips, and he hides it quickly.

As our lips leave one another, Verlin's horns scrape against my scalp. He's careful enough with my bottom lip that he bites to snag it between his teeth. Amusement darkens his eyes while his eight tentacles surround my entire body in a swarm of wriggling suckers. He even dares so much to allow one to slither along my other breast and fondle me beneath the seaweed knot. The cups of this tentacle prickle a bit as he could the appendage around the lump. As he leaves a ring of blue around my nub. The sucker puckers my nipple up until I'm writhing against his body. My frills are caressed by the smooth texture of Verlin's skin. He free talon hooks on my hip, sinking further below my scales.

"Oh, Verlin! Ah—" I gasp, wantonly.

My hips buck, shaking at the torment he makes me endure. It's nothing but a showcase of his talent, his need, his dominance over me. He posses me in a heartbeat with just a flash of his pearly needle teeth. Verlin nuzzles his nose against mine in a simple gesture. My heart swells the moment those bright irises lick in on mine and his talons slip into my core. I move long with his rhythm, the lackadaisical pattern in which he moves. The tendrils sooth me into allowing his caress, even in my dire state.

His lips meet mine once more. We battle for the right to lead the other. Verlin doesn't pause his talons from their underlying job or his arms from simple touches. "My stardust, my little angelfish. You completely me like no other," he flatters me while a thicker tendril than all the rest ventures up my fluke and scales. "You're very voice is the bane of my existence. I vow to never leave you, to alway keep you healthy and tranquil, for your eternal love to always be mine. I shall never want for no other but the female who's captured my heart and my mind—"

The entire time he spoke, that thick tendril curves its way into my open slit, bulging in my core. My eyes widen at the sudden foreign feeling, moving my hips back. The tentacle travels too far inside me for me to detach myself from his exponential behavior. The tendril doesn't move inside me at a set pace, just gradually varying from fast to slow to mediocre. Verlin snarls against my lips with every thrust. His hands trap me in his mass of arms until they finish their swarming of my figure.

A talon guides my visage to his and we meet one another in an expected snog. Vaguely, I spot the sparkling stardust sea flowers as the moonlight envelops them in an ethereal glow. The sapphires overwhelm me until I meet the sparkling gems of Verlin. He gazes into my eyes with the utmost attention and care while maneuvering his wild appendages. I blink languidly at up, wishing I could wrap my arms around his head for my benefit.

Verlin snickers softly against my hair, "Ci amer mei palenori wikka, kabre ci, mei sterthfore? (You like my wicked thing, don't you, my stardust?)"

Not that I ignore my lover, but I couldn't concentrate between translating his sweet words and enduring his stifling tentacle. My eyes blink at the rapid change between my Verlin from before and now, and I smile. The change is becoming on him, so much so, I adore him. Now, I adore him even more than ever before. Verlin is my sun, my star, my light. He's my everlasting love that shall break any promise of deceit or mistrust. Verlin is more than a lover, he's my entire life.

I shout out as he invads a part of me I've never touched before. Verlin doesn't mind lifting the post from beneath us, which permits me to flick my tail back and forth. The limitations are broadened and I can't help but hum out in satisfaction when Verlin marks my neck. His suckers on my chest twist and coil, grasping my nipples in a frenzy. I wish to dive or buck away from him, but Verlin is persistent with that mouth of his. If I wish to survive this duel in one piece, I'd have to succumb to his manipulation.

A feminine whimper echoes in my head. It's me, I realize, and Verlin prods at my entrance with that strange tentacle. I mewl against his mouth, his slimy tongue darting out to twist around mine while the friction between us increases. Verlin is very gentle with his hands, precautious of my scales and extra fringe around the dip of my hips. A dark talon softly skims along my v-line, dipping into my scales. As the edge rubs along my sensitive bundle, my back arches into a curled C position while my tail flails about.

    My longing desire to run my claws through his wickedly long white hair seems to be improbable. Verlin draws us more together until our skin never leaves the touch of another. The faint brush of his lips on mine evokes me from my peaceful bubble. We kiss again and again. His lips are the softest I've ever touched, not to mention his skin as well. He feels leathery and rigid, but smooth in most places. I could tell the intricate patterns were actually scars now, and as I touch them, Verlin shivers.

"Oh, Verlin," I sigh, "you're such a shark."

His mouth forms a villainous, toothy grin. "Oh, am I?" Verlin murmurs against my earlobe. His arms, all ten, engulf my body in a warm comfort that spreads throughout my insides. "What else am I, hm, little starfish? Tell me more," his husky voice tickles my neck.

It causes a girlish giggle to leave my throat.

When Verlin's hips suddenly met mine, the sensation of being whole and full completely takes over me. My head's thrown back and I screech out a reply of pure pleasure. It's very satisfying as my high rides out it's course from my release. There's not a second between our two sacred moments. Verlin gushes his load inside of my slit, filling me up to the brim until I couldn't take it anymore. My body spasms to the cadence of his tentacle while it squished between us.

"Oh, fuck, oh.. Verlin! You feel so good—so good!" I screech out when my voice finds its way to the surface. "Please don't stop, Verlin. Oh, please don't stop! I—I can't take it anymore— Verlin!"

His tentacle pierced something within me that I've never known was there. Verlin is desperate to have my cheeks within his palms as he scarfs down kiss after kiss. A tentacles slithers its way around my waist, coiling around my torso until it overlaps the breast with his other tendril toying with me. I couldn't open my eyes during the whole process; two of the azure arms canvas my dark tail. One begins from the bottom, coiling clockwise, until the last bit of him is wriggling against my scales. The second tendril wraps around me on the opposite side, starting from my peduncle fin.

As the coils clasp and wriggle around me, I have no idea what he wants now. I mewl from the contact, knowing the sensation all too well. Verlin humps his lower body into mine, and I can actually feel his muscles moving below his leathery navy skin. He moves inside me as if amusing this hum festering in my heart, encouraging it to sing to its loudest octave. The brazen strength coming from his thrusts entice me on my own. With that, I looked into his cerulean orbs one last time.

It was pleasant, and it was bliss. A never ending moment in the hands of a wonderful passion.

When the ethereal blissful high passes, my heart begins to recede to the normal pace and my head begins to fall from the clouds. However, nothing changes in our position. Verlin breathes deeply into my left ear, nuzzling an Eskimo kiss against my neck to calm himself. My eyes languidly open to see the enchanting garden feast on the light of the moon. The delicate sparkles and ever-glowing sapphire sea flowers sway because of a passing current.

Two tendrils manage to until the knot from the mast. My hands fall free and drape across his shoulders. I blink up at him, discovering the darkness isn't as bad as it seems. Verlin takes me into his arms, wadding me over to another area I'm too spent to locate, and gently lays with me. My head immediately finds comfort in the crook of his neck, snuggling into him like he's my personal cloth. Verlin doesn't seem to mind though.

A hand pets down my back, brushing my hair away from my face. "Did you enjoy our act, (Y/N)?" Verlin asks hesitantly. His hand pauses in touching my hair.

A smile befits my face, and I take the time to roll my way around to face him. My talons grab at a couple of his tentacles, bringing them up to my shoulders and neck for warms. His suckers vacuum my skin, leaving several massive ringlets inking in a silvery ice blue. I barely notice the rest of the resin on my breasts and tail, just enjoying the entirety of the moment. Verlin feels so right and so tranquil, it's almost as if this was meant to happen.

As my eyes flicker up to his, I gently nod. "Yes, my love. It was wonderful, thank you—" I leave a kiss on his muscular chest— "next, you choose. I long to know what you fantasize," I yawn loudly.

Verlin chuckles, "Of course, I shall surprise you. It will be something we both find endearing."

My eyes snap up at him. "You didn't like it?"

As gently as I could, I raise my head to meet his irises. Why didn't he say something? I thought. A thick tentacles draped over my waist and tightens it's grip.

Verlin's eyes soften, a frown turns into a small smile. "I did, a bit too much, my stardust." His talons runs through my wild hair. "I suppose I thought you had other.. activities in mind."

My brows furrow. "Like what?"

"It's a surprise," he smiles with a shark grin. I roll my eyes. "You're now my partner in life, the producer of my kin, the very bane of my existence. I don't want to displease you in anyway, so I'll just have to please my siren when she least expects it."

My heart physically melts. "I love you."

My eyes slightly widen, Shit! It slipped out!

Verlin's eyes crinkle as his lips broaden. "I love you, little sea witch."

I gasp in shock as he hoists me up above his chest with his talons, smiling at me with boyish behavior. I can't do much besides laugh at him, thankful he said the words back. My heart swells with fulfillment, and I know for certain now how my krake sees me. I'm not beneath him, nor behind him. He's proven everything I need is directly next to him for as long as I wish to be his.

He's my forever partner, my lover, my shark. Verlin's the sun to my moon, and I couldn't wait for our little stars.

. . . : . .

**I forgot where I found this poem, but it's not mine. All credit goes to the author/creator!

    I will NOT apologize for such a long temptation! I had much inspiration and this is the price for that brainstorming. Take it or leave it.

Yo! I was so consumed into the plot that I almost forgot about the sex.. 👀 lol but! I am sad that I couldn't write more for their romance. I actually adore Verlin so much!! But it's flashes of moments that I tried to capture their growth, almost. Which I was so going for! (Like plot is over 10,000 words.. hehe...) but it's okay! I hope you all liked or loved this extra extra extra long temptation (not done on purpose). Moving on! This is our longest temptation yet; longer than Valorum, Actaeon, and Khafre (separately, not together). Just wanted to point that out.

McKenzie ✌🏼

<<published on 12.11.20 at 00:52 a.m.>>

#no good temptations #monster lover #fuck me senseless #kraken monster #x reader #monster x reader #sea witch reader #kidnap fuck #possessive #tentacles #trapped #roleplay #kraken x sea witch reader #mating #courting #under the sea #romance #sea mischiefs #ancient krakes

[glowingbadger]

The Sylvain and Dimitri arranged marriage stuff made me think of a claude version of it. Maybe an AU where Claude never came to fodlan and reader has to marry the prince/king of Almyra to improve countries relationships. Anyway seriously love your stuff thank you so much for the content!!

Oh hoo Anon, this is a wonderful take on the concept. Let's see what I can whip up for us~

((side note I feel like we never learn whether Almyra speaks a different language from Fodlan?? But being multi-lingual is sexy so idgaf))

((And also I used Bengali for Almyran because I have Bengali family and the language is so beautiful even though the english alphabet phonetic spellings are weird af))

Claude x Reader - Arranged Marriage

NSFW 18+ (like only towards the end tho idk)

Overall, you do what you can to stay out of the way. You'd been sent to Almyra as a symbol- a token, more than anything else. Now that you were in King Khalid's possession, very few throughout the castle paid you any particular mind. You were provided for, of course. Anything you cared to ask for was given. But you didn't speak a word of the Almyran language, and those who bothered to use what they knew of Fodlan's to communicate with you seemed to view you as a pet to be kept safe and healthy, and little else.

By week's end, there was to be a lavish banquet in honor of your union with the King- though of course, your input on the proceedings is entirely unwanted. In some ways, Almyra is quite similar to Fodlan. Court life is much the same. As you wander through the royal gardens, wondering at a range of colorful and exotic flowers you'd never heard of, let alone seen, a voice speaks smoothly behind you.

"Did you know you can actually eat the petals of this particular flower? They're very sweet."

You whirl around and nearly bump into King Khalid. You're about to stammer out an apology, but he reaches out and plucks a single white petal and holds it before your lips.

"Go on, I think you'll like it."

Whatever possesses you to eat a flower petal from this man's hand is something you'd rather leave unexamined for the time being- but he is right about the flavor. It's sweet, but not overly so, and quite pleasant.

"Hm! Yeah, it's nice," you say, then glance up at him as another thought occurs to you that you'd considered once or twice before, "You speak the language of Fodlan very well, my Lord."

"I'm flattered," he says with a disarmingly handsome smile, "and please, just Khalid. I don't think I could bear to have my own wife stand on such formality with me."

He says it so naturally, as if you'd been planning this union for years. Though, once again, he's right. This is only perhaps the dozenth time you've exchanged words, but you are wed, and you ought to get used to addressing him as your husband.

"Khalid..." you say tentatively, "Did- did you need something from me? I hope I wasn't too much trouble to find."

"Not when you find such pleasant places to hide," he replies, still wearing that easy smile, "but to be honest, I was actually hoping you'd accompany me for the day. I can finally afford to take a bit of time away from the castle, and I think you and I both would appreciate some space to breathe. What do you say?"

Correct once again. You nod, and take the arm he offers you. As he leads you out from the gardens, he points out a few more plants native to your new homeland. They're incredibly varied, each more strange and vibrant than the last. All the while, he's somehow made you feel as though you're chatting with an old friend. You leave the gardens and wander towards the area you vaguely recall to be designated for horse stables and wyvern stalls.

From there, a few things happen in sequence. Khalid asks if you're afraid of flying. He asks if you trust him to hold on to you. He helps you up onto the saddle that seems impossibly high up on its own right, and then, you're propelled into the air with a force your body has never felt before. You tense and shrink back against his chest, clinging to whatever part of the saddle you can find purchase on for dear life. Up here, it's difficult to pick up, but you feel your husband laugh behind you, then his strong arm wrap around your waist.

"Relax, I won't let anything happen to you," he says against your ear, his voice sure and steady, "I've got you."

And it takes a few miles of flying and a lot of Khalid distracting you by pointing out different buildings and shops along the streets below, but eventually, you do manage to relax- at least a little.

The castle town is positively buzzing with activity. Even from your distance in the sky above, you can see clusters of people moving around each other like fish up stream, and even hear the faint echoes of a merchant advertising goods.

"It doesn't seem at all like the Almyra we're taught about in Fodlan."

"Oh, it is," Khalid assures you with a bemused chuckle, "But it's also much more. I imagine it's the same for your people. There's a lot we can learn from one another, I think."

By the time the sun is high in the sky, you've passed the most densely settled part of town and are gliding over farmland and the occasional pocket of forest and rivers that split and cross through the earth like veins. Though, the warmer climate of Almyra will still take some getting used to, and it seems your husband considers this.

"Let's land for a bit and find some shade,"

You nod, and he directs his wyvern to begin a slow descent.

The King had thought of everything for this little day-trip, it seemed. Having evidently packed everything you'd need in the saddlebags on his steed, you now recline beside him on a plush blanket in a clearing amidst the trees. A small brook bubbles down from stone to stone in small waterfalls beside you, and the air feels positively alive with birdsong and rustling leaves, all foreign to you and all part of your new home. And so is he, you think as you glance over at the handsome figure of your husband beside you.

You'd been sitting in a comfortable quiet, munching on a couple of very dense pastries which Khalid had told you incorporated an extract of the flower you'd sampled earlier. He gives a satisfied sigh as he finishes his first and lies back on the blanket, taking in and savoring a deep breath. As you finish the last bites of your own treat, you reflect on the day thus far. You'd learned much about the locals and their daily lives by observation and Khalid's description in such a short time, and he'd even taught you a hand full of basic words and phrases in Almyran.

"Uhm, Khalid?"

He opens one eye and gives you a sideways glance.

"It was... dhonnobad, right? Thank you?"

His smile his open and warm, his eyes practically shimmering in the reflected sunlight from the nearby brook.

"Well, we'll have to work on your pronunciation, but I'm impressed you remembered," he beckons you down onto the blanket beside him, and you follow, lying on your side as he turns towards you. You're closer than you'd anticipated, even given the limited realestate of the blanket, and you internally scold yourself for being shy about something so silly- like some naive adolescent.

"Let's try a couple more words, since you've been such a diligent student."

"Okay," you say with a smile, "try me, I'll do my best."

"Hmm..." he looks around your private clearing, then gestures towards the brook and says, "Jala"

"Jala," you repeat slowly. He nods,

"Right- that's 'water'. And, uhm..." he points toward a patch of wildflowers at the edge of the brook, "Phula. That's 'flower'."

Again, you repeat as best you can, and though you know your pronunciation must be off, he's encouraging nonetheless. Then, he leans in towards you, and brings his free hand to your cheek, his fingertips brushing your skin lightly.

"Now try sundara."

"... Sundara?" you make an attempt, and you're sure you got something about that 's' sound mixed up, but Khalid just gives you a slanted smile. He doesn't clarify at first, so you ask, "What does that one mean?"

His fingers slowly weave back into your hair, and his voice is low and soothing as he replies,

"That means 'beautiful'."

Your face warms immediately, but you hardly have a moment to feel bashful about it before he presses his lips to yours, kissing you slow and deep. His movements are effortlessly sensual, pulling you towards him and sending your pulse pounding through your veins. You part your lips to him almost instinctively, and the way he uses his tongue is sparing, but oh-so effective. When he finally pulls away, your head is spinning and it's all you can do to meet his gaze.

"So... that's how they kiss in Almyra." you say, barely above a whisper. Khalid smirks and turns you onto your back, sliding an arm around your waist.

"Oh, no- there's no tradition in this, only skill."

Goddess- if they'd warned you of the King's supernatural charms, you wouldn't have believed them. But now his lips are on yours once again, and he's holding your body to his, and you can't think of anything else. Your arms drape across his shoulders, and faster than you can track, your bodies have met in a tangled, impassioned embrace. It was hard to imagine that mere kissing could feel so erotic, but something about his pace, about how his lips and hands move in tandem, about how thorough he is in exploring you, makes you feel like it would be only natural to give yourself over to him completely.

His kiss travels along your jawline up to the shell of your ear, where he nips briefly, then murmurs,

"I was hoping to apologize for how little time we've had to get to know each other before today," you bite at your bottom lip as his hand slides down to the curve of your hip, "if that would be pleasing to you, my dearest wife."

"Ye- yes..." you sigh into the open air as his lips reach your neck. The single word is all either of you need. He never stops pressing lavish kisses to your lips and neck as he pulls your clothing out of his way. By the time he's satisfied, your clothes are draped off your arms and pooling around you on the blanket- and he doesn't seem to care to remove them entirely. He has a goal in mind.

Slowly, painstakingly, he makes his way down your body. You feel him everywhere- hands tracing and memorizing your frame, breath hot across your skin as his lips spoil you with adoring kisses. Soon enough, he's kissed his way to your lower stomach, and he urges your thighs apart beneath him. You suppress the instinctive wave of embarrassment at being exposed to him for the first time- he is your husband and your King, afterall- but then, his head dips down towards your plump lower lips, and your mind goes white.

"Khalid-!" you gasp out as his tongue trails coyly up the crease of your folds. He hums contentedly, and places a disarmingly chaste kiss to the soft skin. Then, his thumbs gently spread you open for him, and your entire body burns while he takes a moment to merely admire you- your pretty little hole already wet, your clit already hard and flushed dark. When his head lowers once more, his green eyes meet yours steadily, as though to promise without words to be good to you.

And in a moment, his mouth begins to gently tease your clit, and your head tilts back on the blanket. Your hips jerk just a bit with each pass of his tongue across the sensitive bundle, and occasionally you can't hold in a gasp or whimper of pleasure. This only encourages him, of course. The more you moan and sigh, the more dedicated he becomes to your body. He presses himself more firmly to you, his lips surrounding your clit and the surrounding tender flesh, and he suckles on you, licks you, kisses you. You don't know when it happened, but your hands are at the back of his head, fists tangled in thick brown hair as he diligently works.

The unbearable tension is winding tight and anxious in your lower body- you know he'll drive you to climax before long, and the mere thought feels like falling in love. And then Khalid moves lower, and his tongue dips inside of your entrance. You gasp and unwittingly tug on his hair- but he certainly doesn't seem to mind. With a lustful groan, he presses more firmly to you, truly buried against your body as his dexterous tongue curls upward, stroking the vulnerable spot behind the nerves of your clit.

"Khalid!" this time it's nearly a scream, and you're grateful that your voice is lost in the surrounding foliage. Your thighs begin to shake, and your hands release him to instead clutch the blanket behind you. And at last, with a whimper in a voice you hardly recognize, your lower body floods with soaked warmth as your orgasm sweeps through you. Panting, twitching, you moan out for your husband over and over, until finally, the wave begins to subside, and Khalid pulls away to position himself above you on all fours.

"That's a nice expression..." he says with a grin, directing you to look at him with a hand at your chin, "I hope I'll get to see it often."

When your eyes finally refocus, you look up at him somewhat apologetically,

"I should... attend to you."

He laughs and kisses your forehead,

"There will be time for that tonight, don't you think? Once we're a bit more... put together," he says with a glance at your bare form, "we should head back to our ride. I'll bring you back to the castle, and we'll get the cooks to prepare something very 'Almyran' for you."

You nod- it probably wouldn't do for the first time with your Lord Husband to be mid-day in the woods. Though he'd certainly failed to make it seem unappealing.

"And then," he goes on, bringing a finger to trace the curve of your bottom lip, "Well, maybe we'll excuse ourselves to our bedchamber a bit early this evening, and we can continue this little... cultural exchange."

#why do these always end up so long urg #claude von reigen #fe3h #claude x reader #fire emblem smut #fire emblem x reader #fire emblem #feh #fire emblem three houses #fire emblem imagines #x reader #claude fire emblem #not sfw writing

[fandom-took-my-sanity]

A Creative Way of Asking

Clint’s Russian was terrible.

Any time he tried to say anything, it came out in a jumbled mess. All his pronunciations were wrong, and he never had the correct voice infliction. He only knew the simplest words and phrases, but other than that he was completely lost.

But despite that, he always kept trying.

He got Natasha to help him, coaching him in a less formal way of speaking. He even enlisted the help of that stupid cartoon owl, who yelled at him every time he got something wrong. Clint was sure that he could get it someday, but he hoped that that someday would come soon. He wasn’t just learning this language for no reason; he had a plan.

One night, just after Natasha had fallen asleep, Clint got out of bed and made his way to the living room. He went over to the bookshelf and took out the English to Russian dictionary. He spent the next hour finding every word he was going to need and writing them down on a piece of paper. Once he was done with that, he spent another two hours practicing exactly how to say it.

Clint knew it wasn’t perfect, but it had been too long, and he wanted to do what he had been practicing for in the morning. He crawled back into bed and prepared to wake up early.

By the time he woke up in the morning, Natasha had already left. She got up at 5:30 every morning to go work out, so she was right on schedule.

Clint made his way to the kitchen and started making breakfast. He made waffles with strawberries and whip cream, eggs, and sausages. He poured them glasses of sparkling cranberry juice and set the table nicely. Then he waited for Natasha to get back.

Clint stood by the door of the apartment, nervously running through what he was going to say in his head. He knew that if he panicked and had to switch to English halfway through, Nat wouldn’t be mad. She would probably be proud of any progress that he had made. Still, Clint wanted this to be special.

At 6:45, right on schedule, Natasha opened the door. She jumped a bit when she saw Clint, fully dressed, standing in the doorway.

“Oh, good morning Clint. You’re usually not up this early,” she kissed him and made her way into the kitchen.

“What’s this for?” she asked, looking at the assortment of breakfast foods on the table. She was smiling.

“Well, umm,” Clint started, and then took a deep breath, “I actually have something I want to do, so here it goes

“Наташа, я так до смешного люблю тебя. Я люблю все в тебе, даже то, что ты ненавидишь. Я хочу быть с тобой до конца своей жизни, ты выйдешь за меня замуж? I hope I said that right.”

With this, Clint got down onto one knee and pulled the ring out from his back pocket. Natasha’s eyes were filling with tears.

She nodded while trying to wipe the tears away and knelt to throw her arms around Clint. As he was about to slip the ring on her finger, she put her hand up to stop him.

“Wait,” she said, and then she started to sign.

"I’m actually learning to sign so that I can make things easier for you. Also, I was going to ask you to marry me by signing later today, but I guess you beat me to it!”

“I hope I said that right!” she said laughing. Now it was Clint’s turn to hold back tears.

“Perfect” he signed.

Natasha threw her arms around his neck again and rested her forehead against his shoulder. When they pulled apart, Clint put the ring on her finger, and they kissed.

Natasha still had a long way to go with sign language, and Clint with Russian, but they were both so proud of each other at that moment that it didn’t even matter.

They could always learn from each other.

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

Translation:

Наташа, я так до смешного люблю тебя. Я люблю все в тебе, даже то, что ты ненавидишь. Я хочу быть с тобой до конца своей жизни, ты выйдешь за меня замуж? - Natasha, I’m so ridiculously in love with you. I love everything about you, even the things that you hate. I want to be with you for the rest of my life, will you marry me?

(Read on AO3)

#Clintasha Advent 2021 #clintasha #clint barton #natasha romanoff #prompt: language #fanfiction #AO3

[comorbidfascination]

Din, the Riduur

full fic list here

clone wars reader insert list here

You and din have been together for a while now, and he wants to propose.

You loved Din, not despite his devotion to his creed, but because of it. Because it was a part of him, just like his deep, scratchy voice, and quiet strength. You loved the way he looked after you and Grogu, who had become your son as he was Din's ad. Most of all, you loved the way he loved you. How he held you and made sure you ate. How he cared for you.

Din loved you, perhaps even more ardently than you were capable of. He was so used to keeping others at a distance that when he let you into his heart, there was nothing that could tear you away. He loved his ad'ika too, but not with the same intense adoration. Grogu loved him back innocently, the easy way a child does. You loved him back under the weight of all your baggage and his. You chose him.

He had only ever kissed you in the dark; only let you feel him when you couldn't see his features. Din had slowly come to realize that he wanted you to see his face in the light. But the Way prohibited such a thing; outsiders could not look upon a Mandalorian without casting them both into shame.

"But," A voice in the back of his head offered, "are they really an outsider?"

He watched you play peekaboo with Grogu, beaming like a ray of sun when he laughed. What would make you truly a part of his world?

Your head whipped around to face Din when he thumped his fist on the arm of his chair and cursed under his breath. "Everything okay?"

He nodded, excusing himself to the tiny refresher onboard the ship. Taking his helmet off, he stared at his reflection, wondering how it took him so long to think of it. If you became his riduur, his life partner, you could look at him all you wanted. He took a shaky breath, smoothed his hair back, and squared his shoulders. He had fought terrible beasts and survived horror stories. He could ask the love of his life to marry him.

Din didn't know how this was supposed to go; he knew the vows, but not how to approach you with them. He slipped his helmet back on and marched up to you, taking Grogu from your arms. "Wait here. I have something to ask you."

His voice had been soft, but firm, and he hoped he hadn't sounded upset. He put Grogu down for a nap and returned to you, taking your hands in his.

"What is it, love? Are you sure you're alright?"

He leaned down for a keldabe kiss, forehead resting on yours. "Cyare, will you marry me?"

Pulling back in surprise, you stuttered, "Yes! Din, of course I want to marry you!"

Huffing a laugh of relief, he brought your fingers to the clasps of his helmet. "I want you to be sure before you see me."

You kissed the visor where his mouth would be and smiled. "Sure I'm sure." Lifting the helmet off together, you gasped softly at the sight of him. "Oh, Din..."

He looked down, emotions raging, but blurred out by the reverence in your voice. "I- I'm okay..for you?"

Giggling, you surged forward to finally, finally, kiss him properly. "So beautiful, so perfect for me. My gorgeous boy. My love."

A tear rolled down his cheek as he kissed you back passionately. He felt more naked and vulnerable than when he had bared just about every other part of his body to you, but your excitement was contagious. Din picked you up and spun you around, hardly able to keep his lips off yours.

Coming up for air, you laughed and cried with him. "What do we do? To get married, I mean."

"We just have to say the vows. In Basic, they mean, 'we are one when together, we are one when parted, we will share all, we will raise warriors.' Just repeat after me."

You gazed into his eyes and nodded.

"Mhi solus tome,

"Mhi solus dar'tome,

"Mhi me'duini an,

"Mhi ba'juri verde."

He waited patiently for you to say every line, correcting your pronunciation only once. Din held you against him and let his body melt into yours. You did the same, holding each other up as you took in the reality that you had just married the man you loved.

"Thank you, cyare."

"Don't thank me, love. This is the happiest I've ever been."

He thought of all the times he had wished to throw his helmet to the ground and beg you to look at him, how all he had ever needed to do was ask. "Me too."

#din djarin x reader #din djarin #the mandalorian #the mandalorian x reader #d3's post #🍐