though it hurts to hear it, cassian knows that nesta is only being honest. her and elain had been through something traumatic, both before everything happened with the cauldron and after, and that isn't something he can even begin to understand. he knows this. still, the sting is there, and he only wishes to bring the female before him comfort. in acknowledgment, cassian nods for her, though slight relief fills him at the offer put forth. a middle ground, in a way, one he's grateful for; it's almost pathetic how quickly he jumps on the opportunity, but cassian wears his heart on his sleeve if nothing else. not to mention, that smile on nesta's lips could convince him to do anything. ❝ cake, huh? what kind? ❞ a brow lifts in question, the corners of his mouth turning up just a bit now. ❝ i think i could do with something sweet right now. ❞ he doesn't intend for the comment to be taken in any way other than in regard to the cake, but he'll grin when he realizes the innuendo behind it.

“He needs to be careful with that redhead.. she’s my friend.” Nesta’s eyes narrowed at the mention of Gwyn. The blonde had grown to care for the redhead, and become rather protective over her. Much as Nesta always tries to deny it, she can read Cassian, see the subtle shifts in his mood, his face, and she can see the sadness slipping across his features. It isn’t that she doesn’t want to let him in, she just doesn’t know how to. “No offense.. but there’s only one other person who actually can understand me and make me feel not alone.” The woman just looks back down at her hands. She and Elain were completely different than anyone else here, and it was hard not to feel even more isolated because of it. His final words make a smile twitch on her lips. “I suppose.. if you’re that obsessed with being around me, you can join me for some cake.”

he's rather pleased with how this has gone, though natasha is standing and stating her departure within the next few seconds; it gives tony whiplash. brows furrow, but he stands as well. ❝ what's the rush? do you have some place you need to be? ❞ he chuckles, though he's not quite sure why he's wanting her to stay. they're friends, and she knows more about him than most people, but that's all they are... right? perhaps in three days time when they go public as a 'couple', he'll have a better idea. tony clears his throat. ❝ what's your schedule look like tomorrow? rehearsals, i'd assume? ❞

“I don’t mind that you’re honest and upfront..” Nat shakes her head slowly. It was just the public nature of it all. She’d spent so long trying to be in the shadows that being in the spotlight, even as much as she already had been, was a huge change for her. “I suppose it wouldn’t be as shocking and dramatic if I see it coming.” The redhead stands up slowly. “Well, this has been.. productive.” She wasn’t expecting this to go as well as it did and stirring up actual feelings towards him that she’d been suppressing, she wasn’t sure how to handle it. “I’ll uh- let you get back to work.”

it's a fair question, especially if this territory is already spoken for; she's entered it without warning and without permission. however, her intentions are far from evil. ❝ i'm only passing through, ❞ selene begins, brown eyes following his every step. he is not human, not completely, and he can obviously tell the same about her. she'll stand a bit taller, arms crossing over her chest in attempts to appear less threatening. ❝ others of my kind — they're looking for me. ❞ she won't tell him why, but she'll give him that; a gesture of goodwill. after all, selene is the one in danger here, if anything.

               "To know what business you have in my city." Tone was casual, though powerful, as he continued to walk towards her, showing no signs of stopping. Creature dealt with vampires, knew all the locals and could list them on a single hand, so when he picked up the scent of the stranger while patrolling his territory, he had to investigate. "Your types aren't really in the habit of stickin' 'round." While she may have meant no ill will, he on the other hand, wasn't going to play with the pleasantries.

her sister's touch is gentle, comforting, and her eyes close briefly in response. only when the other has pulled back, a smile on her face, feyre returns it with her own eyes wide and happy. ❝ i do. ❞ she begins, but elain's words sadden her. however, it's nothing compared to what her sister must be feeling. in a way, feyre had chosen this life... or at least had chosen to be in it, regardless of whether or not she'd been made fae, but elain and nesta hadn't; it had been forced upon them with no warning. her heart breaks for them both. ❝ maybe we can... one day. it might not be for a long while, but we can still try. we have the rest of forever, if we do things right. ❞ feyre chuckles warmly, grabbing for the other female's hand to hold between both of hers. ❝ we can't give up on that dream, okay? ❞

"I have my moments." A lot of the time Elain felt lost, but occasionally the fog would clear from her mind and she was able to be herself again.

Right now was one of those times.

Elain reached out to wipe the tear off her younger sister's cheek, and smiled sweetly.

"Do you remember when you came back to the manor, we talked about exploring the continent together?" Elain asked, it seemed like a lifetime ago now.

"I wish we'd had the chance to do that."

he looks to either side of him before focusing on the other before him, brows furrowed. ❝ you're talking to me? ❞ he'll pause before going on. ❝ do i know you? i'm usually pretty good with faces, but i'm drawing a blank. ❞

starter for / @poisonedfire

@tossedcoin asked: you're my dad ! boogie woogie woogie (to tony obviously)

he isn't quite sure how to respond right away, brows furrowed and confusion written all over his face. ❝ — is that what the kids are saying nowadays? ❞

@warblest asked: ❛ indulge . find my muse drinking to cope . (bedelia) - meme

bedelia is not the type to give up, even when it feels like everything around her is falling apart. she's been through far too much, seen too much, for this to be her undoing. she lifts the glass of scotch to her lips, downing nearly all of it in one go before setting it down. she hears his footsteps behind her then, and without turning, bedelia clears her throat and speaks. ❝ would you like to join me? ❞ she's a psychiatrist, after all; talking is good for you.

he's handling it all quite well, surprisingly, the appearance of a ghost hardly affecting him aside from his initial shock. john is kind and understanding, and his only worry is for his child; they have that in common. but his words pull her from such dark and sad thoughts, and she actually laughs at his comment on undressing. ❝ we aren't always watching you... we just like to drop in from time to time. ❞ usually, though olivia can only truly speak for herself on such a topic. she follows him as he walks towards his room, the woman hesitantly entering behind him. ❝ it can get... lonely, yes, but there are others here. others i love. ❞ though they are her family, it's because of her that they're stuck here... but she's learned to not blame herself as intensely as she once had. a lot had happened when she'd been alive, and this house had driven her mad — that was no one's fault. she clears her throat. ❝ you are safe here, though. just — don't stay inside too long at any given time. get out. often. ❞ that had been her downfall. she'd been cooped up, stuck within the walls of this house, and it had taken her life; she can't let that happen to anyone else. olivia stops just after passing over the threshold of john's bedroom door, hands folded in front of her as she smiles warmly.

His eyes softened at the sight of Olivia and her words, smiling slightly. John shook his head “only a little but I’m glad that someone is here watching over her when I can’t. She’s all I have left and the thought of anything happening to her is soul crushing” he admitted before letting out a soft breath. “So, you and… others live here. Jesus, remind me to never undress again-“ he said jokingly to break the awkward tension between the two of them. John admired her for a moment “you’ve been here so many years, it must feel suffocating” he mumbled as he started to walk to his room, knowing Olivia could easily follow with no worry. He feared that the houses rumours were now true, praying that nothing would drive him insane and put Isabelle in danger.

xaden would bark out his laughter if he had more strength, but he instead can only manage a low snort. ❝ yeah, that's exactly what you are. my one and only knight in shining armor. ❞ he'll confirm, though the silence that falls between them as garrick brings him to the healers is rather nice. he doesn't have to pretend to be okay, doesn't have to muster up the strength just to find his voice. he knows he doesn't have to be anyone or anything but himself around his closest friend, but sometimes he forgets that. they're in a building soon after, and xaden is being set down on a bed as healers approach him and look over the damage done. they nod at garrick readily, mulling about to gather the items they'll need while they assure both men that xaden will be fine. after nearly an hour of being tended to, he's bandaged up and already feeling better, the color coming back to his tawny skin. ❝ how does it feel to know you saved me? ❞ he laughs, but it's to avoid the inevitable conversation of who'd done this to him.

stoic and a brute to most, xaden one of the few people who gets to see beneath the walls he's been forced to build around his persona. deflecting with humor, despite not having lost any blood he may very well be as pale as the shadow wielder. snorting as he enables his antics,     ❝ prettiest princess i'd ever had the honour of carrying, does this make me your knight in shining armour? ❞ he grunts through greeted teeth, tone serious despite the joke. healers soon scrambling around them, leading them towards secluded area. following their directions, gentle as he hoists his best friend from his shoulder and onto the bed. gaze wandering to the healers, pleading and fearful.     ❝ fix him, ❞ an order, because losing him means losing everything they've worked for. garrick may be an excellent second in command, but he would crumble beneath the pressure that weighs on xaden's shoulders.

she's proud of her for wanting to experience life before making a huge decision that'll change everything; what rose wouldn't give to have that chance, too. it's why she's so eager to help gabriella, so eager to make the young human's hopes a reality. however, there's always the uncertainty of what life may bring, the danger and pain; some might say there's no way to actually win. ❝ lead the way. i'll follow. ❞ as she's done since the day they'd met.

"Of course, I'm sure." Gabriella replied back with determination, her mind already set. She let out a soft sigh, "If I don't do it now--" especially before she can no longer call herself human and experience the world that way anymore, "--I know that I'll regret it, Rose."

it's difficult to stop the smile that finds her full lips at how bella reacts to her handing the glass of water over, even more so at her shock that rose can cook. she can do many things, actually; she just chooses to keep most of her own skills to herself. ❝ i do... you sound surprised. ❞ but the hesitation of the brunette, and then the rumbling of her stomach, makes rosalie smile even wider than before. ❝ you can help me by telling me what you want... then we can figure it out from there. ❞ head tilts, golden blonde strands falling to one side of her head as she looks the other over and leans against the kitchen island. ❝ and don't say something simple and basic like macaroni and cheese... pick a real meal. ❞ bella is the type to make things easier for other people, rose knows this by now, and she won't have it. not in her own house and not when she's offering.

Bella tucks dark strands behind her ear for the lack of something to do with her hands, but she's no less attentive when golden eyes turn her way. "Uh...Well-- It's y'know." she's flushed, suddenly tomato red at the implication, until doe brown gaze notes the hints of playful air. God she's gonna have a friggin' heart attack. As Rose turns away and busies with the tap water, Bella has just enough time to mouth 'what is WRONG with you?' to herself. The silence isn't...Uncomfortable. She's used to it, with it just being her & Charlie at home. 

She rights herself just as the blond turns back with the glass, closing the distance between them in about half a super model stride-- "Oh." nimble fingers take the drink with a sheepish smile, before she's a little stunned by Rosalie's string of solutions. "You cook?" not at all impolite, more...Delighted. Before she can wave off the offer, her stomach makes an embarrassing rumble. "Ah..." the laughter provokes some of her own. "I guess it's good one of us remembers basic functions huh?" there's a double layered joke in there somewhere. "Can I help? I mean--- It feels weird just watching someone cook." she herself had learned out of necessity & practicality, but it'd become a lowkey hobby.

she isn't wrong, and catriona knows him better than many these days; what is life without a little risk? eyes roll, but he's on board with whatever she suggests now, whether he thinks it's a good idea or not. ❝ you're impossible, you know that? ❞ xaden laughs, the sound low and warm; he shakes his head. ❝ i have been wondering about security, though... seems we might actually need to look into tightening it up. i think you'd still be able to get passed them, but still. not a good look, in general. ❞ he'd never underestimate the woman before him, the way she saunters about his bedroom like she's been here before. she has, though; many times.

when her hand is offered, her words swirling fresh in his mind, he'll hesitate for only a second before taking it in his own, larger hand. ❝ fine — what stupid shit are we getting up to tonight, cat? ❞ xaden hasn't let go of her hand just yet, rather enjoying the warmth of her soft skin against his own calloused flesh. ❝ and is there a chance we'll get caught? ❞ he sure hopes so. / @ac1nums

catriona leaned against the doorframe, her expression a mixture of amusement and mischief as she observed xaden's reaction to her unexpected presence in his bedroom. his words, laden with caution and a hint of reluctance, only seemed to fuel her playful demeanor. with a smirk playing on her lips, catriona met xaden's gaze head-on, unabashed by his apprehension. " oh, xaden, don't act like you're not intrigued, " she teased, her tone light and teasing. " we both know you love a little risk now and then. "

as she pushed off the doorframe and sauntered further into the room, her movements fluid and confident, catriona couldn't resist the urge to indulge in a bit of teasing banter. " but seriously, " she continued, her eyes sparkling with amusement, " getting past everyone was child's play. it's amazing what a little charm and ingenuity can accomplish. " her gaze flickered to the nearby desk where xaden sat, his posture relaxed yet attentive. with a playful tilt of her head, catriona couldn't resist a teasing jab. " though i must admit, your security measures could use some improvement if a mere slip of a girl like me can breach them so easily. "

despite the playful banter, there was an undercurrent of genuine camaraderie between them, a shared understanding of the thrill of bending the rules and defying expectations. catriona's smile softened slightly as she met xaden's gaze, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken bond that bound them together in moments like these. " come on, xaden, " she said, her voice low and conspiratorial, " where's your sense of adventure? life's too short to always play it safe. " with a mischievous glint in her eyes, she extended a hand towards him, a silent invitation to join her in embracing the exhilarating uncertainty of the moment.

xaden snorts when she pulls back and reprimands him, his nose even scrunching up a bit. ❝ you wouldn't kick me out. ❞ but as soon as the words have left his lips, he quickly backtracks; she'd do it just to prove a point. ❝ that's not me daring you to kick me out. i promise i won't do it again. ❞ his voice is still quiet with sleep, but the worry in his eyes is rather comedic; he's genuinely worried she'll make him leave. as if to try and distract her from such a thought, his hands will find their way to her bare thighs and squeeze as he rubs them up and down along her soft skin, though his hands will linger at her rear and squeeze further in attempts to get her to fall into him.

__________🌩             HE     PULLS     HER     ATOP     OF     HIM     &&     SHE     MOVES     WITHOUT     COMPLAINT,        easily   straddling   him   as   she   does.     soft   sunlight   has   just   begun   to   stream   through   her   window,     but   she   is   in   no   hurry   to   start   the   day     (     they've   been   given   a   reprieve   from   morning   formation,        she   intends   to   make   good   use   of   the   time   she's   been   given   back     )     his   whisper   sends   a   shiver   down   her   spine  &&    raises   goosebumps   along   her   skin.     she   lifts   her   head   just   slightly,     forcing   a   small   pout   to   mark   annoyance.     to    hide    the    excitement    the    action    brought,     a    fine    line    she    now    walks.     ❛  &&    you    know   that   tickles.     don't   force   me   to   kick   you   out.    ❜

i did so much writing today yay!! i'll get to the rest of the starters either tomorrow or over the next few days. tis either gaming time or sleeping time for me... not sure yet lmao i love you all!

she smiles at her brother, for it's been a few months since she'd last seen him. he'd left rehab again, but she knows he's on the right track now; she can feel it. ❝ when you called you didn't tell me what you wanted to meet about... is everything okay? ❞ her voice is small but light, and she hopes her expression is encouraging for her twin.

starter for / @bloodykneestm ( for luke )

selene isn't alone, she can feel that much in this new environment, and it doesn't bring her an ounce of comfort. to be alone in a new place would be more favorable, but such is not the reality. she stands a bit straighter, the vampire facing away from the one watching her. ❝ what do you want? ❞ she means no harm to anyone, for she's running from her own past in hopes of getting far away from those looking to kill her.

starter for / @drkroots ( for drevyn )

the blonde's arms are crossed over her chest, blood red nightgown and robe hugging her each and every curve as if the fabric were painted onto her. she can't hide her displeasure with the eldest archeron sister, and she doesn't want to. cassian has asked her to reign it in, to play nice, but the way nesta treats him is beyond reproachable. ❝ he's not here, if you're looking for cassian. he left with az a few hours ago. ❞ mor sits in the dining room with only a lamp on nearby, the room otherwise rather dark. she couldn't sleep, so she'd decided a glass of wine at this hour would help. picking the glass up, she brings it to naked lips — it isn't often that one sees her without crimson painting her pout — and takes a sip before setting it back down. ❝ so if you're wanting to be mean to someone, it'll have to wait. ❞

starter for / @deathsconsort