#the second army wishes they had this handsome boy

[the-cookie-of-doom]

Chay takes his first sip of beer under Macau’s careful guidance when the last guest walks in, and the horrible taste of it combined with the sheer shock of the third cousin means most of it ends up sprayed down his shirt, and all eyes are on him as he coughs and desperately gasps for breath, and Chay wants to die. 

Because Macau’s cousin? Is Wik. Wik. 

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He manages to wheeze, while Macau laughs and thumps on his back. 

“What, you’re a fan?” 

Chay can’t very well say yes, seeing as Wik is right there, ten feet away, watching him with mounting annoyance as if he already knows the answer. Of course he does. And of course he wouldn’t want Chay anywhere near him, his family, on what is supposed to be a private vacation. God, what was Macau thinking, bringing him here?

“Who are you,” Wik asks. His voice is dry enough that Chay feels parched. He can breathe again, and he clutches his beer to his chest like a shield, and not like the thing that almost killed him a second ago. Or maybe that was Wik. Either way, Chay is in danger. 

“Our virgin sacrifice,” Macau says, because apparently once wasn’t enough. “This is Porchay, he’s my friend, don’t be an asshole. Chay, this is my loser cousin, Kim. Who, yeah, is also kind of famous, I guess. Don’t make it weird.”

“Hello,” Porchay says weakly. “I, uh… I really like your music.”

“Thanks.”

Chay feels a strong urge to apologize—and offer to leave right then and there, even if it means calling Porsche to drive the three hours to get him—but he doesn’t get the chance. Wik—Kim—is gone just as fast as he'd appeared, taking his guitar case with him. Strangely it isn’t any easier to breathe in his absence. 

“You’re an asshole,” Chay informs Macau. “You planned that, didn’t you?” His best friend’s shit-eating grin informs him that yes, he had. 

“Dude, your face! I thought you were going to die!”

“I wanted to! That’s so messed up! He’s going to think I’m, like, stalking him, or something.” 

“Nah, probably not. Seriously though, don’t be too weird, or he might kill you.”

Nevermind that, Chay might kill himself. How is he supposed to get through the next two weeks? 

***

Out of respect, Chay does his very best to avoid Kim and stay out of his way. He doesn’t know if the older boy notices, because of the aforementioned avoidance, but he hopes so. He wants Kim to know he’s trying. That he isn’t here to creep on him, that he isn’t one of those psycho fans. Yeah, Chay has a little bit of a shrine at home, but all of the pictures on his wall are from professional photoshoots. No paparazzi photos or creepshots from other fans. Nothing from his personal time. Chay isn’t like that. He doesn’t want to intrude. He just wishes he could explain himself. 

The opportunity comes the next morning. Chay is awake before anyone else; he kicks around in bed for a while, then goes to Macau’s room across the hall, but he’s still fast asleep. Chay isn’t comfortable enough to go explore, but eventually his stomach drives him in search of the kitchen. It’s massive, borderline industrial, and fully stocked to feed an army. It’s ridiculous. 

Chay is cracking eggs into a pan when he hears another set of footsteps, seconds before he’s greeted by Kim’s handsome, scowling face. He must have just rolled out of bed; he’s wearing soft-looking lounge clothes, barefoot, and his hair is just messy enough that it could be intentional, if not for the softness around his eyes. Softness that disappears as soon as they land on Chay. 

“... Good morning,” Chay greets, with an awkward smile. He turns back to the stove, trying to communicate I’m not watching, just ignore me. It must work, because rather than turn back the way he came, Kim joins him in the kitchen. 

“Hi,” is all he says, and Chay is content with that. 

There’s a fancy-looking espresso machine at its own coffee station. Kim takes up his post in front of it, grinding down coffee beans and pressing them into the filter. He takes down two small glasses and sets them beneath. Soon, the rich scent of fresh coffee fills the kitchen, the espresso machine's pop and hiss accompanying the sound of frying eggs. 

“Do you want me to make you something?” Chay offers, not turning around. 

“No.” 

Kim doesn’t say anything else. Neither does Chay. He chews on his bottom lip until his breakfast is finished, and he plates his eggs on a pile of sticky rice. 

This might be my only chance. 

“I hope I’m not making you uncomfortable. By being here, I mean,” Chay starts. “I swear I had no idea when Macau invited me. He said he was just coming here with his cousins. I-I wouldn’t have agreed. If I knew. I promise.” 

Kim turns to face him fully, leaning back against the counter. Chay fidgets beneath the weight of his gaze. “Really?” he asks. He doesn’t sound like he believes Chay one way or the other. 

“Yeah, yes, I wouldn’t want to intrude. I’m obviously,” he waves his hand between them, “You know, but like. You’re with your family. That’s not my business… Or anyone else’s,” he adds, trying to reassure Kim he isn’t going to tell anyone about anything that happens on this trip, without saying that outloud and reminding him it was ever a risk in the first place. 

“Hmm.” 

Please believe me. Even if they never see each other again—Chay will leave right now if Kim tells him to, he’ll figure it out—he needs Kim to believe this. That Chay isn’t another vulture trying to take more of him than Kim is willing to give, as if it’s something he’s owed just because he’s a fan. 

“Porchay, right?” Chay nods. “How do you know my cousin?” 

“We go to school together.” 

Kim looks at him doubtfully. Chay’s face goes hot, and reminds himself what Porsche told him before he left; just because they’re rich doesn’t mean they’re better than you, don’t forget that. 

“I’m, uh, I’m there on scholarship.”

“Really? That’s not an easy scholarship to get.” No kidding. Chay took a summer prep course for the entrance exam and that alone was almost too much. The exam itself nearly made him pass out. “What was your score?”

“Uh… One hundred percent.”

“Bullshit.” 

Chay flushes, equal parts embarrassed and something slightly less than angry. “They made me take it twice. The proctors thought I cheated the first time.” He didn’t. He’d spent the entire summer studying, because Porsche told him this is what he needed to do for his future. To make their parents proud. Chay never knew their parents; he just wanted Porsche to be happy, and to repay him for being such a good brother. 

“And you got the same score?”

“... Ninety-eight percent, the second time.” He was terrified, and that meant he made mistakes he wouldn’t have otherwise. 

“Still nearly perfect.” Kim regards him carefully, his head tilted, and Chay is too incensed to properly appreciate the flex of Kim’s bare arms across his chest. “Interesting.” 

Chay thinks that maybe, from anyone else, interesting might have meant impressive. 

Kim turns his back on him again, then, leaving Chay to eat his now-cold breakfast while he finishes his coffee. Neither say anything else. It’s painful in a way silence always is for him—to Chay, silence means loneliness, means sitting at home and waiting for his brother to walk through the door, bloody and beaten, or it means hiding from debt collectors—but Chay refuses to break it again. 

He also refuses to look at Kim, which is why he startles when a porcelain cup is set down in front of him with a delicate clink, a cappuccino with delicate-looking latte art and a dusting of cocoa powder. He looks up and Kim’s back is already to him again as he finishes making his own coffee. He cleans the espresso machine, puts away his tools, and leaves without another word, no doubt in search of a better refuge to enjoy his morning coffee, without Chay breathing down his neck. Even though Chay already wasn’t doing that. 

Whatever, it’s not like it matters. 

Chay picks up his latte. He’s a little bit mad at how good it is, blooming rich and smooth on his tongue, and not overly sweet. 

Like Kim, he thinks, glowering into the milk foam. 

#cookie writes #kimchay #this is vaguely dead friends forever inspired #but it'll prob be way less spooky bc horror is hard to write #mostly it's going to be the theerapanykuls emotionally terrorizing Chay the whole time lol

[chimivx]

vegas, baby. // myg. (2)

~ part two - here is ( part ONE! ) ~

pairing: Idol!Yoongi x Female!Reader ( ot7, they're all there )

summary: After seeing Yoongi and the guys, it's time for them to get ready for the show, which leaves you time to go explore the world you used to live before your daughter was born. Meeting AMRY, buying merchandise, it's all normal... for the most part, and the show is legendary...

words: 6.5k

warnings: like none, fluff…?, a swear word here or there, does Vegas need its own warning?, barely edited i just gotta get it out, they mention sex a few times, it's heavily insinuated at the end, DAD YOONGI, baby is unnamed ( you get to pick :) )

a/n: part two finally, thank you for all of the lovely support. i am in love with this couple, i've had thoughts of starting a series. the backstory for them after writing their future just feels entirely too sweet now... thank you again for over 500 notes on part one :')... i adore you all.

*gif not mine, cred to owner*

Nerves stirred in your chest right under where you were holding your baby girl.  Following close behind the undercover security guard, Branson, you were headed out to the crowds at the Allegiant Stadium with twenty minutes until showtime.  Three team members walked around you, all of them dressed in similar, casual style so as to not draw attention to your group.  As promised, you had given Branson a new t-shirt with Jimin’s face on it, getting a laugh out of him, reminding him of old times.  He pulled it over his head with joy, having you take a funny picture of him to send to Jimin who always loved this long running joke of yours.

Behind you, a loving hand held onto your shoulder.  Turning toward her, your old friend Sunita, or Sunny, was heading out of the arena with you.

“Oh my gosh!” You gasp, seeing her now for the first time in a long time.  Sunny giggles, then pulls you into a hug, the others pausing for a second while you have your moment.

“I was cleaning up when you got here, we’ve been busier than ever doing these shows everywhere… It’s so incredible to see you,” She sighs, then rests a hand to your baby girl's head, “She’s beautiful, and getting so big.” Smiling wider than before, you thank her and offer her your daughter who’s eyes were boggling over the stunning woman before you, your long term stylist best friend who broke into the professional industry thanks to BTS.  Sunny had been struggling for years to make it big, then one summer night a simple phone call changed both of your lives forever.

“You hold onto her,” Sunny smiles her wide trademark grin, “This is your night, spend every moment with her.” Bouncing your girl, you nod, then you pout your lip.

“My arms will be tired in an hour,” You whisper, laughing with Sunny who agreed to take her from you when you needed a break.  Branson waved a hand, egging the two of you on to continue your reunion as you toured the stadium.

There were five in your group, not counting your mini.  Branson led you guys around the ‘long way’, he called it, so you weren’t seen coming out of a backstage area.  

The moment you saw members of ARMY come into view was the moment tears began to well in your eyes.  Sunny noticed, snaking a hand underneath one of your arms to hold you close, walking directly side by side with the woman who was half a foot taller than you.  From your front, your girl coo’s happily, finally satisfied with some visual stimulation she was being deprived of in the plain halls.  There were bright lights, there were concessions, shops, bars, and signs with the guys' handsome faces on them.  The further you walked inside the thicker the crowd had gotten, but it wasn’t making you nervous… It was oddly comforting.  The chatter and excitement was fueling your own, and seeing ARMY’s smiling faces got you smiling, knowing that that was the boy's only wish.  Their ARMY’s happiness.

Admiring the creative outfits and costumes the fans pulled together, you and Sunny reminisce together with a look, not needing to say too much, but remembering the days you’d spend hours planning concert outfits together.

“Anything you have planned to do?” Branson asks without an ounce of impatience.  His smile is small, just happy to have you back around to get him away from the chaos the guys liked to cause backstage.  The five of you have come to a stop beside a shop of merchandise that was flooded with young fans reaching left and right, and up and down, for their bias’s merch.

“Dada!” Your girl shouted, looking in the same direction as you, “Daaa, daaa, dadada…” The group begins to laugh as she continues to babble the syllables she struggled with for forever, but suddenly now loved to say.

“Well,” You remain calm, “You heard the girl.” Joining in the laughter you nod toward the shop and the posters decorated with her daddy’s face.

“You don’t know this yet, but it’s a secret,” You whisper to her for no one else to hear, “You have the coolest dad ever… but nobody knows.” 

“DADA!” She shouts once more.  Excellent secret keeper.

Inside the shop there were BTS songs playing that some fans were singing along to, and you believe your girl may have recognized it because she started to kick her legs to the beat.  

The first time she reacted to music you thought Yoongi was going to cry actual tears.  You were at home in the living room playing an unheard track from ‘D-3’, that still has no release date, with your daughter in your arms, her back pressed to your belly as you swayed side to side to the beat.  Yoongi was on the couch, critiquing himself quietly as he would tend to do, but still smiling at his girls that were enjoying his music.

“She likes it,” His eyes were big, full of love.

“She’s just happy it's finished,” You start to tease, “She’s been hearing this beat since the womb.” He cracks a laugh and shakes his head, getting your girl to laugh, too.

“You look beautiful,” He says, his voice hushed.  Pausing your movement, your eyes go crazy, glancing down at your estranged fit, then back to Yoongi who was still smiling.  It was the evening time and you were still dressed in your pajamas, well, all three of you were.  Your hair was tied up, exactly how you woke up that morning, toppling to the side in the scrunchy that was hanging on to the edge of glory.  Shorter pieces of hair had fallen out of the back and were laying on your shoulders that were also adorned with slobber art, courtesy of the little one in your arms.  To be fair, Yoongi wore the same art on his shoulders, and his hair was just as disheveled.

“I look beau-“ The song changed, and your daughter in your arms started to kick her legs to the beat, the exact beat.  Not in the cutesy way a baby would typically kick, she was hitting every accent.  Yoongi launched himself forward, jaw falling open in shock, cutting off your sentence.

“Yes!” He nearly shouts.  Looking down at her you smile, then start to sway your body again to which she begins to kick even harder.  Resting a hand over his lips, Yoongi takes a long deep breath before standing to join you, taking his little one's hands with two of his fingers.  His eyes were sparkling with absolute joy as he watched his baby bounce to his music.

“I knew it’d be mine that would get you moving,” He says to her, then kisses her head before kissing you, the three of you spending most of the night here finishing the album together.

“Put her right there,” Sunny points below a Jungkook doll, directing you where to hold your daughter so you could take a picture of her nestled in the plushies of the guys.  She was a little bit bigger than the dolls, so it made for the cutest scene.  Strategically holding her under her bum and behind her back, you balanced her between Yoongi and Hoseok, who’s plushies were right beside one another.  You wondered if that was done on purpose.

“PERFECT!” Sunny shouts, gathering the attention of a group of teenagers walking into the shop behind her.  All at once a chorus of ‘Aw’s’ and ‘she’s so cute’ broke out amongst them.  Your girl giggles, and Sunny snaps the shot that you knew would make it to your Instagram later.

Propping her on your hip, your daughter stares at the girls wearing masks, some wearing sunglasses and others wearing bucket hats.  From their clothes alone, you could already tell who’s bias was who’s.  The tall, short brown haired girl dressed in black cargo pants with a black crop top, big boots and a bucket hat on belonged to Jungkook.  80’s style, colorful trash bag pants belonged to Hobi, curvy, sleekly styled mini skirt belonged to Jin and the shortest one on the end with a fuzzy purple sweater on was Jimin’s.  You guessed they took your daughter looking at them as an invitation to come over to you.

“How old is she?” Hobi’s asked, crouching down a bit to coo at her.

“She’s sooo adorable!” Jin’s sung, leaning against Jungkook’s.

“About halfway to eight months, and thank you,” You smile beneath your mask, avoiding the eye contact, keeping your eyes pointed at your girl who was resting her cheek on your arm, “She gets a little shy sometimes,” You poke her nose gently hoping to make her smile, but she simply turns her head away from the teens.  Of course now she catches onto the secret.

“She likes BTS? Or do you?” Jimin’s asks you.

“Oh, she loves BTS,” You roll your head a bit to emphasize, “Just a few minutes ago she was dancing away to My Time in here.”

“No way, that played?! We missed it?!” Jungkook’s whined, stomping her feet a bit as she looked to her friends.

“Jungkook bias?” You ask with a raised eyebrow, and her friends answer for her with a groan.

“Insufferable,” Jimin’s rolls her eyes.

“It is not my fault he is insanely handsomely beautiful,” Jungkook’s states, holding up a finger.  You note to remind Jungkook how ‘insanely handsomely beautiful’ he was later, “Now I’m done talking about him before I throw up because I’m so nervous to see him in person… Do you have a bias?” Every head turns to look at you, it felt as if everyone in the store had come to a standstill, heat rising in your chest as the teens eyed you.  Branson was on the other end of the shop with the other two stylists taking in the sight of the place littered with ARMY, all while keeping a close eye on you.  You glance there for a second, and he assumes a strong stance, questioning you with an eyebrow.  Reassuring him with a smile, you nod and look at the girls.

“I do,” You say happily, knowing Sunny was shaking in her boots, “Totally Suga,” You beam, using his stage name hoping it’d throw off the instance that you could possibly be personal with him, though you knew ARMY used their full names regardless.  The girls giggle with you.

“He’s so hot!” Jin’s says, bouncing up and down.  Blushing beneath your mask, you nod again, having learned that you’ll hear this about your boyfriend from other people for the rest of your life.

“He really is,” You sigh.

“Does… sheeee have a bias?” They ask about your daughter who has now turned back to the teens who got closer to you in conversation.  You all laugh after the question is asked, knowing it’s a little inappropriate, but you honestly had an answer.

“You know, I thought it was Jungkook,” You bob your head, holding onto one of her hands to shake, “But… it happens to the best of us… I think this lady has fallen for V.” The girls absolutely lose it, tossing their heads back in awe, and shouting a couple things.  Your daughter finally laughs, making the girls react even bigger.

“Well, you guys have taste,” Jimin’s pops a hip and points to you and your girl.

“Yeah, you guys are cool,” Hobi’s smiles, then the girl's attention gets stolen by the oodles of merchandise in the shop.  They say goodbye and hurry off to grab favorites of their favorites.  Sunny ends up back at your side and shows off photos she took while you were mid conversation with the group of girls.  The very last one being all of you laughing, including your baby who crystal clearly resembled her father.

“The sweetest,” You say softly, “Look at her, that’s fucking Yoongi,” You whisper sarcastically annoyed, you and Sunny laughing.

“Yeah, I’m sorry, it is,” She agrees to your dismay, making you laugh harder.

“You’re supposed to be on my side!  I grew her!” You tease, bumping her with your hip.

“Yes, yes you did,” Sunny assures, then smirks, “But he put her in you.” Throwing your head back you cackle, the two of you causing a scene in the corner of this shop.  Your daughter watches you happily, content in her mothers arms.  Branson and the others made their back over to you, asking if you were ready to move on or if you wanted to stay here for a while longer.  Glancing around the shop at the merchandise, you ponder the thought of purchasing something, at least something for your girl.

“He’ll kill you if you buy something,” Branson reads your mind, watching your eyes search the store.  Frowning, you bounce your baby a bit. 

“Uh, well, there’s too many people around for me to just take it,” You say, and Sunny snickers.

“What do you want?  I have my ID, I’ll talk to them up front and get it for you,” Branson says.  Your daughter had a hand stretched out behind you toward the wall of plush dolls.  Turning around so she could see them better, you gasp when you see that she has her hand on Taehyung’s doll.

“You are down bad, baby,” You joke to yourself, picking up the doll to give to Branson.  The buff man barely glances at it, but looks at you with a puzzled expression.

“Tae?” He asks you as if you didn’t examine the shelves properly enough.  Sighing, you shrug and press your lips together.

“It’s her first crush, I gotta get it for her,” You mutter, half serious.  Branson quizzes you with his eyes again, then decides to not ask anymore questions and just get the doll for you.

“Don’t blame her, man is a snack,” Sunny says beside you, “Whoa!” She exclaims, your daughter having latched onto one of her fingers with her tiny iron fist.

“Oh, she’s got a death grip,” You warn a few seconds too late, your eyes wandering down to the low hanging silver chain with diamonds on it around her neck, “Watch out for that necklace, she’ll want that next.”  Sunny lifts a hand to it and starts to joke with your girl about it, getting her to smile and coo a bit.

From the front of the shop, Branson was getting the doll, and behind him in line was the girl in the purple sweater, the Jimin bias who was talking to you a couple of minutes ago.  Your eyes met, hers seeming like they were watching you for a little while now.  The young girl looks at Branson, watches as he pulls out his wallet with no cash, flashes his ID, then gets handed V’s doll in a bag that he didn’t pay for.  Her dark brown eyes find you again, her eyebrows low now.  It was as if you could see the wheels turning in her head.  Taking in Sunny, and your daughter, you tuck your girl's face against your chest, which she didn’t like, she started to whine, but this young girl was getting suspicious.  You’ve seen this look before, just not this serious.  Ever.  Branson was almost back to you guys, then you could hurry out of here before things escalated- unfortunately, the bad secret keeper had a mind of her own.

“Dada… dadada…” She started babbling on and on when you allowed her to look around again.  The young girl's eyes started to grow wider.  Pulling her mask to her chin you saw that her lips were parted in subtle shock.  You stood this way for a minute, even after Branson asked if you were ready to go.  This girl didn’t move, the shop line moved around her.  She didn’t shout, she didn’t cry, she didn’t make a scene, she didn’t take any pictures, she didn’t get angry… It seemed strange.  If something like this were to happen, everyone on the team was prepared for the third world war, but right now it didn’t seem like such a huge deal.

The girl still seemed like she was questioning it, her expression telling you just how skeptical she still was, so you pull your own mask down and give her a small smile- not that she knew your face, you just wanted her to know that you appreciated her for who she was, of course, now that she’s partially got you figured out.  She tried to smile back, then you sent her the final message that sealed the deal.  You lift a finger to your lips, in this moment fully telling her that everything she was thinking was true, and that she needed to keep her mouth absolutely shut.  The second your finger touched your lips her jaw snapped shut, and her eyes went extra wide.  She gave you a slight nod and turned her back to your group, allowing you to release a heavy breath.  You didn’t realize how long you were almost holding it for, now feeling anxious.

“We can go,” You mutter, tucking your daughter close to you again, leading the group out of the shop.

“Hey, you okay?” Branson asks, hurrying to your side as you flee the scene, “What happened?” His voice was stern, but not with you.  Slowing your stride so he wasn’t running after you, you sigh.

“There was… just a lot of people,” You say, “It’s been a while, I thought I’d be able to handle this.” Sunny catches up, placing a hand to the back of your neck to give it a gentle squeeze.

“Uh, my opinion may not matter, but I think you’re doing great,” Branson half smiles, shrugging with his hands.  Sunny's brows turn in as she looks at you, confused.

“What’s wrong, love?” Her voice is low, soft, and comforting.  Turning to face her, she sees it in your eyes and quickly wraps her arms around your shoulders, sheltering you and your mini, kissing the top of your head.

“You’re doing so good,” She whispers, giving you a small rock side to side, “Tiny is having a blast.  She is such a good baby… You know how many little ones I hear screaming at these shows?  You have an angel.” Chuckling into her shoulder, you sniffle, a few unnoticed tears slipping down your cheek.

“She’s her father,” You say, “And thank God for that, remember how I used to get at these things?” Lifting your head you shoot her a crazy eyed look and she lets out a cackle to which your little one giggles.

“Do I? After the first two shows you were impossible to find!  You were… rearranging furniture and shit… stuff! Stuff… sorry,” She ends with a whisper to your daughter, making you smile.  Empty dressing rooms just used to hit different on the road.

“You hungry?” Sunny asks, and you shake your head, “Want to go grab our spots then? The show starts soon.” The thought of watching Yoongi letting it all go onstage brought you back to the moment, the excitement beginning to come back.  Your favorite part of this, hearing him live, and of course watching him dance.  

Since his surgery he’s never looked so free as he does now when he moves, and it struck your heart in a way that got you weepy.

He was in his accident before you had met him, and you didn’t learn about his injury until a little bit into your relationship.  It caused a lot of problems for him through his career, which then had you causing problems for his management because you were so utterly pissed off that he wasn’t able to get the proper care he needed… It was a topic you could go off about for hours, and how unfair it was to have him suffer for so long.  Going through the journey of the surgery with him, to see him dance now really got to you.  No more wincing in pain, no more trying to rotate it into place, and no more unimportant doctor visits where they’d tell you the same thing again and again.

Watching the livestream of Permission to Dance LA, and seeing the way he was acting did actually have you shedding tears of happiness.  It’s been plenty of time since his procedure, so he’s been recovered for a while, but he still tends to wrap it up from time to time to take care of it and to prevent future injury.

Looking at Sunny, you start to smile.

“Let’s go watch my man shake his ass like he’s on a corner,” You say, taking her by surprise.

“Y/N!” She gasps with a grin, hooking an arm under one of yours as you start to follow Branson and the other girls, “But… he really does shake his ass like he’s on a corner…” She leans in to giggle with you.

“Permission to Dance, I dunno what it does to him,” You simply smile.

Round, purple headphones covered your baby's ears as she laid in your lap on her back, comfortably resting on your thighs where she was free to kick her legs as much as she wanted.  Her eyes were open wide, taking in everything around her from the people, to the lights that were shining bright. The ARMY Bombs mesmerized her, one catching her eye every couple seconds.

“How quiet do you think those make this for her?” Sunny asks from the chair next to you, tapping the black band of the headphones.  Your group of five had seats on the floor, just off to the side of the big square stage in the middle of the arena that descended off of the main one.

“I have no idea,” You puzzled, tilting your head curiously as your daughter smiles at you, “You’re so happy!” You coo, squishing her cheeks a couple times between two fingers, “Can you hear Mama?” She giggles, and you lean over to kiss her nose, rubbing yours to hers before doing so.  Scooping her up from underneath her arms, you tried to get her to stand on your knees, but her little legs wanted to kick instead.

“Want to bet they’re all having a meltdown back there?” Sunny smizes, nodding toward the stage, knowing they were all standing behind the screen waiting to come out.  There were unfortunate technical difficulties with the screen, the concert was supposed to begin twenty minutes ago.  This was the guys worst nightmare, you just knew they were anxious ARMY would be disappointed. 

Out in the crowd however, everyone couldn’t look happier.  The sense of community in these seats was unlike any other… besides the few comments you heard and chose to ignore about you and your baby getting seats on the floor.  Sunny and Branson were quick to reassure you, telling you that you deserved to be sitting where you were.  It was another surprise to hear Sunny say that she’d be staying in the crowd the whole show with you, usually she’d have to leave to go help with the boys, but tonight she was able to stay with you making it feel like three years ago all over again.

“I feel like I can hear Jimin whining from here,” You snicker, blowing raspberries to your girl's cheek making her laugh.

Suddenly, the room goes dark and screams erupt from every square inch of the vicinity.  A spark ignites in your heart, feeling swallowed by the sound of love for your man and his best friends.  Jumping to your feet, you turn your girl around, holding her back against your belly as you watch the square ‘We Don’t Need Permission’ screen, that was blinking like crazy, rise slowly to reveal a prison-like cage full of dancers.  

The opening notes of ON began to play, and your stomach twisted into knots, heart beating a mile a minute.  As the smoke dissipated, they appeared.  A tear you didn’t notice that was welling in your eyes rolled down your cheek as you smiled, releasing a breath heavily.

Once the cage had risen and was out of the way, the dancers barreled forward, putting on the performance of their life, the choreography just as good as the first time you’d seen it way back when in rehearsal before the world blew up.  It was genius to open with ON, having been sitting on it for a year without live performances.

“JIMIN!” Sunny shouts, rocking to the beat as the boy with the always ethereal voice finally emerged from the performers.  From your front you felt your girl bouncing, her legs happily going as she found her fingers to munch on.  Looking down at her, you lift her higher to your chest so she’d have a better view, though you were unsure she could put together anything that's happening right now.  All you knew is that she felt the music, and that she was going to lose it when the guys made their way down to this stage.

Taehyung swaggered his way through his verse, Namjoon the next to emerge to absolutely rock his part, standing out amongst the dancers being dressed in red.  Then came Jungkook, his eyes scanning the crowd slyly as he searched for you while bobbing along to the music, and as the song slid into the chorus- there he finally was.  Yoongi jumped into place, determination written in his stage presence as he started to rip the choreography apart, moving smooth and free.  ON wasn’t easy, none of their dances were, but ON was demanding especially on his shoulder.  Watching him tear it up, another tear seemed to fall.  

He moved effortlessly beside Hobi and Taehyung as the next verse began, your heart knotting up because you knew what was coming next.

The world seemed to stop as his voice rang out in the stadium, the screams erupting once again as he stood solo in front of the dancers, the guys hurrying behind them to join in the choreography.  Your daughter stopped bouncing, her head looking curiously side to side at the sound of her fathers voice that she was all too familiar with.

“Girl!” Sunny called to you, reaching her hands around your shoulders to hug you tight as you cried happy tears.  She wiped beneath your eyes for you and held you for the rest of the song, singing every word with you.

“Holy shit!” You shout turning toward her, laughing as the lights go out and the crowd goes nuts.  Sunny smiles at you sweetly.

“I’m so happy you’re here,” She says, and before you could say anything back, Fire began.

“No FUCKING WAY!” You shout, mouth agape as if this was the first time you’ve heard this setlist, but this was your song.  You and Yoongi, this was your song.

The music was bumping, pyrotechnics shooting off, and this was when they finally made their way down the stage, half of them running to the end.  Yoongi seemed to take his time, searching for you in the sea of beautiful faces as he joined his members in the center of the square.  Your girl was babbling away at the sight of them coming closer, but not loud enough to be heard over the catchy melody.  You and Sunny each lifted a hand to sway to the beat, and Jungkook spotted you first, slapping a silly grin on his face.  He didn’t stick around too long to keep it cool, but also to do his job.  

The choreography for Fire was just as sick as any other.  When the song came to an end, Yoongi was placed in the front to hit his signature, then Dope began and they dispersed, Jungkook running through them after saying, “To the left,” behind Yoongi.  He wandered forward at first, giving his attention to ARMY that they utmost deserved, some coming a long way and doing the most just to see them here tonight.  Finally he turned toward your side, and your heart started to race.  You felt like a teenager watching her Idol, waiting for him to notice her in the crowd and live happily ever after… The way your breath hitched in your throat as he came closer, and your hands felt shaky… He looked so good, and nothing got you going more than seeing him sweat it out onstage.

“Yoongi!” You couldn’t help but shout, hoping it’d help him spot you.  It did.  Sunny cheered, throwing his hands in the air as a cheeky smile grew on his lips, a hint of relief washing over him.  A shriek came from your daughter and he laughed, starting to rap along to the song, jumping up and down as she started to kick her legs again.

As fast as he appeared, he had to run away, but from that moment on his entire demeanor changed.  He bounced around the stage, and even messed around with the cameras with Hobi during their verses getting ARMY to melt.

The rest of the show was invigorating.  Eventually all seven of them found you, making sure to come over from time to time to give you a smile or funny face, courtesy of Uncle Kookie.  Yoongi stood in front of you at one point, gazing at his girl that was cuddled up in your chest sleepily.  It was about halfway through the show, he was dressed in the blue overalls he looked disgustingly adorable in.  The sight of his little one curled up in your arms as you rocked her to the beat of So What was incredibly endearing.  He laughed at first, seeing her eyes shut, but he knew after fifteen minutes she’d be back up ready to party, and he was right because as soon as Home started her head popped up.  She munched on a couple snacks at that point, a few puffs to keep her satisfied before she got her bottle to put her to sleep on the car ride back to the hotel after the show.  Yoongi was going to be coming back with you, and you were over the moon about it.

His team got you conjoined rooms, connected by a door so that you could have a room separate from your daughter in her adorably spacious crib that you traveled with.  She slept in your bedroom as an infant, but has been in her own bedroom since she was old enough to be alone.  Last night that door stayed open however, her first night in the new crib, and it would stay open tonight as well, no matter what.

The show closed with Permission to Dance, you and Sunny giggling like crazy at that one move in the choreography with Yoongi shaking his hips like his life depended on it.  Your daughter loved this song and was bouncing along, jumping slightly at the confetti that shot out toward the end.  Her tiny hands reached out for it as it fell all around you.  Sunny scooped some up and blew it out of her hands onto her, a giant smile growing on her face.  Bouncing a couple times she watched Sunny, waiting for her to do it again, and when she did, your girl screeched louder than she ever had before, one of the dancers turning her head to look over to where the sound came from.

Yoongi ran your way as the song faded out, and everyone started to clear the stage.  He chased after one of the big white balloons and kicked it, smiling down at you as he chased it to kick it again.  Blowing a quick kiss with just his lips, he hurried back up toward the main stage with his friends.

They took one last look at ARMY, and that screen started to come down around them as they waved and blew kisses and bowed.  Then, they were gone.

“I have to post to Weverse about it, I’m very upset,” Namjoon paced back and forth in front of the couches you and Sunny were lounging on.  Your best friend had a glass of champagne in her hand that she had offered to you as well, but you let her know you weren’t drinking while your little one was around, who was currently giggling up a storm in Jungkook's arms as he and Taehyung played with her.

“Joon, I’m telling you, they didn’t care.  If anything the wait made them more excited to see you,” You say to help calm his nerves.  Giving you a look that told you he was going to post about the technical issues anyway, you smile, sigh and wave him away.  On the couch across from you, Jimin was chugging a bottle of water before he had a swig of champagne, putting that glass down for the rest of the night.

“I thought it was great,” He says with a shrug, “It was fun seeing you two out there again.” He sends a smile to you and Sunny who returns it with a wink, making the It Boy blush and giggle.  Yoongi came into the dressing room, still wearing his last outfit, the long white sleeved shirt with the blue jeans, and his hair was pushed back messily.  The disheveled, after show look that usually had you jumping his bones and kicking your friends out of the room, if they didn’t leave voluntarily first.  Eating up his appearance, Sunny caught you undressing him with your eyes and laughed, slapping your leg.

“I’m not leaving,” Jimin says quietly without remorse, resting back against the couch cushions, propping his feet up on the table that sat between you guys.  Shooting him a hilarious glare for assuming you’d regress back to your old days, he just smiles and shakes his head.

“Can’t believe you slept through Idol!” Jungkook teases your daughter, Yoongi joining them in making her smile, “Want to see your dad?” Jungkook lifts her toward Yoongi, who holds out grabby hands.  She grins and babbles, but then tilts her head backward to look at Jungkook and decides to stay with him.

“Whatever,” Yoongi playfully rolls his eyes at her, “At least your mom wants to hang out with me.” Watching that whole moment pan out, you hold open your arms as he hurries over to you, diving into your lap, tossing his arms around your waist.  You laugh out loud, his actions taking you by surprise as he flips you over to place you on his lap.  Planting a thousand kisses on your face, he then sighs, catching his breath, his eyes glued to yours.

“You’re sweaty,” You whisper, running a hand through his hair.  He couldn’t wipe his smile away if he tried.

“I love you,” He says, ignoring the teasing that broke out amongst the rest of them.  Leaning forward to wrap your arms around his shoulders to kiss him, you smile into it.

“I love you more,” You say quietly.  A whine from your girl stood out through the chatter of everyone in the room, catching your attention, finally breaking the two of you away from one another.  Your chins turned at the same time, laughing as Jungkook pulled a funny face struggling to keep your writhing baby still in his arms.

“Hungry?” Yoongi asks you, and you nod.

“I was going to feed her on the way back to the hotel so she’d sleep for a while…” You say, hoping he’d catch onto your hint without having to actually say it aloud in this room of people who knew you both all too well.

“Think she’ll go down for the night?” Yoongi’s eyebrows launch to the sky, a familiar feeling stirring in your belly.  Kissing his cheek, you whisper in his ear.

“She’ll be out for hours.”

“We have to go,” Yoongi jumps up, placing you on your feet, “Give me my baby, we’re leaving.” He parades over to his friends, saying goodbye and taking his girl as you hug Sunny and Jimin.

“Hey,” Jungkook eyes him before handing over your daughter, “She’s your reminder,” He moves her in a little circle in front of Yoongi who just rolls his eyes, “Wrap it, my friend.”

“You mean you don’t want one for each arm?” Yoongi teases, making you and Sunny whip around at lightning speed, cutting off your goodbye.

“No!” Sunny, Jimin AND Jungkook all shout.  Looking at Yoongi, he glances at you and smirks.  Getting playful back, you lift your left hand and wiggle your ring finger.

“There better be something here first before number two comes out,” You giggle, and a chorus of ‘Ooo’s’ erupts, turning Yoongi’s cheeks pink as he squeezes his eyes shut with a big, cheesy, smile.  Even your daughter caught onto the sound and repeated it after everyone, laughter the next sound to fill the air.

“We’re leaving!” Yoongi, still grinning, glares at you and hurries for the door.  Sunny tosses her arms around you one more time.

“That look on his face,” You say quietly to her, “He has something planned, doesn’t he.” Pulling away from you, Sunny pretends to zip her lips shut and toss the key behind her.

“Baby, let’s go!” Yoongi shouts from down the hall.  Sunny pushes your shoulder gently.

“Go make some love with that fine piece of man,” She winks, watching you walk away with a smile on your face, “But love only! No babies!” It was your turn for your cheeks to turn pink, the guys throwing a couple jokes your way as you waved sheepishly to them.

“MAMA!” Rung out down the hall, your daughter shrieking thanks to her father.

“I’m coming!” You shout, turning out the door to find them at the end by the exit.

“Yes, you will be,” Yoongi shouts back.  Groaning as you laugh, you ignore his comment and hope the stage hands in the hall did as well.  Catching up to him, he holds around the back of your neck with his open arm, and he places a delicate kiss on your lips.

“This was my favorite show,” He says, “Nothing will top this.  I love you… so much.” Kissing him again, you hum against his lips and smile.

“I love you more,” You whisper, and he laughs quietly, shaking his head.

“Impossible.”

thank you for reading, I hope you’ve enjoyed this piece! 

feedback is always greatly appreciated & helps artists immensely. we also all love messages & the audience’s input, opinions, and ideas.

leave me some here! <3

#yoongi x you #yoongi fic #dad yoongi #yoongs #min yoongi #yoongi #nervous #bts x reader #bts fanfic #dad suga #suga imagine #suga fic #suga #idol!yoongi #idol!au #dad!bts #dad!yoongi #thank you ah

[everythinggrishaversebxm1012]

(Not) Just A Healer

Summary - Nikolai Lantsov has all the more to lose when he returns to Ravka having fallen in love with a certain Healer while on the True Sea

Part I - Nikolai Meets His Healer

You had met Dominik and Nikolai when they both took a bullet in battle in the earliest years of them both serving for the First Army. Dominik felt it was right and it was an opportunity to be with Nikolai since Vasily cut off their abilities to see each other. Nikolai felt at the time that was the best way he could serve his country. Both had been shot and it was Nikolai screaming for a healer that got your attention. What got Nikolai’s attention was that you ran a few hundred yards through a dangerous zone to use your powers as a Grisha. It was no mystery that the First Army and Second Army did not get along well. To your credit, you saved them both. “Might I get your name?” Nikolai asked, sitting up and looking right at you.    

“May I ask why,  Moi tsarevich ?” You asked in response, wiping your hands of the small amounts of blood on your hands.     

“So I may know the name of the ever-beautiful person who saved me and my friend’s life,” Nikolai responded, seriously before the slightest smile graced his lips. You had heard many things about the second-born royal, and you weren’t sure what to make of him. Handsome–yes, loved by the people, sure had some level of authority about him, but a different kind. A kind that you might just follow if he sat on the throne.    

“Y/N.”     

He repeated the name, quietly to himself before standing. Only days later, much to your fellow Grisha’s surprise and your’s did you find yourself being taken wherever Nikolai Lantsov went. Not that he didn’t give you the choice, he seemed to be a gentleman in that regard. “There has always been tension between those who are Grisha and those who are not. You of course would understand that. I would like you to travel with me and my regiment. Act as a healer for us. If you wish.”      

“I suppose we can’t have Ravka’s wonder-boy dying, can we?” That was your response and it only left Nikolai chuckling, something bordering along the edges of a smirk danced over his face, eyes sparkling.     

Nikolai grew to trust you, and found comfort in your presence. You had healed him countless times and each time he became a little bit more bold with the flirtations, though you were not entirely sure if that was any reflection of any feelings towards him.    

In Nikolai’s eyes, you became his confidante and more than a healer for him and his colleagues. He sought you out for advice on occasion, mostly because you had proven you weren’t going to simply nod along because he was a prince. Dominik enjoyed your presence as well, and grew an attachment to you as well, happy to see you were not afraid to knock his dear friend down a peg or ten.     

Nikolai remembered the day of his eighteenth birthday his thigh got a deep slice to it and he came into the tent, making his stupid jokes, claiming his mother was like an oyster and he was the pearl. You were not having it, and you simply told him “Shut up and get it on the table so that I may take care of your injury.” That was the moment he realized how much you actually meant to him.      You acted as a healer for him until he was nineteen. He told you in secret that he was leaving for the seas, realizing he would be much better serving his people as a Privateer than a soldier confined to land. He ensured to stress Privateer, not pirate. He then asked you to go with him. “You said it yourself, ‘I suppose we can’t have Ravka’s wonder-boy dying.’”   

You gave him a I’m not interested look.    

“Think of the money, the adventure!” After a few more minutes of making those stupid charming, borderline puppy-dog eyes he managed to convince you.   

It was on the True Sea that you learned of his feelings for you. The feelings you very much reciprocated. At first it was gentle, quick physical touch or gentle hugs, and it slowly built. Though neither of you confessed feelings until the day you had been injured fighting a group of slavers a few months into your journey.   

You had been laying there not finding the energy to tell him to just be quiet until it felt like Nikolai cursed himself around the world.    

“Nikolai, I’m truly alright. It was a simple graze!” You said to him, ever so slightly lifting your head.

“Well what if it wasn’t?!” He snapped, in your direction before cursing himself out again. He was angry with himself more than anything. “What if it–” His voice broke and you didn’t know what to do. Maybe it was because you were exhausted, probably the exhaustion, but you pulled him towards you kissing him. After a few moments pause, feelings were finally confessed.    

From that moment on Nikolai didn’t seem to care who was around. If he so desired to wrap you in his arms that’s what he would do. You spent two years out on the water until the famed Alina Starkov and Mal Oretsev got charter on the Volkvolny and you were headed home yet everything was different. Before you were a healer for the prince, now you were his partner and that was certainly going to change some things.

#nikolai lantsov x reader #nikolai lantsov #vasily lantsov #alina starkov #mal oretsev #sturmhond #Reader is a healer #tv show plot

[canonicallysoulmates]

J2 Gold Panel Chicon 2022

My boys looking as handsome as always, really loving their outfits today ❤️

At the beginning of the panel Jared makes a joke about his accident which the crowd does not appreciate- it’s too soon Jared! But as he says, he’s joking about himself which is a valid point. Anyways, there’s a little exchange between the boys because Jensen jokingly says he was all ready to wheel Jared up the stage that morning and Jared replied Jensen carried him up the stairs. x

Asked why he didn’t sing in yesterday's concert, Jensen replies that he did sing. In his hotel room, he sang himself to sleep. To which Jared comments: I wish it was just yourself. Interesting comment there Jared 👀 After looking at Jared with an expression I can only describe as mischievous Jensen says it’s true that the whole hotel lobby was asking Jared to shut him up. x

Jared makes a second joke about his accident, and I wanna point out Jensen’s reaction when he does this; Jared jokes that he just didn’t want to go to the con so he came up with an idea to stay home aka his accident. Jensen did not like that joke, and you can tell because he goes from smiling to pursing his lips, slightly shaking his head, and then saying “next time just stay home”. And Jared got the message loud and clear because he turns serious and sort of mumbles ‘might have turned out better’. Jensen’s reaction was twofold. He not only let Jared know that he did not like the joke but - while I do not know and it is not my business to know Jared’s reasons for being in that car on that day I am willing to bet that Jensen and him had a very serious conversation about it, and that while Jared may joke he knows not only how bad it could have been but also how much it frightened Jensen. x

First, official question is: in what world do they imagine that Walker, and Jensen’s new character on Big Sky, Beau Arlen, meet? Jared says in all the worlds he imagines. Me too, buddy. And Jensen says that it’s the crossover that makes most sense since his character Beau is from Houston and has a law enforcement past there.

Jared also says that since around spn s4 he has wanted to work on a joint project with Jensen that’s separate from spn which I find kind of adorable because even when he was spending little to no time away from Jensen all he wanted was to spend more time with him and do other projects together. Says he wants to do a project where he and Jensen’s characters have a moment where they pass by each other and do a double take; which prompts Jensen to share that technically they did a moment like that when he directed Walker. After they filmed one of the concert scenes he walked on set and he and Jared looked at each other and it would have worked if it hadn't been for Odette Anabelle, who plays Geri, reacting. x

Do they have any short term or long term plans for what they want to do with their Baby's? Jared wants to keep it aesthetically the same but fix it so it’s workable because it works for filming but not so much for actually driving through town which he found out when he drove it home from Jensen’s brewery which is where the cars had been delivered to, so she's getting some work done; Jensen said the same, he doesn’t plan to change anything aesthetically but he has gotten some work done on her and at first he was planning to change the engine because it’s loud as hell but after thinking about he thinks he’s gonna keep it just for nostalgia sake and just get it tuned up.

When the show wrapped up, their props department gifted them “care packages” , which was basically a collection of little, random props. Some of the props Jared got was the Samulet, hotel keycards, some legos and GI Joe/army men from Swan Song and when he got them he went to the garage and put some of the legos around 😭

What was the inspiration for the City Grown Willow music video? They were bored and stuck in the mountains. Literally. It was filmed during the pandemic lockdown, Steve was there, it was snowing, him and Jensen had nothing better to do so they went and spend a couple hours filming the thing; originally it was gonna just be for them, something they did for fun but since it turned out so good they decided to post it. Steve is the one who came up with the idea for the song and it’s based off of a friend of his, she was a city girl and he was kind of a country guy and it was inspired by their relationship. Then Jared makes Jensen crack up by reminding him of an old SNL sketch. x

What inspired Jensen to start writing music? He’s always been surrounded by musician friends who encouraged him, and included him in their songwriting. And Jared once again shared the story of how when his brother went to visit back in s1 he told him that he had to hear Jensen’s singing. Proud hubby from day 1 this one 💕

Does Dean Jr. having the anti possession tattoo leave the door open for a sequel? Jared says that was not the intention, that for him the intention was that even though Dean was gone he was still there, but sure, maybe 🤷‍♀️

A fan askedJensen about how it was to film as Soldier Boy as opposed to filming as Dean. But before she can finish her question Jensen mentions seeing episode 1 of The Boys s3; I’m not gonna give spoilers and he doesn’t give spoilers either but he mentions how he saw the episode at the Paris premiere, in a movie theater, and it had been so long from filming and reading scripts that he had forgotten all about a specific scene involving a character named Termite. So he got to see that on a very, big screen, and when the scene happened what he heard was Kripke, who was sitting behind him, cackling maniacally 😂

Him and Jared flew to the convention together (💕), and Jensen being such a good husband, such a good friend he showed the episode/Termite scene to Jared on the plane 🤣🤣🤣

Before we continue just in case anybody who has not seen the episode and does not watch The Boys is curious and decides to look up the scene in question please be aware that the scene is extremely graphic, it contains nudity, a sexual situation and gore. Look it up at your own discretion.

To answer the question, Jensen says it was different all around. With spn that was his and Jared’s house, and they loved inviting people in and making them comfortable, but on The Boys he was the guest so he made sure to stay in his lane and be respectful. He says Antony Starr who plays Homelander on the show was reluctant to like him; he told Jensen that he didn’t want to like him but he does. When it comes to the character aspect, he had several conversations with Kripke and Phil Sagriccia to ensure he didn’t slip back into Dean. And says that Soldier Boy arrives on the scene in ep 4! I’m so excited, we got a bit of him in ep 3 and he’s just 😍

If they could cameo on any show that’s not related to spn or one of their current projects, what show would it be? Jared says Saved by the Bell or Home Improvement. Jensen goes with Yellowstone. 

Jared, also says, that he wanted to be like Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and tells the story that years ago he was in LA driving down this thin street and there was an SUV heading his way but it wasn’t in its lane so he’s looking at the car like wtf! and as the car slowed down and came nearer he realized it was JTT, and when Jared noticed who it was he just went ‘oh it’s cool man!’ 😂

Final question! They are known for being menaces on set. Is that something that will continue on in their new sets? It’s difficult for Jared to do so because he doesn’t have a partner in crime on the Walker set due to being the EP. So for example he’ll start joking around and he’ll see Keegan go with the flow and tease him back until he remembers Jared’s the EP and then he’s like oh shit and Jared has to tell them that it’s okay to tease him. He loves his Walker crew but so far only two of the members are comfortable teasing and joking around with him. Jared has such golden retriever energy when he’s saying this; and Jensen mentions how on his first day of prep for the Walker ep he directed, he made a friendly joke about Jared thinking the crew would laugh and instead all he got was a bunch of wide eyeballs staring back at him like 😳

In Jensen’s case he did have a partner in crime on The Boys. Him and Karl Urban build a camaraderie and after a couple eps they started doing the silent communication thing where whenever someone said something that could be taken as innuendo or in a different way they would smirk at each other and that would lead to them messing with somebody but they had to be careful because there’s a lot of different personalities on that set and while some are okay with joking around others are very much not. x

J2 Gold Panel Chicon

#j2 tinhat #i'mma take a little break and then main panel time #and again i'll repeat in the tags if you look up the termite scene it's on you #mine

[starfall-spirit]

Ship: Feyrian

Summary: After a border breach resulting in an attempt on Feyre's life, precautions are deemed necessary to protect the lone heiress. It wouldn't be such a bother to Feyre if her childhood friend still acted as such, but after four years of distance, Jurian's views have changed.

It isn't her best friend guarding her, but a man like any other soldier there to do a simple job. The question is whether desire will outweigh a good soldier's sense of duty, or if Feyre has completely lost the boy she used to know.

CW: Mutual Pining. This will be two parts. The second part will be NSFW.

Chapter I: Reunion

“No.”

“Feyre—”

“I said no. I will not have some guard hovering day and night because of your groundless fears.”

“You were attacked!” her father snarled. “Barely ten feet into our forests you were attacked. If it weren’t for that fool being so poorly trained, you’d be dead.”

She nearly scoffed. The bastard who attacked her had been trained well enough. But so had she, by her own hard work alone and the occasional help of guards around her when she was left in the company of her governess—an old woman easy enough for her to escape as a child and young teen, now thankfully absent in her early adulthood. It wasn’t a lucky punch that left him incapacitated, whatever her father may believe, but multiple tactical blows.

But princesses didn’t learn to fight. They didn’t need to. She was born with the sole purpose of marrying well and granting the kingdom a pureblood heir. Her husband would tell the armies where and when to march. She would stand aside and let him. That little reality had never sat well. She could easily recall the moment her views on her duty changed for good.

~~~~~

After another dreadful etiquette lesson years ago she snuck into the barracks, tracking down the lightest wooden sword she could find. She was caught before she could sneak out again, by a boy with moppish brown hair and warm eyes, just a few years older than her. While she was taught to act like a lady from a young age, the soldiers started early on too. He couldn’t have been past fourteen back then.

He merely took the sword from her hands and set it back on the rack, saying, “If you wish to learn, my lady, I would be happy to ask my father to teach you when you’re able to attend.”

“My father would forbid it,” she said with a frown. “I do not have as many freedoms as one may assume, the only daughter and heir and all that nonsense.”

“My father is trustworthy. Come here when you can escape that old woman. I would like to serve a warrior queen one day.”

“Thank you… What is your name?”

“Jurian, Your Highness.”

She nodded. “Jurian, I can not guarantee repayment. At least, nothing monetary.”

“As I said, seeing the first warrior queen would be reward enough.” She flinched as an equally frail and shrill voice called to her. If her governess would just let her be. “Good evening, Your Highness.”

~~~~~

“Father, I do not need to be monitored like some helpless child. I—”

“Jurian,” he called, once again interrupting her protest as if she was nothing more than a pest. 

In her anger, Feyre hadn’t realized her long-time trainer and friend was the ruggedly handsome man posted by the door when she stormed in to address the note her father sent about a guard trailing her if she left her room. But there he was, back from his assignment on the eastern edge of their territory. Posted there at the door and hearing every word of her rant. Mother spare her.

“Your Majesty, Your Highness.”

Impassive as his face was, she knew he was bound to bend. He wanted a warrior queen, but he still served a king of tradition. And he’d vow to protect a supposedly powerless princess, threatened in the woods.

“You’ll see to it my daughter is kept safe within our walls. She’s not to go beyond the market square. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” He turned to her, his usual grin restrained to a polite half smile. “Am I to begin immediately?”

“Immediately,” her father confirmed. “You are not to leave her alone until she retires for the evening. That will be all.”

He bowed again before turning back to Feyre. “Your Highness.” 

She just kept from clenching her fists in her ridiculous dress, each step clipped with anger as she stormed from the room. Jurian kept in step behind her, his face clear of any expression each time she turned to look. Her hesitation there wasn’t entirely due to his chosen solitude, but to how she felt her own emotions shifting each time she looked at him. In the four years they had been apart he had changed. Matured. He wasn’t the mop-headed boy just turning twenty, but a true man. Refined, she’d go as far as to say. But still holding a slightly wild glint in his eyes, despite his stiff behavior.

They had made it all the way to her art room before she broke the silence. “What is wrong with you?” she asked.

“Pardon?”

“Oh don’t act all formal now. You haven’t spoken to me that way since we were children.”

“And it was wrong of me to fail in that regard. You are my princess. I should have always treated you as such.”

She blinked, confusion setting in. Clearly a thing or two had changed in the years he was away. Here they were, once dear friends and now total strangers it appeared. Not only was he failing to treat her as a friend, but he’d fully returned to seeing her as nothing more than his princess. The little doll everyone wanted her to be. Her only true friend in this gilded cage was just another soldier now.

“I take it you won’t join me in training tonight?”

“No, princess. I’m afraid not.”

“Very well then.” Turning on her heel, she shut the door to her painting room, doing all she could to avoid thinking about the betrayal found just outside of it.

~~~~~

“By the Mother, why me?”

Jurian had done his part, keeping his country from war. He thought that would be the greatest trial of his lifetime, unless another conflict came about during his time of service. He didn’t think it would be the moment he was assigned to protect Feyre. She was still the girl he remembered from a time before he was called to the east. At eighteen she had mostly matured, a gangly girl becoming a lady. But she had still been a bit baby-faced then. Naive in looking for a bit more guidance.

But just fifteen minutes ago she swept into the hall like a raging storm, straight to her father’s throne and starting a fight she’d never win. But her spirit had only grown since their parting, and she wouldn’t back down without a fight. He’d heard rumors in his camp from new recruits of a princess who drew in suitors with her beauty and drove them away with that spirit, though some called it something far less kind. 

And he hung on every word until he was finally called home, witnessing it for himself. And he could see it all within her. Beauty Untamable, she might name that self-portrait she’d never paint. Hearing every word of that exchange, he didn’t think she’d have caved if her father called on someone she was unfamiliar with.

But she had trusted him. Let the argument die with the assumption he would neglect his duty to the crown in favor of appeasing his charge. But what he had learned in the past four years was that nothing could come before honoring the crown and what was asked of it. The king’s order would stand higher than the princess’. And he would obey it until the moment she took the crown herself, undoubtedly putting whatever suitor remained in his place. A simple man married to a queen who would not be silenced. 

She was everything he wanted. And everything he could never have. She was his duty, nothing more.

@sjmcrackshipmonth // @goddess-aelin // @shallyne // @the-lonelybarricade // @the-lost-changeling // @faeriequeensuriel // @pandavelaris // @s-uppertime // @elentiyawhitethorn // @acotar-fanns

#acotar #feyre x jurian #feyrian #fanfiction #sjmcrackshipmonth #mutual pining

[innytoes]

3 sentence prompt! Bullriding au reggie ship of your choice! (Saw that vid you RBed and couldn’t resist)

(Listen this video is inspired and we all deserve to see Reggie doing it. Special thanks to @anotherfantom who created this AU in their tags and then let me spitball about it for a few hours.)

Reggie's move to the Big City hadn't really been planned. The plan had been to stay in town and help Meemaw and Pops on the farm and save up for college. But well, after he and the Johnson boy were caught making out in the Johnson's hayloft, it had been strongly suggested to Meemaw that maybe Reggie get out of town.

(He'd heard later that Johnny Johnson had sworn up and down it had been a one-time, drunken mistake. He'd enrolled in the army the next day, disappearing almost as fast as Reggie had. He wasn't sure what stung more: the denial of all the sweet words whispered in the dead of night, or the fact that Johnny was throwing his life away in the exact way he'd admitted to Reggie he'd been afraid of. And for what?)

He'd been so lonely those first weeks. Getting a low-paying job (or several) hadn't been particularly hard. He made enough to rent out some nice old lady's attic. She thought his 'yes ma'ams' and country accent were charming. And every week, after her Sunday dinner with her family, Reggie would come home from his late shift at the gas station to find a bunch of leftovers in the fridge with his name on it.

He actually found the place through his second job as a delivery driver. When he drove onto the street with all the rainbow flags, it felt like something of a dream. He was already making plans to go back as soon as he had a night off, but then he stepped in the door.

It was like something out of Reggie's dreams: a country themed gay bar. Wood floors, wood paneling, a big wooden bar with leather-covered stools. And in the middle of the room, opposite of a beautiful dance floor, was a giant mechanical bull.

With an incredibly attractive man, well, riding it. Slowly, sensually, rocking his hips in time with the movements of the bull and the music. And all Reggie could do was stand and gape, clutching the package in his hands.

"Can I help you?" A voice from behind the bar called. "We don't actually open until six..."

"Oh!" Reggie flinched. "Um, package for a Caleb Covington?" He turned to the bartender, who was also unfairly handsome. He had kind eyes and he looked very... firm under that denim shirt, the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, and oh god, he was glad the bar didn't have many lights on, so maybe his blush wouldn't be so obvious.

The handsome bartender smiled and nodded over to the bull. "That's that show-off over there. Caleb! Package for you!" The man dismounted the bull in a fluent and mind-searingly hot move, and sauntered over. He looked Reggie up and down, and Reggie really wished the delivery uniform wasn't a pair of dorky shorts and a polo.

"I'll sign for that," Caleb said, and was Reggie just imagining it, or did it sound like he didn't mean the package?

So of course, after that, the second he had a night off, he went back. And again. And again, until he was recognised as a regular by all the other regulars. And of course, by Caleb and Ray.

His normal Wednesday night off was a pretty chill time at the bar. Which suited Reggie just fine, because when things were slow, Caleb wouldn't just do his scheduled show, he'd sometimes get on the bull just to show off.

And of course Reggie had to master the bull as well. He was pretty good at the fast settings they had, where the goal was to stay on as long as possible. He was actually number four on the board now, and he'd won a sparkly cowboy hat for making it into the top ten. But the slow setting... well, he was getting there. And it had lead to a lot of free drinks.

Except there were really only two people he really hoped would notice him. And they did. There were a lot of lingering looks and even some touches. Ray always let him in early, let him practice on the bull without paying, watched him with intense eyes from behind the bar. Caleb gave him all kinds of pointers, showing him how to move his body. That time Caleb joined him on the bull, Reggie nearly creamed his pants, it was so hot.

But neither of them made a move, and Reggie wasn't about to go wreck their marriage or anything. Flirting was one thing, but actually trying to kiss one of them? Ask them out? What if they got offended and said no? This place was the closest thing he had to home, to a community. He couldn't mess that up.

He was sulking his way through his third free coca-cola of the night (Ray was always very kind about telling people Reggie didn't drink, refusing to serve him anything he wasn't comfortable with. Instead of cocktails, he got a lot of free cokes, or sometimes even some bar nachos), watching Caleb on the mechanical bull, when another regular dropped a bombshell.

"What do you mean, wreck their marriage?" Fuego asked him. "Ray and Caleb aren't married. They dated like ten years ago, decided they'd be better off as friends, and that was that."

"But they-"

"Sound exactly like an old married couple?" Dante, Fuego's husband finished for him. Reggie nodded. Even when they bickered, there was an undercurrent of affection that reminded Reggie of his Meemaw and Pops. "Yeah, they actually sound more like a couple now than they did when they were actually dating."

"Sooo," Reggie said slowly. "You think I have a shot?"

"Kid, the only reason either of them haven't ravished you behind the bar is because you always leave before closing," Dante said, laughing when Fuego smacked his shoulder.

Oh. He did usually leave around midnight because he had an early shift the next day.

Maybe tomorrow he could call in sick.

He knocked back the last of his coke like it was a shot, squared his shoulder, and sauntered back up to the bull, waiting for it to turn the right way to hop on, wrapping his legs over Caleb's to keep hold. The man looked surprised, yeah, but his hands immediately settled on Reggie's hips, leaning forward to keep his balance.

"Hi," Reggie said, cheekily stealing Caleb's cowboy hat and putting it on. The answering smirk was enough to nearly make him fall off the bull.

"Hello," Caleb said, tugging him closer.

Oh, he was definitely staying until after closing tonight.

#julie and the phantoms #fanfic #I wrote a thing #basically Ray and Caleb own the bar together and are in a QPR #and they agree to both date Reggie even though they're not dating each other #calebxreggie #rayxreggie #basically reggie starts dating Caleb and then Caleb realises he and Ray are still pining and is like: you know you and Ray would be great #and Reggie is all hurt like: are you breaking up with me??? #and Caleb is like: no but I won't say no to sharing. I'm not the jealous type #so Reggie gets two boyfriends and all is well in the world #For extra bonus points: reggie's fave song to ride the bull to is 'good lookin' by dixon dallas

[iamdarkness]

Iris

Chapter 1 Letters.

Alfonse x F Summoner/ Alfonse x OC, Lif x F Summoner/ Lif x OC

Bel was summoned to Askr by mistake. Oly is summoned many years later. The ties than bind them are strong and unbreakable and they have to be if they wish to survive and save the men they love, their family and friends and the land they call home.

  A/N: This is an AU. Lif is his own person and much older than Alfonse, but his name was also Alfonse. Alfonse Andreas Viscount of Nibelheilm. Alfonse and Gustav are second cousins which makes him Prince Alfonse’s third uncle?

-Oly. You need to go to sleep. Your father will not be coming back tonight.- A woman said to the 6 year old girl sitting by the window. Her black hair falling down her back in silken waves.

-But mom! I can’t sleep without him.- Wines the child, rubbing at her dark eyes. Her short hair almost as dark as her mother’s.

  -Neither can I sweetheart. I feel much better when he is home, but your father is a very important man and the Prince needs him now.- She looks down at her daughter’s face. Her big eyes water and her mouth forms a pout. She knew her daughter had no notion of the importance a general was to the King. Especially now that the Empress of Embla had married and her husband was trying to invade Askr.

  Her daughter had no idea what war was, nor what it meant for her family. She did not understand her father was not only the Highest ranking General of the Royal Army, but also a great tactician and a second cousin to the Crown Prince Gustav. She only knew her father used to lay in bed with her every night until she fell asleep curled up in his protective embrace. This had been her life until this last two months when her father had been home only a couple of times and arrived home so late she was already asleep; if he even came home.

  Bel could never tell her the truth. She was too young to know the danger her father was in, every time he did not come home. It meant he had gone to investigate some attack in the borders or some report of spies.

  -Would you feel better if I read you his favorite book?-

  -Fine…-Oly says morosely.

  Bel takes the book from the coffee table and searches for the first page. From the yellowing pages of the ancient book a smaller piece of paper falls down. Oly who was now sitting by her side caught it and took a look.

  -Alfonse! Look mama a picture of Alfonse.

  -No darling that is your father when he was 10 years old. He was in fact Alfonse’s age.

  -He looks a lot like Alfonse.

  -Well they are related and I do think it is because of this and because your father is so dear to Prince Gustav that he named Alfonse after your father. I am sure Alfonse will grow up to be as handsome as Prince Gustav.

  -Alfonse is very nice. When are we going to visit them again?

  -Hopefully we visit this weekend. Princess Henriette did ask me to take you. Alfonse has been asking for you I hear.

-I like playing with him and his sister, but Sharena likes to climb up trees and I get scared. Alfonse is always worried about her and he has to go up the trees to save her because she can’t get down by herself! He says that when she was little she was a crybaby and was very annoying mom. I don’t want a baby sister.

-I bet Alfonse does not feel so alone with her anymore. He was a very lonely boy before Sharena was able to play with him.

- What do you mean?

-Well they are only two years apart but Sharena being a girl was kept with his mother and her attendants for a longer time while he, being a boy had his own nannies that took care of him. His parents are always busy too.

-Is that why he almost cried when I told him I slept with papa?

-Gustav used to play with him when he was two or three years of age just as much as Henriette did, but- Bel searched for an explanation to tel her child.Gustav had been more active since he was given the title “Crowned Prince”. His father was giving him more responsibilities every passing day. Henriette had confided in Bel that although the King was still very young he had contracted a disease that was slowly killing him and there was no cure for. For this reason both Henriette  and specially Gustav had had less time to spend actively raising their children. Now with war brewing it was even less likely for the children to see their parents. It was a very sad situation.- Being a King is a lot of responsibility darling. The King is … a father for the whole Kingdom see?

-So he has to share his father with all of us? But I already have papa! I don’t need his father!

-I know honey. You and I are very fortunate to have him. Now go to sleep and think of all the fun things you will do when we visit your friends.

-Yes mommy! I will be very nice to Alfonse so he does not feel lonely anymore!

-That’s my girl!- Bel says and seeing as how the girls is still determined to stay awake, she starts reading the book in her hands. Oly was too young to understand what the book was about, but her father would read some of the passages to her and hearing the words her father used gave her comfort.

Some twenty minutes later Oly was fast asleep in her mother’s arms. Had she stayed awake at least another ten minutes she would have heard the heavy steps walking up the stair and down the hallway. Bel looks down to Oly and then up to the door. As expected the door opens to reveal a very tall man of about 27 years of age dressed in the white and gold of the Askram Army. His dark blue hair fell over his face. It had come out of a simple golden circlet around his head. He was a Viscount after all and the youngest General in resent history. Alfonse Andreas Viscount of Nibelheilm son of the Earl of Nibelheilm in the mountain region of Askr.

Alfonse’s steps softened when he saw his dear daughter asleep in the arms of his beloved wife. How he had missed them these past days and nights on the road.

-Asleep?

-Yes. She was waiting for you but fell asleep some time ago. You can wake her up if you want to or she will be cranky tomorrow.- Bel says smiling.- You spoil her too much.

 -She deserves every bit of spoiling.- He says kneeling besides the two.-I have to go back.

 -So soon? Why? What is going on Alfonse?

  He sighs, makes a motion with his hand for her to wait and takes Oly from her arms. She was so very small in his arms. His beloved was a very short woman and her daughter had taken a lot of her features. To him this was a blessing, since he loved his wife dearly. Ever since he had rescued her from bandits years ago. He knew as soon as he had laid eyes on her that she was not of his world. Her strange clothing and her dark skin,paired with such black hair was something he seldom had seen before. A look from her dark brown eyes was all it took for him to be smitten with her. She was but 15 years of age at the time but her wisdom and personality made her seem older, just as her sense of humor made her seem childish at others. He walked slowly from the parlor to Oly’s room and gently laid her on her bed. He put the covers over her small frame and planted a sweet kiss on her forehead.

  -I love you my sweet little “Olive”.- he smiled saying this as the memory of her sweet voice protesting to him that, that was not her name, came to his mind. He sighs in resignation and lays himself by her side. He had missed her being awake. She stirs in her sleep and opens her eyes slowly.

  -Papa?

  -It is fine my little Olive. I am here with you. Sleep.- He cradles her in his arms tenderly.

  Oly smiles and closes her eyes. It takes little time for her to be asleep again. He stays there for a while looking at her sleeping form in his arms. None of his achievements and titles had made him as proud as being called a father. This child was his most precious and beloved work. His masterpiece. Of course he had not done it alone and most of her looks came from her mother, but she was still his and he was as proud of her personality which he had actively helped form as much as the valuable time he has spent teaching her and being actively present in her life. Something rare in Askran Nobility.

  He had his wife to thank for that. When he had learned the way good parenting was done in her world ( which she said not all parents had the luxury to do it.) he was on board with it all the way. He wanted the best for his child. He wanted what he himself did not have growing up. A loving mother and a father who not only visited him once every few months and that only to see if he was behaving and learning his duties. He understood his own father of course. Loosing his wife in childbirth would have been devastating for the Count. He himself was very afraid when his wife got pregnant. It had also been what he thought, the happiest time of his life. It had been so ever since.

  Teaching his daughter to play the violin just like he had helped teach prince Alfonse was as much a joy as watching his wife teach her to draw and paint. He had thought his joy could not grow any more but when his father had started visiting her more often and Oly had won him over enough that he would come and read to her at least three times a week , he thought his happiness was complete.

  Lord Askr had blessed him with such happiness and now it was threatened and he would fight to keep it till the end. He gently brushed some stands of hair from Oly’s face and kissed her forehead again before getting up from her bed and covering her up. He looked around the room sadly. They had traveled to their Summer house close to his cousin’s Summer home. The ancient castle was once thought to be the home of the first king of Askr and the ruins near town were proof that it was most probably true. They had been spending the Summer with his cousin’s family the past three years . Oly playing with the young royals while his wife spend hours researching at the huge library or reading while watching the children play.

  The door opens and Bel comes inside. She kisses Oly on the cheek and turns to Alfonse. He nods and both of them leave.

  Once in their room Bel is serving him a cup of his favorite tea and sits by the table. He sits across from her and takes the offered cup. He looks at the steam slowly rising from the hot liquid and brings it to his mouth, taking a small whiff of the fragrant drink before sipping it. Bel looks at him through her long lashes while she takes a sip of her own drink. She is taking in his worried face and stiff posture. There is a shadow of two day stubble on his ever clean shaven face and dark circles under his deep blue eyes. This worries her. There is something bad going on and he has come to tell her and she knows he will try not to scare her and maybe hide some of the truth and she knows he needs time to find the words to tell her. So she waits for him to be comfortable nought to talk.

  - I need to go back. I have until midnight. -He says after a while. Bel looks at him expectantly.- My father has come to help.

  -Alfonse…what is going on for him to come all the way here ? Did Embla really declared war outright?

  - I wish it was that simple…If it was Embla we could fight and effectively drive them off…

  -What…what do you mean?

  -Bel…my beloved. Promise me you will will leave and keep our daughter safe after I tell you everything.

  - Alfonse of course I will protect her no matter what but you have to tell me what is happening.

  -Please you have to promise me. There is nothing in this world more important to me than you and Oly.

  -I ….Alfonse….I will not promise anything until you tell me what is going on.

  - Fine.- Alfonse sighs. He knew it was not going to be easy. His wife was a firm woman in her decisions.- You probably need to know what we are up against. I know you will not be as afraid as regular people. There was an attack North of here…not half a day on horseback. We thought…We thought that as expected it would be Embla. But what we found was…I could only describe the massacre we found as the bloodiest, cruelest scene I have ever seen. Everyone was dead. Men, women, children…babies…not one was left alive. Whatever had come to this village…they were cruel and effective. Even the soldiers were dead. There were no corpses of the attackers.

  -You mean they did not manage to kill even one of them?

  -That is not the case. There was evidence of struggle. They fought back until the end. The problem is that the attackers were already dead.

  -What!

  -I am afraid…your worst fear has come to be true here in Askr.

  -You don’t mean…

  -In a way. They are not mindless creatures I am afraid. They do no seek to eat the living..Although they do not hesitate to do it neither. We found the door to the real of the dead opened.

  -The…the what? What door?

  -That was my reaction when Gustav and my father told me. They knew the door to the realm of the dead was close by. King Lif build his first fortress close to it to guard it. He knew this would happen and left it written, but time passed and there was no trace of the seal weakening. Seeing as peace went on, the previous kings grew complacent and eventually they forgot about it and moved their capital to the South where the climate was warmer. Gustav who is more of an explorer and Henriette found it, after doing research in the library. They made this their Summer Home so that they could keep on researching and keeping an eye on it. That is the reason they never go to the beach in the Summer and they do not have much time to share with their kids.

  -But why is this going on? Wait…You mean…Isn’t Hel the Goddess of dead in the realm of the dead?

  -Yes. She is the one behind this attack.

  -Alfonse! How on Earth are you going to stop that woman? She is death! What does she even want?…I mean why is she doing this?

  -We are trying to find a way to seal her in again. We believe she wants to end the line of the first King of Askr and Queen Thrasir of Embla. I think it was King Lif and Queen Thrasir, who first sealed her inside. She…she comes for her vengeance and has an army of the dead to back her up.

  -Alfonse…

  -We are conducting an evacuation of the city and nearby towns and villages. It is ….tedious work. Henriette is taking the children to our mountain fortress.I need you to go with her. Our home is the safest place now. We have the advantage that Hel does not know the Summer Palace is no longer the capital. We have the chance to stop her before she reaches the largest cities. She will probably ride North to Embla as well.

  -I…

  -Bel…Promise me.Promise that whatever you hear, you will keep your promise and take our child away with you. If worse comes to worse…My father knows what to do.

  - What would I hear? What do you mean? What is he going to do?

  -BEL. - He looks at her with a serious expression.- Promise me.

  - I promise you.- She says with tears falling from her eyes. She did not want to leave him. Not when she knew his chance for survival was so low. She knew him, and she knew he was going to fight to the end.

  He smiled at her and took her hand in his; taking it to his lips to give it a kiss. Bel is still crying. She gets up from her chair and falls on her knees by his side like a little girl crying her eyes out on his lap. She wanted to tell him not to go. Something in the back of her mind was telling her not to let him go. There was something she should be remembering but could not. She wanted to ask him to run away with her, but she knew not only that he would never abandon his people in need, but she also knew that if someone could stop Death herself it was Alfonse. It was not only her love for him or the knowledge she had of his skills and intellect that fueled her faith in him. There was something inside of her that told her he was the one to do it, but she could not stop herself from worrying about him. She did not want to lose him, and did not want to have her child grow up without her loving father.

  Alfonse was very surprise by this. His wife was not a dramatic woman. She may be childish and playful and cried easily at times but he had never seen her this affected. He pulled her on his lap like he would do Oly and she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in the crock of his neck.

  He held her for a while and dried her tears with his thumb while he whispered softly how much he loved her. After a while he took hold of her and stood up. He carried her small form to their canopy bed and before placing her on it’s soft surface he whispered in her ear.

  -My beloved Bel. I love you so….I want to make love to you.

  He lay down on the bed with her on top of him straddling his waist. Her face reflected surprise at first. She smiled down at his mischievous smile and kissed him while his fingers made quick work on her dress buttons. He loved how she looked in a dress and knew she disliked them but made an effort to wear them to please him. The truth was that not only did she look beautiful in dresses but they were easier to manage when trying to have intimate moments. Her beloved pants were sometimes a nuisance to his advances.

  Tonight she was wearing that one dress he had got her to match Oly’s. Ones he had gifted them to go on a picnic the month prior. They had gone to the lake at the food of the North Western  mountains that housed their fortress home. His father Lord Andreas Of Nibelheilm had taken time from his very busy life to spend with them as a family. It had been a day that had taken him by surprise, since it had been his father who had suggested it. Both of them had prepared it to surprise the two most important people in their lives.

  He smiles into the kiss remembering the image of his wife and daughter, under the early May sun. Their dark skin contrasting with the light tones of their floral dresses. Her people beloved by the Sun shone in the copper and golds of the most beautiful of metals, while the earthly tones of their intelligent eyes gave depth to their beautiful faces. That day their eyes shone with mirth and delight while they played some of her childhood games, that his father or himself had never had the chance to play in theirs. He had never seen his father so happy in his lifetime.

  -I love you.- He says still smiling and separates enough to look up at Bel’s face. Her face was flushed and her lips swollen by the kiss.

  -I love you too my Alfonse.

  -Have I told you how much I love it when you wear a dress?- He asks with a blush and a shy smile.

  -Only like a couple of hundred times you pervert.- Bel says with a smile and ruffles his hair. He gives a grumble of a laugh against her neck and then gives her a soft bite.- As long as they make you happy Alfonse.

  -Oh I am happy…so happy.- He adds while one of his hands reach under the folds of her dress to get a hold of her panties and lower them. He finds she is not wearing any and looks questioningly at her.

  -I came prepared. - She says smiling smugly and winked at him. Indeed she had prepared. She knew if he was going into danger she was going to give him the best night she could give him, just like she had done other times. She then would make him promise to return.

She had prepared for war with Embla, but she had not counted on his bad news. They were as bad as bad news could get but, if someone could return from such endeavor it was her Alfonse. She had that much faith in him.

  He blushes and bites his lower lip in that cute way he does. He then takes the lower part of her dress and raises it up. Bel raises her arms to help him slip it off. She is wearing nothing underneath. She looks down when she hears an intake of breath to find his mouth parted and his tongue coming out to lick at his lips.

Before he has the mind to do something other than stare at her naked breast and the dark curls of hair shadowing her womanhood; Bel sets her hands to work on his uniform. He is not wearing the armor he used in battle, only the uniform used in meetings and regular work. He had taken the white and gold jacket off and only the royal blue shirt is in her way, so she opens it up. Alfonse who had been caressing her hips and back, rises himself to kiss her. His kiss is hard and demanding. He has the mind to flip her over and trap her in with his body, but he loves how she looks when she rides him.

The first sexual fantasy he ever had featuring her, had been when he was teaching her to ride a horse and he could see her breasts bouncing to the horse’s trotting rhythm. He was not a womanizer nor some pervert to be looking at women’s breasts. He was at the time, already a commander and he was in charge of many female subordinates and had never been untoward to any of them. Yet that sunny day watching her laugh happily at her achievement had made him feel something he had never felt before.

He had fallen in love with her almost at first sight eight years ago. He had known he wanted to be the one to protect her and keep her safe. That was the reason he was teaching her to ride and fight after all. He knew this, but never had he felt such strong desire hit him so violently before. The unbidden image had flashed in his mind of her naked breast bouncing in equal rhythm to her hips. Raising and falling on his manhood while his hands roamed her body and his mouth kisses that small pouty mouth. He imagined the feel of her warm , wet core surrounding him.

He had been so flustered by the image that he entered into a momentary panic. He had been so afraid of her finding out just how hard he had gotten by that thought of her; he had to excuse himself pretending he had forgotten he had a meeting. Ever since that day it had been torture to be around her and not let her know how he felt.

That desire had never lessen. He still wanted her and loved her the same. At his moment he was battling with himself. One part of him wanted to take her already. He wanted to stop the ache of being so long without her touch and bury himself in her soft embrace. The other part wanted to make it last and savor the flavor of her love like it was the first time. He wanted the moment to last a lifetime and forget he had to leave. So he decides to let her mark the pace.

She takes the hint when he takes his hands off of her hips and gestures for her to do with him whatever she wants.

Bel lowers her face to kiss where his heart is and then moves to undo the pants. She gets off of bed to take his clothes off. She climbs back on the bed, all the while kissing his body here and there. Marking each limb, but avoiding to touch his manhood. All the while he watches her, every second more exited than the last. His hunger growing with every teasing touch of her hands and mouth. He raises himself again to meet her kiss midway.

Her teasing has rendered him hard as a rock and he is eager for her kiss. He places his hands on her hips but does not make to move her and when the kiss turns deeper and more heated, he embraces her, cards his fingers through her hair and caresses her back. He can’t restrain himself anymore and reaches under her to find her folds wet and warm. He feels for the small pearl of her clitoris and  teases it. Bel arches her back moaning loudly. He takes this opportunity to bite at her neck. A few more movements and Bel is pleading for release.

-Alfonse! Alfonse…Al…Alfonse…I’m …I’m ready…

- Ready love? So am I …

She backs down and finds his manhood pocking at her butt checks. She raises herself and takes his member and carefully guides it into her entrance. He is big and it takes her a few seconds to lower herself down to take him all in. He groans huskily and arches a little to guide her.

Her movement is slow and steady at first and his hands caress her breasts and legs, but after a while she starts moving faster and her bounces move her breast in that way he has fantasized so many times since the first time. How he loved when his amazon rode him as if he was a wild stallion. He took her hand in his to help her steady herself and with the other took one of her breasts. It was so soft.

-My…my Alfonse! I….yes…I…

He grunts in response and steadies himself with one arm to raise himself and take her lips in a heated kiss. He is fully sitting up now and embraces her to get her to be closer to him. He knows she is close and he himself is close and so he shifts and changes positions. There is a whine of protest coming from Bel and he smiles.

-Be patient love.

-Alfonse! Come on! I need you please!-She says under him now. He takes her hips after uniting himself with her slowly and starts moving. He knew this way she would feel more pleasure. Sure enough she moans loudly and arches her back. He moves faster and his rhythm grows more erratic. He feels so close now and some moments later he feels her walls pulsating around him.She wraps her legs around him and he is reaching deeper than ever. He feels himself give in and whispers her name at the same time she moans his.

-My Bel…my soulmate…I love you.- He says moments later still reluctant to move. She has taken to massage his back in soothing circles.

- I love you too. - He can heard her whisper . He moves a little downward to be leveled with her face and kisses her. Sweetly and slowly. When he retreats, he takes a long look at her. He does not wish to go but it is almost time to do so.

 -Go to sleep a while dear.- He says in her ear. He is holding her from behind. She fits so smugly in his embrace.

 -I can’t sleep when you are not home. -She says and he knows she means she will be having nightmares. Se always does when he is away. He knows because even the servants tell him about how she looks like she does not sleep when he is away and how restless she becomes. His wife in not a nervous person, but she does worry about him a lot.

-I will be back I promise you.

-I will hold you to that promise.- She says softly and kisses his hand. He kisses the top of her head and then moves to kiss her neck. She makes a humming sound. She knows what is coming. Sure enough she can feel the hand she is holding leave her own to massage her breast.It travels down to fund her wet folds and started playing with them while Bel writhed in his arms from pleasure.

-Mmmmm….Alfonse…

-Darling you are so sweet…- He was telling her sweet nothings in her ear and biting her neck. Her moans were turning him on again and Bel could now feel his hard member close to her butt cheeks.- Are you ready for me darling?

-Yes…I ..please!..please Alfonse…Take me please!

-I need you too Love.- He takes her leg and lifts it a little. She held it up for him and bent over to let him have better access. He takes her and starts moving holding her by the hip while both lay sideways.

-Alfonse! Harder …ummm…harder!- She was asking and he happily complied. He needed her so much right now. He did not like manhandling her but she sometimes asked him to be more forceful than he would have believed he would like…except he did like it too. He loved it in fact when she moaned loudly for him and praised him for his efforts. He knew there would be a little bruising in the morning and she would smile at him and tell him it was fine and that she was more than fine and that he had done great.

-You like this love? You want more?- He says in his husky voice.

-Yes! Yes ! Harder!! OH GOD Alfonse you do it so good….I..aaahh!

She had not lasted much after all the foreplay and he also reached his limit when he felt her clench her core around him.

-I love you Alfonse…

-I love you too Bel…

They told each other still holding on to her hip. She turned her face to the side where he caught her mouth in a heated kiss.

- What are you doing? Papa? Are you two fighting?

They heard a small groggy voice coming from the door. Alfonse who was half covered by the bed cover took the blanket and covered both of them as fast as he could. Reluctantly Bel moved from her place to look back over Alfonse’s body.

-We are not fighting baby. We were…writing a letter to the stork…- She says because he is a little speechless and hiding his face in her hair.

-Why?

  -To…ask for a little brother or sister for you to play with.

  -I don’t want a little sister…they’re annoying.

  -Do not worry little Olive your mother only likes to write them. We do not send them.

  -I am very sure that one we actually sent…-Said Bel softly when she feels the come dripping out of her wet opening and made a face. Alfonse passed a hand over his face to hide his blush.

  -Darling why are you out of bed?-He asks.

  -I heard shouts and banging…-Said little Oly. There was a small giggle at Alfonse’s side and a quiet “banging” coming from Bel , followed by ‘sorry”.

  -We were moving the furniture looking for an insect. You know how your mother dislikes them.

  -Oh…Did you get it?- Asked the girl eyes wide in terror and looking around.

-Yes Darling don’t worry.

-Can I have Link? I left him on your bed…He has to go to sleep or he will be cranky tomorrow.-The little girl says. Alfonse looks around and finds the stuffed elf, Bel had made for Oly, almost falling down the bed with his blue eyes staring at them. Carefully not to let the blanket slip, he reached for the girl and gave her the doll.

  -Now go to bed dear.

  -Yes papa.

  -Oly! Oh dear ! there you are!- Bertha a 60 years old woman, came into view and took Oly by the hand, but when the old nanny looked inside she took her free had to her face to stop watching.- Oh. Pardons my Lord! I was getting some tea prepared and she was gone when I came back.- We will be going now.

- It is fine Bertha. Good night Oly.- Said Alfonse serenely like he was not discovered making love to his wife.

-Do not get up again or El Coco will come to bite you!- Said Bel smiling.

-Yes Mama! Good night Daddy!- Oly said before the door was closed.

-She is going to have nightmares dear.- Alfonse said turning to Bel and kissing her hair.

-Eh! Builds character.- She says smiling. He snorts in response.

-I will never understand why your people are so afraid of coconuts. -He said laughing low. He is playing with words in her language. He knows Coco is an evil entity and coco a coconut, but in his mind every time she says “Coco under the bed” he can not help imagining a coconut and Bel being afraid of it. It is a funny picture in his mind.

-Oh! You learn fast! I knew you were an evil genius! Ummm by the way, you saved the night again “ potato”.- She reaches up to kiss him as reward. He smiles at the nickname. He knows “papa” means potato in her native tongue.- And we had an audience. I mean Link saw it all the poor boy. -She giggles again and can hear his rumble of a quiet laugh as well.

-Did we really “sent” that “letter”?- He asks biting her neck again.

-Yep. Very sent. Twice.

-Good.- A kiss.-mmmm… I would like to send another one Madam.

-As you wish My Lord. - The way she said that always gave him chills. It was never with the same reverence his people used it. She always used the title as if it was a term of endearment or in a seductive voice that suggested he could do whatever he wished with her. He gave a husky growl and bit down on her neck smiling. Once she had asked him playfully if he was not an actual vampire since he loved biting on her neck after a particularly heated night. She had to wear high collared clothes for days after. Her dear “Viscount Dracula.” He actually liked the nickname too. It fitted him. He was after all the son of Count and there was dragon blood in his veins. He was the son of the dragon.

He was thinking about that when they heard a knock on their door and a voice calling out to him.

-Lord Andreas. Captain Needa is asking for your presence. He is waiting in the parlour.

Alfonse sighs in resignation.

-Inform him I will be down in ten minutes and send for Njal and Sven to be ready as well.- He says loudly to his butler Frode referring to his two retainers. He looks down to his wife who is hugging him tightly and kisses her head.- I am sorry love. I need to leave. I guess we won’t be writing that letter today.

-It is fine honey. The mailbox was full anyway. - She says smiling but her smile does not reach her sad eyes. She still manages to make him laugh a little. Once upon a time, before he ever met her, he would have never dreamed of making such jokes. Everyone thought he did not have a sense of humor. And he did not. But he had found it when he met her. She was one of the only people he ever joked with, beside his cousin even thought Gustav was just as stoic as himself. She was also the only person who ever dared to joke around with him.

-It will have to do then.- He got up and so did she . He went to wash his face to the bathroom and she went to dress herself and prepare to help him with his clothes. Once they both were ready he headed down the corridor to Oly’s room and found her still awake.

- My little Olive. I have to go. You will take care of your mother for me while I am away?

-Do you have to go already Daddy?

-Yes my doll. I am sorry but I do need to go.

-I promise I will take care of Mami while you are away. You will be back soon?

-I will try to come as soon as I can. You will leave early to visit Alfonse and Sharena. Be a good girl and obey your mother. I love you my little Olive. Remember you are a piece of my soul and I will always be with you.

-Yes Papi. I love you too. Here take my bracelet my mom and I made. You can give it back to me when you come back!

Alfonse looks down to find a blue and gold embroidery thread bracelet. He lets her tie it on his grist, Kisses her on the forehead and gets up to leave.

- Bye Daddy!

-Bye Darling. - He says and closes the door.

 He found Bel outside of their bedroom waiting for him. She motions for him to walk with her downstairs.

-I ordered to make the preparations to leave right away Alfonse. I do not see a reason to stay. Should I send a message to let them know we are coming sooner?

-Good idea. If you can leave as soon as possible it will be a great relief for me. Yes send them a message.

-I will. I promise. I already sent the people to work. I will do Oly’s belongings last so she won’t get scared.

-Thank you love. I knew I could count on you.

- I am here for whatever you need. You know it right?

-I know. Thank you.- He looks down at her and smiles.

They both enter the parlour and the Captain stands up strait in attention and salutes Alfonse and bows to Bel. Alfonse salutes back and Bel give the proper courtesy.

-Sir. General Sir. My Lady. We are ready to ride out. I came to escort you Sir. The guard you asked for will stay to wait for your family. They will take you to the Summer palace to join the Prince’s family My Lady.

-Thank you Captain Needa. Bless you and take care. I will pray for your safe return.

-Thank you My Lady. I am sure we all appreciate the prayers and blessings.

They walked outside to where The horses and the men were waiting; including Njal and Sven. Bel could not contain her tears and even though she tried very hard they spilled down her cheeks. All of these men were going to uncertainty and probably death and there was noting she could do to help except flee and protect her child. These men she knew young and old and many if not all would die defending the people of Askr. She felt such sorrow and felt so powerless. And as much as she tried to be strong for Alfonse she could not bear to part with him. Ashamed she lowered her face to stealthily dry her tears. Alfonse was too astute for that and gave her a last hug.

-Llorona. I gave you my word, did I not?- He says in the tongue of her people. He had learned that some of her words and that particular one was from a song she often sang and he liked very much. Llorona meant “crying woman”- I will come back.- He said and took her face in his hands to dry her tears with his thumbs.

-My Lady. We will take good care of him. You have our word. They will have to go through us first Mam.- Said Mjal. Sven just nodded in assent.

- I want you to come back too! You hear!

-Yes Mam! Said both of his retainers smiling at the same time. They were seasoned warriors both of them and knew that to be trusted with the General’s back was not only an honor to them. They loved the family and it was a great happiness to the to be trusted with his life. The same was for Bel’s retainers. She had been trained with the sword but when Oly had been born her focus was on being a good mother to her and the safety was left to her retainers.

 -I will write to you form the camp. - Alfonse says getting on the horse.

 -Ok Darling, but focus on your task and do not worry about us. I will take care of the rest Ok? Te amo.- She answers sobered up. Their eyes meet and he nods and then gives the order to leave. She watches on until they dissolve in the darkness of the night. She then turns to her trusted servants and they all nod and go inside to finish the preparations to evacuate the premises.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~

It took the household an hour to gather the necessary items to evacuate. Oly was asleep when it was finally time to get her out of bed. She was transported in the arms of Bel’s burly retainer Erland. A young man of 18 years, already tested in battle and with a life debt to Alfonse who had saved his life when he was but a boy of 7 years of age working as a stable boy. Aleen Bel’s female retainer was a woman of 20 years of age. Older than Erland but already engaged to him. She had a family life debt with Alfonse’s father and had been raised to be a retainer from age 6 when she sowed skill with the sword and lance.

Erland laid Oly on one of the carriage’s sits, where Bel already was sitting waiting for them and then joined his fiance on horseback. They talked to the family guards and the soldier guards left by Captain Needa to plan their course of action. One set of guards would travel at the front and one at the back each of the would be overseen by each retainer.

They made it as far as the northern outskirts of the city, some miles before reaching the Summer palace, where they would meet with the Prince’s family. There was an ambush waiting for the royal family and they had the misfortune to be the ones to pass by. The Guards fought head on, fighting the onslaught of the dead who were surrounding them by now. They were stuck and there was no going back to the city.

The sounds must have reached the sentinels at the castle and men were sent to help out the group since they have been expecting them. Inside the carriage Bel clutched at a crying Oly. They could hear the shouts coming from everywhere and the carriage was rocking like a boat on a stormy sea. Bel lowered Oly to the floor of the carriage and before covering her with her own body, she risked a look outside through the glass and iron window.

The torches gave out such feeble light against the darkness that only the surrounding area from them was illuminated. Still there was enough moonlight for her eyes, used to see better at night, to make out the dead coming from the forest near the castle grounds. The dead used no archers that she could see or hear apparently, but she still feared projectiles coming through the window or wood.

Outside the guards were fighting relentlessly and the dead kept coming in waves that seemed endless.

-We can’t go back to the city! Let’s try to make a path forward to the castle!- Said Aleen. Her fierce lance working her magic while her dark green hair escaped her braids with the speed of her attacks.

-We should take the Lady and her daughter on the horses and escape to the castle as soon as we can. The carriages will be difficult to defend!- Said one of the Soldiers.

-If you wanted easy; you should not have enlisted! Lord and Lady Andreas would balk at your suggestion to abandon our people! We have elderly in the carriages! Escape if you wish coward! Dishonourable bastard.- Said Erland angrily. His words as cutting as his axe.

- Soldier! When you want to shame yourself, do not drag the whole army with you! If you are afraid get into one of the carriages and wait for the rest of us to make a way for all of us to make it to safety!- Said another young soldier wielding a magic tome and on his back Aleen could see a bow like those the hunters in little villages wielded.The poison green of his magic felling three of the dead at the same time. He spared an icy sidelong glance at the offending cadet with his light gray eyes.- This is what happens when you buy ranks thanks to money and titles…- He muttered. He could not have been older than 18 himself, while the scared soldier looked to be in his mid twenties.

-You! Mage! What is your name soldier?- Asked Aleen.

-Feraht Guerrer!

-See that place at the front where the reinforcements are trying to make way? -Feraht nodded.- Erland and I are able to make our way and meet up with them and help them reach our group. Climb on top of the carriage and defend it with your life! Can we trust you with this?

- On my mother’s name and my honor!

-When you see the opening, order the men to march on! You are in charge are you not?!- Asked Aleen and gave the men the instructions when Feraht assented.

-Yes Mam!- Feraht jumped from his horse and on to carriage. His slim and nimble constitution gave him the agility he needed. From there he could see the opening in the ranks and strike at the dead with ease. He kept an eye for projectiles and for the retainers to give him and his men the opening to escape. His keen silver eyes flashed with intelligence and and determination. No enemies got past his guard that night. He turned to his right to where the front of the caravan was headed and saw an enemy try to cut the horse’s harness. He took out his bow and arrows and hit the dead on the head with it. The chariot driver who was busy himself striking another enemy attack to one of the guards looked back at him and thanked him.

 He saw the retainers signal for him to go and he shouted at the others to start the run. Not looking back he whistled at his horse and held on to the top of the carriage.For a moment he saw from the corner of his eye the color of his horse. He chanced a look and saw the Soldier who had suggested to leave the others take hold of his horse reigns. Their eyes met and Feraht thanked him with a nod.

They entered the castle with minimum casualties.

Once inside Aleen saw Feraht jump down from the carriage top with the same agility as before. Someone touched his shoulder and he turned around to find the soldier whom had taken the reigns of his horse.

She saw the shorter man thank the soldier and retreat to talk at the back. She hoped they would patch up the disagreement. It was no time to be angry with one another when you needed others to watch your back.

She approached the first carriage door followed closely by her fiance and knock on the door. Said door opened to reveal a disheveled Nanny a tear stained Oly and a very pale Bel. Bel came out first. Aleen offered her hand to Bel to help her out of the carriage and Bel took it gratefully to stabilize herself when stepping down the carriage steps. Her legs felt like jelly. She turned to get Oly who jumped to her arms as soon as she could and held tight to her mother still crying. Oly felt hot to the touch. Bel feared she had a fever.

  The rest of the people start getting off the other two carriages as well. Bel looks around as see all the the people moving fast everywhere.

  - Aleen?

  - Yes Mam?

 - Where…- Bel started to ask Aleen something but was cut short by a shout of her name.

 -Bel! Oh thank Lord Askr you arrived safely!- Came the sweet voice of none other than Princess Henriette.

  -Oh Henriette! If I had know I would have left as soon as Alfonse left!

  - We did not even know it! I was just told we are surrounded right now! I do not think we will be able to leave.

  - They were probably waiting for you to leave then. What are we going to do? Do you have a plan? Is Gustav gone as well?

  - He has not come back since yesterday. I was told to prepare and leave by a messenger two hours ago.

  -I see…let us go check with the guards and analyze the situation so we can decide what to do I suppose.- Henriette nods and turns around to give some instructions to the people she is with. Bel looks down to see a very silent Alfonse and clinging to him a very wide eyed Sharena. Bel smiles at them both and proceeds to talk to Oly.- Oly look who is here?- Oly looks up from her mother’s embrace to see both siblings looking up at her. She said “Hi” in a quiet voice, but does not let go of her mother.- Why don’t you go with Nanny Bertha, Alfonse and Sharena while I help Henriette? -Oly looked at her mother and Bel said quietly.- They are probably scared. Be a good girl and entertain them for me?

  Oly looked skeptical for a moment and then she nodded and when she moved to let go Bel let her down. Sharena immediately went to hug her. Bel took this chance to whisper at Alfonse.

  - Oly is very scared and I think she has a little bit of fever. Can you protect her and be sure she takes her medicine? -Alfonse looked very determined and nodded.

  -I will. I promise.- He says solemnly. Bel could not help but feel warmth in her heart at such an outburst.

  -Thank you. -Bel says and kisses him on the forehead. Alfonse’s eyes widen and his cheeks grow red but he smiles.- I appreciate it very much. I know you have Sharena to care for. We will be back soon as we can.- Alfonse nods and proceed to go talk to Oly and Sharena.

  -Gertrude, take them inside to Alfonse’s rooms. I am sure they rather be together right now.- Henriette orders her own Nanny.- I still can not believe Alfonse lets you kiss him.

-Bertha. I will be back as soon as I can. Oly has a fever I think.- Bel says to the retreating woman, who is now checking Oly’s forehead.

-Heh! Well it is not like I asked him. - Bel says and they both start walking to where the Chief of Security is giving orders.- He reminds me of my Alfonse. I wish I could give him a son like him.

-I am sure there will be time for that later.

-As things are playing…I can only wish for him to live, even if I am not bless with any more children…

- I understand you completely. I am sure they will both come back. We will pray for their safe return and their success.

After a while the Chief of security was giving the report from all sides of fortress to the Army Officials while Henriette and Bel listened. They knew that Henriette was not one to hide and that as someone who had traveled a lot with the Prince and knew how to lead would be here to oversee and even help out if needed. On the other hand Bel was not a bad tactician herself thanks to Alfonse and so she wanted to be present and see what she could help out with.

-We are surrounded on all sides. They are not trying to get inside as much as waiting for us to go out…it is a siege. We have tried to send a message but the messenger birds have been killed.

- They were not using archers when they ambushed us…I guess they wanted us alive…Or they let us get inside…interesting.- Said Bel

- I believe so too, although I still can not see the reason.- Said The Army Officer in charge.

- Bait or hostages?- Asked Bel.

-Perhaps.- Says the Officer.

-Most likely.- Says Henriette at the same time.

-Yet they killed the messenger birds… They are biding their time. Isolation until the time is right to move.- Says Bel pondering about it.

-That is true. They don’t want us getting help or reinforcements.- Said the officer.

-Then we only need to hold and prepare for when they are ready.- Says Henriette.- See that some guards rest and form watch schedules. Have them all on call. The household will prepare for a retreat inside the castle if the outside wall is breached.

- That is precisely the plan we were talking about my lady.I will be thankful if you see to food and shelter for the garrison and guards My Lady and prepare a list of all the food in case this situation stretches and we need to ration the food.

- We will do it as soon as possible.

-Also we will need a list of the civilians and a escape route for all of them to get inside the castle no matter where they are if the wall falls.-The Official added.

- Good idea. I will let the Butler know and order him to do it.

Bel and Henriette went inside the castle along with their companions.

-My Lady I will go take a look at the kids and send you my people to help out and I will meet you in the pantries?

-Good idea. Bel tel my children I…I better get going.- Henriette started but changed the subject. Bel just nodded, and turned to walk towards the chamber she knew the kids would be staying at.

-Erland I want you to stay outside and let me know anything you think is of importance. I know they have their messengers but they are all going to Henriette and we may split up and I need to be prepared. Erland you have a good eye for details, you know what I mean.

-I will do it My Lady. You can trust me.- He said solemnly and took off.

- My Lady. I may be out of turn but…May I speak my mind?- Asked Aleen.

-Of course. Go ahead.

-Lady Henriette is usually very …astute and unafraid to speak her mind. It may be the situation but.., She seems hesitant in her actions and command.

- I know. I feel it too. There is something else going on she is not telling us. Something that is making her hesitate or unsure…

-I can question the staff Mam…I am sure with the tensions running high, one of them will talk.

-Do it. I do not think we really have much time…It feels like something is coming…But Aleen…Let me ask you something. Who was the soldier on top of the carriage? He was good with… well I saw him use magic and a bow.

-Ah My Lady That is Feraht. A soldier from the Royal Army. I am not sure of his rank but I know he is probably from the Mountain villages. He seems to be a hunter too. A bit young too, but My Lord asked me to have him close to the carriage at all times.

-I would like a word with the men… and specially him.

-Of course My Lady.

  They both reached the place where the personal guards of the household and the Army guard had been left. They were being put in groups to patrol and rest as told. Aleen and Bel found Feraht still by the soldier’s side talking.

-Listen before you all go to your designated posts I want to tell you something.- Said Bel firmly and loud enough to catch their attention. They all gathered around to listen.- How many casualties did we sustain?

-Two Lady Andreas. They were the first to come into contact with the enemy.

-I see. I thank them and I thank all of you for your brave efforts. I really appreciate it and I know Lord Andreas does as well. My blessings to all of you. We will need all the blessings and luck we can get in this situation. - There was a murmur of thanks among the men and nods of agreement.- I will not keep you. We all have chores to do to keep everyone alive and well. Thank you for your time and thank you again for keeping me and my daughter safe.

A choir of different exclamations followed by bows and then their retreating to where they were supposed to go. Aleen left to question the rest of the staff.

-Feraht I take it?- Asked Bel to the young Soldier with long raven hair. Bel had noticed black hair was rare and very praised in Askr. Indeed this young man was beautiful to behold with his long black hair and his feline gray eyes that shone with intelligence.

-Yes Lady Andreas . I am Sergeant Feraht Guerrer . How may I be of assistance?- Bel saw the older

Soldier move behind Feraht and grab something from the horse and try to tie it around his waist but she still saw the wet stain on his pants. Noticing the direction her eyes had strayed to, Feraht moved to obscure the other soldier from view.

-I just wanted to tell you I am very impressed by your skills. If you were not in the army I would ask you to teach my daughter and be her retainer….Well I actually am asking you to do it. It is up to you to accept of course I am not pressuring you.

-My Lord’s daughter retainer and teacher? I am very flattered My Lady, I am sure there are other more important people and much more skilled to do it.

-My husband had you in the guard for a reason.

-Indeed he did ask me personally to do it. I was initially assigned to go with him My Lady.

-Ah! See? I know my husband well. He asked you to be close to the carriage…I thank the sentiment… but I am sorry too. I wish you had gone with him… if it wasn’t for my daughter…I…can only wish…

-I feel the same Mam…not that I…I mean I am very proud to be given this much trust with his most precious people, but I also know…- For a second Bel could see his age show from under the Icy cold professionalism.- My Lord is Strong and Wise. He will emerge victorious. Indeed I was tasked to be close to My Lady and your daughter too.

-Well. In that case come with me…Oh and your friend?

-Privet First Class Gudrun Von Viera at your service…Although as you can see…. I do not know how much service I can give you.- Said the older male uncomfortably.- I apologize for my behaviour. My Lady. I am unworthy of my spot in your guard.- He had been a Corporal but had been demoted that same night by Feraht for his conduct.

-Private First Class Von Viera was at the first attack in the villages of the North with General Andreas and I. He knows what they can do.

-I have heard the details. Do not feel ashamed. Fear is our natural survival tool and drive, We only need to use it wisely. Only fools do no feel fear.- Gudrun looked up at her face with a thankful expression.

- Thank you My Lady.

-No worries…I was scare shi… I mean I was very scared myself. Still I am more worried about how easily we were let through.- She says watching them both.

-That is exactly what we were talking about Mam.- Said Feraht. Gudrun nodded his assent. After all an enemy that could do what they did in the northern villages, could have easily destroyed them if they had wanted.

-So we are in the same page that something us up huh?

-Yes Mam.

-Good. Private Von Viera rest but keep one eye open and a sharp ear. Let us know what you find out.

-Yes My Lady. I will take care of your horse first Sir.

-Thank you Private. See to it and then to rest.

~*~*~*~~*

 Bel found Oly asleep when she entered Alfonse’s chamber. Toys littered the floor around a blanket on which Alfonse sat propped up by the sofa behind him. He was reading a book while Oly rested her head on his left leg and Sharena lay sleeping as well by his right one, balled up like a baby. It was such an adorable sight.

Bertha, Gertrude and two maids were looking out of the window. When they heard the door open Bertha came to welcome Bel.

-My Lady, I could not pry Oly from his side. I was waiting for her sleep to deepen to move her.

- How are they?

-They looked very nervous. Alfonse got all of his toys to play.- Bertha smiled.- You know how our little Oly is. She soon recovered and took the toys and started playing with them until Sharena started laughing. It did not last long though, since they are very tired so, Oly asked Alfonse to read from her book.- Bel looked at Alfonse and on his hands was the strategy book her Alfonse always read to Oly.

-Poor boy! His leg must be asleep by now.- Bel said smiling and approached the kids. She got on her knees and kissed Oly and Sharena. They both had a very content look on their faces.- Thank you Alfonse. Oly never sleeps like this with anyone else but her father and I. She must trust you a lot.- She said in a whisper. Alfonse’s cheeks colored bright red but kept quiet.- May I?- She asked motioning a kiss. Alfonse bit his lower lip and nods in answer, while his cheeks turned red again. Bel gave him a kiss on his forehead again and saw a hint of a shy smile on his face. Bel Moved Oly to lay on the blanket so Alfonse may be able to lay down as well.

The bed was not big enough for the three of them and so they would sleep on the blanket by the fireplace.

-Rest. I will go help your mother, and come back later on.

-How are things outside? What is mother doing?

-It is all quiet for now. Your mother is just assessing the provisions…food and medicine, to be sure we have enough, until your father and Alfonse come to get us.

-We can use the food in the library.- Alfonse says biting his lower lip.

-What food?

-Umm…- Alfonse looked around to see if the others were hearing him.- I heard Mother saying they discovered some…stairs leading to some basements in the library. There was a hidden library under it and it has a lot of food…I did not hear that…I saw it yesterday when I went inside while my Mother was talking to Father. I think it is a secret…I did not want to get in trouble, but if it can help and Mother does not know about it, you can tell her.

-Alfonse. You are a very brave boy and a very honorable one too. This is why I love you, you know. If your mother says something about it, I will keep quiet, but if we do need it I will explain it to her. Ok? Just don’t go in there unsupervised again. It may be dangerous. -Alfonse nodded.-Let us hope we do not have need of it…or…you said basements. How many?

-I counted four…but…the library kept going like a huge cave. Do you think the people attacking us may reach us in there if we go inside?- (1) Alfonse and Sharena do not know the dead are the ones attacking. They think it is Embla.

-It may serve as a bunker. Alfonse you little genius! You are just like my Alfonse! No. I do not think they will reach us in there. It may turn to be of use. Thank you. - Bel took Alfonse’s face and kissed him again and got up to leave.- Get some sleep. OH by the way…your mother sends her love. - She winks at him and leaves.

Alfonse watched her leave with a bewildered expression and red cheeks. Slowly a smile formed on his lips. He left the book on the sofa and laid down to sleep between Sharena and Oly. He never noticed the watchful eye of the black haired man standing near the windows.

A/N 2: Alfonse Andreas (Lif) lives in in the Nibelheilm mountains that are on the North-Western side of Askr. I named it after the Nibel mountains in FFVII because I am a fan.

#feh #fire emblem heroes #fire emblem #feh alfonse #fe heroes #alfonse #lif #feh lif x summoner #feh kiran #feh summoner #feh alfonse x kiran #kiralfonse #feh alfonse x summoner

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Suddenly This Summer

Three small town romances that provide a variety of characters, issues to be dealt with, and happily ever afters that made the characters – and me – happy. Getting to read two new-to-me authors that I would read again was also a treat.

Susan Mallery’s SAY YOU’LL STAY sees Lawson and Shaye meet on the street, spend some time together during Christmas in July and wonder if it would be a fleeting moment that will quickly pass them by or perhaps provide a future for them together.

Synthia Williams’s THIS TIME FOR KEEPS Michaela and Khalil circling one another with one ready to commit and the other unable to trust that this time it will really work for them. Is the time finally right for this couple and if so, how will it come about?

Stefanie London’s BEST MAN NEXT DOOR was a surprise and my favorite of the three stories. Sage and Jamie were wonderful people that so deserved to be together. I loved everything about this story though I wished that both characters had not had to go through difficult times to achieve the maturity they did.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

BLURB

Nothing is sweeter than the first kiss of summer...

SAY YOU'LL STAY by Susan Mallery. Shaye Harper has sworn off men for good. But when she meets army vet Lawson Easley during a pit stop on the road to a fresh start, she’s drawn in by the quirky town—and the handsome stranger she can’t resist. Lawson knows there’s no place better than Wishing Tree. Too bad the woman he's certain is “the one” is just passing through…unless he can convince her to give him and his hometown a chance at forever.

THE TIME FOR KEEPS  by Synithia Williams. Home to care for her ailing father, Michaela Spears is on a mission: reconcile with the one man she can’t forget. She broke his heart years ago, so when Khalil appears on her parents’ doorstep in his scrubs, she knows it’s her last chance. Khalil Davenport shouldn’t have taken the job as her dad’s home nurse, but he couldn't resist her. Their timing was never right, but now can he trust that she’s home to stay?

BEST MAN NEXT DOOR by Stefanie London.  For Sage Nilsen, coming back to her small Massachusetts hometown for a family wedding feels like high school all over again. Except Jamie Hackett has gone from charming boy next door to handsome best man. And sparks are suddenly flying between the popular guy and the so-called outcast. As the wedding gets closer, Sage finds herself on the edge of something unexpected—a second chance in the town she left behind…with the guy she’s never forgotten.

Buy Links: 

BookShop.org

Harlequin 

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Books-A-Million

Powell’s

AUTHOR BIOS

SUSAN MALLERY:  Susan Mallery is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. Library Journal says, “Mallery is the master of blending emotionally believable characters in realistic situations," and readers seem to agree—40 million copies of her books have sold worldwide. Her warm, humorous stories make the world a happier place to live. Susan grew up in California and now lives in Seattle with her husband. She's passionate about animal welfare, especially that of the ragdoll cat and adorable poodle who think of her as mom. Visit Susan online at www.susanmallery.com.

SYNITHIA WILLIAMS:  Synithia Williams has loved romance novels since reading her first one at the age of 13. It was only natural that she would one day write her own romance. When she isn’t writing, Synithia works on water quality issues in the Midlands of South Carolina while taking care of her supportive husband and two sons. You can learn more about Synithia by visiting her website, www.synithiawilliams.com.

STEFANIE LONDON:  Stefanie London is a USA TODAY bestselling author of contemporary romances and romantic comedies. Her books have been called “genuinely entertaining and memorable” by Booklist and have won multiple industry awards, including the HOLT Medallion and OKRWA National Readers’ Choice Award. Originally from Australia, Stefanie lives in Toronto with her very own hero and is doing her best to travel the world. She frequently indulges in her passions for good coffee, lipstick, romance novels and anything zombie related.  Visit Stefanie online at Stefanie-London.com.

Social Links:

Susan Mallery Website

Synithia Williams Website

Stefanie London Website

EXCERPT

Suddenly This Summer

Best Man Next Door by Stefanie London

CHAPTER ONE

Before today, Jamie Hackett had thought he’d already faced death.

Like the time he dove off a cliff on a dare, plunging into the ocean with the speed of a bullet. Or 

the time he’d come face-to-face with a territorial goose who’d gone apeshit at him for getting too 

close to her goslings. Or when his car skidded across a patch of black ice in the middle of winter 

and he’d narrowly missed crash- ing into a big oak tree.

He’d been cool as a cucumber, every single time.

But it turned out he hadn’t really faced death. Now that he’d confronted it for real, he understood 

what it felt like.

Jamie glanced around the sterile white hospital hall- way, feeling weirdly disconnected from it 

all. If some- one had told him he was floating in the air, watching everything happen from above, 

he would have believed it. Giving himself a shake, he reached one hand to his opposite arm and 

pinched himself. Hard. He winced from the pain.

Still alive.

But the quicker he was out of here the better.

His mom stood at the administration desk, her shoulders hunched. Exhaustion seeped into her posture and made her look even smaller than usual. When she turned to face him, he noticed her blouse was buttoned wrong and her curly ginger hair was sticking out in all directions like it always did when she didn’t have time to style it.

“Ready to go, hon?” She tried to smile, but her eyes were watery and the dark shadows circling underneath made her look hollowed out.

You did that to her.

He nodded.

“Your dad has gone to get the car so he can meet us out front.” She slipped her arm into his and held him close, her fingernails biting into his skin, as if she was worried he’d float away like a discarded balloon if she didn’t hold on tight enough. “No need to rush—we’ll walk slow.”

“You didn’t have to wait around. I could have gotten a cab,” he said quietly. He kept his gaze averted from the goings-on around him, not wanting to see the people being wheeled about and the elderly folk shuffling along, walking their fluid bags like strange, lifeless pets.

It freaked him out.

He was thirty-two for crying out loud. Thirty-two with his whole life ahead of him. With decades ahead of him.

“Jamie Hackett, if you think I would let my child come home from hospital in a cab then I don’t even know…” Her voice broke as she shook her head, still clutching him tightly. He could hear the tears she was holding back, companions of the ones she’d been shedding ever since she’d arrived at the hospital yesterday. “Of course we were going to take you home.”

There was no point arguing. Patty Hackett was an overprotective mama bear at the best of times, let alone when one of her own was hurt. Although really, aside from a few stitches in the back of his head and some chest pain that felt like a couple of boulders had been propped there, Jamie was walking away from this situation a lot better than he could have.

A lot better than what would have been if his best friend hadn’t saved him.

When they made it outside, Jamie sucked in as much air as his lungs would allow, and even though doing so burned, he had to clear the hospital smells from his nostrils. It was warm and sunny out, with a clear blue sky and not a cloud to be seen. The perfect early summer day.

Perfect like it had been the previous evening when he’d decided to get a good sweaty workout in. Perfect like when he’d jogged across the gym floor, warm sunshine streaming in through the windows and the high-quality shock-absorbent flooring cushioning his feet. Perfect like when his fists had sailed at the heavy punching bag, the repetitive pounding motion better than any form of therapy he’d found to date.

Perfect…until he’d almost died.

Jamie shook the dark thoughts from his head as his father pulled the family SUV up in front of the hospital’s pick-up area. His mom rushed forward to open the passenger side door for him.

“I can open the door myself, okay?” he said. He hated seeing her worry like this. Hated knowing that he caused it. “You don’t need to wait on me.”

“Just get in the car, James,” she sighed and shot him a look that told him there was no point arguing. It was easier to do what he was told. And if she was calling him by his full name, it meant she was a hair away from clipping his ear.

So he climbed into the car without another word.

“Son.” His father looked over to him with a crinkled brow. “Let your mother fuss. She needs it.”

Jamie nodded. “You’re right.”

His father turned to face the road as the back door opened and Patty climbed in, scrambling to hoist her small frame up into the giant SUV like she always did. The ride home was filled with rapid-fire questions from the back seat.

Why didn’t you tell us you were stressed out?

Should you be talking to a professional about your problems?

Is it happening again?

The last one made a weird acidic taste burn in the back of his throat. No matter how many years he put between himself and The Great Breakdown of his early twenties, he was frequently reminded that nobody would ever forget it happened.

Because when you were a world-class athlete, your failures didn’t only become gossip—they became lore.

“The doctor said you need to keep your stress levels down and take a break from work,” his mother relayed. “This could happen again. She said that panic attacks can be triggered by working too much and not getting enough rest, and—”

“I know, Mom. I was there.”

“We care about you, Jamie.” His father’s voice was gruff. “This isn’t about blame or trying to make you feel bad. You know that, right?”

Despite everything that had happened in the past, his parents had never once made him feel like he was to blame for what had happened…even if he himself had felt like a giant failure.

“Yeah,” he said. “I know.”

“And the doctor said we need to keep an eye on you for the next twenty-four hours to make sure there are no complications,” Patty continued. The car rolled smoothly along the highway, other vehicles passing them at a rapid pace thanks to his dad’s careful—read: slow—driving. “I got your sister to set up the spare bedroom at our place. And don’t bother protesting about going home by yourself because I won’t have it.”

Jamie glanced at his father, who simply shrugged as if to say, she’s the boss. Too right. Nobody was under any illusions about who was head of their household, that was for damn sure.

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Mom. But what about—”

“Flash is staying at Clay’s house,” she said without letting him finish. “He said we could leave him there until you were ready to go home.”

Whenever Jamie wasn’t feeling himself, the first thing he wanted to do was to hang out with his dog. They really were man’s best friend. No doubt Jamie’s business partner, Clay Harris, would spoil him rotten with treats and belly scratches, so it wasn’t like he’d be sad having a sleepover.

Jamie watched the scenery roll along outside the window. Soon they were approaching Reflection Bay, the town where he’d spent most of his life—a town that wasn’t even big enough for its own hospital.

He’d driven along this road so many times he’d lost count, watching the silvery blue of the ocean flicker between patches of green and rugged cliff faces, the tourist-favorite red-and-white lighthouse rising up in the distance. It was the same as it had always been and yet…it felt different now.

Everything felt different.

Forty-eight hours after returning home from the hospital, Jamie was “discharged” from the Hackett Family Hospital. But not without needing to pass a rigorous interrogation from his mother. If someone had overheard the conversation, they might mistake Patty Hackett for an actual doctor rather than the elementary school art teacher she was.

But now that Jamie could taste the sweet air of freedom, he was happier than ever to be alive. Especially since he had been reunited with his canine best friend.

“Isn’t it glorious? The sun is shining. The birds are singing.” Jamie glanced down at his dog, Flash, who ambled with the kind of gait that could only be described as “walking under duress.” “Oh, come on, bud. It’s not that bad.”

The chunky fawn-and-white bulldog looked up at him with imploring eyes as if to say, please make it stop. Flash, named in the most ironic fashion, hated working out as much as Jamie loved it. In fact, it was somewhat of a local joke that the two fittest guys in town had adopted the laziest dog ever as the mascot for their gym.

But Jamie loved Flash with everything he had. The dog might not be able to move faster than a drunk snail, but he had a heart of gold. Flash was always happy to see Jamie, never judged him for working too long or for stressing out too much about his business, and loved nothing more than just hanging out. No expectations, no bullshit.

That was love.

The pair ambled along the street. His business, Reflection Fitness, sat right at the end of the main strip, on a corner. It never failed to make pride surge through Jamie’s veins to see what he and Clay had built together. Their goal had been to create a gym that catered to all the people in their small town, leaving no one to feel like they didn’t belong. Reflection Fitness had clients who were training for big goals like marathons and fitness competitions, as well as clients like Jamie’s grandpa—who was combating osteoarthritis with regular, low-intensity workouts—and Jamie’s favorite personal training client—a bubbly woman in her forties who’d decided to try weight lifting after years of thinking cardio was the only option for women. They had a trainer on staff who specialized in pre- and post-natal fitness and another who ran classes for seniors aimed at improving joint mobility. They had built the gym to be accessible for clients with mobility needs. It was important to both Jamie and Clay that everyone who came to the gym felt welcomed and catered to.

“Let’s get you inside where there’s some air-conditioning, huh?” Jamie looked down at Flash, who was taking each plodding step with great effort. To be fair to the dog, it was unseasonably hot for so early in the summer. “We’re almost there.”

Jamie turned the corner to access the gym from the back door, which led directly into the office he and Clay shared. He tried not to take Flash through the front if he could help it, in case anyone working out had asthma or allergies. But when Jamie got to the door and tried to turn the handle, he found it locked.

“Weird,” he muttered.

The back was usually open if Clay was working, which he should be, given the hour. But perhaps he’d stepped out.

Jamie tried unlocking it. Only…the key wouldn’t fit.

“What the heck?” He tried again. No dice.

He stared at the key, wondering if the knock he’d taken to the back of his head had done more damage than he’d realized. But no, it was definitely the right key.

Befuddled, Jamie walked Flash around to the front of the gym, where a sleek set of glass doors opened to a small reception area. The space was light and welcoming, with a big potted plant and a white couch in one corner. An old black-and-white photo hung on the wall, showing Clay and Jamie in their high school days, arms around each other—a tennis racket in Jamie’s hand and a basketball in Clay’s.

“Jamie!” The receptionist, Sara, brightened when she saw him. She wore a blue Reflection Fitness uniform polo shirt and her long, dark brown hair hung over her shoulder in twin braids. “How are you feeling?”

“Never better,” he replied breezily. “And thank you for sending those flowers to Mom’s place. That wasn’t necessary.”

“Everyone was thinking about you.” Her brow wrinkled. “We were all so worried when Clay told us what happened!”

Ugh, Clay. The guy had a big mouth.

“I told him to keep it quiet,” Jamie muttered. “In any case, I appreciate the gesture. Mom commandeered the flowers right away for her living room.”

Sara laughed. “That’s why I picked tulips. I had a feeling she would end up with them.”

Mama Hackett was a favorite among the staff since she often made oatmeal cookies, energy balls and other healthy treats for everyone who worked at Reflection Fitness.

“Is Clay in?” Jamie asked. “I tried the back door, but I think something’s wrong with my key.”

“Uh…” Sara’s expression turned strange, and she reached for the phone on the desk. “Let me call him through.”

“It’s okay, I’ll head in.” Jamie had his swipe pass on hand, like always, and he tapped it against the electronic reader which activated the gate into the gym.

The screen flashed red and made an angry beep sound.

First his key didn’t fit the lock and now his pass wasn’t working. What the—

“Jamie.”

He looked up and saw Clay striding through the gym toward the foyer, a no-nonsense look on his face. At six foot five with shoulders that could bridge two cities, Clay had the perfect build for the sport he’d loved as a child—basketball. He had dark brown skin, warm eyes and close-cropped curly black hair. Usually, Clay would be flashing his signature charming smile—a smile that had won over just about every cheerleader the guy had ever encountered in his high school and college days. A smile that, now, was conspicuously absent.

“You locked me out.” Jamie shook his head in disbelief. “You changed the locks on the office without telling me?”

“Outside, now.” Clay pointed to the front doors as he strode through the gate. “We’re not doing this in front of the clients.”

Sara dropped her head and pretended to bury herself in work, ignoring Jamie’s gaze pleading for support.

He let out an irritated huff. “Fine.”

The two men walked back outside and Jamie felt a pang of guilt as Flash made a noise of protest about returning to the hot summer day. The trio rounded the corner away from the front of the gym so they could have it out.

“This is for your own good, Jamie.” Clay held up his hands, signaling he didn’t want a fight. Despite being strong enough to beat most men in anything physical, Clay was a gentle giant with a big heart.

He was also, however, stubborn as an ox.

“We’re partners, Clay. You can’t lock me out of my own damn business.” Jamie gestured with his free hand toward the building next to them. “That’s…that’s got to be illegal.”

Clay folded his arms across his chest. “I had a feeling you wouldn’t take this seriously. The doctor said you need to rest and your mom told me to keep an eye on you, because she’s worried, too.”

Typical Patty. Jamie made a sound of disbelief. “I rested.”

“For two days.” Clay shook his head. “That’s not enough.”

“Man, it was nothing. You’re overreacting.”

“I am not overreacting. Do you have any idea what it’s like to walk up on your best friend lying unconscious on the floor? I thought you’d had a heart attack or something. I thought you were dead.”

He felt terrible for putting Clay through that, but he was already feeling vulnerable about this whole thing. He couldn’t let his friend see how much it had shaken him.

“So dramatic.” Jamie rolled his eyes.

“See, this—” Clay circled a finger at his face just like his mom used to when they were naughty kids “—is why I know you’re not listening to what the doctor said. You came right here to go back to doin’ exactly what you were doin’ before.”

“Building our business?” he replied, biting back his frustration.

“Running yourself into the ground. Wake up, Jamie.” Clay shook his head. “You might not be so lucky next time.”

“It’s my call to determine whether I’m ready to come back, not yours.”

“It sure is, because I won’t give you a new key until I’m sure you’re actually taking this thing seriously.”

Jamie’s mouth popped open. “You can’t do that!”

“Sure I can. It’s my name on the lease, remember?”

Oh yeah. That. He’d been meaning to get that bit of paperwork updated for almost three years now, but it was one of those things that kept falling off his to-do list in favor of more impactful items. Besides, he’d always thought Clay would never do him dirty, so it didn’t seem like a big deal.

“It’s our business, no matter what the lease says.”

“Jamie, I’m doing this because you’re my best friend. I want you to take care of yourself.” Clay looked genuinely concerned. “Coach always used to say a heart that pumps too fast is no better than one that doesn’t pump at all. Rest is as important as work.”

Jamie let out a groan. “Sitting at a desk isn’t exactly strenuous. I just need to answer some emails—”

“And then you’ll just need to look at some spreadsheets and make some calls and then some new client will come to you with a sob story and you’ll squeeze them in even though you said you weren’t going to take on any more PT clients yourself.” Clay shook his head. “I know your tricks, man. Don’t try to play me.”

“But what about the clients I have—”

“I split them up between the other trainers. It’s already done.”

“You called everyone already?” Jamie scrubbed a hand over his face. “I told you I didn’t want anyone to know.”

“I said you were helping me plan stuff for the wedding. Best man shit.” Clay grinned and Jamie found his anger withering away. It really was hard to hate the guy when he smiled. “You’re loyal like that.”

He let out a strangled noise of frustration. “I’ll call the locksmith myself.”

“Then he’s gonna have to get through me.”

Jamie considered his options. Anyone who didn’t know Clay might be too intimidated to try changing the locks against his wishes and anyone who did know him would be too charmed to want to try. Fact was, his best friend had him over a barrel.

“What am I supposed to do with myself, huh?” Jamie hated the panic in his voice. Who on earth felt panicked at the prospect of time off?

“I don’t know. Play ping-pong with your dad, go up to the Cape, sleep in. You’re a big boy—you’ll figure it out.”

Clay’s hand came down hard on Jamie’s shoulder, earning him a soft grunt. There was no reasoning with the guy, that much was clear.

Maybe Clay and his mom were right and this was serious. Jamie could have died. When he’d woken up in the ambulance, everything had flashed before his eyes—his whole life. His family. Work. His failed professional tennis career. His business. Long hours at his computer after longer days on the gym floor. Chasing the next thing, expanding the business, more clients, more money. Never satisfied. Always restless.

Was that all his life was about?

He’d always been hyper competitive, driven, and ambitious. But what if he had died the other day? What would he have left behind?

Jamie realized then that Clay was looking at him, as if waiting for him to speak. “No sweat. You want me to chill for a bit, fine. I can do that. You’ll see this isn’t a big deal.”

But even as he brushed off the severity of the incident, he knew the earth had shifted beneath his feet. What he’d thought was solid ground was now loose earth and uneven terrain. He needed to find his footing again. He needed to get himself straight. Most of all, he needed to prove to everyone that this was just a one-off. That he could handle pressure—unlike when he was younger.

Because he couldn’t ever go back to being Jamie Can’t-Hackett ever again.

Excerpted from Suddenly This Summer by Susan Mallery, Synithia Williams, Stefanie London. The Best Man Next Door by Stefanie London Copyright © 2023 by Stefanie Little. Published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

#netgalley #harlequin #Susan Mallery #Synithia Williams #Stefanie London #small town romance anthology #Novellas #romance #fiction

[alexanderhamilton1778]

My dearest Alexander,

I hope you are faring well. I miss you more and more everyday— Before I move on to business, I have a favor to ask of you. Do you think Elizabeth would be kind enough to watch after Athena while I’m here at camp? I do not believe she should be subjected to the atrocities that be committed here. These men are all filthy animals with offensive humors though they hide well behind their uppity and snood demeanors. But anyhow, when be the wedding? I’ve went ahead and requested I take a week off, for a “relative’s” wedding shouldn’t be something I’m to miss. Especially when I’ve been asked to be the best man. Tis only right I do everything in my power to be there for you and Eliza.

As for business, I’m certain you’re already aware of my predicament, though I haven’t heard back from you about it. Twas probably safer that way on any note. I’ve been fitted for the dreadful uniform. Tis quite itchy and smells of damn fool. I swear, every second I wear it I feel the shameful entitlement ooze from my very soul. God help me.

I’m to join Cornwallis in North Carolina tomorrow and I swear to try and lend you any info of his tactics, strategies and plans of attack. This must be done. But it must be done carefully and cautiously. I trust no one but you with such a task, Alexander. With all my heart, I wish to hold you again. To kiss your rosed cheeks and each and every inch of your alabaster skin. To count every freckle on your face and watch as the rising sun sets your hair aflame in such a mesmerizing way. My love… my dear boy… please keep me in your thoughts… and pray for my strength—

Affectionately yrs,

John Laurens

"My dear Jack,

I fare as well as one can when their lover be in the face of danger and miles from their safe embrace. My Betsey has accepted with great pleasure, she adores children and will treat Athena with as much care and protection as she would her own flesh. Not only for the child, but assistance for yourself as well, my dear. We have concluded the wedding shall commence on the 20th of this month. Pray you make it, my love. I have written to my father about such an event, and have pleaded him to come and witness it. I have not seen him in years, and while receiving word from him is sometimes long to wait for; I nearly leap for joy whenever a letter of his has made it into my hand. I have supplied him with all the funds necessary to make such an excursion, if all goes well then there should be no reason for fail. I am most eager to introduce my fine patriarch to not only my beautiful bride, but my handsome best man. I am most certain he shall love the both of you.

Shall I inform the general of your recent scheme? I think it most important to relay such information to him. Although admittedly I had delayed such with the hesitant thought you would change your mind.

You cannot even begin to imagine the bittersweet taste of your words, my dear. To know you're only miles away, from where I could travel to see you, but this war and the armies bar us apart. The winter is frightfully cold, but it is moreso now without you here. The family all inquires about you and where have you gone, they are all under the bliss you have safely returned to South Carolina to pursue familia ambitions. I can barely feel my soul with your absence as a cold partner of empty space in my bed. I miss your light chuckles, I miss your rough but gentle hands. And while I miss your eyes, I sometimes find solace in staring at the sky in which shares that same daring color of spirit I've come to adore.

Always yrs,

Alexander Hamilton"

#queries #letters

[sixofclovers]

we are zowa, jes

#six of crows #grishaverse #shadow and bone #jesper fahey #soc #crooked kingdom #soc art #jesper in durast purple bc he deserves it #if ketterdam didnt fuckin suck then grisha would wear their colours as garish barrel flash #the second army wishes they had this handsome boy #anyway postcommission sketchin #oh yeah rip if anyone hasnt read the books i guess lol #shadow and bone spoilers

[mimi-ya]

recruit ~ sabo x reader

4,800 words | f!reader | nsfw

summary: joining the revolutionary army isn't exactly what you expected

masterlist

“Late? And on a day like this?”

You struggle to catch your breath, falling in line at the back of the room. You glance over at the man next to you who is starring back with an arched brow. He isn’t familiar, but with over a hundred new recruits you haven’t learned everybody’s face yet.

Although, his is one that you think would have a hard time forgetting. And it’s not because of the scar covering part of his face, no, someone this handsome wouldn’t slip through your memory.

“Just another waste of day.” You mutter and roll your eyes, looking forward seeing if the instructors have shown up yet. You can feel his gaze still on you, and your eyes slip back to him, “What?”

He’s studying you with narrowed eyes and it unnerves you a little. Just as you’re about to ask what his deal is, his face breaks into a giant smile that throws you.

“Too slow, eh?”

You shrug, “A little basic for me.”

“Well maybe something will challenge you today.”

You can’t help but scoff, before facing forward again, “Right.”

It had been a long and dull last couple of weeks since you defecated from the Navy and joined the Revolutionary Army. You had expected it to be fast paced and rewarding, not marine boot camp 2.0.

“Alright everyone.” Hack calls the room to attention. You have to admit the fishman is an extremely talented fighter, you just wish he would up the level of skill he’s willing to share with his classes, “Today we have a special guest, our Chief of Staff has decided to grace us with his presence to show us a thing or two.” There’s a teasing glint in his tone.

“Thanks Hack!”

You freeze when the man beside you speaks up.

But he doesn’t pay you any mind as he makes his way to the front of the room, apologizing to every recruit he passes by.

“My name is Sabo and I’ve served the Revolution since I was a child.” He rests a gloved hand on Hack’s shoulder, “Even learned from Hack, like you all are.”

Hack lets out a gruff laugh, “Not that I had much to teach you, boy.”

Sabo smiles, and ducks his head, which you find to be quite endearing for the second in command of the Revolutionary Army. And then he smirks from under his hat before his fingers tighten on the Hack’s shoulder, force behind his arm ready to send the fishman crashing into the floor.

But your eyes are quick enough to see the swift change of weight from Hack as he adjusts his shoulder and Sabo’s grip slips. The rest of the class gasps, finally seeing what’s happening before them as Hack kicks out one of Sabo’s feet, causing him to fall flat on his ass.

“Nice try, boy.” He offers a hand, “But don’t forget who taught you that move.”

“Heh.” Sabo plops his hat back on his head that had fallen off in the scuffle before accepting his mentor’s hand, “One of these days.”

Hack just scoffs before turning back to the class, “Alright, as I was saying, Sabo will be leading you all through the lessons today.”

“Right!” He smiles, eyes cutting to yours with mirth twinkling in them, “Hopefully I can provide a challenge.”

And you wish the ground would swallow you whole.

The rest of the lessons go by painstakingly slow. It’s one thing to endure the beginner level fighting styles, but it’s another to be taught by a man so handsome while at the same time you feel overwhelmed with shame and embarrassment each time your eyes meet.

But when Hack finally calls for the end of the session, you’re the first one to make a break for the door. That is until…

“(Y/N),” Sabo calls, and you feel your stomach drop, he knows your name? “You mind staying behind for a bit?”

A few people give you a curious look, but you wave them off, letting then know you’ll catch up later. Dragging yourself back to the front, you stand before Sabo and he’s staring at you with an unreadable expression.

“How was the class?” He asks just as you blurt out an apology.

“I am so sorry. Please, I didn’t mean anything- huh?” You stop your word vomit when Sabo begins to laugh.

“You don’t have to apologize for your honest thoughts.” He stares off for a moment, “I remember feeling the same way.” And then looks back at you, “I read your file. Well, I read all the recruits files. But yours stuck out to me, we don’t get many Navy defectors.”

You shrug awkwardly, “Yeah, well I’m sure you would if there were less assholes in the Navy.”

“You think so?”

“I mean, I would hope if most saw the shit I saw.” You grimace, thinking back to your first stationing on the Sabaody, and the sick lack of regard for life.

Sabo takes a step closer, “So, you’d agree if I said the World Government and Marines need to be eradicated?”

“Well.” You pause, “I think safety and stability is important-”

“But you just said they were all assholes?”

“Well not all.”

“So you wouldn’t stand against the Marines if it meant pushing forward the Army’s goals?”

You narrow your eyes, a little annoyed with his quick questions, “You’re twisting my words.”

“I’m just trying to figure out where your loyalties lie.”

“With the Revolution!” You shout, “Fuck! It’s not even the World Government we need to worry about! It’s the World Nobels that are pulling the strings! They’re the ones hiding something from us! They’re the ones…” You trail off when you see Sabo is giving you the widest smile, “What?”

He shrugs, “Nothing, just glad to see you’re not a spy.”

“You thought I was a spy?”

“Never can be too sure.” He tosses his top hat on the floor, “Now let’s see what they were teaching you marines.” He drops a foot back into a defensive stance, “But I’ll warn you, I’ve been fighting against Vice Admirals since I was a child.”

Your mouth drops, “They sent you into battle as a kid?”

Sabo shrugs with a knowing smile, “Not exactly,” And then he jumps, motioning at you, “Now c’mon.”

He watches as you visibly gulp, and if you keep that up his eyes might be a little too distracted on your neck to fight properly. But then you fall into your own stance, and he’s pleased to see they’re still teaching the same style Garp used all those years ago.

You’re waiting for Sabo to make the first move, but he stands as still as ever.

Realizing you’re going to have to make the first move, your shift your weight and appearing to look like you’re going in for a punch but Sabo pinpoints when your back foot lifts off the floor.

He steps back, letting your foot swing through the air. When it lands you have your back turned and peeking over your shoulder you see he has a smirk on his face. Fury and annoyance settles in your stomach looking at that smug expression on his face, like he has you all figured out.

Going for an all out attack, you spin and lunge for his mid section but he jumps out of the way. After regaining balance from your stumble, you straighten and throw a punch, which finally connects with his skin even if he is blocking it.

It’s blow after blow from you that Sabo easily deflects or dodges, the only contact you make when he brushes off one of your attacks.

You’re heaving even after a few minutes, more intense than all the weeks of Revolutionary training combined. But even the satisfying burn in your muscles doesn’t help fight down the annoyance that’s growing towards the second in command.

After another blocked kick you pause, hands flying to your hips, “Are you even trying?”

Sabo drops his stance, cocking his head to the side, “Of course I am. You’re a very formidable opponent.”

“Then why don’t you fight back?”

A smirk dances on his lips, “I see you haven’t overcome that teaching the Navy instilled in you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

He takes a step closer, and it takes everything in you not to retreat, “I don’t need to be on offensive to win.” His eyes roam your body, “Even now, you’ve exerted so much, with one precise blow, I could send you toppling.”

“Prove it.” You challenge, confident it wouldn’t be thateasy to take you down.

Sabo raised a brow, always loving a test of his abilities, “Alright, but I warned you.” He’s impressed that you stand your ground, not moving an inch to prove your point, that is until he pulls out his little trick.

Your eyes widen when his flamed fist is raised, startling you just enough that your stumble back tripping over his well-placed foot to land flat on your ass.

Sabo can’t stop the laughter that escapes from deep in his stomach.

“You cheated!”

He looks at you with a smug grin, “There’s no such thing as cheating in fighting!”

You scramble to your feet, pressing a finger into his chest, “I didn’t know you had a devil fruit!”

“What?” He leans in, letting your finger dig into the firm muscle underneath, “You think every enemy is going to tell you their whole life story before a fight?”

You huff, falling back and crossing your arms. There’s not much you can say because well, he’s not wrong, but he’s also not right!

“I enjoyed this.” Sabo says, grabbing his hat from where he had placed it at the beginning of class, “And I know Hack’s going a little slow for you, but you have to understand where the margin lies for the rest of the recruits.”

You tighten your arms to yourself, and chew on your lip. Here comes the part where you finally get canned for your comments. You certainly didn’t expect what came next.

“If you’d like, I’d be willing to continue this training.”

.

“What’s that? Thirty-eight losses now?”

“No way!” You sit up from your spot on the ground, “We definitely tied that one time!”

“Koala?” Sabo defers to the referee who’s sitting on a crate.

She flips through her little notepad, “Looks like you’re at thirty eights wins and one forfeit, ehh, from when you fell asleep.”

“Ha!” You laugh, “That’s one for me!”

“You can’t count a forfeit as a win!” Sabo argues back.

“Well, you can’t fall asleep mid battle and expect the enemy to give you a pillow and blanket.”

You enjoy watching Sabo flush when he thinks back to the time he woke up on the ground, a little confused as to why there was a thick blanket draped over him and a cushion pillowed under his head.

Before Sabo can defend himself Hack knocks on the door, “Sabo, Koala, we’re starting soon.”

An uneasy silence falls over the room and you turn away.

The Army was finally preparing for their attack on the World Nobles, and with that there were increased meetings that kept Sabo, Koala, and other extremely busy. But it wasn’t their lack of presence that had you upset.

“I’ll catch up.” Sabo says, waiting for the others to leave until he clears his throat, “You did good today, keep working on that move I showed you and you might actually get me one of these days.”

“Good enough to go with?’ You mutter, already knowing the answer.

“(Y/N).” There’s an exasperation to his voice that ticks you off, like he’s reminding a child of something for the hundredth time.

“I can help!” You cry, arms flinging out, “I know more about their inner workings more than anyone else!”

“And the Army has appreciated your intel, truly, I don’t know where we’d be without it.”

“Right.” You responded bitterly, “Glad I could be of service, now that I’ve outgrown my worth, that’s it?”

Sabo’s eyes harden, “You know that’s not the case. It’s a small mission with the top officers only. Koala and Hack aren’t even going!”

You turn away. He has a point that you can’t refute. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t still worried. You’ve seen firsthand the sick and twistedness of the World Nobles, and to know that Sabo’s going straight into their den puts you on edge like nothing else has.

“Hey.” You can feel him behind you before he places a hand on your shoulder and turns you, “I’ll be okay.”

“You don’t know that.” There’s a lump forming in your throat, “You have no idea what could happen!”

Sabo’s lips stretch into a crooked grin, “Have a little faith in me, will yeah?” But his jest to try and lighten the mood falls flat.

Even in the short couple months you’ve known Sabo, he’s carved out a little spot in your little heart. The tiring training sessions, when he pulls you around the base to show you whatever new nook and cranny he’s discovered, waking you up in the late hours of the night to help him make what most would call a three-course meal that he’s declares is a snack. God, you just might love this idiot.

No.

You do love him.

And the realization sends you into a frenzy.

You love Sabo. And you might lose him in a week. And he would never know.

“Sabo.” You say urgently, and his eyebrows furrow noticing desperation in your voice, “I think-”

“Sabo.” The commanding voice causes your back to straighten, “We’re waiting.”

“Sure thing, Dragon!” Sabo throws a smile over his shoulder, “What were you saying?”

“I-” You can see Dragon is still waiting in the doorway, and you realize this isn’t the right time, “I’ll tell you later.”

Sabo’s grin returns to his face, “Alright!” And then he spins on his heel, “C’mon Dragon, you’re gonna be late too!”

.

The chatter around you does nothing to calm your mind. You hoped returning to the dorms would stop the spinning in your head, but it seemed to be to no avail. Too preoccupied to be good company, the others left you in your bunk to think.

You’re in love with the Chief of Staff. Second in the Revolutionary Army. Sabo.

The thought sends your heart into a frenzy. It’s frightening. It’s exhilarating. It’s everything that Sabo is wrapped up into a ball and crammed in your chest. How you were able to go each day without realizing it seems like the most preposterous thing.

Now you just need to tell him before it’s too late.

“Hey! Wanna try this candy Iva made?”

“Shit, Sabo!” You nearly jump out of your skin seeing Sabo has popped his head over the bunk, already laughing while you try to swat at his head, easily dodging you.

“C’mon!” He waves the little bag, “Ivankov said it’s a Kamabakka specialty!”

“Then get out of my way!” Your hand lands on his forehead and you give him a good shove so you can swing yourself out of the top bunk.

Sabo is radiating with energy as he drags you through the halls before taking you into his office turned bedroom. He had a bunk with the rest of the army, always insisting he didn’t want special treatment. But after one too many nights of him falling asleep at his desk, Koala and Hack had bullied him into putting a cot in there so at the very least he wouldn’t throw his back out sleeping in that chair.

“Stop hogging all the candy!” You swipe the bag from his hands as he’s sprawled out on his bed, tossing pieces in the air before impressively catching them in his mouth. Poking at his legs you wait for him to lift them so you and settle on the bed with them in your lap, “So? How was the meeting?”

You’re stalling and you know it.

Sabo pillows his hands behind his head, starring at the ceiling, “We’re departing tomorrow.”

Silence envelopes the room, and the piece of candy halfway to your mouth falls on to the bed, “Tomorrow? But the Reverie doesn’t even start for another ten days!”

“We have to account for travel and placement, not to mention-” He begins to rattle of logistics.

“How long did you know?” You cut him off, and the confused look on his face only angers you further, “How long did you know today would be your last day?”

Sabo sits up, “(Y/N)…”

You scoff, pushing his feet off and flying to your feet, “So you’ve just been hiding this from me?”

“You knew this was happening.” He points out.

“Yeah, but not tomorrow!”

“What difference does it make?”

Your mouth falls open, but you don’t really have a good excuse.

Other than the truth that is.

You told yourself you would get the words out tonight, but part of you knew you might chicken out, only reassuring yourself you’d still have more time. Now it seems like you have anything but time.

“You’re such a dick, Sabo.”

“Are you still upset you’re not coming?”

“I’m not upset!” You ignore his eye roll, “And even if I was, it wouldn’t be about that!” You throw your arms in the air, “Fuck! It’s like you forget some of us care about you! You think I wouldn’t want to know how many more days I have with you?”

Sabo flies to his feet, “Well, you keep making it sound like I’m going to die or something.”

“You might!”

Sabo scoffs, turning away form you, “This is why I didn’t tell you, I knew you’d freak out.” He bends down to pick up the discarded bag of candy before tossing it on the desk, “I’m surprised even after months of being here you have so little faith in our forces. Tell me, was it like that with the Navy?”

“I believe in the Revolution.” You spit, frustrated he’s trying to make connections that aren’t there.

“Then what’s your problem? Do you think we should just let the world continue to live in tyranny?” He looks at you with a fiery passion in his eyes, “You’re the one who goes on and on about how horrible the World Nobles are, don’t tell me you’re scared now?”

“I am scared!” You shout, “I’m terrified, Sabo.” Your feet take you in front of him, “I am so scared knowing you’re going there and I’m going to be left here with no way of helping if something goes wrong. That I might lose the one person I love more than-” You latterly smack your hand over your mouth when the words slip out.

Sabo himself feels his heart stutter, eyes widening when the words process in his head paired with the mortified look on your face.

“(Y/N).” Sabo begins softly, and his gloved hand reaches for yours, “You know I care about you, right?”

You feel yourself nod but are more focused on how his thumb is rubbing over your wrist and that his words kind of sound like an apology, which makes you sick to your stomach.

“That’s why I have to go tomorrow.” He clears his throat, “So I can make the world a better place for the people I love.”

“Oh.” The small gasp leaves your mouth, and Sabo feels his brows furrow in confusion. Is it that surprising? He thought he was being pretty obvious if Koala and Hack’s teasing was anything to go by. He was sure Ivan and Dragon had even noticed by now.

“(Y/N)?” Sabo asks nervously, “Can I kiss you?”

He watches your eyes flick to his lips and back, “Yes.” You whisper, eyes fluttering closed.

Sabo lets go of your hand, pulling off his glove so he can cup your face and feel your skin under his. Tilting your head, he presses his lips to yours.

It’s a sweet thing. Just a touch of lips before he pulls back while you try to chase his lips. There’s a twinkle in his eyes, as if knowing how desperate you are for more.

Sabo smiles, eyes roaming your face as if to catalog every detail, “I’ll take that with me.”

“That’s all?” You blurt before you can even stop yourself, “I mean,” Embarrassment flooding you and you avert your eyes to the ground, “if you wanted more I wouldn’t mind, unless of course you don’t-”

“(Y/N).” Sabo interrupts, his voice filled with reverence and passion, “Let me make love to you?” He pulls you flush against his body, as if trying to mold you into his flesh.

“Please.” You whimper, eyes fluttering and knees weak.

He pulls you in for another kiss, but this one deeper, not hesitating to lick into your mouth. He’s already moaning at the taste of you, feeling like he could consume you and still be hungry for more.

You stumble a bit as he walks you backwards to the bed, legs folding when they hit the mattress. And Sabo has never been more thankful for his good faith pestering team who insisted he had this bed in here.

Feeling your soft body against his as he presses you into the bed is making his head a little dizzy. He breaks the kiss to get a good look at you, and he’s sure the smile on his face matches the one that stretches your cheeks.

“Sabo.” You whine, knocking his top hat off so you can run your hands through his hair, “I need you, now.”

“Oh.” Sabo had intended on taking his time with you, exploring and mapping out every inch of your body until it was burned behind his eyelids. Not leaving a single spot untouched by his lips if he had anything to say about it.

You on the other hand, had much different ideas. Now that you’ve realized your feelings, it makes sense why the weeks of sparring always left you a little on edge, being so intimately close to his body. Both of you heaving with sweat running down your necks in the most erotic way. You want nothing more than for Sabo to tear off your clothes with the same ferocity he fights.

“Please.” You beg, leaving a trail of kisses along his throat and pushing down his coat while you untie the cravat around his neck. A frustrated groan spills from his lips as he’s decided just how to take you.

“Fine.” He growls, helping to strip of his shirt, “But I’m taking my time after this one.” You giggle as he struggles to undress and noting his words, how he’s already planning to keep you up all night.

Not to be one left behind, you start to tear off your own shirt, pushing your pants down along with your panties. You’re so busy ripping off every offending piece of clothing that you don’t realize Sabo is already bare and watching you.

How your soft looks in the dim candlelight, dying to kiss every stretch and mark. He’s desperate to get his hands on you, pull on every bit of flesh and massage it under his fingers.

“You’re beautiful.” He whispers, not even realizing he said it out loud until your head shoots up just as you’re pulling off the last sock. He sees your eyes fill with lust at his naked state, but then catches when they widen. He does his best not to hide.

Sabo knows his skin is marred. Almost half his body rough with scars of tyranny that will never fully heal. He’s come to terms with it, thankful to even be alive, more so now that his memory has returned. But it’s the piece of him that will always be stolen, that pure unharmed skin long gone with his innocence.

Your eyes meet his, a hardness in them that he doesn’t think he’ll ever forget, “You’re beautiful too, Sabo.” And he feels himself flush, “Now come here.”

Opening your arms, Sabo folds himself into your embrace, immediately pressing a kiss to your lips. Sinking into the bed, you let your legs fall to the side as Sabo situates himself between them.

Your hands run up and down his back, enjoying the hard press of his thigh against your cunt. And when you roll your hips, he nearly chokes on his spit, feeling your wetness smear across his skin.

“Fuck, (Y/N).” His hand slides down to grab your hips, helping you rock against his leg, “You’re already so wet for me.”

“Mhmm.” You nod in agreement, squeezing your eyes shut as the dragging of your clit tightens that coils further and further in your belly.

Sabo had really planned on taking things slow, even with your protest for more, he wanted to savor this as much as he could. But now that he’s looking at the ecstasy building in you expression, the feel of your body, his resolve is cracking.

A squeak escapes you when Sabo pulls your legs further apart, slapping his cock against your cunt with no hesitation. You can see how his gaze is transfixed on the sight, feeling the head of his cock bumping against your most sensitive bundle. He can’t stop, each slide between your wet folds feeling better than the last.

“Sabo,” You whine, hand pushing against his abdomen, “Stop teasing!”

His head shoots up, an apologetic and embarrassed expression as if he had just remembered you were there, “Sorry about that, love.” And chuckles when you scoff, falling flat against the bed.

“Well?” You ask.

“Of course.” He nods, leaning down to capture your lips while lining his cock up with your entrance. He wants to taste your reaction, consume the moans that will spill form your mouth.

And his efforts are rewarded when you whimper into the kiss, struggling to comprehend his size that’s splitting you open, better than anything you had every felt.

“That’s it.” Sabo mumbles, “You’re being so good for me.”

You gasp when he bottoms out, never having felt something so deep inside you before. “Please, please.” You babble, trying to take matters into your own hands by rolling your hips, hoping it entices him to do something, anything.

“Always so impatient.” Sabo mumbles, rising on his hands to hover over you. “Too impatient in lessons,” He withdraws his cock and you almost cry at the loss, “And too impatient now.” Roughly driving into you with his entire force behind it, sliding you further up the bed from the ricochet.

His relentless pacing keeps up with his first thrust, pushing into you over and over without an ounce of hesitation.

It’s what you wanted, what you begged for, but now that it’s happening? Your nails dig into his shoulders, trying to ground you to the moment. It might be too much.

“Sabo!” You cry, “I- I think I’m gonna cum!”

“Now?” His eyes widen with bewilderment, “Not yet love.” He slows his movements, cock dragging against your walls in delicious pace that has you sobbing at the abrupt change. Sabo presses his lips to your cheeks, tasting your tears of frustration, “We’ll finish together, okay?

You whimper and nod, eyes screwed tightly shut as he works you up again with a slower yet higher build. Your breath is coming out in stutters as your walls clamp down on his cock.

He groans into your neck, a shudder running through his body when he feels how tight you’re gripping onto him, feeling his own ending approach.

Your legs tighten around his waist when you feel his fingers reach down between your bodies, rubbing at your clit with a determined purpose.

“Sabo.” You choke out, “I- I really can’t,”

“It’s okay.” He whispers in your ear, “Let go.”

With his permission you feel your eyes roll into the back of you head, entire body locking up as Sabo presses as deeply as he can, letting your pulsating cunt help the pleasure wash over him.

Your name spills from his lips like prayer, echoing it over and over as you each push one another deeper into oblivion.

His movements eventually tapper out and he collapses in the spot beside you and your heavy breaths fill the room.

A groan breaks the semi silence as Sabo turns to his back, wrapping an arm around your shoulders to pull you to his chest with a content smile.

You can hear his heart beating in your ear, feel it under your fingertips and you realize you’ll give anything to make sure it doesn’t stop.

“Promise me.” You whisper and Sabo cracks an eye, watching as you push yourself off his chest to get a good look at his flushed face, “Promise me you’ll come back.”

“I promise.” Sabo says without hesitation, “Even for you alone, nothing will stop me from getting back here.”

He watches as you search his face, looking for some trace of doubt. But he has none. He will save this world. And he will make it back to you.

“You know, there’s another reason I have to come back.” He begins.

“What’s that?” You ask, confused.

Sabo’s face stretches in a grin, “To take you out to dinner, of course.”

#sabo x reader #sabo imagine #sabo one piece x reader #sabo the revolutionary #op x reader #one piece x reader #mimis birthday smut!

[thebadgerclan]

The Dark Prince: Chapter 2:

Chapter Summary: Your parents wonder if you’re truly sure about this...

A/N: 2 chapters one day, you’re welcome 😂💖

Your father thanked the nobled for coming and swiftly ushered you out of the room, practically dragging you back to the family sitting room.  Your mother followed, but Nikolai and Vasily had made themselves scarce.  Pytor was flushed, and while your mother seated herself on the sofa, he paced the room.  “Y/N, are you quite certain of the choice you’ve made?” he asked, and you nodded.  “I am, father.”  “Darling,” your mother chimed.  “It is your decision in the end, but I have to ask if you’ve made the right one.  General Kirigan, I admit there were far worse men in the pool, but I have to ask what drove this decision.”

This moment was crucial, the beginning of your cover story.  No one could know you’d been with Aleksander for a year, no one could know that he already owned your heart and soul.  “The Second Army and the Grisha populace as a whole have been at odds with the crown for decades,” you said, as if you’d had this planned out.  “A marriage between a Ravkan Princess and their General could do wonders to smooth things over and strengthen our relationship.”

You felt a fool for your next words, but playing the blushing young maiden would work in your favor.  “And he’s handsome, mother.  Mature.  Some of those noble boys still had pimples.”  Tatiana laughed and nodded, taking your hand.  “You have a point there, my dear.  But please, remember that you can back out of this any time you wish.  There’s nothing holding you in this.”  There was, your heart wouldn’t allow you to break this off, but you smiled and nodded.  “Of course, mother.”

She pressed a kiss to your cheek and herded your father from the room, leaving you alone.  Only then did you look at the parchment you’d tucked into your sleeve.  Our spot, as soon as you can. -Aleksander.  You smiled and allowed yourself a moment of giddiness before composing yourself and stepping into the hallway.  Servants and maids bowed and curtsied as you passed, and you hoped your flush had faded.  You made your way onto the grounds and crossed the drive to the Little Palace, hanging a sharp right towards the banya.

Aleksander was waiting for you, and when you were sure you’d arrived unseen, you took off in a sprint to him, throwing yourself into his arms.  “I cannot believe you did that,” you whispered after a moment.  “I wouldn’t let any other man touch you, my love,” he said, kissing your forehead, your nose, your cheeks, and finally, your lips.  “I told you we’d find a way.”  You smiled, kissing him again.  “We’ll have to be distant,” you said.  “Act like we’re falling for each other.”

“Oh, I don’t think that will be a problem.  Getting to woo you all over again?  Saints spare me.”  He laid a hand over his forehead, dramatically sighing, and you laughed, kissing him once more.  “I’m serious, Aleksander.  We can’t afford suspicion.  People won’t be too happy that you’re the one I’m courting, they’ll likely see it as a vy for the throne.”  Aleksander shook his head.  “I don’t want the throne,” he said.  “All I want is you.”  “And you’ll have me,” you vowed, and with one final kiss to his lips you stepped back.  

“I have to go.  Saints know the nobles will have words for me.”  “I’ll call on you tomorrow,” Aleksander said, taking your hand.  “I want you to be my wife as soon as possible.”  You smiled and walked away, feeling light and buoyant.  But that joy faded when you stepped back into the palace.  The Earl of Halmhend was standing in the foyer along with three other nobles whose names you couldn’t remember.  “Gentlemen,” you greeted.  “Is there something I can do for you?”

“There is, Princess,” the earl sneered, your title like venom in his mouth.  “We were wondering what is wrong with our sons.”  “I beg your pardon?”  “30 eligible bachelors, vying for your hand, and you chose him?  Have we done something to offend, moya tsarevna?  For I see no other reason as to why you would align yourself with such a man.”  You drew yourself up to your full height, summoning every ounce of regalness and grace you could.

“As you likely know, the Second Army has had a tedious relationship with the crown.  A marriage between myself and General Kirigan could help to ease the tension.”  But the earl wasn’t convinced.  “Stick with your story, Princess.  But know that we are where your power comes from.”  You scoffed.  “You’re the Count of Caryeva, are you not?” you asked one of the other three men.  “Yes, Highness.”

“Well, you would do well to remember that it is my brother Vasily who will need your support, and I could always tell him of better towns in which to buy his horses and whores.”  The count stiffened and you shouldered past the men, a satisfied smirk on your face.  You made your way up the staircases towards your chambers, and your mother flagged you down.  “Y/N, might we have a word?”  “Sure,” you agreed, proceeding into your sitting room.

“I won’t dance around the issue, sweetheart.  I need to be sure that you’re certain about Aleksander.”  You cocked your head.  “Of course I am, Mother.”  “It’s just…. Your father and I have seen him in some less than savory positions.  He can be ruthless, Y/N, and I would have to throw you into this blind.”  “I’m not going in blind, Mother.  I know that his position is a challenging one, and I’m prepared to stand by his side when he needs it.”

Your mother nodded, taking your hand.  “I wasn’t given a choice,” she said, and you knew this would be one of the rare times she spoke of her marriage to your father.  “I was engaged to a man I’d never met, shipped to a country where I knew no one.  I didn’t speak Ravkan, I had no friends here.  I’ve never been back to Fjerda.  For you, my darling girl, I want more.  And you have more.  You’ve made this choice for yourself, and while it’s not the choice I might have made, it is yours to make.

“But I’ll ask one more time: are you sure about this?  About him?”  Images flashed before your eyes: Aleksander holding you, kissing you, making you smile.  Aleksander on one knee before you, asking you to be his bride.  Aleksander watching as you walked down the as you walked down the aisle to him.  Aleksander vowing to be yours forever.  Aleksander, Aleksander, Aleksander.  “I don’t think I’ve been more sure of anything in my life.”

#aleksander morozova x reader #shadow and bone fanfiction #the darkling x reader #general kirigan x reader #shadow and bone reader insert #the dark prince

[darling-i-read-it]

My King

Nikolai Lantsov x fem!reader

Word Count: 2k

Warnings: burns, violence, injuries

Author’s Note: This was so cute omg, I hope you enjoy love!

Requested; by anon, Hi love I absolutely adore your writing and I was wondering if you could request the ‘who did this to you trope’ with Nikolai please Thank you

Summary: the request!

I don’t own these characters. They belong to author/director/creator

(not my gif)

Nikolai Lantsov, King of Ravka, was the only man in this world that could make you actually visibly flustered. Boy did he love that. He used it to his advantage whenever he could and even managed to make you laugh here and there.

You stood behind him, looking down at his radiant blonde hair. You brushed through it carefully, making sure there were no tangles. He looked at you through the mirror and you pretended not to notice.

“You have to talk more with the suitors today,” you muttered, focused on combing through his hair.

“No I don’t,” he said. “I’ve picked my Queen.” You rolled your eyes. He caught it and couldn’t help but smile softly.

“I can’t be Queen Nikolai.” You met his eyes through the reflection. He looked effortlessly handsome, though he always did. You were always amazed at his stunning looks. Nikolai was a regal man and if nothing else, looked like he was fit to be a King.

“Why not?” he asked.

“Because I’m not royal.” You put your hands on his shoulders and leaned down, tilting your head to see him face to face. He met your gaze, that charming look in his eyes. “And you won’t get any prospects from being with me. You won’t get any money. You won’t get any land. You’ll get only me and that is not enough.”

“It’s plenty!” he protested. “I don’t need land or money or prospects. I just need you.” You shook your head and turned around, walking over to his bed. You handed him the clothing that his people had picked out for him to wear.

“No you want me. Ravka needs someone suited for the job.” Nikolai hated when you brought Ravka into this. If he was a low servant boy the two of you would have been married ages ago. He stood and turned around, holding his clothing in his hand.

“I will convince you.”

“No you won’t,” you muttered absentmindedly. “I have to call Genya to get things prepared for next week. You get dressed.”

“I won’t get married to anyone else.”

“We can have an affair on the side, will that make you happy?”

“No. I will not produce a bastard and make our child suffer the way I have,” he grumbled. You met his eyes kindly.

“Who says I want children with you?”

“You can’t keep your hands off me, I’m fairly certain your actions betray your words.” You rolled your eyes and put your hand on his chest as you walked past.

“Get dressed Nikolai. I’ll be with Genya if you need me.”

You left the room and he was left alone with his mind and his clothes. He stared at the door for a second, shaking his head. He knew that you were right. He knew that you understood this situation better than most. But he also knew that as long as you were alive, he could never love another person. He didn’t want to and he didn’t need to. You would make a wonderful Queen.

He would convince you one day, he was sure of it.

====

Genya held a clipboard in her hand. You wondered briefly if she had different colors to match what she wanted to go for that day. You almost never saw her without some sort of planning ability.

“I wish you would just marry him, save us all the trouble,” Genya said softly. You rolled your eyes.

“Trust me, if I could I would.”

“You’re completely able. You aren’t repulsed by him like some of the women coming. You aren’t his cousin, you aren’t underage. You’re both in love and that should be enough.”

“It’s enough for him. Not enough for Ravka.” You let out a small sigh and was about to say something else when a guard entered the room. You raised an eyebrow. He hadn’t announced himself or anything which was unusual. You are one of the closest to the King and usually was shown that respect. But this man looked very worried.

“There’s a Grisha at the gates, demanding to come in.”

“Do you know who it is?” you asked. He shook his head. You pursed your lips and spared Genya a glance. You were a very talented Heartrender and could use your power for defense if necessary. “What kind of Grisha?”

“Inferni.” You let out a soft sigh. That wasn’t great news.

“Should I find Zoya?” Genya asked. You shook your head.

“Zoya isn’t in Ravka.” She was out with Nina, hopelessly spying on others. She had protested quite often but you made her go. She could do good out there and could come back to lead her post later. You turned to the guard. “Come.”

===

You didn’t bother stopping to tell Nikolai. You could handle this yourself, you were sure. It was one Grisha. You had fought plenty before. You could handle one Inferni. You did wish you hadn’t told Zoya to go though. She was much more powerful than you.

You reached the gates and saw the fire immediately. Your few Tidemakers were doing their best to battle the flames but the Inferni looked skilled. You wondered if they were a member of the Second Army before the war.

You saw him standing at the edge of the gates.

“Let me see the King!” he yelled at the guards, shooting flames aimlessly. You focused, slowing his heart rate at your will. He looked frightened as he realized what was happening to him. You approached cautiously.

“The King is busy today,” you said. He clutched his chest. “Can I help you?”

“I want…” he breathed heavily, “to kill the King.” You shook your head.

“That isn’t going to happen today.” He looked up at you and before you knew it he had shot a ball of fire in your direction. It knocked you down, causing you to lose your focus. Pain flew to your limbs as you put the fire out. You raised your hand to him and crippled him down to his knees more harshly this time. You took the air from his lungs, your own body singed and smoking as you did so. You guestered to a Tidemaker and some guards. “Take him.”

They did as they were told, dragging him to the dungeon. He gasped for air until he was out of your sight.

You sat in the courtyard for a moment, reveling in your pain. No one approached you for a moment, unsure if you were able to stand on your own or not. You wobbled to your feet and guestered to a guard.

“Send for Genya Safin.”

“Should I get the King?” the guard asked.

“Saints no,” you breathed.

You walked back inside the castle and soon enough saw Genya rushing towards you. Her eyes went wide in horror.

“Why didn’t you ask for a Healer?” she exclaimed.

“I wanted you to take me there,” you breathed, laughing gently. She held you up and started to walk towards the nearest Healer when you saw Nikolai coming down the stairs, a guard trailing after him. He ran up to you, putting his arms around your waist and holding you up. Genya let you go into his grasp. Your eyes narrowed on the guard. “You disobeyed me.”

“He insisted on knowing whenever you were hurt,” the guard said quietly. You shook your head.

“Who did this to you?” Nikolai almost growled. You tried not to think of the monster inside him as he spoke in an animalistic tone.

“Inferni at the gates.”

“You should have called for help.”

“I can handle myself.” He turned to Genya.

“Take her to the Healers, I’m going to see this Inferni.” You gave him a look as he put you back into her care.

“Nikolai don’t do anything stupid unprotected,” you muttered, wincing in pain.

“He’ll get what's coming to him,” Nikolai muttered as he walked away from you.

====

The Healers tended to your wounds quickly and were able to avoid having any serious burns. You had gotten lucky. Nikolai was right though, you should have sent for help. You rested in your room, bandages over your various injuries.

The door opened without a knock which meant it was no one but Nikolai. You looked over at him.

“What did you do?” you asked evenly. He quickly sat at your side, grabbing your hand in his. He leaned forward and brushed your hair out of your face.

“He will be tried for high treason.”

“He didn’t commit high treason. He can’t even be tried for an assasination attempt, he never got close to you.” Nikolai smiled slyly and met your eyes.

“First off, I’m the King and I get to say who is tried with high treason. Second off, it was not an assassination attempt on the King of Ravka, it was however an assassination attempt on the future Queen of Ravka.” You went completely silent for a few moments, his words hanging in the air.

“You didn’t tell him that, did you?”

“I did. In fact, I told Genya to stop planning for the suitors' arrival next week.” He paused for dramatic effect. “Then I told her to get an official announcement prepared.”

“Nikolai-”

“Be quiet for a moment,” he said, meeting your eyes. “You got rather lucky today. You’re very lucky actually that you happened to be at the castle where there are the best Healers around. If you hadn’t been, your burns could have been much worse and you could have died.”

“That’s a bit of a stretch.”

“Shh!” He cleared his throat. “I won’t lose you. You are the most fit to be Queen and we will secure the Lantsov line with our children.”

“I’m Grisha thou-”

“Darling, if you interrupt me one more time I will poke an injury.” You smiled a bit and rolled your eyes. “My decision is final. I am your King and I have made my choice.” He paused. “If you’ll have me.” You had a feeling that he was telling you the truth. There was no way to talk him out of this. Truth be told, you wanted nothing more than to marry him. You had wanted it since the moment he laid eyes on you. You closed your eyes for a moment and shook your head, laughing gently.

“Fine. Yes, Nikolai, I will marry you.” A bright smile went over his face as he clapped his hands together and then turned to you, kissing you gently. You moaned in pain and he pulled away.

“I’m sorry. Just excited. Oh Genya is going to love this. She’ll have a ball planning our wedding. Oh and I have so many ideas for the honeymoon, you’re going to love it.” You grabbed his hand and couldn’t help but feel equally excited.

“We can talk more about it in the morning. Right now, I’m exhausted.”

“Oh yes of course. Scoot over.”

“Nikolai, you have things to do today.”

“Scoot.” You rolled your eyes and did as you were told. He laid on the bed beside you, putting his arm around your shoulder. You rested your head on his chest.

“Goodnight my darling,” he whispered, kissing your forehead.

“Goodnight my King.”

Grishaverse Tag List: @elisaa-shelby

@chameleon-junkie

#nikolai lantsov x reader #nikolai lantsov imagines #grishaverse imagines

[cheekygreenty]

Little Witch - Part 8

The Darkling x Reader

'Are you busy?' You had taken to looking for Aleksander to entertain yourself. You had already done the usual routine for the day and were bored. You had been intending to speak with him for a while but he always seemed to be busy when you asked for him. You had an inkling he knew what you wanted but was scared to approach the topic. Your wandering around the Palace and acting like a leader surely hadn't gone unnoticed by him.

You finally found him in the courtyard hopping off of his horse, looking as regal and handsome as always. The way he stood while talking to his stable boy gave you a clear view of the embroidery on the back of his kefta. The weaves of black shadows seemed to have grown since the last time you had such a close look. Magnificent

'I think I can find a moment out of my day for you' He briefly took your hand in his and lightly traced your knuckles with his thumb in a soothing manner. He always does this.

'Fantastic, I've been meaning to thank you for welcoming me back into the Palace, I feel I owe you big time.' Butter him up first.

'Nonsense, this is as much your home as it is mine' He said and started to walk towards the entrance.

'Well, in that case, is it possible for me to take up my old position?'

You studied his face while a knowing smile replaced his emotionless expression. He didn't look in the least surprised.

'How long have you been waiting to ask me that?' You couldn't help but laugh. I knew he knew.

'I have nothing else to do. I can't just sit and pamper myself for the rest of my life as lovely as that sounds.'

'Do you think you're up for it? It has been a while since you commanded an army.'

You'd be surprised. You were about to give him all the reasons you were even more suited now but he abruptly stopped and looked deep into your eyes, catching you off guard. He looked at you with longing and love. It suddenly rendered you speechless.

'So?' he quirked his head and wore that boyish smile that you loved so much.

'As a matter of fact, yes. If you wish, I'll even take over those boring council meetings with the King to prove myself.' He raised his eyebrows and let out a short hum.

'That does sound like a very advantageous proposition.'

'So I'm assuming that's a yes?'

'I shall think about it.' He looked away, away from your addicting stare and those beautiful eyes.

'Thank- what?'

Did I hear that right?

'You're going to think about giving me my own position back? I made it in the first place! It was made for me!' If anybody walked past the two of your right now, they would surely think you were about to rip his head off.

'A lot has changed since then Y/N' He attempted to walk away but you had other plans.

'Where do you think you're going? We're not done here!' You ran in front of him.

'Y/N I have business to attend to'

'So do I, and it's this' He let out an exasperated sigh.

'I said I'll think about it, I never said no'

'But you never said yes'

'I'll have to run it by the King and the rest of the council. How do you think they'll respond to me appointing a brand new Grisha as Deputy-General? A Grisha like you nonetheless, they’ve never heard of your kind'

There it was. A Grisha like me. He was scared.

'I'll talk to them myself then, maybe even tell him a story or two.' You were so enraged you considered going to the King right then and there. With a little pressure on his old heart, you would be sure to get his approval.

His demeanor suddenly changed. You were talking to the General now. Great, you thought he's talking to the Deputy-General.

'Don't you even dare.'

'You're not leaving me with much of a choice. I'll reduce this place to ash if you're not careful with your words, Aleksander' You went to turn and leave but he gripped your arm and he pulled you closer to him.

'You are so sure of yourself. Did all those years alone make you so arrogant, or were you always like this?' His words were like venom to your heart but fuel for your rage. You shook his hand off.

'That is very rich of you to say don't you think?' Your hands suddenly felt very fidgety and hot.

'Y/N I suggest you calm down before making threats to your General. You should be glad I haven't chained you thus far.' His own hands balled into fists as he restrained himself.

This was your last straw, with a loud whoosh, you sent a stream of fire his way to distract him while a nice gust of wind knocked him to his knees in front of you. You grasped his hands in yours and slowed his heartbeat, relaxing him. His eyes swirled with fear.

'Go on, send the shadows, I'll gladly take them' you said through your teeth.

Suddenly you saw movement out of the corner of your eye, oprichniki. Aleksander looked at them and shook his head. Ivan looked livid. Good for him.

You roughly let go and took a step back, disappointed that he didn't make a move.

'You better think quickly' You warned and walked off.

Suits him right.

******

Your chambers were trashed, the mirrors smashed and the bed overturned. Screams and shouts still echoed over the walls yet nobody came to check on you. The whole reason for your return was to take back your title, to be yourself again, and leave your nasty past behind you.

You swore you were better now, that you could control your impulses, that power wasn't a temptation anymore, but you were wrong. You undermined Aleksander today, embarrassed the General in front of his soldiers. But he didn't punish you. You always knew that wherever Aleksander was involved, your loss of control followed. You never understood why.

He got one thing right though, you needed to calm down. Your mind couldn't get over the feeling right before the guards came, the feeling of almost having his glorious shadows. Of almost having that part of him again. There it is again, the temptation of power. You shook your head to rid of the thought.

You had momentarily thought about taking Alina and some of her power, but quite frankly you didn't feel the need anymore. Shadows were your thing, you always had an air of darkness. So does he. You didn't fit the light, but she did.

Sleep wouldn't come to you, not even briefly. You stared at the damage of the room in the moonlight and thought back to the image of him on his knees in front of you, fearing evident in his eyes. He looked so good on his knees.

You shot up from the bed and yanked the door open, walking with a purpose, your rage having a strange effect on you. You needed him.

******

Aleksander sat at his desk, halfway through a bottle of whiskey. He couldn't stop thinking of what you did. How such a small thing had affected you and made you snap. Your eyes held darkness he had never seen before, not even in himself.

He hoped your intentions were pure, it was better than the reality he imagined in his head as you held an iron grip on his hands and slowed his heart. You looked hungry; ravenous for more.

There was a time when your power made him more attracted to you, you were his equal in his eyes. Together the two of you were unstoppable, a force to be reckoned with. But all of it changed when he seen how little you understood the power you had. Your powers were always ruled by your emotions and not by you. Today just proved to him that even after 98 years of practice, you were still a loose cannon.

He couldn't bring himself to use the shadows on you, not because you would've taken them, but because he didn't want to hurt you. For a split second, he was scared you would do something to him, but it was overpowered by the fear of what you could do to his life; turn it upside down and inside out. And he would let you.

He couldn't decide if he hated you for undermining him or whether he wanted you even more than he ever did. The tension between you two was always thick, but when he was on his knees in front of you, he couldn't help but think back to all the times he'd done it willingly, worshipping you at your feet. Rightfully so. You were a goddess in his eyes.

A door opening and shutting tore him away from his thoughts. He looked up and there you were, in nothing but a nightgown, flushed and breathing hard.

Part 9

ITS COMING sorry I’m making u wait but there’s nothing better than post-fight (literally) sex 😊😊😊

@theonelittleone @searching-for-gallifrey @0-artemis @lostysworld @xceafh @fire-in-her-veinz @cleverzonkwombatsludge @wizardwheezes @aleksanderwh0r3 @tomhollandisabae @hotleaf-juice @justmesadgirl

#imagine #shadow and bone #the darkling #the darkling x reader #alexander #alexander morozova #alina starkov #ben barnes #grisha #fanfic #kefta #series #one shot #general kirigan x reader #black general #general kirigan #little palace #imagine.

[forthehpfanboys]

could you maybe do a headcannon for the Weasley family please? like where you come out as trans to them I just feel like at the second the twins would be hugging you and calling you "handsome" or "king" idk

Oh my god. I needed this. Y e s.

§×§×§ §×§×§ §×§×§

Ok, so your sweating. You're anxious as fuck, your almost pissing yourself.

Coming out is a big deal.

And you figured why not tell all of them at once? Rip it off like a bandaid.

Except that bandaid looks like it's about 3 miles long and covering a bullet wound.

You kept telling yourself they'd love you no matter what, you already knew them for years!

But there was this little voice that kept telling you the opposite. That they'd hate you, they'd spit at you and call you slurs or something.

You're guardians allowed you to stay over for Christmas Break, and of course, they already knew about it and your worries and cave you a pat on the back and said everything'll be ok and that they love you because fuck parents who are assholes.

Anyway,

So you were basically yanked into the house before you could knock and Molly gave you this huge hug, literally squeezing air out of your lungs.

She guided you in, asking how the trip was and everything was going great.

Behind her, the rest of the Weasley’s were just having a good time. Ron and Fred were plying chess, while George tried to help Fred over his shoulder. Percy was reading by the fire, Bill and Charlie where trying to figure out how to get him  i n v o l e d.

It was Christmas. Close enough to the day, anyway.

You think you’ll tell them all during dinner at once, but when you and the twins go for a walk outside, and they use forbidden name, you correct them. More like blurt it out, not really thinking anything of it at the moment because correcting people became second hand nature.

And that’s how it starts. 

They catch on easily. They ask all the questions- pronouns, who knows, who doesn’t, if you want them to tell everyone for you so you don’t have to stress.

Hell, they even reassure you about it all.

You three end up telling everyone together when you guys get back. Fred holds your hand and George has an arm around your shoulder, if your nervous.

Hint: You are very nervous.

Like pissing yourself nervous.

Like debating on jumping out of the nearest window nervous. 

But the twins got you anchored. 

Not that they would force you anyway. They made it known the ball was in your court with this.

The twins had gathered every red head in the house to sit at the kitchen table.

So, you tried to swallow the fear and say it. 

Just spit it out.

It took you about five minutes to finally say it and Molly stood up fast enough to almost knock over her chair and yank you into another hug. She called you a handsomest boy of her collection.

The brothers looked between each other before chanting “ONE OF US” and slamming their hands on the table.

Ginny asked to take your old clothes after Bill offered to give you some of his old ones.... She also threatened that if anyone misgendered you on purpose, she’d steal their kneecaps.

Charlie asked you about pronouns and names, just like the twins, and was making mental notes to make sure not to hurt your feelings or trigger anything.

Percy was a bit confused, but he had the spirit. He respected your pronoun and stuff. He smiled and patted you on the shoulder, understanding how important this was. 

Ron couldn’t help but wipe fake tears. “He grew up so fast, didn’t he?” He was also proud of you for coming out. He wished he’d known sooner.

Everyone was proud of you. Everyone basically shouted your preferred name too. They wanted you to be able to be yourself.

Arthur was now counting on his fingers how many sons he had. He was more than delighted about having another one. The Weasley Army has grown. I will always say this. c:

You couldn’t stop smiling. 

At some point, Molly offered to throw a dinner party in your honor to celebrate and the twins began to shout “KING! KING! (Y/N) IS OUR KING!” while popping you onto their shoulders. Molly yelped about it being dangerous and asked them to put you down gently.

“Does this mean I have to baby sit him too?”

“Bill Weasley, be nice!”

“I’m just teasing him like I would with Ron! And that didn’t answer my question.”

“......... Yes.”

#weasley family headcanon #molly weasley #arthur weasley #Ron Weasley #Fred and George #fred weasley #george weasley #bill weasley #charlie weasley #percy weasley #ginny weasley #ron weasley x male reader #fred weasley x male reader #george weasley x male reader #bill weasley x male reader #charlie weasley x male reader #percy weasley x male reader #ginny weasley x male reader #weasley imagine #hp x male reader #x male reader #male reader #hp headcanon #hp imagine #not a story

[heyheyloki]

The Thought Of You

Summary: Not remembering the night before, the reader distances himself from Loki.

Loki x M!Reader

It was always one thing. Perhaps it was Tony and Steve arguing, or maybe Thor bothering Loki, and maybe it was you making fun of the spider boy. Whatever it was, it was exciting for others to watch. However, between all the fighting, Loki and you never did. It was odd to everyone else since they had this deep hatred for the God of Mischief. To you, you didn’t care, you enjoyed Loki’s presence and always knew if you needed a break from the others, you’d go to him. He was always there, even if the two of you started out on a bumpy road since he was hesitant of you when you first came around. 

Loki thought you’d be like everyone else, so it wasn’t totally personal. Though, after your many attempts to get to know him, his wall eventually fell around you and then, the bonding started.  Everyone around the two of you thought it was weird, after all, Loki was the man who wanted to take over Earth and sent an army onto New York City. Even with that fact, it never seemed to bother you.

Tony Stark always thought something would happen between the two of you, and Thor was more than supportive is it came to be. Steve had some issues since he was close to you as well and just wanted the best for you, and, well, he just didn’t think that ‘best’ was Loki. Nat and Clint seemed indifferent, but were happy with anything you decided. Banner, on the other hand, flipped from Tony and Steve’s perspective at times.

You always told them that Loki and you were just friends, but Loki never seemed to comment on it. In the back of your mind, you knew the god had looks but you cherished the relationship between you and him now. You didn’t need to progress it further since you were quite comfortable where it was. Though, perhaps that was about to change.

After a late night of drinking and dancing courtesy of Tony Stark, you were out for the count. By the time your hung over eyes had opened, you noticed it was almost noon. A groggy groan escaped your chest as you sat up from your rather large bed, again, courtesy of Tony Stark. Your body didn’t even take up half of it, and speaking of your body, when you gazed down at it you noticed your fluffy, grey night robe.

You didn’t exactly remember putting it on, but you didn’t care much. At least, you didn’t care then. When your ears started to work once more, you couldn’t help but notice the sound of your shower running. It was connected to your room and when you gazed towards the door that was shut, the light underneath was shining through.

“What did I drink last night?” You mumbled to yourself as you collapsed back into the bed, your body bouncing a bit.

As your mind tried to figure out what had happened the night before, you heard the shower faucet squeeze close and the water stop it’s pattering. You didn’t bother to look, not that you weren’t curious who you probably slept with last night, but you just didn’t care. It wasn’t common for you to have one-night stands but it wasn’t something you didn’t participate in from time to time.

You could hear the person turn the doorknob before it creaked open, their bare feet stepping across your hardwood tile getting louder as they stepped closer.

“Are you up yet, [Name]?” The stranger asked. Though, that voice wasn’t a stranger to your mind.

Your eyes fluttered open to get a look at a man half naked in your room, the towel around his waist poorly done as if he’d never done it before. The long, black hair he had was wet and textured with like curls. His body had little muscle but his thin figure made up for it, the muscle he did have off subtle lines about his body that was beyond a godly sight.

“Uh, Loki?” You mumbled out, his eyes looking at you as if waiting for you to continue moving your lips.

Though, when you didn’t, he answered with a confused, “Uh, that is my name.”

“Right, right.” You uttered, his words snapping you out of your mind. Without even a second thought, you hopped out of your bed. You quickly tied up your night robe since you didn’t seem to be wearing anything underneath except for a pair of boxers. “I’m, uh, gonna go talk to Tony.”

“Stark?” Loki questioned. “Why?”

“Oh, yanno, Avenger stuff.” You chuckled out as you slowly began to inch for the exit.

“I can occupy you, if you wish.”

“No!” You screamed. Your voice startling both you and him. You cleared your throat to quickly say, “I think he wants to do a few tests on me. You know how those are, very private. I’ll see you later, ya? Okay, bye!”

Your hand reached around for the door handle and slipped yourself into the hallway before slamming the door shut behind you. Your back soon going against it as you took in deep breaths. It could have been anyone else, anyone in the damn place and you would have been fine. But, Loki? Why did it have to be him that your drunken self choose?

“I’m so gonna get shit for this,” You uttered as you began to travel down the hallway towards the main area of the building.

“Morning, [Name].” Nat said as she and Clint sat on the couch watching movies.

You nodded in her direction before shuffling into the kitchen. You needed something cold, or hot. No in between for this one. As you were pouring yourself a cup of coffee, you heard footsteps make way towards you.

“What’s up with you?” You heard. Your eyes gazing over at Nat who stared at you with crossed arms.

“What do you mean?”

“Well,” she started out saying. Her body slowly making way towards yours. “Normally, every morning, you say good morning back. You never give a simple nod. So, what’s wrong with you?”

Your eyes blinked rapidly for a moment before letting out a sigh. You knew there was no way for you to get out of this one, but than again you didn’t want her to spill anything to Steve, Banner, or Clint. So, you gave a half lie.

“Just not to happy with who I found in my bed this morning.” You laughed off. “Nothing to worry about.”

Nat stared, her eyes moving up and down before giving a simple, “Okay. Just make sure whoever the mystery man is is out before Tony comes back.”

“He’s not here?”

“Nope. He went out for a bit, but he’ll be back soon.” Nat explained.

You nodded before grabbing your coffee and heading out. You weren’t sure where to go. You wanted to go back in your room, but you didn’t know if Loki was still there. You wanted to go sit in the living room, but you didn’t want questions from the others. So, you choose the next best thing. Wonder about the halls. It wasn’t as bad as you thought, in fact, it was quite therapeutic when gazing out at the birds that flew about. You seriously thought you’d get a break, well, that was until you felt a tap on your shoulder. 

You turned around, the soft smile on your lips dropping, your body grew hot at the God of Mischief that stared back.

“Are you alright?” Loki questioned. “You seem.. off.”

“Wha, um, what?” You asked, your throat going dry as your mind thought about what could have transpired the night before. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”

Loki tilted his head as he eyed you up and down. You noticed every single, tiny detail about him to the point were you noticed the small flicker of his eyes, the tiny redness of the tips of ears. Not to mention the explosive feeling when his hand came to rest on your lower back way too casually.

You quickly grabbed his wrist, your grip tight but not tight enough for Loki to notice a difference. “What are you doing?”

“What do you mean?” He questioned. For he first time since you’ve met him, he sounded completely innocent. “Would you like me to take you back your quarters? You look rather flushed, are you sick?”

“N-No, I’m not sick.” You stuttered out as you pushed his hand off of your body. The lingering effects causing your mind to turn foggy, it was the first time in a while that you felt such an effect from a simple touch of another. “I’ll go to my room by myself.”

“I don’t mind the trouble, really, allow me to occupy you.” Loki stated. His body ready to move right along side yours.

“No, seriously.” You stated as your hand came straight flush against his chest. The moment it hit, your words ceased to exist. It felt odd, to fell his heartbeat. You never thought in your lifetime would you be able to feel it, much less this clearly. Though, something was off with it cause you swore for a single second that you felt it skip a beat.

“I, um,” you hummed out as you placed your hand back at your side. “I’ll go by myself.”

When you turned away from the God of Mischief, it was like your entire body became cold. The feeling of him slowly slipping away from your presence was almost the worst feeling you’ve ever experienced before. It was like moving away towards the perfect, most handsome looking sun you’ve ever laid your eyes on.

When your back fell into the bed, it was like everything you were feeling hit you at once. All the things you kept towards the back of your mind came to the front, center stage. All these questions entered your mind.

What did you say to Loki while drunk?

You know he isn’t effected by Midgardian liquor, so, he was completely sober. If so, did he take advantage of your drunk state?

Sure, he was Loki and tried to take over Earth at one point. But you wouldn’t call him evil, at worse you’d give him the ‘bad boy’ label.

Did you really sleep with him?

“Shit,” you grumbled to yourself as you began to bite down on your bottom lip. You knew you had some kind of feelings for Loki, and yes you shut them down as quick as they came for obvious reasons, but you didn’t want everything to come undone just from some liquor. If anything, you at least wanted to tell him at the right time when you were sober.

Turning on your side, you pressing your knees into your chest. It really was nagging, this unknown feeling. You knew the only way you were going to get answers was from Loki himself. However, the thought of that was too much. It was like you were ripping off a bandage that you had just placed on. You were frightened that when it came undone, the painful ripping would completely tear away at what relationship was already there.

“Sir,” Jarvis called out. This wasn’t uncommon since Tony had made sure to install Jarvis in every aspect of this place. “Dinner is ready. Everyone is waiting on you.”

“Okay, thank you.” You hummed out as you gathered yourself before heading out once more. Was it too much for you to be left alone today?

When you made your appearance at the large set table, everyone finally began to eat. Steve made it top priority that everyone must be present before eating, for some reason unknown to Tony and you.

You were seated next to Tony and Thor, Loki sat across from you with Natasha and Steve on either side of him. The food that was presented to you was a simple meal. Take-out. You knew everyone had kitchen duty at least once a week, so you began to believe it was Tony’s week thanks to this being the third time take out was for dinner. Though, you were impressed how he managed to make simple take out so impressively set out like it was from a five-star restaurant.

“How was everyone’s morning?” Steve asked politely. This was routine.

“Fine, just woke up with a massive hangover.” Tony said with a funny-looking smirk that made most of the people sitting around him laugh in amusement.

“Same.” Natasha said. “Remind me never to drink at your parties.”

“Eh, it was still fun. Even if I don’t remember most of it.” You commented. Your eyes going off on their own for a moment before connecting with Loki. Except, his eyes were already on you. With no expression on his face and this certain look in his eyes while staring, it made you zip your mouth quickly. Your eyes darting back down towards your food.

Loki raised a brow quizzically before his attention was brought back to Natasha when she asked you, “Did you manage to get the mystery man out of your bed?”

“What?” You flinched, your hand even lost hold of the fork. The noise it created as it rang the glass plate caught more attention than Natasha’s comment.

“You okay, [Name]?” Steve asked with a curious look.

“Of course I am, why wouldn’t I be?” You questioned back. If they didn’t know you, they’d drop it. However, they did know you.

“Is it someone we know?” Tony asked with a sly smirk. The look he gave made something turn uncomfortably in your stomach. “Or, maybe the same guy from last time?”

“No,” You lied. “He was a stranger.”

“That is quite exciting.” Thor chuckled as he tried to learn more about the human customs of ‘one night stands’. Something he, for some reason, doesn’t know.

“It really isn’t, but thanks.” You reassured.

“I would disagree.” Tony commented. “I think they’re rather.. thrilling.”

You rolled your eyes as you began to eat once more. Your eyes desperate for another peak at the man across from you. In the back of your mind, you told yourself no. It wasn’t worth it. Just ignore him. Though, your body denied itself to listen to your brain and gave into the desire. In that moment, everything froze. For some unknown reason, it was like everyone else in the room disappeared. The only ones left where Loki and yourself. That look in his eyes, the way his hand held up his head. Everything told you this was a dangerous game you were playing.

“[Name]?” Thor asked, his voice pulling you out of the void and back to reality. “Are you going to eat that?”

“What?” You mumbled before gazing down at the food that you haven’t eaten yet. You shook your head before pushing the plate towards the God of Thunder.

“You sure? You didn’t eat much.” Steve asked, his eyes growing to big puppy eyes filled with concern.

“Yeah, I’m not that hungry anyway.” You waved off. Your body soon standing up from your chair as you dismissed yourself from the others.

You didn’t bother to wait around for good nights or goodbyes from the others. Your feet aimlessly moved around until you rounded the corner. The quick footsteps that grew closer to you the furthest thing from your mind. So, when you felt your body get pressed into the wall, you couldn’t help but let out a loud gasp. Your mouth quickly getting covered by a rough, large hand.

Your eyes quickly began to analyze everything in front of you. Your mind processing the face and body that belonged to Loki, the hand that pressed against your mouth his. He eyed you down for what felt like a decade, that was until he broke it to gaze down the hall for any incoming Avengers. When he didn’t see anyone, he slowly released his hand from your face but still kept you pinned to the wall.

“What are you doing?” He asked, his question rough and demanding of answers.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Dont play dumb with me.” He hissed out. “You’ve been avoiding me all day, what is wrong with you?”

“I’m not avoiding you.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Loki huffed, his patience wearing thin. “Then why did you run away this morning? Or when I saw you earlier, and how do you explain not even capable of holding eye contact with me at supper?”

“That was nothing.” You mumbled out, your head turning to the left and down so you didn’t have to look at him. Though, you suppose that was pointless.

His hand was quick to grab onto your chin to make you face him once more. “Don’t look away from me.”

You could feel your body temperature rise, the feeling brutal to the point were you had to bend your leg a bit and tap your fingers just to calm yourself a bit. Everything in your mind ran so quickly that you began to believe you would have a malfunction up there. Though, instead of a malfunction you ended up just blurting out, “Did we sleep together?”

You watched as nothing but pure confusion twisted in Loki’s face. You weren’t positive yet if that was good or bad, but something deep within your stomach told you not to make any false moves. Not to assume anything until you hear his words.

“Would that really be so bad?” He asked, his voice low.

“I don’t mean it like that.” You corrected. “I’m just asking cause I don’t remember anything from last night and when I wake up you were in my shower.”

Loki sighed, his body taking a step back to allow yours to breathe. “No, we didn’t.”

You wanted to desperately to let out a sign of relief. However, you were smart enough to read the look on his face and know this wasn’t the right time for that.

“Then, why were you there?” You asked.

Loki sighed, his eyes making contact with yours before beginning to explain. “I took you back to your room since you were probably more drunk than Stark. I didn’t mean to upset you if I have, I just thought it would be best to keep an eye on you until you fell asleep. I suppose at some point I did as well.”

“So, you took care of me.” You stated as you took an unconscious step closer.

“I suppose so, yes.” He said. “Was that wrong of me to do?”

“No, no.” You ushered out quickly. “That was fine. I’m glad you it was you.”

“You are?” He asked, his eyes staring into yours.

You nodded. Another step closer taken. Both pair of eyes danced with the other as each of you stared at the other. It was this moment of silence that you appreciated the most, cherished the most. It was an intoxicating feeling to sit in silence with Loki, to allow no sound of voice to flow between the both of you. The way your heart beat so intensity, the thoughts that crawled out that always made a shiver go up your spine, well, it was nothing but pure ecstasy.

“Come to my room.” You blurted out, the afterthought not even in question. You meant what you said, and Loki could see that as well by his silence nod and questionless lips.

As the two of your traveled, Loki following behind you in silence, your heart began to pound faster. The wonder of what would come to pass filling in your veins and by the time you came upon your room, you didn’t waste time to lock your door just in case.

“I want you to know something.” You said as you sat down next to Loki on the edge of your bed.

“What is it?” He questioned, his eyes never leaving yours for a second. After all, that would be too long for him.

“I wasn’t in regret or anything, I just wanted to know the truth.” You stated clearly. “If I ever did that with you, I rather remember the time clearly.”

You noticed the adam’s apple in Loki’s throat bob quickly after your words. The way his eyes now going frantic about your body without shame made your hand grip onto your pants. It was a new feeling, but one you enjoyed. Having him look at you felt nothing like anyone else in the past had done, when it was him and only him, you felt like he was looking at the stars.

“Allow me to be frank?” He asked, his question answered with a simple nod.

When Loki leaned in, he stabilized himself by moving one of his hands on top of yours, his fingers snaking in between the spaces in your hand. You felt him grip a bit harder, in a relaxing way before speaking his mind.

“I find myself thinking of you even at the most.. inopportune moments of the day. I feel as if a link exists between your heart and mine and should that link be broken either by distance or by time, my heart would cease to be and I would die.” Loki freely spoke. His voice soft, and low as he spoke so that only you would hear this side of him even if no other soul was nearby to hear. “And you.. you’d soon forget about me.”

You leaned your head, a plethora of emotions washing over you at once. Though, you needed to address this one thing as if life and death hanged in the balance. Your body scooted closer to the God, your hand that connected with his now placed on your lap before saying, “Loki. I’d never forget about you.”

The God let out a dry chuckle. “I acknowledge that. I just suppose that’s my fear speaking.”

“If we’re being so open, I’d like to say something as well.” You said, his eyes looking at you with such patience that you’ve never found before. “You make me feel.. you make me feel vulnerable. Every time your eyes meet mine I can feel you looking at my very soul, and I don’t like it. Do you know?”

“Do I know.. what?”

You smiled softly, your hand squeezing Loki’s as you ask, “Do you know what it’s like around you? It’s like.. It’s like I can’t breathe when you’re around and everything stops. When everything stops, I can only focus on you.”

You’ve never really seen Loki smile, but he had granted you the privilege of seeing a few times. However, you instantly knew this kind of smile, the soft and sweet kind he directed towards you was your favorite yet. Sure, the causally smirk or smile was nice, but this one was for you and you alone.

And you loved it.

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