#writing 3 playlist

[strangersteddierthings]

Porcelain Steve - Part 7

Part One🦇Part Two🦇Part Three🦇Part Four🦇Part Five🦇Part Six🦇Part Seven🦇Part Eight🦇Part Nine

((TW for this part; period typical slurs and internalized homophobia. Read the tags before clicking readmore if you want the details))

Steve has been a porcelain doll for seven weeks when disaster strikes.

"What is that," Jeff says, because even though the words are in an order which would suggest that it's a question, the tone of voice Jeff uses decidedly is not questioning.

"What is whaaa-AH! Nothing! It's nothing!" Eddie, who was torso deep into his closet throwing things around to find his backup amp cord, turns to look at what Jeff was talking about, and is now launching himself across his room to stand between Jeff and Porcelain Steve. Porcelain Steve, who Eddie had lain on his bed, propped slightly on a pillow, headphones carefully perched on his little head, hooked to a cassette player currently playing the first hour of last week's Top 40 countdown that Eddie had taped for him (all three hours of it, leaving out the chatter of the radio show host. He'd had to use two tapes to get it all).

"Nothing sure looks a lot like a doll in headphones, Munson," Jeff has an amazing poker face but Eddie's certain he can see a bit of judgement underneath the carefully blank expression Jeff is wearing.

"I don't know what you're talking abo- hey! Hey, no, no, don't!" Eddie tries to bodily block Jeff when he moves forward and the two end up wrestling, a match that Eddie almost wins, if not for the hazard that is his messy room. He gets Jeff walked almost to the door before he steps wrong on something, ankle rolling and sending him down sideways. He clutches at Jeff but can't make purchase and Jeff, the bastard, does fuck-all to try and catch him. Instead, Jeff leaps out of arm's length, then lunges onto the bed as Eddie collapses to his floor.

Eddie frantically tries to stand and, in his haste, ends up with his feet tangled in a pile of dirty laundry and that sends him crashing down again, this time forward onto his hands and knees, so he gives up on standing and crawls the few short feet to the bed, finally looking up to see that the damage has been done.

Jeff has picked up Steve, holding him inches from his own face, eyes squinted in suspicion. Eddie is frozen, horrified and afraid, and can't bring himself to do anything as Jeff examines Steve closely, turning him around, poking his torso, flipping him upside down to examine his shoes more thoroughly. It's only when Jeff reached for the shirt, pinching the hem of it between two fingers that Eddie kicks back into action.

He lunges up, one knee on the bed, leaning over to grab Steve and yank him from Jeff's grip. His first instinct is to throw Steve over his shoulder, out of sight out of mind mentality, but as soon as he does, he realizes his mistake and twists, lunging to catch Steve in midair. He does manage to catch Steve, but it sends him bouncing off his dresser and almost back to the floor before he manager to regain his balance, where he proceeds to cradle Steve to his chest, which is heaving from the adrenaline, wrestling match, and subsequent dive after Steve.

Jeff is giving him a concerned look but something else piques his interest; Jeff reaches over and picks up the headphones, holding them up to one ear. His face goes through every emotion a human could possibly experience in less than fifteen seconds as he listens to whatever track was at the forty-ish minute mark on the Top 40 countdown.

Slowly, Jeff lowers the headphones, letting them drop to the bed before he gives Eddie a new, more judgmental, yet infinitely more concerned, look. "Eddie. What. The fuck."

Honestly, he's not sure there's anything he can say in response.

"Why- I don't... are you okay, man?" Jeff sounds both scared for Eddie, and scared of him, at the same time.

"I'm fine," Eddie manages to squeak out.

"Eddie," Jeff says seriously, "this is not fine. This is- this is insane behavior. You know that, right?"

"I've no idea what you mean," Eddie doesn't even know what he's defending himself from but his default response to anything is to defend himself. He grips Steve tightly around the torso with one hand and then moves both his hands to be behind his back so Jeff will stop staring at Steve.

"I mean this fuckin' insane shrine you have dedicated to Steve fucking Harrington. How did you even get a doll that looks like him. Did you- did you make that?"

Fuck. Holy fuck. What can he say to defend himself here? Is there a single way for him to come out of this not sounding deranged? If he agrees, let's Jeff's drawn conclusion be the truth, then that's all but confirmation to Steve about his big fat crush, so when Steve's back to being Steve he'll never look at Eddie again. Jeff might think he needs mental help, but he'll be here for Eddie. If he tries to deny the accusation, then he'll need an explanation. He'll have to tell Jeff something that make him seem less like a creepy stalker, but what? He can't tell the truth, not without letting everyone know he's going to tell Jeff. There's a whole other secret he'd have to let out to even have a chance of Jeff believing him.

Jeff must take his silence for acceptance or guilt, because he's speaking again. "I.... man, this is not healthy. Please tell me you aren't, like, hoarding a lock of his hair or his clothes or something."

Involuntarily, damningly, his eyes dart to the closet, where several of Steve's sweaters hang from when he'd borrowed them and never returned them. And it's not like Steve doesn't have several of Eddie's own articles of clothing, like his battle vest and a few shirts. But Jeff doesn't know they easily, willingly, swap clothes, so his eyes go wide and dart towards the closet, as if he can pick out which pieces belong to Steve on sight.

Actually, he probably can.

"This really isn't what it looks like," Eddie says because he has to say something. Being silent is too incriminating.

"I don't think you're aware of what this looks like," Jeff says, wiggling himself off of Eddie's bed to stand at the foot of it. "Of all the boys in Hawkins.... I knew you liked Steve but this is.... creepy. That doll looks so much like him that I recognized it. Does Steve know you're in love with him, or is this like a way to process your crush without having to-"

"Jeff!" Eddie yells, mortified. He can feel his whole face heat up, knows he must be bright red. Because Jeff just said, out loud and for Steve to hear, the thing that Eddie very much hasn't even said out loud to himself, even if he knows how he feels deep down.

Jeff must know he's overstepped some invisible boundary he wasn't even aware of because his face immediately shows regret. He takes a step forward and Eddie takes a step back.

Immediately, Jeff stops his forward momentum. "Shit, I'm sorry, Eddie. I'm sorry."

When Eddie answers, his voice sounds like he's been eating gravel, "Just, can you go wait in the living room? I'll be right out, and we can talk, or whatever, but can you just..."

A nod, and then Jeff is gone, closing the door behind him.

With shaking hands, Eddie brings Steve back to the front of him. Looks down at him. He's not even aware he's crying until he watches his tears mark Steve's tiny polo. He can't keep holding Steve. Can't keep looking at him. Not when- not when his best friend just outed him in the worst way possible. And Eddie can't even be upset or hurt about it because Jeff didn't know. He's teased Eddie about his crushes before, and in the safety of his own room, there was no reason for Jeff to have to watch what he was saying.

Even knowing that Steve is okay with Robin, loves her anyway, without the ability to confirm that Steve doesn't hate him right now, Eddie's going to freak out. But he can't. Jeff is waiting in the living room, and the band is waiting back at Gareth's. This was just- they were supposed to just grab the amp cable and get back, a fifteen-minute job at most, and now.

Now Eddie is staring down at Steve, willing himself to not have a panic attack.

"I'm sorry, Steve. I'm so sorry. You shouldn't have heard it like that, it s-should have come from me. It should- you-I'm sorry," Eddie gently underhand throws Steve onto the center of the bed. He lands face up and Eddie sinks to the floor because he can't stand anymore, and he can't really breath.

Steve knows Eddie's a fucking faggot now, and that he wants Steve, and there's no way he'll get to keep the friendship they had before this. There's no universe in which Steve isn't creeped out by this information. There has never been an instance where a straight boy found out about his crush on them and didn't abandon him. Not always cruelly, he'll admit. He's had friends that learned and just... slid from his life with no words and no fuss. Eddie just never spoke to them again because they never came back around, but they also never outed him.

That's what will happen with him and Steve. He'll quit inviting Eddie around, or calling when he's bored, and eventually it will get to the point that Eddie only sees him at BBQ's that Joyce drags him to.

Fuck. FUCK!

He's not sure how long he's on the floor but eventually, he finds the will to get back up and resume digging through his closet to find the amp cord. It doesn't take long, he was ridiculously close to finding it earlier, it seems.

Before leaving his room, he picks back up the cassette player and headphones. Silence comes from them, so he pops the tape out before flipping it to the B side and popping it back in. He puts the headphones around Steve's head again and presses play, doing his best to not actually look at Steve. He'll just have another breakdown if he does.

He trudges out of his room, closing the door behind himself before taking the short walk to the living room, where Jeff waiting on the couch, elbows on his knees, fingers steepled under his chin, eyes faraway as he stares towards the wall in front of him.

"Hey," Eddie says, to get his attention.

"Hey," Jeff says, sitting up straight and turning towards Eddie. "I'm sorry. Whatever I did, I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing? I'm the fucking psycho here," he sighs, leaning sideways against the kitchen counter, arms folded across his chest, hand clutching at the amp cord just for something to ground him.

"Forget that, whatever I did, or said, or whatever, you were- when you yelled my name. You looked terrified. Of me," Jeff almost whispers the last sentence, and if not for the stark silence in the trailer, Eddie wouldn't have heard.

"Not of you, Jeff," Eddie whispers back, but his voice doesn't stay quiet because 'quiet' isn't a thing Eddie does easily or often. "Of... of myself, and these- of how I feel- I'm a goddamned faggot and now that Ste- when Steve finds out I'll lose him! Like I've lost every fucking person who ever even suspected I was a fuckin' queer!"

Silence stretches between them, enough to make Eddie fidget, dropping his crossed arms to twist the amp cord about anxiously with both his hands.

"Look, man, I don't know what's, like, the appropriate thing to say so I'm just going for the honest thing. You got me. You'll never lose me. And all those other assholes that you think you lost? You're wrong. They lost you. And if Steve Harrington is gonna be another one of those, then you aren't losing him. 'Cause he was never really in your corner to begin with."

If this were anyone else, with the exception of his uncle, he would be able to hold it together better. But it's Jeff. His best friend. Who never believed Eddie committed unspeakable horrors over Spring Break last year. Who didn't question the strange, new friends he suddenly had afterwards; who accepted as the only explanation a softly spoken 'they saved me' and that was enough. Who had said 'ok, cool' in response to Eddie telling him he was gay, years ago now, and continued trying to find out if Eddie had a secret relationship, switching girlfriend for boyfriend like it wasn't a big deal (Eddie did not have a secret relationship; his good mood that week was the result of snooping for his birthday present and finding the guitar hidden under his uncle bed).

It's Jeff. So, Eddie does the most metal, manly thing he can and bursts into tears, blindly reaching for Jeff and pulling him off the couch so he can bear hug him and sob into his shirt.

"There, there, you big baby," Jeff rubs his back soothingly, "let it out. Then pull your sorry ass together, because Gareth and Brian are going to think we died in a car crash on the way here if we take much longer."

"Ah, fuck," Eddie manager to say around the sniffling he's trying to get control of, "you're right."

"You good, though?"

"Uh, I will be."

Jeff nods and steps back. "How about this. We go to practice, and then you can come to my place tonight and we can like, hangout and talk. If that's what you want."

He's already nodding as he says, "yeah. That would be good. I- uh, I have something to do after practice, but yeah, after that I'll come over."

Eddie tosses the amp cable to Jeff after they climb into the van and head off.

Halfway there, Jeff says, "you know Gareth and Brian are in your corner, too. If you ever feel like telling them one day."

"One day," Eddie agrees, "but today has already been... a lot."

Practice goes well, with some ribbing for their tardiness allowed. If Gareth and Brian notice Eddie's been crying recently, they keep it to themselves. Which is good, because Eddie cannot handle one more thing today.

A promise to meet up with Jeff later and Eddie's back home.

Back to where he left Steve, who will be laying in silence on his bed because it's been well over two hours since he and Jeff left, and the tape only held an hours' worth of music on each side. Back to the nightmare of not knowing if Steve hates him now, or if Eddie's, and this is the most likely scenario, being a bit overdramatic.

His uncle is home, so he greets him, asks after his day, gets told dinner is Fend For Yourself Night (which just means leftovers or a TV dinner), and gets asked about Steve. Because of course he does.

"You sure he went on a vacation willingly with those parents of his, and he ain't actually kidnapped and trapped somewhere?"

That's a little bit too true. If only Wayne knew. "Well, no. I'm not sure. All I know is what he said when he left."

Wayne gives him a look. One Eddie is used to seeing, that says 'I know more than you think but I'm waiting for you to tell me' and Eddie's a little afraid of what Wayne thinks he knows. So, instead of prying that box open, Eddie just says he's tired and goes to his room.

Steve is exactly where Eddie left him.

Suddenly, without reason or logic, Eddie is angry. He's so pissed at Steve for being gone for this long. For having transformed in the first place. For not being able to assure him they'll still be friends, regardless of Eddie's stupid crush.

He snatches Steve off the bed, hand clamping around one of Steve's arms and his torso so he can hold him up with one hand. Steve's face, permanently stuck into a blank expression, looks back. Even knowing that Steve sees and hears through this thing, Eddie's so angry at the doll. If Steve hadn't been turned into this stupid thing, if Eddie wasn't so helplessly in love with him, this wouldn't have happened. Eddie could have taken his own time telling Steve, instead of hearing his deepest secret spilled easily from Jeff's lips. Instead of this not knowing what Steve is thinking, or how he feels. Is he recoiling in disgust at the fact Eddie's making him look at his face? Or is Eddie being awarded the same kindness as Robin, a quiet acceptance that won't change their friendship?

Eddie doesn't know that answer and he hates it.

He's so angry with himself because he should know better. He's forcing his own insecurities onto Steve, about acceptance and caring, when nothing Steve's done since they've become friends is prove that he'll always be Eddie's friend and not even the apocalypse could change that.

"I'm going to hang out with Jeff, so you're gonna be alone a bit longer. Or maybe I should drop you off at Robin's when I go," Eddie goes to toss Steve back on the bed when something pinches his palm. It's a startling sharp pain, quick to fade, but it's surprising enough for Eddie to let go.

Eddie watches, horrified, as he falls to the floor. He twists in the air, landing with a dull thump and cracking sound on his left arm before falling onto his back.

"Shit. Shit! Fuck, Steve, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to," Eddie is crouched, already in the process of reaching for Steve when he freezes.

There is a crack on Steve's left arm, a line that starts above his elbow on the inside of his arm and runs down and across his arm to his hand, where Steve's pinky finger is gone. Looking slightly to the side, Eddie can see the small porcelain piece that Steve is missing laying on the ground next to him. Eddie's own hand is hovering in the air above Steve, shaking.

This can't be- how did- Eddie wracks his brain. Was the crack there already? Did Eddie cause the crack when he bounced off his dresser earlier? When did it happen? Does that fucking matter when it's Eddie who broke a piece off him? If Steve didn't hate him before, he's got to now. Eddie doesn't have time to panic about this, he's got to- El. El can talk to Steve. Find out if he's okay. What if breaking him-

Eddie launches himself up and to his dresser, grabbing at the Walkie up there. He pulls the antenna up, clicks it on and tries not to actually shout as he says, "Code Red! Code fucking Red!" He lets off the talk button, counts to seven in his head, enough time, he reasons, for someone to respond before he repeats the process. "Code Red!! Code Red!"

He repeats this process for three minutes with no response. Where the fuck is everyone!? How is he supposed to- Oh! The phone!

He tears down the hall and to the phone. He must look a right state, because Wayne looks very concerned and is halfway to standing up when Eddie gets to the phone beside him. He yanks the phone up and dials the number for the Byers-Hopper household, holding up a shaking finger to Wayne, a silent plea to give him a moment.

It rings and rings and rings before the answering machine kicks in. Eddie presses down on the disconnect button before dialing the Wheelers' number next.

"Hello?"

"Mike! Code Red! Where the fuck is everyone and why aren't they answering!?"

"What?"

"Code Red! Where's Nancy. Put Nancy on."

"Dude, slow down, what's-"

"I broke St-it. I broke it and someone needs to get El here now. Code Red does not mean ask questions, Mike! It means Code. Fucking. Red."

"Shit, shit, right! I'll get Nancy and we'll get everyone- just- we'll be there soon."

Eddie slams the phone down and has to meet his uncle's eye now.

"Eddie. What is goin' on?"

Eddie inhales a breath and can feel his lower lip quivering. "It's- can we talk about it later? I promise I'm not the one hurt, or in trouble, or- it's not me, ok. I just-"

"Yer shakin' like a leaf boy. What's got you so spooked?"

Eddie just shakes his head and flees back to his room, slamming the door shut between him and his uncle. He can't bring himself to cross the room to Steve. He slides himself down the door to sit on the floor, pulling his knees up to hug.

"I'm so sorry, Steve. I'm sorry."

#steddie #my fic #porcelain steve #TW: Eddie calls himself a faggot and he means it in a bad way #did I make a playlist on spotify w/ Top 40 songs for June 21-27 1987 so id know how many tapes eddie had to use to record it? #yes. its 2 tapes fyi‚ using side A and B of one. a total of 2h54m. in my defense it was a writers block activity. #couldnt figure out what to have jeff say to comfort eddie that was in character and era-appropriate so... playlist it was! #if i were titling these parts this would be Eddie's No Good‚ Very Bad‚ Terrible‚ Horrible Day #I mean... he's had worse days (Spring Break '86) but this is up there for him #also back to back updates!? who am i??? but don't expect another one too soon #i started this one as part 6 originally but decided i wanted a more lighthearted piece first #so i wrote like 2/3 of this before writing what i posted for part 6 so finishing this was quick

[mustangs-flames]

Hail, True Body (masterpost)

Artworks by @corvidaeconundrum

'Hail, True Body' is a religious horror series that focuses on what it means to be human in a world that God has abandoned. For Mark Owens, 1993 is shaping up to be the worst year of his young life - and that's saying a lot all things considered. When his best friend Cesar Hernández calls him one night in October, Mark ignores the broadcast warnings to help him out. But Cesar is acting... strange.

Though perhaps that's understandable. His mother did just die, after all.

-

Please be aware of each story's tags before you read. All Parts are in the order that you should read them.

-

Overview/Summary of the Series (a quick guide)

PART 1: Mimicry (complete, 6 chapters)

PART 2: Where Is Your God Now? (complete, oneshot)

PART 3: Old Rugged Cross (complete, 5 chapters)

PART 4: What's In A Name? (complete, oneshot)

PART 5: The Good Samaritan (ongoing, 1/13 chapters)

PART 6: An Eye For An Eye (TBA)

-

Character Designs (busts, fullbody art coming soon!):

Mark Owens & Cesar Hernández (1993)

Cian Daniels (1993)

My Boundaries

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PLAYLISTS:

(Playlists will be updated/added to as and when - you are also welcome to suggest songs!)

'Imaginary Boy' - Mark Owens' 'The Cure' Mixtape

'Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy' - Cesar Hernández' 'Queen' Mixtape

'Mixtape 1964-2000' - Cian Daniels' Mixtape

'Ghoul Huntin' - Azzy's Playlist

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This masterpost will be updated as and when new Parts are posted, designs are released, etc. If you have any questions please ask!

#hail true body #my ocs #my writing #horror #original fiction #horror writing #horror fiction #horror story #please reblog this post - it helps out a lot! <3 #htb playlist

[fcthots]

screaming crying throwing up thinking about Jason while listening to Noah Kahan

nothing defines a man like love that makes him soft

#WRITE HIS NAME ON A BULLET AND PUT IT BETWEEN MY EYES #anyway <3 #if yall want my jason playlist dm me #jason todd #jason todd x reader #saph’s thots #red hood #red hood x reader #jason todd imagine #jason todd x you #red hood imagine #red hood x you #noah kahan #stick season

[mattodore]

salt in our memories

#river dipping #matthias evanoff #theodore doe #echthroi #ts4 #ts4 edit #ts4 cas #simblr #editing recent-ish cas screenshots of them in outfits and poses that everyone has already seen before. groundbreaking. #i was just trying to make myself feel better by doing something mindless for a bit but it didn't work so . now i'm just sitting here #there are two more screenshots that i edited but tumblr keeps crunching on them and tbh i just want to go lay down #maybe i'll add them here later but probably not i love wasting my own time <3 new edits after three weeks tho so there's that #caption is just a quote from salt by chelsea wolf which is one of theo's playlist songs #bc i fr had nothing else in mind for it 🤷 #ik i said i'd get to my activity but i really don't feel up to it #i'm just gonna read i think and maybe write a little later #okay. bye 👋

[lucienarcheron]

Spirit Meets the Bones - XIII

Genre: Angst/Romance  Warnings: Mentions of physical abuse. Please be mindful: some implied language may be found triggering.

shoutout to @abruisedmuse always for being my bby <33

tagging: @climb-the-mountian | @vanserrass | @positivewitch | @readthelastpaage | @zenkindoflove | @animezinglife | @clockwork-ashes | @carolynmezzosoprano | @carnythian | @runningwiththeoceans | @readychilledwine | @goldenmagnolias| @thedarkinmansfield | @mali22 | @maidr-00 | @electromagnetic-waves | @theeternalstruggle | @devilsfoodcake22 | @the-midnightwriter | @moonfawnx | @weesablackbeak | @ladywhilemia | @illyrianshadowhunter | @alohaangels | @moobell55 | @bibliophiliaxvignette | @easchies | @feysandfeels| @thelovelymadone | @corcracrow | @aboggoblin | @teddyhoneybear | @dawneternal | @sinnerrsworld | @queenoftheworld1998

Find it all here.

The two waited until the steps drew nearer before Eris said in a detached, cold voice. “I thought I told you I didn’t want to hear anything you have to say.”

“I — I —”

“We’ve been over this. You are not to be seen and not to be heard.”

“Son?”

Eris and Iris looked to find Beron standing before them, brow raised.

“Father.” Eris said calmly, removing his hand from Iris’s throat and then turning to face the High Lord, clasping his hands behind his back. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

Iris wasn’t feigning the slight tremor in her hand as she rubbed delicately at her neck. Eris hadn’t gripped her hard, but the sudden movement had caught her off guard.

Her eyes flickered to reason number one to why things were still cautious between them.

Eris’s eyes shifted to her briefly before his eyes met his father’s and he quirked a brow, waiting.

“I was finishing up a meeting and heard you were around these parts.” the High Lord said slowly, his gaze snapping to Iris who slowly slid closer behind him, ever the cowering doll. “I didn’t expect to see Iris with you this late in the evening.”

Iris focused on her feet, on the solid feel of Eris beside her. It was always a game they needed to play around Beron but she still hated it. Hated how a part of her fear wasn’t a lie.

She focused on his hands clasped behind him, his signature stance, and watched the way his fingers fisted then flexed.

“I prefer to keep her close.” Eris said dryly. “It suits my needs.”

Beron snorted, and Iris felt his eyes slide to her as they always did whenever they seemed to be near each other. Her eyes stayed on Eris’s hands that clenched at his father’s snort.

Since that wretched dinner, Eris ensured they avoided his father as much as possible and Iris was all too happy to stay away from the only other male she hated as much as she hated her father.

“I’m sure it does suit your needs to have her nearby.” he almost purred and Iris worked to keep the disgust off her face. “Let’s hope this means I can expect a grandchild sometime in the near future.”

Iris flinched and it seemed to be the response Beron was waiting for. He laughed and Eris only spared her another slight glance over his shoulder then back at his father with a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“I will enjoy trying until we do.” he replied and Iris kept her eyes on his hands, flexing once more.

Iris moved closer to Eris, her hands slowly sliding into his and his fingers immediately closed around hers. Beron kept talking, speaking in that nasty, oily tone that made the bile rise in her throat but she ignored him completely, focusing only on the feel of Eris’s fingers intertwined with hers. She focused on the feeling of his thumb caressing the back of her hand and letting her thumb rub into his palm.

Iris envisioned all the open wounds she could leave in the High Lord’s chest on a daily basis, the joy of watching him bleed out making a moment like this passable.

“Are you listening, Iris? Your father is coming to see you tomorrow morning.”

Iris’s head jolted up and her grip tightened on Eris’s hand, her eyes wide as Beron smirked at her.

“Why?” she breathed, and Eris squeezed her hand tightly.

“Why? To check on his precious daughter. Make sure we’re treating you well.” he said with a pointed look. “And I’m afraid this time, he won’t take no for an answer. Neither will I.”

Iris heard the threat in his words and knew Eris had as well – for they had been declining or altogether ignoring any request to visit from her father. Eris had only asked her once, the first time they received a request, if she’d like to see him. Iris had said no and her answer remained the same. Even when Beron had specifically told them to accommodate him, Eris always found a way around it. But it seemed that their avoidance was coming to an end, especially with the look Beron gave them.

The High Lord’s eyes examined Iris slowly and she fought the strong urge not to fidget before his eyes landed on his son once more. “You’ve done a decent job with her.”

Eris nodded tightly. “I do my job well, Father. No worries.”

Beron took one look at the two of them and let his gaze pierce into Iris, a cruel smile on his face.

“You’re doing much better, Iris. Quiet is the best way for a wife to be.” he added and brushed past them as Eris turned to keep Iris firmly behind him. “While her father is here, I’ll need you to survey the new structural plans for our southwest territory. We should give them some quality time together.”

“Yes, of course. I’m sure Iris would love that.” Eris said and again, briefly looked over his shoulder at her again. “Right, wife?”

Iris nodded mutely, her heart thundering in her chest because the idea of her father coming to see her for any other reason than to taunt and rip into her was laughable.

Beron surveyed them both again and seemingly approving of his daughter-in-law shrinking behind his son, he looked at Eris again.

“Shave your face. You look like a mongrel.” He scoffed at his son then waved them off and kept walking. Only when the High Lord had turned down the hall and ten minutes of silence had passed, did Eris slowly turn around to face his wife, his hand still holding hers.

Though she avoided his gaze, Iris felt how his eyes slowly scanned her and she let him, her throat bobbing. His free hand steadily went to her chin and he lifted it to meet his gaze. Amber eyes met hazel and Eris allowed himself one moment to feel the softness of her cheek beneath his touch, then let his fingers slide to her throat for another moment, his thumb resting on her pulse point as she looked at him. She looked at him, at the question he was asking, and nodded before he pulled back.

“I’m sorry for where my hand went,” he murmured. “What do you need me to say to make this moment easier?”

Iris swallowed and shook her head. He hadn’t hurt her at all and she knew why he did it. Let Beron believe what he wanted as long as he left them alone. She licked her lips. “He really thinks you’ve broken my spirit, doesn’t he?” she asked quietly.

“He firmly believes you’re a handful.” Eris replied and the corner of his mouth went up slightly. “Which isn’t wrong. You are very much a piece of work.”

Iris huffed out a shaky laugh and looked down, her eyes zeroing in on their linked hands. She shook her head again. “It still makes me sick that we haven’t been married for that long and he’s absolutely fine with you treating your wife like that.”

“He treats his own wife like that. It’s what he would expect.” Eris said tightly and Iris looked up at him. “But right now, it’s just you and me.”

“Just you and me.” she repeated. A heartbeat of silent understanding passed between the husband and wife, an understanding that seemed to run much deeper than either of them expected.

Eris didn’t let go of her hand and Iris didn’t pull away.

“I’m sorry.” he said again softly, and she shook her head.

“It’s his fault. It’s always their fault.” she said, a small frown forming on her lips.

Eris waited, watching her struggle with her thoughts, watching as her brow furrowed. Iris looked up at him then back down at their joined hands then back up at him.

“What is it?” he said, the question a caress but Iris shook her head, tension coming off her in waves.

“Can we go back to our room? I need a moment.” she asked quietly, and Eris frowned but nodded.

“Of course.”

And though she didn’t say a word as they walked back, her hand remained intertwined with his. He wasn’t sure what to say or how to make her feel better so Eris said nothing, content to hold her hand and run his thumb across it.

When they returned, she spared him a small, tired smile and silently slipped into the bathroom, sleeping clothes in her hand. Eris watched as the door closed, his hand twitching at his sides, and only when their designated guest of the night, Lyra, nudged his hand with her head did he realize how rigidly he’d been standing.

“She’s upset. I’m not sure what to do,” he mumbled to his hound who whined softly. “Go sit by the door. Maybe you can get her to smile.”

Eris watched his hound go to the door and sit obediently, wagging its tail in a way that matched his own anxiousness.

He distracted himself as he got ready for bed, his eyes drifting to the bathroom door, waiting for her to return. Eris felt her distress and it troubled him that he couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason. His father. Him. Her father. Him.

As he finally settled down in their bed, Iris stepped out, dressed in a silk cream-colored slip that reached her ankles, something he hadn’t seen her wear before, and if the situation had been any different, he would’ve been very interested in inspecting it more up close.

But she still wasn’t looking at him and even though she’d given Lyra a small smile and a pat, her expression had fallen too quickly for it to have mattered.

Eris watched her closely as Iris finally slipped into their bed silently and didn’t dare move as she sat next to him, closer than usual, her back against the headboard.

He waited.

Iris focused on feeling the smoothness of the sheets beneath her, on Lyra now shifting in the bed near her, knowing Eris was watching her but she still hesitated to speak. Lyra wrapped herself near her legs, nuzzling against Iris but it didn’t help ease the tightness in her body. After a moment of silence, Eris finally spoke.

“Was it me?” he asked her quietly and her eyes flickered up to his, his expression tense and Iris shook her head. “Then what is it?”

He had shifted to rest his back against the headboard also, close enough to read her every breath but far enough that he didn’t impose on her space.

Iris’s gaze drifted to the wall behind Eris and after a moment, she mumbled, “My father is coming.”

Understanding dawned on her husband’s face and his mouth went into a thin line. “It was bound to happen, unfortunately. We can only reject his request so many times.”

“His reason is a lie.” she choked out and Eris’s eyes hardened as she met his gaze. “He’s a liar and I know he isn’t looking for hugs.” Iris swallowed and her expression slipped. “I don’t want to be alone with him,” she whispered. “It hasn’t been that long but — but being away from him helped me forget about him for a while.”

Then Iris took a breath and hesitantly reached out into the space between them, her fingers gently touching his hand. “But it’s been long enough that I know his palm is itching for me. I know him. I know the way he thinks.” she continued and swallowed again. She looked up at Eris and her face burned knowing the pleading look in her eyes. “Do you — will you stay with me when he’s here? If — if it doesn’t cause you trouble?”

"How badly do you think this is going to go?" he asked her curiously and Iris knew he scented the shot of fear that pumped through her veins.

"Very badly."

Eris narrowed his eyes at her, and she felt him go unnaturally still. She watched his eyes as they watched her and could almost see his mind calculating. It only made her flush deeper, her embarrassment rising.

“Never mind — I shouldn’t have asked.” she quickly said and pulled her hand away from his. “You can’t risk it and I can handle my father. It’ll be fine —”

Eris gently but firmly grabbed her hand and slowly pulled her closer to him until there was only a breath of space between them. Iris looked up at him in surprise but he only met her gaze, unflinching.

If he moved a fraction, his lips would be on hers.

“You can always ask and my answer will always be yes.” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. “I told you. You are my wife. I do not take kindly to anyone speaking to you in a way that isn’t respectful. Let alone anyone trying to lay a hand on you.”

Iris tried not to shudder at the words. At the promise. “I don’t want you to get in trouble with your father if you don’t follow through on his request.”

“I know how to run my court. I need only ask and it will be done without me leaving your side.”

A heartbeat of silence passed then Iris swallowed.

“So...you’ll stay with me?” she breathed.

“I’ll be there.” he promised.

Iris’s shoulders sagged and she allowed herself a moment — just one moment to lean into him. To feel his solid strength beneath her. To remind herself that she wasn’t alone.

“Thank you.” she whispered and when she looked up at him again, her husband gave her a small smile. A smile seemingly reserved just for her.

“Wear something indecent to bed tomorrow and I’ll consider us even.”

Her lips twitched at his words, fighting back a smile. “This is still too modest for you?” she said quietly, her free hand feeling the material of her slip and Eris’s eyes flickered briefly to her fingers sliding on the silk before he met her gaze again. “It’s — it’s something new.”

“I like it. A lot.” he muttered quietly. “But any piece of clothing hiding your body from me is something I consider too modest.” he added all too softly, curling a strand of hair behind her ear.

Iris stared at him without flinching as they shared a breath, shivering slightly at the feel of his fingers, and the urge to kiss him slammed into her full force. All she needed to do was lean in and their lips would meet.

Eris hadn’t moved except to bring his free hand back to his side as the thoughts crashed into her, waiting — waiting to see what she would do and Iris wasn’t sure if she would be the one to handle it if she kissed him right now.

“Whatever you’re thinking,” Eris stated quietly. “Remember we are in our bedroom and I will move very quickly.”

Color warmed her cheeks. “Why would you assume I’m thinking about something that will lead down that road?”

“Because you’re looking at me the way I’m always looking at you.” he said and the corner of his mouth lifted as her flush deepened.

“What if I’m thinking about how I want to smother you with a pillow?”

“If you’re straddling me while doing it, I’ll take it.”

Iris let out a small laugh, finally breaking his gaze. “You’re so annoying.”

“If I didn’t know any better, wife, I’d say you are incredibly obsessed with me.” he said, his voice dropping an octave and Eris let his hand slide up then back down her bare arm, enjoying the sight of the small smile on her face. “It’s okay to admit it.”

“No.” she said with a playful shake of her head, willing herself not to blush as she felt his hand warming the skin of her arm. “You’re not really my type.”

“Is that so?” he said with a snort and let his hand slide back to hers, gently squeezing. “I’d say with how much you stare at me, you are simply infatuated.”

Iris hummed, fighting back another smile and failing. “I’m really only sticking around for the hounds.” she said and Eris put a hand over his heart.

“You wound me, little gazelle. And here I thought I had you head over heels for me.”

“Mmm, no,” she said with a small smile and slowly pulled away, not trusting herself to hold back from doing more. “I’m head over heels for the puppy sitting right here.”

“Not a puppy.” he corrected, his hand still curled around the ghost of her fingers as Lyra’s head shot up and the hound whined.

“A big puppy,” she confirmed and slid back, until she was safely on her side of the bed, her heart thundering and a pillow between them again. She tried not to let the slight disappointment in Eris’s expression shake her as she patted the pillow between them gently, “Lyra, come protect me. Your father has an inappropriate look in his eyes.”

Eris only watched his wife, eyes narrowed and he desperately tried not to smile as Iris watched him too, with Lyra obediently resting her body between them. His eyes flickered to the hound.

“Traitor.” he mumbled, then looked at his wife and gave an exaggerated sigh, his hand rubbing at his face. He wanted to do anything to keep her from pushing him away, anything to keep her somewhat distracted from her father’s stupid visit. So he added, “It’s because I look like a mongrel, isn’t it? My father seems to hate it.”

A light shade of pink blossomed on Iris’s cheeks as she looked at Eris then quickly averted her eyes. “If your father hates it, you must be doing something right.” she said airily and Eris quirked a brow.

“Is that so.” he said and a small smirk graced his face as Iris’s blush deepened. “Do you, perhaps, like this mongrel look, wife?”

“I don’t like anything about you.” she replied immediately and even Lyra huffed when Eris laughed.

“You’re such a beautiful liar.” he snickered and finally, slid himself to relax against his pillow, Lyra’s large body between them.

It was quiet for a few moments before Iris spoke again.

“I think it suits you.” she said quietly.

“I can tell. You’ve been undressing me with your eyes this whole week.”

“If you really want to be more dashing than Lucien though —”

“I beg your pardon —” he immediately protested, shooting up on his elbows.

“ — I think you should think about updating your hair.”

Eris blinked. “My hair.”

Iris slowly stroked Lyra, her eyes fully on the hound and avoiding Eris’s gaze, even though her heated cheeks gave away her thoughts.

Eris’s lips twitched. “Would you prefer me with shorter hair, wife?”

Iris bit the inside of her cheek, looking at him then looking away again. “Would you like your hair shorter?”

Eris shrugged, a hand running through his locks. “I haven’t really thought about it. I’m merely used to it at this length.” he said, his eyes watching her.

“You’ve had the same look for some time, haven’t you?” she said with as much of a nonchalant air as she could manage. “You’re a married male now. You should update something about yourself otherwise I’ll get bored very quickly.”

Eris’s smirk widened. “Ah. So that’s what this is about.”

Iris finally looked at him with a quirked brow. “What is it about?”

“You want to make sure my past dalliances don’t think they stand a chance now.” he said and Iris rolled her eyes. “Make sure they know I’m yours, hm?”

“Yes. That’s exactly what it is.” she deadpanned.

“You could leave a hickey and they’ll know for sure.” he said with a grin.

Iris sighed then cupped Lyra’s face. “Can you kick him for me? He’s being annoying.”

“Kick me and I’ll skip your next turn and let Sirius have two.” Eris warned, pointing one finger at the hound who whined in return.

Iris tutted and hugged Lyra closer, squinting at Eris. “So mean.”

“You’re the one who won’t give your husband a well-deserved hickey.”

“Bold of you to assume you deserve anything.”

Eris smirked at her and Iris didn’t like the look on his face one bit.

“If you lift your slip and show me some skin, I’ll let you cut my hair.”

Iris snorted. “Who said I wanted to touch your hair?”

“Oh wife, I know you want to touch me in many places.”

Iris pursed her lips, her flushed cheeks heating further but she refused to look away from him, refused to let him and his stupid smirk win. Sure, she wanted to touch him. In fact, lately, all she had been thinking about was touching him. But that would mean he’d get what he wanted. And well…Iris didn’t want to give him that just yet.

Without breaking eye contact, Iris slid her foot closer to him and Eris’s attention immediately zeroed in on the bare ankle as she slid her foot up his leg slowly, the slip riding up with it, showing much more of her soft skin than he was accustomed to.

“You couldn’t handle me touching you in all the places I want to.” she confessed softly and with a small coy smile, she slowly slid her foot back down his leg then immediately turned, giving him her back, shielding herself and Lyra with the covers.

Eris prided himself on many things but trying to avoid his scent changing around his wife was not one of them.

“You play so dirty.” he said miserably and Iris laughed softly.

She turned on her stomach, facing him again and watched Eris curiously. He tilted his face and watched her watch him, as they almost always ended up doing each night.

A beat of silence passed then —

“A question for a question.” he said, his voice low and Iris paused, color blooming on her cheeks.

“A question for a question.” she repeated quietly.

“What are you thinking about right now?” he asked, turning his body to face her, resting on his elbow.

She watched him, her gaze roaming his handsome face, dipping to his lips for a split second before meeting his eyes again. “I’m thinking…” she began and swallowed, her heart in her throat. “That the Eris I’ve been getting to know is one I don’t mind being around so much.”

She glanced down at his hand resting on Lyra, only inches away from hers then met his eyes once more. “I’m thinking that...even though I’m used to my father and I’ll take whatever he throws at me,” she whispered. “I feel a little braver knowing you’ll be there.”

Eris’s gaze hardened. “If you think I will allow your father to lay a hand on you, you must not have taken my word seriously.”

“I do.” she said softly, the corner of her mouth ticking up then down. “I just don’t think he will.”

“He won’t have a choice. He isn’t allowed in here.”

It was that tone that had Iris’s eyes glued to his face. The way he spoke left no room for discussion, the threat crystal clear. It was this tone that had her licking her lips before very, very quietly adding, “I’m also thinking that I would like to kiss you but I’m scared and it — it feels like too much.”

Eris’s brows lifted slightly, hesitation in his stare. “Why are you still scared, little gazelle?” he asked.

Iris bit her lip and fell silent for a moment, the thundering of her heart as steady and loud as his. She shook her head without answering and looked away as she asked, “What are you thinking about?”

Eris’s eyes seemed to be memorizing every inch of her face as he pondered her question.

“I’m thinking,” Eris began, his voice dropping an octave. “That I would really like to kiss you too but if I start, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop.” he said simply and Iris’s heart began beating even more wildly in her chest. “I’m thinking about how I don’t think you’ve been kissed the way I want to kiss you and it excites me more than it should.”

Iris looked away, feeling heat pool low in her stomach. She glanced at Eris through her lashes, at the look in his eyes and softly asked, “How would you kiss me?”

“That’s something I’d have to show you because words...will fail me, Iris.” he said, the corner of his mouth ticking up then went down just as quickly. “But I don’t want you to be afraid of me. Of anything we would do together.”

Iris turned her body once more, to face him, Lyra resting on the pillow between them. Iris looked away from him and bit her lip, wanting to tell him — the real reason she was so terrified.

She met his gaze and found him watching her the way he always did — intensely, like she was a message written in a secret code he had to decipher; like he couldn’t look anywhere else, his attention undivided on her.

And it was because he looked at her like this. Like she carried his world in her palm. Like she was his salvation. Like she was important. She was petrified because he looked at her like she meant more and Iris wasn’t ready for how badly it was going to hurt when he eventually got tired of that mouth of hers. She shook her head once more.

“I’m not afraid of you.” she said quietly and gave him a small smile when he frowned but couldn’t bring herself to say more about it. “If I don’t give you a kiss, will you abandon me tomorrow?”

Eris narrowed his eyes at her then scoffed when he saw that she was teasing. “You could stab me in the balls and I’d still be there.”

Iris gave him a pointed look, her fingers flexing slightly and he squinted.

“Don’t even think about it, Iris.”

She laughed, feeling the weight of her wretched father’s visit ease off her chest slightly.

“Your heart just skipped a beat at the thought, didn't it, you feral little cat.” he said with a snort, but his lips were curved up as he spoke. Iris lifted her shoulder in a half-shrug.

“You’re the one that suggested it.” she said innocently. “It would be a great way to test all my new healing skills on you.”

Eris rolled his eyes. “Of course it would.” he said with another snort then gave her a sneaky look. “It also runs the risk of ruining any future pleasure you might have.”

It was Iris’s turn to roll her eyes, even as she flushed. “I can pleasure myself perfectly fine on my own, husband.”

“Can you now?”

“A girl has to know her own body before allowing others the privilege of being near it.” she said with pursed lips. “Wouldn’t want to be disappointed.”

Eris slowly smirked and Iris wanted to melt into the sheets as he said in a voice too sinful with such little space between them, “You and I both know there would be no disappointment between us on that end.”

Iris bit her lip as the scent in the room shifted slightly. She wasn’t sure who the culprit was between the two of them.

Iris tilted her head, watching him. “You’re so confident I’ll enjoy it.”

“I wouldn't rest until you did.”

And she knew what his tone meant. She could ask Lyra to move and find out exactly what he meant as soon as tonight. Her heart thundered in her chest and Eris watched her, his one brow quirked. All she had to do was say the word.

But she wasn’t ready for the fire in his veins to be unleashed on her. Iris wasn’t sure she could handle him following up on his many promises just yet.

Iris could only glance at him silently, feeling the heat blooming on her cheeks.

Eris chuckled at her silence and the sound danced across her skin as Iris watched him shift, getting comfortable on his side, facing her.

“Lyra, I’ll need you to protect me now. Your mother has the filthiest look in her eyes.”

Lyra whined playfully as Iris huffed in disbelief but only shook her head, a small smile on her face.

“You wish, you mongrel.” she mumbled but the words had no heat as Eris only smirked at her.

“Mongrel I may be, but I am still your husband.” he said and Iris stilled when he reached a hand to toy with a hair strand fanned out on her pillow. She watched as his fingers toyed with her hair, his gaze meeting hers and her heart caught in her throat. She may not be quite brave for something more right now but...

“A question for a question.” she whispered before she could stop herself and Eris’s fingers stilled.

“Yes?” his response barely above her own whisper.

She licked her lips and her flush deepened, knowing his eyes had cataloged the movement. She certainly could settle for being a little closer at least.

“If I ask Lyra to move...will you behave yourself?”

Her eyes didn’t leave Eris’s face as he froze and Iris had never craved to be a mind reader more than she did at this moment.

A heartbeat passed before the corner of his wicked mouth ticked up and he said in a low voice, “Lyra. Move to the end of the bed, please.”

Iris’s heart beat rapidly as the hound obediently moved, leaving only one pillow between them now. Willing herself not to flush further, Iris shifted an inch closer, her fingers tightening on the pillow.

“Is this okay?” she asked and Eris gave her a knowing smile, his eyes drinking in the sight of her — as if seeing her this up close was undoing him as it was her. And she had barely moved.

“You know I want you closer.”

“I know.”

“Then come closer.”

The request was nearly a purr and Iris felt herself near a cardiac arrest at the tone. Eris Vanserra was dangerous for many reasons but him speaking to her in that tone would be the most dangerous thing of all.

Iris toyed with the corner of the pillow, her gaze shifting from his face to the pillow then back to him. “What are you going to do if I move the pillow?” she whispered, watching him as he watched her every breath.

She watched him lick his lips — felt him hesitate for a moment, before very, very softly saying, “I’d like to hold you. If you’ll let me.”

Iris stilled once more, hearing the vulnerability in the statement. How much he seemed to need it. How much he wanted it.

How long had it been since he’d held someone?

How long had it been since someone had held her?

Iris swallowed, realizing just how much she wanted it as well. It was as if he was reading her mind, knowing how much she needed to be held tonight.

She bit her lip, her heartbeat erratic as she slowly moved the pillow between them to settle it behind her instead. Iris faced him and her eyes fell to the way his fingers twitched at his side; she couldn't help but chuckle.

“There.” she said quietly, settling on her side, closer to him than ever before. “No more pillow barricades.”

“No more pillow barricades.” he repeated then paused once more, a question in his eyes.

Iris hesitated just for a moment, and Eris only tilted his head, watching her and waiting. She swallowed and reminded herself that it was alright. That she was safe with him. That she wanted to be held. And he wanted to hold her.

Finally, she nodded and watched the corner of his mouth lift as he slowly slid a hand up her bare arm then let his fingers trail down her arm again, his eyes never leaving hers. They lit up in amusement when she involuntarily shivered and Iris could only let out a soft gasp as within a split second, Eris had pulled her body flush against his, wrapping an arm around her waist.

Every inch of her was lined up to every inch of him and she felt the breath leave her body.

There was no space between them and Iris didn’t know what to do with herself as she nervously shifted, tilting her head to look at him, their lips once again in so many moments, only inches apart.

“I don’t know what to do with my hands.” she whispered and her cheeks flushed as his gaze uncharacteristically softened.

With a gentleness that made her throat tighten, he moved his hand from her waist and bought each of her hands to rest on his chest.

“Right here is just fine.” he murmured and though she hesitated again for a moment, Iris settled her hands where he put them, her fingers spreading slightly as she felt his toned body through the thin material of his shirt. She didn’t know if she was grateful for it or loathed the sight of it.

Tilting her head once more to look at him, she kept her eyes on his as Eris slid his arm back across her waist, tightening around her and Iris felt gooseflesh erupt on every inch of her.

“Is this okay?” he asked, squeezing her gently and the only thing that anchored Iris to this feeling was the wild beating of his heart that matched her own, a steady rhythm beneath her fingers that mirrored hers. She nodded silently, licking her lips before looking back down at her hands. Her hands that now rested on her husband’s chest.

Her husband whom she had never been this close to. Glancing back at him, Iris knew without either of them saying a word that this moment shifted something deeply between them. They were diving into a territory of feelings neither of them were prepared for but right here, right now, this moment was theirs. This moment where everything felt so right.

She hoped he couldn’t hear how loud her heart was beating and with heated cheeks, Iris looked at him with a small playful smile. “My hands are awfully close to your neck.”

Eris chuckled and she felt him tangle a leg around hers, the movement so natural it was unthought of that they hadn’t slept like this before. “I could snap your spine without a second thought.” He said with a twitch of his lips, the arm around her waist squeezing once more and Iris blinked then let out a huff of a laugh.

“Romantic, aren't we.”

“What is romance if not pain mixed with pleasure?” He said with a lazy smirk and Iris rolled her eyes. “I’d say threatening your partner constantly is the height of romance.”

“And I’d say I am deeply concerned about your thought process.”

“I thought you were the one who wanted to smother me with a pillow earlier? And with your hands just now?” He said with a pointed look. “Obsessed with my neck, you are.”

“It’s so…chokeable.” She whispered and felt his chest rumble with soft laughter. “My bare hands would feel more satisfying, I think.”

Eris’s eyes didn’t leave her face as she watched him fight back a smile before shaking his head then pulling her even closer to him, until she simply had no choice but to nuzzle her head into his chest.

“Tomorrow.” he murmured into the top of her head. “You can choke me tomorrow morning to your heart's content.”

Iris smiled into his chest and as his leg wrapped around hers, she slipped a hand around his waist and tugged him into her just as he had tugged her into him. She wouldn’t face tomorrow alone. He would be with her. And the thought settled her just as easily as her battered spirit had settled in his arms.

And for the first time, the husband and wife fell asleep wrapped in each other. The sound of his heart thumping a lullaby just for her and the feel of her in his arms a soothing balm to his aching bones.

#I would suggest listening to Waking Up Slow while reading this from their playlist #eris vanserra #eris vanserra x oc #eris x oc #eris vanserra fanfic #acotar fanfiction #smtb chapters #gfics #if you'd like to be tagged or removed (no hard feelings!!!) please let me know! #thank you for reading i hope you enjoyed this one <3 #one of my favorite chapters to write tbh

[jovenshires]

THE BATTLE OF THE BANDS AU OFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK

THE BEST OF THE CHOSEN

the chosen is an alternative rock band, whose members are spencer agnew (lead singer / secondary guitarist), shayne topp (lead guitarist), damien haas (bassist / vocalist), and courtney miller (drummer / vocalist). known for their iconic guitar riffs and heavy bass lines, the band has been accused of relying heavily on their instrumentals to distract from their lead singer's vocal insecurity, to which they have not disagreed. hit songs include "short kings," "i was there man," and "nuclear rain." the band is inspired by the early 2000's alternative movement, specifically weezer, green day, and simple plan.

THE BEST OF FTC

ftc (short for full-time cast) is an indie trio known for their slow melodies and sad lyrics. their songs, typically written by their lead singer tommy bowe, are often explicitly queer, romantic, and yearning, though they also frequently feature themes of self-doubt and internal struggle. other members of the band are amanda lehan-canto (singer / guitarist) and kimmy jimenez (drummer / occasional background singer). with songs such as "creekside killer," "reading of the will," and "bones," ftc is inspired by artists such as boygenius, hozier, and mitski.

THE BEST OF KOLIVTION

kolivition is a hip-hop duo fronted by keith leak jr. (singer / rapper) and backed by olivia sui (pianist / dj / sound mixer). they incorporate r&b, funk, and rap into their music as well, with their soulful beats and psychedelic sounds. kolivition's songs typically revolve around romance in the modern world. the duo's hit songs include "life's a party," "give me all your money," and "bobby from the block." kolivition is inspired by childish gambino, frank ocean, and kendrick lamar.

THE BEST OF COVENTRY

coventry is a female-led punk band consisting of erin dougal (singer / guitarist), heidi ha (singer / drummer), and selina garcia (singer / bassist). they typically theme their songs around female empowerment and relationships - romantic, platonic, or otherwise. their hit songs include "sluts," "sunflower," and "wish i could (say the same)." they are inspired by paramore, no doubt, and veruca salt.

THE BEST OF LET'S DO THIS

let's do this, though a relatively new band, is an enthusiastic underdog pop trio. its members, chanse mccrary (lead singer / guitarist), angela giarratana (bassist / vocalist), and arasha lalani (drummer / vocalist), are clearly tuned into the pop scene and thus make current, upbeat, snappy music that is practically made for the radio, even if it's yet to take off. their songs rely heavily on romance, and are often either explicitly queer or gender-neutral. their top tracks are "i lied," "lost the room," and "coroner." ldt is based off of artists such as conan gray, maisie peters, and troye sivan.

THE BEST OF SMOSH

smosh is a moden reinvention of an early 2000's pop-punk / alternative duo. back after a 6-year hiatus and preparing to win a competition they've already lost, ian hecox (singer / bassist), anthony padilla (singer), and their rotating backup band are re-entering both battle of the bands and mainstream. their music centers around personal identity and how that identity affects one's relationships. though they are re-inventing their sound, smosh was and is still known for their heavy instrumentals and all-star vocals. hit songs include "shut up," "the sun," and "destiny," and the band was based off of twenty one pilots, fall out boy, and panic! at the disco.

THE BEST OF JACKIE UWEH

jackie uweh - also known as the most talented voice of our generation - is an r&b / soul singer who sells out football stadiums with her powerhouse vocals. her songs often feature themes of feminism, romantic relationships, and a continuous journey of self-discovery. this is her first year judging battle of the bands, and, according to her, hopefully not her last. jackie's hit songs include "buggin'," "over easy," and "been with." she is inspired by beyonce, rhianna, and lizzo.

THE BEST OF MYTHICAL

mythical, which consists of rhett mclaughlin (singer / guitarist) and link neal (singer / guitarist) and their fantastic backing band, is a country band notable for having won battle of the bands ten years ago. since then, they have created their own empire, complete with a record label and several signed artist - previously including ian hecox of smosh fame. though they are a country band, mythical is also known to incorporate alternative genres into their music, especially their most recent album, which has been by far their most controversial in terms of sound. their musical themes vary, sometimes instead focusing on story-telling rather than relatability, but typically they utilize love (romantic, platonic, and familial), religion, and self-expression and exploration. their songs include "will it?," "buddy system," and "let's talk about that." they are inspired by james and the shame, noah kahan, and the lumineers.

THE BEST OF TREVOR

trevor (that's it, just trevor) is a soundcloud-based rapper who's honestly just happy to be here. an up-and-coming (read: thus unsuccessful) artist, trevor is a part-time musician and a part-time sound designer and editor. after working on mythical's latest album, he was invited to emcee the battle of the bands and is ecstatic at the chance to promote himself. trevor focuses on the self-described subgenre "meme rap," which views modern life through a comical gen z lens. his songs include "another banger," "silly guy," and "o7," and he is based on yung gravy, yungblud, and danny gonzalez.

#smosh #smosh au #fic #rpf #playlist #edit #mine* #aued* #botbau #oh my god...... whew this took me OUT #writing up all the descriptions my detested. anyway hope you all enjoy! for any of you who picked up on the january 25th clues here's this! #idk when this series will be back?? just bc. that would mean either me having to write it or me figuring out what content to make next #but! botbau is out there for us all now <3 #or at least whats been sitting in my drafts anyway

[kazumist]

MEANINGFUL SILENCE .ᐟ

✩ — in which childe finds himself always sitting next to you every time he takes the bus ride home.

✩ — includes: childe x gn!reader. fluff. no cws. wc: 971. happy birthday to the one and only childe ajax tartaglia (aka my boyfriend very real not clickbait)! a tad bit messy this is rlly just pure vomit ahahaha ;;

It was always the same routine every day for Childe.

Wake up, eat, get ready for work, go to work, go home, eat, sleep, and repeat. For the past  three consecutive years he's been working for the current company he’s at, Childe has been doing that routine. A bit too repetitive, he’ll admit that. But he finds it perfectly fine to repeat this routine, as it doesn’t really bother him at all. What’s there to complain about anyway? It was his routine.

The first time Childe saw you, you were at least two rows away from him on the bus. 

Every ride home, he always takes the one at the very back if it isn’t occupied, just so he can rest his eyes a bit after a long day of work. But when Childe first saw you, a bit of his drowsiness washed away. You looked tired like him; nothing about your appearance gave it away, but it was more like the vibe you gave off (then again, it was late by this time, and other people on the bus were tired as well. Maybe it was the vibe of everything that made Childe find it out).

With only a few more people remaining on the bus, Childe has at least shut his eyes for a quick nap a good two times now. And because of that, by the time there were only three people on the bus (you, him, and some other guy he could honestly care less about), Childe was wide awake.

Childe found out three things that day. One would be that he shouldn’t really mess around with that one snarky coworker of his (it's not his fault that he looks like a grapehead, but hey, he’s a decent guy who gets the job done. Too bad his personality is a bit... yeah). Two would be that he should probably have some ready to heat food in stock at his place because there are times when he’s too tired to cook himself some dinner. 

And the third would be that your stop was right before his.

The second time Childe saw you, the only seat left on the bus was the one beside you. It was currently rush hour, and Childe was lucky enough to get his work done for the day and not stay late just to work overtime. But the stuffy feeling of the bus being this full is a bit sickening for him.

Loosening his neck tie on the way home had always been a habit for Childe, even during his school days. It makes him feel less suffocated (an overdramatic statement; his uniform back then and his suit now were comfortable). As he slowly starts tugging on his neck tie downward, he sighs in relief—that is, until he feels a sudden weight on his shoulders.

Childe looks at what landed on his shoulder and ends up with the sight of you sleeping quite peacefully. 

Back then, he only caught a glimpse of what your face looked like when you got on the bus; the rest of the ride that time was just the back of your head (and occasionally, your side profile as well when you decided to look at the window). However, now that he’s actually looking at you, Childe notices many, many features.

He notices your slightly visible eyebags (these weren’t obvious to him from afar, but now that he’s this close to you, he’s a bit concerned. Have you been sleeping well?), how your top isn’t buttoned all the way up anymore (could it be that you had the same habit as him?), and how despite the continuous humps that the bus drives through, you’re still sound asleep on his shoulder (he secretly commends you for it, really). 

Ever since that specific bus ride, he has been sitting next to you. Not that you seemed to mind either.

One time, Childe was the only one who was sitting on the same seat row that you both would sit in. And by the time you arrived to sit, you saw him lightly pat the seat next to the window.

“Why didn’t you take this seat?”

“I knew you liked the spot next to the window, so I saved it for you.”

His response confused you; you rarely know this man, and the only time you ever get to see him is during this one bus ride home every single day. Yet here he is, saving a spot—your usual spot—because he knew you liked it.

Strange, but the gesture is appreciated.

On the following bus rides after that, Childe seems to always save you that spot next to him. He doesn't know why he’s doing this either, but he finds it fun. And seeing the small smile you give him every time you find him saving that spot next to him once again, he knows you like it. But that doesn’t necessarily answer the question of why he’s doing this.

He could’ve continued sitting at the back and napping his way through the bus ride. He could’ve continued on with his routine as usual. So why is he now wide awake despite being exhausted from work and casually stealing glances from you every now and then? 

Maybe it’s because he got used to it. Maybe it’s because it has become a strange habit of his to save the seat next to you just for you. And maybe it’s because he got used to watching you look out the window.

In the end, it was always the same routine for Childe.

But if you were to make him pick what his favorite part of his routine is, it wouldn’t be sleep (that’s his second favorite, though). It would be his bus ride home because, by then, he would be sitting next to you again.

#( writings ) #astronetwrk #favoniuslibrary #genshin x reader #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact #genshin imagines #childe imagines #childe genshin impact #childe x reader #childe #idk why that's the title btw i just picked a random song in my playlist and just went fuck it 💀 #this probably makes zero sense but oh well at least i got something out for childe's bday :3

[quickhacked]

All That's Left follows two journalists and their friends in post-apocalyptic United States as they travel from the fallen east coast megalopolis Opportunity back to Los Angeles, crossing through a harsh wasteland overrun with zombies— only to find out that there is a lot more life left than what the protected cities want them to believe. On their journey they meet dozens of people living their lives as peaceful as possible away from military forces, corporations, and corrupt governments; and they learn that the same mutated ghouls that took down Opportunity are spreading rapidly through the country, destroying everything in their path. Will this finally be the end of the world as we know it?

taglist (opt in/out)

@shellibisshe, @florbelles, @ncytiri, @hibernationsuit, @stars-of-the-heart;

@vvanessaives, @katsigian, @radioactiveshitstorm, @estevnys, @adelaidedrubman;

@celticwoman, @rindemption, @carlosoliveiraa, @noirapocalypto, @dickytwister;

@killerspinal, @euryalex, @ri-a-rose, @velocitic, @thedeadthree

#all that's left #edit:misc #nuclearedits #so um. hi. this is an original story i've been working on since 2016 and i love it so so much. sorry #it's not a tv show but i would love for it to be a tv show do you understand. my vision. are you seeing the vibes of this #it's BRIGHT. it's COLORFUL. it's FUN. there's so many cool characters and it's focused a lot on like #the connections between the main characters and all that #mac and layla (the journalists) go from having to write about this megalopolis which. if anything is just. a city version of a nepo baby #to writing about the people who are still living out there who are being completely overlooked by the safe cities and everything #everything really is not that bad out there!! in fact all of the misery that IS still in the wasteland is created specifically by like #the safe cities who keep snatching away supply drops from people who need it etc etc. and governments pretending that #there's no smaller settlements out there anymore and all that #and also there's zombies. ghouls. i call them ghouls but they have many funky names across the whole world in this universe #anyway yeah there's a lot more to this universe already because well 8 years in the making LMAO so i have another edit incoming #for the fictional season 2. aka book 2. yes there's a book 2. there's also a book 3 and 4. sorry for being insane #the linked playlists has songs for book 1-3 right now :] #if you have any questions PLEAAASSEEEE send me asks. preferably asks and not dms because tumblr dms suck ass #but i would love to talk more about this :^)

[always-ghosting]

just want an irl pack where we can all wear tails and ears and whatever gear we feel most comfy in and go into a small hidden area in the local park and just dance and camp out and stargaze in a clearing and hide away in the small caves while we chase each other and do vocals and completely unmask around each other without any judgement . is that too much to ask for </3

#I know the perfect place in my local park too #stimmed like mad while writing this #tail is WAGGING #want an irl pack so bad #one day i'll find them </3 #listening to losing face by wilbur soot makes me shift i've realised #idk but something about that song makes me shift #its in my happy shifting playlist whatever it does to me #foxkin #therian

[iloveslllycatss]

## — “𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐏𝐈𝐃 𝐀𝐒𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊.”

𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 ! 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘭 𝘹 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 , 𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘣𝘺 𝘹 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 (𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦)

𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘴 ! 𝘪 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘥𝘴. 𝘍𝘖𝘙 𝘏𝘈𝘠𝘈𝘛𝘐 𝘕𝘈𝘋𝘌𝘌𝘕 @rinniezz

𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 ! 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭, 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘥𝘴

miguel diaz ! 

★ — this mf already knew EVERYTHING about periods

★ — his mom and yaya taught him about it since he was young

★ — so when u got ur period? easy.

★ — if you have cramps (obvi everyone had cramps… right?) hes already right there for you, cuddling u

★ — if he can’t cuddle you (like if ur out in public) he’d always have ibuprofen or like tylenol for you

★ — makes sure your always hydrated

★ — this dude is like a personal ass heater, u don’t need a heating pad when he’s with u.

★ — he still gets u one tho

★ — wouldn’t make a big deal about it if you bleed on the sheets

★ — if you ever bled through your pants in public he’d let you tie his jacket or flannel or whatever around your waist to hide it

★ — he understands you have mood swings and just does his best to not provoke you or anything

★ — hes the type of boyfriend that as soon as he finds out you’re on your period he suddenly teleported to the mini mart and comes back with all your favorite snacks and pads/tampons

★ — hes just so perfect bro (i want him.)

★ — would definitely give u a hoodie or jacket of his to let you wear since he knows you love them

★ — if your at his house and need a pad/tampon he’s suddenly left to grab u one from the closet

★ — sorry not sorry but his mom probably only has pads so if ur a tampon girl then idk what to tell you

★ — he’d just buy u some dw

★ — def has asked his mom or yaya for recipes of your favorite mexican dishes so he could make them for you.

★ — he failed miserably… but atleast he tried 😞 

★ — he knows your cycle so he’s already prepared for it every time

★ — hes just so perfect. 

★ — i love miguel

★ — best boy

robby keene !

★ — i’m sorry but man didn’t know what to do when u got ur period

★ — he TRIED tho

★ — when u get cramps he probably wouldn’t cuddle you unless u ask.. 

★ — he would get u ibuprofen or tylenol tho

★ — hes prob one of those bfs that you’d have to explain what a period is to..

★ — BUT HES A QUICK LEARNER SO after the first 2 time you explained it he got it right away

★ — if you’d ever ask him to buy u pads or tampons he’d go, no shame

★ — hed bring back a bag of ur favorite snacks and candy and pads

★ — would spoon u to bed 

★ — would do everything for you

★ —  water? he got u one. hungry? doordashing food rn. cramps? cuddles.

★ — would understand your mood swings but sometimes it’d get on his nerves…

★ — like one time you snapped at him and instead of him trying to calm u down he snapped back..

★ — he said sorry first, and gave u 934829384838 kisses after

★ — would try to motivate u to be productive if your unmotivated 

★ — hed prob say something like “if you get up we’ll go on a date this weekend.”

★ — the first time u bled on the sheets he was a little disgusted 

★ — but after a while he realized it was normal and you can’t control it

★ — wasn’t disgusted after that, but he still didn’t clean it off, he let u do that 😭 (since u have to hand wash the sheets so blood comes off)

★ — gives u massages to untense ur muscles 

★ — hes so cute bro

★ — 10/10 boyfriend

small hc i have for hawk !

★ — asks you what size pussy u have when he goes to buy u pads.

@/ilovesillycats

plz don’t copy my work 😞

#runa ⭐️ writes #cobra kai #miguel diaz <3 #cobra kai x y/n #cobra kai x you #cobra kai playlist #cobra kai x reader #ck spoilers #ck x you #cobra kai fluff #cobra kai miguel #cobra kai fandom #cobra kai robby #cobra kai hawk #miguel diaz x y/n #miguel diaz x reader #miguel #every time miguel comes up on screen i literally start jumping and fangirling fr. #miguel diaz #miguel diaz x you #miguel diaz imagine #miguel diaz headcannons #cobra kai hcs #robby #robby cobra kai #robby keene x reader #robby keene #robby x reader #robby x you #robby keene x y/n

[myrkulitescourge]

i can quit thinking about him anytime i want. i prommy.

#even if my post history and art and writing wips and spotify playlist say otherwise! i can stop whenever!! #astarion ancunin #astarion #astarion bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #bg3 #artsies

[jess-oui]

🌸 InuKag: ‘Marriage Proposal’ 🌸 PART ONE 🌸

A very late entry to InuKag Fluff Week, but I just had to give this prompt my all! 😍😭🥺

🌸 Links to Part Two + Part Three 🌸

#inuyasha #kagome #inukag #inuxkag #marriage proposal #inukagfluffweek #i feel like this is my magnum opus lol #fancomic #fanart #3 part comic #part one #🥺i listened to so many romantic playlists writing/drawing this 🥺 #jess-oui

[rain-is-cool]

drops this and runs

I was debating wether or not to post this but fuck it we ball

#wowzers #dhakjeqkwjejkwjwjejej i hope i don’t regret posting this #wrote this while listening to my q!Jaiden playlist :3 #rain writes #q!jaiden #jaiden qsmp #qsmp jaiden #jaiden animations qsmp #qsmp jaiden animations #q!roier #roier qsmp #qsmp roier #iroier #bobby qsmp #bobby the egg #qsmp bobby #parrotduo #parrotduo qsmp

[suffarustuffaru]

hiii i made another rezero spotify playlist again.

so this goes through subarus Entire character arc from arc 1 all the way roughly to arc 8!! gonna put notes under the cut.

theres a few repeat songs from my other playlists, mainly from the emilia playlist and the other subaru playlist i made, but i keep it to a minimum!! these songs are important okay.

i use several rezero songs because. well a lot of official rezero songs are from subaru's pov if you look at the lyrics + play in certain crucial moments. and also theyre bops and this is my playlist so i do what i want HAH

also in general i wanted to choose a blend of. more depressing songs. but also more upbeat ones. and a mixture of both of those. subaru has a rollercoaster of an arc hah i had to get a specific Tone here.

the first three songs are the intro songs!! the ones that summarize subarus entire character <3 okay also i know "the whole being dead thing" is an absolutely hilarious choice for a subaru playlist. even in just the song title alone. but LMAO i stand by that choice. 1000%.

"waving through a window" is like. just a bit pre-arc 1, then "connect" is the arc 1 to arc 2 transition

"relive" and "peace and love on the planet earth" mark memory snow and the end of arc 2 overall. "all i've ever known" is in this section because of remsuba growing close together. "ceilings" and "same boat" are in this section because i think they kind of fit the specific kind of Yearning subaru has. just in the sense that rbd undos time hes spent with the others; he loves them, but do they love him back? he knows them, but they dont know him. that sort of thing. i had to acknowledge it ;-;;;

"wrecking ball" (yes i know its a very fitting song title aljsldf) to "mr loverman" are arc 3!! also yes i know theres a lot of songs from the show crazy ex-girlfriend in this section but like. hear me out okay those songs fit. i think it's easy to tell what theyre referring to with the song titles alone also alksdjfljksfd

(and yes "what is this feeling?" is referencing subaru and julius's unfortunate first meeting. i couldnt resist.)

"realize" (this is specifically the cover that subarus va did!!) to "hopes and dreams" is arc 4. "look whos inside again" and "this is me trying" can be seen as references to subaru's first trial also.

"haven't you noticed (i'm a star" to "fightsong" are the transition from arc 4 to arc 5. and yes i had to include the song "boy bi".

"theater D" to "zero to hero" is the rest of arc 5. and yes theater D is an extremely good song okay it deserves to be in this playlist twice. the second time just represents sirius fucking shit up <3 "i see stars" is supposed to represent subaru's heroic speech to the entire city!! "immortals" is also in reference to subaru learning reinhard can Also die and come back.

"soldier, poet, king" is the transition into arc 6. you can also see the "soldier, poet, king" as julius, subaru, and emilia.

"demons" to "soap" is the rest of arc 6 <3 and if you so desire it you can see "at my back" and "what else can i do?" as julisuba (platonic or otherwise) songs.

"collusion" and "malachite's theme" are the transition into arc 7-8 and the rest of the songs that follow after are the rest of arc 7-8!! "run boy run" marks the start of the child subaru arc yes.

"your reality" is the finale song... i know it's like a pretty calming choice for a subaru playlist aljsdlf but i feel like the lyrics are fitting for the entirety of his character arc and the possible direction it might take yes!!

#rezero #re:zero #back at it again with the playlists i know but i like making these so :<<<< i sure do love music and making playlists for my blorbos. #this is for my study music and my writing music aljdslf <3 #also i keep revealing my music tastes with these. yes its a whole bunch of stuff lajsdlf #natsuki subaru #Spotify #suffaru post

[faxxmodem]

hey for no reason in particular what are everyone's favorite lynnmanda songs

#shotgunshipping #lynnmanda #lynn denlon #amanda young #saw 3 #please this writing playlist cannot be three songs long

[razrogue]

a lyric on your tongue (Astarion x Tav)

Summary: They weren't a fan of pet names so why had they given him one...

READ ON AO3

Astarion mindlessly twirled the curly end of their braid between his fingers as they rested at the side of the lake.

Fighting Ethel had taken more out of the group than expected. Who knew some bloody mushrooms were keeping the damnable hag alive? It'd taken them far too long to realize it until one of the lobbed fireballs finally took out a cluster in one instance. They soon make short work of her and made their way out of the cellar.

As they left the tavern, Gan started heading out of the city, Astarion following behind. The two of them reached the lake and he sat back on the shoreline while they stripped and dove in. Astarion took the time alone to clean up their gear while he waited. They finally began making their way back before the sun was fully set, he met them with a cloth and open arms.

"Thanks Plum," Gan remarked as they briefly snuggled in his arms before drying off.

Their gear back on, the two of them sat down, propping their backs against the small boulder just off the water. He tightened his hold on them as the two of them sat there watching what remained of the sun set over the water.

"I thought you didn't like pet names," he commented, interrupting the quiet as he tapped his fingers lightly on the back of their hand. They waited for him to clarify his sudden remark.

"You started calling me Plum ever since…" Astarion paused, letting the sentence stop. He was unwilling to give things more weight just then. It was pressure neither of them needed. Sure he called them darling or beautiful but he said that to everyone. Well almost everyone, Lae'zel and Minthara were only going to be Lae'zel and Minthara since he valued his pretty little head remaining on his shoulders.

He'd even taken to calling them Darling One because well…that's what they were to him. The one who'd pushed him to face uncomfortable truths and uncover revelations about himself. Astarion had been forced to do a lot of shitty things under Cazador's compulsion. Unattended for the first time in years, he thought he'd have no choice but to do those things with them in order to stay safe and be protected. They'd done their part of his plan as far as he was concerned. Skilled with daggers, dangerous from the shadows, observed far more than they spoke initially, Gan made him feel safe, if not a little uneasy about those skills possibly turning upon him.

He was even able to hold up his part after they knew what he really was that fateful night. It would have been nothing for them to slip a dagger into his heart before the rest of camp had even heard them scuffle. A personal attack vampire, they'd pondered aloud before agreeing to lie back on the mat and let him feed. Astarion should have known though when the instincts wore off and there was no more fantasy to be played; when he'd found a sliver of wanting buried deep beneath the layers of disgust and pain that something was different. Something he hadn't quite wrapped his mind around but he was willing, just like them, to see where the journey took them both.

His thoughts drifted back to the elf snuggled warmly against his side. They'd never uttered a darling or whispered a sweet in his direction. They'd only ever called him his name or Vamp when they were in a playful mood. So he certainly wasn't expecting to hear it when they asked what gear he needed as they perused a trader's stock. And he was sure he was hearing things when they told the barkeeper to get my Plum whatever he wanted. And when it was just the two of them, nestled against that tree just outside camp in Rivington, when they looked up into his eyes and said Plum we'll make sure he pays, he was confused. Astarion would have asked at that moment but before he could his attention was diverted elsewhere. Distracted by the warm hands cradling his cheeks and the softest kiss pressed to his lips. If his heart was still beating, he was sure it would have been racing in his chest.

So as the two of them sat there, huddled on a lake shore together, watching a setting sun, he asked. He asked and he waited for a response. Waited patiently first then impatiently while they sat there quietly, never stirring at his question. He was about to open his mouth, a quip ready on his tongue when he finally heard them speak up.

"Because…"

They hadn't continued just yet and he was ready to just say forget it, he told himself to practice some restraint for once.

"The first time I bit into a red plum…" A satisfied hum coming from them, as if they were reliving the moment right then, they finally carried on. "It became one of my favorite fruits."

Gan continued to look out over the water and left the sentence at that. Astarion shuffled slightly, "....come now don't leave me hanging."

Rolling their eyes as they turned to face him, "Really???"

He grinned and batted his eyelashes, finally conceding as they let out an exasperated sigh.

"Simply put, you've become one of my favorites."

He beamed proudly, sticking his chest out a little. He'd been called many things over the centuries but he'd never been anyone's favorite anything.

"I may need to reconsider my decision making," Gan teased as they grabbed him by the chin and shook his head side to side.

Astarion freed himself from their grasp, pretending to be hurt, "Oh darling one! You wound me!"

Gan playfully elbowed him in the ribs before settling back against his side. He wrapped his arm around them as they watched what remained of the sunset. It was all new. Terrifying and unknown and new. A tadpole in his brain, walking in the sun after over 200 years, figuring out there may be a way to become a living vampire, so many mysteries in so little time.

Astarion wasn't sure how this whole ordeal would turn out but he'd grown sure about one thing. There wasn't anyone else he'd rather face the approaching storm with than them.

#Ilina Gavren #Gan #Astarion #Astarion Ancunin #Astarion X Tav #Astarion romance #BG3 #Baldur's Gate 3 #BG3 spoilers #Ganarion #otp: hand in despicable hand #razrogue writes #long post #this might have been written when I was fueled by spite earlier today #and feeling a little giddy as I listened to their playlist LOL